|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 11, 2007 22:08:39 GMT -5
Shockwave considers the Seeker as they walk. Fearful Fleetwind may be, but he is intelligent, confident. This one is worth watching. Especially so, if he has come to such conclusions on his own; most have become too entrenched in the idea that one or the other side must lead.
At least they had, prior to Shockwave’s reign.
“Your suppositions are not far from the mark. We are meant to be one race, working toward a common goal, not divided by morality and emotion. Neither side can hope to fulfill their primary function without the other.”
“We are all warriors at our core. It is the motivations that differ.”
Growing silent, Shockwave barely notices that Jetstorm has departed. They are nearing the airfield. Judging from the size, it was likely a fairly important spaceport. While the majority of the crafts themselves may be gone; there are certain to be repair facilities. Hook will likely want to investigate the place. Which begs the question…
“Long Haul aligned with the Autobots? Hook did not take that well.” It’s a statement, not a question, based on what he knows of the Constructicon. “He’d prefer hearing of Long Haul’s deactivation. Kup I am sure is formidable, regardless of his orgination point, and the Autobots also have a Grimlock, who I am certain is not from my reality, but likely should not be underestimated. What was your own last timestamp? I do not believe you mentioned it before.”
Skitter, skitter….click, skitter, click…
The sound is likely no more than one of the planets’ many organic species fleeing from the oncoming mechs. Or maybe not.
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 11, 2007 22:49:52 GMT -5
Boy, won't Shockwave be surprised to learn that Fleetwind's Cybertronians are from two different lines of robots, that one of the two was not initially designed for war-making, and that the 'common goal' that Fleetwind's Cybertronians were meant for was 'making some monies for some squid-people'! However, Fleetwind, pulled from the point where he was, is unaware of all of this, so he can't mention it. And he might not have, anyway, because it would mean disagreeing with Shockwave.
As it is, he has no particular reason to think Shockwave is incorrect, no evidence to confirm that he is correct, and no reason to believe that changes his current situation one way or another, so he simply tucks the theory away for later examination, when and if he ever learns more pieces of the puzzle. Or for some night when he's just bored and looking at the stars and wants something tricky to ponder over. He nods and says simply, "I'll consider that, sir."
"I've never had to battle any of the more well known Autobots before coming here, but I keep up with what's available about them. Kup and Grimlock are both known to be very dangerous." Under normal circumstances, Fleetwind would rather fight Omega Supreme, but that's because if you're fighting Omega Supreme under normal circumstances, there are always several other attackers on your side, and given how unimportant Fleetwind is, that means there is always someone else Omega Supreme would rather concentrate on attacking.
Fleetwind provides his timestamp. It's in 2005 and is, in fact, not far prior to Shockwave's, though the events that Fleetwind was pulled from were vastly different. The Seeker smiles a bit wryly, and adds, "Although I have reason to suspect my chronometer would not have advanced much further, had I stayed."
The Seeker silences when he hears the skitter-skitter-clicks. He frowns and then, without receiving orders, activates his antigravs and glides quietly towards the nearest hanger at a swift crouch, every line tense, wings trembling just slightly. Before he gets to the hanger he leaps nimbly to the top. The pale yellow and cream Seeker would show up easily against the metal, a medium, faintly blue color, were it not for the reflection of the sun that reflects against Transformer and building, reducing the reliability of purely visual sensors. He crawl-flies towards the highest peak of the rounded building-top then pauses, listening a moment before looking over.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 12, 2007 13:10:14 GMT -5
He hears the noises at roughly the same time as the Seeker. Fleetwind’s reponse is quicker, however, and the space gun takes a moment to assess the other’s reactions. Smooth, silent, and with agility rare even among those lauded for their acrobatics. Shockwave would be very interested in studying this one in a combat situation. Of course, he would never deliberately place the Seeker in such a situation, just for the sake of gathering data, would he?
But then, depending on what Fleetwind has spied on the other side of the hanger, that question might be moot. There were a few troublesome tricks and traps in some of the settlements Shockwave had examined on his flight down the coast. It is only prudent to assume that something of the same stripe were present here. Without the other’s frequency he cannot ask what that may be, and even a short-ranged general transmission might draw unwanted attention; so he will wait and make no more noise to draw notice to their presence.
OOC: Up for whatever makes interesting rp.
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 12, 2007 18:24:43 GMT -5
Well, Spinister plans to run all the Decepticons through their combat paces. Shockwave could, you know, hang out and watch then rather than arranging combat situations for study. Which he totally wouldn't do, anyway. No way. The skitter-skitter-click continues, so Fleetwind quickly lifts his head over the hanger's curved top, then lowers it again in a single, swift motion. It's only after he's out of view that he processes the visual data. He does have Shockwave's frequency. //Many legs, many extensions, no obvious weapons, no apparent lifters. Maintenance drone, perhaps? A bit sluggish. Low on charge, maybe.// It would be a wonder that the charge has lasted this long, except that in the aftermath of the power-station battle, a lot of things seem to be receiving charge that weren't before. He considers his options. He can, of course, avoid the potential for conflict entirely by returning to base, but then he has to report that he declined to investigate an area of considerable potential resources and information over a single, possibly harmless maintenance drone. No thanks. //Return frequency is...// and Fleetwind provides his own to Shockwave. The Seeker considers. He has a grappling line. They're fairly standard issue for Seekers. He twists, then leaps off from the roof, flying horizontally to the ground and away from the hangar, then climbs upward a fair, working distance, spins in the air, bends forward at the waist and transforms. The tetrajet then swoops back towards the spaceport and landing strip, taking the angle of attack most free of obstructions, and swoops in, employing his grappling hook. At the nadir of his flight curve he catches the thing by one leg and, passing over it, flips it over before withdrawing his line. Can it right itself? OOC: Making things up as I go along, Shox. Feel free to add-to.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 12, 2007 22:57:38 GMT -5
As soon as Fleetwind radios his description, Shockwave starts back toward the hanger. Whatever the construct may be, it does not sound as if it will be particularly troublesome. He rounds the corner just in time to see Fleetwind deftly flip the drone. //Nicely done.// Taking care to stay out of reach of the drone’s many flailing appendages, he studies it. It seems a bit overlarge; perhaps it was strictly for the service of larger-scale passenger or military craft. The body is elliptical, made of some steel alloy. Six of its appendages appear to be structural; they are thicker, with a single “knee” joint, and jointed “feet” fitted with gripping treads. Those legs not only flail, they spin, as they were not attached at the drone’s base, but along its rotating midline. Various tools also extend from compartments in the upper and lower domes: a torch, rotary blade, scalpels of various sizes, a couple of LED lights…. All and all, it’s twitching and flailing is reminiscent of a roach in its death throes. But it’s not quite dead yet! Two, no three of the thinner appendages still and fixate on the purple mech. Optical sensors of some sort? The accessories retract, its leg joints bend backward until it’s feet are flat on the ground. Raising it’s body off the ground, the three sensors are joined by a fourth; two are focused on Shockwave, the others wave in Fleetwind’s direction. It isn’t acting aggressively. Yet Embellish at will!
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 13, 2007 12:21:39 GMT -5
Fleetwind mostly just didn't want it wandering up behind him while he was trying to investigate this place, but looks like disabling the thing will be more difficult than just flipping it over.
And then there's the question of whether it's even worth the energy to disable the device.
The tetrajet arcs back around almost lazily, swoops in once more, transforms, and touches down, right foot contacting the metal ground moments before the left one does. He frowns thoughtfully as the thing's sensors train themselves on him. Then he sighs softly. "This may be a waste of energon, but I'd rather not leave that thing to interferre with the investigation." The Seeker raises his right arm, aims, and fires, shooting off first one leg, then another.
The little mechanical device looks harmless, really. It probably is harmless. But Fleetwind never just dismisses something as not dangerous.
After the first two shots, the drone reaches out a claw and picks up its own leg. Then a welder comes out and... is it re-attaching the legs? Looks like! And yet it still makes no aggressive moves. Fleetwind pauses in his firing and tilts his head, considering.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 13, 2007 23:32:47 GMT -5
Disabling the drone might well be prudent. Shockwave does note, however, that Fleetwind has only moved to disable. While he appreciates the Seeker not destroying a potential asset out of hand, it is telling. Too many would have chosen the more violent option, for pleasure if nothing else.
While the drone busies itself with reattaching it’s lost limb, Shockwave takes a moment to study the immediate area. It is more well-kept than others he has examined, with minimal signs of disuse. One would expect to see some evidence of erosion; there is none. One of the open hangers nearby still contains a small craft.
The drone has finished its repairs, and two of its sensor’s follow the gun as he walks toward the hanger. The craft seems in excellent repair. Shockwave studies the drone a moment. Then, keeping his own optic trained on the drone, Shockwave reaches in and gently thumps it, putting a good size dent in the side.
The drone skitters quickly toward the hanger as Shockwave backs away. Leaping nimbly onto the ship, it sets to work repairing the damage.
“Repair and upkeep of its charges may well be its only function; if it were programmed to also protect it should have moved to do so. That it still functions is noteworthy, however.”
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 14, 2007 12:16:09 GMT -5
Fleetwind doesn't want to get in trouble for destroying a potential resource! That, and the legs looked like weaker targets for the Seeker's moderately powered blasters than the main body did.
The seeker dips his head. "We've found a few of this world's old machines still operational. The planet doesn't seem to have been abandoned very long, and with... whatever we triggered at that power planet, there seems to be some things that are coming back online."
Fleetwind looks around him. Jetstorm has taken off entirely, and they're no longer near the coast. No more distractions, and Shockwave's 'nicely done' from earlier was haunting him. He'll have to keep an optic out for an opportunity to make a relatively safe 'mistake,' something to re-enforce the image of 'just another factory Seeker.'
In the meantime, there is the rest of the message Starscream asked him to pass on. "Sir, in addition to making sure you were up to date on the Skyfire situation, Starscream asked me to inform you that he wished to meet with you when he is done with... whatever he's doing." The pastel Seeker shrugs faintly. He really has no idea what Starscream's in the middle of.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 14, 2007 21:09:21 GMT -5
“Power plant? An asset, if you managed to secure it.” Glancing back at the busy drone, Shockwave continues, “That station the Vehicon was inspecting appeared to be designed primarily to receive, not broadcast. Where is the power plant located?”
Busying himself with examining the contents of the open hangers, Shockwave’s attention is momentarily distracted from Fleetwind. Oh, he’s still aware of the other’s location, still watchful, but he’s no longer actively scrutinizing every move the pastel Seeker makes. There is much here in the way of raw materials, and while the tools themselves are woeful undersized, some of their components could be utilized.
When Fleetwind delivers the rest of Starscream’s message, Shockwave does not halt his inventory, but does comment, “Likely dealing with the mercenary; he did request an escort for just that reason.”
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 14, 2007 22:10:46 GMT -5
"Yes, sir," Fleetwind agrees with Shockwave's assessment of Starscream's where-abouts, voice still carefully neutral. "And, uhm, no, we couldn't secure the plant. Omega Supreme destroyed it. However, it seemed to set off some sort of chain reaction, activate something. Alternate stations, maybe? Anyway, when it was all over, a lot of the small power receiving stations we had encountered before were receiving power again. We still haven't determined where it's been coming from, but we've been busy trying to establish a base of operations. Only one Constructicon, you know? Presumably, the Autobots have found operational receiving plants. We'll probably find out if they've found any transmission locations when we retrieve Cannonball."
With that, the Seeker leaps into the air. He pirouettes once, but it is not a dance move, and he is not showing off... he takes this spin to survey the area before diving once more towards what looks to be a rather large tank. So far, this planet seems to have worked largely on electronic charge, but there have been some indications of liquid fuel supplements. The Seeker taps the side of the tank-like thing and listen to the loud, hollow echo.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 15, 2007 10:28:07 GMT -5
Shockwave’s only acknowledgement of Fleetwind’s explanations is a murmured, “Unfortunate.” He is too busy cataloging items- and sub-spacing a few components for himself, of course. Several sub-processes are also considering the problems of fuel sources. Cybertronians are not generally known for their fuel efficiency. And there are his own special needs to consider.
The reactivations mentioned are intriguing; they indicate a fairly sophisticated power network. He is more eager than ever to hear the results of Sky-Byte’s undersea explorations.
There is also the problem of Starscream. The idea of kowtowing to that arrogant, traitorous little flier makes his logic circuits twitch; however, challenging him for leadership would not be prudent. For one, a hierarchy of command has already been established. Upsetting that could severely lesson the Decepticons’ ability to function as a unit. For another, Starscream (at least Shockwave’s Starscream) has wanted command so badly, and for so long, that he would only give up said command over his dead body. And the usefulness of the dead is limited….
Shockwave is lost in thought, which means if a certain pastel Seeker wanted to slip away, he might be able to do just that.
|
|
Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
|
Post by Starscream on Oct 15, 2007 14:11:49 GMT -5
Well, that's Starscream's to-do list taken care of for the day, nothing else important to take care of. So he might as well go and see Shockwave.
Flying over to Shockwave in his F-15 form, Starscream transformed and landed.
"Hello, Shockwave," Starscream said, trying to fake enthusiasm.
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Oct 15, 2007 17:48:08 GMT -5
Attention is not being paid to Fleetwind! Excellent! The Seeker takes a leap, one that would lead to transformation, except that he then notes the arrival of Starscream.
The pastel wonder groans internally. Still, it doesn't look as if Starscream's even noticed him. Fleetwind observes for a moment or two longer, determined to flee if it looks safe to do so.
OOC: Basically, hanging out in this thread for one more round, unless anyone indicates paying attention to me before the next round.
|
|
|
Post by Spinister on Oct 15, 2007 18:08:32 GMT -5
From behind a nearby building, there is suddenly a pink, purple, and teal Apache helicopter stationing itself a short distance behind Fleetwind. He hovers there but long enough for the beat of his blades to be heard before transforming. His feet hit the ground before Fleetwind would have a chance to turn around to see who or what it might be.
See, Spinister likes startling people, but stalking Shockwave or Starscream is no-no. If Shockwave is sane, he won't see the logic of fear, and he won't react amusingly. If Shockwave is crazy right now, then he'll just vape Spinister for trying to scare him. Starscream is in charge, he's trying to look good in front of Shockwave, and being startled by Spinister would ruin his professionalism.
So Fleetwind is just the perfect choice. Spinister already knows that the Seeker has just the cutest little reaction to surprise.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Oct 15, 2007 19:32:48 GMT -5
Think of the devil and he shall appear.
Shockwave deliberately waits a bit longer than is polite before acknowledging Starscream, “I am certain you are as pleased to see me as I am to see you, Air Commander. Niceties are not required.” There is no challenge in Shockwave’s tone, just a flat statement of fact.
“Cooperation, however, is another matter.”
|
|