The small, faded sign outside read simply "Neutral Ground", but surprisingly, it was what drew most of it's clientele inside. This was surprising because the place simply didn't do any advertising, at least none beyond simple word of mouth. Neutral Ground was, of course, a bar. Located in a rather run-down (and, appropriately, neutral) part of Cybertron, it catered to most anyone. To enter, you had to put aside whatever factional disputes you might have had and just enjoy yourself. Almost like the Autobot/Decepticon conflict wasn't happening. Of course the autoguns behind the bar helped everyone to keep their cool. Neutral Ground's fare was as widely varied as its customers, ranging from simple energon (all varieties), to inorganic Cybertronian delicacies, and even to human-style organics (for which the proprietor acquired a taste for some years back).

   Neutral Ground was fairly empty, it being mid-afternoon. The crowd (such as it was) didn't usually start to show up till evening. Stardrive has wasted no time making changes at his new job it seemed, because Star Trek (the original series) was on the TV. Waitstate, of course, was watching it. As was the only customer at the actual bar, a green and orange bot named Artifice. Artifice was a local bounty hunter who, incidentally, was the first customer ever to visit the Neutral Ground after it opened. As such, they had known each other for some time now and had become quite good friends.

   "So they just LET this Khan guy read anything he wanted about their ship? What? Were they stupid or something? I mean, they at least had SOME idea he was a criminal type" said Artifice as the credits began to roll.

   "Well, I doubt they really expected him to be able to DO anything with the info. I mean, he was from 200 years in the past" replied Waitstate.

   "Yeah, but-"

   The two bots' friendly argument was suddenly cut short when a large red and blue Transformer burst into the bar.

   "What the FUCK is WRONG with this goddamn universe?!" exclaimed the newcomer.

   "Pardon me?" asked Waitstate, more surprised at the use of human profanity than the harshness of the language.

   "I said: 'Wha-"

   Artifice cut him off "We HEARD what you said..."

   "It's just that people don't generally come in here and start cursing the Universe in general" said Waitstate.

   "At least not till after they've had a few drinks" joked Artifice.

   "My friend has a point, however faint it may be. Sit down and have a drink. This one's on the house."

   The glaring robot at the door seemed to lighten in mood as he approached the bar. "Something strong. I really have no idea what to order."

   Artifice glanced at Waitstate. "House special?"

   Waitstate grinned(or came as close as was possible when one has a mouthplate) and nodded. "One 'Cab Ride Home' coming right up" said Waitstate as he moved toward the bar's mixing station.

   As Waitstate was preparing the drink, Artifice spoke up. "So what do we call you?"

   "Hmm? Oh! My name's Chr...," the bot paused a moment, a strange look on his flex-metal face. "Name's Lilwall. Admiral to some."

   Waitstate returned with the drink and rejoined the conversation. "Admiral Lilwall... Military I guess then...?"

   "Naa... 's just a handle I've used."

   Waitstate nodded. "Well Admiral, what brings you to the Neutral Ground?"

   Lilwall smiled a bit. "A cheap map and a nasty temper." Noting the confused looks on the two's faces, he continued. "I just recently arrived here on Cybertron. I'd been away for a while and hadn't seen much of it the short time I was here originally. I had a guide show me to the local research center so I could look up some old... acquaintances. On my way out I bought a map, determined to find my own damn way back to the hotel.

   "I wondered my way around for at least an hour, getting angrier and angrier. I finally got it in my head to call a guide to help. Unfortunately, the telephone system here boggles the mind.... Anyway, that didn't help my emotional state at all. After bashing the phone booth, or whatever you call it here, into tiny pieces, I started to look for a place to calm down at. I saw the sign outside and, well, I may not know Cybertron very well, but I know a bar when I see one."

   "Interesting story," said Artifice after the Admiral had finished. "It doesn't really explain your, um, uh, 'outburst' though.... I mean, I could see it at the 'phone booth', but why just then?"

   Lilwall's face didn't change color at all, but other than that he seemed to do something at that moment that Waitstate had only seen humans do before: blush with embarrassment. Whatever it was, it seemed appropriate when the Admiral explained. "Well... uh, you see... as I was coming in I, well, um... hit my head on the door facing."

   Waitstate was glad of his mouthplate; it was a lot easier to stifle his amused expression. Artifice on the other hand was unable to control a short laugh. "Lil, my friend, welcome to the Neutral Ground."