OPEN TO ALL CYBERTRONIAN FREQUENCIES

[sufferist]

[The transmission comes as a video feed, though it isn't of a person. Instead, the camera is focused on what appears to be a very large hammer. For any bots familiar with the lore of the Primes or just happen to have heard of it, it is the Forge of Solus Prime. It's propped up against a wall in some unknown building.]

[The voice that speaks has an Alternian accent to it, and is otherwise soft and raspy.]

I believe this is an important artifact to your people, isn't it? I've been wondering...how much would you say it's worth?

Comments

[ultramatum]

[After leaning forward Very Abruptly at the arriving transmission and sight of the Force, Ultra Magnus was now sitting extremely straight and professional, staring at the camera. It's pretty clear you have his full attention.]

And who exactly is asking?

[sufferist]

[He switches to just voice now. Not point in risking letting anything more about his location slip.]

I don't think it's really matters. This isn't about me, after all.

[ultramatum]

I'm to believe you just happened to come across a cybertronian relic, on a planet with no connection to Cybertron itself.

[sufferist]

You're all here, aren't you?

Maybe I just got lucky.

[bigfuckinggun]

[HELL. HELL. HELL. HELL. HELL. HELL. HELL]

[Megatron's voice is terse and impatient.] I believe the real question is how much you would say it is worth.

[sufferist]

Yes, but I'm feeling kind of uninspired. I can't seem to think of anything I want from you in particular.

[a few moments later]

[sufferist]

And, unrelated, I'm going to assume that the extractor got to you safetly? Otherwise you may want to speak to your second in command.

[bigfuckinggun]

... Indeed. [the less said on that matter the better, after how offputtingly troubled by the whole thing Starscream had seemed.] Tell me, what use does your Empress have for the Forge?

[sufferist]

None. That's why I'm giving it to you.

(audio only)

[starscheme]

What the hell are you playing at...

[sufferist]

Bargaining.

[starscheme]

Oh yes that clears things up so much.

[sufferist]

I'm not sure what else you're expecting. You made off pretty well the last time I did this, didn't you?

[worstprime]

[Rodimus picks up the transmission, displaying the video holographically from his communicator. Who's this asshole?]

That? Oh, that's not important at all. Abosolutely worthless. Garbage, even. Do you always try and barter with useless scraps of out-dated hardware, or are trying something new?

[sufferist]

I'm flattered by your bottom of the barrel attempts at deception.

[worstprime]

[Rodimus was expecting that to work]

Well...I..um. Hm. I mean...it's value is really of the more sentimental persuasion.

[sufferist]

[Wow.]

Really?

video

[cyclogical]

It is worthless without properly understanding how to use it.

[ Just a hunk of metal. ]

audio

[sufferist]

It's a good thing I don't intend to, then.

Re: audio

[cyclogical]

What do you aim to gain? Aside from some entertainment.

[Watching Rodimus trip on his face trying to negotiate is always fun, but that can't be the only reason.]

[sufferist]

Research. I'm going to put it up for grabs and see which side gets it first.

audio

[deadpartners]

[ What the hell? ]

Where did you get that?

[sufferist]

I've been looking for items of social traction across this planet, and I had some success. That's more than one item of Cybertronian origin I've found here.

[deadpartners]

[ Arcee's not that surprised -- she knew the Phase Shifter's been on Earth, at least. But her voice is still hard when she responds, obviously in no mood for games. ]

What do you want?

[sufferist]

I think I will give it to whoever arrives to pick it up first.