=================================
Decepticon ==================================
Message: 2/14 Posted
Author
The Price of Failure Mon Feb 21 Axis
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The
sands of North Africa... Bleak. Unrelenting. Unforgiving. Yet there is the
telltale image of greyed camoflague, dusty and sunparched, dull under the
penetrating gaze of Sol as it bleaches bone and stone amidst this wasteland of
Earth. The wind whips the crushed aggregate into a nearly opaque cloud, but as
a voice from within hisses, baleful, crimson optics glaring a hole through the
pale brown haze, you recognize the tone. Recognize the inflection. Recognize
the owner...
I see some
of us have forgotten the face of that which defines us. Few, I am honored to
say, have not. Reichsmarshall Scourge, I am pleased to inform you I am once
again functional, no thanks to the incompetence of Constructicon maintenance.
My punishment for failing the Empire is yours to decide. I will accept it with
righteous zeal." The wind once again gusts, howling over the audio feed
and blocking the view with yet another thick, hazy cloud of sand.
"I
have recovered Oberherr Galvatron as well. The damage is inconsequential,
cosmetic at best. Yet I stand to question the effectiveness of his in-flight
contingent when I come to his aid, kilometers from the conflict, and see a
distinct LACK of dead Decepticons at his feet, fallen in the protection of mein
fuhrer. Instead, there are some content to dance amongst the clouds, hide in
the shadows of the flagship, cower beneath the armorplating of Decepticon might
instead of TAKING the prize..." A hand rises, fist clenched. The shaking
of the arm that's attached shows the force within, the building anger indicated
in his tone. "...CRUSHING the resistance... SQUELCHING the rabble of
incessant peasantry that supposedly holds sway in this annoyingly persistent
conflict." The words spit from his audializer, each one dripping
caustically, tinged with a growling tempest.
"I,
PERSONALLY, will escort Oberherr Galvatron to the repair facilities. I will see
to his welfare, as a dutiful soldier is honor bound to do. I will ENSURE that
if harm should raise its sick, inferior head in the form of Autobot patrols, it
WILL be swept clean of its shoulders, or I will lie dead on the feet of my Lord
and Master with vengeance on my final breath. THAT is the way of the Empire...
Not this... EXCUSE. I will report for standard rotation as soon as this task is
complete."
"All
hail the Empire. All hail Lord Galvatron. Axis OUT!"
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/15 Posted Author
The
Price... Tue Feb
22 Galvatron
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*Galvatron
appears on the screen, very pissed off, and a bit banged up.*
"First things first. Engineer
Firestarter is to report to me at once. He is the engineer of the portside
bulkheads of my ship which blew out, sucking me into the vaccuum. He and I will
have a LONG discussion about what is...and what isn't safe, with handy
cannon...err examples of what is not safe.
"Next. As you may well know, on
the way to CRUSH Rodimus Prime, the bulkhead blew, sucking me into the vaccuum.
As you may know, I am capable of orbital flight within solar systems.
Unfortunately, Earth's gravity is much stronger than my rockets. Were it not
for Axis in upper orbit catching me, the Empire may well have ended here and
now. I am most curious why no one else noticed A GIANT FALLING RULER. But that
is of no consequence. Axis, you are hereby promoted to rank 4...Decepticon
Elite. Take your place. Bandit, you are hereby awarded the Warrior of Favorment
award for your bravery in attacking the autobots from without the ship and
promoted to rank 3. Search parties are IMMEDIATELY to recover Bandits remains
from orbit, I have been informed of his fate. Scrouge, this is to be the sweeps
priority. Scourge and Cyclonus are excused from my anger, they were busy
rallying the troops. BUT THE REST OF YOU? YOU DARE TO IGNORE MY ABSENCE? YOU
DARE LET THEM DESTROY MY SHIP?!! NNNNNNNNNNNNYA! THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
"The next screwup? They get to
have their face adorn my mantle...which I will rip off myself! Soundwave, I
want operation Carboyma to initiate IMMEDIATELY! NYA!
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/16 Posted Author
MSE
Duty Rosters Tue Feb
22 Scrapper
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Scrapper's
sitting at his desk in the medbay, a datapad showing off MSE duty rosters out
beside him, in view of the camera. Without preamble, the Constructicon starts,
"Given his concerns with Constructicon workmanship, I'll have the duty
rosters shifted around, so that..." Scrapper pauses. What kind of crazy
ranks is MilOps using these day? "Herr Axis doesn't have to deal with my
brothers and me. Instead, only highly trained technicians, such as Aerosol and
Kitbash, will attend to him. Scrapper out."
*Spinny!*
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/17 Posted Author
Addendum Tue Feb 22 Galvatron
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Text
only
"Scrapper.
If you give Axis substandard care...I will have your face."
==============================================================================
NCC
Central Command
Located inside a huge dome, the Command Center
has an atmosphere of readiness about it, like a predator poised to strike.
Cunningly hidden lights flood the lower levels and central command deck with a
red glow, indicating the center is set to battle mode. Three huge wall-mounted
screens display exterior views of the city, now bristling with a fearsome array
of weaponry. The already impressive interior walls and hexagonal basalt columns
are now reinforced with additional support beams and the exits now sport solid
blast doors, a final defensive layer should the complex be breached. The
sophisticated computer terminals that line the room's perimeter flicker with
combat data, sensors straining to find and analyze any potential threats,
weapons systems charged and ready to fire.
Contents:
Hook
Extended
Radio <NCC>
Decepticon
Object <DO>
Obvious
exits:
North <N> leads to NCC Medical Ward.
South <S> leads to NCC Spaceport.
East <E> leads to NCC Central Hub.
West <W> leads to Cyclonus' Office.
Hook is
tapping furiously at a console, like he has a grudge against the device. He
also seems to be muttering to himself as he does so. Of course, talking to
yourself is perfectly normal behaviour if you consider yourself to be the most
intelligent mech on the planet, since everyone else, by definition, would be
boring. But most people don't use the kind of language that Hook's employing.
Long
Haul does, however, being as he's known for grumbling to himself on a very
regular basis. Of course, unlike Hook, it's pretty easy to figure out what has
Long Haul annoyed at any given time. Hook actually has a collection of
annoyances, although a lot of them still add up to the same thing.
The
supply transporter is carrying a large crate full of assorted various pieces
parts whose actual functions are generally beyond him. He walks up next to his
brother and sets the crate down sharply, not jolting it heavily enough to
actually damage anything, just enough to rattle the contents nicely.
"Do
you MIND?" Hook snaps, turning from his work to glare at Long Haul.
"I'm TRYING to write out this...wait a moment.. YOU weren't responsible
for this.. this SLUR, were you?" Hook crosses his arms, tapping lime green
fingers on his metal forearm as he continues to glare, obviously expecting Long
Haul to instantly know what the Pit he's ranting about. "Well?"
Long
Haul turns his featureless face in Hook's direction for a long moment before he
says anything, and there's something of a hint of confusion at first until he
remembers what slur Hook's talking about. "Me? Naw! I haven't even been on
this planet for the past while!" He shrugs. "Bonecrusher, maybe, but
if he's been goin' to Bonecrusher for maintenance he deserves to crash, y'ask
me."
If Hook
were covered in fur, his hackles would slowly be settling. But he's not, so he
has to content himself with uncrossing his arms. "Hmph. Well I checked the
logs.. and I don't see ANY record of this "Axis" being repaired or
undergoing maintenance performed by ANY of us. I suppose it /may/ have been
Bonecrusher - he's not known for his dedication to paperwork." Hook
sniffs, as if this were a major design flaw in his brother, and not what many
would consider one of his better features. "But really.. I think he's
making the whole thing up to save face. I'm in the middle of writing a VERY curt
speech about it. I'm on my fourth revision. Would you like to hear it?"
Scrapper
arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the east.
Scrapper
has arrived.
Long
Haul actually dithers for a moment. Listen to Hook's speech... haul scrap.
Listen to Hook's speech.... haul scrap. It really is difficult to decide which
would be the greater torture, but on the other hand, he wasn't too happy about
Axis' attack either. The brothers may bicker with each other like mad, but no
/outsider/ had the right to criticize their handiwork like that. "Sure, go
ahead," he mutters.
Scrapper
doesn't look too terribly pleased. Given recent events, it's not to hard to
figure out why. His own work, Scrapper may consider unworthy of praise, but the
Constructicons as a whole? Yeah, they're lunk heads, but Scrapper won't stand
for other people calling them lunk heads.
"Huh,
I figured as... wait, what?" Hook's optics flicker in a blink, as Long
Haul's reply is properly processed by his audials. "You.. you do?" he
asks incredulously. "I mean.. well yes, of course you do. Ahem."
Striking what he thinks is a noble and far-seeing pose, Hook looks down at his
datapad and clears his vocaliser again. "Four breem and several cycles
ago..." he begins
Damn!
Long Haul should have gone with option (B), back to hauling! He stifles a
slight groan and shakes his head. "Hook, how y'gonna yell at him if you
BORE him to death before y'get that far?" The supply officer raises his
hand and covers his non-face. That's the problem with all these leaking
/geniuses/. Not a lick of common sense in any of 'em.
Scrapper
notes his brothers with a nod. AH, think of the lunk heads, and there they are!
He tilts his head quizzically and inquire, "Who is Hook yelling at?"
"Well
we CAN'T just haul off and smack him!" Hook retorts, despite wanting to do
just that. Preferably with a Devastator sized fist. "You just don't
appreciate fine... Oh! Scrapper! I'm /yelling/ at that idiot Praxis or Straxis
or whatever his name is."
Long
Haul corrects, "Axis." Not that he really cares that much, but it's
not like he gets to correct Hook very often. Finally he shrugs. "Well, I
guess it does make some kinda sense... I mean, he uses way too many words, so
maybe when yer using way too many words yer speakin' the same language."
He pauses and stops to think. It's a good sized pause. "Except he keeps
speakin' in that other language instead, anyway."
Scrapper
scowls and crosses his arms. Who does Axis think he is, Galvatron's pet? Oh,
yeah.
Scrapper
then remembers that yes, if Axis is Galvatron's pet, it might be a bad idea for
Hook to make a speech. If Axis gets pissed off, Scrapper’s face could be on the
line, here! Not that Scrapper has much of a face, anyway. So he erms quietly
and says, "Just what are you thinking, Hook?"
"What
IS an Ober hair anyway?" he asks. "Is it like a normal hair? And
planning, Scrapper? Why, I was simply planning to reply to Axis's slur on our
reputation by pointing out a few facts - namely that, unless Bonecrusher forgot
to enter it into the logs, none of us have repaired or performed maintenance on
Axis recently. He's /deliberately/ soiling our good name!"
HOOK
asks.
Scrapper
sighs. Ah. That's okay. Facts are usually okay. Unless people start ignoring
the facts. Then stuff gets nasty, and people lose faces. "Sounds decent
enough, Hook."
Long
Haul shrugs. "Dunno," he says in response to Hook's 'ober hair'
question. "Never made an effort to learn anymore than one human language.
Figgered that was enough. And as for learnin' about hair..." he shakes his
head. He doesn't even have a face! What does he need to know about hair, ober
or otherwise?
Yes,
once again Hook is proved right. Of course, he's /always/ right, but it's nice
to have his brothers agreeing with him for a change. "After I finish my
revisions, I shall make a transmission to the message server. And of course,
I'm never going to repair that stupid Seeker again, unless he makes a FULL
apology, or unless Galvatron is standing over me with a cannon. Huh. Incompetant.
Who does he think he is?"
Scrapper
points out dryly, "Hook, how can you repair him again? You never repaired
him the first place."
Scrapper
hears his chronometer reminding him that he needs to be elsewhere. Bah. He nods
to his brothers and stalks out.
Scrapper
has disconnected.
Long
Haul doesn't have to worry about repairing him to begin with. What do you know?
There /is/ an advantage to being the 'dumb' Constructicon! 'Dumb', of course, meaning
'not a leaking genius' in this case, since really, Long Haul only just misses
dead average. The not-genius robot rubs his chin thoughtfully (looking at old
screenshots, his chin seems to come and go depending on which animator's
drawing him, but his player prefers the chin version). Yes, he can be
thoughtful! He's just slower about it than his brothers! "Never met the
guy, but I think the second one's more likely, Hook." I mean, really... it
sounded like a case of trying to get an apology from Hook himself.
Hook
splutters. "You know perfectly well what I... bah!" he says, as
Scrapper runs off, no doubt not wanting to face whatever scathing retort was on
the tip of Hook's robotic tongue. "Well of course" the prissy
Constructicon says, turning back to Long Haul. "But one can but
hope."
Long
Haul looks askance at Hook, which is quite an accomplishment given his
countenance. "Hope for the cannon?" Finally it hits. Ding! "Oh!
Nevermind. S'y'gonna read that speech or what? I needa be getting back to work."
Not that Long Haul particularly /wants/ to go back to work, of course, it's
just that he's no longer certain that it isn't preferable to listening to Hook
blather on. I mean, really, this like some sort of horrible choose your own
torture adventure or something.
Hook
waves his hand. "It's not done yet anyway" he sighs. "But it is
good to see you taking an interest for once. I'll be sure to track you down and
read it to you once I'm done." Oh and won't that be FUN? "No, you can
go back to... whatever it was that you were doing. Moving things, I
expect."
Yeah,
like THAT was a hard one to guess. Long Haul mutters, "Yeahyeahyeah.
Whatever." He leaves the box of parts in place as he plods off. Hard to
say whether he forgot it, or if he actually intended this as the box's
destination. "See ya 'round." Other Decepticons might wonder about
the non-confrontational tone of the entire encounter between the three
brothers. Nothing quite like an attack from an outside source to actually get
the Constructicons to agree for once!
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/18 Posted Author
Repair
roster Wed Feb 23
Fulcrum
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fulcrum
appears onscreen, frowning.
"With
Scrapper's permission, I shall volunteer to undertake repairs on Axis. Though I
must add that his analysis of Constructicon technical skill is incorrect."
He
pauses, as if going to say more, then simply shrugs.
"Fulcrum
out."
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/16 Posted Author
Shoddy
maintenance? Fri Feb
25 Hook
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook
appears onscreen, sitting in a comfortable looking chair, sipping at a glass of
energon as he purveys a datapad. "Oh!" he says, glancing up at the
camera as if noticing it for the first time. "Hello friends. I'm here to
talk to you about a very serious security problem, one that could have far
reaching reprecussions for the Empire. You see, after Axis claimed that his
failure was due to "Shoddy Constructicon Maintenance", I did a little
research - checked the repair logs and so forth - and discovered a remarkable
thing.
No
Constructicon has repaired, or performed maintenance on Axis since... well,
EVER. Now, obviously such a /respected/ Decepticon such as uh.. Hair Axis,
wouldn't just make up slanderous lies about the best engineers in the Empire.
So thus I am forced to choose between two theorys.
One:
There is an impostor running around, DISGUISED as myself or one of my brothers.
I therefore request that DCI start looking for this dangerous individual
IMMEDIATELY.
Two:
Axis is being brainwashed, or has had his core tampered with, no doubt by
Autobots, or Quintessons, or somesuch. Thus I must insist Axis report to
medbay, to have his head examined."
Hook
sips at his energon again, before smiling winningly at the camera. "Hook
Out."
*blip
to spinny*
==============================================================================
<Decepticon>
Soundwave's voice drones once more. "I was unaware that MSE operatives
were authorised to request immediate action from DCI."
<Decepticon>
Hook says, "If you don't think it's serious that there could be an
imposter amongst us.. well, I'm sure you know best."
<Decepticon>
Soundwave says, "Your deferrence is acknowledged." And.. surprising!
"Submit the repair logs to me. I will conduct whatever investigation is
necessary."
<Decepticon>
Hook's sarcasm is wasted on the Tape Commander. "Of course,
Soundwave" he replies. "Though, just to be certain, perhaps we should
institute a cunning system of passwords and secret handshakes."
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/16 Posted Author
Idiots Fri Feb 25 Galvatron
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Galvatron
appears*
"You're an idiot, Hook.
Seriously. Learn to read context. DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING? NYA! Herr Axis
meant that since Scrapper co-heads the DIVISION with Arachnae, any and all
mistakes fall on his shoulders! In fact, last I checked, he outranked Arachnae!
It's not like someone is going to get SHOT for a rushed repair job on a, at the
time, STANDARD trooper. THEY HAPPEN! NOW SHUTUP AND LEAVE MY SECURITY FORCES TO
OPERATION CARBOYMA! NYA! *the camera disappears as it is blasted into oblivion
by Galvatron's cannon*
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/17 Posted Author
Re:
Idiots Fri Feb
25 Hook
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook
appears on screen, standing at a medtable.
"Ahhh,
I see.." he says. "So it's all /Scrapper's/ fault for being a poor
organizer and substandard commander, and not a slur on our flawless technical
skill? Well that's fine then. I agree completely. But really, he could have
just /said/ that, instead of suggesting the Constructicons are in any way
inferior technicians. I mean, really.." He goes to turn the camera off,
then pauses. "Oh - and as an MSE note, would Bonesrusher and Hok take more
camera units out of storage? We've run out."
Blip to
spinny.
==============================================================================
=================================
Decepticon =================================
Message:
2/18 Posted Author
RE:Joy,
joy, joy Sat Feb
26 Axis
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spinny
spins. You guys know the drill. Yeehaw.
"I
believe I have discovered the problem. Upon thorough inspection, there was
excessive carbon build up on the main flow pivot of my right thrust vectoring
nozzle. A problem easily solved by the periodic maintenance schedule
established by the fine gentlemen in our medical division. How it slipped
through the watchful eyes of these highly trained, amazingly skilled
individuals, I will never know. But obviously, the problem lies there with the
numerous assistants performing the PM schedule. I am investigating this as we
speak to find the specific maintenance drone responsible."
The
camera continues to record, capturing from the shoulders up a bland faced,
non-expressive seeker. Unemotional would be a good description, Shockwave-ish
would work even better. "Where the discrepancy may lie in the repair
records is in the roster assignments. As of 1400439.6, I was erroneously taken
from the active duty rosters and listed as MIA, followed by KIA status after
the usual 60 cycle search window. While bureaucracy isn't my strongpoint,
Decepticon brethren, I assure you I am in the process of alleviating this error
so that we may ALL be uniform on our records base. Once this is done, I feel we
can resume our efforts to raise the Empire to the level and status it deserves.
If there are any questions, I look forward to answering them to the best of my
ability."
"For
the Empire." BLIP!
==============================================================================
<OOC
Editor’s Note: OOOO! So it was all a paperwork error! Hahaha!>