* Bitstream changes topic to "-=2002.286=- RP Time" * The Freedom is in deep space, heading for planet OZ-23 * Rockbox is sitting in the Quick Bite reading his PADD * Gearlock is at the obs deck, just enjoying the view and tinkering with some ideas in his head while he's at it. * Avalanche is checking out some new training sims that were uploaded when he wasn't paying attention. * Slipstream sprawls on a couch in the obs deck, half asleep * Cirrus runs into the plaza, looking for stuff to do * Apocrypha relaxes on the observation deck for a change. * Cirrus runs into the arcade Hiya! * Sunspot is sitting in the middle of the plaza playing with Moonstone. * Cirrus looks around... drat, noone's in! *to self* I wonder if its the same guy........... * Cirrus heads back out * Gearlock has his arms folded, staring out the window with his usual sort of pleasantly amused look on his face. He turns a bit to glance over at Apocrypha... .... * Talis is looking out one of the viewports * Cirrus hears a familiar chirp Sunny! * Cirrus runs over * Cirrus plops down next to her Hiya! * Rockbox gets up from the table and heads into the plaza Hi! Whatcha doing? * Gearlock's gaze then wanders over to Slipstream as well... I was bored. The ship's got a steady heading, so they didn't need me on duty Are we gonna go somewhere interesting? seems like everyone's stargazing today... *murmurs to no one in general* * Rockbox spots Sunspot and Cirrus and walks over to them It's some uncharted place. Cant be any fun if noone's ever been there * Cirrus sees Rockbox and looks up Hi! Are you new? * Roadkill exits the bridge and sticks his headphones on, then heads for the rec room, humming to himself um, HI. can one of you answer a question for me? I can try :) * Rockbox hands the PADD to Cirrus do you know the bot in that picture? * Apocrypha reads over some article or other about a particularly interesting development in some dig site somewhere. * Sunspot looks over. *takes it* Oh sure! He's the boss :) * Moonstone chirps at the picture. he is? His name is Waitstate? uh-huh wierd.......... how could he have known.......... what is? nothing. nothing uhh... ok * Redliner is relaxed in a certain beanbag chair in the rec room, listening to music and generally minding his own business. my name is Rockbox by the way I'm Cirrus! Nice t'meet ya * Rockbox offers his hand to Cirrus yeah, I'm kinda new here * Cirrus shakes it from his position on the floor * Roadkill enters the rec room and spots Redliner lounging in said beanbag chair.... Wanna join me an' Sunny? Oi, hey! *walks over to stand in front of Redliner, hands on hips* sure, what'cha doin'? * Rockbox sits down I was teaching Moonstone stuff. Playin' with Moonstone! * Gearlock resumes his quiet stargazing Moonstone? * Talis pulls a small device from his pocket, clicks it on, examines the readings a few moments, then switches it off. * Moonstone chirps at Rockbox. * Redliner opens an optic to stare up at Roadkill... *conspiratorily* I just got here, really hey. oh, Moonstone * Rockbox points neat That's -my- beanbag you're loungin' in, mister... He's a dragon! what's a dragon? It's a kind of animal. But he's a robot. funny, I don't see your name on it... *chirping emanates from Rockbox's chest* * Rockbox taps his chest * Moonstone looks suspiciously at Rockbox. quiet you. *I* know you know what it is....... * Cirrus looks at him curiously oh, sorry * Roadkill grabs the back of the beanbag and tips Redliner out of it, then points to a label on the bottom that clearly says "Roadkill" oof! *lands on the floor* * Redliner rubs his head as he peers at the label So what do you do, Rockbox? :) ..... um.......... * Rockbox trails off, thinking that's a slaggin' lousy place to put it... *grumbles* now, or used to? who're you again? I forgot. uhh Name's Roadkill. :) either, I guess As the label says, heh. *grins* I used to be DJ at some of the best clubs on the Autobot Colony now...... I don't know yet * Roadkill rearranges the beanbag and flumps down in it, legs outstretched * Rockbox smiles weakly ooo, a DJ.... I'm supposed to be a Data Courier but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO * Cirrus makes little dancey motions can't work for both sides at the same time * Rockbox pauses, looking embarassed sorry, issues you sure look like it *mutters* * Rockbox shrugs * Cirrus is too busy dancing to notice Rockbox's discomfort * Redliner gets back up * Rockbox looks at Sunspot "What's he dancing to?" * Roadkill just grins up at Redliner from the comfort of his beanbag He's dancing to music in his head. He does that. ah * Cirrus smiles let's see what he thinks about this * Rockbox transforms to boombox mode oooo... * Rockbox begins blasting heavy metal music anyway... *pulls a can of enerbeer or something out of subspace and chucks it at Redliner* Catch. :) ahh! loud! *covers his audios* ? wah! *fumbles and manages to catch the enerbeer with both hands* uhh, thanks... I'm Redliner. We met at the bar once, but that was a while ago. Yeah, I remember. :) * Rockbox sees Cirrus cover his head and stops playing music * Apocrypha catches something out of the corner of her eye and walks over to the window. that not your thing? *uncovers* It just... suprised me * Rockbox starts playing something in the emo style cripes, is there anything to -do- in this place...?! Eh, sometimes. *shrugs and cracks open his own can of enerbeer* * The Freedom is rocked by powerful blasts. * Talis walks into the lounge area, notes the few bots in the area, then goes to sit at one of the resting areas whaddya mean, sometimes? * Cirrus stumbles as the ship is rocked by the blast! * Moonstone jumps up on Sunspot's shoulder as he feels the ship shake. what goes on around -- whoaa... * Rockbox gets knocked across the floor * Slipstream wakes up suddenly as the Freedom is rocked and falls off the couch I gotta go! [comm] Ahoy, starship! * Cirrus runs off to the bridge ... that can't be good... * Redliner stumbles around and falls on his skidplate *thunk* * Talis tries to keep his balance Primus! What the hell is happening?! what the hell? * Gearlock stumbles.. * Waitstate runs onto the bridge from his office * Rockbox TFs back to robot mode hey, cool. Something's happening.*grins* * Roadkill hastily gets up, hands Red his can and dashes off to the bridge * Apocrypha stumbles backwards and falls on her tail. ask and I receive! hey, where are you--? Gotta go to the bridge! Comm duty. Later, Reddy! * Waitstate stumbles into his chair and answers the comm * Redliner blinks, taking RK's can and watches him dash off... [comm] This is the Freedom. Explain yourself! *to self* damn, where is everyone? * Redliner heads for obs deck to see what's up. * Roadkill skids into the bridge and plunks down at his comm station, then looks sheepishly at Wait * Waitstate attempts to access tactical and raise the shields and automated weapons * Slipstream looks out the obs deck window and spots the ship attacking the Freedom Well this is just great... *gets up and heads out of the obs deck* [comm] Arrr. That I will gladly, laddie. I be Captain Keel-Haul, of the free vessel Hungry Wormhole. And we plan on boarding yer vessel and abscondin' with whatever catches our fancy. * Rockbox looks at Sunspot and Cirrus Roadkill, try and find out why we didn't detect these guys. what's going on? * Gearlock stares out the obs deck window with Slip, Apocrypha and Redliner... *nods* Will do... [comm] If ye value yer life and the lives of yer crew, ye'll put up no struggle. What the hell... pirates? I...think we're being attacked, maybe... That's usually what that means. greeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat * Waitstate gets the shields up, but only at half power [comm] I rather think not * Slipstream starts for the nearest airlock * Rockbox 's antenne start vibrating and the tips change color to bright blue * Recoil catches Slipstream on her way. They seem to have some kind of prototype cloaking device, Wait... let's see whats goig on here I don't think so! Not this time *irritated* What?! Dandy Waitstate gave us orders not to let you go * Diablo wakes up. In the theatre. * Roadkill then moves to the tactical station and helps get the shields up to power * Rockbox starts recieving subspace transmissions * The Wormhole fires another shot into the Freedom's bow. * Waitstate sends out an all-call to bridge personel What?! what for?! *glares at Recoil, arms folded* [comm] I be dislikin' yer delayin' tactics, Freedom. * Rockbox starts to focus on the Freedom's frequency .... I don't question orders, but I reckon it's for the stunt you pulled last time Got it! * Hyperion arrives on the bridge not long after the call damnit... *shifts more power to the forward shields to bolster them* Oh that's just GREAT. * Rockbox TFs back to boombox mode and starts playing sub space communications * Cirrus stumbles out of the lift, and gets into his station I'm here boss! oh dear. *sits down on the nearest couch and patiently anticipates the shit to hit the fan.* Good, bring us about. I'll get the DEM online and we'll see if we can do something about this * Redliner starts bitching about not being able to do anything. So, I just get to stand around here uselessly while we get pounded by some pirate ship, is that it?! * Sunspot listens in on Rockbox's signal, trying to decide if she should go to the bridge or not. * The Wormhole moves closer to the Freedom. * Avalanche wanders out of the training sim to find the ship on alert. * Cirrus moves the ship into position as Waitstate charges the cannon * Gearlock , hearing Redliner complain endlessly, sighs and casually makes his way down to the closest airlock, only to see Slip and Recoil... ...? what's going on? *looks at Slip and Recoil* * These are the same pirates that attacked the refugees * Slipstream paces around furiously, unable to get to the airlock past Recoil Targeting... Hold steady! [comm] *offscreen chatter* A what? Ramming speed! * The Wormhole accelerates towards the Freedom. Firing! *to Gear* We're bein' attacked by some random pirate ship and they won't lemme out there t'fight it! * The DEM fires off a shot, but Cirrus is forced to move the ship as it does so, lowering the effect of the blast considerably pirates? *frowns* Exactly! why not? I'll go with you, if it's who I think it is. damnit! [comm] Always someone wantin' to do this the hard way. We just need t'get past Mr. Security here first... *glares* [ship comm] I need a tactical officer up here NOW! All spaceworthy fighters, deploy immediately! * The Wormhole fires off a salvo of railfire and plasma bolts from its starboard cannon. *hears the comm* Hah! Move it, Recoil! I do believe that's us, my dear. Recoil sir, please step aside... * Roadkill quickly bolsters the port shields to help absorb the hits * Waitstate fires off interceptor blasts to counter most of the enemy fire, but some makes it through Whatever, go! * Slipstream dashes past Recoil to the airlock * Avalanche starts heading in the direction of the bridge, keeping an ear to the comm channel. * Gearlock follows Slip * Slipstream waits for Gearlock, then jumps out the airlock and tfs. "C'mon, let's go!" * Gearlock follows suit! He seems practiced. [comm] If that be your one shot, it has done ye no g - arrr, ye have fighters. O'course. So be it. * Gearlock TFs into his unmanned fighter mode, looking smaller and less streamlined than Slip, but heavier. * Slipstream zooms towards the pirate ship * Waitstate launches attack drones as well, leaving them to their AIs * The Wormhole's bays open, and pirate fighterforms launch to intercept. * Talis watches from one of the viewports, then notes some of the markings on one side of the enemy ship's hull * Gearlock stays a short distance away and behind Slip, acting as her wingman. * Waitstate abandons his command chair and runs to Tac I, where he has better controls * The Wormhole fires on the Freedom again. * Slipstream heads for the nearest enemy fighters, her wings splitting open into their attack positions Do...do you think they're gonna try to board us? I hope not * Fighters in various states of age and repair vector to intercept Slip's flight. I suck at fighting * Rockbox shudders as several irate beeps come from him * Talis runs to one of the comm systems and radios the bridge. * Cirrus brings the ship about for another DEM run, while Waitstate tries to pick off fighters and incoming fire with the pulse lasers Bridge, copy! I KNOW that's what you're here for, but chill! OK? * Slipstream holds her fire until they're well within range, then lets fly with several laser bursts, gutting one fighter completely and winging another * Moonstone chirps back at Rockbox's chest. Signal the fighters, I'm about to fire the DEM * Gearlock powers up his lasers and picks off Slipstream's leftovers... [comm] Bridge here, Talis. Bridge, I'm sending a set of coordinates on the portside of that ship. AIM for it. [comm2 to the fighters] Heads up, DEM's firing! [comm] Copy that, Talis. Thanks! * Waitstate gets a target lock and fires, raking the pirate ship with the DEM blast as the Freedom moves past * Roadkill inputs the coordinates to the ship's targeting computer *to self* Hope they haven't fixed that yet... * Slipstream breaks off to get out of the way of the DEM * The Wormhole sheds armor. * Cirrus gets the coordinates and starts moving the ship to the port side [comm] I'll grant ye this. Ye have spirit. * Slipstream waits til the DEM's finished firing for now, then chases after another set of fighters [comm] Spirit shmirit. We're gonna kick yer skids in. * Talis heads for the nearest airlock, and jumps out * The Wormhole deploys a huge glowing point from its bow. [comm] Hold tight, now. * Gearlock continues to assist Slip Evasive! * Cirrus banks hard * The Wormhole swings hard to starboard. * Rockbox goes flying once more * The inertial dampeners barely keep up * The Wormhole continues with the motion as it passes along the Freedom and picks up speed as it goes. DAMMIT!! * Cirrus spins the ship and gets the pirates in DEM range * Slipstream kicks up her speed a notch or several and goes zooming through an enemy fighter formation, scattering it and taking out one of the fighters with laser fire * Waitstate fires, hoping to hit before the pirates get out of range * Pirate fighters begin returning to the ship. * Talis opens up both his dorsal and ventral quad turrets, blasting at enemy fighters as he swings in towards the Wormhole * Gearlock spirals after Slip, pegging off her wounded... * Talis watches as they turn back towards the Wormhole, making themselves easier targets * Slipstream chases after the retreating fighters, firing with deadly accuracy * An X-winged fighter transforms as Slip passes him, catching hold of Gearlock with a hook-hand. [comm] Arrrrrrrrrrr! * The pirate attacks with an energon-cutlass. Looks like sheering forces are starting to blow out EPS relays. Cirrus, try and keep those hard banks to a minimum if you can * Slipstream spins around and fires at the pirate attacking Gearlock * Another pirate launches cannonballs at Slip as she turns. ! * Talis notes the commotion behind him with Slip and Gearlock and comes about, as fast as his large mass is capable of * Gearlock is dragged back a bit, taking some mild hull damage... * The Wormhole continues to retreat, picking up speed. * Slipstream barely manages to dodge the cannonballs, losing her aim on the pirate as she maneuovers * Gearlock turns a turret laser onto the pirate and fires, trying to take it's head off. * Waitstate sets the attack drones after the retreating ship Should I chase em? damnit! *sideslips port, then corkscrews around and comes up underneath the fighter that shot the cannonballs, lasers firing* No, we're better off letting them leave [comm] I'll slash you and bash you and trash you and we'll DIE here in space TOGETHER! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! * Talis switches from turret mode to his heavy cannons, zooms in on the struggling pirate and Gearlock, then waits for a shot... * The cannonball-fighter explodes. [comm] He'll die first, though. * Pirate 1 drives his sword into Gearlock's engine. * Waitstate sets the DEM to maximum density and fires at the pirate ship, hoping to hit something vital [comm] aaurrghh!! [comm] This be far from over, Freed - arrrrrr. *brief static* *to self, watching Gearlock*...come on, man, just push away! [comm] We'll be back! * Talis watches the DEM blast streak past his position and strike the Wormhole....right on it's portside. * The Wormhole finally lumbers into hyperspace with a flash of light, leaving a cloud of debris and several pirate stragglers behind. [comm] Gearlock! *zooms towards him, unable to get a decent lock on the pirate* * Gearlock wavers a bit, somewhat stunned.... he tries to TF to fight the pirate hand-to-hand, but becomes gear-locked... Move us in closer to our fighters. Let's see if we can give them cover now * Cirrus complies * A few fighters make desultory attacks against the Freedom. [comm] I'm stuck... nnnghh, help me..! * Slipstream nears Gear and tfs, then brings out her sword and slashes it at the pirate's head oh man, Gearlock's in trouble * Waitstate starts picking off fighters with the pulse arrays * Some kind of sea-serpent with rocket thrusters sends of wave of missiles at Talis. [comm] Talis, incoming! * Waitstate takes out about half of them with interceptors from the Freedom * Gearlock's pirate neatly loses his head. * Gearlock has a dead pirate hanging off him. * Slipstream knocks the pirate's body off of Gearlock * first two missiles pass by, third and fourth smash into Talis' hull. Talis rolls to starboard and breaks hard, causing a fifth missile's fin to scratch past underneath* * Avalanche listens to news of the pirates' retreat with mild disappointment. [comm] y'okay now, Gear? [comm] thank you... [comm] no worries, any time. * Waitstate sees the enemy blips vanish one by one on the tactical viewscreen * The three remaining pirates pull back into a defensive formation outside of effective shipboard weapons range and wait. * Slipstream tfs back to fighter mode and hovers near Gearlock for the moment Roadkill, how are our people doing out there? [comm] yes... I don't know how extensive the damage is, though... I've shut off pain receptors, but I think I can make it back to the ship myself... * Waitstate and Cirrus move the ship into DEM fire position toward the remaining pirates... Talis and Gearlock are both damaged, Gearlock seems to be stuck mid-transformation... Slipstream's okay so far, as far as I can tell. * Rockbox shuts off transmission and TFs back into robot mode no fatalities? good * Rockbox holds his head * Talis transforms to robot mode, his quad turrets converting to chain-cannons in both hands I need to sit down So I guess they aren't gonna board. Good. [comm] Okay, drones. This be Incognita the merciless. Well aware are we the penalties for space piracy, so you'll make no prisoners of us this day. * Rockbox looks for a seat * Gearlock runs a quick self-diag... [comm] Damn right we won't. * Waitstate fires * Talis checks external sensors think that's all of them * In the searing, blinding light of the DEM beam, the pirates simply cease to exist, their superheated component substances being reduced to basest plasma. [comm] Y'need a hand gettin' back t'the ship, Gear? * Talis hovers over by Slip and Gearlock * Slipstream has some minor laser scores on her wings that she hasn't noticed and probably won't notice any time soon either Don't worry too much about attacks. The ship has enough fighters to keep the rest of us safe. [comm] ... ah, I think I'm alright, but I feel that being escorted by a fine young lady like yourself would improve matters by far, my dear. * Rockbox finds a seat and sits down its was this way on the colony Roadkill, did you get any data on their cloaking device? If they come back, I want to have a defense Some. Not much though. * Jak loiters outside the bridge door. [comm] *to Gearlock* If that's the case, I'll head on in. *winks at Slip, then transforms and flies in* * Slipstream chuckles slightly to herself I used to have to fight sometimes. I don't really fight much anymore unless I have to. I can, though. [comm] Alrighty then. Glad t'oblige. *Escorts Gearlock back to the Freedom* Feed whatever you have into the science computers. I want that analyzed I try to stay out of the fighting Will do. *does so* * Gearlock is escorted back to ship never was any good at it * Rockbox pulls a small pistol from subspace I don't even know why I carry this thing * Talis flies back to the airlock he'd leapt out of, transforms and reenters the ship. I've got flamethrowers. And bigger friends. * Slipstream and Gearlock arrive back at the airlock and reboard the Freedom * Talis walks down about part way, then pulls out the device he was looking at earlier. He thumbs it on again, watches the read-out, then turns it back off. * Rockbox chuckles and pats his chest I have friends too Stupid piece of junk. Never worked right to begin with. *crumbles it in his hand, then lets the pieces fall down one of the trash ports* * Gearlock returns to an airlock and attemps to transform again... but there's only a strange sound from his joints as he struggles to return to bot mode That doesn't sound too healthy there... *sigh* oh dear. When I was with the Autobots, I was part of a team, too... * Waitstate steps off the bridge and begins to assign engineering crews * Slipstream tfs to botmode and looks over Gearlock look, I... erm. Could I ask you a favour, my dear? * Jak avoids being squashed by Wait. * Rockbox looks at Sunspot you were an Autobot? * Sunspot grins. Ye want me t'thump ya somewhere, aye? just a swift kick ought to set me back right again. Did you think I had been a Decepticon? Uh, cap'n, if it's not too much trouble, can I get someone to drag Apocrypha to medbay? * Rockbox shys back in reflex *laughs and kicks* She lost a leg about two floors down on one of those ship hits. * Gearlock is booted and instantly he snaps back into bot mode, with a faint grinding noise There ya go. :) I've had a really bad run of luck with Autobots.......... * Waitstate stops Y'should get that looked at sometime, heh. What? how did that happen? She fell over. oogh... *grimaces slightly and holds a hand to his chest where he'd been stabbed earlier* * Jak shrugs. * Sunspot looks down. Don't look at me. I didn't build her. ... I'm not anymore, silly... C'mon, let's get y'to medbay, aye? sorry, its a reflex She should get a refund, heh indeed. * Waitstate taps a wall panel and assigns med drones to pick her up * Slipstream escorts Gear to medbay. ;) 'Sokay. Taken care of. I'll make sure she gets a refit on those joints... Thanks. Probably just bad luck. * Gearlock gets escorted! :) He's fairly jovial along the way. * Jak wanders off. my word, I'm probably too old for this... *laughs* How old are ya anyway, Gear? Just out of curiosity :) * Gearlock smiles and twirls a finger in the air flippantly. "Old enough to know that I'm too old." I had a really thriving courier business back on the Colony. When it was destroyed in a Decepticon attack, the Autobots wouldn't let me rebuild it unless I joined them all because I worked for who ever hired me *chuckles* Eh, I guess that's fair enough. Yer only as old as ye feel, and all that, aye? indeed. I was making credits by the metric ton before the attack can't let a little wear and tear get you down, after all. * Gearlock enters medbay with Slip... its took a lot of it to repay my clients for their lost property then I had to pay off my employees heh, of course not... *enters the medbay with Gear, then leans against the nearest wall* I'm sorry... its not your fault *looks around medbay* Huh, looks like all the medics are on holiday. that was a lifetime ago not to worry, I don't exactly feel like I'm dying yet.... I was always with the Autobots. They built me and the rest of my team. * Rockbox chuckles "I won't hold that against you" * Restore steps out of her office. Well, that was one of the worse shakeups in recent memory. So naturally, here come the casualties. Bad? I never thought things could be any other way until...well, until I decided otherwise. Naw. Just Gearlock here. And Talis too, though y'might hafta chase after that one. I guess never having to choose sides meants it was easier to leave. * Gearlock smiles I was always neutral I hate fighting ruins business :) I'm as sure you're probably as hurt as them but you won't admit it, Slip. You get used to it. Come here, Gearlock. * A team of med drones enter, carrying Apocrypha in a rather undignified manner. A lone drone follows after, carrying a leg * Gearlock nods, approaching Restore and pointing to his chest greetings... I believe I might have a severed fuel line here, I can feel the fluid pooling inside my chassis... *grins* Y'know me too well, Restore. And naw, got away with just a coupla surface burns this time. Will her head be along at some point? It seems sort of like a waste of surgery otherwise. I think it was a good idea to leave, though. goodness. *said upon sight of Apocrypha* * Slipstream eyes Apocry and grins * Restore firmly escorts Gear over to a seat and gets some scans started. * Rockbox nods I think I'll leave ye all to your medicy repair fun. See y'all later. :) *escapes from medbay* * Avalanche wanders into the plaza. * Waitstate gets a report from security... and sends out a summons for Slipstream you're far better off * Restore assumes the affair with Apocrypha's missing head will resolve itself at some future date and busies herself with Gearlock. So, how did you manage this one? * Waitstate also sends out duty assignments for the engineering staff * Talis heads to his quarters and sits down, then notes the not-so-smooth-anymore surface of his leg armor. Both legs. you do realize that Autobots are hypocrites hmm, a sword right into the engine, I believe. Oh, for friggin' Depths of Cybertron! * Slipstream winces and sighs tiredly as she gets Waitstate's summons, and ponders ignoring it for the moment in favor of a nice snooze in the flight deck... I'm not dead yet, but I assume the damage is worse than I feel. * Talis starts working the multiple lock-downs and seals to his armor plating and hull sections on his left leg. A sword? Did I miss the part where we were overrun by barbarians? It's not as bad as all that. Nothing I'd want to let go, mind you. * Sunspot turns her attention back to Moonstone. * Talis pulls of a dented section of armor, checks underneath to note the hull-structure on his left leg has only slight blemishes in it. *to self* Glad to see it didn't go through. That's always worse... * Avalanche sees Sunspot talking to some guy by a bench in the middle of the plaza and walks over to them. sorry. Autobots are a sore spot with me * Gearlock shrugs and winces in the process. pirates, barbarians, I suppose the differences are mild. * Talis piles the damaged armor to one side and works on his right leg. Still, weren't you in space? * Slipstream decides she won't get a decent sleep if she doesn't go see what Wait wants now... aie. Hiya, angel. What's going on? Sounds like everyone made it back, at least... *snip snip solder* * Slipstream wanders slowly in the general direction of the bridge * Talis rubs a finger over one of the damaged panels from his right leg, wiping some of the scoring away. Though very little. the ruffian transformed and snagged a hook on my hull... * Sunspot looks up again. How very swashbuckling. * Rockbox looks up Hi, Avy! Yeah, Rockbox was listening in on the comm stuff. There was a fight and some pirates, but everybody made it back. he spewed some bad drama and then proceeded to stab me before I could transform. I'm rather ashamed at having been hurt by such bad taste, really. um, Hi Well, what can you expect from pirates, really. *weld weld* * Avalanche grins at the new guy, then bends down to pet Moonstone. * Slipstream finally arrives on the bridge *notes the hull-structure on his right leg* Oh nice. THAT one had to go through! Ah, heya Slip. Have fun out there? Heya 'killer. Yah, wasn't too bad... where's Wait? *leans against an unoccupied chair* Piece of....infestation-spawning Inferno pool....damned pirates! Office. You're in for another lecture, I take it? *grins* *quieter*...thought we'd put them behind for longer than this... * Gearlock refrans frm chuckling, but smiles anyway * Talis tosses damaged armor plating into the pre-made pile with more noise than before. Then begins checking his hull structure more closely Looks it. And stop laughing, ye pirate. *heads for Wait's office and presses the buzzer* * Roadkill just sniggers and turns back to his console * The door slides open *spray spray* do you two think now would be a good time to go see the ship's captain? Okay. That sealant will dissolve in a hundred or so hours. Until then try and stay out of direct contact with water and corrosives. * Slipstream steps in just enough for the door to not slide shut on her wings, then leans back against it Otherwise, you're all set. * Gearlock checks himself Now run along to your fencing lessons. ah, thank you my good medic. Y'might wanna wait 'till things have settled back down a little. He's usually busy after something like this. I had a rather disturbing report from security * Gearlock chuckles and stands back up again hmmmm, OK * Slipstream just eyes Waitstate tiredly from under her helmet visor thingy. riiiight... I'll remember that. I heard you were halfway out the airlock long before I gave the deployment order * Gearlock decides to not take up Restore's time anymore and...walks out! *shrugs* So I've got enough experience t'be able t'call the shots before ye make 'em. That isn't the point So did you have fun with the new sims? So what's the point then? * Talis gathers up all the damaged plates and heads to the med bay. The point is that I'm in command here. *sighs quietly and doesn't say anything* Yeah! A couple of them were a pretty good challenge. And I've given you orders on more than one occasion to WAIT for orders before going in to battle * Talis walks down to the med bay, with the armor missing from his lower legs, revealing flat hull plates and external hydraulics currently inactive. * Slipstream pushes herself away from the door and starts pacing tiredly around the office Will wonders never cease? I can't help it, Wait. How do you figure? You're a sentient being Slip. Not only do I not have to track you down, I get to rub Slip's faceplate in it that you came of your own free will. It's ingrained. I see a threat, I hafta act against it. * Rockbox looks out at the plaza, his antenna changing from bright blue to purple to green * Talis drops the plating all over the table Oh, heh, didn't mean to intrude on you guys. So hi. I'm Avalanche. Nice ta meet you. Well, I can't say I'm a fan for knocking these dents out. I appreciate its defensive capacities, but I hate its upkeep. Hi It's a habit you need to break how does one go about openning a shop here in the Plaza? Damnit, Wait, I'm a starfighter. It's what I -do-. I'm not a fool. I can see you're not in the best condition for battle. * Talis fails to mention that had the damage been more extensive than armor damage, he might not have come by to say "hello" at all. Probably need to talk to Waitstate about that one. Or we could go ask Terra! She'd know... *looks up suddenly and glares at Wait, eyes flaring intense blue* what do you mean by that? Well, unless you've got a pressing combat engagement, I'll probably leave the armor for Welder's shift. Terra? she runs the Quick Bite, right? I dont need a medical scanner to see how run down you are. Yeah! Let's go talk to her! * Slipstream snorts and resumes her slow pacing I'm right in the middle of processing all these refugees' medical computer entries. I was actually planning on a sit-down in my quarters. Have some other things I might try working on. I'll come by again in two shifts? And... I'm not sure how, but I know something is bothering you beneath the surface What, you psychic now too? um, after you two :) That works for me. No good then. *nods and heads out* * Avalanche leads the way. It's just that... well, ever since you returned, I've felt like I had more insight into your thought process. That's how I knew you'd try to go out on your own again. * Slipstream leans against the wall again and eyes Wait suspiciously Since I came back, aye? *glares* y'know, I've been meanin' t'ask y'this... what were y'doin' inside my head then anyway? Keeping you stablized. Your autonomic programming was failing *raises a browplate* Oh? Is that all? Well, I had to take drastic measures. *flatly* Drastic measures. Do tell. I did open a binary channel. There could have been some leakage * Rockbox walks into the Quick Bite behind Sunspot and Avalanche and begins looking for Terra * Terrafirma is in the back, inspecting her supplies for damage Any memory areas I had to stablize could have bled back upstream * Slipstream just eyes Wait flatly, not buying it Hi, Terra! Everything okay here? My only concern was saving your life! You've seen Restore's report. Your spark was borderline, if that! * Terrafirma peeks out. "Looks ok so far. A few cannisters burst, but nothing vital" * Rockbox steps in something *sighs* And I appreciate that, really.... It's just... gah, I dunno. I don't like people messin' around in my head... whoops Everybody seems to have made it back to the ship. Looks like they didn't expect so much of a fight. I've found that this group can be suprisingly stubborn, heh * Terrafirma gets a mop Need any help? I wouldn't object :) * Rockbox gets out of the way Believe me, it's not something I would have done without permission except in the most dire circumstances * Rockbox takes the mop and begins cleaning * Avalanche gets a mop and helps, too. *quietly* Yeah, I know... it's just... I've got too much history, too many secrets that need t'stay that way... *slumps further against the wall* * Sunspot carefully picks up broken pieces of canisters. I see I wasn't the only thing getting thrown across the deck You're not the only one with a secret or two. I had to take down all my barriers too to do what I did. Primus knows if there was any data leakage in your direction * Terrafirma cleans, smiling at the people helping um, Terra? can I ask you a question? Of course :) what did you have to do to open this place? It was fairly simple. I just approached Waitstate and we hashed out a contract. He was quite amenable to the idea Look, I'm really just concerned with your well being. Yes, it makes me angry when you ignore my orders, but there's more to it than that what then? I know you're suffering. I don't know from what, but I know it. Heh. *shakes her head slowly* what? Nothin'. Nothin' at all. * Rockbox scrubs the floor * Roadkill sits in the bridge, waiting for the yelling to start in Wait's office... ;) Don't give me "nothing" You have no idea how MUCH I hate it when people do that I'll keep that in mind then. Tell me what's bothering you. Lots of things bother me if I let them. *shrugs* That's not an answer. So how's business been lately, Terra? It seems like this place has been a magnet for newcomers. Business has been great, honestly. It's almost been more than I could handle. Primarily because I wasnt expecting it, mind you Have y'ever known me t'give a straight answer? Not very often, and don't think it hasn't pissed me off pretty consistantly hmmm, OK. I need to see him anyway So what makes ye think you'll get one now? Nice to see the Quick Bite getting popular. I used to come in here and the place'd be empty. Because it's about time for it. You're going to run yourself to pieces if you keep this up. And really, I think you owe me. How d'ya figure that? I helped save your life, for one thing. That not enough for you? ...I don't much like bein' indebted to anyone. I hope the quiet wasnt the appeal, heh. hey, Terra! Is that spot supposed to move like that? * Rockbox points No, you wouldn't. But damnit, you are. It's for your own good, anyway. No, if quiet was all I wanted I certainy wouldn't spend so much time in the bar. * Terrafirma laughs * Terrafirma looks over to where Rockbox is pointing Or...anywhere with so much Splitwit, certainly. Hm, that looks like one of Earshot's do-dads. Probably harmless why is it looking at me? *glares* So what do y'want me t'do then? Most of his stuff tends to look at things oh, I'll try to keep that in mind I want you to admit you have a problem! Submit to medical treatment, if it's needed. You're gonna get yourself killed! And would that be such a bad thing, really, if I did?! *rus her face* It's a good thing to remember. He's real big with surveillance and such. I think he tried to wire the ship, actually wow, really? What? You have a death wish now? I really don't think so. Yeah, Wait wasn't too happy about that one... Heh! Death wish, that's a good one... *shrugs* Slip, get over yourself. Deep down, this all boils down to ego. You know it, I know it. * Slipstream looks surprised * Waitstate just stares back ... heh. Maybe. Maybe not. I dunno anymore. * Rockbox stops cleaning *to himself* how in the name of Primus did he know? You say something, hon? um, yeah. well, not really just trying to figure something out I'm just tired. So... what are we going to do about all this? I don't know. *shrugs* Is there anything t'be done? I'm not sure. Medical treatment, meditation... Anything I can help with? I don't think so its a mystery that Waitstate might be able to shed some light on though A mystery, eh? Sounds like fun its a wierd one *snorts* I don't think any of that'd help, really. This is somethin' I've gotta sort out m'self... one year ago, I was given a message to deliver to a Transformer named Waitstate if he ever brought his ship out this far Did you ever consider that maybe that same isolation is what's causing these problems in the first place? But the guy who gave it to me said he wasn't sure if Wait would be coming here. said something about the probability being low, but that he had a hunch..... Really? Now that IS interesting... We end up going a lot of places, though... what's wierd is that he said he saw it like he could see into the future or something I told him he'd had to much energon and to go sleep it off *sighs* I don't want help, Wait. I won't say I don't need it, but I certainly don't want it... Well... then that's the first thing you need to work on Good luck there. he gave me a holo program to give to Wait and paid me in advance it WILL be worked on. oy vey... he never told me his name just paid me to make a delivery and left orders again, Wait? *sighs* Orders. For your own good. I was taking inventory of the data tracks I still had that were never delivered when I ran across Waitstate's name Argue all you want, I already know you agree with me. * Rockbox looks at the others as they stare at him and changes the subject That's pretty strange. I cant imagine who might know us way out here. Though I understand the grey one tends to do a lot of far flung business with the hypernets Whatever, Wait. I'm just too tired t'care at the moment... How's the night life on the ship? I'm not at all suprised. Night and day are about the same 'round here. OK then, how's the off duty life around here :) No, y'wouldn't be, would ya... *optics dim somewhat* Like I said... heh, I guess the rowdies are a bit more active. More of a shift change thing though * Rockbox thinks When was the last time you recharged? You look like you're running on fumes well, its worth a shot then, thanks Uh, you're welcome, I suppose :) properly? *shrugs tiredly* Can't really remember, come t'think of it. * Rockbox puts his mop away I gonna go and check out some of the empty lots in the plaza Good luck! That's not at all good for your 'cyclers. * Rockbox heads out of the Quick Bite I know. I'd be willing to bet you can barely even HOLD a charge anymore, if it's been as long as I think * Slipstream just shrugs slightly * Rockbox looks through the first lot The first thing I'm gonna do is order you to get some rest. You're going to go offline and charge yourself til you're as full as you can get, understand? We'll worry about the rest later. Heh, aye aye, cap'n... *pushes herself off the wall and wanders tiredly out of the office, then heads for the flight deck t'crash for a while* * Waitstate shakes his head as she leaves... what fun