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[sparkwhisperer]

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[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?

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn squints, peering at Luke through the MID.]

Why?

[Not that Tarn doesn't have a high opinion of himself and his ideals, but he isn't quite sure why this human would be so interested. It seems suspicious.]

[t65]

[Luke considers his options for an answer, all equally true. Somehow he doesn't think because we're friends will fly.]

If you have a hard time believing that... I'm a Jedi. Part of that is being able to understand different races and cultures, no matter how different.

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn is quiet for a long moment, Staring off screen. It isn't as if he has much else to do while trapped in solitary confinement than indulge in Luke.

Although, it might interrupt his busy schedule of staring blankly at the wall of his cell.]

Ah, so I'm a learning experience for you, am I? I don't suppose that anyone has told you about why I have such a distaste for Organic life?

[t65]

You're more than just a learning experience. I wasn't lying when I said I liked talking to you.

[He sighs.]

I can probably make an informed guess, but why don't you tell me?

[sparkwhisperer]

[Tarn still doesn't understand. Instead, he shakes his head with a quiet scoff.]

When Cybertron began it's war, it became immediately clear that the senate were not the only ones aiming to keep Cybertronian's firmly under it's heel. An age long discrimination and hatred that spanned over thousands of organic races became quickly apparent. A racism that began long before Megatron began his uprising of the manual classes and before any sort of violence began to leak from our world.

We were thought to be lesser because we are a mechanical race-- less alive somehow. Calling us "Robots", or "AI", or "Droids". [He casts a glance at Luke]

This was millions of years ago. You may be under the impression that this situation has ebbed-- that we've moved on from this blantent disregard for the legitimacy of our species. But, in some ways it's gotten worse.

[t65]

[Luke nods, expression placidly serious.] I'll be the first to admit I didn't understand your people at first. I made assumptions, and it's something I'm trying to overcome. I assume you don't want my apology, but you can have it anyway.

[He sighs.] It's another reason I'm trying to learn more about your culture and history. If I know more, I can help prevent future bloodshed. If I'd known more... [He sighs.] We might be having a very different conversation.

[sparkwhisperer]

You're correct, apologies are useless. [Tarn surprisingly doesn't seem excessively angry. Sure he was in the past, but he has more important issues to worry about than Luke's previous racism.]

But, even if it hadn't been you, I would have found myself exactly where I am now. Someone else would have done something equally as ridiculous.

[t65]

[Luke shakes his head, slow and sad.] No, you don't understand. Jedi are peacekeepers. It's our job to keep this sort of thing from happening. [He swallows.] I failed.

[But.]

Nothing is inescapable, Tarn.

[sparkwhisperer]

It is when I'm not willing to stand around passively.

[Tarn cocks his head. He would never admit it, but somehow he's found himself strangely endeared to this human.]

You may be a Jedi, Luke, but I'm a Decepticon. Just as I would never ask you to be anything else, I expect that you will respect my beliefs and duties to my own faction. I wouldn't consider that to be a failure.

[t65]

[Luke snorts, like that was a joke.]

I will. And when our beliefs put us at odds, I'll do my best to solve the situation peacefully. But I hope we can work together, like we have been.

[sparkwhisperer]

[It wasn't a joke, Luke.]

We will see.

[Tarn swallows his pride, avoiding eye contact. He's not good at this feeling thing that's happening.]

Thank you. For not leaving me behind in the Ingress back on Amississ-Re.

[t65]

[Luke's voice is gentle, to contrast.] Of course, Tarn. I'd do it again. You can always call on me if you need anything.

[Uh, Luke. Luke.]

...That doesn't involve killing people.

[sparkwhisperer]

[The mask provides an excellent poker-face as silence stretches for several long minutes from Tarn's end of the MID.

This is becoming far too chummy for his tastes.]

I don't think that will be necessary

[t65]

[Too chummy is never enough.]

Good, I'm glad you're not planning on killing anyone.

[sparkwhisperer]

Let me rephrase that for you.

You're assistance is not required. I am fully capable of taking care of myself and my interests without your meddling.

[He'll kill as many people as he goddamn pleases.]

[t65]

[Luke's grin is only slightly shit-eating.] Alright, then if you want my help.

[sparkwhisperer]

Which I don't. [Tarn snaps the response, eager to ruin the uncomfortably friendly air of the conversation.]

I thanked you for your previous assistance, as is customary, but I don't believe we have much more to discuss.

[He's trying real hard to back-peddle out of this weird friendship.]