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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[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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Bring Wing back safely... and I will.
[He reaches out and hesitantly clasps Magnum's hand on the table.]
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You have a deal.
[The palm turns, and he grips Perceptor's hand, shaking firmly.]
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