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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 17, 2008 18:42:18 GMT -5
Fun and games? Fun and games? Shockwave goes still, almost preternaturally still, that burning blade not moving one micrometer further. That hard yellow light of Shockwave's optic focuses on Starscream's back. This is not a game, it is so much more, and the Air Commander has not just interrupted but usurped. After making not a word, not a comment, not an offer of assistance, and they could have used Starscream in the air, allowing for two escorts for Starfighter versus one, reducing the chance of losing one for their own. The minibot is Shockwave's by right; Starscream has not earned such access.
Shockwave thumbs the scalpel off, playing the handle between his fingers. He gives Scourge a considering glance and then says, voice flat and devoid of accent, "His optics are cut. I imagine this lessens considerably the intimidation factor of invading his personal space. But do continue. My methods were obviously not providing adequate results." Shockwave reaches over and picks up the other node, casually turning it over as if examining it, reaching in and once again disconnecting the visual feed.
He continues to "study" the node, letting Starscream ask his questions. He does not look at Scourge again, though he does privately radio the tanker: //You are interested in removing that annoying little requirement, yes? I do think we might come to a suitable agreement regarding such.//
OOC: Conversation with Scourge copied to a radio thread, to keep it from holding up this one.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Feb 17, 2008 18:55:07 GMT -5
Scourge is quiet, although he does sit up a bit straighter at Starscream's entrance, if that's possible, and he snaps off a prim military salute.
What the Minibot has to say is very interesting indeed. A whole different dimension? That could explain why these Autobots are acting so strangely. He wear the face of a Prime, and yet he is a conquerer by his spark. Perhaps in some universe, it is the Prime himself who is a conqueror. Scourge takes careful note of that frequency. It's something he may be able to use.
He addresses Starscream quietly but with what sounds like sincere regret and shame, "My apologies, sir. I thought it prudent that our captive be interrogated forthwith," Scourge's domain, "and I did not wish to trouble you, sir, as you seemed busy." Too busy to comment on the blow-by-blow updates he was getting both on the normal channel and in the CoC partyline, anyway. "There were no results to report, not until now, sir."
Sure, he's taking the blame on himself. Scourge has been known to do that, if it suits his long-term plans. Starscream thinking less of him is fine, as long as it doesn't come with a demotion, and taking the blame on himself specifically to get in better graces with Shockwave lessens the chance of a demotion.
He replies to Shockwave, tone laced with a slight smugness that a penitent machine should not possess, //I think you are quite correct, sir, on both counts.//
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Feb 18, 2008 0:23:54 GMT -5
Synapse hangs limply as the pain lessens, fading to a dull throb as the scalpel turns off. There's someone else here? Synapse still can't see anyone except for Shockwave who is centered in his vision. But Starscream's voice is distinctive enough--even if this voice carries quite a different quality than the one from Starscream that he knows. The Decepticon commander speaks again, causing Synapse to flinch back as he realizes how close the other is. There's a brief sound of confusion as his vision flickers away.
"Yes?" The minibot probably looks as if he's attempting to meld with the wall at this point. He's answered the (to him) most important question: Rodimus Prime's frequency. Oh no.... With the pain no longer ruling his mind, Synapse's expression turns into something a bit more terrified. He's a dead bot--ohnoohnoohno what will the Prime do?
Kill him. Slowly. Synapse's jaw works slowly, but no words come out. Coherent this minibot is not.
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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 Feb 18, 2008 5:03:38 GMT -5
"Of course not, Scourge." Starscream says, dismissively. Despite his appearance there is no denying that Scourge is a Decepticon--and one without much pride, at that. As someone who is proud until it serves him to be otherwise, Starscream knows how dangerous those people can be.
Starscream once again regarded this small Autobot. The one that was still not talking. With mock disappointment in his voice, Starscream "Hmm. Shame, noone ever wants to do this the easy way..." He was about to order Shockwave to resume his work, when he notices something. "Wait..." He approaches Synapse. "It's not loyalty or nobility that keeps your vocalizer offline is it...? It's... fear." The surprise is apparent in his voice. "What are you so afraid of, little Autobot? What is the noble Rodimus Prime going to do to you compared to what we will do to you? Perhaps you need reminding what that is. Shockwave, if you would, please."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 18, 2008 13:02:59 GMT -5
"It would appear, Starscream, that the Autobots from this one's reality are not like those with which we are accustomed. As I am sure you noted from the comments made during Needlenose and Duskwing's dogfight, among others."
Shockwave sits forward, picking up the still active node that he had been dismantling, "It takes time, or a great amount of pain, to overcome such ingrained fear, and he is extremely...sensitive. If I might suggest you sit, Starscream? You can ask your questions just as well from such a position, and I will not have to factor the effect of your proximity to the Autobot into my calculations. At the very least, move to one side. You are obstructing my view"
He picks up the scalpel, waiting a moment for Starscream to answer one way or another. Shockwave glances at the monitor where Synapse's vitals are displayed. Hgn...Starscream's interruption means Shockwave must start almost completely over. On the plus side, it appears that the encryption programming is doing its work well.
The scalpel flairs to life again, but Shockwave does not quite touch it to the node's surface. He holds it there a moment, knowing full well that Synapse can feel it's proximity. "It occurs to me, that we could use a long-range scout, Starscream." His blade bites lightly into the node, "And as such, breaking him completely may not be prudent. It is something to think about."
"I suggest you start answering the questions put to you, Autobot, " Shockwave says, as he pushes the blade just that much deeper.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Feb 18, 2008 13:58:36 GMT -5
So what, exactly, have they accomplished here? Starscream showed up, Starscream threw a fuss, and Starscream told Shockwave to do exactly what Shockwave was doing a few minutes prior.
Granted, Starscream gave Scourge a shot to get into Shockwave's good graces, so Scourge cannot say that they accomplished nothing, but still, the whole exercise seems a bit pointless to Scourge. He flicks his antennae back in irritation.
Starscream does have a useful observation about Synapse being more afraid of what his own faction will do to him than what the Decepticons might devise. The frequency belong to Rodimus Prime might be quite useful. If only Scourge knew a communications specialist...
...well, he knows Screwdriver, and what she does may be opposite of communication, but the clever little girl might be able to set up a radio spoofing system. Also, she's a 'contractor', isn't she? Outside the normal system. If neither Starscream not Shockwave investigate this opportunity, Scourge will. Fortune favours the bold.
Scourge pays close attention to Shockwave's work, but he is silent. He addressed Starscream's entrance, and it's time to play background decoration again.
OOC: Skippable, again.
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Feb 18, 2008 15:21:55 GMT -5
Fear, Starscream's hit the nail right on the head. Synapse has never had a reason to fear the Decepticon commander before. But here and with this Starscream being in command of this Shockwave, the Autobot scout is beginning to find reasons why. Any protests that Synapse might be in the process of making at Starscream's command are cut off as the minibot roughly arches as far as he can in his bonds. His vocalizer also finds motivation to be kicked back online as scores of sensors bombard him with various feeds: heat, pain, and the barest pressure all coming from one concentrated source.
Synapse's attention is also split as the sound of more warnings begin popping up. Yes, he knows that damage is being dealt to his systems. Yes, something got shut down. Yes, he is aware of the situation and the need to withdraw. More alerts crop up, notifying him of failing firewalls and breaking security systems. Somehow, the feeling of panic and dread increases with Synapse's struggles, as if the scout is trying to shy away from both the pain and the steady invasion of his network.
"The Prime wanted a new world--more places to conquer. Someplace that had no Decepticons to hinder him," rasps Synapse, fighting for the right control and articulation to form his words. "Awesome...terrifying." He cannot find any more to say about the Prime and what might happen to him if the Decepticons turn him back in. He doesn't want to think about that. But if Synapse has to, the word "Perceptor" is enough, if only to him.
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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 Feb 18, 2008 23:08:26 GMT -5
Starscream has found out that one of his commanders and his second-in-command are conspiring against him. That is what he has accomplished.
Starscream moved out of Shockwave's way. "Do we know the name of this one?" He asked noone in particular. "I don't recognize him from before." Dealing with Guardian Robots with minimal support from others kind of rules out taking a moment to take in the surroundings and see who else is in battle.
"And I agree, Shockwave. This is not just minor discrepancies between realities, like we've been dealing with. This Autobot's fellow kind are the aggressive society, and everything I'm hearing about 'his' Decepticons would indicate that they've filled the void as the faction that's nothing more than a bunch of wet-olfactory-sensored wimps with no support strut." And near as Starscream can tell, the factions even have similar line-ups.
"Because you never expected to be tortured by us, did you?" Starscream asked of Synapse. "No, the Shockwave and Starscream you know probably waste time with moronic ideals like 'nobility' and 'fairness'." He paused in thought, then turned to Shockwave. "No. Bending him to our will will just enrage his Prime and create a war on two fronts. We would be better to ally ourselves with him, and crush our Autobots together.
Discreetly transmitted to Shockwave: //And, of course, we'll plant a something in this one to take out his fellow Autobots, and then destroy them, too.//
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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 19, 2008 19:36:29 GMT -5
Shockwave holds the blade perfectly still while he watches information scroll across the monitor. Stopping completely, then and starting up again had caused a spike in the minibot's network, pushed Synapse that much closer to a possible shutdown. Which of course, was what Shockwave wanted to avoid from the off. Ah, well, what is done is done. Once more powering down the scalpel, Shockwave takes up his needles again, worrying at the exposed areas, giving Synapse's systems time to adjust, but not spin down.
"I do not know him. He has a laser core, not a spark, however, which likely places him from your's or Spinister's general reality."
Starscreams next words earn a considering glance from Shockwave. Quite the leap, based on what is known so far...what exactly has Starscream been hearing? And from whom?
"It must be considered that his Prime is already heaping similar treatment upon Duskwing. I have little faith in that Seeker's mettle or his discretion. If you wish to attempt an alliance, being the first to initiate contact might well create an advantage. And make the point that we are not as he may believe."
Shockwave bends his head once again to his work, carefully working a delicate panel out of the node, as he privately continues: //I would caution against such an obvious tactic. I have every intention of thoroughly examining Duskwing if he still functions for just those types of "upgrades." Nothing we have heard has indicated that these Autobots are mentally deficient, and if they have a Perceptor, or another engineer of of any decent skill... such a ruse would be quickly discovered. I am quite skilled, Starscream, but anything of enough strength to take out a Prime would be almost impossible to hide from one equally as skilled.//
//We might talk with the other Scourge; perhaps he has developed "pets" that might find the minibot a suitable carrier. And be harder to detect.//
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Feb 19, 2008 22:32:49 GMT -5
A stop to the questions, but no stop in the torment - did he do something wrong?
Synapse makes a concentrated effort to hear what's going on, but his own cries do get in the way of things. Something about not expecting this? To that, Synapse gives a furious shake. No, he didn't expect this at all. Then there's something about Prime. The rest of that is lost in another arching wail.
So yes, Synapse plays background music to the ongoing conversation.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Feb 19, 2008 23:47:22 GMT -5
Scourge radios both Starscream and Shockwave, because talking about Sekrit Stuff in front of a prisoner is dumb, //Sirs, I would suggest that we keep Barricade and Frenzy deployed. Even if these Autobots might make decent allies, the more we know, the more we can dictate terms.//
He adds, //I have battled Duskwing, and he is my roommate. He is an average fighter, no more, and he is... underclocked, I suspect. Very slow. I'm not sure how much he knows that is of any use, and he has trouble answering even simple questions. There is the potential for him to spill our secrets but also the potential that his fuel will be spilled when the Autobots tire of his density.//
Scourge is still sitting there, meek and quiet.
OOC: I continue to be skippable.
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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 Feb 20, 2008 0:02:55 GMT -5
//Excellent thinking, Shockwave.// Starscream had such an untrustworthy ass as his second-in-command for a reason.
However, he'd been noticing the vital reasonings too. "That one nearly deactivated him." He was saying this for Synapse's sake, not for Shockwave's. "Best not to get too over-eager. After all, won't Rodimus want to ensure that the person who surrendered his personal frequency under duress is intact enough so that he can 'thank' him on his own...
And then, to Scourge as well as Shockwave: //We already have a unit deployed. Spinister. Tell them to radio him for the location of these Autobots and anywhere he might need them.//
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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 20, 2008 10:24:15 GMT -5
So that answers that. Starscream has been conversing with Spinister. Not surprising really. Shockwave wonders for a moment what orders Starscream might have given the Mayhem, and if they perhaps countermanded Shockwave's...suggestion concerning Dusking. The dim-witted Seeker would be small loss in the grand scheme of things, though the Air Commander might not agree.
Starscream's comment regarding Synapse actually garners an brief flicker of Shockwave's optic. Ah, yes, this one was a scientist and explorer of some sort, or had been; interpreting vitals would not be that difficult. Still, it reminds Shockwave that he is dealing with a Starscream far removed from the sadomasochistic former gladiator his own Starscream had been.
"As I said, he is quite sensitive. Having to start back cold, as it were, did not help. But there are still question which I, at least, would like answered." By this time Shockwave has managed to remove the panel of circuitry he wished to examine and set it aside. Rather than continue working with his tool, he lightly, very lightly runs his fingers over the node, be sure to avoid any of the exposed areas. Still disconcerting, definitely, but not overtly painful, especially when compared to his previous attention.
It really is a pity that Shockwave has an audience, and that they will likely be giving this pet back to his master. Otherwise, Shockwave would be investing much more time and effort in this one.
One the information rolling across the screen tells him that Synapse systems are starting to relax (as much as they can), Shockwave asks the minibot, "Your name, please, as well as those you know have joined your Prime in his attempted conquest. You have already mentioned Perceptor; did he cross over as well to witness the fruits of his labors?"
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Synapse-3
Cadet
It would be a pleasure...
Posts: 84
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Post by Synapse-3 on Feb 20, 2008 17:53:13 GMT -5
There's a grunt and a keen as Synapse feels something getting cut off and drawn away. His systems are nearly running red and the minibot feels as if he's on the verge of a blissful offline - but the agony suddenly lessens and is replaced with something that jerks him awake with an initial violent twitch. Pain from his breaks mix alarmingly with the new sensation, creating something that sends minute shivers through his frame. Confusion breaks out for a moment, but (almost) anything is better than the scraping of Shockwave's needles. Soon enough, Synapse hangs limply from his bonds with only the occasional tic as the sensation builds and recedes.
Another question. This time the scout is too wary of the consequences and too tired to resist as he answers, "My designation is Synapse." He halts for a moment, lifting his sightless gaze to what he hopes is the direction of Shockwave and the others. "I--I followed Perceptor through the portal. I was not able to note those who went too far before or who came after." It's...it's a partial truth.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 21, 2008 0:54:29 GMT -5
Skipping Starscream due to player request
Shockwave continues to play his fingers idly over the node, alternating light and firm touches, while Synapse speaks. He lets a fingertip dip slightly into one of the wounds, as he asks, "That is all you can tell us, little Autobot: Perceptor, your Prime, and yourself? Surely there were preparations made, forces amassed before such an endeavor was attempted. Does your Prime not have his favorites, his preferred warriors?"
His fingers still, and for just a few seconds, Shockwave applies pressure across that node, then he returns to petting. "I suggest being a bit more forthcoming, Autobot," just because Synapse's name is now known does not mean that Shockwave need give the minibot the respect of using it, "Being circumspect with your answers gains you nothing from me. Do you hope to be spared your Prime's anger, because you only betrayed him only a little bit?"
"Now, I ask you again...what other guests might we be expecting?"
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