August 12th, 2002 ~Psykeout(D), Swivel(A), Dirge(D), Blitzwing(D) Crossroads The crossroads here are one of the few remaining functional intersections on Cybertron. Four thoroughfares enter and exit this cloverleaf monstrosity made up of intricately woven levels of superhighways, but the actual routes can only be determined by traveling them. Stacked three levels above the surrounding landscape, the entire exchange is covered with a huge glass dome. The purpose of the dome was lost long ago with the construction crew that built this interchange, but now it simply provides some shelter from the occasional caustic storms that arise on Cybertron. The area around the interchange is relatively flat and since the crossroads are raised above it, there is room underneath for travelers to rest or admire the open view. Hotly contested in more recent times, whoever controls this central transit point could potentially control entrance to Iacon as well as the Crystal City so the Autobots and neutral citizens of Crystal City try and keep close guard over it. Psykeout [Robot] [D] Dome Shack Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky above Iacon Crossroads -N- North leads to Ancestral Overpass -S- South leads to Crystal City Highway -E- East leads to Old Expressway -W- West leads to Ruined Outpost -Cargo-Copter flies in low over the crossroads area, still making choppery sounds and acting very...helicopter like. -The new addition to the Crossroads, the Dome Shack which is usually closed, locked up tight, looks like the door had been left ajar and there is some sounds, sounds like music coming from inside. However, all of that is nothing compared to the sound of metal hitting metal, somethings rolling, more crashing sounds and a "AAAAAAAAAAAH!" of femanine vocals. Of course, it sounds like it would be much louder if one whithin the walls of the shack. ANd perhaps the sound of a copter is also drowning out the sound. A big can of purple paint rolls out of the ajar door, leaking purple paint. -Psykeout's optics flicker slightly, as the paint can rolls out. Considering that he isn't really sure who owns this shack, he seems to not pay it much heed. He has more important things to concern himself about, then some dumb femme falling off a ladder or whatever the hell she just did. Psyke takes another drag off of his ener-cig, thinking to himself. -Cargo-Copter gets even lower, heading towards the form of Psykeout walking around on the ground. -Music is turned off and there is a peaceful silence. Aside from the copter. Eventually, there is a hand reaching out quickly siezing the can. "How the heck did this door get open?" comes a somewhat panicked voice. Pause... and the curiousity of the femme eats away and she pokes her head out for a peek to see if ther is anyone around. Especially cons.... cons bad.... VERY bad. Half her face is sloshed in purple paint from being a clutz. Seeing the blurry form of a mech and something flying, a copter judging by the sound of propellers. she withdraws her head quickly hoping to have not been seen. Hard to see with paint in your optic, really. -Psykeout hears the voice, launching a scalpel at the head that pops out. He hasn't quite caught on to exactly who it is, since their head disappears so quickly. The scalpel flies through the air, aiming for the head of whomever sits inside of the shack. Quite a fluid motion from the Decepticon Medic, but a growl emits as the scalpel hits nothing but the door. Bouncing a few times, it finally stops all movement. Psykeout sits there quite calmly for a moment, wondering if the femme will re-appear once again. -Cargo-Copter slowly decends....right behind Psykeout, propellers whirring noisily. -"Eeek!" close call. Getting hit in the head is not fun. With a scalpel nonetheless. Of course, the poor femme can't see that it was exaclty a scalpel that whizzed by, she's got paint in her optics. There is another loud sound, for she had surely jumped upon somehting moving at a threatening face to where her head was as she trips again over the paint. Upon whiping her optics, she realizes she's covered in purple paint. Hmmm...... badies are out there, she she's to scared to leave the shack.... but she's so curious. If anyone sees her.... Venture might come after her and kill her that would be bad. SHe timidly pokes her head out again to get a cleaer view of who threw that at her... her optics clear this time. Sure is a copter... and... "Psykeout?" she quickly withdraws her pokey head again. -Psykeout snarls audibly at the sound of his own name, still unsure of who stands behind those doors. His optics flicker slightly, as he rises to his feet. Removing the Ion_Rifle that is strapped to his back, he makes his way towards the shack cautiously. "Whomever is in there, identify yourself. If you fail in this, find your home filled with blasts from my rifle." Psyke's voice booms through the area, his optics finally setlling upon a deeper violet than normal. -Cargo-Copter finally finishes its landing, pushing up any dust and small bits of junk that is in the area. -Swivel freezes, inside the dome shack. Well... she really doesn't want to get shot by Psykeout any time soon... but she doesn't want Venture to hunt her down either. WHY must she always get into trouble? Swivel takes a deep breath.... "Sorry, can't come out...." she yells out the door. "can't reveal myself..." she adds.... "Go Quint!" she says... MAYBE he'll recognize her vocals.... maybe..... can't risk anyone getting a good glimpse of her, nope. Must hide... hiding good... or Venture will come after her. Well... maybe he isn't really much of a threat, maybe she's just being silly. But... -Psykeout pauses for a moment, his optics flickering rapidly through a rainbow of colors. "What the..." A drift off, followed by a long period of silence. "Swivel?" -The Cargo-Copter's blades begin to gradually slow down until they stop. When they do, the Helicopter changes form, revealing a grinning Moonlight. -Swivel doesn't come out. "Who else would it be?" she asks, well, sort of hollers. The sound proof quality of the shack is fairly good and there is also the distance. Swivel peers her head out of the door yet a third time, this time not withdrawing right away. Her optics go over to a familiar femme who just transformed. Can't say she remember's her name, but she could have sworn she's met her before. She looks over at Psykeout a moment or two before withdrawing a third time. "Sh! Don't tell anyone I'm here!" -Psykeout raises an optic ridge, snarling softly. He allows his teeth to glisten in the light, as a smile crosses his face. As he speaks, his tone seems mocking of the femme. "Shh. Don't tell anyone that I'm a Decepticon." With that, his radio audibly clicks on. Speaking into it softly, his voice carries over a short distance. Captain Psykeout says, "Decepticons. There has been a bounty put out on the head of the one known as Swivel. A few Decepticons have been searching for her. Her current location is inside of a Dome Shack in the Crossroads." -Moonlight shakes some dust off of herself and pulls her hat out of it's hidey spot and puts it on her head just so. With a grin that seems to engulf her face, she heads towards Psykeout. -Swivel peers out again frowning rather viasably at Psykeout. "Slag it psykeout! Tell anyone and I'm going to have to hurt you! I mean it!" -Psykeout smiles a broad grin, "It is too late, Swivel. It has been broadcasted on the Decepticon Channel." -Moonlight walks up right behind Psykeout and claps him on the back...hoping that even if he's apparently deaf, he isn't without tactile sense as well. -Swivel steps out halfway.... looking like a can of paint landed on her head. Which it did. Practically all of her is purple except for around the optics she she wiped herself clean to see. SHe looks at Psykeout with a big frown. "You'd better be kidding!" she yells, reaching for a weapon. Unfortuneately, all she has is... mmm... energon goodies. She stops, and just folds her arms instead, looking at Psykeout with a frown, tilting her head aside. -Psykeout spins around, his gun still within his grasp. Raising the butt of the gun to slam whomever dared to touch him, directly in the face. (ooc, use +roll please. ;> ) Swivel's words are but a faint memory, as the anger obviously flows through his optics. Snarling towards Swivel, "I do not lie, nor do I kid. If any Decepticons recieved the message, they shall be here shortly. Do not tempt fate, Swivel. For it is something that is not to be toyed with." He whips his head around, wondering if his attack connected or not. -Moonlight, the ever alert smuggler, has a good ability to dodge out of the way. "Hey now. What's up with the nasty and the hitting?" -Swivel stares at Psykeout... frowning still, and remaining calm as she folds her arms. "I never said you were lying...." she stares at him as he tries to hit the femme who came up behind him. She looks back at Psykeout. "Besides... I doubt the cons will be as steamed at me as they will be at Venture. I doubt they'll come running... not like I'm tripping boundaries again..." she tells him. "I'm not much of a threat to the decepticons.... and probably little threat to you" she raises her voice to a more stern voice near the end and raises an optic ridge "Unless you make me become a threat." -Psykeout turns his attention to Moonlight to start on his rant, staring her directly in her optics, his voice rolls off of his tongue. "You have touched me. You of all people should realize that I am not a big touchy-feely type of mech." Snapping his head around to face Swivel, his optics flare a crimson anger. "Venture? What does Venture have to do with this, 'bot? As for making you a threat, are you saying that we battle?" His idea of kindness has been totally shattered, as he pulls his Ion_rifle once again. Raising it to his shoulder, he awaits the response of Swivel. -Swivel shakes her head. "No... no battle, don't need to battle. You were just being an aft." she rpelies shortly, then offers a smile to Moonlight. "Hello there!" she waves, almost ignoring Psykeout's drawn weapon. -Psykeout chuckles audibly, "Your surprised at this?" Moving closer, his weapon can be heard powering up. "I truly hope you decide to answer my question, femme. What does Venture have to do with the Decepticons? Answer me, or find a rifle blast in your armor." -Moonlight waves back to Swivel for a moment, then turns back to Psykeout. "Well, excuse me Mr. Snarky. I'm not an overly touchy feely person myself, but you tend to take things a wee bit to the exteme." She glances back at Swivel. "What's up with the 'Bot femme anyhow?" -Swivel lok at Moonlight a moment. She shrugs and looks back at Psykeout. "Haven't heard yet? Venture is trying to gain his way into the con ranks. He suposedly killed me, but I guess you haven't heard that either. And if he knows that CERTAIN cons know I am alive, he might come after me and actually kill me..." she kicks at the ground lightly with her foot, dropping her arms to her sides. Swivel says, "which is why I would rather not venture to far away from shelter..." -Psykeout allows a sadistic smile to cross his face, "What would it be worth to you, for me to keep this information under wraps, Swivel? For I could kill you myself, gaining the respect I so desire." Snarling, he moves closer. However, in his obsessive state, he is completely unaware of Moonlight. Think of Gollum from LOTR. He wants the ring. Will do anything to get it. Blah, blah, blah. -Moonlight shakes her head. "Do I have smack you again Psykeout?" -Psykeout snaps around, his weapon still powered up. "If I want your opinion, I shall give it to you." He turns back around to face Swivel. -Swivel crosses her arms. "Hmmm... respect respect.... I know your obsession, I knew it the first time we met. Now, would you succumb to being dishonorable just for respect? There is no honor in slaughtering poor little femmes, is there?' okay, she isn't a poor little femme, but pretty close. "it would probably get your more respect to unroot any ploys Venture may try on you cons, wouldn't it? I mean, seriously, if he gets onto the cons' good side and you reveal anything distrustful he may have done IE not kill me, not even try to kill me, when he said he would to 'prove' himself..." she trails off. Now where did all that come from? -Moonlight chuckles low in her throat, and if Psykeout hadn't been so quick to turn away from her, he would see a strange glint in her optics as she pushes back her hat. "I wasn't voicing an opinion Psykeout..." Her tone is rather low, tense, and very unMoonlightish. -Psykeout snarls audibly at Swivel, narrowing his optics. "Primus. Shut up." -Swivel dashes out of the way of the attack, sort of expecting that.... She rolls to a crouched position having landed on her stomach. SHe looks at Psykeout, her face with just a slight frown, maybe a little confused, though she had expected it. She smiles anyway. "Well... looks like your hung up on respect has lost you a VERY large portion of it from me. I'm not going to attack you, just settle down...." -Moonlight springs right in between Psykeout and Swivel, with her face towards Psykeout and her back towards the Autobot. She folds her arms and looks down at Psykeout. "/What/ exactly are you doing? I think I like you better sitting at the bar and scaring the local population, and even that is wearing rather thin right now." She makes a sound of derision. "You want respect? Slagging some little Autofemme like this one isn't going to do it. And to think I stood up for you all those times, to Ghost and to Whiplash! To think I offered to help you! You're not getting any respect because you aren't doing anything to DESERVE it!" -Psykeout moves his weapon, and his sights, towards Swivel's new spot. "The amount of respect that I recieve from a pathetic Autobot such as yourself, is nothing that concerns me. You are nothing but a weak femme, who happens to get herself into trouble more often than not. You are a pesky annoyance, who needs to be dealt with in a swift and quick manner. Your pathetic attempts at hiding could not be hidden for so long, as it seems you thought hiding in the Crossroads would be a plausible option? You insolent fool. These roads are travelled by all. Autobots. Decepticons. Unaffiliated. The Milita. Hell, even the Syndicate has been known to come through these parts on occasion. You say you won't attack me? Pshaw. Your worthless attempts at pleading for your life, are but music to my ears. C'mon, Swivel. Tell me another one. Tell me how you don't want to be destroyed by the big bad Decepticon Psychologist." Then, Moonlight comes between them. His optics darken even further, as a snarl escapes his lips. "What am I doing? I'm doing something that pathetic fool Venture couldn't do. He wants to insert himself into the Decepticon Empire? Slag. I at least had the gonads to shoot Hyperdrive in the head. Remember? I was that cold-hearted mech who shot him. The kidlet was like a son to me, but to gain this symbol *taps the Decepticon sigil*, I had to do something I didn't want to. That is the story of my life, Moonlight. Do things that other people can't. I care not for when or how you enjoy my presence. I am who I am, Moonlight. If you have such a problem with that, then perhaps we do not need to speak any longer." A sadistic smile crosses his lips once again, "Now, Swivel. Explain to me what reasoning you have for Venture letting you go. He wants to be a Decepticon? Well. I shall see that it does not happen." -Swivel looks at Psykeout, frowning and furrowing her optics. "Respect is respect. Now I see how shallow you are, all you care about is respect from someone who has so called authority. Pesky? Annoyance. I'm a pesky annoyance who listened to you, trusted you, respected you, and I could probably go on and on. I hate hiding, and I know how terrible a hiding place the crossroads was, but I was getting sick of staying at base. And I won't attack you, returning to the fact I don't like violence, I don't like hitting weak psychologists. If yu think I'm weak, try me, but if you have any of the common sense you claim to have, you'll put down that slagging weapon and listen to me. Or are you the liar you claim not to be, I thought I knew you weren't, but now you've made me not quite so sure. I'm not pleading for my life, i'm pleading that you don't betray yourself, Psykeout. As for Venture, he was much more the mech than you'll ever be if you don't stop thriving on what other people think of you, you shallow excuse for a mech! Not like I saw you when yu were ready to protect me from lash and dirge in the tunnel, and then I turned and tried to blind you. I was doing that for my faction... but I've stopped hanging on to meeting their expectations. If they, like RIptide, want to persecute me for being who I AM, then fine by me. I'm warning you one last time, put down your gun." -Moonlight sighs as though looking defeated. But she doesn't walk away or leave Psykeout to the Autobot. She reaches out to grab his arm. Moonlight's grasp is not cruel, but it is firm and unrelenting. She tosses her head back so that her hat falls to the ground. She looks right into Psykeout's optics, her own sad as she does so. "Why throw friendship away for something as distant as respect? I like you Psykeout, despite all my complaints. I know that no one is perfect, and that means the both of us as well. Leave the Autobot alone. I don't think the 'Cons care about her, but I don't want to see another trial, I don't want to see you dragged away again. You keep saying you want support, and you had it right in front of your optics. Don't just toss it away like one of your used up ener-cigs." -Psykeout SNARLS at Swivel, raising his gun to Swivel's head. "The first shot might have missed, you two timing little wastoid of a laser core, but the second one shall ring true. You think that I am so shallow, as to only desire respect? How truly stupid do you think I am? I have sworn my allegience to the Decepticon Empire. Because of this, I have sworn to heed certain things. Such as the idle destruction of you pathetic Autobots. You may have listened to me, trusted me and even respected me. But that simply shows that you hold no judgement, Autobot. You have no grasp upon reality. You say that you don't like violence. *another chuckle* You are truly a pathetic waste. I have not betrayed myself in the past, what makes you think that I will now? I do everything knowing full well about the action and the possible reactions that may occur from my actions. You say that you have stopped meeting their expectations, but how am I supposed to believe that, Swivel? HOW?" The last word is, quite literally, a roar. Moonlight's grasp upon him is another annoyance, as he looks her directly in the optics as well. "Your optics show sadness, but your voice carries respect. Perhaps I am mistaken..." Pausing for a moment, he looks at her hand, then back to her optics. "I suggest you remove your hand from me, before it gets messy." -Swivel looks at Psykeout calmly, also looking at Moonlight with a fondness for the sensible femme. "It would do yuo well to heed your friend there, Psykeout..." she says slowly, frowning. "Or do I have to go so low as to bring up things we've talked about in the past? Naw... I won't, I don't care if your going to shoot me anymore. I obviously have done wrong in trusting you...." she starts calmly walking towards the shack with drooped shoulders. "guess we won't be playing anymore games of Go Quint like you said we would..." Swivel idly pops an energon goodie in her mouth. She places a lot of fiath that the femme will talk some sense into Psykeout. -Moonlight tightens her grip on Pyskeout's arm, evidently not giving up. "I'm a Decepticon too. And if stopping you from getting in trouble helps the Empire, then that's all the better." She sighs. "But I'm not going to let trouble happen you see. It might seem like I'm against you, but I don't think you're reasonable at the moment. Perhaps you'll hate me later, and perhaps you'll be thankful. I don't know, but it's a risk I'm willing to take." She shakes her head. "Now you can calm down and be reasonable, or you can persist and watch me be really serious. I don't really like being serious, but again, if it's something I feel I need to do, then I will do it. Even if it means one of us getting dragged back to medbay in pieces." -Psykeout foregoes his response, offering Moonlight an audible growl, an optic ridge rise, and this, "I shall do this for the Empire. You have yet to be serious. Why should now be any different?" With that, he fires his weapon at the Autobot, while attempting to latch on the femme's grasping hand...with his teeth. -Swivel dives out of the way again of the attack. She looks over at Psykeout, being within a step of the door. "HEY! Now your attacking your own friend? Your own subordinate! PSYKEOUT!" she yells a little more angry that he attacked moonlight than him attacking her. "Get a slagging hold of yourself! She's trying to help you, you dimglow!" she inches closer to teh doorway of the shack.. ready to retreat if need be. At least she can lock him out... or in if he follows. -Moonlight shakes her head as Psykeout tries to escape like a wild animal. She brings her other arm around to try to grab ahold of his other arm. "The hard way it is." -Psykeout looks to Swivel, "Keep out of this femme. Your next." With that, he snaps his attention back to Moonlight. "You insolent fool. You want to attack your own comrade? Very well. If that is how you want it, then that is your own decision." Leaning his head back, he attempts to slam his own helmet into the optics of Moonlight -Swivel frowns at Psykeout and just shakes her head, about to dissapear into the dome shack, but then decides perhaps she should help the femme. She was trying to help her... sort of, and it wouldn't be fair. She still doesn't want to attack Psykeout, and she's sticking to it until absolutely necessary. "Psykeout...." she shakes her head. She isn't even scared of him. She decides to wait and see what happens. -Moonlight seems to have forgotten the existence of Swivel, her full attention is on Psykeout. "I haven't damaged you yet, this could hardly be called an attack." She shakes her head. "Why don't you just drop it and come with me. Bad things can only happen if we stay here." She sighs. "I am not your enemy Psykeout. I've been a listener, if a bit saucy at times. I've tried to stand up for you against people like Ghost and Whiplash. I have your best interests in mind right now. This is not the way you should go. Neither of us are fighters Psykeout, we serve the Empire in different ways, but that doesn't mean that we aren't valuable. You're a medic and a Psychologist, so why don't you start serving the function you are supposed to serve?" -Swivel frowns, deciding to sit down, watching. She feels like the idiot now... -Psykeout stares deep into the optics of Moonlight, "Since when have you had to defend me to Ghost?" His voice is quite serious, void of any anger or frustration. -Moonlight keeps her optics focused on Psykeout's. "You told me you wanted respect. It seemed to be getting you down...it came up in conversation, and I told them I didn't bring you up for them to call you down. I tried to explain that you think differently than they do, which you do, and that made you sort of alone. I wanted them to see you like you wanted them to." She waves her free hand to indicate the Autobot. "This isn't going to make my case at all. They don't know what you're looking for either, but I can tell you haven't found it. Then never seemed to disrespect you at all..." -Psykeout attempts to pull his arm away. His optics are still locked on the femme, as his voice grates out, "Let go." -Swivel listens carefully to moonlight from her seated position near the door. Anyone else would have left by now to save their aft.... but not Swivel. She has a slight admiring grin for that femme con. SHe frowns again looking at Psykeout. What happened anyway? What DOES he have up his aft? -Moonlight shakes her head. "Not until you listen and actually hear me. I thought psychologist were supposed to be good at that. They wracked their minds trying to find a way to make you feel better, to feel more welcome. Ghost even reprimanded me for trying to guess how you feel. They aren't treating you like slag. They /want/ you to be one of them, /I/ want you to feel like you belong. But being so wreckless might make them withdraw that esteem. Certainly Whiplash respects fighting, but this isn't fighting that would make her proud. She might pat you on the head and congratulate you for getting rid of a 'pest', but it would go no further than that. And if what the femme says is true, then you'll be losing more than you're gaining. This isn't war that's making you attack her, or me even, it's your pride and your fear. You're just too slagging afraid of being alive. No wonder you keep going around challenging those bigger or faster or stronger than you. Maybe, you think, if you're so rude and abrasive that someone will end you." She sighs. "Or I could be wrong, but just remember that if you had at least trusted me enough to tell you what is /really/ bothering you, I wouldn't have to stand here and make theories about you." -Psykeout looks Moonlight directly in the optics, his lips pursed in a mix of frustration and anger. "If you are going to let me go, then do so now. If you aren't, then I shall take matters into my own hands. I asked nicely once. This is the second. There won't be a third." -Swivel stands up abruptly looking at Psykeout. "Psykeout, why don't you cut the slag and come out of your shell?" she doesn't sound as hostile as the words, more assertive. Sure, she could get shot for that, but she isn't scared of Psykeout. -Moonlight nods. "No more need to ask. I'll just have to do things the way that the old me would have done...of course, my old me wouldn't have cared what happened here, so that's not entirely true." She brings up her knee swiftly towards Psykeout's midsection, "/This/ is for making me care about what happens to you!" -Psykeout moves his optics closer to Moonlight, his face mere inches away from the femme's own. A soft growl escapes his lips, as he begins to speak. "We are good at listening, Moonlight. But it's you fraggin' happy-go-lucky mechs that annoy the living-slag out of me. Does that explain something to you? Because, I have never been happy. I have always either found myself alone and distressed. If not in that position, then I find myself following the orders of others. Bowing down to their wishes. No longer. No longer will I be repressed by the wishes of those that wish to see me as they want. Primus, I am my own mech. Ghost and Whiplash want to make me feel welcome within the ranks of the Decepticons? Well...they sure don't show it. All they show is bitterness and hatred. Not once have I even seen a glimmer of a welcoming gesture. Believe me, Moonlight, I want to feel welcome. I want to feel like I am one of the Decepticons. I want to feel like I am respected." Pausing for a moment, he offers a momentary glance towards Swivel. Turning back, he returns his face to a more respectful distance. "My pride and fear have nothing to do with my actions. The reason that I attack Swivel is easy. She has become an annoyance to the Decepticon Empire. They wish to add another to their ranks, but at what cost? Perhaps if she was finally destroyed, then they would realize that Venture isn't all that he says he is. Perhaps my explanation upon the Decepticon Frequency will give the Decepticon Empire enough evidence not to allow him to poison our ranks. What I lose and what I gain are irrevelant, Moonlight. But...perhaps you are right. Perhaps I am reaching for something that I can never have. Perhaps I am reaching for something...that doesn't exist." His shoulders drop down, his body almost becoming limp. Then, the Autobot femme speaks. Psykeout's body tenses suddenly, as he turns to face the femme that decided he was worthy enough to speak to. With Moonlight's grasp still upon his arm, he all but screams at the femme, "Get rid of the egotism that has invaded your neural circutry, femme." Then, out of the corner of his optic, he catches a glimmer of Moonlight's knee aiming towards his midsection. His optics dim slightly, as he writhes out of her grip... An audible growl emits from his lips, as he raises a laser pistol to the femme. Snarling louder than ever, he moves to between the both of them. His arms outstretched, both weapons fire at the same time. The laser pistol at Moonlight, the Ion_rifle at Swivel. ================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 10/9 Posted Author General Report. Mon Aug 12 Psykeout ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Psykeout's face appears on the screen, mech-fluid still displayed upon it* "Decepticons. I have found an Autobot that goes by the name of Swivel. After a bit of talking, I discovered that she had a run-in with a hopeful Decepticon. It seems that the one known as Venture desires to join our ranks. It also seems that one of his missions, was to kill Swivel." *A picture flashes of Psykeout, Moonlight and Swivel at the Crossroads* "Obviously, he has yet to succeed. She told me that the mech known as Venture allowed her to retreat, telling her if she ever told anyone, she would be killed. I request any and all advice those may have on this situation. If you need the exact location of this femme, contact me. That is all. Psykeout, out." -Psyko. ============================================================================== -Swivel sees the gun pointed at her and this time does not dive out of the way or even flinch. No pain is shown on her face when it rips at her armour. All she does is puts her hand over it almost as an instinct rather than in pain and she looks gravely at Psykeout. "I'm not being egotistical... you said you hate these happy mechs and femmes becuase your always alone and distressed. Gee, I wonder why when you try to kill your friends," she says in a low tone, removing her hand from her wound and just stares at Psykeout and Moonlight. "Everything your friend said to you, why didn't you lsiten? She gives a slag about you, and your ignoring her, snapping at her! No one is preventing you from happiness but yourself!" she takes a step forward. "go ahead, shoot me again! What good will it prove. Will it make you /happy/?" -Moonlight takes the blow without even a trace of a flinch, as though expecting Psykeout's actions. Perhaps she is just too worked up to notice, perhaps she is just very good at bluffing the pain she feels. Crouching slightly, she moves herself into a defensive position. She glances over at the Autobot femme. "Sorry Psykeout, but I'm not going to lay down and take it like the Bot over there. True, I may be happy, but instead of trying to learn happiness, you just try to destroy it. But unless you do a /very/ thourough job tonight, you'll be stuck with me, and my happiness for a long time, so you'd better learn to live with it." She pulls out her whip and flicks the switch to send it into a bright, yellow, writhing fury. -Psykeout looks to Swivel, his optics FLARING with anger. "I have killed those that deserve it, Swivel. If I meant to kill you, do you not think that I would have already pounced on your decrepit frame, tearing you limb from limb? Silentlight did not get the pleasure of hearing me speak, before he found his arm removed. Hyperdrive went through an emotional rollercoaster, before he found my rifle pointed at his head. He was then strapped to the gates of Crystal City. Or, do you not remember these things? Do you not recall the foul doings of Psykeout? I am persecuted for these things. I am persecuted for following orders. I am opressed for doing what I am told. Friends. Ha. I know who my friends are and I keep them close. But remember one thing. It is always a good thing to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Now, I am sure you are wondering which one you are. Think back, Swivel. Think hard. I have defended you before. Do not think it won't happen again. My shots upon you are to help you realize that there are ones out there that support you, however your conversations with a Decepticon are often watched. There are many spies of both factions that walk through these streets. There are eyes that see all, ears that hear all. Remember that." Then, he hears the familiar sound of a whip. A faint smile crossing his face, he speaks again, "Slipstream?" Only...it's not. It's Moonlight. His optics dim slightly, as she speaks. "I have not asked you to bow down. I have not asked you to do anything, Moonlight. You have taken it upon yourself to be my 'protector'. You have taken it upon yourself to keep a watchful eye over me. But. Where were you when I was brutally attacked by Ravage? Hmmm? Oh yes. You were on Monacus. Where were you when the Autobot Riptide thought it would be fun to have a sparring match with me? Hmmm? Attack me, if you like. You know that the feeling of pain on my armor is nothing new. I have seen more than one could imagine. I have put mechs through bouts of pain, so much so that they wished they were dead before it was done. I have felt more pain then the biggest and baddest Decepticons have survived. So...why do I do what I do? Because I am tired of living..." His weapons drop to his side, as his chin falls to his chest. "I...am old. I have forgotten what it means to be alive. I have forgotten what happiness is. I..." Psykeout drifts off, sobbing softly. -Swivel stands, listening to Psykeout carefully. he furrows her optic ridge.... she was about to retaliate... then held her silence as he continued talking and kept her mouth closed. However, she is surprised when he sort of sobs and frowns, yet smiles. Hard to do that? Swivel can, frowning isn't all in the lips, but the optics. She looks at Moonlight. "Psykeout...." she sighs, and crosses her arms. She didn't want to say anything, didn't want to say the wrong thing so she just sighs and looks at him, then at Moonlight almost begging she says something, and the right thing. -Moonlight stands herself up out of her crouch and flicks her whip back offline, relieved that she doesn't have to use it. "Psykeout?" she asks tentatively. -Psykeout stands there silent. His optics are flickering a multitude of colors, not really setting themselves upon any certain one. The emotions that are obviously tearing this mech apart emotionally, are also doing so physically. He falls to a single knee, as he continues to sob. The sadness and pain has obviously taken it's toll over the years, as he kneels upon the ground. "Perhaps now..." The words flow out of his mouth, as his optics continue to flicker rapidly. "...you will be happy..." Mechfluid begins to drip slowly out of the corner of his mouth. "...for I am..." Psykeout falls to his hands, now bracing for the impact of the ground. -Swivel frowns kneeling down beside Psykeout looking very worried. "You are what?" her optics flicker looking more than concerned, risking putting a hand on his shoulder. -Moonlight drops her whip to the ground and walks up to the other side of Psykeout. She clasps her hands behind her back and looks over Psykeout's face. "I don't know how I feel, but happy isn't it." -Psykeout coughs a few times, as his optics finally decide upon a color. Deep, bloody crimson red. The color of anger. The color of hatred. The color of death. Batting the hand of the Autobot away, he locks his sights on the Autobot femme. A sick and sadistic grin crosses the face of the Decepticon Medic, as his teeth flash a brilliant white through the darkness. "...A DECEPTICON!" Swatting her hand away, he rises to his knees. "You are both stupid and pathetic, for believing that I was actually hurt, Autobot. For that, you shall pay for the pain and hatred that have built up over the millions of vorn that I have been alive. Psykeout lashes out towards Swivel, his optics now FLARING in anger. Connecting with her body, the total realization of what has happened runs through his neural circutry. He falls back, staring at the body of Swivel, his optics wide in both horror and anger. "I...I'm sorry..." He attempts to get the words out in an understandable tone, but, it seems as though he failed. The pain and hatred had taken over his neural circutry. Psykeout cranes his optics back to Moonlight, as they change to a baby blue. "I...I request that you see to her safety. She...She has been..." He drifts off, the pain of his actions tearing his mind and soul apart. He throws his Ion_Rifle far into the distance, with no intention of getting it back. Psykeout then falls down to the ground, much as he was before. His hands and knees are the only things supporting his body, as they shake visibly. Sobbing noises emit from the Decepticon mech, as he continues in his banter, "Please...help...Swivel..." -Swivel swaggers back a little from the unexpected impact and just shakes her head more surprized than actually hurt. Welll.... physically anyway. She snaps back to focus when psykeout withdraws. She looks at moonlight then at Psykeout. "No need to take me to safety... it's okay Psykeout..." she trails off, trying to understand why he's so whacked out. She looks at Moonlight again. -Moonlight kneels down beside Psykeout, trying to place one hand on his back and one underneath him on his midsection. "The Autobot is fine. You, however are a Decepticon that is far from fine. I think I know who I need to help at this moment." Her voice is soft and her touch is as well. "I want you to sit down and relax for a moment. I may not be a medic, but you are obviously not well." -Psykeout's optics move slowly to the Autobot, his optics still that blue hue they were before. "...Beware of...Decepticons..." His voice is terse and short as he speaks to Swivel, then the voice of Moonlight enters into his aural circuts. The soft and serene voice of the Decepticon femme is comforting, along with her touch. His optics begin to flicker once again, as he shakingly reaches to find an ener-cig somewhere in subspace. Returning with one a few moments later, the tip of his finger flicks open. A small blue flame emits, as the end of the ener-cig is lit. Leaning back upon his aft, he brings his knees to his chest. Psykeout allows a small sigh to come from deep within his body, as he begins to speak. "You are correct, Moonlight. I do need help. I am old. I am decrepit. I have forgotten what I am fighting for. I have lost track of the goal." He bows his head slightly, taking another drag off of his ener-cig. "I have forgotten what is real and what is imagined. What do we fight for, Moonlight? We are fighting for a cause that most of us have forgotten about. We are fighting for a cause that doesn't exist anymore. Do any of the Decepticons even remember Optimus and Megatron? Do any of them even realize their existance? I have read stories of Orian Pax and the others. However, they are only stories. I can only imagine what it would have been like to live during that time." His optics dim even more. "What are you fighting for Moonlight? Why do you wear the Decepticon sigil?" With that, he looks to her for a response. -Swivel looks at Psykeout and moonlight and figets a little. Beware alright. She shakes her head. "I'm ware of Decepticons... but I don't really care what that sigil is, and I don't care what their orders are. THey are still mechs." she says idly. "guys,,, perhaps it would be better to discuss things somewhere less public... just a thought..." she says, pointing to the dome shack. -Moonlight shakes her head and sits next to Psykeout. "I'm the wrong person to ask. I joined because I needed help when I came here. The Decepticons helped me, so I help them back. Simple as that. Nothing is free really. But the war isn't what has me concerned right now. I've always been very individualistic. No Empire, no mater how powerful, can exist without the many individuals that make it up. You are an individual. Perhaps you are old, and perhaps you need help. But I've shown that I'm willing to help you Psykeout. Why did you fight me for so long?" She leans over and gives him a little kiss on the cheek, then goes back to being at a comfortable distance. "You didn't need to fight me, I was never your enemy. But now we should get you somewhere...safe." -Psykeout offers a momentary nod to Swivel, before his gaze returns back to Moonlight. His optics flicker rapidly once again, before they settle once again. This time, however, they are more of a forest green. Flicking his ener-cig out into the distance, he responds to her commentary. "You joined the Decepticons, because they helped? I..." Drifting off, he realizes that he doesn't have the words in his vocabulary to try and comment on that. Shaking his head slowly, he attempts to continue, "You are correct. Nothing is free. Nothing is given to any of us." He narrows his optics slightly, "You are not concerned with the war? That is something that needs to be re-adjusted. Perhaps you need to realize that. *pause* You are correct. There is no Empire without the ones that make it up. But, there is also no Empire without a leader. I am an individual that has seen enough. I...I am ready to move on. I don't know what help you can offer, but...I shall accept whatever it is." As she kisses his cheek, his optics FLARE that deep crimson anger once again, but quickly return to the forest green. The mixture of colors in between is interesting, "Why have I fought? Because...Because it is what I have had to do my entire life. It is merely a defense mechanism now, Moonlight." Nodding slightly, he attempts to stand. Finally managing to get on his feet, he moves towards the dome shack. -Swivel smiles and walks to teh dome shack, opening the doors all of the way so they may enter. "Perhaps we can talk over a friendly game of cards if you're up to it..." she rubs the back of her head. EW! It's still sticky from the paint. -Moonlight stands up as well and follows Psykeout. "Are you certain you don't want to go home?" Solar says, "Decepticons report. I want to know who is doin what and to whom?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Everything is fine....Solar. Or at least I hope that it's not too late for them to be fine." Captain Psykeout says, "Everything...is...presently...*static*" Solar says, "I want details I need to make a new report to Shockwave, and failure to respond will result in disciplinary assignments" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "No offense, Solar, but I don't know if Shockwave would understand the situation. There is no logic involved. And you are too insensitive for me to explain the situation to the fullest extent. *she pauses* I know I'm in trouble for this, but sometimes you have to think about the bigger consequences to those beyond yourself." Captain Psykeout says, "*static*" Dirge says, "I have nothing to report, sir." -Psykeout nods to Moonlight, "I am sure." He moves into the shack. Solar says, "I'm gonna give you a few klicks to come up with something better that that lame aft try, then I'm gonna come and find you." -Swivel shrugs. "Come on in..." she smiles at the femme and shrugs as she enters as well. Lieutenant Moonlight sighs into her radio. "Psykeout is having psychological difficulties sir. I'm trying to help him the best I can. You can't /order/ someone to feel better about themselves, so I'm trying the old fashioned way of listening and caring. Besides, I would hate to betray his confidence, I just might want to take up training as a Psychologist myself, and betraying confidences is something one of that professionsmust never do. There is no fighting and nothing guns or bombs can fix right now. Is that satisfactory? Captain Psykeout says, "*static* and *more static*" Dirge says, "Interesting." Solar transmits: 'Since when has Psykeout NOT had psychological difficulties? Get him back to Darkmount and get him in a Medbay' You transmit 'I can only try my best...which is all anyone can do...sir.' to Solar. Dome Shack Once in, there are small lights lining the down shaped ceiling, so the lighting isn't quite brillient, nor is it dim. It does it's purpose. It is open and spacious, with little anything. No walls(aside from the solid walls that shape this dome), cubicles, seporations of any kind. There is nothing built into it, or screwed down, or bolted into anywhere. Just a few chairs scatterd about, and room for a table, or other furnishings. The inside is just as plain and dull as the outside with a lacking of paint or any form of decor, except for a splatter of pain on the wall. Looks like whoever was paintint it had an accident for there is also a puddle of it on the ground. Contents: cyber-cat(#2665V) Swivel Psykeout(#2308POVentACxF) Card Table -Moonlight finally makes her way into the dome. She looks for Swivel. "If I were you I would get back to base. Solar is irrate and he might just come by and bomb us all back to Primus. I'm afraid I've been a bit more lippy than I should have." Her optics then seek out Psykeout to see how he is doing. Solar says, "why the frag do I find it so smeggin rediculous that the Decepticon medical technician in charge of psychological help is the one that needs that help the most?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "I don't know sir. I think it would have something to with the fact that you can't help what you don't understand." -Swivel turns to Moonlight and tilts her head aside. She frowns.... "Does he have radar?" she doesn't know much, but she really.... doesn't look forward to getting bombed. -Psykeout is next to the cyber-cat, stroking it gently. Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Just because he treats such things doesn't mean he is immune. Just like if a medic treats the physical wounds doesn't mean he's not immune to those same wounds." -Moonlight walks right up to Psykeout. "What do you suggest we do? Return to Darkmount like Solar requests?" Captain Psykeout says, "...*static*...Shut your yapping mouth, Solar...*static*..." Solar says, "Moonlight stop fraggin arguin with me and get him back to base" -Psykeout looks up to Moonlight, "I...I think that..." He bows his head back down, continuing to stroke the cat. "...I want to die." The words roll off his lips. -Moonlight looks rather shocked...yet not surprised at the same time. She shakes her head. "Well I'm not going to be as leinient with you as you were with that old femme. You know the one I'm talking about. If I have to be with you all around the cycle to make sure you make it through, then I will." She sounds very determined, and she has nothing to hide her facial expression, which matches her voice. -Psykeout snarls softly, as he looks up to Moonlight, "Then I shall find one who is." -Swivel looks at Psykeout frowning even more. She looks quickly at Moonlight.... old femme? Must be Imperix... unlesss there are more old femmes. She looks at Psykeout. "WHy would you want such a thing? BOTH of us are here for you..." -Moonlight pulls out her whip, but doesn't turn it on for the attack. Instead she rips off the handle and tosses it away, pulling the whip out to it's full length. -Psykeout eyes Swivel, "Why? Because I am finished. I'm done. I am an old mech that has seen enough. I am an old mech that has felt pain long enough. I have had emotions tear through my soul for millinea. I am tired. Tired of the pain. Tired of the fighting. Tired of the excuses, the annoyances, just generally the overall attitude of everyone." Turning to Moonlight, his optics have an evil glint within them. "I wouldn't, if I were you." -Moonlight arches her optic ridges. "Why not? Because I'm selfish and I don't want to see you in the same position as that femme? Because I think people shouldn't give up? Because I'm scared that if you can get so broken and look for a way out, I might as well one cycle a long ways away from now? Because you'll take my arm off?" -Swivel looks at Psykeout. "When you get tired of things you don't just die! You change. As hard as it is, it's what helps. There is always hope, and hope is what I fight for." she looks at Moonlight then at Psykeout and shakes her head. -Psykeout snarls, "Because I will kill you." His optics become crimson, "I have made a decision, and plan to stick with it." With that, he kicks the cat on his way out the door. Psykeout kicks at the cyber-cat. It narrowly avoids his foot, and leaps away growling with narrowed optics. -Moonlight turns to Swivel with a fierce, hurried look. "You...stay put...unless trouble comes of course. I'm off to save a life...or lose one." -Swivel shakes her head. "Nuh-uh, I'm coming with you!" she grips a fist determined. "If anything, I can't stand to see anyone like this, let alone Psykeout." She rushes to the door. Perhaps she should have locked it... but that would just make him hate her probably. -Moonlight shrugs as she rushes out the door, her last comment of, "You're an odd Bot Swivel," trailing behind her. Crossroads The crossroads here are one of the few remaining functional intersections on Cybertron. Four thoroughfares enter and exit this cloverleaf monstrosity made up of intricately woven levels of superhighways, but the actual routes can only be determined by traveling them. Stacked three levels above the surrounding landscape, the entire exchange is covered with a huge glass dome. The purpose of the dome was lost long ago with the construction crew that built this interchange, but now it simply provides some shelter from the occasional caustic storms that arise on Cybertron. The area around the interchange is relatively flat and since the crossroads are raised above it, there is room underneath for travelers to rest or admire the open view. Hotly contested in more recent times, whoever controls this central transit point could potentially control entrance to Iacon as well as the Crystal City so the Autobots and neutral citizens of Crystal City try and keep close guard over it. cyber-cat Swivel [Robot] [A] Psykeout [Robot] [D] Dome Shack Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky above Iacon Crossroads -N- North leads to Ancestral Overpass -S- South leads to Crystal City Highway -E- East leads to Old Expressway -W- West leads to Ruined Outpost -Psykeout can be seen, almost running in a Southern direction... -Swivel spots him out and rushes after him... "Psykeout! PLease don't!" she yells. -Moonlight takes off as fast as she can the moment she can see which direction Psykeout is headed. She says nothing, concentration all her forces on speed and not speaking. -Psykeout hears the voice, but ignores it. He continues on his trek, moving closer towards Crystal City... Crystal City Highway The Crystal City Highway system isn't actually lined with crystals, though at one time, it might have been. This is the northernmost edge of Crystal City territory, and the network seems spidered out, some roads leading no where anymore as whatever their destinations were were destroyed over time. Empty and burned out buildings line the highway system, though there are some open stretches that are pocketed with rocket and missile strikes as well as a multitude of carbonized scorch marks. Most of the structures are fairly squat in design, making it relatively easy to spot any movement along the streets. Off to the north is what's left of a great energon river that used to serve as one of the primary transportation routes for parts and energon cubes around the planet, though the river is now all but dried up, leaving only a trickle of liquid, unfit for use. cyber-cat Swivel [Robot] [A] Psykeout [Robot] [D] Crystal Marker Obvious Exits: -N- leads to Crossroads -S- South leads to Old Cybertronia -Psykeout hears the voice, but ignores it. He continues on his trek, moving closer towards Crystal City... -Moonlight dashes into the area. She's a fairly young, fit, lean, and fast femme, so she is moving rather rapidly after her 'target.' -Swivel is quite a fast femme herself, and also very determined to catch up and try to sort things out, help, save even the Decepticon psychologist, despite the trouble she's going to get into... again. -Psykeout continues on his road south... Old Cybertronia This *used* to be a livable section of Cybertron. There still remains evidence of a small city--one of the original settlements on Cybertron. For whatever reasons, it was abandoned towards the beginning of known history and has since fallen into a state of great disrepair. The obvious difference between this old place and other locations around the planet is the shorter buildings. Oddly, in older times, the residents didn't care for the vertical arrangements that would prevail later on in the planet's history. The squat buildings populating this area are also more rounded than angular. Most of them bear some signs of damage, but many remain intact and have served, and will continue to serve as small homes for those without affiliations. Still, there has been enough fighting here that most have chosen to move into the Crystal City to the south, though the Crystal City Militia still patrols here. Psykeout [Robot] [D] Crystal Marker Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Old Cybertronia -N- North leads to Crystal City Highway -S- South leads to Old Cybertronia -SW- Southwest leads to Gates of Crystal City -E- East leads to Proving Grounds cyber-cat arrives from the Crystal City Highway. cyber-cat has arrived. cyber-cat trots into the area, it's blue optics wide with curiosity. -Moonlight continues her fast pace, not showing any signs of tiring...yet. -Swivel is fast, is swift, is determined, is worried to high hell. SHe's keeping up with Moonlight and she's not tiring either. No time for that... even if she's been shot and rammed. -Moonlight keeps going, not even checking to see if the Bot is with her. Gates of Crystal City As you move off the main thoroughfare towards the Crystal City, you behold the massive chrome arches that form the singularly impressive gates to the city. The elaborately ornate spires that top the arches reach high into the sky as if to proclaim their immortality to the universe. The highly polished metal structure twinkles what light there is back at you, as if focusing a spotlight on all who enter the great city. The Guardian robot sized gates show few signs of any damage from the current conflict--a testimony to the dedication and vigilance of Omega Supreme. The gates stand open, but are well guarded by members of the Crystal City Militia. Beyond the troops, the bustling and lively main street beckons you inside... Psykeout [Robot] [D] Crystal City City Map Harmless Hermit Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Crystal City -NE- Northeast leads to Old Cybertronia -E- East leads to Old Cybertronia -W- West leads to Guardian Pass -Psykeout continues on his trek, making his way towards the Crystal City. -Swivel continues to run her fastest, probably catching up to moonlight by now. Now she has to catch up to Psykeout. It's crucial that she does! She doesn't even THINK about where she's heading, not caring either. -Moonlight keeps going. "Why me?" it sounds like she says to herself, but that could be something else that sounds similar as well. -Psykeout enters through the gates, his optics showing his exhaustion. Crystal City - Main Street Newly reconstructed highrise towers rise on both sides of Crystal City's main street, housing the busy corporate offices of the major businesses in the city. Unlike the small vendors with their colorful shops and carts and personalized service, these are the most powerful and profitable of the city's industries: shipping, trade, parts fabrication, shipbuilding. Office space is also reserved for the Merchant's Guild, which controls import and export tariffs, and several related alien trade embassies. This is also the main conduit for people traveling to and from the city, and as the heavy traffic is also an obvious business opportunity, there are myriad leased holodisplays advertising everything from the superiority of Curator's Historic Datadisks to the efficiency of Venturer's sensors. Swivel [Robot] [A] Psykeout [Robot] [D] Crystal City General Hospital Obvious Exits: -N- North leads to Gates of Crystal City -S- South leads to Crystal City - Plaza -E- East leads to Crystal City - Gardens -W- West leads to Crystal City - Industrial Sector -Psykeout stops suddenly, then drops beneath the city. -Swivel doesn't realize right away, but then it dawns on her she has truly entered Decepticon territory, vulnerable for severe punishment. She looks at Psykeout stop, and keeps running. -Moonlight has a theory where Psykeout is going and drops down to follow him. Crystal City Transit Station The rails in the area run up to a platform, which lead to stairs that go up and down for transport to the surface. The kiosks and shops that were once down here have long since been abandoned and stripped of anything useful, though on the rarest of occasion, some scrap of information could be found. Now, dank, dark, and slimy, this abandoned subway station is now a popular locale for demented, loony groups, marauders, gang headquarters, and secret storehouses. It is also used for clandestine meetings, 'underground' business dealings, and anything that should not see the light of the cycle. A tile wall reads: -------------------------Crystal City Transit Station------------------------- Psykeout [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -D- Down leads to Downward Passage. -U- Up leads to Crystal City - Main Street. -E- East leads to Tae/Platinum Intersection. -W- West leads to Platinum Transit Line. -Psykeout drops down into his familiar territory, continuing own towards his office. -Swivel drops down... then realizes how much more trouble she'll be in if she gets cought. She shakes her head. Doesn't matter, Psykeout more important. She looks around for moonlight.... then continues after Psykeout. -Moonlight disregards caution and keeps going. -Psykeout continues to the west, the tired mech not pausing for a moment. Platinum Transit Line The former transit tunnel, despite its long abandonment and disuse, is still enormous. There is very little in the way of light, as the electrical systems that once ran the system have long since been abandoned and scrapped for work on the surface. Trash from scavengers litter the tunnels, and along with the frequent tunnel collapses, make for uncertain vision in the blurr of twists and turns that could lose even the most navigationally inclined Cybertronian. Psykeout [Robot] [D] Skullcruncher Psykeout's Office Obvious Exits: -E- East leads to Crystal City Transit Station. -Moonlight runs into the area, slowing only very slightly because she believes the destination is near. -Swivel runs, almost too fast and almost falls forward but regains her balance. She's come this far... -Psykeout stops at the front of his office, mentioning a few words to Skullcrusher. After he is done, he quickly enters his office. The door slams behind him, as an audible 'click' is heard as he locks the door. -Moonlight groans as she comes to a stop in front of Psykeout's office....it's that mech again. "Let me guess...he told you to keep us out?" -Swivel skids to a stop, as the door is closed and probably locked. Slag, now what were they supposed to do... she looks at that... mech. -Skullcruncher nods a single time. Then he notices the Autobot. His optics FLARE in anger. "What the frag is an Autobot doing here?" He retrieves his Ion_Rifle from subspace, aiming it at the femme. -Moonlight frowns. "Did he tell you /why/?" She looks over her shoulder. "Oh...you didn't stay put, did you. I'll have to knock some sense into you later then Bot." -Swivel looks at the mech and the weapon. She loks over at Moonlight and shakes her head. "I wanted to help!" -Skullcruncher snarls, "Psykeout needs no reason." Turning back to Swivel, his optics narrow to a mere slit. "Both of you leave, or feel my wrath. NOW!" -Moonlight shakes her head. "If I leave you'll have a dead boss most likely...that's not a threat. It's the truth. And I'm not going to be the one to do it either." -Swivel looks at Skullcruncher. "You ought to beleive her, he's in danger from himself!" -Skullcruncher knocks on the door quite hard. Then, Psykeout's voice fills the hall. "I'd suggest you leave. Decepticons are going to be warned of an Autobot's presence within Crystal City. Enjoy your lives while you still can." Captain Psykeout says, "Decepticons. There is an Autobot by the name of Swivel within the walls of Crystal City. If you go 'down' just inside the entrance, and continue West. Kill her." Dirge says, "Interesting. I am making my way towards Crystal City now." -Swivel looks at Moonlight. "I'm sorry if I put you in danger of being a traitor... I mean, if they arrive, your probably going to look suspicious. I'll leave now... if I can" she urks and looks very sad and begins to run... and stops. "Slag! I can't remember my way out!" Lieutenant Moonlight nearly screams into her radio, her tone that high, keening pitch when someone is really upset. "LET ME IN SLAGGIT!" 2nd Lieutenant Blitzwing says, "SHES MINE!" Captain Psykeout can be heard chuckling softly to himself, "She wanted to offer help. This is her payment for her help. Dirge says, "Wrong. You are all wrong. That Autobrat is *mine*." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Oh shut up. You'd rather kill an enemy than save an ally. Remind me not to depend on any of you ever again...that is if I survive this." Captain Psykeout says, "*static*...I want her arm..." -Psykeout steps out of his office, smiling sadisticlly. "You believed me." With that, he continues on his way. -Moonlight tries to grab Psykeout again as he leaves. -Psykeout looks back, "You are quite amusing, but I have more important things to tend to." Gates of Crystal City As you move off the main thoroughfare towards the Crystal City, you behold the massive chrome arches that form the singularly impressive gates to the city. The elaborately ornate spires that top the arches reach high into the sky as if to proclaim their immortality to the universe. The highly polished metal structure twinkles what light there is back at you, as if focusing a spotlight on all who enter the great city. The Guardian robot sized gates show few signs of any damage from the current conflict--a testimony to the dedication and vigilance of Omega Supreme. The gates stand open, but are well guarded by members of the Crystal City Militia. Beyond the troops, the bustling and lively main street beckons you inside... Psykeout [Robot] [D] Dirge [Robot] [D] Swivel [Robot] [A] Blitzwing [Cybertank] [D] Crystal City City Map Harmless Hermit Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Crystal City -NE- Northeast leads to Old Cybertronia -E- East leads to Old Cybertronia -W- West leads to Guardian Pass -Psykeout steps out of the Gates Of Crystal City, his optics a deep crimson red again. Looking around, his smile broadens. "You say you want to help Venture? It seems as though his life shall soon end. Quite like your own, Autobot." -Swivel turns around staring at Psykeout... and doesn't watch where she is putting her feet and stumbles falling flat on her face. Klutzout #3 of the cycle, and she quickly gets to her feet. She suddenly stops and turns fully around this time. SHe is starting to hate the color crimson. SHe has to run, save her life.... now. Why isn't she running? -Blitzwing transforms and draws his sword "Prepare to die Autobitch." He stomps closer, towering over the femme. -Psykeout raises his rifle, "Stop." -Moonlight comes out from the city looking rather wild and bedraggled by now. -Blitzwing swings his sword at Swivel's leg "No more running for you." -No way is this femme stopped. She stumbles feeling a familiar pain of being shot... by the same gun... There is no point in fighting back, just get away. Suddenly she feels another pain as Blitzwing slashes at her leg. She stumbles further and falls down. She rolls over, squinting her optics and gets back running. Physical Pain doesn't matter to her right now, she needs to get away from them. -Psykeout SNARLS, "That Autobrat is mine. I want her mechfluid to run down my throat... Old Cybertronia This *used* to be a livable section of Cybertron. There still remains evidence of a small city--one of the original settlements on Cybertron. For whatever reasons, it was abandoned towards the beginning of known history and has since fallen into a state of great disrepair. The obvious difference between this old place and other locations around the planet is the shorter buildings. Oddly, in older times, the residents didn't care for the vertical arrangements that would prevail later on in the planet's history. The squat buildings populating this area are also more rounded than angular. Most of them bear some signs of damage, but many remain intact and have served, and will continue to serve as small homes for those without affiliations. Still, there has been enough fighting here that most have chosen to move into the Crystal City to the south, though the Crystal City Militia still patrols here. Blitzwing [Robot] [D] Dirge [Robot] [D] Psykeout [Robot] [D] Swivel [Robot] [A] Crystal Marker Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Old Cybertronia -N- North leads to Crystal City Highway -S- South leads to Old Cybertronia -SW- Southwest leads to Gates of Crystal City -E- East leads to Proving Grounds -Moonlight shakes her head. She's tired, though she'll keep going after this group of maniacs. -Dirge gives Psykeout a curious look. "Did you not tell me *not* to fire at the Autobot before?" He raises an optic ridge at the other Con. -Psykeout follows closely behind the Autobot, his optics flaring in anger. Raising his rifle once again, he aims for the Autobot. "Stop. Cease movement or feel the blast again." Psykeout looks to Dirge, "Time's change, Dirge. Time's change." -Moonlight makes a sort of growling noise. "Times change because he's insane...and so am I." -Dirge shrugs at Psykeout, then at Moonlight. "I see," he says simply. -Blitzwing strolls in twirling his mech fluid colored sword like a baton, and whistling. -Swivel its amazing how well this femme can endure being shot at and slashed at and continue to run. She stops and turns to Psykeout, lowering her head. "What? What now? Going to kill me? Gonna shoot at me for only trying to help?" she shakes her head, for the first time confused. "or this again just trying to follow your orders?" she takes a few slow steps back, ready to retreat. She'd be ready to die... yet she wasn't. "I'm through with factions! I am through with war! I am through with prejadice!" she screams at the top of her vocalizers. If she gets back alive, this si it, she's going to demand to be resigned from the bots... this was her breaking point. It really was. -Psykeout looks to Blitzwing, his optics still glinting with anger. "You can have the rest of the pathetic Autobot's frame. I want her arm." Psykeout looks back to Swivel, "Yes. This is your payment for helping." His rifle powers up once again. -Moonlight walks right past Psykeout...right past everyone in fact, and then turns around to face them from the other side of the situation. "Nope. I'm still an idiot and he's still insane," she says to herself. -Swivel peers at Moonlight curiously. -Blitzwing raises his sword except this time, instead of striking Swivel, he's using it to hold Psykeout back. "Thats enough. There's no honor in killing a defenseless femme." -Moonlight growls at Bliztwing. "Are you just saying that, or are you going to take it back a few seconds later and laugh at us all for believing you? Huh? Tough guy." She glares at everyone. "Yeah, you guys are just so tough and so cool. Yeah, kill and decieve. Great way to live." She gives a thumbs up and bursts into laughter...very high-pitched and non-pleasant laughter. -Blitzwing puts his sword down on the ground. and growls "Idiocy. I yearn for combat not slaughter. There's no joy in killing a helpless kidlet. " The angry tank doesnt particularly like Psyke anyhow... -Swivel looks at Blitzwing, then at Moonlight, slowly putting a hand to her sliceds leg, taking a few more steps back. Moonlight was right, she should have stayed put. -Psykeout raises an optic ridge to Blitzwing, a sneer crossing his face. "There may be no joy in killing a kidlet, but are you not a part of the same faction that required her death? Are you not a part of the Decepticon Empire, where they ordered Venture to kill him as a part of his entrance into the ranks?" He snarls, raising his gun once again. "I care not if she is a kidlet, nor an old femme. She has chosen her path as an Autobot." Turning to face the femme once again, he softly intones, "May Primus have mercy on your laser core." Lieutenant Moonlight just SCREEEEEEAMS into her radio. -Swivel stares coldy at Psykeout and shakes her head. "Oh, so your saying all of that was a ploy to get me to follow you into CC rather than have killed me then and ther in the crossroads." She shakes her head. "You always said "If I was going to kill you, it would have happened by now," Psykeout." she tries to immitate Psykeout to go with the quote to the best of her ability in a non-mocking manner. -Psykeout simply offers a sick and sadistic smile, as well as another blast from his rifle. -Blitzwing steps physically in between Psykeout and Swivel. "She just denounced the Autobot cause and said shes done fighting. That makes her a neutral. I'll bring her to Shockwave personally if I have to." He clenches his fist leaning over Psykeout. "You dont have a problem with that do you?" -Swivel sidesteps the attack this time, it was getting predictable, really. -Psykeout narrows his optics, "Are you actually going to take her to Shockwave, or are you going to let her go like the other Decepticons?" -Moonlight takes this opportunity to sit down, rather dumbfoundedly. -Blitzwing slaps his hand around Psykeout's throat pulling the mech close to his face putting him even with his optics. "Never question if I will follow protocol..." with that he unceremoniously dumps Psykeout on his aft hard. "Understand?" -Psykeout falls directly on his skid-plate, his optics widening. "You...bastard." Then his gaze turns to Swivel, then back to Blitzwing. "If you take her, I want to go as well. Is that not in the Decepticon protocol as well?" -Blitzwing shrugs "How would you know? You're not much of a warrior, and I don't think you /deserve/ the title Decepticon. Moonlight is welcome to accompany me if she wishes." -Swivel would say something to add on to what BLitzwing said.... but really doesn't want to offend anyone. Really. She keeps her mouth shut and stands there patiently. -Moonlight stares off into space, not seeming to respond to anything. Since her scream into the radio, she has said or done nothing. Her expression is blank and slack, her mouth half open as though she doesn't have the wit left to close it. -Psykeout snarls, "Moonlight, the smuggler? She is more of a warrior than myself?" He pushes himself to a standing position, "You are considering this happy-go-lucky smuggler a warrior? She has a whip for spanking Shockwave. Apart from that, how is she a warrior? I shall accompany you Blitzwing." -Swivel frowns looking at moonlight. Timidly she walks over to the... non-functioning femme and taps her on the shoulder. "You... you alright?" she says quietly, now ignoring Psykeout and Blitzwing. -Moonlight doesn't respond to the Autobot. Nothing on her changes at all. -Blitzwing gives Psyke a facewash with his hand shoving him back. "Your assistance is neither needed nor wanted." He turns to Swivel "You will accompany me without resistance I'd assume, yes?" -Swivel looks at BLitzwing and nods. "I will.... but.." she looks concerned at the femme. "I think she's broken!" -Psykeout stands there. "Very well." Psykeout returns his rifle to his back, fully planning on following Blitzwing anyway. Psykeout skitters over to Blitzwing quickly, attempting to enter him without being noticed. -Blitzwing calls to the femmes. "Get in ladies." He then growls at Psyke "You speak of how resourceful you can be, find your own transportation." -Psykeout nods. "Very well." -Moonlight still doesn't respond to anything. -Swivel takes Moonlight and carries her to Blitzwing. "Um.... she isn't responding! There is something seriously wrong with her!!!" she whimpers a little. "I'll just put her onboard then..." -Psykeout looks to Blitzwing, nodding slightly. "Very well." He turns on his heel heading back to CC. ================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 10/6 Posted Author Barracks Femme(Rumor) Tue Aug 13 Moonlight ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *discussed between two mechs in the Barracks at Darkmount* Mech 1: Ya see that door over there? Mech2: Yeah, I see it...what of it? Mech 1: They say some femme was dragged there a few cycles ago. She hasn't come out since. Mech 2: So? Mech 1: So...that's kinda creepy. Heard she was a real social wench too...if ya know what I mean. In fact, they say that she never goes in there. Not before the place got trashed, and not after either. Not until now anyhow. Mech 2: Yeah, that is kinda creepy. Wonder what she's doing in there. Mech 1: Don't know. Might want to ask the mech who dragged her there. Mech 2: She was dragged. That doesn't sound normal. ==============================================================================