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Post by Hook on May 17, 2009 19:08:13 GMT -5
"He did. I have designed something. Further progress is waiting on Mixmaster to produce the amounts of fuel we'll need to build this. We're going to have to strip that coal seam Hellbender found to get what we need, I suspect."
Which will incidentally poison the environment, but since when do Decepticons care about that sort of thing?
The second bit gets an interested look from the crane, but he does not comment.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 18, 2009 13:23:03 GMT -5
Shockwave could care less how they get to the coal. This planet's environment is of no concern to him.
"Yes, whatever assistance you or he needs in that matter will be given. Hellbender can be tapped at your leisure to expose the coal, and I have been working on a refining process for the material as well."
Shockwave slowly stands, carefully putting weight on his knee. He stares at Hook a few moments, then asks, "You do realize that certain things between myself and another are coming to a head, yes?"
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Post by Hook on May 19, 2009 15:14:24 GMT -5
How cute. Shockwave seems to think Hook needs his permission to use Hellbender to get the coal. "Of course. I've laid in almost all of the estimated other supplies, so once I have the necessary energy, it's a matter of assembly."
Hook sits up, still cradling his pistol. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. Would you like a box?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 19, 2009 16:38:16 GMT -5
Hook may not actually need Shockwave's permission, true. Perhaps the now rainbow-colored gunformer is a bit more proprietary over Hellbender than he should be, but not without cause. No, not without cause. Shockwave keeps his own close.
He makes is way to a chair and sits, then pulls out a small toolkit. Things seem settled for now; of course, Hook could attack him again at any moment. Such is life when one plays with fire.
He opens up the armour surrounding his damaged knee and works to make it a bit more serviceable. He talks as he works, "A box? Would that it were so easy. But aside from that individual's history- or is it future?- of being rather persistent even after deactivation, he does have certain skills worth salvaging."
Shockwave pauses, then slants a glass over to Hook. "You have no objections to such a...shift in power?"
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Post by Hook on May 20, 2009 12:03:35 GMT -5
"Boxes can draw power, you know," Hook points out. Because Shockwave should know this. It's not as if whatever they put in the box has to be deactivated, and a well-designed box won't let what it's carrying out anymore than it will let random strangers in.
"Why would I care?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 20, 2009 12:39:17 GMT -5
"Yes, yes," Shockwave mutters, turning back to his knee, "But I would prefer to keep such a thing as a last resort. This one is a bit less shortsighted than my own; perhaps, he may be made to see the folly of his ways." Shockwave says that last a bit dryly, almost.....sarcastically. "But I do not suppose you have looked over the designs for the cryogenic holding cells I gave you when I arrived?"
Having the threat of being put in cold storage to hang over Starscream's head would be quite useful, after all.
"And perhaps you do not care, Hook, but you might and I would prefer not to create any further animosity between us, when something so simply as talking to you beforehand might prevent such." Yes, Shockwave is not aware of the irony in such a statement, given their previous argument. He looks back up at Hook.
"Nor am I so foolish as to not recognize that without your support- and that of a certain pair currently on patrol- I am would stand not a snowball's chance, as the humans say. What would it take, my dear Hook, to garner your support rather than your indifference?"
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Post by Hook on May 20, 2009 17:25:11 GMT -5
"Yes." Hook has looked at every plan that's come across his desk. Life is sometimes far too boring without making your own fun.
He says nothing in response to Shockwave's assertion that talking to him beforehand makes things easier. Merely quirks his mouth in the shape of a smile.
Which quickly vanishes as Shockwave makes that very open-ended offer. That's something he needs to think about.
And yet, it really isn't.
"Long Haul."
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 21, 2009 11:55:03 GMT -5
Shockwave sighs, hands once again still. "Expected, that. I have already said that I will assist in that manner to the best of my ability. But it is not merely a case of snatching him away, or storming out a fetching him to you, as you well know. He is too well guarded."
In other words, so long as Omega is a factor, chances are good that Hook will not have his Long Haul. Shockwave is not sucidal, and will not risk the whole camp for one individual's whims, not even if that individual is Hook.
Shockwave finishes up the repair on his knee, then relocks the armour down. "On that front, all I can offer is what I have already. I know that you miss him. That you both do."
"Has Mixmaster's presence here lessened the mental strain?"
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Post by Hook on May 21, 2009 14:56:16 GMT -5
Hook pulls his knees up to the chest. One arm wraps around his knees, while the other still holds the pistol vaguely pointed in Shockwave's general direction.
"I am well aware," he says quietly. "But I want Long Haul. It's... We need a balance. Three is more stable than two."
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 21, 2009 22:20:52 GMT -5
Shockwave may not be truly emotionless, but compassion, caring- they are not emotions that make up his programming. He does not feel for Hook, for the pain the the Constructicon must be going through. It may seem that way, given that Shockwave rises, slowly crosses over to Hook, kneels next to him, all while keeping a very wary optic on that pistol. He tries to lay his hand on Hook's shoulder, not forcefully, but gently, and it might seem that Shockwave is trying to offer comfort, an illusion further cultivated by the softness of his voice.
"It is difficult for you both, I know. Unless he comes willingly...Hook, I cannot risk everyone else here falling to Omega Supreme's wrath. But I will do what I can, watch for opportunity, and if it presents then you shall have him."
Only illusion. Just because he does not feel the emotions, does not mean he can not mimic them. Does not mean he does not know when using them properly could gain more than not.
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Post by Hook on May 24, 2009 12:32:48 GMT -5
Hook keeps his pistol trained on Shockwave as the purple gun moves towards him. But he allows the touch to his shoulder-platform.
"I am very patient, Shockwave," Hook says quietly, pistol still pointing vaguely at the purple gun. "But I will not wait forever."
He knows how well 'at some indefinite point in the future' can work to lead people on forever.
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Post by Victoria Raines on May 27, 2009 0:58:46 GMT -5
"I would neither expect nor ask you to wait forever, Hook," Shockwave replies. He withdraws his hand, though perhaps Hook may feel the slightest caress on his shoulder-plate with the withdrawal. "But I cannot promise more than I have already. Which means we must both settle for less than we would like, I am afraid."
His gaze shifts to the pistol still clutched in Hook's hand, "Put that away Hook. I shall not hurt you over this. You have gotten some of your own back, and I am none to pleased about walking into your trap, but it is, after all, just paint."
Shockwave has a hold on his temper now. Oh, he's still angry. Quite angry. He is just not showing it at the moment.
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Post by Hook on Jun 1, 2009 22:25:42 GMT -5
Hook tilts his head slightly, optic-band glittering. Shockwave wasn't saying the paint was only paint a little bit ago. Best not to look a gift-horse in the mouth, though.
"It makes me happy," he says in response to being told to put his gun away. "I'll keep it out."
"So we both get less than what we want," he adds after a moment. "We still get more than we deserve. Do you need more from me than my non-interference?"
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Post by Victoria Raines on Jun 2, 2009 0:05:00 GMT -5
"As you like, then," Shockwave says, half-shrugging, half-waving at Hook's gun, "If it makes you feel better, then I shall not argue over it."
He considers Hook's question for a moment, head tilted to one side as he studies the Constructicon. "If you have the time, an appropriate box would actually not be a bad idea. If you can utilize the cryocell technology, all the better."
"I think he can be made to see reason, but it never hurts to have threat of punishment available, after all."
He stands, then offers his hand to help Hook do the same.
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Post by Hook on Jun 5, 2009 17:22:22 GMT -5
"I will make you a box." He may even let Shockwave use the box. "It will be a very fine box." With many interesting features, because what is the point in making a box if you do not make it interesting?
Hook accepts Shockwave's hand and allows the purple space-gun to pull him to his feet. He fully expects to lose the hand, which may be read in the set of his shoulders and the line of his mouth.
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