1256/Guns and Growth

Cast of Characters: | First Aid, Starlock, 130, Whirl, 140

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock was sitting in the barracks, tuning her pistols once more, humming to herself as she worked, she'd also looked over time to time, and lounge back to read something on her datapad. That humming of hers increasingly louder and louder as she seems to lose awareness of her surroundings around her.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid wanders into the barracks, looking around. The ambulance is quiet, taking in everyone there tonight.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl steps out of his room, antennae slightly askew as if he slept on them wrong. His claws click-clack softly together as he stares about the common room, optic bleery.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock keeps humming, her finial twitching up as she hears the door open, and glances over and nods to Whirl. "Hello Whirl, attenes a bit outta place." she'd chirp before looking back to her Datapad, First aid catching the side of her optic, and perked up, looking over to him.

      "Hey Aid." She'd smile.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid waves. "Hello there. What are you guys doing?" he asks, as he sits himself up on a spare bunk. "Just got off shift and enjoying one of those few spare hours I get every now an then."

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl's optic flickers. "I know, I hit the wash rack and slept on 'em wet. Can't do a thing with them now. Li'l fraggers." He looks over at First Aid. "I \*think\* I might have done something stupid last night but I can't rightly say."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nods and chuckles at Whirl, and shakes her helm, motioning him over. "If you want I can see if I can't do something to help." She'd grin, before glancing to Aid, and then to Whirl and then to Aid, and raised a ridge. "What brings that up?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tilts his head in concern. "Come here, Whirl and I can check that out. What makes you think you did something stupid?" he asks.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl hesitates between First Aid and Starlock, head tilting back and forth as he tries to decide which medic to go to. "Welllll," he says. "The last thing I remember is having a biiiiig bottle of Nightmare Fuel -- and, then, waking up with no big bottle of Nightmare Fuel and a feeling that was suspiciously like regret." He pauses. "And maaaaybe some empty cans of spray paint."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Well you did say Nightmare fuel tastes like mistakes." She'd muse, but a grin grows on her face as she listens and raises a ridge. "Are we gonna' hear something about a giant rude graffiti about Megatron somewhere outside maccs or in stanix itself?" She'd question with a chuckle and nodded to Aid, letting help Whirl if that's what Whirl wanted.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
"The only mistake is if your one that can't hold their engex.", Roadbusters voice rings out before the large mech plods into the commons. From the looks of the Wrecker he's either been out on a mission or the training room as he has his energy pack and weapons strapped to his back. Nodding to the trio he makes his way over to a empty table, laying out his gear along with tools atop it.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl huffs. 'I can \*hold\* it just fine," he says, crossing his arms over his chest an raising his head, haughtily. "I just...don't remember what else I did while I was holding onto it."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Well you know. I know a remedy for hangovers consisting of warm lowgrade and..." He syas. "You probably dont want to heard me say warm lowgrade right now.."

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl glares at First Aid. "...you do not want to see me regurgitate," he says. "Contrary to popular belief, it \*is\* possible for an empurata, but it is \*so\* not pretty."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Aye Buster." Starlock calls over with a grin, before raising a ridge at both Aid and Whirl.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster looks over his gear before saying, "Heya, Starlock." Glancing towards Aid he chuckles a bit, "One of those old remedies, eh." Looking to Whirl he says, "Well whatever happened someone will find out."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Well I haven't heard of anything on fire so its nothing too bad. Lets see what we can do about thtt aftereffect though"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl grunts. "I think I need t'go back an' lay down,' he says. "...'cause I'm feelin' kiiinda wobbly."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock cringes. "Yeaah probably hung over.. Rest well Whirl." She'd nod, before smiling to the other two. "So, how are you two?" She'd chuckle and grin, definitely in a better mood then before.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster tilts his head a bit as he ponders before looking up to Starlock, "Better now a bit warmed up after the glacier. No idea if speedy found anything other than that crazy mech, a few cons, and a downed Omega Destructor." Pulling out a datapad he says, "Any fresh brewed in the pot?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock cringes once more. "Ooof.. Yeah, that's a problem when working with Blurr, won't share information or runs off before you can ask." She'd shake her helm, before looking over to the little counter. "Uhhh.. I think?" I've not really gotten up to get anything from it myself, just been tweaking my weaponry.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster gets up and heads to the counter to check. Luckily theres a fresh pot of oil. Grabbing a mug he fills up saying, "Well he better share, especially with how that crazy said he was trying to help us in the war. If so why aren't they with the bots and shooting Blurr?" Shaking his head he moves back to his seat.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "..Thats a real good question." Starlock raised a ridge. "What the crazy say?" She'd lean back in her seat, Raodbuster having her full attention as she placed her hand in her cheek as she leaned on the seats armrest.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
"Now stay put and give those calibrations a chance to syncronize. Or next time I -will- make you sit in the medbay for it," Hoist's voice can be heard a moment before he steps out of someone else's habsuit. Some mechs are just more comfortable on their 'home' ground when it comes to maintenance, and as long as they're not too much of an problem over the matter he's usually nice enough to oblige them.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster takes a sip before placing the mug down on the table, "Think I missed part of it but he yelled something about hindering our agenda. No idea what the frag he meant by that." As he talks Buster looks to his datapad before picking up a spanner. Looking over his power pack he opens it up and checks the inside not even looking up at Hoist as he says, "See someone is keeping busy."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock glanced over as Hoist came out, and gave her fellow medbay co-worker a thumbs up in silent approval, before looking back to Roadbuster. "...Yeah that's definitely missing some context." She'd click her jaw. "and Blurr's not posted a report so.. I'm sure we're not exactly going to get full context." She'd vent.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid stays still as Hoist works, also nnodding in approval. Hes oddly quiet, typing things in his datapad for a moment.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
"There's almost always something to be done," Hoist replies with his usual jovialness. "Looks like you lot have settled in to take it easy for a bit... Or did something big happen that I missed while I was working again?" Would hardly be the first time.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster nods, "Well if can catch him will shake it outta him." Looking between his datapad and his backpack he idly adjusts a few things as he adds, "Nothing too big recently besides buckethead and the vossian ego back on the field." Picking up his mug he takes another drink. Anyone looking at the datapad besides Buster would notice that only images of the schematics are being shown without words. While audio recordings with details are being sent to his audio receptors .

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Mostly just relaxing right now, and talking." she'd point out to her twin pistols on the table she'd been working on. Starlock then lets out a groan, knowing /exactly/ who Buster is talking about. "Yeaah, got to meet Megatron face to face again on Varas not long ago myself." She'd cringe.

      She was partly curious on what Roadbuster was listening too, but decided it best not to be rude, and pry.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist shares a sidelong glance with Starlock for a moment, recalling the time the two of them had to deal with Megatron (and Deadlock) interrupting their maintenance work at one of defense points. Then shakes his head a bit. "It figures they would, when Optimus is still preoccupied with other Prime matters to be able to take the field as often."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
"Don't doubt that Optimus will come back when he can. Just have to hold down the fort while we can.", Roadbuster says as he closes up the panel on his pack, "That should do it for that till can get parts authorized." Looking back up he glances at the pistols saying, "What you planning to do with those?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid looks up "I wonder what's b rought htem b ack now? I hope they're not taking advantage of Optimus being away."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Tell me about it..." Starlock says in agreeance with Hoist, her ridges knitting as she rubs at her nose bridge under her glasses, before looking back to aid. "...No that sounds /exactly/ what they would do." She'd sigh and look to Roadbuster. "Oh.. Just modifying 'em to be able to help me with firing on more than one person." She'd chuckle.

      "Should see what I'm planning for a rifle and what I'm doing to my stave." She'd nod.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist oooohs. "That will take a bit of extra co-synchronization to ensure firing both at the same time in different directions doesn't afflict your actual aim."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster ponders a bit before nodding to Hoist, "Firing two weapons in synch is hard to do." Tapping near his visor he says, "If it wasn't for limited view could link em to yer optics and other sensors. Find a way to mark the targets in the area so you can judge when lined up. But still there would be delay depending if firing single or multiple rounds from both."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Yes~" she'd grin. "I've also been training in the simulators for a while to work on my coordination for such, cause.. I mean, common, their dual pistols, that's the point of 'em." She'd chuckle.

      "Currently my stave allows me to plant a bright electric target on an opponent, want to see if I can't get that moved over to a new rifle, and then just use my stave to stun others temporarily."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist hmms, rubbing fingers on the chin of his mouthguard. "So an electronic 'tracer' round then? Would give you a greater range to tag a target from at the very least."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster chuckles, "Ya got a point its just if daring to shoot in different directions at same time. But if ya got it down that is impressive." He listens to Hoist as he ponders a bit before saying, "Ya don't mind showing me the part of the staff you want switched to a rifle?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "That could be helpful, though weapons engineering isnt really something I do." he says.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist says, "The same, beyond general maintenance protocols. Roadbuster can probably help you out though."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nodes. "Supposed to also help those I'm supporting, by allowing them to have an easier time hitting targets, they'd normally have trouble hitting... Like Blast Off." She'd explain with a sheepish smile. "Why I think it maybe better to get a rifle that will allow me more range, that way I don't need to throw my stave and look silly." She'd chuckle. "It was good in testing out I wanted though." She'd smile.

      She'd nod and pull her stave from her subspace, pulling the baton and pressing a button, it extending outward into what looks to be a modified stunstave, a large crystal at the top that clearly concentrates said electrical currents... She presses a button, and the crystal sparks to life with electricity, and attempts to form an electrical made energy, scythe like blade, but fails. "Don't mind the blade, s'part of the modifications i'm doing."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist nods and starts to wander off. "I'll leave you to it. Still got to log the file on that tune-up I just did. See you bots later."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist pauses at the doorway to turn partially and give Starlock a quick salute. "Just doing my duty and helping a friend." And out he goes.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster would raise a optic ridge if he had a visible face but just nods as he gets up for a better look at the stave, "Ok yer standard stunner with some decent mods, hmm. One being able to create a altered signal to aid others that can sync to whatever it strikes."

 The big guy places a hand on the bottom of his chin as he ponders a bit. Turning back to his table he picks up his laser rifle and looks it over for a few moments before turning back to the stave, "Have to think of others but see two ways it could be done so far. A basic one is tracer rounds as Hoist is thinking. Physical rounds made to accept the charge your staff uses as it fires out of the barrel, transferring to the target on impact. The other is altering a electric rifle with a similar crystal that will fire a beam that gives the same result."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Ether would be useful, your first suggestion was the one I was honestly thinking of going for, working with what I already have to use." she'd grin.

      Starlock then turned and nodded to Hoist. "Alright, it's been nice seeing also, Hoist... and ah!" She'd click her jaw. "Thank you.. for what you did for me on Varas." She'd call, nodding. "Not often I get.. that badly slagged." She'd chuckle weakly, rubbing behind her helm, before sitting back down on the sofa with a sigh.

      She'd give Hoist a smile, and nodded in thanks has he went, she'd then look over to Aid in silent thought.

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
"The first probably would be the best option then. The only other thing would be the frame to use. Got yer standard rifle to maybe one of the snipers which can be used with or without a scope if you wanna hold back for the shot.", Roadbuster says as he sits back down, "Can even just modify it with a extendable barrel. Just need to make it easy to transmit the energy which shouldn't be hard."

 Watching Hoist leave he calls out, "Don't work yourself too hard."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nods once more to Roadbuster. "My biggest issue at the moment is finding a rifle.. legally, to modify." She'd say with emphasis, crossing her leg and bringing a pointed finger up. "Been needing to talk to nightlash about some of these things I'm doing just.." She'd knit her ridges, giving a sheepish smile. "...Explosions."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster nods, "Just talk with command. No doubt if given a proper request they can find you one. Otherwise can just see what parts are available that can be compatible." The big guy then lets out a chuckles, "Nothing wrong with explosions."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "There's an irony in that." she'd chuckle. "Jazz actually told me to speak with you." She'd shake her helm, smiling. "But you are right, much as she loves explosions.. She probably does know more then most of us when it comes to tinkering... Unless there's someone I don't know about?" She'd ask, looking up at Roadbuster with a raised ridge.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid listens quietly to the two "More weapons modifications. Well I suppose it is needed."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster laughs a bit, "Oh no surprise that he suggests me to do the job. Just wasn't aware I was going to be commissioned for anything. I mean haven't even asked if could look through the parts to see what I could work with since back." Looking to his gear he says, "If he's actually giving permission can see what I can do. Just would need the specs on the staff so maybe test one similar. Least for the electrical charge so don't mess up your current one."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock looked over to Aid. "Ah..Yeah, sorry about that.. just stressed is all, given who i've been on the field against." She'd chuckle, before looking back to Roadbuster. "Leave it to Jazz to be subtle and not subtle at the same time."

      She'd nod and get out her datapad, and email him the specs of her stave, she clearly was the one the modded it in the first place.... Their oddly detailed and explain simply how to goes together, and comes apart, and what does what, all specifically highlighted with different colors.

      She'd stop a moment in thought and looked to Aid. "Are.. you okay?"

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
Roadbuster looks over the specs once they are received he nods saying, "Yeah trust him to be that way. While this will make it easier to get the job done." He looks over to First Aid unsure if he should ask anything, deciding to leave it to Starlock as he starts to pack up his tools.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Yeah, just a little quiet. Shoudl I leave you two alone?" he asks.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "You're fine Aid, I'm just worried about you is all." She'd smile softly. "I have actually been wanting to find you to just spend time with you.. Seem a bit distant of late, and I just wanted to be sure everything was okay... All this fighting and war stuff can get to us at times." She'd nod.

      "Welcome Roadbuster, I'm always willing to be of help in what ways I can be... Though I probably should be the one thanking you."

**Roadbuster (140) has posed:**
"Think I should be the one asking that here.", Roadbuster says as he picks up his pack, "Not gonna pry but hope your gonna be ok." Nodding to the pair he adds, "No need to thank till the job is done. Which means a lot of work for me, but will be done. Just gonna need to talk to someone on parts after I draw something up. But for gonna retire to my bunk and get to thinking. Hope the remaining cycle goes well for both of you."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Oh, Im fine." he says. "I just concentrate on my job and helping others to do their jobs out there. You know Im not the best warrior or at discussing how to be violent, so I sometimes just like to sit back and let others talk about things like that." he nosd. "You too, Roadbuster. Take it easy."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "safe steps Roadbuster, heh, and still, thank you." She'd nod, before turning back to Aid. "Ahh, just like to listen to the conversation?" She'd ask tilting her helm. "I sometimes do that.. just enjoy being other peoples company, even if I'm not contributing to the conversation."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Yeah, Im not sure what I'd add. Sometimes I just listen like that."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nods, and notes of the fact they are now alone, and thinks. "....Hey Aid.." She'd start, glancing down, taking a vent. "...You're.. okay, with that fact I'm like this.. Right?" She'd ask, with a raised ridge, what was she getting at?

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Yes I am, Starlock. Why wouldn't I be?" he looks at her. "Are you..dont be ashamed of what you are."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock flinches and glances away. "W-Well not /ashamed/ but.." She'd frown. "I do get worried If I'm being../too/ violent at times.... Or cruel, or too um.. Casual? with people." She'd murmur. "I'm a bit worried I may scare you, or others."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I dont think you are. Im not afraid. I dont know about others but I know its your way. I like you as you are."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock smiles softly, and nods. "I'm glad to hear that, really glad to hear it actually." She'd chuckle, relaxing some. "..I just.. try to treat people, like people." She'd nod. "Given some need more uhh, respect to then others.. I don't' think I'd really be able to talk to Prowl so casually as I would Ratchet.." She'd knit her ridges. Seems he's caught her in one of her rare talking moods.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I know. YOu're a medic, you care for people. You kinda remind me of Ratchet like that. Just..care about everyone."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock gins at that and nods. "..It odd to hear that, I admit, I'm not.. I don't honestly know /who/ I am, so all I can really go off of, is what I'm told."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tilts his head curiously. "Who do you think you are, Starlock?" he asks.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "I don't know... See most days just.. living? I guess, Its like I'm watching life pass me by, and I'm not feeling it at all." She'd explain. "I mean... I have some idea about my morals, and opinions but.." She'd hem. "I know who I /want/ to be though, but.." she'd click her tongue. "This all sounds weird, doesn't it?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I feel the same way. Its like we cant really prepare for the future with the war going on."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nods in agreement with that. "...Yeah, does.. feel a bit.. Like we can't move forward with our lives, because we don't know if we're going to actually live to be able to do what we want." She'd frown in thought. "...What.. Would you want to do in the future, if allowed, actually?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Maybe when the war is over we can." he says. "I'd probably always be a doctor. I'd like.. I look up to Ratchet you know? I'd like to help people the way he does. What about you?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     "A good question.. I've never really /thought/ of my future, fairly I never thought I'd get passed my learnings in medical school." She'd admit. "...Fairly I never thought I'd get where I have with fighting too." She'd hem. "...I guess.. I'd still be a doctor as well, maybe a teacher to those learning?" She'd think.

      "...Know.. help people in finding their own paths." she'd nod slowly. "I'd also like to learn to play a keyboard, maybe learn more in my singing, dancing in drawing." she'd chuckle.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid chuckles. "I didn't think I'd get out as early as I did but I learn pretty quick. I just want to help you know. I want to make a difference. Make the world a better place."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock chuckled. "Yeah, that was pretty much my goal too, things.. seem so much more simple when you don't have a full idea of the situation, doesn't it?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "It does. I mean in school thats all I wanted to do. Now? Its like..theres other things besides just making sure everyones working right."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock leaned back against the sofa, and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah....Make sure everyone gets out alive.. keeping track of those loss, not.. getting to close else getting hurt due to.." She'd frown.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Even the neutrals that are suffering in the streets. I want to make sure everyone makes it out better then we're at now."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nodded, looking up at the ceiling before glancing over to Aid. "Agreed... So I.. Ah" she'd bite her lip and glanced back up. "Guess I odda stop beating around the bush then.." She'd vent.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tilts his head. "Beating around the bush about what?" he asks.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock looks over to him fully, and knits her ridges. "....About, how i know you have a crush on me?" She'd smile sheepishly.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid rubs the back of his head. "I'm sorry about that." He blushes. "Does it make you uncomfortable?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Yes.. And no?" She'd state a bit confused, and sighed, rubbing at her temple. "...Because my only experience with such was.. rather bad.. I've... I've told you about Moonseeker, right?"

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "A little. What was he like with you?" he asks.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Okay, for context, imagine Pharma...Kind at first, charismatic, charming, seemingly gentle at first but.. once you got to know him, and stopped looking through tinted glasses, you see the flags.. manipulative, attempting to isolate you from everyone else outside him." She'd explain looking down.

      "...Would get into fights with others and throw tantrums when things wouldn't go his way.. Often demanding /I/ follow his decisions.. would make things up about me, that made me seem like.. I was the controlling dominant one in the relationship?" She'd frown. "Made me feel like I was.. a leech, gifts were not gifts but favours."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid vents a deep sigh. "Sounds like a horrible person. Don't believe anything he ever told you. You are a wonderful person, Starlock. You deserve to be happy with you would make you the most happy." he says, sincerely.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock gives something of a sad smile. "Thank you aid.. that... That is definitely something important, i think I needed to hear." She'd chuckle sadly. "....We broke up while i was still in school after... A pretty nasty physical fight, which my teacher had to get between us, I lost that." She'd smile weakly. "I was.. left with a lot, because he'd been supporting me since.." She'd glance away.

      "....I'm.. not very high, in caste." She'd nod once more. "...Does that.. Give some context, to some things?" She'd ask hestiantly.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid paues. "It doesnt matter anymore. We're Autobots. Caste or not w work side by side. You dont have to woryr about anyone lording that over you anymore."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nodded with a chuckle. "....I guess... I'm more worried, about the fact, you've never been with someone, that I may do to you what moonseeker did to me.. and that scares me." She'd sigh. "And that I'm too... broken."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods seriously. "We don't have to do anything if you don't want to. I just ...sorry. I should have been more professional."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock chuckles, and sighs. "It's alright, You're new to this, fairly I am too, still but.." She'd grin. "I'm as much to blame, I should of... tried talking to you sooner." She'd huff. "...But with all that said, I don't know what I want, due to my perception being tainted.... I'm not opposed to the idea though.."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid blinks "You..you arent? Well..if you want to. We can tek it slow or something or not at all. Whatever makes you more com.." he shifts. "More comfortable. Oh Primus"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock gives a sheepish smile. "I've been trying to figure out ways to politely turn you down without ruining our friendship, even asked blades." She'd laugh and sighed. "Just... kinda realized I was kidding myself, the more I thought about it." She'd grin. "...I'm willing to give it a second try."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Me too." he says. "Thank you, Starlock." he nods.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Cool." Stalrock smiles before chuckling, and just.. relaxes there on the sofa, like a weight was lifted off her pauldrons.