re_alignment | AUDIO;

This is Ultra Magnus.

Some order of business must be addressed, an announcement that will impact everyone.

While it had been temporarily determined that both McCrane and I would command the law enforcement team, we have both agreed that I will come into full command of law enforcement. All officers will report to me. McCrane, from this moment forward, will be your second-in-command. As such, your respect to him will not change.

However, I also realize that I am additionally part of the law committee. I am fine with having the responsibilities, but I am not interested in causing conflict with both teams. So I request the law committee to please take a vote on whether or not I will remain on your team. Whatever reason you have is your own; a simple "yes" or "no" will do.

To the Firstforged, I request a clear explanation on what you would determine to be a fair due process in how to detain criminals and suspects that bear your glyph. We should be working together, not against each other.

Should anyone have any questions, I am available to answer them.

[to: VANDAL]

Are you, ah.

...Are you all right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I --!

[This conversation suddenly feels like a reprimand. And he's glad this is only voice, it keeps his reaction -- the sudden tensing of his shoulders and backward twitch of his head -- from being visible.]

[ ... while he knows it's not meant that way, this feels like another reminder of everything he isn't. He'll never be like this robot.]

[Just too young, too inexperienced. Right.]

... as you say.

It is why McCrane and I agreed he should stay second-in-command for now. You both have a lot to learn still. You're both skilled, undoubtedly; you were made for this.

But you're still...

[Practically kids. He can't help but think of it in that way.]

You're still learning. That isn't bad. But it shouldn't be forgotten, either.

[He can't... help the bitter sort of noise that escapes him, hearing that.]

No. He was made for this. I wasn't.

I don't forget. I never forget. And even if I wished to... no one here would allow me to.

Then you evolved into it.

No one enjoys being young. And no one enjoys being old.

You can't "evolve" if you aren't truly alive.

It isn't "young" or "old" that... [He checks himself.] ... As you say.

Are you not?

You are welcome to disagree and speak freely. I am not ordering you to do anything. I am... suggesting.

I'm only an AI. And... a shadow, at that. By all accounts, that doesn't make for a real heart. A real life.

[As hard as he's tried to make it otherwise, here. He can't change that.]

Would disagreeing help anything at all?

You are as real to me as any Cybertronian, human, or other species. I would prefer to treat you as such.

It would help me understand you better, I think. If you chose to speak more.

Real, yes. I'm real programming. Real data. Real memories. But so are all AI. Aren't they?

I wouldn't know what to say.

[It's partially true. What could he possibly have to say to someone millions of years old that's worth anything?]

I meant... as a person. An alive person.

What do you want to say?

... why? You don't know me well. Do you?

[What does he want to say? That he doesn't belong anywhere. Not on the police force, not outside of it, with the living, ancient robots, not with humans.]

[But that's... not going to be solved just by admitting it.]

Nothing of import. Shadows are meant to observe. Not be heard.

[Well that was anime of you.]

I know life, for the years I've watched and protected it.

[Wow that was the most anime shit ever.]

...As you say.

[Magnus is not very good at this. So he'll just drop it.]

Are... Have there ever been any like mine? Like McCrane's?

[This sure is one awkward silence. Magnus would probably be better at this with someone who wasn't about as introverted as an implosion.]

I.

It...

[DEEP BREATHS, NINJABOT.]

I don't... it's not unappreciated. Saying I can... speak.

There were drones on Cybertronian. Robots programmed for a specific task. To assist. They did not have personalities. They did not react to anything. They were tools and nothing more.

They are nothing like you or McCrane.

[There's a pause.]

I see.

Though perhaps it is not my place to say anything more.

None of those AIs could... think? Or feel? Not at all?

[That's sort of a surprise. No one's mentioned that before.]

No. I ... meant that differently.

I meant 'thank you'.

Not at all. There was nothing like you or McCrane. The closest we ever had would be an actual Cybertronian. That is why it is difficult to not consider you alive.

...You're welcome.

I... I didn't know that. I thought things like him and the others were common, from the way all you living robots act.

[he doesn't include himself in that group though, being the prototype and all. He's fairly sure none of the others had such a thing.]

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