Ninja of the Night

[thesilentninja]

Meeting old faces in new places

Nightbird had barely escaped pursuit from the other Autobot on the Ark. Somehow she had managed to avoid him, but she was not complaining. She just had to get off the ship; she was almost home free. For now, she gained enough information regarding the current state of the Autobots and their leader, so it would have to suffice Starscream.

She was more pleased with the information regarding Vector Sigma.

Nightbird darted through the halls of the Ark, focusing on escaping the Autobot ship at this point. Suddenly though, Nightbird felt the ground give way underneath her footing and she quickly collapsed through the glowing hole. 

She glanced around frantically and tried to activate her magnetic grip to grab onto anything, while pulling out one of her sai to stab into the wall. But....nothing. She continued to fall through. It must have been an elaborate Autobot trap. 

Eventually, Nightbird seemed to reach the end of the pit and landed on some kind of hard surface. The sudden impact paralyzed Nightbird as she repeatedly knocked against the surface and rolled onto the ground. Her optics flickered on and off as she tried to process what exactly had just happened. 

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[recklessprankster]

-Blue’s on the Ark. Ok that’s a relief. Now where the Datsun is exactly is the next question. He just needs to deal with Nightbird first. And when the femme doesn’t break her gaze with him and those yellow optics of hers flicker with a brief burst of pain, the frontliner gives a small, satisfied, smirk.-

Maybe.

-She didn’t give Sideswipe an exact answer so he’s not going to in return. He gauges the distance between them and wonders just how quickly he can get there and knock her lights out.-

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird broke her stare with Sideswipe for a moment, to glance down at her shoulder. :I-Am-Wasting-My-Time-With-You. Answer-Me-Or-You-Will-Never-Find-Your-Friend.: 

She quickly folded her arms and gazed at the Autobot again, her optics narrowed in annoyance. :Last-Chance-Autobot.: She then moved to step back, keeping her gaze on the mech. 

She had to get moving before the Autobot realized that he could call allies to come assist him. Considering if he hadn’t thought of it yet. 

[recklessprankster]

I got a better idea. -He flashes a smirk when she takes a small step back.-

How about no? -Patience up, Sideswipe is done with talking and takes off after the wounded femme. Blue’s on the Ark somewhere and that’s all he really needs to know. He’ll find him but first, it’s time to capture the intruder.

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird blinked in surprised, not expecting the Autobot to move so suddenly. Immediately, Nightbird pulled one of her throwing stars out and flung it at him, taking the opportunity to retreat. 

She turned around the nearest corner and glanced around repeatedly. Without a moment to lose, she darted forward, deciding to rely on her instinct instead. 

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[thesilentninja]

:He-Is-Currently-On-The-Ark. Unconscious. And-For-Now-That-Is-Your-Only-Clue. I-Have-A-Question-In-Turn-Autobot. Is-It-True-That-The-One-Named-Bumblebee-Is-Your-Current-Leader?: 

Nightbird continued to gaze at Sideswipe, considering his body language and stance. She slowly lifted a servo and pressed it against the bullet hole. Her optics flashed briefly in a show of pain. 

:Answer-Me.:

[recklessprankster]

-Blue’s on the Ark. Ok that’s a relief. Now where the Datsun is exactly is the next question. He just needs to deal with Nightbird first. And when the femme doesn’t break her gaze with him and those yellow optics of hers flicker with a brief burst of pain, the frontliner gives a small, satisfied, smirk.-

Maybe.

-She didn’t give Sideswipe an exact answer so he’s not going to in return. He gauges the distance between them and wonders just how quickly he can get there and knock her lights out.-

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird broke her stare with Sideswipe for a moment, to glance down at her shoulder. :I-Am-Wasting-My-Time-With-You. Answer-Me-Or-You-Will-Never-Find-Your-Friend.: 

She quickly folded her arms and gazed at the Autobot again, her optics narrowed in annoyance. :Last-Chance-Autobot.: She then moved to step back, keeping her gaze on the mech. 

She had to get moving before the Autobot realized that he could call allies to come assist him. Considering if he hadn't thought of it yet. 

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[recklessprankster]

-Snarling his displeasure at the turn of events, Sideswipe does as told. Photon rifle being tucked away, he clenches his fists by his sides. This is all kinds of irritating now. Still, if anything comes up, he doesn’t need a gun to fight. His blue optics still meet her gaze.-

There. Now. Where’s Blue.

[thesilentninja]

:He-Is-Currently-On-The-Ark. Unconscious. And-For-Now-That-Is-Your-Only-Clue. I-Have-A-Question-In-Turn-Autobot. Is-It-True-That-The-One-Named-Bumblebee-Is-Your-Current-Leader?: 

Nightbird continued to gaze at Sideswipe, considering his body language and stance. She slowly lifted a servo and pressed it against the bullet hole. Her optics flashed briefly in a show of pain. 

:Answer-Me.:

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[recklessprankster]

-When the sound of her throwing stars dropping to the ground is heard, Sideswipe smirks. That smirk is quick to vanish when she retaliates and throws another at him. Covering his helm so that it doesn’t earn a nice addition of a metal ninja star, the frontliner instead earns himself that very weapon to lodge into his forearm. Woah those things are sharp!

He doesn’t pull it out of his armor, quickly refocusing back on the cyberninja only to find that she used that distraction to slip away. Well frag. Before he could give chase, the femme steps out from her nearby hiding spot right in his line of vision.

Rifle cocked and aimed, he grits his dentae and forces himself not to just begin anew with the attack.-

Uh-huh. I don’t care if you’re injured or got magic healing. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just shoot you full of holes.

[thesilentninja]

:What-A-Surprise. The-Autobot-Is-Quick-To-React-But-Too-Slow-In-Thinking.: Nightbird gazes at him before her optics narrow and she moves closer. :I-Am-Not-Interested-In-Fighting. I-Am-Here-For-My-Own-Reasons. So-Make-A-Fool-Out-Of-Yourself-Or-Not. I-Do-Not-Care.: 

With that, Nightbird dusted her servos off and turned away from the Autobot. She was not going to beg for medical assistance because her newly acquired injury. She would not trust any Autobot medic anyway and would rather cope with it until getting back to the Decepticon base. For all Nightbird knew, it would just be a ploy to catch her offguard and place her in storage again. 

:Then-Again. If-You-Did-Something-As-Foolish-As-Attacking-Me-From-Behind-You-Would-Not-Know-Where-To-Find-Your-Ally. Bluestreak-Was-His-Name-I-Believe.: It was a bluff. A very, very large gamble of a bluff, considering she was not sure how long the mech would stay unconscious. :So-Consider-Your-Options.:

[recklessprankster]

Blah blah blah. Heard it before. Join the haters club, reject.

-Bad move on her part for turning her back on him. He plays dirty and a cheap shot is still a shot. And she’s still a Decepticon in his home. Lips thinning into a line when she tries to goad him, Sideswipe is just about to go right back at it when the femme brings up Bluestreak. All the frontliner’s thoughts just halt.

So is that why Blue wasn’t responding to his earlier comms? Frag! Options considered and are clearly in Nightbird’s favor. Blue’s his priority now. Her bluff works and has the red Lambo not tearing after the intruder. Lowering his gun slightly, his following hard words aren’t in questioning.-

Where is he.

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird paused to glance back at Sideswipe, staring at the red Autobot. :That-Will-Be-Answered-Depending-On-Your-Next-Few-Reactions. Now-Put-Your-Gun-Away-Like-A-Good-Boy.:

The ninjabot folded her arms and stared at him. Her optics narrow as she has a staring stand off with him. :I-Won't-Ask-Again-Autobot. What-Is-Your-Decision?:

She glanced down to his weapon and then back to his optics.

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird had been just as surprised to run into another Autobot so soon. She barely learned any of their base’s layout. She quickly reached for a few throwing stars, intending to catch the Autobot off guard and fleeing with the advantage. However, the bullet from his weapon pierced through her shoulder and Nightbird dropped her stars in shock.

 She pulled another star out from her storage and flung it at Sideswipe, quickly turning to maneuver past a corner. She hadn’t anticipated a fight, only proving just how unprepared she was. Perhaps she was too quick to jump the gun to learn about Vector Sigma. 

Nightbird weighed her options before slowly gazing past the wall she had taken cover and slowly stepped into the Autobot’s sight. :Cease. I-Will-Not-Retaliate.I-Have-Been-Injured.:

She did not wait for a response before kneeling down to gather the stars she had dropped after initially being hit. She gazed up to the Autobot and awaited a response while holding the injury on her shoulder. 

[recklessprankster]

-When the sound of her throwing stars dropping to the ground is heard, Sideswipe smirks. That smirk is quick to vanish when she retaliates and throws another at him. Covering his helm so that it doesn’t earn a nice addition of a metal ninja star, the frontliner instead earns himself that very weapon to lodge into his forearm. Woah those things are sharp!

He doesn’t pull it out of his armor, quickly refocusing back on the cyberninja only to find that she used that distraction to slip away. Well frag. Before he could give chase, the femme steps out from her nearby hiding spot right in his line of vision.

Rifle cocked and aimed, he grits his dentae and forces himself not to just begin anew with the attack.-

Uh-huh. I don’t care if you’re injured or got magic healing. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t just shoot you full of holes.

[thesilentninja]

:What-A-Surprise. The-Autobot-Is-Quick-To-React-But-Too-Slow-In-Thinking.: Nightbird gazes at him before her optics narrow and she moves closer. :I-Am-Not-Interested-In-Fighting. I-Am-Here-For-My-Own-Reasons. So-Make-A-Fool-Out-Of-Yourself-Or-Not. I-Do-Not-Care.: 

With that, Nightbird dusted her servos off and turned away from the Autobot. She was not going to beg for medical assistance because her newly acquired injury. She would not trust any Autobot medic anyway and would rather cope with it until getting back to the Decepticon base. For all Nightbird knew, it would just be a ploy to catch her offguard and place her in storage again. 

:Then-Again. If-You-Did-Something-As-Foolish-As-Attacking-Me-From-Behind-You-Would-Not-Know-Where-To-Find-Your-Ally. Bluestreak-Was-His-Name-I-Believe.: It was a bluff. A very, very large gamble of a bluff, considering she was not sure how long the mech would stay unconscious. :So-Consider-Your-Options.:

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

[recklessprankster]

-Sideswipe had tried contacting Blue but the gunner wasn’t responding. Odd. Blue always responds. Deciding to go search for the Datsun himself, Sideswipe rounds the corner towards the Recreation room only to find Nightbird sneaking around. If he had waited a moment longer or walked slower, the two might have physically ran into each other as they rounded the corner. Suffice to say, he’s momentarily surprised but squashes it down and immediately switches to attack.-

Who the frag let you in?

-Optics narrowing instantly, unsubspacing his photon rifle and aiming it at her, the frontliner’s finger pulls the trigger. Shoot first, ask questions later.-

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird had been just as surprised to run into another Autobot so soon. She barely learned any of their base's layout. She quickly reached for a few throwing stars, intending to catch the Autobot off guard and fleeing with the advantage. However, the bullet from his weapon pierced through her shoulder and Nightbird dropped her stars in shock.

 She pulled another star out from her storage and flung it at Sideswipe, quickly turning to maneuver past a corner. She hadn't anticipated a fight, only proving just how unprepared she was. Perhaps she was too quick to jump the gun to learn about Vector Sigma. 

Nightbird weighed her options before slowly gazing past the wall she had taken cover and slowly stepped into the Autobot's sight. :Cease. I-Will-Not-Retaliate.I-Have-Been-Injured.:

She did not wait for a response before kneeling down to gather the stars she had dropped after initially being hit. She gazed up to the Autobot and awaited a response while holding the injury on her shoulder. 

[thesilentninja]

Departing the Ark, Part 3

She was sure Bluestreak would survive her surprise attack. She restrained herself to non-fatal blows. Even though he was one of the Autobots who had been present and thus deserved a worse fate than temporary unconsciousness. She turned a few corners swiftly, pausing before each turn to check for anyone present. 

She then presses again the wall and attempts to contact the Decepticon base. Her optics narrowed and she glanced around. Was her communicator malfunctioning? She shook her head before silently continuing. Perhaps it would be a good time to scout the Autobot base for a general idea of its layout before departing. She was sure she still had time before the Autobot would wake up.

[thesilentninja]

Arrival to the Ark, Part 2

[sharptalkingdatsun]

When she steps back, he walks over to Teletraan-1 but doesn’t make any motion of putting in his access code. He wants to hear what she has to say before he does. It’s true that the current information she’s seeking out wouldn’t give the Decepticons any sort of advantage over the Autobots. But as long as the ninja associates herself with the opposite faction, he’s going to be cautious.

As Nightbird speaks, he once again has to bite back his glossa when she brings up how the Autobots took her back to her human creator. It was true that they hadn’t thought of her as a sentient being when they first encountered her. How could they though? An organic creating life like their own was such an odd concept.

“Should a spark matter for you though? You’ve already proven to us that you’re not just a drone created by humans” Her hatred towards Autobots was more than enough proof for the gunner in that manner. “Sparks are given to lifeless frames, I’m not sure how well that would work out for someone who could already think and feel.”

Even saying that, he begins to unlock the information for Nightbird. He doesn’t entirely understand where she’s coming from and he’s not sure if a spark would honestly work in her case but it’s not his place to decide those things for her. 

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird remained silent for a short time, and she kept her gaze on the information. Her arms folded and she stared with a relentless gaze. Vector Sigma gave life to frames? Did that mean that Nightbird had no chance? Merely because she was sentient? But she did not possess a spark. Swiftly, she placed one servo against her chin, pondering on her next move. 

She hadn't forgotten Starscream's orders either. To find information regarding the newest Autobot leader now that Optimus Prime wasn't present. 

:Don't-Take-This-Personally.: The ninja bot sent the message quickly and acted just as fast. She reached for the back of the Autobot's neck and kicked a knee joint to drag him forward. Pushing him, Nightbird knocked his head against the metal of Teletraan-1's dashboard and took advantage of her sneak attack. With his access code still locked on the computer, she quickly scoured the Autobot database, passing over non-crucial information. 

From what she gathered, an Autobot named Bumblebee was the current leader? Interesting...

With that, Nightbird gave a single glance after copying the information to disc drive and swiped it. She gave a mock bow to the mech and turned to exit. 

Now, she just had to escape as quickly as she snuck aboard the Ark. 

[thesilentninja]

Arrival to the Ark, Part 2

[sharptalkingdatsun]

His optics widen momentarily in surprise at hearing that. Of all the things he could have thought that Nightbird was searching for, he wouldn’t have guessed it had to do with sparks or Vector Sigma. Of course now, he’s even more curious about just what she would want to know that would require her to search Teletraan-1. The Decepticons would know just as much about these things as any Autobot soldier would. He’s becoming more sure that this honestly doesn’t concern Autobots or Decepticons but that still doesn’t mean he exactly likes being ordered around by the ninja.

He steps a little closer to her but keeps his gun lowered at his side; trying to show her that he would like to avoid any sort of violent altercation between them. 

“What do you need this information for?” He needs that extra confirmation that whatever is going on, this truly won’t be used against the Autobots.

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird kept her stare on the Autobot and slowly stepped back to allow him access to Teletraan-1. She quietly watched him, trailing every moment he made with her optics. :Considering-What-I-Am-Dp-You-Really-Need-To-Ask-That?:

Nightbird's optics dim as she glances down to her servos. :Do-You-Know-What-It-Is-Like-To-Be-Judged-For-Who-Made-Me? I-Will-Never-Truly-Belong-With-The-Decepticins-Unless-I-Can-Obtain-A-Spark? Not-That-I-Expect-You-To-Understand. You-And-The-Other-Autobots-Were-Quick-Enough-To-Place-Me-Back-In-Storage.:

She narrowed her optics and quickly crossed her arms, then shifting her gaze to Teletraan-1's screen. 

[thesilentninja]

Arrival to the Ark, Part 2

[sharptalkingdatsun]

He bites back a remark that all she seems to remember about the Autobots is that day. There are far better ways to react and handle this situation than to argue with the ninja. He watches as she moves back some. Rifle still raised up, his hand never leaves the trigger and his optics keep watching the ninja’s every movement. He only starts to lower his gun when she threatens to damage Teletraan-1. The threat isn’t something he fully believes. After all, she’s searching for something here, damaging the database here wouldn’t help her in her search. But either way, whether he believes she’ll go through with it or not, the fact that she says it didn’t concern Autobots makes him feel like this might just be something different than Soundwave sending one of his cassettes here to spy.

The gunner stands back into a more relaxed stance with his gun pointed away from her. He’s backing off some but he won’t put his rifle away. She does identify as a Decepticon after all and he can’t allow himself to fully trust that she won’t try anything. 

“Then this doesn’t concern Decepticons, correct? What kind of information are you looking for?”

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird keeps eyeing the Autobot as he backs away before resuming her search on the terminal. :Sparks. Vector-Sigma.: She responds quickly. She quickly scans over more of the information and glances to Bluestreak. :You. Do-You-Have-Access? Unlock-This.:

She watches for his reaction and arms her sais again, anticipating his reaction. :Once-I-Retrieve-The-Information-I-Will-Be-On-My-Way.:

[notjustanotherdraft]

‘Vector Sigma’ ..?

-That was a new term. Her wings flicked, pondering - so all she had to do was locate this ‘Vector Sigma’, ask for a spark and she’d …

Where is ‘vector sigma’?

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird watched silently for a moment before  pointing up and staring at the sky. Not that Slipstream can necessarily see what she's doing.

:Starscream-Informed-Me-It's-On-Cybertron.: She then glanced back to the screen and stared at the Seeker. :I-Am-Going-To-Infiltrate-The-Autobot's-Base-To-Learn-More-Information.: 

[thesilentninja]

Arrival to the Ark, Part 2

[sharptalkingdatsun]

After providing back-up for Sideswipe on his patrol, Bluestreak was more than ready to rest back on the Ark. Even though, it had been a quite a while since there had been any con activity, it hadn’t taken him long to get back into the mindset he had been in before the dimensional tears had made things so quiet here in their universe. 

Walking through the Ark’s silent hallways, he moves with the intention of heading back to his quarters. That is until something, well someone catches his attention. Being as quiet as he can, he reaches into his sub space for his rifle and raises it as he moves a little closer to the ninja looking through Teletran-One. If this was Ravage or Laserbeak, he would have shot already. He knows that Nightbird has made the decision herself to join the Decepticons but there’s plenty of issues surrounding that doesn’t make too much sense to him. He’s aware of her hatred towards Autobots but even so is she really joining a war because of that? Is she here searching their database because of her allegiance to the ‘cons or is this something the ninja is doing on her own?

His finger moves towards the trigger but he doesn’t shoot; not yet at least. “I didn’t get the memo about any visitors here.”

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird had barely skimmed the information, finding difficulties with locating information that wasn't sealed or encrypted.  She quickly turned at having the Autobot base and instinctively pulled out her twin sai. She glared at the Autobot and looked him over, flexing into a defensive position. :I-Remember-You. You-Were-Present-When-The-Autobots-Captured-Me-And-Locked-Me-Away.:

She moved back a few steps and continued to glare. :I-Will-Not-Allow-Myself-To-Be-Captured-Again. So-Stand-Down-Autobot-Or-I-Will-Damage-This-Machine.: Quickly, Nightbird holds her sais down against Teletraan-1's machinery. 

:This-Does-Not-Concern-The-Autobots. I-Merely-Need-Information.: Nightbird glances to Bluestreak, daring him to make a move against her.

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird tilted her head again and observed Slipstream. :Autobots-Rule? How-Odd. I-Would-Still-Like-To-Visit-There. But-I-Need-A-Spark-First-Before-I-Am-Accepted-By-The-Other-Decepticons.:

[notjustanotherdraft]

Yeah …

-She doubted she herself could reveal the true nature of her ‘spark’ to her own Decepticons - she might not necessarily be rejected, but given their goals and incentives …

Do you know how to get a spark?

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird waited before slowly nodding, watching the Seeker.

:I-Believe-I-Have-To-Locate-Vector-Sigma. From-What-I-Understand-It-Can-Grant-Sparks-To-Non-Cybertronians.:

[notjustanotherdraft]

Eh … well …

-What was it like? How would she know, when every time she tried to find out  some elite guard would show up and interrupt her exploration?

Looks nice, I guess - definitely feels good to not have to bend down and watch your step for every little thing. Never did like that cramped feeling back on Earth. Slag if I know anything else, though - Decepticons are apparently outlaws there - I don’t exactly blend in with the Autobot crowd to see what the fuss on the streets is all about.

[thesilentninja]

Nightbird tilted her head again and observed Slipstream. :Autobots-Rule? How-Odd. I-Would-Still-Like-To-Visit-There. But-I-Need-A-Spark-First-Before-I-Am-Accepted-By-The-Other-Decepticons.:

[notjustanotherdraft]

-Decepticon? Well that was good - they were on the same side, then.

Better luck than I’ve had - I was stuck on Earth for a while but just a few days ago found myself on Cybertron - I’ve been told it has something to do with tears, but … problem is the planet is overrunning with Autobots. I’ve only made contact with one Decepticon, and I’ve no idea where he is - just that it’s definitely not Cybertron.

[thesilentninja]

At that, Nightbird stares at the Seeker and blinks again.

:What-Is-Cybertron-Like?:

[thesilentninja]

Arrival to the Ark, Part 2

Nightbird remembered the way to the Autobot's base and made her way there with ease. After arriving to the city, she climbed up to one of the docks and swiftly navigated the area. She jumped from rooftop to rooftop of the human buildings, until she came to a closer proximity to the Autobot base.

The ninja glanced around quietly before slipping around the multiple rocks around the ship. She needed just a few moments before she was scaling down the rocks surrounding the ship. She remembered this all from previously sneaking into the Ark. 

Soon, she had swiftly made her way into the base and glanced around once more. No sign of Autobot presence it seemed. She stuck to the shadows and made her way to the main database for Teletran-One. Quickly she began to get to work to skimming through the information and focus her attention on the information.