[Public Broadcast][Video]

[mccrane]

[McCrane is stiff, and does not stare at the camera as he usually does when talking. His optics are glassy, but he's still going. Somehow.]

After a thorough investigation, we have determined that a number of individuals have gone missing over the past few days.

To count, this includes Ultra Magnus, Gunmax, and possibly First Aid.

[He had not been able to find the medic while looking for evidence in the upcoming trial.]

If you know of any other cases or have seen these individuals, please do not hesitate to contact the Police.

However--

[Now he stops, his lips pressing together and then opening again...but nothing comes out for a long moment.]

...

My information suggests that they may not be coming back.

[The tire tracks toward the badlands had been enough of a clue.]

I am sorry.

[Locked to Blurr and Prowl]

With Ultra Magnus gone, this puts me once more in charge of the Police Force. Blurr, I'd like you to be my second-in-command in charge of patrols and emergency rescue.
Prowl...I know you were talking with Ultra Magnus about restructuring our ranks. For now, I would like you to be second-in-command for criminal investigations.

We should meet to discuss this further.

[He needed something to do to keep his mind off of everything. This would work--for now.]

[Locked to the Brave Police (and Kagerou)]

I could not find him.

He just...was not there, and neither was Gunbike.

[McCrane has no idea what to do right now, other than work. He's hoping one of you might know.]

~

Comments

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

... He's just gone off somewhere to be irritating and alone. That's all.

[He's trying to sound reassuring. Confident.]

[Because wow, for some reason the thought of it being anything else makes him feel... well. It hurts.]

audio; private

[mccrane]

I wish I could believe that, Kagerou, but...

[He doesn't know how to explain.]

I found Gunbike's tracks.

audio;

[namesnotprowl]

[Oh. Barricade knows that look. The usual thread of amusement in his tone is absent, when he finally speaks.]

I get the feeling you shouldn't be apologizing.

I'll keep an optic out for them. Is there any other way I can help?

audio;

[mccrane]

I...

I know there are those out there who will miss them. My sympathies go out to them.

[It's how he's supposed to behave when this happens. He has programming for it. This goes beyond his programming, though.]

Is there anything else I'm supposed to do?

[video]

[kungfugeek]

McCrane.

[Power Joe's gonna hop in for some pep talk, if you don't mind.]

Gunmax always does that. Him always being around was actually freaking me out here.


I wouldn't worry. He probably just went for a drive.

[video]

[mccrane]

Power Joe--

He did go for a drive.

[He pauses.]

I followed the tracks.

( video )

[pendragon]

[ Others may be attempting to be positive, but Saber is a realist and doesn't feel inclined to believe they may be returning. She's not as cold to not realize that McCrane is likely facing difficulties, though. ]

You have my support McCrane, with or without any returns.

( video )

[mccrane]

Thank you, Saber. Having the support of the Law Committee--and you--will help greatly right now.

Returns have happened before, haven't they?

[He knows they have, he's just trying to confirm it.]

video

[flashdrive]

[Get one back, lose two more.]

Magnus? But he just recovered! He was just in the medbay!

video

[mccrane]

He was not there when I went to check on him, and I have not been able to get a hold of him.

If you think he might be somewhere, though, I would be more than happy to investigate.

Video; Private

[fun_police]

Yes. The restructuring was nearing completion. I have it ready to be looked over.

[Magnus's disappearance was.. unexpected. But if there was something Prowl can be credited with, it's remaining steady and calm in situations like this.]

[His own disposition was unwavering, he was fully ready to adjust whatever plans he had to the new command structure.]

Where do you wish to meet?

Video; Private

[mccrane]

I will come to your office--are you there now?

[McCrane's desk was always in the main room...he was more than happy to have given the offices up to others. Now...he doesn't want to stare at Gunmax's empty desk.]

Locked to McCrane [video]

[drillsandballs]

Do you think.. he just wanted some time alone?

[He doesn't exactly want to think that they might have lost Gunmax, but he also knows how much it hurts to wait for a long time with no knowing if or when the person you are waiting for will be back.]

Is there a chance he went like Deckerd did?

Locked [video]

[mccrane]

I thought so at first.

[Now, he knew better.]

I don't know where else he could have gone.

[Video]

[shutupndrive]

....No that...

[Glancing down at Justice, Smokescreen's doorwings droop as he rests a hand on the turbofox's head, trying not to get upset or angry or--anything really.]

Has anyone..gone to look? Just to make sure?

[Video]

[mccrane]

I have checked everywhere I know to look.

What I've found...

[It's not good. He's seen where the tire-tracks lead.]

Audio

[songofmypeople]

Ultra Magnus, gone? You're sure?

[Well, well. >:]]

Audio

[mccrane]

I am reasonably--

[Wait.]

Who is this?

[Video]

[deadlydoctor]

Gunmax? [Knock Out frowns slightly. He liked the guy.]

Flexo and Wings are missing too. [Flexo being Whirl, but he doesn't expect McCrane to know that.]

[Video]

[mccrane]

Y...yes.

[Saying it is harder than he wanted it to be.]

I'm sorry, who?

[He doesn't have record for either of those individuals.]

Text; private

[raceme]

[Blurr is not doing so well either. So, text for you.]

It would be an honor to be your second in Command, McCrane. I'm ready when you are.


Are you...okay?

Text; private

[mccrane]

Thank you, Blurr. Your assistance is always appreciated.

[As to the question, he has to think on that. What was his normal base of operations? Has he known it lately?]

No.

[Audio]

[perfavore]

Grillo.

Do you require... reconnaissance?

[Audio]

[mccrane]

[That first part doesn't translate, leaving him immediately thinking about the Engrish that he'd no longer hear.]

...

[Give him a moment.]

Reconnaissance?

Yes.

[He shakes his head.]

Kagerou is trailing the path that Gunmax took. I think I know where it leads, and where Ultra Magnus's leads, but it would be--

Good.

To have some confirmation about First Aid.

[audio]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

I was beginning to worry about First Aid's sudden disappearance. [Pharma's too locked up to kill him again!]

[pause]

Well.

I guess we just have to... hope for the best. For them.

[A+ comforting]