1140/Transmitters and Bargaining Chips

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off had a lovely time with Onslaught at his wine shop, and the talk of space and the \*looking\* at space, and the stars, got his old itch going again. So, once Onslaught had left to do the things he needed to do, and Blast Off had done the things \*he\* needed to do, it was finally time for him to do the next thing he \*wanted\* to do. No, \*needed\* to do. A spacer \*needs\* space, right? Blast Off couldn't imagine not being able to rocket off into the cold, peaceful expanse on his own volition. Sometimes, as Onslaught had mentioned, the cold and quiet helps focus one's thoughts, and the shuttle certainly had many... both happy and haunting. But for now, this moment, as starlight bathes his wings and stardust tickles his nosecone, he simply \*is\*, and he loves it.

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
Sky Lynx most assuredly did /not/ spend time in Onslaught's wine shop, so...that part, at least, is relatively un-entertained. Still, the shuttle is indeed partaking in a bit of the old...well, exploratory flight that tends to come from time to time.

Either that or he's hunting something. The latter is...possibly the case as he catches the other shuttle on his sensors and alters course to intercept. Not...aggressively, but certainly there's no mistaking that ping of 'something large' approaching.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off catches the ping and immediately focuses on the present of \*that\*. As soon as it registers that the other craft is \*Sky Lynx\*, he feels the familiar thrill- and nerves- of an encounter with a frenemy he both respects and ...well, doesn't really want to get on the bad side of. He's not a coward, he's just not stupid- and he's alone. And that's the question... Sky Lynx is \*coming his way\*, which is a bit unusual, and leans him towards the possibility of fight or flight... but didn't Sky Lynx already pass an opportunity to pursue him much earlier, if he was intent on recapturing the former prisoner, and then there's the fact that Sky Lynx let him and Vortex slip away that one time and....

Yep, only one thing to do. Radio Sky Lynx and \*act casual\* while trying to get a feel for the bigger shuttle's mood. He maintains course while discreetly calculating fast escape routes. "<< ...Sky Lynx. It's been awhile. Here to enjoy the view, too? >>"

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
<<Far from, I'm afraid...>> He still seems to be vectoring in to get up close and personal, though...it's not aggressive. More just...imposing? Probably the right way to put it. Either way...there's no attack, but the space-dragon makes few efforts to minimalize the fact he is indeed looming in that airspace. ... Space-space?

Whatever.

<<As it is, I'm...looking for transmitters. You wouldn't happen to know of anything that might be...transmitting or broadcasting peculiar signals, do you?>> He chuckles. <<Ah, but where are my manners... I trust things are going well for you?>>

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off doesn't generally like up close and personal (unless maybe you're Onslaught \*cough\*), but he has no reason to believe Sky Lynx would hide hostile intentions. The first few lines have him looking at the escape flight with the highest odds, but after scanning and sensing no weaponry aimed his way, he decides to keep on course.

Transmitters? "<< I... no, I haven't detected anything... >>" Of course this reminds him of the last time he and Darkstar encountered Sky Lynx here and... "<< I think the next time I encounter a strange object in space I may just give it a wide berth. >>" His engine grumbles... that whole thing was such a mess, and he did NOT like the betrayal of trust. That's the glue that holds this... whatever they have going together and without it, they are simply enemies. Without it, encounters like this become a lot more deadly. The rest, though... He mulls on this a moment. His own answer sort of surprises him. "<< I am... actually doing fairly well, considering. Things could be worse. >>" They could still be better, but... "<< How about you? >>"

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
<<If it weren't for the fact that...something is apparently broadcasting malicious transmissions aimed at the Autobots...I'd possibly be doing a great deal better.>> He circles around Blast Off lazily. <<You haven't picked up anything of the sort, though? ...hmm. Noted.>>

He leaves it at that. At least for a few moments before he slows to a stop. <<Although, if you did... I suppose I could have something to exchange for anything useful in that regard. Verifiably useful, of course.>>

**Blast Off has posed:**
"<< Malicious transmissions? >>", Blast Off repeats, "<< What kind of transmissions? >>" Pause. "<< ...If I may ask, obviously some things may be classified. >>" Another pause. "<< Regardless, I am not aware of any such things, though I haven't been up in space for long until just now. >>"

Sky Lynx's offer piques his curiosity quickly, though. "<< Of course... there's always a chance I might pick something up in my travels, yes. ...What exactly did you have in mind? >>"

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
There's a moment where Lynx just...regards Blast Off cautiously before straightening up. <<Right, well... I'm never against a little bartering and trade... I seem to recall /someone/ losing track of their...rifle during an extended stay in Garrus 1, and...it may have wound up in my collection of odds and ends.>>

He lets that linger as it is and just takes a moment to survey the surrounding scenery. <<If not, well... I'm sure we can find other things of value to exchange, yes? Though...I can't recall anything too pressing at the moment that might pique my interests near as much.>>

**Blast Off has posed:**
When Sky Lynx brings up his \*rifle\*, his beloved ionic blaster that he's had for years, the one he's sighted in and scoped out to be the absolute \*superb\* sniper's rifle, the one he was just lamenting the loss of to Onslaught... the shuttle's spark jumps. In hope, then a flash of anger, then ....anxiety. "<< I am \*not\* going to betray the Decepticons for a blaster! >>" He scoffs with a huff, engines grumbling louder this time. He remains silent for a moment as mixed emotions -and fears- run their course through his circuits. "<< I mean, it's not like it's \*that\* important, >>" he says in classic denial.

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
Sky Lynx ohs... <<Not important... unfortunate. I suppose we can scrap it, then. Need the resources... either that or pass it on to one of the infantry types. Blurr might find it useful for quick hit-and-run attacks on targets...>>

And that's that, then, his engines are already spinning up so he can propel himself away.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"<< What. >>" Blast Off's own engines stutter at the mention of scrapping, and \*BLURR\*, and... "<< Wait! >>" The shuttle's tone is suddenly a bit more urgent. "<< I-I didn't say it was \*completely\* unimportant, just... >>" Aw, frag. "<< I... want it back. I... >>" Blast Off's wings actually droop slightly. "<< I-I just... I can't agree to anything that betrays the Decepticons. But! But... that isn't to say that there couldn't be... \*something\* mutually... >>" Aw frag. "<< ...beneficial. >>"

He really, really hopes he doesn't regret this.

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
Sky Lynx thinks a moment. <<Unfortunately...as things stand right now, there is nothing else that crosses my mind as...beneficial. There's a threat presented to those under my command. Little else matters at the moment.>> He looks back and does indeed wait as he watches, perhaps to see if indeed there is a change in Blast Off's stance. <<I'm sure, though, given enough time something else may come up...eventually.>>

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off slows, nosecone coming round to point towards Lynx, then cut engines to glide in space. "<< Then... well then perhaps a deal can be arranged. Eventually. >>" He \*really\* wants his gun back, he's had her so long. Does she miss him? He misses her. ...But he also \*really\* doesn't want to be executed for treason, either. "<< If I...if I hear anything, and I \*can\* talk, then... I will radio you. >>" The sense of dread and doom grows within. Sigh.

**Sky Lynx has posed:**
Sky Lynx looks back over his shoulder again as engines start to spool up. <<I'm sure you can figure something out. It seems that...cover transmissions are becoming far more easy to establish of late, after all.>>

And that's about that, the shuttlecraft is already making to depart without much more in the way of conversation.

Priorities indeed.

**Blast Off has posed:**
The Combaticon's engine nearly whines, then rumbles to a stop once more as he watches Sky Lynx begin to depart. Frag. Sky Lynx holds the cards here, and all Blast Off can do is decide how much he's willing to bet on this.. and how much he can afford to lose. "<< Then... I'll just... keep an optic out. >>" Wow, that was a great comeback. Not. "<< Make sure you keep that blaster- I'll expect it to be in pristine working order when I get it back! >>" He calls out, then falls silent again, mulling this over. Welp. The cold of space is certainly a good place to think... about the very poor choices you sometimes make.