Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Jan 21, 2010 22:24:10 GMT -5
Hellbender shifts again, re-folding his arms. Now Perceptor is muttering at Shockwave, and not making a lot of sense, since he seems to be repeating Lord Shockwave's ponts back to him. Or something like that.
Though judging from that wince, the boss has scored a point. Who would an Autobot regret saving?
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 22, 2010 23:29:37 GMT -5
Shockwave does not wish to create stagnation. Stagnation is death. He does not wish to stifle creativity or culture. Merely to protect his world and people, to learn everything he can about their purpose and creation so that they may best ensure their continued existence.
There is a difference between what Shockwave desires, and what you think Perceptor. A fine one, perhaps, but a difference it is.
Shockwave idly runs his fingers along the edge of Hellbender's shell/wing. His voice is almost light as he retorts, "You would be surprised, Perceptor, exactly how easily dead tools can be manipulated, and what use they might be under the right circumstances." His optic flickers. "Parts are always needed, and sentiment toward the fallen can be easily turned into directed anger."
"The dead can actually be much more useful than the living- but one does not rebuild a planet, a culture, a people with the dead."
He pauses, hand stilling on Hellbender's shroud.
"Why have you neither fled nor fought, if your opinion of myself and motives is so low?"
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 23, 2010 2:03:19 GMT -5
Megatron, of course, Hellbender. And just what would Hellbender think if he knew that Perceptor had done such a thing? Not once, but twice! Not to mention the rest of the Earth-based Decepticons, as well. All for a bit of compassion and hubris.
Perceptor still wonders sometimes... which is the greater sin?
Ah, the great manipulator; Shockwave is so very candid about his techniques. It is as if he is so confident in his abilities, in his projected outcomes, that he does not even care what anyone thinks of his methods. At the very least, it is a blatant demonstration of just how different the two individuals are, Shockwave and Perceptor.
"I am not warrior," Perceptor snorts, although it's unclear if he is exasperated with Shockwave for forgetting that, or with himself for it being the truth. How many times has he gotten himself in trouble, or endangered others, because of his lack of fighting prowess?
"Nor have I speed enough to outpace your guardian. Why waste the effort when a better opportunity for escape may present itself but for a bit of patience?" He snorts again, his voice taking on a slightly more bitter tone. "Besides, you, yourself pointed out that I am easily distracted. Everyone is well aware of that. How much longer do you think it will be before someone is sent to fetch their wit-wandering waif?"
Even Rattrap had been aware enough to comment upon his lack of confidence in Perceptor's responsibility. On the Autobot Broadband, even. Best yet, Perceptor hadn't even realized the extent of the slight to himself until much later upon the flight to the planet's surface.
So very clever he is.
"Let me ask you this, though, Shockwave... You claim nothing but the desire to restore our people. Restore to what? Which vision do you seek to revive? How do you propose to quell the inherent violence certain members of our race innately harbor?"
Regaining a thin measure of boldness, Perceptor shifts forward a step, extracting himself from the hedge's embrace. "How many did you not revive? How many lives have you taken? Do you regret them? Can you?"
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Jan 24, 2010 15:52:26 GMT -5
Hellbender enjoys the bit of attention he's getting from Shockwave, though it looks like the boss is making a subtle point of some kind to Perceptor. He considers whether this bothers him or not, then decides he doesn't care. His maker's regard for him is genuine, even if he's flaunting it to make a point to the Autobot in their game of wits. Unlike Dr. Frankenstein, Shockwave did not reject his fearsome creations when they needed him, did not show them disdain and revulsion--nor did he lock them in a closet to be forgotten. (Did he?) As a consequence, Hellbender, child and creation of Shockwave, looks up to this Shockwave as his Creator and Master.
Hellbender frowns slightly at Perceptor, considering. Can he chase the red Autobot down without a jet mode? Unless the 'Bot has trouble walking, it would probably be pretty even. The worm isn't fast, and Hellbender's robot mode is about normal.... He could fly, of course, but if he had a added robot flight mode like those guys from Starscream's universe, this Autobot must have it too--he's from the same universe. (The idea that the Autobots would not have availed themselves of a common technology from their universe and ceded the advantage to their Decepticons never occurs to Hellbender).
He double-checks his sensors. // No full-sized Autobots yet, Boss. //
Now what's the Bot getting all brave and in the boss's face about? "Yeah? What would you 'Bots do with us as is built for fightin' if you had your way? Scrap us? Rip out our core programming and turn us into drones?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 26, 2010 19:10:52 GMT -5
"Perceptor...," Shockwave begins as he steps forward once more, hand gliding off Hellbender's wing.
"...You tertiary mode is a tank variant. Please do not insult my intelligence or yours by clinging to the false belief that only Decepticons are the aggressors in our race."
That cold yellow optic flickers as Shockwave crosses his arms under his chest.
"You speak of violence in our programming as if it some sort of aberration, some faulty code. It is why we were created, Perceptor, to be warriors, some who conquer and some who defend. Primus did not spawn us out of the goodness of his heart." There is a touch, just a touch, of bitterness in Shockwave's voice.
"And in your reality, you were nothing but trade goods, created to serve the needs of others. Yet you were almost all built with weapons." Or so Shockwave surmises based on reality trends. He could be wrong. But he doubts Perceptor is old enough to call him on such a error, if error it is.
"I am so weary of your pretension, your perceived superiority, of the Autobots insistence that they are so better."
Shockwave touches Hellbender's wing again, "Let us go, and leave the fool clinging to his morals. They will be cold comfort, later."
He turns as if to leave, though he adds over his shoulder, "Every life that was repairable I revived. Those who could not be were placed in stasis in hopes that a way could be found to save them. Those who were deemed too dangerous by the Council were also left in stasis, Autobot and Decepticon alike."
"Ultra Magnus can verify that at least, for hate me he might, but he will not lie either."
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 26, 2010 19:40:58 GMT -5
"I would leave you in peace," Perceptor snaps sharply at Hellbender. He cannot speak for the other Autobots, much less Command, but he would leave the warriors in peace.
"And I said no such th--grkk!"
That? That is the sound of a scientist literally choking on his words. Shock is such a fun thing, sometimes. Except when it is happening to you.
If Shockwave had conceeded the entire discussion and offered a full scale truce with Perceptor and the Autobots, it probably would have shocked Perceptor less than finding out that Shockwave knew about... that. For one thing, it confirms to Perceptor that his alternate from Shockwave's reality is, well, him, and not simply someone similar who shares the name. More importantly, though, it makes Perceptor wonder just exactly how well his counterpart knows Shockwave, and vice versa, if the Decepticon knows about his tertiary alternate mode. The one he never uses.
"I... I said no such thing," he finally refutes weakly, but the fight has utterly fled him, and doubt is running rampant through his processor. He will need to speak more at length with Ultra Magnus later, both to better understand their Cybertron, and to apologize for foolishly divulging the precious secret of Magnus's survival, however inadvertantly that had occured.
"We are more than mere weapons," he observes softly. He has to believe that. He has to. "Why is conquest so necessary? We do not have the right to dictate the right to exist to our own race, much less another."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Jan 26, 2010 20:55:32 GMT -5
"Yeah? Tell that to the Wreckers, would ya?" Hellbender retorts... then gives Perceptor a quizzical look as the red Autobot suddenly twitches like he's gotten a load of tainted fuel. "Slag, tell me where you're fueling around here, so Ah can avoid the place!"
Hellbender nods at Shockwave and prepares to follow him, still alert to the goings on all around. "Yes, sir."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jan 27, 2010 0:37:10 GMT -5
"Are we more? It is one of my most fervent wishes that it were so," Shockwave says softly, pausing in stride but not turning around. "Ask that boy Prime what Primus intended for his creations. I somehow doubt you will like his answers."
"Good night, Perceptor. You have much to ponder on."
Shockwave heads out of the small copse.
And out of thread
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Post by Perceptor on Jan 27, 2010 6:47:10 GMT -5
And the Qunitessons had intended that their creations be but obedient commodities, but the Transformers from Perceptor's reality rose above that, as well. Unfortunately, that thought does not quell the doubts swirling through Perceptor's processor as Shockwave strolls off, his pet in tow. It isn't merely caution that makes Perceptor hold his place until long after the two have vanished before finally shuffling off toward his original, interrupted destination.
ditto
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
|
Post by Hellbender on Jan 27, 2010 8:07:37 GMT -5
Hellbender follows his master, as silently as tons of walking metal can be, (Not very, but at least he says nothing).
And out-of-thread
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