re_alignment | [Broadcasting from just outside Megatronus Prime's Arena][Actionspam welcome]

[It was no surprise to him that his time on this new Cybertron was going better than his last three years on an ancient one. Parts for the portal were already being gathered and assembled, nobody was directly threatening to kill him, and he'd passed his schematics out to multiple individuals who had a shot at making it work. With nothing more to do on the project, himself, he'd decided to pursue a little...entertainment, and perhaps secure a bit of additional assistance on the way.]

[Besides, this arena was actually pretty nice.]

It's been almost a decacycle, and though little has changed in how these 'Firstforged' treat us, we've already managed to accomplish enough.

Of course, if we're to become monsters as I've heard claims we will be, then those of you who are marked should get a bit of practice in beforehand, hm?

[Without a further word, a bright purple glow illuminates the screen for a moment as Megatron unsheathes his energon mace from his hand-socket and gives it a whirl.]

I have a meeting with one or two already, so this message is for the rest...

Do you think you have what it takes, to go tread to tread with a Megatron?

[He'll be waiting.]

Locked to Overlord

This goes double, for you.

[Yes, he knows you are in a prison and all. However, he doesn't suspect that's going to stop you, if the rumors he has heard are true.]

Locked to Barricade and Ambulon

As it helps to be prepared, I could use the assistance of a medic. Willing to lend a hand?

[Although it's phrased as a question, he expects at least one of you to be there. Otherwise, he might get...cranky. You know. If there's no one to patch up the folks he's trying not to kill.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You look very...similar.

[When he'd heard 'vehicon' he assumed it was some subset of 'Decepticon.' This was...not what he'd imagined.]

Ship Maintenance? That sounds useful. Which part?

That. Was the intention. The intimidation factor of it is a little lost here, unfortunately.

Whichever part needed fixing. We'd had to do some work on the engines lately and the lights are always a problem... But I've been helping Shockwave with his land bridge, when he's not training me.

Do you all look the same?

[Because...Primus. How does one tell you apart?]

Shockwave...yes. [You've been working with Shockwave, and he's been working on a land bridge--that made this perfect.] The one I'm fighting today.

[The one he's going to win against.]

What has he been training you to do?

We do. Well, I mean, some of us are cars and some of us are planes, but... there are a lot of us. I. Don't expect you to tell us apart, sir.

[He still finds it odd that needs stating around here.]

You're going to fight him? O-oh. [He might have to come and see this, at least.]

To fight. We... Vehicons, I mean... we don't get much combat training before we're put into the field.

You have no way of distinguishing each other?

[How would he know who to punish when something went wrong? This seemed like a terrible system!]

I am. I need his expertise, and Shockwaves are always a...unique...challenge. [Especially after the one that had experimented on them, he was eager for this.]

...

[Now, however, he frowns.] No training? What sort of Decepticon receives no training? [He'd had little, himself, but at least one got a basic instruction in how to hold an energon sword before being thrust into the Arena.]

Well, we do. We've gotten really good at it. The officers... most don't know how to.

[It's an ingenious system for them, really. Most of them skate for their occasional flubs and some other bot took the blame.]

I see. Well, i-if it's possible, I think I'd like to see that. I've. Never seen him fight someone else. [And when they fight its just sparring. Not quite the same thing as actual combat.]

We get training, just... not very much. We're, ah. Cannon fodder. That's the term, I think.

I would appreciate instruction in this technique. [He doesn't want to be confused.]

You would be welcome to attend, of course. [Since Shockwave is coming anyhow, you might as well come with him.] There will be plenty of fights to see. [Perhaps enough to be a good show.]

[To the last comment, however, he frowns.] That's a waste of resources. You'd be significantly more effective if trained.

Well, I. I suppose I could offer what I know. It's a lot about body language and little details. [If Megatron can't figure it out, he can't blame you.]

Oh, good. Th-thank you, sir. [This will be a marvelous learning opportunity!]

Suppose so. I'm not qualified to make judgements like that, though. I'm just a- [mook] -maintenance mech.

None of you have ever desired to make parts different? [He's having trouble understanding this sort of unity.]

You might as well see the credentials of the warrior who's training you, hm?

And if you're not qualified to make such judgments, you should at least do what is necessary to survive.

Even if any of us have, we don't know the channels to go through. And this is... safer. [In some ways.]

Of course. I mean, not that I doubt him, he's a good teacher...

I try to. When I can. [It's why he's in the job he is now, in fact.]

Safer? To be anonymous? [Now that...that he can understand.] You'd be less likely to be pegged for failures, but in the same vein...you'll not be lauded for success.

Granted, here, I suspect you'll have some difficulty blending in. [Which he finds amusing.]

If he's like the Shockwaves I have met, you'll receive excellent instruction.

They only ever pay attention to us when something goes wrong, really, so it's... not so much of a problem that we aren't lauded for success.

Ah. Yes, I kind of stand out in a crowd, here. [It's weird to get used to.]

I-I have been. He's good at it.

[He cannot fathom how this works.] Then they treat you little better than drones?

[Your universe is strange.]

I think I'd like to see how good at it he is. You should accompany him in the ring.

That's correct. Actually I, uh. I think most of them think we are drones...

[You're telling him.]

Oh, w- [... WAIT.]

!!!

O-oh! I, uh, all... all right. I mean, if he agrees, then of course.

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