18th Transmission -- Open Commentlog

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The sound of fireworks exploding can be heard in the background, along with the usual accompaniment of shifting metal. And the occasional, short laugh. Ironhide sounds amused when he speaks, in contrary to what he's saying.]

They really think these are fireworks? Give me my cannons back... I will show them fireworks.

[He pauses, chuckling to himelf.]

Guess it could be worse...

[He's up on the upper deck, like everyone else, occupying a secluded section of the rail, and leaning heavily against a nearby wall, should anyone desire to pester him.]

Comments

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

...It's not as if they didn't mess around with my memories beforehand, you know.

I was glad when it was over. I really miss Mister Batou, when I'm not on duty with him.

[heavyweaponsbot]

No. I did not know.

... Normal to miss your commander, if they are a good leader, and you trust them. That is... what he is, hmn? Your superior officer?

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

That's right! I always follow Mister Batou's orders, whenever I possibly can.

[It says this with some pride, as if it had some merit or unique honor in doing so— it has neither, but that's the way Tachikoma are about Batou]

He always takes good care of us.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[If he could be seen, he would be smirking.]

Good. That... is the function of a decent commander. But we must... we must look after them as well, hm?

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

That's right! Mister Batou and the Major are the best.

[heavyweaponsbot]

You are lucky, then... that they are here with you.

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

Lucky nothing! I'm not getting separated from the Major again unless I'm completely deactivated, or if she orders me to.

...


But yeah, I'm pretty lucky to have Mister Batou, right now.

[heavyweaponsbot]

... Good. Stay with them. You... never know what will happen... in combat.

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely. Once, the Major had her whole head blown off! It was pretty dramatic, let me tell you. Not long after that, Mister Batou nearly died fighting a huge ARM-suit!

Not that we Tachikoma are much of a match for that kind of thing, but like I said, personal choice in the realm of self-sacrifice is an important tenet of Tachikoma sentience.

[heavyweaponsbot]

... How did she survive?

Bet I could handle this... arm of yours.

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

Oh, it was only her fully-remote cyberbrain, she jumped back through the Net! Still, it was pret-ty close! Hmmm....maybe. They're taller than Ratchet is, but if you had the proper equipment they're not so bad.

I know the Major can take them down all by herself. [sigh] She's so amazing.

[heavyweaponsbot]

Her what. What... does that mean?

Ratchet is... smaller than I am. And he is not built for combat. He... was a scientist. A civilian. I was always a soldier.

[tachikhromatic.livejournal.com]

Well, because of her skill, sometimes the Major operates multiple bodies at the same time! Even if one of them is blown apart, it's possible for her to remain living. I'm pretty sure I've never heard of anyone else doing it!

[heavyweaponsbot]

. . .

Yeah. Never heard of that either.