re_alignment | audio || action

Entry tags:

✘ tf: bayverse | sideswipe

audio || action

I've seen enough.

[Well... it's Sideswipe's voice. But it's crawling with static and contempt. More than usual. It sounds almost older somehow. Harsher.]

You let them crawl around your world like it's nothing. Foolish.

Don't worry. I'll clean up your little mess.

[And the line goes dead.]

[LATER]

[A banged-up, paint-scarred Corvette can be found cruising the Haven, its headlights off and engine muted. It acts more like a shark than a flashy sportscar, moving quietly about the area.]

[It's stalking. Searching.]

[As if it knows what it seeks is somewhere nearby, and is tirelessly seeking it out.]

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[The rather small and red, not-precisely sports-car aiming for the distant glimpses of Vector Prime's temple in the gorge probably isn't what Sideswipe's looking for - unless anything unfamiliar is suspect.

Cliffjumper hasn't noticed Sideswipe just yet, but whether or not the Corvette does anything, he probably will soon.]

[It catches his attention. Almost immediately -- if only because he doesn't recognize it. Who is that? Mirage? No, the shape is all wrong.]

[He pulls out from concealment, following behind it.]

[Aaaand that's not creepy at all - the moment he catches on to the fact that there's someone following him, Cliffjumper veers sharply aside, transforming mid-motion and---

Actually catches on to the fact that it's Sideswipe - should be, anyway? - before he's drawn a weapon. If barely.]

... Sideswipe?

[The car doesn't unfold. If anything, it sits lower on its wheels, as if watching the strange red bot.]

[He doesn't know who this is. And, as such, doesn't move.]

[Shifting on his feet, Cliffjumper grimaces, optics narrowing. It's probably a good thing he's crossed his arms, because otherwise he'd definitely have withdrawn his gun by now - as it is, his right hand just twitches a bit.]

Okaaay, that's just... not creepy at all.

[Eyeing the silent, dark Corvette, Cliffjumper scowls a bit.]

Lemme guess, you ain't got a clue what you're doin' here.

[He doesn't have an answer to that. This thing... it's not anything familiar. It's not a Decepticon, so he can't kill it. Is it an Autobot? Something to be ignored?]

[The headlights flicker.]

How did you know.

[His voice is a rasp. Like it's been damaged before.]

[Okay, at least there's some sort of response and not just silent stalking or lurking. But that also pretty much confirms Sideswipe either... had something happen to him when the storm... or pillar... hit, or this is an alternate. Whichever.]

'Cause we've got a few people that suddenly ain't got a clue, after the storm a few days ago.

[So what happened to Sideswipe's voice? Or... well. Everything else, too.]

I know... knew... whatever the Sideswipe that was here before the storm. [That should work well enough, regardless of if this is the same or another one.]

What storm.

[It's a question, but his tone implies otherwise. He's all but demanding the information.]

[He still doesn't transform. He doesn't have a reason to -- no need to attack or flee. Not yet.]

Explain what you mean. I've never been here before.

[Rubbing a hand down his faceplates even if his risk-calculations warns that he shouldn't, Cliffjumper huffs.]

Right before ya woke up, there was a storm. Brought that thing [He waves in the direction of the Junk Pile and the pillar there, easily seen even at this distance.] with it, and after that we had a bunch of people who're absolutely sure they ain't been here before...

Or got outright switched with the ones who were, who the frag knows anymore!

cliffjumper - 2013-11-22 12:21 (UTC) - Expand

[At some point during the night a certain large black widow spider can be scurrying away from Liege Maximo's temple and towards the junk pile. Blackarachnia is hoping the cover of darkness would mean safety for her while she scavenged.]

[He might have missed it, if it hadn't scuttled across his path.]

[He stops, his engine going quiet.]

[Then moves to follow.]

[Blackarachnia pauses for a moment, glances around before continuing on. The she-spider still wasn't too sure about this place. Every shadow made it feel like she was being followed.

She shuddered and stopped after a few yards to turn around and really look. As she did, she crouched down low, hoping to avoid being spotted if there was something out there.]

[He transforms. It's easier to skulk around if he has legs. Which he attempts, following the direction he saw the shape moving.]

[He needs to make sure this isn't one of the enemy.]

[All eight of her optics widen as she watches something transform in the shadows. She's still not sure what it is, but, it's enough to trigger her own shift into bot mode and take off running. ]

[Oh, it's running now. It must be one of the enemy, then.]

[He takes off after it, with long, loping strides. His blades are already extended.]

[It's chasing her! Blackarachnia tries to make a break for the junk pile, praying to Primus that it would help hide her from whatever is chasing her. Every sound he made sent a spike of terror through the small bot. ]

stabbywheelfeet - 2013-11-15 06:40 (UTC) - Expand

[Dino doesn't even bother to keep himself hidden. Why should he? All that hidig did was show cowardice. And seeing that Corvette, he can't help but chuckle, pushing himself off that wall and sauntering over.]

Tryin' to be a snake in the grass, ol' Siders? Can't say I blame ya. Place is quieter than a fish in a pickle barrel.

[Where did that even come from.]

C'mon, transform an lay it on me, we'll do it like old times, the cowboy and the city boy. You and me.

[... what the fresh hell.]

[It has the same shape as Mirage. The same signature. But the color is wrong. The voice is wrong. Everything is wrong.]

[And that puts his back up like nothing else. He doesn't move.]

Who are you.

[Oh c'mon Sideswipe. He's the only--]

I'm the only rootin'-tootin' cowboy of a bot in these here parts and ya don't even remember me, Siders? That hurts.

Might as well put a bullet in my chest now. No way to talk to your partner.

Unless ya suddenly leave me high and dry like a pair of ol' undergarments.

[HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.]

[The Corvette almost turns and speeds off. He has no idea what's going on. This isn't Mirage. No.]

I don't have a partner.

[He transforms, then, scarred and worn and bristling with weapons.]

And I've never seen an Autobot like you before.

[Sideswipe's scarred image leaves him appalled.]

Well I'll be a blazin' Bronco. Siders, have ya looked at yourself lately? More roughed up than a rattlesnake in a woodchipper.

[JUST STOP.]

You and me, though, Siders. Partners in crime. Though ya took better care of yourself back home. Some partner rough ya up?

...It's me. Dino.

Since when do you care what happens to me. Since when do any of you care.

[His voice crackles around the edges. Like it's been damaged, but never fully repaired itself.]

[His shoulders draw up, defensively.]

I don't have a partner. I work alone. I have since all of you abandoned me.

And I don't know any Dino.

[Typical Sideswipe? Sorta. Not even he was this broody on a bad day. He takes a step closer, hand on his 'belt'.]

Yer pullin' my leg, Siders. I mean yer a pain in the aft but we still care about ya!

We never abandoned ya, either. You're makin' that scrap up like you're sellin' a cheap car.

And sure ya do. I'm Dino.

[He steps back. Pointedly. In order to keep space between them. This stranger is moving too close -- getting too familiar.]

No. You don't. None of them do. They robbed me and they left me to die.

I don't know who you are, or why you think you know me, but if you're loyal to Prime, I don't have any business with you.