38th Transmission

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Locked to Mikaela - 95% Unhackable]

Hey. Need a favor of you. It means... much to me... and I do not ask lightly.

Need a frog. Gold one.

[/Lock]




Crew.

Have a question for you. At the usual price. Answer quickly, or I shall retract the offer.

Comments

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Normally Kage would resent being 'ordered' around by Ironhide, but he's curious.

So he just hangs up and grabs an oil rag to wipe the grease from his hands as he heads to Deck One. He has the rag over his shoulder as he leans against the railing, waiting.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[The resentment is half the reason Ironhide takes it on himself to order the crew around.

He makes his way up, spotting the man quickly. The box is held carefully in hand as he approaches.]

First mate.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

Ironhide.

[Kage's eyes are on the box. Is there really a frog in there?]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Mikaela's frog is indeed in the box. He doesn't offer it yet.]

I ask the question. You answer. You get the frog. Clear?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

If I choose t'answer, sure. That's how it works.

[Kage raises his eyebrows.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

If you do not answer, you do not get the frog.

Simple enough for you?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Kage just rolls his eyes.]

No shit. Hurry up.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He's half tempted to stay silent for a good few minutes after being told to hurry. Still, he pauses a moment, trying to figure out how best to phrases this. He can't waste the frog.]

... Where can we find the system registry--the one that dictates who is brought back, and who isn't?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Your attitude is pushing Kage, Ironhide, and if he'd remained silent Kage would have probably just walked away. Happily, though, the robot continues.]

You really want me t'answer that?

[Kage gives Ironhide a look.]

Waste of a fuckin' frog, man.

[heavyweaponsbot]

So. Somewhere we cannot get to. Or that you think we cannot find.

[Neither of those are questions. He pauses.]

Then let me think.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Kage just shrugs. Ironhide may or may not have been correct in that, and Kage lets him assume whatever he wants to assume.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[It takes great effort not to pound the human's head into the ground. Ironhide's temper is not... stable of late.]

How would a passenger go about reaching the registry?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

That your question?

[Kage leans back against the wall and makes a waggling motion with his hand.]

I don't like fuckin' passengers outta frogs, so I'll give y'that one for free. All y'gotta do i--

[Pain shoots up Kage's spine and around the back of his head, curling over his left ear. Stars flash and he stiffens for just a moment--and then it's gone. A message from Captain Redd. Kage swallows, exhales, refocusing his eyes. It stings. ]

... awright, that one ain't for free.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[His good optic narrows. The literal gears in his head are turning. Possibly audibly.]

Wait.

[He looks at the box for a moment.]

If I made a request, instead of a question, would you take the frog in payment for the request?

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

Depends on what th'request is, yeah, but that works, too.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He hesitates.]

... If I requested that you replace Jennifer's name with that of someone else's on that registry... and you did so. I would give you the frog in payment.

[shenghuanzhe.livejournal.com]

[Kage blinks.]

... Whose name, man.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[Ironhide draws himself up. He watches the man's face close, in case there's any recognition.]

... Aspect Angle. Autobot female. She was here... she died... she has not returned.