Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Oct 30, 2011 10:15:08 GMT -5
"O-oh." Flame sounds distracted because he is; the small group advancing on them is armed after all, he sees, with tiny handheld objects. He'd know those are microphones if he paid the least bit of attention to Earth media, and that these people are the field reporters. Behind them come the cameramen, each trying to catch up his respective partner.
The sheer density of people and cameras reminds him of being surrounded by Autobots, each with horrified or disapproving expressions on their faces, and screens listing in cold, plain text all the things he'd done to bring down that revulsion on himself. It reminds him of those dozens of scrutinising, judging, accusing eyes.
//I don't want to pretend at being an Autobot,// he protests weakly. Autobots do horrible things in the name of justice. Autobots revel in the condemnation of people like him. At least if the Decepticons execute him, he'll know it's because they hate him.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Oct 31, 2011 14:12:13 GMT -5
Data-mining the internet is a useful intelligence tool. Some of what the Autobots and Maximals find is just nonsense. Some of it is likely deliberate malicious disinformation. Right now, on the Event Horizon, Emirate Xaaron considers an aggregate of information collected from different sources - mostly the cell phone cameras of various civilian humans posting the pictures to things like blogs and social networks, though there are starting to be some official news reports, too.
There are enough different sources that Emirate Xaaron considers it likely that something is actually happening and this is not just Photoshop nonsense. He doesn't think it is a cosplay, and humans tend to make Transformers look overly complicated when they animate them, claiming it makes them look more realistic that way.
Emirate Xaaron drums his fingers on the side of the keyboard, staring at the monitor. Either this is an elaborate hoax, or Onslaught, Slugslinger, and... Flame have gone to the State Fair.
A Flame with blue optics and no symbol at all.
Emirate Xaaron tabs over to the spacebridge and checks its readiness and capacity to bridge to that location. Are the stars properly aligned to allow it? They are. He drums his fingers some more. He's on break. Someone should check this out.
It would be a nice publicity stunt, to visit a State Fair.
A glowing green oval-shaped door appears in the far end of one of the State Fair parking lots, a few meters up in the air. Emirate Xaaron tumbles out of the door and has a woozy moment of sickness. Then he gets to his feet and plucks some hay from his frame. He must look impeccable in public, after all!
Then he lopes off for the ticketing booth, if there is one. Some State Fairs need tickets; some don't!
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Post by Pee-Dee on Nov 2, 2011 9:43:29 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron is going off to wrestle confront three Decepticons! While Pee-Dee is confident the Bat-Xaaron can handle them, Onslaught ripped off her arm and crucified her with explosive rubies a week ago. Never mind she looked fine not two hours after the fight, it is the principle of the thing.
(The principle of "if he were a car, I'd fill his gas tank with sugar".)
So she tags along with the Bat-Xaaron. Her ankle cracks as she steps out of the space-bridge into air, and she takes a few moments to fix it while Xaaron heads towards the ticketing booth.
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Post by Onslaught/Octavian Comstock on Nov 2, 2011 13:08:14 GMT -5
//No, he is not! But that shall not become an obstacle for the mission.// But it looks like Flame has some difficulties with that plan. He shoots a meaningful glance to Flame, the glow of his optics dimming briefly. //Flame, you do not have a choice in this matter. Do you wish to become a Decepticon? Then you must learn the game of deception. If you do not wish to do so, or prove incapable, then I will make certain that the brass learns that you are not willing to go all the way.//
Then, he sends a look in Slugslinger's direction, but he does not forget that the eyes of the world are on them! With another loud chuckle he playfully swings a fist at the jet's arms, missing it by quite a bit. "Oh, Slugslinger, I do not believe that the day will ever come where I tire of your jests and pranks!"
Meanwhile, there is a ticket booth at the entrance of the fair! With a ratty, pimpled teen half keeping an eye on the TV while selling it to the drove of people who are rushing in to gawk at the robots. But then they suddenly stop coming! That was strange! Even stranger was the large shadow cast over his booth! Followed by a large golden leg! The kid hangs out of the booth and then looks up, jaw dropping while his eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. "I...Uh...C-Can I help you, mister?"
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on Nov 6, 2011 9:04:29 GMT -5
Slugslinger grins wolfishly at Flame, though the hand he tries to rest on the tank's shoulder is a show at being comforting.
"Don't get out much, do you?" he wonders in a voice that's both amused and condescending – and even a touch pitying. To Onslaught, on a private aside, he adds, //Have you heard this guy ramble? He patched me up once and lemme tell you, the scrap he says could get your optical cluster rolling right outta your head. Pretty sure he's fine with lying. Maybe he just hates the Autobots as much as I do.// He sneers with the right side of his face only, the side turned away from the cameras. //Can't say I like having to pretend I'm friends with an Auto-loser even if we're messing with the humans. Doesn't mean I won't do it, but it still leaves a funny taste in my mouth, y'know?//
Then, grin back in full force, he makes a grand show of trying to elbow both his companions in their sides. It's the butt-ends of his wingtip guns, not his elbows, that will make contact, but that's more a point of construction than it is intent. Any implications are just gravy.
"Looks like we got some attention," he tells them both in a very loud stage whisper that should be quite audible even over the racket of the fair to the gathering reporters. One, a woman in a yellow cardigan and purple dress with bob-cut dark hair bouncing just off her shoulders, strides eagerly forward. Behind her follows one of the ubiquitous cameraman, this one in turquoise jacket, blue jeans, and red cap; he's already filming, and she's talking into her microphone as a lead-in piece. They clearly want to be the first interview.
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Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Nov 6, 2011 22:25:30 GMT -5
Flame's smile, if it can be called that, is all nerves, but he endures the hand on his shoulder without complaint. Given how often Slugslinger torments him with tasks assigned seemingly at random, he'll take even this small show of amity. The elbowing, however, he sidesteps.
Onslaught, on the other hand, terrifies him by force of threat. He doesn't want to be seen as too hesitant in his convictions, lest Spinister find him at fault and fell him, but what if playing to his once-and-nevermore faction is seen as a treasonous act? What should he do? Which is the correct course? Flame makes a low, distressed sound in his throat and seems to shrink behind the fan of Slugslinger's fuselage, away from the cameras. It could be taken as a bashful withdrawal by a camera-shy person – which naturally draws more camera attention.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Nov 7, 2011 9:11:01 GMT -5
Emirate Xaaron turns around at the sound of that crack. He exclaims, something like genuine concern touching the corners of his optics, "Pee-Dee! This could be dangerous!"
Then he crouches down, smiles broadly, and says, "I'd like to buy a ticket, please." He glances back at Pee-Dee and sighs. "Possibly two."
Arguing with her will waste time, but he did warn her.
He reaches into subspace and pulls out an absolutely tiny rectangle of plastic and also a pair of tweezers, so he can give the ticket booth kid his credit card.
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Post by Pee-Dee on Nov 8, 2011 18:26:52 GMT -5
Pee-Dee looks at Emirate Xaaron as if he'd just said the Pope is Catholic. Then she turns to look at the state fair. So many people! And a Ferris wheel! And critters!
Oh, and newsfolks and Decepticons.
But critters! (Ship-beasties!)
"Crivens!"
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Post by Onslaught/Octavian Comstock on Nov 11, 2011 15:15:30 GMT -5
//I have heard, yes, but he is a rather unstable character. I shall have to err on the safe side of caution and intimidate him into following my will, rather than risk having him act more of his own volition.//
//And believe me. I know.// It's a shame that Onslaught no longer has a face, or he could direct a most smug and amused smile at the flying troll.
Normally there would be no chance in hell that Onslaught would allow Slugslinger to touch him, but in this case, he will tolerate it. Just for today. He lets out a playful 'Oof!' at the gesture before trying to harshly pat Slugslinger on the shoulder vane. But then the jet draws his attention to the arrogant little insect that is making it's way through the swarm. Onslaught dislikes it already, a wrinkle of disgust jolting down his support strut.
But this is not something that shows in his body language. No, he keeps that friendly charade active at all times, pointing at the woman, his voice still hearty and friendly as he speaks. "Ah, your garb, it reminds me of a close ally." Saying that about his Swindle feels dirty. But it is technically true. "Yes, I believe I shall bestow you with the honor of being the first human being to publicly speak to my person. Be proud, miss...?"
Meanwhile, back at the ticketbooth, the kid just stares at the Emirate with open mouth, stammering as he tries to form a sentence. "I...Buh...Uh..." But after one quick deep breath he directs a big smile at the shiny space robot, refusing the credit card, while pulling out two tickets and holding them up for the robot to grab with what appears to be giant tweezers. "For you, sir, it's free of charge!"
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on Nov 12, 2011 7:18:49 GMT -5
That solid clap to his fuselage stings. Slugslinger eyes Onslaught surreptitiously and wonders just how hard the missile truck can actually hit, but outwardly muffles a laugh behind his hand and looks at Flame behind him with a pitying look so broad it can probably be seen from space. He even conveniently turns for the cameras so that Flame is no longer shielded by his parts.
//This'd better be worth it,// he quips back in a dire tone. Aloud, he says, "C'mon, it ain't like they're shooting at you."
Far from putting on arrogant airs, the reporter seems rather sensible, even a bit put off by Onslaught's grandiosity, but keeps a professional demeanour about her. She is rather elated that he has announced she gets first interview rights.
"Dorie Dutton," she introduces herself, nodding in greeting and acknowledgement. "And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
"Slugslinger," the jet announces brazenly whether or not Onslaught has answered. Dorie does not look all that impressed.
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Flame
Rookie
Causam ago dementia
Posts: 198
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Post by Flame on Nov 14, 2011 0:38:19 GMT -5
Slugslinger is not being terribly helpful. Why is Flame surprised? He shouldn't be, he thinks, keening very quietly in his anxiety and freezing when the jet seemingly puts him on the spot. At least the little human isn't actually talking to him, meaning he isn't the focus of the cameras. He wrings his hands together and fidgets, uneasy, gaze repeatedly flicking from Slugslinger to Onslaught and back again. If he baulks, surely, they will tell Spinister. Onslaught has threatened as much. But what will the deathbringer say of Flame putting on Autobot airs?
Perhaps it's best Flame speak as little as possible. Yes, he'll do just that.
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Post by Emirate Xaaron on Nov 14, 2011 11:54:23 GMT -5
To be perfectly fair, Emirate Xaaron has also told Springer that certain activities are too dangerous and that Springer should go back to base and let Emirate Xaaron do them instead.
Emirate Xaaron smiles politely and subspaces the credit card, taking the tickets with the tweezers. He says, seemingly sincerely, "Thank you very much." No, Emirate Xaaron is not going to argue the free stuff; he has places to be. He tries to pass a ticket off to Pee-Dee, and then he wanders off inside the fair, towards where the footage suggested there were Decepticons. He is very careful of where and how he steps, as the smaller model humans seem to have this habit of flinging themselves directly in the path of his feet, and this habit seems to distress the larger model humans.
The Decepticons come into sight - and there are yet more of those news crews, too. Also, he has a Junkion. Emirate Xaaron debates exactly how he wants to play this. He can't be too friendly with the Decepticons, but at the same time, he can't try to arrest them for just wandering the State Fair. He doesn't want to be passive and let them get the first move.
He has a Junkion. Emirate Xaaron snaps his fingers and suggests to Pee-Dee, "Could you go talk shop to the cameraman about his equipment?" It'll make it excessively difficult for the news crew to get in a good interview with... Onslaught? if a Junkion is chatting up the cameraman, but video-media is a Junkion thing. One cannot blame a Junkion for indulging her proud cultural heritage!
Then Emirate Xaaron can duck off to go find out what is up with Flame.
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Post by Pee-Dee on Nov 15, 2011 18:42:25 GMT -5
The state fair fascinates Pee-Dee: she's never been with so many humans in one place before! And there's food stalls, game stalls, tents, livestock, rides, and so so many people! It takes her a few moments to realize Emirate Xaaron is even talking to her.
She cocks her head slightly. The Bat-Xaaron wants her to just walk up and start talking camera equipment with a human near those three Decepticons? Well, she doesn't wear a symbol so they might not want to start anything that could hurt the humans. On the other hand, Decepticons. On the grasping hand, if someone tries to rip off her arm on camera, she can go for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. And, if they didn't, hey! Camera knowledge!
"I'll handle it. Media is my specialty1," she says brightly, sauntering off. She circles around a bit to avoid drawing Decepticon attention to the Bat-Xaaron, then trots over to the news crew, dropping into a sliding kneel that brings her right up next to the main cameraman. "Hey! Is that the new DVCPro HD/75/180? Or is it one of the ones that use SD cards? Have you ever noticed a quality difference between the two types of media? Because one of my buddies, he says they're the same, but I think the tapes are higher-quality. 'Course, then Kung-Pow has to get all "you can't tell on any current teevee technology so it doesn't matter", and seriously, what kind of argument is that?"
1. Predator 2, roughly[/size]
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Post by Onslaught/Octavian Comstock on Nov 16, 2011 14:53:39 GMT -5
My, is that Emirate Xaaron? And the Junkion. Oh, Onslaught has a score to settle with her. But not here. //Trust me. It will be.//
"Onslaught. Please, do not let the name fool you, I am really quite the gentle and noble soul. Our naming conventions are peculiar to the ones you have." The Combaticon commander is putting on quite the show, using grand gestures, and even looks a bit ashamed when he tells them his name. But all the while he keeps looking at the Emirate and, when he comes close, raises a hand in greeting. "Ah, there is the noble Emirate Xaaron! My, this day is just getting better and better!"
Oh hello, obvious attempt at distraction. Onslaught turns to face Pee-Dee, loudly scraping his voice, complete with the appropriate gesture. "And the ever lovely..." What was her name again? Oh yes! "Pee-Dee! Now, please dear, I know it is quite marvelous, but please don't be rude, this is a live television appearance and you are interfering. Not very considerate."
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on Nov 17, 2011 10:13:05 GMT -5
"I see," is Dorie's only comment on the naming convention, given in a mild but comprehending tone. She could mention that there are some human names with intimidating meanings, so the practise hardly seems exclusive to these robots; she refrains, however, deciding that's a little too off-topic for her to go into at the moment. Comparing names isn't as important as finding out why the robots showed up to a fair. "So, Onslaught," she looks to the robot with the half-and-half face, "Slugslinger, and…." And there are more coming. The appearance of a robot who at least sounds and looks somewhat female and goes on to grill a cameraman about his equipment distracts her from asking about the bright red and orange fellow with the deer-in-headlights look.
"Uh." The cameraman in question looks much whiter than his t-shirt as he looks up, up, to the robot looming over him. He stares at her with saucer-wide eyes for a moment and his mouth hangs open. "Uh… m-mine? It's actually an HDS-V10 GFCAM… y'know… doesn't use either?" Should he be afraid for his life now? If she's half as serious about cameras as some of his colleagues are, he probably ought to go hide in the truck for a while.
Slugslinger, meanwhile, stands in an easy posture, one arm loose at his side, the other hand in a fist and resting on his hip, as if the sudden appearance of Autobots doesn't bother him. He puts effort into making it look forced, keeping his vanes too tense, and his expression is anything but amused. He looks like an idiot whose façade is about to crumble.
//I ran into Goldie before,// he tells Onslaught in a very tight band, //on Pz-Zazz. He's weird even for an Autobot. I don't like him being here. He's gonna ruin the fun.// Slugslinger strongly suspects half the fun will come from his involvement, really, but he'll have to be doubly careful. Don't want the Autobots getting the wrong ideas about the Decepticons' Air Commander, now, set up to fail for his stupidity.
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