Keeping Up With the Joneses (Or Trying To)

[Oil Slick]

OOC: Takes place on Day 31. Private thread.
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Oil Slick has generally kept to himself in his time here, but with Starscream's announcement of resignation to Shockwave, the chemist figures that now is a good time to check with the new commander about his place in the ranks, and maybe see about acquiring himself a good workspace.

Oil Slick wishes to create things! And to test things! And as fun as testing them on his roommates would be, it would more than likesly be frowned upon. Therefore, he will find out if might acquire a proper lab.

This involves visiting Shockwave's, though. Sure, he's heard things about Shockwave here, but the chemist does not seem to fear the new commander. Or maybe he wants to see the results of his own fear if placed in such a situation. Who knows what goes on inside that shiny green dome, really?

Once arriving at the door to the lab, he knocks carefully, and if welcomed, he enters quietly.

[Victoria Raines]

Shockwave's lab aboard ship is a bit smaller than the one he had on Gillanan, but not by much. It is meticulously clean and organized, something obvious despite the various tools and parts resting here and there upon the work surfaces. A large screen is inset into one wall, and another is lined with cabinets. There is a bench which looks like it might double as a recharge berth from time to time off to one side.

Shockwave, himself, is standing at a table near the room's center, poring over diagrams and blueprints. Now that he is in a better position, the cyclops has and idea he wishes to run with.

Only now he is being interrupted. Such is life.

"It is unlocked," he calls, reaching out and carefully starting to roll the diagrams up. Shockwave glances up. Hgn. The chemist from Lugnut's reality.

"Yes?" State your business, in other words.

[Oil Slick]

Thankfully for Shockwave, Oil Slick is not as fanatical as Lugnut, and was nearly crushed to prove it.

Deary me. this Shockwave is taller than expected. Sure, his own was tall, but this a bit awkward in comparison. However, the chemist does not falter. He lightly tents his fingers, stepping a bit closer.

"I am...curious, Commander Shockwave. With the re-arrangement that will happen shortly, I am wondering what all opportunities I have in regards to placement in the divisions and hierarchy. Not looking for power, just a place where I can do what I am skilled at." He turns his head, glancing around the room, then back to Shockwave. "Namely, a place like this," he says, gesturing to the lab. "Where I might work on varying chemical weapons."

He's forward, at least.

[Victoria Raines]

"There are no labs available to assign out to any one individual," Shockwave states flatly, "Nor can we afford space and resources to give every chemist and scientist their own. This is why we have the two common use labs. We are not so glutted with those types that the labs are in constant use, or crowded."

Shockwave sets the neatly rolled diagrams aside, then moves to loom over stand in front of Oil Slick.

"Tell me about this Cosmic Rust weapon you have created."

[Oil Slick]

Piffle and fie, no individual labs. That's disappointing. Public will have to do.

However, Oil Slick hides his disappointment hopefully well. "Ah, I expected as such. I figured that it would not hurt to inquire, though."

Oooh, Shockwave is wanting info on Oil Slick's crown jewel? Excellent. Apparently, his reputation precedes him. Hopefully, it is a good thing. He straightens up a bit more, rather proudly. "Ah, of course! It is a lovely little compound, very versatile in the methods of delivery - I've created both gel and gas variants, as well as types that can quickly or slowly corrode a target. Whether fast or slow, it will eventually eat the infected individual down to nothing if they do not receive a cure." He makes a somewhat annoyed face now. "Sadly, the Autobots of my universe obtained the cure, so it's quite as crushing as I would like it to be. I suppose it could use some tweaking, perhaps find a different way of going about it that isn't affected by the current antidote. At the very least, it's useful on Autobots that are out away from Cybertron." He chuckles a bit. "Like that mouthy Rodimus Prime." Yes, he's very proud that he took that upstart down, why do you ask?

[Victoria Raines]

"Hrm."

Shockwave sits on a nearby stool. He does not invite Oil Slick to do the same just yet.

The cyclops is of two minds about this one. On the one, brilliant chemists are a good thing to have about. On the other, brilliant sadistic chemists who experiment on their own without compunction they could do without.

After all, they already have Mixmaster. He is handful enough.

"You have this compound and its antidote with you here? You will leave me a sample-safely contained, of course- of both before you leave this room."

He waves his hand. "As for felling a Prime...'Prime' is not the same in your universe as in most. Just a rank, with no true power behind it. Do not expect me to be impressed by such a doing, even if you can name it a clean kill."

"Tell me, Oil Slick, how much higher the probability of your poisoning parts of our group rises if you do not have a private workspace?"

[Oil Slick]

Oil Slick's tendency to experiment wouldn't be much of a problem if they weren't on a spaceship! Unless Shockwave is willing to let him have some guinea pigs.

However, Shockwave's order causes him to take a partial step back, optics narrowing. "Why? I have no intentions of using it on board a vessel. I...erm, enjoy field-testing, but doing so on a vessel like this is just asking for an inordinate amount of trouble. Like playing with flares in an energon refinery." His arms cross, and bit of pricked professional pride shows. "I wish to know what you plan to do with said samples. The antidote, I can understand - even with the greatest safety precautions, accidents can happen. However... the need for the oxidant itself perplexes me."

His expression and posture goes neutral as Shockwave points out the difference in Primes among realities. "I am aware of this - however, our Rodimus was rather skilled and cunning for an Autobot. There were rumors around that he may eventually become their next commander once Ultra Magnus steps down, or is dealt with."

An eyebrow ridge rises at the final question. One arm remains laid over his chest, hand tucked under the elbow of the opposite arm, that hand moving where he can see it. He appears to be examining his fingers, and flicking off a bit of dirt that may or may not actually be there. "...I would wager the probability is around the same. There are a number of factors that could influence the numbers in either direction - namely, who I encounter, and how well we get along. However, if things were to cause that to happen... I do take such pride in my work that I will say anyone foolish enough to draw my ire does not draw it a second time." If one looks close, there's a terrible little grin on his face, eyes narrowed. May as well be honest about it.

[Victoria Raines]

Shockwave's headfins flick back sharply. "What is it about Rodimus Primes that make them such golden boys across realities?" he murmurs as he shifts a bit on his seat.

He balances one ankle over the opposite knee, props his elbow on his leg, and then leans forward a bit to rest his optic casing in his palm. He studies Oil Slick for a few moments.

"Does it really matter what I desire to do with the samples?," he asks, voice soft, unassuming. "The fact that I am your commander and am requisitioning them should be enough reason to comply, I would think."

Shockwave does understand the chemist's hesitancy, would have been surprised had he not show it, in fact. Now, Shockwave is curious as to how Oil Slick will respond to such an overt challenge.

[Oil Slick]

If only Shockwave knew the truth was in the hands of a bunch of dorks in Rhode Island...

Oil Slick's arms cross again, hands lightly gripping his upper arms, standing up rather stiffly. "Well, I was trusted back home, though I do realize that holds little water here. It's more or less a bit of... professional pride. The Cosmic Rust has been a pet project of mine for ages - I'm rather protective of it, you understand. No one here knows the intricacies of it other than myself. If someone else was to go fooling with it without taking the proper precautions, they could cause an outbreak, and terribly injure or even deactivate themselves."

After explaining that, he relaxes slightly. "I do understand your authority, Shockwave sir. However, with all due respect, I believe the actual oxidant compound itself is better off in my hands."

[Victoria Raines]

Shockwave waits several moments after Oil Slick finishes before nodding deferentially.

"Well said. And I do understand your position, though it may seem that I do not. I am a scientist myself, after all, and can be very proprietary about my creations."

He settles back again, "Let me explain my position."

"What you have described to me, when viewed in conjunction with the information passed on by your reality peers, indicate a compound that is highly dangerous and volatile. I do not doubt your understanding and expertise in its handling. But to have only one person who understands such a weapon, to have just one person capable of creating and handling such a compound properly, is simply not in the best interest of the public good."

"What would happen if you were wounded, incapacitated, and one of our own had been accidentally infected? Can you guarantee that your cure will work for all, given our diverse makeup? Surely you yourself understand the compound well enough to make whatever minute adjustments might be needed on the spot, but if you are not available?"

"Do you understand my concerns, Oil Slick?"

[Oil Slick]

Hmmn.

Oil Slick's posture relaxes a bit, one hand moving to tap a clawtip against his head-bowl, a ponderous look on his face. "Mm...yes, that would be a bugger of a situation, wouldn't it?"

His gaze turns back to Shockwave, and he proceeds to attempt a bargain: "How about if I get with you, or another chemist, and work out how to show them how to forumlate the antidote, and work with them to make variants that work for the others that come from the stranger realities, or even vaccinate the whole lot of us? I would rather be on-hand to assist them in learning how to deal with a possible outbreak, after all. Guide them along rather than let them stumble about in the dark."

...but not just give his prize creation away to be tainted by the touch of some other chemist, who might find some way to use it against him.

[Victoria Raines]

"Hrm. That may be acceptable. Mixmaster would be the one to whom you would speak as far as such things go."

Please note that Shockwave said "may." The matter is not closed.


"Now, was there anything else?"

[Oil Slick]

"I believe so, sir. Shall I report to Mixmaster soon, and begin working on mass-producing innoculations?" May as well take the 'may' and see if he can turn it into a 'yes'.

Oil Slick has no clue what awaits him with the cracked-out mobile chemlab, however.

[Victoria Raines]

"Please do."

Shockwave turns back to the plans he had been studying before.

Mad Scientist is hereby dismissed.

OOC: Thread End