<O-Decepticon> Raksha says, "Decepticon Dominion, prepare for take-off. Destination: the Universe."



More Than Meets The Eye part 1:
From the Stars to Earth

Logged by: Chasm and Soundwave



          Long ago, in a distant time and place....

          The planet Cybertron, home of the Transformers, has been ripped apart by the constant war between Autobots and Decepticons. The energy crisis has forced the planet into a ghostly twilight and is preventing the Decepticons from declaring a final victory of their ancient enemies. Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, has learned that the Autobots have mounted an expedition to leave the planet in search of fuel elsewhere. The Decepticons are preparing to give chase in their own shuttle and are unaware of exactly how long and far this journey will take.
          It is the morning of the launch. As soon as the Ark rises from Iacon, the Decepticons' space cruiser will give pursuit. As Megatron and his followers prepare to board the space cruiser, they farewell those who will be remaining behind to guard Cybertron....


Command Center

          Replacing the largely ceremonial Throne Room, this area serves as a liaison point between officers and troops. This is where, in recent years, Shockwave makes the day-to-day decisions about Cybertron's governance. The decor of the Command Center is purely functional, designed to facilitate the easy transfer of information. The area is circular in shape, with a raised standing area around the edges to give speakers an edge of authority. Various relays and datafeeds are displayed on banks of reclined monitors, set around the walls in a semi-circle, along with computer banks, datagrids and inert coms monitors. Security cameras map out every aspect of Decepticon territory, as well as constantly showing different location shots of the Nightwarren. A huge hi-res screen curves above the main terminal, and the gleaming walls capture the flickering and jump of information as it scrolls past on the screens, viewers and terminals. A funnel-like elevator exists at the centre of the room leading upward to one of the few above-ground facilities of this structure - the Spacebridge Transmat Chamber. Because of its proximity to the spacebridge site, the energon storage hold is located nearby.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
CatsCradle [robot]
Blitzkrieg [robot]
Shockwave [Cannon]
Megatron [Robot]

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

Soundwave enters the command center with Buzzsaw.

Buzzsaw hovers over Sounders' shoulder. Squak.

Soundwave approaches Megatron, stopping nearby and announcing his findings in his deep reverberating voice. "Autobots are set to launch, Megatron."

Shockwave sits in cannon mode high above the floor.

Megatron agrees. "As are we." He turns to Shockwave. "Shockwave!"
Shockwave transforms into his Robot mode.

Shockwave says, "What is your command Megatron?"

Megatron says, "You are to stay behind. I entrust Cybertron to you, Shockwave."

Buzzsaw perches on Sounds' shoulder, looking about balefully with those glittering optics of his.

Soundwave simply watches calmly, taking in the reactions of all those around him.
 [Megatron_entrusts_Cybertron_to_Shockwave]

Shockwave salutes his leader, his single optic flashing as says, "Cybertron shall remain as you leave it."

Starscream pushes his way through the crowd and glares at Megatron, "The Autobots would have lost eons ago if *I'd* been calling the shots!"

Megatron says, "Starscream, only a select few ever lead."

Ravage leaps into the air with a mechanical feline rumble and starts to spin. His legs fold in and his body turns as it Transforms to a Midnight black Metallic tape.

Ravage has left.

Starscream's brilliant-crimson optics narrow. "My time will come, Megatron!"

Blitzkrieg stands in the corner, observing this, feeling excited.

Soundwave's optic band flickers slightly as he watches Starscream carefully but unobtrusively.

Megatron clenching his fist. "Never... NEVER!" To the others: "Prepare to blast off!"

Blitzkrieg salutes. "Yes, Megatron."

Soundwave closes his tape compartment behind Ravage, preparing for the journey, and glances aside at Buzzsaw as though conveying a silent signal to enter as well.

Buzzsaw flips off the shoulder, gracefully transforming as he enters Soundwave.

Buzzsaw transforms into his Gold Cassette mode. Buzzsaw has left. Shockwave floats down from his platform, ready to assist with the take off.

Megatron quickly leaves for the Hangar bay. "Follow me."

Megatron enters Administration Deck <<NE> Northeast>.
Megatron has left.

Blitzkrieg enters Administration Deck <<NE> Northeast>.
Blitzkrieg has left.

You enter Administration Deck.

Administration Deck

          This deck is a constant thoroughfare, serving to link the information centres of Darkmount together. The grandest entrance is reserved for the ornate throne room, while the egress to the command chambers and has a more functional aspect to it. The corridor is brightly lit and the scarred alloy that plates the walls has hours of polish worked into it.

Blitzkrieg [robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<S> South leads to Throne Room.
<SW> Southwest leads to Command Center.
<E> Purple Shaft leads to Linking Shafts.
<W> West leads to Energon Storage Hold.
<D> Silver Gravshaft leads to Command Chambers.

Shockwave arrives from Command Center.

Megatron enters Linking Shafts <<E> Purple Shaft>.
Megatron has left.

Blitzkrieg enters Linking Shafts <<E> Purple Shaft>.
Blitzkrieg has left.

Shockwave enters Linking Shafts <<E> Purple Shaft>.
Shockwave has left.

You enter Linking Shafts.

Linking Shafts

          Color-Coded shafts lead out from this central hub in all directions, including the gravshafts that lead downward even deeper below ground. While they are not marked with text, those who live here will be familiar with the color coding and be able to confidently find their way around in this subterranean cluster of decks and corridors.

Shockwave [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<S> Green Shaft leads to Residential Decks.
<SE> Gold Shaft leads to Science and Engineering Deck.
<W> Purple Shaft leads to Administration Deck.
<U> Indigo Gravshaft leads to Watch Central <Polyhex>.
<D> Gray Gravshaft leads to Security Deck.

Shockwave ascends up the gravshaft to Watch Central above.
Shockwave has left.

You step onto the access hatch and are levitated upwards into the gravshaft.

Watch Central <Polyhex>

          The bulk of this structure lies underground in various levels. Only the tower of the Spacebridge Transmat Chamber stretches significantly into the sky, so the vital signals can be sent and received clearly - but while the smooth walls of the tower stretch upward through this small entrance hall, there is no access to the Space Bridge from here. For that you will have to head downward into the shafts that lead toward the Command Center. Other shafts far below lead toward the other offices, laboratories, and barracks, should those be your destination - all protected from enemy attack by the armored plates of the ground level itself.

Obvious exits:
<S> South leads to Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.
<D> Indigo Gravshaft leads to Linking Shafts.

You enter Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>

          This Plaza serves as the gateway to the Decepticon administrative headquarters. With most of the planet in dark shutdown to conserve energy, Polyhex has become the main focus of life on Cybertron. The Plaza spans a fifteen kilometre radius, its surface gleaming with a mirror-polished finish. Acid-etched in its centre is a rampant Decepticon insignia that is best viewed from the air, striking pride into the hearts of its soldiers or fear into the minds of the enemy. Serving as a training or parade ground, a landing area in emergencies or as an impromptu gathering place, the Plaza acts as the central focus for the Decepticons' fortified territory. Ringing the Plaza to the south beyond the gate, like jagged mountains, you can see the ruined tower-tops and broken skyways of the Nightwarren which acts as both a dead-zone and a killing ground around the area. Northward is the imposing Avenue of Conquerors which leads toward Watch Central and its gravshafts, barracks, and command headquarters. Beyond and far above, you can glimpse the edge of the Greater Worldshield that casts a looming shadow over the city but is unable to block out the stars.

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Watch Central <Polyhex>.
<S> South leads to Avenue of Conquerors <Polyhex>.
<E> East leads to Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.
<W> West leads to War Academy/Training Grounds <Polyhex>.

You enter Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Hangar Bay <Polyhex>

          This is a vast area that slopes down underground, linking the coiling nests of tunnels and ducts and decks with the open ash-grey sky. While the hangar floor resembles a flat plain of burnished metal, there are gravshafts to the storage areas below, as well as sliding hatches that can launch fully transformed fighters in seconds. However the hangar is mainly used as a storage and maintenance area. Stacked parts line the walls and interstellar drones are lined up in dark silence. Here, one's flight mode can be readjusted and checked for optimum performance prior to being launched for a test flight.

Shockwave [Robot]
Blitzkrieg [robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<E> East leads to Airfield.
<W> West leads to Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>.

Megatron enters Airfield <<E> East>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Airfield.

Airfield

          This huge, flat expanse is a tangle of runways, lights, windsocks, guidance units and control relay interfaces. The broad vault of the sky stretches high above and while the walls of Polyhex are large, they cannot serve to keep flyers from taking off into the sky.

Megatron [Robot]
Thunderwing [Robot]
Spinister [Robot]
Skyquake [Robot]
Colossus [Robot]
Talon [robot]
Diktat [robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Slipstream [Robot]
Space Cruiser <Star Drive>

Obvious exits:
<W> West leads to Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Shockwave arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Blitzkrieg arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Slipstream manages with a massive effort, to get his systems back up to minimal operating status, but he will probably need to go into stasis until Soundwave gets back and has a look at him.

Soundwave follows along with Megatron, keeping a surreptitious optic on Starscream who trails along. Now is not the moment for the rebellious subcommander to make a scene, with the Autobots ready to escape the Decepticons' grasp.

Talon mutters "All the high rankers are at last. Now maybe we can get this show on a road

Skyquake regards Spinister coldly for a long, hard moment, but then Slipstream's errant ways lead him to regard the minicon for a long moment. "I am going to have words with Skydive very soon about him..."

Colossus nods as Megatron arrives, carefully blocking off the sight of Slipstream's sparking body from his lord. "Megatron," he says. Ruse calmly though small as she is, tries to help Slipstream up... whispering to him, "Come on, Megatron is here! Get it together quickly."

Thunderwing watches Slipstream dispassionately, even as he answers Colossus, "I seem to recall Valckasta holding you off rather well, Colossus. Primus help us all if you are our defense. And if -that-..." he tosses a nod at Slipstream, "...is what you are planning to use to do the job." CatsCradle has arrived.

Slipstream struggles to get to his feet, and stumbles toward his superiors. "Stopppp insultingggg meeee." He says with tremendous effort. Spinister arches an optic ridge at Skyquake. "So you should. Your troops are in disgraceful shape!" He glances behind him as Megatron and the other high- ranking Cons arrive.

Megatron nods at his troops: "Enter the Star Drive!"

Megatron climbs into the space cruiser.

Blitzkrieg climbs into the space cruiser.

Skyquake literally just spins on his heal and regards Spinister with a look that could wither most mortal creatures. For a long moment it looks as if he might even say something chiding, but holds himself in check as he witness Megatron and his troops start to embark.

Slipstream stands up as straight as he can, and salutes the departing troops.

Soundwave steps aside from the others a little, his attention falling on Slipstream. Though his expression never changes, he seems to regard the young Decepticon closely, pausing as though to say something - then turning away again as he hears his leader's order.

Ruse sighs giving a worried look toward the malfunctioning Slipstream but then does as commanded. o O(Primus please keep that slaggin fool safe.)

Ruse climbs into the space cruiser.

Spinister remains behind, watching as the other Decepticons enter the Space Cruiser. He hasn't had a chance to say goodbye to them, so he merely nods at their backs. "Good luck," he murmurs under his mask.

Colossus murmurs, "Not even a backwards glance..."

Soundwave casts a last look around the airfield, as though considering something. Then he walks up the entrance ramp.

You enter the space cruiser.

Space Cruiser <Star Drive>

          The bridge of the Star Drive is a complex hub of activity. Viewscreens flicker from scene to scene, monitors report the energy levels, thrust ratios and power status. There is a huge swivel-throne at the rear, so that the occupant might survey all of the workers of the space cruiser at their individual stations.

Contents:
Ruse
Blitzkrieg
Megatron

Blitzkrieg looks around at the crew, and then out at the soldiers he's leaving behind. Through a port window he nods to them and smiles.

Megatron takes a look around, while taking place on the command chair. "Decepticons, take your positions. Are the systems ready, Soundwave?"

<Cybertron> Shockwave sends a message over the Star Drive's comm system. "Safe journey, Decepticons."

Ruse walks in and has a seat near the back, out of the others way. This is the first real mission she has had the chance to join Megatron on since she joined the Decepticons and is rather excited, o O(Hopefully he will be there. That's why Megatron let me come, I just know it.. a chance to avenge.) She idly summons her rifle from subspace and begins to check it over.

Soundwave seats himself at the control panel, running a hand over the instrument panel, activating it as the lights seem to spring up at his touch. In a rare moment of subtle humor he announces, "Contact."

Megatron says, "Blast off!"

Blitzkrieg sits into a chair towards the back end of the ship, having no technical experience in running the blasted thing. He begins to shine his arm cannon and other weapons.

Soundwave brings up the Autobot ship on screen and quickly coaxes the engines into a launch.

Megatron says, "Lets see, where Optimus Prime leads us to..."

Rumble leans forward eagerly, looking out the front of the shuttle, almost forgetting to monitor the radar band. The powerful engines shudder through the structure as the ship rises impressively on a column of flame.

Blitzkrieg is actually rather excited, he can smell victory in the air today, can feel it, and thank Primus for that.

Rumble grins. "Nice vibrations"! He notes the setting of the frequency for his own future use.

The viewscreen shows Cybertron rapidly dropping away. In the distance, the faint energy emission of the Ark can also be detected.

Megatron says, "Keep distance, but don't lose them!"

Soundwave guides the swift vessel after the enemy ship.

Rumble tries to lock onto the energy emissions. "Locked, Megatron. Unless they do something really sudden and stupid, we'll be able to follow them."

Blitzkrieg stares out at the disappearing Cybertron for a second, little realizing that this would be the last time he'd gaze at it for years. He turns around, a little reluctantly, and looks at the main viewer.

Megatron nods. "That is what I wanted to hear, Rumble."

Soon you are streaking out into the black depths of space... Stars flicker around here and there....

Soundwave nods to Rumble in approval as he continues to keep the ship steadily on course.

Rumble smiles proudly, then peers out at the stars-- then realizes he should be watching the radar lock. He is relieved to find that the ship still has lock on its quarry.

Time passes. The Star Drive follows the Ark at a safe distance. And then Soundwave notices a warning flicker on his radar screen... an asteroid field fast approaching!

Blitzkrieg says, "What are our exact plans when we reach the ark?"

Rumble draws back. "Whoa! We better steer clear of that asteroid belt!"

Soundwave swiftly magnifies the readings. "Possible obstacle up ahead, Megatron. Asteroid field directly in our flightpath."

Starscream orders, "Evasive maneuvers!"

Rumble leans forward, watching the Autobot ship, waiting for the Ark to turn...

Megatron says, "But don't lose the Ark!"

Rumble warns, "Megatron...it's heading straight for the asteroids!" He pounds his fist on the console. "Stupid Autobots! TURN!"

It's getting hard to keep track of the Ark as the Star Drive swerves left and right, trying to avoid the asteroid shower that threatens to knock the ship from its course...

Blitzkrieg says, "They're trying to lose us, suicidal fools."

Rumble reports, "Lock broken...wait, I've got it again...nope, lock broken again. Too much space junk." He struggles to bring the radar lock back.

Soundwave compensates for the power drain, but the ship is pounded by a barrage of rock.

Megatron says, "Get closer! We'll use them as a shield!"

Rumble says, "I've lost 'em and...there they are! Lock's back!" He looks nervously at Soundwave.

Soundwave maneuvers the vessel into the path cleared by the Autobot Ark's laser beam, and the pounding on the hull abruptly stops. Simultaneously he notes a new reading on his console. "We have been detected," he warns.

Suddenly a sharp spike of rock tears through the ship's wing, sending it spiraling out of control. As luck would have it, the ship clears a sudden clump of asteroids and in front of you is the Ark, only a short distance away. The klaxons scream out a warning system, warning you of power failure, dropping support systems and damaged control systems...

Megatron says, "Stay with them!"

Soundwave once again rapidly works his controls, rerouting power and gaining stability for the vessel.

Starscream steps up before the screen and points at the Autobot ship. "Let's just blow them away, they've seen us!"

Rumble checks the Star Drive's systems. "We've got a hole in our wing!"

You say, "Re-adjusting thrusters to compensate."

Soundwave notices that the power core is reaching critical... The barrage of asteroids must have set off the drive tubes...

Blitzkrieg would stand, but is not that foolish in this type of situation. He hugs his weapon arm close to him, ready to use it when the time comes, as it soon shall. A part of his mind, the part always calculating, chastises the Autobots for not detecting them sooner.

Rumble yelps, "Megatron, our whole ship is slag!"

Soundwave does not power up weapons in response to Starscream's demand, awaiting Megatron's orders.

Megatron to Starscream: "No, I want to know what they're after." He turns to the crew. "Prepare the tractor beam!"

Ruse stands out of her seat, after stability is restored, and joins the others up near the front.

Blitzkrieg walks towards the front with the other Decepticon. He smiles with anticipation, as well as the chance to learn from Megatron's handling of the situation. The tractor beam starts to power up.

Soundwave activates the tractor beam, sending out the strands of energy that lock onto the enemy vessel. The Star Drive once again shudders as the connection is made.

Megatron will not let Optimus Prime escape this time. If there is energy, it will be the Decepticon's. "Release the boarding chute!"

Rumble watches the Star Drive's status reports and looks more and more worried, but doesn't say anything.

Soundwave responds to a silent signal from Buzzsaw and opens his tape compartment, adding another warrior to the mix. Buzzsaw comes sailing out of Sounders' compartment, transforming in midair and swooping around to perch out of the way.

Buzzsaw transforms into his Condor mode.

Laserbeak standing next to Soundwave as he looks up to the rest keeping an optic open but remains silent.

The boarding shute has connected with the Ark. With a hiss of air pressure, the tube stabilizes and opens. Soundwave stands and prepares to board the enemy vessel. He glances around the bridge at the others briefly, then moves to Megatron's side.

Megatron jumps from his seat, heading for the boarding chute. "Prepare to enter! Follow me!"

Rumble looks at Soundwave, his expression noting concern that the Autobot vessel may be safer than their ship in its current state.

Ruse grins and hurries over to the chute, passing by the similarly sized Rumble. She teases him a bit mocking, "Hey Rumble, ready to rumble or you going to sit there the rest of the cycle?"

Rumble runs after Ruse. "Just get me off this crispy-ship!"

Megatron runs over to the other ship.

Buzzsaw scrawks and takes to the air, hovering behind Soundwave and following him to the action. Laserbeak screeks as he takes up into the air joining Buzzsaw as he hovers waiting for the rest. Megatron exits the space cruiser.

Ruse sets her rifle to the standard plasmabullet setting and follows after Megatron, "Well then come on, slowpoke!"

Ruse exits the space cruiser.

Rumble exits the space cruiser.

Laserbeak suddenly flies towards the tube as he leaves the ship.
Laserbeak exits the space cruiser.

Blitzkrieg exits the space cruiser.

Buzzsaw exits the space cruiser.

You leave the space cruiser.

Entrance Bay

          This massive, gold metal room contains Teletran-One, the non-sentient but voice-controlled computer that runs the Ark and serves as the Autobot database. The ceiling rises out of sight above your head and is shrouded in darkness. Leading off are several rooms.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
Blitzkrieg [robot]
Laserbeak [Condor]
Rumble [Robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<NW> Northwest leads to Ratchet's Surgery.
<NE> Northeast leads to Wheeljack's Laboratory.
<W> West leads to Residential Quarters.
<D> Down leads to Brig.

Sunstreaker and Ironhide duck behind their consoles and open fire.

Blitzkrieg storms off, gun in one hand, arm cannon trained on Autobots with the other, he hugs a wall, trying to find as much cover as possible.

Soundwave draws his weapon and goes on the attack. The normally so calm and peaceful Decepticon proves to be quite a fighter in hand-to-hand combat, kicking one Autobot away from him and tossing another across the room.

Laserbeak gives a stare at the two Autobots ducking as he makes a sqeek and circles above Soundwave.

Megatron runs for Optimus Prime. If someone has the information the Decepticons need, it's him. "No I can't Prime, because everything belongs to me!"

Optimus Prime fires his laser rifle at Megatron, "Prowl, how are we doing?"

Prowl yells, "Not good, Prime! They're all over us!"
 [Soundwave_in_combat]

Rumble ducks behind cover and fires at the bigger Autobots, encouraging them to keep their heads down and wrecking their aims.

Ruse starts firing like mad towards the Autobots from a kneeled position near the chute entrance, "Now this is more like it!" All the while though as she halfway targets and fires at Autobots she looks for one on particular.

Buzzsaw scrawks loudly and starts peppering poor Bumblebee with lasers.

The deck of the Ark breaks out into a scene of carnage, as Autobots try and tackle their Decepticon adversaries down to the ground.

Megatron ducks the laser fire, jerking forward to grasp Prime in an attack.

Laserbeak circles some more as he then shoots laserfire in the two Autobots' directions, trying to get them off balance.

Rumble dodges an Autobot twice his size, and is knocked off his feet by a nearby blast. He rolls, and lands on his chest, still holding his laser. He starts firing again.

Blitzkrieg fires with his cannon arm several times at the Autobots, watching one of the nearest fall over clutching his gut. Still hugging the walls he tries to inch closer to the combat.

Megatron says, "Don't worry, Prime, you won't need to worry about me much longer... You won't live much longer!"

Optimus Prime staggers as the ship wobbles. He ducks as Ironhide is flung into a control panel, sending sparks everywhere. "Curse you, Megatron," he says softly. "I'll stop you, even if it's the last thing I do." He drops to the ground, crawling under the laser fire and reaches a hand for the control panel. For an instant he stares at the planet filling the viewscreen, and then thumps the control that will cause the ship to crash. "At least," he things to himself, "I'm ridding the universe of a greater evil. Farewell Cybertron, farewell, Elita..." And with that, he watches the planet rush into the viewfinder.

Buzzsaw stops circling Bumblebee as his attention is taken by the view in the screen...oO( Uh. Oh.)Oo.

Laserbeak gets hit against his wing as he makes a big scream taking off towards Soundwave, as he keeps sqreaking.

Rumble screeches, "Prime's gone nuts!"

Megatron says, "You will do the last today, but it is not enough to stop me!"

Megatron attacks Prime once more. "But before you go, you're going to tell me what you were after!"

Everyone is flung back by the immense g-force!

Ruse goes wide-eyed before slamming into the shuttles wall hard with a loud clang! She slumps down knocked out from the force... systems temporarily shut down.

Blitzkrieg falls to back end and skids across the ground, smashing into a wall as he yells in pain before he sees ... nothing.

Buzzsaw goes flying into the viewscreen, his momentum carrying him there ... ouchies, poor birdie's dented his beak and broke his neck.

Laserbeak flies straight for a wall as he makes impact as he sqreaks and hits the floor. (ouch ouch).

There is a massive impact. Your senses dissolve into white static and then blackness. An indefinite amount of time passes, and then you awaken once more.


FOUR MILLION YEARS LATER:

          Much and little has happened. The Decepticons on Earth have lain in wounded, unconscious stasis for all this time. The Decepticons left on Cybertron were marooned without energon and resources, barely able to keep themselves alive and safe from the Autobots - and quite unable to rescue the Decepticons that went to Earth. Most of the Decepticons on Cybertron fear Megatron and the others are dead.

But now, after four million years, things are happening.

On Cybertron, a meeting has been called between the warlords. Can they make a decision that will drive the Autobots completely extinct, without the help of Megatron?

On Earth, Mount St Helens has started to erupt --

Everyone is lying around, unconscious... Suddenly a shudder hits the mountain. Soundwave awakes in a sparkle of white light... Finding everything changed...

Soundwave's last impulse before blacking out completely was to call to his creations, but too late ... for 4 million years they've lain inactive in the heart of the mountain. Now the geologic activity in the region brings some possibility of life back...

Soundwave stirs slightly as the repair probe, activated by the Ark's defenses, patches him back together and infuses him with a dose of energy. His optic band slowly brightens and he looks around at the motionless bodies around him.

Blitzkrieg lays sprawled on the ground, unmoving.

Rumble had tried to answer his creator's call but couldn't quite make it... he's lying not far from Soundwave.

Buzzsaw hangs from a console, head stuck through the screen. Kinda limp.

Soundwave notices that Teletraan One is activated. Obviously some amount of time has passed, but how far? The fallen bodies of Autobots and Decepticons are scattered everywhere.

Soundwave quickly takes note of the undirected repair beam being emitted by the hovering probe. He pushes himself to his feet, seeks out the motionless form of his leader. If anyone must be re-activated first, it's Megatron.

"Repair, repair," drones the voice of the probe. "Repair, repair."

Laserbeak lies on the floor in the vicinity of Soundwave where he lies unconscious.

Megatron is lying on the ground, no life seems to be left in his circuits.

Soundwave pulls Megatron carefully into the beam. Obviously the mindless machine was activated by a glitch, but he's more than happy to make use of that. The golden light washes over Megatron.

Ravage has fallen and tumbled off into some obscure corner near a crate.

Diagrams flash on the main screen of Teletran-1. A schematic for a Walter P38 flicks past and Megatron is engulfed by the golden light...

Ruse lays limp, slumped to her knees against the wall where she went offline so long ago... her rifle though seems to have vanished among the rubble.

Megatron's optics glow brightly as he reactivates. Slowly he gets onto his feet, a bit shaken what he would never admit.

Soundwave helps Megatron up, something he'd not do in the presence of other watching optics. "Commander," he says quietly. "We live again."

Megatron is regaining full control of his systems again. "Quickly, we must revive the other Decepticons!"

Soon all the Decepticons are dragged through the repair beam. Whatever that Teletran seems to have activated, it's reconstructed your forms in a strange, alien fashion.

Blitzkrieg groans and struggles to stand up, looking around. "What all just happened?" he mutters.

Soundwave silently assesses the condition of the other Decepticons, finding it most interesting that everyone seems to have been re-structured somehow. He'll have to look into that later.

You see all around you the fallen bodies of Autobots, lying motionless. You appear to be on the bridge of the Ark, but things have changed! Dust is everywhere and strange spikes of rock are stabbing down through the ceiling. Your forms appear to be alien... what has happened?

Laserbeak gets active as he looks around to everyone and flies up hovering in the air.

Ruse is reformed, and repaired. She stands slowly, wobbly, "That's funny... I didn't expect Primus and his goldenland of beyond to look like Megatron and the ark." She's joking of course. She glances around and picks up her rifle near the back.

After having his head removed from the monitor, Buzzsaw's optics wink back on. They cross a few times and the bird shakes his head and inspects his new form curiously.

Megatron tries to hack some information out of the computer. Where are they? How much time has passed? A lot - he has noticed the stalactites.

Laserbeak looks at Buzzsaw and flies towards Soundwave.

Soundwave pushes aside an Autobot limb with his foot and moves to join Megatron at the computer.

Formed out of the darkness the Repair drone slowly reconstructs one of Soundwave's more shadowed children. Several Diagrams of a Creature called a Panther flicker on the screen. It seems very suited for the tape as the repair beam constructs a mechanical replica of this creature. Dark red optics begin to flicker as it comes to life and a low rumbling growl can be heard as it takes its first steps... the dust on the ground leaving small claw marks from its paws. The black tape flips up into the air and spins as legs, paws, a head and body form out of it. With a rumble Ravage lands on all fours in perfect grace. Claws digging into the ground on impact.

A strange, alien breeze can be detected, stirring through the ancient layer of dust that covers everything.

Blitzkrieg says, "I wonder where exactly we are and, perhaps more importantly, when."

Buzzsaw flips his new, pointed wings and takes off, circling the room several times and looking at everyone.

Soundwave examines Teletran, the Autobot computer, but comes to the conclusion, "It would take unnecessary time to repair it to full function. The scanning equipment indicates some resources."

You say, "More than that, I cannot determine."

Ruse walks over... outwardly her robotic form hasn't changed any so she seems not to notice the altmode reconstruction. For a moment the brief flicker of a cassette passed on the monitors as that golden ray passed over her. She wanders over with the rest, asking Soundwave as she dusts her form off, "Soundwave, what... was that beam?" She's never heard of a lightray reconstructing and rebuilding before.

Soundwave glances aside at Ruse. "The ship's automated settings reassembled us and re-energized us from fuel remaining in storage. As to how far we have come - that data is inconclusive. I can get a range, but not a precise reading."

Megatron nods slowly to Soundwave. "Then we have to explore it the good old way. I think I can sense some fresh breeze coming from over there..." He gestures down the hall.

Ravage gets bored and slips off into the shadows.. going on to explore on his own accord.

Megatron says, "Let's see if we can get out of this wreck."

Blitzkrieg says, "Do you believe we should take care of the Autobots right now, while they are inactive?"

You paged Ravage with '(telepathic contact) Do not wander far. Remain in touch.'.

Soundwave is aware of Ravage's movements, but does not speak to him aloud.

Megatron agrees with Blitzkrieg. "Yes, leave them a little explosive... gift behind."

Laserbeak makes a soft squeek as he takes place next to Buzzsaw.

Ravage <Mind Link>, "As you wish..."

Buzzsaw looks over at Laser, peering over the other bird's new shape, then goes optic to optic and nods approvingly.

Blitzkrieg nods and takes out a grenade and places it amongst the Autobots, and then places a second one behind for good shape. His last two, it'll take a long time to get more.

Laserbeak nods as he looks at Soundwave giving a waiting impression as what to do.

Skywarp moves back into the ark from outside where he had been observing...or trying to figure out just how he'd have lived on had he not activated that wonderful repair thing, regaining his beloved Commander. "This place is strange. It's all...organic."

Megatron blasts the remaining debris from the Ark's entrance, giving the Decepticons a free passage to the outside.

Ravage idly sniffs around down the hallway... scanning the visual spectrum as well as the higher radio and light frequencies.

Megatron has left.

Soundwave nods in approval as Blitzkrieg places the charges. No sense taking a chance with the Autobots. He moves to take up his usual place beside Megatron as he flies upward.

Base of Mt. St. Hilary

          The once pine-clad peak of Mount St. Hilary erupted recently, blowing half the side of the mountain away and revealing an extraterrestrial artifact that fell from orbit and imbedded itself in the side of the volcano nearly four million years ago - the Autobot Ark. The stern of the vessel, with its four huge rocket tubes, is the only part of the ship visible above the surface of the ground. An immense tunnel has been drilled alongside it, leading into the mountain to the door of the buried spacecraft.

Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<SW> Southwest leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<U> Up leads to Peak of Mt. St. Hilary.
<U2> Up2 leads to Clifftop.
<I> In leads to Entrance Bay.

Ruse has arrived.

Ravage stalks into the area.

Laserbeak has arrived.

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Skywarp has arrived.

You see the strange, alien landscape all around. The wet organic life is indeed bizarre to your sensors.

Laserbeak rushes in through the air with his optics glowing up.

Ruse follows, flying out... landing and glancing around. She blinks her optics a bit, "What is this place? Everything's so .. flimsy looking."

Blitzkrieg has arrived.

Megatron gestures at the Clifftop, showing that they should follow him up to there.
Megatron has left.

Ravage has made his way outside and finds himself sniffing at everything in sight... boy.. this place is so full of new sensory input it's just.... great!

Clifftop

          From this vantage point, an excellent view of Mt. St. Hilary and the surrounding areas can be gained. The wilderness sprawls out in all directions pine forests, a huge rushing river, and the vast yellow vistas of the desert that unfold in the distance. Mountain roads pick their way through the surrounding countryside, and the occasional vehicle can be seen crawling on these roads as a faint glimmer of light on metal and glass.

Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<NW> Northwest leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<D> Down leads to Base of Mt. St. Hilary.

 [They_shall_have_dominion_over_the_whole_Earth...]
Ravage has arrived.
Ravage stalks into the area.

Laserbeak has arrived.

Skywarp has arrived.

Laserbeak flies in following Soundwave without any sound.

Blitzkrieg has arrived.

Rumble ejects from Soundwave's chest and takes his first look at his new home. "WHOA!"

Megatron says, "Much time has passed. We are on a planet far from Cybertron, but our mission has NOT changed."

Rumble says, "This place is WEIRD...I've never seen metal like this!" He examines a handful of the dirt at his feet.

You paged Ravage, Laserbeak, and Buzzsaw with '(telepathic contact) Soundwave checks in with you to get a reading on what your senses tell you about this world.'.

Ravage looks around scratching at the dirt... then his head snaps up and his optics focus in on a glimmer... mmmm what's this, he thinks.

Skywarp winces at the view. "I can almost feel the rust formin'...end up looking and sounding like Starscream if we have to stay here long."

Buzzsaw pages: High humidity...varying temperatures...lots of organic life...many energy sources.

Blitzkrieg just looks around. "Where ever we are, we will be forced to adapt to the situation. I wonder why the ships chose these modes for us."

Rumble laughs. "You said it Skywarp."

Starscream doesn't seem too pleased at their surroundings either, in contrast to those who are taking a great interest in the new experiences.

From afar, Laserbeak looks into Soundwave's direction as he keeps silent as he seems to have nothing to report about instead he makes a soft sqeak.

Ravage leaps off and heads into the pine forest.

Rumble says, "Hey Skywarp. How long were we out of it anyway?"

Ruse has arrived.

Megatron says, "If this world is filled with resources, we will return to Cybertron with the power to build the ultimate weapon, and conquer the universe!"

Rumble says nervously, "But is Cybertron even still around?"

Ravage climbs up one of the pine trees and looks off into the distance tilting his head.... he then transmits something to Soundwave for further analysis.

Blitzkrieg says, "Of course. Planets do not just ... disappear."

Megatron says quietly, "It must, Rumble."

Rumble retorts to Blitzkrieg, "I mean, how long were we out? Earthquakes, disasters ... I would know about earthquakes after all..." He seems kind of insulted, crossing his arms...and then his act collapses and he just looks scared. "Are you SURE, Megatron?" he asks, wanting desperately to believe it.

Transmission from ravage, *Random sound frequency oscillations... Artificial origins...* (Disco Music.... Stayin Alive.)

[Starscream_prepares_to_bid_the_Autobots_a_"fond_goodbye"] Starscream decides to do something practical and activates his laser weapons, firing a stream of light beams down on the imbedded ship.

Blitzkrieg says, "I just wish I knew where we are. We should send a reconnaissance mission out."

Laserbeak looks towards Soundwave as he lands on his shoulder. "Sqreak."

Megatron says, "Starscream!"

Skywarp looks over at Rumble and shrugs, as only a seeker can shrug. "Soundwave, any ideas?"

Starscream replies defensively, "I'm just saying goodbye!"

Ruse has been busy all this time exploring as well... She brings back a small raccoon she caught and grins, sneaking up on Rumble while projecting the illusion parts of it are metal, "Hey Rumble, look what I found! A transorganic, ack watch out its going to eat you!" She tosses it at Rumble hoping to frighten him.

A huge *crump* rises from the Ark... A plume of smoke coils upwards...

Rumble snorts, "And good riddance. At least we haven't got Autobots to worry a- Then he jumps backwards as Ruse tosses the coon at him. "Yuck! What IS that ugly thing?"

Skywarp eyes the odd blue sky and shakes his head at Starscream's words "How's about you say goodbye to us too, so we don't have to hear your voice anymore."

Megatron says, "Save your energy, the Autobots have taken their last flight."

Starscream smirks at Megatron. "Too bad they couldn't go the *rest* of the way."

Rumble swats at the raccoon, scaring it away.

Soundwave replies to Skywarp, "We should attempt to contact Cybertron."

Rumble nods. "Yeah. I wonder what ol' Shockwave would think of this place?" He grins at Ruse. "Hey, Ruse, go find some of those organic critters, we can put 'em in Shockwave's sonic shower or something."

Megatron turns to Soundwave: "Soundwave, send Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ravage to investigate." He looks at the strange planet. "We need a useable place for a base of operations."

Ruse mock pouts, the illusion fading from the creature as it scrambles away, "I think it's what inhabits this world... and go chase down that one you scared off. I am not your lackey." She crosses her arms, "Anyway, all this organic stuff is annoying. Why isn't there any metallic life around?"

Soundwave nods to Megatron and sends the silent command to his tapes to scour the surroundings.

You say, "I shall attempt to contact Shockwave, Commander."

Laserbeak takes off into the air as he makes a screek.

Megatron nods. "Yes..."

Rumble looks around and grins. "A planet full of energy, no Autobots, and only a few weird organic things...y'know, if it wasn't for the stranded part, I might like it here."

<LongRange> Through a burst of static, a distant but familiar reverberating voice can be heard fading in and out: "....crashed on a strange world ... are alive. ... you receiving?"

Laserbeak looks back towards Buzzsaw as he starts to fly towards the northwestern heading.

Skywarp takes a few steps, reducing the distance between himself and his commander "What of the Autobots? Are they all accounted for, and dead?"

Soundwave listens intently, then reports, "No response from Cybertron."

Rumble blinks. "Aw no...please don't tell me Cybertron offlined while we were asleep..."

Ruse shakes her head, "No way Rumble, we are probably just out of communications range or something... right Soundwave?" Her tone is somewhat hopeful sounding but traces of unsureness seep into it.

Megatron doesn't show an obvious reaction to Soundwave's announcement. However, he clenches his fist a bit more tightly than usual. "Cybertron will respond sooner or later!"

Laserbeak flies out of sight.
Laserbeak has left.

Soundwave replies inflectionlessly, "Impossible to ascertain."

Rumble gulps and moves closer to Soundwave. He looks around himself at the others, at Soundwave, and finally at Megatron, to reassure himself he's not alone.

Megatron says, "Cybertron is going to respond!"

You say, "Laserbeak reports possible suitable terrain to the south."

Blitzkrieg is just looking at the landscape, he's a general by his nature, and is offhandedly thinking of the way to defend this ground if under attack.

Megatron says, "Excellent, that is the message I needed to hear. Decepticons, to the south!"

Blitzkrieg has left.

Ruse's thoughts turn to Slipstream and she bows her head a bit. o O(We were gone so long, it's almost... he's probably... who am I kidding, there's no way he could have survived this long without proper repairs and I don't think anyone but Soundwave could have made them.) She looks up as Megatron's words snap her out of thought. She takes to the air with the others when they leave, saying nothing.

Megatron takes off.
Megatron has left.

Skywarp has left.

Rumble has left.

Ruse has left.

Pacific Northwest <North America>

          The cool and rainy climate of this region supports an extension of the coniferous forests to the north, which climb the peaks of the prevalent mountains all the way to the timberline. Thin mountain roads cut their way through the landscape. One of the most obvious mountains in the region is a peak that the natives call Mt. St. Hilary. A river rushes through the valley around its base, and many bare outcroppings and jagged peaks surround the area.

Ruse [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]
Skywarp [Robot]
Blitzkrieg [robot]

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Boreal Forest <North America>.
<S> South leads to Mountain Roads.
<E> East leads to Rocky Mountains <North America>.
<W> West leads to Pacific Ocean <Western Hemisphere>.
<NE> Northeast leads to Base of Mt. St. Hilary.
<SE> Southeast leads to Clifftop.
<SW> Southwest leads to Sherman Dam.

Skywarp has left.

Ruse has left.

Mountain Roads

          These roads cut their way through the mountains, winding their way around the curves of the large, rocky peaks. When vehicles plough down these roads, often huge clouds of dust are sent up into the air. The sides of roadcuts are often unstable with slippery rock and scree. Small weeds poke up on either side of the roads.

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<S> South leads to Southwestern Desert <North America>.

Skywarp has arrived.

Ruse has arrived.

Southwestern Desert <North America>

          The arid southwest ranges from thorn scrub all the way to true rocky desert. Where the sun bakes the ground, cracking the reddish earth, a timeless quality pervades the silence, and the desert seems to stretch to the end of all infinity. Sand-sculptured arches and mesas in yellow, orange, and ocre rise like painted primitive works of art reaching for the brazen sky. Here and there balanced stones tilt precariously on their tapered precipices, frozen forever in an instant of eternity. Occasionally native wildlife can be seen scurrying through the burning sands or winging their way upwards on hot thermals. Tumbleweed blows across the landscape, swept by the ever-present desolate sigh of the winds.

Megatron [Robot]
Buzzsaw [Condor]
Laserbeak [Condor]
Divefire [Orbital Interceptor]

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Mountain Roads.
<S> South leads to Central America.
<E> East leads to Southeastern Subtropics <North America>.
<W> West leads to Pacific Ocean <Western Hemisphere>.
<NE> Northeast leads to Rocky Mountains <North America>.
<NW> Northwest leads to River.
<PS> Power Station leads to Desert Power Station.

Ruse has arrived.

Embedded in the rock is a strange outline... perhaps some sort of vessel?

Blitzkrieg has arrived.

Laserbeak pages: Energy peak found, location south from your location.

Megatron lands in the shadow of a few rocks. He sees a rock formation not far away. "We'll set up here." Rumble has arrived.

Rumble stays close to Soundwave, and checks out the incredible weirdness of his new world, trying to forget about Cybertron's silence.

Skywarp has arrived.

Megatron gestures at the formation. "Those rocks will serve as our base of operations. Soundwave!" He turns to the other. "Prepare plans for a new Spacecruiser."

Starscream folds his arms, "And what do you expect us to build with, Megatron?" he hisses, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Rock?"

Skywarp scowls at Starscream. "How's about we start with your wings ... they look like good metal."

Skywarp turns away. "Your head is undoubtedly inferior, though."

Starscream flashes Skywarp a warning glare.

Rumble snickers at Skywarp's comment. He turns his arms into piledrivers. "Ok, where do you want a nice, flat surface to start with?"

Megatron looks at Starscream. "Use your imagination," he answers dryly. "You will convert the area for construction."

Soundwave gestures to Rumble to hold off on the pile drivers for the moment. He scans the nearby area, drawing up on the reports he's already received from Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, and Ravage.

Starscream demands of Soundwave, "Well? Any ideas?"

Laserbeak comes down from the sky directly heading towards Soundwave.

Starscream shrugs, "Rumble! Skywarp! Soundwave! Follow meeeee!" he roars, leaping into the air. He transforms and starts to circle.

Rumble looks at Soundwave for confirmation of that order.

Soundwave just shakes his head and points toward a power station in the distance. "There," he says simply.

Desert Power Station

          Wires, towers of steel, concrete buildings and roads surround this power station. The very air hums with power. Small, strange creatures can be seen moving about among these buildings, or operating small mechanical transports.

Obvious exits:
<E> East leads to Rocket Fuel Base.
<S> South leads to Desert Road.
<W> West leads to Southwestern Desert <North America>.

Rumble has arrived.

Strange, small life forms start to run away when you approach. The lifeforms leap into strange vehicles, which start to rumble away down the roads.

Starscream declares, "Decepticons! Harvest this base for spare parts! And *ack* what are those /things/, Soundwave?"

Rumble sneers, "Ew, what're those? More yucky organic things!"

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Laserbeak has arrived.

You say, "Irrelevant. This area will supply our needs. Rumble, activate pile drivers."

Starscream steps forward, "Hahaha! They squish so easily... like bugs...!"

Rumble grins. "My pleasure Soundwave." He starts pounding away at the earth.

Laserbeak flies through the air.

Buzzsaw hovers overhead, making swooping passes at humans.

Rumble laughs as the humans scatter.

Starscream orders, "Decepticons, start to get the parts! Don't waste time!"

Soundwave all but ignores the humans as he moves to gather some of the beams of the power station that have been shaken loose by Rumble.

Laserbeak pages: (telepathic) Open compartment please.

Soundwave looks up in response to a silent signal and opens his tape compartment to allow Laserbeak access.

Rumble mutters under his breath and stops piledriving. He transforms his arms back to hands and helps Soundwave heft a large beam.

Soundwave then continues on to gather the materials they'll need.

Starscream carefully manages the operation, ordering Rumble and Buzzsaw here and there, occasionally picking up a beam and generally looking officious and busy.

Laserbeak flies down as he transforms into his cassette mode entering Soundwave. Laserbeak transforms into his Red Cassette mode. Laserbeak has left.

Buzzsaw grabs a few supplies and takes off with them.

After while, the strange structure has been completely wrecked and all the useful parts have been gathered into huge piles.

Skywarp has arrived.

Starscream surveys the area.. "Alright, Decepticons! Take the cargo and move out!"

Rumble hefts as much as he can carry and follows Starscream.

Starscream transforms into his jet form and drags away a pile of scrap towards Megatron's encampment.

Soundwave carries a huge armload of steel beams from the wrecked structure back toward the chosen camp site.

Soundwave nods to Skywarp in passing. Much raw material from the destroyed power plant still remains behind, and it may take several trips.

Southwestern Desert <North America>

          The arid southwest ranges from thorn scrub all the way to true rocky desert. Where the sun bakes the ground, cracking the reddish earth, a timeless quality pervades the silence, and the desert seems to stretch to the end of all infinity. Sand-sculptured arches and mesas in yellow, orange, and ocre rise like painted primitive works of art reaching for the brazen sky. Here and there balanced stones tilt precariously on their tapered precipices, frozen forever in an instant of eternity. Occasionally native wildlife can be seen scurrying through the burning sands or winging their way upwards on hot thermals. Tumbleweed blows across the landscape, swept by the ever-present desolate sigh of the winds.

Blitzkrieg [robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Divefire [Orbital Interceptor]

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Mountain Roads.
<S> South leads to Central America.
<E> East leads to Southeastern Subtropics <North America>.
<W> West leads to Pacific Ocean <Western Hemisphere>.
<NE> Northeast leads to Rocky Mountains <North America>.
<NW> Northwest leads to River.
<PS> Power Station leads to Desert Power Station.

Soundwave carries in an armload of metal beams.

Starscream casually indicates the load he's brought back and waves a hand as Soundwave plods in with his armload of beams.

Megatron smiles slightly in appreciation. "Excellent."

Skywarp says, "Yeah, they're using vehicles to travel in."

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Starscream mutters acidly, "That's just what I /said/, Skywarp."

Soundwave brings a renewed stack of metal.

Rumble says, "Is that so bad?" I mean ... their vehicles don't look so bad for me, and I can still do my job fine in this mode.

Starscream orders, "Rumble, start digging at the ground. We're going to build our base here!"

Rumble glances at Soundwave but complies. He activates his piledrivers and begins.

Megatron says, "Interesting... Then Teletran 1 searched for the best possibility for disguise..."

Soundwave for his part has his attention caught by something else, a faint energy signature. He moves off a short distance away, investigating something.

Blitzkrieg says, "This new vehicle form doesn't appear as speedy as my former form, but I will make do. This information is interesting. Perhaps if one of us has a mode like one of the more common vehicles, we could send them in to spy."

Ruse of course by then has wandered back and is seated atop a small boulder that has been left. She scoff at the news, "Shame it didn't look for the best possibility in combative powers."

Starscream 'supervises' the creation of the desert base... Soon, after some time is spent working, the structure rises grandly from the flat expanse of the desert.

Buzzsaw perches high above, glaring down and watching the construction.

Starscream leans back, "Well, after all /my/ work, it's finally complete, mighty Megatron."

Soundwave quietly summons Rumble.

Rumble looks down. "Hey, what's that?" He points to a glinting piece of metal.

Ruse is leaning against the base, "YOUR work Starscream?! All I saw you do was sit back and point at stuff while griping."

Megatron chuckles. "Your work, Starscream?"

Rumble examines it. "It looks like the fin of a ... spaceship or somethin'!"

Starscream snorts, "Leave it alone, Rumble. It won't be anything of importance."

Rumble reluctantly leaves the thing and walks over to Soundwave.

Starscream pretends to ignore the comments following him.

Rumble murmurs to Soundwave, "You called?"

Buzzsaw continues to skulk.

You say, "Rumble, strike this joint in the stone with one pile driver. This object is giving off a familiar energy emission."

Starscream mutters, "Soundwave, we don't have time for this..."

Soundwave summons Buzzsaw as well.

Rumble does as asked. "Right away Soundwave."

You say, "I disagree, Starscream. We can easily carve this object free."

You say, "Buzzsaw, direct your lasers to cut away the stone on a finer scale, once Rumble has broken the larger piece. Do not damage the object underneath."

Megatron says, "Soundwave, what have you found?"

Rumble steps away. "All yours, Buzzsaw."

Starscream hisses, "Gah! We're wasting time with some junk when we could easily be out there harvesting more energy from this disgustingly organic planet!"

Buzzsaw leaps up and swoops down, hovering over the strange object. With a small scrawk, he complies, pinpointing lasers delicately cutting away the stone.

You say, "Cybertronian energy signature, Commander."

Soundwave watches closely as the buried object comes to light.

Rumble looks excited. "Cybertron?"

Ruse looks to Megatron and the others but just watches. She idly lets her systems rest as she leans up against a wall of the base. She perks up however as Soundwave speaks, "Cybertronian? Here in this wasteland?"

Megatron comes closer. "Starscream, stop straining your vocalizer!"

Starscream simmers.

Megatron says, "Cybertronian energy signature?"

Skywarp grins slightly. "I thought Starscream's vocalizer was a strain anyways."

You say, "It has been here a very long time. Sediments have built up around it."

Starscream snorts, "It probably fell off the Autobot ship."

Megatron curiously comes closer. "Decepticon origin?"

Skywarp says, "How big is it, Soundwave?""

Buzzsaw focuses intently, continuing to cut away, ignoring the chatters of the others. You say, "Possibly. It is approximately seeker-sized, which indicates Decepticon construction."

Megatron says, "Starscream, if you don't have anything productive to add - like most of the time - you better keep quiet!""

Laserbeak makes a soft sound and then turns silent again.

Skywarp smirks, but keeps his focus on the area indicated by Soundwave.

Rumble folds his arms and looks smugly at Starscream.

Megatron says to Soundwave and his cassettes, "Get it out of there! Fast!"

The emerging object is without doubt Cybertronian in origin, its metal form is twisted and battered in key areas which are still being cut away at by Buzzsaw. The one other key feature that emerges after several moments is the worn and dirty purple badge of the Decepticons.

Ruse soon kicks off the base wall lightly and walks over to the others, "A seeker like craft? How in Primus did it end up here?"

Buzzsaw scrawks in surprise, but keep cutting away diligently.

Rumble says, "Hey, it's a Con..." He looks at Soundwave. "You think you can fix him?"

Megatron whispers to himself. "Another Decepticon..."

Starscream mutters, "None of us were missing from the Star Drive... Who could this be? It might be an Autobot trick!"

Soundwave motions to Buzzsaw, "Sufficient, Buzzsaw." He crouches down and brushes the last of the dust and gravel off the battered form, and opens the access panel in the chest. A small instrument extends from one fingertip, a brief arc of power dancing from its point, hoping to jump-start the unknown robot's systems into awakening.

Blitzkrieg paces back and forth a bit, his mind on other topics.

Buzzsaw stops and pulls up, circling around. Then he hovers close, curious. Megatron says, "We will know soon enough, Starscream."
Skywarp eyes the object, but remains silent. The arc of power dances around the systems of this beaten craft for long moments, reserve energy supplies start to fire into motion and after a short moment long dormant systems become active...

Ruse mutters lowly mostly to herself, "Oh sure, the Autobots in their deactivated state wandered out here and planted this little bit of Decepticon signature radiating metal shaped like a seeker.. gasp your brilliance amazes me!"

Megatron looks at Soundwave, nodding. Then he turns his complete attention to the craft.

Rumble says to Ruse, "The Autobots are slag, and this thing could have crashed here any time while we were unconscious. It's been here long enough for all that sediment to form, right?"

Soundwave nods to Rumble, but most of his attention is still on the unknown individual.

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a slender whipcrack of plasma thuds into the side of the desert base, barely missing Megatron! In the distance, a plume of dust can be seen.

Starscream screeches, "We're under attaaaack!"

Divefire's vocaliser statics into life, first there is nothing but gibberish being spouted, then one long word is formed... "Ow......."

Megatron says, "Who could be firing at us!?!"

Buzzsaw scrawks and pulls up, scanning the surrounding area.

Rumble jumps. "What in the slag was THAT?" He strains his optic sensors, trying to see.

Megatron stares at the distance for sign of an attack.

In the distance, the plume of dust is receding.

Soundwave jumps to his feet and looks in the direction of the energy beam. "Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, investigate!"

    [Megatron pages: Stop reading my mind! ;) ]
    [Long distance to Megatron: Soundwave can't help it, sorry. :)' ]

Starscream complains, "Who could that be? I mean the Autobots are all dead...!"

Laserbeak has arrived.

Rumble says, "It looks like its leaving, whatever it is...coward!"

Buzzsaw scrawks again and hits his engines, pulling away and flying after the plume of dust.

Ruse spins around and takes to the air as she draws her plasmarifle, "Who cares? All that's important is the fact they're shooting at us!" She begins to take aim at the plume of dust... and waits for a clear view of the attackers.

Buzzsaw enters Mountain Roads <<N> North>.
Buzzsaw has left.

Laserbeak comes out of Soundwave as he transforms with a squawk and follows Buzzsaw.

Laserbeak transforms into his Condor mode.

Laserbeak enters Mountain Roads <<N> North>.
Laserbeak has left.

Megatron murmurs, "It can't be the Autobots. That is... impossible."

Blitzkrieg looks around and tries to plan for a defense, in case they are under attack.

Skywarp softly repeats his earlier question... "Were they all accounted for? And dead?"

Blitzkrieg says, "We should have shot them point blank just to make sure."

Rumble thinks about Autobots. "Uh-oh..."

Megatron says, "Decepticons, prepare for a possible enemy attack!"

You say, "We will soon know. They are presumed dead, Skywarp, but - Laserbeak and Buzzsaw will report what they find."

Skywarp immediately transforms, and takes off to circle the sky above the others, watching for enemy movement.

Soundwave reaches down and takes hold of the semi- conscious Decepticon who was just dug up, to pull him into the partial shelter of the base.

Blitzkrieg looks around. Largely flat land area, little possible defense. "Lord Megatron, if I may suggest a possible counter attack to blunt the Autobots' charge? It would give us the mobility, this land is not made for defensive arrangements."

You enter the Desert Base.

Desert Base

          In the middle of the desert, this construction site with its alien architecture seems to leap out of nowhere. A thick ring of steel girders forms a stockade around a construction framework. In the centre of the framework, an upright vessel can be seen some sort of space cruiser, awaiting the time when it shall be launched into the heavens.

From outside, Megatron wonders if these organic creatures he was reported of could possibly have attacked.

Divefire arrives from outside.

From outside, Rumble prepares to defend the base.

From outside, Ruse scowls, releasing she panicked a bit, shooting up like that, and lowers to the ground, behind a boulder. She still takes aim in the direction the shot came from though, waiting.

From outside, Blitzkrieg sees he is not being listened to and curses.

From outside, Skywarp continues to fly around. He calls down, "I don't see anything."

Soundwave attends to the injured Decepticon, hoping to get him up and active in case they need an additional warrior. Pulling out a portable tool kit, he begins work. "Do you have a name?" he inquires as he works.

From outside, Megatron runs over to Ruse, ducking behind the boulder as well. "I want you inside the base to help Soundwave." Actually he wants her there because it's safer there.

Divefire keeps quiet for a very long time. His damage is extensive in parts and a few key systems are off line. "I.. I'm Divefire... Who are you, I can't see you."

From outside, Rumble looks at Megatron. "What about me?"

From outside, Megatron says, "I may need your skills here, Rumble."

You say, "I will reconnect your sensors shortly. I am Soundwave."

From outside, Rumble looks around. "I don't see 'em any more, Boss."

Soundwave does his best to patch the damage and reconnect and re-route energy flows in order to get Divefire back into active shape, at least as best as is possible without extensive medical equipment.

From outside, Blitzkrieg says, "What's the latest information?"

Divefire's systems respond favorably to being patched up, his design it seems is pretty damned tough. "Soundwave? Soundwave as in THE Soundwave?"

From outside, Ruse glances to Megatron, "Don't give me that, you need every hand you can get out here if these fools try attacking. Besides, I know nothing about repairs and you know it." She peeks over the boulder, steadying her rifle tip on it as she aims now into the distance, "... hey Rumble, Soundwave reported anything to you about your brothers' progress?"

From outside, Rumble shakes his head. "Soundwave's busy trying to get that Seeker guy online again."

Soundwave tilts his head a little, a gesture that Divefire might be able to see by now as his optic sensors are re-adjusted. "I know of no other Soundwave, if that is what you mean."

You paged Laserbeak and Buzzsaw with '(telepathic contact) What is your status? Have you tracked down the attackers?'.

Laserbeak pages: (telepathic) Under attack, two more Autobots came to the area, heavily under attack.. squeek

Buzzsaw pages: Been hit....dizzy, pulling back.

Divefire's sight comes back to him, admittedly slightly blurred but it gets better as time goes by. There is an audible relief in his voice as he replies. "No, what I mean is that, well.. I thought you were dead... I came looking for the lost Decepticons, never thought I'd find them... Tell me, are you all here?"

From outside, Megatron with a slight tone of anger in his voice: "Ruse, I said, go inside! That's an order!"

You paged Buzzsaw and Laserbeak with '(tel) Autobots exist still! (you sense the surprise and disappointment in the mental contact) Break off the attack and return to base at once.'.

From outside, Megatron says, "Or do I have to carry you?"

From outside, Ruse after several moments gives a sharp glare to Megaton as her optics narrow to slits and flash. She slides her riffle onto her back though and stalks towards the base...

Ruse arrives from outside.

From outside, Laserbeak arrives from Mountain Roads.

From outside, Rumble stays by Megatron, ready in case the whatever-it-was comes back.

From outside, Buzzsaw arrives from Mountain Roads.

From outside, Laserbeak comes flying in carrying Buzzsaw in his claws as he sqreeks to Soundwave.

From outside, Buzzsaw is carried by Laserbeak, one wing damaged and sparking a little.

Ruse walks in, optics narrowed and a scowl across her features. o O(I can fight just as good as the rest of them. I know it's not my function but I am NOT a weakling and I hate being treated like one.) Idly she makes her way to the repairbay where Soundwave is working and says in a voice dripping with cybervenom, "Megatron ordered me inside to help you."

From outside, Blitzkrieg says, "All right, what are the defensive capabilities of our base?"

From outside, Starscream watches the two condors stagger in, "Well, what do they say, Soundwave?"

From outside, Skywarp mirrors Starscream's questioning look at the birds.

Soundwave finishes the best he can for Divefire given the current conditions, and stands, acknowledging Ruse with a quick glance. "Keep watch over our new arrival, Ruse. I must speak to Megatron."

You leave the Desert Base.

Laserbeak comes closer to Soundwave as he goes down to the ground putting Buzzsaw softly down on the ground.

Soundwave moves toward Laserbeak and Buzzsaw, stopping to pick up Buzzsaw as he scans his injuries with a trained optic. He speaks one word: "Autobots."

Rumble's face falls. "Aw, SLAG, no!"

Megatron says, "Autobots?!? IMPOSSIBLE!""

Buzzsaw is lifted, his optics narrowed and glittering brightly...he was gonna make Hound pay for this. The wing damage, while not severe, certainly puts the small bird out of commission until he's repaired.

Starscream widens his optics. "But... that's impossible! We saw them all destroyed!"

Laserbeak squawks as he jumps up and transforms to enter Soundwave.
Laserbeak transforms into his Red Cassette mode.
Laserbeak has left.

Skywarp grunts lowly and looks at his white twin "You woke them up, didn't you! You and your loud mouth!"

From Desert Base, Divefire takes his time to scan around the room he's in. At the moment he's stuck in his flight form, not wanting to risk transforming and also not exactly confident of doing so.

From Desert Base, Ruse nods and walks over to Divefire, "So, anything I can get you while your still being repaired?" She then before he can answer has a seat in a nearby chair just a bit too large for her, not that she cares though.

Laserbeak starts to play a message he recorded as you all hear the Autobots talk.
    "Sideswipe shakes his head. "Negative - Prime wants us to report in. Let's get back to base..."

Megatron clenches his fist. "This time you were lucky, Prime. But your luck won't last long," he grumbles.

Starscream retorts, "Me? Hardly. I'd put the blame squarely on our "beloved" leader and his bomb..."

Blitzkrieg curses "Dammit," adding a few seconds later "I knew we should have executed them the correct way. Now we'll need to deal with them again."

Skywarp mimics Starscream "I was just saying Goodbye..."

Soundwave remains impassive in the face of Megatron's outrage and the others' disbelief. "They have survived. Commander - we will need fuel in order to maintain the warriors we have active and re-supply our new arrival. I can repair Buzzsaw easily enough, but we will need energy soon."

Starscream shakes his head at Skywarp's antics. "Watch yourself," he says quietly. "When /I'm/ the Decepticon commander, there'll be a new order of things!"

Buzzsaw kind of half-curls up in Soundwave's arms, optics still glittering fiercely as he imagines doing all sorts of bad things to Hound for hurting him.

Megatron looks at Skywarp and Starscream. "Silence, you two!" To Starscream with icy optics: "Pray to Vector Sigma it was NOT your fault..."

Skywarp puts his hands on his hips and eyes Starscream "Watch your mouth, Screambrain, as if YOU would EVER be in Command. MEGATRON is Commander!"

Starscream gives a small *hmmmfff* and turns away.

Skywarp of course, immediately shuts up, 'cause like...he was told to 8)

    [OOC] Megatron has to say it. Starscream is cute when he sulks. ;)

Rumble mutters, "Starscream, commander. Right." He looks over at Buzzsaw. "You don't look so good, bro."

Megatron turns to Soundwave. "I will plunder this planet, and steal its precious resources!"

From Desert Base, With the grinding of long unused parts, Divefire's orbital interceptor form transforms slowly into his robot form.

Starscream folds his arms, "You are so /slow/ at times, Megatron..." he mutters. "What else are we here to do?"

Skywarp's optics widen and he gives Megatron that "HE's TALKING!" look.

Buzzsaw looks at Rumble with his glittering optics as if to say "You think?!? Just wait till you see what that Autobot will look like when I get to him."

Soundwave shifts Buzzsaw to his other arm and opens his tape compartment once again. "Laserbeak, eject. Resume scouting for fuel sources."

Buzzsaw didn't Say that, he looked it.

Megatron ignores Starscream's command.

From Desert Base, Divefire stumbles to his feat, and nearly falls back down again, but just about saves himself by grabbing a wall. Slowly he looks around the room and tries to work out where he is.

Rumble grins at Buzzsaw, understanding perfectly. "Can I help ya?"

Laserbeak has arrived. Laserbeak transforms into his Condor mode. Laserbeak comes out of Soundwave while transforming as he makes a screek.

Buzzsaw scrawks as if to say "You can have the other one that was with him."

You say, "Buzzsaw will be fine, Rumble. He will be able to accompany Laserbeak as soon as I patch the wing."

Laserbeak flies off to the west.

Rumble grins at Buzzsaw. "Okay."

Laserbeak enters Pacific Ocean <Western Hemisphere> <<W> West>.
Laserbeak has left.

From Desert Base, Ruse is seated in the chair, idly drumming her fingers. She still looks rather mad... and waits on an answer from the now transformed Cybertronian on the repairbay table.

Buzzsaw nods, then settles back to wait for the repairs.

From Desert Base, Divefire looks at Ruse, trying to place the face and failing entirely. "No, no I don't think so..."

Soundwave assures Megatron, "I will keep you informed of Laserbeak's findings." He steps back inside the base.

You enter the Desert Base.

Buzzsaw arrives from outside.

Ruse nods to Divefire, "That's good... I am Ruse, just who are you, mystery Decepticon?"

Laserbeak pages: (telep) Soundwave I found some sort of mechanical island, Energy readings are high.

Soundwave places Buzzsaw down and takes a small welding tool out of his personal storage. Carefully he starts patching up the damage, which fortunately isn't that extensive.

You paged Laserbeak with '(tel) Investigate more closely. Is it an energy source we can obtain and make use of?'.

Divefire is standing just off of the med table, looking the worse for wear, but awake. "I'm Divefire... You won't of heard of me."

Soundwave notes, "Your sibling reports a find of possible interest, Buzzsaw."

Laserbeak pages: (tel) checking

Buzzsaw waits, then looks up and back at Soundwave, tipping his head. It's obvious even to those who aren't telepathically linked to the bird that he's asking about the find.

Ruse glances over and frowns. She hops out of the chair she was in and makes her way over towards the two who just arrived, "What's going on? Is Buzzsaw going to be ok?" She isn't sure how bad he's wounded and can't get a clear view with Soundwave working on him.

Laserbeak pages: (tel) Sensorsweep ... we can use it, Soundwave, energon cubes could be produced.

You say, "Possible source of energy. He is investigating further."

Buzzsaw nods his beak, then holds still for Sounders to repair his wing. The condor's head looks at Ruse and nods in response to her question.

Divefire just watches Ruse walk over to Soundwave, his expression is one of simple shock at the fact that the legend that is Soundwave stands before him. Slowly and carefully he makes his way over to them, using what he can for support. "Your tape is alright, Soundwave?"

Laserbeak pages: (tel) Soundwave, Megatron can easily take this island.

Soundwave nods to Divefire. "He can fly again." He seems to take little notice of Divefire's awe, or perhaps he interprets it as understandable shock at being revived after a traumatic crash. Pity there's no time to ask him how he came to be here, but other matters take precedence.

Rumble arrives from outside.

You say, "Rumble, summon Megatron inside. He may be interested in this."

Rumble looks around and grins. "Hey, look who's up and walking!"

Rumble says, "Right away Soundwave."

Rumble:
          A smallish transformer. He has the common red optics of the Decepticons and the con symbol is on the chest plate of his purple armored self.

Rumble leaves.

Laserbeak pages: (tel) Should I return or wait?

Buzzsaw climbs to his feet and checks over the wing...of course he trusts Sounders, but sometimes seeing the repairs is more reassuring. The bird stretches the wings carefully and scrawks.

You paged Laserbeak with '(tel) Remain in place and monitor. We may join you soon.'.

From outside, Rumble says, "Hey Megatron. Soundwave says you should come inside...there's something you might be interested in."

From outside, Megatron looks at Rumble. "I'm coming." He enters the base.

Megatron arrives from outside.

Rumble arrives from outside.

Megatron says, "Soundwave, you wanted to talk to me?"

Divefire nods back to Soundwave, then has his attention stolen by Rumble, again it's the look of shock and awe on his features that is most present, which is nothing in comparison to his jaw falling from his face as Megatron walks in. "By the Spires.." He comments quietly to himself.

Soundwave turns to Megatron. "Commander, Laserbeak reports a source of fuel that could be easily taken by our forces. It seems to be a structure built by the natives of this world, but they will not pose a threat to us, from what we have seen. Recommend we take advantage of it before the Autobots learn of it."

Buzzsaw is sitting on a repair table stretching his newly repaired wings. Then he peers with narrowed optics at Divefire and takes off, going over to inspect this stranger whom he himself had cut out of the rock.

Ruse gives Megatron a rather foul look, "Going to let me come on this mission, boss, or keep me stuck inside?"

Megatron realizes that the Decepticon they found is functional, but keeps his attention to Soundwave's report. "Excellent!"

Rumble looks up at Divefire. "You're looking better than when I saw you last."

Divefire takes a step back in surprise as Buzzsaw comes for him, the attention being something he either doesn't like or isn't used to. However he does look to Rumble, looking a little quizzical. "When did you see me last?"

Megatron says, "We will grant this source of energy our visit, Soundwave."

Soundwave nods, then casts a dubious look at Divefire. "You should be able to stay in the air, Divefire, but I would not recommend strenuous activity."

Rumble smirks. "When I dug ya out of the rock."

Buzzsaw finishes his inspection, then scrawks again and heads back to explore the base before landing on the table again, losing interest.

Blitzkrieg arrives from outside.

Soundwave transmits the coordinates of their target to Megatron.

Megatron takes a critical look at Divefire. "I don't think he will be much help on our mission."

Divefire looks over to Soundwave and just nods in reply, his own internal diagnosis being much the same thing. Blinking back to look at Rumble he pauses for a moment. "Rock? Dug me out? Wait... Now I remember... The crash at least..."

Rumble chuckles. "You were in there a long time, pal. Rock, sediment, all kinds of crap all around ya."

Laserbeak pages: (tel) Area is still ripe for the energy taking.

You paged Laserbeak with '(tel) We are on our way.'.

Buzzsaw scrawks at Rumble, reminding him of the bird's part in cutting Dive out of the rock.

Megatron says, "Someone has to guard the base anyway."

Laserbeak pages: (tel) understood.

Megatron feels the urge also to order Ruse to stay behind.

Divefire looks up to Megatron, but really can't hold his gaze there for long before he feels the need to look away and regard some one else. "I think I can manage guard duty, Lord Megatron."

Soundwave catches the subtle expression and suggests, "Perhaps this would be an ideal opportunity for Ruse to gain some real-world experience."

Rumble adds, "Oh yeah, and Buzzsaw helped too."

Megatron nods slowly. "Yes it would, Soundwave."

Ruse glances to Soundwave and nods simply then looks back to Megatron, "If it makes you feel better I will stick with Soundwave and Rumble so if I get in trouble, help won't be too far off."

Rumble shows off for Ruse. "Yeah. You stay with me and we'll kick some organic empennage."

Divefire regards Rumble again, the scientist side of him wanting a little more information. "Really? How much sediment would you say? I really have no idea how long I've been buried for. He did? Well, you all have my... thanks."

Rumble pauses. "Um....lots?" He really didn't bother to take scientific measurements...he judged it in "piledriver whacks."

Ruse laughs slightly, "Sounds like a good enough plan Rumble..." She looks to Soundwave asking, "What is our target going to be anyway?"

Megatron says, "So, while Divefire is guarding the base, we will get the energy we need. Decepticons, assemble for the mission!"

Buzzsaw nods and scrawks, satisfied.

Megatron leaves.

Soundwave's optics brighten just a bit in a "smile." "I believe you will soon see for yourself, Ruse."

You leave the Desert Base.

Megatron takes off for the oil platform.

Megatron enters Mountain Roads <<N> North>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Mountain Roads.

You enter Pacific Northwest <North America>.

You enter Boreal Forest <North America>.

Boreal Forest <North America>

          There are population centers to the south and along the western coastline, but the great majority of this region is sparsely inhabited by humans, and instead is covered in dense stretches of coniferous forest. Although some logging industry is prevalent, most of this region remains relatively unscathed and pristine.

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Arctic Circle.
<S> South leads to Great Plains <North America>.
<SW> Southwest leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<E> East leads to Boreal Forest <North America>.

You enter Arctic Circle.

Arctic Circle

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

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

You enter North Sea.

North Sea

          This dark, rough sea foams against the northern European coastline, the cold waters filling the air with the scent of salt. The sandy beaches are lined with small colorful shells and clear jellyfish washed up on shore.

Blitzkrieg [robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Laserbeak [Condor]
Oil Rig

Obvious exits:
<N> North leads to Arctic Circle.
<S> South leads to Cool-Temperate Zone <Europe>.

Down below is a small platform covered in flesh creatures, who appear to be extracting some kind of black fluid from the ocean bed. As the Decepticons darken the sky, they stare and point upwards.

Rumble arrives from Arctic Circle.

Buzzsaw arrives from Arctic Circle.

Megatron enters the Oil Rig.

Laserbeak sqauwks and keeps circling above the thing.

Ruse arrives from Arctic Circle.

You enter the Oil Rig.

Oil Rig

          This oil rig rises above the surface of the North Sea on four thick legs made of steel girders. Riveted steel sheets form a platform, which is scattered with drilling equipment - hoses and machinery parts. Off to one side, a set of large- diameter pipes are stacked and awaiting use. A large square box serves as the living quarters for the humans stationed here. Stacked above the main platform is a smaller platform that serves as a helicopter landing pad.

Contents: Megatron

Rumble arrives from outside.

Buzzsaw arrives from outside.

Blitzkrieg arrives from outside.

Ruse arrives from outside.

Laserbeak arrives from outside.

Soundwave flies downward alongside Megatron and lands with a heavy metallic clang on the platform.

One human stares, "Hey Dad, what are those things?"

"I don't know, Spike," a larger human answers.

"Are they friendly? They don't look it!"

Rumble sees Megatron and Soundwave land, and decides it's safe enough to land himself.

Laserbeak comes down and heads to Soundwave but passes him and lands on Megatron's shoulder with a soft sqreek.

Rumble cocks his head and points. "Hey Soundwave, they talk!"

The humans start to run and hide behind the equipment, "I'm the foreman here!" one says. "What... are you? And what do you want?"

Buzzsaw chooses to perch high above and behind the humans, glaring down again and looking back and forth. Ruse lands beside Rumble and looks around slowly, glaring at the humans as she brandishes her rifle. o O(Seems like an easy enough mission.)

Megatron watches the flesh creatures, amused.

Suddenly the humans panic and start throwing wrenches at the assembled Decepticons. One of them charges into Megatron with a bit of pipe, which bounces off with a loud *clang*.

Soundwave doesn't seem that interested in the humans, and instead takes a closer look at the black fluid that's being gathered here. A quick scan of it reveals high-energy combustible carbon-based fuel.

Megatron picks up a pipe and rolls it at the workers.

"I don't know what you are, but I want you off my rig!" bellows the one who identified himself as the 'foreman.'

Laserbeak flies off Megatron's shoulder, seeing the human approach as he fires a laser salvo.

Several humans scream as the pipe rolls towards them. One man is crushed and the rest are knocked into the freezing ocean.

Buzzsaw goes for the foreman, screeeeeing and claws extended.

The foreman yells and ducks behind a barrel as Buzzsaw comes at him. "Sweet Mary, save me..." he whimpers.

Rumble doesn't think the platform is strong enough to withstand a good piledriving, and instead grabs a pipe and swings at the humans to keep them back from Soundwave.

Megatron gestures at the drill. "Starscream, activate the null-ray!"

    [OOC] Blitzkrieg says, "poor guys, I wonder if the Union can make the corporation pay compensation for this...."
    [OOC] Rumble says, "Have you paid YOUR Decepticon insurance?"

Starscream fires a burst of bright light at the pump, which freezes the machinery in place.
 [Rumble_makes_himself_useful]

Ruse shields her optics from the small flying metal wrenches as they clang against her form, "Hey watch it you little pests!" She sends a burst of flashing light their way from her free hand, hoping to cause them to scatter.

Several humans are crushed by Rumble's pipe. One drops to the ground, red fluid trickling out of its mouth. The others spread apart and dive into the sea. "Help!" they scream.

Megatron says, "Soundwave, prepare the energon cubes!"

Laserbeak flies around and lands back on Megatron's shoulder.

Soundwave nods to Megatron - and for the first time ever, he puts a long-held theory of his into effect. Glowing-edged squares bounded by an energy field emerge one after the other from his chest compartment.

Rumble looks down at the human. "These things break easy."

"Dad, what do I do?" Spike cries out.

"Keep your head cool, son," Sparkplug replies. "It looks like they're after the oil. I don't know what we'll tell the company, but let's just stay out of their way."

Buzzsaw scrawks again and lands, waddle-hopping around one of the barrels to look for the foreman.

The foreman yells and tries to scrabble away towards the railing. 'Keep away from me!" he roars, waving a wrench in front of Buzzsaw.

Soundwave doesn't seem to take notice of the scurrying humans at all, but instead begins to fill the glowing containers with the dark fluid. Soon, a huge stack of glowing energon cubes have been prepared.

Ruse looks towards the energon cubes, and walks over. She holsters her rifle and takes a free cube and begins to help Soundwave fill them since she sees little threat from the humans.

CLANG - the wrench smacks Buzzy's beak and he blinks a moment before it hits home. Then he takes off hovering a few feet from the ground. With a screech, he fires his twin lasers at the wrench's handle.

Megatron is very pleased at the sight. He grins.

Soundwave presses down on one of the small tower of cubes, condensing it into a multicolored stack.

Most of the humans are cowering away from Rumble and Buzzsaw. The foreman drops the smelted wrench he was holding and howls, clutching his burned hand to his chest. "Water," he gasps, looking over the railing towards the frothy sea.

Starscream too seems pleased. "We did it!" he exclaims. "We have fuel - we can go home now!"

Buzzsaw pounces then, deciding to help the foreman to water. His claws grip the humans' shirt and lift him up and then over, until they hover over the water...

Rumble scowls at the humans, not swatting any more as long as they stay back and don't get in the way.

Megatron glares at Starscream. "You fool, Starscream! This is but a small fraction of the energy we need. We must suck this planet dry!"

Suddenly the sky darkens again. The distinct *putt* *putt* of Autobot jetpacks can easily be heard, ringing out over the rig and the frothing sea. A large figure clangs to the ground. Optimus Prime stands on the end of the rig, the light glinting off his imposing figure. "Time to end this, Megatron! I won't let you take the energy or hurt those creatures any longer! Autobots, fan out and move into battle!"

Starscream's optics flicker a little in surprise at the unexpected reprimand. He looks around, as though seeking someone else to blame-- Starscream finds something else to catch his attention. "It's the Autobots!" he exclaims.

Hound wisecracks, "Gee, observant as ever, Screamer..." he says, firing his blaster.

Megatron looking up, slightly startled. "Decepticons, transform! Transform!"

Soundwave quickly gestures the nearby Decepticons to gather up the condensed cubes - knowing very well how potentially explosive they can be.

Bumblebee charges Buzzsaw, "Hey, you leave those creatures alone!"

Rumble scoops up a bunch of cubes.

Megatron transforms into his Walther P-38 mode.
Megatron shoots at the incoming Autobots.

The oil rig is peppered with laser shots. Some of the barrels ignite.

Starscream picks up a pipe and takes a swing at his nearest opponent.

Megatron transforms into his Robot mode.

Sunstreaker ducks Starscream's pipe and fires upwards with his gun.

Prime bellows, "Stop this, Megatron!"

Laserbeak flies through the air and takes a shot at Prime in the back.

Megatron prepares to confront Prime. "Don't interfere, Prime!"

Buzzsaw drops the foreman in the water and scrawks, taking off and heading upwards, to circle around the rig and come from behind...focused on one certain Autobot...Hound.

Rumble reluctantly starts firing back, though he's afraid his shots will draw the Autobots' attention to the big stack of energon cubes.

Ruse glances to the Autobots and drops the cube she was filling and does as Soundwave instructs while drawing her plasmarifle, "Why won't you scrapheaps stay dead?!" She begins to fire off plasmabullets like mad toward the Autobot leader... her rifle smoking a bit as she overdoes it.

Optimus Prime calls out, "You destroyed Cybertron with your greed, your desire for conquest. I won't let you destroy /this/ world!" He fires a shot at Megatron.

Prime ducks beneath the hail of fire he's receiving.

Soundwave fires a few shots from his shoulder cannon, but his priority is in saving the fuel.

Megatron shoots at Prime. "The universe is the Decepticons' to rule, Prime."

Laserbeak shreeks over Prime as he heads towards Buzzsaw.

Optimus Prime roars, "Autobots! Don't let them get away!" Hound, Bumblebee and Jazz thunder forwards, trying to take out the fuel stack.

Megatron takes off, showing his troops to do the same.

You say, "Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Rumble - bring the energon to safety." Soundwave takes to the air with a stack of glowing multicolored cubes.

Buzzsaw sneakflies up behind Hound, optics glittering. He scrawks angrily at Laserbeak, then dives and fires at the backs of Hound's knees as he runs.

Megatron says, "So long, Prime. Have a nice swim!"

"Hey, they're retreating, Prime!" Prowl calls out.

"Fire at will!" Prime roars out. Laserbeak storms down to the cubes and picks a few up and takes off to the air.

Megatron shoots the platform.

Ruse scowls as suddenly her rifle 'jams,' overheating as the tip glows red hot. She mutters angrily, "Blast it all!" She holsters her weapon and grabs a few cubes before taking to the air!

Rumble scoops up all the cubes he can carry, dropping one as he takes off.

Hound notices Buzzsaw, "Hey birdie, got a score to settle?" He grins.

Hound fires a short shot at Buzzsaw.

Rumble grabs a cube and pitches it at Hound!

Buzzsaw scrawks angrily again and glances in Soundwave's direction. Then the bird dives, feeling Hound's shot sear his wing again as the bird fires the twin lasers at Hounds' face.

Unfortunately for Hound, his aim is distracted by Rumble's cube! The energon explodes in his face, sending oiling smoke everywhere. "Dang it! I can't see!"

Laserbeak looks up and dives towards Hound as well and fires a salvo.

"I'll give you cover fire!" Cliffjumper says, leaping forwards with his gun. "Those pesky tapes won't last long."

You paged Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, and Rumble with '(tel) You receive a sense of being summoned, to stay out of the firing line.'.

Optimus Prime starts to fire up his jetpack to follow the Decepticons, "Megatron! You're not getting away this time!"

Laserbeak banks off and heads towards Soundwave as he transforms then entering the mech.

Rumble laughs at Hound, but bows to Soundwave's command and stays away from the battle, carrying the energon clear.

Laserbeak transforms into his Red Cassette mode.
Laserbeak enters Soundwave's tape compartment.

You leave the Oil Rig.

From Oil Rig, Megatron shoots at the oil tanks. "Here is something to keep you warm!"

Rumble emerges from the Oil Rig.

Ruse emerges from the Oil Rig.

From Oil Rig, Megatron says, "Decepticons! Back to base!"

Megatron emerges from the Oil Rig.

From Oil Rig, Buzzsaw screeches in protest, but pulls up, firing once more at Hounds' face as he does so, then circles around, diving to grab a last cube as he leaves.

Buzzsaw emerges from the Oil Rig.

The oil tanks explode into a column of flame! The Autobots are trapped by the falling pillars and fall into the sea, amid beams of steel and chemical flames. The remaining humans splash around helplessly.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) Added sense of urgency now: "Buzzsaw, withdraw immediately!"'.

From Oil Rig, Prime bellows, "MegaTRON!", waving his hand futilely... as he is pinned beneath a beam.

Buzzsaw pages: (tel) grumbling protest, but he sends senses of obedience.

Ruse follows the group, looking back to Rumble over a stack of energon cubes to see Prime yelling and waving an arm, "Now that's a sight that just warms the depths of your fuelpump... shame its not Jazz though."

The entire north sea is a blaze of chemical fire, broken wreckage and struggling Autobots.

Soundwave moves into his usual flight position next to Megatron as they prepare to head back to their temporary base, where a new starship is slowly taking form.

Megatron glances shortly over his troops. Are they complete? Then heads for "home".


BACK AT BASE:

Ruse touches down, setting her stack of cubes aside, "Ya, a few more and we will be on our way home again."

Divefire is outside the base, keeping an optic on things and once in a while his vision focuses off to the distance, looking at this place's strange scenery.

Rumble sets down his armful of energon cubes. "Well, we got dinner out of it anyway."

Soundwave lands along with the others, setting his stack of cubes down with the rest. For a moment his hand lingers on the stack of cubes, as though assuring himself they're still real and functional - then he looks over the others in his usual calm silence.

Megatron takes a cube and walks over to Divefire. "I think you need it, Divefire." Hands him the cube.

Buzzsaw flies in behind Soundwave, a little calmer now. He drops his cube with the others and leaps up, transforming and sailing for Soundwave.

Buzzsaw transforms into his Gold Cassette mode.
Buzzsaw has left.

Ruse shakes her head a bit as Buzzsaw vanishes into Soundwave. She looks back to the base thinking, o O(How can they STAND being stored in there like that?)

Divefire hesitates for a long moment, looking up at Megatron, then he takes the cube from Megatron carefully. "Th-thank you Megatron..."


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          And so the Decepticons are victorious! They have landed on an alien planet and survived, and have managed to locate new sources of fuel to carry out their dreams of conquest. But can they rebuild their space cruiser and return to Cybertron? Only time will tell.
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