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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 30, 2008 12:46:11 GMT -5
OOC: This follows Perceptor's last post in the Triage thread.
Rodimus Prime, as is been mentioned elsewhere, carefully and politely herds Perceptor a short ways down an attaching side-tunnel to afford a bit of privacy while he checks the other down for bugs. He withdraws a small medical kit from subspace as he encourages Perceptor to be seated and starts to kneel down himself.
"I suppose the easiest way to start this," he says quietly, so as to not be overheard, "is by asking where he worked on you so I can check there first."
Where did the bad man touch you, Perceptor?
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Post by Perceptor on May 30, 2008 18:29:26 GMT -5
Carefully and politely, perhaps, but that does not preclude Perceptor's subtle resistance to being tended to in any capacity before others in far greater need. But, then again, for everyone's safety, he needs to be cleared, which is why it is only subtle resistance, and swiftly quelled.
"Ah... oh, yes. Indeed. My, ah, knee. Right knee," he replies, sliding down to a seat against the tunnel wall. "Although the damage to my right hip was also examined, as well as... as my scope mount." Well, what is left of it, at any rate.
Is Rodimus going to kiss it and make it all better?
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 30, 2008 20:33:53 GMT -5
Perceptor isn't pink enough for Rodimus.
Rodimus gives a single nod, then puts his right knee on the ground for balance as he leans forward to examine Perceptor's knee. His touch is light and professional, though perhaps not so specifically familiar as Shockwave's had been. He is familiar with Transformer systems on a general basis, and picks up new one's quickly, but has spent no particular amount of time working on his own Perceptor specifically.
"While we're doing this," he says softly, "I need you to detail the whole encounter." The voice is gentle and encouraging, but firm. This is a friendly order, but an order none-the-less.
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Post by Perceptor on May 30, 2008 21:31:10 GMT -5
And significantly less... dulcet, to boot. Not to mention from the wrong fractile reality.
The lack of specific familiarity in Rodimus' work is actually rather comforting after Shockwave's far too knowing badtouch. Perhaps logic would dictate that Perceptor should actually prefer more familiarity from his own allies, however, current pure emotive responses inspire an extreme need for privacy and physical seclusion.
Besides, something about his Prime - or a reasonable facimile - being so intimate with his systems is, quite frankly, a little... weird.
"I sustained the initial injuries during the confrontation with Pee-Dee's alternate in my laboratory prior to its destruction, specifically as I fled through a breech in the structure," Perceptor explains, responding to that firm tone as expected.
"Those initial injuries severely hampered my ambulatory ability, slowing my evacuation considerably. While passing a structure near the former location of my laboratory, I was unexpectedly accosted and physically pulled within that structure. The mechanism responsible proved to be Shockwave, who, upon visually inspecting my physical state, expressed some disappointment in my injuries, stating that he had hoped to have located me prior to receiving them."
Oddly, for once, Perceptor doesn't sound particularly pleased to be speaking.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 30, 2008 22:36:04 GMT -5
Rodimus continues his inspection. At this point, actual repairs beyond the temporary ones already in place would take more time and resources they have. He leans back. "That area's clear," he reports, then stands to walk around and inspect Perceptor's scope.
"Of course, if he was really that worried about your well-being, he could have given you a heads up before the attack. But then, you'd have told us, so obviously he's only concerned with your well-being, and not ours.." Rodimus leans forward, gently inspecting the remains of the scope.
"Go on."
It just figures, doesn't it? The one time Perceptor doesn't want to talk is the one time Rodimus is encouraging it!
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Post by Perceptor on May 30, 2008 23:12:40 GMT -5
"He stated that I was 'too valuable' to risk," he replies with a hint of bitterness in his tone. "I can only assume from his later comments that he intends to encourage an eventual collaboration between he and whatever other minds he might coerce into such a partnership, toward the end of--"
Perceptor breaks off there briefly, growing tense as Rodimus approaches that very seneitive circuitry of the tattered remains of his scope mount. Such familiarity is rarely extended to anyone, regardless of faction. So many eons of protecting his primary function is not so easily overset, even for such a necessary reason.
"For the, ah, purpose of devising a means to return home. Or, rather, toward the specific purpose of returning Shockwave to his reality and time," Perceptor theorizes, forcing himself to remain calm, even if he cannot quite convince himself to fully relax.
"I... I must admit that I was... somewhat stunned by the losses being announced at that time; I did not struggle when he initiated repairs upon my damaged knee." In other words, he was too shell-shocked to think to resist.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 30, 2008 23:40:54 GMT -5
"And what would that have gotten you? Even more damages?"
Rodimus does now look up from his examination, attempting to catch Perceptor's gaze, to look him in the eye despite his own shattered optic, to re-assure him of the conviction behind the Prime's next words.
"You haven't said anything so far that you need to justify, Perceptor. If an opponent offers an advantage, I, for one, am going to take it. The trick is making sure it didn't come with a hidden catch, or finding a way to turn the catch back on the catcher."
He looks down, finishing his examination of the shattered scope-mount. "So. Shockwave, from the sound of things, intends to return home. You can bet Starscream has no interest in going back to a subordinate position. That might lead to a conflict of interests that we can take advantage of. Decepticon leadership's been way too stable here."
"Now. What happened next?"
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Post by Perceptor on May 31, 2008 0:12:30 GMT -5
Of course, the instant reflext is to refute Rodimus' logic, to explain that he should have offered resistance of some sort or another, that he... that...
Rodimus Prime has a hole right through his head. There is light clearly showing through it, and exiting via that missing and shattered optic. A hole. Completely through...
"Rodimus, your repairs appear to be of significantly higher priority than my own."
One well versed in all the subtle nuances of Perceptor-ese might note the very subdued "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?" embedded into that statement.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on May 31, 2008 16:34:04 GMT -5
"Huh?" Rodimus asks, confused by the sudden subject shift and not, for the moment, comprehending. Then he realizes what's being asked, shakes his head, and waves it off. "Oh, that. That's nothing. Missed my brain module, and I've still got the other optic. Throws my perception off a bit, but it should be an easy enough fix."
Then he leans back. "Anyway, the scope is clear. Let me check your hip." He then circled around to do just that, encouraging, "Anything else?"
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Post by Perceptor on Jun 1, 2008 13:17:36 GMT -5
"Oh." How many others would be so easily able to simply shrug off what appears to be a sniper shot through their head?
There's a moment of silence as Perceptor gathers his thoughts once again. "Shockwave rules his Cybertron," he finally observes. "He definitely intends to return."
"I exressed disbelief in his intention to assist me in my escape," he continues, shifting to allow Rodimus better access to his injury. "Which he then refuted that he would not do unless I chose to surrender myself to him, stating that it would be a logical decision based upon the status at that time, then further clarifying that he would merely provide me the opportunity to better find safety for myself."
Perceptor sighs, looking down at his hands clasped together on his undamaged thigh. "The damages, though not life-threatening in and of themselves, were significant enough to have posed a serious impediment to that process." Yes, Rodimus, you say you would have accepted an offered advantage as well, but Perceptor still regrets the necessity of his perceived weakness.
Quite suddenly, he looks up, a look of surprise and perhaps a sliver of hope within his expression. "Shockwave merely tolerates Starscream. Their leadership is only so stable as Shockwave wills it, I think. And this alliance with our alternates may, perhaps provide the strain by which that stability is shaken."
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 1, 2008 14:29:31 GMT -5
"Right," Rodimus smiles as he carefully inspects the damaged hip, using the same light, quick touch he has been this whole time. "Never mind the likelihood that things will fall apart between Starscream and... and that alternate Rodimus, this situation might plant the seeds for long term leadership conflicts." He looks up at Perceptor again. From this angle, the light can't be seen through his optic - it is only a black hole of darkness. "But, just because it's looking likely is no excuse for us not to... encourage things along a little. And we really need to be ready to make the most of our appearances, too." He stops, frowns for a moment, and glances back down at the damaged area before looking back up. "I'm going to need some red lenses."
"But yes. If Shockwave is going to drop us hints on where the weak points in their structure are, we should make use of it. Well, remembering that the source might not be dependable."
"Anything else?"
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Post by Perceptor on Jun 2, 2008 19:54:51 GMT -5
It takes a moment for the comment about red lenses to truly sink in and click for Perceptor, but when it does, a look of impressed surprise settles upon his features, and he nods. "Dangerous, that, but potentially quite useful. We must devise a means for any of our own forces to recognize you as yourself at a glance, without providing a significant clue to the alternates, should you utilize such subterfuge. A task required for all of us, actually. Secured transmission verification is useful, however, in the midst of a battle, perhaps not... efficient enough to prevent unfortunate confusion," he muses thoughtfully.
Contemplation gives way to another sigh, and this time, when Perceptor turns his attention back to his clasped hands, his whole posture seems to wilt. "There is."
"Shockwave called me a fool for attempting to refuse assistance that was freely offered, and I..." He pauses, hunchingfurther. "I willingly, willfully, and utterly artlessly stepped right into his trap by observing that 'freely offered' did not preclude a payment at a later date."
"It... it was meant to be aderisive observation about Shockwave's conduct. Shockwave, however... took it as... as an offer." Not one of Perceptor's more shining moments, and he knows it. Hates himself for it.
"In retrospect... I suspect that Shockwave had intended for that very response, predicting it." And if Shockwave can, indeed, predict to a reasonable degree of accuracy Perceptor's behavior... It puts the Autobots at a significant disadvantage to have such an unintentional mole in their midst.
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 2, 2008 20:57:41 GMT -5
Rodimus leans back. It seems he's done examining Perceptor's deamages. He looks up at Perceptor, once more trying to look him directly in the optic, and says, calmly, "Well, was it an offer?"
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Post by Perceptor on Jun 2, 2008 21:21:02 GMT -5
"It was not intented to be so, however, the language clearly made it such." Perceptor can be far too literal and black and white at times. Of course, this is the mechanism who saved Megatron on two seperate occassions, primarily because it had been the right thing to do, even if it had not been the correct thing to do.
"Shockwave did grant the concession of his word that 'said payment will not be made by betraying my friends to destruction at his hands or deed'," Perceptor adds, his tone indicating the quote of Shockwave's exact promise. "Before completing enough essential repairs to allow sufficient movement... and advising that the repairs he performed would eventually betray that I had received assistance. I had planned on making a full report, in any case."
"Shockwave seemed... well aware that I would." It is only now, after this confession, that he allows Rodimus to catch his gaze, adding in a faintly hopeful tone, almost as a human child might offer a tattered crayon scribble, afraid that it will be rebuffed, but needing to extend the gesture anyway, "Shockwave clearly does not approve of your alternate?"
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Post by Rodimus Prime on Jun 2, 2008 22:14:31 GMT -5
"Well, he and I at least agree on one thing, then," Rodimus answers, shifting back to rest on his heels, "because I don't approve of my alternate, either."
The words are joking, but the tone and expression are both dead-pan, and thus there's no shift in either from that and what he says next beyond, perhaps, a faint softening of his gaze. "Perceptor, I do hope you don't intend to keep your part of that offer you didn't make, because I can see at least three serious loopholes in his 'concession' without even thinking about it too hard. Which, considering this is Shockwave, means there's probably at least five more."
Rodimus's Shockwave, for all that he had his loopy moments, did quite a bit more than just 'guard the elevator,' and the Prime is not the sort to take that one lightly.
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