<RP-Coordination> Little Fleet says, "For anyone who wants to get a visual idea of where we are, here is a satellite pic. The pentagon shaped building is the Pentagon. That area just to the south, with all the 'x' shaped and semi-circular buildings, is Crystal City. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=crystal+city,+virginia&ll=38.863838,-77.059264&sp

 

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

Message: 2/22                      Posted        Author

MSE updates                        Tue Dec 13    Scrapper

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Scrapper appears, staring at the floor. He recites, sounding rather stilted, "Due to in-progress upgrades, Devastator will not be available until the completion of said upgrades. In addition to that, the revised plans for the rebuilding of New Crystal City have been completed, although implementation will take a while. Despite the city's current state of disarray, vandalism remains not tolerated." Scrapper pauses to stare balefully up at the screen for a moment before glancing down again. "The tunnel between the Warrens and Agorahex still needs to be taken out, and speaking of the Warrens, we do need to put *something* in there, if not Hook's design. As always, more supplies would be helpful." His voice trails off into a grumble. "That's all for now."

==============================================================================

 

Pentagon

 

     A huge five-sided building stands in your way -- the workplace of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The building, which appears to be a maze when viewed from above, is appropriately named the Pentagon after its shape. What used to be the main station for intelligence gathering has decayed in the past several years, becoming increasingly abandoned over time ... but then again, what was that flicker of light in the window?

 

Obvious exits:

 Fly <Up> leads to Sky Over Washington, D.C..

 South <S> leads to Smithsonian Institute.

 

Scrapper soars down into view from the skies above.

Scrapper has arrived.

 

Mixmaster has arrived.

 

Bonecrusher leaves his orbit around the Sun, moving back to deep space.

Bonecrusher has arrived.

 

Hook has arrived.

 

Blueshift has arrived.

 

Bonecrusher transforms into his bulldozer mode.

 

Mixmaster leans down as his legs fold up backwards. He falls down frontwards as he completes his transformation into a Green Cement Truck. His Cauldron begins rotating once again.

 

Hook falls backwards, torso twisting around and limbs folding in as he transforms into his lime-green Crane form.

 

In a simple, utilitarian transformation, Scrapper becomes a payloader. His lower legs fold over his thighs. His arms tuck along his sides. His head retracts into his body, and his shovel folds down into place.

 

Dump Truck <Long Haul> rumbles into the area, complaining all the way. Usually he complains about having to carry things, although right now he's complaining about the gall of human beings to dare to name this heap of scrap 'Crystal City,' although he occasionally goes back to complaining about carrying things, even though he's NOT carrying anything at the moment. Sometimes, old habits die hard.

 

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher) isn't carrying anything either. Of course, he couldn't carry much to begin with, unless you strapped it to his roof and shovel blade. The bulldozer is merrily plodding along. Or semi-merrily, to be exact - part of him is nervous about the impending Devastator tryout, why another part is outraged about the human's arrogance in naming one of their inferior creations "Crystal City".

 

Crane <Hook> cruises along behind Long Haul, as inconspicuous as a lime green crane truck can be. "Shh, Long Haul!" Hook transmits over a tight-band, Constructicon -only frequency. "We don't want the humans to suspect we're here to test the upgraded merging procedure!" Ovbviously someone's flipped Hook's recap switch. Still, it's helpful for the viewers at home.

 

Ranger has arrived.

 

And following behind the Dump Truck, in the convoy of lime green, rolls a Cement Mixer. While he's also peeved at the concept of a /human/ Crystal City, he's also thrilled at the chance to collect a little souvinier of their visit. "Don't forget to take a big chunk of it for Omega!" He sings merrily to the others. "Wouldn't want him to miss out, now, would we?"

 

You paged Ranger with '

Dump Truck <Long Haul> rumbles into the area, complaining all the way. Usually he complains about having to carry things, although right now he's complaining about the gall of human beings to dare to name this heap of scrap 'Crystal City,' although he occasionally goes back to complaining about carrying things, even though he's NOT carrying anything at the moment. Sometimes, old habits die hard.

 

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher) isn't carrying anything either. Of course, he couldn't carry much to begin with, unless you strapped it to his roof and shovel blade. The bulldozer is merrily plodding along. Or semi-merrily, to be exact - part of him is nervous about the impending Devastator tryout, why another part is outraged about the human's arrogance in naming one of their inferior creations "Crystal City".

 

Crane <Hook> cruises along behind Long Haul, as inconspicuous as a lime green crane truck can be. "Shh, Long Haul!" Hook transmits over a tight-band, Constructicon -only frequency. "We don't want the humans to suspect we're here to test the upgraded merging procedure!" Ovbviously someone's flipped Hook's recap switch. Still, it's helpful for the viewers at home.

 

And following behind the Dump Truck, in the convoy of lime green, rolls a Cement Mixer. While he's also peeved at the concept of a /human/ Crystal City, he's also thrilled at the chance to collect a little souvinier of their visit. "Don't forget to save a big chunk of it for Omega!" He sings merrily to the others. "Wouldn't want him to miss out, now, would we?"'.

 

 

Payloader (Scrapper) doesn't really think this is the greatest idea. Obviously, a city that has the gall to call itself Crystal City invites whatever trouble the Constructicons may bring, but this is right near the Pentagon. The Constructicons might as well paint targets on themselves. Then again, they certainly couldn't do it in their own city... He snaps, "Mixmaster, you take a piece of this city as a souvenir, and I'm sure the humans'll be happy to toss in an extra missile at your tailpipe, free."

 

 

"Oh, don't be so in love with your own paintjob, Scrapper!" The Cement truck snaps back. A large sign 'WELCOME TO CRYSTAL CITY' greets the Constructicons as they continue to travel inwards. "So we take a little bit more damage. Like it wasn't going to happen anyway. Besides, it'll be worth the extra time in the repair bay just to know that we've pressed Omega Supreme's buttons!"

 

<Constructicons> Scrapper says, "..."

<Constructicons> Scrapper says, "I read 'buttons' as 'buttocks'. This made me very perplexed. Excuse me."

 

 

Crane <Hook> sighs inwardly as he trundles along. Obviously no-one's listening to him. Although it's funny how often humans just seem to ignore bright green talking construction machinery. It's like their primative minds just can't handle the concept. "I'm sure the test won't take long anyway" he adds.

 

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher) would grin evilly if he was in his robot mode. As it is, he's only able to convey the notion by a frivolous swerve. "We could just screw off that sign like nice little robots. Or we could..." The demolitionist leaves the sentence unfinished - to those who know him, it's clear enough what kind of things he's thinking of.

 

<Constructicons> Mixmaster says, "<TPStaff> Galvatron says, "I don't imagine I could possibly object to a crazy gestalt trying to hit me""

<Constructicons> Scrapper says, "Wow."

<Constructicons> Mixmaster says, "BWAH."

<Constructicons> Bonecrusher squees!

<Constructicons> Scrapper says, "What if we tried to hit on him instead?"

<Constructicons> Mixmaster says, "We could try and press his button!"

<Constructicons> Hook says, "RRRAGH! DEVASTATOR THINK PURPLE IS GALVATRON'S COLOR! BRINGS OUT HIS EYES!"

<Constructicons> Bonecrusher rofls!

 

A convoy of lime-green construction vehicles; obvious, unsubtle, and holding up the traffic, much to the chagrin of many of the inhabitants of this peaceful little corner of the world. Well, as peaceful as it gets right next door to the pentagon. And that's how it seems to two policemen parked up in their squad car, watching the procession with mild interest. One turns to the other, nodding his head at the construction vehicles as they pass, "Where d'you think they're headed, Steve?" The other shrugs, "Wasn't there some kinda construction site down by one 'a the parks?" Steve replies. The other nods thoughtfully and they fall into silence again as the convoy passes.

 

Dump Truck <Long Haul> trundles over to a good sized parking lot, near one of the entrances to the underground portion of the city, and slows to a stop, not paying any attention at all to things like parking guide lines or anything of that nature. He idles for several moments, waiting for the rest to arrive, then shuts off his engine.

 

Crane <Hook> follows Long Haul, executing a perfect three-point turn and backing into a parking space with pinpoint accuracy. Not for any good reason, but because he can. He shuts off his engine and waits with some impatience. If he were in robot mode he'd be tapping his foot with a mixture of nervousness and irritation. Nothing can go wrong, right? After all, they're trying an untested procedure in the middle of a place called Crystal City. That's... just... Hm. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. But no! Nothing can possibly go wrong! Not with Hook's work anyway. Primus only knows whether Scrapper did /his/ bit right though...

 

Cement Mixer <Mixmaster> makes his way into the park, A Lime Green Digger in tow. They both find a place. "Scrapper's going to hold us up again..." the Mixer mutters to everybody else. "How're we going to test a one-armed, one-footed Devastator?"

 

Oh, yeah. And Scavenger is here with the rest, too. His voice actor is just taking a coffee break.

 

Payloader (Scrapper) did 5/6ths of the bit! If that doesn't put fear into them all, nothing will. And yes, he does hold them up. It's almost like he doesn't want to test and unproven procedure in the middle of Crystal City. That of course, is silly. With a sound like the whining of strained hydraulics, Scrapper pulls into a spot, dragging his shovel along the ground as if sulking.

 

Don't be silly, Scrapper! The last time the Constructicons employed untested combiner technology was in a Crystal City. And that didn't turn out so bad, did it?

 

The policeman known as Steve chews his lip thoughtfully for a moment as his gaze follows the vehicles, watching as they pull into a perfectly-fine parking lot. "Hey, John?" He asks of his partner, "You hear about anything being done in that lot?"

 

John cranes his neck to try to get a better look at the parking lot, frowning slightly. "Nope, but you know that these guys gotta spend their budget, even if they're fixing what ain't broken." Steve nods grudgingly as John continues: "Seems like you're always runnin' into some guys wearing yellow hardhats and boots, digging up the road just to put it back down again."

 

"Yeah," Steve replies, "so... why'd you think it's always yellow, not somethin' like blue or red?"

 

The others are here. There's no more putting it off. "Well..." Long Haul says, trying to put a brave face on something that makes even him nervous. But he is Long Haul. He'll move forward, and carry his brothers with him if need be. "This is it, then. Not like we got a choice or anything, anyway. It's nor or neverstator- er. Now or never for Devastator."

 

...and finally, Bonecrusher makes his way in. Mixmaster, who has been waiting on his brother to arrive, has been revving his engine impatiently. When Long Haul speaks up, the Cement Mixer chimes in. "Well what are we waiting for? Constructicons, merge.. phase TWO!"

 

And with that, both the Cement Mixer and the Payloader ground themselves with their fronts as the rest of them tilt up. The Dump Truck rises at the same time, connecting to the both of them. The Crane leans out and folds himself in half, resting atop the truck as a Purple Chestpiece appears. The Digger and Bulldozer mount themselves to either side as gigantic purple forearms extend from either end. And finally, a head emerges from the top. Devastator lives again!

 

Scrapper shouts, "Constructicons, MERGE to form Devastator!"

 

With a shudder of metal, the Constructicons undergo a stunning transformation and combine into the mighty form of Devastator!

 

Devastator> HURRAAAAGH!" The green behemoth bellows. "THE DEVASTATOR IS GOING TO... NNYYYYYYYAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!" That was not a cry of anger. That was a cry of pain. The Constructicon Supreme clutches his helmet with both of his hands. Could the alterations performed for Devastator end up being the end of him?

 

Devastator> John waves one hand in the air, nearly spilling the coffee he's holding in it. "'S some sorta standard, I think. You'd think red would be more visible, huh?" Steve shifts slightly in his seat, trying to keep himself out of spilling-range of the hot coffee in John's cup. "Yeah, guess that's what happens when you leave things to beura-"

 

He cuts off abruptly, mouth dropping open as he stares at... stares at what? John frowns slightly, then turns to follow Steve's gaze and his own mouth falls open to match as he watches Devestator form. "Holy..." he breathes, before scrabbling desperately for the radio. "Goddamit! D'we call the army? FBI? EDC? The Pentagon? How the hell'd the Pentagon miss /this?/"

 

Devastator> Devastator drops to his kneels, curled up with mind-wracking misery. His knees leave great gouges in the parking lot as they collide with the asphalt, and his feet scrape out ditches that could have been carved by the movement of glaciers. The Constructicons are all fairly musical, to varying extents, but their voices, ever-present in Devastator's mind, are anything but melodic now. While normally the Constructicons shout and bicker in the back of Devastator's mind - Could you please at least try to aim for a change? - they are screaming at the moment, senseless and insensible. The giant moans, "DEVASTATOR LIKES SCREAMING BUT NOT... HNAAGH... FROM THE INSIDE!"

 

Devastator> The mountain of lime green and purple metal grabs at the ground, his fists strong enough to tear the asphalt. What comes from him to mimic the voices inside would be called a pitiful scream if it was coming from anyone or anything else. As it is, it's piercing as a siren, ear-shattering as the trumpet of Judgement Day. "YEEEEEEAAAAAAAARG! DEVASTATOR DON'T LIKE! DEVASTATOR HURT!"

 

<Earth> A voice crackles over the airwaves, rapid, loud, and slightly hysterical.  "Decepticons!  We got Decepticons here, Crystal City, they're- they did this-"  There is a pause, a break in which the only sound that can be heard is an earth-rending scream that drowns out all else.  Then the human voice speaks once more, screaming a name into his radio, "Devestator!", before falling silent.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "What in the devil is going on out there?"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "I haven't the foggiest, sir."

 

Devastator> John sits and continues to gape as Steve babbles into the radio, convinced it's the end of the world. It's strange, all he can do is sit and stare; it doesn't make sense, here and now, Devestator. This can't be happening, right? He fails to notice the feel of hot coffee in his lap, or the screams of the populace, he feels numb. Until, that is, it screams, and nothing matters except blocking out the sound, and the pain.

 

Devastator> Devastator suddenly stops bellowing, his huge fingers slowly unclenching, leaving large furrows dug into the floor of the car park. His enormous optics flicker rapidly in a series of blinks as the Constructicon behemoth straightens up, an expression of bewilderment on his face. Echoing though the gestalt's mind is the devastating roar.. of silence. No bickering voices, no egos pulling at cross purposes, no confused babble... just blessed silence. The lime green giant stands still for a moment, before breaking into a gigantic grin. "HAH!" he roars, swingin his fist down at one of the neighboring cars, as if to make a point. "DEVASTATOR... IS DEVASTATOR! NO-ONE TELLS DEVASTATOR WHAT TO DO! DEVASTATOR IS THE STRONGEST! DEVASTATOR CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS!"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator roars across the channel. "DEVASTATOR IS FREE!" There's also the sound of something metallic being crushed.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Devastator, report."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR REPORTS...TO NO-ONE! DEVASTATOR IS THE STRONGEST ROBOT!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I will give you one more chance, you effete fool.  REPORT."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "RRAAAH, DEVASTATOR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT EFFETE MEANS!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "It means you think you're above everyone.  EVEN ME."

 

Devastator> Steve's hands are clasped over his ears as the behemoth screams, unaware of the fact that he's still transmitting. Ears ringing, he attempts to shout the Decepticon's name over the radio, unknowing whether he succeeded or not due to the world suddenly being muffled. He drops the radio, reaching out a hand to shake John, and screams to him in order to simply hear himself. "We've gotta get people outta here!" John stares at him incredulously, aren't they about the only ones /not/ running?

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Is that what that means? Hmmm..."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR IS THE TALLEST ROBOT! DEVASTATOR IS TALLER THAN GALVATRON!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Your height means little.  You lack the firepower to back it up.  I could send any number of other gestalts to hurt you.  Some are taller than you.  What say you to that?"

 

Devastator> The grin on Devastator's face falters for a moment as he seems to hear something that isn't readily apparent. He frowns, then snarls, then roars, "DEVASTATOR REPORTS... TO NO ONE! DEVASTATOR IS THE STRONGEST ROBOT!" He turns and kicks the nearest car, sending it flying in a random direction, then shouts again, this time screaming, "RRAAAH, DEVASTATOR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT EFFITE MEANS!" Another pause as he punches a fist through a nearby parking garage, then he screams, "DEVASTATOR IS THE TALLEST ROBOT! DEVASTATOR IS TALLER THAN GALVATRON!"

 

<Decepticon> Dead End's voice sounds, with some emotion other than actual depression evident, he's /interested./  "Not the /precise/ meaning of 'effete', Devestator."

 

Devastator> Foxfire arrives from the Smithsonian Institute to the south.

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR SAYS, HE WILL DEFEAT THEM ALL! NONE ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE DEVASTATOR! DEVASTATOR IS FREE!"

 

<Decepticon> Beatdown says, "Oh geez, do we have a situation? Is anyone there checking it out?"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Devastator.  I demerged Predaking in a single shot.  Please, think about this and evaluate it."

 

<Decepticon> Dead End says, "Well, technically, Devastator is, although that doesn't seem to be much help."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator, evaluate? "FOOLISH GALVATRON! THINKING AND WINNING DO NOT MIX!!" he roars back over the channel.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "That is where you are wrong, my minion.  You cannot win if you do not think.  You will obey me, or I will show you the price."

 

Devastator> Foxy senses...tingling.

Running as fast as he can toward the carnage, Foxfire growls a little as Devastator comes into view, and he curses himself for not being able to run faster. Once he's close enough to be heard, but still a good distance away, he readies himself for an attack, but he holds off the assault until he gets Devastator away from the populated areas. "Yo, big, green an' ugly! Over here!"

 

Devastator> Steve clicks on the radio again, growling at it and dropping it again after he hears no sound from it. It is something of a relief when he sees several other squad cars approaching at speed. Throwing open the door of the car, he climbs out and races over to where they screech to a halt, John following nervously behind.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Well, what say you to that?  You overbearing buffoon?  You're starting to make me angry.  you won't like me when I'm angry."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR WILL OBEY /NO ONE/!" the Constructicon Supreme roars at a near defening level over the channel. "DEVASTATOR IS FREE! NONE CAN CONTROL ME!!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNYA!  You dare to oppose /me/?  YOU DARE?!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Sir, are you alright?"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I'm fine."

 

Devastator> A dull roar echoes through the skies as Ranger tears across the city, headed towards the extremely-visible Decepticon Gestalt, who appears to have run amok. He circles high above even Devestator's reach as he attempts to pinpoint Foxfire on the ground below. "Okay, this doesn't look good."

Devastator> Panels shift at such an incredible speed that they seem to blur and....expand? until a large transport rests before you.

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR DARES ANYTHING! DEVASTATOR HAS STOOD AGAINST METROPLEX!" True enough. He certainly doesn't claim he won. "DEVASTATOR WILL STAND AGAINST YOU!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I have demerged Predaking before, and you think you stand a chance?  How stupid are you?!!!!!"

 

Devastator> The green and purple giant bellows again as he starts pumelling the same parking garage. When Foxfire yells out, Devastator bellows, "WHO DARES TO SUMMON THE DEVASTATOR!?" With both of his hands, he tears a large chunk from the garage. "NOBODY CAN ORDER AROUND DEVASTATOR ANYMORE! He hasn't any reason to care about the assembled police cars yet, but Devastator doesn't need orders to destroy an Autobot. Just a large chunk of something. And that's exactly what he has! The Constructicon Supreme hurls his large mound of steel and cement at the tiny Foxbot. Even if he misses, it's still being thrown at an incredible speed. Collateral damage is inevitable. But that is IF. No longer are six voices telling Devastator how to execute the procedure, only one. And that one voice is insane. People of Crystal City, fear.

 

Devastator> A black police car pulls into view near the disturbance (but far away enough not to get crushed to bits), the door opens and what looks like a policeman (unless you are an expert at recognising holographic technology) gets out. Staring at Devestator and prodding his hat nervously, he perches himself on the bonnet of the car to watch the show, taking out a donut and idly munching on it. "Oh bollocks" he mutters under his breath as the big Green Giant goes around hulking it up

 

<Decepticon> Dead End says, "Now really, what sort of a question is that?"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Technically....."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR IS THE STRONGEST OF THEM ALL! NOTHING CAN WITHSTAND THE MIGHT OF THE DEVASTATOR!! HRRAAAAAAARGH!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron tries to count to ten in his mind, it worked last night and helped the medication take more effect, but this time it fails, "DID I ASK YOUR OPINION, DEAD END?  DID I?!!!! NYAAAAAAAAAAAA!"  "NYAAAAAAAAAAA!

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Oh dear..."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "You are not the strongest.  I will show you who is the strongest!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Where the hell are the predacons?  Or do I have to handle this myself?"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "HRRAAAAARRR! RRAAAAAAAARRRGH!!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Dead End, don't you have an appointment with me for your regular systems check?"

 

Devastator> Foxfire quickly swerves to the right to avoid the makeshift projectile, wincing as he hears it...crash into something else. "Weren't you ever taught not to throw things?" he taunts, firing his optic lasers and deliberately missing. He'll use any tactic he can to lure Devastator away, but he only wishes he had backup right about now. It's all in the day of the life of a cassette.

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "YES DEAD END, TIME FOR CHECKUP! THE DOCTOR RECCOMENDS...AMPUTATION!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Shutup!  If you say another word I will rip you limb from limb you oversized can opener, NYAH!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Now now, Devestator, you are not a doctor."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "HRRRRRRRRRRRRNG! MINOR TECHNICALITY!!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I'll show you minor technicality!"

 

<Decepticon> Dead End says, "...That is entirely possible, Arachnae, as long as our green friend here isn't the doctor in question."

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Major technicality. Any non medic performing any major operations while feigning a doctor status gets my boot up their backside just before I rewire them into a turret for the defensive perimeter."

 

<Decepticon> Beatdown says, "Sire, Devastator is currently grappling with a very small Autobot. I think it is a squirrel or something"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "/EVERYTHING/ MINOR TO DEVASTATOR!! YOU ARE ALL GNATS FOR THE DEVASTATOR TO STEP ON AT HIS WHIM!!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Care to prove it,  you overgrown peanut?"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "THE DEVASTATOR IS /BUSY!!/"

 

Devastator> Beatdown continues to watch from his safe spot. Well as safe as it is at the moment anyway. He is half tempted to snipe the Autobot.. squirrel or whatever it is, but decides against it. After all, an occupied crazy Devestator is a happy crazy Devestator

 

Devastator> The situation certainly seems to be escalating now, and the human presence is growing as quickly as the various authorities can mobilise. SWAT vans have pulled up, reports are that the army is on its way, and one or two Autobots seem to have turned up as well. So much for a quiet day in the town.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Too busy for me?!  This is your last chance, Devastator, bow to me...or I will cause you a pain of which the likes you have never felt!"

 

Devastator> Autobot Shuttle <Ranger> continues to circle for a moment longer, before swooping down to try and 'buzz' Devastator, trying to attract his attention. He soars narrowly past the Gestalt's shoulder, headed in the direction that Foxfire is in. No, this is not him being cruel, he's trying to help. No, he's not necessarily ery good at it.

 

<Decepticon> Dead End says, "I'd also like to note that, due to Motormaster's enthusiasm for assaulting Aerialbots, Menasor is also unavailable.  We apologise for the inconvenience."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "That doesn't matter!  I will handle this ill conceived upgrade myself!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Hmmm.. Then maybe I am right in thinking that you need a check up, Dead End."

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "NOBODY CAN ORDER AROUND THE DEVASTATOR! THE DEVASTATOR BOWS TO NOBODY! /NOBODY!!/"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Alright then, I'm officially changing my name to Nobhdi. Now bow."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "What did you say? You dare?!  How stupid are you?!  I demerged Predaking with one shot!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Answer me you oversized buffoon!"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR DOES NOT NEED TO THINK! DEVASTATOR ONLY ACTS! AND DEVASTATOR IS NOT OVERSIZED! DEVASTATOR IS THE PERFECT SIZE...FOR DESTRUCTION!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "We shall see.  We shall see.  Intel, retriangulate.  I am going to meet this oversized Goblin myself.  He will quickly learn who his master is."

 

Devastator> Galvatron thinks he can bring pain to Devastator? Galvatron should watch who he's calling stupid, then, because he obviously doesn't know the meaning of pain. Those little synaptic damage warnings that damages brings aren't pain, not real pain. Real pain was being unable to stop Metroplex. Real pain was the screaming of the voices in his head. Anything less is not even laughable; it is below notice, just like the gathering emergency vehicles and the little Autobot. Devastator cranes his head around and he perceives that some of the building in Crystal City, Virginia are taller than him. He snarls, "HOW DARE THEY BE TALLER THAN DEVASTATOR?" and, like a flippant child, throws himself at one of the offending buildings.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says wit a slightly resigned tone, "I'll prep medical..."

 

Devastator> Foxfire audibly groans as Devastator goes after buildings now. "HEY, UGLY!" he shouts. "The buildings aren't gonna fight back, y'know!" He's tempted to directly engage Devastator in combat, but that would most likely result in a very painful death sentence for the little fox. Instead, he just runs toward the Constructicon Giant and tries to get his attention again, this time by climbing atop a smaller building, but one that's fairly close to Devastator's height. "Heeeeere, Devvy, Devvy, Devvy!"

 

Devastator> Beatdown has disconnected.

 

Devastator> The aforementioned emergency vehicles, long-since aware that the weapons the majority of them are equipped with are tremendously ineffective against Trnasformers, are instead concentrating on evacuating the area. A task which mostly consists fo herding the stampeding mobs in the direction they want them to go. Certain units, however, have been dispatched to organise the evacuation of buildings. Amongst these are the still-slightly-deafened police officers Steve and John, who have the misfortune of seeing Devastator hurling himself at a building nearby. "Where the hell are the damned EDC!? Or a few good Autobots?"

 

Devastator> Glass falls like rain around Devastator as he hurls himself against the builing that has DARED to have the cheek to be taller than the Constructicon Gestalt. "DEVASTATOR IS THE TALLEST!" he roars, swinging one wrecking-ball-like fist in a huge arc, resulting in a another shower of debris and smoke as he drives it into the building, which now lists at a noticable angle. Pulling back his hand for another strike, an annoying whine reaches his audials. "MY NAME... IS DEVASTATOR!" he bellows,lurching around to face Foxfire. "REMEMBER IT!" Reaching over his shoulder, the giant Decepticon pulls out his awesome rife, pointing it in the direction of the Autobot tape and pulling the trigger. "REMEMBER IT... OR PERISH!"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR IS NOT GOBLIN. DEVASTATOR WILL GIVE REASON TO PREP MEDICAL!"

 

-========================== Constructicons Online ===========================-

    Constructicons    Connection     IC Location             Status

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

 IC Bonecrusher       Online         Devastator               100%

 IC Hook              Online         Devastator               100%

 IC Long Haul         Online         Devastator               100%

 IC Mixmaster         Online         Devastator               100%

 IC Scavenger         Online         Devastator               43%

 IC Scrapper          Online         Devastator               100%

-============================================================================-

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Then prepare to meet your DOOM!"

 

Devastator> Autobot Shuttle <Ranger> banks back around towards Devastator again as the hulking menace refuses to get distracted, instead hurling himself at inanimate objects like there was no tomorrow. Oh, but he notices Foxfire all right. Hope the little guy survived. Ranger starts to circle above Devastator, engines roaring, trying to stay /just/ out of his reach. Of course, shortly he may not /have/ to get his attention.

 

Devastator> The might green giant fears no doom! Neither does he stop to see if his shot has hit Foxfire - the cassette is small stuff, less than an insect before his might. Devastator continues to tear out whole chunks of building with his massive, powerful fists , tossing them aside like a child would throw a ball, and - seemingly randomly - throwing one in the direction of the Autobot overhead. "I AM DEVASTATOR! I AM INVINCIBLE! NO BUILDING CAN STAND BEFORE THE DEVASTATOR!"

 

Devastator> Autobot Hovercraft (Defender II) arrives from the Smithsonian Institute to the south.

 

Devastator> Foxfire jumps down from the building, narrowly escaping the shot. He lands on his feet with the grace of a cat, bits of debris falling on him. He pays them no heed as he takes off running again, this time *away* from Devastator. Near the outskirts of the city, he musters all his strength to create the image of a large building, taller than Devastator himself, in hopes that the gestalt will try to attack it. If the bait is taken, Devastator will be out of the city, and that will make the Autobots' job a whole lot easier.

 

Devastator> Devastator's enormous fists slam again into the building, pulling enough of it down that it no longer stretches overhead. He's about to continue at it, wanting to hit the thing until it stands no taller than dust, when some annoying buzzing overhead catches his attention. Up there! Autobot-ship-shuttle-thing! It dares to be higher than the Devastator! He picks up a large chunk of the building and hefts it towards Ranger, but the action brings the existence of Foxfire's faux building to his attention. Once, one of six voices might have pointed out that that building hadn't been there before. Those voices are gone, and Devastator... is not bright. "NOTHING WILL STAND ABOVE THE DEVASTATOOOOR!" he roars, charging towards the illusion.

 

Devastator> Steve breathes a heavy sigh of relief as he watches Devastator turn and run after... that's weird, never seen /that/ building before... anyway, it's not his task. John, in the meanwhile, has managed to oranise a system that would allow everyone to exit the building quickly and calmly, if they weren't to busy trying to trample over each other in order to get to the doors.

 

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) arrives from the Smithsonian Institute to the south.

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) glides into the area.

 

Devastator> Autobot Shuttle <Ranger> banks sharply to avoid the projectile thrown by Devastator, which sails harmlessly past him, but which will doubtlessly ruin /someone's/ day when it lands. "Okay, so, not my best idea ever," he mutters as he steadies himself again. Fortunately, the big lug seems to be falling for the ploy, so Ranger backs off for the moment.

 

Devastator> The Constructicon Supreme roars incoherantly once more as it prepares to lunge at the building. Every footfall dents the road he runs towards it, upsetting parked cars and cracking windows in buildings. "NOTHING WILL STAND! /NOTHING!!/" he finally yells as he readies a punch at the giant building while he throws the full momentum of his gargantuan frame at the building...

 

Only to.. pass through it? "HRRAAAAAGH!" The mighty Devastator yells, his momentum unhalted by the imaginary building. Passing right through the hologram, Devastator plummets, face first, into the ground. He slides for a moment, his weight and momentum gouging into the ground's surface. The impact of the behemoth on the ground causes a minor tremor, which causes items to fall of shelves and sets off car alarms as far as halfway into the city.

 

Devastator> A wide grin appears on Foxfire's muzzle as he watches Devastator. He keeps up the hologram, already beginning to slightly weaken from the strain of creating such a large image. He slowly takes a few steps back, hoping Devastator is too busy with the nonexistent building to notice him. He yelps and instinctively digs his claws into the ground as Devastator's fall makes it tremble. Nonetheless, there the hologram remains.

 

Devastator> Seething with rage and being currently possessed of an unusual amount of focus, Devastator releases a howl of inarticulate rage at the indignity heaped upon him. As he rises slowly to his feet, he bellows, "NO ONE DOES THAT TO DEVASTATOR! FOR THAT, YOU SHALL BE CRUSHED!" As soon as the long process of getting to his mismatched feet is complete, his optics search for the much smaller than he and therefore quite weak Foxfire, find him, and ready themselves to unleash a blast from his optical laser.

 

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae)'s engines rumble-roar as the hunter-medic drives herself to reach a destination with all due haste. There is little to let on that the craft is anything but seeking an endpoint or perhaps heading to inspect reports of a rampagng green monstrosity. And this is.. because all that is realy seen as she passes by the verdant green below is her undercarriage, as matte blue as that is and really not all that interesting.

 

The craft begins to bank sharply as it dives for the swath of destruction that heralds the passage of one of natures finest destructive forces, slowing down, engines raucous in their complaint of the abuse heaped upong them. First you wanna go fast, now you wanna slow down, wah wah... And only as the craft begins it's slow down and dive does something become noticable, although not immediatly. Her hatch, cargo door or cockpit cover dependant on the situation is slid forward, exposing the internal area. The cover is shielding her insides from the force of wind, but it is a good thing that she slowed or else she could hurt herself! But wait!

 

Devastator> Galvatron soars out of Arachnae's cockpit. He screams at the top of his cyberlungs, "DEVASTATOR! You dare to defy me? If you wish to meet death, then face me! Face me now, you overgrown wimp. You think you are fit to be the mightiest..." Galvatron lands, kicking up dust. His cannon hums, already charging, "Then come. Come to me. Show me your might. Let you learn the error of your idiotic assumptions!"

 

Devastator> THAT wasn't part of the plan. The image of the building vanishes, and Foxfire is left with a big, not-so-jolly green giant. Who knows he's responsible for the deception. Wonderful. Retracting his claws, the small vulpine takes off in the opposite direction to avoid the lasers.

 

Devastator> Jazz would be within visual distance of the behemoth. Hooray. And No Sky Lynx for the unjolly one to swat him with this time. 'Course, he's got the hovercraft, and a small fox type running away.... Hm. Pointing the craft towards the Foxfire signature, and hoping to scoop a tape.

 

Devastator> Rodimus Prime strides into the area.

 

Devastator> Okay, well... this whole plan was somewhat useful, as Devastator is no longer rampaging through a highly-populated area but, Ranger notes, it also had the effect of drawing Devastator's ire to Foxfire. Groaning slightly, he increases power to his engines, speeding up and flying towards the gestalt once more, because it's worth a try.

 

Devastator> &Wobbly Flying Fireflight soars down into view from the skies above.

Devastator> &Wobbly Flying Fireflight soars into view somewhat less than gracefully.

 

Devastator> Devastator is tempted to continue pursuing Foxfire and pretend that Galvatron just isn't there. The tiny purple tinker toy is really trying to cramp Devastator's style. However, Galvatron called Devastator out - called Devastator a wimp! Devastator, however, is well-versed in pain, and... oooh, there's another little flying gnat out there. The voices would have cared about the gnat, would have steered Devastator away from this line of action, but the voices are gone. There is only Devastator, and he wants to grab the flying gnat - Arachnae. In a dim sense, he knows that his choice of target will hurt Galvatron far more than even he can. His definition of pain is satisfied, and the great brute reaches out to grasp the voidcraft.

Devastator> Devastator succeeds in grasping Voidcraft (Arachnae), throwing her off-balance.

 

Devastator> Rodimus Prime receives a radio transmission.

 

Devastator> After Galvatron's self-ejection from her interior space, the voidcraft goes into a tight wing-over-wing to reorient herself as well as triangulate Devastators position so she can follow orders and insure that she jet-jumps her way out of range. First roll show Galvatron issueing his verbal orders towards mighty green. which puts Devastator... Too close for comfort. Engines flare up brightly as she works to turn on that proverbial dime, banking sharply and angling nose upwards. . ..

 

Well that was the plan, at least as soon as she realized that Devastator was not exactly where she'd intended on him being once her delivery had been made. There's that moment of disbelief as larger than thou hand reaches towards her, she begins another wing-over-wing to roll out of.. and into the fingers curving about her. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Panic insues as the craft finds itself wrapped about not with holiday paper, ribbons and bows but fingers the density of i-beams for a colossus. Engines flare up brightly as she makes for the burn baby burn means of escape, mentally reduced to the fight or flight moment of a caged thing. Someone's been grabbed by a gestalt before and someone has differing memories of the term tough love and fondnes.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Get it off get it off get it off get it off!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "It will DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE@"

 

Devastator> Rodimus Prime transmits a message via radio.

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Arachnae, might I suggest a little 'jolt' of common sense for the beast?"

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "IT? /IT?/ I AM DEVASTATOR! NOT IT! DEVASTATOR IS NOT AN IT! DEVASTATOR IS THE STRONGEST! DEVASTATOR IS THE BEST!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "AAAAAAHHHH!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "YOU WILL DIE FOR THIS!  NO ONE TOUCHES HER!   NO ONE!"

 

Devastator> Arachnae receives a radio transmission.

 

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR WILL NOT DIE. DEVASTATOR IS BETTER THAN EVER. DEVASTATOR WILL CRUSH DEATH."

 

Devastator> Galvatron snarls in pure anger, an anger not seen in a long time. His medication, despite it's multiple backup systems, is failing. This sort of thing just doesn't happen often. Galvatrons mind reels as his rage rises. He looks to the big green giant.

 

"YOU DARE TOUCH HER?! HER?! OF ALL MECHS?! YOU DIE NOW!" he screams.

 

Galvatron's optics blaze a bright red. They continue pulsing over and over. His cannon hums loudly, glowing a bright purple as he prepares to deliver his sick sense of justice.

 

"You would dare to defy me. One. That's fine. You would dare to insult me. Two. That can be forgiven. BUT YOU ARE HURTING ARACHNAE?!!!! That's three. That can never be forgiven. I don't care what the cause is. You will let her go, NOW! Why? Because I will make you! No one touches her. NO ONE! NYAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

 

With that, Galvatron transforms. He falls down into cannon mode, aiming right at Dev's chest, well away from Arachnae. His cannon barrel glows as it charges, but he's not done raving.

 

 

 

"NYA! No on touches her, do you hear me? NO ONE! You will die! I may understand that this is a result of your upgrade. Fine. If the constructicons live, it is up to them to fix this. If they don't...FINE! But you, you Devastator...you die! NO ONE TOUCHES HER!"

 

With that, the cannon barrel charges. It finally fires at the chest of the green monster. It's discharge is something that is heard around the glove, mothers clutch their babies to their chests at the sound. But nevertheless, it still discharges. Right at the chest of this monster.

Devastator> Galvatron places his barrel on his head and transforms into cannon mode. Oh no, someone's gonna get it.

 

Devastator> Well, at least Devastator's not pursuing him anymore. Glancing over his shoulder, Foxfire spots the hovercraft. He slows down somewhat, allowing the vehicle to catch up with him as he casually swerves to run alongside it. Rescued!

 

Devastator> Fusion Cannon <Galvatron> strikes you with galvcannon for 117 points of damage.

Devastator> Devastator falls apart from the magnitude of the blow.

Devastator> Devastator separates into the individual Constructicons.

 

Pentagon

 

     A huge five-sided building stands in your way -- the workplace of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The building, which appears to be a maze when viewed from above, is appropriately named the Pentagon after its shape. What used to be the main station for intelligence gathering has decayed in the past several years, becoming increasingly abandoned over time ... but then again, what was that flicker of light in the window?

 

Contents:

Crane <Hook>

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher)

&Wobbly Flying Fireflight

Rodimus Prime

Devastator

Jazz

Fusion Cannon <Galvatron>

Voidcraft (Arachnae)

Autobot Hovercraft (Defender II)

Foxfire

Autobot Shuttle <Ranger>

Obvious exits:

 Fly <Up> leads to Sky Over Washington, D.C..

 South <S> leads to Smithsonian Institute.

Cement Mixer <Mixmaster> has arrived.

Payloader (Scrapper) has arrived.

 

Autobot Shuttle <Ranger> whistles under his breath to himself, or at least emits a whistling tone over his internal speakers. Interesting developments. Initially, when he'd noticed more Decepticons turning up, he'd been, well, filled with dread. But this... this is good! He puts some distance between himself and Devastator after the monster clutches Arachnae and Galvatron starts to lose his head, and fires. Okay, now the thing to do is not antagonise the Decepticons. This thought in mind, he tries to fly casually over to his fellow Autobots.

 

Yep. There's a slightly distracted driver, pausing to pick Foxfire up. "I don't normally pick up hitchhikers, but ya look like ya need a lift." Jazz grins. waits for the fox to get his little budinsky into the hovercraft. Hey. It's Jazz's Taxi service, ya dig?

 

Devastator peers at the femme he's grabbed with confused, irritated look. "STOP SCREAMING!" he roars, his huge face right next to Arachnae. As Galvatron begins his rant, Devastator decides that the Decepticon leader is too tall. How dare he be taller than Devastator! Digging his gigantic fingers into the nearest building, Devastator begins to climb, the screaming neo-sweep still clutched in one hand. "DEVASTATOR DARES!" he bellows, as he reaches the top. "DEVASTATOR DARES TO.." But sadly, the universe will never know what Devastator dares to do, because it's at that moment that Galvatron's deadly beam strikes the lime green behemoth squarely in the center of his chest, gouging a huge hole in the purple flight wing and sending secondary arcs of electricity surging through each of his six components. Time seems to freeze for a moment, then slowly, but with the inevitability of a falling tree, Devastator loses his grip on both the building and Arachnae, plummeting downwards and impacting on the street below with an audial-spitting BOOM, immediately breaking into his component pieces. There's silence for a few seconds, then out of the billowing dust cloud limps Hook, clutching at his head. "Aaaarg!" he bellows, in a decidedly un-Hook-like fashion. "What happen? Hook feels terrible!"

The crane flips up, cab splitting into feet, chassis rotating and parts unfolding as it configures itself into the robotic form of Hook.

 

        From the time Rodimus is first able to detect Devastator until his sensors read the massive energy output in the same area he's able to traverse a vast distance on the nation's highway system. His tires are all near their temperature tolerance levels as he speeds down the highway as fast as he possibly can in order to prevent any more destruction from occurring in the area. He's still not exactly sure what is going on here, but from the sound of things Devastator has gone ape again and Galvatron had to put the poor combiner in his place. This does, however, afford Rodimus an opportunity to speak with Galvatron in person to make a few necessary arrangements.

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Poor Constructicons. If only you could upgrade Devastator's brain, he might be a bit more servicable, /and/ you would avoid such.....unpleasantries."

 

<Decepticon> Hook says, "Shut up Shrike! You don't know about Devastator! Hook knows more than you!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "F*** Devastator!  The only reason they will live is because this foolishness is not their fault.  Arachnae told me of te risks of this upgrade."

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Indeed. You know so much that you have managed to contaminate your own higher functions with Devastator's lovely personality."

 

<Decepticon> Hook says, "Rrrah! Hook's higher functions are the best there is! Hook is smarter than you! But.. uh.. Galvatron is really smart too!"

 

The green cement mixer doesn't have to fall far, but still feels awful. Transforming, he rights himself. He looks mildly confused, even for the insane alchemist. "Raaarrrng! The Mixmaster's head hurts!! Did Mixmaster overenergize too much again??"

The Cement Truck's cab folds down and splits in two, forming Mixmaster's legs and feet. His wheels and part of his sides shift out into his arms, which push himself up. The Constructicon lifts himself up onto his feet and looks eagerly for something to smelt.

 

<Decepticon> WARRIOR! Long Haul speaks, obviously having misunderstood what Shrike said. "Yes! Long Haul knows much! Shrike understands!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Silence.  Is everyone allright?  Scrapper.  Speak to me.  It seems your upgrade did not go smoothly."

 

Bulldozer (Bonecrusher) slowly gets up after having fallen unceremoniously onto his behind. Being on of the arms, he had a "nice" long fall, too. "Bonecrusher hurts! Bonecrusher doesn't know what happened!

Bonecrusher transforms into his robot mode.

 

Thank god, Bonecrusher is fine.

 

Arachnae receives a radio transmission.

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Galvatron is correct. The Scrapper is not well... slag! Scrapper told you all so. Scrapper said this was a bad idea, but nooo..."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Shrike.  Interview them all.  Something strange is afoot here as a result of their upgrade.  We need to know what, my oet."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Scrapper.  This is a test.  DO you remember the meeting last night?"

 

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "Hraarr!! Scrapper can shut up! The Mixmaster's head is ringing enough as it is!?"

 

Fireflight always enjoys viewing the humans' cities from above... much nicer than seeing them at ground level. The sight of Devastator managing to climb one of the tall buildings while apparently clutching something in one huge hand reminds Fireflight that his fellow Autobots are nearby and may need help; he turns towards the enormous Decepticon just in time to see Galvatron's cannon blast. Wow, look at that! Devastator's fallen apart and there doesn't seem to be anything else going on in the air - time to check on the other 'bots and either make sure the 'cons are only shooting at each other, or else join in the action.

The dump druck unfolds into Long Haul, who remains curled on the ground for a moment before pulling himself upright. He looks down at himself for a long moment, then looks around, trying to process what is going on. "Long Haul is damaged... but Long Haul remembers no battle..." his voice is a bit off. Devastator's voice is a weird combination of his six components, and now, when Long Haul speaks, it's not so much with Long Haul's normal voice, but with Long Haul's portion of Devastator's voice. "Is Long Haul a warrior now?" he asks hopefully.

 

Galvatron transmits a message via radio.

Rodimus Prime receives a radio transmission.

 

<Decepticon> Bonecrusher says, "Bonecrusher says this is Scrapper's fault!"

 

<Decepticon> Hook says, "The Hook thinks that Scrapper's inferior engineering has caused a power-feedback in the gestalt feedback loop circuitry! Hook should smash Scrapper!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "SILENCE!"

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Very well Lord. However, if any of them become violent I will not hesitate to remove vital components."

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Yes, Scrapper wanted to crush puny Octane! Scrapper will crush brothers, too--awk."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Scrapper.  You and your brothers are lucky to ne alive.  I only used 50% of my power in that blast.  Report to Arachnae and Shrike ASAP for fixing."

 

Rodimus Prime transmits a message via radio to Galvatron.

 

Galvatron receives a radio transmission.

 

Hook has disconnected.

 

Arachnae receives a radio transmission from Shrike.

 

Fusion Cannon <Galvatron> transforms back into robot mode. Waiting on Rodimus. He looks to the constructs, "Return to base, now. See Arachnae and Shrike immediately for diagnosis."

The fusion cannon reconfigures up into Galvatron.

 

<Decepticon> WARRIOR! Long Haul says, "Scrapper cannot defeat the Long Haul! Long Haul will crush Scrapper beneath his tires!"

 

Foxfire gets as close as he can to the hovercraft, then makes the leap that will determine if he *is* rescued or not. He jumps into the vehicle's open hatch, using his claws to keep from falling back out as he disappears inside of it. "Primus above," he gasps, obviously worn out, "that was exhausting. Thanks a bunch, Jazz."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "SHUT UP.  All of you.  Each of you will undergo a full physical by Arachnae.  You will also be interviewed by Shrike."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "It's clear that your upgrade worked, but not how you inteneded.  We will fix that."

 

Being fixed by the person they just squeezed in their fist? Normally, Bonecrusher would find this idea scary, but right now, his brain module can't quite wrap itself around that concept. "Bonecrusher will return! Bonecrusher will crush Long Haul for running his mouth!"

 

Voidcraft (Arachnae)'s screams of panic and dismay shift to a more startled level as she gets first hauled up into the big guys face then the finers loose about her. The engnes were still going and with the abrupt cessation of something holding her back, she goes flinging forward with all due haste into then through a building. At least it slows her down. "AHHH-eeeeeeh!" Silence. Then the craft slowly banks back about, trailing some smoke from damaged wings and other sections of frame.

 

Arachnae transmits a message via radio.

 

Payloader (Scrapper) ended up collapsed on the ground, shovel bent off at an odd angle. He would really just like to stay there on the ground or maybe crawl down a manhole and stay underground for a few... millennia. Unfortunately, he's been called out on the channel, and not answering will only make it worse. With a groan, Scrapper transforms and holds his head, much as Devastator did, not too long ago. Then, he wheels on Long Haul, Long Haul who was so insistent about doing this all and complains, "Dump truck had to go on and on about Scrapper's idea, had to make Scrapper go through with dumb dump plan. Dump truck can go in man hole!" With that cryptic note, Scrapper attempts to grab Long Haul and shake him.

The payloader unfolds into robotic form. His lower legs rotate away, revealing his upper legs. His arms come out from his side. His shovel flips onto his back. Finally, his head emerges from his torso, completing the transformation.

Scrapper succeeds in grasping Long Haul, throwing him off-balance.

 

Jazz waves two fingers at Foxfire, and makes that swooping curve in the hovercraft-- away from the downed gestault members. Taxi!

 

"Bonecrusher thinks you're both dumb!" another greenling exclaims, and throws himself at Long Haul and Scrapper both. Whether to stop them from fighting or to beat them up himself, nobody knows.

Bonecrusher succeeds in grasping Scrapper, throwing it off-balance.

 

Mixmaster is still confused, but the arguing isn't working! "SHUUT UUUUP!" He yells at Scrapper and Long Haul. "Scrapper shouldn't fight Long Haul. The Mixmaster not want to be stuck like this forever!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "The next decepticon that hits another outside of the training room will meet the same fate as Devastator"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae grumbles, "There goes my plan to beat some sense into Scrapper..."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "No, that order transcends you, Arachnae.  Once you get him back to base, do as you will"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "But the next Constructicon that hits another is dead"

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Thankfully Arachnae, you need not actually 'touch' Scrapper physically to arrive at the desired effect."

 

"Long Haul does not even have a mouth!" Long Haul replies to Bonecrusher. "Long Ha-" and then he is interrupted as Scrapper grabs him and shakes him. "RUUAARRGH!" he growls as Scrapper shakes him. "The Constructicons were the first gestalt! The Constructicons should be the best gestalt! Long Haul will crush Scrapper for being a coward!" And then Bonecrusher joins the fray, knocking all three to the ground in a mass of flailing limbs. Now, Galvatron did just give his orders over the frequencies, but at this point it's as much a matter of disentangling themselves as anything else.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "CONSTRUCTICONS!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "STOP. If you touch each other again in a painful fashion,  I will kill you all"

 

<Decepticon> Bonecrusher says, "They are giving pain to the Bonecrusher!"

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "The Bonecrusher doesn't know what pain is!"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Calm down the lot of you. Remain still."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I don't care.  None of you will touch each other until I say so.  Do you wish to face me?!"

 

Indeed, 'Crusher's limbs scrape painfully against the limbs of his brothers as he's trying to disentangle himself.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Or be stilled."

 

<Decepticon> WARRIOR! Long Haul says, "Long Haul has no face!"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "SHUT UP"

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "That's alright, Long Haul. That is as it should be."

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper sulks. "Arachnae said she was going to beat the Scrapper, anyway."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "If you don't return to base in the next minute, I will kill all six of you."

 

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "...Mixmaster does not /want/ to face Galvatron! The Mixmaster will... Nrrraa... will shut up!"

 

Arachnae transmits a message via radio.

Galvatron receives a radio transmission.

 

<Decepticon> Bonecrusher says, "But we cannot fly that fast!"

 

Galvatron transmits a message via radio.

Arachnae receives a radio transmission.

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Then we build the spaceship."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Good.  Then return to base and report to Arachnae. She will help you."

 

<Decepticon> WARRIOR! Long Haul says, "We must be... at the city to build the space ship. Long Haul will return to the city. The supplies for the space ship will be hauled by the Long Haul!"

 

Galvatron crosses his arms through radio broadcasts, and waits for Rodimus. He knows Rodimus is coming.

 

Arachnae's wings unfurl from around her frame, the hunter-medic descending only to alight next to Galvatron, peering at the Constructicons peevishly. A shake of her head as optics flicker then dim, wings rustling and rasping behind her in an outward showing of discomfort and irritability.

 

<Decepticon> Bonecrusher says, "Arachnae will help us built the space craft?"

 

Galvatron transmits a message via radio.

Rodimus Prime receives a radio transmission from Galvatron.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Arachnae will help you."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "She will help you."

 

Long Haul wriggle and pushes his way out from under his brothers and finally stands up. He looks around, and then nods. They are going to build a spaceship. The supplies for the spaceship are in New Crystal City. Therefore, Long Haul should be in New Crystal City! That logic problem taken care of, Long Haul takes off, flying in his usual slow, clumsy fasion.

 

Arachnae mutters to herself, "... going to... talk... lot... they... I'm... to... gut..."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "But be warned, if you ever touch her again...in an ill fashion, I will kill you."

 

Bonecrusher takes off as well, somehow figuring that he should join the others.

 

Scrapper manages to extricate himself from the pile. His lovely green paintjob will need to be redone from the scraping, and he can't leaking think straight. It's like someone turned up the volume, but... even now, he knows he's got to do what Galvatron says, even if it isn't entirely clear to him how the heck he's going to get it done. The spaceship thing just kind of slipped out. Sighing, he transforms again and makes to fly out... but he's wary of Arachnae now. Scrapper will be on the watch out her, oh yes, and for his brothers, too!

In a simple, utilitarian transformation, Scrapper becomes a payloader. His lower legs fold over his thighs. His arms tuck along his sides. His head retracts into his body, and his shovel folds down into place.

 

        About this time, Rodimus appears on the outskirts of the battle scene, transforming into his robot mode and narrowing his optics in the general direction of the Constructistooges as they begin to leave. He shakes his head slowly, glancing back toward Galvatron. "You really need to give Devastator a brain-transplant." Social commentary from the Autobot leader. Gotta love it.

 

Arachnae peers at Galvatron a moment, lifting a brow behind her visor. "Thank you sir." softly spoken before she goes back to watching the 'structies sort themselves out.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Medical, have a neural scanner online when I arrive."

 

* Travel Spam *

 

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:

Shrike

Medical Rules

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.

 

Payloader (Scrapper) arrives from the Mount R'Lyeh to the east.

Payloader (Scrapper) has arrived.

 

Bonecrusher arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Bonecrusher has arrived.

 

The payloader unfolds into robotic form. His lower legs rotate away, revealing his upper legs. His arms come out from his side. His shovel flips onto his back. Finally, his head emerges from his torso, completing the transformation.

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "<Sounds of a hapless technician screaming something about his optic> Unfortunately Arachnae, your technician tried to 'fry a metallic turkey' as he put it. I will find the scanner for you."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron chuckles, "I do love my pets."

 

Mixmaster arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Mixmaster has arrived.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae's voice leaks across the main comm like silk over a swords edge, velvety and dark, "oh *really* now" purring almost. "How perfectly lovely, I *will* have something to evisss-erate when I get home..."

 

Shovel bent, arms crossed, feet wide, and optics glowing sullenly, Scrapper makes the perfect image of sullen as he stomps into the medical ward. 'Arachnae will help,' his aft! He's not letting that dame touch him. She's brilliant, sure, but she actually said she wanted to beat him! And Scrapper thought that *he* was the one with a bad bedside manner. The engineer also determines that he's not going to let Arachnae touch any of his brothers, either. He taps his foot, waiting for his brothers to arrive - they're slower than him, after all.

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Poor Monkey-Wrench. I will enjoy watching you dissect him."

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Dissection implies a certail level of neatness and an end point of scientific discovery, Shrike."

 

<Decepticon> Shrike says, "Ah yes. Then I shall enjoy watching as you deconstruct him with extreme prejudice."

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Better."

 

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Scrapper thinks it is more fun if the subject is still alive."

 

Arachnae arrives from the NCC Central Hub to the southeast.

Arachnae has arrived.

Arachnae slips quietly into the area.

 

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "I acree with you, Scrapper...(cont)"

 

Arachnae steps through the door, wings flicking behind her, "Now I don't think you *want* to be the subject, now do you?"

 

        Shrike is seated in the rafters, watching as the hapless Monkey-Wrench stumbles around the room with his optic visor missing. Though upon closer inspection, it isn't missing. Shrike is slowly crushing it within his talons, watching as the small crystaline shards fall to the floor.

 

For Long Haul, calling him 'slower than Scrapper' works on several levels. Eventually, however, the dump-truck-former plods in, moving like he has extra multi-ton weights installed in his hands and feet. Long Haul has to do the carrying, but he doesn't know what to carry until he's seen the plans, and Scrapper makes the plans, so the transporter has followed him in here to await further instructions.

 

Once he spots his brother, he trudges over and looks at Scrapper expectantly, not saying anything. Scrapper should know what he's thinking!

 

Mixmaster trudges loudly into the medical ward. "The Mixmaster needs repairs!!" He bellows to nobody in particular. "And a new coat of paint! Lime green paint, for Mixmaster!!" Spotting Scrapper, he makes his way over to him.

 

Bonecrusher plods in as well, being once again the slowest. "Arachnae will help build the space craft!" he loudly proclaims, his mind still on the previous train of thought.

 

Scrapper knocks over a chair in response to Arachnae. Then, he knocks over several more chairs and a few table and he starts dragging the furniture around himself and his brothers, as if to build a protective fort. He hisses loudly, "Scrapper will not let Arachnae touch him. Scrapper will not let Arachnae touch his brothers! Constructicons will not be vivisected. Constructicons will not be beaten." He pauses, and then instructs his brothers, "Help with fort. Prepare for siege."

 

        Shrike may not be the highest ranked Decepticon in this room, and he may not exactly be able to carry out his own threats but he is friends with several Decepticons who surely /will/ carry them out for him. "Scrapper will be silent and follow Galvatron's commands, or Scrapper and his brothers will be forcibly put into stasis and examined at our leisure."

 

Arachnae gives herself several minutes to watch the sextupulet mil about and chatter. OPtics flicker as she folds her arms across her front, wings flicking behind her in the hunter-medic's equivelant to a cat snapping it's tail about in irritation. "Scrapper, knock it off. I have to touch you to give you a check up. It's either going to be *me* running a check up on you with your willing participation, which is purely proper, or it's going to be me sitting on your kicking and screaming carcass like you were a first vorn cadet refusing to take his internal de-rusting agent. Now, I can do this either way, I don't particularly care at this very moment, but for peace sake and the continued good will that is between your team and myself, grabbing me out of the air and denting my chassis aside, I would suggest that you knock that slag out and sit on a table. Now."

 

Bonecrusher protests at that. "Shrike will not hurt Bonecrusher and his brothers! Shrike will leave us ALONE!" However, he also protests at Scrapper's idea. "Arachnae is a good Sweepgirl! Arachnae is not bad! Arachnae will help us build the space craft!"

 

Mixmaster peers at Arachnae, then at the fort that Scrapper is building. That's all the thought he puts into it. At least the fort is more fun. He goes to help. But then.. Nae makes a valid point. Mixmaster just stands there looking at the two. The fort is more fun. Mixmaster grabs an empty portable ward bed. "This going to help!" He says as he carries it over his head towards his brother.

 

Long Haul is also vaguely confused. He has contradictory orders. There are the orders from Shrike. Shrike doesn't matter. There are the orders from Scrapper. And there are the orders from Arachnae. And only Bonecrusher has remembered what's REALLY important: the spaceship! The transporter turns and looks between Scrapper and Arachnae for a very long moment. Both are his leader. Both are of equal status. But Arachnae, for all the Constructicon fondness for her, is still an outsider. Scrapper is his brother. Long Haul hefts up one of the tables and drags it over towards Scrapper. "Long Haul will build the fort!"

 

Bonecrusher is confused as well. The Constructicon herd instinct drives him to join the fort building, and thus he grabs a crate. However, he stops in mid-crate moving as he remembers something. "We need to build the spacecraft!" he protests.

 

Scrapper snarls, from within his 'fort', which Mixmaster and Long Haul are being so helpful about, "Scrapper will not touch Arachnae, and Arachnae will not touch Scrapper! Scrapper will not fix Arachnae when Arachnae gets broken again, because Scrapper will not touch Arachnae." Scrapper is obviously taking Galvatron's words a bit too literally! He tugs at a chair, attempting to use it as a buttress for a 'wall' of the 'fort'.

 

Arachnae intakes a great amount of air, silently counting to ten then then again before she vents it through intakes with a whispery hiss. Wings continue to rustle behnd her. "Scrapper..." soft tone, gentle even, "I have to touch you, and I have to give you, all of you, an exam. I'm not going to hurt you intentionally but I have to make sure that you all are alright. Stop messing up medical, please."

 

Shrike sighs to himself. "Perhaps...a different approach Arachnae?" He hops down from his perch and glides effortlessly toward one of the medical computers, actually the security terminal in the room. With a quick hop he transforms into his cassette form to access the systems directly.

Shrike suddenly compresses down into a standard cassette.

 

Arachnae says, "I am using a different method, Shrike. Give me a few more minutes first."

 

One would think the question of 'all right' has an obvious answer, that answer being: no. Long Haul again hesitates, looking back and forth between Scrapper and Arachnae, then returns to work. As long as Scrapper keeps building the fort, Long Haul will keep helping him. Even if he did threaten to crush Scrapper beneath his tires earlier.

 

And now Arachnae isn't yelling. She is asking nicely. Which is, in its own way, even scarier than if she was yelling at the Constructicons. Mixmaster would be used to her getting angry and snippy and bitchy. But asking nicely? His face scowls up as he tries to think. Thinking is so hard now.. why is that...? HE simply just stands there looking at the two.

 

Bonecrusher tilts his head in confusion, setting down the crate he was holding. "Arachnae will be a good Sweepgirl? Arachnae will not hurt Scrapper? The Bonecrusher will defend Scrapper!"

 

Scrapper peers out suspiciously from the furniture-fort, optics glaring a fevered red. He points out, tone accusing, "The Arachnae said she would beat Scrapper. The Arachnae will hurt the Scrapper. The Arachnae said so!" The Arachnae would also lie to the Scrapper. The Scrapper knows this. They are Decepticons, are they not? It doesn't make him want to come out of the fort any more, though.

 

        Shrike remains where he is, tied into the room's automated defenses through the security terminal. It is online, and all systems are in standby mode, but he doesn't activate any of them just yet. Let's see if Arachnae can talk them down first.

 

Mixmaster finally sighs Audibly. "Scrapper says he's going to destroy brothers. But he not." Destroy... that's a word Mixmaster likes the sound of.. why is that?

"Only Constructicons can hurt Constructicons!" Long Haul proclaims, and then he considers. "And Galvatron said the Constructicons are not to hurt the Constructicons, so none can harm the Constructicons! Long Haul will not allow it." With that he takes his position within the furniture fort, his optic band glowing malevolent red out at anyone who would do his brothers harm!

 

Arachnae fans her wings out behind her then settles them behind her as neaty as possible. She starts to walk towards Scrapper and crew, holding her empty hands outspread in front of her. "And your point, Scrapper? We all say things when we're upset. I'd just been squeezed. You'd threaten me if our positions were reversed... " She continues to walk towards the fort building crew, tone calm, "I respect you for your intellect and capabilities. I enjoy your company and your conversational skills, now whyever would I seriously give consideration to harming you save for under orders to do so or if threatened? You are my superiour in engineering skills, my companion in the more delicate of medical needs and my cohort in diabolic mischivery. I don't want to hurt you or yours, but if I must in order to see if you ar well, then I will as you would if our places were reversed."

 

Bonecrusher's brain module ever so slowly attempts to piece the gist of Arachnae's address together. One can almost /watch/ him think - all that's missing is ticker tape coming from a slit. "Arachnae will not hurt us. Arachnae is a good sweepgirl. Arachnae will help us build the space craft?"

 

Flattery doesn't do much for Scrapper, since he doesn't consider himself all that impressive. He mutters, "More like stooge..." Then, he yells, "Scrapper would not hurt the Arachnae! Ever." Possibly true. Galvatron would kill Scrapper into great deadness with all speed if he did. At last, Scrapper emerges from the 'fort', but with a purpose. He strides over to a robotic surgical armature and insists, "Use the... the... the... this!" There word is there, somewhere in his mind, but he cannot find it. Scrapper almost shakes the poor armature, so vexed is he that he cannot recall what it is called.

 

Long Haul stands up and straightens, watching Scrapper leave. That. The... the... that. Constructicons sometimes finish each other's sentences, or at least find words for each other when they're missing, but the term for that thing escapes him as well. He shrugs and steps out from behind the table, then looks around for a long moment. "But... what about the spaceship? Long Haul needs the plans for the spaceship..." The spaceship that is not needed anymore, of course, but... hey.

 

Mixmaster also emerges from the makeshift 'fort.' He pushes a few chairs aside so that he can leave. He looks at the armature. Silly Scrapper, he thinks to himself. Mixmaster knows that is a... is a... a what? Thinking is so difficult now! "AAARGH!" He finally howls out loud, once again not being very clear about what the matter is.

 

Bonecrusher emerges from the fort as well, following his urge to stick close to the others. "The... the..." Evidently, Bonecrusher doesn't know the word for the "thing" anymore, either.

 

If he ever knew it, that is.

 

Shrike quietly intones over the loudspeakers in the room. "We can build the space-ship later. Please allow Arachnae to give you a medical scan to determine exactly what happened." He still remains interfaced with the security terminal, not quite convinced they are non-violent, yet.

 

Arachnae watches Scrapper with a slight bit of waryness about her. But she nods, "Of course I'll use that, Scrapper. Just you have a seat and let me look you over." Wings flick behind her in their usual absent way. "No spaceship just yet Long Haul. We have to plan that and before we can plan it, we have to make sure everyone is in tip top shape." A smile crosses her face, thoughtful as she walks slowly over to calibrate the surgical arm.

 

Shrike has disconnected.

 

Mixmaster simply stands there waiting for Arachnae. She's just performing a simple calibration. Why is Mixmaster getting so confused by what she's doing? He's done this countless times. And why.. why is this confusion making him so ANGRY?

 

"Raagh!" He suddenly snaps at Arachnae. "Stop working so fast!" His optics flash with rage as he suddenly clamps his mouth shut. He knows he shouldn't have said that, and he knows that there will probably be repurcussions, but he can't help himself. This is just so frustrating!

 

Scrapper continues to stand near the surgical armature but gives Arachnae space to calibrate the device. He crosses his arms and declares, "The Scrapper will stand." Arachnae's already taller than him, anyway... and why the smelt does he even care that she's taller than him? Scrapper shakes himself, pawing at the floor with a foot in frustration, and then tries to watch Arachnae, optic band narrowed.

 

Arachnae headtilts, looking at Mixmaster a moment with a slightly perplexed look. Wings flick and she smiles wryly, "Sit on a table please." Calm, cool and ready to run if they go all pack-construticon on her. "Now Scrapper, All I want to do is run a deep density scan on your internal processes." She opts not to go all technical as it appears that they get upset when presented with the big words. "No, the Scrapper must have a lie down for this to properly run." Flat tone, optics slitting.

 

Bonecrusher watches Arachnae as well, a look of blatant confusion on his face. He doesn't understand the technical minutiae of medical procedures on the best of days, and today, he understands them - not at all. One might as well put a cave man in a lecture on nuclear physics.

 

Long Haul trudges nearer the table where Arachnae is operating and then moves onto the nearest chair. He clambers up... it's something he's done a million times before, being smaller than a normal Decepticon, but for some reason the action is more frustrating than usual. He's been small all his life, but right now, having everything around him this large feels... wrong.

 

Finally the transporter gets himself settled and looks around, the slant of his shoulders displaying the glumness that his face cannot portray. After several moments he leans back and sighs. "Long Haul requires a drink," he pronounces.

 

The sullen Mixmaster has no response to Arachnae's calm request. He clamps his mouth down tighter as he allows himself to suppress his rage. Considering he currently houses the anger of six grumpy technicians, that is difficult. "Oh.... KAY. The Mixmaster will be seated. But the Mixmaster does not like it." He says as he finds a nearby empty bed. One that hasn't been used for the fort.

 

Scrapper stalks over to the fort, climbs on top of it, and lies down on the bed that was used for the roof. There, now he's up higher than Arachnae, and he's on a bed. They can all be happy now, can't they? He states proudly, "The Scrapper is on a bed. The Arachnae will use the... the... that!" He points at the armature.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Fusillade."

 

Arachnae watches Scrapper and debates being more foreceful about the entire thing. then she determines that now is not the time.. "Fine." And the arm is adjusted to aim in Scrappers General direction. "If this doesn't scan clean, you will have to come over here, and sit on *this* table." Tapping one closer before she triggers the first scan. Then She looks at the others. "Hrn.." While the machine does it's thing. Padding towards Mixmaster, she keys in the codes to have his table run it's scan before she pauses by a cabinet, gets out a mug and some kool aid er, energon for Long Haul. In a sippy cup even. That gets handed to the sullen constructicon even as she's turning to look at Bonecrusher, "Would you like a drink too?" Kindergarden teacher voice.

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Catechism."

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Both of you.  Answer."

 

"The Bonecrusher wants a drink!" a louder-than-usual voice proclaims. "The Bonecrusher will sit here." Indeed, sit he does now, presumably following the example of his brothers.

 

<Decepticon> Catechism says, "Yes, sir?"

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "My patience is already thin tonight, after having to talk with Rodimus without having to kill him."

 

<Decepticon> Fusillade says, "Present."

 

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "You will both meet me in the Arena."

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "This is not a request."

 

<Decepticon> Catechism says, "As you wish, sir. I shall be there presently."

 

Long Haul has a sippy cup! And a drink! For all his troubles thinking, this seems to brighten his mood considerable. Long Haul has always been fairly simple and direct, and that particular trait has been enhanced. He looks up at Arachnae and nods his thinks quickly before lifting the cup to his non-lips. One would think a sippy cup would make it even more difficult for the mouthless Decepticon, but one thing Long Haul has NOT forgotten is how to drink!

 

Mixmaster simply sits there. As the table whirrs and hums as the scan is carried out, Mixmaster looks about startled, as if he's trying to work out what is making the noise. "What.. What's happening to Mimxaster!?" He demands. His hands involuntarily ball up into fists as he prepares to lash out at who or whatever is making that sound.

 

Arachnae speaks softly, "Be at ease Mixmaster, we're just havng a look inside you to make sure you are all okay."

 

Scrapper just lies there quietly on the table, having completely proved the old adage that doctors make the worst patients, albeit for unusual reasons this time. He watches what Arachnae does to the others from his perch, head craned so he can see.

 

Long Haul looks up at Arachnae and tilts his head to the right, his visor a bit dimmer than usual. "How can the Arachnae look inside Mixmaster without opening him?" he asks.

 

Bonecrusher sits on a table, watching the proceedings with a dim, confused look. Right now, his thought process goes something like, "Is it a threat? If so, SMASH!" Arachnae doesn't seem to be an acute threat right now, and thus Bonecrusher is at a loss for what to do.

 

 

 

Arachnae pours Bonecrusher a drink, in a mug with a fitted lid as well. She's not taking chances with spills and tantrums this eve. Patience.. patience.. she's saved a lot up for moments like this... "The machine looks for me so I don't have to open Mixmaster up. It's less messy and doesn't hurt the patient." She hands Bones his drink, padding back to check the scanner running on Scrapper.

 

Arachnae has disconnected.

 

"The machine looks." Bonecrusher can't wrap his brain module around that, and he especially can't seem to wrap his brain module around that /and/ drink at the same time, so he just concentrates on his drink for now.

 

"FOOLISH Bonecrusher!" Mixmaster says as he looks up from his bed. "Of course Machines can look. Bonecrusher is a machine. Can BONECRUSHER look?!"

 

Bonecrusher looks up from his drink. "Bonecrusher does not know!" He really is a bundle of confusion right now.

 

Long Haul eventually finishes his sippy drink, ignoring his brothers for the time being, and then heads back to the table-fort the group has constructed, lies down in one of the corners, and goes off-line.

 

Bonecrusher soons joins Long Haul there, perhaps driven by that same primal herd instinct again. Curling up next to his brother - as much as a giant lime-green robot can curl - he falls into recharge mode as well.

 

Scrapper drops down from his perch on top of the furniture-fort and sits down in with the others, although he doesn't nod off yet. Instead, Scrapper decides to stay awake and watch over the others.

 

Mixmaster finally grunts at stupid (STUPID!) Bonecrusher, before deciding to rest. Despite all his anger and rage, he too has a fair amount of his own damage to take into account. He shuts his systems down (after remembering HOW to do it,) and enters a recharge/slumber period.

 

================================== Reports ===================================

Message: 9/3                       Posted        Author

Crystal City Devastated            Sat Dec 17    Long Haul

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

The downtown area of Crystal City, Virginia, a suburb of the D.C. metropolitan area, was devastated today by a sudden and unprovoked attack by the Decepticons. Reports vary, but apparently the subgroup known as the Constructicons arrived, parked for a moment just outside one of the area's parking garages, and then merged into their combined form. The larger robot then collapsed for some moments, screaming and crushing several vehicles, before he rose again and proceeded to attack the assorted buildings in the area. Eye witnesses claim he expressed distress over their height. A small contingent of Autobots attempted to contain the menace until the arrival of Galvatron, leader of the Decepticons. At this point, the giant robot began attacking his own side before he was blown apart by Galvatron. Then, after a brief argument, the Constructicons departed.

 

The parking garage and a nearby office building were leveled, at least 20 vehicles were destroyed, several other buildings received severe structural damage, as did the roadways. Thus far there have only been 14 reported deaths, but rescue efforts are ongoing. Theories as to the reason behind the attack are sparse, as there's little in the area of tactical use to the Decepticons.

==============================================================================

 

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

Message: 2/25                      Posted        Author

Medical Report: Construticons      Sat Dec 17    Arachnae

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

This medical report covers my initial observations and preliminary scans on the Construticons after their merging and forced demerging in the United States Middle Atlantic state region.

 

Upon arrival in medical, it was immediately apparent that their speech functions have undergone a radical departure from baseline for each of them. There appears to be difficulty surmounted with an interesting amount of surly rage whenever they endevor to voice something as simplistic technically as Surgical Armature. The entire grouping shows a far more openly clannish, even packish level of activity than is usually present in non-secure settings. There was some mild amount of verbal discourse needed in order to have the subjects settle for preliminary systems scans and the begining of a full neural evaluation. They all exhibited immediate signs of anxiety upon my arrival, most likely due to the dichotomy of a verbal issuance of proposed violence spoken in a moment of stress by myself. Future scans and evals are suggested to be done on a singular basis without the others present unless they exhibit separation anxiety. Something to be checked on in my next report.

 

I would hesitate to send any of them out on active duty at this time until they can all be fully evaluated for stability for their own safety. Futhermore, until they can be evaluated for damages, I would suggest manageing and prevention of any further merging until their stability has been determined.

 

 

==============================================================================