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Post by Perceptor on Jul 2, 2008 15:39:56 GMT -5
Or, perhaps a whole island for the Dinobots to carouse on. Unfortunately, at least two realities have proven that that doesn't really work all that smashingly. Well, bugger. Guess the Autobots will have to make due with actually utilizing the dinobots at what they do best, and keeping them preoccupied otherwise.
Some time on a repair berth just may do the trick on that latter.
"Hm... " Perceptor muses as he begins examining Grimlock as thoroughly as he is able, with his primary function disabled. "I believe that restoring your flight capabilities will not be as difficult as I had previously thought. Your structures are far more durable than most, for all the damage you sustained in the attack." He pokes and prods at a few components in a manner that might tickle Grimlock if he can feel it, before stepping back and eying the dinobot commander's entire structure.
"I am afraid that armor to your previous specifications will be impossible on such short notice with the limitations of the supplies we have at our disposal. However, I believe that we will be able to produce something that will fulfill Rodimus' requirements in the interim."
OOC: timeskip through repairs in the next post or two?
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 3, 2008 15:53:01 GMT -5
Grimlock squirms at the tickling sensation, but is otherwise still, and for the most part keeps silent, up until Perceptor makes the comments about the armor. "That work good, long as we no run into nasty things on way in or out..."
---------- S'fine with me.
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 5, 2008 17:40:14 GMT -5
"Think of it as a challenge to hone your strategy and tactics," Perceptor offers with a small grin. After all, if Wheeljack can teach Perceptor the art of Percussive Maintinence, then even Grimlock can learn some subtlety and patience.
Well, the theory is sound, anyway.
"And no wrestling with Slag before we fabricate permanent armor, either." Perceptor will thump them both right across their dino-noses with the biggest darned wrench they have if they try that stunt, just see if he won't!
Fortunately for Grimlock's short attention span, the damage to his flight capabilities is more a task of cleaning up slagged connections and running new wiring to control limiters, fabricating a chip or three and repairing fused lines than it is any significant rebuild or redesign. The work is more tedious and delicate than intense and invasive. Perceptor would be much happier performing this type of repair with the benefit of his scope, but even without it, the work is almost soothing to the meticulous scientist. It is even routine enough - or as close to that as any repair could be in their current state - that Grimlock would not even distract him if the Dinobot commander is inclined to chattering. If it were not for the cramped conditions and the sheer volume of pieces and parts awaiting repair or recycling, it would almost seem like any other ordinary day at Autobot City or Cybertron.
It's rather nice to immerse one's self in that illusion for a brief time. Illusion, however, is all that it is. Reality intrudes once again as Perceptor wires in the last connections and restores power to Grimlock's flight modules and he is reminded of the rest of the work required to get Grimlock cleared for egress from their dubious sanctuary.
"Systems check on your flight, if you please, Grimlock?" he requests politely, already going through his mental tally of available materials and cobbling together brief schematics for temporary armor that can withstand Grimlock.
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 7, 2008 22:16:16 GMT -5
"Maybe me Grimlock do need to work on strategy..." he mumbles, having had bad luck when it comes to beings with power bordering on the godly. Though, to his credit, he'd at least he managed to get away from Unicron without a scratch...
Before Grimlock can finish contemplating the finer points of possible strategy (Or even start, for that matter), Perceptor's done and asking him to do a check on his flight.
"...how me Grimlock check flight when ceiling too lo-- Wait. Me Grimlock thinking wrong kind of check." Though, a field test is usually the best way to do things in Grimlock's mind, smashing himself against the ceiling wouldn't be very productive. Welp, time to run the check, though Grimlock can't ever remember using the thing.
Booting up Cybertrontec System Scanner...
Your system definitions are over 20 years old. Would you like to update them now? Y/N
Y
Unable to connect to server "Teletraan 1". Ignore/Retry/Abort?
Ignore
Scanning...
No problems found.
"Me Grimlock think it good to go... Everything seem in place."
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 8, 2008 18:59:03 GMT -5
Perceptor smiles, perhaps a bit indulgently at that, as Grimlock works through his reply to Perceptor's request. Grimlock is learning, and it is a fascinating process to observe.
"Excellent," he replies cheerfully, adding, "Once we have fulfilled Rodimus Prime's request regarding your egress from these tunnel systems, a field test will be in order, as well, but a positive systems chesk in a excellent start."
Now, what can they do about that armor? Materials are getting a little on the thin side with all the other required repairs going on. Perceptor turns to survey what is left and on hand to work with, running rapid calculations in his processor.
"With any luck, perhaps we will locate additional materials for more durable armor and other components while we are on the search for the silicates I require. For now... I am afraid that there will be significantly more 'lizard' than 'thunder' in your appearance, Grimlock," he observes apologetically as he collects some random bits of nondescript plating. "Something of a misnomer, I am aware, as it is Sludge who possesses the Brontosaurus alternate mode, while you utilize that of the Tyrranosaur."
Yes, Perceptor is babbling again. And poor Grimlock doesn't know any latin at all to follow this, does he?
"Perhaps some of the structural components of the more damaged tunnels could be scavenged for more durable armor, but that will take significantly more time, and I am sure that you wish for some measure of freedom now. So. Let us see what we might improvise for you in the interim, shall we?"
Perceptor-ese for "Time to make that hospital gown, Grimlock."
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 11, 2008 14:13:58 GMT -5
Grimlock's head tilts to the side. "What you mean, more lizard? Me Grimlock can't fly in Dinobot mode..."
And what did Sludge have to do with anything?
Grimlock moves off of the berth he was sitting on, then looks down toward Perceptor. "Just point me where-ever me need to go." Grimlock is oddly patient today, it seems.
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 13, 2008 16:04:05 GMT -5
"Ah, heh," Perceptor replies, rubbing the back of his helmet with one hand and offering a dismissive wave with the other. "Merely my own musings upon the nature of the materials available to me, Grimlock, while utilizing translations of the nommenclature assigned to your particular alternate modes." He shrugs, smiling. "The name of the dinosaur your design was based off of means 'Tyrant King', while the Brontosaurus that Sludge was based off of means 'Thunder Lizard'."
Hopefully Grimlock is patient enough today to tolerate being posed like a large doll, as that is exactly what Perceptor is attempting to do, before swarming all over the naked dinobot like an overzealous dress maker.
"And, given the state of the materials available to us at the moment," he adds, starting the process of fabricating armor panels, "your armor will unfortunately lack the... ruggedness which the dinobots are renowned for." He grins up at the much larger Autobot. "Hence more 'lizard' than 'thunder'."
He pauses, shaking his head, and that grin turns a bit rueful. "Forgive me, Grimlock. It was a silly comment. Perhaps I am more weary than I have believed, but it is quite good to see you on your feet and mobile."
Especially after the state of the bucket of charred Grimlock that they had been given to attempt to put back together.
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 15, 2008 2:03:31 GMT -5
Grimlock just nods along while he's being posed and Perceptor explains what he meant. Once that's done, he waits for the armor panels, beginning to affix them, or help assemble them, whichever needs to be done first. "Me know that...we in bad way. Materials short because of so much rebuilding." Yeah, he's still kicking himself a bit for not listening to orders from Rodimus. He'll be over it soon enough, though.
Then Perceptor apologizes, and Grimlock gives him an odd look. "Me Grimlock say Perceptor no need to apologize. It good that you able to be in good mood with bad situation."
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 15, 2008 21:51:51 GMT -5
That "good mood" fades slightly as Grimlock mentions "so much rebuilding", and Perceptor flicks a rueful glance at his own bare shoulder. "Yes. We did not fare well against our combined foes," he sighs. Worse, without word from Pee-Dee, they cannot even comfort themselves with plattitudes of not having lost anyone. It is the uncertainty that is most stressful. Neither word, nor confirmation of her remains leaves fertile ground for one's imagination, Perceptor finds.
But there is no time to dwell. Or at least to let anyone catch him at it. As thoroughly beaten as they had been, negativity would be as pervasive as Cosmic Rust. He summons forth a small smile and tightens a few fittings on the last couple of pieces of new armor. "We still function, Grimlock. And if that were not enough, once Rodimus approves your new armor, we will both have the opportunity to enjoy a bit of a holiday above ground," he replies cheerfully.
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 16, 2008 14:40:40 GMT -5
D'oh. Grimlock didn't mean to make things worse. Guess that's the luck a Dinobot has. He goes silent as he finishes up attaching the armor bits, and soon enough, the medical area is no longer subjected to the majesty of Grimlock's nudity.
Behold! Grimlock Lite! The armor does seem a bit thinning to Grimlock's usual appearance. And is all silvery-grey, but no room for complaining. Some self-adjustment and some test movements, and Grimlock nods. "It light, but that to be expected. Otherwise, me Grimlock like."
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 19, 2008 11:37:00 GMT -5
Oh, don't worry, Grimlock; you didn't make anything worse. Althought, Perceptor does seem a bit happier to have remedied the Emporer's New Clothe's Edition of Grimlock. It's probably just a nice visual representation of making progress, and not that Grimlock's nudity is... unsettling. Really.
"Perhaps, then," Perceptor muses, turning an almost cheeky grin upon the larger Autobot, "I should abandon science and become a fashion designer? I could specialize in a more slimming look for the weight conscious." Geek fashion. Be frightened. He'd be number two on Needlenose's hit list in no time.
"Shall we attempt to locate Rodimus for an approval to adjourn to the surface?"
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 23, 2008 4:06:27 GMT -5
Majesty can totally be unsettling. Especially when one is as majestic as the Mighty Grimlock!
However, Grimlock is totally boggled by Perceptor's next statement. That's all he can do. No come-back. No witty remark. Not even a "Bwuh?" to his name.
Well, at least not for a short time. "...me Grimlock think you stay in science."
He then nods at the next question. "Him in tunnel talking to ...uh...Za....Zorro...gold and silver leader-bot last time me see him."
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Post by Perceptor on Jul 24, 2008 14:57:14 GMT -5
Perceptor chuckles at Grimlocks' unabashed bogglement before absently correcting, "Xaaron." Ah well. All his (nonexistent) dreams of becoming a highly acclaimed, rich and famous fashion designer, crushed before they are even fully formed.
Perceptor will simply have to learn to get over his disappointment.
"Well, then, perhaps we might be lucky enough to catch up with him before he engages himself in yet another task," Perceptor adds before leading the way off out of the medical ward with a farewell wave to Long Haul.
Another task such as Rodimus once again immersing himself in the multitude of much-needed repairs for everyone. The young Prime has spent nearly as much time in their little medical ward working hard on the backlog of work as the strictly medical mechs have, and that is in addition to his other duties as Xaaron's second.
Hm... perhaps it would be most prudent to check in the quiet little corner that they had established for recharging mechs, first. If Rodimus is not there, he should be, with all the work he has been performing.
"Once we have obtained permission for the excursion, Grimlock," he says, filling the silence of their trek through the dark and quiet tunnels, "in addition to the silicates I require, and the base raw materials needed for armor repair and replacement, we should also seek out as much raw circuitry and basic electronic components as possible." Perceptor heaves a sigh and runs a hand along his helm tiredly. "There is only so much which the replicator can produce, and the addition of more complicated raw components would assist great--"
Ah, and his hunch has proven correct, Perceptor muses, voice trailing off as he pauses in the archway that leads to the recharge area. There is Rodimus, finally stretched out and offline in much needed rest.
Bother. He so very hates to disturb Rodimus; the Prime has taken so very few opportunities to care for himself, after all. Perhaps they could wait.
Except, that for all that Perceptor's desire for the silicates for his lenses may be a selfish one, the Autobots truly do need more raw materials for the rest of the partially completed repairs. They had taken a significant beating in that ambush and attack. And, selfish as wanting his scope repaired may be, even he cannot argue with the logic that he will be far more useful to everyone else once he is back to full operational status.
Doesn't stop him from feeling a bit guilty, though, as he quietly calls Rodimus' name.
Posing of Grimmy and Rodimus done with permission.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jul 24, 2008 16:47:54 GMT -5
As Perceptor and Grimlock approach, it's obvious that the Prime's sleep is fitful. He turns at least twice before they even get close enough to call his name softly.
The moment Rodimus's name is quietly called, Rodimus' optics are bright and awake and his right fist is clenched as he alertly scans the area. When he sees Perceptor and hospital-gown-clad Grimlock, that fist relaxes and he silently moves nearer to them so as not to disturb the other sleepers.
"Nice to see you dressed, Grimlock," Rodimus says softly. Then he looks from the Dinobot Commander to the Scientist. "Problem?"
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Grimlock
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Post by Grimlock on Jul 24, 2008 20:38:25 GMT -5
Grimlock follows Perceptor quietly, making mental notes where possible. Grimlock's shopping list now includes Special Sand, Raw Materials, Electronics and Circuitry.
Wonder if Holi and Wheelie left any pickings at that little shopping area that they were at earlier...
For now, Grimlock is focused on Rodimus, a bit confused at the uneasy sleep his commander is having. Once he's up and awake, Grimlock nods to the comment, but then opens a private band.
//Everything alright? Me Grimlock think you jumpy.//
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