--      Compile gulps internally as he knows a processor just failed in his body somewhere as he scans the room and blinks . o 0 (Where did she go?) and he looks back. "Unit Arachnae is recovering fromt he work that Scrapper has begun on her, and he has taken upon himself to work on her. He has also asked that unit Long Haul stand guard and no one bother her. Unit Bonecrusher is back in operating status from the battle last night, and is on light duty per Scrapper. Unit Fusillade was reporting some slight hydrolic issues, and after being scanned, found that it was some dirt, and that the unit will need to be replaced, but not anytime soon." and he looks around.

        Unit Earthscorch came in to say hi, and to see what is going on and I cam currently going over the schmatics<sp> for Darkmount and working on possibly using those plans as the new base at the Warrens, only smaller and looking over a new body design that I might undertake to assist Soundwave." an dhe thinks as the processors work in his head at the last issue that is in the room. "And Unit Chimera arrived to look at Nae to see how she was doing, and i understand that she has ben banned fromt he Medical bay on a temp bases. But I am unsure as to that mark." an dhe looks around. "Besides that, all is well, and Scrapper is buing making some new components for Nae."

Not that Bonecrusher really has much to worry about, since Chimera ... is voluntarily un-hiding, now that Compile's announced her presence. And still heading towards the door. "I was just leaving." Clipped. Emotionless. Ratso. She'd cover for both Constructs. Just part of the programming.

Scrapper emerges from the laboratory, carrying a small tray laden with delicate components. His shovel twitches erraticall,y and he moves stiffly. Looks like someone's been cooped up in the lab too long, slaving over custom integrated circuits. Ah, there's a reason why the Constructicons like mass-production models.

Earthscorch misses Chimera with his grasp attack.

Earthscorch makes a (failed) grab at Chimera's arm. "Stand your ground, Chimera. I believe Shockwave may wish to have words with you..."

Look, the secret is out. Bonecrusher hopes that Shockwave will accept Chimera's "just leaving", but he knows better than to expect it.

Bonecrusher looks at Scrapper with a "Help! Provide a distraction, please!" expression.

The look on Shockwave's face is excruciating to those who look upon it -- for it says nothing of the impending reaction. His is a blank slate with a single glowing eye. What sort of thoughts occur in that hexagon cranial casing? His left arm raises, placing the aim of his weapon at the piece of furniture that Chimera chooses to cower behind. Could it be violence? An intense, sudden destructive force capable of near-instantaneous disintegration. Power whines from within Shockwave's steely forearm housing. It pours through the tapered emitter as a red lance that reaches out for the biggest piece of Chimera showing. "Trooper Chimera. Complete your social requirement need and return to reconnaisance duty." It.. doesn't hurt. What everyone will soon realize is that Shockwave pegged Chimera with a laser pointer. Its only effect is to simply embarrass the lot of them. Shockwave then looks blase (like always), "All at ease."

--      The sound of a pin dropping woudl be thonly sound hear in here with the raising of Shockwave's arm and Compile as well as a few others could have lost there oil on that one. Compile just nods and says nothing as he goes abck to researching. Oh look at this. Nice screen.

When Bonecrusher finally realises that Shockwave isn't going to slag them all, the expression of relief in his body language is very obvious.

Long Haul grumbles, putting down his mug and crossing his arms, legs spread to shoulder-width as a way to give the impression he's more firmly planted. He's just about to say something to Earthscorch when Shockwave makes his move... and grants leniency. Long Haul's face is no more readable than Shockwave's, but his body language tends to betray him. He again salutes Shockwave, spots Scrapper's arrival, salutes him, and then sits back down, once more radiating smug.

Chimera was perfectly prepared to get smacked down for coming in here. And is easily able to avoid being grasped by a slower mechanism. "I am on my way now." Of course, Fleet isn't exactly ready to go, "Excuse me."

Earthscorch relaxes and gives Chimera a stern look. He gives Compile a brief, faint smile followed by, "Oh, I've been around," before turning to give Fusillade his attention once more. "I am pleased to meet you. I will look forward to working with you."

Bonecrusher only now salutes Scrapper, even though he's noticed his arrival earlier on. Now that the moment of tension is over, he has the time to give him a proper greeting, as opposed to a "save us!" look.

Scrapper glances at the crowd and nearly drops the tray of delicate circuits as the beam lances at Chimera. The Constructicon bridles, about to inform Shockwave that if he wants to shoot Seekers, he'll have to do it outside of the medical ward. He then notices that the beam appears to have done absolutely nothing. Um. Maybe Shockwave needs to change his batteries?

As Fusillade absorbs Compile's report, Chimera's peril becomes more evident to the femme. With a faint flex of her back, she swivels to regard the interplay, perhaps drawn in the same inexorable way as most would be to a carwreck. However, the verdict is passed, and Earthscorch's words register with the grey and white jet. "Thank you, sir. I would like to eventually speak with you regarding sorties that are best suited to our particular roles. The sooner, the better," although the last words seem more like a request than a demand.

"However." Shockwave continues. "Be forewarned that habitual policy-breaking will result in having each and every one of your personality cores removed." That yellow glare seems to be focused on Long Haul in particular. "..and replaced with drone programming." Shockwave looks to Scrapper, whose suggestion would've fallen on deaf antennae plates from all the murdering. "Command requires an immediate briefing on all current projects."

Earthscorch nods at Fusillade. "As you wish. I am rarely too busy to deal with such businees."

Fusillade vanishes out of reality.

Fusillade has left.

Chimera has a personality, and probably won't be back... when there's a chance of someone walking in. And she's got all that surveying to do, once she picks Fleet back up. Anyhow. She's outta this place

Chimera moves west to the IHQ Central Chamber.

Chimera has left.

Earthscorch resumes looking around the room, all that silliness having been dealt with. "Is Arachnae somewhere in here?"

Bonecrusher points to where Long Haul is sitting. "Yes, she is. Over there."

Long Haul freezes for a moment as Shockwave focuses on him, then picks his mug of energon back up and takes another sip. He reminds himself that they'd have a hell of a time getting Devastator to work if one sixth of his mind was drone programming. They've got a hard enough time as-is. For now he remains silent, going back to playing watch-dog. Oh, and Arachnae, for the curious, is laying unconscious on the very Meditable he's sitting behind and watching over. Funny, that.

Earthscorch nods at Bonecrusher, finally seeing and recognizing Arachnae. He walks over inelegantly to look over her. "Will she survive?" he asks without much in the way of concern in his voice.

Compile has reconnected.

Devastator is like an index finger. You lose it and it is a minor annoyance, but you can still fire a gun nonetheless.

When Earthscorch approaches, Long Haul again stands up, watching the other mechanoid carefully. "Pit, yes, she will!" he rumbles. He puts his mug down, crosses his arms, and again appears at high alert.

Scrapper glances over at Shockwave, shovel flicking down ever so slightly. Projects? Who has time for projects? He taps the tray and explains, "I've been too busy with medical duties to start any projects. If I had started any, I would have filed a report on it." Then, he looks over at Earthscorch, optic band narrowed, and states flatly, "She'll survive."

Bonecrusher gravely nods to Shockwave in acknowledgement. "Yes, sir." He certainly doesn't want his splendid personality replaced by drone programming. Hearing Earthscorch's question, he points to where Long Haul is sitting. "Yes, she is. Over there - but you have already noticed.

--      Compile looks around and just goes back to his monitors. Now he just listens, and replacing Compiles Laser core might be bad, since he does have bombs in his arm, and well Soundwave would be mad as hell if someone touched one of his tapes to do a surgical libotomi<sp> on his laser core. "huh?" he says to ES and he nod s"Yea, Scrapper is doing the work." he says simply as he goes back to his own task.

"Yes, she will," Bonecrusher agrees with Scrapper. After all, she has our best caring for her. " He nods towards Scrapper in acknowledgement. It's clear that his idea of "our best" includes the Constructicons first and foremost.

Earthscorch smiles humorlessly, poking her once with his finger. "Good. Good. I will be having need of her services, I think." He turns and walks back toward Shockwave, waiting for him to finish with Scrapper, before addressing him.

"You will if you do that again," Long Haul growls, walking around the medical table to stand between Earthscorch and the table, still staying protectively near the medical table instead of following the other. "This is a look but no touch zone, Earthscorch, unless you belong in here. And since you're not injured - yet - you don't."

Earthscorch looks over his shoulder as Long Haul moves in behind him. He frowns at the Constructicon's words, then says, "As you wish. I did her no harm. No need for melodramatics."

"Long Haul is merely doing his duty," Bonecrusher says firmly.

--      Compile just watches the antics and has a feeling, that he will get some more amusement out of the constructs this evening.

Long Haul's reaction serves as the final straw. "Need I remind you," Shockwave chides Scrapper directly. "That we are in the grips of a war. Emotions have little place within these walls. If you and your team cannot see beyond your own drama, then I will see to it that the Emperor is fully aware of your activities. You will either learn responsibility and respect for protocol, Commander, or else."

Earthscorch nods at Bonecrusher. "As best he can with the facilities available to him, eh? I'd best not make things more difficult than they surely already are for him, then."

Earthscorch straightens right up as Shockwave speaks.

Bonecrusher also straightens up - stiffly-

Bonecrusher also straightens up - stiffly - as Shockwave speaks. For what's at least the second time in the cycle, he's feeling embarrassed. After all, a reprimand for Scrapper is, by implication, a reprimand for all the Constructicons.

Long Haul turns to Shockwave and stands at attention. "Sir! I am under specific orders to not allow anyone to touch Arachnae aside Scrapper and Revenant, from Arachnae herself. In other words, I'm followin' the commands of my own division's High Command liaison. By lettin' him do what he just did, I already failed in followin' those commands once," he explains. "I ain' breakin' any protocol, I'm trying to follow it. Sir." Although he is obviously angry, he fights, hard, to keep his emotions in check and his tone neutral.

Earthscorch waits for a moment before addressing Shockwave. "Excuse me, commander, but I have a boon to ask of you." He looks appropriately subordinate as he speaks.

Scrapper looks at Bonecrusher and Long Haul, a baffled and slightly angry expression evident in his pose. What have they done that he's getting yelled at by Shockwave. And Earthscorch is poking at his patient, grr... Earthscorch poked at his patient? Scrapper crosses his arms and replies, meagre courage bouyed by the fact that two of his brothers are in attendance, "I need to learn responsibility and respect for protocol? Shockwave, your subordinate Earthscorch just poked at a patient in critical condition, one who specifically desired to not be poked."

--      Compile just sits and listens to the talk in the room. He is only Rank 3, and so says nothing as this is between the big boys. However, he will be joining the side of Shockwave if it comes to that.

"When I ask for your opinion, Trooper." Shockwave is addressing Long Haul now. "I will address you by name. Until I do, I will interpret your interjections as insubordination and will handle you accordingly. Shut up." Earthscorch gets to see that blazing eye, too. "You will not quote-'poke'-un-quote the dead unless you in turn wish to be poked." Shockwave's arm lifts, and from the emitter, a gleaming red blade extends. "And you will find the item that I poke with to be most undesireable."

Earthscorch says, "I apologize, commander. I had not realized that a no-poking policy was in place regarding said near-corpse."

Shockwave says, "You will apologize to the Constructicons."

Scrapper winces in advance and ends up looking rather startled. No hurty death? No hurty death! Good deal. Scrapper mumbles, "Uh, good..." and then adds to Earthscorch, more clearly, in a nigh-patronising tone, "That's why you ask first."

Earthscorch turns and addresses the Constructicons as a whole. "I believe I have already apoligized, but I am still apologetic. Had I realized how upset I would make everyone, I would have not done my simple act of poking. However, I would like to say that if something is important to you, you should leave it in the hands of someone capable of taking care of it.

Earthscorch nods and steps back.

Long Haul nods his head once in acknowledgement when Shockwave tells him to shut-up, and is about to say, 'Yes, sir,' until he realizes that saying that would count as 'not shutting up.' Then Earthscorch, basically, calls Long Haul incompetent. Oh, that's one FINE apology there. The transporter clenches his fists and takes a half-step in the other's direction before he remembers himself. He forces his hands to his side and seethes, glaring at Earthscorch as viciously as he can with his lack-of-face.

Bonecrusher glowers at Earthscorch, not at all pleased at the fact that Earthscorch manages to twist the apology into an insult with his last line.

The energy blade slides away. Shockwave establishes order to a lawless land. Or something. "There will be no more of this. Is this understood by all." The question is posed to everyone save Compile.

--      Compile nods and says nothing, as he has not gone near Nae since Scrapper layed down the law. So he has been doing other stuff.

Bonecrusher says, "Yes, sir." He's well aware that Shockwave doesn't want to hear anything other than that right now.

Scrapper narrows and dims his optic band, hands reflexively clenching. That was not a satisfactory apology, no. That can even barely be considered an apology, in fact. That was an assignment of blame. However, Scrapper has quite used up his gumption for the day, and so what he says is, "So, what were you doing in the medical ward, anyway, Earthscorch? I didn't think you were scheduled for maintenance." He turns to Shockwave again, head tilted. No more of what, per se? No more poking? Cowardice again wins out, and rather than asking for clarification, he simply mutters, "Right."

Earthscorch whips around and salutes briskly, saying, "Of course, Commander. Though perhaps their reaction was excessive, I should not have acted in a way to provoke any reaction." He responds to Scrapper with, "Arachnae's condition is of interest to me. I was merely checking to see if she continued to function. I should have known better. You and your staff rarely lose patients, if there is a possibility of saving them."

"Wh-" Long Haul starts, then shuts up. Because he's under orders to shut up. Dammit all to the Pit. So instead he crosses his arms across his chest and assumes pouting pose. Childish, yes, but he does run towards the dim at times. In fact, there are even times when he practically flies towards the dim at a speed that he would be perfectly incapable of in a non-metaphorical sense.

--      Compile just listens and watches. YOu know, all the fun left the room when the debate started on law and stuff, so he went back to his research and nods as he starts to work on a new layout and design.

Earthscorch says to Long Haul, "Please don't take what I've said as an insult. We all have our specialties after all. I would never recommend myself for hauling gravel, for example." He steps toward the door, saying, "Well, as my business here is concluded, I believe I will take my leave." He salutes Shockwave on his way out.

--      Compile nods to ES as he leaves, and says nothign as it is not his place.

Bonecrusher grits his jaw assembly, needing all his self control to not jump Earthscorch and give him a readjustment with a blunt tool. He does not take kindly to the insult towards Long Haul - the only one who's allowed to needle a Constructicon is another Constructicon.

It's almost as though Earthscorch is intentionally trying to antagonize Long Haul. The transporter snaps his head up to stare after him but, again, doesn't move, only tenses again. But Primus, is it hard. The Constructicon is not one known for his self-control in social situations, so instead he calls upon what he normally reserves for his job, for keeping himself focused on a mindlessly dull task day in and day out for millions of years at a stretch. So after a moment's struggle, Long Haul manages, surprisingly, to release the anger. Do the job... do the job... it's more important than his own desires, just do the job. His arms drop to his sides and his stance calms, although he still remains planted firmly in place.

Earthscorch moves west to the IHQ Central Chamber.

Earthscorch has left.

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Trooper Earthscorch."

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Submit your request via interoffice mail."

<Decepticon> Earthscorch says, "As you wish, Commander."