Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 8, 2011 8:20:44 GMT -5
Slugslinger turns a lopsided glare on both of them, then heaves himself into a sitting position. That off-sequence light is going to give him a headache if he looks at it much longer; tolerating the faint, jittering shadows it makes is easier on his visual cluster.
"Yeah," he snaps at Hellbender as he drags himself to his feet, "I saw it. And nobody asked you," he adds, wheeling round on Assault, "so how about you do us all a favour, learn how to fly, and get a Divebomb drone stuck in your intakes." It isn't an intelligent comeback, but he isn't supposed to be witty. In fact, he realises, he might need to play up his act more than usual. Enough to get busted out of this forsaken rank, but not so much that they just shoot him for being too much of a chore.
This'll be a challenge. He swallows his grin at the thought, instead making a show of brushing himself off even though he doesn't need it, grumbling and cursing to himself all he while.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on May 8, 2011 11:31:17 GMT -5
Hellbender turned ever so slightly to glare at Assault. "Y'know, Ah might want to punch Slugslinger in the face once in a while, but you are still mah top candidate for 'likely to get punched in the face by someone else'. You just don't know when to shut it, do you, son?"
Quick aside to Slugslinger: "This ain't one of those times. If Ah'd wanted to hit you, Ah'd have used my fist. Grats on the promotion," Hellbender adds reluctantly.
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on May 8, 2011 19:57:14 GMT -5
There is nothing quite as enjoyable as trolling a troll! Assault stands there with crossed arms and an amused look in his optics, but unfortunately Hellbender has to spoil his fun. How unfair! He rarely gets to enjoy moments like these!
The snobby Seeker turns his gaze to the mining worm and offers him a tiny but pleasant smile, not quite like the one that Fleetwind always manages to pull off, but still reminiscent of it. "Oh, do calm yourself, Hellbender. My advice was genuine. If Slugslinger gets mad at even the slightest hint of a...Negative opinion, then perhaps our new commander would be wise to consider toning down his own provocative behavior."
Yes, Slugslinger, that smile that accompanies the next part is aimed at you. "After all, a commanding officer who blatantly disrespects his underlings is the most likely to, how shall I say, be forcibly retired in the middle of a chaotic battlefield." This is not a threat! This is a basic fact with Decepticons!
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 9, 2011 6:28:10 GMT -5
It's too bad Slugslinger has to wait for his chance to laugh in the other jet's face. He blatantly ignores Assault's continued attempts to poke him – ostensibly his thuggish take on not showing a temper at every little ham-handed effort at riling him up – and grudgingly accepts Hellbender's handshake instead.
"Thanks," he says, still sullen. He wonders how he should play out coming to the realisation that his command position means authority over Assault. "You're, uh… second in ground, right? I saw the list, and–" He deliberately stops, blinking, then slides his gaze over to Assault. A slow, cruel smile pulls on the left side of his mouth.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on May 9, 2011 8:23:44 GMT -5
Hellbender gives Assault a single-wide-optic looks that momentarily makes him look a bit like Slugslinger. Assault really is an idiot, isn't he? Or a masochist. Given the many flavors of crazy in the Decepticon ranks, it's entirely possible. Trolling the troll has just a few drawbacks when (a) the troll is right in front of you, and has more guns, and (b) is your new commanding officer. Besides, disrespecting your subordinates worked for his Starscream for millenia. It helps being a narcissistic, sociopathic killer who enjoys an excuse to kill underlings that look at him wrong. Who's to say Slugslinger isn't more of the same?
"Told ya," is all he says out loud.
"Yeah, Ah'm second for the groundpounders, under Turmoil. Didn't know you had command background."
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on May 9, 2011 9:32:12 GMT -5
Well, Assault is not a complete and total idiot. He is intelligent enough to realize that he has annoyed Hellbender as much as he can without getting into psychical harm territory. And he isn't a masochist, otherwise he would enjoy Vortex being a creepy mouth breather! So that trolling smile disappears and instead he respectfully tilts his head to Hellbender, a sign that he will not take things further.
"Speaking of your new function, Hellbender...I must congratulate you on your well deserved promotion. It is a shame that I have wings and not wheels, for I would be proud to have such a capable warrior at my side in battle." It is not aft kissing to placate Hellbender, he means every word of it! It's a shame that he's a dirty Shockwave fanboy.
Oh well, as low as his opinion of Slugslinger is, he does not share his rudeness. Congratulations are in order! "I am certain that air commander Slugslinger will be quite a suitable commander as wel-"Wait. "...Sir, if I may be so bold to ask, why are you looking at me with such a foreboding and sinister smile?" Time for this little Seeker to turn weary.
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 9, 2011 20:25:15 GMT -5
"Oh, nothing really," Slugslinger answers Assault with almost too much good cheer. He turns back to Hellbender and his half-smile becomes a full-on grin. He plants both fists on his hips, thrusts his chest out slightly, and blusters, "Yeah, well, I don't make a big deal of it. Wasn't really expecting anything since I'm one of the new-ish guys, y'know?" Not that new, but he hardly has seniority. Or any command experience.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on May 10, 2011 12:27:04 GMT -5
Fascinating turnaround in tone there. When Hellbender advised Assault, 'Don't be Starscream', did Assault think it was Opposite Day or something?
Hellbender gives Assault a knowing smirk. Shockwave's future plans for Hellbender were only hinted at, and are on hold until he and Hook get back anyway, so he contents himself with a cryptic, "Ya never know, kid. Ya never know."
His smirk gets wider at Slugslinger's 'Oh, nothing' comment. Uh-huh. Well, he tried to warn the kid. Not his fault if his advice goes in one audial and out the other. Megatron probably tried to warn Starscream a few times, too. Some people just have to learn the hard way.
He tilts his head slightly at Slugslinger. "Well, they must have seen something in you. Neither of 'em strike me as idjits." What they might have seen was a target ring on Slugslinger's head, but some things are best left unsaid. Bad for morale, and the Mayhems and Hellbender hate people that undermine morale.
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on May 10, 2011 15:15:51 GMT -5
That cheerful attitude only makes him far more weary, but he is not intimidated just yet. He has suffered worse then anything Slugslinger can manage. And once his time comes..."Very well, sir."
That knowing smirk is met with a cryptic smile and a simple but confident "Indeed". He says nothing at Slugslinger's little display, though deep inside, he is trying to decide whether this moment would deserve a good laugh or gagging. "Yes, it is surprising. But there must be a reason why Starscream choose you. I am curious as to what that is, though I have my own explanations, each one possibly equally valid."
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 12, 2011 9:44:17 GMT -5
Slugslinger, still smiling – and were it not for the half-grimace he makes, it might even be a pleasant expression – flicks his hand at Assault in the same way he'd dismiss an Omnicon he didn't feel like shooting.
"And nobody interested in hearing any of 'em," he declares cheerfully. He turns back to Hellbender and, still puffed up with pride and bravado, chuckles. "I'll have to try not to disappoint, then!" And sit down to put together a more detailed plan of action. He starts angling toward this goal, stepping away from both of them, adding, "Probably oughtta get started on that."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on May 12, 2011 11:33:14 GMT -5
"Yeah, me too. 'spect Ah'll see both of you when our new commanders decide we need more training or to assault something. Later." Hellbender gives them both a friendly wave and continues on his way.
Out of thread unless stopped
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on May 12, 2011 12:08:30 GMT -5
Oooh, the temptation is so very high to meet that bit of snark with a witty and crushing comeback. But no, Hellbender is still in the vacinity and he can't exactly wait until he's gone. One always looks like a fool when the comeback comes a few minutes late, after all!
"Yes, that sounds like a very good idea, sir. I believe I shall take my leave as well..." Assault is about to turn on his heel when he remembers that Slugslinger now outranks him. Fabulous. He nods at Hellbender, and then turns to face Slugslinger again. He steels himself before nodding at the other flier and tries to keep his voice as flat as possible while he says, "Permission to leave, sir? Or would there be anything else?"
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 12, 2011 16:58:37 GMT -5
"Buzz off," Slugslinger says in an airy tone, waving one hand over his shoulder, without looking back at Assault. He never was one to stand on ceremony. "I got stuff to do."
OOC: Out of thread unless Assault wants to continue harassing him.
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Post by Assault/Arthur Aldrin on May 12, 2011 19:32:33 GMT -5
The temptation to just shoot Slugslinger while his back is turned on him is strong, indeed. It would be so much more simple to just skip this entire routine and wrestle command away so that someone far more deserving gets the position. Someone like him!
But no, that would not only draw far too much attention, but also be far too simple. There is no amusement to be found in that. So instead, he shall play mind games with this little troll.
Assault glances down the corridor, making sure that Hellbender is gone. He is about to open his mouth when he realizes that it would be unwise to say the following part out loud, where anyone could hear. So instead he opens a private line to Slugslinger while he merely continues to simply stand there, arms at his side. //Sir. I wish to chime on what you stated earlier. It is a matter that I agree on with all of my lasercore. I would formulate it myself, but since you put it so eloquently, I shall merely quote you. What was it? Ah, of course!//
//'I don't know nothin' about command'.//
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Slugslinger
Minor
And if it weren't for this blasted coin…
Posts: 388
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Post by Slugslinger on May 13, 2011 8:22:45 GMT -5
Sluglinger's self-assured grin at the empty air before him turns into a leer. Assault wants to play! This will be even more interesting than Slugslinger expected. He slows his stride by a third, keeping his shoulders square as he turns his upper body to the left just enough to peer back at the other jet around his shoulder vane. The leer is gone again before he bares just the left side of his face to Assault; in its place is a simple, confident smirk.
//What's to it?// he calls back, shrugging dismissively. //I tell you guys what to do. If you don't do it, I beat you until you do.// His smirk splits into a bare-toothed, brutish grin at that prospect. It's a valid Decepticon leadership model, if not a very good one. But Slugslinger isn't supposed to be a good leader. He's just supposed to have taken Blast Off's dubious advice to heart.
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