We are a literate, intermediate to advanced AU Transformers RPG Based off of the first season of TFP with dashes of other incarnations sprinkled here or there. Characters from any continuity are welcome however must be restyled to match the TFPrime universe.
Active, with ongoing plotlines, we are always willing to integrate new characters into storylines once incorporated into the setting.
Most of the time Shockwave spared no second thoughts to his social and emotional inability. Occasionally, however, he was pointedly reminded of the benefits of his situation.
Given Commander Starscream's concession, plans that he had been building up slowly, given the critical lack of personnel, now had to be brought into overdrive. Parts and equipment had to be queued up and processed at a rushed pace, and yet absolutely no mistakes could be made. The scientist was well aware that under these kind of circumstances the average mech might be... frazzled.
Shockwave was no average mech. Though it was barely the beginning of the first shift, he was already moving through his lab, fully engaged in preparations. Both by touch and by remote access, he was shifting the order of his projects, automating research, setting data to be recorded that he may sift through it when he had the opportunity. For an operation as extensive as he wanted to engage in, he would have to be physically present. The gains, however, far outstripped the time he'd perforce have to spend away from his lab.
Even as he examined the blueprints loaded into his extruder and remotely activated the unit his mind was ranging into the potential, physical issues he may encounter. One, in particular, could be removed from his list of concerns with relative efficiency.
Luckily for Shockwave, Roulette had become a permanent fixture in the lab at least for the time being. She was still dodging errant drones who had plenty of paint balls left and a grudge to paint the femme. It was all in good name, but one of the drones had tagged her right in the aft before she'd managed to flee into the sanctity of the science lab. That and in here, she was safe from running into Megatron. She supposed that if he ever did have to visit, she could just duck into a cabinet or something...
Unfortunately, she was unaware of Shockwave's pow-wow. She'd spent the last few cycles forming and tweaking blueprints for a defensive device. The good thing about being stuck in a lab was all the free kibble lying around. The tools were a little harder to get away from Shockwave. He was particular about the location and uses but after much begging/pestering, Roulette had secured herself a small kit of micro tools to fashion her device.
She was woefully out of practice with building items from scrap and it had taken most of her concentration to just gather the right pieces and strip wire. Assembling the parts was easy...ish. Shockwave had at least given the design a once over and provided a list of items she would need. Everything else she wanted to do herself. A stupid, egotistical maneuver she was regretting.
She'd shocked herself five times now and there was a scorch mark on her palm. Muttering curses to herself, she hunched over magnifying lens and glowered at the guts of the device. Beside her, her datapad played music she'd stolen from the human's web. They might have been useless fleshbags, but some of their music was catchy...
Flatline was sitting up on the medical slab in his lab, slender digitigrade legs looped over its edge to dangle down towards the ground below. There were tiny claw like peds that were capped onto the end of each foot, these small hoof like toes flaring out before curling inward occasionally in an idle almost anxious motion. It was really a bit of displayed excitement, not really knowing how to handle this.
The medic had just attached the re-built arm that morning. The process was long, making sure to solder every single wire to its respective point with upmost care. He luckily had both hands and one secondary to help him however, so he needn't ask for aid or help in doing so. Despite this? It was still a very tricky little operation, ending with the limb coming online with a flicked pop of a lurch as power and Energon flow, that was not supplied via an external vial, was directed into it.
He had left it immobile for hours, attached via a few magnets to his chest in a makeshift sling of sorts, in order to let the systems integrate once more. It was fast integration, simply replacing something that had been there previously. This was not a fresh installation in which he had to learn how to actually use it, no... but he still wanted it to rest and acclimate. It was only now? He had freed it and was doing final tweaks.
Flatline's primary arms were resting down upon the slab of metal beneath him, while the replaced secondary? Flexed out and away from his chest, stretching the tiny joints and hinges that made it. He systematically tapped its fingertips down upon its palm, making sure each finger had the range of motion needed, before crooking the pointer and thumb apart to an exact measurement. To calculate its accuracy? His older secondary lifted, and placed blade tip to blade tip, validating that the internalized rulers were precise. He was in the process of repeating these tests, when a comm came in.
It wasn't so much the spontaneous communication that alarmed Flatline, no... it was WHO it was that caused the medic to pause. His helm had risen, and secondary limbs dropped down, pulling back near his frame with some alarm and confusion. Shockwave had never called upon him before and honestly? The fiasco with his arrival was the last time he had even seen the elusive commander.
Sending a quick 'Yes Commander' in reply, he pushed off of the slab and out of the exit, using his key code to lock the large metal doors in his wake. With his lab secured to some extent, he started at a quick pace down the halls. He would not run, he didn't think it was required, but he would not waste any time reporting to one of such status and skill. It is because of this, he reached the lab at a reasonable pace.
Flatline stepped into the room, passing a quick glance across everything before seeing Roulette first. His optics narrowed slightly, not... pleased... with her in the slightest. It had taken so much time... SO much time the previous night to scrape and chip away the sheer mass of paint off of his frame that he could reach. He was not convinced he even got close to finishing his back, and in fact he still had smears of neon stretched up his spinal strut, needing help likely to actually get it off. Eventually he'd get a drone to do so, but for now he was up a creek without a paddle, his ire focused right on the instigator.
Before he could say anything to this however, he spotted Shockwave, and snapped into a formal stance. Left arm looped behind his back at his lower spine, hand curled idly, while right had created a fist that he planted over his chest in a sort of formal salute. His secondaries were idly tucked beneath his pectoral armors to the best of their abilities.
Shockwave kept his lab well lit, unlike the rest of the 'Nemesis'. He could have done with spot lighting, focused solely wherever his attention rested and physical examination required it; thing was, Shockwave's attention was rarely in just one place. At any given time no less that six projects ran through the monstrously keen mind of the scientist, not counting the automated feedback he received from several other automated experiments.
Without emotion to distract him, or social interaction to derail him, Shockwave served his Mistress altar with unmatched efficiency.
At current, only a few of the largest specimen tanks were occupied. The lights at the corner where the airlock-secured vault resided were dimmed (but never off), and several extruders were working with quiet hums. Roulette's table was one of the few where automated assembly of relatively small... somethings was not proceeding apace.
Shockwave had preemptively added Flatline, if only for that particular shift, to those whom the door to his lab would allow in. Normally it would only open for Lord Megatron and Roulette, neither of whom would abuse the privilege with untoward distractions. While nominally Head of Science, and boasting seniority over any Decepticon scientific personnel in the immediate vicinity, Shockwave rarely if ever even bothered with the privilege: he would always have his research to occupy him, and they all did entirely fine without his hanging over their proverbial or literal shoulder. Thus, Shockwave did not expect scientific staff to come knocking on his door and programmed his locks accordingly.
The big purple mech seemed to notice neither Flatline nor his formal salute. The glacial sense of his field had a vague sense of impending activity, as if he were on the verge of something. The bank of screens he was attending to were full of sine waves, some almost perfectly flat, others shifting sharply and erratically. He turned only at Flatline's question.
"Yes." Two of the screens shifted at a remote command, scrolling through whatever information Shockwave's clearance would have accessed from Flatline's file. "I understand you are capable of providing minor frame alterations without harming existing functionality. Expound on time-frame and capabilities."
Roulette ignored the opening of the lab door. For such a vast, unhallowed place on the ship, Shockwave's lab was a regular social hub at times. Mostly by the scientist and any unlucky drones he persuaded into working for him. Unless she was formally ordered to be the door greeter, she was going to keep on fiddling with her project.
That is, until she heard Captain Ahab speak.
Oh great, what is he doing here? Frowning at her work, she surreptitiously peeked in their direction. She was met with a scowl from him that made her optics widen. Right, so he was still sore about that whole paint thing... What a stick in the mud.
Now, in theory, she could try to smooth over this grievance between him. Begging his forgiveness and perhaps, trying to work with him would certainly make for a more hospitable working environment. Shockwave would have a more effective team and everyone would be happy.
Or.
Smiling, she raised her hand to her mouth and kissed the two fingertips before "blowing" the kiss at him. So much for diplomacy.
Last Edit: Nov 20, 2014 19:25:57 GMT -5 by Deleted
Still sore? It had only been one day! Of course he was still sore about the entire fiasco! But that was an argument and rant for another time, as for now? He had to try to move past his ire enough to report to his leading commander. As such, he continued to hold the formal stance for a minute longer, attention locked solidly onto Shockwave while he listened to what the head of science had to ask of him.
Red optics settled down on the two screens past the commander that had changed, now scrolling down through his files. He had to admit, it was odd seeing how little there was on him, given how long he had been functioning. But... then again? It had been quite some time for everyone else, while he himself was in stasis. All old files would have been lost countless years prior. Nonetheless, Flatline spoke in an even tone, relaying what he could do.
"Minor or advanced frame modifications ranging from tool integration into current systems, replacement limbs, or complex custom components."
He unfolded his fist from the salute against his chest, long fingers uncoiling to motion towards where his secondary limbs were tucked back. To pair with this, said limbs flexed out from their sockets, stretching out some as fingers flared, showing the dexterity and maneuverability they had. Showing these off displayed he could indeed make such components, while integrating them with current systems well enough that an otherwise foreign concept such as extra arms? Could be handled by a processor not originally intended for such things.
It was while he did so Flatline glanced momentarily at Roulette, and almost let out a sputtered choke of angry disgust. His plating on his frame puffed out a bit, before smoothing back down; trying to hide the sheer drive he had to snarl at her for her little... kiss... Despite his aggression that spiked a fraction of a second, his features remained even and in control, optics flicking back to Shockwave a second later.
"I used to create Hatchlings, so given enough time I can properly manufacture nearly any part of a Cybertronian."
Granted this was back in his lab where he had vorns to manufacture and construct a hatchling from blueprint to completion. He doubted he would be given vorns to accomplish really... anything here to that level of detail, but that is what it took for the more fiddly internal mechanisms that were the equivalents of 'organs'. Spark chambers, processors, back struts, and neural circuitry were the largest pain in the afts possible. Each one taking orns themselves to build and configure.
"Timeframe itself varies drastically on object desired. Simple installation of scanners can take five kliks given compatible systems, while massive transplants or new limb attachments can take a Breem or three depending on number of digits and if the limb was previously installed or if it is a new system to integrate."
Flatline frowned slightly, displeased at himself for being unable to give a straighter answer. It was hard to give an... overlay... of all of his capabilities and timeframes, when he had so many skills under his belt. It was like trying to ask a painter how long they needed to make a piece of art, without letting them know what the subject matter would be, or how big the canvas was.
"Given more information on what it is you desire of me, I can give a far more concise reply that is not so... vague..."
He was trying so hard to not look over at Roulette. He was trying SO hard to keep looking at Shockwave with his full attention. However occasionally there was that faint twitch of the optics, wanting so badly to glare over at the femme, as he could SWEAR he saw movement out of the corner of his eyes. Whether she was doing stuff out of his direct field of vision or not, he couldn't help but translate it as more idiotic motions towards him. Mocking.
Despite his complete indifference towards social interaction, Shockwave was wholly aware of it when it took place around him. He just didn't see its worth, or its value, that was all.
The scientist was well aware that, under the correct circumstances Roulette could be considered a 'trying' personality. To him she was merely illogical and contrary - qualities both that made her unquantifiably effective, and in the end that effectiveness was all that mattered to him.
Flatline was, as of yet, an unknown variable. His expertise could be valuable, given the appropriate applications, but Shockwave did not have appropriate information on the mech's techniques, practical skills or improvisation abilities. It was obvious, at least, that the mech was both willing to work, and eager for a task. That could only be of benefit to the matter at hand.
His attention, however, was glaringly distracting; the source was equally obvious, though Shockwave had not thought Roulette could become so quickly acquainted with a member of the scientific staff - most of them were reclusive creatures, unless one counted Knock Out...
Shockwave straightened up, fully turning to face Flatline. The scientist's helm turned until the red optic caught Roulette on the edge of his field of vision, if only so he'd have her physical location. For the next five seconds, anyway. Only then did he turn his attention back to the medic.
"Are you being distracted?" He did not wait for an answer, offering instead a datapad. "A small number of Vehicons has been assigned to me for a specific task. They must be capable of working underwater for extended periods of time while maintaining their full standard of capabilities. Whatever changes you make must be made with parts and materials easily provided by my own stores. The Chief Scientist shifted minutely, his appraisal of Flatline growing indefinably keener. "What is your primary time-frame and projections, given that first layer of information?"
Oh, this was too easy. Flatline didn't even make bothering him a challenge. All she had to do was share lab space with him and he puffed up like a irritated cat. It was hilarious and made the femme feel slightly cattier than usual. Normally she wasn't one to goad a mech to irritation but once in awhile she found her perfect nemesis. And it wasn't an Autobot this time.
Besides, no amount of playing nice with the other proxy was going to make peace. She could feel it in her struts. They were doomed to disagree and be rivals, even if most of the rivalry was on the mech's side. Roulette didn't envy Shockwave's attention on anyone. In fact, she reveled in having another there to share the load. Less "oh good you're here" for her.
"He's so distracted," she said, nearly chipper enough to rival Windy. As to what they were speaking of, she was barely paying attention. If it was important for her to add her two cents, Shockwave would likely prod her for participation. As it was, she was going to continue to work on her project and irritate Flatline at every chance she could get.
Flatline remained standing rather formally, small peds planted down upon the ground, with the hawk of his 'heels' tucked near one another. He no longer held his fist to his chest in salute, but he was still being respectful of the others rank by maintaining this posture. He wanted to learn how Shockwave functioned and thought; to be able to learn how he himself could then act about the tank of a mech. Was this an individual where you could be more lax with responses? Or was everything ridged and data centered? With that femme here however, it seemed that individuals could get away with a lot, or she was just crafty.
Being asked if he was distracted, started to enact a response from Flatline, but he was cut off when the datapad was handed to him, and the femme spoke up. He wanted to say something at her, but chose to try to snub her entirely. But while he didn’t look her way or acknowledge her words, he most definitely still had heard them and just wanted to throttle her thin little throat that much more.
"Only surprised to see the instigator of the chaos yesterday among your labs."
Flatline clarified, before he looked down and started to browse over the datapad offered to him. His jaw shifted in its sockets, causing the teeth plates in his mouth to run their ragged edges against one another with faint clicks of thought. If it had been freshwater, it would have been rather simple, however given the data displayed it appeared to be liquid rich in salts, which could end poorly.
"Modifications to the ventilation systems should be simple, though the water temperature..."
He tabbed down the datapacket, red optics flicking across line before line while trying to put together a plan.
"...Just capping the vents themselves won't cause an overheat issue. I would say the biggest concern is simply avoiding corrosion, then any specialty tools being modified to accommodate. Really this is just a painter's job."
He clicked his fingertips together in thought, still scanning down the datapad.
"A hydrophobic sealer is the fastest, easiest solution. Pop off exterior armors and seal between seams and joints, and then do the same to the armor when put back on. In addition I would apply a thicker rubber spray over the primary chassis to keep the internals safe from long-term exposure."
Some water wasn't going to hurt anyone. If a Cybertronian fell into the sea, they would not short circuit or anything. Biggest thing is just rinsing out the salt after the fact. However, if these drones were to work longer term, it could be problematic. Trying to avoid any water reaching such an area would be best.
"I would say two breems for the general body sealer, though this can be done by a drone once shown how. One breem for the rubber over the chassis, and if you desire deeper sea exploration? I would flood out the internal voids with a pressurized suspension gel or oil and bleed out all air from mechanics, so that the force below won't cause collapse."
That would be a ghastly, but replacing the air would negate such a threat, even if the individuals would feel uncomfortable having to haul around the new weight.
"That would be the most extensive of things... maybe one day each just to make sure every conceivable void from cranium to ped is evacuated and sealed, but the workers would be able to essentially live down there by sacrificing transformation, so long as they don’t scratch off the sealant and start to corrode."
Transforming once the voids were filled with the suspension material and sealed up would be a colossal mess. The material would end up flung all over the place as if trying to mimic the paintball fiasco the day prior, coating the walls, flooring, and possibly ceiling of wherever they were. To make a Cybertronian a hundred percent waterproof while maintaining alt mode capabilities, was a completely other game, needing to quadrant off areas and apply rubber sheeting and just... it would be excessive...
Nonetheless, once given a task it seemed he forgot entirely about Roulette for now. He could be a bit tunnel-visioned when his processor locks down atop a goal or ambition, and trying to figure this out for his commander trumped his ire towards her tenfold. Unless she spoke up or did something, she was temporarily dead to him.
Shockwave paused to consider that rather unplanned variable, if only because he had to consider the possibility that Flatline's work would be disrupted by whatever had already happened between the two.
This was the problem with social interaction, with that which was powered by emotion. It... interrupted.
"Such 'chaos' does not concern me, as long as it does not intrude upon my work." Shockwave shifted, his hand briefly taking in the femme at her small work table. "Roulette is my primary proxy, at current."
It seemed Flatline could focus past such emotional minutiae, on the work requested. Motionless, Shockwave took in the details as they were provided. Far more than any attention the mech could have offered him, the Chief of Science was far more interested in the degree of detail Flatline could offer as another layer of information was offered to him.
"The drones will not be engaging in any sort of exploration, as that will be my purview. The further they will roam will be perimeter patrols. The sealant and rubberizing will be enough, but you may only deputize assistance if one of the drones already on your list proves capable of providing."
Shockwave's head tilted briefly. "Once the primary work is done, I would also need you to consider work into protection from sudden extremes of temperature and much heavier concentrations of minerals, possibly within a corrosive scale. While I do not expect site conditions to become hazardous, it is still wise to plan for all contingencies."
Shockwave turned his attention to a smaller console, where the secondary data began to scroll and add itself onto the datapad Flatline was holding. "I expect you to oversee Roulette's, and my coating, personally, of course."
If she were to ever actually admit it, and it would have to be something beyond the threat of death and dismemberment to her well being to get her to do so, Roulette would say she actually liked the sound of Shockwave's voice. Yes, she hated him as much as she was fond of him. Yes, she wanted to wrap her hands around that neck of his and pop that fragging head off some days. Yes, she hated that certain phrase he used as a quasi greeting to her. But his voice was stupidly soothing and always steady. He never wavered in pitch, even when he was upset (which was next to never.) He never raised his tone, he was precise in his dictation, and he took the time (however precious to him) to say what he felt was the right thing. Even if he was usually so far off the social scale that it was painful.
So when he spoke to others, especially on topics Roulette didn't give a slag about, she tended to let his voice sink into the comfortable background hum of the lab. Really, as horrifying as the room could be, it was also a sort of steady den that she could take refuge in when her life had seriously been tweaked beyond her control. That is, until the probes came out, and then she was out of there faster than a cat sensing a bath.
Unfortunately, now did not appear to be one of those comforting times. She should have been actively paying attention to the conversation beyond getting under Flatline's plating. Because the minute Shockwave stated that said hack in question was going to be touching her person, Roulette sat upright very quickly and turned to look at the two with more alertness she'd shown thus far.
"We're doing what?! No, we're not doing whatever that is. I'm not letting that mech do anything to my-" she gestured with a hand to her chassis. "-anything! I refuse! No, I'm not doing it. No. No." She emphasized several more nos because it would take half a thousand more to actually impress upon Shockwave that she wasn't really keen on this idea. "No."
Flatline had to stifle a ghastly sound at this revelation, but he reeled himself back and evicted that tidbit of information to the side. He would revisit it later when he had a moment to mentally wretch at the idea that such an immature little thing could be smart enough to work beside Commander Shockwave as his proxy. It was pure absurdity as far as he was concerned.
The medic turned upgrades specialist listened to his commander's words with upmost attention offered to him. His helm was dipped some; a sign of respect, but optics were locked up with the large single red one. It was rather odd to not be able to glean any emotional reaction from the individual, not able to see expressions of agreement or displeasure, so he had to run blind in how he reacted.
He would tread carefully.
As more information was given to him, Flatline's lower jaw twisted a bit as he thought and considered what exactly he would need to do. Every small change or request, could impact and impede upon others, and the fact of the matter was asking for safety from extreme temperature changes was going to open up the need for differing cooling means.
"Aerogel will be able to provide all the insulation you need from shocking colds and blistering heats. It is rather brittle however, so it would only really be able to be applied to the outer armors effectively, otherwise I would have to construct a mesh casing with it injected in-between."
While he had hoped he wouldn't have to bleed out air voids in others, he REALLY hoped he didn't have to do this task. It would involve effectively sewing together two malleable metal meshes with chunks of Aerogel trapped in-between as an attempt at insulation. It would be tedious, though it would work well. Humans were just discovering the full range of the materials abilities by using it in the suits astronauts use.
"If it is simply a risk, than just covering the larger areas as a precaution should suffice instead of safeguarding against a guaranteed exposure..."
This was just his input though, part advice, part not wanting to do overkill.
"However, this could impede proper cooling of systems over longer term. It will trap generated heat internally. If you wish for this shielding, I would need to bridge ventilation ports with piping, so systems can cool down via the surrounding waters."
Flatline's forearms had been resting at his side for awhile, though now rose up to gingerly fold upon his lower back. It was still a neutral stance, but it paired with a shift of his weight to his other ped that made him far more comfortable, releasing the pressure on some leg cables.
"The corrosive properties of this planet would need to be studied, to put together an applicable hydrophobic compound that also resists it, but I anticipate nothing this organic planet produces will reach horrendously caustic levels that could be more... problematic..."
Organic planets tended to be rather predictable. Ice, Magma, some poisons and a lot of dirt rocks and foliage with a healthy dose of water and salts. Flatline was prepared to listen to his Commander's next requests, but did not foresee the reaction Shockwave's words brought forth from the Femme. Upon her outburst, Flatline wrenched about face, looking a bit alarmed that Roulette would speak so frankly like she was NOT in front of a superior, let alone in violent denial. The medic had tried himself being frank, and it had ended with him in a chokehold expecting his spark to be snuffed out at any given moment.
Seeing no immediate backlash or death via arm mounted canon taking her helm clean off, Flatline tried a tentative metaphorical step forward as he permitted a wicked grin to peel back upon his faceplates. The red rings in his optics spiraled a bit as they focused in on Roulette, taking in just how uncomfortable the idea had made her with a twisted delight.
"Come now, you would DENY your Commander's request simply because I would be the one painting your frame? What have I done to deserve such mistrust?"
Roulette's outburst met with exactly the reaction she expected from the Chief of Science - namely, none at all whatsoever.
Shockwave had not expected her to agree, simply because she never did. It did not matter what matter was being put to her choice, experience had long proven that Roulette would be contrary, for the sake of contrariness itself. It did not matter anyways; he'd only address the issue further if she did impede the process.
Otherwise, Flatline had his full attention. Inasmuch as it was possible, Shockwave was pleased to listen as the smaller mech refined his theoretical approach with every layer of data that was further offered to him. This was science, served with purity of purpose.
"It is a possibility, not a certainty. While the site is underwater, the likelihood of further volcanic activity is minimal, but it cannot be considered nonexistent." Particularly given the nature of some of Shockwave's own contingency plans. "Some temporary protection, if you find that you have the opportunity, would be an appropriate side project. I do not expect to 'entertain' many visitors, but one cannot discount such a variable."
He turned, so that he could turn and face either Flatline or, in this case, Roulette. "That is a valid question. You should also bear in mind, Roulette, that it Flatline is not given unimpeded and unprotested access, I will be the one to apply the procedure to you."
"You make 'unimpeded and unlimited access' sound really perverted when you say it like that..." Roulette muttered while shifting her glare from Shockwave to Flatline. She couldn't figure out which of the two she was actually the most angry at. Shockwave was always a good choice but being mad at him went exactly nowhere. There was no satisfaction to it. He didn't care and when someone you hated didn't care, then there was little power in putting the effort into hating them!
Flatline, however, was becoming a better target. For one, that look on his face was just begging to be smacked off. Not that she was likely to slap him in the face. Tempting, but there were better ways to escalate a situation without physical force. And, unfortunately, at the moment, he had the upper hand. All because Shockwave wanted something. Ugh.
"I deny him every other cycle, Ahab. And if you haven't forgotten, you shot a harpoon at me!" She was still a bit twitchy from that encounter. Granted, she'd had a various number of things thrown at her after starting the chaotic paintball fight. But still, a fragging harpoon. Why did he even have that?!
Flatline liked Shockwave. Not only did he have some serious rank to his name, he was intelligent and seemed quite sound in his decision making. He had instilled the fact that the thermal protection was simply to be there if convenient and was only a possibility, instead of downright demanding it of him. It made Flatline feel that much more inclined to tackle the job and go past the norm.
If you were polite and simply laid out the plan, the upgrades medic was far more ready to go beyond what would usually be entailed. Pull the choke chain and he'd likely not be as generous, only doing what was needed to complete the task. Though, he did like to be thorough... so he probably would still go a bit overkill... but it would not go QUITE as far.
Either way, Flatline had to cackle internally when Shockwave came to back him up on the matter. Roulette was being disrespectful to the Commander, and deserved far worse than being given an ultimatum, but alas, this was not his lab to run, and his commander could do what he saw fit to reel the femme in line.
Her words, confused him however.
He probably would never understand her insistence on denying every other cycle, and he really didn't understand the reference that spurred his nickname. It seemed completely arbitrary and meaningless, perhaps a testament to how scatterbrained the femme was. Maybe that was why she was down here, more of a guinea pig than any sort of true assistant, someone Shockwave could tell to do basic stuff, and in turn have a living individual to test things on.
That made a lot of sense actually and made him tolerate her more.
"At you. Yes. But as I am sure you recall I did not strike you with it."
As if sensing being spoken about, the turrets on his back whirred slightly as they cocked back to point a bit higher in the air in order to keep the harpoons angled away from anything of importance. The mechanics made a couple clicking noises as they settled on an angle, the sharp barbs on the harpoon's end folded flush with the post, though the razor's edge glinted slightly from the movements.
"So, are you going to permit me to install the required protection? Or will you burden our commander because of pettiness?"
He just had to prod her a bit still, even if he now accepted her as some pet project more so than a true proxy... he hated her.