[Open][Video; From Police Headquarters]

[mccrane]

[The video is taken from inside the Police Headquarters, as it usually is from McCrane. It is zoomed in closer to him than normal, and those with high perception may notice a strange screeching noise in the background. However, McCrane begins as if nothing is wrong.]

This is a status report and also an inquiry.

The murder suspect Tarn and his associate, Kaon, were apprehended approximately a week ago. They are in our custody, restrained, with Tarn's vocal synthesizer...

[Hm. What is the right word to use for 'mostly ripped out and we decided to leave it that way but I feel vaguely bad about it but not as bad as I'd feel if he hadn't killed people who mean the world to me?']

...Offline. If any wish to reach him, they may do so through text. I would like to put it to the Judicial Committee and the Defense Committee to determine an appropriate punishment for the pair, though if anyone has any suggestions I will note them here.

Many of our downed officers have since resurrected, but there are a few individuals unaccounted for. Please, if you get word of them let me know.

[His constant state of worry has been higher lately, but at least this was not as bad as it could have been. Other inconveniences, however...]

[The background screeching intensifies, and McCrane's winces in pain just before the video cuts out.]

[Locked to Prowl]

[He looks normal enough by the time he sends this message at least.]

How should we go about feeding Tarn and Kaon?

...

Have we been feeding Tarn and Kaon?

[Locked to Gunmax]

When you come within transmission range of the Haven again, please let me know. I've been worried...

[Locked to Laharl]

[The close up view of McCrane finally pans out, to reveal a very demonic-looking penguin that was attached to McCrane's pointer finger--by its penguin teeth--the entire time.]

It has your name on it. Please stop by Headquarters to retrieve your lost belonging, and in the future kindly inform the Haven when a dangerous creature is loose?

~

Comments

audio;

[thxforthememories]

... what is that noise?

audio;

[mccrane]

It's...It's nothing.

I am having some problems with pest control, that is all.

[A pause.]

Kagerou?

audio;

[thxforthememories]

Pest... control.

[See how skeptical he sounds? What kind of pest makes that sound?]

Yes?

PRIVATE;

[sassmax]

Teh, I'm fine. You worry too much.

Though I guess it's been awhile since we saw each other, hm?

PRIVATE;

[mccrane]

[He is very, very glad to hear from you, and it shows.]

You've vanished on me once before.

[Its the sort of thing that can keep a robot up at night.]

Too much has happened here.

I could use your company, even if it means putting the mission on hold.

[Audio]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Good.


[THANKS WHEELJACK FOR YOUR INPUT.]

About our buddy's voice.

[He's personally sick of it, himself.]

[Audio]

[mccrane]

At least for the time being, he can't hurt anyone else.

It...might be better to leave it that way.

[kungfugeek]

McCrane!

[Ugh he wants to get out of this hospital bed right now and smack you. He should be there helping you! And injury to others is easier.]

About time we got them locked up.

[mccrane]

This keeps being inconvenient.

Maybe we need to start screening everyone who arrives?

[He wants you to get better, too, Power Joe. It was weird being at HQ without you and Drill Boy.]

[Audio]

[perfavore]

Eccellente.

Is amazing what the power of teamwork can do, no?

[Audio]

[mccrane]

We would not have been able to do it without you, you know.

I don't know that I got the chance to say how much I appreciate your assistance.

[Video]

[neverputincharge]

About time, let's hope they stay that way.

[McCoy asked him about what the next step is, and now he too is wondering how this will go.]

He oughtta be kept silent, whatever the outcome. [Watching two people be affected by that voice is cringe worthy.]

[Video]

[mccrane]

That would be the most convenient, if...

[If terrifying Megatronus Prime hadn't told him otherwise.]

If we could. Our deal with the Firstforged states that we cannot have long-term incarceration, however...so we will have to come up with an alternative punishment.

I don't know that I had the opportunity to thank you, either. Without the help of the wreckers, this would have gone much worse.

[deadlydoctor]

Look at you being all serious business. [Knock Out smiles, not seeming as interested about the news as much as he seems interested in McCrane himself.] You need to find time to relax too.

What was that sound?

[mccrane]

Power Joe and Drill Boy say that, also. There is just so much still to do...

[Such as taking care of people's property.]

W...which sound?

[video]

[drillsandballs]

[Have a worried Drill Boy, here McCrane.]

Are you okay? What was that at the end?

[video]

[mccrane]

You're asking me?

[On the one hand, you were the one that was just dead! On the other hand...it is still nice when you show how much you care.]

A penguin.

Possibly.

[locked]

[laharl]

I never ordered that. Someone must have forged my name and went online shopping.

[Pause]

But it does look evil, so I'll take it. Ahahaha ha ha!

Oh yeah, by the way ... I found your leg.

[locked]

[mccrane]

Online...shopping?

[Did they have that here? Had he missed something?]

Yes, please come and retrieve it. It will not listen to me and it keeps eating my reports.

[Wait a moment. He has to look down to check that he has both for this one, because it is so strange to hear.]

Did you say leg?

[video]

[adamndoctor]

So, maybe you know - but what do you guys plan on doin' with the two crazy bastards? They gonna get a trail of any sort or what? Though I ain't exactly opposed to you strippin' them of all their rights, either.

Also, I got a request. Actually, no - it's a demand, as I think it's reasonable. I'd like it if we could gather a small search party - four people, tops - to do a run through the Haven and outskirts for Raf, Lyra, and whoever else has disappeared lately. I know ya'll say it's probably just the Lambda or call of the Badlands or whatever mystical bull, but there ain't no definite proof if we haven't done a thorough search first. Given the goings-on lately with your two Autobot pals...

I offer my services as part of the search group. If you can't organize or do somethin', then I guess I'll resort to askin' people outside the police force to lend a hand.

[video]

[mccrane]

A trial would be appropriate, but that is up to the Judicial committee...
For right now, Tarn is our responsibility. As such, we will be containing him by any means necessary.

[It was a line Prowl would use. He's not sure how he feels about it, but right now it's important.]

[Those disappearances are disturbing on their own, however, and he frowns.]

More people are unaccounted for?

[This is bad.]

I can spare at least one officer. If you're offering your services, then I would be happy for the help.

[audio/locked]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

So, you have everything under control. That's good. Are you sure you've taken all the necessary precautions to ensure Tarn and Kaon do not escape? There are no errors? Are they kept under constant surveillance? Who is tending to them? Have they made any confessions of any sort? Have their respectable Firstforged guardians said anything yet? Are you sure they've been rendered completely harmless?

[s-sorry, his tone got a little antsy and stressed there.]

R-Right. Again, thank you for your hard work. And my condolences over the losses.

[audio/locked]

[mccrane]

[McCrane opens his mouth to answer, and then stops to let the rest of the questions come out first.]

I don't know that we can be completely certain of his stasis, but I can promise you I've done everything within my power to make sure he cannot hurt anyone else. Prowl and myself have been watching them.

We've not received contact from the Firstforged yet, but we do have a representative that will be contacting them.

Did you wish to come and inspect our preventions?

locked video

[fun_police]

[Prowl squints a little at the screeching, but doesn't mention anything.]

Tarn's fueling pipes will need to be reconstructed, though his vocal synthesizer can be left offline.

Not that this is an immediate issue, they can survive some time without another refueling.

[Your love for Decepticon prisoners is showing, Prowl.]

Until we can construct a fueling apparatus for them, of course.

locked video

[mccrane]

Thank you for the information.

How long can Cybertronians survive without fuel?

I'll see about locating a doctor willing to work on him, in the mean-time.