<Public> Rodimus Prime says, "You've got more than we do

IC Time on Earth: Mon Jul 22 19:52:04 2024

NCC Central Hub

This is the very center of New Crystal City, and serves as the gateway to the other areas of the base. A feeling of claustrophobia exists here despite the fact that this part of the city is open to the air. Now in Battle Station Mode, the Central Hub has far less buildings than usual, as many have transformed themselves into huge laser defense cannons and missile turrets. There are very few positions one can take to hide from the weapons without being forced to take evasive action. The roadways have laser point-defense systems protecting them. The important buildings, including the medical ward and the command center now have a huge layer of thick metal protecting them, covering up the facilities and protecting them from harm.

Contents:

Hoverjet

Trypticon <T>

Decepticon Sensor #1792

The Powerbase

Obvious exits:

North <N> leads to Mount R'Lyeh.

Northeast <NE> leads to NCC Dungeon.

Northwest <NW> leads to NCC Medical Ward.

South <S> leads to NCC Coastline.

Southeast <SE> leads to NCC Residential Plaza.

Southwest <SW> leads to NCC Spaceport.

East <E> leads to NCC Arena.

West <W> leads to NCC Central Command.

Fly <Up>

Earthscorch emerges from the city that is Trypticon.

Earthscorch has arrived.

Fleet has that "just touched down" look. He's currently scanning the area, just getting his bearings.

Earthscorch walks out of Trypticon, looking a little dazed. He gazes calmly around, taking in the change in planet. He notices the new face (to him) and walks over and speaks, "Greetings. I am Earthscorch, and my function is aerial assault. I don't believe I am aquainted with you..."

Fleet is caught off-guard and spins to face Earthscorch. There's something very... nervous about his demeanor, and he seems unusually light on his feet, almost as though he still has his anti-gravs on, only at low power. He looks over at Earthscorch a moment and then nods. "Fleet, aerial combat." Once the fact that he was a seeker would have explained this, but times have changed and his kind has diversified.

Earthscorch nods impassively. "I am pleased to meet you." He pauses to take a look around, then says, "How have things been Earth-side? I have just returned from Cybertron."

"Well, I'm still rather on the new side when it comes to the planet myself," replies the pastel yellow seeker, "but so far it's just been a cycle of scouting and raiding, with an occasional break here and there."

Earthscorch hmmms. "Raiding, eh? Galvatron did put up a command for that didn't he?" Earthscorch takes a moment to think. "Are you in good repair?"

Fleet nods his head, although he takes a moment to look over himself as if to doublecheck first. "I am," he answers a touch nervously, guessing that Earthscorch's next statement might change that fact.

Earthscorch says, "Then what say we perform a raid on our own? It has been too long since I have seen action...""

Fleet must be psycho or something. No, wait, make that psychic. Whichever. He gives a nod of resignation. "Well, I have been scouting a steel refinery in the area that the humans call Vietnam. After all, we've already had several successful energon raids, so I thought perhaps it was time to work on the 'supplies' portion of Galvatron's orders."

Earthscorch nods, his expression brightening very slightly. "I was about to ask for suggestions. Though we are few, the humans should not be any threat. However we will need to work quickly to avoid Autobot interference."

Tell the yellow one something he *doesn't* know. Still, all he says aloud is, "Sounds about right. Should we get going, or do you think there are others about?" He pauses. "Luckily, with the increase in raids, I've been keeping a couple of energy nets on me at all times."

Earthscorch says, "Excellent... I haven't seen anyone about, and I don't think it best to broadcast our intents over broadband. The Autobot Blaster makes it no secret he listens to that channel."

"Very well," replies the yellow seeker before he leaps nimbly from the ground, the move resembling a balet dancer's sudden jump. He gains altitude a bit and then transforms, figuring that, as the one who scouted the area, he'd probably be the one to show Earthscorch the way.

Earthscorch moves into the air, pulling in his arms and legs until they are one with his body. His wings fold forward while his nosecone folds down. Where Earthscorch once stood, there is only a hoverjet.

Hoverjet says, "Lead the way. I'm not familiar with the area you speak of."

* Spinny! *

Agra

Buildings crowd together along the mostly narrow streets of this city, capital of the province by the same name. Former capital of the Muslim Mogul Empire from before colonial times, the city remains a center of art and architecture, focused on the splendor of the Taj Mahal, considered one of the greatest works of humankind. Electric street lights cast a yellow glow over the broad, paved avenues where the homes of the wealthy congregate, but much of the city falls into total darkness after the sun goes down, save for the glow from scattered windows. A puttering car occasionally rumbles through the streets, the infrequent engines the only sound besides the lowing of a few wandering cattle.

Contents:

Taj Mahal

Obvious exits:

Northeast <NE> leads to Himalayas.

Northwest <NW> leads to Iran.

South <S> leads to Bay of Bengal.

Fly <Up>

<RP-Coordination> Fleet says, "Okay. Agra is now Vietnam."

<RP-Coordination> Fleet randomly re-arranges geography like any good American high school graduate.

The hoverjet tilts back, its wings folding upwards at forty-five degree angles. Arms emerge from the aircraft's sides, and a pair of legs seperate from the aircraft's tail end. The nosecone folds back, revealing Earthscorch.

Earthscorch transforms and lands at said steel plant, assessing the area.

The yellow Cybertronian jet unfolds, revealing the robotic form of the seeker Fleet.

Fleet touches down shortly afterwards, looking around a bit nervously. He preferred to be on raids with folks more experienced with this planet who could give him orders, but this one indicated that he was a bit out of touch, and Flee was consequently a little unsure what to do.

Earthscorch walks over toward the goods, making the nearby humans flee in terror. He picks up some of the steel and looks at it. "Hmmm, this appears to be high quality material. And defenses should be minimal. You have made a good choice. Let us begin."

Fleet nods, pulling the nets out of his cockpit. "Should one of us keep lookout?" he asks.

Earthscorch hems and haws for a sec, then says, "We'd better not. I think with only two of us, speed is a better option. Taking too long could put us in grave danger."

"Right." With that he hands Earthscorch a net, diplomatically not pointing out that taking the time to decide also lost them time, although he made a mental note to make sure these things were worked out in advance next time. The yellow jet begins gathering up steel ingots, scooping them into his own net.

Earthscorch spreads the net and laboriously grabs armloads of steel and dropping them in, not too efficiently, but then he's not really made for this kind of thing.

<Earth> Fleet says, "A distress call goes out on behalf of the recently rebuilt Cai Lan Steel Refinery in the Quang Ninh province of North Vietnam. Decepticons are raiding the steel. The distress call is in Vietnamese, and not annoying stereotyped cartoon Oriental accent, so here's hoping the Autobots have Vietnamese to whatever-they're-speaking translators!"

Earthscorch continues loading up his net, looking around every once in a while for intruders on his little shin-dig.

Fleet looks around nervously from time to time, his skittering as he moves to and fro gathering up supplies even more nervous than it was back in New Crystal City.

Earthscorch quietly takes in Fleet's nervouslness, filing it away for future reference...

Autobot Hovercraft (Defender II) arrives from the Himalayas to the northeast.

Autobot Hovercraft (Defender II) has arrived.

Earthscorch is gathering steel ingots into a energy net thinger, rather oblivious to his surroundings right this minute.

By contrast, the pastel yellow seeker is constantly looking around nervously as he gathers up steel ingots and skitters about. Most of the humans in the area have already fled the scene.

From the hovercraft, Rodimus Prime pilots the autobot hovercraft across the mountains of the Himalayas. As the hovercraft peaks over the mountain wall of the last range, the city of agra can be seen in the distance. Even though it is some distance away, the hovercraft has no problem reaching it in a short time. It flies over rice patties and farm fields but soon those give way to the shanties of agra. Rodimus looks back towards Streetwise and Foxfire and says, "Ready guys?"

From the hovercraft, Foxfire , perched in a seat near Streetwise, gives a small salute, as best he can, and winks. "Ready as I'll ever be, chief." He flashes a grin at Streetwise and waits to disembark.

Fleet, who was looking around constantly anyway, is the first to spot the approaching hovercraft. "Slot!" he exclaims, dropping what he's holding and taking to the air immediately. There are few things he hates more than to be caught in battle with his feet on the ground. "We've got company!" he shouts.

From the hovercraft, Streetwise unbucles and checks his gun as he moves toward the door ready to kick some con aft. "Ready when you are Rodimus!" Streets says as he grins in return to Foxfire.

Earthscorch dumps a load of metal ingots, then looks over to Fleet, not in too much of a hurry. "Eh? Company?" He looks skyward and spots the shuttle. He thinks for a moment, then says, "Let us stay and fight. We are both warriors and we may yet have a chance to complete our raid. If not, then be prepared to snatch up your load and flee at a moment's notice."

From the hovercraft, Rodimus Prime pulls into the fenced grounds of the steel factory. The hovercraft gracefully leaps over the fence before landing with a thud past it with the back hatch opening with a soft whine of hydraulics. Rodimus says, "Last stop..." before beginning to shut down the hovercraft. He'll be the last out considering he's farthest from the hatch and he's doing the driving thing.

From the hovercraft, Foxfire lets out a small battle cry and hops out of his seat, darting out of the hovercraft and seemingly eager to get this done...but he stops in his tracks a few feet from the hovercraft, waiting for the others. A tape can't defend himself alone, after all.

Earthscorch pulls his rifle out of subspace and steps away from the steel ingots so that they won't be destroyed in the battle, slightly closer to Fleet. Then he waits...

From the hovercraft, Streetwise jumps from the shuttle and takes a defensive position behind a large stack of steel and awaits further orders.

Fleet is already in the air, reference last pose, and is trying to move a bit higher up and a bit farther away from Earthscorch, a bit annoyed that the other isn't getting the hint. Three things that have gotten him in trouble in the past (besides that whole "pain hurts" thing): not giving himself room to move, bunching too close to his allies, and letting an enemy close enough to engage in melee. Against Autobots, as long as he keeps to the sky, one and three are generally taken care of.

Rodimus Prime has arrived.

Foxfire has arrived.

Foxfire remains close to the hovercraft, not wanting to make the first move. No point in putting himself at a disadvantage. He'll attack once his comrade have...

Streetwise has arrived.

Earthscorch looks pretty disgusted at who he sees come out of the shuttle. The tape and the Protectobot aren't so bad. Rodimus Prime pretty much makes fighting back a waste of time by himself though. "Great. When it rains it pours..." He winces at his use of Terran slang, then suddenly darts to the side firing off a volley from his rifle at Rodimus Prime, and yelling, "Eat pain, Autobot!"

Earthscorch strikes Rodimus Prime with automatic rifle.

It had to be Rodimus Prime. It just *had* to be Rodimus! Fleet has never faced the Autobot commander in battle before, and had been perfectly content to let that streak continue, but nooooooo. The random factors just *had* to align against him. He begins flying sideways, keeping his distance constant as he tries to circle a bit to the side of the bots, and reaches his left arm out, firing at the Protectobot in the hopes that Rodimus will fire back at the fellow who just hit him... and leave Fleet alone.

Streetwise evades your Shoulder-Mounted Laser attack.

Rodimus Prime brings up his chrome forearm pipes. Earthscorch's rifle blasts rips along the shiny chrome putting small divot holes in a line from top to bottom. Rodimus brings up his other arm pipes and fires off several triple yellow blasts Hot Rod was so well known for during the good ol' days. He says, "Decepticons, leave what you've stolen and leave this place, or die. You're choice..." Simple, direct. No sarcastic remark. No witty retort. He's serious. Oh crap.

Rodimus Prime strikes Earthscorch with Exhaust Pipe Blasters.

Streetwise is keeping an optic on both cons that is until Earthscorch goes and shoots at Rodimus. He quickly turns his attention to Fleet who in turn has turned his attention to him. He notices the weapon charge and makes a dive and roll to get out of the way. He quickly springs to his feet and shouts at Fleet "Hey Fleet smile for the birdie!"

You are temporarily incapacitated by Streetwise's Blinded by the Light attack.

Earthscorch loses his temper a little at Streetwise's annoying disruption of how he had foreseen the fight going. He retracts his off-hand (left) and fires off a quick shot at him, yelling, "That was a cheap shot, punk."

Earthscorch misses Streetwise with his disruptor attack.

Fleet had not been smiling before the flash of light and is *certainly* not smiling now. He twists in the air, trying to get away from the blindness he's unable to flee, dropping in altitude as he temporarily loses control of his flight.

Foxfire takes this opportunity to inch away from the hovercraft, and takes shelter behind something...uh, bigger than himself. He's watching Fleet at the moment, so he's not entirely aware of what he IS hiding behind. A smirk slowly forms on his muzzle, and for a brief second his optics flash, before he fires off his lasers at the unfamilar Seeker.

Foxfire strikes you with Laser for 8 points of damage.

Streetwise smiles as for once that tatic worked. He turns to make his next move he catches Earthscorch taking a pot shot at him. He is just able to advoid the shot as he mumbles something about nasty stinking cons under his breath. He then reurns to the task at hand, now that Fleet is losing altitude and then gets blasted by Foxfire. Streets then takes a running start at him and attempts his pattented boot to the head attack.

You evade Streetwise's Boot to the Head attack.

Rodimus Prime frowns seeing Earthscorch firing off cheap shots towards the protectobot. Rodimus runs forwards and leaps into the air. More of a hop actually and lands in his semi alt mode. His smokestacks belch black smoke as he rolls forward towards Earthscorch. All six wheels roar and rumble over the cement of the steel factory causing things to shake in fear of this monster of a vehicle. Pity the poor creature who happens to be in this flaming red beast's way.

Rodimus Prime falls forward. His arms compress and fold backward as a trailer comes out of subspace to connect with the back of his legs. Where the vanguard of the autobots once was, a tricked out flaming semi-rig appears.

Cybertronian Semi Rig strikes Earthscorch with Winnebago Smackdown!

Earthscorch turns from whiffing his attack at Streetwise in time to see the Autobot leader running right at him. He flies into the air, much like Thrust in the movie. He twists and lands on his badly-dented legs, then jumps into the air, transforming...

Hoverjet fires his mini-missile launchers at Rodimus's departing form without a vocal sound.

Hoverjet strikes Cybertronian Semi Rig with rapid-fire mini-missiles.

As the yellow Decepticon tumbles he's unable to avoid being hit by Foxfire's laser, which scorches across his left shoulder. That hit is enough to snap him back into action, however, and he recovers his senses in time to turn uncontrolled tumble into controlled twist. In a move that resembles a gymnast’s multi-axial mid-air turns he rights himself once more, and not a moment too soon as he avoids Streetwise's kick. No melee... no melee... now that he's upright he engages his bootjets, trying to turn the heat produced by said jets against the Autobot.

You strike Streetwise with Boot Jets.

The mini-missiles scream towards Prime as he leaps up into the air, assisted by a pair of hidden rockets on his underside. The semi gets nailed in his underside causing the rig to lurch slightly from the pounding but still leaps straight into the air. The rear trailer falls away as it splits and shifts around forming legs, arms, and a head. He does a flip and lands skidding before spinning around, photon eliminator in his hand. Rodimus now turns his anger and firepower on Fleet. The tip of his silver weapon begins glowing, then fires a beam of white hot energy towards the seeker.

The tricked out semi-rig seems to leap in the air. The trailer behind it falls away into nothing while the front of the rig folds and forms a torso and arms. The underside of the whole thing forms into a pair of treetrunk like legs. Finally, a head rises up into place. Where a tricked out rig once was, Rodimus Prime stands.

You evade Rodimus Prime's Photon Eliminator <Warning Shot> attack.

Streetwise winds up jumping right over Fleet. He lands and as he turns he takes a shot to the shoulder. He pulls his pistol, now set to normal, and looses a couple of rounds at Fleet.

Streetwise strikes you with Photon Pistol for 10 points of damage.

Foxfire darts out from his cover, heading toward Fleet, though knowing full well he can't possibly reach him now, even with his leaping ability. So instead he just spits a stream of fire as he rushes in his direction. Burn, baby, burn.

You evade Foxfire's Fire attack.

Earthscorch frowns at the pileup on poor Fleet. Since this fight is lasting longer than he had forseen, he might as well try to take someone out.

Earthscorch drops like a rock, reversing his hover engines, trying to land right on top of Foxfire.

Earthscorch strikes Foxfire with smash.

Rodimus Prime has disconnected.

Apparently, it is pick on the yellow seeker day - er, round. If Fleet ever bothered to speak at all during combat, he might be cursing the random variant determinate routines that saddled him with such a visible - and un-Decepticonly - color. As it is, his mind is too focused on the battle before him. His optics widen as Rodimus fires at him and he twirls sideways in the air ballerina-like, dodging out of the way of the attack. Unfortunately, this leaves him open to Streetwise's shots, which he takes along his left leg, the shots leaving black scars along his pastel hide. Still, the pain is not enough to distract him from the fact that Foxfire, also, is firing at him, and he jerks suddenly backwards in time to avoid the fire. He was hurting, and felt he'd probably be ready to flee soon, but still he reaches his arms towards Streetwise and brings his ballistics on-line. After all, he was the only bootleg who hit him.

You strike Streetwise with Rail Gun.

Streetwise is once again caught cheering as a shot catches him square. He is now getting angry. He truns back to Earthscorch and decides to take a shot at him.

Streetwise strikes Earthscorch with Photon Pistol.

The Decepticons are beaten back by the powerful Rodimus Prime (he's here! Really! The animators just left him out this frame!) Fleet swoops down to scoop up his net and what little is in there before transforming and fleeing the battlefield.

Fleet retreats from the area swiftly, outdistancing all pursuit and parting shots.

A yelp sounds from the small tape, as he's pretty much stepped on by the much larger Earthscorch, ending up on his stomach with a slight twitch. "That...kinda hurt." He gets back to his feet, shaking his head, and snorts, focusing his attention on the Decepticon that nearly flattened him. With a snarl, he lunges at the Seeker in an attempt to sink his fangs into his leg.

Foxfire misses Earthscorch with his Bite attack.

<OOC: For the record, Earthscorch is not a Seeker. Folks seem to have a big problem with this. Apparently, that’s what he needs to do with his rebuild when it comes up.>

Streetwise has disconnected.

Earthscorch takes the shot from Streetwise, even as he evades Foxfire trying to nibble at his ankle. "That's it. Let's get out of here. Don't forget your load."

Earthscorch swoops down and picks up his net, then flees the scene.

Earthscorch begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Foxfire, Fleet.

Foxfire growls, watching the two Seekers depart, but feels that justice has not yet been, uh, served. "Blasted Seekers!" he calls after them, and sends Earthscorch a final farewell with those spiffy lasers of his.

Foxfire strikes Earthscorch with Laser.

* Spinny! *

NCC Central Hub

Contents:

Trypticon <T>

Decepticon Sensor #1792

The Powerbase

Obvious exits:

North <N> leads to Mount R'Lyeh.

Northeast <NE> leads to NCC Dungeon.

Northwest <NW> leads to NCC Medical Ward.

South <S> leads to NCC Coastline.

Southeast <SE> leads to NCC Residential Plaza.

Southwest <SW> leads to NCC Spaceport.

East <E> leads to NCC Arena.

West <W> leads to NCC Central Command.

Fly <Up>

Earthscorch descends to the Sky above New Crystal City above.

Earthscorch has arrived.

Earthscorch follows and lands with his load in hand. He just isn't built for hauling nets of loot.

Earthscorch looks himself over, assessing his damage. "Well, that could have been worse."

The yellow jet releases his net as he approaches the ground, then transforms and catches it in his right hand, touching down a bit more heavily than he had the previous time Earthscorch saw him land. He makes a staticy-sighing noise and looks at his haul, nodding. "Not a very good run, but considering the opposition, I suppose we did okay."

Earthscorch says, "Do you know where we're supposed to store this stuff?"

Fleet stretches his left arm towards Earthscorch. "There's a storage room in Trypticon," he answers. "I can put that up for you, if you'd like. You wanna make the report, or should I do it?"

Earthscorch holds out a hand and says, "How about I haul the ingots and you make the report? Then it's off to the repair bay for me, at least."

Fleet hands over his load. "Very well, although I'll be paying a visit there myself, I think." With that, he actually heads towards medical, deciding to find a terminal while he's waiting.

Earthscorch takes the net of ingots off Fleet's hands and walks into Trypticon.

Earthscorch has left.

Earthscorch passes through the gates to enter Trypticon.

================================= Decepticon =================================

Message: 2/7 Posted Author

Report Tue Dec 28 Fleet

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Text only report with Fleet's security code. One might get the impression that he wants as little face-time with the upper-Chain as possible, even if it's only over a report.

Subject: Raid undertaken on Vietnamese steel refinery.

Decepticon Units: Earthscorch, Fleet

Opposing Forces: Rodimus Prime, Streetwise, Foxfire

Result: 6 tons steel retrieved despite overwhelming opposition.

General notes: The Autobots have finally begun organizing more effective responses to our remote strikes. Consequently, recommend due caution be given in the execution of the next raid.

End report.

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