* Waitstate changes topic to "-=2002.139=- RP time! " * Avalanche is hangin' out in the bar. * Tip-Over stands to the back of the meeting area with Lightning, observing the meeting * Waitstate has taken a seat at the behest of his host Underneath WHAT, Mr Waitstate? * Diablo is walking towards the plaza * Supremoid Goag is essentially a large snail with arms and a hat. * Chameleon is on the bridge Howdy Chameleon Underneath your capitol building, Mr. Goag. I assure you, the structural damage would be minimal, and we would certainly pay for any needed repairs. Hey Drill Master Well, I can understand that. But...well, how would it look? I mean, for a shipful of robots to come to our planet and excavate the capitol? Don't you usually log time in the sims with the Tactibots? Ah, heya Cham I suppose it would look like a refit of your capitol. surely this wouldnt be the first offworld contractor you hired. Yeah, thought I'd waste my time up here instead. Hyperion can have fun in the sim's with the others since he's in charge now. Hey Roadkill We pride ourselves on our industry here, Mr Waitstate. Nothing belonging to the government has ever been built by offworlders. * Sunspot sticks her head nervously through the bridge door. I would like to point out that the artifact we're investigating is of clear Cybertronian origin. Ah, heya Sunny. Ye lookin' for Wait? * Sunspot jumps at Roadkill's voice. Um, uh, not really... It isn't matter of ownership, Mr Waitstate. We are not trying to defraud you. If the artifact were readily available, to you we would give it gladly. * Sunspot comes inside and shuts the door behind her. But it is underneath the seat of power for our PLANET. Of course sir, I understand. You'll forgive my defensiveness, I hope. Perhaps there's something we could offer you? in exchange. Um...Roadkill, something weird's going on on the ship. We're all in horrible danger. Yeah, like the Admiral Oh? *looks at Sunspot in concern* What's the haps? *quick glare* Ruse! I do not think we can consider this any longer, Mr Waitstate. I am sorry, as I have said, but this is a problem that I cannot see us coming to agreement upon. * Sunspot whispers nervously. You are, of course, welcome to stay here as long as you desire. Thrashmane isn't really Thrashmane. He's one of the Strikers. * Ruse sits back down * Roadkill blinks how'd y'come to that conclusion, Sunny one? A Striker eh? * Diablo walks into the plaza and wanders around I saw him talking to their leader when I came back from the space station! I walked into his quarters and he had this communicator thing out, and...and then he said things to me... what'd he say? * Sunspot gets really big eyes and shivers a little. He told me what they did to the real one... Very well then. * Roadkill is getting more worried. have y'told Wait all this yet? I'm disappointed we couldnt come to a mutually beneficial agreement I...I don't know if he believed me... I know it sounds weird... So runs business. *sighs* The grey one's been kinda stressed about other stuff lately, too. that prolly don't help much. And I am, at heart, a buisness man. Don't be suprise if our paths cross again. *smiles* I'm so scared, 'cause he's still running around the ship... Why didn't you just kill him? If it's an issue of firepower then I'm sure I can get Dark Star to help you Slag this sitting around talking about it. Why don't we go do something about this matter now? I...I dunno if Wait would like that... Probably right. Waitstate wouldn't approve of such harsh behavior. * Roadkill rubs the back of his neck, thinking. Wait's not on board right now though. He'd have to trust our judgement on a possible threat to the ship. I haven't found Avy to tell him yet... Do you know where he is? I have to tell him to be careful... Don't know. Y'tried the bar? How about we notify Waitstate first? * Waitstate rises to shake Goag's hand, then hesitates, not used to non-humanoid physical etiquette. As busy as he is I'm sure a threat to the ship such as this would call from at least some of his attention Worth a try. Y'think he'd be finished with that meeting or whatever he's in yet? I haven't been down to the plaza yet. I'm scared he might be down there, and I don't want to run into him again... * Supremoid Goag shakes Wait's hand. Just do a scan of the ship from here. See who's at the plaza * Admiral Lilwall enters the bridge * Waitstate shakes, relieved, and leaves Ah, heya Lil. We might have something of a situation here... * Sunspot jumps a bit at the door opening. *outside Supremoid Goag's office* Ruse, if this is how you behaved in business meetings, then it's no wonder your business went under. That didn't go so well. Really? Ok, whoever blew something up this time, just own up. *chuckles slightly.* Nothing like that, at least, not yet. I mean, I guess I wasn't expecting them to let us dig up their basement. But still. Sunny, y'wanna explain? Sorry Boss, it's hard sometimes Yes, that it is Anyhoo, we gonna go looking around their planet? * Waitstate leads the group outside the office complex * Sunspot freezes up. You know, observe their tech, read their news Yes we are. I'm going to look for... other channels. *sigh* Okay, maybe not. You all may not want to come with me. Deniability is usually a good thing, heh We're pretty advanced, I'm sure we can find some tragic flaw with their planet that we can fix Either that, or we can send Drill Master to do some undercover work, heh I...Thrashmane...he's not HIM! Well... Anyone have any ideas what to do now? Nothing your superiors would approve of Calm down, Sunny... Boss, you notice how slow that Goag was to reply? THAT is being taken care of by Restore and Waitstate. You are ALL too react to Thrashmane as if he were the real one. Sunspot, if you can't, do your best to avoid him. Waitstate is taking this very seriously, especially after Artifice. * Sunspot whimpers. What a sad situation that was. I dunno, he seemed a bit SLUGGISH to me. Eh? SLUGGISH? EH? And how long is it going to take them to take care of it? I know first hand what spies get up to in places where they're not wanted. Mental note, Ruse is not to come on important business... Maybe if we were to learn more about their society, we could find a way to work this out. It will take as long as it takes. I appreciate your point of view, but I'm not sure we have time for that The computer network is being monitored extremely closly, security in certain areas is at peak. It's being dealt with, and *IF* a move needs to be made, Waitstate will call it, no one else Oh, I've got a great idea! If this thing has been here for the last bajillion years, it's still gonna be there in a month or two. One word, SALT! But you have a sick friend. Of course. * Apocrypha glares at herself, somehow. How much do we know about this culture? There's nothing to say these people may dig it up themselves then try to sell it back to Cybertron, Perhaps Drill Master could retreive it undetected? Seriously though, in my line of work we had a rule for things like this. If you can't trade it or buy it, you just take it. Maybe I'll see about looking for Avalanche down in the plaza... It's ours in a sense, so it's not really stealing Unfortunately, I think a job like this requires someone who knows the area already. We don't have time for that kind of research I'll come with ya if y'want, Sunny You all seem to be under the impression that I'm not agreeing with you. You're quite mistaken I started scanning the nets for a local who could fill our needs the moment we left the capitol building I understand your perspective Waitstate, I'm considering options also Bah! Enough talk, just wipe them out and take what is ours I'd rather not have ANOTHER planet out for our collective heads. I'm looking for finesse I just don't think we want to do anything that will upset the local government. I'd appreciate it... not a problem. :) We have nothing to fear from these organics, they do not even have adequate starship technology to pose a threat in the unlikly hood of future meetings with them. They were the fools to build over someone else's property Likely thousands of years ago, before they could have known it was there I don't know. They have a pretty solid industrial base. I wouldn't be surprised if they could give a Cybertronic battleship a decent fight. Tip-Over, Apocrypha, I'll give you an hour to research local culture and customs. Maybe there's something we can use. Otherwise, I think we need to go another route. This is too important to let minor ethical concerns stop us. So, ah, do you want to lead the way? heh, sure. *gets up and wanders out of the bridge* All right. * Sunspot follows nervously. I'll check whatever references we may have in the Freedom's database, perhaps contact between them and other Cybertronians will provide something I guess the best place to head would be some kind of place of business. So, what should I do boss? * Roadkill wanders in the general direction of the plaza, keeping a watchful eye on Sunspot Go back to the ship and tell Drill Master we may need him down here. * Apocrypha goes to try and learn some of the ground rules of etiquette and transaction on Moaeg. Will Do! * Ruse transforms and flys away * Avalanche is still hangin' out in the bar, and is mildly sloshed at this point. * Roadkill and Sunny arrive at the Plaza * Sunspot warily eyes all the stuff people could hide behind. * Diablo notices Roadkill and Sunspot from the other end of the plaza * Ruse arrives at the LSS Freedom, and eventually, the bridge *spots Diablo and waves* Heya dragondude Hey Drill Master, Boss wants you on alert. We may need you on the surface Alright, it'll give me time to inform him of what's going on up here. * Ruse leaves with Drill Master Hi Roadkill Anything new goin' on? * Sunspot hovers very close behind Roadkill. Not really. Life is as quiet as usual on this ship. When its not being attacked anyway. Something wrong with Sunspot? * Waitstate goes some place quiet to investigate leads while the others investigate local customs *shrugs slightly* * Sunspot looks around. "Should we try the bar?" That's always a good place t'look, heh. *starts for the bar* * Sunspot follows some more. * Diablo leaves the plaza and goes off somewhere else *spots Avalanche in the bar* Ah, there y'be. * Avalanche looks up. Oh, hey, Killer! Haven't seen you off the bridge in a while! heh, yeah, it's been kinda wild lately. * Sunspot looks around the bar. Nervously, of course. * Splitwit looks up. "G'day, Sunny! Long time no see?" * Sunspot jumps at Splitwit's voice. Hey, what's got you so worked up, angel? * Sunspot reassures herself that Splitwit isn't actually anybody about to hurt her and moves over to Avalanche's table. * Roadkill plunks himself down in a seat near Sunny I...I have to warn you about something... * Splitwit sidles over to Sunspot with a grin "Care to tell your old green buddy Splitwit?" *whisper* Thrashmane isn't Thrashmane, guys. *downs his glass* Go on * Avalanche looks at Roadkill for some kind of confirmation. * Roadkill nods slightly He's...he's one of those Strikers we ran into before, the ones who think we're trying to take over the universe or something. He's...he's getting information now, but he's gonna do something awful, I know it... But...where's the real Thrashmane, then? I don't get it... How'd you find that one out? [comm to bridge] We able to go to the planet, or is preferred that we stay up here? I walked in on him after we got back from the space stations, 'cause I wanted to let him know I was back, and he was talking into this communicator... He's...I...I think they killed him, Avy... [comm] have a nice roam And replaced him? I mean, I don't know anything about these Striker guys, that's just weird... He said they killed him... he mighta just said that t'screw with your mind though He'd do it, though... I *know* this one! * Diablo heads for the launch bay * Cirrus runs up behind Diablo Hiya dragondude! And I know he's going to do more if we don't stop him, but... * Diablo looks around Uh, hi Cirrus Hi! * Slipstream is snoozing in her alt mode in the launch bay You, umm, goin' down to the planet? That's what I was planning to do. Bound to be more exciting that being stuck up here. Hopefully, anyway Can I go with you? I don't wanna go alone... Uh, sure. I don't see why not Here, I've got an idea. How about I take you back to your quarters, and you can stay in there and I'll stay at the door. That way you'll be safe. Yay! *does a jet-assisted jump up and hugs Diabie for a second* Well, let's get going then * Cirrus follows, all smiles But I don't want him to hurt any of you... So, just how long had you been there waiting to see if anyone was going down to the planet? * Splitwit leans over to Roadkill and whispers to him, "She seems to complain a lot, y'know?" Since my shift ended... * Diablo walks into the launch bay with Cirrus Well you'll be down there soon enough now. All that's left to do is fly down. I can get there ok. I have wings! * Roadkill shrugs slightly "Seems like she's got reason enough" Don't you worry about me. Heck, if he's posing as Thrashy, he can't be too hard to take. You have wings too! Can you fly down, or do you need a shuttle? * Avalanche looks up at Roadkill. "Waitstate's looking into all this, right? It'd be okay if she just holes up in her quarters for a while?" Yup. Wait and them have things all sorted for the moment. I'll be flying down there too. Traded in my hovercar mode for a spacefighter mode at Hyperion's insistence. He got sick of having to wait for me flying around in dragon mode. so it'd be a good idea for y'all to not go spreadin' this 'round to the rest of the crew, mkay? :) Alright! Last time I went down to meet Avy, and he didn't have a shuttle, and we had to run, so we had to call for one, and we almost didn't make it! But I need to warn everyone... Sounds exciting It was scary o_o No, what you need to do is hole up somewhere safe while Wait works this out. You don't need to be wandering aroudn the ship right now. * Diablo spots Slip at the other end of the launch bay, takes Scarab out of his arm compartment, and throws him at her. If ye do that, Sunny, things will get messy very quickly. It's prolly best to let Wait and them take care of it now, mkie? *wakes up suddenly* Gah! Nah, what's scary will be Slip fairly soon, I think. We'd better get outta here. *grumbles to herself, tfs, and picks up Scarab* Rargh. Scary is damn right, hehe. *giggles slightly* yeah, we better go! She can follow us, so we better hurry * Cirrus keys open the launchbay door * Slipstream quickly hurls Scarab back at Diablo. "Think quick, dragondude!" * Diablo ducks and Scarab continues on That...I guess that sounds okay... It's so scary, with him wandering around the ship. * Scarab hits a wall, beeps, then crawls into a vent Don't worry 'bout it, Sunny one. Y'got me and 'lanche here t'look after ya. :) Door's open! Hey uh, I'm here too. I've got lots of guns and stuff yeah, but most the time we've still gotta look after ya anyway, Splitty. ;) But... Aw here it goes... Maybe you should show me what you've got sometime. I'm sadly underarmed for combat on the ship here. Ok Cirrus. I'm ready to go when you are. *eyes light up* Show you what I've got, ya say? Feel like coming down to that planet too, Slip? * Cirrus is standing at the containment field, waiting as patiently as he can manage ;) *stretches slightly and yawns* yeah, sure, why not, since I'm awake now anyway. I could use something along the lines of a small rifle. I don't seem to have come with one, so to speak. You want me to hook you up right now? Hehe, alrighty then. We'd better not keep Cirrus there waiting for too long I can show you what I've got, but before I give you anything I'd have to get authorization from the boss. * Diablo tf's to spacefighter mode * Slipstream tfs again and hovers, waiting for Cirrus to clear the way * Cirrus sees them waiting * Cirrus jumps through the field and TFs, doing a small roll as he clears the ship Hey, if you've got something on you, I should probably have something onhand if I'm doing guard duty. * Diablo leaves the launch bay * Slipstream zooms out after Cirrus and Diab Follow me, miamigo. * Splitwit stands up, pats Sunspot on the head, and motions for Avy to follow * Cirrus rolls back and lets the two bigger bots lead the way She gonna be okay with you 'till I get back, Killer? I'll make it quick. Yeah, sure. Nothin's happened so far, so I think it'll be safe for a while longer at least. ;) *talks and walks* Now what I'm thinkin' for you, big guy is... uh, what's your usual weapon package anyway? * Slipstream lazily dives planetwards * Avalanche shrugs. * Diablo follows I got missiles, but they're loaded. Not much good on a starship, though. Is there anywhere in particular that we wanna take a look at down there? So you've got the long-range part covered..... You want armor piercing or explode-on-impact rounds? Or what about an actual laser beam? Wouldn't have a clue. don't even know 'xactly where we are, heh. Beam weapons are nice, but overheat faster than hard rounds The mall! *chuckles* That's a typical reply. feel up to a mall crawl, dragondude? I've been mostly using exploding shells in the sims. I've actually spent a good bit of time in the combat training sims since I got here. I seem to be pretty good at it. Yeah, sure I guess. I'll try not to break through the roof of it. *intends to free fall when the time is right* hehe, ye break it, ye bought it, Diab. * Splitwit and Avalanche arrive at the armory, and Splitwit promptly unlocks it with bravado "My friend, I have just the thing for you" That's what I'm worried about * Avalanche looks around appreciatively. Ah well, I'm sure we'll manage. * Splitwit locates what he's looking for--a large mean looking gatling cannon about the size of a car, "This here puppie's the GAU-14 30 milimeter vulcan cannon, which is standard for some of the heavier Decepticon or Cybertronian shock troopers. Probably not your thing, but what do you think of it?" Not bad. A bit bigger than I had in mind, though. I'll definitely keep it in mind if we have any battles planet-side. *puts the gun back* Yeah, that's the thing. We've got all these great peacemakers in here, and whenever we get into a fight everyone forgets about them. So, anyone gonna free fall to the surface? hell yeah! scare the crap outta some locals. Maybe through the atmosphere some. You're gonna hit the GROUND? nah, tf just before hitting the ground and go zoom! Anyway... moving to the standard-issue stuff. *lifts a sleek rifle from a rack holding several others like it* Meet my good buddy, the M1-500c "Judge". That looks more like it. It was made my a rogue group of Autobots about fourty years ago, and uh, in english it's pretty much the best sort of gun you can get for this size and weight. It's pretty light, good ammo count, great accuracy over long distances, and has a grenade attachment--don't have any of those, unfortunatly. And it looks scary as hell Can I hold it? Be my guest * Avalanche picks the gun up and gets a feel for the weight of it. * Slipstream tfs to bot mode and freefalls, whee! Diablo, are YOU gonna hit the ground? * Avalanche nods appreciatively. The button next to your thumb arms it. And when you do..... there's a pretty glow. * Avalanche tries it. Nope, I don't think so, Cirrus * Splitwit presses the button, and several parts of the gunmetal grey rifle glow red That *is* a nice glow. * Cirrus shrugs (which in plane mode is kinda a wing wiggle) and follows suit, TFing to bot mode and freefalling * Diablo tfs to bot and freefalls too So how does this all work? I can just borrow this? Well, to fire it all you have to do is press the arming button. There's a switch on the side, next to your index finger, which switches it from single fire to a 3-round burst to full automatic. WOOOOOOHOO! * Avalanche notes all the assorted button functions. *hums* now I'm free......... free fallin'.... yeah I'm free.... free faaaallin'... Aaaaaand all you need to do to reload is pull back the lever on the side, which drops the clip out, shove a new one in, and push the lever forewards Squeeze the trigger to fire. Just isn't the same doing this in the sims back on the ship Nice. I'll take it. :) All right, give me a few and I'll get auth. from the boss. mmyeah. sims are good and all, but nothin' beats reality when it comes t'stuff like this! * Slipstream gets within a few hundred meters of the ground, tfs, pulls out of the dive and zooooooooooooooms along * Avalanche nods and continues admiring the rifle. * Cirrus follows suit, deciding Slip knows best, and TFs into plane mode with wings retracted * Diablo goes dragon mode then gets outta the dive You sure you don't want to see some of the hand guns? I know a revolver you might love.... * Cirrus adjusts his stealth geometry field to create a gap, then extends his wings out, pulling up and slowing * Diablo tfs back to spacefighter mode after probably having scared someone with dragon mode, and follows the others I don't wanna take too long here, Sunny's probably going into fits in the bar. * Slipstream barrelrolls along, giving any aircontrol people absolute screaming fits * Splitwit opens a drawer and takes out a shiny, lenghty revolver "Check this out first" Hmm. What's this one do? * Cirrus goes straight down, just enjoying the atmosphere rush She's a Cybertronian-sized replica of the Colt "Single Action Army", from ages ago on Earth. Fully functional, probably one of the best slugslingers ever made. Six bullets, armor piercng. Well enough to kill a 'bot if you hit him right. This is the best fun I've had in a long time! * Splitwit twirls the gun around on his finger a moment, before setting it back in the drawer. Heh, I don't know if I want to take that one away from you. ;) * Cirrus TFs at the last second and uses his foot jets as retros, then scores a 10 from the Russian judge as he lands * Slipstream just zooms around in the atmosphere for a while, enjoying herself * Cirrus walks about, looking at all the funny snail people * Splitwit slaps his wrist, activating the comm "Hey, Captian Wait!" * Waitstate is interrupted from his research by the comm [comm] Wait here. What's going on? * Diablo returns to robot mode, and gets onto the ground near Cirrus while trying not to squish any snail people [comm] You wanna let me give Avalanche here a M1-500c Judge? He was askin' for a rifle so I decided to do my job. * Cirrus looks up, waiting for Slip * Slipstream circles around overhead like a giant black metallic vulture [comm] Finally found someone to arm, eh? Sure, Avalanche might as well get properly armed now that he's joined us full time [comm] So you gonna give me Authorization or what? [comm] I thought I just did, heh [comm] I hereby formally authorize you to distribute appropriate weaponry to Avalanche. Better? * Diablo hopes a certain spiderbot isn't going to be dropped from that height * Slipstream drops a certain spiderbot from that height. }:) [Comm] You 'da 'bot. Hey, Avy? The guns all yours. Now name it. A female name. Hrm. Like a female human name, or a female Cybertron name? The tradition is human. * Avalanche thinks. How about...Megan? * Diablo watches Scrabble fall Sounds good. I hope you like your new gun, Av. * Scrabble shriek-beeps stuff that sounds really, really rude I'm liking it already. So...back to the bar, then? Post haste * Avalanche heads back in the direction of the bar, trying not to draw too much attention to the fact that he's wandering the hallways armed. I'll get it! * Cirrus rockets up to catch the spiderbot * Splitwit follows behind Avalanche "Oh, and another thing. Show up in a few weeks, and I should have some extra ammuntion for you." I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't have used much by then, but you never know what you'll need down the line. * Cirrus catches the little bot, gets knocked back a few feet from the impact, then lands next to Diablo * Avalanche starts walking slower. You want me to try to find one of those grenade launcher attachments? They're a pretty penny on fBay, but worth it. So, ah...what do you think is up with Sunspot? Do you think all that is true? * Slipstream drops down, tfs, and lands on her feet next to Cirrus and Diablo Uh... I wish I could say, really. Both of them have been acting wierdly lately. Well, I'm sure Scrabble had fun then Oh, yeah, anything you can get would be great. I guess maybe I haven't been here long enough, but I didn't think LONAC had enemies like that. We've got some oddballs, I'll tell you what. Namely Spectral Death and those nutso 'Cons. * Cirrus hands him over to Diablo Is it ok? * Scrabble beeps furiously at Slip Haven't seen or heard much from Spectral Death. They're a real creepy bunch, too. Seems fine to me. Same as usual, hehe Hehe, I think Scrabble's just a bit pissed off at me at the moment though. You keep it for a while. ;) She seems to be really terrified of this guy. Hopefully once she feels a little safer she won't be so worked up about it. You know what hamsters are? * Cirrus is relieved Scrabble is ok * Diablo puts Scrabble on his shoulder She reminds me of one of those things, tiny and always afraid of stuff. It's like there's a noise behind her, she jumps and freaks out. She's doesn't seem to always be like that, though. Though...y'know, with everything else it doesn't really sink in, but... y'think Thrashmane's really gone? * Splitwit stops. Guess we'll have to find out So... we gonna hit the shops now? * Avalanche nods gravely. after you, li'l red dude. :) What Slip said. * Avalanche reaches the plaza and heads back to the bar. * Cirrus rushes in * Sunspot perks up a little as Avalanche and Splitwit walk back into the bar. Hiya *waves* * Slipstream wanders after Cirrus, ignoring the glances of the locals. * Diablo follows too, with Scrabble I can take her off your hands now, Roadkill. :) * Cirrus finds the little "You Are Here" kiosk and starts to study it Heh, find a nice weapon, 'lanche? Oh yeah. Nothin' but the best from the Splitster. * Avalanche raises his rifle and grins. ooo, nice. scary lookin'. Ladies and gents, meet my buddies new M1-500c "Judge", Megan. * Diablo wonders if Scrabble can see any pet stores to terrorise * Cirrus sulks why are there so many clothing stores? * Scrabble beeps stuff at Diablo. ... you named it Megan? o.O` * Avalanche shrugs. heh, beats me, li'l guy. hm... you think I'd look good in a hat? * Slipstream smiles and refrains from saying anything. Yep, I agree Scrabble So c'mon, Sunny, let's get you back to your quarters, okay? * Sunspot looks up at Avalanche and whimpers a bit. Okay, make me do this the hard way... Hey, cool, a hobby shop! Aw look, Sunspot, he's got a big enough gun. He'll protect you and stuff. Besides, it's a short trip to your room anway It's okay, Split, I'll just carry her up there. C'mon, now... * Avalanche picks Sunspot up out of her chair. * Sunspot gets picked up limply. * Sunspot manges to cling a bit. She's probably worn herself out. I'll make sure she gets some rest. So then, later, guys. Any other places that could be interesting? Keep Megan safe there's a big electronics store * Avalanche grins and nods, then leaves the bar. * Diablo folds up his wings as much as possible so they don't get in the way of things clothes, clothes, clothes, clothes... might be worth checking out the vehicle parts place * Avalanche heads for Sunspot's quarters.