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Post by Perceptor on Jan 30, 2011 17:20:24 GMT -5
Perceptor watches, his core sinking into cold self-recrimination as Duskwing flees, the weight of his rifle a shameful burden in Perceptor's hand. "It wasn't me," he murmurs weakly, deflating under Sentinel's accusation. "It was my evil alternate twin..."
Sure. That sounds sane and rational, now, doesn't it?
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 30, 2011 21:10:35 GMT -5
"That's the kind of excuse I'd get from Jetfire and Jetstorm," Sentinel Prime grumbles, clearly disgruntled. He fidgets with his shield for a bit and parrots, "No Sentinel Prime, sir! It is being my brother's fault!"
The shield stubbornly stays web-like. He slaps it on his lower arm, since even a mostly broken shield is better than no shield, and then he stomps over to Perceptor and tries to help him to his feet (Is that leg badly injured enough that he'll have to carry Perceptor?), asking, "So are you talking about Magnificus or what?"
Sentinel Prime's read about the mirror universe incident, but he more readily thinks of examples from his own universe, especially when under stress. He's not very creative.
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 31, 2011 4:09:09 GMT -5
"Magnifi-who?" Perceptor asks, shoving his concussion rifle away into subspace as Sentinel assists him up. "No. No, my alternate. The mirror universe..." Heaving a sigh, he shakes his head; it's something of a long story, Sentinel is already cross enough with him (for good reason), and he needs to get to his Laboratory to activate the spacebridge and bring at least Optimus and Hook in.
Perceptor casts a wary look toward the door back into the corridor. He isn't keen on getting ambushed again, and Duskwing will be even more angry at having been thwarted once. Perceptor isn't even entirely certain that the idiot Seeker really is aware that Perceptor and his tormentor are not one and the same individual, despite Duskwing's words. He seemed to be conflating reality, even after his affirmation of Perceptor's identity. Sourly, Perceptor finds himself wondering if Duskwing is even smart enough to understand the differentiation between himself and... and that other one.
"We need to get to my laboratory," he says, leaning upon Sentinel's shoulder. He probably.... could... make it on his own, but he's injured and slowed down, and not very excited about the prospect of running into another Decepticon by himself. Besides, he will require assistance with dealing with Hook.
"Ah, thank you. For your assistance," he offers hesitantly. Maybe now Sentinel can see why Perceptor isn't tossed into combat often. "I, ah... will repair your shield?" Since, y'know, he broke it and all.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 31, 2011 8:44:08 GMT -5
"Magnificus, he's a Decepticon military consul, currently believed to be stationed in a diplomatic post at Ijurn. Intel thinks he's probably your, er, Perceptor's clone," Sentinel Prime explains. He smacks his forehead with his free hand when Perceptor clearly doesn't know who Magnificus is and when Perceptor says it was just his mirror alternate, Sentinel Prime exclaims, "Those guys!"
He wonders what his own alternate would be like. Even if the guy's evil, all that handsomeness in one room just might be unbearable. Sentinel Prime doesn't think they could be blamed for anything that might happen.
Perceptor's a lot taller than him, which makes Perceptor leaning on him awkward. Sentinel Prime offers, "I could carry you? Or transform, and you climb in my truck bed? Anyway, you saw all that, right?" He gestures vaguely in the direction Duskwing went. Perceptor saw Sentinel Prime acting completely sweet and awesome, right? He'll be sure to put in a good word to Botanica who'll put in a good word to Rodimus Prime, who'll take his old buddy Springer out for some drinks and cut a deal behind the scenes to get Sentinel Prime doing slightly less mind-numbing shifts?
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 31, 2011 12:25:56 GMT -5
"My clone?" Well, that's certainly something that he wouldn't put past Shockwave. "Lovely. Clones." Given how things seem to oddly parallel events from reality to reality, he cannot honestly rule out a clone of himself existing in his own, or any one of the various realities that more closely resemble his own. That idea sends an odd shiver down his back strut.
"That is my hypothesis, at least, as he seems quite certain that I have performed egregious experiments upon his person, and I am much more certain that I have, until this day, never been in direct contact with him before," Perceptor adds with a scowl. "His intellect is somewhat suspect."
As if that hadn't been glaringly obvious anyway, but Perceptor is feeling a bit defensive about being confused with his alternate. He shakes that off and considers Sentinel's suggestions.
"Carrying me is not necessary, although, you are much swifter in your alternate form than I can hope to be, even uninjured. The more swiftly we can deal with Hook, the more quickly you can return to more suitable duties, as, yes, I did observe the ease at which you were dealing with the situation, ah... before my, ah..." Yes. Bumbling idiocy would be an apt descriptor. He is grateful that Sentinel is not making a larger deal about his, ah, inadequacies. Perhaps he can circumvent all that runaround and attempt to speak to Xaaron or Rodimus directly, regarding Sentinel's usefulness and his assigned duties.
"Your assistance is most appreciated, Sentinel."
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 31, 2011 12:42:13 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime transforms into a truck, his shield and lance stowing atop his cab, because trucks with random weapons up top make excellent disguises on Earth. He sits there, engine idling, waiting for Perceptor to climb in.
The main reason Sentinel Prime isn't giving Perceptor a hard time is that Perceptor's an officer, and Sentinel Prime's a suck-up. That's about 70% of it. About 20% of it is that Perceptor is a suspiciously nice guy. Maybe 10% of it is that Perceptor's just a bit scary. 'It was my evil alternate twin.' Really?
Anyway, maybe the sucking up will pay off, if Perceptor did see all that sterling display of military force! Sentinel Prime is aware that Perceptor's thanking Sentinel Prime for just doing his job. That's what they pay him for! If they paid him at all. He still basks in the praise anyway and cannot resist bragging, "They don't let just anyone into the Elite Guard. So what's the fastest route to your laboratory?"
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 31, 2011 13:11:20 GMT -5
"So I surmised." While Sentinel is busy "sucking up", Perceptor is merely hoping that Sentinel does not regale Xaaron with tales of his... less than successful efforts here. Not that Perceptor imagines that Xaaron would really be all that surprised, or expect much more from him, but, still... one individual bearing witness to his spectacular ineptitude is one too many for his bruised pride.
Except that, had that one witness not been present... Perceptor gives a faint shudder as he transforms painfully to cut down at least a little of his mass for Sentinel, and lands in the plow's open bed. He seems to end up in an inordinate number of mech's beds, actually.
Shoving aside thoughts of becoming nothing more than painfully rended spare parts to be sold on the Decepticon open market, he replies with the appropriate directions, and swivels his scope around to watch their retreat, offering at least a little protection to the direction that Sentinel isn't facing. "I am quite fortunate that you are the capable combatant that you are, and that you arrived when you did, though. Thank you."
Okay, so perhaps Perceptor isn't above a little "sucking up", himself. He'd rather have Sentinel full of himself and in a good mood to help him deal with Hook, and whomever else manages to penetrate to his laboratory, than in a snit and sulking. The Elite mech reminds him so very much of a certain rough-and-tumble minibot from back home. Now, to see if Perceptor can do his part to help keep Sentinel alive, unlike poor Brawn.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 31, 2011 15:23:15 GMT -5
Sentinel Prime doesn't drive too well, and he pushes at his governor, booking it off to Perceptor's laboratory. Perceptor will certainly be in for a harrowing, jostling ride. Next time, Perceptor might want to consider tucking himself in the floor of Sentinel Prime's cab. No human's ever been inside, and he keeps himself fragging spotless.
He screeches to a halt at Perceptor's door, waiting for Perceptor to get out and unlock the door before he transforms. Transforming and dumping people out the back without warning is just so trashy. Sentinel Prime laps up the flattery and agrees, windbagging, "Timing. One of my many good points."
Can he just keep this Perceptor and take him home and shove the other Perceptor in a closet? Everyone would like this Perceptor better, except for maybe Alpha Trion and Ultra Magnus, because this Perceptor would try to punch out Ultra Magnus for suggesting twin studies, only he'd miss and start to fall over, and then Sentinel Prime could catch him, and the Council would gasp...
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 31, 2011 16:58:41 GMT -5
Perceptor was quite used to being trucked around by Wheeljack, the Autobot Evil Kinevil and Destructo Boy all rolled into one. He can handle a harrowing ride, especially if it keeps him from getting ambushed by more enraged Seekers. Not that he doesn't feel just a bit rattled by the time he transforms and slumps shakily against the door to his lab, but any drive one can walk away from is a good drive. Besides, he can blame the stumbling on his damaged knee.
By the time he had coded the door open, he has also received the appropriate coordinates from Optimus. Even better, there are no surprise visitors awaiting him within his laboratory. In retrospect, he probably should have allowed Sentinel to go first, however, he is reluctant to place someone else in harm's way just for his own sake. Sentinel's assistance notwithstanding.
"Well," he offers absently as he shuffles toward the spacebridge platform - it really needs to be moved to its own room, now that it is functional - and begins keying in the warm up sequence, "your strength will be most appreciated shortly. Constructicons are hardy adversaries, even when they are not angry." And if Hook isn't angry by now? Perceptor will eat his own chemistry set.
// Initiating the transmission sequence, Optimus, // he transmits on the Broadband. // There will be a bridge portal doorway opening upon your coordinates in 3... 2... 1... //
The platform begins to glow.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 31, 2011 17:31:03 GMT -5
Transforming and stepping inside, Sentinel Prime gives the laboratory the stern looking over that only a paranoid named 'Sentinel' can give, pointing his lance at a few suspect-looking beakers before taking up a watch post at the door, armed and ready.
He points out, "Perceptor, that's very impressive," not really, Sentinel Prime's seen how many spacebridges? They're all glowy and the farmboy hicks ooh-and-aah, but that's not Sentinel Prime, "but you need to lock the door behind you, unless you fancy maybe taking it from both ends." He points to the glowing platform and out the door. Sure, Sentinel Prime can hold the pass, but given that they could just lock the door, holding the pass is a needless waste of effort on his part.
Also, if Decepticons do spill through the spacebridge, a locked door makes it a little harder for them to get out into the rest of the ship!
They could also just lock Optimus in here and wander off. Optimus is going to be so obnoxious, Sentinel Prime just knows it, the pot calling the kettle black.
It doesn't occur to him to ask where the other end station of the spacebridge is or when they set that up. Spacebridges need two end stations! If he realised this spacebridge only has one end station and is still functional, he'd be picking his generous jaw off the floor.
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Optimus Prime
Minor
Caution: Hero makes wide right turns.
Posts: 385
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Post by Optimus Prime on Jan 31, 2011 19:52:16 GMT -5
Optimus Prime strides triumphantly out of the space bridge portal and into the room, depositing the hog-tied Hook on the floor in front of him. He also remembers to finally retract his face plate.
"Hello Sentinel, Perceptor. This is really impressive machine you've built! A space bridge with only one terminus!"
Turning to Sentinel, he asks "Do you have a pair of stasis cuffs on you? Hook's been giving me a little trouble." He tries not to let too much smugness creep into his tone.
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Post by Dr. James Hook on Jan 31, 2011 20:12:40 GMT -5
"Hmm. That was nauseating," Hook observes to no one in particular. Whether he's talking about Optimus Prime's saccharine Boy Scout impression, the fire retardant foam, the inept bondage, the space bridge, or some combination, he deliberately leaves unclear.
He appears to be unshocked by Perceptor and rather ignores Sentinel Prime. Of course Perceptor would be found in such a quaint little laboratory with quaint little technology!
Hook's slumber parties have more death rays than this disgrace!
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 31, 2011 20:50:12 GMT -5
"Oh. A good point, Sentinel," he replies, turning toward a console and keying in the command to seal and lock the doors before he returns his attention to monitoring the spacebridge and the inbound mechs.
"It is not perfect," Perceptor replies to Sentinel. As Hook will no doubt attest to. Of course, Hook would say that even if it had been perfect, just to be contrary. "But it will serve, for now."
At least, until is starts malfunctioning and transporting evil alternate twins to their reality, or something. If only he could totally solve the nausea problem. The sheer randomness of it is... frustrating.
"Over there, Optimus," he instructs, nodding toward an empty workbench as he closes the spacebridge. "Sentinel, in that storage unit," he indicates with a nod, "there are restraints. Can you fetch them, please?" They aren't stasis cuffs, by any stretch, but they'll at least keep the recalcitrant Constructicon nice and cozily out of trouble and on that workbench. At least until they can get him transferred to the brig or one of the medical quarantine rooms.
If/and as the two Primes follow his direction, Perceptor crosses over, pulling tools out of subspace as he does, to place himself near Hook's head. "Hold him, Optimus. I must disable his radio. We do not need a spy behind our lines."
As long as Optimus does as asked, he will be doing exactly that. Look, Xaaron! Perceptor did something clever! Of course, when Perceptor finds out about certain other events... he is going to be quite cross.
ooc: Hook's radio disabled with permission - provided no one prevents that.
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Post by Sentinel Prime on Jan 31, 2011 21:03:57 GMT -5
"If I had stasis cuffs on me," Sentinel Prime says cuttingly, "I would have used them on Oil Slick in the asylum," and just run like blazes from Blackarachnia. Oil Slick's the fast one. Silently added, you idiot.
However, Perceptor said he had a good point! Take that, Optimus! Shuffling the damaged Skyboom Shield out of sight so that Optimus can't make fun of him and just putting the lance away because a lance is ridiculous overkill for opening a cabinet, he does as Perceptor orders. He doesn't think about why Perceptor keeps restraints in his laboratory cabinet, because that would hurt his head. Sentinel Prime just grabs the restraints and brings them over.
He suggests, "You should shut him up, too. But he's... sure short for a Decepticon."
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Optimus Prime
Minor
Caution: Hero makes wide right turns.
Posts: 385
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Post by Optimus Prime on Feb 1, 2011 21:59:47 GMT -5
"You got it, Perceptor," Optimus responds, depositing the Constructicon on the indicated workbench and checking over his bonds to make sure they're secure. Can't be too careful, after all. Hook's a wily one.
"Just because you didn't have them then, doesn't mean you don't have any now. It doesn't hurt to ask," Optimus says defensively. Like, this one time, Optimus was carrying an object, but then he put it down! One minute he had it, and the next he didn't! The reverse could just as easily happen!
"Do we really need to gag him?" The young Prime's brow furrows. "I suppose as long as there are Decepticons on the ship, we should make sure he can't call for help." Ack! There are Decepticons on the ship! Optimus looks ready to bolt to the bridge, then relaxes. Perceptor might still need him here.
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