Discovery - [Video, Unlocked, some private messages]
[The video opens in a very dark room, with a light shining around to illuminate various features of the setting a-la Blair Witch. It passes over counter-tops with broken glass and various tools, beakers, and dormant machines, then lights up what seems to be a transformer-sized lab-table in the center of the room, looking not unlike a dentist's
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[Perceptor scowls faintly, an expression of distaste, more than irritation.]
Metroplex is as alive and aware as you or I. He merely has a great deal more to oversee in his day to day functions. As such, he is never dormant.
But if you mean would the energy requirements be the same whether he was transformed and active in his bipedal mode, as opposed to his stationary city mode... How much energy do you require in the Arena, as opposed to sitting here speaking to me?
[That line of questioning, or rather, the suspicions raised by the questioning and terminology Magnum had favored, makes Perceptor... uncomfortable.]
Of course. Not without assistance, you realize, however, Wheeljack and I oversaw the entirety of development and construction, and well beyond bringing the city online. It has been done and it can be done again.
Here, however, as I said, I do not know. For one, I have no estimate as to how much of the raw material could be obtained and how quickly. In my reality, we had the cooperation of the governments of Earth. Additionally, constructing a cityformer is no small task, and certainly not one which could be easily hidden. To say nothing of the energy requirements necessary for construction and activation. Do you truly believe that the TransTech would not notice such a large amassing of materials and energy? Much less the numbers required to assist in building. Do you think the TransTech would allow such an individual to be built here?
[He shrugs.]
Nothing is impossible, merely statistically improbable. Without knowing what resources are available, I could not even begin to hypothesize what could be feasible here.
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[What a...descriptive name.]
Metroplex is merely an analogy of what I wish to build, Perceptor. I do not want something living, as...
Hn.
It would be 'unfair' to it. As you have said, the Nexus is not the place to build a cityformer.
[He...smiles, thinking.]
However, Zone 7 is in need of some charitable reconstruction, in its dilapidated state. I have been purchasing buildings--at low cost, of course--for a renovation project.
Which means yes, we could, in fact, build one in plain sight, if we were careful. [He didn't even bother glancing around--the mechs that came to eat in this dive weren't the sort that cared.]
The question that then becomes important is your earlier one, yes? The 'why.'
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You want a semi-autonomous battle platform.
[It's just a guess... but this is a Megatron.]
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[He did not look up as his energon cube and metal chips were set down, reaching instead for one of the strange snacks he'd grown fond of in the Nexus.]
Yes, that is exactly what I want. I want something I can plug into, and control. Something that will mean I am a threat, but only if a threat is needed.
More than that, I want a city within this city. A world of my own, under my watch. A place that certain transtech optics cannot penetrate.
I'm sure I don't need to remind you of the abductions that I mentioned? Please, try a chip.
[He changed topics without a flicker in his optics, holding one of the small metal shards dipped in non-corrosive acid to the scientist.] They're Primaxian-safe.
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[Frightening deduction, really, and Perceptor... is starting to wonder if he should have postponed this meeting until Wing was freed from incarceration by the TransTech so that the Knight could have accompanied him.]
Something for you to control. And who will have the ability to determine when a threat will be needed? Only you?
[He's feeling very vulnerable here, and wondering if he's endangered Wheeljack by mentioning him...]
[However, Magnum dangles a potent lure before Perceptor: a place free of the TransTech. Free of those who could send Wing back, send Wheeljack back...]
[Perceptor has not seen any evidence of those abductions, save that others have mentioned them. Even so, the threat of his friends being summarily deported home, even merely to die, pointlessly, is a potent threat and a powerful incentive to be wary of the TransTech.]
[Still, a semi-autonomous battle platform. Under Megatron's control--]
[The change of subject rattles Perceptor enough that he takes the offered snack out of reflex, only noting after he'd ingested it that it could have been... well... anything!]
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[He munched, quietly, on a chip, noting that Perceptor was doing the same, smiling as his dentals ground down the rusting metal--mouth closed, of course. One ought to be polite, when doing business. Most of the time.]
There is a reason why I am asking you, Autobot. I have scientists at my disposal, and very competent ones at that.
However, if I am to have any Autobots living in my city, which I intend, I believe they'd feel safer knowing that one of them was on the task. Keeping vigil.
Much as I am loath to admit it, Decepticons alone are not enough to make a difference.
[He reached for his cube, swirling it idly for a moment, still stunned even after two stellar cycles how easy energon was to obtain, here.]
I'm going to build it, one way or another. You might as well be on the inside, instead of the out.
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[His voice is a little choked as he struggles to swallow the chip and speak at the same time, and his optics are quite huge with disbelief.]
Me?
[Sorry, Magnum, but Perceptor is laughing now. Short little chuffs of dry amusement that he can't seem to halt. He isn't laughing at you, just at what you'd said. It takes Perceptor several long moments to get himself under control again, and when he looks back up, there is a shadow, a darkness in his expression, though he is still clinging to the vestiges of a thin smile.]
Think like a tactician. Oh, if only Brawn could hear you say that about me, of all individuals. Ah, but he cannot, as he is dead at Megatron's hands, killed during a bid for control of a city.
[The smile fades as Perceptor leans forward, optics narrowed with obvious suspicion.]
Competent, perhaps, however, I am the best, and the Wheeljack here cannot help you; he comes from far before we constructed Metroplex.
[Might as well shift the danger all onto himself now before Magnum gets any ideas. Nevermind that even attempting to shift the attention to himself has probably already given Magnum ideas.]
You wish to have Autobots living in your city. Megatron would have appreciated Autobots living on his Cybertron, as well. As his slaves. What purpose do you have for us? What do you envision as the future of the Autobots you wish to draw to your city, especially since you admit to being displeased at needing us.
[And then, like the fool he is, he blunders on, instead of shutting up when the shutting up is good. Which, realistically, had probably been long before now anyway.]
I am fairly confident that I can find a means to stop you, if it becomes necessary. So why shouldn't I?
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[Megatron was rather...bemused, however, if nothing else.] I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. Half of one's success on the battlefield is in using simple logic. You'd be surprised how many miss that.
You won't be working with Wheeljack, however--you'll be working with my scientist....who...may be amused by your assessment of his skills as being merely competent.
On the other hand, Shockwave does not seem to possess any emotions, so perhaps he will not mind. Another chip?
[He offered the entire plate this time, feeling charitable.]
I'm not interested in slaves. I'm simply interested in being autonomous, without transtech interference. Any who want to join me, may.
They'll simply have to live under my rules. I believe this can be done without death or destruction, though...even if I'm, ah, sorry, about the loss of your friend.
[He's not, but he's at least trying to act civil.]
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And you were the one to name him as "competent", not I.
[Sitting back in his chair, Perceptor politely waves off the offer, crossing his arms over his chest as he regards Magnum warily.]
Your rules. Would you care to elaborate?
[Autonomy, however...]
Without TransTech interference. Does this mean that you do not wish to return to your home?
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[He sets the plate back down, tilting his head curiously.]
Ah, but you were the one to say you were the best. [He smiles.] Though, as I am not a scientist, I would not know. Perhaps you are better than he.
What are you worried about, Perceptor? My rules won't be unreasonable. You can even look them over, if you wish, though I'm sure after Wing has had a turn with them they'll be too proper for my tastes.
[Not that he'd let Wing's edits be the final ones.]
I will be returning home, Perceptor. This simply allows me to have a platform to accomplish that.
Will you join me in my endeavor? Or shall I seek alternatives?
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[He sulks, staring at Magnum from under his brow ridge.]
What assurances do any of us have that you will not merely become a tyrant of a different sort? The humans have a colloquialism: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The last time I trusted y- ...someone, he repaid us all by murdering too many to count.
Anyone can write rules, Magnum. It is the enforcement, or lack thereof, that concerns me.
[He almost asks why Magnum feels that he needs a semi-autonomous battle platform in order to base himself out of if he merely wishes to get home, however, Perceptor has seen some of the equipment and resources of the TransTech during his brief sojourn to the upper reaches while assisting Wing. The TransTech would never allow anyone unfettered freedom, unless they could take it. And Magnum knows nothing about the project that Perceptor is working on.]
[The project. If he agrees to help Magnum, it will become that much harder to keep the Portal Project concealed, and Perceptor is fairly certain that keeping that project out of Magnum's hands is... imperative. Utterly, and absolutely imperative.]
[He shifts, nervously.]
Why should I trust you?
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But there can at least be hope.
[He wrapped his hand around one cube, feeling it within his grasp.]
How can I promise anything? Situations change, sparks change...and I will do what is best for myself and for my mechs.
But if you hope to have any chance of stopping me, should all that come to pass?
[His other hand lay on the table, palm upward, digits spread.]
You'd do it better from the inside.
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I wish...
[To discuss it all with Wing. Assuming the TransTech ever release him.]
...to think about this.
[Actually, that gives him an idea.]
Do you have any influence with them? The TransTech? You spoke of allowing Wing to offer input to your rules. He is being detained. By the Security forces.
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[Level 13. Highly defensible, and cheap. Even so, even with the budget that Soundwave and his Arena provided him, it would take a while.]
Because of the newspark that was hurt under his care? Mmmm...perhaps. I have no more influence than money or fear can provide, but has anyone tried talking with the parents?
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I was not allowed to. I do not know if anyone else has made an attempt.
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[He smirks.]
And...you will work for me, when I succeed.
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