re_alignment | [voice]

Entry tags:

tf: idw | drift

[voice]

[After their last conversation, Drift has realized Vandal was right. He needed to 'man up'...whatever that technically meant. And it wasn't the kind of conversation he thought you should have over comm. Or entirely sober. So he's stopped by the bar and picked up a bottle of that whiskey stuff she usually drank, and drove out to Vandal's little mobile trailer.]

[When the voice message begins, it may be clear to someone who knows Drift fairly well that he's trying to hide a sort of nervous anxiety.]

...anyone, uh, anyone seen Vandal?

((OOC: He's at Vandal's place, I'm keeping this vague here so more people who get involved can come on by the trailer and discover stuff! They will also likely discover a broken whiskey bottle from him dropping it.))

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She's gone. And the place is a mess.

[He hesitates. ] Maybe I should check the Badlands.

What do you mean it's a mess? ...like she trashed it herself?

[He wouldn't put it past her...is she was angry enough, maybe. Though she seemed more exhaustively depressed than angry when he finished talking with her.]

No, not yet... [He pauses, he's thinking aloud right now.] If--IF--that's the case she won't have gotten far on foot. I can search an area between her trailer and that direction just to rule it out though... Or we can split it up.

There are no other clues there?

...I don't know.

[He doesn't put it past her either. She had been upset with him. But really, he didn't want to think he was capable of hurting her that deeply. That she'd want to destroy the trailer he'd helped her bring from the Junk Pile or that she'd...leave.]

Kagerou's coming. He might be able to help figure out what happened.

...I hate to say I hope she's just mad at me.

I'll start the furthest I think she could have gotten and work my way to you. [...] Is she wearing her rig you think? [He could hope. It had a far easier energy signature to scan for.]

[He's moving already because if it is the calling, every moment counts.]

Good. We need more optics, eyes, whatever, on this. [He huffs, trying to push tension away.]

I...I hope so too Drift. Because that's easy enough to fix...

...no. She's not wearing the RIG.

[He sounds pretty confident about that. Because he's looking at it.]

Not even thinking about fixing anything right now. If she wants to hate me, that's fine. [Well, not really.] I just want her...around.

[A hiss, like a barely stiffed curse.] I don't like that much...

[That meant she was unprotected...where ever she was. He's already leaving the edge of Haven behind, pushing top speed to achieve the point his calculations dictate.]

You can make it up to her later, when we find her. [Because they will. Wing can't imagine anything Drift might have done to make that hate permanent. But there's little to be done about it now.] Any answer to your comm?

No. I mean. However angry she was at me. She wasn't...not careful. [Not after that pages thing with Wing.]

I'm not--I can't even think about that right now.

...no. But maybe she just...doesn't want to talk to me.

...not careful? [Maybe it's because his attention is tuned so closely to his sensor readings as he sweeps the countryside, but that last bit flies right past him.]

We don't have to. [Not that he blames you, at all.] Kagerou find anything out?

Okay...I'll try her.

I mean she didn't go into strange places without it, alone. [And it's here. So. That's not good.]

Kagerou says there was a struggle. [He hates how thin his voice gets saying that. ] He didn't see anything on the flight out here.

...thank you. Uh, if you reach her, just, uh, tell her hi?

No I...don't imagine her doing that either. [Vandal is more sensible than that.]

....a struggle? [Despite the current physical exertion he's under a chill still comes over him.] No signs of who...or what?

[He's doing his best to stay calm but it doesn't help much that he's already feeling harried. He steers his attention away from distressing thoughts and keeps focused on his search.]

I will... [He has a notion what 'hi' means too.]

He says it looks like a robot. Which, I mean, there aren't a lot of non robots who could do this kind of damage.

[He gives a hopeful smile.] Thank you, Wing. I know she'll talk to you. [If she can.]

No there aren't. It...doesn't really narrow the options much.

[Wing is hopeful too.] Anything for you. For her.

Wing. [He's been talking to Kagerou some more.] Maybe it's Prism.

[He gives a nervous gulping swallow.] _{Frag, I hope she answers her comm.}

[There's a long pause. He actually has to double back over an area in his search because he's in an utterly difference space for a bit. He might even be visible off in the distance at this point, flying a long zig-zag pattern over the junk pile.]

.........no. [It's a pleading sort of denial. He saw what that thing did to Drift, Wing doesn't want tothink about the damage it could inflict on a human.]

She..._{hasn't answered yet.} [That doesn't mean he'll stop trying though.]

It could be, Wing. [He knows how bad it could be. He's been trying to float in a river of denial since the thought crossed his mind. And failed.]

Kagerou is thinking of flying over to check. He says he can be unseen. [Drift doesn't want to sound like he doesn't trust the robot. He does. But...Prism.]

[ Drift's right, it could be. And lingering in denial wasn't going to help anyone. ] Okay...right...how can we find out for sure?

To Liege's? ....wait Kagerou's going...? [He trails off, slightly distracted, remember their flight together and the ninja each fear of even going near the place he was assaulted by Prism. He's suddenly very proud.] ...that's good.

If she's just heading to the badlands, we'd have sometime. But if he does have her... [If Prism does, every klik is one she's subject to torment.]

Kagerou says he knows where Prism is. It's worth looking but... I don't like him going alone.

Drift, I'm almost to you and haven't found her. I...don't think she's on her way to the Badlands. [He hates to give up on their easiest solution, but with the other evidence it makes the least sense.]

I...don't either. Do we have anyone else who can do stealth? I know a few tricks but... [He knows it's part of Kagerou's function. He fears he'd just slow the other mech down of give him away.]

And she's not answering comm.

[This is a very bad picture that is developing in front of him.]

No one I know. [He sighs.] There has to be a way we can be there to help him, at least.

....no, she isn't.

[It disturbs him far too much.]

I can't think of anyone either. [But yes, there must be a way.] Perhaps we can both accompany him and then wait hidden outside as back-up in case anything goes wrong?

[He's close enough to be heard now, the keen of his engines growing louder as he makes one last searching sweep before landing in the trailer's clearing near Drift. His feet touch the ground at a jog but he stops short--noticing the trailer, and the damage... He just stands there...in shock. His pinions quivering slightly.]

I don't know how good I'd be as back up.

[A shrug. He's fast, but not as fast as a jet.]

[He waits until Wing lands, hands shifting restlessly as Wing takes in the damage to the trailer. ]

Anything you're seeing?

Kagerou will likely have to enter the temple which will be close quarters. If we can find a place to hide that's close enough it won't matter.

[And hopefully stealth can get them close. Baring that...Wing can carry.]

[He gulps hard, the chill air trapped in his vents just settling deeper rather than vacating with his breaths. He shudders visibly, rounding the side of the trailer to take in the damage.]

I--what could have done this?

Maybe you could coordinate with him. I wish I could help but I think I'd be a liability. Especially out in the open.

[Drift gives an unhappy sigh.] Has to be something robotic. And big.

Wing. We should have stayed with her. One of us. We let her down.

I can do my best. But you have the advantage of knowing the inside of Liege's fortress. Perhaps we should site down with a map of the area and the fortress, and come up with a plan?

[He nods, he doesn't like it but...] Yes, I...can't imagine anything else that could do something like this.

I-- [He cycles a heavy sigh.] I don't think she wanted company. From anyone. But... [His optics linger on the metal sheeting still stacked off to the side. They should have helped her fortify the trailer at least.]

[He feels guilt and helplessness creeping over him none the less. He moves to Drift, craving some contact, some support.]

We'll do better. In the future. [There'll be one. Right? Right.]

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