July 27th, 2003 ~Enfilade(D), Aviator(D), Skydagger(D), Cinder(D), Morningstar(A), Shadowcat(D), Silhouette(A), Uproar(A), Ghost(D), Transit(A), New Expressway Massive roadways twist and turn madly, somehow managing to connect from point a to point b. This stretch of road has often been referred to by Autobots as "Death Valley" due to the many dips and turns in this most dangerous of places. Those that have travelled this road and survived know its dangers well and know when to decelerate and when to gun it. Many damaged and dead forms littering the terrain prove that some were not so lucky or did not learn as fast. One specifically sharp turn leads towards the ruins of what was once known as Tetrahex. Eastward, Decepticon territory begin, and the city of Polyhex stands firm. Continuing in a westward direction sends you deeper into Autobot territory. Enfilade [Robot] [D] Obvious Exits: -U- Up leads to Sky Above New Expressway -E- East leads to Crossroads to Polyhex -W- West leads to Highway to Tetrahex Enfilade says, "This is Enfilade calling in, who's on channel?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "I am." Aviator says, "Aviator here." Skydagger sounding rather inebriated, says "Skydagger...here" Cinder coughs. Enfilade says, "Cinder, how are you doing? Skydagger, Aviator, I have a job for you. I need volunteers for a routine patrol in the New Expressway area and I'd like you two to give Cinder a field test." Cinder erps "Uhm... uhm..." he stammers "Am fine!" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Already on my way Enfilade." Skydagger says, "Erm...Cinder...? Isn't in medbay?" Aviator says, "I'd be glad to." Enfilade says, "He's functional. I want him field tested." Skydagger says, "Under-er-stood. Where?"" Aviator says, "I'm with him in Darkmount, we'll be heading to New Expressway ASAP." Cinder says, "we are?" Skydagger says, "I will...meet you there." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "I'm one step ahead of you all." -Morningstar roards down the road at breakneck speed--surprising that a truck that large can go so fast. He has no fear of the hairpin turns and handles the road like a master despite a million years of stasis. However, on occasion the dead robots on the terrain cause his engine to skip a few strokes...what in Primus' holy name has happened while he's been out of it? And there's something else he doesnt' know...that this expressway is now on the boundary between Autobot and Decepticon territory. To his knowledge, it's neutral ground and so he's not expecting any company way out here... Enfilade says, "Your mission, Cinder, Aviator, Moonlight and Skydagger, is a simple routine patrol. I've heard rumours of Autobots messing around Polyhex and I want them to get a clear message: Polyhex is ours. I don't anticipate trouble but if you do see any bots, put a good scare into 'em." Aviator says, "Yes ma'am." -Aviator maintains a fairly high altitude and roars through the air. -Moonlight is 'lounging' around off to the side of the road a bit. At least, she had been up until the point that a vehicle went speeding past her. She double-takes; that didn't look like a Decepticon. In fact, it looks decidedly Autobotian in appearance. Looks like it was just the right time to be sent out on patrol, no? Ah, but what should she do? Fire, or give a warning? She already knows the answer, knowing that violence isn't her schtik. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she shouts out. -Skydagger walks, yes, walks up in the general direction of the Decepticons here, clearly rather inebriated. -Morningstar drives right by Moonlight and then slowly applies his brakes until he's idling in teh middle of the road. "Say what?" the large truck calls to her. Enfilade says, "Investigate and report further, Aviator. If it's a Bot, you know what to do." -Aviator kills some altitude and approaches Moonlight. -Cinder erks and dips down after Aviator "... warning..." he grumbles, then circles overhead, allowing Aviator to do as he please -Well, at least he stopped. So far so good. "You're not supposed to go that way. Are you new or something?" she asks, putting her hands on her hips. Okay, so Moonlight isn't the most intimidating femme out there, but to her credit, she /is/ trying. -Morningstar transforms and asks Moonlight, "Why not?" Then, a little more belligerently, "And who says?" -Moonlight taps her chest. "As part of the Decepticons' offical un-welcoming committee, /I/ say so. You must be crazy to just come waltzing into Decepticon territory. Either that or you were going so fast you left your common sense behind." She shrugs. "But regardless of who I am, you really should listen to me. Just turn yourself right around, and things don't have to get ugly. Right? Right." -Aviator roars down next to Moonlight, the unknown signal he picked up earlier in plain view; an Autobot. -Skydagger stops and watches the events transpire. "Uh..." -Shadowcat spots forms ahead and continues flying good way in as she doesn't feel in immidiate danger. Landing with still a nice distance to simply casually stroll up to the two talking. Recognising Moonlight she spends the time it's going to take her to reach the two, examining the Autobot best as possible. -Morningstar looks around and sees...a lot of Decepticons. Uh-oh. "Isn't this...um...neutral territory?" he asks, edging away from the pack. -Cinder circles alittle father away, keeping overhead, like a grey vulture. -Morningstar looks very lost, very confused and very very scared....but he's also big, a huge truck of an autobto... Aviator says, "Cinder, where are you? Your comm is switched off. Get down here! Enfilade, we've run into an Autobot." Cinder hisses softly "Am overhead watching. One autobot. Three Decepticons." Shadowcat says, " A large Autobot.." -Moonlight shakes her head. "Nope. You've just entered 'Con territory. Or you're just about to." She looks around. "Not sure /exactly/ where the official line is but...." She stops herself from just yammering. "Either way, you shouldn't be here. As you can see, you're outnumbered. Take a little advice, free of charge; just run away." She makes a running motion with two of her fingers. Strangely enough, she doesn't sound condescending at all. -Shadowcat finally reaches the two, pausing just behind Moonlight next to her.. before with a smirk, stepping just in front of her optics running over Morningstar and not hiding it in any way. "What's your name?" -Aviator grins. "Might I add, that this the only free advice we offer. If you want more, it comes with.... a price." Cinder says, "Four Dec... Dec... allies. One enemy" -Morningstar says to Shadowcat, "M-Morningstar...I'm sorry...the lady over there had it right." He gestures at Moonlight. "I am new." -Skydagger steps closer to Morningstar and peers at him through the haze induced by overenergisation. -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "New, eh? Well, if and when you get back to base, tell them that they really should have told you a bit more about things before setting you lose. Frankly, I'm disappointed." She looks to see the two 'Cons flanking her, giving Aviator a broad grin as he backs up her words. She tries not to look alarmed at Skydagger's appearances though; it's best not to let on that there's something /odd/ about her. -Morningstar is maybe a little bit odd too...piercing lavendar optics, not the standard Autobot blue at all, and there's something /weirdly familiar/ about his expressions and mannerisms though they've never met him before.... He takes a step backwards trying to edge away from the horde of Cons. -Aviator says, "Now, be a good little Autobot and get the slag outta here. I'd rather not go to the trouble of summoning my rifle." Aviator does a little Shoo motion. -Shadowcat hrms softly to herself wishing she could.. question this Autobot further if she had the oppurtunity. .. Without so many around. -Skydagger doesn't really wish anything. She just stands there, occasionally taking the tiniest of steps in this direction or that, peering and examining Morningstar. -Morningstar nods, clearly scared of the cons and transforms to go... -A dark vessel approaches from the distance, flying at quite the speed, and at a very low altitude. Closing in on Morningstar's position. -Shadowcat blinks and looks around at her fellow Decepticons now realising what is happening. "All you know is his name, and your releasing him?" Speaking to Moonlight. -The rumble of a massive transport crushes over the cyberscape to the east. The subtle rumble of the weight of the transport perhaps hints you to his arrival before you can really make him out over the short horizon of the small planet. Within a few minutes you can distinctly hear the roar of his engines, as Uproar makes his way here. -Morningstar eeps, if this is a Decepticon coming to cut off his retreat then he's /really/ in trouble. -Moonlight gives Shadowcat an odd look. "You can't release something you didn't catch in the first place," she points out. -Cinder turns towards the transport approaches, and accelerates through the air to overpass it and identify it before it got too close. He banks sharply, circling overhead of Uproar. Cinder says, "Nother one." -Shadowcat frowns optics narrowing as the noise approaching trying to distinguish an object to it. Moonlight drags her attention back to her, giving her a side glance with that smirk. "Really?" Looking back to the nervous Autobot, her lips now forming a grin that shows hints of her teeth. "He looks rather.. caught to me." At Cinders report that grin falters around the edges. "Pity. His comrades." -Silhouette observes the Decepticons below, and considering the location comes to the quick summation that in this situation starting a battle isn't an option. "Allow this private trooper his escape, Decepticons, he means you no harm and ventured to this postion solely on his fault. You've no reason to apprehand him..." she slows to a sudden stop over Morningstar, hovering in position. -Aviator glances at Moonlight. "Two more of em?" -The transports radar spots Cinder flying overhead long before he actually gets within visual range -- not that this slows the transport down in the least. Instead the transports pulls in its treads and wheels and kicks his hover engines into full gear, launching him forward even faster just in time to get to the crowd to hear Silhouette's proclamation. -Moonlight folds her arms and frowns at Silhouette. "That /was/ my intention. I was just telling him he can't continue this way; that would be entering our territory, and then he certainly /wouldn't/ be safe." -Cinder circles around and ocntinues to shadow the transport, pulling up again as he reachesthe group. The mech refused to land, no matter waht. -Skydagger looks at Shadowcat and Moonlight, then speaks to Moonlight. "Erm...Moonlight...I'm...gonna leave now, you have this under controle I think..." -Morningstar looks a lot more relieved now that he's got some backup. Now granted the Cons never threatened him but...he can't believe he made this mistake. How could this territory not be neutral? T he idea is almost inconceivable. Enfilade says, "Field unit, report in. What do you have out there?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "More Bots. Namely the dark, creepy femme and some new guy who thought he could just cruise into our territory. Nothing much." Cinder says, "Two Autobots. Four of us." Aviator says, "We had one on it's way out but backup's arrived." -Silhouette remains hovering in place, broadcasting again "Very good call on your part, Moonlight, that is exactly what should be..." she does find it strange that a Decepticon wouldn't realize how deeply Morningstar has ventured, but all the better to make his release easier. In this position they may all very well end up in a situation they really would hate. -Shadowcat sighs and with a roll of the light in her optics, she steps back behind Moonlight. "Such a pity." She says softly to herself, not bothered if some overhear or not. However noting the size of Morningstar's backup having this end peacefully is a great idea. There is always next time.. Enfilade says, "Silhouette?!" Shadowcat says, "We could have simply detained this 'Morningstar' and discouvered just /how/ he came to be far before these backup units arrived." Ghost says, "If you do run into Silhouette, tell her I said hello and how is our little decepticon in an autobots body doing today..." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Could be. Not really sure /who/ she is. But I'll say Hi and see what her reaction is." Cinder says, "Errm, pardon?" Enfilade says, "If one of them is Silhouette I want to know about it." -Moonlight listens to her radio, then nods slightly to Silhouette. "Glad you approve," she says rather dryly, almost sarcastically. "By the way, I have a message for you I believe. Ghost says to say Hi and wants to know how the 'little Decepticon in an Autobot's body is doing today. I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but those were my instructions." Enfilade says, "Morningstar? *pause* .....slaggit. Let 'em go an' tell 'em not to come back." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "That was my plan, Enfilade. Of course, you might have forgotten that I'm not exactly killer-femme." -Another truck appears on the scene, though this one is much smaller, and of a more conventional, utilitarian design than the last. It seems to be headed toward the cluster of Cybertronians at a pretty good clip, apparently already aware of the situation, and arriving here at the behest of one of the factions. Cinder says, "nother." -Aviator scowls and inspects his surroundings. "I still think you should follow our advice, Autobots. Get outta here!" -Morningstar startles as he sees someone else arriving. This better be a friend...what a mess he's gotten itno... -Cinder circles again overhead, watching. Enfilade says, For primus' sake, Moonlight, don't tell the Autobots that. Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Don't tell them what? I was gonna let him go, or that I'm not a killer femme?" -Silhouette says nothing, still hovering over Morningstar while taking in the 'message' from Moonlight. "Morningstar, Autobots, head back to base!" she snaps loudly, adding a an intonation of "That is the way of things..." to Aviator, to reassure they are all indeed leaving before things change. -Remaining in transport mode, Uproar now remains just toward the edges of the gathering of Decepticons and Autobots. He's taking the chance right now to watch how everyone acts and reacts to the situation, relearning friend and foe perhaps. Enfilade says, "That you're not prepared to kill them all at a moment's notice." -Moonlight folds her arms and just watches, for now. The message didn't seem to have much impact on the darkish femme. Oh well. It's probably better that way. Moonlight isn't fond of getting beat into scrap metal. -Morningstar, utterly oblivious to Ghost's taunt or its possible meanings, does exactly as told. Lieutenant Moonlight sighs into her radio. "I hate to break it to you Enfilade, but I think they already know I'm less than an apt fighter. After all, from what I can tell, they just see me as a huge joke." -Shadowcat doesn't walk away early despite being tempted to. She instead waits where she is, her optics on Morningstar solid and the position he used to be in. -Aviator crosses his arms and glares at the Autobots. -Cinder roars by overhead again -The transport that was at the edge sends off a simple radio message toward Morningstar as he turns to move back to the west and out of this little gathering. Hopefully they won't get acosted on the way out. Aviator says, "Enfilade, they appear to want to cooperate and vacate." -Transit's brakes and tires let out a short, sharp screech as he comes to a halt, also choosing to remain on the periphery until the situation begins to resolve itself one way or another. Aviator says, "The Autobots, that is." -Moonlight doesn't glower, she grins. She's grinning because she's avoided trouble with just talking for once. Of course, the Bots might think she's being smug, but she really isn't. She's actually quite pleased. Enfilade says, "Let them go...but I want a full report, particularly on Silhouette." -Morningstar drives towards Transit and Uproar wasting no time in getting out of here. -Transit backs up, turning his flank to the remaining cluster of Transformers as he prepares to depart. There he waits for the younger Autobot to pass, and for the order to clear out to be given... -Silhouette hovers in position, awaiting Uproar to lead the other Autobots out of the area. Herself, she doesn't seem concerned with Moonlight and surprisingly seems to be just as pleased with the verbal solution to a problem. -Twisting around and kicking his hover engines into motion, Uproar emits, "Alright, lets get rolling," from the small speakers hidden on top of his cab in transport mode. With that he heads west. Lieutenant Moonlight says, "There's not really much to report about her. She just told her Bots to fall back and that was about it." -Transit completes his turn, and heads out after the other, larger, Autobots. All in all, it must make for a sight somewhat like a mother duck leading her ducklings home... Aviator says, "Enfilade, the Autobots are departing now." -Silhouette remains hovering, still, and now that the other Autobots has finally made their escape she emits to Moonlight in particular "Tell Ghost...Hi in return...and that the 'little Decepticon in an Autobot's body is going to terminate her sooner or later...scatter her parts to flow with the winds...." that said she takes to the air and ignites thrusters to take on extreme speeds again, quickly clearing the area. -Aviator raises an optic ridge Enfilade says, "Good. How did Cinder do?" -Cinder circles around again slowly, still not landing. He follows the Bots a short distance, to make sure they left, then came back agian Aviator says, "Quiet, a little antisocial... but he did his job. Nothing negative to report." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "I've changed my mind. I have something to report now." Enfilade says, "Go ahead, Moonlight." -Aviator smiles at Moonlight after hearing something on the radio. -Shadowcat now perks her gaze up to Silhouette at that appearing highly amused at such a comment. "Don't get your hopes up." She says rather loudly, doubting Sil would actually catch that in departing. Cinder doesn't say anything Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Well, it must be Silhouette because she has a message back for Ghost: the 'little Decepticon in an Autobot's body is going to terminate her sooner or later...scatter her parts to flow with the winds....'" Enfilade says, "I want a full report on any info you can get from her..physical specs, weapons, mannerisms, anything." -Shadowcat walks without any hurry to the spot Morningstar mainly stood, making a point to not loose it while she has it in her sights she just stands there, waiting until Silhoutte disapears. Shadowcat says, "Would you like me to .. add her to a list to inspect?" Enfilade says, "Affirmative. Inspect her /closely/ because I fully intend to kill her someday." Shadowcat says, "Without engaging?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "May I start out by reporting that she's CREEPY!" -Indeed Silhouette doesn't pick on Shadowcat's words in her quick depart, which is a good thing, considering a word from a Decepticon. Shadowcat no less, might very well have tilted her past the threshold and cause her to run a berserker streak until she would finally be brought down. The location and what's left of her healthy logic seems to be the only things that have stopped that as she disappears from sight in the distance. Aviator says, "She's definately taking her time in getting out of here." Enfilade says, "Engaging is a highly risky endeavour, Shadowcat, I would advise without engaging when at all possible." Enfilade laughs, Moonlight, "tell me something I dont' already know." Shadowcat says, "Affirmative. I merely enjoy knowing my options." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "When I know something, I will." Cinder says, "Uhm, return to base now?" Aviator says, "Any further orders, Enfilade?" Enfilade says, "Affirmative. Unless you find someone else on the way." Enfilade says, "Come on back...by the way...you figure that Bot was there by accident, or spyin'?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Call me naive, but it seemed like he really didn't know the full situation of the current boarders." Aviator says, "The Bot said he didn't know that this was our territory... an unlikely story, but it's all we got." Enfilade says, "This was....Morningstar?" Aviator says, "That's right." Enfilade says, "Let him go. He's the one I traded the Bots for in exchange for Cinder. Clueless kid." Aviator says, "He sure seemed that way. Felt good to have a few threats pay off. He was scared." Shadowcat says, "..That answers one question I had. Mind if I speak to you for more detail on Morningstar Commander Enfilade?" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Hmmmm. How kind. We let him off now so we can just slag him later when he /does/ know better." Aviator says, "Orders are orders. Besides, when we do we'll share a greater feeling of satisfaction." Shadowcat says, "..I would have chosen to simply not allow him off now. Far more entertaining in his current condition." Lieutenant Moonlight hmmmms. "Lovely," she announces dryly. Cinder says, "Errrm... Traded for me??" Enfilade says, "That's an affirmative, Cinder. The Autobots would not release your core without something in exchange. I wanted you back." Cinder says, "... oh... uhm... " long pause "Thanks?" -Shadowcat watches until Sil is completely out of range of being able to see /her/, not so much her seeing Silhouette. Then she turns and narrows her optics at her fellow comrades. "Perhaps you are due for a report?" Wonder what she's waiting for.. -Cinder is still circling overhead, waiting for Avi to join Enfilade says, "Don't mention it. I look after my personnel." -Moonlight turns. "Well, she said we should return, so I'm returning," she states. And then she shows she means it by turning to go. -Aviator nods. "Let's go." Aviator says, "Cinder, shall we?" Cinder says, "Eh?" Aviator says, "I'm assuming your comm is still shut off... so follow me, we're heading back." Cinder says, "oh. Right" Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Oh come on you slow-pokes." Aviator says, "Hey, you try dragging along this anti-social mech..." Cinder growls "I'm COMING." Aviator says, "All right, all right. Just try to keep up." Lieutenant Moonlight says, "Hey, be nice to Cinder." Darkmount - Barracks You step through the large and heavy door into an archaic looking cavern. The natural material of the mountain is very much in evidence here, as not much effort was put into making the army's barracks very attractive. With plasma tools and brute hydraulic power, hundreds of cubicles have been carved out in strangely organized rows throughout the room and at multiple levels. The size of the cubicle is a general indication of the rank of the owner, and you'll notice several larger rooms higher up in the cavern, almost as if they were positioned to watch over the troops below. Aviator Obvious exits: -N- North leads to Darkmount - Elevator Shaft. -S- South leads to Darkmount - Guardhouse. -Aviator notices Moonlight arrive and waves. -Moonlight strolls into the barracks; evidently she had been taking her time. Upon seeing Aviator's waves, she gives him a broad grin. "Well, that went pretty well," she comments. -Aviator says, "I'd complain about the lack of destruction, but I don't want to come off as a complainer. Still, it's a good feeling to please the higher-ups." -Moonlight makes a face. "Destruction, eh? To me there can never be too little destruction. It always seems like a waste of time to me." She shrugs. "But I don't mind complainers. Sometimes they can be insightful." -Aviator smiles. "I'll remember that next time." -Moonlight shrugs. "Just remember I said 'sometimes' as well. So, what have you been up to lately?" -Aviator shrugs. "Not too much. Been logging alot of hours up in the skies, just keeping everything in check around here." -Moonlight nods. "And hoping to catch something out of place to destroy?" she asks with a sly grin, a teasing grin. -Aviator grins back. "That's something to look for, but my lasers have been set on safety for so long I fear they might stay that way forever." -Moonlight arches an optic ridge. "And this would be a bad thing?" -Aviator shrugs and winks. "I always have my energy sword just in case." -Moonlight just shakes her head. "Lovely. So, why /are/ you so fond of destruction anyhow? And I should hope this is just against the Bots and not against everything on the planet in general." Especially cute, hat-wearing femmes. -Aviator smiles. "Oh, just part of the Decepticon stereotype." -Moonlight pretends to flex. "Stereotypes are one of the few things I /do/ enjoy breaking." Then she chuckles. "Can you fit me into a steroetype?" -Aviator grins, repressing a real corny attempt to flirt, although some of it still slips out. "Well, I'd put you into under the category of good-looking, intellectual Decepticon." -Moonlight's mouth quirks up in amusement. "And there are enough of us that we warrant our own category?" -Aviator continues the cheezefest. "Oh, they're a rare find." -Moonlight continues to look amused. "Now isn't that sweet of you. So, you like to fit into the stereotype, or do you just happen to fit the bill quite nicely?" -Aviator says, "I'm not one to judge by looks... and I may not be the brightest mech around, but I've got charm where it counts." -Moonlight nods with a smile. "Which is always a good thing, right?" She stretches a little. -Aviator says, "I'd like to think so." -Moonlight grins. "Wouldn't everybody?" She thinks for a few moments. "Actually, maybe not enough people think so. I mean, war isn't exactly a charming situation, is it." -Aviator nods. "Agreed. Not enough time for much charm. It's been nice talking, and I'll see you around. Maybe we'll make a little time for some charm." -Moonlight nods. "We'll see, we'll see." -Aviator shakes his head and grins. "See ya."