[By the time the Seeker shows up, Vos has secured a private spot in the bar.
He's tense and drawn like any true Vosian would be, EM Field close but still very readable. He's clearly not sure what is going to happen in this meeting and is expecting nothing.]
Winglord. [There's a sitting bow, one that is as proper and deferential as the glyphs, both spoken and 'field wise. There's no lie to him, either. Everything is honest.]
[ Starscream's gaze sources Maccadam at the bar, even if they're technically out of audial range, before approaching the private table. The formal, honest — and more importantly correctly annotated — title draws more confusing emotions from Starscream. That at the very least is worth the request (request?) to speak Primal Vernacular, since Starscream does know a moderate amount, enough to carry a conversation provided it didn't delve into the more obscure vocabulary and glyphs. It wasn't anything near Vos' fluency, but it would do. ]
Granted.
[ He says it with just enough forced confidence to keep it from being a question before switching over to the language himself. ]
You do realize we are not from the same universe, correct? I'm not the Starscream you are familiar with. It happens more often than you'd think aboard this blasted ship.
Don't mind him, just trying not to sink into a happy puddle of mech here. He can speak again. Primus works as he works, Arcus knows that, yet this a Miracle - and proof this really is not the one he knows.]
Thank you.
[And then that is very much Vosian Primal Vernacular he's speaking.] You don't say. Ravage is alive and apparently the dead come back to life here.
[So much Doubt.] But none of that matters to the blasted code. [A exvent.] My name is Arcus and I haven't answered to Vos for a year. The cliff notes are as follows: the Decepticon's won and Megatron decided he'd dismantle the DJD and gave us all new Commanding Officers after he killed Tarn. [That's putting it very mildly, but details.]
Now I have to follow any order you give me or face a stick I loathe. Yes, it is you alone, Sir. I expect you'd want to test it before we continue?
[ For the first part of the explanation, Starscream's expression is subtly just what. Coding? What was Vos — Arcus — talking about? Until the last portion and the metaphorical lightbulb clicks on. Obedience coding, an attempted and failed project in his world as far as he knew, had apparently not been so in other universes. And this mech's was keyed to him? This had some... potentially interesting ramifications. ]
The dead do return through the space bridge, it's true. If you want a report on an example of, speak with Ultra Magnus who investigated the murder of three mechs, all of whom are now once again walking around the R2.
And this... coding... cannot differentiate between myself and your Winglord? Hmm... I suppose a baseline test wouldn't be out of the question, if only to establish the principle.
I will. Later. [That's now two mechs that have claimed this and now there's an avenue to get proof. Of course he's taking it, but later; this is far more important after all.
A sharp nod.] Yes Sir.
[A pause, then:] I'm very much aware of my place in the pecking order. You - he - made sure of that.
[ Starscream would be lying to claim he wasn't enjoying the over the top deference he was currently getting. That it was coerced — either through an actual input order or simply fear of reprisal — didn't bother him. Would he one day, back in his own universe, prefer to have obedience by loyalty instead of fear? Yes, but he sure as Pit wasn't about to turn down the alternative. ]
No doubt he did.
[ Didn't Starscream himself do the same, even aboard this ship? ]
A test, then. And how particularly does my counterpart usually preface that?
Depends.[And he goes on to explain the phraseword that's used to trigger the coding. And then how, while rare, vocal tone can potentially trigger the coding without Starscream actually meaning too.]
Before you ask, [As he knows it will come up, be it the next question or the one after that] the current standing orders are: No murder without explicate permission. Self defence if attacked is fine. No speaking Primal without permission.
[Everything about him, from the set of shoulders to the tilt of his head and even the way his fingers curl, utterly detests that order. Yet at the same time, his EM Field holds echoes of honest worry that the permission will be revoked.]
No napping in alt when you wield it. [While he does deadpan stare the Seeker, he clamps down on the urge to point out null rays are not guns.]
[ Starscream absorbs the whole explanation avidly, already beginning to see parallels between this other version of himself. But also there were differences, choices made that he might not have, given the evolving perspective he had since the war's end. ]
No order against retaliation against your master, or is that an inherent part of the coding?
[ Mostly here he's trying to ascertain how much protection he has from Arcus justifiably wanting to take out some grudge against the Seeker. Even if death appeared not to be permanent, he wasn't eager to test the theory personally. ]
[Arcus visibly twitches at the 'master' part, optics blazing hellfire red. He shouldn't; he really should let this slide and not dig his own grave or otherwise make life harder than it has to be. He shouldn't- but- no.
He won't allow himself to be seen as a slave.
The words are hissed, low and dangerous, interlaced with malicious intent as he glares daggers at Starscream.] Not a slave. Never a slave. You're lucky it's inherent in the fragging thing. Means you don't get dragged out of here and fed your fragging wings sensor by sensor, part by part.
[And, from the way claws tap on the table, that would be just the start of it.]
[ Starscream's field draws up, not in fear but in vicious discipline, cold and regal. This Starscream might not (yet) bear the renewed title of Winglord of Vos, but the behaviours were still there. They wrapped around him like a cloak, like a shield. ]
Then you can add a new "standing order" to your repertoire: even if it's not inherent, you're forbidden from causing me harm, whether directly or through indirect action.
Or you will get an abundance of personal experience with those space bridge resurrections, after I make it an ongoing order to snuff your own spark after each revival.
For all there is an entire litany of Some extremely nasty Vosian slurs and curses in his mind, all of them telling the Winglord exactly where he can shove that order, the order is logged and Arcus stills. His chamber locks down on instinct as his EM field pulls in tight, but not fast enough to hide the bleat of fear. He should have quit while he was ahead and now he has no one to blame but himself for this blasted mess.
He does not doubt the threat for a second; not when he knows Starscream is that petty.]
I understand completely, Winglord, Sir.
[Never mind that's... an awful lot of leeway into what could be called 'not complying' and he really, really wants to hope it won't be tested, but this is a Starscream and they are petty. ]
[ Starscream would most assuredly not still be alive if he issued a lot of empty threats, so Arcus is wise to take the warning at face value (no pun intended). The slip of fear is good, because it tells him that different universe or no, Arcus believes he'd do it. ]
Now to the matter of the other Starscreams that are here, aboard the ship. Was is the status of your coding in regards to them?
[ Because he may need to issue another command; Starscream may not have expected or particularly wanted to gain an unwilling and very murderously-intent supplicant... but he sure as Pit doesn't want the other two to get their claws into him! ]
[Arcus shrugs, stiff and tense, but trying to appear at ease. The questions are hesitant yet also respectful in a manner that signifies seeking clarification.] Are they you? Look and sound like you? If not, it won't be an issue, Sir.
[Honest, if not wary. Like a caged turbofox expecting the other shoe to drop.] I answer to one mech, and that is you. Not them and the answer'll be the same for anyone else you ask about.
[ Sadly, the respect does not carry as far as it might have a few minutes prior. Arcus has implicitly stated that he is a threat to Starscream, barring the coding's influence, and that's even knowing that this Starscream isn't responsible for Arcus' predicament. ]
That malfunctioning space bridge has already brought four Megatrons here. Obviously I'm planning for the inevitability of another Starscream showing up, whom your code-riddled processor plans to latch onto, so you can "conveniently" misinterpret who you're not allowed to retaliate against!
[ Unlike the Brigade's Starscream, this one doesn't have anyone to watch his back — a fact his counterpart had been all too ready to throw in his face. ]
Hm. I suppose you would be less of a concern if I just ordered you into you gun form indefinitely...
[Brb locking vocaliser against the slightly hysterical laugh, both at the thought of being trapped in alt mode like a thing -do not want, and because things are never that easy. It would be nice if they were, but reality does not work like that.
But - If this one isn't getting it... Jealousy flares, hot and bitter for a second before it's tamped down.] Your universe doesn't have this.
[Optics blink off in an 'I have a processor ache' manner before snapping open again.] Sir, the code can only ever be actively keyed to one mech at a time, in this case, you. Name, visuals, vocals, EM field, the list goes on. You are him as far as the code cares and thus my allegiance is to you. Your death does not automatically transfer it, either, and given there is revival here...
[He trails off, tension settling in his struts like an unwelcome friend. Though he's unwilling to voice it, he doesn't doubt Starscream's smart enough to work out that Arcus could and would attempt to log it to himself.
The gunformer is thoroughly resigned to yet another standing order cropping up, or being ordered into alt mode. This day is just getting worse and worse.]
My universe doesn't have it established, no. There were embedded code fragments found in pre-Golden Age mechs, when Quintesson interference was still active. There were a handful of attempts to revive the function during the war, none successful.
[ There was no point in hiding that particular bit of information. No Starscream would bypass the opportunity to capitalize on such an advantage over a silly little thing like ethics, after all.
Arcus' reassurances are empty, given the earlier vehement remark. All Starscream sees the gunformer as now is a new potential threats on a ship full of other potential threats, and consequently is calculating how to handle that. ]
[This would be so easier if their universes shared this, but no. Life is never that easy and the day continues to go down the drain.
Arcus doesn't quite sigh, but it's close to it. He doesn't regret the earlier remark, not when he meant every word. Yet all it did was make life harder. He doesn't expect this to do anything, or even be accepted, yet it is still ventured, the glyphs attached signalling an honest statement.] It was active in society pre-war, especially amongst the Disposable class and lowest castes.
[Yet, the resentment is palatable as he sweeps a hand over his frame. Military caste, yes, but also gunformer. While he leaves it at that, there are a few times his vocaliser clicks back on, only for Arcus to think better of it and click it off. But, eventually, he settles on something that, while, yes, is literally opening up the possibility of pettiness, should mollify the Seeker.]
[ Starscream hmms thoughtfully, but that made sense. Even aerials, who were almost completely excluded from the academic castes and regulated to travel and military work, were far from Disposable class.
The invitation to supply a confirming order, though... yes, he does want to issue one more, and it has nothing to do with a baseline. ]
There is an organic, a human, aboard the R2. Her name is Jaisyn Solo; she commonly goes by Jane. She is also not to be harmed, either through direct action or negligence. Is that understood?
[On one hand, no stupid order, for now. On the other-
There s a long -almost too long- moment of silence as Vos stares, optics bright in shock and confusion, as if the Winglord's grown two heads or lost his mind. Both, even. Then his head dips once in a firm nod.
Yeah that's all Starscream's getting in way of 'I understand'. Arcus is trying very hard not to make a snide remark or ten about this.]
[ Choosing to issue that order, to single Jane out, is a calculated risk, and Starscream is placing a grudging amount of trust that Arcus is telling the truth about the obedience coding. And Arcus' reaction frankly... does not leave Starscream with positive vibes. ]
I trust you will not give me reasons to be more... restrictive, with you.
[ He's not fooling either of them with the niceties. ]
Don't misunderstand: I am not interested in lengthening your list of standing orders beyond what I feel is necessary for my safety aboard this ship. But do not mistake that as a lack of willingness to do so.
[ Does that make it better or worse, that Starscream doesn't want to but would anyway? Dealer's choice. ]
Then for the moment we do not have anything else to discuss.
[ No mode-lock order for now. No revocation of the Primal Vernacular permission. But certainly a hardline on the willingness to restrict those and even more freedoms if pushed. And Starscream will not forget the threats made if the coding should ever fail. ]
[The fact that he's coming out of this not really having to prove it works is unexpected and suspect, but he won't look too deeply into it, yet. Nor will he complain. Small 'blessings' where they come, after all.]
By your leave, then.
[Once dismissed, he's going to head on out and very much to the other side of the ship to digest everything that's happened so far.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Action - CW: Talk of Vos's AU and the Compliance coding.
[By the time the Seeker shows up, Vos has secured a private spot in the bar.
He's tense and drawn like any true Vosian would be, EM Field close but still very readable. He's clearly not sure what is going to happen in this meeting and is expecting nothing.]
Winglord. [There's a sitting bow, one that is as proper and deferential as the glyphs, both spoken and 'field wise. There's no lie to him, either. Everything is honest.]
Permiss-shon to speak Primal?
[He's very, very clearly expecting a No.]
no subject
Granted.
[ He says it with just enough forced confidence to keep it from being a question before switching over to the language himself. ]
You do realize we are not from the same universe, correct? I'm not the Starscream you are familiar with. It happens more often than you'd think aboard this blasted ship.
no subject
Don't mind him, just trying not to sink into a happy puddle of mech here. He can speak again. Primus works as he works, Arcus knows that, yet this a Miracle - and proof this really is not the one he knows.]
Thank you.
[And then that is very much Vosian Primal Vernacular he's speaking.] You don't say. Ravage is alive and apparently the dead come back to life here.
[So much Doubt.] But none of that matters to the blasted code. [A exvent.] My name is Arcus and I haven't answered to Vos for a year. The cliff notes are as follows: the Decepticon's won and Megatron decided he'd dismantle the DJD and gave us all new Commanding Officers after he killed Tarn. [That's putting it very mildly, but details.]
Now I have to follow any order you give me or face a stick I loathe. Yes, it is you alone, Sir. I expect you'd want to test it before we continue?
no subject
The dead do return through the space bridge, it's true. If you want a report on an example of, speak with Ultra Magnus who investigated the murder of three mechs, all of whom are now once again walking around the R2.
And this... coding... cannot differentiate between myself and your Winglord? Hmm... I suppose a baseline test wouldn't be out of the question, if only to establish the principle.
no subject
A sharp nod.] Yes Sir.
[A pause, then:] I'm very much aware of my place in the pecking order. You - he - made sure of that.
no subject
No doubt he did.
[ Didn't Starscream himself do the same, even aboard this ship? ]
A test, then. And how particularly does my counterpart usually preface that?
no subject
Before you ask, [As he knows it will come up, be it the next question or the one after that] the current standing orders are: No murder without explicate permission. Self defence if attacked is fine. No speaking Primal without permission.
[Everything about him, from the set of shoulders to the tilt of his head and even the way his fingers curl, utterly detests that order. Yet at the same time, his EM Field holds echoes of honest worry that the permission will be revoked.]
No napping in alt when you wield it. [While he does deadpan stare the Seeker, he clamps down on the urge to point out null rays are not guns.]
no subject
No order against retaliation against your master, or is that an inherent part of the coding?
[ Mostly here he's trying to ascertain how much protection he has from Arcus justifiably wanting to take out some grudge against the Seeker. Even if death appeared not to be permanent, he wasn't eager to test the theory personally. ]
And what is it here you're expecting of me?
no subject
He won't allow himself to be seen as a slave.
The words are hissed, low and dangerous, interlaced with malicious intent as he glares daggers at Starscream.] Not a slave. Never a slave. You're lucky it's inherent in the fragging thing. Means you don't get dragged out of here and fed your fragging wings sensor by sensor, part by part.
[And, from the way claws tap on the table, that would be just the start of it.]
no subject
Then you can add a new "standing order" to your repertoire: even if it's not inherent, you're forbidden from causing me harm, whether directly or through indirect action.
Or you will get an abundance of personal experience with those space bridge resurrections, after I make it an ongoing order to snuff your own spark after each revival.
no subject
For all there is an entire litany of Some extremely nasty Vosian slurs and curses in his mind, all of them telling the Winglord exactly where he can shove that order, the order is logged and Arcus stills. His chamber locks down on instinct as his EM field pulls in tight, but not fast enough to hide the bleat of fear. He should have quit while he was ahead and now he has no one to blame but himself for this blasted mess.
He does not doubt the threat for a second; not when he knows Starscream is that petty.]
I understand completely, Winglord, Sir.
[Never mind that's... an awful lot of leeway into what could be called 'not complying' and he really, really wants to hope it won't be tested, but this is a Starscream and they are petty. ]
no subject
Now to the matter of the other Starscreams that are here, aboard the ship. Was is the status of your coding in regards to them?
[ Because he may need to issue another command; Starscream may not have expected or particularly wanted to gain an unwilling and very murderously-intent supplicant... but he sure as Pit doesn't want the other two to get their claws into him! ]
no subject
[Honest, if not wary. Like a caged turbofox expecting the other shoe to drop.] I answer to one mech, and that is you. Not them and the answer'll be the same for anyone else you ask about.
no subject
That malfunctioning space bridge has already brought four Megatrons here. Obviously I'm planning for the inevitability of another Starscream showing up, whom your code-riddled processor plans to latch onto, so you can "conveniently" misinterpret who you're not allowed to retaliate against!
[ Unlike the Brigade's Starscream, this one doesn't have anyone to watch his back — a fact his counterpart had been all too ready to throw in his face. ]
Hm. I suppose you would be less of a concern if I just ordered you into you gun form indefinitely...
no subject
But - If this one isn't getting it... Jealousy flares, hot and bitter for a second before it's tamped down.] Your universe doesn't have this.
[Optics blink off in an 'I have a processor ache' manner before snapping open again.] Sir, the code can only ever be actively keyed to one mech at a time, in this case, you. Name, visuals, vocals, EM field, the list goes on. You are him as far as the code cares and thus my allegiance is to you. Your death does not automatically transfer it, either, and given there is revival here...
[He trails off, tension settling in his struts like an unwelcome friend. Though he's unwilling to voice it, he doesn't doubt Starscream's smart enough to work out that Arcus could and would attempt to log it to himself.
The gunformer is thoroughly resigned to yet another standing order cropping up, or being ordered into alt mode. This day is just getting worse and worse.]
no subject
[ There was no point in hiding that particular bit of information. No Starscream would bypass the opportunity to capitalize on such an advantage over a silly little thing like ethics, after all.
Arcus' reassurances are empty, given the earlier vehement remark. All Starscream sees the gunformer as now is a new potential threats on a ship full of other potential threats, and consequently is calculating how to handle that. ]
no subject
Arcus doesn't quite sigh, but it's close to it. He doesn't regret the earlier remark, not when he meant every word. Yet all it did was make life harder. He doesn't expect this to do anything, or even be accepted, yet it is still ventured, the glyphs attached signalling an honest statement.] It was active in society pre-war, especially amongst the Disposable class and lowest castes.
[Yet, the resentment is palatable as he sweeps a hand over his frame. Military caste, yes, but also gunformer. While he leaves it at that, there are a few times his vocaliser clicks back on, only for Arcus to think better of it and click it off. But, eventually, he settles on something that, while, yes, is literally opening up the possibility of pettiness, should mollify the Seeker.]
You wanted to do a baseline test?
no subject
The invitation to supply a confirming order, though... yes, he does want to issue one more, and it has nothing to do with a baseline. ]
There is an organic, a human, aboard the R2. Her name is Jaisyn Solo; she commonly goes by Jane. She is also not to be harmed, either through direct action or negligence. Is that understood?
no subject
There s a long -almost too long- moment of silence as Vos stares, optics bright in shock and confusion, as if the Winglord's grown two heads or lost his mind. Both, even. Then his head dips once in a firm nod.
Yeah that's all Starscream's getting in way of 'I understand'. Arcus is trying very hard not to make a snide remark or ten about this.]
no subject
I trust you will not give me reasons to be more... restrictive, with you.
[ He's not fooling either of them with the niceties. ]
no subject
That won't be required. Sir, even if I don't like an order, I will obey it. [Truth, truth, honest truth--!]
no subject
[ Does that make it better or worse, that Starscream doesn't want to but would anyway? Dealer's choice. ]
no subject
And then there's a deadpan stare, and, dryly:] You don't say.
[How the frag an organic factors into all of this, he doesn't know and he's not inclined to ask right now.]
no subject
[ No mode-lock order for now. No revocation of the Primal Vernacular permission. But certainly a hardline on the willingness to restrict those and even more freedoms if pushed. And Starscream will not forget the threats made if the coding should ever fail. ]
Wrap?
By your leave, then.
[Once dismissed, he's going to head on out and very much to the other side of the ship to digest everything that's happened so far.]