re_alignment | PRIORITY BROADCAST ‡ VIDEO

[so, did you forget your Links could have something labeled as 'Priority'? it's ~~admin~~ Firstforged only. either way, have a Prime.

have a Vector Prime, looking somber]

Many of you have expressed the desire to create some sort of force to enforce a set of laws. I have been granted permission to speak on behalf of my fellows on this matter. While we will let you maintain it by yourselves...so long as you function within our Haven, we do have our own conditions which must be met for such a force to exist.

[he pauses a moment, golden optics blinking once, then continues]

First and foremost, whatever laws you intend on enforcing, we must approve.

Second, it has been agreed that we will not allow an authority over our Refugees, without one such in that authority. In other words, whatever force you create must have one Marked from each of our number. If a representative is missing, then you will not have the right to act against them.

[there's a glint in his optics. one that's...warning.]

I would not suggest attempting to enforce your laws without that right.

[another pause, and then that glint passes]

Thirdly, any punishment must be authorized by the Firstforged to whom the transgressor belongs. You may detain, but anything beyond that, we must approve.

Now...should these conditions be met, we are willing to offer some of our own Acolytes to assist you in your work. We are also willing to do our own part - to listen, and to act, when matters have been brought to our attention. And, if a matter comes that is too large for you to handle by yourselves - to take it in to our own hands.

I will be serving as the primary liaison to whatever force is created. [he straightens, a bit - which, considering he was already at full posture, is saying something] As such, I will expect contact by the group once its membership is finalized.

[a thin smile...and a tilt of the head]

I look forwards to it.

PRIVATE/UNHACKABLE; Blurr

Were you still serving as a leader to this project?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So I see. [He'd make the point that you can grant respect based on the respect of others, but it's obvious you'll take no one's judgement on that but your own.]

Well, you might, in a way, owe them something. They have at least provided shelter and fuel. Those are no small things, though easily discounted because they are so mundane.

Frankly, I feel great gratitude to Vector Prime for saving Drift's life, and Pharma's. Both would perished within days of arriving had he not intervened. [His voice hardens, edged with emotion.] And that is definitely no small thing.

But if each of them must prove themselves to you personally, you may be waiting a long time. I do find it ironic that you insist on them proving themselves to you, but balk at the idea of the same being asked of you...

No one got me fuel but my team. Or did you forget how much we were scavenging?

...I didn't know that's what ended happening to Drift. But you make it sound like I've done squat, Wing. Or did you forget when I was ready to sacrifice myself for everyone else?

The things anyone has done for me, they aren't some godlike figure. I owe more to you than someone demanding my respect instead of earning it.

I didn't forget about your fuel problems, but to my knowledge providing gasoline isn't within their power. Providing energon is. They're the only reason we all even have it in the first place. And well, _{that includes high grade.}

But, yes. Vector has the ability to effect time. He couldn't cure the disease but he slowed its progression enough that Pharma could.

And...I'm sorry. It's not that I take for granted your own efforts. I'm truly grateful for that. And I understand that not everyone grants respect so easily. But does that mean disrespect needs to exist in its absence? [Wing mostly just sounds sad now. He doesn't really want to argue, not with someone he considers a friend.]

It's just that...the way I see it we're in their house, effectively. It's not by choice, and we're stuck here, but we're basically camped on their doorstep. Frankly it could be much worse. The fact that they don't want to control or oppress us is huge in my mind... And believe me when I say their terms aren't even close to true oppression.

Then we should become self-sufficient, not relying on them! Great, they're feeding most of us, but where's that put the humans, then? Where were they when I nearly killed myself when I shot down all those monsters? I owe more to the normal people here than your gods.

Goodie, then Vector gets some brownie points. [His tone here implies, though, that he means more than that. Gunmax is just... sort of shoddy at expressing it properly. He's glad Vector could help Drift, at least.]

When I'm disrespected, it's easy to disrespect in return, right? I'm being pat on the head here like a kid. Though I guess that's a slice better than where I'm from.

It could be worse, but it can be better. And don't... patronize me. I know what oppression is. And this can be a nice start. And the way I see it? They've marked us like objects, almost dividing us neatly. That was a good way to already start on not impressing me.

I get you respect them. I think that's quaint. But it's also not for me. I'll back off from Vector for you, but it's for you. Not them.

PRIORITY BROADCAST ‡ VIDEO

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