[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; private

[thxforthememories]

... Then we follow them.

[Hopefully it's going to be as simple as all that.]

[It has to be. Right? People can't keep slipping away like this -- it wasn't supposed to happen.]

audio; private

[mccrane]

I already did.

They--

[He shakes his head.]

They can only be followed so far.

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

What does that mean?

Where are they? I'll look myself.

audio; private

[mccrane]

Kagerou--don't!

[He doesn't want to have to lose you, too!]

It means they go into the badlands!

[There.]

...

[He said it.]

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

[Silence.]

[He... just doesn't know what to say.]

[It wasn't supposed to be this way. He was supposed to be able to change something with this... this stupid pact he's made that isn't helping anything...]

...

I'm looking anyway. We don't know... how long it takes.

[To be lost--]

audio; private

[mccrane]

[There's silence for a long moment. Then, he sends you coordinates.]

I could not catch up.

[His voice starts to waver, and he stops it.]

Please, Kagerou--if you go...

Be careful.

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

I have the coordinates.

[WOOSH, off he goes. Flying is faster than driving, anyway.]

I'll be fine.

I have... things to remain here for. Reasons to live.

[Time to test whether or not Trion's supposed assistance will actually do some good for a change.]

audio; private

[mccrane]

[McCrane hopes it will, too.]

I trust you.

[He does. And he will wait for your report.]

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

He'll be found.

... I may drop him on his head once, or twice. But I will find him.

[Kagerou, why do you care so much?]