[Audio] [Transmission originating from: Solian Sector] - Second Offense

[namesnotprowl]

I'm out of contact f'r a couple days and everything goes crazy. Y'all are really trying to make me feel at home aren't you, darlings?

[Barricade sounds tired, but amused. He's been in and out of the medbay keeping an optic on Ratchet and tweaking the upgrade plans for the prototype that kind of... exploded at said medic, and in between that has been trying to finish the renovations to his quarters in Solus Prime's temple.

Busy bot has been busy.]

So we've got a police force coming up, and a mercenary guild forming, huh? Well, I frankly ain't seen any law system work out - and I certainly ain't joining any of you, no offense - but I will say this.

I've been told that here we're more or less at peace among one another. Means we don't need warriors.

We need cops.

And if there are outside aggressors, we don't need warriors either. We need soldiers, because the whole Spec Ops suicide runs? Don't end well. For anyone. Ever.

That's all.


[Encrypted to Knock Out]

Probably nothing you ain't heard from others yet, but I finished my sniffing around for your partner. Trail went farther towards the Badlands than I was willing t'go and I didn't catch anything indicating he might have exited it or changed directions.

For what it's worth, I'm sorry he's gone.

Comments

[Encrypted; audio.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Mm. So am I.

[Encrypted; audio.]

[namesnotprowl]

Never pleasant, losing a [- partner -] coworker.

And as I recall, I owe you a cube or two, don't I?

[Encrypted; audio.]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Try losing him twice. [But whoops, he's trying not to lose his cool here, so he's gonna throttle that back down.]

Mm. And here I was hoping not to have to take you up on that.

[Encrypted; audio.]

[namesnotprowl]

And here I've only lost several once each. [The sad is that he can't even be angry about it anymore, he's just... used to it.]

Same here, believe me. But it's the one piece'a good news I c'n provide.

[winged_knight]

[Wing is happy to hear Barricade put his voice into this.]

There will be more outside threats, as I understand it from Vector. But it's true that this is peacetime. This place is new start for all of us. We need new solutions that fit our needs, not old ones.

People with combat skills are still needed, as I said there are outside threats we'll need to defend ourselves and this world against, we just need retool our methods to suit the situation here.

We're supposed to be an adaptable people. It shouldn't be that difficult yes?

And I do hope that it doesn't escalate so much that suicide runs become a frequent necessity. [He honestly looks saddened by this idea.]

[namesnotprowl]

I figured there would be; if it ain't 'us' then it's 'them', right? And yeah, we just need to find a way to adapt to the situation at hand.

It's something we're supposed to be good at, at least, though some might be set in their ways.

[Older mechs from his homeworld have a tendency towards that, anyway.]

Hope we don't end up like that either, but with some mechs they think it's their first option. [And admittedly he's been at that point before, so he can't say he doesn't understand.]

[winged_knight]

Yes. [He sounds a touch grave at that.] And I've had enough "Us" and "Them" to last too many lifetimes. I really don't want that here, no matter what labels are used.

[Was unity, or at the very least peaceful coexistence, too much to ask?]

Sadly that's true. They're so used to waging war and giving their lives because it's all they have, they don't know what else to offer. [And this, too, puts marks of sorrow on his face.]

[video]

[sword_redemption]

For some of us, fighting is all we know how to do.

[Don't give him some peptalk about learning how to paint or something. Like changing four million years of history is just like learning a new hobby.]

You say 'warrior' as though it disgusts you. Like a 'soldier' is somehow better.

You're wrong. [He's been both. ]

[video]

[namesnotprowl]

[So has he.]

I don't think warriors or soldiers are better or worse than each other. Just like I don't think they're better or worse than pilots, or medics, or bartenders.

But I do think they each have their time and place, and this doesn't seem like a time for warriors.

Unless I've missed something?

I ain't saying take up basket weaving or somethin'; I'm saying if you've got a talent, find an outlet, but the right outlet for the current situation.

[video]

[sword_redemption]

Why not? [Because he'd argue the opposite.] A warrior is guided by his own honor and integrity. A soldier simply fights on someone else's command. Soldiers are easily led, and led astray. Warriors aren't.

I don't have any other 'talent's.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

Thank you! Because I'm sure a mercenary group running around and making a ruckus will in no way hinder police investigations and whatnot.

I know you aren't a fan, but I appreciate your vote of confidence.

VIDEO;

[namesnotprowl]

Well, just not a big fan of laws anymore, but they've got their place. I c'n appreciate what the police do.

[Which is about when he flicks on the video to flash the door panel on his arm reading 'POLICE' in block letters.]

And I c'n appreciate folks taking initiative to keep the peace and keep the number of violent explosions down.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

And the police appreciate your gratitude.

I don't want to rule anything. Just want to keep the peace. Hopefully people know the difference.

[noparachutes]

You actually think their little groups will last long enough?

[namesnotprowl]

If they don't implode. The Defense Force and Science Division lasted f'r a while after all, didn't they?

[noparachutes]

They were not nearly as small and nowhere near as stupid.


I heard you borrowed the Driller.

[darthmalgus]

All of this will end up in needless squabbles for power. No one will ever agree without some form of government.

But then that leads the question, who should rightfully rule?

[namesnotprowl]

[Well. Not a question he was expecting to be directed at himself, but he can roll with it.]

Can't say who should rule - or what kinda government we'll end up with, for that matter - but I ain't seen it end well when folks think they have a right to rule, whatever their reason for the belief.

[darthmalgus]

And that in itself is the problem. The universe exists with both chaos and order, both must be.

But only chaos will cause nothing but destruction of all. If no plans are in place, it is only a matter of time before the masses will fight for their way to the top.

[ENCRYPTED -- Video]

[perfavore]

[Okay, so by Ironhide's word he wasn't supposed to converse with Barricade, but hey, what the old bot doesn't know won't hurt him. So here you go, Cade, have Mirage, looking slightly humorous over this whole broadcast.]

Ahaha~

I cannot help but think you are a bit biased, polizia.

[ENCRYPTED -- Video]

[namesnotprowl]

[Interesting. He'd noticed Ironhide showing up - and had stalked his quarters like a caged tiger about it - and had expected the old mech would immediately start issuing orders to Mirage about his conduct.

Which must be why this is encrypted.

He'll humor him, adding a couple extra layers to the encryption just in case; can't be too careful when the Walking Cannon is involved. Barricade offers a grin and a chuckle.]

Nope. Completely unbiased. I just happen to look like a cop~

Besides, they sound like they could use some support, in my incredibly humble opinion.

[ENCRYPTED -- Video]

[perfavore]

[He'd thank you for the extra layers of encryption, but he's got a feeling it's for your own aft rather than his. It seems they both appear to be in good moods too.]

And manipulation of the ones the citizens trust most has never been your forte, si?

[There's nothing humble about you, Barricade.]

Quite the noble statement.

[Video/Private]

[raceme]

...thank you.

[Video/Private]

[namesnotprowl]

Who'm I to not support the police; it's where my vehicle mode was scanned from.

Besides, I'd rather have cops than Wreckers checking in on me.
[And you seemed like you could use the support, after that whole 'ew rules' thing.]

[Video/Private]

[raceme]

Why....did you chose that alt mode?

I don't deny that the Wreckers might be necessary in certain situations but in my world all of them were killed during the Great War and the Elite Guard were the ones who took over the as their legacy.

The fact that there hasn't been another group of fighters like the Wreckers since the war should tell you all you need to know about extreme fighters in times of peace.

[He really did, he's very grateful Barricade ;W;]