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Post by Rodimus Prime-3 on Mar 20, 2008 22:03:01 GMT -5
The one Chosen of War and Fire prowls the streets of the town near the Decepticon base. It is on the near edge of this town that he met with Starscream, and not far from there that Bumblebee and Sky-byte face off. It is on the far side of this down that Shockwave once set up a temporary lab, and where Synapse now works. Rodimus Prime is in the middle, exploring, inspecting the area, memorizing the routes and hiding places, investigating what resources are left (very little - the Decepticons picked over them quite well), and generally familiarizing himself with his surroundings.
He smiles and straightens at Bumblebee's message, but doesn't cease in his self-appointed task. It's only a matter of time before the Decepticons realize what affect he has on people. If he goes near, they can claim that his very presence set off the powder keg - though he could still make observations of weak will and the like. But if he stays away, lets the situation deal with itself... well, then, the fault lies solely on the Decepticons, does it not?
At this point in time, Rodimus is investigating a warehouse that was locked once, but is now vacant, trying to puzzle out what was stored there.
OOC: The warehouse Rodimus is checking out is the one where Shortround used to store his locally gathered toys, before he moved due to act of Screwdriver.
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Shortround
Minor
Breaker of the Fourth Wall
Posts: 272
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Post by Shortround on Mar 20, 2008 23:08:18 GMT -5
Shortround was casually hovering through the base in the hope of not needing to do anything, such as helping in medical.
And that's when he sees what looks like a strange Autobot that decided to repaint himself as Rodimus, and then sneak into Shortround's old warehouse. Shortround attempts to come to a quick stop, but when you're a vehicle that travels around on a cushion of air rather than wheels, this doesn't come easily.
He does manage to spin himself into the warehouse though, transforming and staring at the Autobot. He has a feeling this isn't going to end well, and is already ready to run away, but firstly decides to try to be nice.
"... Hello?" he asks, nervousness evident in his voice. Its a completely and utterly different tone from any Shortrounds that Rodimus may be familiar with, especially since its not screaming bloody murder at him, or getting into a fight he can't possibly win.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 20, 2008 23:26:54 GMT -5
Shockwave is also in the town, though he does not wander but walks with some purpose. Perceptor did not truly agree to meeting with Shockwave, but he did not express displeasure at the idea. Besides, Shockwave is rather curious about this dark reflection of a scientist he knows so well. Duskwing's "repairs" had been...noteworthy. Of course, Shockwave does not know where Perceptor has set up shop. But there are only so many options.
And so the sigil-less Decepticon is nearing the warehouse just in time to catch Shortround ducking into it. What is he up to now? Did he not move his...prizes elsewhere? Shockwave moves to the entrance, his optic flickering when he spies the Prime.
This should be interesting.
OOC: Reminder- Shockwave does not at this time know about the mess w/ Bee-3, Sky-Byte, and Long Range, as it has not been mentioned over main channel, or any of the command channels.
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Post by Rodimus Prime-3 on Mar 21, 2008 8:42:31 GMT -5
Actually, Rodimus is not, for the record, 'sneaking.' Prowling, yes. Stalking, yes. Sneaking? No. The Prime has managed, on occasion, to sneak shockingly well for a robot as large and brightly colored as he, but this is not one of those occasions.
In fact, Rodimus is standing in the warehouse quite like he owns it, and the look that he turns on the newly arriving Shortround says, 'And I own you, too.' His lips curl up in a slightly smile that never avoids being faintly cruel at the obvious fear the smaller robot displays.
"Hello," he answers, rich voice full of command and confidence. "Shortround, is it?" It's not really a question, though it pretends to be one.
A shift of positions, and Shockwave notices someone else standing by the door. His smile widens further.
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Shortround
Minor
Breaker of the Fourth Wall
Posts: 272
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Post by Shortround on Mar 21, 2008 9:13:17 GMT -5
Shortround blinks at Rodimus, and understands what Scourge had to go through just to get here, even if it was the more pleasant counterpart from the normal universe. However, something about this Rodimus... Annoys Shortround. Almost to the point where he would consider employing some of the more artillery laden Decepticons to level this warehouse in the hope of seeing him destroyed.
Unfortunately, this newfound anger Shortround has is nothing compared to his fear. Shortround is scared of anything with bigger weapons than his, and it shows. "Umm.... Yeah, I'm Shortround..." he says, taking a step back. That's when he notices Rodimus smiling at something behind him, and Shortround turns.
Oh. He's here too. Shortround freezes, wishing he had left at least one tower of boxes here just in case something like this happened.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 21, 2008 10:31:43 GMT -5
There are things which prompt Shockwave to caution, but if pressed, he would claim he does not fear, not truly, not as the average mechanism does. Fear is a crippling, emotive response, prompting illogical actions and thoughts. He buried his fear with his emotions long ago, and as rare as true emotion is for the Decepticon commander, true fear is rarer still. Shockwave does not fear this dark Prime, despite that unsettling feeling returning, the one he he noted at that first meeting, scratchy, uncomfortable, a sensation that worms its way through Shockwave's being to those buried processes, poking and prodding. But he does not fear. Perhaps he should. But he does not yet know that he stands before Chaos trapped, forced to form and direction. And so he returns the Prime's smiling gaze with a level one, posture proper but not stiff, as if standing in Rodimus Prime's presence was a normal and natural as the turn of the planet. If Rodimus has had dealings with Shockwave's almost-pacifist counterpart, it will be a stark contrast. For that other Shockwave does fear, and this Prime is the embodiment of his nightmares. "Prime. I trust you and yours have situated yourselves well enough?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime-3 on Mar 21, 2008 16:12:18 GMT -5
Rodimus turns and walks towards the entrance. This also takes him nearer to Shortround, since Shortround arrived after he did. However, the Prime walks as though there were nothing between himself and open air, as though he simply expects Shortround to step out of his way - and he had no plan to step around.
"Well enough," Rodimus agrees, as he approaches, closing the distance. "Though we'd be doing better if you could keep better control of your own troops."
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Shortround
Minor
Breaker of the Fourth Wall
Posts: 272
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Post by Shortround on Mar 21, 2008 22:47:09 GMT -5
Shortround doesn't just step out of Rodimus' way. He absolutely scrambles out of the way, happy for the attention to not be on him for a minute.
Then Shortround hears what Rodimus said. Oh dear, he can see this ending badly. Shortround moves closer to a wall, generally wishing he could phase from reality and walk through it like his Starscream used to do.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 21, 2008 23:51:33 GMT -5
Shortround has ceased to be of any concern to Shockwave. Truthfully, the transport ceased to concern him the moment the Prime's presence registered. If things go badly between the two leaders, Shortround might be best off making his own back exit.
Shockwave, for his part, has no intention of deferring to the Prime, but that niggling feeling increases with the Prime's proximity. He tilts his head up slightly as Rodimus nears, still seemingly unconcerned. His tone is even, lightly accented as per his default.
"Control them? What has..." he breaks off, and his optic flickers as he hears Sky-Byte's message. "Hgn. It will be dealt with, in one manner or another. And if not...," Shockwave shrugs, "Kindly have yours refrain from harming those with poor judgment irretrievably."
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Post by Rodimus Prime-3 on Mar 22, 2008 12:51:02 GMT -5
The smile on Rodimus's expression, which had faded to almost invisibility during his approach, during his play at 'concerned commander', flickers back into life when Shockwave breaks off and receives news himself, then flees existence once more.
He inclines his head slightly in a nod. "The order's been given," he states firmly, confident that that's all it takes. "They've also been warned over the consequences of being the one to breech the truce themselves."
Poor Shortround, now forgotten! Or perhaps not. Rodimus turns his head slightly, looks in Shortround's direction, then turns back towards Shockwave in a dismissive manner. The implication is that he hasn't been forgotten so much as isn't worth bothering with.
"So what brings you out here, Shockwave? Surely you're not just out to check our comfort."
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Shortround
Minor
Breaker of the Fourth Wall
Posts: 272
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Post by Shortround on Mar 22, 2008 22:55:04 GMT -5
Shortround would have been happy if he was forgotten. That look Rodimus gives him doesn't exactly help neither his fear nor his sudden desire to see a roof crash down on the Autobot leader.
He's almost thinking he should take up Shockwave's thought out comment on making his own exit, however Shortround is rarely destructive. He's hoping they'll end this peacefully and Shortround can return to the things he normally does.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 22, 2008 23:23:09 GMT -5
Shockwave follows the Prime's glance toward Shortround. The toy collector really is of no consequence at the moment. Still, this confrontation conversation does not require an audience.
Shockwave shrugs, "Curiosity over how your group is getting on, as well over which of your troops choose to accompany you. Also, I wish to speak with your Perceptor at some point."
He could have left off that last, really. But it is not as if the Prime would not be unlikely to hear of the meeting, and there is no reason to be deliberately antagonizing. Yet.
"However, since I have found you, perhaps we might discuss a bit of strategy." Shockwave glances again at Shortround, then steps to one side of the doorway, indicating the Prime can pass if he wishes. The implication is also there that they might walk and talk, and thus keep said discussion private.
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Post by Rodimus Prime-3 on Mar 22, 2008 23:37:03 GMT -5
"I don't recall asking you for your troop roster," Rodimus Prime observes lowly, with the slightest of edges, as he steps out of the exit, optics narrowed. "In fact, I have already tolerated quite an uneven arrangement between our forces as it is. As a... show of good faith, so to speak."
He takes two steps, implying that he's just fine with walking along as well. "But my 'good faith' only goes so far, Shockwave. I see no reason I, or any of mine, should volunteer information beyond what is necessary for this... alliance to work."
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Shortround
Minor
Breaker of the Fourth Wall
Posts: 272
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Post by Shortround on Mar 22, 2008 23:56:49 GMT -5
Shortround was happy they looked like they were going to leave. This would give him time to find somewhere safer to hide.
He sighed. They just had to have the scariest Autobots hanging around the base, didn't they...
Shortround's not only skippable, but if Shockwave and Rodimus walk off somwhere, he'll have mysteriously vanished if they come back to the warehouse
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 23, 2008 0:47:17 GMT -5
Shockwave falls into step beside the Prime, headfins tilting back ever so slightly at Rodimus's tone. A tiny surge of..more than annoyance filters through Shockwave's processors, but still his voice is calm, even as he replies to the Prime.
"I did not ask for a troop roster, either, Prime, and I have not invaded your camp uninvited. This area is open to all. On that note, however, it would not be logical to handicap our joint effort by being too closemouthed."
"You will keep your secrets, we will keep ours, but at some point we each must choose which are sacred and which are not. However, Prime," Shockwave tilts his head to look at Rodimus, "I will not take it kindly if a withholding of information or resources on your part costs me a warrior."
Of course, Shockwave will take it even less kindly if this alliance of Starscream's goes south and they lose warriors to these backwards Autobots.
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