* Waitstate changes topic to '-=2002.145=- RP: Let's Do It' * Sunspot is curled up in a ball in her quarters with the lights off, petting Moonstone and generally staring into space. * Avalanche is sitting on the floor outside Sunspot's quarters frowning to himself. * Waitstate is on the planet, having found a suitable candidate for retrieval of the beacon * Apocrypha is with Waitstate. * Diablo is flying around somewhere on the planet * Goannis exits the sim room after another weapons training excerise, disappointed with herself for failing the month's 'exam' Ziggurah's OutPost... doesnt look like much, does it? What's that? * Waitstate points to the unappealing-looking shop down the street Oh, the storefront. Right, my mistake. Don't worry Goannis, *exiting sim room with S-E and Opal* it was a difficult test. We'll try again next week Okay * Admiral-Lilwall leaves for his quarters I got some good leads on the owner though. Shall we go in? Right behind you. Hey, don't get too down, Goannis. We only barely passed ourselves * Waitstate heads inside * Firestorm plays Frogger in Powerplay's store Yeah. I'm beat, think I'll go recharge for awhile. *leaves for her quarters* * The inside of the shop is intimidating, all forms of technology, cybertroinan and otherwise, hang from walls and aisles. * Slipstream zooms around planetside with Diablo. "Hey dragondude, race ya!" Sounds like a good idea. Might go find Crystalline and then head to the bar well, at least half the stories are true. There's some high grade salvage in here. And some of it looks suspiciously new Have fun! I'm opening my shop for what's left of the day Alright, see ya round * A door at the back says 'Ziggurah- Propreiter and Owner' * Waitstate hits a little buzzer to get the attention of the owner Sure, why not. *Changes from dragon mode to fighter mode* * a loud, husky voice calls from behind the door "comein! come in!" Heh, alrighty! ready... go! *zooms off* * The room is obscenly large, with computers on the wall that are way beyond cybertronian standards. Zirrugah is 3/4ths the size of an average transformer. he is long, with a bright red exoskeleton, two rows of tiny, shuffling legs, two huge yellow multi-faceted eyes with two large pincers in front * Diablo zooms off in the same direction * Waitstate enters Niiice... Hello my friend! *takes a drag off a large cigar, and blows out a multi-colored smoke* and how may ole' Ziggurah help you? I'm looking to... aquire something * Slipstream barrelrolls and dives down to street level, zooming between buildings, mere meters above the heads of the general populace. Ahhhh you come to da right place! *blows out more smoke* Ziggurah knowing how to aquire evryting on this ole mudball! this would be a special order * Diablo does pretty much the same thing, but slower and higher above the ground as he's still getting used to the alt mode * Ziggruah grins broadly "Well good ting you came in here! What ya be needin?" * Slipstream loops back and ends up behind Diablo, then zooms past under him, the wash sending many alien hats flying well, it's a certain one of a kind item. We've tracked it to, well, directly underneath your capitol building * Ziggurah smiles, blowing out more bright smoke and laughing "So YOU be tha one making da mayor so angry!" Ah, heh, I suppose so. I didnt realize my request was public record * Ziggurah smiles broadly "hehe, it isnt" * Diablo watches the snail people get annoyed at loosing their hats, then speeds up a bit to catch up to Slip ahh, I understand Now what exactly is it this thing is that you want so badly? *laughs* Man, haven't had this much fun in ages! *zooms around a corner and goes flying down another street* we aren't exactly sure, actually * Ziggruah laughs "then how you know you want it?" we have a transmitter frequency on a Cybertronian band that let us find it, and a few discreet sensor soundings * Diablo continues ahead then turns a corner elsewhere, hoping it's a shortcut * Ziggurah nods "Then I assume you wantin this thing intact?" completely Hmmmmm, how deep this thing? about a kilometer below the surface. that's one reason it's still there. You wouldn't find it unless you knew what to look for How big this thing? * Firestorm wonders why Frogger keeps drowning when falling off the logs and into the river, then decides he really doesn't want to know and continues playing the game * Waitstate looks to Apocrypha, then continues It's large, but not unmanageable. About half my size * Ziggurah smiles "Hear that, Earshot? Think you can handle that?" * A robotic moth detaches itself from the ceiling and transforms, landing on its feet next to Ziggurah "No problem, sir" * Waitstate is suprised to see a Cybertronian I didn't realize there was much a Cybertronian population here * Ziggurah smiles "There is little to none. Earshot here belongs to me" ...belongs? * EarShot smiles easily "I take it the Mayor explained the Equalizer Rules of the planet, didn't he?" I'm afraid he didn't. We only just arrived I actually learned something about that. * Waitstate turns to Apocrypha Apparently it's a form of...how to put it, compensative indentured servitude. At least, as I understand it. Basically if a being destroys another beings property, he must repay the being, be it through currency or labor. When I landed on the planet, I, uhm, ran afoul with one of Ziggurah's Storage units.... In other words, you can be sentenced, for lack of a better word, to work off your debts here at a level only disputably above slavery. * Ziggurah snorts "Yes, a run afoul that destroyed forty of my best loading droids" *grins* Well, I am only to blame. Oh, I didn't get your names. I'm Earshot *holds out his hand* Waitstate *shakes it* I'd claim moral outrage, but I don't think I have the highground today... Apocrypha. * EarShot grins broadly "Everyone on this planet would claim moral outrage, but I think it's a rule you have to leave your decency at the atmosphere" ah well... I didn't choose the planet; the planet chose me. I guess we need to continue Yes, now about my payment.... * Slipstream zooms back up above the buildings, then tfs and lands on top of one of the structures I don't usually think of flying insects as excavators... yes, payment. I'm sure something can be arranged * Slipstream chuckles as she spots Diab quite a distance away Earshot has be digging up old artifacts for me to sell for years. He knows how to tunnel * Diablo notices Slip up ahead on one of the buildings and heads over to it It's true. I've got it down pat. I can get anything outta the ground well, I'm more concerned about results and being discreet than I am about exact methods I suppose * Diablo tfs to bot mode and lands on the building Dont worry. behind the capital building about 4 kilometers back is the start of several catacombs I know like the back of my wing. I'll haave your artifact in astroseconds Heh, there y'are, dragondude. what took y'so long? I have all the data we have here *waves a pad* Well, I knew I didn't have a chance to catch up to ya, so I took what I hoped would be a shortcut. It wasn't. * Ziggurah grins "Now...since this is a special order, and, hehheh, not a terribly LEGAL transaction, I'm afraind price is a little high...." I expected as much Being rather familiar with this line of work *chuckles* yay for long cuts, aye? what do you have to offer? the amount I'm prepared to offer is listed with the data Yep. Next time though I'll be able to catch up. Once im comfortable with that alt mode. Currency? Nono, not for I job like this...I require something more tangible... * Thrashmane strides out of his quarters well... what sort of thing do you deal in? My personal specialty is information. Hehe, we'll just hafta see. *grins* oh, hey. we've lost Cirrus. Whoops. Ye think Wait's gonna get pissed at us? Information? Unreliable. *Looks around, then waves for Wait to come closer* I'll choose not to take that personally, heh * Waitstate comes closer nonetheless *hides somthing behind his back* I'd say yeah, there's the possibility of that happening. Nothing I'm not used to though Heh, point. On nother world, I have buyer, large like yourself, needing lots of weapons....laser pistols, shields...things like that. You help me wit dis, I help you wit your artifact Where'd we lose Cirrus anyway? Weapons? No, I'm sorry, I dont deal in weapons. It's a personal philosophy No idea. He prolly just found some interesting shop to browse around in for a while. No wepons....hmmm....*looks at the offer* tell you what. you find out where I can find the weapons I need, and I only charge you half what you offering Let's hope so. Like I said, I deal in information primarily. I can give you the plans for weapons. Advanced portable artillery systems. interested? * Thrashmane walks slowly Ah well. If he gets into trouble, he'll comm us or something. In the meantime, let's go buzz the locals some more. *grins* Hmmm....okay, but you give me 2/3rds what you offering then...'s good deal! you find no one else give that to you! Hehe, sure. Just go a little slower this time so I can keep up tch, ye slowpoke... * Slipstream grins, dives off the building, tfs to starfighter mode, pulls out of the dive and zooms down the street * Diablo tf's then zooms off and follows Slip take off 10% and it's a deal. These are unique technology. I'm the only one with them. ...6% 10%. You were first on my list. There ARE others. None others that will tunnel under a government building to get something they dont even know about. 7% I have my own subterranian specialists. I'm looking for a local primarily because I didnt want to spend time researching. 10%. 9%, you save money and time researching Very well. * Thrashmane slowly approaches Sunspot's door, taking careful note of Avalanche's presence outside. * Avalanche looks up. Hello. Hello. * EarShot grins, turning to Waitstate "I'll need someone to accompany me to the site, care to join me?" of course So much for plausible deniability... *Motions to the door* Is Sunspot in there? * Avalanche nods and sighs. I don't think she's coming out anytime soon, either. She hasn't so much as moved since I left her in there. She's lost it pretty bad. Ziggurah smiles "Now I will need the currency and plans the nanosecond that artifact is out of the ground, you comprende?" * Thrashmane smiles thinly. The moment I confirm it's undamaged, you'll have it Very well, then. I'll be back in a bit with somthing for her. Maybe that'll help. * Thrashmane about-faces and walks away any damage will, of course, lower your fee * Ziggurah looks dejected "of course..." Very well then... just let me get my "travelling clothes" on... * Waitstate presses a control on his wrist and a holographic disguise snaps into place over him. He now appears to be a large organic humanoid This wouldnt fool Cybertronian senses, but I doubt the locals will notice... * Waitstate makes a face at Apocrypha You'd be suprised....oh well....let's go Where should I wait for you? * Cirrus approaches Avalanche Wait with the shuttle All right. Good luck. Heya Avy. I got Sunny something from a store! * Apocrypha heads off to the shuttle. * Avalanche looks up again. Oh, hiya, Cirrus. That sounds really nice. She's not feeling very well, maybe a present might help a little. Can I go in and give it to her? * Waitstate follows Ziggurah * Avalanche stands up. Sure, let's go see how she's doing. * Avalanche opens the door. * Ziggurah walks to the front of the store, acompanied by Wait and Earshot, but does not look like he wants to go any further "Earshot will fly you to the spot. Remember our agreement...." * Cirrus clutches his small box and follows Avy * Avalanche steps inside. "Now, she's trying to rest, so let's keep the lights off..." * Cirrus nods and gets extra quiet * Sunspot is still huddled up in the corner with Moonstone, and doesn't react to Avalanche and Cirrus. * Avalanche kneels down by Sunspot on the floor. "Hey, Sunny, you've got a visitor..." * Sunspot doesn't move. * Avalanche shakes his head. Sunny? She hasn't really felt like talking since I got her back here. Don't worry about it, Cirrus. I'm sure she'll come around soon. I got you something... * Sunspot looks up a little. * Cirrus holds out the little box to her There, that's something. * Moonstone wakes up from where he was napping in her lap and chirps at them. * Avalanche takes the present from Cirrus and sets it gently beside Moonstone on her lap. There, she can play with it when she's feeling better. * Avalanche manages a smile for Cirrus' sake. I... I want her to see it though Well, would you like to unwrap it for her? I don't think she's got unwrapping in her right now. Yes, I would Go on, then. You can unwrap it for her. * Moonstone watches the two of them, but doesn't leave Sunspot's lap. * Cirrus picks up the box and unwraps it, not feeling up to tearing it open like he usually would * Cirrus pulls off the box top and removes a small metal figurine with a reptilian appearance It's not REALLY a dragon. just some sort of animal they have here. But I thought it was pretty and that you'd like it... * Sunspot looks up a little at the figurine. * Cirrus holds it close to her so she can see * Sunspot slowly reaches up for it. * Cirrus smiles a little, hopeful * Sunspot touches the little figurine. * Avalanche smiles. There, she likes it. * Cirrus stays still, watching * Sunspot pats the figurine gently. * Slipstream continues to zoom around the place, terrorising the local populace * Sunspot wraps her hand around the figure and gently takes it from Cirrus. * Cirrus lets her have it, and smiles, looking briefly up at Avalanche There, I think you made her feel a little better. * Cirrus leans in and gives her a little hug, then pulls back * Avalanche smiles. Hopefully she'll be better soon, and she can tell you how much she likes it. I hope so. *stands up* * Diablo also zooms around a little bit above the surface of the planet * Avalanche stands up, too. Let's let her rest some more. * Avalanche leads Cirrus out of the room. * Thrashmane slowly returns towards Sunspot's room, holding a plain box * Cirrus goes, looking back at her as he does hey all... are you still RPing? I'm glad you came to see her, Cirrus. I think it helped her a lot. I think so too :) eep... i'll come back later, if you're still busy :) * Cirrus sees Thrashmane in the hall *whisper* Avy, I dont think he should be here! * Thrashmane glares at Cirrus for a brief second, then smiles widely * Avalanche pats Cirrus on the shoulder. "It'll be okay." *whisper* But... even if he's still him, she's afraid! Don't worry, my friend. * Avalanche leans down. "I'll be here if anything happens, don't worry." *even quieter, right into Avalanche's audio pickup* Watch him! * Cirrus then runs off * Avalanche stands back up and nods to Thrashmane. * Thrashmane watches Cirrus run off, then says to Avalanche, "Mind if I go in?" Asking you, of all people *smile* Everybody's got gifts today. Though I guess if anybody's gonna convince her you're you and get her to snap out of this, it's you. * Thrashmane puts his free hand on Avalanche's shoulder, "Thanks for helping her through this. I haven't been of much good friend lately, I'm afraid." It's not like you'd have been able to do much before. But now, she's hardly responding to anything anymore. Maybe she'll give you a chance to talk to her. * Thrashmane walks into Sunspot's room, then closes the door behind him. I'll be out here if ya need me! * Sunspot doesn't look up, but Moonstone perks up and starts chirping. * Thrashmane slowly approaches Sunspot, partially crouched to her height "Shh... don't worry, it's me. Won't hurt you..." * Sunspot shudders, but doesn't react any more than that. * Thrashmane sits down in front of Sunspot, setting the box down next to him. "How're you doing? I'm sorry about what happened." * Thrashmane flips up the top of the box, "Sorry for you, that is. You understand, my darling, that you've been more of a nuisance to me than we ever, ever thought of." I guess I wasn't the great spy they thought I was. * Moonstone chirps loudly and bolts for the door with small-animal speed. * Thrashmane reaches inside the box, and takes out the hilt of a knife. A press of a button, and a blade extends, and Thrashmane presses the dull-edge of the knife against Sunspot's chin, lifting her face up. * Avalanche hears Moonstone and decides to peek inside. * Sunspot still doesn't react, being lost in her own little world where worse things are happening anyway. *wicked grin* But a spy should always know how to clean up his little messes, now shouldn't he? * Avalanche picks up Moonstone, then looks inside. "Hey little guy, what's wrong with you?" * Thrashmane draws the dull edge of the blade up along Sunspot's face, "Such a pretty little wrench, too. It's a shame a face like this had to meet such an end" * Avalanche finally notices what Thrashmane is doing and sets Moonstone down silently. * Thrashmane flicks his wrist, draws the blade back away, and stands up. Okay, I don't understand any of this now, and it's way weirder than anything I remember dealing with in the Autobots, but...I know when it's time for a good fight. Seems we have a guest. You're out of your league, soldier. * Avalanche grins and pulls out his new gun. And how do you know that? A Judge. Wouldn't have known you'd have those on board. You LONACers sure are heavily armed for such a "peaceful" group Apparently our armory is as varied and unusual as our crew. Apparently it is. Now do you want to come to the brig like a good Decepticon or do I have to do things the Autobot way? You should know though, they teach us a few things the Autobots would never teach you. Like how to dodge a bullet. Since a bullet travels slower than the speed of light, unlike a beamed weapon, you can move out of it's way if you're reactions and computing speed are fast enough. * Avalanche steps toward the fake-Thrashmane, realizing the advantage of having the door at his back. I don't think youd want to test my skills at that with your dear little Sunspot right behind me. But you gotta go through me if you want out of here. And then you have to get through everyone else on this ship. Valid point. * Thrashmane puts his weight on one foot, the other barely touching the ground, and puts the combat knife out infront of him, bracing the blade with his other hand. "Show me what you've got" So how well do they teach you... * Avalanche quickly throws a punch. ...to dodge a fist? * Thrashmane swats Avalanche's fist away and slashes at him * Avalanche ducks, then uses his shoulders to ram into Thrash's legs. * Thrashmane easily steps on Avalanche's shoulder, hops into the air, spins about, and lands with his back to the door Learn some real moves, amature. * Avalanche throws himself with all his weight and lunges into Thrash. * Thrashmane takes the full impact head on, but sinks the knife into Avalanches side and slashes outwards with it before becoming pinned to the wall * Avalanche winces, but takes it in stride and holds his opponent to the wall. So are you who she's said you are? * Thrashmane keeps the knife in Avalanche's side, "Who'd she say I was?" She said you were a Decepticon named Winter, part of some group who apparently attacked LONAC before I showed up. * Thrashmane spins out of the hold, throwing Avalanche's arm over his head, twirls around, draws the knife through Avalanche's side as he does so, and ends up with his back to Avalanche. Never heard of them. * Avalanche winces again. "Riiiiiiight." * Thrashmane paces at a safe distance, keeping his eyes open * Avalanche decides to just go with some more brute force and lifts Thrash up by the arm he's holding on to, then smashes him to the ground. * Thrashmane drops the knife as he crashes into the floor #%@*! So I guess you're also not the same guy who was involved in the raid that killed her teammates, right? May've been * Avalanche pins Thrash to the floor, keeping his arms away from the knife. Well, if you're not, then maybe I won't enjoy punching your lights out so much. * Avalanche lands a heavy punch to the back of Tharsh's head. *spits up a little oil* You're better than I expected, but you rely too much on your strength. * Thrashmane strugles to break free of Avalanche Some of us don't enjoy senseless fighting enough to learn as well as you. * Avalanche notices the knife and knocks it far out of his reach. * Thrashmane shoves away at Avalanche, breaking and rolling away *somersaults back upright* It might sound cliche`, but it's been a while since I've really bled... feel like more? * Avalanche lunges again, keeping his shoulders down for impact. * Thrashmane goes crashing into the corner opposite Sunspot *voice cracking, split between Thrash's and Winter's voice* Come on, I can tell you're trying. Hurt me more! Oh, so you enjoy that, do you? You 'Cons are more messed up than I figured on. Now go DOWN! * Avalanche lands another solid head-punch. * Thrashmane 's neck cracks backwards, almost at 90 degree angle to his shoulders, and Thrashmane staggers before collapsing to the ground * Avalanche steps back. I guess I should probably call security about this... After the training excersices, believe me, you'd be a little masochistic too. [comm] Hey, I've got a bit of a fight on my hands, anybody around to pitch in? * Thrashmane spits oil up at Avalanche, but it falls pathetically short * Avalanche scowls down at the battered fake-Thrashmane. * Thrashmane slowly tries to stand up, with limited sucess [comm] Comin' atchya, Avy. [comm] Incoming Oh, calling for friends? * Roadkill leaves the bridge and quickly heads for Sunny's quarters The more the merrier. Only to keep me from tearing your sorry chassis limb from limb for all that you've done. * Recoil arrives first * Thrashmane leaps feet first at Avalanche with all his strenght, scissor kicking him in the chest before slamming into the ground weakly * Avalanche picks Thrash up and pins him to the wall. * Roadkill arrives soon after Recoil And you'd better be thanking Primus every day from now on that I did. * Avalanche grins scarily. * Recoil opens the door What's going on in here? * Avalanche tosses the fake Thrashmane in the general direction of the door. *THIS* was trying to hurt Sunspot. Some more. * Roadkill stands behind Recoil and tries to see past him Silly me.... should've escaped after I kicked your ass. Was he now? *narrows his optics and aims for not-Thrashmane* * Avalanche shrugs. "Your mistake." * GhostStalker silently walks up behind Roadkill *startles as he notices Ghost behind him* Yargh, don't do that. I don't like it when people hurt my friends. Especially the small ones. Get used to it. * Avalanche kicks Thrash. Aim a little higher next time, will you? Now, of course, being generally good guys, you'll likely be spared the straight-out execution you might be expecting. So... * Avalanche looks up at the security team. ...to the brig with this heap of spare parts? Execution sounds perfectly fine to me I ain't in the mood to argue with my scary friend back there Brig sounds good. In pieces sounds even better. * Recoil leans over and picks up Thrashmane with one hand One of you go get a cell ready. I'll drag this trash there myself * Thrashmane struggles a bit, but soon gives up righty. consider it done. * Roadkill heads off to get a brig cell ready and stuff. * Avalanche looks around the messed-up room. I'm gonna stick around here for a little bit. Right Maybe try to put some of this mess back together... Ghost, watch my back. If he tries something and I dont notice, slag 'im * GhostStalker nods, pulls out a pulse rifle and follows behind Recoil * Avalanche notices that Moonstone has gone back to huddling protectively by Sunspot, who still hasn't moved. * Recoil pulls Thrashmane out the door, "accidentally" slamming him into the door facing as he goes * Avalanche goes over to Sunspot and waves a hand in front of her face. * Sunspot doesn't move. * Recoil trudges to the brig, dragging Thrash along * Avalanche sighs. "All that and still no better..." * Sunspot finally whispers. "It's...over." * Roadkill gets the brig cell all ready and stuff * Avalanche looks up and grins. Yeah, it's over. He's gonna be all locked up in the brig, and when Waitstate gets back we'll figure out what to do with him. * Recoil arrives at the brig. Did Thrashmane have all those scratches BEFORE I got here? Hmmm... It ready? Yup. Tch, he's still in one piece, Recoil? Shame, hehe. Ngh... you're going to be the second to feel my wrath, after the white one.... Is he? Slag. *throws Thrash into the cell with both hands, slamming him into the back wall* But he's dead. Lock him up * Roadkill quickly locks up the cell * Avalanche shakes his head. "We didn't kill him. I didn't think Wait would appreciate that..." * Sunspot slowly shakes her head. ...oh. Right. The real one... In all that fighting, I forgot that him being Winter like you said meant that the real one was gone... * Avalanche sighs. I'm sorry... * Recoil takes a seat across from the cell and watches. With a smirk. * Sunspot lifts the hand with Cirrus' figurine and looks at it. I used to be scared that if anything ever happened to him, I'd be alone again, like before. I guess I was wrong. * Bitstream changes topic to '-=2002.145=- RP: End Of File'