1735/Cold Feet

Radio Conversation that takes place shortly after...

-- Swivel says, "...I was going to talk to you. Brawl just caught me off guard..."

-- Blast Off says, "...."

-- Swivel says, "It's just that I... uh... when we talked the other night, about justice and redemption, you did point out the fallacy of seeking justice for my actions from the Autobots - as they wouldn't likely serve it fairly. But... it didn't feel right to just shrug my shoulders and continue on doing what I was doing - and I realized only after some reflection that while I was thinking these things, I didn't communicate them in clear terms. I did say the treason needed to stop. But I didn't repeat that after we discussed the futility of using the law to seek redemption."

-- Blast Off says, "Why didn't you explain it to my FACE, then? Which, BY THE WAY, I was SHOWING at the time."

-- Swivel says, "Because, I thought I had made it clear. I was thinking it so hard I forgot I didn't say it."

-- Blast Off says, "*sighs* .....I see. ....I DON'T see, but.... *grargh*."

-- Blast Off says, "This complicates things."

-- Blast Off says, "....Though I suppose they were already...complicated."

-- Swivel says, "I was holding back, and it was a matter of time before Onslaught found my contributions lacking."

-- Blast Off says, "Of COURSE you were. You think Onslaught isn't factoring that in? He said himself, it can just be small... stuff. He wasn't asking you to outright commit treason! ....Entirely. Well- it's NOT. It's just.... little pieces of information, is all."

-- Swivel says, "...Something has been bothering me. The idea that maybe I would not be punished if this got out. I always thought I wasn't in trouble because I was careful. But what if I am fooling myself? What if I'm not as careful as I think? What if Prowl knows what I am doing, and is just waiting for the right time to use these meetings for a surgical strike? Maybe I'm getting paranoid...."

-- Blast Off says, "...."

-- Blast Off says, "Paranoid or based on something, would be good to know."

-- Swivel says, "So I need to find out and... depending on what I learn, or if trying to learn it gets me into trouble - our agreement will have to be terminated."

-- Swivel says, "Like I said. Series of events."

-- Blast Off says, "*sounds more tired now* ....Fine."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "THough maybe I ought to have done my investigating then called it quits if I found something but...."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "You can still do the right thing, Swivel."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "....And from your perspective, that would be?"

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "Keeping your word."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "What, and tell Brawl I was just yanking his chain?"

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "I don't know!....*HUFFs*....I just... don't know. I thought we were... I thought we had a deal that just might work, we might be able to.... *vents* ....Never mind. I know you. If your mind's made up, then...."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "I'm not trying to cut ties with you. I'm trying to protect you."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "In this case, I'd worry more about YOU. I can take care of myself. I'm TRYING not to let YOU get killed, you know?! You speak to me, you hang around me.... you do have ties with me, and I have ties to the other Combaticons. You'll never be able to deal with me without dealing with THEM to some extent, you know. I....*sigh* I just want you and them not to KILL each other, even if you're determined to dislike one another otherwise."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "In other words, I should keep obeying the Combaticons for my life."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "...."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "No, just... um. That's not it, I just... just give it some time, is all! Give ME some time."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "Find out whatever you need to find out, see if the Autobots know.... but ...but WORK with me here, alright?"

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "Fine. I'll give it some time. You can tell Brawl that I was just getting jitters but I'll continue to comply and there's no need to say anything to Onslaught. You can even applaud him for his successful intimidation."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "....Really? I...sure. Uh. Good."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "Really."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "Well, ....good. Good. I'm sure it will be fine! We'll get this to work, I'm certain of it!"

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "Well, we'll see what turns up. And... you don't have to sound so surprised. You make a good point and I like to think I'm a reasonable person who can see when they've been blind-sided and made an error in judgment."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "Ah. Uh, yes, yes, of course."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "So... right then! Everything's...fine."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "...It is, isn't it? Or... do you really think Prowl is onto you?"

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "Hard to say. I just... don't want to leave that to speculation one way or the other."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "...No. It... you shouldn't, certainly."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "Find that out... carefully. If you can. WITHOUT being caught!"

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "I will try and prod softly."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "....No boxes, Swivel. Believe me, you don't want to find yourself in one forever."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "Indeed not. I'll just have to see what I can drum up. Maybe nothing. But I won't know if I don't try."

-<RADIO: >- Blast Off says, "...True. ...Be careful."

-<RADIO: >- Swivel says, "I will try. Swivel, out."