[Video]

[sword_redemption]

[It's just a short video feed, from what was--briefly, one of the Perceptor's labs.  A half-built space bridge is in the background.]

Perceptor's gone.

And now Ratchet.

Either someone's kidnapping them, [Looking at you, First Forged. Or Prism.] or they're wandering someplace dangerous and getting killed. Because neither of them are good fighters.

Or....something else.

[He's not sure he's covered all the angles. He's a swordsmech, not Nightbeat or Prowl. But those are conclusions he can draw.]

I'm heading to the Badlands to at least settle that angle.  And I have...business out there, anyway. [And he's not quite dumb enough to go against Prism on his own. But the Badlands, he can handle.]

Anyone else missing? Anyone have another solution?

Comments

[video]

[sword_redemption]

The one who had wandered into the Badlands and got attacked by the spider thing. He knew me--or someone like me--from before.

[Drift frowns. Part of wanting to go to the Badlands was he needed to clear his head. Fighting had always done that before, stripping away everything else except power and movement. So when Liege Maximo had given him the mission, he'd taken it as a blessing.]

[But it was Wing and he had the hardest time saying 'no' to Wing.]

Perhaps you could check on Vandal and the others. Make sure no one else gets 'lost'.

[video]

[winged_knight]

Oh, I don't remember hearing about that. [He's going to guess he was otherwise occupied.] I never met him, but that matters little. If he's missing we should do out best to find him.

I wonder if Luxord is missing too... I dropped by to see him the other day, the door was open, all his belongings present, but he was nowhere to be found.

[He's more worried about Drift getting lost but he also knows Drift can take care of himself. Wing went into the Badlands again and came back, of course it'd be the same for Drift. Though given there's been no rhyme nor reason to the pattern of who is taken and who isn't, he can't confidently apply logic to this, he just has to have faith.

[He has to, because it's all he has.]

I...yes. I suppose. Maybe I should search here, like I did for Deckerd.

[His pinions fall and echoes the frown. He won't force it, he's more aware than ever of his capability to do so. And he desperately wants to compromise and see Drift off, but that also feels selfish.]

Just...take someone with you?

[video]

[sword_redemption]

He was...he was very shy, I think. Stuck to himself.

[Drift nods, frowning.] Luxord too, then. Another non-fighter.

[This proves his point: Wing is better here, where he's safe from harm, and where everyone knows him.]

I'll comm if I can. Wing, you need to stay safe. [There's a pleading note to his voice. He can't bear the thought of you disappearing.]

[video]

[winged_knight]

I'm sorry to hear he's gone. Both of them. It..._{doesn't seem right.}

[Truthfully, it disturbs him more and more each time it happens. How does one even accept something like this as commonplace?]

I'd like that. And you too, Drift. [He doesn't need to say please; it's written on his face and hangs in every word.]

[video]

[sword_redemption]

And others, before them. We should have caught on sooner.

I'll feel better knowing you're here, taking charge.

[video]

[winged_knight]

You think there's a pattern then?

[He's reaching for anything, because the unknown is the hardest enemy to combat.]

I--[A chuff of air, Wing's never really considered himself a leader type.] I'll do my best. I know you will too. As always.