Decepticon Landing Platform

[aphidly]

It had been a while now since Nexus had been dragged off by his friend, but now he was finally returning to the landing platform. He scanned the room for familiar figures, Fauxwing didnt seem to be around, so he hoped XNA was either giving the report to their Commander or was already finished. "Why does everyone have the same shape? Its impossible to tell anyone from one another. . ." he grumbled to himself before finally spotting the dash of color hinting XNA's presence. As he made his way over to her, he nearly stopped as the memory of his mistake at Purple Obsidian hit him like a tank. . . He needed to address that with her, better to not let that happen again.

He did eventually make it over to the two bots, he nodded in greeting to Strife before turning his attention to XNA. "I dont mean to interrupt, but I want to apologize for abandoning you earlier. Highwire was very adamant on avoiding Fauxwing for whatever reason. I would have gone with to give the report if she hadn't dragged me with her." he wanted to also mention the earlier occurrence at the mine, but didnt want to continue to interrupt any conversation between XNA and Strife.

Now he did what he did best, well one of the things he did best, and stood there awkwardly.

[Archivium]

I was only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred, and for some reason he thought it wise to stay right where he was, completely out in the open like this. Not suspicious at all. Apparently not, according to the first comment lobbed his way- when he had even realized it was being directed towards him, that is. His head would not turn to regard the approaching femme until she had come to a full stop in front of the crate-watchbot, and event then it was hardly a pleasant greeting; just more scowling. Had the joints in his face rusted up or stopped functioning?

Despite the clear indications that XNA trying to introduce herself on a lighter note, he was simply having none of it! "You should. Someone needed to safeguard what is likely integral supplies for this base, so it might as well be m--" The monochrome con's voice was stiff, harsh and rather muffled thanks to that plate covering his mouth, which fizzled out when he cut himself off spotting Nexus nearing them.

Clouded gray eyes squinted at the pair as Strife kept the rest of his crouched form completely still, only his head managing to swivel the slightest inch here and there as he listened in, his intense stare held between the two individuals before him. Something held his attention rather firmly at this point, when his head stopped and faced Nexus, though what exactly the crouching con had narrowed his sights on was a bit of a mystery, until that disgruntled muttering was heard once more:

"Strange blades you got there. Don't look like they reach very far. Do you huck them at your foes, then run to collect them back up?"

[Cybiscus]

XNA could only keep her flashing smile on, tilting her helm just a bit while placing one of her servos on her hip, tapping the pede she wasn’t leaning on once. My, this mech certainly has some spunk to him. Though difficult to read his full expression with that mask on, she could tell that he was filled with grouch with the amount of sarcasm dripping from his words. To her, messing with him would be fun.

Before she could make another comment towards him, the femme’s attention goes to Nexus. Her optics sparkle even more with light, her smile turning into a grin. She carefully turns herself towards his direction, gently placing her servos together, “Oh, Nexus! So good to see you~” Her voice was a bit of a sing-song, her grin showing off the one pair of fangs she had.

“Please, don’t worry about it at all. I can understand how terrifying Fauxwing can be. Besides, it’s always good to catch up with your friends, right?” She clasps her servos behind her, swaying slightly. She tilts her helm towards Strife’s direction, raising an optic ridge from what he said. She blinks a few times, a bit confused. What was wrong with Nexus’ blades? That they’re not efficient for Strife’s standards? What a random comment. XNA then remembers the important tidbit that Fauxwing had mentioned to her before. Before she almost...lost her cool.

“Oh, before I forget. Nexus. We’re going to be continuing our investigation over Purple Obsidian Outpost. We will be leaving on a ship, along with the captain of said ship, Thunderdrum- whoever he may be. We’re going to be looking for those responsible, isn’t that exciting~?” the femme hums softly, looking up towards Strife afterward, “We were assigned a guide as well, but I can’t seem to locate them either~”

[generalbri]

Making his way down the hatch bridge that connected the large purple Decepticon ship to the platform, the now caption of the ship glanced around, arms by his sides. Thunderdrum was waiting for someone or something to finally let him get started on some task. He hated just sitting around because he was still burning fuel. Red optics peered around, giving a few seconds to look at any neighboring soldier before he turned to look back to his ship. The mech decided to look and make sure there wasn't any random damage that had occurred while traveling from command to this new colony. Arms crossed and optics dimmed as he checked his systems.

[aphidly]

While the details of her face were foggy, Nexus could tell that XNA was smiling, so he smiled back forgetting about the thick black mask cloaking his face from view. He was about to respond to her comments on Fauxwing's 'terrifying'-ness by refuting the statement all together when Strife seemed to live up to his name, not that Nexus knew. Blades? What in the stars could he be talking about. Nexus was sure he looked about as confused as he felt, shifting to his other foot as he responded, "I dont really," he seemed to grow more confused "I mean, I guess they are kind of?" the offroader tilted his head.

Thank the stars, XNA seemed to save him from his own confusion. He was happy to receive new orders, though Nexus still had the same concerns as before. "I will do as the Commander orders, but I do need to tell you something about uh," he looked around to make sure no one else who had been there as he made a fool of himself was still present, "The reason I returned back to the ship early at the site." he suddenly remembered the cargo guardian next to them and looked over. The plating the other had mistaken for a blade earlier began to expand and soon enough there was an energy wall separating him and XNA from Strife. 

He looked uncomfortable "So uhh," did he look embarrassed? He hoped he didnt, but knew it was likely as he shifted his weight again, "Yeah eh, I cant read." as soon as the words were spoken the wall retracted back to his arm with a crackle. He hoped it was soundproof enough that this stranger didnt hear. Trying to change the topic back to what was important he crossed his arms "It does sound rather exciting, maybe I will actually be able to be of use." he nodded to himself mostly. Now they just had to find their escort and Thunderdrum. 

[Archivium]

Something about the way that femme was smiling at him made Strife made scowl just a little more- if that were even possible. It wasn't like she had done or said anything wrong, yet, he just had a feeling about that one. Judgment aside, when XNA mentioned she was looking for a guide, the squatting con couldn't help perking up at the implication of a possible task being assigned to him. 

"Fine, fine. If you insist, I'll assist you in this, but you'll owe me." Strife grunted. Oh, what a heavy burden to be placed to him, or so he decided to act about this opportunity.


Despite this, the scowl has miraculously vanished! Yet the mech still did not move, with the exception of his head, which had craned downward. By this point Nexus would make his move on the unsuspecting crate-watchbot, summoning the brilliant flash of energy between the pair and Strife. To say that this startled gray toned bot would be an understatement, as a sudden shriek came from the mech when he jolted backward... or at least attempted to. The will to preform the motion was present, but the joints simply would not obey as the still-squatting monochrome con instead found himself rigidly toppling over and off the back of the crate; a telltale sound of metal colliding with the hard ground below heard shortly afterwards. 

[Cybiscus]

“What? You mean you'll help us? That's very sweet of you, truly.” The femme purrs, standing even taller from straightening herself from her relaxed stance, optics set on Strife, “I'm sure you'll be compensated over the course of our journey. I'll even put a good name in for you to the commander~”

XNA turns her helm to Nexus again, letting it tilt as soon as she hears that he wanted to address something. She stays quiet to listen, her smile slowly disappearing the more she caught on his tone. Mostly the body language. It was painfully obvious that something was amiss. Her suspicions were confirmed when the mech brought his shield out. She blinks once: ‘I can't read’. She didn't even get the time to respond to that specifically before the shield was dropped and Nexus was already onto the next subject. Interesting….

“Ee- Yes, I'm sure you will do well on this mission. I'll certainly be rooting for you~” XNA’s smile returns again, avoiding the subject that happened before. Yes, the femme might be strange, but she knew when to not dwell on anyone's imperfections. To her, really, everyone was perfect in her optics one way or another. She saw everyone as beautiful...in more ways than one. And speaking of everyone…

She noticed that Strife had vanished, comically unaware that the poor mech had fallen. This causes a few clicks from her winglets, “Well…” she then takes a look around, eyeing the platform, “I think it's about time we get going, fellas~ we have our orders. Just need to see where our captain is now~” she scans the area for a few seconds, humming lightly to herself, putting her visor to work. Her gaze stops on someone in particular. There was no mistaking it, it was the same four-legged Cybertronian from before. He was just about halfway across the platform from the group. She couldn't help herself from just staring, looking over the joints on the legs, wondering how they operate, how this model and frame even came to be.

How exciting would it be if this were the captain~?

She reverts her visor back to normal before motioning to the mechs with a wave of her servo to follow- not really concerned if Strife sees the motion or not. With her back straight, XNA walks on over towards Thunderdrum, looking relaxed and comfortable overall. After making the easy trek to the mech, the femme defaults to her idle stance, still beaming her smile everywhere. "'Scuse me, sir? You doing alright there? You've been standing still for quite some time now. Waiting for someone?"

[generalbri]

The quadruped hadn't moved even as they approached until the femme spoke. His optics flickered back to bright as he looked down at the femme that only barely reached his chest in height size. The mech bowed his helm, being polite as that is what he preferred to do. "I am doing fine, thank you. Just waiting, yes. I am waiting for the team that the commander has assigned to me. She didn't give the details of who I should be looking for though.." He frowned, looking her and the others over, "Would you happen to be that team?"

[aphidly]

Nexus still looked mildly uncomfortable, but every moment seemed to make him calmer. By the time the small group made it over to the large bot Nexus had returned to his normal semi-confused looking state. He was quiet until Thunderdrum responded to XNA. "We are the team, yes. I am glad we were not the only party not given full information." Nexus looked over to XNA realizing she probably should have answered. Oh well, too late now.

Now they just needed their escort. . . Or was that Strife.

Goodness, Nexus was confused. 

[Archivium]

The crate Strife had been so dutifully guarding paid off, as it safeguarded him in his fumble and allowed him a moment of gracious concealment to finally unlock his stubborn joints. As soon as he was able to move, the monochrome mech was up and rounding the corner to join the pair of bots who had recruited him; sneaking in behind them hoping neither would notice his tardiness-... The behemoth of a mech that they had halted before might have, however.

The mech froze, staring forward unblinkingly. He'd be lost for words at this point, so he'd opt for being Nexus' silent shadow for now. 

[Cybiscus]

The femme makes a side glance to Nexus, who had just answered the question. She then clears her vocals, smile vanishing to reciprocate everyone else’s expressions, servos clasping behind her back as she gets a little more serious. Hopefully, everyone else will take her seriously, too.

“Good. We seem to have found everyone needed.” Her optics fall back on Thunderdrum, though she was addressing to everyone at this point, “I’m sure we all know what our main objective is. We are to find whoever was responsible for the attack on the Outpost, and dispose of them, as per Fauxwing’s orders.” Now, XNA turns her frame to the side, taking a few steps back to now have all three mechs in her view. Her optics glow ever more so under her visor.

“We also have our guide who, will be directing our course throughout the sector,” XNA motions a servo to Strife. “As for the next steps that we should take, we can plan them on the ship, and get ourselves moving. But first-” the femme’s attention trains up at Thunderdrum once more, “I’m certain we will all need a tour of your ship?” She raises an optic ridge lightly.

[generalbri]

Watching each member of this new team, he noticed the tiny details, but Thunderdrum didn’t dwell on them. For now, he needed to see who was suppose to me in charge.

And femme answered that. The stance and how she addressed the group were noticeable. The mech bowed his helm, gesturing to the hanger. “I’ll give a quick tour while the ship prepares for departure. It will be nice to move again.” Thunderdrum was tired of sitting still, in both bodies at the moment. He did let out a hum, “And dispose huh.. is the commander against prisoners, or torture?” The mech couldn’t help a small smirk, guiding them up the ramp to enter the ship.

[Backbeat]

One of the flight deck's crew wanders over to the groups discussion. 

Did I hear prisoners?

The fight deck work's form fades away, revealing NeVor in one of her holographic disguise. She waves at the assembled Decepticons.

"Can I join the tour group? I've been off duty since the last group of prisoners we had was executed. "

She gives a friendly smile. She was bored, and until that was solved or her leader gave her something to do... She was on break, not that she considered being a Decepticon a job, it was more like an artist working excursively for a patron.

[aphidly]

As XNA referenced to Strife, Nexus did take a side step as said bot was behind him, though he did offer a comforting pat on the shoulder to the now exposed mech.

Nexus didnt see the new figure approach, he did hear footfall though. He gazed over as she shifted back to her natural dark coloring, he didnt say anything and instead looked to XNA and Thunderdrum, removing his hand from Strife's shoulder to rest on his hip, still staying quiet. He hoped someone else knew who this stranger was.

[Archivium]

The monochrome con quietly listened in behind his newly acquired cover, arms crossed in front of of him and when he felt brave enough to peek around Nexus, he'd have a look over the grand vessel they would be boarding. For how impressive of a sight it was, gazing upon it only seemed to intensify that scowl of his. This troubled state had not gone unnoticed it would seem, as Nexus soon stepped aside and before Strife could pull himself out of his trance, a servo was placed on his sleek graphite tinted shoulder guard. 

This was enough to make the smaller mech jolt, redirecting his scowl onto the one who had dared show him some compassion, as the shoulder was yanked away a moment later accompanied by a disgruntled ex-vent. "Enough with the pleasantries, let's get a move on already," he practically barked, stiffly marching forward then and past the others so he could board the ship; if he was not stopped outright.