War's Over - Chapter 01

[swindleslog]

Title: War's Over
Characters: Hot Rod, Arcee, Springer, Kup, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, misc. nameless others. More to come.
Description: The war is over, with the neutrals siding with Shockwave and the Decepticons to take back and rebuild Cybertron, but what does that mean for the autobots

Comments

[peacewish]

I'm glad for you that you could finally get started with this project. You've been drawing mostly lately, and not written anything in quite a while, and I'm sure you missed it. I know more than anyone how easy it is to get psyched out by starting a grand new complicated plot, so just creating a universe in which you can dip in and out with small stories as you please is a good idea. It'll make switching around easier, if you want to focus on other characters, or even flip back and forth between Autobots and Decepticons.

That all being said, uck. I was practically in tears by the end, after so much horrible suspense. I don't like these neutrals, not at all! It's one thing to want to go back home, and it's even fine to negotiate a separate peace with Shockwave. Maybe it's possible, with evidence that Megatron is dead and numbers on your side. But none of that necessitates scouring the universe to attack and kidnap Autobots that weren't doing anything to you! They didn't need to drag unwilling bots back to Cybertron in chains just because THEY are ready for the war to be over; peace through slavery is no true peace at all. So what if you decide to join forces with Shockwave and start a new civilian government on Cybertron? If there are a few dozen Autobot soldiers still out there knocking around in the galaxy, it's no plating off your back. And if they try to attack the planet, then defend it. If you have the numbers and force to sway Shockwave, then you can certainly handle a few rogue soldiers.

The story is no less gripping, but I call total BS to the Neutrals' new 'plan'. In this fandom we're accustomed to referring to Neutrals as bots who are 'okay' morally speaking and not a threat, but I don't think that's the case here. These guys are every bit as bad as the Decepticons. They have a certain idea in mind for how the Cybertronians should live, and if someone doesn't conform to that idea, then it's okay to attack him, tag him and bag him as if he were an animal, and then give him as a slave to someone who does agree with you. BS.

[swindleslog]

Thank you! It does feel really, really good to write again. Drawing is always more cathartic, but I like to share my brain-fanon too.

I am flattered to know this brought you to near tears! Things will be getting much, much worse for Hot Rod down the line, I'm sorry to say. The reasons for tracking down wayward Cybertronians will come up too, because you are correct- why bother with all these scattered souls unless they attack?

There's a reason for taking them in and finding them, and while I know it will not make you any happier with them, it was a negotiation of sorts.

then it's okay to attack him, tag him and bag him as if he were an animal, and then give him as a slave to someone who does agree with you.

The closing line up there has less to do with thinking of autobots as animals, then it does the sort of tired detachment people get from doing a tedious job for weeks (not an excuse, but that's where it's coming from). Obviously that does not excuse anyone's actions.

It's going to be interesting hearing your reactions for each chapter, the further down the ladder Hot Rod winds up.