March 4th, 2001
~Whiplash(D)

Darkmount - Repair Bay

     Much like the adjacent research lab, the equipment here is showing signs of age, but is kept in a serviceable condition. Two automated repair drones lie against the far wall, though each is obviously missing a few parts...apparently they've been salvaged for someone else's benefit. The once well-stocked parts closets now contain mostly empty shelves and bins. Several dozen repair tables of various sizes are arranged in rows in the middle of the room.


AutoMedic 
Dartboard 
Serdidymus 
Medical Terminal

Obvious Exits:
 -S- South leads to Darkmount - Regeneration Spa
 -E- East leads to Darkmount - Medical and Science Level
 -W- West leads to Darkmount - Cryochamber

-Whiplash remains in her corner with her battle blade, having made herself semi-comfortable there - or as comfortable as one can be in a place like this, anyhow.
-Moonlight walks into the room rather causually.
-Whiplash's optics flicker slightly as she catches the motion of someone arriving. "You again," she notes casually.
-Moonlight nods. "Yes, me...again." And she smiles.
-Whiplash says, "Saw you poking around here last night. You a friend of Skyburner's?"
-Whiplash looks the other female up and down as though evaluating her. Her manner is slightly guarded, though not unfriendly.
-Moonlight shakes her head. "Not really. I was there when Shockwave blasted him, and I was rather curious."
-Whiplash says, "And-" she tilts her head slightly in curiousity, "you came from where? Haven't seen you around before. Of course, I don't exactly spend a lot of time in here."
-Whiplash's optics narrow a little as she glances around the room, indicating her distaste for these surroundings.
-Moonlight stops herself from being lippy and pointing out she came from downstairs. "Well, I haven't been around here long at all. And as to where I come from, I guess Monacus is my homeworld, but I really belonged to everywhere before I came here."
-Whiplash says, "Monacus, eh? Yeah, been there once or twice."
-Moonlight shrugs. "It's not bad. But I came here to see Skyburner again, but he seems to be 'resting'."
-You say, "It became...dangerous...for me to stay on Monacus or the other planets I was closely associated with. Our little operation didn't touch Cybertron, so I came here."
-Whiplash's optics brighten slightly in curiousity. "What operation would that be?" she asks.
-Moonlight grins widely. "The smuggling operation of course. It's the only thing I know really."
-Whiplash says, "Hmm. Can't say I'm up on that kind of thing. What do you smuggle?"
-You say, "Anything I'm told to."
-Whiplash says, "Ah. Well ... welcome to the base. You got a name?"
-Moonlight extends a hand. "M'name's Moonlight. Pleased to meet you. Whiplash, right?"
-Whiplash regards the extended hand dubiously for a moment, as she's seldom greeted in this manner, but then shrugs and accepts it. "Yeah, that'd be me. What, my reputation precedes me?" She flashes a hint of a grin, showing her serrated-white fangs.
-Moonlight shakes her head. "I wouldn't know about that...Solar just mentioned that it was you guarding Skyburner." She looks around. "I don't see anyone else standing guard here."
-Whiplash says, "Yeah, that's what I do. Not usually *here*, though. Damn Intell kids, someone's gotta look after 'em."
-Whiplash shoots an accusatory glare over at the unconscious Skyburner.
-Moonlight nods. "Shockwave certainly seemed angry at what was going on. Made me glad I wasn't in that divison."
-Whiplash looks up from her thoughts and suddenly focuses on Moonlight more sharply. "What *did* happen? You saw it all, you say?"
-You say, "Well, I was there up until a point. I had to leave before seeing it all. Not that I like seeing people blasted away, but it would certainly teach me what not to do. I'm not used to working with such complex and tight systems. I'm used to losely based freelance work. It's going to take some adjusting...I just hope they don't expect me to be perfect right away."
-Whiplash persists, "But what *did* you see?"
-Moonlight sits down and leans back, trying to remember all the details. "Razelore was reaming out Kimakaze and Skyburner about something to do with rank, when Shockwave came in. He was pretty mad and told them to stop the nonsense causing the division in the division." She smiles slightly at the double use of division. "They tried to get him back to Repairs because he is weak, but he would have none of it. Instead he pointed out that they weren't doing their job and compared them to some guy named Starscream. Then he turned into this /really/ big gun and started blasting Skyburner."
-Whiplash takes the information in silently, and finally muses more to herself than to Moonlight, "I see. So - he was upset over the problems and squabbling in the division."
-You say, "He? Shockwave?"
-Whiplash says, "Yeah. Still trying to figure him out these days."
-You say, "I don't know him enough to figure him out. I just know he was awfully angry. Unless he always blasts people that quickly."
-Whiplash answers quickly, "He doesn't." And then amends, "Or at least, he didn't used to."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Unless it effects me directly, I don't really care what he does. Though if he over-reacts that easily, I might not be very safe here either," she says with a wry grin.
-Whiplash says, "Nah, you should be alright."
-Whiplash says it with an attempt at confidence, but it doesn't come off as being totally convincing. Her optics darken a little as she regards the room.
-Moonlight grins. "I'm afraid I'm not good at being humble or respectful...and the leaders around here seem to like both."
-Whiplash corrects, "What they like is results. If you do a good job, you've earned the right to speak your mind."
-Moonlight bobs her head. "I'll keep that in mind."
-Whiplash spins her battle blade through a lengthwise rotation with a motion of her wrist, and catches it again in a still position, her voilet gaze still flickering around the room in an expression of distaste. "I swear, next time Skyburner gets himself shot up over his paranoia, he's on his own."
-Moonlight nods her head. "Never much bought into paranoia, I just prefer to combine common sense and caution. Besides, I don't have anything worth having people attack me for. I see no reason for it...yet."
-Whiplash says, "I'll tell you what the real problem was, though. It was all about squabbling for rank. Skyburner figured Kimakaze was being favored over him, and he was all out of shape about it. The way I see it, you don't need a rank to do your job and help the cause."
-Whiplash says, "I've just never understood that kind of thinking. Sure, when I was in the Games it was a big deal-" she stops for a moment, as though edging into personal matters that she'd just as soon not share with a stranger. "Well, that's over anyway," she ends dismissively."
-You say, "I couldn't agree with you more. Personally I'd rather not have much of a rank...safer that way. I'm not a warrior, and having people guard me constantly would put a damper on my style."
-Whiplash says, "Well, once I get out of this 'assignment,' I'm back at my guard post. I don't live in the base, you know. So you'll have to put up with being guarded at least a little, 'cause that's what I do."
-Whiplash smirks a little, as the flickering light of her optics indicates a moment of amusement.
-Moonlight shakes her head. "I meant having a group of goonies following my every footstep for my own protection. If I can't do it alone, I shouldn't be doing it at all."
-Whiplash says, "Leaders around here can defend themselves pretty well, let me tell you. They'd be offended to have a group of goons trailing 'em around too."
-You say, "That's why I'd never be a leader. I'm not much of a fighter. Only fighting I did much was getting out of a bar brawl."
-Whiplash spins the blade through an idle rotation again, the polished edge catching the overhead lights and reflecting them in a bright strobe. "In that case, let me know if you ever need a warrior to kill some 'Bots for you. Or neurtals," she adds with another grin, an expression that bears a hint of eager malice.
-Moonlight waves her hands and laughs. "I don't want anyone dead yet. Haven't met enough to have a problem with them. I joined the faction for a bunch of reasons, but it had nothing to do with wanting anyone dead. For one, I was refered here by my previous leader because he had a friend in your faction. Besides, I see the unaffils as losers no matter who wins, and the Autobots have too many scruples for my tastes..."
-You say, "Not really. Just the way she described things. And my previous leader didn't really pay attention to the factions. Didn't stay around long enough to worry about them. Besides, I try not to side with losers."
-Whiplash says, "In that case you're in the right place."
-You say, "So I noticed. Though it /is/ a bit grim here. Then again, I'm used to being in places where they don't even /think/ about war, so I suppose that's the difference. But I'd rather be grim than dead, if you know what I mean."
-Whiplash says, "If you come from *Monacus*, sure it's grim here. I saw what kinda luxury you guys had out there."
-Whiplash says, "Not really fair, if you think about it."
-You say, "Monacus isn't the whole of it. I've been many places. Never paid attention to the names, only the pay and locations. But, yeah, I suppose I can't compare them to Cybertron."
-Whiplash says, "You've done a lot of travelling, then, hm?"
-You say, "A fair ammount. But mostly near the end of my career. I guess I was a bit of a specialty to our leader, Swipe. He didn't want me in /too/ much trouble, so he used to leave me home until I proved I was good enough to join him."
-Whiplash is still in "interrogator" mode, though her tone remains carefully casual. "Who's this 'Swipe', then? A Decepticon?"
-Moonlight shakes her head. "No. He was my leader. But I don't think he's functional anymore. Some goons took him away."
-Whiplash says, "And then you ... found your way here..." she speculates, regarding Moonlight steadily.
-Moonlight shrugs. "I did what I was told. He was taken away and told me to come here and ask for help from a Con femme he was corresponding with. That's how I ended up here, but I certainly plan to stay. I didn't change my affilition because I wanted to...but I won't change until there's no Decepticons left, just as I didn't change until there was no more smugglers band left."
-Whiplash says pointedly, "There's always going to be Decepticons. Bet on that."
-You say, "Hey, I never said there wasn't going to be...I'm just making my point."
-Whiplash's optics narrow slightly. "Hmmm."
-Whiplash says, "Maybe someone oughtta show you around the planet sometime. I figure you've already looked around in the base?"
-You say, "Here and there. I've been to the Dead End a few times, and Crystal City of course. I usually take more direct routes. Don't know much else though."
-Whiplash spins her blade again, a gesture of her general unwillingnes to be here, as well as perhaps a visible reminder of her battle prowess. Her tentacles thrash around her a touch faster than usual for a moment, then slow to their usual speed of undulation as she leans back a little and then says, "Alright. The short of it goes like this: don't get caught alone in 'Bot territory, 'cause I don't want to have to come after you. Watch your back in Crystal City, 'cause they're all sympathizers. You show any weakness in Dead End, and they'll be all over you, but at least they're honest about it."
-You say, "Seems to me there are plenty of 'Cons in Dead End anyhow. As for Crystal City, I'm sort of working there at the moment, so that can't be helped. And I have no reason to enter Bot territory...or any inclination."
-Whiplash says, "You're ... *working* in Crystal City?"
-You say, "I was assigned there...by Shockwave. I didn't think it wise to argue the point."
-The tentacles pick up speed again. "Doing what?"
-You say, "Spying. Posing as a simple unaffiliated waitress to learn about the Bots and the Unaffils in Crystal City."
-Whiplash says, "Really." The glowing-violet optics narrow again as she regards Moonlight in silence, but slowly, slowly a thoughtful smile spreads over her face. "Really, now"
-Moonlight spreads her hands in front of herself. "Why would I lie?"
-Whiplash says, "Oh, I'm not saying you would. I'm finding it really interesting that Shock would send you on a mission like this. Maybe he's finally getting back around to those old plans."
-You say, "Old plans?"
-Whiplash seems vaguely pleased now.
-Whiplash says, "Eh, you know, if he hasn't filled you in on that part of it, he's gotta have a reason. Just remember what I told you. Watch yourself, watch what you say. They're all in league with the 'Bots."
-Moonlight quirks a smile. "I'll keep that in mind, thank you for the advice...though if I know anything, it's bars. Of course, the Blaster is a lot cleaner than most of the places I've been to."
-Whiplash says, "It's got that veneer, yeah. Not like some of the other places on Cybertron. But of course Crystal City can afford it. They're living it up while the rest of the planet goes to hell."
-You say, "Not very considerate of them, is it? Maybe they should share the wealth a little..."
-Whiplash says, "And not like I'm up on all the bars on Cybertron, it's not really my scene. Now and again you can tempt me to stop by. Not at the Blaster, of course."
-You say, "Of course not."
-Whiplash says, "And yeah, they oughtta share the wealth." Her optics flash bright in determination. "And they will, you'll see."
-You say, "Isn't there some sort of truce or treaty in effect at the moment?"
-Whiplash growls. "Yeah, that lame joke of a treaty. But see, maybe that's where you come in. Maybe this is what Shock was after all along.
-Moonlight smiles very broadly, and tilts her head so Whiplash can she her wink. "Perhaps I should be looking for anything that indicates Crystal City isn't completely ...honorable... in their intentions towards us?
-Whiplash says, "Oh, we know that much. Maybe you oughtta be looking for weaknesses. Of any kind." Her optics gleam brightly as she muses to herself, "Yeah, this just might work out nicely."
-You say, "But if I had some definate proof that they weren't upholding their end....would that be enough for action?"
-Whiplash says, "You're asking the wrong Decepticon, lady. I don't think we need an excuse to take 'em out. You gotta ask the high-ups about that. I'm just giving you my take on it."
-Whiplash says, "If it had been up to me, the place would have been ashes years ago."
-Whiplash says, "And I *will* have Phalanx's head on a pike one day."
-Whiplash's optics flash brilliant again.
-Moonlight shrugs. "I don't know about any Phalanx, but hey...cities are made, cities fall, and smuggling is good through it all!"
-Whiplash says, "You'll learn about Phalanx soon enough. As for smuggling - I'm sure there's plenty in Crystal City that you might get a good price for."
-You say, "Most likely...they seem to be sitting really pretty in their city."
-Whiplash says, "*That's* what I've been saying. To the outside they pretend to be all separate and above it all, but really they're raking in a hell of a profit. I don't mean just the luxuries of life, I mean trying to keep out of the firing line by sitting on the fence, by publically not standing for *anything* and secrety giving the 'Bots shelter and support. Sounds like scum any way you turn it, doesn't it?"
-You say, "I'm sure most of them just don't know any better, that's the way it is really. They're not conspirators...just simple poople who follow the same route everyday. Not much to blame really..."
-Whiplash growls again, low in her throat, flashing a glint of fangs. "The rulers of Crystal City know exactly what they're doing. I blame *them*. Almost a shame they're not aware that their maneuverings are going to cost their citizens dearly."
-You say, "I don't really know why they just sit there...I've always preferred to do something, though people might say sneaking around is cowardly...at least I'm being cowardly to a point and purpose."
-Whiplash shrugs. "If Shock's got you assigned to the job, he's got a plan for it. Tat's good enough for me.
-You say, "Well, then I'll do my best, though I'm not precisely sure what he wants. Perhaps you would know what sort of information spies are usually sent for?"
-Whiplash finds a place on one of the nearby med tables and makes herself more comfortable, an implicit gesture of taking Moonlight more into her confidence.
-Whiplash says, "Well, let's see. You're to be working at the Golden Blaster, you say?"
-Moonlight leans back in her seat a little. "Yup, that's it. Already learned some Bot has a bounty on him, for whatever that's worth."
-Whiplash says, "A bounty on Shockwave?"
-You say, "No, the Bot."
-Whiplash considers. "As to what you'll want to be on the lookout for - okay, you're working in a bar. People get overenergized in a bar, they say stuff they might not othewise let slip. You're the sympathetic audial sensor, the conversationalist to take their minds off their work. They learn to trust you, they might drop hints without even knowing it. I do know a good number of 'Bots hang out at the Blaster, and of course the CC militia types stop in.
-You say, "But what sort of thing should I pass on?"
-Whiplash says, "Evidence about Autobot and Crystal City collaboration is all well and fine, but I'd be more interested in what their defense capabilities really are. The high-ups always said we couldn't afford a war with CC right now, 'cause we'd win that one and then the 'Bots could pick us off, they're just too well defended. But if we find out exactly *what* they have, and what they don't have, that's gives us a target to strike at."
-Whiplash says, "Kimakaze thought she found their base a while back, but I never heard any more about it. If it had been where she thought it was, we'd have been all over them already."
-Moonlight nods, taking mental note of all of this. "I see. I'll have to be very careful to sort the good news from the normal prattle."
-Whiplash says, "Well, sure, but I'd think it's better to pass along more than less. Let the high-ups decide what's important and what isn't. That's not your job. Your job is just to bring back the info."
-Moonlight grins. "Just so long as the high-ups think the way you do, I'll be fine. I'm sure you would know, you sound like you've been at this for quite some time."
-Whiplash shrugs again, and smiles faintly. "They don't think *exactly* like I do, 'cause if they did, like I said, CC would be dust already. But we've got a good set of commanders here, you can trust 'em. I think I've got it pretty well figured out, what they're looking for in a warrior. Or a spy."
-You say, "I'll take your word for it then."
-Whiplash shoots a mock-glare over at the sleeping Skyburner again. "I *should* know, seeing as the whole lost cause of the Intel division seems to stop by my guard post to chat every now and again."
-You say, "We're chatting now and you don't seem to mind...much."