Carbombya

The grassy hills and savannas in the east, bordered by ancient volcanos and sprawling lava fields, are the only part of Carbombya not made up of barren desert. Until recently, the country depended on meager livestock herding and subsistence agriculture, but upon the discovery of a huge reserve of very high-grade oil beneath the shifting desert sands, things changed radically. The struggling democracy weathered multiple coup attempts by greedy neighbors and other interested foreigners before finally succumbing to the tender mercies of a home-grown dictator. There are no refugees from war torn Ethiopia being taken in as slave labor, not here under the enlightened rule of President-for-Life Abdul Fakkaddi!

Contents:

Trypticon <T>

Carbombyan Palace

Obvious exits:

East <E> leads to Red Sea.

West <W> leads to Nile River.

Fly <Up>

Catechism emerges from the city that is Trypticon.

Catechism has arrived.

Verdant has arrived.

Fleet is actually on a perch rather high up on Trypticon's form just... standing. And watching. He's exhibiting any of his normal twitchiness, instead standing completely still, perched almost on his toes. Despite that, there's still an impression of trapped motion that might spring free at any time as he gazes down at the scurrying slaves below him.

Verdant exits from Trypticon, a smile that could at once be described as both smug and sinsiter upon his face. Looking about, his optics fall upon Fleet and the smile brims a little bit brighter. "Aaah," he says, just loud enough for Fleet to hear, for it is not in his nature to shout, "just who I was looking for."

Catechism is flitting around in the air. She's not half so graceful in her robot mode as she is in her jet mode, when it comes to flight. The conhead cycles through repeated movements: a dart over here, a slide there, and a flip back. Huh, looks like she's practicing, and rivets, does she need it!

Fleet's gaze switches from the slaves to Verdant as the botanist speaks, and he cocks his head curiously for a moment before taking a step forward and falling from his perch before turning on his antigravs to slow for a landing. "You sound like you want something out of me," he observes calmly, but his voice and expression make it clear that he has no problem with this.

Verdant nods before speaking and expans his gaze to include Catechism as well. "Both of you, actually," he says. "I've been granted permission to raid a human botanical research facility. While certainly less advanced than my own research, they've had greater time to conduct their studies. More importantly... they are studying a plant they've termed the "Blood Orchid." My own review of their published studies suggest... much greater applications than they've realized." There's something truly sinister, something truly Decepticon in Verdant's voice now. "I want it."

"We're raiding for plants?" Fleet asks, and then shrugs. "Well, odds are it won't be very carefully guarded, at least." He looks back up at Catechism and switches to radio. "Did you hear the request?"

Catechism sees the growing commotion and lands with a thunk, switching off her bootjets just in time to keep from melting the sand down into molten glass. After the cloud of dust settles, she smiles, flicking her ailerons. The conehead says lazily, "I heard enough, and I'm good to go."

Fleet nods. "Right, then. This one's your game, Verdant, so you're mission leader. But since you're also the one who knows what you're looking for, I'd suggest that you have Catechism and I play watch-guardian while you grab the stuff."

"Agreed," Verdant says. Were he human, he'd be gulping down a bit of nervousness. He hates being put into a position of authority but it comes with knowing where they're going and what to look for. Calm, rational thoughts, and remember he's doing it for his beloved botany. That must be his mantra. "Are we prepared then?"

The Seekers then transform and head off towards the destination in a standard formation, despite their mix-matched alt-mode types.

* Spinny *

Amazon River Basin

Though vastly depleted from what it once was, the tropical rain forests of South America still claim a vast and seemingly impenetrable stretch of land. Unfortunately, that stretch of land is shrinking quickly, and the jungle is being metamorphosed into one of concrete and steel. The rain now patters on oxygenating towers and chemical plants. Oil wells replace trees, chemists and workers replace tribes and animals. The remaining true forest is owned by various eco-groups and individuals interested in seeing it preserved.

Obvious exits:

North <N> leads to Trinidad Oil Fields.

Northwest <NW> leads to Panama Canal.

Southeast <SE> leads to Brazil.

Southwest <SW> leads to Andes Mts..

East <E> leads to Southwest Atlantic.

Fly <Up>

Verdant descends from the skies above.

Verdant has arrived.

F-35 <Catechism> descends from the skies above.

F-35 <Catechism> has arrived.

Wasn't Verdant mission leader? Then why is a pastel yellow jet in the lead? Maybe because this pastel yellow jet doesn't want to get killed due to his leader's indecision.

And here we have the Piedras Biodiversity Station, tucked out of the way along the Amazon River, in what tiny bit remains of the fast shrinking tropical rain forests. Maybe that's not where it /really/ belongs, but then, since when have the writers really done their research that carefully? Anyway, it's here, so are the jets, and it's the target. The lead jet transforms outside the station and, without waiting for orders, fires once at the wall, creating a Decepticon sized hole. "Humans! This facility is now ours! Resist and die, flee and you may make it out unharmed." Then he looks skyward. "Verdant! Get to work! Catechism, keep an out from the air!" There's a lot of wildlife in the area, after all, some of it feathered...

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

Ah, wildlife. The natural enemy of an alien F-35. Or not. At any rate, this particular Seeker is happy to stay up in the air where there aren't so many birds and keep watch. If Catechism was behind, it's because she's not as fast as Fleet! Now there's some truth in advertising. The F-35 radios her comrades briefly, "On it."

Another jet, this one mostly green, swoops down, transforming as it did so, executing a landing that is graceful to human eyes, but a bit sloopy for a Decepticon. Pushing his way through the hole in the wall (and smashing a bit more of it as he did so), his optics fell upon the humans as he raised one of his weapons to point at them. "The Blood Orchid, fleshlings. And all your research on it. Deliver it to me now, or prepare to face the consquences."

<Earth> Fleet stands in for a research scientist. He's probably from outside of the country, however, as his player doesn't feel like doing the appropriate cartoon South American accent. "This is Jonathan Wright with the Piedras Biodiversity Station in the Amazon River Basin. We're... I can't believe this but we seem to be under attack by a couple of Decepticon jets! Can someone help us? Please!"

<Earth> Kenya Momesa says, "Rodger that Piedras Biodiversity Station. Colonel Momesa of the EDC, I'm taking off and heading your way. Procede to the evacuation of your crew."

<Earth> Jazz says, "I hear ya, Piedras Station. On m'way."

<Armored> Kenya Momesa descends from the skies above.

<Armored> Kenya Momesa has arrived.

And here Fleet had just told the humans to flee. Oh, well. Hopefully they have enough sense to listen to the giant green robot on the INSIDE of the building instead of the silly non-scientist outside of it. For his part, Fleet just more or less stands guard, waiting for word from sky-borne Catechism should anything go wrong.

Porsche 935 Turbo arrives from Andes Mts. to the southwest.

Porsche 935 Turbo has arrived.

Platinum Cassette has arrived.

Porsche 935 Turbo drops Foxfire.

Some of the humans, of course, are too petrified of Verdant to even begin to move or comply with his orders. Being traditional (for a cartoon anyway) scientists, mounting any kind of resistance is beyond them. "But... but..." one of them says, "you /can't/ take that! We need it for the good of humanity!"

"The good of humanity?" Verdant sneers. "Your time is done, defiers of evolution!" A rot ray blast, carefully aimed ot frighten, strips away some of the floor in front of them, eating away faster than acid. "That could be you," he threatens. And then he decides to skip the threats, wading his way through, humans dodging out of his way, and he kneels near a storage locker. Ripping the door off his simple and there, within, awaits his prize. Six canisters of Blood Orchid samples, in various states of growth. His optics gleam happily as he reaches for one.

F-35 <Catechism> flies above, optics to the overland ways to get here and, sadly, to the sky. Stupid modern flying Autobots. At any rate, she's playing watchman and taking her job seriously. Out of it all, the coneheaded Seeker just hopes that they get what they came for.

<Armored> Kenya Momesa flies in from north, after a fast flight from California. During the flight, he downloaded all data concerning Piedras Biodiversity Station into the armor's computer. "Great, what are they thinking... attacking a bio station...in the Militant's backyard...I hope Ollin won't show up or it will get ugly... I must make sure to protest about this violation of a sovereign nation." Finally, the masai warrior arrives in view of the station and he opens a broadband frequency, "To all Decepticons, I'm the Colonel Kenya Momesa of the EDC. You are unwelcome here, put down what ever you're stealing and retreat at once. This is my first and last warning."

Yes, the Decepticons are raiding for flowers. It must be Galvatron's creation day-- Valentine's day is over.

Yes, there's a way to get there fast. And that would be... Jazz. Or a hovercraft. Either way, there /is/ an Autobot presence making it's way towards the station. Under a little cover that is the rainforest. Yeah. Jungles are fun. And the Jazz express isn't as likely to try and sneak up on the seekers, considering that ... well... they probably already know he's coming from the acknowledgement broadcast. Just have to hope these seekers spook easy. And leave the humans alone. No flying cars. He's probably not going to get to the station until next round or so. Silly non-flying Autobot.

Platinum Cassette is happily riding inside Jazz. Well, as happy as CAN be right now, anyway. He's glad that he doesn't have to walk, but he's still annoyed with the slow progress of healing his vocalizer. Stupid rookie medic.

So Fleet doesn't actually have to /listen/ to that stupid yippy fox that seems to not like him for some strange reason? Hurray! The yellow seeker looks up as Kenya makes his announcement, then radios, "Catechism, hold him off. Let him know if you need any assistance, but I'm keeping an eye out for the Autobots... they said they were coming." With that he turns his optics once more to the forest around him, pacing a little bit as the botanist does his work inside.

The humans now long fled in fear, Verdant is free to work. The human samples are tiny, but easily secured inside one of his own sample cases, like some bizarre Russian doll. Objective one accomplished. As for the rest, well, let's just hope that none of the humans had the bright idea to wipe their computer systems. The data gathered could still be of use to him.

<Decepticon> Fleet remembers the events of the other day. "Catechism, avoid actually damaging the flesh creature if you can." He sighs. They've been getting really mixed messages lately from High Command...

<Decepticon> Catechism sounds rather resigned, "As directed, Fleet."

F-35 <Catechism> is just thrilled! Hold off the xeno, but don't hurt him. Oh, joy of joys! The only way this could get better is if she has to apologise to him, too. She dips down and flies over close to the Colonel, weapons offlined for the moment. The F-35 tries to fly a nice, showy loop around him to get his attention and buy Verdant time.

The air shimmers around Aramasu's body as the Hikage Clan armor materializes around him.

A decepticon not taking the first shot on him? That's a first but Kenya is in a pretty bad mood right now with CNN hunting the convoys and the whole Carbombya mess. "You were warned" he simply says. He aims his right fist at the seeker and fires a quick shot, "Now deal with the consequences."

<Armored> Kenya Momesa strikes F-35 <Catechism> with Gauntlet Blast -Low-.

And that concludes the wild wild Amazon tour for the day. Jazz is going to probably be visible right about now. But he's going to eject the tape in his tapedeck, and transform to try and circle the ranch, and figure out what's going on inside. Not that it's going to help much. Fleet'll probably peg him from a distance. Not like he's stealthy or anything. "Careful, Foxy-- Ain't sure where the jets are yet. If ya see one... try t'get my attention."

Someone makes his way into the jungle, following the GPS map on his opsat. .oO(Almost there. I can hear the blasts from here so I should be close.)Oo. The black clad figure continues to make it's way towards the disturbance and tries to find a nice spot near a small cluster of tree which can conveniently protect against flying spare parts and shrapnel. The spy adjusts the zoom on his power armor's optical systems in order to record the current events.

Platinum Cassette ejects, then transforms as well, shifting in mid-air then landing on his paws. His ears twitch and he gives a sniff, staying close to Jazz as he remains on the look-out for Seekers. He growls a little, then moves away, like a hound on the trail of a wild animal. But he can't determine anyone's position just yet...

Foxfire transforms from his cassette mode to his fox form.

Like Jazz predicted, Fleet spotted him from the distance, but the yellow seeker doesn't fire yet. Instead he leaps into the air, hovering not far above his former position to get a better view of what's going on and to be more prepared when the Autobot closes. "The Autobots have arrived," and they've already got another foe they can't actually attack. Fleet thinks. "Verdant!" shouts the yellow Seeker, "Are you almost done, yet!"

F-35 <Catechism> takes the blast heavily to her cockpit, as her looping motion brought that into the line of fire. The glass is vapourised, and the internal avionics are charred to ashes. She transforms, wanting her better armoured robot form as that blast hurt like all get out, cinders falling from her innards as she does. The Seeker puts on a theoretically friendly, although it looks more feral than anything, smile and wracks her processors for something to do here that doesn't involve damaging the xeno.

F-35, Marine Corps variant, transforms into robot form. Catechism's feet unfold, her arms unfold out of her body, her nosecone rotates through her body and ends up on her shoulders to expose her face, and her wings rotate into position.

"Almost!" Verdant calls back. Blasted meddling Autobots! Can't a Decepticon do some good old honest raiding without them showing up? Still... he has the data he needs. The data wasn't even encrypted! Too trusting, these creatures of flesh. "And now I am finished!" he adds, starting to head back toward the hole in the wall.

A Decepticon not returning fire... that's also a first for Kenya. What the hell is going on here. He sends a quick radio message to the Autobots, "Something is wrong here. The decepticon seems to want to distract me without actually fighting me... Keep your eyes open." Then back at the Decepticon, "I'm sick of you, bunch of thugs... War...destruction, stealing... that's all you know." The armored benefactor flies right at the seeker and tries to smash his fist into the Decepticon's face. "You're...going...DOWN."

<Armored> Kenya Momesa strikes Catechism with Martial Arts Punch.

Jazz is indeed suspicious. And despite the sporatic cover of the trees, he's pretty sure someone's spotted him by now. "Gotcha, Colonel." Raidio is a good thing. "Where there's one, there're bound to be more-- watch yer back, an' I'll see what I can find." Yep. That'd be a white and black Meister heading for the hole in the wall. He's not bothering to look to the sky yet-- besides-- if pattern holds, they'll just want to delay him, rather than fight him, so why bother wasting the effort there? "Fox, circle left, an' see if you can find the door."

Foxfire glances over his shoulder at Jazz, but only for a second, before he does as told, slinking through the foliage and moving closer to the building. He keeps his body low to the ground, almost like he's stalking something...which he just might be, in this case. The tape quickly scans the area in front of him, then darts to the side, searching for that elusive door. He's a bit wary, as last time he had a building fall on him. Bummer.

Someone checks on the map if there is anything interesting in the immediate area. A botanical lab? What the hell? Since when do machines care about plants? This is worth investigating while remaining undetected of course. The black silhouette moves swiftly and silently towards the coordinates of the lab. 300 meters ahead.

Catechism just complacently takes the punch. It dents her cheeks a little but doesn't wipe the pasted-on smile off her face. Well, she takes the punch complacently on the surface. Inside, this Seeker, warbreed that she is, seethes with resentment. Oh, for this charade to be over! Oh, to prove herself every bit the thug that xeno insists she is! Catechism has an idea now, but she doesn't like it much. Talking to Autobots is fine. They're Transformers, after all, if misguided ones. Talking to a xeno is a different deal entirely. Why would anyone want to do that? However, she forces herself to speak and says haltingly, "Look..." What was that polite term again? Not flesh-sack, not meat-germ... "...human. I'm not going to attack you," and she's clearly boiling with anger about that fact. "Please, continue to beat this destructive 'thug' all you want for the time being."

Verdant exits from the lab, a smug smile on his face, even in light of the appearance of Autobots. Let them come. Success seems to have had a good effect on his confidence. Heck, he's feeling so good he could even fight today! "I see," he says aloud, "that we have not gone unnoticed."

No, no, Jazz. Right now, the Decepticons are playing nice with the /humans/ because frankly, they don't know who they're allowed to hurt and who they aren't. Autobots are another matter. "Oh, no you don't," the pastel yellow Seeker says as Jazz attempts to run RIGHT UNDERNEATH HIM into the hole in the building. "Against you, no games!" he hisses. Moving back a little to clear his line of sight, he points at Jazz and fires.

You strike Jazz with Shoulder-Mounted Laser Rifle.

Well it seems this day is full of surprise, "You won't attack me? Well that will leave me plenty of time to go check into the lab to learn what ever you came to steal. It will also let me enough time to deal with any Decepticon I may find in there... Have a good day." The masai warrior pushes the Decepticon away and dives towards the hole the Decepticons made into the wall. Turning his back on an opponent isn't exactly wise but this seeker clearly wants to keep him busy. Expecting to be shot in the back, Kenya doesn't dive at full speed which means he won't reach the building until next round.

Someone feels the ground pound as several tons of metal are moving near the lab. The spy slows down and tries to get a better look but only sees Verdant exiting the lab. Nothing apparent in his hands nothing. What could they be after? The shadow takes the round trip around the lab to try and come around on Verdant's right flank. Maybe he can see better from there.

Now that kinda... hurt. Really. Jazz is still a little stiff from the last lovely adventure with repulsive creatures-- ok, so Seekers are a whole different kind of ugly. Honestly. You think he could think any other way at this point? The shot does burn enough to draw a hiss out of him, but with Verdant popping out in front of him... he's a little distracted.

"All right, whatever it is yer stealin' put it back." Yes. Jazz is armed and dangerous. "'Cause I ain't in th' mood ta cuff you for shopliftin'." Warning shot? No. But the photon gun is quite ready to go. And he's IGNORING Fleet for now. Because when you're pastel yellow, it's hard to get people to take you seriously.

Foxfire continues circling the building, until he finds what he's looking for. (Ah-hah,) he thinks with a grin, and creeps toward the door. He paws at it for a moment before he gets it open, then sneaks instead. If any Decepticons are in there, hopefully he'll take them by surprise...

If one were to look carefully, one would notice the sample case wedged in Verdant's cockpit, safely containing the much smaller human sample cases containing the Blood Orchid samples. And that doesn't even count the data he's downloaded into his own system for future perusal. Surrender his pilfered plants? Not hardly! "I don't think so, Autobot!" Verdant snaps, perhaps more fiercely than most have seen him. Almost by reflex, his arm snaps up, weapon glittering in the sun as it fires.

Verdant misses Jazz with his laser attack.

Catechism hunches her shoulders with rage as she is shoved away and dives after the fleshling. Okay, talking with meat-sacks was obviously a terrible idea. See if Catechism ever tries that again. Simple if/then Decepticon loop: if the enemy turns his back, shoot him. Ignoring her programming screaming at her to shoot, the Seeker shunts her anger aside and lunges for a tackle. Hey, what with the armour, just grabbing him won't hurt him, will it?

Catechism misses <Armored> Kenya Momesa with its grasp attack.

Fleet cuts his bootjets and falls towards Jazz, trying to hit him feet-first. As he does the bossy buttercup seeker issues orders to the botanist. "Verdant! Stop torqing off and get out of here! Catechism's been up there playing punching drone for your stupid flower-picking mission! No more!"

You strike Jazz with Pastel Seeker Hookerboots.

<Armored> Kenya Momesa dives towards Verdant like an angel of death, his superior speed allowing him to avoid the seeker's grasp. Looking down at Verdant, "I bet you're the winning number, aren't you? " No more speaking, action time, the benefactor commander joins his hands together and throws then at Verdant's head, before breaking to avoid the ground.

<Armored> Kenya Momesa misses Verdant with its Martial Arts Punch attack.

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "Verdant, Catechism, transform and withdraw!"

Someone finishes circling the building and sees Verdant's back as the seeker fires at Jazz. It would be /so/ easy. A high explsive arrow right behind the head could possible short out the optical systems or something similar which would make the Decepticon easy prey but...That would mean revealing his position and the Autobot seems to be holding his own and Kenya just took care of that for him. Instead he spots someone familiar and decides to spook him.

<Decepticon> Catechism hollers, "And good riddance with this tricursed mission!"

Someone sends a radio message

You receive a radio transmission from someone: I see you...

<Decepticon> Verdant says, "Hardly cursed, Catechism! We have achived our goals!"

Yeah. Y'know, Twice is enough. Which means that Jazz just glances at Verdant- easily stepping aside as he's fired at. But since Buttercup decided to try and knock him down, only managing to knock off a mirror, Jazz is going to be clasping a fist in a similar move to the human attempting to hit the green seeker-- only swinging around to try and knock the yellow one down. "Flower pickin'? What? Valentine's was four days ago. Yer late."

Jazz strikes you with Punch buggy! for 8 points of damage.

<Decepticon> Catechism snarls, "You didn't play punching drone to a filthy xeno!"

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "Save it!"

Foxfire finds...nothing! Well, that's good. Sort of. At least he won't get his tail kicked. Blinking, only slightly disappointed, he wanders about the lab, taking in the various smells and the scent of a Cybertronian. At least he knows someone WAS in here, and from the sounds outside, they've already joined the battle. With a mental groan, the fox turns around and darts back out of the building the way he came. But hopefully no one will see him, because he doesn't feel like getting his aft handed to him right now.

Fleet seems suddenly distracted by a radio message, and it's at this time that Jazz's fist comes right towards his face, the force of the impact ripping the thin armor of his continence to reveal the naked circuitry beneath. The blow causes the pastel wonder to stumble back, but not to actually fall. "Valen-wha? I don't know what you're talking about, Terran-taint!" he hisses, and then seems to shout to the world, "You might, but you won't for much longer!" With that he leaps into the air and transforms, ripping through the overhead foliage in his retreat. He's given his orders - if the others are idiot enough to stick around despite them, that's their problem.

Fleet transforms from robot to pyramid jet.

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

Once again, Verdant's natural self-preservation instinct saves him from a nasty beating. He feels a bit bad that Fleet and Catechism have taken damage on his behalf, but the success of a mission occassionally demands sacrifice. As it is, he too launches himself into the air, converting back to jet-mode as he does so, to join Fleet in retreating. "Another time, perhaps," he says sarcastically.

Verdant begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Pyramid Jet (Fleet).

Catechism is oh-so-happy to just get out of here, although she'd be happier if she could go tear that human Colonel to itty-bitty-bits, disgusting guts or no guts, as unrealistic as that desire may be. At this particular moment, anger would easily be enough to overcome revulsion and good sense. She transforms, servos groaning from her damage, and vacates the area. Even as a jet, she looks downright pissed off, which is a bit of a feat. There's a bullerdozer-ish look about her flight path and something in the whine of her engines that sounds like a shriek of rage.

Catechism transforms into her alternate mode: a F-35, Marine Corps variant. Her feet flip up against her shins, her nosecone rotates through her body and out in front where it belongs, her arms tuck into her torso, and her wings rotate into position.

Catechism begins retreating, leaving itself vulnerable to parting shots from Verdant, Pyramid Jet (Fleet).

Someone silently watches the Decepticons retreat and backs away into the jungle waiting to see what the rest of the guests will do. When he gets a chance he will take a peek inside the lab.

<Armored> Kenya Momesa can only watch as the seekers fly away, his armor not being fast enough to chase them. The EDC colonel lands near the station, giving a quick look at the hole in the wall. He then looks back at the Autobots. "Well. Thanks for your help. Any idea what they were doing here? There is no energon to steal, no high tech gizmo...just plants."

Jazz shakes his head, unable to do anything but watch the seekers fly away. "Not a clue, man." Like he's supposed to notice a sample case in someone's chest? "They were talkin' about 'flower-gatherin'. Guess they wanted some flowers or something-- wierd." A glance at the human. "Ya okay?" And also important. . . "Foxfire? Where are ya?"

Foxfire stalks back through the vegetation, toward Jazz's voice and away from the building, lest the Decepticons decide to collapse THAT one on him, too. He tries to alert Jazz to his position as he gets closer, but again, all he can do is make an odd squeaking sound. Hopefully Jazz will hear it.

* Spinny! *

Carbombya

Contents:

Trypticon <T>

Carbombyan Palace

Obvious exits:

East <E> leads to Red Sea.

West <W> leads to Nile River.

Fly <Up>

Verdant soars down into view from the skies above.

Verdant has arrived.

F-35 <Catechism> soars down into view from the skies above.

F-35 <Catechism> has arrived.

Pyramid Jet (Fleet) swoops in for a landing near the entry to Trypticon, transforming to touchdown, and looks towards the others, the gaping wound on his face serving to give him a somewhat more fearsome appearance than he's normally capable of. "Catechism, medical. If you two want to bicker, Verdant can follow you there. Verdant, you were mission leader, you need to make the report." Yes. Because remember, Verdant was mission leader. Which is why Verdant was the one giving orders the whole tim- wait a minute!

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

Verdant has no interest in bickering with Catechism! He's estatic! This should keep him busy for a long time and be certain to be of benefit to the Decepticons. He may need to track down Mixmaster to help with the chemistry eventually, but... Still, as he transforms and lands, he cannot help but feel great regret. "I am...sorry," he says, "that you two were injured on my behalf."

Verdant transforms, his cockpit flipping down to form his chest, his head popping up, arms pulling out from his sides, and lower section extending and splitting into his legs and feet, while his wings move slightly to allow slightly greater freedom of movement.

F-35 <Catechism> transforms and lands, a series of clanks issuing from her frame that shouldn't be issuing. Looks like her temper's not the only thing that got loose. She glares at Verdant, for reasons which are abundantly obvious, but also at Fleet for instructing her not to bicker with Verdant out here. Despite Fleet's missive, she points a finger accusingly at Verdant, growling, "Next time, get Fleet to grab the plants, and you be the target drone!" Then, as instructed, she thumps off to the repair bay.

Catechism has left.

Catechism passes through the gates to enter Trypticon.

Fleet crosses his arm and glowers, a spark briefly lighting as he does. "Don't apoligize. We are warriors, and that is our mission. Just make the damned report." He's not /particularly/ bothered with Catechism ignoring his orders - after all, being a Trooper carries no formal authority, anyway. Still, he turns and follows Catechism through the gates.

Trypticon Medical Bay

Several operating tables are set in a row here, and long benches line the walls. On these benches are assorted tools and equipment used in repairing damaged Decepticons. The benches near the door are for patients waiting their turn for treatment. Scattered throughout the room are various repair droids, awaiting the arrival of more wounded to repair. The room gives you the perception of being immaculately clean, with not a single tool out of place. Your olfactory sensors pick up the faint odor of the cleansing solutions used to keep the room clean and sanitary.

Contents:

Catechism

Sign

Gumby Medic

Obvious exits:

East <E> leads to Trypticon Laboratory.

West <W> leads to Trypticon Main Hallway.

Verdant enters from the Main Hallway to the west.

Verdant has arrived.

Verdant continues past the other two, into the laboratory with a brief "thank-you" as he passes by. He has samples to file, data to digest into the computer, and a report to make as well. And, well, even the ever happy Catechism is little irked at him.

Verdant leaves to the Laboratory to the east.

Verdant has left.

Catechism raises herself up onto a repair berth, her movements more ungainly than usual. Unfortunately, no one seems to be on shift, not even the ubiquitous gumby medics. She glares darkly and mutters to herself, "Stupid greenie can't even do repairs." Ah, Catechism will just have to wait it out. This isn't the first time she's gone off on a mission with Fleet and a green MSEer and been unable to get prompt repairs. It's life.

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

Message: 2/6 Posted Author

Botanical Raid Mon Apr 11 Verdant

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The image of Verdant, Decepticon Botanist, appears on the screen.

"Today, Fleet, Catechism, and myself engage in a raid on a human botanical research facility in what the humans call the Amazon Rain Forest. While we did encounter resistance from the Autobots Jazz and Foxfire, as well an an armored EDC representative, we were 100 effective in obtaining our objectives, namely their botanical research data and, more importantly, several samples of the Blood Orchid, a plant that I believe will be of a variety of uses to us. Fleet and Catechism are to be commended for their efforts, as both became injured during the conflict, while I remained unharmed."

With that, the green seeker disconnects, ending the message.

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