Borealis Station

[Corvid]

Hands balled into fists. Well, this is just great, he thought. Looking for 'em, I find this piece of work. There was always a risk associated with searching for information; when you're willing to pay money for information on something, the ones you're buying from associate that information with having a higher value. But this...

Blast, why did the Astrobots have to go and get caught up in the war? To catch the attention of a professional killer like Shadow-Strike, working with the 'Cons no doubt- what are you guys thinking?

"Yeah. A real shame." Graphene's own growling grimace wasn't so conveniently hidden by a mask. If Shadow-Strike was feigning smugness to illicit a response, it worked. And when the threat came through, it took all he had to keep from socking him right then and there. Not a good idea. This guy's bigger 'n you, and trained to kill. Then, Shadow-Strike didn't scare him. He might have even taken a shot at him, if not for...

Graphene glanced behind him at Swiftcut. She was shooing away some winged things. Didn't seem to like them. His palms eased open. He looked back to Shadow-Strike.

"Heh. Stick around and maybe you'll find out," he said. Without taking his eyes off of Shadow-Strike, "Come on," he called back to Swiftcut. "We're leaving."

[Cybiscus]

There was a twitch of one of her antennas, catching Graphene's voice as she turns her head, eyes wide and attentive, "Coming-" With a last, quick flail to shoo the creatures away, Swiftcut moves from her spot and walks up behind the mech she accompanied quickly.

"Did you get anything? Did they know where they-" the Aulveni's questions cease, noticing that something was amiss when she was closer. She leans her body over to one side to peek around Graphene. A tremble of an antenna and she lifts her gaze up to catch the optics of the towering mech in front of Graphene. Her mouth closes immediately, starting to feel the tension between the mech's even more now.

Almost falling over from leaning too much, Swiftcut gets her balance, hiding behind Graphene a little more now, her gaze staying on the assassin with immense caution.

[shadowstrike]

Focused on Graphene, Shadow-Strike's blood red optics observed the other mechs form carefully, as his frame shifted ever so slightly until he was ready to move in an instance if a fight was to occur. One that would have to be decided in an instant, with the crowds close enough that any prolonged battle would surely drag others in either as bystanders or wilful participants. A danger in this area neither mech particularly wanted though both were prepared for as the blades of Shadow-Strike's gauntlets prepared for action, each ready to release in a single decisive strike that would silence any commotion before it could begin. Since here even his own reputation might do little for the disreputable and foolhardy willing to pounce on an unsuspecting victim.

All the same though it was a little disappointing to watch the fight die out in the mech, once he turned his optics to his current companion. An ample reason for Shadow-strike to find himself assessing the Aulveni again with critical precision which was barely hidden with what appeared a careless glance at the femme.

"Interesting, I was not aware you picked up any more crew, Councilor. Now I only wonder how you found yourself with an Aulveni of all races... particularly one of her kind. I'm sure the secrets you hide from each other must be fascinating."

[Corvid]

"Councilor? Psh. You've got the wrong guy."

Already turning away from Shadow-Strike, sure to put himself between him and Swiftcut in departure. A firm hand in the center of her back ushered her forward with urgency a bit rougher than Graphene had intended, but it got the point across.

"You know me about as well as you know my crew, Unicron-fanboy. Not that either is your business." Not even sparing a glance over his shoulder back at Shadow-Strike, content to let the insults fly in transit.

Graphene had managed to hide his surprise at Shadow-Strike's familiarity with Swiftcut's race, though. A small victory to atone for many blunders. He knew he'd said too much from the beginning.

[Cybiscus]

As soon as she hears Shadow-Strike comment about her race, Swiftcut’s antennas perch up high. Her brows were furrowing a little bit as she leans out more from behind Graphene. Was this really another one of those Cybertronians? Was he implying that because of her bio-make, she was inferior? “What is that suppose to mean?” She pipes up again, her antennas starting to rattle. How did he even know who she was? She hasn’t seen a single detail from the crowds of her kind, and yet he was able to recognize. That alone only brought frustration to start welling up inside her. Unfortunately, she had no idea who Shadow-Strike exactly is. Not once has anyone mentioned the mercenary to the Aulveni, and has no clue that she was now snapping at him.

But now, she blinks once, the once vivid emotion of malice washing off her face. Counselor? What was he talking about? The Cybertronian word itself didn’t come as clear as it should, but she caught enough of it. There was a click of a surprise then as she felt Graphene’s servo against her back, stumbling only a little from the unsuspecting push to get her moving; to which she quickly catches her footing. Without saying another word, Swiftcut starts to move along to Graphene’s wishes. However, she was beginning to consider what Shadow-Strike had said before, and her own goal. Does he know where other Aulveni might be? If there were more of them out there, maybe they could be more of an assistance to her. She wouldn’t need to be taking up space on the Abysmal Passage. If he knew where they were, then maybe…

[shadowstrike]

The reaction of Graphene was expected, after all Shadow-Strike's words had been chosen in a way that they could be easily overlooked or mistaken by the mech in part, hiding the link in hindsight to furthermore damning accusations if necessary. It was clear from such a response then the neutral had taken his address as a mistake, an error made without the proper understanding and one he could ignore. Though the same could not be said for Swiftcut, confusion and surprise showed in equal measures without the information to confirm or deny the title it wasn't one she herself could simply disregard. In turn creating a wedge between the two, the Assassin was more than willing to pry open if forced... or beneficial to his own goals.

The simple insult from Graphene after all was sadly not such a reason to force the wedge, though interesting in the fact he knew Shadow had some interest in Unicron and cults of the chaos-bringer, it still lacked any real danger. Since his remarks where merely an observation those who followed his reputation could track, even if the bodies that often followed soon after suggested less of an interest and more a vivid hate. In that regard, a simple assessment of his own buried emotions confirmed their was some anger with the comment but intelligence and maturity tempered it, reducing which might have been a fight to a desire to continue the conversation.

"Leaving so quickly, Graphene. I didn't realise the lady wished to leave so badly, yet I suppose it's always been in your nature to make decisions for others." He said, voice conversational as a simple alteration of his vocal chords allowed it to carry without raising to a shout across the crowds.

[Corvid]

Their departure cut Shadow-Strike's taunt short. Graphene wasn't the type to stick around and let some loony talk down to him, much less give them the satisfaction of a reply.

"Doesn't mean anything," he said without looking back, toting Swiftcut along with a stronger grip on her wrist than he intended. On their way back through the same alley Shadow-Strike had used to get there, Graphene just heard the tail end of the mercenary's response over the background noise of Borealis.

[Cybiscus]

Swiftcut could only follow along with Graphene as she was pulled along, worry in her eyes as she notices the grip on her wrist, but says nothing about it. However, she was able to catch the last sentence from Shadow-Strike, her antennas twitching with even more concern welling up within her stomach. What he said...it sounded nothing like Graphene at all. Sure, she could dismiss the mercenary as being someone who was just insane, she still couldn’t ignore how Graphene was reacting to him. Why were they leaving so quickly? It’s not like violence was allowed on Borealis, right? Would that had stopped the two from getting into a tussle if it did come down to it? Once the both of them enter the alleyway, her gaze lifts up to the back of Graphene’s frame before her voice trails out.

“Decisions for others... what did he mean by that?”

[Corvid]

"I don't know. I've heard stories about Shadow-Strike, but the real thing-.." His already-tight grip went into a vice as he turned to face Swiftcut, the same fire in his optic as when he'd fought Asir. Only now would she notice that his chest was heaving like back then, too. Was it... adrenaline?

"Heh, most notorious mercenary this side of the cosmos, and he had to show up here." His voice was harsh, but wavering with uncertainty. Something about the encounter had Graphene shaken, and only now- now that they weren't face to face with that mech- was it showing. "We're lucky to be alive."

[Cybiscus]

The look in Graphene’s optic was...concerning. His whole body language, and the vibe to him. It was beginning to shake Swiftcut to the core. With how the mech was reacting to Shadow-Strike previously, compared to now, it only made the Aulveni panic internally. But, the best thing to do, at least what she thought, was to try and remain calm. But, that was proving to be very difficult. She almost wanted to curse to herself for her sudden outburst that was aimed at the mercenary. She was completely ignorant, but…

“Who is he? You look- terrified. Why?” A wince from the female then, looking at her wrist in his servo, muttering, “Graphene- your hand-”

[Corvid]

Chest heaving harder, Graphene looked down, almost unaware of his grip on Swiftcut until now. Immediately upon it being brought to his attention, the grip loosened, even a bit harshly.
“Shadow-Strike. He’s no one, he’s just a bounty hunter. A dangerous one. An infamous Unicron fanatic with a lust for his purple ichor.” Even in the eyes of an Aulveni, he was clearly lying. Graphene couldn’t help it.

“C’mon Graph, you’re better than that. You know that’s not true.” A voice came from behind them. As Swiftcut turned to face it, she’d find the familiar and friendly face of Correlator. Different from his usual self, though. Instead of the usual whimsy to his voice, it had a pain of sorrow to it. His eyes were similarly melancholic, almost apologetic as he locked eyes with Swiftcut.

“She deserves to know, Graph,” he spoke softly, as much to her as to him.

Graphene didn’t turn, but seemed to soften somewhat. At least the heaving of his chest had ceased.

“Let’s head back to the ship. We’re almost done refueling, we can head out whenever.” Correlator hung an arm around Swiftcut’s shoulder, giving a comforting squeeze before letting her loose.

[Cybiscus]

Swiftcut’s stare never wanders from Graphene. Even after turning to glance to Correlator, her eyes stick right back to the ship mechanic in front of her. The area under his grasp pulses a bit as soon as his grip loosens. For some time, while both mechs speak, she was silent, overtaken by shock. Graphene had tried to lie to her- and she definitely caught on by how his body language looked. Even if they were purely assumptions from the beginning, Correlator had cemented it to fact. “You tried to lie…” it was merely a whisper, said under her breath, and really, she didn’t care if either one of them heard her or not.

The attempted lie was dismissed almost immediately afterward, not speaking further on it, not on the topic of Shadow-Strike at least. Though, the rest would come later, would it? What did he mean by deserving to know? What was it even about? Should she even ask? Why would she care?

Caring...that question always pops up in her mind. She questions herself constantly if anything related to the Cybertronians was her concern at all. But, she was pulled out of her thoughts, for now, the weight of Correlator’s arm making her jolt slightly before nodding. “Right...let’s head back.”