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Command Deck

As Smokescreen reported to Ironhide about the presence of Cybertronian code existing in this human internet Bumblebee crossed his arms over his chest as he listened. The Autobot second in command began to ponder what the computer specialist was saying. Although Bumblebee was certain that the computer mainframe and systems were fine, Smokescreen was one of the best when it came to such matters and if he said the system was clear it was clear. However, Bumblebee still had his concerns. Even though his primary responsibility was espionage and intelligence gathering, the yellow mini-bot had taken it upon himself to also make sure that Ark-19's stealth systems, communication traffic and its various sensor outputs were all operational and encrypted so no one could trace any of the electronic footprints of the Autobot's on Earth.

"At any time during your diagnostic Smokescreen did you detect there could be any problems with our stealth systems? Or even with the encryption codes that mask our communications and sensor outputs? I've had some concerns lately that something might be wrong as I have noticed the same group of humans poking around the shore line of the lake for the past few weeks. Although they act like normal tourists to the area I have my suspicions they could be something else, but I just want to make sure our anti-detection systems are up and functioning properly."

Bumblebee was not one to be paranoid, but his concerns had been growing as he had monitored some of the surveillance equipment he had deployed along the coast line just to keep an eye on things around Ark-19's hiding spot. Although humans were primitive they weren't stupid, but he was sure the stealth systems were beyond the capability of humans to crack. However, he had spent some time monitoring this human internet to see if it held any promise for his purposes of gathering intelligence. During his searches he had come across a number of human websites that were based around the idea of alien infiltration of Earth, though most believe in so-called "little green men" not giant alien, transforming mechanoids.

"Actually Ironhide I would like permission to deploy more sophisticated surveillance equipment to compliment what we already have out there."

Command Deck

Smokescreen turned to the yellow minibot, who expressed concerns regarding the ship's stealth systems and encryption codes. Bumblebee's interest in computers surprised Smokescreen since the minibot's main function was espionage. Of course, Smokey's primary function was diversionary tactics on the battlefield, but here he was conducting maintenance checks on the Ark-19's systems. Computers have always been a side interest to him with racing and gambling coming first. However, running computer diagnostics had become a major duty of his since Smokey's arrival on this planet four years ago. Being that he has seen little to no action, his diversionary abilities have not been required...yet.

Although, the red and blue mech was able to utilize some of his skills in diversion to create special system safeguards that would deflect attention away from the Autobot ship when connected to the human internet. Basically, if someone or something tried to trace the Ark-19's signal, the safeguards would simply divert the intruder to a human computer server on the other side of the planet, making it appear that the ship's signal was coming from there instead of it's true origins.

"I detected nothing of concern with our stealth systems, Bumblebee. They are functioning normally," Smokescreen stated, hoping to alleviate the minibot's concerns. "Furthermore, the encryption codes and internet safeguards are in place and working fine. As I said before, the human's primitive programs, virus or otherwise, are not advanced enough to hack into our systems." Smokescreen then turned his attention back to Ironhide. "Again, the only potential outside intrusion threat currently lies with a Decepticon-created or modified virus, and even that is only a slim possibility. So, while our systems are as secure as they can be right now, I would still remain vigilant for anything out of the ordinary."

Command Center

Brawn took the nod from Ironhide as his cue to sit down. Making his way to his work station he passed Smokescreen and gave him a friendly punch on the leg to emphasize that he probably could throw the Autobot into a lake if he had to. Any comments Brawn had he kept to himself, not wanting to interrupt a conversation about security. As an expert in demolitions, security wasn't his forte.

The workstation designated to Brawn was on the opposite side of the command center from Windcharger, thankfully. Brawn liked the red minibot, but sometimes he was a bit scattered. Whenever Windcharger worked around him he'd be interrupted at regular intgervals with some new piece of trivia. Now that they were on earth it was even worse. The constant compilation of new data was sending Windchargers processors into overdrive. Brawn wasn't sure how the guy could be so enthusiastic over working at a computer terminal, but to Windcharger it was great because he could jump around from subject to subject. In that way, Windcharger had been learning much about earth and it's diversity of culture and geography.

Command Deck

Wheeljack saw that Ironhide was a little busy at the moment and more then likely didn't have the time at the moment to address the inventor. He figured it would be best if he went about is duties until he was needed, Ironhide was unlikely to forget that Wheeljack was there and he would be called upon if the Autobot commander judged that his subordinates abilities were needed. Turning, Wheeljack made his way over to his own station and sat down in front of the panel and began a series of status checks and diagnostics on the ships engineering related systems.

Next to Wheeljack's own computer station was Brawn's. Although the two 'Bots had known each other for a long time, since arriving on Earth 'Jack had not very little chances to talk with the tough mini-bot. It was one of those moments where he thought that he probably had been spending way to much time in his lab. He set his work station to run a diagnostic of the ships power systems, a few solar cycles ago own of Wheeljack's new inventions had malfunctioned during a test and had damaged a number power junctions disrupting several internal systems. Although he had repaired the damage he had been running system checks to ensure everything was working at peek efficiency.

"So Brawn," Wheeljack said as he looked over to the smaller 'Bot. "How have things been? You know I've been giving some thinking, and I've been trying to figure out a way to enhance your hitting power. I was wondering if you'd be interested in trying out some powered knuckles I've been tinkering with. They should let you break open some Decepticon chassis' with one good punch. What do you say? Interested in giving it a try?"

Computer Lab

Skids sat hunched over the station in his own current little corner of the lab, muttering to himself as he tried to think about/monitor a few dozen things at once. There were a large number of datapads scattered around him, containing information ranging from Earth history, to random cultural studies, to lists of potential alt modes, to headlines of current events. The piles even held a few Ark status reports that somehow managed to worm their way in, no doubt tossed there by some well-meaning fellow lab-dweller who knew he might miss them otherwise. His computer display, meanwhile, was covered in small windows displaying various feeds from Earth TV and radio stations, which he was listening to on a personal audio connection.

He knew some of the others would grumble from time to time about him getting to spend all of his time "fooling around" while they had to do the real work, but Skids thought his work was important, even if it turned out no one else did... the 'Cons were certainly paying attention to whatever cultural aspects they could subvert to their own purposes, after all. And while some 'Bots looked at otherworld culture as a hobby, he didn't have the luxury of observing only the enjoyable things. It certainly seemed that fully half his time was spent monitoring the multitude of Earth's violent "hot spots". This was one of the planets where he thought there was a good chance that the Decepticons would barely have to lift a finger to destroy the place - the humans might well do it for them.

Plus it was hard work trying to keep all of the information straight sometimes. At least this time he had managed to keep the list of possible places to station the Ark free of any backyards belonging to planetary rulers, unlike that one incident he hoped no one else remembered.

One of the radio feeds started to fizzle out on him, and he smacked the console ineffectually and grumbled. It was a frequent problem... even their relatively sophisticated equipment couldn't do much if the source itself tended to fluctuate or suffer interference. Still, maybe Wheeljack would have some ideas for a device that could help... he used one hand to tune into another radio station that was carrying information similar to what the fizzled one had been covering, and raised the other hand towards Wheeljack's lab station.

"Wheeljack? If you're not too busy, perhaps I could tell you about something you could help me with at some point..."

It wasn't until some moments later when he'd finally found a new radio station that Skids realized there'd been no answer. He looked up and found the labs seemed to be empty except for him. A glance at the chronometer further told him that he'd once again spent far too much time bent over his console. He hoped he hadn't missed anything important... he'd heard a few intercom messages, but had tuned them out since they didn't contain his name. He didn't think they had, anyway.

After running through his head a list of places Wheeljack might be, he decided to start with messaging Wheeljack's Command Deck station... even if he wasn't there, maybe someone else would come across the message and tell him where the engineer had gotten off to.

>>"Wheeljack? Please tell me I wasn't imagining things and you actually were here in the labs earlier, it will help my sanity. If you happen to not be too busy at the moment, I could use your help with a potential project. I didn't miss anything again, did I?"<<

Command Deck

Wheeljack had just posed his question to Brawn when Skids contacted him at his work station. The inventory sighed to himself and concluded that Skids had been to engrossed in one of his projects to notice what was going on around him. He more then likely missed Ironhide's call for the brothers to go rescue Jazz... Skids probably didn't even know Jazz was on a mission. Wheeljack figured he wasn't needed on the command deck at the moment he decided he might as well go see what Skids wanted. He leaned over his work station and routed the diagnostics he was running to load up on his station in the lab before standing up.

"Well Brawn I am going to go see what Skids wants. If you're interested in my proposal let me know later and I can see if we can work something out." Wheeljack then switched over to his comm. system. >>Yeah Skids, I was in the lab earlier. I came up to the command deck to see if I could be of any help when Ironhide order Sunstreaker and Sideswipe to extract Jazz, but looks like they don't need me up here. I'm sure if they need us they'll call us so I wouldn't worry to much, I'll be down in the lab in a few astroseconds.<<

After switching off his communicator Wheeljack turned for the exit of the command deck and made his way to the door and down to the lab.

Computer Lab
The door to the computer lab slid open to the computer lab as Wheeljack walked in. Only a few of the other Autobots had a work station here, such as himself, Skids and Smokescreen and a few of the others who had more technical skills that were needed. He walked over to his work station and activated the monitors, the diagnostics he had started were still running and were about 60% finished. Once he made sure everything was still running smoothly he turned and walked over to where Skids was working.

"Alright Skids what sort of project do you have in mind?" He said looking over at the other 'Bots work station and saw a pile of various datapads and a computer screen full of different windows. "Heh, seems you are pretty busy here already."

Computer Lab

Skids rubbed his head in consternation after receiving Wheeljack's message, and wondered to the empty lab, "Extract Jazz? Extract Jazz from what?" Figures... he had missed something again. He briefly considered looking through his pile of datapads to see if he could find some report on the matter, but finally decided to just wait and ask the engineer instead. Wheeljack was one of the 'Bots whose comments on his absent-mindedness he could usually live with.

I still need to pay attention more often, though, he chided himself. And maybe one of these days that idea would actually sink in.

He disconnected his personal audio and worked on tidying up the datapads and display windows a little as he waited for Wheeljack to reach the lab and check his work station. He then smiled as Wheeljack came over and commented on Skids' own station.

"'Busy' is an understatement... I vote we sedate everyone on the planet for a few cycles so I can catch up." Skids chuckled a little. "In any case, I had been thinking you might be able to help me with my monitoring... I keep having trouble with signals experiencing interference from the weather, each other, or other issues, and had wondered if there was a way around the matter aside from personally giving all of the humans transmitters that aren't scrap."

He changed to a more serious tone as he continued, "However, if Jazz and the brothers really are in some kind of trouble, it can wait if need be. What's been going on? Is there anything I can help with?" Skids looked sheepish as he finished with, "I see Smokescreen left at some point as well."

Computer Lab

"I think at the moment it is best to just wait, Ironhide seems to have the situation in hand." Wheeljack said as he shook his head slightly before standing up to rub his chin. "Well it sounds like to me all you need is a simple signal isolator that will let you to receive outside transmissions in a more orderly fashion and record those that you aren't listening to for review later. The only issue is we might have to increase the signal strength of our own communications grid. If we do that we might have to run the idea through Ironhide since Bumblebee already has some concerns that our communications encryption might not be as secure."

Wheeljack turned to his work station. He already had developed the device he had mentioned to Skids, it had been needed on other worlds similar to Earth's level of technology, the only issue is Earth had a greater amount of communication traffic. He opened a compartment and took out small, round component that fit easily into the palm of his hand.

"Just attach this to your receiver and hit this button. It should adjust automatically to clean up the signals you are receiving, streamline them so you can get the ones you want to hear clear and phase out an background interference. Also like I said before it will establish a file to record each individual signal you receive whether you listen to it or not. I just hope it will work, so far we have not had to use it in an environment this full of comm. traffic. My only concern is that it might get overloaded and burn out, or that we might have to increase out signal strength.. which means a great risk of our own communications getting picked up."

Wheeljack attached the device to Skids comm. unit and hit the switch.

Command Deck

Brawn continued working away as Wheeljack settled in next to him at another workstation. For an instant he almost wished that he was sitting next to Windcharger instead. It wasn't that he disliked the Autobot inventor, but there was misunderstanding of what Wheeljack really contributed to the Autobot cause. Brawn judged others based on their actions moreso than intentions, and it seemed to him that Wheeljack meant well but was unable to back his intentions with action. So, it was with great trepidation that Brawn conversed with Wheeljack.

Adding to his problems with thinkers like Wheeljack, was his tendency to say whatever he thinks. This bluntness had never ingratiated himself towards Autobots like Wheeljack and Skids. He had even had trouble with Bumblebee until they had accomplished a few duo missions together. He'd seen first hand how courageous the yellow minibot could be in a dangerous situation, and had won Brawn's respect. With Wheeljack it was slightly more complicated.

Brawn, along with all the other Autobots, was well aware that sometimes Wheeljack's inventions didn't work out the way he had planned. As a demolitions expert Brawn could appreciate a good explosion, but he preferred it to be under controlled conditions. Wheeljack's suggestion to "enhance" his hitting power with powered knuckles did not appeal to him at all. It wasn't that he fear an explosion of Wheeljack's invention, he was tough enough to survive a small blast, however why mess with something that's not broken. Brawn was already stronger than most Autobots, and had little trouble tearing Decepticon sheet metal. In fact, it was one of his favorite pastimes.

"Hey Wheeljack. My optics are going to drop out if I have to keep looking at this monitor forever."

Brawn groaned as Wheeljack started into his proposal of upgrading him to powered knuckles, even though he didn't know what that meant.

"I don't know Wheeljack. Maybe one of the other Autobots needs it more than me. I'm already strong enough to throw Thundercracker from here to..."

A message from Skids interrupted their conversation, and just in time too. As Wheeljack got up to leave, Brawn felt a sense of relief.

"Alright I'll let you know. You two brain-bots have fun."

Brawn chuckled to himself and went back to work.

"Powered knuckles? What'll that guy think of next?"

Computer Lab

Skids watched his display with fascination as the device went about its behind-the-scenes work, cleaning up the various signals and making them clearer, and causing brief status messages to pop up as it established various files in the system for recording.

He was so fascinated, in fact, that it took several moments for the acrid scent of smoke to register on his sensors. He noticed that (unsurprisingly, he had to admit) Wheeljack's new device was the source of said smoke, and was also starting to emit ominous crackling and popping noises. Skids quickly moved to shut down a few of the signals in the hopes it might help the device keep working... Thankfully, after closing out several of them the device did indeed stop behaving dangerously and settle down.

It wasn't quite perfect... while the signals no longer cut out completely, they still sometimes faded in strength, or the interference played intermingled with the signals. And he couldn't monitor quite as many signals as before.

Still, he was willing to count it as a success... his console not only hadn't been reduced to molten slag or flying debris, it did work some measure better than it had before. He only hoped the engineer would look at it the same way and not get downhearted.

Skids gave Wheeljack an encouraging smile. "This is wonderful... at least I can get signals a bit more consistently now, and I appreciate the recording feature. I could trying setting up a system to scan for and flag certain keywords, perhaps Smokescreen could help me set that up..." He got a mock thoughtful look. "It could free me up to actually venture outside the lab for a change. I could remember what the rest of the ship looks like... convince Ironhide to let me go out in the field more often...

"...risk bumping into Sunstreaker and Sideswipe in the corridors. Hmm. Well, I suppose you can't win everything..." Skids shrugged good-naturedly.