Around the edges of the platform are various
anti-aircraft batteries and entrenched watch posts
for defense drones should anyone ever be foolish
enough to attempt an attack from the air, or intrepid
enough to risk approaching the Decepticon stronghold
from the nearly impossible climb below.
Contents:
Nebula
Trius
Shockwave
Decepticon Scoutship <Warlord>
Plasma Cannon
Obvious exits:
Up leads to Sky Above Wastelands.
Down leads to Elevator.
Nebula nods to Shockwave.
Stratobomber hovers slowly downward as his engines
power down, then transforms and continues the rest of
the way in robot mode.
Stratobomber transforms into Jhiaxus.
Trius is standing on the platform, arms folded behind
his back. He nods to his commander, "Greetings." He
then looks up at the approaching form of Jhiaxus.
Jhiaxus touches down on the platform with a heavy
clang of metal. His optics flicker dispassionately
over the few gathered Decepticons, coming to rest on
Shockwave.
Skyflight arrives from the Elevator.
Skyflight enters, seeming a bit surprised at Jhiaxus'
presence.
Jhiaxus says, "Greetings once again, Lord Shockwave. I
hope I'm not interrupting anything critical."
Trius is standing near Shockwave, his arms folded
calmly behind his back. He turns to Skyflight,
"Greetings Skyflight."
Nebula says, "Hello."
Jhiaxus glances at Skyflight, his optics brightening
in the very barest hint of acknowledgement, but
otherwise he says nothing.
Trius turns to Nebula, and the Jhiaxus, greeting them
both in turn.
Skyflight nods in return. "Good cycle Trius, Nebula.
Greetings Commander."
Skyflight says, "A pleasent surprise to see you here
Jhiaxus."
Shockwave says, "You are not interupting anything,
Jhiaxus. I am about to see that Nebula and Sykflight
are promoted.." He looks at Skyflight as he addresses
Jhiaxus optic flashing once, he looks over at
Trius.
Jhiaxus rumbles, "Pleasant. That remains to be seen."
Jhiaxus says, "I would ... speak with you afterwards, Lord
Shockwave. But do not delay proceedings on my
account."
Nebula quietly steps forward to stand beside
Skyflight.
Trius looks back at his commander, and then back at
the forms of Skyflight and Nebula. He positions
himself, and is ready to participate in the promotion
ceramony.
Skyflight looks toward Jhiaxus, but says nothing.
Shockwave nods to Jhiaxus as he coldly addresses him,
a small charge of electricity is sent riding up his
huge frame and it seems Shockwave has had enough of
this 'propoganda, "I have heard enough about this
exodus from Cybertron. My decision has been made,
that we shall remain. Our race will surive on
Cybertron until the Autobot's destruction."
Skyflight edges slowly away from Jhiaxus and
Shockwave, stepping in front of Nebula slightly.
A flicker of luminous green fire flares up in
Jhiaxus' optics, but he makes no reply.
Trius turns to Shockwave, "While I agree that a mass
exodus from Cybertron is inadvisable, I believe that
a select few searching the depths of space for
energon and technology can accomplish much."
Shockwave looks over at Trius, "Trius, due to my own
observations I thought it would be best to promote
both Nebula and Skyflight to a rank of 2 medical
support. Both have shown excpetional leadership
skills and are able to work even in the worse
conditions. I think you should have the final
decision since they are in your division."
Skyflight seems taken aback slightly at the mention
of leadership skills.
Trius nods, as he turns to eye Skyflight and Nebula
for a long critical moment.
Trius nods once in affirmation, "I agree Commander,
from the reports I have read, they are worthy of the
promotion."
Nebula looks downward, not content with Shockwave's
views about not taking the opportunity to colonize
other worlds yet.
Jhiaxus watches the whole process in seemingly
disapproving silence.
Trius notes Nebula's response, and while agreeing
with it, he will not challenge Shockwave's descision
in front of the troops.
Shockwave says, "Trius, you may proceed with handling
the promotions."
Skyflight is standing at rigid attention.
Shockwave looks at Nebula and he then turns his head
to face Jhiaxus. His optic flares a deep crimson red
and then he turns to regard Nebula again..
Trius nods, and turns to face Skyflight and Nebula,
with military priscision. His hands fall to his
sides, as you catch the glimps of newly minted rank
insignia.
A danger signal like that from Shockwave would have
sent most lesser Transformers scurrying for safety,
but Jhiaxus stands unflinchingly, unshakably
convinced of the importance of his own plans.
Trius steps foward one complete step, coming within a
meter of Skyflight he holds out the new insignia with
his left hand, and then snaps back to salute
Skyflight.
Skyflight accepts the new rank, and returns an
archaic salute, old when the Decepticons were new.
Nebula semi-reluctantly stands at attention and lifts
her head.
Trius drops his salute, steps back a pace and does a
rightface. He steps foward a pace, and performs a
left face, and steps within a meter of Nebula. He
eyes her stance critically.
Shockwave stands up straight and snaps back a salute
to Skyflight the same archaic salute. He looks at
Nebula as she stands head down still. His optic
flashes again and he watches her body language for
anything unfamilar.
Trius nods once as she assumes a more militiary pose,
he hands her the new insignia with his left hand, as
he snaps back with another salute for her.
Nebula accepts the insignia and returns the salute.
Shockwave nods and returns the salute to Nebula. He
nods and then folds his arms against his chest plate.
He then turns to face Jhiaxus, and speaks to him,
"Proceed with what you want to speak to me
about...infront of these three."
Trius nods, and steps back two paces, bringing
himself even with Shockwave. He folds his arms behind
his back, going to a posision of at-ease.
With the ceremony finished, Jhiaxus resumes: "All
well and good for your warriors, and honor be theirs
in battle ... but to what end, Shockwave, if they
throw away their lives here? Once again, I ask that
you hear me out."
Trius turns to listen to Jhiaxus, as this is the
first time he has heard him speak live.
Shockwave's optic flares up as his arms fall back to
his side. Another surge of electricity ripples across
his frame. He walks over towards Jhiaxus and looks
deep into his optics, "You speak of colonization and
that is supported, however I will not support a
total exodus from Cybertron. It seems, that Rook
did not relise I was able to comphrend, that small
fragment of propoganda that is being used to remove
the Decepticons from Cybertron. This story of
Megatron leaving us in an exodus, seems to be no more
than a bunch of lies Jhiaxus."
Skyflight edges away again, stepping in between
Nebula and the pair.
Jhiaxus speaks with measured calm, but the intensity
of his optics reveals his total conviction in what
he's saying. "You were on Monacus, you saw what those
creatures called their own -- the resources
squandered in pleasure-games and idle commercialism.
While Cybertron dies. As for Megatron, what I knew of
him has me convinced without doubt - he recognized
the future here, and wanted no part of it. He will
not be back - not because he was shot down by mere
Autobots, but because he had no intention to return
from the start."
Trius tilts his head as he listens to Jhiaxus, "What
precisely brings you to that conclusion Jhiaxus?"
Jhiaxus says, "Be that as it may, however - regardless of
Megatron's fate - would not Monacus be a launching
point to leave this sector and its Autobot filth
behind forever?"
Jhiaxus glances past Shockwave to reply to Trius, "I
come to that conclusion because Megatron was a
commander who had vision, who was not locked into old
ways of doing things because he was too frightened to
take chances." He does not say, but it might be
implied, that he thinks Shockwave might not be
following in Megatron's footsteps as well as he
should.
Trius nods slowly as he pauses to think, he then
raises his head to speak. "While I have been away for
some time myself, and did not personally witness
Megatron's departure. What you say sounds like
suposition. What do you have that supports this? Did
he say any of this to you?"
Jhiaxus says, "No. You are quite correct, it is
supposition. What is a fact, is that our world runs
dry of its life-forces even as we stand here and
debate it, while the universe itself is ours for the
taking!"
Shockwave shakes his head as his optic flares a deep
crimson. He clenches his fist and flexes it out,
"Jhiaxus then explain why we still remain here. If a
full exodus from Cybertron was called we would have
been gone by now. This is just more propoganda
Jhiaxus. As for the Autobots you saw they have a
shuttle and I would not be surpised if they had more.
I do know that they could easily use Omega Supreme to
follow." He shakes his head again and follows his
gaze with Jhiaxus', "I do have a vision for this
faction, but not one you seek. The total conquest of
Cybertron and to unite the universe under the
Decepticon banner. This shall begin with the conquest
of Monacus and once the construction of our main
flagship other worlds will follow. However, I am not
going to forget Cybertron in the process."
Trius pauses to look to Shockwave, as he did not mean
to step into his conversation.
Nebula's optic visor dims as she takes a few steps
back, and turns to face the shuttle...feeling
helpless as she silently resists some urge within
her.
Jhiaxus clenches his fists as well, in unconscious
mirroring of Shockwave. "Cybertron will be our ruin,
Shockwave! You will send your troops to their deaths
over a dead world! Cybertron is--" he stops abruptly,
visibly battling the fury that rises within him,
after a few long moments getting himself under
control, the iron shell of discipline slamming back
down into place.
Trius nods, "While I agree that Cybertron is swiftly
loosing energy, a mass exodus would not serve to re-
energize it. If we are to do this, we must stay and
complete this task. Your searching the universe for
energon may prove profitable, however I do not agree
that a mass exodus is in order."
Jhiaxus steps back, his optics darkening as he
glowers at the others, frustration and fury all but
concealed now, though the undertone of disgust is
still audible in his voice. He growls, "I do not wish
to stand against you, Shockwave. It is obvious that
you will not see."
Jhiaxus looks to Trius. "I have no wish to re-
energize Cybertron. I wish to leave it behind in the
past where it belongs. But you will not see that
either."
Trius nods at Jhiaxux's words, and looks at
Shockwave, and then back at Jhiaxus.
Trius says, "Why do you see the need to leave
Cybertron behind? I predict that eventually you will
need to return.""
Skyflight seems to very much want to get involved in
the debate, but says nothing.
Trius watches Jhiaxus carefully.
Jhiaxus rumbles, "I have no need for a dead world.
But I will not battle my own over one, either."
Shockwave approaches Jhiaxus as he is only inches
away from him. His optic flares the face plate of the
Hellpit's Commander is illuminated under the light
from it, "Yet another does not see the need for a
mass exodus from Cybertron. Expand to gather energy
to re-energize it yes, however the reasons for not
returning are absurd. I do not speak words that are
untrue Jhiaxus."
Skyflight seems to relax, and looks toward Nebula.
Jhiaxus glares at Shockwave steadily, despite the
bright light of Shockwave's optic so close to him. He
makes no further reply to Shockwave's statement,
neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Jhiaxus instead says, "I will be on my way, Lord
Shockwave. I can see that I have ... overstayed ...
my welcome."
Trius looks at Jhiaxus, "You are in error, this world
can only cease to function if we allow it. To leave
it in the flase hopes that you can do better will
only lead to disappointment. However that is not my
descision to make."
Shockwave turns away from Jhiaxus to look at Nebula,
Skflight, and Trius. His gaze then settles on Nebula
over by the shuttle his voice is terse and unfeeling,
"Trius and Nebula we will leave for Pompeii in the
next cycle. I have begun plans for expansion of our
forces,but not by means of a full scale exodus such
as Jhiaxus.."
Jhiaxus curls his hands into fists again, the only
visible trace of the battle for control within him;
yet he waits for Shockwave's dismissal or further
orders rather than simply turning away.
Trius nods to his commander, "I stand ready when
required."
Shockwave says, "Jhiaxus leave Darkmount, and return
only if you are able to speak of a topic of use. I am
not easily bought into propoganda."
Jhiaxus turns away without another word and hovers
upward, transforming as he does so.
Jhiaxus transforms into Stratobomber.
Stratobomber's engines activate like the ominous
rumble of distant thunder.
Trius watches Jhiaxus, his face betraying
nothing....and yet you get the feeling that he might
join him if his mission were other then a complete
exodus.
Stratobomber rises slowly into the dark sky and is
eventually gone from sight, with just the afterecho
of those powerful engines lingering on for a few
moments.
Shockwave stands up. He looks down at Nebula slowly
he turns and starts to walk towards the lift. He
turns on heal and crosses his arms tightly against
his chest. His optic flares once and he looks over at
Trius and Skyflight. His voice is cold and he looks
at Neblua, "I have not lost sight of our true goals
of survival by all means necessary, to expand our
domain, and to conqure those who resist us. But I do
not believe in a full scale exodus from my place of
'creation'. I have fought too long to and we have
almost made a gain of our first goal. Prehaps it
would be best that, you join Jhiaxus. Because I know
he will never return and his logic is flawed.." He
turns away and starts towards the lift 'upset'.
You enter the Sky Above Wastelands.
You enter the Sky above Bismuth Mountains.
You enter the Sky above Hellpit Territory.
You enter the Hellpit Territory.
Mountain Fortress
Defense Platform
Stratobomber transforms into Jhiaxus.
You lift the heavy trapdoor and walk down a steep,
dark spiral staircase.
Entrance Hall
You move through the stone corridor leading to the
warlord's quarters ... a risk you would do well to
consider carefully.
Warlord's Quarters
The massive stone walls and high ceiling of
this windowless room make it seem appropriate only
for someone of great size and power. There's an air
of barbaric splendor to the surroundings, from the
huge firepit along one wall that radiates light and
heat, to the breathtaking mosaic of chipped glass
that hangs on the opposite wall. The firelight plays
across the picture, seeming to bring it to life - the
multicolored shards combine to form a scene of battle
and carnage in which an army of Decepticons rend
their enemies to pieces. Surrounding this, on the
other walls, heavy bladed weapons and spiked warclubs
are hung on display. Beside the firepit is a large
chair and a low table stacked with a few ancient text
cartriges, and a recharge bed looms in the shadows
further back in the room. Eventually the eye is drawn
to a disembodied head, its ornate helmet marking it
as a former territorial ruler, though the optics are
now lightless and shattered, and a tangle of wires
trails from the neck. A steel spike is driven through
the forehead into the wall, pinning it above the
firepit like a trophy of honor.
Obvious exits:
Out leads to Entrance Hall.
[Some time later, outside the fortress....]
Nebula just landed outside the fortress,
in full view of any guards who might be up here.
Guards are always atop the fortress ...
they seize Nebula and demand to know why she's
there. If she can convince them to, they might
bring her down to Jhiaxus' quarters ... though she'd
realize they're very nervous about approaching the
room...
Nebula slowly lays down her weapons upon
landing, and tells the lead guard that she simply want
to talk to Jhiaxus for a few moments.
The guards demand to know what
Nebula wants, specifically.
Nebula tells the guards that she must
discuss a matter of some urgency regarding Jhiaxus' plans,
and that she's not at liberty to go into more detail
than that.
The guards now try to convince her
that this really isn't a good idea, seem very
reluctant to bring her into their commander's
presence (or enter his presence themselves). They'd
be impressed if she remained unafraid....
Nebula stands at her full height (which
isn't much) and stares up at the lead guard as though
she had the gall to slap him. "I don't have time for
this...stay here if you must, I don't need to be
escourted."
The guards mutter among
themselves ... finally the leader motions Nebula to
follow him, with two others falling into step behind
her, and leads her down into the depths of the
fortress ... through the entrance hall, down the cold
corridors, and toward the heavy door that blocks Jhiaxus'
quarters.
Not being familiar with the local
hierarchical structure and protocol, Nebula is a bit
ignorant of what might happen to her (or the guards
who let her in)...
The guards have reason to be
unusually cautious at the moment ... one can imagine
the mood Jhiaxus came home in....
The guards continue to lead
Nebula down the hall toward Jhiaxus' quarters ... at one
point a loud crashing sound is heard, then all falls
silent again. The guards flinch slightly but try to
conceal their nervousness as they continue.
Nebula keeps up the pace, yet she finds
that the quietness here distracts her.
The door is flung open in response to the hesitant
knock, and Jhiaxus' massive frame fills the doorway
as he glares at the offending guards. "How dare you
disturb me?" he demands.
The guards flinch back, and Jhiaxus picks out Nebula
with them. His optics blaze firey green. "What do you
want?" he growls.
Nebula says, "It is not the guards, but my
persistance...that is to blame. I...realize that this
is not the most appropriate time to meet with you,
that I should have requested an audience with you
beforehand...but after hearing you debate with
Shockwave, and a great deal of self-searching...I
know that your intentions are right...Somehow, I know
that you are on the verge...of making your own path,
and I want to go with you."
Nebula says, "You have a starship, don't you? I know
you well enough to know that you are a planner, that
you wouldn't confront him without knowing that you
could pull this off by yourself if you had to."
Jhiaxus glares furiously at Nebula and the three
guards who accompany her, until slowly, very slowly,
the flickering light in his optics dims back to a
more normal shade. He dismisses the guards with an
imperious wave of his hand, and, though still
watching her suspiciously, growls at Nebula, "Step
inside."
Warlord's Quarters
The massive stone walls and high ceiling of
this windowless room make it seem appropriate only
for someone of great size and power. There's still an
air of barbaric splendor to the surroundings,
enhanced by the huge firepit along one wall that
radiates light and heat - and the decapitated head of
the former territorial ruler is still staked to the
wall above the fire - but the room is trashed. The
heavy bladed weapons and spiked warclubs that once
hung on display on the walls, have been forcibly
ripped from their posts and lie scattered about the
floor, some broken; great gouges are torn into the
stone walls; text cartridges lie flung haphazardly
over the floor. Most devastating of all, the
breathtaking mosaic of chipped glass that hung
opposite the fire, is shattered into a thousand
multicolored pieces, glimmering softly in the dancing
light. It was once a great work of art ... if only
someone would take the time and care to glue the
pieces back together again.
Obvious exits:
Out leads to Entrance Hall.
Nebula has arrived.
Nebula says, "I know I'm not ignorant of the fact
that Cybertron, in its current state, no longer holds
any strategic value whatsoever, that in fact staying
here would mean 4.23 million revolutions...of
fighting for nothing. If we could decommission the
few Autobot shuttles that remain in service, we'd be
free to take whatever we needed from the nearby
worlds without fear of resistance..."
Nebula hangs at the end of her last sentence, only
now taking in the scene of your quarters.
[ (outside) If Skyflight were coming in for a
landing, he'd be at least stopped by the sentries
... they recognize him and know that he's allowed
free passage, but they'd strongly discourage him from
requesting an audience with Jhiaxus just now...]
Nebula rubs her forehead, putting more pieces
together in her mind.
Jhiaxus glowers at her, but slowly, very slowly,
seems to return from the edge of unpredictability and
back to controled calm as he weighs Nebula's words.
He finally says, "Did Shockwave send you here?"
Jhiaxus seems to take no notice or find nothing
especially unusual about his immediate surroundings.
Nebula says, "No. I...I accused him of losing sight
of what it means to be a Decepticon, that his
oversight could lead to our demise."
Jhiaxus says, "Could. It will! What is there worth
posessing here, other than a handful of sentimental
memories and useless ties to the past?"
Nebula turns, looking at the remains of the mosaic,
and shakes her head. "A week ago I would never have
considered...that sort of insubordination...to my
creator no less...but...each day it seems that his
ideals are drifting away from mine."
Jhiaxus says, "Your creator. I see. So that explains the
close interaction."
Jhiaxus muses, "Maybe it takes the younger generation
to cut useless ties."
Nebula looks down, almost ashamed of her actions.
"Lately I've felt so unsure of myself, except...I
know the path he's leading us down is...a dead end."
She sinks to the floor, balancing herself on the
balls of her feet while she holds her head, trying to
regain her composure. "You must think me a fool to
come barging in like this, risking life and limb..."
Jhiaxus regards her in puzzlement and some
discomfort, not sure how to react to this. Thankfully
he's distracted by yet another soft knock at the
door....
Skyflight waits by the door as Jhiaxus appears. He
bows formally as Jhiaxus emerges.
Jhiaxus pushes back the door to his quarters as the
sentries accompanying Skyflight try to stand as far
back as possible ... but to their relief, the Hellpit
warlord seems decidedly calmer this time. He notices
Skyflight and scowls. "What do you want?"
Skyflight says, "Lord Jhiaxus, is Nebula here?"
Jhiaxus says, "Oddly enough, she is."
Skyflight nods. "I surmised as much. May I see her?"
Jhiaxus hesitates a moment, then dismisses the guards
and steps back into his quarters, leaving the door
ajar for Skyflight to follow.
Jhiaxus steps back in out of the hallway, with
someone following after.
Skyflight enters the room at a slow measured pace.
Jhiaxus gestures toward Nebula. "Here is what you
seek?"
Skyflight stops short, looking around at the carnage.
He glances over to Nebula, seeming to relax slightly.
"Nebula, are you all right?"
Nebula looks up at Skyflight, her optic visor quite
dim. "Physically, yes. But I'm certain that Shockwave
is wrong...he's leading us down the wrong path."
Skyflight rubs his chin thoughtfully, obviously
uncertain what to say and uncomfortable. In fact he
looks as if a slight breeze would topple him. He
speaks in a voice barely above a whisper. "I see. And
you wish to join Lord Jhiaxus?"
Jhiaxus turns his back to both of them, standing near
the firepit as though to warm himself, as the light
flickers in shifting patterns across his plating.
Whether he's listening to the conversation going on
behind him, or whether he's just gazing
contemplatively into the fire, is impossible to tell.
Nebula says, "I don't want to be another
lemm...<pauses, searching for words>...the
future of the empire lies out there, and I want to be
part of it, yes."
It doesn't seem possible, but Skyflight manages to
look even more upset. He turns to Jhiaxus.
"Congratulations on another troop joining your
cause." He turns to leave.
Jhiaxus rumbles quietly without looking back at them,
"The future. Would you like to see the future, face-
to-face, both of you?"
Nebula stands up slowly. "You don't approve,
Skyflight?"
Jhiaxus reaches out in a lightning-fast motion, one
that would scarecly be expected of him, and yanks the
impaled head out of the wall above the firepit, a
shower of crumbling stone coming loose with it. He
whirls around to face the other two.
Nebula jumps back a few feet.
Jhiaxus says, "First, you will face the past. Take a good
look."
Jhiaxus thrusts the decapitated head towards them,
the spike driven through its forehead, the optics
shattered, a tangle of wires dangling from what used
to be the neck.
Skyflight looks resolutely ahead, not noticing the
stone dust that covers him.
Jhiaxus says, "This was the former ruler of this
territory. A Decepticon whose name was swallowed
whole by history and forgotten -- a Decepticon who
let the resources of this region trickle through his
fingers like grains of sand."
Jhiaxus says, "A Decepticon who could not change his ways,
even in the face of disaster. A Decepticon who was
replaced by more efficient rulership."
Nebula looks down at the severed head, then back up
to Jhiaxus.
Jhiaxus's optics flash brilliant green once at some
distant memory, then settle back to their usual shade
as he looks from Nebula to Skyflight significantly.
Jhiaxus says, "I kept the head, after I ripped it from his
body. To remind myself of the pitfalls that one could
get caught in."
Skyflight looks at Jhiaxus, an unreadable look on his
face.
Jhiaxus turns and slams the spike back into the wall
amidst another shower of crumbling stone. He then
looks at the two of them with absolte calm. "Now," he
says quietly. "Would you like to meet the future?"
Skyflight crosses his arms and waits.
Nebula's visor regains its brightness, and she steps
forward.
Nebula says, "Show us..."
Jhiaxus heads toward the door. "Follow me."
You head out into the corridor toward the center of
the fortress.
Entrance Hall
Nebula steps in from the outside corridor.
Skyflight steps in from the outside corridor.
The heavy double doors swing outward with a slight
groan, letting you pass into the throne room.
Throne Room
An ever-shifting pattern of deep shadow and
red light makes the size of this room indeterminate.
Illumination is provided by rows of flickering,
smoking torches that line the outside walls. Below
these stand more silent, polished sentries, heavily
armed and motionless while the firelight plays over
their armor. A great circular pit takes up much of
the floorspace, its smooth walls ending far below in
a bubbling pool of white-hot molten metal. Bits and
pieces of robotic limbs and armor can still be seen
floating in the mixture, which gives off enough heat
to warm the entire room. Rising on a pillar of
darkness above the smelting pit, a steep staircase
leads up to a platform dominated by a massive throne.
To each side is a smaller seat for a guest or
advisor. A retractable walkway stretches across the
smelting pit; those who would approach the ruler of
Hellpit Territory, must cross above the scalding pit
of death in order to stand in his presence.
Obvious exits:
Out leads to Entrance Hall.
Nebula has arrived.
Skyflight has arrived.
Jhiaxus crosses the walkway that spans the smelting
pit and disappears behind the pillar that supports
the throne.
Jhiaxus slides back a hidden panel after entering an
encrypted code.
You step into the near-complete darkness of a narrow
passage that slopes sharply downward, eventually
forming itself into rough-hewn stairs beneath your
feet. Just when the winding descent threatens to
become endless, you detect a faint light up ahead.
Skyflight steps into the open wall panel and is
immediately swallowed by the darkness.
Nebula steps into the open wall panel and is
immediately swallowed by the darkness.
Laboratory
Tables, lab benches, and shelves stand
cluttered with outdated and archaic equipment, much
of it covered in a thick layer of dust. Here and
there a cleared spot on a lab bench boasts a set-up
of bubbling flasks and coiled tubing, or obsolete
electronic devices that buzz and spark intermittently
to themselves. More shelves along the walls are
crammed with ancient text cartridges, some of them
neatly ordered in untouched rows, others in a jumble
of disarray. The uneven stone walls indicate that
this level is deep within the mountainside, making
for a decidedly closed-in feeling - as though
something from long ago is brooding in the corners
and crevices of this room, and just needs to be
uncovered.
Obvious exits:
South leads to Storage Room.
Up leads to Throne Room.
Nebula steps carefully out of the open wall panel.
Nebula has arrived.
Skyflight steps carefully out of the open wall panel.
Skyflight has arrived.
Jhiaxus makes his way through the cluttered
laboratory, barely taking note of its contents. He
stops at the heavy door at the other end of the room,
and enters another secret code into the lock. Finally
this door too comes open...
Nebula looks around at the equipment in the room,
wondering what it's all for.
The hinges creak and groan as the heavy door swings
out, letting you pass.
Storage Room
In contrast to the chaotic disorder of the
laboratory, this room is divided into precisely
regimented storage space. Huge stacks of sheet metal,
armor plate, thick cabling, crates of circuitry each
neatly labeled, and other refined materials, are
piled in orderly arrangements. Additionally there are
racks of weapons ranging from old-style spiked battle
clubs to components for perimeter-defense cannons. To
the uninitiated it would look like simply the prudent
storage of materials needed to keep a defended
fortress operational; to those who look more closely,
however, it becomes obvious that there's far more
here than necessary.
Obvious exits:
South leads to Vault.
North leads to Laboratory.
Skyflight enters the room at a slow measured pace.
Nebula has arrived.
Behind one of the weapons racks, another heavy
trapdoor lies almost hidden, the dull color of its
metal blending very nearly with the color of the
stone floor.
Skyflight taps a particular crate knowingly.
Jhiaxus nods to Skyflight. "You see, your skills have
come to good use."
Nebula wanders between some of the ordered piles,
finding a few more pieces to the puzzle. "How
long...have you been stockpiling?"
Jhiaxus steps behind one of the weapons racks and
reaches down -- to a spot where there seems to be
nothing but empty floor -- and pulls up the panel of
another hidden trapdoor. "Almost long enough," he
answers Nebula cryptically. Significantly, the other
door leading out of the room remains closed, and
Jhiaxus makes no move to lead them toward it. Instead
he disappears downward.
You lift the heavy trapdoor with some difficulty and
descend into another stone passage. An intense cold
radiates from the walls and the stone beneath your
feet, as you descend ever deeper into the heart of
the mountain.
Shipyard
Another patchwork of light and shadow, this
uneven cavern hollowed out deep within the mountain,
is nearly filled by a gargantuan starship. Dwarfed by
the lethally elegant sweep of the wings and tail,
scores of workers clamber over the hull and move in
and out of multiple entrance ramps, bringing the ship
bit by bit closer to completion. Massive cannons are
in the process of being attached to the undersides,
and a clean-lined Decepticon symbol of a slightly
changed design already adorns the forward hull. The
grim, polished sentries that patrol the outskirts of
the cavern indicate that some of these workers are
not here by choice.
Contents:
Starship Twilight
Obvious exits:
East leads to Side Cavern.
Up leads to Storage Room.
Nebula has arrived.
Skyflight has arrived.
Nebula smiles upon sight of the starship, stopping in
her tracks.
Jhiaxus steps aside to give his guests a full view of
what's being built here, watching their expressions
closely.
Skyflight looks over to Nebula with a pained
expression, then pulls his PDA out and begins to take
readings.
Jhiaxus's optics flash bright again. "What are you
doing?" he damands.
Skyflight says, "Taking readings." He lowers the PDA
to look at Jhiaxus. "You have already shown us the
ship, is there some harm?"
Jhiaxus says, "Depends." He looks at Skyflight with
renewed suspicion. "Depends on your purpose for
taking these readings."
Nebula walks around to the bow of the ship, then
around to the starboard side, staying clear of the
cranes and workers.
Skyflight says, "I am merely curious as to the extent
of your preparations."
Jhiaxus says, "I will expect you to leave the data here.
It cannot leave this fortress."
Nebula says, "What is the ship's capacity?"
Skyflight nods and resumes taking readings. "As you
wish."
Jhiaxus regards the ship triumphantly, even allowing
himself to smile a bit. "The 'Twilight' can carry
five thousand Decepticon warriors and the resources
needed to keep them alive ... and the weaponry
necessary to conquor worlds. There, you see, is the
future."
Jhiaxus gestures to one of the ramps leading to the
interior, through which workers still move in and
out, completing the last stages of construction.
"Would you like to see the inside?"
Skyflight frowns at his PDA, and begins tapping it
radiply. His fingers gradually become a blur.
Nebula walks beneath the vessel, looking up at the
cannons being maneuvered into place. "Magnificent."
Nebula makes her way back over to the ramp leading
into the airlock.
Jhiaxus smiles again. "I rather thought so myself."
Nebula goes up the ramp.
Nebula has left.
Nebula boards the Starship Twilight.
Jhiaxus walks along with Nebula.
Skyflight walks slowly toward the airlock, not
looking at the ship.
You enter the Starship Twilight via its airlock.
Starship Twilight:
The Twilight is a small city in the shape
of a starship - a rather crowded one, to be sure, but
one with accomodations for large numbers of troops,
and facilities for making a long interstellar journey
at least tolerable, if not comfortable. Crew quarters
and storage holds take up much of the interior, while
the bridge is situated far forward, dominated by a
huge shielded viewscreen. The command chair in the
center is placed higher than the other stations and
has a vague throne-like quality even in its
utilitarian design. The outer perimeters of the
bridge are taken up by navigation, weapons, and
sensor stations of various types.
Contents:
Nebula
Skyflight enters the room at a slow measured pace.
Jhiaxus leads his two guests through the extensive
corridors of the ship, in the general direction of
the bridge.
Skyflight says, "Lord Jhiaxus, who has done your
long-range projections concerning the surival factors
of this ship?"
Nebula's heart would be pounding faster, if she had
one anymore.
Jhiaxus says, "I have spent a great many years reading up
on these things. I have a clever subcommander who has
provided a good deal of insight - and a number of
skilled technicians who have been most valuable."
Skyflight frowns again, fingers still blurring over
his PDA.
Jhiaxus says, "As I told you, we will have the resources
to last us long enough, until we reach worlds worth
taking over."
Skyflight stops at that. "You intend conquest of
entire worlds in this ship?"
A door slides back smoothly, admitting the three
Decepticons onto the bridge. The forward viewscreen
is currently a featureless silver, but once
activated, it promises a panoramic view of space.
Jhiaxus moves smoothly to the command chair in the
center of the bridge, and rests one hand on the
armrest. "Now tell me -- do you really want to
stagnate here on Cybertron?"
Nebula walks around the bridge and inspects some of
the control stations, obviously impressed.
Jhiaxus looks at Skyflight. "Of course I intend
conquests of worlds. That is the goal, after all."
Skyflight says, "Very well Lord Jhiaxus, far be it
for me to question your methods or motives."
Jhiaxus's optics narrow. "You doubt me. Still."
Skyflight says, "I must, by default, trust my own
conclusions until proven wrong Lord Jhiaxus."
Jhiaxus says, "And your conclusions are what?"
Nebula seems intrigued by the elegance of the ship's
design, but returns to Jhiaxus' side after finishing
her tour of the bridge.
Skyflight says, "This ship, though impressive, will
never be able to conquer even a moderately armed
world. I had assumed you would start by raiding other
ships first, building an armada while gathering
materials. But this ship does not seemed designed to
do that."
Skyflight says, "Further, you lack the ground troops
and supply lines for a sustained ground assault."
Jhiaxus's expression wavers briefly between anger and
disappointment, then contempt. "Have you any idea of
the weaponry on board? This ship alone, can carry us
into the future. However, if your leader were not so
bound by senseless tradition, we could combine our
forces and all leave together. More could be built.
The 'Twilight' has taken all the resources at my
command, but I know Shockwave possesses more. It's
his loss, ultimately - but worse, it's a loss for the
troops under his command."
Skyflight says, "I have scanned this ship Lord
Jhiaxus, and it lacks the weaponry to subdue even
Monacus, which is non-military by nature. I mean no
offense by this, but I am of the opinion you must
alter your strategy."
Jhiaxus stares at Skyflight incredulously for a long
moment, then commands, "Get out of my sight! And
leave your ill-gotten scans. I grow tired of
Shockwave and his lackeys insisting that it won't
work, that there are obstacles that can never be
overcome - when this, and only this, is our hope for
survival!"
Skyflight pulls a datacard out of his PDA and lays it
on a console. "Lord Jhiaxus, I am merely attempting
to aid you. I point out problems I perceive so they
may be corrected. It is no crime to make nor to fix
errors."
Skyflight turns to go, throwing a last look at
Nebula.
Jhiaxus looks at Skyflight coldly.
Skyflight departs through the airlock.
Nebula says, "Skyflight...you almost seem to want
this to fail..."
Jhiaxus reaches out and picks up the datacard,
crushing it. "Of course he does. He's been well-
trained. No matter. We will succeed."
Jhiaxus heads toward the exit. "Consider yourself a
guest of Hellpit Territory for as long as you wish to
remain, Nebula."
Nebula says, "I appreciate your hospitality...and
will do my best to earn my keep."
You leave the Starship Twilight via its airlock.