February 28th, 2003 ~Solar(D), Phantom(A), Sylver(D), Onslaught(D), Ghost(D), Whiplash(D) -Solar transmits: 'I don't suppose your alive enough to answer a question or two?'. -You transmit 'Why, as a matter of fact, I am. Where should I meet you?' to Solar. -Solar transmits: 'We're at the Surge wondering about the Autobots sudden interest in destroying the Light Deal'. -You transmit 'Ah...er....yes. I'll be right there.' to Solar. Dead End - North Strip The first thing that draws the attention of most is the massive, hexagonal building that rises several stories above the other buildings in this area. This building at the end of the strip is the Karkas Arena, once the home of some of Cybertron's most famous professional gladiators. The street itself is lined with what remains of the various champions' statues, though most have crumbled or are in poor repair. This district of the city branches off into a number of small alleyways, and serves as a mostly residential area. While generally much more quiet than the rest of Dead End, the Wild Surge bar pumps out more than its share of loud music, and occasionally the roar of a crowd can still be heard from the arena during one of the rare events staged by the city. Phantom [Robot] [A] Light Deal Gladiator Residential Complex Karkas Arena The Wild Surge Obvious Exits: -NE- Northeast leads to Bismuth Causeway -S- South leads to Dead End - Central Strip -Moonlight makes her way into the city, moving quickly, but not with any sort of urgency. -Phantom is crouched down in the middle of an empty area, examining a small puddle of energon that is on the ground. -Moonlight spots Phantom...just her luck. But she doesn't have time to play hide and go seek. So, she just keeps going as though there wasn't an Autobot right there in front of her. Maybe he'll be too busy looking at the ground to notice... -Phantom places a finger in the puddle, rubbing it between the finger and his thumb. He looks up for traces of more puddles, hoping to find some sort of trail. Sadly, he doesn't see one, but notes that there are quite a few Cons in the area (NPCs) and is pretty sure that one of them will figure out that he doesn't belong here soon enough and call into base for a confirmation on who he is. -Moonlight could mention the fact that Phantom is non-lurking about. She /could/ also just walk on by...but Moonlight has trouble resisting the urge to push her luck. "Long time no see," she calls out to Phantom from across the way. Besides, Moonlight has her hat back, and that makes her feel even luckier than usual. -Phantom looks up quickly, head snapping from the ground to the origin of the voice in the blink of an optic. And suddely his feelings are confirmed. Moonlight is gonna be the one to make the call. Rather poetic when you think about it. But not the timing he would have wished for. Oh well, he's not here to fight, just find his troops and so he nods, "Something like that." He remains crouched, in case he needs to move quick. -Moonlight doesn't have a clue how good of a fighter Phantom is, but she doesn't want to find out really. Folding her arms she gives him a big grin. "You here on business or pleasure?" she asks. So, there's really no point in this conversation, but Moonlight had to say /something/. She did start this after all. -Phantom isn't that good at fighting, but better than some. He remains crouched, not sure how to respond to that. An answer of business will tip her off that the bots are going to move on her information. An answer of pleasure will do the same. So, he just shrugs, "Little from collumn A, little from collumn B. You?" -Moonlight keeps the grin on her face, almost amused at Phantom's stance. "Mostly here for fun. Of course, compared to being locked up, nearly anything's fun." There's no venom or accusation in her tone. She's merely stating a fact. She has this disconcerting habit of not holding a grudge. -Phantom nods in response and continues to look at Moonlight. He's not sure how to judge the statement, and he's not too crazy about having Moonlight pissed at him, but it's also not high on his priority list to make up for it. He did his best to keep her safe while in his custody, and that's all he could do. For now, he has troops to find. After a moment he decides to ask, "I'm looking for some of my troopers. Seen 'em?" -Moonlight shakes her head. "Nope, just got here, saw you, and decided to give you my greetings. But my pals are gonna flip if I don't show up soon." She chuckles. "If I see any of your troops I'll smack their afts and send them on their way." Then she turns to go, starting to hum a little tune. -Phantom nods, for some reason not believing that she'd have no knowledge of Autobots in a fight in Dead End. For the newest Infantry CO, he's still got the paranoia of an Intel agent. Guess some things never die. He stands to his full hieght slowly, watching as she turns, calling after her "Perhaps some of your friends might know where they went to. Perhaps I should call a friend or two and we can all go ask them together." -The looming form of a silver Tetrajet is fast approaching towards a landing in Dead End's northern strip, heading towards the Wild Surge it would seem. -Moonlight turns back to face Phantom again, her humming stopping so she can speak. "I don't think I like that idea. Your friends don't always play nicely." She winks. "And I doubt that it would be wise for you to come by yourself. You'll just have to wait and see if they come back on their own." -Phantom raises a brow at the wink. Phantom's pretty dense when it comes to femmes, but that's supposed to be reserved for those you like or those about to die. And this falls into niether catagory. His head twitches a bit as he tries to process that one. Returning to his senses, he crosses his arms across his chest, "That's the point. But I'm not leaving till I get my troopers back. So, we seem to have a dilema. One that forces me to be in the area till I get info on my troops." -Moonlight nods her head. "I can understand that, but I /really/ don't want to get dragged back to your city...or worse. I'm sure you can understand that. Who is it you're missing anyhow?" -Phantom nods, "Hadn't planned to drag you back to my city. Never had that planned to begin with. Just kinda happened. As for who I'm missing, that loud mouthed little child. Um... " he tries to remember his name for a moment, "Uh, Thunder-something. Strike! Thunderstrike. And Steelwind." -Sylver transforms upon coming to a landing and starts towards the Wild Surge, as she comes closer, she notes the Decepticon who was responsible for all the fuss in Iacon, having to be released in the first place, and alters her course, optics sweeping violently as she mutters "Is there a problem...?" -Moonlight hears another voice and turns slightly to look at the source directly. She didn't really get a good look at Sylver during her rescue, so she only vaguely recognizes her. But she does note that the individual is a Decepticon. She nods her head briefly and grins. "That depends who you ask." -Sylver points at Moonlight "The other one doesn't matter..." -Phantom blinks at the newcommer. I don't matter? Who's this chick, and why does she have a death wish? Eh, who cares. She's unimportant. Phantom continues to stand there, arms crossed. Enfilade likes me. -Moonlight shrugs. "Well, he probably matters to someone. As for me, I'm just on my way into the Surge." -Phantom continues to stand there, being talked about as if he were on the other side of the planet. If ever there was a time he wished for those Bot sysbols to be gone, this is one of them. Two cons, no backup, in a city mainly controlled by the cons. Good thinking, Phantom. Go to Dead End, find the idiot and the reject. Risk your life for those two. Smart. -Sylver nods at Moonlight "Then why won't you go inside...?" she then peers aside, sneering at Phantom "Unless this one is giving you trouble, is he...?" -Phantom raises a brow, taking this time to finally speak up. His voice has gone from conversational to a low rumble, "If there is trouble here, it's not from me. I'm simply looking for a couple of troops. They've gone missing, and I'm just simply searching for them. Nothing more." He ponders adding a few words to the statement, but decides not to. No shots tonight. -Moonlight shakes her head. "Not really. Actually, I think he's the one /in/ trouble. But yes, I'm late enough as it is." Then she turns away again and heads for the Surge. -Sylver grins at Phantom's reply, the kind of grin that makes you want to punch her face off. "Perhaps they're the couple I left for dead in Iacon but a few cycles ago when we released just this one" she nods with her head towards Moonlight "In any case, if they were here you won't find much more than spare parts, should it please you..." The Wild Surge - Bar Dimly lit and noisy, Dead End's only bar is never lacking in patrons. While the energon isn't of the best quality, many of the chemical additives are unique to the place, and so highly prized by those who can afford them, even outside of the city. For those less affluent, the wall behind the bar still offers old, contaminated energon and various forms of crude-grade fuel as well as the more acceptable low and high grade energon, plus some interesting compounds that are better left to the imagination. Onslaught [Robot] [D] Ghost [Robot] [D] Whiplash [Robot] [D] Solar [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -O- Out leads to Dead End - North Strip -Moonlight finally makes her way into the Surge. Lo, and behold, she's wearing her origional hat. -Onslaught brushes past Moonlight as he exits the Surge, uncaring really about those in the bar, and quite frankly, having something he needs to do... -Ghost has a mostly empty bottle in hand, working on finsihing it before she leaves the Surge. -Solar always notices who comes into and leaves the Surge "Ah Moonlight, I don't suppose you have anything you want to tell me?" -Whiplash growls softly and draws back further into the corner, now that there's additional room at the table. From there she alternately sips at her drink and glowers out into the room. -Ghost drops the bottle off,slipping past Moonlight but before she leaves,she directs a look at Solar, a brow lifting before she heads out to find something tocure her headache. -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "I love you?" she asks, knowing it's the wrong answer and making it clear by her tone that she knows it's the wrong answer and everyone /else/ should know that she knows it's the wrong answer. -Whiplash gives Moonlight a blank look. -Solar actually chuckles at that answer "Well I love you too, now I think thats not the answer I wanted. Now suppose you tell me how the Autobots found out about something special?" -Moonlight sobers up...she knew this was coming. At least she got one last crack in before the gloominess she forsees in her future. "That would be my fault Solar...they wrung it out of me," she says contritely. -Solar says, "Good. Now is there anything else they wrung out of you before I issue an invitation to them to Search the Light Deal?" -Whiplash's gaze shifts into something cold, the optics going like shards of purple ice before she looks back down into the depths of her glass. -Moonlight thinks back, trying to recall exactly what she told Phantom. "All I told him was that we had our stuff hidden in the basement of the Light Deal." She presses her lips into an unhappy line. "He seemed content with that answer and didn't ask me anymore questions." -Solar nods a few times "Good good, now then who should we invite to the Surge for the search party? Phantom for sure, Elita One, Scattershot, and Steelwind...or should I make it an open invitation to all Autobots?" -Whiplash momentarily gives Solar an incredulous look, then finishes the rest of her drink in one swallow, and procedes carefully to fill her empty MedusaSaur-label bottle with the remains of the other. In doing so, she deliberately or accidentally, it's hard to tell which, turns away a little from the others. -Moonlight folds her arms. "Are you being sarcastic Solar?" She looks at the door. "Oh, and by the way, Phantom's outside." -Whiplash finishes transferring the contents of the bottle, spilling only very little. "Want me to go kill Phantom?" she says without much enthusiasm. -Solar says, "No, at least not yet. He will make an excellent messenger boy" -Moonlight patiently waits to see if Solar wants anything else before she goes and burries herself somewhere nice and deep. -Whiplash growls at something she hears on her radio, seals the bottle and stashes it in her side compartment, and stands abruptly. "I got something to take care of," she says. "No, it's not killing Phantom. I can leave him for later." She adds with a glare at Moonlight, "Maybe he's not the only one." She transforms to MedusaSaur mode and stalks toward the door. -Solar turns to Moonlight "Perhaps you should return to the academy and repeat the courses on resisting torture" -Moonlight makes a face. "Why does everyone keep forgetting that I've never been to any academy except the one called 'life'. I'm not a trained soldier or anything. Geez!" It's exasperating when people don't remember the things you've told them. -Solar says, "I'll ask Kimikaze to expand your education then." -Moonlight sighs. "Why do I get the impression that it won't be pleasant?" -Solar says, "If it was pleasant it wouldn't be called torture." -Moonlight folds her arms and frowns. "Why do I also get the impression that way too many Decepticons would just as likely see another Con suffer as they would a Bot." -Solar says, "Do you know what rule #1 is?" -"Not really, but I have a feeling you'll tell me anyhow," says Moonlight. Suddenly the Surge no longer seems like a friendly place anymore. A shortage of such places seems to be happening on Cybertron, which was never very pleasant to begin with. -Solar says, "Rule #1 is don't get caught. Now then lets not speak of the matter any more." -Moonlight's rule #1 is very different from that, but she already knew that her ideas weren't exactly mainstream Decepticon ideas. Too bad she couldn't have known it /before/ she joined up. Things might have been better that way. It's a good thing Solar doesn't read minds and that Moonlight's fairly good at masking her expression when she really wants to. But for now, she just stands there, not certain of what she should do next. -Solar smirks "So did you enjoy your vacation?" -Moonlight grumps. "What do you think?" -Solar says, "I think you should be glad that there are protocols set in place if an operative gets caught." -Moonlight shrugs. "I'm glad I'm not dead. I'm glad that I'm not in Iacon anymore. If there's a reason for those things, then I suppose I'm glad for them too." -Solar stands and rubs his hands together "Now I have a tour to conduct, would you care to accompany me, I should warn you our guest is Phantom." -Moonlight blinks in confusion, and is glad of her hat's prescence. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" she says, keeping her voice calm. -Solar heads over and out of the door Dead End - North Strip The first thing that draws the attention of most is the massive, hexagonal building that rises several stories above the other buildings in this area. This building at the end of the strip is the Karkas Arena, once the home of some of Cybertron's most famous professional gladiators. The street itself is lined with what remains of the various champions' statues, though most have crumbled or are in poor repair. This district of the city branches off into a number of small alleyways, and serves as a mostly residential area. While generally much more quiet than the rest of Dead End, the Wild Surge bar pumps out more than its share of loud music, and occasionally the roar of a crowd can still be heard from the arena during one of the rare events staged by the city. Solar [Robot] [D] Ghost [Robot] [D] Sylver [Robot] [D] Phantom [Robot] [A] Light Deal Gladiator Residential Complex Karkas Arena The Wild Surge Obvious Exits: -NE- Northeast leads to Bismuth Causeway -S- South leads to Dead End - Central Strip -Solar walks over to Phantom "Where would you like to begin? The penthouse perhaps? Or maybe the basement?" -Moonlight exits the Surge behind Solar and sticks semi-sorta close to him. She nods to anyone recognizable in the area. -Ghost laughs harshly at something onher radio, expression sliding to a dark, grim serious one for a brief moment, distaste coloring her face before she looks over at Phantom.. "He was warned. And he was insulting. As per Dead Ends agreement.. he acted improperly." She shrugs, dusting her pistol grip off before resting a hand on a hip, "If you have been invited by the proprietor, far be it to me to deny you that singular honor, Phantom." she smirks, "As for helping me..." a pause then a shrug, "I believe I can handle myself thank you.. And yes..I will be joining this little parade of show." She doesnt appear inibriated,just slightly.. off kilter. She glances over her shoulder, movements jerky, wings blurring for a moment before she relaxes upon seeing Solar emerge. then she holds her side again, no damage visible. "...You don't want my company anyways, Phantom. I'm not high up enough in the ranks for your peculiar tastes." she smirks darkly. -Phantom nods, looking Ghost up and down one long time, "Pity, you seem like you'd fit my tastes quite well. Though rank has little to do with it." He does another glance over her form, as if truely checking her out, then looks over to Solar, demeanor that of someone that's just won a trip to Monacus to be on a talk show. He takes off his faceplate, leaving his visor in place so that everyone present can see his expressions without truely being able to guage his thoughts. "Anywhere would be great. I'm just a bit excited to get such an offer. As I said, I've never seen the inner workings of a bar of such good fame as either place." Ghost says, "Urge to destroy rising...." -Solar waves his arm torwards the front door of the establishment "After you and please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have." -Sylver seems to regret having taken Whiplash's offer to come here, doesn't seem like anything more than trouble, and what's more, an Autobot is openly invited in? What kind of a Decepticon ran establishment is this supposed to be? -Moonlight sighs. She has a feeling that nothing sincere is going to happen for the rest of the evening. Solar says, "Destroy their hopes and dreams Ghost, the satisfaction of watching the light die in their optics is beautiful" Moonlight says, "Meh." -Phantom smiles and heads for the door to the Surge, "Thank you, Solar." Ghost says, "I don't play those games, Solar. Very Unproffessional." -Ghost shakes her head, turning to head right back into the Surge, "Kill, maim, destroy, obliterate, anahialate, rend, rip, tear, raze, burn, shred, melt, vaporize." -Ghost adds softly as she moves to enter, "Not that that makes me *feel* any better..." -Sylver takes her hand and lowers it on Ghost's shoudler, attempting to slow her down "Ghost..., are you well...?" she asks quietly. -Ghost flintches at the contact, spinning on a heel, frame blurring as she jumps back from Sylver, stepped up reflexes back on full form as apparent as she raises her left arm, main weapon summoned and primed in the span of a nanoclick. "Gah.. Don't do that. Don't ever do that. I'm keyed up well enough not to make some stupid reflex action, Sylver." She frowns, shaking the cannon back into subspace. "Damnit. Where *is* Enfilade...." She glances at her erstwhile companion, "Yes, Sylver, I am fine. operating... withen parameters." -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. She glances at Sylver. "I'm glad you did that before I did...saved me the trouble of getting snapped at." She turns to face Ghost. "I spy someone who needs to calm down a wee bit." -"I am sorry Ghost, I just didn't want to use you try and fight without control...and yes, I should like to meet this Enfilade myself" after a moment's pause she adds "Commander Enfilade as it would seem to be...." at the finally assertion she nods "Good to hear" she then turns her head at Moonlight "My pleasure..." -Ghost nods, optics fading to a washed out gray hue.. "Lets get in there so I can keep an optic on things.. This is all very surreal." -Sylver nods "I'll accompany you gladly, Ghost...just try and keep your calm..." -Moonlight hmmms? "How so?" -Ghost murmurs softly, "I am calm, Sylver.. That's the strange thing..I should want to rip him to so many base componants... I do.. But I shouldn't.. Things should never be personal. This is a war, not a vendetta." She shakes her head, looking very tired for a moment, almost sad before she pulls herself together, a crooked smirk on her face, "But I have to keep an optic on him. He is.. after all. excellent at his profession.. As am I.." -Moonlight opens the door and holds it for the other two femmes. "Shall we?" -Ghost nods, "Lets." The crooked smile remains as she straightens herself, presenting her usual demenor of casual violence restrained with firmness. -Sylver nods at Ghost's decision and follows her inside. The Wild Surge - Bar Dimly lit and noisy, Dead End's only bar is never lacking in patrons. While the energon isn't of the best quality, many of the chemical additives are unique to the place, and so highly prized by those who can afford them, even outside of the city. For those less affluent, the wall behind the bar still offers old, contaminated energon and various forms of crude-grade fuel as well as the more acceptable low and high grade energon, plus some interesting compounds that are better left to the imagination. Sylver [Robot] [D] Ghost [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -O- Out leads to Dead End - North Strip -Ghost steps into the Wild Surge, peering about for Phantom and Solar.. upon not seeing either immediatly, she frowns.. "Lovely.. We've missed the tour." -Sylver looks around, and narrows her optics "Shame..." she comments quietly, really having wanted to join after all. Ghost says, "Solar, we seem to have missed the tour stepping off.. Where are you now?" -Moonlight follows the two femmes in. "Not likely. He's probably at the Deal." She starts heading for the south wall of the bar. Solar says, "I used the holographic wall and entered the Light Deal." -Ghost gives a tiny shrug as she steps to the bar, procuring a bottle. "We can catch up." She eyes the contents with dismay before she pops the seal and downs nearly half, making a nasty face.. "Gah.." -Sylver follows after Moonlight quietly, looking warily about, not sure if she likes this place. -Ghost keeps the bottle with her, finishing it up as she follows the other two femmes, making a face as she does so and leaving it on a table.. "Right." she says softly.. "Let us see what the mechs are into these cycles shall we?" -Moonlight walks on through the wall. Light Deal - Showroom This is the main store and shop of VUSS, a joint venture between the Decepticons and the Syndicate. The shop itself has a large display case that goes around the entire lenth of the shop and holds some of the more interesting pieces of the collection. Phantom [Robot] [A] Solar [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -W- West leads to Light Deal - Elevator -O- Out leads to Dead End - North Strip -Moonlight enters into the showroom through the wall route. She doesn't say anything upon entering, she just finds a wall and stands with her back to it. -Ghost pads through the holowall after Moonlight and Sylver, optics still gray hued, expression vague. -Phantom nods as he stands back from the case and turns to look at those comming in, then to Solar, "Always a good practice." -Solar waves to the Elevator "Shall we continue?" -Phantom nods, "Oh yes. This is rather interesting." For once, there is no hint of sarcasm at all in Phantom's voice. He's actually enjoying his tour. -Moonlight silently follows the mechs. -Ghost glances at Sylver, lifting a brow before she peers at the two mechs, trying to find her smile.. maybe that.. last.. bottle wasnt a brilliant idea.. But her head has stopped pounding. -Solar turns and walks into the Elevator "How about we start at the basement warehouse level?" -Phantom says, "That's fine." Light Deal - Warehouse This large almost natural looking cavern is the heart and soul of the business. Large racks of shelves travel the entire length of the space, and hold just about everything that can be sold. Many unknown Syndicate and unafilliated employees speed around this space putting up new inventory at a frightening rate. Obvious Exits: -S- South leads to Light Deal - Weapons Storage -W- West leads to Light Deal - Elevator -Phantom steps off the lift and lets out a low whistle of supprise. "This is huge. I wouldn't have ever thought this much room was down here." -Ghost moves near silently into the area, attention clearly on her surroundings, a wary expression on her countanance. -Solar says, "As you can see everything is fairly straightforward here. Energon and basic component storage is here, weapon storage is to our right. This area requires a general keycard which is why the elevator is so equiped. I can't just have ayone walking off with large amounts of supplies now can I?" -Phantom shakes his head, still looking around as his jaw hangs open just slightly. He's impressed with the size and the speed of the workers. He looks over to the right as Solar indicates, looking for anything that he might want to purchase. He's always in the market for a new weapon. -Ghost steps out of the lift with Sylver, optics narrowed to slits, moving very tensely. -Moonlight wanders around the room rather aimlessly. She's been awfully quiet since this tour started. Usually it's a chore to get her to shut up. Well, maybe not, but she's usually pretty talkative. -Sylver is staying close to Ghost, somewhat protective of her seeing how Ghost probably had one drink too much. -Solar says, "For the right amount of credits I have a few craftsmechs on duty who do custom weapon designs. Some of them even include precious metals and gem inlays. I have samples in the penthouse if you want to take a look later, but for now please take a walk around. You'll find everything tagged and organized" -Phantom nods and steps towards the weapons section, looking at a few handguns, some explosives, and some highpowered ammo. He moves slowly, looking from rack to rack, pondering the pros and cons of each weapon. To the casual observer, this looks to be less and less of a scouting ploy, and more like an actual interest in getting a new gun. -Ghost finds something to rest her back against, head tilting as she waits for some message. -Solar makes no move to follow along in Phantom's wake. He gives the mech time to peruse the merchandise and waits for his return -Moonlight watches Phantom browse through the goods and she shakes her head. There's something horribly ironic about the situation, and Moonlight would probably find it amusing if she wasn't already busy feeling bad about herself. -Phantom finishes his browsing and returns to the now group of Decepticon tour guides. "Very nice selection. Might have to come back here some day." -Sylver isn't much of a guide here, she's merely here to make sure Ghost doesn't do something overly stupid in her current state. -Solar says, "The only other level in this establishment is the penthouse. If you would follow me" -Phantom nods and follows. -Moonlight follows as well, smiling a little this time. She has a room in the penthouse...yay. -Ghost pushes off of the wall, turning to follow the party.. "No good can come of this..." she repeats to herself. Light Deal - Penthouse Level A long brightly lit and well styled hallway leads down the length of the level and culminates in a space with two doors, each of which leads to half the level serves as a domicile for each of the owners. Solar [Robot] [D] Moonlight's Room [#4231 n] Room for Frost Solar and Swindle's Office Obvious Exits: -W- West leads to Light Deal - Elevator -Solar says, "As you may have heard The Light Deal and the Wild Surge is in actuality a joint business venture between the Syndicate, Myself and Swindle. As such certain workers like Moonlight and the other owners besides myself are given access to the penthouse and the suites that reside here." Solar opens the large doors into his and Swindle's personal chambers "Now if you will follow me I will show you those specialty weapons that I mentioned downstairs in the basement" -Phantom nods, looking around as he follows Solar. -Moonlight ponders just slipping into her room and letting everyone else deal with whatever needs to be dealth with. But she isn't exactly in Solar's happy books right now, so she decides to stick with the group. "Yeah. My room's over there," she points out for no reason in particular. People might start to wonder if she didn't say /something/. -Ghost stiffens, head tilting to one side as she stares off into nothing for a moment.. then she lets out a hiss of air, frowning for a moment.. A shake of her head, another hiss before she asks, "Where, exactly, Moonlight?" she turns her head, peering slightly off behind Moonlight. -Sylver doesn't carey as much interest as she merely keeps her optics on both Ghost and the Autobot. -Moonlight points to the one with the 'Welcome' mat in front of it. "That one." -Ghost ahhs softly, before she heads to folow Solar and Phantom, still scowling over something, footfalls not her usual soft padding. "Better keep an optic on those two before Solar tries to sell him somethng banned.." -Moonlight stares at Ghost. "Would he do that?" She pauses. "Okay, scratch that question." -Ghost chuckles softly, a warm smile on her face, "I'll pretend you didnt ask that, Moonlight." Peering at the femme, or just slightly off to her left, she winks before she head in after the tour guide. -Moonlight shakes her head in disbelief as she follows Ghost. -Sylver follows without comments, apparently still unable to accept the notion of this Autobot getting a tour guide in Decepticon property. Solar and Swindle's Office The ROOM is obviously split into 2 seperate and distinct halves. On the one side you have Solar's exquisite in every detail with large cases devoted to many forms and colors of precious stones, that which is Solar's main business. On Swindle's half lies nothing but clutter, broken and half used items lie in corners, and in some cases those objects cannot even be named. Contents: Phantom Solar Crystalline -Whiplash steps into the office in robot mode, looking distinctly more at peace, even vaguely pleased, than she did when anyone in this group saw her last. There's clearly a determination about her movements, though, as she steps inside and takes stock of the situation inside. -Solar says, "Is there anything drawing your optics Phantom? Anything in particluar you would like to see?" -Ghost pads into the halved quarters, taking a look at Swindles half before she looks at Solars half. She frowns for a moment, rubbing at her temples before she gives a shake of her head, cursing softly under her 'breathe' -Sylver is standing next to a drunken seeming Ghost, mostly looking to be interested in her well being, casting occasional ill meaning gazes at the Autobot. -Moonlight follows Ghost into the office, looking a tad bit grumpy, though it might just be the lack of lighting under her hat. -Phantom shakes his head, not looking back to the door or those near it or walking through it. He looks at most of the things, not wanting to touch any as he's sure this place has a 'you break it you bought it' policy. Thusly he clasps his hands behind his back and leaves them there as he looks. -Whiplash takes in the relative positions (and clues to condition) from those nearby, and subtly moves to take up a position next to Ghost on the opposite side of Sylver. As her glance passes over Moonlight, the pleased expression momentarily shifts to something else and then she looks away, locking her focus on Phantom. -Ghost slowly turns her head to peer at Whiplash, noticing the rather interesting flanking posistions she has gained from two other femmes.. She manages a wry smile, moving to murmur to Whiplash softly. Ghost mutters to Whiplash: "... look that ... off?" -Whiplash mutters to Ghost: "Just ... someone ... ... ... Not to ..." -Moonlight wanders over to the other half of the room and peers at all Swindle's junk. -Ghost mutters to Whiplash: "... that you ... ... ... ... all of that swillis going ... ... having.. ... ... ..." -Whiplash mutters to Ghost: "Let ... ... when ... ... a ..." -Solar says, "Well please let me know when you are prepared to leave and I'll escort you to the entryway" -Ghost mutters to Whiplash: "As ... as ... ... ... too ... I ... ... ... observe.. ... at ..." -Phantom nods, taking a step backwards, suddenly figuring out that if there's gonna be an ambush, this is it. Hoping that Solar is a businessman before he's a warrior when inside the domain of his offices, he banks that he's safe. But, just to be safe, he looks around once more and says, "I think I've taken up more than enough of your time, Solar." -Whiplash nods to Ghost, though keeping her optics on Phantom. -Solar walks over to the door, and opens it "Then let me escort you to the main entrance, and please come back for certain supplies" -Ghost turns to flash Phantom a wry smile, optics a dim almost cold gray hue. "I do hope that this little tour will at least give you some information to pass on to Scattershot." the smile crooks into a smirk, optics flickering dark violet before going out again. She reaches out to rest a hand casually on Whiplash's shoulder. -Sylver just stares at the Autobot, remaining silent while he's there, apparently it's okay to host Autobots, seeing how freely he was just led about. -Whiplash, not normally one to show no reaction to being touched, holds perfectly still, doesn't even appear to notice it. -Moonlight sighs deeply and turns back to face the other Decepticons. Deep down she knows that she really doesn't want to be here with them right now. The rest of her finds that thought disturbing. -Solar says, "Yes as for him and Thunderstrike who were both here earlier. Please inform Thunderstrike that he is no longer permitted in the establishment, and Scattershot seems to be mis-informed as to our presence here, as he threatened to destroy my supply warwhouse." -Phantom looks at Ghost as if she were a rack of Energon and he were starving, smiling for all to see. His brows raise and with no words spoken, he follows Solar, smile stil in place. When Solar stops, he stops and nods, "I'll make a report as soon as I return to Iacon. It seems we were, as you said, misinformed." He gives a quick glance to Moonlight, pulling his faceplate from subspace and replacing it to it's normal position. "And Thunderstrike will be lucky if he's allowed out of the city for the next 7 vorn." He gives Ghost one last look over, then turns to Solar, ready to leave. Light Deal - Showroom This is the main store and shop of VUSS, a joint venture between the Decepticons and the Syndicate. The shop itself has a large display case that goes around the entire lenth of the shop and holds some of the more interesting pieces of the collection. Phantom [Robot] [A] Solar [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -W- West leads to Light Deal - Elevator -O- Out leads to Dead End - North Strip -Moonlight shrugs and grins broadly at Phantom. He might think she lied to him, but she didn't, not exactly. Of course, he'll also never know that she meant to tell the truth, but was too distracted to mention the /other/ basement. And she hopes to Primus that no one will ever know that she meant to tell the truth... -Solar walks over to the front doors, and turns to wait "Is there anything I can place on hold for you? Oh and if you could pass on a message for me. Please tell Revamp that I got another shipment of Transorg blood in and would love the chance to trade for some more of that 30 vorn Arcadian cognac she had the last time." -Ghost comes stalking out of the lift, looking less than pleased with something. Her optics shift from dull gray to violet, back and forth as she moves seemingly towards Phantom, all business to her step, fingers clentching and unclentching at her sides. -Phantom walks towards the door, turning to look at Solar shaking his head, "Nothing now, though I will be back for a longer look at a few items. And I'll inform Revamp. I'm sure she'll be pleased." He holds out his hand as if they had just completed a business transaction, "Thank you for your time and the great tour." -Whiplash hurries to keep up with Ghost, though she's a few steps behind. -Solar shakes the offered hand almost warmly "Your quite welcome and feel free to return at any time." -Moonlight is having a crappy day and wishes that Blitzwing were still around to complain to. Hell, she just wishes he was still around period. But she learned long ago that you don't get things by wishing. "Yes, please return." Sure, why not. Could be ironic to later get shot by something Solar sold Phantom. -Phantom returns the shake, looks back at the others, thinking the same thing as Moonlight. Imagine the looks on their faces if I shoot them with something they sold me. He nods to Sylver, Moonlight, Whiplash and Ghost, a nod for Solar, and he's on his way out the door. -Ghost stops next to Solar, folding her arms over her front, staring at Phantom as he moves to depart the vicinity. -Solar mutters to Moonlight: "... think ... best that ... stay at darkmount for ... ... cycles. ... ... ... be a try ... retribution."((I think it best that you stay at darkmount for a few cycles. (period) There may be a try for retribution.)) -Whiplash stops a half-step behind Ghost, certainly making no move to return a friendly gesture of parting, but making no other comment either. -Ghost continues to stare after Phantom for several more minutes before she mutters softly, "Is he gone yet?" -Solar looks at a monitor "Yes he's gone, and all this niceness is sending my circuits to overload" -Moonlight nods at Solar. "You think so?" she asks, sounding rather tired. It would be so nice if she could just give up, right now. -Ghost heaves a sigh, shaking her head, tilting her head to listen to the room before she half faces Moonlight, optics completly dark now. "You sound as if you need a rest. Before the higher ups decide to grill you about your little vacation.. Word of warning, steer clear of Razelore and Kimakaze." -Solar says, "Phantom is likely to take it personally that you gave him false information. I used the tour of the Deal and Surge as a pre-emptive measure. It may not have worked." -Moonlight has never really been of the philosophy that she should keep her mind to herself. "I'm thinking I should just steer clear of the lot of you." Tact doesn't seem to be in Moonlight's vocabulary today. She's just tired, and cranky, and she doesn't care who knows it. Of course, she might regret this in the morning. -Whiplash says, "I'm going to believe you know what you're doing, leading an Autobot around in here, Solar. I've had about enough of intrigue and counter-spy and hidden plots for the day." No, she'll never make an intel operative. "I'm heading back to my guard post-" she stops, and sharpens her attention on Moonlight. "You gave him false information?" -Ghost shakes her head again, tilting it at that slight angle as she listens. She frowns, lips thinning and turning down, arms dropping to rest at her sides, one hand on a hip. "Actually..I think he's going to see through the cart and driver routine Solar.. We've only stalled their interest..If anything, this place is now going to be on the okay toraid for parts list." She sounds weary. "And Moonlight." She turns her head, not quite looking in the right direction, "Glad to see.." she pauses, scowling at something, "Glad that you are alive." -Moonlight hmphs. "I /failed/ to tell Phantom of the second basement. So I didn't lie exactly, but it wasn't enough truth to really give him anything," she says to Whiplash. She tilts her head back to look at the sky. How she wishes she was anywhere but here. Maybe Swipe's fate wasn't so bad after all. At least her gang would have forgiven her for anything. -Solar says, "I think your right Ghost. Phantom now knows that the warehouse is full of usefull equipment and he probabaly knows one or two of my warehouse crew that he can buy a keycard from. As I see it there are 2 things I can do. 1, is step up security and then he'll know EXACTLY that we have something to hide. Or 2. we can remove anything usefull from here to another location." -Ghost waves a hand, "Move it all." She states flatly. "Set up the other basement as aux storage for the first basement." She turnsher head, 'looking' around.. "Whiplash, are you still here?" odd that question. -Whiplash steps forward to be more clearly in Ghost's line of vision, looking at her more closely. "Yeah, I'm here," she says. "Maybe we oughtta head back to Darkmount together. You know, just for the convenience of travel." -Moonlight just starts to wander towards the door. -Ghost nods slowly, "Be rather..grateful for the company, Whiplash." She peers about as if looking at everyone, optics still dark. "Solar, keep me posted. Moonlight. Rest someplace safe.." She offers a wan smile, "I need to get back to darkmount to handle some mainframe operations for that virus Solar." She turns, stumbling once.. "Slaggit.. " -Whiplash fully intends to quiz Moonlight more fully another time, but now she just wants to get Ghost home. Whiplash snakes out some tentacles, helping to catch Ghost, and then draws them back, keeping only a few wavering tips in contact that brush the other femme's armor as though quite by accident. She heads toward the door as well, at an initially somewhat slow pace. -Moonlight leaves the Light Deal, realizing that this war has nothing but victims...even among the higher-ups. What makes them 'better' than her anyhow? One day she'll find that out. But not now. Now she wants to go someplace...'safe,' but she'll have to settle for Darkmount.