Turmoil(D), Enfilade(D), Whiplash(D), Ghost(D), Onslaught(D), Novastar(D), Swivel(A), Dirge(D), Ultra Magnus(A), Blitzwing(D), Starfire(U), Nosecone(A), Steelwind(A), Stormhammer(U), Redline(D), Sapphire (U), Imperial Warrior Novastar sighs as you hear air rushing around, "I believe that's your call by right, Commander. I apologize for not being distinct enough earlier." -Byline replies to Guerrius, "Can you convince Neelsaan that there's some weird wildlife with lots of fangs behind us in the shadows? Cause I really would like to stay alive...really..." -Blitzwing's head perks up. "Does distinguished in your language translate into getting your aft beat regualarly? Then I guess Magnus is /very/ distinguished!" Enfilade says, "Just keep us covered, but right now it looks like Magnus is busy being mr. diplomacy." -Enfilade claps a hand over Blitzwing's mouth. "Shuttup!" -Swivel is sitting out now, trying not to pull any attention to herself. She may be a sap, but she isn't a ham. She sighs. Blitzwing.... however IS a ham. It's sad really. Very sad, but Swivel keeps that to herself. Ghost adds dryly, "And Blitzwing is being a dravens backside.. The usual I see." -Ultra Magnus refuses to look happy. "I most certainly would." He looks for a way to deactivate the camera, but alas, he concludes he'd probably squish Byline in the process. Gotta go for diplomacy. "You and your associates will perish if you intend to remain here. Our planet is not a glamorous or pleasant place." -Nosecone hangs back to watch, sitting down on a large chunk of debris that happens to be littering the landscape. -Moonlight smiles at the rather nervous Byline. Although she can't /see/ Whiplash right now, she has no doubts as to what Byline has picked up with the camera. Slyly she comments to the Avaiin, "The more you think of this puzzle, the more you are in danger of it." -Novastar flies out farther away, despite the rather interesting series of gesticulations taking place... it looks like there's Autobots getting ready to encircle the Cons, and it's his job to rain fire on their parades-er, artillery positions. -Blitzwing continues talking with Enfilade's hand over his faceplate. "Mumph Mumph mumph MUMPH!" He gently moves the hand. "Yea...you better leave. The Autobots aim is very BAD...they are likely to hit you." -Neelsaan eats it right up, delighted at the danger that the robot is spouting. "Oh really? Could you tell us MORE about this terrible danger? I'm sure our viewers would like to hear more about it!!" -Whiplash rumbles another growl, louder this time, and finally stalks out of the shadows, coming to the conclusion that having Byline insinuate her position repeatedly, doesn't give her too much of an advantage of surprise. Showing her presence fully, on the other hand, might act as an element of deterrance to the Autobots. The MedusaSaur melts out of the darkness and circles around to stand near Moonlight, the tentacles flickering around her in non-stop motion. -Guerrius shakes his head, though it's difficult to tell while in his suit, "Knowing it's there is enough, just keep yer distance, and you'll be fine. Stay alert." -Moonlight looks at the Autobot higher-up (aka Magnus). "They're not a threat...why would they die. I'm certainly not going to shoot one of these goodly Avaiins. They bring much happiness and education to many...and you're spoiling their fun." -Ultra Magnus glares at Moonlight with a contempt that says, 'You know damn well why.' A moment later, however, he sighs and looks around the Autobots nearby. "Don't suppose anybody would have an electro-scrambler on them..." -Starfire breaks off her holding pattern over the chaotic scene and moves out of sight, dipping briefly behind some distant hills. After that, she resumes surveillance. -Swivel raises an optic ridge and grins. No, not a pleasant grin at all. A rather annoyed grin. That scary annoyed frustrated grin. not the SMILE that is so disturbing, just the annoyed grin, as she seats herself calmly. Despite her nature of not being violent or easily provoked, strangely she has her hand near her gun, which is unlike her. Who or what she'd intent to use it on IF she uses it is a mystery. Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "I can probably get a good shot at Magnus, if you'd like ma'ams... I'm not sure he'd feel it though. *sigh*" -Byline zeros in on Whiplash. "Is this your pet?" he asks Moonlight. -Stormhammer casually walks right through the gathering robots, giving a slight nod in the direction of Swivel, as he works his way towards the handful of mechanisms who haven't been trying to vaporize him lately; namely, Enfilade, Moondlight, and Magnus. He stops several meters short when he sees Whiplash. Onslaught says, "Whereas, I can make him feel it Novastar. However, shooting Magnus at this time would be ill advised." -Enfilade releases Blitzwing and folds her arms, trying to look official as she steps towards the aliens. Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "Well... he might look around and give Blitzwing a chance to jump him..." -Neelsaan smacks Byline in the backside-area. "Do you never take any directions? We need not be rude to this personality! I'm sure this is the interview of a lifetime!!" -Blitzwing looks at Byline...then Whiplash. Must not laugh...I like functioning. "Hey twit. That's one of our finest Femme Warriors!" Onslaught says, "And give these aliens exactly what they want..." -Whiplash is about to snap a reply at Byline, when she catches sight of the unmistakable form of Stormhammer and orients toward him instead, giving him a nice view of her bared serrated fangs. The tentacles pick up their pace a little. -Moonlight moves right in front of Byline rather quickly. "Don't /ever/ say that. I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. My /friend/ here is one of the most feared Decepticons, and not only for her prowess in battle. Be careful not to insult her." -Onslaught slowly appears off on the horizon as he climbs the hill he was dropped off behind, and once he reaches the peak, merely stands at the top of the hill, watching the entire situation from his nice bit of distance. -Byline looks skeptically at Whiplash. He's not so sure the creature is sentient, but he doesn't want to be on the receiving end of the fangs if the robot-femme orders it to attack. "Sorry miss!" He seems to be apologizing more to Moonlight than to Whiplash. -Ghost remains in her shadow, pulling her rifle out and setting it for sniper mode as she remains cloaked. Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "There's some very intriguing and benefit-to-the-Empire sort of energy waves coming out of their hold, General." -Nosecone shakes his head, wondering why no-one has opened fire yet. Maybe these aliens are a good thing. The lazy driller surrepticiously pulls a pack of ciggarettes from subspace. -Whiplash barely even notices the surprising compliment from Blitzwing, nor the apology from Byline, so intent is she on circling around to leap up to a fallen beam from a destroyed bridge, which gives her a bit of a vantage point from which to overlook the gathering. -Stormhammer, though he may be prone to feigning ignorance of some things, is noone's fool, and begins to put together an idea of just what's going on. The strange, small beings are attempting to provoke something, for reasons unknown. Maybe, at least.. He turns his gaze on Whiplash, optics meeting the Medusa's..Maybe, at least, he can draw her away from the visiting beings. Onslaught says, "Hmm...good to know. Give me a few moments...contemplating an idea or two." -Neelsaan steps in front of Byline and bows her head. "Excuse me. I apologize for my subordinate. Would you like to make a statement for our show? You seem like a very strong, notable warrior! Someone to be admired!!" She sticks out her mic. -Ultra Magnus sighs at all the nonsense. -Moonlight keeps smiling at Byline. "Just take my advice and becareful what you say." She turns to Neelsaan. "Naw, I'm not a warrior, just a humble smuggler." -Whiplash expresses her thoughts on Stormhammer's arrival with a rattling hiss, but settles into place on the metal beam, the tentacle tips twitching around her like multiple cats'-tails. She glares equally balefully at the Autobot assembly, but as her gaze passes over the aliens, there's no real threat in her manner. Yet. -Enfilade glances over at Stormhammer. "Boy, did /you/ ever pick something fun to walk into." -Blitzwing gently takes hold of the microphone and begins to spiel. He's a ham! "We Decepticons are a breed out to strive for the betterment of Cybertron and a great new age for our race. We seek to unify the entire universe, and lead to prosperity for all. Our foes are to narrowminded to see our true ambition and goals. Pity really. Someone has to be willing to charge nobely into battle for an ideal. That is where I come in." -Stormhammer grins ever so slightly (though it's really hard to tell) as he glances at Enfilade. "So I surmised. I take it we have..guests..?" -Neelsaan nods enthusiastically. "A smuggler! What exactly do you smuggle, then? Is it dangerous work? Exciting, death-defying scrapes with your fate, assailed from both sides, surely?" She marvels at Blitzwing as he takes the spotlight. "Well! So you are a Decepticon warrior! How brave, how exciting!" -Nosecone lights up a cigarrete, still sitting on his rock somewhat away from the main gathering, casually noting Whiplash and the others that have taken up similar positions. With careful ease, he flips off his rifle's safety. -Stormhammer, also, flinches visibly at Blitzwing. Yes, hes' a pacifist, but.. that really invokes the urge to flatten the triple-changer. -Ultra Magnus groans audibly at Blitzwing's grandstanding, and can't help but interrupt. "What were you hoping to find when you came here?" he asks the crew generally. Moonlight watches as Blitzwing steals the spotlight and chuckles to herself, shaking her head. -Guerrius stays to the outter edges of the gathering, taking up a vantage point that allows him to keep an eye on everything. His 'colleagues' seem to be doing fine on their own at the moment, and he's much more interested in the odd assortment of 'warriors' before them. This is, without a doubt, the most bizarre 'war' that he's ever been witness to. -Swivel looks up from her seated hidden in an obvious spot position, where she usually likes to be, at Stormhammer, then tot he avaiins, then to Blitzwing pursuing to be a ham. At least Turmoil isn't here.... she could hardly imagine the cameras survivng their 'macho ego' combined. -Neelsaan looks to Magnus as he approaches, turning the mic to him. "And what is your stance on this, sir? What does your side stand for and fight for in the future of your planet?" She seemed dead-set and determined to get information. -Enfilade cuffs Blitzwing--or tries to. -Whiplash takes a split moment from her surveillance to incline her head just slightly in response to Blitzwing's words - showoff he may be, but he's at least speaking some element of the truth. Ghost says, "I wonder if the one off to the side would like to meet one of these war mongers they want.. up close and personal..." -Enfilade snaps, "Shut up! Do you not understand what "rank and file" means? Leave official statements to the chain of command!" She looks around for Onslaught, who's too far away...fraggit. "I'm the ranking officer of this bunch," she informs the aliens. -Ultra Magnus bats the microphone away with an index finger. "No, I have a question that needs to be answered first. What were you looking for when you came to Cybertron? Excitement? Intrigue? Or just information? We'll gladly provide you with the last, if that's what you want, and send you home. But I think you'll find yourselves sorely disappointed if you wish to find action here, as I'm told." -Moonlight nods her head encouragingly to the Avaiin crew, showing that she's backing up Enfilade's statement about being in charge. -Blitzwing makes gestures and faces mocking Magnus while the camera is on him. "By the way...the name is Blitzwing. That's B-l-i-t-z-w-i-n-g. I'm sure you'll put it in all your history books, under the headline of Warrior...greatest ever." He turns back to Enfilade. "What? I'm just providing them information." -Neelsaan chuckles and shakes her head at Magnus. "We'd like information of course." Which means that she'll definitely take it, but hope sincerely at the same time that a conflict erupts at that moment. She glances over to Enfilade. "Ah, a figure of authority! Could you tell us more about your plight?" -Enfilade says firmly, "Which you were not authorized to do, Blitzwing! Two cycles in the mess hall cleaning ought to teach you to keep your mouth shut without asking permission to speak to non-Cybertronians." -Moonlight leans forward to Blitzwing, "They don't write history books, they make movies...lots of them. They're quite famous outside of Cybertron actually." -Swivel glances her optics over to the less excited of the trio, Guerrius, and has a look of curiousity. She stands up and calmly walks over to him, being shorter than his mecha suit. "You seem to have your feet firmly on the ground." -Enfilade bites down the urge to tell Neelsaan that her current plight is what to do with Blitzwing... But perhaps giving the aliens some informaiton would help the Decepticon cause. "My colleage Blitzwing stated that we are a species willing ot fight for our beliefs. We believe in the ability to shape our own future, rather than be bound by someone else's rules. The rulemakers of course have their own opinion..." She glances coldly at the Autobots. -Stormhammer shakes his head slowly at the..situation..and continues on his way. Still, he doesn't stray far enough that he can't keep an eye on things. -Ghost thumbs the safety off of her rifle, slowly moving it from inviting target to target, optics narrowed inthought. -Ultra Magnus looks down to his bent leg. A panel slides away, and he draws a datapad from a compartment. He glances over it once before throwing it down in front of the crew. "There. That has a condensed history of the Transformers race, as far back as we can trace it. I was incidentally reviewing it before I heard about this mess..." He's still ignoring the Decepticons. -Novastar flips back over, keeping clear of the rather angry gestures. The command core seems a bit chilly with him right now, and he hates frost up the intakes. Novastar moves to the outer edges to watch the quietly waiting Cons. -Enfilade adds, "Or rather ,that's an AUTOBOT perspective on said history." -Neelsaan nods enthusiastically. "How passionate! Fighting for your freedom, for your VERY RIGHT to choose and shape your own destiny. And what do your foes have to say about that? Ah!" She bows to Ultra Magnus and delicately picks it up. "How wonderful! This is a standard informational database format, yes?" She then hears Enfilade. "Would you supply us with a report of your own, commander?" -Byline begins taking pictures of everyone, cameras clicking away rapidly. "Can I get some real combat footage?" he asks. -Blitzwing throws his hands up in disgust. he mutters simply "What a revoltin development." He turns to Moonlight with a huge grin. "Really? You mean i could be a cinematic action hero? I'd get groupies!" -Ultra Magnus glares at Enfilade. "No. Those files are from the Crystal City archive... Commander." -Enfilade is getting a bit irritated, and says, "Yeah. IN fact, I'll do you one better. How about an escorted tour of our archives? You can tell everyone what we're fighting for here." -Moonlight nods to Blitzwing with a big grin on her face. "Yup...that turret of yours could become famous if the Avaiins get enough footage they like." -Enfilade mutters, "And we all know how the CC upperclass are models of fairness and equality.' -Redline drops slowly out of the sky behind the hill that Onslaught is on. He works his way up to the Decepticon, pulling out some equipment he brought with him. "Redline here as requested, Onslaught. And I hope this better be more than just a simple paint job," he says, obviouslly not enthused about being here. -Whiplash growls to herself again, but doesn't express in words her opinion of where Crystal City's bias lies. -Neelsaan all but swoons at Enfilade's offer. "How MAGNIFICENT! Of course we would love to see your wonderful archives. If our safety is guaranteed of course." -Ultra Magnus looks back to Neelsaan with a quick panic. "Wait, um... whoever you are. Don't go with them. The Decepticons claim to fight for justice, but they are the oppressors of this world. They're likely to execute you on the spot. They are especially territorial. Do not trust her!" -Stormhammer rests himself against a convenient landfeature, watching the proceedings from the corner of an optic. At least things aren't degenerating any further.. His gaze, for the most part, falls on Enfilade, though he casts a few wary glances at Whiplash as well. -Swivel sighs. Ultra Magnus is a stick in the mud. Also is making the Autobots looks bad as usual. Eh... but he's a great guy... when h's victim of mischief. Especially when he doesn't know it. -Enfilade has never seen GALAXY WARS and is going on the presumption that a little good galactic PR could do a lot for the Decepticon cause. She raises an optic ridge at Ultra Magnus. "Their safety is guaranteed...which is surely better than you can offer." -Novastar moves into a holding position, doing random figure eights to keep an eye on Nosecone and Stormhammer. -Moonlight scowls at Ultra Magnus. "Awwwww, stick a a bolt in it. You'll have your time on camera too. We can't have the story one-sided after all..." -Blitzwing walks in front of Magnus. "Shut your mouth or it will be shut for you...you lying turborat." Sword drawn, cackling with energy. Ghost says, "Bliiitzwiiing... doyoureally *need* that sword hand?" Enfilade transmits a radio message. Enfilade says, "Ghost, feel free to remove it. Out of camera range, if you please." -Guerrius steps forward once again, speaking directly to Neelsaan, "Why don't you take the kid and go with one of 'em, I'll take a camera of my own an' go with the others. We can cover both angles at once..." ...And I'll be able to get something done, he thinks to himself. -Onslaught nods to Redline, as he begins moving down behind the hill once more, gesturing Redline to follow. Ghost says, "They won't even know who did it." -Ultra Magnus growls. "Can't we make use of a more neutral archive facility, if it is necessary? Unix, perhaps?" Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "Um, ma'ams, I should note that with the level of communications technology visible, it's possible there's cameras on the ship." -Neelsaan oohs and nudges Byline, then nods to Guerrius. "Good idea. Let's go, Byline!" She walks towards Ultra Magnus. "I think our friend Guerrius will be best to go with this authority..." She indicates Enfilade. "His military experience is surely more appropriate." -Enfilade says, "But Magnus, what fun is that next to a personal tour?" oooh, this is fun. -Redline follows Onslaught toward wherever it is he's heading, obviously not at all thrilled with being out here, so close to potential battle lines. Ghost says, "They still will not know where the shot came from..." -Ultra Magnus sighs. Can't believe this... He glances at Swivel and Nosecone for some sort of help. Come on, he's no diplomat. -Blitzwing rests his sword on his shoulder. The joy of being the big tank like guy in the group. "So....the mighty Magnus finally at a lose for words? Wow...film this, it may be the rarest moment in the history of the universe." -Nosecone is too far away to help Magnus. He just shrugs as the commander shoots him a pleading look. Imperial Warrior Novastar leaves an open channel for several seconds, closes, then opens again. "I'm sorry Commander, my point was that they have a clear view of the action. This sort of gear looks like an entire outpost compressed onto a tiny shuttle. They may have stealthed cameras... I think I saw some on sale in Dead End the other day. -Byline obligingly does a closeup on Magnus' face. -Starfire has little idea of what's going on, but that's sadly typical. She isn't low enough to pick up on the quarreling below, so occupies herself with scanning the vicinity and the surrounding territory. After all, this would be a great time for an ambush. -Neelsaan does film it! In fact, there's precious little she doesn't have Byline film or direct his camera to herself. -Stormhammer 'coughs' politely. "Ahem. If I might interrupt.." He looks towards Magnus and Enfilade. "A more neutral setting may be more appropriate than escorting these..esteemed journalists..into one of the resident fortresses." -Ultra Magnus is SO on edge, and it transfers to the film. He thinks about how thankful he is that the squishies are around, for Blitzwing's sake. -Guerrius turns around and plods back toward the shuttle, retrieving a camera rig of his own. He assumes that the producer will take responsibility for any of the necessary arrangements in the meantime. -Moonlight has to do /something/ to get Blitzwing to shut up, and obviously threats aren't doing it. So, she'll have to do something a little more daring and unorthadox than usual. She tip-toes up and gives the mech a big kiss...hoping to keep him quiet for a while. -Novastar mutters to Novastar: "Lucky ..." -Swivel looks at Ultra magnus and seems to mouth 'what am I supposed to do about it?' with a shrug. Nevertheless she walks over and stands beside Ultra Magnus, dwarfed by his side. "Don't mind boss." she says and gives him an impish look. "He just doesn't want people muddling in the affairs of the war is all." she shrugs. "I think." -Enfilade shakes her head. She thinks she's got a real coup going here. "The Empire can surely host some guests," she says to Stormhammer, unwilling to give up her edge. -Byline films the kiss. "Decepticons...a very affectionate species,' he notes. Blitzwing shuts up, attention fully gotten by Moonlight. "You know they have cameras on us...the rumor...of slag it." -Swivel looks at Moonlight, trying not to chuckle at the spectacle. Hams... both of them. -Whiplash's optics brighten a touch in curiousity. Guests? To invite these odd creatures into Darkmount, even? Well, they don't *seem* dangerous.... -Ultra Magnus shrugs to Stormhammer as he pushes himself to his feet. "She won't listen." -Sapphire walks in from the east, her optics scaning the ground.. she seems to be looking for something -Nosecone grins from his vantage point as certain rumors seem to be confirmed. -Neelsaan gasps dramatically. "And we see ROMANCE...amid the conflict." -Moonlight is trying to save Blitzwing's aft her, so she tries to keep him distracted, not evening thinking about the cameras...until Blitzwing mentions it... -Swivel mutters a few inaudible things to herself about 'ROMANCE amid the conflict'. -Stormhammer fixes his optics squarely on Enfilade. "As can Iacon. The issue at hand is not the amenities, but the potential reaction from the other faction. The Autobots, naturally, shall worry about the safety of our Organic Guests. The Decepticons, of course, would worry about Autobots receiving aid from sympathetic viewers." He pauses for a moment, considering. "A 'round table' discussion may be preferable. Leaders of both sides present." -Whiplash doesn't seem particularly surprised at Moonlight and Blitzwing ... those rumors are already old news. -Enfilade says, "I'd be fully interested in a debate, STormhammer...but after the grand tour." -Blitzwing took it as an invition, and he now returns the kiss. -Swivel shrugs. "Somehow I think the more disgruntled of your trio's idea of sliting up and getting both stories was a grand idea." -Stormhammer's optics narrow somewhat, as he approaches Enfilade.. -Stormhammer mutters to Enfilade: "Make ... ... ... ... ... of your then.." -Ghost swings her rifle to another inviting target, content in the shadows to lurkand contemplate breaking up this touching galactic moment.. If only to frame the Autobots. -Enfilade scowls. -Novastar transforms and floats in mid-air, the better to hear what's going on. He shakes his head as he watches Stormhammer cousnel the leaders. What a difference a month makes... -Guerrius returns to the group, one of the pylons on his suit now occupied by a camera mount. It's small, offering little in the way of options or extreme quality, but it's more than adequate for the task. ...Now, what's everyone still doing here? -Ultra Magnus just watches Stormhammer. Come on, come on... -Enfilade mutters to Stormhammer: "What the ... has gotten into you? ... you're ... just like ... ... ... ... ... me ... I bother to ... ... neutral ... ..." -Moonlight tries to keep focused on the task at hand, hoping the cameras go away. Blitzwing really doesn't need any more trouble. The plan seems to be working though...maybe she should use it more often. And hopefully Blitzwing isn't a bad kisser. -Nosecone rolls his optic. "Awww.. ain't that wonderful" he mutters, stubbing out his ciggarette. "A moron in love." -Sapphire stops and looks up at the gathering of bots... Oh, theres Magnus -Stormhammer simply looks at Enfilade; his expression shows that, perhaps, saying that hurt him as much as hearing it did Enfilade. Still, he can't hide the fact that he finds certain aspects of the Empire..deplorable. -Ghost swings her targeting to Nosecone, finger resting just ahead of the manual trigger. How she wants to end this little party.. -Whiplash reorients her attention on Enfilade and Stormhammer, muttering quietly to each other. Now this, she doesn't like at all, and a dance of electric blue sparks chase themselves through her tentacles. -Enfilade scowls, suddenly in a dark mood. She got in a fight with her best friend, to defend this guy, and this is what he does? She'd like to pretend she doesn't care, but she does, and her grim mood shows in her darkened optics and the flaring of her swing wings, tips snapping around, as she turns her back on Stormhammer. " -Neelsaan looks around, awaiting any indication as to where she might be going now. Imperial Warrior Novastar seems a bit disgusted, but suggests, "General, is Swindle around? I'ver heard of the old holostars getting some excellent contracts." -Moonlight doesn't really care at this point how well Blitzwing is kissing...just so long as he doesn't make things worse for himself. Isn't Moonlight such a /good/ friend? She looks out the corner of her optics to see if the cameras have wandered far, far away from Blitzwing yet. Gee, and she thought /she/ was bad at following orders...sheesh. -Redline takes off back into the sky, his examination of Onslaught complete. Leaving seems to be the best idea right now. -Swivel shakes her head, feeling like just about everyone is fake at the moment and has a strange urge to be a ham herself, but supresses the desire to be an idiot. She's also looking for somewhere else... away from the spectacle to occupy her vision. -Nosecone has no idea he's being targeted by a sniper. None. -Blitzwing is perfectly content to keep kissing. What mech wouldn't be? Camera time, huge kiss, wow this cycle is going better than expected. -Ghost starts counting to herself, mentally thinking the numbers and making it to ten. She removes her finger from the trigger, slowly swiveling the rifle about to select a new target to watch over. -Sapphire tilts her head, seems to be to much going on for her to understand.. but for some reason she likes to watch the chaos -Novastar strangles an urge to wave at Ghost... if he had sniper skills, it'd be the perfect time to take out someone he didn't like, blame it on the other side, and reap beacoup benefits. 2nd Lieutenant Blitzwing says, "Ghost..take a shot at me...make it look good. It will look as if the Autobots struck first." -Moonlight slowly tries to edge Blitzwing away from the general crowd. Maybe her plan wasn't the /best/ one, but at least it hasn't backfired yet. (and no, that's /not/ and invitation BW). -Byline focuses in on the Autobots. "So we get to see your base, eh? Can we see your armoury? Your government? Can we meet your leader?" -Sapphire blinks as she sees Blitzwing n Moonlight and waves to them. -Blitzwing follows like a love struck puppy. -Neelsaan stands as Byline spouts the lines happily, having nothing else to note. But she's looking around all over the place to be sure she's not missing anything. -Stormhammer exhales a heavy sigh, trying to keep it as quiet as possible. This is not the time for personal feelings, he thinks.. Rather, his concern is for these strange visitors. The Decepticons, at least of his day, do not have a stellar track record with civillians..but then, neither did he.. Try as he might to keep on the business at hand, his thoughts drift, finally returning to..Enfilade. Perhaps that was for the best, after all.. It'd only create more problems for her, any other way. -From the other side of the hill where Onslaught not mere moments ago disappeared to, a small explosion can be heard...then another...and yet another, and what sounded close to perhaps two, no three laser shots. Smoke begins to billow up above the hill, and it is Onslaught who follows the smoke, staggering up to the top of the hill, many gouges and holes in his armour, his face plate and visor cracked. He clutches on to his side, where a larger gaping hold can be seen, as he finally can hold himself up no longer, and stumbles, rolling all the way down the other side of the hill - his body still warm and smoking. -Byline whips around at the first sound of noise and gets the second--and all subsequent--explosions on film. He zeros in on Onslaught's face, to get some close-up pain and suffering...pans over the wounds...stops on the Decepticon insignia. -Moonlight is too busy distracting Blitzwing to notice what's going on. Hopefully her kissing (and being a bar-wench has given her /some/ practice) is giving Blitzwing a few lessons for later on in life. -Ultra Magnus doesn't answer Byline just yet. Suddenly, he hears lots of clanking and oboming and whatnot, and he looks over in that direction. He instinctively grabs his rifle from his back, but just looks in confusion. "What?" he mutters sincerely. -Swivel whips around at the commotion. Didn't he get mysteriously blasted during her fight in the arena? -Ghost's rifle snaps about at the sign of the fireing, finger returning to rest over the trigger as she watches Onslaught seem to take several shots. A strange, delighted smile crosses her face briefly before it is replaced with a serious scowl, focusing on the matter at hand and contemplating.. adding one more shot to make it all the more realisic. -Sapphire goes white and runs to Onslaughts side "Onslaught!" -Novastar settles down behind Stormhammer, ready to remove him quietly if necessary, when he hears the sound of laser fire. Novastar draws his trusty energy rifle, turning to look in surprise as ONslaught staggers over. Novastar starts to move, turning to watch the Autobots, visor resting for a moment on Swivel, before moving ot general cover. -Enfilade snaps, "Onslaught!" He rhead swings around. "Decepticons, arm! Locate the attacker. Moonlight, Ghost, cover Onslaught and check his condition." -Nosecone swings his rifle around to where Onsy is doing his thing. "..the slag?" he says. -Blitzwing stops smooching. I'm sure Moonlights grateful. He transforms after gently moving her aside. He points his turret at Nosecone. -Swivel curses under her breath. -Stormhammer whirls about towards the blast. What was that about the situation deteriorating? He begins to move towards Onslaught, then turns towards the Avaiians. "This is good time for the three of you to return to your ship, and pretend you never heard of this planet." -Byline's second camera begins to search for attackers lurking in the shadows while his primary camera remains fixed on Onslaught and the other Decepticons. -Swivel mutters to Swivel: "Something fishy ... ... ... here... whenever ... is ... ... ... ... ... Blows up!" -Whiplash takes a flying leap off the fallen beam from which she's been overseeing the gathering, and bolts forward toward the fallen Onslaught. To the aliens it may almost look like a predator moving in for the kill on a helpless foe... -Byline says to Stormhammer, 'Are you nuts! This is the /good/ stuff!" -Moonlight moves to follow orders right away, striding over to where Onslaught is, gently trying to nudge the Neutral Sapphire away...just in case. No need in getting the poor girl shot up like Onslaught. -Sapphire skids to a stop as the side of the huge Onslaught and looks at him "Onslaught?.." she whispers "oh please no -Neelsaan chuckles and clings to Byline, excited by the promise of some sort of action. -But Whiplash stops as she reaches the damaged Decepticon and spins around, the tentacles shooting out to their full lengths all around her and lighting up with a crackling halo of blue light. Her jaws gape as she reveals her full set of serrated fangs and snarls a warning to the entire surrounding area. Anyone who would do further harm will have to get past her. -Guerrius really has little better to do than stand around and watch, there's nothing for him to comment on, and until the situatin is resolved, he has no questions to ask, or authority to direct. 2nd Lieutenant Blitzwing says, "Permission to retaliate?" -Novastar continues moving backwards to cover, asking STormhammer, sounding a bit worried, "Much for those in energon fields shouldn't shoot lasers, but Elder... if your travels haven't encountered insanity, I think you're about to. Please keep your hands where I can see them and away from subspace nexus points." Novastar hits the charge button, accentuating the point as electricity builds within the rifle's muzzle. -Enfilade snaps, "Onslaught, who did it and where are they?" Enfilade says, "Negative, not until we have a target!" -Stormhammer scowls, and stands in front of the three aliens. Big robot. Very close. Fills up a lot of a frame. "Disgusting _pak'cha_.." The word is alien..probably some scavenger from the world where he's spent the last few million years. "Have you nothing better to do, than feed on a planet's suffering?" -Sapphire looks up at Moonlight for a moment, then ignors her as she starts to do her work and trys to patch weld Onslaught as quickly as posible -Byline moves his hand in a shooing gesture. "Get out of my way, you're blocking my shot!" -Moonlight kneels down beside Onslaught as well. She's no medic, and she almost wish she had taken up that mech's offer to teach her the craft, but she looks the higher-up over anyhow. She might not be /overly/ fond of him, but he /is/ a Decepticon and she /had/ been ordered to check his condition. -Ultra Magnus glances around in a mix of horror and confusion. "I don't like this," he tells Stormhammer. "That wasn't an Autobot who did that..." He looks back back down to the camera crew. Two big robots. "You've got your footage. You've got your interviews. You would do best to leave. Now." -Blitzwing can't shoot, so he transforms and walks over to his fallen boss. " Who am I killing? Their head will be yours sir." -Neelsaan pulls Byline away from Stormhammer. Wet blanket! She looks up to Ultra Magnus. "I'm sorry, but we can't do that. We have hardly the tip of the iceburg, and YOU yourself promised more information than this. This is what the audience wants...this is what they NEED!" -Enfilade grins, "Oh, I dunno, I think they want a nice tour of the Empire first." She looks over at her troops. "Frag, ambushers...maybe Shadowbots." Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "Medical staff: Please report to the causeway area. We have a downed soldier." -Whiplash snaps her head sideways and slashes toward Sapphire with those serrated teeth. -Swivel walks over to Stormhammer, glancing at Noavastar. "......" -Nosecone mutters a few curses. "Here we go" he says, readying his rifle. "Knew this would get ugly." -Onslaught isn't moving, though whether that's by choice, or as a result of his wounds is anyone's guess. His voice but a mere whisper, a rasp as he moves his head ever so slightly to look for the right person to divulge the secret to...but whom...WHOM! "....i...." and is cut short by... -Ultra Magnus glowers at Neelsaan. "I most certainly did not! Take what I've given you and go!" -Novastar is still covering the Autobots and aliens and like with his rifle. "I'm a bit too busy to do a search of the area right now, Commander." He shifts one hand free momentarily and points up, "I don't know her comm. codes, ma'am, but there's someone up a bit higher who might manage it." -Ghost slides out of her position, moving to one higher up as she lines up a single shot. Her optics are narrowed as a mask comes out to cover them. A hand moves to scrape some paint flecks into the dust and debris before the silent femme takes target, primes for her shot, dropping the cloak around her frame.. She murmurs mentally, "Let the dance begin" and fires off a single shot towards Onslaught, momentarily dropping her cloaking system in order to do so, the flash of fire partially concealded by the rock cover she's moved into. -Neelsaan ignores Magnus totally and pulls Byline back towards the ship, where it should be relatively safe, anyway. She continues to direct his shots. "Now, over there...get that...are you getting that frowning? Good...over there...there you go, a shot! Get that! Did you get that?" -Moonlight glances at Sapphire. "Are you sure you know what you're doing? I know he's your employer, but..." -Whiplash recognizes Sapphire from having seen her a few days ago, but she's clearly not comfortable with having some unknown tinkering with Onslaught. Though the neutral femme is trying to help, Whiplash snaps at her again, snarling, as though to drive her off. -Whiplash recognizes Sapphire from having seen her a few days ago, but she's clearly not comfortable with having some unknown tinkering with Onslaught. Though the neutral femme is trying to help, Whiplash snaps at her again, snarling, as though to drive her off. -Enfilade says, "Whiplash, knock it off! Find out where those shots ar ecoming from1" -Whiplash gives Enfilade an incrdulous look. "You know this femme?" -Stormhammer positively looms over the journalists. Fifty feet of dark, scarred metal, glowing red at the optics. His voice rumbles like gathering thunder.. "What the public needs is truth. The truth is that these are living creatures, not toys for your amusement. They are shedding their lifeblood, trying to survive, while you care only for your ratings.." His voice raises considerably, "This world is not yet dead. It is not time for the carrion beasts to settle. Begone." -Enfilade is irked with Whiplash and Stormhammer both now, and is currently all business. That at least she can do right. -Ghost fades back into the shadows, leaving behind little as far as clue.. some paint flecks, a distinct scent not her own. She smiles to herself bitterly. -Enfilade says, "I know repairs when I see them and there are other Cons about ot watch her. I need /you/ to hunt down the attacker. That's what you do best, right?" -Moonlight glances at Whiplash. "I wouldn't worry about her too much. Onslaught is her boss and she has as much stake in his continued good health as we do." -Sapphire dosnt look up as she switches her week aemlasers to welding "i can fix him, its my job to fix things" she mermers over n over -Just as Onslaught is about to bring light to what happened to him, another shot rings out, and strikes him in the neck, his vocals fizzling almost instantly, as his head slumps back to the ground motionless. -Byline says to Stormhammer, "Whatever. I'm going to their base, and you can't stop me." -Redline slides down out of the clouds, having heard the call of a downed Decepticon. He's starting to wonder if this is going to be a continual habit, seeing as he doesn't like being near combat and it's obvious the downed mech was close enough to get fired upon. He lands near Enfilade. "Redline reporting for duty. Who is the fallen soldier?" he asks. -Enfilade says, "Onslaught. Sapphire is attempting spot repair but she could use some assistance." -Whiplash flinches back a little as an additional laser blast sizzles past, but she seems intent on standing her ground right here. At least, so it seems for a long moment - until she suddenly lunges forward in the direction of that last laser blast, as best she could calculate it. -Moonlight points at Onslaught for Redline's benifit. "Duh...isn't it obvious." -Nosecone calmly waits for the order to fire, or to retreat, or somthing. -Novastar pulls his rifle up as another shot rings up, as clearly it wasn't those in front of them. Visors glowing, Novastar begins scanning the infrared to try and backtrace... -Blitzwing draws his blaster and fires at the first thing in a red sigil. Patience stops with the sight of his commrade fallen. -Enfilade tilts her head, realizing she didnt call Redline...and gets a strange suspicion... She shakes her head. No. Deal with that later. If this is real they'll need to catch the attacker, and if it's not, she's got to make it /look/ real.... -Ghost smiles to herself as she leaves the ground, moving obliquly back to her original position and sending off a broadband message as she settles back into the shadows. Ghost says, "I'm still covering the Autobots visible. Is Onslaught functioning?" -Sapphire screems in anger as she trys to keep working on someone who is being shot -Ultra Magnus glances over his shoulder. He considers going over their and clearing the Autobots' names, but really, what's the point? "We're only trying to protect you," he tells -Byline calmly. "There's no time for this. Leave!" -Redline glares at Moonlight and heads over toward Onslaught. "You again? I hope you don't plan on making a habit out of getting shot," he growls a bit. He then begins repairs on Onslaught. -Neelsaan nudges Byline and points towards Sapphire and her attention. "Look, there...trying to patch up a fallen comrade. Human element. Very human element. Be sure to get that." -Whiplash disappears amidst the beams of the fallen bridges, her claws skittering against the metal as she chases after a shadow she thought she saw.... -Swivel looks up at Nosecone, a little concerned as a blast is fired at him... luckily... one that didn't land a hit. -Moonlight stands up and sort of hovers over the little grouping of the fallen Onslaught and the two who are working on him, making it harder for anyone to hit any of the three. She pulls out her gun and keeps an optic alert for any more agression. She's been too distracted to even /start/ drawing conclusions. -Ghost holds her position, optics flickering softly as she switches weapons, from the one rifle to her more usual weapons bore armmounted. Imperial Warrior Novastar says, "Ghost, is there something in your area? I may not be able to fix them, but I know what an angled laser wound looks like. And there's heat traces heading in the same general direciton as where I last saw you." Ghost says, "I'm where I have been *transmits coordinates* I saw the blast's flash from off to my left." -Guerrius pulls his mech in a tight loop, heading back toward the shuttle. This isn't a war, it's bad comedy... Then again, it's probably good for the ratings... -Whiplash's voice comes from the shadows amidst a tangle of rusting bridge supports. "Over here!" she calls to anyone of her comrades who might be close. -Stormhammer looks about him with a scowl. Why? Things had been going so well the last week, and now..why? -Nosecone blinks as a blast narrowly misses him. Good thing he's calm under fire. He quickly slides from the rock he's sitting on, putting it betwen himself and Blitzwing. "Orders, Magnus?" he cries out. If it were just him here, he'd already be firing. Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Want me to keep standing here and protecting the medics at work?" -Enfilade moves forward towards Whiplash, slinging down that huge copper-coloured portable artillery piece. -Sapphire tryes to keep ahead of the wounds that Onslaught has received. -Byline zeros in on Enfilade. "Ooo, nice shot, very commander like." THen he pans over the Autobots. "Here are the Autobots looking lost." Ouch. Ghost says, "I've got the area covered Moonlight. Keep Blitzwing from doing anything stupid." -Onslaught hasn't apparently been repaired enough to move, and for the most part seems to still be inactive, although perhaps more stable under the care of this medic team...his optics/visor come to life once more, but dimly, as he stirs slightly. -Blitzwing jumps up, and goes airborne...let the games begin. 2nd Lieutenant Blitzwing says, "Hey...." Ultra Magnus snarls. He spins around and jogs off a few feet, so that Nosecone can hear him. "Don't engage! Keep yourself covered, and stay out of his line of sight Lieutenant Moonlight's wry grin is easy to imagine. "I doubt my last tactic will work. Seems a bit bare here, but if you say you have it covered, I won't argue with ya." -Neelsaan pushes Byline's camera back to Onslaught. "THERE! He's stirring. Stirring! LOOK! Over there!" -Whiplash is searching the surroundings, optics glowing intently. The object of her search is not here, but she points a tentacle at some faint scraping of color against the dark metal beams, as though someone was bracing themselves here to take a shot. It's a violet high-gloss enamel to those who are familiar with their paint types. -Redline keeps working on Onslaught, not paying any attention to the fact that the other medic working on him isn't a Decepticon. He continues keeping his body between Onslaught's and the others, making sure that anything happens, it happens to him before his patient. -Nosecone mutters "Well that's just prime", as Magnus effectivly gives the order to sit there and get shot. -Sapphire whimpers softly as she repairs Onslaughts neck "no no no no..." she mutters