July 28th, 2002
~Shockwave(D), Dirge(D)

Darkmount - Launch Platform

     Once the staging area of conquests, and symbol of Decepticon domination of the skies, the launch platform now lies in a state of ruin. Pieces of the landing surface occasionally crumble into the structure, and and onto the landscape below. Pools of slag, and piles of twisted metal mark the area where a shuttle or defensive weapons battery once stood... it's difficult to tell which is which, now. Needless to say, anyone who chooses to arrive here had best watch their step...


Shockwave [Robot] [D]

Obvious Exits:
 -U- Up leads to Sky Above Tarn
 -D- Down leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft


-Moonlight walks up through the elevator doors, which hiss as they close behind her, and steps out onto the landing platform.
-Shockwave stands upon the Launch Platform, examining it carefully as he walks over it, searching for any signs of imperfections, errors, or quick patch jobs that some Decepticon engineer may have done to get the structure completed on schedule. His movements are slow and deliberate, the Decepticon commander pausing to look over anything that seems slightly out of place, and examining it carefully and almost excessively until he is sure it is up to par with what was expected. Shockwave simply does not want a shuttle landing on this launch pad, only to have it collapse.
-Moonlight isn't so cautious as all that. She strides into the middle of the platform and sighs slightly as she examines the view that she hasn't seen for a while.
-Shockwave ignores minor problems that won't affect anything, such as a section of metal along the wall jutting out half an inch more than another section, and instead focuses on what matters. Making sure the platform is stable enough for future use. Detecting the sound of footsteps, Shockwave looks up from his nitpicking duties and looks towards Moonlight, glancing at the Decepticon for several astroseconds before turning back to continue examining, "Have you looked through and examined the rest of Darkmount?" The commander intones.
-Moonlight blinks her optics a few times...she isn't used to the intoning...she's used to a lot more, well...expression. "Was I supposed to?"
-Shockwave does not bother turning around or making any sort of gesture, he merely continues with the calm, rational manner of speaking he is so well known for, "You were not required to, however I had expected that at least one Decepticon would be curious enough to explore the structure." Shockwave rises up to his full height, finishing his search on this side, "Perhaps I was incorrect in judging the curiousity of the typical Decepticon."
-Moonlight smiles slightly, though it's doubtful Shockwave can see it. "I don't know enough about building or engineering to notice anything other than the most obvious flaws, and I didn't see any of those on my way up."
-Shockwave stands silent for a few moments, a towering purple monolith of Decepticon military force given form, "Very well." The commander replies, walking across the launch pad and looking at the other side, "Any errors you do detect, however, must be reported at once."
-Moonlight waves a hand. "Sounds good to me. I certainly wouldn't want the building falling down around my audial receptors."
-Shockwave looks back to the other Decepticon and simply states an indifferent, "Indeed." Before looking back to the structure. Meticulous and dull, that sums up Shockwave pretty well.
-Moonlight shrugs easily to herself. "So, found any big mistake yet?"
-"Several minor imperfections, easily corrected. Likely the result of a technician moving much too quickly to finish on time." Shockwave pauses and raises his gun arm, a thin beam of energy tracing a spot on the floor as Shockwave corrects another error, "So far the structure has been discovered to have an inconsequential amount of significant flaws, all of which may be corrected when the proper equipment is transferred."
-Moonlight nods her head. "Fair enough. It'll be nice to have a proper home again, that's for sure."
-Shockwave finishes the correction and continues speaking, "Indeed. Although this is less your home as it is a military installation. It seems that has not been kept in mind, recently..." Shockwave pauses bending closer towards the floor as he inspects something carefully, "A lack of discipline and self-control will only lead to yet another destroyed Darkmount."
-Moonlight raises a hand semi-defensively. "Hey, I wasn't even here at the time...I was off planet. But seeing as this is a war, it makes sense for the military base to be home as well. The war /is/ our lives, and we have no lives apart from the war."
-Shockwave says, "There would be no war if such tactical and personal errors were not made so frequently. I will correct my previous mistake of allowing the Decepticons to become much too relaxed and comfortable. It made them vulnerable, and made Darkmount vulnerable as well. Megatron would be most disappointed."
-Moonlight frowns slightly. "I see."
-"Regardless, that is a topic to be discussed at a later date. The current concern is relocating supplies and troops to Darkmount so that it is properly equipped to operate once more and defend itself." Shockwave looks towards the elevator, considering his options, "The rest of Darkmount awaits inspection..."
-Moonlight nods her head. "Moving stuff is what I'm good at...well, sort of. It's better when it's nice and illegal or hard to find."
-Shockwave says, "You will have to dismiss your personal preferences and do your duty as a Decepticon. Despite what you may prefer to transport, it is not a concern of any commanding officer."
-Moonlight grins slightly. "You're jumping to conclusions. I never said I wouldn't work or do my duty. Stating my preference was merely conversational. But I've heard you're not much for idle chit-chat."
-Shockwave says, "Useless discussion is typically a waste of time and energy, and often proves fruitless. Thus it is an illogical waste of resources. There are times when idle discussion is useful to transfer information relative to the situation, but personal tastes are not a necessary amount of information. They are exactly what they are called, personal. No other Decepticon has a requirement to know."
-Moonlight blinks her optics. "You're one strange mech. Can I call you by your name, or do you prefer sir or lord or another title?"
-Shockwave makes no movement, he merely speaks, "Indeed. I do not operate in any way like the other Decepticons. That is why Megatron entrusted me with Command of the Decepticons in his absence. As for my title, Commander will be suitable."
-Moonlight nods her head enthusiastically. "Commander it is. Well, then, I have a question for you if I might ask it."
-Shockwave says, "Feel free." The Decepticon commander stands there, awaiting the question, "Provided it is not classified information..."
-Moonlight shakes her head. "It shouldn't be. But it's a two parter. First of all, do you think this war will ever be over?"
-Shockwave says, "Of course it will end. The Autobots are broken without their leader, Optimus Prime. It is only a matter of time before they succumb. This war is no longer a simple matter of constant battles, it is a war of attrition."
-Moonlight nods her head and rubs her chin thoughtfully. "Mmmmmmm-hmmmmmm. I'm going to be blunt with you then. You seem like a very focused mech, always putting duty and necessity before any sort of preference. This is admirable and something I could never be half so well. But, if the war is over, what will you do then? If war and the necessity of war is your focus, what will you focus on next...isn't there a danger for you, and all of us, to be so concentrated that we don't know anything but war?"
-Shockwave says, "Progress. Once we have returned to peace, we will begin developing Cybertron as we did before. We will fuel our progress with the energy we attain from various sources. We have a never-ending supply available to us, we simply have to establish a peace upon this planet. Once we have that, we may conquer any world we desire so that we may fuel our prosperity. If the Autobots were not so foolish, they would see that we would not be starving for Energon so horribly if we simply went and took what we needed rather than wasting time and resources searching for unclaimed sources."
-Moonlight nods her head. "And would preferences be such a waste in this ideal situation?"
-Shockwave says, "That is dependant on the preferences."
-Moonlight seems to consider this. "And will you be the judge of our likes an dislikes?"
-Shockwave says, "Perhaps... Perhaps Megatron will have returned by that time and be the one to decide. However, logic dictates that if we were primarily in a state of peace, there would be no need for increasingly strict limitations, aside from those that are necessary. In a time of prosperity, a much larger amount of personal freedom would be more than welcomed by many. And such relaxation of the rules would be but a small part of the reward for loyal military service throughout this war."
-Moonlight sighs slightly. "You really do have the logic thing down pat, don't you Commander?"
-Shockwave says, "Logic is a higher order of thinking. It does away with the affects of irrational emotion and allows one to observe a situation from an objective position. It is superior in every way to the standard thought processes of an average Cybertronian."
-Moonlight gets a mischievious grin on her face. "And you never want to do something just on impulse, something that didn't make sense?"
-Shockwave says, "Logic is capable of adapting to fit any situation. If one understands and wields it properly, it can be applied and used in any situation, within any amount of time. There is no need for impulse when a person can rationalise what is important and use it to it's utmost efficiency, no matter what the situation may be."
-Moonlight nods. "But that must take a lot of time, figuring out variables and options."
-Shockwave says, "Only to an untrained mind. One who has experience utlising logic will find that unnecessary information may be ignored, while the most critical is given priority. With proper training, it is possible to come to logical, although not completely sound, decisions in less than an astrosecond."
-Moonlight sighs. "But do you realize that not everyone is as trained and skilled as you are, and might possibly never be like you at all?"
-Shockwave says, "I have come to accept that. That is why it is good that I am in command. They do not need to think in such a way, I can think, to a certain extent, for them. The Decepticons are entitled to be random and chaotic. At times that does present advantages, however, the advantages of logic are far more numerous. Logic enables me to develop a battle plan and then send the Decepticons out to follow it. They may not follow that plan exactly, however, but because their actions are rooted in logic with figures that I have precalc\ulated, they are still acting much more rationally than if they were to blindly charge onto the battlefield."
-Moonlight thinks for a moment. "What about matters that cannot be decided by logic?"
-Shockwave's optic flashes, "Everything can be decided by logic. There has yet to be a problem I have not been able to solve through rationalisation."
-Moonlight takes off her hat and wriggles her optic ridges. "When I find one, I'll let you know. But I'm sure there's something Commader."
-Shockwave says, "Perhaps. But I have yet to experience such a problem, and thus I do not concern myself with it. That is also why it is good that the Decepticons are not molded in the ways of logic. As I stated, it is their random, chaotic thinking that can be their greatest weakness or strength. Should I ever discover a problem logic cannot solve, then the other Decepticons, those not capable of following my image, would theoretically be able to."
-Moonlight chuckles slightly, though she is not chuckling /at/ Shockwave. "I think your Lord Megatron picked out a good leader for his absense."
-Shockwave says, "Only the best. Megatron's final judgement on the commander of Cybertron was possible the best decision yet in his leadership."
-Moonlight frowns slightly. "I didn't get to Cybertron until he had left, so I don't really know much about him except that everyone says he has a very commanding prescence."
-Shockwave says, "To say the least. Megatron was like the other Decepticons. He inspired loyalty through either admiration of his abilities or fear of them. Two of the most effective means of maintaining control of an armed force."
-Moonlight nods. "I prefer admiration over fear...it seems to hold more and requires less gunpower."
-Shockwave says, "Indeed. Fear is not true loyalty. It is subservience derived from a lack of courage, but it does rely on the most powerful compulsion a sentient being possesses. Self-preservation."
-Moonlight ahhhs. "That is true. It's amazing what a person will do to stay alive."
-Shockwave says, "Exactly. Some Decepticons would find it quite entertaining."
-Moonlight half-shrugs. "I don't find entertainment that way personally." She pauses. "Does anything entertain you Commander?"
-Shockwave says, "I have no need to occupy my cerebral processors and internal systems with pointless images of brutality and pointless consumption of intoxicants. Every breem I consider denying the Decepticons the right to overload their systems with energon, but it does serve to keep their morale high, thus I have no logical reason to prevent it. Nor would denying them the opportunity truly stop it. It would simply cost more resources and effort to stop them from partaking in these activities than it does to merely allow it."
-Moonlight shakes her head slightly. "The Universe is large, Commander. Something in it must amuse you or make you happy..."
-Shockwave says, "Such emotions serve no purpose, other than to distract me from my duties as acting Commander of the Decepticon army."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Duty is a cold companion by itself. You can be dutiful and still experience a spot of joy now and then."
-Shockwave says, "I have no need. Others may depend on such feelings for their continued existance. I, however, am above that."
-Moonlight looks a little worried. "But what do you get out of existence then?"
-Shockwave says, "Knowledge. I learn what I must so that I may understand what I wish."
-Moonlight nods amiably. "Knowledge is always good."
-Shockwave says, "Knowledge is a power of a higher order."
-Moonlight shrugs. "It makes life interesting, which is the big divider here. I like to enjoy myself and have a good time. You seem to be one of a kind when it comes to matters of duty and devotion."
-Shockwave says, "That is why I am in command. Megatron recognised such traits."
-Moonlight nods her head again. "But does even Lord Megatron have your single-mindedness? Does he have things that he enjoys or that makes him happy? Does he know only logic?"
-Shockwave says, "Megatron is far from logical. He is just like all the other Decepticons, aside from the fact that he not only has the power, but also the aspirations to see things through. I too have such qualities, but not quite to the extent of Megatron."
-Moonlight nods her head again. "So you know who you are and don't expect others to be the same way?"
-Shockwave says, "As much as I would prefer that the Decepticons were much more logical, it is irrational to ever believe that they could be converted. Thus, I find ways around their illogical mental states, so that the two may work together."
-Moonlight ahs. "How farsighted of you." Her tone is slightly dry, but not sarcastic. Neither is it a sucking up sort of tone. "This conversation has been most insightful and I appreciate your time."
-Shockwave says, "Enlightening Decepticons on the nature of logic is never a waste of time."
-Moonlight smiles slightly. "Though it may be a long and frustrating process?"
-Shockwave says, "Long, yes. Frustrating? No. Provided the message gets through, it makes no difference how long it takes."
-Moonlight looks up at the sky for a moment. "You talked earlier about conquest. Won't it be hard to hold so many planets at once? Would we ever have enough resources to stray so far from home?"
-Shockwave says, "We would take what we need and leave the planet barren, of course. It would be foolish to spread our forces so thinly across the multitude of worlds in the universe. Unless Cybertron became over-populated, of course."
-Moonlight looks at her feet. "Of course, the people already there wouldn't like it...there wouldn't be anything left for them."
-Shockwave says, "That is the very purpose of conquest. If they refused to provide us with some supplies, which we would gladly offer some sort of exchange for, then we would have no other choice than to take the planet by force, if there was no other alternative, such as a different planetoid full of energy that is much more readily accessible."
-Moonlight shrugs. "I just hope I don't have to fight my home planet...would be easier if they gave up in that situation...but I doubt they would."
-Shockwave says, "I'm sure we could come to some sort of arrangement, if necessary. If that particular planet was ever targetted, that is."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Monacus has a lot of good stuff on it, but it's more what they make than what they have naturally..."
-Dirge is flying towards the area, in robot mode. Spotting two Cons, he rapidly descends.
-Dirge lands a short distance from Moonlight, appraising the area with dispassionate optics. "We have our base back," he says simply.
-Moonlight nods her head. "So it seems."
-Dirge looks around once more, then turns to Moonlight. "I hope this won't present any difficults with regards to Crystal City." He brushes away at some dust on his shoulder. "Our hold on Crystal City is mainly due to our heavy prescence there." He raises an optic ridge at the femme, and remarks darkly, "I suppose *you* would enjoy that, wouldn't you."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Eh, wouldn't be so bad." She smiles slightly. "Come now, you aren't still all sour over that last interaction we had are you?"
-Dirge does not return Moonlight's faint smile. Instead, his frowns deeply at the other Con. In a controlled voice, Dirge informs her, "I did not appreciate being put on guard duty until almost dry of fuel."
-Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "You were the one running around making false accusations."
-Dirge narrows his optics at her. "Was I mistaken?," he says darkly. He turns away from her, and walks around the platform. Over his shoulder he says, "I'm not in the mood to argue with you. After all, we should be...elated...that Darkmount will be functional."
-Moonlight smiles again. "It certainly is good to have a home again. Commander Shockwave was examining the craftsmanship earlier."