Status Report

[reallybadcop]

WHO: Barricade, Blackout
WHERE: Zone 4-ish
WHAT: Barricade feels the need to figure out why Blackout's alive/bring him up to speed on Axiom happenings...at least, from a Tyran Decepticon point of view.

Comments

[houndofmegatron]

This was one part of the city Blackout hadn't explored yet, possibly because he hadn't explored it much at all, honestly. He would say it was because he'd been too busy trying to figure out what was happening and how to get back where he was supposed to be; in fact, he was simply too stubborn for it. It felt like an admission of defeat to make any attempt to familiarize himself with this overwhelming place, a concession that he was going to be stuck here

[reallybadcop]

With Barricade's own scanners primed, it wasn't long until he noticed Blackout's approach - he returned the transmission with Blackout's own designation as acknowledgement as he stood up, panels splitting apart and pieces rearranging themselves until he stood on his own two feet.

The area he had chosen was out of the way, with more than enough room for Blackout to land and transform, but still with enough cover to avoid any other aerial units from eavesdropping. Barricade's scanners kept an 'eye' out to ensure that any ground units were well far away.

[houndofmegatron]

Blackout hovered for a moment, running a cursory scan himself--more to satisfy his paranoia than any real suspicion of forthcoming ambush or attack. Finally, he moved in to land, transforming before he touched down and settling directly to his feet.

His rotors gave an uncertain rattle as they settled against his back, but his expression was impassive as ever as he turned to face Barricade. "You have information for me?" he asked, Small talk? The word's not in Blackout's vocabulary banks.

[reallybadcop]

The only small talk Barricade enjoyed was it involved getting someone to trust him for later amusement. He looked over the helicopter...then...shook his head, though not in response to the question. He really was alive, with Scorponok if his scanners weren't lying - certainly, he understood that Scorponok had survived, but...

"What have you discovered, so far?" The better he knew so he wouldn't linger on information Blackout already knew.

[houndofmegatron]

"Not much," Blackout admitted frankly. "That the officials of this place claim that it's some pandimensional nexus? That they're remarkably close-mouthed when pressed for information." He paused, thinking over the cycles since his arrival here, but nothing of particular import suggested itself to him. After a moment, he added, "That very little is provided here for free." Then he went silent.

[reallybadcop]

"I took advantage of less aware mechs earlier on, for credits," Barricade noted, tone of voice making it clear what it meant. "If you are desperate you can find some anywhere...but recently I have taken a Megatron up on his suggestion of the fighting rings."

He went quite for a moment, then elaborated a point that no doubt Blackout would raise anyway. "There are Megatrons here - not ours. From other worlds and wars. And other Primes as well...and over five different versions of Starscream, if I recall correctly."

[houndofmegatron]

Blackout nodded, shifting his weight some on his feet. "The fighting rings I am...newly familiar with," he said; indeed, he bore fresh dents and scrapes on his exoplating, evidence of recent encounters of a violent and personal nature. "And the existence of...hn, alternates. I believe I'm already acquainted with that same Lord Megatron as you mentioned."

His rotors rattled again, though his didn't move otherwise. "Five Starscreams?" he hissed. "That I didn't know."

[reallybadcop]

Barricade was familiar with Blackout's body language; he accepted the rotors' rattle without comment, and the comment of the fighting rings. "One of them 'ours'...who still believes 'our' Megatron is dead, I believe." A stretch of silence. "I have not seen him for some time."

He changed the subject back to the alternate. "What do you think of the Megatron here?"

[houndofmegatron]

That was not positive news, and it took an effort of will to keep his rotors from chattering again and giving away his agitation. "I imagine that makes him insufferable," was all he said, remembering all too clearly how obnoxious he'd been during the long journey that had eventually brought them to Earth. "Perhaps he's obliged us and gotten himself off-lined."

He was silent for a moment, contemplating his impression of the mech he'd agreed to assist. "He reminds me of our Lord," he said finally, the words considered, "as he was in the early days of the war. Motivated, but not overzealous."

[reallybadcop]

"Perhaps. Starscream does have a habit of staying online, though."

And that was the most he would speak of him for now.

"He is...young," Barricade said slowly, considering his own words as he studied Blackout. "Inexperienced. Even as Lord Protector, Megatron knew what it took to lead an army; I have the feeling that 'Magnum', as he goes by, does not understand half as much."

[houndofmegatron]

Blackout was more than willing to leave the subject of Starscream behind. He nodded. "An impression I've gotten myself," he agreed impassively. "He is enthusiastic, I believe, but enthusiasm alone is not enough to lead effectively."

What it had certainly been enough for was to charm Blackout, although he kept that to himself.

[reallybadcop]

"No. It isn't."

Barricade was silent again, as he considered his next words. Blackout had met Megatron slash Magnum...gotten his own impressions...

"...I have agreed to follow him, for now. Have you?"

[houndofmegatron]

Blackout answered him immediately, inclining his head in a short nod again before saying, "Yes. My own investigations into getting home have been...hn, unsuccessful. He has a plan, and for now, I am willing to assist."

He glanced away, considering elaborating further, and decided that there was little reason to conceal from Barricade the information that; "He's also offered me lodging, until I manage to acquire my own."

[reallybadcop]

"As you say." It was the truth, or at least, Barricade didn't think that any one of them could get back on their own. Some might feel inclined to stay, but for here, for now? He felt that working together with the other Decepticons was his best chance.

Especially with the Autobots far from friendly towards him.

"There are a number of Autobots from here; from our own dimension, I have confirmed Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Arcee."

The fact that they were outnumbered went unsaid, but was as clear as anything else.

"...to say nothing of the humans that have come with them."

[houndofmegatron]

Blackout logged the names with another nod. "A few of them responded to my first communique," he remarked. "Although I hadn't known Prime was present as well." To be so outnumbered was bad enough, but for the Autobot leader to be present as well? That did not bode well.

He vented air from secondary cooling ducts low under his rotors in a derisive snort. "It's not the pets that concern me," he muttered.

[reallybadcop]

"He 'spoke' with me about harassing one of their pets. The Witwicky boy; the one with the glasses." It should have been clear what Barricade meant by speaking - few Decepticons survived such - but he stood with nothing but normal wear on him, and signs of repair. Though the latter could easily be explained by his fighting in the rings.

"And perhaps they should concern you, Blackout; as my memory stands, one was responsible for your own death. I would rather not such a history repeat itself."