If I didn't hope, I wouldn't be talking to you. But I would be a fool to discount your future--my history--entirely. [He's been called naive enough. He's not.]
Of course not. But you automatically assumed I'd want to see my planets to revel in my power.
That was not the case.
[Not if he'd destroyed them. Granted, he was impressed at the power he'd eventually gain, but...well, he couldn't imagine taking pleasure from seeing worlds he'd destroyed if they didn't MEAN anything to him.]
Still, you are no fool. So pay attention to me, now.
[Wing tilts his head.] Curious, Magnum. 'Depraved' and disappointment. Do you not expect to see anything in your future that brings you joy? Satisfaction?
[Wing shifts his wing panels.] It is hard, sometimes, [he admits] to see the present clearly with the lenses of the future so thick.
Are you so certain that virtue would have allowed you to rise? If so, what good was there in the Senate you sought so desperately to overthrow? They were also 'effective at staying on top'.
You look...almost exactly as I remember. [Although the Security Briefs had chosen the most terrifying angles, or the shot of Megatron, bound, on his knees before Sentinel in the Arena.]
[Locked]not_your_gunSeptember 1 2011, 23:37:56 UTC
What makes you think that I abide by such a thing as virtue?
The senate used rules to entrap the populace: They stayed on top by breaking them, when all others tried to reach the top by following them. There aren't so many rules as a Decepticon--there aren't laws. Each mech does as he sees fit, so long as they follow the chain of command when we are fighting.
It is a 'freedom' most Autobots do not even enjoy.
I would appreciate not being compared to the Senate, when we are nothing alike.
[Locked]swordofpeaceSeptember 2 2011, 04:58:40 UTC
Weren't you the one arguing you--your cause at least--was 'right'? That seems to indicate virtue. A good goal held by dirtied hands becomes sullied.
[Headtilt.] So you would argue that your mechs have an ideal their enemies claim? Are they happier for it? [Wing's no automatic-fan of Autobots, but ideals are only, well, ideal if they end in happiness.]
You hold yourself up as their opposite--how can I not compare? You rose in response to them. You are, at some point in your history, whether you want to or not, the mirror of their world, a reaction against them. You may leap, but you still push off their ground.
[Locked]swordofpeaceSeptember 2 2011, 06:08:08 UTC
Yes. Such as the act of killing in war. A paradox, perhaps, or simply the firmest denial of someone attempting to force their will upon you.
...and you? Are you happy? [A question that seems almost bizarre even as Wing asks it. But Magnum has accepted freedom and happiness through freedom to be valid criteria in his war. And in that case, the question is fair.]
[He tilts his head at Magnum's flare of anger, and then at the other mech's obvious attempt to rein it in. Wing bows his head.] My apologies. But it does take courage to stand against an entire system, Magnum.
It has already been scheduled.
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Do you not give my future self any benefits of the doubt?
[He'd take this a lot more personally if it was himself being accused, instead of his...other self.]
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If I didn't hope, I wouldn't be talking to you. But I would be a fool to discount your future--my history--entirely. [He's been called naive enough. He's not.]
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That was not the case.
[Not if he'd destroyed them. Granted, he was impressed at the power he'd eventually gain, but...well, he couldn't imagine taking pleasure from seeing worlds he'd destroyed if they didn't MEAN anything to him.]
Still, you are no fool. So pay attention to me, now.
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[He tilts his head, almost amused. ] Do I not pay you enough attention?
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[He laughs!]
Sometimes you pay attention to what you think is occurring, instead of what is.
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Tell me, Magnum: do you wish to know the future to have hope for what you might achieve, or a warning for what you may become?
[He thinks that sometimes you lose focus.]
[Wing gives a guilty shrug.] As do we all. We all see what we want to see, at some level.
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I cannot imagine that everything I do is so depraved...nor can I imagine that everything I become is what I wanted.
[He knows that he does.]
Ah, but you're trying to see more. As am I.
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[Wing shifts his wing panels.] It is hard, sometimes, [he admits] to see the present clearly with the lenses of the future so thick.
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[Megatron inclines his head so slightly, acknowledging the admission.]
I hear my appearance doesn't help.
Do I look so much like my future self, do you know?
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You look...almost exactly as I remember. [Although the Security Briefs had chosen the most terrifying angles, or the shot of Megatron, bound, on his knees before Sentinel in the Arena.]
But we left Cybertron ages ago.
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The senate used rules to entrap the populace: They stayed on top by breaking them, when all others tried to reach the top by following them. There aren't so many rules as a Decepticon--there aren't laws. Each mech does as he sees fit, so long as they follow the chain of command when we are fighting.
It is a 'freedom' most Autobots do not even enjoy.
I would appreciate not being compared to the Senate, when we are nothing alike.
[You get some anger out of him!]
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[Headtilt.] So you would argue that your mechs have an ideal their enemies claim? Are they happier for it? [Wing's no automatic-fan of Autobots, but ideals are only, well, ideal if they end in happiness.]
You hold yourself up as their opposite--how can I not compare? You rose in response to them. You are, at some point in your history, whether you want to or not, the mirror of their world, a reaction against them. You may leap, but you still push off their ground.
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[He actually considers this question, very carefully.]
....no, probably not. But they are happier than Autobots, from everything that I have seen.
[A growl starts forth from his engine.]
That is enough, Wing. You may have validity, but now is not the time for this discussion. [He doesn't want to talk about them.]
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...and you? Are you happy? [A question that seems almost bizarre even as Wing asks it. But Magnum has accepted freedom and happiness through freedom to be valid criteria in his war. And in that case, the question is fair.]
[He tilts his head at Magnum's flare of anger, and then at the other mech's obvious attempt to rein it in. Wing bows his head.] My apologies. But it does take courage to stand against an entire system, Magnum.
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[He pauses, thrown off by the next question.]
...
...My happiness is not a factor. I...enjoy my line of work. That was more than I expected to receive.
...
[He...lets that placate him, and quiets.] I know, Wing.
Thank you for dropping it.
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