We are a literate, intermediate to advanced AU Transformers RPG Based off of the first season of TFP with dashes of other incarnations sprinkled here or there. Characters from any continuity are welcome however must be restyled to match the TFPrime universe.
Active, with ongoing plotlines, we are always willing to integrate new characters into storylines once incorporated into the setting.
The guards spooked at the sudden appearance of another human in their midst. Their surprise was quickly replaced with a sort of cautious approval when they sized up the avatar and recognised the familiar flight suit it wore. They were Air Force themselves, after all. One of the men relaxed with a grin.
"Good choice, sir," he said.
Agent Mercer smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for accommodating us, Skirmisher," he said. He spoke to the avatar first, then the robot himself. "Looking thirty feet up in the air to talk to someone can get a little tiring sometimes."
"Hey," a new voice added playfully. "Does this mean I get to see 'Agent Blue' again too?"
A young woman had just stepped out of the back of the white van. She jumped to the dirt and brushed dust from her hands. Prettily dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, her blonde ponytail drawn up to the back of her head with a black scrunchie, she looked out of place among the military men. It didn't stop her from levelling a giant grin at Bluestreak as she winked at him to show she was only teasing.
Maximus sighed heavily.
"And this," he said, with the amused but wary tone of a zookeeper that had just led his tour to the honey badger enclosure, "is the civilian contractor and engineer running our test this afternoon. This is Carly."
“I appreciate that. Thank you,” Major Mitch 'Miami' Howser, the Avatar said with a smile. “I appreciate both of your diligence,”
“It seemed only proper. I didn't want to have the three of your straining your neck muscles, and causing other uncomfortable medical issues. It is for your comfort as much as it is a convenience,” he'd say, with a smile and a polite nod. “I'm glad you approve, Agent Mercer,”
“Civilian Contractor?” Skirmisher asked, first in his robot form and then through his Avatar. He'd heard of Civilian Contractors being assigned either to oversee a project and to report back to their supervisors or had been appointed mission advisers for the militia. There had been cycles in his Precinct that the Senior Ranked Enforcers would either bring in specially assigned and vetted Civilian Contractors for one purpose or another. Those hadn't really bothered him since the Contractors had been there for a defining purpose either to improve life in Praxus or in an effort to make the Enforcers more of a community that they had been or at least that's what he'd recalled the Towerlings in his city had campaigned for and lost. The Praxian Enforcer Department, with its satellite Precincts and other Stations had never been distanced from the community of Praxus or its citizens by design and intent rather than those in some of the other city-states.
“What is it you're here to accomplish, Carly? Or is it Ms. Carly? Fortress Maximus has explained it either as a guidance test or an improvement in terms of an IFF,” he'd asked, with first the robotic form followed by the holographic form turning their attention towards the young woman. “It's an honor,”
“Agent Blue?” Skirmisher asked, with his robot form's helm turning attention towards Bluestreak. His avatar's attention remained on the young woman.
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2018 0:10:38 GMT -5 by Skirmisher
Should he have done that? Bluestreak was unsure- Maximus wasn't using his avatar, or didn't appear to be doing so at the moment, but erk, had he missed a moment of protocol. Oh man, Skirmisher was right, it was politer than talking down to them, but there was some weird sense of decorum that Bluestreak was trying to understand. Like - if he'd driven here, and already been using his avatar, he would have totally kept using it, but they'd stepped through the spacebridge, so it felt as if they were- argh, well, chalk one up to probably making a mistake.
He was so focused on that that he totally started at the familiar voice.
Carly! he thought. Oh, wow, it is I'm right, I'm totally right, it is her, how cool is that, if anyone could put something like this together, it's her, I'm glad she's doing so well, she works hard as heck and wow does she look--
That playful grin was turned on him; and even the blinding light from the hot Nevada sun above couldn't match it. At a loss for words, the silver mech rocked back on his heels and finally, simply returned her grin with a elated smile. The lack of word thing didn't last very long though. It never did.
"Hullo, Carly," the mech laughed. His blue optics were bright under the shade cast by the brim of his helm. His focus was entirely on the young woman at that moment.
"Hahha, aw, Agent Blue," he said with obvious delight, but then caught himself as he glanced at Skirmisher.
A small, embarassed sound burbled out of his throat as he realized Skirmisher was asking him a question. Oh boy. His hand came up and rubbed the back of his neck, even as the doors behind his shoulders canted back and slanted sideways; they were as awkward as the sharpshooter's expression.
"Right, okay, it's kind of a long story and I know I'm a master of long stories so how about I tell it later, and I'll try to keep it short, promise. Let me uh-"
Oh geeze, Skirmisher's all military and I don't really have anything like that. I mean okay, what do I have to wear, I have -
His brain was going a mile a minute in those seconds. Let's see uh, not that shirt, no, not that one either, I don't think these guys would find me professional wearing that one of the Catbus, okay how about - ohh man, Nell was right, that was an ugly shirt, what was I thinking when I said I liked that one. She's right, lime green and orange only are for 80's kitchens, whooch. Right, okay, I have a suit, but she said I looked like I was going to go hunt aliens- kinda fitting but- uh, I really like what Carly's wearing, she looks so professional, wow, okay, pay attention Blue, you really need to be paying attention, uh no, not that outfit either, not unless I'm going to be fixing someone's sink or painting their kitchen. Oh, okay, uh, guess this is good, okay, this will work, whew-
There was a flicker by the Autobot's feet. His avatar shimmered into life; taking on the appearance of a young, clean cut man. A light grey gym-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, and accentuated his well-muscled chest. The shirt had a design in the center; a distressed white logo of a star in the middle. Pale stripes framed it and went over his shoulders. It was combined with softly faded blue jeans that flared slightly out at the hem. On both of his hands were a worn pair of fingerless shooter's gloves; years of use had apparently scrubbed the blue and black patches down to a dull grey in most places.
The rounded toes of the avatar's cowboy boots scuffed into the dry dirt as he ran his hand through his spiky blond hair. It ruffled perfectly with his touch and settled back in place - yep, still utterly perfect, right down to the fluff of his bangs.
"It's really good to see you again," he said to Carly, before he quickly straightened his avatar up and tucked his hands behind his back, both robot and avatar.
"Ah, right. Glad to help with whatever is needed but - yeah, I'm incredibly curious too. A guidance field test, like Skirmisher said?"
Last Edit: Aug 21, 2018 2:19:15 GMT -5 by Bluestreak
Carly blushed pink when Blue and his chest materialized in front of her. She bit her lip to disguise her delighted grin and put the back of her hand to her forehead in a mock swoon.
Agent Mercer looked amused.
"Yes, that's the basics of it," he said. He pulled a small notebook from an inner pocket of his vest and flipped through it. "I'm sure you both understand when I say that we recognize the need for combat identification when it comes to the Autobots on Earth. Unfortunately, because of the necessary isolation of your forces, we've been regrettably lax about developing new systems to address the issue properly - until a recent incident, er... bluntly highlighted a deficiency in our existing technology and procedures."
"I got shot," said Maximus.
Carly rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you did not!" she said. "It was just a little bit of missile lock during a training exercise, you big baby, you're perfectly fine."
Maximus neglected to look impressed.
Mercer coughed and adjusted his glasses.
"I can't go into the details of the incident, but during the extensive debrief Maximus suggested that we bring the Autobots on board with any further SOPs or research developed in its wake," he said. He pointed to the white van with his thumb. "That's where today's field trial comes in. We're looking to do a preliminary test of an IFF system Miss Carly has put together based on our existing transponder technology, and we were hoping the two of you could provide assistance and valuable feedback as viable friendly targets."
“My apologies. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I've learned that if you have to tell a story before getting to the point, it's best saved for later,” Skirmisher said, after hearing Bluestreak's response about the story. “I'd enjoy hearing it, but this isn't exactly the time or place. Thank you for answering my inquiry,”
“Having an established identification system would be in order as we are guests on your planet. It would only be appropriate, and outside of semantics we are on the same side,” Skirmisher said, in response to Agent Mercer's explanation. “We used to conduct similar tests in my old Precinct,”
“Dare I ask how many of these tests you've participated in?” the Praxian asked, turning his helm towards Fortress Maximus.
“My armor can take a decent amount of punishment, if that helps. My riot shield can take a few on its own. If you wish, I'll volunteer for the first set of tests,” 'Miami', his avatar spoke. The Avatar's full attention lay towards the gathered humans, even if his robotic form had his attention diverted elsewhere. “At least, it'll give me an idea of what I'll have to look forward to in treating both Bluestreak and Fortress Maximus. I'd offer my medical skills to any injuries you, Ms. Carly, Agent Mercer and your Guards may suffer, but I'm still learning human anatomy. There's a lot of material I haven't even started reading yet,”
“That said, if there is need I can volunteer my services to providing at least medical transport to the nearest repair bay...hospital. My apologies. The terminologies are evidently very similar,” the avatar said.
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2018 2:06:23 GMT -5 by Skirmisher
Utterly and totally distracted by Carly's response, Bluestreak didn't say one single word for a long, long moment. He wasn't as good at hiding his equally delighted grin as the young woman was though.
Nor his avatar's soft and obviously enamored gaze.
Realizing that Mercer was talking though had him draw himself quickly up, both the robot and the man nodding; right, right there was a job at hand. He managed to focus on the isolation of forces, developing new systems and -
They'd shot Fortress Maximus?
He rewound that through his head again, looked at it from fifteen different angles with the same preciseness that he did when testing wind and range and slope-
Nope, nope, it all came back to they'd shot Fortress Maximus.
Well, that was probably an excellent reason for them to fix this situation. Fast. Like yesterday.
Whoo boy, talk about a bluntly highlighted deficiency. That was the sort of thing that back at base would be considered a massive security failure, and end up with someone scrubbing every single bit of the base with a small handled scrub brush, down to the rivets in the repair bay ceiling.
Emphasis on targets--
Bluestreak was taking that warning seriously. The silver mech cast a slightly wary gaze skyward as if he half expected something to come screaming out of the sky at a moments's notice.
He started to gather up all of his questions into one place because he had a few of them that he really needed to know - and then grew silent as Skirmisher's voice settled into the empty space in the coversation. His thoughts went into a hard reverse.
"Oh! Oh, it's fine, I wasn't on the spot," he quickly reassured Skirmisher and then gave a small, embarrassed smile. "Yah, it's uh, save it for later, sure, absolutely, thanks, that would be great.."
As the mech spoke, Bluestreak was fairly grateful. He didn't mind anyone filling silence with words, not at all, and he absolutely did want to know how many tests Maximus had participated in. He desperately wanted learn a bit more about the project before they went out and did it because right now he was doing this frantic mental tally of all the things these two big frontliner sorts had that he didn't.
Like a riot shield for one, or really thick armor. Bluestreak didn't fit into that category of heavy-hitting tank or cop. He fit in that category of look, I can drive through Las Vegas and pretend I'm a just an ordinary Nissan car, vroom, vroom.
All of that sort of took a back burner when the mech started talking injuries though...
Bluestreak's optics widened, and both the avatar and the robot's expressions became unsure.
It then turned absolutely worried as he glanced at the humans and then back at Maximus, and he did a lousy job of hiding that too.
Last Edit: Sept 8, 2018 2:12:45 GMT -5 by Bluestreak
Maximus almost smiled at Skirmisher's question. The corner of his mouth twitched.
"A lot," he said.
"The tests were one of the points mutually agreed upon while negotiating the conditions of his station at Black Rock," said Mercer hastily. "Just to clarify that. We're really not in the habit of experimenting on our allies, truly."
Carly nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Max has been a very good sport about everything," she said. "Although admittedly he's not very useful in my field tests as a baseline standard- sorry, Max."
The big mech only shrugged one shoulder, his good mood still intact.
"And really, what I really need are more Autobots anyway to provide a wider range of data that I can develop a more reliable identification system around, especially given that we can't just ask all of you guys to install transponders or CIPs. That's where you two come in!"
Grinning, Carly gave a show-girly wave of her hands at the two Autobots, ankle cocked.
"You both represent an excellent complex spectrum of the Autobots present on Earth," she said. She nodded at Skirmisher. "Not just in frame grades, armour, or defences, but in passive and reactive functions, techniques, backgrounds and training, emissions, etcetera, etcetera. This is all stuff we need to consider and study while trying to figure out ways to prevent misidentifying you during combat scenarios, or due to miscommunication or compromised intelligence. Right?"
"Exactly," said Mercer.
Carly nodded, more confidentially.
"And honestly, just between the three of us, I'd much rather work with you two than some of the other Autobots rowdies I've heard about," she said. She grinned and planted her knuckles on her hips. "Skirmisher, I've heard nothing but good things about combat medics. And I know Blue here does good work on the field."
She winked slyly at Bluestreak. "So, you guys game? Want to hear more about what we're hoping you'll do for us today?"
“I'll look at this as an opportunity to learn more about your species. If you wish, you could think of it as a cultural -- well, species exchange of information,” Skirmisher said, rationalizing it. He'd rationalized it given that he'd ascertain knowledge pertaining to the United States of America's military hardware, tactics and their resourcefulness if it had come to it rather than simply looking at it as participating in a weapon's test only. If the humans could learn more about what made each Cybertronian unique, even among the Autobot camp, that same inquisitiveness could have worked both ways not that he'd planned on turning what he'd learned of the United States of America's military against them. It had only meant that he'd been given an opportunity to have learned more about the planet he'd found himself on.
“I didn't mean to sound as though identifying factors pertaining to the difference of our frames had been your sole priority in these tests,” he'd reply, listening to Fortress Maximus', Agent Mercer's, and Carly's words. “We would seek a similar goal, in identifying our allies on the field. Emissions testing? I hope it doesn't involve a probe of some sort or an arc welder. That's the kind of thing held in private between a physician and a mech or a femme in the case of an unexpected methane expulsion. What? I'll admit, my humor's been on the dry side for a few of your millennia,”
“Where would you wish to have us stand or do during these tests?” he'd asked.
Last Edit: Oct 3, 2018 1:43:28 GMT -5 by Skirmisher
Not that Bluestreak minded that at all. Quick was good. It was great. The man seemed to want to make sure that they put a hard stop on anything that might be considered a bit towards the uncomfortable zone of his allies.
Even ones that weren't Autobots. Well, not Autobots any longer.
You couldn't live at the silo and not know what had happened on some level, even if he didn't understand all the nuances. Gossip was everywhere at the base, and stories flew down the halls with the same speed as Miko. Full tilt and ready to leap head into discussion.
Autobot rowdies. It was tough for Bluestreak to realize that the moment Carly had said it, he'd understood what she was talking about. That not even for a second had he been shocked and said, wait, what? No, he'd just quietly popped four or five folks he personally knew of into that category, and had seen Optimus struggling patiently to deal with them.
You couldn't live at that base and not have seen some of it recently.
What was kind of funny in a weird way was that Bulkhead and Wheeljack weren't even anywhere on it, and they were Wreckers. They were supposed to be the kind of guys who barreled into the worst of it even when everyone else stopped and re-evaluated their life choices.
Blue's avatar shifted his weight over his feet as Carly threw him a wink.
It made him feel better. A whole lot better, actually.
So did her explanation, which made an awful lot of sense.
"I'm game," he said with a firm nod and a smile from both avatar and robot. "Love to hear what you've designed and built, and what you need from us to help."
Last Edit: Oct 2, 2018 18:36:39 GMT -5 by Bluestreak
The easy readiness of both Autobots seemed to charm and delight Carly. Her face lit up and she clapped once.
"You guys are the best!" she exclaimed. "Thank you so much. Okay, let me give you the rundown of what the trial entails. Don't worry, there won't be a single probe in sight."
She grinned at Skirmisher. "And I've worked it out so you guys shouldn't have to do too much standing around either! Because let's face it, that would be pretty boring for everyone here. I'm actually hoping you two are game to do a fair bit of, uh, evasive manoeuvring for the sake of science. But let me explain."
Carly waved her hands to take in the surrounding desert.
"We've taken over a pretty extensive military operating area for this," she said. "Over two thousand square miles of desert, in fact! Normally it's used as a test range for supersonic aircraft. Today, it's all yours to utilize as you see fit."
She gestured to the white van next. "Inside that, I've got a pair of semi-autonomous drones – Bird Dog One and Two - that are equipped with my latest CID system, designed solely to positively identify Autobot forces. I'm going to turn my adorable little shits loose and I want you guys to do your best to evade them, using whatever the desert has to offer. Seriously, give them a real workout. I need to be one hundred percent certain that my system can function accurately in all possible scenarios and while under intensive loads. Please don't, like… squish them or shoot them down, but don't go easy on my boys either! Uh. What am I missing."
Maximus loudly cleared his throat when she trailed off. Carly eeped.
"Oh, right!" she said, eyes wide. "Almost forgot. Both drones are linked to Max's own battle net. If they spot either one of you, they'll positively ID you and your location to him. And, um, just a heads up: he'll be coming for you if they do. So, hey, extra incentive to outsmart the drones! Last one caught by Max, gets, um… I don’t have a prize. Can I just buy the winner ice cream and marry them or something?"