Emirate Xaaron-3
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Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Mar 3, 2008 23:47:17 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron knows where his people came from. They're fragments of an inhumane god, alike in cruelty. He envies that some have a mystery behind their origins or at least mere aliens. Emiorate Xaaron merely says simply, sadly, "Right in your case."
Emirate Xaaron admits, "The implications of your insistence makes me rather uncomfortable, Arcee. If some transformers are literally incapable of understanding the other cause, the only correct recourse with prisoners of war is not to put them to trial, because they literally could not help themselves, and instead, they ought to be reprogrammed. 'For their own good.'" He does the air quotes. Emirate Xaaron then amends, "Of course, I doubt that you meant that. Forgive me for getting carried away."
He moves to stand closer to Swerve, as if the Velocitronian radiates an aura of safety around him.
Oh, Unicron, why is Mirage looking at him when he speaks of higher powers? Emirate Xaaron is but a pawn, throwing his lot in not for salvation but for annihilation.
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Mar 4, 2008 13:39:27 GMT -5
Skyfire nods at Swerve-3. "I would hope so; I've always found our Emirate Xaaron and Rodimus Prime to be polite and decent."
"I would not say our 'Golden Age' was Utopian either, Mirage. There was a certain oppressive banality to it: one was expected to conform and do one's part and not annoy people with questions about irrelevancies like pre-history or who lived beyond the stars. The exploration program I was part of was not popular in some circles, though I am a bit vague on the politics involved. We were frequently accused of being a pointless waste of energy." He glanced at Arcee. "Understand, back then we didn't have the energy shortages I've heard about; it wasn't as grave an accusation as it would be now. It was a way of saying 'This is a frivolous, unnecessary expense and I'd rather the energy were spent on my obviously more important pet project'."
"I have since learned that our true history was suppressed during that period; someone apparently thought the way to avoid repeating history was to forget it. It must have been frustrating to be a historian or archaeologist; as soon as you started learning something about the intriguing mysteries of our past...." Skyfire momentarily got a faraway look. "Hmm. That might explain some sudden grant cancellations and tenure changes I remember. There's something fundamentally wrong when the Decepticons are the only ones able to remember our true history.1"
He shook his head. "At least we had Kup. That era is long gone for you, though it's my yesterday. Arcee, I'm more inclined to Mirage's point-of-view, that people choose where they want to be, but my point about acculturation is that they choose to be among people that suit their nature--or they adapt their natures to the people they choose to be with. Starscream evidently hoped I'd adapt my nature to suit his Decepticons; I chose to join people like myself, instead."
"Starscream himself was an explorer and scientist like me; I think he chose the exploration program as an outlet for the restlessness in his nature that was never comfortable in the polite Cybertronian society of my day. I'm not surprised he became what he did; his personality is as it ever was, but he changed his behavior to suit his current society."
Skyfire gave Mirage a thoughtful look. "I am well-armed for self-defense and have no hesitation about defending myself, but I'd rather talk to people than shoot them. Starscream, now, he had a certain eagerness for the fray."
Skyfire shot Emirate Xaaron a very sharp look. "I don't find that amusing, even as a hypothetical. Re-programming someone's very personality, changing who they are--it's the next best thing to killing them, and it is the very antithesis of freedom. Freedom includes the right to choose to live badly--and live--or die--with the consequences. If you take away choice, you have slavery, not freedom."
--- 1Considering the Decepticon Blitzwing was the only one to remember the Quintessons, Skyfire may have a point there, though he doesn't know it.
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Swerve-3
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 4, 2008 18:46:25 GMT -5
Programming. Why do they fall back so much on programming? They talk of free will and choice, then proclaim themselves slaves to their programming. Swerve isn't programmed to favour either faction; he voluntarily chose the Autobots and he'd be lying if he said he's never wondered what it would be like to defect and join the Decepticons. He chose to stay instead out of a sense of duty and responsibility. If he was ever programmed to be anything, it was a racer, and he gave up that life by choice, too. Are the Transformers of other realities truly so beholden to their coding that they can't even imagine making decisions without it? It's sad, in some way, and worrisome that they can't seem to reach beyond that.
That track comes to an abrupt end when Emirate Xaaron edges nearer. Switching to a defensive stance on his behalf is reflex for Swerve, and well-timed, if that glare from Skyfire is any sort of indicator.
"He already apologised," says the constable warningly, each syllable crisply enunciated. "And I doubt Emirate Xaaron finds the idea amusing, either, really. I certainly don't." He glances to both Mirage and Arcee, then to his leader, then to Skyfire, and in a much calmer, warmer tone adds, "Maybe we should raise the red flag for now and take up the discussion again with some rest behind us?"
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Arcee
Minor
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Post by Arcee on Mar 4, 2008 23:11:43 GMT -5
Arcee, ultimately, is seriously out of her depth in terms of these arguements. Then again, when you and a handful of others were the only resistance against an army that had seized your entire world, slaughtered friends, and saw the possible destruction of your best and brightest...
It became easy to believe the Decepticons were beyond redemption.
So she's grateful for Swerve's suggestion, though she first shoots a grateful glance Skyfire's way. "That sounds like a good idea."
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Post by Mirage on Mar 5, 2008 11:48:10 GMT -5
"Yes, getting the two of you settled would not be a bad idea. I imagine, after all that has happened, you'd both favor a bit of rest," Mirage agrees. "The discussion, while interesting, can most certainly wait."
Mirage rubs his chin, looking at Arcee, "There's the room set aside for new arrivals. I imagine that the powers that be will be in conferance for some time. We could take them there for the being, and take turns at the door." He gives said newly arrived a slightly apologetic smile, "Until we're told otherwise, we must assume that you are still to be monitored even at rest."
"Does that sound workable?" he asks Arcee.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
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Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Mar 5, 2008 14:21:25 GMT -5
Perhaps emboldened by Swerve at his side, Emirate Xaaron dares to scowl ever so faintly at Skyfire. He doesn't look at the explorer, averting his optics, but he does remind gently, with a hint of annoyance, "If the things that made me rather uncomfortable," as he said, at the very start of his conjecture, "amused me, I do believe I would be perpetually laughing."
The idea does not amuse Emirate Xaaron at all, and he thought that he made that very clear. He simply finds it the logical end to the insistence that some Transformers are inherently programmed to do wrong or right. Emirate Xaaron really has no idea why Skyfire would think that he was amused, and he rather suspects that Skyfire is simply attacking a non-existent point out of a lack of anything better to do.
Emirate Xaaron eagerly agrees with Swerve, "A splendid idea, Swerve," and he looks at the Velocitronian with clear gratitude in his optics. As guardedly pleased as he is to be in an environment where he isn't drawn and quartered for the amusement value of it, he's sick to death of being miscontrued.
There is no place he can ever really be himself, if he possesses a himself to be, save for oblivion. In the best of company or the worst of a company, Emirate Xaaron can never relax, never be entirely truthful. It wears and tears upon him. Rest is a little oblivion, and he welcomes it. Perhaps he won't slip out of recharge screaming from the nightmares this time.
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Mar 5, 2008 14:51:47 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, I spoke poorly. Let's just say I'm vehemently against the idea and leave it at that." Skyfire sighs, the air hissing through his thruster venturis. Swerve-3 and Xaaron-3 might note at least one dramatic difference in personal philosophy between this Skyfire and the one they know.
"Swerve is right; you are probably in need of recharge and rest and discussions of philosophy and politics are not exactly high priority. Running for one's life is tiring exercise." Skyfire smiles sheepishly, an expression never seen in the faux geniality of Skyfire-3. "I apologize; I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I just enjoy a lively discussion and can sometimes get a bit enthusiastic about pursuing it. Please, if at any time you're not in the mood for friendly debate, just say so, and I'll happily accomodate. Mirage, Arcee, will you be showing our guests to some refreshment and quarters, then?"
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Swerve-3
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 7, 2008 5:53:39 GMT -5
Were Swerve a different sort of person, he might say that of course it's a good idea; he wouldn't have suggested it otherwise. But he isn't so full of himself not to realise that he can make a bad suggestion – and, in fact, has in the past. This one could just as easily have gone over poorly with the others. That it hasn't isn't in any way justification, but it is reassuring, as much as Emirate Xaaron's obvious gratitude is humbling.
"I'm fine with that," the constable tells Mirage. It makes perfect sense that they might be monitored for some while yet, and he'll be in the room for extra security anyway; his own defrag can wait as long as necessary. "Thank you." He turns a dryly humorous eye to Skyfire then. "It isn't exactly an invigorating thing to do, no," he replies. Aside from that slightly unsettling tenacity, this Skyfire doesn't seem too terribly bad. Generally a nice sort. Swerve offers him a thankful smile and an acknowledging nod. "I'll remember that." He looks again to Emirate Xaaron, simply questioning. "Shall we get going, then, sir?"
He isn't quite as calm as he seems; he is anxious still about their situation, about what could happen. He's worried for both their sakes. But he can't let any of that show. He won't.
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Arcee
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Post by Arcee on Mar 7, 2008 23:30:23 GMT -5
All things considered, Arcee's glad to be out of this conversation. If nothing else, it's beginning to make her doubt herself. She recalls the stories about when the Stunticons and Aerialbots were created, and the words asked of Vector Sigma to give them life. How Optimus had allowed the Autobots to make their own choices.
When she had been created--something she didn't even remember--had someone slipped the word loyal into that request? Was she actually incapable of being anything other than an Autobot?
"That sounds like a plan, Skyfire." She nods in Mirage's direction. "Yeah. I think I can handle that."
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Post by Mirage on Mar 8, 2008 11:24:45 GMT -5
"Well then, shall we?" Mirage gestures back toward base. He then nods at Skyfire, "Another time, perhaps?"
Provided the pertinent parties follow along, Mirage will lead them off to the new arrivals room. He does take the time to radio Kup, so that the Security Chief can let those that need to know where Swerve and the Emirate will be.
Mirage will be out, unless for some reason the exodus is halted.
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Emirate Xaaron-3
Rookie
Ate you alive since you were a child/That's when the monster first appeared in you
Posts: 162
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Post by Emirate Xaaron-3 on Mar 8, 2008 12:21:30 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron is a little stunned that he actually got an apology. Stranger things have happened, but he isn't sure when. He nods numbly. At least it's a difference in opinion from Mr. 'All your Decepticon jets are belong to me'.
"I think we shall, Swerve," Emirate Xaaron replies.
If only he knew about Arcee's existential crisis, he'd be thrilled. However, he doesn't, and it may be for the better. He's had too much excitement today.
To the out of threadmobile?
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Skyfire
Major
I'm a scientist, not a....
Posts: 891
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Post by Skyfire on Mar 9, 2008 17:07:54 GMT -5
"Another time, then," Skyfire said, returning Mirage's nod. "Emirate Xaaron, Swerve, I've enjoyed meeting you and I hope you feel welcome here. I'll be about the base if there's anything you would like to chat about later."
As Skyfire turns to leave, he radios Arcee privately. // You look a bit disturbed by this chat we all had. If there's anything you'd like to talk about after you're off duty, please do call me. //
--- Also out of thread
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Swerve-3
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Post by Swerve-3 on Mar 10, 2008 2:02:54 GMT -5
"Thank you, Skyfire." Swerve gives the explorer a smile and nod. "It's been pleasant meeting you, too, and duly noted." He doubts he has much ground on which to hold much of an engaging conversation with Skyfire, but the least he can do is acknowledge the offer.
With that, he turns to follow Mirage as close by Emirate Xaaron's side as he dares and, in his own way, taking comfort in his leader's security. He pays mind to walk without herding, takes care as always not to touch while offering whatever shelter is needed of him. It's a thin line and he can only hope he walks it even half as well as he needs.
OOC: Exit, stage left.
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Arcee
Minor
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Post by Arcee on Mar 10, 2008 21:51:15 GMT -5
Arcee returns Skyfire's radio communication. //I'd appreciate that, Skyfire. Thank-you.//
And away she goes, following the others.
Out.
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