Effing long post of Megatron, returned.

[not_your_gun]

[The post is video. Magnum is clean looking and well-kept, with some red smudges on his hands and face from helping paint a hardware store. He looks calm, and serious, but there is an edge to his voice that speaks of barely restrained attitude, and a slight twitch of his fingers like they're just waiting to transform into weapons.The cycle of

Comments

[video]

[derpjet]

[Scared derp is scared. He's standing at attention, even though this is just a video feed.]

Um, yes boss?

[video]

[not_your_gun]

[Magnum stares right back.]

You were...aware, were you not...that my orders were not to be followed while I was in quarantine?

[video]

[derpjet]

[Okay now he's confused.]

They...they weren't?

But...you asked me to teleport you out.

[Helm scritch, his expression is blanker than normal.]

[video]

[not_your_gun]

I remember doing that, yes.

But I was not myself at the time. Soundwave, in fact, was technically in charge of the Decepticons.

It nearly caused problems, Skywarp.

[Locked]

[inferiordude]

Even?

It's not like you ever did anything for me. Only reason why you socialized was 'cuz of the virus. It wasn't really you.

[He doesn't sound stampedingly angry, which is at least a change from how he usually speaks to Magnum. But does sound... stern.]

[Locked]

[not_your_gun]

[He catches that stern tone, and growls softly in defiance of the reproach.]

Would you rather I continue considering you my enemy? I am capable of doing that, too.

[Locked]

[inferiordude]

I jus' wanna know how we're even.

We don't have to be enemies, Magnum. None of us do. Some mechs make it that way.

[Locked]

[not_your_gun]

Then consider this my invitation to not be enemies.

That is what I am doing for you.

[Voice]

[show_my_cannons]

... Hmnf. Great. Knew your punishment was too good to last.

[Voice]

[not_your_gun]

So, it seems, was your death.

[Voice]

[show_my_cannons]

[Growl]

I can, at least say that I was right about you. Entirely.

[Voice]

[not_your_gun]

From your skewed perception, perhaps.

But what, in particular, are you rambling about now?

[Locked]

[houndofmegatron]

Welcome back, sir.

Construction of the portal is complete. The hardware has been tested, as far as it can be, and seems to be working to spec. [At the very least, nothing was blowing out or catching on fire anymore when he powered it up...]

As for the software, it's... [Hm, how to put this diplomatically?]

Still in the testing phases.

[Locked]

[not_your_gun]

...testing phases?

[That sounds...foreboding.]

When will it be ready?

[Locked]

[houndofmegatron]

Apologies, sir, but I won't be able to give a reasonable estimate until I can pinpoint the exact nature of the problem.

[Locked]

[not_your_gun]

That does not sound promising.

What is it failing to do right now?

[Voice - No ID logged]

[gditsideswipe]

It's about time someone with half a processor got his aft back in gear.

We need to have a talk.

[Voice - No ID logged]

[not_your_gun]

Strangely, I feel as if I've just been complimented.

[He examines his communicator a little more closely, trying to figure out why this voice sounds familiar...before it dawns on him.]

Sunstreaker.

Is there a problem?

[Voice - No ID logged]

[gditsideswipe]

Don't be too flattered.

Yeah. There is. You checked the profits from your little arena? Seen any recent losses?

[Because the headliner's been out of work for some time, is what he's trying to say.]

[not_your_gun]

I'm a busy mech, Sunstreaker--I don't pay attention to minutia.

[It was a lie, but hey. It was convenient.]

Has Skywarp been an ineffectual manager in my absence?