16th Transmission - Video

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The video feed opens on Ironhide, looming large... and standing fully upright, in the keep's courtyard.]

[There appears to be a small tree, ripped from the woods themselves, and planted in the ground -- or propped up, it's hard to tell which. Either way, the old Autobot is watching it with an even stare.]

[And without warning, he kicks the tree, savagely, the motion accompanied by a rev of a massive engine. The tree shatters in an explosion of splinters and wood chips.]

[He draws himself up, and snorts.]

Yeah. Hip works all right. This will do.

Comments

[water_and_earth]

Why would you do such a thing?

_{[That poor tree.]}

[heavyweaponsbot]

Do what?

[water_and_earth]

Kill that tree.

[heavyweaponsbot]

Just a plant.

[water_and_earth]

And you're just a machine.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He snorts.]

Your comparison is foolish.

[water_and_earth]

No more foolish than your callous disregard for other living things.

Then again, why should I expect something made of metal and gears to understand?

[Audio]

[sanomorior]

Showing off a little, are we?

[Sycora's quite pleased, though. The surgery had gone well enough, but there was always the chance that things wouldn't connect right after he changed back...]

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

This? Nah. This is a workout. Nothing more.

[It's still stiff, still hurts when he walks. But, then again, it probably always will, no matter who worked on it.]

[Audio]

[sanomorior]

Mm. Be careful.

[But she says it like she knows he won't be. She's worked on Ironhide's type before, the soldier who thinks himself invincible, and she knows they don't listen.]

Next time you're human, come see me again. If anything's come loose, I should be able to patch it like I did this time.

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

This human thing happen a lot around here or something?

[Audio]

[sanomorior]

Now and then. Last year there was a party and everyone got turned human. Anyone human stayed the same, though.

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

So your lord is fond of shoving us into different forms.

That sounds familiar.

[Audio]

[snowtop]

[Woah woah wait a second, the last thing Xanth heard was that Ironhide was still laid up. And now he's kicking down trees!]

Y-You're-- better? Y-You got it-- f-fixed?

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He grunts.]

The human medic looked at it.

[And as relieved as he is to have it over and done with... the words still feel sour.]

[Audio]

[snowtop]

O--Oh.

[That short sentence gives Xanth a world of information: that Ironhide still refused to have anyone tune him up; that he'd gotten himself fixed while he was human; and that the doctor he'd gone to was good.

Two out of the three of these things were positive. The third... well, it wasn't a problem, but it would be eventually. But Xanth doesn't want to argue.]

W-Well, that-- th-that's... good. I-I'm-- glad.

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He grunts -- it's meant to be a more reassuring sound than anything.]

Now you can stop worrying, huh?

[Audio]

[snowtop]

Y--Yeah.

[He lets out a faint laugh. He'll never stop worrying, but this was a load off his mind.]

I-I'm just-- I'm happy something, y-you know, something-- good came out of... a-all the-- the weirdness, a-around here.

[Audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

You mean besides your getting to practice handwriting?

[He's teasing you, boy.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[angleofscience]

[The weather had gotten better... Well, if rain and mud everywhere was "better", but at least it's not snowing, and that makes it easier for Jetfire to actually go out, and also enjoy it. Even if his weight and walking anywhere means he's gotmud splattered all over his pedes and lower legs.

So it doesn't take long to find Ironhide and the displaced (remains of the) tree as he's merely aimlessly wandering.]

Impressive. Would you like to test it further?

[Jetfire stops a bit away, eyeing the demolished tree consideringly. There really is no need to ask if Ironhide got it fixed somehow; obviously he did, and considering the lack of proper medics here, and the fact that they were all organic a few days ago... It's not hard to draw conclusions.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Ironhide doesn't mind the mud. He probably never has. Though he can name a few 'bots who would throw a fit over the state of their exterior, given the circumstances.]

[He looks up as Jetfire approaches, and nods to him.]

You asking for a roll in the mud, jet?

[The last word comes out more teasing than antagonistic. At least, that's how Ironhide meant for it to come out.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[angleofscience]

[Jetfire wouldn't really mind it as such; it can be washed off, after all. It's just... he can feel it as it dries and sticks to the metal, and he doesn't really like it.]

[Jetfire just chuckles, picking up enough on the tone to merely be amused, his helm tilting and his stance changing from waiting to something slightly more balanced and ready.]

While I'd prefer to remain upright... Yes.

[Sparring of the sort they'll be doing isn't really his thing at all, but it might be good practice. If he had been better, maybe the confrontation with Sunstorm (even if they had gotten away from the Nemesis) would have gone differently.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He watches the other 'bot's stance shift. Watches him move, settle himself. No, this won't be as simple as he'd thought. For one thing, Jetfire is big. It's hard to tell how big, given the size changes, but still.]

We will see about that.

[That said... he simply lunges for the other Autobot. Aiming to hit him low, nearer the ground, and knock him off balance.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[angleofscience]

[At least Ironhide is more used to fighting on the ground; Jetfire's method of dealing with Sunstorm had basically been "grab on and hope his greater size and strength would give him an advantage".

Of course, he had quickly noticed that didn't work (someone who possesses strength greater than that of their frame tend to do that...) which was partly why he'd asked for this.]

I... ah, suppose so.

[This time, he'll not just assume he can have the advantage of greather mass, size, and strength - besides the fact that he's smaller now - and Jetfire aims to simply dodge Ironhide.

It's not completely sucessful, as while he avoids most of the black mech, Ironhide still slams into his side and sends him off-balance. At the same time, though, Jetfire snaps out a kick, but not at the leg which has been so recently fixed.]

[commentlog] - not so giant robot sparring match!

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Yeah, he was counting on that. He was also counting on the size change to help throw Jetfire off. After the Elegante, Ironhide is more than used to being less than half his natural size. He's learned to cope, by now.]

[Once he hits, he moves to try and throw his arms around Jetfire's waist, to drive the big jet straight down to the ground. The kick gets a grunt out of him, and he gets driven sideways by the force of the blow.]