[Video][Transmitting from the Junk Pile]

[mccrane]

I might have accidentally started the fireworks early.

[The edges of his plating are singed, and just behind him the very flaming carcass of an automobile is roaring in its death throes.]

Energon, it seems, is not a viable replacement for gasoline. [He is grateful he didn't try consuming it before this test, and even more grateful that he managed to start the vehicle from a distance.]

[Since. Ah. It exploded.]

I don't suppose anyone has any suggestions? Or a way to convert us to a different fuel source?

Or some wash-cloths and soap?

Comments

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

...Well, there goes that theory!

You damaged?

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

Not structurally.

[He rubs at some soot with a frown.]

I might have managed to get dustier than you did, though.

[Video]

[wheeljackofalltrades]

Blasters and fuel pumps don't mix.

Learned that one the hard way.

[Video]

[docbot]

Colour me unsurprised.

[Video]

[mccrane]

Do you know what does mix, then?

I'd be grateful for the pointer.

[He doesn't recognize you, beyond the fact that you've talked with his companions...but any advice would be good right now.]

[Video]

[sparkless]

[Starscream is just laughing. And pointing.]

You tried to put energon in an earth vehicle?! Ahahaah, that's the stupidest thing I've ever seen!

[Video]

[mccrane]

[Well.]

[He's being laughed at.]

...

[He does look pretty ridiculous, he knows.]

It was safer than consuming it directly.

That would have, I think, qualified as more stupid.

[Video]

[docbot]

Ah.

[His eyes are huge right now.]

Yes, I could have told you that. I've done plenty of tests ...

[Video]

[mccrane]

You have?

[Because oh, is he interested in finding something that works right now. He'd like to get back to doing his job, instead of searching for gasoline all day.]

Were any of them successful?

[patokichi]

Ah! McCrane! Are you alright? You're not damaged are you?

And ah... perhaps we should ask around if there's some way to... convert it into an energy source that could be used by us.

[mccrane]

I don't think I am...

[He can't check on his back, which did get the worst of the explosion, since he'd been running at the time. He does pull his crane over his shoulder, which is certainly a little burnt looking, but still whole.]

It wasn't pleasant, but I will survive. [Even if it hurts a bit. Ow.]

Good thought. Many of these Cybertronians stayed on earth...maybe they had the reverse problem, there?

[video]

[sword_redemption]

You could have asked those of us who have been to Earth.

[If he said 'baka' would that help the message get through?]

We had devices that converted matter into energon. They can probably be reconfigured to produce your gasoline.

[video]

[mccrane]

[Baka would not make him feel much better right now. ;-;]

You had devices?

[Because that sounds exactly like what he needs! He just doesn't like the past-tense.]

Do you possess them, still?

text

[wakizashi_straight]

Then I should not attempt running a generator from it, then.

[Not that he has the parts or ability to make a generator to plug into.]

You have not been damaged?

Video

[mccrane]

A generator?

[Finally! Vocabulary that he recognizes!]

Have you found a generator?

[Because that at least was human.]

No, not. Not significantly. [He looks over his shoulder, where the brunt of the damage is.] Who is this?

video [will be action in next tag]

[not_halfbaked]

Holys--McCrane!

[She eyes the flaming carcass behind him.]

I'm coming over to put out that fire, okay?! [Was on her way to the junkpile for Gunmax's fireworks festival anyway.]

And I've got a water bottle--I don't have soap, but I can still rinse you off. [And she could use her pelt for a rag. But oh, that was a good point--Korra should find soap later. ...Come to think of it, when was the last time she bathed?]

Are you hurt? Did you contact Ratchet?

video [YAY ACTION]

[mccrane]

That would be appreciated, Korra.

[It really would. Its been burning for a while, now, and it doesn't seem interested in going out. He hadn't realized how horrible burned car would smell, and he really hopes that smell is only coming from the car, and not him.]

[Wait. Water?]

[Please be his new best friend. ;-; Its horrible being all sooty like this. He's worried that the metal might have gotten strained, and he won't know until after the burn marks are gone.]

Ratchet and I are talking. Is that water something you can afford to spare?

[Practicality first. Practicality. And if it is water freely offered, then he will take it gladly.]

[raceme]

Are you by any chance hurt in any way or form sir? Or the explosion only ruined... whatever it is that thing burning behind you?

Have you tried mixing the gasoline with the energon in small quantities at first until you find an stable and viable solution? Not all the engines process energon the same way I happen to consume it three time faster than other Cybetrtronian due to my fast speed.

[mccrane]

[You.]

[You sound like Drill Boy, trying to explain a move in soccer.]

I'm not seriously damaged.

[The rest of it he takes a moment to parse, and slowly shakes his head.] That would be worth trying, if we had the gasoline to spare for the experiment. As it stands, we are getting dangerously low.

[Video]

[invisiblepinkboat]

... I'm relieved you didn't try to drink it yourself.

[It's just... why would you--- Elita shakes her helm,briefly rubbing the front of it, though she manages to keep her frown away from her faceplates.]

What possessed you to attempt that? Even if it was on an... I assume, Earth vehicle?

[Video]

[mccrane]

Elita...

Thank you.

[He wasn't embarrassed, before. He is, now, though he couldn't tell you why.]

If you were stranded on an alien planet with dwindling resources...would you have done differently?

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

...

Ahaha. Well, that didn't go very well, did it?

[voice]

[mccrane]

I've ruled out one possibility, at least.

[He stares back at the car.]

I'm going to assume you haven't tried that before.

[video]

[brokendown]

[The car is still burning with wicked magnesium fires as well as flammable junk lit up from the blast. The inner seating lets out a vile plume of smoke from smouldering fake-leather vinyl and padding. It should be visible for a while.]

Didn't know it would do that. There goes lunch. Well, not lunch for you.

[video]

[mccrane]

[McCrane is pretty depressed about it, but he's less depressed than he would be if that was his upholstery smoking, right now.]

I still owe you thanks for bringing it.

You can get more, can't you?

[Video]

[nexicpolarity]

[oh that looks painful]

Was that one of you...?

[Video]

[mccrane]

[McCrane stares for a moment, aware that you're one of the Firstforged and...still not sure what to think about your kind.]

...

[Then he realizes what the question is.]

N...no, sir. That was a car that I found in the Junk Pile.

No one was seriously injured in my-- [In his what? What was that?] --In my test.

[my_own_trope]

Did you honestly just try to put energon into a combustion engine?

[mccrane]

Is that so difficult to believe?