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Post by Spinister on Jan 15, 2008 10:27:27 GMT -5
Watching Barricade go to work is something of a guilty pleasure for Spinister. In a real situation, a stunt like that could have gotten Barricade killed. However, he cannot deny that it was flashy, and it lookedgood. Besides, it's not like Barricade went in solo and stupid. He had support.
Spinister idly wonders how it would have been different if Frenzy had been there. Offhand, he supposes that Frenzy's the right size to get inside Hellbender.
He also rather regrets that he was unable to put Blackarachnia and Thrust on the same team. They're all going to kill Spinister, aren't they?
He glances sidelong at Needlenose and radios, //You interviewed him.// 'Oh, my trailer turns into an attack base,' is a pretty relevant piece of information. Scourge could have any number of reasons to withhold it, but such guardedness does suggest that Scourge feels he has something to hide.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 24, 2008 0:14:53 GMT -5
Scourge being in two places at once did not surprise Shockwave, as much as it intrigues him. Scourge continues to remain a person of interest, oh yes. Of course, he does have that problem with having to announce his attacks and transforms. Perhaps that programming can be circumvented? Shockwave tilts his head to look at another set of monitors.
"Hmmmm, Wreckage seems most displeased. It will be worth observing his interactions with Thundercracker after the conclusion of this exercise."
The words "Screwdriver's toy" draw Shockwave's attention, and he moves so that he can watch the interaction between Hook and Counterpunch carefully. The barest flicker of that single optic is the only indication that Shockwave is not pleased. Now he will have to persuade Hook to share both his findings and the device. Given their earlier...disagreement, that could prove no easy task.
"Counterpunch is risking much for little. How that plays out should prove quite interesting."
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Post by Needlenose on Jan 24, 2008 8:33:58 GMT -5
Well, Shockwave could always try just asking Screwdriver for one of his own! Knowing Screwdriver, she'd probably give him one that was turned on, though.
Needlenose nods at some of Shockwave comments. "I'll be more interested in seeing if Thundercracker's betrayal actually gets him anywhere with Starscream. I'd be willing to bet it doesn't, meaning he just pissed off his teammates for nothing."
To Spinister, he replies, //I know, I know. My goof.// He wouldn't admit such a screw up to anyone else, but this is Spinister.
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Post by Spinister on Jan 24, 2008 13:01:51 GMT -5
Spinister stares at his screen, blades twitching. What in the dickens is Counterpunch up to? Is he trying to assassinate Hook? That would be rather tricky, what with his gun being on the floor, and not to mention suicidal, what with Hellbender right there. Is trying to assassinate Hellbender? Is he just giving Spinister a headache?
Thrust and Blackarachnia's fight is interesting.
Meanwhile, Fleetwind and Cannonball look poised to set everything on fire. Singe comments absently, "Always a good plan, that." Given that Singe is responding to something that wasn't said, the Nebulan's comment seems rather out of context.
Spinister does not press Needlenose any more. Needlenose admitted his error, and Spinister will see if Needlenose rectifies it in the future. If Needlenose does not, then Spinister will take action.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 26, 2008 20:30:10 GMT -5
There's a bit of a sigh from Shockwave as first Fleetwind, then Counterpunch are rendered offline- for purposes of the game, at least. Counterpunch pushed doggedly ahead to a logical conclusion. Fleetwind...Fleetwind made a crucial error. An error which seems oddly out of place, given what Shockwave has observed of the oh-so-careful Seeker. It is possible, however, that Fleetwind simply mis-judged either the fuel level or his aim; it is also possible that it was a deliberate booby trap placed into the simulation by Spinister. Shockwave will review the footage later.
He points at the monitor showing Dead End and Scourge and comments, "Quite the pair they make. I do hope a Motormaster does not arrive; I do not want to deal with the fits of jealousy that might ensue, nor do I wish to be constantly repairing Dead End after said fits. They..."
Whatever thought Shockwave was about to give voice to is abruptly derailed by the sight of Wreckage transforming...into a jet. "Autonomous mode scanning. Fascinating. Which one of you interviewed him? What limits, if any, are there to the process? Is it a technology that could be reverse engineered, perhaps?"
Yes, Shockwave is assuming that whoever interviewed Wreckage would have asked these things. And if they did not Shockwave will most certainly be asking them of Wreckage at the conclusion of the games.
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Post by Needlenose on Jan 26, 2008 21:03:08 GMT -5
Needlenose stares at the screen containing Wreckage, his antenna tilted so far back they're almost drooping, his optics wide. How did- when did- who-
Needlenose wants to learn how to do that!
That said, he does remember something. In a rather small voice, he admits, "I interviewed him. But, erm... I didn't peruse the matter." He hisses softly. "I was trying to handle him, Skystrike, Sky-byte, and Starfighter all at the same time. I let myself get overwhelmed, and distracted by the fact that the whole lot of them needed a chewing out before they'd so much as answer."
He slams his palm on the desktop. "Blast it!" He's embarrassed because of the slip, of course, but he's also concerned over potential punishment for said slip.
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Post by Spinister on Jan 26, 2008 21:29:22 GMT -5
Spinister is quite busily analyzing Fleetwind's shot. He did not booby-trap this simulation. There's nothing to suggest that the native cities are. Of course, he might booby-trap later simulations. He's Spinister. He reserves the right to screw with people's heads. His gut instinct says that shot was intentional. His rational mind says that makes no sense. Fleetwind's aim was benchmarked as good, but he could still easily make a mistake, especially around explosive materials. Besides, what could Fleetwind possibly gain from suicide? His already weak team is only weakened, and there's none of the glory of selling out team mates via treachery. The gut instinct is dismissed, but it was there, all the same.
He also pays attention to Counterpunch. The car Decepticon makes it impressively far, and his gambit is now clear. He doesn't show himself as nimble or strong, but despite his anger, he seems to be thoughtful in action. That's very curious. He'll have to enlist Counterpunch to help test the base's security, when they finally get it properly online.
Hook's team seems set to win. There could yet be an upset, but Spinister doesn't expect there will be one. He singles out a few choice frames from Counterpunch's attempt and sets them aside to offer to Lord Hook after the game is over. If ever questioned on what a combat engineer can do, Lord Hook only need to point those glossies.
All of this contemplation is disrupted by the reaction from Shockwave and Needlenose to something going on Needlenose's screen, and Spinister's optics widen and his blades splay out at what he sees. Wreckage is from the same universe as Barricade and Frenzy! Can they all do that?
"God," escapes from Spinister, quite against his will. He fumes, "How can you track someone like that? Am I going to have to slap them all with RFID tags?"
Spinister is much too caught up in boggling over how in the blazes he's supposed to keep track of these people to contemplate what he needs to do to Needlenose. If his train of thought ever gets there, it may involve kneecaps and the surgical removal thereof via high velocity lead.
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Ratbat
Cadet
I would have gotten away with it too, if not for those meddling kids!
Posts: 88
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Post by Ratbat on Jan 26, 2008 22:58:30 GMT -5
Having had little to say and thus not wishing to waste words, Ratbat had been quiet during most of the proceedings. But at Wreckage's sudden change...
"Amazing. The perfection evolution of our abilities. The ultimate Transformer..."
He pauses, realizing how he must sound. "We must discover a way to duplicate the technology."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 27, 2008 1:38:38 GMT -5
"As much as I hope we can duplicate that ability, Ratbat, I sincerely doubt it can be retrofitted into our more...traditional body style. The unique configuration of their anatomy allows for more flexibility and adaptability of form. We might however, be able to make use of such technology in new builds. I will need extensive and uncontested access to one of them in order to determine what is feasible and what is not."
Shockwave moves while he talks, stepping lightly up behind Needlenose. His hand comes up, fingers cupped slightly to hide the needle which had dropped into his hand. He rests his fingers on the edge of Needlenose's wing, pressing the needle's tip firmly against it. "Mistakes happen, Needlenose. Distractions happen." Shockwave draws the needle down, still hidden by his hand, scratching into the wing. "Admitting them can be difficult, remedying them more so, and atoning for them," Shockwave presses harder into Needlenose's wing, "the most difficult of all. But that I will leave to Spinister. He is your direct superior, after all." Shockwave lets his hand drop, returning the needle to subspace.
To Spinister he says, "Let us see what exactly this mode-shifting entails, then we can see about circumventing it. Interesting choice of swear, by the way. I would not have expected it of you."
Creeping out of Needlenose done with player permission
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Post by Scourge (BW) on Jan 27, 2008 12:55:15 GMT -5
Scourge's arms, previously working on repairing his twitch arm, came to a sudden halt. That was quite the impressive ability Wreckage just demonstrated... Quiiiite impressive. If he could get a chance to get into Wreckage or one of his universe-mate's systems...
"Well, gentlemen. This is an iiiiinteresting development..." Despite the manner in which he's speaking, it is unclear whether Scourge is actually talking to anyone but himself. "Protoforms from out universe can do that with the aid of external scanning equipment... We weill have to research this."
He now speaks loudly enough for everyone to hear him. "Perhaps... I would not be suprised if my body type is more... compatible than yours. I wonder..." His thoughts continue unspoken. How would that ability interact with disease? Perhaps there would be a way to make it uncontrollable, to make the... subject constantly scan new forms... Oh, yes, that would be fun...
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Post by Needlenose on Jan 27, 2008 13:00:57 GMT -5
Needlenose stiffens as the needle scratches against his wing, his optics wide in what is most obviously alarm. He shivers and automatically leans forward to get away from the contact, then stops as he sharply reminds himself that this is not the time to be showing weakness. He even manages to resist the urge to say, 'Damned right, that's Spinister's business,' though the words certainly make it to a thought bubble.
The Mayhem turns his attention back to the show, not wanting to draw more attention from Shockwave, though he does tilt his head somewhat curiously when the spacegun comments on Spinister's choice of swear. What's so odd about that?
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Post by Spinister on Jan 27, 2008 17:29:09 GMT -5
Even Ratbat is acting like a fanboy. People, it's the end of the world as we know it.
Spinister isn't so sure that they should doubt if the ability can be applied to others. Hard? Probably. Cost inefficient? Possibly. But he's sure it is doable. His guns turn into little men. As far as technology goes, they can do pretty much anything that can be done at their technology level. The questions are just if they can afford it and how many people are they going to kill during testing? They don't even need to ask if the idea is sane. Again, see his guns.
See, Scourge there has the right idea. Test it on the Predacons!
Okay, that's probably not what Scourge was thinking.
Shockwave's comment about Spinister's absent-minded swear just gets a dull, "What?" and added, after a pause, "My lord."
He notices Shockwave up behind Needlenose out of the corner of his optic. What is Shockwave doing, anyway? Spinister can't make it out, but he can see Needlenose's optics widen and him lean forward slightly, so Spinister is guessing it's painful. Personally, he'd like to strangle Needlenose, but he has to wait until this is over, because someone has to watch the games. Waiting is just liable to put Spinister in a worse mood. He says, voice dangerously soft, "Needlenose, meet me at the fountain after we're done debriefing after the games."
Shockwave made it public that Needlenose needs disciplining, and so public shall it be. Spinister understands that Needlenose had recalcitrant interviewees, he really does. He also understands that he asked Needlenose to even ask about technologies that people thought were common or simple. So Needlenose should understand when Spinister's hands end up around his neck.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 29, 2008 23:40:31 GMT -5
Spinister's command to Needlenose draws an approving, if almost imperceptible, nod from Shockwave. Public punishment works, oh yes. Shockwave may not be given to the fits of random violence that have plagued so many Decepticon leaders, but there are times when its proper application is useful. Very useful.
Saving the theological discussions for another time, Shockwave waves away Spinister's question, "Later." Pointing at Spinister's monitors, Shockwave says, "Your players seem to be close to end game."
An understatement, perhaps, given Cannonball's spectacular exit strategy. That leaves...Hook, Hellbender, and Thrust, Eye-Fire- who is likely compromised, Barricade.. ah, and Blackarachnia. Though Hook's continued participation is by no means a sure thing, after taking such hit. Shockwave watches with some appreciation as Hook attempts his repairs, treating this as if it were truly real, where another might choose to give up.
"Resourceful," Shockwave murmurs as he watches Hook carve into his face, the words likely audible only to Spinister and Needlenose, "Resourceful...and fascinating."
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Post by Needlenose on Jan 30, 2008 0:25:45 GMT -5
Needlenose is silent for a long moment. His optics narrow and his brow knits with anger. Public punishment? Public punishment?! Why the blazes is he being treated like a wet-paint rookie!?
Maybe because he's been making rookie mistakes?
Spinister entrusted him with a task, and he let his fellow Mayhem down. It's been awhile since he's done that. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
The circuit-artist's antennae droop, and his head lowers a bit. "Yes, sir," he answers, keeping his voice, at least, firm and steady.
Had it really been only a few hours ago that Spinister had lowered his head and clasped Needlenose's hand in fear and despair? That Shockwave had congratulated him for keeping the recording of Unicron? How fickle fortunes are around here.
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Post by Demolishor on Jan 30, 2008 8:42:20 GMT -5
Demolishor has been standing very quietly at the back of the room this entire time, watching the entire exchange with mingled confusion and more confusion. He's not exactly sure what Needlenose is so upset about or why Spinister doesn't like him for it or why Shockwave was groping his wing, but he's getting the general gist of it from context clues. Needlenose screwed up about something and felt guilty for disappointing Spinister...and in a weird way Demolishor felt a bit sorry for him. He'd been down in the same place plenty of times and he knew how much it stung.
Didn't mean the guy was any less of a jerk, of course.
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