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Drips
Jul 5, 2010 12:02:21 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 5, 2010 12:02:21 GMT -5
Day Three, Event Horizon, Open to Team Good- - - As near as Sentinel Prime can figure out, his life is pretty much ruined. He's a nothing, a nobody, a wash-up, a... drip. And drip drip drip goes one of the lines into him. He would call it maddening, but he knows what madness really is, and this is just annoying, but that isn't much comfort. Monitoring sensors are taped to him and inserted in rather uncomfortable places, and he's on the robotic equivalent of a dialysis machine. Sentinel Prime could be laid up here for days, maybe months. Oil Slick does his work well; Rodimus Prime was going to be laid up for months. So if this is just days, the medics here will have worked a miracle no less major than the miracle that Sentinel Prime himself is going to need to work. He's surrounded by enemies, he has a reputation here of being a lunatic, even the twins have seen him at his worst, he has no way home, and he's seen what Elita-1 has become and that's just not something he's willing to accept. Sentinel Prime stares off at nothing, which is exactly what he's become.
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Drips
Jul 5, 2010 17:22:00 GMT -5
Post by Perceptor on Jul 5, 2010 17:22:00 GMT -5
Perhaps this is the first time that Perceptor has been more useful to his patient than a traditional medic may have been; he does, after all, have a specialty in molecular chemistry. Even so, it's been quite the challenge to isolate and classify the various chemicals that had been inflicted upon Sentinel. A depressant, multiple types of hallucinogenics, even a stimulant, and all the various interactions had played havoc with Sentinel's systems all on their own.
If Sentinel hadn't been suffering through the effects, if another living being had not been suffering through the effects (much less one of Perceptor's Autobots), Perceptor might even be impressed with the concocting skills of the chemist responsible. But it is a living being suffering, an Autobot, and Perceptor isn't so much impressed as he is livid with whomever could so willfully torture another in such a way.
"Sentinel?" he calls softly as he approaches the berth where he is undergoing treatment. Perceptor doesn't want to startle the other Autobot, but he needs to monitor Sentinel's treatment. "Are you aware?"
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Drips
Jul 6, 2010 10:23:54 GMT -5
Post by Elita-1 on Jul 6, 2010 10:23:54 GMT -5
Elita-1 strides into the room, a worried- if slightly determined look- on her face. On seeing Perceptor hovering over Sentinel, however, she pauses.
"Oh, if I'm interrupting a check-up...Perceptor, is it all right if I visit with him? I've been terribly worried."
She really has. She's also felt terribly lonely, dealing with her worry alone. Optimus has made it fairly clear that he doesn't consider Sentinel worth worrying over; he didn't even come to help fetch Sentinel as requested. So she just doesn't bother Optimus anymore.
She could have used the shoulder to lean on, after the way Sentinel looked at her that day...
But she'll manage on her own, and she'll do what needs doing. Everyone else can go hang.
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Drips
Jul 7, 2010 8:46:17 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 7, 2010 8:46:17 GMT -5
"Aware?" Sentinel Prime repeats, tone distant, and then his gaze snaps over to Perceptor, antennae pinned back, and he demands, "Yeah. What's it to you?"
Sentinel Prime's done nothing for Perceptor, and he has nothing at all to offer Peceptor. He hasn't bullied or bribed; cajoled or charmed Perceptor, and Perceptor isn't some fresh paint experimental warrior who might misguidedly look up to Sentinel Prime. In fact, about the only interaction Sentinel Prime has really had with this Perceptor so far is insulting him on the radio, isn't that so?
So why does Perceptor slagging care? Where does the other boot drop? Sentinel Prime cannot help but be suspicious - to be watchful has ever been his nature, but it has developed into a bad, bad case of paranoia as he's gotten older, and recent events have not helped one whit.
He stiffens when Elita-1 arrives, after if he could sink himself into the berth and disappear. Then, trying to get a grip on himself, he babbles, "You. Youyouyou."
Blast it, but he's run a thousand live fire exercises if he's run one, he's seen real Decepticons in real combat - she's just a girl, for Allspark's sake! Sentinel Prime tries to get a grip on himself again. He raises a shaking hand, pointing a finger at Elita-1. "You. You need to promise me something."
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Drips
Jul 9, 2010 1:15:55 GMT -5
Post by Perceptor on Jul 9, 2010 1:15:55 GMT -5
"You are not, Elita," Perceptor replies, beckoning her forward. "Please, come in." Perceptor hopes that some friendly company will do Sentinel some good, since he seems far more listless than even the treatment should be making him.
As does Elita, come to think of it. Or rather, just plain old worn. She seems very weary for her youth; Perceptor offers her a sympathetic look and sighs sadly as he turns back to Sentinel.
"I merely wish to check how the centrifugal particulate diffusers are functioning, Sentinel, and did not wish to disturb you," he replies, taking no offense to Sentinel's snappish retort. The mech has been through quite a bit, and those pharmeceuticals he'd been poisoned with...
Perceptor has a word or three for the mech responsible for poisoning Sentinel. He doesn't have to be best buddies with his patients to be possessive. The Autobots (and Maximals) are his, and someone has assaulted one of his mechs. Granted, he'd be much more livid if it had been, say, Holi or Springer or Grimlock or Mirage there on the table, rather than Sentinel who he tolerates but is not close to. But Sentinel is still one of his, and Sentinel was harmed by someone miasappropriating science, and that will not be tolerated.
Besides, Perceptor's been known to repair Decpeticons before; why wouldn't he take care of Sentinel? Probably best not to mention that to the blue mech, though.
"How are you fee--"
Well, perhaps a visit isn't such a good idea after all!
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Drips
Jul 9, 2010 23:01:09 GMT -5
Post by Elita-1 on Jul 9, 2010 23:01:09 GMT -5
When Sentinel starts to stammer again, Elita's face falls, and she almost turns away. Then Sentinel seems to regain control of his tongue, and she stops mid-motion.
Elita-1 moves up to stand beside Sentinel's bed. She reaches out to try and capture his hand.
"That depends on what you want me to promise." Like, she isn't going to promise not to be friendly with Optimus, "But I'll do my best."
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Drips
Jul 10, 2010 18:53:55 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 10, 2010 18:53:55 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime smirks up at Perceptor and manages, "Feeling like I can't get your number, if you gotta ask. What's your deal?"
Elita-1 captures his hand, and he looks over at it, like he's only vaguely aware that his hand actually belongs to him and is not some fascinating external object.
"You need to promise me," Sentinel Prime begins solemnly, seriously, "that when this whole mess gets sorted out and everyone gets sent back home that you won't go back home with Optimus, ehn, Prime and me. Go with Kup Major - er, is he a Major here? - he seems kind of like our Kup, and I'm sure he's got plenty of history for you, or go with some of those ninja-bot oil-dreams. I think they've got an Allspark you could study - imagine that, you could be an expert on the Allsparks of multiple universes, eh? Any universe. Just don't come back with us."
Sentinel Prime turns to look Elita-1 up in the optics, as he concludes, dead grave, "Because once I get home, if I never see you again, it'll be too soon, sister."
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Drips
Jul 11, 2010 14:04:04 GMT -5
Post by Perceptor on Jul 11, 2010 14:04:04 GMT -5
"My deal?" Perceptor asks, eyeing Sentinel with confusion. "I am here to ensure that you receive the repairs and treatment you need. What other 'deal' do I require?"
Perhaps Sentinel's sterling personality really is showing through already. But liking someone is not a prerequisite for Perceptor to care for them.
Which is probably a good thing, since Sentinel's words to his supposed friend, Elita, hardly inspire feelings of grace and comraderie in the scientists.
"Sentinel!" he scolds, stepping up and reaching to rest a comforting hand upon Elita's shoulder.
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Drips
Jul 13, 2010 11:14:17 GMT -5
Post by Elita-1 on Jul 13, 2010 11:14:17 GMT -5
Elita-1's brow furrows and she frowns as Sentinel talks, but she doesn't interrupt. She can't, in fact, fault Sentinel for wanting her to not go back with them. She dies if she does, according to both him and Optimus, and both of them want her to live.
Then he adds that zinger.
"What..but...Sentinel!" She shrugs off Perceptor's hand. Elita-1 doesn't look sad. She does looks hurt- and more than a little angry. "What, am I not worth your caring about anymore either, or are you afraid you'll have to start acting like a decent mech again if you do?"
"I'm getting so tired of this; so I die because of you two at some point in my future. That doesn't matter to me! You two tapdance around and act as if I'm some fragile crystal that will shatter at the least provocation. But I won't!"
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Drips
Jul 13, 2010 11:42:00 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 13, 2010 11:42:00 GMT -5
"But you're being nice about it, Doc. Half the docs back home would tell me it's not covered under our health care plan and start amputating or turn me into some weirdo special experiment," Sentinel Prime replies to Perceptor, twitching. "What do you want out of me?"
Then, Sentinel Prime lays his antennae back, and he shakes, correcting, "No. You don't die, sweetheart. I can only wish that you'd died and not disgraced your own memory. You live... if you can call a freaky half-organic existence like that a life. You don't grow up to be a Prime like me and Optimus - you grow up to be a piston-sucking abomination of a Decepticon traitor, and you did this to me."
His gaze is oddly intent, and he continues, "I didn't want to believe you were you, I really didn't, but you knew... everything to be you. If you come with us, Elita-1, you'll betray everything that's good in life - truth, justice, and freedom. I can't let you do that."
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Drips
Jul 13, 2010 13:30:51 GMT -5
Post by Perceptor on Jul 13, 2010 13:30:51 GMT -5
Oh, what lovely timing, Sentinel. Perceptor has just gotten done spaeking with Springer, so his mood is already rather tanked (no pun intended) when you lay that zinger on him now, too. Springer as a voice of reason for Perceptor. That should scare people.
"I. Do not. Experiment. Upon. My fellows," he intones tightly.
What does he want? Why is everyone always asking him or implying asking him that lately? Nearly everyone he has encountered on Pz-Zazz seems to assume that he has some alterior motive, and now from a fellow Autobot?
Perceptor is really and truly beginning to despise this planet.
He doesn't have an answer for that question. Not one that won't end up with his shouting, at any rate, and, besides, Sentinel has already turned his attention on to Elita--
Wait, what? "You die?" he yelps, staring at Elita for a moment. That... "Wait, now she does not die?" Oh, he's getting so confused.
Elita did this? Okay, things have gotten just about convoluted enough. Perceptor steps forward and interposes his bulk between them - or tries, at any rate. "Enough," he orders, trying to push Elita back from Sentinel's berth a bit. "Cease and desist, both of you. We will discuss this like civil beings."
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Drips
Jul 13, 2010 14:34:30 GMT -5
Post by Elita-1 on Jul 13, 2010 14:34:30 GMT -5
"I...what? No. I'd never...."
What would she do if she were faced with the possibility of dieing as herself, or living as someone else? Elita-1 has always been first to make the most practical choice for herself, and death is never practical.
But she still wouldn't....not to either of them!
Oh hey, scientist getting all up in her business.
She rounds on Perceptor. "Step off. I don't know what's going on, or what he's talking about, but it's between me and him," and Optimus, "Not you. So step off."
She never did let go of Sentinel's hand, and her fingers tighten on his.
"Tell me what happened."
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Drips
Jul 13, 2010 15:07:19 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 13, 2010 15:07:19 GMT -5
My, my, Perceptor's a bit defensive about that whole Autobot experimentation thing, isn't he? Sentinel Prime considers that thoughtfully, noting down Perceptor's bid red button for future use. Sentinel Prime's Perceptor did. Did he ever. He wouldn't have been upset about being called on it, either, if only because he's incapable of being upset - or feeling anything at all.
Sentinel Prime explains, obviously reluctant and pained, with no small amount of recrimination, "I was a real hellion when I was younger - exactly the kind of kid I hate now, the type I rode real hard when I was a sergeant to shape up or ship out. Organic planets are off-limits for exploration - everyone knows that, because organics are dangerous and disgusting. But, idiot that I was, I dragged Optimus and Elita-1 to Archa Seven, one such forbidden world, because I'd heard a Decepticon warship full of energon from the Great War had crashed there. I figured we could be rich; we could be heroes - we could be rich heroes bathing in pools of energony goodness."
"We found the energon, all right," Sentinel Prime sounds very, very bitter. "But no goodness. Aracha Seven arachnids found us. I was separated from Optimus and Elita-1 and couldn't do a disc-fragging thing to help them. I fought off the aliens as best I could on my own, and when I found Optimus on the surface, he said his scanner couldn't find her life sign. I wanted to go looking, but he held me back."
"We were both court martialed. I made the best of it. Optimus didn't." Sentinel Prime smirks grimly. "But Elita-1 lived. She's some... spidery freak now and a Decepticon, running with... I think it's Oil Slick, a Decepticon from back during the Great War who recently resurfaced when Team Athenia was slaughtered by Strika's Team Chaar."
"She showed up when I was wandering around Pz-Zazz and taunted and baited me, so I got shipped off to the looney bin. Then, she egged Oil Slick on when he drugged me. She wanted me to suffer for leaving her behind. Like leaving her behind wasn't already suffering enough."
Sentinel Prime finishes, and he tries to yank his hand away from Elita-1, but he's weak, so pathetically weak right now.
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Drips
Jul 17, 2010 19:01:18 GMT -5
Post by Elita-1 on Jul 17, 2010 19:01:18 GMT -5
OOC: Er, skipping Perceptor due to timeout. I'm not trying to make it a habit, honest! At least this time I know you're out of town!
Elita-1 listens as Sentinel talks, though she's not really sure he's talking to her. He's speaking as if this all happened to someone else, as if the Elita he knows and the Elita standing beside him aren't the same person. As if...as if he's divorced himself from the association. Is she to be condemned for something her future self- a self which especially now isn't guaranteed to be born- has done?
This does not change her opinion that something drastic needs to be done to help Sentinel. More, it enforces it.
When Sentinel pulls away, Elita-1 doesn't try to hold on, merely stares down at her now empty hand. She cycles her ventilation slowly, once, twice, before reaching out to snag a nearby stool. She pulls it over to the bedside and sits down.
She doesn't say anything, but that gesture, combined with the very determined look on her face should tell both mechs she has no intention of being moved.
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Drips
Jul 19, 2010 9:22:56 GMT -5
Post by Sentinel Prime on Jul 19, 2010 9:22:56 GMT -5
After that horrendously awkward pause, Sentinel Prime actually looks over at Elita-1, though he can't quite meet her eyes, so he ends up staring at her nose, more or less. He admits, "I know she's not you, and maybe it's not fair to you, but I've never been the best judge of fair, on my own. That's why I stick to the rulebook. It's consistent, at least. I don't want to see her when I look at you, but... I do."
That, and Sentinel Prime's default reaction has always been to blame people for things that aren't their faults, though not usually in this unusual sort of manner.
He glances over at Perceptor's reaction, waiting to see disdain or disapproval. Go on, give it to him. He did what he had to do.
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