re_alignment | [Video] [Under various locks]

[Locked to Wing, Kagerou, Fulcrum and anyone else that approached Drift during the Vandal-disappearance post. ]

[He looks concerned. It's been too long and he hasn't heard anything. ]

Any progress? Any clue we could go on?

We need a plan.

I'd thought...Tarn might have her. [There's a bad thought.] Because he's been here longer than he lets on. But. [He shakes his head.] He's, well, not subtle. If he had her, we'd know. [He both does and doesn't want confirmation about that theory. ]

[Locked to friends.]

[A tense smile.]

Tarn's here. He wants Ambulon. He's going to want me. Megatron said he'd talk to him but... [A rueful shrug.] I think it'd be better if we have another plan if that doesn't, well, work.

We need to protect Ambulon. And whoever else he might be after. [On that note. ]... has anyone seen Ultra Magnus lately? [Then again, Ultra Magnus, of all of them, probably stood the best chance of beating Tarn. So, right, Drift, that was a stupid worry.]

But we need a solution. A real one. Killing him might be only temporary--we've seen the dead return here. So we need...science or something. Something to neutralize him. Because no one should have to live in fear.

We need information. We need scientists. Let me know what information we need to find out about him.

[His mouth flattens, grimly. ] I'll get it. Just let me know what we need to find out.

((ooc: please feel free to threadjack each other and do IC planning stuff))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[......]

Absolutely not!

[FURY]

Are you out of your mind!? No! And even if I agreed to such an outrageously insane idea, what makes you think you'd return alive?

[Sigh. And this was why he didn't want to tell you.]

Ambulon. How else can we get the information we need?

I might not. But that's no reason not to try.

[NAGGING MOTHER]

But that doesn't mean sacrificing yourself, Drift! You think you'd just throw the data our way before Tarn finished you off? Either way, if you do come back, you're going to be badly injured or on the brink of death! So, no! We need you here, alive, and I can't condone - I can't agree to this.

We're going to figure something out, but not at the cost of your life or anyone else's, understand?

I was thinking of keeping the video feed on. Maybe getting some kind of, I don't know, sensors that would relay the information.

[He's not good at the science part of this plan.]

I won't die, though, Ambulon. It'll be all right.

[DRIFT SERIOUSLY ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE HIM A SPARK ATTACK]

No! No, that's--! [He grabs at his head] Drift, do you even hear what you're saying? Absolutely not. I don't care how confident you are, you're not going to face Tarn by yourself and risk getting your spark mutilated.

[serious glower] Do I have to call Wing to talk some sense into you? To make sure you don't try and pull off this suicidal stunt of yours?

[Ironic choice of words?]

Ambulon. We need the data. There's no other way to get it.

You're being...stubborn.

[He narrows his optics.] No. Don't. Contact. Wing.

We will find another way. This is not--this is not the right way. We've just got to figure out what is.

[Don't you look at him like that, mister.] I will, if I must.

Well then, figure it out. Tell me a better way.

Because if someone dies by Tarn's hand, it's on your head.

[Oh, ouch.]

[But he doesn't look too shocked. Just kind of... looks down.]

I know.

But.

[big, heavy, exhausted sigh] There has to be a better way. There has to be something we can do without risking you or... [Just... kind of looks up, imploring] If I told you don't, would you listen? Even if I pleaded and begged you not to do this, would you still go through with it?

What I'm asking is... Does it matter, in the end, whether I agree or disagree?

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