[CLOSED]

[vectorianpolarity]

WHO: Vector Prime & Drift
WHERE: Negotiable
WHEN HOW ABOUT RIGHT NOW
WHAT: Vector needs to speak with Drift about the whole death business...
WARNINGS: Grim tidings.

---

Once Solus had allowed him a reprieve from the medbay, Vector had a long list of things that needed attention as soon as possible. One of them...may had been put off for a time, but even for one whose purview was time itself, things could only be stalled for so long. Eventually, all things had to be addressed.

Including the unpleasant ones.

Locating Drift was easy enough, and he waited until the mech had some time to himself before approaching. A spacebridge opened some distance away - though easily within view - and the golden mech stepped through, sighting the smaller warrior quickly enough.

"Drift."

Comments

[vectorianpolarity]

"You do...but..."

Vector tilts his helm.

"I think coming with me is the better one."

He's wearing a faint smile, too - as reassuring as it can be, given the circumstances.

[sword_redemption]

"A technical choice, then." Because Drift had no thought of trying to evade his punishment. He steps forward, then pauses.

"...a favor, if I could." He knows he's not in any real position to ask, but maybe Vector will at least hear him out.

hope you don't mind the short x.x

[vectorianpolarity]

"Hm?"

You have his full attention, Drift.

not at all :)

[sword_redemption]

Drift reaches, slowly, so he hopes there's no way of mistaking this as an attack, for the Great Sword between his shoulders. "This. It stays here. Or somewhere safe." Whatever happens, he doesn't want that to transfer to Wing. Wing didn't deserve that.

[vectorianpolarity]

Drift is...concerned. The smile fades off Vector's face, slowly - it's not that he's troubled by this, but...

"It - and you - will be safe so long as you stay by my side," he says, with all the force of an promise. "But- I can guarantee to you that we will return soon enough for you to reclaim it, should you wish it not accompany us."

The choice, here, is fully and completely Drift's.

[sword_redemption]

He nods, hesitating for a klik, before drawing the blade. He holds it out to Vector, in a symbol of surrender. Becausee that is what this whole thing is, after all. "Keep it safe." It's the only thing he dare ask.

[vectorianpolarity]

It's clear that this blade...means something. And so Vector takes it as such, taking it solemnly. This isn't a matter of Drift not trusting him - this is a matter of Drift concerned. And the only reason he would be concerned, were he aware that he has transgressed, for which, in turn...

"With my life," he promises, gathering it to his chest. It feels a bit warm in his hand, which is odd, but...

It's stored a moment later.

"Are you ready, then?"

[sword_redemption]

Drift feels a sort of shiver as the blade disappears and he tries to tell himself it's just in his mind, that he's given up his last, little comfort.

"Yes. Ready." As ready as he can be. What happens now is just to him, and Primus knows he deserves it.

[vectorianpolarity]

A nod, and Vector raises his blade, shifting his grip-

He turns his back and slices the air in a two-handed grip. His systems hum all the louder as he does, as the air, in response...cuts. As it tears open, a portal of sorts opening in a spacebridge. But this one is...odd. Where before they clearly show a distant place through their ring, or at least a different one...

This one does not. It is the same area. Only...faded, somehow. Distant, yes, different, certainly, but only as though someone created an overlay upon reality, subtly subduing its color, its shape, its life.

"Stay by my side," he instructs Drift, lowering the weapon as he takes a step forwards. Slowly enough for Drift to catch up, and he won't go through until the other moves with him, but...

Once they do, it'll feel different to Drift. As though he was somehow disconnected from the world that surrounds him.

[sword_redemption]

That...was not what Drift had expected when the larger mech took up his sword. He didn't even realize it until he felt his shoulders release tension.

His mouth twitches in a small frown, as the portal opens, and he moves, swiftly, to step closer to Vector, through the portal.

"Don't suppose you're going to tell me where this is." He doesn't expect an answer, more an attempt to test his voice in this strange area.

[vectorianpolarity]

"A better question would be when, Drift. You can tell the 'where' for yourself." Vector does seem to be taking a moment to consider, dimming his optics slightly before looking towards a spot in the distance...and nodding. "We are some weeks in the past, and on a layer of reality where we will be safe from creating paradox. It will be clear enough just how far back we are, but...we have some distance to cover, and we will walk it."

With that, he sets off.

[sword_redemption]

A Vector spoke, the place seemed to snap into focus, almost jarring under his feet. "Oh." There's not much else to say. He knows where. And he can guess when.

He follows the other mech, feeling a sort of trepidation welling in his chassis. "Did Megatronus agree to this?"

[vectorianpolarity]

That's an odd expression on Vector's face. Good thing he's staring straight ahead, and it only shows so well. There's a slight waver in his tone, though, but it stabilizes quickly enough.

"Megatronus is aware that I am handling this matter. He has not requested the specifics, and I have not offered them to him. I should ask," he adds after a moment, "that you do not offer the specifics of this to anyone else, as well."

Despite the distance they're covering, time has an odd quality. It passes, yes, but...it's more of a matter that Drift won't find himself getting tired, or weary.

Not in this place.

[sword_redemption]

"You take care of your own, then." He wondered if that had been some silent agreement among the First Forged, or if Vector had to fight for that right.

He tilts his head at the answer, because it implies that he's going to survive whatever happens out here.

"My honor. I won't tell anyone."

[vectorianpolarity]

"We do. We tried to compromise, when the concept of a police force was created, but..."

Their terms were never met. Not in full. And so, their full support was never given.

Vector's wings ease, slightly, hearing the promise, and he nods in approval. "Thank you. Megatronus has his own ideas of what constitutes a just punishment, but...they do not always align with mine. Nor do mine with Prima's, or Solus', or...it is easier for us to handle our own."

[sword_redemption]

"Compromise. With us or each other?"

He can't resist a bitter smile. "If he's anything like any Megatron I know, I can imagine what his punishment might look like." He can imagine it all too well.

[vectorianpolarity]

"Both. And-Megatronus is harsh, but he is never outright cruel." Vector makes another face, exventing heavily before reaching up to rub his face. "He has tasked me to meet with him for...specific training sessions, after my performance with the Unicronian, but I trust that in the long run they will serve to aid me."

You know that tone when your 'trust' is more 'dearly hope', Drift?...

Yeah.

[sword_redemption]

"I'm sure he always has some reason, too." Just like the Megatron Drift remembered, all too well.

Especially from their recent re-acquaintance. "Could be worse. He could make you train with Wing." It's probably not the best time for a joke, but Drift's not really socially deft.

"They had a saying on Earth, 'that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger'." Speaking of things you hope are true more than believe.

[vectorianpolarity]

"Wing?" Some curiosity is there. "I haven't trained my blade against him, but..."

He trails off, considering the saying.

"I hope that is true," he decides. "If that is the case, I may actually be able to stand my ground against Megatronus, after that experience-!"

See? He can make jokes, too.

[sword_redemption]

"I never got as far as blades with him. Couldn't even lay a hand on him."

He gives a shrug. "You should try Wing. He is one of yours. And it's his sword you have."

[vectorianpolarity]

"We've flown together. I find it exhilarating." Vector smiles a little bit. "It may be good for me to test myself against him, or at least someone smaller..."

More so than Megatronus, at least. They're only so different in height, compared to him and the foe that had gotten the better of him...

Time continues to pass, though, and they've already gotten out of the Haven. They're nearing the Badlands at this point - a specific location Drift may or may not find familiar.

There is noise up ahead.

[sword_redemption]

"Hnh. Of course." Trust Wing to always be one step ahead, one step above him. He'd never catch up. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered trying.

And trust Wing not to tell him about it. Apparently that 'no secrets' went only one way.

It was strange out here. Not the usual discomfort of the Badlands. He was used to that, by now, more used to it than probably anyone else here. And he dimly registers the noise, on edge, not really wanting to go any closer.

Because he's pretty sure he knows what's ahead.

[vectorianpolarity]

There's something to be said about 'finding yourself'. Up ahead, Drift will find himself - locked in battle with Rodimus Prime. Despite the heat of the flames, despite how they seem to be everywhere- even touching them brings no heat. No discomfort.

They - or the others - may as well be ghosts, fighting a battle that has only one conclusion.

Vector stops a distance away, but easily within sight to observe, briefly looking down to judge Drift's state before looking back up to watch the fight. It will go, and it will go, and just at the final moment-

-the astrosecond before the final strike-

-Vector Prime's systems hum louder, turning in to a high pitch...and the world around them stops.

[sword_redemption]

His steps slow, but they don't stop, not until he's on the verge, the slight rise of land above it. The flames flash over his armor, without heat this time. But he remembers. It's something he hadn't remembered before, but he remembers it now, ever neuron firing in response, a faded echo of pain and fire and despair.

That was worse than the pain, honestly, the confusion, the concern, throwing his blades in desperate defense. He could hear a faint echo of his own voice, begging for some explanation, asking Rodimus to stop, to explain.

And as Vector froze time, it stretches the sound, the roar of the flame and Drift's plaintive, never answered question: 'Why?.

[vectorianpolarity]

It's a fair question. But they haven't come here to answer that one in specific.

"For this," Vector Prime explains, "you will need to see with my eyes."

He lowers down, kneeling as he reaches to place a hand across Drift's shoulders. Specifically, he makes so that his fingers touch the golden glyph, creating a physical connection.