re_alignment | [ VOICE/VIDEO ]

Let's play a little game. It'll be entertaining for some, something that I've been working on for a while. And if not, well, it might prove to be an interesting exercise anyway! The last thing I needed was to acquire was a goal.

A bit back, the duly appointed enforcer Ultra Magnus claimed he would arrest me. I found it fairly charming, if not funny. You see, I've been watching the fledgeling 'police force' form, gauging just how effective it is, and so far I'm really not all that impressed. The organization could really use some work.

[ The video turns on now, although the room is fairly dark anyway so it's hard to make out exact shapes other than what is closest to the camera. There's Overlord, grin on lips and plating splashed with-- that is definitely energon. He has a chainsaw in hand, but it's not currently on.

He reaches down, picking something heavy off the floor and there's-- a low, agonized groan --as he drags Perceptor (the sniper one) into view, holding him up by his helm so that his face was turned towards the camera... what was left of it, that is. Both the Wrecker's optic glass have been shattered, the inner mechanisms 'weeping' energon down his facial plates. A corner of his facial mesh has been torn away, exposing a large portion of his oral cavity through his cheek, and the helm itself seems to have suffered a pretty nasty cranial blow.

Below the chest is just as bad. It's half out of view, but it appears that most of Perceptor's inside mechanisms, pumps, and hoses, are now exposed and falling out to become his outsides. ]

Let's see how fast you can respond to a crisis. For every twenty minutes it takes to find me, I will remove a limb from him. If you like, I might even show you! If you find me, he's yours. If you live, that is.

I'll give you a hint. [ His fingers trail down Perceptor's frame, then dig in somewhere that makes the mech tense, choke on his own energon, and tremble. ] Deep.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No one is to engage Overlord on their own.

That is an order, and I don't care who you are.

[Damn it, Perceptor.

He's putting on a stonecold face in regards to this, but how he genuinely perceives this--]

Why not?

[Neither the tone nor the expression is apparently doing much impression on Cliffjumper, who's hissing fit to suit an old teapot.]

Would just need to find him, not get close.

[He might prefer his cannon, or even punching someone in the face, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have... other things at his disposal.]

Because that's straight-out suicide, Cliffjumper.

Do not engage Overlord. Those are my orders.

[Finding him is different. Finding him is imperative, right now.]

[There's a perfectly thunderous scowl on his faceplates.]

I wasn't plannin' on getting within grabbing distance, or even be noticed before it's too late.

[Knee-caps shot out, too late or something.]

Don't even need to use my cannon.

Do not engage.

[Cliffjumper growls, engine echoing the noise as his optics narrow.]

Fine. [He doesn't really have a melting scrap in a smelting pit reason to obey that "order", but... okay.] Even if time's of the essence here?

We will rescue Perceptor. But no one will engage Overlord on their own. Even a group is inadvisable.

I don't care what you're armed with. It's not enough.

... An' how the slag are we even gonna rescue him then, even less take care of the guy playin' autopsy inappropriately over there!?

Ya think the Firstforged's gonna do somethin'?

Understood, sir.

It will be more effective to split up searching, however.

[In other words, he's already out looking.]

I agree.

Do not attack him on your own. Make sure you have someone with you, McCrane.

You don't have to tell me twice.

[trying to play it light, but it's pretty clear he's shaken. He knows he's out of his league, there.]

That goes for you too, right?

If I give you a task, will you do it?

I will do whatever is necessary to bring him in.

I'm not promising anything, but I can try.

Vandal's right, though, you should call ahead and warn the medics. He's a phase sixer, you know that.

I need someone who can trace Overlord. I don't have that skill, and you've been here longer. Find someone, and get them working on it.

I will delegate the task to her. She is a medic-in-training; she will prepare today.

Oh, is that it? [he looks surprised] Sure, I can do that.

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm rooting for you.

Immediately. You will report his findings. Do it now.

I don't need you to cheer for me.

I know, I know, you're in a rush about Perceptor. He might not even make it--...

I mean, I'll get right on it. Cross my spark.

Anything else, you know my frequency. I'll keep it open for you.

Well, if it isn't the mech himself.

[ Overlord extends his hands and does a short mock bow. ]

How many body parts do you think this Wrecker will go through before you find me? He's only got four, unless you count his head...

Goading me is impossible, Overlord. No matter what you have to say or what you will do.

I consider that a challenge, you know. Everyone has a breaking point. It's just a matter of finding the right trigger.

It would be a waste of time. Particularly, my time.

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