DOUBLE PILLAR ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE SKY

[re_alignedmods]

[It extends upwards as far as the eye can see, vanishing directly into the Lambda. Markings adorn its rough, worn surface, too ancient to read. The material itself seems new, however--a contradiction in forms. All who approach will hear its rhythmic thrumming, a noise pulsing from it with a lulling and dangerous tone. Around it the earth is broken and crumbling, and pieces of debris from the junk pile radiate outward...some of it charred as if burned.

Will you approach?

Examine?

Climb the precarious looking footholds?

Or fall victim to something equally sinister...]

Note: This is the Pillar interaction post! A mod will be observing any threads made here, and will occasionally post with a response from the pillar depending on which actions you take. It is strongly suggested that you approach the pillar with a friend, as the effects of the Pillar's influence are not always pretty. (Also, it's difficult to hold a conversation between a character and a piece of stone.)

BE WARNED--many different outcomes will be administered here. If you don't want your character to be killed/injured/possessed then clear your post with Saeru before making it. All effects (yes, even death) will be temporary (IE not lasting more than three days).

Comments

[angleofscience]

[When he decided to investigate the pillar, Jetfire didn't have a thought of asking Starscream to come with, despite that Starscream was a bit... different, than what he remembered.

So he'd went alone, and, transforming back into rootmode a distance away from the pillar rising out of the ground (or was that perhaps "extending down from the Lambda"?) Jetfire frowned at it. The pillar would, unless it's just a cover for something that's actually causing him and the others who are supposedly "changed" being here, be the reason for it.

So, how and what are the exact changes? What he can figure is either possession - a small, simple matter, really, especially if it's merely a copy and dragging that through time-space - or... they just think what they know is true.

Jetfire's not sure if he wants that last to be true or not, so with a shake of his helm he slowly starts approaching it. Investigate the base first, then work upwards.]

[megaton]

[Megatron's reasons for investigating the pillar are simple: He needs to return home, and its here.

It's been made obvious that the lambda is the cause of the dimensional rift, and right now there's something sticking out of the lambda. To him...as...odd as it might be, this might be a chance.

Someone else must have been thinking the same thing, because he realizes he's not alone as he approaches the base.]

It is more ominous than I was expecting.

[He comments, coming to a stop near Jetfire, hands on hips and looking up.] Do you think it would be possible to scale it?

[angleofscience]

[He'd landed further away in an attempt to avoid the mech when he spotted him, because how do you deal with this? It's odd. Much odder than what's going on here and Starscream and... everything.

But apparently something decided they would end up next to each other anyway, and Jetfire just ends up staring for a moment - but there's been some time to deal with it so after a moment he frowns.]

If it comes from the dimensional tear instead of rising up towards it, it's an unnatural infringement, which usually produces some... discomfort. [Had Jetfire been normal, he'd never had said that. This one however had some... experience with the darker sides of science.]

And if that noise is a product of the pillar itself in some fashion, the vibrations might end up detrimental after a while. But from a technical angle, it shouldn't be impossible.

[He wouldn't recommend it however, especially if this is tied in some way to energies darker than what most end up dealing with, which seemed possible.]

[aerospacecommander]

[Speaking of Starscream. He was actually following Megatron (from a distance). He didn't know why, but the way the Decepticon commander was asking weirded him out even more than Jetfire's issues.

Jetfire always had issues, but Starscream could deal with those easier than Megatron showing concern.

That was just all sorts of levels of wrong.

Though he did not like the idea of Jetfire and Megatron somehow working together ... which almost seemed to be the case as one got closer to the other. But he'd stay back for now, like a seeker-shaped shadow.]

[re_alignedmods]

[The pillar is hanging out and continuing to be ominous. The three of them might notice, however, that the way the junk is flung back from the pillar definitely indicates it slammed down from above as opposed to surfacing from below. However, it doesn't indicate how far down it might have gone...]

[megaton]

From a technical angle..

[What Jetfire says is logical, so he simply nods. The noise is a bother, its true...but he'd be willing to risk it.]

It is probably still worth it. At the top of this Pillar is the Lambda, and if I've been told correctly the Lambda is how we all came to be here.

It may be the only way to get home.

[He reaches forward to touch the pillar--and then pauses, looking back at Jetfire. Sizing him up.]

Unless you can fly there yourself...?

[angleofscience]

[Jetfire has certainly noticed where the junk goes, and follows a few scattered trails before he kneels at the base of the pillar, looking back at Megatron at his question.]

... Perhaps. I ought to be able to, yes. [He doesn't know about the field, or the upgrades, but logically he should be able to. Then he hesitates, frowning. This is Megatron, but it's not the Megatron he (thinks, anyway) has had anything to do with, but...]

I would like to... er, respectfully point out, however, that unprotected and uncontrolled transwarp travel is dangerous and could have severe negative effects on a frame and spark, as that anomaly up there isn't a controlled space bridge or a transwarp device on a ship. And there would further be no way to control the destination.

[Then his optics stray back to the base of the pillar again, and he might be trying to feel about not just with his hands, but what limited knowledge and control of the darker sciences he does have. Because the issue here, he's suddenly sure, isn't technically the lambda (unless one aims to go home, of course, and it's undeniably the source) but probably the pillar. And how it is buried into the planet.]

[aerospacecommander]

[Oh slag, these two were going to do something stupid (obviously) and while he didn't care if Megatron decided to poke something and blow himself up...

So he flies forward and lands directly behind the two.]

Any reason I wasn't invited to the 'do something stupid today' party?

This sounds dirty no matter how I type it

[re_alignedmods]

[The Pillar continues to stand ominously. However, all three might notice that prolonged experience is starting to make the Pillar seem...attractive? As if it wants to be investigated and touched.

Jetfire's probing would encounter very little resistance. The 'darkness' emanating from the pillar is very familiar--and for a brief moment its influence spikes as it recognises something in him. Roll your proverbial resistance, Jetfire, because it wants you to get close to it. Very, very close.]

Is it a foursome if one of the participants is miles of stone?

[megaton]

Your concern is noted...but I have a very good idea where the Lambda might come out right now. [He gestures at the pillar.] It'll be wherever this goes.

[Which was either a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, it wasn't here.]

[Starscream's arrival, on the other hand, is juuust enough to snap him out of his Pillar thoughts--which is probably the only thing that keeps his gesture from becoming an all out touch.]

I'm sorry, Starscream. I didn't expect to encounter anyone.

Did you want to join us?

Could be, as long as it's touched? And since it *wants* to be...

[angleofscience]

I doubt that's good, I hope you realise that... [While Jetfire does respond, he's definitely distracted, optics narrowing behind the visor of his helm and leaning closer---]

Ah--- Starscream? I wasn't going to assume you might... want to come with.

[Turning around, still kneeling, Jetfire is... literally less than an inch from touching the pillar as he's helping balancing himself with a hand on the ground. He's also still sort of... leaning towards it. And he probably should have expected Starscream to might want to come along, what with the suggestions he's seen from what's saved in the extended comm. suite, at least enough to ask.]

this all seems so so very wrong

[aerospacecommander]

Why doesn't anyone ever think of me?! And what is this thing supposed to be anyway?

[Yes, he's somehow offended that overly-concerned Megatron and weird-Jetfire wouldn't consider him. How dare they.]

Bow chicka wow wow?

[megaton]

...

Why would it be bad?

[No one has really been filling him in on the 'badlands and Lambda = monsters and horror' aspect of living in the Haven.]

If it helps, Starscream, I'm glad to have you along. We were just considering flying through the Lambda, but Jetfire believes that may be a mistake. What do you think?

[He's completely sincere in this, Starscream. He's honestly glad you are here...even if he's starting to notice pretty much immediately that you aren't his Starscream. Also, Jetfire, sadly he thinks its a good idea that you're studying the Pillar so close, so there won't be any help from him as far as pulling you away...though he's starting to become wary as to why he also wants to examine it that closely.]

but I don't like one-night stands! Despite my actions

[angleofscience]

Technically, I was thinking of you, but I thought you'd rather not come along, as that would be the reply I would have gotten [and his tone briefly sharpens due to, maybe, jealousy before it drops again] or be interested in investigating this---

[Pause. And it's not a pause due to Jetfire turning around to face the pillar while he speaks, leaning close in an attempt at reading the faded lines of writing on its surface, but rather because he's suddenly thinking of the differences between what he knows and what's implied in the recordings of the comm. and Starscream's reactions.]

And considering this pillar seems to be the origin of our being here - or the changes to us, depending on what's true since I believe you can accomplish quite a few things with the darker sciences and while this seems to be less... regulated than that--- either way, it would not take you, or us, home.

But into the center of where this goes, and we might be ill-equipped to handle it.

[There might be a small huff there at the end, despite the respect (and caution) he holds for both Megatron and Starscream, because why does no one think of such things? Even if they'd certainly be interesting and, probably ill-adviced, he does another careful, bare push of energy, trying to push past the pillar's... metaphorical surface, while feeling along the edge, not quite touching.

How deep does it go?]

Jetfire's getting all athiestic on us~

[re_alignedmods]

[This time, Jetfire, your probing nets you a definite response. The Pillar seems to be made aware of you, and is now intensifying its efforts to get you to come closer...

Very likely because it knows you're about to realize the following:

The Pillar seems to go to the core. In addition to that, it seems to be 'sucking' an anti-energy through the center of the pillar like a straw--darkness along the outside siphoning light up from the core. This also accounts for why everyone is so attracted to the Pillar--the pulling effect is universally tied to the energy at the center of this Cybertron, which...as best you'd be able to tell, is the same energy in your Glyph.

However, you may not get the chance to tell anyone this immediately since the Pillar WANTS YOU TO TOUCH IT, to the point of letting both Starscream and Megatron go.]

sigh jetfire sigh

[aerospacecommander]

I think you've both lost your minds, but that was something I already knew before you started walking towards the evil pillar thing.

[Because everything on this planet seems to be evil. He would know, he is evil.]

[megaton]

Can you think of a better option for getting off this world?

[Megatron takes a step backward from the pillar as if to look up its length...and then pauses. The buzzing sound in his mind has almost completely abated, and things feel...normal?]

Did anyone else feel that?

[angleofscience]

Risks must sometimes---

[The sudden strengthening of the pull doesn't lessen just because he immediately and reflexively stops the subtle pattern which lets him use the energy he's been probing the pillar with.

Which is a problem, and he can't quite actually hear Megatron's last question because his mind is full. And while he manages to keep a shade of distance between physically touching the pillar and his hand on the ground, it's a matter of seconds.

Less, probably, and maybe sometimes risks aren't worth taking, but it's too late for that and right before he shifts the bit forward needed to put his hand on the pillar, Jetfire thinks of the Fallen, and what he'd attempted to do.]

[aerospacecommander]

... No, but.

[In all honesty Starscream probably would have gone up to the pillar and done something stupid as well (because for some reason he really wanted to), but his sense of Self-preservation was actually working at the moment.]

I swear Jetfire if something explodes because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself ...

[re_alignedmods]

[Thinking of the Fallen is in the right line of thinking, Jetfire, because very suddenly you know what he was trying to do with that hatch which led down to the Core. You know it, completely, and you know if for what it is--mysterious, religious, and scientific. An intersection of all three at a right angle to reality.

An angle that you'd recognize in yourself.

That, sadly, is precisely what opens the door to allow you to be the perfect vessel for the dark energy contained inside the Pillar.

For the next two days (or some future two days since this is retroactive) you will be a Herald of Unicron. You know he is coming, and you know that the only chance any of these miserable sparks have is to give themselves over to him before they are consumed by him utterly.

You will still be Jetfire underneath the guise...and all your own experiences will taint the new role you've been given...but it is still a role you will have no choice but to fulfill. Go hence, and convert the non-believers. The darkness under your command will cause any whom you touch to fall into a coma, all the better for you to bring them back to the Pillar. You will also have the same strange magnetic attraction as the Pillar itself, making anyone you encounter slightly easier pray.]

[This does have a counter-affect. Because both Megatron and Starscream had to be ignored by the Pillar in order for it to entrap Jetfire, they are both strangely immune to his touch and will be immune to the call of the Pillar for the same two days which Jetfire is influenced. After that, everyone will return to how they were before.]

[megaton]

I must say, Starscream, I don't remember you being this outwardly antagonistic...

[Megatron is frowning at the jet, now, trying to put together the idea that this isn't his Starscream so of course he would be different, but also not understanding how or why.]

Are you alright?

[Because clearly the person who is crazy right now is Starscream.]

[angleofscience]

[Both of their questions drags out a dry, reluctant chuckle while he tries his very best to not each out and pull Megatron, who is closest, to the pillar. On the other hand, why shouldn't he?]

Nothing will be exploding at this exact moment, but sooner or later, simply by natural laws, it will perish. This is but a small evidence of such. [Of course, calling the pillar "small" as Jetfire laid a hand on it again, was a severe understatement. But there was a vague hope that if he could keep talking, perhaps he wouldn't move.]

And no, I don't feel particularly alright. I don't appreciate having facts thrust riight into my processor without any supporting evidence.

[That was the only thing untainted by the need and want to make sure he (the master) had no opposition, and to spare everyone currently on Cybertron the potential of having to be alive when he arrived - the annoyance over having the knowledge of the Geometry of Dissolution and the angles of such, so elegantly obvious, just... put in his processor.]

[aerospacecommander]

What can I say? The pillar-thing of doom has put me into a bad mood.

[He eyes Jetfire a bit more.]

That and people stupidly touching things they probably shouldn't stupidly be touching.