[Police Headquarters][Open][SLIGHTLY back-dated]

[mccrane]

This is...a general...alert.

[The video shows McCrane, who is trying to look very composed despite his voice sounding haggard and his green optics glowing very dim.]

The prisoner...

Ratchet.

He escaped...from his cell a few...minutes ago.

[Those who know the police headquarters well miiight recognise that McCrane appears to be resting on one of the bunks in the prison, leaning heavily against the wall.]

I am sorry.

[Locked to fellow Police members.]

Prowl. Blurr. I...I am malfunctioning.

[McCrane does not understand the idea of being sick. He was not programmed to be sick.]

I need...one of you...to take over operations here. The rest of you...please begin tracking down the prisoner.

[That is the extent of his tactical expertise right now. He's trying. He's really, really trying.]

~~~~~

Comments

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

Are you hurt?

[No, we're not discussing anything else right now. The other BP takes priority. And judging from the sound of moving air, he's already en-route.]

Did he harm you? I'm on my way.

[voice/action | locked to the Police Force]

[raceme]

ImalreadyonmywaytothePoliceForce. Did he hurt you? Don't worry I'll get you to the medbay.

[deadlydoctor]

Those are really great news. Tell me about your injuries.

audio; private

[mccrane]

Harm me?

I...no.

Not physically.

[McCrane's optics flicker.]

[voice/action | locked to the Police Force]

[mccrane]

Thank you Blurr.

Thank you.

I don't know what's wrong with me. It...it is something like Tarn. I just have been feeling worse and worse.

[Ratchet must have done this to him, he just does not understand how.]

[mccrane]

No injuries.

Not physically.

...

Knock Out, is it possible for a Cybertronian to send a virus without my having...accepted it?

[He knows better than to accept strange data packets, but this must have been caused by Ratchet somehow.]

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

That isn't reassuring, McCrane.

[He doesn't typically sound so stern, but --]

I'm nearly to the station. I'll be inside in a moment.

[deadlydoctor]

Yes, it is. Among other things, Megatron designed his own biological weapons. But if what you caught is the same as the other mechs here you will feel better in a few days, McCrane.

Can someone bring you to the medbay?

audio; private

[mccrane]

I know.

I think...I think he gave me a virus, Kagerou.

[Which...suddenly he sits up.]

I do not want you to get it as well!

[voice/action | locked to the Police Force]

[raceme]

[McCrane you are breaking his spark.] Don't tire yourself talking, McCrane, I'm almost there.

Like Tarn? There seems to be an epidemic going on.

[And after a few more seconds he gets to the Police Force.] McCrane!?

audio; private

[thxforthememories]

A virus? How?

[Air stops moving. Footsteps sound. Quickly.]

I'll be fine. Stealth systems include firewalls.

[Okay, he's not entirely SURE if that's true, but. He's worried enough to risk it. They can't lose anyone else.]

[voice/action | locked to the Police Force]

[mccrane]

I will...be alright.

[He hopes.]

Tarn, yes. I have been feeling worse since Ratchet arrived, and when I went to check on him...

[That's when everything went really wrong. He didn't imagine that he could literally be too weak to stand. Not when there were still duties to do.]

[mccrane]

Then it is very important we find Ratchet...

[Right? He doesn't want anyone else to get this...which also means....]

I will come on my own. I do not...want to risk...anyone else.

audio; private

[mccrane]

Knockout says that they can be passed without direct contact. He must have had one on hand...

[McCrane is not locked in the cell, but he is using the small bed to rest on. He doesn't look bad, but his engine sounds weak and when he turns to face you, it is slower than it should be.]

Kagerou...

I am sorry.

audio; private --> action?

[thxforthememories]

That makes no sense.

[Viruses have to be downloaded, don't they? Uploaded? Or otherwise entered into the system... they can't just spread without some kind of contact.]

[Well, he might not look bad, but the ninja doesn't exactly like what he sees, either. He hesitates in the doorway.]

... You haven't done anything.

[And then he steps forward, his expression a mask. He reaches for one of the other's hands, to haul him up.]

You also can't stay here.

[Audio]

[kungfugeek]

OI! McCrane!

[As if he already wasn't aware that you were calling him.]

Where are you?

[He'll worry about Ratchet in a minute.]

ACTION

[mccrane]

I will talk to him more and find out why...

[He shakes his head when Kagerou tries to say he hasn't done anything.]

No. No, I should have known I was not feeling well. I should not have tried to open the cell to give him his energon cube. It was a mistake.

[It was a mistake he would not have made if he were well. As Kagerou approaches, he tries to scoot away.]

You are sure you will not be infected?

[Audio]

[mccrane]

I'm...at headquarters.

...

Power Joe, you are from further in the future than I am, aren't you?

[Its a relevant question, he promises.]

ACTION

[thxforthememories]

After we get you somewhere safer.

[His expression doesn't change. He doesn't pull his hand away, either. And unless he's actively swatted or shoved away, he's going to move to try and hoist up the other BP.]

And you aren't allowed to make mistakes? While you're... run down? Tired? That's foolish.

[He shakes his head a little. No, he's not sure, but... he owes this bot a great deal.]

I wouldn't be able to hack into things if I didn't have security failsafes. Let me help.

[0perator]

If I find anything actionable on where that Maverick is, I'll pass it on.

You don't look so hot. Take care, ok?

[Audio]

[kungfugeek]

Good, I'll come to you!

...

[Although the response to that question...]

Yeah, it's weird. I know. Can we talk about this later?

[heartdive]

Maybe you should lay down...?

[deadlydoctor]

I'm sure you Police Force will take care of that. [because Knock Out sure won't.]

Yeah...no. That doesn't sound like a great idea. You stay there.

[calibrates_big_guns]

[That has Garrus' attention. He's about to offer back-up but ...]

I don't know much about synthetics but, you don't look so good.

[mccrane]

I feel...wrong. This has never...happened to me before.

[Or any of the Brave Police, as far as he knew.]

I fear Ratchet may have released a virus.