The Demon's Den

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge is sneakier than most people expect him to be. He's a big truck who drives aggressively and who has some severe anger issues. Yet, he can get by without screaming in frustration or punching in a wall. Indeed, right now, Scourge is as close as he ever gets to being calm.

He may not like Starscream's orders, but they give him a handy excuse for not being at that blasted party. Scourge is not one for frivolity. The others should be content with a simple 'job well done' and be back to work.

Scourge is working, after all. He would probably be chastised for sneaking around the areas now occupied by their Autobot allies, but part of a soldier's duty is to challenge his limits. If he does this job right, no one will ever know he did it.

He rounds a corner, carefully checking both ways, his footsteps quiet. Scourge would have preferred to track down Optimus prime's cold, ravaged, dead body, but alas, that was not to be. If his information is correct, he ought to have found the building that Rodimus Prime is using as his room.

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OOC: Concurrent with the Decepticon/Evil Autobot Party. Also, Scourge is not going to be terribly easy to spot.

[Mirage-3]

After his confusing congratulating of Duskwing, Mirage had decided that perhaps it would be for the best if he left. He was still angry with Perceptor, angry with Rodimus, and above all, angry with himself. If Mirage stayed there would be a confrontation, and he could not bear to hear the Prime's laughter directed at him again, to be regarded as mere entertainment, even in passing.

But yet, it is to Rodimus' rooms that Mirage heads to calm down, and to wait.

Mirage is slightly overcharged, though it isn't immediately obvious. Perhaps his steps are a bit too deliberate than normal, as if he is concentrating hard on his destination. He does not see Scourge at first. In fact, Mirage passes right by the tanker, moving a few steps forward before the awareness of another being makes its way through his CPU. Awareness prompts action, and he simultaneously whirls back to face Scourge and disappears. As silently as he is able Mirage moves to press against the opposite wall.

No words. Not yet.

---

OOC: Spotting of Scourge OK'd by his player.

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge sees Mirage, if only briefly, and he immediately stiffens, assuming a more martial stance.

Mirage vanishes from sight, and Scourge is not pleased at all.

Straining to keep his voice down, he demands,voice quiet but firm, "Show yourself."

Scourge will need to bluff here, to play the innocent lamb who has wandered, quite by accident, into this area, who has no idea what he was doing. Luckily, Scourge is a born liar, even as his visage lies as to his true nature.

[Mirage-3]

Hidden by his cloak, Mirage takes the time to actually look Scourge over. It is immediately apparent that this Scourge is not of the same bent as the Scourge which Mirage knows. Too stiff, too martial. But still formidable, if Mirage is any judge.

"Hmmmm. You would give orders to one who does not fall under your purview, in a place where you should not be." Mirage laughs, "And they call me arrogant."

He has not moved from his place against the wall, and Mirage would lay odds that Scourge pinpointed his position the moment he spoke. "Still, we are supposed to be allies here. Exploiting my advantage would not exactly be conducive to good relations now, would it?" Mirage's tone is bitter and slightly mocking, one that matches the dark amusement on his face as he shimmers into view. He leans against the far wall almost casually, arms folded across his chest.

"What are you up to, Scourge?"

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge is an imperious youth, of the most royal build-lines - the Matrix Bearer and the Emperor of Destruction's one and only child. Is it any wonder that he would seek to command any and all? Something about the way his optics narrow and his antennae flick back suggests amusement, but he is ever hard to read. He replies, voice cool and formal, not at all relaxed or casual, "Orders? Merely a suggestion. A polite suggestion to a potential ally. You could have been that other Mirage, hmm? And if you did not show yourself, I would have had to, regrettably, level this area."

He speaks of just massive destruction absently, as if it comes to him easily, effortlessly.

Scourge rubs his chin and continues, "In fact, I am not quite convinced that you are the correct Mirage, after all. I am not supposed to be here?" His tone suggests that there is nowhere forbidden to him, no closed door that he cannot knock down. "Really. I was never informed of such."

He concludes by suggesting mildly, "You might want to get your story together."

In all of this, Scourge hasn't answered Mirage's question about what he's up to at all, has he?

[Mirage-3]

Where Scourge is formal and rigid, Mirage is casual and relaxed, one corner of his mouth turning up at Scourge's nicely played attempt at putting the spy on the defensive. Unlike most, Scourge's similarities to Optimus Prime have never bother Mirage, never given him pause. After all, Mirage's own Optimus had been so fresh and green, chosen because the Council thought he would make the best pawn, be easier to control then Sentinel had been. This Mirage has yet to learn how wrong the Council was, to learn to respect and fear that visage.

Besides, he has always enjoyed baiting the tiger.

Mirage gives a derisive snort at the suggestion that he could have been that Mirage. Scourge has not met that Mirage, if he thinks either could impersonate the other. There are similarities, yes, but there are reasons why Mirage chose not to impersonate his alternate. He could not play such an effete and pompous role with any success, and it would be the subtle nuances which stems from their differences in station and experience which would give him away.

"Well then, let me enlighten you. My Prime has claimed this building as his own quarters, which makes them my quarters as well. As I am quite done playing entertainment for the night, I am retiring."

He gives Scourge another appraising look, "You're good. I almost didn't notice you. I'm not at my best at the moment, true, but that's poor excuse." His optics narrow, and he smirks, "Of course, 'leveling this area' without first checking my position over our shared frequency would be a bit hasty, I'd think. Especially since one of yours has already been disciplined for failure to properly identify his targets."

//Wouldn't you agree, Scourge?// Mirage finishes, broadcasting at a very low power over the Allied Villain frequency.

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge has read a file on a Mirage, who happens to be a Spychanger. The Mirages around here are all entirely too tall! However, he hopes that they cannot drive up walls, as the Mirage he read of could.

He looks, for a moment, bafflled, before bluff and bravado fill in what knowledge and experience cannot. Scourge simply cannot see why a tyrant would keep a pet assassin in his room. He is young, and while he may have been created able to form a coherent battle plan, he knows nothing of love or lust. Indeed, Scourge will likely have no name to put to such feelings, years down the road, if he ever feels them. He inquires, darkly curious, "Your Prime does not rest alone? He suffers a roommate?"

He waves off both Mirage's flattery and Mirage's accusations of hastiness. Scourge threatens and cajoles in turns as naturally as the sun rises and sets. There is no haste about the way his anger and thirst for destruction surges - for it is always there, chained up. It has not far to run, not far at all.

Scourge answers reluctantly, as if he was simply looking for an excuse to unleash ruin, //I suppose that I am forced to agree.//

There is a reason he is not at the party, as this Mirage has clearly been. - Scourge is not allowed near Mirage's Prime or, indeed, any of his command staff. He does so hope that this disreputable spy does not count as 'command staff'. Starscream seemed concerned that Scourge's anger might perhaps slip off its chain yet again and endanger their alliance. He crosses his arms, trying to get a good look around the place before he is inevitably asked to leave.

[Mirage-3]

Mirage tilts his head at Scourge's question, one browridge raised as he regards the tanker with a bemused expression. None would confuse either Scourge with an innocent, but to ask such a question....

Once Scourge has made his grudging agreement over the radio, Mirage nods his head slightly.

"I would not say the Prime suffers," Mirage drawls, "In fact he seems quite pleased with the arrangement. Most of the time." Mirage's amusement fades and he adds bitterly, "And when he is not it is I who suffers, not he."

Almost as quickly as it fled, Mirage's arrogance and amusement return, and he smiles up at the tanker.

"Now, you have your assurances and some information to satisfy your curiosity," he says, then adds, "The party is, I believe, still going strong. You should go and grab a cube before all the energon is gone."

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge still cannot quite grasp what benefit Rodimus Prime could possibly derive from having Mirage in his room, although he could understand Rodimus Prime making Mirage's life pain when he is displeased. Scourge, after all, has a habit of duelling his roommates. Speaking of, he has one such matter yet to attend to. Scourge crosses his arms and mutters, "If you say so."

His optics narrow. Scouge will not be attending the party, because he cannot. This Mirage, however, does not need to know that, so Scourge excuses imperiously, "The party - and the energon - do not interest me."

However, Scourge does know his cue to leave, so he starts walking, slowly enough that Mirage can stop him if he so wishes. He shows more arrogance in turning his back to the Invisible Man than a sensible machine should.

[Mirage-3]

It is with much amusement that Mirage watches Scourge turn his back and start on his way. Oh, the spy could take offense at being rated as Not a Threat, but really, what's the point? They are both arrogant mechs, confidant in their abilities, and Mirage, at least, is used to being underestimated. Street rat and all that.

A thought occurs- this is one the Prime might be interested in cultivating. Mirage is not so far gone that he missed the undercurrent of barely restrained fury in Scourge's tone and demeanor. The tanker is a weapon; one that might turn upon it's master, but a useful weapon nonetheless.

Mirage lets Scourge get a few paces before he calls out, "You are not like your alternate, Scourge. Confusing you would be quite impossible, I think." A pause, "But don't let me keep you, if there is someplace you would rather be."

[Sable Conolly]

Everyone is a threat, even if only when thrown as a projectile.

Scourge half-turns, and replies, slightly amused, slightly irritated, "I believed that I was the one keeping you, not the other way around. Surely I am not more interesting than your beauty rest?"

The black Decepticon crosses his arms and awaits his answer. This situation has not gone entirely disastrously, and he has learned something rather interesting.

[Mirage-3]

Mirage tilts his head, a bemused smile on his face, "I'm a spy, Scourge, and you apparently have some skill as one. Don't tell me you would pass up a chance to size up a possible threat if given opportunity?"

He shifts so that he is turned toward Scourge, leaning one shoulder against the wall. His expression turns thoughtful, "Most of your groups power players have been fairly visible, either back at your base or at the party. Except for you. And so I find myself curious."

Not entirely a lie, not entirely the truth.

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge excuses, with modesty that he does not possess, "I am a soldier, that's all."

It's dark. He's black. Mirage just came from a party and clearly has had a bit to drink. It's not too hard to understand, is it? No need to overstate Scourge's abilities... or even state them properly. Understatement is fine.

Scourge leans against the opposite wall, radiating quiet menace, which is as casual as he gets.

He inquires, "What makes you say that I am a power player? Is my alternate one such?" He seems curious but not overly curious.

[Mirage-3]

"Merely a soldier?" Mirage raises a browridge, his amusement at the idea clearly visible, "You, a lesser scion of your time's greater powers, merely a soldier? Your prestigious- if a bit mongrel- pedigree would mark you a power even if you didn't want to be."

Mirage watches Scourge carefully as he talks. Insult and flattery, all rolled into one, and how will the quiet and deadly tanker react?

"Your alternate does not consider himself a soldier, I think. He prefers, like Skyfire, to rob graves and dig through a fallen civilization's trash." Mirage snorts, "For profit or posterity, I've no idea. Waste of time and effort if you ask me. Regardless, he's no lightweight, and I doubt you are any different."

[Sable Conolly]

Scourge turns his gaze upon Mirage. He is an inherently angry person, yes, but he is also inherently intelligent, and he can tell when someone is trying to rile him. Mirage really ought to know better than to poke a hornets' nest. He replies smoothly, "What do you know of my heritage?"

He would argue the comment about being a 'lesser scion' or a 'mongrel', but if an arguement is what Mirage wants, he will not have it.

Scourge pauses at Mirage's comments about his alternate. Something tugs at him, and he flexes his hands, trying to remember. Then, it is gone, as suddenly as it came. He shrugs and says, "I do not concern myself with the affairs of fools, save in how I may use them to," my, "the advantage of my cause."