[ti]Ep 3.5[/ti]Fallen Stars [Closed]
Jun 20, 2023 19:49:22 GMT -5
Post by Coldwind on Jun 20, 2023 19:49:22 GMT -5
Day in, day out, missions docked under conveniently-timed patrols and outings of seemingly trivial nature. Scant findings, fewer results. By all accounts, Coldwind was under-performing in contrast to her usual best—at least in the eyes of those at Blackridge Hold. Indeed, many would consider Coldwind distracted in her long absences, her late-night returns and early departures, and yet... These were no true marks of distraction. They were this, here on the Harbinger, they were her focus: the long and arduous preparations, a commitment of a different kind. Starscream needed a competent pair of hands to move into place more than just the physical components, and although the two Seekers found the third engaged in such an action when the door slid open, Coldwind was much more than just extra muscle.
She looked on from the shadow of a stacked shelf, her form wedged between it and another that contained a most curious assembly of components. By all accounts, the inventory was more extensive than one would assume. Not everything here was irreplaceable by itself, of course, and rather, it was the combination of the gathered parts that befuddled Megatron's efforts for so long...
...And yet, among them, a few components stood out as particularly crucial. Their like was not replaceable under current conditions. Not here, not on the Nemesis, not at Blackridge Hold. They were unique in all the world and nothing save the most advanced facilities on Cybertron could replicate their like—facilities that were now ash and dust.
...And among those irreplaceable components, one was the preeminent. The lens assembly, laid carefully by its lonesome on a table far behind Coldwind. From where they stood, it seemed utterly unremarkable, much like the Harbinger did from afar. But this—this was the pièce de résistance. Immutable, irreplaceable, perfect and preserved. Even had those facilities on Cybertron not been ash and dust, even had the tyrant-lord resurrected them at a great cost to the Decepticons, this assembly could never be made again for the twisted minds that had engineered it at Megatron's behest were long dead.
It was the master key and Starscream held it here, nowhere, on a ship that was a ghost to the Decepticons entire—under Coldwind's diligent gaze.
"By your design, of course," she retorted in her customary manner—partly a jest, partly a reminder of their present circumstances and dynamic. It never hurt to remember where they stood. But then... Starscream ceased to be of interest for a moment.
Her optics were drawn to Starkrieger instead.
"I was wondering when you'd join us."
Crossing her arms, she stepped out of the shadows and sized Starkrieger up and down. She's been hoping that he might turn out to be more... rational... than Dreadwing ever since the day they have met. She still wasn't quite sure whether he was any better, but that Starscream brought him here spoke volumes. She could not argue with that and she certainly would have if she could. Even now, that fiery spark in her deep-set eyes was not easily daunted.
...And yet, among them, a few components stood out as particularly crucial. Their like was not replaceable under current conditions. Not here, not on the Nemesis, not at Blackridge Hold. They were unique in all the world and nothing save the most advanced facilities on Cybertron could replicate their like—facilities that were now ash and dust.
...And among those irreplaceable components, one was the preeminent. The lens assembly, laid carefully by its lonesome on a table far behind Coldwind. From where they stood, it seemed utterly unremarkable, much like the Harbinger did from afar. But this—this was the pièce de résistance. Immutable, irreplaceable, perfect and preserved. Even had those facilities on Cybertron not been ash and dust, even had the tyrant-lord resurrected them at a great cost to the Decepticons, this assembly could never be made again for the twisted minds that had engineered it at Megatron's behest were long dead.
It was the master key and Starscream held it here, nowhere, on a ship that was a ghost to the Decepticons entire—under Coldwind's diligent gaze.
"By your design, of course," she retorted in her customary manner—partly a jest, partly a reminder of their present circumstances and dynamic. It never hurt to remember where they stood. But then... Starscream ceased to be of interest for a moment.
Her optics were drawn to Starkrieger instead.
"I was wondering when you'd join us."
Crossing her arms, she stepped out of the shadows and sized Starkrieger up and down. She's been hoping that he might turn out to be more... rational... than Dreadwing ever since the day they have met. She still wasn't quite sure whether he was any better, but that Starscream brought him here spoke volumes. She could not argue with that and she certainly would have if she could. Even now, that fiery spark in her deep-set eyes was not easily daunted.