Decepticon Landing Platform

[SystemLink]

The look was enough to help her realize that she had forgotten to include Shadow. That helped her wrapped wings carefully slide. Though they had remained in a pinned fashion as she dared not ruffle her feathers at that, "My apologies."

She did look to the items of interest before reaching to the rear of her skirt for a few panels to slide open and a data pad was taken out. She was readying to catalogue this package just like any other. Perhaps this will ease her, doing her job. She wasn't a person able to talk through spectacles or hazards. Instead she worked and made sure things ran smoothly.

Her fingers fidgeted along the data pad as she looked between the two, at the ready. Though from disappointment grew curiosity as those hidden optics turned towards that package, wondering how lethal it was to the user... if Fauxwing wanted a mercenary to fetch something so rare. Just what was it? "Fauxwng, once the contents are confirmed, shall I escort such to it's proper storage. As to ensure the highly... Prized items are secure."

[shadowstrike]

For a moment, Shadow-Strike considered retracting from negotiations in favour of an edited escape plan. The distraction of Fauxwing reprimanding Airburst, more than tempting to take lethal advantage of. In the end though as seconds passed by, so did the opportunity, as negotiations continued unhindered. A probably safe decision, as the reprimand was quickly over only taking a bare few seconds rather than truly venting Fauxwing’s anger which would take countless more and significantly more attention of the Decepticon Commander. A sensible action considering the company.

The insult she slung his way was less rational, although more controlled than expected as he considered the lingering resentment his arrival had probably brought. Not to say that he regretted the way he’d arrived, ultimately the data he’d collected was more than worth the relationship with a single Decepticon Commander.

After all, there was plenty more that existed and for all but the luckiest the turnover rate was often just as high as the Wrecker’s due to backstabbing and powerplays just as much as conflict with enemy factions. If she remained in control upon his return, perhaps Shadow-Strike would consider properly repairing their relationship, but he doubted that would occur; her pride would kill her first. Although admittedly that was little reason to completely burn the bridge between them, so when offered the chance to salvage the negotiations, Shadow-Strike was quick to take it.

The task of bringing the cargo out after all was a rather simple operation, as Shadow-Strike tilted his helm towards the Eidolon. In the process sending out a signal that was received by the container within his ship, requesting the presence of the cargo that began heading in his direction.

A process that was significantly less complicated due to the open air-lock and lowered landing ramp, which in turn led to the container arriving sooner. With it appearing from the top of the landing ramp, the blocky form of the container was almost blatant in the complete contrast of its heavy form against the sophisticated elegance of the Eidolon. It was an ugly piece of metal, unadorned in a basic steel grey that was painful on the optics to look at due to its squat form and utter lack of joyful craftsmanship. It’s only saving grace in that regard was it was undoubtedly useful, built like a fortress the vault was only capable of moving due to anti-grav repulsors under its hull which allowed it to move from the landing ramp to solid ground without even a shudder.

An impressive sight considering the weight of the container made of numerous alloys easily numbered in the high doubles, as it came to a stop only a few steps from Shadow-Strike, allowing him to run a single digit across the central lock. The simple touch deactivating a number of security systems as it recognised the user allowing massive reinforcement bolts and locks to begin moving, twisting in and out of covered gates until the roof of the chest could be opened. Which Shadow-Strike was quick to do so. His form, in turn, revealing nothing of the sudden energy spike that originated from the chest as it passed him by and began to affect those nearby merely due to the proximity of the cargo within.

A horde of crystal shards that were only the length of a single one of Shadow-Strike’s digits but carrying significant power. Even more than the original energy signals from the Eidolon had suggested as the chest’s shielding had reduced the amount of radiation that was allowed to leak into the air to be detected. Not that it had been all that successful in preventing any interest, although that ultimately said about the power of each crystal as Shadow-Strike lifted one up, taking it gently to be placed between two digits as he raised it to eye height.

An action that took attention away from the failsafes within the vault, in particular, the explosives that lined the container and where each set to explode if their trigger was activated either as a result of tampering with the cargo or more likely if Shadow-Strike’s dead man trigger was activated.

“As requested, the crystals were acquired after native processing methods increased their potency. The result as you can tell is significantly stronger than natural strands, it is little wonder in fact that it has received so little attention. A result of the drawbacks perhaps, during my journey back I acquired a few… volunteers. They were able to confirm that the crystals can become volatile even after being consumed, even more so on a few occasions.”

Offering out the crystal to be examined further, Shadow-Strike stepped away from the cargo allowing Fauxwing to see the collection in full as well as the failsafes he’d set up. An unspoken threat that the power source she desired could be so easily turned against her if she tried to betray him.

“Although, with care I am certain the benefits would outway the potential dangers. Either way, I will be unable to receive more of these for the foreseeable future. I was only barely able to escape with this much without alerting their creators and even then another attempt would only give them more clues to follow. With that in mind your fellow Commander, Harbinger has requested my assistance in the Lilivuvian Quadrant and I accepted his contract so I shall be on my way shortly.”

[vating]

Gnitav stood by Fauxwing as he was not dismissed. No one was really speaking with him, so he simply stared at Shadowstrike, and his stare was a cold piercing one. One that might make most veterans shiver a little. It wasn't one of a threat, it was one of a mildly insane promise. His promise to Shadowstrike that if he dared open fire, he was gonna get wasted faster than he could say "My bad."

[Corvid]

Finally, the object of Fauxwing’s desire was revealed in all its glory, and the universe somehow felt like it was more dangerous than it was before. The look in their commander’s eyes were forewarning of a future wherein the Decepticons possessed even more power than that which their considerable control already afforded them. Fauxwing became instantly entranced. This was enough to warrant ignoring Airburst for the moment, as much as the order-obsessed commander would normally appreciate her officer’s attention to protocol. She wanted to savor this. She stepped forward.

Few working under the overhang of the hanger which housed the Eidolon were able to resist turning their attention to the unveiled delivery. Others in the nearby sub sections of the landing platform continued working, but could be seen trying to gauge the situation, or catch a glimpse of the package. Even Fauxwing herself was mesmerized by the power, so much so that for a moment she found herself forgetting the grievance of the deliverer, so entranced was she with her prize. When Shadow-Strike offered her the crystal he held, she reached out and gingerly took it. Merely holding it was a surge of power that made her feel unconquerable. Fantasies of the resoluteness this newfound power would bring to her rule were already being seeded within the deep recesses of her mind. This... this would secure her legacy.

“I may have told XNA and Nexus ‘order through deception,’” almost smugly, she tilted her head toward Gnitav in a side eye, taunting the behemoth. “But it doesn’t hurt to have a little raw power on your side.”
“You’ve done well, Shadow-Strike. You’ve certainly lived up to your reputation.”

It took considerable restraint to let her prize leave her grasp, but she managed it just and handed it back to Shadow. A few steps later, she had her back turned and her hands folded neatly behind her. A sign no one would recognize as her trying to strengthen her resolve.

“No, Airburst. I have-” she suddenly remembered Airburst’s question. Her back still turned, properly gauging the reason behind her sudden pause was difficult, but her tone was suggestive of a mindful attention to their unaffiliated company. “Other business with it.” Shadow mentioned having business with Harbinger, her colleague from another system. Thankfully for the mercenary, she was indifferent toward him them having business together. As long as Harbinger wasn’t planning an assassination-
“Yes, you may go. And as for your payment. Airburst, the data pad.” On one of Airburst’s data pads was a file Fauxwing had sent her in preparation for the transaction containing Shadow-Strike’s desired payment: video footage of a Decepticon unit destroying a dark energon deposit, complete with a ploom of purple smoke from the infernal substance’s demise. Airburst need only open the file and present it to him, and then this mixed bag of a meeting would be concluded. As sweet as that would be, Fauxwing wouldn’t stick around to see it through.

“Once they’ve finished, Gnitav, lug the container to the laboratory.” With little fanfare, she began to leave the landing pad. Before she left completely, however, she seemed to think better of her orders. She wasn’t sure of how literal Gnitav needed her orders to be: “Ah, and not before he has disarmed the little toys he equipped to the package. Airburst, you may join him.” Finally, Fauxwing left the landing platform with only one more glance back at Shadow-Strike. She would carefully consider whether they needed his services again.

Decepticon Laboratory

[SystemLink]

Attention to protocol had lead her to enter a mindset of utter focus. A few scampering fingers upon her datapad was heard as she catalogs a rather extraordinary blank box. A chest like nature, held by anti grav parts and had a sliding lock from what it gave at first glances.

Not even the radiance of the box opening drew her eyes away until she was done. Those eyes remained blank as her inner being was well lit in so many questions. Seems she was broken for any kind of response! So many crystals, refined and all delivered... Wonder where he got it all and how fast he delivered if it were all volatile.

Still a lingering question remained in her mind filled to the brim. Was all this necessary? So much raw power in a short amount of time! When they were setting up. Her worries grew as she wonders what the other eccentric Decepticons would do with it. Gnitav was first of her gaze to fall upon before returning to her commander. Only to hear that deception and other business was said.

The data pad stayed in her grasp a moment.

Soon enough a payment was made and carried it out. A few taps, buffering and she made sure the video was properly loaded with audio at suitable levels before showing the recording. She even added a little shake of aftershocks when the ploom rose as a sense of humor, a desperate attempt to reconnect to reality.


"So how many fail safes are within this container? Just want to know so I can gauge how... much security I have to up my game." Her attention turned to Gnitav who would help escort it to the labs. A reasonable place for them to go. What not a safe!

[shadowstrike]

From the moment, Fauxwing took hold of the crystal, Shadow-Strike was prepared for a rather disastrous betrayal created under the influence of the power she wielded in her servo.  Not that the crystal would do much to help her in a fight between them, with them so close that the consumption of it would be difficult if not impossible and it's close proximity to her, potentially fatal if her defensive movements jarred the volatile stone.  Although the second would be unlikely, Shadow-Strike assured himself as he angled his frame so he could apply the perfect combination of speed and strength into a strike that would end the confrontation before it even began if necessary.

It barely even crossed his mind that she might return it, which left him almost physically reeling when she did so, although his iron-will contained any visible reaction.  He used the time it took him to store the crystal, instead to consider the clear mistake he made in doubting her integrity.  Which left his back facing away from her, unable to see her own issues as he lowered the precious power source into a padded container, just one of the hundreds that were located within the secure chest.

In the end, it was her command for Airburst to show him the video footage of her side of the agreement that caught his attention, as he turned back towards the others, his head swiftly tilted in the other femme's direction.  Which only gave him a few seconds to examine Airburst again, before she showed the datapad and the scene he needed to see.

Soon though even that was finished, leaving only his portion of the deal to be confirmed as he began moving around the box, his clawed digits trailing the subtle designs, so finely carved into the chests shell that they were almost invisible.

"I deactivated the vast majority when I opened the chest.  Now all that remains of the original traps are the motion and pressure sensors located along the walls of the vault, which I am removing now.  As for the dead man trigger, it is located directly within the centre of the package, I cannot switch it off from range.  It would appear then that Fauxwing has given you the task of transferring each crystal to a different container.  A rather fortuitous order, for I am rather fond of this one."

[vating]

Gnitav stared to Fauxwing as she gave him very detailed orders on exactly when to pick up the box and where to move it. "I know to be careful. You do not need to give me such specific details." He then walked over to the box and watched Airburst and Shadowstrike work away at the remaining locks. He didn't exactly take the time to really understand what they were talking about, he just knew that they were doing stuff. Eventually, they got finished with all the mechanisms and he walked past them and picked up the box.

He didn't care about these power tools or the big picture, he just waited for the opportunity to destroy something comes. He was walking towards the large box to the laboratory, not really paying any heed to anyone in his path. Anything walking in front of the giant mech who looked very hostile was likely to want to step out of the way anyways.

[shadowstrike]

For less than a second, Shadow-Strike considered taking issue with the Decepticons acquirement of the crystals container, in the end, though such an action was disregarded as emotional and inefficient.  It would hardly be an intelligent move to ruin their negotiations for such a minor cause after the risks it had taken to restore things to a less hostile environment.  So with that taken into consideration, the Mercenary was quick to leave, turning back to his ship in a single slick motion that had him up the ramp in moments as the Eidolon took off shortly after.  It's pitch black form growing smaller and smaller until with a shimmer of light weaving around it the ship disappeared along with the assassin.

[SystemLink]

Airburst may join Gnitav on his task. She did so and quickly after showing the video to the previous owner. The one who disarmed a good majority of failsafes. Soon enough she was beside Gnitav with a new datapad. Already she was cataloging where this shipment was going!

Ever the busy bee around here and keeping records for her commander. Still, she made note of what power was being put into play here. What warranted such when there were no Autobots here? They were the greater military force to reckon with! Not some no siders or pirates.

[aphidly]

“This is Crescent Fortress, you’ve entered Decepticon occupied space. Please identify yourself.”

Crimson sighed before responding to the Decepticon "Crimson, meeting the Commander."

“Acknowledged, Crimson. We still need to confirm your identity, state your purpose for being here.”

But hadn’t he already? It must not have been specific enough, "I am here to discuss recent unusual bandit attacks against the Neutrals nearby."

“And who is this meeting with?”

The tips of his fingers pushed against the crest of his helm “Commander Fauxwing.”

"Your information checks out, Crimson. You may continue on your path, however we require your identification codes for a final check."

“Sent” there was no reply, just silence. That typically wasnt good. Did he send the wrong code?

“Identification codes accepted. You may pass, for now, Crimson. We’re sending you a flight path, any deviations while be met with lethal force.”

Well at least they weren't going to shoot him out of the airspace, yet. “Very well.” he gave his final reply before flying towards the given coordinates. Once landed he exited the ship, standing just under its shadow, awaiting further instruction. Perhaps he should have borrowed another ship. Possibly the only thing stopping the Ex-Autobot from being shot on sight at this point was the alterations Rust had so lovingly given the autobot insignia on the side of their stolen ship. He crossed his arms over his chest.

[The Legion]

Announcing her arrival with the heavy crunch of blast doors opening, Symphony was in little mood for conversation as she stepped out onto the landing pad.  A sneer already clear on her face as she spotted the new arrivals ship and specifically the Autobot insignia which had more than a few of the Decepticons nearby ready to fire.  With even the clear desecration of the emblem, meaning little to many of those nearby.  Symphony included who found herself just barely resisting organising a small crossfire incident as she neared closer to the freighter.  The path she took, causing her to walk by two guards who looked more trigger-happy than most which was an excellent reason for her to command their assistance.

"You two, with me.  We're meeting the new arrivals."  She demanded, receiving dual nods in response as the matching duo of tankformers began to follow, their steps thunderous across the deck as they dragged along their heavily armoured 40ft forms.  It was perhaps a surprise they didn't already have their weapons out and ready to fire, although a quick look would confirm they were more than ready to deploy in an instance.  An unspoken threat which had more than one mech moving out of the group's way as Symphony finally reached Crimson and his ship.

She barely gave the mech a glance before speaking again, hiding her impatience at being a messenger by focusing on the task at hand.

"Crimson, Fauxwing is expecting you.  I think it best we do not keep her waiting."

Then just as quickly as she'd arrived, Symphony turned around heading back the way she'd come with her guards stepping to let her by even as they waited for Crimson to follow so they could keep a watch on him.

[aphidly]

The landing platform quickly became heavy with suspicion and weariness, Crimson only glanced around, eyeing those who- if the situation turned suddenly sour- would have to be taken out first. Only armed with what was affixed to his frame the tankformer didnt seemed fazed by the guards in the hanger, he seemed rather evenly matched with most of them, out numbered yes, but unafraid. He knew the risk in coming here, and he was content with his choice no matter the outcome. The door at the other end of the landing platform opened, pulling Crimson's gaze from the wary guards.

Symphony approached, and two guards. Crimson stood still only dropping his arms from their folded position on his chest. When she spoke, he only nodded before following. As he passed the guards who were no doubt going to take the rear of this little train he nodded politely in greeting. As they neared the door, Crimson pinged Rust, letting him know that he hadnt yet been shot dead.

[aphidly]

Nexus steps off the entrance platform of the ship. He was looking forward to maybe a few minutes of adjusting to the new base. He turned back towards the others simply intending to follow them to what was most likely going to be a report to Fauxwing. As he trailed the others to the exit a familiar pitter patter of footfall resonated from behind him and he found himself suddenly activating the shield clasped to his arms as a large dark figure collided into him. There was a clatter of a blade falling to the ground and then the louder crash of a large frame following suit.

His shield was the only separation between him and a large flier, a cackle emitted from the pinned seeker and Nexus didnt budge "Have I been transferred to the same outpost as you, Highwire? I thought this place felt familiar." He stands pulling his friend up with him "How have you and your ever grumpy brother been, my dearest friend?"

[Highwire | Livewire]

Though she had been busy with a mission of her own, Highwire had managed to stay in the loop, thanks to reluctant updates from her brother. She had heard about the new arrivals to the Crescent Fortress, but one in particular interested her. She remained out of sight as her target's ship landed, the only giveaway of her position being the light glinting off something in her hand. She skulked around the ship, waiting for Nexus to depart.

He was at the back of the pack, which suited her just fine; no need to weave through the other Decepticons. With the eerie familiarity of someone who had done this many times before, she made her approach. Her pedesteps were quiet, more quiet than they should have been for someone of her stature. She tightened her grip on the hilt of her blade and lunged forward , but was met with a disappointing clatter as it was knocked out of her hand.

Even when pinned to the floor, wings pressed flat against the cold surface, she threw her helm back and laughed. "I'll get you one day." The mischevious glint in her yellow optics indicated that this was a promise. She grasped Nexus' servo as he hoisted her up to her pedes, giving him a hearty slap on the back. "Oh, he's as grumpy as ever." She casually dismissed, swiping her blade from the floor in one swift motion. "He was up to some nerd slag last I checked. The big boss summoned him to the labs." Science had never been her forte.

"I, however, just finished a mission spyin' on some neutrals." She grinned with a flourish of her dagger. She was certainly looking forward to spending some time with Nexus as she awaited new orders. "What about you? Did they kick you outta your old post?"

[Cybiscus]

During the course of the trip, XNA had recovered from her little bout of frustration. Her casual walk has returned once she steps off of the ship, passing by Nexus when she notices he was allowing everyone else to walk. Deep down, she was glad the missing was halfway done. She was eager to return the report to Fauxwing. Maybe too eager. Sure, she wanted to take another look at the Commander, but she wanted to get to her quarters. Now that she thinks about it, it’s been a while since she had the chance to charge back up to her fullest. The femme may be energetic in general, but even after a few terracycles of space travel from one place to another, even that could wear her down.

It was the scuffle behind her that causes a flick in her processor out of auto-pilot. With a swift movement, the wheels on her pedes turn her frame around, one of her arms whipping into a stun gun to point at the source of the commotion. It takes a couple of blinks for her to realize that there was no threat- only two Cons messing around. The gun recedes, her servo returning as a faint hum emits from her vocals. That cheeky smirk was back on her faceplate, gently leaning her frame to one side with a servo on her hip.

“My, you two certainly startled me there for a bit.” XNA’s optics travel to the seeker next to Nexus, the one called Highwire. She does her routine glance over the frame, though it wasn’t as thorough as usual. “I’m glad that you at least have someone to chat with now, Nexus. You’ve been so quiet up until now.” The femme hums in a joking fashion. Though, she was slightly honest about the first part. Being somewhere new was always strange for some, especially for her sometimes.