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Seekers
May 28, 2011 15:20:12 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on May 28, 2011 15:20:12 GMT -5
Month 1, Week 3, Day 5, Ship, Semi-private
Briefing Room 3 looks a bit like something out of the lair of a James Bond villain. It's lit by a row of recessed lighting in the ceiling that provides only dim illumination. The room contains a flatscreen projector on one wall and single long conference table in the middle of the room, with chairs all along it. At the head of the table, in front of the screen, is a high-backed chair.
It is in this chair that Starscream sits, facing the door, like a monarch on his throne. Assault wishes to talk, so they'll talk.
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 2, 2011 8:47:30 GMT -5
It makes Assault feel right at home.
He strolls in, confident, back straight and both his head and shoulders held high. He comes to a halt at the other end of the table and salutes his commander, his posture that of the perfect soldier who has nothing but respect for his superior.
Well, that might not be entirely true. But Assault is an actor who knows how to perform and not offend.
"Sir."
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Seekers
Jun 4, 2011 14:57:29 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 4, 2011 14:57:29 GMT -5
"Assault," Starscream responds with a nod, waving a hand for the Seeker to take a seat. "Scourge's long-term plans are foolishness. I think you know this, or you wouldn't have approached me."
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Seekers
Jun 9, 2011 12:33:41 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 9, 2011 12:33:41 GMT -5
With that little handwave Assault allows himself to stand down, his posture relaxing, but only slightly. He wastes no time in taking a seat at the other end of the table either, making himself comfortable. "Oh yes, of course they are foolish, my lord. Preposterous! An interesting end goal, but centuries, if not millenia, out of our reach."
"However, I am uncertain as to whether or not it should be dismissed entirely. The pros and cons balance each other out, and I must admit, while normally I would be more careful with such matters, I find the potential power to be quite...Alluring. I am curious to your opinion on this matter, since due to your reality, you are more familiar then I am with vast, arguably divine power."
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Seekers
Jun 9, 2011 21:49:51 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 9, 2011 21:49:51 GMT -5
Starscream leans forward in his seat, claws gripping the arms hard enough to leave furrows. "Let me make this perfectly clear, Assault. 'Divine power,' as you call it, should be left well enough alone, right where you find it. The Allspark was the source of all life on my Cybertron. It gave us energy, was the source of our civilization. Then it became a prize to be won in war, and Optimus Prime launched it into space, dooming our homeworld to a lingering death rather than give up the prize. He launched the artifact that created our race into space. It landed on Earth. We're lucky it only managed to create a few uncontrollable ferals. Imagine if it had spawned a new race, more powerful than us, bent on our destruction?"
The jetformer releases the poor tortured armrests on his chair slowly, sinking lower into it. "Of course, the fault is also Megatron's, for seeking to claim the Allspark at all. Wars are not won with ancient artifacts or brilliant new technologies, Assault. Wars are won with armies and strategy. Any commander who forgets this dooms himself and those who follow him. No matter what new brilliant device our scientists devise, it will never win the war for us." War never changes. "Its far more likely that picking at the fabric of reality will get us all terminated."
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Seekers
Jun 11, 2011 18:03:06 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 11, 2011 18:03:06 GMT -5
Starscreams will never like Megatrons, and this one will always be eager to rant on just how the Allspark should not be used, yada yada yada. Assault knows better then to disagree or ask Starscream to skip over this, and instead sits there, patiently listening.
His patience is rewarded. What Starscream says next is of far more interest and what he came here for. Assault leans forward just a bit more, a silent hint that he wants to hear more. It will be interesting to see how long it will take for the Seeker leader to catch on that he is being tested, and how he will react to it. Will he see it as a game and turn hostile, or see it as an opportunity to gain someone's loyalty?
"Interesting. Though it must be frustrating to share command with one who's ambitions are quite possibly too much for them too handle."
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Seekers
Jun 12, 2011 11:08:51 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 12, 2011 11:08:51 GMT -5
That was an interesting choice of words there, Assault. "Ambition is all well and good, but it must be tempered by prudence," Starscream responds, clacking a talon against the poor tortured armrest of his chair. There's a pause, and then "If you're trying to play both sides against the middle, Assault, it won't end well for you."
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Seekers
Jun 12, 2011 13:48:32 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 12, 2011 13:48:32 GMT -5
Oho, now that was an interesting little comment, wasn't it? Assault raises an optic ridge, acting as if he was surprised by what Starscream brought up, complete with a humbled chuckle. "It is wise to be distrustful, Starscream. I can make promises, but those will only last as long as they suit me. But I shall not insult your intelligence, nor mine, by doing something as futile and predictable as denying that it has not occurred to me to attempt to undertake such a ploy."
Now, he moves. He leans forward in his seat, places his elbows on the table so that he may lean on them and entwines his fingers, his face coming to a rest against it so he may look at the air commander with his own piercing amber optics. "I simply do not desire a position of supreme leadership over our forces. I do not care for any of these buffoons, who are tools at best and annoyances at worst. There is merely one thing that I have any investments in, emotional and otherwise." Himself, of course. What else could he possibly mean with that?
"But I am unclear on whom to follow. Scourge, who has yet to prove himself, but is already showing great promise at such a young age, who is the favorite of a supremely intelligent mastermind, and has a long term goal that is quite tempting indeed? Or yourself, a silver tongued, manufactured and programmed commander, who has seen the full fiery depths of war, but who might reveal himself to be a snake without a long term plan?"
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Seekers
Jun 15, 2011 20:19:54 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 15, 2011 20:19:54 GMT -5
Admitting to your boss that you aren't very loyal is not usually a good idea. Of course, Starscream already suspected as much.
"And what is that one thing, Assault? The one thing you value?" he asks. "If I can provide it, we might come to an agreement."
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Seekers
Jun 18, 2011 13:37:43 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 18, 2011 13:37:43 GMT -5
This Starscream does not assume things, what a pleasant surprise! Assault looks at his commander, one optic ridge raising, before he finally lets out a brief chuckle, his optics twinkling with amusement. But when he speaks all of his humor is gone. It would be terribly rude to even give the impression that he's mocking his superior officer, after all!
"Pardon me, lord Starscream, but I must decline. After all, it would be an incomprehensibly foolish decision to reveal such a vast weakness. Nor can you provide it, for it is already quite firmly in my possession."
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Seekers
Jun 19, 2011 15:17:00 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 19, 2011 15:17:00 GMT -5
"You've already revealed it, Assault, by revealing that it exists. Ship is a large vessel, but it's not so large that it can't be searched. I have only to order it, and the thing of which you speak will be brought to me, provided it's a physical object, and not an idea." If Assault says that the one thing he has any investments in is something like 'the Decepticon cause' or 'my integrity as an artist' Starscream will slug him one.
"However," he continues, waving one gangly arm dismissively, "I'm not going to order a search. It's enough that we both know I can. In response to your earlier question, my long term plan is to establish a secure Decepticon nation, a stronghold with plentiful energy from whence we can bring the universe under our rule." For the greater good, of course.
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Seekers
Jun 19, 2011 18:27:18 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 19, 2011 18:27:18 GMT -5
"It would be a valid tactic, were my ambitions prove to be greater than they are in actuality. Howeverrr, I am certain that such a display of power will not be needed, milord." Assault leans back in his seat, staples his fingers, and regards Starscream, very, very carefully. He appears taken back by what the other Seeker says, but is he?
"A good goal, one that benefit us all. But if I may be so bold to ask: How do you intend to achieve this, when our own numbers are so very limited?"
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Seekers
Jun 22, 2011 20:32:12 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 22, 2011 20:32:12 GMT -5
"I don't recall inviting you to interrogate me, Assault," the larger jetformer snaps. The truth is, Starscream has never been much for long-term plans. He is an ambush predator, waiting for opportunities to present themselves and then thinking on the fly. He really hasn't been thinking much about his long-term plans, he's too busy watching Scourge for an opening. He sure as hell isn't going to tell Assault that, though.
"If we can find a sufficient source of energon, we can manufacture more troops. From there, it's just a matter of a well-executed war."
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Seekers
Jun 23, 2011 19:57:58 GMT -5
Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on Jun 23, 2011 19:57:58 GMT -5
There. That outburst told him everything he needed to know. Assault squints his optics in thought, reading Starscream a bit more blatantly, while gears are already starting to be put into motion inside his mind. "No. Of course not. Forgive me."
No long term goals? Tsk. But, that had possibilities of its own. He will just have to gain the Seeker's trust, and he already has an idea on how to do that, even if it will take a while. But that isn't a problem. He's a very patient Con, after all.
Then, Assault claps in his hands, pushes back his seat and jumps up, standing straight and giving Starscream a prompt salute. "Very well, I have no further questions. Unless you desire to ask me one, milord?"
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Seekers
Jun 26, 2011 11:19:27 GMT -5
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Jun 26, 2011 11:19:27 GMT -5
Starscream narrows his optics at Assault, the red points glowing menacingly. How very satisfying it would be to rip the little Seeker limb from limb. And how very wasteful.
"No, I've no questions. You're dismissed," he says, waving a hand.
OOC: Wrap?
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