Botanica-3
Cadet
Audrey II second cousin, twice removed.
Posts: 73
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Post by Botanica-3 on Sept 4, 2008 22:14:54 GMT -5
"Yes, your function....my function....we all act according to function...," she mutters. She drains all but the last dregs from her cube, keeping a very careful eye on Perceptor.
Mistake. Mistake to come to him, to show him her babies. That look from him, he wants them, wants to study and poke and cut and hurt, turn them, burn them, make them his, instead of hers. Can't happen, won't happen, she will not let it happen.
With not a bit of warning, she dives, leaving Perceptor, running as she so often does when the madness takes her, running back to the deep and silent green places of the planet. The tiny bit of fungus which escaped her grasp continues to move for but a few moments, and then it seems to collapse upon itself, breaking down into nothing more than a powdery dust.
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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 Sept 5, 2008 21:22:52 GMT -5
Perceptor stares at the spot Botanica had vanished to for several long moments, waiting to be certain that she is not planning on returning for that bit of discarded specimen, before stooping to carefully scoop it up into his hand. Despite her abrupt departure, Perceptor is well pleased with the last few minutes. Once again, Botanica, Prime's wild little problem child, comes to him for her favors.
He smiles as he examines the tiny sample of fungus. Dormat, or perhaps dead without her care. No true way of telling without transforming and examining the specimen under his scope, and he is too exposed to do so right here. A small container appears in his other hand, summoned from subspace, into which the sample is carefully placed before being tucked away once again.
What an interesting organic she'd brought him. Such potential it may have. Perceptor's smug smirk is settled firmly back in place as he gathers that last cube up and begins wandering away from the site of his clandestine meeting with the unpredictable hybrid.
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 6, 2008 13:04:28 GMT -5
Skyfire-3 considered things so far: he'd bribed the Other Hook successfully, planted some seeds of interest in Holi's mind (hopefully), avoided Prime and his CPU games, and probably offended Perceptor. That last simply wouldn't do.
The big white shuttle-former looked up at the sky in some annoyance; it was clear and unmarred by the track of jets. Pity. He enjoyed watching the graceful Decepticons, or even Slingshot when he was actually flying, as opposed to stalking around on two legs waiting to kill someone.
He shook his head to himself. Once they were sure those Other Autobots were cleared out, he could let TC fly a bit and watch him. TC would probably enjoy the exercise and open air.
So where was Perceptor? Skyfire stopped moving and opened a channel to Perceptor: // Perceptor, this is Skyfire. I hear you've recovered very well from the battle--congratulations! I was rather concerned when I first heard about it. //
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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 Sept 7, 2008 11:24:08 GMT -5
The unexpected call takes the edge off of his pleased expression, and Perceptor instinctively looks up, scanning the sky for the white shuttle-mech.
// Quite well, // he replies coolly. The return to functions after Duskwing's attack had been quite welcome. It is the method - and the consequences - which had been abominably unappreciated.
Almost as equally unappreciated, however, had been discovering in the midst of significant repairs of their own forces, that Skyfire had sought assistance from the Decepticon Hook rather than himself, despite the favors that Perceptor had granted the larger mechanism since their arrival. Hence his cool, disinterested tone.
// Were you now? //
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 7, 2008 19:56:50 GMT -5
Perceptor didn't sound altogether overjoyed to hear from him. Skyfire clenched on fist and smacked it lightly into the other, mildly annoyed, then put his "Nice, friendly guy you can deal with" face back on.
// Yes, I was--you were down, and all reports had you grievously damaged. I had to resort to bribing the Decepticon Hook--their Hook, not ours, of course--bribing him to get timely repairs.//
He lowered his radio voice and continued, // However, it did give me a chance to observe him in action up close. //
Skyfire schooled his face ("serious face, serious face!"), repressing the urge to smirk; Perceptor could well be observing him from somewhere in this half-ruined city. Let that lie, and see if it piqued the red scientist's curiousity.
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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 Sept 8, 2008 16:11:29 GMT -5
Perceptor's optics narrow as he considers that. There really had been no general announcement regarding his status annd his availability for performing repairs once Rodimus had... revived him. He'd merely worked on those who had been brought to him, too angry and unbalanced by his new status as the Prime's latest acquisition to bother wondering about those who had not made an appearance.
// I had heard that Hook had seen to your damages, yes, // he replies evenly, though not as standoffish as his previous comments had been.
Perceptor cannot help but to smirk at Skyfire's last remark. In action up close. Yes, Perceptor is quite familiar with Hook in action up close. Quite close, in fact. Of course, they were not precisely... working at the time.
He should track the engineer down again, come to think of it.
// Did you? // Perceptor replies, the self-satisfied cheer he's been wallowing in all morning returning once more to his voice. // I would be interested in what you observed. //
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 8, 2008 19:38:46 GMT -5
Skyfire smirked to himself for a brief instant. Got you!
// I'd be delighted to fill you in, // Skyfire replied joviallly. // Where are you? Standing out in the middle of a bunch of ruins waiting for Decepticon--or 'Autobot'-- snipers to try some target practice isn't my idea of a conducive environment for serious technical discussions, you know? //
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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 Sept 8, 2008 20:16:37 GMT -5
// Agreed. Meet me at my current workshop at {insert coordinates here} at your convenience, then, // Perceptor replies. // I am en route back to that location myself. //
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 8, 2008 20:50:03 GMT -5
Skyfire grinned to himself and strode off to Perceptor's new workshop. With his long legs it was only a short while before he found himself there.
He studied the entrance for a few moments, then, as usual, sensible caution won out over pointless bravado. "Perceptor? I'm outside--you can disarm the security deterrents now."
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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 Sept 10, 2008 5:44:21 GMT -5
"There are none," Perceptor intones from behind Skyfire. He is smirking as he strolls up to join the shuttle mech, holding an energon cube in one hand.
"After all, we would not wish there to be any... unfortunate accidents if one of our new allies would happen to come calling while I was not in residence, now, would we?"
Besides, he keeps all the important stuff with him, anyway.
"Shall we?" he asks, motioning toward the door and heading inside without waiting.
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 10, 2008 18:18:37 GMT -5
"Indeed, we shall." Skyfire gave him a casual smile and followed, ducking his head to avoid the top frame.
"Well, that depends on who and what kind of accident, doesn't it?" Skyfire said, glancing around. "Started on a new project already?"
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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 Sept 12, 2008 12:52:58 GMT -5
Perceptor's smile takes on a calculating edge as he nods. "That it does. However, it would be best not to precipitate any 'misunderstandings' when utilizing a simple bit of due caution could prevent such. Rodimus Prime will be most displeased if a lack of such care endangers this alliance."
Such a vision of sincerity is Perceptor. Of course, it is all the truth. That Rodimus will be upset more that his ultimate plan to betray the Decepticons had been accelerated without his permission is not something that Perceptor needs to actually vocalize to the shuttle-mech.
"No. Not at the moment," he replies with a shake of his head. Most of what few items are scattered about the work space are bits and pieces of components in various states of disassembly. None of which looks overly important. The new specimen tucked away will not make an appearance here until he has no audience to observe and evesdrop.
"I have not yet had the opportunity to do so, since repairs had been such a primary concern. Perhaps soon. And yourself? Any new discoveries in this untouched larder?"
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 12, 2008 20:46:55 GMT -5
Skyfire gave Perceptor a knowing smirk. "Absolutely! I myself am taking all due care to avoid any such misunderstandings--I've been starting to get to know their mechs as well. One is less likely to make mistakes if one can tell them apart by personality."
Hopefully he can study their lovely jets up close, and make plans for future... acquisitions.
"Not since before the battle. Prime kept me busy moving people in during the run-up, and I only finished getting patched up a bit before the party." Skyfire sat down and leaned against the nearest wall. "I figure I can get to looking around again soon. I need to figure out what to do with TC-- poor guy needs to get out and get some flight time, but I do not trust him around these Other Decepticons. Rather, I don't trust them around him. Caught some of them with him once, they had him looking really harried. Claimed they were just 'talking' to TC..."
Skyfire frowned. "Apparently they think Autobot equals 'stupid'. I didn't disabuse them--might be useful to have them underestimate me later on. I believe they were interrogating TC, and/or trying to suborn him." The big white shuttle clenched one white fist hard; TC was his, and no Decepticon was touching him. Ever.
Suddenly self-conscious of his own anger, Skyfire forced himself to relax and put the friendly smile back on his face. "Anyway, about Hook..."
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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 Sept 16, 2008 13:38:26 GMT -5
Perceptor nods at Skyfire's assesment of the other Decepticons' thoughts. "Clever plan," he agrees, and then his expression turns nasty as his smile widens. "I invite them to attempt to subvert his conditioning. Observing their futility would be rather... amusing. I do assume that you have had no issues with his obedience?"
Meanwhile, Perceptor is filing away for his own private use that expression which had touched Skyfire's face. So, the treasure hunter had developed a significant attachment to the conditioned Decepticon, had he? Not there mere affection for a tamed pet, but perhaps something deeper. Interesting. That may come in... useful... in the future.
"Yes. Tell me what you had observed about Hook, if you please," he asks, feigning having missed that sudden shift of expression and mood as he holds up that extra energon cube he'd brought back with him. "May I offer you refreshment? I retrieved too much from the stores left after last night's festivities and was unable to use this cube myself. It has been cleaned of tampering, I assure you."
After all, why drug an ally so blatantly?
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Skyfire-3
Rookie
Professional Treasure Hunter and Pet Fancier
Posts: 182
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Post by Skyfire-3 on Sept 16, 2008 20:37:24 GMT -5
Skyfire smiled, looking pleased. "TC has been absolutely obedient. I am impressed--though I understand he was unsure of himself to begin with. I wonder what methods you would use with a Starscream, and how they would work out." He smirked. "Or perhaps a Skyblast."
"Your generosity moves me, Perceptor. I would be delighted to accept," Skyfire said, smiling and holding his hand out for the cube. Sometimes you had to display a bit of trust and comradery to maintain a working relationship. Besides, Skyfire figured he was valuable enough to the Autobots in general and Perceptor in specific that Perceptor wouldn't do anything too unsurvivable to him now. No fuel system corrosives; possibly accelerants or sensor randomizers. The benefits were worth the risk.
"This other Hook is every bit as skilled as 'our' Constructicon; he's much less sappy. Like the rest of these alternate Cons, there's no possibility of using his softness against him--he's hardcore. He's also a perfectionist." Skyfire took a drink and chuckled.
"Once he got started, Hook refused to stop until he had everything repaired exactly right. The rest of the Decepticons and Autobots could go hang--I got the impression that all that mattered to him was doing the perfect job." Skyfire smirked.
"He can be bribed with knowledge and technical information, though probably not to the extent of compromising his loyalty. Graft, not corruption. He is far more arrogant and egotistical than our Omega's prisoner; not only a perfectionist, but I get the impression that he believes that only he can do the job he does adequately."
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