[video]
[The screen flickers on, and for a long moment, all that is really visible is the outside of Inprocessing, before the feeds swings back up and around to Perceptor's face. He is peering around himself with a look of quiet wonder and curiosity, heedless of the video feed. Finally, he seems to recall himself, glancing back down at the screen, and
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You...from one of them inverse universes?
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[He looks faintly perplexed, but intrigued.]
As in a reality wherein the inhabitants are mirror reflections of what you accept as the norm? Or are somehow otherwise skewed tangentially from the mean expectation?
[A metaphorical lightbulb illuminates his expression.]
That would imply that you have some familiarity with an incarnation of an entity resembling, well, me!
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As in like you but the opposite.
[Verity's gotcher metaphor right here, nerdzilla.]
Yeah. 'cept quieter. [A lot quieter.]
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Ah, yes. That is the "inverse universe" which you were referencing. Hmmm, curiously, if that would be true, then we would each originate in the inverse universe to the other's, as I feel that the reality of my origin is, by virtue of my origination there, the "base" universe, while you would view it as, potentially, an inverse. Where you would consider your reality to be the "base", and mine to be the inverse. Quite the philosophical debate!
By whose standards would be most accurately determine the inverse/obverse relationship of our various base realities? Our perceptions are, of a necessity, skewed by our origins.
[He grins cheerfully, and then rubs the back of his helmet with a touch of embarrassment.]
Ah. Eh heh. Yes, well, there are those who have requested a certain amount of, ah, brevity from me, before. [Like, most everyone, at some point in time or another.]
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Yeah, I don't really do 'debate'.
Try this for 'base': Autobots good, Decepticons evil. Fire bad.
[Deadpan.] Really. I can't imagine why.
You must have set a record for longest time in Inproc if you flapped the ol' voc like this in there.
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That does seem to be a fairly effective means of establishing a point of reference, yes. And, yes, I agree with your summation. In regard to the Autobots and Decepticons, that is. Fire, however, serves quite a number of useful functions.
[Hey, now, there's no need to get so sardonic here.]
The individuals who spoke with me there did seem rather more comfortable with allowing me the full length of discourse if it would prevent them from being required to answer too many questions, actually.
[Odd, how he hadn't really noticed that at the time. Huh.]
At any rate, I do believe that you have me at a disadvantage. You are quite obviously familiar with me, however, I have no familiarity with you. May I inquire as to your name and affiliation?
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[Verity does not appreciate you bringing complexity and nuance to her world, Perceptor. Or if you must bring them, please hold them still and low enough for her to punch. ]
Yyyyyeah. Point taken.
[But now, you are skirting close to something near and dear to her heart: conspiracy theories.]
Of course! The Trannies have to work hard to keep that whole 'we know all, we see all' bullshit. You just made it easier for 'em.
[Wut? There's no Universal Verity?]
Verity. I'm with the Wreckers.
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Given the questions they asked, there seemed to be very little knowing all and seeing all in their purview.
[Does he look mildly affronted? Yes. Yes he does. But only mildly, and it passes quickly.]
[The concept of a Universal Verity does beg the question, though... What would she look like with Big Hair and pink leg warmers?]
Verity. Greetings, Verity. I am, as I suspect you already know, Perceptor.
What are the Wreckers?
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You have no idea. But they have to keep up the act or admit how bad they've fragged things up.
[....like Stormer's long lost sister?]
[There is a gasping sound as though Perceptor just sucked the oxygen from Verity's lungs. You insult her, sir!]
The...the Wreckers! You know! Wreck and Rule?
[Crickets? Tumbleweed?]
Best goddam Autobot unit out there. Try that.
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Ah. Intriguing.
[He doesn't seem at all phased by the inclusion of a human in an Autobot unit. He's has two decades of association with Spike and Carly, after all. Not to mention their progeny.]
I am afraid that they do not exist in my universe, as I have never heard of them. My apologies.
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[Narrowed eyes. Yeah? Well then, your universe sucks.]
Don't exist? You were in them!
Well, not you you, but my you.
So what does exist in your universe? [Huh. What would be absolutely universal across all universes?] Gotta Kup? [Could be the same Kup for all anyone knows. It would not surprise Verity and might explain some of his...weirder stories.]
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[He smiles at her explanation, or rather, her clarification.]
Quite a few individuals and units exist in my universe. Such as, yes, Kup. Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, the EDC, the Quintessons. I could name a significant quantity of additional individuals... [He smiles wryly.] However, I doubt very much that you would wish me to.
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Yeah, no, let's not play Autobot Census. [She's yawning already.]
So like...what do you do if you don't shoot stuff?
[And send Wreckers to their deaths with those idiotic suicide locks and download evil computers into fanboys?]
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[But, yes, he gets your point. Especially since he was the one who'd made it in the first place.]
I am a scientist.
[Feel special, Verity. You got a very brief, succinct answer for that one. Also? Don't tell him about that other stuff. It would break his metaphorical heart.]
For the record, I am capable of martial functions.
[Just not very good at them. Unless you have something really, really small shot with precision skill from, like, orbit. Or 2000 miles. Whichever.]
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Yeah? [Appraising look.] What kind of science?
[Verity shrugs.] Never met an Autobot who wasn't capable of it. Just some of us [Yes us] are better at it than others.
[You poor little nerd. Don't worry. Verity will protect you.]
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Ah, well, my specialties lie in Molecular Chemistry, Metallurgy, and Electrical Engineering, however, I am familiar with, ah, all sciences.
[All your Science are belong to Perceptor.]
[Also, not phased by the "us". Spike had his Exo-Suit and kicked serious Decepticon aft with Bumblebee. Why should Verity be any different? She said she was part of an Autobot unit called the Wreckers. Perceptor very much doubts that they are a book and tea club with a name like that.]
Well, yes, that is true of my reality as well.
[He smiles a bit nervously; can you guess which end of the spectrum the Nerd ends up on, Verity?]
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