Session Start: Sat Dec 18 22:22:36 1999 * Waitstate sits in the computer core room at a terminal and logs in as root [comm] Bridge, I'm about to bring down the system. Are you go for the transfer to manual? We're ready. * Deadlift paces in his quarters [comm] good. Switch to internal comm systems [shipwide comm] Ok everyone, the computer is going down for a few minutes. Try not to panic too much, k? Waitstate out. Huh? * All users: the system is going down. You have 30 seconds to save your work. [comm] How generous. * Stardrive leaves his quarters. * Emergency backups engage. Main computer goes down. ok... OS upgrade. Old chips out... new chips in Herr's are better than these... * Waitstate connects the new processor array ok... * Waitstate re-powers the system * Waitstate watches all the checks pass as Junky might say, the lights are green, the trap is clean... * Shadowstrike fidgets nervously on the bridge. * Stardrive enters the bridge. * Deadlift drives to the launch bay How are things today? * Waitstate finishes the boot process and reconnects the network Just fine, I guess. [comm] Bridge, we're back up. You can switch stuff back to ship control good... [shipwide comm] ok everyone, you can go back to solitare now ;) Engine controls restored to within point oh nine five gigacrons, normal systems parameters. We be jammin' again, pard'ner... * Waitstate exits to the bridge * Shadowstrike turns to Stardrive How are you? * lift moves about the ship Not bad. * door opens * Waitstate steps onto the bridge * Shadowstrike jumps and turns around startled. * Deadlift moves cargo around the room what? both of you? ;) Computer shutdown cut off my movie, though... I knew I should have a backup archive in my quarters. * Stardrive turns to Wait Hi Wait. hey, the notice was posted. I stuck one in the bar, so I don't know why you didn't see it * Deadlift finishes up and heads for the simulation room Unlike half the ship, I don't live in the bar. yes, but you're known to spy on it *shrug* Besides... I knew about it... that didn't stop it from interrupting my movie. :) * Waitstate laughs So I'm up here now. * Shadowstrike turns sharply on SD. "Is there something *wrong* with being in the bar? * Waitstate stops smiling * Waitstate has the oddest sense of deja vu No... it's just not where you're most likely to find me. I'm usually in the rec room, with the big TV. :) heh *abruptly* If you'll excuse me, with you two here I don't have to be. * Shadowstrike turns and leaves. * Deadlift turns on a battle sim and battle imaginary foes glad SOMEONE uses it... *watches Strike storm out* * Stardrive waits for Strike to leave. Don't let the doors slide shut on your afterburner... * Stardrive smirks. Not funny Oh well. She really has been on edge you know It would have been if you had thought of it. * Shadowstrike goes to her quarters. Besides... I waited until she couldn't hear me. :) * Waitstate decides not to argue Speaking of afterburners... mine's dragging... I need a break. Well, I'm here anyway... * Misfit sits at 'Strike's terminal, since her own is busy doing something else. What's our status? any complications from the upgrade pop up yet? * Shadowstrike arrives at her quarters. * Trilana departs for A Quick Bite * Misfit looks over her shoulder. Hey, you're back early... I don't know, I just got here. * Stardrive fiddles with the comm system. ah Doesn't look to be any with the comm systems... And you're into my terminal *again*. well, if any do... Well sheesh! You said you didn't mind.... No conflicts reported... I most CERTAINLY did not! good... Yeah, you did... Right before you went up bridgeside... Diagnostics read ok... No glitches... * Waitstate pulls an EnerSmoothie from seemingly nowhere and takes a sip OUT. NOW. You're really getting into those things, arn't you? they're pretty good * Stardrive pulls one out of the storage compartment of his chair. But I'm not... OUT! * Misfit starts to argue but decides against it. I'm sorry... * Misfit is ignored. * Misfit leaves and wanders to the bar. Yeah... good thing too... I could drink a dozen of these and still not charge my containment field. * Recoil is sitting in the back of the bar, slowly nursing a large draft * Misfit walks into the bar. I'm glad I don't have such a high power overhead :) Though, I admit... they don't glitch your systems one bit. Hi Recoil... Yeah... well... I'd like to see you explore deep space as a car with wings. ;) * Recoil looks up, waves, goes back to his drink hey, I AM exploring space, if you didn't notice :) I mean, sure I could just use the anti-matter... but I like energon. And I went so long without it... * Misfit sits down with Recoil. Er, hi there Hi... I remember when I left Cybertron with nothing but a few trinkets for trade, and all the energon cubes I could gather... What's up with you? Bored, mostly Have you seen Wait? * Stardrive lapses into memories... Not today. He's busy I think Oh... How busy? Upgrades and stuff. It's quiet, so I guess it's a good time I need to talk to him, but I don't want to bother him... He just finished something, so he's probly taking a break from it now * Recoil shrugs Thanks Recoil... Those were the days... * Misfit walks out of the bar and into the plaza. Bye *waves* [comm] Um, Waitstate, do you have a minute? [comm] yeah, sure. Will the comm do, or do you want to meet somewhere? [comm] Can we meet? I don't care where... [comm] Ok... how about lounge 3 on deck 4? [comm] ok. meet you there. looks like the bridge is yours * Waitstate gets up and heads out * Diablo leaves his quarters and wanders down the corridor * Deadlift exits the sim-chamber and wanders down the hall * Misfit walks down the corridor and locates the lounge. * Waitstate goes to the lounge * Diablo transforms and drives towards the plaza * Deadlift transforms and drives down the corridor with Twitch behind the wheel * Waitstate sees Mis waiting for him * Waitstate waves as he approaches * Misfit waves back... Hi... hey * Stardrive sits in the command chair with an enersmoothie in each hand like Cyrano Jones would if he were in a similar situation. * Waitstate motions her inside * Misfit follows Wait I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important... * Deadlift drives into the bar just watching the stars go by on the bridge * Waitstate closes the door, locks it, and activates anti-spy protocols * Misfit shuffles slightly, like a nervous child. what's wrong Misfit? Um... I don't know exactly how to start... but... have you noticed Strike lately? * Diablo drives into the plaza and looks around I think the entire sector has noticed Strike I mean, differences... she's been a lot more confrontational, I know That too. that's all I've really noticed, to be honest. I can be kinda dense at times though * Deadlift gets himself a drink and sits at the bar * Diablo leaves the plaza and speeds off towards the sim room She's forgetting things... she just threw me off of her terminal after she said I could use it, insisting that she never said I could use it, It's not the first time she's done something like that recently... and... she just never forgets stuff like that. * Misfit sighs. And jumpy. I guess I HAVE noticed that She's carrying both her blasters no matter what... she won't leave her quarters without them and her sword. It's like she's afraid of something. :-/ * Diablo transforms to bot mode and enters the sim room She nearly clobbered Recoil yesterday because he bumped into her and she didn't hear him coming... Hmph... Deadlift was right. We DO need a counselor on this ship... * Diablo opens several spiderbot plans on the sim room computer and watches holographic representations of them appear in the room She's starting to kinda scare me a little... worry me, more I guess. I guess I've not known her long enough to tell the difference. She's always seemed like this, albiet less extreme * Misfit shakes her head. * Deadlift turns on the jukebox If you'd seen her when Recoil knocked into her... for a split second it was like she didn't know who it was... that is not a good sign... Time for a bit of an upgrade I think No, I mean, she had her sword out quick as all... It's no good talking to her, she won't talk. This design looks just right * Deadlift thinks back on his Decepticon days. * Waitstate just sits a moment, thinking of doctors and the recent loss thereof * Diablo leaves the sim room and heads for engineering in search of spare parts any suggestions? * Misfit shakes her head. I really don't know. I wonder if there is a safe way to contact ole' Swindle and see what he's been up to... * Diablo enters engineering and stays out of Junky's sight * Deadlift pulls out a data pad and does some investigating well... I guess we could catch her by suprise and drop her into stasis... Is that a good idea? :/ good? no. But a solution. ahhh * Diablo spots the parts he needs and heads towards them You'd better get her sword away from her first... or I wouldn't want to be the person trying to "surprise" her. a good point * Diablo takes the parts he needs and walks off * Misfit looks concerned. if you think she's a threat... well, we need to do something I don't know if she's a threat or not... I'm just worried. * Junky_LaFord walks in and notices there are replacement components missing. * Diablo walks back into the sim room any idea why the change? She's been like that since she got patched up from *pauses* BK and Cobalt. * Diablo opens up his arm hatch and pulls spiderbot out aha breakthrough, eh? *slowly* I guess so... * Diablo begins upgrading Spiderbot I have no idea what to do about this * Deadlift flips up his comm on his wrist [Comm] Shadowstrike, you there? Maybe you could try and talk to her...? [comm] What? about something she doesn't want to hear? Would YOU want to do that? * Diablo attaches extra armour to spiderbots legs But you're actually an authority figure to her... I'm not. [comm] Don't "what?" me, femmebot, hehe, I was wondering if you wanted to join me at the bar for a drink. Don't worry, none of your "aggravations" are here [comm] I don't think so, DL. I think you'll find that I'm more a friend and less an authority in her eyes. [comm] Can't say I didn't ask I suppose. lifter out. * Deadlift looks at Twitch. "She needs therapy in the worst way." But still... she treats me like I can't handle anything. *squeek* * Waitstate sighs I'll try my best * Diablo modifies Spiderbot's body Thanks... I'm sorry. no, don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong I suppose if anyone can talk to her, it's me. one more thing... try and get her to recharge... she hasn't in really too long. :-/ I feel like it's my fault, because if I hadn't brought that big blue idiot with me, nothing would've happened to her... hm... the bar's overcharged is probably the only thing keeping her going... She's not recharging and she hasn't in I don't know how long... you're probably right. that is NOT something to live on. Believe me, I've seen what it does to a person :-/ you think that has anything to do with it? Maybe... * Diablo adds a few extra components inside spiderbot and adds a few extra wires and an energy cell I'll set the computer to start using a filtering agent I developed when she gets her drinks. It cuts out the inebriating and harmful effects OK. think she'll notice? * Deadlift looks around the bar. "Hmm...needs redecorating..." She might. :/ hmph She's got such a tolerance that she can drink a ton of that stuff without it bothering her, so *maybe* not. well, it's worth a shot. *pause* ...ok, done. * Misfit nods. * Diablo logs off the sim room computer, picks up the parts and leaves for the bar with spiderbot on his shoulder *sigh* was there anything else? I don't think so... I'm really sorry... don't be. I needed to know :| * Diablo walks into the bar and notices Deadlift in there * Deadlift looks up to see Diablo enter Hi Diablo Hey. Anything new around here? Only the eerie quiet well, go back to your quarters and get some rest. Strike isnt the only one who needs it. Besides, I think the process you're running is almost done OK. Thanks, Waitstate... Nice security on that by the way. I'm still trying to figure out what it is * Misfit smiles... I'm not as good as Strike at 100%, but I'm not bad. ;) hmm, it's around that time of the terran year again I was in the process of trying to contact some old friends of mine without alerting everyone of our whereabouts * Spiderbot jumps onto a table What time would that be? well, I'll figure it out eventually :) He looks a little different. * Deadlift looks at the spiderbot * Misfit chuckles. What the Terrans call Christmas I live to entertain! Yeah, I gave him a bit of an upgrade I do hope the downtime didn't harm it much Oh yes, Christmas. Odd holiday. Why I remember one time, we were expecting a shipment of energon, and recieved a whole scrap load of ornaments. hehe Man, was Shockwave fried. * Deadlift chuckles. I don't think so. I set an interrupt on it so it would shut down and restart where it left off. hehe good idea * Misfit smiles. So, who are those old friends you were trying to contact, anyone I would have met in battle before? Apperantly some of the Cons on Earth thought it would be funny. I'm not sure if you've met them. They are Combaticons. Swindle, Vortex, and Onslaught. Brawl, Blastoff and I never really hit it off. Ahh, them Fought them on many occasions on Earth We used to cover for each other all the time. I'm sure they would not tell anyone where I was, but I can't have other prying receptors hacking into my signal well... I suppose I'll go look for Shadowstrike Good luck... * Misfit leaves and heads for her quarters. Swindle has my stuff, well assuming the little rascal didn't sell it off. * Diablo laughs * Waitstate checks the logs for Shadowstrike's location, then heads to her quarters I wouldn't bet on seeing your stuff anytime soon That's what I'm afraid of. Ahh, got something important amongst your stuff * Waitstate exits onto deck 1 * Diablo watches Spiderbot wander around the bar * Waitstate rings the entry chime on Strike's quarters Yes? What is it? Nothing of value, more like keepsakes. Assorted enemies weapons, parts, etc. May I come in? * Shadowstrike mutters. * Diablo nods I suppose. * Shadowstrike releases the door latches. * Waitstate enters Hmm, Spiderbot doesnt really suit him as a name anymore with all the extra armour and stuff on him * Deadlift watches Twitch scamper aross the floor behind the spiderbot I see you've been... redecorating * Shadowstrike is seated at her terminal. * Shadowstrike turns to face Wait but doesn't say anything. I think that Scarab would suit him perfectly now * Waitstate runs his finger along a rent in the wall * Twitch playfully pounces on the spider * Shadowstrike just watches silently. so... you've been a bit quiet of late. Have I? Anything you want to talk about? No, nothing I can think of. It's been kinda quiet around here lately. Yeah, you're right I heard you and Recoil had a run in the other day Calm before the storm perhaps What? Could be I hope it isn't. With our ranks depleted as we are, we wouldn't fare well in an attack. Especially since we are lacking a medic. The way I hear it, you almost took his head off with that nifty blade of yours Wasn't a run in. He just knocked into me in the corridor. * Shadowstrike goes on the defensive. Hardly, he just startled me, that's all. Hmm there's gotta be some sort of decorations hidden somewhere out the back of one of these shops You think so? are you sure? You've been jumpy of late. Are you sure nothing is wrong? Yeah, I think so *agitated* Everything's just fine. Nothing's wrong. Why would anything be wrong? You haven't been getting any rest I'm going to take a look out the back of one of these shops * Waitstate points to the usage indicator on the recharge port *sharply* I am fine. Why so defensive? I'm just concerned for your well being is all You know, what we need is a tree. Yeah, there might be one here somewhere * Shadowstrike seems increasingly jittery. I'm going to take a look * Diablo goes into the plaza area and goes down a corridor leading to a storage area ok I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. Really. I don't know what makes you think I'm not. * Diablo looks around. "Geez there's a lot of junk here" The nervous twitch you developed since I got here, for one thing * Shadowstrike starts to say something but stops. * Waitstate waits, an expectant look on his faceplate * Deadlift gets up and goes back where Diablo is. "Find anything?" I'm fine. Never better Only a lot of junk so far * Diablo continues to look around * Waitstate looks around again * Deadlift rummages as well * Shadowstrike tries to explain things away... Don't tell me you never practice. * Stardrive reads an unauthorized disturbance of a storage area and signals Recoil to check it out. Sure. In the sim room, or with drones in the cargo bay. There's barely enough room for me to transform in my quarters, much less fence *still trying* I like close quarters when I practice. * Scarab walks into the storage area it can't be good on your weapons *picks up a small metal fragment* Doesn't hurt my sword. it doesn't do anything for the walls though... * Diablo spots a large box I'll fix them, if that is the problem. Hey, what do you think's in here? Not sure, let's take a look. with that twitch you have in your wrist? I doubt it. Why don't you come to medbay? The medical drones should be able to help I don't need help. * Diablo walks upto the box and clears junk away from it * Recoil arrives in the storage area * Deadlift looks over. "Hi Recoil" Something going on in here? * Scarab notices Recoil next to him You here to look for decorations too? I think you do You can help us! Decorations? * Deadlift drags Recoil over to some boxes. "Look through these!" * Scarab jumps onto Recoil's shoulder * Recoil flicks the thing off of himself * Diablo opens up the big box * Shadowstrike stands up and backs away. I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me. *menacing* keep it away * Scarab beeps angrily and moves over to Diablo Aha, Flashy Lights!!! * Twitch jumps up on a box face level with Recoil and chatters nicely at him * Deadlift looks over. "lights?" These will do nicely Did Lil ever talk to you about what he was like before LONAC? Back on Cybertron? * Diablo pulls them out of the box, "Yep, lights" What does that have to do with anything? Niiiice. he didn't think anything was wrong with him. It almost killed him. What exactly is the point of these? We have plently of lights built in to the ship * Diablo puts the lights back in the box. "I'm going to put this box in the bar" We are decorating for a human celebrated holiday Yeah, that's right Lil and I weren't the first thing alike. I'm fine. I just need to get back to work. Why? What work would that be, if I may ask? Bring some cheer to this dreary place * Diablo walks back to the bar, carrying the box Waste of energon *tense, still distrusting* I'm working on a new defense plan for the ship. * Deadlift looks at Recoil. "That's what I'm talking about, Scrooge-bot" *genuine interest* Oh? Can I see? what is a Scrooge? * Deadlift chuckles. "Nevermind, I'll get you the program later." * Diablo leaves the box on a table and walks back to the storage area * Shadowstrike sees a possible way out. I'll bring a report as soon as I get a few issues ironed out. Found anything else? * Waitstate cocks an optic ridge servo at Strike * Deadlift pulls a box out. This... Can't share now? It's not an Earth tree, but it should work. Ahh, perfect, a tree * Deadlift pulls out a Barillium plant You shouldn't use that Why not? Ah relax Recoil, she won't mind if we borrow this stuff. If she does, I can put it on my tab. You can look, but it's not finished or close. Scared that its gonna grow out of proportion? * Waitstate walks over to the terminal I still don't think you should mess with that. You can see it right there. * Diablo spots a few more boxes laying in a corner yes, I can. I have to admit though, this isn't my forte. An explanation would be much appreciated :) * Deadlift hears a jingle near his feet. * Shadowstrike still looks nervous. * Diablo walks over to the boxes and takes a look at them Heavier defenses to compensate for the loss of numbers. A stronger shield. * Twitch runs by with a string of bells always useful Recoil, you going to help us or not? why the sudden interest in defence? we haven't had -that- much trouble in that area No, I am not. Defense is always important. Where'd we get all this? Whether the threat is apparent or not. Who knows, must have got here before we joined you see a threat? There's always a threat. that's a rather cynical outlook. This certainly can't be Terra's stuff. She didn't know anything about Earth, let alone its cultures. I've been around much longer than you have. I think I should know. Yeah, Oh well, whoever owns it won't mind if we borrow it for a little while True enough Everyone's gonna see it. That is if we have our way. hehehe * Waitstate paces across the room * Shadowstrike backs up another halfstep. still, it's odd that you're worrying about this so much -now-, when it seems least necesary Hmm, if there's enough decorations left over we could sneak onto the bridge and decorate there too It's never *least* necessary. Too bad Blacknife isn't around. His confetti bombs would be useful. Maybe we could *borrow* a few of them too * Waitstate laughs slightly * Diablo looks back in the boxes I definitely picked the right person to head our "military" *uneasy* Thank you. Aha, it's some of that shiny stuff, in silver red and green colours what's got you so upset? really? * Waitstate goes to put his hand on her shoulder *Nothing*. * Shadowstrike jerks away * Diablo pulls it out while getting tangled in it alright... alright * Shadowstrike backs against the wall. I told you that I'm fine. calm down... *really sharply* I AM calm! then why are you crushing the back of that chair? Look, I'm honestly here to help I don't need anyone's help If you'd just admit you have a problem, whatever it is... There's nothing wrong... * Diablo has the shiny stuff tangled around him, and puts the box on top his head. "Going to put this stuff in the bar too" I doubt you could convince even Bit of that at this point * Diablo walks off to the bar I'm a little edgy maybe, but that is ALL. * Deadlift grabs some of the shiny stuff and lines the bar with it Probably just need a drink. That's all. That's the last thing you need * Diablo drops the box and the shiny stuff on a table * Shadowstrike shrugs and fakes a smile. "What doesn't kill me will make me stronger. Isn't that the Earthen saying?" I think it is. Most people who like to say that end up dead at an early age. * Diablo grabs the Flashy Lights, "Time to put these up I think" I didn't. Where? You also didn't used to say things like that, I'd wager Good question * Diablo looks around * Shadowstrike sways a little on her feet but leans back against the wall. Maybe I didn't. I've done some digging you know. We could line the windows with it Yeah, that'll work I don't know the whole story, but I've gathered a good bit of your past * Shadowstrike stands up straighter and looks around the room quickly and nervously. * Diablo puts the lights up I figure you and Misfit used to have a good deal more in common than you do now. You weren't designed this paranoid. I am not paranoid. I'm practical. So what happened to that plant? I'll get it * Deadlift runs back to the room and grabs the plant Here it is * Deadlift props it up in a corner Ahh, I think we've got everything we need now Judging by the number of counter-insugency plans you have logged, I'd say my original diagnosis stands You have to watch your back every second. * Terrafirma walks over to Deadlift and Diablo * Diablo finishes putting up the lights You two mind telling me why my storage room is unlocked? No, I don't mind. We needed to borrow some stuff. Yeah, that's right This has something to do with... what was his name... Cobalt, doesnt it? That traitor... Fine. *taps a few buttons on her pad* But I'm lodging a complaint. Miserable wretch. If I hadn't stepped in, he would have been smelted. And how am I repaid? * Shadowstrike goes silent. Aw, don't be that way Terra, we were going to let ya know. Don't stop there. What did he do? Besides, it's only going right here. * Deadlift motions to the decorations Yeah, we're trying to make this place happy again "What did he do?" He nearly deactivated me. yes, I noticed. Those garish things outside of my shop. * Deadlift looks around. "I think we did a nice job." I don't want to talk about this. * Deadlift puts a garland around Terra's neck. I think you need to get this out of your system. * Terrafirma removes the synthetic plant material What I need is to get back to work. * Scarab walks into the bar Bad enough you're putting it on the walls I'll patch my walls as soon as I can get the materials, if that bothers you. Holes in the walls do bother me. But not nearly as much as watching a friend lose herself to psychosis. I've watched it happen. I won't again. How many times do I have to tell you that I AM FINE? well, you've convinced yourself anyway Just let me be. Mind if we give this plant a drink, it looks a bit thirsty? Have you ever known me to "leave someone be"? *bitter laugh* There's a first time for everything. please... get some rest. Log some time in the recharger. and... I don't need rest. Stay away from the bar? Why? it will only make your "non existant" problem worse. If you want to do something for me, then come with me to get a drink, because that's what I need. * Deadlift turns the lights down in the bar, to make the lights more noticable alright... perhaps I will A drink, and I'll be fine. Ooh, watch the lights flash away Really. * Waitstate says nothing We should show this to Waitstate. It might cheer him up. well... lead on then Maybe talk to DL for a minute. Yeah, hopefully it'll cheer up some of the others too * Shadowstrike picks her sword up off her desk and places it in its sheath, and walks out of her quarters, mindful of where Wait is. surely you won't need that I always carry it. * Scarab jumps onto the counter yes... you do it's just so big is all * Shadowstrike ignores that and walks on to the lift. * Waitstate quickly replaces an interface relay with an apparently identical one, then exits * Deadlift puts some music on the jukebox * Shadowstrike heads for the bar. There, I think we're done