[[ Aside from at a couple of movie nights, Ratchet and wwpd haven’t actually interacted. You want to know why? Because Optimus blogs are intimidating. Yes, apparently even when you’ve been friends with the mun for several years.
[[ We really need to change this lack of interaction though because, in his own universe, Ratchet is good friends with Optimus, and I feel like he could be really good friends with wwpd’s Optimus too. ]]
Scouting Party, Part II- Meetup with Orion Pax and the Outliers
While Blaster and Ratchet were with Ring and Shockwave in the Badlands, Jazz and Sideswipe were assigned to get information on Rodimus and his party’s whereabouts. Apparently, Orion decided to do his own thing and investigate on his own, and headed out to Iacon himself...
Orion Pax: scene: Iacon's mid-reaches, just far from the cog's headquarters to lack heavier security measures between buildings than the ever present enforcers. There's a constant bustle of brightly colored mecha hurrying about.
Jazz: Jazz easily slipped into the scene, his modified paint job allowing him to blend into the groups. However, he was an enforcer which meant they needed to follow any pattern they typically held. For now he kept to the side, observing. Jazz glanced at Sideswipe
"So," he whispered with a smirk "now that we've had the satisfaction of punching ourselves, next step."
To approach the scanners.
Sideswipe: Sideswipe followed easily behind, steps matched to his partner, as he folded his arms loosely behind his back. Fortunately for the both of them, his counterpart was one of the newer recruits, set out with Jazz for today. Now, the comment about punching himself got a faint snort. "Punch? I think we knocked ourselves out." Now for the interesting part. The scanners.
Orion Pax: Given how much larger the majority of the generic enforcers were, bright primary colors standing out among the crowds of much more sensibly colored mechs, it was easy to spot the slowly growing ranks of patrol leading toward more invasive security measures, gating the higher tiers of the city. The more common, visually matching enforcers making their rounds.
Jazz: "Either way. Act like part of the crowd, one of them like we went over." Jazz advised, noting the patrols. He nodded to one passing
"Let's slip in then to the scanners. Small shock could scatter the readings..." Jazz lead the way through to their first means of entrance.
He kept a casual grin as they moved, trying to match up with colors to say so they didn't stand out too horribly. Suck to blow their cover so early on, dent to plan and ego.
Plus they still had a ways to go.
Sideswipe: "Yeah, yeah, just going to have fun tellin' Sunny that." then again Sunstreaker was already not pleased with this plan, and he only knew that they were down here. And he kept close to Jazz, and avoiding suspicion as best as possible.
Sideswipe: It really would not be good for them to blow it when they were only at the first check-point. After all, this was supposed to be a simple scouting mission. And he really didn't want his twin to have a valid reason to freak out further.
Orion Pax: Hello to those two mechs looking just out of place enough. Were it not for Orion's memorization of the more dangerous enforcers' patrol paths, he might not have caught it. These two were not where they were meant to be.
While the two are crossing the open area among the throngs, one of the large, visored (dredd) enforcers crossing their path and saluting. "Sir? This section isn't slated for inspection today." the mecha does an admirable job of sounding only a tad nervous at the smaller two's appearance.
Jazz: Jazz looked at the mech, quickly noting tone and their difference. His alternate was a different brand of enforcer, more of the special ops type for sure he quickly recalled.
Jazz looked at the mech then beyond him and back to him as if taking in the scene again.
"Really now? Well I got orders otherwise," Jazz answered confidently.
"Ya think the resistant groups follow a set schedule?"
Sideswipe: Once again, Sideswipe simply trailed behind the other, curiously looking around; both feigned and actually interest in the area, as he listened to Jazz work. He - well, his counterpart - was only a trainee. Learning how to become as dangerous as Jazz. His input was slated to simply follow orders. Now, as for the orders for the Sideswipe under the cover, well, he was looking for threats and playing sentry. And so far things looked good.
Orion Pax: "I don't mean to question orders, Sir, but," The enforcer looks around, bright red and blue armor glinting in the light of the buildings. "We just had an inspection several hours ago. Thought everyone did-- because of the execution?" As steadily uncomfortable as the mech's voice had been, theres's a bit of a dip toward a more violent emotion mentioning Trailcutter's demise.
Jazz: The visor held its hue, Jazz nodded in acknowledgement to the comment.
"It's the execution that raises the concern. Think about it all the possible results that goes with it." Then he looked around as if he knew something, and back to the red and blue mech.
"Do you want to risk that?"
Orion Pax: Grin splitting across his face, the enforcer shook his head. "Not at all, sir." The mech bends down toward their height, voice lowering a bit into a rumble every autobot knows. "You probably don't want to risk those spark scanners though, just in case."
Jazz: His lips twitched with a smile before he quickly retained his cover.
"Quick: got any tips?" He whispered back, quickly. Jazz knew they couldn't waste time, but Orion- Optimus-- had any advice they could use it.
Orion Pax: Grin fading as quickly as it came, the mech gave a quick shake of his head, straightening up. "You'll have to talk to our supervisor about the inspection records, Sir. I can take you there if you want?" Back to sounding unsure, but the direction is Fairly clear. They can't talk more out here in the open, the bustle will be gone soon and enforcers are colored to stand out.
Jazz: Jazz immediately got the cue, and gave a sharp nod.
"That would be appreciated, officer."
Orion Pax: They were lead away from the bustling crowds, the trail tending in the direction of the detectors, higher up in the square, but heading toward a gap in buildings. Once the group progresses to an area shielded on three sides the blue-and-red enforcer turns back to them, propping his hands on his hips.
Either he's incredibly wrong and the inspector is a far better actor than they'd thought, or these two are... probably from wherever that other Trailbreaker was from. It's been a weird day. "So, new in town?"
Jazz: Jazz followed carefully, motioning Sideswipe to stay close and for both of them to act natural. Or as natural as their covers allowed them. The moment they were one on one with the enforcer Jazz's instincts went on high alert, visited optics watching the mech in front
"You are good at your job, no? Spotting us. But if you have suspicions why haven't you reported us? Assuming you haven't. "
Sideswipe: Well. Apparently they had either been expected, or their cover was not as tight as they had hoped. He wasn't holding out hope for the former one. Still, he followed behind the two, still keeping alert for any traps that they may have been walking into, half-finished commands for action already queued up. While the mech sounded like he could be trusted...well. Trust wasn't a word he used often anymore. As he had learned along the way, it wasn't the best idea to trust too many things. "Good for you we only had scraps to go on. Though your acting, I'd say you'd better not quit your day job." because that voice change was about as subtle as being hit with a tank.
Orion Pax: "Well, you're not supposed to have an accent," and the two weren't walking on a usual path. "Now, I'm only going to ask this once--this has something to do with the execution, doesn't it." For all that the two have basically admitted to not being who they're posing as, you can never be too careful.
A sharp smile is directed at Sideswipe, the rest of his face unreadable for the visored helm. "I'll keep that in mind."
Jazz: Jazz smirked, titling his helm curiously. Internally he cursed himself for such a casual slip up.
"It does." Jazz answered just as sharply, matching the enforcer's tone. He hated the visor masking the other, but at the same time Jazz knew he wasn't much of one to speak.
"Now, Orion what's the deal?"
Sideswipe: And the red twin knew how to hide his own feelings behind a mask, even without the physical barriers in place. The sharp smile only earned Orion a denta-baring smile of his own, the only show of his feelings he'd allow. "You might want to, big guy." After all, Jazz had stepped in, there was no need for him to do anything. Yet
Orion Pax: "Well, Jazz," and he paused, mumbling something under his breath, before looking up toward the street behind the two. "And whoever you are," A little shift toward Sideswipe and a short stare. "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you two know more about this than I do."
He shifted armor in a shrug, pausing for a short moment and ducking into a short doorway out of the alley, into one of the buildings, beckoning them to follow. "And if you're just really good actors, then I was fucked from the start, anyway." At the end it devolves into more muttering.
Orion Pax: -- inside of the doorway is a staircase, leading to another door and a large space with a low ceiling-- Orion would have to duck, were he any taller. The walls are bare for the most part, but there are a few tools set on a table in the front corner, opposite the door. Seven boxes are organized almost in a circle in the center of the room, and an archway on the other end of the room leads to another room. They can't see into it. --
Jazz: Jazz smirked again, couldn't help but chuckle under his breath following the taller mech. He motioned for Side to be between them to keep both mech's in sight.
"Fair point, mech" Jazz mumbled. Once they were in the room he glanced around the settled on Orion again.
"So how ya want this to go down boss mech?" Jazz allowed himself to speaking normally, but he kept his voice low.
Sideswipe: A nod and a hum had Sideswipe moving to put himself in the middle, as he looked around the area they had entered. It didn't look like much of anything, but looks could be deceiving. And, as deceivers themselves, anyone from Spec. Ops. knew better than to dismiss anything. So, he was once again scanning the area over, as Jazz focused on Orion.
Orion Pax: "Shockingly, not my name." He led the two to the crates, motioning toward them. "Pick a seat and if you're feeling pleasant, I'd love to know why you're impersonating duly appointed enforcers of The Cog." Making a face, the truck reaches up to press buttons on his helm, the visor and red rimming popping off into his hands, armor following quickly and dulling in color to a more understated set of blue and red.
"I'm Orion Pax, and you're going to tell me why we all got to see Trailbreaker on our irregularly scheduled broadcast." The grin is back, just sharp enough to be unfriendly. "And maybe I'll help you get past those scanners."
Jazz: The visor flickered to a darker hue but Jazz smiled slyly.
"Man, straight to the point yea?" then it was his turn to mutter something to himself but Jazz nodded taking a seat casually. He leaned forward slightly.
"Ya ask like we wanted it, mech. We all saw it as a testimony of power toward my mecha. Not the nicest show, but I ain't foreign to it."
The last part was spoken with every ounce of bitterness possible.
Sideswipe: While Jazz sat, Sideswipe was less inclined to take a seat himself. Not at first, because at the mention of what had happened to Trailcutter he had dropped onto a seat with a huff. "Geeze. Right for dark and gloomy territory, no stops, huh?" the teasing tone was forced, as he attempted to keep his own memories at bay. "Though, I am quite sure you know, by now, that was not Trailbreaker."
Orion Pax: "Of course I do. Thanking you for the convenient cover didn't seem appropriate, though." He tipped is head toward Sideswipe. "Which means you're not er..." hand wave "And you're not Jazz. Good for me, not for you."
He opened his mouth to speak again, interrupted by a clatter BANG from the other room. "Now, everyone knows the council authenticates sparks before deeming a punishment for them, so unless they're trying some new intimidation tactic, I need to know why they thought--assuming here--your friend was Trailbreaker."
Blaster: Beep beep- that was the sound of Jazz's comm going off. It was Blaster on the other end.
Jazz: Jazz went to speak but automatically activated his weapons at the sound of the bang looking at Orion. He kept in his seat, but now weighed possible attacks, escapes, or means of defense.
"Why not we even the tables? And ya tell us who ya are exactly..." Then he paused, answering the comm
:: Yea, go ::
Blaster: :: I want to let you know that Ratchet and I made contact with the rebels... why do you sound tense? ::
Jazz: :: Situation. Glad your safe. What info ya got? ::
Blaster: :: Actually the rebels are going to work with us. But uh... do you think you can make contact with the Orion Pax of this universe? We were looking for him but came across his lieutenant and Shockwave instead. He's supposed to be in Iacon, like you and Sides are. ::
Sideswipe: At the banging Sideswipe was on his peds, dropped into a fighting stance, mental map already up and being examined. Jazz's pause though, that made him slow a bit. That didn't stop him from moving to place himself in the middle, optics fixed on the larger mech. Though, while Jazz decided to talk to someone over comms. he was left with Orion. "Because Functionalists are normally missin' a few chips from their processors."
Orion Pax: Reaching up to pinch his nasal ridge, one of Orion's stubby finials twitches backwards. "I told you who I am. Orion Pax. Two words." his hand drops, a glare aimed at Sideswipe along with a subtle shift toward a more loose posture. two edgy mecha, great.
Jazz: Jazz grinned, looking at Orion directly. Lowering his weapon slowly, offering a small apologetic smile.
:: Yea. We got him. Anything I need to know ::
"So Orion, ya are part of the resistance, yea? That's what I mean by who you are." He looked sternly at Sideswipe
"Mech, cool your engines."
Then to Orion.
"They killed him because he didn't fit your society."
His smiled faded at the admittance of facts
Blaster: :: ... Are you antagonizing him... frag everything- Boom, you are listening in? Jazz, tell me you have something that I project video comms on. ::
Orion Pax: "... Yes, I am." He's frowning now, head slowly tipping until it clicks. They apparently don't know.
"Wait- Let me get this straight. You" and he points at Jazz and Sideswipe, "Think they killed Er... Your trailbreaker because he didn't fit the society." He looks really disappointed. "Did you even watch the broadcast?"
Boom: There was a long sigh from the other end of the comms. :: What are you two even doing? :: the Blaster still on the Lost Light demanded. Today was turning into a bit of a stress filled nightmare.
Jazz: :: I ain't antagonizing :: Jazz quickly shot back
:: just seein' where this mech stands and what we can do or not do. ::
Blaster: :: Well, I am telling you that... :: A sigh. :: They led me to their communications room, and want to work with us to free Rodimus and the rest of the landing party that got captured. Can you tell Orion that? That we- the ship- and they are cool? ::
Sideswipe: :: Hey! He asked! :: of course, it had to be on the one subject that always got to him, but still...the images still rankled, and he was not willing to forgive so easily. But he only vented - hard - and stood down.
Jazz: :: Yea yea ::
Jazz sighed but chuckled.
"Aright look Pax, your group met with part of mine and we are cool. Y'all are goin to help us get our mecha back."
Then he gave him a small quizzical look.
"Why do you think they offlined our mech?"
Orion Pax: "Right." That's the driest response he can give, moving to cross his arms over his chest. "Glad you decided to share that with the rest of the class." His optics narrowed a tad.
"Because Trailbreaker's an outlier and part of an insurgent force," He shrugged again, not turning entirely away from the two but making his way to the open archway. "And if Shockwave's theories are correct--and he's seldom wrong--there's parallel universes and alternate realities in infinite quantities some of which are similar enough to ours for sparks to be nearly identical." Orion's mood visibly lightens paraphrasing the scientist, and standing at the doorway he turns back to the two. "The ship, right. You've got a whole crew being held."
Jazz: "Just got the orders myself, big mech"
Following suit Jazz at least stood, though he did not move but half a step.
"Well your Shockwave, ain't far off that's for sure"
Sideswipe: That would be a small snicker from a certain red twin in the room. Proof of those theories was standing in the room with Orion...even if he had to fight down the near instinctual urge to flinch at the scientists designation.
Orion Pax: The truck lets out a little chuffing vent. "Neat." At Jazz making to follow, though, he holds up a hand, ducking into the second room for a short moment, saying something just soft enough to miss with the direction.
When he straightens up to shuffle out of the doorway he's followed by a smaller orange mech, bearing the claws and single optic of an empurata victim (though there's not much stigma toward that in this universe anymore) and a black and purple jet. "Now's a good time to tell me what you were planning to do to get into the council's headquarters."
Jazz: At the hand gesture to wait Jazz did so. Though he took the time to look at Sideswipe.
"Remember to keep cool, yea. Just here for information and get our crew back," he whispered firmly. Then immediately turned to Orion when he heard movement. Briefly he seemed puzzle by the new mech present, before crossing his arms.
"Through the front door if we could. Subtle sabotage if needed." He gave a small smile to the new mech
"Goin to introduce us or..?"
Orion Pax: "You wouldn't have gotten too far, then." Orion quirked a lopsided smile, gesturing to the smaller and larger mechs flanking him. "Damus" ("Glitch" is inserted directly after the name by the orange mech) "And Skywarp."
The jet, when referred to, gave a little flutter of his wings and shot a grin at the two. "Infiltration team A." One of his optics squinted a bit. "Er. The only infiltration team. Should probably be an 'I'." and trailed off into mumbling on the topic.
Valiantly forging forward, Orion propped his hands on his hips. "We can fill your information gaps and get you into the complex." The way he phrased it hinted that they would not be accompanying the two saboteurs.
Sideswipe: There was an almost unnoticeable twitch from Sideswipe at the sight of Skywarp, as he mashed that feeling of bubbling anger back into it's box. This was not the time or place to lose it. Though, once he was sure he could speak normally he did have something to ask. "Get us into the complex. This covering the way out, or are we going to have to run for it?"
Jazz: Jazz nodded to both of the new mechas, retaining a light version of his trademark smile.
"Nice to meet ya," he murmured before his attention was given to Orion again. The visor brightening at little and smile not faltering.
"Information is a welcome gift but ya sound like ya ain't buddying with us all the way."
Jazz chuckled at Sideswipes answer, but waited for answers to both of them.
Orion Pax: Skywarp responded to the greeting with a hum and smile, bouncing on the tips of his feet for a second. Glitch looked about ready to speak, but Orion beats him to it.
"Look, I'm all for rescuing your friends, but I'm not putting my mecha in more danger than I need to." He paced over to one of the crates, sitting down and making a little gesture toward the remaining ones. Plotting is meant to be done sitting, not standing around.
Claiming one of the further-out positioned crates, Glitch gingerly sits on the edge. "We're not replaceable, and the whole planet had a chance to see what the council will do if they capture one of us." the statement is followed by a mumbled "and Shockwave'd have Orion's head on a pike" from Skywarp, casually seated on a much closer crate.
Sideswipe: Something wasn't sitting right. And Sideswipe hadn't survived a War by ignoring his instincts. "Okay. So, this does bring up another question. If you can get us in, meaning you've had the ability to since the get-go, why are you only doing it now?" he asked, tone as level as he could make it.
Orion Pax: The question earned a shrug before Orion answered, like it's something obvious. "Shockwave trusts your friends."
Jazz: A nod, and a side glance at Skywarp's comment. Quietly the saboteur put pieces into place. Looking between both Glitch and Orion as he began to talk Jazz sat down, "I getcha. Mechas' lives are important, no matter the side. Trust me" he raised his servos slightly in an expression of understanding, "we get appreciative that ya help us anyways."
Jazz looked at Sideswipe a moment with a smirk then back to Orion.
"Takes knowin' the right bots. So, shall we get this rollin'?"
Sideswipe: Well. That was an answer he hadn't expected. It was fortunate for them, but...really? He almost laughed at that, but settled for snorting and dropping back down onto the crate he had been sitting on previously. Time to come up with some type of plan.
Orion Pax: "So we are," Orion shifted into a more attentive position. Now that major suspicions were out of the way, the group could plan their infiltration of the Cog.
Hello 700 followers!
Thank you to everyone who decided to follow my Blaster!
Instead of making this moment with a follow forever, I want to keep it simple and pay a complement to some of the RPers that I have either had the pleasure of interacting with or just simply follow. Since there are SO many of you, (and writing to so many of you would take too much time/make this post too long), I decided to break it down into three categories with shout outs to three blogs each, so don't feel bad if I have yet to mention you. There is a good chance I will do it again at 800 or 900 followers.
Sorry I don’t have a cool image for you to oogle at. :/ The shoutouts are under the cut and in no particular order other than the categories
To three blogs I interact with-
whatwouldprimusdo- One of the best Optimus' on tumblr. It's been great to see you give him a complex and dynamic personality, which IDW Optimus had been sorely lacking.
verdigrisprowl- The most Prowl to ever have Prowled. It's refreshing to see how close you kept him to his canon personality in IDW, and managed to bring him down to where he is very relatable.
jazzyservos- You gotta have more confidence in your Jazz, dude. He's seriously awesome to RP with and you write him really well. I enjoy your interpretation and headcanons for him and his and Blaster's relationship have been fun to play out. :D
To three blogs I simply follow but haven't/barely interact with-
meisterjazz- The other Jazz blog I have really enjoyed seeing on my dash. Your story and headcanons for him have been really interesting to follow and fleshes out Jazz differently while still keeping to a lot of his canon interpretations.
spinningtheclassics- A Blaster I have yet to really play with, although that still might be weird for our characters :P You really fleshed out G1 Blaster, I enjoy reading about his past exploits (Also, we both like our lighthearted music lover just a little more dark, apparently)
vxtum- Warrior monk Cyclonus has been interesting to read, and his relationships, almost all of them I have seen played, hold some kind of strain. It makes for good reading :D
Since OC's don't get a lot of love, to three OC blogs-
revitalistx- Your meek yet not so meek medic is actually super adorable. I'd squish her cheeks, but she might shock me. Also, yes to her and Cassius being Pharma's brats.
goateeofgood- I see you trying to get your OC blogs out there and more active. I see the effort you put into them, kudos for keeping it going.
miniconrightsactivist- Smol anger is smol, cute, and angry. Your OC actually makes the world of RiD, a show I find dull and uninspiring, into something that makes me curiously interested. Also Lingo is hilarious. Which I am sure she doesn't want to be. But she can't help herself. *coos at Lingo cuteness*
((ஐ : pretending to be married because this quaint old couple’s bed and breakfast is the only shelter for miles, they only have one room, and they’re a bit old fashioned.))
The traveling arrangements were tolerable, tight quarters accepted for the speed they needed, but the problem with speed is the short reaction time when they entered an asteroid field. Thankfully there was a station nearby they could get towed to, but not many places were decent or safe for a Cybertronian to recharge. The safest, apparently, was a relic of a liner permanently docked due to catastrophic engine failure, and run by a couple that was probably older than said relic.
The service at the counter was slow and with some strong side eye, until finally they said there was only one room, and it would take some time to get another recharge slab up there. Brainstorm, on the edge of crashing at this point due to stress and lack of defrag for an extended period, just put his arm on Optimus’ back and said, “That wont be necessary, we’ve shared one since we filed,” and then to Optimus, ::You can have the slab, I can defrag standing up.::
“He’s Starscream. Nobody trusts him, people who trust him end up dead,” he’s not even exaggerating, this is an observable trend. “Why he needs me to be present is anyone’s guess. I was under the impression he wanted to take every precaution against a primacy.” Not that he was thinking of establishing one, that was the absolute last thing on his list of wants.
“I don’t know.” Windblade shrugs. “It’s Starscream; maybe he wants to gloat. And I don’t trust him any more than you do, Optimus.”
She still can’t provide him with a weapon. Can’t, not won’t, because--even if she thought it was necessary--the only weapons she ever carries are her swords. If Optimus wants to be armed, he’ll have to provide for himself.
