Fixing the Phantom

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------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 06:58PM CST >-------------------
There are some Decepticons you can just never get ahold of, that are never realiably in a specific location. Shockwave is not one of those, as he is an almost permanent fixture in his lab. Indeed when he isn't there, someone should probably be worried. Today, nobody need worry more than usual as Shockwave is in his lab. Well perhaps the random Cybertron hanging upside down from some device restraining his feet from above should worry, but for now he's too unconcious and dripping energon (which is of course collected) to worry.
Shockwave moves between various tables, using controls on each to monitor whatever experiments he is currently running. He doesn't seem to be in a rush, taking his time moving between the tables. S standard day for the Decepticon scientist.
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 07:03PM CST >--------------------
Shockwave has a visitor today. Not someone he's necessarily met before, but he probably recognizes him, if he's gone through the files. Quantum is an interesting case, with unusual abilities for someone with his altmode. Typically it's the larger shuttles and transports like Blast Off or Tankor who have FTL capabilities, and most of them have the more standard hyperdrive tech as opposed to quantum drive tech.
He looks a little relunctant as he signals the door, anticipating that what awaits within the lab is not likely to be pleasant...
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 07:08PM CST >-------------------
Shockwave is more than well aware of pretty much all the Decepticons. Indeed the infiltration by a certain Autobot that managed to fool not just Blast Off, but Buzzsaw only reinforced Shockwaves belief in knowing who every Decepticon was. That and never know what interesting opportunities each new recruit might reveal.
And so when he gets a buzz on a concole to indicate a guest, he pulls up a camera feed from outside, then proceeds to hit the button to open the door. His emotionless voice being more than loud enough to be heard over the relatively quiet lab, he simply intones, "Enter Quantum."
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 07:12PM CST >--------------------
Quantum enters as prompted, trying not to stare at the dude hanging upside down from the ceiling and dripping fuel from his body. Instead, he focses on the scientist himself. "I...Uh..." he glances around nervously. "You got a moment? Sorry if I'm disturbing you at all."
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 07:15PM CST >-------------------
The unconcious body continues to hang there, swaying back and forth a little. Every so often the wounds which can be seen spark a little. Quite what made the wounds would be anyones guess, though anyone who knows enough about weapon damage would know it's nothing they'd recognise.
Meanwhile, as Shockwave continues to work, he intones to the other Decepticon present, "If you have a reason to be hear then speak. Disturbing me is irrelevant, so proceed."
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 07:21PM CST >--------------------
Quantum absently wonders to himself if Shockwave keeps his dead test subjects out in the open just to intimidate people. Well anyway it sure works. At least for him.
"Okay then." he shrugs. "You know about Phantom, right?" Surely he does, if Shockwave knew Quantum without ever meeting him, he's got to have heard about the extra-dimensional guy as well. "I was wondering if...you could do me a favor, if I did one for you?" If a mech like Shockwave could even use favors? He isn't sure. But, he is good at doing 'favors' for other people. Especially if the favors involved murder, heists, sabotage, or other manner of violence.
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 07:27PM CST >-------------------
While the Decepticons aren't exactly an organised military, Shockwave finds it curious that another Decepticon, one clearly not in any position of significant authority would believe that a form of bartering favours as appropriate. So curious in fact that it actually gets Shockwave to turn and look right at Quantum for the first time since the other entered the room. For a full 0.68 seconds (an eternity when you're Shockwave) his singular optic glows in Quantums direction.
Returning his gaze to his experiments, Shockwave states, "What... favour do you seek?"
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 07:37PM CST >--------------------
"Could you fix Phantom??" Quantum replies, cutting straight down to business. "Every time he disperses, I'm afraid there's a chance he won't come back." He shakes his head. "Or won't come back in the right place. I mean," he quickly adds. "That could be risky, couldn't it? He could end up somewhere in Autobot territory, they could extract information from him. He's..." A sigh. "He's very easily manipulated."
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 07:43PM CST >-------------------
Pulling up information on Phantom specifically, and everything the central Decepticon systems have on him, Shockwave actually puts aside his current experiments. Not too surprising since examining a Cybertronian with unique abilities is always intriguing.
"It would be possible. And while your hypothosis of him appearing in Autobot territory relies on a significant number of assumptions, it is not without some merit." Shockwave opens information on the known locations Phantom has returned to, "At the very least a suitable security device should be installed to handle such an eventuality."
The Decepticon scientist returns his gaze to Quantum, this time holding it on him as his optic blinks along to his response, "I will require all information on Phantom that is not in our databanks already, and I will need to perform a complete examination on him." Hopefully not while he dangles upside down.
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 07:46PM CST >--------------------
Quantum nods quickly. "Yes, yeah, I'll tell you everything I know, and I can get him to come here for an exam if necessary." He just seems rather desperate.
At the comment about the security device though, he looks a little alarmed. "W-wait. What do you mean a security device, what kind of device?" Smelt it all what has he just done?
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 07:50PM CST >-------------------
The gaze holds on Quantum as he asks about the security device, "As stated, a suitable one." If Quantum doesn't understand what suitable would be, he obviously isn't as good an assassin as Shockwaves files would indicate. "And a physical exam would be essential, data is reliant on the people documenting it, and they make errors." Shockwave does not, but logically others are not as exact as he is.
At this time there's a groan from the hanging body, as it seems it isn't as dead as some may think, the optics blink slightly as the bare glimmer of conciousness returns.
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 08:03PM CST >--------------------
Oh, Quantum understands plenty what a suitable security device would be like for a situation like that...he just doesn't like it. This was the reason for the question being posed in a such an uneasy tone. You know that tone you use when you know full well what someone means but the idea terrifies you so you hold out a small sliver of hope that their answer will soothe those fears. Shockwave's answer, however, does nothing to that end. But what can he do now? Who -else- has both the authority and the capacity to keep Phantom from eventually losing himself completely?
No one at Deltaran would help a criminal, that's for sure. He nods reluctantly. "I...right, of course. I-I understand. I'll bring him here." He pauses. "Thanks. I owe you one." Then he lowers his voice. "You know, if you ever need something done that needs to be kept on the down low."
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 08:09PM CST >-------------------
As the upside down Cybertron becomes more conscious, it recalls it's predicament, and looking round in desperation it spots Quantum, looking at him with hopeless optics, it vaguely tries to reach out towards Quantum, a desperate look in it's optics as it mouths 'kill me... please', apparently unable to actually speak.
Meanwhile Shockwave returns to one of his other experiments, "I will keep that in mind should I require your particular talents." And you can bet Shockwave is already processing possible options. "Inform me when you are able to get Phantom here."
-------------------< Quantum Posed on Dec 22 08:18PM CST >--------------------
Quantum is definitely tempted, when the victim begs him to kill him. After all, that's what he's good at. Killing people swiftly and silently. But, as disgusting as it is, this guy's plight really doesn't concern him. Besides, if Shockwave figures out he ended the life before the scientist was finished with it, he might be less inclined to help him.
Therefore, he simply looks away and starts toward the door. "You won't regret it." Yes, he's good. Shockwave probably knows just how good he is, too, if he's taken a look at his history of being a professional manipulator, saboteur, and killer. "I'll be back soon."
------------------< Shockwave Posed on Dec 22 08:22PM CST >-------------------
Shockwave refrains from acknowleding Quantums departure, proceeding on with his experiments while the dangling Cybertron desperately tries to figure out a way to end his torment.