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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 13:25:47 GMT -5
The problem about sleeping in the workshop is that when you're in the workshop, your optics are going to wander around and it'll get you thinking again and so instead of getting a proper defrag, you're going over stuff in you mind. Worse than you would otherwise.
At least, that's what Long Haul reasons, and based on his own experiences, he has reason to suspect it's true. It certainly did explain the behavior of some of the other Crystal City caretakers!
"No buts!" Long Haul replies cheerfully as he tosses Perceptor over his shoulder, setting him besides the exhaust pipes on his right side. "You got them brains workin' on everything 'cept how to take care of yourself. Well, that's fine. That's something I can handle." He heads out of the workshop, striding purposefully towards Autobase.
"Y'gonna owe me for making me carry you about, though!"
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 13:50:11 GMT -5
"But I- Ack!" Perceptor squawks as he's tossed over Long Haul's shoulder. Bit of a broken record, isn't he?
"Long Haul," Perceptor exclaims, struggling half-heartedly from his position - he's none too keen on overbalancing the green mech and ending up dropped on his head, "there is no need to transport me about in such a manner! I am capable of my own ambulation!"
Of course, he could manage to walk on his own, however, he should then also be capable of taking care of himself - which as Long Haul astutely points out isn't happening either.
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 13:56:23 GMT -5
Long Haul is pretty hard to overbalance, or generally unbalance. He was built to carry stuff, after all, and that actually applies to his robot mode as well!
"Well, sure you are, but you weren't, so now I am!" the dump truck booms, assuming what he's saying is perfectly obvious.
It's not really too far to the Autobase, now a bit further along than last we saw it. There are still no doors, however.
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 15:56:47 GMT -5
It actually is perfectly obvious, or at least far less convoluted than Perceptor's normal logic pathways are used to, which might explain that fleeting look of guilt in his expression as he continues to flail from his position on Long Haul's shoulder. His indignant protests, however, have dissolved into non-specific inarticulate noises as he begins to resign himself to Long Haul's insistance in a break from his work. He can always return to his work-bay just as soon as Long Haul is satisfied that he's sufficiently capable of doing so - although Perceptor suddenly finds himself wondering just how Long Haul intends to enforce or ensure said rest. He catches himself before he asks that aloud; he isn't sure he really wants to know, and as he's summarily carried into the base, he's certain he's going to find out all too soon.
Long Haul wouldn't do anything... truly outlandish... Would he? Or has Kup completed construction of the brig yet after all?
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 16:54:29 GMT -5
Long Haul carries Perceptor up to the level that's serving as barracks. The divisions that are supposed to turn the space into actual rooms aren't complete, so there's still a large area with multiple cots and cot-like-structures laid out.
Long Haul puts Perceptor down on one of the cots, face down and a bit roughly, but not so bad as to cause actual damage, and then immediately sits on his back, taking care to avoid Perceptor's scope. He crosses his arms and proclaims, "There! And now, you ain't gettin' up until you've had a proper defrag, so you might as well get started!"
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 17:05:14 GMT -5
Perceptor had been both right and wrong. No, he really hadn't wanted to know, and yes, Long Haul really would do something truly outlandish.
"Long Haul! Cease this foolishness at once!" he flails both physically - with limited success given the rather solid mech seated upon him - and verbally - considerably more successful. So much so, in fact, that anyone who happens to be in the base either up in Repair or down on the ground floor can probably hear his caterwauling quite clearly.
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 17:17:00 GMT -5
"Foolish is as foolish does," Long Haul answers stubbornly, "and you're the one who ain't been defragging." He stays firmly in his spot, arms still crossed, and does not budge.
He does add, "This was one of the three options I gave you, as you'd've been able to process, I'm sure, if you weren't sufferin' from sleep depravation. You didn't listen to the first option. Remember what the third one was?"
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 19:17:02 GMT -5
"I rest when I require it!" Perceptor retorts defensively as he makes one last attempt to shift Long Haul off. He isn't lying, really. He just has a somewhat poor concept of his own limitations when his processor is thoroughly engaged by some project or another.
"Third option? It was- ...oh." Perceptor sighs explosively and gives up, relaxing weakly into the cot. Given the situation he finds himself in now? He really wouldn't put it past Long Haul to edit in some of that aforementioned "third option" to drill his point home.
"I am not 'suffering from sleep deprivation'," he grouses, propping his chin in one hand as he drums the fingers of his other hand against the cot. "Do you truly intend to maintain your position until I achieve defragmentation?"
Well, the flailing's ceased, but the whining...
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 19:21:05 GMT -5
Long Haul nods his head once, firmly. "Ayup. And let me tell you... I put up with multi-day-long supply runs where I got to listen to my own complaining the whole time. Now, if you think you can out-stubborn me, you're welcome to try, but..."
"...Well, I got my doubts, just saying."
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 20:20:28 GMT -5
"I have, as you say, 'out-stubborned' Brawn," Perceptor counters, although it's half-hearted, at best.
There's a vague shift and a soft thunk as Perceptor adjusts his position and lets his head drop dully down onto his crossed arms. Another shift as he heaves another long, put-upon sigh; he should be working! There is still so much to be done and so few of them to accomplish it all--
And yet... If they were so pressed as all that, Long Haul certainly wouldn't have taken the precious time beard him in his lair and drag him here for mandated rest, would he?
"Are you so... thorough in monitoring the others?" he queries wryly.
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 20:54:54 GMT -5
As Perceptor stops his flailing and starts trying to shift his position, Long Haul falls silent. He doesn't even seem to be listening to the last few things Perceptor has said. His head lowers, his optics dim, his arms remain crossed, and there's an appearance as though he were listening to some internal dialogue.Finally, he stands up, arms hanging limply at his sides, head drooping slightly. "Y'know what, Perceptor?" his voice comes out in a broken croak. "Do whatever the blazes you like. Work yourself off-line, if you feel you gotta. I can normally out-stubborn 'bout anything, but right now... right now I got other things to deal with." He trudges as far as the ramp, barely watching where he's going, and when he gets there, he transforms, and his engine rumbles into life.
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 21:25:52 GMT -5
Perceptor is flailing again, but for a wholly different reason now. He'd capitulated, had been about to surrender to sleep just as Long Haul had asked, had required, and then... the green mech had given up? Perceptor isn't arrogant enough to think that he'd had anything at all to do with Long Haul's sudden fugue and surrender, but he cannot let the obviously aching mech rumble away to lick his unseen wounds like this. Not alone.
"Long Haul, wait!" he calls urgently as he struggles upright once more.
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 21:44:07 GMT -5
Long Haul hesitates just before driving off. He's got no face in this form, but he has no face in any form. He doesn't shut down his engine, but he does shout at Perceptor, "What?!" he snaps, a touch of annoyance in his voice before he recovers and asks, more calmly, "Whaddaya want, Perceptor?"
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Post by Perceptor on Oct 23, 2007 22:04:43 GMT -5
Perceptor staggers to his feet and stumbles over to the idling dump truck - he's not generally known for his grace anyway, and he's just been bounced around on someone's shoulder and then sat upon. He's rather surprised that he managed to not faceplant right off the get go, actually.
"Wait," he asks again as he makes it to Long Haul's side, curbing his reflex to flinch from that shout. "I- You are correct, and I am sorry. Thank you for... for your concern. Please allow me to return the favor?" he asks softly, just carrying over the deep rumble of the truck's engine.
"What has happened, Long Haul? Please allow me to assist you?"
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Post by Long Haul on Oct 23, 2007 22:11:55 GMT -5
"I'm going to see Omega," Long Haul replies. There is no question about this. "Y'wanna help me, don't delay me. Y'wanna come along, I won't stop you, but... I'm going." And he begins rolling down the ramp, although slowly. Percepter will have enough time to clamber in, if he so desires.
"Hook called me."
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