Interim: Spy Games

[Mirage]

Well this had been a pleasant drive, if not as fun as the one he’d originally planned. But that one had been interrupted by a Prime. Here’s hoping that nothing plot-advancing happens on this jaunt; Mirage might start to get a complex.

He had located a road that seemed to run along the northern coastline. He will still admit to being a bit puzzled at large quantities of water on this planet. The sun was setting behind him. He’s not too worried about being gone as long as he has been. After all, the more scouting he can do the better; they still don’t know exactly where the Decepticon base is. Or if they do, no one has bothered telling Mirage.

He’d originally intended to check out that power plant he’d heard the others mention. He’d reached it, but movement on the western horizon had caught his attention, so he’d continued on. The structures were tall towers, with what looked like wheels attached to the top; the wheels spun in the breeze. He takes a few images to show Perceptor.

Then he spies something much lower to the ground a bit further off. Something moving quickly towards him, something that looked an awful lot like a blue sports car. Time to “poof.”

---

Yes, that means he played his invisibility card.

[Counterpunch]

'Counterpunch' doesn't spend enough time in base, beyond what's required to ensure it looks like he's doing his part. Most of his time, however, is spent exploring the continent as a whole. Usually he goes no farther than one of the other towns, where he starts using the available buildings as target practice and punching bags. He's trying to get the Decepticons used to not seeing him around a much of the time, to get them thinking of him as the angry, short tempered, sullen loner.

After spending some time building up those expectations, he's now decided to range a little farther a field. Once he's a safe distance from the Decepticon base, he turns off his faction symbols entirely. He has things to think over, questions to wonder about - like how to contact the Autobots without compromising himself - and sometimes, thinking comes easier when he's not wearing the purple sigil. Besides, one never knows who one will encounter...

The blue, sigiless sports car moves swiftly nearer towards the spot where Mirage is hiding.

[Mirage]

Well isn't this interesting? No visible brand, unless it's on the far side or back. Which is unlikely.

He should probably report in about this. He really should. But when he does Xaaron will likely be irked at just how far from base Mirage was. As it is, he'll hear it when he gets back; but if he has something to report...

Keeping himself hidden for the time being, Mirage puts out a very short range general transmission: //Unaligned vehicle, please identify yourself.//

[Counterpunch]

The blue vehicle rolls to a cautious stop. 'Please identify yourself.' Damn it. A trick question!

After all, the answer depends entirely on, //Who's asking?// The voice, also short range general, is low and soft, almost whispery, and seems to have little traces of actual 'voice' to it at the moment. Then there's a pause. //Wait... I know that voice...//

[Mirage]

//Do you now...? Then you've a bit of an advantage, then. // While he's been talking, he's been moving, as quickly and silently as he's able, taking up a position a bit behind the car.

//It's a simple question, really. And I am so getting tired of my drives getting interrupted. But we can dance this dance if you'd like.//

He's far enough back that he can use his rifle; not so far back that he couldn't be tackled. //Red to win, purple to lose, and or perhaps you'd like to try for another round?//

[Counterpunch]

Ah, good. The voice is familiar, but that last comment answers the question of who he should be today better than mere suspicion.

Punch transforms, rising up into a mostly orange Autobot with some blue details, his symbols showing proudly on his shoulders. //Well, if that's the case, I'll take red. The name's Punch.// The radio voice is louder, this time, less whispery, more certain. He searches the area, though he suspects such an act is pointless just now. No weapons are drawn, or even visible. //So, you going to show yourself, or shoot me in the back?//

[Mirage]

"Shooting without provocation wouldn't exactly be honorable, now would it? Of course I might point out that I could have been simply baiting you." The blue and white spy shimmers into view in the middle of the road, his rifle up, but not quite pointed at the orange Autobot. "I'm sure you'll pardon me for not taking anything- or anyone- at face value in this place."

"You know me?"

[Counterpunch]

The right corner of Punch's lips - for he has a mouth in this form - quirks up in a slight smile. His voice, however, is cool, polite, and professional. "I avoid taking things at face value in general. I can't say I blame you for doing the same." Then he shrugs. "I know of you." He takes a moment to assess the other robot. Cybertronian alternate mode. "As far as folks who specialize in not being noticed go, you've gained a good deal of notoriety. I might have even seen you around once or twice at one base or another. But I wouldn't go so far as to say that I know you, Mirage."

[Mirage]

Mirage nods. "Notoriety. That can imply both good or bad press for one such as myself." There's a bit of a smile on Mirage's face at that.

"I do not recognize you, and your voice is not familiar. You are not prone to idle chatter, I take it, since I've not heard you on the broadband. And until you transformed, you had no visible brands. "

It's that last that still bothers him. Mirage needs to contact the base before giving too much information to this Punch. If he's lucky, someone might actually know the fellow. Kup, maybe. That oldtimer knows or knew almost everyone at some point it seems.

Well, most everyone from a normal reality, that is.

"Your last timestamp, if you please."

[Counterpunch]

Punch shrugs and clasps his hands lightly in front of him. "It can be argued, Mirage, that for one such as you, no sort of notoriety is a good thing. However, it's something that can't always be avoided, and in your case, yes, the press has been good."

He gives his time stamp - only a few months, at best, before Kup's, and adds, "And you won't hear me on broadband." He frowns a moment and tilts his head, considering. Then he sighs softly and says, "Kup, if he's my reality, and from far enough along, will know me."

Gosh, Mirage is right! The old-timer does seem to know almost everyone at some point!

[Mirage]

Mirage quirks up a browridge, and there's a bit of a questioning look on his face. A brief radio conversation with Kup confirms that Punch should be an ally. Still...

By now, his rifle is pointed to the ground, hanging loosely in right hand. He brings the other hand up and rubs his chin, studying Punch. "Looks like Kup does know you. I'm to ask if you've anything to share?"

No request to bring Punch to base, or to offer assistance. Only take what he gives and make future meeting arrangements. Intriguing.

[Counterpunch]

The faintest of smiles ghosts across Punch's expression, and he nods once, removing a small datadisk from subspace. He flicks it casually towards Mirage. "Yeah. Please, get that to Kup." It'll take Kup's personal code to access the information on it.

Of course, Kup doesn't actually have a datapad or datareader at the moment, nor do they have working terminals, but that's Kup's problem.

[Mirage]

Mirage catches the datadisk, eying it curiously. When he looks returns his attention to Punch, there is a look of understanding on his face.

"Kup also asked that we make arrangements to meet again. Other than that...is there anything that you require? "

[Counterpunch]

Punch sighs faintly, but offers back a return smile to Mirage's look of understanding. He doesn't like that he needs to let another person in on this, but his old paths of reporting aren't available, and really, if this Mirage is anything like the one he knows, he's really an excellent choice as a contact.

"I... don't like meeting twice, consecutively, in the same place, but I don't yet have maps of the general area yet. By next time, I should." He tilts his head and considers. "Here. Three months from now." And then he gives the time in more precise units. "If an emergency comes up, I'll find some way to get word to you guys."

[Mirage]

Mirage nods; he can understand Punch's concerns. He wonders a moment how the spy manages to maintain his cover, but Mirage decides that he is probably better off not knowing.

There is something he can offer, though.

"I have general maps which cover a significant area. If having some of them- and my frequency- will not cause complications, I would be willing to share them." His lips twitch in a half-smile. "Though some I can not share. You understand, I'm sure."