AUDIO; location - Vector Prime's Temple

[thehardway]

I was debriefed on the situation at hand. I will say this: temporal displacement is specifically against all laws known to me. However, since this was ... an accident and not due in part to any present individuals that I know of, it seems that this is an issue I'll have to let go of.

That aside, I do have other pressing matters at hand.

I am Ultra Magnus, second in command of the Lost Light and agent of the Tyrest Accord. Rodimus, if you are present, respond.

Any other members of the Lost Light should report to me immediately.

If there's anyone else who feels they need to give me additional information, I will accept.

Ultra Magnus, out.

Comments

[Voice : Private]

[rungout]

[Unaware that another is attempting contact as well and despite the fear dwelling inthe back of his mind born out of a bad situation all around, Rung attempts to contact Fort Max himself, pinging the other, hoping that he'll respond.

Because, like with Whirl, Rung does worry.]

feel free to pester him until he responds

[warborn]

[unlike with Optimus, Rung doesn't get a pingback. possibly Max doesn't recognize the signal, possibly he doesn't care about it -

could be any number of things, really]

Oh Rung plans on it.

[rungout]

[The therapist wasn't that easy to throw off, Rung really havin nothing else to do so why not just keep pinging. And pinging. And pinging some more.]

bwahaha also still locked/voice

[warborn]

[hey, look, persistence is rewarded.

albeit by an unpleasant /snarl/]

What.

locked/voice

[rungout]

[It takes everything Rung has not to cut the line just because angry Fort Max brings back bad memories. But..]

...Hello Fortress Maximus.

locked/voice

[warborn]

[and just like that, the anger's gone. replaced with shock and confusion and you're dead and

and it wouldn't be the first time someone who's supposed to be /gone/ came back, a voice in his processor whispers]

...you.

Re: locked/voice

[rungout]

Yes, me. That seems to be a reaction I'm getting from various others, to varying degrees.

[Pauses before he speaks again, voice softer.]

Are you alright?

locked/voice

[warborn]

[...]

I'm not gonna start another situation, if that's what you're worried about. Much as this place'd be better off without him.

Re: locked/voice

[rungout]

I'll admit, the worry did cross my mind considering..

[Last time. Their history.]

But I figured you both could find it in you to not do anything. I contacted you because I wanted to make sure you were okay.

locked/voice

[warborn]

[he snorts derisively. if Whirl'd been in the same room as him, he wouldn't be saying that...

...then again, Max is the one who's injured, not him.

not that. it'd make difference.]

I'm fine. Never slaggin' better.

locked/voice

[rungout]

Which isnt all that convincing at all. [Softly still.]

locked/voice

[warborn]

Yeah, well, I don't exactly need you to be convinced.

Re: locked/voice

[rungout]

...I suppose you dont, no. [Murmured, starting to regret this a bit since Maximus just doesn't seem to be in the mood.]

All the same..is there anything I can do?

locked/voice

[warborn]

[sorry, Rung. someone's had a rough week, and was prompted to...take let it all out]

You've done enough. Rather not have a repeat of last time you tried to help.

Re: locked/voice

[rungout]

I don't think that would happen again. And I'm not scared, if that's what you might think. [He is, in a way, but this is what he does.]

locked/voice

[warborn]

You also thought that he couldn't hurt me anymore.

[where did all that angry bitterness come from? because that's quite a lot there.]

Re: locked/voice

[rungout]

Maximus I--

[Stops himself for a moment, the bitterness making him tense again as he speaks to the other.]

I'm sorry. I don't--I'm not sure what all has gone on since you arrived here but I'm sorry.

[warborn]

[he actually doesn't send a response to that. not that there isn't one, on his end; somewhere between thinking how much he hates the pity to the fact Rung did nothing but lie to him on that front to trying not to feel sorry for himself - he had enough of that before Depth Charge's 'visit', and even since then.

though for what it's worth, he doesn't disconnect the signal. whatever that means.]

[rungout]

[Realizes the line is still active and is quiet a moment before speaking.]

I never meant to lie to you, Fortress Maximus. That was never my intention but I never imagined that the circumstances would lead to that sort of thing for you again--

[Assuming he was guessing correctly.]

--You probably don't trust me anymore because of it but if there is anything I can do, any way I can help, I want to.

[warborn]

[still nothing...at least, for a little while. when Max speaks he doesn't sound - well, not /overtly/ angry anymore, but there's still a tightness there.]

Nothing you can do.

[rungout]

Doesn't mean I won't try and offer all the same.

[warborn]

Doesn't mean it'll do anything.

[rungout]

But it doesn't mean it won't either. The outcome is unknown until you try.

[warborn]

That assumes I haven't already found out what happens.

[rungout]

Have you? Every possible outcome?