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Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 17, 2011 16:04:06 GMT -5
Starscream's optics glitter with anticipation as Shockwave powers up the device. "Is the portal bi-directional or is it a one-way trip?" If it's a way to move troops and supplies instantly to the front lines without having to worry about the enemy coming through it . . . except they stole the technology from the Autobots. Which means they have one too. Blast it all.
"My personal feelings don't enter into how I command," he states. Personally, Screamer feels he'd like to rip out Scourge's shiny new anti-gravs and drop him from a few miles up to see how big a crater he'd make.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 18, 2011 10:07:45 GMT -5
"Weren't you listening?" Scourge hisses, "Shockwave already answered your question - 'a doorway connecting two points'. Bi-directional. Obviously."
He's confused as to why Starscream is bringing up his personal feeling at all, and he says as much, "No one cares about your personal feelings, Starscream. We weren't talking about them."
Scourge stands and steps away from his chair, all to get a better view of Shockwave's demonstration.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Mar 18, 2011 12:23:18 GMT -5
If Shockwave were given to more outward displays of emotion, Scourge and Starscream would be having their heads knocked together right about now.
Instead, the gunformer's headfins twitch ever so slightly as he addresses them, voice flat.
"I am not possessed of limitless patience. Cease your bickering at least until out of my sight."
"Scourge is correct. Standard function is bi-directional, though it is possible to create one-way gates as well. I conducted some tests earlier and this should be the final round of adjustments."
A few more taps of the keys, the twisting a dial, and the terminal hums as it powers up. An average Transformer-sized circle of blue light appears in front of the gunformer. It glows and almost seems to move. A similar circle appears on the other side of the room, not to terribly far from Starscream, actually.
Shockwave picks up a length of metal from the table and tosses it toward the portal. It disappears and reappears, crashing to the floor near the Air Commander.
Shockwave has not noticed that there is a faint blue glow about himself as well.
He starts to power down the space bridge when the power levels begin to spike drastically. His two Seconds and Oil Slick are treated to the rare sound of Shockwave cursing violently as both portals collapse on themselves in a blinding flash, sending an energy shockwave through the room that may well knock those standing to the floor.
Shockwave, Decepticon Commander however, is gone.
OOC: Any attempts to hail Shockwave on radio will fall on dead air, the channel won't even connect. Shockwave is out of thread.
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Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 18, 2011 18:08:30 GMT -5
Shockwave was talking about Scourge and Starscream disliking each other. Starscream was responding to that, albeit belatedly. He'd tell Scourge this, only Shockwave told them to shut up.
Starscream throws his arm up and turns away to shield his eyes when the portals collapse. The lingering effects of the blast send arcs of electricity over the arm he used to block it. It's only when he lowers it that he notices Shockwave is gone.
His mind races. This is his chance to seize power. The Autobots are far away. He, Starscream could be in command of the Decepticons when the two factions meet again. He looks over at Scourge and Oil Slick. The tanker would challenge him. The Mayhems will do whatever they decide is best for the cause. The troops, Starscream isn't sure of. Scourge has been here longer, they might support him, but either way, a civil war helps no-one. For now . . .
"We'll need to launch an immediate investigation to find out what happened to Shockwave and if anyone is responsible. And we'll need to present a united front," he states, meeting Scourge's eyes and rising from his chair.
"I don't want anyone entering or leaving this room until the science team has gone over it with a fine-toothed comb."
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Oil Slick
Rookie
Pharmacists do it over the counter.
100ccs of Pure Evil
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Post by Oil Slick on Mar 19, 2011 2:48:14 GMT -5
Oil Slick had fallen quiet, content to just be observant, both of the bickering and the Space Bridge demonstation.
Unforutnately, things have gotten interesting.
The chemist grumbles, rising to his feet. "Wonderful. Shockwave is gone due to technical difficulties, and no Hook around to sort it out..." His tone is annoyed. He doesn't respond to Starscream's bit about leaving the room, but given that he isn't heading for an exit, he doesn't appear inclined to disobey.
Will Tweedledee and Tweedledum get along now, or continue bickering?
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 20, 2011 22:59:11 GMT -5
Scourge pushes himself up from the floor, one-handed, and decides that now is not the time for a villainous BSOD. Whatever he may feel about Shockwave apparently vanishing, he will deal with it later. Now is a time for something more productive than foolish emotional displays.
"Oil Slick, check the machinery now," Scourge commands. "You might well be behind the malfunction, but it might also be time-sensitive, and time lost is evidence lost. Fact is, Shockwave could be behind the malfunction, and is watching us even now, testing us, but..."
Scourge looks over at Starscream and says clearly, "I am assuming command. I was Shockwave's second in command. Shockwave's gone."
Autobot might bicker that, oh, he should say 'for the time being' or grant 'if Shockwave doesn't appear for a week', or something stupid like that, but Scourge is no Autobot. If anyone has a problem with Scourge assuming command, they can direct all such complaints to the business end of one of his rockets.
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Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 21, 2011 21:02:04 GMT -5
Starscream looks over at Oil Slick as the scientist starts dithering. "We've lost Hook and Shockwave, yes, two keen scientific minds. I am confident the science division will continue to function and solve these 'technical difficulties.' " Because really, if the entire team can't pick up the slack left by the disappearance of two mechs, Starscream fails to see why they keep feeding them. That's valuable energon going to waste there.
Starscream levels his gaze at Scourge and says just as clearly. "You are not assuming command. I have millenia more experience than you do, and we were equal in rank before Shockwave disappeared."
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Oil Slick
Rookie
Pharmacists do it over the counter.
100ccs of Pure Evil
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Post by Oil Slick on Mar 22, 2011 0:45:21 GMT -5
Oil Slick gives Scourge a funny look, but goes about to checking the equipment. He thinks it's a silly idea - he's a chemist, not an engineer. However, if it will absolve suspicion, then he may as well give it the old college try.
And if he accidentally destroys the evidence in the process of checking it, well, that's on Scourge's record for sending a chemist to do an engineer's job.
Besides, it's a welcome distraction from the bickering that's starting up.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 23, 2011 23:56:18 GMT -5
"Wrong," Scourge hisses out. "You are and remain merely Air Commander, in charge of the aerial soldiers who aren't otherwise specialised. I was second in command. I am now in command."
His trailer appears behind him, its multitude of weapons focused upon Starscream. Scourge is not going to play around. If Starscream wants to make an issue, Scourge can and will stomp Starscream to the curb without breaking a sweat. Old soldiers don't get to be older by bragging about how old they are.
"And even if you were correct, I don't care. We don't stand on protocol. We stand on might and cunning. I know this reality better than you do. I know better what the Autobots can throw at us. Tell me, do you even see what the real objective is, here? I don't think you do."
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Post by Needlenose on Mar 24, 2011 14:52:25 GMT -5
Needlenose doesn't actually want to be here. He'd just as soon give it until he knows who will be in charge. Wait until the dust settles. However, as a Mayhem, he should probably view the investigation (not to mention view how the new recruit handles the investigation). Not that there's anything wrong with this being the result of tampering. Advancement in the Decepticons being at the expense of the superior officer, and all that. But still, he's Mayhem, and he's here and... boy, does it feel odd to not be the new guy anymore.
The jet enters the lab, and on spying Scourge's trailer taking aim, his optics get very wide. He makes a quiet coughing noise. "Ah-heh. Don't mind me! Just here to check up on things!" Then he moves very, very carefully, creeping along the outside of the wall to avoid, at any point, being in the line of fire, towards where Oil Slick has already gotten started. He crouches down next to the chemist. "Anything so far?"
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Post by Starscream (Movie) on Mar 24, 2011 20:02:22 GMT -5
Ah, that's Scourge's problem. Always so angry. Starscream isn't about to make an issue of this when he has the tanker's entire arsenal pointed at him.
"Please enlighten me as to our objective, then, Scourge. I'd love to hear your take on it."
He's barely paying attention to Oil Slick and Needlenose, not even acknowledging when the Targetmaster walks in. All his focus is on Soucrge, looking for an opening. He'd rather not fight right here, but if the opportunity presents itself, Starscream has always been an opportunist.
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Tasha Walker
Minor
She's got legs, she knows how to use them. She never begs, she knows how to choose them.
Posts: 430
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Post by Tasha Walker on Mar 24, 2011 20:57:04 GMT -5
Blackarachnia pauses to lounge against the doorjam as she takes in the scene. She only caught Starscream's last words, but he and Scourge are certainly facing off. My, my but the tanker has pulled out the heavy artillery. Such a manly display. It could make a girl swoon, it could.
Hmm, facing off. In Shockwave's private lab*. With no Shockwave apparent to the naked optic.
And Scourge asked about space bridges.
She strolls over to stand near Scourge. Not too near, but close enough to possibly indicate where her loyalty lies.
"The nitrous is so think in here I'm surprised my BIOS still reads female," she drawls, "Tell me what you need from me, and take your dominance games outside. Shockwave will have a fit if you wreck his lab."
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Oil Slick
Rookie
Pharmacists do it over the counter.
100ccs of Pure Evil
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Post by Oil Slick on Mar 25, 2011 3:14:40 GMT -5
Oil Slick shakes his head at Needlenose. "I know that there is a space bridge device", he answers as he taps a claw against it. "And I know it malfunctioned."
Then the two bullheads start squaring off, wonderful. "I would advise you save the posturing and fighting for a later time." His arms cross. "If you follow this path, yes, you will wreck the lab. And any potential evidence that is there will be lost. Or have you lost sight of that while attempting to determine who has the bigger piston?"
Oil Slick isn't certain who he would prefer of the two to be leader. Starscream is...well, a Starscream, though seems much more competent that the one he knew of. If he's being truthful about his experience, then that puts him at a knowledge advantage. Scourge, however, has the actual experience advantage, having been in this dimension longer than Oil Slick has been. Unfortunately, he does have that temper.
It seems the spider favors Scourge. Curious.
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Post by Sable Conolly on Mar 25, 2011 22:58:22 GMT -5
Scourge allows Needlenose to creep past, though his peripheral gaze does flick to the jet now and then. In theory, the Mayhems shouldn't get involved. They serve whoever leads the Decepticons. If there is no clear leader, they won't step in, unless one potential leader is dangerously deranged. Scourge doesn't think he's dangerously deranged. Just deranged enough to be interesting.
Scourge's antennae flick with amusement, and he repeats, obviously finding a grim, dark humour in the situation, "'Please'? That's a good start, Starscream."
However, Blackarachnia and Oil Slick are being irksome and ruin Scourge's brief good mood. Fights to the pain are a perfectly acceptable method of establishing leadership! No one ever told Megatron he was being TOO MANLY or, Vector Sigma forbid, childish whenever he whomped Starscream! This is complete jet slag. Scourge says firmly, "We're just wrapping up. Shockwave is gone. Spacebridge accident. Starscream wanted to argue with his commander, but I believe the issue is settled. Blackararachnia, take lead on the spacebridge malfunction issue. Shockwave described it as a two-way gateway with one fixed point, and I believe he was working off data gathered from the Autobots by Frenzy."
His trailer remains out.
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Post by Needlenose on Mar 26, 2011 22:33:24 GMT -5
Needlenose's brow-ridge lifts at the commentary from the others. That sort of thing is practically encouraging the fight! He gives a snort of surprise and amusement when things actually don't escalate, and starts by inspecting the settings on the Spacebridge itself. Particularly, he's looking for some sort of indication over what qualifies as 'normal settings' for the thing.
The most common cause of equipment 'malfunction' is user error, after all.
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