voice => video;

[loyalflier]

While exploring these last few weeks, I noticed something peculiar underneath the surface of the lake in Alpha Trion's quadrant. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it? Either way, I'm about to check it out.

[ what he isn't going to mention is the fact that there's a Decepticon symbol on the thing. the sound in the background is just Starscream flying before he cuts the feed.

and in a few minutes instead of just a voice recording... the video feed kicks on. looks kind of like a lab! actually it is a lab and quite a sizable one at that. ]

So it, ah. Let me in. [ can't say he's expecting that. and as he draws further inside, it's clear that this place isn't abandoned! ] Someone has been using this recently, that's for sure.

[ as he pans the Link around, anyone that's missing something due to the other Starscream stealing it can probably notice that this is where the guy has stored it. actually, looks like the majority of the items in here have been stolen. Starscream pauses at a particular piece of equipment with a frown. he knows this one! ]

This is Jetfire's... So much for misplacing it. My, my... Someone has some sticky fingers.

[ and there! it's probably recognizable to some... but that's definitely electrum in a container. Starscream meanders closer, looking at data!  ]

Now what's this...

Comments

[deadlydoctor]

Curiously killed the casetticon, no one ever told you that?

[loyalflier]

It's 'curiosity killed the cat' actually. The next phrase is 'and satisfaction brought it back.'

[video]

[aerospacecommander]

You.

Out. Now. This instant.

[the_other_green_seeker]

[Jadewing watches with mild interest as Starscream explores what is apparently someones hidden lair.]

Hmph... an underwater base. How original.

[Most of the equipment and other brick-a-brack in the secret lair doesn't really mean much to him, but when the camera passes over the container of golden liquid...]

Whoa, wait a minute... Is that... electrum?!

video;

[angleofscience]

That's--- [He cuts himself off, staring, optics narrowing after a moment.]

That is one of mine, yes. Or at least the lab's.

Starscream... [And then Jetfire realises who he's talking to and the sharpened tone smooths out with a sheepish clearing of his vocaliser.]

Not... ah, you, of course. Looks like someone didn't think though the lock properly.

[video]

[loyalflier]

Are you going to say please?

[loyalflier]

I wasn't going to claim that it was...

[ a slight pause... ]

Electrum?

video;

[loyalflier]

I thought it was...

[ and don't worry, Jetfire. he understands that sort of tone is meant for the other Starscream. kind of... just confirms everything right there. ]

He probably thought that it would be able to distinguish between himself and a different version of himself.

[video]

[knight_light]

[Curious look.]

I take it much of what you're seeing there belongs to others?

[the_other_green_seeker]

Was more a 'compliment' to whoever designed it in the first place.

Yeah, electrum. An alloy of gold and silver. Unless I'm wrong, that's a sample of the liquid variant of it that reacts with Cybertronian armor, making whoever applies it temporarily invulnerable.

I'm just wondering where the Pit anybody found some around here.

[loyalflier]

I can give you two guesses.

[ taking a look at more notes! ]

Hmm. Looks like he was trying to replicate more with little success.

[video]

[loyalflier]

Yes... I'm starting to think that this other Starscream is nothing short of a magpie.

[video]

[knight_light]

Magpie? [what's that? He gets that it means "thief" but it's a new word to him.]

[the_other_green_seeker]

And the first one doesn't count, right?

[After all, there's only one sciencey type around who would steal a bunch of stuff and hide it in a secret, underwater lair.]

Yeah. If there was a way to make it artificially, I think somebody would've figured it out by now. I mean, making electrum is easy enough, provided you've got enough gold and silver, but far as I know, nobody really knows what's different about the naturally liquid kind that makes it react with Cybertronian armor as opposed to just being a nice decoration.

[video]

[aerospacecommander]

No. NOW GET OUT AND DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!

[video]

[loyalflier]

[ he's touching your datapads RIGHT NOW, Starscream. ]

[video]

[loyalflier]

It's an organic creature on a planet called Earth. This bird has an affinity for shiny objects and takes them. Hordes them, really.

[loyalflier]

You guessed it.

[ heh heh. ]

Even so... I think I am going to destroy these notes. Perhaps remove this substance at once.

[video]

[aerospacecommander]

I will destroy you.

[video]

[loyalflier]

[ might be picking up that special container too. guess what he's going to do with THAT. ]

[video - action]

[aerospacecommander]

[What?! NO. Okay he's totally going to cut the feed and head directly there]

[action]

[loyalflier]

[ well Starscream is stashing some for himself into one of his compartments. to study.

but the other Starscream is liable to catch him trying to, well, dump the contents into the lake! ]

[video]

[knight_light]

[chuckles] Seems appropriate then.

[Only organics he's seen are the occasional...visitors to the planet he's been on for eons, and he was forbidden contact with them...that didn't always stop him, though.]

A bird, this is a more...general organic creature type then? And a magpie is a certain kind of bird? [he catches on quick!]

[video]

[loyalflier]

It is. Usually they are defined by hollow bones, beaks, and wings with feathers adorning them.

I promise the library likely has information on them.

[video]

[knight_light]

A place I've yet to go, but will likely spend a lot of time. [he laughs.] [beaks, bones, feathers, what? Seeing an organic doesn't mean he knows what all the parts are called.]