Arguments Over Drinks

Log Title: Arguments Over Drinks

Characters: Banshee, Cerebros, Dust Devil, Jazz, Lugnut, Omen, Scales, Sideswipe, Spike, Hot Rod, Imager, Solstice, Starlock

Location: Iacon Medical/The Rollout Bar

Date: December 29, 2020

TP: non-TP

Summary: Autobots and Decepticons mingle at The Rollout Bar.

As logged by Scales

Iacon Medical Center

Dust Devil

Dust Devil mockpouts, "But Cerebros likes my trainin exercises...." He then smirks mischievously at Spike.

GAME: Cerebros PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of Above Average difficulty.

Cerebros looks at Dust Devil, genuinely curious "How's a visit to the Rollout Bar considered 'training'?"

Dust Devil says, "I make Spike drive me to the Roll out bar..."

Cerebros nods, realizing that his name isn't included. "Oh...very good. Have fun then."

Spike smiles and backs up, waiting for Dust Devil. "SHOULD be easy enough..."

Dust Devil says, "Of course if you stay here, when we get back it'll be your turn to let Spike drive you. As in...no input from you Cerebros."

Cerebros turns his back to Dust Devil and waves a hand dismissively, getting back to his favorite task... reading uninterrupted.

Dust Devil says, "Or better yet....I think we should teach Scales to drive. What do you think Spike?"

Dust Devil says, "I think Scales would have a blast with Cerebros' offroad capability."

Spike grins and looks at Scales. "Heyah!" he gestures to the little Tribble guys. "I just got scanned. No radiation contamination, but just wanted to check in...any possible reason that humans shouldn't be in the same room with these guys?" He looks at Dust Devil. "I think this would be a miracle so far that I haven't been bitten, but I don't want to chance it."

As if summoned by being mentioned, Scales appears, waving back to Spike. "Hi!" She looks thoughtfully at some of the fuzzballs. "They don't even chew wires. They just kind of stack themselves up on things." She shrugs. "I haven't seen them eat -anything-. Kinda weird, really."

Sideswipe is currently semi mobile. As in 'can move, can transform, and can go along at speeds like Trailbreaker going uphill'. He's not particularly -thrilled- on it, but at least he can hopefully go out of the medbay

Spike looks and his eyes widen with relief. "Oh man! Sideswipe!" He runs over, elated to see one of the first Autobots he ever met up and around. "Man, it's good to see you up and about!"

Dust Devil sees Sideswipe and looks disappointed. "Awww He doesn't look like a mirror. I told Ratchet that since we have ta rebuild him, we could make him inta somethin that would at least bring a smile ta Sunstreaker's face....course....he DID offer ta make me into a vacuum if we were going for useful rebuilds...."

Spike frowns at Dust Devil. "Easy...he's still on the mend. He's lucky to be that mobile after what was done to him!" He looks at Sideswipe. "How yah feelin'?"

Scales hehs. "He's got work left to go. You could always try to talk him into some kinda mirror paint insteada red."

Sideswipe would just glance at Dust Devil, "Hey, you could always take him up on the standing offer to have you be remade into a dishwasher and redesignated 'Suds' if that would help. And thanks Spike. No the same without Sunny here to try and kill me."

Dust Devil says, "Believe that's why he offered to make me inta a vacuum....I've already got the pneumatics." He smirks, "Just glad that Overlord didn't get a hold of me when I went ta smash him off of you."

The Rollout Bar - Toraxxis - Cybertron

The Rollout Bar's interior is designed to accommodate the widely varying scales of the universe. On the bar itself there's a section designed for humans, Junkions and those of similar scale, with their own bar which can be served either by the main bartender or a bartender of their own scale, should one be on duty. A spiral staircase grants access to the bar's surface for those who are small enough to use the secondary bar, with barriers high enough for most transformers high enough to notice protect those making their way from the doors to the bar itself. There are a series of bar stools of various sizes along the bar, allowing most Transformers to be able to sit comfortably at the bar.

Next to the bar, there are two doors marked "GAMES ROOMS". They are roped off, and from the other side, the sounds of building work can be heard. Warning signs mark them as "UNDER CONSTRUCTION"

Beside the doors sits a large stage, protected by energy fences should it be required. A fairly decent stack of amplifiers and speakers allows music of almost any kind to be performed there, by any species - space for a five-piece band of Transformers, or an entire orchestra of human-sized beings. There is a dance floor in front of the stage, and surrounding that one will find a series of octagonal tables with adjustable seats around them. Each table has a spiral staircase for those of human-ish scale to access the table top, where there are seats available.

The wall opposite the bar is lined with booths that allow four large Transformers to sit comfortably in relative privacy - and again, there is access to the table-tops for those of human scale. Each booth has its own window out of the bar, which can be closed with a curtain should it be required. They can also be enclosed within top-of-the-line privacy fields - Encore is trying to build a reputation at the Rollout Bar for absolute discretion and neutrality.

One wall is entirely taken up by a changing holographic vista, showing beautiful places from around the galaxy. The other wall is labeled "THE NEWS WALL", and is a huge bank of screens showing news broadcasts from across the galaxy, including Autobot News, Free Cybertron Press, and the Decepticon Propaganda Network, among countless others.

Encore himself usually tends the bar here. A sign behind the bar reads 'BARTENDERS WANTED: APPLY TO ENCORE

Ghost

Ghost is seated at the bar, sitting on a stool, sipping a tall glass of black ale. Wings are neatly tucked and folded on themselves much like a birds in display.

Spike walks in and approaches Ghost. He makes sure not to be in an area where he could be stepped on. He spots Ghost and clears his throat. "Hyeah..."

Sideswipe is slowly coming in over to the Rollout. He's moving steadily but very, very slowly on entering, going towards a seat in the back.

Cerebros walks in with Scales. He looks at Scales. "Was that drive to your satisfaction?"

Scales is there both to supervise Sideswipe since he's still recovering and just to hang out with people she knows. She grins at Cerebros toothily. "It was great! I could see out really well."

The house octanefeline meanders through, looking for petrorats.

Cerebros nods. Cerebros, ever the buzz-kill, then summons his training pad and opens up the 'vehicular' portion. "Great, Scales." He places it down for Scales to view. "Then can you please sign off on the 'passenger' section for my vehicular mode? It would say that I hosted a passenger for at least 100 astrominutes."

Ghost has been in her own way keeping tabs on who enters. And as Spike greets, she peers down and offers a warm smile, "Well, su'cuy Mr. Witwicky." She looks around then back down, "Care to meet at the other end of the bar where there's better access for you? And what would you like to drink?"

GAME: Spike PASSES a LEADERSHIP roll of High difficulty.

Sideswipe is taking the moment to give a light nod to Ghost, and then a wide berth to take a seat near the back. Less out of giving her space and more that it has easier access.

Spike nods. "Uh...Yeah, I can meet you down there..." He walks to the more human-sized friendly area. But he wants to make things are on the up-and-up. "Don't worry about the beverage... I think I still have a few credits here."

Banshee steps into the Rollout and heads straight to the bar, ordering one of the fancy mixed Kaffs that Encore has begun selling, inspired by the popularity of his cocktails and Earth coffee shops. As someone who drinks a lot of Kaff, she's apparently being used as a test-bed, and instead of one large cube of kaff, she gets three samplers to try - and a full cube of her current favourite. After a brief conversation with the scotsmech, she makes her choice and takes the cube, finally looking around to see who's present. She nods in greeting to those she knows.

GAME: Cerebros PASSES a COURAGE roll of Very High difficulty.

Scales ers at the datapad Cerebros has in front of her. "Isn't that for, like, human passengers? I mean, I'm not exactly a good standard for safety measures you'd need with them."

Cerebros locks 'optic to optic' for Banshee before he quickly looks away, going back to looking at...looking at...looking at this fascinating menu. Yes. Look at that, will you?

One of the staff pulls another keg up from down below.

Cerebros stresses to Scales. "It says NOTHING about human passengers. I fulfilled that requirement I believe...so...there should be no issue." Who needs energex when you can have the euphoric rush of a checkbox on a 'to-do' list being checked off.

Scales shakes her head. "You're really gonna try to rules lawyer this thing, huh?"

Banshee gives Cerebros a nod of greeting. She listens to the discussion, sipping her kaff. "It may fulfil zer text of zer requirement, but... it does not sound like you are fulfilling zer spirit of zer requirement. Good vork." She turns her head so that Cerebros can't see it clearly, and, hiding it with her cube, smirks to Spike.

Sideswipe would just glance over at Scales, "Hey, if he's gonna learn the micro and the macro, he should at least talk to Prowl. Prowl's the expert."

Cerebros looks at Scales and practically pleads "My personal goal to myself is to complete a minimum of two items from my learning regimen daily. I'm ... one behind today."

Ghost gives Sideswipe a faint nod as she moves, trailing after Spike. A second look at Cerebros, brows raising as she notes that the bar is filling up at an earlier time than she's used too. "It is simple courtesy, Spike." She pauses to grin at Banshee and the kaff sampler, "Well, I did not know he had those." She nods at Spike, "Have a bit of business but have something for you later." She heads to the more human ok bar section, settling herself down. "Alright. First, thank you."

Spike gives a slightly guarded smile at Banshee and nods in greeting, waiting for his own concoction.

Scales blinks at Cerebros, wings rustling at her surprise. "Who set your learning regimen for you?"

Spike slides the Blu-Rays over to Ghost, feeling like a drug dealer. "Sure...again..." He gives a look at Ghost. "Per your... agreements..."

Banshee sniffs "Personally I sink it's quite smart zat he found zer loophole. True, it's not strictly zer 'Autobot vay', but... vell. Ve all know what I sink of zer Autobot vay." She smiles, looking to Ghost. "Zey're quite new... he contacted me asking vhether I vos interested in 'fancy Kaff'... you know me unt Kaff, I drink zo much I practically bleed kaff not energon. Of course I vos interested... I recommend zer magnesium unt iron oxide blend."

Spike says flatly "Look, we're not perfect... by any stretch. But we do NOT deserve extermination or enslavement."

Sideswipe would shrug, "Hey, you bend the rules. No one's dogmatic enough. Well, maybe -Prowl-.. But if it works and it doesn't violate the spark of the laws.. Better to ask forgiveness than permission and make enough chaos that the fact you got results is the important thing."

Cerebros shakes his head in correction at Banshee. "No! No! It's not...It's not a loophole. I...I followed the requirement...to the letter!" He looks at Scales and says proudly "The Autobots themselves! Newly-created Autobots...at least for ... higher...up positions...are given an extensive regiment of training, including vehicular hours logged, diplomacy, history, science, alchemy, medical, law,..."

Scales flattens wings and crest close to her body as Banshee enters the conversation. "Yeah, given you've threatened to kill me personally, I'm pretty well aware." That's a bit sharper and drier than her usual tone.

The house octanefeline hops onto a table, threatening to knock a cubit of engex off the side.

Cerebros frowns in frustration at Sideswipe. "No! No! I wasn't..." he frowns again. "I wasn't BENDING the rules. I...I do not BEND rules. I FOLLOW them. If they require a human to be a passenger, then...they should have written it in there!"

Banshee nods to Cerebros. "You're following zer vord of zer rule, not zer spirit." She says, chuckling. "Zer very definition of 'finding a loophole'." She grimaces to Scales. "Ehehe... I did?"

Cerebros shakes his head and huffs, looking back at the menu (seems like someone needs a beverage)

Sideswipe would laugh, "Hey, it's the age old question. Why'd we always have passenger compartments in alt modes? Even when Cybertron never went anywhere for a hundred thousand vorn or so and we all had vehicles native to the planet."

Ghost's finials flick forward, then lay against her helm. Optics narrow and darken, but her voice remains level. "I never said that your species did, /Mr. Witwicky/." She ahems, looking at Banshee, "Will do, " then back at Spike, tone softening, "There are things I disagree with and there are things I do not. Exterminating any species rather falls on the disagree spectrum. s for enslavement, well I have my own thoughts on that, thank you. Do not think that my personal morals and ethics are determined by how the Empire is run."

Cerebros looks at Sideswipe and breathes out. "Fine...then ... just to show that I ... am in compliance..." He nods to Banshee "AND...in the spirit of ... as you said... the 'spirit' of such a requirement...I will...when this is over...go to the education committee, and file an appeal to reword the requirement to say 'human' passenger or other lesser species. OK?"

GAME: Cerebros PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

GAME: Spike FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

Banshee chuckles to Sideswipe "Technically, I don't haff a passenger compartment, I haff a crew compartment. A tailgunner vould make me much more effective; I vouldn't haff to divide my attention between flyink unt defendink mein self." A sniff, and she looks to Cerebros "Minicons vould also suffice... or votever zer Autobot equivalent is. Or zose... infernal noisemakers, vot are zey called, Junkions."

Scales edges a little closer to Cerebros and away from the Decepticons in the bar. It may be a neutral place, but that doesn't make her -feel- safe the same way as being close to a much larger Autobot does. Even if the Bot in question is a pacifist. But that does mean she's in a good position to crane her neck to look at the datapad again. "How old are these standards? I mean, I got like, nothing when I was built."

Spike frowns slightly and orders a bourbon. He shakes his head at Ghost. "No...No..." he rubs his eyes, trying to think. "I didn't mean to imply that...I know you have your own...code of ethics."

Sideswipe would move lightly from his position, going to take a seat where he's just a little more in front of Scales and giving her a position where she can get behind him if she needs it, ever so subtly

Maybe because he's answering to Chromia, but Cerebros makes room for Scales to see his datapad. It contains several tabs labeled 'Medic' 'Diplomacy' 'History' etc - and within each of those, dozens and dozens of checkboxes. He produces it to Scales and says innocently enough. "You've...you went through this part as a medic, correct?"

Banshee sips her kaff. "I apologise for being unprofessional." She says to Scales. "Personal threats are... unbecomink of a varrior. Ve do our duty... nothing more, nothing less."

Sideswipe would just glance at Banshee, "Sure." He's not escalating. Now isn' the time. They're here to relax as he would take his seat and position once more, sipping on an engex cube.

Spike smiles at Banshee. "Sort of like...a newish...titan...maybe not knowing all of the etiquette protocols amongst titans and shooting his mouth off to another titan?" He adds, taking a sip of bourbon. "Hypothetically speaking, of course."

Scales shakes her head. "I got built with all the medical information I needed for field work. An' the usual tape-intel suite. Everythin' else I've gone an' researched myself. You know, 'cause it was interestin'. Or somebody needed it." She pauses. "I didn't really have a mentor like you do. Unless you count Discord, but that was more me taggin' along an' him makin' sure I didn't get in his way."

Banshee chuckles softly, getting the point. "Ja, exactly." She says to Spike.

GAME: Spike FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

Spike blinks at Banshee and asks guardedly "So...we cool...I mean...'all' of us..." he gestures to Cerebros and gestures his head outside to indicate Fortress Maximus.

The muffled conversation of a few femmes at one table drifts over.

Dust Devil backs out from the bar area. "I'll fix it later! I didn't know Ravage was gonna...I'm sorry! I promise I'll make it up to ya! And yes I'll come back and clean the kitchen but not today! Okay okay! NO I don't want Fanfare informed. Yes I promise! Let me serve the drinks and we'll make a deal!" He backs out of the kitchen fully and vents. In his arms is a large tray with assorted drinks that he brings out to those in the bar area. "Drinks are on me!"

Sideswipe would shrug, "Well, since you're offering.." Going to see a large bucket of energy drinks normally kept for some of the humans who would frequent the place, Sideswipe would go to try and pick it up and then dump it over on Dust Devil's head.

GAME: Sideswipe PASSES a DEXTERITY roll of Above Average difficulty.

Before Sideswipe manages it, an empty cube hits him in the side of the head and a voice from the kitchen calls "Dinne try it!"

Spike 's eyes brighten. He's normally not a two-drink guy so quickly but given Dusty is buying given the prank he pulled, he raises his hand to the barkeep. "I'll have another one, but if it's cool, instead of the 'regular' may I please have the 'select reserve'?" He nods in appreciation to Dust Devil.

Banshee nods to Spike. "Ve vere cool ven Fortress Maximus apologised, Spike." She says, with a smile. "He is young, a kinder compared to Metroplex unt Trypticon. It..." She motions to her face, and the Cityspeaker markings on it. "These mean zat I must be understanding to /all/ Titans. I vould not be being true to mein oaths if I did not make zer effort."

Ghost raises a brow and sips her ale, quieting as she listens to the rise and fall of conversations before she opens a small hatch on her wrist and pulls out a tiny, to her, envelope. Of which she hands over to Spike. "Sort of like a neo titan and company who are still learning, yes." She gives him a wink.

Dust Devil places the tray down, he looks at it and pulls out the human sized drink, "Is this the one you want Spike? Scales and Cerebros, I got some of the stuff Encore makes fer me if ya want that instead. Though..." He smirks at Sideswipe, "I'm betting that SIdeswipe needs to not be on any of the heavier engexes until he's repaired right Scales?"

Sideswipe would just glance over at Dust Devil amusedly with a 'you'll get your's'. "And.. What were you saying about Ravage? He didn't seem your type."

Cerebros holds his hand up to Dust Devil. "Nothing...mind-altering please. Just..." He gestures to Sideswipe. "What he has right now...just...maybe half as strong."

Scales eyes Banshee, still debating what kind of answer, if any, to give her when she's distracted by Dust Devil. "Yeah, nothin' too heavy for him," she agrees. "Don't wanna stress a healin' system." She leans out to sniff at Dust Devil's assortment cautiously. "I'm pretty fresh from a nap, so I'd  want somethin' -really- light."

A femme returns from the washroom, and notes her drink has vanished…

Spike looks over at Ghost curiously looking over the envelope. He keeps his voice quiet and looks up at Ghost "What's this?"

Ghost smiles faintly, "Payment for the items in question. This is an exchange of goods and a service for recompensense, you see. Things all above board."

At the mention of 'not strong' Sideswipe would smirk, "Hey, I'll take free energon. And there's  -lots- of stuff you can do with medgrade."

Dust Devil says, "What I drink IS really light. It's a mix of a really nice engex that's cut with some of the energon springs I've helped locate and he adds some stuff. Trade secret and all. But I think you'll like it. Even Sideswipe should like it. He offers a small one to Scales and then offers to Cerebros and Sideswipe. "This can't even be considered highgrade guys. I can't drink High grade. Trust me and try it. It's really good I swear!" He grins."

"I call it a mixer." Encore's voice drifts from the kitchen. "Again inspired by Earth."

Spike shakes his head immediately and slides it back. He shakes his head at Ghost. "No...no. I..." He waves a hand. "Just...consider it a 'thank you' for...your work in diffusing that tense situation with Banshee and Trypticon and helping prevent...a minor catastrophe with Fort Max and Trypticon."

Cerebros carefully picks up the container of engex and peers in. His red visor turns grey and then yellow, scanning the contents for anything that may be too mind-altering.

Scales accepts the cube offered and laps at it enough to taste, mulling it over while she cradles the cube in her claws.

Sideswipe would add, "If you can use it for something, then you're not being creative enough. And med-grade has a real high purity rate, which makes it even more useful."

Cerebros sets his container down and looks at Sideswipe. "I don't follow. 'Useful' for what? For… healing?"

Dust Devil rolls his optics a little, "I know medgrade is useful fer stuff. Some of the better things I enjoy is some adulteration ta the medgrade. I've been stuck drinkin it enough that at least Encore has made some flavors.:

Ghost leaves the envelope on the bar, nudging it back towards Spike as they sit there at the 'human' end. "Preventing a catastrophe was reward enough. This, you took time on your own holiday to do, for one of 'my kind' at that. So either you take it or it gets left on the bartop." She picks her ale up and sips, finials flicking as she listens to the conversation going on around.

GAME: Spike PASSES a LEADERSHIP roll of High difficulty.

Scales mms. "It's not bad tastin'," she says. "I still would rather be lyin' out on a rock on Earth." She sighs. "Earth sunshine is the best."

Sideswipe would smirk, "Well, the purer grade energon is, the higher the yield. Medgrade also doesn't have hings mixed with it. And msot things that filter into energon will tend to lower the output it has."

Sideswipe would continue, "So it's -real- useful if you need to make a quick demo charge."

Spike shrugs and nonchalantly passes the envelope to the bar. "Fine..." he says, somewhat stubbornly. He looks ahead. "The bartenders here deserve a tip anyway."

GAME: Cerebros PASSES a COURAGE roll of High difficulty.

Cerebros nods and takes a sip of his engex. After a slight shiver, he gets the feeling like he just dabbled in the dark arts.

The jukebox starts to play an old tune, one that most of the bar quiets down for.

Dust Devil grins brightly, "I've used some of the samples I've collected for demo charges....so I know what ya mean Sides. It's pretty cool workin with Encore. I get ta learn stuff and help him out, in turm he helps out others and keeps me MOSTLY outta trouble."

Ghost shrugs, "Now the discs?" she inquires.

Cerebros frowns slightly at Dust Devil (hopefully without him seeing it). It's like Dusty thinks getting into trouble is something that you'd almost brag about.

Jazz sliiiiiddddees into the bar. His first stop is at the bar an a glass off enerwine is ordered and as he waits for it, he looks down and taps a few things onto is padd.

Spike blinks and nods. "Oh! Sorry..." He fishes out from his bookbag two DVD box sets. He gestures to another one. "This other one...'Earth' - you didn't ask for it, but my family and I really loved watching this...and think you'd like it too..." He looks up at Ghost. "Maybe it'll change your mind on a few things about Earth."

Sideswipe would glance at Dust Devil, "WEll, the system works. That sorta sounds like trying to keep the Dinobots focused on somethin other'n smashing things." He would glance at Jazz.

GAME: Cerebros PASSES a COURAGE roll of High difficulty.

Cerebros cranes his head, sensing someone coming in. It's Jazz! That's enough of a reason to pass his ultra-ultra low grade-enegex back to the bartender, which he has sipped once. He leans over to tell the bartender. "I'm done, thanks..."

Cerebros slides his container of engex to the bartender.

Scales blinks at Sideswipe. "But they -like- smashin' things. They're good at it. Why would you try to make them do other stuff?"

Banshee sips her kaff with a soft chuckle, watching Cerebros. She shakes her head softly. "Try zer kaff instead." she suggests. "It von't intoxicate you. Gives you a bit of energy... although you may need to cycle lubricant slightly more often."

Ghost looks at the dvd box sets and.. smiles. A genuine appearing expression all at once delighted and happy. "Thank you." She ever so carefully picks them up, tucking into a forearm compartment. "Thank you very much." She gives a slow shake of her head, "Spike. I -like- Earth, I /miss/ Earth. The short time I was there felt more like home than the millions of years prior. So.. please, do not continue to insult me by thinking I have 'things to change' on my thinking." tone soft, gentle even.

One of the patrons, off in a corner, starts to tell a story. Another patron meanders over to listen.

Ghost's comment would get a very low glance from Sideswipe o Jazz. Seeing if wha Ghost was saying was legitimate or not. It sounded like it to him.. But hey, intel

Banshee nods softly, her excellent hearing catching Ghost and Spike talking. She nods. "You probably haff zer two most Earth-friendly Decepticons in zer empire here. Don't forget, /I/ managed to divert Megatron's wrath from your entire species to you personally." A chuckle. "And zen failed at delivering zat wrath, forcing zer Autobots to bring in Vindblade to speak to Metroplex unt setting me on zer path I am now."

Spike 's eyes widen and he shakes his head. "No! That's not...I didn't mean...that's " he rubs the bridge of his nose and frowns, mumbling. "Goddamnit, when can I get fired from the diplomatic division and go back to just being in the repair bay. Doing a full-core transfer is like...a thousand times easier than navigating a conversation."

Spike nods respectfully to Banshee, sipping a bourbon. "And...we on Earth appreciate what you did immenshly, Banshee." He pauses, thinking maybe that last bourbon went down too quickly and he might need to take it a bit easy.

Dust Devil rolls his optics at Cerebros, "These are NOT gonna get you in trouble Cerebros." He sighs and sips his own drink before calling out to Jazz, "Jazz can I get you anythin?"

Jazz looks up from his work and takes note of where everyone in the Rollout is. There is nothing tense about his stance, this place is a place to mingle so, he shrugs.

Leaning back on his elbows he responds to Dust Devil, "Ener-wine," while putting away his padd and to himself he says silently, "OK."

Banshee shrugs a little. "No, you don't." She says, with a chuckle. "Oh, you personally do, yes. As does every human who knows vot I did. But most of humanity is unavare... and zat is for the greater good of all. Especially Trypticon... he has been zo lonely, thought of as just a machine of rage unt anger for zo long. I vunder, had you not escaped, or had I not been able to dissuade Megatron's wrath, vould zer Autobots haff been so willing to let Vindblade train /me/? I doubt it."

Scales hunkers down a bit, lapping at her cube while she watches the other conversations.

Spike looks at Banshee and nods. Feeling empathy for Trypticon...is something he's not quite good at yet. He takes a sip of bourbon. "I'm guessing it does get lonely up there..."

Ghost lifts a brow, midway to sipping her ale again. "I think you do well, Spike. My understanding is part of the whole diplomacy thing is the occasional miscalculation in judgement. Usually because your -intel- was faulty." She winks at Spike, before her expression schools itself to more neutral and she drains most of her glass, "-He- hadn't been alone since I'd gotten to Earth." Tone dry as she peers at the rest of her ale, then finishes it, "But again, my gratitude for what you did for him while I was dead and continue to do for him."

Sideswipe would just go to let out a low hiss and a chuckle, going to suppress it a moment later. Then he would glance at Banshee, "You considered trying to get him laid? That's what they do on Earth."

Dust Devil pauses "Do ya got a usual or would ya like me ta see if Encore has any samples fer ya ta try?" He grins a bit, glad that things seem to have settled a little. "Ghost? Banshee? Is there anythin ya'll need?" He's trying to be a good host since Encore is probably busy making sure half of Cybertron isn't going to detonate due to whatever concoction he's brewing. Exaggeration? Maybe. Dusty isn't going to interrupt Encore either way.

Cerebros orders a drink, about half the strength of his last one...which was about half the strength of Sideswipe's physician-approved light-weight energex. He points to the concoction and then asks Jazz "Is this OK for me to consume while I'm on duty?"

GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of Immense difficulty.

Spike laughs, but doesn't cough in his bourbon at Sideswipe's comment about getting Trypticon laid. He chuckles at Sideswipe. "I hope you're kidding and you don't think that that's how we try to solve our problems on Earth!" He smirks and says "Although...there is some truth..."

Cerebros looks at Scales. "Is that one of your more preferred concoctions you are sampling?"

Banshee nods "He hadn't, indeed." She agrees with Ghost. "But you... I am going to be forever grateful. You kept him sane enough for me to help." She chuckles to Sideswipe. "Find me a partner big enough for him and ve'll talk."

Scales blinks at Cerebros. "This is what Dusty gave me," she answers with a shrug. "I usually don't drink at all- just get lots of sunshine an' some energoodies, an' I'm good."

Jazz nods, "The usual," he responds.

THen he makes his way over to Sideswipe's table.

Sideswipe would givea light wave at Jazz and glance to Banshee, "WEll, might take a bit on that. Can't promise anything but hey. You never know till you try."

Banshee looks to Dust Devil "Kaff, mit manganese unt iron oxide, bitte. Zer new fancy kaff, ja?"

Spike sighs and sips his bourbon again. "If only that worked for Megatron..."

Banshee chokes on the dregs of ker kaff, going off her chair sideways at Spike's comment.

Ghost gives a shake of her head, looking at Spike, then turning to deliver a look at Sideswipe. Brows raise and she then looks at Banshee, "I don't think that's a wise line of thought considering the options avail-" cutting off. Staring at Spike. Finials go lopsided, one forward, one askew, brows raise high enough to be up under that circlet of hers, mouth agape and she seems to be stuck between reactions. Banshee falls off her chair, Ghost reaches for her empty glass and looks at it, "I'm not drunk enough for that thought, no.. nope.. I'm going to need brain bleach."

Dust Devil ducks into the back and there's talking, grousing, a yelp and Dusty comes out grinning and rubbing the back of his head. He bring the Kaffe thing to Banshee and brings the others their drinks.

GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

Spike looks at Ghost with concern. "You...everything all right?"

Banshee picks herself up, giggling at the sheer thought. She looks to Ghost. "Vell, ve /haff/ tried all other options." She jokes, taking her fresh Kaff and sipping it. "Unt Optimus does haff Elita Vun..."

Spike smirks slightly at Banshee. "Yeah, but they're not..." He thinks aloud, again, thinking of things in human terms. "I mean...they're not... you know...a COUPLE, but...I know they're more than friends...they're like...great friends."

Scales gives Spike a look of disbelief. "Spike... you're gonna be one of those dads in denial when Megan gets old enough to notice boys, aren't you?"

Spike grins weakly at Scales and chuckles. "No..." He scoffs. "We've already went through Daniel's adolescence, we'll be ready for Megan as well." He shakes his head. "But...no. Prime and Elita. They're like... well...again, not like Carly and I...husband and wife, but I know they're more than friends, they're like...something in the middle, right?"

Ghost just stares at her empty glass with another "Nope. I am -not- talking about this again." Shake of her head and she looks at Spike, "Eh... Great friends, eh? -Just- great friends, hmmm?" A sideways look to the source of a somewhat unfamiliar voice, even if it tickles her memories. Attention alights on Scales. "Is this even covered in the diplomacy corps on your side?"

Sideswipe would glance at Ghost, "So who are we talking about are 'best freinds' here?" He would deadpan over and go to lean back, crossing his arms together.

Scales tilts her head at Ghost. "What, maybe? I just used to hang out with middle schoolers on Earth. I dunno what kinda training diplomats get."

Spike grins wryly and takes a sip of bourbon again. "OK, first off...I'm an adult. I can handle these conversations. I've HAD these conversations before...on human scale, many times, and if I'm wrong...then fine. I just thought..." He shrugs. "They just had a really special realtionship."

Jazz arrives near Sideswipe and says to him, "What's going on mech?"

Spike looks up at Ghost and thinks aloud. "Why do I feel like I'm digging myself a hole with every sentence I say?"

Dust Devil grins at Spike, "Cause yer gettin subterranean with yer explanation?"

Banshee laughs at Spike's comment, sipping her Kaff again.

Scales hmms thoughtfully. "I'm pretty sure that if there wasn't a war on an' Elita an' Optimus -had- the option, they'd be really happy livin' together an' smoochin' an' all that without worryin' about other people."

Sideswipe would shrug, "Well, I guess we're goin through a series of bad processor wipes, lotta innuendo, and I'm guessing lot of us thik we're talkin' about one thing, and ending up in a whole different direction. Also.. Congrats." To Ghost.

Ghost ahhs, "Hey, middle school human children have an excellent grasp of the absurd and a refreshing way to look at life." She toys with her glass, "Prime and Elita, Sideswipe. The topic is Prime and Elita and their friendship..." She grins rakishly, apparently amused. "Yes, I think they would as well. They should really if they are so inclined. Most only live once." A tilt of her head, "Congrats?"

Spike rubs his temple and shakes his head. "No...no, you're right, Dust Devil. I DO have some prejudices I'm still working on. I know I need to filter things to exist OUT of your typical human train of thought and take into account other species...it's just..." He shrugs and takes a sip. "It's HARD not to think of things in a human capacity."

Dust Devil says, "Like the fact that you are totally NOT prepared for your daughter datin when she's old enough."

Spike smirks and says "Sorry...I just thought Prime and Elita were sorta like..." He shrugs "I dunno...Bumblebee an' me."

Jazz looks around the table and says casually, "Prime and Elita's relationship is none of their business."

Spike nods emphatically at Jazz. "EXACTLY."

Banshee chuckles softly at Jazz's comment, sipping her kaff and just watching the goings on.

Scales gets down towards the bottom of her cube and stares at it, puzzling over how to finish drinking it. After a moment, she shrugs and just crunches the cube itself in her jaws. "Well, those are, like, different things on Cybertron just like they are on Earth, right?" She crunches a bit more as she considers it. "I'm really more familiar with the Earth way of doin' things, since I was built there, but even there, you got friends, an' then you got, uhm, lovers, an' those aren't always the same thing." There's a blush of pink in her optics.

Spike grins in agreement at Scales. "Exactly...and...as Crosscut has said...when it comes to species outside humans...yes, my human intuition is helpful, but I can't rely on it solely - just for the reasons you just said, Scales."

Dust Devil says, "Pretty sure SPike and Bumblebee aren't lovers..."

Sideswipe would shrug, "Hey, whatever works. Not my business. Not anyone's. I mean.. You and chesty are in one, so congrats. You declared yourself a conjux yet?"

Spike frowns at Dust Devil. "NO! I didn't say...I didn't say that. It's just... we're great friends. But he's like...MORE than a friend to me. He's like a best friend...just..." He sighs and sips his bourbon. "I'm just gonna shut up now before the hole I buried reaches Vector Sigma."

GAME: Spike FAILS a LEADERSHIP roll of Very High difficulty.

Spike frowns and nods toward Jazz. "But getting back to what Jazz says, their relationship is no one's business but theirs. Optimus an' Elita One."

Ghost toys with her glass and takes a moment to request another ener-ale. "Nothing wrong with a spot of gossip, Jazz." she pitches her voice to carry, crooked smile in place. "I think there are. Not a manual that I've found yet though. There are various levels of interactions based on mutual assignments, interests, and other things that seem rather random." A shrug, "I think we're teasing you a bit, Spike." A blink and a 'huh' at Sideswipe, "I have -no- idea what you're talking about." A sniff and an aloof flick of finials.

GAME: Scales FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of Very High difficulty.

Scales tilts her head, looking back and forth between Ghost and Sideswipe.

Banshee listens, sipping her kaff, not saying anything for the moment - just listening.

Spike smirks at Ghost and says "Well...stop (with the teasing)." "Before I take back those Blu-Rays I gave you."

Sideswipe would just look at Ghost, "If you're looking for things from Earth, talk to Hound. He's probably the one with the biggest amount of paraphenalia."

Dust Devil says, "Hey Ghost...ten shanix says Spike threatens his daughter's first date. Five more if there are indiscreet Autobots helpin threaten said human...."

Scales starts planning escape routes to help Megan get away from overbearing, well-meaning family.

Spike grins and shakes his head. "No...Carly and I have this agreement - all we can do is give our children the best advice we can give them, and then...trust them with their judgment to do right thing."

Jazz glances at Ghost, "There is everything wrong with it, so I would appreciate if you did not press my mechs about it huh?" he takes a sip of wine.

He starts over again, "What's going on Mechs?"

Banshee rolls her optics "Oh come on, Jazz, pull zer stick out of your arsch. Whether Optimus unt Elita are... an item or not... has literally zero tactical advantage."

Spike frowns at Banshee, getting defensive about Optimus Prime. "No...but it's a personal matter that's absolutely none of your business!"

Sideswipe would go to roll his optics (or do the Cybertronian equivalent), "So, you'e heard gossip on us, we've heard gossip on Ghost.. So your turn. Who's your signific-mech other?"

Dust Devil chuckles, "At one point it would have been EVERYONE's business Spike. The role of Prime is a public one and Pretty sure that cybertronians were and are as prone ta gossip as Earthlings."

Scales ums at Sideswipe. "-Who- did you say this gal was datin'?" She waves a paw at Ghost.

Spike shakes his head, stressing to Dust Devil. "No...Dust Devil. EVERYONE has a right to privacy, especially Optimus!"

Banshee laughs "Trypticon, technically. I don't haff a significant other, right now at least." She looks to Spike. "You're vun to talk. Your species thrives on gossip. You practically need it more zan air." She nods over at the News Wall, where three of the human news stations are currently running a piece on President Macleod's wife and suspected mistress.

Sideswipe would look to Scales, "Soundwave. It's been on some of the entertain-vid broadcasts. I mean, who knew he had a face/"

Jazz turns towards Banshee and runs a finger across his mouth staying quiet then to SPike, "You are Right SPike. It may have been everyone's business then, but it is not now."

He sips his wine.

Ghost gets her new ale, takes a sip and tips it at Jazz, "Light gossip and we're not even pressing about it, Jazz. Gossip, a few opinions. I mean..." optics slit and she smiles with all the bedevilment she possesses, "Prime -is- a nice looking mech, decent engine. He can pump my gas again -anytime-." A wink at Jazz a she sips then looks at Sideswipe, "There's gossip about.. Ahhh... Ahem.. well yes.." Finials flicking and she looks off, pink hue tinting her face.

Scales blinks at Sideswipe, looks at Ghost, then shudders and backs away from her slightly.

Spike Frowns at Banshee. "That's...that's not true!" He scoffs slightly "Sure! If you...if ALL you got from us was what you saw on television...but..." He shakes his head. "Not ALL of us thrive on that trivial bullshit." (proper poses)

Banshee fixes Spike with a more serious look. "You, perhaps, but zer amount of broadcast time your species devotes to which celebrity is a thing mit which celebrity is... staggering. If your newscasts can do zat mit your celebrities, why is it wrong for us to do it mit ours? Saying it's 'none of our business' vithout condemning zat from your own species is hypocrisy."

GAME: Spike PASSES an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

Spike frowns and looks at Banshee. "Just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you SHOULD. Yes...we go overboard on that nonsense, but...we shouldn't be..." He looks up at Ghost. "And don't talk about Optimus like that. He's a perso...a Cybertronian of exceptional character>"

Ghost raises brows, aheming for a moment, "Can't believe everything you see or read, Sideswipe." She chuckles softly, "Besides, if gossiping about Prime and Elita is off the table as its 'none of our business', then gossiping about /anyone's/ theoretical dalliances or interests is also off the table, yes? Blanket restriction sounds perfectly -fair- and just."

Banshee shrugs "Ja, fair enough. I do sink it's, oh, vot's zat human phrase... in zer public interest to know whether he has a a beau or not." She smirks at Spike's outbursts to ghost. "His character does not change zer fact that, physically, he ist a good-looking mech."

Scales asks Ghost, in a small voice, "Does that mean you're -not- seein' Soundwave?"

Spike frowns and rubs his eyes in frustration. "Fine...I'm just saying...Prime and Elita...they're...different. They both deserve a little more discretion... a little more privacy than others." He frowns defensively at Ghost "And I didn't say 'EVERYONES' dalliances or interests are off limits! Jeez..."

Sideswipe would shrug, "Hey, I'm the one hat's bringing it up, not anyone else. I mean.." He would look on amusedly.

NOW PLAYING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9RAZxNdCk8

Banshee sniffs "It's hypocrisy. He's a leader. If anysing, he deserves /less/ privacy, as a public figure and leader of such a large group. He should be under scrutiny, constantly, to make sure he does not abuse his power. Off course, zer same should be true of ANY leader." Her tone makes it clear, without saying anything actually treasonous, that she disapproves of Megatron's current style.

Jazz shrugs and sips his wine and responds to Ghost, "If you and Prime were an item that would be something I would let freely roam the planet," he pauses.

"You and Soundwave would be even better, speaking of. I haven't had to kick SOundwave off of my comms in a long time."

Scales huffs. "Blaster's comms," she interjects.

Ghost sips her ale, "Freedom -is- the right of all sentient beings, my dear Spike. That does include indulging in a little bit of gossip, even about someone elses heros." She winks then peers at Scales a moment. She looks at her ale, sips it then ponders, "How did I become the hot topic here? Besides, he -does- pump gas well. Prime that is."

Spike frowns and points at the table to Banshee. "NO...he's EARNED that right. EVERYONE has a right to privacy! I mean...yes...he IS a leader. So he SHOULD be scrutinized and repeatedly questioned, but that's about his leadership choices!" He frowns and says "But he's earned the right for everyone to back the hell away. He's earned the right to have a private life."

Banshee looks to Spike. "If he vants privacy he should pass on zer matrix. I don't sink you're getting my point; what if his relationship is affecting his judgement? ZIS is zer kind of sing zat MUST be asked of a leader, and exactly why, by /choosing/ to lead, he has given up his right to zat particular privacy. He's /earned/ zer right to a private retirement. Perhaps if you Autobots showed more open-ness, I could convince a degree of reciprocation. Zer thought of Optimus Prime vun-upping him, in any vay, vould annoy zer bolts off zer Fuhrer. His ego vouldn't let him stay quiet about it."

Ghost shakes her head, "Sorry Jazz, He could be listening in right now. Who knows? As for me and Optimus, eh. Hmmm" She sips her ale and simply smiles.

"Blaster's Comms," Jazz self corrects then he heads over towards Spike and puts a hand on his shoulder, "Transparency is key within our faction. Outside," he pauses. "Well, that's what we have you for right?"

Ghost sips her ale, "He's fine, Jazz. He -is- an adult. And no harm will come to him, here of all places." A look at Banshee, "I think everyone's entitled to a bit of privacy in their personal lives, even a 'leader'." She shrugs, "Have me for what, Jazz? Dont you owe me a dance and a date?"

Sideswipe would just go to look over at Banshee, "Well, we could always switch it to ask Megatron who his special someone is. If he really wants to be happy and up front abuot it since this is a two way street."

Spike scoffs at Banshee. "You're talking about the AUTOBOTS for openness? What about YOU guys?!" He frowns and gestures to Banshee. "You guys put the KGB to shame!"

Dust Devil has disappeared during the conversation into the back. Back there something is growling and there's a squeak of what sounds like Dust Devil. Hard to say. The rattling of dishes and what sounds like something hitting the wall. "HAH! YOu missed!....Oh slag! OW!!! Okay you didn't that time! I'm gonna tell....okay okay I know outta yer kitchen! Thanks fer the snacks...." He comes back out with a tray of assorted treats and a paintscuff to the side of his head.

Spike sighs at Ghost, at least happy to find Ghost is no longer hitting on Optimus Prime."

Banshee shrugs to Ghost "Fair enough. I guess being a part-time journalist gives me... different views." She looks to Spike. Wordlessly, she makes a few gestures to the bartender, and the DPN screen (currently showing the 'STATION OFFLINE' test card) is blown up to full size. "You say zat to /me/? She says, softly - but accusingly. "ME? Haff you ever seen vun of my broadcasts? Yes, I give zer news a bias towards zer Decepticon side, but I do -not- lie. I do -not- obfuscate."

GAME: Spike FAILS a COURAGE roll of High difficulty.

Scales edges over to Dust Devil and the platter of treats, giving them an exploratory sniff. "Any good crunchy metal ones?"

Spike is sitting right now, so he can't really walk toward Banshee. "YES...I'm saying that to you! I don't care if you ARE the exception to the rule. Most of the Decepticons are practically paralyzed by paranoia. Paralyzed at Megatron's wrath. Or are so busy backstabbing one another, it's no wonder that you guys are so secreative!"

Jazz grins going back to where he was to get his wine then back to Spike, "Spike. That's what we have Spike for," he takes another sip lifting his pinky.

"Don't let them get a rise out of you Spike."

GAME: Spike FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of Very High difficulty.

Spike frowns and looks back at Jazz. "I'm not..."

Ghost chokes on her ale.. then starts to giggle. "Even our -secrets- have secrets... Yes spike, there's a bit of paranoia. But just because I -think- they're out to get me.." She giggles softly, sipping, "Doesn't mean they're not. But I do draw the line at being called a backstabber. I'm perfectly honest in who I am and what I do."

Spike looks over at Ghost. "I didn't say 'all'..." hoping that will...you know...mitigate the damage.

Sideswipe would shrug, "Sure. I'm hardly one to talk here. But I am one to judge. But if we're talking politics.. Well, going to stay quiet here as I"m enjoying drinking."

Banshee shrugs a little. "And yet, we make an effort. Yet we /try/ to be open. Despite all zese flaws, all zese disadvantages, ve /try/. Ve are making zer effort to be more open." She gives Spike an unimpressed look. "You implied it."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Hey, they're honest on genocide, slavery, and executions."

Cerebros gestures a calm down motion to Spike. He looks at Banshee. "Banshee...please...I'm sorry..."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "What did the decepticons do now?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "We're talking politics and hypocricy. Decepticons are at least honest about what they're after and how they go about it"

Spike nods to Banshee, almost like he has an audio feed. "Yes...you're honest about committing genocide, you're honest about announcing your intentions to enslave innocent populations. You're honest about talking about executing ones for the most minor of offenses..."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "..yeah pretty much"

The doors open forcefully, mechs scatter from the front of the bar, and a moment later, the hulking form of Lugnut appears. His red eye tracks across to the Autobots, a low growl follows suit.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Not worth our time. They either believe this stuff in which case you cant convince them otherwise.. Or they're playing it up to antagonize us. Let it be."

Sideswipe would glance over at Lugnut, "Hey, One Optic. They were just talking about the romantic predilections of mighty Megatron. Whom does he swoon for?"

Banshee looks to Cerebros a moment, then takes a breath, nodding. "Ve are honest about our purpose, too. Pax Tyrannides - zer peace of tyranny. Strength makes us free - free from zer threats zat exist out zere. Zere is somesing out zere zat Unicron is scared of, I know it - and zat is vhy I believe in zer Pax Tyrannides. All our crimes - which I do not deny - are minor transgressions compared to zer Autobot crime - being unprepared for vot is out zere!"

GAME: Sideswipe FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of High difficulty.

Spike frowns and leers at Banshee. "The Autobots didn't kidnap my dad, program him to be a mindless slave zombie along with thousands of others, and almost kill him..." He adds "The Autobots didn't try to drive the Earth into the sun."

Lugnut growls again, and approaches the tables. When he speaks he commands the room's attention, three bagpipes deflate, two engex cubes just dematerialize, and a chair falls over, "LORD MEGATRON'S ONLY PREDILICTION IS TO RULING CYBERTRON, AND THE ENTIRE, AND TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE AUTOBOT FORCES...." There's a slight pause there, "THAT'S ONE THING, NOT TWO."

Scales makes herself a little smaller over by Dust Devil.

Sideswipe would nod over at Lugnut, "Well, fair enough. So you'd say that is his biggest love and his drive?" He would offer. "And we're talking politics here and it's getting heated. So sorry for escalating it. On me. Another round for everyone on my tab."

Jazz shakes his head. He isn't here to work, he moves over towards the bar.

"If you guys want to talk ideology that's fine. I'll be over there drinking wine."

Banshee inclines her head "True enough, and I don't deny any of it." She says, softly. "I accept my share of zer responsibility, even though at zer time I vos currently in a museum on Earth. I still hold they are lesser crimes zan remaining unprepared for votever threats are out there! Zere is someshing vorse zan Unicron out there, it is coming for us, and your beloved 'freedom is zer right of all sapient beings' ideology vill leave us unprepared for it. Freedom is all vell and good - I support it, but not at zer expense of security unt safety."

Ghost slides off of her stool, "I'm with Jazz. Not here to talk shop really." She tips her glass to SPike, "Thank you for the disks. Tell Prime I said until we meet again." She winks and heads to the other end of the bar.

Spike looks as Ghost leaves, leaving him wide the heck open if Banshee wanted to take the seat.

GAME: Spike PASSES a COURAGE roll of Very High difficulty.

Lugnut obstructs Ghost's passage!

Spike says in a slightly more quiet tone "What kind of life then is worth living if it's under tyranny?"

Banshee sips her kaff. "Vun zat vouldn't be zere if it vasn't for zat tyranny." she answers Spike.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Spike.. Don't hate her. Feel sorry for her. Remember who she  came online under."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "And that's' her perspective on things."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "So just pity her"

<<Autobot>> Spike says, "I...I DON'T hate her..., Sides, but I'm NOT backing down from my beliefs."

Sideswipe would glance over at Banshee for a moment and shake his head. Then go to swing it from side to side.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Not asking you to."

Lugnut looks down at Ghost in silence for several seconds, before he brings up a hologram that displays Lugnut and another figure. "I HAVE FINALLY FOUND THIS 'VICTOR' SPOKEN OF MONTHS AGO. THE TRACKING WAS LONG AND HARD, BUT AS IS INEVITABLE, HE LAYS BEATEN BEFORE EVER-LOYAL LUGNUT." He just stands there as if that explains everything.

Banshee continues "Add to zat zer certain knowledge zat you are - personally - contributing to zer safety not just of your own species, but /all life in zer galaxy/. Not just Cybertronian, but ALL of it." Her expression sours, but she manages to keep in anything treasonous. Insted, she just mutters, grumpily "At least zat's how it's supposed to vork."

Ghost looks up at Lugnut, "Move it or find yourself dropped extra-diminsionally." Merry smile.

Spike answers back "And because of the Autobots, us humans are living on a planet that is not under the boot of the Decepticons."

GAME: Scales FAILS a COURAGE roll of Average difficulty.

Sideswipe would shrug over, "Well, do you want us to get heavy then?" He would glance oevr to Banshee. "I'm enjoying my drink, but I'm more than happy to go on with this depending on what your mood is."

Sideswipe moves fully in front of Scales.

mutter scales=Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety,

deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Scales mutters to herself, "... who... Liberty,... a little temporary Safety,... nor..."

Scales adds, a bit louder, "The only Decepticon who showed up to fight The Fallen was Deathsaurus, an' he didn't even get there in time."

Spike nods in agreement to Scales. "Exactly."

Sideswipe would lean back, "So.. Lebensraum. True under both folks you've been conscripted to the service of. Peace through Tyranny. That isn't honesty."

Sideswipe would add, "ANd Unicron wasn't defeated through force of arms. He was defeated through faith."

Jazz shakes his head and takes another sip watching shaking his head.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Tell me ot zip it at any point, Sir."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "I am not working right now."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Understood. Will keep it out of your way."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "If a fight breaks out I'm calling Grimlock."

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "If they start anything, Encore'll pitch 'em out. *nervous edge*"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Scales, keep me between everyone else."

Banshee looks to Scales. "I vos alzo on mein vay. But... I do not fly as fast as he does." She sniffs, sipping her drink. "Your freedom on Earth vill last exactly until it is targeted by something like Unicron, or vorse, unt zen you are all dead." She looks to Swipes. "Lebensraum? You speak to /me/ of zat? I lived through zat var, Sideswipe, I know more about it zan you do, believe me. Zis form I vear? It is not just for show. It is to remember zer humans who kept me alive. And I know vot ve do... although it appears no different, we do not conquer for 'growing room' for our species - ve conquer for resources to be strong enough zat we do not haff to rely on some nebulous concept like 'faith' zer next time some galaxy-ending threat comes along. Zer fact zat ve /had/ to rely on faith is in itself zer greatest crime ever committed by our species!"

<<Autobot>> Spike says, "I don't think this is a fight though... it's more like a spirited discussion, maybe?"

<<Autobot>> Dust Devil says, "Yeah don't call Grimlock to stop a fight in the bar. Encore and the bouncers will handle it fine."

GAME: Scales PASSES a LEADERSHIP roll of Average difficulty.

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "The intent was not to stop it. I already tried that."

Sideswipe would shrug at Banshee, "So, what are these vast, ever so dangerous things in space that which would conquer, destroy, and terrorize? Give me some of them. Name some of them. Give me specifics. What are these greater terrors of the galaxy that can only be defeated by fully militarized Decepticons? That can only be held off by mass subjugation, extermination, and force of arms. What are they? And I'll note if you're looking to see some sort of united front, it isn't going to be under the reign of your Furher."

Scales opens her mouth to say something to Banshee, then snaps it shut on a wisp of smoke, her optics rimmed with red-orange and tail-tip twitching.

Lugnut stares at Ghost again, for several long seconds. He blinks suddenly, "OH SORRY! I'LL LET YOU GET BACK TO FRATERNIZING WITH THE ENEMY." He steps aside, dusting a chair as he does.

Banshee pulls up a hologram. It is, of course, black and white, taken from Banshee's cockpit console. It shows her crew, and indeed other Stukas in the background. "I see zer paralels. I lived through zer Human Var, I /fought/ in it. And I am fighting mit everything I haff to make sure zat zer Decepticon Reich does not make zer mistakes of zer German Reich." She looks to Sideswipe. "Ve haff faced two of zem already, and zere is a third lurking in zer vings. Like I already said - zer fact zat ve had to rely on faith alone to defeat Unicron is in itself a crime; ve should haff been ready to force him back before it ever got to zat stage. Zer fallen... zat, I vill admit, I feel great shame zat ve did not intervene. It is our purpose to defend zis vorld, and all others, from sings like him, yet ve sat by unt did nothing. For zat... I apologise. Unt now zer Dweller is returnink, and ve are STILL UNPREPEARED>"

Ghost heaves a sigh, "Look, I didn't show up to fight the Fallen because I was busy being -dead-. Do forgive me for that." She snorts sipping her ale. A look again at Lugnut, "Thanks, I'll be over there fraternizing quietly with myself." Back to heading to the end of the bar, still listening in.

Sideswipe would go to lean back in his chair, "Well, hate to break it to you but you've kinda failed there on all fronts. Hundred thousand or so vorn too late for that. Your grand Furher can't even take over a single planet. He cares nothing for what's actually required for the buliding of infrastructure and a coherent state. You gotta take -that- itno account too. Because building up strength -takes- the ability to administer it. At best you have a would-be conqueror with no sense of how to actually -conquer- things, no ability to actually build up on that.. Then you have his second officer that is interested purely in personal power. Then his third officer would be more than happy to withdraw to a state to pursue pure research to sate himself. For all this great, big threat out there? Your grand Furher is gonna be the worst to face it given he'll leave everywhere he touches a radioactive wasteland that can't support life, gives no resources to build up on. By the time that great threat arrives he'll have his forces spread throughout dozens of planets where they rule as petty warlords playing off one another in a great galactic wasteland feuding with one another and dropping proton warheads on themselves." He would go on, "Beecause if you're building up you have to be able to -build it up-. And that's not something your Great Leader can do."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "And Jazz, can I talk to you after?"

<<Autobot>> Solstice says, "Uuuuh.... Dad? Blades? Rodimus? I. ah.. I think th' spacebridge broke?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "... The frack?"

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "My door is always open."

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "Nobody's supposed to use the spacebridge with the Dweller around."

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "Who's Rodimus?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Uh.. I'm here."

Banshee nods "He can not, I'll admit. But he /is/ very good at delegating, most of zer time. Zer Constructicons, for example, are among zer best engineers on Cybertron... how do ve know zat, Sideswipe? All of zose 'vastelands' you talk of, zey are almost all battlegrounds where we haff fought - and you Autobots bear your share of responsibility for. If you're going to make an argument, Sideswipe, do not make it out of straw. You know zat some of zose commanders are only zere because you autobots killed or shamed zer more suitable individual for zer job?"

Lugnut gives the slightest hint of a nod, "VERY WELL." and strides back out of the bar.

Scales eyes Ghost dubiously. "You're not also tryin' to say that you hafta kill people to save them, so.."

Banshee looks to Scales "Nor am I. Although it is difficult to make an omlette vithout breaking eggs, zo it is hard to build an empire, opposed I must add, without ending a few lives. Zey are to be regretted, mourned and celebrated for standing up for vot they believe whether Autobot or Decepticon, but... some of those deaths are directly due to Autobot opposition."

Banshee sniffs, and sighs "Personally I'm in favour of Cybertron becoming a two-state planet, at least in zer short term, but... life is vot it is."

Sideswipe would shrug his shoulders, "Well, thanks. Given we'ev held your Empire off for a hundred and twenty thousand vorn or so, we gotta take credit for something." He would raise a hand up and over to Banshee. "Dust Devil, get her something from the menu? And three state, Banshee. Three state."

<<Autobot>> Solstice says, "Oh.. slagmuffinsonaprimuspogostick it's Shockwave. Dad?!"

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "Where's Shockwave?"

Sideswipe would raise a hand, "And can I have a privae booth in the back with Jazz if you have a few?" He would gesture over to whomever was on hand at the bar and then o Jazz to see if it ws good for him.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Th' slag? Where ar eyou? Shockwav'es based out of Crystal City."

Banshee nods a little "Ja, three state, fair enough. Either vay... zer planet needs a period of peace. VE need a period of peace. Ve've been fighting for, like you said, over a hundred thousand vorns. It is frankly a miracle our squabbles haven't wiped us out, or allowed a threat like Unicron to come along unt devour us. You can take your credit for continuing zer var, too, pointlessly."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Rh?"

Sideswipe would add, "And you can take your credit for continuing the war incompetently."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Who's dad?"

Banshee chuckles a little. "If ve vere zat incompetent you'd haff vun already."

Sideswipe would shrug, "Well, so you're saying despite everything you think we'd have won? Then fair."

<<Autobot>> Dust Devil says, "Do I wanna know who Dad is?"

Ghost looks at Jazz, "They're still at it." Sip.

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Wassat now?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "I mean i asked so you didn't have to"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Your ID code is like...funky."

Jazz raises his glass slightly towards Ghost in a toast, "I hope SOundwave is listening."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "...Is this another Styx situation just.. con side?"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Whozat?"

Banshee laughs "No, I am saying if ve're as incompetent as you sink, because if ve vere, you'd haff vun already. Ve're clearly NOT zat incompetent, as you haven't vun yet. In fact, zis var reminds me somevat of zer First Earth Var. All stalemte unt pointless, needless death, for vich all involved are culpable."

Ghost chuckles softly, tipping her glass, "He's -always- listening." Crooked smile.

Scales shudders again where she is. "Creepy bastard."

Banshee sniffs "And zo it vill stay until a valkyrie comes un to save us." a coded reference if there ever was one...

Sideswipe would look at Banshee and shake his head over. But there's a very.. Very small nod of understanding.

Ghost blinks, peering over her shoulder, finials pricking forward, "Well, he can be creepy, yes."

Sideswipe would cock his head to the side in confusion at the radio convo going on elsewhere. Then at Jazz. "Definitely want some office space with you later on. Should I make an appointment?"

Jazz pushes up from the bar and follows Sideswipe.

Sideswipe would gesture at Jazz, "Thanks." He's getting up, and slowly now over as he would go along.

Banshee notices Sideswipe's tiny nod, sipping her kaff. "Zo zere ve haff it. Zer var is a meat grinder unt, forgive me, I don't see your Prime as zer vun to stop turning zer handle."

Jazz points towardds Booth A.

Ghost hmms, tilting her head, considering before she cracks her canopy open and reaches inside. She removes a small, rectangular shape and sets it on the stool next to her.

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "uhh...okay no answer, thats cool."

<<Autobot>> Solstice says, "Uhh.. None y'all sound at all familiar."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe says, "Uh.. Who are you and what the slag is up with Shockwave?"

Scales pulls out an energoodie and starts nibbling on it, tailtip still flicking and wings half-spread.

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Are you meant to be on this frequency?"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Blaster, do the uh...the....the thing."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Rotating Frequency."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "You don't sound familiar ether, I'm Medical Officer of the Autobots Wreckers, Starlock of Harmonex, Please ID yourself."

<<Autobot>> Solstice erks... "He's.. there's a lot of guns in here. An' I think I messed up. Yeah, I'm supposed to be on this frequency. I'm an Autobot, duh."

Scales belatedly realizes that a good portion of her protective screen of bigger Autobots has left. She pauses for a moment, looking at Ghost an Banshee, then hunches down where she is to viciously nibble at the energoodie some more.

Banshee looks to Scales. "Zis is a neutral bar, mit zer best Kaff on cybertron. I vould not risk zat by starting a fight here

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "...seems legit"

Banshee sips her kaff softly, glowering at Sideswipe through the booth.

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "just introduce yourself back at Iacon so you can get on a roster or something. Not surprised to see some offworlders coming back"

Dust Devil is still nearby. Scales is perfectly safe.

Ghost sips her ale, sideways peering at Scales as her shield of bots seems to depart. "So... You don't like Soundwave?" she asks curiously. "Oh.. Hello, I'm Ghost, Intel operations."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Uh.. Yeah." He would add on, "Uh.. Where on Cybertron -are- you?"

Scales eyes Ghost again. "'M Scales. Medic." And obviously a tape to anybody familiar with their kibble. She eats the last of the energoodie with a decisive snap. "An' Soundwave is creepy, invasive, an' all around horrible."

Banshee looks to Scales. "You are safe here. I vould not jeopardize zis kaff." She hefts her cube.

Dust Devil frowns, "What am I? Crumpled aluminum?"

Spike , pacing now, quietly sips his bourbon while reading a book.

Ghost hmms, "Well, he is Intel, listening is his field of expertise. I can see two of the three perhaps, but I think your perspective is coloured by your own experiences." She shrugs, "I mean, he can be creepy, and invasive, it's his job really."

Scales thumps her tail on the bartop behind her. "Of course perspective comes from experiences! An' listenin' an' payin' attention to stuff. An' Soundwave left Discord to die, an sc- messed with Dust Devil's memories, and then he acts all sad because it didn't work out the way he wanted it to! Not because he thinks anything he did was wrong, but because he didn't get what he wanted from it."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "She did say something about Shockwave..."

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "I'd hate to come back to Cybertron and meet him first thing."

<<Autobot>> Solstice says, "So... Did everyone get back ok? I'm kina hopin' I'm the only one that got bridge-nabbed here. Aaand hopin' I can talk my way ot of this."

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "Everyone who?"

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "From what?"

Banshee shrugs a little. "You speak of zer atrocities ve do, Scales... unt I counter zat vith vun vord: 'Wreckers'."

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "yeah Starlock...I'm not pieceing all this together, but if Shockwave grabbed someone, thats uh....thats a problem"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Agreed, why we really need to find where she is, I just know Shockwave is there and thats a BIG nono"

Ghost sips her ale, "I have no idea who Discord is... " She half turns, head tipped to the side, "You do know that sometimes things get done that are horrible because that's the job, right? Nevermind, I know you'd know that. There's not much I can really say, Scales. I've been on his bad side before, we've had knock out drag downs before. He's a coworker and I simply have a slightly different opinion."

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "Uhhh so ...I'm reading the name on the ID here, 'Soslise' is it? Can you leave...uh...Shockwave, you know, without dying?"

Scales huffs at Banshee. "She asked about how I feel about -Soundwave-. There's war, which involves killin' an' bombs an' all sorts of unhappy stuff. An' then there's tryin' to rip out somebody's past and replace it with somethin' more convenient for them to believe. Killin's more honest."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Uh.. Bridge napped? And.. Yeah.. I can back up if needed."

Banshee inclines her head "On zat ve agree." She says, softly. "But mein opinions of some of zer Reich's methods is on record." She gives Ghost a dry look, remembering the hours of her ranting about Trypticon's collar on record.

Ghost exvents, looking off distantly for several moments, sipping her ale while running a few ranged queries through an uplink. "I agree. Killing is more honest than collaring someone or something. Because once freedom is acieved, tasted again.. Well.. some houses are made of cards.. and fall down rather easily."

GAME: Scales FAILS an INTELLIGENCE roll of Very High difficulty.

Sideswipe would be coming out of the privacy booth he had been in with Jazz, now leaning in to let his hand rest over on a bar table to make his going along easier.

Scales blows out a gust of smoke, wings still mantled. "So, yeah. Got reasons for not likin' Soundwave. I stay well away from him."

Banshee sips her kaff. "I do haff reason to thank you, Ghost. Vell. /Ve/ do."

Ghost sips her ale again, "I understand that and respect your perspective, Scales." Peering at Banshee, "Thank me? For what?" Puzzled.

Banshee shakes her head to Ghost. "Not you, although ve do haff reason to. Her." She points at Scales.

Dust Devil's plating rises up somewhat defensively when Scales is pointed at.

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "if you can, can you give us your cordinates?"

Scales scoots slightly closer to Dust Devil and grabs a snack at random to nibble on and give her claws and teeth something to do.

Banshee looks to Scales. "I... apologise for threatening you. And I thank you..." She looks to Dust Devil "Unt you for freeing Trypticon from zat... infernal device."

Sideswipe would head along to a seat in the back, sliding into it again and wincing ever so softly.

Ghost flexes wings, letting the panels flex outwards, feather-like panels and all. "Thank you Scales." she murmurs, sipping her ale. "Dust Devil told me what you and he did." Finials flatten as she stares at the wall behind the bar, "Oddly, means I owe you a favor. Just a small one, being that it was my life and all."

Spike looks over his shoulder at the group and continues quietly reading.

Scales pauses and blinks at Ghost, a mix of colors swirling through her optics. "I guess I put it with the one Soundwave owes me," she says mostly to herself. A shake of her head, and then little dragon focuses on Banshee. "He's welcome- it was the right thing to do," she says firmly.

Something bird-creeps out from Booth A.. and continues to bird-creep along the floor, heading towards the bar.

Banshee purses her lips at Ghost's words, annoyed that she didn't think of that. She nods. "You alzo have vun from us - Trypticon unt I. Just... make sure it's not vun zat'll get us in trouble, bitte?" She nods a little at Scales' words. "You still have our thanks."

<<Autobot>> Solstice's signal reponds with static-connection loss.

Jazz exits the booht just before the bird thing, he returns to the bar to get another glass of wine.

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Slag. Anyone able to contact trace her?"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "erm....no? But I mean if there's a space bridge, and Shockwave, we kinda already got that answer"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "So.....we should hurry?"

Scales gives Dust Devil a sheepish look. "Command even wasn't mad about not hurtin' him while we had the chance. I was ready to get chewed out for it." She tilts her head at Banshee. "From you... and -Trypticon-?" A giant dinosaur Titan owing her a favor. The mind boggles.

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Mean Means Shockwaves lab.."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "or i assume since i dont know where the con space bridge is"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "and last I knew before i left thep lanet that was in kaon"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Can anyone of Jazz's people please tell us you where able to track her?"

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "That's a negative. No one was tracking. No hints with locations?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "uuuhg just that there is a space bridge"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "and shockwave is there"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "she mentioned guns but thats just as much a dsicrptor as metal being silver"

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "Shox is in Crystal City, right? Last we heard?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "I mean thats where Calyhex saw him shooting someone?"

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Last reports place him in Crystal City. that's correct."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "unless I am forgetting some kind of report, thats all i know info wise?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod would grunt, "Lovely. And we're not exactly in a position to run into Crystal City, are we?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "I'm in new Harmonex so i could go try and see if my field scanner could pcik up her signal?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "I'm not hearing any objections"

Ghost gives a small shrug, "I repay my favors, always have, always will, Scales." She trails off, letting Banshee and Scales talk,

Banshee nods "Ja. Just zo long as it von't get us in too much trouble. I cannot go against orders, but... ja. Ve vill repay our favours alzo."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Uh.. Far be it for me to be the one to say this, but if  she's in Shockwave's lab pretty sure your sensors aren't going to track her."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "And if you're making a quick run past Crystal City you'll tag up the defenses or any patrols."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "We can't track her from here however if there is an escape attempt being made, we will want to know about it."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Well its not /that/ kind of sensor, its a medical one that keeps track of ya'll spark signatures on a grid, so if I get close enough, she'll pop up and we'll at least know she's there since it picks up autobot signals."

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Actually, better idea. We do something to -really- rile up Shockwave. Enough he gets pissed and comes flying. When he flies out, we track where he originated from by satellite and that's nera where she would be."

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "I mean we can't let Shockwave have ANYONE, ever."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Right making my way there, see if I can't use my shuttle mode to my adventage"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "...and we do that how?"

<<Autobot>> Starlock sound of thrusters kicking off

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Rile up Shockwave?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Easy. What's Shockwave hate the most of anything? When someone's smarter than he is."

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "the mech is un-rile-up-able"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod elaborates, "Just say we're doing a field test of the ground bridge."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "What's your top speed Starlock?"

<<Autobot>> Imager says, "if this involves Brainstorm, I'm out"

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Fast enough to keep up with Blast Off!"

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "What does rile him up is Arachnae."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "...Soo suggesting insulting her?"

<<Autobot>> Sideswipe |Hot Rod goes, "Actually Brainstorm would be perfect. I can head along to rendezous wiht her with your approval Sir. Well.. Thenn we just harrass him into bumping out ASAP."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "That note, While i can keep up with Blast Off I can't leave the atmosphere"

Something bird-creeps closer to the bar, and climbs up on a stool next to Ghost. Transforming down into a small rectangle, which becomes visible.

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Passing the Tri-Torus Loop now, heading for the Crystalline highway"

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Fast enough to bug out Starlock. Arachnae can be used as bait I think. Let's make sure we can find her before any plans are put into motion."

Scales shakes her head. "Everybody wants to owe me favors, an' I have no idea what I'd ever use 'em for.."

Ghost hmms, "Well Dust devil's was used for Alpha Trion." She smiles a secritive little smile.

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Above the crystal highway"

Jazz throws down a bit of money then heads for the exit, "Place nice Bots," he ndos to Ghost.

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Rotate Frequency."

Banshee chuckles "Zen hold on to zem for vhen zey vill be useful."

Ghost inclines her head at Jazz, "Always. Next time that dance though?" She winks and smiles.

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Right, above the crystal city, starting to do sweeps"

Jazz nods as he exits, "Learn the two step."

Dust Devil says, "Ya never said what ya did fer Alpha Trion....I just know he looked more....there than before."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "so far nothing, just.. Quite"

<<Autobot>> Hot Rod says, "Not sure we're going to pick her up if she's underground on medical scanners."

Scales nods. "I guess that's what I'll do." She nibbles the remainder of her snack more thoughtfully. "I kinda thought Trypticon didn't notice what people my size do."

<<Autobot>> Jazz says, "Hot Rod, are you en route?"

Ghost hmms, "trypticon always -notices-. he just doesn't react unless it is necessary."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "At least I'm trying.."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Would you rather I do nothing but fret and despair and be utterly useless?"

Banshee nods to Ghost "Exactly. Unt you did somesing /big/ for him." She sips her kaff. "You freed him from zat collar. Brought him his Speaker."

Dust Devil says, "When I saw that he was bein held against his will..I hate ta say I figured he'd make life interestin fer the cons hopefully fer a little bit. I didn't like the idea of him bein a slave. I've been held in yer mines before with a Collar on. It wasn't pleasant."

<<Autobot>> Hot Rod says, "Yeah"

Banshee nods to Dust Devil "Vell, it did give us quite zer headache. But he is grateful."

<<Autobot>> Starlock says, "Well, fuck you too buddy."

<<Autobot>> Hot Rod says, "I'll be there shortly."

Sideswipe would go to lean back over and hold up a hand, "Suggestion. You guys all need another round." He would gesture to hold up to order another bunch for everyone.

Banshee chuckles to Sideswipe "I'm still only drinking Kaff."

Scales hmms. "It's soundin' like I might be needed back at work." She grins at Sideswipe. "You be good an' don't get beat up. I'm going to go prep medical." She nods to Ghost and Banshee. "Well, see ya." A more enthusiastic wave to Dust Devil before she hops down from the bar.

<<Autobot>> Scales says, "I'm going to head back to Iacon to get some beds ready for injured."

<<Broadband>> Hot Rod says, "Hey, Shackwave! Have a question!"

<<Broadband>> Hot Rod says, "Does your security suck or it just me? I drove all the way around Rodion, didn't see a single Seeker. Not a single sensor. Had no one coming out or anything."

<<Broadband>> Hot Rod says, "Gota say, whomever you have assigned to your patrols is -really- bad at their job."

Ghost sips her ale, reaching to the stool next to her, plucking that small rectangle up and tucking it back into her canopy. "I need to be going myself. Need to practice being creepy or something."

Banshee nods and waves "Be vell, Ghost." She smiles.

Log session ending at 21:29:37 on Tuesday, 29 December 2020.