[VIDEO | Solus Prime's temple]

[cec_engineer]

I wish I could say being transported to another universe was the strangest thing that's happened to me.

[Despite his initial comment being fairly light hearted, Isaac is frowning.]

Assuming these robots haven't been loaded with the wrong data, I'm supposed to believe I'm on a planet called Cybertron? Can't say I've heard of it before.

[Sigh] At least I'm... safe now. I assume these robots have some sort of defense function - God knows I could use a break.

Anyway, the original broadcast of this video was to see whether I'm alone or not. Spending the rest of my natural life with these mechs isn't really my idea of retirement.

Comments

[dinnerdate]

Oh, uh...

[He points at the neon green insignia on his shoulder.]

Most of us have this on us somewhere. Not all of us, but most of us. The Autobot insignia is less pointy, more blocky... Some of us don't wear one or the other for various reasons, or because of neutrality. Oh, and there's some other factions too with different insignias.

But uh, usually when someone goes around on a murder spree they're someone connected to our side. Unfortunately.

[cec_engineer]

Would it be OK if I get a snap shot of that? I don't want to get the two mixed up.

[Oh boy, a few bad eggs in a group of otherwise friendly people, doesn't Isaac know enough about that.]

Sorry to hear you've gotten that reputation from the few who can't control themselves.

[dinnerdate]

Yeah. I'm sure if you ask one of the Autobots will show you what theirs looks like too. They tend to like humans. Most of them.


We've always had a bad reputation, so it's fine. War does that. The war isn't here... yet. But does mean there's certain biases around.

[cec_engineer]

There was a war between the two factions? Jesus.

...I think I can tell from the names which side was which. What was the war about, if you don't mind me asking?

[dinnerdate]

Yeah... It's still going on technically. Back in our proper worlds.

It was society mostly. The caste system and how those of a lower caste didn't have the same privileges as someone of a high caste.

[cec_engineer]

In every version of those universes? Wow.

That sounds similar to several civil wars humans have had as well. I guess discrimination is a universal thing, huh?

[dinnerdate]

Just about.

Well it started like that... Not sure it's still about that, doesn't seem that way at least. Now it's more about ruling the planet.

[cec_engineer]

That tends to happen in most wars, it becomes less of a valiant effort to rescue those in need and more a display of power.

I can only hope this universe doesn't fall into the same pattern.

[dinnerdate]

Maybe, if we're lucky... We have the Firstforged so they might keep things in check. If they care. Doesn't seem like it half the time.

[cec_engineer]

Another trope common of deities.

[Boy does Isaac know stuff about asshole gods]

[dinnerdate]

it is?

They aren't horrible, but I'm guessing if something big did happen and they took action I'd probably end up dead. Sure you'd be fine though.

[cec_engineer]

From my experience, yeah.

I wouldn't expect them to be entirely idle, no. What makes you think you'd end up dead, of all people?

[dinnerdate]

Probably not, they do help us from time to time. Or just talk with us... So I guess they'd do something.

And I've been doomed for a long time now, it's nothing important.

[cec_engineer]

Uh, how do you know you're doomed? I'm surprised you're so nonchalant about it.

[dinnerdate]

I eat people... Well my own species. The other side doesn't like me for my faction and my own side doesn't like me much either. Surprised I'm not dead already.

[cec_engineer]

I wouldn't have thought that your systems would be able to 'digest' parts. Uh, no offense or anything.

[He feels that vehemently claiming 'no offence' is going to become commonplace in his vocabulary. He's certainly learnt that these robots get offended easily!!]

[That said, he's not as surprised as he thought he would be at the mention of cannibalism. Maybe because of what he's seen today he's not surprised that Cybertronians have similar societal taboos to humans. Maybe he's just too damn tired to care. Who knows, not Isaac.]

I can see that being considered a bad habit - but you're alive right now, and isn't that what matters?

[dinnerdate]

Depends on the systems, but it's less parts and more just the power core and the energy in it for me. Cannibalism, vampirism, whichever describes it best.

[He shrugs. He's been called a lot of things for it. But vampire and cannibal are the most common. Oh, and crazy freak.]

It's not so much a habit, as it is something I'll die if I don't do. Can't survive on our normal fuel, just power cores and the energy in it. Or I starve to death. But being infected, or corrupted, or whatever you want to call it by dark energon does that...

[Watch as he carefully ignores the whole being alive is what matters thing. Sure he doesn't want to die, but life really sucks.]

So, uh... You have any special diets?

[cec_engineer]

Sounds more like cannibalism.

[Hey man, Isaac doesn't feel comfortable judging other people for things they can't help. He is a bit weirded out but whatever, he doesn't really care because you won't be eating him.]

Dark energon? Were you... [He hesitates]... normal before then?

Me, personally? No, I just eat the regular crap humans eat. You can't be picky with your food when you're stuck on a tiny craft with very little rations.

[dinnerdate]

Right.

[At the very least even if he could eat humans, he has a great record here for not killing a single person. Up to this point.]

As normal as everyone else here. Had a normal diet at least.

[And was a cheery talkative flirt. How things change.]

That's good. Not sure how much organic food we have here to choose from, but at least you'll possibly survive.

[cec_engineer]

So, how did this 'dark energon' work its way into your system? [He realises he doesn't even know what energon is, but figures he'll get his answer within the answer of the question he just asked. Engineers!]

I've had video replies from other humans, so I assume there's some sort of sustainable food source. Either way, I seem to have been living in a state of probably maybe going to get torn to pieces very soon - so I doubt it'll be hard to settle in.

I guess that's something we have in common.

[dinnerdate]

I'm... not entirely sure. I guess it's radioactive... It's not something I would drink, and I know I didn't do that.

There's the pantry here it's got some stuff. Not sure how much variety from what I've heard of organic foods. And there's water. Oh, and that beer stuff.

Your world's pretty chaotic too, huh?

[cec_engineer]

So it was involuntary? That's a shame. [He's being sincere. Really.]

As long as I can live off it, I don't really care - although I wouldn't object to a nice slab of meat. That mention of beer does sound like I'll be set for the next week, though.

[Shrug] Very much so, but everyone has enough problems without me whining about my own.

[dinnerdate]

Pretty much. I was just transporting the stuff.

I'm don't know if there's any of that... but I'm sure you can ask. Look for Blurr. Small blue mech that talks as fast as he moves.

And I don't mind listening if you ever want to.

[He's a bartender, he's used to people talking at him about things.]

[cec_engineer]

I'll keep an eye out for him.

[Is that a ghost of a smile that just appeared across his face? Dead End, you spoil him!]

I appreciate the notion, and all I can do is return the favour.

[Not that he's particularly good at talking over problems with, but he figures it would be a nice distraction from his own teetering sanity]

[dinnerdate]

He's hard to miss.

[Well he's certainly not going to complain about that. Smiling is a good thing, and it doesn't usually happen when people talk to him.]

I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear about any more of my problems, but. Thanks.