A Visit with Solus Prime

[solianpolarity]

[An Acolyte is waiting for you at the entrance to Solus' tunnel system; it immediately turns and leads you further down, down through the winding paths hidden under the rock and metal surface.

While Solus' Forge had gone cold and unused while the First Forged were gone, the tunnels are getting increasingly hot the further down you go. If you've been invited down before, you should recognize the grand, vault-like doors that guard the mouth of Solus' private workshop. If you are an organic or particularly heat sensitive, the temperature is quickly becoming unbearable. Thankfully, organic or not, the Acolyte hands you a small, flat metal device, capped with a Solian-purple gem; it activates the moment it is in your grasp, and with a shimmer of light, the heat is mercifully cut off as a almost completely transparent field forms a bubble around you. And a good thing, too: the moment the doors open, the wave of heat escaping through them is visible in the air, scorchingly hot. It might even be enough to bubble the paint on the average Cybertronian, though you thankfully do not have to find out; the drone seems curiously without any coloration for that very reason.

The Acolyte leads you further inside, and you pass numerous platforms and work tables along the way that are covered with Solus Prime's ongoing projects. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to pause long enough to get a better look. The sound of metal hitting metal rings ever louder as you approach the Prime herself; she is busy at work in front of a molten forge, the Forge-Hammer swinging down in a steady pattern. A still-red-hot lump of metal - immediately recognizable as Cybertronium to those of you with the second of her gifts - is shaped into a perfect cube with a single swing, steamy heat waves erupting from it as it abruptly cools with the force of the shaping. A second swing converts it to some complex, gleaming device that only roughly resembles the cube it so briefly was. It looks like a tiny part of some more infinite whole, but no explanation seems to be forthcoming; Solus lifts it and places it in a container at her side, where many more similar items rest.

Only then does she turn to face you.]

I will tell you now, as you may have already gathered, the arrival of the Pillar was the work of the Chaos-Bringer himself. He is stepping up his attacks - and so we too, must increase the speed of our own tasks, if Cybertron is to Become.

So we must depart from the Haven.

[She holds up a hand to hold off any interruptions.]

Our Tasks will take time, and being within easy reach is the cost. Given this news, as well as the recent events, this is your chance to ask any questions you may have.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The conversation will continue on from this point depending on how you respond below. Goa will be around to answer this log until the 5th of January, at which point anything not wrapped up will be summarized. Regardless of what turns the topic takes, Solus has a gift for her aligned:

The device handed to you does more than block out unpleasant heat, but extreme cold as well. Harmful solar radiation - and other forms of more extreme radiation - are also blotted out, even as breathable air still somehow passes through the field.

Rain, acid or otherwise, runs off the shell, but going through water quickly begins to feel like wading through a sauna - air would soon become a problem as well, as there is no air to filter in. The water pressure, however, is no longer a problem.

Should Solus return in the future, you would be wise to bring the device with you, if you attempt a visit. Otherwise, it's use is up to you.

Comments

[redshirtrobot]

[Fracas has never been down this far into Solus's temple. Point in fact he's rarely been in Solus's temple at all. Only when extreme circumstances forced him to be here. Really, now with Shockwave gone he's not sure where he ought to be. But that's neither here nor there.

He turns the device the Acolyte gave him over in his hands a few times during the journey, until they reached the double doors. Then it was all Fracas looking over things as they walked by; he was almost tempted to stop a few times, but he's not about to keep one of the original Thirteen waiting on him.

The news that they're leaving is something of a surprise... but he can't say that it's unexpected. If Unicron is doing this, something has to be done. Right?

Fracas's gaze casts down as he mumbles something along the lines of 'never even met you before' as he tries to think of what to say.]

I. I'm not even sure where to start. Why would he step up his attacks now? Couldn't he have done that before we arrived, when we weren't around to try to stop him?

[solianpolarity]

[Solus' lips twitch at the mumbling, but she lets the comment pass unremarked upon.]

Unicron's motives are largely a mystery to us as well. Likely, he did not expect you to be any sort of true threat to him and his goals.

[She smirks faintly.]

I am quite pleased that you all proved him wrong. Unfortunately, that means he now knows more about the sort of resistance he might expect in the future.

[redshirtrobot]

[Really, he's mostly surprised when any FirstForged notice him. Fracas doesn't find anything particularly noticeable about himself.]

That wasn't smart of him. I know at least a few that help defeat him before, once. But... if he underestimated the people here once, he'll probably do it again. Maybe not as much as last time, but still. I hope...

[Fracas pauses briefly again, finally looking up at Solus, wings shivering slightly.]

You. You're the one that brought me back, aren't you? When Overlord killed me, before... I changed things about me. I don't... why me?

[solianpolarity]

[The comment about Unicron rates a raised optic ridge as Solus gives Fracas a faintly surprised stare.]

Oh? He has been encountered in your world?

[Further knowledge is never to be turned away. And the second question is not as surprising, but unexpected.

...Most people just don't seem to ask.]

I am. And my counter-question is simply: why should I not?

[redshirtrobot]

[Fracas twitches back slightly at the stare, apparently suddenly aware of the fact that attention is on him.]

Yes. I-I mean yes, ma'am. He started waking up. The Autobots and Megatron had to stop him or he would have destroyed the Earth. I think... Bulkhead would know more?

[The Vehicons only heard so much about that whole thing.

And well. If anyone here would look a gift horse in the mouth, it would be Fracas. He's not exactly expecting her retort, though. He stops for a few seconds, simply looking up at her with mirrored surprise. It's an easy question for him to answer, really. He just never thought he'd answer it to a FirstForged.]

I. I was just a Vehicon. I was practically a glorified lightbulb changer. And I'm sure it took effort to bring me back. You couldn't have known I'd do anything even remotely useful around here I don't think. Surely there's someone better you could have saved...

[cec_engineer]

[oh man, if this wasn't such a matter of grave importance, isaac would probably be running around screaming like a little girl at all the feats of construction that surround him. solus tell him everything about everything down here holy shit]

[unfortunately, it's more prudent to focus on the situation at hand, so isaac forces himself to drag his gaze away from the device he was handed and to the demi-god before him]

I guess it goes without saying you First Forged have a shitload of work ahead of you, to explore and protect so much.

[of course he has a lot of questions. but. more important issues before his own curiosity]

If you need any assistance with the human side of things, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll do everything I can to help you.

[solianpolarity]

[She nods down at Isaac in thanks, pleased by the human's manner as much as she is amused by the language.]

That we do.

Your offer is appreciated, Isaac Clarke. Though your kind may be more fragile, your tenacity is never to be underestimated.

[She rests her massive hammer over her shoulder, frowning in thought.]

However, you and your fellow organics will be more vulnerable in the coming weeks. Without our presence as a direct defense for the Haven, it may well come under threat. You would do well to plan ahead and prepare resources, as a precaution.

[cec_engineer]

[oh god she's talking to him directly this is nerve wracking]

Maybe so, but we do have a worrying child population. I'm sure you have too much on your plate to forge any armour or weapons with human specs but...

[he pauses for a long moment, trying to figure out how to word the next part without it sounding like a rude demand]

I've heard you can grant boons. If that's possible, just for the children; they're our first priority. Especially if Unicron notices you guys have up and left us to our own devices. I hate to ask anything of you after such a massive decision has been made, but I'm sure you understand that we're worried about their safety.

[solianpolarity]

The children here are not so unprotected as you may think.

[Mostly because they are often super-powered little thugs themselves.]

But your fears are understandable. However, time is short, and granting a boon to every child here is not a quick task.

But I can tell you that our temples house us - and you - for a reason. They are not without their defenses. Keeping the children within them in the event of any dire emergency would protect them far better than any mere boon that I could cobble together on short notice.

[invisiblepinkboat]

Elita's quiet for a moment longer after Solus has stopped speaking, frowning at the ground as she thinks.

"Why now? Is there any discernible reason for the more... substantial attack the pillar was? And are there any ways we can more effectively protect ourselves, with you leaving?" Looking up, Elita's optics are narrowed, still thoughtful.

There's more she wants to ask, but better start here and go from there. Especially the second is a question of more practical value than anything else she can ask, she's rather sure.

[solianpolarity]

Unfortunately, Solus Prime can only shrug.

"The timing is unknown, but Unicron is likely growing impatient. Even a being as vast and timeless as he may do so."

She taps her hammer thoughtfully against her own thigh, before slinging it up and resettling it across a shoulder.

"Or he was simply seeking to test your defenses. It is unlikely that he expected as much resistance as he got, for which we are thankful."

She gives Elita a humble nod of the helm.

"As for defenses, you would do well to play to the very strengths that have caused you to wind up with my Mark on your person in the first place. Build them. Prepare, plan your patrols, construct supply stores, ally with the the Marked kin of my Brothers whose talents lie elsewhere. Watch the Badlands and Lambda for signs of trouble. It would do to be prepared, even if we have no intelligence of any actual incoming threats."

She stares down at Elita, gaze intent.

"I do not plan to leave you entirely unguarded - my Temple is not without it's defenses - but I have absolute confidence in you all that you are capable of weathering this."

[invisiblepinkboat]

"At least it's far easier to fight him indirectly than directly." She hadn't been there, and no one has directly told her, but from what she's gathered, and from that memory-replay over the Link she'd seen... well, despite everything, it seemed quite obvious they had better chance like this than if he'd pop into Cybertron's space right this moment.

"Of course," Elita says with a shake of her helm. "It was a while since that was needed, but yes. Actively prepare, instead of simply living. I have been running something like patrols, but not as regularly as could be..." The last is a mutter before she straightens a little, the 'wings' on her back shifting briefly and then resettling.

First thing to start looking in to, which shouldn't be impossible, would perhaps be some sort of alarm devices... surely that could be constructed.

"Anything you'd wish assistance with here, after you've left?" There will probably be things to do either way, but some things might be such that would be useful to help Solus with, and so she's asking.

[solianpolarity]

"I agree. But it will surely come someday. It would be best to be well-prepared for that day, even if it may be a long wait."

Her tone isn't terribly optimistic, but neither is it dire. Solus is something of a pragmatist.

"Ah, good of you to ask."

She nods down at Elita, pleased that she has brought it up of her own volition.

"Aside from defenses? My temple will largely watch itself, but keeping an optic on the goings-on inside it would be appreciated. As would adding to the ongoing construction projects, if you had time to spare. Progress should not be stopped, simply because I am not around, and your previous contributions have been appreciated."

Solus is rather fond of that Crystal Forest.

[deadlydoctor]

[Knock Out marvels on the view of Solus's working. It's not only because he always had a thing for mechs wielding hammers but because he could really admire her natural talent with the forge. He's sure he could spend hour watching her or studying her projects but time was not something they had.]

I'm honored to be here for the first time, my lady, and I'm sad to hear of your incoming departure. The Haven increased in number, it only makes sense that such thing made Unicron take stronger actions against us. [It made sense to him, at least.]

Without any of you here, if Unicron forces attack us again...do you think we are strong enough to keep them at bay?

[solianpolarity]

[She nods down at Knock Out in turn, pleased by the words.]

It is possible that his reasoning fell along those lines, but even we do not know for sure. But I highly doubt he expected the sort of resistance that you all gave him.

Which is why I do believe you are capable of holding your own while we are away. We do not expect any threats in particular, but the possibility is there. It is, however, likely that we may draw the brunt of any attacks, as the Chaos-Bringer throws what forces he has at us to keep us from our tasks.

[deadlydoctor]

[Knock out smirks briefly.] Unicron rarely does. This is not the first time I find myself facing him. He was pretty real and corporeal in my own world. He also had the power to wake up the dead.

[The medic is still amazed that they survived to the Terrocon - Predacon army Remebering all that gave him an idea and it couldn't hurt to share it with Solus.] We could not defeat him but we could trap him inside the AllSpark's container Optimus brought. Maybe you could build something like that?

[It's worth a try, he thinks.]

I'm good at adapting to new situations and your boons are sure helping. I don't think I ever thank you for those. When I was on the core of the planet fighting the wolves that came from the Pillar's darkness I felt more aware of things. That was your doing, right?

[solianpolarity]

[She blinks in surprise, eying the slight mech in front of her with a new light.]

Impressive. Most impressive indeed. I have heard of a few different tales involves in Unicron's delay or forced-dormancy or 'defeat', and they all seem to vary in some significant way or another.

What was this container?

[Despite the dire nature of the conversation, she smiles faintly at the recognition.]

Quite likely. Our glyphs certainly protect you from the taint of such darkness, among other things. Tell me of your experience?

[adamndoctor]

[Well, this was certainly interesting. McCoy had been needing answers, even if he was in no mood to socialize. But he came as invited, and... Yeah, he's never been down this far, either. Though when he does arrive, he chooses to listen instead of demand answers; too much has happened in the past few days he was out. He's not in the mood to argue.]

The Unicron thing? I'm not even remotely surprised. [huff] And yeah, I got a couple questions.

First, you guys got any idea what this asshole god may be planning next? Y'know, so we can maybe be more prepared this time. And secondly... [He pauses for this one.] I fell into a coma, returned to my universe, and then I was pulled back. I don't believe it's a mere coincidence I fell into your dimension not only once, but twice. What happened? And why was I unable to remember this place when I returned home?

[Oh, and one last thing:] You forge weapons, right? Any chance you can hook us humans and smaller folk up with arms to aide ourselves? We ain't exactly at the same advantage as your people.

[solianpolarity]

[She does not do more than blink at the onslaught of questions, more amused than irritated.]

Though amusingly crude, the name is apt. Unicron is, however, a God of Chaos first and foremost. The very core nature of which rests on its unpredictability. Anything from a direct assault - which is thankfully unlikely at this point in time - to more subtle machinations are possible. You must be on your guard.

Weapons scaled to you and your kin are a reasonable request, but I can make no promises at this time. I do not take the forging of weapons lightly.

[She waves her unencumbered hand, gesturing to the piles of molten slag and cases of mechanisms behind her; evidence of the further work to be done.]

As for your second question, that is something of a result of the queer nature of your existence here, and the Lambda itself. You likely did not recall your time here while you were 'home' because your body never left.

[adamndoctor]

Ma'am, I don't think I've had any proper sleep since I fell here. I'm always on guard. [He smirks, tiredly.] Well, most of the time. If there's not a glass of vodka in my hand.

And I don't like using weapons unless I really have to. Believe me, we need them. [He sighs and rubs the back of his sore neck.] The issue is just keeping it out of the wrong hands. [He shakes his head.] I don't wanna fight so much as protect and defend.

[McCoy does look surprised at the body comment. Wow, he thought he just sorta... Yeah, that's...] I see. [He takes a deep breath.] So, it's not a unique issue? But has anyone gone into one of these spiritual comas and suffered any sort of negative effects? Like, brain damage, or trauma, or...?

And I've one last question.

[solianpolarity]

[Solus' expression goes wryly amused at McCoy's tired attitude.]

I did not mean that you should be that 'on guard'.

But as I said, I will see what I can do, though the timing is poor. You would be better served seeking out a maker of normal weaponry among your fellow Marked.

[She snorts faintly; that always throws people off when they learn of it.]

And no. No 'brain damage'. The only damage that may appear is what seems to follow along with they experience in their home worlds, if at all.

[Solus simply nods, gesturing with a hand; ask away.]

[rocksatfashion]

[Now Rarity is not the type of pony who lets an invitation for such an important person slide by. One of the firstforged wishes to speak with her? Well! Going as she was, with her dreadfully messy mane and unclean hooves is just not an option!

It's several hours after receiving the invitation that Rarity finally shows. Her mane is gleaming and her dress is various shades of the same colour as her own glyph, her way of honouring her demi-god. No, she didn't throw this dress together in a few hours. She's good but she's not THAT good. She was lucky she had it semi-made when this all started.

When she's given the device, she sighs with relief, the heat was becoming quite unbearable, and she didn't want to ruin her dress or her mane before even reaching Solus!

When Solus finishes speaking, Rarity has quite a few questions of her own.]

First off, I wanted to thank you for inviting me! I didn't think you would be interested in a non-Cybertronian. Also if you don't mind me saying milady, you're a lot lovelier than I thought you'd be!

[She gives her her best pony curtsy.]

Is it really necessary to leave? I mean, sure there's a big bad out there, but what about what's going on in here? What if something happens that we can't fix? Wouldn't it make sense to leave one of you behind?

Solus wouldn't know fashion if it bit her on the robotush

[solianpolarity]

[Solus nods her head in return, pleased by the obvious formality and compliment - even if the intricacies of organic dress and style escape her.]

Thank you. The symmetry in your decorations are quite fetching, and I am pleased that you accepted.

[She smiles.]

Unfortunately, departing is very necessary, for all of us. We have tasks that need completing with all due haste, to hopefully avoid a fate worse than the arrival of the Pillar. And we are all needed to do our parts. But you are not completely undefended here.

It's okay, Rarity won't hold it against her :'|

[rocksatfashion]

[Rarity takes a moment to bask in Solus' compliment of her clothes. It's not really the sort of compliments she's used to, but she'll take what she can get.]

Well, I guess I'm not too worried. I mean, you Cybertronians are very big and strong, I bet you can handle almost anything!

I do hope you return someday. Perhaps I can even give you a makeover! Oooh that would be so much fun!

Oh Rarity

[solianpolarity]

[Solus chuckles quietly.]

We will certainly try - and we have no plans to stay away forever. It is simply to early to estimate how long we will be gone.

[She pauses and tilts her head, perplexed.]

...'Makeover'?