North America Time: Sun Oct 27 14:57:40 CST 2024

<Decepticon> Scourge says, "I need a couple of Seekers as... volunteers."

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "Sir? What planet are you on? I'm presently assigned to general chaos-causing missions on Earth."

<Decepticon> Chimera can't speak, so therefore cannot volunteer. That and she's doing Mil-Ops paperwork right now.

<Decepticon> Wildrider says, "Hehehehe, don't count the stunticons out Scourge! We may not be seekers, but we're 1..er...2...no, wait, what's after 9? 10! That's right, 10 times better than a seeker!"

<Decepticon> Scourge says, "Perfect... because that will be part of our mission. Causing chaos... in a way the Autobots are sure to dislike intently. Some... packages require personal delivery."

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "No doubt, Wildrider! My designers foolishly shunted processor power that /could/ have gone to combative abilities to cogitation subroutines instead! It was a mistake rectified in later models, I think. Anyway. Scourge, sir, where shall I report to?"

<Decepticon> Scourge says, "The MSE office in New Crystal City. I shall arrive there momentarily."

<Decepticon> Wildrider says, "Sure sure, I'll bring Mr High Explosive with me, he'll want to play too!"

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "Aye, sir. On my way now."

You move northwest to the NCC Medical Ward.

NCC Medical Ward

The Crystal City repair bay is far larger than previous versions in Imperial Headquarters or Trypticon himself. Clearly it was designed by a medic, for a medic. The entire room is rectangular in nature with medical beds arranged in a neat grid pattern. The beds themselves vary, with some being precious little more than metal slabs, and others having full scanners and tools attached, as well as everything in between. In total, there are about twenty beds. There is room for more in an emergency situation. The cabinets line the walls, spaced out between medical terminals. Everything has a place, and organization is key. With battle mode being initiated, the huge windows are covered up as the bay is encased in metal for its own protection. Access can still be gained with the right codes, however. Red warning lights flash on and off.

Contents:

Scrapper's Art <SA> - Fourteen Pieces

MSE CO OFFICE (Earth)

Gumby Medic <NCC>

Obvious exits:

South <S> leads to NCC Central Command.

Southeast <SE> leads to NCC Central Hub.

East <E> leads to Mount R'Lyeh.

Scourge arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Scourge has arrived.

Scourge stalks into the area.

Fleet has just entered into Medical himself and is standing near the door, but out of the way, obviously waiting for the others to show up. He has his usual air of nervousness about him as he looks around the room, but at the same time he seems fairly pleased about something.

Scourge enters several moments later. His optics flicker over momentarily at Fleet. "Wait here. I will return shortly." And with that, he steps into the CO's office.

Scourge has left.

Ferrari 308GTB arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Ferrari 308GTB has arrived.

The ferrari 308GTB lifts up and spins around shifting his parts till he forms the stunticon terrorist Wildrider!

Fleet is standing relatively near the door, but not so near that he'd be in the way of anyone or anything coming through. Like, say, a Ferrari.

Wildrider rolls in and transforms with a small leap. Wildrider wrings his hands and cackles, "Bunch of energon suckin losers!" He looks back over towards the door, and Fleet. Is it a bit too quiet in here? He jumps and points, "What are you doing there?! Waiting for me or somethin?"

Scourge has arrived.

Scourge stalks into the area.

Generic Green Seeker has arrived.

Black Generic Seeker has arrived.

Fleet resists the urge to facepalm and just shakes his head. "No, not exactly, although I knew you were coming. I was waiting for Scourge, like ordered."

Generic Green Seeker

Predominatly a deep verdant green with the hint of golden flecks just under the paints surface, this winged robot seems to have a sense of puzzlement about him. Upper arms and legs are a high gloss black hue with the off cross hatching of silvered black colouring his hands. Narrow slits pass as optical housings, gleaming with a sullen shade of crimson that seems to lend even more darkness to an already black countenance. White-gold stripes grace wing edges with a subtle flair, finishing off what looks to be your standard Decepticon seeker.

Black Generic Seeker

Primarily painted in a matte black, the being standing before you is detailed with an arctic white on his arms and legs-- a blue canopy on his chest indicates that he is indeed, a seeker. Blue and red stripes line his wings. His face is twisted into a faint but puzzled smile, while red-gold optics stare vacantly at nothing in particular, as the head tilts slightly, as though listening intently.

Scourge emerges several moments later... with a couple of Seekers following. "Fleet, since you know this area... perhaps you could point out a likely place to raid?" he asks without any sort of preamble. He gives Wildrider a sidelong glance, then looks back at Fleet expectantly.

Wildrider narrows his optics, his attention fully on Fleet. He stalks towards the seeker, a manic look in a single optic, which is bigger than the other one. The stunticon points a finger that's nearly poking Fleet in the chest, "You! You were waiting for me? To sneak up behind me and..." he punches his fist into his palm to demonstrate, "..pow! Just to get me out of the way!"

Generic Green Seeker stumbles out of the office, movements halted and slightly ungainly and decidedly ungraceful.

Fleet gives Scourge a startled look as he asks the seeker a question. "Well, that depends on what exactly you need out of the raid, and how much attention you're willing to deal with, but honestly, I'm only on this planet a few months myself." He pauses. "I tend to favor Tasma-" then he's cut off by Wildrider. Fleet just stares the Stunticon for a moment, utterly baffled. "Out... of... out of the way of what?" It's not like Fleet could take his place as a gestalt limb or anything!

Wildrider stops for a second, a look of confusion is plastered on his face as he strangles out of his mouth, "...I...don't...know. Grrr, let me get back to you on that, but I know what you did...or you're going to do!" He looks back towards Scourge and grins wringing his hands, "Ready to blow some slag up Scourge. Me and Mr High Hxplosive are itchin to see things go boom!"

Catechism arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Catechism has arrived.

As soon as Wildrider's back is turned, Fleet actually does give into his urge to facepalm.

Black Generic Seeker follows the first, in similar condition. Just a little slower. Okay. A lot slower.

Scourge's optics flicker between the pair, then he shakes his head. "We're leaving. Follow my instructions as I give them..." Here he eyes Wildrider. "I trust you understand?"

Wildrider just, stares at Scourge for a moment, then blurts out, "Yes sir Scourge sir! Ready willing and able! Otherwise, Motormaster will scrap my skidplate."

Catechism has the amazing ability to be late! Oooh. Shiny. So she's just going to follow everyone else and be clueless. It's not like they ever tell MilOps grunts anything, anyway.

Fleet stands up straight and actually salutes. Wow! Fleet being all proper and everything. "Aye, sir!" he exclaims. Look like his upgrade might be getting a practical test here shortly! He does spare a glance at the two generic seekers. Hmm... doesn't recognize either of them. But then, there are so many Seekers running about, no one can keep track of them all, not even Seekers!

Scourge nods slightly... at least it looks like he nods, and walks outside.

Generic Green Seeker stumbles with a puzzled frown, but walks unsteadily after Scourge.

Scourge moves southeast to the NCC Central Hub.

Scourge has left.

Generic Green Seeker moves southeast to the NCC Central Hub.

Generic Green Seeker has left.

You move southeast to the NCC Central Hub.

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:

Generic Green Seeker

Scourge

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>

Wildrider arrives from the NCC Central Command to the west.

Wildrider has arrived.

Black Generic Seeker arrives from the NCC Central Command to the west.

Black Generic Seeker has arrived.

Catechism arrives from the NCC Central Command to the west.

Catechism has arrived.

Wildrider has disconnected.

Scourge transforms, immediately launching skywards. The green and black Seekers eventually follow suit.

Scourge seems to fold in on himself as he shifts and contorts into the visage of the Sweep-Flagship, complete with nifty sound effects.

Fleet transforms to follow the other three, good little soldier he.

Fleet transforms from robot to pyramid jet.

Catechism also follows, because what else is she going to do?

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.

* Spinny! *

Washington

The Evergreen State is bordered on the north by Canada, Oregon to the south, Idaho on the east, and the Pacific to the west. The northwest corner consists of the Olympic Peninsula, with its rainforests and the towering Olympic Mountains. However, the region east of the Cascades, the forested and sometimes volcanically active mountains running north to south through the state, is largely dry, including the arid Columbia Plateau in the south. Forming the border between Washington and Oregon is the Columbia River, one of the world's greatest sources of hydroelectric power. The state is home to a variety of industries, from lumbering to their famous apples to the manufacture of jet aircraft, missiles, and even spacecraft.

Contents:

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>>

Obvious exits:

Fly <Up> leads to Skies above Western United States.

West <W> leads to North Pacific - North American Coast.

North <N> leads to Western Provinces - Canada.

Out <O> leads to Northwestern States.

Cascades <CA>

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

F-35 <Catechism> has arrived.

Generic Green Seeker has arrived.

Black Generic Seeker has arrived.

Foxfire arrives in Washington from the Northwestern State region.

Foxfire has arrived.

Hound arrives in Washington from the Northwestern State region.

Hound has arrived.

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>> swoops down from the sky. "The mission is simple. Grab as many raw materials as we can, and then depart before the Autobots arrive. One of the EDC supply dumps should be a sufficient location to raid."

Generic Green Seeker doesn't so much as swoop as sortof drop like a brick out of the sky. This green seeker is sticking close to one black painted seeker, very close. Something like puzzled confusion crosses his face before the glimmer of bootjets pulses on for a short burn.. and flash-burns right out. There's a moment of comic surprise.. and he falls. Fortunatly, he's not all that far off of the ground. Not really.

We're raiding dumps? Okay! Scourge is the boss! The yellow pyramid jet follows after Scourge. He tilts a little, almost radiating surprise as his fellow Seeker suddenly drops out of the sky... but then, the two have been flying somewhat clumsily the whole way in. "Erm, yes sir," Fleet radios back, "But..." he dithers, not really sure how to respond to the green seeker's sudden drop. Well, Fleet's certainly not going to risk his neck for the other without good reason!

Black Generic Seeker is practically touching the green one-- at least until he drops like a brick. For some strange reason, he stops when the other falls, and starts to follow, getting a little closer to the ground before his own jets cut out. And he narrowly misses landing on the green one. Actually, he almost takes paint off. Awkward? Uh. yeah. That was awkward.

Mitsubishi J59 Jeep unaware of Foxfire's arrival back on Earth, has taken some time off to go off-roading in the Cascade mountains to admire the scenery, as everything seems quiet and no-one was at Autobot City when he got back from Mexico.

Foxfire has made his way to Washington by himself, somehow. He's been following his instincts, knowing that something is up. Or it could just be a hunch. Whatever it is, the cassette's here, having decided to head down to Earth and hopefully take care of Special Ops' latest assignment.

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>>'s sensors notes the problems of the other two Seekers. "Leave them," he orders via the radio to Fleet and Catechism. "If they're worth the effort it took to build them in the first place, they will return. Otherwise let them rust. Continue with the mission as planned."

Generic Green Seeker lands with all the grace of a duck with no wings, stumbles and half turns as he almost gets scraped by the other odd seeker out. Optics flicker with some deep seated emotion..

Sideswipe has disconnected.

Makes perfect sense to Fleet! In fact, he's inclined to wonder how they managed to last this long to begin with! He transforms and lands on the supply dump, pulling one of his energy nets from his cockpit as he does. He got in the habit of carrying them around back when the raids were first increased. (really! It's posed in one of his logs, somewhere!) The pastel seeker looks around curiously, trying to figure out just what he's supposed to grab, then shrugs and starts picking up whatever's handy.

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

F-35 <Catechism> easily agrees with Scourge's command. She's always been fond of survival of the fittest, herself, if she's a little clumsy on the ground, she at least makes up for it in the air. A seeker that can't fly decently is a sad seeker indeed. However, Catechism doesn't have an energy net on her. She's used to flying light while patrolling Cybertron and didn't see the point of carrying with her. She'll just have to make do. She dives down to the ground and transforms, figuring that she'll just have to carry the stuff in her arms or maybe stow it in her jet mode.

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.

Black Generic Seeker stumbles as he hits the ground, down on a knee before turning his head towards the other generic. His optics flicker, confusion written clearly on his face. He moves carefully as he begins to pick himself off the ground.

Foxfire sniffs the air, lowering his ears and narrowing his optics. He's picking up the scent of Cybertronian metal, and that's usually not a good sign, as it usually means Decepticons are around. With a small growl, he slinks closer to his destination, activating a hologram once he's close enough to see if his hunch is correct. Meet Foxfire the Large Rock.

Mitsubishi J59 Jeep stops to scan part of the area, then frown inwardly, his tracking scanners picking up Scourge, two unknown 'Con energy readings and one unknown Autobot one at a nearby EDC supply area. Revving his engine, the scout heads off towards them.

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>> flies around overhead as Fleet and Catechism do their thing. Did you honestly think he was going to help? Heck no! He has better things to do... like wait to see how long it takes the Autobots to arrive. Speaking of which... there's a blip on the sensors now. Looks like one's coming now. Good. Let them come.

Fleet gets to scooping random stuff in his net. And no, he really wasn't expecting Scourge to help, but then, thus far this mission's gone nothing like expected, anyway. And this was supposed to be a chaos-causing mission? Eh. Sweeps. Who can figure 'em. Although, on second thought, Fleet had probably better start learning how to figure 'em real soon here. He's not being particularly picky, as all he was told was, "Grab raw material." Plenty of that around. Hmph.

Catechism continues gathering up the stuff as best she can, given her pointed lack of energy net. Of course, if she does start carrying an energy net, she'll never ever have a use for it. Such is the way of the universe.

Black Generic Seeker starts to take a step towards the Generic Green guy, and then simply trips, falling into the other clutzy seeker, and inconveniently knocking both of them to the ground. Or conveniently. Either way, they look to be down for a little while.

Foxfire arches an optic ridge in puzzlement, starring at the two unfamilar Seekers. Something...just doesn't seem right about them. Keeping still, he diverts his gaze to the other Decepticons, and crouches low, mostly out of habit, since he's completely hidden inside his hologram. Slowly, he moves closer, but not too fast; after all, a moving stone would give away his position!

Mitsubishi J59 Jeep arrives a few feet from the supply dump and transforms, watching the Decepticons from the cover of the trees, making use of his dark, drab colouring for concealment purposes as he primes his grenade gun and scans for the other Autobot.

Hound's arms reappear from under the front of the jeep while the legs emerge from under the back of the vehicle.

Catechism fades into the unglorious work that is gathering supplies, becoming a generic seeker. You know them. You've seen them. Heck, she's even bluish, like all those generic Seekers you see in Season 1. Just ignore her pointy head, down-turned wings, and funny looking alternate form bits.

Scourge sweeps the area.

Fleet continues to scoop things into his net, although it's approaching full now. What's next? Stuffing stuff into his cockpit? He looks around from time to time a touch nervously. Of course, he does everything nervously, so this is nothing unusual.

Catechism has left.

Black Generic Seeker and the GGC are both still down. Unusually shoddy seekers, aren't they? Or at least they're having some kind of a problem getting back on their feet. Maybe their wings got tangled or something.

Hound conceals himself under a holographic image of the surrounding countryside and starts moving forward, watching the clumsy seekers closely, with curiosity, why would they bring them on a raid, trainees maybe?

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>> hovers around like a good Sweep-Flagship... although he's found that now there are two Autobots on approach. The joys of enhanced sensory arrays and radar systems. Slowly, the craft turns to face their general direction. "They will be here soon... prepare to depart. I have a little gift for them, once they decide to quit hiding."

Just a bit closer...and then Foxfire's hologram disappears, leaving the startled cassette standing there with an expression that clearly says, "Oh slag." He's not able to keep up a hologram for very long, as it uses up a lot of energy, and right now he wishes that wasn't so. He says nothing, but starts backing away; hopefully he'll be out of sight before the 'Cons spot him.

And the net is full. Good timing, too, since Fleet's just been ordered to prepare to depart. He closes the net and fires up his thrusters, looking around as he does. After all, he was just informed that 'Bots were in the area... and thus he spots Foxfire. The pastel seeker allows himself a cruel smirk as he spies the fleeing cassette, although he does not otherwise respond. After all, initiating combat does not count as 'preparing to depart'.

Fleet isn't the only one. Scourge smirks inwardly to himself. "Ah, very good... your compatriot can come out, too. I have something for you." And from the bottom of the sweepcraft, two bodies fall, hitting the ground with a dull metallic *CLANK*. "I thought perhaps you might like their pathetic remains returned to you. And now my work is complete. Enjoy." And he launches skywards... leaving those inept green and black Seekers to whatever fate awaits them.

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>> drops Jazz - Corpse.

Sweep-Flagship <<Scourge>> drops Body of Sideswipe.

Jazz - Corpse

Once, in life he looked like:

The best of the best, leaving the rest in the dust. Okay. So this is like... a giant metal robot. His chest looks like the front end of a Porche 935 Turbo, as do the various car parts that form his body. Two doors, like wings, stick up at his back, each with a large number '4' on it. Mostly white, his somewhat brawny looking metallic body has some black-- at the waist, at the joints, and on his 'helmet'. A blue band covers his optics, almost as 'shades' of a kind. At times this band will glow with the intensity of the optics behind it. The face, in contrast to the cheerless black and white that covers most of his body, is usually wreathed in a bright grin. As though this Autobot found something amusing in just about anything he sees.

Now, as death has claimed him, the wreckage of the former Autobot leaves no mistake that he has reached his final destination, heard his final song. Wrenching wounds adorn his chest, singed and coated with carbon soot as if an internal fire took hold and went rampant. His face, which once smiled in merriment is forever frozen into a pained rictus. Gouges marr helm and throat, as if some beast had sank fangs or talons in, seeking the life within. And the final insult, the final injury, the blue visor that once marked him as him is missing.

Body of Sideswipe

In life:

Red, black and white. Colors of a hero. Or in this case the colors of a warrior. A brilliant color red, neither too orange or blue coats square shoulders and broad chest of this Autobot. Metallic white, neither silver nor bone forms upper arms, they too square and lower arms as well. Shield-like adornments shaded red are attached to his outer arms, the door panels to his alternate self. The hood of his vehicle mode has formed his chest, leaving space for that metallic white as midrift which is offset by a deep, gloss black for his hip area. White again for upper legs brilliantly and fashionably offset by black for lower legs. A white face, likable in its fashioning with bright blue optics and a countenance that seems more designed for a grin than anything else is surrounded by a black helm. Behind his squared shoulders is a small wing-fin, leftover from alternate form perhaps, housed over two rounded portions of silvered metal that perhaps form weapons of some sort when necessary. In the middle of his hood-chest piece is a silver outlined Autobot emblem, defining who and what he believes in.

Now in death:

What is left of the head to this mechanism is a visual travesty of parts. Optics have been removed and re-oriented on spare metal spars to look back upon a face that has been flayed to base componants. One hand has been flayed to support spars, loose acctuators dangling like a macabre charm bracelent around a wrist. Dents run down legs and sides, gashes here and there along with clean cut slashes in tires. Where once the crimson chest-plate, hood of his alternate mode, rested, defending his internals, now has been peeled back, exposing the engine block or what remains. Now carved into a relief of the DEcepticon emblem. No life lights his optics, no cocky smirk, no half chuckle ready to be born, death has come to this mechanism and not a clean death but a messy one.

Something about departing? The two incompetant generics have made it back to their respective feet-- and, with the realization that there are a lot of departing noises, Neither one of them seems to be able to get any bootjets going... Confusion. Concern. And a general mutual decision to head for the hills-- or woods--- the black seeker following the green.

Foxfire stops in his retreat as Scourge catches his attention. He carefully watches the objects that have been dropped, until the reach the ground. His optics slowly widen, and he looks full of horror. "Oh, Primus..."

Hound drops the hologram, gun in one hand and runs over to the two familar forms, turning both bodies to face him, his expression outwardly calm, he hadn't been here when his comrades went missing or he could have tracked them....

Fleet now transforms, switching to trail his net after him, as he follows his retreating commander. The site of the fox cassette, the subject of his hunt of two weeks ago, scrambling away had delighted him well enough, but this? Oh, there were no words! The smirk on his countenance widens to an all out grin. A very not nice grin. What? You thought that just because Fleet is polite and doesn't spend time taunting in combat that he didn't have a proper Deceticon cruel streak or something? For shame! As the saying goes, it's funny because it happened to someone else!

Fleet transforms from robot to pyramid jet.

Black Generic Seeker and the GGS are outta sight. Or at least out of immediate view. Hey. They may be clutzy, but they can still run.

Generic Green Seeker has left.

Foxfire rushes over to the two bodies, thinking that he might just die of shock. He never thought they were truly dead...there's no way... Trembling and frightened, he lifts his right front leg and places it on Sideswipe's corpse, speaking into his radio.

<Decepticon> Soundwave's monotonous voice drones on the channel. "Autobot Foxfire has been rattled in recent conflict. This could be exploited in future encounters."

<Decepticon> Scourge says, "*chuckles* Why, yes... Foxfire /did/ seem quite rattled. Must be something to do with the corpses of Jazz and Sideswipe I left for the Autobots."

<Decepticon> Fleet says, "Yes, sir. Honestly, I was pretty surprised to see him whole and active again next soon. He seems to be having a bad run."

<Decepticon> Soundwave says, "...Scourge. Perhaps you failed to hear of my request for the bodies to be intact.""

<Decepticon> Scourge says, "Oh, the bodies were quite intact, even after hitting the ground from about fifty meters' height. Don't you fret, Soundwave."

<Decepticon> Soundwave says nothing. For a long, Loooooong time. Then, "Very well."