March 2nd, 2003 ~Solar(D), Ghost(D), Cinder(D), Whiplash(D) MoonGate (#566en) Colorful could be a word to describe this barracks room. The walls are covered of many pictures of many different planets (none are on Cybertron)...most of them in bars and containing the same mech over and over. The room is littered with odds and ends and couldn't truly be called neat, though there appears to be some sort of purpose to all the clutter. There's a recharge bed, but unless it's being used, it is also most likely covered in junk. There are probably many little well-hidden hidey holes in this room, but anyone interested in them would have to both wade through the junk and possess a keen set of optics. It has temporarily been straighted up due to a punishment given to Moonlight and Turmoil by Onslaught. -You transmit 'How long do you think I need to stay inside Darkmount?' to Solar. -Solar transmits: 'Untill such time as we can guarantee your safety outside the HQ'. -You transmit 'And how, exactly, are you going to do that? Don't worry, I won't leave. I remember what happened last time someone was confined for their own safety and ignored the rules to leave.' to Solar. -Solar transmits: 'Right now the Autobots are not your only enemy.'. -You transmit 'Oh? Care to expand on that?' to Solar. -Solar transmits: 'Come down to the Command Center, we can talk easier and Ghost wishes to speak to you'. -You transmit 'Very well. I'm on my way.' to Solar. Darkmount - Command Center Before you lies the heart and soul of the Decepticon empire. You find yourself standing on a wide walkway spanning a three-quarter circle overlooking the 100 foot deep command center. The central stairs are just to your right and descend through three levels of sensor monitor stations. The entire height and length of the wall in front of you is covered with massive sensor viewers relaying information from the Tower Outpost Communication Center to Darkmount so that Decepticon leaders may survey their holdings without moving very far from the tools of power at their disposal. In the first work level below you are various computer terminals available for the officers to review logs of troop reports while the lower two levels are strictly dedicated to sensor monitoring and are constantly manned. In the pit of the room, various holomaps display the information interpolated from the sensor inputs that the currently assigned duty officer is constantly updating. Solar [Robot] [D] Ghost [Robot] [D] Long Table with a Model Obvious Exits: -N- North leads to Darkmount - Command Level -Moonlight walks silently into the Command Center, her face neutral in expression. -Ghost is seated at one of the consoles, talking to Solar with a plesant expression on her face. -Solar nods at Moonlight as she comes in "Ahoy Moonlight, take a seat. Now as to why the Autobots aren't your only concern right now, do you remember the way Whiplash reacted when you told her about your conversation with Phantom?" -Moonlight takes a seat close to Solar, but not right next to him, a frown on her face. "Yeah..." As if she'd ever forget how /everyone/ seems to be reacting to her lately. -Ghost lifts a brow, "Moonlight..." she speaks softly, resting an elbow on the console next to her. "care to talk?" -Solar says, "Don't worry Moonlight I ain't mad at ya. Others may be, that's why you're stuck here" -Moonlight takes a good look at Ghost's face. "Is that actually a question, or is it some subtle sort of command?" She turns back to Solar. "Well, if there's Cons mad at me too, isn't it kind of a /dumb/ idea to stay where there are so many of them?" -Solar says, "Its safest to stay where you have friends." -Moonlight shrugs. "That might be so Solar. But still, I can't read minds...so I won't know who is my friend and who isn't." She turns back to Ghost. "I would rather take it that you are an individual that is concerned for me as and individual and is offering to be a set of sympathetic audials. But," she pauses, "I'm beginning to think that isn't possible on this planet." She gives a cynical little laugh. Wait...since when was Moonlight a cynic? -Ghost manages a soft smile, "Well.. I'm on duty right now.. But as both, can't I ask the same question?" she continues mildly, reaching over, she taps herself off duty then continues, "Alright, now.. as a concerned person.. who finds you among the few I would associate with off duty willingly.." She turns back around, head half tilted, "care to talk?" -Solar doesn't look very happy by what he's about to say, as sharing emotions is something he is fairly loathe to speak about "Moonlight, to me your family, and I am not talking about family like Lunar and I are brothers. I tend to choose my family by deeds and loyalties instead of the old fashioned way of being created together. I will fight and die for anyone I consider to be family. So think of yourself as being adopted." -Moonlight smiles slightly. Okay, so she's really bad at staying moody. "I'm not really sure what to say. I'm just rather disappointed that my return home has been a worse ordeal than most of my forced stay at Iacon." She gives Solar an odd look, but one that isn't necessarily negative. "You'd be surprised at how much that actually means to me Solar." She pauses. "I'm sorry I haven't been very respectful to you." There's no questioning her sincerity here. -Ghost tilts her head to one side, watching Solar and Moonlight for a moment, optics glittering softly. "Moonlight... There's..' she glances at Solar, "An unspoken sort of rule in Intel.. About captures.." -Solar gets back into his gruff personalty "Now that don't mean I'm gonna loan ya any credits..." Then he goes back to just listening -Moonlight nods to Ghost, "I'm listening..." -Ghost smiles faintly, "rather you spill everything than get killed. We can always change plans.. We *can't* replace people. Rather have the person than the info any cycle." -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "Well, that could have taken a load off my mind if I had known that," she says. But actually, it wouldn't have. Phantom never directly threatened /her/...his threat was much larger than that. -Ghost nods slwoly, "it is an informal unspoken thing. Sometimes.. the info is worth more... Unfortunatly." she frowns, "But.. I'm glad you are back. It was rather.. well.. We got you back.. " -Moonlight folds her arms. "Thanks. It wasn't too terrible of a thing though. Mostly they just left me alone. I get the distinct impression that none of the Bots really see me as any sort of a threat. Of course, I'm not sure whether I should be insulted by this, or relieved." -Ghost smiles faintly, "Relieved.. " she replies with a faint hint of amusement that fades. "I'm sorry that you were captured. I.. feel..responsible for that." -Moonlight grins wryly. Should she tell Ghost that Phantom /also/ apologized? That could open up a Pandora's box that should remain shut. "Things like this happen, right? It /is/ a war after all, as everyone keeps reminding me. I'm still alive, Solar was warned in time to deal with the situation, and we still have time to save the computer stuff. Which means apart from a little pain on my part, and a little inconvienience, everything turned out okay. No need to apologize." -Ghost chuckles softly then grows serious, "I still need to apologize to you.. failed in my duty to defend my troops." She tips her head in a shallow bow. -Moonlight shrugs. "You can't win them all. If Decepticons were all perfect, the war would have been won long ago...long before I even came to Cybertron, or was created for that matter." -Ghost nods, "If we were perfect,this wouldnt have happened.. still. I am glad that you came back without too much damage.. Although.. while I do not condone vendettas.. Phantom does seem tobe racking up points against my usual stance on that." -Moonlight shakes her head. "That mech astounds me with his ability to make people hate him. I'm surprised he still functions." -Ghost nods, sighing with exasperation, "Usually this sort ofthing doesn't bother me.. I mean, not personally. But that one.. has managed to make it personal.. " -Moonlight blinks. "Exactly what part bothered you to the point of making it personal?" -Ghost leans back, "Several factors really.. But first and foremost.. The entire Stormrunner issue. While granted,it was an excellent disguise. To actually go so far as to use.. bah.." She shakes her head, "Professional jealosy." a wink. -Moonlight smiles slightly. It's nice to know that everyone is still feeling protective of Enfilade over that matter...she idly wonders how many people know the parts of the story that she does. "Oh, and it must be annoying to know that he disguised himself as you." -Ghost shrugs, "Very. But it comes with being such a prominant figure." She turns to the console, peering at the screen for a moment before she turns back, "Mayhaps I should return the favor.." her optics glimmer and narrow in thought. -Moonlight blinks, trying to imagine Ghost being a mech, and failing. "You pretty good at disguising yourself?" -Ghost shrugs, "When necessary.. Although it is hard with being so tall." -Moonlight nods. "I don't really like disguising myself. Not that I'm really bad at it, but I like to be myself." She chuckles. "Sometimes I really think that being an Intel member is a bit of a misnomer for me." -Ghost ahhs softly, "Wearing a disguise is one thing. Actually.. *being* someone else is another." She smiles faintly. "Well, would you fit in more with another division?" she asks conversationally. -Moonlight frowns and shakes her head. "Not really. I don't really think I fit in /anywhere/, both talent wise and disposition wise." -Ghost nods, looking slightly serious before she waves a hand, "Not on duty, not going to grill you about talents.. But.. I am glad that you are back..If you need someone to just.. vent at.. I'm here. And rather good at listening.' -Moonlight grins. "Usually I'm the one offering to listen. And not just because it's Intel's job to listen. I figure that the Decepticons are all people that have my back. I don't want to alienate them. The problem with us, is that most of us are way to paranoid. There's serious trust issues going on. I really see that as a big weakness." -Ghost nods, "Trust is a large issue we have, from general troop to troop engagements to trust in command. Paranoia.. now.. that is truthfully earned by most of us. Some level of it is needed for warriers.. a sixth sense for combat really. But it does get worse and worse. -Moonlight leans back in her seat, getting more comfortable. "Call me naive if you want, but unless I have reason to believe otherwise, I take what people say at face value. That doesn't mean I close my mind to possible lies or alterior motives. I'm always aware of the /possibility/ of such things, but I don't automatically take those assumptions to be the truth." -Ghost ahhs softly.. settling comfortably in her seat. "While on the other side.. unless it is another decepticon, I'm always looking for second meanings to a turn of a phrase." -Moonlight chuckles. "Well it doesn't matter whether we trust Bots or not...we're not supposed to. I'm just talking about the inability for a lot of Cons to trust other Cons. It just makes us seem so...fractured. But I just don't know what could be done about the lack of trust, the lack of unity." -Ghost shrugs, "Some of it is learned habit from what has become standard operation. Some of it is fractured beliefs stemming from an inability to see anothers reasoning in belonging to the empire.. ' -Moonlight hmmmms. "Do you think it /needs/ to be solved?" -Ghost lifts a brow, "Youcan offer assistance, Moonlight, but you can't force.. *force* others to think any differently.. They have to be willing to make that step. All you can do is offer support." -Moonlight grins. "Well, that's what I'm good at. Or so people tell me." -Ghost ahhs softly, optics glimmering, "And that.. your power of subtle persuasion..is why you are in Intel." -Moonlight shrugs. "Maybe. It's was all Solar's idea in the first place. But I guess the real reason the lack of trust bothers me is because before I came here, I was in a group that trusted each other. The contrast isn't...always pleasant." -Ghost nods once, "It is disconcerting at times. But.. and this is not at all a good thing..You do grow accustomed to it.. Myself..trusting is difficult but that is because I was.. and still am a front line full field operative." -Moonlight just sighs at that. -Ghost sighs as well.. -"I guess sighs are contagious," Moonlight comments. -Ghost nods, "That they seem to be." She offers a wry smile, optics glimmering. -Moonlight shakes her head. "I think we're all gonna be in a lot of trouble when we do win this war." Okay, she's being optimistic in a pessimistic sort of way. -Ghost lifts both brows, "How so?' she asks with curiousity. -Moonlight takes a deep breath. "Well, the way I see it, even if we managed to take undisputable control of Cybertron, it wouldn't suddenly make things 'all better'. For one, there's the trust issue we've already discussed. Another is that everyone's minds are so geared towards warlike things, I don't think that many people could survive peace." -Ghost ahhs, nodding along, "Not many of us have.. hobbies we can fall back on when we are no longer needed to be combat active.. Although... Somehow I do not see a full ending of the need for defense measures.' -Moonlight nods. "We'll always need defense, that's true. But what's the point in winnin a war if it doesn't change anything? I kind of assumed that we're fighting to make our lives better...but in reality, winning will only give us a battle to fight that we won't be ready for." -Ghost ahhs, leaning back to rest her head on her hand, elbow on console. "Well.. what would you do if.. lets say.. tommorow this was all over?" -Moonlight considers the question for a few moments. "I'd either go back to Monacus to hunt for Swipe, or I'd stick around here and concentrate all my efforts on my brewery." -Ghost hmms, "Both reasonable ideas.. If you left, how would that help the cleanup of the aftermath or would you feel like your duty was done?" -Moonlight shakes her head. "I wouldn't feel that my duty was done, but Swipe was my first savior...I can't ignore my duties to him. I don't even know if he still functions, but I have a feeling I'll never be able to completely rest easy until I know, one way or the other. But I think that I'm made more for peace than I am for war." -Ghost hnns, "Some of us are more suited for peace.. Some of us.. well, we'll have to find out, now won't we." -Moonlight grins. "The sooner the better." -Ghost smiles crookedly, "Would you believe me if I said I hope to see the endof all of this? Already know what I want to do after we finally clean up the mess we're still making." -Moonlight goes somber for a moment. "I believe /you/ when you say that. But I don't think everyone necesarily /wants/ peace. Perhaps some of them fear being obsolete, perhaps some of them merely like chaos and destruction." -Ghost taps a fingertip on her chin, thoughtful, "Some want peace, some want to win to carry the fight elsewhere." she finally states matter of factly. -Moonlight nods. "Yes, expansion. But is it /really/ realistic to try and control the whole universe...or even a galaxy?" -Ghost shrugs, "Is it realiztic to expect everyone to be content to starve to death on a planet?" -Moonlight shakes her head. "No, not at all. I have a particular aversion to starving, but that's just because it's my earliest memory. Of course, the whole idea of expanding is a bit unappealing to me. Mostly because I hate the thought of war going to my homeworld." -Ghost blinks as she gets a radio message, "No rest for the weary.. It would appear that I am back on duty again... Pardon me.." She turns to speak quietly into her radio. -Moonlight nods her head and quietly lets Ghost deal with her radio. She shuts her optics for the time being, not having the inclination to get up yet. Of course, if Ghost asks her to, then she will. -Ghost seems to be distracted by the radio messages.. "My apologies, Moonlight.. But.." She manages a half smile, "It would seem that my opinion on something is much needed." -Moonlight waves a hand dismissively. "It's not a problem." She grins. "Besides, who am I to disrupt your duties? I'm just a lieutenant after all." -Ghost pushes herself to a standing position, popping her shoulders absently.. "Seems that I have something to handle.. Peacefully. Try to... write for me a more formalreport of what happened duringyour stay at iacon for me while I am away..So I can formally submit that to anyone inquiring." -Moonlight nods. "Will do...though I'm not very good at formal reports...or formal anything for that matter." -Ghost shrugs, "Just give me the facts. I'm not a stickler for formalicy unless its one of *those* meetings." She winks and heads out. -Moonlight finally gets up and leaves the command center. Darkmount - Elevator Shaft You step into the reinforced lift and note immediately the large Decepticon sigil etched into the back wall as a reminder to all of where they are and why they serve the great Empire. There is a control panel near the door for selection of your desired destination. Cinder [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -6- leads to Darkmount - Launch Platform -5- leads to Darkmount - Security Level -4- leads to Darkmount - Medical and Science Level -3- leads to Darkmount - Barracks -2- leads to Darkmount - Command Level -1- leads to Darkmount - Tunnel -Moonlight is leaning against the far wall of the elevator, mumbling to herself. -Cinder steps into the elevator from level 2, looking quite excited and releived. He's clutching a keycard in one hand. -Moonlight grins at Cinder. "Where ya headed?" she asks. -Cinder looks at Moonlight, and chatters somethign unintelligible, obviously excited. Then he stops himself, taking several deep breaths, and states "Moving. to Darkmount. now!" -Moonlight continues to grin. "I meant, what floor?" -Cinder blinks, and would've blushed that moment if robots could "Oh... errrm.... Six. Must go get things. Bring here." -Moonlight nods once and pushes the button for the launch platform. "So, your classmates give you any more trouble?" she asks conversationally. -Cinder states "No problem now. Am not in classes." Cinder shifts from foot to foot impatiently. Then he pauses, wondering how much he should say. He adds quickly "Special training." -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "Special training?" She seems about to ask more, but then the elevator stops at it's destination. -Cinder nods "Y... yes..." he smiles "Classmates... no longer trouble. Th... thank you though." -Moonlight smiles. "Well, that must be good news for you. Who decided you needed the change?" She watches the doors open with a slight frown. -Cinder states "Uhm... Enfiltrator... errrm, Enfilator... " he scowls at his inability to say that name. -Moonlight blinks..."Enfilade?" -Cinder nods "Yeah. That's her name." -Moonlight grins. "Just call her Fil. I'll know who you're talking about. Might not be a good idea to sound that familiar when she's around though. So, you've finally met with her then?" She steps through the doors and waits for Cinder's answer on the other side. Darkmount - Launch Platform Forcibly hewn out of the side of a raised mountain, this sturdily constructed platform is large enough to accommodate several ships and still allow enough room for the arriving and departing patrols of Decepticon seekers. Crafted of solidly forged chunks of Durillium, it has been made to withstand the tests of time and battles. Around the edges of the platform are various anti-aircraft batteries and entrenched watch posts for defense drones, should anyone ever be foolish enough to attempt an attack from the air, or intrepid enough to risk approaching the Decepticon stronghold from the nearly impossible climb below. Decepticon Shuttle Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above Tarn -D- Down leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft -Cinder nods "Y... yes..." he still has that key caught tightly in his hand. "She... gave me new position." -Moonlight smiles. "Glad to hear it." -Cinder says, "So... so am I." -Moonlight waves a hand, shooing Cinder away. "Well, go get your stuff then. Might as well get settled in as soon as possible." She nods encouragingly. -Cinder hehs a bit, rubbing his neck "Should slow down a BIT. Will make mistake." he states, calming down. "I will be back soon." -Moonlight chuckles. "I don't think you should worry too much about making mistakes transfering your stuff. Just go at a pace that's comfy for you, and you'll be okay." -Cinder nods, and he arches his wings... folded it was hard to tell that he was flex-winged, and the mech lifts off, transforming gracefully as he takes off towards the academy. -Moonlight just stands around and waits, working on her report in the meantime. *Sometime later...* -Cinder is making his way BACK to darkmount now. -Moonlight is sitting at the edge of the platform, her legs dangling over the sides. Her attention is focused on a datapad, which she is busily working over. -Cinder sees Moonlight below and folds his wings, dropping like a rock, his grey and black shades blending into the dark sky as he cuts through the air, engines booming. -Moonlight glances up briefly from her datapad, then goes back to work. She's /almost/ done, much to her relief. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Moonlight (Conn) Date: Sun Mar 2 22:02:53 2003 Folder: 0 Message: 8 Subject: IC Report ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll try to be as complete as possible in this report. Several cycles ago I was taken hostage by the Autobot Phantom. I was unconscious at the time, so my first memory was waking up restrained in their Repair Bay. The Autobots, for whatever reason, deemed it necessary to fix me up a bit. As expected, my weapons had been removed as well as my radio capabilities. I was under guard. But for some reason the Bots seemed more interested in the mech named Thunderstrike and his disobediance than they were in me. When I was fixed up to a tolerable level of comfort, they transfered me to their Brig. While there, I was left pretty much alone except for a few incidents. The first was a poor attempt at gathering information by the Autobot named Cloak. He seemed to be taking a very personal approach to his questioning, decided that everything I said was a lie, and then left. The second incident was Phantom's questioning. He asked me what my job was, what sort of things I smuggled, what other duties I had, and where the base of opperations was in Dead End. Under much duress I told him that it was in the basement of the Light Deal, but I convieniently failed to mention that there was a secondary basement. Just before I was rescued was the third encounter. A shadowy femme that I failed to see due to the power outage tried to intimidate me both with words and with the beginnings of torture, which Phantom put a stop to for reasons unknown to me. After that I was rescued. If there's anything else you want to know, just ask. ~Moonlight~ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Cinder flicks a wing to Moonlight, then continues towards the landing ramp behind the femmel, wheels squealing on the tarmac as he lands, slowing and taxing easily -Moonlight finally finishes her work and banishes the datapad into subspace with much internal rejoicing. She stands up and turns around to face the landing Cinder-jet. -Cinder arches his wings a bit as he rolls across the tarmac, boxes visible through is cockpit glass. He then transforms, the stuff transferring to his hands. -Moonlight grins. "Want me to do all the button pressing? Your hands looks a tad full." -Cinder smiles back at Moonlight, shyly, and nods quietly as he lifts the single two boxes, one under each arm. -Moonlight reaches the elevator with a few quick strides and punches the button requesting the summoning of the elevator. -Cinder walks along behind Moonilght, and errms "Sorry... for earlier... very... eager to begin... working." -Ah, yes, the enthusiasm of the youth. Moonlight wishes she had a little of that. The elevator doors slide open. Moonlight goes in and holds down the 'open' button so Cinder can get all his stuff in okay. Darkmount - Elevator Shaft You step into the reinforced lift and note immediately the large Decepticon sigil etched into the back wall as a reminder to all of where they are and why they serve the great Empire. There is a control panel near the door for selection of your desired destination. Obvious Exits: -6- leads to Darkmount - Launch Platform -5- leads to Darkmount - Security Level -4- leads to Darkmount - Medical and Science Level -3- leads to Darkmount - Barracks -2- leads to Darkmount - Command Level -1- leads to Darkmount - Tunnel -Cinder carries his two boxes in quickly "Th... thank you." he states again, relaxing as he sees the empty elevator. -Moonlight shakes her head. "It's no trouble. I'm the odd job femme around here after all." -Cinder nods again "Oh... heh... right... " he looks at the button pad "Uhm... three... I guess." -Moonlight nods and pushes number three. "So, you're getting your own room then?" -Cinder nods "Yes... finally." he states, sounding very releived. " no... bunkmates... no vandals..." .oO(no beatings, no bullying...) -Moonlight frowns. "You had vandals too?" Shaking her head she walks out of the elevator when it hits floor three. Darkmount - Barracks You step through the large and heavy door into an archaic looking cavern. The natural material of the mountain is very much in evidence here, as not much effort was put into making the army's barracks very attractive. With plasma tools and brute hydraulic power, hundreds of cubicles have been carved out in strangely organized rows throughout the room and at multiple levels. The size of the cubicle is a general indication of the rank of the owner, and you'll notice several larger rooms higher up in the cavern, almost as if they were positioned to watch over the troops below. Obvious exits: -N- North leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft. -S- South leads to Darkmount - Guardhouse. -Cinder nods "Y... yes..." he tilts one box slightly to show the battered lockbox within. "Fortunately, good locks." -Moonlight scans over the barracks. "So, where's the room they've given you?" -Cinder pauses a moment, then looks into both his boxes "Uhm... says on key.. key is in... uhm, cockpit..." he glances to his chest, then shifts one box towards Moonlight. -Moonlight takes the box and waits. -Cinder balances the other box precariously on his other hip as he reaches into the glass compartment for the key, rummabing a moment, then erks, bending his knees as the box starts to slip out "Slag!" -Moonlight grabs the boxes from Cinder and puts them on the floor. "Something wrong?" -Cinder sighs "Yes... box was slipping." he stammers, looking embarassed "Ah, key." he holds it, up, then peers at the number "Uhm... 3B415." -Moonlight knows /exactly/ where that is...she /did/ have to clean the entire barracks not so long ago as punishment. She nudges Cinder and points out the area. "It's over this way." -Cinder nods, picking up the other box again as he walks over to it. "Thank you... uhm, again. You are great help." -Moonlight grins. "Don't mention it." -Cinder hehs "I.. I won't. " he promises, pushing the key into the lock to open it. Then he peers inside at the larger room."Uhm... wow... big..." -Moonlight peers inside the room. "You call /this/ big? Your last room must have been little more than a cell." -Cinder states "Was, when was in it. Shared acc... acc... uhm, room too." he states, putting the boxes down in the middle of it. "I think... will like here. -Moonlight doesn't point out that her room is even bigger, if only by a small amount. "That's a good attitude to have starting off. Just make yourself as comfortable as possible." -Cinder nods "Not much... time for comfort. HAve much to do." he states, takign the box from Moonlight, finally getting the nerve to actually LOOK at her faceplate. -Moonlight shrugs. "Remember that life isn't all work. But it /is/ good to have your priorities in place. Want a hand organizing?" -Cinder hehs, and hesitates a bit, almost loosing his nerve "Uhm.... okay... I... hae very little." he puts the other box down on the recharge bed. " And yes... life... not all work... Maybe now... I can... enjoy it." Cinder's Room A standard barracks room. Right now its quite bare. -Moonlight steps inside the room. Being new, it lacks the clutter and hominess of her own room. She doubts this one will ever have the flare of her own room, but hopefully it will become less bare over time. "I might not be a good fighter, but I'm an expert on relaxing and having fun." -Cinder looks around again, and then at Moonlight "I... am not sure how to... have fun yet... Am very much loner." -Moonlight smiles slightly. "So are many people. I'm trying to fix that though. Have you been assigned a division yet?" -Cinder hehs, then shakes his head "Am... uncertain of Division... perhaps Intelligence... I think that fits." -Moonlight grins. "Everyone seems to end up in Intel. I'm an intel agent myself." -Cinder hehs "Really? " he states softly, opening up the boxes. There wasn't much in them. Mostly equipments, datachips... -Moonlight nods. "Yup. It's a pretty good division, but I haven't seen much of the other divisions to really know. I'm sure they'll give you a division soon. Maybe they want to see you at work a bit first." -Cinder nods at that. "Affirm... Bah, yes. Good point.." he states "I hope I make the cut." -"I've never seen you at work, so I can't say much about your abilities. But as long as you realize that you're younger and less experienced than most and don't compare yourself to them too much, you'll be fine. It takes a lot of time and hard lessons to be like the veterans. Try hard and learn from your mistakes, but don't beat yourself up over them," suggests Moonlight. -Cinder nods "yes yes, I know." he states, starting to pull things out of the box. The datachips all went haphazardly into the drawer of the desk. In the box Moonlight had was the beat up lockbox. -Moonlight tries to be helpful, but as Cinder said, there isn't really much to help /with/. "Well, some people jump out of training ready to conquer the planet. It usually doesn't end well, so I'm just giving you a bit of a heads-up." -Cinder nods "I have... no intention... of jumping." he promises, finishing up. He eyes the lockbox "That... uh... just... on the shelf." he states. "IS just special tools." he walks over. -Moonlight tucks the box she was carrying away on a shelf. "Good to hear. Enthusiasm can only carry a person so far." She looks at the room...it still looks rather empty. -Cinder nods, also eyeing it about. "I... never had much stuff... perhaps in time." he states quietly. -"Maybe. But you don't seem like you need a lot of gaudy distracions anyhow. Me, on the other hand..." Moonlight lets the statement trail off and chuckles. -Cinder hehs, and eyes his etched armor. "Aye..." -Moonlight leans against a wall. "So, were you put into training right after creation, or did you have a life before training?" -Cinder states "Imm... immm... right after." he states, pulling the box over to open it and make sure everything was in place. It looked like a miniature dentist drill kit. "Was created for purpose... of serving Empire." -Moonlight nods, a trace of saddness in her expression. "Must be nice to know you were made with a purpose." -Cinder picks up a few of the tiny diamond bits. "Sometimes... I know... was to surve... though unsure... till now... how to do." -Moonlight smiles, still looking a trifle sad. "How is always an easier question to answer than why." -Cinder looks up at Moonlight, noting the sadness "you... not know purpose?" -Moonlight nods her head. "I was abandoned shortly after creation." -Cinder ohs a bit. "And... so you choose your path... form the start." -Moonlight wriggles her hand back and forth. "Sometimes I chose it, sometimes it chose me." -Cinder nods as he lcoks the box and puts it bakc on the shelf "I hope... you choose... what you want... or are led... where you wish." -Moonlight shrugs, not wanting to tell Cinder of her current disillusionment of the Empire. He's young and has a right to judge for himself. "Well, things don't always turn out well, so I can't say I'm always happy. But in general I am." -Cinder takes a seat on the bed, offering her the chair. "Yes... hard to... always be happy. -Moonlight nods. "But I also promised myself I wouldn't let this war get me down. I force myself to bounce back from everything. Getting captured, losing my friends. It isn't easy, but I'm determined." -Cinder nods again quetly, not sure what to say this time. He looks at his hands and knees. -Moonlight pushes away from the wall. "Well, I've got to deliver this note to where Ghost can get it." -Cinder nods at Moonlight "Bye..." he pauses, then blurts "Comagain." -Moonlight winks as she exits the room. "I'm hard to get rid of. Especially since I've been confined to Darkmount." And with that she's gone. Darkmount - Repair Bay Much like the adjacent research lab, the equipment here is showing signs of age, but is kept in a serviceable condition. Two automated repair drones lie against the far wall, though each is obviously missing a few parts...apparently they've been salvaged for someone else's benefit. The once well-stocked parts closets now contain mostly empty shelves and bins. Several dozen repair tables of various sizes are arranged in rows in the middle of the room. Whiplash [Robot] [D] AutoMedic Dartboard Serdidymus Medical Terminal Obvious Exits: -S- South leads to Darkmount - Regeneration Spa -E- East leads to Darkmount - Medical and Science Level -W- West leads to Darkmount - Cryochamber -Whiplash is rummaging around on the shelves for something. -Moonlight takes a peek into the room, obviously looking for someone or something specifically. She spots Whiplash, and despite what Solar said earlier, greets the femme. "Hey there Whiplash." -Whiplash spins around, her optics flashing a little brighter, then she settles a little. "Oh, it's you." The greeting is decidedly more stand-offish than one normally reserved for Moonlight. -Moonlight nods. "Yes, me. Have you seen Ghost about? I was supposed to give her a report thinngy." -Whiplash's optics narrow a little. "A report thingy," she repeats, turning the phrasing around in her mind. "She was around earlier. Don't know where she went." She comes forward partway across the room, looking Moonlight over intently and not exactly warmly. She's rubbing at her inside left wrist with the other hand as though something were irritating the armor there, but doesn't seem to notice it. Instead she comes right out with the question she's been meaning to ask all along: "So what *did* you tell the Autobots?" -Moonlight grins wryly. "Besides the fact that I thought they were terrible hosts?" -Whiplash isn't letting herself in for the humor. She's quite serious. "Yeah, besides that," she says. -Moonlight sighs. "I told them that the base of ops in Dead End was in the basement of the Light Deal. I didn't mention the second basement though." -Whiplash persists, her optics flashing a little brighter, "And ... *why* did you tell them this? What'd they do to you?" While she can imagine all sorts of horrific torture, she still seems to see this as no excuse for letting information slip. -Moonlight frowns. Ghost told her it was better to tell...but Whiplash's persistance is unnerving. "He was going to destroy it no matter what I said. But if I didn't tell, he would have taken out the entire city with it." Okay, maybe telling the truth here was a bad idea. The destruction of Dead End might not seem like sufficient enough cause in Whiplash's optics to cave like a kidlet. -Whiplash snaps, "Oh, give me a break! You think the 'Bots could just steamroll the whole city? No, you gave 'em exactly the one target they wanted. If they *did* try to destroy the city, they can damn well fight that battle out. They didn't need help from you!" Whiplash shakes out her left hand and glares at the miscolored spot on her inner wrist for a moment, as though equally angry with the physical sensation for distracting her, but only for a moment, as she goes right back to glaring at Moonlight. -Moonlight doesn't need to take that crap. "Do I have to remind you that they took Crystal City from us already? And /it/ was much better defended than Dead End!" she snaps back. Bad move? Maybe. But Moonlight isn't really in a mood to restrain herself. -Whiplash says, "So you let 'em find that out for themselves! Do you really believe they'd tell you the truth about their intentions, anyway? These are *Autobots*!" -Moonlight folds her arms and glowers back. "I'm sorry, but I didn't particularily relish the idea of having the deaths of an entire city on my hands. I don't get my jollies from destroying things or people." -Whiplash says, "On *your* hands? Oh, this is too brilliant," every word dripping sarcasm there. "The *Autobots* threaten to take out a whole city of defenseless empties, and it would be on *your* hands?!" Whiplash says, "Force *them* to make good on their threat, or expose themselves as the hypocrites they are. Didn't you think of *that*?" -Moonlight's optic ridges shoot upwards. "I'm sure that all the dead people there would really think that their lives were worth telling you something you already knew Whiplash." -Whiplash says, "Then it's the *Autobots* who would've killed them, not you. They must've really done a number on you, to twist your logic like that and make you think it'd be your fault." -Moonlight shakes her head. "I'm not used to making decisions that effect anyone besides myself. But I can't expect someone who is so /overjoyed/ with killing to understand my reluctance to take an action that would destroy the lives of people who have never lifted a finger to harm me." -Whiplash snaps, "Dammit, don't you *get* it? None of it would have been *your* action! The Autobots would be at fault, and *only* the Autobots. And you let them finnagle you into thinking otherwise, into buying into their garbage. I thought you were smarter than that!" -Moonlight frowns. "They were just using me, true, but they still gave me that decicion. I can't tell the future. I don't know what exactly would have happened if I hadn't spoken up. Maybe torture. Maybe they would have destroyed everything in Dead End. It was a risk either way. But no one should be sacrificed like that, even the people of Dead End." She turns away from Whiplash. "Maybe you should have just left me in that place to rot. At least /they/ didn't yell at me. Poke me with stabby bits, yes, but yell at me, no. I've gotten more grief from Decepticons since I got back than I did from all the Bots in Iacon put together!" -Moonlight may hear as she turns away, the sound of a large blade being drawn. -Moonlight starts to laugh, a hollow and unpleasant sound. "Solar was right, but he was also so very wrong. I told him his idea was stupid." She doesn't turn back, despite the horribly familiar sound of a blade being pulled. She's heard that sound enough times as a smuggler... -Whiplash takes another long stride forward and slams the blade with full force into the wall just over Moonlight's shoulder, where it imbeds itself almost halfway in. She growls in a dangerously quiet tone, very close to Moonlight's right audial sensor, her optics glowering like violet coals, "Then let me demonstrate what I mean a little more clearly. Turn around. Take a look." -Moonlight continues to face away from Whiplash, folding her arms stubornly. "Solar told me that my only enemies weren't Autobots. He said I should look closer to home for danger. I didn't want to believe him, but I guess I was wrong. I told him that if I should be wary of Decepticons, then Darkmount was the last place I should be. I was right on that acccount." -Whiplash demands, "Take a *look*! 'Cause I could've taken your head off just now and turned it into a decoration in the med bay. Now you just imagine if I had this blade to your throat, and was making some demands..." -Moonlight jerks around so fast she nearly throws herself off balance. Ignoring the blade, she looks Whiplash directly in the face. "DON'T YOU DARE THINK I DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!" she shouts, not caring if the entire population of Darkmount hears her. "I feel guilty enough as it is without you making things worse Whiplash. But I really have to ask myself, is it worth it to be associated with a group of people that are only willing to be my companions, allies, and friends when I do things perfectly? Everyone makes mistakes. Or are you willing to claim that you're perfect Whiplash. And if you /are/ the example of a 'perfect' Decepticon, then I don't want to be one!" -Whiplash snarls in the face of Moonlight's anger, almost calmly, "I'm making a *point* here. Imagine if I said to one of these medics, for instance, 'I'm going to make tinsel outta her if you don't hand over your every last drop of energon to me.' And say they refused, 'cause they weren't about to be blackmailed by some thug from the Wastelands and look foolish, let alone deprive their patients of what they need. And say I went ahead and did you in. You, an innocent bystander, chopped up for spare parts. Whose fault is it? Who's the murderer??" -Moonlight merely comments that, "Philosophy doesn't bring back a dead mech." -Solar sighs and thinks this is what he gets for having family and then throws another dart. -Whiplash bares her fangs and jerks the blade out of the wall with a single violent motion (pose your entrance any time, Solar?), and glares at Moonlight. "I didn't say anything about perfect. I *said* the Autobots screwed you up in the head if they had you believing *their* crimes woulda been *yours*!" -Solar sits down loudly on a medtable and watches the proceedings in earnest, oh how I wish I had popcorn... -Moonlight folds her arms. "I see your point, but that doesn't mean I agree with it. Is it so hard to see mine? Without my agreement, they would have leveled the city. They placed it in my power to stop them by giving them information. Not talking would mean that I tactitly concented to the destruction of the city. For example, if you refused to help a fellow Decepticon, and they died, would you not feel the /least/ bit of guilt in their death?" -Whiplash says, "These aren't Decepticons, Moonlight. These are *Autobots*. Who's to say they'd keep their word to someone they were torturing? And no, sorry, I just don't see it. If they wipe out Dead End City, it's *their* doing, not yours." She finally turns to Solar, whose entrance she'd been rather too busy to acknowledge, and impores him in exasperation, "*You* try to explain it to her!" -Solar says, "Well now were to begin? First off Moonlight, the Autobots would never destroy an unafilliated city. And Secondly Whiplash, I don't have any problem with what she said." -Moonlight turns away from Whiplash again, saying nothing this time. -Whiplash says, "What do mean, you don't have a problem, Solar? You *like* having your place targetted day and night, maybe?" -Cinder comes walking in on this of course, and he immediately skids to a halt, staring at the two "Uhhhhm...." -Solar says, "Not particularily no, but the Bots won't do anything about it. They can't afford to blow up the Light Deal or Wild Surge without proof. And there is no proof to be had there anymore." -Whiplash says, "So, let me get this straight, because *Moonlight* allowed herself to be hoodwinked by a bunch of 'Bot threats, to make her feel guilty if she didn't spill the info - *you* had to go to the trouble of moving your whole operation?" -Solar says, "Its SOP Lash. Any time an Intell is captured the first thing you do is get rid of any evidence" -Cinder blinks at this again, looking from one to the other and starting to edge back out of the room. -Moonlight clenches her fists, feeling an uncomfortable mix of anger and shame. Okay, she blew it. She /knows/ she blew it. But what's done is done. Will she have to suffer forever because she actually gave a damn about the people in Dead End. She remains silent...not having anything left to defend herself with. -Solar says, "You might as well stay Cinder any damage is already done." -Cinder stops and rasps "Am not Intel. not my business." -Solar says, "The ramifications will affect all branches" -Cinder says, "Details... unnecessary... to me." -Whiplash growls, "Neither am I, but I hope I got something through to underneath that hat," finishing with another scowl at Moonlight as she puts her blade back into storage. She stalks back over to the supply shelves and starts rummaging. -So now even the /hat/ is guilty? Moonlight can't believe that she was entirely wrong, despite her guilt and bouts of self-loathing. Without another word she makes a dash for the exit, wishing nothing more than to get far, far away from this room...and the people in it. -Cinder dodges out of Moonlight's way, frowning in concern as she runs out, looking like she'd going to cry. He then looks at the other two, questions marking his face, but also a wish to stay out of this. -Solar says, "Leave Moonlight alone Lash, she's just naive and fairly gullible, but it is foolish to tell someone they made a mistake when they already know they have. I believe Moonlight has punished herself enough over the incident, what we do next is what matters." -Whiplash's tentacles pick up their pace around her as she watches Moonlight run off. She's clearly anything other than pleased. For a moment she even almost looks like she's ready to make a move to follow, but then she turns abruptly away. "I just don't expect someone to tell the 'Bots our secrets." ================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 10/19 Posted Author Medical Bay Mon Mar 03 Redline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <* The spinning Decepticon emblem is replaced by Redline's visage and from the looks of things, he's not too pleased. *> Upon exiting my office this afternoon for routine inspections of everything, I noticed that one of the walls had a sizable hole in it. Do I need to remind you that medical bay is NOT for fighting. It is a place of healing and recouperation. IF you have to go at each other do so somewhere that will be away from any and all patients as well as the delicate equipment. The equipment in medical bay is quite expensive and some of it is hard to come by. I REALLY do not need it broken, especially if I am going to be needed to do repairs. <* The screen fades to black but the look on Redline's visage seems to linger behind a bit. *> ==============================================================================