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Post by Perceptor on Feb 9, 2009 21:52:24 GMT -5
(Takes place on Day Seven of Small Plots)
It feels very good to be fully repaired once again, Perceptor muses as he hikes his way toward the surface. Long Haul had done a very good job on his repairs; he unconsciously pats his midsection and the patches of bright new paint covering the fresh welds there.
Even better, his scope is fully operational once again, and completely calibrated, which is a good thing, as he is en route to rendezvous with Skyfire and Springer for a bit of a scientific expedition.
Poor Springer. He hasn't any clue what he's gotten himself into, has he?
With the revelations of the wreckage found in the midst of the crater - and thank you Alternate Botanica for that bit of exposition, by the by - Perceptor is incredibly curious - as always - as to whether there might be additional samples at the arrivals points which may have been overlooked.
And Skyfire had mentioned samples which he had brought back from at least one moon! If Perceptor were any happier, he might be giddy.
Be afraid, Springer. Be very afraid. You poor, poor soul.
Sunlight! Wonderful! Now to track down Skyfire and Springer. They should be up here somewhere...
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Post by Springer on Feb 9, 2009 22:48:59 GMT -5
Springer indeed has no clue what he's getting into. His Perceptor back home is babblesome, but nothing on the scale like the Perceptor here.
Oh well. He's there for backup, in case something adverse happens, and to see some of the planet.
For now, though, he's approaching the general meeting area in chopper mode, 'cause one's gotta cut loose after being stuck underground for a week. He should also be in visual range of the scope-shouldered scientist.
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Skyfire
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I'm a scientist, not a....
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Post by Skyfire on Feb 10, 2009 20:22:32 GMT -5
Skyfire has set up a small laboratory in the large cave with the bridge and river running through it that Tracks found way back--it accommodates his height much better than the tunnels, and the stream provides coolant for his optical experiments.
When Perceptor (and possibly Springer) locate Skyfire, he's studying a polished rod of blue crystal at his workbench against the cave wall. There's a bin full of large quartz-like blue crystals sitting near by.
"Ah, there you are! Perceptor, I've been meaning to ask you down here to check over these results I've been getting. This crystal has some very interesting optical properties," Skyfire says cheerfully.
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Post by Perceptor on Feb 10, 2009 21:16:52 GMT -5
Perceptor does, indeed, spot a certain green "chopper" approaching quickly and waves to attract Springer's attention. "Greetings and salutations!" he calls, waiting for Springer to drop down and join him on the ground. If and when he does so, Perceptor cheerfully natters on about the whole point to the day, their self-imposed mission, and what it is he is specifically looking for - Cybertron - as they head for the cave entrance.
Take that as your last warning, Springer. It only gets worse from here.
"Ah, Skyfire! yes!" he replies as he strides forward. "You had mentioned as much earlier! I am very interested in studying the samples you brought back. Perhaps, if you would not mind, I might borrow one to study on the flight out to our first objective?"
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Post by Springer on Feb 10, 2009 21:36:02 GMT -5
Springer does indeed drop in, after making a sweeping move down, classic action hero style.
However, the manliness of this maneuver and entrance is quicky negated after Perceptor opens his mouth.
"Eh, I guess if it means so much to you guys. I'm not seeing the draw here, myself. Different spokes for diffent folks, I guess."
Once Perceptor becomes distracted by Shiny Blue Rocks, Springer takes to leaning against a cave wall, looking up at Skyfire.
"...you ever happen to go by the name of Jetfire?"
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Skyfire
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I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Feb 10, 2009 22:00:32 GMT -5
Skyfire looks slightly startled at Perceptor's question; he had been in deep contemplation of the blue crystal rod. "Oh, certainly! I hope so--here, check out the optical responsiveness of this rod. I've only done preliminary tests, but it shows an extraordinary level of electron cascading in response to high luminance energy pulses!"
Ice-blue optics shift to regard Springer. "I've been told that I have dopplegangers in other realities that go by the name of Jetfire. I believe there's one in Emirate Xaaron's reality, for instance. Perceptor, on the other hand, knows me as Skyfire."
"As does Starscream," he adds quietly.
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Post by Perceptor on Feb 11, 2009 12:42:12 GMT -5
One giant red micrscope, coming right up. And with the magic of G1 physics, there is a rod of that crystal under Perceptor's lens when he transforms, too!
"Intriging!" he exclaims, examining the crystaline matrix in extreme detail. "Such responsiveness to photonic stimulation indicates a high probablility for reasonable functionality in an interstellar photon drive!"
For those unable to keep score at home? He just said it might make a good starship engine.
"Once we return from this excursion, I would like to join you in performing more extensive tests, Skyfire. Cursory evaluation indicates extreme promise for multiple uses!" he adds, finally transforming back to his robot mode and handing the rod back to Skyfire. He also gives the big shuttle-mech a subtle, comforting pat on one arm. He isn't Skyfire's old partner, but he is still Skyfire's friend.
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Post by Springer on Feb 11, 2009 20:52:24 GMT -5
"Add my reality to that, then. Got a guy that looks an awful lot like you, though not quite so tall..." Springer remarks, rubbing his chin. "He was into the sciencey stuff too. Ran around with the Technobots."
Springer is confused a bit by the Starscream comment, but leaves it well enough alone. Better to be in the dark than to put one's foot in one's mouth.
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Skyfire
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I'm a scientist, not a....
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Post by Skyfire on Feb 11, 2009 21:40:08 GMT -5
"Just don't tell the Decepticons; there are far more unsavory applications than photon drives for such a material," Skyfire says with a wry smile. He starts putting things away, moving quickly and efficiently.
"Springer, I'll be providing the transportation for our expedition, but let me provide you with a copy of those maps I mentioned--Perceptor already has them. You never know what the future holds, or who might be down for repairs at an awkward time," Skyfire says. "When I first arrived here, as I am an explorer by design and mission, I did an orbital survey of the planet."
He carefully packages several raw crystals for Perceptor's analysis, and quietly adds, "Springer, there's something you ought to know about me, just in case it comes up later. I was not an Autobot when I arrived--nor was I a Decepticon. I came from a time between the Great Wars, when the name of Decepticon had been suppressed and the significance of this badge," Skyfire taps his own Autobrand, "forgotten."
"I learned about the War and the Decepticons the hard way, since when I first arrived, I naturally trusted my old exploration partner and friend--Starscream."
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Post by Perceptor on Feb 11, 2009 22:49:45 GMT -5
Skyfire's revelation is old news to Perceptor, but he nods and gives Skyfire's arm another pat of support for disclosing the painful past to Springer. And of course the Decepticons would like to use the crystal in their latest Weapon Of The WeekTM, rather than for anything useful. Perceptor scowls at that thought and shakes his head.
"Grimlock's creations?" Perceptor asks, tilting his head. "How interesting. I am not certain if you - your future self, I mean, Skyfire - had ever met our Technobots. You were rather scarce after... after the battle at Autobot City, if I recall." After Ratchet and Wheeljack had been killed. After Starscream had met his end as well. Perceptor isn't entirely sure which had distressed the shuttle-mech more.
"That is neither here nor there, however," he observes, shaking his head to quell the memories and plastering on a falsely bright smile. "We have arrival points to study. Shall we?"
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Post by Springer on Feb 12, 2009 20:33:11 GMT -5
Springer grows a bit solemn at Skyfire's revelations. "Hn, I s'pose that's one way to go about it. Though, I can't quite imagine Starscream as one out for knowledge, but that's just my experience from my universe."
Then, Springer gives Perceptor a very confused look.
"Grimlock's...creations? Y'mean, the big doofus we've got stomping around here created the Technobots in another reality?"
Then Perceptor makes a comment about getting ready to go, so Springer puts his weight back on both feet, and steps forward a bit, prepared to go.
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Skyfire
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Post by Skyfire on Feb 12, 2009 21:47:00 GMT -5
"Yes, we shall," Skyfire replies, and starts heading for the most convenient route to the surface--most convenient meaning 'highest ceilings'. He stops to stare quizzically at Perceptor. "Grimlock's creations? That merits an explanation."
"And depending how late they came along, I probably never met them. Kup told me I was killed in the affair of the revenant Optimus Prime," Skyfire tells Perceptor quietly. It doesn't exactly pain him--it's too remote in time to be appreciated, just a fact in the database.
He glances back to Springer. "This Starscream--who is the one from mine and Perceptor and Kup's realities, as best we can tell--is a brilliant engineer and scientist, and passable explorer. I should know, I trained him in the latter. He also has a nasty streak; in my day, exploring was challenging enough to keep him contained, I guess. From what I've learned about the Decepticons, I'm not terribly surprised now that he ended up with them. They suit him, and he suits them."
Skyfire is frowning now. "It's just... so much has changed at home. I'm used to alien worlds--this planet is just another world to explore. The stories I hear about Cybertron and the nine million years of history I missed--it's turned into another alien world. People have changed so much."
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Post by Perceptor on Feb 14, 2009 0:24:06 GMT -5
Perceptor rubs the back of his head and grins a little lopsidedly. "Ah, ahem. Yes. He does. Will. At least that is what Kup has told me," he explains a little sheepishly. "Those events occur after I was taken from my time, alas, or I would be able to give a more first-hand account. But, yes, Kup assures me that Grimlock creates the Technobots."
Yes, Perceptor finds it all a bit odd, too.
He has nothing to say to the rest of Skyfire's revelations, however. What can he say about someone's impending death? And the rest, he is already aware of; it is old news to him.
"The world does not remain static, which is both blessing, and curse," is all he replies after a moment of contemplation.
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Post by Springer on Feb 16, 2009 1:00:13 GMT -5
"Huh...dunno how the Technobots' creation pans out in my world, as the last time anyone saw the Dynobots was ages back. Don't really know much about 'em myself, or the Technobots, other than they seemed fairly keen on science-type stuff, too." Springer shrugs, then looks over at Jetfire. "Well, at least where you come from, Cybertron is still alive to go back to."
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Skyfire
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Post by Skyfire on Feb 16, 2009 16:28:45 GMT -5
"True enough," Skyfire agrees with both of them, then leads the way to the surface, ducking his head at every low spot in the ceiling--for him, there's a lot of them.
Once on the surface, he unfolds his wings and folds the rest of him into an Air Guardian-class interstellar shuttle. Skyfire lowers his bow ramp and cheerfully cries, "All aboard that's going aboard!"
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