[Open][Freewheeling, with little coordinate markers on the screen]

[skidaddle]

[Skids is driving, the camera showing rocks and dust flying as he whisks by. The terrain seems smoother here, and as he's cruising along he passes by a little red flag...then another. Then another. Coordinate marks tick off across the screen as he goes.]

This is a little announcement to declare two things, so if you like good news listen up.

First of all...I'd like you all to welcome 4 to the Law Committee. He filled out the form, it checked out. If anyone wants to vote him off, take it up with Black Arachnia. Or Miko.

[It's pretty handy, having someone to delegate to.]

Second of all...

[And now is one of his favorite times--showing off. Without slowing down he transforms, leaping off the ground in mid-transformation and rolling forward. The camera is a mess of dizziness for a moment before a solid object slams down in front of it--a thin, slender rod....
topped with a red flag.]

Today marks the day the last road in the haven is plotted.

[He stands, dusting off his hands, looking a little too pleased with himself.]

Now, I'm not in the Law group, but if I catch anyone pulling flags out over the next few lunar cycles until the roads are in? [His face gets reaaaally close to the camera--is that a green tint in his optics? It wasn't there before.] Then I'm going to hunt you down, and shove them in places only your maker has seen. Got it?

Good.

[A moment later he's back in vehicle mode, zooming along as if that display of aggression wasn't completely unusual for him.]

[Sadly, he doesn't make it much further before his engine starts sputtering.]

PERCEPTOR. SEND MORE OF YOUR ENERGON TO MY COORDINATES, NOW.

[Someone has been taking a little too much of that Synth En.]

Comments

[skidaddle]

Ratchet had some?

[Of course. That was where Percy had gotten it. He remembers that, his mind is just...slightly jumbled at the moment.]

Do you have something better to do?

[He'll be sorry he's badgering you later.]

[neverputincharge]

Not here, back on my world he had some, took an unfinished formula and tested it on himself. Yer pretty much actin' way too similar to how he did.

[And it's kind of scaring him, even if he's keeping his emotions in check. Cause they nearly lost Ratchet back home because of the stuff. Still, his tone's a little defensive as he answers.]

Yeah, watchin' over Jackie. He collapsed a couple days ago and been completely unresponsive since.

[Sorry Skids, but a downed partner is kinda taking priority for him at the moment, specially after what happened with Ultra Magnus.]

[skidaddle]

And how am I acting?

[Totally normal, right?]

...

Wasn't he one of Perceptor's other test subjects?

[neverputincharge]

Bein' aggressive, threatenin' people. That ain't the Skids I know.

....

No he wasn't one of his test subjects.

[skidaddle]

Only the people that are getting in my way.

[Wait. Was that a threat? His mind is so hazy, its hard to tell.]

Then...what happened to him?

[neverputincharge]

Which could be pretty much anyone. You really gonna hurt, or worse, somebody that might just be confused over why the flags are there? What if they knock one over by accident?

[Skids, come on.]

I don't know. He was...he'd been gettin' more tired in the days before. Then he collapsed, shown on the link. Me, Perce and Ambulon rushed to him to help. He lost use of his legs and arms, and said he felt like was bein' pulled away. He...he passed out before we got to Ambulon.

He's...been powered down since. Won't wake up fer anything.

[skidaddle]

Then they should put it back.

[In other words...yes.]

...

You're serious?

You don't think the cons got him, did they?

[neverputincharge]

Skids, no. Don't do that. Ya shouldn't go around attackin' people over stuff that can be replaced.

I wouldn't kid about somethin' like this.

I don't think so. There weren't any physical injuries.

[skidaddle]

But I spend a lot of time making these flags!

[They might as well be works of art!]

Fine, I get you. That sounds like something important, and I've got Perceptor coming to visit me so I can't talk much longer anyway. Make sure you crush whoever did it to them for me, and if not I'll be along soon.

[Because crushing sounded fun right now.]

[neverputincharge]

Skids...don't make me help Fracas put this thing behind schedule.

[Cause he would. Seriously, they're just flags, they're not that hard to replace.]

Heh, if I knew who it was, they already would be, Been feelin' more energetic, coulda used somethin' ta pound my fists into.

[skidaddle]

Don't make me put you on my list, Bulkhead.

[Its a big list already.]

You can help me pound this gravel into roads soon enough. It'll be like a good enemy--if, you know. It were possible to attack Cybertron itself.

[neverputincharge]

Then don't hurt people over flags

[Simple enough solution to him.]

Lookin' forward to it. But gotta get the supplies for it first. But won't be too much of an issue.