audio; transmission from: outside of the haven

[gtfostalker]

[Enjoy that full minute of static, Haven. It's not getting any better. At least someone eventually starts talking... just that it's all in Russian and half-staticked out for another minute before the translator either kicks in or the man on the other end realizes that English might be easier for most people to understand.]

... -llo?

... -ve gotten los-

... -omeone come get me?

[The static increases briefly - which mostly covers a rather colorful curse that nobody needs to hear.]

I will rep-...... -ess.

... -ank you.

[The transmission cuts out shortly after that, returning the Link to its regularly scheduled silence.]

Comments

[raceme]

[Some traditions are bad, you know.]

You seem very calm. [Blurr appreciates the fact that he's not panicking, scared people are harder to deal with, it's just that it's new to him.]

Thankyousir. [The mech grins.] I'm the faster bot alive. I take pride on it.

[gtfostalker]

Well, I could try screaming in horror, if you like. [He's just not the sort to panic, really. Even when he really ought to panic.]

I can see that. I would take pride in it too, were it me.

[raceme]

NooooOOOOOOooooo it's not really necessary. [Blurr chuckles, he doesn't really enjoy hearing screams.]

Thank you! What are you Stalkers good at?

[gtfostalker]

What are Stalkers good at? [Strelok practically crows.]

Stalkers are good at surviving. We can take care of ourselves in a fight and we are good at living on very little - little food, little water, little ammo. And we can find things and get into places that others cannot go.

[raceme]

Ah then you and my people already have something in common. We are really really hard to kill. Most of us are not _{so good at the whole getting into places, though}. I'm on the small scale but others are as big as a planet.

[gtfostalker]

Well. It is not so much that we are hard to kill - we are not armored like you. It is easy enough to die in the Zone. But when you have been around long enough, you learn your way. I have seen how big some of you can get; I do know the ones called First Forged.

[raceme]

I'm hardly armored in comparison to most of my kind but I understand what you meant. When everyone is stronger than you, wits are all you got. [Ey look, they're already close to one of the temples.]

They are impressive, aren't they?

[gtfostalker]

Exactly. You get it. [He wags a finger at Blurr, grinning.] We must be smart because we are not so tough as others. But some of us get very good at shooting, just in case our brains aren't enough.

A bit, yes.

[raceme]

I try, sir. OooooOOOOOoooh shooting? I was never all that good with long range weapons but I agree that those help. [Blurr stops, looking up at the temple. ]

Nexus Prime's temple. Do you want to get some food or something to drink? I could get you to the Haven's Hub. [A place that Strelok most likely doesn't know.]

[gtfostalker]

Yes. I am very good at shooting. That is why I am Strelok: it means, ah... 'Gunslinger'.

[He looks up at the temple himself, grinning widely. Ah, home. Sort of. Though the question gets his attention, and he waves one hand.] Ahh, I am fine. I always keep supplies, yes? Though if you can tell me what direction this... Haven's Hub is in, I will be sure to stop by.

[raceme]

Gunslinger. I will remember that. You should meet my good friend Cliffjumper, he likes weapons too.

[Blurr leans down so he can be on the ground again.] OfcourseStrlok. I will send the coordinates to your comm link.

[gtfostalker]

Cliffjumper, eh? I shall have to speak with him, then. It is always good to meet another with an interest in weapons.

[Strelok stands, half-walking and half-sliding out of Blurr's hands.] I appreciate it.

[raceme]

He's a red mech _{shorter than me} and he has horns. He's one of Vector's too, like me.

You are welcome. I need to get ^{back to my duties but send} me a message if you need anything.