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]

[Well.]

And what is of value to you? Not this, I imagine, or you wouldn't be willing to trade it.

[sufferist]

I have intentions. And in giving this to one of you, I'll be getting what I want.

After all, I assume that you will be reluctant to share.

[ultramatum]

You make it sound as if it would be of use to me, personally.

[sufferist]

It would be of use to your cause.

[ultramatum]

You do realize that to the average cybertronian this is nothing more than an impressive warhammer?

[sufferist]

I know at least one of your kind that can use it.

You can't expect the nature of the key figurehead of your culture to go unnoticed.

[ultramatum]

[That changes things a little, but there's no way he is going to tell this most-likely Alternian that they are currently without a Prime.]

What would Cybertron have that would of interest to you, in any case?

[sufferist]

I'm not sure. You hardly have anything of worth, don't you?

[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.

[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.

[ultramatum]

Then why try to trade it instead of just offering it at the beginning?

[sufferist]

I was being coy, and I didn't think you would all be so easily confused.

[ultramatum]

You bring forward a cybertronian artifact you know to be of importance and expect us to respond well to jokes?

[sufferist]

You responding well has nothing to do with it. Am I really conducting myself in a manner that suggests I care how well you respond?

[ultramatum]

It is usually easier to get what you want when you are straightforward with people.

[sufferist]

Sometimes.

[ultramatum]

Very well, then what are your terms for relinquishing the hammer?