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Post by Mirage on Dec 5, 2008 23:57:11 GMT -5
The trio manage to make their collective ways to the coordinates Mirage had provided and without incident. Though Mirage had almost been spotted by a blue sports car- one that looked oddly familiar. Later, when he has the time, Mirage will ponder on that a bit more.
The spy leads the others to one of the concealed entrances to the tunnels. Once they're through and out of the way, Mirage will set off a collapse, blocking this entrance. Just in case they were observed.
Better safe than sorry, after all.
OOC: mention of spotting Counterpunch ok'd by his player.
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Spinister-3
Cadet
"I live for the day when no one has to fear."
Posts: 79
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Post by Spinister-3 on Dec 6, 2008 21:14:51 GMT -5
Spinister hovers down low to give Swerve a chance to drop off. If Swerve does so, he transforms to follow after Mirage, asking in a good-natured tone of voice, "Tunnels. What is with you Autobots and tunnels?"
Hairsplitter is back in his armour, which may perhaps make life a little less strange for Mirage.
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Swerve-3
Rookie
Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Dec 8, 2008 19:20:14 GMT -5
Shoulder stiffer and sorer than it was when this trip started, but at least in one piece, Swerve lets go of Spinister the instant he's close enough to the ground that he'll trust his legs not to buckle on landing. Going underground is nothing new to him, at least. The circumstances, on the other hand….
"The Autobots don't have the tunnel market cornered yet," he interjects quietly as the dark rises around him cool and heavy. The noise of the collapse is still ringing in his receptors when he turns on his head and chest lamps. He's woozy enough that he'd prefer more lighting to less. "Ah… you two don't mind," he asks belatedly, "do you?"
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Post by Mirage on Dec 8, 2008 21:55:55 GMT -5
Mirage snorts at Spinister's comment. "I, for one, hate crawling through tunnels, and will be quite happy when we can return above ground." The spy sounds more the aristocrat than ever, and even shudders to emphasis his distaste. "Filthy places."
"More light is fine," he says to Swerve, moving up to give the constable a literal shoulder to lean on should he need it. Mirage gives a quick call over radio to let anyone who may still be below know they've got company, then continues, "I'm not sure who all stayed behind. Perhaps First Aid...someone should have been left behind to watch your Emirate, at least."
Mirage stiffens slightly as a thought occurs, and he turns toward Spinister. "Swerve fled here with his Emirate Xaaron, trying to escape his Prime. Are there issues between you and he that I need to worry over?"
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Spinister-3
Cadet
"I live for the day when no one has to fear."
Posts: 79
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Post by Spinister-3 on Dec 9, 2008 17:43:12 GMT -5
Spinister looks over at Swerve, concerned for his stability, but Mirage seems to be covering that issue. His head tilts to one side, unsure of what to make of Swerve's comment about Autobots not having the tunnel market cornered. Then, a thought occurs to him, and he says, "Oh, you mean that ugly worm-thing? Beats me. I have no idea what was up with that."
He cringes a little at the sudden light, but it's not as bad as it would be if he was in helicopter mode. Spinister scoops up Hairsplitter and puts the Nebulan on his shoulder, where he can quickly convert back to a rifle, if needed.
To Mirage, he explains, "Eeehn... the Emirate's got the spine of a pot of jelly, and I don't even wanna think about how many people have died due to his actions or... inactions, for the most part, but I'm a guest in your house, and I won't try anything."
Unsaid: But the moment he steps out of your custody, I'll cuff him and see him tried for all those crimes of omission.
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Swerve-3
Rookie
Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Dec 10, 2008 22:18:14 GMT -5
Swerve doesn't quite follow the worm thing comment and his wan half-smile attempts at understanding.
"We… have the occasional tunnel back home, too," he offers lamely. Roadway tunnels, but all the same. "They're usually more… finished than this, though." He hesitates for a moment before he accepts that shoulder Mirage offers and leans gratefully against the spy to keep the tunnel from tipping and wobbling out from beneath him, and he acknowledges Mirage's reassurances about Emirate Xaaron with a shallow nod. It's good to hear Emirate Xaaron wasn't left alone while everyone else ran off to war.
At the continued discussion on his leader, he very firmly bites his lip. Even exhausted and injured, he can't help a little bristling. Swerve is – was – is an officer of the law, and he isn't naïve. He knows better than to think any of the Autobots are wholesome. But Emirate Xaaron is at least kind at his core even if he isn't brave; he means well even if the other Autobots have broken him. More, the constable has a new and painfully clear understanding of what it's like to be subject to that, and he's sure what he's gone through is only a tiny fraction of what Emirate Xaaron has suffered and more than ever, he wishes he was a better protector for the golden Autobot.
"Thank you," is all he says, and that rather stiffly, to Spinister.
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Post by Mirage on Dec 10, 2008 23:39:35 GMT -5
Mirage holds his gaze on Spinister perhaps a moment longer than is polite. The spy has no doubt Spinister will hold true to his word, but still, Mirage is a bit worried. This Emirate Xaaron had attempted to kill Mirage, after all; what will he do when if he wakes and spies a law officer from his own time? And Mirage had not missed Swerve's slight stiffening. "That is appreciated," he says before turning away.
He helps Swerve down the hall, letting Spinister follow behind- which should speak quite a bit about how much the spy is trusting his new ally. "It will be a bit of a walk, if I remember correctly. I have not actually been down here yet, myself, and am just pulling off memory and plans made before..." a pause, "before the attack."
Now that Mirage redeemed himself somewhat by rescuing Swerve, and is finally back with his fellows (more or less), he can allow himself to wonder and worry over those who had fallen. He hadn't heard Skyblast on the radio at all since the battle. Was the little jet all right?
He hoped so.
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Spinister-3
Cadet
"I live for the day when no one has to fear."
Posts: 79
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Post by Spinister-3 on Dec 12, 2008 22:00:49 GMT -5
Spinister senses that the temperature in this room has just dropped ten degrees, and he doesn't even have his IR sensors in this mode. Brr.
He offers, sincerely contrite, "I'm glad that he's been of some use to you. I really am." His voice is stiff and tense. Emirate Xaaron is responsible for myriad deaths, indirectly. He did not condemn, and with his silence, he condoned. Spinister cannot help but despise him as a symbol of all that is wrong in the world.
He notices the trust that Mirage is giving him, and he appreciates it. Spinister is clearly taking in the design of the tunnels, looking down any crosswise tunnels. It might be a bit unnerving to the Autobots he's following.
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Swerve-3
Rookie
Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Dec 14, 2008 20:51:49 GMT -5
This past week has been spent in either worry or fear for Swerve with short breaks for pain and one or two too-brief instances of defrag. He has fretted for the Autobots and for himself nearly every waking moment, but now? Now he's exhausted and fighting the urge to shut down and let his systems recover from overheat because he could be needed soon. Mirage's support may well be the only thing keeping him upright by the time this walk is through, and though he dislikes Spinister's use of "use", he takes the Mayhem's words and tone at face value.
"I'm sorry," he says, loud enough that he trusts Spinister will hear in spite of the engine block mounted between them, "but you misunderstand. I don't…" The word tastes vile. "…Use Emirate Xaaron." Respect and cherish, on the other hand….
Now really isn't the time to dwell on that, though.
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Post by Mirage on Dec 15, 2008 0:12:21 GMT -5
It is mildly disconcerting to have Spinister following behind, but Mirage is forcing himself to ignore the faint crawling sensation between his shoulder blades.
"Notice any signs of life?" Mirage calls over his shoulder, "Radio traffic has picked back up; sounds like most everyone did head out that way..." a pause, "Well, I'll be damned. Our Grimlock came out on top. Guess he's good for something after all."
Mirage continues to give Swerve as much support as he needs. "Of course you don't," he soothes, "That is not what Spinister meant, I am sure." A few more steps, "You must understand, Swerve, that the individual you know and are loyal to is not necessarily the same individual Spinister knows. Your Prime did much damage to your Emirate, as I recall. But you have deemed him worthy of your loyalty, and so there must be some possibility of redemption within him." Mirage is speaking as much for Spinister as for Swerve, now.
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Spinister-3
Cadet
"I live for the day when no one has to fear."
Posts: 79
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Post by Spinister-3 on Dec 23, 2008 18:12:48 GMT -5
Spinister does not press on the issue of Emirate Xaaron. He can't fathom why Swerve seems so defensive, unless perhaps Emirate Xaaron was Swerve's sugarbunny or Stockholm syndrome, maybe. The golden fellow is a war criminal and a general waste of space.
"Not really," Spinister replies about the signs of life. His other better sensors are in his other mode. He likes this Mirage, but not enough to start chattering about his sensory layout right this second.
He and Hairsplitter look around, trying to see if there's anyone of interest, any danger lurking in these tunnels.
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Swerve-3
Rookie
Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Dec 24, 2008 15:06:16 GMT -5
Swerve merely nods in answer to Mirage; his reasons for owing Emirate Xaaron his loyalty are his own and even the constable himself isn't sure he can quite put them to words. But he does have faith in his leader and that there is still good in him even after everything he's suffered. He may only be a hopeful fool, he supposes, but he finds his optimism far more bolstering than trying to think of what Spinister's Emirate Xaaron is like.
Lacking any input on the new topic of choice – and Spinister said it all, really – Swerve focuses his attention instead on trying to cycle in more air. He's somewhat less than successful and the effort is a little noisy, rife with crippled fans buzzing and listlessly ticking, and painful. He gives up quickly with an apologetic grimace and an aborted stagger.
"Won't be doing that again," he murmurs, keeping his tone light to deflect concern. It makes his head swim. "A little too loud." And hopefully heard only by friendly parties.
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Post by Mirage on Dec 29, 2008 12:37:01 GMT -5
Swerve's unsuccessful attempt at cooling down makes Mirage pause in his stride, and the spy deliberately tries to urge Swerve into leaning against the tunnel wall. "We can rest a minute or two, if need be, so you can cool down more."
More and more traffic on the radio makes Mirage sigh heavily, and one hand comes up to cover his optics for a minute. He had forced himself to ignore the...earlier revelation regarding Cybertron. Now though...
"It can not be true," he murmurs, more to himself than to anyone, "It can not be true, so I mustn't worry over what it might mean." He lifts his head and gives Spinister an almost pleading look, "It simply can't..."
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Spinister-3
Cadet
"I live for the day when no one has to fear."
Posts: 79
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Post by Spinister-3 on Jan 1, 2009 19:50:13 GMT -5
Spinister looks over Swerve, clearly concerned, and he insists, "Please. If it takes a bit of noise to stay cool, Mirage and I can deal with it, I'm sure. I've been known to make a fair amount of noise in my time, to be certain." He laughs awkwardly.
He glances over at Mirage and shrugs. "In my experience? Pretty much anything can be."
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Swerve-3
Rookie
Maintain the Light
Posts: 169
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Post by Swerve-3 on Jan 3, 2009 2:53:24 GMT -5
Swerve wants to demur. He wants to tell his rescuers that there isn't much point in trying to carry on ventilation when his fans aren't working properly, that he doesn't want to delay for fear of stasis lock finding him and that he'd rather hold off collapsing until he's somewhere more clement than a hewn tunnel. He'd like to admit that cycling air hurts as well as makes noise and he'd really rather not try it again.
"…What… can't be true?" he asks instead, glancing uneasily from one to the other. He seems to've missed a critical part of the conversation somewhere amidst all the dizzy spells and heat rushes.
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