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[bereaving]

Humans are all alike, deep down.

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[poorgirlsarcee]

And machines aren't?

[ She's actually curious and might be tinkering around with some gears, her cyclone needs a tuneup]

[speaksdinosaur]

And what has made you come to that conclusion, Sparky?

[bereaving]

I wouldn't know about machines, but my people generally fall into two camps. Followers of the Primes, and those who follow me.

[He watches her with kind of morbid curiosity, intrigued. The humans' technology where he's from, thanks to its origins, looks not unlike the biology of his people, and the effect is always unsettling.]

I won't say humans aren't enterprising.

[bereaving]

A century's worth of unpleasant interactions, give or take. If they aren't motivated by greed, they are motivated by fear. Sometimes both at once.

[poorgirlsarcee]

[She scoffs a laugh]

People who fall into groups tend to be boring. And I'm guessing you've only met Sheeple.

But then again most people on Earth are that way. Those who've been up there, tend to be a little different. [She waves a hand indicating in space]

Though I've never been one to think small.

[bereaving]

Boring, you think so. Even if they are prepared to give their lives for a cause?

"Sheeple", hm. You think yourself special, I suppose, head and shoulders above the masses.

Something else I'm used to seeing. Do you have a name?

[poorgirlsarcee]

Boring and predictable. Humans would rather fight wars amongst themselves against small matters. It's in our nature I guess.

Probably not that special, despite what DK says. [ She lifts her hand with a thin white band around it.] He's just some alien AI.

Ya know some cultures asking for a name without giving your own first is bad taste. Though, it's Mira.

[bereaving]

For my people, to die so that others may live is the highest calling. To kill in defense is the second highest. [A slight sneer.] That, humans have in common with us.

...Really. And where did you get him from?

[Okay now he's laughing.] I often call you insects, to ask your name at all is compliment, let alone using it, Mira. I am named Galvatron by the humans, and it serves as well as any other name.

You're quite cynical, you know.

[poorgirlsarcee]

Would be okay if the fighting was over more honorable reasons than resources or political reasons. But really it's just petty here.

More like he found me. It's a long boring story, but he and my bike both have saved my ass enough times that I've learned to trust their judgement.

Guess when it probably takes more than a little bump to break you, we would seem like insects.

And I hear that's one of my better traits, along side a voice like an angel when I'm singing.

[speaksdinosaur]

[ The Doctor fights back the urge to roll back his eyes, because in hindsight there is a wee bit of truth to the giant robot's words. But the bad never does outweigh the good the humans do. ]

Yes, yes, yes, there is some who like to put themselves first before others, however that is not a trait limited to just the humans. [ He folds his arms over his chest, and he cranes his neck up just a wee' bit to get a better look at Galvatron. ]

And I take it you have had the misfortune to run into the humans who carry this universal trait.

youmissedthepoint.gif

[cawnvict]

Yep! Transhumans are all the same deep down if you dig past the differences! We're all alive and experiencing the universe, right?

You're pretty smart!

[bereaving]

[Galvatron pauses, and then lowers himself to one knee to get a better look at the person he initially took for a human - still thinks there's plenty of potential for that assumption to be true, but unlike most humans, this person isn't getting defensive about the criticism. Has an actual answer that's reasonable and fair about it.]

No, you're correct, there are those of my race who serve themselves - and who react with poor reasoning. Even I fell victim to fear and anger, not that long ago.

But I came to this planet to retrieve an object vital to my people's survival, and humankind hampered me sufficiently enough that now, we are a distant memory. I alone survive. Anyone who suffered consequences that dire might resent a race with cause, don't you think?

LMF oh no

[bereaving]

Transhumans?

..Do elaborate on that, won't you?

[cawnvict]

Oh wow, that's a mixed bag, depending who you ask. But uhhh, as far as I'm concerned it's anything that's sentient and has self-awareness! Flat humans of course, genetically modified types, re-sleeved humans that've been put in new bodies, biological or synthetic, self-aware AIs, whatever those consciousnesses that live in the net are calling themselves, and uplifts like me. Oh, and I guess anybody that's been re-sleeved in general!

There's more I think, but them's the basics.

[speaksdinosaur]

[ The Doctor listens, and he keeps his composure when Galvatron tries to get down to his level. It helps a little, but The Doctor still has to look upwards at the giant. But as he listens, he starts to think there is something missing from Galvatron's story. And despite the downfalls of humanity, he still champions them for the good that they do partake in. And the good does far outweigh the bad in them. ]

And what would you have done to their planet if you got this thing without any hindrance from the humans? Because for some reason, I feel your story is not complete, Sparky. [ He unfolds his arms, and he places his hands on his hips. ]

Because if you were a 'victim' of anger. I am having a hard time thinking a giant like you would quiver in fear of a few mortal humans. Then again, even ants will vigorously defend their homes if provoked.

[ The Doctor's tone is sharp especially when using the word 'provoked'. ]

[bereaving]

I arrived on Earth several thousand years before humanity was prepared to display any kind of threat. I was trapped in the arctic for... some time. [a deep sigh.] I had no interest in harming them until they captured me and kept me artificially frozen, and experimented on me for several decades, so you may as well stow the Autobot propaganda. The facts do not align with Optimus's fearmongering, and they never have. While I own fury at my captivity, and escaped half mad from human torture, I am certain you can see how that circumstance was mitigating.

[a wry, thin smile.]

My name is Galvatron. If you'd do me the honor of giving me yours, I might consider using it.

[bereaving]

Fascinating. You sound as though you're well traveled. Or at least that you know how to listen.

I can't say the idea of humans being harder to recognize than they are now is particularly enchanting, though. They are irritants to me at best. [Why don't you say what you really think, Galv.]

Who, and what - of those categories? - are you?

[bereaving]

You sound frustrated by your own kind. That is more than I can say for the advocates - Optimus seems to believe your species is the next coming of his worshipers.

No wonder you are in a slightly different position to judge, then, if your companions are 'artificial intelligences', and not your own people. That must be for a reason.

Oh, yes. I have lived for eons, and should the infinite white be merciful, I will live for eons more. Your species accomplishes a great deal in a small amount of time, but it still pales in comparison to what they are capable of destroying.

Ha.

[poorgirlsarcee]

I've just seen too much and am sick of it all.

I've had other companions too, seem to just get along with aliens than my kind. [ Hell she's been companion to a time traveler before, can't get more alien than half the things they shown her. ]

Yet you still fight with others. You'd think a race that lives as long as yours, you'd find better ways to pass the time than proving you're the biggest baddest in the galaxy. [ Yeah she probably could phrase that better, but she hates being PC, or acting humble. ]

Laugh all you want. I've done some damage in my time.

[bereaving]

You get along better with aliens. [Amused.] I don't consider this 'getting along', but I suppose I have had worse interactions.

Obviously I'm not making myself clear. Decepticons fought - and failed - to protect our infant offspring from genocide. Is that blunt enough for you to wrap your small, organic brain around and comprehend? This is not a fight for supremacy, it is a fight for survival. We were not a clique, we were not fighting for profit or for amusement. We lost, and we were destroyed, and I am all that remains.

You're doing damage right now, honestly. Don't mistake me for someone impressed.

[poorgirlsarcee]

We haven't drawn weapons or threatened each other yet. I'll call it a good conversation.

[That makes her pause.] I'm sorry.

[theghostbird]

Full of intestines?

[cawnvict]

Nope, that's just general knowledge, really. And sorry, manners, manners~! I'm Julian.

[his cheer dials back and he starts speaking as if reciting cold facts]

But, uh... I'm an uplift. Human scientists decided they wanted to genetically engineer certain earth animals to sentience. So genetically speaking, I'm a crow with god knows what else spliced into me to make me able to talk and think and do tricks. I still fall under 'transhuman' but not 'human', if that makes sense.

As for humans being harder to recognize, well... you can still take pretty good guesses. Say, the guy in a human morph trying to bite someone else's throat out was probably an orca uplift or something originally.

[lizardbrain]

Huh. Yeah, I hear that.

[bereaving]

Full of something, certainly.

[bereaving]

[He clearly wasn't expecting to get an apology, and it draws him up short, off balance.] ..Thank you.

[bereaving]

I hear disappointment.

Perhaps you, too, trusted them. If you did, don't blame yourself.

[lizardbrain]

I used to be one... Doesn't change my opinion any. Kids are supposed to be able to trust their parents, right? Well, my dad only showed me what everyone else did: That humans'll do anything if they think they're gonna get something out of it.

[bereaving]

I cannot name a greedier, more short sighted and callous species, no.

You don't look human.

Still. Without support from your own kind, what can you do, I wonder. You must feel alone.

[poorgirlsarcee]

DK's taught me a little about losing a race. The one that created him was wiped out completely. He's all that's left of their civilization.