1374/Following A Hint

Cast of Characters: | Knockout, Goth, 135

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth was leading through the bunker outside Stanix once more, green optics glowing brightly as he lead the blind through it, and to the lab where that trap door had once been. .dried energon just /coats/ the place from where Goth, Sixshot, and the bots attempted to murder Mimic.

      "Here we are.." He'd chirp as he went over to the cellar door, looking at the locks in thought.

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out had not been there for the battle. He was kept aside for other potential needs and preparations for repairs afterward. It's also possible he 'volunteered' to not be there for one reason or another. Self-preservation, most likely.

All the same, once everything had died down and it was safe to be there after another puzzle was found, he was more willing to step inside the dark tunnel. His headlights were needed to reach the lab, little sounds here and there often resulting in his optics darting this way and that, but once in the lab itself, the lab with more than enough light, they arrived at the cellar door with the locks.

"Well, then," he begins, resting his hands at his hips, a faintly expectant look sent Goth's way. "A different sort of puzzle this time. He /does/ enjoy his games."

**Goth has posed:**
     "That he does." Goth muses as he looks down at the locks, the hint from Blast Off definitely did help, and he'd checked the reports from to recover the hideout names... "Makes one wonder why he attempts such things, as so much effort could be put into other things." He'd hem as he looked at the lock in the dark.

**Knockout has posed:**
"Some out there are..not right," Knock Out remarks, now squinting at the set of locks. "Have you seen these before? We're supposed to figure out the missing letters and unscramble them. That one," he points to the shortest of the mixed letters with a nimble finger, "is clearly Pandora."

**Goth has posed:**
     "agreed, still the wast of time and effort put into such is boggling." Goth would muse, though he really wasn't one to be speaking given his own... stability. Goth then nods. "Blast Off had mentioned to me that he had gathered some intel, it's possible the code is the names of the previous hide outs he's had.." Goth would hem as he started putting them in. "Spent a little time getting the names, Destructoris, Prometheus, and Pandora, being the last." He'd muse as he started clicking them in with his claws.

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out nods once. "Well done. The letters are a fit, which means all we need to do is find the right combination. The hard part is already over with." He gestures toward Goth, as if content to allow him the chance to do the dirty work with the locks. "It must not be a waste of time to Mimic. Me? I don't mind the chance to practice my smarts." This is said with a hint of smugness.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth lets out a vent. "Perhaps, likely thinks he's stalling us by doing such." He'd grumble as the cellar door locks click open, and Goth opens it, holding it open for KNock out. "...Mmm, yes, well, I'm likely partly just being ah.. /sour/ due to...what may happen if we don't end his sorry existences sooner, rather than later." he'd explain as he spun his claw in a gesture at Knock out as he did.

**Knockout has posed:**
There is a satisfied expression on the shiny mech's face as the cellar door opens for them. "Not much of a challenge, was this?" Knock Out asks. "Have we any intel on whether or not the Autobots got in here first?" As he nods to the indication to proceed, he flicks his forward-facing lights on again just in case it's needed. "Stalling or not, you did fight him. We are getting closer to ending this one way or another."

**Goth has posed:**
     "I think the problem in the first place was mainly we had autobot's also lurking in the area, gave Sixshot quite the issues." He'd huff as he followed the red and white mech downward, once off the stairs he was now moving on all fours. "Ah yes, I believe Sixshot mentioned three Autobot units having been down here first, being Swivel, and the two medics Healthpoint, and Starlock." He'd explain, and then grumbled.

      "I also know the oversized Hammerstrike was at least upstairs at one point, struck me with his damble hammer." He'd chuff. "...Still rather have killed him then and there, what with Scrapper theorizes he is attempting."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out grumbles, "Oh, /that/ little annoyance," when Swivel's name comes up. "That one was skulking about Maccadams when we were testing the initial theory about the last set of clues."

He doesn't say anything to the talk of the fighting that took place. There is none of it here right now, therefore no need to worry about it. He does not do the sort of crawling around Goth does, not especially built for it, but his expression thins as he takes sight of the number and the writing on the door. "Have a look at this."

**Goth has posed:**
     "Not the most annoying of them all, but annoying nonetheless." He'd add dryly, before letting out a hem, and making his way over to read the message. "...And now Riddles." He'd sigh, rubbing at his nose bridge. "Thankfully this one doesn't seem as..." He'd look for the word. "irritating.. as the locks, as my first guess is the Rust sea..."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out begins by reciting the riddle, as if it helps process things better. "Beyond the Grav Haraan, the graveyard is where the dead lay to rust, in a sea of their deceased sorrows. Yet it is not folly to envy their end, for true misery lies in the outskirts of a living mind."

Then, he gestures toward the numbers. "You'd think. The first part is clear, but it feels too obvious to me. There's no dead there, no end for.." Those red on black optics seem to light up, the eyes widening as he approaches the door to physically touch the numbers, then the words. Is he..counting?

**Goth has posed:**
     "Indeed, why I said first, however upon reading it over, the indication of people living in the area... That and it has two words that pretty much..." He'd muse but then he notes Knock out's counting. "Hm?" He'd ask tilting his helm once more, his black and green optics focusing on him.

**Knockout has posed:**
A finger on Knock Out's other hand is held up, as if to shush Goth without actually making the sound to go with it. "The numbers are a clue," he says. "Otherwise they wouldn't be there."

He makes an exaggerated show of counting out to ten, tapping each word with that fingertip before stopping on 'dead.' "You continue," he says, stepping away to see if Goth follows what he's getting at. The batty mech is not dumb, he's found.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth raises a ridge but nods. "The words 'dead' and 'end' stick out to me, mainly due to the fact there was a recent /problem/ with an Autobot medic named Pharma that took to spreading a plague around through Engex, the dead end was where I met the blasted mimic for the first time as well, was masquerading as one of Shockwave's insecticon experiments." Goth would inform, before squinting. "At least I suspect that was him." he'd tack on.

**Knockout has posed:**
"Precisely," is all Knock Out has to say in return, shifting away from the door and its message to head for the way out. "Then it's time to go to Dead End and see what there is to see. Are you coming with me, or do you have somewhere else to be?"

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth checks his internal clock before glancing around the room once more, and starts to follow Knock out back up. "Coming with, I don't' have anywhere to be just yet." He'd chirp.

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out nods, glancing over a shoulder. "Then let's be quick about it. I have some rubber to burn and another mystery to help solve." Once they exit the tunnels and get back to the surface, he'll waste little time in speeding his way to none other than Rodion.

**Goth has posed:**
============================>>At the Dead End...<<=============================

      Goth was able to keep up rather easily in the air, even cloaking when needed, but he comes into his familiar hunting grounds, landing on the ground near Knock out, with a few heavy flaps of his wings, appearing from a burst of black pixels glowing an eerie red, as he started looking around. "Hmmm... Now... What to exactly look for.."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out is true to his word, covering the distance from Stanix's outskirts in the Wastelands to Rodion and then Dead End in the Torus States with a swiftness most other ground-based ones would be jealous of. Most, grumble. And those who can fly are still able to keep pace without much trouble, provided they're fast enough up there.

Upon arriving, he shifts back to his upright form, a look of distaste etched across his features. "I certainly hope we don't have to..touch anything around here," he remarks. This might call for his /best/ buffer later on. Optics sweep the area, scanning and taking in what there is to see..and what there isn't. He knows the reputation this area has, the lawlessness abound. "Let's think back to the riddle."

**Goth has posed:**
     "...You get used to it." Goth says dryly, and hems, thinking about the riddle and looked around with a hem. "That is a good question, as it doesn't seem to point directly to anything in particular." he'd click his jaw, looking around with a curled first at his side.

**Knockout has posed:**
"Somehow I have my doubts about that, but it looks like the sort of place you'd enjoy from time to time," Knock Out offers, trying and failing to look and sound cheerful about it. "The only thing I'm seeing is in thinking about this being a place where others come to waste away, and I can see why." No, he does not seem like he enjoys being here.

But, he stops closer to a spot to one side of the street. "In Dead End, what would be the most miserable place you could go?" He mimes pointing around at the slums they stand amidst, noting others around who barely even look at them, so desolate are their existences. That finger circles about, then indicates down.

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth rolls his optics. "I have been here a fair few times to collect parts from the dead, and watch Darkstar be silly with his dead end fight club." He'd muse as he stood up on his hind legs to start walking upright properly, and folded his wings behind him, watching Knock out's gestures, his optics going down and he spots a manhole.

      "....." Goth just knits his brows in silent horror, no.. oh sweet Chela /no/. He does NOT want to suggest that.

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out reads the reaction, and a slow nod takes shape. "You say nothing, but you know exactly what I am getting at." Reluctant steps follow and he comes to stand before the cover that would be large enough for them, leaving him standing before it. "I do believe you are more familiar with Dead End than I, Corporal. It is only appropriate I follow and watch your back. Tail. Whatever you prefer." Did he just pull rank? Yes, he did.

**Goth has posed:**
     "I've never been in the SEWER system though!" Goth says, almost shirking, his fur standing up on end to make the bat look larger then he really was... It was also one thing, that despite all the gore and gross organic stuff he ends up dealing with, he is /not/ a dirty mech, he likes to keep himself rather clean, so he never really /smells/ awful.

      Goth's ears fall back and he inches over, he doesn't want to touch it, he keeps bringing his hand back, cringing, but eventually he uses that claw of his to get the cover off easy, but the smell THE SMELL.

      Goth is already a few feet away dry heaving, and hunched over, trying not to purge, his optics welling. "Oh sweet Chela that smells WORSE than a decaying, organic animal corpse! HOW?! How is that even remotely possible?!"

<Decepticon> Goth heaves. "This is /disgusting/

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "What?"

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "Don't ask. Just don't."

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "What long forgotten horror did you find now?"

<Decepticon> Goth says, "How in Chela's bloody name does this smell /worse/ then a decaying animal corpse?!"

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "Can't be worse then some things in the undergrid."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "MIGHT AS WELL BE!"

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "If you'd really like to know, come down to Dead End. We'll gladly wait for you."

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "As much as I would love to, I have other operations to prep for."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "Yes, please, this crosses the line, I am /not/ going down there"

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "I thought as much. And..yes, Goth. We are going down there."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "NO."

<Decepticon> Megatron says, "What are you..do I want to know?"

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "Will find out."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "I have been sat on fire, been fired upon by my own side by sheer stupid bad luck, and missed so shamefully I might as well have been shot, but I am not, I AM NOT, GOING INTO A THE DEAD END SEWER."

<Decepticon> Megatron says, "Sixshot. See if this is worth my time."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out takes a few moments to deal with chatter going back and forth between the two and other Cons somewhere else. "Can't you, I don't know, shut your olfactory sensors off?" He gestures with a hand, suddenly thankful his sense of smell is not on the level of the bat's. Then, he steps closer and, with a foot, gives Goth a shove forward toward the opening, the cover slid back. What he says in person is also heard over the comms. "Yes, you are."

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "Really, the slum sewers? As said not the worst, what led you there."

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "Yes, you are. \*some sort of sound following\*"

<Decepticon> Goth Theres a /splashing/ sound

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth almost snaps something back, but before he can, the poor big bulky bat missteps from the shoving and goes /falling/ down into the sewage below with an audible splashing... After her quickly scrambles out of the liquid and onto the path propper, he just looks like a wet, stinky, miserable, HORRIFIED bat.. Why.. Why did life hate him like this?

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot makes his way to the slums in fighter mode following the signal from Goth and Knock Out. No doubt the locals are giving the usual mixed reactions as he protoforms to land next to the pair, "You two really acting like protoforms right now." He shakes his head before focusing on the car enthusiast, "Sitrep before I send you down."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out shakes his head after Goth's landing in the sewers goes as unceremoniously as it could. "I gave him a choice, Captain," he says. Then, lest he receive the same treatment, he makes his way to the ladder down, switching his headlights on as Sixshot asks for more information. Mind, his progression into the sewers of Dead End is /not/ something he looks happy about. "We believe we have worked out the Mimic's latest riddle."

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth turns to look at Knock out, this is the look of a /very/ peeved sewage covered bat, he's trembling, and Goth does the /only/ thing he knows how to get back at the red medic right now from sheer SPITE, if he's going to be covered in gross, SO ARE YOU!

      Goth would get up on all fours, and /shake/ his frame roughly like a canine to shake off and fling the gunk every which way.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot doesn't even glance at the bat as he moves back, "Right, well no surprise they'd hide out here after all the other places they've hid." He waits for the silliness to end, "Well if done, lets get moving."

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "Believe not worth your time till something is found. But they believe to have find another hidey hole. If anything useful this time will bring back."

**Knockout has posed:**
There is a sudden yelp after Knock Out has descended into the sewers, the sight of his headlights in the chest swinging wildly this way and that coming at about the same time. "GOTH! You..you wretched /bat!/" he all but screeches, the expression on his face a mixture of horror and something much more furious. In fact, it leaves him rather speechless for the moment. At least, they're down in it now. Literally.

**Goth has posed:**
     "REVENGE IS A GLITCH!" Goth cackles madly! Before he starts actually retching. Good god it got in his mouth.... This is almost as bad as the time Phantom dumped AFTERBURNER GRESE right into his mouth.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
"Alright you two, save it for the arena if its even worth that.", Sixshot says as he looks between the two then around, "Despite what you two are covered in, this place is better kept than expected. Like more than our target could be operating down here."

**Knockout has posed:**
As well-kept as this area is, it's just Goth's luck - or bad luck, apparently - that he happened to land in a bad patch of...stuff. And now, Knock Out has at least a portion of it marring his pristine finish. "All..I know is..I have an important date later..with my best buffer." It is as he feared, and yet it could have been worse. Much worse. "We should be moving on. Now." He rather stomps on ahead, making a concerted effort to quell his inner rage. Think happy thoughts. Clean thoughts. Pure thoughts. Shiny, polished, waxed thoughts. Yesssss....

**Goth has posed:**
     Oh it could of been /so much worse/ indeed! Goth's the one that's going to be violently ill later, fact he was already coughing pretty hardly, but that cause it.. got in places.. that and Goth's claws could of done way worse damage had he wanted to...

      At least /somewhat/ satisfied with his form of revenge he starts following on all fours, shivering from just how grossed out he is. "It is still awful.." He'd whine.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot looks to Goth, "Are you able to still function or do you need to pull back, Corporal?" He doesn't ask the same of Knock Out as he looks around, "Agreed best to keep moving and stay alert. Go ahead, I'll be behind."

**Knockout has posed:**
Taking point this time, it may be best that the others don't see Knock Out's expression. He is Not Pleased. But, he is here. They are here. They seem to be on the right path. Then, he stops.

"And what..is /this?/" he asks them, gesturing not to the graffiti, but the door. Even on the other side, sounds of music and voices can be heard. He does not look like he really wants to go into whatever the place is.

**Goth has posed:**
     "looks like a hidden club, were one does things like cricut speeders without the public knowing." Goth replies at last, and heaves again, sighing. "The smell alone I can tell." He'd wave his hand in front of his nose, he's still /drowning/ in the sewage smell but he can smell other things.

      "I... will seriously need to pull back soon to get myself /clean/ of this monstrosity before Dustoff needs to quarantine me for.. whatever is growing in this.." He'd shutter.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot looks to the door then to the pair, "Well either we go in or pull back when your both ready." Focusing on Goth, "Then pull back unless you deem otherwise for yourself. No need for you to become unable to function in any capacity even with what can be found here. I can continue with Knock Out."

**Knockout has posed:**
Knock Out does not have the sense of smell Goth does, but he has already dampened that particular thing - if not completely disabled it. Aside from simply being /down/ here at all in the first place, and in need of a good scrubbing later, he is handling this..well enough. "I don't think we need to go in with weapons drawn, but be ready in case things go aft-up." A glance back to Sixshot, then he says to Goth, "Stay, come in, or fall back. It's up to you, but stay close." Then, he opens the door with a grimace, touching it as delicately as he can.

**Goth has posed:**
     "Considering how we /smell/." Goth says dryly looking at Both himself, and Knock out... Though would high meches really /care/ how they smell? Goth does peek over though, attempting to look in.

<Decepticon> Goth says, "...Dustoff.. how angry would you be if I cam into the medical bay to use the showers, to remove /seweage/ from my fame and fur?"

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
"Oh I plan to go in as this is just the Jump Joint with a different clientele. How they'll handle the pair of you is unknown. Could be used to it with where it's located.", Sixshot replies as he moves to the door, "Doubt any would be dumb as we're not Autobots or the old security forces. So lets get this over with."

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "Don't be dramatic, Goth."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "I am COVERED in SEWEAGE."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "you'd be just as miffed as I if this had been you!"

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "...be quiet."

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "I don't want to talk about that."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "My point is not disproven!"

<Decepticon> Blast Off says, "...Ew."

<Decepticon> Goth says, "Yes Blast Off.. Ew.."

<Decepticon> Blast Off says, "Have any Limestone Polish? That can be good for getting smells out...."

**Knockout has posed:**
"After you, then," Knock Out says, and while he has been spattered with some of the same stuff Goth landed in, thankfully it isn't as much. Even with that the case, he offers a bow with a flourish, gesturing for Sixshot to be the first one in. Goth will do what he will, but the medic says dryly, "I don't smell a thing."

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "Can we focus or buffing yourselves will be the least of your problems. If have to just leave and bring in others more suited, I will."

**Goth has posed:**
     "Lucky you." Goth retorts tartly, crossing his arms, and leans against the wall, he's not going inside, nope, he's not going to go and be made fun of by a bunch of strangers! Everyone else in the cons does that to him already, he just sighs. "I'll be out here." He'd nod, closing his optics.

      Inside is what one would /very/ much expect of a hidden rave club, flashing lights, loud music, varies intoxicating substances, a bar with every sort of Engex, a number of bots just enjoying themselves in such things, including the gambling through dice, cards, or other games.

<Decepticon> Goth says, "Blast Off.. remember, i am covered in fur."

<Decepticon> Blast Off says, "If you smell THAT bad, beleve me, you'll need it. Anway... \*ahem\* Yes, Sixshot, Sir. We've got our own little problems to deal with here, anyway. Or... big ones."

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
"As you wish, Corporal. Better to have a pair of optics out here.", Sixshot shot replies as he pushes the door open. Looking about the sixchanger is not surprised at the atmosphere, "Little more lively but no Brawl tossing things around." He scans the crowd looking for anything or anyone that could be interesting .

**Knockout has posed:**
Caution is the name of the game as Knock Out moves in behind Sixshot. Oh, it's very active and busy in this place, not the sort he'd voluntarily enter under any circumstances, but these are not normal ones at all. "Let's not delay in here. I can already feel things seeping in through my vents," he laments. Optics again scan the area, this time in search of someone or something that may stand out. Then, he nudges Sixshot. "Over there. Is that who I think it is?"

**Goth has posed:**
     Goth remains outside still, just listening to the loud music.. He's not happy, or comfortable in the /slightest/.... His ears mainly twitched as he listened to the conversation between the other two, even through the wall and music Goth can hear! ...That and he's starting to feel really queasy.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot turns his optics to where Knock Out indicates focusing on the blue mech before nodding, "I believe it is. Question is whether to question now or later."

**Knockout has posed:**
"Unless you want to come back here again, no time like right now," Knock Out says, making a point of avoiding direct optic contact with any of the patrons of this place. Who knows what sorts of invitations that would give them reason to assume.

However, even as they approach the one known as Shill, the blue bot has a few words ready and waiting for them, looking shifty in the process: "Did Mimic send you? Where's the key? Give it to me and I'll take you to the bunker..."

At this, Knock Out can only turn back to Sixshot with a questioning look. "What now?"

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Of course there were Autobots nearby just waiting to ruin the chance of not having to stick our neck actuators out."

<Decepticon> Sixshot says, "What did you find in the last bunker before coming here, Knock Out? Didn't see any objects to take?"

**Goth has posed:**
     "<<Finds this.. key, and return, clearly spends his time here since the mech is missing in regards to his partner, Monty, who was murdered...>>" Goth would huff over the communlink from outside the bar, he was looking around and slowly starting to move back for the man-hole from which they came.

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Oh well. Hardly a surprise. Time to put those phenominal sniper skills of yours to use Blast Off."

<Decepticon> Knock Out says, "No keys, just photos and the one for Maccadams on the back of one. What is this about a key?"

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Also, you're welcome for being told to stay back. I didn't want to accidentally catch you in the crossfire of my creation."

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot looks to Knock Out, "You can head back, I'll get a drink and leave." Looking back to Shill he says nothing before heading over to the bar, <<No idea about the key. Just means theres something new to figure out.>>

<Decepticon> Blast Off just huffs, followed by the sound of laserfire.

**Knockout has posed:**
"Right. You stick around here. Make yourself comfortable," Knock Out suggests to Shill. There is no more than a brief nod toward Sixshot, then he's on his way back out. Goth gets quite the Look, whether he passes the bat-bot or not. So filthy.