001 -- Audio

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The voice that suddenly booms over the journals should be familiar to some.  And, if not, it's certainly loud and attention-getting.  Someone is clearly unhappy.]

This... is a lie. It must be. It cannot be possible -- not again!

[A pause.  There's some mechanical shifting while the party in question tries to remain calm.  There is also a sound

Comments

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth has done this before, too: heard a familiar voice belonging to someone he loved. Every other time it happened, they hadn't recognized him, and it hurt.

But this time, there are differences. Ironhide talks of his worlds being gone again. Ironhide talks of a frog.

Then again, Ironhide might have had such things before the Elegante. This could be a different Ironhide entirely.

But Xanth has to try.]

I-- I--

I-Iron...hide?

[audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Xanth's fears may be quickly put to rest. All sounds on the other end of the com cease, and he suddenly sounds guardedly hopeful.]

[If that's possible.]

... They brought you too, boy?

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

Y-Yeah, they-- I-- I-I thought you were-- g-gone, I, I-I thought-- e-everybody was-- gone...

[His voice shakes, just a little.]

[audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

I was never gone. Just... trying to make it through the sea.

Where are the others?

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

Th-they're... n-n... not here. I-It's just-- y-you, m-me, th-this guy K-Kevas a-and some... some p-people he knows.

Th-they didn't... t-take a-a lot of us.

[audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Ironhide is silent for a very long time. The only sound is that of water dripping out of his armor.]

...

Boy... where is Ratchet?

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

I... I-I haven't s-seen him.

I-- I'm sorry.

[audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[There is only more silence in answer.]

[That can't be true. It just can't be. Ratchet has to be here... He wouldn't... He can't be gone.]

[Finally, metal creaks, as Ironhide lowers his head into a hand.]

He... was supposed to be right behind me.

[audio] ;A;

[stillseecracks]

[Xanth's relief and overwhelming thankfulness that not just anyone, but Ironhide, was here too, is shadowed by the realization that Ratchet was not. Xanth didn't know Ratchet, but he did know that he meant a great deal to Ironhide.]

He... h-he... m-maybe he is. I've... b-been here f-for a wh--while now, maybe-- m-maybe he'll-- b-be here soon, t-too.

[But Xanth isn't sure he believes that himself. Kairi wasn't here. Vie wasn't here. Mikaela and Gideon and everyone else wasn't here.

Then again, Ironhide was.

Xanth doesn't know what to think.]

[audio ;~;

[heavyweaponsbot]

[It felt like the world was ripped out from under him when the End came -- but, even then, Ratchet had been there. The children had been there. There had been a reason to go on.]

[And now that it's happened again, he's left with almost nowhere to stand.]

[There's a clank of heavy armor as he sags against a wall.]

He was right behind me...

[If he's aware he's repeating himself, he doesn't show it. He just sounds utterly defeated.]

[audio]

[stillseecracks]

[No. No no no, this-- no. Ironhide should never sound so much like he's given up. He can't give up. He's a soldier. He's Ironhide

But even soldiers need help.]

Wh-- w-where are you?

[audio]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[It takes him a second to answer.]

A room. Not sure where.

[Room 2 something or other.]

[audio] -> [commentlog]

[stillseecracks]

O-Okay. I'll-- I-I'll be there.

["Barracks" is the only clue Xanth needs; they're not too big. But it will take him time to search the first floor, then start on the second, so it takes him some time.

Eventually, however, there is a quick knock on Ironhide's door.]

[commentlog] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBJ90C4kDCA&feature=youtu.be

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The only answer he gives is a grunt. But it's very much an Ironhide sound. Even without the real response, it should be enough to tell Xanth he's in the right place.]

[commentlog] omg ;n;

[stillseecracks]

[It is. Xanth would know that voice anywhere. He turns the knob, opens the door, and catches sight of Ironhide. It's really him. He's here, in the metal.

Xanth's eyes begin to sting. Forgive him if he sounds a little choked up.]

I-- I-Iron...hide...

[commentlog] saddest... track... ever

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He's propped up against a wall, slumped forward. That familiar chunk of armor missing from his chest. When Xanth enters, he rouses himself out of his moping enough to look at him.]

... Boy.

[And he eases a hand forward. Come here, childthing.]