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Post by Stalker on Aug 14, 2009 23:10:03 GMT -5
Day 30-ish. Post-Scourge's meeting
Back in his own dimension, Stalker had a job as part of a very illegal gladiatorial ring, which eventually lead to be the founding group of the Decepticons. However, prior to that, he had to be effective at hiding the various advertisements, radio transmissions and other things from the government.
This is why Stalker is so melodramatically polite and tends to have a swagger when he knows things are going his way. And right now, he is swaggering. Power struggles aren't an unusual thing where he came from, and he loves them, as no matter who is in charge, everyone wants to keep someone who knows how to tamper with the radio on their side.
When he arrives at Shockwave's office, he raps on the door. Time to see where he can place himself in this mess for most effect...
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 15, 2009 10:29:56 GMT -5
Shockwave is still seated in chair, once more engrossed in his datapad. The energon is still sitting untouched upon the side table, and Emirate Xeon's dead optics still glow faintly from the center of the light fixture overhead.
"Enter," he calls at the knock, and once Stalker does, Shockwave looks up.
"Take a seat and refreshment as you like. Now, what did you wish to discuss, Stalker?"
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Post by Stalker on Aug 16, 2009 3:59:47 GMT -5
When invited to, Stalker enters, sits down, and takes the cube. Refusing the hospitality of one you're attempting to get something from is quite rude, of course.
"Well, firstly, Shockwave, I would like to congratulate you, once again, on your promotion. I do eagerly look forward to the direction you will lead the Decepticons towards" Stalker says, sincerely. "However, it is related to this different direction that I wish to talk about. I do trust that there will be some... Openings, in positions, to improve the efficiency of the Decepticons?"
Stalker takes a sip from his cube, to offer Shockwave a chance to respond.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 16, 2009 9:54:07 GMT -5
Being polite if not nearly so important to Shockwave as being concise, and so the cyclops is pleased when Stalker gets right to the point.
"You are quite right, Stalker. Our company has grown too large for our previous arrangement to be effective."
Shockwave leans back into his chair.
"So what position were you hoping to persuade me to allow you? And why would you best suited for such?"
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Post by Stalker on Aug 17, 2009 4:25:47 GMT -5
Stalker swirls the energon cube in his hand, looking at it. "You remember the conflict at the crater, correct? I saw the alternate Scourge battle there"
Stalker then turns back to Shockwave. "If our Scourge is even a third of the fighter that one was, then I cannot even think of the reasons Starscream had him as commander of the Intel unit, except as some sort of bizarre way to appease him or due to some unknown intelligence or stealth capabilities he has"
Stalker then leans back, to deliver the real meat of his statement. "In my honest opinion, you require someone who has had actual experience in intel fields to serve as the commander. While I do not doubt Scourge's ability to keep his units in line, I see his skills being useful elsewhere, such as a warrior. I, however, have served in intel and sound tampering for the Decepticon army since its formation, plus have enough bulk and weaponry to keep more... Uncooperative members under command". And enough imagination to devise interesting punishments, but he leaves that bit out.
Stalker takes a sip from his cube, then says. "If you require more information, I can, of course, give you a brief rundown as to what lead to the formation of the Decepticons of my universe, and how my skills assisted in such", before letting Shockwave respond.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 17, 2009 10:31:54 GMT -5
"Ah, so you are possessed of true ambition, I see," Shockwave says, "Ambition of course, does not a leader make, even a leader of a specialized group."
"Scourge has suggested Barricade for the position." Unspoken is the hint that Scourge has already been reassigned. "And I do trust Scourge's judgment. Yet, you make a good argument."
Shockwave does so love it when things fall into place so nicely. Stalker was his own choice, of course. But best to make him work for it.
He waves his hand, "Continue then. Tell me why you would be the better choice."
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Post by Stalker on Aug 19, 2009 4:04:10 GMT -5
Stalker casually shrugs. "I prefer to think of it as looking after both myself and the interests of the Decepticons. If a promotion helps out both of us, well then, it would be most... Improper of me to not assist, would it not?"
"Barricade... Barricade..." Stalker then says, thinking. "I do admire his abilities at infiltration, however... He does not seem to have the mettle of a leader. He seems more of a follower to me. Skilled at infiltration, yes, but more suited to the role of an agent in that manner"
"As for myself..." Stalker begins, taking a sip. "Prior to the formation of the Decepticons, I was part of the illegal gladiator circuit, serving beneath one of the more powerful warriors. It was my responsibility to ensure the many communications related to this were sent only to interested parties, and not to the Autobot government determined on stomping us out". Stalker thinks for a few seconds, before saying "I did manage to keep us hidden, at least until just before the formation of the Decepticons. By that point, things were well out of anyone's control"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 19, 2009 22:29:49 GMT -5
Shockwave listens without comment until Stalker is done. He nods.
"Impressive credentials, and I know well enough your capabilities."
"So, if you were made head of such a division, how would you arrange it? What mechs in our company- already in said division or not would you place therein?"
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Post by Stalker on Aug 20, 2009 3:54:14 GMT -5
Stalker loads up a list of who's currently in intel/black ops for this part!
"Well, due to Barricade's past experience, along with that of his companion, I do have a feeling most of the offensive intelligence gathering, through use of spying or other similar methods, would end up going through either him, or Blackarachnia". Stalker thinks for a second, before saying "However, I do not see the group being terribly much of a structured one, as infiltration specialists are, as is necessary for their roles, primarily self centered. The less internal mechanisms needed, the better. I don't want mechs reporting to one mech who reports to another who reports to me, unnecessary waffling such as that is most inefficient"
Stalker takes a sip from his cube, before continuing. "Insofar as roles, we do have quite a fair few infiltrators, which I do hope should be used soon to gain information about our enemies. Outside of infiltration, however, we are a bit short staffed. I would appreciate having at least some cooperation with Spinister and Needlenose in some matters, as I believe their skills could assist greatly. Outside of them, we do have a sniper, however at the moment there is little opportunity to utilise him. I trust once we hit planetfall he may prove more useful, but at the moment..." Stalker shrugs, "I have heard nothing but bad things about his durability"
Stalker thinks, before saying "I would be interested in seeing what this other Blackarachnia can accomplish, as well. If the abilities of Decepticons are kept somewhat similar across the universes, she may prove as effective as her smaller counterpart. I am also not entirely too sure why Fleetwind is in the division, and may require some update on his skills... However, I do see promise in using him as a method of transport for smaller mechs. Coincidently, I would like to learn more of the capabilities of Mistwind and Phobia, as they may be promising recruits into the division"
"Oh, and if something could be done about his vocaliser, Jetstorm would have been a prime choice" Stalker adds, as an afterthought. "Sadly, a little too loud to function efficiently in my division, as nice as having a tiny jet would be" he adds cheerfully, optics glinting.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 20, 2009 15:57:57 GMT -5
Shockwave is pleased. Stalker has presented himself well, and has the credentials to back up his placement.
"I must say that nothing will be decided at this moment. Our people need time to adjust to this change in upper management, and yours is not the only entreaty I expect to receive."
He crosses one knee over the other. "But you are quite high in my consideration for this position."
Now for the sticking point.
"So tell me, Stalker, how you feel about my taking command."
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Post by Stalker on Aug 21, 2009 22:34:07 GMT -5
Stalker nods to Shockwave's comments about him.
And then Shockwave asks Stalker how he feels about him. Well, this will require another bit of thinking. "Well, to be honest, I am not too sure what to expect. However, in the history of the Decepticons, whoever overthrows the last leader tends to be a better leader than they were, I've found" he simply says. "Megatron took over from Clench, and lead us to war, for example. As for you in particular... I did not have much contact with your counterpart from my universe" he says.
"I have noticed that across the universes people tend to be a bit similar. But, as your counterpart vanished cycles ago, I did not have much contact with him at all" he finishes, taking a sip. "I have seen nothing that suggests you won't be a good leader, however. Your consideration for moving Scourge into a position more suiting of him alone proves you may be more effective at leading than Starscream"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Aug 23, 2009 14:05:55 GMT -5
"Such a diplomatic answer," Shockwave muses.
"Very well, then." He nods. "Have you anything else to add, or have you achieved your purpose in this conversation?"
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