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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 7, 2009 13:55:54 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron gazes out at the stars from a porthole. He's... never been off Cybertron? Well. He's been on Gillanan III now. Still, he's mostly been a homebody.
Space. He's never had to think much about it, and now, it's got him surrounded. Perhaps he should have kept his optics on it a bit better.
There are so many situations where he hasn't even had time to plan out solutions!
Emirate Xaaron rubs his head, fingers over his forehead, thumbs at his temples. One thing remains a constant: he who has the shiniest toys wins. The Autobots and Maximals and their Decepticon contractors cannot simply stay content with what they have. They must strive forward - and revive what they have lost.
A technological problem. Time for a technological solution. He makes a call.
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Wedge
Minor
NOT a reckless teen-bot
Posts: 413
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Post by Wedge on Jul 7, 2009 21:18:01 GMT -5
Space! Wedge peers out all the portholes as he makes his way to the location that Emirate Xaaron called for. Space travel isn't a terribly new thing for Wedge, what with the journey from Cybertron to Earth, but that doesn't make it any less exciting. Space means new territories and new adventures--either of which tickles Wedge's fancy like nothing else (well, almost nothing else).
Wedge's arrival to the chosen spot should be heralded by the clang of eager footsteps as he rounds onto the deck. "Wedge reporting in, sir!" The buildbot stops and gives the Emirate a crisp and eager salute. Alright, gotta rein things in a little, be professional. Wedge's stance straightens a little more and he gives Xaaron his utmost attention. "What can I do for you, sir?"
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 7, 2009 21:29:38 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron smiles at Wedge. Ah, youth. Such energy. But it's Wedge's intellect that Emirate Xaaron would like to put to work right now, though that energy may come in handy.
With a sparkle in his optics, Emirate Xaaron inquires, "I understand you led a combiner team in your own reality, Wedge. How much do you know about the combiner process? How they're made?"
The Decepticons have two same-reality Constructicons. Four more and... well.
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Wedge
Minor
NOT a reckless teen-bot
Posts: 413
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Post by Wedge on Jul 9, 2009 15:43:36 GMT -5
Hey, whatever Emirate Xaaron needs, intellect or energy, Wedge is ready to provide (even if Emirate Xaaron asks for something Wedge is in lacking, this bot is more than ready to give all he can anyways).
"Yes, you're right, I did lead a combiner team back home." He places the fists on his hips and everything in Wedge's stance is practically screaming of radiant pride at his leadership and most of all, of his team. A curious expression slides onto Wedge's face at the Emirate's following questions. "How much do I know and how they're made?" He nods slowly, though for a moment, Wedge rubs thoughtfully at the back of his helm, combing and bringing forward old memory files.
A few seconds later, that splitting grin is back on Wedge's face along with a look of excited realization. "Yeah! The Build Team, we didn't start out as a combiner team." Heck, they didn't start out as a team at all. Though, Wedge had long packed away the memories of the times before their team's formation. "We were chosen along with a few other groups--got a whole bunch of lectures and seminars sure, but man it was definitely awesome to watch and take part in."
"I know I can call up most of the details, you know, a majority programming and some of the mechanics." Wedge is confident at this part, but he slows down. "Just the basic mechanics, never really been trained in the whole medic specifics so all that stuff's a bit sticky." Lips press together tightly for a moment and he looks squarely at Emirate Xaaron. "I'd definitely need help, I know I can't do anything like that by myself. But I can most definitely give all the knowledge and aid that I can." There, he admitted his shortcomings in the process. Emirate Xaaron's okay with that, right?
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 10, 2009 17:45:54 GMT -5
They didn't start out of a combiner? Now that is dreadfully interesting, and Emirate Xaaron's optics light up, and he seems to be paying even more close attention to what Wedge has to say than before, and he was listening very well before.
As far Emirate Xaaron understands, the Constructicons of Long Haul's reality were also an assembled team, an assembled team that re-engineered themselves to transform all by themselves.
(Yes, the Constructicons did in a cave, with a box of scraps.)
Sounds like the Build Team didn't develop combiner technology on their own, but they did at least pay attention and try to learn what was happening to them.
Better than he had hoped.
Emirate Xaaron inquires, "So, to be sure, I take that you couldn't a design a combiner team from scratch?" He rubs his chin thoughtfully and adds, "However, what you do know sounds like it will be an excellent starting point."
Oh yes, he did just drop that bomb.
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Wedge
Minor
NOT a reckless teen-bot
Posts: 413
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Post by Wedge on Jul 12, 2009 19:13:23 GMT -5
Wedge isn't a slow processor, no. But even so, it takes a few nano-clicks longer than usual to play through Emirate Xaaron's words--not because they're hard to understand, but rather because in that particular order it sounds like the Emirate is suggesting that he wants them to start their own combiner project...So Wedge loops that sentence a few times before he lets himself believe that yes, yes that's what Xaaron means.
(The Constructicons may be able re-engineer themselves to transform in a cave, but can they dig, build, design, and maintain a world-wide Space Bridge? In their own tunnel? ...err...right, that question)
Guess it's a good thing that the Build Team is innately curious and enthusiastic, then.
Wedge makes sure to weed out any 'uhhhs' and '...' and 'huhs?' from his reaction. Strange noises of surprise count too. What Emirate Xaaron receives is a firm, if very enthusiastic, nod and a reply with almost too-bright optics of: "I'm sure if the whole of EMS were to work together, we'd be able to pull that design through."
And on that bombshell from the Emirate...what else does Xaaron have to add?
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 12, 2009 19:39:13 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron rubs his chin with a finger and points out to the young leader, "Ah, but there's the rub. We can't just shunt the whole of EMS onto one project. There will always be maintenance and repairs to perform, and the unexpected, by its very nature, cannot be predicted."
He paces now, hands behind his back. "We may be able to get a head start on it all, however. Let me make some calls."
Emirate Xaaron turns to Wedge and says it plainly, "If don't get an operational combiner on the battlefield soon, the Decepticons may well beat us to to it. The business with our alternates showed that we cannot count on Omega Supreme alone."
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Post by Long Haul on Jul 12, 2009 21:08:43 GMT -5
Long Haul trudges slowly into the room with all the enthusiasm of a patient making an appointment with the dentist.
This is nothing against Emirate Xaaron, this is just his default way of walking if he doesn't have anything to override it.
He looks up at Emirate Xaaron, then Wedge, then Emirate Xaaron.
"Bosses?" he asks.
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 13, 2009 13:16:45 GMT -5
Very shortly after Long Haul arrives, Perceptor strides through the door as well, reading over a datapad full of readings obtained from the nearest stars. What? Perceptor cannot stand to be idel for too long, after all, and examining stellar energy signatures is just as fascinating to him as observing Botanica's little habitat.
He tucks the datapad away as soon as he realizes that he has arrived, looking just a little susprised at Long Haul's presencde, but offering a cheerful enough greeting. "You requested my presence, Xaaron?"
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Wedge
Minor
NOT a reckless teen-bot
Posts: 413
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Post by Wedge on Jul 13, 2009 23:22:38 GMT -5
"Ah, right." Wedge palms the back of his helm again, this time more in embarrassment than in deep though. Of course they can't just push all of EMS into such a project. Right, keep note of that for sure...
He waits, ramrod straight as Xaaron makes his calls. Wedge's expression changes from thinly veiled anticipation to something more serious at the Emirate's last words though. "You're right." While he may not have been there for the situation with the counterparts, Wedge heard enough about the horror to know about it. "We'll do our best, sir. Those con's won't have us beat."
"Hey there, Long Haul, Perceptor." Wedge visibly brightens at the entrance of his two teammates. He halts himself before starting another greeting though, right, Xaaron did call them here for business, so business first.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 14, 2009 12:24:03 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron has no intention of embarrassing Wedge. He simply seeks to keep matters on track.
He turns and smiles to Long Haul and Perceptor before gesturing to Wedge and explaining, "I was just discussing the matter of combiners with Wedge. He has some knowledge in their design and assembly."
"We will need more than simply some knowledge, however, if we want to field an operational super warrior on the battlefield, and I believe the difficulties Omega Supreme had with his alternate underscores our need for one such super warrior... or more."
He pauses and backtracks, "It's easy, given this fast-faced barrage of technologies from different universes, to lose sight of what we have - or what we could have, with some effort. The Decepticons have two Constructicons." He shoots a pained but brief glance over at Long Haul. "How long before they have more? How long before those two decide to just assemble themselves a team, if providence does not provide? Evidently, they did it once."
He now turns entirely to Long Haul, "That's where you come in, Long Haul. You might not know Hook now, but you knew him once - and Mixmaster. Would either of them have been at all likely to record their notes on the combiner process, if they were dumped in a new reality? Or would they keep it to themselves?"
Emirate Xaaron wants Long Haul to do a character study!
He then turns to Perceptor, "And you. As far as I know, you don't have any specific experience combiners, but, ah... you're Perceptor." Science bot does science.
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Post by Long Haul on Jul 14, 2009 19:54:23 GMT -5
Long Haul gives a casual wave to the others, but as Emirate Xaaron mentions the Constructicons he winces, then looks down, arms and shoulders drooping. Yeah, he's used to it, but he's not happy about it.
Then he's asked a question, and he looks up, rubs his chin, and shrugs. "Erm... were it back home, I'd say they'd be recorded somewheres. But in a strange place with strangers showin' up strangely every day? Naw, they'd prolly keep 'em to themselves."
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 15, 2009 15:27:57 GMT -5
"Ah, yes," Perceptor muses. Flattered as he is that Xaaron holds his skills in such high regard, Perceptor would be much happier using those skills to build warp gates and miracle cures than figuring out how to turn his friends and comrades into super warriors.
He cannot fault Xaaron's logic, however, and, as distasteful as being reduced to a glorified weapons engineer is to the scientist, gestalt tech may be what tips the scales when next they meet the Decepticons. Theirs is a long conflict; it is unreasonable to think that they will never again meet their adversaries.
"I have assisted upon repairs and modifications of the Autobot combiner teams present in my reality in the past. I believe that such a project is not only feasible, but likely. The most difficult portion of the experiment will be discerning if there is any issue with attempting to meld mentalities based in such varying realities, and, if so, developing a means to overcome such an obstacle."
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Wedge
Minor
NOT a reckless teen-bot
Posts: 413
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Post by Wedge on Jul 18, 2009 0:15:59 GMT -5
If Wedge gets the chance to think over the whole project later, he'd probably start feeling the slightest twinges of jealousy for the bots that will make up this possible new combiner team. After all, to him, being a part of a combiner team doesn't mean glorified weapon. It means...well, the closest thing that Wedge can think up is 'family' but that's a very human term and probably doesn't cover mind-sharing and all that like stuff--and of course the awesome combat abilities. He misses that...all of that. But right now, Wedge has a shiny new project being proposed by the shiny Emirate Xaaron, so thoughts like that aren't at the front of the queue at the moment.
"Melding mentalities?" Wedge taps a finger against his lips. "Well, if we already had some bots here that are working well as a team..." Very well that is. He trails off and thinks for a coupe more moments. "It's still pretty early though for that kind of checking isn't it? We--my team--we were together for a good bit before the combiner project picked us out." Yeah, that part is going to be hard. "How are we going to know what bots to choose from?" Are we picking from a pool of volunteers?
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Jul 18, 2009 21:06:16 GMT -5
Keep it to themselves. Lovely. Emirate Xaaron may have to have a chat with the Constructicons, then. He asks Long Haul, "I see. Would Hook or Mixmaster have been more likely to have done more of the work and be more conversant on the subtleties?"
Emirate Xaaron listens along to Perceptor as he points out what is liable to the biggest problem.
When, he turns to Wedge, and he explains, "What I would like to accomplish at all, is a sort of... Scramble City1 scenario, wherein any combiner component can swap out with any other one. Within reason. I figured we'd start with the extant combiner components."
1 He got that from a report from Holi.
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