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

[worstprime]

Right. I'll uh, clear my schedule then.

[Rodimus abruptly closes communication, miffed at having realistically not accomplished anything right there.

Who the hell even WAS THAT?]

[ultramatum]

[Wow, rude. It's not his fault Alternian technology is hideously unadaptable. Not to mention immoral and gross.]

You're familiar enough with Cybertron to know the nature of the Primes, yet you'll belittle the technological advances and resources that originated from our planet and cybertronian invention. Which have been at the pinnacle of galactic science for eons.

If you had no interest in any of cybertron's exclusive goods then was the purpose of eliciting a trade offer?

[sufferist]

Cybertron isn't at the pinnacle of anything. You seem to have lost touch with your place in the universe in more recent years.

You're a species of drifters with no home and no territory. What technology you do have is the battered remains of a civilization that is long dead.

[ultramatum]

Yet your people are also primarily fleetbound, with a planet that is primarily hostile and uninhabitable. And your empire has been involved in conflict for millennia. Not to mention that the greatest feats of the alternian empire rest upon the subjugation of its own people.

Cybertron may not be as it was at the peak of the golden age, but our culture and the resilience of our people is far from dead.

[sufferist]

You are actually incorrect about our home planet. In fact, I hear that we only keep children there these days.

The conflict and subjugation I can't argue with. No troll would. There is no element of self deception.

[ultramatum]

[Ok, well, not all the rumors about Alternia could be true.]

If the planet is only populated by the most vulnerable and naive members of your society, I wouldn't hold the possession of a habitable planet as much of an accomplishment against us Cybertronians.

[sufferist]

I'm not sure I follow your logic.

[ultramatum]

Most of species aside from the very youngest reside off planet. Your empress resides off planet. The majority of your technological, scientific, and cultural advancements are made off planet. The infrastructure of your empire exists primarily through your fleet.

It does not appear that having a planet is of particular benefit to your people at this point.

[sufferist]

Alternia has hundreds of colonies populated by a vast population of trolls. It's made its home wherever it sees fit, and thrives wherever it chooses. The same cannot be said in your case.

To be clear, your lack of home has nothing to do with scientific advancement. I was mocking you for wiping out your own species.

video

[cyclogical]

It is worthless without properly understanding how to use it.

[ Just a hunk of metal. ]

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.

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.

[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.

[deadpartners]

[ Scrap. Arcee can't even count the number of ways this could go really, really wrong. ]

You know there might be an awful lot of collateral damage if you play it that way.

[sufferist]

If you think so, then don't come for it.

[deadpartners]

Yeah, right. Not an option.

You can't be convinced to do this any other way?

[sufferist]

What would you suggest?

[deadpartners]

I don't know, a negotiation of some kind? Or maybe telling us what your angle here is, exactly. Because I'm not sure I see how you benefit from turning this into some kind of feeding frenzy.

[sufferist]

I know what I want out of this. You don't have to.

[ultramatum]

[There's a strong hint of bitterness with the next statement.]

The empire's still young. I'm sure you'll face another rebellion within your culture soon enough.

Regardless, why don't you just explain your motivation for giving away the artifact. That WAS why you initially contacted us.

[sufferist]

The last one didn't get very far. I was there.

And I don't see why you keep asking that like it's going to change my answer. I think it will be more interesting if one of you has it. It's nothing to me, after all.