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Post by Spinister on Oct 19, 2007 18:19:47 GMT -5
Spinister takes Skyfire and whoever cares to follow through the town. He chooses the most direct route with the least amount of turns, so the trip is brief and boring. He pauses at a bunker. To those who care about styles, the bunker is clearly alien and the keypad lock on it is clearly not. Placing himself in such a way that his blades will get in the way of anyone looking over his shoulders, Spinister quickly enters the code and lets the door swing open. They haven't gotten around to installing a cooler door yet.
He notices that his improvised explosives are still where he carefully put them away. The energon is still piled where it should be. Spinister snatches up a cube and brings it back out for Skyfire. He holds it up above his head for the much taller Transformer.
Drawing his datapad and stylus, Spinister suggests, "Why don't you start with your function and background?"
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Oct 19, 2007 18:59:48 GMT -5
Skyfire accepts the cube with a polite nod. "Thank you. I am a long-range space explorer and scientist, primarily in the geological and geographic sciences, navigation and astrogation, but I have good coverage in all the traditional fields. My alternate mode is a starship. I was attached to the Academy of Science, in the Exploration Program, of course. My Scout/Engineer partner was Starscream."
He drinks slowly from the cube, and continues speaking, "I assume you are not familiar with the Exploration Program? Our mission was to find new worlds with useful resources or civilizations of interest; the Academy sent out long-range explorers like myself carrying a partner or two. They learned that we were more likely to make it back if we had someone to watch our six and help with repairs. 'Scouts' were the agile, combat-competent partners; you could also draw other types of specialists, depending on the mission."
"You'll have to more specific about what you'd like me to go into in depth," he says.
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Post by Spinister on Oct 19, 2007 19:39:07 GMT -5
"You assume correctly," Spinister replies. "My universe did not have such a program or Academy. My Starscream was not a scientist at all. He led the city-state of Vos before the war. My universe did not have a you at all, but it did have a similar-looking fellow called Jetfire. We built him to be a Decepticon, but the Autobots stole him from us and reprogrammed him." Spinister scowls rather darkly.
"I'd like to know about the history and major technological achievements of your people as you know them. We walk into a lot of problems here due to similar people with wildly different histories – like Starscream, for example – across the universes. We also run into terminology issues and technology gaps. Knowing what someone from your era of your universe will expect is useful."
Spinister actually explains the rationale here. Soldiers are used to people asking them strange questions that don't make a lot of sense at awkward times. Spinister does not have the luxury of that margin with Skyfire.
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Oct 19, 2007 20:39:43 GMT -5
Skyfire frowns slightly; Spinister has just touched on a sore point. "I'm not sure how helpful I can be as far as history goes. I learned since I came here from two very different sources that much of what I thought I knew about history was wrong, that our actual history had been systematically suppressed. Apparently those in power at one time believed that those who knew history might try to repeat it..."
Yes, that's bitterness in Skyfire's voice. "As far as I knew, we had always been as we were when I was last on Cyberton--which Starscream tells me is approximately nine million years before his 'present'--a peaceful, mostly stable society from mythological times. There were problems, of course--greed and corruption, narrow-mindness, complacency, a lack of outlets for those who wanted a more adventurous life than Cybertron offered. Starscream was like that... I don't think he found even the hazards of space exploration challenging enough."
There's a thoughtful look on Skyfire's face; it passes as he resumes talking. "My warp technology is a very specialized system, of course. We did not have robot-mode flight back then like Starscream has now; if you didn't have a transform that could fly, you were out-of-luck. We did have excellent high-speed transit systems and maglev, so it wasn't much of an issue." He thinks a bit more.
"We had very sophisticated AI computers to manage cities and districts and large installations--more intelligent than most Transformers, but not alive like us." Yes, he's describing the likes of Teletraan-1 and Deceptitraan. "Crystal City was the most famous and most beautiful city on Cybertron; it was the crowning achievement of Hook's team, the Constructicons. They were quite famous for their work; Scrapper was the remarkably talented architect who designed it."
"I must say that a core transplant like Hook just did was probably beyond the talents of repair technicians of my time, especially under such difficult conditions."
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Post by Spinister on Oct 19, 2007 20:59:41 GMT -5
Spinister can see that history is a sore sport with Skyfire. He listens along quite intently, clearly paying good attention as he takes notes. Spinister nods at various points, and he seems to loosen up slightly, like a tightly wound spring relaxing. Skyfire's good about giving details, and he doesn't seem to out-and-out resent the interview.
Spinister rubs his chin, considering his next questions. "Could you go more into the specifics of your abilities? Do you have any skills outside of science and exploration?" He doesn't sound like he minds at all if Skyfire doesn’t. He adds, "Any hobbies?"
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Oct 20, 2007 3:27:55 GMT -5
Cannonball makes his way in, a bit slower than the others. Probably due to meandering and peeking in buildings for valueables. Pirates will be pirates.
Oblvious to the questioning going on, Cannonball lets himself be known. "Oi, 'ere ah am. Got a wee bit distracted be all."
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Oct 20, 2007 10:14:37 GMT -5
Skyfire looks slightly surprised. "'Science and exploration' cover a very large territory, friend. I have considerable reconnaissance capabilities for planetary surveys, and I am experienced in dealing with many of the hazards of space. Planet-side, not much," he says ruefully. "Weather analysis is not one of my stronger fields."
"I can defend myself, of course. They armed us after the first expedition to actually return reported how hostile some aliens could be," Skyfire says unassumingly. He isn't used to thinking of shooting people as one of his major skills.
"Hobbies... though my major field is not xenoanthropology, political and cultural geography overlaps that, and I find alien intelligences and alien technology fascinating, though Starscream was better at xeno-engineering than I am. I hope I have a chance to investigate what's been found around here. By the way, in my spare time I've been doing an infrastructure analysis of this planet's civilization, based on my preliminary orbital survey. I'll need to make a return trip to orbit to complete that, and possibly further, as they did have orbital and probably lunar infrastructure. Has anyone determined what type of land transport the black roads are intended for?"
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Post by Spinister on Oct 20, 2007 16:34:06 GMT -5
Spinister is standing just outside the bunker where they keep the energon and the explosives because the ceiling is a bit low to be comfortable for poor Skyfire, and the weather is nice, crisp and clear. The air feels a bit thin to Spinister, but he won't be flying until he gets his blades fixed, anyway. At Cannonball's arrival, Spinister fetches him a cubes and holds it out for the pirate. He explains, "Skyfire was just telling me about the history and technology of his world for a report I'm compiling for Lord Starscream, if you'd be so kind to do the same."
Spinister does know that science encompasses a lot, but sometimes, people have weird random talents that have nothing to do with their major skill areas. It's worthwhile to ask. For all he knew, Skyfire was a champion hula dancer in his spare time.
He nods quite appreciatively at both Skyfire's mention of reconnaissance capacity and of being able to defend himself.
Spinister answers absently, "Maglev. Hence the metal roads. I'll be running a team combat exercise later, once I get through all these interviews. It'll be between you and Starscream if you want to attend." He's been calling it mandatory, usually, but Spinister doesn't want to overstep his bounds with Skyfire.
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Oct 20, 2007 17:53:43 GMT -5
Cannonball gives the energon an odd look. "Liquid energon? Ain't seen any o' this in ages..." The pirate shrugs, then takes a long dreg of it, shuddering a bit when done. "Ach, tha's good stuff..."
"Technology an' 'istory, eh? Well...m'not good wit' technology tae be totally honest. I know we got space bridges and stah-ships. And Cyber-Keys. Use 'em tae unlock stronger weapons systems, w'ich kinna goes in 'istory some..." Cannonball takes a thoughtful look, making movements with his hands like storytellers do. "Th' legends say that th' Cyber Keys be power granted from Primus 'imself, a fraction of 'is own spark that his creations might call upon in times of dire need."
Cannonball drinks again. "Then again, s'only a legend. I've not met anyone wit' concrete evidence o' whar they come from. " Another drink. "As fer th' rest o' 'istory, wot do ye be wantin' to know, lad?" he asks, finishing off his cube. "Roit strange glasses , though..." he mumbles, examning the empty cube.
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Oct 20, 2007 19:15:06 GMT -5
"Maglev? That fits..." Skyfire muses. "There is a power grid in those roads, then, and there should be power distribution stations feeding the roads. The distributions stations--sub-stations, if you will--must be tied into receiving stations for the orbital power beam, or some independent power generator. Follow the roads, you will find power. If the roads are intact, you might even be able to tap some power from the roads themselves."
Yes, Skyfire thinks aloud on some subjects. Not on others.
Combat exercises? Might be a good opportunity to get to know Starscream's unit better, perhaps get some more clues as to what he's hiding from me and why. But in turn, they don't need to know everything I'm capable of. I'll let Spinister know about the proton cannon; it's pretty obvious when I haul it out, and I did tell him I could defend myself.
He drains the rest of his cube. "Combat exercises? Not something I've much experience with, but I suppose that's what training is for." It's only a slight shading of the truth; he and Starscream have had to fight space pirates more than once.1 "Unless Starscream has some objection, I don't see why not."
--- 1 Skyfire is too competent too easily at combat in "Fire in the Sky" to be a complete novice. And S3 showed us that space piracy is a way of life for some folks.
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Post by Spinister on Oct 20, 2007 19:43:37 GMT -5
Spinister gives Cannonball an odd look and asks, "How do you usually get your energon?"
It feels kind of odd to be called 'lad', but Cannonball might well be older than Spinister. Heck, Needlenose is older than Spinister! Age and maturity have never been synonyms.
Spinister adds, "These aren't glasses. They're just energon cubes. Disposable. We save glasses for fancy stuff like The Enclave. That's fine on history for now." He isn't going to ask Cannonball how his war started, not with Skyfire around, because it might well be, 'We killed the rightful Overlord by letting him starve to death,' or something equally unsuitable for the current company. "Why don't you tell me a little about your abilities, powers, and skills? I know Lord Starscream had you out doing undercover work."
Spinister shall be very interested indeed to hear how that particular assignment went.
He nods along as Skyfire's analysis. Makes sense. Spinister shrugs. If Skyfire really wants in on the combat, he can go bug Starscream on his own. "Thank you, Skyfire."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Oct 20, 2007 23:17:34 GMT -5
Well, THIS Cannonball may or may not be older than Spinister, but as far as anyone knows, he's been around for going on ten lifetimes.
"Normally in processed, concentrated crystalline form, call 'em energon stars" Cannonball answers, shrugging at the comment about glasses, and prodding the thing with his blaster-hand...and it vanishes. "...well, that's 'andy..."
"As fer abilities an' such? I kin fly, I kin command a ship with great efficiency and lead attacks on other vessels with terrifying speed." The pirate grins a bit in preparation for the next bit. "An' I be undyin'. Ye'd be 'ard-pressed tae find someone from my universe that's ne'er 'eard the name 'Cannonball', be they young, old, or already passed."
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Oct 20, 2007 23:40:37 GMT -5
"Now that's an interesting tale..." Skyfire says.
Speaking of tales, he has a video to watch now that he's not in mid-air carrying people. "Spinister, was there anything else you wanted to know?"
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Post by Spinister on Oct 21, 2007 0:21:06 GMT -5
Spinister files away the bit about energon stars. They sound handy. Maybe Hook can figure out how to make them.
He pauses and stares at Cannonball. He finally says, "Handy. Got something in common with Lord Starscream, then."
Spinister nods to Skyfire and answers, "Not for now. I'll find you if I have any more. Good cycle."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Oct 21, 2007 7:15:07 GMT -5
The pirate snickers a bit. "Ye be darned roit it's 'andy. 'Avin' a good bit o' luck 'elps, too."
A moment passes while Spinister regards Skyfire before Cannonball speaks up again. "So will I be talkin' t' ye, or Starscream 'imself?"
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