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Post by Mirage on Jan 12, 2008 23:17:35 GMT -5
"Wonderful," Mirage says, "Now that's settled." Mirage crosses his arms across his chest, looking from Goldbug to Rattrap and back, "I'd like to point out that I am at my most effective when I am not being micro-managed. Since arriving, I have been given quite a bit of freedom in regards to scouting and reconnaissance. I hope that is not going to change."
Mainly because it will be much easier to meet Punch at intervals if he doesn't have to report his every whereabout. Getting around Goldbug in that regard might not be that difficult, especially if he still shares traits with Bumblebee; but Rattrap ...Mirage does not want that rat sniffing out his secrets, thank you very much. Anyone canny enough to sneak their way out of the Decepticon camp more or less unscathed is not one to be taken lightly.
"Also, I uploaded the maps I've made since my arrival. Nothing great mind you. But there are notes that might be useful to some."
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Goldbug
Cadet
You know, I bet I'm the only Autobot who gets KP for losing too many bodies.
Posts: 90
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Post by Goldbug on Jan 13, 2008 13:11:20 GMT -5
"Good work, Mirage," Goldbug says. If he possessed the face for it, he might be frowning, but since he doesn't, he doesn't. Something in what Mirage says makes him suspicious; he's always been just a little bit wary of Mirage's loyalties, though he fully admits that may be more just from the spy's shinier than thou attitude toward most of the common rabble Autobots.
But still, there's no real reason not to trust him. Especially since this isn't his Mirage. "I don't see any reason not to allow that, at least for right now."
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Nightbeat
Minor
Lord High Instructor, Duke of Snack
Cybertron's Greatest Detective
Posts: 373
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Post by Nightbeat on Jan 13, 2008 15:41:34 GMT -5
Now, where have I heard that kind of logic before? Nightbeat thinks, after Mirage has spoken. Oh yeah. Didn't I kinda say something similar to Kup? And just about every other commander I've ever had? Might mean they're not gonna trust me so much... but no denying I get the job done. Wonder if the same's true for mister high and mighty here?
His curiosity, however, has been peaked. Just what's so secretive that Mirage can't tell anyone about it?
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Holi
Major
Captain Can-Do
Posts: 672
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Post by Holi on Jan 13, 2008 20:37:25 GMT -5
Holi doesn't wince at the general disregard his suggestion nets. He was worried it would make him look silly in the first place, so he really oughtn't look disappointed or surprised with the others' reactions. Instead, he turns an abashed smile on the group and laughs, albeit half-heartedly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Just a suggestion," he mumbles. "Sorry about that." He goes quiet again after that and listens, open and attentive. He doesn't necessarily frown at Mirage's declarations, but his expression is definitely a disconcerted one. They're supposed to be a team, at least in some fashion or another; members insisting they be given allowance to do things how they want, when they want, without answering to their teammates or the commander… that doesn't contribute to proper teamwork at all. Really, the idea is saddening. And yes, Holi is hoping to maybe change Mirage's mind about being on a team someday. Somehow. He's going to try, at least!
There has to be something else he can at least put forward, even if it gets another lukewarm reception. Oh!
"One more thing, Goldbug, sir," he says much more clearly. "Maybe we could use our own radio channel… for, you know, emergencies? Or… or… if security is compromised?" A backup frequency, secured, for the int/comm division just in case. One for the security division would probably be good, too….
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Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
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Post by Rattrap on Jan 13, 2008 20:40:14 GMT -5
Somehow, Rattrap isn't too shocked at the whole team name thing getting shot down. The kid's so sweet he could clog somebody's fuel filters, but he's painfully naïve. He's, well, a kid. Which of course kicks off a little-heard voice somewhere at the back of Rattrap's mind screeching about putting kids in the slagging military. What's the point? Slap a cuter face on civil war? The genius who came up with that idea probably worked in marketing.
As for Mirage…. Rattrap has a problem or two with the "you do your thing, I'll do mine" method of espionage. Oh, yeah, a certain level of autonomy is good. Heck, you pretty much need it to do half of what you're there to do. Once you hit a given point, though, that can turn real quick into "plausible deniability" and then your happy little independent self is stuck in the middle of enemy territory with just your gun and some explosives and nobody's planning on sending you support or an extraction. Only they can't really just leave Mirage's cheese in the wind like that, which means somebody risking their skidplate to save him when something inevitably goes sour. Yeah, thanks but no thanks.
"Ehh… I think it's a lousy idea," says Rattrap, very casually examining his knuckles for bits of dust and the like. The good thing about his fully-backlit optics is there's no inner lens glow like Airazor's to give away where he's looking. Makes it a whole lot easier to surreptitiously watch Mirage sidelong and gauge the snoot's reactions. "But hey, Boss Bug gets da final word. Just puttin' in my two cents." And Rattrap's tone gives every indication he thinks going along with it is a stupid decision.
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Post by Mirage on Jan 14, 2008 11:49:12 GMT -5
"Bad idea or no, it is, as you mentioned Rattrap, Goldbug's call. There are times when being able to honestly say you know nothing is the better thing for all involved. And I am used to operating outside of normal channels, in areas where extractions are not always possible."
No change in tone, or position, not even an eyebrow twitch betrays Mirage's thoughts. Which are running along the lines of building a better mousetrap and asking Rattrap to test it. All in good fun, of course.
Mirage doesn't puch the point further however; Kup said the matter would be taken care of, and so Mirage trusts that it will be.
He does give a nod in Holi's direction though. "Now that is not a bad suggestion," he says, in reference to the secured channel.
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Goldbug
Cadet
You know, I bet I'm the only Autobot who gets KP for losing too many bodies.
Posts: 90
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Post by Goldbug on Jan 14, 2008 16:37:38 GMT -5
"Intelligence is trickier business," Goldbug says. "And ultimately, the less people who are in the know about everything, the safer it is. I don't have to like it, but it's a fact of the business."
And besides, if it's before his time, he trusts that Kup, Rodimus, and Emirate Xaaron worked this business out.
"But you're right, Holi. A specialized frequency would be a good idea. You're a comm-specialist, right? Think you can get that set-upf or us?" He offers up his personal frequency. "And this is my frequency, for any private communications. "
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Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
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Post by Rattrap on Jan 17, 2008 3:11:26 GMT -5
So long as securing the frequency doesn't involve a computer chip some greasy 'Con can just pick up and plug into a communications console back at his base, Rattrap's all for it. He's all set to let Goldbug deal with whatever's going on with Mirage, too. He's the top of the chain anyway.
"Arright, so we got dat goin'," Rattrap murmurs. He glances over to Airazor first, then Synapse. "You got nothin' ta say, baby bird?" he asks the falcon. She isn't half this reticent when she's mouthing off at him. Yes, he's calling her out for not giving the meeting so much as a chirp since his arrival. Even the shy guy managed to pipe up the one time.
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Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
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Post by Airazor on Jan 19, 2008 1:13:30 GMT -5
Airazor's been quiet because others have been bringing up the relevant points. She gives a shrug at Rattrap's question. "I'd simply be repeating what others have already said, and I'm not a parrot."
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Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
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Post by Rattrap on Jan 25, 2008 2:41:54 GMT -5
"Just checkin'," drawls Rattrap at Airazor with a one-shouldered shrug. If he doesn't make sure now, somebody's bound to feel left out and start griping at him about it later. It's a whole lot easier to just get things covered now, with everyone here. He shifts his gaze back to Goldbug and manages to straighten out his slouch.
Well, just a little, anyway.
"So, Boss Bug – how're we doin' things? Y'know… who d'you want where, an' all dat," he wonders, waving one hand in a 'so forth and so on' motion.
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Holi
Major
Captain Can-Do
Posts: 672
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Post by Holi on Jan 25, 2008 2:43:03 GMT -5
Holi beams at Goldbug and nods eagerly.
"Yes, sir, I am," he answers. "And I'll do my very best. You can count on me!" He gives the commander his characteristic snappy salute, then slips from attention and smiles anxiously at the assembled Autobots (and Maximals). "Um. I'll… probably need everyone's frequencies, though. If that's alright." He fidgets with his hands a moment or two. "Well, everyone's but the commander's, that is. Oh! And mine is <frequency>." Just in case he forgot to previously share it with anyone here.
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Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
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Post by Airazor on Jan 27, 2008 0:42:03 GMT -5
Airazor passes her frequency along to Holi, storing the micromaster's. She loosens her grip a bit on the bird instincts and shakes her feathers out. Then she turns her attention back to Goldbug for his answer to Rattrap's question.
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Post by Mirage on Jan 27, 2008 0:48:40 GMT -5
"Hmmm, yes, I guess you would need it. For that matter, so would the rest of you," Mirage muses, "Of course, some of you might know it already, given the oddness surrounding radio frequencies."
With an almost dismissive wave of his hand, Mirage continues, "Very well. Mine is <insert frequency>."
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Synapse
Minor
Do not touch...please
Posts: 380
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Post by Synapse on Jan 27, 2008 1:26:54 GMT -5
Synapse shifts and he carefully notes down the frequencies given and pauses before chiming in with his own, giving it softly, but albeit clearly to the group. He reminds himself that this is a useful thing and it isn't likely that anyone here is going to be getting deviously creative with private frequencies...he hopes. Holi doesn't seem the devious type.
"Also, how often shall we be meeting like this?"
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Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
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Post by Rattrap on Jan 27, 2008 18:02:29 GMT -5
"Yeah, sure, have at it," Rattrap says with a full shrug. "You can prob'ly get me at <frequency>, unless I'm inna wash or somethin'. Don't worry 'bout wakin' me outta defrag or anything like dat." Rattrap keeps queer hours; chances are more likely than not he'll be conscious at any given time. Unless he's actually needed with any sense of urgency, at which point he'll somehow always manage to be out cold. Things have a funny way of working out like that.
He shoots a glance Synapse's way, blinking in surprise. Shy guy didn't forget his vocal circuits after all! Now, were it up to Rattrap, this sort of meeting would happen infrequently and otherwise not very often at all. But this is one more decision he's happier to leave to their fearless leader.
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