|
Post by Victoria Raines on Feb 28, 2011 20:07:47 GMT -5
Month 1, Week 3, Day 2. Ship-Shockwave's private lab. Semi-private. Required parties are Scourge(RiD) and Starscream. Allowed optional parties are the Mayhems (which may or may not include Oil Slick at this point). Possible early cameo by Screwdriver also approved. Scene picks up in the middle of a review of the events of the Big Shutdown subplot.
While Shockwave listens to Scourge and Starscream's reviews (and possible alpha bickering back and forth), he continues to work on what seems to be a very intricate device. There are several lovely circuits scattered about the table, and slowly, each of those circuits is being worked into the device. At an appropriate break in the reports, Shockwave looks up.
"So tell me, each of you. How do you rate the encounter overall? As a success or as a failure?"
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Feb 28, 2011 20:40:08 GMT -5
"It was a failure," Starscream states flatly. "We expended valuable resources but failed to accomplish our objective." He shifts in his seat, trying to conceal a twinge of pain in his shoulder. The new arm still hasn't fully integrated with his systems.
"However, we did gather valuable intelligence. We now know the layout of the Autobot ship, as well as possessing their space bridge technology. These things will be valuable for future missions." Future missions like rescuing Hook. Though honestly, Starscream's first priority is tearing whoever tripped the alarm a new exhaust port.
|
|
|
Post by Sable Conolly on Feb 28, 2011 22:11:06 GMT -5
Scourge is watching Shockwave's work with a dreadful fascination. He can't make sense of it now, but someday, he vows, he will. Someday, Scourge will be a warrior and a scientist and a strategist and an engineer, and there will be nothing he cannot know or do if he puts his will to it.
"Failure," Scourge agrees curtly. "I have no interest in playing psychology games at the moment." He does add, "I think we hurt them worse than they hurt us. My main concern is if they crack Hook."
Presumably, they've changed all their frequencies and codes and whatnot, but still, what Hook knows is valuable.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 2, 2011 0:04:36 GMT -5
Shockwave might teach Scourge some basic engineering. Shockwave offered as much, once upon a time.
One headfin flicks at Scourge's comment on games, "Then your choice of commander is ill-made, for you well know there are few things I like better."
"Yes, you both failed in your execution of the attack, and we chase even now upon their heels to regain one of our own." For yes, Shockwave greatly desires Hook's return.
"However, as such skirmishes go in my experience, I claim it a success. We have information we did not previous, we wounded them most sorely, and we have a very intelligent individual among them who may gather intel before his return."
Shockwave returns to working on the device, "They will not kill Hook. Attempt to change what was once done to him, perhaps, but not kill him. He will not break."
"Also, I accomplished my primary aim, so yes, more success than failure."
|
|
Oil Slick
Rookie
Pharmacists do it over the counter.
100ccs of Pure Evil
Posts: 247
|
Post by Oil Slick on Mar 2, 2011 2:20:37 GMT -5
Oil Slick looks over toward Shockwave with crossed arms.
"Neither and both, I would say. I managed to infect the Prime with my cyber-oxidant, but it would appear that is at least one, and more than likely others that are resistant to it. I was also unable to plant my oxidant-bomb, but that may be for the best - if enough had been resistant, they would have potentially gotten access to its formula."
The chemist is quiet for a moment as he ponders the initial question. "A success overall, though - even if they manage to save Rodimus, the fact that he was so easily dispatched has the capability to strike a blow to their morale, and perhaps cause troop loyalty to waver." He smirks.
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 2, 2011 21:25:53 GMT -5
Starscream will happily play psychology games all day long. It's preferable to getting beaten about the head and shoulders with his own limbs and having tank treads ground on his face.
"We made a strategic error in our planning. I should have been leading the stealth attack, while Scourge should have been in charge of the frontal assault. We were both too attached to our own projects and we paid for it." He gives Scourge a nod. What he means by it is anyone's guess.
The jetformer pauses, giving Oil Slick an appraising look. He doesn't like the idea of a secret police force operating outside the chain of command. Always having Soundwave lurking around was bad enough.
"And what was your primary aim, Lord Shockwave?"
|
|
|
Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 2, 2011 23:23:32 GMT -5
And Scourge was interested. And it went nowhere.
"You assume I have a choice," Scourge points out to Shockwave. His optics narrow, and his voice lowers, "I think your faith is misplaced."
The only reason Scourge is a Decepticon is brainwashing. Could he be an Autobot with a few tweaks to his code? Maybe. (Does Scourge want to be? No.) Could Hook? Maybe.
He shakes his head as Starscream says they made an error, and he points out, "I have more stealth and saboteur skills than you do, and we needed one of us at the assault on the front to make it realistic. We needed a better selection of troops with me, though, and we needed to drill on the scenario, not send them in cold. it would have raised the chances of someone dumb leaking something early, but at least no one would have tripped an alarm."
Scourge glowers and crosses his arms.
"We were lucky," he fairly spits out. "They have more spacers than we do, but they don't fight effectively together. For now."
Oil Slick's perspective is unique, and Scourge considers it, awaiting Shockwave's grand mind-bending reveal.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 5, 2011 12:48:32 GMT -5
Shockwave carefully places the last circuit into the device, then looks back up at Scourge, "Ah, but you did- and do. There is always a choice, Scourge. Nothing, no outcome, is ever finite."
"Hook knows much yes, but even if they overwrite his programming, he knows nothing that cannot be planned for or changed. Perhaps the most damaging is our ship's schematics, its strengths and weaknesses, but from now on, we must simply factor that into any defensive plans we make." Make sure any vulnerable trenches are guarded and reactor opening sealed up and all that
"As for my goal, that is simple enough- evaluation," Shockwave says as he checks the device over, checking and rechecking the placement of every circuit. He stands and moves toward a terminal at the other end of his lab, gesturing that the assemblage stay where they are.
He begins to install the device in the terminal.
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 5, 2011 15:07:50 GMT -5
Starscream shakes his head in disagreement as he replies to Scourge. "I can manuever in a vacuum, and you have the thicker armor and heavier weapons load-out. You should have been making the noise on the bridge while I planted charges."
"Were you evaluating us, or the Autobots' defenses?" He suspects the former, and the thought rankles. "What is that device?" the jetformer asks, nodding at Shockwave's work.
|
|
Oil Slick
Rookie
Pharmacists do it over the counter.
100ccs of Pure Evil
Posts: 247
|
Post by Oil Slick on Mar 6, 2011 2:05:43 GMT -5
Hmmm...
A lack of Hook could be advantageous in ways. Oil Slick drums the fingers of one hand on his upper arm, arms still crossed.
Shockwave's device is curious, though he says nothing, as Starscream has already inquired.
|
|
|
Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 6, 2011 9:02:14 GMT -5
"Us," Scourge says with a hint of bitterness. It has to be them. To test them and see if they are worthy of whatever it is Shockwave is doing.
He glares at Starscream as Starscream suggests that Scourge should have been making noise, and he snarls, "I just had my voice commands removed!" His hands slam against the arms of his chair and grip them tightly, as if he is just barely containing himself from rising up.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 7, 2011 20:21:16 GMT -5
A lack of Hook means Blackarachnia is in charge of Medical and Engineering. Which, given the arrangements between the spider and Oil Slick, could be either good or bad for the chemist.
Shockwave finishes the installation, then turns back toward the group. He moves up beside Scourge and attempts to place a hand on the tanker's shoulder.
"Scourge, do spare a thought for my furniture. Starscream has a valid point. While you may be the stealthier, you are also better armed and better equipped for diversionary tactics than he. It was not an error of either party's planning, merely something to consider for the next time."
He picks up a few tools from his table and returns to the terminal to make some adjustments.
"To answer the second question: I have been working on a space bridge that combines the various elements from the realities' bridges- what we know of them at least- for a short while now. Trying, you see, to discover why it failed in my reality, but so many others have functional versions. With the information Frenzy gathered, I believe I have solved the problems."
"To answer the first question: both, though mainly yourselves. I wished to see if Starscream could fill the role I had intended for his alternate, and more, if the two of you could function competently in battle despite your obvious dislike of each other. If we are to maintain a cohesive force, you two must be able to command in my absence and without my input."
"After all, I am not invincible."
|
|
|
Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 10, 2011 20:15:21 GMT -5
"I wasn't referring to your idiotic voice commands!," Starscream snaps back, also half-rising from his chair. It wouldn't do to be seen to be any less quick to jump into the fray, after all. That would appear weak.
"How does it function?" the jetformer asks, leaning forward eagerly with a glint in his eyes. "I'm not interested in the scientific principles, just the mode of operation." A G1 cartoon space bridge is not the same thing as a ROTF Seeker space bridge at all!
At Shockwave's statement that he isn't invincible, Starscream gives him an appraising look, meeting the single optic. "Megatron never would have admitted that out loud." It's one of the highest compliments he can give.
|
|
|
Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 14, 2011 11:42:44 GMT -5
Shockwave's furniture knew what it was getting into when it let Scourge sit on it.
Scourge glares sullenly at Shockwave, sinking into the chair. Shockwave had wanted the first Starscream as his second. He only gave Scourge the role when the first Starscream had to be left behind. So in a way, Shockwave is saying he wanted to see if this Starscream could do Scourge's job.
Scourge does not like this.
He's also a little pained by Shockwave's admission that he is not invincible. It is true, of course, but such things are just not said!
Scourge quibbles, "I do not dislike Starscream," which is not the same thing as saying he likes Starscream, which he does not, but adds, "I am interested in the scientific principles," half spite, half real interest.
|
|
|
Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 14, 2011 16:06:20 GMT -5
Shockwave shrugs one shoulder, "I am not Megatron. I prefer to dwell in a world of truths and realism, not my own fantasy."
Shockwave prefers Scourge. He would hope that was clear enough to the tanker truck by now. What the gunformer really wanted was for the truck and the jet to share second in command duties, each taking the areas best suited to their relative strengths, yet both able if needed to command the whole. Contingency plan built upon contingency plan, for one never knew who might arrive and destroy whom on any given day.
He does not go into the scientific details, but does say to Scourge, "Later, if you wish, I will go over my notes with you and attempt to explain the details." He subspaces his tools and begins to input some data into the terminal.
"It creates, essentially, a doorway connecting two points, allowing instant access to locations some distance away. For example, when at full functionality, we could travel from Earth to Cybertron in an instant, or from this ship back to Gillanan III."
"I shall demonstrate," he says, beginning to power up the device.
|
|