More Than Meets The Eye part 2:
Into the Enemy Camp

Logged by: Soundwave


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.

Ruse arrives from outside.

Soundwave comes into sight from around one of the stabilizing fins taking place on the starship, apparently in response to having heard someone coming in.

Ruse wanders in after storing the energon cubes away safely and reactivating from a recharge cycle. She nods to Soundwave, "Hello Soundwave. Busy as normal?" She eyes the ship with a smile, o O(Soon we will be home, and the 'Bots left stranded here while we reenergize our comrades on Cybertron.)

Soundwave holds a datapad and small scanner with which he was checking the latest progress. "Greetings, Ruse. Affirmative, the task continues. And you are rested again from your solitary adventure?"

Ruse nods and smiles. She never could understand why older Transformers talked exactly like the computers and comments, "Affirmative, all systems functioning at peak levels. That information greatly invigorates me. What is the estimated liftoff time providing all factors remain constant towards recent plans?"

You say, "This ship is designed with a double energon storage hold to fuel the engines. We will require enough of this planet's fuel to fill the tanks. Two major strikes should be sufficient."

You say, "When the rest of our warriors return, Megatron will organize those strikes." He pauses and considers. "Under the best of conditions, we should lift off within a few days. But, that assumes no delays. One cannot always make such assumptions."

Ruse drops the old Cybertronian accent and nods, "Good. I am eager to know what has happened on Cybertron." She blinks asking, "Err, just where have all the other warriors run off to anyway?"

Soundwave's optic band flickers just imperceptibly brighter for a moment, then shades back to its usual hue. "Megatron has led them exploring. Perhaps we can have some news for him when he returns. Something to add to your energon cubes." He does not add aloud, "Something to distract him a bit."

Ruse errs, shifting. As Soundwave keeps speaking she keeps getting more and more of a bad feeling that Megatron isn't going to be ecstatic about that. She hmms, "... well, that sounds like a plan. What do you have in mind Soundwave?"

Soundwave puts aside his datapad and scanner, placing it on one of the heat-shielded plates of the unfinished ship. "You spoke of your ambivalence for your alt mode. I wish to test something."

Ruse blinks and takes a small step back, "What's the something?" It's not that she doesn't trust Soundwave, it that she doesn't trust her altmode.

Soundwave steps over to one of the makeshift computer terminals that's silently keeping track of the ambient conditions. There are several data-storage disk slots in its console, all of which are currently empty. Soundwave says, "The capabilities of your alt mode, Ruse. A new form, a new beginning. If you wish to be a full-fledged warrior in Megatron's optics, you must be willing to take full advantage of your talents."

Ruse steps over, looking at the slots. She eyes them thoughtfully, "... I can record holographic picture information, at least my old mode could."

You say, "You should be able to fit into this dataslot and link yourself to the system. Make the attempt."

Soundwave nods to Ruse encouragingly, aware that she has worries about transforming.

Ruse steps back a bit. She braces herself mentally then hops forward and compacts in midair as a shot of panic rips through her mind. That fades however as the cassette flies into the slot... and she can sense several inputs and outputs. o O(Ok, gotta link.) She makes contact and mentally sighs and relaxes, as this device unlike her father's so long ago allows the tape duel access rather then just using it to store info.

With the sound of metal shifting Ruse shifts, folding in on herself as plates along her arms and back extend to some extent while she shrinks. The transformation takes only a few seconds and afterwards all this is left of Ruse is a small cassette.

Soundwave touches a control on the console, which brings up a schematic on the screen, noting Ruse's progress, her ability to link. "You are doing well," he says in his calming monotone.

Ruse from inside stares out using the two screens. Ruse's voice comes out of a small speaker in a slightly astonished tone, "I, can't believe I can.. jack into a console like this."

You say, "Can you see the schematics of the vessel?"

Ruse sifts through the information flooding through her. Finally she confirms, "Yes, along with other charts and graphs regarding building rate ETA of completion and... " She sounds a bit overwhelmed. She didn't even know she could do this after all.

You say, "What is the current ambient temperature outside the base, as well as relative humidity and percent cloud cover? Seek out the climate sensors."

The screen projecting the schematics suddenly changes, blipping through several things before finally showing a readout of current weather conditions. She speaks, "Temp 90, humidity less than 15 percent, percentage of cloud cover... 43 within a five mile range."

You say, "Excellent, Ruse. Eject."

The sound of a VCR tape popping out accompanies Ruse as she ejects but judges the time it takes incorrectly to transform, the cassette plopping to the ground before she does. She stands slowly, dusting off afterwards, "Well at least I didn't miss the slot on my first jump."

With the sound of metal shifting the black and gold datacartridge folds out into Ruse, her weapons appearing from subspace.

Soundwave regards Ruse calmly. "Your conclusions?"

You say, "Do you find your new mode more useful?"

Ruse smiles and looks thoughtful, "Well it's not as bad when I can actually look out and access rather then wait for someone to turn the record button on, and it is rather neat to be a PART of a computer like I was for a bit. Though, I am surprised an Earthen altmode can access Cybertronian equipment."

You say, "Our internal machinery has not changed, Ruse. Merely some of the outer forms."

Soundwave looks toward the exit, where a patch of the open sky can be seen and the afternoon light is filtering in. He decides without preamble, "We will see what the Autobots are doing with their time."

Ruse ahs, and smirks remembering the large change Starscream and the seekers made, o O(Amazing how it changed little of their inner mechanisms. Definitely have to regard that autojunk a bit more highly from now on.) She blinks looking to Soundwave, "Hmm, alright commander, lead the way then."

Soundwave nods to Ruse. "You may note to Megatron this is real-world experience," he mentions as he heads out of the base.

You leave the Desert Base.

Ruse emerges from the Desert Base.

You enter Mountain Roads.

Ruse arrives from Southwestern Desert <North America>.

Ruse mmhms following, "Yes, us going off on our own to the Autobot encampment to see what's going on... real-world experience." o O(Yet I get peacefully reprimanded for going to the planet's wild areas and ambushing a few lone organics with a good amount of fuel.) Not that she is going to say a word to get herself left behind, oh no.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(telepathic message) Soundwave conducts a mental "sensor sweep" to see who might be nearby, catching the presence of Buzzsaw as the closest. You feel the contact focusing in and hear Soundwave's "voice" - "Buzzsaw, what is your current location?"'

Soundwave flies low over the ground, resisting the urge to glance back occasionally to make sure Ruse is following. He can hear her, after all.

Buzzsaw pages: (telepathic) By the river...North.

Ruse quiets after a bit and just follows... since they will have to be quiet to sneak up on the Bots.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) - a quick check through your optics to see whether you're currently engaged in something important, then - "Join Ruse and myself at these coordinates." (image of a mountainous section of road)'.

Soundwave continues flying onward at a steady pace.

Buzzsaw pages: (telepathy) I come. Buzzsaw arrives from Southwestern Desert <North America>. Buzzsaw soars in from the south, squawking a greeting. Soundwave shares a silent greeting with Buzzsaw; he seems to have entirely expected the other cassette's arrival. You say, "We will be monitoring the Autobot base, Buzzsaw. Accompany us."

Ruse flies along behind Soundwave, nodding a greeting to Buzzsaw.

You enter Pacific Northwest <North America>.

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.

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.

Buzzsaw arrives from Mountain Roads.

Ruse arrives from Mountain Roads.

Soundwave comes to a landing in the valley just out of sight of the Autobot base, and stands silently for a moment, listening intently.

Buzzsaw lands on a tree by Soundwave's shoulder, keeping below the viewlevel of the Ark.

Soundwave seems to find no immediate threat in the area, but his keen audial senses detect something up ahead. Without a word he motions Buzzsaw and Ruse to follow.

You enter Base of Mt. St. Hilary.

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.

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 arrives from Pacific Northwest <North America>.

Buzzsaw arrives from Pacific Northwest <North America>.

Buzzsaw glides slowly behind Sounders, optics flashing here and there.

Ruse like a shadow hovers behind Soundwave silently... landing finally with just a very faint crunch, that only the most keen of adios could detect.

Soundwave opens his tape compartment, signaling to Buzzsaw that he's to come inside - and then after the barest moment of hesitation, nods to Ruse as well.

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

Ruse frowns a second then jumps into the air and transforms right after Buzzsaw.

With the sound of metal shifting Ruse shifts, folding in on herself as plates along her arms and back extend to some extent while she shrinks. The transformation takes only a few seconds and afterwards all this is left of Ruse is a small cassette.

Ruse has left.

Soundwave remains in the shadow of one of the bare boulders near the mountain base. Those inside him can now hear what he hears, the faint murmur of a voice, the tiny voice of one of the strange, organic inhabitants of this world.

Up on one of the rocks near the entrance to the 'Bot ship, one of the organic creatures is sitting writing something in a book. One can hear him muttering the words to himself as he scribbles, though his voice fades in and out, not really meant to be heard by anyone in the vicinity.

Spike murmurs, "...Optimus Prime ... fellow robots ... the past or the future, ... but...."

Ruse faintly listens and watches if that is available as well. She asks Soundwave, "Isn't that one of the humans we saw on the oil platform?"

Buzzsaw stirs beside Ruse and sends a signal of affirmation.

Those looking out at the world through Soundwave's senses hear the soft sound of the book being snapped shut, and then the almost imperceptible scuffle of boots on bare rock as the human stands and makes a leap for it. Soundwave quickly folds himself down into his small tape recorder mode. Soundwave transforms into his Tape Recorder mode. Ruse idly senses Soundwave transform and waits...not able to do much more then that. Spike jumps down from his perch and begins to sprint toward the Autobot base, but stops short as he sees a small tape recorder lying there. "Hey," he muses, "I wonder who left this here?" He reaches down and picks up the device, tapes and all, and heads into the base.

You enter Entrance Bay.

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.

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.
<O> Out leads to Base of Mt. St. Hilary.

Spike sets Soundwave on a shelf near the main computer console, and continues on across the spacious entrance bay, disappearing into another section of the ship.

Buzzsaw sends a signal to Ruse to keep quiet.

Ruse sends a signal to Buzzsaw, that she is.

As soon as the room is clear, Soundwave opens his tape compartment, still remaining in his transformed mode. "Ruse, Buzzsaw, eject," he directs them. "Enter Teletran-One. Acquire knowledge of Earth's resources and Autobot activity."

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Ruse has arrived.

Buzzsaw sails out of Soundwave's compartment, heading directly for the tape-slot in the computer console, not bothering to transform.

One can hear faintly in the adjoining room, Spike chatting with some of the Autobots. The voices of Trailbreaker, Hound, and Mirage can be detected answering questions. "Why do you transform into cars and stuff?" Spike's asking, to which Trailbreaker replies, "Simple - disguise."

Ruse does as well, somewhat awkwardly not used to maneuvering in this form. She patches in though and begins to download all available data on Autobot activity while sending a signal to Buzzsaw to go for Earth's resources. Buzzsaw does so, replying sharply that he knows what to do. On the screen in his console flicks images of such things like dams, power plants, windmills, coal mines...the list goes on... Hound's voice carries from the other room, "Watch this, Spike! Here's a holographic driver!" Then Mirage's voice: "Watch *this* trick." Spike replies, "Disappearing - that's the best disguise of all!" Obviously the 'Bots are trying to impress this little Earth pest.

The voices in the adjoining room begin to fade out as though their owners are withdrawing further into the base. Soundwave remains silent and motionless in his tape recorder form, but he picks up a faint sound - a sound that probably doesn't reach the tapes within Teletran one. The sound of very light footsteps.

Ruse doesn't bother with the screen and merely gathers all the information about recent activities that she can. o O(Establishing contact with humans, scouting activities, etc. Busy little scrapheaps.)

Buzzsaw is really getting into what he's absorbing from the computer ... incredible, these resources are enough to keep Cybertron in the red for eons!.

Spike wanders back into view, at first oblivious to any problem with the computer - but then he catches sight of the rapidly shifting pictures on the screen. "What's going on here?" he demands.

Soundwave transforms into his Robot mode.

Soundwave transforms and leaps down from the shelf, swatting at Spike to silence the odd creature, which somehow eludes him.

Spike makes a dart for the nearest wall, jumps up, and hits a switch which sends an alarm signal blaring.

Soundwave realizes he can't risk the others here, and commands, "Buzzsaw, Ruse, eject!"

Ruse is as well, and begins to dig back as to what activated the Autobots from stasis ... but the human interrupts. She quickly disconnects, and ejects!

With the sound of metal shifting the black and gold datacartridge folds out into Ruse, her weapons appearing from subspace.

Soundwave hears the sound of onrushing 'Bots and makes a run for the exit, calling to the others, "Buzzsaw, Ruse!"

You enter Base of Mt. St. Hilary.

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.

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 arrives from Entrance Bay.

Buzzsaw arrives from Entrance Bay.

Buzzsaw finally snaps out of his trance and starts to disconnect as rapidly as he can, sending a mental signal to Soundwave that he was following. Finally, he ejects and follows the other two ASAP.

Close behind the Decepticons, a squad of Autobots comes rushing out after them, weapons drawn and firing.

Soundwave leads the way toward shelter, while Bumblebee and Huffer take a flying leap and pounce on Buzzsaw, trying to tackle him to the ground.

Ruse follows, running as quickly as she can. She idly begins to weave from side to side as the Autobots fire.

Buzzsaw skrawks in alarm and dodges, Bumblebee's grasp slipping on his wing, but the Bot's hands disrupt his flying, and he looses ground, then banks sharply into a dark cave in the mountainside

The two small 'Bots lose their grip as Prime himself comes rushing out after his troops, his big gun drawn. "Cliffjumper, use your infrared!" he commands, and the small red Autobot starts sweeping the mountainside with a beam. A glint of metal wings jumps into view under the light. Jazz steps up and fires off a net toward Buzzsaw.

Soundwave disappears behind the nearby cliff face, only now realizing that Buzzsaw isn't right behind them. He stops and turns sharply, drawing his weapon in one smooth motion. "Ruse, behind me," he says to her as he listens intently to assess the situation.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) You sense a mental probe meant simply to get a reading on your situation - searching for injuries and such, and trying to pinpoint your position.'.

Ruse looks back as she runs, and a stray laserbolt clips her in the arm causing her to cry out but keeps going... She covers the wound with one hand while fighting back a whimper of pain as she takes cover behind Soundwave and the cliff. o O(This wasn't supposed to happen!)

The Autobots seem intent on Buzzsaw now, apparently certain the other two have run off, rather than being just over the next cliffside. One can near the commotion at the mouth of the base.

Buzzsaw hangs from the roof of the cave, batlike for an instant before he discovers he's been seen! The bird drops, then scrawks again indignantly as the net entangles him. Infuriated, he flashes right back and forth, trying to get out.

Buzzsaw pages: (tel) You can see, through my eyes, that I'm in the mouth of the cave, the picture moving constantly and dizzyingly. There's a slight burning in one wing, and a few dents.

Soundwave seems frozen in place, apparently calculating the options. "Ruse," he says very quietly, "remain still. If we take on this number of Autobots now, Buzzsaw would be in greater danger. He is relatively unharmed at the moment."

Jazz and Prowl leap forward and grab the net, while Ironhide conveniently shows up with an iron-barred cage. "This'll hold that tin-foil turkey!" he proclaims proudly.

Soundwave's optic band flashes brilliant for a moment in anger.

Ruse listens and scowls, letting go of her damaged arm and gripping her plasmarifle with the good arm. She whispers back angrily in a hissed tone from both frustration and pain, "Soundwave, we CAN'T let them get away with this!"

Buzzsaw finally lies still, his diamond-beak snapping at Jazz's and Prowl's fingers when they try to get near. The bird also hisses at Ironhide.

Soundwave assures Ruse, "We will not," but otherwise remains still motionless, like an indigo statue with a drawn weapon, all his external and internal senses tuned toward the scene just out of sight.

The combined efforts of Jazz, Prowl, and Ironhide finally manage to wrestle Buzzsaw out of the net and into the cage, though Jazz yelps as he's not quite quick enough and the beak cuts into his hand, spilling a trickle of black fuel.

Jazz makes a motion as though to go for his weapon, but Optimus Prime steps in and cuts that short. "No, Jazz. The others have retreated like the cowards they are. We might be able to find some use for this one. Leave him where he is for now."

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) Are you in immediate danger?'.

Buzzsaw flops into the cage and shakes his head, trying to regain some dignity. He flips his wings and climbs to his claws, glaring lasers at Jazz, then his optics flash as he catches sight of Hound.

Ruse falls silent, but a look of rage is carved on her face at the moment. Her eyes shimmer brightly as she listens, and smiles a bit as Jazz yelps. Wait.. JAZZ? She almost starts to bolt forward and begin firing but manages to not to, some small iota of discipline, respect, or concern for Buzzsaw's safety keeps her from plowing forward and attempting to remove his head.

Buzzsaw pages: (tel) Negative...They are leaving me here, on Optimus' command.

Soundwave reaches down and places a hand on her shoulder at the movement. Beyond the cliffside, the commotion gradually settles as the various Autobots withdraw back into their base, leaving only a token guard presence in Hound and Mirage.

Soundwave notes quietly to Ruse, "They wish to 'find a use for him,' we can make use of this situation as well. Remain under control, Ruse. I am in constant telepathic contact with Buzzsaw. If they attempt to harm him, we will step in. Otherwise, we may learn something of interest before we retrieve Buzzsaw."

Hound is dangling the key to the cage tauntingly before Buzzsaw, smirking.

Buzzsaw glares at Hound, snapping his diamond beak in the Bot's direction. His deactivated mortar cannons buzz negatively.

Hound laughs. "I don't think he likes being a prisoner, Mirage."

Mirage replies, "Can't say I blame him. I'm surprised the other Decepticons just ran off and left him."

Hound says, "I'm not. They don't care about anyone, not even their own."

Ruse slowly calms and nods simply to Soundwave. The look of rage doesn't leave her face, though, and a bit of mech fluid drips from the laser wound.

Buzzsaw makes a growling sound, optics flaring bright red.

Soundwave kneels down and silently turns Ruse toward him, his attention still on the sounds from up ahead, but he extends a small welding tool from the tip of one finger to temporarily patch the wound. "We may see action yet, but so far they are merely taunting him."

Hound decides to tease further, projecting a life- sized and very real looking image of Megatron. "Hey Buzzsaw, here's your friend Megatron to keep you company!"

Buzzsaw glares at Hound, then looks at Megatron-holo and turns his beak up and turns away from Hound and Mirage, mentally plotting their untimely demises.

Ruse winces a bit as the welding tool seals the wound. She doesn't care if anyone claims she's not tough because she flinches over minor things, she will kick them in the kneecaps if they do. She listens and whispers to Soundwave, "I am so tempted to have that hologram turn and 'fire' at them... just to watch them scatter in fear."

You say, "All at the appropriate moment."

Soundwave seems as composed as ever to a casual observer, but there's a tension about him that only an astute individual would notice.

The Megatron hologram disappears as Hound lets it fade out and the two Autobots laugh. Mirage jokes, "When we get home, will you make me a big house with a four-car garage? Holograms look so real, no one will know the difference!"

Buzzsaw sulks, glaring from underneath one wing at the two Autobot guards, optics glittering brightly still.

Hound says, "You know, you just gave me a great idea. Come on." Turning his back on Buzzsaw as though he were of no significance, he heads quickly into the base, Mirage tagging along as his curiosity is aroused now.

Ruse nods and after the wound is patched idly tests her arm and its motor controls to make sure it's still fully functioning. It seems a bit less stable and slightly more shaky then normal but still functioning. She quirks an eyeridge as the Autobots speak aloud of holograms, o O(I would love to challenge that beat old scrapheap to a duel of holographic illusions. I would have him torn apart bit by bit before he knew what happened for putting Buzzsaw in a cage like an animal!)

Soundwave points to the edge of the cliffside. "Creep forward carefully and see if they have left guards. I detect no activity. Take no action, merely observe."

Buzzsaw watches the two leave, then straightens and looks around. He hops up to the iron bars and regards them. Checking to make sure he was unobserved, the bird tilts his head sideways and tries to bite through one with his diamond-edged beak /how humiliating!/

Ruse nods and silently moves to the cliffside edge and peers out from behind it. She carefully shakes her head in a 'no' gesture to Soundwave. She then winks, looking towards Buzzsaw, hoping he notices her and will calm a bit and stop attempting to escape JUST yet with that diamond edged beak.

Hound and Mirage emerge again from the Ark entrance, clearly visible to Ruse from where she's observing. Fortunately they don't look in her direction right away. They look very smug and pleased with themselves, with Hound twirling that key to the cage as they move back to their guard post.

Buzzsaw immediately jerks his beak back from the bars and glares at Hound again, optics flashing brightly. He flips his wings as though he hadn't just been chewing ineffectually on the bars.

Ruse quickly ducks fully behind the cliff again and whispers to Soundwave, "Never mind." She idly wonders what that plan they spoke of was...

Hound continues twirling the key and comments to Mirage, "Good thing we went in when we did, Prime had some great news. Teletran-One located that secret supply of rocket fuel."

Mirage agrees, "Yeah, and it's not even far from here. About 140 kilometers due east. This means we can go home to Cybertron!"

Hound says, "There's enough fuel at that base to make *four* trips to Cybertron! Come on, let's go tell the others."

Soundwave tilts his head a bit, listening intently.

Buzzsaw turns away, pretending to sulk some more as he listens very attentively to this conversation. Stupid bots, don't they know anything about keeping prisoners? Obviously not.

Mirage says, "What about Buzzsaw?"

Hound says, "Don't worry about him, he's not going anywhere." He twirls the key one last time and slips it casually onto a corner of his armor. He doesn't notice that a movement of his arm dislodges the key as the two Autobots walk away, leaving the key on the ground relatively close to the cage.

Soundwave hears the faint sound of the metal hitting rock, listens as the footsteps of the Autobots retreat. He stands and carefully peers around the side of the cliff.

Ruse blinks, o O(I didn't get any sort of information like that out of Teletran... that the bots had been looking for a secret rocket base. I must not have dug deep enough.) She slowly shifts a bit soundlessly and waits.

Buzzsaw watches the two bots leave, then peers at the key ... could be a trap, but it didn't LOOK like it. He hop-hops forwards to the key and stretches his neck out towards the key, trying to hook it with his beak.

Soundwave scans the area carefully, holding his plasma gun at readiness. The entrance of the Autobot base seems deserted, the only movement coming from Buzzsaw in the confines of his cage.

You say, "Ruse. Help Buzzsaw with the key, quickly. I will stand guard and shoot any Autobot that approaches."

Ruse nods and cloaks herself in a mild holographic haze as she quickly rushes from behind the cliff... for the key of course.

Buzzsaw snarls in frustration, his wing-shoulders pressing against the bars...he doesn't notice cloak- Ruse's approach.

Ruse isn't exactly cloaked... more like hazed/faded but there. Oh to be able to vanish. She quickly grabs the key after reaching the cage and unlocks it while whispering, "Come on Buzzsaw, let's get out of here!"

Several Autobots choose that exact moment to emerge from the entrance of the base. Momentarily startled by the sight of the opening cage, they react quickly and reach for their weapons.

Buzzsaw pulls his head from between the cage bars and lifts off, going a little slow as his damaged wing slows him down. /Yes, let's run!/ he motions to Ruse.

Ruse erks and drops the haze hologram and puts all her energies into the classic Decepticon retreat maneuver... huffing it back for the cliff, "I -hate- running away!" She idly summons a discbomb from subspace, sets a short timer on it... and throws it behind her towards the group with only a short pause in running. o O(Hopefully this will distract them!)

The Autobots rush forward, firing, even as Soundwave unleashes a burst of plasma fire from his own rifle to help cover the retreat.

Buzzsaw scrawks as some firepower hisses by him, and he lifts up and away from Ruse, making two smaller targets rather then one larger one. He doesn't go TOO far away though, his damaged wing keeping him low to the ground as he makes wings for Soundwave.

Ruse winces, as yet another laser bolt strikes her, this time in the back as she races for Soundwave as well. Even as she's hit though the frisbeed bomb thrown behind her lands near the bots' feet and explodes, throwing up a cloud of dust and rock as well as throwing a charging Cliffjumper backwards into the Autobot group!

Soundwave keeps up a steady barrage of plasma fire and rushes forward to meet the tapes halfway, opening his tape compartment so they can quickly slip inside.

Buzzsaw folds his wings and dives for Sounders' chest, transforming halfway to enter his creator neatly.

Buzzsaw has left.

Ruse as she approaches Soundwave doesn't even falter as she leaps and transforms for the safety of his cassette compartment!

With the sound of metal shifting Ruse shifts, folding in on herself as plates along her arms and back extend to some extent while she shrinks. The transformation takes only a few seconds and afterwards all this is left of Ruse is a small cassette.

Soundwave ducks under the onslaught of Autobot fire during the moment they're distracted by the bomb, and leaps upward into the sky.

You enter Pacific Northwest <North America>.

You enter Mountain Roads.

You enter Southwestern Desert <North America>.

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.

Soundwave lands just inside the entrance to the base, and opens his tape compartment for the two smaller Decepticons to emerge.

Buzzsaw leaves first, transforming and carefully landing on a table again.

Buzzsaw transforms into his Condor mode.

Ruse after a moment ejects, seems rather comfortable where she was. She transforms and lands though with a small scowl, rubbing her back and the scorchmarked armor panel. No, it hit her armored section thankfully so Soundwave won't have another wound to patch.

With the sound of metal shifting the black and gold datacartridge folds out into Ruse, her weapons appearing from subspace.

Soundwave regards the two tapes calmly. Whatever subtle tension had been observable in him earlier, is completely gone now. "A real-world mission," he notes to Ruse in his harmonic voice.

Buzzsaw swivels his head and nods in Ruse's direction, stretching his wings carefully.

Ruse rubs away the scorch mark on her back, then gently rubs the welded spot on her arm, "I get the point... painfully." She looks to Buzzsaw asking with a note of concern, "You ok Buzzsaw? Those scrapheaps didn't damage you bad with that energy net, did they?"

Soundwave reaches one hand and rests it lightly for a moment on Buzzsaw's wing, noting the damage is superficial and will take care of itself, but resting his hand a moment longer as though to reassure his creation in the aftermath of the mission.

Buzzsaw looks at Ruse and makes a RRrrr sound at mention of the net, then shakes his head /The damage will self-repair/ he assures her.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) You feel the momentary brush of Soundwave's mind against yours, some dark memory in the undertow of the thoughts that's gone almost so quickly you wonder if it was there to begin with ... a sense of someone lost long ago, then peace and calm again.'.

Starscream lands lightly near the construction site, giving the whole area a critical glance. After a moment he takes a step towards the ring, only to pause and look at his feet distastefully. He lifts one, noting the dust and sand that has worked its way into the slightest crevice, and grimaces.

Soundwave moves back toward the half-finished construction of the engines, picking up his datapad and scanner along the way.

Buzzsaw glances up at Sounders for a moment, then flips his wings and nods at Starscream as he walks in.

Soundwave's gaze flickers toward Starscream as the Air Commander arrives. He gives a nod of greeting, and then gets back to his work.

There's a stack of glowing, multicolored energon cubes in one corner of the base that wasn't there before.

Ruse nods to Buzzsaw, "Good... you where very brave out there by the way." She looks towards the spaceship then towards Starscream with a smile as she notices him, "Greetings Starscream."

Buzzsaw lifts his head at Ruse's compliment, as if to say /As always/. Then he peers at her /You did well/

Starscream walks over, each step making his grimace all the more pronounced. "If we weren't so low on energy, I'd never touch the ground of this place." He shakes one foot, as though to emphasize his point, and asks, "How is the construction going? When can we leave?"

You say, "Construction proceeds on schedule. We require more fuel. Megatron is leading a reconnaissance mission currently."

Soundwave does not mention the results of the mission he and the tapes just came back from, however.

He doesn't have to, because Starscream waves at the energon cubes and asks, "Where did that come from? Looks like someone's been doing some real work."

Soundwave replies inflectionally, "A project of Ruse's."

Buzzsaw stretches his wings carefully, then flips upwards and lands on a small escarpment above the heads of the others, still feeling embarrassed about the cage and he needs to sulk for a bit.

Ruse smiles and nods to Buzzsaw as if in understanding and thanking him... she then looks to Starscream and shifts a bit as Soundwave speaks up. o O(Well he won't care, but Megatron just may. I hope he's not going to get mad.)

Starscream glances at the diminutive Decepticon, "Yours?" A second glance turns into a longer look as he assesses apparent damage, "What happened?"

Soundwave makes an adjustment to what exists of the engine, and listens quietly, perhaps curious to see how Ruse will respond now.

Buzzsaw sulks, but pays attention anyways without appearing to.

Ruse smiles, "Yes, mine... did you expect otherwise?" She shrugs at the damage, answering, "A lesson learned the hard way. Nothing really to concern yourself with, Starscream."

Starscream shakes his head, crossing his arms as he turns towards the tape, "To answer your commentary in order, Yes I did expect otherwise, We don't have the resources for your schooling, and it is very much my concern if we lose not one, but two operatives we can not afford to." At this point, he glances up at Buzzsaw, possibly indicating the damage to the condor as well, "So, are you going to be more voluntarily forthcoming, or do I have to stand on formality even now, and order a full report?"

Soundwave speaks up from his work station, "They were in my company, Starscream. Autobot activity must be monitored."

Starscream turns his head to briefly look at Soundwave, but holds his comments until Ruse has a chance to respond.

Buzzsaw glances down at Starscream momentarily, but as Soundwave speaks, the bird stuffs his head under his slightly-crumpled wing and goes back to sulking.

Ruse hms, "Like I said, nothing to really concern yourself with." She turns and glances to Buzzsaw and tries not to chuckle at the sight of him with his head ducked under one wing. However she can't help but find that slightly 'cute'... She hovers up slowly to him and tries to carefully pat him on the back, "Oh come on now, it's not like we all haven't made an error because of random factors. That's impossible to prevent, you know."

Starscream just shakes his head, turning fully to face Soundwave, "So much for respect for a superior officer among your tapes, Soundwave, I can see that they are oh so concerned about working together to get off this dirtball. Perhaps you would care to enlighten me on the details of this 'monitoring' mission? I am suddenly very curious."

Buzzsaw makes a hrmph sound at the pat, but does peek out from under the wing to regard Ruse a moment.

Soundwave pauses in his work, looking up for a moment at the tapes and then turns to Starscream. "The Autobots survive. It would be wise to remain aware of their activities. Ruse and Buzzsaw required the practice, and we are aware now of some of their capabilities."

Ruse smiles at Buzzsaw then blinks at Starscream's comment, and ponders replying but doesn't. She merely starts to softly rub Buzzsaw's back, attempting to cheer him up.

Starscream nods, commenting, "Not nearly so hard to say as your tape would have me believe. So, what happened? Obviously they didn't get that damage playing with hull plate welders."

Buzzsaw gets a little more miffed at hearing Soundwave saying he needed the practice, and sulks some more, trying to ignore Ruse ineffectually.

You say, "There was a somewhat narrow escape. Megatron will receive the full report."

Buzzsaw finds it's hard to sulk when you're getting a pleasant backrub.

Soundwave is of course aware of Buzzsaw's reaction, but makes no obvious response to it.

Ruse smiles and continues to rub along the condor's back, but comments to Starscream, "Why do you care, Starscream? We are doing our jobs, why are you wasting time questioning us when you should be refueling, then heading out to start doing yours."

Starscream throws his hands up, turning away, "Megatron this, Megatron that. I don't know why I bother to show concern, when it is obviously unappreciated. Very well, go throw yourself in front of Autobot guns if that's what makes you happy, maybe they'll run out of energy blasting your bodies into scrap and make it easier for the rest of us, because you all had to wait for Megatron."

Starscream glances up at Ruse, "When Megatron is not here, it -is- my job to inquire about the troops and their state of being, their recent missions, and why they have holes in them. It's part of being second in command. Pray you never have to know any more than that."

Soundwave watches Starscream expressionlessly for a long moment, keeping his thoughts to himself. Finally he says, "Ruse, do not be so disrespectful to the Air Commander."

Buzzsaw just keeps trying to work up a good sulk, but finally gives in to Ruse's affections and pulls his head out from under his wing, turning so she could reach him better.

Soundwave none the less does not disclose the details of the report. That *will* go to Megatron, who will distribute the details as he sees fit.

Ruse smiles and comments cryptically, "Oh I will... someday." She adds though as Soundwave requests she show respect, "Your concern is appreciated, though, Starscream, and I am sorry if I have upset you for being vague but... that's just my nature to be shifty." She then just continues to rub Buzzsaw's back, rather contentedly now that he has stopped sulking.

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