October 15th, 2001 ~Electra(D), Solar(D), Whiplash(D), Hyperdrive (A), Arcane(U) Darkmount - Command Center Before you lies the heart and soul of the Decepticon empire. You find yourself standing on a wide walkway spanning a three-quarter circle overlooking the 100 foot deep command center. The central stairs are just to your right and descend through three levels of sensor monitor stations. The entire height and length of the wall in front of you is covered with massive sensor viewers relaying information from the Tower Outpost Communication Center to Darkmount so that Decepticon leaders may survey their holdings without moving very far from the tools of power at their disposal. In the first work level below you are various computer terminals available for the officers to review logs of troop reports while the lower two levels are strictly dedicated to sensor monitoring and are constantly manned. In the pit of the room, various holomaps display the information interpolated from the sensor inputs that the currently assigned duty officer is constantly updating. Electra [Robot] [D] -Electra is sitting in the Command Center, monitoring the broadband channels, a frown on her face as she listens. Electra says, "I trust you all are safely away now?" -Moonlight walks into the room, her usual swagger dampened by her less-than-joyous mood. "How are things going?" she asks in a uncharacteristically concerned way. Whiplash says, "Shockwave, get away from there! 'Con shuttle - how about a lift here? And then get outta blast range, for Cybertron's sake! Oh, and a few shots to drive the 'Bots into the blast zone wouldn't be a bad idea either." -Electra looks around. "Exodus is about to blow up... one of the Autobots sacrificed themselves to try and destroy it." She looks back towards the communications gear. Solar says, "lash I'm the only one onboard I can't pilot the fraggin thing" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Why don't you have a pilot with you then?!" Ghost heaves a sigh, "Lash, I'm about to come past you, latch on and I'll get you to the shuttle.. I can see if I can hack into it and pilot." Shockwave says, "I was the pilot, however, I am currently occupied with Pyre. Activate the shuttle's automatic pilot if you must. I cannot break off my pursuit." -Moonlight shrugs. "I suppose they aren't all that bad then, eh? But that's neither here nor there. Are all our 'Cons goind to be able to make it back, do you think?" Electra says, "Commander Shockwave, with all due respect... get your aft in that shuttle. Leave Pyre to his fate. If he wants to go out in a blaze of pyrotechnics, so be it, but let's not wind up losing the appointed leader of the Empire out of sheer stubbornness?" Ghost says, "Shockwave, The autopilot only works if theres a destination programed." Shockwave says, "Pyre cannot be permitted to escape to regions unknown on Cybertron. Permitting him to get away without punishment is a poor example for others to observe." Pyre says, "Yes Shockwave, cower back to your blindly loyal Decepticons. You and I will meet again. That I can assure you, I have survived vorn away from my home, I will return." Ghost says, "SHockwave take him out. I want pieces. I'll get the slagging shuttle back home if I have to crash it." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Isn't leaving us without a leader also a poor example? What are we supposed to do without your continuing example?" Electra says, "Give me a moment, Commander... the access codes for the the shuttle. Quickly!" Shockwave says, "I will be fine, Moonlight." -Electra begins typing rapidly at the console in which she's seated, bringing up multiple windows as she tries to uplink to the shuttle. Pyre says, "I would suggest not following me Shockwave, space is my arena, and I have alrerady defeated you inyours. Logic would not indicate attacking me to be a wise move" Shockwave says, "I am also Space Capable Pyre, you would be aware of that if you had done any sort of research on your opponent." Ghost says, "Electra, command access is beta 7 tri-alpha." Solar says, "The airlock is open and welcome aboard" Whiplash says, "Pyre! If I catch you, I'll take you out myself! Not only didn't you destroy those damn fence-sitters when you had the chance, but if you so much as *touch* Shockwave, I'll rip out your laser core and string it up on the Darkmount launch platform!" -Moonlight takes a seat and listens anxiously to all the goings-on. Every now and then she glance's Electra's way to see how the other femme is taking this all in. -Electra smiles thinly at the transmission, and types in the codes, both of them. "Yes!" She types in the controls for new coordinates... and then hits the transmit key to send the data. Electra says, "Sent... destination set for Darkmount's launch pad. Get out of there!" Ghost says, "Shockwave, do you need backup?" Shockwave says, "Decepticons, Pyre has proven himself to be a coward, and thus unfit to lead the Decepticons. He refused to face me once his illogically conceived plan fell apart, and thus could never hope to achieve any semblence of successful leadership. Let this be a lesson to you all." Ghost says, "Can I go after him Shockwave?" Ghost says, "Because, there is no lesson as long as he has escaped. Those he has taken from deserve to witness his distruction in order to see justice done" Whiplash says, "Who said anything about accepting that guy as leader? I just wanted him to take out Crystal City!" Shockwave says, "If you wish, Ghost." -Moonlight drums her fingers along the side of her chair while she waits. -Solar comes in and drops a large bag on the floor "Well that was certainly interesting" -Moonlight stops drumming her fingers and turns around to nod at Solar as he enters. "What's in the bag?" -Solar says, "Bombs and explosives" -Moonlight scowls slightly. "Now that's friendly...Are you sure you should just dump them on the ground like that?" -Solar says, "Their inactive till I arm em" -Moonlight shrugs. "Well I feel much safer now." She nods farewell to Electra. -Solar says, "Course all I gotta do to arm em is touch a pad on my arm....Oh and you've been reassigned" -Moonlight's mouth quirks at the corners. "Oh?" -Solar nods as he takes a seat "Yep" -Moonlight wriggles her fingers a little. "Are you going to be a little more informative than that?" -Solar says, "I'm in the bussiness of keeping information not giving it out", and he grins "Anyways your now assigned to the Light Deal and Wild Surge permanently, and as such there is something you need to know" -Moonlight folds her arms and scowls. "You keeping me in suspense on purpose, or is this just a character flaw of yours?" -Solar says, "I'm doing it on purpose, and I won't tell you here. Only when we both have the time for you to take a tour of the businesses, a guided tour by me" -Moonlight leans back a bit. "And when would that time be?" -Solar says, "Whenever you have the time." -Moonlight shrugs. "I have time now...especially since I can't get to my assignments until you tell me what they are. I don't really think lounging around here is good for my rep." -Solar goes over and picks up the bag, and on his way out "Alright now is good" Wastelands The Wastelands are a lesser version of the great abandoned zones that stretch over parts of Cybertron. Immediately, you notice how desolate and devoid of life this area seems. Looking back up the mountain range towards Darkmount, you can truly come to appreciate what a formidable fortress the Decepticon Headquarters is as you stare up at the 20,000' cliff. When you finally tear your gaze away from the mountain to look at the uneven and broken surface of Cybertron that makes up the Wastelands, you can't help but wonder if anything *can* survive out here. The area is massive and seems to go on forever in darkness, so you are only able to see a small part of it at a time. An entire army could take refuge here in the broken landscape and you might never see them. Consequently, the area is also useful for more realistic training in the ways of war. As you ponder the immensity of your devastated surroundings, you hear the little noises of unidentified creatures around you. Whiplash [MedusaSaur] [D] -Moonlight walks into the area, looking to be rather in a hurry. She nods to Whiplash as she approaches. -Whiplash is at her usual guard post, kinda glowering into the darkness. She glances toward Moonlight briefly and nods the barest greeting. -Moonlight seems a little put out by the briefness, but keeps walking towards Whiplash's area...she does have to pass by after all. -Solar transmits: 'meet me at the Surge'. -You transmit 'I'm on my way.' to Solar. -Whiplash is atop her boulder, and makes neither the attempt to hail nor the attempt to stop Moonlight, simply watches her pass. Her rather forbidding expression indicates she may not be entirely pleased with recent events. -Moonlight notices that Whiplash seems rather preoccupied, and doesn't wish to disturb her, because she is the only person so far that scares her out of her armor. She hurries along towards her destination, hoping that Whiplash will be in a better mood next time she sees her. The Wild Surge - Bar Dimly lit and noisy, Dead End's only bar is never lacking in patrons. While the energon isn't of the best quality, many of the chemical additives are unique to the place, and so highly prized by those who can afford them, even outside of the city. For those less affluent, the wall behind the bar still offers old, contaminated energon and various forms of crude-grade fuel as well as the more acceptable low and high grade energon, plus some interesting compounds that are better left to the imagination. Solar [Robot] [D] Hyperdrive [Robot] [A] -Moonlight swaggers into the bar, a wide, relaxed grin on her face. Her optics glitter brightly from under the rim of her hat. -Solar nods as Moonlight enters "I'll be with you in a microcycle Moonlight", and he sits down at a table with Hyperdrive "I think Hyper that you have to make some hard choices or two in the next cycle or two" -Moonlight nods and makes herself comfortable at a table a little ways away, waving briskly to Hyperdrive. -Hyperdrive looks at Solar, "Why do you say that?" -Solar says, "A few reasons, first you just walked into con territory without permission, Second, I'm sure that the Autobots saw you enter Tarn through one spy satelite or another, third you just gave us aid in stopping a threat. Truthfully I think you have already made some hard decision already" -Hyperdrive spies Moonlight and waves at her with a slight grin. -Moonlight shifts around in her seat until she reaches the perfection of comfort. Then she contents herself with ordering a drink while she waits. -Arcane enters, walking with a cane for support. -Solar looks up "Ah Arcane Good cycle" -Arcane nods to Solar as he approaches "Good cycle, Solar. You are well?" -Solar says, "No scratches in me right now" -Moonlight waves her drink at Arcane in greeting as he walks into the Surge. -Hyperdrive looks at solar with a little bit of confusion, "Why? What do you think is going to happen?" -Solar puts his hand down on Hypers shoulder "I'll give ya whatever help I can. If you need a place to think about it let me know and I'll put ya up at the Deal. For now I'll let ya sit here and think. It's quite possible ya know that some of the Autobots might not like you for the fact you helped us." Solar stands up "I just want you to know that Ghost is no longer your only friend in the Empire", and then Solar goes to the bar to talk with Moonlight. -Arcane walks over to Hyperdrive "Good cycle, young one." -Moonlight grins as Solar walks over to her. "You scare young people like that often Solar?" -Solar shakes his head "Not on a daily basis no. So you ready for your tour then?" -Moonlight throws up her hands. "Sure, why not. I've waited long enough." She hugs her bottle to herself and stands up, getting ready to follow Solar. Light Deal - Showroom This is the main store and shop of VUSS, a joint venture between the Decepticons and the Syndicate. The shop itself has a large display case that goes around the entire lenth of the shop and holds some of the more interesting pieces of the collection. -Solar says, "Nice little door there eh?" -Moonlight hmmmms. "Yes, convienient." -Solar reaches into subspace and pulls out a keycard and he hand it to Moonlight, "You're gonna need that" -Moonlight takes the keycard and looks it over. "Okay, what's this little trinket do?" -Solar grins and gois mysterious again "You'll see soon, right now I'll show ya to your room" -Moonlight makes a small sound of exasperation, shrugs, and waits for Solar to continue. "Lead on." Light Deal - Elevator Since this elevator does double duty as both a freight and passenger system, it is slightly oversized. It is also furnished and decorated with precious metals. A large control panel is nestled in to the right of the doors, and has an insertion point for a data card. Solar [Robot] [D] -Solar pushes the button for the penthouse and waits -Solar says, "Ah here we are after you" -Moonlight giggles a little and proceeds to march out of the elevator. Light Deal - Penthouse Level A long brightly lit and well styled hallway leads down the length of the level and culminates in a space with two doors, each of which leads to half the level serves as a domicile for each of the owners. -Solar says, "Choose a room on the left, there is a large space and can be eminintly suitable, ( and yes their is a mistake. I'll get it fixed)" -Moonlight looks around, sweeping her hat off her head to get the full view. "Nice set up you've got here..." -Solar says, "You ain't seen nothing yet, and we can skip the warehouse as I think you've seen it before, you ready for the last level?" -Moonlight nods. "Sounds like a plan to me." -Solar says, "You remember that keycard? Aright this is what ya do" -Solar inserts a card into the slot of the control pad and turns around to face the back. After a few seconds the elevator comes to a halt and the rear of it opens to show the new home of Decepticon intelligence. Light Deal - Reception Area Truth be told this room is nothing more than a large guard post whose only function is to make sure only the correct mechs get through. A large and imposing mech sits behind the lone desk and he has a list. If your not on that list you will be forcebly removed from the premises. You might even get lucky and remain more or less intact. -Hyperdrive transmits: 'havin fun?'. -You transmit 'I suppose I could say I am...' to Hyperdrive. -Solar walks out of the elevator "And now you know why we are rather protective of the Light Deal" -Moonlight looks around. "Yeah, I suppose it /does/ make sense now. Of course, I like the style. Nothing stuffy about this environment...the cover environment at any rate." -Solar says, "We had to make it convincing in Fact Swindle doesn't know about this level. The Light deal is a very legitimate business that makes millions of credits annually" -Moonlight puts her hat back on and nods. "Swindle doesn't know...check. Who else knows? If I know who knows, then I know who not to talk to this place about. Sound reasonable?" -Solar says, "I know Sliver, Skyburner, Ghost Kimikaze, and Razelore. As far as I know that is it. And only command can give permission for another mech to know" -Moonlight snaps her fingers. "Got'cha. So, what's my role in all of this?" -Solar says, "I will let you familiarize yourslef to the building I am going back to the Surge" -Moonlight folds her arms. "You still haven't told me what you want...unless you just want me to sit on my aft and look pretty." -Solar says, "I want to use both your specialties. As a waitress you can enter the Light deal and the Wild Surge without drawing attention to youself, and as a smuggler, well, there are always times when we need something brought soomewhere that isn't exactly legal. You were a perfect choice" -Moonlight grins. "I thank you for the compliment. Anything particular you want right now, or should I just keep my optics open?" -Solar says, "The latter for now, right now we got other things to worry about" -Moonlight nods her head sagely. "Of course. I'm afraid I wasn't much help with that whole thing, but attacking space-stations isn't my specialty...I guess I need to train myself in more fields." -Solar says, "As I said get settled and if you need anything let me know" -You say, "Just one more question." -Solar nods. -You say, "Do you want me to wench in disguise, or as my charming Decepticon self?" -Moonlight nods. "Disguise is less alarming...it's easier to get information that way. Just so long as some 'Cons, but not all, know both my 'guises. I wouldn't want to get into trouble." -Solar says, "I'll watch your back for you then"