Meet the Prime

[Mirage]

Mirage listens to the exchange between Swerve, Prime, and Xaaron trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. The discussion of Swerve's Prime catches Mirage's attention, however, so when Swerve breaks off and swings around, Mirage is looking directly at the constable. He recognizes that look. That is the look of someone who knows what Mirage can do, and is wary of it.

A moment of consideration as Swerve finishes speaking, and Mirage moves off the wall, making a point to draw Swerve's attention by speaking, "Please excuse me." Crossing to the empty seat, he shifts it over a bit so that he is well within Swerve's line of sight even if his attention is on the two seated at the desk, but near enough to still be "guarding" him. This will go faster and smoother if Swerve does not feel the need to constantly check behind him.

OOC: still skippable

[Kup]

Kup, for his part, can figure out what the look means, even if he's not constantly subjected to it. He doesn't respond to the look itself - the nervousness of both the outsider-Autobots has been obvious enough, anyway - but he does glance at Mirage when the spy speaks.

As soon as he figures out what, exactly, it is that Mirage is up to, he smiles slightly and gives Mirage a faint but obviously approving nod. Good thinking, that.

OOC: Also still skippable.

[Emirate Xaaron]

Swerve seems to be having some issues. Looks like they're talking severely scarring events. Also, it's curious that he checked on Mirage. Emirate Xaaron comments to Rodimus Prime, "I suppose we could introduce him to or show him pictures of everyone here to check for differences, but is it wise to let him know our entire force size?"

He rather hopes that Swerve does not take offense. It is simply the truth.

See, Mirage? This is why Emirate Xaaron put a chair out for you. So you don't distract and scare the skittish anti-Swerve. Emirate Xaaron knows what he's doing, and when he doesn't, he fakes it.

[Rodimus Prime]

Rodimus frowns and shakes his head. "From the sounds of things, we may just need to be prepared to deal with the idea that most of us have identical-appearing alternates, and just come up with some other way to tell the difference."

He looks around the room at the others. "Anyone have any ideas?"

[Swerve-3]

The simple fact that Mirage is still present and still visible is really all the assurance Swerve needs. A Mirage visible and present in the room with him is a Mirage not cloaked and out possibly stalking after his Emirate Xaaron; nevertheless, the change in position eases his worry that much more.

"I could try to describe a few of the others I know…" he offers to the Autobot leaders. It might be a little more time-consuming than just comparing files of their personnel, but it would keep their numbers and complement secure, wouldn't it? It's something…. Even Swerve thinks it sounds weak at best and his shoulders slump just the tiniest fraction. His crestfallen expression is far more obvious. It pains him to realise he's faltering in his efforts here, and knowing it isn't only his own chassis on the line doesn't do much to lift his spirits. "I'm sorry I don't seem able to help very much, sirs."

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron radios Rodimus Prime, //They use different personal frequencies than we do, it seems like. Kup and I more or less verified that. Telling them apart from us won't be hard, just a little pain.//

He drums his fingers on his desk, and then he leans over and brings up his hands under his chin, almost conspiratorially. He inquires, "Feel free. However, what are your Decepticons like, Swerve?"

Just because they oppose these Autobots doesn't necessarily make them good. There are different shades of evil (and even lampshades of evil). However, they just might be, and waxing a potential friendly just because he happens to look exactly like a known genocidal conquerer would take 'friendly fire' to a new level.

[Rodimus Prime]

//Ah, thank you, sir.//

Something occurs to Rodimus, and he opens his mouth and starts to activate his vocalizer to voice it, when Emirate Xaaron beats him to the very question he had been wondering about.

Rodimus Prime has, in fact, been XAARON'd.

So instead he closes his mouth and grins with amusement at the Emirate, a slight, sheepish edge very apparent to his smile.

[Swerve-3]

The Decepticons. Swerve supposes it could be in bad form to say that they are what he thought the Autobots were, since he doesn't know yet what the Decepticons here are like, but if the Autobots are actually good, then he has his suspicions.

"The Decepticons are the only reason the Autobots haven't overrun everything," he says, choosing his words as he goes. "They protect, where the Autobots want to destroy. Rodimus Prime has tried more than once to take them out, but they've fended off his forces every time." The battle at the mesa power facility was a closer call than most, and even the Autobots limped home afterward for it.

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron summarises, "In other words, your Autobots are like our Deacepticons, and we are like your Decepticons." Boy, that's hard to keep straight.

He continues, "Now, won't your Autobots be aware that you two are missing? Might they not come looking for you?"

[Rodimus Prime]

Rodimus sighs, resting his head tiredly on his right fist. Just now, he has nothing to say to Swerve, but he does radio Emirate Xaaron, Kup, and Mirage.

//Not good. If the Decepticons find out that there may be good alternates of themselves running around, they're liable to use that to get in close, and we don't even have the frequency trick to tell them apart.//

Not good indeed.

[Swerve-3]

"They're well aware we're missing, sir, I assure you," Swerve tells Emirate Xaaron with no small amount of chagrin. He spirited his own Emirate Xaaron away from imminent execution. Rodimus Prime doesn't appreciate having his entertainment disrupted. "And… we won't be a priority if they come here. But I don't think we'll be safe, either." Not that anyone is particularly safe when the Autobots are involved.

More and more, the constable finds himself willing to concede that if he and his leader are to stand a chance here, it's with these Autobots. Unless they're just waiting until they have a chance at Emirate Xaaron to show their true colours – and he's either being treated quite well where-ever he is, or he's too frightened to even use the radio – they seem genuinely decent, if understandably wary. Swerve has, however, been fooled by Autobots before.

"…And that seems to be the drag and rally of the difference," Swerve adds on the alignment of the factions, daring a glance toward Rodimus when the Prime heaves a sigh. "My offer still stands." Unless he's ordered otherwise. "I'll do what I can to help."

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron sighs and nods, "Right. We'll go over modus operandi, known blind spots, et cetera."

---

OOC: Move to 'and they discuss lots of tedious preparation details off-screen'?

[Rodimus Prime]

OOC: Or Perceptor can pop in to update the group. Either-or.

[Perceptor]

There's a polite little cough sound from the doorway, and Perceptor pokes his head in. "My apologies for the intrusion, however, I had a few questions for Swerve, and, pending whatever information he can provide, an update regarding the portal device," he interjects.

[Swerve-3]

It's in the middle of summarising the Perceptor he has come to know that Swerve hears that quiet cough behind him. Turning to look is reflex; his systems grinding momentarily to a full stop at the familiar sight of a red and teal mech with a large shoulder-mounted barrel is also reflex, but the freeze passes with only that instant of stillness to betray him. Swerve's smile is genuine, if just a little thin and vaguely awkward.

"Sir," he acknowledges the scientist carefully and courteously, "I'll answer as best I can."