001 - [Video]

[zsaber]

[Judging by the background, somebody appears to have wandered over to the Junk Pile. Zero's expression is as calm as ever, but a low electric hum can be heard and faint wisps of smoke occasionally drift into view of the camera.]

X? Shadow? If you guys are out there, respond.

[A long pause.]

Figures. Looks like I'm on my own for a while. [The view whirls around erratically, as if he no longer cares where he's pointing the camera. It briefly points up at the sky, then there's a flash of something glowing bright green, and then finally it points at a robotic green and white dog that's been chopped in half.

The two ends are still glowing red-hot and billowing smoke, so the kill looks fresh.]

So, new question. This belong to anyone?

Comments

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Do I have to believe it to make it wrong?

[Whirl is not just a jerk, he is a jerk who sometimes makes serious existential points.]

Oh. Right. That. [He'll just send you coordinates now.] Just testing. Congratulations. You passed.

[mccrane]

No.

But it helps.

[Most of the time.]

You aren't used to trusting others, are you? [He'll take those coordinates, and be on his way! This will make a nice break from laying foundations.]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Helps who? [Because whoever it is? Whirl doesn't really want to help them.]

Let's just say I have my reasons.

[mccrane]

It helps yourself. [Surely you'd want to help yourself!]

I understand.

I won't pry.

[Not yet.]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[Yeah, no. This is Whirl. He doesn't even want to help himself.]

Good. Because I got boundary issues, all right? [Mostly, he has none.]

[mccrane]

All right.

[So...like Gunmax. Or Duke. Granted, their issues were very, very different, but it's relate-able, somehow.]

Because of the war?

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[Opticroll.] Nope. Not one of those sissies all boo hoo about the fraggin' war. Those mechs seem to think life was sunshine and energon for everyone before the war.

[mccrane]

[This is the first he's heard that it wasn't. Admittedly, Drift had not mentioned much...]

That was why the war started, wasn't it.

How was your life, then?

[whirlybird_of_prey]

It was all corrupt. But you know what? That's life. Boo hoo there are greedy people out there. I'm so surprised!

[He waves his claws in the air in mock surprise.]

My life? Sucked then good then sucked some more. Then the war. [He shrugs. Yeah. Pretty much hit the highlights.]

[mccrane]

[Corruption would...definitely be a problem. McCrane still can't even imagine a world entirely of functioning robots, however, so trying to imagine the politics within it is boggling.]

What about now?

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[Corruption's only a problem to those who don't have any power. Which was like...almost everyone really. ]

Now, yeah. [He shrugs.] Same thing.

[mccrane]

No, I mean...

Is it good for you, being here?

Or would you rather be back where you belong?

[He can't imagine you quite 'belonging' anywhere, but...maybe?]