[video]

[knightoflight]

[So, Wing's been quiet lately, after his angst attack.]

[But he's got a project now, kind of. Or at least, a question.]

Those of you who are scientists, is there any possibility you could find a way to locate a certain chemical compound?

Comments

[timesbureaucrat]

I might be able to rig up some sort of scanner. What sort of compound are you looking for?

[knightoflight]

Energon. It is the fuel source my kind require.

[Read as much into that as you like.]

I can send you the chemical profile.

[timesbureaucrat]

[Energon? It's not something he's heard of and wonders if perhaps it goes by different names.]

Yes, send it to me. I'll see what I can do.

How much of it do you need?

[knightoflight]

[Wing sends the formula.]

I'm afraid...a lot. It is the food for my kind, but also, if we are to build the sort of defenses we need, energon will make the best fuel source.

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin glances at the formula. He'll examine it more closely once their conversation is finished.]

Can it be synthesized?

[knightoflight]

Yes...and no. My kind have developed energon synthesizers that take materials and render them into something we can use as fuel. But it is, of course, no replacement for the real thing.

[timesbureaucrat]

I'll get to work on that scanner. How soon will you require this energon?

[knightoflight]

It is not critical, yet. But if we are to power some sort of defensive system, as well?

...can I do anything in return?

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin considers the offer. Having a favour owed by a giant robot could be useful.]

I'll let you know.

[knightoflight]

In your world, how would you defend a site from assault?

[What if they can't get the energon? They need a back up plan. One that doesn't rely on energon. Or Wing, if the worst came to pass.]

[timesbureaucrat]

It depends on the size of the site and the resources available. My planet is defended by a transduction barrier that keeps out any hostile force. On a smaller scale, I've developed an adaptation of matrix partitions, but I don't have the resources here to replicate it. Time locks are excellent for short term defense, but are impractical for the long term.

[tailless]

I am no scientist, but I have learned to scrounge here.

[knightoflight]

Anything might be useful.

[He pauses.]

Would you have spotted, in your explorations, a good spot where we may evacuate some of the ship's members to? I cannot tell what it suitable living conditions for your kinds.

[tailless]

The same as any other race's.

I have been... looking for supplies.

[He pauses himself, thinking. He doesn't trust the network, and knows it's not secure.]

This is a conversation we should have in person.

[knightoflight]

I am unfamiliar with any organic race, I'm afraid.

[He blinks, taking himself to task a bit for not having thought of that. Again. He's lived so long without need for comm security it was a foreign thing.]

Yes. [He hopes that means Vegeta has found something.] Whenever is convenient.

[tailless]

I... see.

[He hasn't found anything yet, but the more people, the easier it will be to accomplish the task he has in mind.]

Meet me outside the ship's entrance.

[knightoflight]

It seems fair: many organics seem entirely confused by my kind.

[Or called him a toaster, or thought he was going to take over the world....]

All right. [He starts moving to the ship's entrance.]

Action?

[tailless]

[Though he's never actually come across something like Wing before, he's not worried, and he starts to head towards the same way.]

I'll meet you there.

Action

[knightoflight]

[Wing remembers how distressed Vegeta was when he'd gotten collared. That meant that they at least had a common cause, a common enemy. That was enough for trust.]

[He is waiting for the other to arrive, passing the time by using his small plasma blades, moving them through a sequence of slashes and parries. He's so caught up he doesn't notice the other arrive.]

Action

[tailless]

[He watches with interest, not speaking for a moment. When he does, it's patient, but tense.]

I haven't found much, but I have a plan.

Action

[knightoflight]

Anything would be a help if it helps us survive.

Action

[tailless]

We need to create a scavenging party. In order to look for better shelter and possible supplies, a group of us will need to leave, probably for several days.

Action

[knightoflight]

[He nods.]

You need communication--a way for this party to keep in touch, if they need help, or supplies, as well.

Action

[tailless]

Some sort of code would be useful. Something that sounds like something other than what it actually is.

...I'm no good at that, though.

Action

[knightoflight]

[Wing gives a nervous laugh.] You're right. I am no good with this sort of thing. Perhaps Kara Thrace or Agent K or one of the human soldiers would be better able to advise?

[Because Wing can come up with a series of mechanical codes, but he's not sure how a human might replicate them.]

Action

[tailless]

[He nods.]

I shall have to discuss coming up with a code for them. It'll keep things from looking too suspicious.

[most_feared]

I don't think I can make it, but if you find someone who can I'll help 'em hunt down whatever they need.

[He thinks you're a swell guy, Wing.]

[knightoflight]

I'd appreciate it.

[He hasn't seen Agent K in a long time, it seems.]

How goes it in the Old City?

Also, I'm sorry I didn't get around to tagging this before.

[most_feared]

It's okay. As far as nigh on anarchic populations living in the shadow of probably totalitarian governments go.

[knightoflight]

.....that doesn't sound very promising.

I wonder if we can help them.