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 circuits, crystallization chambers, metallurgical stations, and various energy field projectors. Even though crowded, the room is orderly and clean, with parts and equipment neatly arranged.

Divefire [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Equipment Storage.
<E> East leads to Training Complex.

Reflector has arrived.

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Tempest arrives from Training Complex.
Tempest comes slipping in to see what's going on.

Soundwave is checking out the thermal tap machine one last time, to make sure it's fully operational and ready to go.

Divefire is in a particularly unobtrusive corner, hunched over and working on a device of some sort. Occasionally the spark of wiring can be seen and the low mutterings of a (would be) scientist at work.

Megatron arrives from Training Complex.

Buzzsaw comes in on Tempests' shoulder, yawning a little bit.

Reflector helps out by organizing tools and handing them to the scientists.

Megatron strides in. "How's work going?"

Soundwave looks up briefly from the machine, a diagnostic scanner in one hand that's scrolling through readings on a small screen. "Everything appears to be functional, Commander."

Tempest reaches up to pat Buzzsaw and takes a seat in the corner, looking at the science-types at work.

Divefire stretches up and pauses from his work. Tentatively he flicks a switch on the device and... "This is CNN..." echoes out from it.

Soundwave puts away the scanning unit. "The device is ready for transport."

Buzzsaw glances at Divefire, then shakes his head and allows Tempest to pet him a little... only a little. He's got an image to keep up of being very buff, smart, etc.

Megatron nods. "Excellent." Actually he hopes to avoid being confronted with the Autobots.

Reflector starts putting away the tools that are no longer being used, cleaning up the area.

Soundwave coils a cable netting around the machine so a jet in flight could easily carry it along, as it's rather too big to fit into a cockpit.

Soundwave then turns to face Megatron. "All geo-scanner readings indicate the correct spot to place explosives, which will allow us to access the crystal shaft leading to the planet's interior."

Tempest pulls out a map and studies it, retracing the route she took previously, remembering where she and Buzzsaw had explored.

Divefire flicks a few more switches and twiddles a few more knobs on the device he's working on, before turning it off and sending it to subspace. Finally he turns around and casts his gaze over the room. "I hope you are all ready for some extreme levels of cold."

<Earth> Megatron says, "Decepticons, we are ready to leave for the Arctic. We meet in the Engine Room."

Tempest waves a half-empty bottle of De-icer at Divefire. The bottle is old, battered, covered in oil ... Primus only knows where she dug it out of.

Buzzsaw peers at the map too, pointing with his beak if Tempest goes off course.

Divefire smirks slightly at Tempest and gives a slight nod to her. "Good. Although maybe the ice might slow your systems down a little..."

Soundwave fastens the netting more securely around the thermal tap machine, and stands ready for Megatron's further orders.

Megatron says, "We leave."

Megatron enters Training Complex <<E> East>.
Megatron has left.

Buzzsaw has left.

Soundwave half pulls, half carries the machine along as he follows.

[Travel Spam]

You enter Arctic Circle.

Arctic Circle

          In the vicinity of the planet's magnetic north, the landscape consists of immense stretches of ice flows ringed by the Arctic Ocean, edging into tundra biotope on the permafrozen land surface. This region boasts short mosquito-filled summers and long dark winters, and an ecology characterized by few species with large numbers of individuals, seeing as those few beings who can live here, face very little competition. Stunning pyrotechnic displays by the aurora borealis are common here, and - perhaps of greater interest to offworld visitors - tapped and untapped oil reserves are relatively abundant.

Ruse [Robot]
Starscream [Robot]
Reflector [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<S1> South1 leads to Boreal Forest <North America>.
<S2> South2 leads to Boreal Forest <Asia>.
<S3> South3 leads to Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
<S4> South4 leads to Pacific Ocean <Central>.
<S5> South5 leads to North Sea.
<U> Up leads to Earth Stratosphere.

Tempest arrives from Atlantic Ocean <Central>.

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Divefire arrives from Atlantic Ocean <Central>.
Divefire flies into the area

Tempest points out the way to the others--she's been here before.

Ruse soars after the group, that seems rather eager to begin their operation. She smiles, then shudders, activating her internal heat regulators to max in the cold arctic, so her joints and such won't freeze up.

Reflector does the same, concentrating his heat at his cerebral links, so that he won't have any loss of efficiency in his mindlink while he's out here.

Soundwave too increases his internal temperature to compensate for the extreme cold.

Buzzsaw soars upwards, using the work of patrol flying to keep himself warm.

Tempest takes a big swig out of the bottle of deicer.

Divefire of course doesn't have to, being designed for the rigours of intergalactic space flight. This isn't a problem. Annoying, isn't he?

Megatron gestures to an area close by. "We are going to start building the tunnels over there.

Tempest points out the cave that she and Buzzsaw had explored. "That's where the readings are highest ... that hole in the ice."

Soundwave comes in for a landing with the others, carefully setting the thermal tap machine on the ice surface, near an entrance to underground ice tunnels.

Buzzsaw scrawks in agreement and soars over that way, nodding.

Soundwave nods to Tempest. That is the vicinity where we will want to place the explosives, in order to reveal the crystal shaft.

Reflector starts scanning the area, taking stress readings, looking for the best way to place the explosives.

Rumble has arrived.

Reflector transforms into his Camera mode.

Rumble grins, pointing out to Reflector where the fault lines in the ice can be found.

Ruse looks down at the area Megatron and Tempest point out, and banks downwards, slowly descending before landing in the soft snowcover near Soundwave, "Hmm, rather curious phenomena..." She glances around to see if anyone's watching her.

Divefire keeps in the air for now, holding a high circling pattern and keeping a sensor out for unwelcome guests.

Buzzsaw circles higher than Diver, doing the same as he is.

... only better. ;)

Starscream transforms and lands lightly, crossing his arms as he gazes around the desolate frozen desert of ice. "Charming place. I can't wait for the rest of this miserable planet to look just like it."

Reflector starts taking stress readings of the area, searching for the best place to put the explosives, searching for a way to get maximum depth with minimum disruption of the ground.

Rumble asks Reflector, "Say, you wanna earthquake or somethin', get those deeper?"

... from off screen, a snowball suddenly is flung at Rumble while he's off guard. Ruse innocently wanders behind some of the equipment shortly afterward, pretending she's looking it over.

Soundwave notes, "We will still be able to access the fossil fuel reserves of this world after all resistance has been frozen. Perhaps our time here is soon to end, and we will return to Cybertron."

Rumble gets whapped in the head ... scowls, makes a snowball and chucks it back at Ruse.

Rumble breaks off to listen to Soundwave. "You think? I ... I miss the old gang on Cybertron."

Suddenly, a load of snow dumps onto Ruse from above, and Buzzy whistles innocently on his way overhead.

Soundwave's optic band flickers slightly brighter in amusement. "Perhaps if you stop playing and get back to work," he suggests casually.

The snowball splats into the equipment Ruse ducked behind and she peeks her head out, grinning... only to be buried under a snowdrift moment later.

Megatron says, "According to the geological analysis, we won't need the other sources anymore. We gather the energy from the planet's fiery heart itself."

Tempest shrugs. She doesn't care what planet she's on. She paces around behind the others, keeping a wary optic on the horizon.

Starscream comments, "I don't care what fuel reserves are left here once this place is dead. Someone else will be collecting it, while I am back on Cybertron where we all belong."

Rumble composes himself and begins lifting explosives.

Reflector says, "You seem to be especially bitter. Change of heart, or showing us that you have other moods besides betrayal and plotting?"

Divefire catches some of the conversation on the ground and frowns internally. Yeah, kill a potential source of renewable energy, good idea...

Megatron says, "Now stop talking and get to work or we will be stuck here forever!"

Reflector sends Soundwave the results of his analysis of stress points in the ground.

Ruse slowly digs her way out of the drift, and gets to work as well... casting a glance upward at Buzzsaw. She wanders over to Rumble and helps him with the demolition charges so he won't have to make so many trips to place them all.

Tempest, somewhat hesitantly, hoists a box of explosives and carries it on her shoulder, looking at the others to show her what to do.

Soundwave brushes the snow off the thermal tap machine.

Buzzsaw looks down at Ruse with a /That'll show you to throw snowballs at Rumble/ Look on his birdish face as he spirals upwards, still scanning.

Reflector transforms back to robot modes, and all three of him pick up boxes and carry them, moving (and looking) exactly identical.

Like they ever don't? :)

Soundwave ejects Laserbeak to join Buzzsaw in aerial surveillance.

Laserbeak has arrived.

Starscream chuckles and comments to Reflector, "You will get to stay here, Reflector. After all, we will need someone on site to do all the wonderful recon and analysis for potential resources. Aren't you the best at what you do? And nothing less than the best is acceptable." With that, he walks over and begins aiding in the adjustment of the thermal tap. Brains, Beauty and skill, all in one package, that's him.

Megatron is also busy working. All hands are needed to get things done.

Ruse merely smirks at the look Buzzsaw gives her. She follows Rumble, toting the explosives, and asks, "Where do we place these inside the cavern Rumble?" After all he is the demolitions expert.

Rumble points out the thin fissures in the ice to Ruse. "Right along these."

Tempest hands Ruse her box of explosives after carrying it into the cavern, and walks back to join Megatron, looking for something else to do and not sure how all the technology works.

Divefire banks around once more and takes a low approach over the ice some distance away, taking a moment to investigate some of the natives of the lands before heading back over to the group, transforming and lending a hand.

With the folding, turning and size shunting of parts, Divefire transforms into his robot form.

Reflector looks annoyed at Starscream, and then continues his (their) work at lifting and placing explosives.

Megatron shows Tempest how she can make herself useful.

Treadnok has arrived.

Ruse nods and begins to set up the explosives along the fissures, delay arming them so Rumble can set them all off at once via remote when ready... and nods to Tempest more then understanding her position with tech and sets up those charges as well.

Tempest watches ... and imitates. She learns quickly.

Soundwave seems satisfied that the machinery is undamaged by transport and snowball fights, and steps over to help the tapes with the remaining explosives.

Rumble grins. "Lets' get outta here Ruse!" He scampers outside. "EVERYBODY READY???" he yells eagerly.

Starscream simply hovers off the ground, and away from the explosive site.

Buzzsaw chuckles at his brother's enthusiasm and pulls higher, to record the best possible view of the blast.

Soundwave steps back then, and awaits the results of their efforts.

Reflector transforms into his Robot mode.

Ruse ducks out of the cave and nods to Rumble.

Reflector flies out of the way, making sure to stay FAR away from Starscream. Something about this climate seems to bring out the brooder in Screamer.

    [OOC] Megatron says, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Laserbeak flies through the air and circles around.

Rumble grins with a cock-eyed smile and presses the detonator!!!

Pop.

Rumble curses and presses the backup!"

A shuddering runs through the ice as the first of the charges goes off along the fault line - then the remaining explosives kick in as a geyser of snow and ice bursts upward, showering the nearby Decepticons with glittering frozen hail.

Tempest ducks as she's splattered with tiny particles of ice, using her wings as a shield, turning her back to the explosion.

Thrust upward by underground pressures, a huge spike of faceted green crystal spears up through the ice. Some of the snow surface around it collapses to expose the network of tunnels underneath.

Buzzsaw is tumbled harmlessly from the blast, spinning and dropping in midair. He's not worried though. There's plenty of room to right himself and he chuckles mentally. Then he transmits aerial pictures of the crystal to Soundwave.

Reflector starts immediately scanning the tunnels via infrared and trying to map them.

Rumble laughs and high-fives Ruse.

Megatron doesn't move an inch as he's being covered with ice particles. He just stares at the green crystals. "Magnificent!"

As soon as the aftershocks die, Soundwave gathers up the thermal tap and hauls it toward the nearest tunnel entrance. Coils of flexible pipe remain behind, that will be attached to the crystal to draw heat from the planet's molten core.

Tempest peers over her shoulder at the crystal. Judging by Megatron's reaction, that's what they were after.

Divefire deftly swipes at the bigger bits of ice but weathers the crystal water storm without moving too much. It's with more interest that he watches the crystal, internally mimicking Megatron's sentiment.

You paged Laserbeak and Buzzsaw with '(telepathic contact) Bring the pipes down into the tunnels, we will begin setting up the equipment.'.

Ruse is once again covered in snow and highfives Rumble back with a smirk, then dusts the powder off before she rusts, while murmuring, "I seem to be a snow magnet.." She looks up once done and stares at the crystal as she notices it, "Amazing... hard to believe a crystal can contain the energy of this planet's core."

Starscream lands next to Ruse, "The crystal doesn't. It's merely a conductor of that energy, that we will use to drain the core itself."

Tempest tentatively taps the crystal. "This thing is fuel?"

Buzzsaw drops rapidly, swooping down and grasping a pipe to carry into the tunnel.

Laserbeak flies down after Buzzsaw and grasps a pipe as he heads into the tunnel.

Reflector says, "Will the planet survive the transfusion? A dead planet is not a good source of energy."

Rumble runs over to help Soundwave with the pipes.

Divefire walks up to the crystal and gives it the once over. He frowns and then gets out a scanner, working out some numbers. "If it is, then I'm not particularly fond of the idea."

Megatron explores the tunnels and decides /that one/ is the right one to store the gathered energy for further shipment.

Soundwave down in the ice tunnels finds a naturally formed "room" in which to set up his machinery. Other tunnels branch off all around the crystal shaft, but it still needs some clearing away of ice and snow around it, to be fully accessible from under the surface.

Ruse ahs and nods to Starscream, "Well, best get to work." She walks over and picks up a pipe as well... following the other cassettes.

Ruse idly wonders.. if they have enough pipes? ;)

Tempest carries in some pipes ... but no sooner has she delivered them to Soundwave than she finds her attention drawn by the caverns. She starts to slink around, peering into each cavern, alert and listening ... as if trying to tell if anything else lived down here ... as if trying to guess where all the tunnels led.

Buzzsaw sneaks up behind Tempest, then swoops low over her shoulder and then circles, looking at her with a smile.

Reflector says, "I will set up a monitoring system to warn us if any Autobots arrive."

Starscream shrugs, "As Soundwave said, there will still be plenty of energy sources that can't be killed. The planet will freeze, every living thing will die, and that's it. The sun will still shine. Fossil fuels will remain locked in the crust, ore will remain ore, waiting to be mined and processed. Even the now solid core itself will eventually provide us with metals for alloys. Nothing will remain once we have finished harvesting this world, many many vorn from now."

Laserbeak flies around, coming out of the tunnel as he passes Buzzsaw.

Tempest seems less than impressed with that idea-- then she walks over to Reflector. "Tell me about this system," she says, as if trying to learn more.

The tunnels under the ice surface were naturally formed by ice flows, and the walls radiate a faint cold blue light from the translucent ceiling above. Their uneven bends and turns make them somewhat of a difficult to guard network - but the Decepticon activity, being underground, will hopefully attract little attention.

Reflector says, "We will, in effect, be draining the planet's core of energy, and using these crystals as conductors, transferring the energy from the core to energon cubes."

Megatron comes to the "main cave", looking after Soundwave and his work. "It seems all works perfectly," he states.

Divefire growls a little to himself as he snaps shut his scanner and walks away from Ruse and Starscream in annoyance. Muttering to himself, because he knows it's falling on mostly deaf audios he says. "And of the uniqueness of this planet... It will be lost forever." He steps over to the tunnel systems and jumps down. Noting the size, layout and design, he smirks a little as he realizes he has the perfect mode for looking around down here.

Panels reform, locking together as mass shrinks, finally coming together as a Mk III Trans-Am.

Tempest nods, taking it all in.

Ruse sets her pipe down near the equipment Soundwave brought in and looks to Tempest. She can't help but smile as the seeker shows some interest at least. She then looks to Rumble, "Well, let's start getting rid of the rest of this snow."

Rumble grins and advances to the end of the tunnel, calculating the fault lines. "Stand back." He activates his piledrivers.

Reflector says, "I will attempt to set up monitoring devices consisting of holocams, sensor nets, lasers, and infra red scanning systems to monitor our activity. I will mark all of our forces with a tag that will tell the system to ignore them, and anyone not tagged will show up on our scans as an intruder, and it will tell us exactly where they are, and hopefully either they will fall into traps or let us dispatch troops."

Ruse steps back from Rumble and his workspace.. several long steps. She knows better to get in his way when he's on a pounding spree.

Tempest grins a little at Reflector. "Clever. And more complicated than the visual duty I am used to."

Soundwave looks up and nods to Megatron. "Everything is going as planned. Then we can leave this world. I admit, after yesterday's space bridge accident, I will be pleased not to see it again."

Divefire drives down the tunnel network and out of sight from the main group, his headlights give off a faint glow and the low rumble of his engines echo out, being the only hints he's out there.

Megatron nods, his jawplates set. Reflector says, "Optics can only go so far as monitoring devices. That is why we have security systems. Optics can be easily distracted, although security systems are not perfect either." Soundwave places a hand on the thermal tap with its heat exchanger. In a way, it was the last act of an anonymous Decepticon, and he's determined the device will be put to good use. Tempest nods. "Of course, we didn't have this kind of technology." She looks over the heat conductor, the defense grid. "Deuce would kill to see this," she says in a whisper. Soundwave's gaze flickers toward Tempest, having caught the whisper and having some idea of what she means, though he makes no outward response.

Ruse looks to Reflector, overhearing the conversation, "That's all well and good.. if you have all that equipment stored in subspace, that is, which I kinda find unlikely. I didn't see it brought with us by hand so, unless you have one huge subspace pocket I will be shocked to see you set up such."

Rumble laughs. "Reflector IS a monitoring device all by himself!"

Megatron whispers to himself: "I will end this war once and for all."

Tempest, thinking she heard something, glances questioningly at Megatron.

Reflector says, "I have three such subspace pockets, allowing me to carry, essentially, triple the amount of materials than the usual Con. (with approval from Sounders on that part for tech). I have the materials necessary to secure the perimeter with me because they will be useful in setting up a temporary camp to drain the energy, and prevent unauthorized visitations."

Soundwave catches that whisper as well, and meets Megatron's gaze for a moment with a slight nod, then turns back to his work, connecting up the pipes.

Rumble starts pounding away with his piledrivers again, driving the shaft deeper.

    [OOC] Divefire wonders if there are any Hoth Ice Monsters down here for him to drive into...
    [OOC] Soundwave would kinda doubt it, Dive. :) If we were on Cybertron you could find TransOrgs....

Starscream walks over to the device and the crystal, commenting, "There is only one, small, problem. When we freeze this world, even if every organic creature dies, the Autobots will remain. Not only that, but since they will no longer have creatures to martyr themselves in front of, they will be equally free to run rampant and collect resources for themselves."

Ruse blinks and says frankly to Reflector, ".. you never cease to amaze me." Then she braces herself as Rumble starts pounding and slight shockwaves tremble through the ice and snow.

Reflector says, "Yes, but the Autobots will concentrate their efforts on saving the flesh creatures, not on us."

Tempest grins at Starscream. "Then we'll have to kill them all, won't we?" The new Seeker doesn't seem the least bit bothered by this notion ... though there is no particular hatred in her voice either.

Starscream shrugs, "Even the Autobots won't be able to save the humans, no matter what they try."

Megatron says, "But we have the greater energy stock then, Starscream... we have the advantage of aerial forces."

Megatron says, "All connections set, Soundwave?"

Tempest thinks about a world of ice--her optics running over the heat transfer machine, and murmurs something softly to herself about worlds ending in fire and ice.

You say, Affirmative. As soon as Rumble completes clearing the remaining ice, we can begin."

Megatron says, "Excellent."

Rumble grins. "Stand back everybody!" And he thunders away at the ice with his piledrivers.

Ruse looks to Starscream, and nods in agreement with Megatron, "You and the seekers are the best airwarriors we have. You should be able to able to overtake the ground-based Autobots when we aren't busy guarding energon cubes." She notices Rumbles kinda not making much headway despite pounding away, and teases, walking into the area he's working in just a bit, "What's the matter, Rumble. Is the big bad ice too tough for you?"

Rumble grumbles, "It is NOT..." and gives one extra- hard blast...

A river of glacial ice and snow collapses from the wall and rushes toward Rumble, having been loosened by that final hit.

Rumble is knocked head-over-heels by the ice. "Don't know my own strength!" he says as he digs himself out of the snow.

Ruse once again as the piledriving cassette slams into the cavern wall finds herself covered in a snow drift as the cavern shakes from the force and some plops down atop her. o O(What is it with the snow and me this cycle?)

Reflector hears and sees the snow coming, and starts rocketing towards the cave exit. He doesn't make it.

Meanwhile in the distance darker depths of the ice caverns, KITT, er.. Divefire is driving along, mapping out the depths of the area and keeping himself busy. It's then that his radar pings and warning sensors go off as a rather large wave of dislodge ice fast approaches his position...

Megatron hears the noise as well. "What was that?" He heads for the cavern it came from.

Ruse, after the effects of the Rumbles pounding fade, digs her way out as well and dusts off once again. She then notices something in the ice and points to it, "Hey Rumble.. what is that?"

Rumble shrugs. "I dunno. It looks like some kinda...robot!"

A white metallic object sticks part-way out of the wall of snow near the crystal shaft.

Starscream wasn't in the cave, so the snow doesn't cause him much concern. If Soundwave's less forward thinking creations get buried under tons and tons of snow and ice, what's it matter to him? The suddenly excited tones in the cavern, however, draw his attention, and he strides in, helping those who have fallen up as he goes along.

Rumble leans over. "He's frozen in there real solid!"

Megatron enters the cavern as well. His face shows he wants an explanation.

Reflector gets up close and carefully examines the protruding piece of metal. Confirm: Cybertron manufactured metals.

Soundwave too leaves his machinery for the moment and comes to see what Rumble has unearthed.

Ruse ehs as Megatron and Starscream enter, "Megatron, we found something buried in the ice!" she points to the robot Rumble is examining, "Seems to be a robot of some sort."

Starscream comments, mildly annoyed, "Why are you just standing around? There's work to be done."

Reflector says, "This type of metal was used in old style, pre-Seeker aerial designs."

Megatron says, "So, you did... Starscream, I want a closer look!"

Soundwave regards the faint silhouette of the frozen robot with curiosity. Another Cybertronian, here?

Rumble says, "You want me to try to bust him outta there?"

Reflector says, "Sir, we have discovered an ancient Cybertronian, predating the Seeker series, and aerial based."

Ruse motions for Rumble to step back as she does, to give Starscream room to do whatever it is he's going to do to free the robot.

Tempest stalks over to see what's going on. She looks at the frozen bot with a snort. "Hmph. Fallen soldier. Well, we don't need his fuel or his raw materials..." She starts heading back to the crystal only to realize the others are still looking at their find.

Reflector turns to Tempest and explains, "Perhaps he can be reactivated to join our cause, if he is in good shape.

Starscream looks back, and nods to Megatron, "You shall have it, leader." With that, he turns and begins melting the ice with his arm lasers, taking extreme care not to damage the entombed Cybertronian.

Laserbeak flies around and lands on Soundwave's shoulder.

Rumble stands back.

Ravage has arrived.
Ravage stalks into the area.

Soundwave reaches up and idly strokes Laserbeak's head as he watches with interest.

Megatron looks critically at what he sees. "Hmm... with his size and probable strength, he will make an excellent Decepticon."

Tempest glances at Reflector. "Do you invite EVERY washed-up soldier you find?" she mutters, knowing she's talking about herself as well. She snorts. "At least *I* was still alive and kicking..."

Laserbeak looks at the others as he nudges his head upward against Soundwave's hand. *sqawk*

Rumble rushes up to Ravage. "Look what we found!" He points to the entombed robot.

Starscream continues to melt the ice, expression strangely ... expectant.

Reflector scans closely. "Without him being active, there is no way to judge his power levels, but he is of a larger size than even Megatron or Prime."

Ruse looks.. up... up... up at the robot who's even bigger then Megatron as she mumbles, "I thought Tempest was tall."

Ravage pads along... feeling slightly annoyed to the crunch of snow and ice under paw.../Frozen food ?/

Tempest kind of grins at Ruse, feeling flattered to be "tall." She eyes the iced robot. "Height didn't save HIM."

Soundwave is interested, as well, by the reactions of the others. In particular Starscream's expression catches his attention. He stands back behind the others and simply observes.

Ravage keeps clear of those about to cut the Robot from the ice and bounds over to stand beside Soundwave where it is relatively safe.

Buzzsaw is OUTSIDE, still pulling watch duty and he's watching a polar bear... wait, wrong flyer, dangit. Bad Buzzy! no biscuit!. Anyways, Buzzy continues to patrol.

Megatron watches the frozen robot being dug out. One good warrior more would always be an advantage.

Soundwave's armor plate radiates a certain amount of heat, still to compensate for the ambient climate, but it also warms Laserbeak and Ravage standing nearby.

Ruse nods to Tempest, "True... " She notices Ravage enter and wanders over to Soundwave as well. The glimmer in her optics tells you she's thinking about tossing a snowball at him as well, but her better judgment stops her.

Meanwhile, back with Trans-Am, Divefire is rather rapidly driving through the cave network, heading further and further away from the group with the wall of ice flowing rather close behind him. It's with some relief that he makes a sharp turn and finds another ice cavern, getting out of the way of the ice wave, but only to have the way he came in now blocked. Looks like he's stuck here for awhile...

Reflector says, "Does anyone have an identification of the robot?"

Reflector says, "I see no faction emblem on him."

Tempest says, "Never seen him before."

Megatron says, "We'll take him to the main cave as soon as he is completely dug out."

The robot is at last excised from the ice, falling forward as a frozen corpse would. Starscream, however, is there to prevent a crash, stepping forward and easing the dearly deactivated to the ground. "Come, as Megatron says, we should carry him to the main cavern."

Rumble is big enough to heft one of the robot's hands...

Soundwave steps forward to help transport the big robot.

Ruse walks forward and moves to help Starscream.. hefting the other hand.

Reflector looks up, all three of him VERY confused. This is an emotion that he never expected to see in Starscream. Concern...

Ruse looks to Rumble and smirks, mumbling loud enough for him and perhaps the others nearby to hear, "Well... at least he's not a huge energon cube."

Megatron thoughtfully watches Starscream. Why is his second in command so concerned?

Soundwave guides the procession a little to a spot in the cave beyond the thermal tap machinery, where he's laid out a metal platform in preparation for stacking up energon cubes. But it makes a good makeshift examination table meanwhile.

Tempest looks mostly disinterested in the newcomer, and instead wanders off a little, peering into the other caverns, or glancing outside.

Rumble heaves the giant robot's arm onto the table. "He's HEAVY!"

Reflector lays out some equipment that he carried in an emergency medical kit for Soundwave to work with.

Ruse, once she manages to place the other arm up as well, nods in agreement with Rumble, "Hey he's bigger then Megatron, that's to be expected."

Starscream steps away from the body, looking at it thoughtfully as others move in to begin examination. He's frowning a little, body language closed and guarded. He glances at the others, briefly, before his gaze inevitably returns to the recumbent Cybertronian.

Soundwave positions the robot's lower legs, and then pulls out that diagnostic scanner that he seems to carry around with him. He nods to Reflector in appreciation of the repair equipment he thought to bring, and then looks over his readings.

Tempest slips back in, staying out of sight near the wall--watching from the shadows to see what the Decepticons REALLY do to others when they're unconscious...just in case...

Megatron watches more Starscream's reactions then the frozen robot. Meanwhile a soft hum indicates that the machines are busy collecting energy.

Soundwave notes, "His time in the ice kept him reasonably preserved."

Ruse watches Starscream as he looks to her and tilts her head a bit thoughtfully. Starscream is acting so very different from the mech she saw on the shuttle back home before they crashed and it became their base. o O(It's almost like he has two personalities.)

Ravage sneaks his way closer to the strange brightly colored mech... and sniffs at a hand.

Starscream glances at Soundwave again, but still says nothing. He merely looks thoughtful.

Ravage stretches out his neck and gives off one of them hissing mechanical growls as he sniffs.. then bounds off again to keep out of others' way.

You say, "We do not have an identity for this individual, but perhaps his memory monitor could be activated to give us some clue."

Ruse hears the growl and looks to Ravage quizzically. She radios him, /What's wrong?/

Reflector stands by Soundwave, ready to assist him if need be.

Ravage looks to Ruse and doesn't give an answer... in fact this cavern is getting too crowded for him so he slips off into one of the tunnels.

Starscream can't take the beating around the issue any longer, and leans forward. "Then give him 50,000 volts to reactivate his memory monitor!" There's something behind his merely snapping, a sense of urgency to the command that makes it seem personal.

Megatron says, "Starscream, why are you so concerned about this creature?"

Soundwave looks almost questioningly at Starscream, but picks up a piece of repair equipment that Reflector has thoughtfully brought along, and fires a spark of electric current toward the immobile white robot. The energy washes over his form and crackles around the exposed circuitry, then fades away again seemingly without result.

Starscream straightens and looks at Megatron, saying in tones lost to the past, "Because I knew him once, a long time ago back on Cybertron." He returns his attention the castaway, optics far away in a different time, a different place.

Soundwave announces in a neutral monotone, "No response to the power charge, Starscream."

Reflector stands there, amazed, at seeing a look of CONCERN, and perhaps longing in Starscream's eyes. He thought that the Air Commander thought Cons were only to be made to be used, then discarded when they no longer had use. He actually had a friend once?!

Tempest says, "He's dead. Maybe we should forget him and get on with the work."

Ruse watches Ravage leave suddenly and just shakes her head. o O(What got into him?) She looks back to the table and hmms, "Tempest, would you have liked it if we took such a careless destroy what's a hindrance attitude with you? Because you wouldn't be functioning if we did."

Tempest says coolly to Ruse, "I'm still trying to figure out why you didn't." She glances back at the fallen robot. "Be that as it may, at least *I* was alive and kicking, not already defeated by death."

Reflector says, "It is as if he is in an extended stasis, not "dead.""

Tempest says to Reflector, "Heh. Looks dead to me."

Soundwave looks questioningly toward Starscream. "Perhaps a higher-powered charge would bring his memory monitor online," he says, though he sounds a little dubious. This robot has been deep-frozen for millions of years.

Starscream eyes Tempest, his tone and expression dangerous, "I can change that, Seeker. Just say one more word." He looks back at the dark body, saying, "Do it again, Soundwave. Just one more time." The ice in his tone is gone as quickly as it came.

Tempest glares at Starscream's back, but knowing Starscream is technically her superior, says nothing. She folds her arms, her optics ruby ice.

Soundwave says, "Increasing power level to one million volts." He puts aside the external energizer, and instead reshapes his right arm into a cannon-like structure that rotates, crackling with electricity, and then fires a burst of jagged light that dances across the big white robot's form.

Ruse activates her hoverjets. The soft sound of her rising up can be heard as she moves beside yet behind Tempest and whispers to her, attempting to explain it how she understands it, "Look, being kind when you can afford to those that may deserve some form of isn't a weakness... it's a great strength. Look at you, we gained a great warrior and good fellow comrade in arms I think because we did so. That's why we spared you, kindness is a strength if used properly and that's part of what being a Decepticon is about. Strength of the mind as WELL as body."

"His name is Skyfire." Starscream's tone says he is definitely remembering things long forgotten, "Observe his history as is was recorded before his icy imprisonment." On the memory monitor, images begin to play, "Skyfire and I were both explorers on Cybertron. Skyfire and I were exploring what was an uncharted planet at that time ... this one, Earth. We detected no signs of intelligent life on the surface, but Skyfire insisted we look closer." He frowns then, continuing, "A polar windstorm came up suddenly, and Skyfire and I were separated..." His fists clench at remembered pain and frustration, "I circled half the globe searching for him, but he was gone..." Tempest gives Ruse a crooked smile...half warm ... half sad ... and though her expression is soft, there's a sudden--and dangerous--flicker of light in the optics, gone so fast most probably missed it. It's impossible to guess what she's thinking...but then she composes herself and smiles, somewhat shyly, at Ruse.

Megatron says, "And now, millions of Earth years later, you have found him..."

Reflector looks at Starscream in a new light. So he DOES have a heart, or at least a fuel pump...

Megatron realizes to see a rare side of Starscream he hasn't seen for eons.

Soundwave re-forms his arm into its usual shape, and listens with quiet attention to Starscream, noting the tone of his words, the expression in his optics.

For a moment, nothing - and one might think that the robot is gone for good. Then, the blue optics of the great white robot flicker... once, twice, then they steady. His bright red and white body, so still for such a long time frozen in the arctic wastes, stirs for the first time in centuries... nay, eons. The large white head turns back and forth ponderously, a look of confusion on the robot's face as he peers at first one robot, then another... finally falling on Starscream's visage. "St-Starscream... is that you?" he asks in a soft voice, a little groggy.

Tempest turns her attention to Starscream, watching him. Reevaluating her first impression.

Soundwave somehow doesn't seem overly surprised, just attentive - but then it's hard to tell *what* he's thinking, really.

Reflector starts going over all of the images that he has of Starscream: manipulator, betrayer, and now something entirely different: friend and caregiver.

Ruse hms and listens to the story... somewhat amazed. She smiles to Tempest but that fades slightly as she looks to Starscream. o O(For the first time I really see what Soundwave was talking about regarding him.) She then notes Skyfire awakening, and studies the robot...

Reflector hmphs. Thinking, what could've turned such a caring Con into the monstrosity that is Starscream now?

Starscream nods, stepping forward and placing his hand on Skyfire's shoulder. The gesture holds the weight of years of regret, but the optics show that regret melting away. "Yes, Skyfire. It is me, and you are among friends." He gestures, somewhat expansively, at the ice cavern surrounding them. "This is not Cybertron, it is Earth. You crashed here many years ago."

Megatron steps towards Skyfire. "I am Megatron, Skyfire, supreme commander of all Decepticons," he introduces himself. "We are on this planet to collect the energy we need to revive Cybertron and conquer the universe. And the Autobots were now our enemies."

Tempest eyes the newcomer and Starscream. "An old friendship," she says, and lapses into an unsettled silence, her own optics faraway from this situation.

Rumble looks at Skyfire curiously.

Megatron looks at Skyfire as if the other robot wasn't taller then him.

Skyfire sits up slowly, propping himself up with one shining white elbow. His blue optics blink slowly as he sees more people, looking at each one in turn.. Tempest, the tapes, Soundwave, then finally returning to Megatron. Then he nods, carefully sitting on the table as his large red and white legs are swung almost ponderously to the side. Each movement is graceful and gentle, but one can tell hidden power hides beneath that white armour. "Then I guess I will join you against the Autobots," his soft, simple voice states as the giant awakens more.

Soundwave watches Megatron in silence, noting that on the strength of Starscream's endorsement, the Decepticon leader is quite willing to accept Skyfire into the ranks. "Reflector," he says quietly, "transform and print out a suitable Decepticon symbol."

Reflector transforms into his Camera mode.

Reflector prints out a Decepticon symbol.

Soundwave catches Reflector in mid-transformation and takes the printed image, letting Reflector then transform back to his robots mode.

Megatron says, "A very good decision, Skyfire."

Reflector transforms into his Robot mode.

Tempest looks at her own badly painted symbols with a measure of shame.

Reflector looks to Tempest and smiles. He transforms back into his camera mode, and gives her the highest quality insignia that he can print out.

Reflector transforms into his Camera mode.

Soundwave steps forward and offers the purple symbol to Megatron.

Megatron takes the insignia. He gives it to Skyfire to connect it to his chest.

Starscream simply watches, something akin to pride and actual joy shining from his features. Before Megatron can offer the symbol, he steps forward, and asks, "May I?"

Megatron stops within the action, and hands it to Starscream instead.

Skyfire smiles a little, looking from Starscream to Megatron. Then finally, the Canadian coloured warrior slips off the table, rising to his full impressive height, towering above the others. His large white fists are loosely clenched, held at ready as he faces his comrades. The blue optics are bright and alert now.

Starscream nods his thanks, and turns to Skyfire, holding the emblem out with a genuine, beautiful smile. "Together again, my friend. Brothers in arms, now and forever. As it should have been from the start."

Reflector looks to Tempest and smiles, and he prints out a high quality Decepticon insignia and offers it to her, if she'll take it.

Tempest looks at the symbols Reflector gave her, and looks around ... but can she really call herself part of this team yet?

Megatron says, "With this symbol, you, Skyfire, become a member of the exalted Decepticon forces."

Tempest simply slips Reflector's gift into her storage compartment, for future use.

Skyfire smiles back then, now resolute in his choice of affiliation as he takes the emblem from his friend's smaller, silver hands. With extreme precision and care, the white warrior applies the emblem to his chestplate, on the nosecone of his alternate mode. Reflector looks up to her and smiles. She's the one of the strongest Decepticons that he's ever had the pleasure of knowing, and she deserves it. He smiles up at her, and then turns his attention back to Skyfire. Megatron says, "Hail Cybertron!" Ruse hmms and smiles, having a seat on Tempest shoulder as she jets up suddenly and does like Buzzsaw would so she's noticeable to Skyfire, "Hail Cybertron! ... and welcome to the Decepticons, White Guardian." She offers a short Decepticon salute, showing little concern Tempest might not want her sitting on her shoulder.

Tempest does join in the Decepticon Loyal Salute.

Tempest looks, startled, at Ruse on her shoulder. Maybe she DOES belong here, a little ... for now.

Tempest smirks at Ruse. "You be careful, I could squish ya." But she's grinning.

Megatron says, "And destruction to all Autobots!"

Rumble chimes in, "Destruction to all Autobots!"

Starscream seems to be really and truly enjoying this ceremony, watching his long lost friend take the oaths that will make him a Decepticon.

Ruse murmurs to Tempest with a grin, "You have yet to squish Buzzsaw." She joins in as well in her own unique way, "Destruction to the Autoscraps!"

Megatron addresses Starscream referring to Skyfire. "Put him on guard patrol." Then he leaves the main cave, checking the energy collection.

Skyfire shifts then, standing a little straighter, a little taller as he returns the salute crisply. The Decepticon logo shimmers on the white metal of Skyfire's chestplate, perfectly positioned and balanced on the rounded surface. His strong but somehow soft voice repeats "Hail Cybertron" proudly, but seems to waver and hesitate over the word 'destruction.'

Soundwave's optics flicker bright with an unusually cold light for a moment. "Destruction to the Autobots," he says almost inaudibly.

All three Reflector's chime in, proud to have a new comrade who brings out a better side of Starscream, "Destruction to all who oppose the Decepticon Empire!"

Soundwave returns his attention to the energon collecting, which is coming along nicely. With a silent command he sends Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, and Ravage out to watch for any trouble above ground.

Reflector goes to the security monitoring station that he set up.

Divefire would of course have joined in the little chorus and tributes to the Decepticon Empire, but he's not there. Nope he's still stuck in a cavern some way away, slowly starting to melt the ice that blocks his way with his headlight lasers...

Ruse hops off Tempest's shoulder for now since the rite is over and it's time to get back to work. She motions to Rumble, "Come on, we have energon to stack into neat piles for transport." o O(It's a dirty job but some cassette has to do it.) Rumble grumbles, "Dumptruckicons, transform and carry." And he follows Ruse.     [OOC] Starscream says, "Remove, remove! Always Remove!"     [OOC] Rumble says, "You said it Screamer." Laserbeak hops into the air as he swirls in circles waiting for Buzzsaw. Buzzsaw joins Laserbeak and flies upwards with his brother.

Soundwave looks over toward Reflector's monitoring station. Not a bad idea, to keep surreptitious watch on the new arrival to see how he carries himself.

Starscream walks a short distance away, with Skyfire in tow. They look together across the tundra, and Starscream says, "Guard duty shouldn't be too much different than exploration. You are still looking for things, you're just looking for a different and more threatening type of thing." Reflector notices Soundwave's presence, and puts on a monitoring device (a mobile holocam) and sets it to follow Screamer and Skyfire. Tempest, kind of disgruntled that Skyfire and Starscream have taken guard duty, instead begins hoisting cubes ... every once in a while glancing behind her, and out of the tunnel's mouth. Skyfire nods as he walks after his friend, taking care to not outdistance the smaller seeker. "Starscream..." he starts after a few moments of silent thinking "Do you like being a warrior more than a scientist?" he finally asks, looking down at Starscream with those blue optics.

Ruse begins to pile the energon made from the machinery into neat piles, "Dumptruck? Could be worse, we could have a cargocrate altmode for disguise." She hmms, looking to the crystal and looks somewhat interestedly at it a moment... then gets back to work.

Starscream looks somewhat surprised at the question, and nods, "Yes. It is far more exciting." Continuing, he says, "And one day I, not Megatron, will lead, and you will be my second in command." He says it as though that were the most natural progression in the Universe ... because it is.

Reflector sighs. Same old Screamer. Oh well, at least now he won't SEEM so insufferable.

Soundwave again just doesn't seem overly surprised, nor overly concerned. He makes a small adjustment to the thermal tap.

Rumble shudders at the idea. "Don't even joke about that Ruse!"

Ruse chuckles placing another cube to the stack, "Aw come on now Rumble. You know we aren't ever going to be configured into anything like that. At least you won't since Soundwave wouldn't be able to transport you then, which can be quite useful at times."

Skyfire listens to this and nods slowly as Starscream speaks. Second in command? That is quite a position. The soft voice comes again "I'm grateful, Starscream, for saving my life. I will attempt to be a credit to you." he promises. The large warrior continues his way onto patrol duty, large blue optics searching.

Megatron looks at the growing piles of energon cubes, contented.

As Skyfire moves off away from the underground activity, he notices something moving toward him in the distance - several Earth vehicles, moving toward him fast.

Tempest hefts an armload of cubes ... they're obviously heavy for her but she won't ask for help nor put any down ... through sheer determination she heaves them onto the top of the pile, teeth gritted, and goes back for more.

Skyfire's attention is quickly brought about to the convoy heading this way and he frowns a little. Narrowing his ice-coloured optics, he stands there, a statue, as he zooms in on the vehicles heading his way.

Reflector says, "Sir. Unidentified Earth vehicles approaching. High probability of Autobots!"

Reflector immediately hits an alarm button.

Whoop! Whoop! Approaching Autobots, shrieks the alarm!

Starscream walks back to the others, spirits buoyed by the day's events. He's in such a good mood, he even helps carrying the energon cubes.

The vehicles close in on Skyfire, and finally screech to a stop before him. The big red truck in the lead transforms, while two small Earth creatures jump out of his doors and scurry off. The other vehicles transform as well, revealing clearly their Autobot symbols.

Ruse gathers another cube up and hms, noticing the seeker picking up what seems to be too many at once for safety, "Don't carry too many Tempest. Dropping one might set it off and this is condensed energon which can be quite explosive." She hmms and sets the cube onto the stack before the alarm goes off and she ehs, "Hmm, the alarm... Autoscraps? Here?"

Tempest drops a cube and draws her swords, eager for a fight!

Soundwave steps over to Reflector's monitoring screen. He watches with interest to see what the big white Decepticon will do.

Megatron says, "Be ready to protect the energon cubes! Although I don't think they'll be able to pass Skyfire."

Reflector radios Starscream /Approaching Autobots! They are near Skyfire's position. Request that you move to assist him!"

The giant white robot's optics widen. Autobots! He moves, after a moment's hesitation, to his large weapon - not much, but it should do. Stepping forwards, the scientist-turned warrior giant takes aim at the largest target... Optimus.

Ruse draws her weapon just in case... very glad Tempest set the cube down and didn't drop it when the alarm went off.

Soundwave hears the radio message as he sends it, and says, "It would be interesting, perhaps, to see how he responds without assistance first."

Reflector says, "We don't want to lose our newest warrior. He does not strike me as one used to war, and might be overwhelmed by experienced adversaries, despite his size."

Reflector turns to Megatron. "Sir, may I suggest that we send reinforcements out to Skyfire?"

Starscream places the cubes in the pile, and replies, "Skyfire will be fine. He possesses something the Autobots don't. He is intelligent, and will fight that way."

Tempest is absolutely quivering in her eagerness to attack. She looks around at the other Decepticons. "One warrior against so many?"

Megatron says, "He's going to be our first line of defense. The next group will try to stop the Autobots at the entrance if they break through."

Tempest mutters, "If he's not a warrior by nature, it'll be a slaughter." She darts to the tunnel mouth to watch Skyfire fight.

The shot forces the Autobots to leap back for cover. Prime, Hound, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Ironhide, etc., find a ridge of ice to hide behind and regroup in the face of this unexpected new and powerful warrior. Meanwhile the two humans, having tried to make a run for it, find themselves on a piece of ice flow in the nearby water, unable to get back to land. "Help! Optimus Prime!" screams one of them, though the Autobots, pinned as they are, can't reach them.

Ruse hms and looks to Tempest and notes her eagerness with s smile, "Ease up, I know what it's like, but still. Besides, a few might get past Skyfire for you to cleave into tiny bits. If none do, eh, there will always be some enemies to fight somewhere."

Megatron says, "Tempest, you'll take a side exit to leave the caves, try to get into the Autobots back, while they attack our guardian."

Reflector calls up a map of the cave system, and transmits it to Tempest.

Tempest nods sharply to Megatron. "At once, sir." As soon as she's got the map from Reflector, she's off...

Skyfire dodges a few shots, moving surprisingly fast. Then his attention is drawn by the strange cries of the little organic creatures. He moves that way, ice strangely supporting his massive weight, even while it can't support the humans as one large, gentle hand reaches down to pick them up.

Ruse blinks as Megatron sends Tempest out, "C-" she stops from asking if she can go as well knowing the answer already. So she waits... leaning up against the cavern wall and checking her rifle to make sure it will function without problem in the extreme cold here.

The humans struggle in terror as the huge hand closes about them. "Let us go!" one screams. "Help, Optimus!" the other shouts.

Reflector turns to Soundwave. "Sir, why is he assisting the organics? Is this a matter of concern?"

Tempest emerges from one of the tunnels, staying low, only her optics and the blue spires on her helmet visible. She seems impressed to see Skyfire holding the Autobots pinned...but what's he doing?

The Autobots, ready to rush out and attack again, are stopped short by the realization that this big Decepticon has captured their human friends.

Rumble listens in to Reflector. He rushes over to the screen, wrinkles his nose. "Eeeewww. Skyfire, put 'em down!"

Skyfire holds the humans up to his face, being surprisingly gentle for such a massive robot. "Don't worry. Only the evil Autobots need fear me." he says, blue optics scanning the two with a scientists' curiosity. His voice is still soft and lowered, like someone speaking to a wild animal.

Soundwave watches in curiosity. "They are valid hostages," he observes, as the Autobots refrain from attacking Skyfire.

Ruse hms as Rumble's comment draws her to the screen as well, "Maybe he plans to use them as hostages or bargaining chips since they are Autobot allies? Starscream did boast him an intellectual warrior after all."

Tempest snarls, realizing that Skyfire is paying too much attention to the humans and not enough to the Autobots at his back. She prepares to assist him.

Reflector says, "Sir, may I suggest that we keep a careful watch on him? He seems too much like an Autobot for our tastes."

Intellectual, yes. Warrior? No.

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

The younger of the two humans, still struggling, protests, "The Autobots aren't evil, they're good! They're fighting to protect our planet!"

Reflector says, "From what Starscream said, he is a scientist. Taking prisoners is the act of a warrior."

Rumble laughs. "Maybe he wants to experiment on 'em."

Ruse looks to Soundwave, and shakes her head, "Took the words right out of my voicebox." She hms and murmurs to Reflector, "Give him a chance, Starscream's not a fool or Megatron wouldn't have him for a second in command."

Skyfire looks surprised at this accusation, and a little hurt. He continues his firm but unhurting grip on Spike and Sparkplug. The blue optics blink once as he replies "That is a lie, and I will prove it. I'll take you to Megatron, our leader. He will explain the truth to you." The massive white guardian rises from his kneeling position, seemingly having forgotten about the Autobots.

Tempest comes screaming in over Skyfire's head to give him some close air support, forcing the Autobots to stay down as Skyfire returns to the cave.

The Autobots remain frozen where they are, unwilling to fire on Skyfire as he walks past them carrying the humans.

Reflector says, "Well, it was an effective way to prevent their assault."

Soundwave nods, and turns toward the tunnel entrance, awaiting Skyfire's arrival.

Starscream is still inside, confident of his friend's ability to deal with the Autobots.

Skyfire makes his way back to the cave system quickly, long, powerful legs carrying him over the land. His hands are now gently cupped around the two humans, preventing their escape and possible harm. Then he reaches the tunnel entrance, looking inside the much-smaller snowcave.

Tempest strafes the Autobot position, listening to their exclamations at the sight of the yellow jet, forcing them to stay down--even though she can't aim well, aim isn't needed really when a rain of lasers is falling towards a large embankment...

Ruse hms and looks to Rumble, "You don't /really/ think he would experiment on them do you?" She softly ews, at the thought of a squishy human being dissected by the huge white robot.

The Autobots seem to withdraw in response to Tempest's attack, seeking a safer place to plan a rescue of their friends.

Rumble says, "Well, how else do we find out what makes them tick? They GOTTA be good for something..."

Megatron awaits Skyfire to bring the humans in.

Tempest is reluctant to show her robot mode to the Autobots...they will not recognize the Yellow Hornet, but will probably remember her robot mode, and the longer she can keep Defcon off her back, the better. So she shoots 'em up one more time and returns to the cavern mouth.

The Autobots now know, of course, approximately where the Decepticons are hiding out, and split into two groups off in the distance, beyond the range of Reflector's makeshift monitoring equipment.

Skyfire finally reaches in with a large hand, uncurling it to expose the two humans. He explains the situation "They were stranded on some floating ice, and seemed to think we were trying to conquer their planet. Perhaps if you talked to them, Megatron, you could make them see the truth."

Megatron looks at the too well-known captives. "Excellent, Skyfire, these two Autobot sympathizers may prove useful to our cause." He turns to his second in command. "Starscream, deal with them."

Tempest transforms into her Robot mode.

Reflector transforms into his Robot mode.

Tempest slips past Skyfire and enters, leaning against the cavern wall, glaring coolly at the humans.

Starscream takes the humans, and tosses the humans into a cul de sac. After a moment, he seals them into an ice prison with the application of lasers.

The two humans draw together in terror at the sight of Starscream's pointed laser, but relax slightly as the prison bars of ice melt down from the ceiling and solidify. They even grow bold and step toward the bars, insisting, "You won't get away with this! Optimus Prime will save us!"

Skyfire blinks in startlement, and then his optics turn confused. Protesting, he reaches forwards toward the humans "But I promised the earthlings no harm would come to them!"

Tempest says sardonically, "They're still functioning, aren't they?"

Megatron frowns at Skyfire. "Then you overstepped your authority!"

Tempest draws a longblade and eyes up the younger human, implying that that could be easily rectified.

Ruse hmms, "Maybe, Rumble." She watches the commander deal with the humans and hmms, "It's always the same ones Rumble. Did you notice that? Only those two ever come with or are normally seen with the Autobots." She looks to Skyfire... quizzically, o O(We aren't harming them. Just making sure they don't escape.)

The humans shrink back from the unmistakable threat of the bladed weapon, finding it safer to stay in the farthest corner of their cage.

Reflector places a security monitor to watch the humans and prevent them from being rescued unnoticed.

Rumble snorts. "Them, and the one in the mechanical chair. They're more like Autobots than humans. Most humans are afraid of ALL robots."

Starscream asks, his natural suspicion creeping into his voice, "Who are you to offer aid to our enemies, Skyfire?"

Skyfire says "They're not our enemies... the Autobots are!" he says, reaching a little farther.

Reflector turns to Soundwave and sends him a quick radio message /With your permission, sir, I am going to set one of the mobile holocams to watch him. He seems to be acting like an Autobot sympathizer, Starscream be damned!/

Soundwave replies to Rumble, "They have made their choice and chosen their allegiance. They are essentially Autobots, you are correct."

Starscream snaps, "Do not interfere!!!" Frustrated, he fires a null ray at the encroaching hand.

Rumble says, "Yeah. They wanna hang out with Autobots, they get treated like Autobots."

Megatron addresses Tempest, "Tempest, at the moment, we need them alive. They guarantee that the Autobots won't attack us.

Skyfire jerks his hand back and out of the tunnel, stepping back from the conversation. His face is shocked, startled, and... confused. He turns back to patrolling, thinking .oO(I'm a scientist, not a warrior like Starscream. I want to explore and discover, not harm innocent creatures.)

Tempest smiles at Megatron. "I figured as much, or there'd be no point in bringing them in alive. There's nothing saying I can't play with them though ... and really ... we'd only need ONE hostage..." She seems to be saying this more to terrorize them than from any actual motions suggesting she might carry through.

Reflector moves closer to Soundwave and one of him whispers. "Sir, with your permission, may I suggest that a monitoring device be placed near Skyfire? He seems to be sympathizing too much with the pseudo-Autobots.

Starscream says, "The puny flesh creatures are insignificant!" He looks at Megatron, "Once they have ceased being useful, they will be terminated!"

Soundwave notices a low-level warning sound coming from the machinery, and cuts into the conversation with a new subject, "We must adjust the core tap at the site of the crystal shaft. We can perhaps generate an increased flow of energon cubes."

Reflector decides that without Soundwave's permission, he cannot monitor a fellow Decepticon, despite his misgivings. If Soundwave allows it, then he will do so.

Ruse ehs and seems somewhat startled Starscream opened fire on Skyfire. She nods in agreement with Rumble, staying out of that little spat, "Shame they are so misguided... this race has proven rather advanced in some technical matters and could have been of use if they where not so gullible."

Soundwave considers Reflector's request, but out of respect for Starscream, he goes against his better judgement and says, "Not just yet, Reflector."

You say, "We have an increased production of energon cubes to see to."

Rumble rolls his optics. "Oh goody, Ruse, that sounds like our cue..."

Soundwave follows the trail of snaking cables to make some adjustments in an adjacent chamber.

Megatron nods to Soundwave. "I'll come with you."

Reflector says, "I'll stay here and monitor the security station, and guard the humans, if I'm not needed elsewhere."

Ruse looks to the machinery and nods to Soundwave after she has said her piece about humans. She turns and walks forward and waits for the large blue robot to make the adjustments, "Yup, sure does, Rumble."

Rumble follows Soundwave. Tempest stays behind, eyeing the humans, and keeping close watch on the doorway.

As time passes and all seems quiet, those watching the humans might out of curiosity wander over to the energon collection site....

Megatron -while they were working on the machines- says: "Soundwave, send one of the birds after Skyfire..."

Tempest gets bored and goes to find Megatron, to ask if perhaps they shouldn't be monitoring the doorway more closely. There were a /lot/ of Autobots out there, after all....

Soundwave nods, and sends a silent command to Buzzsaw to surreptitiously keep watch on Skyfire. Reflector's suggestion, it seems, will be carried out after all.

Buzzsaw sends a signal back that he is.

Ruse once again is seen piling energon cubes as time passes. She hmms and asks her partner in piling glowing pink compressed energy, "Kinda odd, huh Rumble? Being able to gather energon in peace without worry of the Autoscraps..."

Reflector moves several of his mobile holocams to monitor the cave entrance, and the hallways to and from the main room where the crowd is, and of the humans.

Megatron has a strange feeling about Skyfire. He lacks somehow of the right spirit.

Reflector sets up an alarm to ring if any unauthorized presences come within several hundred meters of the main cave where they are.

Those with sharp senses might notice some energy readings coming and going, masked by the proximity of the energon, but there none the less ... those who happen to be looking in the right place might notice several Autobots sneaking in to spy on the work. Hound, Ratchet, Gears, and Ironhide.

Tempest mutters to Ruse, "Don't count on it. There were /lots/ of Autobots out there. They're planning something."

Reflector looks idly at the monitoring station.

Reflector says, "Sir! Autobots in the main room! Request reinforcements!"

Tempest says, "I may be misreading them...I do not know this enemy...but in my experience, an enemy undefeated does not suddenly give up and go away. Especially not if those humans mean a lot to them."

Reflector gets up from his equipment and fires on the Autobots. He also trips an alarm.

Tempest jerks her head up. "There, what did I tell you?"

Whoop! Whoop! The alarm rings once again!

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

Megatron murmurs to himself, doing his work: "I fear Starscream may have to face a disappointment..."

Tempest screams forward in the direction of the alarm.

Reflector charges forward after the Autobots, and fires a flash pulse to blind them until reinforcements arrive.

Skyfire, out on patrol still, snaps his head up. Alarms? Firepower! The giant robot turns, striding back, almost running, back the way he came, to the caverns. Reaching the entrance, he crouches and ducks, maneouvering his huge frame into the large room where the action is, and where he can fit.

Megatron says, "Seize those Autobots! Dispose of them immediately!"

Tempest locates a group of Autobots and opens fire with her lasers!

Tempest tries to drive the Autobots towards the other Cons, cutting off their retreat.

Megatron says, "Soundwave, check for more Autobots in the facility at once."

The Autobots draw their weapons and try to defend themselves, but it's clear they're hopelessly outgunned. Meanwhile, if anyone were to check the ice cave, it would be noticed that another group of 'Bots has snuck in through the lower tunnels and freed their allies - though of course no one has time to be concerned about that now.

Reflector races back, once the Autobots have been captured, to the security station. He calls up a review of the action.

Soundwave fires a few shots at the closest Autobots, and then listens in, patching into Reflector's security system. Trying to work past the cold-induced equipment failures, he says, "Sensors indicate more Autobot energy signatures, drawing away."

Ruse draws her rifle after setting a energon cube down. She opens fire, taking several slow well aimed shots at the visible Autobots!

Megatron says, "Starscream, you and Skyfire take care of the Autobots outside."

Megatron says, "Destroy them!"

Tempest circles around to the stack of energon cubes.

Skyfire pauses at the scene before him, weapon drawn and ready. He looks at Megatron sharply a moment, frowning a little but he says nothing.

Tempest transforms into her Robot mode.

The Autobots try to dive for the exit, but find themselves brought up short by the wall of green crystal that's blocking their path. They turn to face the Decepticons, perhaps their last stand.

Starscream nods, lifting his arm lasers with a satisfied smirk. "With pleasure, Megatron. With pleasure." He jerks his arms towards the exit, "Let's go."

Soundwave meanwhile moves to gather the energon cubes in preparation for getting them to safety.

Reflector curses at himself for letting a second group of Autos sneak in and rescue the humans. There's nothing that he can do about it now, only make sure that they retreat to safety with the cubes.

You say, "Reflector, assist me in getting the energon cubes to safety."

Ruse looks to Rumble and grins, firing with less aimed shots as she comes up with a miniature plan, "Double team.. you knock em down, I bury them!" She summons a discbomb from subspace and waits for Rumble to lead off.

Tempest mutters, "I don't like this ... the Autos are on to us, we were under attack ... we gotta get those cubes and get outta here! We can't defend this position!"

Soundwave additionally directs the tapes to start moving the gathered fuel from the site of combat.

Reflector abandons his station, setting it to automatically send an alert if any more Autobots come within range.

Soundwave catches Tempest's mutter and nods, being of quite the same opinion.

Skyfire follows Starscream out silently.

Rumble mutters to Ruse, "No such luck. Screamer and Skyfire get to have all the fun. We get Dump Truck Duty."

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

Tempest asks the tapes to load the cubes into her cockpit.

Reflector starts putting as many cubes as he can into storage to be taken away.

Ruse grumbles, sliding the discbomb into subspace and holsters her weapon. She moves to pile cubes into Tempest, muttering all the while.

Megatron orders the tapes: "Load Tempest. It seems she read my mind according my plans."

Ruse is already doing so, "Yaya... grrr." She crams down and compacts the energon cubes as she loads Tempest so they can store more in the plane.

Tempest mutters, "Watch the controls, geez..."

Reflector puts as many cubes as he can into subspace storage to take along.

Tempest sighs a little ... seeming distracted by something, though it's hard to tell the expression on a CF-18...

Rumble steps on part of Tempest's wing marked DO NOT STEP.

Hound, Ratchet, Gears, and Ironhide stand with their backs to the crystal, trapped. Their optics dart back and forth with hopeful desperation. Where are their comrades?

Megatron says, "Take it to our base, Tempest."

Ruse once Tempest is full loaded she mutters a soft sorry to the seeker, then loads up two cubes into her subspace compartment, then takes one under each arm. She doesn't seem too happy to be left out of the fight.

Tempest answers, "Yes Megatron." She looks over at Soundwave. "We withdraw as soon as I'm fully loaded?"

Soundwave nods to Tempest, gathering cubes into his own storage compartment as well. "We should not risk the destruction of so much fuel."

Reflector overloads himselves with as many cubes as they can carry and still fly, and prepare to take off.

Tempest laughs a little. "So you're not all crazy. Glad to hear it." There's a mischievous, sardonic smirk in her voice.

Outside; "The years seem to have diminished your loyalty coefficient, Skyfire." Starscream looks at his large friend, "But because of our friendship, I will give you the honor of eliminating these Autobots." The tone is hurt, almost accusing.

Megatron says, "I want Tempest take her shipment to the base as soon as she's fully loaded. We'll follow later. Understood?"

Tempest replies, "Watch your six, Megatron." Concern -- from her?

Outside: Skyfire regards his smaller friend a moment, shifting from foot to foot. He looks at the Autobots, hand on his weapon reluctantly. Then he says "They've done nothing wrong, Starscream. Why must we destroy them?"

Ruse hms, "... maybe next time we can have some fun dismantling Autobots. Hm, yes Megatron, understood."

Megatron says, "I will, Tempest."

Tempest, fully loaded, closes her canopy and her cargo bay, and takes off into the sky. She's too fast for the Autobots to hit ... swiftly she's at altitude above their laser blasts, a yellow arrow heading back to the Decepticon base.

As Skyfire refuses, Starscream turns on his former friend. The loneliness, the cold hardness of a Universe that is against him, comes crashing back down on him. The being before him isn't his friend. He has no friends! No one cares about Starscream except Starscream. Well, he can deal with that. He's dealt with that in the past, and he will do so from now on as well. He will rule on his own merits, without others to help him. His reply comes as an accusation and a flash of firepower, "No, but you have, TRAITOR!!!"

Ruse hmms, and now that she thinks of it, jets up and breaks off a bit of green crystal from the mammoth one to study its conductive properties back at the base. She hears the screamed words of traitor as she does though and huhs, "What's going on out there?"

Soundwave too prepares to withdraw, though his optic band flickers faintly as he catches the words from Skyfire. This is the thanks for having dug him out of the ice and offering him a place among the exalted Decepticon forces? His optics darken a little upon detecting the response from Starscream and hearing the undercurrents of the words.

Starscream turns from his downed former friend, turning hate filled optics towards the Autobots. They caused this. They took his friend from him, just as they have taken all his friends. His Academy friends. His scientist friends. Even Megatron's scorn is their fault. "I will enjoy this!" It's a shout of hatred based on eons of frustration. These Autobots will die today, by his hand. And so, he fires.

Skyfire has no chance to dodge or defend himself as Starscream fires on him, from point-blank range. The blast strikes the massive robot's chestplate powerfully, and a shout of pain comes from Skyfire. The blue optics widen in shock as he stumbles backwards, one hand to his wound. His massive weight sinks him into the snow as he watches, helpless, as Starscream fires now on the Autobots, and something within the large robots' mind... a decision is made. A new decision, turning the old one and slamming it headfirst into the trash can, then emptying it. Then it's gone, and his head falls back as the damage starts to tell already on the great robot, his once-white luster already dulling slightly.

A laugh, almost maniacal in nature rings out as the Autobots die. "Farewell, Autobot parts!" Starscream glances one last time at Skyfire, "As for you, consider yourself lucky that you didn't end up like your Autobot friends." With that, he walks back into the cavern.

Rumble tries to see what's going on, his optics wide. "Why that jerk Skyfire!"

Rumble winces as Starscream shoots Skyfire. Skyfire may have been being a jerk, but to shoot another Decepticon?

You say, "Irrelevant now, Rumble. Come, bring your energon cubes and withdraw." He looks to Megatron for the Decepticon leader to order the return to base.

Reflector turns a worried glance up to Soundwave. He never knew that Starscream carried such a burden of pain inside him...

Rumble looks back in morbid fascination, wanting to watch, but he's not going to disobey orders. He hefts two cubes and reluctantly tags after Soundwave ... every once in a while jumping up, trying to see more.

Megatron, with a cold voice that seems to be covering something he doesn't want to show, says: "It seems, Starscream is back to normal."

Reflector says, "We should leave, before the Autobots arrive. Let Starscream have his peace. He deserves it, after what the Autobots have done to him."

Ruse lowers down and walks forward from the back of the cavern. She too readies to withdraw and can guess from the solemn looks of her comrades what's happened... two cubes of energon in her arms, and two in subspace along with a bit of crystal.

Soundwave makes no comment to that, keeping his thoughts on the matter to himself, though every word and gesture is recorded in his memory banks.

The Autobots upon whom Starscream fired, lie in pieces alongside the green wall of crystal.

Reflector turns a glance of understanding towards Starscream that quickly vanishes. Now he understands the Air Commander a little better, and can understand where his pain comes form. It's so hard, being alone.

Reflector radios Starscream /Uh, sir? Megatron has instructed that we are to withdraw with as many energon cubes as possible, if you are done./

From nearby, one can detect the rumble of approaching engines as Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots approach to come looking for their friends.

Rumble mutters, "Slaggit, here come the others..."

Starscream collects Energon cubes, angrily stuffing them into storage spaces. As each is stored, the actions become less jerky, more controlled. His expression likewise changes, dimming from the bright burning anger. What replaces it is momentarily cold, colder then the arctic wastes, colder then the world would have become, colder than the very void of space ... then the mask returns. Sneering superiority, Total Confidence, Unmeasured Ego. His defenses are back in place.

Megatron says, "Decepticons, prepare to attack!"

Reflector waits for Starscream to follow. He then proceeds to follow Soundwave as they prepare to leave.

Megatron runs out of the cave.

Soundwave glances at Megatron in momentary surprise, as he finds it unwise to attack while carrying a full load of energon cubes - but none the less rises up into the air and draws his weapon to hold the Autobots off long enough for the others to gain some distance.

Starscream launches into the sky, transforming as he does so. Radioing to the other flyers, he orders, "Autobots below, Fire At Will!" Cluster bombs immediately leave his bays, smashing snow and ice into steam and shards.

Reflector puts all of his cubes into storage, and then flashes a bright pulse at the Autos to blind and distract them below.

Ruse grins at the new command, "Hear that Rumble?" She runs out and leaps forward, kicking her feet together and she activates her flight jets and rushes forward! At the command to fire at will while high up in air she hmms... two energon cubes. Autobots below. o O(What the slag with it, if anyone complains, take it out of my rations!) She aims below for that red blip... aka Optimus Prime, steadies her aim... then throws one of the energon cubes down at the Autobot leader!

Optimus Prime leads his group of Autobots toward the Decepticons, hoping to cut off their escape, while unnoticed to anyone, the hologram slowly fades, leaving Hound & Co. whole, if a bit singed. Ratchet makes his way over to the fallen Skyfire and quietly begins work to repair him.

Skyfire lays on the ground still, unmoving. The blue optics, once so radiant and inquisitive, are now darkened. His white face is set in a grimace of pain as he looks, out of the corner of his optic, at the pieces of the Autobots. Something flares inside the guardian once again as his thoughts recede and slow... hate, fear, and a new resolution plants firmly in his mind. The blue optics flicker slightly as the Autobots approach. "You're... alive... how?"

Reflector calls to Megatron. "Sir, may I respectfully request that we retreat? We are outnumbered, and we are carrying energon cubes!"

Megatron fires at the incoming Autobots. "Starscream was tricked!

Ratchet speaks quietly to Skyfire as he works, "Hound's holograms. It was all an illusion. Hold still, let's see if we can get you back on our feet."

Starscream continues firing, "Hound's Holograms!" He pulls around, heading for that group of Autobots, murderous intentions on his mind.

Reflector Fires on Ratchet.

The shots from the Decepticons in the air and the stray exploding energon cube cause some of the Autobot vehicles to swerve aside, but they quickly transform and start firing themselves, trying to blast the 'Cons out of the air.

Reflector fires a bright flash at Ratchet. The traitor won't survive!

Rumble dodges left and right, being grateful that he is a small target.

Ironhide tries to cover Ratchet by firing back at Reflector, allowing the Autobot medic to continue his hurried work.

Megatron says, "Soundwave, get the others out of here, save the cubes. Starscream and I will deal with the Autobots."

Reflector curses as his aim is knocked off by having to dodge Ironhide's fire. He quickly fires a pulse to cover the retreat, and then scurries away in the direction of home.

Soundwave ceases fire and changes direction, following the path that Tempest took back towards base.

Skyfire listens, frowning now as he hears more sounds of battle. As the repairs continue, he feels his power and strength returning. His armour starts to brighten from the grey-death of transformers as his systems recalibrate. The blue optics brighten, a fist clenches tightly.

Ratchet ducks back, but finishes one last bit of repair work and snaps Skyfire's access panel shut hurriedly.

Ruse seems somewhat disappointed by the effects of the energon cube explosion and scowls. Still it freed one hand so she's able to fire down at the Autobots as she starts to fly past the firefight... going to obey Megatron's orders of course and fall back. o O(Next time. Maybe Ravage will let me borrow a proton bomb to drop on him.)

Megatron is continuously firing at the incoming enemy forces. "Soundwave, did you hear my orders?"

Soundwave is already on his way back toward base, indicating that he did indeed hear his leader's orders. He sends out a radio message to the tapes and Reflector: "Break off the engagement and return to base."

Reflector follows after Soundwave, keeping in formation. He sends a signal to all of the security equipment, telling it to self destruct.

Starscream fires on the Autobots, smashing ice and armor alike.

Skyfire blinks, and then flinches as someone's firepower comes close to hitting him. Gyros hiss and buzz as he climbs to his towering height... one that's probably not even matched by the Dinobots. The guardian turns towards the fight in the distance, and his blue optics narrow. "This will end today..." he says, and with one hand reaches up and rips the deceptilogo from his chassis. Applying an Autobrand, probably taken from another Bot, Skyfire announces loudly, in a firm, powerful voice: "I, Skyfire, am now an Autobot!" With that, and a blast of engines, he transforms into his valkyrie, quickly closing the distance between himself and Starscream. Engines roar as he flashes past his ex-friend, missile locking and launching toward the seeker.

Rumble says, "Come on Ruse, we gotta get outta here!"

Ruse follows quickly, "Coming Rumble..." She hisses hearing the traitor, but does as ordered.

Rumble is over the horizon, flying back to base, all the while his thoughts on the others still fighting behind and Skyfire, the traitor.

Starscream notes Skyfire's presence in the air, calling out "You shall pay for your treachery!!!" The communication is ranting, it's a cold promise, and one the Air Commander intends to deliver if it is the last thing he does. Coming around, he heads straight towards the explorer that used to be his friend, holding fire and using himself as the weapon of vengeance. Soundwave surreptitiously slows in the air, though, as he's well aware of the aerial combat shaping up behind them. Maybe someone should stay within range just in case something goes wrong. Starscream isn't exactly at his most clear-headed at the moment. Ruse catches up to Rumble and holsters her weapon, slowing as Soundwave does. She narrows her optics, and glances back, silently cheering Starscream on. Skyfire falls silent as well, holding his own firepower as he races back, intending to use his much-greater mass to smash his ex-companion. Engines roar as a billowing vapour-trail chases the massive valkyrie (or whatever). The red and white Autobot Air Guardian, as he will someday be known, bears down on the smaller jet quickly... Reflector slows as well. He's no Seeker, and this is a battle of Starscream's own. He has been betrayed by his only friend. Some distance away from the main cave and tunnel complex that the Decepticons were using, a blast of laser energy penetrates the ice layers and a deep black Trans-Am leaps from the depths of the ice and lands in a graceful slide. Megatron watches Starscream attack as he is hit by a blast and tossed over the edge of a crevasse. With a short insult he disappears. With a flash, they collide. Skyfire's greater mass does send Starscream spinning through the air, but the Air Commander's experience allowed him to use his wings as weapons as they passed, cutting deeply into vital systems. As the battered Silver Red and Blue Decepticon smashes into the ground, he cries out ... but not one of pain. It is almost a cry of satisfaction, that is cut off by his impact on an ice wall, and blessed unconsciousness. For a while, Starscream is safe from the demons that plague his waking mind, safe in the knowledge that he has avenged himself in some way... After Megatron disappeared out of sight, the Autobots lose their interest in him. They are concentrated on the duel between Starscream and Skyfire.

Reflector says, "Sir, I will move to assist Starscream in retreating, if you will cover me."

Soundwave comes to a full stop in the air, hovering and drawing his weapon as he nods to Reflector.

Reflector flies towards Starscream, and starts putting his three antigrav systems to maximum as he starts to lift Starscream into the air.

Tempest enters Atlantic Ocean <Central> <<S3> South3>.
Tempest has left.

Ruse watches both Starscream and Megatron fall... different ways but still she can't help but glare angrily at the sight, drawing her weapon, intent on giving Reflector cover fire as well.

Skyfire as well tumbles through the air, one wing crumpled. He fights for control as he spirals. Then... out of the corner of his sensors, he detects the massive green crystals that have started this entire mess. One... Last... Blast... he mutters painfully, lasercannons on his underside clicking into position as he manages to straighten out, just long enough to send two powerful streams of laser towards the crystals. "It's done!" he shouts as the crystals explode into harmless shards. Then, the heroic Autobot Air Guardian smashes into the snow, driven deeply by the momentum. Soon, there is no sign of Skyfire.

Reflector strains under the burden of Starscream's massive weight, and he feeds all available power into his antigrav systems, engaging his emergency reserve.

Reflector manages to lift Starscream off of the ground, as the Autobots awake from their slumber and begin to move to capture the slowly departing quatro.

Megatron crawls out of the crevasse, still cursing.

The other Autobots, having lost the Decepticons from sight, start gathering up at Skyfire's crash site.

Skyfire, is gone.

Soundwave hovers down toward Reflector, who's trying to get the still-transformed Starscream up into the sky.

Megatron walks through the snow, looking for enemies and his own kind.

The traitor got what he deserved.

Soundwave of course should have been on his way to base some time ago, following Megatron's orders, but for some reason he's still here.

Ruse takes aim on the idle Autobots... keeping her friends covered incase they actually do wise up to the fact they are still around.

Reflector radios /Megatron, do you read me? Starscream is unconscious, and we must manually remove him. Can you cover us?/

Megatron suddenly notices as Reflector tries to pick up Starscream. He runs over to the crash site.

Divefire scans over the last moments of the battle and tries to grab a clue as to what the blazes is going on. Although he notes the downed form of Starscream in the distance, he doesn't make any moves towards going to aid his recovery, rather it seems he keeps his attention on his radar.

The Autobots seem too wrapped up in some elegy for Skyfire which Prime is giving, to realize there are still Decepticons in the vicinity.

Ruse waits for the others to get Starscream. Meanwhile she lines up a shot on Optimus Prime, and rechecks calculates and adjusts it as need be while he's distracted running his big mouth. She radios, /Hurry up down there or I start taking potshots at Prime./ She means it. ;)

Soundwave lands by Reflector and Starscream, and looks over the unconscious jet. "I will activate his transformation circuitry to make him easier to bring back to base."

Megatron nods.

Reflector says, "I would suggest that we observe the Autobots, but such an action could give away our position to them."

Megatron says, "We will withdraw as secretly as possible."

Soundwave opens a small compartment in Starscream's side, rather than opening the cockpit full of energon cubes which miraculously survived intact. An electric spark flickers out from the tip of one finger, powering up the necessary relays just enough to activate the transformation.

Ruse taps her foot in midair, keeping the Decepticons on the ground covered... forcing herself not to shoot at the Autoscraps unless they see the Cons on the ground first and open up fire.

The Autobots one by one transform and drive off into the distance, leaving their new friend buried and forgotten under the ice.

Megatron watches Starscream being transformed into robot mode. Without a word he picks the air commander up. "Back to base," he orders quietly, taking off, carrying Starscream.

Ruse slowly holsters her rifle as her optics flash in frustration. She does a loop and heads down to the others, and then up again, following them as they take off... asking for a ride from Soundwave as well.

Soundwave despite having a storage compartment full of energon, still has room for his tapes, and opens his chest compartment for those that want a ride.

Rumble transforms into his Robot mode.

Divefire's radar starts to ping as the Autobots start to come his way... Quickly he works through the options and decides on the lowest key affair and starts to drive off as well, away from the Autobots and rapidly gathering speed up to rather high ground level figures over the barren ice.

Rumble transforms into his Blue Cassette mode.

With the sound of metal shifting Ruse shifts, folding in on herself as plates along her arms and back extend to some extent while she shrinks. The transformation takes only a few seconds and afterwards all this is left of Ruse is a small cassette.

Ruse:
          A mostly black datacartridge/tape is all you see. It is trimmed in gold along with silver datawheels set in the center of it but off the each side of a clear blue plate where you can see the datastrand moving when the tape is in use.
Carrying:
Ol' Blue <Modified Plasma Rifle>

Rumble has left.

Buzzsaw has left.

Ruse has left.

Soundwave rises back into the air to follow Megatron. He notes on his sensors that Divefire is still somewhere nearby, and sends a radio message.

You radio Divefire with 'So good of you to join us again. We are returning to base.'

Megatron enters Atlantic Ocean <Central> <<S3> South3>.
Megatron has left.

Divefire radios: 'I got trapped under several thousand tons of ice. It takes awhile to get out of that sort of thing. I'll join you shortly.'

You radio Divefire with 'Do you require assistance? You could have let us know.'

Divefire radios: 'No, I'm fine. I've been through worse and these Autobots have no chance of catching me. I tried the radio but it seems energy interference was blocking my com systems.'

Soundwave is still lingering behind, apparently waiting for Divefire to join him.

Divefire mutters a little to himself as his ground speed hits mach one. The tundra rapidly flows under his wheels until he chooses an opportune time to transform and with a roar of power, go up.

Wings fold out as engines emerge and body panels slide into a far more aerodynamic form, revealing an Orbital Interceptor.

Soundwave finally seems satisfied as his sensors detect the sound of Divefire's engines, and he himself starts back toward base.

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