Guardian of the Gate

Attack Chopper arrives from the Sky Above Wastelands.

MedusaSaur moves through the shadows along one of her usual patrol routes, difficult to see from the air. But she catches the sound of engines that she does not recognize and freezes in place, scanning rapidly for invaders.

Attack Chopper is fritting about in the air, doing exactly what she told Phalanx she would do... travel. She darts to and fro, studying the ground intently until her radar goes off, and she slows to a hover.

MedusaSaur focuses in on the chopper, not recognizing the design immediately ... except that she knows it's not one of the Darkmount troops. Her tentacles coil around her in slow undulations as she gathers her legs under her and watches intently.

Attack Chopper shifts back a bit, and lowers to the ground, transforming as she glances about. "Just what was that..." she mutters to herself as she looks around, visions of transorganics to battle filling her young net.

Attack Chopper transforms into Wildfire.

MedusaSaur's optics gleam out of the shadows as she regards the Transformer, picking up first of all the lack of an Autobot symbol (thus stalling an immediate attack), and secondly the insignia of the Crystal City Militia.

Wildfire continues to look about, flexing her hand a bit of worry, eventually deciding that perhaps it was just a computer glicth in her radar systems as she pans over the area one last time.

MedusaSaur launches herself forward out of the shadows and leaps lightly onto a nearby prominence of metal jutting out from the ground, bringing her approximately to eye-level with wildfire. Her jaws gape as she bares her fangs in a hiss, more bluster at the moment than true threat, and her tentacles thrash around her. "Aren't you a little out of your range, Neutral?"

Wildfire YIPES! As her optics flash wide open, and she lands flat on her aft, bringing up her wrist, but then pauses. Wait, wait, did this ugly black mass of transorganic address -her-??

MedusaSaur growls as a few sparks of blue electricity chase each other across her tentacle-tips in automatic response to the semi-threatening gesture. She powers down again, though, and simply regards the other Transformer, her tendrils continuing to thrash around her.

Whiplash says, "Well then. Looking for something in particular out here, so far from home?"

Wildfire works her jaw for a few moments, nothing coming out, before she finally manages, "What in Primus are you?!"

MedusaSaur bares her fangs in a grin, though it has a definite hint of malice. "You could call me the guardian of the gates."

Wildfire says, "I see..." she finally manages, "...didn't realize the Decepticons had trained transorganics to guard the gates..."

MedusaSaur chuckles. "I didn't realize we trained Transorganics either."

MedusaSaur's optics narrow as she peers down at the CC resident. "Haven't I seen you around before? You're one of those combiner-types, aren't you?"

Wildfire arches an optic in confusion. "...maybe..." she finally manages. "Just who are you?"

MedusaSaur growls low in her throat, a dangerous sound that's meant for further intimidation ... but then she transforms, drawing her battle blade in one smooth motion at the same time, and remains seated on the metallic prominence, regarding Wildfire dispassionately. "Look a little more familiar this way?"

MedusaSaur transforms into Whiplash.

Wildfire rises to her feet, "Necksnap or something like that." She finally states, recognizing the Decepticon. "Just call me a bored traveller wondering why a Decepticon is pulling weapons on Neutrals."

Whiplash brings her blade forward and holds it almost casually in front of her, keeping one hand on the hilt and touching the other to the tip, spinning it slowly around its axis so the faint light catches on the silver surface. "Necksnap, eh? Close enough for you. What are you doing here? You realize this is Decepticon ground?"

Wildfire says, "Really? I must have missed the sign post."

Whiplash levels her blade, again almost a casual gesture, at Wildfire as though simply pointing at her with it. "Then let me point it out to you. You come in here wearing a red symbol, and you'd be dead already. The only reason you're still sitting there yapping, is because we've apparently got some kind of 'treaty' with your high-ups. But that doesn't mean I trust you neutral-types. Way too buddy- buddy with the 'Bots for my taste. So let me ask you again. What are you doing here?"

Wildfire says, "And that is none of your business, whoever you are. I simply feel like travelling."

Whiplash's optics flicker a shade brighter. "Oh, it's my business, neutral. It's my business 'cause you're on Decepticon ground."

Wildfire stands up, and dusts herself off. "Like I said. I don't see a sign marking it as yours."

Whiplash says, "I'll give you this bit of advice. This isn't a good place to travel. Lots of things out here that might leap out at you from the shadows. Drag you down under somewhere. They'd never find all your pieces." She grins, showing a glint of fangs. "Just a little -- friendly warning."

Wildfire smirks. "I'm sure my commander will take kindly to empty threats, Decepticon."

Whiplash chuckles. "I'm sure your commander will be just as happy to hear you're intruding where you don't belong. Might cause all kinds of negative political repercussions, don't you think? Now, myself, I don't know much about that kind of stuff. Doesn't interest me. I just protect the place." Her optics flash again as she gives Wildfire a significant look, bringing her blade back to a more relaxed position close to her, and yet letting her tentacles spark slightly with blue light. "If you take my meaning."

Wildfire's right wrist opens, exposing the missile launcher contained within. "Then go back to chasing rogue turbo-rats down."

Whiplash's tentacles power up a bit more with increased cracklings of blue light. "Well now. Who's pulling empty threats? On our own home ground, no less?"

Wildfire smirks a bit, then leaps airborne, transforming. "Nothing empty about me. You'd do well to remeber that."

Wildfire transforms into Attack Chopper.

Whiplash shifts her grip on her blade to something more meaningful, and leaps to her feet. "This from a neutral fence-sitter? Better run along home. Cybertron's a dangerous place." She's poised to either leap forward or back, depending on circumstances, and watching Wildfire carefully.

Attack Chopper says, "Yeh, well if I was a bot supporter, you'd be a pile of slag. Me, I don't care if you or your enemies go rot in the Inferno. As long as you keep your damn war out of my city."

Whiplash growls, "If you were a 'Bot supporter? Don't even try that one on me. I'd suggest you keep some of that bluster under a lid, or I might just lose my patience with you."

Attack Chopper says, "Oh, sure, you can talk the trash, but do you walk it as well?"

Whiplash swings her blade through a rotation, still on the alert for any sudden moves, and ready to either evade or attack. "I don't walk in your city, I'll say that much. You'd do well to return the favor."

Attack Chopper says, "Who would want a rat chaser like you in there city to begin with?"

Whiplash grins. "Rat chaser. You know, that's not at all inappropriate. Autobots. Neutrals. Sounds about right to me."

Attack Chopper starts to rise, snorting. "Give my regards to Shockwave. Wherever he is."

Whiplash's tentacles fire up with more power, though she still does not fire. "I'll do that."

Attack Chopper chirps, way too-friendly, "Have a nice day!"

Whiplash slowly powers down her tentacles and mutters, "Rat. Couldn't have said it better myself."

Attack Chopper enters the Sky Above Wastelands <-U- Up>.