Session Start: Fri May 31 00:00:00 2002 * Earshot flashes his light this way and that, walking past several tunnels "So, neutrals...what's the story with that?" No big story really. I was brought online neutral, travelled around, lived on Cybertron for a while, and got sick of it. I took my friends and left * Earshot flashes his light down a tunnel "Brought on-line neutral? how did that happen? I thought all the new bots comin on-line were sub-groupers..." That's... a complex story. I'm not too comfortable telling it. Oh, I'm sorry.....*spots a tunnel* a-ha! *starts down it* * Waitstate follows People need their secrets....heh. I know it's weird for someone like me to say that....*grins sheepishly* I... uh... watched people for a living with the insecticons. A spy, eh? * Earshot laughs "I perfer the term 'Uninvited Observer'" heh, well, I have nothing against your former profession * Earshot grins "....Current. Current Profession" If you say so. I understood you were a slave, more or less How did you think Ziggurah knew about your meeting with the mayor? * Waitstate nods and laughs of course, of course * Earshot becomes quiet at the word 'slave' and continues down the tunnel what exactly are the terms of that, anyway? * Earshot sighs "Until -I- make as much as -HE- lost, I work for him whether I like it or not" how much do you have left to pay back? Couple thousand creds....and I only get a few hundred per job....*he sighs* As good as I am at tunneling, I wish I could be in space again...among the stars...*he sounds far away* That's it? * Earshot shakes his head "What's it?" just a few thousand? That's a lot to Ziggurah. He's....Uhm....conservitive.... how do you get paid? Set rate? Percentage? Set. Every tunneling job it's 500 creds. Ruin recovery's double....*turns a corner and comes to a dead end* here we are hm. and I suppose you're charged for room and board? * Earshot laughs inwardly, like he got a joke Waitstate didn't What's the joke? * Earshot grins "The Equalizer Laws do not require, uh, care, for the indentured." which is why I assumed he charged you for it. It's a great scam. I can eat anything, and I love the outside *broad grin* ahh... well, this guy isn't as smart as I figured then. Or better moraled than I gave him credit * Earshot takes two small containers out of subspace, one green and one red "Heh, more the latter really. He's alright once you get past the jackass" * Waitstate laughs * Earshot smiles "Stand back" and tosses the green canister at the wall. the metal starts the dissolve instantly. Earshot transforms and his legs start to tear away at the now liquid metal * Waitstate jumps back suddenly * Earshot uses his mouth pincers spraying the red canister at the widening gap in the wall. the contents spread all over the walls of the tunnel, and the liquid metal solidifies instantly. Earshot transforms and stands infront of the tunnel that now connects the sewars to the catacombs "I figure we're maybe a half klick from your artifact" should I stay back as you tunnel? It looks pretty dangerous to be near Don't worry. I only needed to use those for that thick metal. the catacombs are more clay than anything * Earshot walks down the steep incline, using his pistol to burn through the relativly soft clay. He looks back at Waitstate "Coming? I figgure you'd wanana be the first to see your artifact" of course * Waitstate follows I'd offer to help, but I doubt I'm equipped for it * Earshot grins, caked in mud and covered in small dents "don't sell yourself short" * Earshot smiles and smashes his fist through one last wall, then grins broadly and steps back "Jeeeee-ackpot" * Waitstate shines a light ahead so soon? * Earshot smiles "I told you. I know these catacombs. the only thing a klick down could be right here" * Waitstate steps forward to take a look * Earshot grins and shines the light on the hole, the room past it is maybe 3/4ths the size of Waitstate "What's in there?" It's a beacon of some sort. beyond that... we're not that sure I have data that will let me positively identify it though * Earshot looks it over, something behind his eyes shimmering "I don't sense any structural damage," nor do I. And the power cell is still active... yes, I can detect active interface ports. This is excellent * Earshot smiles "Ziggurah will be pleased. He's been itching to get his hands on that resistance fighter's money" What's that? The weapon plans you're giving him. They're a group of oppressed cybertronians a few systems over. They got a lot of cash they wanna trade for a lot of wares ahhh... yup. * Earshot grins "That thing is cybertronian? Man, must've been from before the wars... that's what I was led to believe, yeah so let's get it out of here... * Earshot smiles, lifting the device gently and gingerly handing it to Waitstate * Waitstate hefts it carefully you think you can strap it to my back? * Earshot looks around "with what?" hold on... * Waitstate transforms to car mode, sinking slightly into the much, and pops his trunk I am SO gonna need a wash after this * A set of tethers are in the trunk * Earshot takes the tethers * Earshot aims at the lowest part of the ceiling of the catacombs, cutting a hole in the soft clay. he turns to Wait "Shall we?" * Waitstate transforms back We're going up? quickest way....unless you WANT to trek through the sewage and muck I was more concerned with being caught actually Heh, don't worry about that. we're right behind a long string of hills beyond the building. They won't spot us if you say so. My holographic system only covers one person though, and it doesn't do invisibility Hey, trust me. * Earshot grins unconvincingly yeah * Waitstate switches on his hologram, this time with an avian look to cover his flight wings *smiles and takes off for the hole in the ceiling* fly close to the ground and follow me, we'll go around the town and double back to Ziggurah's *floats gracefully above the ground, weaving around hills* * Waitstate follows as best he can * Earshot swoops over the last hill and glides over the city, setting down next to Ziggurah's shop and waiting for Waitstate * Waitstate lands a bit later, slowed down by the beacon * Earshot smiles and walks in to the store, greeted by a waiting Ziggurah Ahhh! You found your artifact! Good for ya! Now... how about my payment? Indeed, of course * Ziggurah claps his claws together "Wonderful!" If you have an open terminal, I'll upload the data and transfer the credits * Ziggurah waves his claw to a booted computer "Help yoself" * Waitstate zones out for a moment, and the computer's screen starts showing new data There, that's the agreed upon payment Fantastic! * Earshot grins and puts his hand out "NIce to meet ya, Waitstate....hope we meet again..." Earshot! get the materials together to build a prototype of the new weapon to show our buyers! * Earshot sighs "Yes sir" and goes into the storage room Actually, before I go, I have another purchase in mind * Ziggurah's eyes brighten "Really? What kind of purchase?" Nothing as extravagant or expensive as our previous deal of course. I was thinking of... him *motions to Earshot* Earshot? Hah! why you need him? * Earshot, being in the storage room, is unaware of the transaction Call me a collector of interesting people Well, he good worker... it cost alot... bah! you know what! *grins and blows smoke into Waitstates face* give me rest of money from original deal, and you have him... *broad grin* he much happier out in sky than on stupid mudball! That seems acceptable Earshot! come here! * Earshot hurries out "Yes, Ziggurah?" Me decided...you no cost effective....better go with this-ah-guy, heya? * Earshot looks confused "sir?" You hear me! get! fore I getting you both arrested! *smiles and shuffles back into his office* * Earshot looks from the office door to wait, then back again "What did you do?" Paid you off * Earshot grins "R....REALLY!?" and jumps into the air "YES!!!!" * Waitstate grins * Earshot grins "Can I come with you? I mean, if you need security, ain't no one better at spotting things! I could join your neutrals!" I was rather hoping you'd suggest that actually. Assuming we get away from this planet safely, you're welcome to come with us :) * Earshot grins, putting his hand out "I'm your bot!" * Waitstate takes it and shakes come on, the shuttle's this way * Earshot walks with Wait