Be My Escape [Indiana]

[Freelancer Alaska]

((Location: somewhere in a local bar in Colorado // Date: March 10th, 2025 // Time: 11: 00 pm))

Alaska didn't want to cause trouble, so he hoped he could get away with having some time to himself for a while. So far, things were going well. Sort of. But he didn't want to be alone the whole day, or night, rather. Especially not today, considering recent events. Alaska was moping around far more than normal for a tough and burly guy like himself, still thinking through what to do get Oregon back from the Decepticons. Already he was forming very dangerous plans that could knock the Nemesis out of the sky. He was in a small town bar, having hid away his armor where only he would be able to find it.

The Freelancers had to have a life somehow, after all. He had to get out of the suit sometime. It was as if he had to make sure he was still human, or something to that effect.

He had a high alcohol tolerance, so for now, he remained to be the quiet guy near the back of the bar by the bartenders, trying to ignore his emotions by drinking. Alaska rarely drank, so he didn't see the harm in doing something different for a change. Obviously no one was going to scold him for it, and if anyone tried to stand in the way of the Autobot cause or HIS own causes, he would fight as tough as he did in his armor.

The big Alaskan wanted company, and had called Agent Indiana, one of his other female friends from his history with BWC. Alaska was known to have befriended most of the ladies quite well, and had few issues with the males because of his cool-headed and controlled nature. His skills and potential rivaled Maine's easily as well, so with those attributes came some varying levels of respect among the others. This meant oftentimes he could be just as quiet and intimidating as Maine, though in reality he liked to be approachable, even if it was difficult to achieve at times.

<"Indiana, ETA?"> he asked rather suddenly after not speaking for a while earlier in the day. Alaska was short with his question, and that could mean he was not likely interested in relocating.

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Angela Indiana was driving along the highway in her black chevy comaro, suit packed away in a secret compartment within her car. Indiana was on her way to she her good friend Alaska who was at a bar in a small town within Colorado. She was rather excited cause she hadn't seen the guy in quite sometime. She guessed he either needed a drinking buddy, or some company. It wasnt that hard to guess, because he had asked her to go to bars with him before and it was either about those two things. As Angela was driving she heard a familiar voice and smiled when knowing who it was. <"About 10 to 15 minutes. Give or take. You know how I can get lost."> She said over the earpiece comm that was attached to her ear. She been getting better about her directions when it came to state highways and towns. But there were those times where she would get lost. At least she put some effort into it.

[Freelancer Alaska]

<"Glad to hear it, see you then."> Alaska replied simply, deciding he can easily kill another few minutes doing more people watching. He'd been here for about an hour, with his back turned away mostly after having a few drinks and taking his time with them, experimenting on different types (not just the beers or wine). And he seemed to do it with little regard for his financial well-being. After all, much like some of the others that had moved on, it wasn't like he had money to save for anything other than gas or weapons, so he had a good bit of it saved up for these kinds of outings.

Once Angela - Indiana arrived, Alaska would reemphasize just how glad he was that most of the radios still worked. It was just his luck that Oregon's radio had yet to work, that or Zeta was blocking it out of her innate tendency to act on instinct. He didn't trust most of the AIs as it was, and it was part of why he never signed up to get one.

His back would probably be turned from the entrance in the far back of the room, but given previous outings, he knew she would know where to look.

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Angela had facepalmed herself and realizing that she forgot to ask him the one question that had been bugging her. But knowing Alaska, he probably picked a bar that wasnt crowded. She remembered from the first time they went to drink, that it was pretty crowded and she almost ran out of the building and stayed outside where there was more room. She hated her weakness at being claustrophobic. But Indiana had had that weakness since she was little and had no luck at over coming it except for distractions. Then she was as happy as could be and forgot all about it. However there was not time in thinking about it. She had some where to be and didnt want to keep her friend waiting.

Indiana had soon arrived at the bar within the time span that she estimated. Parking her comaro near the front of the bar. She turned off the car, put her wallet and keyes within her jacket pocket and got out of the car. Angela was glad she dressed to fit the chilly weather, for she wore, dark brown tank top that show a little of her stomach, black leather jacket. Black skinny jeans with a robotic looking snake acting as her belt and her favorite black boots that she took on her expeditions around the world when not on her missions as a freelancer.

Indi walked into the the bar and felt she knew by instinct on where Alaska would be. She walked toward the back of the bar near the bartenders. This wasn't new to her either and sat at an empty chair where Alaska was. Noticing him starting the drinking without her. She smile and relaxes in the chair, crossing her leg of the other. Her arm resting on the back of the chair. "I see you started the party without me, Vincent. Should I have been here sooner?" Angela asked as she applied a short, small laugh after asking. She had a little knack for joking around, but only around the Freelancers she knew well enough and/or friends with. It was her way of keeping things within the happy level of things.

[Freelancer Alaska]

Alaska smiled before taking another sip of his magarita, glancing over at Angela. Her being one of his closest friends, he had no issues calling her Angela. "Good timing, I ordered you a Shaker a bit ago. I'm buying." Just moments after saying this, one of the bar tenders. Alaska found liked the Shakers in his early years of experimentation, and most women did too. They along with Magarita mixes and such were always good to have if you wanted extra flavor and less of that bitter alcohol taste or the thick taste of wheat in some beers. The particular Shaker Angela was handed had the following contents: ABSOLUT Vodka, Malibu Rum, fresh-squeezed lemon, house-made agave sour, mango purée. There were other variations of course, but he figured it was a good drink he was positive she would like.

The shaker itself had the lemon and alcohol, while the glass actually consumed from had the remaining contents. The desired amount could be poured whenever one wanted more, and the shaker container contained about two servings worth.

"God, I can't believe things shot up to hell so quickly. I'm glad you're here. Need a little piece of reality to restore my sanity." Vince added honestly after yet another sip.

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Angela smiled as Vince told her about him buy her a drink. She wanted to pay for some of it but she didnt want to say no to his generous offer. "Thanks. Next time i'm buying." Indiana said as she saw the bartender bring the drink over. She took it and said thanks, then taking a sip. This was an interesting drink. One she hadn't really tasted before. "This is interesting. i like it. So What happen. Care to talk about it?" Angela asked Alaska. She knew a method of venting it out was to talk about it to someone you could trust and could understand.

Angela took another drink of the shaker that Alaska bought her. And as she did, something slithered up Alaska's leg and onto his lap.

[Freelancer Alaska]

Vincent sighed, stirring the Magarita idly as he began to explain what happened. He tensed ever so slightly when he felt something on his leg, then realized what it was and relaxed quicker than most probably would. He didn't even look down, he just rested a hand on his leg - palm facing up, allowing Arete to crawl up it if desired.

"Well, I finally found Oregon the other day. Let's just say that, it didn't go well...apparently her communications have been severely damaged n wigged out since the escape. Possibly Zeta's doing, not sure. But here's the kicker...the Decepticons found her before me. And now she apparently befriended this flying drone who thinks of himself as her 'guardian', and accuses me of losing her. Oregon kept talking in the context that we WERE friends, making it sound like she and this drone Windshear were best friends and I was ultimately just a part of her past. I knew she was bullshitting, but I don't think she has any idea just how mad I was even though it was damned obvious. After all, most of us are pretty calm and cool headed even under the worst circumstances. But this is Oregon we're talking about, I couldn't contain it.

I just exploded. Gave her the double bird and flew off." he took a long sip before glancing over at her. "I found the rest of my team though not long before that. Since then, it was a bonus I found you and met some of the other Freelancers, seems most of us are all doing okay. The big problem though is this: The Decepticons won't let Oregon leave quietly, they'll kill Windshear if she does. She claims she'd rather work for them than be a part of Team C again, but I know she's lying. I know her too well to fall for her mind games. She made me leave, but I knew I wasn't going to get her to follow me yesterday anyway.

Now I have to A: figure out if its worth taking her back, B: find people to help, and C: depending on how all that pans out, and if I live, if I should distance my self from her...We're close and I care for her deeply, but repeatedly she has stressed me out, pushing me away when I try to help. Even if I can rescue her, I fear she will never see me more than a friend. I don't think she wants to settle into a relationship, but I could be wrong. I care about Team C as a whole, but..." Alaska knew how he felt about Oregon and Indiana, and to sum it up, he was severely confused and infatuated with one, possibly in love and most definitely cared for, and the other, he had lasting trust in and cared for, if not confided in often, trusting her with a vast majority of his secrets and concerns. The latter seemed mutual, but with Oregon, he could NEVER tell, and at times that frustrated him considerably (even though he avoided showing it with his gruff appearance and bearing)...

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Arete took no hesitation when it came to his creator's offer to slither up Alaska's arm. He missed his creator and gave him the same respect like his master, Indiana. Once he slithered up Alaska's arm, he settled across his shoulders and kinda let himself hang. Arete loved doing that. Arete even listened to Alaska explain, or rant about why he felt mopey. Arete nuzzled his cheek for comfort, for that was all he could do to show he cared and that things would be alright.

Angela listened to Alaska's rant and thought about all this. It was strange. She knew Oregon well enough that she wouldnt shove Alaska away like that. Alaska had every right to be frustrated and try to get her back. She was even willing to help. Indiana knew about the Cybertronians and the factions. She had heard from people as she was traveling, gathering intel as she traveled. The Decepticons didnt sound like the kind to make friends with. And For Oregon to make friends with one was something that should go into a new record book.

However Angela had a sense of what he was feeling and the effects of it. Indiana took a sip of her drink and seemed to be somewhat in thought. "It is odd for Oregon to do that. I can help. I mean, though I dont know her like you do, and you care alot about her. I wish to help out. Maybe if she saw how much we are risking, she may come to her senses. Though I know that sounds crazy. It's worth a shot, right?" Indi asked. She knew that last part was crazy. But this was her friend pretty much asking for help. She couldnt say no. He had done so much for her. Become her friend, teaching her new things, going to bars on occasion, and talking about each other frustrations and maybe even some secrets no one else knew. This was the least she could do for not just Vincent, but even Oregon.

[Freelancer Alaska]

Alaska nodded, glancing over at Arete before lifting up the same hand he'd gestured with to pet the back of his head, doing so in a way that he hoped wouldn't startle him. He too missed Arete, having recognized the shimmer of the metallic snake on Angela's waist when she approached him, glad to see the AI snake was still doing well. "Indeed, and your help is appreciated. I'm hoping Team C will help too. I have a feeling this will be a very reckless operation, because I don't even know where their ship is to begin with. I'm still thinking through the logistics of how it should go down once I do find it, and just how many people I'll need to pull it off. I know the Autobots will have to at least be on standby for assistance.

I'm trying to stop thinking about it for now, which was why I wanted to be here, but it's hard to avoid when I want to catch up. I hope that maybe you would like to see where our new base of operations is now after we're done here and have a chance to chill? I know we could use your -- expertise. It's a great place and the Autobots are among the most trustworthy beings you'll ever meet -- unless you've met them already. I know some people have heard of them, but many don't know them. Several of us are just beginning to scratch the surface." Alaska had to be a little bit careful with his wording since they were in public, but it wasn't going to keep him from talking about this completely as long as he kept his voice down and didn't raise anyone else's attention.

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Arete wasn't startled by his creator's hand that was petting him. He rather enjoyed it. Indiana nodded as she uncrossed her legs and her arm that was resting on the back of the chair was resting on the table. "I'm sure we'll find it. I have still been up to date with the last software. So any news about a large ship in the sky by citizens, im sure i can find. But Arete likes to have fun from time to time and wants to go slightly deeper into the rabbit hole then I wish to go. But finds some interesting things." Angela said with a smile.

When Vincent hears about him talking about a new base of operations and the autobots, she was interesting in this already. "That would be nice. I am free of any expeditions since last week. But I have heard of them while on my travels, however I havent met them. It would be nice to see what they are like." Indiana replied with a smile. She kept her voice low as well. She took a long sip of her drink and then thought about some of her travels. "I still wish you would've came with me to South America and parts of Africa. Some of the things I saw there were amazing. Even in China. Even Arete had fun." Indiana said excitedly but remember to control her volume. She had remembered when they had escaped and Angela asking Vincent to come along on the expeditions she had planned out. She understood his reasoning that day went to do her own thing. She had no grudges against him. But she wanted to tease him about it somehow.

[Freelancer Alaska]

"Sorry. Finding Team C was a priority. I wanted to make sure they were okay n all. But now that we're all together, maybe sometime we can take a vacation. I could certainly use one soon." Alaska replied. He remembered how she had wanted to travel as soon as they broke free of BWC's clutches, it was good to stay mobile too. Had he not been so intent on reuniting with Team C, he might have gone with her with no second thoughts. "At least it didn't take too long. People can only get so far I guess."

He took another sip of his Magarita, savoring it. "At least I got time to figure this out and talk to folks at the base. There is no real hurry since I know Oregon can take care of herself and I want to make sure this is done right so her 'so called best friend'," he groaned and smacked his forehead as he emphasized those words. "Isn't jeopardized in the process. I don't want her doing something reckless while trying to protect him."

[Agent Angela Indiana]

Indiana nodded in understanding to that situation. She would have done the same in his position. Teammates do come first before oneself. She learned that from the battle field many times. She wasn't cold-hearted then either and always had that sense to help one out, though they probably thought they didnt need it. "It's quite alright. I understood and let you go find them. And by the sound what has been going on, you do deserve one." Angela said with a small laugh.

"We all know she can handle herself and it doesn't hurt to worry. I was worried about you guys. I always wondered who had found whom and what parties I would be missing. All we need to do is take some time to research, track and think of a well devised plans. Then Boom! But that's normally easier said than done." She said with a small shrug of her shoulders and a another sip of her drink as the gears turned in her head. Indi knew she wouldnt really be on the front lines. That wasn't much of her expertise. She was the sneaky kind. "I know I won't necessarily be on the front lines. But maybe we can try to gather more than just Oregon and her friend." Indiana thought about out loud. That was intentional too. Maybe get info, plans, such of that nature.

Arete looked at his master and hissed happily. That was something Arete loved. Information gathering was his favorite. But getting into a 'con software and hardware would be a good challenge for the A.I metallic snake.

[Freelancer Alaska]

"That is certainly an option. May as well go for it if I'm going to succeed in knocking it out of the sky and everyone will be keeping the Decepticons busy." Alaska replied. "I know the Autobots always need more Decepticon intel, as it's hard to get since they're so mobile and can rarely snatch a Decepticon with relevant, good information." He was glad that Indiana wanted to help, and hew as even more glad that he wouldn't be short of her company any time soon.

In fact, Vince needed the company more than ever. He also found himself trying to lean on Angela as more than a comrade and close friend, but his practical side was trying to keep himself from doing so in order to avoid getting burned from someone else. Vince had honestly too infatuated with Oregon to consider asking her how she felt about him as well as consider his own feelings for her -- at least until today.

[Agent Angela Indiana]

"I won't let you down. I'll pull it off one way or another, you know that Vincent." Angela said as she tried to reassure him. She wasnt saying that she would even die trying. Information from the 'cons probably wasnt a to die for so if it was way too risky, she was going to pull back and either find a plan B or just tell Alaska the situation. He normally understood and let her pull back if she could from what she remembered.

Angela rotated her wrist in a cock-wise circle as if stirring it a little and took another drink. Then set it down. Folding her arms onto the table and rested her chin on her arms while looking at Alaska. She was having some thoughts roaming through her head. Angela had been thinking of the previous relations and friendships, trying to remember her comrades, friends, and close friends. Only remembering having only two close friends, Alaska and Arete. And what may have been her team, or at least what remains, as well as the other Freelancers she knew from the program and knew well enough.

But recently when Indiana had been feeling that she wanted to see Alaska more than anything. She thought it was because she was missing him and he was a close friend. But something in her mind said something different. However Indiana knew that she had to stop thinking that way. Alaska had someone he liked and she had to respect that. That was what Close friends did and she wasnt going to ruin their friendship like that.

[Freelancer Alaska]

"Well in the wise words of Tony Stark - don't think, drink! We can work out the kinks later." Alaska replied with a smile before taking another drink and patting Indiana on the shoulder.

Alaska knew he would have to get more drinks soon, and he was certainly not calling it quits yet. He was feeling a little better, but he still had various thoughts on his mind: for one, just how pissed off he was at Oregon, yet he was still convinced he was going to save her and ensure Windshear didn't die. Second, the fact that Indiana was here, and that she had helped him up where he fell and everything seemed to go astray around him.

Alaska had decided he was tired of going at life alone. He wanted a companion, a partner, someone he could count on. Quite frankly, it never left his mind as to how much Oregon had hurt him, the thoughts repeated themselves like a broken record. Perhaps Indiana was the only one left that could relieve him from the hurt he felt.