[Video] [Transmitting from outside Haven]

[winged_knight]

[Wing appears over the link, the signal grainy and flickering. He's looking weary from the long trip back from the Badlands but with the barest hint of Prima's light in sight now, his relief is obvious. He can't wait to be home--that's he's starting to consider it home is a bit of revelation in and of itself--and touching the Link is the first part of that.]

Greetings all. We're safely on our way back from the Badlands, fear not. Now that I have Link access again I a few bits of business I'd like to attend to.

First off, know that phase one of the Rec Station is nearly complete. We'll bring you more details in the next few days!

Secondly, I seek some assistance from our medics, or anyone else that might be knowledgeable in the related areas. Let me explain.

The current configuration of my Cybertronian frame does not allow me to carry passengers. It simply wasn't necessary or useful previous to this. But now that there are more humanoids here I wish to be of better aid in this regard, which requires that I have a true cockpit that meets safety specs. _{And maybe a stereo system.}

[He's run into this convenience multiple times since arriving, time to do something about it! Plus he might have made a few promises to people...]

I don't wish to change my altmode or my frame entirely--[he cants his head as his thoughts side track] though I suppose minor upgrades could be considered if they were easy to do in the process [then a head shake as he pulls himself back to the primary topic.]--but I realize that our medics may not have the necessary equipment or resources to accomplish what I need entirely their own. So I plan to petition Solus for aid soon on the matter.

However...

Of equal importance is the safety of the passenger. So I also need data on the safety specifications and tolerances for transporting humans and other humanoid species: speed, altitude, temperature, air density and pressure, g-forces, and other relevant statistics. Given this data I will adapt all my flight protocols to take the safety of a passenger into account.

Any aid people could give me would with this be greatly appreciated.

[He seems pretty serious about this, not to mention eager.]

Thirdly, a few messages for folks I won't bore the rest of you with.


Vandal... am I correct in understanding that your wound is still not fully healed? I think my friend Korra may be able to do something about that and I'd like to introduce you two.


Korra, I have another human friend, Vandal, who was badly injured sometime ago. Natural healing for humans is rather slow from what I can tell. I know you can heal flesh with water bending? Is there anything you can do for her? I'd like to introduce you two if you are willing.

Comments

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[winged_knight]

[There's a pause, because it's not exactly what he's expecting.] Not my first choice as stories go, but, it's good to have a more rounded view of things right?

[He thinks anyway. Wing knows he's prone to wearing rose-colored glasses, but intentionally hiding from unsavory truths wasn't doing anyone any favors.]

[The fact that it's a question open to interpretation says plenty about the start of the war, does it not?] It never is. If it was easy, you would have learned the lesson already. I...have a few of my own to learn.

We are, yes. His complete disregard for the well being of others will continue to be a problem if something isn't done. Have we--[he hesitates, because it's a somewhat delicate subject]--concluded how advanced his AI is?

[To the Pit with it, he'll just come out and ask.] Would you classify him as a life form?

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[ex_dishonestly997]

If more people thought like you did, I think we could stop trying to drive our species to extinction.

[unbelievable snort-y vent] You? Learn? You're the wise old mech on top of the hill, what do you have to learn?

[ooh. That question.] Let me put it this way for you. I wouldn't classify myself as a pacifist. Especially if he touches Soundwave again.

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[winged_knight]

[A chuff of humble laughter.] I could hope we'd manage it despite that... My views are not all that common unfortunately.

[And now he really does laugh aloud.] Old! I doubt I'm much older than you are. I just...carry ancient wisdom with me. [He shrugs, like it's a somewhat simple thing, the movement making the gem of his Great Sword wink in the light.]

I...am more of a pacifist than most and would still find it difficult. [It's a tricky thing and he knows it.] If Prism is not a living, sentient being it makes things...easier for me. But I suppose if that is the only dividing line between myself and violence against him...then I'd best think hard about my reasons for preffering non-violence in the first place.

[And that is an unsavory truth.]

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[ex_dishonestly997]

You know on this New Cybertron, we have a chance to do it better... To make it right. We can take positions we've always dreamed of.

"Carry ancient wisdom?" That sounds like a good deal, I could use some.

[he considers that, and he really respects Wing's ability to look at himself and challenge his own flaws without losing faith in his strengths.

If only that were a teachable skill.]

You have to think about ends, not means. That's--I know my people made a lot of mistakes. But that was always what I wanted. Ends.

private HAHAHAHA I was going to have him draw his Great Sword but I forgot he's still flying

[winged_knight]

[It's an interesting choice of words from someone named Starscream. That fact is not lost on Wing, but rather than being beside the point, it's really very much part of the point.]

We can. I look forward to it actually. We have so much potential that is unseen and unsung when forced into certain roles.

[He has to smile at that.] If only more could. Unfortunately, you have to be a knight to do it, and the Great Swords are far too few.

[There's a slow nod, because though he agrees, it's conditional.]

The issue comes when the ends are all we see. If we disregard the means too easily, then the moral quandary becomes null, and we feel none of its weight. Each time we do that, it becomes easier and easier to shrug off that weight, that responsibility, and eventually the means are always justified. The choice should never be easy.

But yes, I take your meaning. It's something we will need to but great consideration in. We need to know what our options are, and what's realistic.

sfsdfsdnfjksdf IT HAPPENS good catch

[ex_dishonestly997]

What were you back home? That you didn't want to be?

[slyly] Maybe I can borrow it? Just for a day or two?

[and Starscream actually shuts his mouth and listens to that, listens genuinely and fully.]

...that-...

[an uncomfortable chuff of engines.]

...all the sensible Cybertronians just stepped sideways out of the war early on, didn't they. You remind me of Metalhawk.

[winged_knight]

You mean before I joined the Circle? I was a courier, assigned given my frame type. Fixed route, the rare occasions I did get a special assignment it was a blessing. [He muses quietly, his gaze distant as if remembering.]

I wanted to explore. Well, I wanted to contribute more to society in general really. [His gaze returns to the video feed.] ...you?

[He grins, because it's kind of an amusing image.] I doubt it would do you much good. Great Swords are bonded to their bearers.

[He smiles, because it is gratifying to have someone actually listening. Words have power, but only so much as the listener has consideration for them. And such consideration was something Wing rarely strove to intentionally capture. Having it come naturally? It's a good feeling.]

It's quite possible, I am afraid to say. [A rueful half smile.] Who's Metalhawk?

[ex_dishonestly997]

That does sound like a waste on you. [shrugs lightly] I was a delegate to the Senate. I saw firsthand some of the worst corruption... I saw them laughing about legislation to reduce safety regulations in the mines, to cut off energon supplies to starving districts... to use mechs as living sources of energy....

[but the anger in his voice is lacking - not only is it an old outrage, long ago punished, but he became accustomed to atrocity for utility longer ago than he'd care to remember. He sees the world self-referentially, for better and (often) for worse. It's only because he's unhappy with himself now that he looks out toward others to try to reframe the person he is.]

Probably wouldn't hurt to manufacture a couple hundred thousand more of those Swords.

...Huh? Oh. He's a neutral, back home. Hippie type. Leads all the mechs on Cybertron who have no faction. Really into that Circle of Light philosophy--your bag, right?--but every so often I get this hint, this look in his optic like he wants to offline somebody hard. He's under a lot of stress, so I try not to bust his struts about it... helps that he cuts me a lot of slack.

Just like you.

[winged_knight]

It was...tedious work. I was happy to join the Circle when the opportunity came.

[He frowns, because even though there was plenty of talk of such things in the early war, it was hard to know how much was propaganda and how much was real. He's quiet a moment, then his voice is grave.] It was certainly a terrible time in our history.

[And that idea, is a bit amusing admittedly.] You could make replicas, but they'd have little true benefit. Which is just as well, as not everyone would be willing, nor should be asked, to make the potential sacrifices necessary to wield them.

The Circle of Light is my order, correct, how did you know? Metalhawk certainly sounds like an interesting mech, it's a shame I won't get to meet him. [Assuming he doesn't get yanked here...] And well, the war scarred us all, inner struggle is understandably quite common.

[He grins warmly at that last bit.] How can one grow if not given room to do so?

[ex_dishonestly997]

It's going to repeat, at home, if I'm not there. I need to be there, I need to--[the first bleed of frustration since he fell through the rift]--nngh. "If desires were fliers the buildings would be higher", I guess. There's no use dwelling on what I can't have.

Ah, Wing... it's amazing what people will believe if you just sketch an outline for them.

You mentioned it. [a hesitation] ...What do you really think? About me.

[winged_knight]

Do you really think so? That it'll repeat? [He wants to think better of his race so badly. Than more than just these few will have learned the war's lessons.] I know Drift feels similar frustration.

But part of me wonders if we're all here for a reason. A new world that could be shaped based on lessons learned from the old? [It's an attractive prospect, to say the least.]

Yes, I think we all want to believe in...something. It's different for everyone. Having someone hand you the answers is easier than finding them yourself. [It's ironic, coming from someone who's essentially a cultist. It's not lost on him, because recently he's been trying to balance two theologies and is not certain if he should be.]

What do I really think? [He smiles. Because it's both unexpected...and not.]

I think you have courage for asking. I think you're ready to be honest with yourself. I get the notion that you don't want to waste time and energy by regretting past deeds, but that you don't like the outcome. Maybe it's too late to learn from them and maybe it's not, but regardless you you want something different. For yourself and our race.

[ex_dishonestly997]

Decepticons make lousy optimists. We ended up becoming exactly what we set out to start, and half of us still aren't sure how that happened. [beat] Yeah, Drift.

A fresh start could really come in handy, but with all of us carting in old baggage - do you think this could be some kind of afterlife nobody thought about?

[he folds his arms, listening to that assessment.] That was suspiciously nice, I can only hope you mean it.

[winged_knight]

I would have to agree with you there. Is it the brand or the ideology do you think? But regardless neither is permanent. [Another beat.] Drift indeed.

It'll happen, if we allow it. As hard as it is to put down, carrying that baggage is still voluntary. It needs to be a joint effort though. [And that part...gives him a little pause.] I had thought that...when I first came here. If that's so, it's a little disorderly, don't you think?

[Suspicious, of Wing? Old habits die hard don't they Starscream?]

If I'm the judge, then the evidence is my personal experience. Would you have me consider your reputation as well? Do you want to provide a catalog of your deeds between the start of the war and now, to fill in the blanks of my of personal knowledge? Or would you rather I take you as you are, now?

Old baggage indeed. [And for a moment his optics flicker, like half a wink to match the half smile.]