video;

[lets_see_what_happens]

Hello. This is Gregor Vorbarra, Senior Arbitration Officer on the ship, and I wanted to reach out to the inhabitants of the Moira new and old, to let you know that murder is not, has never been, and will never be an officially sanctioned method of arbitrating disputes either between crewmembers or officers. If you have any difficulties, please feel free to refer them to me and I will assist you as best I am able.

Have a good day.

Comments

[hellsbel]

Rules with teeth do tend to be more effective.

It's a start, at least.

[lets_see_what_happens]

I'm working with Ultra Magnus, the Probation Officer, as well. I quite like him. He writes very detailed reports. [Gregor sounds almost wistful.] But neither of us really has authority here.

[hellsbel]

Ultra Magnus, really? [has seen some of those shipwide communiques; whistles. of course Gregor would value detail in reports -- it's the closest he'd used to get to the action, ideally. except for that one time.... but would bet Betan dollars he's doing a far better job with what he has than his current pay grade reflects.]

Well, interspecies diplomacy has to start somewhere. Who knows, after this, managing ordinary humans might start to seem tame.

[lets_see_what_happens]

I've had no problems with the Cybertronians on the ship thus far--quite the opposite, actually. They write interesting poetry.

And considering they appear to have just finished off a four-million-year civil war, managing humans is at least starting to look less complex in scale.

[hellsbel]

I'll bet they do. Makes you wonder what they've seen, with lifespans like theirs. For good or ill.... Old Earth figures into a lot of these alternate timelines, doesn't it? It's impossible they'd have existed in ours and disappeared so completely.

[or is it? with so much of the galaxy unexplored, who knows what might be out there -- or who....


unfortunately, the anthropological implications have to take a back seat to the present. barely hours later Bel pops back up on Gregor's feed, visibly unharmed but terse and grim with a verbal report.]

Thorne here, from medbay. You might want to reconsider having no Cybertronian problems. We've got a new Decepticon who took it on himself to literally wring Zam for information when he didn't like what he heard here. It was vicious. I'm with Zam now; it sounds like Megatron has something to hold over the other one. [probably not literally, more's the shame.] There'll be a full breakdown when I know more. What's our policy about dismantling AIs for spare parts?

[lets_see_what_happens]

It's certainly fascinating. I've been reading some of their writing I've found. It's... illuminating.

[Gregor's face pales at the urgency in Bel's voice, his eyes narrowing.]

They aren't AIs. [His voice is suddenly sharp, but he controls himself with an effort, his mind racing and his face still before he refocuses again.] Please keep me updated with whatever information you get as it comes in. I'll contact Megatron and handle it.

[By the sound of it, whoever is getting 'handled' isn't going to like it one bit.]

Do you need any further assistance with Zam? If not, I'll call Megatron directly.

[hellsbel]

[would like to hear about that, later -- anything Gregor would find 'illuminating' must be worth some attention -- but right now, Zam's the uppermost concern.]

Didn't think they'd like to be called droids, sir. [mirthless smile; normally culturally sensitive, but willing to make all the exceptions for this one. a simple nod at Gregor's request, wishing to be a fly on that wall. get 'im, Greg, get 'im good.] I will. If you need anything specific, I'll do my best to find out.

Zam's stable, resting up. I think he'd appreciate a visit when you have a moment, but the Decepticon's problem was with all of us, not just him. Crushed some ribs, but didn't get around to pulling off any more limbs, though he threatened to.

The name I got was Tarn.

[if the tone comes across as 'he who has a date with the wrong side of the engine hatch' that's probably only subtext.]

[lets_see_what_happens]

No, I think they're just... people. [Gregor's lips thin.] Extremely dangerous people, when they have a mind to be, though. Please give Zam my regards and let him know I'm looking into it. I--

Hmm, that's odd. Tarn is a place, last I checked, not a person. It's where Megatron is from. ...I'm going to do more investigating, and I'll get back to you. I think it's high time for a bit of cultural exchange.

[Gregor says the words 'cultural exchange' the way some other people might say 'cage fight', and the sharp glint in his hazel eyes isn't exactly reassuring on that front, but this is his element. Let's just hope his advantage holds with giant robots.]

[hellsbel]

[just people, he says, simply and purely people -- no matter how different, no matter how vile, never once depersonalizing an enemy and never once losing sight of the dizzying richness and danger and variety of any individual life -- it's probably not exactly a rebuke in these circumstances, and Bel doesn't exactly take it as one, but... this is why he's among the rarest people Bel has ever known.

with feeling] We'll look forward to hearing from you. Look out for yourself, Greg. This one could get ugly.

[refrains from other advice -- go armed, watch out for hidden weapons, bring a large metal friend, put on a sweater if it's cold -- tactical assessments are Bel's job, but Gregor has had front-line experience before. he won't risk himself unnecessarily. all the same, it'll be a long wait till he checks in. not least because Bel can't wait to hear all about what he decides to do. >3]

[lets_see_what_happens]

Thank you, Bel. I'll take every precaution. [That precaution might be a tank.] Keep yourself safe as well, please.