COSMIC RUST
Logged by: Soundwave
The Decepticon shuttle soars through space, carrying
with it a group of Decepticons on an exploration
mission. The mission's navigator is none other than
Harrier, earstwhile Duke of Valckasta, who has found
a strange, ancient map during his exploration of his
newly inherited estate. The map seems to suggest an
ancient weapon is housed on a planet in a far distant
galaxy...
Decepticon Shuttle(#1334aen)
A brand-new Decepticon shuttleship, with a purple
emblem boldly emblazoned on its hull.
Contents:
OOC Camera(#204n)
Harrier(#1224PenAc)
Gryphus(#1182PeAcx)
Rumble(#196PenrAc)
Ruse(#573PenACc)
Blood Raven(#1531PenAc)
Nightbird(#291PWenrAMc)
CatsCradle(#530PenACc)
Tempest(#403PenrAc)
Blood Raven sees Nightbird and watches her, this must
be her first time in space?
Harrier leans over Soundwave's shoulder and points
out something on the map, gesturing out towards
space. In the distance, an asteroid field becomes
visible.
Soundwave nods to Harrier, checking the course
heading, and noting the gravity fluctuations that are
guiding the asteroids in such an unusual course.
Harrier looks over his shoulder at Megatron, as if
seeking approval for his navigation work so far. The
asteriod field is coming closer. "I'm afraid we're
going to have to go through it," he says.
Gryphus keeps working along.. rathe oblivious to all
else.
The shuttle glides soundlessly through space. The
most unusual thing about this sector is the high
number of asteroids it contains. Be careful how you
fly your ship, or you may hit one, or be hit by one,
as many of them are very fast-moving, due perhaps to
the unusual gravitational influences in this region.
The planetoids range in dimension from moon-sized to
grains of sand, and may be the remnants of one of the
worlds in the nearest solar system, that broke apart
due to unknown causes. One of the remaining large
worlds in the system is encircled by an asteroid ring
which has resumed a somewhat stable orbit around the
gravity source of the planet.
Tempest frowns and moves over, saying, "Let me see
that map." She snatches it out of Harrier's hands and
studies it.
CatsCradle pulls out a reader after a while and scans
through the day's media reports from earth, leaning
her head against the cool metal of the bulkhead as
she reads.
Nightbird gazes out the window, her optics glowing
with interest.
Blood Raven says, "Lady Nightbird if i may ask, how
are you feeling? i trust Commander Soundwave was able
to heal you of your wounds?"
Soundwave notes a sensor glitch on one of his
screens, and double-checks. "Interesting," he muses
more to himself than to those nearby.
Ruse stands up in her seat and grips the back of
Catscradles for support as she looks over it to the
monitor, "... well atleast it wont be as bad as a
meteor shower..."
Nightbird nods to Blood Raven. "I have fully
recovered, yes."
Blood Raven smiles at her "that is a relief. is this
your first time out in space?"
Tempest pulls out a map of her own, lays it down
beside Harrier's map, and starts cross-referencing,
cursing about converting Sirian measurements to
Cybertronian, while Harrier watches with concern.
Soundwave touches a few controls and zooms in on a
sector of space among the asteroids. Magnification
doubles, and the metallic object in the screen
becomes clear as a ship of some sort.
CatsCradle glances up at the feel of Ruse holding on
to her chair and looks at the monitor, her optics
narrowing slightly as she studies it. "Soundwave,
whenever you say something is interesting, I can't
help but get a little nervous..."
Rumble asks, "Hey, what's that?" and points to the
ship ahead.
On the screen is a magnified view of a bulky ship
towing several external fuel storage tanks along
behind it - all of them broken and empty of contents,
as well as having one larger one making up the bulk
of the vessel in its body. It seems quite old, the
skin pocketed with craters and dents, large holes in
the side, although the main fuel tank seems
unscathed. It floats through deep space without
control.
Ruse says, "Looks like salvage..."
Tempest glances up at the ship ahead, seeming uneasy
about something. "Abandoned scrap." Her optics
narrow. "Or an ambush."
Gryphus continues reading and typing on her datapad
til someone tells her its time ffor action.
CatsCradle leans forward, pointing. "That fuel tank
looks intact."
Megatron says, "Do we have any information about that
ship? Type? Origin?"
Blood Raven deciedes it is best to leave Lady
Nightbird to her thoughts and figures it would be
best ot join the others something is going on
Soundwave nods to CatsCradle. "I detect the same.
Species of origin is unknown. Cross-referencing
databanks."
Nightbird studies the screen carefully, but able to
offer little input. Space is totally new to her.
Blood Raven says, "i say syphon the fuel and move on"
Gryphus looks up a moment, noting the ship. "Hmm.. we
are there?" she asks.
Tempest nods to Blood Raven and favours the newcomer
with a smile. They agree on this...
CatsCradle lifts one shoulder in an abbreviated
shrug. "If we currently have enough fuel, I'd say
leave it. Let's not take the risk of ambush or
attack."
Ruse looks down at Cats, then to Soundwave, "Can you
detect any energy immisions from this ship or is it
totaly dead?"
Blood Raven smiles honoured that her 'hero' should
agree with her on this
You say, "Species designation, Elianeish. Formerly a
minor empire in the Delta Quadrant, today reduced to
scattered outposts. This is an older design, no
longer in use."
You say, "No energy readings from the vessel."
Gryphus ahs.. "The Elianeish..."
Blood Raven says, "we aren't there yet Gryphus but we
have discovered a ship"
Harrier grins. "Good fuel they have..."
Megatron says, "Tempest, what is your opinion, do you
think it is an ambush?"
Soundwave looks to Gryphus. "My records indicate no
further details. You are familiar with the species?"
Ruse ...
Gryphus smiles at him. "I'm familar with many alien
species Soundwave."
CatsCradle sighs. "That wasn't what he asked, Gry, Do
you know this one?"
You say, "Did they have a tendency to lay traps on
abandoned vessels?""
Blood Raven nods at Gryphus, she would be the best
one for the job...
Tempest shakes her head. "No. It's other raiders I'm
worrieed about."
Gryphus saves the work on her datapad. "Yes I do know
some about them." she pauses. "let me think.."
Blood Raven watching Harrier careful she wonders who
he is?
Blood Raven says, "sir I am not aware of your name,
may i ask who are you? and why have i not met you
earlier"
Harrier turns his attention away from Tempest's
appropriation of his map and favours the femme with a
roguish smile. "My apologies...Duke Harrier at your
service," and he delivers a flourishing bow.
Megatron says, "Well, then let's get the fuel aboard.
In these regions of the galaxy you can never have
enough extra fuel."
Ruse says, "I don't think others would use the ship
Tempest... its not attractive enough as bait and its
in the middle of nowhere figurativly speaking. Not
good for those wishing people to be lured in."
Gryphus looks up. "No they didn't booby trap their
vessels.. but that ship design was made in such a way
if you cut out the tanks they would self destruct.
I'd advise towing it whole if we want the fuel within
them."
Megatron says, "Harrier, watch for energy patterns
that could belong to Enforcer ships. I do not need an
encounter with them."
CatsCradle chews on her lip thoughtfully. "It's doing
a good job of luring /us/ in," she points out.
Tempest mumbles, "The middle of nowhere..." There's
something about that line that 's really grating on
her...what is wrong here? She returns her attention
to the maps, frowning....
Colossus has arrived.
Blood Raven bows in return "Duke? of what? who are
you? and there is no need to bow to me i am not of
rank?"
Nightbird ventures a question. "Soundwave, could that
ship have survived here for long amid the moving
rocks?"
Harrier does as ordered. "I don't see anything
unusual," he says, and then looks back at Blood
Raven, though he continues to monitor the sensors.
"Duke...hopefully of Valckasta, the ancient
Cybertronian center of culture, and of Kilair," he
odds, almost as an afterthought. "And...I always bow
to a lovely lady."
CatsCradle chuckles softly to Tempest. "He is a
charmer, isn't he?"
Gryphus gets up to see the ship on a screen. "Hmm..
do you detect escpae pods on oard that vesel.. I
think they may of abadoned ship."
Blood Raven looks away at that remark she is
embaressed at his politness
You say, "Apparently it has, Nightbird. It is not the
object of our mission, but it would seem to be a
fortunate find." He looks back toward Megatron. "I
can affix a tractor beam to it easily, Commander.""
Blood Raven says, "good to meet you....Duke
Harrier...."
Colossus is first seen stomping up from the back of
the shuttle. He growls slightly, looking out of the
shuttle to see what the turbulance cause is. "Why is
it..." he starts, "that we have such horrible luck
with rocks."
Megatron says, "Then do it, Soundwave. And hurry!"
Tempest shoots a dirty glance at Harrier and mutters,
loud enough for CatsCradle to hear, "He's probably
picked up a few computer viruses..." and not
elaborating any more.
Soundwave's fingers dart over his control panel, and
a faint shimmer becomes visible on screen, stretching
between the Decepticon shuttle and the ship on
screen. As the tractor beam attaches and draws the
abandoned vessel in, one of the asteroids in the
region tumbles toward where the ship had been
earlier. By being drawn toward the Decepticon
shuttle, it has for the moment escaped further
damage.
Gryphus observes the ship... relatively shure ther's
a few pods missing.. that the ship is abondoned... or
may jsut have bodies.
CatsCradle shudders slightly. "Oh, Temp..." she
murmurs with a pained expression. "Please don't
mention viruses...."
You say, "I will be interested to examine it more
closely when we return it to Earth." He seems content
to leave it at that, having secured the vessel for
the ride."
Tempest tilts her head. "Why not, Cats?"
CatsCradle says, "the last one came complete with a
world full of zombies."
Venturing past the asteroids, a large orange, yellow,
and red planet comes into view. Its most striking
feature is a large red Autobot symbol covering a
considerable portion of one face of the planet. It's
difficult to imagine the kind of engineering involved
in marking an entire planet, or what would lead any
group to attempt it, but the symbol is there and
visible through the wisps of cloudcover.
Obvious exits:
<Down> leads to Abandoned Autobot City.
<Up> leads to Asteroid System.
Considerable turbulence can be felt as the Decepticon
shuttle moves forward.
Ruse looks down at Cats, "Don't remind me..." She
trys not to gag remembering that energy leech sliding
down her throat... ugh.
Soundwave is aware of the positions of the others on
the ship by their voices and movements, but keeps his
attention to his task even as their visitor from
Cybertron, Colossus, stomps into the front section of
the ship.
Tempest says to Cats, "Charming...I'm glad I missed
it." She cross references between the maps and then
it clicks...she takes a swat at Harrier and says in
an ironically Megatron-like voice, "Harrier, you
idiot, you've led us into a forbidden sector!"
Gryphus finds her seat again and goes back to her
datapad work.
Ruse looks to Tempest her optics dimming as she grips
the back of Catscradles seat tighter to deal with the
turbulance, "Forbidden sector?"
Colossus watches the shuttle decend, impassively.
Arms crossed over his chest as he merely waits. The
large form looks down imperiously on the smaller,
chattering Decepticons with slight discontent. So
much noise. At least no one is asking 'are we there
yet?'
Tempest says to Soundwave, "Turn this ship around and
get us the hell out of here," as if /she/ were the
one in command. She spins on her heel and almost
bumps right into Megatron....
Megatron stares at the monitor. Autobots? In this
part of the galaxy?
[OOC] Ruse says, "Are we there yet? *innocent
look.*"
Harrier looks at his map, crestfallen, and says to
Ruse, "An area where anyone with half a mind avoids.
Rumour goes around the Spaceways of those bad areas
that are to be avoided."
Blood Raven recoils in disgust. Autobot territory?!
Megatron is suddenly confronted with Tempest.
"Caution.
Nightbird's optics glitter at the sight of an entire
planet marked with the symbol of the enemy, and she
looks to Megatron to see what he'll do.
Soundwave makes no move to chage the course of the
ship, and awaits Megatron's further orders.
Tempest's expression falls instantly, as if she only
now remembers where she is and who she's with.
Gryphus hmms... mumbling something abou t research..
autombot plantes.. forbidden secotrs..
CatsCradle nods thoughtfully. "I think leaving might
be a really good idea."
Colossus stares at Tempest darkly as she offends Lord
Megatron's physical form. Once again, he growls, but
mostly of lack of conversation he desires to engage
in.
Tempest looks up hopefully at Megatron.
Soundwave checks for any energy readings from the
planet below.
Gryphus taps into her datapad, trying to find that
pesky file.. Autobot.. Planet.. ah there it is.
Rumble suddenly speaks up, "Soundwave, watch out for
the asteroids!" They're in constant motion, it seems.
Megatron says, "Scan the planet, Soundwave. If this
is really an Autobot outpost, I need every
information about it I can get."
Tempest says, almost pleadingly and with a tone of
urgency in her voice, "Megatron, we've got to get out
of here, this is a forbidden sector!"
Soundwave looks up from his scanners and shifts the
ship hard to the right, jetting forward with a burst
of thrusters.
An asteroid narrowly misses the shuttle....
Colossus growls again at the mention of Autobots.
Well, certainly got the anger part down at least. His
attention drifts windowards, trying to get visual
contact on the Accursed.
Gryphus Mutters. "Fascinating..." but otherwise is
still reading over the file for anything of
importance.. like if that planet is still occupied!
Ruse gahs and hangs on to Cats seat at the sudden
shuttle movement, "Wildrider would have loved this
trip."
Soundwave goes back to checking the shuttle's
sensors, though keeps a careful watch on the nearest
orbiting asteroids. "Detecting no obvious signs of
civilization. That is, the normal energy readings
that accompany a technologically advanced outpost are
missing."
Blood Raven gasps "thats is way too close!
Megatron says, "Tempest, it is necessary to explore
this. I do not want an unexpected action take place
toward the empire from this part of space."
Gryphus Hmm.. that's.. odd.
Gryphus looks up from her datapad.
Ruse looks to Rumble after she regains her balance,
"Good optics..." She then looks to Tempest and adds
hearing Megatron explain why they are going on,
"Besides we don't run from myths and rumors."
CatsCradle settles deeper in her seat, sinking her
claws into the armrests for more security against teh
shuttle's movements.
Tempest kind of cringes back, knowing better than to
argue with MEgatron, and looking worriedly at the
planet below.
Blood Raven then realizes that Colossus is with them!
surpriced and cursing herself for not being more
observent she turns to Colossus and bows to him "My
Lord it is an honour to have you amoung us"
Gryphus says, "I concur with the sensor findings.
There are not uatobots on this planet for.. reasons
I'm not getting off my research files.""
You say, "There is, however, a city detectable from
orbit. I can set the ship down near its center,
Megatron."
Harrier seems to find something exciting about being
in a forbidden sector, as Tempest avoided them like
the plague--little does he know the irony in his
thought. He looks forward with exhileration towards
the planet.
Megatron looks at soundwave. "They may deceiving our
sensors. However, try to go down outside a
settlement. Send an disturbing signal to cover our
own energy pattern.
CatsCradle's nose is against teh window again. "If
it's not inhabited... then why isn't it?"
Tempest's optics flash and she says, "Forbidden
sectors are usually forbidden for a reason."
Megatron says, "Superstition, Tempest."
Gryphus gives a shrug, "Sometimes even researches hid
things from each other..
Blood Raven turns back to the main group she looks
concerned. "that can't be a good sign if its not
inhabited and forbiddin,
Nightbird wonders, "Forbidden by whom?"
Blood Raven says, "good question, its not like the
Autobots to abandon one of their outposts?"
Colossus looks towards Blood Raven, then jerks a
thumb towards Megatron, "You honour me with proper
respect towards Lord Megatron. Not with mere words."
Then he turns and salutes Megatron properly, "Lord,
permission to lead a team to find out if the Accursed
truely live still. If they do, they will not for
long..."
Gryphus taps at her datapad some more. "Oh there is a
reason.. just can't make this file come up.. darn
encryption.."
Tempest's lip curls, she knows better than to argue
with him but her worried expression proves that she
doesn't like it.
Soundwave listens without comment to the discussion
behind him, and moves the ship downward into the
atmosphere. For a few moments it's a smooth ride, and
then the planet's atmosphere causes slight turbulence
as Soundwave brings the shuttle down toward the edge
of the city, growing more and more visible on the
screen.
Ruse looks down at Cats and jokes, "Maybe the bots
just couldn't hack it on an alien world without
aliens to help them survive?"
CatsCradle sighs softly. "That would be too easy,
Ruse."
Blood Raven looks at Colossus and nods her loyalty is
her honour.
The shuttle touches down gently on a clear stretch of
pavement.
Megatron says, "/If/ it is really abandoned, we will
find out. If not, Colossus, you will have your share
of the prey."
Tempest says, "Megatron, can I stay with the
shuttle?"
Gryphus Looks up. "I can try to decrypt the file..
but it will take time and I'm sure you'd like me to
dedicate this pad's reseoursces to other things."
Blood Raven removes her Stardagger from its hilt and
prepares to follow Megatron
Colossus bows to Megatron then takes a position
nearby, staring at anything Autobot related.
Megatron nods to Tempest. "Someone has to guard it
anyway. "
Tempest says, "It'll be ready to launch when you all
come running back with something horrible chasing
you."
Ruse looks to Tempest, then hops out of the seat she
was in and draws her rifle. She can't wait to find
out whats outside the shuttle door!
Gryphus taps at her pad some more, trying to bring up
the name and information on the city they are landing
near.
Nightbird takes one of her energy swords from her
backpack, ready for whatever waits.
Soundwave is actually very interested to get a first-
hand look at this place. He glances at Tempest and
Harrier, a flicker of curiousity passing through his
optic band, but then readies himself to accompany the
exploration team.
Colossus seems ready and willing to go into the
autobot base. Likely, to tear it down and smash it to
little bits.
Rumble has left.
Megatron says, "Keep the shuttle ready, Tempest."
Megatron has left.
Ruse walks to the shuttle door and leaves after
Megatron.
Ruse has left.
Tempest nods, her expression saying "you'll be sorry"
CatsCradle gives Tempest a mirroring expression and
follows the others
Harrier has left.
Nightbird has left.
Gryphus has left.
Abandoned Autobot City
Near the center of the continental-scale Autobot
symbol, between the walls of a canyon of sculptured
orange stone, is a large city. The architecture is
Cybertronian, of a distinct Autobot style, and quite
old, the buildings rising to the sky in unique
puzzle-shape designs. The city is overgrown with
vines and there are signs that organic animals have
made homes in some of the buildings. Perhaps the
oddest thing is the complete lack of any signs of
damage - no soot from a fire, no defacement or laser
scorches from attackers, no rubble from an
earthquake. A few buildings have fallen into
disrepair from their sheer age, but otherwise the
city is intact. It is as if the inhabitants simply up
and left long ago, never to return.
Gryphus [Hippogriff]
Nightbird [Robot]
Harrier [Jump-Jet]
Ruse [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Decepticon Shuttle
Obelisk
Obvious exits:
<North> leads to Autobot Fortress.
<Up> leads to Antilla.
CatsCradle has arrived.
Harrier pulls out his map. "Supposedly the good stuff
is north."
Gryphus mumbles something about rushing into things
before you know what you are rushing into as she
types at her datapad.
Megatron walks out of the Shuttle, looking around
curiously.
Colossus has arrived.
Blood Raven has arrived.
Rumble catches sight of the obelisk. He looks around,
the whole place is silent. "Looks like a ghost planet
to me."
Obelisk:
A stone edifice with four sides, rising in a
narrowing rectangular column and converging to a
sharp point at the top. It is engraved with writing,
but unless you can read Ancient Autobot, the symbols
are indecipherable. Nearby is a control panel that
appears to be some kind of ancient communications
device.
Ruse slinks up behind Rumble and makes a spooky
sound.. it was just to good a cue to pass up.
CatsCradle peers around. "S'long's it isn't a zombie
planet."
Gryphus hmms and peers at a large obelisk not far
off...
Harrier finally looks up from his map and stares
around with a bewildered expression. "Kilair doesn't
look like this. This place is...too intact." He looks
over his shoulder at the shuttle.
Colossus stomps his way out, grasping his sword and
cannon. He moves in front of the group, first chance
he gets, to attack any Accursed left alive.
Nightbird says, "If this is a trap, it seems
needlessly elaborate."
Rumble jumps! "Gah, Ruse, you're gonna give me the
surges!"
Harrier shakes off any concern about maybe he
/should/ have stayed in the shuttle...Decepticons are
brave explorers! He heads northward, towards the
obelisk. "Tally ho, eh what?"
Megatron slowly walks toward the city that seems to
be deserted. "It is not like the Autobots to leave a
whole city to decay..."
Ruse grins at Rumble then nods to Nightbird, "The
plant growth alone must have taken ages.."
Soundwave regards the style of the buildings with
interest. Clearly recognizable as Cybertronian
architecture, but from a different era.
Gryphus Moves to look at the script on the obelisk..
"Fascinationg.." she mutters.. she sacans over it..
hmm she shoul dof burshed up on her ancient
Autobot...
Rumble looks at Gryphus. "What's it say?"
CatsCradle starts to mutter something about her
original question being /why/ it was inhabited... but
something about the surroundings just makes her want
to stay silent. She follows the others, but drifting
from one shadow to the next in her caution.
Blood Raven says, "My mentor spoke of this to me once
of an abandoned city it was a legend of course, but
then again Soul Dancers were legand too"
Gryphus says, "DOka...dunanni.. braka.. en... *puases
at Rumbles query* A transmisster I think. Its about
two generations back at least. I may be able tos ee
if it works still.""
Soundwave's optic band shades slightly brighter in a
smile at Blood Raven's words. "Consider how many
colonies of Cybertronians left their homeworld, and
what they might have encountered, and you begin to
see how some of their expriences have been transmuted
into legends."
Blood Raven watches Gryphus with interest, she
admires her skills to decipher this ancient tongue
Gryphus taps into her datapad to see if there might
be a translater for this script.
Soundwave steps over toward the obelisk and watches
Gryphus' study.
A light shimmers from the top of the obelisk and an
image appears...an Autobot figure, stooped in pain,
covered in some odd substance. It speaks....
Megatron says, "Caution, Gryphus, it could be a booby
trap!"
Nightbird is mostly out of her area of expertise
here, so she just stays ready and alert, watching for
signs of trouble.
Gryphus looks at. "Ah.. of course!" S reaches for a
dial. "Its no trap I assure you my lord."
Megatron does a step back as the holorgram appears.
Blood Raven smile back at him "good point. well
hopefully this "legend" has a good ending"
Gryphus truns the dial of course.. which made tha
holo appear?
"If Cybertron be your home, far away never roam! A
warning to those who are here, Danger comes! The end
is near! Just like us you soon shall
rust...all..shall...be thurned....to dust." And the
image fades, vanishing as well.
Nightbird hurls a throwing star at the Autobot, and
is perplexed as it goes right through.
Colossus sweeps his sword up from being pointed
groundwards, stirring up some ancient dirt in the
quick motion. He grips it two handed, setting into
combat pose, ready to attack if need be.
Blood Raven jerks back in surprise she is ready to
attack
Gryphus listens to its warning. "Hmm.." she frowns..
"Rust.. dust.." she mumbles... only barely a whisper.
Ruse who has been following narrows her optics at the
hologram. After it ends she hmmps, "Strange, but
Autobot babble always is."
Rumble chokes, "It sounds like a....a curse!"
Harrier's excited face abruptly falls. "A curse, all
right. Bloody hell. All right, I'm leaving..." and he
turns around, coming face to face with Soundwave.
Blood Raven frowns its a curse! "My Lord we should
leave at once!
Megatron says, "Quiet, you superstitious fools! It is
an ovious trick - designed to scare us off."
Blood Raven looks at the ground. He is right of
course, but still...
CatsCradle watches from the shadows, her optics
narrowed. Her claws tap soundlessly on the hilt of
her sword. "I knew it was gonna be a weird one," she
mutters. "It's 'cause Diver isn't here, and he always
misses the weird ones."
Harrier pauses, thinking that over. Tempest certainly
seemed dead set against being here, but ...He grins.
"Why of course...if there's a curse on the door,
there's treasure on the other side!"
Gryphus holds up her hand.. as if asking for quiet.
Rumble looks unconvinced, and steps closer to
Soundwave.
Megatron now is more eager to learn the secret of
this planet than before.
Soundwave nods slightly to Rumble, as though
encouraging him to stay close, but he himself looks
more curious than worried.
Colossus growls, "Autobot trash. Deceitful even in
death." A growl is given toward the obelisk, see if
it replies. I mean, why not? "You, what are you
hiding? How much needs be destroyed to find it?"
Blood Raven looks at Rumble and smiles he's too young
for this stuff...but still he is an accomplished
warrier?
Megatron passes by the obelisk toward the fortress.
If there is a curse at the door, there is treasure on
the other side.
Harrier quickly recovers his jaunty manner and shows
the map to Megatron, pointing northward.
Megatron enters Autobot Fortress
<<North>>.
Megatron has left.
Gryphus says, "I think I know what this hologram
refers to. This is a warning,
Rumble enters Autobot Fortress <<North>>.
Rumble has left.
Nightbird enters Autobot Fortress
<<North>>.
Nightbird has left.
Ruse says, "... Gry, when do we let Bots tell us what
to do?"
Ruse enters Autobot Fortress <<North>>.
Ruse has left.
CatsCradle mutters, "I think I said that back on the
shuttle." She sighs as Megatron heads into the
fortress and she follows.
Colossus enters Autobot Fortress
<<North>>.
Colossus has left.
CatsCradle enters Autobot Fortress
<<North>>.
CatsCradle has left.
Apparently the rest of the group is not so concerned
about the warning, s they follow Megatron.
You enter Autobot Fortress.
Autobot Fortress
As abandoned as the rest of the city, the
fortress is mostly empty save for a metal
construction in a shape reminiscent of a giant
firefly. Its built in a style somewhat reminiscent of
Earth ziggurats. The firefly is enthroned on a
pedestal; to get there, you need to climb a flight of
some thirty-odd stairs.
CatsCradle [Robot]
Colossus [Robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Nightbird [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Firefly Ray
Obvious exits:
<South> leads to Abandoned Autobot City.
Harrier arrives from Abandoned Autobot City.
Colossus keeps his sword in hand, mumbling, "Remind
me to run that over on the way out..."
Megatron enters the abandoned Fortress.
Blood Raven arrives from Abandoned Autobot City.
Rumble points upward at the firefly construction.
"Get a load of that!"
Soundwave makes sure Rumble is close by, and then
moves to follow Megatron, taking in the surroundings
and listening closely.
Gryphus arrives from Abandoned Autobot City.
CatsCradle tilts her head back to look at the
firefly. "That's... quite something..." She steps
closer to the stairs, then pauses, still looking
around warily.
Harrier pushes to the front of the group, darting his
way up the steps, optics glowing at the sight of the
giant firefly. The weapon? The wings look moveable,
and he starts tugging on them. "Let's see if we can
make the blasted thing work!"
Ruse looks around and tilts her head looking towards
the thing, "... looks like an idol."
Gryphus Follows, but WAY behind.. she does n'ot look
happy about the foolishness of the others. Let them
get the wrath of what lay sin store.
Nightbird heads over to Gryphus and asks, "Could it
have been a warning to other Autobots?"
Rumble runs up the steps. Why not? Nothing bad
happened to Harrier. "I'll help ya...oof! It won't
budge!"
CatsCradle goes up a few steps. "Take it easy, guys.
No knowing what you might make that thing do."
Blood Raven stares at the idol and back at Soundwave
"COmmader, do you suppose this was a place of
worship? but why a bug of all things?
You say, "Unknown, Blood Raven. I am not well-versed
in ancient Autobot culture."
CatsCradle turns back from halfway up the steps. "An
Insectico-- um... Insectibot?"
Colossus looks towards Rumble, then around the
'temple' slowly, poking at the walls here and there
with his sword where it looks a trap may lay. "It
would figure they'd worship a cockroach."
Ruse says, "Maybe a group of insecticons inslaved
these Autobots and made them worship themselfs? It
might explain the decay and energyless state... and
lack of bodys."
Harrier tugs quite uselessly on the thing's wings.
Blood Raven frowns again, and smiles at Colossus's
remark "makes sense though when you think about it.
Both are paresetic" she is then reminded of the
holograms warning and shudders
CatsCradle tilts her head at teh bug. "It's a
firefly. I've seen them on earth. Much smaller, of
course," she adds quickly. "They emit a quick glow of
light to attract others of their species."
Megatron walks up the steps, sneering at Harrier and
Rumble. "Stand aside, weaklings." He grasps the wings
and pulls, groaning from strain, but not giving up
until the wings move. "There..."
The firefly glows, and a powerful bolt of energy,
giving off intense heat, rises upwards and vaporizes
a hole through the roof!
Rumble whistles. "Wow...they don't make fireflies
like they used to!"
Megatron steps back, covering his optics. "Oww.."
Blood Raven begins to walk up the stairs. she is
quite curious now, a superweapon?
CatsCradle eeps a little. "Should we have done that?
We still don't know what it --" She leaps backwards
as the firefly shoots through the roof. She catches
herself nimbly from falling down the steps, and leans
back to gaze out the hole in the roof, then looks
back at the firefly-gun-thingie with more respect.
"Well, I guess we know what it does now...."
Harrier says smugly, "Tempest doesn't know
anything....wait till we show her what we found."
Soundwave muses, "An object of worship - or a weapon
against their attackers? Perhaps both."
Nightbird says thoughtfully, "The Autobots would not
have left such a powerful weapon behind willingly."
Gryphus stays in the doorway, watching.. knowing this
is not a good thing. they will not heed a warning
that is very legitamate. "FOrgive them... for they
know not what they do." she mumbles in another
language not Cybertronian.
Blood Raven now at the top of the stairs. "Harrier,
how do you know Tempest?
Megatron grins. "How ironic: the Autobots will be
destroyed by a weapon they created... Take it to the
shuttle!
CatsCradle slowly goes up the rest of the steps. "If
it were really based on an Earth firefly, the beam
would be to attract others."
Harrier struggles to pick up one end of the firefly-
weapon, with Rumble assisting.
Blood Raven smiles "now theres a thought"
Colossus looks to Cats, giving a dark grin, sharp
blade on his sword gleaming with his malevalent
light, "Autobots might be arriving then?"
Gryphus Looks around for scripts writings...
CatsCradle adds, "And why would they leave it behind
if it was a great weapon?" She shifts nervously.
Ruse quietly steps closer to Soundwave... this all
seems strange and normaly he has answers to
everything.
Gryphus mumbles something to the effect of, "Because
they knew its danger..."
Harrier finally says, "Could I get some help here?"
as he struggles to lift the new weapon.
Blood Raven ponders on Catscradles comment and
wonders about Gryphus reluctence
CatsCradle says in a voice that conveys that she
really doesn't expect anyone to listen to her,
"Shouldn't we leave it alone until we've had more
time to study it?"
Colossus says, "It's either defective, or they
planned to leave it behind while they attacked us to
use it as last resort."
Soundwave this time doesn't have an answer, so he
simply watches and waits for more information to
present itself.
Megatron says, "Are you Decepticons or sissies? Now
help Harrier to bring it to the shuttle."
Gryphus finds no other scripts. She is so planning to
be in another ENTIRE part of the shuttle on the ride
back. She wants NOTHING to do with that weapon.. if
her susupicons are correct.
Blood Raven assists Harrier with the weapon although
its quite apparent that she is worried
Colossus waits to see if someone volunteers before he
has to hoist the toy up himself...and thus ruin his
later fun of smashing the obelisk.
Blood Raven "um Harrier how do you know of Tempest?"
she is trying to keep her mind off her fears
Gryphus of course turns and heads out of here, optics
looking at her datapasd as she tries to get
information on this object.. assuming the Bot
researches left any information to begin with.
CatsCradle sighs. Yep. Just as she thought. No one
listened. Oh, well... at least she tried. She
certainly isn't strong enough to carry the thing, and
she really doesn't want to touch it yet. She sits on
the top step, resting her sword across her knees and
watches silently.
Harrier half peers around the firefly at Blood Raven
and replies, "She was my former...ah...commander."
Rumble enters Abandoned Autobot City
<<South>>.
Rumble has left.
Gryphus enters Abandoned Autobot City
<<South>>.
Gryphus has left.
Nightbird enters Abandoned Autobot City
<<South>>.
Nightbird has left.
You enter Abandoned Autobot City.
Abandoned Autobot City
Near the center of the continental-scale Autobot
symbol, between the walls of a canyon of sculptured
orange stone, is a large city. The architecture is
Cybertronian, of a distinct Autobot style, and quite
old, the buildings rising to the sky in unique
puzzle-shape designs. The city is overgrown with
vines and there are signs that organic animals have
made homes in some of the buildings. Perhaps the
oddest thing is the complete lack of any signs of
damage - no soot from a fire, no defacement or laser
scorches from attackers, no rubble from an
earthquake. A few buildings have fallen into
disrepair from their sheer age, but otherwise the
city is intact. It is as if the inhabitants simply up
and left long ago, never to return.
Nightbird [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Decepticon Shuttle
Obelisk
Obvious exits:
<North> leads to Autobot Fortress.
<Up> leads to Antilla.
CatsCradle arrives from Autobot Fortress.
Ruse arrives from Autobot Fortress.
Nightbird has left.
Harrier arrives from Autobot Fortress.
Blood Raven arrives from Autobot Fortress.
Megatron arrives from Autobot Fortress.
From Decepticon Shuttle, Gryphus boards and finds a
nice place to NOT bee when someone drags that weapon
aboard.
Colossus arrives from Autobot Fortress.
Harrier heaves the ray into the shuttle. The engines
are still turning, but at least Tempest hasn't flown
off and left them there.
Decepticon Shuttle(#1334aen)
A brand-new Decepticon shuttleship, with a purple
emblem boldly emblazoned on its hull.
Contents:
Nightbird(#291PWenrAMc)
Gryphus(#1182PeAcx)
Tempest(#403PenrAc)
CatsCradle has arrived.
Ruse has arrived.
Blood Raven is with Harrier on that
Rumble has arrived.
Megatron has arrived.
Blood Raven has arrived.
Harrier has arrived.
Ruse enters and has a seat behind Cat's chair once
again. She says eagerly, "Well we have plenty of
things to explore and experiment on when we get back
to earth base."
Tempest looks over her shoulder. "I take it
everyone's still alive?" she says acidly. "All aboard
for liftoff?"
Blood Raven says, "Harrier you served under Tempests
command when she was the "storm"?"
Colossus keeps his self made promise. On the way out,
he transforms into truck mode and runs over the
Obelisk. Then reverses over it and runs over it
again. Then moves back into the shuttle, transforming
there, "I guess that satiates my desires now."
Colossus has arrived.
Gryphus is NOWHERE to be seen, apprently she's the
only one with enough common sense to be FAR away from
where that weapon ends up.
Nightbird looks at the insect weapon curiously, but
she doesn't appear concern. Likely she trusts
Megatron's judgement.
Tempest's hands are on the controls, as they probably
have been all along...
Megatron says, "Everyone fine and no-one damaged,
Tempest. There was no reason to be worried at all."
CatsCradle slips aboard and makes her way to her
chair again. "We're all alive, but we brought strange
stuff back with us." She curls in her seat, resting
her head against the bulkhead again, her normally
mild expression creased with concern.
Tempest seems rather relieved to see them all back,
and her optics darken ever so slightly at Megatron's
comment. "Can we leave now?"
Megatron says, "Ignite."
Harrier nods to Blood Raven.
Megatron takes place in his chair. "We go back to
Earth.
Blood Raven smiles broadly "what an honour!"
Tempest wastes no time...if you're not buckled in
it's too late as the ship leaps for teh sky with a
lurch! Tempest can handle the ship, all right, but
certainly not as smoothly as Soundwave!
Antilla
Venturing past the asteroids, a large orange,
yellow, and red planet comes into view. Its most
striking feature is a large red Autobot symbol
covering a considerable portion of one face of the
planet. It's difficult to imagine the kind of
engineering involved in marking an entire planet, or
what would lead any group to attempt it, but the
symbol is there and visible through the wisps of
cloudcover.
Obvious exits:
<Down> leads to Abandoned Autobot City.
<Up> leads to Asteroid System.
Colossus says, "Shouldn't we obliterate that base so
they can't use it in the future?"
Rumble gasps, "Gah...maybe the curse was better than
Tempest's flying!"
Colossus then sees the giant Autobot face, and
growls, "Correction...can we destroy the planet?"
Ruse says, "Atleast she flys better then Wild
drives!"
Tempest flings the ship skillfully between the
asteroids, at a speed almost twice as fast as
Soundwave's, the engines hovering right below red
line.
Asteroid System
The most unusual thing about this sector of
space is the high number of asteroids it contains. Be
careful how you fly your ship, or you may hit one, or
be hit by one, as many of them are very fast-moving,
due perhaps to the unusual gravitational influences
in this region. The planetoids range in dimension
from moon-sized to grains of sand, and may be the
remnants of one of the worlds in the nearest solar
system, that broke apart due to unknown causes. One
of the remaining large worlds in the system is
encircled by an asteroid ring which has resumed a
somewhat stable orbit around the gravity source of
the planet.
Obvious exits:
<Down> leads to Antilla.
<MQ> leads to Metaxis Quadrant.
Soundwave catches Colossus' question and replies,
"Somehow I doubt the present-day Autobots are even
aware of this world any longer. Or we would have seen
signs of more recent habitation."
CatsCradle says, "That wouldn't be difficult, Ruse,"
but her voice is vague and distracted, without her
usual joking mischief.
Megatron says, "No, Colossus. One day it may be
decorated with our symbol."
Harrier looks out the rear window. "Tempest, we have
an asteroid on collision course with us from behind!"
Ruse hands onto Cats seat, "Here we go again!"
You paged Colossus with 'No problem. You and Megatron
should see signs of the plague around the same
time....'.
Tempest checks the rear-view monitor and curses,
"That thing is huge and coming on fast!" She slams
the throttles forward, never mind the red-
line...they've got to get away from that!"
Megatron turns around, looking through the window as
well. He gets up. "Faster, Tempest." Quickly, he
rushes to the weapon - he has an idea.
Colossus mumbles something along the lines of,
"Slagging finite energy weapon sources. Must remember
to purchase planet destroying system back on Earth."
Wal-Mart sells it, after all.
CatsCradle braces Ruse and considers shoving her
towards a seat. "I can see why you went through
Motormaster's windshield."
Soundwave hangs on to the armrests of his chair as
Tempest takes evasive maneuvers.
Tempest's expression is set firm as she yells back,
"It wont' go any faster!"
Megatron activates the lighning bug: "Lets hit it
with a blast of lightning..."
Ruse looks down at Catscradle... mildly glaring. She
can't help it if she wants to see whats going on!
Suddenly she slumps back with a clank into her chair
though and buckles in, as this might get even
worse...
Blood Raven gets jostled out of her seat
Megatron's blast shatters the giant asteroid, sending
pieces flying everywhere...including into the
shuttle's left engine.
Nightbird keeps her balance easily, her optics
showing concern. It wouldn't do to get hit with one
of those giant rocks.
Colossus looks at the bug and smiles. Maybe that will
attract more bug weapons.
Another piece of shrapnel cuts right through the side
of the shuttle and embeds itself in Megatron's
shoulder...a pointed sliver of rock.
CatsCradle eeps as Megatron shoots the bug and
reflexively ducks behind her seat. Missles are one
things. Lasers are another. Even rockets. Firefly-
buggie-gun-thingies are something completely
different.
Blood Raven gets back in her seat embaressed and
buckles up.
Tempest yells out, "The ship's hit!" She cuts the
engines on the left side, bringing the shuttle under
control, and dives it....determined to get out of the
asteroid field.
Gryphus sends off a email message on her datapad,
knowing that It'll get there before they do.
Megatron grasps his shoulder in a sudden pain. Why
does such a simple sliver hurt so much? "I'm hit too.
To Earth, Tempest!"
Nightbird immediately leaps up and stands between
Megatron and the back of the ship, ready to deflect
further rocks.
Megatron says, "Get away from there, Nightbird!"
Tempest throws on the burners....taking the shuttle
clear of the system.
Blood Raven watches the two in silence. Perhaps
"love" can be honourable after all...
Tempest Flies the ship as fast as she dares, and
several hours later they reach Earth.
Earth High Orbit
Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Earth Stratosphere.
<S> leads to Sol System.
Ruse hangs on and narrows her optics asking worriedly
in general, "Can we make a safe landing Tempest with
one engine out?" She doesn't want to be intombed for
another million or so years.
You enter Earth Stratosphere.
You enter Arctic Circle.
Tempest laughs. "You can land these things with both
engines out and the tail half shot away and a hole in
the belly," in a tone of voice like she's done it
before.
You enter Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Blood Raven unbuckling her seat belt. "My Lord
Megatron are you alright?
Megatron feels the pain radiate into his right arm.
This is not normal... he had wounds that where worse
without hurting just a bit of this one. He moans
quietly, though trying to suppress it.
Nightbird is with Megatron, quietly trying to give
him some comfort.
You enter Atlantic Ocean <Western Hemisphere>.
Tempest is too busy with the ship to even notice what
has happened to Megatron...her mind is channeled
completely, focused wholly on the task at
hand..though the face is intent, the optics for once
are calm.
You enter Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Megatron tries to ensure her. "I am all right,
Nightbird, just a scratch."
Liar.
Blood Raven leaves her seat realizing that Megatron
is well taken care of and deciedes to join Tempest
and Harrier
CatsCradle taps Raven's arm as she goes by. "Better
belt yourself back in. Gonna be a rough landing."
Atlantic Ocean <Central>
Avenger StarCraft
Space Cruiser <Star Drive>
Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Atlantic Ocean
<Central>.
<S> South leads to Antarctic Circle.
<E> East leads to Atlantic Ocean <Eastern
Hemisphere>.
<W> West leads to Atlantic Ocean <Western
Hemisphere>.
<D> Down leads to Conning Tower.
Gryphus keeps working on her datapad.. staying out of
sight.. and planning her.. escapefrome what will be
coming..
Tempest sets the ship on hover. "We're home,
everybody out. I'll take her up and be back shortly."
Rumble has left.
Harrier has left.
Nightbird has left.
Megatron has left.
Blood Raven has left.
Megatron enters Conning Tower <<D> Down>.
Colossus enters Conning Tower <<D> Down>.
Blood Raven enters Conning Tower <<D>
Down>.
You enter Conning Tower.
Conning Tower
The main exit from the base, the conning
tower extends upward past the surface of ocean. After
dropping off or picking up passengers, it then
retracts again and opens inside the base. The
interior of the tower is large enough to accomodate
all but the very largest Transformers or cargo. A
control panel and viewing screen are to the right of
the door on the inside.
Blood Raven [Robot]
Colossus [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<O> Out leads to Engine Room.
<U> Up leads to Atlantic Ocean
<Central>.
CatsCradle arrives from Atlantic Ocean
<Central>.
Ruse arrives from Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Harrier arrives from Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Rumble arrives from Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Nightbird arrives from Atlantic Ocean
<Central>.
Harrier looks with interest around the Decepticon
Earthbase, which he has never seen before. "Quite the
place you have here..."
Ruse walks over to Megatron, sure hes fine since he
can take more damage then any of them.. but wants to
make sure with her own optics.
Soundwave moves unobtrusively to Megatron's side, to
get a good look at the damage.
Megatron walks slowly. He doesn't feel well... He has
to get this fragment out of his hull...
Colossus lands hard, grunting. He looks down at his
right leg, finding discoloration and abnormal
anomolies inherent in his structure near his
wheelbase. He growls slightly, "Intriguing use of
weaponry..."
Megatron says, "Take that weapon to the science
section."
Harrier hefts up the lightning bug ray and says, "I
will if someone shows me where it is."
Really the piece of rock looks largely harmless in
and of itself. Soundwave says, "If you would follow
me to repair bay, Megatron, I can have this easily
removed."
Blood Raven goes to Harrier "i will assist you
Harrier
CatsCradle leans up against the wall and glances at
Megatron in concern, but stays out of the way of
Soundwave's unobtrusive hovering.
Megatron turns to Soundwave. "I will go to my
quarters, Soundwave. Send me someone there to get rid
of that nasty little problem." He slowly heads for
his quarters. Such a small wound is not even worth
the repairbay.
Nightbird has never left Megatron's side, and
prepares to follow him into the repair bay.
Soundwave regards Megatron dubiously. Something isnt
right.
Blood Raven watches her leader with concern in her
optics.
Megatron has left.
CatsCradle has left.
Soundwave does not argue, though, and follows along.
Colossus plays up his forced kneeling with a bow of
the head to Megatron as he passes. Must just have
been paying proper respects. When most of the others
leave, he starts using his sword as a crutch, his
wheelbases mostly in pain.
Harrier doesn't know Megatron well enough to realize
anything's amiss.
Nightbird has left.
You enter Engine Room.
Engine Room
Once one of the most important areas of the
ship, the engine room now serves only to house most
of the control systems, the conning tower to the
surface, and the central computer. A large console
provides access to the main computer and detailed
information about its operational status. The main
engines still remain in place, but most of the
peripheral machinery and materials were removed once
it was determined the ship would never fly again.
Consequently, most of the adjacent rooms are empty,
awaiting future expansion.
CatsCradle [Robot]
RandE Office
Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Brig.
<N> North leads to Training Complex.
<T> Tower leads to Conning Tower.
You enter Training Complex.
Training Complex
A very large section comprised of several
areas where the Decepticons gather for training
excerises. The firing range allows users to practice
their ranged weapon skills against holographic
targets. The arena has five seperate dueling areas to
allow Decepticons to test one another in combat.
Although normally used strictly for practice and
sparring, the arena can be used for actual duels to
settle a dispute. There is a seperate area for
enagaging computer-controled opponents in hand-to-
hand combat.
Training Complex - Target Range<TR>
Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Armory.
<W> West leads to Science Section.
<D> Down leads to Living Quarters.
<S> South leads to Engine Room.
CatsCradle arrives from Engine Room.
Blood Raven arrives from Engine Room.
Harrier arrives from Engine Room.
CatsCradle arrives from Armory.
Blood Raven enters Science Section <<W>
West>.
Blood Raven has left.
Harrier enters Science Section <<W>
West>.
Harrier has left.
CatsCradle goes to Soundwave's side. "Sir," she asks
quickly, "were you scanning while we were there?"
Soundwave is on his way to Megatron's quarters, but
slows his steps as CatsCradle catches up to him. "I
was scanning from the ship, but once upon the planet,
there was little to record. Did you detect something
of interest?"
Tempest arrives from Engine Room.
Tempest looks quite pleased with herself and
contented as she comes in.
CatsCradle shakes her head. "No, but I was thinking
of sending what we had on to Divefire at his lab on
Cybertron. Another CPU on the matter might be
helpful. And..." she hesitates. "... he has access to
more information and more experience than Gryphus.
Not that she is not experienced," she adds more
tactfully.
Soundwave is walking through the training area on his
way toward the living quarters, sharing a few words
with Cats.
Tempest peers around curiously. "Where's Megatron?"
Ruse arrives from Engine Room.
Ruse is slowly trailing along, looking back.. waiting
for someone to follow.
Soundwave nods to Cats. "Send him whatever
information you have. It seems that our exploration
of the discovered ship will have to wait until
later." To Tempest he replies, "Megatron is below in
his quarters. I am going to see to him now."
Tempest nods, not saying anything more but evidently
preparing to follow Soundwave.
Ruse says, "Soundwave wait... we have a problem."
Soundwave tries to continue on his way, but looks
questioningly at Ruse.
CatsCradle gives Soundwave a quick nod and starts to
slip out of the room for the communications equipment
in her office, but pauses at Ruse's voice. "What's
wrong?" she asks.
Ruse looks back towards the tower oddly.. Soundwave
probably noticed Colossus isn't joining them... and
from her look something is wrong with the warlord.
Starscream pages: it was one of those I wanted him
there before you guys got back so if anyone saw him
on his way that was no intended
Soundwave says, "Is there some problem with Colossus,
Ruse?"
Colossus arrives from Engine Room.
Rumble arrives from Engine Room.
CatsCradle frowns. "He was hurt too, wasn't he?"
Ruse says, "... yes. Im not sure exactly what though.
I asked him to come to the repairbay but.."
Colossus manages to finally limp in. Using his sword
as a crutch now, the infection spreading some around
his wheelbases since he arrived. He looks around the
area, trying to find the repair bay, silently.
Tempest hears footsteps and inclines her head.
Nightbird arrives from Living Quarters.
Soundwave seems a bit surprised, as much as he's ever
obvious about it, in any case. "I was not aware you
had taken damage, Lord Colossus." He regards the
wheelbases, noting that this is not damage from
running over a structure.
Harrier arrives from Science Section.
Blood Raven arrives from Science Section.
Nightbird comes up from the living area and walks
over to Soundwave. She seems very tense.
Harrier comes wandering back with Blood Raven beside
him, grinning at her charmingly...
Rumble looks around suddenly. "Where's Megatron?"
CatsCradle takes a tentative step towards Colossus.
"Sir?" She starts to hold out her hand, but realizes
quickly that her smaller size wouldn't be much help.
Blood Raven returns with Harrier she looks quite
unsettled
Tempest's head rises and the ruby optics
dart....yes...where is he?
Ruse looks back to Colossus.. she knows it takes alot
to hurt a Con like him. She answers the others, "In
his quarters."
Colossus growls slightly, resting on his sword fully,
"The Accursed apparently set a trap. They will pay."
His vow is darkened with intense, yet brief hatred,
before pain sears in his eyes however brief. A growl
escapes his lips to quell the agony, "The layout of
your base helps naught."
Blood Raven notices that everyone else is tense
expessaly Nightbird approaching her. "My Lady
Nightbird what is wrong?
You say, "Nightbird. Megatron is awaiting me, I
realize. My apologies. Ruse, show Colossus the way to
the repair bay, I will meet him there as soon as
possible."
Blood Raven says, "Is Lord Megatron alright?"
Ruse nods to Soundwave and continues to try and coax
the big con in the general direction, "Keep going
north, come on.. its just abit from here."
Ruse enters Armory <<N> North>.
Ruse has left.
Colossus nods towards Ruse, standing rigidly upright
regardless, pain be darned, and moves northwards.
Nightbird says to Blood Raven, "I am sure he will be
fine." She seems a bit impatient, unheard of for her.
Tempest decides to go see for herself...
Soundwave turns and moves more quickly now toward the
living quarters below.
You enter Living Quarters.
Living Quarters
When needing to rest, recharge, or relax,
Decepticons go here to their private rooms. A long
hallway has doors on either side leading to each
Decepticon's assigned space. The rooms are equipped
with a small computer console and work station, a
recharge bed, and whatever personal belongings the
individual has. The rooms are fairly small and packed
close together, but they are reasonably sound-proof
for privacy.
Motormaster's Quarters
Stalker's Echo-Chamber <SEC>
Reaver's Hive <RH>
Ruse's Chamber <RC>
The Kitty Twister <KT>
Enchantress' Coven
TC's Place
Starscreams Loft
Darkslide's Dungeon
Striker's Room <SR>
Sky and Gry`s Pad.
Megatron's quarters
Soundwave's Quarters
D-C's Home
Tempest's Lair
Obvious exits:
<SW> SouthWest leads to Megatron's Workshop.
<W> West leads to Library.
<U> Up leads to Training Complex.
Tempest arrives from Training Complex.
Nightbird arrives from Training Complex.
Nightbird has left.
Tempest follows them...
Tempest has left.
Blood Raven arrives from Training Complex.
Megatron's quarters(#978en)
A small computer console, work station, and a
recharge bed... there is nothing except for the
extensions of the room that shows the importance of
its owner.
On the shelf aside the entrance, there are
several rusty cannons of primitive design which
belonged to the wrack of a pirate ship that is
situated close to the base. They are small like toys
to a Cybertronian. Also on the shelf, occupying a
special place, lays a metal carving. It is a
sculpture showing Megatron's Walther P38 mode, done
by skilful hands.
On the wall opposite to the recharge bed is a
large picture showing only the starry sky...
Contents:
Tempest(#403PenrAc)
Nightbird(#291PWenrAMc)
Megatron(#261PenACc)
carving(#1421n)
Megatron lies on his bed, the asteroid piece still
stuck in his shoulder.
Nightbird goes over to Megatron, but stays far enough
away to allow Soundwave in.
Soundwave accompanies Nightbird in, not having missed
her worried demeanor. He steps over to Megatron and
looks him over, bringing out a plier-like tool even
as he speaks, "What is your condition, Commander?"
Megatron grumbles: "I have a piece of an asteroid
sticking in my shoulder.
Tempest doesn't even enter, just hangs around the
doorway, skulking. She's not sure if she's wanted
here and is ready to disappear should anyone show
disapproval, but feels compelled to be here....
Soundwave replies neutrally, "That much is apparent."
He grasps the stone fragment, getting a good grip on
it and giving a single quick pull, with the intent of
having it free quickly and with a minimum of pain -
but it's stuck more firmly than he expected, and he
has to reposition his grip and try again. Finally,
the fragment pulls free.
Nightbird says softly, "I think it hit something
vital Soundwave."
Megatron groans in pain, though not knowing why that
darn thing hurts so much, as the piece is removed.
Nightbird's optics glitter with concern and some
fear. She perhaps expected energon to come forth from
the wound or see something even worse. Megatron is
not one to be felled by some little chunck of rock.
What they /see/ is a flaky brown substance that looks
like...rust.
Soundwave bends closer and regards the wound. Could
the rock fragment have been buried deeply enough to
have hit a major fuel line? But no fuel pours out.
There *is*, however, a coating of discoloration
around the wound.
Tempest summons up her courage and takes a step into
the room. It appears everyone else is ignoring her
and her movement is silent.
Soundwave touches the suspiciously colored substance,
somewhat puzzled. "This appears to be rust," is his
evaluation.
Nightbird has no experience that she recalls looking
at wounds, so she turns to Soundwave.
Tempest takes another few steps forward, then pauses
and speaks. "Rust?"
Megatron feel some sort of relief as the asteroid is
removed. He sits up, rubbing his shoulder. "Hm?" He
looks at the rust on his hand. "That is ridiculous.
We are rust-proof!"
Tempest slowly moves forward, her optics unnaturally
bright and her airframe tense as she moves up to get
a look...and as soon as she sees the wound, she quite
obviously recoils, hissing...
Soundwave nods, drawing forth a small handheld med
scanner. "None the less..." he regards his readings.
"None the less, it appears your outer coating has
been compromised by corrosion. Furthermore, I am
detecting evidence of internal corrosion." He looks
up to meet Megatron's gaze. "Commander, I must insist
you accompany me to repair bay."
Nightbird says, "Rust? What is that?"
Tempest chokes, "It's Cosmic Rust."
Megatron looks up at Tempest. "It is... what?"
You say, "Cosmic Rust?"
Long distance to Blood Raven and Harrier: Soundwave
thinks you could start showing mild symptoms?
Tempest stumbles backwards a few steps, "You should
get to the repair bay /right now/," and the
expression of repellant fear on her face isn't going
away.
Megatron says, "What on Cybertron are you talking
about, Tempest?""
A radio transmission is received by Megatron.
You intercept a message from Skywarp: "
"Megatron..This is Skywarp ..Gry and I are outside
the base. Whats going on Boss?""
You say, "Come, Megatron. Tempest can explain to us
there."
CatsCradle has arrived.
Tempest practically runs towards the repair bay....
Megatron says, "Answer, Skywarp for me, Soundwave."
CatsCradle steps in the room, catching herself before
she goes in more than a step or two, her optics wide.
"Whatever Colossus has, Blood Raven and Harrier have
it, too, now."
Megatron leaves his quarters to head for the repair
bay. Physically he feels much better than before...
yet...
You transmit to Skywarp: "Skywarp, Megatron instructs
me to inform you, he is currently confined to med
bay. Or will be so, once I get him there."
Tempest stops dead, her voice strangled. "Harrier?"
Nightbird slips an arm around Megatron's waist and
looks at CatsCradle, then to Soundwave.
Skywarp transmits to Soundwave: " "Copy that
Sounders..Anything we can do?""
Soundwave nods to CatsCradle, his optic band shading
a little darker. "I will see to them as well. Is Hook
available?"
CatsCradle nods, her face tense. "Ruse ordered us out
of teh repair bay. She says no one should go in."
CatsCradle adds, "I didn't see Hook anywhere."
You transmit to Skywarp: "Unknown at this time.
However, it appears there is a bigger potential
problem. It may be beneficial for you to stay away
from repair bay for now."
Tempest mumbles, "It doesn't really matter now."
Nightbird has left.
Megatron has left.
CatsCradle has left.
Soundwave does not have the luxury to stay out of
repair bay, not with patients waiting there.
Living Quarters
When needing to rest, recharge, or relax,
Decepticons go here to their private rooms. A long
hallway has doors on either side leading to each
Decepticon's assigned space. The rooms are equipped
with a small computer console and work station, a
recharge bed, and whatever personal belongings the
individual has. The rooms are fairly small and packed
close together, but they are reasonably sound-proof
for privacy.
CatsCradle [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Nightbird [Robot]
Motormaster's Quarters
Stalker's Echo-Chamber <SEC>
Reaver's Hive <RH>
Ruse's Chamber <RC>
The Kitty Twister <KT>
Enchantress' Coven
TC's Place
Starscreams Loft
Darkslide's Dungeon
Striker's Room <SR>
Sky and Gry`s Pad.
Megatron's quarters
Soundwave's Quarters
D-C's Home
Tempest's Lair
Obvious exits:
<SW> SouthWest leads to Megatron's Workshop.
<W> West leads to Library.
<U> Up leads to Training Complex.
Nightbird enters Training Complex <<U>
Up>.
Nightbird has left.
You enter Training Complex.
CatsCradle arrives from Living Quarters.
Megatron arrives from Living Quarters.
Megatron enters Armory <<N> North>.
Megatron has left.
Nightbird enters Armory <<N> North>.
Nightbird has left.
Tempest arrives from Living Quarters.
Tempest enters Armory <<N> North>.
Tempest has left.
CatsCradle enters Armory <<N> North>.
CatsCradle has left.
-Mindlink- Soundwave sends a silent message to
indicate to Rumble he's to enter the tape
compartment. Underneath the direction, there's a
faint sense of worry.
Skywarp transmits to Soundwave: " "Ok Soundy..Just
let us know if anything developes..Gry is working on
the Prob form here as well.""
You transmit to Skywarp: "Ask her if she is familiar
with the term 'Cosmic Rust.'"
You enter Armory.
You enter Equipment Storage.
You enter Repair Bay.
Repair Bay
The place Decepticons seek medical care, the
repair bay makes every effort to put the patient at
ease. The temperature and lighting are optimized for
comfort, and the walls are a neutral grey. There are
ten beds along each wall, all with display panels.
Equipment and tools are stored in the wall between
beds and diagnostic scanners emerge from under the
beds when in use. Off of the main room is a
specialized surgery unit for laser core trauma, a
small cryogenic stasis facility, and an emergency
room with stacked beds to be used when the main room
becomes too crowded. Overall the repair bay appears
to visitors as modern and efficient and this
impression is quite valid. Even the most catastrophic
injuries can be treated here by a skilled medic.
CatsCradle [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]
Nightbird [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Blood Raven [Robot]
Colossus [Robot]
Harrier [Robot]
Repair_Drone
Medical facilities' rules.
Obvious exits:
<E> East leads to Access Corridor.
<S> South leads to Equipment Storage.
Blood Raven "cosmic rust? is that what this is
called?" she is looking at her rust covered hands
A radio transmission is received by Blood Raven.
You intercept a message from Gryphus: "I am highly
aware of this fact."
Tempest has this look on her face like she wants to
break and run....but something makes her hold her
ground. She stares in horror at Megatron...at
Harrier...back to Megatron, and chokes out, "Cosmic
Rust...we're all going to die." Her optics flare. "I
/told/ you going to the forbidden sector was a bad
idea!"
Skywarp transmits to Soundwave: " "She says yes..Shes
searing for Info on it now.""
A radio transmission is received by Blood Raven.
You intercept a message from Gryphus: "I will contact
you all when I find out something on it."
Soundwave looks over the others who are waiting, and
goes to Megatron, moving into action with the usual
efficiency.
Blood Raven sighes "what should we do?"
Nightbird says, "What about a cure Tempest? What do
you know of that?"
Colossus growls, "Autobots are unable to fight
honorably. The vile scum." His left arm twitches
involuntarily, and he grabs it and pins it to his
body, "End the superstitious garbage, it plays to
their hands. Give them no advantage."
Blood Raven transmits a message via radio.
Megatron slowly sits down on a bed, coughing.
"Whatever it is, it is definitely not a curse, but
something very real."
Tempest's optics are dark. "There /is/ no cure.
Cosmic Rust is highly contagious, a metallic plague
that feeds on robotic alloys. It's decimated whole
outposts, whole /planets/...and now its' our turn."
Tempest adds a little acidly, "That's likely why the
place got a reputation as a forbidden zone in the
first place!"
Blood Raven growls "we will not go under this way. We
are Decepticons not cowards or weaklings we will die
with honour, not like this"
Megatron says, "Impossible, only organic forms of
life can be infected by disease."
Soundwave returns to Megatron's side with a bottle of
clear liquid and a polishing cloth. "I am not willing
to write us off so easily," he says, his
concentration intent now as he first tries the effect
of the anticorrosive on Megatron's outer armor.
Harrier looks down at his rusting hands, at the brown
spots on his chest that are not part of his brown and
green paint scheme. "I'm going to die?" he whispers.
Megatron coughs.
CatsCradle's optics are huge. She has heard about the
Rust from Divefire, although he was careful to gloss
over the gory details, and she was careful not to
ask.
Colossus looks towards Tempest, "I suggest you
divulge all the information you know of this, and
quickly."
Tempest snarls. "If I'm going to die, I'm going to
dive into the Autobot base and cause as much
destruction as I can on my way out." Her optics blaze
with hellish fury at the kind of universe that can
bring a being to an end like this.
Megatron says, "Don't worry Harrier, I do not give up
so easily."
Tempest says to Colossus, "I just did. The only hope
the others have is to stay away..." She still looks
like she wants to run but... "It's already too late
for us."
Megatron looks at Tempest. "However, you are giving
me an idea.
Blood Raven feeling weak sits down at a nearby bed.
"I will join you Tempest, If we are to be destroyed
then i say we should take down some 'bots with us.
Better yet lets pass this dirty disease to them!
Scrapper enters the bay, all business. "All right,
what's all this about a plague?"
Tempest looks sadly at Megatron. She's honestly
afraid to get near him, and yet can she run out on
him now?
Soundwave hides his dismay at seeing absolutely no
effect from his attempt, but he goes on to the next
idea, bringing out a solution of weak acid.
Harrier gives Tempest an almost pleading look, his
rusting hands cupped in a gesture of begging for
help.
CatsCradle's optics flash. "They said it was hopeless
for us to cure the zombie-virus, too, and we lived
through that." But her voice is faint and she leans
against the door frame.
Nightbird for her part has never left Megatron's
side.
Colossus shrugs to Tempest, nodding. It seems him and
Megatron have about the same idea at about the same
time. He bows towards the Emperor slightly, "I will
lead a flanking strike on the Ark if you desire."
Tempest says, "I don't know anything about zombies
but..." Her voice is flat. "We're already dead."
CatsCradle turns blazing optics to Tempest. "I've
heard that before, and I'm still alive." But her
claws bite into the metal of the doorframe.
You transmit to Gryphus: "Gryphus. Anything within
your experience that indicates a cure for this
'Cosmic Rust' malady? Someting that has been
successful in the past? Tempest is familiar with it
as a plague known in the spaceways, she claims there
is no cure."
Blood Raven turns to Megatron "Lord Megatron, may we
pass this 'gift' to the Autobots?.
Tempest snaps at Cats, the situation obviously
getting to her, "And you think I haven't? As always
the world will have to fight me every step of the way
to kill me..." but, something in her has always
assumed the world would win. All she can, all she
could ever do is buy her life at the most expensive
price possible....
Megatron shakes his head. "You wouldn't even come
near it. I have a better idea: we will capture one of
them who is outside the base. Prime will rescue him,
no matter if infected or not, bringing him into their
headquarters.
Gryphus transmits to Soundwave: "I'm checking the
research files. Still coming up with nothing. I may
have to call in some favors with some Bot
resaearchers on Cybertron."
Soundwave looks up briefly, relieved to see Scrapper.
He indicates Colossus, Blood Raven, and Harrier. "See
to the others, Scrapper," he instructs. "We must find
a way to inhibit the spread of this corrosion."
Tempest slowly slinks up beside Megatron, on the
opposite side from Nightbird.
Megatron coughs again, this time it is shakeing him
thuroughly.
CatsCradle looks to Soundwave. "Quarentine the
planet," she says quietly. "Before any of our other
Decepticons come to earth and catch it."
Scrapper walks over to Blood Raven and takes a look
at her hands. "Interesting. A non-chmical rusting
agent. We should obtain a visual." He scrapes a bit
of the rust off Blood Raven's hand and places it into
the scanner.
Soundwave shakes his head a little as he tries out an
acid solution on the corroding armor. He's listening
to the conversation, though, and notes, "Gryphus and
Skywarp are outside the base. Perhaps they can
undertake such a capture. And yet, I am not willing
to give us up for dead and defeated," he emphasizes.
Blood Raven "Who do you wish for us to capture my
Lord?" she sounds tired and winces slightly when
scrapper removes some rust off her hands
Soundwave goes on to another solution, putting the
acid aside.
Megatron answers: "It..." he coughs. "... doesn't
matter who."
As Soundwave works, he sends out a message toward
their homeworld.
Harrier whimpers a little, dimming his optics as if
he can't stand the sight of the rust any more.
Colossus curses. Fun before termination spoiled. His
arm twitches some once again, so he slams it into his
form with a snarl, holding it to him. Should it
persist, self amputation's his next step for his own
'cure' to the problem. "I will instruct my Tyrnians
to stay on planet and coordinate research."
Blood Raven says, "Soul Dance...Commander Soundwave
we should capture the Autobot to ensure that Gryphus
and Skywarp don't get infected, when they return them
to our base"
Blood Raven says, "thats is if you concur?"
Tempest's head turns up to look at MEgatron, at
Nightbird...back to Megatron, giving him a look of
sympathy, and then she slinks across the room towards
Harrier.
CatsCradle chuckles, but it holds no mirth. "Find
Perceptor. He has...' and she grins evilly,
"experience with the Rust and other viruses."
Megatron looks at Nightbird. "It would have been
better to keep away from me today, dear."
CatsCradle adds, "he might do us some good while he's
our guest, too. Let him work for us in order to save
his own Autobots."
Scrapper displays the close up view of their new
nemesis on the display screen. They're metalic
allright, tiny organisms feeding on the metal.
"Interesting. Take a look Soundwave. They can
neutralize our integrity fields and dissolve the
metal into a liquid to injest. The rust is not
corroded metal, it's the actual organism themselves."
Blood Raven looking at her body which is rapidly
deterating. "good idea
Nightbird says, "If Tempest is correct, I would get
it anyway."
<LongRange> Soundwave says, "Soundwave calling
Cybertron. This is a warning of utmost priority. Do
not send any warriors to Earth until you have been
cleared. Consider Earth quarantined. We will convey
more information as we discover it."
Tempest looks down at her airframe...and notices
something brown on her wingtip. Serves her right for
being in such close proximity to Megatron...
Ruse arrives from Access Corridor.
Scrapper considers for a moment. "I'll try X-ray
bombardment, see if that will sterilize the area." He
starts rummaging around for an appropriate tool.
Ruse who has been lucrking finaly makes her way in
with the others...
CatsCradle falters at actuallly hearing the
communication going out, even though it was her
suggestion. Her optics go paniced for a moment, then
she fights it away. "If he's going to come," she
murmurs under her breath, "a quarantine won't be
enough to stop him."
Soundwave pauses briefly, noticing a discoloration on
his hands. It takes him only a fraction of an instant
to recognize the substance. Pausing no longer than
that, he continues his work. Opening an access panel
in Megatron's chest, he regards the fuel lines,
considering likely agents of fighting or at least
slowing the internal corrosion.
Tempest growls, "Obviously too much attachment makes
you do stupid things." Is she talking to Catscradle
or to herself?
Blood Raven says, "My lord Megatron, perhaps it would
not be such a good idea to send to healthy warriors
to collect Percepter they will have to return him
here you do realize, and thus become infected too"
<Earth> Gryphus says, "I need permission to
seek help from a Earth based Bot researcher. It is
the only way to save us."
CatsCradle looks up at Tempest in surprise, as if not
realizing she had spoken loudly enough to be
overheard. Then she smiles softly. "Or miraculous
things," she says.
Scrapper brings out a portable EM device and hooks it
into the base power supply. He sets it for X-Rays and
proceedes to use it on Blood Raven's hands.
Tempest snarls,animal like and hops up on the bunk
where Harrier is sitting, curling herself up like a
lounging cat and looking morosely at the floor.
Blood Raven trying to contain her rising panic
realizes that everyone is too concerned to respond
right now to her fears, "Scrapper please talk some
sense into them?!"
Soundwave says, "I do not wish to cure the entirity
of our forces on Cybertron." He phrases it this way,
rather than the alternative - that we may all die
from this.
Harrier looks slightly comforted to see Tempest
there.
CatsCradle turns to Soundwave. "Perceptor has worked
with teh Rust before. He mutated it to form the
zombie virus. Told Diver it had been because he was
working on a cure."
Blood Raven looks nervously at Scrapper what is he
doing?
Scrapper resets the scanner and frowns at the result.
"They don't even seem to notice. Perhaps gamma rays..
What's that?" He doesn't seem to be aware of what
Blood Raven is talking about.
Ruse seems thoughtful, "Nightbird, how has your armor
reacted to this?"
Colossus growls, "Megatron gave a plan." He stands
up, fighting mentally any disability, "We shall
follow it. Any loyal Decepticon at least half
functional will obtain this," he curses, "Autobot,"
then continues with a slight growl, "Mostly intact
and force him to assist us."
CatsCradle says, "Gryphus and 'Warp don't need to
come back in and risk infection. All they have to do
is pop Perceptor in the conning tower and send him
down." She smiles. predatory and evil. "I'll bring
him in from there."
Blood Raven sighes "Skywarp and Gryphus if they
collect Percepter they will have to return him to
this base, thus exposing themselve to the disease..."
Soundwave brings out a cannister of liquid nitrogen.
If heat and energy causes these bacteria to multiply,
perhaps they can be frozen in their tracks to give
the researchers more time.
Scrapper turns his EM emitter up to the highest
frequency and power setting and tries again.
Gryphus transmits to Soundwave: "I need permission
from Megatron that I can seek out help thorugh the
Autobot Researchers. If anyone knows if the cure was
found, they would know. I could persude them to tell
me."
Nightbird says, "I am uneffected as yet Ruse. But I
didn't touch the device."
Soundwave looks up. "Nor did I."
Blood Raven says, "If Colossus joins them then they
will definatly be infected!"
Tempest snaps, "Neither did /I/ and look where that
got me!" She scowls up at her wing tip.
You transmit to Gryphus: "Stand by, Gryphus. Megatron
has an alternate plan."
Blood Raven looks at Tempest in concern "you have
too?
Scrapper says, "Blast it. They don't even seem to
notice the gamma. Soundwave, what are you trying? How
about electrical fields?"
Gryphus transmits to Soundwave: "Very well."
Colossus says, "If I join them the Autobots will
become infected and unable to pursue our captor force
also. Who is with me?" Then a pause, "We will not
contact our forces. We will attack after they
disperse."
Tempest points to her wing tip. "If we were going to
survive this I would tell you to take a lesson about
worrying about others instead of yourself, but
there's not much point in that, is there?" And her
words are a bit hypocritical as she's curled up next
to Harrier and watchign Megatron with concern the
whole time.
Blood Raven jerks her hand away "what are you trying
to do? speed up the process!
CatsCradle looks down at her hands automatically,
checking them over. "Is it airborne or tactile?
Diver... didn't want to tell me a lot about it."
Tempest shrugs, "How should I know...I never got
/close enough/ to find out before."
Soundwave replies to Scrapper, "Cold temperature
seems to slow the replication of the bacteria, but
only slightly. It will not stop the advance for
long."
Blood Raven thinks to herself. The Storm really has
changed...as she watches her closely
Scrapper says, "Hold still, this is going to hurt a
lot less than rusting slowly. You tried acids
Soundwave? How about high heat or plasma?"
You say, "The bacteria are infectious upon contact,
it would seem. And high heat causes them to multiply.
Those who handled the Autobot weapon we returned from
the planet, are showing the greatest effect.""
Blood Raven "i shall join you Colossus, it would be a
chance to hurt the WHAT? ACID?" she hops off the
table
Megatron shortly glances at Temmpest and Harrier.
This is the right conjunction, isn't it? This is how
it really should be, shouldn't it? He coughs, his
intakes infected. Hopefully they survive this.
Ruse calmly looks herself over. Sofar she is
uneffected... She looks to Colossus, "I am with you
commander."
Blood Raven then proceeds to almost fall to the floor
in a faint. She is definatly a lot weaker than she
thought
Harrier moans, "Slaggit...so much for a mate and a
family and a manor...and I came so close."
Scrapper says, "I'm going to go try this batch in the
science lab, see if some ion bombardment will do
anything."
Colossus nods to Blood Raven and Ruse to confirm
their statements. He starts to shuffle away, knees
creaking and threatening severe damage, "Soundwave,
what is the status of Skywarp and Gryphus?"
You transmit to Gryphus: "Megatron will send another
warrior to assist you, who has been out on patrol.
You and the others are to capture an Autobot and
bring him to the tower. It does not matter which. Do
*not* under any circumstances come in contact with a
Decepticon who has been inside the base."
Blood Raven placing a rusty hand on a table she tries
to stand up with much trouble. Her body is badly
rusted now and her optics are flashing (from bright
to dim)
Soundwave looks up sharply toward Colossus. "You are
in no condition to fight, Colossus. We have air
warriors on patrol outside the base, who will meet
Skywarp and Gryphus and carry out the task. If we
wish to share this problem with the Autobots, we will
need individuals who can actually reach the base.
Gryphus transmits to Soundwave: "Then how do we bring
him to the base if we cannot enter?""
Blood Raven "Harrier your nuts." she tiredly remarks
to his comment
CatsCradle says, "I can reach the base." She glances
at her hands again, turning them over. "But I didn't
touch the device. I'm not sure I have it yet."
Megatron finally lays down.
You transmit to Gryphus: "Put him in the tower, and
then withdraw."
Harrier looks back at Blood Raven. "I will have you
know that I really /do/ have a manor on
Cybertron...it's just my bad luck I never found a
femme to share it with, and have an heir to inherit
it..."
Colossus says, "If I'm going down Soundwave, I will
be taking Autobots out." He shuffles some more before
knees give out and he goes down on the floor, flat on
his face. A growl, "Slag. Load me on a catapult and
launch me if need be.""
CatsCradle says softly, "If you give up now, Harrier,
the infection will only work faster."
Ruse looks to the repairtables and notices, "Why
isn't this spreading to them? They are metal..."
Harrier manages, even in this condition, to flash
that killer smile at Catscradle.
Blood Raven rolls her optics (if thats possible) "oh
boy. we are in seriously sad shape." then growls
"those Autobots are proberbly laughing at us now!"
CatsCradle chuckles in spite of herself. "That won't
work on me, Harrier."
Harrier pouts, "Why not?"
Tempest opens an optic and just shakes her head at
Harrier, "Incorrigable," she mutters.
CatsCradle finds herself actually laughing. "Because
I tend to go for tall, dark, and moody, who is
charming towards only one femme at a time."
Megatron says, "I will not give up so easily.
Soundwave, has the virus infected the shuttle as well
or just us?"
Soundwave closes Megatron's access panel again, and
looks speculatively toward CatsCradle. "It is best
you remain with us," he decides. "There are others
outside who can carry out this mission. I have not
given up on finding a way to stop this plague." He
looks down at his hands, noting the rust has pretty
rapidly crept up his forearms. Determinedly ignoring
it, he goes over to the lab computer and calls up
some files, using Scrapper's visuals of the structure
of the bacterium, as a clue to what might destroy the
germ.
Harrier points at Tempest. "I'll never equal her for
moody...ow!" he yelps as Tempest takes a swing at
him... it seems these two are falling back into old
habits in an attempt to forget the impending doom....
You say, "It seems only living Transformers are
infected. I have not seen any inanimate metal that
was damaged."
Megatron looks at Nightbird, concerned if she is
infected too.
CatsCradle nods to Soundwave. "'Sides, having a
few...um... healthier soldiers here to help with
Perceptor would be good." Her predatory grin is back.
"I'd really like to chat with him a bit before we
finish with him."
Tempest starts coughing too....
Ruse says, "... perhaps.. Soundwave would how we delt
with the energy leech work here as well?"
Nightbird doesn't seem to show any signs of the
infection. Her optics sparkle reassuringly at
Megatron.
<Guest> Guest9 says, "How'd the TP go? :>"
<Guest> Blood Raven says, "its still happening"
<Guest> Guest9 says, "THen why are all at the
Repair Bay?"
<Guest> Blood Raven says, "we have anthrax ^-^"
<Guest> Stitchin' Kitty CatsCradle says, "oh,
dear gods..."
<Guest> Guest9 says, "??"
<Guest> Blood Raven says, "sorry crass joke
we're all infected with cosmic rust"
<Guest> Chief Megatron says, "I would compare
that with smallpox."
Megatron is for some reason shocked to hear Tempest
cough now.
Megatron murmures: "We have to find a way. I don't
surrender to germs.
Tempest bites into her hand to stifle a whimper.
Blood Raven agrees with Lord Megatron. "this is no
way for warriors to go"
Colossus seems to be determined to go terminate some
Autobots. Since no one picked him up or anythign to
that effect, he starts to drag himself outwards, one
small 'step' at a time. Fingers dig into the floor as
he hauls the rest of his form behind him in an
attempt to get tot he Ark, at some point in time. The
creaking of his metal on the floor blocks the grunts
of pain.
Soundwave steps over to haul Colossus back up onto
the nearest med table, then pauses for a moment,
organizing his thoughts. "The bacteria are drawn to
living metal," he says. "I suspect that if we shut
ourselves down to the extent that we are no longer
food for the organism, we will be deactivated
permanently." He happens to glance at Nightbird as
Megatron looks to her. His optic band flickers
briefly. Something "clicks", a thought, a possibility
- a hope against certain destruction.
Blood Raven winces in pain right now deactivation
sounds good to her...
Megatron looks at Soundwave and then at Nightbird.
"Not /every/ living metal... Not metal that is
invisible to radar..."
Harrier doesn't want to touch Tempest with his rusty
hands, but he does lean closer to her.
CatsCradle is also looking towards Nightbird. "You
/don't/ have it," she says wonderingly. "And you
should by now, considering how badly Megatron has
it." She frowns. "Soundwave, why doesn't she?"
Blood Raven says, "what do you mean?"
You say, "Nightbird." He looks her over. It's true -
not one speck of rust. He motions her forward,
tilting one of the big repair table scanners toward
her.
Blood Raven says, "those that are invisable to radar
what is different about them?"
Tempest looks at Megatoron,seeming somewhat guilty,
and then rests her head against Harrier...why the
hell /not/, what does it matter now? She closes her
optics.
Nightbird looks over her form carefully. It's true,
she doesn't show a trace of infection.
CatsCradle says quickly to Raven, "NIghtbird is not
of typical Cybertronian design. Apparently, a design
that doesn't catch the Rust."
Ruse glances to Nightbird, "... she didn't touch the
thing either or anyone infected..."
Soundwave confirms, "No internal corrosion in your
fuel lines."
Blood Raven says, "but what about Commander Soundwave
and you ruse?"
Nightbird says, "Perhaps I just haven't touched
anything with it enough to get it?"
Megatron says, "You touched me."
Tempest grumbles to Catscradle, "I'm not Cybertroian
either and look what good it did me."
Soundwave looks around the med bay once more. He does
not reply to the various questions. Instead, he
abruptly turns and hurries out of the room.
You enter Access Corridor.
You enter Armory.
You enter Training Complex.
You enter Science Section.
Science Section
A combination laboratory and machine shop,
this area is where most research and fabrication is
done by the various Decepticons with a scientific
bent. Some of the equipment here is larger than an
average Decepticon, while some devices are smaller
than a cassette. A trained eye will recognize devices
for manufacturing and testing cicuits, crystalization
chambers, metallurgical stations, and various energy
field projectors. Even though crowded, the room is
orderly and clean, with parts and equipment neatly
arranged.
Firefly Ray
Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Equipment Storage.
<E> East leads to Training Complex.
You enter Training Complex.
You enter Armory.
You enter Access Corridor.
You enter Repair Bay.
Repair Bay
The place Decepticons seek medical care, the
repair bay makes every effort to put the patient at
ease. The temperature and lighting are optimized for
comfort, and the walls are a neutral grey. There are
ten beds along each wall, all with display panels.
Equipment and tools are stored in the wall between
beds and diagnostic scanners emerge from under the
beds when in use. Off of the main room is a
specialized surgery unit for laser core trauma, a
small cryogenic stasis facility, and an emergency
room with stacked beds to be used when the main room
becomes too crowded. Overall the repair bay appears
to visitors as modern and efficient and this
impression is quite valid. Even the most catastrophic
injuries can be treated here by a skilled medic.
Ruse [Robot]
CatsCradle [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]
Nightbird [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Blood Raven [Robot]
Colossus [Robot]
Harrier [Robot]
Medical facilities' rules.
Obvious exits:
<E> East leads to Access Corridor.
<S> South leads to Equipment Storage.
Colossus stops trying to crawl out of the repair bay.
Reason being...his arms stopped moving. He growls
some, looking around, "Great, I can bite an Autobot's
toenails off now, slag."
Ruse say Housekeeping units, built to a specific
task..
Megatron looks at Nightbird again. "The layer over
your surface. The substance may be what we need.
Soundwave returns, stepping over Colossus as he comes
back in. Giving the Tyrian Warlord only the briefest
of annoyed looks, which might translate to "I thought
I put you back on a table," he goes right to Megatron
with a small glass dish of a viscious gray liquid.
Blood Raven says, "who is Diver? the layer of her
surface is that an antibody?"
CatsCradle nods. "Exactly. If we can figure out what
about Nightbird keeps her from catching this, maybe
Soundwave can replicate it for the rest of us."
Nightbird says, "I thought you couldn't bond the
material to other armor Soundwave?"
Blood Raven watches Soundwave as he enters thats the
same liquid used to heal Nightbirds wounds earlier
Harrier flashes his grin at Nightbird and says, "If
this is so, then I am in your debt, my lady."
Nightbird says, "Or Soundwave's, for thinking of it.
I would not have."
Megatron shortly glances at Harrier as he addresses
Nightbird. A slight trace of jealousy?
Soundwave explains as he finds a small brush and dips
it into the gray, glistening liquid, "It will not
bond to standard Decepticon armor. And yet, if this
coating can deactivate the bacteria, it need only
coat the armor plate for a short time." He pauses
with the paintbrush raised over the rust-rimmed wound
in Megatron's right shoulder, and says, "I can make
no guarantees. It is, as some might say, a 'hunch.'"
Blood Raven "as am I Lady Nightbird" bows in
reverence although she almost falls in the process as
she is very weak
Harrier gives Nightbird a look as if to say that
grateful as he is to Soundwave, he'd rather be
indebted to a lady.
You say, "But the molecular structure of the
bacterium and the structure of the coating lead me to
believe..." he does not finish, and instead wastes no
more time actually testing it out. It's not like
there's much time left to experiment."
Ruse says, "... lets hope your hunch pays off
Soundwave."
Blood Raven says, "i must agree with ruse Commander
Soundwave"
Megatron says, "Does it have an effect, soundwave?"
Soundwave paints the wound in Megatron's shoulder
with the gray liquid, and then watches the readings
on the repair table scanner intently.
<Earth> Gryphus says, "Gryphus to base. Raise
the tower."
CatsCradle grins. "I'll go."
<Earth> Dirge says, "We've got the geek, ready
to drop 'im."
CatsCradle enters Access Corridor <<E>
East>.
CatsCradle has left.
Soundwave remains immobile and unresponsive for what
seems like an eternity. In fact, less than a minute
goes by, as he decyphers the read-out.
<Earth> CatsCradle says, "I'm in the Engine
room. Go ahead.""
Ruse clinchs her fists... she hates waiting.
Megatron says, "Well?"
Soundwave's reply is finally given on channel.
Tempest appears to not even be giving it any
attention, she's too afraid to get her hopes up and
lose them.
Nightbird is tense, waiting for the news. To be the
only survivor... is not a thought she wants to have.
Tempest prefers to face the ugly truth head on rather
than hide in dreams of salvation....
Harrier, on the other hand, waits with bated breath.
Blood Raven "Commander?" she is quite concerned and
tries not to be too hopeful
Megatron breaks the silence with a cough.
<Earth> Soundwave says, "Soundwave to
Constructicons. In the science section you will find
a sample of Nightbird's sensory-deflective coating.
You must set this sample to replicate itself as
quickly as possible. The molecules will reproduce
themselves with access to raw material and at the
proper temperature. There is no time to lose. We
will require a great deal of it."
<Earth> CatsCradle says, "I take it that it
worked, then?"
Soundwave goes back into action. Rather than painting
the rest of his sample onto someone's armor, he
starts diluting it, realizing the internal corrosion
is the worst immediate threat. This will also stretch
the sample further until the Constructicons can make
more.
On Megatron's shoulder, the rust patch seems to have
melted away, leaving a glistening silver patch of
metal beneath.
Blood Raven sighes in relief. "well Harrier maybe
you'll live long enough for that dream of yours after
all" she raises a brow and smirks at him
<Earth> Soundwave says, "Initial results
indicate a positive outcome."
<Earth> CatsCradle says, "we still need
Perceptor? Can't we at least bring him down here and
cough on him a few times?"
Nightbird sighs in complete relief and puts her arms
around Megatron.
<Earth> Ruse says, "Does that mean we slag the
Autobot techie?"
Megatron smirks. "So it works..." He gets up from his
table. "Continue the work and tread the others. I
have to... welcome a guest. Therefore I need to keep
a few of my germs yet.
Harrier grins back conspiratorially at Blood Raven.
"Perhaps I will at that," and he winks at her.
<Earth> Gryphus says, "I already dropped
Prceptor in."
Blood Raven shudders
Megatron smiles at Nightbird. "We don't give up to
curses."
Soundwave's dispassionate language belies the flurry
of activity with which he sets about creating the
dilution. His impulse is to warn Megatron not to
overstrain himself, but he knows that's hopeless. He
steps instead to Colossus, and hauls him up onto a
table for a second time.
Blood Raven says, "Lord Megatron may we join you?"
<Earth> Soundwave says, "The Autobot will yet
be useful."
Ruse moves to help Soundwave now that she knows
exposing herself wont be fatal...
<Earth> Megatron says, "Where is he, Gryphus?"
Colossus grunts in some appreciation as he's hauled
up to a different view. Seeing the metal up close
isn't all too entertaining.
<Earth> Gryphus says, "I put him in the tower
as requested."
<Earth> CatsCradle says, "tower's coming down
now."
Megatron slowly walks out, to "welcome" Perceptor.
<Earth> CatsCradle giggles. "Whoops, never
mind. They just dropped him in."
Nightbird follows Megatron, confident Soundwave has
the situation in hand.
Megatron enters Access Corridor <<E>
East>.
Megatron has left.
Blood Raven looks at Duke Harrier and wishes that he
was not so 'friendly'
Nightbird enters Access Corridor <<E>
East>.
Nightbird has left.
Soundwave flexes his fingers, the rust having settled
in the joins and making his movements less precise
than before, but he continues on. He opens an access
port in the side of Colossus' neck and injects him
with the diluted cure. The sensor readings above the
med table, for those who can read them, show a rapid
disintegration of the corrosion inside his fuel
lines.
Tempest seems listless, almost as if she doesnt'
particularly care if there's a cure or not.
Megatron transmits to Soundwave: "Soundwave, as soon
as the antidote works... treat Tempest and Harrier
first. If possible."
Scrapper comes in carrying the first batch of
additional curative substance, which he sets down and
heads back into the science section.
Ruse monitors the results and nods, "Its dead,
Soundwave. That on the inside is for now anyway." She
looks to Colossus, "You will get to pay the bots a
visit yet... without havign to sacrifice yourself."
Soundwave continues on to Harrier, repeating the
procedure. He injects the anticorrosive into
Harrier's main fuel line, letting it spread
throughout his body.
You say, "Ruse, you can begin to coat the exterior of
our patients with the formula."
Harrier says, "My thanks Soundwave..." and then
glances down worriedly at tempest, curled up with her
optics shut, lost in some world of her own.
You transmit to Megatron: "I am working on them now,
Commander."
Colossus rolls his neck around somewhat as he's
slowly cured. A nod is given to Soundwave and a
quick, mumbled thanks is given. "You appear damaged
yourself Soundwave. You should take priority." A nod
to Ruse with a faint smile, "Good. They will pay."
Soundwave goes on to Tempest, disregarding Colossus'
suggestion, perhaps not even hearing it or at least
not responding. Carefully he opens an access panel in
Tempest's neck.
Tempest flinches and now does look at him, lip
curled...but settles down grudgingly as she realizes
this is the cure.
Blood Raven also notes Tempest's lack of movement "is
Tempest...alive?
Tempest looks at Blood Raven. "Yeah, I'm alive."
There's some underlying...anger? pain? disgust--and
if so, at what?
Ruse takes up a small spraygun from under a
repairtable. She nods to Soundwave before taking and
filling it with the cure. She then starts to coat the
outside of Colossus, spraying him down. She then
follows after Soundwave..
Soundwave assures Blood Raven, "She lives." He
injects the anticorrosive in a similar manner,
glancing up at the readings. Then he goes to Blood
Raven.
Blood Raven sighes in relief she will be okay. slowly
she attempts to sit back on the table.
Harrier grins, "If what you tell me is true, Tempest,
our new comrades are the sort who deal in miracles on
a regular basis."
Soundwave helps steady Blood Raven, and infuses the
cure into her system in a similar manner. "You should
feel stronger soon," he assures her, and by extension
the others.
Colossus nods towards Ruse. He studies her slightly,
considering. Then the others. Fine warriors all it
seems.
<Earth> Gryphus says, "Notify me via radio if
its safe to return to base."
Blood Raven smiles and nods "thank you soul dancer
Scrapper brings some more of the curative substance
from the science section.
<Earth> CatsCradle says, "give us a moment.
We're still playing with the Autobot.""
Ruse begins to spray down Tempest now, "Actualy this
is normal.. between the energy leech.. the
Autotelepaths.. the random planet full of highly
destructive plasmacannon toating drones.. this sort
of thing happens to us every few cycles Harrier."
Harrier pokes Tempest, getting her to move so Ruse
can spray her, and then strikes a pose for Ruse to
spray him. "No lack of excitement, eh what?" and he
winks at Ruse, but in a friendly manner rather than
his ladykiller smile.
Tempest mumbles at Soundwave, "You must not entirely
hate me or you'd have left me to rust."
Blood Raven says, "Scary to say isn't it will you be
staying with us then?"
You say, "I should have thought that would be
obvious, Tempest."
<Earth> Gryphus says, "I .. see."
Harrier says, "My lady, I'm afraid I have business
back in Valckasta ... however .... consider this an
open invitation to visit. I shall have to return and
enjoy the charms of your base another time, perhaps
when it's been .... cleaned out a little, hm?"
Ruse sprays down Harrier, "Better then training in
the Grinder... thats for sure."
Tempest just looks at Soundwave, still not sure how
to figure him, and then her lip curves into a
tentative little smile.
Colossus says, "Try Tyrian, Ruse."
Harrier chimes in, "Try the Spaceways."
Ruse walks over to Blood and sprays her as well, "...
maybe I will someday. Who knows what the future
holds."
Soundwave's optic band brightens a little in a
"smile" of his own as he nods a little to Tempest,
then regards Ruse, who does not seem to be showing
any signs of the disease, but who is almost surely
infected as well. He waits until she has sprayed down
the others, then crouches down beside her. "Remain
still one moment, Ruse."
Blood Raven sighes no point in bothering to try to
stop him from calling her lady. "very well then uh
thank you for the offer but i'm content here"
Harrier doesn't seem put off as he says, "I'm certain
to see you around again."
Colossus nods towards Ruse, "Your skills would be put
to good use at the least."
Blood Raven "thank you Ruse." then turning to Harrier
"i'm sure i will" she smiles a little at that
Ruse lowers her arms to her sides and remains still,
"...." She knows after helping with the other she is
infected for sure.
Soundwave deftly flips open an access panel and
injects her. "Be certain to spray yourself with the
external coating as well." He only now again notices
his own hands, covered in rust and the rust creeping
up to his shoulders by now.
Blood Raven smile is not mean but polite in a 'cool'
distant fashion
Harrier is gentleman enough not to pursue any further
right now, instead he smiles back at her. Then he
turns his attention to Tempest and his smile fades.
What is /wrong/ with her?
Blood Raven notices that rust is creeping up
Commander Soundwaves shoulders. "Commander Soundwave,
do not forget that you too will need the 'antibody'
Ruse begins to spray herself as if with perfume, "Ode
de Nightbird..." Finishing up quickly after the joke
though, knowing soundwave will need a spraying as
well, "What of our equipment? Wont it have bits of
this stuff on it even if it isn't growing?"
Blood Raven says, "we should destroy it all after we
are through don't you think?"
Blood Raven says, "so that way we won't get
recontaminated"
Harrier laughs, "We should mail it /all/ to the
Autobots."
Soundwave assures himself everyone else is alright,
then injects himself with the anticorrosive as well.
He remains still for a moment, so Ruse can spray him
down.
Blood Raven smiles at that remark maybe he isn't that
bad after all
Ruse does so, making sure not to miss a spot... then
looks to whats left of the coating the Constructicons
brought in, "Wish it did bond."
Harrier replies, "I wouldn't like being so
undetectable..."
Ruse says, "Being immune to cybertronian eating
viruses though would be a plus whouldn't you say?"
The rust on Soundwave's hands, arms, and shoulders
almost literally dissolves, leaving a sparkling blue
and pale-silver coating beneath.
You say, "We will have to disinfect the base as well,
this is true."
Blood Raven hops down from where she is sitting happy
that she is now back to her old self. Her body is now
back to its solid black form
<Earth> Gryphus says, "Can I come in yet?"
Harrier admires himself in a reflective surface,
quite proud of how he looks and that his looks are
back to normal...then he leans over the listless
TEmpest. "Tempest....get up."
<Earth> Megatron says, "Laserbeak, to the
engine room, I have a task for you."
Soundwave refills the anticorrosive, looks over to
Tempest with a bit of concern, but realizes he has
other work to do still. "I will see to Megatron.
Harrier, contact me if there is a problem."
Blood Raven noticing Tempest again "Are you alright?"
she approaches the two fo them
Harrier nods. "Yes sir."
You enter Access Corridor.
You enter Armory.
You enter Training Complex.
You enter Engine Room.
Engine Room
Once one of the most important areas of the
ship, the engine room now serves only to house most
of the control systems, the conning tower to the
surface, and the central computer. A large console
provides access to the main computer and detailed
information about its operational status. The main
engines still remain in place, but most of the
peripheral machinery and materials were removed once
it was determined the ship would never fly again.
Consequently, most of the adjacent rooms are empty,
awaiting future expansion.
Megatron [Robot]
Nightbird [Robot]
CatsCradle [Robot]
RandE Office
Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Brig.
<N> North leads to Training Complex.
<T> Tower leads to Conning Tower.
Ruse arrives from Training Complex.
CatsCradle gives Megatron a half-bow, and Perceptor a
wave-salute. She sheathes her sword and heads back to
the repair bay, humming under her breath and looking
extremely contented, considering her destination.
CatsCradle enters Training Complex <<N>
North>.
CatsCradle has left.
Soundwave comes looking for Megatron, the rust that
coated his hands and arms completely gone now, and
showing a gleaming metallic surface underneath.
Ruse follows Soundwave, wanting to make sure Megatron
is alright.
Perceptor has been infected, rather easily, and is
standing still trying to keep from shaking.
Soundwave opens his tape compartment, and intones,
"Laserbeak, eject!" The red tape unfolds into a bird
of prey that circles the room once and comes to rest
on Soundwave's shoulder, awaiting Megatron's orders.
<Earth> Gryphus says, "Is it safe to enter the
base?"
<Earth> Soundwave says, "Affirmative, Gryphus.
Cure has been effective."
<Earth> Gryphus says, "Thank goodness."
Megatron says, "Soundwave, I want Laserbeak to bring
this poor excuse for a Cybertronia to FoxCreek
canyon. However, we need to fix him in his microscope
mode first..."
Gryphus arrives from Conning Tower.
Gryphus enters the engine oom.. at long last.
Colossus arrives from Training Complex.
Perceptor says, "Megatron, the Autobots desire only
peace. There's no possible justification for this
course of action."
Megatron grins. "And Laserbeak should also take a
bomb with him. Prime needs a reason to save him...
fast!
Soundwave nods a greeting to Gryphus, then regards
Perceptor, his expression unreadable.
Colossus manages to find his way around the maze.
Sword in hand, looking ticked off.
Gryphus pauses, she can only hope Perceptors
treatment wasn't bad.. but she'd probalby be hoping
wrongly.
Gryphus rears up on her hind legs, her robotic legs
fold down from her back/torso as her wings flex
inward into a tight fold. Her head and neck snap back
so her robotic head can come up. Her alt mode legs
now fold up as her robotic legs are in place. Her
arms convert slightly from avian looking to normalcy.
Ruse murmers to Soundwave, "Now they talk of
peace..."
Megatron watches Perceptor for a while. "Peace is
what we desire too. But we won't have peace as long
as you and yourkind exist," he replies coldly.
Gryphus frowns.
Soundwave recalls bits and pieces of conversations
over the last few hours, and suggests, "I believe
Colossus would be more than happy to *assist*
Perceptor into his microscope mode."
Tempest arrives from Training Complex.
You say, "As for an explosive - Ruse, have you
something available?"
Tempest slinks by the doorway to get a look what's
going on. Her snarl doesn't indicate a happy mood.
Blood Raven arrives from Training Complex.
Gryphus wonders if she even get a thank you for
fetching the Bot... or even recongition that she was
the only one with enough sense to leave that weapon
alone in the first place.
Megatron suddenly coughs again. He forgot he is still
infected. "Yes, get Colossus, Soundwave. I will
transmit further orders to Laserbeak.
Ruse summons a handy timebomb from subspace, "Its not
a Rumble brand.. but it will do." She hands it up
towards Laserbeak on Soundwave's arm.
Blood Raven deciedes to join the others. "how did it
go Gryphus? was it a success?"
Colossus looks towards Soundwave at that comment,
shining his sword some with one finger. Then he
coughs, "I'm right here boss."
Soundwave steps aside a little so the captured
Autobot Perceptor is easily visible in the middle of
the floor.
Gryphus says, "How did.. what go?'"
Megatron tilds his head: "Colossus? Ah, excellent.
Please help our guest to... transform."
Blood Raven says, "Perceptor? is he now infected
too?"
Colossus twirls his sword around, pointing it towards
Perceptor's neck. His eyes darken and he growls, "You
will change and assist us in obtaining immunity from
this disease. Or you will be used for spare parts for
my legions as we destroy the fleshbags of red liquid.
Do you understand, Accursed?"
Blood Raven "i'll take that as a yes then good show
Gryphus" she nods in respect "remind me next time to
listen to your warning" she smiles when she says that
part
Perceptor tries again to make a brave stance. "No
matter what evil machinations you concoct Megatron,
we'll find a way to circumvent destruction!"
CatsCradle arrives from Training Complex.
Gryphus looks to BR. "You were not the only one that
didn't listen." she tells her. "Now if you all don't
mind.. I'm going to poke around that ship we towed
home."
Harrier arrives from Training Complex.
CatsCradle comes back after her misting, still
humming under her breath. She leans against the wall,
just inside the room.
Megatron looks at Soundwave. He is really exhausted
by now. "I think it is time for my treatment...
Blood Raven says, "be careful Gryphus it proberbly
infected"
Soundwave sends Laserbeak along with Colossus.
Gryphus says, "I doubt that.. but I will use
precautions. ""
Colossus growls at Perceptor, "Your legs are not
required for your continued existence and alternate
mode. Shut up and change, or i will summarily remove
them. Cure. Or genocide."
Blood Raven nods looks serious "good luck"
CatsCradle says mildly, "The vaccination process does
not take long. Perhaps, Gry, you might want that
first, before rushing off?"
Gryphus departs.. rather to listen t this alk of
harming a fellow scientist.
Gryphus pauses. "I thought it was safe?"
Ruse looks to Colossus, "Just try to 'bend' him into
shape if he wont willingly."
Perceptor says, "I catagorically refuse to capitulate
to your demands."
Soundwave has a syringe with him with the
anticorrosive, which he quite easily injects Megatron
with, opening an access port and infusing the cure
into a major fuel line. That will start working on
the interior corrosion, but he'll still need to get a
coating for his armor too.
Megatron returns to the repair bay. "Colossus, do
whatever is necessary.
Nightbird follows Megatron, having seen enough of the
Bot.
<Earth> Soundwave says, "Those who have been
outside the base, you will require a dose of the
anticorrosive to be certain you do not become
contaminated."
Gryphus forwns. "You all said it was safe to enter
and now you tell me you are not cured?"
Blood Raven approaches Perceptor "science is a tool
that can be used for good or evil seeing as you view
yourself as 'good' perhaps it would be 'good' for you
to save your fellow Cybertronians" she says that
remark coldly with a wicked grin
Colossus narrows his optics at Gryphus with a frown.
A softy in the ranks. He chuckles at Ruse with a nod,
"His limbs are not required indeed. Just that glass
thing and his ugly head." His sword raises and he
brings it towards Perceptor's legs, flat end first,
so the scientist merely falls on his aft. And is put
in a better chop chop position.
You say, "You can still potentially pick up the
organism from contaminated surfaces, Gryphus. You
will be fine as long as you recieve the treatment as
a preventative."
Blood Raven looks at her Lord in concern "My Lord you
are in need of rest?"
Soundwave indicates the syringe.
Megatron enters Training Complex <<N>
North>.
Megatron has left.
Gryphus says, "then please adminster it so i may do
some research abourd that vessel."
Perceptor sprawls on the ground and tries to get back
up again and toward the conning tower.
Ruse watchs. She, like Colossus, has has 'a bit' of a
personal grudge aginst Autobots. She leans back
aginst the wall and crosses her arms, "You may as
well give in bot... it will hurt less. Actualy on
second thought don't give in. Colossus will be glad
to chop your nonvital bits up."
Soundwave looks toward Perceptor and Colossus and
suggests, "I believe I can assist. One moment."
First, he makes sure Gryphus is protected from any
residual rust germs, injecting her with the
anticorrosive as a preventative.
Blood Raven turning back to Perceptor "perhaps we
should pry it out of him if he won't offer it to us
freely" she removes two of her 'dagger shells' from
her head
Gryphus nods and heads out.
Harrier enters Training Complex <<N>
North>.
Harrier has left.
Gryphus enters Conning Tower <<T> Tower>.
Gryphus has left.
Blood Raven leans in near him and hisses "well its
your call, what do you say?
Perceptor answers, trying to sound defiant. "You
shall do whatever you will in any regard. I shall not
cooperate."
Soundwave turns back toward the altercation. "Perhaps
if you will hold him still, Colossus."
CatsCradle snorts a little under her breath as
Gryphus leaves, then turns to Colosus and Raven.
"Just don't do anything to him that will kill him
before he can infect the Autobots.
Ruse narrows her optics abit and asks, "Must you
Soundwave? I belive Colossus is doing a fine job on
his own..."
Blood Raven looking back at soundwave "Commander
perhaps you can pry it out of him?"
You say, "He will not be of much use if too badly
damaged. I can induce him to transform, and you can
bind him in that mode."
Colossus brings his sword up to slice it towards
Perceptor's legs. Since we need the Bot alive,
Colossus leaves the sword there to grind internals
and starts to slam his fists hard into Perceptor's
gut, "Better hurry before I lose it, Accursed!"
CatsCradle says, "Can you make sure he can't speak?
Otherwise he might warn the 'bots off and defeat our
purpose."
Soundwave doesn't seem to mind Colossus taking out
his aggressions, but now he repeats, "Hold him still
now, if you would. Megatron requires this matter to
be seen to."
Blood Raven wants to join in but there is no room for
her to do so "Commander Soundwave can't you jsut read
his thoughts?
Perceptor unfortunately has little ability to
withstand punishment, and all the stress, and has
passed out.
You say, "His thoughts are of no interest to me. His
position in the near future, is what I wish to
assure."
Colossus puts a chokehold on to Perceptor, squeezing
his shoulders tightly. He looks to Soundwave,
"Require him awake?"
Ruse sighs and nods to Soundwave then looks to
Colossus and Perceptor, "If you did... oops."
Blood Raven says, "but wouldn't his thoughts hold the
answers for the cure?"
Soundwave steps over to Perceptor and reaches past
Colossus to open a control panel. He shakes his head
as he simply sends a charge of electricity into a key
node of neurocircuits, which triggers an involuntary
transformation. Perceptor transforms and shrinks
under Colossus' hands.
[OOC] Soundwave says, "We've taken care of the cure
some time ago. ;)"
CatsCradle says to Raven, "We have a cure. And
Perceptor never found one, anyway."
[OOC] Blood Raven says, "oops sorry i thought there
was another more perminent cure thats all (or was the
spray the antibody?)"
Laserbeak hovers nearby, carrying the explosive
device that Ruse gave him, and waiting to take
Perceptor to the location near the Autobot base.
Colossus nabs his sword and the microscope and growls
at it, "Accursed beast."
Laserbeak swoops in, the impatient sort, and snatches
up the small microscope in his claws, getting it out
of further harm's way by vengeful Decepticons. Though
the fact that he's carrying Cosmic Rust back to
Autobot base, is more fitting still. Laserbeak
disappears up the access tower.
CatsCradle smiles after Perceptor. "Good," she says
softly. "Let him go through the panic I did."
Ruse says, "... now lets just hope that ship doesn't
contain an unfortunet suprise..."
Soundwave is satisfied that Laserbeak is on his way
to fulfill the mission, then heads back toward repair
bay to make sure all is well there.
Colossus looks towards Laserbeak, "Hope he doesn't
drop him too close to the ground."
CatsCradle snorts again. "Oh, that would be all we
need." She rubs at her forehead. "I don't think I'll
go along. Let's not tempt my trouble-magnet any
further.
END
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