[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]

"We choose to keep you."

If it's in response to the unspoken disappointment, or supposed to mean something more-

There's a long pause.

And after it, Vector Prime gets back to his feet.

"Come."

[sword_redemption]

It's something, and it should be enough. It has to be enough, because at least this gave him a chance. And for once, though he's boiling with questions, he's realizing he's edging onto Not His Business questions.

Especially in the circumstances.

"...I'm sorry. For this." Vector chose him, and now he's had to deal with this. And even though Drift would kill Prism again, for what he'd done, the consequences should end with him.

He moves to follow.

[vectorianpolarity]

There's no response. Not immediately, at least, and not unless you count another step through a spacebridge, and the return to...

Normalcy?

They aren't exactly where they were before - on the outskirts of Vector's quadrant, where the terrain becomes far more primal than proven - but they've returned to the now, if the lack of unreality is any sign.

[sword_redemption]

Well, probably no less than he deserved. Drift follows, trying to track the moment when things--time, space, reality, whatever--shifts. And he can't figure out when, but he knows when he's back.

But he has the feeling, looking around, that this isn't quite over.

[vectorianpolarity]

Not quite.

Vector raises his sword, pointing far off in to the distance.

"All of it," he says, picking up the conversation, "comes down to the Badlands, and the power that has seeded them." He raises the blade up, pointing to the white scar across the sky. "To fight the war - we must purge both. To purge them, we must destroy the power that fuels them - but the Badlands have defenses of their own, ones that are capable of repelling even myself and my kin. And that is where you come in."

He lowers his sword, looking down at Drift as the tip comes to rest on the ground.

"Your mere presence here assists us. Primus has Marked you and granted a connection between us so that you may do so, but for those who would not risk the danger of direct confrontation...the Haven is here, and our protection bestowed upon it, so that you may find a place to defend. But those who would go out and do more..."

A tilt of the head.

"It is dangerous, Drift. Greatly so. We would welcome the help, but you know now the fate of those who would fall."

[sword_redemption]

He watches in silence, optics lingering on the Lambda, a glowing scar in the perpetual twilight.

It's either a sign that Vector doesn't know Drift very well or that he knows the swordsmech all too well: you don't suggest to Drift that there's something dangerous and then hint he might not do it.

"I'm not afraid of danger. Or dying, if it helps protect others."

[vectorianpolarity]

"And of ceasing to exist?"

That is the question. Vector regards Drift solemnly, expectant for an answer, whatever it is.

[sword_redemption]

"Not if it helps. Not if it saves someone else, or brings some good into the world." He swallows around a knot of emotion. "I have a lot to make up for. And all I've ever wanted was to make the world better." His world, any world. It didn't matter.

[vectorianpolarity]

"Very well, then."

Is that a smile? It's hard to tell. He certainly seems solemn enough, but there's a trace of...satisfaction.

"I look forwards to your mark upon this one."

[sword_redemption]

"I know others who wouldn't be so optimistic." He's all too aware of his power to destroy. "But I'll do my best."

[vectorianpolarity]

A soft shrug.

"I do as well. There are those who hold great doubt, citing the source of your presence as well as the effects you have already created, but...for all of it, I find myself far more interested in seeing what you can do. For good or ill..."

Vector gives Drift a meaningful glance.

"...only time will tell."

[sword_redemption]

Is that some sort of time pun/joke thingie there? Drift shoots Vector a weird look.

"It seems we're even. Some of you don't want us here; some of us don't want to be here. But we're all stuck with it, and who knows? Maybe that's how destiny wants it."

[vectorianpolarity]

More a point at how Drift has proven himself both good and ill...though the pun was inadvertent.

Maybe.

"Destiny," Vector repeats, as if testing the word. "I suppose it might. But...I suppose, too, that we may have a hand in shaping it."

[sword_redemption]

"That could go both ways, too." He's seen all too well how destiny can tip into war. He's only hoping that being brought here is an attempt to help him wipe the slate clean.

[vectorianpolarity]

A slow nod.

"It is my belief that the experiences you lend will assist us in learning from what mistakes have been made - and not repeating them here."

[sword_redemption]

"That makes it sound like us coming here isn't random."

Though the goal seems to be less their survival than the survival of this Cybertron.

[vectorianpolarity]

Vector exvents, wings shifting ever-so-slightly. "It is making the best of a situation," he notes, "that is not fully understood by any of us. I think we will not know for certain until it is over."

"With that said, I must leave you now. We have finished our walk...and you will forgive me if I say that I do not wish to take another with you."

Not in this way. Not for this reason.