Message 2

[nexicpolarity]

[An acolyte accompanies you on your journey out to the craters, silently leading the way across the many dips and crags of Nexus's rocky quadrant. Though it is late at night the sky is alight with the distant tails of meteors traveling in a cluster of bright streaks towards the horizon. The acolyte finally stops at the edge of one of the biggest craters, bowing once and sliding off again into the night.

Instead of the huge imposing form of Nexus, you are greeted with someone your size, back turned and framed by the glow of the meteor shower. The bot turns around at your approach, twirling a complicated tool around in his fingers before snapping it back onto the magnetized portion of his shoulder.]

Took you long enough. Listen, the big guy is still recovering so he sent me to have a talk with you. I'm Mainspring.

[He jabs a thumb at his chest plating. Mainspring is a very average looking grounder with obvious wheels and headlights on his chassis. He also bears a decepticon symbol on the shoulder opposite his magnetized one that looks pretty fresh.]

It's about the future and a big change that's coming real soon. The firstforged aren't gonna be around much anymore and he needs some guys to look after the place while he's gone- got it?

Comments

[skidaddle]

[Skids is cautious, if only because he drives through these craters almost every day and doesn't much like the idea of a Meteor 'crashing' his party. Literally. However, the trajectories seem to put them far enough away--for now--and they're small enough that it looks like they'd burn up in the Cybertronian atmosphere.]

...

[The Decepticon is a surprise, though. He'd been pretty sure he'd never met Clocker before, and now here was someone named 'Mainspring,' and both were working for Nexus. It caused a bot to think...though for now, his first thought is making sure that Mainspring has a glyph on his shoulder.]

Nice to meet you. I'm Skids. Theoretician. Diplomat. Road Crew. I don't think I've seen you around, before...

[Though he had a theory. Of course he did. He needed more information, first.]

Are you one of those 'guys?'

[nexicpolarity]

[The shoulder not baring the newly affixed Decepticon symbol is indeed bare. It would have been hard to notice due to his jittery nature and fleeting contact, but Clocker was also lacking a glyph of any kind.]

That's a lot of things to be at once. Sounds confusing. [He remarks, rubbing his chin.]

Nope. You probably haven't. I'm a 'behind the scenes' kind of mech.

[Your question gets you a blank stare.]

Which 'guys' are we talking about? Decepticon? Because I think that's kind of obvious now.

[skidaddle]

Oh, it is. It makes it difficult to focus from one day to the next, but...that doesn't actually matter.

[Whatever he chose to do, he'd put his all into it...and it would be done.]

Ah, like a stage hand? Programming lights takes a lot of work...but I'm going to bet that isn't what you do for Nexus.[Especially if he didn't have a glyph. This was...worrying.] How long have you been here, anyhow?

[He says it as casually as he can, but. Well, he's never dealt with a Glyphless before.]

'Guys.' The ones you were talking about to keep an eye on things for Nexus, Decepticon or not.

[nexicpolarity]

I repair things, actually. Mostly machines, but I can do triage in a pinch as well.

[He flips a spot welder from his thumb and flicks it on and off absently.]

Longer than you, for sure. [Grin]

Nexus'll need me if he wants to keep an eye on anything, but that's gonna get difficult really soon. I got things to fix elsewhere.

Too bad, because I'd like to stay and talk with a couple of the Cons here about things. Wouldn't mind meeting Megatron either. I hear he's around, yeah?

oh my god you flatterer

[skidaddle]

[Okay, you know what? That is much cooler than a thumb microphone. Skids may be leaning forward to take a closer look.]

Who'd you have to hold down to get an upgrade like that? Or was it intrinsic?

[His wariness is warring with his curiosity. Who is this mech? Where did he come from? Why doesn't he have a Glyph?]

Right. Fix things. Before you go insane, or...whatever it is that those without Glyphs do.

Or would Nexus be able to help that?

[He pauses, wondering what ELSE Nexus might be able to fix, and if it might fall in the realm of lost memories or vampirism.]

I can't really say I harbor the same desire. Megatrons have a bad habit of getting rid of people with this symbol-- [He touches his Autobot brand] --And I'm not quite ready to stop wearing it yet.

As long as your friends aren't shooting me, though, I've found they know some good drinking songs. [He smirks.]

lololol

[nexicpolarity]

No one you would know. Had it so long it feels like I was sparked with it though!

[Mainspring replies amicably, free hand on his hip.]

Insane? Me? Oh, I see what you're getting at. [Shakes his head] I'm not a glyphless. I just don't need one.

[Nod] So I hear. Apparently the Senate had a habit of that too, back in the day. Except instead of a symbol they just picked on mechs with too many independent thought processes.

Anyway- we don't want to stand here talking all day, do we? [He grips one of Skids's shoulders.] Nexus has a job for you.

[skidaddle]

There are some tools a mech shouldn't be without. A knife, a copy of Half-Time's symphony in f-sharp minor, a grappling hook, and now a spot-welder.

[And clearly NOT tentacles, although he couldn't seem to escape them regardless.]

Not a glyphless? But...without a glyph. I'm starting to think you're keeping some sort of secret from me, Mainspring.

[This mech was either a complex Acolyte, a spawn of Unicron, or something else entirely. Probability theory was pointing toward the latter.]

I...remember. I think. And you're right, I don't really want to talk about it.

[It didn't have a bearing on what was happening now. There was no Senate, there were no Decepticons or Autobots, and...well, the memories he did have of the time weren't good ones.]

And you're my orientation officer?

[nexicpolarity]

You got an extra disc of that symphony?

[He pats Skid's shoulder] Yeah alright, you got me. I just like messing with people. [Actually it was part of a test, but Mainspring wasn't about to reveal that.]

Thing is, First Forged don't need glyphs, right? [His grin is full of mischief.]

[skidaddle]

I don't, but I could make one tonight. Where should I bring it to?

[It's a little sneaky, but its one way to find out. He'd feel totally smooth about it if not for what happens next.]

You--

You?

[This is Skids, staring in disbelief.]

What are you, the Firstforged of Decepticon history?

[Clearly not buying it. Nope. Not buying it.]

[Except that the facts lined up. No glyph. Not having been seen before. Working with Nexus.]

...

[Working FOR Nexus? Working...]

Where is Nexus Prime?

[LOUD HUFFING AND PUFFING] I'M HERE

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

[Well, Ambulon didn't... really expect this. And for a moment, he stares at the drone like it just cursed out his entire family. Or something. But, after hearing the bit on Nexus...] Mainspring. I see. And you... [Because he's also noticed that Decepticon symbol.] Why are you wearing that? [He points to his own shoulder.] I was under the impression the Firstforged and their Acolytes were neutral and did not conform to factions.

[The last time he met with a drone, they turned out to be a cover for Tarn. Oops.]