maskormenace | a finer world, part 4 ( video )

[ It's a break from tradition: Apollo isn't recording this video from the sky, not today. Because he doesn't have time to make this an epic or pretty or even remotely memorable call to arms. Instead he's storming around Nonah 001 trying to find a clean uniform, because why is it you never have a clean uniform when you need one the most!! He's carrying his comms device as he goes, rummaging and clattering around off-screen as he sorts through his laundry. And judging by his tone Sun Dad is not here to fuck around. ]

A friendly reminder from your local Unsettled hero. [ Yes, hero - not the VIGILANTE currently tattooed on his wrist. ] You don't have to be Registered to help save the world. If you want to get involved but your wrist says the wrong thing, let me know and I'll help you out. If you want to do your own thing that's fine too, I don't care. I just don't want anyone thinking they can't save innocent lives just because the US government doesn't endorse it.

[ He slams a hamper lid. ANGRILY. ]

And don't get me wrong - I'm not here to argue the finer points of why Non-Registered imPorts don't deserve to be second class citizens just because we don't want to sign on the government's dotted line. That's not what this is about right now, not when the Bleed is collapsing around our ears. Because frankly? The multiverse doesn't give a shit what you or I think about Registration. No-one that we save is going to check what's written on our wrist first.

[ In fact, it's hard to tell what's pissed him off most - the Registereds-Save-The-World-Only message from the government or the fact that REALITY IS MELTING. Or maybe the annoying state of affairs his laundry is in. ]

This isn't a recruitment drive. You don't need to join ImPact after this is dealt with. And nobody's going to give you a paycheck or a uniform. I just want you all to know that just because you're Unsettled doesn't mean you can't help save innocent lives too.

[ He gives up his search temporarily, facing the video feed with an expression like thunder. ]

And if anyone tries to arrest an Unsettled imPort for helping I'm going to get angry. After we save the fucking world.

[ Just before the video ends there's a half cut-off mutter of 'Door'. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They refused?

[ Apollo's expression falls, turning stormy. ]

Did they give you any reasons? Or am I hoping for too much?

They gave me several, actually.

[ He ticks them off on sharp metal claws. ]

What if I Ported out - which is silly, because then they'd just resume the production themselves.

What if another Cybertronian Ported in that I didn't approve of, I might withhold energon from them - this one I admit has some merit.

What if I started charging money for energon - again, ridiculous. I barely have anything to spend the money I am making on.

All three reasons are bullshit. Of course they'd just resume production! And if another Cybertronian ported in? You don't have the monopoly, the government could give them a way to produce their own too. And the money thing? You're right, ridiculous.

No. You're reliant on them, this way.

[ Knock Out doesn't point out that he would absolutely withhold energon under certain circumstances from a select few mechs if they happened to make an appearance. ]

You're not the first imPort to think that way.

You know, they didn't give Riptide energon at first either. It wasn't until after I arrived and they agreed to furnish me with weekly rations. I told him to ask them again, and that's when they agreed to do so for him as well.

Seriously? [ icon face. ] But - energon is your food right? How the hell did they expect Riptide to survive without it?

It is.

From what he told me, their response was that he could learn to use his human form and eat that way, or he could starve.

[ Apollo throws his hands up sharply. ]

Because that's realistic and fair, sure. I'm glad you didn't let him put up with that for an answer.

He survived some two years that way. Personally, I would have rather starved.

[ Someone intends never to use his human form ever again. ]

I suppose it's possible that they didn't have the synthesis capability when Riptide first Ported in, nor when the other Cybertronians were here, but they certainly have it now. Not a shabby little production facility, either.

But you can understand why I'm erring on the side of Registration for the time being.

[ True, nothing the government had said OR done to this point had suggested that his supply might be cut off if he were to rescind his Registration. Riptide had obvious been Unsettled. But the fact remained that there existed the possibility, and the logical reasoning was that he make the likelihood as minor as he could. ]

Yes, of course. Do what you have to do. I can't blame you for Registering for that, just like I can't blame people for Registering for income and legal protection. You're not exactly in a position to refuse it.

That said... tell me more about ImPact. Unless your tenets preclude working with Registered on a... purely contractual basis?

a finer world, part 4 ( video )

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