|
Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Sept 11, 2011 21:04:21 GMT -5
Month 3, Week 1, Day 4, an Incan temple, somewhere in the Peruvian Andes, Open
Bambi is somewhat amazed by how much 'Autobot' appears to mean 'robot who checks out strange energy readings'. She doesn't mind that, though. Getting to check out the Terracotta Army and verify that Shockwave was not hiding inside any of the statues was something of a dream for her. Bambi only regrets that she couldn't have spent more time there, but the Chinese officials weren't too happy about the Autobots being there in the first place.
Now she's in Peru! The dinosaur is trying hard not to grin, but her teeth show all the same. She narrates happily, "Local legend say there shaft up here that lead all the way into Earth's core. Now, that story not make much sense, but it maybe based on concept of volcano or lava tube... Anyway, locals also say there crystal of power, but me Bambi bet Spanish looted it centuries ago."
It is her job, as the scientist, to scoff a bit in the opening of the episode.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 11, 2011 23:50:35 GMT -5
"Maybe," Rodimus says doubtfully. Then he launches into one of those exposition fits that those from his reality are sometimes prone to. "But something's causing those energy readings we picked up on the event horizon, and the descriptions of the 'crystal of power' fit with one that was found here in Perceptor's reality." It's a short bit of exposition, but really, he doesn't exposite as heavily anymore in general, though he himself hasn't noticed this. He never realized he did it in the first place.
"Either way, it's worth looking into." The Prime tosses Bambi a faint grin at the Dinobot's inability to keep her pleasure with the job in check. "Thanks for checking this out with me, even if it does prove to be a, erm, 'waste of time.'"
He's careful in approaching the Incan temple - as large as he is, he could easily damage it, though fortunately he's rather practiced at dealing with human structures.
|
|
|
Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Sept 12, 2011 14:19:24 GMT -5
Bambi gives Rodimus Prime a look like he's crazy and snaps, "Waste of time? Me Bambi could spend century here!" It's a longer amount of time than she's lived by two orders of magnitude, but she can imagine it clearly enough.
As they approach the temple, she rubs her head and comments lowly, "Construction strange. Them Inca usually not put in ceilings so high..."
The scale for the temple, in general, is off. It looks like G1 Megatron could climb up the steps and wander around inside without trouble. Why was this particular temple built on such a large scale? It is puzzling. Bambi pads up to the steps, pulls out a notebook, jots down a few notes and sketches, and then starts to climb.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 12, 2011 16:52:40 GMT -5
Rodimus grins, though he tries to hide it. His comment about it being a 'waste of time' has been intended as a joke, knowing Bambi's interest in the subject. He can't help but find the Dinobot's serious reaction amusing.
He hmms softly as Bambi points out the scale of the place. "Well, you won't hear me complaining," he says as he begins up the steps, still careful despite the comparable size.
"It almost seems like they built for, well... us," he says suspiciously.
|
|
|
Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Sept 12, 2011 19:29:08 GMT -5
"There lots of aliens us size," Bambi counterpoints. "Us not show up in universe until recently... us think." The dinosaur rubs her chin, squinting in thought. She pauses to rap on one of the steps with the back of her knuckles. "Sturdy construction. Not just big. Strong."
Her tail swishes behind her, and she enters the main antechamber. It's been stripped pretty bare by looters. Bambi growls lowly, as she notices some damage. The wear tells her it's not recent damage, but it makes her angry all the same.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 12, 2011 22:24:30 GMT -5
Rodimus nods as Bambi points out that there are lots of Transformer-sized aliens. "Good point," he allows. He grins wryly. "I guess it's only normal to think about the universe in your own terms, and forget that everyone else is doing the same thing. We're all the center of our own worlds... but only our own."
He starts to explore the antechamber, though there's not much to explore left. "Anyway, it would have had to have been built strong to last as long as it did, wouldn't it? Or are you talking more than for the other buildings around here?"
|
|
Zippo
Cadet
Twisted fire starter
Posts: 88
|
Post by Zippo on Sept 13, 2011 13:57:30 GMT -5
At the moment, Zippo’s role is just one of those background characters animators throw in to fill the ranks. He doesn’t mind at all though, there’s history everywhere here. And then there’s the guide, “at last another history buff” is what Zippo is thinking…mostly thinking about Bambi anyway.
“Is it even possible for the primitive humans of the time to have built this without outside help?”
|
|
Duskwing
Major
"What the slag happened?"
Posts: 848
|
Post by Duskwing on Sept 13, 2011 18:40:23 GMT -5
Somewhere out there in the sky, over Peru, over Texas, wherever you might be--wait, this isn't the introduction to "Chicken Raid of Cymri". This is Tranformers:Deadzone!
Ahem.
Somewhere out there in the sky over the Andes, there's a old F-15 fighter jet--a rich man's racing jet, repainted in civilian colors of dark blue and purple. Some people might think it odd that it appears to have no pilot, but they'd have to be 20,000 feet up to notice that. Or that the jet is grumbling and cursing.
"Ah, frag this wit' a bent turbine blade inserted sideways! Just 'cause some other Megatron found some freaky power gem and made a super-blaster out of it in some other universe doesn't mean dere's diddly-squat here! But slag no, dey gotta send someone to check it out, and dat someone just gotta be me. Frag this wit' two bent turbine blades, crossed and upside down! I coulda been back at the ship, relaxifying!"
Duskwing's grumbling isn't all that loud; he does like to get out and fly. He just doesn't like being ordered to go and do something that has to produce results, and thus might be something he'd get blamed for if it failed to produce said results. It's loud enough to be audible to any companions.
His navigation computer pings at him; that mountain peak over there is the one to check out. Duskwing lazily banks toward it, reducing his throttle and starting his descent.
|
|
|
Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Sept 13, 2011 20:45:55 GMT -5
"Them Incas built earthquake resistant. Dancing stones technique. Me Bambi just saying not fall over under you Rodimus weight," Bambi says idly. "Hng. Anthropic principle?"
Different jets tend to have fairly characteristic engine noises, there aren't any Autobot F-15s right now, and Bambi has very good hearing. She might notice Duskwing next round if she's not distracted.
Right now, however, Zippo has just demanded a reaming. Bambi transforms up into her full height in robot mode, which isn't much, but it certainly sufficient to loom over a mere Beast Warrior. Her optics blaze with wrath, and there's the scent of smoke in the air. She takes a step toward him, claws bared, and demands, full-on growling, "You idiot say what? Primitive? Them Inca highly advanced civilization! Them build better buildings than Spanish - than modern inhabitants! Them Inca have ramps and logs and patience. Also large disposable labour force due to conquering neighbouring peoples."
That is sort of Decepticon, she supposes. There is good and bad in everything. She's not here to judge them.
"Why modern dummies always say, 'Boo hoo hoo, no way natives could build stuff. Must have had help'? That insulting and smug. You nitwit have extra hand for patting self on back? Because me Bambi can rearrange you anatomy..." She takes another step closer to Zippo.
This is the thing about Dinobots. Even the brighter ones have serious, serious anger issues.
|
|
|
Post by Rodimus Prime on Sept 13, 2011 22:11:23 GMT -5
Rodimus opens his mouth to respond to Zippo's comment, when Bambi does with somewhat more... emphasis. He steps between the two and lifts his hands in a calming gesture. "Come on, Bambi, no need to bite his head off." He glances back at Zippo and mutters, "Especially since you might do it literally."
Then he grins. "But... she does have a point. Humans can be pretty ingenious. Forgetting that has tripped us up before, and it could again." The grin turns into a smirk. "Luckily, it does that to the 'Cons a bit more often."
Hopefully, that'll have defused the situation, but Rodimus is ready to be more... physical if he has to in order to keep his troops from getting a bit too physical themselves.
The Prime does not have the Dinobot's hearing. He hasn't heard the jet yet.
|
|
Zippo
Cadet
Twisted fire starter
Posts: 88
|
Post by Zippo on Sept 14, 2011 3:39:57 GMT -5
Zippo reacted to Bambi’s threatening behaviour on an instinctive level, he stood taller straightening his double jointed legs and he spread his wings apart making him look larger. It was also due to the presence of the Prime as well as Zippo getting used to angsty Autobots that he felt less intimidated than perhaps he should. When replying to the dinobot, his tone is controlled, calm and level, and his face blank of expression. His own golden eyes however give indication of the aggression he does possess, glowing brighter than normal, and it’s not the smell of Bambi’s smoke that fills his nostrils but his own.
“I do bow to your greater education on this matter and I agree the Incans certainly had advanced in many areas compared to other civilisations of the time, they however barely lasted more than a century or two while the less advanced Spanish fared much better. Combined with Inca’s multiple origin myths and the many deities of nearly every Human culture, plus the size of these structures, I feel the idea of outside influence bears some merit”.
Zippo’s blank face turned into a feral almost gleeful grin, sharp teeth on display for all, “and I just might bite back”. And he didn’t need to return to beast mode to do it either; his robot mode head was draconic enough.
|
|
Duskwing
Major
"What the slag happened?"
Posts: 848
|
Post by Duskwing on Sept 14, 2011 21:19:50 GMT -5
Oblivious to the archaeological debate going on below and inside, Duskwing banked in more lazy circles, shedding altitude while checking his instruments. He kept enough attention on the outside world not to fly into a mountain or the temple--one thing he would not screw up was his flying. Duskwing took pride in that.
However, there was nothing obvious to his generic Seeker sensors. "Slaggit. Slagging fraggit. Got to go inside. Primus on a catapult, why couldn't they have sent one of dem tunnel-rat groundpounders? No, I gotta go."
He looked the area over as he oribited, noting a small camp with several vehicles. "Huh. Dere's people down here. Wonder what for?"
|
|
Holi
Major
Captain Can-Do
Posts: 672
|
Post by Holi on Sept 14, 2011 21:34:33 GMT -5
"…And that the wide array of deities we see represented in ancient mythology are all based on alien beings who visited Earth thousands of years ago!" says Dr. Suzuki, arms raised for emphasis. Perhaps if she insists hard enough, she can get her companion warmed up to her point of view. Because it really does make so much sense.
But here, she has to pause for breath, between explaining her theories and climbing all these stairs. It's a good thing she can't see the visitors on the other side of the temple, or it would just add fuel to the fire.
|
|
Frenzy
Minor
Emperor of Profaningshire
Fscking Bigjobs
Posts: 339
|
Post by Frenzy on Sept 14, 2011 21:40:17 GMT -5
"Which ancient mythology?" Dr. Hoffman asks irritatedly. "There are hundreds, if not thousands, of them all over the world, Dr. Suzuki, as you know full well. Do you know what the ones with shared characteristics have in common? The cultures that created them traded with each other or both traded with an intermediate culture."
Fortunate indeed there's a temple in between her and the Transformers, or she'd call this whole expedition off before she strangles her fellow explorer.
|
|
|
Post by Lynn Deanna Payne on Sept 14, 2011 22:00:16 GMT -5
Anger and angst are very different things. Mistaking one for the other can be hazardous to one's health. Is Zippo still going on about that? Bambi corrects, "You Zippo never hear of guns, germs, and steel? Them Inca made earthquake resistant structures, but them Spanish have superior firepower. Also, brought disease. Anyway, them Inca were conquerors. When they take over tribe, some of that tribe's myths and deities get assimilated. So, there many myths, many deities. Same thing happen when them Spanish take over! Her Incan Pachamama associated with her Virgin Mary, forming syncretic religion. Happen all the time. You... you..."
Bambi pauses and twitches because Zippo just said something absolutely boneheaded. He just threatened to bite a Dinobot. Did she really hear that correctly? She did. Okay, archaeology lesson time is over. Fighting time is now.
Bambi transforms back into dinosaur mode and launches herself at Zippo, intending to get her jaws around his neck and fling him out the temple hard enough to snap his neck. She's too distracted to hear Duskwing or the human archaeologists. Bambi wants him out of the temple, of course, because she wouldn't want him to leak in here and stain anything. These stones are more valuable than he is, she thinks.
|
|