re_alignment | [Video][Transmitting from the Junk Pile]

Entry tags:

brave police: j-decker | mccrane

[Video][Transmitting from the Junk Pile]

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mostly cosmetic.

[Oh, if only Drift had some sort of Bat Signal for Ratchet. He'd sic the Autobot medic on you so fast something would doppler shift.]

I'm looking for gasoline. I may have found a few containers. [He's waiting on Annie to help.]

We'll find a way to keep you online. Without any...suicidal gestures.

[WHAT DO YOU MEAN BETTER DRIFT IS ALWAYS FINE.] Doing fine. Don't worry about me.

[McCrane nods. Cosmetic, see! His back is just an entirely different color, now. Or not. It always had some black, there's just more of it.]

Have you?

[Because if you have found gasoline, that is something he'll be entirely grateful for.] I can't thank you enough, Drift.

[He looks guilty about suicidal gestures, but he doesn't remark on it. It was considerably less suicidal than drinking the energon straight, himself. Which he never would have done.]

If you are allowed to worry about me, then I am allowed to return the gesture. You are looking better.

[Tsk. You see, if you'd been properly American, McCrane, you'd have mastered the skill of Running Heroically In Front of An Explosion. Still be injured, but it would look more epic.]

I found some canisters that looked like the one you held up. Not many.

[A slight squirm.] Don't thank me. You need them, I have the energy to look for them.

[A slightly larger squirm. Don't worry about him. He really hates that.]

Pharma's working on a cure. Hope always helps.

[He'll manage without that, I think, and do the cool, disaffected crouch-while-things-explode-around-him thing.]

Even one will last us for many days. Thank you. [He doesn't care if he's repeating himself. You're getting thanks. Lots of it. You obviously need it, with all that squirming.]

Then I will keep hoping, for you. When we are both well, perhaps we can enjoy the peace together.

[And maybe he could move into one of those awesome temples he kept hearing about. Sleeping on junk isn't comfy.]

[Ouch. Gratitude is painful. Isn't he suffering enough with all the rust?]

I can bring them over sometime. [Just don't blow them up, too.]

Uh. Where are you?

My colleagues and I have been staying in the Junk Pile.

We can't risk long trips to the temples, until we are better fed.

[He looks for a landmark nearby...OH! Hey, the burning car.]

I don't believe you'll have trouble locating me.

[AKGFDSKG!! What is with everyone staying in the Junk Pile?]

You have some place safe out there? A base or something? [At least? Tell Drift you have a crumb of common sense. You'll make him cry if you say no.]

[Is that sarcasm in that look, McCrane?]

Right. Be right there. It's not much but it'll help some.

We have been camping out on the highest point each night.

[That totally counts. But, really, McCrane hasn't seen anything to make him worried. There's nothing on this planet. Also, aren't you crying anyway?]

Anything will help.

We can't give up. I do not wish Gunmax to have to take any more fuel from Gunbike.

[And he'd also like to get some real diesel at some point. For now, though, he will wait for you to appear!]

[Oh, so, making nice big obvious targets silhouetted against the night sky, basically? Drift is quietly facepalming.]

You...don't fight in a lot of wars, I take it. Or get out much.

[Right. Maybe this'll go better in person. When you can reinforce the gravity of the situation by, uh, leaking more.]

[Drift shifts to his alt mode, hovering over the ground, aiming for the black column of smoke. It does make a good landmark. Good thing Drift's intentions are pure, right?]

[He rolls to a stop by the burning car. Ouch. Dude. Just ouch. You should add 'demolitions' to your skill set.]

You say that like it is a bad thing.

[He's pretty content with the fact he hasn't fought in wars. Partially because he can best fulfill his duties during times of peace, yes, but partially also because he fears he might enjoy combat. That is in his programming, too.]

[Still, he is watching for you, and he might even smile a little when you arrive. He's finally getting to meet you in person.] You transform, too?

It's not. I didn't mean it that way. I hope it's not a bad thing. Here.

[Surrounded by all these mechs who have spent millenia trying to kill each other, yeah there's noooooo chance that could go wrong.]

You could probably actually teach us a lot about how to live.

[Blink.] Oh. Yes. Everyone has an alt mode. In most cases a vehicle.

[Wait...too?] ...wait. Too? [That is the echo of his deep thoughts.]

I believe we'll all be able to learn. The price for learning is what concerns me.

[You know, arriving here. Not being where they're supposed to be.]

Yes, too. [The crane arm comes down over his shoulder like Perceptor's scope.] One of my other modes is a crane. I chose my name accordingly.

[Still, he's fascinated enough by you that he steps closer.] You have a very similar appearance to Wing. Were you two from the same country? [Who is he to know Cybertron doesn't have countries.]

I'm more concerned with us losing our center. It's happened before--losing sight of what you were letting yourself do because you were so fixated on winning.

[Oh did he say 'you'? He meant 'Drift'.]

[So he chose crane because of the alt, and the 'Mc' because...you're Scottish? A DJ? A Scottish DJ?]

A crane. Like a Constructicon. [Got it. If he were Ultra Magnus, he'd likely be having a conniption about the Tyrest Accord right now.]

Country? No. I was rebuilt in Crystal City. Wing's city. Before that? ....I didn't have a country, then either.

There is no reason to fixate on winning, here. [McCrane states the obvious.] We have a common goal. [To not die, really, was what his was right now.]

...

[Constructicon? That was somewhat of a clever name, and McCrane believes that Seijima would have liked it. He, however, can't confirm Drift's query without knowing...]

What is a Constructicon?

[At least that explained why the two of them looked so much alike.] You were unaffiliated, before that?

But I've seen 'common goal' be used to justify all manners of...wrong behavior.

All I mean, is we need to be on guard to make sure we don't trade something important in ourselves for the sake of mere survival.

The Constructicons were one of the teams of Decepticons. They had alt modes that were construction vehicles. And they could combine. [With a bit less instability than Monstructor.]

[Oh dear.] Before meeting Wing, I was a Decepticon. ...the wrong side.

It could be, yes. But I don't believe that if we're all working towards something, it could be the wrong thing.

[He trusts the judgement of the Brave Police, at least.]

Do they. [He considers this.] Then in your world, I would be a Constructicon. [Since he does combine and all.]

[Okay, this is the first he's really heard about sides, and he doesn't like it. He rubs at part of his arm that is burnt, remembering what you've said about 'faith.'] Wouldn't the 'wrong' side be subjective? The fact that you can switch, alone, means there must be some common grounds...

It's just something to watch. Especially when someone steps up to take charge.

[Drift shakes his head in a sort of 'hell no' way.] No, you wouldn't. They're Decepticons.

[You are more like...freakishly mellow Ultra Magnus.]

No, they were wrong. The goal was right, at the beginning: Justice, fairness, equality. But it got corrupted somehow along the way. They became--I became--just butchers.

And the Autobots were almost as bad. The only thing they shared was each wanted a future for Cybertron.

And they managed to nearly destroy the planet.

I will follow Deckerd.

[However, he gives you a professional nod.] I will also 'watch.'

[He goes quiet, however, knowing you feel very strongly about this.]

I'm sorry.

It...sounds like both sides were looking for a different future.

[He can't condone butchering, but he feels strange just accepting one side of a story, too. Still, he trusts you.]

You have the gasoline?

A good leader is rare. You're lucky to have him. And have him here.

[He shifts his weight, uncomfortable. Because he could still, in a sense, see both sides. ] The Decepticons started from those with legitimate grievances, that went unheard. But...it all went too far.

Honestly I'm not sure either side had a clear view of what they wanted beyond defeating each other.

[Oh, right, the gasoline. He sheepishly holds out three gas cans he and Annie had salvaged. ] You might want to check...not sure if this stuff goes bad.

I am very grateful for the presence of any of the Brave Police. I don't know what it is like to be on my own, and I have no wish to find out.

[Because he came into existence with the core of build team, and they're always present. Even on solo missions, when things get tough there's always backup. If he didn't have any, now? That would have been devastating.]

[Still, he sees your logic and continues it, in-between taking the gas can and giving it a sniff.] ...which meant there was no way to end your war without one side being eliminated. [He could see why it had continued for so long.] Why didn't you leave?

[Pulling the can away, he simply nods. This stuff will work!]

You've...never been on your own?

[He flinches, hoping that doesn't sound bad. He just can't imagine.]

[He nods.] And losses tend to make war personal all too fast. Another thing that's hard to let go of.

Some did leave. We thought they were cowards. We thought they didn't care.

They didn't care. Not about our ideas for the future. [They were smart.]

[Drift's shoulders release as the other takes the gas cans. He's helped someone. That counts for a lot right now. One tick, medium sized.]

I have conducted investigations on my own, and I have split from the group when my duty made it more efficient to do so, but never for more than a few days.

[He couldn't go far. If something major came up, Build Tiger would be needed, and it couldn't form without him.]

Are you happy to be gone, now, then?

[It's a question he's been wondering, while they've talked. Drift always seemed sad when talking about the war, but he'd been in it for so long...McCrane imagines it must be incredibly conflicting.]

[Please excuse him while he clutches onto this can tightly. This is a very, very big tick for him.]

That...sounds nice.

[He can't hide the envy on his face. McCrane belonged. Unlike Drift, who, even now, had to fight for a place on the quest he started. How did it feel to belong, just like that? How did it feel not to have everything be a struggle?]

The war's over and we're looking for something better. Because we don't know how to do anything but fight.[He shrugs.] I miss them, but I...don't know if I want them to miss me.

[He's not sure if that's even answering the right question. But McCrane isn't here to hear his life story. He's here for the gasoline.] I can look for more?

Does it? [He's surprised.] I expected that you'd tell me it was immature...

[McCrane trails off, because he can see that look, and he's seen it often enough before to know what it means. He saw it with Drill Boy, on the outside looking in before they were able to accept him. He'd seen it with Duke, as well, not understanding why he was being singled out.]

I think you do want them to miss you, Drift. [His voice is softer, understanding.] Connections can't just go away, even when we're far from those we care about.

[He clutches onto the gasoline can, and shakes his head.] Later, yes, but not right now. I should be going to see Gunmax's fireworks...

[IDEA!]

Come with me, Drift?

Why would it be immature? To want to belong to something bigger than you? To take comfort in the fact you're not alone? [He doesn't get it.]

...but I shouldn't want them to. [That's the problem. He wants to be useful. But he's lost others close to him, and he doesn't want anyone to feel what he went through. Not for him.]

Come with you where? [Clueless.] I don't even know what fireworks are. [An embarrassed admission. Since he's finally seen the war over, he's been realizing how much of peacetime he doesn't understand.]

[Video][Transmitting from the Junk Pile]

[video] tables were flipped when reading

[video] Does anyone eat on tables legs-down anymore?

[video] Not when Shane McCarthy's writing is around

[video] That or you get really good at the 360 flip.

[video] ....and now Drift wants to perfect that.

[video] He's got time while waiting to be cured!

[video]

[video] -> [Action?]

[Action?]

[Action!]

[Action!] y so frowny, macarena?

[Action!] Because he has only three expressions?

[Action!] could be worse; could be whirl?

[Action!] Whirl expresses through emoticon.

[Action!] this is the least actiony action ever

[Action!] quick transforming contest!

[Action!] it's much sexier done slow and with a good soundtrack

[Action!] Sounds kinky, lets try it

[Action!] McCrane! We just met! O-o

[Action!] Is that a problem?

[Action!] You Earth robots are very forward

[Action!] We do face that direction, yes.

[Action!] .....and literal, apparently.

[Action!] Wait, is there another meaning?

[action ] and facepalm.

[action ] So much to learn!

[action ]

[action ]