Ep 2: Jazz It Up! [ Closed ]

[Jazz]

Episode 2. Week 2. Day 7:
Nell and Arcee take the stir-crazy Jazz out to both explore a bit of the outside world and to find him a suitable Earth-based form.

     Low profile. Don't get spotted. Take it easy-- gah!

     A bump on the road made his frame shudder a bit.

     Right, that was easier said than done. Jazz was the gimp who was driving around as a Cybertronian vehicle on a highway with this strange species called 'humans' who clearly had never seen a car like his model before. This was an unusual thing to him and he'd never imagined he would need to change his forms for... what had Arcee said again?

     :: So, explain why we're hidin' ourselves, 'Cee? If the Decepticons already know we're here, and there's high rankin' human officials who know of our existence, what is the point again? ::

     It wasn't that it was a foolish thing, Jazz was just really curious. Alt modes hadn't been needed to disguise oneself before, so this was a new concept to him. If you were built to go, then you went. If you were a lugger, then that was just what you did, and if you were a Seeker... well... Jazz just preferred his pedes on the ground, thanks. Either way, this was an order handed down from Optimus in a round-about way since he hadn't even been in contact with the Commander ( since he had asked to keep his arrival hidden from Optimus until he could face his old friend on his own- like... SURPRISE! ), so it was something he would follow. It just didn't hurt to question motives, since he had a sneaky little suspicion that it may have had to do with orders shared by the humans they were living alongside.

     Speaking of alongside, Jazz sped up slightly to pull close to Arcee, easily able to keep up with her even with the difference in vehicle origins. So far he hadn't seen anything that seemed to scream his designation so he just kept following the earth-based Motorcycle ahead of him.

     :: At any rate. Nell, right? Why don't ya give me a quick one-two about this planet of yours? It ain't no Cybertron, but it is rather peculiar to me. When I arrived it had a mean atmosphere I hadn't come'cross before. What gives with that barrier? ::

     There was a brief pause before what sounded like a thoughtful sigh of some sort came through.

     :: Seems your human comrades got a thing for them bulky type frames, Nell. Aint' they got somethin' a little less... ramrod? Not that it ain't interestin', but it's kinda unfittin' for my framwork. And they seem to not be very healthy from what these readin's of mine say. ::

[Deleted]

How the hell did she get talked into this was beyond her.

Oh yeah, she remembered how – she was dying to prove herself useful and this was one of those perfect opportunities.

After all, who knew cars better? No one – at least no one on base that happened to be human.

Still, she was here, sitting in the drivers seat of a car that looked like something out of science fiction. If anyone asked though? Nell would lie through her teeth and mention it was an experimental concept car from Google while giving whoever was asking the questions the most threatening glare she could muster.

She did threatening well, especially when she looked like she hadn't had much sleep in the past few days – which was true in a way. Ever since she had found out about the Cybertronian's and the whole mess they brought to the blue marble she and billions of others called home, she found the concept of sleep to be elusive. It wasn't because she was worried about the planet (though if she was honest with herself she was, a little), but knowing that she of all mechanics in the Army was the one working closely with the Autobot's. She knew some of the soldiers at Black Rock were jealous, simply because it was hard not to notice the looks she received when she happened to be on the base.

They can all go to hell for all that concerned her, she had more important things on her mind.

Like finding a suitable alt-mode for Jazz.

At least Arcee was there, she was certainly someone Nell could admire and she could help keep the new arrival in line.

If only she was paying a little more attention to the conversation instead of pretending to drive – or else she'd of pointed out the obvious that MOST people didn't know about Cybertronians. She also would of pointed out that MOST people were rather paranoid about the idea of aliens, and fear was a breeding ground for ill will in her opinion. Why freak out a whole planet when it was easier for everyone involved to blend in? At least until said planet was a little less likely to be mind fucked by the whole thing.

Hearing her name, Nell blinked as she tilted her head slightly. “Yeah, Nell's right.” She mentioned before raising a brow as she was asked questions she had no idea how to answer. “I'm not a scientist.” The mechanic pointed out. “It's just what was always...There. Though it's supposedly weakened over the years, thanks to Humans not givin' a flyin' rats ass about it – now most of them are trying to find ways to keep it from deterioratin' even more or what have you.” Her shoulders shrugged, she really didn't know much about it.

Now for the frames, her shoulders were lifting to shrug again. “Frames, you mean cars? Yeah there are some bulkier especially the military vehicles you've likely seen but...some cars are more..Sleek I guess you can say. Tesla's are pretty streamlined in my opinon...but you don't see them often over here...We'll gind you something in Vegas, they have more selection than little ol' Jasper.” The mechanic explained before a little sigh left her as he mentioned not very healthy. “I dunno about that, but all those cars you see aren't livin' or anythin', they're just our mode of transportation. Not sentient even if some people, myself included, talk about them like they were.”

Her fingers tapped against the 'steering wheel'. “Just ask Arcee over there just how confusin' it could be for new landers, I imagine it is tough to figure out when you're so used to one thing and not the other. I know it was a bit tough to swallow hearin' there are aliens on Earth, at first that is. You guy's aren't half bad to be honest with ya.”

[Deleted]

The blue femme’s engine revved hard with angry wail. Finally! Freedom! The open road! Arcee didn’t require much convincing to go along with the newcomer Jazz to find an alt. mode. Granted, having Jazz driving in his Cybertronian form was screaming for attention. However, on an open desert road in the middle of no-where and heading to Las Vegas, stranger things have been seen by humans.

Speaking of which, Arcee had been momentarily shocked to see Jazz stalking about the Omega Base and she might have pounced on with blade and ion blaster ready if Ratchet hadn’t intervened and explained. Recognizing him after introductions, an old thrill of excitement sparked in the back of cortex. While she squashed the impulsed to shake the hand of a favorite musician from her early days, she smiled slightly at the good times she had danced to that music.

Arcee’s thoughts were interrupted by Jazz’s query over the commline.

:: So, explain why we're hidin' ourselves, 'Cee? If the Decepticons already know we're here, and there's high rankin' human officials who know of our existence, what is the point again? ::

The two-wheeler pondered it quietly for a brief moment, before she went into her standard pre-mission sitrep mode.

::Jazz, while our enemies and few allies are aware of our presence, the local population is a different story. This planet’s inhabitants are still young and having only begun to explore beyond the confines of this planet. The reality of sentient life besides theirs would like start a panic, most humans are paranoid of things they don’t fully understand. Fighting the Decepticons with our few numbers is difficult enough on a good day. If we had to protect ourselves from a breakout of mass paranoia at the sametime, Primus help us…Hiding with our alternate modes allows us greater movement among the communities to respond to Decepticon movements without accidental or intentional human interference.:

Bouncing on her tires a bit and swerving around a particularly deep pothole, Arcee finished, ::As the humans tend to say, ‘Ignorance is bliss’. They don’t know we exist, they continue about their normal everyday lives.::

::Stealth is key in our mission here on Earth.::

Arcee felt Jazz’s EM field brush up against hers as he kept pace, lively and energetic. It was almost a welcome change to the hard situation they held here on Earth.

::Keep sharp, as soon as you find an appropriate alt. form, scan it. We not far from Vegas, now.::

[Jazz]

     :: I dig ya, Nell. Ya ain't so bad for a new species.::

     It was really a compliment, but Jazz was onto the next thought before Nell could really consider it to be either one, with words coming through the speaker system inside Jazz's frame.

     ::Yo, Arcee? Ya kinda remind me of an Enforcement unit when ya talk like that. Cool your engines and relax your spark some. While it's cool to be mindful of Decepticons bein' out and about, they gain the upperhand if you stress your joints from the tension, not to mention if ya stay uptight sometimes it can lead to some mean paranoia creepin' into your processor. I'll be able ta sense trouble before it so just chill a bit... :: There was a pause and a new tone to his voice with the statement to follow. :: My fault... ::

     Jazz went silent after that, realizing too late that his thoughts had allowed words to surface. It was unusual for the social Autobot to just be silent and stay that way for as long as he did, where he had gone from chipper and energetic to solemn, as though a switch had been flicked in his core somewhere. Had he spotted an alt mode? No, there were no vehicles coming their way, and had it been a Decepticon he would have signaled the trouble their way. No, instead Jazz was squashing a painful memory into the recesses of his processor where it deserved to be locked away. No, he wasn't going to think of those things now, not when there were more pressing matters at hand. He was so used to being alone all this time that talking to himself had been the only way to keep some sense of sanity. Now it was time to recalibrate himself and get back to normal.

     'Get it together, Jazz. Prime is gonna expect you to know this culture the same way ya figured out the others.' This would be a moment where one would slap their cheeks to snap themselves out of it, but since he was without such things at the moment and was trying to drive, that would need to come later.

     :: Honestly, I gotta say I'm a little surprised by the situation here. By now the planet species would be aware of what's goin' on. In the time ya'll have been cruisin' this planet, the Decepticons haven't destroyed any cities or made their overbearin' presence known? Strange. That's rather unusual for them. :: Jazz had dealt with Decepticons long enough to know a bit about their patterns. He'd studied Megatronus while he fought in the Pits and witnessed the release of the news about the Senate. Hostile takeover, blitzkrieg style. Had they changed tactics? Why now after all this time and, honestly, while they were winning?

     Jazz's attention was drawn back ahead as he heard more vehicles around them. The flashing lights of the city they entered was definitely more Jazz's style, and the cars passing them each had a different level of interest to him. They got looks from drivers in said motorized transports, but Jazz didn't care. Nell had said she could explain it off so Jazz had no choice but to trust that she knew what she was doing. In the meanwhile he was going to just try and find something that caught his optic the way his Cybertronian alt mode had. They passed various buildings, lights of different colors, and a whole load of other humans and cars but nothing was really standing out to him. This little sportsparked Autobot had some of the pickiest taste when it came to alt modes, but it couldn't have been worse than others... he hoped.

     Finally he spotted something that interested him and he slowed down. It was coming from the opposite direction and separated by some low green barrier and tall... foilage? Was that what those things were? Foreign things and nothing of any matter to Jazz. He just needed to catch that little car and scan it without making it too obvious to what was happening.

     Clearly 'inconspicuous' wasn't in his dictionary today.

     :: Hang on, Nell! :: Jazz pinged in over the comm, but not in enough time.

     Before he'd given her time to grasp his steering wheel, Jazz had locked up the wheels and his backside was spinning out, twisting his entire frame around to face the opposite direction. In the midst of doing this, a blue beam shone out from his headlights, scanning the while vehicle as it sped by. With the way Jazz was twisting around it would have required one to be at a certain angle, more right in front or off to the direct side, to see what was happening. The spin out in the middle of the road was a different story, and if Nell hadn't been able to hold on she probably would have a bruise from sliding across his seat and hitting the door. After the scan was complete, Jazz's wheels squealed again, only this time it was to lurch forward and he drove clear over the median, barely avoiding hitting the trees planted there, and sped down the road in the direction of where the roadster had been going. He easily passed it, driving excessively over the posted speed limit as though he were fleeing from a Decepticon assault.

     Out of sight of the other vehicles ( who were in his dust quite a few miles back, as well as Arcee if she hadn't been mindful of the situation ) Jazz's speed somehow continued the outrageous increase as his systems converted the scan into a model it could conform to. While one normally would have turned off into a hidden overpass or something of the sort to confirm their new alt mode and change away of the sights of others, Jazz wasn't like that. He just wanted it done and over with, not to mention that hiding out wasn't really his style when he wasn't on an infiltration mission. For the moment, this was about Jazz stretching his framework and, clearly, that was happening with Nell having front row tickets for the show.

     The interior around Nell was sitting was starting to change as digital green pixels began reconstruction, pieces shifting and clanking as metal rotated and some even flipped to form new shapes. The dashboard was the most obvious, changing from a series of various readings from the surrounding area's signatures ( rather, lack there of ) to one of modernized human design. The mostly metal 'seating' that had been shifted around to accommodate Nell were now replaced by sleek black leather and a proper steering wheel molded into place, as did proper brake and gas pedals- which would probably never be used if Jazz had his way. Between the odometer and speedometer was the Autobot branding, a stark contrasting red amongst all the blue digital indicators of speed and power. Though it was slightly different, with three lines off to either side of the insignia like wings of some sort. Off to the side were two unusual bars, one still and the other creating sharp lines. Those were for him, being indicators of active communication links. The one moving was probably a muted Arcee cursing at him, but Jazz's attentions were elsewhere. In the center column was a touchscreen panel for a map navigation, radio tuning and a 'call' center.
    
     Externally, metal wheels were now replaced by the low profile rubberized tires with titanium rims holding them in place. His Cybertronian alt mode, sleek and nimble, had moving panels and were as well being covered in those green digital pixels, changing him from what he knew into something... new. The shape didn't change too much in the front, though four lights merged into two LED headlights with lower driving lights for the daytime, but at least the aerodynamics stayed the same. The back switched up mostly, extending slightly, crushing down the broader backside he'd originally had into something more streamline to the profile shape of the vehicle he had selected. The finishing touches? A fresh super white paint job, clean and flawless ( too clean for what he was before, but not something he would scuff at ) with a solid light blue stripe going down the center top extending from bumper to bumper and a spoiler. On the lower front area of the hood ontop of the stripe was that same unusual Autobot insignia from the inside dash. Once everything had fell into place the Lotus Elise took control of the road. Only now, there was music and that changed the stakes for Jazz entirely since he was down for some upbeat tunes. The radio began to blast through the pounding speaker system, channels changing quickly as Jazz took in the varying sounds and collected the information he wanted.

     :: Now THIS is a sweet ride! ::

     Poor Nell. Well... Poor Jazz, once Arcee caught up to him and Nell peeled herself out of the leather seats....

[Deleted]

Nell was going to mention that Jazz wasn't so bad for an alien himself, but she didn't have much time as Arcee's voice filtered through his 'stereo system'. She didn't offer up much of anything on her end, simply listening to the two talk. Her brows raised for a brief moment – was telling Arcee to chill a good idea? The femme, as she came to understood that was what cybertronian women were called, needed to relax but at the same time? The Autobot knew what she was doing, or at least came off like she did, and Nell certainly respected that.

There was a remark from Jazz that Nell found interesting. Were the 'Cons that destructive that they normally made their presence known to the native species rather quickly? Why would they change tactics just because they were on Earth? Or did something big happen to make them do such a different route. Hell if she knew and the human kept her mouth shut, because thinking about all this crap was seriously headache inducing.

So she kept her eyes on the road, even if she wasn't driving, and she'd study the other people driving. Whenever a look was flashed her way, they were mostly curious than anything, Nell would give them a smile and a shrug of her shoulders – as if she was just some test driver for some new car. If there were any photos of this? Well, she didn't doubt that Fowler had his ways to make images go bye-bye.

Suggestions on cars were made, and she'd point them out when she seen them, but considering Jazz was seriously picky as hell? Nell was finding her patience growing thin and she wished she could send some message over to Arcee about it.

Of course, when he finally found one? Instead of warning her properly or waiting for a suggestion on WHERE to go to get a sitting car to scan, he was turning quickly, her hands were on the 'seats' and she dug her nails in. If it hurt the Autobot? Serves his ass right, especially when he was driving so reckless. “JESUS FUCKIN' CHRIST!” The words were yelled out. “SLOW DOWN!” Damn right she was telling him to slow down, but nope. Not happening, nope - she was getting to watch, and feel, the whole thing of changing happen around her.

God, was she feeling sick and the loud music was not helping. One would go as far to say she looking a little green.

Poor her and in some shape or form? Poor Jazz.

Especially when she lost her lunch all over that nice interior.

Which in someway? Serves the mech right for driving like a maniac.

(if you need me to change that last part? I can Jazz XD)

[Deleted]

::::Yo, Arcee? Ya kinda remind me of an Enforcement unit when ya talk like that. Cool your engines and relax your spark some. While it's cool to be mindful of Decepticons bein' out and about, they gain the upperhand if you stress your joints from the tension, not to mention if ya stay uptight sometimes it can lead to some mean paranoia creepin' into your processor. I'll be able ta sense trouble before it so just chill a bit... ::

Arcee bristled momentarily at being told she was being too uptight. Probably, didn’t help either that she was getting an itchy case of deja vu of a chatty Cliffjumper when they were still getting used to working with one another. At the sametime, the similarity of the situation put her at some ease. She flicked her sideview mirror bemusedly at Jazz when he suddenly went quiet and muttered, ::My fault.::

The two wheeler sighed, bouncing a bit over a pothole. ::Jazz, that would because I am an ex-Enforcer, Highway Patrol Division, being a scout for the Autobots didn’t change that and it’s what kept me alive. It only takes one slip up to…:: Arcee abruptly cut herself off, realizing she was about to spill how she got Tailgate killed. She wasn’t ready to share that. Noticing Jazz was still unusually silent and not listening at the moment, Arcee switched gears on conversation. ::Tell you what, if you’re interested, once you pick a vehicle mode to scan, I’ll show you a few favorite haunts of mine.::

When the special ops bot finally spoke up, Arcee considered his comment about the Decepticons. ::Hard to say for sure, I’m not about to turn down a lucky break for change, given our disadvantage against the ‘cons this whole time. If I were to hazarded a guess, it might have to do with Megatron’s prolonged absen…::

Arcee was interrupted, when Jazz exclaimed over the comm excitedly. ::Hang on, Nell!::

::Wait, Jazz! What are you…!:: Arcee flummoxed, swerving hard to the right to avoid Jazz’s backend. The blue light of a vehicle scan taking place barely registered as the two wheeler crashed front fender first into a row scrubs paralleling the highway. She quickly oriented herself back onto the road, after shaking the wooziness from her processor, and watched as Jazz dived across the median while converting to his new form.

A deathly calmness settled across her processor, lined with a steely edge of irratation. Her holomatter avatar, Sadie, revved the bar handles to prime the engine. Once an unsuspecting human vehicle passed by, Arcee tore loose the throttle. With a little more discretion, the two wheeler jumped the median and began giving chase.

Once on the straightway leaving the city, Arcee let loose her limiter and geared up to speeds impossible for a regular motorcycle. Minute by minute, she would catch up to the wayward roadster.

::JAZZ!::

[Jazz]

      ::Jazz, that would because I am an ex-Enforcer, Highway Patrol Division, being a scout for the Autobots didn’t change that and it’s what kept me alive. It only takes one slip up to… Tell you what, if you’re interested, once you pick a vehicle mode to scan, I’ll show you a few favorite haunts of mine.::

     Jazz had been way ahead of Arcee and hadn't really paid mind to the others around him- Autobot, Decepticon or human commuters as they drove around in their own operational vehicles.

     ::Wait, Jazz! What are you…!:: The cut-off had been as smooth as they come and he had scanned already before he could pick up everything Arcee was trying to say to him, if she had more to yell. But that was just how he was when it came to stuff like this.

     Distractions. They were gonna get him killed one day.

     Jazz couldn't help but to be exited about the new set of wheels he had acquired, but he had accidentally forgotten about that whole 'being careful not to be noticed' thing. This wasn't Cybertron and he'd heard the spiel about 'being hidden' but clearly it had slipped his processor. Dumb move... Jazz was normally ontop of things like that a little better but not this time. For now he was just interested in the new hug of this strange texture under his metal frame and the music pouring through his speaker system. Was this the earthling's type of 'cultural music'? How strange it was...

     “JESUS FUCKIN' CHRIST!” Somehow he heard the words from the human rider over the music. The tone she was using registered as being aggressive, which snapped Jazz to attention. He'd heard that tone used before- to others, and to him. “SLOW DOWN!”

     That command he knew, but there was something else happening. Everything was going on too quickly though and by the time he was starting to slow down he heard a peculiar noise coming from his cab.

     :: Nell? Ya al--- HOLY PRIMUS! WHAT-?! ::

     As if the speeds and music weren't enough, but he felt something warm hit various regions in his cab. The music cut off just as quickly as his brakes slammed down to stop himself from traveling onward but it wasn't enough to bring him to a complete stop. The rear wheels locked out against the pavement and the sound of skidding tires replaced where music had once been. Jazz had a fairly even distribution of weight from back to front which worked in his favor as he calculated his next moves since he wasn't coming to an immediate stop- something he figured would happen anyway. As the backend started to turn to meet the front and throw him into the spin, he countered the measure by jerking the wheel in the direction he was going which caused his entire frame to try and over-correct itself to keep straight at the sideways angle. The secondary brake was applied as he accelerated slightly while the throttle was eased off, allowing him to angle more and keep to the direction of the turn. The drift across the road was smooth, effortless, but probably not so much for the human who had caused the fear to rise up in him in the first place. As he eased off the gas and the throttle entirely, he straightened out his tires and drove off to the side of the road into a ditch where he came to a complete stop, sitting there in silence with the smell of burned rubber filling the air.

     :: Nell? What... what IS that? Are you okay? I'm sensin' some distress and.... ugh, did you SLIME me?! What happened?! ::

     :JAZZ!:

     ... Scrap.

     :: Arcee! I think somethin's wrong with Nell. She don't look too good. ::