Science Never Rests

[Perceptor]

((December 12th, 2024, Autobot Base))

Tucking his lab-wall into place, Perceptor leaned against it for a moment, having finally tired out a bit of the endless path of discovery and mistakes that made his work interesting. He needed to get out of the lab for a while. Turning around, Perceptor glanced only briefly at the fairly plain room that was his living space, with only trace indications of his lab space behind him, and several miscellaneous projects and tools and supplies scattered on shelves. It wasn't nearly as bad as some work spaces he'd seen, but it could use some tidying up. It wasn't his actual work space, though, so the organization and tidiness wasn't important in comparison.

Walking up to the door, the generally up-beat mech fixed up the security system and walked out onto the base, the hallway that lead to his lab slightly offset due to the fact that it was a lab space, and strolled at a swift pace out into the main hallway, before looking around. It was fairly early in the morning, and the air, even indoors, was cool, in relativity to the normal temperature here. He could appreciate that.

Cycling some of the relatively cooler air into his system, he set off toward the outside, to view the natural organic wonder that they'd wandered into in the war. It was a fascinating world, but, unfortunately, they were in but one of the many environments, and it was this one environment that kept coming back to him. This was one reason he'd chosen a relatively versatile alt mode. Maybe he'd go on a drive today. Southeast, probably, to the coast in Southern California. Normally that'd be a long trip, but he wasn't a normal person, by any means.

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[Danielle Messick]

She looked about, the base quiet, for now. Her eyes traced her home, taking in all the features she had missed dearly on her trip to Colorado. Some meeting at a University, a few government officials asking if she was interested in learning about rocket engines. She turned them down of course, she'd rather keep her eyes on the weapons and the medical work. Besides, that would mean Danny would hardly be here if she ever was. Of course, some of them weren't happy to hear it, for those who had known her for at least a few years, they knew better than to argue or attempt to change her mind. No one owned her, and she made that clear. If you wanted to challenge the Danielle to that, you were in for it.

Someone who had traveled with her to try and keep her company, one she had had for years, the furry black wolf dog that stood at her hips yawned. Looking down, the red headed sixteen year old chuckled before roughing up the fur on the top of his head. His tongue lolled out, nipping at her hand with a wag of his tail. "Sh, let's not wake anyone." She advised, though of course he wouldn't know what she was saying.

Unfortunately, the two were stuck on the opening outside the base. She had lost the keygen to open the sesame. She crossed her arms, standing now right her left hip out somewhat to put most of her weight on her right leg which was locked at the knee. "Actually, we might have to wake someone up. It's kind of cold." She hummed, tapping a foot before kneeling down to be closer to Ambosine's height. His blue eyes met her own, scratching underneath his chin. "I guess we're stuck out here until someone's up and wants to go for a stroll. I wonder if Dad's here."

[Perceptor]

As he exited the building into the chill of the outdoors, Perceptor was almost surprised at just how early it was. He knew it was early, but not this early. However, with a quick turn, he moved to walk around the outside yard of the base, moving around before he went on this spur of the moment trip. He was almost disappointed at the lack of activity on base. It wasn't long, however, before he noticed the human femme standing with a canine companion not too far away. She seemed familiar, and he likely knew her, but his memory would need a slight refresher. It's possible he'd heard of her, but never actually met her. In fact, very likely. That was the case with most of the entities on base.

She was, at the moment, communicating with her canine friend - which only perplexed Perceptor for a moment, before he realized that this was, indeed, normal human behavior - even though the creatures couldn't speak back. Not that he wasn't working on that. Only a short moment of curious hesitation flew through Perceptor's mind, before he strolled lightly over to this girl, though he wasn't sure of what to say. He never was, really. "The hour at which you abide in the extramural portion of the base tends to indicate disturbance. Would it be prudish of me to proposition a small benefaction upon you?" He spoke easily, despite the fairly out of place word choice. This was one thing that could make him stand out in a crowd. Not that he didn't know that - how he spoke was part of what made him him.

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[Danielle Messick]

At the moment as his teenage friend reached behind his left ear, Ambosine had tilted his head to aid her, one ear perked, the other she scratched bent at the middle as he enjoyed it before feeling a vibration of large feet on the ground. "Berf." A small, warning woof as he abandoned the attention with both ears perked, trying to locate the disturbance. Soon Perceptor arrived, Ambosine getting to his feet and letting out a low growl.

Danielle spotted Perceptor as well, picking herself up and dusting off a knee before lightly grabbing the top of Ambosine's muzzle over his nose. As usual, he got out of it, take in a few breaths heavily before sneezing and shaking his head. Soon after he got the message, his tail wagging in slight excitement but still protective of Danny due to this new face. She found it odd how he spoke, but didn't seem to mind, quickly making out what he said. "Yeah it is kind of early, sorry about that. A benefactor would be nice." Somewhat amused by reusing one of the words, appearing to be in an alright mood. She was back home, and now it appeared, she might find someone she can get along with.

One thing she lacked that she normally had around her waist, her belt, making her feel slightly out of place. Ambosine pestered her a tad more by pushing his head under her left arm while gently gnawing at her wrist. She ruffled the side of his head again, scratching beneath the same floppy ear. "I don't think I've seen you very much. I'm Danielle Messick, but, I tend to prefer Danny. If you don't know me, I'm Ratchet's daughter." She figured it was safe enough to say so, she thought she'd seen his face around the base before she left. "And this is Ambosine."

[Perceptor]

With a small grin, Perceptor acknowledged the dog with a nod - even though he found the motion wasted - before glancing back at the door behind him. "My accompaniment has been procured, Danny. It is, however, limited. I have limited capability of entry into human designated operation space, and I do acquiesce to a feel of disquiet in holoform, and so possess reservations in further continuation in distinction to that juncture." He did find slight interest, though, in that she was a techno-organic. He had been one of the leaders in research into techno-organics, and, slightly ironically, was forced into his holoform for most of the research. Now here was one of these glorious children in front of him, and he, again, would have to activate his holoform to perform the chivalrous duty of walking her all the way to her room. Hence the long winded not-quite-an apology.

Of course, as Ratchet's daughter, she held interest to him. He did desire to learn of the girl's capabilities, and even felt slightly guilty because of it. As it was, he was glad to be speaking with her. Most people gave up by this point in the conversation, and she had even thrown a word back at him. Not that that particularly mattered, especially considering she had used a similar sounding word, with an entirely different definition. But it was marginally endearing, that she would emulate, even just slightly, his speech patterns.

They would be walking right past his lab as they went in, and it would be very tempting to ask her if she'd want to come in with him and keep him company for a while. But he had his intentions set. At most, he would merely point out his lab, as it would make an identifying beep as he walked past - something that was a noted mark of curiosity among the few humans he'd conversed with. While Danielle wasn't entirely human, from what he understood of the predictions made on Techno-organic children, they retained human curiosity and learning processes. It was, really, fascinating how well the genes spliced together.

With another small, friendly smile, he gestured toward the door. "As conditions are, that juncture will never be encountered excepting that we do cease stagnation and proceed to ingress upon the base." And he turned to start moving in that direction, glancing quickly to see if she followed.

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[Danielle Messick]

Her curious olive eyes were questioning as Perceptor continued, finding him rather interesting. He seemed rather open, well spoken, polite enough. Normally, someone she could get along with, someone easier to speak to yet he turned out to be one who chose words that were like climbing flights of stares to compete with. To her, she had heard enough of them in her time, many less kind than others. That University she visited, big words AND some accents here and there. Boy, that was fun. Another thing she picked up from him. She could be wrong, but perhaps due to how he conversed with others, not many stayed within his company. This meant he'd be happy as hell to have some and perhaps there wouldn't be so much awkwardness or Danny fearing being looked down upon. Well, other than the fact he's obviously much taller than herself. It was two that normally spent time away, a tad bit of social outcasts. A negative plus a negative in these terms, still just might equal a positive.

Something else, normally scientists or the well schooled, rather smart spoke this way. Perhaps he had more behind his doors that she didn't know about? She gave a wave of her hand, her smile not always seen by all unless laced with mischief. "Don't worry about needing to use your holoform, I'm just going to wander around anyways, not going anywhere only fit for the short people."

Now, she thought she'd mess with him a bit, speaking of mischief. He turned to her, gesturing towards the door in a friendly manner before making the mistake of turning her back. She darted to his left, far from it, waiting for him to turn back in search of her before darting directly for the base's entrance and waiting. Leaning against the rock wall, arms crossed, a smirk in her eyes but her face seemed to read like nothing had happened.

Ambosine on the other hand had finally spotted where Danny went after looking around in confusion before bolting after. Running passed Perceptor with his tail up in that wag. His long, black fur ripping in the wind though he was still secretly a bit annoyed. He wanted sleep. He didn't want to be left behind. Often, wanting the second thing was futile.

[Perceptor]

He had initially turned to see if she was, indeed, following. However, upon turning, he had found that she wasn't there. Of course, if she had indeed been following, perhaps she would be by his feet? He glanced down quickly, shifting both front and back toes, before realizing that she wasn't there, either. It was impossible that she had just vanished! He knew he had been speaking with somebody! Perhaps he had a glitch in his processor that was just creating subjects of communication, similar to a human child's 'imaginary friend'? He really would need to get that checked. The study of scientific processes could not continue if he had a glitch that was creating such realistic scenarios.

But the canine was still there. Had his mind created that, too? He turned to look at the dog again, concentrating. The dog did not disappear. It, instead, ran right past him... To Danielle. Of course she was still here. There were a couple of possible explanations for the sudden shift in position, including the processor glitch, but he would address them later. He proceeded to finish walking to the doorway, opening the access to allow all three of them inside.

"The corridor is now directly accessible. If my resolve doesn't affront, might I be permitted the knowledge explicitly of how you performed such an exploit?" Honestly, it was mostly because he wanted to make sure he wasn't going crazy that he asked, but a small part of him was actually curious. He wanted to know. It was just part of him, to want the knowledge. He could never truly rid himself of that one part, seeing as it was that unquenchable curiosity that drove him into science, drove him to be where he is now, to create the solar-cannon mounted on his shoulder at this very moment, to be working on a long range communication device for incoming bots, and to do so many of thee things he's done before.

Meeting a techno-organic with super-powers, however, was a first for him. He had expected to one day, but he honestly did not know what to do when he ran across such a situation. Well, it was here, so... He'd ask questions. Fulfill his desire to understand. That was the first step.

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[Danielle Messick]

As she watched, she couldn't help but bring that slight grin to her face. If Ratchet ever grinned, you'd put two and two together with this expression. She leaned comfortably on the rock wall, her arms comfortable over her chest where they crossed. He seemed confused, something she wanted. He had taken a moment to study where she was, attempted to search nearby his own feet, and then spotted Ambosine to puzzle a little more. The black, hairy dog made it to Danny on thundering feet where he let out a bark or two. He felt tired, but he still had it in him enough to have some fun. She unfolded her arms to pet the top of his head again as he jumped clumsily to avoid colliding with the large doorway, that remained hidden from those who knew not of the Autobots or their home, in front of them. Her head followed Perceptor as he made his way towards her location. Amused, the night owl watched the entrance open up. Rock wall shifting to reveal that there is far more to this place than any Average Joe knew.

"No problem at all. My ability is advanced speed and agility. Comes in handy a lot of the time when it comes to getting myself out of trouble, or messing with people. Both are always fun." Her grin had faded into a content smile, the amusement gone. She kept her welcome air about her, but there wasn't reason to keep stretching those muscles at the moment. To demonstrate so not to be asked later, this girl being a rather impatient person at times, she kept her eyes on Perceptor before her image once again ripped into a blur. She had made it inside around twelve yards before darting back to the door to wait for Percy and Ambosine.

Ambosine gave a grumpy growl rather than barking when he saw she had ran off again, trotting to go in only for her dart back to the side of him. He jumped with a bark, rump in the air, his upper body down before running off the spot to get inside. Danny watched him, before looking back at Perceptor and walking in at a normal pace herself. "Thanks for opening the door. Ambosine, people are sleeping, don't be such a spaz." She made her way inside, taking in the home feel settings along with a breath to pick up the smells. She looked up near where the stairs to a higher structure close to one of the big screens, notices that were new up there. Curious and puzzled, she darted up in a matter of seconds to see a couch sitting and a television with video game equipment inhabiting the area. "Where did all of this come from? Has Fouler finally taken an interest in video games?"

(( I put her on her ''trip'' due to the series, so she wouldn't know of Miko, Mrs. Darby, Jack, or Raf. ))

[Perceptor]

((Unfortunately, neither would I, and with Percy being a bit of a shut in, I think I can get away with that. xD))

It was fascinating, really. The physical manifestation of Danielle's ability had been much stronger than initially thought. Initial hypothesis had stated that this increased ability would be only very slight - more like track star than super speed, in this case. However, at Danielle's gesture toward what had appeared to be human game supplies, Perceptor could say nothing definitive about it.

"I would postulate that the indicated composition of extracurricular enterprise would correlate to the advent of new civilians to base. I have yet to associate myself in heir presence, lamentably." He had noticed her quick sprint back and forth, but took a bit less notice to it now. He had found that it could be considered rude by some to be so openly interested in such a thing. Unfortunately, it could also be rude to switch topics so abruptly, and quite frankly, he didn't know where the middle ground was. He had watched the little display, with interest, in fact, but had decided not to drag the topic out any longer than necessary.

The topic of the newcomers was also one he shrugged off, mostly because he knew little to nothing of it. "Are you hungry, Danie- Danny?" Another thing he wasn't quite accustomed to were nicknames. Besides that, Danielle was a beautiful name, and it was almost shameful that she didn't want to use it. He was also asking if she was hungry for a couple of reasons - to be friendly, for one thing, and for another, to see something. He had wanted to know, in a slightly abstract way, how much energy even minor use of these techno-organic abilities used - which could manifest as being tired, or as being hungry. However, the primary motive was to be friendly. He might actually have a use for that fridge in his lab - although most of the human supplement wasn't considered healthy by their standards.

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[Danielle Messick]

Ambosine watched for a moment, looking between Danny and the large mech that accompanied her before giving a snort and wandering off. His claws clicked against the ground, his pace turning to a trot as he exited the main room of the base to go find his teenager's room to go lay in. He'd probably high jack her bed, pillows and all as punishment for making him run around so much for the past month or so.

Olive eyes caught her pooch's movement, turning back to lay on the scientist. As long as Ambosine didn't swallow something odd again, she didn't seem to care. He was well trained enough to behave, he'd be alright.

"New people?" The question was more rhetorical, needing to ask herself out loud as it grasped her thoughts more. Were there other Techno Organics of new arrival? How many did they think this base could house before they began at one another's throat? Not at all did she expect random civilians to be allowed here, or to be allowed to know that this place existed, period.

Her orange brows remained questioning and slightly furrowed until Perceptor brought up the next subject. Now that she thought about it.. Her stomach had that empty feel to it, a slight ill feeling that said she had been running without any juice for hours passed what she should have. Along with that, his correcting himself of her name came to some amusement. "Actually, now that you mention it, grabbing a bite might be nice." Knowing that she hungered now, the sick feeling lingered to her dislike. This would definitely need to be fixed if she were going to get any sleep tonight. Her image tore from the spot of where she stood, in her own point of view, though she was speeding, the image remained clear enough. From the outer reach of her vision it blurred, everything seeming to rip behind her. The center of where she peered was clearest, going from there. She made her way back down to Perceptor's side, curious to where he might be headed. She hoped he didn't think she expected him to supply her with nourishment, she could get it herself, that would be rude. Crossing her arms above her white t-shirt worn chest, she shifted her weight onto her right leg whilst looking up at Perceptor. "I don't mind being called Danielle if that's what you prefer. Thing is, I don't know your name. What am I supposed to call you?"

[Perceptor]

Well, it was an awkward way to start a good conversation, but part of him really wanted to show Danielle where his lab in, should she want to come by. It occurred to him now that it would be a mite awkward, and he had talked himself into another social corner. But he continued rather bluntly, as though nothing had happened, giving her options partially to see what she'd choose, and partially to halfway smooth over the potential awkwardness that he inevitably caused in nearly every conversation he had. He also had forgotten to introduce himself. Way to top off an awkward situation.

"I am designated as Perceptor, but usually addressed as Percy, despite that." Having introduced himself, he glanced quickly over the mostly-human girl, keeping his curiosity in check merely as a polite gesture, before continuing. "I would conjecture that you possess your private cache of sustenance, but in the interest of amiable repartee, might I be permitted to indulge you in my exclusive agglomeration of such sustenance?"

It almost seemed like he was asking her on a date - not that he noticed, of course. It was an honest invitation, even if it had an undercurrent of human sentimentality. He spoke many earth languages, but not that of colloquialism and references.

Beside that, he kind of wanted to register in his exterior security system so that he would be alerted if she came to visit - unlikely, but the potential was worth it. At least she was willing to get to the point of amiable repartee, as opposed to the typical mostly-one-sided conversation.

[Danielle Messick]

Not at all appearing to mind the difference in height, quite using to being around the feet of large Cybertronians, she continued to look up to Perceptor as he spoke with slight hidden amusement. Noticing earlier his comments on her own name, she made an assumption that he too preferred his full name over the shortened version that others seemed to have given without question.

Her eye remained curious, wondering what he did for a living and where. She gave an accepting nod, her tied back orange hair waving a bit behind her. "Sure, I don't see why not." Now on the side, wondering if Ambosine had indeed returned to her quarters or if he was currently tearing something up. Paper work, something he loved to turn to confetti in his puppy years. Technically, he still hadn't left them just yet, which was her point in thought. It was almost a chuckle that escaped her, but came out in the form of "Hm.." with each corner of her mouth raising just a tad in the seconds that the sound survived.

Her mind back in place, that ill feeling still lingered, and she was rather curious what Perceptor might be up to, if he was trying to be sneaky about questions. "Not sure where to go, so would you want to lead the way?"

[Perceptor]

With a firm nod and a gentle smile, Percy turned to lead Danielle toward his lab, his walk firmly set along the ever familiar path. It wasn't just his lab - it was actually his living quarters, converted into a lab, for reasons of his own. He had once had two different rooms, but had combined them, and then extended a bomb-testing chamber under the lab.

He then proceeded to add a security system to the sub-hallways leading to his lab. Bomb-proof, sound-proof rooms tended to attract trouble makers. For some reason beyond him, of course. They could get their own rooms.

"So, after what precedent is it that you concocted such a situation to get yourself impeded to inside access?" He was always one for a good story - telling and hearing. Unfortunately, he didn't get to tell it that often, and usually settled for listening.

As it was, his lab really wasn't that far away, and they had just about reached the little branch off hallway.

[Danielle Messick]

She followed in his steps, well, if it were one of those muddy places where you found many reptilian footprints of the extinct variety, she would be quite literally, walking in his footsteps. She almost chuckled at the idea, now thinking her that night owl serenades were getting to her head and messing with her thought process. She looked around, grounds, walls, ceiling, everything that her eyes could touch with their vision. She scanned around, searching for a few details that might tell her more, perhaps spotting a few here and there though still keeping quiet about it.

Where there little trip had turned to definitely interested her, she had been here, but not much farther up this hall before she had decided on her own little trip outdoors. She continued to explore with her eyes, interest definitely in her view right now. "I've been gone for a little while, and.." Well, she didn't want to give away the fact she had obtained a 'little' concussion while away, her dad might get mad, or upset, or she might worry him even further than she does. The important part was that she's okay now, right? "I forgot how to get in."

[Perceptor]

As they reached the side branch, he turned in a habitual movement, almost gracefully, and entered the hallway. At the same time, a series of vertically stacked red lights flickered on, the lights at such a distance so as to look like a single red line. The light took in the outline of his form and, recognizing him, settled to inspect the next, unknown target. Not recognizing it, they would, undoubtedly, send him a signal, and ask permission to activate - to which he would, in this instance deny. If he said yes, they would give a fair warning, before a threat, at which point the system would activate to temporarily disable a bot, or impede further journey of a human. It judged the difference in the size and shape of the form, as judged by the initial laser scanning - namely, the little red lights that activated now. It was a simple system, but effective.

He strolled through it without particularly noting the details, seeing as it was programmed to recognize him, and he had no need to be concerned. Instead, he walked up to the door, replying to Danielle at the same time, not at all noting that the off set hallway, at night, with the little laser doohickeys in the wall might be slightly alarming. No, he didn't think about it, merely because he knew it would do neither of them any harm. "That is a most unfortunate circumstance. There is the occasional junction at which the information that is not imperative to our state of being is misrecollected, and sometimes such a juncture happens to be a temporary departure. As it is, welcome back." He spoke so sincerely that it would be almost funny to listen to him out of context.

As it was, he instead walked to the door of his lab, entered the key to open said door - a bit of extra security never hurt - and, consequentially, opened the door to what appeared to be a very plain room. Stepping out of the way, he nodded toward Danielle, a slightly chivalrous 'ladies first' gesture that he had picked up and managed to fit into his personality ever so nicely.

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