132/My Brother's Keeper 2

**Phantom has posed:**
After having discovered a crucial clue on Quantum's whereabouts, the two seekers and the misfit of the bunch, Swivel, have managed to take a commissioned Decepticon shuttle to Luna-2 thanks to an arrangement made by Phantom. The three of them are now nearing the celestial body, probably not really knowing what to expect when they arrive.

 Phantom watches from a window near the front of the shuttle, his brow ridges furrowed as the moon is now in their sights. He glances briefly over at Windcry, then over at Swivel with slightly narrowed optics, as if to ensure that she doesn't misbehave.

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry has never personally been off world before, so this is a new experience for her. As curious as she is, she affects being less interested than she really is. She hasn't been accepted into the Decepticons yet, and she knows she can still fail. So the fewer handles she gives on her, the better. At least, that's how she things. For the most part she keeps her gaze ahead, though she does glance at her traveling companions every now and then. And she speaks when spoken to, especially by the Decepticon; she doesn't have much stake in impressing Swivel.

However, as they arrive, she can't help but let a bit of the anticapation show: she's eager to prove herself.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel? Misbehave? Perish the thought. There is nothing amiss with her behaviour. It is perfectly natural for a femme being dragged into something against her will to be apprehensive, and let it show. The femme has been fidgetting the entire time, and occasionally mutters things under her breath. In fact, the femme needed to be strapped in to keep her from pacing a trench in the floor of the vessel they are on. That hasn't made her mood improve either.

      When Phantom gives her that look she returns it with sheepishness before quickly looking away.

**Buzzsaw has posed:**
Calm, perhaps even a bit on the broody side, and indeed just keeping quiet and to himself is that one memeber of Soundwave's 'team' that tends to be far more eager to rip up others for numerous sadistic reasons than rational ones... Buzzsaw is perched in the back of the shuttle, right where he can keep an optic on the other passengers as they travel. Intentional? Oh, most likely.

**Prowl has posed:**
Luna-2 slowly looms into view, its surface glittering with the lights of the lunar colonies. A little bit of research would have indicated that this company, 'Thymesis Munitions', was one that had taken up residence in the eastern sector of the old Thymesis Mining Facility, after the mine had gone dry and been deserted for the most part.

    If they approach the location, it appears from the outside to be a perfectly legitimate business, with signs and a receiving area, and things like that. There's security at the front, of course, the gates into the factory and office complex being monitored by drones and security personnel. There doesn't appear to be any other obvious way in without breaching barriers.

**Phantom has posed:**
As soon as the shuttle lands, Phantom transforms and jets off, heading straight for the structure labeled 'Thymesis Munitions'. He nearly trespasses security, but pulls to a fast halt and instead banks left, heading for the receiving area.

 "<Hurry>" he radios the others. "<We don't have much time>" He doesn't specify why, or wait for them before entering the receiving area and looking around to see if there's anything or anyone of interest here.

**Windcry has posed:**
"< What about the femme? She doesn't fly. >" asks Windcry, unsure if she's supposed to bring Swivel with her or not... She wants to follow orders, but she's not a mind reader. Last time Phantom carried Swivel himself.

**Swivel has posed:**
 Well, at least this time Phantom, or Grabby as Swivel has began referring to him as in her diary, didn't pick her up and fly off again. Instead, he just flies off. The femme really has no idea why she is even here anymore. She just watches, a glassy and bewildered expression on her face. "I'll, uh, I'll jus stay 'ere 'n make sure, uh, nuttin' 'appens t'ther shuttle while yer 'vestigatin'...."

**Buzzsaw has posed:**
Buzzsaw flies from his perch to where Swivel is sitting, dropping something off before simply flying out to join the other fliers. No words, no remarks. Of course, if she were to look at what he dropped, it's...an emergency egress device? A simple pair of jets to strap on and kind of hope for the best. Of course, based on the fuel source, they probably won't last too long... just about long enough to flit about a bit, though.

That little oversight handled, the condor just climbs for altitude and turns his attention outward to take a look at the surrounding area, beginning his usual scans and transmitting the filtered (because he'll scrub the interesting stuff for his own perusal first, of course) images to the rest of the team.

**Prowl has posed:**
The receiving area seems typical enough. There are a few people standing around, waiting or chit chatting, and there is a reception desk up front with a bored looking fembot at a workstation. She glances up at them as they enter, and asks in a monotone voice, "Can I help you?"

    Buzzsaw's scans will reveal that this place is bristling with security both automated and personnel. Well, it makes sense doesn't it, for a place that sells weaponry, right? Fortunately, he's small enough though that no one seems to notice him spying. Yet.

**Phantom has posed:**
"<Tell me if you can't make it inside>" Phantom tight beams to Swivel brusquely.

 "<Take care of Swivel>" Phantom instructs Windcry. He protoforms and glances over at the bored looking fembot, brows furrowed. He holds up the case they'd found at the old warehouse. "Can you tell me more about this thing?" he asks her, pointing at it.

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry shrugs to herself. "I guess you're coming with us after all," she says to Swivel. "Don't worry though, we'll walk. But keep up and don't dawdle." Without looking to see if the shorter femme is following, seh makes her way towards the building. She's not sure what to expect, but she won't do anyone any good sitting in the shuttle.

**Swivel has posed:**
Well, if Swivel isn't being carried places, someone is giving her things she really doesn't want. She looks at the device Buzzsaw gave her with wide optics, and then looks up, then back at the device. She frowns uneasily. It may come in useful, but not yet. She stashes the device only Primus knows where, and follows Windcry. The femme walks with her head down in resignation.

**Buzzsaw has posed:**
Buzzsaw relays the various defensive things to the others. Because, well, let's be honest...it'd be a pain if someone were to be shot down. Ooooh, the paperwork that would have to be done after such a thing. Angling himself to do another pass, he begins to further sweep the area, making sure to get his stealth systems running properly.

**Prowl has posed:**
The receptionist sighs and examines it inside and out. "Huh, looks to me like a housing for delta-grade explosives. They make those over in quadrant 8B demolitions. What you wanna buy some?" she asks. "I can see if any of our sales reps are available," She says, glancing behind herself momentarily.

    As Buzzsaw is making his flyovers, he might notice over toward 8B, the demolitions department, there is an extremely tall structure that looks high enough to house an Ark situated in the upright position. Perhaps it stands out, perhaps not. After all there are other buildings in the complex that size, just not as tall.

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom pauses, nodding slowly, suddenly catching on. "Yes," he tells the receptionist, "I am very interested to buy some. Where can I see someone about buying some?" he asks, "If they are free I would like to talk with them right now."

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry only slows as she enters the building that Phantom entered, not wanting to appear rushed. She stands off to the side and watches for a moment, keeping her expression impassive. Otherwise she simply motions for Swivel to stand near her and be quiet.

**Buzzsaw has posed:**
Buzzsaw forwards the images of the skyline to the others in the team and continues his scouting, sending a brief transmission to Phantom. <<Anywhere you want me to scout out specifically? I can move in closer. The defensive systems can't pick me up, as far as I can tell.>>

**Prowl has posed:**
The receptionist nods, and motions for them to follow her. If they comply, she will lead them through a door behind the desk and into an office area. It seems typical enough, clean and professional-looking. She stops in front of a particular office. The mech inside will be familiar to Swivel--yes, in fact that is Ricochet, the one who had threatened her before. Now he looks far more composed, but it's certainly the same guy.

**Swivel has posed:**
Oh Primus Oh Primus Oh Primus! It's a good thing Swivel is capable of keeping her thoughts to herself, otherwise it would have been pointless for her to attempt what she does next - Swivel hides behind Windcry. She makes absolutely sure that the femme is between herself and Ricochet. She tightbeams to Phantom very quietly, almost inaudibly, <It's him... he was the one who had Quantum...>

**Phantom has posed:**
"<If you see anything interesting, have a look>" he radios Buzzsaw. "<Let me know about anything you find. I am going to see if this lady is going to show me to someone who will might know more about the clue we found out about Quantum>"

 He follows the female receptionist into the office area.

 Phantom's optics narrow and he curses inwardly to himself, repressing the urge to outright murder Ricochet on the spot. As soon as Ricochet looks to them, Phantom smiles coolly and offers him his hand. "Greetings, it is nice to meet you," he says in a charitable fashion. "What do you have to offer me?"

 "<Stay on your guard>" he tightbeams to Windcry. "<I think we found that bad guy..>"

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry was told to look after Swivel, so she does. When the femme hides behind her she shifts slightly to give her more coverage. From what she's seen of the wheeled-one, she's not combat trained, while Windcry is, so it makes sense for her to remain in front. Also, not long ago Swivel seemed scared of Phantom, but something here clearly is scaring her MORE.

Phantom's message makes sense. "< You're the boss, >" she says amiably, showing her compliance. "< It helps that I think you're right. >" Accordingly, she stays on her guard.

**Prowl has posed:**
Ricochet stands up from his desk and smiles also, taking the hand though he appears somewhat suspicious of them. "Let's get to know each other a little bit better so that I can suit your needs more accurately. My name is Ricochet. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to, and what purposes need to be served?"

    Fortunately, he doesn't appear to have spotted Swivel--yet.

**Swivel has posed:**
Just hearing Ricochet's voice makes Swivel shutter. She remains as still as she can, while cowering behind Windcry.

**Phantom has posed:**
"My name is Phantom," he says calmly, nodding at Ricochet. "I am looking to buy some grenades, the kind that camouflage or are easy to keep people from seeing, you know?" He leans nearer to Ricochet. "You will have to excuse me, I am not from these parts. I was not even sure how to get to to Luna-2 at first." He glances around and tight beams to Windcry. "<Follow my lead. And make sure he does not see the little lady>"

 "I have to buy these," he says to Ricochet, "because I have to give someone resources for a special job," he folds his arms. "Don't ask. Show me what you have and I will pay you more for pretending I didn't come here," he says, gesturing for Ricochet to lead the way.

**Windcry has posed:**
To do both parts of her orders, it seems that the wisest course to Windcry is to just stand around like someone who is there to help carry goods. So she keeps her expression on the dull side and stands there, only shifting her movements when it seems like someone is about to discover Swivel. After all, she was told to keep her unseen and she takes orders seriously.

**Prowl has posed:**
Ricochet quirks an optic ridge. "Oh yeah? Shady business, eh?" he asks, looking even more suspicious. "Hmmm, not exactly something that is easy to find, that's for sure, but I can take you into one of our warehouses to take a look at what we have." He nods slightly, then motions for them to follow. "Come with me, I'll show you what we have, then."

    He leaves the office and starts down the corridor, making a few turns until they are walking toward a pair of double doors at the end of it. They appear to open into an adjoining building.

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom motions with his helm for Windcry to follow. "Right, then," he says, still very much on guard.

 "<He doesn't believe us>" he tight beams to Windcry. "<But we should follow him anyway>" A pause. "<I might disappear in a little while. You will have to keep him entertained. Don't let him follow me. I will take the little one with me>"

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry looks for a corner she can slide Swivel into, hopefully in a somewhat smooth manner. "< One of us will be back for you; sit tight, >" she commands. With a bit of shuffling and maneuvering, she (again hopefully) gets Swivel squared away before following Phantom. She keeps her mind flicking through options that might come up.

**Swivel has posed:**
The prospect of being left behind, at first relieves Swivel, but then terrifies her...what if someone else should enter? How could she explain her presence? However, not wanting to expose herself, Swivel keeps her mouth shut and just nods obediently. Swivel tries to keep herself as small and hidden as possible, although a part of her wants to snoop around Ricochet's desk. She thought she saw something on his screen that unsettled her a little.

**Prowl has posed:**
Ricochet keeps walking, finally leading them through the double doors and into another connecting building. Through the doors is an empty, windowless room with only a doorway on the far side of it leading to the rest of the corridor. He stops in the middle of the room though, frowning. "Hm, that's odd. Wait here." he says, and hurries forward.

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom takes advantage of the moment to conveniently phase through a wall to escape from Ricochet's sight."<It is up to you to decide what you want to tell him. If you can convince him to tell you some more clues, then you passed your test>" He heads back to where Swivel has been stashed away and beckons for her to come out, offering her his hand. Then he returns to where the empty windowless room is, but stays out of sight should Ricochet return. "<Tell me everything you know about that guy, Ricochet>" he radios Swivel.

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry is left alone in the room, with Ricochet speeding on ahead. She was trained in combat, not espionage. Oh well, no struts, no glory. Crossing her arms over her chest, she waits to see what the arms merchant is going to do. She doesn't like the situation, but she didn't decide on this path because she thought it would be safe and easy. Hopefully she'll make it out of here alive; it would be sad if she died before she really got started.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel had just worked up the resolve to go take a look at Ricochet's desk when Phantom appeared. Good Grief! While it is a nice change that Phamton offers his hand, rather than grabbing her, the femme, none the less, looks hesitant. However, she continues to acquiesce to Phamton's constant demands.
      <I don't know much...we met at MacAdams and he was really friendly and bought me a drink, then I lost conscienceness. When I woke up, I was in that warehouse I showed you with Quantum chained to the wall. He's one of those types that is all smiles and business, but you can tell underneath they got bad intentions. Pretty much, he gave me another bomb and said if I didn't deliver, I'd end up like Quantum. That is everything I know, except...I think I saw, just now, on his screen the functionists insignia. I don't know if that means anything to ya...>

**Prowl has posed:**
Suddenly, as soon as Ricochet steps out of the room and into the corridor beyond, both doors slam shut and seal themselves tight, locking Windcry inside and Phantom and Swivel outside! There is a holographic keypad on the door facing Phantom's location, but it clearly requires some kind of passcode to open.

    On the inside, the walls are cold, hard steel and it is apparent to Windcry that there is no obvious way to just walk out of there. She could attempt to blast her way out, though that would likely take a while. There are some ventilation ducts near the ceiling, but they look like they're probably too small for her to fit through.

**Phantom has posed:**
"<Functionist... I don't know what that is, but I guess they are the bad kinds of people>" he radios back to Swivel. His fists clench. "<...chained to a wall? Dammit. I will not leave this place unless that guy dies>"

 When the door slams shut, Phantom's helm extensions perk upward, and he glances over, optics wide. Then he looks back at Swivel, muttering curses to himself. "No matter," he says to Swivel, "we have to find my brother." He emerges carefully, and looks around before heading down an adjacent corridor in search of Quantum, hoping Swivel will follow and assist.

 "<This is your test>" he says to Windcry. "<You need to get out. But if you cannot, I will come help you. But if I help you, we will have to... talk afterwards>"

**Windcry has posed:**
DON'T PANIC is the first thing that Windcry tells herself. Panic doesn't solve anything, and certainly never makes anyone feel better. She does take the time to examine both doors, and though rational thought tells her that they're likely locked, she tries them both anyhow. "< I think 'entertainment' is out of the question now, >" she relates dryly to Phantom, hiding her dismay in her reply. Getting out is important, but she doesn't to do things rashly either. Although the ventilation ducts are too small, she examines them anyways, just because everything needs to be looked at.

**Swivel has posed:**
 <Wellum, Functionists.... uh... er... I dunno 'ow best ta..." Swivel's thoughts are shattered by the resounding clatter of the slamming doors. Although Swivel visibly jumps out of startlement, the femme surprisingly manages to keep herself from squealing. To make sure she remains quiet, the femme literally cmaps her mouth shut with her own hands.
      When Phantom begins to walk down the corridor, the femme scurries after him, afraid to be left alone in this place. "So, uh, yer name's really Phantom, or izzat jus' a cover name ya gave 'im?" Swivel asks in a whisper as they walk. "Will yer friend, er, I'm assumin' she's a friend.... will she be okay in'ere? I 'ope so. She dun say much, but she dun seem a bad sort. Saved me once. Sorta. Well broke me fall... sorry, I get chatty when I'm scared. And I am very very very very scared. I dun mind sayin' so..." Although chatty, she keeps her voice low, and pauses frequently to glance about herself.

**Prowl has posed:**
Well, upon closer examination, each of the ducts are covered with 4 sets of bars that could easily be blown away with light weaponry, but again, the openings are probably too small for her to squeeze through. Of course, both doors are locked from the outside. She could try to blast away at the cracks--that might eventually break the seal.

    According to the data Buzzsaw sent them, the bird had spotted a particularly tall structure toward the northwestern parts of the facility that looked large enough to house an entire Ark in the upright position. Though if they head in that direction, they will find security tightening more and more as they approach it.

**Phantom has posed:**
"If she is not okay I will help her, but later. I think she will be fine for a while," Phantom says, offering Swivel his hand. Maybe she'll be calmer and quieter if she has something to cling desperately to.

 As they near the tall structure and the security tightens, Phantom pulls Swivel closer to him, frowning. He glances down at her. "Listen to me," he says to her quietly, "you must do everything I tell you to do, and right away, do you understand? Otherwise, they will see you and probably kill you. Now stay here for a moment. I will look ahead for a good way for us to go, and when I motion to you, follow me, but make sure no one sees you."

 He advances carefully, phasing through a wall and disappearing from sight momentarily. Fifteen nanoseconds later, he reappears, motioning for Swivel to follow him. They continue on in this way until they're nearly at the tall structure.

**Windcry has posed:**
Windcry studies the bars for a few more moments. Shrugging, she takes a few steps back and blasts away at those bars. Then she surveys the damage, picking through the pieces remaining and gauging their size and strength to see if there's anything she can slip in the cracks of the doors to unhitch the locks. True, she doesn't actually have a clue what she's doing, but she'd rather do something stupid while trying than sit down and waste away doing nothing. Besides, it's not like there's anyone in here with her to see her doing stupid things.

**Swivel has posed:**
Swivel is averse to getting caught, and isn't sure if she is more concerned with being shot dead, or with being captured. Both seem terrible to her, so she nods to Phantom. As instructed, the femme remains still and hidden until he returns to give her the clear. Slightly stooped forward in order to make herself seem even shorter, Swivel peers around the corner and then begins to shuffle behind Phantom. She is keyed nto her senses, and is constantly looking for nooks, crannies, vents, alcoves - anything she can quickly conceal her small body in. Unlike SOME people, she can't just phase through walls.

**Prowl has posed:**
Well, there's probably surveillance. In fact, there are cameras in each of the four upper corners of the room. So someone is definitely watching. The bars come away easily, however as such they are not very durable and end up just bending and sometimes breaking when she tries to use them to leverage the door open. Still, it's better than nothing...

    It's a good thing Swivel is fairly small, and also compliant because it becomes harder and harder to avoid security. But with Phantom's ability to pass through walls, they barely manage to evade getting caught. They finally reach their destination and find themselves walking out onto a bridge over a large open manufacturing area. At least that's what it looks like at first. But as they draw nearer, there is no possible way to mistake what they see--those are definitely nearly-intact Omega Destructors standing in straight rows across the floor below. There are platforms arranged all around them, and mechs scurrying to and fro. They're not new ones, their armor looking scorched in many places, instead they look as if they've been salvaged--their parts dug up out of the ruins of the city of Nyon.

    And that isn't all of it, either. Someone familiar is standing in plain sight from the catwalks--someone very imoportant. Yes, no one could possibly mistake the Autobots' second-in-command. Prowl appears to be speaking with another mech--Ricochet. With all the noise of the work going on down there, eavesdropping on the conversation is too difficult. But, in a small room just beyond, Phantom will definitely notice Quantum through a window. He's definitely in bad shape, and hooked up to a series of machines that are partially obscured.

**Phantom has posed:**
Phantom comes to a dead halt on the bridge, perhaps causing Swivel stumble into him. He watches wide opticked at all the activity going on around him. Of course, he isn't sure what the Destructors are, only that he's heard bits and pieces about them and seen a few passing images of them here and there.

 No matter, he's no fool and he can distinguish a weapon of mass destruction when he sees ones. He curses quietly in his native language, clenching his fists when he sees Prowl talking to Richochet. His rage burns even hotter when he sees Quantum chained up in a room just beyond him. "I will kill all of these wicked, wicked people," he growls. Glancing around carefully to make sure they're still unseen, he heads towards where Quantum is being held. "Stay here," he says to Swivel, then phases through the wall, entering the room.