SLINGSHOT: LOST AND FOUND Ruins of Crystal City Sudden bursts of a weapon being fired can be heard near a cluster of buildings in what had been the center of the city. After two are three shots of what could have been a laser rifle the area falls silent once more. Crystal City Administration Building Starlight filters through the darkened hallways of this structure. Even so...shadows conceal what lurks within this supposedly deserted place. From the way the walls and the floor creak in unison it's a fair bet tis building isn't up to par. Near the side enterance you come across a hole in the floor which leads into a chasm several levels down. Air Raid has arrived. Slag has arrived. Slag mutters about Aerialbots having much to be humble for. Air Raid stops just inside the door, and listens to the relative quiet. "Wow." His voice echoes, "Look it this place." Slingshot is on one of the lower levels of the building...trying to pick himself up off the floor. Air Raid listens harder. "I don't hear anything. Quiet in here." Slingshot groans slightly and retrieves his fallen weapon. Alert now he takes it in hand and holds it in a defensive gesture. He stands unsteadily as he hears the voices floating somewhere above him. Air Raid tilts his head. "I heard that. You hear that?" He looks around for steps, then realizes that any hole in the floor will do. Taking one look down to make sure it's not endless, he jumps through to land gingerly one level below. You can hear him grunt, and curse his bad leg. Slingshot hears the extra noise and limps behind a corner. Air Raid shouts up, voice echoing loudly in the stillness, "Come on, Slag! You 'fraid of the dark?" Slingshot blinks, hearing the visitors draw nearer. He is one level lower however and can't quit tell who's speaking. Slag says, "You want *light*?!" Slag opens his mouth, a sheet of flame flies over Air Raid's head. Air Raid snorts at the Dinobot, who's obviously rooting around for someone to torch. He hollars, "We won't hurt you, whoever you are! We just wanna ask you a question!" He shouts up to Slag, "And don't you dare set my afterburners on fire, you scud!" Air Raid ducks, though not qas quickly as usual. "You aftmuncher," he snaps, "Knock that off." Slag says, "Aftmuncher? Flattery get you nothing. Aft for brain" Slingshot tightens the grip on his gun...not willing to let his hiding place be revealed so easily. Air Raid retorts, "Well, if my aft is my brain, at least I *use* mine!" Air Raid grumbles and makes a sweep of the area. "Get down here, Slag! If yer gonna light somethin', make it something useful." Slag snorts, "For landings." Air Raid says, "I heard that." Slag transforms into Robot mode. Slingshot mubles soemthing vaguely nasty on his breath. "Great....those wrecks brought more friends," he curses to himself. Slag drops down to where Air Raid is, dust falls off of various spots inside. Air Raid gestures, "Now, can you give me a light, so we can *see*? And I don't need my white paint toasted black thank you." Slag says, "Why not rip off your arm and let sparking wires light up area?" Air Raid rolls his optics, "Oooh, great idea," he remarks dryly. "Now would you please just do your thing?" A noise is heard somewhere behind Air Raid. One of the wrecks who had been hiding in the structure stumbles over a crate. Air Raid whirls and snaps off a shot. He's much slower than normal, but faster than a lumbering Dinobot. Slag taps Air Raid on the top of his head, "Do what thing? Not lights in robot mode. Should have brought runt Rewind. He make good light" Air Raid hits...something...which falls to the ground with a strangled sound. "There. Air Raid one, Slag nothin'. Quit standin' around yammering and you might hit something." The pathetic mechaoid loudly gasps. With a scream his left arm is severed at the shoulder. He trips and falls but somehow manages to get to his feet. Air Raid limps over. "So transform or something. I wanna see what this is. It ain't Slingshot for sure...I'd have known his muttering anywhere." Air Raid speaks up, "Hey, we don't wanna hurt you, but we aint gettin' shot in the back either. Don't want my wings stolen. So speak up, whatever you are." Slag transforms into Triceratops mode. On unsteady legs the mchanoid backs away...energon leaking from his wound. He retorts in a husky voice, "I look like I have a gun on me...? No good Autobot." Slag spews forth a sheet of flames over Air Raid's head. Air Raid puts one hand on his hip. "Ok, I'll make this simple. I may be an Autobot, but I have a temper just as bad as this Dinothing behind me. So let me just ask you a simple question." He ducks as flame shoots straight over his head, and tries not to yelp. "SLAG! I was talkin'!" The robot snorts and tries to catch a glance above him...expecting to see someone there who apparently isn't. He manages to duck just in time from the flames and mutters something nasty about soldiers. Slag stomps up behind Air Raid, "Make up mind! Stupid Aieralbot!" Air Raid turns back to the robot, and says, "Ok, *that* gave you a good look at me. Now, have you seen anyone like me, only all white?" He gestures with his gun, "We'll leave if we find this robot, in good condition." The robot turns a baleful gaze to Slag and then optics Air Raid, regaining his bearings. He straightens. "Maybe I've seen him and maybe I haven't. What are ya willing to pay?" Slag snorts, "Willing to let you leave with all limbs attached. How that?" The robot gestures to his arm. "All limbs? Already missing one." Air Raid grins nastily in agreement with Slag. He eyes the robot up and down and hefts his rifle, "You really want to take your chances?" Air Raid shrugs then, "Ok, if he's going to be difficult, I don't have time for this. If you've seen him, that means he's around...and I can find him without your help." He begins to turn away, and says carelessly, "Slag... torch him." The robot holds up his energon stained hand immediately. "Ok...ok! Sheesh. That's just as bad as those smelting pools." Air Raid pauses and looks over his shoulder. "Hold on, Slag...*please*," he adds rather sarcastically. "What?" he directs at the robot. "And make it fast. I'm in a bad mood." The mechaoid had hoped to have gotten something for his trouble. He sighs. "There's a some kid some of the guys found on one of the lower levels. Ain't sure which one. That's all I know." Slag transforms into Robot mode. Air Raid tilts his head a little, and says, "He better be ok and all in one piece. Which level?" Slag glares at the Robot, "Said if you give info, then you get out with all limbs. Dinobots keep promise. You tell, we get you fixed." Air Raid turns a rather surprised glance toward Slag, then smiles to himself in amazement. "Good point, Slag." He turns to the robot. "Take us to him, and we get you fixed." The mechoid's ravaged face frowns. He stomps twice on the floor. Dust flies everywhere. "Maybe below this one. And I ain't gettin' fixed by no Autobots. They're done enough for Cybertron already. The mechaoid adds, "Ain't ownin' nobody." Air Raid counters, "Well, we're less Autobots than most Autobots. We're Aerialbot and Dinobot, so you wouldn't really owe an Autobot anything." Slag leans into the mechoid's face, "Fine, medic won't be *Auto*bot" The robot takes a step back....feeling intimidated. But he still remains...difficult. "I told ya I heard he was on the lower level." Air Raid takes a step forward, following, "And I said to take us there. I have a repair bot, which would fix you up nicely, so you wouldn't have to thank anyone. The debt between you and me would be settled." The mechanoid opens his mouth to answer and promptly shuts it again. "And be targeted? You don't know nothing about life here!" Before he can say more there's another fire of a laser somewhere below the trio. Air Raid narrows his optics at the sound. "And if that laser hit my brother, you'll only *wish* you could come back to this life, when I'm done with you." On the lower level Slingshot utters something unintelligible rather loudly. There are sounds of a scuffle beginning. The mechanoid optics Air Raid for a moment and then gestures in wearniness. "Fine. You want him that badly? Sounds like it's coming from the old records area." Air Raid whirls at the sound of Slingshot's voice, and recognizes it instantly. "I'll be right back. Slag?" He limps as quickly as he can to another hole in the ground, closest to the sound, and it's apparent now that the Aerialbot isn't up to par. He disappers down the hole. The mechanoid watches the Aerialbot go...keeping an optic on Slag. Air Raid lands with another noise of pain, but holds his position, rifle drawn. He listens. "Slingshot?" he inquires loudly enough for the level to hear him. Slag looks bored and stares at a wall. Slingshot gets thrown against the wall, disloging some files. The tapes come crashing to the ground as one of the wrecks attacking him picks up his gun. Air Raid hollars, "HEY SLAG, THERE'S SOMEONE WANTING A THRASHING DOWN HERE!" Air Raid wades into the foray, hardly able to see, but he can hear Slingshot, and can decipher his position almost exactly. "SLING!" he hollars, anger overcoming the pain of moving so quickly. Slingshot grunts and tries to push one of the wrecks away. He yells, "About time *someone* showed up," he complains with a suprised rasp as one of the wrecks begins to take aim while two others try to hold Slingshot at bay.. Air Raid snaps off a shot immediately after Slingshot speaks up, intentionally firing wide of his position. Slag walks past the mechoid and flies down the hole of the floor himself. He walks towards Air Raid's voice, "Besides you?" Slag pulls out his sword and follows sound of laserfire. The mechanoid holds the stump of his shoulder tightly. He takes the oppertunity to quietly slip back into the shadows and out of sight. Air Raid hits something again, and thanks Primus for his good bout of luck today. He says to Slingshot, "Move over here, bro...we're about to light up this place." The wreck boggles...and stands still for a moment as the shot rips through his chest. His falls to the ground...the gun clattering the the floor. The two other wrecks holding Slingshot turn around, refusing to let their prize catch go. Air Raid snarls, "Let him go, or we flame you into puddles of slag. NOW." "Hafta light your buddy with it," one of the mechanoids snarls. Air Raid does not seem like a robot you'd want to mess with...not to mention the hulking Autobot beside him. Slag stomps into the room, and flashes his sword, "You keep grip on Aerialbot, you can't stop sword from cutting. Get it?" Air Raid's mouth twists into a smirk. "The Dinobot has a good point." Air Raid jerks his head toward the group. "They're all yer's, Slag. Just leave Slingshot in one piece." The two wrecks regard one another and come to a silent agreement. They roughly push Slingshot towards the other two. "Take him then. He's not worth *that* much trouble." Air Raid stumbles back and almost falls as Slingshot is thrust into his arms. "Good choice," he manages, and regains his balance. Slingshot seems to be having touble standing himself now. "Nice catch," He manages somehow. Air Raid starts backing away, Slingshot in tow. "Can you walk?" he mutters into the other Aerialbot's audios. Slag glares at the two, "You leaving? Or left in pieces?" The two wrecks back away and disappear through one of the countless rows of tapes and files. Slag frowns, mutters about running like humans from fight. Air Raid chuckles, "I'll never say you don't have your uses, Slag." Slingshot nods. "Uh....yeah. Think so." He notices Air Raid's own physical limitations. "So...wassup anyway?" he slurrs. Slingshot strightens himself and stands on unsteady legs getting ready to topple. "And how'd ya find me?" Air Raid turns for the hole in the ceiling, and mutters sharply to Slingshot, "Enough chit chat. I don't know what you're doing here in the first place, and how I found you I'll tell you later. Let's get home. Slag, you mind?" He doesn't seem capable of leaping that far with Slingshot. Slag looks up. Slag reaches out to grab the Aerialbots. Slingshot blinks in confusion as he nearly falls retrieving his weapon. "Where exactly is *here*? Slingshot is relunctant to summon his weapon back into subspace. But since he doesn't ahve the strength to hold onto it... Air Raid raises an optic ridge at Slingshot, then submits to being grabbed rather roughly by Slag. "I owe you one," he mutters to the Dinobot. Slag eyes the hole, "I think I can make the throw with both at same time..." Air Raid protests, "THROW? You can FLY!" Slag looks at Air Raid, "So?" Slingshot doesn't stuggle. He's in no condition to put up much of a fight. He doesn't seem to care in *what* way he leaves. Just so he leaves. Air Raid growls, "I'm in enough pain already. I get sick of it after a few days, alright? You *can* be relatively gentle, so *try*." Slingshot doesn't respond to the verbal jousting. He's uncharacteristially quiet. Slag kicks on his boot jets and flies through the hole...through the next floor...through the wall and outside the building. Slingshot manges, "Thanks, Slag. You two Raid..." Slag says, "May be a bit bumpy." Air Raid nods. "Yeah, Thanks Slag.". Edges of Iacon A scanning beam falls upon Slag and Air Raid emitting from the station. Air Raid drops down a bit tiredly from Slag's back, and reaches up to help Slingshot down. Once on the ground, he steadies his teammate, and says, "Slag, we both owe you one." Slingshot nods tiredly in agreement. Slingshot intones. "Yeah...thanks." Borderline sees the somewhat distraught Autobots and starts scanning the area for intruders. Borderline starts scanning the area with 4 bright spotlights one on each tower scanning the area in a very tight rotation. Several antenna rise from Borderline. Air Raid ignores the tower for now, and looks up at Slag. He tries to formulate the words, then says, "If you want something in return...?" Slingshot glances around him at the more familiar surroundings. It takes awhile for him to focus. Slag looks at Air Raid, "That boring. Next time, make sure Cons around." The station's speakers emit "Report, what has taken place. Are you being followed?" Slingshot jerks himself towards the direction of the station, startled -- and inwardly groans in slight pain as he regrets his action moments later. To the casual observer he apears rather jumpy. Air Raid turns tirely toward the station, and says, "No, we weren't followed. No report." Air Raid smirks. "Sorry the entertainment wasn't there. But if you need any favors -- not that you can't handle yourself --" he adds with an optic-roll, "-- just ask." Air Raid starts limping toward the hidden platform, holding Slingshot up as he goes. He looks, however, like he could use some support himself. The station's speakers emit "Two damaged soldiers and a Dinobot bringing them in. Something happened, I am going to make a parimiter sweep, just for my own piece of mind." Borderline transforms into Robot mode. Slingshot forces himself to calm down as recognizes the Autobot and then allows himself to be taken. He nearly stumbles once, almost bringing Raid down with him. Air Raid finally disappears through the cloaking shield, firm grip on Slingshot all the while. Landing Strip Main Bridge Slingshot looks slightly more relaxed now that they're back home. Air Raid sinks down on a table, and pulls Slingshot down on the one next to him. He sits, and makes Slingshot lay down. "What...happened?" he asks tiredly. Slingshot sighs and tries to folds his wings as he sprawls out. Looking at him one can clearly see he's not in good shape. In fact, if he were to be opened up in any way one will notice some of his vital componants are missing. "Went out exploring. Didn't mean to be gone too long or out too far." He pauses and flushes in embarassment. I tried radioing. Inferance. Saw the ruins and went to look if that...would hold any clues." Slingshot adds relunctantly, "Took a wrong step when I was in one of the buildings and fell several levels. Knocked unconscious and then found some of those creeps all over me when I woke up. He moves a hand to his forehead....feeling dents and scrathes along with dried energon. "Don't even know where I was...or how long I was down there for that matter. Chronometer is all messed up." Air Raid attempts to set the repair bot to work on Slingshot, and pats his shoulder with suprising gentleness. "I'm just glad it wasn't worse. And you've been gone for weeks." He concern his his voice is apparent. Slingshot withdraws his arm...his optics betraying his shock. "Weeks?" His mouth falls open. "How many weeks?" Air Raid snorts softly, "Three, I think. We've been looking, but it was only this morning when I tracked down signals being made on the Aerial frequency. I have to tell Skydive to scramble that...did they steal your radio?". Slingshot nods again...thourghly embarassed right about now. He then notices something that hasn't been seen on any Aerialbot in months. He closes his optics and opens them again. "When did that happen?" he asks, indicating the Autobot insignia. Air Raid blinks, then says, "You weren't here for that? Silverbolt and Prime reconciled. We're Autobots again." Slingshot attempts to let that sink in. He shakes his head. "When I was here last Candice was still at the platform. I chatted with Skydive...for a few in the courtyard and took off." Air Raid nods. "Since then...a lot has happened." His voice is a bit hollow, and the lack of humor is starkly apparent. His normally glittering optics are rather flat with weariness. "But...you need to rest. Let the repair bot work on you a bit, and recharge." Repair Bot says, "Slingshot is too damaged for me to repair." Air Raid swears to himself, and says, "I'll get Ratchet. You shut down for now, let your internals start work...and rest." Slingshot wearly agrees to do so and drifts off...but not without muttering some sort of thanks once more. Air Raid wakes up from the recharger, and leans down to grab the sleeping Slingshot. "Ok, pal...Just hang on," he mutters. Slingshot stirs on his medbed, somewhat paniced. "Huh?" he asks weakly...seemingly very groggy. Air Raid shushes. "It's ok...it's Air Raid." He holds Slingshot to him and starts toward the door. "You're ok now...just remember that. Air's got ya. Now go back to sleep." Slingshot weakly attempts to struggle agianst the hold Air Raid has on him. Even as he does so he can feel himself once more losing consciousness. Air Raid limps in, Slingshot in his arms. He settles the other Aerialbot onto a table as quickly as he can, and then sinks down to sit beside him. "It's alright, Slingshot...just rest a minute." Slingshot weakly turns his head....his vision a blurr. He tries to take in his surroundings. Air Raid wanders over toward the computer after a moment. "No medics...I'll leave a message. Slingshot? Lay still for me." ================================== Message: 6/27 Posted Author Slingshot Wed Jul 16 Air Raid ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can't find any medics...and I'm too tired myself to go look. I'll try to keep the report brief. *he pauses to look over his shoulder, then looks back* Slingshot was attacked by some of the wrecked robots over in Crystal City, and was their prisoner for several weeks. I'm not sure of the whole story, since Slingshot is still wavering in and out of consciousness. I'm recording this so any medics in the area will know to help him out, and know at least a little of what happened. That's all I know. I'll be in the med bay, possibly off-line myself. Please, someone give him a look soon. Air Raid out. =========================================================================== Air Raid looks up from where he was. "Slingshot, just lay still. It'll be ok." He wanders over and sits down next to the other Aerialbot. "Here, I need to rest myself, so I'm going to lay on the table right next to you. Can you hear me?"Air Raid sighs. "Nevermind. I'll lay down here...maybe you'll stay still if I keep an arm around you." He lays down on his side, and flings an arm over Slingshot's chest. "There. Slingshot? Nod if you know it's me. Or something. You have to stay here, and I can't stay online long." Slingshot pauses a moment and then weakly nods. Air Raid shuts himself down after Slingshot gives him his answer the only way he could.