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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 19, 2008 12:46:18 GMT -5
He meets Perceptor's curious stare with his own flat one. Shockwave has already admitted his curiosity, and his cyclopean gaze would convey little of that at any event. He had watched Perceptor manipulate Synapse's sensory network with interest. Just what is the Autobot scientist about?
Shockwave relaxes his posture a bit as he watches the mini-bot fight his reactions. Obviously, such manipulations were not what Synapse was expecting of this time with Perceptor. Shockwave reaches over to try and tilt Synapse's head back toward him. "What happens once can happen again. Never say never, Synapse."
Shockwave withdraws his hand, then looks back at Perceptor, "You are cheating, I'd say, using such methods. And any binding accomplished would be weaker for the shortcut. I would have expected better of you."
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on Apr 20, 2008 12:28:29 GMT -5
Returning his gaze back to his subject, Perceptor's faint smirk widens a fraction as he watches Synapse first instinctively tense, and then twitch with surprise. Not what you had been expecting, is it, little minibot? He ignores the brief vocalization, concentrating instead on slivering off one last, tiny little fraction of that damaged shoulder strut with such slow, careful, delicate precision.
"You underestimate Synapse, Decepticon," Perceptor murmurs. It isn't quite a purr in his voice - yet - as he watches the minibot try and fight his body's responses, but it isn't far off. He turns his sharp gaze back up to meet that single yellow optic squarely, ice winking in his narrowed optics.
"And you underestimate me." He smiles then, calculating, amused, and with a sharp edge, an edge that speaks of the arrogance that comes of having no peer, of simply not caring about anyone or anything lesser, of an utter lack of compassion that most would mistake for simple cruelty. It is an alien expression on this face, but one that suits this Perceptor as much as his scope nestled upon his shoulder suits him.
"Or do you think to bait me?" This time, his voice is a purr. Fear, Synapse. Fear. "Why so circuitous, Shockwave? Do you truly believe me so unaware that I would not know that I am to be interrogated, that any of us are?"
He tilts his head, optics raking over Shockwave as he considers the Decepticon scientist for a long moment, voice dropping into that low purr again as he asks, "Or do you truly come at your own behest, and not that of your master's?"
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Apr 21, 2008 13:32:20 GMT -5
Shockwave's guiding hand is met with a resistance, but not enough as Synapse finds himself fighting for a straight face with the Decepticon square in his sight. Thank the makers for visors, lest the desperate and panicked glow of his optics leak through even more clearly.
Throughout the course of this visit, nothing has gone in a predictable manner--except for the fact that he still maintains no control of the situation. What little self-control that Synapse maintains is slowly whittled away with each slice sending fireworks through his neural network.
Perhaps he's beginning to press into Perceptor's cuts, to the best of his restrained abilities.
"What did you do--sir?" That last sir is hastily tacked on, Synapse's customary manners are nearly out the window, but he hasn't lost his love for life just yet. Perceptor is still someone to be respected, yes, respected and feared. Fear, Synapse has plenty of it. After all, Perceptor isn't the one currently strapped onto a workstation. A workstation that is currently humming with Synapse's own shivers and shakes.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 23, 2008 10:30:33 GMT -5
"I have no master."
No anger, or malice, no emotion colours that comment. Simple statement of fact as Shockwave sees it. Starscream is not his master, it merely suits Shockwave's purpose to let Starscream lead this group. For now. But if that arrogant, traitorous Seeker ever...
Perhaps Shockwave has not yet returned to his defaults, after all, if these thoughts are ones to be judge by.
"But the same can not be said of you, can it Autobot? That Prime of yours looks upon all as if he owns them, and I doubt that you, for all your brilliance and," Shockwave glances down at the twitching Synapse, "your creativity, are looked upon any differently. How does it feel to be owned, Perceptor?"
"I have sought you out for my own amusement and interest. For curiosity as mentioned, and because the idea of a Perceptor as lacking in caring as this one indicated was intriguing, if only so I can bait your alternate. And there is the little fact of your most recent and impressive creation."
The portal, of course. Not that Perceptor would actually share anything with Shockwave. Still, much can be gleaned, even from such baiting.
"And I have never underestimated any version of you."
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on Apr 26, 2008 22:18:06 GMT -5
Perceptor merely answers Shockwave's taunts with a small, secretive smile. Let the Prime think what he will - and Shockwave, too, for that matter. Keeping the boy content simply affords Perceptor better access to amusements and subjects to learn from.
Not that Perceptor is foolish enough to admit as much to this Shockwave, and especially not where Synapse may overhear and possibly trot this little "rebellion" off to the Prime. No, Perceptor is far more intelligent than that.
Just because Perceptor does not consider himself "owned" does not mean that the boy cannot hurt him sore simply for being in a particularly irritable mood. Perhaps Shockwave may argue that such logic is merely rationalization for ignoring "ownership", however, Shockwave, himself, bows under Starscream's yolk for convenience sake. Mechs who dwell in transparent silicate domiciles should not blithely fling about geological samples and all that.
"I always have a care for my work, do I not, Synapse?" Perceptor replies, the minibot's name coming out in a soft purr as Perceptor traces the scalpel blade along a particularly sensitive bundle of sensory wires. "Compassion, however, is best left to those who prefer to cling to their ignorance."
In other words, there is no room for compassion in science.
That secretive little smile returns as Perceptor gathers up the raw materials he'd brought back from his laboratory with him when he'd been sent back for supplies to repair Oracle and the Decepticon idiot. Fabricating the replacement struts with the tools at hand is a bit of an inconvenience compared to having access to even the limited laboratory that he'd collected for himself in their own universe, but it is by no means impossible. Especially not when he can weld the partially constructed pieces into place - without further adjusting any of Synapse's systems, except to splice the new components into the tactile network as soon as possible - to better... custom fit those pieces to the minibot.
One sliver of excess material carved away at a time.
Fortunately, Shockwave's work had truly been rather efficient, so the work of repairing that damage will be completed soon. Then it will be time to repair the damage to that node. That delightfully. Sensitive. Node.
"The portal, of course," Perceptor remarks evenly. Almost distractedly as he works. A single glance up to meet that yellow optic seems to say that Perceptor would be trying to pump Shockwave for information, too, were their roles reversed.
Not that they ever would be, of course. But the sentiment stands.
"'Any' version?" he asks. "You have encountered more than two of my alternates?"
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Apr 28, 2008 11:08:41 GMT -5
Care for his work? Meaning that Synapse always comes out of these 'examinations' mentally reeling instead of physically? If that is what Perceptor means, then the scientist is by all means correct. In fact getting put back together every time might be the only reason that Synapse remains loyal despite painful testing. Well, that and the occasional perks of succeeding to get on Perceptor's good side. Synapse has yet to determine if what's going on at the moment is one of those perks or not. Considering though, the alternative sensory stimulation he might be receiving, this might very much be some sort of twisted mercy.
Whatever reply that Synapse plans for Perceptor's inquiry dissolves into a heady cry as the minibot writhes beneath the blade. Slivers of green and blue paint litter the counter top as Synapse's motions cause him to scrape against Perceptor's restraints, earning fluttering gasps as dead metal grazes against superficial tactile sensors. A weak "Always, sir," finally comes out as the scout's motions gradually calm with the halt in attention.
Yes, this is some sort of twisted mercy that Synapse can appreciate. It's the type of mercy that will have him trotting straight back to the labs intent on winning himself back into the scientist's good graces with some silently left gift or the other,
The current conversation between Shockwave and Perceptor is dazedly followed by Synapse's attention. He doesn't interject, but the scout does blink and shift at the mention of Perceptor's alternate. Consider this minibot's curiosity piqued.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 28, 2008 20:01:22 GMT -5
Games. They are playing games with one another, two predators jockeying for dominance over prey and territory. But the ownership of the prey between them is not in question, and this territory is Shockwave's no matter what that twisted Prime might think. Yet still the game is played. Similar to the games he plays with Hook, these are. Shockwave's optic flickers as his thoughts turn to the Constructicon for a moment, then back to Perceptor. It is uncommon enough for one individual to garner Shockwave's interest in such a manner, let alone two.
They live in interesting times, indeed.
"Yes, the portal. We have been unable to devote time and resources to such experimentations as of yet. More's the pity. Did you set out to fracture the crystal, or were you only seeking a way back to your home reality?" A safe question that, no request for technical information, but still an answer would give Shockwave information. "And if the latter, why?"
Synapse's struggles draw Shockwave's attentions. "You are such a responsive little thing," he says to the minibot, "You would make an excellent test subject. Hours could be spent cataloging your reactions to various stimuli." Shockwave's hand comes up, and his fingers trail just over Synapse's arm, not touching, but close enough that his presence would register. Shockwave looks back at Perceptor, "I am almost envious. Almost."
Shockwave's hand drops back to the table's edge and he continues, "More than two? That would depend on how specific you wished to get. There is your mirror here, and the one from my reality, but the Perceptor I left behind is not the same Perceptor he was at the start of the war. He has evolved, and I have known him in all those incarnations, as both enemy and ally. So only two physical alternates, but multiple versions, all brilliant, all skilled, and all compassionate."
"You are quite the oddity, you see, if you feel such contempt for compassion."
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on Apr 28, 2008 22:26:20 GMT -5
Come now, Synapse. Perceptor has always had a care for his work upon you. Not once has he performed substandard repairs or work upon your systems, and his attentions, although perhaps not always beneficial, have always, always been as skilled and deft as even the fussiest and most critical of technicians could hope for. And after every session, for either repair or study, you have been neatly and carefully returned to full function, usually in a better state than your previous defaults. That you have been carefully pieced back together at all should prove that you are far more favored than any of those unfortunates of Perceptor's Polyhex 317 Experiments 1, Synapse. That you have been improved should demonstrate that you are even favored among those who had been snatched away by whatever unseen hand of fate and deposited piecemeal upon their reflection of this strange, undead world. That is far more than, say, Kup or Wedge or Skyblast could hope for. There is a very fine line between having the scientist's favor, and being a particularly favored pet. Just ask Thundercracker. Not that Perceptor would take any unexpected gifts amiss, of course. Such are always remembered. "Hmm... Yes. A pity," he muses. "Worlds to sate the Prime's hunger. Here or there, fractured or complete. Either would suit." Truth, really, although not exactly an answer, as Perceptor's desires had leaned more toward seeking out the reflections of the worlds from which the others had been taken, rather than returning to that which he had known. Fresh subjects, new laws, knowledge beyond knowledge and unwary mechs to feed his own hungers, as wells as those of his Prime's. And once Swerve and Xaaron had vanished, the need to trace their flight to give Rodimus back his lost toys had been great. Favor banked upon favor in the Chaos Prime's optics, although Perceptor will never admit as much to Shockwave. Now, if only there were some sign that his calculations and theories had proved correct... A few additional welds, the sculpting of a bit of fresh plating, even, wonder of wonders, the quick brush of a bit of the proper shade of green paint pulled from subspace sees Synapse's joints repaired. Perhaps that brush of paint is a bit rough, fingertips gouging against that fresh plating as blue optics dart up to flash the barest dagger of a glare at those purple digits encroaching upon Perceptor's subject, but with Synapse's senses adjusted as they are, perhaps that is for the best. "Such a curious thing, boundaries are," he observes lowly. "So easily bent, so easily fractured. Reflections juxtaposed upon reflections, and tears rent between the worlds. Not so easily repaired once sundered, though, and those effects are as yet... unknown." Why, yes, possessive scientist is possessive, and Perceptor is in no mood to share his minibot subject. Not even with one as fascinating as this Shockwave is. Have a care yourself, Decepticon, or the next time those digits creep over, they may be returned for you. In a box. "Ally? How... intriguing." To watch such skill from close proximity, to participate, rather than merely deal with the aftermath... To tap that well of knowledge... He's still not sharing the minibot, though. Especially not those Nodes. Those delightfully sensitive nodes. Attention now freed from repairs upon Synapse's structure, Perceptor's hand wander to stroke possessively over that damaged node. No, he's definitely not sharing the minibot, not with such a wonderful opportunity to repair that no-- Blue optics narrow as Perceptor peers at the collected damages, mostly ignoring the additional vandalism of the Prime's to concentrate on what had been done before. There are... significant components missing. He turns a quirked optic upon his "guest"; how... irritating. 1 - the Polyhex 317 Experiments are based upon the unfortunate chapter of human history from WWII known as Unit 731. Warning - disturbing content on wiki article.
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Apr 29, 2008 20:48:59 GMT -5
Synapse isn't one to lightly assume his standing with other mechs, especially ones that can hold such sway over his well-being as Perceptor and Rodimus Prime. Being useful and pleasing is what keeps him from getting strapped down to a workstation; so useful and pleasing Synapse will do his best to be. This scout does not wish to become a living scratch test like Shockwave so thoughtfully suggests.
For a moment, his ventilation ceases as a purple hand ghosts way too close for comfort. Though fear shows more as a blissful quirk to his lips as sensors register Perceptor's rough handling as something else. Fans only sputter fully back into action when Shockwave's attention shifts away. It's with a slightly distracted audio that Synapse listens to the Decepticon's description of Perceptor's alternates.
Now this has the scout wondering. Just what would his own alternate be like? This is something he would very much like to see first-hand. Add self-admirer to the list of traits of the Synapse from that inversed universe behind the portal.
Any other thoughts are thoroughly distracted though as Perceptor's touch practically has the minibot attempting to arch into the contact much like a pleased cybercat -- body trying to move when his nodes can't. Synapse's previous mental protests at the lack of control over these touches and the situation quickly begin to die down.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 30, 2008 1:24:12 GMT -5
Shcokwave does not miss that glare, the brief roughness of Perceptor's attentions to his patient. Shockwave tilts his head. Perceptor speaks of boundaries, boundaries broken and boundaries formed, and hidden within those careful words is a warning. Perceptor, it seems, does not like to share.
Perceptor moves on to that node, and Shockwave watches, seemingly oblivious to Synapse's writhing. Another brief flicker of that single yellow optic, the barest of nods, is the Decepticon's only response to that look being leveled upon him. Shockwave moves slowly around the worktable. He half-sits on the table's edge, no further from Perceptor than he was before, and the minibot has ceased to be more than background to Shockwave. The game is becoming more interesting by the moment.
"Yes, ally. My own Perceptor assisted me in revitalizing Cybertron, and we are close, so very close, to restoring its mobility." Shockwave's glance wanders over Synapse for a moment, to that node in Perceptor's hands, up to Perceptor's face and then away. Shockwave looks down at his own hand, a small panel appearing there, and he idly flips it over and over again in his fingers. A panel that might look remarkably familiar to Perceptor.
"Some boundaries come and go on the wind, driven by the needs and wants of the individual. One falls, changes, and another seemingly unrelated mutates as well. Some might argue that there are no boundaries, but merely shifting patterns, and we move within those patterns. Others, that we are prisoners, held in place by our own inhibitions."
"There is a differance, however, between boundaries and walls. Walls keep things in," Shockwave glances at Perceptor, "or keep things out, provide a stabilizing force for a structure. It is possible to bring even the most perfectly built and balanced structure down, just by hitting the right stress point in the right wall."
Shockwave flips the panel over again, and it vanishes, only to be replaced by one of his long silver needles, a tool with which Synapse is intimately acquainted. The needle flashes as it flips end over end, and Shockwave continues.
"You risk entirely too much for your Prime's amusement, and I would not think you fool enough to risk such just to satisfy another's appetites. Cascade failure, disintegration of the realms, the possibility made even higher by connecting two such..unique locations. Give me a better reason to take such risk, Perceptor, some reason other than that Boy Prime's warmongering ways."
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on May 2, 2008 2:52:45 GMT -5
Much better than merely having your pain sensors turned off, or even dialed down, isn't it, Synapse? The Prime would probably be quite angry, if he but knew what you were experiencing, rather than the pain that he'd been expecting. That you'd been expecting.
You see? Even Perceptor can show mercy and favor. Especially when it rapidly becomes more clear just what you had fallen to.
Smug bastard, this Shockwave is. To taunt Perceptor with the very component that he will now have to rebuild from what components he still has, saved from the repairs to Oracle and scavenged from the Decepticon's redundancies. Oh, yes, Perceptor had recognized that bit of panel. He knows these systems well enough for that, if not as well as he would prefer.
"Hm. And once Cybertron is ready? What then?" Will the universe tremble under the might of the roving war world? Will Cybertron's reach blot out the stars themselves? New worlds and new subjects, as race after race are crushed under the gears of the mighty planet?
Or will Shockwave's Cybertron fall, a victim of its own reach and the whims of Chaos?
"Entropy is a dance," Perceptor offers, pulling from subspace all the various little circuits and diodes, capacitors and skeins of thin wiring he has to begin piecing that control panel together, occasionally pausing from his work to drag a sharp probe across the surface of that node set so close to his elbow. Synapse, otherwise, could be but a piece of the workbench itself, for all the attention Perceptor spares him. For now.
"Knowledge." Perceptor's optics burn brightly as he glances up at Shockwave, his low voice caressing the single word.
"Sometimes, to learn what need be learned, sacrifices must be made." Perceptor casually reaches over, fingers closing against the surface of that node, gripping, squeezing until the structure almost begins to give way, judging within a micron the node's tolerances. I would burn the fabric of all itself, if only I can know. Everything. I will have it.
"I would see this mystery solved. Wouldn't you?"
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on May 2, 2008 23:42:06 GMT -5
This minibot is good at taking part in any sort of background role.
Synapse isn't quite there enough to notice the lapse of attention towards him. All he knows is that the world is collapsing and narrowing with each surge of overwhelming tactile information. There is the rise and fall of voices registering in his audios along with the sound of thin and whimpering keens--he just barely realizes that the latter are his own.
They come to a fitful and strangled stop as soon as that fact is fully processed--only to resume ten-fold as a crushing stream of tactile data and high-pressure warnings begin coursing through his systems.
Synapse isn't in much of a condition to eavesdrop any.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 3, 2008 13:33:45 GMT -5
"For knowledge," Shockwave repeats, though the word sounds much colder spoken with Shockwave's even accented voice. "I have done much, myself, in the pursuit of knowledge." Created and destroyed new breeds, driven the guardian of his world to madness, vivisected the Devourer's herald, crushed Megatron beneath his heel, manipulated and brainwashed an entire race to so that he might better guide them toward their destiny.
Always, Shockwave has the best interests if his people in mind. The worst kind of tyrant is the one that acts out of true conviction and belief that the end justifies the means, that what he does is for the best.
But never would Shockwave risk playing Kolkular roulette1 with the walls of the universe itself. Time travel, perhaps. Hopping between probable realities, yes, as a means to get them back to their respective homes, but not between entire universes. Though this does not mean that Shockwave will not be most interested in Perceptor's portal technology should it ever fall into the Decepticon's hands.
"Knowledge," he says again, and perhaps his tone is just a shade flatter, "What knowledge do you seek, Autobot, to make so free with such a delicate thing as multiversal integrity? What pieces of our current puzzle do you hold?"
Shockwave does not answer Perceptor's question about Cybertron. This scientist does not need any more ideas to take back to his home, Shockwave thinks.
Shockwave does, however, watch Perceptor work rebuilding a rather complicated part from salvaged Seeker bits. No, Shockwave does not recognize the parts as specific to Duskwing, but it would not surprise Shockwave if that were the case. The thought prompts motion, and Shockwave's hand darts out. He tries to tilt Perceptor's head up, tries to use a fingertip to press the point of that needle into the Autobot's chin.
"Just a caution, Perceptor. As much as he is lacking, Duskwing is one of mine, mine to protect or punish, and if you ever treat him or any of mine in such a manner again, and without my sanction, I assure you will find my displeasure quite....uncomfortable."
Shockwave's voice drops an octave. "You are not the only one skilled in such manipulations of pleasure and pain sensors, Perceptor," Shockwave says, inclining his head ever so slightly at the mostly incoherent minibot. "Remember that, before you indulge such whims again."
1 Kolkular is the capitol of Kaon, home of the first smelting pools and a generally not nice place to find oneself. A place where only stronger and strongest walked with impunity. Visiting there would truly be a gamble.
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Perceptor-3
Rookie
Curiosity killed... everyone else. After a lengthy examination, of course.
Posts: 139
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Post by Perceptor-3 on May 4, 2008 20:32:44 GMT -5
"Any," Perceptor murmurs. Any knowledge is worth the price. This Perceptor has long ago sold whatever passes for his soul in the pursuit of his precious knowledge, leaving a trail of dead and crippled mechanisms in his wake.
Some say that "KNowledge is Power." Perceptor doesn't care about power, except that he possess enough to continue his studies. To him, Knowledge is Knowledge, and there is nothing more valuable than that.
Shockwave lunges, however, and that fine bladed scalpel comes up in a flash as Perceptor snaps to instant guard - intrigued or not, Shockwave is still a Decepticon, and Perceptor is not about to let down his guard that much. The tip of the needle clatters to the table beside Synapse's head, sheared off by that glowing blade as Perceptor parries - without even scorching the tip of Shockwave's finger, such skill does he use.
"Then you would do well to keep yours from harming mine ever again, or I will have their damages out of the offender's plating tenfold," he growls, optics flashing. I have cheerfully carved my own piece by piece. Do not think that I would hesitate to do the same to a mere Decepticon.
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on May 5, 2008 13:05:36 GMT -5
Finally the two titans clash with the wide-eyed mortal as witness. Synapse jerks back as the sheared needle tip dances and skitters to a stop much too close to the scratched visor it caused not too long ago.
Internal temperature warnings crop up, joining the rest of the alerts in his peripheral vision. But the only thing Synapse can pay attention to is the tense scene unfolding above.
Please, please, please don't let this ire get turned on to him. Repairs needed or not, Synapse would like nothing more than to fade away into the shadows and go back to being a poisonous wall flower.
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