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Post by Victoria Raines on Dec 12, 2008 21:59:27 GMT -5
OOC: Timeskip ahoy!
"You have been quite the excellent patient, Hellbender," Shockwave say as he finishes up the last bit of the rebuild, "I have just one or two more details to finish up, and then we will run some tests."
A few minutes later, and Hellbender should start noticing that more systems coming online. In short order, the worm should be completely in control of himself.
Well, as completely in control of himself as any creature of Shockwave's can be.
Finshed, Shockwave answers Hellbender's question, "I may need to call upon you if this alliance we have been thrust into fails. Beyond that...I merely ask that you continue as you have. Be patient and be loyal. And trust that I intend you to have your wings again."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 13, 2008 15:33:20 GMT -5
"Thank you, sir," Hellbender rumbles. "That's not hard when Ah have the very best scientist and engineer working on me, sir."
Flattery? As far as Hellbender knows, Shockwave is the best engineer around--though it surely does not hurt to let his creator know that he is aware of that... and that Hellbender trusts Shockwave to know what he is doing.
"All systems online." Then, in conscious imitation of Sky-byte, he says, "Hellbender, Transform!"
At first. nothing happens, then Hellbender rises up, over 2/3 of his length in the air. New circuits activate for the first time; armor shell plates shift down and back, peeling slowly away from his body to form wing-like shrouds. The four cutting heads split apart, sliding down to become part of his outer arms even as legs emerge and unfold, with several hesitations and false starts.
Finally, there's a large blue-black shell-former with an armored helm and dark face standing in front of Shockwave. Red optics look at his Re-Builder; a shoulder-mounted heavy laser whirrs softly as Hellbender points it at the ground.
He holds his hands up in front of his optics and wiggles his fingers, servos working with a 'click-click-click' as he does so.
"Ah think this is just about right, sir. All systems green," Hellbender reports, still watching his fingers with an expression of wonder.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Dec 14, 2008 22:47:23 GMT -5
"The two best, Hellbender. Hook is my equal in skill, though our emphases do differ." Shockwave knows his own skill well enough, and flattery has never swayed the gunformer one way or another. That Hellbender thinks to offer it, though, is interesting in and of itself.
Shockwave circles the newly-rebuilt transformer, making notes on his datapad as he does so. He is not entirely pleased with the transform- it lacks smoothness and the aesthetic seems off- but then this is Hellbender's first time in this body. And Shockwave has never preferred the shell-former body style for his build experiments.
"But one must work with the materials available," he mumurs, "Not quite what I would prefer, no, but functional, serviceable. Hrm....the trick will be adjusting the frame and bulk for the next stage...." He lifts his head, speaking louder now, "I do understand that you may feel the need to announce your transformation as a way of affirmation, but please be aware that it is not a requirement of the function."
Shockwave tilts his head, watching Hellbender as the worm studies his own fingers. "You seem surprised. Could your own Shockwave and Hook not have performed such a radical procedure?"
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 15, 2008 18:59:53 GMT -5
Hellbender smirks briefly. "Well, it seems to help Sky-byte transform. Ah just did it for a bit of good luck the first time."
The robot thinks for a second and adds, "Ah know you don't believe in luck, sir, but the kinda fellers Ah used to end up commanding took it mighty serious-like. It's their way of dealin' with random casualties without gettin' all spooked and timid."
Hellbender looks back at Shockwave over his fingers. "Of course they could. It's just been a while since Ah had fingers, seems like."
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Post by Victoria Raines on Dec 16, 2008 11:43:07 GMT -5
Actually, Shockwave does believe in luck, in as much as he understands that occasionally the one in one million probability does push its way forward. He also understands that "trusting in luck" as a manner of of positive thinking can actually assist an individual; by depending on "luck" rather than themselves, they reduce their own stress levels and perform to highest capacity. "You might be surprised, Hellbender, what I do and do not believe in, but that is a conversation for another time."
"I believe that Sky-Byte, like Scourge and others of that reality, must vocalize their transform just as they do their attacks. It is a requirement, rather than an aid. Render them mute, and you deprive them of much if their combat worth. A ridiculous system." He shakes his head, "Utterly ridiculous."
"Now transform back, if you please. I need to see how smoothly the process works in reverse."
OOC: Unless Hook wants to post back in, it looks like we're heading toward a good fade out point. Thoughts?
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Post by Hook on Dec 16, 2008 17:00:54 GMT -5
There is a golf-clap from the doorway.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 20, 2008 9:11:14 GMT -5
'Yessir," Hellbender says with a nod--feeling a certain amount of glee that he can nod! Yay!
He frowns slightly, and asks, "How can that work, sir? Ah mean, what do vocalizer circuits got to do with transforming? Seriously!"
With a swift glance at Hook--Hellbender has heard that nearly inaudible clap, as he retains the seismic-sensor sensitivity of the mining worm--and another nod, this time in Hook's direction, Hellbender transforms once more.
Hands, gun, and feet retract first, elbow and arm cutters sliding back up shoulders next as his head retracts to make a place for the cutting heads and intakes; legs fold and join and extend to form the tail as the shell wings enshroud his body and extend to become articulated armor segments; finally, Hellbender the half-size mining worm coils in front of Shockwave. This second transform goes slowly, but without the fits and starts of the first one.
"Ah think Ah'm gettin' the hang of it, sirs," says the mining worm in his deep, hollow voice--deeper than his robot mode voice, thanks to the acoustics of the worm form.
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Post by Victoria Raines on Dec 20, 2008 21:53:16 GMT -5
"Linking the initiation of a sequence- transform, attack, or what have you- to a particular set of vocal keys is not in and of itself as difficult as it sounds. True, in our realities the two are not linked, a fact for which I must heartily thank Primus. It is almost as if they come from a reality designed entirely to provide entertainment for the masses. Vocalizing attacks is a characteristic of some forms of visual media, and the style is especially popular among the humans, for some reason."
Shockwave half-turns toward Hook when Hellbender acknowledges the Constructicon and inclines his head. Yes, the gunformer had heard the other's quiet commentary, but had deliberately delayed in acknowledging it. His optic flickers ever so slightly; there will be words between them over this. Perhaps more than words, and Shockwave is of two minds as to his opinion on such a possibility.
"Yes," he says to Hellbender, "Better. More practice, and you need to be put through your paces in the holo room." Shockwave checks a few items on his datapad, then idly offers it toward Hook. The wireless feeds from Hellbender are working perfectly, and the Constructicon might find the information interesting.
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Post by Hook on Jan 1, 2009 19:36:04 GMT -5
Hook accepts the datapad from Shockwave and examines the readout. "Hnh."
"Wait until I get down there before you begin your test-runs, Hellbender. I need to make a few adjustments to the sims." Specifically, he needs to upload something to take the readings.
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