No chance to say goodbye...

[stormbunny]

"I find myself in a difficult situation. Given the nature of this place... it can't be completely unique."

"I lost someone I cared about, because access to his universe is gone. It was always a possibility, and yet... it was completely unexpected when it happened. For some time, I've kept surveillance in place in case the portal returned..."

"When you lose someone, there's a point when you have to accept they are not coming back. It's expected to mourn the loss... but... How does one mourn for someone, when you know they're not dead? And... he was an alternate, so there is a counterpart in my own world. How can I make it less awkward if I have to work with him?"

Comments

[stormbunny]

"It's complicated. There have been attacks, but currently things are more in a state of... decontamination. The creature I know of is an energy-based parasite. Some have claimed it to be the remains of our universe's version of a creature called Unicron."

"It was first noticed because it could claim hosts, providing certain increases in power," and she remembers that Forte - the one she misses - was one of those once. So was her world's Forte, but he'd lost it much sooner, thanks to Duo. "Later, because some fools decided to experiment with it, causing a disaster in a place called Giga City."

"As it feeds, and the concentration increases, it develops more of its own motivations, overriding anyone it has taken as a host. Its last host was destroyed in an orbital space station, and the debris scattered across parts of our universe's Earth. The debris still constitutes a risk of contamination."

[random_xtras]

Galvatron draws in a shaky bust of air through the vents on his helmet, his lips pressing together against that stirring anger. "Do your people require assistance?"

[stormbunny]

Harpuia shakes her head. "The areas are under quarantine and decontamination procedures are in place. To bring someone in who is unfamiliar with current protocols could cause more harm than good."

[random_xtras]

He's disappointed, but he knows she's right. "Understood."

[stormbunny]

"If it were an active outbreak, it might be another matter, though I would still be reluctant to place someone else at risk."

[random_xtras]

A quick head shake. "There would be no risk to myself." And then the youth once more shows as he swiftly adds, "This isn't an argument in favour of accepting my assistance. Only a statement of fact."

[stormbunny]

"There is always a risk," Harpuia replies. "My family was once supposed incompatible with the force energy, yet my siblings and I were made into hosts for a time." It's a very unpleasant memory for her. "It shouldn't be underestimated. Only its opposing energy seems to provide any real protection."

[random_xtras]

He smiles slightly, and then settles down to sit on the floor/ground as he rocks his baby. "I possess that opposing energy. I'm a Matrix bearing Prime." The smile fades away to concern then as he remembers his own time of belonging to Unicron. "May I ask... Where there any lasting ill effects from your exposure to Unicron's power?"

[stormbunny]

Harpuia hesitates at that uncomfortable subject. "None that could not also be the result of psychological trauma. Although that isn't the case with everyone who was affected during the Giga City and Arcadia outbreaks."

[random_xtras]

"And is there enough help for those?" he asks quietly and gruffly.

[stormbunny]

"The issues with the Judges and some of the inhabitants of Giga City is... unclear at best. They were activated with the force energy as part of their systems. While the infestation has been eradicated, it's difficult to make any real judgements about their mental condition. Some of them also retain unusual abilities that were thought to be caused by the force energy, although the extent of those abilities tends to be diminished in most cases."

[random_xtras]

Galvatron winces. "I myself- this body was created with Unicron's energy, and I too still show abilities that are not normal, despite my now belonging to Primus. Mental stability, and trustworthiness are possible, though emotional scarring shows in some of my teammates, who were also subject to Unicron's meddling."

[stormbunny]

"Some of those in Giga City were created in the labs there, by researchers who continued to experiment with the 'force energy' even after they realized it caused insanity. I've very little contact with most of them, with the exceptions of encountering the Cadre at various diplomatic meetings." The Judges are another matter, but one she prefers not to think about. It takes effort to avoid Schilt.