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

Fortunately or un-, I do.

[And boy, what a question.]

You do make all the hard inquiries don't you? Mm. Bonecrusher. Blackout. Even missed you, and Convoy. And this one humanoid, name of Alex Mercer.

[It's locked; he might as well be honest.]

I do have experience. And I must say, it treated me quite well.

I ask questions for a reason, yes. [And the best answers came out of the hardest ones.]

[Bonecrusher isn't a surprise. Neither is Blackout, who he still missed, himself. Being mentioned, however...]

Now Barricade, that is sentimental of you. [He feels the same way.] Especially when such sentiments could be seen as a weakness.

[It doesn't stop him from smirking.]

One that I intend to take advantage of.

...

[Wait.]

You don't mean the Convoy who is here, now, do you?

[He chuckles quietly. He'd expected that response to his answer, really. He can't say he doesn't enjoy it, either.]

I'd be disappointed if y'didn't try to take advantage of my lapse into sentiment. It'd mean I might not have backed the cleverest Megatron I've come across.

Mm. And I do. We kept an optic on each other, on Sacrosanct, and he kept me outta more trouble than he ought've.

[Among other, more casual endeavors.]

Don't tell me you've a quarrel with him already.

Yours must have had his own vision, at one point.

Mine is simply fresh. [And untainted. That is important, too. Still, flattery will get you everywhere, Barricade.]

He seems experienced in fighting Megatrons. [His mouth twitches, as if he's thinking of forming a frown but doesn't quite.] And he...reminds me of a chapter in Axiom I'd rather forget.

Sure he did. Wasn't exactly something he shared with the likes of me, though. Average soldiers.

[And they'd lost their way regardless. And made a lot of mistakes.]

Experienced in fighting everything, really. [Barricade is more knowledgeable about this than he cares to recall.] I could say something about not judgin' mechs based on what someone similar did, but I'd hate to be a hypocrite.

That is one other thing we differ in, then. [He wanted everyone to know what they were fighting for. It got them invested.]

He has been...acceptable thus far. If he does not come after me, I'll not go after him.

...

If he is a 'friend' of yours, that offer doubles.

Among other things, I'm certain. [He can't see you flying off alone after a mystical god-cube, after all.]

I'll be sure t'let him know, next time we talk.

Though, I gotta ask. Did I just hear you airquote?

Air quote?

[He's not sure he understands.]

I wasn't attempting to imply that there was something...more...between the two of you. [Though now he's curious.]

Metaphorical verbal "quotation marks" in speech. Usually used when folks are skeptical of something.

You never were the kind f'r implying that, were you? Mm. We're casual. That's all. Keepin' it slightly lighter. [After everything with Bonecrusher, he'd needed something else. Something different.]

Ah.

Then...yes. They're useful when making a point.

[He sees what you're saying about Bonecrusher without him even being mentioned.]

Relationships are better that way. One never knows who will be killed, or taken, or experimented on. [Bitter? Hell yeah.]

[He gets the feeling; tried as he might have, Barricade doubts he and Bonecrusher were much of a secret. Especially after that whole nanobot thing.

Though he'd hoped they weren't so glaringly obvious.]

Truth. Sometimes you get close anyway, one way or another. And if something happens... you crumble or get past it.

Never expected you t'be quite so bitter about that, however. [Megatron hadn't struck him as the type.]

There aren't other options. However, there has been no time to crumble. [Not with everything that needs to be done.]

Bitter?

[Had he sounded bitter? ...oh. So he had.]

I don't like being unable to keep my promises. [He was going to bring everyone back. He was. And now...he can't.]

There's always time. It just might happen later than you expect it. Or it'll sneak up on you. [It's not as though that little freak-out he had on the network in Axiom was just out of the blue, after all. He's not the type to saw into mechs in public.]

Just a touch, Sparrow.

Mm. Sometimes happens, through no fault of your own. I doubt that'll keep a fella like you down for long, though. [He half-expects him to find a way to.]

[He's quiet for a moment, but slowly he nods, thinking on the nightmares that plagued him, and how he hadn't been able to stop them.] You are too smart, Barricade. That may get you in trouble.

[There's a toothy smirk following, though, so at least you aren't in trouble yet.]

As long as I am alive, I have not failed yet. [If that is what you're saying...he can agree.]

[If only he'd had less personal experience with it, he might be singing a different tune. As it stands, the warning just gets a light chuckle out of him.]

If only someone had warned me sooner~. Mm, but compliments will get you everywhere, Megatron.

[At least with him.]

Then I pray you never fail, in that case. [What can he say? He's liked the cut of your gib for a while now.]

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

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