1358/Deep Space Recon: Rigel System

**Blurr has posed:**
    Bot and Con intel have received tips from contacts regarding a mysterious orbital station in the Rigel System that is supposedly chock full of advanced tech created by an ancient civilization. Time to investigate and see if the rumors are true--and if they are, if they're worth exploiting.

    For their part, the Autobots have sent a small scout ship with a team from Intel aboard. As the vessel approaches one of the docking stations, no one is there to ask who they are, what they're doing, or anything. Which is because no one is really in charge...

    The station is currently full of mostly outlaws, outcasts, and others either brave, stupid, or desperate enough to seek shelter in a system so near to Cybertronian space. If anyone of them notice Cybertronians showing up, it doesn't come as a surprise, although most people would go out of their way to steer clear--one thing is certain, no one wants to get tangled up in their affairs, not to mention accidentally cross one of them.

**Jazz has posed:**
"Let's get in and out of here guys. Keep your optics open for the 'Cons," Jazz says.

His senses are on high alert and he squints trying to get a lay of the station. Hiding Spots. Nooks. Crannies. All of it.

His visor drops over his optics and he looks around looking for this ..this..stuff.

**Repugnus has posed:**
Repugnus is patiently sharpening his shank on his claws as the scout ship docks. He makes his way into the derelict city and seems to disappear. Among the shanty structures and lawless character, he blends right in, as if he belonged here. He looks closely as he passes merchants with their wares. Perhaps one of them have aquired some of this technology. Even better if they don't realize what they have...

**Starscream has posed:**
     Starscream has made his way here with his /lord/ of all people.. Probably for the better, knowing how Starscream is on missions himself? things tend to get out of control... The bots maaay actually notice that an Unmarked Decetpicon ship was actually here, and Starscream was already walking through the station, glancing about with a raised ridge with his arms folded behind him...

      Honestly? he felt like he was walking through Koan. "Interesting this is what has been done with this old station." He'd muse as he kept checking his equipment.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron has come along to observe and most likely keep Starscream out of trouble. "Indeed." he comments, looking around. "Keep an optic out for Autobots. This is sure to draw their attention."

**Blurr has posed:**
    From what anyone can tell, the place is quite ancient, although for how old it must be, it looks pretty nice. Upon arriving on the main part of this particular arm on the station, both groups are presented with a long, wide hallway where various seedy-looking characters are selling illegally-obtained wares or just loitering about, but must of them scurry away upon laying eyes on any Cybertronian. There a few other mechs about, some of whom look like they may be from Cybertron themselves, or from a colony world, who don't run in fear. Above them is a shield that both protects the inside of the station from the harsh void of space, and seems to disguise itself as an artificial sky full of wispy-looking clouds. Below them are seven more floors waiting to be explored.

    Aside from the local populace, there appear to be some odd little spherical drones that whizz around here and there, opening various wall and floor panels, poking at circuitry, lubricating a door or window, cleaning out a crevice. Perhaps these things were the reason this place hadn't fallen into a state of -complete- disrepair?

    "Yep," Blurr mutters as he picks up on a Decepticon presence nearby. "Figured they'd show. Want me to go keep 'em occupied, or do we stay low?" he asks Jazz.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz shakes his head looking in the direction Blurr indicates.

"This is a recon mission. We try to avoid them if we can plus its Megatron and Starscream, the heavy hitters."

His gaze falls upon the two for a long moment then says into his radio.

 <<Do we know which direction we are going? Any readings. Do not engage the decepticons unless you have to.>>

**Repugnus has posed:**
Repugnus picked up on their unavoidable presence as well. He pauses to look at a piece of tech on offer. "Scrap," he says idly and continues studying the area, <<Understood. Sir.>> the Monsterbot radios back, as irreverant as ever.

BUMP. Someone bumps into him--before Repugnus can push them away, they stumble back, terrified, pointing at his badge, "Autobot!" Repugnus raises a palm to his helm and shakes his head. Idiot.

**Starscream has posed:**
     Starscream caught note of the drones and his wings twitched up. "interesting... Repair drones?" He'd muse mainly to himself before continuing to walk along his lord. "...Tell me, My lord, what are we looking for? It seems this place has.. become something of an trade hub, despite its inhabitants." He'd muse. "Perhaps speaking with someone would glean us a bit more insight?" He was yet to be made aware of the Autobot's presence.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron pausess, watching the drones a moment. "As of yet, we're not sure. Be on the looking for anyone trading anything out f place. We know what we're looking for is ancient. Just.. keep an optic out for anyone selling anything old and unusual. We'll go from there." He also has yet to notice the Autobot presence.

**Blurr has posed:**
    "Yessir." Blurr replies obediently. "If they haven't noticed us yet I guess there's no reason to alert them to our presence." He checks his sensor arrays again when Jazz asks about readings. << Nothing yet. Maybe we should try asking some of locals, here. If some of them have been here awhile, there's a chance someone knows something interesting. >>

    Speaking of locals, in the immediate area there are a few options now that the terrified ones have cleared out. One of them appears to be a smaller organic sporting some kind of huge exosuit. He seems to be selling a variety of black market drugs from all around the galaxy. The rest are either Cybertronian civilians or mechs from Cybertronian colony worlds, many of them offering various vehicular fashion statements, drinks, or weapons/ammo for sale. None of it seems to be out of the ordinary or beyond what one would expect in a place like this, though.

**Jazz has posed:**
"Fine. Then let's spread out."

<<Spread out, lets cover some ground. Keep your isignia covered huh?>>

Jazz saunters up to one of the weapons sellers and says, "Excuse me. We are looking for a particular umm..artifacts? Could ou maybe help me with finding some old time stuff?"

**Starscream has posed:**
     Starscream hms, looking around.... They could ask the other neutral aligned cybertronians about this place.. he loathed the idea to talking to the organic.. That and they were selling Drugs, if he where someone say VORTEX, then maybe but him? No. hough so far he isn't seeing anything looking out of the normal.. well the Norm for this place.

      He'd glance over the venders mainly attempting to see who'd been here longer.. He'd start walking over to one of them, keeping his posture proper and posed, mostly pretending to look over the wheres as he waited to see if the Mech would speak with him first.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron looks around at all the mechs, himself. He pauses when he sees the organic. "That one. "He motions. "The exotic creature." he murmurs to starscream. "He'd likely have the most exotic merchandise. When you are finished. Go to him next." he says to Starscream. Maybe hes around to provide muscle if that is needed in negotiations.

**Blurr has posed:**
    << Copy that. I'll take a look around, see if I find anything or anyone interesting. >> Blurr zips off down the corridor and disappears for the time being. The weapons merchant that Jazz approaches is a bulkier type similar to Roadbuster. He arches a brow. "Artifacts, huh? Sorry mech, but I'm a weapons mech, not into that weird history and science stuff." He pauses. "Though, I might know a guy. 'Ol Proxy's kinda crazy but he's been obsessed with trying to figure out what those drones do." he says, jabbing a thumb at one of them as it floats by. "Keeps ranting and raving about some super advanced tech he thinks is gonna change everything. He's convinced it's somewhere here in Rigel."

    The vendor Starscream approaches looks to be Velocitron. He's decked out in the latest fashions. Grinning as the seeker looks at him, he starts trying to sell him something. "Hey there, mech--looking sharp today. Gotta say, I love those colors together! I bet I have just the thing for you to add to that slick look! Maybe something for the wings, eh? Some extra detailing? Or maybe you'd like to try our deluxe waxing kit? Keeps the paint pristine even in the toughest of battles!"

**Jazz has posed:**
"Proxy huh?" Jazz rubs his chin for a moment. "So you have some idea of what I am talking about? Which way would I go to find Ol Proxy."

Jazz takes a moment to consider the drone and makes a mental note.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel had not made it very far onto the station before she, too, had seemed to vanish into the crowd. Or maybe one of those crevices Jazz had made note of. Either way, she's been very quiet, and very... non-present, despite having left the ship with everyone else. The reason? She saw someone, or something, she maybe recognized. Maybe. And in a nervous fit, hid. And has remained hidden since.

**Starscream has posed:**
     Oh lovely, another one of /those/ types, least it wasn't another Eukrian, this one could at least understand what he was saying, though he had the tenacity of /Swindle/ which also added onto his annoyance. He just smiled kindly. (Which is probably creepy and a big fat red flag to /anyone/ that knows him, or heard of him) "Ahh perhaps my dear mech, ah.. hmm.. If you could." He'd gesture his hand.

      "Could you tell me of this place? Quite new to this place, and I'm quite curious of what exactly is going on here." he'd nod.

      "<<Give me a Breem here... I will attempt them next if you do not my lord~>>" He'd say over a tight beam.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron nods to the tightbeam, keeping quiet and letting Starscream work. He knows just how much Starscream loathes this. Its half the reason he likes making him do it. Always testing. Hes just enjoying watchign the interaction, for now.

**Blurr has posed:**
    "Hmmm." The mech considers a moment. "Well, he likes to get all over this station a lot, but I sold him some ammo once and delievered it down to his lab. It's three floors down from here, sector 211G, branch A. If he's hanging around there, you probably couldn't miss 'im." he chuckles a bit at that.

    The Velocitronian looks somewhat surprised and disappointed when Starscream doesn't actually seem interested in buying anything. But, nonetheless, he has a business and a reputation to maintain, so he obliges. "Er, well what do you want to know? Good place to buy illegal stuff. Other than that all I know is it's some abandoned station that somehow runs itself." he says with a shrug.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz tosses a few credits to the mech.

"Thanks very much," he turns and looking again for the 'Cons he makes another point to avoid them then he radios to his team.

<<We are looking for a mech name Proxy. His lab is three levels down. He also might be around someplace.>>

 Then he pauses turning back to the merchant, "What does he look like?"

**Swivel has posed:**
For the first time, Swivel pipes up over the radio. <<"Three levels down? I can get there easily. I was just thinking maybe I should stay with the ship - never can be too careful - but I'm by the lift. Want me to head down there and scout ahead?">>

**Starscream has posed:**
     It would be a lie to say the waxing kit didn't get his attention, but he also knew, Illegal, did not' necessarily mean good.. Again, he's been around Swindle... Still he was opticing it over. "I see.. How exactly does it run itself? I noticed the drones were running without attendance." He'd muse, looking up with those red optics and a tilt of his helm. He's taking his time.. mainly cause he doesn't' want to talk to the organic.

**Blurr has posed:**
    The merchant is happy to take the money, and grins. "Hey, no problem pal. He's uh..." he pauses, pensive. "Actually, he kind of looks a little bit like you, 'cept he's a flyboy so he's lighter. Teal paintjob."

    Blurr replies on the comms from wherever he is. << Copy that, headed there now. Meet you at the gravlift in Sector 2. >>

    The fashion merchant sort of starts to look hopeful when Starscream seems at least mildly interested in the waxing kit. Though he still appears to be pressing with the questions about the station. "Uhhh....look, I honestly have no idea, mech. They were just here when we got here." he tells the seeker. "No one really knows what or who is controlling them, but I'm sure they have to recharge at somewhere at some point. Maybe you should try following them or something." he says with a shrug, then sighs. "Sorry but that's all I know about this place. Haven't been here that long, anyway. So if you're not gonna buy anything, you'd best move along."

**Jazz has posed:**
<<Copy that. Go ahead and go down as well Swivel. I am going to stay top side and keep an eye on these guys.>>

Jazz moves away from his merchant and circles around in the crowd to keep optics on the two 'Cons. He sneaks around carefully and tucks himself into a different cornor to keep optics on the duo.

**Swivel has posed:**
<<"Copy.">> Swivel responds. She waits for the current people queueing for the lift to go in and for the next to show up. Then scoots out from her hiding place into the lift, pressing the button to get her to the right level, then in some midly agitation, repeatly presses the 'close doors' button, while constantly glancing down the hall.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron tilts his head listening to Starscream interact. Autonomous drone. Ah, lets see what the catch is. Things like this always come at a high price.

**Starscream has posed:**
     Uhg, now he /has/ to talk to the Organic. "I see.. Well, quite alright, thank you anyway." He'd nod, and then give Megatron a look, grumbling as he made his way over to the organic and huffed out! He'd cross his arms over and made his way to the organic, rather guarded... "Mmmph.. You there.. Could tell me about this place." he was a bit twitchy at the moment.

**Blurr has posed:**
    The gravlift doors close and take Swivel down to the appropriate level, where she'd find Blurr waiting in the hallway. "Right, guess we'd better see if we can find this guy. Did Jazz give you the details?" It's not far to the specified location, just a few paces across a footbridge and a left turn.

    The organic's face can be seen through a clear section of his helmet, though the rest of him is concealed. He...seems to not quite be all there. Perhaps he's taken the liberty of using some of his own stuff on himself. "...this place...eh-hehehehh....yeahhhh...a right myst'ry it is. Dem old drones...doin' wha dey do...'s all in da Cradle....da Cradle...no one knowsss...what's in the Cradle..."

**Jazz has posed:**
<<Ah. I forgot, this Proxy looks a bit like me. Some sort of jet form. teal paint job.>>

After Jazz transmits he simply squats in his space to catch some of the shadows and now watch Starcream and he is a bit amused.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel just nods to Blurr when he asks whether she's caught up. She otherwise stays focused on putting one foot in front of the other across the bridge, her gaze fixed straight ahead of her. Although she also seems to be making note of every possible avenue of escape as she does so.

**Starscream has posed:**
     Yep, that was a whole lotta nope right there! His wings twitch as he takes a step back and gives Megatron a /look/ Why the hell did he pick this one?! He then clears his vents. "Er,.. Yes, and where would one find this. .cradle?" if it's even weird and this guy just wasn't higher than space itself.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron gices a bit of a smirk. This is exactly why he chose this guy. Starscream's look of discomfort makes him tilt his head. "Go on. Let's see those legendary diplomatic skills, Starscream." Oh this is /that/ kinda test.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Swivel and Blurr make their way across the footbridge as Jazz gives additional details over the comms. Once they're across, it's not long before they encounter a mech matching that description in the hallway, appearing to be trying to do some kind of deep scan on one of those mysterious drones as it works on some circuitry in the walls. He's muttering to himself. Surprisingly, Blurr seems to let Swivel do the talking this time, hanging back a bit as they approach.

    The alien's eyes bulge at Starscream's question, and he reaches out with his exo, grabbing the seeker by the shoulders. "At the center of the mechanism! The center of the mechanism!" he practically shouts, then suddenly lets go again, slumping back down into his seat. "...oooh, but no one's been dere 'an back luv...no one dat's got close anyways...." he gets up again, and starts pacing. "...else dem livin' statues...dey getcha..."

**Swivel has posed:**
Seeing the mech matching Jazz's description, Swivel walks over. Surprisingly, she is able to do just that without Blurr rushing ahead. For a moment she glances back at Blurr, but then looks forward again. She steps over to the mech and the drone. HOwever, instead of addressing the mech directly, she crouches down and looks at the drone he is scanning. "Why, hello there little fella."

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz is glad that he stayed more and more information comes out. He leans his back against the wall and now just listend to what is going on.

**Starscream has posed:**
     "You, are, a, Protoform." Starscream would hiss under his vents at Megatron. He's then grabbed and oh does alll of his platting shutter! he yelps, and it takes /a lot/ to keep from wrenching his frame away before the guy lets go and starts pacing and he sneers.. Yeah, He was definitely going to get Megatron back for this later. "Living statues..?" He'd question as he tried to clean the spots that where grabbed.. Didnt' care if the druggy saw, probably too high to care.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron gives a mock look of innocence and chuckles. "Is this organic beyond your ability to deal with?" he asks. "Living statues hmm? What can you learn about it. You're so much better at this than I am, Starscream." oh. He's enjoying this.

**Blurr has posed:**
    The drone doesn't give any indication of a response to Swivel, but it seems to have finished its work and suddenly whizzes away. A panel in the ceiling opens, and it disappears into it. Proxy watches it go, then looks back to Swivel. "Fascinating things, aren't they?" he remarks. "I'm glad I'm not the only one interested in them. But who might you be?" the mech asks, tilting his head curiously at the two Autobots.

    Meanwhile, back on the upper floor, the alien organic nods feverishly. "Yeh....dey's remnants....of 'em...ancient thingsss...huge...." Then his eyes roll up and he suddenly passes out, flopping onto the floor with a clank.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz begins to circle around this time to see if he can get to the two decepticons back side. Tip Toe. Tip. Toe. Still watching the whole time.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel slowly rises to her feet, looking up at the panel it disappeared into, almost as if she was trying to ascertain whether or not she'd fit up there. She then looks over at Proxy, with her signature warm, disarming smile. "They are. Keeping this place all tippy-top shape! So intuitive, I just had to check, you know? I've come to realize you never know where you might find sentience. You never know, right?" She looks up. "Though sometimes a drone is just a drone." She tilts her head. After a moment she looks back at Proxy. "Oh. Right. Sorry, excuse me. My manners, they have crept off and hidden somewhere. I'm..." Swivel pauses. "I'm Swivel." Lies may cover one's aft for a short while, but they tend to come back and bite one in that very aft. "And you are?"

**Starscream has posed:**
     Oh thank the architect he doesn't have to deal with that anymore! "Well, that was.. Informative." He'd sneer, before gesturing out to in front of him as he turned to start walking. "Shall we then?" He'd grumble, /glaring/ at Megatron... However he gets a glance at Jazz, and is further embarrassed, Megatron was embarrassing him in front of an Autobot! HOW DARE!

      He'd let out grumble. "It seems the Autobots have arrived." He'd point out Jazz.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron notices Jazz and crosses his arms. "Well, well. We have company. I wonder if they were brought here for the same reason we have come." he gives a glare in Jazz's direction. Someone new to torment oh how lovely.

**Blurr has posed:**
    "Proxy." he says, reciprocating the introduction. He holds out a hand to shake, then smiles back at Swivel. "Indeed. Sometimes I do wonder if they may in fact be sentient." He straightens up, peering again at the panel the drone had disappeared behind again. "This place is quite amazing, really. I can't wait to unlock all of its secrets. Would you like to see what I've been working on, Swivel?"

    Meanwhile, Blurr has been hanging back a bit, listening to the conversation. But he tunes into the comm briefly to see what Jazz is up to. << Jazz, what's your status? Cons up to anything interesting? >> he asks.

    Up top, the station denizens seem to have become aware that a confrontation is happening when Starscream and Megatron are alerted to Jazz's presence. They start to get the slag out of there.

**Jazz has posed:**
<<Stand by>> is all that Jazz says.

 Waving good naturedly he approachs to a -safe- distance. "Fancy seeing you two here. Enjoying the diversity? I saw you interact with the...what did you call him? Protoform? Good stuff though it seemed a bit rough."

**Swivel has posed:**
Widening her optics gleefully and clapping her hands together, Swivel nods her head. "Oh would I!" She blurts out excitedly. Then she clears her vents, face growing a bit more guarded. "I mean, I have some time before my ship leaves, so, yes, I would like that." She smiles, looking up at the panel again. She doesn't bother looking at Blurr, not really wanting to draw Proxy's attention to anything else. Instead she just stretches, her fingers making a discrete 'ok' sign briefly before her arms fall to her sides. "Ready to go when you are."

**Starscream has posed:**
     Starscream would snicker at Jazz calling Megatron a Protoform, if it wasn't for the fact /starscream/ called it him first, but Megatron getting flack from him and getting flack from an autobot was totally different! Right!? "I'd bite your tongue, bot." He'd sneer, glancing up to Megatron, slowly reaching for his null ray gun.

**Blurr has posed:**
    Proxy chuckles, happy to see someone who shares his enthusiasm. "Perfect." he says, and proceeds to lead Swivel down to his lab nearby. As for Blurr, he sort of just hangs around on standby, staying alert in case anything goes south as Jazz had instructed.

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron gives Jazz a cold glare. "That is between us." he says. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. Be on your way, Autobot." he says, with a dismissive hand motion. He has let the Autobots go for now. Almost like the insult is beneath him.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz considers Starscream for a long moment as he reaches for his weapon. His optics actually never leaves him.

Holding up both hands and backs away, not turning. "No need to cause a scene here. I'll happily clear out. No problem at all!"

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron asks "Though I do wonder." He pauses. "What brings you and your kind here, Autobot?"

**Jazz has posed:**
Shrugging Jazz responds, "Wait...wait...do you want me to stay or do you want me to go?"

He smirks a bit then answers, "We we doing a bit of shopping notice all of the shops and merchants around."

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron shrugs back "It doesn't matter to me where you go. What are you looking for?" he asks, watching Jazz closely.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz frowns and shrugs, "Supplies. Things. Maybe even Femmes," he winks.

"SO, I'm gonna go do some shopping," he points at Megatron, "Can I pick something up for you? You can pay me back next time."

**Starscream has posed:**
     Starscream squints, his hand doesn't leave his weapon, but he'll allow their Lord to question the Autobot before Gunfire is ordered, he's slightly interested in how this will go. "Do not entertain him too long my lord, where there is one, there is likely more.."

**Megatron has posed:**
Megatron shakes his head. "No." he turns to walk away without another word. "Of course there is." He says to Starscream. "Be on the lookout."

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz raises an optic ridge and goes to blend into the crowds.