Lost
Years - Sunday, June 02, 2002, 9:21 PM
-------------------------------------------
===============[
Homepage: http://tfly.betterbox.net/tfly/ ]=================
_______
/__
__/_ ____ ____
____ ____ ____
____ ____ ____
____ ____ __
/ / __ \/ __ \/ __ \/ ___\/ ___\/ __ \/ __
\/ \/ ___\/ __ \/ ___\ /_/
/ /
__/ __ / / / /___ / ___// /_/ / __/ /_/ / ____/
__/___ / __
/_/_/\_\/_/ /_/_/ /_/\____/_/ \____/_/\_\/_/ /_/\____/_/\_\ \____/ /_/
_______ __ _ __
/__
__/ ____ / /
____ ____ ____ / /_/ /___ ____ ____ ____
/ / /_/\/ ___\ / / / __ \/ ___\/_ _\\ __/ ___\/ __ \/ __ \/
___\
/ / __
/ ____// /___/ /_/ /___ / /
/ / / / ____/ __ /
__/___ /
/_/_/ /_/\____//_____/\____/\____/ /_/ /_/
\____/_/ /_/_/\_\ \____/
Type: connect <name>
<password> - to log in with an existing character.
Type: connect guest - to log in as a guest.
Type: WHO - to see who's currently online.
Our host is betterbox.net as of
9/20/2000
Our server is PennMUSH version
1.7.4 patchlevel 1
==============[
Telnet address: bb13.betterbox.net, port 5000 ]==============
Welcome to Lost Years!
<Cybertron>
FastJack says, "Admist the sounds of fading static and the soft muffled
sound of laserfire comes a familiar voice to those denizens lurking in the
darker regions of Cybertron, and we don't mean Shockwaves foot locker. The
familiar drawl accompanied by fuzzy transmitted images, as if taken from afar
herald another broadcast from Radio Free Cybertron and its progenetor,
FastJack. For those who can get the images, it shows a demarked line of
warriors, the faint glint of violet marking these as Decepticons, all arrayed
outside of a gleaming ediface, the glory that was and still is, in some part,
Crustal City. Over the static filled imagery, as if gleaned from the left optic
of the dead comes that soft, drawl, "An ya all thought ah was dead..
Welcome ta anotah broadcast of Radio Free Cybertron comin to ya from the depths
of home itself.""
<Cybertron>
FastJack continues speaking over the staticy feed, the images clipped and dark,
fading into a montage of cities, all at first pristine, then all falling into
slow ruin as warriors overtake them. "Where are those that call themselves
our heros now?" she drawls, voice soft but with an undercurrnat of
bitterness, "We got protectors destroyin our homes, warriors takin time ta
shoot tha blameless. How many more cities got ta fall before we realize that
there ain't goin ta be anythin left ta rule ovah? Why are we still fightin?
arn't we all the same, if you cut us, do we not bleed? If you threaten us, do
we not fear? Is it cause some prefer to fight and some to think? Does anyone
even'member tha rewal reasons behind tha factionals ongoin attempts ta destroy
everyone that don't seem ta see things their way?"
You
enter the Gates of Crystal City.
Gates
of Crystal City(#231Rnt)
<Cybertron>
FastJack's voice slides into a soft wondering tone, the words spoken gently,
the actual words somewhat harsh, "Ah've seen death unlike any before, all
cause of someone refusin ta give ground. Ah've seen senseless violence, lights
forevah darkened all cause someone couldn't keep their lunatics reigned it. A
spark causes fire and the flames ah war are spreadin far and wide."
<Cybertron>
FastJack's softly, "But why? Do any of ya listenin even know why? Do ya
even care when its yer home goin up insmoke, yer friends fallin', yer dreams
crashin inta ashes? Which side are ya gonna pick? Cause ya can't keep yer head
stuck in tha sand much longa before you... become simply anotha mark in a book,
anotha casualty of conflict."
Iacon
Plateau(#34Rnt)
With split and sundered spires of metal
reaching upwards to reach for the heavens, the courtyard appears to both
inspire a sense of devastation and a failed attempt at defensive protectivness.
To the east lies what's left of the Launchpad, to the north another's
destination is obscured by a set of doors, blast riddled but somehow still
hanging drunkenly on their supports. On the southern end is where the defensive
perimeter met with the city-base proper, guard alcoves crumbling silently into
the eternal night.
<OOC>
Do you know where you're going to? Type 'look OOC' for help. [#665 r]
City of
Iacon <CoI> [#370 en]
Obvious
Exits:
-N- North leads to Neurex Industrial Complex
<East>
-S- South leads to Iacon Highway
-E- East leads to Mountain Road <North>
-U- Up leads to Sky above Iacon
<Autobot>
Phantom's voice comes over the commlink, back to his normal self at last. "Phantom to Elita One and Ultra
Magnus." he hisses.
<Autobot>
Elita One says, "I copy, Phantom."
<Autobot>
Ultra Magnus clicks an affirmative response.
<Autobot>
Phantom hisses again, "I require a meeting with the two of you in private
concerning our upcomming mission. Can
you both meet me in Iacon?"
<Autobot>
Ultra Magnus says, "Roger, Phantom."
<Cybertron>
FastJack says, "Ah'm gonna leave all muh listeners with this lil message:
Dreams are the currency in which our lives carry on. To stop dreamin is ta give
up. Ta give up is ta die. Don't stop tha dream of freedom for everyone. This is
FastJack, signin off. Might be muh last message as some of tha things Ah
transmitted with this'll prolly get muh can slagged, but its *MY* dream.. and
Ah'll go kickin an screamin inta tha dark. Radio Free Cybertron, endin'
transmission."
Elita
One arrives from the Mountain Road <North>.
Elita
One has arrived.
Ultra
Magnus arrives from the Mountain Road <North>.
Ultra
Magnus has arrived.
Phantom
is sitting on top of what is left of one of the guard towers, looking to the
stars as his monocle scans the heavens.
Elita
One drives up along the road, her engines humming. She spots Phantom during her
approach, and transforms as she draws near.
Elita
One stands up into her robot mode.
Ultra
Magnus glides toward the city cautiously, coming from the East. He revs his
engine, but spots Phantom and Elita before he can gain any real speed, and
transfoms.
The
transport leaps up and melds, folding apart and compressing into a large
Autobot warrior: Ultra Magnus.
Phantom
pushes off the rubble without much effort or even a real look to either
commander. He lands in a crouched position and slowly stands up, possibly
showing a bit of his true age now. He waits for Elita and Magnus to come within
a close enough radius to begin a normal conversation.
Elita
One steps up to Phantom, acknowledging him first with a nod, then a salute.
Obviously, important business was afoot here, and serious demeanor required.
FastJack
arrives from the Iacon Highway.
FastJack
has arrived.
FastJack
moves near silently into the area, attention clearly on her surroundings, a
wary expression on her countanance.
Ultra
Magnus saunters slowly toward Phantom as he dives from his perch. His face is
blank; he instead holds out a hand in an invisible shake, but expects no
physical greeting. He steps up next to Elita, and places his hands on his hips.
Phantom
returns the nod, but not the salute, which is rather odd for the Intel CO. As
Ultra Magnus steps up, a small box protrudes from his left shoulder, not more
than a foot tall. He brings a finger to his lips and then points the the box.
He flips a switch on his wrist computer and a small red light blinks into
existance on the new object. Finally, he speaks. "White noise to cover us
in case there are more like me about." He looks at both of his commanders,
his optics a blaze with something. He looks at both then to the ground for a
moment, then back at Elita. "I've never lied to you, and I won't start
now" he rumbles in his normal tone. "I have a confession to make, and
you probably won't like it. But please listen to the reasoning before passing
judgement."
FastJack
moves slowly, cautiously across the broad and *big* plataue that held Iacon.
She is a goodly distance off,m moving from point to point as if trying to
remain under cover.
Uh-oh.
Elita's face falls, and she crosses her arms. She gives Phantom an incredulous
look as he speaks, her white browridges furrowed. "What is this about,
Phantom?" It doesn't sound good to her.
Phantom
takes in a deep 'breath', holding it for a moment, then just flattly blurts
out, "I'm Stormrunner. I'm the one that the Decepticon Enfilade has fallen
in love with." He looks to the ground, expecting the yelling that will
more than likely begin ... now.
Ultra
Magnus, not budging his stolid body from its stance, gapes. His head leaps
forward, almost unnaturally far from the frame of his neck. "That's your
girlfriend?!"
FastJack
slides between pieces of the city, heading indirectly towards the main street
proper, which means, by default through the gates eventually. Pausing, she
looks about,visor darkening as if searching for something. A nod and she scales
an upright length of metal, pulling a few things out of subspace.
Elita
One's face looks...angry, a rare mood for her, outside of battle. She squints
at Phantom. "I'm sure there is a rational explanation for all of this. And
I'm going to hear it, too."
Ultra
Magnus places a palm on the side of his forehead. He begins pacing expectant
circles just away from the others. His optics reach for the dark tranquility of
the sky, and the logic it must be hiding from him. "Yes, I'd /love/ to
hear what's on your mind, Phantom."
FastJack
continues setting something up on the small rise, looking off at the city
proper a few times before adding a small device to the top of a tripod. Nodding
to herself, she peers through a viewfinder, sighting the remnants of the main
gates.
Phantom
doesn't even make optic contact with Magnus, simply nods and continues to look
at the ground. "Yes sir." He looks up to Elita finally, "Yes
ma'am, you will. Right now." He takes a breath and begins the sordid tale.
"It all began when I was in Crystal City, looking for information on when
they were going to move Silentlight. I was in disguise, obviously, when I ran
into the Decepticon Enfilade. I tried to spark up a ... personal conversation
to see if she would be forthcomming with information in a less professional
setting. Once she gave the time and location, I left out of the Blaster and
returned to base." He looks at both, hoping beyond hope that they're not
powering up their weapons systems at the moment. Hoping they have more trust in
his spy-like abilities than to take things at face value. "When we entered
Dead End that night, I got there a bit before you two. She came over, seeming
overly happy to see Stormrunner, and even presented me with a Crystal City ID
card. Just as they were starting the execution, she radioed me about the
impending ambush, which was good. I warned the team and it then became clear to
me that my plan had worked." He pauses, looking for some type of reaction
from either besides pulling out the cuffs and brigging him.
Elita
One nods. "So. You were using her for an information contact, then?"
More softly, she asks, the next question. "But to her, it's something
more?"
FastJack
adjusts the device, pulling a second one out and eying it thoughtfully. She
flips it over and checks the back, asif reading directions.
Phantom
nods at Elita's question, a glimmer of hope crossing his optics.
"Precisely. To her, it's a way to pass the lonely time since she's been in
Crystal City. To me, she is simply a source of information. In fact, I think I
have her convinced to slack up on the fighting" he makes little quotatioin
marks with a finger on each hand " 'if the Autobots try to rescue the one
on the wall'. This 'relationship' has made her more open to suggestion."
He looks a bit more like a member of the Autobot CoC now, not like the lost
little kiddlette he was just moments ago. "And more forthcomming with
information. Besides," he looks to Magnus for this comment "*If* I
had feelings for her, would I have ordered her capture in 4 days time? I think
we all know that the answer is no."
Ultra
Magnus continues his round-and-round motion. His heavy feet clank on the ground
loudly, but slow and evenly. "So that's how you knew about the
ambush," he notes, trying to maintain his rationality. "But what
necessitated the vacation time?"
Elita
One stays silent for a moment... her features are still clenched, but she'll let
Phantom finish.
FastJack
eyes the device with a satisfied nod, triggering the start up sequence.
Settling next to it, she leans back and turns it up to scan the stars above,
testing the light levels out.
Phantom
nods to Magnus, "Simple sir. I took your advice. I needed her to fall in
love with Stormrunner. I couldn't do that while I was constantly going back and
forth between disguises. And I couldn't risk her catching me half way in either
persona. So, publically, I took a leave of absence from my duties to court her.
To 'take her to nice places and get her nice things', as you suggested."
Elita
One finally passes judgement. "I don't like this." Her optics close,
and her head turns slightly away. "Even as a source of information, even
as a distraction for the enemy... I do not like this. It is more dishonest than
I care to see my troops behave."
Phantom
turns to face Elita, his optics flashing as he says, almost a hiss "That
is my job, ma'am. To be dishonest in the pursuit of information that could be
crippling to the enemy. And if it requires that I cripple an individual,
physically or emotionally, that's just part of it. You've never had a problem
with my methods before, and I'm not quite sure why now would be the time for
doubts to crop up." He looks to Magnus, hoping for some of the military
genious to come spouting out of his mouth at any moment.
...in
support of what Phantom is saying.
Elita
One matches Phantom's stare when he flips it up, but is too late to stay locked
into it, as Phantom looks toward Magnus. "Phantom, you have done many
things, in the name of gathering information. You have played with identity.
You have played with death. You have changed voices and personalities and
locations. But you have NEVER before, PLAYED, with love."
Ultra
Magnus nods his head to the side once, accepting Phantom's answer. He stares at
the stars for a while, now abandoning his pacing, and releases a sigh. Not
upset, necessarily; just a sigh. Finally, he drops his head into the dark
shadow of his hand suspended by the length of a finger, and chuckles quietly.
"Ah, youth... Elita, forgive me. This is my fault." He points to
Phantom with his empty palm, finally looking again toward him. "While
Phantom could have chosen a better way of finding information, I was the one
who gave him permission to continue with the debacle. I had no idea his 'lover'
was Enfilade, because I did not pry enough."
FastJack
relaes, enjoying the momentary falacy of believing she is the only person
around for Decometers... The device continues scanning the skies, occasionally
ckincking and whirring.
Elita
One looks to Ultra Magnus. She doesn't seem...quite as angry now. "What
exactly was your suggestions?"
Phantom
fights the urge to bring up the trump card in an argument like this. Optimus.
But he mentally keeps the cards ready in case it needs to come to that, even
after he promised himself to never mention him in Elita's presence again. Not
after that Ice Planet incident. He looks back and forth for a moment, not sure
who to answer first. He mentally draws a straw, and Magnus is the winner.
"No sir. It is in now way your fault. Most of my missions are kept private
from even you. You know that. I share this mission with you only so that, if
this ever comes to public light, you knew about it before it became a problem.
The blame, even though there shouldn't be any, is solely on me." He then
turns to Elita, not quite sure how to proceed with her. "As for playing
with love, ma'am, and with respect to you, that is possibly the ultimate
weakness that any Cybertronian has. Myself included. But that is also the only
way we're going to win this war. Giving it when it's needed, and exploiting it
when it furthers our purpose." He shakes his head, inwardly fighting back tears
as he thinks of losing what he has with Enfilade, even though it is a lie. His
voice gives away nothing as he continues "If fighting her in the Hellpits
would have made her this forthcomming, I would have done it in a nano-click. If
it meant going on a drinking binge, I would have done it. This presented
itself, and this is the course of action I followed. And it's paying off."
Ultra
Magnus continues looking at Phantom fatherly as he speaks. "Recently,
Phantom asked me for... advice. On love. I, quite simply, told him I could be
of little help, but he persisted. I finally suggested that he show her
something nice, something romantic. We agreed that little of that kind exists
on Cybertron, so he asked permission to take her to Monacus. Stupid me,"
he shakes his head, again chuckling. "The lover's saga got to me. I
couldn't say no."
Elita
One nods nuetrally to Magnus. "Ah," she simply says. Then, she turns
to Phantom. "Love. Is a weakness... is it, Phantom? Is that how you
feel?"
FastJack
watches the stars, occasionally adjusting the device to another section of
space. She finds a nebula out there and sets up to track it for a series of
time shots.
You
post your note about 'Tipping' in group 1 (Public) as message #21
Phantom
nods at Elita's question, "At times, yes. At other times, it is the
greatest gift we can give. And it is the best weapon against evil and hatred in
the known universe."
Ultra
Magnus moves to begin on another speech to Phantom, but stops himself. He
remembers what he told Phantom: he knows little about romance, having never
experienced it himself. Surrendering to the truth of his history, he crosses
his arms over his chest, steps to the side, and listens.
Elita
One nods at Phantom as he speaks. In fact, the thought does cross her mind...
does he believe what he is saying, or is he now trying to win her favor? It
forces her to think back, to what she knows of him...and it is, a great deal,
probably more than anyone else can say they know. But now, someone who would do
this, an act she finds unspeakable, almost seems a stranger to her. "I
thought I knew you, Phantom," she says, quietly. She looks up at Phantom,
and, again, "You should be careful...where you point the most POWERFUL
weapon I know. You should be careful how you involve yourself. If you get too
close, she will discover you, and she WILL destroy you. And possibly
herself." Her voice had been slowly raising, and now, it drops again.
"And how would you feel...about that?"
FastJack
peers at the datapad connected to the device, watching the nebula spin in the
center of the screen with a smile behind her mask.
Phantom's
optics close to slits, suddenly not liking this new questioning attitude that
Elita has. This time, he does hiss, doing a rather poor job of containing himself.
Well, at least to the casual observer. To those that know him, they know that
he's doing an extraordinary job if all that comes out is "You do know me,
ma'am. Better than anyone that exists. And if my destruction is the end result
of getting inside information that allowed the rescue of Silentlight with
minimal Autobot casualties, and will aid in getting Hyperdrive down from that
wall with no Autobot casualties, then my life is a pretty good trade for two.
And, if I can take the second in command of the Decepticon Empire with me, then
all the better." He is suddenly fighting back tears once again, taking a
few breathes to calm himself before continuing. "And as for how I feel,
that is and always has been, beside the point. I'm a professional. I keep my
emotions out of the way of my duty, lest I find myself courted by a Decepticon
in disguise, making myself a liability to our cause. Just as she has."
Elita
One says softly: "I know that, Phantom. You above all are a
professional." She blinks, slowly. "But professionalism aside, duty
aside... If we do not abide by our hearts... if we do not operate under the
most BASIC of honesties... then we are NO BETTER, than those who would opress
us."
Enfilade
transmits: 'Stormrunner, you busy? It's me, Fil.'.
Phantom
looks like he's about to respond to Elita, then his radio goes off. He looks at
his commanders, "It's her. Can I continue on with what I'm doing? If for
nothing more than to save Hyperdrive, and possibly more."
FastJack
heaves a sigh, watching the device as it tracks the nebula slowly, the skyline
turning with the planets rotation so that her target image seems to settle into
Iacons ruins, a glimmer of purity against madness. She lifts a brow, watching
the moments tick past.
Elita
One's voice hardens. "Meet with her. For the last time. Soon we will
rescue Hyperdrive, we will capture her, and then..." Her foot tenses into
the dirt, her fists clenched, "We put an end to this."
Ultra
Magnus shrugs desperately. His eyes settle on Phantom, trying to pry for his
feelings. "Ive said it before, Phantom, but Ive never meant it as much as
I do now: Be. Careful."
Phantom
nods, showing no sign of the inner happiness he fells. Nor is he able to
contain one of the many tears welling up behind his optics. As it streaks down
his face, he nods, flips the switch to remove the white noise producer, then
another to change his voice modulator to that of someone new. "Stormrunner
her, my dear. What's up?" he speaks into his comm.
You
transmit '<- as Stormrunner "Stormrunner her, my dear. What's up?' to
Enfilade.
Elita
One turns on her heel and walks away. The deception sickens her. "I cannot
listen to this," she declares.
Enfilade
transmits: 'I got an odd request, love...Solar wants to meet you, an' Lash is
here too...feel like stoppin' by the Wild Surge?"'.
FastJack
checks the light levels and mulls over something. A nod and she reaches into a
side comartment, taking out an emergency flare and altering the intensity of
the light it produces as well as the wavelength. An idea for her image
capturing has just taken root.
Phantom
smiles behind his faceplate as he is asked to the Wild Surge. He looks to
Magnus as he states into his radio "Certainly love. I'd enjoy meeting your
friends. Any member of the Empire seems to suddenly be a friend of mine."
You
transmit 'Certainly love. I'd enjoy meeting your friends. Any member of the
Empire seems to suddenly be a friend of mine.' to Enfilade.
Enfilade
transmits: 'Hey...see you soon, then.'.
Ultra Magnus
remains where he stands momentarily. He watches Elita leave and contemplates
following, but decides to give Phantom one more look. An odd one, it turns out,
as Phantom virtually reports the conversation to him. He leans forward and
silently mouths, "Be careful" once more, before turning and heading
off.
Phantom
replies into his comm, "Certainly. Stormrunner out."
You
transmit 'Certainly. Stormrunner out.' to Enfilade.
Ultra
Magnus collapses onto his back, intrinsical parts separating and folding up
into a large transport carrier.
Phantom
watches his commanders leave, stating nothing more to either of them directly.
He whispers to the back of both, "Thank you for your concerns... ... my
friends."
Phantom
transforms and rolls out!
Phantom
seems to colapse in on himself, twisting and turning quickly. His legs twist
and pop onto his back as his arms fold in. Where Phantom stood, there is only a
Hover Speeder.
***Travel
and disguise putting on time***
The
Wild Surge - Bar(#1330Rnt)
Dimly lit and noisy, Dead End's only bar
is never lacking in patrons. While the energon isn't of the best quality, many
of the chemical additives are unique to the place, and so highly prized by
those who can afford them, even outside of the city. For those less affluent,
the wall behind the bar still offers old, contaminated energon and various
forms of crude-grade fuel as well as the more acceptable low and high grade
energon, plus some interesting compounds that are better left to the imagination.
Solar
[Robot] [D] [#1180 POaeACF]
Whiplash
[Robot] [D] [#469 POerACmF]
Enfilade
[Robot] [D] [#876 PaenrAM]
Obvious
Exits:
-O- Out leads to Dead End - North Strip
Whiplash
agrees without hesitation, "Now *that's* for sure."
Enfilade
stands up for the cozy corner booth where she's sitting with Whiplash and
greets Stormrunner with a big smile.
Stormrunner
slowly walks into the bar, looking around as he enters for the one reason he's
here. General Enfilade
Whiplash
follows Enfilade's gaze and watches Stormrunner come in the door.
Solar
looks at the door and nods once as the mech enters, he always seems to know
when someone enters "You must be Stormrunner, heard lots about ya"
Enfilade
smiles to see him. "Hey there," she says softly. "This is
Solar," she gestures towards the bar owner, "an' you already know
Whiplash."
Whiplash
nods a somewhat reserved greeting to Stormrunner, watching him and Enfilade
with interest.
Stormrunner
nods to Solar and sends a semi-smile to Whiplash, "Good to see you
again." He looks back to Solar, resisting the urge to finish the fight
they were having in the tunnels of Pyrite so long ago. Instead, he smile at his
too and says "Nice to meet ya."
Enfilade
moves over in her bench to let him sit next to her.
Solar
says, "the same, I heard ya are a bounty hunter huh?"
Stormrunner
nods at the question from Solar, "Yup."
Stormrunner
raises his optic ridge at Enfilade, asking the silent question 'Can I show my
feelings for you here, or do I need to wait?'
Solar
nods and pulls out a bottle of his special brand of energon, "Ah killin
for fun and profit, I did that fer a while me-self", and he takes a slow
sip, "So what Guild ya with?"
Whiplash
edges a little further back into the corner to make room, and sips at her still
mostly-full glass.
Stormrunner
shakes his head, "None. I'm freelance. And unless they've moved, most
guilds work out of Monacus or here, not Crystal City."
Whiplash
shoots a sideways glance at Solar. "So I hear," she says.
Enfilade
lays her head on Stormrunner's shoulder as a silent response to his question.
Enfilade
mutters to Stormrunner: "... a difference between my troops an' ...
..."
Enfilade
mutters to you: "There's a difference between my troops, an' my friends."
Stormrunner
mutters to Enfilade: "And these ... be ... ... friend variety?"
Enfilade
nods in reply to the question he asked her. Her military bearing seems to be
shelved for tonight.
Solar
says, "I know mate, but freelancers don't usually survive long, the guilds
don't like em much. Unusual to find a freelancer period"
Stormrunner
shrugs, not liking this line of questioning at all. What if his information
isn't as current as Solar's? Then he's screwed. Change the subject. He smiles a
smile full of jagged teeth, "I just don't ever seem to show up on their
radar." With a pointed look at Solar, he leans over and kisses the top of
Enfilade's helmet.
Solar
says, "So whats the bounty on your head up to?"
Whiplash's
optics flicker a little in a "blink." "What, you mean the Guilds
don't like solitary competition?"
Stormrunner
shrugs, "Don't have one. As I said, I don't seem to show up on their
radar." He doesn't want to flat out lie about having friends in a guild,
nor does he want to be honest and tell them that there is no Stormrunner,
Freelance Bounty Hunter. So, he just repeats his last statement.
Enfilade
sighs happily, but bites off at Solar's words and gives the bar owner a bit of
a glare. She supposes, though, it's not really Solar's fault. She just doesn't
like the idea of Stormrunner being a wanted mech. She looks at Stormrunner with
a bit of concern, btu relaxes to hear that he's in the clear. "Good. If
anyone comes after you they'll be looking at the wrong end of an artillery cannon
/real/ fast."
Stormrunner
smiles as he turns his attention back to it's rightful owner, "Thank you
my dear."
Solar
says, "Well think about it Lash," and Solar takes another slow sip,
"Why would a group of professional killers let a freelancer take money
away from them? I'm still a member of the Mercantile guild on Monocus, I
suppose it part of my oath to them to report ya." another sip this time
with a wink."
Enfilade
replies, "We're family here, we stick together." IS she talking about
Stormrunner or the Decepticons? Maybe both.
Whiplash
glances aside at Solar again, then makes an attempt at engaging the bounty
hunter in conversation. "So... what's it like to go after people, not
'cause you want 'em dead but because someone *else* does?"
Enfilade
hehs, "Probably like the military. Someone tells you to kill a guy and you
go do it."
Solar
stops talking now and just takes occasional drinks from his bottle. Apparently
he has the information he needs
Whiplash
says, "Yeah, but - you got a vested interest in that. You're fighting for
a cause. Doesn't matter if you know your target personally or not. If you're
not fighting for a cause..." she looks up questioningly at Stormrunner.
Stormrunner
shifts in his seat and shrugs a bit, "Wouldn't know all that well. I don't
tend to kill my targets. Especially since it's so much more interesting,
personally and training wise, to take them alive."
Whiplash
persists, "You haul 'em back to someone that'll kill 'em, though,
right?"
Stormrunner
shrugs, "Not my concern. Once I'm paid, what they do with their new
property is their business."
Solar
says, "Credits can be a great cause Lash, and Bounty hunters bring em back
alive. Its up to the courts to decide the fate"
Enfilade
just closes her optics and listens, enjoying being near Stormrunner. He seems
to be holding his own with her friends, and good for him...she doesn't want a
mate she has to defend all the time. Mate? She suddenly realizes what she is
considering her new associate as potential material for.
Whiplash
tilts her head a little. "So it's all about your own profit, is that
it?" She realizes she sounds like an interrogater. For Enfilade's sake she
backs off a bit and smiles. "Sorry 'bout the third degree here. I'm
curious, is all."
Stormrunner
looks to Solar, "That's actually where my freelance business keeps away
from the guilds. I don't take any bounties from the courts. My employers are
always private, and usually wealthy enough to not need to use the courts for
their brand of justice." He turns to Whiplash, "Pretty much. And no
worries. You get used to it after the first 50 times or so."
Whiplash,
encouraged, forges ahead. "So, any old job, hm? Any type at all? No matter
who's the target and who's the client?"
Solar nods
and moves over behind lash and leans down and mutters into her ear
Enfilade
says to Stormrunner, "Ever think of doin' somethin' a bit
more...legitimate?" And then she sighs, letting him answer Whiplash's
question so she can get that one-track mind satisfied at last.
Solar
mutters to Whiplash: "... need ... talk ... ..."
Whiplash
looks at Solar in surprise. "Now?" she asks out loud.
Stormrunner
shakes his head, "The client doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned. And
the target doesn't matter much either," he looks down to Enfilade,
"until recently that is." He smiles at her question, "The
thought's crossed my mind a few times recently." He smiles at his love.
Solar
says, "The sooner the better"
Whiplash
looks from Solar back to Stormrunner, her interest sharpening.
Enfilade
gives him a smile, figuring she can talk about it later, then looks up at
Solar. What's going on now?
Whiplash
grumbles something. Just when it's getting good. She looks at Solar again.
Whiplash
mutters to Solar: "I'll step outside."
Solar
nods and leads the way
Whiplash
pushes the faceted MedusaSaur-label bottle forward a little toward Enfilade and
Stormrunner. "Help yourselves, if you want," she says. "I'll be
right back, don't mind me." She slips out from behind the table and heads
for the exit.
Solar
steps back into the strip.
Solar
has left.
Stormrunner
looks to the departing pair, inwardly preparing for a fight with the
Decepticons in the bar, in an attempt to get out alive. Somehow, he knows he
slipped up."
Whiplash
steps back into the strip.
Whiplash
has left.
Enfilade
looks curiously at Stormrunner. "What got into them?"
Stormrunner
shrugs, smiling, "No clue. Wanted to give us a private moment to do
this..." He extends his face over to hers, kissing her since he didn't get
to do it when he entered.
Enfilade's
swingwings flare a little as they kiss. Suddenly she couldn't care less what
Whiplash and Solar were doing.
Stormrunner
enjoys what might be one of his last kisses with the femme of his twisted
desires. His orders are to have one last meeting, then never see her again. So,
he's going to make the most of it. He wraps his arms around her, scooting a bit
closer on the bench, and begins to kiss her more passionately.
Enfilade
gasps a little... "Wow, you really have missed me, haven't you?" She
leans over, whispers in his audio. "Gonna come back to the bunker with me
tonight?"
Stormrunner
smiles and nods, "Damn straight I did. And I have no idea. It's not polite
for a mech to assume he's going to be spending the night with his femme when
he's not invited."
Enfilade
replies, "Ok, consider this an invitation. Will you accept it?"
Stormrunner
nods, suddenly serious, "Of course I will." Then the smile returns,
"Wouldn't do for me to turn down an invite from the great General
Enfilade. She might beat me up."
Enfilade
scoffs, "Ah, shaddup," and playfully cuffs at him. Suddenly she wants
to be out of the Wild Surge /now/. Would Solar and Whiplash even notice if they
disappeared?
Stormrunner
smiles, becomming even more playful. Giving a playful salute, he states,
"Yes, Ma'am."
Enfilade
grins, "Here we go now...a mech who'll salute me in the morning." Her
optics sparkle.
Stormrunner
cocks his smile a bit to the side, "The question is, will you still feel
the same
way
when you realize that you have to teach me everything?"
Enfilade
grows serious, and murmurs softly, "I don't mind that...I never minded
that." She hesitates. "If you don't mind yer girlfriend havin' two
mates before ya."
Solar
enters The Wild Surge.
Solar
has arrived.
Whiplash
enters The Wild Surge.
Whiplash
has arrived.
Solar
walks in all smiles and chuckling softly
Stormrunner
shakes his head, "I don't mind. Better than both of us being
clueless."
Enfilade
is still there, in a really deep, quiet conversation with Stormrunner. When the
other two return, Enfilade looks up, leaving the conversation be for a while.
Solar
walks over to the table that Enf and Stormrunner are sitting and he joins them
pulling out 2 bottles of his special brand "On the house"
Whiplash
comes in following Solar, half-hidden behind him as they enter. She looks, for
the briefest of moments - not angry, not suspicious, not determined - merely
unhappy. Or was it a trick of the light? She steps out from behind Solar's
shadow and rejoins the table, flashing her serrated fangs in a grin. "Just
some Autobot sightings on the Crystal City border I'm looking forward to taking
care of later," she explains, reaching for her bottle.
Stormrunner
looks up at the two reentering the bar, his attention now fully tuned in on how
he can get out of here with the least ammount of damage.
Whiplash
tops up her glass from the bottle, and notes conversationally, "Maybe you
oughtta try Solar's special brand, Storm. He doesn't always give it out for
free."
Enfilade
looks up curiously at Solar. Isn't he being generous today... She guesses that
Solar and Whiplash have finally decided to accept her companion, and smiles
warmly at them both.
Whiplash
makes herself comfortable in her corner, takes a large swallow from her glass,
and returns Enfilade's smile a bit.
Stormrunner
nods to the drinks as they're set on the table, then looks to Whiplash.
"You should probably expect that while you have that kidlette welded to
the walls." He realizes as he says it that it's truely none of his
business, but will play the hand when it's delt, as he is accustomed to doing.
But, it does make him curious that Whiplash is now telling him to drink, and
Solar is giving him a free drink. Something in the back of his mind is
screaming for his full attention, but he can't place a digit on it, so he
simply watches the others for a sign of what it might be.
Enfilade
winces. "Let's not talk about that," she mutters, referring to
Hyperdrive. All she wants is one...lousy...day...off....
Whiplash
smirks. "Yeah, we got some new decoration on the gate. He works better as
tinsel than as a walking target, don't you think?"
Solar
grabs Storm's bottle and pours out a glassful for himself "Relax, it ain't
spiked"
Enfilade
hehs, "Yeah...be careful or some aftslagger will slip you an energon
filter an' you'll be sober forever."
Whiplash
shakes her head. "Couldn't have that," she says, taking another sip
from her glass, which is emptying out faster now than usual. Normally she can
nip at one glass all night.
Solar
says, "I only did it once Enf...Did I forget to give you the shutdown
code?"
And
that was it. Spiked. Phantom puts his mental finger directly over the big
mental button that says 'Raise the red flag'. But, he's now caught in a rather
sticky situation. He can't just refuse the drink, as that would just be bad
manners and would probably tip off the others. On the other hand, he can't full
take the drink, as he has no clue what it is it's spiked with. So, he tries to
take the subject off the drinks, "Thanks." Then, a bit more
professionally he inquires, "So, how long before you think you're in a
battle over that little bit of 'tinsel' on the wall? After all, it would be
un-Autobot for them not to rescue him."
Enfilade
snaps her head up and stares at Solar. "You WHAT?!" she bellows.
Solar
says, "I didn't tell ya about the filter?"
Whiplash
stares at Solar in amazement. "You??"
Enfilade
says through gritted teeth, "/You/ put that in my drink? No.
You..."neglected"...to inform me."
Whiplash
has momentarily forgotten all about the piece of tinsel on the wall.
Stormrunner
mentally breathes a sigh of relief. 'Yes, fight amungst yourselves about the
filter. Pay no attention to the Autobot in disguise that's dating your
commander.' He even waves his mental hand at them all, hoping it might help
convince them.
Solar
says, "Oops"
Whiplash
says, "Solar!" She shakes her head. "I don't believe this. I had
to chat up that creep
Psykeout
and everything, trying to fix the situation.""
Enfilade's
swing wings flare angrily. "What...the fraggin' hell....were you
thinking...." She's trying hard to keep her temper and only barely
succeeding.
Solar
says, "I coulda sworn I told ya, and with a swipe of his arm he knocks the
rest of Storms's bottle on the floor"
Stormrunner
looks at the warring parties now, happy to no longer be the center of
attention. Pushing the poured drink away, he looks to Solar, "No thanks.
You seem to have a problem with not telling folks about everything in the
glass." Oh goody. An out. Thank Primus.
Whiplash
growls, not sure who to be more irratated with at this exact moment.
Solar
says, "I was under orders to put that think in your drink. Shocks wanted
you sober"
Enfilade's
optics flash a little. "Damn that Shockwave," she mutters under her
breath. She has to concede that Shockwave had a point, but.... "There
ain't no way that guy would understand what havin' to live with emotion is
like."
Whiplash
now in turn gives Enfilade a glare.
Solar
punches in a 10 digit code onto his wrist terminal and deactivated Enfilade's
nanostrainer "here ya go by my estimates it has just dumped 3 days worth
of high grade into your fuel lines. Have fun"
Stormrunner
just keeps himself out of the blast radius that is sure to happen at any
moment. Inwardly, he thinks about how much fun it would be to have Solar and
Whiplash go at it, as he and Enfilade run off to be alone. But he knows it'll
never happen. Elita wouldn't allow it. And even if she did, he's sure that
Shockwave wouldn't allow her departure.
Enfilade's
optics spark again. "Dammit Solar, I don't wanna be hammered tonight,
I....I..."
Whiplash
snaps, "Oh, that's just brilliant. From one extreme to the other. If
you'll excuse me, I got a border to patrol and Autobots to kill!" She
slips out from her place again and stalks away, the tentacles thrashing around
her.
Stormrunner
silently drats as his dream is suddenly crashed to the ground as Whiplash
leaves. Looking up to Solar, he raises his optic ridge, "Would you mind
returning her to normal?"
Solar
punches the same code in reverse "She'll be back to normal in a
micro"
Whiplash
steps back into the strip.
Whiplash
has left.