Runamuck
Cadet
I'm not as think as you drunk I am.
Posts: 99
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Post by Runamuck on Feb 1, 2010 17:06:28 GMT -5
Day 3 evening. Open thread.
There are some things ports the universe over can be counted on. They attract thieves, criminals, and insurance salesmen; they tend to smell in one way or another; and there's always bars. And among the bars, there's always that one hole in the wall that sits somewhere under the clean tourist establishments and above the real rat holes where only the lowest of the low dare to tread. And while Runamuck would honestly prefer to find said rat holes, the role of "honest" businessmechs might make that a little odd, even for the hired muscle.
A sign on a rusty chain outside the bar shows a faded image of what might once have been a boar (or local analog thereof), or a keg, or something else entirely. Now the image shows little more than a vague shape, with the word "Rusty's" in blocky letters underneath. Runamuck pauses momentarily under the sign, shrugs, and pushes the door open.
Inside, the dimly lit bar isn't noticeably neater looking than the outside. The few tables present are pressed metal, sturdy enough for Transformer-sized patrons but easily cleaned by spraying them with that hose hanging on the wall and letting it drain into that grate in the middle of the floor, if the grate wasn't blocked by old refuse and the hose wasn't dry rotted so badly that it looked ready to crumble if someone looked at it too hard. A few patrons of various species sip, slurp, and otherwise ingest various liquids, some by themselves, some talking in low voices. A few give wary glances as the door opens, but most seem either uninterested or too inebriated to bother.
All of this escapes Runamuck, however, as he notices the long bar, of similar construction to the tables, stained with old spilled drinks and hints of things that may once have been some kind of food or snack. Behind the bar, an old service droid rumbles slowly back and forth, occasionally wiping at dirty glasses with an equally dirty rag. To one who knew more about Earth culture, the droid would look somewhat like a waiter in a classy restaurant, complete with faux tuxedo detailing, an effect somewhat marred by the drink stains and corrosion.
Of course, someone who hangs around junkyards and Stunticons for fun doesn't generally worry much about cleanliness. Runamuck swaggers up to the bar and plops himself down on a stool that creaks warningly and belches a cloud of dust out of the cushion. The Battlecharger waves the droid over. "I'll take the hardest drink you've got." He pauses. "Make it two."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Feb 7, 2010 20:11:44 GMT -5
"Make it three, lad" says a voice to the droid, as a black and gold mech takes up a stool next to Runamuck. Cannonball gives the Battlecharger a lopsided grin. "Figured if you liked me 'omebrew, ye might 'ave a good eye for a fuelin' hole," the pirate remarks.
A quick glance side to side, then he speaks again, this time in a hushed tone. "Just wot do you make o' this place? Not perfect, but a lot o' us could 'ave a lot of fun on a rock like this."
And Cannonball's brand of fun isn't conducive to pretending to be an honest businessmech. So he grabbed a bit o' paint and covered up that pestersome purple badge.
Cannonball aims to misbehave. And that's one shot he's not going to miss.
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Motormaster
Rookie
Not the Nicest Guy You Know
Posts: 127
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Post by Motormaster on Feb 10, 2010 11:01:06 GMT -5
The bartender robot stares in irritation at Runamuck and Cannonball briefly. It ticks through it's drink-mix recipes, the available ingredients, considers the problem of hitting an alien robot with the hardest drinks possible.
Well, it's hard to go wrong with bases.
It turns away and pulls down various chemicals and frosted glasses. Well, one might think they're frosted until one realizes it's dried grime. It mixes rapidly and sets three black drinks in front of the two Transformers. If they held the drinks up to the light, they might see swirls of deep red inside.
Of course, that assumes there's light to use.
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Apr 22, 2010 23:50:01 GMT -5
Swindle isn't really the kind of mech you'd expect to see in a dive bar. Nonetheless, he saunters in, accompanied by his usual grin, and spots Cannonball and someone else who he could care less about sitting at the bar, and promptly seats himself next to the pirate. To the bartender, he says "Motor oil." To Cannonball, he shoots a meaningful smile and says "How's business?"
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Apr 26, 2010 6:44:35 GMT -5
Given no answer from the Battlecharger, Swindle's entry is welcomed, even if the con-man grates on Cannonball a bit.
Perhaps it's jealousy that Swindle gets more loot.
"Business? I'm not really a business 'bot, lad. I'm considerin' this t'be more like shore leave. If I just 'appen to get some things accomplished that command approves of, that be just a bonus."
The bartender brings the 'bots their drinks, and Cannonball knocks one back in a single motion, plating rattling as it sends a shudder through his frame. "I like this place already."
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Apr 26, 2010 12:28:09 GMT -5
Swindle's grin widens. Cannonball couldn't have given him a better opening if he'd tried. "Oh, but you are a business 'bot, Cannonball, if what I've heard is true. As opposed to, say, a military 'bot?" As the bartender sets a mug of motor oil in front of him, Swindle takes a swig, then addresses the pirate again. "I like this place too. A place like Pz-Zazz, enterprising business 'bots can make a fortune, if they're careful."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Apr 27, 2010 16:30:08 GMT -5
Cannonball picks up his second drink, and raises a browridge. "Eh? 'Eard? Wot've you 'eard? I ain't tried to make any kinna bid'ness with anyone." He pauses, then grins a lecherous grin. "Well, 'cept for th' bigger Blackarachnia. Tried t' make naughty bid'ness with 'er, but that didn't go over well." He takes a swig. "Right nice fender, though..."
Yes, Cannonball has successfully managed to distract himself.
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Apr 27, 2010 20:39:04 GMT -5
"Tried to make it with Blackarachnia, huh? I could have told you that would end badly." Swindle raises one eyeridge at Cannonball. Apparently he's going to have to be less subtle. "No, you haven't been trying to make any business with anyone. How could you? The current situation makes things difficult for the independent businessbot, if you know what I mean. Tell you what. You've got my frequency, just take a look at this and give me a call when you're not so overcharged." Swindle sets a datadisc on the bar in front of the pirate and makes to leave, though he's slow in going.
The datadisc contains addresses, mostly. The addresses of used starship lots and fuel depots.
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Apr 28, 2010 18:09:35 GMT -5
Cannonball snorts, taking the disc. "I ain't even buzzed yet, lad. I could put Maccadam out of business 'fore I went into stasis," he brags as he loads the disc up.
Cannonball's face goes serious as he sees what's in the disc.
"...what's this all about, Swindle?" Cannonball's optic band narrows at the conman.
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Apr 28, 2010 23:27:40 GMT -5
"Wonderful place, Maccadam's!" Swindle gushes, smoothly turning around and resuming his seat beside Cannonball. Leaning slightly toward the pirate he says in a low voice, "We've been conscripted, Cannonball. There's a whole new universe out there that I haven't sold anything to, that you haven't boarded, looted, and/or ravished, and we're both sitting in a dive bar knowing that at any moment we could get a call on the radio and have to go rushing off to do our duty."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on Apr 29, 2010 0:02:27 GMT -5
Cannonball takes a sip from his drink, looking over at Swindle. "I'm aware of this, lad. Painfully aware of it from the day I've been 'ere." He sighs. "I've thought of doing so time and time again, but there's a small problem - there be two o' us, and too many loyal to the one-eyed wonder. I'm a widely feared pirate captain where I come from - I got jack-slag here 'cause nobody ever 'eard of me, and I got none of me crew here t' back me up."
Cannonball knocks back the rest of the drink he's working on. "If you got any plan on 'ow to get around this little 'indrance, I'm all audios."
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on Apr 29, 2010 20:09:22 GMT -5
"We're on Pz-Zazz, my friend," Swindle says, gesturing expansively, "land of opportunity. A crew can be found or bought just like a ship. Besides, I'm sure not all our pals are terribly loyal to ol' one-eye. There are bound to be one or two that follow out of fear, and would jump at the chance to get away. We're talking about Decepticons after all."
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on May 4, 2010 22:12:32 GMT -5
Cannonball ponders this, frowning slightly. "The mark o' a good pirate crew is loyalty, though... But one is better than none, especially as long as I've been 'ere."
He looks up at Swindle, face more thoughtful. "Surely there are - ye got ideas as to who t' start with?"
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Swindle
Major
This space for rent.
Posts: 571
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Post by Swindle on May 4, 2010 22:46:41 GMT -5
"Loyalty in one's associate's is always nice, but I've found that greed is a decent substitute in a pinch. As to who to start with. . . we'll want the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to make a quick buck and get out from under Shockwave's yoke. We ought to look for anyone who can be swayed by fast talk," and here Swindle points a thumb at his chest, "and the promise of money and freedom," he finishes, motioning to Cannonball. "Bonecrusher's a loose cannon, but he might be grateful to someone who removed his leash? Well, as grateful as he can be. Who's at the bottom of the totem pole around here? That'd be another good place to start. Misfire gets picked on, right?" The merchant spins around on his barstool and leans against the bar, contemplating.
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Cannonball
Minor
Me, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest.
Posts: 470
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Post by Cannonball on May 9, 2010 22:09:30 GMT -5
Cannonball nods faintly as Swindle explains. "Bonecrusher may be a good one, yes, but we'd need someone to keep him in check, should he turn on us." He taps his chin with a finger. "Misfire, though...he seems rather loyal. 'Fore you showed up, when Starscream were in charge, 'ad a bit of a tiff with 'im, and Misfire were quick t' back him up." A shrug. "Don't know if that applies to Shockwave, but it may be prudent t' be careful about how it's presented to 'im, just in case."
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