September 20th, 2002 ~Omnisaber(U), Resonance(A), Cloak(A), Solar(D) -Omnisaber transmits: 'I'm meeting with the Corporal now. You're more than welcome to come in. The guards will more than likely escort you to the safety tent upon entering the area.'. -You transmit 'Very well. Let them know that I'm on my way.' to Omnisaber. Crystal City - Governmental Sector Following the road south, the more easygoing nature of the other areas vanishes abruptly. This is the Governmental Sector. The road passes in a looping 'U' back into itself along the buildings that rise proudly from the ground. Justice hangs like a fog in the air. The gunmetal gray of the governmental offices blends in well with City Hall at the end of the cul-de-sac. The Archives building and Militia House squat like protective guardians, flanking the smaller building while the Crystal City Academy adds an air of learning as well as a well lit throughway to the Palace to the area. Several Cybertronians briskly make their way to and from the various structures, while older kidlets and small drones ferry everything from energon to sensitive data crystals to the waiting officials. Resonance [Robot] [A] Cloak [Robot] [A] Solar [Robot] [D] Omnisaber [Robot] [U] Militia House Crystal City Academy Central Archives City Hall Obvious Exits: -N- North leads to Crystal City - Plaza -Moonlight slowly makes her way into the area, her right hand held up with fingers spread for everyone to see. Despite the cautious way that she is walking, there is an easy grace to her movements and a grin on her face. In her left hand she is carrying a case. -Omnisaber is lying on a cot in a 'safey tent', away from the barricade/action itself...one leg crossed over the other, his hands both supporting his head...he seems quite...relaxed. -Resonance turns his head at a brief commotion as some of the soldiers notice Moonlight, his voice taking on a new, cold tone,"Decepticon." He shakes his head a bit, gestures to Backfire,"Go get the femme, bring her here. And take the case away from her, have it inspected by one of the Intel personnel on duty." -Omnisaber turns to Resonance upon hearing his words..."Hey, have your Intel be careful with it...happens to be a prized possession...probably my last one." -Moonlight submits to whatever search the Bots conduct. Willingly she hands over her gun and her blades. She doesn't seems at all concerned with the situation, however, and continues to grin. -Resonance raises an optic ridge,"A demand, Omnisaber? A little bit late to start making those." He could just order them both swarmed and imprisoned, presumably, but it seems he's a mech of his word,"You both seem awfully cheerful to be walking into the wrong of a siege." -Omnisaber chuckles, "I suppose you're right...a little too late for a demand. As for being cheerful about walking into this siege...I'm not cheerful. Just relaxing. Might be the last time I get to relax...like to take advantage of it, you know?" -Cloak conceals himself in the shadows. His slver optics may reflect a glint of light..but only because he chooses so. He watches and lets Resonance continue. -Moonlight turns to look at Resonance. "Well, considering I'm still alive, I would say that's a good enough reason to be cheerful. Certainly I'm not checking myself into a luxury stay at a five star hotel, but in times like these I'm content enough to just be alive." -Resonance says only, without inflection,"Alive for how long?" before turning to accept the guitar as it returns in the hands of an Autobot painted in urban camouflage. He raises an optic ridge and speaks in low tones with the fellow for a moment, before offering the instrument to -Omnisaber,"My apologies, but it seems that the searchers grew a bit... overzealous. I doubt the case would be of much use to you in its current condition." -Omnisaber sighs..."Oh well...that's alright. Not going to bother you to get something else to hold it in...I see your people put it together. Guess this'll have to do." looks the guitar over, almost smacking his head as he realizes that he hasn't charged it..."oh joy....well, here's hoping I get an ener-ration to power this...well Corporal, thank you very much. Is everything in order then, such that she and I might cross the barricade?" -Moonlight chuckles slightly. "Perhaps these are my last moments. You might know how long I will live more than I will know...but why should I make my last moments dreary if I have the choice? And if you are a mech of your word, and I am able to join my comrades...and if we win, then I have yet another reason to be cheerful." She tilts her head to the side as though to look at Resonance from a different perspective. -Cloak grimaces and takes a step out of the darkness. He walks up to Omni and Moonlight, "And why do you want to cross the barricade?" -Omnisaber props himself up on the cot now, looking over at Cloak, "Simple. She's a 'Con, she belongs there. As for me, you folks already consider me one, so I figure if I can safely get her in there, I'm not exactly going to be able to come out. Basically. Really why? Because...she wants to be with her people and I told her I'd get her there...okay? -Cloak nods and says simply, "No." -Resonance glances to Cloak with a slight shake of his head,"Stand down. This has already been decided, and has Magnus's stamp of approval." He looks back to Moonlight, voice anything but friendly... really, it has no lifelike tones to it at all,"If I were not a mech of my word, you would be in chains and on your way to Iacon already. That, or in pieces. Think about it." -Cloak glances out of the corner of his optics , "Magnus has decided to let this con and a con lover reinforce the Cons trapped in this building?" -Moonlight broadens her grin. "If I recall you've been a prisoner of ours before. I would be a little more cheerful if I were you...you're also still alive. And you really shouldn't take my doubt so personally. If rolls were reversed, you probably wouldn't believe a word I said." She turns to Cloak. "Not a Con lover exactly. He has healed wounds from your own troops after all." She twists her smile slightly. -Omnisaber chuckles at cloak, "We'd be reinforcing it with stones if at all. We've been stripped of all weapons and ammo. At least last I checked I was, unless someone hid one on me while I slept." -Resonance raises an optic ridge,"Doubting /my/ word, Cloak? It's the truth. They're weaponless. All they'll be is more of a drain on their resources." He looks back to Moonlight,"I'm alive because of my comrades, not out of any kindness or mercy on the part of the Empire. So I see no reason to be cheerful in the slightest towards your or your kind. As for Omnisaber... he has made his choice by helping you." -Cloak recalls his Sword from subspace, "I would call it a foolish order. Why let anyone into that building. We have the chance to reduce their numbers by 2 right now. Why not?" his optics again flash, yet his facial expression stays very calm. -Moonlight shakes her head. "I didn't mean you had to be nice to /me/. But you're all grim like the world is going to end tomorow." She shrugs and turns her hidden gaze on Cloak. "Nice, real nice. Shooting a couple of unarmed folk who walked right up to you and put them at your mercy. No offense, but that doesn't sound like a very moral thing to do. I thought you guys saw yourself as the 'good' guys." -Resonance snaps,"Stand down, Cloak! You have no authority in this, and certainly none to decree their death. We are /not/ butchers. We are not like /them/. Put your sword away. The orders are not yours to change." -Moonlight narrows her optics, which no one can see, and presses her mouth into a thin line. She turns back towards Resonance. "The use of /them/ is a rather broad category. I have never butchered anyone before, and I hope that I never have to. So don't go making generalizations that aren't true." She folds her arms across her chest. "I don't care if you have the guns..." -Omnisaber just lays there, still looking quite relaxed amidst the heated conversation. -Cloak does not put away his weapon, "-I- am the officer here Resonance." he stands and watches Moonlight. "It has nothing to do with bucthery. Two less 'Cons' it is logical for our purpose here." he narrows his eyes as well and moves back towards the shadows, "If our 'leader' has decreed that we shall let to cons have more numbres then let it be. But don't expect me to be a part of this failed mission." -Resonance looks to Moonlight, his blue optics flashing bright, shining with a flare of annoyance,"You would rather aside then, and let him do as he wills? If you can do nothing but speak ill to those who are doing their best to show you mercy, then perhaps you shouldn't open your mouth at all. We have been more than flexible in this matter... more, perhaps, even than we should've been. Either appreciate that, or be silent." He looks to Cloak,"You're an officer, but I'm carrying out the orders of your superiors. So turn away if you like, but do not interfere." -Omnisaber sits up, and jumps off the cot, 'dusting' himself off, before taking a quick look around..."Listen, all this banter is just fine and dandy, but it's not getting us anywhere. Let's just get this over with." -Moonlight holds up her hands defensively. "I'm not speaking ill of you. You are certainly doing more than I expected for myself and the one who aided me. But that doesn't mean I appreciated being called a butcher." -Omnisaber says, "Hey now...I was called a butcher too...not that I deny that mind you...but still." -Cloak stops in mid walk and turns towards Resonance, his optics narrow. 'How do I know that these are orders? I haven't heard the orders come from the COC. And I have been sitting here ever since the initial attack. How can I be sure that you are not letting your weak heart dictate what you are saying? Using the name of Ultra Magnus to show a useless case of mercy?" he takes a few steps towards Resonance. "Should I report this incidence to our superiors?" -Resonance remains dead calm, meeting Cloak's gaze without flinching,"If you have failed to notice the orders, then you are distinctly unobservant for an Intelligence officer. Please don't blame that on me." He gestures away,"However, if you are so eager to be paranoid and report this, feel free. I have no fear of being validated, strange as that may seem." He glances back to Omnisaber,"Go. They have orders not to fire upon you." -Solar sees them approackh and moves over by the door. Ready to hold it open and then relock it. -Moonlight leans slightly towards Cloak. "Hmmmmmm. What a violent fellow you are. Would it really make you feel that much better to see me kneeling here in chains, all meek and damaged and helpless? Something you could take back as a prize?" -Cloak raises a hand, "Hold! Do not go!" he meets Resonances gaze, "Well, an Autobot who has some sort of gut" he uses hie sword to poke Resonance. "Show Me." he says. "I want to see the orders. You obviously have more information that I do." Cloak glances over his shoulder , "Chains? You misread me. I would rather see you dead." -Resonance grits his teeth just a bit, and manages to get out,"Omnisaber, perhaps you should keep a leash on your /pet/ before it gets you both in trouble." He then returns his full attention to Cloak, proffering a datapad he got from subspace,"Here. The orders, written by myself and signed by Commander Magnus." -Omnisabr turns around slowly, facing Moonlight, "You coming? Don't stick around....not worth it...just let it go, and c'mon...." turning to Resonance, "I'll do what I can, but free will has a tendency to do what it wants." -Moonlight chuckles at being called a 'pet'. Idly she fingers the talisman around her neck. Still, she doesn't seem afraid. Either that, or she's a really good actor. -Omnisaber mutters to Moonlight: "... come ... ... ... would ... ...VERY bad. Scenes ... be made later. ... ... merely 'comply'." Omnisaber mutters to you: "Just come on...making a scene would be VERY VERY bad. Scenes can be made later. For now, let's merely 'comply'." -Moonlight mutters to Omnisaber: "... think I'll ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... want to ... ... ... ... back...it ... ... ... ... mood."(("I think I'll wait until the violent one is satisfied. I don't want to get shot in the back...it would definiately dampen my mood.")) -Omnisaber mutters to Moonlight: "Then ... in ... ... me..." Omnisaber mutters to you: "Then stand in front of me..." -Moonlight mutters to Omnisaber: "... ..." ((Whatever for?)) -Cloak glances at the orders and immediately his weapon disappers , "It would seem that you are correct Resonance. He makes his way back towards the shadows, "Carry On." he says through gritted teeth and with greath difficulty. "But nothing goes in with them." -Moonlight bows slightly. "Thank you for understanding." Then she turns and moves towards the Militia House. -Omnisaber mutters to Moonlight: "... ... ... ends up hitting ... ..." Omnisaber mutters to you: "So that he ends up hitting me...same difference." -Resonance sighs softly,"I gave my word, Cloak... It's harmless. It was checked out. But if this is what it takes to get your acquiesence... so be it." He turns to Omnisaber and Moonlight,"The guitar. It seems there's one more price to pay. I have no control over this." -Solar opens the door to let them in -Omnisaber begins walking with Moonlight towards the Militia House, ignoring the debate between the 'Bots.... -Cloak stops and turns, "For the record, what are your names?" -Moonlight sweeps her hat off her head with a deep bow. "My name is Moonlight." -Omnisaber turns slowly....his optics shining a nice crimson red..."Corporal...I must say, I'm deeply saddened by this turn of events. But fair enough. I'd just be wasting power with it anyways..."and with that, he drops it...it shatters into 5 separate pieces (instead of 3)...and as soon as the pieces hit the ground, Omnisaber steps on them hard with his foot...crushing them beneath it. "Satisfied? And by the way, 'Cloak'...you don't need to know my name....but if you're that curious, it's Omnisaber..."and with that, he bows, before entering the Militia House through the open door. -Resonance glances to the destruction of the guitar without a flicker of remorse. In the end, his loyalty is to his fellow Autobot, and there was nothing in the orders about personal effects. He shakes his head just a bit and goes to return to the line. -Omnisaber stops right before entering the Militia House, unlatches one side of his faceplate and turns to both 'Bots..."By the way, I take it we can actually enter now? I mean, you've taken away all my prized possessions now...taken away everything I have that I held dear...just want to make sure everything is okay...." -Solar shuts the door behind them as they enter, "So what all did they confiscate? I got a few extra weapons ya can borrow" -Omnisaber turns to Solar, faceplate dangling..."We can talk about that inside...this is neither the time nor the place." -Moonlight follows behind Omni for the time being, hoping that she isn't stopped once more. -Cloak stops once again and turns to Resonance, "Were they searched?" -Solar nods once "Don't matter if the bots here, they can't storm the place and we can't leave now" -Resonance nods,"They were searched. We've got their weaponry and their ammunition. They've been rendered as harmless as possible, sir." -Omnisaber nods..."Fair enough. What do you have then?" takes a quick look at Solar, noticing some heavy battle damage..."In fact, let's go in...I'll tend to some of those wounds..." -Cloak nods and stands as he watches the two enemies nter the place where the rest of his enemies are. As he is watching he sees Solar and his turns abruptly and resumes his position. -Moonlight takes a final look behind her as she enters the Militia House. Militia House - Main Floor The principal reception area for the Militia House, the main floor is the hub for all Militia comings and goings, both on duty and off. The floors, walls, and ceilings are stainless steel and burnished to gather light, but not to the extent of being confusingly reflective. On the east wall next to the entrance is the heavy steel reception desk, fitted with a computer terminal and security monitors, and always manned by an officer. To the north are the plain but large double doors leading into the Barracks, and to the south is the Militia House's turbolift. Omnisaber [Robot] [U] Solar [Robot] [D] Database link Security Desk Obvious Exits: -O- Out leads to Crystal City - Governmental Sector -N- North leads to Militia House - Barracks -S- South leads to Militia House - Elevator -W- West leads to Militia House - Holding Cells -Solar says, "Now we're inside and since you asked yeah I could use some patches" -Moonlight finds herself a handy space of wall to lean against. "So, Solar, how is everything holding up in here?" -Solar shakes his head "Do it while I'm standing. I have too many plans to make -Omnisaber smirks, "Whatever works for you..." retracts his hand into his right forearm, a welding tool replacing the hand, he quickly scans the most critical of Solar's wounds, being quite meticulous before putting the welder to any wiring or holes...doing what he can, the welder auto-shuts off, and retracts back into the forearm, hand replacing it once again. "So, how's that? Better?" -Moonlight absently glances out of the window while Omni is tinkering with Solar. -Solar moves slowly cheking the joints "It'll keep the armor on. So what weapons do you require?" -Omnisaber smiles at Solar..."I'd ask what you've got...but let's see...I must've handed over a dozen swords and blades of differing configurations, though I could make due with one or two...a modified dual setting Omnibeam/laser pistol...oh, and a quantum rifle. IF you've got the stock, then that'd be great." smirking, goes over to the wall next to the door and leans on it casually. -Moonlight raises her optic ridges at the list that Omni gives out, almost embarrased to mention the few things she typically uses. -Omnisaber smacks his head..."Almost forgot...had an energy knife...but I figure I can just reconfigure one of the swords to operate with it's functions." -Solar pulls out a battered old canvas bag and lays it on the gorund, he pulls out first a large amount of explosive devices then a bundle of swords and knives in various styles. Followed by a few small pistols and one large quantum rifle. He aslo pulls out whips, axes, a few spare torpdoes, a couple of plasma rifles and a large supply of ammo "Take your pick" -Moonlight patiently waits for Omnisaber to take the first pick of weapons. She knows he's more of a fighter than she is, so it makes more sense for him to have the better weapons. -Solar says, "Ain't subspace great?" -Omnisaber grins at Solar, "Good thing I can count on you..." and with that merely takes what he can use and needs, even grabbing a few extras 'just in case', "Thanks Solar..." turns to Moonlight, "I suggest taking whatever you might have lost, or feel you can use...then again, I suppose that's just common sense." smiles, and dumps the majority of the items into his subspace pocket, replacing the sword that was magnetically attached to his leg, and the laser pistol..."Yeah, subspace is great...most of the time." -Moonlight digs around for a bit and pulls out a whip and a gun similar to the one she had before. She also takes several knifes and puts them in various places to hide them away. "Hmmmm. Much better." She grins at Solar. "I suppose I should thank you then, eh?" She chuckles. -Solar says, "I carry most of this stuff around and the quantum rifle is a spare I picked up for a friend. Sorry about the lack of an omnibeamer, but I did notice you picked up my best sword" Solar turns to Moonlight "Don't worry I'll take it outta your pay" -Moonlight shrugs. "I guess it's a good investment then." -Omnisaber nods, "No worries about the Omnibeamer...I'll just modify the laser pistol I grabbed off you...as for your best sword, yes I did. Almost as good as the ones I used to use...hope that's not a problem?" -Solar says, "you might wanna check the blade on that. The hilt is normal but the blade is a custom job, laser sharpened and folded over 300,000 times Check out that wave design" -Omnisaber with lightning fast reflexes unshealthes the sword from his side sheathe...looking it over intensely with his optics... "Very very nice...almost reminds me of my favourite...suppose it's more than an adequate replacement all the same....lovely wave design...lovely craftsmanship overall. I must thank you..." -Moonlight keeps running the length of the whip across the palm of her hand. "So, what's the situation like in here Solar?" -Solar says, "A mech sees the hilt first always, the blade comes as a complete surprise. I have a mech who does nothing but make these from discarded swords." -Omnisaber nods at Solar's words, knowing all too well how precious this type of weapon can be...he just gave up 2 or 3 of them not that much earlier...."Quite lovely work all the same...I tend not to judge a sword by it's hilt...." then upon hearing Moonlight's question becomes silent, also wanting to hear the answer. -Solar says, "Well the situation is grim. We have very few mechs and all of us are basically hurt. The AA guns are still in place so we can't fly out and our only hope of getting out of here is either finding an access to the sewers or getting reinforcements from Darkmount. I've rigged the basement with explosive charges so if all else fails and the bots somehow overpower us and get in here we can bring the building down on all of us" -Moonlight frowns slightly. "Hopefully it won't come to that though. Any word from Darkmount at all?" -Omnisaber merely listens attentively, taking all the information in, and processing it, as he would during any 'battle'. -Solar says, "Nope, we got no word from beyond the city, the bots are probably jamming. It's what I would do" -Moonlight hmmmmmms. "Who here is in the best conditions and the worst conditions? How many people could stand fighting again?" -Omnisaber smirks at Moonlight's questions, "Unless someone else in here hasn't been damaged, I'd say I'd be in the best condition...as for worst condition, or who can stand, I'd like to hear the answer to that...might be able to help or some such." -Solar says, "You don't seem to understand Moonlight, NONE of us are in any condition to fight, but we ALL will. Right now its either fight or die. We will all fight cause there isn't any other choice. Enfilade, Blitzwing, me, Calienture, and whoever else are hiding in the various rooms here are all hurt in one way or another" -Moonlight nods her head. "I guess I've been lucky then. I was repaired at the hospital before coming here. But that doesn't help much because I'm no warrior..." She shakes her head. "Neither am I any good at tactics." -Omnisaber leans back a little more into the wall, observing the both of them and merely listening attentively. -Solar says, "We have excellent tacticians. And the fact remains the same we get reinforced, escape or we die" -Omnisaber says, "Well if you want an extra tactician, let me know. Happens to be one of my many specialties." -Moonlight folds her arms and leans her head down, so only the top of her hat can be easily seen. "So, there it stands. I guess we've done nothing but join the waiting game. Perhaps I was better off outside..." -Solar says, "Can you come up with anything else? I've got most of the stats" -Omnisaber grins looking at Solar, "Well, tell you what, toss me the stats, and any observations regarding the 'Bot barricade your people have come up with, and I'll see what I can cook up in addition to the existing ideas." -Solar says, "Its 65.2 meters to the baricades, The Bots have mechs lined up in the classic trech positions and their guns have overlapping fields of fire. Fortunately their fixed guns are all facing this building. But we still have the AA guns firing cover" -Omnisaber hrms, tapping his chin with a solitary finger..."Interesting...well, here's some additional information for you. They're very unorganized. VERY. Let me think it over. I've a few general ideas, but I'd like to iron them out a little before suggesting anything. All the same...65.2 meters...I take it there are units here with incindiary weaponry that works optimally at that range?" -Solar says, "Nah I threw an irradiated die mrker at the baricade and took a reading from it." -Omnisaber says, "Well if you can throw it that far, that's a good sign. I noted you had grenades...and plenty of them. They'd definately come in handy...I'm almost thinking a classic scatter and pick off in the confusion manuever. A dozen or so grenades lobbed at the general area of the trenches would scatter them, disorganize them more than they already are...be a perfect time to strike. Then again, as I said, leave it with me, I'll mull it all over and come up with some scenarios...if that's okay?" -Solar says, "Frag I have something better than grenades", Solar pulls out a glass ball with 2 seperate liquids in it "May I introduce you to my boom balls?" -Omnisaber chuckles, "If those are better, then they'd serve a better function in not only scattering the 'Bot fools, but damaging them sufficiently to merely pick off. Again Solar, you've impressed me...boom balls...I'll remember that." -Solar says, "have you heard of 'binary compunds'?" -Omnisaber nods softly, "A little. Least the theory behind them, and the general instability in current applications." -Solar says, "Smack these suckers once and the sliver of glass between the liquids mix arming the globe. Throw it and when the impact occurs shattering the housing the compund mizxes with air and boom. HE, 20-50 times greater than a regular grenade" -Omnisaber smirks, "Excellent...how many of those do you have?" -Solar says, "Of the HE, I got 16 left but I have other varieties" -Moonlight stays where she is and doesn't contribute to the conversation at hand. -Omnisaber says, "Alright then. Probably best to see who still functions well enough to fight, repair those as best as we can that don't. We'll just have to give each participating soldier at least one...if they're not adequate at throwing them, those that are will just over stock. It'll work as an initial tactic, need to think out the rest of it though, see where the current troops stand. From what I saw outside, we'd need at LEAST 8-10 fully functioning units to even come close to pulling it off. The key, is to demoralize them, and by doing so, forcing them back. They won't stick around if their units are being hammered and knocked out of commission." -Solar says, "Wouldn't smoke ones be better for an initial tactic?" -Omnisaber says, "Hrm...depends...do you have flash-bangs? That'd be more ideal. Smoke can be adjusted for with the right optics. Most spies have filters for that sort of thing...even some Intel. Flash-bangs would at least blind and scatter...even if for a short while." -Solar says, "Maganese in soloution with a phosphorus counteragent. In 4 different colors" -Omnisaber nods, "Then for such a tactic, those would probably be best." -Moonlight wanders off to check on everyone else.