A Return

[tillallareone]

[1]

[It was not long before a familiar face made his return to a Unity Group base.]

For a  year, this place felt so much like home... It feels strange to come back after being on Cybertron.. but it is not an unpleasant feeling.

[For some reason you can almost feel the smile that would be on Optimus face as he looks around.]

Its good to be back. I hope that you have been keeping well?

[2]
[Meanwhile with the Dinobots...]




"RAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"



"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAH!"



...Grimlock not have enough rest deal with this.

[Somehow it seems Slag has goaded Snarl into a screaming contest as the Dinobots are laid up from their particularly sound thrashing. Sludge is looking most fascinated while Swoop is covering his audio receptors with a massive frown on his face.]

What Grimlock miss during fight?

[3]
[Optimus wasn't the only Cybertronian to drop by it seems. While Soundwave would later leave with Optimus to go speak with the heads of the ESUN in order to figure out what to do with the Proudstar...]

"Alright! Move it Longhaul! A bit more to the left. Just a smidge mooore... perfect! Start welding boys!"

[ It seems that the Constructicons are now hanging around Project Unity, helping out with repairs and logistics- be it on mecha damaged during the battle, disassembling the cyberformed mess that was built on the city or removing rubble. Scrapper was barking out instructions like the world's most irritable foreman. Longhaul, the ever suffering dump truck of the team was ferrying scrap and rubble around.]

"Bah... it was more fun doing demolition. Did you see the look on Tarn's face when I caught him so Leornardis could run him through?"

"We were all there Hook, YES we saw it.... that was the most slagging greatest thing though."

"Yussss."

[There was a minor arm pump from Hook before Scrapper bopped him and Scavenger on the head to get them back to work. Bonecrusher was off to the side and was using his drill to grind down any scrap and rubble before Mixmaster had at it - refining it into usable materials to use for any repairs - makeshift or otherwise. Its a dusty job given how much particulate buildup is now on the drill operating Constructicon's face before the wipers kicked in to clean up his optics but someone's got to do it.]

Comments

1

[a_linear_mind]

It's been a while big bot!

[tillallareone]

Willis my friend... it certainly has been.

[There was a warm chuckle from the Prime as he lowers himself, offering a finger to shake in greeting.]

Thought the circumstances that returned me here were less than ideal, it seems things have gone for the best.

[a_linear_mind]

I heard, still...I'm glad you're around again.

[Willis accepts the...not exactly hand or finger shake happily.]

How have things been on your end?

[tillallareone]

And I am glad to be back Willis... I can most certainly say things have not been easy.

[There was a rumbling noise that sounded like a sigh from Optimus.]

The reintegration is progressing at a pace that is better than expected... though there were more than a few at odds with the choice, thankfully nothing as extreme as Getaway...

[There was regret in the leader's voice, it was a senseless waste of life...]

But... between Soundwave's actions and the hope that the pair I entrusted to manage Cybertron in my absence, the proof will be there that the Decepticons can change... and that we Autobots must as well.

[a_linear_mind]

That's always the hardest part isn't it...dealing with things once the war is over.

[tillallareone]

It is... but as difficult as it will be... that our lives can push forward without such wanton waste of life for so long...

It will be worth the effort.

1

[herodrawing]

Mr Optimus! You're back!

And you're not the only one. Seta's returned, too.

[tillallareone]

It is good to see you again Izuru. I hope that you and your team are doing well.

And yes I had heard about it. I admit I was quite surprised... though it is welcome news to have a comrade back.

[herodrawing]

It is, it really is.

[Izuru looks really glad... and not only because of Seta.]

But to be honest, a lot of bad things happened too. And we're doing our best to stop it all, because that's what our job is, right? Earth's still got a lot of villains hanging around.

But if we keep working hard, maybe one day there won't be any left.

[tillallareone]

One day Izuru. But until that day, the world will still have need of us... and perhaps eventually those who we inspire.

[herodrawing]

I'll work hard to be an inspiration, then! After all...

You're the one who was an inspiration for me, mr Optimus.

2

[stupidhonor]

You were knocked out because of me...

[Sielje doesn't seem happy to admit it. Just as she's not happy to be around the screaming Dinobots. Her expression is one of a tired martyr, fed up with life.]

But, unexpected allies came. Optimus Prime - with our former enemies as entourage.

[mechasaurusrex]

...

[Grimlock's lack of expression, in addition to his current state made it difficult to pick up on his emotions...]

Had worse. Would do same for team.

[He glances at the screaming pair and the two who had to put up with it.]

Team would do same for me. And we do same for everyone here. Don't regret it. Strong ones must protect others.

Not surprised Optimus come to help. Not expect Decepticons though. Did not think would get involved.

[stupidhonor]

This whole happening began because they got involved. At least, it is not because they become our enemies anew...

Do you think this peace will last?

[mechasaurusrex]

...

Grimlock not know.... Think... most can do is believe in Optimus.

[stupidhonor]

I see...

Actually. There is one more thing you should know.

[Sielje takes a deep breath. She waits for the other Dinobots to stop shouting at least for a moment, too.]

Nova Prime had a device. Some sort of artifact that held all history and culture of your kind. And... we could not stop the process that was turning Earth into a machine world, without destroying it.

[mechasaurusrex]

..... I see.

[There was a silence that would last a while before the shouting started up again. The Dinobot leader didn't seem that bothered by the prospect though.]

Me Grimlock not very cultured. Not care much about old history... not unless tell by Kup.

Don't think much of loss if we forget so easily anyway. Humans. Culture strong, history strong even if short lives and short time compared to us. Would have been worse to lose Earth.

[stupidhonor]

Yes, I agree - losing Earth and everyone on it would be far worse. But...

History and your culture is very important. I wish I could say, that if I were in Optimus Prime's place and it was Ankaia's past at stake then I would have done the same.

He did not even hesitate.

[mechasaurusrex]

Underestimated Prime... thought maybe would hesitate, even just a little.

[There was a rumbling from the Dinobot.]

But if choice involve save lives... then maybe not such hard choice for him.

[stupidhonor]

Protecting life of all kinds really is the highest goal for him...

You must be proud.

2

[pulledplug]

[Man, it feels... weird seeing the Big Guy and his buds all mangled up like that. At least they're lively enough for a shouting competition.]

Well, from what I heard, Nova the No-Good got his thanks to Optimus and everybody that came with him to help.

You doing okay though? I mean you got two Screamasauruses like five inches from you.

[mechasaurusrex]

... Me Grimlock feel not happy. Not even put dent on Nova. At very least all team still alive. But need do something make up for loss.

[Still screaming. Grimlock simply tries to relax insofar as a giant mechanical t-rex bot can.]

Hate losing. Hate not being able finish job.

3

[an_emulated_mind]

It was a pretty fun fight, wasn't it?

[Gwen's taking a break from her public service with Medb. The economics of nanomachines mean she's mostly been cleaning up dust or keeping it from spreading to neighboring blocks.]

By the way, you're sure you're not upset about those...DJD guys we killed?

[tillallareone]

"It was certainly much more of a masterpiece than our previous battles! Ever since we were on Earth it was almost as if every time Megatron led us into battle we would be most certainly flattened!"

[There was a slight huff from Hook as his face had a most sour expression. Oh he did not enjoy the ass kicking he and the others got over the past two years. Not at all. As for the other question, Scavenger piped up, turning away from his welding.]

"Upset? Why would we be? The DJD were a bunch of crazy nasties! Ever since the war ended they've been going after every Decepticon and Ex-Decepticon that isn't trying to continue the war and doing stuff straight out of horror movies to 'em-"

[And of course because Scavenger turned, it meant the excavator arm on his back would swing right into the back of Scrapper's leg, sending the leader of the team into the ground just as Longhaul dumped a pile of rubble onto the ground and pretty much burying/pinning his upper half.]

"Ulp-! Sorry boss!"

1

[brought_it_back]

...Things have been...alright.

We keep winning, but I am plagued by doubts and worries...I think, I will try to leave the Unity Group soon.

[tillallareone]

No one will hold it against you if you choose to leave Eva.

Though I must ask... what are these doubts that are troubling you?

[brought_it_back]

...That nothing I do here matters. That I try and try to prevent disasters, to make our enemies choose a different path-and fail. Every time.

I feel...empty. Like a machine, that only knows how to kill.

[tillallareone]

Despite what you think Eva... your actions matter far more than you believe they do. That feeling you have... it is far more common than you think. But I know that there is more to you than what you say.

Not every enemy will choose the high road... and not every disaster can be prevented but you must continue to persevere and try no matter what.

That emptiness... that bitter taste that remains... whether you turn it aside or use it to push yourself so you will never feel it again I do not know.

What I do know is that you can save lives. Your actions lose matter and meaning only when you choose to give up. And from a being who is a machine... I believe you are so much more.