Grunt Work (Abyss/open)

[Isaac Fletcher]

February 12th, 2:46 PM
Southern New Mexico, off Highway 25

“Don’t we have grunts to do this kind of thing?” Isaac asked as he pulled a hose from the brick wall, examining it before returning it to its holster.

“Yeah,” his partner replied, not looking up from his smartphone. “You.”

“Ha, ha. You’re a real riot,” Isaac sighed and looked back at their car. Working for MECH was many things: at times it left Isaac tired, or frustrated, or angry, but it was always exciting. Earlier that morning he’d been involved in a squad that had undergone a particularly hair-raising assignment; their mission had been to intercept a suspected terrorist cell before they attacked a US military base in Albuquerque.

Isaac knew that MECH had no interest in becoming an official government-sanctioned entity. They were a company, and they were meant to run like one. However, a little bit of good PR never hurt anybody, and it had been surprisingly satisfying to be working with the US military for once. The mission had been a success, and since the execution, he and his partner had been driving south along I-25. It had been his partner’s brilliant idea to stop and wash the car.

It was warm enough out for it, and Isaac didn’t really mind; MECH had some sweet rides, and it was always nice to give such a kick-ass vehicle a little attention. Besides, his partner (a burly man whose last name was, appropriately enough, Biggs) had tempted Isaac into the task by offhandedly mentioning that he would pay for lunch.

Isaac fed a few coins into the machine built into the side of the wall, and watched as soap suds began to puff out of the end of his brush (which looked more, he thought, like a broom attached to a hose). He hadn’t even had a chance to change out of his uniform. He wondered what any passing motorists might think if they saw.

They’ll think that, underneath these suits, we really are just a pair of ordinary guys, Isaac thought to himself as he got to work, starting on the car’s hood. Ordinary guys who made a decision to make something better of themselves. Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing. He silently scrubbed the bright green muscle car, pausing only when he heard a series of high pitched cheers from Bigg’s smartphone. “Are you playing Angry Birds?”

“It’s a classic.”

“That game’s nearly as old as I am!”

“It’s a classic!”

Isaac shook his head. “No accounting for taste. None at all.”

[The Black Beauty]

An old Chrysler Imperial rolled into the car wash station right next to Isaac and his partner. She had spent a lot of time in the Middle East and had just made her way back to the North American continent. She was getting tired of the hot weather there. All though many states in the United states from coast to coast (particularly farther south) got pretty hot, it was nothing in comparison to what she reckoned with in the Middle East. Definitely not the same in the least. A little humidity was nice for a change, though there certainly wasn't much here in this particular state either. Though, it WAS very nice, she had to give it that.

Abyss didn't think much of the strangers and the nice looking vehicle next to her. The femme didn't care much for humans, and seldom interacted with them if business wasn't involved. She did notice their interesting attire, as it certainly wasn't every day that she saw men in army green suits that was different than the standard issue military gear and such....this was certainly peculiar. Worst yet, Abyss had yet to hear of MECH since she was with neither the Autobots or Decepticons at this point. Thus, she had no reason to be paranoid of them.

Abyss minded her own business. Her slim, well formed holoform emerged from the car. As she walked around washing her insanely dusty alternate mode, her figure in all black leather and knee high boots would likely be seen. Of course she had gone through a car wash or two already since entering the United States, but around here, dust picked up fast. Besides, she liked a refreshing wash. She was a Cybertronian, and water was harmless now and then, especially to get off the dust.

[Isaac Fletcher]

Biggs immediately looked over to the car pulling up in the space next to them. Each car wash cell was separated by a brick wall, so Isaac only got a glimpse of Abyss’s alt mode, while Biggs rather unashamedly leaned to the side to get a better look. It wasn’t every day a car like that showed up.

When Abyss’s holoform exited, Biggs perked up considerably, his attention now drawn to the woman in front of him. Isaac was still rather dutifully washing the car, and when he passed nearby, Biggs elbowed him and nodded towards her. Isaac turned, and stared as well. “Wow,” Biggs muttered under his breath. Isaac nodded slowly in agreement. There was really no other word for it except wow. Abyss was probably used to this sort of reaction by now from human males, and the two uniformed men were really no expectation when a leather-clad and attractive woman was placed before them. Isaac, conscious that he was staring, returned his attention to the car. Biggs slid his cell phone away and trotted over. There was no swagger in his step. If anything, he gave off the same air as a dog approaching his master.

He leaned on the partition separating the two cars and nodded to her. “Hey there.” Abyss was probably used to random human men trying to pick her up by now. She had probably heard every cheesy pickup line in every sleazy tone of voice imaginable. Bigg’s tone was simple and friendly, holding none of the confident insinuation of a man who was out for a hunt. “Nice car! I haven’t seen one of those in a while.”

That wasn’t to say he wasn’t interested in this unusual lady. It just meant he wasn’t going to be a jerk about it.

[The Black Beauty]

"Thank you. Imperials are rather rare, and I happen to like the oldies." The strikingly real holoform didn't so much as flicker when she turned towards the larger man. She smiled appreciatively as her thick British accent was revealed in her response. Clearly, she wasn't from around here one way or another. That might raise their attention a little more, but she certainly wouldn't hide her accent even if it was a potential concern for her. These guys just looked like business men to her, so she had no reason to hide her identity any more than this. "1976. They call this one the Green Hornet." Abyss added, gesturing with a hand towards the symbol of the Green Hornet on the middle of the grill.

Currently, she had obviously just gotten here so she still had to do the basic wash on the vehicle. She wouldn't ask for help, and she went about her business, putting in some coins and letting the hose run, spraying down the thing as best she could with just water first. If they wanted to chat, well, she wouldn't care. But if he tried to get flirty with her, things would go down differently. Abyss had no intention of fighting human males since she wasn't on any sort of mission right now, so playing it low key was easy. Messing with human males could be fun, if she felt like they were worth her time, or if she felt genuinely bored to tears.

[Isaac Fletcher]

The name didn’t mean anything to Biggs--he knew it was some sort of pop culture reference, but he wasn’t sure which. Isaac, on the other hand, did know. As he finished hosing off their car, he carefully wiped his gloved hands down on his pants leg and whipped out his phone. A few quick taps later, and he’d sent a text message.

Biggs jerked when his phone suddenly vibrated, “Oh, sorry, might be the boss--one sec please,” and he stepped back to take a look.

the green hornet was a radio drama. later movies. the car was called the black beauty

Biggs slid his phone back into place, making a mental note to thank Isaac later. “False alarm. So.” He returned his attention to Abyss’s holoform. “The Black Beauty, eh?”

Isaac didn’t see the harm in helping his friend along a little. He and Biggs had been through enough and were close enough not to get bent out of shape about the whole “who gets to talk to the pretty girl” bit. He put his own phone away and looked over their vehicle. It was done, but he’d stay out of dodge for now. He leaned against the brick wall, sliding his phone back into its pocket on his uniform.

“Hey,” Biggs cocked his head, “you want us to take care of that for ya?” He looked to the car, and the dust covering it. “You look like maybe you’ve had a long drive.”

[The Black Beauty]

"Oh I suppose I shouldn't deny the offer, you can help me soap it up. And yes, the Black Beauty." Abby nods affirmatively as she finishes off the quick-wash round, the car now wet and mostly dust free, though she intended to clean it up good and finish it off with wax, which this place hopefully had. "I'm hoping to wax this thing, but I don't know if this wash has any. I've been to so many, I lose track of who has what."

As long as he didn't try to pull anything "funny", Abyss wasn't going to deny such offers, she didn't get them much. Instead, guys would just try to hit on her.

[Isaac Fletcher]

Biggs wasn’t exactly hitting on her. It wasn’t the same as if he was talking to a girl that he knew he had an actual shot with. This was a chance meeting at a car wash somewhere far, far from home. He figured the best he’d get out of this was a smile and a few laughs out of a pretty lady--in other words, maybe a nice memory. “Sure thing! My pal here’ll help you out.” Isaac had not missed that tidbit. He pushed away from the wall and gestured for Biggs to come over. Abyss couldn’t see him from where she was standing, so all she would get out of the exchange was Biggs holding up a single finger. “One moment.”

Isaac crossed his arms. “So you get to chat with the pretty lady while I do the grunt work, huh?” He whispered.

“Don’t think of it like that,” Biggs replied smoothly, throwing an arm around Isaac’s shoulders. “Think of it as… as my hookin’ you up with the Black Beauty.”

Isaac sighed. He wasn’t saying yes, but he hadn’t said no.

“C’mon, it’s a nice care. You like nice cars.” Biggs nudged him.

“You’re lucky,” Isaac growled, “that I like you so much. Fine, fine. I’ll do it.”

“She wants a wax, too.” Isaac tilted his head slightly; his uniform’s mask prevented Biggs from seeing his face, but he was obviously annoyed under there. “Black Beauty, man.”

“You owe me. You so owe me.” With that Isaac flipped a salute and trotted after Biggs. While the larger officer leaned against the wall, he got to work.

“My pal Isaac likes cars,” he nodded towards him. “Gonna be honest, most of what I know about the Green Hornet I know from him. He’s a real movie buff.” Isaac spared a wave to Abyss’s holoform; he was too far away to hear their conversation by now. Biggs held out a hand. “Anthony,” he offered, simply, but in a friendly manner.

Isaac was getting to work on the car. He was being quite careful, since this was not his vehicle, and soaping up Abyss’s true form with careful strokes of the wash’s built-in brush. He wasn’t going to rush this. It was a nice car, and frankly he was a little happy to get such a close look at it… but Biggs still owed him, and big time.

The brush moved smoothly over the Cybertronian’s chassis. Isaac even spared her wheels a scrub. It was tough work for him, but to Abyss, it would feel like a day at the spa.

[The Black Beauty]

While Isaac worked on one side, Abby worked on the other once she got another soap rag to work with, so at least he wouldn't have to do all the work. She'd let the man do the waxing though, since she didn't particularly feel like doing that this time around. She considered giving them her name, but she saw no reason to yet. "May I ask what's with the suits? I take it y'all must be on call for something." Her frame sat quietly, completely unmoving, so it would be difficult to tell that she was actually one of their enemies.

[Isaac Fletcher]

Biggs had assumed that she would let Isaac wash her car and talk to him, but since she was helping along, he figured he might as well get in on the car-washing action. He picked up a hose and waited for Isaac's cue to start rinsing. “Yep. We're technically on the clock, but we're here for a while.” There was no reason to distrust this woman, but it was standard protocol to be friendly but vague with civilians.

“Biggs just likes to feel like a superhero,” Isaac called from the other side of the car.

Biggs contemplated aiming the hose at his partner, but instead focused on Abyss's wheels. “Look who's talking, Mister Green Hornet.” Isaac chuckled at this but concentrated on the vehicle. He didn't think to explain his nickname to Abyss. Instead, he simply went on with his explanation. “We're with MECH.” That was one detail that officers were allowed to be cavalier with. It wasn't as if they were being subtle, uniformed and in-public, and MECH had a pretty good reputation those days. Silas had been careful with what made it to the press, and the press had been generous with praise.

Isaac finished up soaping the last of the car up, having worked his way over to Abyss's holoform's side. He stepped back as Biggs took over, rinsing the vehicle off. The smaller man watched the water sluice the suds of the sleek black vehicle. “You wanna give her a wax, too?” He asked, looking to Abyss's holoform.

[The Black Beauty]

"Yes, I was planning on it. I can do that myself if you must be on your way though." Abyss replied. "MECH...haven't heard much about them." Abyss quickly did some searching on it behind their backs, hoping to find some decent background info on this organization. She wasn't expecting it to be something a Cybertronian should worry about, but the name did raise a red flag in her processor. "May I ask for a little information about MECH?"

[Isaac Fletcher]

Isaac shrugged. “I can give it a go if you want. We’re waiting on a call, really, so worst-case scenario is that we have to leave in the middle.” He waited, though, before he went to work--after all, it was her car, and he wanted to be respectful.. He truly didn’t mind giving her car a good waxing--it was very nice, and it was kind of cool to be so near a car that looked just like the Black Beauty (not that he would admit that to Biggs).

Biggs seemed happy to oblige her. “We’re a PMC. Y’know, private military corp? We just do your standard soldier-for-hire stuff.”[/b] He shrugged, “but lately the US Government’s been workin’ with us, which is really nice. We’re getting a chance to do a lot of good for our country.” [/b]

“We mostly operate in the US,” Isaac chimed in.

“Yeah. I might have a brochure in the car, if you know anyone who’s lookin’ for a job.”[/b] Biggs shrugged.

[The Black Beauty]

"Interesting, I'll take one if you don't mind." the holoform replied with a smile. "Step two underway." she piped up cheerfully, beginning to wax the back of her alternate mode. Her form already looked so much better, she was really glad she had the chance for more car washes. Abyss always liked looking her best. Though her form was so clean, some very faint scar patterns could be seen even on her alternate mode, though they just looked like old grease marks or something. Very few dents were left behind, most of those had evened out over the years of battle and recovery thanks to her tough skin, her nano-repair cells had adapted to the point they healed a bit faster than most Cybertronians because of all the abuse she'd dealt with from the Decepticons when she was a young adult.

[Isaac Fletcher]

Isaac noticed the blemishes, and at first rubbed at one with a gloved finger, thinking perhaps that he had missed a spot, cleaning, but soon saw that it was just damage. He didn’t think there was anything odd about it. He and Biggs double-teamed the car’s hood, waxing away. Both men knew what they were doing, and it was probably quite nice and relaxing for Abyss to have so many doting hands polishing her chassis to a shine.

They then split up, moving to the sides and chatting away. Isaac brought up the Green Hornet, and knew a fair bit about the show’s roots and its transition to film. Eventually Biggs picked up the conversation in relation to the modifications of her car, and both men would happily chat about that, having a tenuous knowledge of the subject. Should Abyss be willing to teach, they were both willing to learn.

They were about halfway done when Bigg’s communicator beeped. “Aw, damn.”[/b] He reached down to read the screen. “Time to move out.” [/b]

“Sorry we didn’t get done, miss,” Isaac replied, straightening.

[The Black Beauty]

"Well, no problem. Thank you for your assistance." Abyss nodded at them curtly, perhaps a bit too dismissively. She had discovered some vital information that was making her more and more paranoid by the second. She was out of touch with how much the Decepticons knew about human organizations of late, but in time, she would find out. Thus she experienced a calling to perhaps consider contacting the factions she avoided for so long. Of course, she would reunite with whoever responded first. Then she would offer her services where ever she might be needed.

The femme watched them leave warily via her true form as her holoform returned her attention to the finishing touches.

((this is a reaaally short thread, but eh...its more or less a encounter thread to tie her into the more recent conflicts.))

[Jetta Windstar]

THREAD COMPLETE!

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((It was a really short introductory thread, so meh xD))[/center]