Oracle walks into the area with a sigh.
Slipshod nods sagely, a battered tin cup in hand and lounging in a metal beachchair by the Hospice doorway.
Oracle nods politely to the other Transformer near-by.
Slipshod says, "Quiet night," he yells through the sparsely occupied courtyard, "What brings you here this fine evening?"
Oracle approaches the mech. "Oh, nothing much...or at least, nothing at the moment."
Slipshod grins and takes a health swig from the battered mug, "Usually best that way. Name's Slipshod, I'm a medic and engineer by trade, idle loafer by virtue."
Oracle grins back, with a hint of mischief in her expression. "I am Oracle."
Slipshod grins and leans forward on the chair, "Really now. Is that your role as well?"
Oracle laughs. "No, the name is actually ironic. I'm a historian. I concentrate on the past, not the future."
Slipshod nods, "Our names are mysnomers. Most of these gentle folks think I do the best work around here with the least quality tools."
((lost conversation))
Slipshod nods and points to a steel folding deckchair, "Join us, won't you?"
Perceptor turns to regard the city's splendor, and and sits in the available deckchair
Slipshod says, "It's a quiet night, you can almost see the glory of space tonight."
Perceptor nods "Yes, it is a lovely view, when the skies are clear enough to see it all...
You say, "The sky is even more beautiful because everyone on Cybertron can see it. It's beauty is restricted to none."
Slipshod says, "But the appreciation is limited to the few."
Perceptor is curious "How so, Slipshod?"
Oracle's tone is somewhat resentful. "That may be. But no one can tell me the sky is not mine to look at."
Slipshod points a hand, "When was the last time you looked up?"
Oracle puts a hand on her chest in emphasis. "I look up often."
Perceptor sighs "Whenever I'm not immersed in some project, or on the run from Decepticon fire"
Oracle laughs at herself, turning to the other Cybertronian. "I don't believe I've introduced myself. How rude of me! I'm Oracle."
Slipshod closes his optics and arches his back, sliding into a more comfortable position on the deckchair by the Hospice doorway, sighing contently, "Quiet. That's what I like."
Perceptor smiles "Don't worry about it, Oracle. In case you don't know, I am Perceptor, Autobot scientist, engineer, and technician."
Perceptor nods slowly "Yes...the peaceful places on this planet are becoming fewer and further between, however..."
Black Pyrajet soars in through the gates, his engine becoming audible as he gets closer. He snaps off a transmission, "Brother, we have arrived!" He says as he transforms and effortlessly floats downwards, his armor blending in with the night sky.
Coldshot transforms into Coldshot.
Oracle glances at the recently landed Cybertronian.
Oracle glances at the recently landed Cybertronian.
Slipshod cups his hands together and bellows to the jets, "HEY! KEEP IT DOWN. THIS IS A HOSPICE AREA! People are trying to SLEEP around here."
Perceptor follows Oracle's glance, and peers at the newly-arrived mechanoid
Red Pyrajet flies through the gates behind Coldshot, and transforms, landing just off to one side, frowning, and folding his arms across his chest..
Heat Seeker transforms into Heat Seeker.
Oracle's tone is wry and dry. "I'm begining to sense a pattern here." She motions to the 2 jets turned mechs.
Perceptor regards the new arrival with a bit more curiosity
Coldshot ignores Slipshod, and glances from building to building. He mutters to his brother, "Keep your eyes open." He says as he begins to walk through the city, looking for his target-The militia building.
Slipshod assumes an art-critics speech patterns, "A certain motif, if you will."
Perceptor turns to Slipshod "What do you suppose that was all about?"
You say, "Definately not a friendly motif."
Perceptor agrees
Slipshod says, "I'll be fragged if'n I know. These beings have some rather wierd motivations; I gave up playing psychologist long ago."
You say, "It's a game I've always been interested in. Not that I'm any good at it, but it is amusing at times."
Heat Seeker follows, slightly behind Coldshot, his optics sweeping over the trio watching them, and pausing for an instant before moving on, and apparently ignoring them.
Perceptor shifts slightly in his seat, so he can keep an eye on the new arrivals without seeming agressive or obvious.
Oracle speaks softly. "Somehow their optics don't appear to have the most honorable of intentions."
Coldshot's vents emit excess steam as he glances from building to building, he mutters to his brother, very quietly, "With these resources, we could easily accomplish our goals."
Heat Seeker nods, but remains quiet, his optics sweeping over the area, and his right hand moving to rest on the hilt of the energy sword at his hip.
Slipshod lounges and smiles, "Bah, as if anyone here has more honorable intentions than I do; at least I'm honest about it. A bit of mending the injured, a smidge of repairing some of the broken equiptment and the odd bout of offline time."
Perceptor moves a bit more in his seat; he's becoming more than a bit uneasy...
Oracle glances at Perceptor. "They do give a warm impression, don't they?"
Perceptor nods wryly "Yes, you could certainly say that..."
Oracle leans her head closer to Perceptor. "They can't be up to anything good with looks like that. I wish I knew what they were up to. Then we could get the proper authorities in here."
Heat Seeker chuckles, his enhanced audial sensors picking up on the conversation not so very far away, and continues to follow Coldshot..oO (I'm sure I could make it much warmer..Hehe..)
Perceptor leans over to Slipshod, and drops his voice to a whisper "Yes, I do agree...but how would we do that without seeming hostile or agressive towards our new "friends"?
Oracle stands up, making a stretching movement, a yawn escaping from her.
Coldshot is oblivious to the trio. He simply doesn't care. He checks building to building. He narrows his crimson optics, "I can't see a thing." He jams an elbow back into Heat Seeker's chest, "You take lead." He says to the tracker.
Slipshod frowns slightly, "I am entirely certain we can't."
Perceptor thinks..."Would we be able to get a radio transmission out to somewone?"
Oracle flashing a mischievious glance towards Perceptor and Slipshod, she beings to wander over the the dubious looking duo.
Perceptor pursues the idea further "Or perhaps some other discreet means of getting attention?"
Oracle, straightening her face to it's usual seriousness, walks straight up to Coldshot and taps him on the shoulder. "Excuse me."
Perceptor looks up at Oracle, suprised
Oracle pauses. "But you and your friend seem to be looking for someone. Is there anything I can do to help perhaps?"
Slipshod whispers to Perceptor with humor, "The direct approach works."
Coldshot turns his head and slows slightly, he sneers at Oracle and continues on, without a word. He mutters something about civilians. "Well, brother?"
Perceptor smiles slightly in return "Yes...but I'm out of any workable ideas. Do you have any?"
Perceptor looks up at Oracle again, waiting for disaster...
Heat Seeker whirls, his energy sword out, and on in an instant, and whirling towards Oracle, pauses a few inches from the target as the mech asks the question..Totally silent, he waits for Coldshot to tell him to lower the weapon, or continue his original plan, of killing this minor annoyance..
Slipshod offers Perceptor a tin mug, filled nearly to the brim with enerwine, "Wait and see."
Oracle folding her hands behind her back, says, "Last time I checked, well-meaning help wasn't taken so poorly."
Perceptor accepts the mug gratefully "It appears we will have to place our faith in Oracle, for the time being"
Slipshod barks with laughter, "Well said, historian. You speak from empirical research no doubt!"
Coldshot's face contorts in rage, "You...IDIOT!" He brings up his arm and brings it down against his brother's arm. Not like it did a whole lot, but hey. "We are supposed to remain inconspicious!" He lowers his voice dramatically. As if two armed civilians wouldn't draw attention.
Oracle waits patiently, her face not registering whether or not she realized her good health was threatened. "Are you going to let me help you, or not?" Her tone is most polite.
Slipshod stifles laughter and turns to Perceptor, "You have to be KIDDING me."
Perceptor smiles broadly, and turns to Slipshod, "I know...but let's just wait and see what happens...the outcome is sure to be...memorable, at any rate..."
Heat Seeker snarls at the 'idiot' part, but lowers his weapon.."Inconspicuos? Brother, we are obviously /far/ from that..This one, and those other two, have been talking about us since we entered this place..Or are you that blinded by your own sense of self-worth? And if this one had meant to kill you, what would have stopped her? Only me, dear brother..Only me.."
Slipshod leans back in his deckchair and hollers, "Good thing the Hospice is nearby, wouldn't want to be required by law to fill out a death certificate for one of the few historians. Go for their sense of trust!"
Oracle giggles foolishly((pretending of course)). "I couldn't kill /anyone/, silly!"
Heat Seeker ignores the statement of Oracle, and just turns, continuing down the road..
Coldshot clenches his fists and then suddenly relaxes. He doesn't want to attract any more unwanted attention. He leans closer to his brother's audials and speaks in hushed tones, "Conserve your energy...They shall be crushed underneath our feet soon enough." He pauses, glances to Oracle, a look of disgust on his features. He says to his brother, a bit louder, "We mustn't refrain from our objectives."
Perceptor idly wonders to himself what these mysterious "objectives" are...
Oracle when the two "bad guys" aren't looking, she turns back and winks an optic at he two observers.
Slipshod smiles to Perceptor, "Any idea why these Well-Mannered Mechs are looking as conspicuous as an Autobot insignia on Onslaught? It MUST be a distraction!"
Oracle skips ahead, almost childishly. "You still haven't told me what you're looking for misters."
Slipshod hollers with a wry smirk, "WE KNOW YOUR SECRETS! GO TELL YOUR MASTERS THAT WE WILL TALK LATER!"
Perceptor agreees, "It is almost certainly either a ruse,m or a distraction of some sort..."
Heat Seeker chuckles at Coldshot's words, and ignore's Oracle's questioning as he continues down the road..
Coldshot tries to ignore Slipshod, his own temper rising. He mutters, "Infidels!" As he follows behind Heat Seeker. He says in normal tones to his brother, "See anything yet?" He says, dusting himself off a bit.
Oracle starts to whine childishly. "I can't help you if you don't let me you know."
Slipshod raises his optic ridges as he starts snickering, "You get the impression of a kidlet messing with a blaster too, right?"
Perceptor smirks in return, "Definitely"
Heat Seeker shakes his head, and catches something from the corner of his eye..Pausing, he looks more closely, and nods.."I believe we have arrived.." Leaning close to Coldshot, he smirks, and whispers.."One rocket could silence that one.."
Slipshod adjusts himself in the metal deckchair and takes a healthy sip from his own mug.
Oracle looks around. "What have we found?"
Coldshot grins slightly, the look of disgust still gracing his features, "A most...pleasing offering, brother. But killing civilians will only worsen our situation at the moment." He says as he glances to Oracle, "You...Leave. At once." He says with a snarl.
Perceptor shifts so he's not craning his neck to keep an eye on the Seekers, and regards the night sky again.
Oracle makes a pouty face. "Why?"
Slipshod pulls out a small datapad and types a few commands upon it and sets it aside.
Perceptor idly onders if this is simply an isolated incident, or the first of many...
Slipshod smiles and leans back, adjusting the angle of his deckchair to a more leisurely level.
Coldshot raises a fist at Oracle, not taking the time to use his charming demeanor, and just snaps, "Because I commanded it." He turns back to his brother and mutters, "Good. We shall proceed with the plan tomorrow. Tonight we shall stay in this city." He says, glancing about.
Oracle doesn't seem to take into account what a command is. She just hangs around.
Perceptor turns to Slipshod, "I've come to realize that, no matter what the confrontation is like on the planet, looking at the all-but static and unchanging sky, puts everything ito a sense of perspective..."
Slipshod snickers under his breath, "Too damn dramatic to join the Decepticons, too shady to join the Autobots..."
Perceptor smirks and agrees with Slipshod
Heat Seeker nods, and turns to Oracle, then leans over to his brother and whispers.."Shall I remove this one?"
Coldshot waves a hand and shakes his head, "Any actions against this city and its inhabitants would only delay- If not destroy our plans. Ignore the pest." He says dismissively as he now looks around for an area to stay overnight.
Heat Seeker nods, and looks around quietly.
Oracle glances around, mocking the movement of Coldshot's optics.
Slipshod turns his head to Perceptor, "Think I should open a health spa here? Could raise a lot of money."
Perceptor watches the scene with an odd air of assurance that this will all turn out all right, somehow...
Perceptor grins at Slipshod, "Certainly! I'm sure you'd have dozens of customers..."
Slipshod nods, "Think of the fine femmes, flocking here to lounge under the watchful gaze of a select few mechs..."
Coldshot lifts off the ground as his vents emit more steam again. He hovers through down the road, much quicker than walking, looking for an area to stay. He points in the other direction, "Brother, you search that way. There must be a place to stay somewhere in this city..." He mutters as he glances around.
Heat Seeker nods, and lifts into the air as well, heading in the direction indicated, muttering to himself..
Oracle watches Heat Seeker depart.
Slipshod snorts in derision, "There goes the floorshow."
Perceptor turns to Slipshod, "Perhaps we could contact Elita-1 and see if she has any feelings about this matter..."
Slipshod nods, "I shall inqure with the authorities here. Mayhaps we can find something of REAL interest in these quiet times."
Perceptor nods, and agrees with Slipshod, "Though, I will admit that this little episode has been quite a departure from the normal daily routine I'm used to..."
Slipshod says, "Variety is the spice of our lives, friend."
Perceptor grins at Slipshod, "Note that I didn't say that was necessarily a *bad* thing..."
Slipshod closes his optics and grins very broadly, "And goodness knows bland energon isn't worth it."
Perceptor sighs, "Quite frankly, my jobs can become all but impossibe to concentrate on, after a while. Too many experiments and reports and projects can just make your life a walking dream..."
Heat Seeker continues looking for a suitable place to spend the night, moving rather slowly down the street, and wishing he could just go and blast something into tiny bits.
Coldshot continues to hover through the streets, looking for a place to stay. He sneers at the lounging pair, thinking of what would happen to them if he ruled. He quickly dismisses the thought, and concentrates on the task at hand.
Oracle watches Heat Seaker with the faint traces of mischief on her face.
Perceptor has a possible idea, "Are there any free quarters in the med bay, or anywhere else in Crystal City?"
Oracle follows behind Coldshot, her eyes lighting up with a sense of humor that is hers alone.
Heat Seeker is muttering to himself, and returns to walking, rather than hovering..An odd look coming over his face suddenly, he pauses for a moment, then just as suddenly continues walking, looking for suitable quarters for the night..
Slipshod makes a show of thinking hard, "Hmm... Nope. We're refurbishing all the free bunks."
Perceptor turns again to Oracle and Slipshod, "Hmm...Something eventually has to be done with our guests, then..."
Slipshod says, "I'm sure they will find lodging. Elsewhere."
Perceptor sighs, "Hopefully...I'd hate to see something preventable happen because of something as insignificant as a place to spend the night..."
Slipshod feigns sleep.
Finding nothing, Heat Seeker turns back the way he came, and lifts into the air once more, for greater speed, and moves to follow, and catch up to, Coldshot..
Coldshot just...continues to search. He is aware of his brother approaching, but he does not turn.
Heat Seeker notes Oracle following along behind Coldshot as he gets closer, and chuckles, sending a radio transmission to his brother..
Perceptor turns to Slipshod, and whispers, sotto voice, "Exactly *(what* do these two expect to find here? They've searched the entire city!"
*Coldshot & Heat Seeker radio each other*
Coldshot doesn't seem too worried about the transmission. He's just annoyed by it.
*Coldshot & Heat Seeker radio each other*
*Perceptor & Slipshod radio each other*
*Coldshot & Heat Seeker radio each other a lot*
Heat Seeker keeps back several yards from Oracle, still hovering along quietly, and looking around..
*Coldshot & Heat Seeker radio each other*
Coldshot sighs loudly, and mutters something, as he continues on his way.
Perceptor composes himself, and walks over to Coldshot, being careful to not appear hostile or obvious, "Did you need any help from me, Coldshot? I'd be willing to help, if it's at all possibe..."
Oracle continues to follow Coldshot, and anyone who takes notice will see the mischief in her ususally serious optics.
Heat Seeker hovers up beside Oracle, and paces her.."You want to help? Tell us where we can find lodgings for the night.."
You say, "Sure."
Oracle points off in a direction. "There's a hotel or something that way...I think."
Perceptor stands next to Oracle and agrees "Yes, there's a hostel for travellers just a short walk away from here, or an even shorter flight"
Heat Seeker glances in the indicated direction, and moves that direction calling out to Coldshot as he passes.."Supposedly, there is something just ahead.."
Oracle, with a final smile, resumes her serious face. "Glad to be of assistance."
Perceptor nods to the travellers, "Good luck in your future travels..."
Oracle walks back to Perceptor and Slipshod.
Perceptor turns to Slipshod, "Well, that was an...interesting wway of handling the problem, Oracle. It's good to see you still in one piece"
Perceptor sighs, Well, it certainly was an eventful evening..."
You say, "Yes, I'm glad to see me in one piece too."
Perceptor continues,"...far more interesting than what I'd usually be doing, at any rate..."
You say, "Most likely. My life was getting a little dull. I'm usually far more serious than I pretended to be this evening. I'm sure you were amused."
Perceptor grins at Oracle, "To say the least, yes..."
You say, "Anyhow, I must be going. I'm a little tired after pretending...it's not something I do often."
Perceptor nods in agreement. "As should I...I had a engineering project I was going to check up on..."
Oracle nods a farewell. "Good evening then."
Perceptor nods to Oracle, "At any rate, it has been a very...eventful evening. I look forward to seeing you again, perhaps..."
Perceptor nods to Oracle in a final farewell.
*Oracle exits*