Ironhide:

-waits in the training room; in hindsight, it might have been a good idea to tell Landmine that he'd be training with another Sparkling, but it's too late for that, since they should be there in five minutes-

Longarm:

*Rolls on into the training room in his alt mode, some country singer cooning softly from the speakers inside the cab, towing hook swaying with the beat*

Landmine:

*Is on time, walking into the room with his hands clenching and unclenching - he really does enjoy having hands.  He stops, though, when he sees the tow-truck...  That's new.*

Ironhide:

Good.  You're both here. -pats the top of Longarm's cab once- You know the drill, kid.

Longarm:

*Engine gives a happy rev at the pet, and he nudges Ironhides leg once before rolling back and transforming at a decent pace, stilling and blinking orange optics curiously when he notices the other bot*

Longarm:

...Hello.  I have never seen you before.

Landmine:

...*Tries to debate on how to greet the strange robot, then decides on doing what his team members at S7 did - he nods once and holds out his hand.*  Hello.  *:\*

Longarm:

*chirps in confusion, head tilting as he goes through some memory files, trying to figure out...oh.* *slowly reaches out and takes the other bot's large clawed hand, giving it a good shake!* :>?

Ironhide:

Longarm, meet Landmine. 

Landmine:

...Longarm.  *Says it less like a greeting and more like an attempt to commit the name to memory*

Longarm:

*Gives a stunted wave with his free hand* Hello...Landmine.

Landmine:

*Quickly pulls his hand away - handshakes are shorter than this, right? - and looks at Ironhide inquisitively*

Ironhide:

Joint training session.

Longarm:

*blinks, staring at his suddenly empty hand, before looking up at Ironhide*  ...Oh?

Ironhide:

You both have guns?

Landmine:

*still looking at Ironhide, his gun turret swings around and into a ready position - not locked on him, for once*

Longarm:

*Fumbles for a moment, before the area on his arm and back where his towing arm partically intergrated with his body pops out, revealing a nice, fairly large cannon of some sort*

Longarm:

*tilts his head inquiringly? Good?*

Ironhide:

-nods- Good.  We're doing target practice today.

Landmine:

*gives Ironhide a funny look, still not locking on to him (or Longarm, luckily)* ....Target practice.

Longarm:

*Longarm probably wouldn't notice even if you did!*  ...Target practice?  ...For what?

Ironhide:

Yes.  Target practice.  Because you waste less ammo when you hit your target the first time.

Ironhide:

opponent*

Landmine:

...Right.

Longarm:

...Ammo?  *confused glance down at his cannon*  I think...it shoots energy?  ...Perhaps?

Ironhide:

Even with energy, you run out eventually.

Longarm:

*whirl-clicks, thinking...before nodding in agreement.  That makes sense....*

Landmine:

...Moving targets?  *glances briefly at Longarm*

Ironhide:

...

Ironhide:

No.

Ironhide:

Those targets -points- over there.

Ironhide:

-narrows his optics slightly-

Longarm:

...Meep? *confused look*

Longarm:

*There is something he Does Not Like about that look he just got...Though he isn't sure what it is.*

Landmine:

*looks at the targets for a moment, before nodding*  All right.

Ironhide:

-crosses his arms over his chest- Now, just like the first time.  Back up as far away from them as you can go, and focus on hitting the middle.  - >/ no shooting other trainees unless it's with paintballs!-

Longarm:

*shrugs his door wings and steps back until he bumps the wall, and focuses on the targets.  They are a long ways off, but he makes a quiet mechnical clicking sound as he subconciously zooms in on them...*

Landmine:

*backs up himself, not to the point of hitting the wall, turret locking onto one of the targets.  He glances at Longarm, then at Ironhide, half waiting for someone to go first and not actually hit him*

Longarm:

*waits for a few beats before finally assuming that Ironhide kinda already gave the okay to start and... FIRES, an orange energy blast streaking for the first target*

Ironhide:

-watches, leaning against the wall-

Landmine:

*takes a moment to look at Longarm's shot before unloading a few rounds into one of the other targets -... well, into it, the wall behind it, and the ground below.  Aiming is hard :\*

Longarm:

*squeaks with the recoil, which he handled quite well considering he's never fired his weapon before, optics wide as he gives the barrel of the gun an amused tap - firing at stuff is fun!

Longarm:

- completely missing when his shot hits pretty slagging close to the center of the target*

Longarm:

* - completely missing it when his spot hits pretty slagging close to the center of the target*

Ironhide:

Hn. -looks at them, thinking-

Longarm:

*Easily distracted!  Peers down into the smoking barrel of his gun, amused and giving a rare, full out grin! :D *

Ironhide:

Longarm, stand with your feet a bit wider apart.  It'll help with recoil.  Landmine, shoot one round at a time.

Landmine:

*looks at Ironhide*  But one round never pierces the metal.  *stop confusing him :<*

Ironhide:

If you aim for the right spot, all you need's one round.

Longarm:

*Beeps in acknowledgment and takes aim again, widening his stance obediantly before firing again, hitting mostly on the red*

Landmine:

*has a passive expression, if a bit skeptical, and he reassumes his prior position before letting loose only a single round - kind of scattered over the breadth of the target, but... not a horrible shot, at least?*

Ironhide:

-eyes the targets and nods once, his gaze lingering on Landmine a bit more; he isn't sure what the buggy's specialty is going to be yet- Concentrate.  Try again.

Longarm:

*barely gives a twitch of his head in reply, oddly focused on this task.  Its much more straight forward and understandable then anything else he's had to do so far.  Just point, aim, and fire.*

Landmine:

*glances at Ironhide again at the command, and there's a grinding click as his turret slides a new round into place, only to unload it moments later - and at least he tears up more of the center than the whole target, this time*

Longarm:

*And he does fire, hitting the near-center of the target with a orange plasma-shot once more*

Ironhide:

Good. -...bet you didn't see this next bit coming...- Again.

Longarm:

*Frowns at the result of his shot - seems he expected it to hit properly, and is actually confused by the lack, staring down the barrel of his gun as if he expects the answer to his only-slightly-off aim to be found inside*

Landmine:

*doesn't groan, or anything, but his faceplates shift behind their guard (or is it his face?  He's never tried to figure it out) to express... mild displeasure*  ...I... would prefer... not to.

Ironhide:

Gotta do a lot of things you don't want to in life.  Get used to it.

Longarm:

*frowns, still staring at his gun, processors whirling away (actually attempting to mess with his own internal settings, perhaps?) before looking up at the other two*  You do not...enjoy this? *stares at Landmine, head tilting*

Landmine:

*pauses at both of the comments, looking from Ironhide to Longarm*  ...No.  In previous fights, shooting at moving targets...  *looks at Ironhide again*  Involved many rounds.  *moving targets may be slightly intoned, there*

Longarm:

*blinks at Landmine's answer before looking over at Ironhide* ...Do we get to shoot at these...'moving targets'? *Actually sounds excited by the idea*

Ironhide:

-ttly catches that intonation and frowns slightly- Eventually. 

Landmine:

*isn't trying to hide it - it's probable that he doesn't even notice he's doing it*  Sector-7 is not around.  What... moving targets do you have, now?  *still in a pretty passive tone, really, with a tinge of something else*

Ironhide:

You two and paintball guns. -quirks an optic ridge-

Landmine:

Paintball?  *caught off guard - what the hell is a paintball gun?*

Ironhide:

Nightbird too, when she comes back from whatever it is she's doing.

Longarm:

...'Paintball guns'?  *that earns you a confused head-tilt as he looks them up, Ironhide*

Ironhide:

Yes, paintball guns.  Nonlethal.

Landmine:

...Then what is the... point?

Ironhide:

...

Longarm:

*chirps softly, looking down at his own gun - he does not think it can shoot these 'paint ball' things...*

Ironhide:

So you don't hurt each other.

Ironhide:

It's /practice./

Landmine:

Yes.  *nods once in affirmation*  ...But for... what?

Ironhide:

Because you need to know how to defend yourselves. -slight growl in his tone, he's getting exasperated- Just shoot the targets again.

Landmine:

...But why?

Longarm:

*looks back and forth between the other two, slightly worried*

Ironhide:

-fraggit, kid, just shoot the slaggin' targets >/- We have enemies.  Nemesis.  Megatron's psychotic twin.  Unicron.

Ironhide:

Shoot the target again, Landmine.

Landmine:

.........Yes, sir.  *pauses for a long minute, as though listening to something not audible to the room, and then reaches up and back, flicking at some latches and pulling the turret from his back*

Landmine:

*he is not copying Longarm's hold okay, but it sure looks similar, as the turret-turned-handgun is aimed and fired, a few rounds landing fairly definitely near the center*

Ironhide:

-optic ridge goes up again- Good.  Longarm, you too.

Longarm:

*cycles a subconscious sigh and falls back into his stance - yeah right Landmine - aims and fires, and blasts the center dead on this time*

Ironhide:

-kid's definitely a sharpshooter; nice- Let's see if you can do it again.  Both of you, once more.

Landmine:

*repositions slightly and tries once more, but his aim stays pretty much static - that is, very nearly to the center*

Longarm:

*facial plates twitch as he fights the urge to make squealing chirp of success - as it is, he as to repostion his aim slightly - before firing again, hitting the center once more, charing and melting the bull's eye quite nicely*

Ironhide:

-nods, impressed- We've made progress today.

Ironhide:

Longarm, move to a new target.  You've killed that one.  Once more.

Longarm:

*chirps in pleased affirmation, and re-aiming towards the next target in the lineup, finding himself oddly pleased with the challenge of calculating the new angles involved, before firing once more*

Longarm:

*It's not quite as on-center as the last two, but close*

Landmine:

*grunts and takes one more shot - but it's kind of clear he isn't taking this very seriously anymore, since his aim's an extra few centimeters off than it was before*

Ironhide:

-inwardly sighs- ...alright, that's enough for today. -optics narrowed slightly at Landmine-

Landmine:

*meets Ironhide's look stoically, reaching back to replace his turret in its mount*  Yes, sir.  *passive aggressive all the way!*

Longarm:

*Engine gives a short rev, somewhat pleased with himself - though no one else seems to be happy with this, so he doesn't know what to make of it, though he's fairly certain its not his fault*

Ironhide:

You both improved.  Next session, guns will not be needed. -slight smile, though he's still annoyed at Landmine-

Landmine:

*right back at ya, Ironhide*  All right.

Longarm:

*Makes a short sound of disappointment at that - he likes shooting, much more then the stick fighting thing. :< *

Ironhide:

You'll get to practice shooting more, kid, don't worry.

Longarm:

*perks up a bit, before nodding and folding his gun-towing arm back up into his chassis, the chain and hook dangling down his back like a demented kind of puppy tail*

Landmine:

*pauses for a moment longer, then reaches back to replace his gun on it's mount*  Is that all, then?

Ironhide:

Yeah.  Tomorrow, same time.

Longarm:

Alright then.  I will be here.  *grins faintly and transforms, rolling forward to give Ironhide a fond nudge with his bumper before heading off, radio playing a happy tune*

Ironhide:

-grins slightly-

Landmine:

*casts Ironhide a long look - utterly passive - and then turns and heads out himself, turret sinking into it's default "idle" position*

Longarm:

*Heads in down the hall at a sedate pace, towing arm swinging with joy - he managed to do something he was /good at/ today, something he actually /liked/.  That has put the tow truck in a very good mood indeed*

Landmine:

*Can see the tow truck a bit ahead of him, but he's not really paying attention.  He's following at a slow pace, looking distant but still passive.  He doesn't share Longarm's passion for guns.  Or targets.  Or Ironhide, really*

Longarm:

*Longarm doesn't like /guns/, he likes /his/ gun.  And the fact that he did good instead of just passable for once.  That is... a very good feeling.  He doesn't notice the other sparkling at the moment either - his music is too loud*

Landmine:

*That music is starting to catch Landmine's attention - and sort of distract him from his thoughts.  (He doesn't like thinking, it's kind of strange and not what he was made to do.)  ...He's not sure if he likes it or not, but it's there.  So he takes slightly longer steps, moving towards Longarm at a slightly faster clip - just enough to actually make some distance on him*  ...What are you listening to?

Longarm:

*Rolls to a stop, giving the area a check on his sensors - he was indeed the only one there, besides Landmine, so he was obviously calling for him and not someone else*  ...You mean my music?

Landmine:

...Yes, music.  What is it?  *Comes up alongside the tow truck, looking at the other passively - why is he in his car form?  Robot mode is... more fun.  (There's a whole barrel of problems right there, as far as he's concerned.)*

Longarm:

...I believe it is called ...'country music'.  By the humans that listen to it.  ...And sing it, I would think.  *Cranes up slightly on his shocks to take in Landmine's form better himself - he's in his alt mode because he prefers it, because it feels more /natural/ to him, though you'd have to ask him to really get it out of him*

Landmine:

*Isn't... exactly that interested in Longarm's reasoning - not for any particular reason, just because he doesn't mind it*  I see.  ....Why?  *His optics go over the rest of Longarm briefly, but he can't precisely tell where, exactly, that gun went to.  Maybe his crane...?*

Longarm:

...'Why'?  Why do they call it country?  I am ...not sure.  Why do I listen to it?  I find it...soothing.  And enjoyable?  *doesn't really notice Landmine's optics on himself, as he is currently lacking in them himself at the moment*

Landmine:

*Pauses for a moment, looking at Longarm's cab, before making a slight, noncommittal noise*  It... is a human thing, though.  I didn't expect...  *Trails off, as he's not really sure /what/ to expect with anything, anymore*

Longarm:

...Did not expect ...what? *curiously pausing for a moment before continuing quietly*  ...It is one of the first things...I remember. 

Landmine:

You... enjoy the training sessions.  And...  Ironhide.  *Says the name slowly, as if dredging it up from his memory*  He... /they/... do not enjoy human things.

Longarm:

'Enjoy' them...? Not ..../completely/.  This last one I enjoyed...very much.  More then the ones in the ...past.  And Ironhide has been...kind to me.  Though I am not sure as to why they would not like human things....? *Sounds rather confused - he's never made that type of connection in his processors before*

Landmine:

...I had many human friends.  *Now looking about slightly, checking to see how clear he is to speak - no doubt someone would come swooping in if he continued on in this train*  They... were afraid of them.

Longarm:

The humans?  They were afraid of someone? *pauses, processor clicking away within his chassis somewhere as he tries to connect the threads of Landmine's conversation* Afraid of...Ironhide?

Landmine:

Of him, I would think so.  But... all of them.  *Tilts his head in any old direction, doesn't matter - anything to insinuate them*  The humans... tried to understand them in... a way humans could.

Landmine:

...They retaliated, and I have no more humans to protect, now.

Longarm:

All of them...?  You mean...Ironhide and all of the other...mechs that are not...us?  I think Ironhide might have said something...  That...that they had to train me to protect myself....because humans could harm me?  Us?  But I am confused. Why would they not like humans at all, then?  Why do you not have your...human friends?

Landmine:

Humans only hurt what they do not understand, if that... scares them enough.  ...Mechs?  *Tests the word, finding it to his liking*  Yes.  They... hurt the humans I cared for.  And they are no longer around to need me.

Longarm:

*makes a low, sad sound for Landmine before pausing for several moments, thinking*  I am...sorry for you.  And your friends. Perhaps, though...perhaps neither should hurt the other?  If we did not hurt them, and they did not hurt us...  Then there would be no reason to dislike each other?

Landmine:

Maybe they should not have attacked my friends.  *Passive, all the way (passive-aggressive, really)*  But they did.

Longarm:

I...do not know why they would have attacked your friends.  Perhaps you should....ask them?  Find out why they do not like each other? *quietly thoughtful*

Landmine:

...Perhaps.  *Doesn't sound too sure about that, though*  ...Ironhide does not like me.

Longarm:

He does not? *sounds genuinely surprised and somewhat sad by this thought* ...why?

Landmine:

I... am not sure?  ...I do not like shooting.  Perhaps that is why.  I just... know.

Longarm:

...I do not like hand to hand fighting, yet Ironhide still likes me?  ...I /think/ he does, at least...?  He is...kind to me.

Landmine:

You do not hesitate on orders.  They like that.  *There are an awful lot of "thems" in Landmine's vocabulary*

Longarm:

I did not today, but before was...different. I do not enjoy...hitting things.  *pauses and his shocks creak as he 'turns' towards Landmine, 'staring'* ...And who are 'they'? Ironhide and...? *Yes, he noticed that, Landmine*

Landmine:

Commanding officers.  *Looks at the tow truck passively*

Longarm:

Commanding...officers?  *has little to no comprehension or care for the existing military structure of the remaining Cybertronians, nor that of the humans, so the phrase has little meaning in relation to him.  He barely even knows anyone other then Ironhide*

Landmine:

Those who give you orders.  *Pauses - he's not sure why, but he's got a feeling that Longarm has no idea what he's talking about*  ...Higher ranking officers?

Longarm:

...I was not aware of joining a...military of some sort.  I was under the impression that this was...for self defense, rather then ...war making? *mumbles, confused as he quickly looks up various military organizations*

Landmine:

This is a military organization, is it not?  *Now /he/ sounds confused*

Longarm:

...I am not sure.  There is no war, nor I have I met anyone other then Ironhide who ...gives me things to do.  Yet there seems to be some type of...organization, though I doubt it has been explained to me properly.  *pauses again, thinking hard*  ...Everyone I have met or seen so far has some sort of...emblem?  Indicative of a faction of some sort?  Yet... we do not? *gives Landmine a rather obvious scan, as though making sure /he/ doesn't have one either*

Landmine:

I have noticed that...  I do not like the implications of being... Factionless among those with factions?  It... means we are not one of them.  *Casts another glance around the area, checking again, just in case*

Longarm:

From what I can tell, they have been...functioning on their own longer, and are much more...experienced...then we are.  I would feel rather...uncomfortable...being a part of a faction I knew...nothing about. I have also noticed that there are two different emblems, yet the two...coexist?  I am not sure if having a faction is...required.

Landmine:

If it were not...  Then they would no longer wear them.  *Frowns*

Longarm:

...I....do not know what to say to that.  Their actions are...confusing. *quietly*

Landmine:

I do not know what to do here.  It... confuses me, to be here when I do not know what my... purpose is.

Longarm:

I do not know what to do either... But right now, perhaps our purpose is just...to learn what we can? 

Landmine:

...I do not want to learn how to shoot targets.  It is unrealistic.

Longarm:

...What /do/ you want to learn?  *there is no harshness there, only honest curiosity*

Landmine:

...I am not sure.  But shooting targets... is useless.  I have shot down... mechs, before.  I do not see why I cannot continue to do so.

Longarm:

You have.../shot/...mechs before?  *now he sounds rather nervous, engine giving a odd rev*

Landmine:

It is what my friends needed to do in order to survive.  I assisted them when I could.

Longarm:

...oh.  *shifts unhappily on his tires, suddenly thinking about things he does not like*  Do...do you think...we will have to shoot others?  Others that are like us?

Landmine:

I am not sure.  That is why I was asking Ironhide questions.  I do not understand who I am supposed to defend myself from.  Sector-7 is gone.

Longarm:

...Perhaps we shall have to ask him more questions...next time?  I would...like to know.

Landmine:

If he will answer them, I would like to.  He did not seem to like it, however.

Longarm:

*If he could, Longarm would be frowning right now*  ...He would not be a very good teacher...if he will not answer questions.

Landmine:

No, he would not be.  *Then again, he's not so sure Ironhide /is/ a good teacher*

Longarm:

*Longarm has never HAD a teacher before, so he has nothing to compare him to!*  I will ask him next time we met him, then.

Landmine:

If you wish to.  *Pretty sure Longarm'll get sidestepped like he was, but hey, Ironhide seems to /like/ him*

Longarm:

I do.  *simply.  He certainly doesn't see the problem with asking*

Landmine:

All right.  We are meeting... Tomorrow?  For sparring?

Longarm:

Yes.  ...That is what he said.

Landmine:

*Landmine at least knows that Ironhide is accurate when telling time*  Then...  We will ask him then.  *And by we he means you, of course*

Longarm:

We shall.  *You said we, Longarm thinks WE.*

Landmine:

Yes.  I... believe, then, we... shall see each other soon?  *You're the only one who's talked to him, Longarm.  He likes you better than "them" :<*

Longarm:

Yes.  Tomorrow.  *Said much more happily then most other things he's said lately, towing arm giving a happy little wag*

Landmine:

*Takes a step backwards, nearly hitting the wall*  Then I will see you tomorrow.  *Not like he has anything else to do, but short conversations in hallways are harder to overhear*

Longarm:

So we shall.  *engine revs and he begins to roll away, music starting back up once more*

Landmine:

*Backs up a bit and waits for the other to get distance on him, staring at the tow truck before turning down another hallway - who knows where it goes, but it goes /away/ from where Ironhide was*