#soundwaveatcybertroid

[motheratfacetroid]

*Satisfied with the amount of time that had passed, Zeta opened the hatch and stepped into Tourian's halls. Silver pirates tended to their duties, ignoring the intrusion. A decontamination pirate inspected him, sprayed him with a thin layer of anti-phazon, then left to pursue other matters.*

Zeta: Hello? I need to speak with Mother Brain.

*A few passing silvers laughed at his remark, paying him little attention.*

Tourian Security: Right, what's your business here?

Zeta: It's Zeta and I'm here to speak with Mother.

Tourian Security: Whatever, I'll run it by Engrael, he'll know what to do.

*The pirate clicked his communicator and a panel opened up to display a monitor to Mother's chamber. Engrael sighed.*

Engrael: What now?

Tourian Security: Zeta is here. Wants to talk.

Engrael: There is a bounty on his head, you are aware of that?

Zeta: What?

Tourian Security: I am.

Engrael: Well, not anymore. Bring him here for a talk.

*The panel closed once more and the pirate led Zeta towards Mother's chamber. The sterile environment seemed not at all concerned about this interloper's presence.*

Zeta: So, news spread quickly about Kerig, did it?

Tourian Security: Don't act like Tourian isn't aware of every move you've made your entire life. It did not take long. Tourian probably heard word of Kerig's death before you even knew what you were doing. Do you know Engrael?

Zeta: I didn't realize you kept such a close eye on us... He is of one of my batches, yes.

Tourian Security: This ought to be good. This room here is Mother's chamber. I'm not going in there. The smell has been awful since Engrael took charge of it.

*The heavy doors opened, zebetite retracted, and access was granted to Mother's control chamber. Zeta stepped in, alone, and the doors closed behind him.*

Zeta: So this is Tourian. Where's Mother?

*Engrael turned his attention away from Aftershock for a moment to bow before Zeta. When he asked his question, Engrael laughed.*

Engrael: Welcome, Zeta, I did not expect to see you of all people, trespassing upon the heart of the Space Pirates. Mother Brain? She is everywhere. Phaaze is no more, Mother Brain is the very planet we stand upon.

*Zeta started to shiver with both rage and fear, his grip tightening upon his energy scalpel as he activated it.*

Zeta: What am I doing here? I can't fight a planet... What did you even do to her!?

[motheratfacetroid]

Engrael: Attempt at vocalizations noted. Please do not lodge your arm into my work space.

*Engrael took some of the more volatile and valuable components from the table, including the Chozo blood.*

Engrael: Not safe. Understand?

[motheratfacetroid]

*Zeta stood just outside of Tourian, here the fleshy growths were at their strongest, blue scarcely visible as Mother's form weaved a network across the planet's surface. He spotted a hatch open and then close mysteriously, and identified the means to enter the facility. He leaned himself against Tourian's outer walls, ensuring that he wasn't seen as he waited for a sign it was clear to enter. The cold, metal surface was more reassuring than the spongy substance that crawled beneath his feet.*

Zeta: If only I was a shadow pirate.

*Within the heart of Tourian, Engrael sighed and stood up, pacing around Aftershock. He remained calm, for the time.*

Engrael: What do you want? Attention? This is a critical point in our operation. Even if Mother's consciousness is turned elsewhere, that does not mean we are out of her favor.

*Engrael continued to monologue for a while as Graj entered the room and cleaned the chemical spill.*

Engrael: Do you even understand what I say?

[soundwaveatcybertroid]

*Aftershock continues to run through Tourian’s hallways, weaving past Pirates, going out of her way not to touch any of them. She opens one hatch and stops, finding the landscape beyond as nothing but blue growths blended with pink flesh. She freezes, the antennae on her head folding back. She turns back around, finding the pirates around her mostly just going about their business as though she were not there. She looks back outside, able to feel something beyond urging her away, and she backs up, letting the hatch close. Finally she lowers herself to the floor, curling up into a quiet ball.

After some time, she starts to look around again, watching the pirates as they work. And eventually, she attempts to make her way back to Engrael, trudging through the labyrinth of hallways trying to find where she’d come from. When she finally does make it back to the lab, she walks up to where Engrael is working, and, knowing precisely what things annoy a researcher, grabs a small flask of something and throws it at the wall.*

[soundwaveatcybertroid]

*Aftershock slowly backs away from Engrael and Graj on the other side of the room, backing up into the door and pressing some of her weight against it when the door subsequently opens, sending her stumbling backward out into the hallway beyond. She freezes, seeing several other armor-clad pirates staring at her. With slow movements, she gets to her feet, her tail twitching almost violently every few moments, and bolts down the hallway.*

[soundwaveatcybertroid]

*As Engrael steps back into Tourian, Aftershock remains on the balcony, looking up into the sky, sending simple messages out looking for the Nemesis. She moves over to the edge, looking down at the Phazon landscape before her, but backs away, finding the drop to be unnerving and the area below hostile. She leans against a wall as she walks back into the main room, watching Engrael with a steady gaze, creeping along toward the nearest door.*

[motheratfacetroid]

*While keeping a close eye on Aftershock, Engrael followed Graj back into Tourian's halls.*

Engrael: And where is the blood?

Graj: Mother's main chamber, as per security protocol.

*Zebetite doors opened to Mother's room and they were greeted by the sight of several small vials of Chozo Blood on a bare table. Additionally, there was a weapons rack, courtesy of the Luxor.*

Engrael: Thank you, I must request that you leave us be for the time being.

Graj: Understood.

*Engrael spared no time and rushed toward the Chozo blood, his eyes wide.*

Engrael: So this is the lympha of godhood. I have examined Chozo hybrids before, but even I was never granted a look at this before. Speaking of which, I do have to request Vexon's body for examination once his interrogation is complete. What did he need this blood for, anyhow?

*He held a vial in his claw, enraptured by the honor of being in its presence.*

Engrael: Still, it's not much. Five of these vials will be sent to Mother's spires, and we'll add it to her nutrient mix. But the sixth...

[soundwaveatcybertroid]

*Aftershock, seeing Graj join them, moves over toward Engrael, grabbing his arm and tugging on it somewhat. She backs away from the secretary, the antennae on her head folding back.*

*Within the Nemesis, Soundwave stands motionless at the bridge console. His hands rest on the keyboard, but he stares off into space, even as dozens of workers around him continue to repair the last of the ship’s damage. His mind is lost, scanning through a myriad of foggy memories from his corruption, and also dwelling on what possible fates might have befallen Aftershock. Upon hearing footsteps, he turns to look back at Starscream, who seems to sense his turmoil and keeps his distance as a result.*

Starscream: Were you supposed to be doing something?

*Soundwave glares at him from behind his visor.*

Starscream: You need to stop zoning out like that. Soundwave: [You need to get away from me.] Starscream: Or what?

*Soundwave lunges toward the seeker, sweeping with one arm and knocking him to one side, causing him to fall off of the bridge platform. He falls back onto the glass below, catching the attention of everyone else in the room. Soundwave, suddenly feeling suffocated by the amount of attention directed at him, strides out of the room. Starscream gets to his feet, looking around at the vehicons who still stare at him.*

Starscream: ... Well?

*Hesitantly they continue their work, and Starscream sends a brief message to Megatron.*

Starscream: Soundwave’s quickly become intolerable. Megatron: You spoke to him? Starscream: He was just standing there, not doing anything! Megatron: You’re more of a moron than I thought.