OOC Post: RP Log from Red Alert and Inferno: "Aftermath"
Leaning back in Blaster's chair, Inferno took a moment to just...stare at the ceiling. Tired, frustrated and more than ready to call it quits after everything that's happened in the last few days, he was more than happy when heard the door opening. Turning, he saw Streetwise on his way in, the Protectobot looking better than most of the mechs Inferno's dealt with in just the last few hours, alone. "Hey, Streets... Good to see ya back, buddy." The Protectobot nodded as he approached. "Blaster is still in bad shape, so I've asked to take your place in the meantime. Time the group who got left here took some time to recover." Getting up, Inferno managed a lopsided grin, letting the other take his seat. "Definitely could use the down time... Thanks, Streets." "Don't mention it. Now go take a break. You look like you need it."
Down in the brig, Red Alert was *still* sitting, and stewing... keeping a wary optic on the monitors... watching the 'bots move about inside and outside... shift replacements *finally* coming for some mechs... things FINALLY winding down a little...
.o(won't be for long, though... with our luck. Just the eye of the storm, I bet. More stuff ... more chaos will come. We'll never get to rest. Of all the GOOD any of our preparation does. Huh. No good. No good at all..)
Heading out into the hall, Inferno let the door slide shut behind him before allowing himself a deep, tired sigh. Idly, he wondered when exactly things around base went from fun 'n' games to a complete mess, with Decepticons letting themselves in and out on a regular basis. I just hope that now that Prowl 'n' Jazz are back...things calm down a bit. .....slag, listen to me! Can't believe me of all bots just thought THAT... I must be tired. ...never gonna give Blaster any slag about the job HE'S got. Heading down the hall, the big red mech wondered if Red Alert is still on duty...then shook his head. If no one's gone to kick the smaller mech out of the brig, he'd more than likely still be there. Thus, Inferno headed that way, merely nodding to those he met along the way until was he standing before the locked brig door. Hitting the comm button on the outside, he leaned down a bit to direct his voice into the speaker. "Red... Ya still in there?"
With his gaze on the speakers, Red Alert was well aware of Inferno heading this way. Sighing tiredly, he took a sip at the can of low grade he'd nearly finished, by now, too tired to MOVE much, having leaned back in his chair in an uncharacteristic position, feet up on the console. He lifted one foot, carefully tapping the button to activate the intercom with the back of his heel.
"Yes, I'm still in here, Inferno... Not much else for me to do, *really*..." he grumbled out. "I seem to be redundant. At least I can still *watch* stuff... seems all my job _is_, at the moment..."
Inferno sighed again, frowning. "Ya sound like someone just dragged you through a load'a mud and slag. ....gonna let me in, or do I hafta break the door down?"
"I feel WORSE than that, Inferno... And don't you dare! We have -enough- problems... enough damage... without any of _us_ willfully ADDING to it!"
Not having the energy - or *desiring* to move much again... Red tapped the door-lock release button with his heel again, before letting out a long, slow sigh, then finishing up the energon in the can... leaning further back in his chair, head tilted back in order to see the waste-receptor behind him, and toss the can into the recycler. It was a testament to his good eyesight that -- even tired and viewing it pretty much upside down, Red was able to make the "basket". Either that, or a rare stroke of sheer luck.
Managing a weary chuckle, Inferno entered the brig as soon as the door opened. "Was only jokin' 'bout the door, Red. I don't think I'd have the strength to break it down, right now." Moving up near the security director's chair, the larger bot parked it on the floor with a grunt, leaning back against the near wall and unsubspacing a can of energon he'd been saving until he was off shift. "So what's eatin' you? Other'n bein' worn out, I mean...'cause ya look terrible. No offense, buddy."
"None taken..." he grumbled, sitting back up a little...or at least, not so far back that it wasn't making him dizzy. He let out another sigh, slumping a little further down in his seat. "It's just... EVERYTHING, Inferno!" he said bitterly. "No matter *WHAT* I seem to do... it doesn't make any. slagging. DIFFERENCE! I... I try, and try, and _try_ to safeguard the Ark, but... but we still get breakins... the Decepticons walking in WHENEVER they slagging well please... We're split up to the four corners of the continent, almost, dealing with various attacks... We're getting our *afts* handed to us... and... and no matter WHAT I do... it makes no difference. I *try* to protect 'bots... do my job... and disasters keep happening... I keep getting IGNORED by certain' 'bots... They go running FOOLISHLY out... right into danger... I can't do a slagging THING about it... Primus!"
Through his rant, his voice had increased in volume, hand motions becoming more agitated. Once he was done, he sat back with a huff, and a sigh of systems cooling, slumping in his seat.
Inferno frowned, popping open the can in his hand before taking a long pull off of it. "Well... Can't always keep after it all. Yer only one bot, Red... Just gotta do what ya can an' it'll just have to be enough. 'Course, things'a been a little off anyway, what with Prowl and the other officers runnin' off to tail 'Cons all over the place. Gotta admit, that's not the norm 'round here. But now that everyone's gettin' back in, maybe we can see 'bout patchin' up the holes to keep the 'Cons out, better. ....I mean, this slaggin' place ain't got no door on the front of it, for Primus' sake." He chuckled a little bit, shaking his head before taking another drink and continuing. "As for bot's runnin' out foolishly... Can't control 'em, buddy. They're gonna do what they're gonna do because it's their choice, even if it is downright stupid of 'em. Can't blame yerself if they get hurt 'cause of it."
Sighing, head bowing, he brought his hands up to hold the sides of his head. "I know..." he mumbled weakly. "I know, I *understand* that, Inferno... Logically, at least. These weren't normal circumstances. But... *STILL*, Inferno... All I -do-... all I _can_ do... and it's not enough. I've gone through the Ark's security systems so many times... reinforced everything I *could*... double... triple ways, some times... and... and... Primus. It's still not enough. ... Then, yes... there -are- the 'bots that just... RUN into trouble...." Leans back a little again, sighing tiredly.
"Know yer tired'a hearin' it, but I think you need some time off. 'Specially after all this. Gonna worry yerself right into a malfunction. I mean, like I said...ya do what ya can. If ya can't do anymore, no sense worryin' 'bout what CAN'T be done." Leaning back a little himself, Inferno made himself more comfortable, slumping against the wall and resting one arm across his midsection, optics half shuttered. "What's this 'bout bein' 'redundant', anyway?"
Groaning, Red's hands slid from the sides of his head... one draping over his waist, the other pinching the bridge of his nose. "Nnngh.... everyone keeps saying that, yes... but -this- time... THIS time I'm ready to listen. I feel ready to *drop*. Right here and now, Inferno..." he muttered. He lifted his head, faintly, peering over at his friend. "Nnnnngg... something Prowl said, over the secure comm. About taking some 'time off', to recharge and rest... That things would be 'handled'... I didn't have to worry. Then, *just* now... those new Autobots arriving... Primus help me, I don't know *where* they came from, but..." The red and white mech trailed off, shaking his head. "... I was just... ignored, there. Everything was well-in hand... and OUT of hand... No one really seemed to even -notice- me... I wasn't needed there. Not neccessary. Useless."
"I think everyone who stayed here ta deal with things is gonna need time off, now," Inferno responded throughfully, idly swishing the contents of his energon can. "As for 'useless'... Heh, don't wanna hear you usin' the word in regards to yerself. You were pretty much in charge here when Ratchet went down. An' the place is still in one piece, isn't it? I realize a lotta bots pitched in on everythin', but you were at the center of it all part'a the time. I sure as slag couldn't've done what you did. An' like I said...can't cover everything. Probably better ya didn't get saddled with handling the last incident, tired as ya are."
Red Alert shook his head. "I... I wasn't 'in charge' of anything, Inferno. I just did what I -could-... trying to keep the Ark secure... and pretty much _failed_ at that. I didn't *lead* anything... give any -orders-, or any such. All I could do was _react_ to what was being thrown at me." He paused, then shook his head again. "I'm glad you were there, though, Inferno... on the comm lines. YOU really helped keep things together. More than what I could have done, certainly. I don't... think of what I did as anything... special..." he mumbled, looking away.
Inferno frowned, intakes letting out air in a heavy sigh. "...ya put yerself down too much, too often, Red. Seriously. I mighta been in Blaster's chair, temporarily, but he coulda done a far better job... An' what would have my job've been without you workin' in here? Yer just takin' yerself for granted." He shrugged and shifted his weight a little, the tone of his voice matching the sincere expression on his faceplate. "Yer one'a the best bots we got here for security. Don't go thinkin' yer so easy to replace. ...won't have any of it, Red. I just won't."
Curling up a little on himself, bringing his knees to his chest and resting his feet on the edge of the console, Red Alert looked over to the large, red mech. "..... thank you, Inferno.... That means a lot to me. Honestly, it does..." he said in a small, soft voice.
"Well...someone had ta say it... Might as well've been me, right?" Smiling a bit, Inferno dropped his gaze to the floor, looking thoughtful. "Don't mean to...to get all 'mushy' on ya, either, but glad I could help this time. ...know I'm not the most responsible guy, sometimes, but I try. ...an'...sometimes I just think back to what happened the last time, if ya know what I mean.... Bot's gotta have someone to watch his back, ya know? An' dunno who those guys are Prowl brought in, really, but they ain't gonna replace the original dynamic duo'a search an' rescue, here." Forcing a grin, he looked up at his old friend again, hoping what he had to say would serve to cheer the security director a bit.
"I'm glad you were there, Inferno..." he said softly. "I'm... glad you were there to watch my back. It made me feel better, knowing you were there, helping me... manning the comm lines... keeping them organized." He paused, then continued in a softer tone. "We... _both_ learned some valuable lessons, that day..." A very small, tired smile then crossed Red Alert's face.. and the mech lifted one hand, forming it into a fist, and reached out, pointing it knuckles-first towards his friend. "We're teammates, Inferno... partners. I know I can count on you."
Inferno nodded, sitting up and reaching out with one hand, as well...tapping his metal plated knuckles against those of his long time friend, tone still soft. "Partners...'til the very last breath through th' ol' intakes." He then offered the other a lopsided grin and a wink at that. "..........besides... Where would they find a pair crazy enough to want our jobs anyway, huh?"
"To the very end..." he echoed, softly. Red Alert then chuckled lightly, sitting back a little. "No sane 'bot that knows what they'd be getting into, that's for sure..."
"Ah, I think things'll settle down soon enough, anyway." Sitting back again, Inferno took another drink from the can in his other hand. "....we got smacked 'round some, but so did th' other side. I say give it another day or so an' the only explosions we'll be hearin' 'll be comin' outta Wheeljack's lab, matched only be all the cursin' comin' out the medbay"
Settling down with a sigh, another chuckle slipped past Red Alert's lips. "To get back to that... the.. 'normality' of the Ark. I hope it'll be so. It just... never seemed this -bad- before..." he mumbled, frowning a little, returning his gaze to the monitors. "... our luck doesn't seem that good, lately..."
Inferno shrugged. "Depends on how ya look at it, I guess... I mean, on th' one hand, it sucked vaportrails that we had Devastator slam dancin' on our boys out front. On th' other, coulda been a slag of a lot worse. ....I think the 'Cons made a huge mistake givin' up Jinx. Heard what happened with that over th' lines. Crazy thing...that shot from big, purple, green an' ugly just dissapatin' into thin air. An' hey... we didn't lose anyone."
Red Alert moaned softly. "_PLEASE_ don't say stuff like that, Inferno... because the next thing we know, things *will* get worse. It's bad enough, as it is... 'bots injured... *Ratchet* badly injured... It could have been worse, yes... and thanks to Primus it -wasn't-... ....but it was bad enough," he mumbled, softly. "...I don't know what to make of Jinx... .... A mystery, that one..."
"Aw, so cool yer engine off a bit while ya got the chance. An' gotta try to look at it as...um..." He paused, thinking on something. "Slag, what is it Spike an' Sparkplug'er always sayin'? 'Glass half full, not half empty'? Yeah, I think that's it... So just take that time off for a day or two an' be ready for next time 'round. I know it ain't pleasant -thinkin'- 'bout that next time, but it'll come whether we want it to or not. An' hey... All these new bots comin' in...just means more hands ta help. Chanah, RedRum, Finch...and even Jinx an' those two new guys Prowl called in. ....'sides, I have a feelin' if we worry 'bout ol' Ratchet too much, that ol' bot is gonna make sure every single one of us gets a good smack upside the head for it."
Sighing, Red Alert managed a wan, half-smile, waving his hand absently in the air. "Yes, yes... everyone keeps -telling- me to relax. I'll listen to them. _This_ time. I still can't help but worry, though. And yes, I -am- thankful for these new recruits... I just pray they'll be enough..." He paused, glancing at Inferno... then chuckled at the last comment. "He is... quite the character, isn't he...?"
"Always trompin' around, yellin' about how one day he'll just kill us all himself an' save the trouble, yeah." Inferno chuckled, as well. "Dunno why he bothers with it all, anymore. Everyone knows what kinda mech he is, 'else he wouldn't be our CMO. Takes all types, I guess."
"It does, at that..." said Red Alert softly. He then stilled, for a brief second... optics powering down against his control, chin dropping to his chest... before he snapped his head back up, optics powering up again. Groaning, softly, Red Alert raised a hand to his face again, tiredly rubbing closed optic shutters. "nnn... I'm -hoping- things calm down... that we -can- rest for a while..."
With a low grunt, Inferno forced himself to his feet, finishing off what was left in his can of energon. "....think may ya oughta call Groove or maybe Bumblebee in here to take yer place for a bit, Red. Much longer, you'll probably pass out on th' spot. As is, I might have to haul yer aft outta here jus' to be sure ya make it to yer quarters, from the looks of it."
Stretching his arms above his head, extending his back in a stretch he'd picked up while being on Earth, Red Alert let out another aqquired trait, yawning deeply. "Groove, then... I saw Streetwise spell you off. I'm certain Groove wouldn't mind taking over my shift. I'll give him a call, now.."
Inferno grinned a bit before pitching his can in the waste disposal unit. "...guess that saves me th' trouble'a grabbin you by yer ankles an' draggin' ya down the hall........out cold'er not. Heh."
Swinging his legs down, Red Alert sat up straight, rocking foward with the motion, hands tapping at the controls. "Red Alert to Groove... if you're not currently occupied, could you come down to the brig, to take up a security watch?"
After a moment, the Protectobot replied in the affermative, the quiet, laid-back 'bot arriving shortly. Just before the mech arrived, Red Alert stood, shooting his taller friend a dry look. "That... -won't- quite... be needed..." he said... the rebuttal loosing something, however... as Red's systems nearly slipped into involuntary recharge while he was standing up, this time. "Nnggh... you'd scratch up my whole back, doin' that..." he muttered.
"Whoops, watch it, there..." The big red mech reached out with one hand, his palm resting against the other's back to help steady him. "Ya go down here, an' I WILL be carryin' ya out, one way'er another." When Groove arrived, Inferno offered him a small smile and a nod in thanks for his prompt response and arrival.
Red Alert flushed a little, with embarrasment... not meeting his friend's optics. "ah...-hem-. Yes. That won't be neccessary, Inferno. I appreciate the offer for help, but I *can* make it to my quarters myself..."
Nodding to Groove as well, once the Protectobot arrived, the two old friends stepped out into the hall, heading for the residence wing.
Moving alongside Red, half watching him to make sure he didn't go into involuntary recharge again, Inferno rotated one shoulder joint in its socket, working out a kink he seemed to have acquired while working Blaster's shift for so long. "I dunno 'bout you, but I think I'm just gonna 'charge 'til I'm READY to be up, again. Not gonna set my internal alarms fer anythin'."
"Mmmmnnn... that sounds like a really good idea, actually. Though... knowing -me-... ...I'll probably set my alarm to wake up as per usual. ... I don't know if my shift tomorrow will be taken over by anyone else. *If* there's anyone else to take my shift. You're lucky... you generally only get called on in emergencies, Inferno..." The red and white mech paused, again... briefly... optics flickering before continuing onward. "My own sense of duty will wake me up... keep me worried, and wanting to work. Even if the rest *does* sound nice..."
As they reached the residence wing, Inferno couldn't help but smirk. "One'a these days, I'm gonna conspire with Ratchet ta make sure ya DO get more rest than ya think ya need... Whether it ends up bein' we 'jack ya up on high grade...or jus' slip some sedative into yer low-grade."
Red Alert snorted faintly, walking down the hall to their rooms. "'s a conspiracy between you all... th' high grade plot..." he murmured. "You'd do that... just t' make -fun- of me..."
The smirk on the bigger mech's face faded quickly, at that. "Aw, 'cmon, Red. ....just worry 'bout ya sometimes." He then shifted his gaze 'round the hall a bit, if just to be sure no one else was around to hear him, his voice lowered. "...an' just tease ya 'cause yer my friend, s'all."
Glancing over at his friend, Red Alert paused... a soft look on his face. "... I know that, Inferno..." he said softly. "Yours, really... is the only teasing I -can- stand... because we _are_ friends. ... I... don't -quite- mind it.. when it's you..." He glanced away, equally embarrassed and shy at saying it. "..you're my best friend, Inferno. I know you worry about me. I worry about you, too..." he said, returning his gaze to the taller, red mech.
Inferno's lips quirked slightly in a fond smile. "Ah, stop it... Yer gonna make me blush'er somethin'." He found he could say no more about all of it, though. But maybe it wasn't necessary. For as rough around the edges as he could be, the big mech was well aware of how strongly he felt for Red. Deep down, he suspected it wasn't something entirely unique, either... Other mechs around the Ark... Ratchet and Wheeljack...Grapple and Hoist...probably felt similarly. It was something bordering on almost brotherly love... The kind that typically drove Inferno into a rage when others saw fit to give Red Alert slag for his efforts...or even just for his personality. ...but it all remained unspoken so much of the time...unspoken, yet so obvious at points.
Red felt the same... a deep bond of friendship.. a kinship with the mech beside him... as different as they were. Red Alert dreaded to think what would ever happen, what he would do, should the war take the life of his friend. It was a concept he never *wanted* to think of... but inevitably found himself doing, occassionally... when things got particularly rough. Sighing softly, forcing those dark thoughts out of his mind, Red stopped by the door to his quarters, punching in the code that would unlock and open the door, then stood in the doorway, turning to look up at his good friend.
"... Thank you for coming to get me, Inferno. I... really needed you down there, tonight... with everything that had gone on."
Inferno shook his head a bit, still smiling a little. "Don't mention it... I think I needed the 'wind down', too. An' hey.... it's like we said, earlier. Just th' usual duo, lookin' out for one another." He reached out, patting Red on one shoulder...although not as roughly as usual. "Now get some rest an' I'll see ya when we're both up ta speed, again."
Grinning faintly, unable to reach up to Inferno's shoulder, Red Alert instead clasps the extended arm, looking up at the larger mech. "You too, Inferno... ... Good night."
Inferno nodded and pulled back, ambling on down the hall to his own quarters, calling back as he went. "'Night, Red. Rest easy."
More relaxed now, thanks to his friends kind, encouraging words and presence... Red Alert entered his quarters, settling down for some WELL-needed recharge.