re_alignment | [Video]

Entry tags:

tf: idw | drift

[Video]

[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?

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Most likely they headed into the Badlands and didn't come back, but it you've got something of Perceptor's I c'n try to help you track where he went. Honestly, I should probably poke around for Ratchet too. And my Ironhide; he ain't the sort that's easily taken down so I doubt anyone here would've kidnapped him.

If you don't mind me taggin' along for a while.

You can't go into some badlands!! They're bad!

I know Ratchet said he wanted to get away for a while. But. [But the Badlands weren't exactly a Zen meditation retreat.]

What do you need to track someone? [He looks around the lab trying to spot something useful.]

[Well, Ironhide. That blew a large, Ironhide-shaped hole in that 'going after the weak' theory. Drift is not a detective, clearly.]

So am I, Teddie.

[Wow, he so rarely gets to whip out badaft lines like that.]

I'll be fine, don't worry.

Doubt he'd choose the Badlands as a vacation spot, yeah.

Just anything he's used recently or that he used frequently, I just need t'get his scent off of it. Depending on how long he's been absent it might not do any good, but. [Might as well try, right?]

[He only thought to mention Ironhide because of Mirage's transmission earlier. Even if he did get kidnapped somehow, Barricade would rather know where the mech is.]

[Wheeljack is...for once, serious. No jokes, nothing.]

What other angles ya have in mind? I'll take care of 'em.

Maybe something's roaming the Junk Pile, and we haven't seen it yet. But wherever they end up, they can't answer comm. [Which in his mind rules out the Junk Pile. Even when Prism had done his worst to Drift, Drift had managed to comm.]

It's worth a shot at any rate. [Drift picks up a datapad, and a few tools.]

[None yet, from Drift, either. Give him an opponent, and he's fine. But mystery, and losing friends? Not so fine.]

There might be something in the Junk Pile we haven't seen yet. Some predator. Because Barricade agreed Ratchet wouldn't just wander into the Badlands himself. He was upset. Not suicidal.

Why does everyone keep saying that?! Just 'cause you guys tell me not to worry doesn't mean I'm gonna magically stop! If I didn't worry, then I wouldn't be a good bear or friend!

[Wing looks more than a little distressed at this point.]

Wait, there's a third? Which Perceptor?

[He's not going to play mother hen--as much as he wants to--but all this disappearance business has him more than a little fretful and clingy.]

Let me go with you please?

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'.

They could just be out of comm range somewhere; I know this Link gets spotty the farther from the Haven it gets. From the message archives, anyway. [He's hesitant to think it's something in the Junk Pile too. It's a big area but it's still in comm range.]

Exactly. No reason not to try. Where should I meet you?

....? [But. But. But. Uh. ]

You're right, Teddie. I can't make you not worry, and you are a good friend. Bear. [Friendbear?]

It's just that I know what I'm getting into. You should take care of the others, instead.

[He lets out a frustrated growl.]

I can't take care of these people, they're just fine! If anyone needs taking care of, it's you.

...me? Why me?

[Hey, bearfriend. Three swords. That is more swords than hands. Drift can take care of himself.]

[...Drift are you seriously accusing them of-okay. have a somewhat stern Vector.]

We can only protect you from so much.

[that's addressed at more than one part. but the next...]

If you recklessly put yourself in danger, then you take your own responsibility for it.

[Yes, he knows what a sword is. That didn't stop his other friends with swords from getting hurt.]

'Cause if you get in trouble, I can help you!

[Yes because creeping on the network isn't suspicious at all. :| ]

And what aren't you protecting us from? If you have an idea, now might be a good time to share it.

[Wow Drift, great diplomacy there.]

I always have.

[this is a frown. this is a somewhat uncomfortable and frustrated frown because Vector is only so good at hiding his emotions, but he's doing his best.]

I should think the fact that any of you trickle to the Badlands despite our efforts, speaks for itself.

[No one can be worse at hiding his emotions than Drift. NO ONE!]

[Hence the narrowed optics.]

Maybe you could explain anyway.

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?

[Wreck-Gar scowls as he watches and listens to the transmission. This is different than before. This was someone he knows, someone he considered to be a friend.]

They took Mister Wizard off the programming schedule?

[A shake of his head.]

I'm liking this station less and less.

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.]

It looks like it, yes. Unless you've seen something? I just can't imagine him leaving this place open like this.

[Not that Drift knew him that well.]

Me neither. Something's going on here.

[BLINK.]

You can help me best by keeping Wing safe, Teddie, if you want to help.

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