[ VIDEO ]

[heroicpose]

[ Have an extremely pissy looking red and yellow robot. He's got a pretty impressive scowl at the moment, and points directly at the video feed accusingly. He's still standing in the junk pile, his armor a bit scratched up from his landing. Not his most pristine moment and he's pretty aware of it. ]

Hey, what's up with all this? Do you know who I am? I'm Rodimus! Rodimus Prime! You can't just take me away from my crew without my permission and dump me in a heap of garbage. This is kidnapping.

[ His optics narrow and he crosses his arms. ]

I'll give whoever is responsible one chance to come forward and tell me where I am or else there's going to be bigger problems.

Comments

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

...Look, I don't know what it is. I'm not usually this [weak] ...this inclined to organics.

So, omit some facts. "Overlord caused trouble and was apprehended."

private

[thehardway]

She seems unique, to have so many concerned for her well-being.

To what point would there to this political play, Starscream? I never seek to benefit for myself.

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

...who else is there?

[snorts] What benefits you benefits order, doesn't it? Even you need a breather, and if word of your little capture there reaches, say, Swindle, and makes him think twice about doing something...

private

[thehardway]

I noticed that she is close to Wing and Drift. She was very upset about Perceptor and First Aid.

Swindle knows. And he knows to watch his step. [Even if Swindle did... well, swindle him.]

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

Hmn. Two of them are out of commission--obviously--but that's not a bad first line of defense.

You don't like politics, do you.

private

[thehardway]

Defense.

Is there a reason I should enjoy over complicated statements meant to confuse and herd masses of individuals, lies, and half-truths? I take no joy in it or its manipulations. I was there when the Senate was in power, and seeing how Cybertron was becoming, I could not stay for several reasons. Being unwanted was just one of them.

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

Come on. You know how fragile humans are, you spent time on Earth. Right?

[gently amused]

That's why you need me. And people like me. I remember the Senate in power, too.

private

[thehardway]

I didn't presume that was her primary motivation is all.

So you can lie for me. And when the time comes that such lies are unraveled, what will you do, Starscream, as you reflect what the Senate was rather than opposing it?

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

Actually. I'd put money that her primary motivation is kind of the opposite, but whether she knows it or not, she's making good friends. [beat] Mostly.

Magnus, Magnus. Plenty of things are black and white--and in your position, it's good to be uncompromising. Mechs need to trust you. But just because you refuse to use a weapon doesn't mean everyone else will, too, and unless you have people like me, people like them will trample your straightforward, noble chassis into the ground.

private

[thehardway]

I'd more or less agree.

How I am viewed and how I am liked. How I admired. Wanted. Needed. All of that is irrelevant. You do not understand who and what I am Starscream. I will always be uncompromising. I do not need to be liked for what I am. None of that matters. I will still do what I am needed: to protect those who need it.

As such, I do not-- will not lie to them. You may use what's at your disposal, but it does not impress me. I don't need it. I never have.

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

[a long silence.]

I understand you more than you think. And I'm not asking you to do what I do. Or even to approve of what I do.

I can't be straight any more than you could be crooked. But I can work for a common good.

private

[thehardway]

I suppose I can understand that.

Work with what weapons you have. You know your boundaries.

private

[ex_dishonestly997]

And contact me. If you end up wanting my help.