Purple Obsidian Outpost

[Cybiscus]

The Purple Obsidian Outpost resides on a large asteroid that floats along an asteroid belt. There was a prominent building placed upon the barren surface, which was worn and shown to be in disrepair. The beacon on top of said building had been shattered, rendering its light into millions of shards on the roof. Scorching holes littered one side of the building, indicating that there was a forced entry. By whom, is yet to be discovered. Whatever precious material that the Decepticons were collecting, it had vanished; presumably taken by enemy forces. All other useful gear had been plucked from the empty storage containers and lockers. It was still quite a mess- the spilled energon from Decepticon miners were still fresh.
Not too far from the building, lies the massive entrance to the outpost's mine, which lead down towards the core of the asteroid. There is a mechanism that is used to lift up miners and materials up to the surface safely, as well as lower anything down into the mine if needed. However, the mechanism appeared to be damaged, no longer functional. Reports have stated that all of the mining equipment that lay below the surface were sabotaged, and the mine had been stripped clean of resources and the precious material that the Decepticons were digging up.

[aphidly]

Nexus watched as the ship approached the mine. He moved back towards the entrance of the ship, holding onto a bar near the ceiling of the ship as they began to prepare for landing. The frontliner looked over to XNA “Commander Fauxwing was quick to send us off on mission. Doesnt know more than what we said and the files she has on us, if she even read them.” he assumed she did seemingly not the type to overlook details. “Some of the individuals she picked seem more like liabilities, but I shouldn't question the commander’s choices.” the dim yellow and red under the mask covering his face lit up again as the ship came to a halt.



“I suppose that is out cue.” He looked back to the pilot and thanked him for flying them there, shortly before he followed XNA out and to the awaiting investigation crew. As they neared he turned to look at the interrogator, “Im not going to lie, this is a far cry from my usual work. I apologize for my lack of knowledge beforehand.” he chuckled.
Sure it was just gathering information to report back, but he had no idea how these delegations even worked.

[Compass]

From the depths of the central pit, a sleek silver and indigo jet emerged. It was cruising, moving rather slowly due to the hazardous ascent presented by the rough edges of the chasm and dangling cables left over from sabotage attempts. Well, not really attempts--they were successes. And the preliminary reports from the larger initial response force had been accurate. None of the equipment below was going to be of any use. None of it, as far as Compass could tell, was even salvageable as it had been torn apart, smashed, melted, drained, and in some instances even had vital components straight up missing. Whoever had gone down there had been as thorough as he was when he searched for any clues. Or survivors.

The jet's flight path arched, casting a shadow over the many other groups of transformers working on their assigned tasks; some salvaging, some rebuilding, and some offloading the sparkless husks of the miners. Soft hissing could be heard as joints unhinged to allow the Decepticon scout to transform back into his bipedal robot form. Aiming for one of the smaller seeker parties that milled about the Purple Obsidian, he landed with great grace owing to the fact that his cadulen and pedes were comprised of the two massive engines that provided his vehicle mode with thrust. The wing struts attached to his back also provided him with additional drag to help control his descent. He straightened himself and looked skyward at the approaching dropship before pulling his dermas to one side while the small squadron he had been charged with leading began to congregate around him. They were mostly providing him with their own reports and observations. 

Compass managed to quieten them after several painfully awkward attempts, eventually pointing up to the stopped ship that carried XNA and Nexus aboard. After that, they finally fell silent and parted to let the silver seeker through as the aforementioned pair disembarked to approach them.

Nervous as he was, Compass forced himself to exvent several times to cool his system and allow him to think a bit more clearly. That wasn't to say there was no good reason for him to be nervous; they were standing in a makeshift graveyard after all. Apart from reports that just went into more detail on what the Cons already knew had happened, he and his assigned squadron essentially had nothing. He had no new information to give, and the prospect of chastisement for incompetence was a lot more plausible than he would have liked to admit. So was the possibility that his superiors would do more than simply criticize him in harsh tones. It had happened before...

Compass gave XNA and Nexus a quick salute, silently admitting his position as leader of this scouting party. Then he held out his data pad which held all of the aforementioned information...or lack thereof. And after that, the silver, 20' tall (though short by Transformer standards) DZYNE-styled jet stood silently, waiting to be given permission to speak and direction on what to speak about.

[Cybiscus]

“I’m sure that the commander wouldn’t want to risk recruiting incompetent soldiers. She seems too precise with her work,” XNA hums in a carefree way, leaning on her side against the wall to keep her balance after following along with Nexus to the exit. Her frame bounces slightly from the ship’s landing, her relaxed stance not wavering as much as she made her way from the ramp onto the surface of the moon.

She takes a quick look over her surroundings, pulling the side of her derma just a bit to show her distaste. The femme could tell that the outpost was once a well built, pristine facility. Now, it was just a ruin of scorched metal. Who knows how long it’ll take to get everything back in order. Truly, her only concern was to make reports on the situation- if not add more onto said reports that already exist. Then, it was back to the base to retrieve whatever new mission that Fauxwing has.

XNA raises an optic ridge once Nexus begins chatting again, turning her gaze back to him to listen, debris reflecting off from her visor in the process. She then gives the mech a smirk, waving a claw a bit, “Aw, it's not a big deal. All you have to do is observe, see what’s up, and make a list to write the report down- simple,” her derma parts slightly more to show off a few her fangs, grinning, “just watch your step.”

Once they approach the group of soldiers, assuming apart of the response team, XNA’s posture begins to tense somewhat, straightening her stance into something more formal. Scanning over them all, she stares directly up at the seeker, Compass. By his position- being slightly away from the rest- he must’ve been the one leading the lot. Pretty nice set of wings to boot, too. With a gentle claw, the femme plucks the data pad from the silent Compass’ servo, “Tha~nk ya.” She turns on her heel to face Nexus once more, flipping the pad with her claw to have it aim at her for convenience. With her over claw, she raises it up to the side of her visor as she scans over the report, catching the necessary information.

“Well…everything of use has either been taken or torn apart- obviously…” Her optics lift to look at Nexus’ faceplate, biting at the inside of her derma, “From the looks of the report, it seems the ones who raided this place are concise, organized, and capable of taking down the entire outpost without raising any alarms- except for the lack of reports coming from those who work here.” XNA offers the pad for Nexus to take, just so that he can look as well.

[Corvid]

A grounder who carried himself differently from the rank-and-file of the well trained unit was accompanied by a flier, decorated in colors that were distinguished among the others around them to indicate his status as leader. He approached them, and the grounder fell in behind him. They'd been with the main team on the surface, checking the main tower and other facilities while Compass's team checked below in the mines.

"Good, you're all here. Let's get this over with." He seemed tired. Tired, and out of patience. He was a flier of average size, but his height suffered from bad posture making him appear shorter than he was; an ill effect of his current state, perhaps. "I'm leader of the initial response team. This is Carbyne," he lazily waved a hand, gesturing toward a mech- the grounder- behind him. "Introduce yourself and tell them what you've found, and make it quick." The leader turned around, placing his hands on his hips and stretching. Clearly, he just wanted to be done with this.

"Carbyne," The grounder spoke up, "a munition specialist. I'm on 'temporary loan,' you could say, by request of Fauxwing herself, and I-" a sharp turn for an even sharper glare from the team's leader silenced Carbyne, making the mech shift uncomfortably before continuing, more cautious about how efficiently he worded himself. "Ahem, well. I've examined the site to determine the weapons used in the attack. The burn and scorch marks are consistent. We're looking for some form of energy based weaponry. Various calibers suggest multiple weapons, possibly from multiple attackers." Here, the flier turned back toward them to re-engage with the group.

"Compass, is this consistent with what your team found down in the mine?"

On further inspection, most of the team looked similarly ragged. Exhausted, more like. Fauxwing had mentioned in her briefing that the outpost fell two days before, and that the response team had been sent immediately. Before that, who knows how long they'd been on assignment, at the beck and call of their commander.

[aphidly]

Nexus accepts the datapad from XNA and seems to stare at it for a moment before turning his helm to XNA again. "Yes," he pauses, seemingly unsure, "Judging from the holes in everything around us, the dead Decepticons, and the missing ore, I would say that this base, without question, has been attacked." Reading, one of his few weaknesses. "I would say the lack of response from this base was not a coincidence." it was impossible to tell if he were joking or not as he handed the datapad back to XNA. There was another awkward moment with him fighiting before the faint glow under his mask faded and he turned to XNA, "I dont think it was a Decepticon attack, but that is exactly what a Decepticon would want us to think isnt it?" he turned his helm away pausing again "Unless you wish for me to lift something heavy or break something or someone I do not believe I will be of any use here, I will stay out of your way and sit with the pilot until we depart." he saluted the group and walked away, muttering something sunder his breath.

[Compass]

In silence Compass waited, listening to the others around him chatter about irrelevant things. He had a feeling that this operation would have been a lot faster if less of this sort of idle chatter was taking place. He nodded towards XNA as she took the data pad, then folded his servos behind him while he waited.

Compass seemed less ragged than the rest of the contingent. That, or he was better at hiding his exhaustion. The latter seemed more likely as it took him a few moments to realize that he was being addressed by Carbyne and company, and a few more while he scrambled motionlessly to activate his vocal processor.

"It was--yes, sir. Identical." The silver seeker nodded to reinforce his statement, continuing to stand at attention.

His helm flicked sideways and he watched Nexus make a tactical retreat from the gathering officers. Compass saluted him back, then returned to his original position.

[Cybiscus]

XNA hums low, taking the datapad back from Nexus, raising an optic ridge, “Decepticons you say…” It’s not a wrong suggestion, but what kind of Decepticon in their right might attack an outpost of their faction? To have all the material for themselves? It sounds ridiculous, they would have all this resource in ration- possibly. Who knows, this place was hardly ever mentioned to XNA when she was in her previous line of duty. Then again, she could have been too glued to her work to hear anything. The femme looks up to catch Nexus walking away after his last statement. Not the kind of guy to stick around crowds? Oh well- no use prying at him about it. At least he can keep the pilot company.

She turns her attention to the rest of the group, lightly tapping the datapad against her hip as she listens in, letting her optics wander among all of them occasionally. Based on what Carbyne was saying, the weapons that were used are the real deal. Moving the pad into her other claw, XNA adjusts her frame to casually lean on Compass, propping herself with her free arm as she glances over the reports once more on the data.

“So, are we suspecting a team of individuals with effective weapons and minds? Some random group of pirates couldn't have done this. This group knows what they’re doing, right? Could we be looking at some desperate neutrals…or even Autobots?” The femme glances to the ground leader. XNA was starting to consider her role here. This mission has so many personnel that could make a report into Fauxwing herself. She tries to not think about it so much. Honestly, though, she would rather do…other things than listen to everyone here. Perhaps look at some remains of the miners. To see how their forms reacted to the weapons that took them down. Once again, that thought gets a push away to make room for a reasonable view- these teams were only hired, there’s no reason for them all to abandon their original posts even further.

[Corvid]

An entire group from the team paused their work for a moment to stare dumbfounded at Nexus. A pause that continued on long, far too long, uncomfortably long in fact. They took his speculation that Decepticons could have done this much less seriously after the almost comical comments he made in response to the data pad. (Had he really just said that?) They collected themselves and went back to work, however, and the process maintained at least some sense of professionalism thanks to XNA's contributions. As Carbyne's response was ushered forth by Compass's affirmation, the flier that accompanied him remained stone faced, feigning a total lack of interest in the subject.

"While I can't speak to their minds, I can tell you about their weapons. Everything I have to consider about what we've observed would lead me to conclude that they're using a very generic form of energy based weaponry. There's almost nothing remarkable about them whatsoever... ironically, it's impressive, really. I couldn't rule out neutrals, Autobots- _{and I can't believe I'm saying this-} or Decepticons. As a matter of fact, I couldn't even tell you with one hundred percent certainty that these weapons are Cybertronian." Carbyne seemed somewhat baffled with the situation, but impressed all the more so.

If there was a chance the initial response team leader was keen to join in XNA and Carbyne's speculation, he wasn't showing any sign of it. He'd straightened out a bit, if only to more comfortably rest his hands behind his head, his elbows bent outward in a pose that left him with very open body language, yet somehow still maintained the sense of exhaustion that lingered on his frame like a bad paint job. Carbyne continued,

"But yes, I think that only confirms it: no random pirates could have done something like this. It's too clean. Too- neat. These kinds of weapons aren't especially powerful, so to use them this efficiently means that we're dealing with no mere amateurs."

By now it seems the team leader would have stepped in to cut the idle chatter, but he had something else going on. Midway through the conversation he'd received a comm, and was answering off to the side of the group. He was more intent in the conversation with whoever was on the other side of the communication than he was the conversation with the people before him, and when he returned something about him felt simultaneously more alert, and more exhausted. It was like an anticipation for the object of his soon-to-be redoubled exhaustion.

"Seems to me you've got plenty to investigate, but nothing left to respond to." There was an ounce of bitterness in his tone, like somehow these two- Carbyne and XNA (and possibly to a lesser extent, Nexus)- had wasted his time. “I’m needed elsewhere. The vanguard of the team is moving on. We’re leaving the reserve here to guard Purple Obsidian until Fauxwing decides what she wants to do with it. You can stay and poke around wherever you want, frankly I don’t give a slag. Carbyne,” he paused here to give the munitions specialist who at this point Compass likely knew had been a thorn in his side for far too long a cold glare, “find your own way home.” Without any more insults flung at the group, the flier transformed and took to the skies, heading for a small grouping of ships that would undoubtedly take him back to the initial response team’s main force.

“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me,” Carbyne said with a dangerously lilting tone. The mech leaned over, crossing one leg over the other where he stood and resting an arm against XNA’s shoulder. “Wing-heads, am I right?”




When Nexus arrived back at the ship maybe he slipped up and let a hint of his discomfort show, or perhaps it was just something about the way his body language practically screamed 'I'm out of my depth here,' but something beckoned a voice to greet him, "You too, huh?" From his seat in the ship he could see the head of their pilot poking out from the cockpit in front of him. A warm face, matching the welcoming voice of its owner. He continued, "I never could get into these sorts of missions. S'pose that's why I'm a pilot." There was a pause here, allowing for a response that didn't come- at least, not at the pace that this conversationalist could be satisfied with. He leaned to the back of the ship, extending a hand to shake.

"Sorry, name's Virtuoso. I don't make it a custom to strike conversations with my passengers," Nexus would be right in doubting this, "but you seem pretty ill at ease with your assignment. Not what you expected it to be?"

[aphidly]

Nexus nearly froze when the pilot began to speak, the only sign he was taken by surprise was the slight pause in his movement before moving his helm to face said pilot. There was no response to the initial greeting as Nexus cautiously made his way up closer to the cockpit. Of course the lack of response seemed to only prompt more from the pilot, apparently Virtuoso was his name. He decided to speak, "This is what I expected entirely- an order that I cannot complete." he almost sounded distressed "I was built for fighting, that is it." he was not fooled for a moment though that Virtuoso was unlikely to strike up conversation, but Nexus did appreciate the conversation, despite not typically wishing to converse with strangers. He reached out a servo to shake Virtuoso's.

[Compass]

The silver and indigo seeker turned his helm, watching as Carbyne's superior turned away from them. He pushed his audio receptors to try and hear what was happening, but to no avail. He let his optics drift back towards XNA and Carbyne as the team leader returned.

"Sir, I--"

It seemed like Compass was about to ask something before being simultaneously interrupted by his subject of interest...and suddenly having the extra weight of XNA pushing down on his right shoulder. He grunted quietly as his frame bent, dentas gritted with a noticeable amount of effort. Amazingly, he managed to stay upright. And then Carbyne--whom Compass knew full-well had been a thorn in the team leader's side, he'd been a thorn in almost everyone's side--managed to make the situation worse. Compass's helm dipped as the other mech chose to lean on XNA leaning on him. Now sandwiched in between the two and subject to the torment of listening to Carbyne's flirtatious and ultimately futile advances, he let out a defeated groan and allowed his frame to sink even lower with the added weight.

Compass's only reprieve was the hope that, someday soon, the pair would remember his existence and courteously relieve him of the burden of supporting their bulk. In order to hasten this process, the seeker saw fit to pipe up some encouraging words.

"Um...have your mission parameters been...fulfilled? Will you be returning to...Commander Fauxwing? Soon?" Please get off of me.

[Cybiscus]

There was a look of curiosity, ridges furrowed as XNA’s gaze remains on the team leader for the moment. She won't lie, she secretly agreed with the bored looking body language the mech was giving off. She was starting to get restless herself. It was then she had almost forgotten about the extra work Fauxwing gave her and Nexus- ‘look for anything that might have been missed’. It was a possibility that the team had been going nonstop with this mission, and they might have missed something due to their exhaustion. But what else could there be? The motive seemed pretty obvious.

The femme subconsciously taps one of her clawed digits on Compass’ arm in thought, watching the team of seekers fly away. To where she didn't care. It was Carbyne’s weight that pulls her out of her mind, optics glowing brightly with a side glance to him. There was a faint whirl of ventilation, a shift in her stance to accommodate for the mech. Compass’ voice caught her attention as well- right, he was still here. Probably feeling uncomfortable with all this extra weight on him- she knows she would be, too.

XNA slides one of her pedes to use for leverage, pushing off of Compass with enough force to lean towards Carbyne, but not enough to make either one of them stumble. “That's rude of you to say things like that, seeing that our friend here can fly, too,” she hums, “can't you see how hurt he is?” Using the servo that was closest to him, the femme presses it against Carbyne’s side, her claws lightly scratching at the surface of the metal as she pushes him away gently, all while being a little malicious while doing so.

“Now~” her voice draws out once more, “is there anything that we can think of that could be important to the investigation?” Her optics dart towards Compass, bright and wide, “I assume you’ll be heading off as well, Compass?” There was a slight roar emitting from her engines- a sign of agitation perhaps? Maybe that would be for someone to believe. In truth, XNA was just restless. Standing so close to these pristine frames only made her even more curious as to how they work. Deep down, she also wanted to check out the deceased as well, to see the side effects of the ammunition that was used on them. But, she knows that she would have to stay put and head Fauxwing’s orders. Only do the things that would only be useful to the mission that was given to her- for now. "If there is nothing else to be done, then my partner and I will be taking our leave."

[Corvid]

“Oh, I’m sure good old Compass here doesn’t mi-” XNA pushed him away, causing a near stumble. His eyes narrowed at her. “-mind.” Her reply shocked him, and he did a double take. He wasn’t expecting her to play into his little game. Normally the company Fauxwing kept was more uptight than this. Easier to mess with, they wouldn’t so much as touch his antics. That’s what made Compass and the leader of the initial response team so fun- but XNA, and maybe others Fauxwing had brought in for Purple Obsidian, might be a little too much for him- he was starting to miss them already. His temporary assignment was over all too soon. Who knew what kind of an environment he’d be returning to now?

“I don’t know,” he answered XNA’s question. When she began addressing Compass, he saw his opportunity for a way out, and took it. He feigned a look to a data pad pulled from a side compartment as if to check the time, already hastily walking away from the conversation.

"Ahem, yes, well, I believe there's a meeting I'm late to..." Approaching XNA and Nexus's transport, he somehow managed to look like a wounded animal running with its tail between its legs, still making himself sound like the same jovial mech all the while. There wasn’t to be a discussion, it seemed. He just invited himself onto their transport, leaving XNA and Compass hanging.

“You know, sometimes I hear that it’s because they’re-” Virtuoso paused, glancing outside to make sure no one was coming. Seeing Carbyne coming, he resolved to whisper. _{”testing us.} Seeing what we’re good at, what needs improvement; what they can work with. If you ask me, it’s all very- oh, hey Carbyne.” Carbyne interrupted Nexus and Virtuoso’s conversation. Carbyne gave a slight nod at the pilot, and the moment the munition specialist turned Virtuoso made a gag face at Nexus. It seemed like the pilot knew him. Nexus wouldn’t know why, but Carbyne was in a much less chatty mood, only muttering the odd word to himself as he took a corner in the back of the shuttle, away from the cockpit and the seats where the pair of occupants the shuttle was intended for would be sitting on the flight to base.

[aphidly]

Nexus heard the footsteps approaching the ship, but gave little mind- his current companion seemed more concerned though, he was far more concerned with the words Virtuoso spoke and an unsettling anxiety washed over. He was simply hoping that there was a mistake made on him being assigned here. He didnt respond though outside of a nod. He turned towards Carbyne as Virtuoso greeted the now quiet mech- though he didnt react to the face making. As the footsteps grew a bit distant he turned back to Virtuoso. The ship felt a little more heavy with the seemingly ill at ease munitions specialist, so Nexus returned to the prior topic despite the uncomfortable situation "I feel disadvantaged if this is a test, the Commander would have known I have no experience outside of the battlefield." he spoke softly. "I will have to work to meet up with the Commander's standards" 

[Cybiscus]

The femme’s smirk slowly dissipates upon the silent response from Compass. It wasn’t his fault, he was merely taking a call- or that’s what it seems to look. It wasn’t her business to ask. Seeing as there wasn’t anyone else here, and that most of them were waiting for her in the transport, XNA briefly sucks on the inside of her cheek, expressing dissatisfaction. Not because of the individuals that were around her- well, maybe it was part of that reason- but it was mostly because she couldn’t take the time to look around and see the damage for herself. She couldn’t take the time to look at the remains of fallen Decepticons. Maybe if she were here by herself, absolutely. Now wasn’t the time.

After tapping a digit against her hip in thought, she lets out a vent and makes her way back towards the ship; her servos cramped up into fists that were a lot more tense than usual. She was also walking faster than normal, could be out of irritation or just the need to return to base. It didn’t take long for her to make it inside, shooting a glance towards the hitchhiker as soon as she sees him. She puts on a smile, not for him, but for Nexus and Virtuoso, her frame emitting low, grating hums, “Well, I’ll say our job is done here. Even though it was brief, we have refined details on what happened.” She takes her spot against a wall for the trip back to base, folding her arms and pedes, “Let’s get back to our dear Commander, shall we?”