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Post by Perceptor on Apr 18, 2008 14:53:58 GMT -5
"Existence as an algorithm? If yes to X parameter, then on to Y parameter?" Perceptor muses, bending to carefully begin construction of a new transformation circuit and control module. "Fate as an equation, calculated by a combination of predetermined probabilities and our own actions which direct a general course therein?"
"Not a system that would seem to encourage growth. If one becomes aware of one's very lack of ultimate freedom in such a theoretical system, then what motivation would one cling to to effect change in an inherently static system?"
Perceptor, as Xaaron can likely gather from his tone, is one content mechanism right now. He's working on something that needs to be done, that he is equipped to do, with a certain level of trust implied in that task, and deep in the throes of a discussion that is as much science as it is philosophy. Quantum theory, ethics, mechanics, relativity, and social engineering, all wrapped up into one geeky bundle, and nary a mech in sight to shut him up, now.
Oh yes. Catmech in enercream here, and likely for the entirety of Xaaron's repairs.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 18, 2008 15:11:36 GMT -5
"Because you can't take the risk. I can't, anyway. Maybe we're fated, but if we aren't, I want my choices to be ones I can live with," Emirate Xaaron answers, gaze steady.
Emirate Xaaron is fine with Perceptor rambling about fate and probability. He comments, now and then, if he can get a word in edgewise, but he mostly listens and allows Perceptor to do his work.
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 18, 2008 15:30:32 GMT -5
Perceptor is perfectly willing to let Xaaron "get a word in edgewise" - he enjoys a discourse, not an exposition. It makes for a very content scientist. Content scientists do their best work.
One final adjustment before the last panel is replaced, the out-dated, damaged, or simply worn out components that he'd removed, already being recycled into raw materials at various other stations in his workshop. That said operation also manages to disguise what those components had been is merely a coincidence.
Surely.
"Well, then," he observes cheerfully, standing back for a last critical look at the Emirate. "Provided that your system checks return appropriate results, that should have you back in as top condition as our environment here allows." Given his perfectionist nature, heightened by the... somewhat delicate nature of these repairs? That should be pretty darned fit.
Especially since a certain red scientist has more than a passing interest/need to know about repairing tanks. Especially clandestine tanks.
"You will return for further adjustments if you run into any difficulties or issues?"
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 18, 2008 16:01:07 GMT -5
The coincidence is appreciated.
"My system checks seem much more content with me than they have in quite a while," Emirate Xaaron reports and assures smoothly, "Of course I will." The last thing Emirate Xaaron needs is Perceptor fretting over his health.
He slips off the berth with a little more grace than he usually possesses. Smiling, Emirate Xaaron tries to clasp Perceptor by the arm in a friendly fashion, and with sincerely, he says, "Thank you. I really appreciate this, especially your excellence and discretion."
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 18, 2008 16:43:01 GMT -5
"Excellent," Perceptor replies happily, returning the arm clasp. He's pleased to have earned Xaaron's trust back enough to have been allowed to help in such a manner.
"And than you for providing me with the information which I required to assist with your counterpart's repairs." Discretion in spades, for anyone who should be lurking and listening as Perceptor organizes his work stations for said counterpart, should Xaaron-3 decide to take the risk after all.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Apr 18, 2008 16:48:54 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron is happy to have the arm clasp returned. He's a tactile fellow, quite unlike his counterpart.
The corner of his mouth twitches, and he comments, "Glad to be of service. Have a good cycle, Perceptor."
Emirate Xaaron then makes to leave. He may just test out his transform to be sure that it works, some dark, still night, in an area no one is likely to notice.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
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Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Apr 18, 2008 16:59:23 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron has been dreading his appointment with the good doctor. Talking to Kup has taken a lot out of him, and Kup has always been less terrifying in Emirate Xaaron's optics than Perceptor. Kup may have more power, the power to shape the fate of nations, but Perceptor is ruinous on a very personal level, and Emirate Xaaron is a man, not a nation.
The same might not be said of his alternate.
The door is open, and it seems to Emirate Xaaron like a great maw, apt to swallow him whole. Shivering, he steps into the laboratory, a more comforting benign place than the one his knows, but similar enough, all the same, that he can't quash his fear.
Yellow optics flickering, he greets, "P-Perceptor." Emirate Xaaron can't even look at the scientist. "You're not busy, are you? If it's a bad time, I can go, I really can."
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 18, 2008 17:23:55 GMT -5
Ah, and speak of the devil's advocate.
"Greetings, Xaaron. Welcome," he replies, offering what he hopes is a non-threatening and welcoming smile. "I am not busy at all. Simply preparing materials."
"Have you decided if you are prepared to allow comprehensive repairs, after all?" he asks gently.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
Rookie
Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Apr 18, 2008 21:47:32 GMT -5
Perceptor could dress up in a tutu and do face-painting for Holi, Wheelie, and Makeshift, and Emirate Xaaron would find this threatening. However, Perceptor isn't setting off any major alarm bells right now.
He looks around the lab, trying to see if there is an extra exit he hasn't noticed. Emirate Xaaron nervously wrings his hands, and he stammers, "I-I-I have. I told Mirage that I would talk to Kup, because it would, it might help Swerve. And you see, I've thought it over, and if you know, understand, see what your other self can do, perhaps you could prepare, just maybe it might do Swerve some good."
Emirate Xaaron looks about ready to snap off one of his own fingers from the wringing.
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 19, 2008 0:04:00 GMT -5
Perceptor cocks his head and studies Xaaron for a moment. "Help... Swerve?" he asks, perplexed. "Not yourself?"
He would be lying if he said that he is not precisely looking forward to this... whatever that this Xaaron is so frightened to explain, to demonstrate. To see what his alternate is capable of.
After all, knowledge is power. And one should always be cautious of what power can do.
"I admit that such... understanding will assist all of us to prepare for the dire eventuality that these other Autobots should find their way here, however, do you not wish for some measure of comfort for yourself?"
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Emirate Xaaron-3
Rookie
Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Apr 19, 2008 8:26:33 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron shakes his head fervently, and he stays near the door, a skittish creature that might bolt. He insists, "Not for me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want help, but I don't deserve it. Swerve does. He deserves a better life than he has, and here, just maybe..."
He trails off and looks at some distant point in space. Actually, if one could look at the exact positioning of his servos, the location that his optics is focused on is not even in this solar system but is no small distance away. Of course, he isn't possessed of the resolution to even resolve what he is looking at.
He knows it is there.
Emirate Xaaron shakes himself forcibly, and brings his attention back to the area of the wall above Perceptor's left should, and he finishes, "...maybe he can have that now. That slim chance is enough for me to go through this."
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 19, 2008 13:08:20 GMT -5
Perceptor has to catch himself before he makes the attempt to refute Xaaron's self-loathing commentary, rapidly coming to the understanding that no amount of reassurance is going to make a difference to the damaged and terrified Emirate.
The deep, distant focus - most would mistake that look for distraction, or even unfocus; Perceptor knows better - garners a curious look, a moment of thoughtful study which quickly vanishes as Xaaron comes back to himself.
"Very well," he replies, his tone still gentle, soothing as one would speak to a wounded animal, and no tone that the Perceptor that Xaaron is most familiar with would have ever used. At best, the tones this Xaaron would be most familiar with would be bored detachment, at worst, outright... glee. Enjoyment. Arousal.
"Would you prefer him to be here?" Perceptor asks.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
Rookie
Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Apr 19, 2008 13:51:03 GMT -5
Perceptor's demeanour is doing a bit to reassure Emirate Xaaron. He's still expecting this to be painful and tedious, but just maybe, this Perceptor won't go out of his way to make it painful, just to study the effects.
Emirate Xaaron shakes his head, one hand curled into a fist, digging his fingertips into his palm. He replies, "No! Nonono. I don't want him to see what..." Emirate Xaaron is, "what's been done to me. A report, yes, perhaps with diagrams, will convey the necessary information, without being so very graphic."
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Post by Perceptor on Apr 19, 2008 15:24:49 GMT -5
Perceptor nods, understanding. "Very well. I will compile a report with the necesary information for him and anyone else you deem as should know once we are finished with your repairs."
"We," not "I." Another subtle difference that could mean nothing at all... or Everything.
"Do you require assistance?" he asks, nodding toward the berth that his alternate had only recently vacated after his own repairs. Across the room, the chemistry station still looks as lightly used as it had during Xaaron's first, furtive skittering through these confines. Maybe Perceptor hasn't had a chance to concoct any new compounds since their arrival.
Or maybe he doesn't use them in that manner at all.
"And once I have compiled the report, would you do me the service of looking through it for revisions before it is turned over to the others?"
And now, he's even offering final revisions.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
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Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Apr 19, 2008 15:38:27 GMT -5
Perceptor is honestly baffling Emirate Xaaron. There is no ‘we’ in ‘mad scientist’.
At the offer of help up onto the table, Emirate Xaaron recoils and scuttles up onto the berth, awkward but quick, and he perches there uncertainly, curled up like a gargoyle on a crumbling spire. He might fall at any time, in that unstable position, but he’s clinging to the table all the same. It almost seems as if the offer of help onto the berth itself was frightening to him.
He offers, voice timid, “Of course I can help with revisions, although I don’t expect you to make many errors. Would you want me to type it to your dictation?” Emirate Xaaron is completely misunderstanding – he is thinking that Perceptor wants a secretary, so he doesn’t have to bother typing his own report.
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