47th Transmission

[heavyweaponsbot]

I find it difficult to maintain an ordered squad when those involved get themselves tossed in the brig.  Hmnf!  If you hear this, Zuko, you will answer to me when your punishment ends.  Or King.  Pray that he is more forgiving than I am.

[He mutters something that sounds like "damn kids".  Maybe.  Or maybe you're hearing things.]

The rest of you will report in.  Want to talk to you.

...

If you wish it to be in person, you can find me with the bees.  I have business with them.

[Meaning, he's itchy to hit something, and the bees are the best target.]

...

[Locked to Ratchet // Unhackable]
If you see this, got a female who wants to... do me a favor.  Need your advice.

Comments

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

I--I don't know...

[heavyweaponsbot]

Hmnf.

[... No. That's buzzing. Like, bee buzzing.]

Brace yourself.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

A--Already!?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Yeah.

[And he gives Xanth a shove toward one of the huge, hovering ponybees. This is learning, Ironhide-style.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Ironhide looks from Xanth, to the bees, and back. Then he sighs, muttering something to himself.

He nudges Xanth forward with a toe, while the bee just sort of placidly buzzes.]

Go on. Hit it.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

B-But... but... I-Ironhide...

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He growls something. And then he steps forward...

And punches the bee right in the face.]

Just like that!

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

J...just like th-that...?

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The bee gives a little buzz... and drops to the ground. Ironhide looks proud.]

Yeah. Your turn now. Go on.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

B-But-- what-- what I k--ki--kill it?

[heavyweaponsbot]

[... it's still twitching?]

Why would you kill them? Bigger than you are.

[He nudges him with a foot.] Go on.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The bee gives a startled buzz... and drops. It kicks its feet pathetically a few times, but eventually lies still.

Ironhide, however, is not. He gives a shout of approval, pounding Xanth on one shoulder--lightly, as lightly as possible with still being considered a "pounding".]

Good! Again!

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

I--I killed it? I-- it-- it's d-dead!?

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The old 'bot grunts, and peers down at the bee, joints creaking. He frowns, poking it with a finger.

It twitches again.]

Nah. Still alive.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

Oh th--thank-- thank the g-gods.



D-Did I-- did I really j...just... d-do that?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Boy. This is an insect. Why are you concerned for it?

[Really, this just boggles his mind. Bugs don't have sentient thought. They're not Prime-Protected. They're... bugs.]

Yeah, you did. Good work.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

...uh. I-I... don't know? I-I just, I... am?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Quit it. You did well.

[He gives him another pat on the back. Really, he does sound bizarrely proud of Xanth. YOU ARE A MAN NOW, LITTLE GUY.]

More bees to hit. C'mon.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

O-Okay...

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The pat on the back turns into a nudge, as Ironhide guides him toward the next set of bees.]

Go on. Right in the face.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The bee squeaks, and bounces backward, clearly unharmed by this. Ironhide looks somewhat displeased.]

... Not like that. You need to hit it harder. Like this.

[And he takes a swing, his punch sending the bee flying into a wall.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

W--Well-- I-I don't think I c-can hit a-- anything quite th-that hard...