[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

[not_halfbaked]

Don't worry, I won't be late.

[Korra increases the flow of water, gushing it over McCrane, trying to get the deeper stains out.]

Will you be able to make it to the fireworks tonight...or have you had enough of those?

[mccrane]

I want to clean up, here, when you are done with me. I should still be able to make it on time.

[Or be only a little late.]

It's something that I can do with the other Brave Police. I would not miss it, for anything.

[Which makes him wonder.]

Is there anyone that you wash, on your world?

[not_halfbaked]

Do you need help with clean up?

Oh, I--well, I wash Naga, she's a polarbeardog. And I've helped Pema wash Meelo a couple of times--Meelo's a little kid, not an animal. Though he acts like one sometimes. [Korra smiles at the memories, though her stomach twists at them too. Homesick, again.]

[mccrane]

I will be alright.

[He'd feel worse if he made you late, really.]

Korra...

What is a polar-bear-dog?

[not_halfbaked]

[The question actually makes Korra laugh.]

Okay, do you know what dogs and polar bears are? It's a cross between those, though it's as big--or bigger--than a polar bear.

[mccrane]

[It sounds incredible! And McCrane won't question how you can cross-breed a dog with a polar bear and end up with something larger. According to the physics of his world, this makes perfect sense.]

Your world must have contained some very powerful scientists.

[Where else would a bear-dog come from?]

[not_halfbaked]

Yep, we've got some great scientists! Lots of cool inventions like the Satomobile-- [And now Korra thinks of its inventor, Hiroshi. Uncomfortable reminder.]

...Um, what do scientists have to do with polarbeardogs?

[mccrane]

Satomobile... [He trails off, wondering at the name.] Is that similar to what I am right now? [In crane mode, he means.]

Polarbeardogs are crossbreeds, aren't they? That would require some intensive knowledge in the genetic field.

[not_halfbaked]

Hmmm, I guess you'd be sorta connected, but I think you're just a crane right now.

They're mixes, yeah--'genetic?'

[mccrane]

[He wiggles one tire, testing...]
What is the difference?

[And then, if the washing is done, he decides to return to robot-mode.]

Genetics. The programming code of organic life that tells your cells whether to be a polar bear, or a dog. [He is only now starting to be confused about how you can not know this.] If they are combined, then you can produce a mixture of the two.

[not_halfbaked]

A crane does something other than drive. Satomobiles just drive, or race around, which is super cool, Asami--

[Korra caught herself off. She didn't want to think of home right now. She stands back as McCrane changes back. Her mouth drops slightly, it's still something to behold.]

...Okay, you lost me. [Crosses her arms.] Sorry, I"m not much a of a scientist. What's a 'programming code?' 'Cells?'

[Korra shook her head.] Are you just wondering where polarbeardogs come from in my world?

[mccrane]

Asami... [He caught that trail off, there.] He owned a Satomobile?

[He crouches down, minimizing the distance between them for conversation purposes. Already, he feels much better just for having been washed.]

Cells are small building blocks that, when put together, form organic life. You are made up of cells, in a similar way to how I am made of parts, all of which make us individual.

In my world, scientists could use those blocks to cross...anything. Humans and fish, for instance, to make a mermaid.

[Or a mermaid...fairy.]