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

I'm going to go arrest him! It's what he wants, right?

[He may be small, but he's still the boss of the Brave Police! Gotta do his duty.]

He's -- if he can do that to Perceptor, what could he do to you? You're a human being. You...

... Don't do this alone.

It - that doesn't matter. I've gotta do something. We're all searching for him, right? I've got to do what I can.

I've got Gunmax with me. We'll be okay.

[Yuuta hesitates before continuing:]

Perceptor? Is that the - the victim's name? Do you know him, Kagerou?

... Yes. We are. We're going to find him, and we're going to save Perceptor.

Stay with him. Don't leave him.

[Because as much as he doesn't like Gunmax... he doesn't doubt the motorcycle cop would look out for Yuuta.]

I do. He's my friend.

I'm not leaving him like that. I'm going to stop Overlord.

I will. Don't worry about me.

I... see.

[A friend of Kagerou's.... This has only increased Yuuta's stake in his endeavor. He'll do everything he can to save your friend, Kagerou.]

Don't be reckless either, Kagerou! You're not going alone, are you?

That's easier to say than to do.

[You said you were his friend too, Yuuta.]

[There is a telling hesitation, though.]

... I'm not sure if I am. Or not. But it's all right. He won't sense me.

[Yuuta blinks and smiles sheepishly.]

It really is.

[And a friend of his friend is a person to protect.]

But he looks strong! And - and what if something happens? I don't want to see you get hurt, Kagerou.

So stay with Gunmax. And I won't worry as much.

[That. May be the most praise he's ever awarded said robot. Apparently hell just froze over.]

He might be. But... nothing will happen.

... I promised.

[Yuuta nods.]

I will.

[Yuuta has full confidence you two will become great friends one day. One day.]

Then I want you to promise me as well! Then you'll feel twice as needing to keep that promise!

[Yuuta extends a hand towards the screen with his fingers all curled save for his pinky.]

I know we can't really hold hands right now, but pinky swear on it! You won't get hurt.

[Well, he wasn't expecting that.]

[So he sort of stares for a few beats, before awkwardly trying to imitate him.]

All right.

I promise you... Boss.

Good!

[Yuuta swings his arm up and down, singing a song.]

Pinky promise
If you tell a lie
I'll make you drink a thousand needles
Now pinky promise made!

You pinky swore, alright? That means you definitely have to keep your promise!

[Well, there's another thing he's never heard or seen before. He stares again, before nodding.]

I will.

We'll stop him. We'll get Perceptor back. It's going to be fine.

Yeah! WIth everyone looking for him I'm sure everything will end up well. We'll just have to do our best in the meantime!

We will.

And be careful.

You too, Kagerou. Stay safe.

Of course.

I promised, after all.

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