Of Base Flora and Fauna

[attair_al_fada]

As he flew over the ocean, Skyfire contemplated the little 'errand' Starscream had asked him to undertake. One, Starscream had talked him out of Autobot City while Starscream stayed behind--after a lengthy conversation with the Autobot Security Chief. Ulterior motive, or happenstance? Either one was possible. Red Alert had never quite trusted

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[0ut_of_sight]

//Hey, Skyfire,// comes the (for once) prompt response. //Screamer already told me you were coming. Transport's on its way.//

True to Echoshift's word, the purple shape of the elevator rises from the ocean waves not long after. The door yawns open.

[attair_al_fada]

Skyfire hovers outside the elevator and folds himself into robot shape, still hovering. He touches down on the elevator gangplank and ducks his head, crouching slightly in the too-short elevator chamber.

// I am aboard, Echoshift. As soon as you are ready... //

[0ut_of_sight]

In the base's main control room, Echoshift nods at his comms console and then remembers Skyfire can't see him through the channel.

//'Kay.//

The door closes shut again with a snap and a dull kind of clang, and the elevator begins to lower.

//Need any help finding your way to Screamer's old lab and quarters when the elevator brings you in?//

[attair_al_fada]

// A map would be helpful, Echoshift //

Skyfire hesitates. // Also, are there any areas it might be impolitic for me to stray into? //

What do you do with a cute critter in the Decepticon Secret Underwater Base?

[attair_al_fada]

After speaking with Starscream, Skyfire sends a message to Echoshift.

// Echoshift, if you've been following my study of your local lifeforms, this--" here Skyfire holds up the box with Squirmy in it, "critter--I'm calling it a 'skitterfluff', is non-local in origin, probably from the Nexus. It is, however, harmless to us, and seems to have an agreeable disposition. I believe it is a domesticated vermin hunter of some kind, and it is well adapted to hunting in the ducts and accessways of this base. I've also noticed that you have a rat problem here. //

Re: What do you do with a cute critter in the Decepticon Secret Underwater Base?

[0ut_of_sight]

Echoshift looks up from the main computer and directs his gaze over to the nearby comm console. He'd left the channel running while he worked, so the video feed is still up from before.

He nods at Skyfire. //Yep, I've been following. You thinking it could take care of the rat problem if you set it loose or something?//

Re: What do you do with a cute critter in the Decepticon Secret Underwater Base?

[attair_al_fada]

Skyfire nods. // Well, I don't want to keep him locked up in a box. I'm just concerned that he might get used for target practice, or not find enough to eat. He's quite hungry as it is. The other alternative is to take him to Autobot City. //

Re: What do you do with a cute critter in the Decepticon Secret Underwater Base?

[0ut_of_sight]

Echoshift considers that second option. Certainly the idea of letting the critter run loose in Autobot City to perhaps cause trouble was amusing and rather tempting. He chuckles at that thought before offering Skyfire a shrug.

//Well, we've gotta training arena here for when anyone feels like doing some target practice. Stops them from accidentally shooting holes in the wrong wall and letting the ocean in, heh. So the critter'll probably be fine as far as that goes.//

He looks thoughtfully at the box containing Squirmy, pondering Skyfire's point on whether the animal will find enough to eat.

//Is there any way of telling how long he's been here already?//