Log Title: Contingencies and Titans
Characters: Ghost , Soundwave , Ravage
Location: Decepticon High Command Aerie - Praxus
Date: January 05, 2021
TP: Calyhex TP
Summary: Ghost details to Soundwave and Ravage her plans for the Decepticon Intelligence succession should she become incapacitated.
As logged by Ghost
TFU - Tuesday, January 05, 2021
[Con-Tapes] Omen oh dears, "Buir gedin'la"
[Con-Tapes] Ravage says, "Is all well?"
[Con-Tapes] Soundwave says, "Omen?"
[Con-Tapes] Ghost grumps, "I'm cranky, in a mood. Orders and questions I wasn't quite positioned to field."
[Con-Tapes] Ghost grumbles, "Fortunately my contingency plans have contingency plans."
[Con-Tapes] Soundwave says, "something that can be discussed privately or publicly?"
[Con-Tapes] Ravage says, "Of course. Do you wish for me to avail you of some therapy kills for later?"
[Con-Tapes] Ghost hnnns, "You'll need to know sooner than later. All of you."
[Con-Tapes] Soundwave says, "what has happened or will happen?"
[Con-Tapes] Ghost says, "yes"
[Con-Tapes] Soundwave says, "I am prepared for elaboration."
[Con-Tapes] Ghost says, "Where are you and I will journey there."
[Con-Tapes] Soundwave says, "Praxus Aerie"
[Con-Tapes] Ravage says, "I will rendezvous if appropriate."
[Con-Tapes] Ravage says, "Or is it not appropriate to discuss it with me yet?"
[Con-Tapes] Ghost says, "It affects you as well, Ravage. I'll be there shortly. better there than here."
Decepticon High Command Aerie - Praxus[]
Ghost strides into what is still 'unofficially' her office, that conference room here in the Aerie. Her frame is still cooling off from her flight here, sub-orbital, metal pining as it cools and contracts from a partial re-entry angle.
Ravage was taking what was a short ended quick recharge. By which we mean napping. Having taken some of the lights and set them to a specified high rate of heat and frequency. Then shutting them off as Ghost arrived to head over.
Soundwave also enters the office, choosing this place as its Ghost's. He nods and moves to stand against the wall in his watch and record position.
Ghost peers at the two, gives a shake of her wings and.. relaxes them out, fanning the panels to speed up the cooling. "Well. Three things. One involves if I'm ever incapacitated, the other two are current objectives which have been prioritized."
Soundwave nods "Ah, the backup plans. Always a good idea to have even if they are never used."
Ghost shakes her head, "Not something I thought I'd need but I am glad I'd started to plan for the possibility." She drops into a chair. "As this time everything is -far- more complicated."
Ravage would glance over at Ghost and go to frown, "Of course." He would glance at her. "And is there a reason for the sudden re-prioritizing of contingencies?"
Soundwave nods "Contingency plans are always a good idea. I am glad you are sharing them. What other issues are there that complicate things?" he asks.
Ghost leans back.. and puts her feet on the table, balancing the chair. A flick of a wrist and a knife comes out, starting to spin between fingers as she mulls, optics slit. "Well when Megatron asks you to name your replacement.. 'In case you are incapacitated'.. an answer is required then no matter if the contingency is completed or no."
And for once Ravage goes to speak over on the matter rather plainly and directly.
"Slag."
Soundwave nods "He did, did he?" he asks. "Interesting that he never asked me my contingency plans. Did you inform him of all of your options or first priority?" he says, assuming theres multiple plans as he usually has.
Ghost snorts, "Not that bad, Ravage. The difficulty is Intel has two XOs, not the usual line of succession, you see."
Ravage would nod over in thought, "I see. So he is not considering a direct -replacement- due to whatever his preferences are?" Ravage would let out a low exhale.
Soundwave nods "I see. And who has he assigned as yours?" he asks, his tone neutral.
Ghost shakes her head, "I named my preferred successor, as short lived as it would be. He didn't assign anyone, simply concerned that should I fall, there not be a situation where the division is split."
Soundwave nods "I see. And who did you name as your successor, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
Ghost reaches up and throws the knife at the wall across the room. "Floodlight."
Ravage would just nod over at Ghost, "Very well." And somewhat rational in the matter. Ravage would glance over thoughtfully.
Ravage would just glance at Ghost, "And why then?"
Soundwave nods "Floodlight is an interesting choice." He says, nodding to Ravage. Same question.
<<Decepticon>> Motormaster says, "Humph"
<<Decepticon>> Motormaster says, "All sass and no brass on that Dinobot"
<<Decepticon>> Motormaster says, "I demand refueling when I arrive back."
Ghost flicks wrist, pulling another knife out, spinning it between fingers before launching it at the wall.
-thunk-
"Intel doesn't really -need- a combat heavy at the helm. In fact, having our hardest hitters pulled from the field, our best agents and operatives hurts collection overall. We need data analysis, calculations, statistical analysis, and patterns. Without the loss of emotion involved." Another knife toss. -thunk-
"And, she's one I know I could datadump to, with Omen, directly who would follow my final contingencies to the letter, without a personal agenda involved."
Ravage would let out a harrumph over, "Yes, but as an analyst do you trust her -instincts-? Her ability to -delegate-? Do you trust her mastery of the administration, the bureaucracy, the turf? TO take in all the small elements of the system and to analyze them? To determine whether something is noise or pattern? I ask trusting her status as an analyst, but not knowing whether she is an administrator or whether she can engage in the fiefdom wars of bureaucracy."
Because everything in the end is an analogy for combat. "Do you see her as competent when it comes to assignments, evaluations, and management?"
Soundwave nods "Sometimes, it is best to have someone who is not heavily combat centered in that position is a good idea. Most of the work as intelligence is done in the shadows." he watches the knife get tossed. "Something else is bothering you though."
Ghost pulls another blade out, weaving it between fingers, "I don't expect her to hold the position long. Her skills in data aside.. well were she challenged, she would be a fool to select /combat/ as the option. Data analysis.. There's nothing in the regs that state a challenge -has- to be by arena." A shrug, "I see her as being fully capable to hold the reins, guide, and arrange the pieces as needed providing that the XOs continue to excel in /their/ fields of expertise."
-thunk-
"Whyever do you think I assigned an analysis from -Trypticon- on a world wide tour of the polities? Broaden her knowledge base and analytical skills." She shrugs, "I'm bothered, yes. We're to focus on Protihex, of all places, and Ibex."
-thunk-
Ravage would cock a brow over, "Protihex? What for? Ibex.. The Autobots have demonstrated their intent to bring in heavy weaponry if need be to hold it. We will have to decide whether we shall do the same first. I.. Would presume they do not intend to siege or assault the spaceport. Their hold on the city is too tenuous and they risk in case of failure losing what portions of the territory they have to our counterattack. I presume they also wish for the spaceport to remain intact and would not bring in heavy artillery to level it."
Soundwave nods "Protihex is a large expanse of territory. Dow e have the resources to hold it with the Autobots so close?"
Ghost heaves a sigh, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling, parsing. "We need to know what the Autobots are doing in Ibex. Possibly so we can counter. As for Protihex, it has always been a thorn, an Autobot stronghold in this hemisphere of the planet. it sits as part of the chain of cities on the loop. Polyhex, Protihex, Uraya. Then Kalis, Praxus, Altihex."
Ravage would glance over at Ghost, "Very well. A way to cut off their maneuvering room and positioning to threaten other parts of our territory." If not one that he himself would have seen of great strategic import. "Given the size of the territory, the Autobots probably operate from a few primary garrison or command posts which they send patrols from as necessary."
Soundwave pauses. "Recommendation: Protihex first. Cut off Ibex before we strike."
Ghost hmms, "Ibex first, we need to know what they're doing. In and out as we have the spaceport. Then Protihex. That, we need deeper details on, he wants to move to take the city itself."
Ravage would mmph thoughtfully. "Protihex.. We should start with overflight. Have some Seekers do some high atmospheric loops above it so that it can be thoroughly mapped and plotted aboveground."
Ghost stares at the ceiling before, "We can do both. We have the operatives." quiet again, spinning another knife (where are these coming from!?) between fingers then tossing it up to catch and toss again without looking. "If I am incapacitated, Floodlight is the named replacement. Now.. Work, I've need to arrange some sort of supply and fuel to an insane titan, babysit Banshee, reorganize who is where, check on Vizier, where -IS-..." blink as she looks around, then puzzles, "I've lost my cockerel. I'm not sure where he's at..."
Ravage has challenged you to a contest of INTELLIGENCE.
Ghost wins the challenge.
Ravage just goes to look over at Ghost. And look. And look. "you need to take moment to recharge. You're going on and on like the time Rumble and Frenzy attempted to upload the entire contents of Reddit to their archives and we couldn't get them out of the wall panel for a week. Don't -ask- about the time with Four-Chan either." He would rumble. "Now you need to sit down, go through a rest cycle, and ensure that you're not about to have any synapses fire off. You can hardly scheme now if you're not at your best."
Soundwave blinks, "And what is going to happen to you. You're planning to die soon?"
Ghost rubs at the bridge of her knows with the knife still in hand. "No, if she succeeds me, I expect you to be ready when something happens to her, or.. I.. frag.." staring at the knife. "I have no idea, and no, I don't plan on dieing anytime soon. But slag happens." Blade is thrown to join the rest in the wall in a pretty and tightly grouped formation.
Ravage would tsk, "Beyond that, contingencies, particularly for worst case are needed, as are absurd case." By 'absurd case' we mean anything that came from the AARs of operations on Earth. "But you need some time to process and defragment."
Soundwave pauses. "Whats going to happen. What are you planning thats that dangerous.."
Ghost sighs... "Calyhex."
Ravage would let out a sigh, "And how do you plan to fully upload and integrate yourself into her to try and aid in defragmenting her?"
Soundwave blinks. "Is she that unstable? What do you plan on doing there?"
Ghost stares at the ceiling, "She was talking about.. purging her patients. Lockup, Hush, Scope, they were all.. hiding. Purging the non-responsive, the 'broken'. Like Bedlam had done before, she said. She's spoken of having locked sections away with others still behind the doors. Not to mention the horrors in that closed wing..."
Ravage would glance over at Ghost for a moment. Then he would gently take a claw up and over to rest it against her side. "And we cannot have a mentally unstable Titan around. I.. I believe that we must confer with greater powers on this one, Ghost. If I may suggest?"
Soundwave sighs "Has she gone through with it? Did..you tell Megatron about it?"
Ravage says, "I highly doubt it. She's not been lobotomized."
Ghost blinks, finials flattening, "She didn't.. last I was there but.. I don't know. I keep her blocked." Raising her right hand with that band on her ring finger. "Mostly blocked. And no.. I did not tell Megatron. He wants her moved out of-" A shudder as Ravage speaks, voice trailing off, expression pained. "They cut -sections- of her cortex out, Ravage.. Bedlam, Syndrome... removed pieces of her mind. I've -seen- it, the missing sectors, the gaps in her code, the dark, gaping nothing... I've written what I can when I can to help guide her to self repair.. something.. anything.. but she's not fueled properly.." closing her optics.
Soundwave pauses. "Is she salvageable?" he asks. "Is she getting in the way of the empire?"
Ravage would sigh, "We need a higher being in this. You -have- to contact Solus Prime. At -best- you can help Calyhex limp along until she fractures or until she is put down and out of her misery. You are not equipped to handle trauma surgery on a Titan. You -need- a specialist. You must go to Valvolux and request to speak with Solus and perhaps Bulwark."
[Con-Tapes] Ghost's end of the link floods with a deep, echoing sorrow, a grief, a horrified rage, a sense of failure.
Ghost murmurs flatly, "I don't know and no. she is no threat to the empire as she is, as long as she's not provoked. They don't -understand- how broken she is, they only see the good moments, with the glimpses of the bad. I don't know how much Starlock saw of the bad when she was there so often. I know there were bad moments but.. I don't know if she saw the horror. She's broken and Solus Prime? I.. No I can't.. I can't do that, no."
Ravage would take a moment to calm himself, then recite, "Probability: High. Unit Calyhex will continue her mental degradation. It can at best be temporarily alleviated. But her trauma is substantial and likely permanent. Probability: High. Nothing further can be done beyond what has already been established for her for her state. Deterioration will continue. Presumption: You are doing all in your power and abilities already, and her status continues to decline. Probability: Nothing further can be done than is already doing so. Conclusion: Subject Calyhex's condition will continue to deteriorate." Ravage would glance at Ghost.
"Why not?"
Soundwave nods "There are good moments then. Good as in moments of stability? Is she becoming more violent then?" he nods to Ravage. "I would not mind scanning her to check to see if that is accurate."
Ghost flinches. "She needs fuel, materials, to self repair. The code I've done will -work- but she has to have the resources to use it. She has moments or had more stable moments but.. She's falling back again. And. I can't go to Solus, I'm not a /cityspeaker/." tone bitter, scathing, "If I were I would've been able to keep, to prevent what happened to Trypticon. And I couldn't, I failed him and he found another. Better. So no, -I- can't go to Solus Prime, but she should be alerted."
Soundwave murmurs "Do you think a city speaker will help?"
Ravage would take a few moments in consideration, "So you need supplies in large amounts to fuel and repair her and in sufficient quantities and quality to sustain her for a time. Such things cannot be stolen or raided in close proximity, and I doubt Megatron would allow such a transfer without an obligation." He would continue on. "And if you do not feel like you can approach Solus Prime directly in the matter, Valvolux will not care. So.. We need a secondary source for a contingency. How -far- up the chain have you asked the Autobots?"
Ravage would continue on, "With your assent.. Would you allow a parley?"
Soundwave pauses. "Wasn't she stationed for New Harmonex? Isn't that Autobot territory?"
Ghost pulls her feet off of the table, sitting up. Only to lean forward and rest her head in her arms. "There was talk yes, New Harmonex but she's terrified when she transforms. And I'm not traipsing up the Autobot Chains of Command Ravage. I /can't/. Not as Intel head. I've put in an official request, I've told Megatron that she is -useful- to me and should be left as she is, positioned as she is." Finials falling forward, "I did blackmail another Autobot.. Guilt tripped him into agreeing to slip materials and fuel her way though."
Soundwave pauses. "Has anyone diagnosed what her exact psychosis is?" he asks. "I know shes not sane but..."
Ravage would go over and lean back, "Then we do so with someone who will.." He would muse. "Wait." His processor would scan through records. "The weak link in the Autobot chain of command is Ratchet. Magnus would declare it requires an official act. Prime would make it a public spectacle. Ratchet.. Ratchet would be willing o, would have access to the resources.. And we could tell him that what his protege did seems to have made the condition worse."
Ravage would go on, "So he can be nudged in the direction of wanting to prevent his protege from having the guilt of a death on her, well intentioned or not. Give him enough data to confirm the damage, the resources required. He will provide them. He will not be questioned. He will also as he is trying to save his protege from suffering do so subtly."
Ghost shakes her head, "I need to defrag.. rest.. " murmured into her arms. "I don't know that Soundwave. I do know that she is -not right-, I can /feel/ it when she slides off her levels." Listening to Ravage, "Frag, might as well tell me to saunter up and shame Prime into doing it. But too much Autobot visibility.. She becomes a target. I.. Thank you gentlemechs but, I need to think on this more. And the other things. Cuyir haryc at kyr'am. Your words are.. as always, appreciated, welcomed. But I'm going to take a nap now."
Soundwave nods "I need to scan her. Get closer. Go rest.." he says. "I must consider this as well." He says, approaching Ghost "Do you want me to lead you to the recharger?"
Ravage would sigh at Soundwave, "Move her somewhere comfortable and do not leave her side." He would dip his head over at Ghost, "I will see if I can locate any possible alternative means. I make no promises.." And he would watch as he presumes Ghost will go down as he speaks.
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> Good evening
Ghost relaxes into the table like she's grown used to sleeping at it. "Cuyir haryc at kyr'am... I'm fine, I can rest here, used to . it.. Oh.. I forgot. presents.. I'm.. just a short.. nap. I'm fine... This is me being.. fine...." trailing off, dozing off.
Soundwave scoops up Ghost as best he can "Shh...its ok. Rest. I'll get you to a berth..."
<irc.dal.net> <Voidwalker> hello
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> hello
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> how are you?
Ghost blinks as she's scooped up, "Hmm wha? Wait I'm.. ok.. fine. This is.. undignif.. I"m just.. Mhi solus tome."
And is out like a light. Safety registering as systems ping the two others, tagged currently as ok.
<irc.dal.net> <Voidwalker> uuuhg
<irc.dal.net> <Voidwalker> going to be a long night...
Ravage would just shake his head, "We need alternatives for resources. If she's thinking that she has to blackmail the Autobots, and presumes that we can't go to somewhat more substantial behind the lines.. We need a specific list." Ravage would allow after a moment.
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> what happened?
<irc.dal.net> <Voidwalker> tsk, unnecessary cruelty
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> what did you do?
Soundwave nods "what are you suggesting?" he asks.
Ravage would glance at Soundwave, "We can't know what we need to procure until we have a list of it and the estimated amounts. We can only hypothesize until then. I do not like making plans based on insufficient targeting data. We will get it from her. Potentially we can authorize some internally though if she has been unable to I doubt we can. More likely there will be old supply caches and scientific facilities that have supplies in limited amounts. I -feel- that stabilizing the Titan will go badly and only extend her existence and misery."
Soundwave nods "I'd really like to get her brainscans."
Ravage would nod, "Beyond that the issue is her body. Her consciousness probably cannot support it for the moment. And the scale and care of repairing internal neuroframe-structure at a Titan scale without a large team or group of specialists.. Much less one in a deteriorating state.. Best to take the scans for research and analysis and at the point the Titan is in pain to euthanize her." Ravage would go on.
<irc.dal.net> <Inside> Its like an egg.
Soundwave murmurs "I wonder what her physical condition is."
Ravage would nod, "But.. That is the logical thing. It is what Shockwave would do if he were being particularly magnanimous. I will not stoop to Shockwave's level. I will do it -because- it has meaning for her."
Soundwave nods "I think we should try to save it. For her."
Ravage would nod, "Exactly. Which is why I will do all I can to aid you in it." Apparently the cat does have a soft spot.
Soundwave scratches Ravage behind the ears. "You're one of the good ones, my friend."
Ravage would let out a purr, "Yes. We can start on some preliminary assessments. First we need to get some neuro-processor scans of her to evaluate the degradation. Then see how well Ghost's uploaded code modules are integrating and whether they need fine tuning. If she gives us an idea of materials we can start to look for alternatives in gathering them, because extra will be better given her scale."
Ravage would then muse.. "And we should review our inventory of stashes and caches. We can at least give some in short term relief if need be from our own knowledge of stocks." What spy didn't have their own bolt holes for when the world died?
Soundwave pauses. "If she could be used to assist the empire..."
Ravage would shrug, "Unlikely. Useful for justification, perhaps. But she is too senile and disruptive. Useful for propaganda perhaps. But she is too dilapidated, mentally and physically for use in combat and too disoriented to be used for basing."