[the device appears to be balanced on the altar in megatronus's temple. ratchet thought it was a device to record his 'surgery']

[which is exactly what it's doing]

Stop struggling you stupid drone! I'm trying to do you a favour here!

[oh, that poor acolyte. there's a lot of energon on the altar, as well as all up ratchet's arms. particularly observant viewers may note a little bit on the wall behind him, too. looks like this wasn't his first attempt]

Remember your friend? He was doing so well until the idiot went and died on me. All I want to do is see what makes you tick, then maybe I can upgrade you so you give more coherent answers! Another Cybertron, honestly!

[he tears out a mechanism and puts it aside]

This would be so much easier with my tools...

[said as he practically shoves his arm inside it up to the elbow. someone, please save the poor thing]

[Well, isn't this just wonderful ...

[The feed opens up on the face of a turian, not that he expects that to mean much, given that he's never heard of "Cybertron," and they've probably never heard of him. Still, the Acolytes seemed friendly enough, if vaguely cult-y, but it was the fact they appeared to be entirely synthetic. Legion aside, he hasn't exactly had the best track record in that department.]

If there's anyone out there this is Garrus Vakarian, serving with the SSV Normandy on the off-chance that means something to anyone here. If it doesn't, well ... might have to think of something else.

One way or the other, I'm not exactly sure how I got here, but the lack of a hangover removes alcohol as a possibility. If anyone can give me anything on where exactly this planet is, any way to contact off world, how I got here, anything, It'd be much appreciated. The, ah, acolytes weren't exactly too helpful on that front.

[The video comes on with a snap of power and a quick rocking motion, like the device was jostled into turning on. The blur of moving blue, yellow, and shades of brown across the view, too close to focus on, helps support that theory. Oh, and the hissing. Sounds like three or four creatures, actually, all hissing at each other.]

Knock it off, all of you!

[The camera is madly adjusting, trying to focus on the too-close object, and manages just as black metal hands wrap around a smaller robotic body, pulling it away until it can be easily seen. It's a firelizard – Numbers, Thundercracker's pet. The Seeker settles the firelizard on his shoulder as he turns away, unaware that his comm is on. The view is of the room he shares with Four. Across from the table that the device is on, three more firelizards are perched on his berth.]

Cracker, Sky, Screamer . . . I know you can understand me. Well enough, anyway. Numbers, you too. You don't have to like each other, but you will get along well enough at least to not tear up either each other or the room. Do you understand?

[The tall Seeker glowers at the creatures, and all four cower down a little, submissive. He maintains the expression an astro-second longer, then nods.]

Good. I'll take you all out flying in a little bit. Now . . . !?

[He had started to turn away for something, shifting to face the direction of the device, but then something, the device itself, catches his attention as he realizes it's on. He huffs. Well . . . might as well. He turns to face it fully, sitting on the berth next to the trio of firelizards, one hand dropping comfortably to the back of the nearest, the black-and-purple one, the other curling up over Numbers' back on his shoulder, the blue/yellow/brown firelizard nuzzling his cheekguard. Those who know the Seeker well enough might catch the faint grin at that – more in his optics than on his face.]

For those who don't know, this is Numbers. And these three . . . [His head turns to look at them as he introduces them.] Starscream, Skywarp, and . . . and Thundercracker. [He touches their backs, petting their wings – possessive, protective, fond. He looks up at the camera.] I'm sure I don't need to clarify which one's which. And no, I didn't ask for them or name them. They're . . . [He looks away, his expression clouding. His voice is quieter when he continues.] Barricade did. They're a gift. [He looks back up at the camera, his expression a little harder.] If anyone finds them out and about anywhere, return them to me. [And he realizes, or rather remembers . . . demands aren't as effective as requests… He's not one to beg, so "please" doesn't come out as much as he knows it probably should, but his expression loses its edge, going soft again, as he looks back down at the three new firelizards, now wrestling with each other all over the berth.] I'd appreciate it if you would.

That is all.

[He stands, crossing to the device, and the broadcast ends.]



((ooc: Back when Barricade first offered to build firelizards for people, I started a thread with TC to have him ask for one. I . . . I don't remember, must have gone on a hiatus and never finished the thread, and then have kept forgetting to do anything with it. People are free to recognize Numbers – he's shades of beige and brown with blue and yellow markings. Four's favorite colors.  And no, TC's not creative when it comes to names.  9,9 He got Numbers with the intention of either sharing with Four or outright giving him to her. He's...grown rather attached to the thing himself, though. Now he's got a whole clutch of them. XD))