68/The Right Mechs For the Job

{{Poses ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 09:46PM EST >--- Springer is out in Polyhex again, patrolling alone as if looking for something - or someone. His optics are narrowed as he alternates between scanning the sky and peering into every dark corner and alley the settlement provides. Springer has his laser cannon in hand and at the ready, carried horizontally across his chest with the safety off and his finger on the trigger. Woe will come to the brave or stupid Decepticon that challenges Springer while he's in this mood tonight. < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 09:56PM EST >- Something that Springer might find interesting is a certain pink femme, having a word with a few mechs outside of a local bar. "...Yes, this job will pay well," Arcee explains, "BUT, you MUST be able to meet the credentials. If you've never had prior experience with this sort of work, I'm afraid I can't consider you."
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"Good luck findin' someone left with those credentials, femme," one of the denizens scoffs as he heads away with his companions. "Cause there ain't much use for energon-field engineers anymore. All that's gone now." ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 09:59PM EST >--- Springer does look interested and a little surprised to spot a certain pink acquaintance of his outside a bar in Polyhex. Lowering his weapon and taking his finger off the trigger (but still leaving the safety off), he approaches the bar, his expression lightening slowly into something a little less grim. "Hello," he calls out to Arcee. "Fancy meeting you here in a place like this." He gives the bar a skeptical glance. < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 10:04PM EST >- "Hey, Springer!" Arcee greets brightly, as she spots the impossible-to-miss, large green mech headed her way. Once the mechs notice Springer approaching, they immediately head on their way in the opposite direction.

"I don't know if you heard the news, did you hear the news??" Arcee asks in a quieter tone, glancing around furtively. ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 10:18PM EST >--- Springer joins Arcee near the bar, but then steps away from the doorway and lowers his own voice so they're not overheard. "You mean about the discovery?" he asks, not giving too much away in case nosy audials are listening that he can't see. "I heard a little, and that you had some people in hiding. Did you need help with security? I'd be happy to lend my sword if it's as important as it sounds like." < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 10:26PM EST >- "Oh yeah, absolutely, but that's going to be the...relatively easy part," Arcee says, deciding to go on a little walk away from the more populated areas. "Problem is, this one's going to be tough. We're going to need specialists. And finding someone who has /that/ particular specialty? ...Well, it's a little harder than I thought. The area itself, even without the 'usual' considerations of Decepticon interference, is a hostile environment and full of primitive mechanoids and perilous weather conditions. It's a good thing we have Frackjob and his team, for sure. But the placement of this, um...'area'...is tricky. We might need some more mechs who were once in that line of work, and experts in their field." ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 10:30PM EST >--- The corner of Springer's mouth sneaks upward as they walk away from the populated areas, and he finally sets the safety on his gun, resting the massive firearm casually against one tall shoulder. "Well, I don't know much about fuel extraction, but hazardous environments I can do. If you do find a team, I can go in with them and make sure they're not disturbed while they do their work. Want me to try to put a hostile terrain team together of my own to accompany them once you inevitably succeed?" < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 10:42PM EST >- Arcee grins bashfully. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," she says, quietly wishing that she could make Prowl just as proud of her, too. But she could never tell with him. Springer, though, he was just easier to talk to. "And yes, that would be great. The risks are going to be extreme. Provided the actual engineering team can be put together and assembled there, we have to keep them and the operation at large safe from threats. It's difficult to get there, but it isn't /impossible/ to spot, especially once we get everyone there as well as all the equipment. The chances will be good that we're going to face a confrontation. We can't afford to lose a single engineer, or any of the specialized mining equipment. Once it's on, it's /on/." ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 10:48PM EST >--- Springer nods, optics slightly distant as runs through a roster of possible agents. He nods in understanding at what Arcee says. "Gotta be hard to seek out the right kinds of engineers without tipping your hand. I definitely have the easier job." He smiles sympathetically at Arcee. "Any leads so far? You'd think with the shortage specialists would be jumping at the chance to find work again, danger or no." < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 10:55PM EST >- "I know, right? It's enough to entice with a payout, but then I get all kinds of sketchy mechs who claim that they qualify. And of course, I can't give any details." Arcee smirks. "You know what...I'm almost tempted to go out to Petrex and try. I think success could be found there...the functionalist /rule/ may be gone, but you know those functionalists are still out there. Mechs who will never trade their function or altmode for any other form or occupation, even if their function has grown obsolete. What do you think?" ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 11:09PM EST >--- Springer grins encouragingly. "You might be on to something there. Want some company? I've been feeling a little obsessive lately, and could really use a break." He looks around - by now they're really off the beaten path, and the light pollution is low enough (especially with the shortage) that the stars are shining down to full effect. "Some functionalist drill tech or miner might be just the thing for what you need." < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 11:20PM EST >- "That would be great, let's go!" Arcee encourages, heading in the direction of an on-ramp lane toward the Pan-Continental Expressway, and transforming to her vehicular mode. Unlike Blurr, she travels at a speed that is comfortable: not too slow, but even-keeled enough to hold a conversation during the commute.

"<< So, what's got your mind in obsessive mode? Tell me, >>" Arcee prompts as she drives along, hoping she can unlock a few of her new green companion's quiet mysteries. ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 11:29PM EST >--- Springer transforms into a rocket car, so he has no problem keeping up. Likewise, however, he limits his speed to something appropriate to continue their conversation. It's a moment, though, before he answers Arcee's direct question. "Well," he responds at last, after the long pause. "I met someone recently. A friend and comrade from before the war."

Another pause while Springer drives in silence. Eventually, however, he continues without a further prompt. "Get this, though - he'd joined the Decepticons. Willingly. Can you imagine that? He actually thinks they're the good guys in all this. I mean, I know the old Prime was a giant exhaust port, but really." Springer opens up the floodgates, and it all comes out. "You're a terrorist, and you think your opposition to the Primes make you in the right? I mean, this was an otherwise intelligent being! I just don't get it, Arcee." Springer falls into silence again, the only sound his wheels on the road and the quiet whine of his engine as he slides through the night. < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 11:36PM EST >- Arcee becomes engrossed in the conversation. One part of her mind is still on locating mechs in Petrex for the upcoming mission, but mostly she's more interested in her present company. "I know exactly what you mean," she admits. "A good friend of mine from an earlier era, a mech who was once in the Primal Vanguard...he joined the Decepticons, and it tore me to pieces inside. I think it's the same thought process -- you /know/ the mech is intelligent, he must have a reason for his choice, but...it seems so /wrong/, all the same. But you can do nothing to change their opinion, because their mind is made up. Extremely frustrating." ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 11:40PM EST >--- Springer sounds somewhat embarrassed about his outburst, while at the same time comforted by Arcee's response. "Frustrating's the word, Arcee. I mean, how badly did the Primes before Ori - Optimus screw things up that people think that terrorism is a better alternative than working within the system to improve it. It was really discouraging. It's a lot easier to just think of the Cons as bad people, you know? You don't expect one of your friends to become one." < Arcee Posed on Feb 17 11:50PM EST >- Arcee slows on the approach to the Petrex exit, then leans into the turn. "It's easier to do that...sometimes. If you can manage to forget what it was like to be friends with them. They're getting more radical...and those on the inside with them aren't able to see it. The Decepticons are absolutely ruthless and dangerous. And with their 'spiritual' leader missing in action, they're more vulnerable to become radicalized, as well. Which is why we need to step things up." ---< Springer Posed on Feb 17 11:54PM EST >--- Springer sighs, venting air through his engines. "Yeah. Well, trust me. I'm ready to crack some heads - when I get frustrated, I need action to get me focused again. I appreciate you taking me with you on this trek - it might not be the action I usually seek out, but it's something to do besides brooding and sulking, which really isn't my style." He revs his engine a bit, although he continues to keep pace with Arcee. < Arcee Posed on Feb 18 12:06AM EST >- Once they're off the expressway, Arcee leads Springer down the main road in Petrex. "I agree, a mech like you shouldn't be brooding and sulking!" she exclaims cheerfully. "You're a mech of /action/. And speaking of action, here's the game plan. We're headed to a few places where the functionalists have been known to gather...not just the bar, but the archives, the community center...a few other places. Just going to ask around and see if we can get a few good miners together. The ones who are interested, we have Intel run full background checks on them, then those who pass muster will get the offer. How's that sound, you in?" ---< Springer Posed on Feb 18 12:11AM EST >--- Springer sounds better already, once a plan of action is at hand. "I'm in!" he exclaims decidedly. "Let's go!"

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