re_alignment | [Video]

[Have a new face, Haven – or most of one. Engineer hasn't bothered to take any of his gear off, so there's only so much to see: his eyes are covered by his goggles and a yellow construction helmet sits on his head. He clears his throat before addressing his potential audience, clearly a little uncertain about the Link device he's been given, but definitely intrigued by it. They don't have video communication quite this fancy back where (and when) he's from.]

I suppose the polite thing to do would be to introduce myself before I start asking questions. Name's Dell Conagher, though people tend to call me Engineer these days. I'll answer to either.

Now then, if it ain't too much trouble, I could use a little assistance and some information. I'm a reasonable man, but I'm also a rational one. I got the introductory speech from these here – uh, Acolytes, I think it was – and while it isn't the craziest thing I've ever heard, it's in the running. If I'm expected to believe I'm on another planet, I need a bit more of an explanation than these walking answering machines can provide. Heck, if I had to make a guess based on the level of technology I'm seeing here, I'd guess I'm in Australia. [Australia, of course, being a technological powerhouse in his reality. He pauses, turning to one of the Acolytes that's still hovering nearby in case the new arrival would like to hear its pre-programmed spiel again, and raps his knuckles against its ankle. Its only reaction is to cock its head to one side.] I know we ain't got anything quite this fancy back home, at any rate.

I'd be mighty thankful if someone could point me in the direction of the nearest cafeteria, while I'm making requests. I get the feeling I might be here a while and that half a sandwich I had for lunch won't keep me going forever.

Oh, and I believe I owe some fella by the name of Solus Prime a thank you for this here device? [A finger reaches out and taps the edge of the screen to indicate the Link device in his hand.] Sure is a neat little welcome package.

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[Despite the relevance of his nickname, Engineer is clearly not a robot whisperer.]

Ah, right, suppose you wouldn't've heard of them if you're not from Earth.

[Which is still a hell of a claim, for the record.]

It's an acronym: Reliable Excavation Demolition. They're a company with a habit of painting everything they own in red, not to mention a habit of making my life hell.

What exactly is the difference between a Cybertronian and a drone, then? This terminology's all new to me.

[Clearly not. At least not when it comes to giant alien robots.]

Suppose an acronym makes sense. [Shaking his helm, the corner of Cliffjumper's mouth tilts up.] That, and the Earth in the realities I've been to don't have that company.

[That he can put plural to that is still, sometimes, kind of baffling. At the question, Cliffjumper grunts and spreads his hands, palms up.]

Well, ya could program a drone with as much advanced A.I as you want, that ain't gonna make a full cybertronian anyway. While part of our personalities... or copies of 'em, I ain't exactly sure of the particularities, can be found in our processors, most of it is in the spark.

[Here, he taps his chestplates.]

Ball of energy of some kind, and no, it ain't a battery. I've got an engine for that. Without a spark, though, there ain't gonna be much of anyone home.

[He deliberately left out the mention of Primus, the man's probably going to pick that up sooner or later anyway.]