1047/Moxie and Negotiations

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar led the way through the alleys of Dead End, a bit of a legend in his own right here. While he was no Scrap Bash the Undefeated, or Killcore the Mysterious the mech was well known enough for his partipation in the Dead End Fight Club to avoid being outright assaulted or robbed by the majority of the denizens of the rather seedy part of town. Empties sat in groups huddled around small fires, another nursed a puncture wound taken by a shanking that left him with even fewer shanix than he'd had when he began the day begging. This was the kind of stuff Darkstar saw every few days, and it didn't seem to bother the space-alt one bit. Such is life in Dead End...

    Glancing aside to Soundwave, Darkstar retrieved an enerbar from his subspace pocket and began to chow down. "Hope ya' don't mind, General. Brought plenty for the both of us," he'd explain before retrieving another enerbar, this one offered to The Voice. "Kinda interestin' that Howl would be hangin' around in Autobot territory, eh? Way she seemed when I met 'er before she ain't exactly one of their biggest fans."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave strides alongside the spacer as he takes in sights, sounds... and more. He is quite familiar with the Dead End, having been here himself- as one of the lost and destitute. That was a long time ago, however, and he has much more control of himself now. Most empties who catch a glimpse of the mech do not approach... whether it is just that he has a slightly... unnerving aura about him, or he is known as Megatron's right-hand mech, may not be clear. Soundwave lifts a hand, palm flat towards Darkstar as a 'no thanks' gesture when offered food- the spymaster is on the job and not usually one to drink or eat then. "sustenance- not required. Howl: ...Many possible explanations. We will find the truth, then act accordingly."

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar shrugs his pauldrons and tosses the sealed enerbar into the air and catches it, "Suit yourself, Voice." Spotting one of the mechs he actually knew from the Fight Club, Darkstar began to make his way over while continuously tossing the enerbar into the air along the way. "Hey... Check it out," he says beore turning his head slightly, showing off the dent in his helm that he'd not yet gotten repaired in order to keep his activities from being too much of a drain on medbay resources. "Know where I got that, don'tcha?" Smirking, Darkstar offered the mech the enerbar he'd been playing around with. Jutting a thumb back toward Soundwave, Darkstar continued. "Friend o' mine was lookin' for someone. Wonder if you might be able to help 'im out..."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave says nothing for now, letting Darkstar do the speaking. Soundwave will just stand here and loom and look mildly sinister. Psst, he's also trying to read your mind. In fact, he's concentrating as he seeks emotions or snatches of thoughts, sensing whether someone speaks the truth or a lie.

**Swivel has posed:**
The mech, more scrappy than actually skilled, looks up when Darkstar approaches. His optics immediately go to that enerbar, following its trajectory as it is tossed up and caught again. ~Hunger~. However, when invited to 'check out' a dent in Darkstar's helmet, he cracks a grin that seems to nearly split his angular face in two. Yet, that enerbar keeps grabbing his attention. When the enerbar is offered, though, he holds back, trying to muster up some dignity. He lifts his chin, looking at the offering with some scrutiny. But then there's the mention of wanting information. Aaaaaaah. It's bargaining. Knowing what strings are attached, the mech grabs for the bar, but watches Darkstar closely. There's a fleeting moment of tension, with conflict of respect for Darkstar, and a healthy sort of fear and suspicion rampant through most of the inhabitants, especially those who go through great pains to hide it. The mech only briefly glances at Soundwave, then quickly back to Darkstar. Soundwave will sense a new level of unnease in the mech.

"Maybe I can. Maybe I can't. Depends on who yer looking fer." And if there will be more offerings than a mere energon bar. ~Greed~

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar barks a laugh at the mech's 'maybes'. Nodding his head once, the spacer straightens up a bit and crosses his arms over his chest. "Lookin' for Howl... Works for X-el. You know of 'em right? They're that courier company that was on the news awhile back? When that mech went a bit haywire from that virus?" Surely the mech remembered that, as it was a relatively hot topic for a few days given the amount of destruction that had been wrought. "Femme, 'bout this high," Darkstar says and lifts his hand to what would be the appropriate height. "Pretty sure she frequented Mac's."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave detects the mech's unease- and greed, and he radios Darkstar with a note to that effect. Though in this case, Darkstar may be able to pick a lot of that up for himself. He continues monitoring for emotions or snatches of information.

**Swivel has posed:**
The mech stands listening. He almost puts the bar away, but then the realization that at any moment he might be mugged and lose his meal comes over him. So he takes a bite out of it as he listens to Darkstar's request. He squints a little at the name 'Howl' as if racking his memory about it. THen his optics light up with a flare of recognition. But then questioning whether he remembered that right. More enerbar in mouth to prevent him from interrupting as Darkstar begins to describe. He does grin at the mention of the news about the crazy mech who shot up X=el. Or drove into it. Or... something. What was it? It was funny, he thinks. Maybe.

"Howl's a femme?" He blurts out. "Uh, I mean, I think I know the name, but never saw the mech - er femme - myself." There is no indication he is lying. Just a sense of trying to remember more about something. "Let's see.... I think... yeah, someone by the name of Howl has been looking for... what was it. Oh yeah, um, Something-ite. Ticknite? Trekite? I dunno. Just overheard... well... see, I overheard some fine gentlemechs discussing something like that. But, see, they like their discretion. You understand." There is a brief glance towards Soundwave again, as if the mech is keenly aware he is really pushing his luck into dangerous territory, but the greed is getting the better of him. Besides. He's finished his enerbar.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar's optics flash briefly, and he holds his gaze onto the Dead Ender for another few moments as he finishes speaking of the 'fine gentlemechs' who like their discretion. Nodding to the messages from Soundwave, Darkstar would reply with his own in a way that he was growing more and more suspecting that Soundwave and Soundwave alone would be able to pick up. Should they give this mech a bit more incentive to pony up information about the gentlemechs who were discussing their target? "Of course... Nobody ever gets something for nothing, right?" If anyone could authorize giving over something that this Dead Ender would consider to be worthwhile it was The Voice.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave mulls it over as he continues to listen and learn. What to do, what to do.... He finally steps forward. "Information will be rewarded." He takes something out of subspace. It's a card of some sort. "This card contains the contact number of a mech who supplies energon for Decepticon forces in this area. Cooperate with us and you shall have this card, as well as my assurance that the mech you contact will provide you with energon. How much energon depends on how useful your information is. Who were these 'gentlemechs'?"

**Swivel has posed:**
"Right!" The empty says, clapping his hands and then giving Darkstar finger guns. Which the effect isn't so great since his left hand is missing its index finger. He doesn't seem to care, though. There is a growing excitement at the prospect of doing some business. However, there is a moment of doubt and fear of his hopes being squashed when Soundwave steps forward, but he avoids shrinking. Then, as Soundwave speaks, hope returns. Hope, and even more ~GREED~.

The mech rubs his hands together, eyeing the card. "Oh yeah?" He looks between Darkstar and Soundwave. "And here I thought you were talking out yer exhaust when you said you were well connected, Darkstar." The mech looks back at SOundwave, tilting his head, seeming to puzzle over the mech, trying to get a read on him. "So uh... these mechs," the mech says, putting his hand out tentatively for the card, "were Bitpress and Chipsdown. They do some fencing, but also salvage. They used ta work in Rodion until the Autobots took it by force. Now they hang out behind the warehouses in Dive drive, here in Dead End. And I do know thye exclusively preferred using X-el to move delicate things around, if ya get my drift."

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Greed is good when you live in Dead End. Sometimes it was the only way to get oneself out of the dumps for a respite however brief. "One thing I don't do much of is talk outta' my exhaust. You should know that by now," Darkstar replies with a grin. "Bitpress and Chipsdown... Hm. So, they hang out behind a warehouse in Dive Drive?" That was interesting. This was a dangerous place, and Dive Drive certainly wasn't some magically cozy section of it. "Say... You wouldn't happen to know if they're the skittish types, would ya?" the space-alt asks, canting his head slightly. The last thing that Soundwave and he needed to do was walk right into a deadly serious no-win situation. "Called 'em fine gentlemechs..."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave holds onto the card for now, still looming and silently watching. He holds it \*just\* out of reach of the mech, waiting until they are done before he will give it to him. His hand slowly lowers by the end, like he's almost about to give it to the mech, but when Darkstar asks his question, the hand goes up out of reach again. Just answer that one last question......

**Swivel has posed:**
"Yes, yes, we all know you are good at EVERYTHING." The mech says, and while he is grinning, there does seem to be a note of bitterness in his tone. ~ENVY~. He swipes for the card, only for it to be lifted out of his reach. His optics brighten. ~ANGER~. "Wha..." And then Darkstar's question registers. He looks at Darkstar. "About as skittish as anyone who has had to move their business to a dump like Dead End. Just tell them you are there for business and show your cards upfront, and you'll be fine." The mech pauses. "And speaking of cards..." the mech makes grabby motions at the card.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar shrugs a bit, his head tilting to one side as his optics look slightly upward. He /was/ pretty great. "Terrible at modesty," the spacer says with a chortle, and then nods to Soundwave. "Him though... He's good at everything," the mech offers, though Soundwave would likely notice that it was mostly in jest, with only a hint of true admiration. "Good. Mechs who are all about business are usually the easiest to deal with. Let's hope they're typical of their kind." A nod to the alley mech, and Darkstar was starting to back up. "Remember... The Decepticons provide well for those who provide for us."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Indeed they do. Soundwave finally relents and gives the mech the card, which \*will\* provide exactly what Soundwave said it would. Might even be a full crate of energon. Soundwave was one of the homeless once, he knows how it is to be lost, confused, and hungry. He nods to the mech, and then turns towards Darkstar, not really responding to the (mostly) jest.

**Swivel has posed:**
Well that was just one lead. And said lead brings Soundwave and Darkstar to a part of Dead End where a lot of illicit business is caried out, and there's frequent turf wars over the monopoly on various substances. Dive drive. Darkstar's street cred may not go as far here, as the wolves roaming these quarter are those who control with supplies rather than violence.

Behind the warehouses there is a sheet metal structure erected against one of the warehouses. There are two very large mechs touting some formidable weapons. A smaller mech is standing just outside the structure, delicate tendrils of smoke curling up from his cygar.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar retrieves an e-cig from his subspace pocket while walking alongside Soundwave. Red optics glanced over the landscape, taking in the local flavor. Not much was different from the rest of Dead End, though it was true that he was less familiar with this particular district. Venting white smoke into the air, he nodded toward the small mech with the cygar. "That's our mech... Big shots always smoke cygars," he'd note amusedly. "Some big guards too, weapons ain't half bad either..." he'd muse before closingto hearing distance.

    "Gentlemechs... Lookin' for a couple of mechs by the names Bitpress and Chipsdown. Little drone told us that we'd be able to find them in these parts." Simple and direct is how the business-folk usually liked things.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave is perhaps a little more familiar, though it could be because he was one of these people once... ooooor maybe he just gathered a LOT of data before this mission with his army of spies. So far, everything 'checks out'. The spymaster strides along, stopping to let Darkstar do most of the talking. Once again, he is content to remain in the background, silent, listening, and reaching for any information he can grasp. He also is likely to have brought at least one of his scouts with him, likely watching over them from a distance. It's just the Soundwave thing to do.

**Swivel has posed:**
The two guards, seeing the mechs approach, seems to somehow make themselves look taller by raising their large pauldrons and hefting up their weapons menacingly without outright pointing them. Yet.

The mech smoking the cygar just puffs out his own plume of smoke, not even looking Darkstar or Soundwave's way. He gets out a datapad, scrolling through something on it while asking, "I'm Bitpress. Chipsdown is indisposed. What do you want?" Bitpress finally looks up and over.

Despite his nonchalance, there is some caution exuding from the mech. Mingled in with that is some annoyance. He doesn't seem to recognize either Darkstar or Soundwave. But seeing the Decepticon badges seems to increase his vexation.

One of the guards seems nervous about something. The other seems bored, but alert.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar keeps his optics on the cygar smoking mech, and while the weapons were noticed as they rose slightly the two guards were relegated to peripheral vision only. "Lookit that... Small world afterall. I'm Darkstar, and this here is my boss. We're lookin' for a femme by the name of Howl... More precisely-- we're looking for any information you might have on 'er. Seems she wants to do business with an associate, but you know you gotta be nosey before you can be successful in this business." Grinning as he takes another puff from his e-cig, Darkstar vents more smoke and then crouches slightly to put himself on the same level as the cygar smoker.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave picks up certain things and passes them on to Darkstar via radio, still allowing the spacer to take center stage and do most of the talking. Soundwave isn't so much about the talking, after all, just in being Cybertron's version of Santa Claus. At least in the department of "he knows if you've been sleeping, he knows if you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake"!

**Swivel has posed:**
With another puff, the mech seems to evaluate both Darkstar and Soundwave, not appearing overly impressed at first. At the mention of Howl, though, some suspicion and fascination both rise to the surface of his thoughts, although his exterior demeanor remains cool and indifferent. "You've also got to be willing to spend money to make it, in this business. What's the information worth to you?" He asks, getting straight to the point. He doesn't drip with greed like the mech which directed them here. Instead there is just a sense that this is the way the world works.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Quid Pro Quo. That's typically how Darkstar liked things to work, and so far that's how it was at every turn within Dead End. Looking to Soundwave, Darkstar lifted a ridge curiously. What did the General have that they could offer this mech... Bitpress wasn't dripping with greed the way that the alley mech had been, a clear sign that he was doing quite a bit better in life than the other. "How about..." Darkstar was thinking that perhaps something a bit more useful than an energon card might be in order. This wasn't just some back alley bum after all. Looking back to Bitpress he'd grin, having just thought of the right offer. "Freedom... Freedom to engage in some...limited operations within Decepticon territories. Sometimes routes are difficult to pass through without bein' hassled. Goods get confiscated... More shanix has to be spent to garuntee shipment safety, and so on." Hopefully Soundwave would be alright with that... Go hard or go home, right?

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave considers this, then nods. "Affirmative. If the information you give us is valuable, the Decepticons are not... ungrateful. More trade- superior." He waits to see how the mech responds.

**Swivel has posed:**
The mech raises an optic ridge at the offer. While it seems appealing as far as Soundwave can detect, he will also note there's some hesitation and suspicion. The mech taps the end of his Cygar, glancing between Darkstar and Soundwave. "Tempting. But i've been double-dealt too many times to operate one promises. I'll take shanix." And lots of it. It seems the mech didn't realize the value of his information until Darkstar made such an offer. Which just means the price went up. "Look, I don't have a lot of time." At the mention of not having much time, one of the guards again exudes nervousness. Externally, though, they both remain focused on Darkstar and Soundwave, betraying nothing.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar sighs and shakes his head, having really thought that a business mech like Bitpress would have jumped at that idea. I mean talk about getting a leg up on the competition? Oh well, such is life... "Shanix, huh? Well, I guess we could work somethin' out... How much are you talkin'?" the spacer wonders before venting a heavy sigh. "Actually wait a tik... I think I have somethin' better to offer ya. Why take shanix when you can have these instead!" What are these do you ask? These...are called Starkiller Rockets.

    A whirr-click sounds as the rockets load into their tubes, and Darkstar planted his feet while his arms lifted to aim directly at Bitpress. At point blank range it didn't really seem like much of a gamble as to whether or not the launch would result in a successful hit, if not obliteration. "C'mon, mech! Can't we just be \*friends\*?"

**Soundwave has posed:**
There's a flicker in Soundwave's optics as Darkstar thinks, then acts on his thoughts. However reckless they may be. He may be somewhat annoyed by this, given that it is unknown how far these mech's connections go, but he doesn't waste time fretting about it. His own weapon comes from subspace and he eyes the nervous gaurd especially. He does, however, then radio Darkstar, "<< Your actions are rash. >>"

**Swivel has posed:**
Neither of the guards like where this is going, and the moment a rocket is pointed at Bitpress, the two mechs point their guns at Darkstar. But then one redirects his aim, aiming instead for Soundwave. Bitpress doesn't look peturbed. But he is thinking a series of cursewords loud enough for Soundwave to pick up on each one rather clearly. And yet, despite this, his anger seems rather suppressed. There is definitely something dulled about this mech. He puts a hand up, signalling the guards to not shoot.

One of them is anxious enough, thinking he needs to get out of here. They need to go. Why can't this just be over so they can go? Yes, the one Soundwave is focused on is beginning to even physically show some unease.

"Not interested. I said, shanix only. I was thinking 800 shanix, but after a maneuver like that, 1200. And trust me, you'll want to take it." It's hard to get Bitpress' exact thoughts, but there is a sense of urgency, but also a smugness that even if he were killed, the mech that did it wouldn't last long against something or someone that is due to arrive soon. It's all about timing.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Only 1200 shanix? That's practically nothing in the grand scheme of things... It would be pretty wise to take the mech up on his offer, so Darkstar sighs. "Alright, alright... Shanix it is. Eight hundred shanix like you were originally gonna offer, but we'll also throw in some safe passage routes through Decepticon territory. You can't beat that... You get what you wanted originally \*and\* you get somethin' else of greater value than an additional four-hundred shanix. We want your friendship. Long-term... Decepticons respect moxie, and you've got plenty. Don't take that as flattery though... We'll want your services too." Which means more shanix! "Or we can just blow up here because we're both too stubborn-hahahaah! Right Voice? Reckless as all getout, \*I\* am! HAHAHAHAH!"

**Soundwave has posed:**
Then things get even stickier. Soundwave remains silent, watching and probing into whatever thoughts and feelings he can. "<< Someone- or something- is coming. Soon. >>" There's a pause. "<< That extra 400 shanix would be coming out of \*your\* subspace. >>" He keeps braced for anything, but then turns to the nervous guard and just straight out asks, "Who is coming?" Here's hoping that even if the mech doesn't \*say\* who it is, maybe they'll THINK it loud enough for Soundwave to 'hear'.

**Swivel has posed:**
The mech stares hard at Darkstar for a moment or two, carefully weighing the offer. But there is still that feeling of urgency underpinning everything, and he nods. "Deal. Once I have the shanix, I'll tell you what I know about Howl." The turn out of instant money now and possible trade route security does seem to please Bitpress. But even that pleasure seems distant and mild. When Soundwave asks about who is coming, his optic ridges furrow suspiciously. "What? Nevermind that. Just business partners." He's lying, for the first time.

As for the guard, he thinks just one word 'regulator' and there's some fear attached to that word. There is also a sense that something happened very recently, something that would upset this regulator. His optics shift towards the lean-to behind him. The guard's shift towards something. Death. Someone is dead. Please just let this deal be over. But he can't leave until his boss leaves.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar nods curtly. "Well bargained, and done." The mech is quick to look to Soundwave, ridges raised as he too is rather curious about what is coming. The way that one of the guards was acting suggests that whatever it is is likely something that is not good... Be they business associates or something else. "We'll need to get some details in order later to secure your trade routes, but the shanix naturally... Yours up front."

    Darkstar begins to look toward the guardsmechs again, ridges narrowing. "You look really spooked, mech. Sharing is caring! We're all on the same team now."

**Soundwave has posed:**
Hmm. Regulator. Soundwave's visor flashes as he gleans that information. There's also... someone dead over there? HMM. It wouldn't be easy for him to just... sidle on over, but that scout he had deployed earlier? Laserbeak totally can. The bird receives an order to investigate and does so, swooping towards whatever is back there, silent and (hopefully) unnoticed, as Soundwave simply nods, raising his hand to bring another card- one with credits- from subspace.

**Swivel has posed:**
There is still that growing sense of urgency, but Bitpress remains calm enough to uphold his end of the bargain, about to relay what he knows about Howl. However, when Darkstar addresses his guard there is a sudden flare of both anger and fear. The mech's optic brighten. "No one addresses them but me. And they don't know anything worth your time. Now, then, I'll tell you what I know and then need to be on my way. I suggest, as one \*friend\* to another, you also depart quickly."

"Howl is a pirate far as I can tell. Or working as an intermediary for some. Came here claiming to be interested in any possible chunks of tektite I may have come across in one of my salvage operations. Then the conversation turned to unusual substances and extraterrestrial objects. Kept scanning everything for radiation, too. Seemed to be looking for a specific reading. Also asked if I had any psychosonorum. Stuff is impossible to come by and worth a lot on the market. Natrually, I didn't have any. She knows her illicit substances, though. Despite the outbreaks, half the people don't even know what Psychosonorum is. We were unable to reach an agreement. I simply didn't have what she wanted. I offered to alert her if I came across anything she needed, but she forwarded me to someone in X-el, saying she might not be reachable." Bitpress nods. "Now, we must be on our way." Bitpress snaps to his guards and begins to walk away.

As for Laserbeak's findings, in the shed attached to the warehouse there is indeed a dead mech lying there, his head blown clean off. A splatter on the wall just beyond is probably all the remains of said head. The spilt energon still has some glow to it, indicating this happened quite recently. Somewhere there is a picture of Bitpress and that very mech who lies dead on the floor, shaking hands. Could it be... this is what Bitpress meant when Chipsdown was indisposed?

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar chuckles and raises his hands, the rockets whirring again as he relaxes and steps back away from the guards and Bitpress alike. "Fair enough friend... Fair enough. We'll be in touch about those trade routes. You need ta' meet somewhere other'n here for whatever reason you or your rep just swing by the Fighters." Rumors were broad enough about the Dead End Fight Club, though it was typically invite only with somewhat unfriendly if not dire consequences for those who came uninvited. Luckily, Bitpress just got placed on the VIP list! At least the 'swing by and we'll meet up and walk away from them because they don't take kindly to loitering' list.

    A mock-salute is offered to Bitpress then, and the spacer nods to the guardsmechs who he is not supposed to talk to beause only Bitpress is allowed to do that. Blah blah blah. Turning to face Soundwave, the space-alt looks like he's ready to blast off. "Should probably follow their advice an git'?"

**Soundwave has posed:**
"Affirmative," Soundwave replies. He reaches an arm to give a landing to Laserbeak, who lands and then transforms back inside his chest. "Chipsdown appears to indeed be... down." He glances back towards where the body lies. However, it's not really their business, just another day in Dead End. "Best to return to headquarters. Darkstar: rash, but ultimately effective. This time." Just don't do anything stupid, okay? The spymaster then turns to leave.