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Post by Perceptor on Aug 1, 2009 23:39:13 GMT -5
The Event Horizon is not even fully off the ground, yet, and already, certain facilities are being put to intensive use. Namely, one of the quarantine repair bays in Medical where he is leading Magnus and the rest of their party to secure their newest arrival for repairs. And for a full and complete examination. Perceptor does not trust Shockwave to not have sabotaged the badly abused Ultra Magnus. Not one bit. "This way, please. Only those who have already been in contact with Ultra Magnus are allowed within the bay. Everyone else must remain outside until the work is complete," Perceptor declares as he strides into the securable space - which the others have already been kind enough to prepare before vacating to reduce the number of "contaminated" personnel - and begins keying commands into the controls. // Kup, if you have a moment? For added security, I would prefer if you secured the quarantine bay from the outside, rather than anyone of us from the inside? // he radios, echoing the transmission to Rodimus Prime and Xaaron as well.Meanwhile, he waits for Ultra Magnus to shuffle his way inside, and, hopefully, for Rodimus to join them. Not that Perceptor is hoping for trouble which would require the welcome assistance of Rodimus Prime, however, Perceptor is not willing to take any chances. Besides, having a competent repair technician concentrate on the actual repairs while Perceptor concentrates upon checking, rechecking, and clearing every. Single. Circuit... Well, it would be an incredible help. And Perceptor isn't considering the job done until he has checked every single circuit for presents from Shockwave. Look, Xaaron! Perceptor is learning caution! Or paranoia. Either works, right?
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Ultra Magnus
Major
Disappointing Fellow Autobots Since the Age of Internment
Posts: 565
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Post by Ultra Magnus on Aug 2, 2009 21:42:36 GMT -5
Ultra Magnus isn't proud of how slowly he's moving, but he suspects if he tries to carry on normally, he'll be on the deck in no time. It's a sorry little scrap of pride to maintain, and a stupid one; he wavers only halfway through the door, the room tilting in front of him and his head pounding as warnings he'd shut off hours ago pop up again with a vengeance, left and right.
"Nnh!" He grabs for Rodimus instead with one trembling hand, if the other Autobot is still near enough, to avoid falling over entirely.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 2, 2009 21:57:45 GMT -5
Kup hesitates, then replies over the radio, nods, and waits outside as the rest proceed on in. Then he turns to watch outward, making sure no well meaning individual approaches from out there, though he does keep watch on the door itself.
Rodimus joins them; he enters directly after Ultra Magnus himself. This puts him near enough that his shoulder is readily available when Magnus starts to waver, and he immediately closes in, reaching one arm around to hold Magnus up, the other on Ultra Magnus's chest. "C'mon, I got you," he murmurs softly, then helps the large, white robot over to the table.
As he does, he looks up at Perceptor. "So, you need me to play nurse on this one, Perceptor?" he asks. He doesn't know yet that the plan is for him to play doctor. Mostly, he just wants an excuse to get a good look at what was done.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Aug 3, 2009 14:56:14 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron does look genuinely concerned as Ultra Magnus wavers and grabs for Rodimus Prime. Ultra Magnus is a potential ally, after all. He is also perhaps a bit concerned for Rodimus Prime, if Ultra Magnus has something in him that is transmissible by contact.
Perhaps having both Rodimus Prime and himself here is a bit dumb, but Kup's outside, and if both Emirate Xaaron and Rodimus Prime bite it, Kup should be able to manage.
Unless Kup also dies.
Then the Autobots will probably have to put up with King Grimlock until a Blaster shows up.
Emirate Xaaron glances around the quarantine bay and to the table straps, flattening himself against a wall to take up less space, and he asks of Ultra Magnus, "Will this suffice?"
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 3, 2009 19:51:08 GMT -5
Only because Rodimus has the situation well in hand does Perceptor manage to curb his reflext to rush to Ultra Magnus's side when he begins to collapse. Fortunately, Rodimus is there, and catches the damaged mech before Perceptor manages more than half a gasp.
"Ah... oh. Yes, Rodimus, I would very much appreciate that," he replies, moving to the repair berth to assist in moving Magnus onti it as they approach.
"I do apologize, Ultra Magnus, however, given the nature of your recent captivity, I am afraid that I will not be able to verify your structures until I have examined every circuit and system," he explains. And he is not exaggerating, either. Shockwave is tricky.
"Therefor, Rodimus, I will most assuredly require and appreciate any assistance you are willing to provide. Thank you."
Perceptor pauses, however, when it appears that Xaaron will be joining them within the containment. Both of the highest ranking Autobots within quarrantine? What happens if Ultra Magnus has been trapped? What will the Autobots do?
It probably won't allay Xaaron's suspicions when Perceptor radios him again.
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Post by Mirage on Aug 3, 2009 21:50:57 GMT -5
Mirage slips into the quarantine room after Xaaron, also finding an out of the way bit of wall to lean upon. That his bit of wall is closer to Xaaron than not is done quite deliberately.
Whatever problems may be between the spy and the Emirate, they have no bearing on the fact that Xaaron is still leader. If he insists on being this close to a possible threat, well, then someone needs to be close enough to him to at least provide a buffer.
Though being close to Mirage may not be a comfort for Xaaron. After all, Mirage is to be quarantined and examined too. He's been in Magnus's close company for days now.
The spy is frowning. He does not like Rodimus and Xaaron putting themselves both at risk. At all.
OOC: And the sullen spy is skippable unless addressed, or he feels the need to snark.
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Ultra Magnus
Major
Disappointing Fellow Autobots Since the Age of Internment
Posts: 565
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Post by Ultra Magnus on Aug 4, 2009 15:40:41 GMT -5
Magnus clutches tightly to Rodimus's shoulder without thinking about it; if anything, he's still surprised there's any support at all. Maybe the Autobots think he isn't beyond redemption or maybe they just want him alive long enough to deliver intel before they execute him as a traitor. He won't argue with either outcome. He's too worn down in every way to argue the point any more.
"There's nothing you need to apologise for," he tells Perceptor as he braces himself with his free arm, easing down to sit on the table's edge. He doesn't dare nod at Xaaron, not with his stiff neck. It might ruin what's left of the patch job – apparently, Shockwave didn't set it to withstand the abuse Magnus has put it through – and it's hard enough just to turn his head so he can see the Autobot leader in his periphery. He can hear and feel himself creak and groan as he turns just enough to lie down, letting his weight settle. He aches, even his spark, and he can't quite keep that out of his voice. "Emirate Xaaron," he murmurs, "I know any information I can offer will be… suspect." Unless he's cleared, and perhaps not even then. "I understand why," he adds with a thin sigh. "Nonetheless… I'll do my best to answer what questions I can… when you ask."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 4, 2009 21:07:35 GMT -5
So in other words, Perceptor is busy with making sure the whole lot of them won't die horribly from some Magnus-borne disease, so Rodimus is here to focus on the fixings? The Prime can handle that.
Once Ultra Magnus is on the table, he circles around to the large, gaping wound in the side, the one leaking vital fluids of several types.
"If it's all right, then, I'll start here, if it won't be in your way," Rodimus tells Perceptor, as he begins to tie off small tubes in order to allow for clean-up. He'll leave Xaaron to the questioning for now, but he's listening... quite close.
"These injuries are pretty different from the rest," he notes casually, tone low, as he glances towards the other parts of the robot's white body.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Aug 4, 2009 22:26:37 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron hisses out an irritated sigh. Perceptor has a point, one Emirate Xaaron himself has considered. He does have to paranoidly consider why it is that Perceptor wants him out of the room. Is it really for the Emirate's health, or is it so that Perceptor and Ultra Magnus can work together to murder Rodimus Prime and steal the Matrix for Shockwave?
He pushes away from the wall and steps closer to Ultra Magnus's table, up on tip-toes. He looks over at Rodimus Prime and asks, "Will you need to focus on repairs, or can you handle questions? Mirage and Ultra Magnus both need debriefs, the sooner the better."
Before they can get false stories in order.
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 4, 2009 22:42:17 GMT -5
"Thank you for your understanding, Ultra Magnus," Perceptor replies as he begins setting out all the tools which he and Rodimus should need for their work. What may be odd for Magnus is that even though this looks and sounds just like the Perceptor from his reality, this Perceptor really means that apology. It's not just lip service.
"You will not, Rodimus. There is so very much ground to be covered here, so to speak," Perceptor observes, "that it should be quite easy to remain out of each others' ways while we work. But I thank you for your concern."
And no, Perceptor is not fretting about Xaaron sidling closer to Magnus. Honest. "Is there any reason why you cannot assist in the questioning, Emirate?" he asks, adding via private transmission to Xaaron - and Kup and Rodimus - // From outside this bay, please? I would be remiss in my duties if I allowed you to risk yourself by remaining here, Xaaron. The Autobots require your leadership. //
Even though Perceptor doesn't always agree with it.
// If you are concerned about your previous proximity to Ultra Magnus, there is another quarantine bay across the corridor, and Mirage should be sequestered as well. Perhaps you could both move to that one where you can remain near enough to, observe, assist, and be party to Magnus's debrief, while not being quite so at risk? Wedge should be able to quickly create a closed circuit system for you to directly observe the proceedings here, as well, as these rooms are already monitored externally. //
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Ultra Magnus
Major
Disappointing Fellow Autobots Since the Age of Internment
Posts: 565
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Post by Ultra Magnus on Aug 5, 2009 20:54:12 GMT -5
"That's…." Magnus glances briefly at Rodimus, uneasy at and a little proud of that wound at the same time, before turning his gaze back to the ceiling, optics flickering. "…Yes, that's different." Feels like he tore some of Perceptor's patches to the lines in his side on the way here. Quite the track record Ultra Magnus is making for himself.
Of Perceptor's apology, he says nothing, assuming it's simply medical courtesy. He just watches the ceiling, vision swimming with static periodically, glimpses of gold – Emirate Xaaron hovering nearby? – dancing along one side of the field. Will they interrogate him now? Now seems as good a time as any, from a certain perspective; fatigue may make his answers more unreliable, but he's too exhausted to think of any convincing lies, either. Nothing that would convince him even if he had a reason to lie. But they can't be sure he doesn't have reasons to give them false information.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Aug 5, 2009 22:02:28 GMT -5
"Well, I can question him, if you'd prefer," Rodimus answers Emirate Xaaron as he continues to work. He is not so skilled as Perceptor, of course, and is actually most used to doing his repairs in unusual environments, but he still manages to be gentle as he cleans the wound carefully with a swift-evaporating cleanser, wanting, first, to avoid future shorts.
Part of Rodimus can't help but wonder why Emirate Xaaron can't question him over speakers. Is this to be some sort of good cop/bad cop routine?
The young Prime hesitates. Where to start? After a moment, however, he makes a choice. "I heard a summary of the radio conversation. As I understand it, Shockwave suggested that he owned you, or that you at least worked for him." Rodimus is looking for excuses, but he already knows Ultra Magnus worked for Shockwave. He saw the video. "Why the change of heart, Magnus?" The last words are almost callous in turn, casual and a bit too light for the subject at hand.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Aug 6, 2009 8:49:13 GMT -5
Doing a bad cop/good cop routine with Rodimus Prime would be awesome. Emirate Xaaron totally needs to do that someday.
He explains quietly but calmly, "Perceptor is so very concerned about my health here, so Mirage and I are going to retire to other quarantine bay across the corridor. He thinks that Wedge will be able to rig up a closed circuit system, but if not-" He shrugs and looks over at Rodimus Prime, who should be able to do questioning.
Emirate Xaaron explains verbally because, yes, then Ultra Magnus can hear, but so can everyone. Best to have Perceptor's desire to shoo Emirate Xaaron away out in the open.
He moves to go leave to said other quarantine bay.
OOC: Possibly out of thread. Possibly not. Might make more sense to split threads?
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Post by Mirage on Aug 7, 2009 10:13:48 GMT -5
If Rodimus and Xaaron are going to play good cop/bad cop, Mirage wants to sell tickets. That would be one entertaining show!
When Xaaron says that they will be moving Mirage pushes off the wall,ready to follow Xaaron when he leaves. The spy isn't too keen on the idea, really, and even Mirage himself will admit that is due to no small amount of curiosity about Ultra Magnus's situation. Plus, well, staying gives Mirage an excuse to study Rodimus a bit more closely. The Boy Prime has been garnering more and more attention from the spy lately. Rodimus is a puzzle, and Mirage can't resist puzzles.
Hopefully, Wedge will manage that closed circuit feed after all.
Moving "out" with Xaaron. Either way- splitting off or just splitting within the thread- is fine by me, though splitting to a new thread running simultaneously would likely be less confusing.
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Post by Perceptor on Aug 9, 2009 16:05:15 GMT -5
apologies for the delay. also, if Xaaron and Mirage would like it, given the nature of the closed circuit Wedge should be able to set up, althought they're technically "out of the thread", Xaaron and Mirage could go skippable/have interjection rights instead? Perceptor wants to keep them safe(r), but the player wants them still involved in the thread for amusement and plot sake, if possible?
Perceptor is very relieved that Xaaron is conceeding and removing himself from the immediate line of fire. Perhaps it is a dubious illusion of safety, but Perceptor thinks not. After all, anything large enough to take out both quaratine bays would have shown up in his initial examinationn outside the ship.
Now he just has to hope that he hasn't missed something just as lethal that is too small for such a swift examination. Perhaps the very first task that he should accomplish is to take fluid and plating samples and examine them.
"At your convenience, Kup," he observes absently as soon as Xaaron and Mirage clear the room. Meanwhile, he is drawing fluids and taking scrapings from various parts of Ultra Magnus's structures, and preparing slide after slide after slide to examine in his alternate mode.
He does manage to curb his response to Rodimus's question. Because he has awoken to Shockwave's treachery, most likely.
But just barely.
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