* Waitstate sits up in his quarters Overwrite! Take a memo... OW: yes sir? * Waitstate holds his head never let me get drunk in Lil's quarters again OW: um, yes sir... anything else? no... that's all * Overwrite returns to the small office in Wait's quarters * Admiral-Lilwall awakens in his quarters with a headache * Shadowstrike stews in the brig. * Archlight soups in the brig *groan* and I thought my head hurt before I got drunk. wonder if Wait is feeling better * Waitstate gets up and goes over to the energon dispenser * Dead_Lift wanders his quarters enjoying his freedom * Admiral-Lilwall leaves his quarters and heads for the brig * Shadowpaw wanders around her quarters feeling heaps better (and enjoying her freedom) * Waitstate does his best to stabilize his energy systems (and the pounding in his processors) * Admiral-Lilwall returns a wave from Terrafirma as he passes * Terra smiles at the large red bot :) * Admiral-Lilwall arrives at the brig a breif time after * Shadowstrike glares at AL. Stand down Cuffs, I'll take it from here. Cuffs> Very well sir. **Cuffs leaves** * Dead_Lift exits his quarters and heads for the bridge * Admiral-Lilwall looks at the group in the cells. * Terra continues on her way to the recreation room * Archlight looks up to see AL Well, are the five of you ready to act civil like? I'm always civil * Stardrive lounges on the bridge. I am ... Blacknife let me take over for obvious reasons * Terrafirma arrives outside the rec area door * Dead_Lift changes course and heads for the brig ol' bean Please... do not argue, just promise to behave for at LEAST a day or so ok? hmm... this place has been closed up for months. Wonder why... I have no intention of getting near... him... as long as he stays away from me. * Admiral-Lilwall deactivates the cells, letting the others out. "just keep away from each for a while. please." * Archlight dusts himself off and rushes to his- er BK's quarters * Terrafirma opens the doors and enters, tapping the light panel as she enters * Shadowstrike heads off to the bar. * Admiral-Lilwall sighs and leaves the brig in search of Waitstate. hmm... no dust. At least the air regulators do that much * Shadowstrike decides to go to her quarters instead. * Archlight reaches his quarters * Terrafirma scowls at the empty tankards, cans, and wrappers laying around though * Archlight patches into a secure Autobot signal...{One that even Stardrive doesn't know} * Archlight sees the vid screen of Optimus Prime pop up OP> Archlight good to see your back... Yes, fully functional once more... * Admiral-Lilwall hums to himself as he wanders the ship. * Terrafirma begins to clean up the place, and uncovers the A/V system remote in the process Op> Status report * Shadowstrike arrives at her quarters, where she sits down at her terminal and checks her messages. Pretty sure you know my situation fully now... BK is a definate sentient program 20th Century Earth movie collection... wonder what that is * Dead_Lift arrives at the brig to find the cells empty Op> Yes, your new friends told me So much for my captive audience... * Archlight chuckles at the word friends * Terrafirma clicks on a promising title Hmm... Demolition Man... * Shadowstrike finds a heavily coded message in her files. * Terrafirma continues cleaning, and is rather disappointed when organic beings appear to be the focus of this presentation Op> Considering the circumstances, I want you to put off the lesser clandestine catologing....if you get my drift * Archlight nods in agreement **Fragment finishes a combat simulation in the holodeck and leaves for his quarters "interception imminent. be on guard. -"... *slag*... Yes, Blacknife has caused enough troubles already ...... I'm picking up a signal somewhere one the ship. Unfortunately, I came out with my little act OP> *sighs* Now what... * Stardrive pushes a button on the arm of the chair. Op> Well, Keep appearances up for now until everything settles down....and I want you to stay appointed to this group. Their recent cure to the plague will attract attention "Bridge to Security. There's a unauthorized communication somewhere on the ship." No problem old chap * Archlight *OP laughs* * Admiral-Lilwall arrives at Wait's quarters and presses the buzzer AUGH! I better go before the comm officer breaks into the signal ...he's as good as Blaster OP> Understood .... Who the fuck is it? * Archlight cuts signal off Erm... is this a bad time? Damn... lost it. That you Lil? Come in, you bastard * Stardrive wonders what happened to security... * Admiral-Lilwall rubs his neck then enters. * Archlight sighs hey grey one, don't suppose you're feeling better? No problem old chap bah Bridge to security... too late. It's gone. Were you trying to kill me last night? :P You know me, try to usurp command anytime. So, still stressed out? I ran a bar for over 5 years, and I -NEVER- came across anything that potent These neutrals need a lesson but orders are orders well, not that you could live through If BK doesn't get me killed first * Dead_Lift wanders down the hall past Blacknife's quarters * Archlight changes back well then, you've experienced something exciting and new, yet at the same time you'll never want to do it again * Shadowstrike contemplates her worrisome message and polishes her sword blade. * Dead_Lift stops at the door and hit the comm button BK, you there? Yeah * Blacknife exits his quarters to spot DL What did you need, Lil? What do you want? Hey, I'm headed to the bar for a drink, care to join me? That sounds fine to me nothing. just seeing if you were feeling any better today I could use one after all this mess I'm sure I will, once I get everything working correctly again Which mess would that be? and Archlight coming back But if you refer to stress... yes, I feel better The mess that Shadowstrike has caused by hiding her past It will come find her soon enough Ah yes that. * Dead_Lift waves it off I need a drink... well, I just want one. Let's go. after you yeah well, be on stand by. Strike has bridge duty soon. * Dead_Lift heads for the bar ug... you sure that's a good idea? * Blacknife follows DL I do, Blacknife isn't on duty until after she's done up there. you would prefer it if they were both were up there? *sigh* Alright I'm taking the day completely off though * Dead_Lift arrives at the bar [Comm] Stardrive to Waitstate * Blacknife enters with him * Shadowstrike checks the time and realizes that it's almost time for her shift. [comm] Smeg off Suuuuuuuuuuuure. And I can see that happening :P Catch ya later :) * Admiral-Lilwall leaves wait's quarters [Comm] Well... we had an unauthorized communication... and security never answered... but nevermind... hmm... your department. Track it down and send me a report. Tomorrow. Have you got that traced down yet? * Shadowstrike heads off to the bridge for her shift. The closest I got was the crew quarters... somewhere. Obscure channel. * Dead_Lift looks around and sits at the counter Hmm Where's the Barkeep? I almost didn't notice. * Shadowstrike arrives at the bridge Probably on his shift *Lightning nods as 'strike enters* * Shadowstrike nods acknowledgement to Lightning. [Comm] Not much to report... Stardrive out. Well, this is fun ... Anything interesting going on up here? * Blacknife notes everything locked up We had an unauthorized communication from somewhere on the ship... Trace it? Other than that, just the USUAL chaos. I don't want to do brig time again ... So, what do you think is going on with Shadowstrike? Somewhere in the major setion of crew quarters... You seem awefully concerned with her... She keeps her past too hidden Couldn't get specifics. That the best you can do? It's a 'gut feeling' * Shadowpaw gets sick of her quarters, so leaves and heads for the bar as the humans say It was an obscure channel and it shut down before I could pinpoint it. Coded? Yeah, I know all about those... Very. And I don't even have the whole thing. Hrm. So the chances of cracking it are small. Try that new algorithm we were working on. Well, do the best you can with what you have. I don't like the sound of that.... have you notified Waitstate? Maybe that will get it. I'll try... but... fat chance. I did. And...? He's... not at his best today. He said to give him a report tomorrow. Well, that serves him quite right for tossing me in the brig :P Heh. **Format ejects from a console when Terrafirma nears. He transforms and slithers out of the room** * Stardrive walks back to the command chair and sits down. * Shadowpaw arrives in the bar and looks around before spotting DL and BK * Shadowstrike sits at her place at the console. * Blacknife notes Shadowpaw * Dead_Lift notices SP enter Heyya Shadowpaw * Terrafirma notes the little snake Hey :o) Hi Shadowpaw * Shadowpaw walks over Mind if I join you? * Blacknife tries to stop from confetting SP Hey there you cute thing :) Bar's locked up With Wait gone * Shadowpaw looks "so I see. how... boring." Exactly Yeah. Where is Wait? * Shadowpaw sits down and shrugs And I don't want to break into anything... for obvious reasons Who knows. Doesn't he have a second Barkeep or something? **Fragment enters the bar and plays some weird music on the jukebox** As many recruits as he has someone ought to be on a shift * Shadowpaw looks at the jukebox and notices Fragment and sighs quietly What the heck is that slaggin noise ? * Blacknife looks to see Fragment at the box Fragment>> whaaaaaaaat? * Dead_Lift looks over his shoulder to see Fragment Do I need to repeat myself? Jukebox. And Wait doesn't let anyone but himself mix drinks, so that's probably why there's no second Barkeep Ok, then. You have the conn I guess. * Stardrive leaves the bridge. I know it's a jukebox silly... but that noise... the song if you can call it that * Shadowpaw shrugs again Fragment>> hey, this is classis rock 'n' roll from the torgo sector With Fragment and his strange tastes of music, who knows? Hey this song has a pretty good beat.... * Dead_Lift grins * Shadowpaw shudders * Blacknife gives DL a dagger stare * Trilana sets the comm system on auto and leaves the bridge. you must have dead audio sensors as well Lightning>> Commander, I have just detected a heavily armed battlecruiser on approach vector What? Visual. Lightning>> It is coming from behind us. *puts image on veiwscreen* Not as dead as you might think Blacknife, not as dead as you think. * Stardrive and Trilana go back to SD's quarters to watch TV. Slag! Cruiser>> This is the Masquerade. Identify yourself. * Admiral-Lilwall enters the observation lounge * Shadowstrike recognizes the voice. Damn, damn... * Blacknife sighs * Stardrive runs back onto the bridge. * Shadowstrike opens a comm channel to the cruiser. [This is the Freedom. State your business] Actually all the commotion made it not boring... I almost wish something would happen * Stardrive sits back at the comm station. * Shadowpaw gets really sick of the music, gets up and walks over to the 'box, glaring at Fragment as she does Stardrive, alert Wait... this could be a problem. yeah, this is like retirement compared to the old days... [Comm] Bridge to Waitstate. [comm] What is it? [Comm] We have another problem. **Fragment takes all the energon snacks on the bar and leaves.** And bring the guns around... Fragment, don't let her bully you, buddy. [Comm] Terra? Where's Wait? Go get 'im Paw Can you get the comm from the cruiser on screen? * Shadowpaw chooses something else and sits back down next to DL Audio only from this side, if you please... [comm] What is it, damnit?! [Comm] Um... there's a ship... [cuts audio to the ship] who is that? An... aquaintance of mine, if I'm right... * Shadowpaw looks out the windows in the bar and sees a big ship "what the....?" [comm] Ship? A big one? small? Masquerade, state your purpose. *Now*. Huh? * Blacknife gazes at wher SP is looking SLAG! I KNEW IT! * Dead_Lift turns to look in the direction SP is looking and, hello... Lightning>> Their weapons are charged. [Comm] An... aquaintance of Shadowstrike. Charge ours. She's not going to play chicken with me. [to BK] what?! Talk BK. You knew what? Shadowstrike's Friends no doubt [comm] I'll be up in a moment then * Shadowpaw looks confused What are you on about? * Waitstate hurries off, rather upset that his day off has been canceled * Stardrive closes the cannel. What makes you say that? It's just a battle cruiser Cruiser>> [comm] I would like an audience with you... 'Strike. And it's not nice to charge those weapons up. You have to know you're outgunned. Lightning>> Weapons and shields charged.... * Stardrive restores audio. * Waitstate enters the lift Just be ready, Lightning. * Stardrive mumbles "Not likely." * Waitstate exits the lift and enters teh bridge Strike kept her past hidden well, now it's knocking on our door Status? Wait, we've got a problem. * Waitstate walks to the command chair That much is obvious. They've got their weapons charged. So do we. Dead Lift to Bridge. * Shadowpaw moves from the bar and seats herself at the table nearest the windows get me an open channel I suspect they're bluffing, but they want an audience with me. It's been open. oh Lightning>> The DEM is charged also... It's your call... err... do we have an ID on the ship? It's the Masquerade... I know the pilot. Hmm, they're not responding. Must have thier hands full. Slaggin decep cruiser * Dead_Lift gets closer to the window Masquerade, the is the commander of the Freedom. State your business Cruiser>> [comm]As I already stated, my business is with Shadowstrike. I want an audience with her. Regarding what? I think I'll be going now.... Cruiser>> [comm] Let's just say we're old friends... it's imperative that I speak with her. * Dead_Lift heads for the door * Shadowstrike *scowls* at the viewscreen. Cruiser>> [comm] In person. If you wish to speak with someone, you can place a person-to-person call. You go by this method, you talk to me * Shadowpaw looks at DL "where are you going?" * Dead_Lift leaves the bar and heads for the hangerbay [comm] We have visitors don't we Strike? I have work to do. [comm] Shut the slag up, Blacknife, or so help me... * Stardrive cuts Blacknife's channel. cool it BK * Blacknife gets feedback Not now. ouch Cruiser>> [comm] I'll play it whatever way that works. She won't respond to my "personal" calls. I'll lower my weapons and shields if you allow me aboard... Well I don't need a drink ....I'm finally proven right * Dead_Lift enters the hanger Granted. We'll be waiting for you in the landing bay * Shadowpaw looks at BK "come over here. check out the weaponry on this thing" Cruiser>> [comm] Thanks for playing. See you shortly. * Waitstate signals SD to close the channel * Blacknife looks Oh, wonderful... Standard Decep Cruiser * Stardrive closes the channel. Strike, you and me are going to the landing bay. Stardrive, get me a security team down there Always nicely loaded like that SP The security team won't be necessary. She's not a threat without that damned ship. If they answer this time... * Shadowpaw shrugs "I fought more planetside than anywhere else. never really saw them." Intimidation factor [comm] Bridge to security. We need a team in the launchbay. Well, the fun is about to begin Fine. Let's go. I'm going to teach that bratbot a lesson or two. [comm] Dead Lift to Waitstate Let's prepare for the worst * Blacknife pulls out his blades [comm] Bridge to security. Anyone there? * Waitstate answers the call as he walks Yes Dead Lift? * Shadowstrike follows Wait. We expecting company? at the moment, yes Thought so. This time try not to get hurt SP * Dead_Lift shuts off comm **Cuffs arrives at flight deck with Skysiren and Scope [comm] Tri to Stardrive. I'll go. [shuttle from the Masquerade awaits clearance to land] * Trilana heads to the Launchbay. * Shadowpaw glares * Dead_Lift notices Cuffs and Skysiren * Waitstate enters the bay and watches the shuttle prepare to land * Blacknife only shrugs at SP's glare * Trilana enters the bay. [The shuttle lands, then the ramp descends slowly...] weapons up everyone, but don't shoot anybody. You guys are just here for intimidation factor * Dead_Lift raises blaster *Cuffs raises his weapon* I like intimidation *snort* * Blacknife prepares some explosives * Trilana angles her shoulder cannons. [A neon green and purple femme and a dark blue Decepticon descend from the shuttle] *Recoil raises... everything Hold it right there, you two... Disarm. *Now*. * Shadowpaw raises her weapon * Waitstate notes the rather inpressively large security force [The femme scowls and drops a pistol] Misfit>> Nice to see YOU again, too, 'Strike... * Waitstate steps forward to *ahem* greet the visitors Cobalt>> Yeah, yeah... *Misfit notes Waitstate. Welcome to the LSS Freedom. I'm Waitstate, ship commander * Stardrive watches the proceedings from the bridge. Misfit>> *flippant* so I understand. I'm Misfit, and this is Cobalt. What the heck are you raising your weapon for SP? To shoot the air? * Blacknife notes still in bar heh I... see Misfit>> And there's no need for all the armed guards. Come on let's point it at some Deceps * Blacknife drags SP to the shuttle bay *Cobalt scowls at Wait* * Admiral-Lilwall arrives on the flight deck. "Step outside for one moment and a party starts." * Shadowpaw shakes BK off "I can walk" Too bad my comm got cut off ...I'd inform the others of my arrival Perhaps not. Nevertheless, they're here. * Blacknife beams beneath his faceplate *Cuffs>> your battlecruiser gives us reason. Misfit>> *sarcastic* If we'd wanted to, we'd've [cut off by a *sharp* look from Strike]... Mis, that's enough. A little respect if you will. Ah, so you DO know them then * Blacknife enters with SP and swords ready Told ya so Misfit>> sorry, commander.. * Admiral-Lilwall notes Blacknife enter. "Get out BLacknife, NOW." * Dead_Lift notes BK and SP enter. * Blacknife shrugs Fine... * Shadowstrike sees Blacknife... Ice Queen Wait, I want him out of here... * Waitstate nods * Blacknife leaves Misfit>> Who's that? Recoil, evac that guy * Shadowpaw leaves too "waste of time walking down here...." slaggin idgets Aye }:) * Recoil makes sure BK doesnt re-enter Misfit>> Can we move this somewhere a bit more personal? We've come a long way... * Blacknife goes to his quarters *Cobalt stands and coldly observes the surroundings. 'Strike, do you want to talk with these guys? * Shadowstrike glares at them both. * Shadowpaw goes and be's bored in the observation lounge :D Yes... alright... there's a small lounge just outside the bay Alone, if that's all right. * Dead_Lift lowers his weapon * Blacknife accesses Decepticon Database to find info on the two warriors he saw * Shadowstrike looks at the two holigans. You'd better be on your best behavior. Understood? Misfit>> *grin* We're always on our best behavior. Dead Lift, take a guard position outside the lounge Yes sir. This way, you two first. *Misfit and Cobalt head to the lounge, with 'Strike close behind. * Dead_Lift follows the group keeping a sharp optical sensor on the two cons * Shadowstrike lets the twosome into the lounge, and pauses at the door with Dead Lift. * Dead_Lift looks at Shadowstrike "First sign of trouble...." I know it. Keep a sharp eye out. Got it. * Shadowstrike enters the lounge and shuts the door. * Blacknife gets nice data * Admiral-Lilwall turns to Wait, "What the hell is going on now?" * Dead_Lift stands guard. * Blacknife tries comm now What in the name of Primus are you two doing here?! Cuff>> Sir, I would like for myself and Skysiren to also stand guard with Dead Lift. {COMM} Wait...some news about our visitors... Misfit>> *grinning* Bailing you out for a change? Lil: Two weirdos in a 'Con cruiser show up outta nowhere and demanded to speak to 'Strike Do I appear to need bailing out? How the fuck did you *get* here, for one... And that ship? Hoorah. I'm going to the bridge. Cobalt>> Long version or the short? *sideways glance at Misfit* * Waitstate completely ignores BK, not wanting to hear it * Blacknife sends the dang file anyway *furious* I don't care! But someone had better start talking! Misfit>> S'gal told us where you went. You taught me how to track, it wasn't that hard. Misfit>> The ship's ours. Beauty, isn't she? Faster than the old Osirius, if not quite as well shielded. Cobalt>> The rest are on a run in one of the outer quadrants. Cobalt>> If you care, that is. * Shadowstrike turns her back on them. slag it all Misfit>> Look, you don't know what's going on. So let me fill you in... And I don't *care*, Mis. * Waitstate goes and sits in the small commisary near the lounge Misfit>> Really? We're out on our own. Plague ends, we jump Cybertron. They didn't even miss us. Do you *ever* listen? I told you not to follow me. Now you're really in over your head. * Waitstate rifles through the storage chamber and gets some energon **Cuffs takes post outside the lounge anyway** Misfit>> It's blown over now, you know. No one's mentioned what happened in an age. hmm.. normal stuff, but I'm bored... * Blacknife goes to the bar * Shadowstrike paces, obviously angry. That doesn't matter either. And you know it. I'd pay a ton to hear whats going on in there right now. Misfit>> What I *know*, Commander, is that we're out from under Galvatron's thumb, and there's no reason you can't come back. * Waitstate flips on the small TV in the corner * Waitstate gets static How many TIMES do I have to tell you this? I'm *through* with it. bah... not hooked up. Figures :P Misfit>> Oh, come *on*. You're dying to see how that ship operates. Don't tell me you're happy here on this rust bucket. * Admiral-Lilwall arrives on teh bridge Wait to engineering... I need a cable hookup down here Surprise, surprise. I *am* happy, Mis. Misfit>> Doing nothing? Sounds like a load of fun. Did they brainwash you when you wandered out here? * Admiral-Lilwall sits in the command chair and sighs [comm] Cable? Why settle for cable when you can have Direct TV? Misfit>> Look, Commander. I know what happened. We got busted up and you needed some time. But we want -- NEED -- you back. * Blacknife goes in bar and practices his swords by himself comm: just get down here. Someone forgot to get this thing hooked in * Junky_LaFord arrives. Misfit>> It'll be better than it was before. We've got free reign without Galvatron's greedy fingers in our trade routes. Cobalt and I aren't nearly as good as you are. *Cobalt sits quietly, content to let Misfit do the talking. * Junky_LaFord opens a wall panel and plugs a wire into a connector. Ok... done. [quietly] Look, you two. I'm honored you did all this work just to come find me. But I'm not coming back. Not now, and not ever. ah, good. Thank you. No problemo, mon Capitan. * Blacknife puts swords back *Misfit and Cobalt exchange looks* SLAG THIS! * Waitstate starts flipping channels * Junky_LaFord goes back to Engineering. I'll see you back to your shuttle. I trust this will be the last *incident* of this sort... * Blacknife runs to find Dead Lift to see what's going on.... * Shadowpaw gets up and leaves the observation lounge and begins wandering the ship Misfit>> I'm truly sorry about this, Commander. But you're not going to listen to reason here... *Before Strike can react, Cobalt grabs her sword from her hand* * Blacknife sees DL standing guard * Dead_Lift notices BK Um ups Misfit, don't you dare... Documentary of Cordaren 77th century architecture... hmm... (under breath) oh great.... Dead Lift I don't suppose Strike and Friends are in there .... *Cobalt tosses the sword to Misfit, who's pulled a gun out of seemingly mid-air* * Dead_Lift turns to Cuffs Don't do this. You'll get yourselves killed. You hear something? * Recoil runs up behind BK I told you to stay away from here! * Blacknife dodges Recoil Cuffs> I did, stand ready * Dead_Lift draws his blaster Cobalt>> I'm sorry, too, but it has to be done... * Recoil grabs BK, and drags him away Damn. * Dead_Lift stands around the corner of the door *Cobalt grabs 'Strike and holds the gun against her...* You slaggin idget Cuff> Recoil, leave him be there... now STAY HERE * Stardrive contacts Trilana Cobalt>> All right, let's go... * Recoil turns back to his prisoner Let go of me! NOW! Hey... where'd you go?! * Blacknife runs past Recoil Now I heard that! Cuff>> Open the door *Misfit opens the door, and notices the distraction BK is causing...* Let's go! * Dead_Lift opens the door I'm gonna get my pay docked, I just know it... * Trilana runs down the corridor *Misfit opens fire to make cover... *Cuffs fires on misfit Cobalt>> One false move and 'Strike's dead, everyone understand? Going somewhere? Cuff>> Recoil! LET ME GO! Well, that's fine with me * Recoil runs toward Cuffs * Dead_Lift blocks the entrance to the landing bay Cobalt>> Now we're just going to ease back to the shuttle... and no one makes any sudden moves. And she stays alive. But I want that privledge myself Cuffs>> How stupid do you think we are Decepticon, you want her alive, not dead. What's going on?! Misfit>> Really? She's worth a lot to us, either way... Cuffs>> Recoil, two decepticons to play with Oh. Neat. * Shadowstrike struggles with Cobalt, but is much smaller and can't get loose... I don't care I want her myself!!!!! * Dead_Lift turns to look at the shuttle in the bay **Cuffs shoots 'strike's legs, making her fall. then levels his gun on Cobalt** * Recoil targets teh blue one with a narrowbeam pulse blast * Blacknife jumps Misfit with swords blazing Misfit grabs BK after a short struggle...* Good, now I have a shield too... * Recoil shoots the blue one * Trilana fires her null rays. *Cobalt fires on Cuffs and pulls Strike up to use her as a shield. This just slags all Cuffs>> [comm] all units, security breach! * Shadowstrike is hit instead of Cobalt and falls unconscious **Cuffs falls from teh blast