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

I am not going to let the people of this Cybertron fall to his lies.

[That's his official answer anyway.]

You know what Megatron is like, Jetfire. Do you want any of them to believe in him like what happened in our past?

[Something... seems off, even if Starscream's also talking sense.]

No, I wouldn't, but why are you taking this direction now? I know the situation's different, but do you think it's... ah, advisable doing this this way?

[Different Megatron and different situation, sure, but... well. He can't exactly pick out what's bothering him as he eyes Starscream. Because it's hardly that Starscream's making such bold statements - he's heard other rants from when Starscream's complained that Megatron "overreacted" to something he said.

Not that he's the least bit the politican either.]

The fact that he's not my Starscream does add a dash of spice to the engagement.

I'll have you know that I treated my Starscream well.

I even let him kill the Senate for me.

[TOTALLY INSPIRING WORDS MEGATRON.]

... I suppose that opinion might have been expected. [Excuse him as he just... rubs his chin at that. Seriously, Megatron?]

Interesting to hear a similar thing happened elsewhere, since Megatron wanted the Council of Ancients... er, removed as well. [He shrugs, looking away briefly. If he actually knew how Megatron had taken it then and there when he found out, he might have remarked upon it differently.]

But I'm not sure that constitutes any guideline for... ah, treating somebody well or not.

[You're young yet, Megatron, is what he's saying. or indicating, anyway.]

The parallels are...striking, yes.

[You have to stop being so reasonable.]

However, I could agree. We have no evidence on how I would treat Starscream because there is no precedent, here...

And if I recall correctly, we can only be judged by our actions in this Haven. Both of our records are clean.

[Which...is almost laughable, in its own way.]

It's quite curious, those similarities...

[And no, never. That's part of him!]

And... er, officially, perhaps, yes. [His expression grows quite arched.] Unfortunately or not, given people's histories, it's quite another thing to personally not let those... ah, experiences colour things.

Willing to give second chances or not, that doesn't take away what we know.

[As in, while he's perfectly willing to take things as they appear here, he still has a whole mountain of experiences to leverage against what you do... or don't do, here.]

Surely you are not saying that you would hold me accountable for actions that I have not, myself, taken?

Given the renouned fairness toted by Autobots--I would think it is not too much to ask for a chance to prove myself.

Together, we organized the mission which took down the Pillar, Jetfire. I believe that there is more we yet can do.

Hold them against you? No. [That would be foolish.] The histories of our realities, while sharing some similarities, are obviously different, but given those similarities it adds up.

I'm merely being cautious. [There's a dry, humourless smile.] I've listened to enough speeches which both seemed to have a point and draw on something more ill-definable, and made a decision following those that I've since come to regret, to have some... ah, care.

[It's not just you, Megatron. Liege is getting the same treatment and he has less proof to underpin his reason to be as wary there as he is.]

Of course there's more. And if I truly was being unreasonably prejudiced, Megatron, I wouldn't have worked with you in the issue of the Pillar. Or taken you down myself into the chasm prior to the expedition for a possible alternate route.

[He's just going to quirk the upper ridge of an optic at you, Megatron. Don't try to say he hasn't worked with you, regardless of being careful.]

I see your point.

I suppose it is not you that I have to prove myself to, then is it? You've already given me a chance.

[As had others. He doesn't understand why some of those others are suddenly siding with Starscream now.]

There are few of us who do not have a questionable past. I hope that if it IS something we take into consideration for the future of the Haven, the populace will remember that.

I try, at least. [He smiles a bit dryly, because he won't deny that he's being wary.] Both because of and in spite of the similarities to the earlier Megatron from my own reality. And true enough...

It's just--- [Jetfire shakes his helm, the frown smoothing out. There's still something utterly questionable about the way Starscream has gone about this - a feeling that'll hardly go away when he finds out Starscream also ends up attacking Megatron.]

Nevermind.

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

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