July 20th, 2003
~Cinder(D), 

Darkmount - Repair Bay

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

Cinder [Robot] [D] 
Whiplash [MedusaSaur] [D] 
Drone Medic 
Redline's Side Office 
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

-Cinder is laying on his table, half completed. He's staring at the ceiling, still unable to move.
-Moonlight enters the med bay, looking for Skydagger actually. When she sees that the femme isn't around, she turns her optics to Cinder's incomplete form. She isn't sure what his status is right now, so she walks over to him very slowly and carefully. "Cinder?" she says, unusually quiet and gentle for her. She doesn't want to startle him too badly, knowing how jittery he was /before/ this happened. Besides, people who have been dead sort of awe her.
-Cinder gives a squeak, though he doesn't move "M... mmmmmm... Moonlight?" he asks, having been startled already.
-Moonlight doesn't nod her head, having the impression that it wouldn't do any good. "Yes, it's me," she says, continuing to keep her voice down and her movements very slow and easy.
-Cinder says, "Moonlight... what happen?"  Cinder says, "how find me?"
-Moonlight doesn't know what Cinder's been told, if anything. Since no one has told her to tell him otherwise, she figures the truth would be a good start. "We traded for your core. The Bot's had you and we had someone they wanted back, so we did a trade. It went off without a hitch. Skydagger and I have started to put you back together. Sorry we haven't had time to finish yet." Still she speaks in that slow, quiet kind of way.
-Cinder is quiet a moment, then states "I... I see.." he sounds a bit shaken still. "Am still under suspicion?"
-Moonlight finds somewhere nearby to sit down. "No. As far as I've been able to tell from listening to others, you've been cleared."
-Cinder ohs? "Find real cul... cul... person who did it?"
-Moonlight nods her head. "I think they must have figured out who it was, though I don't know what happened to the individual. I didn't really ask much into it. Sorry."
-Cinder is silent a moment "Say name?"
-Moonlight thinks for a few minutes. "Salvo or something like that. Last I checked they hadn't found him, but they could have and not told me yet. I'm not exactly high on the need to know list."
-Cinder says, "SALVO??"  Cinder hisses with anger at that name "Salvo... That... Nnng..."
-Moonlight pulls out the datapad Skydagger gave her the other day and starts to scan over it again. "Yeah, sounds like he has some grudge against you or something. Doesn't sound like a very nice fellow to me."
-Cinder is silent a moment, then states "Ejected from Academy. Attacked me, would not stop." is all he states.  Cinder says, "Not nice not nice at all."
-Moonlight frowns. "I guess he forgot that we're all on the same side. Decepticons seem to struggle with that notion. I still haven't figured out why though. I mean, we all wear the same symbol, and symbols were meant to mean something." She shrugs. "But I guess that everyone thinks their version of the Empire is the right one."
-Cinder says, "he not on same side now. He not wear symbol. Exile."
-Moonlight nods. "Yeah, I know that, but if he had seen things my way in the first place, he wouldn't have been stupid and done things to get himself kicked out. Not that my way is the right way; I just prefer to get along with everyone. I rest easier that way."
-Cinder sighs "Not everyone think like that. Was bully.  Cinder says, "Moonlight... remember Aurora gun?"
-To Moonlight, a gun is a gun. "Which gun is that?" she asks.
-Cinder says, "Gun... solar bought for me."
-Now that means something to Moonlight. "Right. When we were on Monacus. He got me a hat too. I remember now. What about it?"
-Cinder says, "Uhm... know where it is?"
-Moonlight shakes her head slightly, even though Cinder can't see her, or so she assumes. "Not off the top of my head, but I can ask around." She pauses uncomfortably. "Did you have it when the Bots...took you?"
-Cinder pauses, then sighs "GREAT. .. take freedom, now have weapon!" he moans. "Solar kill me."
-Moonlight shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll try to get it back for you. Besides, Enfilade would flip if he killed you after we risked ourselves to get you back. The deal went smoothly, but there was a good chance it wouldn't."
-Cinder says, "Gun was important... sent... sent... special meaning"
-Moonlight nods her head. "Yeah, I understand. I mean, I have lots of things that are of sentimental value to me. I hate losing them more than I do something that is powerful. Of course, if your gun is both, then that's a big bonus. I'll just have to see what I can do. No sense in mentioning it to Solar right away...unless he specifically asks. Lying isn't a great idea either."
-Cinder sighs a little "Th... thank you... Hope find it."
-Moonlight nods. She's tried once before to get a weapon back from the Bots, but failed. Then again, she didn't try /that/ hard. She doesn't mention this to Cinder, he's been through enough already. "So, what systems of yours are online? Did Skydagger work on you any while I was gone?"
-Cinder replies "Uhm... can see, hear, speak... can't do anything else.
-Moonlight nods. "So you don't have motor functions, but you can see and hear things. That's not too bad. At least you can be aware."
-Cinder would shiver if he could" Can't move... like when they had me..."
-Moonlight leans closer to Cinder, but doesn't touch him. "What /did/ they do to you?" she asks in a hushed whisper. Her face is serious, and she isn't her usual flippant self. "If you don't want to talk about it, I'll understand..."
-Cinder doesn't say anything. He wishes he could shudder "Shoot... hit... lock up un... unwillingly... shocked..." his voice trembles a little as he stares up at Moonlight, optics flickering in fear. "Cut open... dis... dis... insides removed..."
-Moonlight's brow wrinkles in a frown. "Were you...consicious when they did these things?"
-Cinder then hisses in hate "Not even give TRIAL.  Cinder pauses, then states "Y... yes... and feeling."
-Moonlight winces. So much for the idea that they were all good. "Do you know who specifically did it?" Knowing might kindle some rage against the Autobots, something she has an alarmingly short supply of.
-Cinder hisses again, then states "Ultra Magnus.
-Moonlight is relieved that it wasn't Nosecone, not because she suspected him, but because she would hate to be wrong about him. She doesn't say that though. "I never did like him. He's a rather disturbing mech." Of course she's only disturbed by him because every time she's gotten in the same area as him, he's beat her up pretty bad. "It seems to me that the Autobot sense of justice is rather messed up." This isn't the first time a Decepticon hasn't been dealt with fairly...Psykeout's trial was a mockery of justice.
-Cinder snarls "He wil not live to see peace."
-Moonlight arches an optic ridge, vengence isn't a Moonlight game. "Just promise me you won't go head hunting until you're all fixed up to one hundred percent, okay? Even though most medics are rather touchy and grumpy, they /do/ know what's best for you as far as your body goes."
-Cinder is silent a long moment, then states "Will not go for him. will wait... for him to come to me."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Well, just don't let yourself near him until Skydagger says you're fit. You're certainly right to be angry, but you won't do anyone any good by meeting up below full strength, least of all yourself."
-Cinder says, "Will not... go out... until told to."  Cinder adds quietly "Promise you.
-Moonlight smiles, but it's a sad sort of smile; vengence isn't the kindest of masters. Hopefully Cinder will recover emotionally before doing something rash. Though if his anger /did/ mangage to rid Cybertron of Ultra Magnus, he would be in clover. He would have his revenge, respect from the other Decepticons, and most likely other perks that come with such success. But Moonlight fears that it will not turn out so well. "Good," is all she will say.
-Cinder would smile back if he could, if noly to reassure her he wouldn't act rashly "Am very patient. Can wait eternety."
-That might have to be how long he waits. "Well, they do say that patience is a virtue. Skydagger and I will try to get you moving and up to snuff as soon as possible. Don't know how long that will be; I'm still rather new at this medic stuff. But don't worry, all my work is double checked by Skydagger, so things should turn out fine," says Moonlight.
-Cinder's optics flicker in intrest "Moonlight am Medic now? When this happen?
-Moonlight shrugs. "Just a little while ago. I decided that I was terrible at fighting, so I thought I would take up being a medic as well as smuggling. I didn't seem to be doing enough for everyone, and I didn't like feeling like a slacker."
-Cinder ahhs. "I see. Well, if that is best for what you do for empire is best then happy am I for you." he pauses, then sighs
-Moonlight peers at Cinder, "Why are you siging?" she asks.
-Cinder is silent, then states "n... nothing.
-Moonlight grins. "Hey, you can tell me. I'm not that bad of a listener."
-Cinder is silent again, then states "Just... tired of not speaking right.
-Moonlight nods her head. She's never had trouble speaking, but she enjoys glibness so much that she can imagine how tough it might be for Cinder. "Well, Skydagger might be able to fix it. You could ask her."
-Cinder uhms... "no. Is not fixable... is problem inside me."
-Moonlight hmms, not knowing enough about the medical profession to say anything either way. "Do you know what made you talk like this in the first place? Was it a mistake by your creator?"
-Cinder states quietly "Do not know my creator. Have been like this all life."
-Moonlight nods sympathetically. "I didn't know my creator either. I wonder why anyone would want to just /leave/ their creation? It never made any sense to me. It never bothered me much, but I never understood it either."
-Cinder replies "I was... raised with other cadets... not very abandoned... but yet... not with those who made me."
-Moonlight shrugs. "Still, most people seem to know who made them...and why. You probably knew why, but I never figured that out. My earliest memory is being all alone on the streets of Monacus."
-Cinder says, "Why what?"
-"Why I was created. You were clearly created for a purpose in the Empire, but I didn't even have that much to go on. But at least it gave me a strange sense of freedom when I was younger," says Moonlight with another shrug.
-Cinder says, "I was?"  Cinder sounds surprised "I mean... chosed to become assassin... was not intended, I think. Practiced... hard work, lots of it. To be good
-Moonlight blinks. "I don't know, I was just guessing. Do you mean that you decided to be an assassin? Interesting. But you were created /for/ the Empire, right? Or did you chose that as well?"
-Cinder uhms... "It was the right thing to do." he states. "Was rasied, trained by empire. So was made, I guess."
-Moonlight folds her arms in her lap. "But why an assassin?"
-Cinder says, "I am good at shooting. Long distance. Can wait a long time in one place. Was invited."
-Moonlight makes a face as she gets the picture. "So it's just because you're good at it?" she asks. He doesn't /seem/ like a sadist, but she wanted to make sure. People like that scare Moonlight, though she hates to admit it.
-Cinder says, "well... I enjoy being alone too. This is best."
-Moonlight sighs. People who like being alone also disturb her, but in a different way; she feels sorry for them. "Do you think that if you spoke better you wouldn't mind being around people so much?"
-Cinder is quiet a moment, then states "I think... think so... Am not liking being around... more people, worse problem."
-Moonlight nods her head. Poor Cinder started out with a reason to not like being around others, not a good start. "I see," is all she says though.
-Cinder states "I enjoy being alone... or with company of few people. Am a little used to it.
-Moonlight nods. "That's better than nothing. Of course, with people like that Salvo around, I guess people don't always seem like such great things, eh?"
-Cinder states "no... People... should not be... mocked for dif... dfiferences.
-Moonlight grins slightly, but not at what Cinder's saying exactly. "Or because they're no good at fighting?" she asks, obviously directing the point at herself. "I agree with you. We can all contribute, right?"
-Cinder is quiet a little bit, then states "Aye... problems aside." he finally states.
-Moonlight leans back in her seat, relaxing a little. "I suppose they all think that understanding other people makes them weak, but they're wrong."
-Cinder says, "Aye... if not the same as them... then am weaker"
-Moonlight nods. "But that could be their biggest mistake. Don't underestimate people, even if it's me."
-Cinder says, "Exactly. Salvo did that, got pinned, then exiled"
-Moonlight nods her head. "Which is stupid because not only is he hunted, but he's lost the great support of having an Empire at his back. That and there's no glory in running for your life for as long as you live."
-Cinder says, "Aye... specially i... revenge no work."
-Moonlight blinks. "I'm sorry, that wasn't very clear." She doesn't say this to rub it in, but Cinder's words were a bit too vague this time.
-Cinder uhms... "Especially stupid... since... revenge... did not work."
-Moonlight ahs. "That's right. We figured it out and got you back."
-Cinder says, "Ya."  Cinder states quietly "Thank you.
-"For getting you back?" asks Moonlight.
-Cinder says, "Yes."
-Moonlight nods. "Whiplash was certain there'd be trouble, but we made the exchange safely. I guess they wanted whatever we gave them badly enough. Or maybe they felt bad because they were wrong. I guess it doesn't look good for their PR people if they make mistakes."
-Cinder growls "Would have found mistake sooner if they give chance to defend self."
-Moonlight nods her head. "Yeah, I kind of wonder about that. They keep trying to say that they're the 'good guys', that they are fighting to make Cybertron better. But I can't see how they're any nicer than us Cons. In fact, if I were looking at both factions objectively, I'd have to say we're both kinda shadey at times."
-Cinder says, "Aye. They no better than cons. Slaggers. Justice indeed. no trial, no nothing. Just ex... ex... killing."
-Moonlight hmphs. "They're not so honest." Well, most of them anyhow. Nosecone seems to be, but he's always chiding her for hanging around with people like Decepticons. Maybe he should look at his own faction first before talking. Or maybe he didn't know anything about Cinder. She'll have to get some answers from him; asking Cinder would look too suspicious.