re_alignment | [Open][From the Junkpile][A political dispute]

[The video starts with Megatron. For this pronouncement, he has chosen a centralized location: The junk-pile, overlooking the Hub community center. He’s had something in mind since Elita made her inquiry a short while ago, and now seems as good a time as ever.]

The Firstforged have left.

They have made it clear that their own priority is to prepare this planet for Primus, which leaves the defense and planning of the Haven to us. If there will ever be a chance of getting home, it is in our hands.

It is time for us to begin building our own lives here.

I invite any who wish to discuss our future to join me at the Hub in one hour to--

Another speech, Lord Megatron? I’d say I’m surprised, but well … I’m not.

[The image of none other than Starscream pops up on the screen as Megatron’s own transmission is hijacked. Starscream’s image appears off to the side like the annoying commentary Megatron never wanted.]

So what lies will you be spreading to the public today?

[It takes Megatron a moment to recover, realizing that his transmission suddenly has an unwelcome guest.]

Starscream. If you want to come hear these supposed ‘lies’ then you know where to find me. It’s time we had someone capable of making speeches, after all.

[Starscream erupts into laughter.]

I will give you that one. You always did know how to talk big and draw a crowd. I remember being at the rallies. Little did we know just how deep your twisted viewpoints went back then.

My twisted viewpoints? [Megatron scoffs, unimpressed.] Of the two of us, it should be obvious who has the best interests of the Haven at heart...and who is merely making a grab for power. Tell, me, what have you done to make this world--or any other--better?

I’m not the one who preaches about a new world order when all you really want is to recondition everyone to be tools for you own amusement. No matter what you claim, you never had anyone’s best interests in mind. I know that for a fact.

[Megatron’s growl is dark, turning in the video to face the image of Starscream next to him.]

Then come prove it.

[Starscream matches Megatron's gaze with a smirk]

Gladly.

[He disconnects.]

[[OOC: Anyone is free to reply! Starscream and Megatron will both be responding to tags, which can be network or action. Those who show up to see what is happening will find a Starscream--coated completely in gold--fighting Megatron.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not being stepped on is good. But then, if you did step on me, you would never find the right cache.

I am sure we could work something out between us. However your fight with the other one ends.

While that is true, I could easily hide whatever I found on your corpse. Then, when you returned...I would have something to trade.

Truly, a remarkable system.

[He strangely isn't bothered by this. Possibly because it ends with him getting to kill something.]

Stealing a stalker's vodka? You monster.

[Well, it'd beat being stolen from while he's asleep at least.]

So you plan to be defeated by the other fellow, then? Even after that speech about joining forces and saving the world?

I know.

[Have a smirk with pointed fangs.]

Hardly. If nothing else, Starscream is providing me with the opportunity to prove that I can protect the Haven.

From all of its threats, within and without.

By proving you're nothing more than a power hungry tyrant.

Beating you does not prove he is power hungry or a tyrant. It just proves that he is stronger and smarter than you.

Ahh, then perhaps it is his things I will be taking a look through, yes?

I will be curious to see how all of this turns out. I am not much for such politics, myself. But a good fight is something I can get behind.

I'd be happy to point out what is valuable.

[The gold he was covered with was a good start.]

All we need now is a good announcer. I don't suppose you have any recommendations?

What a good friend you are.

[Gold is definitely a good start.]

You are the best at speeches that I know. I would offer to be the announcer, but my accent, it is not so good, maybe. Besides, when a stalker makes a speech, all his pack throws empty cans at him to shut him up.

[It's tradition.]

You flatter me.

I don't believe the tradition of can-throwing would be helpful to this discussion, sadly--or to announcing in general.

We'll just have to come up with a new tradition. I'll see you at the meeting?

Then I flatter with honesty; I am not much for empty praise.

I will be there if you like. Politics is not something I do but I will be interested to see what is said about what needs to be done.

I believe there's something for everyone here.

With the Firstforged out of the way...we are free to pursue that as we see fit.

Heh. You say that as though they stopped us from doing things with and to each other when they were here.

But that is something to speak of in the public forum, yes?

There is good and bad in their departure.

[Much as he sounds loathe to admit the good.]

I see you and I agree on that. We must...talk.

...

[He says it...and then just starts laughing, because he has finally realized how ironic this is. He'd WANTED to talk back on Cybertron, and had been beaten down for it until his only discourse was to fight. Now...here he is having to talk again.]

[He's more loathe to admit the bad, himself; he'd had a good relationship with his FirstForged.]

Something is funny about the talking? Or perhaps things have not been solved by speech for some time where you were last, maybe?

Perhaps we will have time to speak on such things sometime; I would be curious to hear your story.

There was a point in time when I believed everything could be solved with words.

I was proved wrong, then...and I wonder if I won't be proved wrong, now.

[He laughs.] At least I have the tools, now, to make my point in other ways.

If you go to the Hub, I would be happy to visit you there when I am done cleaning up here.

Sometimes talking works, sometimes bullets... but often vodka works best.

[At least as far as he's seen. Even soldiers and bandits won't turn down free booze and they actively loathe people like him.]

Then I will be there. Try not to get too hurt, da? It is never good to have doctors fussing over you during meetings.

Vodka. Is that like alcohol?

[He has not heard of it.]

Normally, I would agree...but...I happen to like all of our doctors.

It is! Made with potatoes instead of wheat. If you ever become a human, you should try it.

[Because it's horrible that you've haven't had it.]

And I liked mine. That does not mean you want them fussing like a hen with her chicks all the time, though.

[Open][From the Junkpile][A political dispute]

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