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]

[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...

[heavyweaponsbot]

Not that hard. Use the same motions. Go on. Try it.

[He gestures to another bee, and pantomimes hitting it.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

C-Could I... t-try on s-something that's n-not alive? Like-- I-I don't know, a... a p-punching bag?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Does a punching bag hit back?

[The answer to this question will be unsatisfactory, no matter what Xanth says.]

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

We--well-- no, but... n-neither d-do bees!

[heavyweaponsbot]

[There's a long silence. He looks mildly disgruntled.]

...

They have weapons. And they move.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

...I-I don't... w-want to hurt th-them.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He growls something, then starts to steer Xanth away.]

Why?

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

W-Well they're not-- they're n-not out t-to hurt a--anybody, they're just... f-floating, and-- and buzzing, so... i-it... it just s-seems... I--I don't know.

[heavyweaponsbot]

... You think it is wrong to use them for practice.

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

... y-yeah.

[heavyweaponsbot]

Why? Because they are alive... or because you think they feel pain?

[brittlenerves.livejournal.com]

Uh-- b--both. I mean, I-- I don't kn-know much a-about bees, but... I-I don't know, I... I wouldn't l-like it if-- if s-someone just... c-came up and p-punched me.