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Weird Science
Date of Scene: 25 September 2018
Location: Decepticon Command Center
Synopsis: Shockwave repairs and revives Phantom.
Cast of Characters: Phantom, Shockwave


Shockwave has posed:
The sack of metal potatoes known as Phantom could have been carried to the repair bay. It would certainly have made sense, given his lackluster condition, but that is not where his destiny lies. No, Phantom has been taken somewhere else. Somewhere special. Somewhere most mechs would really rather not be under any circumstances.

Shockwave's laboratory.

Located in the underground layers of Kaon, where the one-eyed scientist can generally work undisturbed, Shockwave's lab in Decepticon headquarters is only one of several locations that the purple one operates out of. This one, specifically, is where he works on projects with direct interest in Decepticon affairs, where Megatron can find him as necessary. At present, Phantom has been secured into place by several restraining straps and bolts, and has had some superficial repair work already done. A flow of energon has been hooked up to his body, slowly refueling him. He is alone, but it does not last, as Shockwave soon emerges from the darkness of the entrance, the automatic doors swishing and clamping shut behind him. He observes the body in silence.

Phantom has posed:
Initially, Phantom's optics are unlit. For the past several decacycles, he's been in temporary stasis lock.

But now, for the first time, his optics flicker on. Dazed, he stares up at the ceiling, finding it unfamiliar. Only a few nanoseconds pass before Phantom realizes he's strapped to a berth. His optics widen and he struggles weakly, trying to free himself, but he's in no shape to do so. Not only this, but the realization that he has no idea who he is or where he is dawns on him, and he suddenly grows very still, his expression glazed over.

Shockwave has posed:
"Do not be alarmed," says the not-at-all comforting voice of Shockwave as he observes Phantom come online. It is fascinating to watch, really, the entire cycle of mental progression from confusion, alarm, fear and acceptance. He remains passive at first, merely looking, until he is certain that Phantom will not continue to thrash about helplessly. Then, and only then, does he approach.

"I am Shockwave," he states, "What is your designation?" As he waits for a response, he retrieves a keyboard and observation screen by swiveling into place, tapping on it idly to sift through various scans and medical diagnostic readouts.

Phantom has posed:
Phantom stares at Shockwave, his expression blank and confused. It won't take Shockwave long to realize that the mech doesn't even know how to speak - and gauging from the medical diagnostics he's running on Phantom, it would appear he has no memory. Of anything, or anyone. Not even himself.

Curious.

Moments later, Shockwave may be distracted from peering at his datapad by a sudden yelp from Phantom. Should he look over, he'll discover that Phantom has fallen off the berth...

But the straps and locks are intact.

Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave observes all of these things without a word. He already suspected, given how long Phantom has been offline coupled with all of the trauma, that his memory would be damaged, if intact at all, so he is not surprised by all of the confusion. The data that indicates damage to his vocal functions are not particularly surprising either, and he will be sure to repair those swiftly. A mute Phantom is a Phantom that cannot answer questions, after all. He records all of this information with bland indifference, turning only when he hears the yelp.

He tilts his head down, looking at the fallen form, then looks at the straps. His optic flashes. "Fascinating," he drones, "A localized manifestation of the reality fluctuations observed at the focal point of the dimensional turmoil." He looks down at Phantom. He offers a hand, in a manner of speaking, looking to pick the pummeled wayward son up and place him back on the table.

"You are in need of repairs," he mentions flatly, "You are Phantom, and you are beneath Decepticon headquarters. You are safe."

From a certain point of view.

Phantom has posed:
Phantom stares at Shockwave, still not really understanding what Shockwave is saying. His gaze wavers on the one opticked scientist's hand for a moment, before he looks up at him, optics ablaze.

"Fix... me..." he says in very broken, hardly comprehensible Neo-Cybex.

He climbs shakily back on the berth and passes out again - which will serve Shockwave's purposes neatly.

Shockwave will discover a multitude of fascinating things about Phantom while repairing and observing the mech in his inert state. First of all, nothing within Phantom is native to this Cybertron or this dimension. The way he's built, the way his cerebral circuitry works, even the alloys he's made out of are completely alien - yet at the same time, familiar. Certain elements within are still recognizably from Cybertron - such as his spark, which Shockwave will discover is rather resilient and only easily accessible after death, without Phantom's permission. This would solidify Shockwave's theory that he's from an alternate dimension - which, deducing from Prowl's previous statements, isn't just a physical trait, but an actual ability to access other alternate realms.

Further study would reveal that this 'ability,' if one could call it that, stems from the fact that Phantom is a dimensional anomaly and lends him other odd functions, such as passing through walls, objects, people, and even on occasion, forcefields.

If Shockwave were not fully convinced of Prowl's reasons for breaking a deal with him over Phantom, perhaps now he is now...

Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave stands at his data terminal, logging the last bit of information that he has gleaned from studying Phantom while the other machine was out cold. Then he stands there, arms lowered, staring into space, allowing a great many thoughts to process and pass through his precise mind at once. Yes, there was much here. Far more than he could fully appreciate in this short space of time, but there would be plenty of chances for him to delve deeper another time. He turns back to the ruined body, lifts his arm cannon and activates it at a proper repair setting. Then he gets to work making repairs to Phantom, providing the silly bot doesn't dimension hop while passed out. He focuses on repairing his internals first which, despite their differences, are similar enough for the scientist to puzzle through. The work provides him yet another opportunity to study deeper and he makes a mental catalogue of every discernible difference in Phantom's systems from a standard Cybertronian. His theory is long since proven with what he has acquired here - at this point, he is merely icing the cake.

Yes, it is quite clear why Prowl wants this information. He could not decipher it himself, and so he needed the cold hand of science, unfettered by ethics or emotion, to pry Phantom apart and peer deep within. Well, he has certainly done so. With repairs complete, other than cosmetic work on the battered frame, Shockwave attempts to revive Phantom.

Phantom has posed:
A success, naturally. What kind of science has Shockwave ever failed at, really?
R Phantom sits up, optics glowing brightly. The diagnostics running on his cerebral circuitry indicate he still hasn't recovered any of his memories, so his disoriented expression is understandable.

He stares at Shockwave and points at himself. "Fix Phantom?" he asks, his ability to speak Neo-Cybex still very, very minimal. Slowly, he climbs off the berth, then turns around to study it. Carefully, he phases his hand through it with a waving motion, puzzled. He looks over at Shockwave, his expression now inquisitive. He points at the hand that had just phased through the berth.

Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave is many things. A teacher, unfortunately, is not one of them anymore. Not in that way Phantom probably requires. A confused, memory-impaired individual requires comfort, confidence and a firm, guiding hand. The scientist regards Phantom with all of the pity of an approaching thunderstorm, but without any of its excitement or flair. Still, he tries, in a manner of speaking.

"You are fixed," he states flatly, "Your exterior armor plating requires replacement and further work, but that will be taken care of in time." His head tilts, watching Phantom observe his own powers, "You are suffering from memory loss, Phantom. I cannot say whether it is long or short term. What you are experiencing is your unique talent, one that has made you the target of much curiosity."

Phantom has posed:
"..."

Phantom's expression suddenly wavers, and he looks even more confused than previously for a split nanosecond.

Then he turns to Shockwave, frowning. "That's.. okay. Unique... but still, needs fixing," he says, suddenly seeming to have picked up simply from hearing Shockwave speak. "You will fix?" he asks again, pointing at himself.

Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave regards Phantom. A pity he has no real expression for the confused fellow to read - well, a pity for Phantom. Shockwave isn't concerned. As far as he's concerned, Phantom is less a patient and more a gateway to knowledge. Congratulations, Phantom.

"I have every intention," Shockwave says, "Patience is required, however, as it will take time to decipher the data that I've collected regarding the unstable nature of your existence. It is my intention to stabilize you. It will therefore be necessary for you to remain here. If your body loses control, and you find yourself beyond Decepticon borders, you will be in danger."

And cost Shockwave a specimen. Please don't do that. Thank you.

Phantom has posed:
Phantom watches Shockwave, his expression also somewhat blank. "Yes," he says. "I see. No leaving, okay. But how long? To fix this." He climbs back onto the berth, then turns to the one opticked scientist, who may be distracted when one of his readouts bleep.

It looks like Phantom's presence is already starting to waver - though physically, he appears to remain the same. Shockwave will need to hop to it - if Phantom disappears again, who knows where he will reappear, if he reappears at all.

What Phantom needs is an anchor - something that will permanently tether him to this dimension. Then.. well, the universe would be Shockwave's oyster in regards to Phantom, so to speak. Without needing to take the precautions necessary in order to remain physically stable, if Phantom were a little stronger, a little smarter -- what havoc might he be able to wreak?

Of course, that will be up to Shockwave himself...

Shockwave has posed:
MANY SCIENCE LATER.

Shockwave has managed to devise a device that, in truth, he was already working on in anticipation of locating Phantom. What he needed, truly needed, was the live specimen himself to cross-check his data, make refinements and perfect the math and programming. The dimensional anchor, for lack of a more creative name, for creative names are not in the realm of concern for one such as Shockwave, is installed and he has transferred Phantom to one of the holographic training rooms. He remains in an observation room, overseeing the proceedings.

"Initiating Combat Protocol 382B," Shockwave drones. A scenario activates around Phantom - namely a Decepticon-Autobot firefight, "Your objective is to secure a compact super computer that the Autobots are escorting. Your fellow Decepticons will hold the Autobots off. You are to obtain the objective. Make use of your powers. Begin."

Phantom has posed:
"<No holding back, yeah?>" he tight beams to the scientist.

By now, Phantom is fully fluent in Neo-Cybex - Shockwave probably won't be surprised at how quickly he picked up, of course, the one opticked Decepticon most likely understands the power of one's subconscious, even if memories are missing.

Phantom now advances, approaching the simulation by transforming and decreasing his body's density so that he can fly below the ground, unseen...

Shockwave has posed:
<Correct,> Shockwave replies via tightbeam, now maintaining silence for the duration of the simulation. Phantom's Decepticon allies are aware of his presence in this operation, via the parameters Shockwave set, but the Autobots are not. They have no idea that something is going to literally travel under the ground, and so they focus their firepower on the attack Decepticons, who are doing their job in giving Phantom an opening.

Not that he needs a great deal of help, providing that all of his systems work correctly. The convoy is unguarded, the entire escort force having moved to repel the Decepticons. For now. Above, Shockwave monitors a datafeed.

Phantom has posed:
Phantom comes up right behind the convoy, protoforming. His boosters engage, so that he can land almost soundlessly while the Autobots continue fighting off the Decepticons.

Shockwave may marvel at the effortlessness it takes him to simply phase through the convoy, swiftly stash the supercomputer in his sub compartment and then leave the convoy.

At this point, Shockwave would have considered the simulation over and successful, but Phantom doesn't seem to think so. The one opticked scientist will notice that suddenly, his expression has become distracted and agitated. Abruptly, he transforms and flies straight towards the melee, opening fire on the Autobots with unrelenting vigor...

And he'll continue to do this until Shockwave shuts the simulation off.

Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave could end the simulation, but even excessive violence is data, and the scientist does nothing to stop Phantom.

The vicious, overwhelming surprise attack completely takes the holographic Autobots off guard, and it does not take him long to mow them all down. In truth, Shockwave entered parameters to keep the Autobots alert and attentive, not accurately powerful, as that did not suit his purposes, but this experiment has nonetheless yielded unexpected information.

"Terminate simulation," Shockwave states and the hologram dissolves, leaving Phantom with only himself for company. Shockwave opens a channel into the training room. "You are operating within all expected parameters, Phantom. Return to the laboratory for a final diagnostic, and I will release you for duty."

As for him, he now had decisions to make, and new designs to contemplate.

Phantom has posed:
When he is successful in mowing down all the Autobots, Phantom himself seems surprised. He stares at the simulated dead bodies of the Autobots, frowning, until they disappear.

Then Shockwave addresses him, releasing him for duty after a final diagnostic.

He chuckles, suddenly appearing amused. "You and me are gonna get a drink sometime soon," he says.

"I have some questions I wanna ask you," he adds, his expression turning dark for a moment. Then he turns on his heel and heads for the laboratory, calling back to the scientist as he leaves, "That dive bar near the outskirts is good, next cycle. Don't stand me up."

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