video;

[sciencetank]

[The scientist has his face resting in his hand, optics offlined while he rubs at his forehead.]

I can't get a damned text through to his comm. Voice either. It's as if...

[Perceptor trails off, suddenly realizing he's activated the "call all" button, or broadcast function, whichever it is. He straightens, looking abruptly less defeated and more irritable. Which is normal for him.]

Has anyone been able to locate Smokescreen as of late?

If he's run off on some idiotic adventure, I would prefer to hear of it. Now.

Comments

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

...The kid's gone too, huh.


Man, not surprised. Team Prime's got the bug, it seems.

[Something he...really hates admitting. Bulk's a part of that.]

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

We don't know that for certain!

[That. Came out more sharply than he'd have liked it to.]

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

[Wheeljack's quiet. It's not exactly uncommon for him, but it seems...different.]

Sarge.

That's all this place does.

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

[There's a dull thunk of something heavy hitting the tabletop.]

... I need to look.

Surely, you understand that much, at least...

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

...

[You can't tell from beyond the feed, but he's wincing slightly at that sound. He knew.

More than anyone would think.

It happened to Lyra, after all]

Just...don't get your hopes up, Sarge.

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

I need to look. I didn't... Primus.

[He drags his hands down his face. Repeatedly.]

... I swore off social contact after your... fainting incident, you know.

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

...Why's that.

[Seriously, Perceptor, if anything Wheeljack thinks you totally like Smokescreen a bajillion times more. Why not keep contact?]

It's easier if ya don't blame yourself.

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

Because of... this.

[There's a handwave in there. Somewhere.]

[... Disappearances were what he feared. And he'd been right.]

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

...Point.

[His eyes close a moment, not that Perceptor can see. He'd blamed himself one too many times.]

Makes ya wonder if you're the problem.

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

That's not terribly helpful in making be believe this isn't my doing, you realize...

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Didn't say ya were.

Just...sayin' it feels like it.




I know. I've felt it too.

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

Primus...

... Then understand that I need to look. I can't simply... leave it like this.

[Like he did with Magnus.]

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

I'm not stoppin' ya.

..


Just don't get hurt, Sarge.

[And he doesn't mean physically.]

[Audio]

[sciencetank]

Hm.

[More silence. Uncharacteristic of Perceptor. Even when he was upset, he'd be babbling or undermining or... talking.]

[Now he's quiet.]

An attempt will be made, I'm sure.