Protihex-City state

[Laser]

Laser listened intently to Aegis's explanation of her archaic form. It was indeed highly interesting. As she suggested, Laser wouldn't have dared to gaze so aggressively at her figure as the other males had. He considered it rude, though he understood the natural reaction when a curvy female enters a company made up of a majority of males. However, if there was anything Laser could appreciate, was someone who respected the 'old school' styles.

"I'm a stealth bomber." Laser replied quickly to Aegis as always, with his thunderous voice. "I was designed for high precision and lethal accuracy. Being a Guardian, we have always shown the utmost interest in science; science from our galaxy...and foreign ones. Always experimenting, we found ways to apply our knowledge of innovations to our methods of warfare. My brother and I dabbled in the insanity of Quintessononian mathematics in order to achieve the least wind resistance possible. It was the most advanced math at the time--one needed only to crack the code to discover it's secrets. The result was much like my jet form, the answer to conquering the skies and obtaining mastery over the highest speeds and dynamics. Our goal was to make a bomber that could make runs at incomparable speeds, create an ace with complete control over his dog fights, someone who could climb to crippling heights, and a flier that could get places. Quickly. This research was done long ago, and we exceeded the technology of the time. I've been a 'flying triangle' for almost a megacycle."

He added. "Perhaps you have heard of my youngest brother, Climax. He is one of the fastest moving objects in the galaxy. All he does is improve on a formula I created. Maybe you will meet him someday....if he ever slows down."

"Aegis I would like you to know that I would never think of you as a liability or anything of the sort. As far as I am concerned, you have proven your worth the hour you contacted us and set foot amongst our company. I cannot judge you based upon your alt form, but upon your performance and downright dedication to the cause. And in my eyes, you've done a pretty damn good job. Welcome to the team, sister."

[DarkXenith]

Aegis found herself warming to Laser's frankness, it was refreshing to be viewed as an individual and not an object. Falling easily into her stride now, she settled into a steady search pattern holding pace with the larger jet as she did so. His explanation was to the point, as she'd anticipated. Purely factual in content and logical in execution, Laser in a proverbial nutshell.

She studied his lines from a purely scientific point of view as he detailed the historics behind his build. His wing profile was knife-edged and in conjunction with the flared fuselage, chines and continuous-feed J58-type jet propulsion units, she estimated his inflight capabilities:

"Taking everything you've said into account, might I be so bold as to venture a set of statistics from my own observations?

You're mach 3.5 capable at the top end of your range, but achieve maximum flight efficiency at 3.2. The J58's typically generate a minimum of 151 kN of thrust per powerplant, which should yield a climb ratio of 1.7 enabling a comfortable 60 metres a second in optimum configuration and conditions and a flight ceiling of approximately 26k... or 25.95k, should I say?

From what I know of Climax, his refinements on your original specifiation have improved his maximum velocity to mach 6. Given time and optics on, I could probably make a similar assessment of his capabilities."[/color]

The polite amusement in her tone was quite obvious, but there was no spite in the words. This was how she determined the best course of action in dogfight situations. Measure your opponent thoroughly and exploit their weaknesses in your favour. She wouldn't be presumptuous enough to hazard at his shortcomings in polite conversation, of course, or to spell out in detail the nature of his sensory equipment. That could easily compromise his operational safety if unfriendly audios happened to be following their conversation.

Falling quiet at his subtle compliment, the femme again dipped a wing to indicate her thanks for his kindness, returning quietly with due courtesy:

"Thank you. I shall endeavour to provide what support I can to our collective cause.

As I am aware of the nature of our destination, I feel it prudent to advise my speciality in languages. That is my sole scientific capability, though I hold no doctorate. Should you require my support, I will do that which I can to assist in matters. I don't doubt that we will encounter one or more of the ancient glyphic tongues, they may yield prudent information in our favour."[/color]

[Laser]

"Mach 6?" Laser was truly surprised about that. When he had last met Climax, his brother was only a little faster than him. Every time they met, they raced, purely for Climax's amusement. Climax usually won by a few seconds or so. But if he was actually at Mach 6....Laser was not looking forward to the next race.

The Guardian was now realizing that Aegis was like a younger, smarter version of himself. Her assessment of his build was generally correct and very impressive. His flight ceiling was actually 25.82, but he wasn't going to say anything. Laser actually traveled through space frequently in the past--he needed a special booster, however, to escape gravity.

"So you are affluent in xenolinguistics and related studies? Are you trained in any ancient Cybertronian dialects?"[/i]

Laser spoke the second sentence in the particular dialect he and his brothers used when he was first born. He wanted to see if Aegis could recognize any of the standard words. If so, this would prove amazingly effective in created a secure AND encrypted transmission code, making communications even harder to crack in dire situations.

[DarkXenith]

The femme's response, when it came after a few seconds, ran as follows in a near fluent echo of the ancient dialect he'd used:

"Dz'ta qrr'u vec i'na. K'th rz 'iq: La'zr."[/color]

Or, in short, 'I speak and read six, your own being one, Laser.'

Laughing, she returned to Cybertronian standard to continue:

"I find there is a certain poetic quality to the older tongues that today's lack. Even for all the whirrs and clicks we used to use, their rhythmic quality far exceeds the current norm. I don't tend to use the older dialects in conversation though, for obvious reasons."[/color]

Those obvious reasons were the commonly held beliefs that the older languages reflected a less civilised way of living. There were also connotations of occultism in play as some believed the older glyphics held a connection to the dark and long-forgotten past of their race and were only now used by those who were reputedly involved in the less-savoury side of organised religion. The cultists.

[Cutlass Rebooted]

"Volca has prepared the med bay, you'll find it on the upper deck. You can't miss it as it's the only room with a white door. There's a lift straight up to it directly ahead of the entrance." Tecton notices the pistol that Cutlass dropped and picks it up before flying back to the ship.
Cutlass slumps in his seat at the ship's controls only looking up when Tecton walks in. "Please tell me everyone is on board..."
"Not quite yet." He holds out the pistol to Cutlass. "I believe you dropped this outside."
He looks down to check if he had it, even though the plasma pistol couldn't belong to anyone else. "So I did. Thanks." He finally manages to at least smirk a little as he takes back the weapon. He crosses his arms behind his head leaning back in the seat. "Let me know when everyone is on board..." Shaking any other thoughts from his head he closes his eyes attempting to relax a least for a little while.

Volca had wandered back to her room shortly after setting up the med bay. I'll have to introduce everyone to this once we take off... She taps a few more buttons on the screen finishing up what would be part of the security once they land.

[Bivile]

Watertight had gone somewhere to sit down and make sure none of his weapons had any bugs. The trident staff was disconnected from his back and he held it sideways in his lap. Pressing a small trigger on the side, the fin blade on the thing popped out and drew back in. The aquatic robot sort of hoped he wouldn't need to use it. It wasn't that great of a weapon for durable enemies. If he absolutely had to fight, he needed someone covering his back. Watertight knew he wouldn't last long if he wasn't being sneaky, as he simply didn't have enough steam to last a prolonged fight.

Younger mech sighed and facepalmed, before bringing his cranium up again. His oversensitive hearing seemed to be doing more harm than good. After hearing Beam call his name the first time, he brought one claw to an audio receptor. Still, Watertight was a polite Autobot, and stood up almost immediately. He placed his trident back onto the holder on his back and brought his arm back to his side. Quickly tracking the origin of the beckon, the blue bot headed for the sound with a brisk walk. Watertight wondered what was up - if anything. His particular skills, which he believed he neglected to bring up, were rarely needed on a moment's notice. Watertight doubted that a job was in store for him, so he didn't feel inclined to sprint.

Even so, he was pretty quick on his feet and found where Beam had called him from in a short time. Pivoting his head down a small bit, he gave a curious expression.

"Yes? What is it?" He asked quietly.

[Laser]

"Ashk'lai.....", or excellent, was the first word that came up from Laser.

This was fantastic news. Not only did Beam understand ancient Cybertronian, Aegis did as well. This would be very useful.

"I agree. As a boy, never in a million cycles did I ever think the Cybertronian language would progress to something as basic and flat as the tongue we speak today. My language and the ones before my time are dead...but as Guardians, we learn them and attempt to immortalize them through archives and avid practice. It is good to know I have someone to speak to in my first language."

Laser was quiet for awhile. He knew Cutlass's ship hadn't taken off yet, and was mildly concerned. They really needed to make better time. He KNEW the Decepticons were there, and if they got the Cube, they'd be long gone.

"I only hope we can touchdown in time to at least shoot at the asses of our enemies as they scramble away in the nick of time. How we were so slow to leave Protihex is beyond me..."

****************

Beam smiled at Watertight and held out her fist for a bump. "Hi. I'm Beam! Welcome to the team!"

He was a really strange looking fellow, when it came down to it. Beam was interested in learning more about him.

[carmana]

Carmana stood up and thought about what beam had said...he did care, he really did...he just wished the others understood how sorry he was about go he had acted. "why am i so stupid? If I hadn't let go of the pistol this would never had happened...wait I microsecond...that's it!" he walked off with an eager look on his face, he went to find towreck, beam had said he was good with weapons, and Carmana had an idea that could help prevent another incident like this from happening. He looked in rooms till he saw a bot working on guns, he knocked on the frame of the door. "um...excuse me? Are you Towreck, by any chance?"

[DarkXenith]

"I can double back and check their progress if you wish? I'm certain an escort would be beneficial and very much doubt enemy scanning arrays could detect my presence in the shadow of so large a ship,"[/color] Aegis offered quite genuinely.

"That would give you sufficient time to fly on ahead and assess the situation without needing to keep pace with me. I appreciate your concerns - it must be taxing for you to run at sub-optimal speeds. I have detected no threats in immediate vicinity of us thusfar and do not doubt you are more than capable of dealing with anything foolish enough to present itself as such."[/color]

Allowing him due time to consider her offer, the femme continued, "Yes, the enforced delay seemed all too convenient in my opinion as did the attack on one of our sharp-shooters. I would not be at all surprised if we encounter her attacker again. There are those among our number who trust too readily, to our inevitable cost."[/color]

---

Having quickly made his way aboard the ship, Jumpstart followed Tecton’s direction to the medbay on the upper level with his patient. Locating the facility, the medic approached the entrance and waited what seemed like an eternity for the pneumatics to engage and allow him through.

…Why the slaggin’ hell do doors an' elevators have their own time zone when the clock’s against me?! C'mon get the lead out f' Primus' sakes!...[/color]

It was one of life’s great mysteries.

The ship itself was hardly a first-rate vessel from what he'd seen, but it was clear the same evidently could not be said of the medical facilities aboard. Nodding a slow approval, the medic guided the carrier through into the main working area and looked around briefly to locate an assistant…seeing none he shrugged and set to work.

All being well, this would be a relatively quick fix.

[Laser]

Laser agreed with Aegis. "Very well. Go on and see to their liftoff. I will go on ahead and wait for you to check back with me." Laser accelerated and advanced into the skies.


((OOC: Today is the day when Laser posted the smallest paragraph in his entire RPG career. Let it be marked down, and forgotten XD))