March 4th, 2003 ~Enfilade(D), Sylver(D), Starfire(U), Solar(D), Onslaught(D), Ghost(D) Darkmount - Arena You believed the barracks to be the largest cavern until you pass into the Decepticon Empire's training arena. The platform stretches before you for only a few more meters before dropping off into the seemingly bottomless cavern. Intensely lighted, the cavern stretches for miles and has been unaltered in appearance. It has a general diamond shape and there are numerous natural formations of rock and outcroppings, ideal for practicing both ground and aerial combat maneuvers. The bare rock of the native planetscape is mostly open space except for the huge holoprojection tower in the center of the field. Hordes of combat drones line one wall, ready for one-on-one fighting, or to take you through the rock formations in a test of skill. Above the grounds is devoted to a high-altitude aerial obstacle course that tests the skill and resolve of the Decepticons to the utmost. A small stairway and massive blast door lead to a covered area for safe observation of training exercises. Onslaught [Robot] [D] Enfilade [Robot] [D] Sylver [Robot] [D] Starfire [Robot] [U] Health Restorer Obvious Exits: -W- West leads to Darkmount - Tunnel -Moonlight makes her way silently into the arena. She's been a lot quieter since her return from Iacon. -Enfilade glances over at Moonlight. "Welcome back," she murmurs, knowing the femme is probably still rattled from her experience. -Sylver smiles, quite pleased "It would seem you have done it, the only other test remaining I'd think...is to do it on the field." -Enfilade strokes her chin. "IF that's practical. I hesitate to send her into a battle situation. However...Starfire, would you like to join your fellow recruits on the Cerrius patrol?" -Moonlight nods back to Enfilade. She thinks the field Commander would probably be surprised to know that being welcome is that last thing that Moonlight feels. "Thank you," she says, knowing that it's not Enfilade's fault that she's been having a rough time and that she shouldn't be sarcastic towards her, though the inclination is strong. -Sylver turns to look at Enfilade "I could always snatch an Autobot for her to train on, that shouldn't be a problem..." -Starfire isn't so sure about how ready she is for the real thing. Yes, she helped kill Zeta Quadra, but that was... for Ghost. "I'm about a week behind already, Commander, but if I could have some time for extra practice while I'm there...?" She gives Sylver an odd look, not quite sure if she's serious or not. -Enfilade raises an optic ridge at Sylver. "Until she's a fully initiated Decepticon, that sort of thing would be illegal." Enfilade glances back at Moonlight. "You doin' okay?" -Moonlight sighs and shakes her head. She should really tell Starfire how much she admires her determination one day, but not now. She smiles slightly at Enfilade. "Not as well as I would have thought, but I'll survive." -Sylver's method apparently aren't overly moral, yet perhaps that's how she got where she got, considering of all the Seekers out there she was trusted with the lead. At least in her time. "And who would tell us what is legal and what is not, Commander Enfilade...?" she seems to have a hard time with the notion, emphasizing the title. -Starfire is giving Moonlight a curious look now. Not being tied into the Decepticon channels, she has no idea of any lack of welcome for the femme and has to assume that it's trauma from the capture. She gives poor Moonlight a sympathetic look and hopes they didn't do to her what they did to Enfilade... -Enfilade says to Moonlight, "You need to talk about it, you know where I am." And she returns her attention to Sylver. "I ain't above breakin' a few laws when the situation requires it, Sylver, but overall I've found that flauntin' the laws of neutrality causes more trouble than it's worth. If there's gonna be some backlash against Darkmount for lawbreakin' ,I 'd rather it be for something with real military gain, rather than to run a training exercise for one individual. It ain't a matter of doin' what we please. It's a matter of pickin' greatest gain for lowest losses." -Moonlight doesn't know what the Bots did to Enfilade, and she's never asked the femme about it. Somehow it seemed irrelevant to the thing she /does/ know. She gives Starfire a nod and smile in return for the sympathetic looks, at least /someone/ is being sympathetic. Of course, that isn't really being fair of Moonlight, but lately she hasn't been in the state of mind to be fair. "Well, at the moment you're right here. But I'm sure you have more important things to do than listen to me rattle on about what happened," she says, with a bit of deliberate flippancy to her tone. She doesn't feel like discussing much with Sylver around. -Solar comes in quietly and leans against the wall right by the entrance. -Enfilade gives Moonlight a look. 'Maybe I am busy sometimes, but that don't excuse neglecting the welfare of my people." -Moonlight gives Endfilade a real smile. "I'm sorry, I know you better. I shouldn't have said that. Maybe we'll talk sometime latter when there's less people around...and we're not in the arena. This place isn't exactly my favorite." -Enfilade nods, understanding. Some things don't need to be said in front of everyone. -Starfire shuts down the simulator for now. Can't have shooting and attacking and stuff going on while commanders are talking. Cerrius... She gives Enfilade a sidelong look, recalling the Clock Tower of Doom, but at least that's gone. And if they're excavating for supplies, why she might actually be able to use her scanners for that. Should speed things up to have exact locations and the composition and structure of the surrounding metal. -To the untrained eye it may appear that Solar is following Moonlight, well guess what it looks that way to the trained eye too. -Onslaught continues to remain at the entranceway...merely an observer and nothing more. -Sylver snorts at Enfilade "And you suppose the Crystal City militia will stand in our way....? Or would the Autobots garner an attack out of nowhere?" -Enfilade says to Sylver, "Maintaining balance in Dead End is a delicate business. We hvaen't the strength to occupy the place. We've tried. Repeatedly. If it weren't for Solar, the Bots might have overrun the place long ago." -Solar says, "Yeah and I deserve every credit I stea...Um I mean earn" -Moonlight sighs and find a piece of junk to seat herself on. Somehow she thinks the phrase, 'because it's the right thing to do' would be lost on Sylver. -Sylver crosses her arms "I'd challenge your opinions, except I haven't what to challenge them with, seeing I'm a bit out of date...not to mention, a foreigner around my own people..." -Onslaught mutters to Onslaught: "Not ... people...least ... ..." -Sylver glares sharply at Onslaught mutterings to himself, only making it clear she's heard him, although it's unclear how much she heard. -Moonlight looks over towards Solar and gives him a big grin and nod. She's going to /try/ to be better to Solar. She doesn't know how well she's going to succeede, but she'll try anyhow. "Hiya Boss," she greets. Of course, when she hears Sylver's words to Enfildade, she frowns, liking the femme even less. -Onslaught's visor lights up, as he more than joyously waves to Sylver. Too joyously perhaps...although he is acknowledging her presence, and seems fully aware that she must have heard him to some degree...which is a good thing. -Solar says, "And although I am loathe to say it. We try to exist peacefully with the inhabitants of Dead End City. Its a beneficial symbiotic relationship. We basically control the city, but the fact that its Unafiliated makes the Bots look real bad when they try to attack us (.) -"Sylver returns just an amiable a wave at Onslaught, even though it is clear from her icy gaze the sympathy isn't there. -Enfilade says, "At some point, Sylver, I was meaning to ask you about your absence...maybe over a drink or two?" -Solar says, "Drinks at the Surge, and this cycle their free. On account of I got my waitress back." -Onslaught's visor flashes once again as he nods, and again mutters to himself, figuring if she even caught half-wind of the first one, she'll catch wind of this one. "Appearances ... ... ... least ... most ... ... the first time ... ... ... more ... ... said ... THESE aren't my people...oh well..." -Moonlight gives Solar a mock mournful look. "But you told me to stay put Solar. You can't just go offering free drinking I can't partake of." Then she grins. -Sylver nods at Enfilade "Of course...." she then seem to have a slight hesitation, perhaps she doesn't wish to tell her story, could it be? "Would I be given a chance to be reinstated at all, or am I far too heavily scrutinized as it is...?" -Solar mutters to Moonlight: "... ... read my post? Your as ... ... ... ... you ... anywhere" -Solar's answer seems to please Moonlight. "Remind me to count on you more often." She glances over at Sylver. She doesn't think the femme is out of place, nor does she question her position. She just doesn't like her. -Onslaught remains in the entranceway, but finally speaks, audibly enough for all the Decepticons in the Arena to hear him clearly...and concisely. "Hmm...drinks is it? So shall it be. Enfilade, if you'd lead this group to the bar of your choosing, the drinks are on me...I insist. In fact, I encourage everyone to drink to their core's content...on that I insist as well." -Sylver looks nervously from Onslaught to Solar, to Enfilade, basically she slowly starts looking at everyone in the room, looking unseemly nervous at the invitation as she mutters to Enfilade quietly "I don't think I should like to share with just about everyone here, Commander Enfilade, if it would be alright with you...my absence, as it is, wasn't due to most honourable reasons...." -Solar says, "You might as well come along Slyver. Onslaught isn't used to taking no for an answer." -Moonlight nods. Last time she disobeyed Onslaught, she was tossed into the arena and forced to fight Whiplash. She just hopes that he never does that /ever/ again. Not that she really wants Sylver to go have the bounty of Solar's offer, she just wants to be seen as agreeing with Solar. -Onslaught looks behind himself for a moment, twisting slightly before raising a hand, and in his most polite of tones ... "If you'll all excuse me for a few moments. I need to go take care of something very...important...NAY...crucial to the success of a plan I've set into motion. Solar, I believe you should accompany me...you'll be right back, but it concerns one of your operatives." -Solar nods "After you Onslaught." -Onslaught nods to Solar, as he fully spins himself towards the exit, and begins slowly making his exit. -Moonlight wonders who Onslaught and Solar are going to be discussing. She stays put on her piece of junk and just waits to see what everyone else is doing. -Enfilade says, "Sylver, we can speak in private if you like. The rest of you can head off to teh Surge. We'll catch up." -Moonlight nods to Enfilade. "Sure, no probablem. Though I should probably wait for Solar." She then turns to Starfire. "You want to come along, or would you rather stay here and rest or practice some more?" -Enfilade says to Sylver, "Ain't no one else's business but mine an' Ghost's, bein as we're in charge here." -Sylver nods at Enfilade "Good...I like it better that way." -Enfilade says to Sylver, "Discuss this elsewhere? The meeting room, or my barracks?" -Sylver nods slowly at that "The more private, the better..." -Enfilade says, "Barracks it is, then. Follow me." Enfilade waves goodbye to Moonlight and ONslaught, planning to get in touch with them later. -Solar mutters to Enfilade: "... I ... you?" -Enfilade mutters to Solar: "... ... to ... ... private if you don't mind." -Onslaught chuckles as he watches Enfilade and Sylver agree to go to the Barracks...and perhaps for a numerous set of auxillary reasons as well, as he moves back to lean on the entranceway, moving slightly to allow anyone passage. -Sylver walks directly outside after Enfilade, making a point to create some distance between Onslaught and herself, aligning with the wall. -Moonlight watches Sylver and Enfliade depart, and gives the two mechs a big grin. "Have fun gossiping?" she inquires. -Solar says, "All us old crone type mechs love to gossip. Rumor and conjecture is my best friend." -Onslaught sighs and shakes his head as Sylver passes by...avoiding him...and makes a note to do something momentarily. "No, no gossip on our end...just clearing a few things about a project I have going on." -Moonlight chuckles. "Where do I fit on that list Solar?" She turns to Onslaught. "You should know me enough by now to know that what I say isn't always what I mean. I like to put light terms to whatever I can." -Solar says, "The hard part is gettin ya ta stop talkin Moonlight. What Onslaught an I were doin is classified." -Onslaught chuckles and lightheartedly shakes his head, adding/rebutting Solar's words, "Not all that classified. Moonlight, I have a special project going on...and I was merely looking for a decent Intel operative to carry out a portion of it. I merely figured that by having Solar go through our personnel records, we may find someone...appropriate as it were to the task. I found what I was looking for, and am currently working towards making things come together. That's all." -Moonlight waggles a finger at Solar. "I never /once/ asked /what/ you were talking about...I only asked if you enjoyed it." She turns to Onslaught. "You didn't have to tell me anything. As you're so fond of saying, you don't need to, or like to, explain yourself to others." She grins. -Solar says, "Although the next time there are two of you running around, a small hint would be appreciated." -Solar says, "Now all we gotta do is get everyone back into polite society" -Onslaught's visor glows a tad, as a thought crosses his mind..."You know...I think I have to go check on that 'plan' of mine...something just occured to me that just may yet prove useful....quite useful indeed." -Solar says, "Keep me informed my friend." -Moonlight shrugs easily. "So, now what?" -Solar says, "We wait" -Onslaught turns to Moonlight as he continues out, "In fact, no. I'd like for you to accompany me Moonlight. You and I have a few things to...discuss. My apologies Solar, as I'm sure you've already talked to her, as I'm also sure many people have...however this /discussion/ is a tad different. If you would accompany me that is....Moonlight." -Solar says, "Leave her intact Onslaught. Shes family now." -Moonlight stands up and makes a motion as if to dust herself off. "Okay. Where to?" she asks of Onslaught. -Onslaught says, "Solar, I have no such intentions...as for you Moonlight....merely follow." -Onslaught makes his exit from the Arena yet again... Darkmount - Tunnel This underground tunnel is still very rough, seemingly left as it was carved out, not important enough to finish off. The blast marks of the plasma torches used to dig this place are still evident all around you on the bare surfaces of the metal heart of this dark mountain. There's a walkway leading up to the lift which looks like it's been cut out by the original workers, but the smoothed over path on the floor leading towards the Arena has been worn into the mountain by the legions of past and present Decepticons who have come and continue to come test their skills in the vast proving grounds as they have done for millennia. Off towards a darkened corner, there appears to be a small crack in the wall towards the cavern of the Arena. If you examine it more closely, you'll almost feel a draft coming from the opening, but it's impossible to see where the crack may lead and if you venture in, you might get stuck. Onslaught [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -N- North leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft -S- South leads to Tunnel -E- East leads to Darkmount - Arena -Onslaught stops abruptly and turns to Moonlight, perhaps beginning the conversation now as they walk. "I believe I owe you an apology regarding my previous actions towards you...all the same, I hope you can forgive me. This isn't what this all is about though...just wanted to have a nice personal chat with you...regarding anything and everything you want to." -Moonlight waves a hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. I've survived it all so far, and that's all that really matters." -Onslaught shakes his head, "Nonono...I don't want you thinking I ever had any ill intent towards you...quite the opposite really." -Moonlight shrugs. "Well, the only real problems we've had was the arena and the launch pad. The arena was your right to punish me, and though I don't really think I was bad enough to warrant it, I didn't think it was personal. As for the Launch Pad, you say that wasn't you, and I accept that at face value. So I couldn't think you meant me ill intent there if you didn't do it." -Onslaught nods as his visor glows slightly, "Well, I'm glad to hear that to say the least...so...might I ask what might be troubling you....? If at all." -Moonlight frowns slightly. "Just some minor differences of opinions with Whiplash over my failure to resist the Bots' means of extracting information from me." -Onslaught says, "Is that all?" -Moonlight thinks about it. "Pretty much. I don't let most things bother me for long." -Onslaught nods as his visor glows warmly in response, "Well, I truly am glad to hear that..." -Moonlight shrugs. "I figure everyone else is running around making things personal and going crazy while they're at it. I might as well just skip that and go on with my life." ================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 10/20 Posted Author Sharing of Command Tue Mar 04 Enfilade ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Enfilade's face appears on screen, her whole frame polished to a high gloss, mask up and visor down* "It has come to the attention of myself and the rest of Darkmount High Command that Shockwave's tour of the outport planets has been unexpectedly delayed. As most of you have noticed, the military situation in the Empire has been heating up of late, including the takeover of Cerrius, the attack and subsequent mining in the Hellpits, Autobot intrusions into Dead End, and ongoing Autobot occupation of Crystal City. As a result, I have asked Ghost to assist me in the running of the Empire. From this time forward Ghost will oversee all governmental functions in Darkmount, leaving me free to concentrate my attention on the army in the field, which, as you all know, is my primary function and my true purpose. Ghost and I are a coolition, to decide all matters jointly, so be aware that all official business reported to one of us shall be heard by both. Ghost has had prior experience in this sort of government and I am certain the Empire will benefit from her promotion." *Spinny* ============================================================================== -Ghost pads out of the lift, expression distant as she turns to move down the tunnel. -Moonlight greets Ghost with a grin. "Hello Ghost. Or would you like me to call you something a little more snazzy now that you're all in-charge-like?" -Onslaught seems to relax a bit more as Ghost comes...perhaps because he no long needs to divert his focus between different items of interest. -Ghost glances down the tunnel, optics glinting briefly before she shances her direction, moving towards Moonlight and company. "Ghost will do.. Always has always will." Her optics glimmer, "Not a stickler for formality onday to day operations.. " -Moonlight nods. "I sort of figured as much. Actually, I think you've said so before. So, is this cause for celebration, or is it just cause to hope that Shockwave comes back soon?" -Ghost pffts, "No need to celibrate. this is only temporary until Shockwave returns." -Moonlight nods. "Again, I should have expected that answer." -Ghost smiles wryly, "Yes, you should have.." She pauses, looking thoughtful, "How are you?" -Moonlight shrugs. Everyone has been asking her that lately. "Not bad. Avoiding Whiplash though." -Ghost ahhs, "Probably the wisest idea." -Moonlight frowns. "Especialy considering our last encounter involved her sticking a blade into the repair bay wall. She doesn't forgive easily, does she?" She seems a bit hurt at the mention of Whiplash. -Ghost nods, "She told me.. " a statement with no positive or negative aspects to it.