Rag-Tag Signal Busters

Log Title: Rag-Tag Signal Busters

Characters: Arcee, Backblast, Deathsaurus, Dune Runner, Dust Devil, Ringtone, Starlock, & Swivel

Location: New Harmonex & Hydrax Plateau

Date: June 19 2023

Summary: Starlock leads a rag-tag group to chase down the sleeping sickness signal.

Heart of Harmonex - New Harmonex - Neutral Territories[]

Passed the gates that are styled like harps, stands the Heart of Harmonex stands. The buildings around are tall, buildings with smooth and sharp geometric architecture like crystals themselves. The colors of their metal ranging from cyan blues, to dark dura-steel blue to obsidian, and purple.
This wide open city center where the government buildings of New Harmonex are meant to sit... In the center of the road is a small part with a fountain with an open flower bed, crystalline trees have also been planted around.
To the west is the Symphonic District, where shops, bars, theaters, a market, and even a arena are meant to be.
To the east is the Crescendo District, where all of New Harmoenx industrial facilities sit, be it a the warehouses, trade guilds, filming studios, processing plants, docking bays for trad ships, are meant to be located.
To the north is where most residential, schools, and even studios have been set up.
The Soft sound of music has filled the air, while not the same as Harmonex of past.. The New Singing crystals, that now tower over buildings in New Harmonex, sing their own song of Harmony.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> ...hey Dr, Icebox, ya'll good for meeting up today for the thing?

<<irc.dal.net>> <Icebox> Yay! Meet-up!

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> I'm in new Harm

<<irc.dal.net>> <Icebox> That's convenient!

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> Hopefully Ringtone rears his head around, I know he was trying hard to track this slag down

<<Broadband>> 55.5 Suicide Jockey FM ARSEHOLE DJ Backblast plays the old Nokia ringtone in the hopes of summoning a ferret

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> LMAO

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> I thought that might amuse

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> it did

Starlock is waiting n the center of New Harmonex, trying to keep herself awake as she waits for the others, longest she's been awake in a while and isn't ready to fall asleep so soon. She snorts at the sound of the Nokia ringtone. "Oh if only." She'd grin.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> On my way to New Harmonex too.

Eventually, the revving of a motor can be heard, and a pink racing car drives into New Harmonex, stopping and transforming into Arcee once she sees Starlock.

Backblast saunters into Harmonex on foot, Kingslayer over one shoulder and his alloygator tail swinging back and forth behind her as he walks, smoking an enercig. He waves to Starlock and Arcee

<<irc.dal.net>> <Guru Kaiju> Im tempted to join but eh. Might be intrudin.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> can't be any worse then brainstorm

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> New Harmonex is for everyone.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Guru Kaiju> See when everyone else is a neutral or autobot...my big aft may not be welcome.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> New. Harmonex. Is. For. Everyone.

Starlock smiles seeing the taller femme and waves in a bid to get her attention, given Starlock herself was a purple mini-bot in a sea of purple currently. She'd then pause and start bringing up a couple of holo-screens, bringing up the information she and Ringtone had collected before when they first tried. "Over here!" She'd call.

And on foot Swivel arrives from the Crescendo district, her gait hurried and deliberate. Once she sees Starlock and company, her pace only quickens to close the gap, purple optics bright and eager.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> glitch you helped build this

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> Oh, yeah, on that note you might wanna have a word with Motormouth.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> Eh?

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> Guru Kaiju does. Before /I/ have to have a word with him.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> Heard rumours he's threatening to destroy the place if he's not given 30,000 shanix.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> ...i'm confused?

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> Excues me?

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> I've heard rumours Motormaster is saying if we don't give him 30k he's gonna destroy New Harmonex.

Arcee comes over, and eyes Starlock worriedly. "How are you holding up?" she asks, looking surprised as she notices Swivel approaching.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> ...The <censor> that happens when I'm asleep! Maaaat! I'm stealing your line: I'ma need to stab someone

<<irc.dal.net>> <Dr. Asshole, MD> Oh, I'm going to try to be nice about it, that's why I'm asking GK to have a word with him bofore I do.

Starlock puffs her cheeks at the internet channel as something is brought to her attention and stares at it. "Nope.. no, nope, dealing with that later." She states with a twitch of her optic before smiling over at the others.

"Well... I'm awake, so best to use my time wisely, yeah?" The medic smiles.

Backblast walks up to Starlock, Swivel and Arcee, setting Kingslayer down and leaning against the gun casually. "Evening." Backblast chuckles softly. "Leave it with me, Starlock. I'll handle it."

Swivel tilts her helm, optic flickering quizzically at the exchange between Starlock and Backblast. She then glances and shyly waves to Arcee, seeming a lot less confident when she isn't behind the bar counter. "I'm here. How can I help?"

Arcee glances at Backblast, giving him a nod of acknowledgement.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Voidwalker> so ya coming are not?

Starlock just gives a sardonic smile over at Backblast. "Please, before you find out just how capable I am of when I deem a line that should not be crossed, is crossed." She says carefully, trying not to say what was honestly on her mind, before taking a breath to calm herself.

"Fair warning Arcee, Deathsaurus maybe show up to help." She adds in warning as she brings up the information on a larger holo screen. "So.. this is what me and Ringtone collected last time when we tried to track the signal, before it kind of.. overwhelmed the poor guy."

"Well, if he wants to help..." Arcee shrugs, not looking particularly thrilled, but help is help.

<<irc.dal.net>> <Guru Kaiju> alright alright. I'm coming

Backblast peers at the data, frowning, reaching over his shoulder and extending the long antennae of his radio kit to get a listen to the signal. "Des is OK, for a Con contractor. I... understand him. We're on the same level, you know?"

Swivel falls silent as she looks at the holoscreen of data that Starlock shares. At the mention of Deathsaurus, Swivel gives Starlock a side glance, then she edges closer to the other minibot. Swivel then falls to watching everyone else's reactions to the data more than the data itself, sorting out her own thoughts. "So can we pick up where Ringtone left off?"

Starlock nods and puts an arm around Swivel's shoulders in a bid to help her feel safe. "Hopefully, I hope the lil guy shows up soon, I want him to be here for this but... can't wait forever, know? especially when I've got more than one of ya' here." Starlock admits with a small frown as she tries to blink the sleep from her optics once more, before bringing up all she had.

Backblast nods "I understand. I'll save all the data so we can give it to him if he wants it." Backblast confirms, stubbing out his enercig and tossing the butt into a trash can.

Starlock nods and takes a breath. "Right.. okay.. let's do this.. This is what we were tracking, its the single frequency, he had to boost his sensors up high to get what he did, but with you and Swivel and maybe Arcee?" She asks tilting her helm. "We odda be able to track it down easier."

The arm about her shoulders causes Swivel to perk right up. She smiles and brings a hand up to briefly pat Starlock's hand in silent thanks for reaching out. Swivel rolls her shoulders back and lifts her chin, refocusing on the data. "We just gotta keep troin' and picking away at this. I'm sure working together this can be conquered!" Swivel says with renewed enthusiasm, making a tiny fist with her hand and holding it up.

Swivel glances around, then back to Starlock. "Not sure if me sensors will be much help - but I'll see if I can get creative with them. Not loik I have a warranty that'll be voided fer unintended use."

Backblast nods as he listens, turning in a slow circle. "I've got the signal, but I can't get much of a bearing on it with all the buildings around."

Starlock nods in thought. "So we may have to move out of the city, which is fair. I kinda expected the crystals to be a problem with tracking it, regardless." Starlock admits, crossing her arms as she looks over the saved data.

From Starlock's arms, emerges a ferret. A mecha-ferret. Ringtone stirs awake after changing from his more portable mode of a cell phone. "This is not a zoo,. No. Why am I here?" He looks at Starlock's face and paws at her chin. "Is this the day we find out if we can burry Hoover underneath Metroplex? I'm game."

Backblast laughs "Nah, today is when we track down the signal for the sleeping sickness."

Swivel makes a startled noise, but then tries to pretend like it didn't happen.

Deathsaurus wanders in, in full dragon mode like he owns the place. He looks around "Place's looking good." He comments. "Been a while since I came down here."

"WHAT THE FU--" Starlock yelps in startlement, however, she can't hide it like Swivel and her face lights up pink with blush. "Uhhh.. I wish." She then laughs, her mood instantly lifting at the appearance of the weasel. "What BB said! we're doing this, and I think we're all assembled so, we were just talking about leaving the city where there would be less interference." She'd grin.

"Hey Des." Starlock chirps in greeting. "Ready to play soccer with some possible maximo transmitters?" She'd grin.

Arcee glances around at the very diverse and ragtag bunch of signal-busters.

Backblast grins. "I hope Maximo has cameras on the transmitter." He says. "So I can tell him what I'm going to do to him when he has the cogs to come here himself."

Still sticking close to Starlock, Swivel looks up, way up. Deathsuarus is blocking her view, but that's fine. "So where do you think we should start? Plains or mountains? Depending on the source either can be helpful."

Deathsaurus smiles. "I'm always ready to give the middle claw to invaders." He says. "What do you need me to do? You have my help and support."

Dust Devil has arrived with gear and canine in hand. He smiles when he sees Backblast. "I got some of the equipment we were missin. Did some trades and you were right, those science types nearly fell over themselves gettin access to those readings ya took. Guess those were worth more ta them than all the shanix in Swindle's coffers..."

Backblast shoots a look at Starlock. "I can't believe you just said that." He says jokingly. "Now I've gotta watch my language."

The ferret pops down to the ground and he looks at Starlock as if he was confused. He decides to hang back and he lowers his front legs. He seems to be concerned that he did something improper so he remains quiet.

Backblast nods to Dust Devil "Good work." He says. "Seismic readings like the ones we've been getting are pretty good... you sell the atmospheric data too?"

Starlock smiles and lets out a somewhat manic giggle at the thoughts alone, but then pouts. "Hate to be the adult as much as I want nothing more than to see one of them kicked off a bridge, we probably should keep one intact if there's more than one." She'd huff then look out the gate. "Welp, let's start with the plains, most open so we'll probably get a good start there." She'd smile and then give a thumbs up at Backblast.

She then steps over and picks up Ringtone. "just spooked me is all, I didn't know you were in there." She chuckles and smooches the top of the ferret's head affectionately.

Dust Devil grins, "Ummm not immediately....let them oogle over the seismics and see that we weren't hacks and could use delicate equipment....then when I asked fer those scanners they were all kinda nervous and that's when I showed them the atmospherics. Might have mentioned that if we need other stuff, there's some rather good maps of the energon streams and where some are connected should we find ourselves needing more stuff.

Backblast nods softly. "Let's get to it then." He says to Starlock, looking to Dust Devil. "You know the areas you're not to sell, right? Ibex forests, Manganese Mountains, Tesarus... where the fragile habitats are."

The key words 'seismic' and 'atmospheric' snag Swivel's attention momentarily, and she leans a little closer towards Dust Devil, head tilted to the side. But then she quickly looks back to Starlock, trying to stay on task. Watching Starlock and Ringtone, she smiles but steps back. "Moight it make sense to split up and set up relays? Cover more ground?"

Dust Devil says, "Ain't released any info yet on those lines. I know what's there is precious. Not my fault they ain' done the work ta test all the different streams like I have. of course the critters tryin to eat anyone that shows up kinda helps."

For now, the ferret just curls up with Starlock. He seems quiet.

"It's a thought, but I'm sure we need everyone who is searching, together, probably why Ringy here couldn't get it alone last time." she muses as she lifts Ringtone onto her shoulders, letting him rest there safely.

"Soooo... uhh, any suggested on locations that are plains?" Starlock asks with an awkward smile.

Backblast looks thoughtful at the idea, then frowns "I'm not entirely happy with the idea of splitting up." He says. "What if the transmitter, or transmitters, are defended? First thing we might know about it is finding someone's corpse." He nods. "So right, how are we gonna do this?"

"I agree," Arcee comments, "It's probably best if we remain together."

Swivel nods when her idea is gently put down, with plenty of good reasons. "When you put it that way - yes, let's stick together!" For a moment Swivel thinks. "Metal plains are possible... though... a seasoide moight also serve the same purposes. Oh!" Swivel lifts an index finger as an idea comes to her. "Speaking of seas, we can get the best o' both worlds with a plateau. Hydrax maybe? Hoigh altitude, but flat and open."

Backblast nods "It'll let us get separation without losing line-of-sight on each other, so we can properly triangulate."

Deathsaurus nods "together then. Backblast, this is your party. I'll let you take the lead." He says.

Backblast points at Starlock "Hers, actually Des mate." He says. "I'm here to help, but curing Sleeping Sickness is Starlock's, she deserve it"

"All of the afflicted deserve this," Arcee adds.

Starlock knits her brows, yep this group was a bit of a mess, but a mess she couldn't help but adore. "Huh, that's an idea, the Hydrax Plateau...As BB said, can keep an eye on each other in case something or someone jumps us." Starlock nods, starting to head for the gate, and then stops and spins on her heel and gives Des a meek smile. "Err, actually, Des, could we get a ride up there? way faster than all of us racing up there like a bunch of clowns." She chuckles.

She then nods in agreement with Arcee as she gently pets Ringtone.

At the mention of hitching a ride with Deathsaurus, Swivel once again huddles close to Starlock and Ringtone. Then realizing that she's cowering again, she steps away, trying to be resolute and note be terrified at the idea.

Backblast gives Swivel a shoulder-pat "You got this."

"Wait? Deznutimus Prime is here?" asks Ringtone as he spots the kaiju. "Oh, nevermind. He is here!" He curls up closer to Starlock, "I liked it better when you kept me indoors."

Deathsaurus nods "Berry's party then." he lowers himself to the ground. "All on who'se getting on. I can be your shuttle." he chuckles. "Deznutz junior!" he waves a hand "Sup?"

Starlock can't help but break into a wheezing fit of laughter. Snorting loudly and almost tearing up as she got on without hesitation. "Don't make me laugh that hard man! I gotta make sure I don't drop you, and where the fun in that?." She'd grin and offer her hand out to Swivel to help her up.

"We got this." she adds softly in a bid to ensure Swivel knew they'd be okay.

Swivel tenses when Backblast gives her a shoulder pat and she looks up at him alarmed a moment. Then registering that it's Backblast, and he's good people, she relaxes and nods her head. "Alroight. I got this." Swivel looks at Deathsaurus and lets out a long, steadying vent. "I got this," she whispers quieter to herself. She then cautiously approaches Deathsaurus. This could be an interesting ride.

Swivel takes Starlock's hand. This is the point of no return.

Backblast would, if he were aware, probably take offence at being thought of as good people. "You got this." He confirms.

Hydrax Plateau - Rust Sea[]

The Hydrax Plateau is an island in the center of the Rust Sea. It holds one of Cybertron's primary spaceports, where planetary visitors check in first upon arriving on the planet. Hydrax has a central comms tower that is a skyscraper in its own right. Trillions of terabytes of data are transmitted to orbit and back, and serves as a communications hub in addition to radar, weather forecasting, flight data, and logistics.
Several secondary buildings are built into curling structures that might give the view of a flower from above, with plenty of open space for landing even the largest ships that can break orbit. Being on an island, Hydrax has exceptional sight lines, and is very hard to sneak into. Most forces usually fortify Hydrax with exceptional amounts of anti-air weaponry, due to the terrain.

With Des's help it didn't take them long to get there, Starlock was fine with flying, not her first Dragon Ride after all, but she holds Swivel's hand the whole time, as well as making sure Arcee was okay.

Backblast rides on Des as they head for the plateau, completely unbothered by the fact that they're being carried there by Deathsaurus. "Right... let's get some distance and see if we can get a direction on this signal."

Deathsaurus carries his passengers gently, wings spreading "Hang on to your cahshafts." with that he takes to the sky, like the majestic winged robot chicken he is.

As they all arrive at the plateau, Arcee begins scanning for the signal, trying to get a lock on it. At the same time, she worries that maybe one of these signals will status-lock *her* if she's unlucky enough.

Backblast moves away from Arcee, walking slowly and taking random turns to see where the signal strength changes - if he can do that he can help the team get a bearing on it. "Hm. Clearer here..."

The ferret snuggles Starlock, "Deathsaurus is huge. I feel bad for his... family. They are probably so tiny!" He then looks around, "Can I try to trace a signal? Oh, I can do it in my phone mode!"

Dust Devil says, "I'm gonna bet that whatever it is is camouflaged possibly or cloaked somehow. I can ask Tracker ta start sniffin about once we get close."

Having a hand to hold really helps Swivel stay calm on the flight. She even ventures to once or twice take a look at the scenery. Then remembers her fear of neights and shuts off her optics again, giving Starlock's hand a squeeze. She rouses her non-visual sensors as they near the plateau. Trying to be brave, she laughs experimentally, as if to try and rally herself. Because this isn't scary. It's fun. Yes. Fun. "The whistling wind is a noice loight blue..." she mutters to herself.

Starlock grins at Des and then pats Ringtone. "Yes, you can." She smiles softly. "Naw I've met them, they are all giants like him." She adds with a pout. "Even his daughter is taller than me now." She'd huff. "That it is... " She smiles looking up at the sky.

Deathsaurus tilts his head "Except Solon but he's massive in spirit." he says. "My family are warriors and look the part."

The ferret turns into a menacing... Android smartphone and floats in the air for a second to allow for Starlock to hold him. "Hello! I'm on the Vericon Network. Can you fear me now?" He then starts a small signal check.

Backblast looks up, then takes a few steps backwards. "I've got it in the low band... looks like..." He pauses, listening intently. "It's 35.19 decibels. Spread out from me, try to pick it up. It's somewhere around 90 megahertz, kilometer-wave radio band... I think it's east so spread out in a line from me, east-west, confirm it for me." Pause. "Please?"

Dust Devil walks around staring at a Star trek tricorder while Tracker sniffs in slowly widening arcs. He pauses to look around, searching for anything different. "Wonderin if this could be disturbin any of the natural things rebuildin around here....it'd make finding additional transmitters easier. He stares at Backblast with some confusion at the please. "Careful there...."

Arcee looks quickly over at Backblast, then moves to get into the requested queue.

Backblast looks to Dusty, and then gestures at Arcee. There's an officer here, it pays to be nice.

Since he's a tablet and he can't really move or do much. Instead, he tries another boost. He's a ferret and he's focused on something shiny. That shiny is Starlock's smile. He will steal it one day.

Optics back online, Swivel peeks at Starlock a moment or two, smiling faintly. But it's back to business, and Swivel has her business face on. Feet back on solid ground she reorients herself, peering off into the east. "Towards the swamps?" Swivel wonders out loud. She starts heading in the direction indicated by Backblast, her own sensors active and scouting for any hidden dangers that might be missed while others are focusing on the signal itself. "Disturbances moight be possible. I'm going to look for anything... indoirect."

Ringtone is very distracted by Starlock tonight.

Starlock grins and looks to the signal trackers of the group, after months, just.. finally, they were getting somewhere. She gets in line mainly to help Ringtone, but makes sure not to get in the way.. Its a relief.

Arcee's trying, she really is. But this is not her forte, and she more often than not loses the signal. But she continues to attempt to isolate it, or track the direction, or...something.

Ringtone trying lock on the signal, Ringtone attempts to another scan. The tablet battery icon flickers.

Dust Devil continues his own pattern, listening for Tracker to pick up anything as well as checking his own readings. He does change direction a few times in response to the tricorder.

Starlock notices the flicker and knits her brows. "Ringtone?" She asks softly.

Backblast looks to the others. "My gut says east. I got a slight bump in signal strength going that way. You got anything?"

The tablet leaps into action and shapes into a ferret! The blue optics look over Starlock as he tries to do another search. "Something... Something..." He seems like he is taxing himself. "Gonna try..."

Backblast looks to Ringtone "Don't overdo it." He says. "Confirm my bearing please, guys."

"No.. Something seems.. off with Ringy." Starlock admits as she watches him. "Hey, are you okay?" She asks with a raised brow.

Dust Devil frowns. "This is why I'm usin a tricorder for scans in case scanning with internalized systems might cause feedback....Is the little guy okay?"

"There's a traceroute. Try to input the AAC transmitter, maybe it will index the cross-platform network. They're inside the internet, use the cross-platform RX bandwidth to quantify their interface. My GUI capacitor is down, our only choice is to generate and index the neural network." The ferret shakes his head. "So much data running through me. I couldn't finalize my network program because my mom threw up on it." The shakes his head again, "Still working out the bugs, Starlock. I need to visit a host soon. It's not the same." He tries one more attempt to connect to the signal.

Arcee keeps trying to get a lock on the signal, but it's very elusive. "Ugh...I wonder if good intentions ever fixed a problem like this?" she wonders to herself.

Backblast motions to Ringtone, setting down his backpack and offering a data-cable. "Would a more powerful receiver help you?"

Backblast also fiddles with the dials, setting out two of his deployable antennae, one east and one west of his position and flicking between the two. "...pretty sure it's east. Ringtone, don't burn yourself out, kid."

Swivel continues to scout, keeping herself on high alert. However, when Starlock and Ringtone lag behind, she slows down and glances over. "We're all trying our best so you don't have to take so much on yerself, Ringtone. You've got us! And we're gonna solve this!" Swivel nods to Backblast. "He's roight. Don't burn out. It's early. Save yer strength whoile we follow the trail - then we can use you fer foin tuning." Swivel glances around, still scanning for anything amiss.

"...Eeeew." Is the only thing Starlock could say with knitted brows. "I'll clean ya' out later." She adds. "Alright, I understand, just don't push too hard, got 3, maybe 4 other people who are here to help." She'd smile softly.

"Which only widens at the other's reassurance. "I wish Arcee, If that where the case I'd fixed a number of things by now" She'd huff.

"No," says Ringtone as he tries to keep standing. "I managed to locate the signal once before and I can't give up just yet. For months I asked for help and I kept trying so hard. I even hacked cannons by mistake and blew myself up. Now that I need a recharge and more... I can't keep a good signal strength." He looks at Starlock and wants to keep going for her.

Backblast looks to Ringtone. "Stop it before I tranq you. You're no good to anyone burnt out."

Dust Devil says, "Veritas would be rather cross with all of us if somethin happened ta ya. Ya got us a close..take a breather and dial it down. We can see if we can get closer and ask fer yer help if we get stuck." Dust Devil checks his own scanners and keeps walking.

"This isn't giving up! It's storing up energy so that you can keep going! We got this." Swivel looks over at Backblast. "We GOT this!" Swivel then lowers her voice. "You don't need to prove nothing."

Arcee can't help but smile at Swivel being a morale booster in the middle of a very frustrating task.

"He'll do it too, I know, I've done it to him, and he's done it to me, and I've done it to Des." She nods sagely. "Still, let us help, you've done so much, let us help bare the burden, you've been so strong, now let us be strong for you." She'd smile, gently petting his helm and nods at Swivel.

"Lemme see what ya using Cee, maybe I can tinker with it."

Backblast gives Swivel a nod, calmly pulling out a syringe and rooting through his medical supplies. "She's right you know, I will. V's getting her body back soon, so I really don't want to have to tell her 'Sorry we sort of burnt out your ferret', thank you." He does care, really.

There is the purr of a small engine approaching, and then a "sand rail" off-road buggy armed with a gun turret appears over the edge of the Hydrax Plateau, as if it just drove up the sheer cliff sides out of the Rust Sea. It heads towards the Hydrax Spaceport -- easily detected by the tracking group, but not acting aware of their presence. Despite being armed, the buggy shows no faction symbol.

Ringtone looks at Backblast. "No, you don't control or own me, Autobot." He lowers his head and then shakes himself. "This was... a mistake thinking I'd be welcomed here. I am sorry, Starlock. It seems that other's will not trust me because I walk as a rejected Decepticon." He starts to head his way away from everyone.

"Just a regular scanner, there's nothing /wrong/ with it," Arcee comments as she shows her scanner. "I'm thinking it's just a little too weak to get a bead on the signal, though."

Backblast sends a radio transmission.

Backblast dives to catch the departing ferret, and picks him up, gently patting his head and... offering him energon. "Yer an idiot." He says, in voice as well as radio. "We're telling you to stop /because/ we care. We don't want to see you hurt."

Dust Devil is about to try and catch the ferret but Backblast seems to have things in hand. That's when Tracker barks, calling attention to the newcomer Dunebuggy thing. "Guys....we gotta visitor."

Starlock just puffs her cheeks as that happens. "....He was warned." is the only thing she can say and sighs, and takes a moment to look over the scanner, and poping the back open to check its innards. "Eh?" she looks up.

Swivel cups her mouth with her hands when Ringtone gets offended and scrams. She puts her hand out to stop him, but Backblast is already on it. Instead, her high alert has her watching the approach of a buggy. She watches it with curiousity. Just as she's about to say something, Dust Devil already has. Swivel continues watching the newcomer as she continues scanning.

Angered with being called an idiot, Ringtone snarls, "I wanted to leave." He leaps out of Backblast's grip and makes another dash to leave. "I have to go. I want to go." He ponders trying to jam the signal if he needs to. His optics flicker to a dark, cold blue.

The buggy responds to Tracker's barking by turning and heading towards the group, raising its gun turret so it's not pointed at the assembly. << Hello! >> it broadband radios over to the gathering, possibly disrupting any delicate radio signals the team is trying to track. Oops. << What's going on? >> the buggy transmits. << Are you guys on some kind of adventure? >> The buggy continues its approach. << Woah! >> it exclaims. << Ferret on the loose! >>

Swivel looks over at Backblast and Starlock. "Don't do it! Let him go! Tranquiloizin' him isn't good!"

Backblast sighs "I'm sorry. I'm... not tactful. Please, Ringtone, stay." he says. "I'd like you to stay and help. You /are/ welcome we just don't want to see you hurt." He looks to Swivel and nods. "Understood." And he releases the ferret.

Starlock knits her brows. "Ringtone no one is mad at you!" She shouts trying to stop him but it is all to late, she lets out a yelp as she's shocked by the scanner and shakes her hand trying to get the numb feeling out. She sighs out. "No, no let him go, I think he's overwhelmed."

Tracker approaches the buggy, sniffing the air around the new comer. Ears pivot, trying to help figure the newcomer out. Dust Devil turns and approaches the buggy. "Greetings friend....Yeah we're adventuring a little. What of yerself?"

Swivel glances over to Starlock. "Don't worry too much. He'll come back once he's settled down a bit, I'm sure. You and him are inseparable." Swivel gives Backblast a side glance. She opens her mouth to add something, but thinks better of it. She just smiles again, patting Starlock on the arm. She then looks back over to the buggy, the small teal femme waving to it. She's about to respond, but sees Dust Devil has it in hand. She just tries to look small and non-threatening as she returns to running her scanners.

Starlock huffs. "I know, not.. everyone can let it roll off 'em." She says to Backblast and then looks over to Swivel and smiles, nodding. "Just wish he'd gone in my bag instead." She'd sigh and rub at her brow, looking at the singed paint. Then up at the newcomer and raises a brow, her posture getting stiff. "Yeeep." She tries to channel her attention and frustration into fixing the mean scanner.

The buggy smells of the Rust Sea, and of sand, and of industrial oil. It transforms and shrinks down to form a Mini-Con. "Hi! I love adventure! I'm Dune Runner, of the Adventure Mini-Con Team! Any way I can help you folks?" For those who would know it, he has a slight Tagan Heights accent, but from the old working class districts. He waves a little light-tan hand to the others.

Arcee blinks and peers at the diminutive mech calling himself Dune Runner.

Backblast looks at the buggy, grabbing Kingslayer and aiming at him for a moment. "Uh huh. Affiliation?" Backblast lowers the gun, slightly.

Swivell rolls her shoulders back. "Moight be good for him to have some alone toim, too. He's a big help, but we can still do this." Swivel nods her head, keeping herself optimistic.

Swivel's optics flicker over at Dune Runner. "Adventure Mini-Con Team? Never heard of it. But it sounds loik fun! Tell-" Swivel stops herself as she realizes she needs to focus. She can't spout a bunch of platitudes and not pull her weight in the ongoing endeavour. "Um..." She looks around, deferring to someone else on whether to tell the little fellow more. She eyes Backblast, particularly his gun, then watches Dune Buggy for signs of aggression. She'd not want this to escalate beyond cautious posturing.

Dust Devil eyes Backblast before grinning at the newcomer. "Where are ya hailin from?" He chuckles, "ya look like you could give Swivel a run fer her money..." Tracker just circles around the mech, turning his head to sniff the air, looking for stray scents.

Starlock nods. "Try this Arcee." Starlock offers, slapping the back, back on the scanner, and holding it out to her. She then looks at the fellow mini-bot. "Yo, Starlock of Harmonex." She offers, raising a brow. "..We're ah.. tracking signals." She says cryptically.

"Thanks, Starlock, let me keep at this," Arcee says, continuing to signal-track as best she can.

Dune Runner touches the top of his head. His face is masked by a device that filters out dust and sand, but his voice sounds friendly. "That's OK!" he replies to Swivel. "There are only three of us. We're not famous or anything. Tagan Heights!" he replies to Starlock. "Well, I was built there, anyway. Spent most of my days in the desert north of it. If yer trackin' signals, I might be able to help! I'm a bit of a techie." He glances back towards the spaceport. "Let me grab my equipment, and maybe I can meet up with you later?"

Starlock puffs her cheek and glances around. "Alright... ya sure? you don't even know what we're lookin' for?" She points out.

Backblast peers at Dune Runner. "Autobot, Con, or Neutral?" He repeats, setting Kingslayer butt-down in the sand and leaning on it.

Swivel's optics flicker. She looks at Dust Devil then at Dune Runner. She then looks over her shoulders at her tires, then at the minicon. Her tires spin back just a little and she looks just a little self conscious. But she still ventures to be friendly and inquisitive. "Well maybe you will be famous some day! I loik exploring too!"

Swivel glances over at Starlock. "Maybe we ought to call it for now and try again later further east, closer to the mercury swamps. Ringtone moight've cooled off by then. And you probably could use a rest, too." Swivel looks Starlock up and down critically.

Dune Runner nods. "Sure! You guys sound trustworthy! Don't wait on me, but I'll catch up when I can!" Enthusiastically, he transforms, and heads off towards the spaceport.

Dune Runner sends a radio transmission.

Backblast nods "Brave, give him that."