[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;

[sciencetank]

[Considering he's out and about at the edge of the Link's range... the feed is considerably fuzzy, but still visible, for now.]

What--? I've done what now?

Did you need something?

video;

[sword_redemption]

[Blink.]

You've done....Perceptor? [He squints at the fuzzy feed, colors and rough shapes.]

I, uh, where are you?

video;

[sciencetank]

Yes? That's me.

[He ends up holding the device over his head, looking for a better signal.]

Out on an expedition to document the surrounding landscape. Did you need something... ah...?

I don't believe we've met.

video;

[sword_redemption]

I, uh. [He squints. And the voice isn't quite right, now that he listens more closely. ] No. I don't think we've met. I'm Drift.

And you're out by the Badlands?

video;

[sciencetank]

A pleasure, certainly. I can't say I've heard the name before, so I can only presume you've been looking for the alternate version of myself also present in this world. Which, sadly, I've not seen since my arrival.

Presumably. We've gone beyond the ah, Haven area for the time being.

video;

[sword_redemption]

Yes. He was very different from the one from my world.

[And a guilty look. Because Drift had missed your arrival, too.] How long has it been, since you arrived?

We? You're with others, then?[That's a bit of a relief.]

video;

[sciencetank]

Then, no, sadly, I haven't seen him.

Not terribly long, not to worry. I've been exceptionally preoccupied as well, attempting to restore my lost tools and whatnot.

Indeed. Several of them.

video;

[sword_redemption]

Can you send me coordinates of where your group has been? It would save me the trouble of looking there.

[And offers that much less hope.]

Well, there's a lab here. I don't expect this Perceptor will be needing it again. There may be things you can use.

video;

[sciencetank]

I'm not certain if the transmission strength is capable of sending that much data, but I'll make the attempt.

Sending... now.

Is there? Well, that's a stroke of luck. Once I return, I'll be certain to look it over.

video;

[sword_redemption]

Thanks. [The data arrives and he pauses to check it.]

I hope you do. I think he'd rather it got used than not. [In return he'll send you the coordinates of where he is now: Perceptor's lab.]

video;

[sciencetank]

If there's any salvageable equipment there, I shall not disappoint.

video;

[sword_redemption]

Just make good use of it.

[He frowns. He's still not sure why that Perceptor had left.]

It'd be the best anyone could ask, I think.

video;

[sciencetank]

Oh, I intend to. It's been far too long since I had a proper laboratory at my disposal.

[Perceptor it's been less than a month.]

video;

[sword_redemption]

It'll probably need some work to get up to speed. If you need anything, uh, you can let me know.

[It's not really his to give away, but if it was, it should go to someone capable of using it, he thinks.]