Ruse [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<S> South leads to Access Corridor.

Striker arrives from Access Corridor.

Soundwave finally turns from his communications station as yet another individual tromps through the command center.

Striker greets Soundwave as he walks over and sits down, looking at the numerous moniters adorning the wall.

Tempest arrives from Access Corridor.

Soundwave looks over the others in the room in silence, keeping his thoughts completely to himself.

Striker says, "Hello Tempest."

Tempest walks in ... right in the door, no more slinking ... and over to a chart she's pinned up on the far wall, showing the base in detail, with handrecorded notes in the margins. She nods once in greeting to Striker.

Striker glances at the door.

Tempest says softly, "Has the energon flow from the geothermal tap been restored?"

Soundwave watches Tempest silently, as though gauging the atmosphere in the room. With Megatron missing and no word, he's been well aware that things haven't been smooth.

Tempest frowns a little. "If we haven't got fuel, we'll have to go out and get some. We can't wait until we're starved out of here."

A soft buzzing begins to sounds off in the room as Striker quickly grabs his upper arm and begins to walk towards the door in a hurry.

Tempest glances up. "What's that?"

Soundwave finally speaks, "Agreed. But we will have to organize ourselves for an attack raid."

Striker looks at the ground as he rushes towards the door, "Nothing..."

Ruse rests aginst a wall. Making herself known as she speaks up, "Acttualy I don't think that's wise. Now that the ship is back and place why not hook back up to the thermal tap? It means some more repairwork but..."

Striker quickly opens the door and rushes out.

Striker enters Access Corridor <<S> South>.
Striker has left.

Tempest nods. "Do we have any recon? Something for power only ... somewhere clear of Autobots." She glances at Ruse. "How are the stores? Can we get the tap working before we run out of fuel?"

Striker arrives from Access Corridor.

Striker slowly makes his way back towards the seat he was sitting in.

Soundwave watches Tempest speculatively. "We are likely to be interrupted by Autobots at any high-profile location. They think they have destroyed our leader and that we are easy targets."

Striker says, "Autobots? Just let me know if any come knocking."

Soundwave says, "Laserbeak is currently out flying reconnaisance, in search of various elements."

Ruse shakes her head, "We have basicaly... what's in our systems right now. We shipped all the spare fuel to Cybertron for the bridgejump and loaded all we gatherd afterward onto the shuttle. " She sighs, "I don't know if the tap can be repaired before we run dry."

Tempest says, "If anyone's desperate I've got a few tanks of auto fuel in my quarters." Her optics shift as if she's debating her own choice in sharing this information.

Tempest adds quickly, "It won't last long and you might not like the taste." She nods to Soundwave. "I had something small in mind ... just enough to get us fuel ... then we fix the tap, get ourselves back to full power, and then we start thinking about the Autobots."

Soundwave says, "I do not believe we will have to make use of your private store, Tempest, but the offer is appreciated. Interference from space has made it difficult to find any conclusive traces of the destroyed space cruiser. However, I do have certain potential targets in reserve for a possible strike."

Ruse walks over and tries to lightly nudge Tempest, "Shouldn't we start by thinking about re-estabilishing radio contact with Cybertron and fixing the bridge, then looking for the stragglers who have been missing since the planet was blown from orbit?"

Tempest says, "We have to keep ourselves fed first." She's plainly back in the "survival" mode ... but with a twist, as she's now at least willing to throw in her lot with the others. "I must confess to being worried about Starscream. He should be here, lauding his new position as our lord and master. If he's alive, he's up to something."

Soundwave taps quickly at his keyboard and brings up a view of that same hydroelectric power plant that the Decepticons have been making use of with some regularity. "There is the old standby - or -" another tap of the fingertips, shifting the view to a ring of active volcanoes, "something more out of the way."

Soundwave says, "I have instructed Laserbeak to keep watch for Starscream."

Tempest glances with interest at the volcanoes. "The Autobots, if I were them, would be monitoring that dam by now. They seem to catch us there often enough."

While Soundwave is offering possibilities for action, he seems to be somewhat doubtful that an organized strike force can be assembled without Megatron. But just as the thought crosses his mind-

Megatron arrives from Access Corridor.

Megatron enters the command center, obviously not very pleased from what he had heard from the outside. "Silence!"

Tempest's head snaps up ... optics spark ... jaw just drops in incredulity.

Soundwave's optic band flickers a little brighter as the familar silver figure walks through the entrance as though he'd never been gone. Slowly he rises to his feet from his communications station. He shouldn't be surprised, after all this time, but he is, at least a little. Surprised, and pleased. The red shade of his optic band shifts into a "smile".

Ruse falls totaly silent, a rare thing indeed for her... before spining around to just stare at Megatron a moment.

CatsCradle arrives from Access Corridor.

Divefire arrives from Access Corridor.

Soundwave after a long moment of silence inclines his head a bit. "Commander. Welcome back."

Divefire walks in with Cats several moments after Megatron's grand enterance. He mutters lightly as he notices the familar silver figure and steps to the side of the room without intruding on anything.

Megatron says, "I'm just gone for a while and it seems everything goes down the drain."

Tempest crouches in front of her maps, almost defensive for a moment ... then puts the chart she's been holding down and slips clear of the front of the room, back ot the side of the room, and sits back to the wall, saying nothing but watching him.

CatsCradle blinks at the sight of Megatron, then flashes a quick grin at Diver. She leans against the edge of the console nearest to the door, quiet as usual

Soundwave glances up at the slowly dripping ceiling of the command center. At least the base is level again, but there's still plenty of damage to repair.

Divefire muses from the side of the room. "At least you didn't have to endure the base at an angle for a week." His tone is slightly ammused, only slightly mind you.

Ruse crosses her arms, but looks as if she wants to say something. She taps her foot a bit, the joyful smile from just a moment ago fading.

Tempest says tersely, "The base is intact ... a nice change from 45 degrees ... and we're all functioning."

A shadow soars into the room and circles for a moment. Laserbeak returns. His sharp vision catches sight of Megatron, but instead of reacting visibly, he flies straight to Soundwave, who opens his tape compartment.

Laserbeak transforms and slides almost silently into the compartment, which closes after him. Soundwave says, "Laserbeak returns with news. Perhaps he has information on the whereabouts of Starscream."

Tempest turns her attention to Soundwave.

Divefire murmers, "Joy."

Megatron nods. "Good... I may have lost a starship, but not the war." His optics flash angrily. "Now I have some unfinished business with the good Dr. Archeville. Starscream is gone as well?"

Ruse says, "He has been missing ever since we left him at the funnel."

Megatron says, "I don't like that. I don't like that at all!"

Tempest adds, "We've been distracted, trying to keep the base intact. I was looking out for him when I could, but no luck."

Soundwave adds information, "Playing back." The voice sounds from the tape reel, clearly recognizeable as Starscream: "Now that Megatron has been destroyed, I am leader of the Decepticons. Understand, Doctor?" The reply comes in the human's voice: "Yes, Starscream, I understand." Starscream replies, "Good. Now take me to your secret laboratory. I have use for your other inventions."

Tempest growls, "Why is he telling the human that, instead of us?"

Soundwave tilts his head a bit at the words 'secret laboratory,' and searches Laserbeak's memory banks to get a triangulation of his possible flightpath.

Megatron frowns, not pleased with what he heard. "We must stop those traitors! Decepticons, to the air!"

CatsCradle pushes herself away from the console she was leaning against. "Yep," she murmurs to Diver. "Never long without a new crisis."

Divefire heh's in deep growl as he too stands from the wall. "It always seems to involve Starscream somehow as well..."

Soundwave remains motionless for a moment, as though still silently calculating something, then turns to touch another control on his console, bringing up a view of the familiar landscape near the Decepticon desert base. "Laserbeak's observations were made near this location. I recommend we start our search there."

CatsCradle chuckles. "And I thought I was the trouble magnet."

Ruse kicks off the wall she was leaned against and walks forward commenting to everyone in general, "Things are back to almost normal at least."

Megatron nods to Soundwave, leaving the command center, awaiting the others to follow him. He hasn't survived the explosion and drifting damaged through space to get his plans sabotaged by his traitorous second in command.

Megatron enters Access Corridor <<S> South>.
Megatron has left.

Desert Canyon

Megatron [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Desert Caves.
<E> East leads to Desert Road.

Ruse arrives from Desert Road.
Striker arrives from Desert Road.
CatsCradle arrives from Desert Road.
Divefire arrives from Desert Road.

From below on the desert floor, one can see the rising dust kicked up by vehicles moving at high speed. They've caught sight of the flying Decepticons, and are trailing their movements.

The biggest vehicle, in the lead, becomes visible as Optimus Prime. Numerous smaller cars follow in his wake, apparently determined to trail the Decepticons to their destination.

Megatron says, "CatsCradle, Divefire, stop them!"

Ruse glances downward and hmmms, "Looks like they was waiting for us to leave the base just like Tempest suspected."

Divefire's optics widen slightly at the command, then he glances to the Autobots in the distance, and then to Cats. "Hrm... I'll need a rockslide Cats."

The Autobots continue rumbling through the desert valley, with cliffs rising to all sides.

Panals reform, locking together as mass shrinks, finaly comming together as a Mk III Trans-Am.
Divefire suddenly transforms and tears off, tyres digging into the terain as he dissapears along the ground at high speed.

CatsCradle gazes up the side of the canyon, picking a target far enough ahead of the convoy of Autobots. In a quick movenent, she brings up both wrist lasers and fires at a large rock, that seems to be holding back a portion of the cliffside.

Megatron says, "Decepticons, land and attack!"

Some way behind the Autobots, a dust cloud rises up as an ultra high speed black car closes in on their position...

A large piece of the cliffside comes loose and crashes down on the trailing Autobots, burying Bumblebee completely. Prime screeches to a stop and transforms. "Brawn, dig Bumblebee out!" he commands. "The rest of you, transform and attack!"

Brawn hurriedly lifts the broken boulders off of Bumblebee, and the Autobots collectively transform and draw their weapons. Ironhide says eagerly, "Let's clobber those flyin' garbage cans."

Megatron lands behind Prime, trying to grasp him.

Tempest has arrived.

Tempest slips in out of the shadows of the rocks as if she'd never been gone....

Prime spins at the last moment and manages to wrench himself out of Megatron's grip, throwing him backward and trying to launch himself into an attack of his own.

Moments after one of Ironhide's inspiring speeches, a black Trans-Am appears behind the Autobots' position, barraling towards them at over 500 mph...

Megatron counters Prime's attack by kicking the Autobot leader back.

Tempest says nothing about where she's been, though the oil running down the swords bracketed to her wings has its own story. Automotive, not Autobot. She crouches in the dimness, watching...

Striker darts up towards the sky, transforming as he goes.
Striker transforms into his F-15 mode.

Prowl, Wheeljack, and Ratchet are flung in three different directions as a black car tears right through their little cluster.

Ruse hovers in the air a moment, picking her target carefuly before she summons sais from subspace. She spins downward and plumets towards the weak Bumblebee, intent on stabbing him. She swoops past, "Time to meet Primus you yellow autoscrap!"

Megatron attacks Prime once again, but gets thrown into a nearby lake by his oponent.
The smaller Autobots try to take cover against the aerial attackers.

Striker starts diving towards the battle raging below, firing at all Autobots within sight.

Divefire's car form brakes sharply and skid turns, spining around and focusing on the Autobot Prowl, albeit at a somewhat slower speed then when he first entered.

Tempest seems reluctant to fight. She's not drawing her weapons, not making any move towards the Autobots ... lurking silently in the shadows, it's unlikely the Bots even know she's there, since they've got more pressing worries ... but she is there, and keeping close watch on the various conflicts, noting that the Decepticons don't seem to need help.

CatsCradle takes to the air, aiming her wrist lasers and picking specific targets; faces, optics, trying to keep the Autobots ducking instead of attacking.

Megatron gets on his feet again, realizing that he has to change his stratatgy. He has an idea... "Fall back, Decepticons! These Autobots are too hero programmed to know when to quit!" He darts into the air.

Soundwave turns in faint surprise to hear Megatron call the withdrawal when the battle is going well - but, Megatron always has his reasons. He breaks off the attack immediately and moves to follow.

Striker spies Ratchet aiming at Megatron and fires on him before he has the chance to fire. Ratchet falls back behind some boulders as Striker begins taking off with Megatron.

Ruse misses stabbing Bumblebee and swoops back up as the smaller of the Autobots take cover. She looks to Megatron, "... just when things where going good." She shakes her head and waits while firing down at the Autobots, providing cover fire as the others fall back.

Divefire sideswipes Prowl's legs from under him once more, and starts to attract some light laser fire from a group of minibots as the command to fall back is given. With another roar of his engines, the black car is once more a blur on the road.

Prime says to his troops, "Good work, Autobots. But we don't want to lose track of them. Transform, and roll out!" The group transforms and quickly moves to follow their flying opponants.

Tempest transforms into her CF-18 Hornet Jet mode.

Tempest takes off, shadowing the rest of the group, staying somewhat off to the left and behind.

CatsCradle hears Megatron's order, and turns back to the fight long enough to lay down a cover fire for Diver.

Soundwave falls into his usual flight position at Megatron's side. "We are veering from our original destination," he points out.

Below, the Autobots keep pace.

Megatron says, "Dazzling deduction, Soundwave. We're heading for a scenic area known as... the "Valley of no Return."

Ruse follows, adding with just a touch of concern, "Hopefuly this plan of yours won't be as dramatic as the shuttle, Megatron."

Megatron grins. "Don't worry, Ruse."

Tempest keeps a notable distance between herself and the others, though she's faithfully shadowing them.

Meanwhile back on the ground, speed restrictions don't seem to be affecting the black trans-am as it keeps up air speeds on the wide desert plains.

Striker wonders when they are going to get to this here 'Valley of no Return' and start the bot killing.

Megatron says, "At least it won't be dramatic on the Decepticon side..."

Soundwave's optics flicker faintly at the mention of the shuttle, but he also keeps careful watch on their enemies below, half-expecting them to transform and start firing at any moment. But the Decepticons continue to lead the Autobots through a series of valleys.

Megatron flies in a way, that it is very obvious that he wants to give Prime and his men the possibility to follow.

Optimus Prime wonders aloud, barely audible over the rumble of his engines, "Why the aerial stunt show?"

Tempest drops back as to be almost beside Prime, though a thousand feet above ... taking care to stay clear of their weapons should they fire, she examines them closely, and then speeds back up the the rear of the con formation again.

Something seems to be wrong with the forward momentum of the Autobots suddenly; their wheels start spinning on the soft substrate as they slow and finally come to a stop, their tires spinning uselessly.

Prime observes, "I've got a buzzing in my logic circuits that tells me we've been led into some sort of trap." To which Bumblebee calls out in a panic of realization, "Prime! I'm sinking!"

Tempest wheels in the sky, a yellow vulture. She rocks her wings to gain the attention of the others, wondering if perhaps Megatron planned this.

Indeed, the Autobots are sinking slowly into the ground surface, and all their spinning tires do them no good.

Hound calls, "Some force is dragging us down!"

Ironhide replies, "It's quicksand!"

Optimus Prime finally comes to the same conclusion and commands, "Transform and pull out!" While the Autobots transform, their robot modes are no more buoyent than their vehicle modes, and they continue sinking inexorably downward.

CatsCradle sees the Autobots sinking and quickly radios, "Diver, get off the ground. The Autobots are sinking, and if you hit the same area..."

The sudden roar off plasma fused laser projection engines being fired at full force is all the aleart there is before Divefire's flight form powers into the sky, trailing quicksand behind his wings.
Wings fold out as engines emerge and body pannels slide into a far more aerodynamic form, revealing an Orbital Interceptor.

Megatron lands on a cliff nearby, grinning. "I know you Autobots know how to tread water, but it's not quite the same as sand." He laughs.

Ruse lands on the cliff as well to watch. She stares a few moments, waiting to see if they can free themselves before relaxing. She chuckes, "Interesting... so this is why they call it the valley of no return."

Tempest passes overhead of the Autobots ... caught up once again in the hunt, to see her prey struggling below her.

The Autobots struggle to no avail to free themselves, well aware that they're sitting targets.

Divefire dives down from out of the sun towards the other Decepticons on the cliff, muttering over his radio to Cats. "I noticed..."

CatsCradle chuckles softly, coming to rest on the cliffside, but says nothing as she watchs the Autobots below.

Soundwave releases Laserbeak from his tape compartment again.

Laserbeak flies out and transforms, his wings spreading, as he shifts direction in mid air and soars over to Megatron, landing on the Decepticon leader's shoulder. Finally, he has been given the chance to assure himself first-hand that Megatron is alive and well.

Megatron addresses the metal condor: "Laserbeak, stay behind! When you see the last Autobot sink slowly out of sight, rejoin us."

Tempest speaks at last. "We don't get to slice them up with our lasers?"

Ruse says, "Why waste the firepower on them?"

Laserbeak emits a squawk of acknowledgement and glides down from Megatron's shoulder to take up a position on a precipice above the Autobots. He seems content to watch them as they sink slowly into oblivion.

Divefire banks over and holds a holding patern above the cliff, not wanting to transform yet again, given his lower half still has a good deal of liquid sand in it...

<LongRange> Ramjet sends a coded text transmition from Cybertron: Warning, evacuate planet. Starscream destroying Earth.

Soundwave looks over at Megatron as he catches a radio transmission.

CatsCradle says softly, "Firepower's not wasted if it's used to kill Autobots."

Tempest grumbles, "A waste of good eating..."

Megatron thinks, destroying Earth? Either this is a joke or... They have to find Archeville's lab and Starscream.

Soundwave has already dismissed the Autobots in his thoughts. He's now much more interested in what's going on on Cybertron. "This individual calling on the long-range frequency, Commander. I recognize the voice. An air warrior named Ramjet whom I met during my last visit to Polyhex. Why would he know of Starscream's plans unless - he had spoken to Starscream?"

<LongRange> Ramjet texts: timer on exponential generator to build power to infinite capacity. All Decepticons evacuate imediately.

Soundwave deduces, "Starscream must have fled to Cybertron." He looks to Megatron to see if the Decepticon leader was thinking the same. "Fled to Cybertron because he has initiated a chain reaction that would destroy the planet?"

Tempest notices Soundwave and Megatron talking and lands nearby.

Tempest transforms into her Robot mode.

Tempest slips closer, trying to overhear.

Striker transforms into his Robot mode.

Ruse looks to Soundwave and tilts her head. She doesn't have a text coding radio transmitter (or longrange since I assume he's calling from Cybertron?) so asks, "Ramjet? Cyber-what?" being on the same cliff beside the two she just waits for an explanation.

Megatron says, "Either he has, or this is a bad joke. We've spent enough time on these sunken treasures! Decepticons, move out, we have to find Archeville's lab. I'm sure we'll find the clue to the message there."

Tempest blinks, having absolutely no idea where Archeville's lab might be - or what the message is. She gazes at Soundwave.

Striker sighs as he hears Megatron's latest orders and prepares to transform.

Megatron enters Desert Caves <<D> Down>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Desert Caves.

Desert Caves

Megatron [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<I> In leads to Dr. Archeville's Lab.
<U> Up leads to Desert Canyon.

Ruse arrives from Desert Canyon.
Striker arrives from Desert Canyon.
CatsCradle arrives from Desert Canyon.
Tempest arrives from Desert Canyon.
Divefire arrives from Desert Canyon.
With the folding, turning and size shunting of parts, Divefire transforms into his robot form.

Tempest looks around, seeming quite comfortable in the cave, slipping through the gloom with one sword drawn.

There's an obvious gaping hole in the cliffside, where it looks as though a piece of rock has been torn away.

Soundwave lands near the entrance, a faint sound catching his attention.

Divefire flies down to the enterance and transforms, landing with a curious expresion on his fetures.

CatsCradle lands lightly on her feet just inside the entrance of the cave.

Dr. Archeville's Lab

Obvious exits:
<O> Out leads to Desert Caves.

Megatron enters the lab. He stares at the strange egg-shaped device in the middle of the room, fascinated. But remembering the warning, he quickly starts to find the timer.

Tempest has arrived.
Striker has arrived.
Divefire has arrived.
CatsCradle has arrived.
Ruse has arrived.

Tempest takes down her other sword ... but there's no life here, only that humming cylinder. The mechanics she does not understand. She glances around for threats and finds none she can recognize, though the hum of the cylinder sets her on edge.

Ruse looks around blinking, "Surprising... this looks a lot like Techno's lab back on Cybertron. Only there's no 'pet' standing guard."

CatsCradle nods towards the cylinder. "What is it?" she asks Diver in a low voice.

Soundwave centers in on the faint ticking sound. He reaches out and touches Megatron lightly on the shoulder, indicating a small box up on the wall, with numbers clicking steadily toward zero. Almost there...

Tempest watches Soundwave, follows his gesture ... and even she recognizes the timer. "It's a bomb," she whispers in a low, harsh voice.

Divefire glances towards the cylinder and pulls out a scanner from subspace. He glances at the readings, optics widening. "Bad," is all he comments back.

    [OOC] Ruse says, "Someone set us up the bomb! *duck*"
    [OOC] Divefire laughs! All your base belong to Starscream...

CatsCradle doesn't bother glancing at the scanner. She wouldn't know how to interpret the readings anyway, and Diver's single word was enough for her. She takes a single step backwards in reaction, then stops herself.

Tempest notices Cats' movement and whispers, "I'm with you ... we should get out of here before it goes off!" She can't understand why Megatron is fiddling with it ... who cares if a cave in the middle of nowhere blows up?

CatsCradle murmurs, "Depends on how big an explosion we're talking about. We might not have time to get far enough away."

Ruse scowls at the interactions going on, but remains out of the way for now, knowing there is probably nothing she could do to aid the situation. She does however know now is NOT the time to get in the way.

Megatron grasps the device at the wall, ripping it off. The countdown stops immidiately.

Tempest looks like she really doesn't like Cats' answer.

CatsCradle squeaks slightly, almost expecting the device to go off anyway.

Divefire is about to answer the question of how big the explosion will be, which is most of the Earth, when he glances to Megatron's way of stopping the countdown. "Subtle. Maybe next time we could throw a reverse switch."

Soundwave relaxes slightly as Megatron stops the countdown with two seconds to spare.

<LongRange> Megatron says, "Where is Starscream, Ramjet?"

CatsCradle glances at Diver with a shrug. "Whatever works."

Tempest says, "Archeville tried to blow us all up?"

Soundwave shakes his head in response to Tempest's question. "The timer was placed well above his reach."

Tempest blinks. "Then who? Autobots? or..." She catches Megatron's words. "Starscream."

Tempest's optics flash an ugly red. "Starscream tried to kill us, why?"

Megatron says, "The timer was on Starscream's eye-level."

Divefire mutters as he takes some more readings from the cylinder. "Someone really does need to kill him."

Ruse sighs, looking to Tempest. She comments, somewhat shaken, "Starscream? I.. don't belive it. Megatron are you.. sure?" Her tone is of disbelief at the hinting that he would kill them all. He is after all a Decepticon.

Tempest turns her head to Divefire and says in a deadly calm voice, "Is that a request?"

CatsCradle simply can't help it. She leans over to Diver and murmurs very softly, "This makes twice that I've nearly been killed by someone on my own team.

Soundwave's optics darken slightly, but he says nothing further on the subject. But something else does catch his highly-tuned hearing. He turns his head quickly toward the entrance. "Autobots!" he warns, detecting the faint familiar sound of the hated engines.

Divefire frowns at Cats' words and looks to Tempest. "If this keeps up, I'll do it myself." Then on Soundwave's warning he turns, looking at the cave enterance. "Speeking of people that won't lay down and die..."

Megatron crushes the timer with only one hand. "When I get my hands on this traitor, his catalytic converter is mine..." Catches Soundwave's comment. "Autobots? Impossible! They were doomed!"

Soundwave's optic band flashes bright again, some silent communication. "Laserbeak reports they escaped their death."

<LongRange> Ramjet appears on screen, reporting from a command centre somewhere, "Lord Megatron, he's... AAhhhgg!" he slumps foward, blocking the view, clearly having been shot in the back. Starscream can be heard cackling in the background.

Megatron rushes out of the lab to encounter the enemy.

Main Access Plaza <Polyhex>

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

<Cybertron> Cybertron sensors would notice a familiar red-and-silver jet form flying in toward Polyhex. A more intensive scan would reveal that it's carrying an unknown lifesign, a very faint reading, in addition to the familar Decepticon energy signature.

Ramjet arrives from Hangar Bay <Polyhex>.

Ramjet comes to investigate the lifereading

Starscream is walking determinedly across the open Plaza, a white-coated human in his hand. The creature looks similar to the slave that was scuttling around Polyhex not too long ago.

Ramjet frowns seeing who it is, he moves to guard the entrance, "Halt. No organics in the base. The last one that was brought in caused a real mess."

Starscream turns toward Ramjet, his scarlet optics flashing a little brighter. "By whose orders?" he demands, keeping hold of the human, who looks none too pleased.

Ramjet says, "Does Commander Shockwave know you're back on the planet, Air Commander?"

Starscream smirks. "He's about to find out. Incidentally - that's Lord Starscream to you now."

Ramjet doesn't actually have any such orders but doesn't want another explosion to be his fault. "Lord Starscream? Since when?" He looks taken aback somewhat.

In one swift motion, Starscream fishes out a polished Decepticon-symbol emblem and holds it up to Ramjet as though it were some sort of prize. "Megatron's starship was destroyed in a massive explosion of energon cubes," he boasts, "which means I now lead the Decepticons. That means, this flesh-creature goes anywhere I say. I have plans for him still, after all."

Ramjet gapes a bit, focusing on the shiney badge and taking a step back, "But Megatron..." he shuts his mouth and frowns again, then salutes and steps aside. "Yes sir."

Ramjet wonders what to do ... and waits where he is, guarding the door again for now.

Starscream turns smartly and moves in the direction of Watch Central. He clutches the human in one hand, focusing on Ramjet as he strides forward. "Ramjet! I order you to come with me to the remnants of Earth where we shall harvest energy for the foundations of my empire!"

Dr. Archeville squirms a bit in Starscream's grip and finally calls, "Starscream, listen to me! The total destruction of my planet is unthinkable!"

Starscream cocks his head, pausing to look at the feeble-looking fleshling. "Really now? Since when were you in a position to give me orders, creature?"

Dr. Archeville tries uselessly to wriggle out of Starscream's grasp and simply glares up at the Decepticon.

Starscream laughs and holds the wriggling human out at arm's length. "You should feel priveleged instead, Doctor. You get to be the sole-remaining survivor of your otherwise worthless species. Imagine how that would impact upon your resale value! Hmhaha!"

Ramjet is glad someone is happy ... at least Starscream is in a good mood.

Dr. Archeville says, "Very amusing, Starscream. You should have left me behind, to insure that everything ran according to plan. We could have benefitted each other. But your greed exceeded you!"

Starscream snorts, "I prefer to view it as 'ambition'. Anyway, I've wasted enough time here. Come, Ramjet! Let us proceed!"

Ramjet stays put, "What do you need me for ... sir?"

Ramjet tries to hang back so he can radio Megatron, warn him Starscream is on planet.

Starscream flicks a gaze at Ramjet, "You can come with me. I'll need a capable assistant to aid me in the foundation of my future... a civilisation ruled entirely by Starscream! Hmmahah!"

Starscream steps forward, "Ramjet, accompany me to the Polyhex Command Centre. Once the timer finishes, well... There'll be a lot of work to do... how shall I put this? Picking up the pieces...." He grins and strides forward into Polyhex.

Starscream enters Watch Central <Polyhex> <<N> North>.
Starscream has left.

Ramjet hmms, well, that doesn't sound so bad. Meybe he can warn Megatron later. He hesitates a moment more, then follows after the air commander.

You enter Watch Central <Polyhex>.

You step onto the access hatch and are dropped downwards into the gravshaft.

Linking Shafts

You enter Administration Deck.

You enter Command Center.

Command Center

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

Ramjet arrives from Administration Deck.

Ramjet follows them in and stands to one side of the door, guarding it like a good grunt.

Starscream puts the doctor down on a bench and rubs his hands together with glee. "Watch, my good doctor - the destruction of the Earth is imminent. But do not fear - out of the ashes a new era shall arise, one ruled by Starscream! Yes, once my little toy explodes, I will be there to harvest all the energon I could possibly ever want! Cybertron will live once more!"

Dr. Archeville glowers at the computer screen. His brief association with the Decepticons has taught him a few things about how to recognize the read-outs, and he can fill in the rest by guesswork. Obviously Starscream is ready to catch the resultant energy explosion with machinery that Earth technology can only dimly imagine. Or so he has it worked out in his mind. "This wasn't the deal," he mutters to himself. "I wasn't meant to be ruler of a dead planet!" Suddenly something snaps in his mind, and he rushes forward, pushing frantically at the buttons on the computer console and pulling levers haphazardly. "I may not be able to stop you from destroying the Earth, but I can stop you from collecting the energy of its destruction!"

Ramjet hey!s and raises his arm lasers, aiming at the doctor's back, "Freeze!"

Starscream casually observes and fires a nullray blast at the human's back, knocking the human to the ground. "I don't think so, my good doctor..."

Ramjet stomps over to the fallen human, "I told you these things were trouble, Starscream."

Dr. Archeville is struck simultaneously by Starscream's null ray and the sentry monitor of the computer, which sends a massive jolt of electricity sizzling through him. His organic and metallic componants absorb the power to alternate degrees, and the human is flung to the ground, where he shudders for a moment, and then lies still.

Starscream raises a hand. "Wait Ramjet, I have a further use for him." He snickers. "This should all be very amusing." He studies the fried human for a little bit longer and then a laugh escapes his throat. "Yes, very amusing indeed..."

Ramjet nudges the smoking form on the floor with his foot, "So much for that one. They're too fragile by half. What did you bring him here for anyway? Just so there was someone to watch you gloat?"

Starscream scoops up the comatose human with a hand and then walks to a part of the command centre, pulling a bench out of the wall and placing the human on it, outstretched. He ignores Ramjet's comments and starts to haul some tools out of subspace, going to the engineering lab and returning a while later with several choice components. He hooks a welder up and puts it near the small human's body, a fine rain of sparks filling the air and the sound of wet cracking bone can dimly be heard.

Ramjet sees Starscream is busy and walks to the command console. Looking at all the screens and trying to figure out what's up. "So what happens to Cybertron when the Earth blows up?"

After some indefinite amount of time passes, Starscream steps back, folding his hands together as he carefully surveys his work. "Hmahha. Now then, my new creation. Less fragile and more... use than ever before. I should really spend more attention on 'improving' these base organic creatures... But my genius is required in other areas." Starscream makes sure the unconscious human is clamped down to the 'reconstruction' bench, and slides all the tools and left overs of his grisly work into subspace. He stamps out a patch of blood with his foot, rather absently and then turns back to the console to watch the countdown.

Starscream laughs, "We'll be in an excellent position to harvest the energy, Ramjet. Wasn't that clear to your already overloaded motherboard?"

Ramjet says, "We're just kinda close is all. I've seen planets blow up before."

Dr. Archeville slowly stirs as he struggles his way back to consciousness, finding himself tied down securely on the table.

Ramjet says, "Are all our troops off the planet surface? I'll send a message warning the Earthbase just in case."

Starscream sneers, "I didn't ask for you to give me a tactical analysis of the situation. I've made the relevant calculations and they will prove the deciding factor, not some of your half-witted memories..."

Starscream waves a hand, "I'm sure everyone is off Earth. There's no need to send a message."

Dr. Archeville mumbles, "What the...? What is this? What happened to me? I can't move!"

Ramjet moves to the coms console. "Wouldn't hurt."

Starscream hisses, "Stay away, Ramjet! I've got everything under control."

Starscream catches the human's struggles out of the corner of his eye. Laughing, he strides over to the captured doctor. "How do you feel, doctor?" he asks politely. "You'll be pleased to note that I've made some improvements to your weakling organic structure."

Ramjet says, "But what if..." he scowls, not wanting to get nullrayed. And even if Megatron isn't dead, Starscream does outrank him.

Dr. Archeville tries to sit up, in response to which the repair table folds up into a wheeled transport chair - to which he still remains firmly attached. He glares indignantly at Starscream. "You've turned me into a mechanical freak!"

Starscream shakes his head, "Au contraire, doctor. I've made you better than you were before. You'll be able to access Cybertronian equipment now, which prior to your... upgrade... would have electrocuted a mere purely organic lifeform. You should be thanking me instead."

Dr. Archeville says, "Thanking you!? You destroy my planet, you ruin my deal with Megatron, you turn me into a monster - thanking you?"

<LongRange> Ramjet sends a coded text transmition from Cybertron: Warning, evacuate planet. Starscream destroying Earth.

Dr. Archeville says, "This timer you attached to the exponential generator - it's going to build power to infinite capacity, do you understand, Starscream?"

Ramjet taptaps at the keys as quietly as he can, trying to stand so his body blocks the view of his hand taping the keys and the text being sent to Earth.

Starscream waves a hand casually, "I'm sure it will seem clear to you in the end. Megatron had no plan to honour his end of the bargain. He would have crushed you simply like the worthless bug you are... Instead, I have saved your life and there will be a place for you in my future empire."

Starscream shrugs, "I'm quite sure I've worked out your little generator. It's going to destroy Earth and that's just what I want."

<LongRange> Ramjet texts: timer on exponential generator to build power to infinite capacity. All Decepticons evacuate imediately.

Dr. Archeville glances aside and notices Ramjet standing by the computer. He doesn't quite know what the conehead is up to, but by the furtive stance, he assumes Ramjet isn't quite in agreement with Starscream's actions. Thus he continues to provide a distraction. "A part of your... empire, Starscream? Hmmm. Perhaps, perhaps. But tell me more of my role in this supposed empire?"

Starscream laughs, "You'll see. I might be generous and put you in charge of some equipment. All that knowledge you wanted... well, you can have it..." He flicks a gaze over the console... "Ramjet, get away from there. I don't want your hamfists ruining my operations! Go over there and keep watch by the door!"

Ramjet starts and nods, "Yessir!" he turns the screen off and stomps purposefully over to the door.

Dr. Archeville tries again to pull his now-fully-metal hands out of their wrist restraints and says, "I'm sure he's harmless, Starscream. You can't lead an empire with a following of one!"

Ramjet says, "If Starscream pulls this off the others will follow him too."

Starscream turns his attention back to the doctor. "Yes, it's highly appropriate that that organic mess of a planet that I so detest will prove the foundation of my empire - I shall repower Cybertron and the entire universe will fall before me." He glares at the doctor. "Fool! Once they see what I have done - that I have destroyed the very fabric of the Earth - they will flock to my banner! They will fall down before and finally acknowledge me as SUPREME DECEPTICON RULER!"

Dr. Archeville looks around. "Others? What others? How many inhabitants do you have on this barren metal world anyway?"

Ramjet assumes his position by the door, happy he sent a short message at least. Now if any Decepticons are blown up with Earth it isn't his fault, only theirs for not getting off quick enough.

Starscream snorts, "More than you think, human."

Ramjet says, "Maybe we'll get to see some action at last."

Dr. Archeville says with a touch of sarcasm, "Why don't you enlighten me, o supreme Decepticon ruler?"

Ramjet watches the big screen. This might be Starscream's plan, but he doesn't want to miss the fireworks.

The seconds tick by, edging closer and closer to the timed explosion.

Starscream leans back against the wall, "Yes, Ramjet - rather than sitting on Earth gathering energon, we'll be conquerors and raiders of the galaxy once more. All will pay tribute to me... And for your information, my good doctor, we have troops stationed all over Cybertron - some are even in stasis, awaiting the time when Cybertron is re-energised. I will have plenty of loyal troops.... There's even some in the detention centre I could liberate..." He pauses slightly, "Gah! Why I am telling you all this? I have a certain display to watch..." He steps away from the doctor's side and impatiently goes over to the main console, staring at the timer.

Ramjet mutters, "Cos you like the sound of your own voice?"

Dr. Archeville finds that his "wheelchair" responds nicely to mental commands, and he rolls forward despite himself to get a better look at the screen, a sort of horrified fascination evident on his features.

Starscream grinds his fists together in anticipation.

Ramjet watches with the same mean expression, but manages to resist the urge to read the descending countdown out loud.

The countdown edges toward zero ... three ... two ... one ... Zero! And ... nothing. Nothing at all.

<LongRange> Megatron says, "Where is Starscream, Ramjet?"

Ramjet waits ... then takes a step foward, "Is that it?"

Starscream stares at the counter in shocked amazement. "What?!!! What went wrong? This cannot be!" He snaps angrily at the human, "Your stupid exponential generator has failed to decimate the planet! Curses!" He slams his fist into the console.

Dr. Archeville's clenched fists slowly uncurl themselves as no energy readings shoot across the screen.

Dr. Archeville says, "How interesting." He peers up at Starscream. "My generator? You're the one who implanted the timer, Starscream. You're the only one who knows how it works."

Starscream fires a shot of pure frustration into the air, a light rain of metal debris pattering down from the ceiling.

Ramjet duck and covers.

Ramjet uh oh's as Megatron's face appears on the long range com screen. Megatron - "Where is Starscream, Ramjet?"

Starscream paces back and forth, muttering to himself... "What went wrong? What went wrong? I should investigate... but no.. was it a malfunction? Autobots? Was I being conspired against?"

Ramjet rushes over to the active com screen and tries to send a reply.

Starscream stares rather stupidly at Megatron's visage. "Megatron? But he's... dead..." He stares at Ramjet, a fiery rage filling his optics. "It was you! You betrayed me! You could have had a position as one my elite lieutenants - you could have had power ... and you betrayed me!" He fires a bolt at Ramjet's back.

<LongRange> Ramjet apears on screen, reporting from a command centre somewhere, "Lord Megatron, he's...AAhhhgg!" he slumps foward, blocking the view, clearly having been shot in the back. Starscream can be heard cackling in the background.

Starscream attacks Ramjet with null ray, and strikes him!
Dr. Archeville directs his rollerchair to move him swiftly out of the firing line.

Starscream fires a crackling, crippling bolt directly into Ramjet!

Dr. Archeville glances from the downed Ramjet to the screen with its lack of exploded planet, and then back to Starscream. Momentarily, he thinks it better not to add any commentary.

Starscream kicks frustratedly at the fallen Ramjet.

Dr. Archeville shakes his head. "Starscream, seriously. How will you lead your troops if you keep incapacitating them? First me, then him?"

Starscream snorts, "You aren't my troops - Ramjet betrayed me and you're a useless piece of organic scum!"

Techno arrives from Administration Deck.

Straxus arrives from Administration Deck.

Dr. Archeville looks indignant, moving back and forth a bit on the "roller skates." "If I'm so useless, why didn't your timing device work, Starscream?" he needles.

Starscream glares at Techno, "At least salute when you enter in the presence of the Supreme Decepticon Commander..."

Straxus enters, making a distinct effort to remain quiet.

Starscream spits, "The timing device... there may have been complications..."

Straxus snickers under his breath.

Dr. Archeville comes as close to an innocent expression as he can get. "See, if you'd left me behind, maybe we could have come to an agreement. But noooo."

Starscream spits, "Gah! I'll will resolve this! I just need more time..."

Straxus says, "Never ready to admit when you're wrong... some things will never change."

Starscream folds his arms defiantly when he notices Straxus, casually stepping away from Ramjet's comatose form. "Who asked for your advice, Straxus? I will achieve my goals!"

Techno hmms, looking at Starscream, "Do I know you? ... Ah yes, you flunked remedial science ... 4 times I believe." She looks over at the human.

Dr. Archeville pulls against his wrist restraints and looks around at the others.

Starscream grits his metaphorical teeth. "I do not recall requesting your presence here - either of you!" he snaps, glaring at both Straxus and Techno.

Straxus says, "Starscream? You will achieve the cold reprieve of nothingness if you do not learn to live within your means. You will always be constrained by your inability to accept the obvious."

Straxus says, "And I don't recall needing your permission to patrol this sector, Screamer..."

Dr. Archeville smirks a little to himself. He doesn't recognize this big robot, but he rather likes what he's hearing from him just now. Perhaps one could induce Starscream to go check out the timer himself, with just a few more well-chosen words. "Starscream, surely," he muses, as though thinking over the situation, "you'll not allow these, erm, subjects of yours, to question your expertise?"

Starscream snorts, "I didn't ask for your fortune-cookie advice either..."

Straxus says, "Oh, it was never meant as advice. It's merely a widely held opinion."

A Beaker unit circles around the human, eyeing it, and wondering if they live longer then an hour.

Techno smiles, "Subjects? No, no ... he's just a lackey of Megatron's. Offical boot polisher I think it was. This is Shockwave domain."

Straxus says, "I'm simply giving it voice."

Dr. Archeville rotates a little to face the Beaker unit, watching it cautiously. He's already experienced Cybertron's ministrations, and has no desire to undergo more "repairs."

Starscream snorts, "Gah! I despise you all - even though one day you'll be grovelling at my feet, Straxus, when I rule this world... and the universe! My plan - it's still viable, yes, I'm sure of it. It was perhaps a technical malfunction..." he says, grasping at this straw, having put all of his hopes on this one plan and he simply can't accept the fact that he might have required a fallback plan or that something would go wrong with his initial plan. It was all so perfect! His voice sharpens and a sense of obsessive determination flickers in his optics. "I will go and investigate it myself!"

Starscream strides purposely towards the spacebridge.

Straxus says, "I'm not short enough to grovel at your feet Starscream, be reasonable."

Dr. Archeville turns his head and nods to Starscream. "I was wondering how long it would take for a brilliant mind such as yourself to come to that obvious conclusion."

Starscream stares at the spacebridge... which he has now just realised is malfunctioning, and curses. "I'll fly back, dammit."

Straxus says, "Starscream?"

Starscream ignores Straxus and shoves past him, racing towards the Main Access Plaza.

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

Straxus mutters something under his breath, it sounds like... "Prick."

Desert Caves

Obvious exits:
<I> In leads to Dr. Archeville's Lab.
<U> Up leads to Desert Canyon.

Even those without exceptional hearing can probably detect the sound of truck engines outside, now, though they go abruptly silent.

Ruse ughs, "Tempest, next time I am listening to your advice. Waste of time or not we mow them down." She then draws her rifle and checks it ... before rushing out after Megatron.

Tempest grins a little at Ruse and charges, swords drawn!

CatsCradle has arrived.
Divefire has arrived.

A blue fist flies out from alongside the entrance of the cave, trying to catch Megatron. "Hello again, Megatron!" Prime announces, revealing his hiding place to the side of the opening to the lab.

Prime motions hurriedly to the other Autobots to keep the 'Cons busy. He's going to try to make his way into the cave, if only he can get Megatron out of the way.

Tempest watches Prime's movement and tries to bar his way, only to find herself tackled by Ironhide!

Megatron gets an unexpected hook from the Autobot leader and crashes into the rock wall.

CatsCradle mutters to Diver, "We've got to get out of this cave. We're trapped in here."

Divefire is about to answer Cats when he's lunged apon by Prowl and Bluestreak in Datsun reunion party.

Megatron grasps some boulder, tossing it towards Prime. "Here! Have a ton of fun!"

Ironhide looks down at his captive and says, "Well, if we can keep this one, we'll be getting a nice stack of credits from Defcon!"

Tempest hisses and spits, but Ironhide's pinning her arms behind her back.

CatsCradle whirls on Prowl, drawing her sword.

Laserbeak soars down from the sky to rejoin the troops, arriving just at that precise moment. Diving toward Prime, he only barely avoids the boulder that Megatron threw, the heavy piece of rock clipping his wingtip.

Prime too dodges aside, and laughs tauntingly. "Your aim's improving!" he notes.

Ruse skids to a hault as best she's able and barely avoids the Megatron/Prime conflict. She dives aside but then stops as she hears something above the battle, "Oh no you..." She rushes towards Ironhide, leaping over Bumblebee who tries to stop her, before flinging herself at the back of his neck, attempting to choke him, "LET GO!"

Ironhide tries to ignore the cassette hanging off his neck, but the sheer surprise of being grabbed like that causes his grip to slacken just a bit....

Megatron shoots at Prime instead.

Tempest tears free, spins around and slams Ironhide with a punch to the jaw!
Prime uses the opportunity to rush for the entrance of the lab, having the sense that if there's something inside that Megatron wants, he wants to get there first.

Prowl and Bluestreak are a little to busy trying to pound Divefire into scrap to notice a femme holding a wicked looking blade moving up behind them...

Megatron rushes after Prime. If the Autobot leader gets the exponential generator... not to imagine.

Ruse grrs, and as she feels the jolt of Ironhide getting hit, kicks off his back as hard as she can to get clear of the hopefuly tumbling bot, "Tempest... you ok?"

Soundwave too follows along, to make sure nothing goes wrong.

CatsCradle doesn't give Prowl a chance to even think about someone else coming at him. She silently slashes at him from behind, leaving Bluestreak for Diver.

Dr. Archeville's Lab

Obvious exits:
<O> Out leads to Desert Caves.

Megatron has arrived.

Prime barely manages to dodge the blast once again, and runs toward the glowing cylinder in the center of the floor. So, this must be it! He reaches out a hand as though to touch it.

Megatron aims at Prime. "Get away from that, Optimus Prime! It belongs to me!"

Prime eyes the pulsing orb within the cylinder, and replies, "Anything you say, Megatron. This thing could explode at any moment. Or hadn't you noticed that your possession is highly unstable?" He steps carefully away from the cylinder, making no sudden moves.

Megatron dims his optics, slightly surprised that Prime so willingly moves out of the way, though he makes himself a better target then. Slowly the Decepticon leader walks closer to the generator, still aiming at Prime. "I only want what's mine."

Prime steps further out of the way, watching Megatron's move carefully, but makes no attempt to draw a weapon. Perhaps because Soundwave has taken up a position in one corner and is watching Prime's every move.

Megatron takes a closer look at the beautifully shining device. Indeed, there is an instability. "I have to disconnect it from the system... It should stabilize the process."

Prime mentions, "But be careful with that. It's still highly dangerous."

Megatron says, "Keep an eye on him, Soundwave..."

Megatron starts to interrupt the connection to the system by cutting the wires that connect the generator to it. He works quick, but precisely.

Soundwave watches in silence, his attention more closely on Prime than on Megatron. He trusts Megatron to know what he's doing. He does not, of course, trust the Autobot.

Prime repeats, since Megatron seems not to be paying attention to him, "Careful with that thing."

Starscream has arrived.

Starscream stops in shock as he sees the two mechs he never expected to see sitting right here in the middle of his plan...

Off in one corner, Optimus Prime is inside as well, keeping a close watch on Megatron's activities, but not daring to interfere. Soundwave keeps watch on Prime.

Starscream stares in shock at the scene playing out before him and quickly dives under a bench. (Fool Megatron!) he thinks to himself. (You always come between me and the glory I deserve!)

Soundwave's attention seems riveted to Prime, and so he for once doesn't seem to notice the entrance of another individual - or, oddly enough, he may classify Starscream's footsteps as those of one of the other jets, since Starscream is on Cybertron, last anyone heard.

Megatron suddenly looks up, now realizing that Prime is still here as well. "Prime? I... I've been lost im my work." He takes the generator out of its setting.

Prime points out, "Lost is an appropriate term. Your plaything has melted your housing."

Starscream thinks snidely, (Megatron is indeed an unworthy leader if he would ally himself with the Autobots! I look forward to destroying this planet and everyone on it! Hmahaha!)

Megatron glances shortly at the damage at his chest. "It's of no concern. I'll reduce temperature soon enough." He glares at the Autobot. "Now get out of my way!"
Prime again takes a step back. "Anything you say..." though he seems to tense a bit in preparation.

Megatron passes Prime, the device on his arms, heading for the exit. This exponential generator may be exactly the power source the Decepticons need.

Prime hesitates only a moment, then leaps forward at Megatron, tackling him from behind and grabbing for the glowing generator. "I just had to get this out of your hands!"

Soundwave responds as well, but a fraction of a second later, and tries to plow into Prime from the side to knock him away from Megatron. The action sends the orb-shaped generator bouncing away across the floor, where it glows steadily brighter.

Starscream glares at the device. Well, the plan was for it to explode, but not with him anywhere near!

Megatron attacks his enemy, trying to get the generator as it falls to the floor. "I need it back!"

Starscream tenses, crouching for flight when an available chance should eventuate...

Prime says, "Careful, it's at a critical stage. It's going to explode!"

Megatron gets on his feet. "Not here if I can help it!" He grasps the device and runs out of lab and cave.

Megatron has left.

Desert Caves

Megatron [Robot]
Ruse [Robot]
Divefire [Robot]
CatsCradle [Robot]
Tempest [Robot]

Prowl is about to captalize on the distraction of the falling rocks when he gets distracted by the rock creatures, looking perplexed rather then distracted by their sudden apperance.

Starscream has arrived.

Divefire meanwhile rams Bluestreak into the side of the cave for daring to get back up and nearly blowing his arm off.

Soundwave follows along after Megatron, who in turn is followed out of the cave by Prime.

Megatron runs out of the cave, having a strange device in his arms. He looks like every second counts.

Megatron enters Desert Canyon <<U> Up>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Desert Canyon.

Desert Canyon

Megatron [Robot]
Obvious exits:
<D> Down leads to Desert Caves.
<E> East leads to Desert Road.

Starscream arrives from Desert Caves.

Ruse arrives from Desert Caves.

Tempest arrives from Desert Caves.

Megatron stops. He looks back at Prime, handing him the generator. "No time to argue, Prime. Take this while I transform!"

Starscream transforms into his Red-and-Silver F-15 mode.

Megatron transforms into his Walther P-38 mode.

Tempest isn't sure what's going on ... she hangs back, keeping an optic out for the Autobots in case they follow.

Starscream rockets past the congregation, forgetting about stealth in his panic to escape the explosion of the device.

Prime is following Megatron closely, almost seeming to be torn between trying to still pull the hot orb from Megatron's grip, and cooperating - but upon Megatron's words, he sees the logic of the situation, and nods wordlessly.

Ruse follows as does Bumblebee although he keeps away from her as he slinks back watching.... Curiosity getting the better of both. oO(Just what is going on?)

CatsCradle arrives from Desert Caves.

Prime catches the transforming Megatron in one hand, and loads the hot pulsing orb into the barrel with the other. He lifts the gun and aims it directly for the sky.

Soundwave looks on a little dubiously, his own weapon in his hand and ready to fire on Prime if the Autobot leader should make one wrong move.

The glowing projectile shoots from the gunbarrel with tremendous force. As chance would have it, taking the same trajectory as the fleeing Starscream.

Tempest's jaw drops again. Megatron ... and Prime ... working together? She mutters to Ruse, "Obviously something is very wrong...."

Starscream flies past in his mad impatience to escape it all... Megatron, his failed plan to become Supreme Commander, the ruins of his schemes... He fires his rockets up, burning into the sky, a single mote of pure flight...

Megatron fires the orb into orbit.

CatsCradle skids to a stop outside the cave, her optics wide at the sight of Prime and Megatron apparently... working together...?

Ruse just stares, muttering back, "Or right... look where they shot that orb!"

The exponential generator finally reaches a state of no return, having been battered around and abused to the point of being unable to maintain its steady pulse. It shatters in the upper atmosphere with an explosion that lights up the whole sky.

Starscream shoots upwards and then, at the last moment registers the orb spinning towards him! "No...!" he croaks, "It's not fair!" He desperately fires his thrusters up to escape the orb, but then the thing explodes in a huge cloud of pure flame and Starscream can be seen flipping away, wing over wing, into the heavens...

Starscream enters Desert Road <<E> East>.
Starscream has left.

Divefire arrives from Desert Caves.

Megatron transforms into his Robot mode.

Tempest shrinks back ... refusing to think how close they all came to being blown up.

Chasm has arrived.

Ruse quickly flattens herself to the ground having been through one shockwave too many not to know what is to come in just a few moments. oO(Any second now...)

Megatron thinks, 'This was close, very close...'

CatsCradle automatically ducks back into the mouth of the cave at the explosion, then obviously realizes that the cave might not be as secure a cover as she might wish, after Prowl's shot into the roof.

Soundwave brings his weapon up and to bear quite obviously on Prime as a silent threat.

The Autobot leader too seems to feel that there's nothing further to be gained here. He motions to his troops who have been standing around watching, with various degrees of battle damage. "Autobots, roll out!" he commands, shifting to his truck mode.

Tempest watches the Autobots leave ... once again standing among the other Decepticons, rather than off to the side.

Ruse slowly stands, somewhat suprised as she murmers, "What, no shockwave this time?"

Soundwave once again calls Laserbeak to him with a silent command, and has the sharp-eyed bird track the flying shape in the distance that crashed Earthward with the blast.

Megatron says, "We have survived, as usual. Decepticons, back to base!"

Divefire glances around, having emerged a moment later outside. "I missed the climax?" He muses to anyone in audio range.

Soundwave notes to Megatron, "It appears that Starscream crashed not far from here."

Soundwave says, "Shall I instruct Laserbeak to bring him to base?"

Tempest says to Divefire, "Megatron, and Prime, together. Weird. Starscream really souped up that bomb but good."

Megatron stares at Soundwave. "Where? I will welcome him personally!"

CatsCradle moves to Diver's side. "Oh, yeah. And it was a good one." She glances up at his face and murmurs, "You ok?"

Ruse shakes her head and dusts off, "Yes you did Dive... well then again. Maybe it's just beginning."

Soundwave points to the east.

Megatron takes off and flies into that direction.

Divefire raises a brow to everyone and the nods to Cats. "I am. Bluestreak isn't."

Megatron enters Desert Road <<E> East>.
Megatron has left.

You enter Desert Road.

Desert Road

Megatron [Robot]
Starscream [Red-and-Silver F-15]
Obvious exits:
<W> West leads to Desert Canyon.
<E> East leads to Dry Riverbed.
<N> North leads to Desert Power Station.

In the distance, the smashed-up jet can be seen... smoke pouring from its thrusters, its canopy shattered...

Ruse arrives from Desert Canyon.

Tempest arrives from Desert Canyon.

Soundwave flies alongside Megatron, with Laserbeak hovering up ahead over the crashed jet.

Megatron flies into the area. As he notices the jet, he lands beside Starscream, the Decepticon leader's dark shadow falling over the F-15.

CatsCradle arrives from Desert Canyon.

Divefire arrives from Desert Canyon.

Starscream struggles to transform, bits of metal and yellow perspex falling off him.

Starscream transforms into his Robot mode.

Megatron smirks. "Welcome home, 'noble' voyager."

Ruse follows... and lands a short distence away from where Megatron is. She remains silent, and just watches with a mixed expression that's hard to read.

CatsCradle settles to watch with an oh-this-will-be-interesting expression.

Starscream looks in bad shape... energon drips from his wounds, dents pockmark his finish. He coughs slightly, "Uh, Megatron... it's good to see you again..." He says, his voice rasping and oily.

Soundwave lands beside Megatron, his expression more thoughtful than anything else as he regards the damaged Starscream.

Tempest growls as she sees Starscream still functional.

Divefire floats down from the sky and lands near the confrontration, pondering the consequances of killing Starscream here and now.

Megatron grasps Starscream by the shoulder, forcing the other to his feet. Then he addresses the other members of his team. "Take him to the base for repairs. I will decide later what I'll do with him."
Starscream stares at Megatron with flickering optics, saying nothing...

Soundwave decides to let another of the tapes out for some sun. "Chasm, eject. Return Starscream to base."

Chasm has arrived.

Ruse crosses her arms, though manages to force a smile to her features as she nods towards Chasm. He did risk his life for her life after all.

Chasm flaps out of Soundwave rather indignantly, "Let's get this straight. You want me to carry him?"

Soundwave looks at Chasm quite calmly. "Affirmative. Or are you not strong enough to do so?"

Chasm shakes his head indignantly, "Of course! But I... Oh, never mind, but I will be having words with you about my contract after this is over."

Soundwave says, "Your contract? I thought we had been through that."

CatsCradle shakes her head, chuckling softly.

Megatron takes off, heading for the base, expecting to be followed by the other Decepticons.

Chasm flaps down and reluctantly scoops up Starscream. He sags a bit with the weight but fires up his anti-gravs and manages to heft the "luggage" up to a reasonable height.

Tempest laughs. "Once you wear those brands, Chasm, you're a lifer!"

Divefire frowns at Chasm. If having Starscream back wasn't bad enough already.

Ruse smiles, "Remeber your own words Tempest." She then takes to the skies.

Tempest follows Ruse. "Which is why I have only paint!"

Ruse snaps her fingers in mock disapointment, "Almost had ya that time."

Soundwave too activates his flight engines, taking up a place in the air near Megatron, where he can additionally keep an optic on Chasm.

Chasm says, "The point I want to add to the contract is that I am a technician, not a forklift... This heinous physical labour could ruin my delicate motor skills."

Soundwave glances aside at Chasm. "If I did build you as you claim, you would have no problem maintaining your delicate motor skills."

Chasm scowls, "What about my delicate psychological state then, hmm? Have you given any thought to that?"

CatsCradle murmurs to Diver, "Is he always like this?"

Soundwave gives a slight shrug. "Now that, Chasm, is your choice. I have offered to assist you with that."

Divefire nods slightly back to Cats. "Yes."

Tempest smirks at Ruse. "Nice try, but no win." She glances over at Chasm. "Aw ... is the big bad world too rough for you?"

Chasm sighs, "Let's just get back to the base where I can dispose of my 'cargo' and perhaps perform some enterprise bargaining statements with you... rather slowly, so you can understand them."

CatsCradle listens, not sure if she should be amused or disgusted.

Soundwave says, "I would be most interested to hear your 'bargaining statements.'"

Soundwave flies on, not disturbed at all by Chasm's antics.