VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

So here's a question. A bit of perspective is needed here. I'm a robot made and from Earth, so what do I know or care about your religion, war, or other wacky pieces of history? Usually, I don't, but I need a Cybertronian outlook here. Or maybe the Firstforged are feeling a little ballsy enough to talk to me. Who knows!

We ended up here against our will. Oh, sure, nobody expected that. We just kinda fell through and we're here getting snug in these... [Gunmax looks very uncomfortable with the word.] Temples. First thing you probably noticed is that the Firstforged brand us, singling us out. I'm surprised no one else seems to care that I've got this random mark on my arm saying I belong to someone. I already got that attitude enough elsewhere, thank you!

Then there's the following issues: not being told things. The calling of the Badlands, losing people to them... [Here, Gunmax scowls deeply, very unhappy with this.] Maybe they come back. But then, they don't always remember. But were we really told about any of this? Were we really told about what might happen to us? Or about these pages from Alpha Trion?

No. We weren't. Ol' Al here loses some pages, we take a few doodles, and random crap happened. Thanks for the heads-up, really, it was nice with those bombs and the creepering and everything else that happened. Dandy, even! I was a big fan of it.

So you can turn yourselves in, guys. You can feel bad about what you did or didn't do. You can feel ridiculous for what situation you were in, or whatever. But here's the bottom line:

It was someone else's lack of responsibility. And it's one of those people that want to pass judgment on you and take part in the construction and enforcement of law. That's a nice way of saying "Do all the work, but we'll sit around and let you know when we make up our minds."

So my question: Do you really trust the Firstforged?

Just thought it'd be something to think about. Me? I'm going for a drive, baby.

Comments

[mccrane]

Gunmax...

[engrishdetective]

Hm. McCrane.

Since we're saying each other's names and all.

[mccrane]

[Shush. They're Japanese robots, it's what they do.]

Are you going out alone?

[Video]

[notyourblueangel]

What are you proposing?

And for the record? No. Not happy about being here, let alone being claimed. Nor do I fully trust the Firstforged. But then, when it comes down to it, I don't fully trust anyone here.

[Except maybe Starscream. Both of them. Which is an oxymoron in itself, he'd be the first to admit. But if you'd worked as closely with the mech for as long as he has, you'd understand.]

[Video]

[engrishdetective]

What makes you think I'm proposing anything?

Good answers, all around.

[Video]

[dontasktrix]

[Slipstream shows some hesitation, even though she's already transmitting her reply, like she's uncertain what she meant to say.]

So, you think the ones apologizing don't really need to?

[Video]

[engrishdetective]

What's the point when it wasn't as if they had any control over it?

A loaded pistol falls into a child's hand. The child has no idea what it does. They pull the trigger and shoot someone. That pistol was the father's. Who's responsible here? Should I arrest a kid for having no idea, or the father who owns the gun and left it lying around?

[Video]

[dontasktrix]

I'm not sure there's ever much cause for apology. [It's not like her creator had any shame to pass on to his progeny.]

So, kinda like campaigning to your followers here. [Preaching to a choir?] Just- it's different after all the apologies. Brave.

[She doesn't usually agree with the strategy of announcing one's actual thoughts and allegiances, but a part of her does appreciate passionate speeches.]

audio;

[thxforthememories]

... am I allowed to speak to you?

audio;

[engrishdetective]

That depends on what you're about to say.

audio;

[thxforthememories]

That this is the most sense you've made in a while.

[aka: I can't believe I agree with you, but I do.]

[Video]

[littlecrowgirl]

[Kay fiddles with her scarf a bit, sitting in one of her beanbag chairs she salvaged from the junkpile.]

You don't trust them, huh...

[It's more thoughtful than anything, as she props open that diary Alpha Trion gave her.]

[Video]

[engrishdetective]

They haven't given me much reason to, kiddo.

[Video]

[littlecrowgirl]

I guess not.

[She looks slightly sad. Despite everything that's happened, she still liked to please her FirstForged.]

They're people too, right? Were you an easy one to trust right off the bat?

text;

[lightupthenight]

i dont trust anyone
cept maybe mike chilton
but yeah
dont trust anyone

AUDIO;

[engrishdetective]

Fair enough.

[Text]

[4_toteachus]

It wasn't the Firstforged who brought us here though. We could very well be homeless and forced to scavenge for ourselves, but we don't. They were generous enough to give us a chance at comfort, and I think we should be grateful for that much.

Their mistakes cost us, that is true.

But isn't that how civilizations work anyway?

AUDIO;

[engrishdetective]

Well, I guess it's good that I didn't say that they brought us here. But thanks for assuming, Four, that's extremely charming of you.

They didn't give me food. I starved for nearly a month. I almost died.

Does it have to work that way? No.

text;

[4_toteachus]

[Not that Four knows what that's like, since he doesn't eat or really need anything to stay alive.

Also who spat in your robot cereal this morning.]

I'm just saying that we could have it worse.

Despite everything, I do still trust them.

[Video]

[nexicpolarity]

[there is a /brief/ stretch of silent where Nexus is just. staring. at the screen.

and then, finally, slowly, he speaks. sounding...bemused, if anything]

You're one of those 'Earth'-mechs, right? The ones who can't take standard Energon?

I made a substitute fuel for you guys. Had one of my Acolytes send it over to - what's his name, McCrane?

Did...[and here he hesitates. HOW TO WORD THIS]...something happen to it, and nobody brought it up?

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Know what's funny? [OF COURSE you don't. Whirl will tell you!] What I find fraggin' hilarious is that you mechs are just now starting to catch on.

[Admit it: cynicism and mistrust were pretty much the first two words Whirl said when he showed up. After how good it felt to punch someone out.]

But. You know. I'm supposed to be the crazy one.

[video]

[engrishdetective]

Whirl, baby, I've had these thoughts since day one I got here! Nobody really likes listening without evidence though, hm?

Funny, you seem more sensible to me than most of the others.

[video]

[megatronicpolarity]

Trusting the strangers who emerge from the junkpile is just as foolish as trusting us, you do realize?

[Wait, that's not what helping sounds like. He supposes he should at least make an effort - if only to cut down on the inevitable whining Prima will do because one of his refugees refuses to fall into line.]

I'm getting ahead of myself. Did you think to make requests of my Acolytes? Did you bother to pose your questions to them? Clearly not. Let me begin by correcting your misconceptions concerning your brand, if you insist on calling it such: I did not choose you. Had I been given the option, I would not have selected someone so...

[Primus, how does he sum up all of the ways in which he imagines an Earth robot must be lacking in comparison to a Cybertronian?]

Short.

Regardless, the Glyph itself is a blessing. It is a mark of protection. Stripping you of it is possible, but so is personally tossing you into the Badlands. They are roughly equivalent actions.

[video]

[engrishdetective]

[He laughs sharply.] Well well! Look who decided to pop out and say hello. I thought you rolled over and died or something.

Oh, believe me, the feeling is mutual. Frankly, I'd rather have nothing to do with you or the rest of your... eh, brothers? Or whatever.

Right, and the Badlands have that... calling, or whatever it is you want to call it. Though I guess you've been all so very vague about what the hell is up with that too?

Your Acolyte lackeys don't really interest me. They're a bore, and not coming right from the top. And when I get told by Vector Prime that I should be obeying all of you, I get massively unimpressed.

[video]

[megatronicpolarity]

[The most unimpressed look, Gunmax. Everything you say bores him.]

I have neither the need nor the inclination to justify my schedule to a refugee. My work is beyond your current understanding, I suspect. When I am away, the Acolytes are your first point of contact. If that doesn't suit you – you're welcome to wait.

You already know the most important fact concerning the Badlands: they're to be avoided. It's clear you have no interest in our theology, so there is nothing more to say.

[Bucking against authority? All right, Gunmax, he'll give you one respect point for that, even if you are making his life marginally harder.]

Very well, it doesn't please you to be ruled. And so? You occupy our territory and share our materials. You have free reign to move as you wish, build as you wish – if we demand final word on what takes place on our planet, is that unusual? I'm certain you wouldn't be pleased if I arrived on your homeworld and elected to have it stripmined.