Obvious exits:
  <U> Up leads to Spacebridge Transmat Chamber.
  <NE> Northeast leads to Administration Deck.

Soundwave has apparently spent the night at the communications console, typing away steadily. But as he hears others start to wander in, he pauses and turns to regard the new arrivals. CatsCradle, in particular, draws his attention as he wonders briefly if she's here to report bad news from Earth.

CatsCradle steps down from the Space Bridge and, at the sight of more people in the command center than usual, gives Soundwave much the same look.... did she arrive in time for bad news... again?

Bombshell makes a rare appearance in the Polyhex command center, lurking near the door and peering around at the others.

Soundwave for his part looks more thoughtful than worried about anything in particular, but of course that's how he almost always looks. "Greetings, CatsCradle," he says. "Situation report on Earth?"

Ferret strolls in, to file his requistion report for a big box of rifle accessories. Most of what hasn't been attached to the Mrrk-rifle, has been attached to his armour. His helmet has a laser-scope stuck to the side of it, apparently at random.

Skyquake arrives from Administration Deck.

Skyquake simply can't walk into a room quietly, it was never in his design specification and has never been his style. As such the slight shift of focus as he enters the room does not phase him in the slightest, rather he scans the room for the location of Emperor, the others in the room being of little consequence to the Predator commander for the moment.

Bombshell scuttles sideways a little and gives the much bigger Skyquake a momentary glare. He scoots a little closer to Ferret, and seems to take a great interest in the computer banks in this room suddenly.

Tempest is immersed in her own work, scrolling through--recruitment offers? Lists of jobs? What could she possibly be looking at that for? Regardless, the presence of others draws her attention. Unlike Soundwave, these newcomers are noisy and interrupt her.

Flamethrower arrives from Administration Deck.

Flamethrower, as she often does when she comes to this room, looks around in search for someone. Apparently, she doesn't find whom she is looking for, but she notices some faces in the crowd are ones she isn't accustomed to seeing in this location. Therefore, she decides to stand by one of the walls until the situation seems back to normal.

Tempest says to Ferret, "You look like pirate material now, my friend."

Bombshell gives Ferret a speculative look.

CatsCradle gives one of her abbreviated shrugs. "Holding our own. We're still trying to get the ecosystem stabalized. All of the Terran factions have joined together through all this, so that's a unexpected good result. I mean, we knew we would pull them together sooner or later," she hurries on to say, "but this is sooner than we expected."

Ferret glances up to Tempest, "Uh... You mean pirate material as in, being a pirate or being fodder for a pirate?" He's never quite sure, with Tempest.

Tempest grins at him. "Being one. You'd fit right in on the Red Eclipse with all those ... trophies and add ons you've collected." She seems downright friendly in fact, in a savage sort of way. Maybe a bit of her "old self" from the Unicron War remains.

Soundwave nods to CatsCradle, and then looks over the assembly. A good representation from various regions and specialities of the empire, it seems. "It had been my intent to pay a visit to Lord Thunderwing and make use of some of his resources - but additional input may be of value. Those who wish to accompany me may do so." It's not an order, merely an invitation.

Flamethrower focuses her attention on Ferret, quite curious as to how he'll respond to Tempest's comment.

Soundwave transmits to Thunderwing: "Soundwave to Lord Thunderwing ... are you receiving?"

Thunderwing transmits to Soundwave: "Of course, Soundwave. What can I do for you?"

Tempest says to Soundwave, "Sure, I'm not doing anything that can't wait ... though ... I do have a question to ask you about a certain "new recruit."

Soundwave transmits to Thunderwing: "I should like to make use of your Galaxy Holograph projector, with your permission. I may bring some associates. I would like to get a visual impression of the Mrrkvian sector of space."

Ferret nods back to Tempest, "Thanks... Although I guess it's not quite the same, since I only 'looted' these" he indicates the various bits and pieces, "from the local supply depot."

Bombshell hisses softly to Ferret, "You're a collector of useful pieces, then?"

Thunderwing transmits to Soundwave: "'Some associates', Soundwave? It is rather a small facility. But you are, of course, welcome here."

Flamethrower breaks off from her interest in Ferret for a moment and nods to Soundwave's offer. Although she really has no clue as to the purpose of this trip, she doesn't seem to be involved in anything else at the moment.

Skyquake optics flicker a shade then settle on a lower colour as he picks up on Soundwave's conversation. "I believe I will, accompany you, to Valckasta, Soundwave," the Predator states, taking a few striding steps towards the resident communicator. "Although I had hoped to find Megatron in residence..."

Ferret glances to Bombshell, and says, amicably, "Nah... I'm just a collecter of pieces."

Soundwave transmits to Thunderwing: "Acknowledged, Lord Thunderwing. We will arrive shortly."

Bombshell hisses, "Perhaps you should set your sights higher..." but shoots a glance toward Soundwave and edges away, saying nothing more.

Tempest says encouragingly to Ferret, "We all start somewhere."

Soundwave nods to Skyquake. "I shall be interested in your evaluation, Skyquake."

Megatron enters the Command Center, surprised about the amount of people. "Is there something I should know about, Soundwave?" he asks suspiciously.

CatsCradle grins to herself. See, she isn't the only one who gets nervous when she finds unexpected crowds in the command center.

Ferret gives Bombshell a curious look, and shrugs.

Soundwave greets Megatron with his eternal calm serenity. "Greetings, Commander. I was on my way to Valckasta to make use of Thunderwing's holograph facilities. I have invited those who wish to, to accompany me. I felt it may be useful to gain a visual image of Mrrkvian space. Thunderwing is expecting us. Unless you have another task for me?"

Megatron smirks. As if Soundwave would not already know that the Decepticon leader agrees with his plan. "I think, I will accompany you too. Every knowledge we can get about our enemy is useful."

Soundwave nods, and waits for Megatron to lead the way out.

Valckasta Entry Gate

Flamethrower [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]
CatsCradle [Robot]
Ferret [Robot]
Bombshell [Robot]
Skyquake [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Ground Pounder [Robot]

Obvious exits:
  <G> Gate leads to Grand Arcade.
  <N> North leads to Serridon Plains.
  <S> South leads to Checkpoint Cheapshot.
  <W> West leads to Skytrack.

Ravenwing arrives from Grand Arcade.

Soundwave's "small group" has gathered rather more individuals than expected, as they arrive at the entry gate.

Tempest tries to clean herself up for Valckasta...by licking her arms clean. Oh dear.

Ravenwing arches a brow as she glances over the prospective guests. Yes, more than expected, and as her lord prophesized, including some... eccentric elements. As her silver optics finish their inspection, she steps forward to meet Soundwave. "Greetings... The Lord High Commander is delayed a bit with some last-minute details, but I would be more than happy to escort you to your destination."

Bombshell edges back over to the similar-sized Ferret and peers with great interest at the various items adorning his armor. He lifts a hand, but stops just short of touching something that has his attention, pointing at one of the bits of rotting Mrrk remains. "Edible?" he wonders.

Tempest says to Bombshell, "They taste vile. You can try one if you don't believe me, but you'll be sorry. I sure was."

Ferret blinks, "Uh... According to our more knowledgable sources, they don't taste very nice..."

Megatron smirks, taking the word: "Then 'lead' on, Ravenwing."

Skyquake steps up with Megatron and Soundwave to greet Ravenwing, though remaining a respectable distance off to one side of the Emperor. He gives a polite nod in greeting to Ravenwing, but doesn't say anything. After all idle conversation has its place...

Soundwave says, "Greetings, Security Director Ravenwing. I should not wish to disturb your Lord; I merely felt we might obtain a new perspective from your holographic equipment."

CatsCradle gives Ravenwing a grin and a very informal cheerful wave.

  [OOC] Ravenwing says, "You just want to see it 'cause it's prettier than those boring ol' strategic displays. ;)"
  [OOC] Soundwave says, "Of course. :)"
  [OOC] Ferret says, "It's the only equipment we have that isn't from the eighties!"
  [OOC] CatsCradle says, "why watch from a 19inch when your neighbor has a 32inch? ;)"

Bombshell glances at Tempest a little doubtfully, and does not in fact try to pluck a piece off of Ferret's armor. But he sticks close to the small 'Con none the less, eyeing the bits with continued interest.

Flamethrower turns her attention to Ravenwing and the leaders, presumedly because she would rather pay attention to the 'mission' than become sidetracked by other talk. Granted, there's always the possibility that she has other reasons for paying attention to Ravenwing...

Ravenwing is a bit surprised to see the Emperor and Skyquake as well. She gives them a curious glance, since this isn't exactly the type of thing she would think would interest them, but ah well. CatsCradle receives the brief hint of a smile, then she nods to Megatron. "Come then, and be welcome in Valckasta. I hope that the Lord will be able to join us soon, but until then, I will show you to the Galaxy Holograph room."

Megatron is always good for a surprise.

Tempest eyes Ground Pounder. "Since we're not actually flying anywhere, you better not get space sick."

Ferret turns back to pay attention to whichever of the brass happens to be talking at the moment, but at present his selective hearing isn't picking out any of his favourite words (Attack, Blast, Smash, etc.). He keeps an optic on Bombshell, though, having decided the Insecticon is somewhat creepy.

Ravenwing enters Grand Arcade <<G> Gate>.
Ravenwing has left.

Soundwave enters Grand Arcade.

Ground Pounder looks down to Tempest and replies with a smile and a slight optic glow that could be considered a wink, "Well at least I won't have to worry about having to deal with your flying.

Tempest asks huffily, "And what's wrong with my flying?" But she looks as if she truly has no idea.

Soundwave enters Eastern Dome Complex.

Ground Pounder smiles and shakes his head, "Nothing, but you are a little too enthusiastic with your maneuvers for my taste."

Ravenwing enters Galaxy Holograph Room <<D> Down>.
Ravenwing has left.

Soundwave enters Galaxy Holograph Room.

Galaxy Holograph Room

Ravenwing [robot]

Obvious exits:
  <U> Up leads to Eastern Dome Complex.

Tempest arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Ground Pounder arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Skyquake arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Megatron arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Ferret arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
CatsCradle arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Bombshell arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Nightracer arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.
Flamethrower arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.

Bombshell keeps pace with Ferret, and this time does actually reach out to prod something stuck discordantly to the armor plate - one of the numerous flashlights. "You'll lose this, you know," he remarks, plucking at it a little.

Scorcher arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.

Tempest says to Ground Pounder, "You have to do that. It makes it harder for anyone chasing you to get missile or laser lock on you. Plus it makes some space-radars go screwy; they don't recognize you for a ship and leave you alone."

Ground Pounder chuckles.

Nightracer walks up to stand near Ravenwing, scowling at the visitors with a faint hint of suspicion in her expression.

Soundwave steps quietly into the velvet-black dome of the holograph room.

Scorcher walks into the room, looking around for somebody she knows, and who can tell her what is going on.

Ravenwing steps to the side as she enters the darkened room, gesturing in invitation to Valckasta's guests. "The controls are voice-operated and based on coordinates."

Flamethrower walks in with the group and notices Scorcher. She nods in Scorcher's direction and whispers to her, "We've come here to view a map of the slug territories."

Skyquake steps into the room with the others and gives the faintest hint of emotion by raising a brow slightly. "Hrm, impressive," he states in a low tone, while starting to walk around the holographic display, taking in the details.

Ferret adjusts the haphazardly attached flashlight, "I reckon it's pretty firmly stuck on."

Bombshell tries to prove otherwise by giving it a good swift pull, and shakes his head. "I have a better idea. Come," he urges, shooting a quick glance around at the others, and edging toward the exit.

Megatron looks around. Typical Valckastian style this room, he thinks.

Scorcher notices Flamethrower nod at her and tries to walk quietly and inobstrusively towards her, grateful for the aid.

Tempest murmurs, "We used to do mock-ups with maps all over the walls and little spheres for the planets..." A sophisticated setup like this was beyond her imagination.

Tempest eyes Bombshell suspiciously. She remembers almost getting overwhelmed by Insecticon clones and a certain animosity remains.

Bombshell makes a "follow me" motion and slips away back toward the exit.

Thunderwing arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.

Ravenwing bows slightly in acknowledgment of Skyquake's compliment, then raises her voice to recite the coordinates of Mrrkrr to get them started. A large but lifeless planet comes into view, but it's not the focus of the display. Instead, it centers on a moon of the aforementioned planet, the home of the infamous slugs.

Bombshell comes to a dead stop as the Lord of Valckasta suddenly blocks his path. The Insecticon looks up - and then quickly stands aside to let him past.

CatsCradle murmurs in a rapt voice, "Ooooh, pretty colors..." She is, however, paying closer attention than her casual tone might convey.

Flamethrower tries to keep her attention focused on Scorcher. However, since Flamethrower has never been in this place before, her optics aren't quite centered on Scorcher and almost appear to center around Scorcher's head in sheer fascination for this place.

Megatron narrows his optics. Oh, yes, this sight he knows too well. "How exact are the parameters of your simulation, Ravenwing?"

Ferret frowns, and glances back to see what's happening, before turning back to Bombshell... But whatever it is, it's got his curiosity, so he follows the Insecticon to hear him out...

Tempest frowns. "I ... don't know this section of space. At all. It may not exactly be /civilized/, but it's at least /charted/ ... and no pirate would be dumb enough to hunt where those slugs held power."

Thunderwing arches a brow at the Insecticon, then shrugs and continues on his way into the room and finds a good place from where the proceedings may be watched. It is only at Megatron's question that he announces his presence by answering in his creation's stead, "Very exact, Megatron. It was created to give the most perfect presentation possible of any subject in its databanks."

Bombshell seems to relax a little as Thunderwing continues on past him ... then hurries out of the room.

Ground Pounder silently stares at the holodisplay.

Megatron says, "Well, we will see."

Bombshell enters Eastern Dome Complex <<U> Up>.
Bombshell has left.

Ferret sneaks out after Bombshell...
Ferret enters Eastern Dome Complex <<U> Up>.
Ferret has left.

Bombshell tilts his head for a moment, listening for followers, then hisses softly to Ferret, "It's not about all those external adornments, is it? What you really want, is to be powerful. To be recognized, to be a hero. Am I right?" The optics glow like double coals in the shadow of the Insecticon's facemask.

Ferret gives Bombshell a lopsided glance, yellow optics brightening for a moment, "I'll let my actions speak for themselves. And so what if I keep the leftovers to prove it was me who did it?"

Bombshell says, "You're trying awfully hard to prove that. You know, if you - if 'Cons like *us*, the ones who get ignored, who are left underfoot - if we were truly powerful, we wouldn't have to jockey for recognition. It would be there automatically. With just a few small adjustments - just a few borrowed items, and a source I know of, that could help us - we'd take our place among the most recognized warriors. Interested?"

Ferret frowns, "This sounds really suspicious. I'm not interested if you're planning anything treasonous. I think you'd better elaborate."

Bombshell starts heading down the hallway even as he speaks, trying to orient himself in a search for something unspoken. "No no, nothing of the sort..."

Bombshell enters Grand Arcade.

Bombshell enters Southern Dome Complex.

Ferret arrives from Grand Arcade.

Bombshell really doesn't know his way around in here, and seems momentarily frustrated by that ... but he keeps going. "Don't you see how we'd be so much more valuable to the cause if our own combat powers were enhanced? Megatron can never have too many exceptional warriors, after all." He pauses at one of the doorways, and then hurriedly ducks inside.

Bombshell enters Valckasta Repair Bay.

Valckasta Repair Bay

Obvious exits:
  <E> East leads to Southern Dome Complex.

Ferret arrives from Southern Dome Complex.

Ferret hurries after Bombshell, "Not that I'd mind a bit of recognition round here, but getting in trouble isn't the kind of recognition I'm looking for. I don't want to get on the wrong side of someone who carries around a fusion cannon bigger than I am."

Bombshell's optics dart around the room, though his posture momentarily reflects disappointment. "Only the repair bay," he mutters to himself, but brightens. "Ah, I'm sure we can find something useful here too." Conveniently, no one seems to be about, and Bombshell moves over to the medbay computer outlet, tapping along the side of the connecting cables until he comes to an access panel. "I *quite* assure you, my intentions are purely honorable. But how do you expect to get a fair hearing, when the high command is so wrapped up in its war plans? I've found that the only way to get anything 'experimental' done sometimes, is to just go ahead and do it, and then present the finished result. Had I gone through proper channels, for instance, WindWhisper would still not exist. But now - now we have a competent new warrior in our ranks. That's the sort of thing I mean."

Bombshell pulls open a panel on the side of the computer, and peers inside, his optics glowing with a strange intensity.

Ferret folds his arms, "Well, yeah, it does kinda seem like that. But... How do I know you're not just using me to further your own goals? I mean, I don't know you, but I've heard things said. Some in official reports..."

Bombshell waves a hand dismissively. "Ancient history. Let's say that we Insecticons haven't always been entirely trusted by the Decepticon leadership. Not through any true fault of our own. It's merely our nature to be off by ourselves, among our own kind. But our service to the empire has never been in question." He prods into the guts of the computer system, and continues, "Now, if we can just borrow some of these data storage chips, my associate can write new battle protocols over them, giving us an instant power boost. Very experimental technology-" he looks up, the optics flashing. "Are you in, or not? I'm giving you this opportunity, but I'll only offer once."

Ferret frowns, "Wait a minute, what associate?"

Bombshell pauses for a moment, looking almost puzzled. "My ... associate," he repeats, as though trying to figure out the meaning of the word for himself - but a moment later the optics steady, and he says, "You'll see." With a quick motion of the wrist, he plucks something out of the computer bank.

Ferret frowns, "It's appealing, but I'm not too sure about mysterious associates. I don't want to end up being a puppet for somebody else. Can you reassure me of your 'associate's good intentions?"

Whatever Bombshell pulled out, seems to have interrupted a power circuit. In response to Ferret's question, the overhead lights flicker, then blink out completely, plunging the room into ominous darkness.

Bombshell remarks, "Oops."

After a second, all the flashlights attached to Ferret flicker to life, lighting him up like a christmas tree, only about a hundred times brighter.

Bombshell flinches back from the sudden glare. Out in the hallway, a distant drumbeat of running feet echoes faintly as Valckasta's technicians and security staff leap right into action. "Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere," Bombshell decides hurriedly, and transforms to insect mode, scurrying for the door.

Bombshell transforms into his Cyber-Weevil mode.

Ferret doesn't want to be caught in the act, and transforms to his scoutcar mode to hurry after Bombshell.

In the Galaxy Holograph Room:

Skyquake's optics narrow as he takes a step back to take in the displayed image within the proper field of vision. Almost on reflex his fists clench and the armored gauntlets clank noisily, before he relaxes them again. "So, this is the habitat of our current mortal enemy. It would appear to be even less habitable then Tyrian..."

Tempest frowns. "I don't see any cities...or any jungles, or anything. It's just a wasteland."

CatsCradle gives a glance over towards Nightracer, to judge if she has noticed Ferret sneaking away... after all, the small mech has a habit of encouraging, if not causing, trouble. "Don't judge by the surface. Everything's pretty much underground."

Soundwave says, "We have spent the recent part of our history fighting on a planet-bound scale. These Mrrkvians are our first significant interstellar enemies in living memory, and we shall have to adjust our battle tactics accordingly. Space is three-dimensional, and on a far larger scale than has been our habit."

Tempest gives Soundwave a wry smile. "Little did you know when you took me in, hm?"

Flamethrower shifts her gaze completely to the display, and tilts her head to the left as she says to herself, "I wonder where Megatron was on this map when we found him..."

Megatron thinks there was enough talk. "We are not here for a nice chat."

Soundwave inclines his head to Tempest. "You have experience operating on this scale. It was not, in fact, the Mrrkvian homeworld I wished to see, but the surrounding space. That which is close by, in stellar terms."

CatsCradle gives Tempest a suddenly intent look. "You should be the one to train people in how to fight in the Stingers. Shockwave says that anyone can pick it up, but I agree with my mate, that it is a different type of fighting, and I think it should be tought by someone familiar with space fighting."

Tempest eyes the examination. "Okay, the Murk homeworld isn't a planet, it's a moon. The Sirians are camped out on its accompanying planet, and ... hm ... looks like the system's got another planet over here." Cats' words, however, shake her concentration. "You ... well, the Stingers aren't exactly a warship like the Red Eclipse, they're more like..." Pause. "Like a Kilairian Starcruiser. Like my own alt mode."

Ground Pounder shrugs and comments, "They seemed easy enough to get the hang of..."

Megatron picks up Tempest mentioning the other planet of the system. "What do we know about that one?"

Tempest shrugs. "The Sirians didn't mention it...."

Thunderwing listens, but doesn't seem too inclined to get involved in the conversation itself. On a soft command, however, the holographic view flickers, then coalesces into an image of the entire solar system in question.

Skyquake studies the images intently, waiting to see where the ideas of Soundwave and the others lead before considering his own opinion on the matter.

CatsCradle says mildly, "Fighting in space is a different mind-set, isn't it, Temp? Picking up the technology of the Stingers is one thing. But adding the unfamiliarity of new tech with a new style of fighting is another, and the Stingers might.." she slides Ground Pounder a glance, not of judgement, but merely acknowledgement, "... install false confidence. I've been more up-close with the slugs than most in here. This isn't gonna be an easy war."

Ground Pounder nods in agreement.

Ravenwing has been quiet thus far, but finally speaks up. "Almost all this information, sirs and ma'ams, was gained by our operatives at considerable risk." Give credit where credit is richly deserved. "The rest came from our Sirian allies."

Tempest says to Catscradle, "In a way it's like air combat, with an up and down instead of just left and right, back and forward. In another way though it's like ... like the humans, on their oceans, I guess. They had to stay near their big ships or they would die. A Stinger, it won't cut it for long distances. You're tied to the bigger shuttle, in a sense."

Megatron rubs his chin. If the planet had the right conditions to place a space bridge receiver undetected... They would be able to transport troops and materials for a base there. In combination with the Sirian outpost...

Soundwave says, "The advantage of the Stinger ships lies in added personal maneuverability in space, for those who are not originally designed for it. If Valckasta wishes to experiment with the concept, I am certain Shockwave would make several units available."

Tempest frowns. "I never expected to have to /teach/ space combat but ... I could give it a try."

As the gathered Decepticons regard Mrrkvian space, a faint power fluctuation causes the holograph to ripple slightly - and then blink out of existence, plunging the dome into utter darkness as though the power had simply been switched off.

CatsCradle gives Tempest an encouraging smile. "They'll stand a better chance surviving if you teach 'em." Then she goes back to studying the hologram, letting out a squeak when the lights go out. "Raven, did you forget to pay the electric bill?"

Thunderwing considers for a moment, then makes a non-committal gesture, "I cannot see how Valckasta could improve on the design, considering their rather specialised make. We will have officers attend such training programs as will be available, of course, but other than that...we shall remain..." Then the blackout interrupts his commentary, only to have it snap to life in a hissed demand for information from some hapless technician in the Command Center.

Megatron casually remarks, "I suppose this was not planned, Ravenwing. Is it the system that failed or... do we have to calculate with an external problem..?" Oh, yes, he has become a pessimist...

In the darkness, the faint glow of Skyquake's emerald optics pulses, then tighten as he adjusts to the new lighting level. "I would add, however, that there has been no explosion. So I would surmise it is either a technical problem, or a subtle terrorist."

Ravenwing is also making her own inquiries, unseen in the darkness. "No, it was not, Megatron. Backup power should be coming on..." Even as she speaks, the power comes back on, and the hologram flickers back into existence. "... about now. Pray excuse me, this merits investigation."

Skyquake glances across to Ravenwing as she moves, and inquires to her in a cool voice, "Would you require some, additional aid, in your investigation, Lady Ravenwing?"

Megatron murmurs, "What a coincidence... the data of Mrrkrr seem to have gone."

CatsCradle does a quick nose-count. "Wait, Ferret snuck out earlier..." Her voice is suspicious.

Flamethrower sighs as she continues to stare at the recently returned visuals, "Do you think this might have anything to do with the teammates who left the room earlier?"

Tempest snaps to attention, optics flaring ruby in the darkness. "I don't like this. Something ... feels wrong." Paranoia much?

Flamethrower changes her gaze to CatsCradle and nods. Perhaps on some levels they share similar trains of thought.

Ground Pounder shrugs and offhandedly asks, "Does Bombshell have a history of... causing problems?"

Soundwave shakes his head, the normally serene optic band flickering a little in a trace of exasperation. He just can't bring anyone to visit Valckasta without incident, it seems.

  [OOC] CatsCradle says, "can't take us anywhere, huh?"
  [OOC] Soundwave says, "No kidding... :)"

Tempest growls, then turns to Ground Pounder. "Yes. As a matter of fact he does..." Her blades are in her hands in a blink. "I'm gonna have chocolate covered beetle for dinner tonight."

CatsCradle pipes in with, "Diver's still working on the chocolate flavored energon, Temp, but you're welcome to have some for a sauce when he's finished.

Thunderwing lets Raven set about doing what she does best; eviscerate aggravating people. For himself, he keeps in contact with the technicians until satisfied that there won't be any more little mishaps. Once assured that there will be no more little hiccups with the power, he smirks at Soundwave, "'Some associates', Soundwave? Next time, bring a leash. Or at the very least, a modelock." Still, the tone is more amused than angered, but that might soon change, as he begins pestering the security personnel for information, "Oh, by all means, Tempest. I do believe there is something happening at the gates. Dinner is on Valckasta, and may I add...'happy hunting'?" He makes a gesture, as though inviting anyone currently feeling homicidal, to go run the annoyance to ground.

Soundwave gives Thunderwing a quick apologetic look, and makes the probably useless attempt to contact the suspects directly.

Soundwave transmits to Ferret and Bombshell: "Ferret, Bombshell, status report!"

Tempest is surprised to be addressed by Thunderwing, and even more surprised that he's encouraging her. She bows to the Lord of Valckasta, struggling to remember her manners. "Thank you my lord...I shall bring you back the fuel tank." She doesn't specify what he's to do with it but it's probably not too hard to guess for those who know her....and then she's gone.

Tempest enters Eastern Dome Complex <<U> Up>.
Tempest has left.

Ravenwing isn't eviscerating just yet. Have to run the offenders to ground first. She makes sure that the guards at the gate and spaceport are notified to keep watch for anyone leaving or entering who match the descriptions.

Megatron glances at the Valckastan lord: "/What/ is happening at the gates, Thunderwing?" And why the heck has he sent Tempest.

CatsCradle gives a sigh. "Leashes just don't seem to work on Ferret. He chews through them. We've tried hitting on the nose with a rolled up newspaper, squirting him with water... we just can't seem to keep him from chewing on things."

Thunderwing's optics suddenly shift from mildly amused annoyance into equally slight anger, "Hunters all ... if you find a memory chip on either of them, I would like it returned, if at all possible. It seems they wanted a souvernier ... from the medbay, of all places." He arches a brow at Raven and shrugs in a 'beats me' sort of way. Then he turns to Megatron, "Uncertain at this point, but it seems some of our beloved and esteemed ... ah ... 'comrades', have decided to take up theft as a career."

Ravenwing says, "They just left through the main gates..."

Thunderwing says, "Then by all means, follow them. This time, I am having Ferret welded to one of the holding cells..."

CatsCradle nods with sudden inspiration. "Welding! We haven't tried welding yet! That just might work."

Megatron narrows his optics. "Be more precise, Thunderwing, who do you mean?"

Flamethrower tilts her head to the left as she looks at CatsCradle, as if she doesn't understand one word of the expressions that CatsCradle used in regards to Ferret, and she certainly can't quite figure out what the expressions have to do with the little Decepticon.

Ravenwing mutters to herself, "....stupid... Why do something so stupid?"

Thunderwing sighs, "Oh, Megatron, do keep up ... Bombshell and Ferret, of course." Then he nods to CatsCradle, "I have some hopes for that particular method. If not, we might have to resort to acid, or possibly molecular bonding..."

CatsCradle snaps her fingers. "Y'know, there are those behavioural collars... zap 'em when they don't stop barking..."

Ravenwing says into her radio: "I assume you know that they left through the gates? Are you tracking them?"

Flamethrower continues to keep her head tilted, "Ferret is a thief? When did he pick up that habit? I can't say that I've ever seen him do anything like that, except against the slugs. What exactly was stolen?"

Soundwave says, "Megatron, with your permission, I will pursue." He brought them here, after all.

CatsCradle gives a shrug. "He probably can't help it. It's his name and all..."

A radio transmission is received by Ravenwing.
You intercept a message from Tempest: "Huh? Oh ... yeah. Yeah, I got a visual on Bombshell and Ferret who are running like hell at the sight of me. Pursuit permitted?"

Megatron hisses, "How shall I conquer the universe with this army?!" Then he turns to Soundwave. "Do it!"

Ravenwing says into her radio: "Granted, but try not to do any damage. We need to know *why* they've indulged in this idiocy. You will also be helped... or is that hindered... by others. Good fortune, and remember that you have backup in easy reach."

Soundwave makes for the exit.

In the Southern Dome Complex:

Bombshell turns this way and that, trying to recall the way out. "Ah, hell ... look, Ferret, you're faster, let's roll. Thunderwing won't have a sense of humor about this." He takes a leap and lands atop the scout car, digging in the hooks of his claws.

Ferret wobbles slightly, as Bombshell lands on top, "Uh... Where're we going?"

Bombshell says, "Out! And hurry! I'll explain when we get there."

Ferret enters Grand Arcade <<N> North>.

Bombshell enters Grand Arcade.

Ferret tears out into the grand arcade, without a moment's hesitation, hoping it's the same definition of 'out' as Bombshell had in mind.

Up ahead there's increased activity around the Gate as security staff mobilizes to search for a potential saboteur. Though the exit hasn't been locked down completely yet.

Bombshell hangs on tight.

Ferret is slightly unsure, "Where now? You want me to just barge out the gate?"

Bombshell says, "Yes, yes!"

Ferret steps on the gas, and hurtles towards the gates, "Bah, I never liked Valckasta anyway."

One of the guards notes the odd combination of the little vehicle with a big beetle hanging off the top, careening toward the gate, and reflexively snaps up a laser and sends a barrage of energy bolts at them, which strike the ground on all sides and strafe the escapees.

Ferret swerves slightly to avoid the incoming fire, but heads on towards the gate at breakneck speed...

A radio transmission is received by Ferret.

A radio transmission is received by Bombshell.

Tempest arrives from Eastern Dome Complex.

Tempest transforms into her Kilairian Starcruiser mode.
A sleek, pointed, and altogether alien looking aircraft screams low through the streets of Valckasta, intent on seeking prey!

Bombshell contines to hang onto Ferret's vehicle mode for dear life as they swerve out the gate. "If that's Soundwave calling, just let me explain it to him - er, later," he urges.

Ferret says, "We're in trouble already! Ah hell, looks like I'm stuck with it. Maybe my radio just broke..." and he puts on a burst of speed to get them clear of the gates.

Bombshell enters Valckasta Entry Gate.

Valckasta Entry Gate

Obvious exits:
<G> Gate leads to Grand Arcade.
<N> North leads to Serridon Plains.
<S> South leads to Checkpoint Cheapshot.
<W> West leads to Skytrack.

Ferret arrives from Grand Arcade.

Tempest arrives from Grand Arcade.

Tempest spots the two other Decepticons fleeing, and instantly gives chase. Her predatory nature in full effect, she doesn't even think of calling Soundwave for help or even to inform him that she's found Bombshell and Ferret on the run.

Bombshell tries to look back for pursuers - a move that's a little awkward in beetle mode. "Nice driving," he says. "Now, if we can only make it back to Polyhex..." The panorama of the skytrack opens up in front of them, and Bombshell considers taking to the air - but he's not especially aerodynamic, and realizes he's better off staying on the ground with his 'ride'.

A radio transmission is received by Tempest.

Ferret says, "I've picked up something big and fast on radar, and it's coming right after us... We need to get underground..."

Bombshell says, "Agreed!"

Tempest says into her radio: "Huh? Oh...yeah. Yeah, I got a visual on Bombshell and Ferret who are running like hell at the sight of me. Pursuit permitted?"

A radio transmission is received by Tempest.

Ferret scans around for any cover they can get under for the trip to Polyhex... Out in the open, they won't last five minutes.

Bombshell says, "Under the skytrack, Ferret. If we stay among the support beams, the flyers can't get a shot at us from above."

Tempest says into her radio: "*random mumbling that is likely an alien language, and probably very, very profane* Fine, they'll be living when you get them. That's all I promise."

Tempest sighs and broadcasts the usual ... or her best imitation thereof, "Ferret and Bombshell, you have ten seconds to surrender yourselves before you go back to Thunderwing and Megatron in pieces!"

Soundwave arrives from Grand Arcade.

Flamethrower arrives from Grand Arcade.

Ground Pounder arrives from Grand Arcade.

Megatron arrives from Grand Arcade.

Ferret darts beneath the skytrack at the earliest available opportunity, and dumps a load of smoke grenades behind him to further obscure the view from behind.

Megatron bursts out of the gate, definitely not amused!

Soundwave takes to the air as soon as he's clear of the gate.

Ground Pounder slowly walks into the area following a distance behind Soundwave, he had nothing better to do, and felt this might at least hold some interest.

Bombshell hisses, "Nice move," as the smoke obscurres their precise direction and they disapear into the tangle of the Skytrack support beams.

Tempest screams right under the skytrack, not giving a damn about narrow areas that scare so many flyers....and, of course, gets her sensors filled w ith smoke!

<Cybertron> Megatron says, "Ferret, Bombshell, return at once - or deal with the consequences!"

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "Soundwave to all available seekers in the Valckasta region. Require tracking and pursuit of Ferret and Bombshell. They are to be held for questioning. Last seen in the lower reaches of the Skytrack."

Bombshell enters Skytrack.

Skytrack

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.
<S> South leads to Gateway to Tarn.
<E> East leads to Valckasta Entry Gate.
<W> West leads to Overcity.

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "They just went into the Skytrack and popped smoke, I've lost visual. Transforming and pursuing on foot. Home in on my signal."

Ferret arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Ferret grumbles, "Now look what you've got us into... This had better be worth it for all the trouble I'm gonna be in when they catch us..."

Bombshell says, "Look, I can explain everything after the fact. But first we have to prove that it's going to work, and how it will *benefit* the cause. Now step on it! We need to make it to Polyhex and get hold of one of those little Stinger ships. Don't worry, we'll bring it back."

Ferret does indeed step on it, "Well, whatever. I'm scrap if Megatron catches me now, anyway..."

Soundwave arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Tempest arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Ground Pounder arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Flamethrower arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Ground Pounder smirks in satisfaction. He looks over to Soundwave and states, "I've got them. They seem to be making their way into the support structures of the Skytrack."

Flamethrower flies a little distance behind where Soundwave and Ground Pounder are flying.

Somewhere lost from sight, Bombshell digs in his claws and hangs on tight, as Ferret swerves northward toward Polyhex, among the shadowy forest of spires upon which soars the smooth curve of the skytrack, far above.

Megatron arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Harrier arrives from Valckasta Entry Gate.

Starscream arrives from Overcity.

Tempest catches a sign of the two, and chases after them ... finding it easier for her to merge with the rest of the group, who caught up to her while she was shaking off the effects of the smoke.

Megatron follows the persuing group. "Bring me these idiots!" he thunders.

Harrier says to the rest of the group, "Oh no, you're not going to have /all/ the fun." The newcomer moves in between Ground Pounder and Flamethrower and says, "Look at this magnificent new sonic-pulse radar set!"

Bombshell rasps, "Do your sensors give you any idea how close they are?"

Flamethrower turns to Harrier as he brushes her aside, "What are you talking about? Can that object help us find them in all this smoke?"

A black Tetrajet flies overhead, then circles around and makes what looks to be a very reckless drop in altitude and speed. Circling, Starscream decides to check out what's going on.

Harrier replies, "Of course! It relies on sound, not sight." He raises it, activates it, "There's a few walls between us and them ... I can't give pinpoint accuracy ... but ... no, this way!" He points to an opening off to the right.

Ground Pounder looks over with a glance at Harrier and replies, "That's nice, it should help us find Ferret and Bombshell then." He turns back to looking down at the skytrack and continues his scans to try and pinpoint their location.

Soundwave winds his way through the support beams in flight, though he's considerably slowed by having to fly around the obstacles. "Ground Pounder, Harrier - can you detect their apparent destination?"

Tempest startles, expecting the tetrajet to be an enemy ... then she recognizes it.

Ferret scans round, "Um... It's hard to tell with all the supports in the way..." He makes his best guess as to how far behind the persuers are, and drops a collection of smoke grenades with accordingly timed fuses.

Harrier says, "If you ask me they're trying to shake us off in all this construction. No bloody idea where they're going. If it were me, I'd lose my pursuers in here, lay low till nightfall and emerge then."

Starscream tips his wings toward Tempest, then pulls up and banks to the left, "So what's on the agenda to hunt today, Decepticons?"

Ground Pounder concentrates his scanning to the area where Harrier indicated and replies, "Currently trying to determine, sir."

Bombshell chuckles softly. "That'll hold them off, just long enough. I hope." In contrast to following the logical plan, such as the one proposed by Harrier, he's in a considerable hurry to get where he's going, and urges, "Keep heading north. If we can reach the Stinger before they catch up with us, we're good to go."

Flamethrower sighs as she nods to Harrier, "I guess Thunderwing's suspicions were right. It looks like Ferret and Bombshell are working together."

Tempest says grimly, "Ferret and Bombshell. They're playing games with us, and we're TRYING to figure out how to attack the slug homeworld when those two idiots blew up the power and ran off!"

Ferret continues heading north, weaving in and out of support structures, to make his path appear as chaotic as possible to any pursuers who aren't clogged in smoke.

Soundwave notes another plume of smoke going up somewhere ahead, definitely to the north now.

Starscream enters Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex <<N> North>.
Starscream has left.

Bombshell enters Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Ferret arrives from Skytrack.

A black Tetrajet flies low and slow overhead, " Well well ... all the radio chatter seems to be about you two ... have we been bad mechs?"

Bombshell's fuel pump leaps hopefully as they break free of the underworld of the Skytrack and the destination of the Polyhex gate comes into view. But his hopes are dampened almost immediately as a tetrajet with a familiar voice swoops down toward them.

Megatron arrives from Skytrack.

The famliar black Tetrajet seems to be circling around a specific area.

Ferret hits the gas. If Starscream wants to act all smug, that's fine with him. He can waste his time... Ferret tries to seek out cover from the air, and head for it as quickly as possible.

Starscream follows him.

Tempest arrives from Skytrack.

Harrier arrives from Skytrack.

Megatron appears in the area as well. Oh, he is angry, he is very angry!

Tempest recognizes an angry Megatron and finds herself beside him, to watch his back if a fight starts.

Soundwave arrives from Skytrack.

Ground Pounder arrives from Skytrack.

Flamethrower arrives from Skytrack.

Soundwave soars down from the surface of the skytrack, having given up on winding his way through the understructure when trackers confirmed Ferret's and Bombshell's probable destination.

Bombshell digs in his claws and is jolted back and forth as Ferret roars toward the gate. "Just make for the airfield," he hisses to his ride, eyeing the tetrajet above with a good deal of trepidation.

Starscream is following something from the air and having a good time with it too.

Bombshell mutters to himself, "Oh, they'll never understand this..."

Flamethrower continues to follow by flying behind Soundwave and Ground Pounder.

Harrier muses, "I suppose the trail could ultimately lead to Polyhex ... or they could turn off anywhere before that, or go underground."

Starscream chuckles, "Come now ... is this the best you can do?"

Ground Pounder keeps up his pace next to Soundwave and continues to scan in case he needs additional assistance.

Ferret's engine is already protesting at being forced on like this, but it's preferable to what's behind at any rate. He heads on towards the airfield... "Like I said, this better be worth the trouble I'm gonna be in..."

Soundwave can see Ferret up ahead, but is too far out of range to try bringing him down with a sonic blast.

Flamethrower turns her head and nods to Harrier's comments, "True. Wasn't there a report some time ago involving Insecticon clones at the northern pole?"

Bombshell enters Avenue of Conquerors <Polyhex>.

Ferret arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Starscream arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Ferret is also somewhat riled by Starscream's taunting, and shouts, "Shut up, Starscream. The only reason you're still there is because I'm too nice to shoot you."

Soundwave arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Tempest arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Ground Pounder arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Flamethrower arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Harrier arrives from Victory Arch/Gateway to Polyhex.

Soundwave flies after the others, though is of course slower in the air than the jets - and slower than Ferret is on the ground. Thus he's still out of range for trying to bring him down with a harmless sonic blast.

Harrier appears thrilled with all his new equipment, though it takes him a while to figure out that the night-vision setting isn't really required in this well-lit area.

Starscream is easily keeping up with them but doesn't seem interested in going in for the kill so to speak. He's holding back, "So what do the rest of you want done with these two?"

Ferret fires another spread of smoke grenades. Anything to confuse their pursuers...

Bombshell urges, "Just drive, just drive! And don't let Starscream land a shot, or we're history."

Ground Pounder concentrates his scanning through the smoke cloud.

Bombshell enters Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Ferret arrives from Avenue of Conquerors <Polyhex>.

Bombshell sighs in momentary relief, a scratchy rasping sound, as they leave their pursuers confused in a cloud of smoke. But no time to relax. "To the hangar," he urges. "I know there's at least one Stinger parked out there. We've got to get into orbit. My ... associate ... will help us from there."

Ferret swerves with a screeching sound, leaving black trails of rubber behind him, and thunders on towards the hangar, "Your associate had better not be a mysterious alien who's offering us power and glory in return for not very much, because that just reeks of trouble..."

Bombshell says, "Ermm..." Any other protest is cut off by the jolting Bombshell receives from the sudden shift of direction.

Bombshell enters Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Ferret arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Starscream arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Starscream banks up hard and lights full afterburner ... he's getting ready for something ... something that won't bode well for the two on the run.... Suddenly he pivots downward and starts spinning, aiming straight for them. Qucikly he starts pulse firing both laserbanks and continues to build speed.

Tempest arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Tempest gets out of Starscream's way, watching his back as he makes his attack run.

Bombshell lets out a raspy hiss as laser bolts start falling to all sides of them. "Into the hangar!" he screeches. "And keep on going! They won't fire on their new spacecraft. I hope..."

Ferret grumbles, "Great. Well, I suppose I'll gamble with this unknown, rather than go back and face Megatron's wrath..." Abruptly he swerves, to dodge the cascade of laser blasts that flare up around him, and drives headlong towards the hangar.

Starscream snarls, "Do you think I will care about that?"

Starscream pulls up hard, still spinning, then levels off and prepares to launch into his insane attack again.

Tempest yells, "Ferret, don't be dumb, surrender so I can protect you!" She actually likes Ferret and wants to give him a chance.

Bombshell flattens himself down - as best a round-carapaced beetle can, anyway - and silently urges Ferret onward. "Not yet," he whispers. "We're so close!"

Ferret hits his spotlight, and all the other flashlights he has attached to himself. If he's going to be an obvious target, he might as well make it like flying into the sun for anyone who wants to take a run at him.

Starscream gets momentatirly blinded and pulls up.

Soundwave arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Ground Pounder arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Flamethrower arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Megatron arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Tempest opens fire, but she's such a notoriously bad shot with her lasers that even with her sensors blinded, her shooting's about as good as it ever is.

Harrier arrives from Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Soundwave flies toward Starscream's laser bolts, which were quite visible from the plaza. He sees Ferret tearing through the hangar up ahead, apparently on his way out toward the other side. If only he could instantly convey a sonic stun weapon to Starscream! And what he wouldn't give to corner Bombshell and Ferret privately just about now and find out what's gotten into them.

Bombshell enters Polyhex Airfield.

Polyhex Airfield

Stinger Fighter <Lament>
Ark Aspirant <Ark>
Avenger StarCraft

Obvious exits:
  <U> Up leads to Sky above Polyhex.
  <W> West leads to Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Stinger Fighter <Lament>

Ferret arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Ferret tears out onto the airfield and looks around madly, "Ah, that small one, right?"

Tempest arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Bombshell says, "That's it! If we can get there before..." he glances back over the curve of his carapace as the distance between themselves and the sleek little craft rapidly closes.

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "Get your afts over here, there's a Stinger here."

Tempest overshoots her targets, and comes looping around, now charging /towards/ them...

....at ground level!!!

Ferret fires off another barrage of smoke grenades - he's not about to use his heavy weapons, because he really doesn't want to hurt anyone...

Bombshell draws himself down against the top of Ferret's vehicle mode, drawing all six legs under him like steel springs ready to uncoil - and then LEAPS from Ferret toward the Stinger craft, the legs flailing awkwardly in the air, as beetles were never aerodynamically mean to take flying leaps. At the last moment he kicks in his flight engines, and lands with a metallic clang on the small sleek spaceship, clinging with the claw tips.

Soundwave arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Ground Pounder arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Megatron arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Flamethrower arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Flamethrower shakes her head to Megatron's question, "I still can't understand what Bombshell could have said to make Ferret act like this. Ferret has always seemed to be reasonable... except when he's fighting the slugs."

Tempest flies high to escape the smoke ... and sees Bombshell clinging to the Stinger. She doesn't want to destroy the ship ... but if Bombshell takes off, she doesn't see that she would have any choice but to try.

Ferret transforms and hits his own flight engines, leaping after Bombshell onto the Stinger spacecraft.

Ferret transforms into his Robot mode

Bombshell transforms into his Robot mode.

Bombshell transforms, scrabbling for the entrance latch, which pops open as though inviting them in.

Bombshell slips into the open cockpit, pulling Ferret in after him. "You've flown one of these before, right?"

Ferret scrabbles into the craft after Bombshell, anything to escape the rapidly approaching wrath of Megatron. He blinks quite blankly at Bombshell, "No! I thought you were going to fly it!"

Stinger Fighter <Lament> Interior:

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "Get on that ship and you both are good as dead."

Soundwave says into his radio: ""Remember, Tempest - capture them alive."

A radio transmission is received by Tempest.

Megatron says, "Don't let them get away with the Stinger!!"

Bombshell's optics flash on and off in a "blink" as he takes a split second to stare at Ferret - but Tempest's threat on the broadband hurriedly mobilizes him into action. "Well, I've read the specs," he mumbles, pulling the hatch down over them and starting to push buttons on the console.

Ferret suddenly begins to wonder whether Megatron's retribution would be preferable after all...

Tempest makes a pass, firing her lasers. She's flying so low, some of them can't help but hit, though they do no substantial damage. Still, a row of laser shots stitched up your windshield can't be comforting....

Bombshell winces as some of Tempest's shots pepper the craft. With a sudden surge of power, the small sleek vessel takes a leap off the launchpad and careens around its axis. Bombshell shouts, "Er - hold on!"

Ferret flinches as Tempest's lasers rattle the hull, and flinches again, as Bombshell inexpertly throws the craft off the launchpad, "I am! Just get us the hell out of here!"

<Cybertron> Soundwave reports back to Valckasta, "Status report: Bombshell and Ferret appear to be Polyhex's problem now. However, they are attempting to flee in a Stinger craft. We will pursue - but is there an interception vessel available in Valckasta?"

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "Permission to use missile? *pause* Can't guarantee they'd be alive, or worth eating, after."

Bombshell accidentally hits the weapons control, and a spray of laser fire sputters out in an arc as the ship swings around one more time and finally stabilizes enough for Bombshell to send it forward and upward.

<Cybertron> Ravenwing says, "None but the Harbinger. What in Primus' name is wrong with these miscreants to lead such a chase?"

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "Unknown."

Megatron narrows his optics.

<Cybertron> Megatron says, "Permission... granted, Tempest."

<Cybertron> CatsCradle says, "Is it worth the energy to continue... oh, well, nevermind..."

Tempest says into her radio: "Ferret, did you hear that? Get out of there!"

A radio transmission is received by Ferret.

Tempest closes in on the Stinger, a golden bird of prey swooping on her target.

Bombshell somewhat gets the hang of the controls, and guides the ship to bolt forward, arrowing toward the sky, hoping to leave Tempest behind.

Ferret is slammed back against the seat, and decides to leave the rest of his survival up to whatever luck he has left...

Flamethrower's stare seems glued to the Stinger ship as if hoping that she could talk some sense them into them by staring as she mumbles, "Come on, Ferret. I don't know what started this, but just leave."

Tempest fires a missile!

Ground Pounder watches with great interest as to how this will turn out.

Ferret shuts his optics, and hopes this isn't going to be the end of him...

Bombshell jerks the controls sideways as his screen indicates a rapidly closing energy signature. The sleek little craft responds to the softest of touch, let alone such manhandling, and Bombshell's clumsy evasuve maneuver sends the craft over onto its side, throwing the occupants to the right, and allowing the missile to just barely streak past. They continue on upward into orbit.

Ferret is thrown upside down in his seat, and struggles to get the right way up again, "Woah, nice move! That was a close one..."

Tempest cusses over the broadband as her missile misses. She closes in ... and to those in the Stinger, it might become apparent that the shape of a Kilairian Starcruiser makes a magnificent cutting wedge ... will she actually try to ram them?

Soundwave is determined to bring the escapees back in something resembling one piece. He lands by the Avenger Starcraft and enters, leaving the hatch open for anyone who wants to join him as he starts to warm up the engine.

Flamethrower lands as well, since she's quite curious what would make Ferret agree to go anywhere with Bombshell.

Ground Pounder follows Soundwave down, and ducks through the hatch into the ship.

Megatron follows Soundwave. If there was a Stinger left, he would have taken that one. Darn traitors!

Avenger StarCraft:

Avenger Cockpit:

The Avenger's hatch snaps down behind its passengers as Soundwave guides the ship up into pursuit - less erratically than Bombshell's haphazard version - indeed, almost smoothly, except for the sudden burst of speed that throws the occupants back into their seats. He angles the vessel skyward in the wake of the Stinger and Tempest.

<Cybertron> Ravenwing says, "Commander Soundwave, what is the range of these Stinger craft? Can they escape Cybertron's orbit?"

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "Affirmative, but they are not capable of reaching the nearest planetary bodies."

Cybertron High Orbit

Unicron's Head

Obvious exits:
  <V> Void leads to Cybertron System.
  <D> Down leads to Cybertron Low Orbit.

Tempest screams at the Stinger, trying to hit it!

<Cybertron> CatsCradle says, "Can't you just wait until they... er... run out of gas and pick them up then?"

The little stinger craft tumbles sideways as Tempest clips its wing and soars past. Bombshell fights to regain control of the vessel.

<Cybertron> Ghost says, "Is interceptor assistance a dire need, Commander Soundwave?"

Tempest tumbles end over end a few times, from her own impact with the Stinger, but she's expecting this sort of thing and recovers smoothly. It does, however, give Ferret and Bombshell a few moments of safety.

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "Assuming they are working alone. We have pursued them into orbit, but their motives and objectives remain completely unknown."

Starscream has arrived.

Bombshell spins the ship around and arrows toward the distant curve of Cybertron's horizon. Out in the distance, rising like an ominous harbinger, Unicron's shattered, eyeless head looms up over the silvery curve of the planet. Is Bombshell really aiming for *that*? Or is it just, by coincidence, the stretch that's open to him, with the others in pursuit?

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "Slaggit, he's going to hide in Unicron's head! Soundwave, can you cut them off?"

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave shifts the Avenger starcraft into pursuit, but Tempest is out ahead of them.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "What do these idiots want there?"

Ferret grumbles, "We're not going to last long out here before they intercept us... And what exactly did you need to drag me along for? If I'm going to get reduced to scrap for this, I want at least to know what my crime is!"

Bombshell hisses, "Okay. We're almost there. Look, this will work. It's just a power boost for the both of us. My associate..." His words fade out as he goes suddenly silent and still, hands resting on the Stinger controls, his optics lighting up into a steady crimson glow that appears not to see anything.

As the Stinger craft seems to falter on its course, Soundwave is able to close some distance.

Tempest flies ahead, aiming for Unicron's head, hoping to cut off the Stinger. She has no fear of the head - being "dead" herself for most of the Unicron War.

Ferret puts his hands on his head, and his optics dull slightly, "Ah... Your associate would be the big demonic-looking head... I saw this coming... "

Unicron's Head:

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Ground Pounder stares at the large object in the orbit of Cybertron and then looks over to Flamethrower and asks, "What /is/ that thing?" as he indicates Unicron's head.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Flamethrower's lower mouth drops in response to Ground Pounder's question, "I was hoping I wouldn't have to see it again."

  [OOC] Ferret thinks Unicron should have quit while he was ahead... er... ;)

Starscream pulls up alongside Tempest. Where he vanished to is anyone's guess......

Starscream states flatly, "Status report, Tempest?" It's obivous he doesn't want to discuss his temporary absence.

Tempest flies fearlessly into Unicron's mouth, deciding to lay in wait for the Stinger there. "Well Starscream, I hope you're not afraid of Unicron ... because that's where they're headed."

Bombshell startles out of his sudden fade-out as though waking up from a bad dream, and realizes they're heading right for - not only Unicron's head, but Starscream and Tempest. He rips the controls sideways, sending the ship into an uncontrolled spin.

Starscream mutters, "I was in a rather incoporeal state at the time this thing made its pesence known ... it's just a dead hull now as far as I'm concerned. Lead on."

Ferret holds on to the seat, "Yeeargh! You still haven't said why you dragged /me/ into this!"

Tempest stands in Unicron's mouth, sniffing. The dead head smells ... funny. Like rust, and rot, and the sickly sweet aroma of death. Must be because it's rusting. Must be.

Starscream transforms into his Robot mode.
Starscream transforms and lands.

Starscream reaches for the side of the mouth and wrinkles his nose, "What is that smell?"

Ghost has arrived.

Ghost rockets up from Cybertron, engines redlined, wings in full spectral formation. Her passenger isn't visible as her canopy has a one way spectral coating on it.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "Soundwave, report, do you get any readings from Unicron's head? Why are they heading for it?"

Tempest grumbles, "I don't know. I don't care. We can find out once we catch Bombshell and Ferret."

Bombshell tries to get the ship under control again. "I told you," he hisses, his optics flickering wildly, but he doesn't give further details as he's fighting with the vessel, manages to get it straightened out - and realizes he's got not only Tempest and Starscream and Soundwave's group to evade, but Ghost coming in from another angle entirely.

Tempest brandishes her swords, regards the Stinger with glee. "Come to me ... before your vessel runs out of fuel."

Ferret mutters darkly to himself, and awaits his doom, since that looks like it's all he's getting out of this scenario.

Starscream suggests smoothly, " Wait Tempest, I think they are up to something ... let's see what it is first."

Starscream transforms suddenly, "Then again...."

Starscream drops down off the mouth and lights the pipes in fresh pursuit.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave replies to Megatron's question, "Inconclusive readings, Commander. Attempting to cut off the Stinger's escape." The Avenger starcraft swerves sideways, still a nearly-smooth motion as it tries to get ahead of the Stinger so the space fliers have a chance to disable it.

From Ghost, Spinister hangs on tight inside Ghost, who is going hell for leather. Not the most comfortable ride he's ever had, but he says nothing.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Ground Pounder tightens his grip on the sides of the chair and concentrates on watching the battle outside rather than thinking about his rising nausea.

Tempest waits for the Stinger to get closer ... close enough for her to attack it.

(Ferret suddenly feels something brush his mind - an impulse, not clear enough to be a voice, but a concept: a notion of a powered-up Ferret, respected and feared as a great warrior, admired and envied by his comrades, a hero to his species, commended by Megatron himself...)

Starscream gets some altitude and sets up for another spin attack ... this one has to count. Lining the ship up in his sights, he tilts downward, starts spinning and fires repeatedly.

Bombshell tries to turn the Stinger out toward deep space, but the Avenger craft is trying to cut off that route now. Growing more and more panicky as he realizes the situation he's in, his hands brush the weapons controls - and draw back from them as though burned.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "There must be a reason they're heading for it, Soundwave. Can you locate any other ship?"

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave replies, "Negative, Commander. However-" he tilts his head as though listening to something very far away - then quickly dispells the thought as he has to concentrate on external events.

Ferret's optics flicker brightly for a moment, and he mutters, "This had better be worth the trouble..."

Tempest leaps from Unicron's mouth - strange, why does she feel so much less nervous now? - and transforms again, circling around to come up at the Stinger from beneath!

The Stinger craft shudders as Starscream's lasers rake across its top surface! As Bombshell tries to duck down away from them, he drops toward Tempest rising from below.

Starscream pulls up and banks back around for another onslaught.

Tempest looses her other missile, right up at the Stinger's belly.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Flamethrower nods to herself, "That might trap the ship ... at least I hope it does."

Bombshell gives a dismayed cry as the missle slams into them from below, tearing the left wing completely away. The console lights up with alarm signals as the ship tumbles sideways - fortunately away from Starscream, but right toward Ghost.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave swings the Avenger around, watching in intent silence now.

Starscream dives straight for Ghost as fast as he can.

From Ghost, Spinister braces himself inside Ghost.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron taps his fingers on the console. "There has to be something," he mutters.

Starscream redlines it to make it ahead of the demaged ship and attempts to knock Ghost out of the way.

Ghost drives up from the planet below, going into a sudden trajectory shift as the stolen craft shifts its own heading. The engines of the craft are not running in anything resembling silent mode, leaving a streak of ionized plasma in its wake. Another minute shift as the target moves towards her own position, her voice coming over the broadband with icy inflections, "Stand down your ship's systems or be removed as a viable source of transportation." The forward edge of the craft begins to shimmer with residual energy as she readies to fire, edivently unconcerned about a possible collision; designed for such things actually.

Tempest's windows light up in what you'd swear is a feral expression - even as a vehicle, she looks hungry, and senses an impending kill.

Ferret clings to the seat, and shuts his optics, waiting for the end, "I knew this was a dumb idea..."

Bombshell protests, "It wasn't *my* idea!" He couldn't bring the ship to a standstill now even if he wanted to, as it keeps spinning around itself, the left wing and part of the thrusters gone, the other thruster firing sporadically as he continues right toward Ghost.

From Ghost, Ghost may be designed for collisions but Spinister is not. He covers his delicate rotor blades with one arm.

<Cybertron> Ghost says, "Permission to engage unfriendly vessel?"

Ferret returns the protests, "Well it wasn't /mine/!"

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "(there's a faintly dulled harmonic to the voice this time) Attempt to retrieve them alive, Ghost."

<Cybertron> Megatron says, "Permission ganted."

Starscream's path is abruptly interrupted as the Stinger slams into him broadside. With a squalch he is caught up in the shuttle's plummet...

Ghost wingovers suddenly, course shifting as she resets her primary objective, not to kill. Instead, she angles her flight trajectory to time with the forlorn ship, lining up an energywing, fanning it out in order to attempt to sever the shuttle's other means of propulsion.

Ferret manages to force some calmness into his tone, as he awaits his obliteration, "Pardon me if I'm wrong, but if your associate is the giant decapitated head... isn't he a bit... Uh... dead?"

Tempest would like to put another missile into the Stinger but that would be a bad idea ... and besides, she's out of missiles. Just as well for all concerned.

From Ghost, Spinister leans into his seat belt as Ghost suddenly wing overs. Wonderful invention, seat belts. Spinister would gladly give the inventor a pile of energon cubes at the moment.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Flamethrower keeps her attention glued to the visuals revealing the unfolding events taking place outside the ship. Once again, she shakes her head and wishes that there could be something that those on board the shuttle could do to stop this conflict before someone is destroyed.

Bombshell is jolted violently as the Stinger impacts with Starscream. His hands slip off the controls and the ship's momentum comes to a nearly grinding halt against Starscream's alt mode, the remaining thruster a clear target for Ghost to easily shear off.

<Cybertron> Soundwave says, "Ghost, Starscream, Tempest - can you retrieve the occupants?"

Ghost comes across her internal speaker perhaps later than she should have, "Brace for possible impact, sir."

Starscream works his thrusters and afterburners in an attempt to slow the shuttle down ... not exactly the way he wanted to stop them, but too late now to whine about it.

<Cybertron> Tempest says, "I'm not particularly suitable for passengers."

<Cybertron> Ghost says, "As I am already carrying a passenger, I could get them out but they would be adrift. Is there another means of conveyance nearby?"

<Cybertron> Megatron says, "Then wrap them up and nail them to the head!"

<Cybertron> Starscream says, "I'm ... a ... bit ... unable to ... take passangers right ... now.."

<Cybertron> Ghost says, "As you wish, my lord."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave watches the pretty-well disabled Stinger ship on the screen. "I should like to know what drove them to this," he muses to himself, his optic band darkening.

Ferret ends up upside down again, as the impact with Starscream throws him out of his seat, "What now!? Megatron's gonna be pretty pissed when he gets his hands on us!"

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "Stupidity."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave says, "I do not believe the answer is that simple, Commander. Bombshell and Ferret have both on occasion taken ill-considered action, but neither lacks intelligence."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Flamethrower continues to stare at the sensors, hoping that the situation works out, "That would explain Bombshell, but I can't believe that Ferret wouldn't have some sensible reason."

Ghost wingovers after she slides across the Stinger, effectivly severing the remaining engine with her passing. The nimble ship revectors with another abrupt movement, slowing down to take up a position by the wing she removed. "Stinger passengers, stand down your personal weaponry and prepare to be retrieved."

Tempest pulls alongside the Stinger. "Ferret, I think I can carry you."

Ferret considers for a moment whether he should submit, or go down in a blaze of glory. "Hmmm..." It's a tough one...

Tempest says, "And if you avoid stabbing me in the back, I avoid barrel-rolling and sending you through space in free fall for all eternity."

Bombshell's optics flash unsteadily. "Associate? Decapitated head?" he asks - a split instant before Ghost's impact tears out part of the back section of the small vessel, leaving a gap that's open to the stars. Bombshell stares out the opening, looks at Ferret, then back out toward the stars. All the lights on the console die, leaving only the optics of the two Transformers to provide any illumination.

Ferret grumbles, "You dragged me out here, and you didn't even have any idea what you were doing? Just exactly what were you planning?!"

Bombshell stammers, "I wanted to ... I was told... I thought..." He stops and just stares out the torn opening toward the stars.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "Then, Soundwave, tell me any 'intelligent' reason for them to be here."

Bombshell shakes his head, as though to clear it. "Come on," he decides, pushing his way toward the tear in the hull. "Just play along with me."

Ferret sighs, and follows Bombshell's lead. Not like he has much left to lose now...

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave says, "Unknown, Commander." Not a very helpful answer, admittedly. "Questioning them may bring us more."

Ghost remains 'parked' next to the Stinger, awaiting a response from those inside. All the while she is giving Starscream's slightly battered self a sensor lookover.

Spinister sits back in his seat inside Ghost, watching out through the windows.

Bombshell emerges from the Stinger craft, stepping carefully out onto the torn hull, and making room for Ferret to join him.

Starscream pulls away from the ship and reverts to his robot mode. His left wing is mangled, that leg's motor is damaged and not working, and his armor has taken a thorough beating. Hovering in bot mode he holds the shoulder that wing is dangling by and glares, looks rather at a loss for words.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Ground Pounder, out of curiousity, activates his scanners and scans the decapticated head floating above Cybertron for any energy signatures within.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave guides the Avenger in close, and opens the side hatch, signalling the others to come inside.

Starscream notices Ghost check, "...You're welcome ... now let's make sure they don't get away ... I'm not doing that again."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron waits for the others to bring the captives in.

Ferret clambers up next to Bombshell, and decides that he will be magnanimous and defiant in the face of interrogation, even if they pull his arms off...

(Ground Pounder's scanners detect a faint energy fluctuation that fades back into background radiation. Maybe a natural phenomenon. Maybe not.)

Ghost's wings shift position as she continues to wait on Ferret and Bombshell. "One of you can utilize me as a point of transport to the starcraft."

Bombshell carefully clambers over and takes hold of Ghost's wings.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Ground Pounder furls his optic ridge in question and frowns slightly as though he detected something, then shrugs and watches as the captives are being brought aboard.

Starscream works the thrusters on his good leg and heads toward the starcraft.

Tempest says, "I'll take Ferret. Not the Bug."

Ferret stands on the crippled Stinger, waiting for Ghost to ferry Bombshell across. He casts an uneasy glance towards the head of Unicron.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Starscream makes it inside and looks like he did exactly what he did do, stop the shuttle the hard way. Walking as haughtily as he can muster, he finds a chair and sits down heavily, "The rogues are being taken prisoner now, I would assume."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Megatron says, "Excellent."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Starscream looks at Megatron, then looks to his battered leg and armor ... and paint job... "...yea..."

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave glances at Megatron, and wonders how likely it would be that Ferret and Bombshell first be questioned before being punished.

Ghost shifts her wing phase to solidify it so to allow Bombshell to take hold. In space, the additional weight is negligable, but she would better only carry one insurgant across. With a gentle flareup of engines, she drifts herself and her passengers towards the Starcraft.

<Cybertron> Megatron says, "Get Ferret and Bombshell aboard for interrogation!"

Spinister stares coldly out through Ghost's windows at Bombshell. There is little else he can do inside Ghost but that.

<Cybertron> Ghost says, "Patience, my lord."

Ferret is in no way sufficiently courageous to go near Tempest right now... And stands around on the hull of the Stinger, shuffling his feet, and trying to come to a decision on the whole blaze of glory thing...

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Flamethrower looks to Starscream and nods, "Maybe we'll find out what made their logic circuits completely break apart. With all this hassle... " She cuts off her speech, deciding in hindsight that maybe silence might be more appropriate during a moment like this.

Bombshell peers in at Spinister from outside Ghost, but it's hard to read his expression through the facemask.

Bombshell says into his radio: "Come *on*, Ferret. Just let me take care of it."

A radio transmission is received by Ferret.

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Soundwave for his part nods to Flamethrower, thinking much the same thing.

Spinister stares back impassively at Bombshell, above his own face mask.

Ferret says into his radio: "That's what you said last time!!"

A radio transmission is received by Bombshell.

Ghost shifts her orientation as she nears the Starcraft, bringing that wing near to the hatch system and broadcasting, "Would someone kindly take hold of Bombshell so that my other proper passenger can avail himself of a proper conveyance?"

<From inside the Avenger Starcraft> Starscream shrugs slightly at Flamethrower's words, lights a cig and tries to relax. His part in this is done as far as he's concerned.

Bombshell doesn't glance back at Ferret, nor does he wait for someone to take hold of him and drag him in ... he climbs into the hatch of his own accord.

<Inside the Avenger Starcraft>

Bombshell has arrived.

<From outside> Ghost's seamless seeming hatch slides open to allow Spinister the option to enter the Starcraft as well.

Tempest slinks aboard to see what is going on.

<From outside> Spinister undoes his seatbeat and rises to leave Ghost. He looks up and nods a thank you to her for the lift, before stepping outside.

<From outside> Ferret stands out on the hull of the crippled spacecraft, and begins to pace, grumbling darkly to himself.

<From outside> Ghost waits for Spinister to get aboard the Starcraft before she begins her trip to ferry Feret across, leaving her hatch open so he gets a more comfortable trip.

Spinister walks inside, nodding a greeting to the occupants. His optics pass over Starscream but he says nothing.

<From outside> Ghost broadcasts to Ferret as she draws closer to the dead in space Stinger, "Get in."

<From outside> Ferret reluctantly accepts the ride back to oblivion, and clambers into Ghost's cockpit.

Soundwave sits quietly and regards Bombshell expressionlessly, while waiting for Ferret to join him.

<From outside> Ghost flares her engines and drifts back to the main craft, leaving the hatch open. She makes the needed contact points and intones, "Get out." Very flat, very cold.

Tempest growls lightly at the sight of the two fugitives she's been hunting. This is the frustrating part ... letting "justice" deal with them.

Starscream isn't paying attention to anyone at this point. He just sits there with his battered leg stretched out a bit, smoking a cig and looking out of the port window by his seat.

<From outside> Ferret glares at whatever his optics happen to rest on, and clambers back out onto the Avenger without any argument.

Megatron points at Bombshell. He has not the patience for a long questioning. "Soundwave, find out what is wrong with him," he orders.

Ferret has arrived.

Flamethrower instantly keeps her optics glued to Ferret as if she were expecting an explanation out of him.

Bombshell shifts his weight from one foot to the other a little, glancing only momentarily toward Ferret, then toward Megatron, and Soundwave, and then away again, suddenly quite interested in the faint patterning of the floorplates. "Okay," he begins, trying to get in a semblance of explanation before Megatron starts shooting, "it was like this..." but he quickly falls silent as he realizes the implication of Megatron's order. Not much sense making up a story if Soundwave is simply going to take the information from his mind.

Tempest growls, "How about 'he's a traitor' for your answer, Megatron? Remember the problems we had with his clones? I say we eat him!"

<From outside> Ghost transforms into her Robot mode.

Ground Pounder waits for an explanation from the fugitives.

<From outside> Ghost transforms, turning to glare at the Stinger craft, considering its disarray. Then, with a shrug, she glides out to retrieve it. At least it could be recycled.

Starscream slowly looks over to the developing situation and just watches.

Soundwave has been wanting to find out what's wrong with them all day. His expression does not change, though his optic band slowly shades brighter as his telepathic probe sweeps out into Bombshell's mind - and Ferret's as well. Though at the same time he nods to Bombshell, and says, "Speak," the tone neither encouraging nor hostile. The others will want to hear what the two rogues have to say too, surely.

Spinister nods faintly at Ghost as she leaves, and turns back to the other Decepticons. He folds his arms across his chest.

Ferret doesn't let his optics rest on anyone in particular, simply glaring dead ahead, with his arms folded, at least attempting to /look/ untouchable, before they blow him to bits.

Bombshell lifts his head and meets Soundwave's gaze directly now. "We're facing a new enemy," he hisses softly. "You need all the powerful warriors you can get. I thought, if I could augment my combat capabilities, I'd be far more useful in my role. And I thought, that thing out there-" he inclines his masked head sideways a little toward the remains of the horned monster circling in Cybertron's orbit - "that thing, would have the technical information to let me do it. That's why I took the memory chips from the Valckastan computer. I needed a storage medium. And as for Ferret..." he again flickers a glance sideways at his partner in crime ... "he had nothing to do with it. He tried to stop me. I ... talked him into joining me."

<From outside> Ghost gets a line on the Stinger and begins to tow it back to the Avenger.

Spinister's optics flicker slightly at the mention of Valckasta and they narrow.

Soundwave's optic band shades a little brighter with each word. His telepathic scan sweeps across Ferret's mind, looking into the little Con's recent experiences, comparing them with Bombshell's words - and then seems to focus on the Insecticon, searching out layer upon layer of meaning and intention. He seems almost to not even hear the spoken words.

Flamethrower nods at Bombshell's revelation that Ferret tried to stop Bombshell, quite convinced that the explanation sounds like something she would expect from him.

Ferret remains silent, awaiting someone to prompt him to speak.

Tempest shakes her head, Ferret made a stupid mistake. Shame he'll have to die for it...

Megatron says, "So? And you saw no reason to inform me about your plans?!"

Bombshell says, "I didn't think you would see the merit in them. After what happened with the clones, that is. And WindWhisper, you must admit, was a valuable addition. Would she have been authorized in advance?"

<From outside> Ghost gets the Stinger alongside the Avenger before she herself climbs into the ship proper, wishing to find out exactly what was going on.

Ghost has arrived.

Soundwave speaks as though from a great distance away, his optic band still at a steady brilliance. "It is unfortunate, Bombshell, that you still do not trust the current leadership enough to go through proper channels. And that you do not yet realize, there are those who might play upon your hidden desires and manipulate you through them."

Bombshell looks momentarily startled, even through the mask, but then draws himself up impassively and merely nods, keeping eye contact with Soundwave and saying nothing further.

Ghost absently dusts at herself as she makes her way to stand behind Bombshell and Ferret, spars rustling behind her with that whisper of metal on metal.

Soundwave's optic band fades back to its normal shade as he resumes awareness of the external world, and looks to Ferret. "Do you have something to add?" he prompts.

Tempest says, idly, "So when do we eat them?"

Ferret sighs, and looks up to meet Soundwave's optic band, "Uh... Well, I suppose I should've stopped when you all started following us... but the instinctive thing to do was to just keep running... Um... and... er... " he looks down at his feet, and falls silent again...

Ghost tilts her head, "If we do get to eat them..." she trails off, shrugging her thin shoulders, optics dancing their twinned shades with perhaps a touch more intensity than usual.

Tempest grumbles, "I called it first."

Ghost lifts a brow. "There are two," she points out.

Soundwave only shakes his head a little in response to Tempest's suggestion, and then, given that Megatron has fallen silent and isn't handing down a judgement at this time, he decides, "There is the matter of the theft at Valckasta, and the destruction of the Stinger craft. I will hold you both responsible for that, and Megatron will determine appropriate compensation from you. Bombshell, you as the instigator will answer to Thunderwing about the matter of helping yourself to his materials. Ferret - consider yourself warned to have better judgement next time." That's all he's willing to say for the moment ... perhaps disappointed in them both, or perhaps suddenly preoccupied by what he's glimpsed in Bombshell's mind. He turns back to the ship's controls, and begins to guide the vessel planetwards without another comment.

Starscream huffs, "Don't expect me to pay part of it for that shuttle's repairs...."

Flamethrower turns her attention back to Starscream, "I rather doubt anyone would suggest that after this chase."

Bombshell remains silent, edging back a little from the others, and in the process "accidentally" nudging Ferret. Quick as an insect, he slips something to the other 'Con, and then steps away. It's a cerebro shell. No explanation.

Starscream shrugs, "Don't be so sure."

Ghost takes up a general guard position, optics focused on Bombshell and Ferret.

Ferret disappears the cerebro shell about his person with equal subtlety. There'll be time for questions later...

Flamethrower shakes her head, "Why are you so paranoid about this? We were all involved in the chase."

Starscream says, "It's me ... nuff said....."

Soundwave pilots the ship down to Valckasta, where he will hand over Bombshell to Thunderwing's security personnel for the time being, and then returns the remaining passengers to Polyhex.

Polyhex Airfield

Ark Aspirant <Ark>

Obvious exits:
  <U> Up leads to Sky above Polyhex.
  <W> West leads to Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Starscream decides then he's not endangering himself again .... not for this.

Flamethrower stares at Starscream, trying to judge whether he's really serious about these statements, "No one would be singled out for damage during a chase like this."

Starscream says, "No ... I took it upon myself to put myself between that shuttle and another con ... who I thought needed the help ... my misjudgement. I will know better next time."

Starscream stands stiffly and walks off the ship as best he can.

Starscream slips out through the hatch and leaves the Avenger cockpit.

Flamethrower crosses her hands in front of her chestplate.

Ferret stomps out the hatch, confused and angry, and confused some more.

Ferret slips out through the hatch and leaves the Avenger cockpit.