re_alignment | [Video] | [Or, Alternatively...]

Entry tags:

✘ tf: prime | wheeljack

[Video] | [Or, Alternatively...]

[So.

Wheeljack saw that cute little broadcast to the network looking for a police force. He had to give the little guy credit, he sure stuck to his job like glue. They were both pretty alike in that aspect, to say the least. The feed clicks on to show Wheeljack sitting, tossing his grenade up and down in one hand. After one or two tosses, he catches it, putting it back to it's home on his waist.]

So. Blurrk's makin' some kinda police force? Noble idea, guy. I'd join, but it ain't really my thing. Rules? Just get in the way, if ya ask me.

[There's a slight shrug.]

What can I say? I'm a 'loose cannon'.

So here's my proposition to ya. How about we make our own team of Wreckers? Dunno what a Wrecker is? Well here's the real deal, kids. Black Ops, guys who take missions the law enforcement's too scared to do. Warriors. That kinda deal, ya get what I'm sayin'? Workin' outside the chain of command on this one, not that there's one here really to start with.

No forms needed, they just clog the channels up anyway. And...let's be honest, ya might not make it past the first mission anyway.

[He leans back again, drawing out a sword and inspecting it.]

How's that for a nice alternative?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm all for constructively considering alternative ideas Wheeljack, but let me ask you a few things.

As mentioned, who decides what situations need to be responded to, how they are handled, the level of force used, and what to do with the individuals? How do you maintain consistency over time in all these things?

Or more simply: How can you prevent a force like you describe, in a civilian community this, from becoming a force of oppression? This is often how bullies are born.

Without known and accepted laws, or some form of order to adhere to, in the end a force like this would maintain peace primarialy through fear.

[There's a slight shrug at all that. Really, he didn't think that stuff through, nor did he really expect himself to.]

Wing, was it?

[He vaguely remembers you.]

Listen, I'm just a soldier, bud. Back home the Wreckers were sent on missions by commanders. Ya got a commander? I'll take their word for it. Can't say accidents won't happen, but--[Another shrug.] Compromise.

Thought that's what Blurrk's police force was for.

[Wing thought as much. No offense Wheeljack, but you're not the deep thinker type.]

Indeed.

[He remembers you too, he's even had your back in combat, though you never knew it.]

I had a commander yes. He made a decision that he thought was for the greater good. It ended in more loss of life than was necessary because he wouldn't listen to an alternative opinion.

I question everything, I think for myself. I've followed rules and orders that were right, broken them when they were not, and I'll make new ones when they are necessary.

[He peers at you.] Are you saying both teams would exist congruently? If so, how do you split the work?

[He...really isn't. And he'd be the first to admit it.]

I'm not a fan of commanders, honestly. When scrap hits the fanblades, they're the first to bail. Leave the grunts to deal with the work. We Wreckers? We know goin' into every battle means we probably won't make it out. It's a job requirement. But Team Prime believed in that scrap, so I guess if it makes people power down easier at night, I can compromise.

[He doesn't look really proud of that, but keeping a deadpan stoic face.]

Hate ta break it to ya, Wing, but that's pretty close to what a Wrecker does. Not sure why you're lecturin' me on rules if ya break em just as easily.

[Oh, it looks like that first part hits a little to close to the mark. You're witnessing a rare thing Wheeljack, a flash of ugly bitterness that steals over Wing's face, gone as fast as it came. He'll just dodge that whole topic, thanks.]

But we aren't at war anymore. We can't just assume extreme measures will be required. [He shakes his head.]

Not easily broken. No. And not as a matter of course, which sounds like what the Wreckers are. I do what's right, when law ceases to be such, then it's broken its own covenant to us before I even start.

[He's gonna level with you here.]

Look, I'm not outright trying to shut you down. But some thought needs to put into this or things will get ugly. If you want to assemble the Wreckers then they need a purpose. And if you're putting out the call that pretty much makes you defacto leader unless you can provide someone else.

Is this unit in addition to Blurr's police force? And if so, will you be trying to do the same job?

Because as I understand it there's plenty of fighting to be done that's not among ourselves, against the external forces that threaten us, which is far better suited to the Wreckers.

Point there. I'll give ya that.

[Because Decepticons are weird across universes, and he can't exactly go by faction alone.]

Whoa, I ain't lookin' to be leader of anythin, bud. Like I said, I'm a soldier. Somethin's causin a threat to most of this place? We'll take care of it. Special Ops. We ain't gonna go snuffin' the sparks of people speeding or anything. Figured that's what Blurr's was for. Keepin' that law he likes intact.

If the kid's system fails, we step in.

[His wings perk up indignantly, much like ruffled feathers.]

I know you aren't, but I'm saying you might get stuck with it. You started the ball rolling, if it picks up speed and you can't find anyone to hand it off to...

[He shrugs: that's momentum for you.]

A lot of us are willing to jump to the defense of Haven and this new Cybertron. And there's nothing wrong with having some structure or organization to that.

If you don't intend to compete with Blurr's police force, then you may want to tell him that. And if you want to provide them some back-up for the heavy stuff, maybe we should coordinate that? [He's just trying to facilitate things, since as you said, you're just a solider.]

[His tone softens a touch.] It's not my intention to offend Wheeljack, apologies if I did, but please understand: when a self proclaimed 'loose canon' goes and says he doesn't like rules and wants to do his own thing...that can make some people nervous.

[Thankfully, Wheeljack seems rather placid about it...for once. Blurr's reaction kind of dimmed his fire.]

Maybe you're right on that account. I don't want that kid dealin' with scrap I know he can't get out of. Rules don't work for everythin', and you can agree with me on that. I'll talk to the kid.

[Those wings remain perked, mainly because something's still on his mind.]

Guess I'm just wonderin' why no one picked up the part where I said we'd do stuff Blurr's team wouldn't. Kinda implies that we'd be workin' with him. You guys sure did a great job pickin' up everything else.

[And then...he softens.]

I better go find the kid.

[OOC: Wow RC could you use 'guess' enough.]

Edited 2012-08-27 06:43 (UTC)

[He nods, thankful to be on the same page now.]

I don't either. And Blurr is used to having to work alone, so I know it's difficult for him to ask for help. If he knows it's only because we want to support and coordinate with his efforts and not undermine them, then that goes a long way.

[And Wheeljack has a point, really.]

I'll admit I hadn't, and for that shortcoming I'll also apologize. I'm glad we could come to an understanding though. As for why...

Likely with the implied rejection of rules and offering an 'alternative' to Blurr's group made it sound like you would be in contention. This are delicate right now in many ways, so people are more reactive than usual.

[He smiles.]

It's good of you Wheeljack. If I can help in the future with anything, please let me know. It's important to me that this place be a positive new start for all of us.

[The working alone bit was something he didn't really quite grasp as easily as others might. Back home, the Wreckers were usually 90% alone all the time anyway, so it never occurred to him that it seemed out of place.]

Yeah, guess I kinda...worded it badly.

[He listens to Wing, which is really more than one could usually expect from Wheeljack, now looking rather worn from all this. He doesn't sound annoyed, but more socially awkward and timid.]

Yyyeep. I'll keep ya in mind.

[It's an alien concept to Wing, who's almost always had others to work with.]

Those things happen to us all. What truly matters is how we rectify them.

[A gentle nod, he's probably pestered you enough for now, but he wants you to know in the end he's still a friend.]

Thank you for hearing me out. I'll do the same for you in the future.

Let me tell you something, pretty bot.

You think a police force can't become a force of oppression? You need a history lesson or something?

I'm aware. [Just ask Drift. Wing's heard his painful story on that very subject.] Any body of power has the capacity to become corrupt. Is that a reason not to have one at all?

I'd rather trust a committee in which the community has some control than the single leader of a cre who's specialty it just dispensing violence.

...You know what's seriously lacking in everyone here?

[Are you ready for some sweet, delicious irony? Too bad because here it is.]

A little fraggin' trust. Oh no, Wreckers! They're going to be corrupt imperialist oppressors! [He waves his claws around.]

Yeah? Where's your proof that's what we've done?

And I've seen more evil done by committee than any one mech. Senate. Remember them?

Did you trust the Senate Whirl?

[An arch look.]

I never said no wreckers. I pointed out the inherent problems with that type of solution for maintaining order among civilians. Can you address the questions I posed to Wheeljack?

[Whirl will start laughing. And then keep laughing. He's going to laugh so hard he actually falls over onto his pointy butt, long claws wrapped over his midsection. There may or may not be a tear glimmering on his optical lens.]

[If laughter is the best medicine, Wing you have just cured EVERYTHING.]

I didn't trust the Senate as far as I could throw Zeta Prime's bloated body.

That's my point. Commmittees become about self serving and power.

Wreckers aren't about either of those things. Wreckers are about doing the job no one else wants to do.

[Well, that's one for the scrapbook. Except that all that laughter coming from no mouth is a touch creepy Whirl.]

[Wing's mouth quirks more than a little however.]

That's also my point. How are people supposed to trust you more than you trusted the Senate? You don't ask or even demand trust. It's earned. But I'm pretty sure you know that.

I'll say it again, in a different arrangement. Abuse of power is not about the number of people holding it. Sure, be suspicious of committees and leader groups, but you can just as easily be betrayed by a singular leader who abuses power. What then?

Who's to say that Wreckers wouldn't abuse the power they did gain? [It's not rhetorical, it's a legitimate question, because that's who Wing really wants to talk to.] And if they're about doing the job no one else wants to, then obviously that's not something so mundane as policing this community.

If the Wreckers form a unit here, what is their focus, their purpose?

[Hey don't be one of those face-ist haters.]

You don't get it, do you? Wreckers aren't fraggin' cops. You don't send Wreckers after speeding violations.

Look. Heard there was some thing that happened before I came here. Freaky, toothy aliens. Heard a bunch of you got your afts kicked. That is what Wreckers handle.

And you wanna know why we're not going to go down the Senate's road? Because me.

Because who better to know the fraggin' warning signs.

[Who better to resist authority just on principle alone?]

Whirl... [He's boggled a bit, really.] If you're trying to be contrary then you're failing miserably.

Because you keep aggressively agreeing with me...? [Seriously Whirl, only you could find a way to do such a thing!]

Having a group like the Wreckers, as I understand them, do police duty is overkill to say the least. That's my point... But I've been making it because this whole conversation got started over suggesting them as an alternative to Blurr's group.

[So, awesome, we agree about that.]

But yes, there's still something for the Wreckers to do.

[Also awesome!]

As Vector Prime has put it to me, there are forces at work on this world that wish to corrupt it and bring chaos. The sharkticons are only a small part of that. I've already promised my hand to help combat them. If the Wreckers dedicate themselves to fighting the outside forces that threaten us and this world then I think that's a great place to start!

[JOIN WING IN THE AWESOME PLACE, WHIRL! ~~You know you want to.~~]

[Do not try and guess Whirl's motives, Wing. It will only end in headaches.]

Yeah not really. Look. I've been a cop. Sure, I could do Blurr's thing. Do that again. [He's not counting on it. If Blurr has any say who gets to be in his police, Whirl's pretty sure he'll get the veto.]

Police are a different mission. Everyone volunteering here fraggin' knows that. Everyone who's been a Wrecker knows that. Only you fancy shiny armored geeks don't get it and you're tryin' to make us all sound like we're the fraggin' problem when we're trying to be the fraggin' solution!

Just to a different problem.

[Wing will be learning this fact sooner rather than later.]

If you have the experience then your perspective could be quite useful. But it's true that Blurr is unlikely to hear it. Your delivery tends to sound...less than constructive.

[Wow that's a lot of fragging Whirl. You missing something from life?]

Sooo...would your different problem be different than my different problem?

Yeah, run into that before. Funny thing, that. The mechs who most pull that tone argument slag don't really go out of their way to lay on the charm themselves.

[Besides, Wreckers weren't known for their tea party manners. He doesn't even have a pinky to raise.]

I don't know, do I look like Mindwipe? What's your problem other than irritating perkiness?

The message is what's important, but many don't stop to hear it. Or give others the benefit of the doubt when trying.

[Who's Mindwipe? Other than someone Wing probably wants to avoid?]

If you're looking to solve the problem of external threats, then I think we're agreed and have none.

[But oh.] Too perky? Would you prefer sass? That could probably be arranged, though not to quite to your caliber.

Yeah, because, you know, why give people a fraggin' chance, right?

[Oh bitter? WHIRL?]

Wow, imagine that. Occasionally Whirl says something worth listening to. Yay me.

[Snort.] You can try. Why not. I could use a good laugh, sassmaster.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video] | [Or, Alternatively...]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[also jacked bc whirl]

[Video] Trololololol!! :D

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video] Hey look what I found

[Video]