Function and Functionality

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The vehicon tilted his helm at the femme’s simple desire. He began to realize at her expressions that he’d gotten a little carried away with his war experiences. Nines rolled his eyes at his own behavior. Leave it to him to make things grim. Nines nodded his helm at the femmes words, trying to find a way to brighten things up. Why the heck had he made things so grim? No one needed to be reminded of the heck-hole the war was.

“You could sleep with a pistol hidden under your berth.” Nines offered jokingly, although a second thought told Nines it might be sound judgment in the first place. He shrugged the joke off, knowing it probably wasn’t going to lighten the mood. “Sorry about my war-ramblings. I’ve just been around for a while. As you might’ve guessed.” Nines gestured to his body, a patchwork of different pieces. The only thing that was entirely symmetrical was his mask. He took a moment to examine the piece in his servo. It looked like a cross between some kind of broken sword hilt and a wrench. It was made completely of one metal, which made Nines gladly add it to his stash. If he couldn't’ find a use for it, he could melt it down without having to take it apart and organize it’s different metals properly. He returned his gaze to Lightspeed.

“So, you said you were an engineer,” Nines began on something a little more light-hearted, “What sort of things do you specifically make?” Nines asked. He had a bet that it had something to do with weaponry, or some sort of gadgetry. What else would a Decepticon engineer be doing? Decepticons were all about making something to destroy the Autobots. Which was fine by Nines, since the Autobots were getting what they deserved. Or maybe she makes prosthetics. That’s something engineers do sometimes. Nines reminded himself, stopping himself in mids-step of mentally sterotyping the femme for the second time that day. She’d probably have slapped him at least once if she knew what was going on in his mind. Goodness I’m rusty at this.

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She tipped her helm, pondering the experiences that he had relayed to her with seemingly little emotion, telling her to sleep with a pistol stashed under her berth. She snorted at the notion, though it would make her feel safer she wasn't quite sure she wanted one in her quarters. She wasn't exactly the type to be violent, though she wondered whether or not it was the solution to protecting others, as that was how Megatron seemed to see things. That power and a good strong leader was the solution, and sometimes it was, but in this case, she wasn't so sure.

Lightspeed chuckled, shaking her helm and smiling again, waving him off dismissively. "Don't worry about it Nines, I'm just a little shaken up right now about moving stations. I mean, look around, there's so much to do." She huffed, placing her servos on her hips. She glanced back up at him from looking around at the sorry excuse for a work station, seeming to light up as he asked her about her work.

"I specialize in technology, but I also can do weapons design."

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Nines casually glanced around at the femmes words. The place wasn't professionally laid out, but to Nines the workshop did it's job, and so to him it was fine enough. Not to mention vehicons were managing some of the stands, and Nines knew how to haggle with them for the most part. Especially if he was looking to keep some scrap. 

"Alright, if you say so Lightspeed. Just keep me in mind next time you have one of these problems. Mental and physical health are areas I'm accustomed to." Nines shrugged, "Eh, there's always a lot to do around here. There's always gonna be." Nines mused, his older self talking. A part of him wanted to search for his pipe, but as a rule he didn't smoke in front of femmes. It was just a silly little rule his creator had drilled into him. 

"Technology and weapons design eh?" Nines thought about that, "Sounds like a good job. Do it right and the Decepticons won't give you the boot." Nines said, almost chuckling, "That is to say you do it the way they want it. The mentality's gotta be "The higher-up's always right", or you find yourself in a tight spot. Funny how we're all fighting for freedom but we ourselves aren't ever free." Nines said casually, thinking about inspecting the scrap pile again. "Begs the question who's really gonna be free after all this." Nines shook his helm ever so slightly. 

"As for your weapon design, mind if I take a peak at what you're up to? it's been ages since I've seen someone else's creations. You sound too dedicated to your work to be sappy at this job." 

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Lightspeed would have rather her workspace been in better conditions for visitors, but it seemed that bots were curious and couldn't possibly give her time to arrange it. It would be cleaned up in no time as soon as she got some drones to help her with the heavy lifting and cleaning, after all, she wasn't exactly built for power, it was easy to see that. She was more of athletic build, for speed and agility, things like gorilla warfare and using weapons to protect her. Though if she was to fight, she'd definitely need more protective armor.

She smiled kindly as he offered up his services in case she needed them, dipping her helm in thanks. "If I do, I will most certainly come to you, Nines." She then nodded in agreement, sighing dismissively "Yeah, no kidding, there's a lot of hubub on a warship, but, I guess I'm lucky, eh?"

The Engineer nodded in response, technology and weapons development were her thing, or her area of expertise if you will. She laughed at his jest, shaking her helm. "Ah, yes, I shall try to avoid getting tossed out of one of the air shafts." As the conversation turned serious again, her smile disappeared and she took on a more mature disposition and demeanor.

"Well, yes, I cant tell you how many bots I answer to. Mainly Soundwave and Megatron. But anyone can come in really and request for something to be repaired or manufactured... Such a complicated system..." She grumbled, "No kidding, never thought of it that way, but I suppose we are a bit restricted. Though in return we have a great leader and protection, so I think it is a good set up."

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Nines cracked another small girl under his mask at the way the femme was treating him. He hadn't had a friend for a little while, it'd be nice to have one. Nines noticed who she recomposed herself at his idle musings. He noticed these sort of things rather easily, and loved to speculate. He just had learned long ago it wasn't his job to do much about it. More like it, it simply wasn't his place.

"It's a good system if it does it's job." Nines shrugged his shoulders, deciding not give his opinion on that. No need to say some less than savory comments now. He was already giving this femme plenty to think about, she didn't nee dot know his deeper musings. 

"Hmm. Soundwave and Megatron huh? That reminds me: I've been catching word that the DJD have been active aboard this ship." Nines went on, "Unless you have reason to do otherwise, I'd advise some caution." Nines said, thinking of the nefarious faces of the DJD. He personally didn't like them at all. To him they'd always been a brood of mechs who liked to twist things around more than they needed to. It was...disgusting simply put. As if to make sure the little rumor he'd heard was true, he tilted his helm to the side. 

"You wouldn't have happened to meet any would you?" Nines asked with genuine curiosity.

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"True, Nines. There is no doubt that the Decepticons run a tight and efficient ship. Probably for the best." Lightspeed shrugged lightly, tilting her helm to the side as she did so. She could figure he had more to say on the subject, especially since he was a vehicon, and well... They didn't exactly get the best treatment around here. But, she decided to not push it and let the conversation take a different turn.

She nodded, proud that she got to report straight to higher ups instead of through someone else. Then he mentioned something she hadn't thought about in a long time, the DJD. Intriguing. She had just met Tarn the other day, not to mention danced with him, but she wasn't about to mention that now. She chuckled nervously and replied,

"Yes, I met Tarn. Kind mech, I think." She smiled at the thought before quickly wiping it off her faceplate. "Most certainly, I've heard they're quick to anger. But that might be a rumor? I don't know, but I'll have to tread lightly from now on."

"I wouldn't want to be on Tarn's, or frankly anyone's bad sides, but I'm good that way so I think I'll be safe." She mused, sighing softly before crossing one leg over the other, leaning back on her elbows on the table behind her. "Have you met any of them?"

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Nines narrowed his eyes slightly. The words 'Tarn' and 'kind' were seldom found in the same sentence. Nines gave Lightspeed a look over before her grin faded. Was she actually happy she met Tarn? Nines saw when her smile went as quickly as it came. Perhaps details on this matter weren't something he needed to know. He'd re-evaluate the DJD and some probabilities later. 

"Indeed. Though I'm sure that smile of yours could make any mech think twice about being angry." Nines mused, chuckling a little.

"No, I haven't met any of the DJD personally. I've heard all about them though. You'd be surprised how many vehicons get some knowledge, and pass it down the ranks...for better or for worse. Gossip tends to be dangerous. Although I suppose that's a part of the job of the DJD. They want people to be scared of them to discourage anyone who deserts the Decepticons." Nines's vents ex-haled wearily, though his stance remained cordial. He considered a few more items in the scrap and reviewed his inventory once more. Nines wasn't someone who was big on complaining, but he did love to think, and express his opinions. it was one of his ways of blowing off steam. 

Nines recalled how long he'd been on break, and frowned at the time. He hadn't wasted his time, but he did need to move on. He'd catch Lightspeed soon enough. 

"As much as I've enjoyed this talk, I need to move. There's some projects that require my attention. Guess this is good-bye for now. Keep your optics sharp and your audios keened." Nines gave loose salute to Lightspeed, a sign of his respect for her, before turning around, heading out. 

"Put the scrap metal on my tab." He called to the vehicon who waited at the register. The mech grunted a nod as Nines trundled away...