FIRST MEETING WITH STARCRAFT The Ark -- Rec Room (1) Doubling up as both a training and relaxation area, the Autobots rec room is equiped will all kinds of modern amenities, from human televisions, to bizarre Cybertronian games that work on four dimensions and make your eyes water just to look at them. Surrounded by blast shields, an area in the north of the grandiose chamber resembles a mini amphitheatre, where Autobots can train with either each other, or one of the combat droids that busses around the arena. The rest of the room is given up to less violent forms of relaxation, and even a small bar against the west wall. Relaxing does seem to be alien to most Autobot's nature, however, and the room is rather underused. Candice is sitting curled at one end of the human couch located on the far side of the room. At the moment her back is propped up with pillows as she appears to be presently reading a hardback novel under a nearby human sized lamp. Some of the smaller print is hardly distingishable. However, above the illustration of the cover is the book's title. "Kahless". She seems somewhat distracted even as she's reading. Starcraft stalks in, quiet except for the sound of his servos hissing. He doesn't notice the human, and moves over to one of the library computer consoles, optics scanning for other Transformers. When he is satisfied he's alone, he stands at the console and activates the computer. He brings up the index and types on the keyboard, painstakingly and one letter at a time, as his three-digit hand doesn't allow him a lot of freedom of movement. On the screen can be read, EARTH ART. Candice perks her head up as she overhears footstpes enter the room. From her vantange point she doesn't see the newcomer right off hand. As she watches quietly she spots Starcraft as he makes his way to one of the terminals not that far away. She bookmarks her page and sets the book down before leaning forward. She blinkblinks as her curiosity gets the best of her. Slowly rising she moves herself somewhat closer to the terminal in use...and spots the screen. She doesn't say anything at first. Starcraft finishes typing and leans back - or rather his torso does - as the computer completes its search and indexes the entries. Several thousand topics come up and Starcraft stares at the screen mutely for a minute. After a pause, he selects a topic at random, and the dissonant refrains of Ravel's "La Barque sur l'Ocean" emerges from the speakers. Starcraft selects another topic, this time Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' appears on the screen. His optic clicks, and he seems to stare. Candice tilts her head. Sounds a bit like Classical from one of the Masters...although she can't recall which one. The screen then produces Van Gogh's painted image. Hmm. Paintings? She watches a few moments more at the monitor's screen before asking, "What a wonder what some can do with brushes and oils." Starcraft turns with a snap movement, his central optic whirring as he searches for the source of the voice. He steps away from the console into what you fancy is a more combat-ready stance, his foot landing on the deck with a *clang*. Candice blinks and raises her hands in mock defence as the Cybertonian reacts to her strange greeting. "Whoah. Rest easy! I'm not going to bite your ankle," she exclaims. When she notices he doesn't see her right away she suggests, "Not exactly eye-to-optic level. Look down and then to the right...by the nearest cabinet." Starcraft's head tracks the voice and the instructions to their source. His stance calms somewhat, but some of the 'spring' fails to leave his step, suggesting a kind of nervousness. He steps closer to Candice, optic still whirring, small changes in its focus indicating some intense scrutiny. His two other optics glow a bright shade of green. He simply stares, for lack of a better term, as it is difficult to determine what his reaction is, apart from a few very slim physical cues. Standing before you is the strange and sinister-looking Consortium enforcer known as Starcraft. His large central optic observes you, two smaller ones glowing green. His broad, rounded chest tapers downwards and sits atop powerful looking legs. His arms look spindly, and end in bulbous looking forearms that you have heard conceal dangerous Photon Blasters. His alien-looking body is coloured in a rich blue-green, with two red-brown strips that run down the torso. You see what appear to be identification markings in some strange alien language on his chest, legs, and wings. The Consortium starburst symbol is emblazoned on the lower part of his chest plate. Candice swings her arms behind her back, returning the stare with a mixture of curiosity and some growing awkwardness due to the mechanoid's scrutiny. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," she offers quietly. Starcraft's head twiches, and he speaks finally, his voice, despite its tonelessness, managing to come out hesitant. "I... startle easily, these days." he emits. There's no visual cue to accompany his speech, although a faint trace- glow around his armor plates pulsates as he does so. His hand servos click as he reaches out towards Candice, as if to test the air between them, or to determine if she's real in some way. Candice begins to back away on impulse as the former member of the Consortium reaches out...but then stops, calming herself. "Might...want to be careful. I'm a little fragile compared to you and the other residents..." she states. Starcraft snatches his hand away and his torso shifts, pulling back with a reforming of his armor plates. "I am... sorry," he says, a tone creeping into his voice, one that sounds... stung? "I have never been this close to a human...alone...before." Candice moves her hand back to her sides and steps somewhat closer. "I can understand if you...want to have a closer look." Most Autobots here have been around humans long enough to know how to act and...what to do. She mulls something over and gestures, "Maybe if you simply laid your hand on the floor and...allowed me to crawl into your palm that would work. Just remember to be gentle." Starcraft tilts his head, considering it. "I... am unsure how that would go," he says mystriously. But, after a significant pause, during which the slight glow seems to race under his armor, he does move his hand. He places his crude three-digit hand on the floor, kneeling down. In proximity, Starcraft exudes a sense of stark alienness. Candice isn't all too sure how it would go either to be honest. There is a brief hesitation before she crawls into the odd hand. Actually, she finds most everything of Starcraft himself odd. Or...perhaps "differnt" or 'unique" is a better term. After all...she herself is living with mechanoids who are quite alien in nature in themselves. She settles herself within Starcraft's palm...hoping fervently he takes care not to drop her. "Just...be gentle..." You feel a slight tingle as you touch his hand, and the glow under his armor pulsates. A crackle of static electricity buzzes between you and the armor of his arm. The effect on Starcraft is electrifying. His hand jerks back with a suddenness that leaves Candice in mid-air a couple feet above the floor. He steps back, as tiny bolts of electricity crack into the deck. One of his optics has changed from its usual sedate green to a disturbing red, and an armor shield snaps up from behind his head to cover his optics. A series of static pulses emit from his vocalizer, and from the plates of his armor themselves, you hear a rhythmic clicking sound like a cricket. Candice narrows her eyes and then widens them as saucers as the enegry passes through her small frame. As Starcraft jerks his arm back she inwardly notes thats's...not exactly what she met by requesting he be gentle. She hits the metal floor with a soft thud. When she recovers from the sudden motion she looks back upwards towards Stacraft in confusion, being very aware of the "slight" change. She feels some of her nervousness growing. "You alright, Starcraft?" she questions, remembering his name. Starcraft freezes, small electric bolts still buzzing into the floor. He calms slowly, very slowly, and the changes in his body revert. A strangled sound comes from his vocalizer. He stands there motionless for a long while as he returns to his previous demeanour. "I...don't know what happened there." he manages in an almost-whisper. Candice swallows. She's nervous as well, yes. But, she somehow senses it best if she not allow it to show in order to provide a form of reassurance. "Does it happen often? Maybe you should check in to see one of the medics if something's not...acting the way it should." She flickers a glance towards the mech's insignia declaring his alligence to the Consortium. A reminder that she knows very little about the Cybertronian faction other than what she's been told. Starcraft's head shield retracts, his optics having returned to their emerald hue. "Never," he emits blandly. He looks at Candice. "But I've never touched an organic..." He stops himself for some reason. "...Since I was rebuilt..." His optics flare and he steps back. His central optic clicks convulsively. Candice regards him silently. "Rebuilt?" she askes...again within a hushed tone, getting the feeling this in itself may be a sensative issue for him. Starcraft tenses as he regains control over himself. "This is NOT! my body!" he shouts, giving over to anger, his recessed photon blasters whining as they enter a charge cycle. "They had no RIGHT!" He swings an arm and with a blinding flash, a blast of pure coherent light fills the room with splashes of stark shadow and incandescence. Across the room, a chair explodes into white-hot fragments. Candice yelps , hiding her face within her hands as she turns away from the fit of anger in sudden fright. Upon looking back up she takes in measured breaths, regaing her composure as the incident passes. She picks herself up off the floor where she had been dropped earlier and gets to her feet. The remains of the chair settle on the ground. "Starcraft...please. It's going to be alright..." Starcraft clenches his hands with an audible *click* of the servos, smoke still wafting from the lenses of the blaster that fired. The other blaster is still charged, and with effort, he disarms it. He falls to his knees with a clang, placing his knuckles against the floor. "...alright..." He says quietly. "...if only..." Candice ventures a step forward, inwardly pondering the turmoil this individual must be going through. "If only..." Starcraft looks right at Candice. "I could believe it." Candice presses her lips together and gazes at the mechanoid helplessly. "Anything I can do to help?" Starcraft stands up slowly, servos hissing. "I doubt you could help me," he says tonelessly, "And I'm afraid...of what I -- my body -- might do." Candice blinks slowly. She's uncertain of how to respond to this. However, she conceeds that he may very well be a threat to her -- although unintentionally. She finally nods and states, "If you ever need a friend...I'm offering." Starcraft looks down at Candice. "I will think about it," he says evenly, but you suspect there's a tone of caution, mixed with fear in his voice. "I must go inform someone of the damage I inflicted in here." So saying he moves to leave, his optics still watching Candice mysteriously. Candice shifts slightly. "Ok..." she states as she goes to retrieve her book. "Godspeed, Star." Starcraft tilts his head curiously, then stalks out without another word, leaving his library search still on the computer console. ------------------------------------------------------------ To: Starcraft From: Candice ------------------------------------------------------------ Noticed you left a bit suddenly to either save or deleate your search. Didn't know if you were interested in going through this later. But, just in case you were... Candice Thompson ------------------------------------------------------------ SECOND MEETING WITH STARCRAFT Starcraft is crouched down by Candice's little human sized door. Candice is returning from being outdoors for a a little bit. She gives herself a slight stretch as she makes her way into the barracks...and blinks in suprise as she heads towards her quaraters. "Hi," she greets quietly...hoping she doesn't startle the Cybertronian like she had last time. Just in case...she's mindful to stay a few steps away. Starcraft does appear to be startled somewhat and he turns his head and stands quickly. You notice something in his hand, wrapped in thick cloth, about four feet tall. Candice makes no comment about how nervous the mechanoid seems to be. Instead she waits until he's calmed down somewhat before venturing a step or two forward. She indeed notes that he appears to be carrying something. But doesn't feel inclinded to ask of it right away. "How...are you fairing?" Starcraft looks down at Candice, as unreadable as ever. Sometimes it seems deliberate. "I am fairing acceptably." he emits. His hand goes behind his back almost as an afterthought. Candice nods alowly. If she notices the motion of his hand she doesn't comment on it. She doesn't overly make it a habit of asking others what they're carrying...especialliy if they're already a but jumpy. "See you found my quarters," she comments after some silence passes. "You wanted to see me about something?" Starcraft tilts his head. "No." he says. "I was not expecting to see you." Candice ohs somewhat awkwardly. Then why---? "Then...why are you here exactly?" That didn't come out right. "Not that anyone would mind. I'm just...curious." Starcraft says, "I...wanted your opinion about..." His optics flicker. "...and to apoligize for my behaviour in the rec room." His armor hisses slowly. Candice tilts her head to the left after offering a bare nod. She somehow suspects some of it was not his own doing. As for the unexpected blast, although she can't excuse it, she neither makes any rash judgments...having a feeling it was a fit of utter frustration due to present circumstances...whatever they may be. "Apology accepted," she states. "What was it you wanted my opinion on?" Starcraft says, "You saw what I was searching on the library computer, and since you are the only human available..." he lets it hang for a moment. "I wanted to ask you about art on Earth." Candice allows a small smile on her features. "I'll do my best. What is it you were wanting to know." Starcraft lets a slightly anguished tone creep into his voice. "I... have some training in artistic expression, but since my reconstruction..." He lets that one go too. He composes his voice, and it returns to its usual monotone. "How do you create art on your world?" Candice thinks on that one for a moment. "Well...there's a variety of ways which have their own seperate differences. Preforming arts. Theater. Music. Sculpture. Painting. Sketching. Computer Design. Writing. Photography is one which I'm somewhat active in. There's actually quite alot of ways humans express themeselves within art." She pauses. "Was there any specific type of art you were interested in?" Starcraft tilts his head and his central optic whirrs as he takes it all in. "I am afraid I am not able to describe it in human terms. On Cybertron it was called 'Lightforging'." he says. Candice's features betray some confusion. "Lightforging? How was that type of art created?" And...what actually was it? Starcraft seems to think for a moment. "Perhaps it is best I demonstrate." he says. He kneels down and carefully places the object he has been hiding in his hand on the floor. He removes the cloth and stands back. His photon blaster's lens dilates slightly, and a soft beam of polarized light strikes the object, throwing its effects into the air. Crystal Scuplture. A crystal spire, about four feet tall. The surface is smooth, reflecting light like liquid, and within the crystal itself are swirls and sparkles. The sculpture seems to be all about reflected light, for when it is displayed under polarized light, the space around it and within it becomes a field of stars and nebulas, giving the viewer the feeling of being inside the crystal itself. Candice eyes the crystalized form which stands almost as tall as she is. The colors which swarm and swirl within and about the translucent surface snares her attention rather quickly and appears to hold it hostage. "It's...beautiful," she manages while keeping her gaze transfixed. "You did this?" Starcraft leans back, his optics dimmed. "Yes." he says simply. "It is... elementary." he adds. He looks at his crude hands as he speaks. "I have not the skill I once possessed." Candice moves her attention away from the crystal and towards Starcraft. She glances at his hands...his 3 fingers, wishing she knew what to say. "With most fine artists...the creativity doesn't lie within the hands...but within themselves. There are humans who loose the use of their hands for some reason or another. Sometimes...they can find other ways of releasing their imagination." Starcraft looks at Candice, his green optics piercing. His lens closes off, returning the corridor to its previous dimness. "You've seen the other way I release my imagination." he says. "I am not the gentle artist I once was." His fingers snap into a fist. "This body was not constructed for art; it was constructed for war." Candice nods quietly. Yes, she remembers. But even so. "Some of the gentle artist must still be with you. Or else...you couldn't have shown me what you just had. Or...be interested enough in asking what you just did," she points out. She's on the very verge of asking what actually happened to him but bites her tonge at the last moment. Starcraft looks down at Candice, managing somehow to look lofty and distant all the way up there, despite his unusual appearance. "He died." Starcraft says, the phrase clipped and sudden. "It's not the same anymore; I'm not the same anymore." He bites off a comment of his own, realizing how contradictory he would sound. "You have no idea what I've been through." he says, in a low tone that might be inaudible to another Transformer, but to a human, it's just a whisper. What Candice had prevented herself from asking...she now does. "What happened, Starcraft? Do you...want to talk about it?" Of course, she understands if he would rather not as well. She simply keeps the invitaion open. Starcraft steps back. "It is..." he pauses, apparently flustered. "I cannot discuss it," he says. He turns to leave. "At least not now," he adds quietly, glancing back at Candice. His central optic clicks. Candice shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I meant no offence," she offers in concern. Starcraft peers at Candice for a moment curiously before walking away into the central corridor, leaving his sculpture behind, glimmering dully in the dim Ark light. Candice she then gestures to his crystal even as he begins to leave. "Star...you forgot something..." Starcraft pretends not to hear. He leaves Candice with the crystal spire. You get the impression he intended to do so the whole time.