OUR SCENE OPENS TO FIND SOUNDWAVE, REFLECTOR AND CHASM RETURNING FROM A RECON MISSION...

The conning tower lowers as Soundwave, Reflector, and Chasm return from their reconnaissance mission to that same Hydroelectric Plant that has been hit several times before. This time they've observed more closely, and are set to report their findings to Megatron.

Chasm sighs, "After this little jaunt, I'm going to take a pleasant oilbath and relax."

Soundwave steps out of the lift as it comes to a halt. "We will see what orders Megatron may have for us first."

Reflector says, "Indeed."

You enter Command Center.

Command Center

          This circular room was formerly the bridge when the base was a viable spaceship. Now used as the Command Center, it is dominated by the large central viewing screen. The screen is linked to the main computer system, and can display anything from energon production reports to tactical updates to topside weather information. The various other bridge control stations have been converted to monitor and control the various mechanisms and activities of the base. They curve around the room from the door to the central viewscreen.

Soundwave [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<S> South leads to Access Corridor.

Reflector arrives from Access Corridor.

Tempest nods to Ruse. "Though I didn't see the battleaxe. The missile launcher was quite enough..."

Chasm flaps in above Soundwave's head and perches above on a protrusion.

Reflector waits for Soundwave to make his report.

Megatron is very quickly on his feet again. "How did he get here? I have no indication that the spacebridge was used!"

Soundwave enters the command center along with Reflector and Chasm.

Tempest looks up at Chasm, frowning a little.

Rumble pushes his latest toy under the bench, not feeling like answering questions from Soundwave right now.

Ruse stands beside Rumble and his new Soundwave-ish boombox while listening to Megatron get mad. oO(Just another day in the sunken base.)

Megatron says, "Soundwave, did you know anything about Straxus visiting Earth?"

Tempest shrugs. "I don't know. He said he goes where he pleases..." She shrugs, looks about to say something...and thinks better of it.

Reflector says, "I was unaware that Straxus was here."

Megatron gestures at Tempest. "She informed me about it."

Soundwave stops and faces Megatron, nodding to him respectfully. If he notices Rumble surreptitiously hiding something, he makes no indication of it. Instead he replies in his usual calm monotone, "I am unaware of Straxus' activities, though I did recommend caution where he was concerned. We did, however, gather some interesting data from the hydroelectric plant."

Chasm removes a small cloth from subspace and starts to polish his brilliantly glittering chrome tail focusing in particular on the gleaming, bladed mace on the end. "It was hard work, too," he adds, yawning lazily.

Soundwave's optic band shades very slightly brighter. "Indeed. Lurking on a hidden ledge listening and observing."

All three Reflectors do a good imitation of rolling their eyes at Chasm's remark.

Ravage arrives from Access Corridor.
Ravage stalks into the area.

Chasm stretches, "I think I'll need a good, long oil soak to recover. All that damp air affected my finish."

Megatron calms down again. "Well, I'll deal later with this so called "Lord"... Show me what you collected, Soundwave."

Soundwave nods and steps over to the main computer, extending a small link from the tip of his index finger to connect directly into the control panel. A series of images flicker up on screen, a graphical display of power output over time, produced by the generators. An apparently constant supply of water indicates a non-stop source of energy. "Reflector, enter visual images of the machinery."

Reflector moves up to the computer and hooks a datajack into an access port, and starts downloading images.

Ruse smirks, and idly leans over and murmurs to Rumble, "Energy.. you know what that means. Get ready to force the winged wimp into energon forklift mode. He will probably put up a fuss and almost bawl like last time."

Rumble says, "I can hardly wait..." *growls* "I better get to destroy something..."

Ravage idly sits down and listens in to the conversations.....

Chasm stares distantly off into space, pretending to ignore the chatter below him.

Megatron watches the monitor: "The data collected by Reflector and Soundwave leads to only one conclusion: a perpetual power source exists which can provide us with enough energy to vanquish the Autobots and control the universe."

Rumble gestures Ravage closer, and shows him the new boom box hidden under the desk.

Chasm murmurs, "My claws are very delicate, you know."

Ravage sniffs at the new device.

Tempest glances up at Chasm, biting off the retort she's thinking...

Starscream from across the room looks at the screen and smirks a little. "I suppose *you've* devised a brilliant plan for seizing it, eh *Leader*?" His snide tone becomes even more sarcastic at the word "Leader."

Ruse smirks as Ravage wanders over and moves to pet him, "Hey, where you been keeping yourself?"

Ravage rumbles quietly, "Busy."

Tempest glares at Starscream too, but again is silent. She does, however, look at Megatron expectantly.

Megatron, a bit amused by the sarcasm, responds: "Affirmative, Starscream, we attack the falls at once!"

Megatron says, "Decepticons, prepare for conquest!"

Chasm huffs, "We'll, it's a good thing I'm awfully busy around here..."

Ruse smiles at Ravage understandingly, but mock ruffles his head as if he had fur, then looks to Starscream and waits for him to shoot his mouth off.

Soundwave looks to Chasm. "Come now, Chasm - surely you wish to explore this planet further? You never know what advantages it may bring you."

Megatron leaves, awaiting the others to follow him.

Chasm gives Soundwave a withering look.

LATER, AT THE DAM...

You enter Sherman Dam.

Sherman Dam

          The thick, steeply concave wall of this concrete dam blocks the entire width of a mountain valley, curbing the free-flowing rush of water. The huge reinforced structure looks tough and unbreakable, even though cracks mar its surface on close inspection. As chance would have it, the wall is just thick enough for two Transformers to fight in single combat.

Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<W> West leads to Sherman Dam Control Center.
<U> Upstream leads to Lake.
<D> Downstream leads to River.

Soundwave arrives from River.

Tempest arrives from River.

Megatron lands at the foot of the dam.

Megatron says, "I, Megatron, declare this facility Decepticon Domain."

Chasm circles in the sky. "More dirty work again... sigh."

Soundwave lands alongside Megatron and turns his attention to the control center.

Tempest passes over the river and dam, watching the human guards scatter.

Skywarp lands on the platform with weapons ready, firing after the humans. "You want to fight *us*, you germs?"

Tempest transforms into her Robot mode.

Megatron gestures his troops, where to attack.

Tempest draws her longblades and steps forward, but the humans nearby are already in full retreat. Tempest snorts, unimpressed.

Soundwave opens his tape compartment. "Ravage, Rumble, eject!"

Ruse lands beside Soundwave, "Amazing falling water can be a perpetual energy source..." She draws her weapon, "Well let's get to work." She turns and fires at a few humans from afar, causing them to scatter faster. oO(Whee look at 'em run.)

Ravage leaps out of Soundwave's tape compartment.
Ravage flies into sight...

The black tape flips up into the air and spins as legs, paws, a head and body form out of it. With a rumble Ravage lands on all fours in perfect grace. Claws digging into the ground on impact.

Rumble leaps out of Soundwave's tape compartment.

Rumble transforms into his Robot mode.

Soundwave points toward the control center. "Secure the building, eliminate resistance."

Chasm flies off toward the control centre...

You enter Sherman Dam Control Center.

Sherman Dam Control Center

          The control center for Sherman Dam is a humming hive of activity. Technicians pace back and forth, squinting at dials, gauges and instruments. These controls allow the opening and shutting of floodgates. The huge energy-generating turbines can be visited on the lower levels, and great windows oversee the dam itself.

Chasm flaps in through a window, the glass shattering on impact with his mace-tail. "We need to shut down the generators," he says, rather lackadaisically.

Ravage raarrrrs and leaps out of Soundwave and goes crashing through the window of the building... His optics glow for a moment, shooting laser blasts at the radio equipment the humans are so foolishly trying to use.... *Ka-BOom* he then chases after the screaming humans like they were prey.

Rumble darts over to the control panel. He tries to figure out what buttons do that, and can't... Frustrated, he slams his fist down...and two generators whine to a halt.

Ruse arrives from Sherman Dam.

The humans notice the arrival of the cassettes and back off, "Hey, it's the Decepticons!" one of them shouts.

Ruse hops through the window Ravage destroyed, and looks around...

Ravage chases the humans around and seems to be having fun.

One human grimly reaches for a com switch, "I better radio Optimus Prime at once," he says. "Come in, Teletran-1, come in Teletran-1!"

The sound of static fills the room.

Rumble darts over to the human who'd tried to contact Teletran One...he ignores the fleeing human and tries to cancel the signal. "Scrap it, he got off a signal....but hey...looks like no response!"

Chasm lazily flaps over, "All of the Autobots must be still in bed."

Ruse hops through the window Ravage destroyed, and looks around... and notes the destroyed radio equipment. She then comments with a scoff, "Chasm, you're the only one who would still be in recharge at this time of the cycle."

Soundwave arrives from Sherman Dam.

The human groans, "Aw, no!" and tries to back away. The humans that Ravage is chasing fall over themselves as they try to escape out the side entrance.

Rumble snickers. "Too bad for them!" He smashes his fist through the panel, destroying it, and returns his attention to the generators.

Chasm retorts, "I'm keeping watch, you know. /Someone/ has to do it."

Soundwave comes to join the others, seeing that they have the humans well taken care of, and begins to generate the glowing fields of the energon cubes.

Soundwave doesn't reply to Chasm. Sometimes it's more trouble to argue with him, and he's right, someone *does* have to keep watch, after all.

The control room is empty, scattered with bits of glass, metal and plastic. The wind howls through the shattered windows. The human occupants have gone, scattered. The generators, now shut down, are in a perfect position to have energy harvested from them...

Rumble says to Chasm, "C'mere and be a forklift like the rest of us!" and grabs some cubes.

Ruse walks over to Chasm and tries to shove him over towards the cubes with both hands, "We play forklift, YOU play forklift. Got it? Ravage keeps watch." Regardless of if she manages to push him over, she will grab a few cubes herself and start to fill them at the generators.

Soundwave piles up the energon cube shells until he feels there are enough for now, then begins tapping into the frozen generators, where the excess energy freely spills over into the containment fields and takes on a multicolored glow.

Chasm snorts, "I didn't sign on for this operation as a forklift. As a matter of fact, I didn't even sign on at all."

Soundwave looks up momentarily from his work. "I recall that you sought us out and claimed to belong here, in a sense."

Chasm flaps down towards the cube, "Well, the first time around, things were different, but I digress... I had no choice whatsoever..." He sighs and starts to shift a cube to draw attention away from himself.

Rumble, satisfied, continues stacking cubes.

Ruse begins to stack and compress the cubes she fills... being more then used to the routine by now, "Besides it's not -that- tough.. These cube are kinda light even filled."

Chasm snorts, shoving a cube into a stack. "It's merely that there are better things I could be doing, right now. If I could only remember what that was..."

Soundwave breaks off from filling energon cubes and begins to work on something new. Pulling a pipe and some cable from the machinery, he starts patch-welding it together to form a power line of sorts, which he leads out toward the broken window.

Ruse blinks her optics, "Look, just think of it this way.. MAYBE if you stack enough cubes you will get an extra ration and have enough energon for a powerbath to soak all your joints with energon." She continues to stack and fill stack and fill ect, the remaining cubes but does notice Soundwave working on something else. She does ask eventually out of curiosity, "What are you doing, Soundwave, and need some help with it?"

Chasm tidies up the stacks rather fussily. "It's not /that/ hard to put cubes neatly atop each other."

Soundwave says, "Megatron requests a direct power line from the generator. He will surely demonstrate what he means to do with it when he is ready."

Rumble scoffs at Ruse, "Aw, now YOU just want outta forklift duty!"

Ruse blinks, compressing a cube, then swats out lightly at Rumble's shoulder, "Do not! I was just being nice, dipswitch!"

Soundwave checks the connections one more time, and then steps out through the shattered window.

Rumble laughs, "Stick it in your exhaust manifold!" and swipes at her playfully.

Chasm neatens a stack and flies up towards Soundwave, intensely curious.

Ruse smirksswiped and shakes a fist at Rumble, "Wait until we are done you..." She gets back to work cheerfully... having accepted Soundwave's explanation and simply dropped the subject.

Soundwave enters Sherman Dam <<E> East>.
Soundwave has left.

You enter Sherman Dam.

Sherman Dam

          The thick, steeply concave wall of this concrete dam blocks the entire width of a mountain valley, curbing the free-flowing rush of water. The huge reinforced structure looks tough and unbreakable, even though cracks mar its surface on close inspection. As chance would have it, the wall is just thick enough for two Transformers to fight in single combat.

Soundwave [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<W> West leads to Sherman Dam Control Center.
<U> Upstream leads to Lake.
<D> Downstream leads to River.

Megatron says, "Excellent, Soundwave, exactly what I need."

Chasm drops to the ground, hiding beneath a piece of rubble. What /exactly/ is Megatron's plan?

Soundwave positions the power line, and then looks around, listening intently.

Megatron gets the adapter out of subspace he worked on the last days and connects it to the powerline.

Chasm sniggers quietly behind his boulder. Apparently Megatron fancies himself an engineer...

Soundwave glances over at Chasm. "You would be surprised," he says, and adds more quietly, "I was."

Tempest overhears and nods slowly in agreement.

Chasm coils his tail around his legs, (I must try not to underestimate Soundwave's hearing) he thinks to himself.

Soundwave's hearing picks up something else ... the distant growl of approaching engines.

Tempest flies down to the concrete outcroppings on the side of the cliff and crouches there, waiting, blades in hands.

Megatron transmits a message via radio.

Chasm cowers behind his holographic cloaking shield.

Soundwave takes up a position behind a wall and listens as the Autobots close in on the cliffsides above.

A trail of dust can be seen as the Autobots rumble towards the dam.

Chasm remarks, "A little late, aren't they?"

Megatron keeps himself hidden in the shadows of the rocks.

Soundwave says quietly, "There is evidence there was some problem with their communications equipment. This facility was unable to contact them. They may have spotted us by direct surveillance."

With the sunlight slanting down, Optimus Prime's truck form explodes into view, quickly transforming himself. He is quickly flanked by Jazz and Trailbreaker. "I hope we're not too late," Prime comments.

"Sum'thin smells fishy, Prime," Ironhide remarks, coming up from around Trailbreaker. "Ah can smell the Decepticreeps --" he points to the shattered dam control tower... "--but ah just can't see 'em. What's up with that?"

Rumble arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

Tempest crouches, waiting for a signal...waiting...

Prime surveys the seemingly empty landscape, "It could be that the Decepticons have already left. Autobots, fan out and control this area..."

The Autobots nod in agreement and start to fan out, poking through the rubble of the dam area.

Soundwave is hiding behind a wall, out of the Autobots' direct line of sight. He gestures to Rumble to keep out of their sight as well.

A radio transmission is received by Rumble.

Megatron says, "Forward, warriors, take them!!!"

Rumble ducks back until Megatron gives his command. He darts forward, but messages Soundwave, "Let me know when you need the heavy shaking!"

Ironhide gasps, "Holy Primus, Prime -- they just came outta nowhere!"

Prime bellows, "Autobots, fall back! Hold your positions! We can't let the Decepticons escape with any energy!"

Soundwave leaps out from hiding and starts unleashing bright firebolts of plasma.

Tempest zips forward from the concrete below the falls, swords at the ready as she lands and faces off with the Autobots. Remembering she has lasers, she starts firing.

Soundwave fires from the ground as the jets take to the sky, strategically trying to herd the Autobots to one particular point on the cliff.

Tempest's lousy aim means she's not hitting anything, but the Autobots do seem to be bunching together and falling back.

Hound suddenly leaps up - "Hey, that seeker over there, Jazz! Isn't she..."

Jazz squints as he dodges for cover, "Yeah, that's the one Defcon mentioned, alright. Now she's hooked up with Megatron!"

Hound ducks and comes up with two laser pistols in each hand. "Time to take out the trash."

Ruse arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

Soundwave keeps firing, though oddly enough not getting in a lot of direct hits.

Tempest freezes, realizing the Autobots had recognized her...and then remembers she's not alone, she's got allies at her back. She growls, rushing in at Hound and striking out with her blades, one aimed for each arm.

Ironhide yells, "Stay together! Stay together!"

As the Autobots shuffle back in their wedge, they aim burst and burst of firepower towards the Decepticons charging towards them.

Megatron is busy connecting the power line to his cannon. "Now you will witness the power of my fusion cannon..." He looks over to Rumble. "Ready, Rumble?"

Rumble scampers up behind and flies overtop of the herd of Autobots, taunting.

Hound tries to peg Tempest with a shoulder shot.

Rumble hears the call and lands, turning his arms into piledrivers. "Time to shake, rattle and quake!"

Ruse peeks out the window as she hears the sounds of battle and brings her rifle to bear, aiming through the scope. oO(Let's see... herd them?) She takes aim at Hound who she notices is fighting Tempest and fires a lowlevel plasmabullet at him... just to be a help.

Tempest feels her blades dig into Hound's arms, but he'd gotten off a shot first, and it impacts her shoulder...she ignores the pain as best she can and kicks at Hound, sending him back towards the other Autobots.

Tempest regroups herself, ignoring the oil streaming down her shoulder as she holds her blades at the ready and curls her lip, hissing at the Autobots.

Optimus Prime calmly fires his laser rifle into the press, "I won't let you get away with this, Megatron," he says.

The Autobots stumble, "Hey Prime, the ground's crackin'!" Jazz shouts.

Hound takes the plasma bullet to his shoulder and presses a hand over the wound, "Just a scratch," he yells, before letting off another shot towards Tempest.

Tempest twists, letting Hound's shot go by her, and now realizes that pressing an attack on Hound isn't wise while he's in a group of his fellows...she looks around, trying to figure out what the others are doing, since the other Cons aren't pressing the attack.

Distracted by the concentrated Decepticon firepower, the Autobots have failed to notice how close they are to the edge of the dam. A powerful shot could have diabolical repercussions...

Rumble is merrily pounding away. "Take that, Autobots!"

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

Soundwave rises up off the ground, keeping up the occasional plasma shot, but more for show than for effect.

Tempest obeys, transforming and screaming airborne, grinning to herself as she strafes the Autobots with her new lasers!

Megatron aims and shoots the base of the hangover cliff. The increased power of his cannon and Rumble's aid make the rock collapse beneath the Autobots.

Ruse frowns... scratch? She then 'uh ohs' and flies up and out of the window, taking to the sky.

Rumble gulps as the ground starts crumbling under *his* feet.

"Waaaaaah!" The Autobot wail fills the sky. With a massive *splooosh* and huge geysers of water raining up into the sky, the Autobots are stunned and knocked into the boiling, surging river.

Chasm comments, "It worked! Well, yes, how very interesting..."

Soundwave lowers himself slowly back to the ground.

Tempest says, "You think water is going to get rid of the Autobots for us?" looking at Chasm.

Megatron watches the Autobots fall. Then disconnects the power line from his cannon.

Chasm gives Tempest a look, "Well, it certainly can't but help..."

Starscream too comes in for a landing and watches the Autobots disappear downriver, a momentarily pleased look on his face. Then he seems almost to remember himself and echoes Tempest, "I agree. A little bath isn't going to end our Autobot problem."

Tempest glances questioningly at Megatron. She smiles at the souped-up cannon, but surely there's something /more/ to this plan...

Ruse flies past Chasm, heading back to the ground.. accidentally holding the tip of her rifle out that might knock into his head as she heads down.

Megatron shakes his head. "We shall retrieve their shortcircuited remains and prepare them for permanent disfunction."

Rumble lands nearby as well, laughing. "That was a great quake!"

Ravage stalks into the area.

Chasm complains, "Ow!" as Ruse's rifle butt clips his head, "I saw that!" he remarks, rather loudly. "Soundwave!"

Tempest grins coldly.

Ruse lands beside Rumble looking innocent.

Soundwave looks toward the tapes. "Enough games. We have enemies to destroy."

Megatron says, "Get them out of the river and chain them to the rocks."

Soundwave rises upwards again and hovers, waiting for Megatron to lead them downstream after their fallen foes.

Megatron enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Megatron has left.

Soundwave pages Ravage and Chasm: (tel) Scout the riverbank and see where they have washed up.

Chasm flaps into the air, glaring over towards Ruse. He lifts off into the sky.

Tempest enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Tempest has left.

Rumble enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Rumble has left.

Ruse nods to Soundwave and jets after Megatron... snickering at Chasm.

Ruse enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Ruse has left.

You enter River.

River

          The free-flowing power of the river has been greatly reined in by the gleaming monstrosity of the human construction upstream. But none the less this huge river sweeps away from Sherman Dam in a boiling torrent of water. Rocks poke above the rapids, like jagged fangs through the whitewashed foam. The cleared brush to either side of the river is making a stab at growing back: small shoots erupt upwards through the scorched stone, and many stumps are generating small leaves and stems. The torrent rushes through the valley it carved here long ago, the white water foaming against the banks.

Ruse [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Tempest [CF-18 Hornet Jet]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:

<S> South leads to Southwestern Desert <North America>.
<U> Upstream leads to Sherman Dam.

Soundwave arrives from Sherman Dam.

Chasm carefully combs one side of the river, "There's one of them here..." he says, holding up a flopping, Autobot arm.

Tempest holds her blades at the ready, her optics sparking red fire.

Soundwave lands near Chasm at a point where the current washed up one of the short-circuited robots against a sand bar along with other sedimentary debris.

Chasm hooks his claws into the metal and tries to drag the Autobot out. "Energon cubes, yes," he huffs. "Not ten tonne Autobots."

Ruse flies down beside Chasm and tries to help him, "Come on, he.. can't be that heavy!"

Chasm glares at Ruse, "Why don't you try?"

Tempest says softly, "We don't have to drag them out...we could just pierce their laser cores where they are..."

Megatron flies over the stream, fishing Prime out of the water, obviously very pleased.

Tempest sighs and grabs a leg, hauling out Bluestreak none too gently.

Soundwave reaches down and hauls the sparking Autobot out of the water, dumping him like so much scrapmetal on the beach.

After a while, the Autobots have been dragged out of the river and dumped on the side of the bank, immobilized by glittering bonds of energy. Their static forms, their frozen bodyshells give them a quiet, pathetic edge and their optics are dark and dead, devoid of life and movement.

Megatron watches his enemies' weak attempts to free themselves.

Tempest's optics gleam. "Good eating," she murmurs.

Megatron says, "Don't stress your circuitry. You'll never break these energon chains in your weakened condition."

Chasm murmurs to Soundwave, "Well, this is looking a bit fatalistic..."

Ruse looks to Chasm, somewhat hurt, "I was tryin ya know? Sorry." She then looks to the Autobots, and smirks, as that was.. quick. She glances to Tempest and shuffles over to Rumble murmuring, "Eat.. Autobots? I think I am going to be sick."

Optimus Prime gasps, "You'll... never.... win... Megatron...."

Soundwave watches Megatron knowingly. How much more fitting for it to end this way, execution-style, in retribution for all their crimes. A faint whisper of that thought makes it through his mental link with his creations, perhaps even reaching Chasm.

Megatron raises his cannon. "Prepare for terminal meltdown!" He looks at his troops. "Decepticons... ready... aim...!"

Soundwave says, "You must admit, Chasm, it is at least appropriate."

Soundwave raises his plasma rifle.

Something can be seen the sky, flying quickly down towards the horrific scene about to be played out. In the distance, a faint rumble of car engines can be heard.

Tempest readies her lasers...and glances at Ruse. "You wouldn't want to waste good warm fuel, would you?"

Rumble, holding his own gun, makes a face at Tempest and edges away, closer to Ruse.

Megatron doesn't shoot, distracted by the new arrivals. "What are those?"

Ruse raises her rifle taking aim at Jazz... grinning. oO(I am going to enjoy this.) She murmurs to Tempest, "Ya but that has been through Autobots putrid syste-" She stops speaking and listens as Megatron speaks.

Tempest spins around, blades back in her hands. She squints. "Robots...anyone recognize them?"

Megatron now fully turns his attention to the incoming Bots.

Suddenly, a blast comes out of nowhere, knocking Megatron to the ground. Hovering over the Decepticon leader is an unknown mech, clutching a glittering energy sword in one hand. One either side of him are two more mechs, each unknown.... And then Wheeljack pulls up in a shower of dust, transforming. "Dinobots!" he shouts! "Deal with the Decepticons!"

Tempest, in an action most uncharacteristic--or is it?--moves forward in front of Megatron, her blades at the ready, giving him time to recover as she plans to hold off the enemy.

Rumble yelps, "Whoa~...they're Bots! SLAG ME!"

The huge mech grunts, his optics blazing, "Fight good! Dinobots, transform!"

The three strange mechs suddenly transform into bestial, lizard like shapes and plough into the surrounding Decepticons.

Starscream, seeing Megatron fall, steps forward immediately and proclaims, "Megatron has fallen! I, Starscream, am now your leader! Follow me!" In a flash of silver and scarlet, he takes to the sky.

Tempest ignores Starscream, determined to cover Megatron.

Chasm eeks and ducks behind a boulder on the far side of the river.

Soundwave, realizing that Megatron is better protected by keeping the Autobots engaged, follows the jets into the air.

The Triceratops mech, Slag, opens his mouth and fires a blast of liquid flame towards the sky, searing Starscream's underbelly.

Rumble decides there's something better than flying right now...he jumps forward, piledrivers at the ready, and raps, "If on Decepticon turf you happen to tumble, look out robot, cause here comes Rumble!" With that he starts battering away at the ground.

The Apatosaurus mech, Sludge, snorts as Rumble's puny quake splits the ground open. He stomps the ground with a huge *thud* and sends an even bigger quake cracking back towards Rumble.

Starscream streaks away, wobbling in the air slightly but regains his balance as Skywarp and Thundercracker come soaring in after him. Thundercracker unleashes a blast of flame toward Slag. "I don't know what you are," he calls, "but I hope this burns you up!"

Rumble was NOT expecting that...he gets thrown backwards! Having his own attack thrown back at him really throws him off balance, in more ways than one! He whines, "HEEEEY....no faaaaaaaair!"

Grimlock, the Tyrannosaur, wades into the fray, knocking over Decepticon troops in all directions...

Skywarp arrows downward toward Grimlock, unleashing a torrent of missiles.

Tempest glances over her shoulder at Megatron as she sees the marauding Dinobots draw nearer...

Ruse for a moment is just stunned by all the chaos that erupts but as Rumble goes down she's snapped back into reality and leaps down, firing at Sludge, attempting to keep him away while Rumble regains his balance, "Hey go pick on someone your own size!"

Megatron somehow forces himself back into fighting condition. "We must keep fighting at all costs!" 'We need the energy.' he adds in thought.

The coil of flame descends on Slag, but once it passes, the Dinobot is left unscathed. Unimpressed, Slag lets another burst of flame erupt into the sky!

Megatron says, "I will lead us to victory!"

Tempest nods and leaps forward, now that she knows Megatron is on his feet again.

Grimlock wades through the hellfire of the missiles, seeking out Megatron, "You leader? You die," he says flatly.

Megatron transforms and attaches to Starscream's F-15 mode.

Megatron transforms into his Walther P-38 mode.

Thundercracker is hit dead-on by Slag's flames, causing him to practically stall in the air, then fall backwards, wings tilting, trying to stay in the sky.

Tempest has seen that flying does little good against these beasts, and instead she jumps for Sludge's back, trying to stick his neck with her blades.

Starscream swoops low to catch Megatron, then circles to point the deadly gun-barrel in the direction of these new enemies.

Sludge, not impressed by Ruse's attack, lets down another huge *thump* - filling the air with a seismic shockwave, knocking the smaller cassettes to the ground.

Megatron fires continuously.

Rumble staggers to his feet, his piledrivers broken...and is thrown down again.

Meanwhile, while the Dinobots tangle with the Decepticons, Wheeljack sneaks over to the weapons pile and removes two weapons. "Let's see," he says, "I'll use Bluestreak's recharger to cool your circuits and Ironhide's bolt gun to give you a bit of a charge."

Ruse gahs, sent sailing backward towards Rumble!

The bonds vanish from the trussed-up Autobots. They quickly stagger to their feet and Wheeljack quickly tosses them weapons from the pile, "Good to have you back," he yells out.

Not again, not again! These damn Autobots terrorists shall not steal their energon again! Megatron keeps firing.

Soundwave doesn't yet notice the revived Autobots, being busy firing down at the Dinosaurs.

Grimlock roars and concentrates his fire breath on Megatron cutting through the sky. Sludge and Slag follow suit -- and Sludge slaps the ground impatiently with his tail, knocking over the Decepticons behind him!

Tempest clings to Sludge's back. She's managed to pry a few panels loose, but before she can cut any vital relays, Slag's fire knocks her off Sludge, and sends her rolling!

Megatron, hit by the fire attack, falls off the plane, transforming back.

Megatron transforms into his Robot mode.

"Fire!" Prime yells. The Decepticon attack is further routed when the Autobot charge outwards in a tight formation, supporting the Dinobots with blast after blast...

Megatron says, "Enough! We MUST retreat... RETREAT!"

Tempest rolls with the momentum and is back on her feet in a flash, still holding her swords...and then she notices the charging Autobots. She starts blasting away with her lasers, but knows the tide has turned...

"It's time to give up, Megatron!" Optimus Prime roars, "You'll never win! Never!"

Chasm lets out a fierce *eep* and tackles Soundwave's leg. "Get me out of here!"

Soundwave spins in the air, as the Autobots unexpectedly join the assault. His thoughts jump to the energon still back at the power plant...

Megatron takes off.

Ravage arrives from Sherman Dam.
Ravage stalks into the area.

The Dinobots roar and concentrate their blasts towards the retreating Decepticon forces. The Autobots, pressing home the rout, charge forward with their weapons.

Soundwave rises higher in the air, and reaches down to peel Chasm off his leg. "You are safe," he says with a slight undertone of irritation. "Precede us to the power plant and get the energon cubes to safety."

Ruse slowly stands and takes to the sky, dodging laserbolts and blasts as best she's able, "Great, new Autobots and OLD Autobots!"

Megatron murmurs. "One day, I will be avenged. Then you'll pay for all your crimes, Prime..."

Not needing to be told twice, Chasm kicks his jetpack into overdrive and soars towards the plant.

Rumble follows Ruse...using a few very foul words.

Tempest falls back beside Megatron, obviously wanting to get out of there VERY badly...

The hail of fire is making it hard for the Decepticons to hold their ground... if they fail to retreat... more than honour will be lost...

Soundwave pages Ravage, Rumble, and Chasm: (tel) (Soundwave directs all of you mentally with a nearly instantaneous series of images and impressions, to get the energon at the power station to safety.)

You enter Sherman Dam.

Sherman Dam

          The thick, steeply concave wall of this concrete dam blocks the entire width of a mountain valley, curbing the free-flowing rush of water. The huge reinforced structure looks tough and unbreakable, even though cracks mar its surface on close inspection. As chance would have it, the wall is just thick enough for two Transformers to fight in single combat.

Obvious exits:
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<W> West leads to Sherman Dam Control Center.
<U> Upstream leads to Lake.
<D> Downstream leads to River.

Megatron arrives from River.

Rumble arrives from River.

Ruse arrives from River.

Chasm grabs a few cubes from the stockpile and soars up into the sky with it, just as the Autobots burst onto the scene.

Tempest arrives from River.

Soundwave follows the faster cassettes and lands, gathering an armload of energon cubes rapidly.

Megatron says, "Quick, get as much Energon as possible before the Autobots arrive."

Megatron picks up an armload himself.

The ground cracks and shivers, as the Apatosaurus, Sludge, sends a quake towards the control tower. Slag and Grimlock eagerly fill the air with their burning breath. Behind the Dinobot vanguard, the Autobots can be heard pressing home the attack.

Optimus Prime yells, "Don't let them get away with the energon cubes!"

Tempest yells, "LOAD ME!" and pops her canopy.

Ruse scoops up as many cubes as she can carry, then quickly loads them into Tempest, moving back and forth quickly from her and the pile.

Rumble dumps armload after armload into the yellow jet...scary though she is, they need the transport...

Soundwave tries to keep his balance on the shuddering ground, and heaps cubes into Tempest's open canopy, even at the risk of a stray shot from the Autobots/Dinobots.

Chasm drops his cubes into Tempest. "I suggest we move out of here with all due haste," he yells in a cracking voice.

Megatron says, "To the desert base!""

Megatron enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Megatron has left.

You enter River.

River

          The free-flowing power of the river has been greatly reined in by the gleaming monstrosity of the human construction upstream. But none the less this huge river sweeps away from Sherman Dam in a boiling torrent of water. Rocks poke above the rapids, like jagged fangs through the whitewashed foam. The cleared brush to either side of the river is making a stab at growing back: small shoots erupt upwards through the scorched stone, and many stumps are generating small leaves and stems. The torrent rushes through the valley it carved here long ago, the white water foaming against the banks.

MEANWHILE, AT THE DESERT BASE

From outside, Ruse flies along, a cube tucked in her arms. She flies down into the base...

Ruse arrives from outside.

Rumble arrives from outside.

Tempest arrives from outside.

Tempest taxis in, still in jet mode. She pops her canopy, letting them unload the cubes.

Ravage arrives from outside.

Ravage stalks into the area.

Megatron places the cubes he carried inside, nodding to the present guard, greeting.

Chasm flaps over to a shelf and starts to frantically polish his wing, "Never /again/... My poor energon pump can't stay still..."

Rumble puts down his armload of energon and gets to work unloading the yellow Seeker.

Soundwave arrives and puts down the last few cubes he was able to get away with.

Ruse lands, and has a seat on a pipe after setting a cube down in a growing stack. She then helps Rumble unload Tempest grumbling, "Great, the Autobots have gotten reinforcements from Cybertron somehow. STRONG reinforcements."

Tempest says in a syrupy sweet voice, "Chasm--you should visit the Spaceways one of these days...it would make a delightful vacation for you..."

Chasm snorts, "Those forms weren't Cybertronian. They were as freakish as my own bizarre form --" he gives Soundwave a baleful glare.

Soundwave's eyeband flickers in what might almost be annoyance for a moment as he glances at Chasm, but then the shade softens a little to something more sympathetic.

Megatron says, "These were no Autobots I've ever seen before."

Chasm sighs and seems to visibly settle down.

Megatron rubs his forehead, somehow tired.

Soundwave does not react at all to the accusatory glare that accompanies Chasm's words, though. He has no direct memory of what Chasm means, though he knows about it intellectually.

Tempest, unloaded at last, can transform.

Tempest transforms into her Robot mode.

Ravage licks his fangs, watching Chasm.

Soundwave says, "I am not aware of such forms having existed on Cybertron. Smaller variants of quadrupedal alt modes, yes, but not of that design."

Tempest glances at Megatron with a flicker of concern.

Chasm glowers at Ravage, safe in the security of his shelf.

Ruse finishes unloading Tempest and sits down on a pipe, "Well, maybe they where reconverted by Teletran.. not that I have ever seen earth creatures like those."

Megatron says, "I need every information we can get about these creatures. They are much stronger and more durable then the other Autobots."

Tempest snorts. "If it helps, there's no beasts like those in the Van Whitbourne quadrant, at least not that I've seen."

Chasm says flatly, "Research? I can present you with a report on those creatures after I check the local databases."

Soundwave says, "If there are records of such forms in this planet's databases, Chasm, seek them out and present them to us."

Megatron says, "That is one thing I need, Chasm. But I also need more data about the personalities."

Ravage is any fowl's nightmare.. he has hover units.

Chasm nods and steeples his claws together, pleased at last to /finally/ have a task worthy of his (non-combative) capabilities.

Ravage hovers up and glares back at Chasm.... it's a stareoff and no Feline can ever be beat at that.

Soundwave says, "You will have greater access to this planet's communications systems from our main computer."

Megatron says, "I want these new Bots to be observed."

Chasm sighs, "That last command, Megatron, is almost like an infiltration order..." He pauses and sends a holographic cloud of darkness drifting over Ravage.

Ruse looks to Ravage and smirks, watching the cat glare at Chasm. She nods to Megatron's words, though, oO(Maybe my stealth abilities will come in handy again sooner then I expected.)

Soundwave says, "They will be expecting us to make every effort to learn about their new warriors. They will be on guard against an immediate infiltration attempt."

Tempest growls, "Whatever those were, it's been a long time since I've seen armour like that."

Chasm nods in agreement, "Yes, let's wait... *ahem* a significantly longer time before commencing the infiltration mission. Such little escapades are always fraught with risks and could be highly dangerous..."

Ravage thinks, . o O 0 ( I should Fedex myself to the Autobots in tape mode.... considering their intelligence, it should work.)

Megatron says, "I need to know everything about these creatures. How you do it, I don't care. And... I want to know what Straxus is doing on Earth... I hope for his sake that he is not involved in this..."

Soundwave's optic band darkens a bit at the mention of Straxus. "Perhaps someone should maintain him in surveillance."

Ravage raises a brow... . o O ( Straxus helping the Autobots.. unlikely.)

Tempest replies, "Not that I noticed. He says he likes this planet's gravity...led me on a little stunting run...and then we...ah...went hunting."

Tempest tilts her head. "Yes, what *is* the history with Straxus? Megatron told me he was a dispossessed warlord who is for some reason still functional..."

Ruse says, "I would be willing to keep an eye on Straxus..."

Chasm arches a claw, "He's not even configured for this planet. Disguise-wise, I mean."

Tempest winces a little, and says nothing.

Soundwave shakes his head slightly in response to Ruse, apparently not thinking this a good idea at all.

Megatron says, "Do this Ruse, but please... be careful."

Ruse nods to Megatron then looks to Soundwave...and radios him.

Megatron says, "I want her to do it, Soundwave."

Though if Megatron orders otherwise, so be it, of course. Soundwave gives Megatron a silent look, but says nothing, keeping his thoughts on the matter to himself.

Megatron adds quietly: "She has to learn it..."

Soundwave's only comment is, "I find from past experience that Straxus is untrustworthy and dangerous."

Tempest says quietly to Megatron, "Straxus seems...very much like a Spaceways warlord."

Megatron nods.

Soundwave just turns away and looks to Chasm, deliberately changing the subject. "We will return to base, Chasm. You have research to do." He looks back to Megatron. "With your permission, Commander."

Chasm asks curiously, "Spaceways? Where /exactly/ are you from, Tempest?"

Tempest's optics darken. "He and I have much in common that way..."

Tempest turns to Chasm. "The Spaceways...what your maps call the Van Whitbourne Quadrant...if your maps have it on at all."

Ruse nods silently to Soundwave and Megatron then looks to Tempest, "So you saw him along the coast... mind showing me where exactly?"

Megatron says, "Permission granted, Soundwave."

Tempest looks rather reluctant to tell..."The Pacific..." she says vaguely.

Chasm flicks a gaze at Tempest, "Ah, space," he says wistfully. He gives her a dangerous, cocky look, "If only there was a spare shuttle around here."

Tempest nods. "I don't have the capability to break orbit of this planet," she says, her voice carrying a hateful undertone.

Chasm nods, and points a claw over towards himself, "Yes, and my form isn't exactly suited for that either, unfortunately..."

Chasm sighs and wings his way over towards Soundwave, "Well, you mentioned some research?"

Tempest says, with a cold laugh, "Oh, I don't think the Van Whitbourne Quadrant would be your place of choice. If you think today's battle was bad...it was NOTHING."

Ruse nods to Tempest, "I will get to work then..." She looks to Rumble as if tempted to ask him along, but knows he would only get in her way. oO(Shame, he's fun to be around.) She walks over to him, and leans over to give him a peck on the cheekplate before walking out just to cause a little fuss... now that Megatron is out of sight.

Rumble can only stare stupidly after Ruse....grinning like a fool.

Chasm snorts, "There are ways to avoid things, my dear..."

Tempest grins back at Chasm like a shark. "Do tell."

Ruse smirks and then walks out.. and flies off to look for Straxus.

Soundwave seems momentarily amused, but then nods to Chasm, turning to head back to base. "Accompany us, Tempest," he invites. "I would be interested to hear more about your recent experiences."

Tempest nods.

Ravage heads off to do mysterious dark feline type things...

          To be continued...