Protihex-City state

[Rexacon]

Shadow looked upon the bots when the big bot looked at him and wanted answers. Looks like these autobots have managed to escape the destruction of Iacon. Some of them are injured, all he has to do is get repaired then leave. The only part they don't need to know about was him being in Kaon.

"I am Shadow, a super soldier created by Zeta Prime. I have escaped the trenches of Iacon and made my way to the undergrid where I was attacked by transformer who controls the shadows. I have managed to escape to find myself here. I ask for your help in getting my systems repaired. I will take my leave so I won't be of no disturbance to you."

Shadow takes a quick bow just to hopefully gain the respect of these bots. What a tough situation he was in, asking for the autobots help. Just looking at them, he sees a piece of zeta in them. His hatred of the cause truly sickened him, but for now, he is hoping that no fighting occurs.

[DarkXenith]

Jumpstart glanced up from his work, casting a wary glance over the new-comer and nodded to a nearby bench, "Take a load off, mech...an' jus' so ya know, an iota've trouble an' it's 'no service' our side. Understood?"[/color]

Tough or not, the medic was fully versed in the difference between incredible bravery and terminal stupidity. He wasn't about to pick a fight with anyone who proclaimed themselves to be a 'super soldier', however skeptical he was of the claim. Shadow's nightmarish appearance not withstanding, of course, he still looked like he meant business beneath the various lacerations.

Returning his attention to Laser for the while, Jumpstart weighed the merits of direct energon infusion versus power transfer and quickly settled on the latter, hooking up to the larger mech via a power conduit beneath an access panel at his midsection. Determining the feed level required after a few klicks, the medic narrowed his optics... his reserve was at full capacity at present. Given a cycle or so, it wouldn't be at this. He'd have to work fast.

Turning his attention to the younger femme assisting him, he asked with uncharacteristic politeness, "Volca, y' mind doin' a run out back an' gettin' a couple've quarts outta the store an' gettin' Laser here a few feeds run in while I kick off f' the main event? - Laser, I'm gonna get t' work on the nodular damage."[/color]

[Rexacon]

"Understood, I will wait my turn."

Shadow walked to a nearby wall and sat on the floor as he leaned his head on the wall to relax. Visions started to pop up of the near future. Trying to ignore them for the time being, Shadow closed his optics as he can now rest up a bit with his recovery system and get full repaired by a medic. After getting all systems operational, he would leave the group as promised.

"...."

[Laser]

Once Jumper had directed Shadow to the waiting bench, Laser then turned his attention back to getting his systems online. He was making progress though, and with a little more effort he would be standing again. He cast a glance on Vibro. "What in the blazes is he still doing offline? Clearly he must be asleep. Shake him."

Beam laughed, but became serious quickly. She didn't like the fact that Shadow was checking in for a free check up and/or surgical work and offering nothing in return other than a promise to leave. It seemed rude. Like a freeloader. Of course she knew Autobots helped people, and that Jumper didn't seem to mind lending a helping hand, but if she was in his place, she wouldn't have wasted her time. They were trying to fight a war here. Not to dish handouts to wounded bots. Why the hell had he come to the Autobots anyway? If the Decepticons were so 'good', then he would have just as well gone to them instead. Hell, Kaon and Iacon were closer to the Undergrid than Protihex. Had he gone to them, he would have saved himself the large trip. Clearly there was a reason he hadn't gone to them for help, whether he just forgot or preferred Autobots--something had told him they would help him. And if there was no reason, he would have sooner gone to the 'Cons for a free service then go the distance to find the dysfunctional band of Autobots hiding in a dirty prison.

What kind of business did this guy get into, anyway? For all they knew, they could be fixing up a serial killer. Or perhaps he was some sort of thief. Or even worse...a Decepticon spy! Of course he wouldn't have gone to the 'Cons if he was sent here. So many possibilities, and Beam began to imagine a scenario that proved her heroism:

********************

Beam stooped over Vibro, patching him together while the Doctor nodded approvingly. "Why, Beam," he said, "You truly are the best I've ever seen. Laser, I'm so glad you found her."

In Beam's daydream, Laser was even bigger and his voice was even deeper. "Indeed, Doctor. She has proven to be a great asset, and like a precious younger sister."

Tecton laughed and shook his head. "I envy you. And you can just call me Tecton, by the way. No need for formalities."

Laser looked confused. "Are you not a Doctor?"

Tecton said, "Oh, I am, it's just that--"

"--Then it is settled."

Not knowing what the hell that meant, Tecton turned his attention back to Beam. "I notice you keep looking at Shadow funny, Beam. What's wrong?"

In her dream, she was her normal size and had large hips and prominent features. She was also just as beautiful as she thought Volca was (whom she was jealous of in real life). "Oh, I dunno. He just looks and acts suspicious."

Shadow stared at them from the bench. He was twice as scary as he was in real life. He raised his fingers. "Eff yall."

Tecton shook his head. "What makes you say that?", he said, clueless.

Volca approached them. "Beam is just keeping the well-being of the team at heart. Isn't that right, beautiful?"

"That's right Volca." She patted her on the shoulder. "Hot minds think alike."

Volca gave a confused smile. "Yeah...ummm...what?"

Suddenly, Vibro shot up from his bed and looked about frantically. Jumpstart--who was twice as country and had x-ray vision and could fly--rushed to the table. "What in th' name o' Primus gotcha so furred up?"

"I just had a dream that I was being fixed by the most beautiful and smart goddess in the galaxy!"

"Well hell..." Jumpstart pointed to Beam. "Methinks that wasn't no dream aft' all."

Vibro smiled and went back to sleep, only to jump up and scream again.

"What is it now?" Volca asked in a tone that really didn't care.

"I just realized I didn't do shit in the Iacon battle!"

"You didn't." Laser boomed.

"ENUFF!" Shadow burst from the...well...shadows... and pulled out his guns, staring at them ominously. "I am a bad guy! I tricked you all!"

Jumpstart frowned. "So ye' gonna fight all o' us while ye' still banged up?"

Shadow grimaced. He hadn't thought that far. He just raised his fingers. "Eff yall." He charged and kicked Jumpstart, who flew out of the window and into Oblivion. He then grabbed Volca, but burned his hands and threw her off, screaming. "What da hell?"

Volca shrugged, really bored and pissed off with this daydream. "Apparently I'm 'hot'."

"Damn." He turned and stabbed Vibro in the nuts, laughing evilly.

Vibro shot up and shouted: "Joke's on you! I have no nuts!"

"Damn." He flew and slashed at Laser, who turned and stared drily at him.

"Fool. I am immortal."

"Damn." He fired a cannon at Tecton, but the shot when through him like he was a hologram. "....What?"

Tecton explained. "I'm a doctor..."

"Damn! I tricked all yall! I should be winning! I tricked you ALL!"

"Except me!" Beam's cheery voice came from behind him.

He turned around.

"I knew you were a bad guy all along! Isn't that right Hot Volca?"

"Yeah--wait what? Okay screw this dream. I came here to get away from Cutlass because he annoys me, and it turns out I'm going to go find him because you guys are twice as bad." She stopped and turned to Laser. "Except you Laser. Bye."

Laser blinked. "Goodbye, Hot One."

Volca left in a rage.

Beam whipped her attention back to Shadow. "Turbo cannons....FIRE!" A cannon that had no mathematical way of being possible attached to her rolled out and fired a big pink round at Shadow, he flew spiraling out the window.

"I'll be back for youuuu!" He shouted, but he felt two big hands clutch his shoulders and carry him away. He looked up to see Jumpstart. "...How?"

Jumpstart spat and replied as-a-matter-of-factly "I can fly bitch."

Shadow shouted at the top of his lungs. "EFFFF YAAAALLLL"

Beam had saved the day. Laser nodded approvingly. "I hereby proclaim you as my own offspring. You will now be dangerous and incredibly 'bad ass' for the rest of your days."

Vibro shouted. "I'm dead!" and keeled over.

Starport burst in with the largest drink she had ever seen, and handed it to her.

She turned to the Doctor cheerfully."I did it, Tecton!" Beam hugged him tightly.

"It's 'Doctor', if you don't mind." he corrected politely.

Towreck burst in, twice as buff and shiny as he actually was. "Whoa! Beam, did you just save the day!!"

"Yes! Yes I did!"

"Cool! Hey, will you marry me?"

"Oh my god!" Beam fainted as a result of all those good things happening at once.

***************
"Beam!"

Beam snapped out of her daydream at the sound of Laser's voice. "Oh...yes?"

"Focus, young one." he said, referring to Vibro's care.

"Oh, yeah, sorry." She went back to work, but kept an eye on Shadow....

[Towreck]

Towreck transformed infront of the medical center, smiling. He just knew that what he had found could turn their luck around, and bring them on the right track, all they had to do what figure out what exactly they had found. Walking in, Towreck looked around, seeing all familiar faces. "Guys, you would never believe what I-" Towreck stopped as he saw another familiar face sitting in the shadows. Immediatley, Towreck's hand went to his holster, glaring at the bot.

"Lurker...." He called, looking over at Shadow. "What brings you here, how did you find us Lurker? You may have gained the trust of these 'bots because they don't know you; besides the unconscious one on the table" Towreck said, pointing to Vibro "...but I know exactly who you are and what you have done. Now you got thirty nanoseconds to explain yourself before I start to kick some aft, seeing as when I last saw you, you were blasting off out of Iacon to follow those Decepticreeps after we defeated Zeta." He said, casting off a very distrustful glare at Shadow. He may have fooled the others, but Towreck knew his tricks, he knew he couldn't be trusted. "And I know, we don't take kindly to Decepticons, especially if they happen to be spies. For your sake, lets hope that turns out to be none of the above..."

[Rexacon]

"It is true that I left Iacon to pursue the decepticons, but I only did it to find what they were doing. However, I was captured, but I managed to escape. And to answer your question on how I find you, its easy. Vibro sent a communication to all autobots which happens that I have gotten it. If I was truly a spy or a decepticon, I would just give them your coordinates. Now I didn't come to start a fight so leave it be."

Shadow crossed his arms as Towreck ticked him off a bit. Looking at Towreck as he glared at him, his optics showed that he didn't care or showed no care in the world. As much as he didn't tell the whole story, most of it was true. No denying that, no reason to lie especially to bots he has no respect for.

[Cutlass Rebooted]

Volca nods and obediently runs off returning shortly and setting herself back to work.
Tecton finishes the repairs. "That should be it. Thank you for your assistance Beam." Finally turning around he notices Shadow waiting for repairs. As he was about to ask if he should just move straight onto repairing him, Towreck enters and his actions make him pause to think about what to do next. I'm not sure what's going on here but I doubt he would be a spy, even the decepticons wouldn't send someone in such an obvious guise. Perhaps he is simply another rogue? Either way I'm not worried about what his true intentions are, as it's doubtful that they would involve a pirate crew. In a matter of curiosity however I may find it possible to uncover a few truths about this bot during repairs, whether or not I share the information I uncover (if I manage to find anything) will depend upon it's nature... The skull and blade symbols on his arms glint slightly in the light.
He looks directly at Shadow. "I can begin repairs, unless my assistance is needed with Laser? The second half was directed at Jumpstart.
Volca looks at Tecton, he was never this direct with offers to repair a bot, which means he's up to something. She focuses all of her attention to her task. If he was up to something it would be best if she just left him to it.
Cutlass enters the room casually, looking around for Tecton and Volca but instead notices Towreck with his hand to holster. "What's up with you mate?"

[DarkXenith]

"F' the love an' sake of Primus, 'Wreck... stow it!"[/color] Jumpstart was nothing less than a hundred percent direct as he rounded on the engineer, "This is a slaggin' medical facility not the arena back in Iacon. I ain't got no choice who I work on in the line've duty, so unless this mech puts a pede outta line it ain't no loss t' me, right? I don't tell you how t' do your job, so don't even think y' got call over how I do mine, clear?!"[/color]

Realising he may have overstepped the mark a little, he continued by way of explanation, "This red tag marks me as an Autobot an' Shadow - or whatever the slag he wants t' call himself - doesn't show a brand that I can see. So who gives a flyin' frag? It ain't purple an' he ain't the one packin' heat in a room full've injured mechs, you are. That thing misfires an' there's gonna be consequences f' someone in here."[/color]

Muttering something best not translated in his own dialect, the medic chose to let the warning glint in his optics speak the insinuation of dire consequences in his place to both Towreck and Shadow alike. If either of them kicked off, he'd show them exactly how he ran the show. He wasn't naive enough to offer trust blindly to every scrapped up, glitch infested kamikaze case that crossed his path. He was simply acting as his oath directed him.

As a medic, Jumpstart had taken an oath to protect and preserve life in all its forms. Hell, if Megatron himself was carted into Protihex in kit-form, the medic wouldn't have any other option than to assist in his repairs. It would be under extreme duress and against his better judgement, but the decision wasn't his to make. He could no more refuse to assist an injured party than he could take a life in combat. As long as Shadow played by the house rules, Jumper would uphold his end of their earlier bargain. The minute the mech did anything remotely out of line it'd be game over and he'd be out the doors on his aft PDQ.

Still bristling slightly at the altercation, Jumper returned to his work momentarily dismissing Tecton's enquiry. The lapse was unintentional though, simply a byproduct of the medic's irate state. He couldn't trust himself to reply, so he chose not to for those few klicks at least. Finally, venting a low sigh, he answered the doctor's question, "Call's yours, Tecton. You wanna tackle that one, go for it - looks like a pretty quick fix t' me. Still plenty more t' do on Laser here anyhow."[/color]

[Towreck]

Towreck growled, taking his hand off his holster. "Tch, fine, just repair him and get him outta here quick. We have no need for a Lurker around this city...especially THAT one." Towreck said, turning and making way for another room. The others may not have understood his aggressiveness, but it was called for when dealing with that shady bot. Towreck had his reasons for lashing out at Shadow, and he didn't have no regret for it either. And with Shadow around, he definatley wasn't going to bring up his discovery of what he found...not unless he was atleast 2 klicks of distance from Shadow.

[Laser]

Vibro was done. Beam backed off up him and just kept him running on an energon boost. She would have offered to help Tecton, but she rather not do anything for Shadow. And she didn't like the way she had talked to Towreck.

Beam decided it was time for her to do some exploring around Protihex. She wanted to talk to Laser, but there were too many people around. She decided she would go do something productive. Swaggering towards the door, she stopped and looked in Shadow and Jumpstart's direction a full 5 nanocycles after the confrontation had happened and said: "Hey...shut up!"

She scurried away and placed a quick hand on Towreck's leg. "I gotcha back." Then she left the building and into the dusty road, heading north. Once she was clear, she mumbled to herself: "Gotcha back, your front, sides, top, down....anything..."

Laser watched Beam leave. He needed to talk to her. Hopefully she would come back in one peace. No...he would MAKE sure she did.

Spironok came slithering from underneath Laser's back, creeping out the door to silently tail Beam...

Suddenly, Laser's computer came online. It started activating nanites and symbiotes that initiated self repair. They worked quickly and diligently. "Excellent. Good work, Jumper. It won't be long before we can both leave this center and get back to business."