re_alignment | [Video] [Transmitting from: Haven's Hub]

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[Video] [Transmitting from: Haven's Hub]

[The camera comes on and there’s a beat of hesitation. Drift is not known for leadership skills. But he’s trying. Because Ultra Magnus’s chiding last time had stung. He hadn’t stepped up. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He glances over at Wing, as though waiting a cue and receiving a minuscule nod.]

So, we have some new arrivals. Who arrived just like we did, apparently: in the Junk Pile, with no one to meet them and help them.

Their immediate need is for safety and food and lodging. They’re our responsibility. They’re ours, in many cases. We need to come together to help them.

[He steps back, looking a bit worriedly at Wing. For all Wing's weary appearance--pale optics, limp pinions and audial flares that look woefully crumpled--he still gives a reassuring smile and steps forward.]

We'd like to invite these new arrivals to Haven's Hub. Much of it is still being built, but there's a bar that's almost finished where you can find sustenance and a place to rest in safety until we figure out something better.

To find it from the Junk Pile, point yourself towards the light coming from the mountain to the south--that's Prima's Temple. You can find the Hub on the outskirts of the Junk Pile on your way there.

We're all refugees here so it's nothing fancy, but it's fuel, food and shelter if you want it.

[Wing smiles more brightly this time, returning to Drift's side.]

Know that you're welcome.

Locked to Swerve

Swerve, are you still interested in manning the bar for us? I could use your help if you're so inclined? Ah, ASAP if possible?

[He really looks like he needs a nap. And probably should not be pouring alcohol.]

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I see. Hot Rod? Is he one of the new arrivals?

Organizational purposes? We're definitely going to need somewhere to start in figuring this all out.

He is. He's-- it's complicated.

How much space does the recreational center have for all of these refugees? We have several, and the count is growing.

Complicated? Isn't all of this complicated? [He's got time Magnus.]

Not as much as I'd like. The hostel is part of phase two which is nearing completion but...I don't know if it's safe to use and McCrane... [He can't help but frown and look away.]

The bar is big enough to hold a fair number, but we'll have to work out a system of some kind if we use it for both bunk space and refueling. And if we pack them in there too tight then things will eventually get tense. In general I'd say we can manage 15-20 average sized mechs if it's tight.

It is. [That's good. But he's not inviting himself to explain.]

I see. I will check to make sure it's safe for use. I don't have McCrane's expertise, but I can tell if it's durable or not.

Hopefully, that'll be all we have.

Ah. [Mech of few words you are Magnus.] Well as long as you trust him that's what's important.

Thank you. [Please say you're not testing its durability by tromping around to see if it can hold your weight...] At the very least the bottom floor might be usable?

May I have a copy of the list once it's complete please? I'd like to keep track of who shows up at the Hub and who doesn't.

We're going to have to find out what all their sustenance needs are. I already know we have a big mech, twice your size, with fuel requirements similar to what the Brave Police members had. There are a few humans as well. We have some stores, but we'll need to boost our foraging efforts to compensate or we'll deplete it too fast.

I see no reason not to.

Right. I will survey the area in the meanwhile.

...You may. As long as you do not disclose the list without my express permission. If someone has a grudge against another person... I don't want that to come back and bite us.

We should organize appropriately, then.

There's... one other thing. That I should mention to you and the others. How to bring it up without causing anger in everyone, I'm not sure.

Good enough for me.

[He hmms his assent.]

I appreciate it. Trust that it will remain secure and privileged information. Drift is the only one I'd have need to share it with, since our efforts here are as a team. But he's part of your original command structure, yes?

I'll see what volunteers I can rally to start searching. We'll need to be organized about it though so we don't overlap and waste our efforts.

Oh? By 'others' do you mean the Marked? [He makes a thoughtful noise.] If it's a sensitive issue then begin with a small sampling of trusted individuals. I know it's still new, but are you happy enough with the even-mindedness of the Law Committee to start there? Or would you prefer a tighter group?

Drift is part of my command structure. Not that it means anything to him. Keep it confidential, Wing. I understand that he is... important to you. I respect that. I do not respect disclosure due to emotional attachment.

Good.

I mean everyone. I spoke to Vector Prime about the unmarked. He calls them glyphless. He told me some troubling news.

I think it means something to him, just not what you're expecting. [But that's not what this is really about.] I appreciate your respect for our relationship--thank you--but how is it relevant to the task at hand?

My sharing of the information would be for practical reasons, since we're sharing the work of acclimating these refugees. Or even further to the point...I'm functioning on eight hours of recharge in the past five days. [A sigh.] As much as I want to do it all, at some point I have to admit I cannot.

If you feel he might endanger someone on the list or someone might endanger him, please do say so. That I can certainly respect.

[There's a pensive noise at the last words.]

Glyphless...? They've only used that term in reference to monsters that have come through the Lambda in the past. But they were strange, mindless creatures I'd never seen before. [A beat.] You're right, I don't like where this is going. What else did he tell you?

I have nothing more to add. Defend him as you'd like.

It is relevant due to bias, which comes in the aspect of a relationship. If you are at such limits, Wing, then I will refrain from sharing my list until you are properly recovered.

[If he has anything to add about his opinions on Drift, he doesn't seem interested in sharing.]

Vector Prime said we heard the Calling. But it wasn't meant for us. It was meant for reinforcements. He said that those unmarked are Glyphless, and they will turn on us. That we should kill them.

I won't refute the bias--_{though I think I keep it in perspective better than most}--and respect your need for caution. Withholding the information suits me; I'd rather search for a more constructive way to handle it than unnecessarily compromise trust bonds over a simple matter of convenience. [He could compile his own list, afterall. Or more ironically, get Drift to do it.]

But that doesn't actually answer my question regarding relevancy. That of why you have an issue of sharing information with Drift in the first place. I'm not challenging you Magnus, but I need to understand.

[Wing is honestly perplexed by the direction this conversation took. You seem awfully preoccupied with their relationship Magnus. Unless you are somehow testing him...]

It was the Calling, I've been to Badlands and heard it twice before, but this definitely was different...

--Kill them!? [There's a choking noise as he gaps. More than a moment passes. His tone is dire when he continues.]

I've heard tell that those that are lost to the Calling and the Badlands would cease being who they are and would become hostile. The Glyphless here...I couldn't consider them an enemy until that happened. But Ultra Magnus...we can't tell them this. It'll just provoke self preservation instincts. There will be violence undoubtedly.

The only thing to understand is that I tend to find relationships amongst the ranks... complicates things. I don't like complications and how it can twist our duties. I have seen it rarely end well, depending on the circumstances.

That also depends on the information. In regards to this, I prefer to give the list to a member of the law committee than someone who is not part of the enforcement team or the committee. That is not terribly complicated. I would rather know that you utilize the information appropriately than because of emotional attachment. That is what I am saying.

[Preoccupied wouldn't be the right word for it. Trust issues? More likely.]

There is already unrest and distrust with the Firstforged. If we say anything, it would make it worse.

But additionally, I don't know... what to tell some others.

[What can he say to Rodimus? He can't not tell him.]

Ah, 'amongst the ranks', I think I see our disconnect. So you consider the Law Committee and the Lost Light's command cadre to be part of the same system. Your concerns regarding conflict of interest make more sense now.

My motivation for sharing it was purely for the sake of efficiency, but I understand if your not ready to merely accept my word on it. My deference has always been to the greater good, but greater good versus personal interest is, and always will be, a challenge to balance.

[Not unfounded; Wing is an emotionally driven individual. But he knows it, and that is also the reason he attempts to self-audit more often.]

It will. My experiences with Vector have been nothing but positive, I trust him. [He says that with an irrefutable certainty.] But that is rare among us. This situation has the potential to be very explosive on both sides... We'll have to tread lightly. If Unicron is indeed an embodiment of chaos, this gambit is very effective in bearing his signature.

We can't ignore the potential threat, but we do have some time to prepare, to develop a plan to safeguard against it, if they....turn. [A huff of malcontent as he frowns. None of these individuals he knows personally, but they're still people undeserving of such a fate.]

The question is--Is there no way to change their fate? If there is, they deserve the right to attempt to do so. And if we can help them, then we should do all we can. [He pauses.] I know your captain is among them, this must be difficult for you in ways I can't imagine.

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[Video] [Transmitting from: Haven's Hub]

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