re_alignment | [Broadcasting from the tallest peak he can find in the junk pile.]

[Someone has been through this before. Someone knows this drill. Someone has worked very, very hard to finally make it back to his Cybertron, only to find it all wrong. Again.

Someone probably has destroyed a few piles of junk in their anger.

However, someone also has paid attention to the communications on the network, and has ventured to the 'temples' that were mentioned, and has found them locked against him.

This someone is not surprised.]

Listen closely, and listen well.

[It is time to act. The feed opens with a closeup on Megatron's faceplates, optics blazing red, the scant remnants of gladiator paint still burned onto the metal.]

This is not where we belong, and I am done with this.

I am done with waking up to see an unfamiliar sun obscuring all-too-familiar stars. I am done with strangers being cast from world to world. I am done with mechs-who-would-be-gods so graciously patronizing us by allowing us to remain while simultaneously enforcing unethical segregation and I am done, finally, with the thwarting of destinies that I and my allies have slaved, toiled, and died to create.

You can listen to those who make the rules here if you desire to. I have heard a song like theirs, before.

Or.

[He flashes, briefly, a datapad that seems to have some sort of schematic on it--a schematic that looks (to those who are familiar with them) like a complicated space bridge.]

If you are 'done' as I am, you can help me.

I am Megatron, and I will deliver anyone that joins me to their rightful homes.

[A single, pointed tooth is visible in the smirk that finally dawns on his face. His interdimensional portal had only worked, once, but with the right mechs he would see it to completion again. Immediately.]

I guarantee it.

~~~~~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sparrow? That you?

[That voice...]

...

[...]

[Perhaps he hadn't yet truly escaped from Axiom, after all.]

That should be 'Lord Sparrow,' shouldn't it?

[No, really, it's lovely to hear from you Barricade.]

[It is. Just this once, someone remembers. Someone important.]

Now, now, Magnum. That might be going too far.

[Boy has he missed you in the most unsarcastic way.]

It's been some time, darling.

I never liked the sound of 'Lord.' [He grimaces.] It sounds far too much like a Senator getting ahead of themselves. [Even if all his later selves seemed to have adopted the title. It is...interesting.]

To be honest, I thought you were offline.

And now I find you, slacking, here. [He smirks.] Unless you have any useful information to report?

Did Blackout make it with you? Or Bonecrusher?

And yet so many other versions of you end up using it. It might just be the power trip of it all, of course. [Goodness knows he wouldn't mind a little 'Yes Lord Barricade' every once a while...]

Oh come then. You really didn't think that the TransTechs could finish me off, did you?

[And at that assertion he practically looks appalled (or fakes it anyway).] Slacking? Your nerve, good sir. Ain't been slacking in the least. But my information is never free, you oughta know that.

Haven't seen Blackout in a long while. [At the mention of Bonecrusher, his facial plating twitches, wings flicking down. Magnum is the first to ask about that in over a year.] 'Crusher was deported before I went off-grid in Axiom. Didn't see plate nor wheel of him after that.

I can see some of the appeal. I do like it when mechs follow orders without hesitation. [Looking at you, Barricade. You're the hesitatey kind.]

But no, I did not suspect you'd meet such an ignominious end.

And free or not, you know that I have never failed to make it worth your while.

[Even if...he might be wincing with the news along with you.] Blackout was gone when I returned to Axiom. Perhaps they'd taken more from us than I imagined.

Perhaps. But if you're followed blindly by everyone, who is around t'make sure things don't go wildly off your original path? [He's seen way too many crazy leaders to just follow.]

Good. If you did think that'd happen to me, I might have been forced to pout.

Oh, I know. Mmm. It's been some time since I was in Axiom Nexus and I've been a little information-starved myself. Up f'r a little tit-for-tat?

Don't know where Blackout disappeared to. I never heard anything about an exit visa or deportation, and he's difficult to kill. Just kinda... dropped off the radar.

Generally? Starscreams. [He laughs.] They keep everyone on their delicately crafted heel-struts. [Or on their tank treads. Same thing.]

[He sends his coordinates, more than eager to see a familiar face.] I don't suppose you know a place for a good spar or a drink? Or both? Preferably at the same time?

My last experience with Blackout was that he vanished through the completed portal, only to be replaced by a human. [He growls.] A very pesky human. [Who might have made off with his portal schematics. It was good he had a copy.]

Ah, but most of them only do that because they want all the bowing and scraping t'be for them. Or they contradict on principle. [Not that he can find a problem in being Devil's Advocate himself...]

A drink and a spar, huh? Well, there's always Wing's bar; mostly finished. Though sparring could likely be done anywhere. It's rather free-range here~ I'll take you there. [Once he catches up to you, which he's doing presently.]

You say that like the non-pesky variety are widely available. Hope you got a chance the rough the fella up at least once. [Its always worth it to scare the pants off the annoying ones. Or at least slap them into car hoods.]

Speaking of which, what can you tell me about the Starscreams that are already here? [Since he needs info anyway...]

I'll make certain to buy you a drink. [Which means this is the first time he's looking around for something valuable to snag. Sorry, Dirge.]

Oh, I did. And if I find him again he'll be more than roughed up. [Big treads are very good for squashing. That hadn't been legal in Axiom, but the law force here seems to be significantly lessened.]

Afraid I don't know much about them; I don't exactly run with folks like them of my own violition. Think one of 'em is on the law making committee, if you c'n believe that.

Mm, how sweet of you, sparrow. [Not really, but they both know already, he's sure.] Chattin' is usually easier over a cube or two anyway.

Glad to hear it. Send me video if it happens; bee a while since I saw a good squashing. [Or vaporizing. Or exploding. Or...]

I seem to have just made an appointment with one. Our drink may have to wait, Barricade--this looks to be my Starscream. [Which means he's going to have fun toying with him for a while.]

Send me coordinates to the bar and I shall meet you there afterward.

We can talk.

About everything.

[Because he missed you. It's as close as he can come to saying that.]

Yours, huh? Sounds to be an interesting meeting indeed. [Oh to be a fly on that wall.] I do hope you enjoy it~

We'll catch up on things later, then.

[Coordinates sent.]

And we have so much to catch up on.

[He's the same way, really.]

There are some pleasantries I'll need to get out of the way.

Likely not nearly as pleasant as what is to come later. [He's looking forward to it. He'll meet you at the bar.]

Oh, now you're just flattering me. But business before pleasure, hmm?

Indeed. When you can't have them both.

[Broadcasting from the tallest peak he can find in the junk pile.]

Audio;

Audio;

Audio;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video;

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]

Video; [Locked]