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In a world of Militants and Transformers and genetic engineering, Marissa Fairbourne is a fairly unassuming looking lady. Her dark brown hair tosses about her face slightly while she talks, but it is well kept, almost trained to stay out of her face. Her equally dark brown eyes burn with the intensity of her spirit and her ever busy thoughts. After a brief moment of study, you might ponder the vague notion that she might not actually ever be off-duty, just away from her place of work. While still a relatively young lady, her expressions are governed by the experiences a life of service with the EDC has given her, and she almost always seems quite serious in a Dana Scully sort of way, even when she might say something humorous. She's of a slightly more athletic build than most women her age as a result of the physical conditioning and practical application of that conditioning she's endured over the years. She carries herself proudly, scanning about her with the innate interest of an explorer. As she glances over you, her gaze stalls for a moment while she regards you with intense curiousity, then continues to examine the area for things of interest. Marissa's wearing her unmarked utility uniform, dirtied a bit by the length of time and treatment she's had while in Decepticon custody. Her right arm and shoulder are tightly wrapped and fastened to her midsection to keep her from moving the injured member. She looks a bit dishevelled but has been trying to keep her appearance presentable through her ordeal. Marissa is sitting on a small piece of broken crate, being attended to by a doctor with Andrea standing guard nearby. Andrea tries to change the subject, "Commander, have they treated you all right?" Marissa grimaces faintly. "Well, aside from the obvious, yes. Though, I'm sure this is just the beginning of a long, unpleasant 'visit'." Altaloma shakes his head, remarking, "Well, 'Selle, you were right about one thing--your shoulder was dislocated. Heureusement, ce n'est pas un fracture." Marissa makes a face. "Broken?" Altaloma answers swiftly. "No, it is not. This is--heureusement--fortunate?" Marissa smiles ruefully. "Yes.. well, I'd hate to be so.. out of sorts for the trial," she says quietly, trying to flex the fingers of her right hand again. "It's still a bit numb though..." Altaloma nods, pressing a small cylinder to her arm. "It will be so for a time. I will give you this to take away some of the pain." After a short hissing sound, he smiles. "I must set the shoulder again, 'Selle. This may hurt despite le sedatif." Marissa nods grimly, then grips the crate tightly with her other hand. "Just... do it and get it over with," she grates through her clenched teeth. Backbone strides out of the Medical Hangar, optics dimming as they adjust to the sunlight. Soundwave is standing a ways away from the human prison, apparently not paying much attention. There is a human doctor standing beside Marissa Fairbourne, who is about to set her dislocated shoulder. Marissa is sitting on a small piece of broken crate, being attended to by a doctor with Andrea standing guard nearby. Andrea stands guard, while quietly conversing with her former commander. Jean-Claude Altaloma places one hand firmly on Marissa's shoulder, the other on her arm. "On count of trois, 'Selle. Un... deux..." And before he reaches three, he snaps the shoulder joint back in place with a practiced move and an audible pop. Andrea winces at the popping noise, her quiet demeanor giving way to a look of sympathy. Marissa's held breath escapes through her clenched jaw as the wave of pain washes over her. She pales noticeably as she tries to keep herself upright, then reaches out unsteadily with her left hand to let herself lean back heavily on it. She closes her eyes for a while, fighting back any further cry of pain with some success, finally allowing herself a faint whimper as the worst of the shock subsides. Andrea says, "Just be glad.." she murmurs quitely, "That it isn't your nose they are doing that to, commander." Marissa opens her eyes again, remembering to breathe, then nods. "Well... that was certainly... worse than I thought it'd be," she says dryly and wipes her hand over her forehead. Andrea nods sympathetically, "Always is, Commander." Altaloma looks at Marissa sympathetically. "Je suis sympathique, 'Selle. Nevre." Marissa glances up briefly towards Soundwave, then leans forward, trying to find a comfortable position. "Thank you, Mr. Altaloma... I'm sure it'll start feeling better at some point," she says, a bit overly loud while she considers something. Marissa leans forward again lowering her voice for all the good it'll do. She mutters to Andrea, "... I... why..." Soundwave senses: Marissa leans forward again lowering her voice for all the good it'll do. "Captain, may I ask, why it is you're here?" Soundwave stands a good distance away, ostensibly paying great attention to a pair of Seekers busy refitting the Conquest. Andrea responds quietly, she mutters to Marissa, "... for someone to take the token human... I happened... be tagged,... I... I have... lives... those..." Soundwave senses: Andrea responds quietly, "They were looking for someone to take the token human duty, and I happened to be close enough to be tagged, Commander. I hate it, but I have the lives of those in my command to consider..." Marissa nods, accepting this and fully appreciating the sentiment. She mutters to Andrea, "... they'll..." Soundwave senses: Marissa nods, accepting this and fully appreciating the sentiment. "Tough duty... I'm sure they'll appreciate the sacrifice." Andrea mutters to Marissa, "... all... about you, Commander, and... support.. I... would..." Andrea whispers "They all are worried about you, Commander, and have you have our full support.. I just thought you would like to know." Marissa's smile becomes more genuine as she nods at that. "Thank you," she says quietly, shoulders straightening a bit with the fresh resolve the vote of confidence brings. Marissa is sitting on a small piece of broken crate, being attended to by a doctor with Andrea standing guard nearby. Marissa holds the smile for a moment longer, then looks back at the doctor. "Anything special I should do for the shoulder, Mr Altaloma?" Jean-Claude Altaloma nods, smiling wryly. "Certainement. You must please stay with keeping the shoulder from weight, 'Selle Fairbourne." Marissa chuckles. "No worries there, then," she returns, then gingerly tucks her right hand into one of the pockets of the uniform to help immobilize it. Unsteadily, she stands, waiting for her equilbrium to settle down, then turns and looks again at the Decepticon guards. Altaloma leans over and gives Marissa's uniform a brief inspection. "We must get you better clothing, 'Selle, but this will do for now." As he gives the uniform a once-over, he unobtrusively drops something small and metallic into one of the front pockets. Marissa nods again, making no reaction aside from looking down at herself critically. "I hadn't really imagined having the uniform cut apart, actually, but yes, if you could. I think I'm going to be here a while," she says evenly, voice taking back some of it's business like inflection. Altaloma nods, a little nervous now, and beckons towards Soundwave. "Be careful with her shoulder. She should be fine to return now." Marissa takes another look around, considering, again, then layout of the spaceport, then steps back towards the prison carefully, making sure not to jar herself too much. Soundwave, satisfied that Marissa is returned to the prison, walks towards the medical hangar to check on the status of the rest of his charges. Medical Hangar The makeshift Medical Lab resembles the ones on Cybertron somewhat more on the inside, familar medical tables, computers, and tools lay about the tables while Gumbicons scurry back and forth, checking on vital signs and the like. Contents: Galvatron Small Troop Unit Galvatron lies on the med-table. Cold expressionlessness is the only thing you can determine from him outwardly. There is no physical damage to speak of on his body. Soundwave steps into the hangar, his optic band the brightest source of light in the otherwise dimly-lit repair bay. Checking on each of his charges with an appearance of mild indifference, he finally draws close to Galvatron... and here, his attentiveness increases by a great margin. Flanker ducks into the med hangar, following Soundwave, and pauses at the doorway. "Commander?" Soundwave intones, "Reduce the volume on your vocal components, Flanker. Galvatron's system readings have improved by a significant measure, and it may become advisable to attempt to reactivate his cortex." Flanker grimaces slightly, then nods as he steps closer, noticeably lowering his volume. "Yes, I had hoped that's what you were here for. We tried... several cycles ago... Scrapper connected Galvatron directly to a holoscan unit in an attempt to figure out what might be wrong with him," he begins to explain quickly. Flanker finishes his thought after a moment, "We.. connected Airwolf to him as well, hoping perhaps with her.. abilities she might be able to help him..." He trails off, looking towards the contraption again. Soundwave makes a small sound in his vocalizer that might be taken for derision. "That," he intones flatly, "will not be necessary. I require you to observe Galvatron and myself, Flanker. Should either my readings or Galvatron's fluctuate unacceptably, you must wake me. Flanker nods, fidgeting slightly as he's not the most skilled medic in the world. He pulls out his scanner, then checks his readings with those on Galvatron's monitor. "Aye, Commander," he returns quietly, then fetches a BFH to use to wake the Decepticon Communicator should it be needed. Soundwave's optic band begins to dim minutely as his concentration deepens, moving to a different level of awareness. The outside world recedes, Soundwave's focus narrowing to a single point, which grows and envelops him until he stands on a vast, glossy black plain. Sparks, like the drive flares of distant starships, pulse in the distance at varying levels of brightness. Withdrawing slightly, two nearby motes of incandescent light catch his attention, and with a glance at the nearest, brightest, suddenly he is there, the brilliant violet blaze of the Decepticon leader's mind pulsating with unreal strength. Fully aware of the danger, Soundwave hesitates for a moment--an incalculably small amount, in realtime--and touches... Galvatron's mind is a maelstrom of activity. Overwhelming amount of emotion and sensation pulse about within Galvatron's mind. Fear, anger, hostility, confusion, hatred, despair, and isolation all swirl about in the outer regions of his mind...with the actual conciousness seeming to be contained within this outer realm of negative thoughts. Flanker frowns to himself, watching Soundwave's physical readings descend into lower levels of activity while his thought processes excel, then turns again to examine Galvatron's monitors, looking for any immediate readings. Soundwave plunges onward, delving into this whirlwind of sentience and seeking out the core of what is Galvatron, the ages-old mentality that was once a powerful and charismatic leader named Megatron; the ambition, drive, intellect, and clarity of purpose that created a powerful empire and held it for eons. Seeking these things that he knew for millenia, and seeking the being known as Galvatron that he has known only for less than a decade, he attempts to contact the conscious mind and bring it back on track--make it want to come back. [Galvatron. I am here.] Galvatrons mind calms as Soundwave enters... the storm of thought seeming to contemplate this new arrival into it's realm. At his proclamation, however, the thoughts begin to close in on the communicator's mind. Lashing out with fierce power, these emotions work to prevent Soundwave from intruding further. Fear is the first sensation to attack, manifesting itself in the form of the massive form of Unicron, looming over Soundwave like a collossus. Speaking in a booming baritone, he questions [WHO DARES ENTER THIS REALM? WHO DARES ENTER THE MIND OF GALVATRON? WHO DARES TO ENTER THE HELL THAT IS HIS MIND?] Flanker grimaces slightly at the vision on the holoscreen, then decreases the volume a bit before settling himself down to scan periodically between Galvatron and Soundwave. Soundwave gazes up at the mental visage of Unicron, fighting off the instinctive reactions, reminding himself that, although the danger is real, it is all mental and can be dealt with. [I am Soundwave. I have been your companion for more billenia than we are capable of counting. I dare nothing.] The image of Unicron laughs...a sadistic, mocking laugh. [THEN YOU ARE A FOOL, SOUNDWAVE. GALVATRON, YOUR COMPANION... IS OURS NOW. WE, THE DARKEST EMOTIONS OF HIS CONCIOUSNESS RULE HERE NOW. BEGONE, BEFORE WE RELEASE THE DEMONS IN YOUR OWN MIND, AND IMPRISON YOU WITH HIM.] Soundwave states flatly, his own image of himself wavering slightly and becoming indistinct. [I will not be silent. I will not be gone. You are a thing which Galvatron, had he the choice, would not abide. Galvatron will not permit fear to cow him. You are a small thing, and you will be conquered by Galvatron, just as the universe will.] Unicron rears back, anger masking his massive face. A huge fist comes soaring straight at Soundwave. [SO BE IT! THEN YOU SHALL KNOW THE WRATH OF FEAR!] Flanker grips the edge of his seat tightly, leaning forward as he gets drawn inexplicably towards the mesmerizing scene on the display, then anxiously waits to see what becomes of the blue Decepticon's image. Soundwave faces this down, fighting off his own instinctive reactions to the effigy as only one who has spent an entire lifetime mastering his own calm can. In a voice unlike any that Soundwave has ever emitted, the Communicator suddenly thunders, [YOU DO NOT CONTROL GALVATRON. NONE CONTROL GALVATRON. YOU ARE A THING WHICH GALVATRON HAS CONQUERED BEFORE WITH HIS OWN STRENGTH, AND WILL CONQUER AGAIN.] And with this, Soundwave's image moves with blurring speed, splitting into a thousand distinct ghost images, each one indistinguishable from the other--and only one, the true image, racing towards the core of that which is Galvatron, the pride and ambition and courage that would resist this thing within him at all costs. Unicron also splits into separate entities, keeping exact pace with Soundwave in an uncanny matching of mental power. Bellowing with rage, his thousands of fists come into contact with the thousands of Soundwaves... and pass right through them. The sensation is like a chilling breeze blowing against one's face, and then receeding into nothingness. The thousands of Unicrons dissappear into so much swirling mental energy, rejoining the storm that surrounds the core conciousness. Flanker mutters something quietly to himself while he scowls briefly at his scanner's readings. Soundwave's thousand images rejoin each other, his form gathering density and opaqueness with each returning member, until finally there is only one Soundwave, one mind, descending into the maelstrom. Over time, the image of Soundwave begins to alter, subtly--so that instead of the Soundwave seen today, the image now is of a Soundwave that once was, many millenia prior, an image that the Galvatron who remembers Megatron would be all too familiar with as a close confidant. [Galvatron. This is Soundwave.] The maelstrom of mental energy recoils away from Soundwave as he begins penetrating deeper, towards the mental core. As he begins the very initial peneration towards the inner ring of conciousness, the energy once again returns... swirling in front of Soundwave like a miniature tornado... changing form... changing color... untill the recognizable form of Megatron stands before the blue communicator, cannon pointed directly at Soundwave's chest. In a voice dripping with anger and malevolence he quips, ["Sooo, it is you, is it? Soundwave... my old friend? How dare you mock us like this... entering our mind... after what you did! You, who left me to die at Starscream's hands... you who said nothing as he cast me into the black void! And now... you come charging in... like some hero to save Galvatron from his own thoughts. Bah! You only fuel the fires of his anger... of my anger! You are not a Decepticon... you are a traitor who wouldn't step forth to save his leader's life!] Flanker growls faintly to himself, but only for a moment, captivated by Megatron's image. He sighs faintly, a bit of him missing the long time and familiar commander, but then he shakes his head sharply, dragging himself back to his task of monitoring the two. Soundwave faces up to the image of Megatron, forcing himself to treat the apparition for what it is. Feeling the barb bite deep, he replies, [I did not betray you. On board the shuttle, there were perhaps fifty Decepticons, and all but myself and a few others would wish you cast out. Look within yourself. Look within me. I mentally recorded the location on my star charts and I. would. have. gone. back. for. you. Look within my memories. You know it to be true.] Megatron leers closer, his contorted face coming optic to optic with Soundwave, as if peering deeply into his soul. After a few moments of this, his image too disspiates into nothingness. Galvatron's voice emanates from within the blazing core of the main conciousness, sounding so very tired and faint. All that is audible is a strained groan that is quickly muffled by some unknown cause. Listening carefully though, it seems more than a groan... almost like a plea for help. Flanker frowns. "Come on, Commander... fight... don't give up," he whispers. Soundwave, accepting this, proceeds further into the boundless depths of Galvatron's mind, seeking the source of the plaintive plea. Colors and shapes without name or number streak past him as he descends, his fuel pump accelerating as he penetrates deeper and deeper into Galvatron's consciousness, repeating--as always--[Galvatron. This is Soundwave. I am here.] This time, though, he adds, [Come back to the Empire. We need you.] Buzzsaw soars into the room and perches on a nearby object as he scans the area. Flanker is sitting at the edge of a chair near the inert form of Galvatron, studiously watching the monitors while Soundwave attempts to help their commander. Flanker averts his gaze towards Buzzsaw, smiling slightly and nods at him. "Hello, Buzzsaw," he greets, recalling something. Blitzwing turns his gaze to Buzzsaw. "Hello..." Blitzwing says, "We musn't lose hope... he will return to his glory." Blitzwing balls his fists, his face turning grim. He turns to the monitor, his face softening as he whispers to himself. "...Galvatron... my Lord..." Blitzwing sits down, his eyes darting between Galvatron and the monitor. Airwolf walks in from the outside after awakening from a rest cycle, to finally see that Soundwave has turned up. She steps over to the monitors to see if there's any change, nodding to the Decepticons present. Flanker glances towards Airwolf briefly before turning his attention back to the unpleasant scene on the monitors. Blitzwing unconsciously nods to Airwolf, still keeping his gaze on his commander. Galvatron is visible on the monitor, surrounded in blue light, being tormented by his personal demons..such as Rodimus, Optimus, Megatron, Unicron, Ahriaxus, Shockwave... all of whom lash out at him, causing no physical damage, but causing his image on the monitor to call out in obvious anguish. Razorwing walks in quietly and scans around. Blitzwing stands, his optics full of rage at the events unfolding on the monitor. Airwolf steps over to the opposite side of Galvatron from Flanker and lays a hand on his shoulder, concentrating briefly then shaking her head. Shockwave has arrived. Blitzwing shoots a brief glance of rage towards Shockwave, before returning his gaze to Galvatron. Flanker is sitting at the edge of a chair near Galvatron, watching him, his scanner and the machines around him intently. Small Troop Unit stiffen slightly as the medical hangar suddenly becomes more crowded and start watching the personnel present even more closely than they were before. Shockwave strides into the hanger, his head panning as he ascertains the collected individuals, optic cold and solid as it settles on Galvatron. Galvatron is visible on the monitor, surrounded by a blue aura that encircles him like a prison. Within that prison, he's floating in mid-air, surrounded by all his personal demons--Rodimus, Optimus, Megatron, Ahriaxus, Unicron, and more--with them lashing out and laughing at his floating form, as he bellows in rage and agony. Shockwave stops when he's just on the outskirts of the collected group. His optic flashing once as he watches dispassionatly and seemingly without care for Galvatron's plight. His cold and monotonous voice eminates from within... "Report on the physical status and integrity of Galvatron." (Again, no 'Lord') Blitzwing seems very uneasy. Airwolf frowns, thinking of what needs to be done, then looks searchingly at everyone present. Blitzwing turns coldly to Shockwave. "Lord Galvatron is still lost within his mind..." Flanker nods. "Aye. Soundwave is attempting to reach through... the damage the Matrix did." Blitzwing shakes his head, mumbling to himself. "...my Lord... I should have been there..." Shockwave seems to carry himself and treat this as if Galvatron were just another gumby as he intones coldly, "I require an updated manifest of all resources currently in use, and those projected in order to return Galvatron to nominal status." Blitzwing turns once again to Shockwave. "Who cares?!? Whatever is necessary to restore him!!" Airwolf says, "Soundwave... we linked before to help him. Perhaps those here, with the appropriate memories and attitudes, can do this." Blitzwing sighs. "I... am merely a warrior... but whatever it takes... I will comply." Shockwave's optic flashes as his massive head tilts towards Blitzwing, his voice intoning, "You would be wise to learn when your fanaticism holds merit, and when it holds irrational consequences." Flanker stands slowly and steps away from Galvatron, the cannon blast mark through his chest plate still obvious as it hasn't been repaired yet, just cauterized. He stops before Shockwave, looking up at him. "Minimal resources at the moment, Shockwave. Life support and a guard, along with Commander Soundwave's attention. His physical wounds require minimal repairs." Soundwave does not respond to Airwolf, utterly oblivious to her presence. His image solidifies, becomes more real as he plunges further into the depths of Galvatron's psyche, approaching the apparitions of his personal demons that circle like jackals around the core of who he is, the center of his existence. Drawing to a stop not far from the circle of provocateurs, he calls out, [Galvatron. You combat yourself. These things--they are real, but they are a part of you that you must defeat as you would any other foe that stands in your way.] Blitzwing snorts. "Nothing is irrational when dealing with our Lord..." Shockwave turns to Airwolf. "Explain this proposed procedure." Shockwave then turns his optical glare on Flanker and nods once slightly as he casts his gaze back up to the monitor. Blitzwing brightens, as he gazes at the monitor. "Fight it, my lord!! Fight it!!" Flanker studies the tall purple Decepticon for a moment further, then does an about face and sits down again, raising his scanner as he responds to Airwolf. "Perhaps, but Soundwave seems to be taking a different path to reach him..." Galvatron turns his head slightly, looking in Soundwave's direction fuzzily... trying unsuccessfully to focus. After a moment of effort, a slashing bite from one of Ahriaxus' sinister heads crashes into him, and ellicits an energon-curdling roar of pain and agony. The other demons close around as well, forming a tight circle around their prey, trying to shut Soundwave out. Airwolf says quietly, "The proposed procedure is just a suggestion, Commander Shockwave, based on the instance when Soundwave linked my mind to Galvatron's telepathically. With help from others present, it might be done again." She nods to Flanker briefly then returns her attention to Shockwave. "As Flanker said, the point is probably moot." Blitzwing continues to cheer."Fight my Lord...FIGHT!!" Razorwing watches with concern and silence. Galvatron cries out, "So...MANY! So...POWERFUL!" Shockwave's optic flashes as he watches the monitor...calculating the odds of overloading the already damaged Neural circuits with a small blast, but the calculation ending after the unpredictable chaos immedieatly following the calculated assasination. The calculation is purged from his neural network with a flash of his optic. And he goes back to watching the monitor. Blitzwing looks amazed as Galvatron responds. "YES!! DO NOT LOSE YOUR SPIRIT!! You MUST fight!! My LORD...FIGHT!!" Phoenix enters, the first thing he sees is Galvatron, and falls into a kneel. Airwolf shudders and moves over to Soundwave, presuming to lay her hand on *his* shoulder this time, and opens her mind as best she can, mentally willing thoughts of strength and support to him, and through him, to Galvatron. Razorwing states quietly but as if it like saying the sky is blue and water is wet. "None are more powerful than Galvatron." Phoenix looks shocked. "What is going on?" he mutters to himself. Blitzwing walks over to Airwolf and Soundwave, shaking. "H--how...can I ...help??" Soundwave appraoches the whirling vortex of nightmares, his image swelling until it begins to dwarf them, using the intimate contact with Galvatron to insinuate himself as symbolically larger than the horrors he faces. [You are GALVATRON] he intones firmly, strongly. [You are stronger than your fears. You are stronger than your hatreds. You are stronger and more powerful than any foe that you might face in your own mind. YOU ARE GALVATRON.] He begins to feel the mild warmth of Airwolf's thoughts penetrate his own, drawing her into the link and strengthening it. Flanker et al are gathered around Galvatron's medical table, watching a holoscreen display of the internal mental battle Galvatron is fighting. Soundwave is sitting in a chair, seeming unresponsive to the outside world. Galvatron looks physically fine, just unconscious. Airwolf whispers, already becoming distant from the real world, "Think supportive thoughts..." Phoenix says, "What is going on?" Blitzwing blinks his optics off, looking quite determined. He begins a thought, directing it through. "YOU ARE LORD GALVATRON! NONE STAND IN YOUR WAY!! YOU ARE SUPREME!! YOU ARE THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF US ALL!! YOU WILL DESTROY THESE PATHETIC WEAKLINGS!!" Galvatrons form stirs under the onslaught of attacks, a groan of effort emanating from deep within him. In response, the demons renew their attacks, stuggling ever more fiercely to subdue their quarry. But the spark has been provided, and a red aura begins to form around Galvatron, weak and dim at first, but growing slowly brighter. Flanker grimaces slightly, tearing his gaze away again to look at Phoenix for a moment. "We are trying to pull Galvatron back from wherever the Matrix has sealed him into." Blitzwing continues to fortify his master. "YES!!! YOU *ARE* ALL THAT IS AND ALL THAT WILL EVER BE!! YOU ARE...GALVATRON!!!" His exhaustion begins to show. Phoenix says, "Primus....." Blitzwing staggers briefly, but regains his balance."FIGHT!!! FIIIIGGGHHTT!!!" Galvatron's crimson aura pulses slowly, growing brighter. The demons and apparitions seem to grow furious at this defense, lashing out against it in a flurry of fearsome attacks... all of which seem to pass right through Galvatron's floating form. Seemingly panicked now, they turn towards soundwave's conciousness, recognizing him as causing this change, and barrel towards him, intent on destroying this insolent intruder. Blitzwing continues his rant, directing it towards the demons. "BACK...YOU PATHETIC SLAG...YOU ARE NOTHING!!!" Flanker scowls again, waiting to see how Soundwave takes the renews assault, but standing poised to snatch him back from his connection to Galvatron. Blitzwing redirects his thoughts to Galvatron. "DESTROY THEM!!! YOU HAVE THE POWER!!YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE POWER IN THIS UNIVERSE!!" Galvatron seems to grow immediately stronger as the demons direct their attentions toward Soundwave. The red aura grows in strength to the point where Galvatron's whole body is surrounded in steadily growing red light. His optics finally seem to come into focus, allowing him to look around lucidly. He also begins to descend, his feet coming to rest on the bottom of the blue energy sphere in a standing position. Soundwave's optic band blazes furiously crimson as he fights to draw Galvatron back. Finally, he seizes upon an opening as Galvatron's struggles divert the attention of the inner demons. Drawing upon the fury of Blitzwing, the timeless stoic support of Airwolf, and the raw power of Galvatron, he directs the brunt of this massed strength towards the incoming nightmares, hammering at them with the sum of their power, being greater than the individuals that make up the link. Phoenix prays to himself. Blitzwing prepares to direct his life towards this cause, if need be. "FIGHT, MY LORD...FIIIGGGHT!!!" Phoenix gets down on his knees still praying, hoping it will do any good.. The demons are impacted by the wave of determination emanating from Soundwave... their approach stopped... except in three cases. The three most powerful emotions within Galvatron's mind continue on towards Soundwave, slowly... agonizingly. Ahriaxus representing fear, Rodimus Prime representing hate, and Megatron representing doubt all close in on Soundwave, calling out to him in twisted whispers of despair. Airwolf feels a draw of some kind, a sudden coldness, but doesn't know what's happening, feeding her own thoughts and solid will to Soundwave, vaguely hearing Blitzwing's shouts of support in the distance. Blitzwing grows stronger in will. "PRIME...YOU ARE NOTHING!! MEGATRON...OUR LORD IS MIGHTIER WITHOUT YOUR FORM!! AHRIAXUS...YOU ARE PATHETIC AND WEAK!!!!" Phoenix fills his mind with determination, trying to flush any demons out of the room. He isn't a priest, but it might work or at least help. Galvatron continues to gain strength with the attackers finally off of him. The red light intensified to a blinding strength on the monitor. Extending a hand toward the demons, he intones in a booming voice that seems to echo in the depths of this mind, [Leave Soundwave be. You are my thoughts, and it is I that shall vanquish you!] Soundwave, recoiling in the face of Galvatron's nightmares, begins to shrink slightly, his image dithering and flickering, losing resolution, losing substance. Fighting valiantly for every inch of his existence, he calls upon Airwolf's stalwart support, Blitzwing's rage and aggression, and his own reserve of placid calm, throwing up barrier after barrier--barriers that merely slow the onslaught of the demons, allowing him a few more moments. Blitzwing grows in determination. "LEAVE HIS MIND!! LEEEAVE!!! DESTRUCTION IS IN YOUR DESTINY!!! LEEEAVE!!!" Galvatrons extended hand explodes with light, sending a blazing beam of crimson energy arcing out at the demons attacking Soundwave's conciousness. Instantly, they are engulfed in the energy, and begin to scream horribly... their attack halted in mid-step, only seconds from Soundwave. [The matrix allowed you to escape, allowed you to manifest yourselves without control. But no longer. You belong to me, and I am your master!] Flanker settles back finally, until now at a loss for what he might contribute to the 'fight' considering Galvatron's apparent adverse reaction to Megatron, whom he's more familiar with. He dims his optics and focuses himself solely on the pride he has in being a warrior--being a Decepticon. The pride he's had since his activation and throughout the course of his 11 million years of stalwart support to the Empire. Blitzwing bellows in joy. "YES!! OUR LORD IS RESTORED!!! NOTHING CAN STOP HIM!!" Phoenix bows before the newly restored Galvatron. Soundwave begins drawing everything that he can--Flanker's warrior pride, strong and proud; Airwolf's common sense and timeless friendship, forever there; Blitzwing's sheer aggressive power, endless and depthless; Phoenix's religious fervor and loyalty, without question or doubt... and channeling all of the above through his own calm and concentration, he feeds the amassed power of the Decepticon Empire standing firmly behind their leader into Galvatron, biding that with the Decepticon Lord's own inner strength to help vanquish the last of the errant Matrix-borne nightmares. The demons start to be slowly pulled back... shrinking... becoming translucent as the beam further envelops them and begins pulling them back... back to within Galvatron. Snaking and clawing and bellowing in frustration, they are helpless to resist the pull, and are eventually engulfed by the beam, and disappear back into Galvatron's body... causing a brilliant flash of energy as they re-merge with their owner. Blitzwing starts to thank Primus, but collapses onto the floor, drained. Galvatron closes his optics for a moment, working to re-assimilate the most powerful of his own emotions and thoughts. Silently he forces them into submission, coming out of his concentration after but a moment. Soundwave's image, utterly spent, begins to waver and sway, his optic band guttering like a streetlight during a storm. Trembling with the exertion, he forces himself by sheer willpower to not collapse outright. Instead, he slowly sinks to his knees, fighting for every last centimeter. Blitzwing climbs back to his feet, not yielding."L-L-Lord...G-Galvatron...lives..." He falls onto one knee, his head bowed. "HE CANNOT BE DEFEATED!! HE CANNOT!!!" Galvatron now stands within the glowing blue sphere which seems still unaffected by events, Soundwave's form standing not far from him. [Soundwave... you have my gratitude. For so long I have fought them... but they are so powerful. They are what give me my power to begin with... and without their fervor within me, I could not muster sufficient strength and weather their constant bombardments simultaneously.] Phoenix bows again. Galvatron walks over, extending a hand to Soundwave to lift him to his feet. Blitzwing continues to bow to the screen. Airwolf's concentration is broken as she loses her contact with Soundwave, her own optic visor brightening then dimming as the drain ceases after a massive surge, leaving her tired and confused. She looks quickly to the screen, seeing Galvatron's triumph, and smiles in weary triumph. Soundwave, his physical form still rigid as a steel girder, reaches one trembling hand up towards the Decepticon leader, clasping the proferred hand and using Galvatron's newfound strength to raise himself to his feet. Silently observing the mental image of Galvatron, his thoughts reach out to touch those of his leader, ensuring that all is well. [The strength was yours all along,] he intones in his deep, vibrating voice, the harmonic chords sending spirals of color arcing around him. Altering pitch by a full step up, he adds, [I did nothing but assist you in locating these resources.] Galvatron nods in understanding. [Indeed. The Matrix is a foul device indeed. You have no idea of its twisting manipulative ways. All the while, it was waiting... waiting to spring its trap. To utilize its power, I must open myself to it... let its prescence flood me. It waited untill I attemped a massive use of it's power... the demonstration to the Autobots at the cavern... and then it struck. It unlocked virtually every mental control I possessed... releasing my thoughts and emotions. I battled them... but between the Autobots, the Matrix, and these thoughts... I became disoriented. Once they sensed weakness, they closed around, and refused to allow so much as a second's respite to recover, and launch a counter-attack.] Blitzwing lifts his fist in the air, beginning a salute. "All hail Lord Galvatron, Decepticon Commander Supreme!! I function for you, and you alone!!" Soundwave does not pretend to be surprised by this, his facade of indifference now in place once again. [The Matrix is an artifact for Autobots. It is something they require in order to function properly and cohesively--something their leaders require as a crutch in order to prop themselves up and make themselves something they are not.] Stepping forwards, he draws very close to Galvatron, and intones in perfect B Minor, [Never forget that we require no such things. We are Decepticons. Autobots may have their artifact to make an artificial leader, but we are strong without such gimmicks. We are Decepticons. Never forget, Galvatron, that have been, are now, and always will be... BETTER than they are.] Soundwave adds, one last time, perhaps unnecessarily, [...We are Decepticons.] Blitzwing shouts in agreeance. "AYE!" Phoenix nods in agreement shouting the ancient word for yes. "Taag!" Galvatron smiles broadly. [But now, we have broken their grip, and once we take the final step, I shall be free of that foul device's grip.] Galvatron pauses before turning and gesturing to the sphere of blue light that still contains them. [While the demons were my own, and ultimately are conquerable by myself... this energy is yet of the matrix. A residue, if you will. I cannot destroy it, as it consists of energy that is anathema to my existence. My powers given to me by Unicron, and my emotions thoughts and abilities given to me by Megatron, and my own mental abilities are all incapable of harming it. It is made up of all that is opposite of all those things. Unless it can be broken... I am imprisoned here. However...] Galvatron smirks. [It is in no way immune to yourself... or the other Decepticons you have brought with you.] Flanker smiles through his concentration, thoughts echoing that very sentiment as he hears the words dimly in the background of his concentration. "Aye," he says quietly, almost to himself. Blitzwing stands, ready to free his lord. "HOW?!?" Soundwave nods solemnly, his visor flaring briefly in some unknowable emotion. [Then you know what we must do.] Taking a step back, he concentrates, his image beginning to fluctuate as he prepares to act as a channel for the combined will of the assembled Decepticons. Phoenix stands ready trying to concentrate as hard as he can to free Galvatron. Airwolf nods and draws herself together for another effort, glancing at the screen and the images of the two Decepticons. She focuses on Soundwave, sending her thoughts towards the telepath to be used as he directs. Galvatron intones, [It is vulnerable to those who have no faith in the Matrix... who believe it to be nothing more than lifeless material. Against them, it has no power. You must focus your thoughts... focus on your disbelief in the power of the Matrix. Use what you have said.... that it is but a gimmick for imperfect leaders. That will break its hold, and destroy this mental prison for all time.] Phoenix nods trying to push thoughts in the belief of the Matrix away... it is difficult, but eventually he does. Airwolf murmurs, "I already thought that...", casting her annoyance and contempt for a device with such poor judgement, caprice, and intolerance into the fray. Flanker adjusts his thoughts after a long moment while he focuses on the concrete facts of tactics and strategy. The might of a warrior race as opposed to the mysticism of an old relic, which has done nothing but weaken the physical power of an already weak race--the Autobots as they come to rely on a supernatural crutch. Phoenix tries to remember how the Matrix chose a complete murderer as it's bearer, and growls with anger as he thinks of the many Decepticons who died with the Earth base, who died dishonorably in a sneak attack. Soundwave draws upon the willpower and mental energies of the Decepticons present, pulling them into the link, fortifying their doubts of the Matrix and arraying against it their belief in their leader, belief in the cause of the Empire. Phoenix, his near-religious fanaticism, provides vibrant energy for the assault, a fervor to match the misplaced beliefs of the Autobots and overshadow those who dwell in the Matrix. Airwolf, her unendingly loyal friendship to Galvatron, provides an ally for his will, venturing where he cannot and probing at the inconsistencies and hypocricies of the Autobot artifact, shaping and forming her raw contempt into something akin to a mental chisel to the armor of the Matrix. Blitzwing, his primal aggression threatening to dominate the link, is channeled productively into brute force to drive at the haft of the mental chisel, hammering at the defenses of the Matrix energy. Flanker, created an Autobot by Autobots, has a unique energy of his own that the Matrix recognizes, in a way, as its own... using this like a military commander would use a diversionary attack, Soundwave, distracts the Matrix energy and causes it to open its arms in anticipation of a kindred soul. All of this, Soundwave does, having barely anything left of himself to add except the perfect cohesion of a mind so utterly at peace, that its calm cannot help but project a sense of cool rationality in the face of such a danger. Flanker's optics flare up suddenly, catching just the slightest bit of a backlash from the remote and tenuous connect and he turns to stare at the screen absently, trying to see what's happened. Backbone's optics flare as he turns in interest towards the screen. |
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