[Video]

[show_my_cannons]

[It's Ironhide, in his training center, as he has been so often lately. But this time, he looks pretty sombre. And he starts-then-stops a few times before he speaks, looking off to one side.]

I am staying.

[He's seen the network. He knows what's going on. And he's made his choice. This is right.]

Be in the center, if anyone needs to talk.

Comments

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[leader_prime]

[He can't blame the mech for his decision, and he couldn't imagine it would have ended any other way.]

[How much he wishes he didn't have to see it again.]

I would see you again, Ironhide.

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[show_my_cannons]

... You... know where to find me. Prime.

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[leader_prime]

That, I do. You'll see me shortly, if you wish.

[They know who he is now. He could get to the center without incident, he's sure, but if they come for him then, well...]

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[show_my_cannons]

Yeah.

I will be here.

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[leader_prime]

[There's a jerk of a nod, and he's off. Literally and figuratively. And it isn't long before the Topkick would hear a certain engine outside, if he happened to be near enough to hear it. Inside, on his feet again, Optimus makes his way on slowly over to his old friend.]

[After a moment, he looks around again, getting a good last look at the place. He won't be seeing it for a long time, in any case.] You've done well to keep this for your own.

[actions]

[show_my_cannons]

[He's moved to sit down, on the edge of the main room's training circle. When the other Autobot enters, he looks up, then gets to his feet.]

Prime...

I -- [And he stops. This isn't supposed to be difficult.]

[forever actions!]

[leader_prime]

[At the pause, he turns to look back at the Topkick, optics dimming ever so slightly.]

[This is the part he always has hated, and even though it forever comes in another guise and then another, it's the same, and it never gets easier no matter how many times he sees it.]

[He could say more, but he waits for Ironhide.]

[show_my_cannons]

[What is there to say? What can he say?]

[This is probably the last time he'll see his leader. And he has no words.]

... Never once regretted it. Joining your side.

[leader_prime]

I never once regretted having you. You always are one of my greatest friends, Ironhide, and that isn't my first time saying it, but I feel I haven't said it enough.

[He hasn't moved until this point, but here he turns his gaze away to the far wall and falls silent again.]

[show_my_cannons]

Yeah. Always feels like that, times like this.

[He just wishes he were better with words. He never has been good with them. He sort of doubts he ever will be.]

[He shrugs a shoulder.]

I will... wait here. For anyone of ours who comes through.

[leader_prime]

With their Shockwave on the road to conviction, I don't know that any more of ours or others should be expected, but I won't rule out the possibility entirely. Worse things have happened.

[He pauses again and after a time, looks back to the Topkick. When he speaks next, his tone has quieted.] You know my identity is known now. They mean to find me and send me away, and I have very little with which to convince them to treat me otherwise. I don't trust that it will be to home, if I am found.

[show_my_cannons]

Others came. Before we did.

[It's a hope he has to hold onto. Tightly. If others have come before they did... maybe someone could come back again.]

Yeah. I know. But... they know Shockwave was behind it. That it was not your fault.

[At least the more sympathetic Transtechs should.]

Sorry. He wouldn't shut up. DX

[leader_prime]

They do, or at least, they've come close to proving it at last. Still, something just doesn't seem right about all of this. They've known for so long that none of the offworlders belong here and it could be weeks or months or years in some cases before any of you would see your exit visa. Now, all of a sudden, they know why, or a singular reason for it, and you've been granted yours immediately.

Should I turn myself in, maybe all will go well and they will send me home. In that case, I am worried over nothing. But, if they still see me as a danger, which I fear they might, given this outcome, who can say they won't cast me away to exile to a place from which I may never return, just to protect our own world?

[He pauses long enough to step to one side, closer to a training dummy, shaking his head slowly as he does. One hand reaches up to run fingertips lightly over the worn surface, but it seems almost an idle movement.Either way, they are my only chance. We already know even I can't fight them. I mean to speak with Cheetor, either