Day 38: Patients' Library

[emotionl4arobot.livejournal.com]

The intercom rang out, disrupting what had turned out to be a rather pointless breakfast conversation, at least in Brainiac 5's eyes. He couldn't wait to put more distance between himself and Scar's blather of how logic, of all things, might not work the same way in this dimension. It was almost enough to make him believe that the man may very well have been a lion originally after all, as he'd never heard anything so very... ignorant and uneducated.

He quickly finished up the fruit he'd been nibbling on - he was no longer as hungry as he had been - and looked around automatically to see where Clark was. Unfortunately with the press of people around, some being led off to the library and others to the mentioned 'therapy sessions' - if that was what they really were - he had lost sight of the Kryptonian. Still there wasn't many places he could go, so Brainiac 5 would be able to catch up with him eventually to check on his condition and try and learn more about what had happened last night. That the Chapel had healed him - admittedly by passing his injuries to another - was interesting, but far more important in his eyes was what had happened to Clark and his powers. They hadn't been working correctly and that worried the Coluan boy more than he would normally have admitted. Without Clark's abilities... he wasn't sure what they would have to rely on in order to escape.

Another problem he would have to deal with was Grell... or, if he was to believe the notes on the bulletin board, the person pretending to be Grell. But that was going to require more careful planning before he made a move. Come to think of it, he had agreed to meet another in the library today on that same post that had sparked this whole mess. At least then he would have something of interest to look forward to, as he doubted any of the 21st century books were likely to be worthwhile to someone of his advanced intellect.

Following the nurses led him to what must have been the library; a reasonably large room filled with a range of archaic books on tall shelves, a few tables and chairs interspersed around the room. The Coluan boy couldn't refrain from wrinkling his nose in distaste as he entered the room, not liking the cumbersome books and the dust that he knew would have gathered on them; he much preferred the clean arrangement of his C.O.M.P.U.T.O. systems back in the Legion headquarters. It was much more practical then shelves and shelves of books on fictional worlds and dated information.

Trying to avoid as much of the room as possible, Brainiac 5 settled himself down on a chair to wait, keeping an eye out for a tall, dark-haired man with a red... something on his forehead.

[for Homura]

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[runner-up-robot.livejournal.com]

Forte looked up, taking a moment to put together what he'd said (without realizing it) with the man's response. So, another prisoner with nothing but contempt for Starscream. Did that mean this was the elusive Lugnut?

"So I've heard. I'm Forte. Are you another decepticon?"

[hailmegatron.livejournal.com]

"Ah, Blitzwing's human-built ally." Lugnut nodded, satisfied. "I am Lugnut, loyal servant of the Decepticon cause and Lord Megatron's will." He didn't quite rise up out of his chair to shout it to the heavens, but it was certainly a emphatic and devout declaration, the way he said it-- almost religious in its fervent tone.

After a moment, he added, "Blitzwing told me the traitor was even more useless than usual, here."

[runner-up-robot.livejournal.com]

Forte was impressed by the other bot's devotion. Of course, if I ever act that way about working for Wily I hope someone shoots me. He nodded, "Yeah, that's me. And I thought Starscream was being useful, but last night he acted like a coward and wasted our time. I was not impressed. He claims he found a book on humans in this library, but I can't find anything."

Forte also looked the man up and down as he spoke. He couldn't stop thinking about what he'd learned about Decepticons - larger than buildings? Living for thousands of years? Of course, just like Blitzwing he could tell that Lugnut would tower over them if they were both standing. Even if they weren't in their real bodies, he felt small talking to him.

[hailmegatron.livejournal.com]

"A lie, most likely," Lugnut grumbled. "He lies often, especially when it will benefit him." Evidentially, Lugnut wasn't very fond of his fellow Decepticon. "Even Blitzwing is more reliable, and he is insane."

[runner-up-robot.livejournal.com]

Forte didn't care if Starscream was dishonest, as long as he was useful.

"Dishonesty, I don't care about. We're trying to find the same thing. But cowardice is unforgivable."

The boy wasn't an expert on humans, but despite Lugnut's size, he didn't look well. Forte considered suggesting food, but plenty of people had been trying to convince him to eat, and it wasn't Forte's job to nurse a potential ally to health (apparently, that was Blitzwing's job). But the injuries were interesting.

"How did you get hurt? Did you get into a fight?"

[hailmegatron.livejournal.com]

"He's also a frequent coward." Lugnut would agree with pretty much any negative thing Forte wanted to say about Starscream.

Lugnut tensed and shifted unhappily, his steady stare breaking away from Forte from the first time. "Attacked," he corrected, grudgingly, and he didn't look very happy about it. "By oversized organic vermin."

[runner-up-robot.livejournal.com]

Forte nodded, knowingly. "These human bodies are far too fragile. I had a similar experience when I first woke up here. Fortunately, they either repair themselves or someone else does between the night and day. I've convinced one of the humans to show me how to fight without my weapons, and another has promised to provide me a weapon." He thought about the various humans he'd met so far. "A lot of humans will help you just for asking," he scoffed. If they were were going to offer and ask for nothing in return, he he might as well take what he could get.

[hailmegatron.livejournal.com]

"They are. Infinitely inferior to metal and circuitry... the creatures that attacked me would not have even been an irritant in my true body." Lugnut looked down at his hands and flexed the fingers. "I have fought all my life, since I was built and sparked... but this body cannot take damage, demanding attention for even the smallest injuries, crippling me and forcing me to flee." His tone was disgusted, even as he looked back up at Forte with a blankly intense stare. "Altruism is a foolish thing, but if they are willing to assist, it would be more foolish to deny them."