NCC Medical Ward

The Crystal City repair bay is far larger than previous versions in Imperial Headquarters or Trypticon himself. Clearly it was designed by a medic, for a medic. The entire room is rectangular in nature with medical beds arranged in a neat grid pattern. The beds themselves vary, with some being precious little more than metal slabs, and others having full scanners and tools attached, as well as everything in between. In total, there are about twenty beds. There is room for more in an emergency situation. The cabinets line the walls, spaced out between medical terminals. Everything has a place, and organization is key. With battle mode being initiated, the huge windows are covered up as the bay is encased in metal for its own protection. Access can still be gained with the right codes, however. Red warning lights flash on and off.

Contents:

Galvatron

Scrapper's Art <SA> - Fourteen Pieces

MSE CO OFFICE (Earth)

Gumby Medic <NCC>

Obvious exits:

South <S> leads to NCC Central Command.

Southeast <SE> leads to NCC Central Hub.

East <E> leads to Mount R'Lyeh.

Arachnae has arrived.

Fleet is refueling after his last raid. He's damaged, but not badly so, and his auto-repairs systems seem to have it underhand. Mostly, between the flight and the fight, he's just a bit tired.

Arachnae pads out of her office, pushing a gurney. There is.. a body on the gurney. And she's humming merrily to herself,m wings tipped back at a rather jaunty angle, a few dried smears of assorted bodily fluids glinging on arms and her side.

Jazz - Corpse

Once, in life he looked like:

The best of the best, leaving the rest in the dust. Okay. So this is like... a giant metal robot. His chest looks like the front end of a Porche 935 Turbo, as do the various car parts that form his body. Two doors, like wings, stick up at his back, each with a large number '4' on it. Mostly white, his somewhat brawny looking metallic body has some black-- at the waist, at the joints, and on his 'helmet'. A blue band covers his optics, almost as 'shades' of a kind. At times this band will glow with the intensity of the optics behind it. The face, in contrast to the cheerless black and white that covers most of his body, is usually wreathed in a bright grin. As though this Autobot found something amusing in just about anything he sees.

Now, as death has claimed him, the wreckage of the former Autobot leaves no mistake that he has reached his final destination, heard his final song. Wrenching wounds adorn his chest, singed and coated with carbon soot as if an internal fire took hold and went rampant. His face, which once smiled in merriment is forever frozen into a pained rictus. Gouges marr helm and throat, as if some beast had sank fangs or talons in, seeking the life within. And the final insult, the final injury, the blue visor that once marked him as him is missing.

Fleet watches Arachnae walk through with her gurney. His optics widen at what's on it, and then narrow again as he looks up and studies Arachane thoughtfully, his expression focused, but otherwise unreadable. After a moment he turns his attention to his mug of energon, and seems to be giving that the same thoughtful expression. He sips it slowly, savoring his free moment.

Catechism has arrived.

Arachnae leaves the gurney midway between two tables and pads to a counter, taking the time to wash off her hands and side, neatening herself. A moment is spent rummaging in a drawer before she gets a file out and starts to sharpen her talons, picking errant bits out from under them. And she's still humming to herself.

Fleet looks up and studies Arachnae again for a moment, his expression indicating that he'd like to ask something. He fights with himself, and this time caution wins out. Things like this are not for such as he... but still, he looks bothered. He shakes his head slightly and takes another sip.

Chimera arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Chimera has arrived.

Swindle arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Swindle has arrived.

Fleet is leaning against a medical bed, sipping from a mug of Energon and watching Arachnae. His expression is bothered... almost hurt? But he's quiet.

Arachnae is at a counter, tidying herself up, washing away traces of fluids and other sundries. And humming.. happily. She turns to give the corpse a throughtful glanceover before padding over and poking at one gaping wound thoughtfully. "Hnnn..."

Swindle saunters casually through the doorway, optics scrutinising whomever they fall upon. His attention lingers particularly on the interesting corpse, a curious look forming on his face.

Chimera is wandering through, as usual. A curiously disturbing blank expression on her face. She's always coming in here for some reason or other. Usually to check up on her creator. Who is poking corpses. Interesting. It's a dead Autobot.

Arachnae glances up and over, noticing that others are both int he area and entering. "Can I help any of you?" slight pause as a smile works its way across her face.

Fleet finishes his mug of energon and stands up straight, his motions, normally almost butterfly-esque, are now stiff and formal. Hmm. Maybe it's because Galvatron is in the room? That would generally make him more skittish, but who can say? He looks up and shakes his head. "No thank you, Commander." With that he heads over to a cleansing unit and begins rinsing out his mug.

Chimera headtilts, smiles that unwholesome smile. "Did you do that?" She looks happily surprised. Of course, she'd have enjoyed being there for the whole thing. She's also impressed. Sick little puppy that she is. Of course, if Nae said that she'd just found him like that, she'd still be impressed. MommaNae can do no wrong.

Swindle glances up from the corpse as someone speaks. "Hmm?" He regards Arachnae absently for a moment before flashing a grin and replying. "Oh, No no, don't mind me." This suitable response given he turns his thoughtful attention back to the ruin of the Autobot.

Arachnae scoops a mug off of her outside desk, and draws herself some standard energon to imbibe. A nod to Chimera, voice a thoughtful purr, "Yes, I did. Unfortunatly, the subject expired before I was able to finish the experiment." Wry tone as she sips.

Catechism wants to see what the commotion is about, even if she likely can't participate. It pays to stay updated on current events. Noting that not only is Commander Arachnae here, but their supreme leader Galvatron is present as well, the conehead salutes formally and keeps near the door. She looks at the Autobot corpse with some interest.

Fleet looks up as Arachnae says that Jazz had expired before the experiment was finished. He pauses for a moment, then goes back to cleaning his mug and returning it to its place. It didn't change what, to his mind, she had been trying to do. And even so, she was awefully cheerful about it...

Frown for the experiment not being finished, but, "That's all right." Chimera grins, "Next time you can finish." Cheerful? Nah. She just likes the idea of more and more Autobots being used as experiments. She tried doing something like this once... unfortunately the Autobot lived.

Swindle keeps his gaze on the Autobot, his audios, however, are by no means closed. Maintaining his silence he nevertheless keeps listening tot he conversation, somewhat surious about this 'experiment.'

Arachnae sips from her mug, "Even in death, he will be highly useful." Wings flick behind her as she studies the corpse, optics glinting with amusement over one thing or another. "Have to get another one to run the tests on." Thoughtful ticking of talons on her mug as she studies the wreckage she wrought. "Hmmmmm..."

Chimera is always eager to help. Which is why she peeks over at Arachnae. And stops toying with the idea of prodding the dead 'Bot for a while.

Fleet stiffens noticeably as mention of getting another one comes up. He clenches his fists, casts one last glance in the direction of the others, and stalks - yes, flittering, skittering pastel-pyramid Seekerboi actually /stalks/ - out of medical, not even bothering with his usual polite nod as he passes Catechism on the way out.

Catechism steps out of the way and watches Fleet go with a bit of curiousity. So there's a dead Autobot, and he's rather badly mauled. So what? Catechism doesn't understand what's going on, but she's not about to ask any questions.

Swindle glances upwards as he hears Arachnae mention acquiring another, ah, /volunteer/ for her experiments. Doing so he notices Fleet's somewhat disturbed behaviour. He watches him thoughtfully as he leaves.

Chimera isn't disturbed by it at all. She's rather disturbing herself. And she actually does poke a finger at the corpse. Nah. She's not expecting it to jump up and say boo-- but it's still a sight to behold, as far as she's concerned.

Arachnae headtilts.. watching Fleet depart. Optics narrow in thought before she peers at those that have gathered to poke or stare at the dead. "But which one to make a play for.." She peers about, "Any suggestions?" Talons tick on the twisted doorpanel that's on the corpse.

Chimera shakes her head. "Which one would you like, Ma'am?" She asks, almost sounding happy. "Smokescreen?" He'd make a lovely corpse, she thinks, and that would make her even happier.

Swindle returns his attention from the fleeing Fleet and tilts his head in thought as Arachnae speaks. Rubbing his chin he asks : "Well, are there any particular...attributes your experiment requires?"

Catechism would probably suggest Silverbolt, but she's just upset about getting badly beaten by him the other day. Figuring that the others likely have more or a clue and are more likely to suggest viable targets, she remains quiet.

Arachnae paces about her handiwork, "The drive to live.. Willpower.. Strength." Wings rustle behind her as she pokes at a gouge, "Tenacity. This one gave up far too soon." Faint smile creeping once more across her face. "I'm open to ideas."

Chimera makes a face, "They're all about the same." She answers. "Maybe Grimlock." There's strength for sure.

"Don't they throw away the will to live when they become Autobots?" Catechism says unthinkingly. She looks startled for a moment by her own comment and then raises a hand behind her helmet, looking a bit embarrassed.

Swindle smirks slightly. "Yeah, the Dinobots, good thing intelligence wasn't a requirement." He shakes his head. "Maybe someone a bit more accessable though." He frowns for a moment, before looking up. "How about Sunstreaker or Sideswipe?"

Arachnae snorts, "Grimlock would require far more effort than I've alloted myself for this experiment." Wings rustle.. and she looks over at Swindle, optics brightening behind her visor, smile shading to a merry smirk, "There's a thought.. But which one.. Red or yellow.. Red or yellow." She turns on a heel to pace, "Doesn't matter. If you bring one low, the other is certain to attempt to follow." Amusement bubbles up, talons snicking out softly. "Yes.. I think one of those would do.. Nicely. Thank you Swindle."

Chimera just continues smiling in that odd way she has. Either one? Perhaps. "Eventually both." She states.

Swindle grins widely and leans forwards, sweeping his arm down in a theatrical bow. "Delighted I could be of assistance."

Arachnae chuckles softly, peering at Swindle. "Which one do you want to be incharge of aquireing?"

Geist arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Geist has arrived.

Swindle pauses as he rises up from the bow. His optics flicker momentarily as he considers the options. "Uh..." Decisions, decisions.

Geist walks into medbay looking for Arachnae. He does not expect the croud gathered there so he steps back by the door instinctively bringing his cloak up to half power and moving into shadow. Standing quietly by the door, the sweep simply watches the goings on.

Chimera continues doing... whatever it was she was doing. "Which one would you prefer first, Ma'am?" She'd like to help. Really.

Fleet ... actually returns. If his earlier exit has been done intentionally for effect rather than as a genuine result of his annoyance and distracted thoughts, he might be sheepish, but really, he isn't thinking about that. He's... still thinking about the same things that drove him out of the room, meaning his movements are still a bit stiffer and more formal than usual. The only difference between then and now is that this time, he is also thinking about that terminal he had left on when he was checking reports, before the whole thing started. Wouldn't due to waste energon like that. He doesn't notice the semi-invisible Sweep, of course, but then, he's so distracted by whatever it is that has his attention, he doesn't even appear to notice the considerably more solid Catechism, who is also standing near the door, in a very blatant, out-in-the-open, coneheady sort of way.

Arachnae tips wingtips forward, smiling at Swindle. "Well, pick one. Red or Yellow. Consider it a requsitions request from the Medical Commander. As I need the materials for this project. And as you volunteered the target identities, you get to select which one you want to bring in." She pauses to tick talons on the corpse once more, studying the damage patterns her 'work' left behind. "What was that saying..." thoughtful tone, "Live fast, leave a pretty corpse?" Soft laughter that quiets as she looks to Chimera, "Well.. I'm not terribly picky. I just need one that will survive the full battery of tests." She also considers getting other hands involved in this project as well.

Chimera smiles, head tilting. "The yellow one is more annoying." She answers. Of course, there are probably other things coloring her perceptions.

Catechism could hardly stand any other way. Maybe up in the air, against the clouds, she has some chance of blending in, but otherwise, she's really as subtle as a jackhammer. The conehead is still hanging back and not saying much, not having anything to contribute. She notes Fleet's entrance but doesn't notice Geist.

Geist sees Fleet enter without noticing him. Being his new favorite seeker, the Sweep reaches out and grabs Fleet by the arm rather roughly, talons digging in slightly. In a low voice, the sweep asks, "Whats going on in here?"

Swindle straightens up fully, folding his arms over his chest. He drums his the fingers of one hand against his upper arm. "I think Sideswipe might be the better choice, assuming of course that the pair aren't together at the time." He glances at Chimara, "Of course, I'm willing to take suggestions on the matter." He glances curiously at Fleet as the Seeker makes his reappearance. "Forget somethi-" A tic of amusemant twitches the corner of his mouth as Geist makes his own query.

Fleet looks up from his recently turned-off terminal at Chimera's 'The yellow one is more annoying,' comment. Were he more certain he could keep himself calm, he might just ask to whom she was referring, but all such thoughts are brushed aside when Geist grabs him. He jumps and looks down at the talons digging into his arm, flinching slightly, and answers quietly, "Arachnae is trying to choose a new test subject for a... project she has." His vocalizer sputters a bit and he screws up his face as he spits out the word 'project'. Perhaps he's wrong about what she's up to. But... if he isn't...

Chimera headtilts, "Yellow." She says stubbornly. "Sunstreaker. Sideswipe is all talk." She smiles almost innocently, and pokes at the corpse again. "You want 'em to last for a long time."

Galvatron vanishes out of reality.

Galvatron has left.

The Sweep grins with a sadistic amusement, "I see. Her projects are always entertaining." Releasing the seeker, Geist asks, "You are somewhere else. Why?" Rather a blunt question from a sweep... it almost seems caring? Or perhaps the sweep simply is curious of the status of his own /project/.

Swindle nods. "Sideswipe is more foolhardy than Sunstreaker, less inclined to actually /think/ and that might make him easier to capture, which was why I suggested him first. However," he shrugs, "if you have such a strong desire to aqcuire Sunstreaker, who am I to argue."

Fleet looks slightly downwards, his expression thoughtful, intense, and perhaps a little... hurt? He reduces power to his vocalization unit so that the next statement comes out just a whisper, trusting the Sweep's audios to pick it up and hoping no one else's do. "I was involved in several of the preliminary steps of this project, so I know, perhaps, a few more of the component parts then most of these people do. I'm... bothered by the way the pieces seem to fit together, although perhaps I'm seeing patterns that aren't there."

Arachnae flicks wings, "Intellect isn't a necessity in this. Strength is. Of character." Optics flicker as she listens to the mild debate between two particular targets. "If one doesn't survive, the corpse can be used to lure the second in, yes?"

Chimera smiles, jabbing a finger into a piece of armour. "Sideswipe..." She says, "Can wait his turn to die." Head tilts, "Of course, Ma'am." Of course, making Sideswipe suffer more, by taking away his brother as well as his friend just kinda gives her that good feeling wayy down inside. Well. Not necessarily a feeling. It almost makes her happy to think about.

Swindle shrugs again, indicating his indifference. "Very well." He replies absently, glancing over to the suddenly-hushed conversation between Geist and Fleet.

Arachnae hnns, "Swindle, as aquisitions officer, you decide. Pick a team, go get the subject and make sure it's not quite dead but close enough for subdual."

Chimera turns to wait for Swindle's decision. Because he's important, y'know.

Swindle nods, not entirely pleased at the prospect. "Sunstreaker will do." He glances at Chimera from the corner of his optic. "As for a team, well, any volunteers?" He grins in mild amusement, leaning back against an unoccupied medical table.

Chimera smirks. "Of course." She's still standing next to the body. Because it's cool to stand near dead Autobots, and imagine that they're your kill. Not that she really has much of an imagination.

Geist says quickly and quietly, "I want to know why it bothers you, but I want you to think on it first. When you have an answer, find me." And with that, the sweep turns and walks out the door still half cloaked.

Catechism gawks at the translucent Decepticon that seems to have accosted Fleet. He looks like that statue on Cybertron and a bit like Commander Arachnae, except, well, see-through. He must be one of those Sweeps that's she's heard mentioned now and then. Surely he's a most fearsome figure to his foes, but the conehead, a bit stupidly, looks rather more curious. Hearing Swindle's question, Catechism answers, in a bit of a detached voice, "Oh... sorry. I'm still off combat duty due to the damage I took on that last raid I was on."

Geist walks past Cate on his way out without giving the mech a second look.

Oh, yeah. Fleet. Go find Geist. Because, you know, /Seekers/ are experts at hunting down /Sweeps/, especially cloaking ones. The pastel yellow Seeker watches the Sweep leave, an unreadable expression on his face, then turns his attention back to the scene before him, at least for the moment.

Geist has disconnected.

Swindle taps his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I've no intention of rushing blindly into anything. It might be useful to have a word with DCI, see if they've got any information on Autobot troop movements. It'd be better if we could catch him alone rather than with a group of allies."

Arachnae pokes at the corpse for a moment then moves to refill her mug. "There is a certain amount of time constraint involved, Swindle. After all, there are other plans in the works. And I would rather prefer to have my findings finished prior to any large, scale manuvers."

Chimera nods, giving up on the body. Which isn't going anywhere. "Maybe you could get him away from troop movements. It's not like they're going to be going anywhere alone..." Knowing Autobot tactics? Maybe. Protocols. Things leftover. Too bad the secure information is all gone. Along with some of the shining brillia-- er... nevermind. She knows a little bit about 'bots, either way.

Swindle nods to Arachnae. "Duly noted," he replies before turning to Chimera. "Alone, probably not, but if we can find out where he's likely to be patrolling it'd be preferable to trying to taunt him out of their City." He gestures towards her. "Of course, if /you/ wish to take charge, given this enthusiasm you seem to have for the task, then by all means feel free to do so." Oh my, maybe he thinks he has better things to do?

Chimera shrugs. "Whatever." No. She's not interested in being in charge of anything.

Catechism glances around and sighs. She edges towards the door and excuses, "I should probably go recharge. Sorry that I couldn't be of more use."

Fleet finds a nice, open patch of wall and leans against it. He's half-paying attention to the conversation, mostly listening for something that might prove him wrong, but he also seems to be thinking deeply on something. Perhaps whatever it is that Geist said to him before he left.

Chimera makes a face at Swindle, gives the corpse another vicious poke, and heads for the door without another word.

Chimera moves southeast to the NCC Central Hub.

Chimera has left.

Swindle, despite the temptation to take that 'whatever' as an acceptance, returns to thinking about the best way to approach this task, pausing again as Chimera, er, makes a face at him and leaves.

Catechism moves southeast to the NCC Central Hub.

Catechism has left.

Fleet stands up straight and gives the scene one last look. He'd like to corner Arachnae and ask her a few questions, but worries that this is... not the sort of thing a grunt is supposed to be asking questions about. But either way, it's certainly not the time. He walks out again, perhaps a touch less irate, but still very thoughtful.