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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 27, 2009 10:32:52 GMT -5
"As you wish, Starscream."
Ironic phrasing. Shockwave understands its uses.
"Now, as mentioned I could have simply removed you via force, but you are still a valuable addition to our group. Which is why I have gone to such great lengths to not destroy you."
"I have done this, am offering you options, despite knowing you for a conniving, backstabbing, cowardly sort who will no doubt do his best to undermine my reign. At some time, your pride will overpower your logic, and you will attempt to regain control. Such is our way."
It may seem a foolish thing for Shockwave to keep Starscream alive. But the Seeker's death would potentially cause more trouble than not, if Dead End's story is to be believed.
"Your options are as follows. Option one: Relinquish command to me publicly and without delay. You will accept a demotion back to Air Commander, and still function as a second of sorts. I will then see to it that you are supplied enough of the counter to keep you pain-free. Once I am satisfied that you will not attempt to kill me on sight, I shall give you the actual antidote."
"Option two: Continue to be stubborn. In that case, I have requisitioned a lovely place for you, a box in which you can spend your days in exquisite agony, never to be allowed the respite of either unconsciousness or death. For the fuel fed to you will always contain the poison, so that it stays fresh in your system."
"Option three: The aforementioned killing in cold fuel."
Shockwave stops here, waiting.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 27, 2009 15:07:44 GMT -5
Starscream takes the time that Shockwave spends talking to see if he can overcome the poison's shutdown of his weapons. It doesn't, blast it all. Death he can recover from, but a cup of bad fuel?
He also hasn't developed a death gaze, despite the look he is shooting Shockwave at the moment.
He has not said anything, yet.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 27, 2009 16:19:09 GMT -5
Shockwave studies his fingertips for a few minutes, letting the silence stretch out.
"Of course, there is always Option Four: Relieve you of your weapons, remove your free will, mount you into the very walls of the ship and use your supposedly immortal soul to serve as a secondary power source. It however, is decidedly the most painful option, if the reactions of the last to receive such attentions from me is any indication."
"Though I dare say you'd be a much more attractive wall decoration than Alpha Trion was," he deadpans.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 27, 2009 16:38:58 GMT -5
Of course Starscream is going to be the most attractive wall decoration! But that is kind of beside the point.
After another few moments of seething, he finally grunts. "Give me the serum."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 27, 2009 21:59:19 GMT -5
"Without even your word of agreement? Please Starscream, I am no stranger to this type of negotiation. I will not be so easily circumvented."
Shockwave brings the two vials out again. Again, he mixes a minute amount in the glass. Again, the vials disappear. He holds up the glass, idly admiring the mixture's glow.
"Your radio should still be functioning. Make the announcement."
His gun arm shifts ever so slightly.
"Before I decide I prefer you as a mute piece of wall art."
Of course, Starscream may try to stall and call for help. Shockwave wonders if he would actually receive it.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 27, 2009 23:08:18 GMT -5
Starscream double-checks that he cannot make a death gaze. Nope, no dice. Blast it. He holds his wrist up to his mouth as a small panel opens up. He makes a radio call.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 27, 2009 23:59:53 GMT -5
He adds a bit more of the counter to the glass, then places it back down on the table, sliding it slightly toward the Seeker as he does so.
"There now, that was not nearly so difficult as you expected it to be, now was it?" Shockwave says, as he settles back in the chair. "After say, a month, provided you have kept your plotting and assassination attempts to an acceptable minimum, we will discuss the administration of the full antidote."
Mixmaster has done his work well. Starscream will be able to function at almost normal capacity while on the full dose of counteragent- no pain, but he'll find his null rays unreliable at higher power levels.* It could be worse. Shockwave could have asked that it mode-lock Starscream, as well.
"And on that note- just as I must admit that killing you out of hand would cause more trouble than you are worth, you must also admit the same in regard to myself. For were I to fall at your hand or machination- and yes, I do admit the possibility exists that I might- a certain series of events will begin that will see you following me into Oblivion."
"Have I made myself quite clear?"
*OOC: Entirely up to you if/how you play this off. If it's fun in a scene to bring it up, go for it. It's mainly a quirk to keep Starscream from null raying Shockwave to death, not to hamper your fun.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 28, 2009 15:13:24 GMT -5
"How generous of you to accept that possibility." Starscream says. Given that in fair combat they proved themselves to be equals, this 'possibility' is at the very least fifty-fifty.
If this 'certain series of events' is more than just a bluff, it is merely another hurdle to overcome. You will regret this later, Shockwave.
"Crystal." He says, as he takes the counter. Eyeing the dregs still in the receptacle, he remarks, "You've become quite the chemist, haven't you?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 28, 2009 23:49:46 GMT -5
"One learns a few things in a lifetime," Shockwave says, shrugging. "The substance I purged from Needlenose's tanks was quite fascinating, after all. It proved a suitable catalyst for my interests."
Shockwave drums his fingertips on his thigh. After a few moments, he says, "I will be restructuring our divisions shortly, once our people have had some time to adjust. As mentioned, you will be the Air Commander as you once were, with almost complete autonomy in that division. Pick a second as you like, team them as you will, train them as you will."
"Scourge- the tanker- will be Ground Commander."
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 29, 2009 6:39:47 GMT -5
Starscream doesn't believe Shockwave managed this concoction on his own for a second. He will soon enough be talking with them. Oh yes.
So Starscream is not even capable of commanding all the troops. Wonderful. Then again, there are certain ground-based troops that he supposes he should be glad to be rid of.
"I'm sure I'll have plenty of time in the coming month to acclimate myself to what I am sure are many vast improvements to the regime." He says, bitterly. "Now get out of my sight, commander, before I test just how effective this product's hold on my weaponry is."
And don't think he wouldn't try, either.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jul 29, 2009 9:53:32 GMT -5
Shockwave gives Starscream an almost deferential nod. "Of course."
Shockwave reaches over and picks up the tainted energon. Best not to leave that lying about. He then rises and leaves.
All and all, things are going quite according to his plans.
Out of Thread
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Jul 30, 2009 7:47:26 GMT -5
Starscream closes the door behind Shockwave. Silently, he tries to calm himself.
He had it. He was leader. They were progressing so fastly, all from nothing, under his lead. And then Shockwave had to ruin it all. Poisoning? What kind of method was this?
Starscream cannot take any more. He howls out in rage, firing several laser blasts randomly into the walls and fixtures of his quarters.
It doesn't help.
End scene.
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