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[sparkwhisperer]

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[t65]

[Luke takes inventory of the injuries quickly.] Was that worth it?

[He doesn't want to ask if killing Riptide was worth it.]

[sparkwhisperer]

[Too bad Luke, he's going to make you say it.]

Was what worth it? Coming back with you? Killing Riptide? Fighting Megatron? I'm afraid you may need to be more specific.

[t65]

[Luke isn't angry, but he is frustrated, and the retort snaps back quickly-]

How is this thriving in adversity, Tarn?

[sparkwhisperer]

While i will never regret giving Riptide what he deserved, in some sense he was right-- I should have never returned with you. [He snaps equally as quickly.] For the life of me I can't understand why you were so insistent.

[t65]

Because you're an intelligent person with feelings- even if you want to pretend otherwise. No one deserves to be left behind, and no one deserves to be murdered!

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn seems struck by Luke's comment, optics opening a hair wider as he's silent for a moment. Something inside Tarn twinges.

He shakes it off, defending his decision.]

So you say, but, I gave Riptide multiple opportunities. More than I would under normal circumstances. I will not allow myself to be disrespected in such a manner without some sort of retribution.

[t65]

[Still snappish,] Why don't you start from the beginning. How long have you-... did you know Riptide?

[Because as much as Tarn frustrates and disgusts Luke, he also fascinates him. How can a clearly rational being capable of dynamic thought be so committed to pointless displays of violence?]

[sparkwhisperer]

Riptide and I have been destined to be enemies the minute that I boarded the Moira. As a Decepticon, it is my civic duty to kill Autobots. As has been the way for millions of years.

It did not help his case that ever since he and I met-- almost two months ago now-- he has attempted to lie and make a fool of me at every opportunity.

He knows who I am, and what I do for the Decepticons, and yet he still pushed.

At that point I realized that he must truly have a death wish. So, I simply relieved him of his burden of being alive.

[He makes it sound so simple and matter of fact.]

[t65]

[And so today was the day Luke rolled his eyes at a convicted murderer.]

How did he make a fool of you? From what I saw, he just didn't want to be in the same room as you. Considering what you did to him, I can't blame him! [Okay, getting a little angry at the end there. He takes a few breaths, and pinches the bridge of his nose for a second.] So how did he embarrass you so much that you had to murder him?

[sparkwhisperer]

[ It wasn't so much embarrassment as it was insecurity that got to Tarn. He doesn't want to go into the real reason behind it. It's not something that he's talked about with anyone.

But, his abandonment issues run deep. Deeper than Luke, or anyone really, would ever expect. Really, Riptide just said exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time

Tarn won't give that information. Instead, he shuts down, glaring at Luke.]

This conversation is over. It's none of your business, human.

[t65]

It is my business! I brought you back, Tarn. I'm partly responsible for everything you do from that point onward.

Or- [An idea strikes him. ] Or can you not stand up to one little conversation with a human?

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn knows what Luke is playing at. Reverse psychology is the oldest trick in the book. There's no manipulating a master manipulator.

He tries to steer the conversation in a different direction. Tarn isn't going to budge on that subject.]

Do you really desire that sort of responsibility?

[t65]

[Luke is, all told, pretty new at this. Still,] Taking responsibility for your actions and what they can cause is part of being a Jedi. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[sparkwhisperer]

And yet you still don't regret your actions? You're a fool, Luke Skywalker.

[Deep down, in Tarn's heart of hearts, he has his very first Feeling in a very long time.

He quickly ends it, burying it away from the light of day. ]



[This conversation is beginning to make him anxious.]

[t65]

[Luke smiles brightly.]

Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn is silent for a moment.]

It appears that you have me there.

But, know this-- I'm not going to suddenly change just because you have some misguided sense of responsibility towards me. If you want to bind yourself to a sinking ship then there isn't much that I can say to stop you, nor do I particularly care.

Just so long as you stay out of my way.

[t65]

It's not misguided. Our fates are tied together, now. What you do is a reflection on me, and... what I do is a reflection on you.

But, I'm curious. Why are you a sinking ship?

[sparkwhisperer]

Let me make this very clear to you, Luke Skywalker.

I will not think twice to make a repeat performance of what I did to Riptide if any of our crew-mates make the mistake of crossing me. I have been trained extremely thoroughly to represent the Decepticon Cause and I will continue to do so even on this ship. Should anyone prove to be a insolent or even, as ridiculous as this sounds, a threat,
they will be taken out.

Even if it results in my ultimate demise, I will not turn my back on my duties.

[t65]

You can just call me Luke, you know.

If you kill every insolent person on the ship, you'll never have any time to do anything else. And you won't have anyone to talk to. [Because Luke will be dead.] Was Riptide threatening something?

[sparkwhisperer]

Luke, then. [It's a strange name, Tarn thinks. Skywalker at least sounds familiar enough to a Cybertronian.]

There is a level of insolence that I can tolerate, but Riptide's simply didn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

[t65]

Thanks, Tarn.

You really think it's worth your time to kill someone for talking too much?

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn gives Luke a sort of flat look.]

Yes. How do dangerous ideas and habits start, if not with talk?

[t65]

[Luke wants to point out that Tarn hasn't tried to kill all the people who disagree with him on the ship, but that could give him... ideas.]

[He lets it drop for now.]

[Anyway, there's another point that Tarn's brought up. Luke's look isn't flat; he looks like he's nursing a headache.]

More dangerous than murder?

[sparkwhisperer]

It's different.

What do you want me to say? I've been fighting for millions of years. Do you expect me to suddenly change my tune because a few organics and Autobots get upset about my tactics?

[t65]

Even I'm not that impatient. I know your species is incredibly long-lived. If you change at all, it probably won't be at a pace I recognize.

Maybe I just like talking to you?