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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 22, 2009 11:40:12 GMT -5
"Excellent."
Shockwave leans back in his chair, arms crossed under his chest as he regards the two Mayhems. He is entering into dangerous territory, now. The gunformer is under no illusions about the Mayhems' loyalties; they serve neither him nor Starscream, even if they answer to and suffer punishment from both commanders. They are loyal to themselves, both team and individual, and to their version of the Decepticon ideal.
"Firstly, we will not be remaining upon this planet for any longer than it might take to build an appropriate sized spacecraft. A small garrison will be left, of course, but we will find no more answers here, I think." The briefest flicker of his optic light. "I have already...discussed this with Starscream, and he was surprisingly not opposed to such a plan. Though that may have more to do with his egotistic desires than what is best for our group as a whole."
He pauses for a moment, letting them digest that bit of info. He then continues.
"Secondly, I have a question for you both, one which I greatly desire for you to answer both freely and honestly."
"Do you, as an independent unit outside of command, feel that Starscream is the best choice of leader here?"
Shockwave waits and watches. He has done something he rarely does; he has taken a gamble. Now to see where the chips fall.
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Post by Needlenose on Mar 22, 2009 15:12:50 GMT -5
Needlenose's antennae perk up at the frankness and boldness of Shockwave's question, and he glances over at Spinister. Then he looks back at Shockwave, narrows his optics, and settles back into his chair.
"That's, erm, quite the spot you've put us on, I notice. Especially, well, in doors, in an enclosed room built by Decepticon hands, without giving us the opportunity to check it, the locks, escape routes, and so forth."
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Post by Spinister on Mar 31, 2009 8:46:11 GMT -5
"I've checked it," Spinister says quietly. He may be lying his rotors off. He may just be trying to spook Shockwave. He may consider a mere glance around a room sufficient as checking it over.
Or maybe not.
"I've always checked it."
Spinister falls silent for a time, and then he answers, "My lord, Starscreams have a very inconvenient habit of not dying when they should or flat out coming back from being exploded into tiny pieces. They also have a habit of going out of their way to undermine any commander they 'serve'," Spinister does indeed do the air quotes. "If Starscreams were half as productive in conquest as they are in treachery, we would have one approximately four million years ago."
"It's not so much as if he's the best man to lead as what would happen if he wasn't leading and had his hands free to betray whoever actually happened to be in charge."
"Perhaps, even now, he betrays himself in his indecision and lack of action."
"The best Decepticon to lead? No. But if you think you can deal with Starscream, my lord, I think you're mistaken."
Oh, bother. He's going to be shot now, he thinks.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 31, 2009 22:49:20 GMT -5
Shockwave shrugs off Needlenose's concerns. "It is a bold question, yes, and a frank one, but I value your opinions. Unlike some, when I ask for honesty I do actually prefer to receive it. You could both leave here right now and carry tales of this meeting to Starscream. He might even attempt to order my death- if he has not already- and with the skills you both posses you might just manage it."
"But," Shockwave leans forward, elbows on the table and hand cupped over cannon tip, "My death at this time would do almost as much damage to the overall balance of this group and our cause as Starscream's death. A fact of which I believe you both are aware."
That unflinching yellow gaze is drawn to Spinister as the helicopter speaks, and Shockwave's head tilts slightly to one side afterward as he considers what has been said.
"Your points are all true and well-made, Spinister. But I have not said I desire Starscream's permanent deactivation. I fear we must suffer his continued existence, in much the same way we must suffer Rodimus Prime's: because destroying them causes more troubles than it solves."
He sighs then, rather heavily, almost...tiredly, as if this is something he has done time and again to the point of tediousness. "I have no wish for civil war, to divide this camp and cause strife amongst us. To fight amongst ourselves would be a horrible waste of life and resources. It is why I did not challenge Starscream upon my arrival. It is why I have not challenged him publicly, despite his lacks."
"But I do not think I can stand aside and watch him place his desires and ego before the good of this group much longer."
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Post by Needlenose on Apr 1, 2009 16:17:47 GMT -5
"Mmm, pity, I'm betting I could organize one heck of a conclave," Needlenose murmurs as Shockwave states that he doesn't wish for a Civil War. He was silent as Spinister made his points, but then, Spinister put the main points better than he could, anyway. Of course, what he does not point out is that thinking Starscream is not the best mechanoid to lead is not actually the same as thinking that Shockwave is the best mechanoid to leave.
Pity he's not going all out in battle against Starscream, Needlenose things. Be easier to pick off the winner that way.
Out loud, though, all he says is, "Whelp! Glad to hear you're approaching the decision point. Did you have any questions, or can I get back to the project I was working on?"
Needlenose's project is, of course, a video game console he's attempting to cobble together.
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Post by Spinister on Apr 6, 2009 19:52:33 GMT -5
Spinister stares at his beloved. Yes, Needlenose would want civil unrest just so he could throw a party. One of his many charming quirks.
"You didn't say that," Spinister agrees. However, brainwashing? He's sure that would work for a while, and then Starscream would be back, madder than ever. Exile? Starscream would find a way back. Prison? Starscream would find a way out.
Starscream is a constant of the universe, as sure as the speed of light.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 7, 2009 9:49:34 GMT -5
Shockwave's gaze refocuses on Needlenose for a moment, "Since asking you two to support me would be a waste, I am merely requesting that you not interfere. I will do what I can to ensure the minimum amount of extraneous conflicts."
"You may not consider either of myself or Starscream a worthy leader, but we are the options you have at the moment. Unless you wish to groom Scourge- the tanker- for the position. But he is young for such power."
He settles back in his chair. "Which reminds me. An Ultra Magnus has arrived. The aforementioned Scourge has encountered him. While it is by no means certain, factors indicate he may be from my reality, or one quite similar."
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Post by Needlenose on Apr 7, 2009 21:08:33 GMT -5
"Oh, is that all?" Needlenose asks as Shockwave requests they do not interfere. He studies his fingers and shrugs. The implication is that it's an easy request and he'll follow it. But Shockwave didn't ask for verbal confirmation, and Needlenose doesn't give it.
He looks up, startled, at the mention of an Ultra Magnus. "Ultra-" then something sinks in. "Wait. Your reality? So, the one that worked for you?" He grins, optics glittering.
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Post by Spinister on Apr 7, 2009 22:24:47 GMT -5
Shockwave is asking Spinister to do exactly what Spinister would have done, anyway. That makes Spinister's life easier. Too easy. Spinister does not trust easy. (Why is he with Needlenose, anyway? Singe wonders.)
He stares when Shockwave suggest that they could groom Scourge for command. A lesser mechanism would start laughing nervously, but Spinister is silent as he recalls how Needlenose filled him in on his near future. How he'd soon be working for a young, powerful, slightly crazed officer.
Don't have any of those around here, do they?
Spinister offers, "We do hunt down misplaced personnel." More on the search and less on the rescue.
It'd be a perfectly good reason to keep himself and Needlenose out of the picture for a while.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 8, 2009 9:49:48 GMT -5
"It is unknown yet if he is my Ultra Magnus, or from some other point in a shared timeline." The Mayhems might notice the very slightest emphasis on that my. "He did, however, delay in engaging Scourge, despite his obvious Decepticon affiliation. But this Ultra Magnus is also without his armour, and there are precious few times in our history when he would be without said. We will have to see."
Shockwave tilts his head as he considers Spinister's suggestion. On the one hand, it would remove them from situation for an indeterminate amount of time. On the other...Shockwave truly does not want this Ultra Magnus destroyed before his identity is confirmed. Shockwave doubts the two Mayhems could capture and bring back the Wrecker leader on their own. Still...
He nods, "Such is your function, yes. Let us see how Scourge gets on. Your...particular skill sets may yet be required. In the meantime, it may be useful for the two of you to make the rounds of the arrival points. Gather up any strays, as it were, and put those who need it out of their misery. There is, after all, nothing pressing here for you two at the moment."
Nothing pressing at all. Just an impending coup.
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Post by Needlenose on Apr 8, 2009 20:54:25 GMT -5
Needlenose, despite his usual behavior, is a professional, and a professional killer at that. As Shockwave mentions putting 'those who need it out of their misery,' his optics glimmer and he stands up.
"Well, indeed. We're a bit overdue for a round of the things," now he turns towards Spinister. "Wouldn't you say?"
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Post by Spinister on Apr 14, 2009 13:00:58 GMT -5
"Will maintain strict radio silence, neither transmit nor receive, during the duration. Standard operating procedure," Spinister assures, ever a professional.
Of course, this means that he won't be able to hear it if either Starscream or Shockwave try to cry for him for help.
Less messy that way.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Apr 14, 2009 14:48:14 GMT -5
Shockwave has no intention of crying for anything, much less help.
He nods at Spinister. "Of course. And since doing the job properly may require you both to be in the field for an extended period, I will see that you are outfitted with one of the energy converters such as we gave to Wreckage and Cannonball earlier."
"You may take as long as you need to do the job properly. I trust your judgment." He picks up his datapad, "You may leave at your leisure. Thank you for your assistance with identifying my doppelganger."
If the situation is not resolved before they return, well, then Shockwave will adjust his plans.
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Post by Needlenose on Apr 15, 2009 15:19:50 GMT -5
Needlenose claps his hands together loudly. "I was about due for a vacation, anyway." He stands up, ready to bound off. "Guess what, darling?" he says to Spinister. "You're carrying most of the supplies. Helicopters are a bit better for that sort of thing than jets, I do believe," as he chatters, he heads towards the door. Really, he knows to travel light, and a good portion of what they need can go into subspace, anyway, but, well, they are bringing organics along. In fact, he pauses. "One of the stops is on a beach, right? Sunny wants to know if he can do some surfing."
OOC: Out of thread unless stopped, while chattering.
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Post by Spinister on Apr 21, 2009 15:52:10 GMT -5
Packmule, Spinister is not. Perhaps voicing Hairsplitter's thoughts, he notes, voice perfectly flat, as if he was assessing a tax form, "When you can lift 7669 kg more than I can? Hmm. Don't think we can fit that beach in, then."
Maybe Sunbeam can convince Needlenose that hauling the supplies is a suitable task for the jet. Then Spinister'll think about wasting his time at a beach.
He follows his partner out.
Ditto.
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