More Than Meets The Eye part 3:
Homeward Bound

Logged by: Chasm and Soundwave

Decepticon : Earth
Report: Autobot Activity	By: Ruse
List of Autobot activity as recorded by Teletran-1 since their reactivation: 1: Hound and Cliffjumper are sent on a scouting mission to find the Decepticons. Once found, Cliffjumper endangers the mission by making a failed attempt on Megatron's life. The two quickly flee but Hound is wounded by Laserbeak while escaping, but not finished off. Ratchet and Hoist are later sent to recover damaged Autobot after Cliffjumper reports in and explains what happend. 2: Prime learns of the Decepticons' plans for Earth from Cliffjumper and Hound along with the plans for a spacecruiser to return to Cybertron. He quickly gathers a team to stop Decepticons and leads them to the oil rig. The attempt is unsuccessful, but by saving the humans' lives, the Autobots gain two small allies - Spike and Sparkplug, who know much about the planet Earth and provide a great deal of information to the Autobots. (To be listed at the end of the report.) Currently the Autobots have a decent amount of energy left and have made no attempts to take any from the humans, though Prime has begun talking with Earth leaders, hoping to barter for the fuel they will need to return home. -- General knowledge provided about the planet as a whole. -- Earth, is 1/4 a chemical substance consisting of H2O with little land. It's this 'water' that provides life for all living things on the planet along with their star called the sun.

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.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
Desert Base

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.

From Desert Base, Ruse crosses her arms and sighs muttering, "... Soundwave was right." She speaks up asking while hopping down from the crate, "What are they then?"

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "You will stay here at the base for the next several days. No further explorations for you, young lady!""

From Desert Base, Megatron turns around and walks over to the computer. Staring at the screen, he hacks several commands into the machine.

From Desert Base, Ruse blinks, "What?!" She puts her hands on her hips and glares at Megatron. Finaly after several moments she calms and says simply, "... fine then." She dismisses it all too easly and looks about.

Reflector drops out the sky in a rather excited fashion. "Hey Buzzsaw!" the three robots intone. "Where's Megatron? We have urgent news from Soundwave!"

Buzzsaw perks up a little. Then guestures silently towards the base.

Reflector nods and then quickly marches in towards the base.

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.

Contents:
Ruse

From outside, Buzzsaw watches Ref leave, then shrugs and settles back down to watch the land around him.

Reflector steps forward, "Megatron, I've just received a report from Soundwave. He's said that there's a fairly rich source of energy nearby, at a place the flesh creatures call 'Sherman Dam'.' The trio of small robots seem rather excited, despite their normally passive nature.

Megatron's mood suddenly gets much better than it was after Ruse's confession.

Reflector turns slightly to one side, "Did we interrupt something?"

Megatron gestures that he doesn't want to talk about that with Reflector. "What kind of energy does it have?"

From outside, Divefire has arrived.

From outside, Buzzsaw is perched on the desert base, keeping watch.

Reflector hands Megatron a polaroid snapshot. The image shows a huge torrent of water pouring down a cliff. "We believe that the water activates these turbines, which in turn will generate electricity."

Reflector adds, "If we enter the control room for these turbines, we should be able to siphon energon from them. The small flesh creatures who harvest the energy for their own use should be easily dealt with. The actual power will increase the faster the water hits the turbines..."

From outside, Divefire comes walking into site in the distance, having emerged from an outcrop of rocks that he had been studying. With long strides he makes his way back towards the desert base.

Megatron grins, contented. "Good work, Reflector." More quietly he adds: "And good work, Soundwave."

Reflector finishes, "We believe the humans term this source of power, 'hydroelectricity'."

Ruse just sits back and waits, her optics shimmering. However other then that her expression is oddly emotionless... She speaks up, "Buzzsaw, lord Megatron has a report for you by the way on Earth's resorces gathered from Teletran1, and my report is already entered into the computer for review anytime you wish."

The small trio of robots that form Reflector pace about in a tight group. "Megatron, shall we raid the 'Sherman Dam' then?"

From outside, Buzzsaw is perched on the desert base, keeping watch.

From outside, Rumble comes out of the base to see what's going on.

Starscream folds his arms, "Gah! A 'dam'? What stupid things these fleshcreatures come up with. Mighty Megatron, the best thing to do would be to collect more of these 'oil rigs' - this dam doesn't generate that much power! Certainly not enough to recreate our shuttle and return to Cybertron!"

From outside, Rumble mutters, "Is Cybertron even still on line? We never got an answer from them."

From outside, Divefire is just mulling around outside the base, seemingly he's studying the rocks and ground with some interest.

Reflector looks at Starscream rather sourly, "Soundwave said that this data was procured at 'great risk.'"

From outside, Buzzsaw peers down at his hummanoid brother and Divefire. Then he lifts off and swoops down, scrawking a greeting to the pair.

From outside, Rumble walks over to Divefire. "Whatcha looking at? You were stuck in those rocks long enough."

Megatron says, "Your knowledge is only overshadowed by your stupidity, Starscream. We are going to create a tidal wave! One that will send enough power surging through that dam to make all the energon we need!"

Megatron says, "We attack the dam at sunrise!"

Starscream mutters something beneath his breath.

From outside, Divefire looks up at Rumble and Buzzsaw from his kneeling postion on the ground. "Basicly Rumble I was trying to work out the composition of rocks and ground around here. I may have been stuck in them long enough, but the more you find out about a prison.."

Reflector nods, "Thank you, Megatron."

Ruse glances to Starscream with a warning, this isn't the best time to start something with Megatron, look. She hmmms, o O(Sunrise.) She glances to Starscream and eyes him carefuly before smiling a little to herself. o O(Sure Ruse will stay home.)

From outside, Buzzsaw listens, then nods at Divefire, understanding. His optics flare a moment at the memory of something.

Starscream heads outside, "I'll get those troops in order, Megatron. Without me there to get them working, they'll be all over the place."

From outside, Rumble says, "Yeah, weird isn't it, Divefire? It's sure not like Cybertron."

You leave the Desert Base.

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.

Divefire [Robot]
Buzzsaw [Condor]
Rumble [Robot]
Desert Base

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.

Starscream strides outside, "Well troops, you better listen! We're going to attack a place called 'Sherman Dam' for power and you'd better do /exactly/ as I say..."

Rumble turns his attention to Starscream.

From Desert Base, Megatron grins, listening to Starscream.

Divefire stands, taking a moment to wheel around and look at what makes their suroundings. With the slightest hint of a smile he just nods to Rumble, "Completly alien, completly.." As Starcream comes out he turns to look at him, folding his arms across his chest and listening.

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "Divefire, to me!""

Buzzsaw looks up at Starscream from his perch on a nearby rock. He flips his wings to indicate he was listening.

Divefire hears Megatron's call and straightens slightly, several rather unplesent thoughts flicker through his mind, but he puts them to one side and walks past Starscream and into the base.

Starscream scowls, "Well Skywarp - stand up straight! And don't think I don't know who it was who switched my oil with gunk!" He points an arm accusingly at Skywarp - and the said limb squeaks rather loudly.

Divefire enters the Desert Base.

From Desert Base, Divefire walks in looking some what nervous, but tring to hide it as best he can. "You wanted to see me Megatron?"

Starscream glowers, "Hey, where did Skywarp go? He was here a few seconds ago... Gah! Buzzsaw! Use your sensors to tell me where that teleporting turbo-toad is now!"

From Desert Base, Megatron nods. "Yes." He gestures towards the computer where several astronomical maps appear.

From Desert Base, Ruse blinks listening to what's going on outside and can't help but giggle. She shakes her head and comments offhand to anyone who's listening inside the base, "Yes, with his motivating voice and charming skillful way he handles himself infront of the troops, I can safely say Starscream is the best second in command to grace the decepticon ranks."

Buzzsaw looks up at Starscream and shrugs /Why not?/. He lifts into the air and does a quick scan of the immediate area.

From Desert Base, Divefire keeps his comments about Starscream well and truly to himself and just walks over to the astronimcal charts. "Interesting... But this has what to do with me?"

Buzzsaw can see Skywarp off to oneside, doing what seems to be laughing his head off behind a rock. He gives you a quick warning look, and tries to wave you on.

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "I want you to go back to Cybertron with a load of energon. We tried to figure out its probable position..."

Rumble crosses his arms and looks at Starscream, not saying anything.

Starscream paces up and down the ranks of troops, "Everyone, I want this mission to go smoothly! And without a hitch! Have you got that? Buzzsaw! Where's Skywarp? He must be here /somewhere!"

Buzzsaw pauses several times, optics flicking with interest once or twice. Then he floats back down to his rock and shrugs again, noncommitedly. He looks at Starscream and shakes his head.

Rumble gets a bit impatient. "Fine, Starscream. What are your orders?"

Buzzsaw pauses several times, optics flicking with interest once or twice. Then he floats back down to his rock and shrugs again, noncommitedly. He looks at Starscream and shakes his head netively, as if to say there was no sign of Skywarp.

From Desert Base, Divefire considers the starcharts, mussing to himself as he works over some internal calculatiions himself. Running his finger across the one of the maps, he taps it slightly against the screen and nods. "I see... Well I'd agree with this aproximation of where Cybertron must be, if it's there at all... Frankly it shouldn't be too hard to find, Cybertron has a highly unique signature amoung the cosmos."

From Desert Base, Megatron agrees. "However, this can be a one way trip to no-where."

Starscream gives Buzzsaw a quick nod and turns back to Rumble, "Well, we're going to attack Sherman Dam for power. Not that I'm sure /why/ as it doesn't seem to generate enough energy for our needs to rebuild the space cruiser and return to Cybertron. But let's just wait for our mighty leader to get back and impart his strategy to us...." He stares around impatiently.

From Desert Base, Divefire gives a slight pause at that, turning to look at Megatron. "I see... How much energon will I be carrying?"

Rumble grins mischeviously. "A dam, eh? Sounds like fun...to go "shake the place up!"

Buzzsaw flips his wings and makes a mental note to remind Skywarp that the large seeker owed the tape-bird. He perches on the rock to wait.

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "As much as you can carry. Shockwave will need all the energy he can get to get in contact with us."

Starscream rubs his hands together with anticipation. "You and me both, Rumble..."

From Desert Base, Divefire takes another long hard look at the starcharts, examining them closly as he considers his options... really, he only has one... "Alright, when do I leave?"

Starscream bellows into the Desert Base, "Megatron! Dawn is soon!"

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "Get yourself ready and take of immidiately, Divefire."

From Desert Base, Divefire nods, collecting himself. "As you command, Megatron."

From Desert Base, Ruse just sits quietly, oddly... still and calm. Oh yes, she's plotting something indeed. However for now she keeps busy by checking her rifle, making sure nothing was damaged from the last time it overheated or isn't starting to break down.

From Desert Base, Megatron says, "And don't dare to fail."

Megatron emerges from the Desert Base.

Buzzsaw watches Starscream bellow with apparent disinterest, instead sharpening his beak on the rock he perched on.

Starscream folds his arms, "Well, it's about time! Megatron, dawn is upon us! It will be time to attack the dam!"

From Desert Base, Divefire pauses and shakes his head, turning the the starchars and downloading them to his data files. He has to lean against the computers to stop himself shaking somewhat at the confrontation with Megatron...

Megatron looks over his troops. With a invisible grin, he ignores Starscream's comments.

Rumble grins at Megatron, eager for the fun to start.

Megatron says, "Decepticons, to the air! To the Sherman dam!"

Megatron takes off.

Buzzsaw lifts off immediately, circling up to fly above the others.

Rumble is right behind Megaron.

Megatron has left.

Starscream rises up in the air behind Megatron, "Seekers! To meeee!"

Rumble enters River <<NW> Northwest>.
Rumble has left.

Buzzsaw enters River <<NW> Northwest>.
Buzzsaw has left.

You enter River.

River

          The free-flowing power of the river has been greatly reined in by the gleaming monstrosity of the human construction upstream. But none the less this huge river sweeps away from Sherman Dam in a boiling torrent of water. Rocks poke above the rapids, like jagged fangs through the whitewashed foam. The cleared brush to either side of the river is making a stab at growing back: small shoots erupt upwards through the scorched stone, and many stumps are generating small leaves and stems. The torrent rushes through the valley it carved here long ago, the white water foaming against the banks.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
Rumble [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<S> South leads to Southwestern Desert <North America>.
<U> Upstream leads to Sherman Dam.

Megatron enters Sherman Dam <<U> Upstream>.
Megatron has left.

Rumble enters Sherman Dam <<U> Upstream>.
Rumble has left.

Buzzsaw enters Sherman Dam <<U> Upstream>.
Buzzsaw has left.

You enter Sherman Dam.

Sherman Dam

          The thick, steeply concave wall of this concrete dam blocks the entire width of a mountain valley, curbing the free-flowing rush of water. The huge reinforced structure looks tough and unbreakable, even though cracks mar its surface on close inspection. As chance would have it, the wall is just thick enough for two Transformers to fight in single combat.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
Rumble [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<W> West leads to Sherman Dam Control Center.
<U> Upstream leads to Lake.
<D> Downstream leads to River.

Starscream hovers in the air, "What is your plan, mighty Megatron?"

Megatron gestures at the lake. "Rumble activate your piledrivers. You will create a tidal wave."

Rumble nods and turns his arms into piledrivers. He lands at the side of the dam, waiting for the signal before he begins.

Buzzsaw circles around the dam, keeping watch high above for any sign of the Autobots.

Starscream objects vehemently, "Megatron --- wait! If you create a tidal wave, it might be too much for this puny flesh-creature creation to handle!"

Starscream offers, "Let's just collect energon at its current capacity - this planet is /rich/ in resources."

Rumble walks into the lake, along the shore bottom, looking for the right place to strike.

Megatron says, "Starscream, you are a fool. We don't have time to gather energy at normal rate."

Rumble starts his piledrivers, hammering away at the bottom of the lakebed, sending tremors though the water that increase in intensity...

Starscream bristles at being called a 'fool'. "I'm just advocating caution, Megatron. Your tidal wave could destroy our potential source of power!"

Buzzsaw circles overhead, watching the others before landing on a rock-peak overlooking the power plant, glaring about at any humans who catches his optics.

The lake above the dam starts to fill with waves. Suddenly, huge amounts of water start overflowing the dam! The shouts of the humans suggest that some panic is going on.

Rumble wishes he could see the chaos he was causing, but oh well ... he takes out his frustrations on the lakebed, hammering even harder!

Megatron says, "It's working! Excellent! Decepticons to the powerplant!"

Starscream follows behind Megatron.

Megatron enters Sherman Dam Control Center <<W> West>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Sherman Dam Control Center.

Sherman Dam Control Center

          The control center for Sherman Dam is a humming hive of activity. Technicians pace back and forth, squinting at dials, gauges and instruments. These controls allow the opening and shutting of floodgates. The huge energy-generating turbines can be visited on the lower levels, and great windows oversee the dam itself.

Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<E> East leads to Sherman Dam.

Buzzsaw arrives from Sherman Dam.

Starscream fires at the wall, trying to destroy it so that he can walk through.

Rumble arrives from Sherman Dam.

Megatron smashes down the wall, shooting into the ceiling for a warning.

Rumble dusts off his hands. "I think I've got a chain reaction going there."

Megatron says, "I am Megatron, leader of the Decepticons! You will do exactly what I say."

Humans panic and start to run everywhere, "Monsters!" they cry, running around and hiding behind equipment. A few humans refuse to leave their posts and fiddle frantically with gauges and dials. "I can't understand this!" A human cries, "The pressure's rising!"

Buzzsaw soars in above the others, scrawking before landing on an overhead rafter.

Starscream walks over in front of the turbines, studying them. "Megatron, I don't think the capacitors here can handle the water pressure Rumble's shockwave has sent up!"

A human furiously digs at a lever, "Damn it! The floodgates are stuck!"

Rumble blinks. "Uhoh. Maybe I shoulda gone a little easier on the tremors..."

Megatron can see that the guages and dials are inching towards red -- towards maximum energy producing output!

Megatron, without getting nervous in any way, waits for the right moment. "Starscream, prepare the Null-Ray."

Buzzsaw swoops down and lands on the floodgate-control console, glaring balefully at the operator from 2 mm from his head. The diamond beak glitters.

Megatron says, "Perfect! The electrical power is at its peak. Exactly where I want it. Starscream, activate the Null-Ray!"

Starscream fires his null-ray off at the turbines. As they slow down, energy crackles from them!

The human cowers away from Buzzsaw's beak, "Uh, nice birdy... Uh..."

Starscream hefts up an empty energon cube and cautiously fills up one from the turbine, "Megatron!" he announces excitedly. "It's working! It's working!"

Megatron to the other Decepticons. "Prepare the cubes!" Buzzsaw just sits there, watching the human. One claw rests on the floodgate-lever, ensuring that it remains where it was before the cons arrived. He casually stretches his wings and opens and closes his beak. Starscream starts to organise an assembly line where the Decepticon troops haul their empty cubes out of subspace and fill them up at the turbines. Rumble, satisfied his tremors have done the job, hefts a cube and fills it up. Soundwave has arrived.

The human that Buzzsaw is currently 'playing with' backs away and starts to scurry to one side. "Just stay away from meee!"

A large human rounds on Megatron, "You have to stop this now! The dam, she canna take much more of this!"

Megatron ignores the unimportant flesh crature. "Quickly! Quickly."

Buzzsaw does stay away, instead just watching and acting all casual and moving around ... not even threatening the human.

Soundwave keeps putting out the glowing containment fields that are to be filled with energy, though he keeps a surreptitious optic on the gauges.

Starscream grabs his empty stack of cubes and soon fills them up, creating a small pile near Soundwave.

Rumble sidles up to Soundwave. "Did I overdo it with the earthquakes?"

Soundwave says, "Negative, Rumble. The energy flow is at peak capacity. But we must be prepared to evacuate if necessary."

Suddenly, a shadow falls accross the hole in the side of the control centre, the hole where Megatron cracked his way in with his awesome firepower! Several shapes can be seen, blocking the sunlight. "It's time to end this chaos, Megatron!" a familiar voice reverberates through the chamer. "Autobots, engage! Stop those Decepticons!"

Rumble breathes an exhalation of relief and hoists another cube ... then stops dead in his tracks. "Aw NO!"

Megatron shoots the wall near Prime. "You are too, late Prime!"

Buzzsaw looks up as Optimus comes in, ignoring the human now. He lifts off the console, snapping at the human once before swooping upwards, into the high overhead rafters again, only his glittering optics visible.

A squad of Autobots comes charging through, gripping their rifles and lasers.
"Remember me, Buzzsaw!" Hound calls out cheerily. "You better leave that human alone!"

Prime straightens up, "I won't rest until I stop you, once and for all, Megatron!" he says, firing his rifle at Megatron's chest.

Megatron says to his troops, "Gather the energon cubes. Return to base!"

Rumble picks up a cube. "Remeber ME, Auto-butt?"

Prime grunts, "Oh, /no/ you don't, Megatron!" He lunges forward, to grab Megatron before he leaves!

Buzzsaw flares up as Hound shouts at him, then gets a nasty idea. He swoops back down towards the human, claws extended for a catch.

Hound snorts, "Who could forget an obnoxious pipsqueak like you, Rumble?"

Megatron avoids to be hit by the Autobot leader. "Try and stop me, Prime!"

Cliffjumper shoves Hound aside, "Stop yer jabbering and just start blasting!"

Megatron fies up and shoots at a bunch of Autobots.

Optimus Prime grimly slides forward, and lunges towards Megatron!

Rumble chucks the cube at Hound and misses!

Optimus Prime yells, "Don't let those Decepticons get away, Autobots!"

Megatron gets involved into a hand to hand fight with his arch enemy, Optimus Prime.

Buzzsaw snatches the human and lifts him up again, turning to face the Autobots again. He starts upwards towards the ceiling, human dangling from his claws as he scrawks loudly.

Megatron says, "Any last words?"

Starscream fires a 'helpful shot' at Optimus Prime, only to hit the wall just behind Megatron, making a huge gap in the side of the chamber!

Cliffjumper and Mirage rush at the Decepticons gathering up the cubes.

Optimus Prime grunts with effort as he tries to wrestle Megatron to the ground, precariously near the gap! "One way or another, Megatron --- this is going to be over!"

Megatron stumbles back. "You fool, Starscream! Help save the energon cubes, get them out of here!"

Rumble picks up another cube, debates whether or not to throw it, and then hears Megatron's order. He scoops up everything he can carry and tries to dodge the oncoming Autobots.

Hound raises his rifle as though to fire on Buzzsaw, but lowers it again with a scowl for fear of hitting the human dangling from the condor's claws.

The human screams in Buzzsaw's claws. "Gah! Helllp meeee! Someone help me!"

Cliffjumper leaps toward Rumble while Mirage tries to tackle Starscream.

Optimus forces Megatron closer and closer to the gap... the sounds of rushing water can be heard outside...

Suddenly, the ground cracks open beneath them! Megatron and Prime go tumbling outside!

Sherman Dam

          The thick, steeply concave wall of this concrete dam blocks the entire width of a mountain valley, curbing the free-flowing rush of water. The huge reinforced structure looks tough and unbreakable, even though cracks mar its surface on close inspection. As chance would have it, the wall is just thick enough for two Transformers to fight in single combat.

Obvious exits:
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Northwest <North America>.
<W> West leads to Sherman Dam Control Center.
<U> Upstream leads to Lake.
<D> Downstream leads to River.

Megatron arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

Soundwave arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

Rumble arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

Buzzsaw arrives from Sherman Dam Control Center.

The fall has knocked both combatants on the dam wall itself! The wall is cracking due to the immense water pressure. Prime gets up and carefully balances himself, looking at his old foe just near him."

Optimus Prime bellows, "Let's settle this once and for all, Megatron! Today, your reign of tyranny over Cybertron /and/ Earth will end!"

Buzzsaw hisses at Hound triumphantly, still hovering above the ground. He tightens his talons slightly on the human, drawing a little blood as he lifts up out of the hole in the roof, to outside. There, he rises even higher, going below the dam, optics always on Hound gleefully.

Megatron says, "You will NOT stop me, Prime."

Cliffjumper, Mirage, and Ironhide pour out of the opening blasted in the side of the building, firing shots strategically intented to hit the energon cubes which the Decepticons are carrying before they can take to the sky.

Prime shakes his head and summons a glowing energy axe from subspace. "Megatron, you're history. You're last year's model! You're an ancient rustbucket!"

Hound shouts at Buzzsaw, "The next time we get you into that cage, bird-brain, you're staying grounded for good!"

Rumble's cubes are hit by Cliffjumper's shot. Rumble tosses the armfull before the stricken cube explodes.

Buzzsaw glares at Hound, optics flashing. He's still holding the human as his mortar cannons draw a bead on Hound, and he snarls at the Autobot.

Rumble scrabbles to recover the cubes that survived the fall.

Megatron converts his hand into an spiked energy ball and chain.

Megatron attacks Prime.

Optimus Prime swings his axe at Megatron, "You can't handle this any more, Megatron!" He yells out, ducking beneath Megatron's morningstar and coming in for a swipe with his axe.

Hound prepares to dodge Buzzsaw's shot, still unwilling to fire on the bird as long as he's got that hostage.

Buzzsaw 's optics are ablaze with glee, shifting one talon in the humans' flesh. His cannons brighten, then fire a barrage of mortar at the Autobot.

Megatron gets hit by Prime, and falls down. "Almost, Prime! But almost doesn't get the job done! You'll never stop me!" He gets back onto his feet.

Hound manages to dodge the attack by diving behind a wall.

Soundwave hovers upward with an armful of energon cubes, firing down on the Autobots on the ground with his shoulder cannon.

Optimus Prime brings his axe in for another chop, "I don't think so, Megatron. One way or another, this is going to end soon."

Rumble lets loose a string of expletives, wanting to fire on the Autobots, but unwilling to lose the armful of cubes he's carrying.

Buzzsaw shifts direction to bring himself around to the other side of the wall, still holding onto the human as he follows Hound. (no firing this turn)

Optimus Primes shakes his head, "You're yesterday's model, Megatron! Ready for the scrapheap!"

Megatron says, "We'll see who's ready for the scrap heap."

Optimus Prime clangs into Megatron with his axe, trying to wrestle his ancient adversary over the side of the dam.

Hound comes up from behind the wall with what looks like a huge missile launcher balanced on his shoulder, aiming it upward at Buzzsaw.

Soundwave keeps rising upwards into the air to get as much out of range as possible of the Autobots on the ground, while still staying close enough to keep watch on the battle of the leaders. Rumble cheers, "Slaughter him Megatron!" Megatron manages to prevent himself from being hit by a counterattack from Prime. Megatron laughs. "When I'm through with you, Prime, there won't be enough pieces left to sweep up!" Optimus Prime finds himself slipping - Megatron's pressing attack is pushing him offbalance on the slippery dam wall!

As Megatron watches, he notices the dam wall is shivering and cracking - it's going to shatter any second now. Suddenly, the dam wall breaks! With a sudden cry, Prime is suddenly falling from the huge height of the dam. His energy axe glints brightly and then flickers out as the overpowering waters the dam pour over him.

Hound unleashes that giant missile toward Buzzsaw...

Water floods everywhere through the narrow valley, sweeping up Autobots and Decepticons alike...

The other Autobots who have been steadily firing toward the elusive Decepticons in the air, turn as one as the dam gives way with a rush of water.

Megatron hovers up in time. "Who is the scrap metal now, Prime?

Buzzsaw blinks, and attempts to dodge, human passenger still grasped. The missile explodes underneath one wing and he drops the human and spins out of control, lifting into the air. The human falls...

Megatron says, "You'll never stop me!!"

Optimus Prime is carried away by the huge flood.

Rumble flies up over the oncoming flood, his optics probing the water for the other Decepticons.

Starscream leaps up in the air, "Decepticons, let's get back to base!"

Soundwave rises higher, recalling Rumble and Buzzsaw with a silent mental command to follow.

Megatron laughs, swinging his morningstar over his head.

Rumble pulls in to what would be the wingtip position, to the right of and slightly behind Soundwave.

Soundwave falls into his usual place in the flight formation near Megatron, leaving the Autobots to scramble for their leader and for themselves.

Megatron enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Megatron has left.

Rumble enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Rumble has left.

Soundwave enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Soundwave has left.

Buzzsaw blinks, and peers at his UNDAMAGED wing ... he was tricked! A hologram. He snarls down at Hound before taking off with the others. That human is still falling. Hound might want to catch it.

Buzzsaw enters River <<D> Downstream>.
Buzzsaw has left.

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.

Buzzsaw [Condor]
Rumble [Robot]
Soundwave [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]
Desert Base

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.

Megatron says, "Store the cubes inside the ship!"

Rumble stows his armload of cubes as ordered.

Behind the base, Starscream carefully selects a load of energon and hooks it up to a weapons relay. He selects a spike of rock and fires his weapon and the rock explodes in a shower of dust. "Excellent!" he mutters to himself.

Soundwave lands and heads into the base to store the energon cubes in a safe place within the ship.

Soundwave stops as he hears the distinctive sound of a powerful weapon being fired. For the moment he places the cubes down just inside the base entrance, and steps back out.

Rumble laughs. "Awesome, Screamer!" He pulls out his gun--the one he never had a chance to fire during the battle--and tries to peg a rock himself.

Buzzsaw comes in last, optics once more on fire as he streaks in. His talons have human blood on them but he doesn't notice as he swoops up to his roosting spot.

Starscream smirks in satisfaction, "Rumble, this energon is perfect. When /I'm/ Decepticon leader, this energon will fuel my conquest of the galaxy..."

Megatron stares at Soundwave for a second, like saying 'This can't be!' Then runs behind the base.

Soundwave moves wordlessly to follow Megatron, expecting trouble.

You paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) Remain nearby. I suspect we may have to intervene.'.

Megatron suddenly sees Starscream, a depleted stack of empty energon cubes, a pile of smoking rock and a sizzling weapons relay!

Megatron says, "STARSCREAM!!!!! WHAT IN THE UNIVERSE ARE YOU DOING!?!?"

Rumble perks up. "Wha? YOU, Decepticon leader?" He looks questioningly at the base.

Rumble winces as Megatron yells, and mutters, "Yep, we're in deep slag."

Starscream explains patiently, "I'm just testing the energon, Megatron. And look --- it works! It works perfectly!"

Buzzsaw pages: (tel) I am near

Buzzsaw comes out of his sulk long enough to enjoy Starscream's scolding.

Megatron clenches his fists, looking very angrily. "Of course it works!"

Starscream stares at Megatron as though his leader were a simpleton, "But /you/ didn't test it, Megatron! How did you know whether it worked or not? It's these little differences between us that makes me a far better candidate for leadership of the Decepticons!"

Rumble's optics pop, and he edges over towards Soundwave. He mutters, "Starscream doesn't sound like he's kidding."

Buzzsaw just watches from his perch, resolving to sulk later and just enjoy the apparent show unfolding below.,

Soundwave doesn't seem especially concerned about Starscream's threats, but none the less watches the situation closely.

Megatron says, "You incompetent fool!! We don't have much time for our mission and... YOU SET US BACK!!!!!"

Soundwave speaks up calmly, "Commander, Buzzsaw and Ruse and I have obtained information from Teletran-One for additional sources of fuel on this world."

Megatron angrily kicks Starscream's weapon.

Starscream points a finger accusingly at Megatron, "I've tested this energon! Far be it upon me to point out your failings, but you would have been the universe's greatest fool if this energon had been dud energon - to return to Cybertron with nothing to show for it!"

Megatron looks at Soundwave, waiting for more information.

Buzzsaw nods in agreement to Sounders' comment, still half-hidden on his perch.

Soundwave lifts an arm as a signal for Buzzsaw to come and land there.

Megatron tries to ignore Starscream's escapade for a while to keep his own temper under control.

Soundwave reports, "Space cruiser is almost complete. We need two more strikes of this magnitude to fill its tanks."

Buzzsaw sighs mentally and resolves to make plans for sulking later, diving off his perch to land neatly on Sounders' arm, the dried human blood flaking off brownishly.

You say, "Buzzsaw, give the coordinates for the Ruby Crystal mine you discovered in the Autobots' computer banks."

    <O-Decepticon> Megatron still tries to figure out how to get energy out of aluminium oxide IRL... ´:/
    <O-Decepticon> Thunderwing grins, "Ah, the marvels of pseudo-science. Accept it as you do subspace and you should be fine."
    <O-Decepticon> Soundwave says, "Suspension of disbelief? :)"
    <O-Decepticon> Chasm says, "Physics is a lot different in the TF universe... :)"
    <O-Decepticon> Thunderwing grins, "What she said."

Buzzsaw nods and transmits the coordinates asked for to Soundwave immediately.
And Megatron too.

Soundwave adds, with a sideways look at Starscream's weapon which Megatron kicked over, "Rocket fuel is another highly concentrated source of fuel. Buzzsaw has information there as well."

Soundwave diplomatically leaves out the details of just *how* Buzzsaw got this information - that's something for Megatron's audials only when there are fewer listeners around.

Starscream snorts, "Then what are we waiting for, Megatron? We should be getting those ruby crystals at once!"

Megatron looks at Starscream. "Despite your stupidity, Starscream, our mission will succeed."

Buzzsaw nods. He did have that information /Do you wish the coordinates for the rocket fuel as well?/

Megatron says, "First we strike the Burma crystal mines, and then we'll locate the rocket fuel we need."

Rumble says, "I can't wait to get home ... this place isn't so bad, but it's not Cybertron."

Soundwave opens his tape compartment as a signal for Buzzsaw to enter. "Replay the audio, Buzzsaw."

Buzzsaw leaps up and transforms, gracefully sliding into Sounders' compartment.

Soundwave transforms into his Tape Recorder mode.

Soundwave transforms and activates the playback, as the voice of Hound is recognizeable on the tape.

Buzzsaw plays back "... rocket fuel , enough to go from Cybertron to earth FOUR times! It's about 140 kilometres east of here."

Soundwave transforms into his Robot mode.

Soundwave transforms again and confides quietly to Megatron, "Buzzsaw acquired this information under somewhat unusual circumstances."

Starscream mutters, "Don't push me Megatron! My desire for power is as great as yours!"

Megatron says, "Power flows to the one who knows how! Desire alone is not enough."

Buzzsaw ejects again, transforming to land on Sounders' shoulder, trying to look dignified as Megs finds out about his embarrasing incident.

Starscream folds his arms and turns away, kicking over a rock. "Time makes all things possible. I can wait."

Soundwave isn't yet divulging the embarrassing incident, waiting for a more opportune moment. To all outside observers he's simply finished with his report and is awaiting further orders.

Megatron to Starscream: "Assemble the strike force!"

Starscream turns to the Decepticons, "Decepticons, get ready! Prepare to raid the ruby crystal mines!"

Rumble grumbles, "Geez Screamer, don't we get any breaks?" But he gets ready to leave.

Starscream leaps into the air, his fellow Seekers flanking him. "We're ready to fly, Megatron!"

Megatron says, "Scramble! To the crystal mines!"

Buzzsaw lifts up again, taking up a position to one side of Sounders.

Soundwave rises upwards into the sky.

Megatron hovers.

Buzzsaw has left.

Rumble is ready to go!

Starscream transforms and circles the air impatiently in jet mode. "Time isn't standing still, Megatron."

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


[Travel Time]


You enter Paleotropics <Asia>.

Paleotropics <Asia>

          The tropics of southeast Asia are characterized by mangrove swamps that rim the coastlines, and lowland hardwood forests that harbor an explosion of jungle foliage. Something about these dense rainforests and bamboo stands seems to have encouraged the desire to take to the air, because gliding creatures from all taxonomic groups dart among the trees - from mammals to frogs, lizards, and snakes. This region lays claim to the finest source of ruby crystals in the world, and the mine tunnels into a mountainside rising as bare rock in stark contast to the vibrant green vegetation.

Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<I> In leads to Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft.
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Ocean <Eastern Hemisphere>.
<N> North leads to Inland Desert <Asia>.
<W> West leads to Indian Subcontinent.

Rumble arrives from Inland Desert <Asia>.

Starscream drops from the sky. "Well, is this it?" he says, rather dismissively.

Rumble looks around. "Check out the freaky wildlife."

Soundwave lands amidst the jungle foliage near the bare mountain housing the crystal mine.

Starscream kicks at something organic in the undergrowth. "Ugh..."

You say, "It is unassuming from the outside, Starscream, but readings indicate a source of great power here."

Starscream clenches his hands together, "Ah. So /what/ are we waiting for? Let's get to work!"

Megatron says, "This time I agree with your proposal, Starscream."

Starscream steps forward, "Let's get in there then! Decepticons, follow me! To work!"

Rumble enters Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft <<I> In>.
Rumble has left.

Megatron enters Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft <<I> In>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft.

Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft

          The upper levels of the mine are filled with mechanical equipment. Ruby crystals, glittering faintly with their stored energy, protrude from the walls and ceilings of this rocky, claustrophobic environment. Chutes and pipes snaking everywhere eventually run through a central processor which collects the valuable jewels.

Megatron [Robot]
Rumble [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Ruby Crystal Mines - Interior.
<O> Out leads to Paleotropics <Asia>.

You enter Ruby Crystal Mines - Interior.

Ruby Crystal Mines - Interior

          This spacious shaft slopes down into the heart of the mine. The rocky walls have been hewn by generations of human hands, and tracks for heavy mining carts run along the floor. Dust clogs the air and a faint powdered grit can be seen covering the stone floor. From the depths of the mine, a faint humming can be heard, and the eerie glow of imbedded ruby crystals flicker like faint lights in the dimness.

Obvious exits:
<U> Up leads to Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft.

Rumble arrives from Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft. Megatron arrives from Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft. After a short time, the Decepticons dig into the mines and find rich caverns full of the glowing energy crystals. An apparatus is set up to convert the crystals into energon. Rumble watches the equipment. "All proceding fine here." Starscream strides around the caverns, making sure the troops are using their picks properly. "Work faster! Work faster!" The seeker jets make sure the flow of crystals is continuous toward the processing equipment.

Rumble pauses and notices something small and yellow up a side cavern. He sets down his pick and goes to investigate.

Soundwave assists the jets at first to get everything started, then takes up more of a supervisory position near Megatron as a great mountain of crystals accumulates near them.

Rumble mutters, "What in Cybertron is this thing?"

Megatron walks along the shaft. "Ah, this place is magnificent. Unbelievable!"

You say, "Enough here to power the entire planet of Cybertron."

Rumble can see a small yellow Autobot and a flesh creature placing something down on the side cavern.

Megatron says, "Exactly! I will built the ultimate weapon, to defeat the Autobots, to control the planet, to conquer THE UNIVERSE!"

Megatron laughs, a bit drunken from the situation.

Soundwave's optic band flickers faintly, shading a little brighter in a fond smile as he quietly regards the commander who will lead them all to victory.

Bumblebee whispers, "Okay, Sparkplug! We've set it down! Now, let's get out of here!"

Rumble sees Bumblebee and a human. He yells, "MEGATRON! WE GOT AN AUTOBOT INFESTATION!"

Soundwave turns quickly at Rumble's call.

The small flesh creature nods and climbs into Bumblebee as he transforms and heads off. "Let's roll out of here, Sparkplug!" the Autobot cries. "Time to burn maximum rubber!"

Megatron says, "Get them!"

Bumblebee jets out of the caverns in a hail of dust.

Rumble thinks about what he heard. "Set it down!"

Rumble yelps, "It's a bomb!"

Suddenly, a huge explosion rocks the mines, sealing the Decepticons in the central cavern!

Megatron says, "Back! Take cover!"

Dust rains down, showers of rock fall everywhere, and the ruby crystal apparatus starts to hum dangerously.

Rumble rolls away from the explosion.

Megatron jerks away from the explosion.

Starscream gets up, "The Autobots! They found us! They've ruined everything!" he pauses to brush the dust off his wings.

Rumble starts examining the rockfall, trying to figure out how he can blast them free. "I'm afraid to piledrive. I could bring the whole place down on us."

Megatron says, "The cubes!"

Soundwave aviods the worst of the collapse of the ceiling, having positioned himself fortunately to also shield the small pile of energon cubes that had been accumulated.

If those energon cubes with their concentrated power had been struck by a large piece of cavern ceiling, the resulting explosion would have been the end of everyone.

Starscream surveys the pile of technology in the centre. "I think the apparatus has been damaged by the crash. Gah!" he curses, kicking at the refinery. "What do we do now?"

Soundwave regards the collapsed ceiling and blocked tunnels.

Megatron gets on his feet. He shakes the dust from his armor, looking around. "Decepticons, regroup!" Hopefully, they aren't too much damaged.

Rumble isn't damaged much -- he's got a few big scrapes in his paint job, but is basically unhurt.

Soundwave only has some minor dents and scratches to his armor.

Starscream absently rubs at rock dust trickling down on his head. "Are the cubes safe, Soundwave?" he demands.

Rumble scowls. "Lousy Autobots!"

Soundwave nods to Starscream, picking up the pile of multicolored glowing objects. "Energon cubes still functional."

Starscream nods, "Then what are waiting for? Let's get those cubes and blast our way out of here!"

Rumble converts to piledrivers, but looks doubtful. "I don't wanna crash the ceiling down on those cubes."

Megatron inspects his troops, obviously not much damaged. He grins. Prime underestimated them again.

Soundwave looks at Rumble pointedly and shakes his head.

Starscream fires a shot at the ceiling. More rock patters down. "It shouldn't take me much longer," he says, ignoring all the rubble raining down.

Megatron says, "Sure, not Starscream."

Rumble converts back and stands beside Soundwave, agreeing.

Megatron fires his fusion canon at the ceiling, taking care the debris doesn't hit the cubes.

Starscream fires a blast the ceiling, "When the rock explodes, we're going to have fly quickly, fast and upwards! Grab those cubes! Now!"

The efforts of Megatron and Starscream cause the ceiling to explode in a shower of rubble! The sky is revealed!

Megatron says, "It worked! We're free! We can get out!"

"Victory is mine!" Starscream crows, leaping outwards into the heavens.

Megatron enters Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft <<U> Up>.
Megatron has left.

Soundwave keeps hold of the energon cubes, sheilding them with his body from the shower of rock from above, and rises upward along with the others.

You enter Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft.

Megatron says, "We are indestructible!"

Rumble arrives from Ruby Crystal Mines - Interior.

Megatron enters Paleotropics <Asia> <<O> Out>.
Megatron has left.

Rumble enters Paleotropics <Asia> <<O> Out>.
Rumble has left.

You enter Paleotropics <Asia>.

Paleotropics <Asia>

          The tropics of southeast Asia are characterized by mangrove swamps that rim the coastlines, and lowland hardwood forests that harbor an explosion of jungle foliage. Something about these dense rainforests and bamboo stands seems to have encouraged the desire to take to the air, because gliding creatures from all taxonomic groups dart among the trees - from mammals to frogs, lizards, and snakes. This region lays claim to the finest source of ruby crystals in the world, and the mine tunnels into a mountainside rising as bare rock in stark contast to the vibrant green vegetation.

Rumble [Robot]
Megatron [Robot]

Obvious exits:
<I> In leads to Ruby Crystal Mines - Entrance Shaft.
<NE> Northeast leads to Pacific Ocean <Eastern Hemisphere>.
<N> North leads to Inland Desert <Asia>.
<W> West leads to Indian Subcontinent.

Megatron says, "Power to the, Decepticons, FOREVER! Follow me!"

As the Decepticons blast their way out of the caverns, a few small Autobots can be seen around the base of the mines. Suddenly, two Autobots take the sky with their jetpacks at full speed. *put*put*put*

Rumble growls and looks for Bumblebee ... an Autobot about his size!

Soundwave flies upward and away from the Autobots left in the dust below - except for those two exceptions who are following.

"I'll bring 'im in!" Ironhide yells.

"Wait, Ironhide!" Bluestreak wails after his companion. "There's too many of them! They're too fast!"

Ironhide ignores his friend and starts to fire on Megatron from a distance.

"C'mon, jetpack!" Ironhide mutters. "Don't you fail me now!"

Megatron flies towards the north. They have to get the cubes back safely.

Skywarp, flying alongside the others in plane mode, barely dodges one of the missiles that flies past the group.

Skywarp transmits a short-range radio burst: "Skywarp to Megatron - request permission to teleport!"

Starscream drops back from the Decepticon pack and fires a missile at Ironhide. It hits the clumsy flyer and sends him spiralling into the ground. Bluestreak yells and drops after his friend.

Megatron says, "Permission granted. Teleport and destroy!"

Rumble struggles to hold his cubes while firing his laser at the Autobots ... too far away to really hit anything unless he gets lucky.

Skywarp's black form shimmers and vanishes out, reappearing behind the two pursuing Autobots, where he unleashes his own barrage of missiles.

The two Autobots tumble from the sky.

Starscream radios Megatron: "The Autobots have been dealt with!"

Skywarp reappears alongside the group.

Rumble grins. "Nice flying!"

Skywarp replies to Rumble, "Always!"

Megatron says more to himself than to the others, "Excellent."


[Travel Time]


You enter Southwestern Desert <North America>.

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]
Desert Base

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.

Rumble arrives from Rocky Mountains <North America>.
Rumble has arrived.

Treadnok has arrived.

Starscream drops to the ground. "Well, that's it then! There's only one more load of fuel to collect. Treadnok! Did anything happen at the base in our absence?"

Soundwave lands and moves to store the cubes along with the others.

Rumble asks, "Did we get enough? Stupid Autobots! They disrupted us before we were done."

Rumble follows Soundwave to stow the cubes.

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.

Contents:
Ruse

Rumble arrives from outside.

You say, "We require one more strike, Rumble."

Soundwave nods to Ruse as he carefully stores the accumulated energon.

Megatron arrives from outside.

Megatron says, "Thanks to the Autobots and... the stupidity of a certain lieutenant... we have to find another source of energy."

Rumble looks impressed. "Bonus. One more strike then." He looks to Megatron. "Where?"

Ruse is seated where she was, and looks rather bored as she comments, "Soundwave, I wish you hadn't been right for once."

Starscream, not wanting to draw attention to the earlier incident, looks over at Soundwave. "Hey, Soundwave - where was this rocket fuel base you mentioned?"

Soundwave gives Ruse an unreadable look, then turns his attention back to Megatron. "Further orders, Commander? The rocket base is a viable target."

Soundwave fills in both Starscream and Megatron again, "The Autobots report it as 140 km due east of their base."

Megatron says, "Thanks to our little spy at their base, we got the information we need from the Autobots."

Starscream snaps, "Then what are waiting for! Let's get the strike team assembled!"

Rumble settles down to guard the energon. There's too much to risk losing it all now.

Megatron chuckles.

Ruse says, "...I don't see anything funny Megatron, about Starscream's eagerness."

Megatron says, "Ruse, if I was Prime, I'd try to lead me into a trap."

Soundwave moves unobtrusively into position near Megatron and Starscream again. On this strange world, so close to conquest, emotions are likely to run a bit out of control.

Megatron says, "Buzzsaw allowed the Autobots to catch him. Now they "accidently" let him escape with precious information..."

From outside, Treadnok grins. "Excellent plan, great Megatron.”

Soundwave tilts his head and considers. "They did seem unusually careless, and eager to discuss their findings within audial range of their prisoner."

Treadnok arrives from outside.

Megatron grins. "Too obviously careless, Soundwave."

Stascream mutters, "Well, everyone knows how stupid Autobots are."

Starscream glares at all of them impatiently. "So what are we waiting for? We're right on schedule, aren't we, "leader"?"

Megatron says, "No thanks to you, Starscream."

Ruse can actualy understand Starscream's urge to get going after sitting here a few hours. She's eager herself to do ... something. She blinks, "Huh, I wouldn't have given Prime so much credit." She leans back on her crate/seat and relaxes, getting comfy as she adjusts to being 'grounded'.

Starscream reacts defensively. "Don't question me, Megatron, I've made my contribution!"

Megatron points at his second in command. "You've also made clear your desire to replace me as leader of the Decepticons. Mistake number one!"

Treadnok says, "Do not presume you can order the commander, Starscream."

Starscream turns away, clenching his fists in fury, and then turns back to Megatron to say, "It's time for a change, Megatron! It's time for action, not words. *I* am the leader of the future!"

Megatron says, "You couldn't lead ant-droids to a picnic! How can you pretend to lead the Decepticons?"

Ruse quirks an eyebrow. She stiffles a giggle, finding this amusing as Starscream goes on a rant. Failing to relise how deadly this may get.

Starscream's optics blaze brilliant crimson in anger - even more offended, it seems, that Megatron is simply turning away and dismissing him. Impulsively he snaps up one of his guns to fire.

Soundwave hurriedly calls out a warning: "Megatron!"

Megatron turns, blocking Starscream's shot with a small energy shield.

The energy beam dissipates itself against the shield, draining the weapon. Starscream regards his arm cannon in shocked amazement. "It's - it's empty!"

Megatron slowly walks towards Starscream. "You failed to dispose of me when you had the chance, Starscream. Mistake number two. Now it is MY turn!" He aims his fusion cannon at the aircommander.

Starscream whimpers, "Megatron... no, wait... you need me! I didn't mean to do it! Please, oh please... Megatron!"

Ruse lets out a soft gasp and just stares... at the two commanders. She looks mostly to Starscream but is watching Megatron as well.

Treadnok watches the situation, amused.

Megatron hesitates for a second. However he has to make an example of Starscream. However, instead of blasting him directly into the chest, he shoots the other's arm.

Starscream scrabbles over his knees in front of Megatron, "Mighty Megatron... forgive me... I didn't mean it... I... please, forgive me! After all, I'm very valuable to you! To the Decepticon cause! Megatron, please...."

Soundwave watches the rest of it play out expressionlessly. What he thinks of it all, he keeps to himself.

Megatron turns away from Starscream. "We attack the rocket base at sunrise!"

Ruse winces a bit at the shot and instinctivly looks away, thinking a new opening has just opened in the seeker devision and second in command rank. She slowly looks back to see Starscream still alive, thankfuly, after all he is a fellow Con even if irritating.


The Decepticon camp settles into its usual evening work routine, the finishing touches being put on the starship. Sunrise approaches....


Reflector offers, "Shouldn't we at least give the Autobots as good as they've given us, Megatron?" The three robots intone in unison. "We could still show up at their trap... but using those decoybots!"

Soon Reflector's plan is put into operation. The decoybots are reassembled from their subspace components and quick paintjobs give them a convincing look... from a distance. "You know, Soundwave, " Reflector says as he takes a snapshot of the decoybots, "We don't think these things will last very long. Our opinion of their technical longeivity is decidedly... low."

Soundwave nods in agreement with Reflector, but says, "They will serve their purpose."

Ruse is by now helping paint a decoybot... for lack of anything else to do. She sighs somewhat, upset over recent events. o O(That's the first time I ever seen something like that with my own eyes. It just seemed to happen suddenly, with little warning an angry Starscream fired on him.) She looks to Megatron with a seemingly new understanding of his cyrptic words and mutters, "I suppose it is lonely at the top. You can't even trust your own second in command."

Reflector presents Megatron with a polariod of the decoybots. "The project proceeds a pace, Megatron."

Megatron says, "Excellent work. These decoy bots will serve their purpose well."

Megatron says, "Prime is trying to lead us into a trap. We will gain the time we need by letting him believe he got us."

Reflector tucks a broken spring back into Starscream's decoy. "We hope that the Autobots will not look too closely."

Reflector pauses and Visor steps in front, "Megatron," the three robots intone, "We are ready to send the decoybots out on their mission."

Megatron says, "Don't worry, they will be too certain of their own cleverness to watch closely."

Ruse, once finished, before the snapshot of course, wanders back to her spot, "Bots only care about one thing... " She points to the Decepticon emblem she wears, "Nothing else, civilian or warrior, you're a target if you have it on."

You say, "You recall your lesson from yesterday, then, Ruse."

Megatron looks at Ruse with a serious expression. "So, even more happened than you told me..."

Reflector organises the decoybots and they start to shuffle out moving rather... robotically behind the camera Transformer. "I will radio you when they are in place!" he calls to Megatron.

Megatron says, "Excellent Reflector. I will lead their "attack" on the Autobot's 'fuelbase'."

Ruse ehehs, "Well umm, I will let Soundwave explain what happend.. and yes Soundwave painfuly so but I will remember it for sure." She hops off the crate and starts to quickly shuffle off before she's grounded even longer.

Megatron says, "Meanwhile, you others will get what we want from the real base."

Starscream gathers his tattered dignity around him again and prepares to lead the other Decepticons to the real rocket base, assuming a flyover to search for it.

Megatron says to Ruse, "We'll talk about this later, young lady! Be sure, I will NOT forget."

You say, "You will join us at the true target afterward, Commander?"

Several seeker jets tear off into the sky to find the true coordinates of the rocket base.

Megatron says, "Yes, Soundwave."

Ruse, from the other side of the ship where she has started working on thinking up what or how to explain, hears Megatron's words and mentaly sighs. o O(Well, this is good.) She sits on a small box and ponders. o O(Blast it all to the smelting pits, I can't win for losing today!)

Megatron walks out of the base, his bearing showing his superiority as he passes by Starscream.

Megatron leaves.

Soundwave follows Starscream and the others out.

From outside, Megatron enters Mountain Roads <<N> North>.
From outside, Megatron has left.

Reflector radios Megatron: 'I have identified the false base. It appears to be real, but there are Autobots around it, in odd disguises. The decoybots are hidden behind some cliffs. We will attack on your order, Megatron.'

Megatron arrives from Desert Power Station.

A rocket base appears before you - and scientists can be seen working amid the the buildings. Reflector is hunched behind a nearby cliff overhang with the decoybots. He looks up at Megatron as his leader arrives and salutes.

Megatron nods quietly, ducking behind the rock as well. He grins as he notices the 'scientists' true identity.

Megatron says, "Let our little comedy start now."

Megatron says, "'Decepticons' attack!"

The decoybots shuffle over the horizon and charge into the base. The scientists discard their labcoats revealing themselves as Autobots in disguise! They start to fire on the oncoming wave of decoybots.

Suddenly, Cliffjumper stops firing. "Hey, these aren't Decepticons!" he gestures at the Skywarp decoybot, which has suddenly exploded into a pile of wires and springs.

All around, the decoybots are collapsing under the Autobot fire!

Megatron flies towards the base, but lets the dummies pass to reach the Autobots first. He decides to stay behind. The purpose of his presence is only to make the attack more real.

Prime steps forward, "What's going on, Cliffjumper?" he queries.

Ironhide shakes his head, "Optimus..." he says. "We've been had!"

Megatron says, "That's right, Prime."

Optimus Prime towers above the Autobots and fallen piles of decoybots. "Explain yourself, Megatron!" he demands.

Megatron says, "I was on to your little scheme from the start. Did you really think you could fool me by allowing Buzzsaw to escape? DID you?!"

Prime says, "Megatron! What you have you done?!"

Megatron says, "While you and the Autobots have been fighting a bunch of loose screws, the REAL Decepticons have been at the REAL rocket site!"

Hound reluctantly releases the hologram of the base. The desert rock shows through.

Megatron says, "You've lost, Prime. The Decepticons have won!"
Megatron laughs.

Optimus Prime gasps, "No! It can't be!"

Prime snaps, "This isn't over yet, Megatron! I'll stop you even if it's the last thing I do!"

Megatron says, "Oh, it is over, Prime! You just don't know it!"

Megatron flies off, laughing.


Meanwhile, at the real Rocket Base:

Rocket Fuel Base

          This military base, located seemingly in the middle of nowhere, serves as an important test site for experimental aircraft and also acts as a training facility for up-and-coming pilots.Fields of runways surround the control center.Hangar bays, located on the perimeter of the base, are filled with cutting-edge jet aircraft.

Obvious exits:
<W> West leads to Desert Power Station.

Ruse arrives from Desert Power Station.

The seeker jets sent scouting on ahead have radioed back the location of the real base, and Starscream leads the strike team downward, sending military personel scattering.

Soundwave releases his cassettes to add to the fray, as the small organic inhabitants of this world try to find off the attackers from the sky with a hail of tiny stinging bullets that bounce off the Decepticons' armor as they land and transform.

Buzzsaw has arrived.

Ruse watchs, just out of sight... through her sniper rifles telescopic lens. She stays low to the ground and observes, "So far no problems for them, at least."

Alarm sirens wail as the Decepticon warriors fire in return at the puny opposition. How convenient that the Autobots are busy at a *fake* rocket base somewhere nearby.

Buzzsaw comes soaring out of Soundwave's compartment, transforming and screeching loudly as he tends to business after his earlier nap.

Thundercracker, Skywarp, and Starscream casually blast some of the weapons emplacements, sending those humans still foolish enough to be scurrying around, back into the safety of the building.

A stray bullet wizzes by Ruse's hiding spot.

Ruse idly watchs and hisses lowly, "Nothing I can do but watch... for n-" She surpresses her startlment at the bullet, it couldn't have hurt her or anything compared to a laserbolt, just would have stung, she reminds herself before looking back to the battle, keeping an eye on the other cassettes, particularly Buzzsaw.

Megatron arrives from Desert Power Station.

Buzzsaw scrawks, and turns his mortar cannons to keeping the humans buisy, leaving the larger bots to steal the fuel.

The attempt at opposition from the humans ceases almost entirely as the flesh-creatures think better of the attempt, and the seeker jets essentially secure the base.

Soundwave begins once again to produce those glowing containment fields for the energon cubes.

Megatron lands.

Ruse is nothing but a brown and tan colored speck on the ground below, thanks to a holographic change in her color pattern... hidden and watching the other Decepticons fight from a prone position some distance away.

Megatron looks around, satisfied. "Excellent! Excellent! Prepare the energon cubes!"

Another great pile of glowing energon cubes begins to grow out of the Decepticons' efforts.

Starscream notices Megatron's arrival and straightens his wings a little as though to take credit for the effort.

Buzzsaw continues stalking humans, his talons still showing a little brown-old blood from last time.

Ruse can hide, when she wants to... however as things start to near completion she stands and creeps away some distance before taking off back for the base so she won't be noticed missing. She's in enough trouble as is, after all. ;)

Soundwave and the others gather stacks of filled cubes and stand ready for flight. This is the last load they need to go home. It looks like everything's falling into place.

Ruse enters Desert Power Station <<W> West>.
Ruse has left.

Megatron is obviously very content with the situation. No, Prime was not able to trick the experienced warrior.

Buzzsaw terrorizes the humans, very much enjoying himself, and taking out his frustrations in that.

Megatron says, "Get the cubes back to base! We are about to go home, Decepticons!"

Soundwave recalls Buzzsaw from his amusements with a silent mental command. More important things await.

Buzzsaw hisses one last time, snapping the ends off a few rifles before lifting and returns to Soundwave.

Megatron says, "Back to base!"

The Decepticons gather up and take to the air.

Megatron takes off.
Megatron enters Desert Power Station <<W> West>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Desert Power Station.

You enter Southwestern Desert <North America>.

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]
Ruse [Robot]
Space Cruiser <Star Drive II>
Desert Base

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.

Visor dangles the photo in front of Ruse, "Let go of us and we shall surrender the photograph."

Megatron says, "We are going home."

Soundwave lands with the others near the large lift platform that will take them up to the entrance of the ship, and adds his energon cubes to the pile already waiting there.

Buzzsaw arrives from Desert Power Station.

Reflector salutes and Visor absently hands Ruse the offending polaroid. "Megatron, the ship is loaded and is ready for launching!"

Skywarp pops in out of nowhere ... how appropriate?

Ruse lets go of Spyglass and rips up that darn photo before Megatron sees it. She doesn't want to be grounded even once they get back to Cybertron!

Megatron realizes that something is going on. He watches Visor and Ruse, but pretends not to have realized it.

Starscream steps forward, "Excellent! Megatron - the ship is loaded - what's keeping us here? Let's fly and leave this miserable mudball behind us!"

You say, "What are your orders, Megatron?"

Megatron says, "Prepare for blast off!"

Ruse calmly dusts her hands off once that photo is in no reconizable peice, and walks towards the lift, "Let's get going!" o O(I can't wait to... I have gotton into enough trouble for one trip.)

Buzzsaw flies in after Soundwave, optics large and alert. He hovers, then lands on Sounders' shoulder, glancing at Ruse curiously.

Suddenly a wave of dust appears on the horizon -- It's the Autobots!

They lunge forward, transforming out of their vehicular modes and charging on the desert base. "I won't let you get away with this, Megatron!" Prime demands.

The boarding lift rises upward with the Decepticon troops on it, but stops at the very top as the enemy forces suddenly arrive.

Starscream curses and fires a shot into the Autobot mob, "The fools," he curses. "Why can't they leave us alone! Not when we're so close to victory!"

Skywarp smirks as he moves a few feet away behind Megatron "Isn't that just another word for Autobot, Starscream? ... Fool?"

Megatron says, "We are under siege! Decepticons transform!"

Optimus Prime faces off at Megatron, looking upwards at the loading platform. "Megatron, I'm not going to let you take that shuttle back to Cybertron. And that's a promise I intend to keep! Autobots! Fire!"

Starscream sneers, "Will you just focus on the current events, Skywarp?"

The Autobots encircle the base and the ship within, transforming and drawing their weapons to advance from all directions.

Megatron transforms into his Walther P-38 mode.

Ruse draws her plasmarifle and takes aim at Prime, sending a single plasmabullet his way. "When will he learn to just shut up and -fight-?", she then hops off the platform and scrambles for cover.

Starscream yells, "Megatron! We're surrounded!"

Buzzsaw takes off and takes to the air, flying out and then swooping to attack random Autobots from behind with his mortar cannons.

Soundwave leaps down from the lift platform and says, "Rumble, Ravage, Laserbeak, eject. Join Buzzsaw and prepare for battle. Operation warfare!"

Skywarp prepares to catch, and picks the rifle out of the air. Megatron lands soundly in Skywarp's right hand and he swiftly moves to take aim. "And you said we couldn't get away with it, Optimus Prime."

Hound targets yet another of Soundwave's tapes, lunging for Rumble. "I owe you one from Sherman Dam, Rumble!" he insists.

Optimus Prime bellows, "I won't let you get away with it, Megatron!" He fires a bolt at the ship's hull.

Megatron fires several times while being in gun mode.

A well-placed laser bolt severs the gun from Starscream's right arm, sending it spinning. A moment later Prowl drives over the weapon, rendering it useless.

Optimus Prime staggers back, knocked aside from the sheer force of Megatron's plasma cannon.

Skywarp can aim, apparently. "Who's next, Autoscum?!!"

Optimus Prime staggers upwards, smoke coiling up out of his chest. "Don't let them get away, Autobots!" he calls out, rallying his troops. "Concentrate your fire on that hatch!"

Megatron transforms into his Robot mode.

Buzzsaw raaaars! and dives for Hound from behind, intending to free Rumble from the Autobot's grasp.

Those Autobots not actively involved in hand to hand combat concentrate fire on the ship, hoping to damage it.

Ruse hides behind a small boulder and looks around. She flips a switch on her plasma rifle, setting it back to semi-full power. She then looks through her scope and tries to pick out a rather good distracted target... while the bots are busy fighting or talking.

Megatron runs towards Prime.

Hound is so busy trying to throttle Rumble that he doesn't notice Buzzsaw swooping in over him.

Buzzsaw comes up right behind Hound and aims his mortars, but pauses. Instead the bird swoops even lower, talons extended towards the back of Hound's head.

Megatron fires at Prime's trailer.

Optimus Prime rumbles forward and attempts to ram down Megatron.

<LongRange> Techno says, "Would the owner of a large metal planet, liscense CBR-TRN please contact the front office ... you left your lights on..."

Soundwave is trading fist strikes with Ironhide. He pauses only momentarily as a message comes in from far away, but unfortunately now isn't the moment to respond.

As Prime powers past Megatron, he easily knocks his adversary to one side in the dust.

Skywarp raises his own arm, with his significantly weaker weapon "Get lost, Autobots!"

<LongRange> A faint crackling can be heard through the long-distance communications equipment - as though some equipment is alive out there, but simply not responding.

Ravage leaps out of the shadows to rake his claws into Prime's side, intending to distract him just long enough from Megatron for the Decepticon leader to regain his footing.

Megatron rolls over his shoulder, getting back onto his feet.

Optimus Prime transforms and draws his laser rifle. "If I'm taking anyone down with me, Megatron, it's going to be /you/!"

The gleaming new ship holds out, poised to take to the stars, but too many stray shots could seriously endanger it.

Megatron says, "Then you better get some help, Prime!"

Starscream falters in mid shot. "Decepticons!" he orders, "Retreat to the ship!!! Retreeeat!"

Megatron says, "To the Spacecruiser!!"

Optimus Prime fires a shot off at Megatron, but the beam misses a vital shot and simply sizzles a hole into Megatron's armour plating.

Prime orders, "Autobots-- they're falling back! Come on! Let's press home our attack!"

Soundwave kicks Ironhide away from him, recalls his creations, and runs for the launch platform.

Skywarp fires off a parting shot, and then spins around at Megatron's command "See you later ... Autoclods!"

Ruse sighs. In this fighting she can't get a good shot at anyone and is constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure she isn't being snuck up on. o O(Slagit!) She retreats when the order is given, and runs back onto the loading platform sending several stray shots back at the Bots in frustration.

Hound suddenly lets go of Rumble as Buzz's claws sink into his head. "Why you...!" he explodes, looking upwards.

Megatron runs after his troops.

Buzzsaw screeeches bloody murder (excuse the language) and as Hound looks up at him, the bird's beak snaps down towards the bot's optics and faceplace.

<LongRange> Techno says, "Soundwave ... Soundwave ... are you there? .... Are you satisifed with your current long distance carrier?......"

Soundwave leaps up to the launch platform. "Buzzsaw!" he calls.

Hound quickly raises his arms over his face to fend off Buzzsaw's attack.

Megatron stands at the hatch, under Autobot fire, taking care that all Decepticons get inside.

<LongRange> For a moment the static clears into the sound of what seems to be a laser battle in progress.

Buzzsaw snarls one last time, satisfied at the damage he'd done to Hound before turning tail and rocketing upwards towards the lift.

Starscream stands at the edge of the shuttle, trying to fire at Optimus Prime. "I'll get you yet!" he screeches.

You enter the space cruiser.

Space Cruiser <Star Drive II>

          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.

Ruse joins you inside the space cruiser.

Skywarp joins you inside the space cruiser.

[OOC] Skywarp skips in and takes a window seat!

Buzzsaw joins you inside the space cruiser.

Megatron joins you inside the space cruiser.

Skywarp runs into the ship, his head still facing the other direction as he carefully observes the movement of his leader. As Megatron steps onto the ship, Skywarp nods, and immediately takes a seat at one of the stations.

Megatron shuts the hatch. "Blast off!!!"

Ruse quickly takes position near the front this time in an empty seat, "I can't belive it, but we are finaly going home!" She sounds rather excited.

Soundwave takes his place at the pilot's station and activates the controls, a series of lights flashing across his indigo plating as the console powers up.

Shots pepper the hull of the cruiser.

<LongRange> Techno - (Dull elevator music seems to fill the frequency, as if it's been put on hold......)

Starscream, near the entrance, quickly flicks a switch to shut the hull door. "Take off, Soundwave!"

Soundwave sets the powerful engines in motion, which shudder through the entire ship.

Buzzsaw flies in and takes a perch on the back of Ruse's seat, looking very pleased with himself with shreds of Hound hanging from his talons still. His optics glitter and he looks very proud of his acheivement.

Megatron says, "It's done! We've seen the last of the Autobots, and Optimus Prime!"

Suddenly the ship lurches into the air! With a huge thunderclap of smoke, the Star Drive II is airborn!

Soundwave notices something hurtling towards the ship on the monitor.

Starscream gives a crow of victory, "At last! We will return to Cybertron and conquer it!"

Soundwave notes in his deep monotone, "We are being pursued." He brings the image up on screen and magnifies it. It's Optimus Prime flying after them with a rocket pack.

Megatron says, "That's impossible! Open the artillery hatch."

Ruse tilts her head up to smile at Buzzsaw as the ship launches, "You look rather pleased for a 'tinfoil turkey'." She's teasing of course and winks at Buzzsaw while chuckling. This day might just end well after all. She ehs, turning her gaze to the viewscreen, "Prime?"

One of the side guns on the outside of the ship activates and swivels toward the Autobot.

Megatron says, "Fire!!"

The artillery hatch opens, sending a barrage of missiles flying towards Prime! He tries to evade them, but the jetpack is not made for manouverability and the missiles knock him out of the sky.

Skywarp's optics widen, at the inconceivable sight of Prime hurtling towards the ship "Is he CRAZY??"

Buzzsaw peers at Ruse, then taps her head gently with his beak before swiveling his head to look at the screen.

Megatron says, "Soundwave! Full throttle! We're going home, our home!"

A single shot hits Prime dead-on even as he raises his weapon - blasting the Autobot leader out of the sky.

Starscream watches Prime hurtle downwards with a certain satisfaction. "At last! Victory is OURS!"

Megatron takes off his fusion cannon.

Ruse watchs Prime go down and can't help but smile at Megatron's word's ... and Starscream's. She settles back in her chair, and relaxes for a hopefuly peaceful trip.

Megatron relaxes a bit. "At last, total victory is within my grasp."

Buzzsaw grasps Ruse's seat tightly as they accellerate, crouching low in a flying position to counter inertia pulling him backwards.

Starscream counters, "Not *yours*, Megatron - mine!"

Megatron chuckles. "I see, you've learned nothing, Starscream."

Starscream snarls, "Wrong! I've learned a great deal! I won't miss this time."

Megatron says, "Beware, Starscream. If you dispose me, there will be always someone waiting to dispose of you!"

Soundwave turns from his pilot station to regard Starscream with a shake of his head.

Skywarp had just started to lean back in his chair, but starts as Starscream speaks. He turns his head, his optics angry red as he looks at the air commander. "And I thought Optimus was crazy."

Starscream boasts, "Let them try! I've waited for this moment a long time, Megatron. And my time is now!"

Ruse glances up and smirks as Buzzsaw 'surfs' the inertia.. not minding the peck. Then sighs as another fight breaks out, and gets out of her seat and edges away from anywhere -near- Starscream.

Soundwave detects something else nearby, and his attention sharpens further - a bare instant before a glowing image materializes into the Autobot known as Mirage. "Autobot invader!" Soundwave warns.

Starscream, poised to fire on Megatron, spins instead to blast Mirage.

Buzzsaw would facewing at Starscreamer if metal could bend that much. As it is, he follows Ruse, then swivels as Soundwave announces the presence of the enemy.

Megatron quickly reattaches his cannon. This time he doesn't spare him. "Extinction to all traitors!"

A strange, elongated block appears in the air and de-rezzes into the form of Mirage! The Autobot quickly heads toward the hatch and thumps the open switch. "Thanks for the ride, Megatron. Sorry I can't stay."

Starscream's attack came a moment too late - Mirage had already destroyed a critical piece of equipment. "Space cruiser losing power!" Soundwave warns.

Skywarp rises from his chair, "We're going down!"

Mirage slips out the open door, his parachute opening up as he spirals towards the desert floor. Wind howls through the open hatch.

Megatron says, "You can't let us crash, Soundwave! Regain control!!"

Ruse glances towards Mirage in astoundment. o O(Slag it all!) She braces herself, and trys to put out the fire, "Don't just stand there, Skywarp, DO something!", she yells, attempting to swat out the flames inneffectivly of course.

On the main screen, the desert ground gives way to the vast blue panorama of the ocean. As the ship loses altitude, the ocean rushes up to fill the view finder.

Soundwave fights with the controls even while announcing, "Control impossible. Prepare for impact."

Megatron is trying not to be swept of his feet.

Buzzsaw turns towards the screen and you SWEAR his optics get round, and he swallows /Oh Slag/.

Starscream scrabbles at the side of the ship. "Nooo," he mutters. "I was so close! I was sooo close!"

Megatron says, "You can't let us crash, Soundwave! Do something, do SOMETHING!!!"

Ruse braces herself as she leaps for her seat and holds on tight. She can only think one thing, o O(Primus... not again!) Soundwave makes every effort to steady the ship - it's going down, but can he force it into an angle of landing that has a chance of leaving its inhabitants alive? The ship rotates in a complete spiral, but streaks downward at a shallower angle rather than arrowing straight downward. Like the first impact when the Ark hit the planet many millenia ago, there is a similar impact as the Star Drive II hits the ocean. All the lights and monitors go dark for a second and static fills the viewfinder of the mechs tossed about. There is an enormours spray of water around the hull and the viewscreen fizzles out.

Hours pass, and the Decepticons click online again.

Water is dripping from the ceiling.

Megatron wakes up, looking around nervously. "Soundwave? Ruse..?"

Buzzsaw has his head through a console screen ... AGAIN!

Reflector mutters, "What has happened to us?"

Soundwave pushes himself slowly up from the floor where he was flung during the impact. His optic band lights faintly, a softly glowing beacon in the darkness. The deep reverberation of his voice echoes more hollowly somehow as he speaks, "Megatron?"

Megatron says, "I'm functional."

Soundwave edges forward, ignoring a wrenching pain in his shoulder, and feels for one of the access panels. By touch alone in the dark, he re-wires something, and emergency lighting sputters on dimly.

Starscream sits sullenly in the corner, water dripping down on his head, his features cast in an expression of uttermost despair.

Ruse is slumped in her seat, optics dimmed but slowly brightening. She slowly shakes off the shock, "... everyone.... still online? Buzzsaw?"

Buzzsaw moves his wings a little, then his body jerks /What ... again?/ he thinks grumpily, bracing his claws and wings to attempt to remove his head from the console.

Megatron hearing a familiar voice. "Ruse!" He quckly walks over to her. "Are you damaged?"

Skywarp crawls out from under the control panel he'd been thrown into on impact "Let's not do that again ... huh."

Soundwave pushes himself to a standing position and looks around, assessing damage. He notices Buzzsaw and goes over to him, carefully extracting him from the jagged hole in the viewscreen.

Ruse slowly stands, "No, I am fine... undamaged but a little shook up to say the least." She spots Buzzsaw in the screen and sighs, walking over slowly, unsure of her balance at first. She stops though, seeing Soundwave aiding him.

<LongRange> Techno says, "This is a test of the emergancy broadcast system, had there been a real emergancy .. this sound would have been followed by the messege to kiss your aft good bye ....... please report...."

Buzzsaw sighs with releif and looks up /Thanks/ at Soundwave. He's cut up around the neck, and battered a little. Nothing serious though.

Soundwave tilts his head a little as though listening to something. "Commander, I am receiving an unusual radio message from a great distance. Signal matches Cybertronian signature. I will replay:"

Soundwave plays back: Techno says, "This is a test of the emergancy broadcast system, had there been a real emergancy .. this sound would have been followed by the messege to kiss your aft good bye ....... please report...."

[OOC] Skywarp LOL

Ruse leans aginst a wall untill her balance sensors recalibrate. She glances up, "C-cybertron?"

Megatron looks at Soundwave. "They're alive," he whispers.

<LongRange> Soundwave says, "(amidst the hiss of static, a recognizeable voice comes through) We are receiving you, Cybertron."

Starscream snaps, "Quickly! Tell them we're functional!"

Soundwave nods to Megatron.

Megatron says, "Can you answer their call?"

<O-Decepticon> Buzzsaw says, "two times we crashed. Two times my head's been put through a console."
<O-Decepticon> Soundwave says, "It could get to be a tradition. Once a year we celebrate the anniversary of our crash by re-enacting it. :)"

You say, "I have responded. I do not know if the signal was received."

Megatron says, "Well done, Soundwave."

Buzzsaw shakes himself and becomes alert. Cybertron?

Soundwave stands motionlessly as though listening intently for a renewed signal.

<LongRange> Techno says, "Ah, good good ... how ya'll doing?"

You say, "Signal received, Commander. We are in contact with Cybertron."

Megatron relaxes again. They survived the second crash and Cybertron responds. Yes, he's regaining hope.

<LongRange> Soundwave says, "Situation currently stable. All troops more or less functional."

Reflector observes, "Soundwave, we have noticed water entering the ship." Visor holds up a polaroid of the offending stream of liquid.

Megatron says, "Tell them, we found a planet with rich sources of energy."

Soundwave regards the ship's communications panel. "This will have to be re-wired to allow you to contact Cybertron directly, Commander. For the moment I will relay your words."

<LongRange> Thunderwing's voice echoes through the static, "And Cybertron is holding out also, Soundwave. Thank you for asking." Tetchy, isn't he?

Megatron turns to Reflector, remembering the last he saw was the ocean coming rapidly closer. He nods to Soundwave.

<LongRange> Soundwave says, "Cybertron, we have discovered a planet rich in resources. More information will be forthcoming. .... (hiss of static) We are pleased that you remain functional after so long a time."

Megatron says, "I suppose we are undersea."

<LongRange> Colossus' rumbling voice can be heard over the relay as he stands over Techno at the comms station. "Are you in a position to be able to send energy to us? If not, how soon can these resources be made available?"

<LongRange> Soundwave says, "We have some immediate survival matters to tend to. Megatron will contact you as soon as possible."

Buzzsaw stretches his battered wings carefully, neck beading a little with mechfluid. He takes off and wobbily flies to land on an empty seat.

<LongRange> Colossus says, "Roger. Cybertron on stand-by."

Skywarp rubs his helmet, checking for dents "Great ... anyone got a bailing can?"

Megatron says, "Not the worst place to hide if we want not to be seen by the Autobots. And a place of usable resources."

Soundwave reports, "Thunderwing and Colossus say, respectively, that Cybertron is holding out, but they require energy."

Reflector blinks, "They're actually working together?"

Ruse blinks looking up, "...if they agree on anything, it MUST be really bad."

Soundwave says, "Unknown, Reflector. Yet they are sharing access to communications equipment."

Megatron says, "They will get all the energy they need. They have to hang on just a little while longer."

Reflector sneaks Ruse a polaroid of Starscream when they crashed, with all the water splattering onto his head.

Soundwave glances upward at the trickle of water that seems to have increased from the ceiling. "We may require just such equipment, Skywarp," he agrees.

Buzzsaw sits on the top of the seat, looking down at the water below the seat.

Skywarp eyes the 'white one' with a slight sneer "Can we take off Starscream's head and use it? I'm sure it's hollow enough."

Ruse doesn't smile at the polaroid. Instead she takes a deep sigh... and walks over to Starscream and tugs on his arm if he is still under the water sulking, "Come on before you rust, 'commander'. You still got a job to do... as a Decepticon at the very least."

Starscream appears to be out of it, his optics are slightly dulled.

Soundwave starts a mental inventory of the supplies they'll need in order to make this ship at least a temporarily livable base.

Buzzsaw looks around for something to do, irritable again.

Ruse sighs and throws her hands up, muttering, "Fine Screamer..." She turns and walks away, intent on helping the others with repairing the ship as a temporary base.


And so, the Decepticons have survived... despite everything that this new world has thrown at them, they are still functional and still in a position to ship the precious energon back to Cybertron. But how? And what new adventures and challengers await them? Only time will tell...

Decepticon : Earth
Report: The Current Situation	By: Soundwave
(No picture accompanies this electronic memo, perhaps an indicator of the damaged state of equipment - but the calm, reverberating voice is unmistakably Soundwave's.) Megatron has instructed me to provide a status report and pass along standing orders to all Decepticons currently stranded on this alien world. Our vessel currently rests on the ocean floor and will provide a serviceable temporary base. There is much damage to repair, and all available warriors are to assist once your own injuries have been seen to. Until a further course of action is determined, we are to remain unobtrusive on this world. All gathering of raw materials for repair, and all surveillance of the planet's surface, is to procede clandestinely. It is possible the Autobots consider us destroyed, and we may be able to turn this to our advantage. Regarding contact with Cybertron, I will rig the ship's communications equipment as soon as possible, so that long range communications can be routed through the control panel. For the moment, they know we survive, and we know they survive. That is a place of hope from which to start.

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