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.
Ratchet looked at Optimus, then back to the remains of the device.
“It’s hard to say, exactly. Traditional weapons such as blasters would leave burnt remains. Larger pieces, but with scorch marks. Bladed weapons couldn’t reduce something down to this level of utter destruction. Whatever exactly this thing was, now it’s basically dust. Pressure. Extreme crushing pressure. This wasn’t just stepped on, it was literally ground into dust.”
The old medic looked back to Optimus, “Whoever did this wanted to be absolutely sure there was nothing left behind.”
Ratchet looked at the debris in the small piece of blanket again, then vented slightly.
“If asking Max is the only way to talk to her, preferably without Starscream present, then I suggest you talk to Max. We’re in the dark here, Optimus, and need as much information as we can get. I know it isn’t easy, but we’re facing a wall. Dart knows more than she knows, I’m betting.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Ratchet turned to a cupboard, and opening it, took out a midsized glass cannister. He moved to the remains of the device, and carefully picking up the corners of the blanket, lifted it from the slab. He carefully placed it inside the cannister without jostling it about too much, and screwed the lid on tightly, “I’ll keep this in the Medibay for safekeeping…unless you would rather place it somewhere else?”
Post by Optimus Prime on Jul 14, 2018 0:24:38 GMT -5
It was hard to believe the femme's ped could grind something down to this level of destruction. He did not doubt that she had the strength to do so or the possible speed to heel down the object and destroy it, he had seen her run and come to realization her limbs held more likely than not the majority of her strength and ability... but it was still impressively thorough. Every chunk, every bit was accounted for and powdered, and no larger pieces remained. Trying to piecemeal together the exact method, while a notable thing to consider, would not help them reach their end goal though, and he had to put a loose pin in it like he did so many other questions this day.
A low hum droned out at Ratchet's following comments, a subtle note to show he was listening and taking heed of the other mech's words, not ignoring him, but not able to find a proper response as of yet. Really, Optimus had very little faith that Fortress was going to be able to give them any kind of good leads. If anything, it would simply mark off a check on the expansive map of this world where the femme has been spotted in the past. However, with Space Bridges at the Decepticons disposal, she could be plunked anywhere at any given moment to scout things out and traverse large swaths of land in seconds with her speed.
So many thoughts were lurching and flicking through the Prime's processor, trying to find links in the broken information, trying to look for any wayward word or phrase that could open a new doorway... it was blinding in a way, and he needed to take a step back probably and not let this threat absolutely consume him. It needed to be looked into, it could be dangerous and very much a real danger, but this wasn't going to immediately kill them all like the risk of starvation very much may. They were already looking down one barrel of a gun, and turning away from it on another that was only possibly there may not be the smartest of actions.
But it may be just as devastating if ignored.
Tuning back in, Optimus' gaze flicked back up and locked down onto the jar, only then seeming to realize what Ratchet had said.
"No, it will be safe here."
Spoken with a tired rumble, it seemed that the conversation regarding this was pretty much concluded for now. They needed to get more intel on it all, in order to bridge gaps and make things more legible. Trying to speculate further could simply kindle a fire that was only embers, and create additional threats and fears derived of nothing but speculation. The fear of the unknown was always greater than reality, or so they say. With this final thought, he tried to suppress his swarming processor, looking away from the jar to address Ratchet directly.
"I do appreciate your help old friend, even if I expressed otherwise."
Backtracking a bit, it was a solemn acceptance of having the medic work behind his back, even if it did upset him at first. While Optimus hadn't directly said much of anything after that reveal, he was certain his posture and tone for what little he did say probably conveyed much. Because of this, he figured he might as well smooth that over even if things were already fine.
The medic nodded. The remains of the device would be locked away easily enough, away from curious lookie-loos, and kept as pristine as possible in case they needed to go back and look more.
He only wished he had been able to help more, but such devices weren’t his area of expertise. While he had been called on to perform more so called “crazy inventor” duties than expected, he still felt he was wandering in the dark with his optics shuttered in many cases. Ironically, the one that would probably be more able to help was Wheeljack himself, and right now his processor wasn’t in the right place to be able to think coherently about this.
So many things to worry about…
Subconsciously, a servo raised, and Ratchet lightly brushed the top of his helm with his palm, an almost “smoothing” motion.
Listening to the Prime’s next words brought him back, and he shook his head, dropping his servo.
He made a vague, “brush away’ motion with his hand. When he spoke, his voice was gruff, “Optimus, we’ve snapped at each other before, and we’ll do so again.”
That was the extent of his “apology accepted, water under the bridge” that he gave to Optimus, knowing the Prime understood the medic hadn’t taken any offense in any manner. Ratchet was gruff, and he knew Optimus knew he was gruff, but took no offense. The pair’s odd social ways was just one of the reasons their friendship had lasted as long as it had. Sometimes words didn’t need to be spoken much.
He placed the cylinder in the cupboard, locking it. “I’ll continue running tests as I think of anything else we could have overlooked, and let you know any results that are significant.” Turning back to Optimus, he spoke again, “I advise letting the others in the base know what happened. If it’s going to spread out and possibly affect others, everyone should be on alert for “friendly, helpful voices.” The only other thing I can think of would be a scouting mission to the closest human industrial sites. Nothing invasive heavy - maybe our human allies in the military could assist? If the attacks are through our neural nets they won’t be affected, and as military, they have a lot more leeway with being allowed to look into places normal human civilians aren’t.”
Last Edit: Jul 14, 2018 18:13:56 GMT -5 by Ratchet
Post by Optimus Prime on Jul 22, 2018 20:03:35 GMT -5
Optimus leaned idly against the medical berth, his palms folding down to rest along the edge of the slab while he considered what was being said. Although what Ratchet suggested would be beneficial, due to the fact that a human ((or any organic life for that matter)) would not be susceptible to the same things their kind would, it just was not in his nature to try to loop them into this. So many worlds they have visited... just how many planets have they befriended, and how many have they destroyed in their attempt to work with one another? The more distance that could be comfortably kept, the safer this world would be.
"I hesitate to get the humans involved, but I do believe they can help outside of direct contact. An analysis of the contents would be beneficial to send to Fowler."
Idle commentary that was also a sort of directive.
They needed to get a readout of the material sent on over to Fowler's people as soon as it was translated from Cybertronian, to see if their native experience and much more detailed knowledge of the world could come up with any solutions. It could be a rather unique composition of rocks and pollution that aims them in a very narrow patch of land, or it could be so generic it covers over half of the planet and they'd have better luck shooting slingshots from orbit to hit their mark. It was hard to say before they directly processed it in far more detail.
"As beneficial as cursory scouting missions may be, I fear we must continue to hunt for Energon for the time being."
This was almost said with a sort of defeat in his tone, a weakness he would otherwise have never allowed to show, if it were not in the presence of Ratchet and Ratchet alone. He didn't want to give up this chase, he didn’t want to give up on the threat, but he couldn’t beeline after it like he initially felt impulse to do. Their resources were simply too thin at the moment. If things went on too much longer, than they may not even have the energy to properly mine the fuel once it was found.
"I believed we would find a deposit under the Truce."
Tired, more haggard words, the Prime looked over at Ratchet warily.
"We cannot resort to thieving."
Trapped. They couldn’t just raid a Decepticon mine like they may have done in the past.
Ratchet watched Optimus with a worried gaze. The Prime looked more exhausted than before. He was worried he was soon going to have to step in as CMO and order Optimus to take a full portion of energon. Taking a ration is fine, but with stress added to the load, it became more and more easy to become disoriented, confused, and make poor judgement. There was no sign of it yet, but Ratchet had to watch for it.
He nodded at the Prime’s request to send the results to Fowler, “I’ll send him what I’ve managed to discover, and offer a portion for them to analyze as well if they want. My machine is more precise, mind you. They’ll probably get farther with the results. It’s possible they could read more into it than I can, being familiar with the planet.”
Listening again, the medic nodded, “I agree. Energon is our most needed resource right now. And we may yet find a source.” He paused for a moment, then spoke, “We may have to travel farther than we have before. To the other continents. I doubt we’ll find anything here, Optimus, not near the base. It’s been tapped out.”
Scowling at the benchtop as he thought, Ratchet spoke again, “I’ll bring up a layout on the main monitor of where we know the Decepticons have had their mines. They most likely tapped out any areas around it as well. We’ll need to find somewhere it appears no one has gone yet, and hope we’re lucky.”
Ratchet didn’t comment on what he thought of luck.
He heard the Prime’s last comment, but made no comment of his own. They were getting desperate...