[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

[voice]

[mccrane]

[He doesn't like that option.]

...

[It is starting to look like one of the only ones available, though.]

How much work would that require?

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Well, I'd have to take a look inside of you to have any idea, now wouldn't I?

[voice]

[mccrane]

You're a mechanic?

[There's a bit of surprise in his voice. In all his talkings to you, it didn't come up.]

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Knock Out laughs.] A mechanic? Please. I'm a doctor.

[voice]

[mccrane]

[Now he's confused.] You tend to humans, then.

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

[Aaand KO's just confused.] No, of course not! I'm trained in Cybertronian medicine.

[voice]

[mccrane]

That makes you different than a mechanic? [He doesn't understand.] What kind of medicine does a robot need?

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

A mechanic works on machines-- robots, drones. Things that aren't people. I'd let a mechanic look at my suspension, but I wouldn't exactly let him poke at my organs, if you get my meaning.

[voice]

[mccrane]

[......]

...

...


[...what.]

You have organs?

[Wait, does this mean you have carbon?]

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Of course I do. As far as I know, all Cybertronians do. They're what makes us machine life.

[voice]

[mccrane]

[You have floored him.]

...

[But now he's going to ask.]

Is there a carbon component to your self-lubrication, then?

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Silicone, actually. Carbon's really more of an organic thing~.

[voice]

[mccrane]

[The noise he makes can only be described as a frustrated sigh. He's blocked, at every turn.]

Understood.

I...

I never imagined that surviving off of Earth would be this difficult. Is there no accessible carbon on Cybertron?

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

Oh there will be some, of course. A few deposits here or there, you know~. It's just not nearly as prevalent on Cybertron as, oh, any other organic planet out there.

[voice]

[mccrane]

And yet we cannot reach any other planet out there without gasoline.

[He sees this for the giant problem that it is, just as he knew it would be on Day 1.]

Thank you regardless, Knockout. If you would let me know if there is anything else that you think of, I would appreciate it.

[voice]

[automobile_enthusiast]

That is a bit of a problem, isn't it?

[It's also not his problem. Sorry, McCrane.]

Oh, of course~. You'll be the first to know, if I manage to think of anything.