re_alignment | [video] [Locked to Brave Police and Kagerou]

[Drift can't imagine the mechs he saw give their all to help fight the sharkticons as dangerous or threatening. They were good mechs, sparks in the right place, brave and honorable. Gunmax had nearly died, fighting to protect a world that wasn't even his. ]

[But at the same time, he doesn't disbelieve Kagerou. He can recognize that tone of borderline fear and desperation. And if what Kagerou is saying is true...?]

[This is all a mistake. A misunderstanding. It needs to be straightened out one way or the other. If he needs to protect Kagerou, he will.]

[He pings the Brave Police, then Kagerou. The new arrival can listen in, even if he doesn't say anything, so he can hear for himself.]

Brave Police. There's something I need to talk to you about.

[Ouch. Rough start. He sighs, thinks, starts again.]

Whatever was on your world, your Japan, it's not here. Old grudges, old missions. They don't apply here.

[He frowns.] You're honorable mechs; can I have your word on that?

[There's clearly something behind why he's asking.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Would they? I don't know anything else other than what I was made for. ...Sure, I don't think I want to do anything else, but maybe I don't know better.

I dunno; I never really asked about sparks or how Cybertronians work.

Do tell and cut the cryptic talk. It gets irritating.

Many of us on Cybertron didn't even have a purpose. It's no small thing.

[Drift shrugs. ] The spark. It's what makes you feel, what keeps you alive. It's like your heart?

[He sighs. He's been trying to dance around this, but it is probably getting a bit ridiculous.]

Kagerou. [Blunt enough?]

Then you make your own. How hard could that be?

[Gunmax shrugs.] I guess. Without it, we'd just be robots. With our hearts... I'd say we're no different than humans or you.

...Okay? [Gunmax rubs his helm.] I really don't know him. I know of him and that's it. But hey, I guess it's nice to know where you stand in all of this, Drift.

Harder than you'd think. [He laughs.] But worth it.

You're not. And that's why you should have every chance to be what you want to be, to decide for yourself.

[Right?] And Kagerou, too.

...what's that supposed to mean?

Not a lot of orders coming through, so I think it's safe to say that I'll be making a lot of choices for myself. Nothing new, I suppose.

Drift, you sort of leapt down our throats here. Not a good impression for your friends.

I...didn't mean to. I'm sorry.

I just wanted to clear it up. He seems scared, and he needs help.

I really don't know what kind of help I can provide. I don't know him, and he's like a crappy rip off of one of my friends.

Next time? Be more direct. I don't like this cryptic dance around the subject.

He needs friends. And to feel safe.

[Drift frowns.]

Don't call him that. [Clear enough for you?]

Fine. He should go work on that.

Don't tell me what to do.

[...what? ]

You mean, but. He's one of you, isn't he?

[He frowns. ]. I shouldn't have to. Whatever was between you in Japan, it's not here. That includes hate.

Drift, I don't know him and I never met him. I've seen his name in reports and that's it.

No, you shouldn't have to, but you're making a pretty good attempt at it. And you're the last person who has any business telling me that.

...what's that supposed to mean?

Here you go, running around and accusing us of having to worry about setting aside our differences. And this has to do with someone I don't even know or care about. Anything I have to be concerned with, they're dead or locked away.

You? You guys have your stupid faction business to throw a fit about. So I gotta ask, why am I the one you're so worried about, Drift?

[He blinks. Ouch.]

I just...I guess it's personal for me. I've had my past thrown in my face, even after I was pardoned. It's hard enough to leave behind what I've done myself.

I just don't want someone else to go through that. I'm sorry. You're right. It was unfair.

...Look, I know the feeling. And... yeah, I guess you meant well.

I might have been a bit harsh, but I'm glad you get my point. Anyway, don't worry about it. Friends forgive each other, or some crap.

I did. I just...I do this. Go off a little half-cocked.

[He winces, remembering...uh...what's his name.]

Thanks for understanding.

[video] [Locked to Brave Police and Kagerou]

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