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Corridors

Starscream wrote:“Heh.”, Starscream huffed, crossing his arms. “Everyone knows your favors aren't free, Swindle. In that regard, we are very much alike. I don't just give away things for free either. Your cunning may fool some, you see, but it doesn't fool me. Still, being honest, you did indeed help me a great deal. I suppose it's only fair to repay you?”, he said that with a threatening undertone. A devilish smirk played across his lips. The game was beginning.

Swindle remained quiet, nodding along as Starscream took the long way to get to the point. He expected nothing less, as it was not only typical Starscream, but also Swindle’s. It was meant to maneuver around another’s mental defenses, often exhausting them to the point the listener usually agreed just to get it over with. Of course, there were the mechs that just lashed out. Starscream had Megatron, and Swindle, for some reason, had nearly every mech want to do that, especially had the Combaticons. Sometimes, a reputation was a terrible thing to have.

Surprisingly, after all of that, Swindle felt a surge of pride knowing another had adopted a similar technique.

Maybe I should charge him to use it? The thought had merit, but favors would be more important in the future. Not that he really expected them to come to fruition. I am dealing with Starscream, after all.

Still, he had to admit the Seeker had potential. If only he could enjoy the negotiating process instead of going for the prize… The thought would’ve given another mech reason for pause, but not Swindle. The challenge and energon rush was simply too much to walk away from. It’s not like he’s the Combaticons. I doubt if any of them can even spell deal.

Starscream wrote:“Oh, my dear Swindle.

And here it comes.

Starscream wrote: “You are gold to me, you know that don't you?

That’s new. And your point is…

Starscream wrote: “I accept your service. Now, don't let me down now. I'll know if you do. That being said, I am absolutely sure we can help each other. You help me, and I help you. An opportunity is likely to present itself soon, and when it does, you will be repaid for this instance. Just be a good little warrior, and make sure to help me, your Lord, when I need it. Agreed?”

Swindle did everything he could to keep from bursting out in laughter, and somehow he succeeded. Some mechs were just too predictable.

“In your service, you say?” He remained quiet for a few astroseconds to draw out the moment. He already knew what he was going to say, he just didn’t see a reason not to draw it out to test Starscream’s mettle. It was petty, but every mech needs a hobby.

“Well, I can certainly appreciate your candor and willingness to include me in your plans (Never mind I approached you, right, flyboy?). I’m honored to be of service. I look forward to our future…” He paused, tilting his hand from one side to the other, searching for the right word. “Endeavors… collaborations… I’ll leave the choice to you. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

He turned to leave, but paused to glanced back, and in a loud enough voice for them to hear, said, “Oh, I’m sure it won’t matter, but the CR chambers can be… touchy. Some of my fellow Combaticons lack the dexterousness needed for such delicate machinery. If you feel an unusual burning sensation, you may want to reboot the chamber. They’re simple, but not cheap to repair, you know. Happy healing.”

Turning away, he couldn’t help but smile as wide as possible. He didn’t know why he did it, but he was curious how many of the Seekers would hand over their hard earned energon rations for him to “fix” the chamber.

I did say there were opportunities with Starscream, did I not?

Bridge

>>”Megatron is most pleased with your work on Sol-4. Starscream is to be dropped off at these coordinates, redirect current course. Report to Shockwave once you have done so. Soundwave out.”<<

Well there was the response, but it left Onslaught with a few more questions than answers.

“Well at least they won’t be in our company for much longer.” The Combaticon Commander added to Brawl’s list of grievances, a silver lining amongst the ever growing list. When Viper chimed in about it being a good show, Onslaught couldn’t help but smile behind his faceplate. Despite his frustration and anger towards the seeker commander, he had to admit it felt really good to put that winged weasel in his place. Oh well, they had their fun, now it was Megatron’s turn.

“Vortex, Blast-Off, we have our new coordinates, let’s not keep Megatron waiting any longer. Engage the stealth drive and bring us in.”

[Bridge]

Brawl wrote:”Too bad none of them wanted to brawl with ol’ Brawl. I could have used a good wrangling after the Sol-4 disappointment. I don’t think I even scored a single fragging kill!”

“Hehe, cheer up, big guy. You’ll get’cher chance soon enough,” Viper responded to Brawl’s moping, as he chuckled, “We’ll be slaggin’ ‘bots left, right and centre in no time.”

A smirk was planted on his face, and it was planted well enough. He was among some of the most brutal ‘cons around, and he sure as hell was enjoying the very thrill of their presence. They exuded fear, and that’s what he dug. Fear, in the optics of red-badged mechs, stomped under his foot, gunbarrel shoved right at their cerebral component.

Brawl wrote:”Couldn’t even get off the stupid red rock without us.”

“Darn right they couldn’t. Those seeker wings ain’t good for a whole lot, that’s for sure.” Just as he said that, a message dropped through the bridge’s comms, from none other than Soundwave himself. As the coordinates were dialled in, Viper turned to the screen in front of him, checking the scanners. “Down to the mudball, eh? Looks like the lord almighty’s got something in store for those flyboys back there. Say, chief, what do you think he’s gonna say to those seekers?”

As the ship’s stealth was engaged, and atmospheric entry began, Viper noticed something on the Obliteration’s scanners. There was the usual space debris, but there were two faint signals that stuck out the most to him. They definitely had a higher average kinetic energy in comparison to the other signals, and were both descending through the atmosphere. One was closer to the coordinates that they were headed towards, and the other was much further away. The closer signal was vaguely emitting on frequencies frequently employed by Decepticons, but the other object was, for the most part, unknown, since it didn’t emit on any special frequencies. “Huh, these look pretty darn weird. Is there s’pposed to be another ship headed down to the mudball?”

Bridge

>>”Megatron is most pleased with your work on Sol-4. Starscream is to be dropped off at these coordinates, redirect current course. Report to Shockwave once you have done so. Soundwave out.”<<

The word was given on the bridge's comm system. Blast-Off would then notice the new coordinates show up on his screen. He adjusted the route accordingly. Instead of heading back to the Thanatos, they'd first be heading to drop ol' Screamer off on Sol-3. The space warrior/pilot of the Obliteration could care less what Megatron had plans for in the case of the disgraceful Air Commander and his followers.

'Heh. Whatever it is Megatron has planned for them, Starscream's in for it.', he thought. However, reporting to Shockwave afterwards? 'What does Shockwave want with us though?' Thinking about it, last he knew, Shockwave was working on the Stunticons to make them into a Combiner. Was that it then? Were they gonna become his next test subjects? Blast-Off felt apprehensive about this. However, it was orders from Megatron himself. If Megatron ordered it, Blast-Off would oblige.

“Vortex, Blast-Off, we have our new coordinates, let’s not keep Megatron waiting any longer. Engage the stealth drive and bring us in.”

"Yessir. We're now in route for Sol-3. Engaging stealth drive.", Blast-Off replied to Onslaught, pressing the button to cloak the ship from enemy radar. Their ship would then basically be undetectible except for maybe very small, insignificant blips. The Autobot ships, if in the vicinity, likely wouldn't notice them, and the fleshling's would be completely oblivious.

However, something strange was coming up on the radar. It wasn't space debris or fleshling technology either. Blast-Off zoomed in on one, then the other. Like Viper had ascerned, one was near their destination coordinates. The other was quite far away. He growled under his breath. Viper than rang out,

“Huh, these look pretty darn weird. Is there s’pposed to be another ship headed down to the mudball?”

Blast-Off replied to Viper, "Not likely one of ours.", then he asked Onslaught, "Do you think it's the enemy, Sir?" If it was the enemy, he wanted to blast them out of the sky! That however, would be the pleasure of Brawl if it was really the Autobots.


Medical Bay

“In your service, you say?”

'You should be honored, you little cretin!', Starscream thought with menacing delight. Ofcourse Swindle was thinking the opposite. He thought that Starscream should be in his service. Oh, well that'd never happen. Deals were deals and like contracts, there were ways to break them. Swindle should know this.

“Well, I can certainly appreciate your candor and willingness to include me in your plans (Never mind I approached you, right, flyboy?). I’m honored to be of service. I look forward to our future…” He paused, tilting his hand from one side to the other, searching for the right word. “Endeavors… collaborations… I’ll leave the choice to you. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

Starscream snickered at this and replied with confident aire in his voice, "Of course, Swindle. Now, if you will excuse me, I must heal myself.", he said, leaving the Combaticon arms dealer and heading for a vacant CR Chamber. He adjusted the settings via the outside panel just as he had instructed his own crew and the door hissed open.

“Oh, I’m sure it won’t matter, but the CR chambers can be… touchy. Some of my fellow Combaticons lack the dexterousness needed for such delicate machinery. If you feel an unusual burning sensation, you may want to reboot the chamber. They’re simple, but not cheap to repair, you know. Happy healing.”

What was the little dirtpounder onto now? Starscream huffed, "Heh. I'll take my chances.", and he got into the pod and pressed the internal panel for the door to close and his own regeneration process to begin. 'He's bluffing. Nothing is wrong with these CR Chambers. Who does he think he's meddling with?!', he thought to himself. He leaned back comfortably into a resting position and turned off his optics. It had been far too long since he'd last gotten some rest. However...'Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?' He thought to himself. 'Oh nevermind, it's just my imagination.' However, the heat suddenly became intense and it tinged his circuits very unpleasantly and gave him a shock. "AAAGHH!!", Starscream screamed shrilly. He punched the panel to release himself from the chamber and he stepped out, angrilly shouting at Swindle,

"Swindle! You little...fix this at once so I can heal! I can't face Megatron weakened!", he demanded. To make sure Swindle would do as he said, Starscream begrudgingly pulled his data pad out of a "pocket" compartment and set up a transfer of credits from his account to Swindle's.

"Here! Eight-hundred shanix! Please now, Swindle. Fix this chamber!", Starscream demanded. He was running out of patience, and now money, however, he really needed to get back into optimal functionality.

Corridors/Outside Medical Bay

Once Starscream disappeared into the medical bay, Swindle hung around just long enough to see if he picked one of the two chambers he was still working on upgrading. Even he couldn’t pull upgraded parts and programs out of the thin cosmos. Though, he never intended to admit that to anyone.

It wasn’t that he intended to be malicious or anything like that, he simply wanted to prepare the Seeker for what could come. If he chose the right (or was it wrong?) one.

Of course, Swindle knew more than anyone the dangers crossing a mech like Starscream posed, but he couldn’t help himself. His new partner (What an interesting word choice, no?) needed a little humbling, and Swindle preferred other means to Onslaught or most of the Decepticons in general.

After all, why not make a profit off of a lesson if able?

Starscream wrote: "Swindle! You little...fix this at once so I can heal! I can't face Megatron weakened!"

Swindle chuckled at the Seeker’s high-pitched tone reaching new heights. He had to admit, he’d expected Starscream to come storming out of the medical bay, not remain in there wailing. But then Starscream had had a rough go of it.

Summoning what little mercy was in his programming, Swindle headed toward the medical bay. “All right, all right, I’m coming. Sheesh, I’d expect a warrior to take a little heat,” he mumbled, shaking his head and continuing to chuckle.

Starscream wrote:"Here! Eight-hundred shanix! Please now, Swindle. Fix this chamber!"

A signal beeped and he pulled out his data padd that was linked to various accounts throughout the galaxy, each one protected by a series of passwords. The account that was highlighted was his standard one he used for general purposes. It was designed to immediately transfer any credits in or out with every transaction.

When he saw the amount that had been transferred, his smile grew.

He increased his pace and entered the medical bay and smiled at Starscream. “See? This is why I’m always on the look out for new opportunities. You never know when something needs replacing around here.” It wasn’t an outright lie given how fast technology advanced even for Cybertronians, and since Onslaught and the others relied on him to acquire most of their technology, he rarely had a moment alone to scheme.

He paused at noticing which CR chamber Starscream had chosen and shook his head to keep from laughing out loud. “Um, remember when I said some of my compatriots aren’t too gentle?” He paused for dramatic effect, and while he walked next to the chamber and reconfigured it, removing the stun capacity he’d recently installed. He was also careful to erase his actions from its memory banks. “This was recently damaged when a scuffle broke out. Nothing major, mind you, but having a large mech tossed into it rarely does good for a machine as intricate as this.”

Another white lie. He saw no reason to point out it was in the process of being scavenged for parts and he’d only activated it for a potential Autobot prisoner, if they’d taken any.

“There you go. If there’s anything else I can do for you, just ask. Thank you for flying Combaticon Airways.”

He bowed and turned toward the door. Now, how to best invest my new earnings…

Medical Bay

Starscream knew that Swindle couldn't pass up a decent offering of cash. Soon, his own datapad blipped, letting him know the slimy Combaticon had accepted his funds. Growling, the Seeker Commander tucked his device away again, and he waited impatiently for the goon to do his handy work. He couldn't wait to get his repairs under way. Each astro second that ticked by was grating on all his processing power.

He didnt reply to Swindle's comments. He just huffed at him. He wasn't surprised that Swindle seemed to know exactly what to fix. He could bet that Swindle had sabotaged the CR chambers on purpose to make some money when anyone needed a little R & R. Still, when he was done repairing the vessel, Starscream said in irritation, " Thanks.", and he got back in, setting the chamber at maximum, to try and restore as much of his functionality as he could. Once he and his men would get back to the Thanatos, they needed energon. Starscream wanted a nice cold glass of energon so bad, he could taste it. For now, he allowed himself to switch off his optics and drift into sleep mode.

Bridge

“Vortex, Blast-Off, we have our new coordinates, let’s not keep Megatron waiting any longer. Engage the stealth drive and bring us in.”

Blast-Off was on top of entering the new coordinates and getting the ship headed on its correct course. Vortex brought up some planetary video feeds of the area in question. The landscape looked as ravaged as Tarn after the first uprising. No wonder Megatron would choose it.

He then looked over as there was some talk from Viper about some signal funny business.

"Huh? Whaddawe got? Friendlies? Non-friendlies? Tell me 'non'. I'm hopin' for 'non'."

Refueling Station - Bridge

Few things caused Swindle’s spark to pulse with renewed enthusiasm. One was closing a deal, the other was enjoying the profits from a good con.

The latter had proven to be easier than not, and made him wonder how a mech like Starscream had risen to the second in command of the Decepticon forces. If a little misdirection, a little working of the odds had gotten so many credits out of him, Swindle was curious as to what else he could convince the mech of.

Not that he wished ill on Starscream or anyone else. He simply didn’t view them as anything but energon chips to be moved about the gameboard or bartered against the odds of, well, anything.

With assets hard to come by, or keep, for that matter, one had to rely on their wits.

Still, he knew the mettle of a mech like Starscream, and understood he’d gotten the better of him because of his impatience and the aftermath of his endeavors on Mars and with Onslaught. The Seeker would be far more cautious in the future, but so would Swindle.

After all, one did not have the reputation Swindle had and still had inhabitants of various worlds still willing to deal with him. There was a certain… panache one needed to make a gamble sing to those unwilling to part with their valuables.

Being one that knew better than to overstay his welcome, Swindle felt there was one more opportunity with Starscream he hadn’t figured out yet, and he intended to not rest until he found the perfect one. Until then, it was time to mend a couple of bridges. Or, well, reafirm his.

With a tray full of energon packs from the refueling station, he stepped forward as the door slid open, revealing the bridge.


“As promised, gents, I brought back refreshments. Dealing with Seekers drains the energon, does it not?”

Seemingly oblivious to what was happening, he made his way to one mech after the other with his tray, taking a quick optical scan of what they were doing.

[Bridge]

Vortex wrote:"Huh? Whaddawe got? Friendlies? Non-friendlies? Tell me 'non'. I'm hopin' for 'non'."

It wasn’t long until the others started voicing their queries for the signals. “One of ‘em looks friendly. Aye, that’s one o’our shuttles. Goin’ down toward… Some mudball place called Africa. Seems legit.”

He tapped the other ping marker on the hologram, further down the globe. “That one’s not really movin’, can’t get a friendly or a none-friendly from here. Might just be one of the fleshling slaggers’ satellites. Now, I ain’t no rocket scientist, but even that seems pretty low for a satellite to stay in the air. It’d be crash ‘n burn if it were stallin’ at that height.”

As the shuttle ploughed its way through the atmosphere, Viper couldn’t help but carve a snake-like smile behind his faceplate. “Whatever it is, it probably ain’t gonna be able to last a nanoklik under fire.”

OOC: Thread is continuing in Syria until it leaves the airspace.