|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Dec 23, 2010 21:39:22 GMT -5
Day 26, aboard Ship, open to 'Cons
Starscream sits in an overstuffed chair with a datapad and a 3D holoprojector on the Transformer equivalent of a coffee table in front of him. He's reviewing personnel files and devising battle plans. He's not liking what he sees in the files, occasionally grumbling in discontent. Soft Cybertronian music that was popular before the war plays over the lounge's speakers. Why is Starscream working in the lounge? Because he deserves the best, and this is the most relaxing work environment.
|
|
|
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Dec 24, 2010 8:27:19 GMT -5
"You have a truly excellent taste in music, lord Starscream."
The voice came almost immediately after the door swished open, and it closed again when Assault was done speaking. He allows himself to listen to the music, even enjoy it, noticing how it's similar and yet different to the music from his own reality. Should Starscream look over his shoulder he will see the blue Seeker salute, or he might miss that and instead see him walking towards the energon dispenser.
"Prefer to work in a relaxing environment, sir?"
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Dec 24, 2010 22:33:02 GMT -5
Starscream looks up in time to catch the salute. Ah, it's the one who can't fly. As opposed to the one who can't shoot, or the idiot, or the coward, or the troll, or the fanatic. The jetformer grumbles in discontent at what he has to work with (again) before responding "Hello Assault. Flattery will get you nowhere."
"How long have you been fighting, soldier?" he asks. "Over the millennia of war, I've learned to take a little luxury when I can. You never know when next you'll get the chance to relax."
|
|
|
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Dec 25, 2010 9:27:57 GMT -5
"Oh, believe me sir, I am fully aware of that. But those who have power deserve respect, don't you agree?" Oh, and this Starscream is worth the respect for once. Granted, in his time he only met the air commander in passing; but what he read on him did not exactly please him.
The 'soldier' comment was to be expected, but it still has something in Assault's optics flare up a bit. Good thing he's facing the dispenser! It's gone when he turns around again though, holding his cube, though not quite yet drinking it yet. "All my life, sir. Even before the War broke out I was part of the army."
He walks up to one of the chairs near Starscream, not sitting down just yet, sipping instead from his cube and briefly letting his optics glance at the holographic display. At his comment Assault merely nods, agreeing to a part, but..."I understand, sir. However, I would rather be out there on the battlefield, using my intellect as the sharpened blade it is. When I am in a situation like this, I frankly get bored. When I get bored, well, suffice it to say that I find a way to keep my mind sharp."
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Dec 25, 2010 13:51:14 GMT -5
"I agree. With power comes respect," Starscream says. Then his tone turns icy. "But don't try to suck up to me, Assault. Perform your duties to the best of your abilities and I will be well-pleased and reward you. Fail and be punished. I'm not Megatron that I need my ego stoked by my subordinates at every opportunity." He's Starscream, and his ego already has its own zip code. The air commander makes a note in Assault's file.
"Many of us here were in the military before the war. We understand that freedom is the price of security."
Don't think Starscream didn't notice that glance at his battle plans, Assault. "Patience. You'll have your chance. How do you keep your mind sharp?"
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Dec 25, 2010 15:13:15 GMT -5
The coward steps into the room.
Fleetwind's steps, as always, are light and quick, in part due to the almost dance-like nature of his normal movements and in part because he tends to always give the impression that he's ready to make a run for it at a moment's notice. His optics widen faintly when he sees who is in the room, but he only hesitates long enough to throw Starscream a salute before he moves on to the dispenser. While his natural desire is to leave the room upon viewing its occupants, he quickly determines that this would seem more out of place than simply completing the task he had entered for, and thus draw him even more negative attention. He does not speak, however - best not to interrupt the conversation already in progress.
|
|
|
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Dec 25, 2010 16:38:24 GMT -5
Assault doesn't back down at Starscream's icy tone. Oh no. He steps forward to meet it, his own eyes narrowing, the tone of his voice turning a bit heavier, almost older even. "I never disgrace myself by sucking up to those who are unworthy, lord Starscream. Nor do I follow the command of incompetent buffoons. I did not follow Megatron's command, either. I will give you my best, but in return, I expect you to be the best."
Then he's back to his (somewhat) friendly self, sipping from his cube, giving the air commander a brief agreeing nod. Starscream better have noticed it, too. Would be a waste of time if he didn't. "Simply put, I plan. The squad I was in before I was pulled into this reality were all the best of the best, but I, I was the mastermind. I was the one who came up with battle plans, tactics, new formations and combat moves, and it always paid off. Now, though, it is more of a hobby; hypothetical situations, but all fool proof. I don't make mistakes." Well, he does; but he won't admit that, and such occurrences are negligible with his success ratio.
When Fleetwind comes in, he only spares the pastel Seeker a nod. He hasn't interacted with him for long now, but it's long enough to know how he gets in these situations. That, and his behaviour alone makes it obvious.
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Dec 26, 2010 18:25:31 GMT -5
Starscream touches a talon to his forehead when the pastel Seeker salutes, nodding and greeting him, "Fleetwind."
"I am the best," Starscream rasps at Assault as he watches Fleetwind prance across the room. If the blue Seeker is as good as he claims, he could be an asset. If not, he's just another braggart. "No plan is fool proof. Only once you accept that can you learn to adapt to constant change of battle."
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Dec 26, 2010 19:06:03 GMT -5
Wonderful. The new Starscream knows him by name. Fleetwind misses being part of a force large enough that his highest commanders don't have any idea who he is, truly he does. As Starscream greets him, to be polite, he inclines his head so low it borders on a bow. "Lord Starscream," he answers. That's how the folks around here like to be addressed, right?
He snatches up his cube as soon as its dispensed. "My apologies for the interruption."
|
|
|
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Dec 27, 2010 9:17:19 GMT -5
"A claim that lord Scourge would make as well." Assault casually tosses out; a lie, at least not something he has heard Scourge say, but it will be interesting to see how Starscream reacts. "Oh, I disagree there, milord. When a plan fails, you simply haven't taken enough variables into account, or you are too rigid. That is why I do not have backup plans; simply different tactics to switch too. I rather dislike the idea of having to completely abandon one plan, when careful preparation will mean that you won't have too."
He does not say anything to the other Seeker. Fleetwind should know that he does not mind. Starscream, however, is the one that might.
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Dec 27, 2010 13:16:41 GMT -5
It's Starscream's business to know Fleetwind by name. Really, there aren't a lot of yellow Seekers running around. If he wants to be anonymous, he should be blue, like all the other jets. "You're not interrupting anything, Fleetwind. Do your fellow Decepticons really frighten you so much that you have to rush out of the room when you see them?"
If Screamer had teeth, he'd grate them at Assault's statement. "I'm reserving final judgement on Scourge until I've seen him in battle." He frowns. "There are an infinite number of ways a plan can fail, Assault, and only a limited number of ways it can succeed. One can never account for all the variables. You can have the best battle plan in the world and war may still surprise you. If you go into battle with the mindset that your plan is perfect and you cannot be defeated, you will be."
"And saying you switch tactics instead of using a back-up plan is nonsensical. The two things are synonyms. Explain yourself!" This would be the point at which Thundercracker would apologize and back down. It'll be interesting to see how Assault responds.
|
|
|
Post by Waspinator on Dec 27, 2010 13:58:55 GMT -5
Lets just throw another Wasp Fly boy into the mix. Waspinator casually walks into the lounge, humming a guitar rift to himself, he doesn’t salute anyone, just waves a hand in greeting. “Hi guyz”, he’s feeling rather upbeat today, they’re finally letting him planetside and he can’t wait to stretch his wings. And everyone is talking plans, one of his favourite topics Yay!
“Planz fail big time when old Reality goes and drops Wazzpinator here. Planz for revenge…Poof” he gestured with all four arms “target not here”, he shrugged, Bumblebot wasn’t here but Zargebot was. “Life izz too many variablez. Ezzier to adapt.” But if you could know all the variables then why shouldn’t you? It was good having Assault as a room mate. He went over to the dispenser, right up next to the yellow jet bot, intent on getting more of that delicious coffee-milk.
|
|
Fleetwind
Major
The Chancellor, His Eminent Grandeur, Marquis Fleetwind. The Insurgent Subduer of A Non-Threatening Cute Little Furry Kitten
Twined Elf
Posts: 730
|
Post by Fleetwind on Dec 27, 2010 20:40:33 GMT -5
Hey, Fleetwind actually continued to enter the room before he attempted to rush out! Rather than protest or argue the point, however, the yellow Seeker (yellow because at this point, everyone's used to him being yellow so that painting himself blue would draw all sorts of awkward questions) tilts his head and seriously considers the answer. Finally, he replies, tone firm despite the faint tremor in his wings, "That depends on what they are doing, Lord Starscream."
It's reasonable. Some things make him rush faster than others. Like members of the science and medical team looking for 'volunteers.'
He moves out of the way of the dispenser now that he has his cube and takes several steps - coincidentally nearer to the door. At Waspinator's words, he hmmms softly. "He actually has something of a point, when applied generally. There's really been no reliable way to predict new arrivals, either for us or the Autobots. Wouldn't it be impossible for any battle plan to fully compensate for that?"
|
|
Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
|
Post by Hellbender on Dec 27, 2010 22:03:14 GMT -5
The guy that's as wide and nearly as tall as Lugnut looms in the door, then half-folds his shell-wings to squeeze through the door, then lumbers over to the dispenser.
"Busy place tonight. Waspinator, what is that slag you drink so much? Looks like something that crawled out of a Pz-Zazz sewer and tried to eat my plating. Yo, Fleetwind. Assault, Lord Starscream." Hellbender gives the senior officer a peremptory nod, but his attention is on the energon dispenser.
Once he secures a cube, he turns and looks over the gathering. "Assault, Ah can hear you going on all the way down the hall. Any particular reason you're needlin' Lord Starscream? He don't seem to be near as psychotic as the other one, but, son, Ah'd get ticked off if you were pokin' me that much, and Ah'm one of the most reasonable 'Cons Ah know. Well, 'cept when Ah get riled."
|
|
|
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Dec 29, 2010 8:47:41 GMT -5
Yeah, Assault isn't a cowering and apologetic minion. He is about to answer Starscream when Waspinator perks up with something that actually throws the Seeker off. Now, he does have dentals, so he grates them quite a bit. "Yes. Yes, that's true. But in my defense, that was not a condition that I had to keep in mind in my home reality."
And now Hellbender, Shockwave's lapdog. Sorry Starscream, Assault will owe you the answer to that. "'Needling', my dear Hellbender? Oh no, far from it. I am just making friendly conversation, that's all, I assure you."
|
|