I'm not a robot without emotions, I'm not what you see [OPEN]

[thegoodtouch]

Characters: Optimus Prime? Is it really Optimus Prime? And the assembled crew of the Convoy.
Content: Prime gathers his crew to shed some light on what happened, along with planning their next course of action. But something very strange has happened to him...
Setting: The Mended Drum, a seedy but bustling tavern in the heart of Kropmork.
Time:

Comments

[gypsymothdance]

Prime was a human.

Prime was a human?!

As the human - HUMAN?! - Prime explained everything, Jean gawked with her mouth hanging open, completely speechless. The suggestion seemed ridiculous, impossible to reconcile, that this man (this rather attractive man, Jean silently noted to herself) and the robot she had grown to know and trust as her Captain were one and the same.

But ultimately, she still trusted him. And so she was not about to question what he told him. Only...

"So - so wait," Jean stammered out. "Then that robot we saw boarding the Convoy, that really was your body?! But if you don't know how this happened, then how..."

How would they return him back to normal?

She let the question hang. It was best to take this one step at a time. They had to focus on getting his original body back first.

[thegoodtouch]

He nodded in agreement with Hibari. "Our chances of success depend on how we chase it down. We're going to need a ship. A good, solid ship with decent firepower. Unfortunately, I doubt many of us have the funds we'd need to even rent a warship, much less buy one."

The idea of stealing one honestly hadn't even entered his head.

Devoting energy for a moment to communicating with Sam, Prime's face reflected none of the pleased surprise he felt at the news. Finding the ship hadn't been a real worry of his -- they'd hear reports of it soon enough, if he knew the sort of thing Denouement did -- but it was very good to have a way to find it before the explosions started. Finally, a piece of good news. Thank you, Sam, that'll help immensely.

[gypsymothdance]

"What about commandeering one?" Jean suggested, remembering Erza's order. "I mean, this is an emergency! And I'm sure if we bring it back in one piece... it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?"

[princelyspirit]

"But where are we going to find a ship we can take?" Utena argued. "It's not like we can just waltz into the docks."

[flightofthe]

The idea might not have crossed the honorable Autobot commander's mind, but it did that of his espionage agent. Bee grimaced to himself, knowing Prime would never approve, but what else could they do? He more than anyone knew the potential firepower of the Convoy, and it had been him who had first discovered Denouement's plans for him and Prime, so he knew exactly what those slaggers were planning! They had to be stopped! Even if it meant-

Jean's comments cut him off, and he nodded. "True . . . but if we go head-to-head with the Convoy, I can tell you now we're not going to be bringing back a borrowed ship in one piece, unfortunately. The Convoy is originally built our technology, Cybertronian technology. Our weapons aren't quite like what's built here."

And . . . there was one more option that came to mind as the little Autobot's optics scanned the room

Totally not mun-cesting since they're not talking to each /other/.......OTL

[destnys_overr8d]

Hellboy finally spoke up from near the back of the room. "So, two things, then . . . find the ship, and get it back." Honestly? The "getting it back" part, he wasn't overly worried about. At worst, he figured they could fly a smaller plane close enough to drop him on the deck, and he could just go to town on the crew till he got somewhere vital. "Sounds like we've got the first part covered. Nen-?" She'd moved. Where'd she...oh, there she was. He jabbed a big, stone thumb at the little redheaded pilot. "Nena says she can track it, regardless of distance."

[pink_is_best]

"Yeah. And I'm a pilot, but you should know that." Nena gave the 'V' symbol for peace but with a painfully flat expression. Her home had been stolen and things were affecting her best friend on a more personal, upsetting level. She couldn't be bothered to pretend she wasn't unhappy.

...That piece of information about the Convoy was interesting, though. And definitely something to remember.

/ZHOOOOPING IN

[armorgal]

"There is already a ship ready to be commandeered," Erza said, inserting herself into the conversation. "It is lightly guarded, and I can attest to its firepower personally."

She slammed her hand down on a nearby surface for dramatic effect.

"I speak of the Fiertia, former mercenary vessel, currently a novelty bar. If the engines still work - and there is reason to believe that they do - it will serve our purposes nicely."

[princelyspirit]

"The Fiertia?" Utena blinked as she processed Erza's gugestion. While she hadn't been a member of the ship for nearly as long as Erza had, she had spent enough time on the ship to attest to its merits. But still...

"All right," she said, "Erza's right about one thing - it is a good ship. But, even if the engines are working, how are we supposed to get it out?"

[flightofthe]

Bumblebee snapped his fingers. "The Fiertia! Of course! I've heard a lot about that ship . . . and I don't mean the recent market hype."

He looked at Erza and Utena. "Getting it out shouldn't be a problem, I'd think, if the engines do still work. Getting in might be the trickier part - " He grinned confidently. " - but I can probably help with that."

[morethanabot]

Even if his stint had be a short one, he had pride in that ship. Enough to bring him out of his funk. "It's not a good ship, it's a great ship!"

He titled his head a bit. A bit interested in what Bee had planed.

[drinkitlovelife]

Kurumi's eyes lit up. "Really? How? Don't tell me, we're dressing up as pirate waitresses, aren't we?" Steel Samurai, season one, episode thirty-six. That was a good filler.

[thegoodtouch]

"I don`t think that will be necessary," Prime said to Milk, amused despite the gravity of the situation. "I can`t say the idea of stealing a ship sits well with me, but earning our way onto one would take time. Time we don`t have if we want to stop Denouement. This Fiertia plan sounds like our best bet. If we attack after it closes, we should be able to take it without a fight. Bumblebee? Scout the area," Optimus commanded. "Nena, I need you to track that ship. Keep me updated about its location." He saw that she seemed particularly bothered, and made a mental note to speak with her later.

"We need to move fast. When does the Fiertia close for the night?" Prime asked no one specifically. He wasn`t happy about this thievery, but if it was this or risk innocent lives...

[flightofthe]

Bee's eyes flickered in mild confusion and surprise at Milk's comment. "Pirate . . . what?" He shook his head - that wasn't important. Instead he pulled his hood back up, settling the floppy hat back on his head.

"I'm on it, Optimus Prime! Everyone keep your difference engines open. I'll keep in contact via the Convoy's filter and let you all know what I find out."

With that, the little espionage agent headed out the door.

/late

[so_many_moods]

Hex had intended to answer her Captain's question immediately, but the other tangents of conversation so fascinated her that she lost track of her own. It was easy to do when you were a bit insane.

"Oooh!" she said with a [Grin.] "I love this plan!" She threw her head back and laughed even longer than she had before, and then, with a sudden cessation, she looked at Prime, [Puzzled.]

"Of course you're not human," she answered, matter-of-factly. "Couldn't you tell, cheeky?"

Re: /late

[armorgal]

Erza looked at Optimus like his head had just caught fire. What did he mean by that? It didn't make any--

Oh, right. He wasn't from around here.

"Sir, it's Kropmork," she said. "Bars don't 'close'."