[ti]Ep 2.5[/ti]Roundabout (HotRod, Javelin)

[Javelin]

Week 1, Day 5

11 am local time

The central area of the base, the monitor room, was oddly quiet for the time of day. Usually mid morning something was going on. Someone was watching the monitor, someone was coming or going. If it were the weekend the human children would be there, and it would definitely be noisy.

Right now, at 11 am local time, it was actually quiet.

Javelin leaned back against the faint curve of the hallway that lead to the main entrance of the base. Eyes half closed, she hummed faintly to herself, waiting.

She was about to head out on patrol.

It had been a while since Javelin had been out on patrol – and with the buddy system in place, it could be even harder to get a real patrol going. It didn’t help that with the truce, it was sort of hard to know what to be on patrol for.

“Be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.” What did that even mean, really? What was out of the ordinary on this planet? Javelin had been looking into some of the local human customs, and they were strange. Children dressing up like monsters so strangers gave them candy was just one of those customs.

She’d keep an eye out for Decepticons, though, that was for certain. Javelin trusted the truce as far as she could throw Megatron. They were doing something, she was certain of it.

Now, once her partner showed up....

A faint exvent. Today, she was partnered with Hot Rod.

Javelin felt a little....unsettled. Their last encounter hadn’t gone so well. She had somehow managed to insult him by telling him he would have to get rid of the massive Autobot symbol on his hood. She understood it probably annoyed him a little, but...his reaction was too extreme, in her opinion. It was just a symbol, right?

Hopefully, this time it would go smoother. She wanted to like him, she did. There weren’t a lot around the base close-ish to her own age, and she hoped to make some friends.

If all else failed, she had an ace up her sleeve. Maybe.

She knew where they were patrolling today, and it involved some out of the way, very flat land. Land they didn’t have to be stuck in their alt modes in. Or...land that a certain speed demon could use to really open up and grab some air.

With luck, they’d start over on a better note than previously.

[Hot Rod]

     It felt like an eon since Hot Rod had managed to get a decent recharge since arriving to the Autobot base. Recharging wherever was something he was used to, but something about this place just made it uncomfortable and he was constantly on edge, waking up to every little sound ( or sometimes not even a sound and rather a sound that he thought he heard when there was nothing around ) and just being unable to get comfortable. His frame was creaking here and there as the joints loosened up from their early morning scuffle with the medic for finding him sleeping in the corner of the medibay and, in turn, chased him out with a barrage of flying objects that he didn't bother to look to see consisted of. At this rate Ratchet would call him unfit for anything, maybe just in spite. 

     Ratchet.

     "Damn slagging pain in the aft. Thorn in my side. Old pile of junk bound for the scrap heap. Should have retired a long time ago, the sparked reject of a-" 

     Hot Rod paused in his verbal thinking when he spotted Javelin in his trek. It wasn't out of embarrassment that he just stood there in what was a rather uncomfortable moment of silence, watching her, and more that he had completely forgotten that he was supposed to be out on patrol with her today. He had been going off in this direction for some reason and while verbalizing his irritation with the medic, he hadn't even thought to try and recall what he had been heading this way for. 

     Then he diverted his gaze to the side. Right, he was partnered up with her today. Patrol. What they were supposed to patrol for he didn't know, but at least it meant that he could get out of the base for a while. That was a blessing in and of itself. He just wished it hadn't been with her, considering how absolutely terrible their last meeting had gone. Idly his servo reached up to touch the empty space on his chest, then digits curled in and brushed at an unseen piece of dust or whatever as he focused on the matter at hand. A roll of his shoulders, a drop, then an outbound chest as he vented and turned his attention ahead again, though stared past her as he started to walk again. He didn't look directly at her and instead at the intended target. Which, in this case, was the exit.

     "Lets get this over with." He moved past her and transformed, idling as he waited on her to lead since she was running this rodeo. 

[Javelin]

Javelin had been quietly biding her time, waiting for Hot Rod to show up.

Her first clue was a distant, but growing closer, long list of complaints. Keeping her head turned away from the approaching individual, Javelin couldn’t help but hear Hot Rod’s voice as he got closer.

My. Someone had slagged him off.

Still appearing to not see or hear anything out of the ordinary, Javelin listened as his footsteps faltered, slowing, then breezed past her. It was apparent he still held a grudge against her.

Oh well.

Javelin fell into step behind him, following in his steps to transform, folding her frame down into a sleeker appearance.

“Right-O,” she responded, sounding chipper. She eased past him, taking up the lead, heading into the tunnel heading towards the actual entrance.

::So today,:: she said, easing just the nose of her alt mode out into the sunshine, scanning the sky to make sure there wasn’t some Decepticon cruising by (they had all been told about the importance of keeping the base a secret), before pulling out directly, tires crunching over the rock and gravel, ::we’ve been told to have a loose patrol out around the base. Not directly around it, of course, but ranging outwards. Optimus wants us to make sure no humans, or Decepticons, have been getting a little too close to Omega. So, hopefully, we get to avoid any humans on this run. Just open highway for a while at least.::

Keeping a nice, straight line outwards, Javelin eased up off the dirt and onto the tarmac, turning west, and starting to increase her speed. Her tired hummed nicely on the smooth rode – no more little rocks flicking up against her undercarriage.

Feeling the morning sun on her frame felt good, warming her. The sensation of the wind across her mesh improved her mood tenfold, and they weren’t even up to full highway speed yet.

::So..how are you settling in?::

[Hot Rod]

     Hot Rod followed behind Javelin, careful on the loose gravel as it pinged his undercarriage. He usually would have rather been able to walk over this nonsense without dinging up his paint job, but alas, then he would have to deal with someone grumpy scolding him for that, too. Best to just choose the battles he wanted to contend in.

     At least Javelin was leading the charge and had already scanned for anyone in the area- Hot Rod sure hadn't.

     :: I haven't been told anything other than I have to patrol with you because of the buddy system.:: He was quick to correct her, since he really didn't know what he was supposed to be doing or when. He was just here, following her lead since he didn't know enough about the area to do it himself and he couldn't leave the facility unless he had someone with him. :: If we come in contact with any humans on route, what do we do? Just run them over and answer for it later?:: A little snarky, since Hot Rod knew that wasn't how things went and already figured Javelin was aware he wasn't that stupid, but it was a statement none the less.

     As for settling in? Not like he was going to tell her about his conversation with Ratchet, or how he'd pretty much had a break down, or that things were chaotic in his head at the moment and he was struggling to rebuild his walls so he wouldn't feel so exposed after all that. Nor would he tell her where he'd been recharging, as he'd already been booted from there before- hence for why he'd been in such a bad mood now.

     Hot Rod was at least happy to be on solid ground and increased his speed to keep with Javelin. This was nowhere near to the speed he could reach, but he wasn't the one setting the pace.

     :: Not really sure what you mean by 'settling in'. I'm not exactly hosting a tea party later, if that's what you're asking.::

[Javelin]

For a split second, Javelin thought Hot Rod was being serious when he asked if they were to run over any humans. She felt a sensation of alarm shoot through her systems, before she realized there was no way he had been at the base as long as he had and didn’t know the rules on Humans.

::Erk, no,:: she replied, amusement in her voice, ::I’d imagine they’d squish up into the undercarriage something awful. If we seen anyone, or any tracks, too close to the base, we investigate and then report back to Optimus. I don’t think we’ll have too much trouble – this environment is kind of sparse for most Humans, I think. Hot and dry.::

As Hot Rod moved in a little closer, she increased her own pace, seeing he didn’t seem to be trying to laze behind or dawdle for any reason.

Javelin listened to how he answered her question, and felt a slight spark of sympathy. She sort of understood how it felt to be dumped on a planet and left to your own devices. It had certainly happened to her often enough. On planets with raging warfare tearing across the land, few wanted to get to know the newbie. Why bother knowing a name when they were probably going to get blown up in a week or two? And maybe take you with them?

::Well, you have a room now, at least? You know the lay out of the base, all that? Where to go, what to do? Someone pointed out the rec room and the like? You don’t, like, get lost in the base or anything? Have you met anyone? Because I can show you around, if you want.::

Up ahead, an earth vehicle approached on the other side of the road, a brilliant white, low slung vehicle, a great deal of chrome winking the sun back to them. It passed in a gust of wind and purr of the engine, heavy metal music blasting out through the rolled down window. A strange scent lingered in the Backdraft – the smell of burning leaves.

[Hot Rod]

     :: Guess this should be a rather quick patrol then, huh?::

     It was almost a shame that there weren't more humans in this area, cause Hot Rod had been SLIGHTLY tempted to try to test the theory- only the image of having a splattered anything caught up in his undercarriage was a derailment towards that entirely. That also included the native wildlife, from the four-legged critters to the insects that seemed to almost purposely attempt their kamikaze missions against his hood. They were almost impossible to dodge without drawing unwanted attention. No point in getting pulled over and have to deal with a human cop trying to understand how a swerving vehicle suddenly didn't have a driver and end up being towed somewhere. 

     Tow yards probably had cameras, right? Capturing a car driving off on it's own would have been a Christine situation come to life and probably would have caused a rather amusing mass hysteria- amusing to everyone except the head honcho. 


     When Javelin increased her speed, Hot Rod did the same just to keep pace with her and slightly encourage her to press a bit over the speed limit. Again, not enough to attract attention, but to get where they needed to go so he could head back to... wherever, really. The next series of questions reminded him of the situation he and Ratchet had been through regarding just that whole... thing. 

     :: Yeah, I know where the rec room and the in and out door is, so that's the important par- :: He paused to look at the approaching vehicle and glanced it over as it passed by. The pulse of the music rolling through his frame from the music blasted within the occupied cab was attractive enough that he almost forgot what he was doing and he started to slow down. It was only for a split second, however, and a rev of his own engine brought him back up to speed and in pace with the femme.

     :: ... Uh, what were we talking about again? ::

[Javelin]

Javelin watched as Hot Rod seemed distracted by the passing Earth vehicle, and had started to slow a little herself, wondering what he was doing. As he hurried back up to her, she realized had just been perhaps a little mesmerized. She inwardly smiled. Earth culture could be fascinating, that was for certain.

::How you were fitting in,:: she replied, ::Sounds like you have it all under control, though. Good.::

Javelin did, in fact, increase her speed a little more, now passing over the speed limit. She wasn’t really opening up, but was starting to float along nicely.

::Have you been out around this way at all?:: she asked, ::If you have any questions about anything, just ask. I don’t really know what you may or may not know, y’know?::

Another car appeared in the distance, closing on them quickly. A beat up old pickup, country and western twanging out from the window flashed past. Javelin mentally tried to think of something to talk about, anything that might interest the mech following her. She was hoping to overcome the awkward past they had, and sought to ease the tension she, at least, was feeling.

::Hey, are you interested in seeing some Earth movies? They have a drive in not far from here. I’m not sure what’s playing, but I’ve been thinking of getting a few together some time and head out. I haven’t seen any of the newer Earth entertainment, it might be fun.::

Their shadows flew along the ground underneath them, the occasional pothole blurring by.

She suddenly spoke again, ::Am I going too slow for you? I can speed up some more if you want.::

[Hot Rod]

     Hot Rod figured she was just thinking up things to pass the time along at this point, which he was thankful for, though he could have probably done with just talking to himself and been just as satisfied. Sure, he had questions, but none that he really felt like asking since he felt that he probably wouldn't care for the answers.

     Like how long they'd been stranded on this planet. He'd probably only been here a fraction of the time he figured the main team had and that made him shudder. He hoped he hadn't made a mistake by following the call of their leader.

     Another question could have been 'Why hasn't Optimus gotten everyone off this wasteland and back to  Cybertron yet'. Probably wouldn't like the answer of that one, either.

     :: Don't really care either way. I'm supposed to be following YOUR lead, remember? If you take me to a drive in it's not like I have much of a choice in it since we have to stay in pairs. I hope you didn't forget about the buddy system... or that you're just testing me. Cause I wouldn't be too happy about that.:: He almost felt offended that she would ask if she were going too slow for him and he felt his frame bristle with that.

     The nerve!

     :: Not for me, no. But I think you're going beyond the speed limit. Pretty sure pops wouldn't like that too much.::

[Javelin]

Mentally, Javelin huffed. Why was Hot Rod always so prickly? It was like he took literally everything she said as a challenge or insult, complaining. She knew she started off on the wrong foot with him, but she was trying, damnit!

Keeping her voice level, she responded, :We’re supposed to be in pairs, yes, but you’re not my prisoner. You have as much say in where we go as I do, so long as it’s in the patrol area. We’re partners out here, Hot Rod. You might feel like I’m forcing you, but I’m not a ball and chain.:

Pause.

She spoke quieter, softly, :At least I’m trying not to be.:

Javelin fell silent as they continued on for a few minutes, occasionally casting out scans, looking for anything that might be suspicious, but it was unlikely, this close to the human town.

His comment about speeding confused her for a moment. She turned his words over in her head. Who on Earth was “Pops”?

:Aww, well,: she sheepishly laughed, :I don’t always listen that tightly to the rules. I mean, I won’t go flat out here – humans have a slower reaction time than we do – easy to hit one by accident….but there’s nothing wrong with going over the speed limit. I mean, heck, clock the humans driving around here. They’re not exactly staying under the limit themselves.:

The pavement rolled smoothly past, a small furry animal – Javelin guessed it was probably a hare - shot across the road in front on her, vanishing into the brush on the edge of the road. One second there, the other, gone.

:You’re obviously built for speed. I’m fast as well, but nothing like you, of course, but even I get that cooped up feeling sometimes. All….itchy inside.:

Pause.

:You wanna head out to the flats nearby? No one around. You can really open up out there. Not a lot of gravel to chip paint. It’s not the streets of Cybertron, of course, but….:

[Hot Rod]

     ::About as much say so as I did in my insignia?:: There would have been an optic roll but since that wasn't a plausible thing at the moment, the sour tone would have to do. ::I don't know what the patrol area is anyway, so I really don't have a choice in this. If ya don't know where the invisible walls are, you can't make suggestions.::

     He pretty much was left to doing what she did. For one, she knew the space they needed to stay within. For two, he didn't really know this area. Best to not get lost because he wanted to travel to Timbuktu.

     ::Itchy?:: Hot Rod scoffed some and listened, traveling along without a care.

     Javelin was trying, Hot Rod wasn't. He was just one who had a really great skill of holding tightly to grudges, so it wasn't anything in particular against Javelin. The little nod she gave him towards being built for speed had been appreciated- tied in with what he assumed to being that attempt of letting water go under the bridge and all that nonsense- was heard but seemed to be in one audial and out the other.

     If she kept at it, maybe chipping at the wall this way would get her on his good side sometime within the next... oh... century or so. Maybe.

     ::If you're having internal itches, you may want to get that checked out by Ratchet. I'm sure he can probably find out what's got under your shell. Should get that looked at.:: Hot Rod didn't even pay attention to the critter that ran in front of her on the road- not that he'd seen it. The way he figured was that since she was in the lead, she was doing her part of scan around for signs of trouble. If she weren't alerting him, then there were no issues. If there were? Guess that would be their test of speed.

     ::Probably wouldn't be a good idea to suggest me opening up. No place on this planet would give me enough space to do that without there being some trouble as a result. This ground is... really loose.:: He didn't even consider that maybe she didn't understand that, since she had mentioned the Cybertron roads.