Part of your World

[worstprime]

 Who: Rodimus and the Decepticons
Where: Outside the congest Conquest
When: Not long after the robot fight (12 hoursish) Nighttime
What: Rodimus enacts step 1 of his 1 part plan
Warnings: Robots?  Bad lying.



Rodimus is outside the Decepticon warship. Well....HALF of the Decepticon warship. He's not really sure what happened there, but makes a mental note to have a good chuckle about it later when he's NOT about to put himself in a situation that's either going to go, well, the way he hopes it will or...the way he hopes it doesn't.

Still, broken in half, functional or not, it's hard not to admit that the Decepticon dreadnought is pretty intimidating. He's not even sure how many cons are in there...although he suspects not many, considering Megatron made a personal appearance to obtain the forge. He shakes his head, thinking about the Autobots own paltry list of resources. Even if it wasn't functional now, this massive ship could be someday, and who knows how much energon and weaponry they had stored inside. The Autobots could barely scrape together enough energon to treat themselves after battle...they weren't ready for a long-term siege scenario. 

Rodimus feels a sudden pang of guilt thinking about the Autobots.  About leaving...no, let's be fair, abandoning the other bots back in downtown L.A. True, he never really saw them except from a distance, and didn't actually have any idea of the outcome of the battle when he decided to follow the 'cons trail back to their base, but Drift filled him in afterward and it...wasn't good. He now knows that Megatron had gotten the forge, and that the Autobots had come out the other side pretty roughed up. It didn't help that they all still had injuries from their last fight that hadn't been properly repaired.  And to hear that Arcee had taken onMegatron, one on one (Rodimus thought that was pretty badass and vowed to tell Arcee next time he saw her). Drift told him the details as best he could; had said she was stable but out of commission, and until they got a medic - Rodimus grit his teeth angrily. There wasn't anything he could have done. Not in the fight, not afterwards. And maybe that's what made it worse. Right now he felt so...so useless.

He looks up at the warship, it's outline menacing against the dark sky.  He vents heavily, and sets his commlink to bounce an unencrypted message at the ship.  No point in waiting.  If they're monitoring the radiowaves at all, they'll get it.  It's a simple message, he doesn't say who he is, just where and that he wants to join the Decepticons.  It'll get their attention...of that, he's sure.  

What he's not sure of, is how they'll react.

Comments

[buffthis]

The atmosphere on the Conquest isn't exactly friendly in the wake of that fight -- Megatron's been in a real mood even though they'd retrieved the Forge. Knock Out isn't so interested in finding out that he'll poke around too much, but come on -- they'd gotten the Forge, wasn't that the goal? Ah, as if Megatron's ever happy.

Unfortunately the atmosphere on the Decepticon ship is such that Knock Out winds up being the one to answer the message. First Shockwave takes over his medibay, and now, what -- he's the Decepticons' messenger boy? He really isn't liking the way things have been going here, especially considering his current handicap. While he'd enjoyed his stay here on the planet before, now he's starting to feel the itch to get off world, and he's not all that keen on the fact that it looks like they'll be here a while.

There's a bot standing in the sand by the Conquest, his brightly-colored paint job standing out even in the dark. Knock Out approaches slowly about two steps before he sees the Autobot insignia on his chest and his saws immediately come out, a razorlike grin spreading across his face.

"Ah, a little lost Autobot," he purrs, his voice cloying, highlighted by the whine of his saws as they rev up. The Autobot looks injured, not in the greatest shape -- if this is some kind of trap, Knock Out doesn't think he'll have any problem taking him one-on-one. "Can I help you?"

[worstprime]

Rodimus doesn't have even the slightest idea who this flashy 'con is, but judging by that grin, and that he's already got saw-hands out and buzzing, it's clear he's not looking to waste too much time or energy on small-talk. Rodimus puts his hands out in what he hopes is a non-threatening manner. It's not like they can be unarmed after-all. Not that it's THAT necessary....he's well-aware that he's at a disadvantage here.

"I hope so," he says, watching the strange bot closely. He puts on his best winning smile before continuing. "The name's Rodimus. I'm looking to join the Decepticons."

[buffthis]

Knock Out lets his saws roll to a stop, but he doesn't trust that this isn't a trick just yet. His optics flash, looking over Rodimus carefully. He's flashy, like Knock Out, but more garish -- he's land-based, looks like he turns into a pretty sleek vehicle. Knock Out would like to see that. The shoulder injury doesn't look fresh, but it does look pretty significant. Looks mostly untreated -- maybe a few weeks old. Knock Out circles slowly around Rodimus, sizing him up, saws still out.

"Looking to switch sides, are we? We don't get a lot of those." Knock Out's optics settle on Rodimus's injured shoulder for a moment, brightening. "Let me guess -- you didn't like the health plan."

[worstprime]

Rodimus bites back a sarcastic remark about what he thinks of the Decepticon's policy regarding their wounded and instead gives a lop-sided shrug, trying not to wince as he does. "What can I say? I'm sick of playing for the losing team." He doesn't like the way this con is circling him.

"Listen, you look like a smart 'bot," Rodimus starts, watching Knock Out closely. "Without Optimus the Autobots are dead in the water...you and I both know that," he hesitates for a moment. Rodimus can talk his way into or out of a lot of things, but he's got no idea who he's playing to here. "I'm just trying to cut my losses."

[buffthis]

"Mm." Knock Out lets out a noncommittal noise as he sizes Rodimus up, eyeing him carefully. Granted, he'll admit that the Autobots on Earth are facing an all-time low...adding one of theirs to the Decepticon ranks would only exacerbate that. Knock Out stops circling Rodimus as he comes round to face him again, though the saws still stay out.

"And I suppose you have something to offer us to convince us this isn't just some ill-advised scheme?" Knock Out drawls, leaning in close. He's not afraid of getting up close and personal with this Autobot, not when he's got a couple of saw blades and the bot has an injured shoulder. "One of the Autobots' little toys, perhaps, or some valuable information?"

AFTER THAT STUFF

[nitrodamus]

Things have been weird around the Conquest lately, and it's been putting Sollux on edge. Megatron is obviously pissed off about something, and Starscream is even skulkier than usual. It means that when he sees a bot he doesn't recognize he is quick to get right in there.

The troll zips over to Rodimus in a trail of red and blue light, his expression curious but skeptical. He's seen this guy before.

"Man, what the hell are you doing here?" he asks. Not pointedly rude, but genuinely baffled.

Re: AFTER THAT STUFF

[worstprime]

Rodimus hasn't been on the Decepticon ship long (that adventure has only JUST begun), but he's pretty sure he started this mission with a decent idea of what to expect. This? This was not one of those things. In fact, this was so far from one of the things that he had expected, that, frankly, if he were to make a list (not that he did) it would rank below Megatron's fine collection of finger-paintings of every senator he'd personally killed. The finger-paintings being done by Megatron, naturally...forget it. The point is, it's surprising.

"I -," Rodimus starts, looking at this little organic guy, a mixture of confusion and surprise on his face. It wasn't just his presence but that he came with the air and attitude of belonging here. Enough to question Rodimus' being here, at least. "I, uh, just joined up."

He can't believe he's explaining himself at all to a...a troll. What even is this, the Decepticons pet?

[nitrodamus]

Contrary to that, being the dominant one in this conversation feels completely natural to Sollux (he's been there longer and therefore has been more useful, right) and so he carries on behaving as if he's been a Decepticon his entire life. He comes in a bit closer to give Rodimus the once over.

"Did you just ditch the Autobots or something?" he says, kind of dubiously. "I saw you playing for the other team during that big punching match you guys had."

[worstprime]

Rodimus bristles at being grilled like this. Even the other Decepticons weren't so accusatory in their questioning.

"I was an Autobot," he snaps defensively. "I just...uh. Had a change of heart. Decided I wanted to play for the "winning" team." He shrugs, casting a suspicious look around the empty halls of the Conquest as he does so. "So they just....let you wander around here, or what?"

[nitrodamus]

Sollux tentatively wants to assume that the other Decepticons have verified his loyalties somehow, but from the way this dude is acting...he's not super confident in that. It doesn't really show in how he talks, though.

"Yeah," he says. "I live here. I have for a while."

And there is definitely a note of territoriality to that.

[soundwavesuperior]

The Conquest is quiet as Soundwave performs his first routine survey of the ship, taking note of damage and which repairs need to be prioritized. The warship was a mess and he doesn't trust that it is not a nightmare of security leaks. He is inspecting a damaged alarm sensor when a flash of red stirs in his peripheral. Deciding that it was probably Knock Out trying to sneak out for one of his joy rides. Soundwave turns to confront his fellow Decepticon. Except it is not Knock Out at all. It was the Autobot, Hot Rod. What? How? WHY? Such a staggering break in security is unacceptable. Who knows how many other Autobots are in the ship.

He whips around,tentacle shooting out to thrust Hot Rod against the wall.

[worstprime]

Rodimus is doing a really, terribly good job, (he thinks) of minding his own damned business, just milling around the Conquest, keeping an eye out for anything that might prove useful intel for the Autobots...so far this has been a fruitless endeavor, but he has had a number of excellent opportunities to laser some rather choice slurs in certain low-traffic areas of the warship. Ideally they won't find these until...after...he's left...

He's too preoccupied doing just that (minding his own business, that is) to even notice that he's not alone, before being suddenly, and unexpectedly slammed against the wall. He barely has time to even register his shock before seeing who it is who's attacked him, and he freezes, the realisation giving him an immediate chill in his spark. Every Autobot knows that face.

"S-Soundwave!?"

[soundwavesuperior]

Soundwave is amused by the mix of shock and horror upon the Autobot's face. He uses the moment to heft Hot Rod off the ground and pitch him into the opposite wall, another tentacle snaking out to twine around one of his ridiculously large feet.

"K-k-kill the Autobot--Hot Rod!" he spits, Megatron's voice meshing strangely with Optimus Prime's in a staticky remix

[worstprime]

Rodimus grimaces at the shock of pain in his arm - so much for taking it easy on his freshly repaired shoulder. It takes only a modicrum of restraint to not fire up his blasters...he's keenly aware of how little good that would do him against Soundwave. He'd never seen the guy in action, but he's heard more than enough stories...

"W-Wait, wait!" he sputters, waving a hand as he feels Soundwave's grip on his leg tighten. "Not an Autobot! I'm a Decepticon!" He can't get the words out fast enough as he gestures at his chest, newly minted Decepticon badge clearly visible.

[soundwavesuperior]

A Decepticon? That is a ridiculous notion. There is no way that Lord Megatron would allow such a thing to take place. Another bot perhaps, but Hot Rod? An Autobot infamous for being a petulant rebellious child? The Decepticons have enough trouble with Starscream and Knock Out, why would Megatron knowingly add a third to complete a trifecta of scheming, incompetence, and insurrection.

But still...there is the Decepticon brand plain as day on his chest. Soundwave lifts Hot Rod up by his foot, dangling the terrified bot in front of his face. He leans in closer to the brand, running a thin spindly finger over the metal. It is real. It wasn't a decal or a false tear-away cover with an Autobrand still beneath.

It is real.

Soundwave feels like he's going to purge his tanks. How could this be happening? Did Megatron even know this was happening? He lets go, dumping the Decepticon(???) on his head.

[starscheme]

Everyone else might be viewing Rodimus as a complete joke, but Starscream is, unsurprisingly, still overly cautious of his presence on the ship. When you make being treacherous practically your second job, you make an effort to keep all of your bases covered. The "ex"-Autobot might be a crap spy, but that's no reason not to keep en eye on him.

As such, on the day he'd arrived outside the Conquest, Starscream had ordered that Rodimus not be allowed a single moment around the warship unsupervised, until "such a time that he truly proves his loyalty to the cause". That was a bit more of a 'hands on' leadership decision than what he'd usually make, but with Megatron essentially being absent from command for the time being, naturally someone has to step up to the plate. Rodimus can stick around until he's outlived his usefulness, be that as a hostage or until his entertainment value wears off.

Unfortunately at the current time neither of those requirements have been met yet, and Starscream's cautiousness has totally backfired on him (as it tends to do), as he's the only one, at the moment, that can enforce that his own rule. All of the other cons are busy, which leaves Rodimus in Starscream's.

They're both in one of the Conquest's cargo holds, and Rodimus has been given the exciting directive to stack cubes of synth-en while Starscream does some important internet research on a data pad and barks orders occasionally. It'd be a pretty sweet gig if he didn't fucking hate this tool so much.

[worstprime]

You would think that infiltrating the Decepticon presence on Earth (a major front when your consider the players involved) would be, if nothing else, interesting. You would think this, and you would be dead wrong. In actuality the Decepticons' day to day operations were possibly some of the most mind-numbingly boring that Rodimus had ever encountered. It didn't help that Starscream had doggedly insisted that he not be allowed unsupervised at any time, so even if there was anything interesting to uncover, doing so was next to impossible with a Decepticon handler breathing down his neck.

To add insult to injury, Rodimus is currently stuck with the Decepticon Lieutenant in the cargo bay, stacking energon cubes...a task he's reasonably sure is just to keep him preoccupied and out of the way, but let's not jump to conclusions here, maybe the Decepticons are just real sticklers for organization. He's also...kind of concerned about the colour of said Energon...

"So, boss," Rodimus says conversationally, leaning against the nearest stack of cubes. "What's in the cubes? Doesn't look like normal Energon..."

[starscheme]

Starscream lifts his head from squinting at the datapad to tilt back and scowl angrily at the ceiling and vent an exasperated sigh. Fortunately, he's been preparing for this question. UNfortunately he's momentarily distracted by the Autobot's blatant aversion towards addressing his superiors by their proper titles.

"It's Commander, not 'boss'. Commander," he snaps testily. Seriously, why is this so difficult for people to remember?

He gets back on topic after a beat. "And believe me, it's still Energon. It's just a different strain than you're probably used to. Still perfectly safe for consumption though, I assure you."

[worstprime]

"Mmm. Okay. Right," says Rodimus, disbelievingly. "But what's the deal with it? Does it do something really cool? Make you super strong? Super fast?"

He picks up a cube of the green stuff and looks closely at it. Looks normal, really, other than the obvious colour difference. They sure have a lot of it though.

Maybe it's poison.

[starscheme]

He doesn't even look up from the data pad this time. "Why don't you try some and find out, instead of pestering me with such pointless questions?" He frowns at what he's looking at. Somehow he's wound up on this blasted video website again. How did that even happen? He was just reading a progress report from Shockwave about repairs on the ship and suddenly he's fighting the temptation of cat videos yet again.

"Do you mean to tell me that the Autobots haven't had to harvest any energon since arriving on Earth?"

[buffedthat]

Breakdown's on his way somewhere, on some errand or another, and boy, does it show. He strides forward with a frown permanently in place, huge arms swinging at his sides, steps heavy and clanging on the floor of the ship. He rounds a corner, glances over Rodimus with that same, unchanging and stern air, then... pauses.

Wait a second. Something is different here.

That single yellow optic finds its way back to Rodimus, and he blinks. He'd sort of assumed that was Knock Out over there, but... huh. Nope, not Knock Out. His frown darkens. "Who are you?"

Was he left out of the loop, or was he just not listening? It's a mystery.

[worstprime]

"Eh?" Rodimus looking in the direction of the voice. Every time he thinks he's met all the Decepticons on this ship he runs into another one. And they seem to have a serious communication problem on this ship because they are frequently surprised by Rodimus' presence. He crosses his arms as he turns to answer the big Decepticon's question.

"Rodimus. You know, New Guy? Probably didn't get that memo because you seem to have a bit of a memo-allergy around here," he says with easy confidence. "Who are you?"

[buffedthat]

They have a new guy? Since when? Where'd he even come from? And how does everyone else manage to land safely on this planet without fragging TRIDENT catching up with them immediately? Breakdown's eye goes a little more narrow and suspicious.

"Breakdown," he says, straightening a little, inching toward an even more imposing posture. He stops in front of Rodimus, looking him over carefully. Not a bad paint job. He sees why he confused him for Knock Out without looking too close. "Just how long've you been here, New Guy?"

[worstprime]

"Pushy." Snips Rodimus. He counts on his fingers. "Three days. Give or take. Where've you been? I haven't seen you around here that whole time."

These Decepticons are so damned nosy...you'd think that for how uninformed they were they wouldn't ask so many questions. They have to be a near constant state of confusion anyhow. Rodimus is just grateful that for the moment, unlike some others, Breakdown's reaction to a new bot on the ship isn't throwing them.

[buffedthat]

Three days? Huh. He wonders if Knock Out's met him yet. (Probably. Knock Out is pretty on top of these sorts of things.) He considers the answer for a few seconds, then eases. That's pretty much all his questions right there. He smiles, clapping a broad hand down onto Rodimus's shoulder.

"Welcome to the team, newbie. You'll like it here." His smile goes a little thoughtful. "I mean, as long as you stay out of Lord Megatron's way. And Soundwave's. Starscream's too, on a bad day. Oh, and don't go into Shockwave's lab. Then you should be fine."