[ INTRO LOG ]

[robotsatan]

You don't know how you got here. One minute you were walking, sleeping, maybe dead -- then you're here, your feet suddenly carrying you down an empty street. Where's here?

Any Cybertronian would recognize this as their home planet, Cybertron, but it's not a Cybertron they've ever known. It has all the familiar hallmarks, but none of the specifics -- the city isn't one anyone here could identify, and even at a glance it's obvious that no one's set foot on the planet's surface in hundreds of years. The city and its surrounding areas all bear the marks of devastating war, of dust and rust collected over centuries. With no one in sight -- right at first, anyway -- there's plenty to explore. In fact, if you start walking, you'll find that your feet may just carry you in one particular direction.

A) The crater.
On one edge of the city is a massive crater left by some wartime weapon that seems to have taken out a large chunk of the surrounding metropolitan area. At the center of the crater it's broken through the surface of the terrain to reveal what looks like it might be a promising energon deposit. There is some strange but native vegetation growing around the edges, too, that no Cybertronian would be able to identify -- small, metallic, brittle-looking sprouts that bear a curiously organic-looking fruit of some kind that doesn't look like it's intended for consumption by any natives of the planet. In one rocky nook of the crater, light catches on the surface of a pool of water, which seems strangely out of place on Cybertron. On closer inspection, it seems that somehow an underground water source has formed a spring in the crater.

B) The center of the city.
If you follow where your feet seem to want to carry you, you'll find yourself in the middle of the ruined city. It seems that the center of the city was once home to a massive forum, and some of the pillars and structures still stand. At the very center of the forum is a massive, elaborately constructed fountain, although it has now long since run dry of whatever used to fill it. One of the low, inner walls of the forum has a terminal embedded in its surface, although it looks curiously ancient, out of place with the rest of the city, and unlike the rest of the technology still left around, there doesn't seem to be any way to power it on or operate it. There are a few scattered pools of water and a few of the strange metallic plants in the city, too, but they're not quite as plentiful as in the crater.

The planet was obviously once home to a massive network of communication relays, but those have all been long since destroyed. However, with the bits and pieces left behind and a few determined minds, it wouldn't be too hard to build a working, if rudimentary, one...

Comments

B) THE CITY

[tomemyoutliers]

Shockwave is beside himself. Not literally (not yet, at any rate), but certainly emotionally - he's gone from seconds away from undergoing Shadowplay to this. Cybertron. Cybertron destroyed. All of his work, everything he's done to protect his planet and this is what it has to show for it? No, there has to be something... anything... Shockwave refuses to accept this as final. As unfixable.

So he follows his feet once he's managed to exert a small amount of control over his emotions, thoughts elsewhere. Something must have intervened. And that something brought him to this Cybertron, and would have the power to send him back. Who is he to argue with the force that's pulling him along if it can do all of that?

Finding the terminal at the end of the trail is, suffice to say, a let down. Undaunted (and desperate to make some sense of at least one thing on this Cybertron), Shockwave runs his hands over it - looking for a way to turn it on or input some sort of command or something.

It's infuriating, and his expression - while still curious - grows more and more frustrated.

[thanksoptimus]

Upon hearing someone moving nearby, Orion drops what he's currently doing (which is fairly ambiguous, besides having apparently involved burrowing into a pile of rubble) and starts shimmying out of the wreckage. So safe to say, the archivist is looking pretty fucking disheveled and maybe crazy when he gets out.

"It doesn't work," he says, helpfully. Or not so helpfully. YMMV.

[tomemyoutliers]

"I've noticed," he replies, without looking up. There's no malice in his tone, just frustration at the fact he can't get it to work. "But if it worked once, there's nothing preventing it from working again."

Just not at that moment, and not with the tools he has on hand. Disappointing, and he vents a sigh - standing.

"What I'd give for just a toolbox, let alone a functional lab." He's got his work cut out for him if he can't find a way back, he's realizing that much. Lab, research, fixing Cybertron. Subject to his whims and whatever might come his way, of course, he's flexible. One hand on his him, he turns to find the source of the voice and--

"Ah. Orion?" He looks like Orion, only without the faceplate and with a far less impressive frame. But when has Orion Pax ever been an imposition? So he grins, friendly and welcoming. "You know, I'm not entirely surprised to see you here."

Orion Pax had a way about him, mostly in that he's always around where there's trouble. It's an admirable quality.

[thanksoptimus]

The question immediately makes him feel guilty, because he doesn't think he recognizes this bot in return. His entire build seems a little bit different from what he's accustomed to seeing, but...he has met a lot of people over his and Megatronus's campaign, and he figures it's possible that he may have forgotten them, or that they may have only seen him as opposed to met him.

He is usually very good at cataloging information, though. He so rarely forget a face.

He rummages around in his databanks for a while longer before coming forward another step, looking a little embarassed.

"I am Orion Pax," he admits, slowly. "But...I am afraid I do not immediately recognize you. I am sorry to be so rude."

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus had considered it a trick of the darkness. He was obviously seeing what he wanted to see from a familiar silhouette. But even then, it was hard to ignore, and he couldn't help but inch closer, to see just who it was who looked so similar to him. He's strangely quiet as he approaches, making sure not to disturb the stranger.

It felt awkward, sure. But Optimus was clinging to the slight sliver of hope.


He should do that more often, because as Shockwave's frustration escalates, the more recognizable he becomes. And Optimus stops dead in his tracks--eyes as wide as Cybertron itself.

He can't believe it...he wouldn't believe it if you told him. Shockwave, as he was, standing there in front of him, as if the Shadowplay had never happened. In all his regal (okay, maybe that's a bit personal) glory.

It's enough for him to step on some rubble a little too loudly, rocks rolling to right beside the Senator's feet.

Smooth.

[tomemyoutliers]

Optimus approaches just as Shockwave's frustration reaches its peak, and it's with a sound of disgust that the senator pulls away with a rather hard smack of his fist against the machine. Impossible. He needs a lab, he needs tools, he needs something other than being stuck here on a Cybertron gone to ruin.

He looks up at the source of the noise, prepared to bombard the visitor with questions about why and how and any number of others.

But it isn't someone he thinks belongs here, instead it's a very familiar red and blue. Different, however, as if he's had a few frame upgrades. Still, he can't deny the warm rush that comes with seeing a familiar face. With seeing him, when he was so certain he'd never have the chance again.

"Orion!" Yep, smiling as he finally gets to his feet, hands rubbing together to clean them off as best as he can. "Finally something that isn't going to give me more of a headache than I already have."

[luckyfaceplate]

If Shockwave's frame wasn't enough to convince him, his voice was. The way it shot right through his plating and hit his circuits, made them shiver from the thought of his friend being alright...It's enough to make his arms go limp, staring in awe at what's before him. Surely it looks odd to Shockwave, but it's the appropriate reaction in his book.

But he'll try to regain composure, shaking his head a moment to get his thoughts in order, approaching the other bot. Words fail him, so he'll settle with a nod of confirmation. Yes, yes he is Orio--Optimus. That was going to be news he'd have to break to him, certainly.

"It seems this place is full of surprises. I thought...you'd been lost."

And he was, ultimately. But this is either some cruel joke, or a blessing. He's hoping for the latter.

hi B)

[officerjuicebox]

After peeling himself off the ground, he'd wandered into the city, looking for any sign of life anywhere. Nothing. Not one familiar street. Or face. Which is just perfect.

It's not until he pokes his head through a doorway that some twinge of relief hits him. Even if it is the Senator. But, then again, if Shockwave survived, then, maybe the others did too.

And maybe Pax wouldn't have his hide for failing to keep the guy in one piece.

"Hey!" he calls out, stepping more into the room. "You okay?"

[tomemyoutliers]

Ah yes, his erstwhile babysitter. There's no bitterness in his face when Shockwave looks at him - just relief that Roller is alive and well. Which means the other mech gets a smile as Shockwave pushes himself away from the terminal.

"Well enough, Roller. For finding myself on a Cybertron I don't recognize. And yourself."

[officerjuicebox]

Babysitter excuse you.

But he takes that as invitation as any, easing into the unfamiliar room warily. Sure, there hasn't been anyone here yet, but that doesn't mean there won't be. And it doesn't mean there won't be any more problems, either.

Best to keep close.

"Have a headache the size of a moon, but that's sort of, y'know. Expected and all." A few more steps puts him within arms' reach of Shockwave, the better to shove him out of any more potential lines of fire. "I'm guessing you haven't found anyone else yet."

[smarterthandad]

"Don't bother. It's thoroughly broken."

With effort and the aid of conveniently located detritus, Valeria had climbed up onto a bench, which made her still somewhat less than waist high on most Cybertronians, but considerably less likely to be stepped on. This planet and its inhabitants were just unreasonably huge. She might have to whip up some Pym particles, once she could build the facilities.

[tomemyoutliers]

"I've become aware of that," he says without looking up and over at the source of the voice, voice tinged with frustration but not snapped at the speaker. Running his hand down one edge of the screen, Shockwave presses a bit harder where he thinks he might be able to find some give in the seal and at least get it to open up.

"But nothing about it indicates that it hasn't worked before, and there's nothing stopping it from working again." He'd need tools, however. Or something to turn into tools. Or something that obviously wasn't on this ruin of a Cybertron. He rubs at his temple with a free hand, finally turning away from the console and at the source of the voice.

Which-- he cannot find. Hmm.

"You'll forgive the obvious question but - where are you?"

He's never met a human before, they haven't even evolved. Help him out a little, Val.

[smarterthandad]

"Down and to your left," Val said. "The bench." At least, it looked like a bench to her, and the big mechanical person was roughly humanoid and thus in possession of the proper anatomy to use it as such, implying that she'd guessed its function right.

Some tiny organic in black and glowing green was waving at him. Hi, Mr. or Ms. giant robot.

[staygoldponybot]

Hello darkness my old frienddddd

No, actually, Sentinel won't let himself be put out by Shockwave reappearing unempuratad and presumably unshadowplayed. The Senator never gave him too many problems directly - Proteus was the one who had to deal with him personally. Part of him is concerned that someone's found a way to undo The Process but he can deal with that later.

He intercepts Shockwave easily, given the size difference between them. "Senator," he states in a flat tone, narrowing his optics.

[tomemyoutliers]

Shockwave goes from frustrated to enraged in about ten seconds as soon as he hears that voice, hands curling into fists as he rounds on Sentinel. The other doesn't have to say anything - the memories of his imminent Shadowplay and empurata still fresh in his mind.

"You." It's hardly the most eloquent of first words, but Shockwave will forgive himself for it later.

[staygoldponybot]

"You're looking..." duo-optic'd "...well. Senator."

Sentinel isn't quite petty enough to outright make shitty comments, not yet. He does find this situation funny to a point, though. In a shitty, sadistic way.

[milkruns]

The terminal is way, way over eye level for June, so she doesn't really notice it on her first wander through the city -- particularly not when she's been investigating those strange plants that seem like they might actually be safe for human consumption, and food and water is kind of a premium concern right now. She definitely notices the terminal when she sees the bot poking at it with increasing frustration, though. June's careful to circle around to approach from the side before she speaks up -- while the Autobots she knew back home were usually pretty careful not to step on anyone, the people here aren't necessarily watching out for small humans.

"Having a little technical difficulty?" June calls from the ground, glancing around to see if there's any way she can get a little closer to eye level. She's getting just a little tired of having to crane her neck back just to have a conversation. Maybe she can climb up onto that fountain? She sure hopes she's in shape enough for that. "Whatever happened here, it doesn't seem to have left a whole lot intact."

[tomemyoutliers]

"It would appear so," he responds, frown still firmly in place. "And believe me when I say that I shouldn't be finding this as difficult as I am." That's what is partly so annoying about the situation - Shockwave knows he's intelligent, one of the brightest on Cybertron. This shouldn't be as much of a task as it is clearly becoming. He fiddles with the terminal for a few moments longer before deciding to look for the source of the voice.

It takes him a moment to look down rather than across, and when he spots June, he can't help but grin slightly.

"An organic!" Yes, well done Shockwave. But at least he's polite enough to get down on one knee to be closer to her height. And, well, it offers a better chance to get a good look at her. "Are you alright? Cyberton - even now - is normally inhospitable to organic life."

And if you are, will you let him figure out how that's possible?

[milkruns]

Aw, not only is this one polite, but he's sort of adorable too. June can't help but grin back -- he's even kneeling! Some Autobots she knows could take a few pages out of this mech's book. She spreads her hands in a helpless gesture, shrugging.

"Tell me about it. When my son went to Cybertron, he pretty much had to borrow a spacesuit from NASA. I couldn't tell you how, though." June looks up at Shockwave, and after a moment's consideration just goes and sticks her hand out. It could be more awkward. "June Darby, by the way. I know some Autobots back home."

[quantumechanic]

Nautica's wrench was giving her an advantage on the others in sussing out what was going on here, but it looked like she was too late to spare this new mech the frustration. She came up beside him as he was prodding at the terminal, waiting a moment for her presence to get his attention.

"There's no power to anything in the city, I'm afraid. We'll have to restore at least some of the grid before trying to get the terminals back online." Which should be doable. She was a heck of an engineer, even if civic infrastructure didn't move as quickly or as physical law breaking-ly as she liked.

[tomemyoutliers]

Shockwave vents the air from his system in an annoyed huff, pushing himself back from the terminal.

"Since when has anything been easy, mm?" It's just one more thing he needs to fix, and adds it to his list somewhere above starting up a lab. When he turns around it's with a smile that instantly vanishes the moment he sees the badge on her chest - eyes narrowing in suspicion.

That... is not particularly something he wanted to deal with right now. Or ever. "What do you want?"

[quantumechanic]

Shockwave wasn't sufficiently obvious about glaring at her badge itself for Nautica to realize immediately that his problem was a misunderstanding, not an unpleasant personality like so many others she'd met today.

"Just trying to save you some trouble." She was about halfway between depressed and miffed. See if she tried to help you again, Mr. Cranky Wings.

[planate]

Oh hey it's a people. Pipes had been looking for one of those

"I think the power's out," he taps a his chin with a hand, "You didn't happen to see any sources around, did you? I've been looking but there's so much debris everywhere."

[tomemyoutliers]

He sighs, shaking his head as he pushes himself away from the terminal.

"No, nothing that was immediately obvious as one." Well, every day didn't have to be a bad day, and right now Shockwave's just thankful that he's still himself.

[planate]

"Damn."

It's now that Pipes realises this strange mech lacks any insignia. He clearly has jet kibble, but...

"I don't think we've met before. I'm Pipes. Probably should've started with that."

He just hopes his own Autobrand doesn't bring trouble.