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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 28, 2009 23:14:41 GMT -5
Day 7
Perhaps Shockwave should have immediately notified Starscream about the sudden arrival of the dead in Shockwave's lab. But Shockwave was fairly certain that if he had to deal with that insufferable jet so soon after such a shock (for shock it was- is-, despite his outward calm) that he would have been unable to keep his temper. Starscream would have made some snide remark and Shockwave would have disintegrated him. Expedient, perhaps, but not what Shockwave desires at the moment.
So he waited a day, and while he did examine in depth the remains, he has not moved them from their spot amongst the rocks.
//Starscream, you need to come to my lab. Preferably without delay.// Shockwave radios, before sitting at another worktable. He picks up his datapad and reviews the data while he waits.
Hopefully, the wait will not be overlong.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 2, 2009 13:54:20 GMT -5
After only the slightest wait, Starscream arrives in Shockwave's lab. It's entirely possible that Starscream had something else pressing to deal with before coming instead of simply messing with Shockwave.
"So. You wanted to see me." He intones to his 2IC.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 2, 2009 22:54:26 GMT -5
"Not particularly, but I am afraid the situation requires our interaction," Shockwave answers, at first not looking up from his datapad.
After a moment, he sits back and points across the room at the table holding the chunks of Cybertron and his dead doppelganger.
"That showed up yesterday. Here. Not at an arrival point. I assume the Cybertronian fragments are the cause of the deviation in pattern."
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 3, 2009 4:47:00 GMT -5
"...Here." Starscream says, incredulously. Then he appreciates what exactly it is he's looking at. Waitasecond. "...Shockwave, that.. you..."
Weird.
"Right, those fragments are being shipped immediately to holding facilities. We might immediately get some prisoners from this.."
"Have you examined it? The possible origin for this.. this you?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 3, 2009 10:34:29 GMT -5
"That body is not my own," Shockwave replies calmly. Perhaps too calmly. "Merely a permutation of a similar pattern. I was able to discern that it possessed one of those brain modules that seem unique to Spinister's and Hellbender's realities. Once we are through, it was my intention to call those from that reality set in to attempt identification."
"The chronometer readings, though, do place its time of fatal wounding a few years or so after Hellbender's initial displacement. It actually arrived alive, but expired mere moments after."
It. Not he. Keep the separation verbally, to help keep the separation mentally.
"And, no, the fragments will not be removed until Hook and I can complete a full battery of tests and experiments on the phenomenon. Besides...water finds its own level, or have you not noticed that we have a much higher percentage of Decepticon-esque arrivals- dead or alive- in the arrival point closest to us?"
The shiny rocks are Shockwave's new toy. His orders procured them, and he does not wish to give them up until they have given up their secrets.
"I would not object to stationing a guard here when I am not present. A guard of my choosing. Some of our rank and file are less than stable."
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 3, 2009 13:37:18 GMT -5
"Of course I've noticed." Starscream snaps. I also remember that Maximal... thing... in the caves. And besides, between the Decepticons that get violent and angry when they find themselves somewhere confusion and the Decepticons that should be brigged immediately anyway, a form of restraint until these matters is prudent. And as you said, Shockwave, the patterns may be deviating, and we don't know to what extent. We could well be opening ourselves up to any number of Autobots. If the newcomers are compliant, we can free them easily enough, and at least this way we know where to look."
"But you are right. Conduct all the tests that require proximity to the original arrival location first, with the fragments under watchat all times. After that, whenever you are not testing it, it will reside in a suitably strong container, in our cells, until we can ascertain exactly what it is that is happening."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 4, 2009 10:49:01 GMT -5
Shockwave idly taps his fingers on the table top. It is a sensible enough way to proceed, and besides, he can take as long as he would like with the testing.
"A container may well lessen the effectiveness, but that remains to be seen. We may also wish to investigate some of the other arrival sites. If this is what is causing displacement, it is possible that there are fragments near them, as well."
He fixes that impassive yellow optic on Starscream. "The Autobots have both Omega and Skyfire to serve as interstellar transports. We have nothing comparable, and this planet is not where we will find our answers or our destiny."
"We need to build a transport, and go and see what there is to see." Go and see what has happened to Cybertron. See what has happened in this odd reality.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 4, 2009 14:13:50 GMT -5
No, Shockwave, you really cannot take as long as you like. Just try it and see what happens. "Given the pattern we've seen here, and what we've found... I do not know. But it would be foolish to limit our knowledge to this planet." Starscream curses himself for hoping for an Astrotrain or someone else to make construction of a space vessel redundant. "I'll have Hook begin designs for one immediately."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 5, 2009 10:22:45 GMT -5
"You surprise me," Shockwave says as he leans back in his chair, hand propped under his optic casing, "I admit I expected you to balk at the idea of leaving the planet. You did get so upset before, when I suggested that the portal technology Spinister procured may be adapted to return us to our respective homes. Went on about 'finding our purpose' and whatnot."
"But no matter. If the fragments can be used as a portable arrival point, then we may need not worry about refilling our ranks. Though we may wish to leave a small garrison here, just in case."
Shockwave's optic flickers. "Speaking of the portal technology, had you not been so stubborn, then I would not have had to rely on Perceptor's overblown sense of compassion to return the alternates to their proper reality. You make things harder than they need to be, Starscream."
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 8, 2009 0:41:33 GMT -5
"How do we know if there even is a Cybertron, here, Shockwave?" Starscream snaps. "We've found fragments of the planet. We don't know if this planet we're on, this 'Gillnan III", is from any particular dimension, just that there is a claim from some Autobot fool whose corroded hard drives are not even worth being recycled into sheet metal, that he seems to recall the place. I wish to learn what I can from this entire universe before we can even attempt to return home. And if you do not appreciate my stubbornness," He points a sharp finger at Shockwave, "I suggest you attempt earning my trust."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 8, 2009 9:36:47 GMT -5
"And so you would condemn us all to satisfy your own desires? How very...Megatron of you."
Shockwave's voice has grown a shade flat, a tad less inflected.
"Except you do not lead, you merely force us all to follow along as you indulge your whims. While I am certain that there are those here who would prefer to remain in this depository of the damned with you, I am not one of them. I am curious as to what caused this, yes, would prefer to explore the hows and whys. But returning to my proper place is my top priority."
"Why try to foster false trust when you have done little to inspire the same? You are more competent than the Starscream I know well, and yet you are just as handicapped. You are not consistent!"
He stands then, looking down at the Air Commander, "Rather than lament your inability to trust me, you might consider why I have not honored the grand Decepticon tradition and taken command over your broken corpse."
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 8, 2009 16:12:38 GMT -5
Starscream is growing tired of Shockwave's constant lectures. He clenches his fists and draws his arms back, tilting his head. As calm as he can muster, he intones, "What you mean, Shockwave, is that you would attempt to break me and steal my command."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 8, 2009 18:24:02 GMT -5
In a voice much too soft and much too calm, Shockwave replies, "If I wished to do so, I would not have to steal this command, Starscream. You have all but offered it to me on a platter."
"I think Wreckage would be the best choice of guard for the fragments. He keeps his own counsel and is reliable to a fault. Once we are done here, I will contact Spinister and Needlenose and appraise them of the situation, as well.
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Starscream
Major
"Sometimes I can almost feel it!"
strangely enough, male.
Posts: 945
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Post by Starscream on Mar 10, 2009 5:11:25 GMT -5
"Whatever you say, Shockwave." Starscream says, once again tiring of his 2IC. "I want to be appraised on all findings, and I don't expect you to waste time carrying them out."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 10, 2009 9:37:32 GMT -5
"I abhor waste of any sort."
Shockwave sits again and takes up his datapad. "Good day, Starscream."
Yes, Shockwave is dismissing Starscream from his presence. Or trying to, at least.
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