71/Valorous

{{Poses Demolisher has been lying in the repair bay for past several solar cycles, recovering from his near-death experience in the detention blocks earlier.
 * Poses=---< Noveria posed 5h Ago >---

By now, the medics have managed to stabilize him, and though he's still somewhat weak, he's conscious and seems to be open to conversation. ---< Valour posed 5h Ago > Valour comes into the medical area. His arm weapons are turned upwards in a non-threatening manner, and his sword hilt has been stored away so he doesn't look as readily-armed. He's carrying a small datapad, not much bigger than his hand. Valour himself is rather thin and reedy for a Decepticon. If his chest cockpit and wings didn't peg him for a Seeker, he might be mistaken for one of the old intellectual class. ---< Noveria posed 5h Ago >--- Demolisher peers tiredly at him. He probably didn't really need to hold his arms up like that--the neutral doesn't appear too concerned. He glances casually at the screen of one of the machines monitoring his vitals as it beeps monotonously. ---< Valour posed 5h Ago > Valour walks to the edge of Demolisher's repair-bed, and asks politely, "Would you mind if I joined you? My name is Valour. I heard about your ordeal and I came down to check on how you're doing." Valour doesn't approach too closely without Demolisher's permission, not wanting to encroach on his space until invited. His expression is sympathetic, with raised optic ridges and compassionate optics. ---< Noveria posed 5h Ago >--- Demolisher shrugs. "Sure." He nods, then, turning to look at Valour as he approaches. "I'm doing alright, I guess. For having had an attempt on my life recently." ---< Valour posed 5h Ago > Valour nods. "Can you tell me what happened? I'm pretty low level, so I don't get a lot of details around here." He sounds matter-of-fact about it - not bitter. "Was it the Autobots?" Valour raises his optic ridge, as if he wouldn't be surprised at all to hear about further Autobot shenanigans. ---< Noveria posed 4h Ago >--- Demolisher nods. "Yeah. Prowl, to be specific. I suspect he did it because he was concerned I'd leak intel to you guys." He tilts his head to the side slightly. "What's your name?" ---< Valour posed 4h Ago > "That's terrible!" Valour gushes. "Those Autobots!" He clenches his fists in anger on Demolisher's behalf. "My name's Valour, by the way," he answers finally, after taking a moment to compose himself. "And don't worry about the Autobots - we'll keep you safe." ---< Noveria posed 4h Ago >--- Demolisher's expression becomes a bit less stoic. "But it's not me I'm worried about. Valour, have you seen Starfall? I was told she's being taken care of, but I haven't gotten to see her yet..." He says, looking deeply concerned. ---< Valour posed 4h Ago > Valour places a calm, reassuring hand on Demolisher's arm. "From everything I've heard, she's OK. Want me to look into her current condition and whereabouts?" Valour looks around. "If she's not here, she probably wasn't hurt - I'm sure they just have her somewhere safe from Autobot assassins and spies." ---< Noveria posed 4h Ago >--- "She was critically injured in the battle for Iacon." Demolisher replies. "Starscream promised me he'd find a way to help her...but I don't know if I should trust him. Not that I trust the people who just tried to kill me any more than that." He sighs. "I just want to see her." ---< Valour posed 4h Ago > Valour nods. If he's embarrassed about not knowing important details about Starfall's condition, he doesn't let it on. Instead his tone remains calm and confident. "If Starscream said he'd find a way to help her, he will. He's a brilliant mech - if anyone can find a way, it's him." Of course, Demolisher's stated worry was that Starscream WOULD, not that he COULD, but Valour seems to sidestep that, intentionally or not. ---< Noveria posed 3h Ago >--- "The question isn't whether he can, it's if he -will-." Demolisher sighs. "He's been trying to make nice with me, but I don't know. It seems like he's trying a little bit -too- hard. I know what he wants though..." ---< Valour posed 3h Ago > Valour frowns. He can guess what Starscream wants, but he says, "That's immaterial. The important thing is we help your Endura recover, and right what the Autobots have done wrong. That's not contingent on whether you can help us or not - it's just the right thing to do." He pats Demolisher's arm. "I will do everything I can to help. You just rest and try to recover as quickly as you can. I'm sure in time the two of you will be united, and the Autobots will suffer for what they've done." At that, Valour's optics go dangerously dark. ---< Noveria posed 3h Ago >--- "Well, the Autobots said they were helping her recover. They told me that some of their research was the only hope she had." Demolisher explains. "But I haven't heard any updates from Starscream on her condition yet." he says, looking anxious again. "Or what exactly he's doing. Or what he's having done to her..."

He frowns. "Valour, why are you a Decepticon? You don't seem to be--like most of them, I don't know." ---< Valour posed 3h Ago > Valour looks surprised at the question. "Why am I a Decepticon? Because I believe in freedom, that's why," he responds passionately. "The Decepticons are the only hope against the tyrannical rule of the Primes. This 'Optimus' seems genuine enough on the surface, but it's only a matter of time before the power of his position corrupts him just as it did the Primes before him, and we are ones - the only ones - who can stop the Autobots when that happens. We're here to protect people like you, Demolisher - you who get caught in the middle, threatened and used by the Autobots and their oppressive security apparatus." Valour makes another fist, as if demonstrating the way the Autobots try to squeeze Cybertron with their attempts at complete control. ---< Noveria posed 3h Ago >--- Well Valour is certainly dramatic. "I suppose." Demolisher replies. "You might be right but, who -will- take the Primes' place as leader? How do we know they won't become corrupt just like they did? Sometimes, I feel that there is no hope for our world..." he sighs, looking downcast for a moment before looking back up at Valour.

"The Autobots plan to destroy the mega-refinery should it fall from their control. That's what they wanted me for." ---< Valour posed 3h Ago > Valour's optics widen at the news. "Does Starscream know about this?" He's distracted from Demolisher's extremely valid questions about who would take over in a power vacuum left by the death of Optimus Prime. "Do you have any proof of this? If this is true, we need to take this to the Convocation - they need to know about the Autobots' plans before they find someone else to take your place! Millions could die if they destroy the refinery!" An edge of panic creeps into Valour's voice. ---< Noveria posed 2h Ago >--- "I suppose," Demolisher shrugs. "But I'm sure the Convocation knows of it already. After all, Optimus Prime himself stands at its head. I have 'proof'...in that I was the one approached to do the deed. Unfortunately...I have already done it. If I hadn't, Prowl wouldn't have attempted to end me." ---< Valour posed 2h Ago > Valour nods slowly, calming himself down and taking everything in. "What were you supposed to do - plant bombs in the refinery? Do you know if they're still there? The mega-refinery hasn't been destroyed, so there's still hope there, but we'll definitely have to be on close guard against further Autobot sabotage. As for Prowl - don't worry. We'll keep you safe from him and every other Autobot." ---< Noveria posed 2h Ago >--- Demolisher shakes his head. "No, it hasn't been destroyed yet. The system requires a code-activated detonator..." He trails off, looking rather dejected, because he knows it's a code the Autobots already have in their possession. "I'm--uncertain even, how much can be done about this situation now. The explosives have already been planted, but..." ---< Valour posed 2h Ago > "Is there a pattern in how they're planted? I can travel there myself, immediately if necessary, if there's a way to safely remove the explosives. I'm sure the Decepticons have qualified EOD experts if you think it's something beyond my capability." Valour frowns. "We'd have to be careful we didn't goad the Autobots into blowing up the refinery early - do you have any idea when they are planning to do it? And if there's any way that Soundwave to could jam the code signal?" ---< Noveria posed 2h Ago >--- "I just know they plan to use it if they lose control of the reinfery." Demolisher says, shrugging. "I...have access to the bomb layouts. But I would need to get back into my warehouse in Iacon, which the Autobots have no doubt already placed on lockdown. Soundwave might be able to jam the signal temporarily, but it would only delay the inevitable...." He pauses. "I have to think, about could even be done at this point, honestly." ---< Valour posed 1h Ago > Valour nods again, brow furrowed. "Soundwave has some sneaky agents - if he could get them into your warehouse, could you tell him where those bomb layouts are? I could alert command not to try to take the refinery until we've cleared out the bombs... we don't want anyone to get hurt when they don't have to. If we can clear out the bombs before the Autobots get wind that we're moving against them, we can save the refinery!" Valour's optics glow with restrained excitement. ---< Noveria posed 1h Ago >--- "If anyone tries to touch the explosives, they will set themselves off." Demolisher admits, sighing and shaking his head. "The only way to stop this is to the wrest control of the detonator system from the Autobots by gaining access to the activation codes. As for the location of the layouts..." He shakes his head, trailing off again. "I--I must see Starfall. For myself. I've been told she has been rescued but I have no way of confirming or denying the authenticity of that claim. You must understand, I have no reason to trust you any more than the Autobots." ---< Valour posed 1h Ago > Valour frowns, but nods. "I understand. If I could bring you to Starfall, or show you she's OK if you're still not well enough to move, would you be willing to help us out? To save the refinery, and the millions of lives that would be wasted if it was detonated? I can understand why you wouldn't trust us, but if we can show you we're sincere, will you help us?" Valour looks into Demolisher's optics with pleading sincerity.

--< Noveria posed 24m Ago >--- "Prove to me that she's alive and well, -and- that you're making considerable efforts to save her and give her a normal life again, and I will help you as much as I can...but it won't be easy. I'm telling you, even if you manage to gain access to the detonation programs, if they learn of this--if they find any trace your presence they may well set off the bombs immediately and destroy the refinery. Or they may use it to leverage you, threatening its destruction unless you give in to their demands." Demolisher warns. "If you were to raid my warehouse in search of the codes, if they learn of it they will be onto you. If they learn I'm not actually dead they will be onto you. If there is -any- reason to suspect at all..." ---< Valour posed 22m Ago >--- Valour nods. "It's a tall order," he agrees. "But we have to try! We can't let the Autobots destroy that refinery and kill all those people! I'll talk to command and we'll work out a plan. Soundwave and Starscream are smart - they'll work out something." Valour perhaps notably makes no mention of Scorponok. "As for Starfall - I'll find out anything I can, and let you know immediately what I learn. I know we're trying to help her, and I'll prove it to you!" Valour points confidently as Demolisher, as if Valour can make all this happen out of pure will. --< Noveria posed 14m Ago >--- "Yes, you do that." Demolisher nods. "Thank you..." Though he still isn't quite sure if Valour is just being nice for the same reasons Starscream is. He'll have to see Starfall for himself first, before he decides for certain that they are on his side. ---< Valour posed 3m Ago > Valour clasps Demolisher's arm one last time reassuringly. "You're very welcome, Demolisher! I will do everything possible I can to reunite you with Starfall and to save those people threatened by those explosives. I won't have those deaths on your hands, or mine!" He lets go of Demolisher at last, and hurries out of the room, heading out to files a report to his commanders. Because all of them will share Valour's honest concern for the innocent, right?

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