Mixmaster has arrived.

Hook has arrived.

A single, extended note fills the courtyard, followed by another, and another. The song is an old one, one that speaks of loss. The musician is one who's worked hard in recent months to improve the competency of his playing, if for no other reason than to find at least one area where he can try and outdo his brothers, but Long Haul's never been known for the ability to put emotional feeling into his music. To play from his core. Today, however, things are different.

Transformers can't cry, and even if they could, Long Haul, reliable despite his general discontent, has seen it as his job to try and carry on since the loss of New Crystal City, and to drag his brothers with him as forcibly as he needs to. After all, his whole life is about doing things he doesn't want to do just because they need to be done. But right now he's taking a break from all that. He sits by the fountain, using his trumpet, a new one since his last was in Trypticon, to cry for him. The song isn't new, but that does not lessen the impact.

Hook wanders into the central plaza, drawn by.. something. The sound of Long Haul's trumpeting? Or something else, some connection with his brothers left over from the interlock protocol, a shared unconcious urge from somewhere in the mixed subconcious of their merged minds? Nevertheless he is here, and unlike Long Haul, doesn't feel like crying. Hook's still nursing a simmering resentment, an anger that all the work he put into New Crystal city, all the patient measurement and exacting placement of support beams, all of this was destroyed in less than one rotation of that Primus-forsaken mudball. Without saying a word, he sets down the case he's carrying and removes his own instrument and adds his own notes to the song, a counterpoint to Long Haul's melody. It's complex but rythmic, Hook hitting each note precisely, applying the same dedication to detail that he used to raise the glittering spires of the now fallen city.

And who should happen to join these two brothers than one more Constructicon. Mixmaster, who has been difficult to find since the return to IHQ, is also compelled to make his way into the Spaceport. seeing his brothers, he opens his own foot-made case and sits down. He begins to join the tune, offering a more inventive piece. While not as structured as Hooks or as well-rehearsed as Long Haul's, it is far from his overly-expressive tone that he is notorious for. While still sombre, his contribution adds something that was otherwise lacking from the tune. Rather than a tune that is being played, it starts to become a living thing. A sentient representation of the emotions of the Constructicons after the fall of New Crystal City.

Scrapper shows no drunken rage here, as when he made that report. There's just a quiet sadness about him, his plodding step a notch slower than usual; a heavier, duller thud to his footfall. His shovel's a wire lower than it would normally rest behind his shoulders; his optic band a mere fraction dimmer than standard value. To an outsider, he might look fine or even lost in thought, but the sorrow over recent events is there all the same. It doesn't consume him now, but it's not gone, and it won't be for a while.

So, perhaps as lost in thought as he looks, he finds himself by the fountain, like so many of his brothers. Oh no, has this Constructicon been caught without a trumpet? Quietly, slowly, gracelessly, he runs a hand along the fountain, pries open a panel, and removes an emergency trumpet. Number 42, perhaps? Scrapper pauses a moment, testing out the fingering of the instrument and to feel out the tempo of the music, before joining in. He slips his part in with what is already there, although he clearly fits in strains of traditional Cybertronian dirges into the structure of the music, as he might incorporate the bodies of the slain.

Long Haul looks up as Hook arrives, although he doesn't stop playing. He doesn't even seem very surprised, although with his face (or lack there-of), it's difficult to be sure. There's a moment of... musical hesitation as Hook begins playing before he plows on. While his own music remains overwhelmingly slow and sad, with Hook's additions Long Haul's own music becomes a bit angrier as well, as though infected by some sort of bleed-over. And then Mixmaster arrives. This time Long Haul doesn't even look up. It's as though he expects it. The same can be said for Scrapper's arrival, although there is a brief glance as his brother removes one of the emergency trumpets. And if ever there was a situation that called for their use, this is it! He continues his own base-song. He's not creative enough for on-the-spot invention, and lacks the precision to add in new segments unrehearsed, he lacks the artistry to try and work parts that shouldn't otherwise fit into a coherent whole, but for a rare moment, he is content with his own part in the whole, unglamorous though it may be. Don't expect that to last long.

Hook glances over at Mixmaster and Scrapper as they join in, the different styles forcing him to change his own playing, selecting passages from different parts of the piece and carefully lining them up into a coherant passage and series of passages in his mind, giving himself pre-practiced options to fall back on if Mixmaster's improvisation or Scrapper's creative meldley intrude on his performance. He diligently remains in a minor key, using Long Haul's performance as the solid base of a musical framework which Mixmaster and Scrapper can embelish and modify.

Mixmaster continues to embelish and modify, as per their unspoken agreement. Mixmaster's playing continues to offset Hook's rigid style, while Long Haul's tune proves to be the backbone of the overall song. And even Hook is accomodating him, rather than complaining. Mixmaster also wonders how long this will last, but is content to continue for now.

Scrapper doesn't lift elements from Cybertronian dirges wholesale. He, as he would with parts stolen from a hated foe, reworks them and twists them around just enough to fit the current tune. This creative musical reconstruction fits his mood. Scrapper hasn't the energy for anything truly novel, enthusiasm and verve gone with the fall of New Crystal City, and this song deserves better of him than some droning backbeat.

And so it goes, as the end of the song approaches. They wouldn't be the Constructicons if they played as one, but somehow, by combining their differences, they can form a whole so much greater than the some of their parts, even if such times are fleeting. Long Haul continues his simple, careful tune - trying to switch to anything else would disturb the whole, and now is not the time for attention grabbing tactics. Now is the time to buckle down and carry the tune, to see it through to its end. The transporter's optics flicker to black as he shuts them off completely, putting the whole of his person into getting the job done.

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Report status."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "What? Oh... *rattle-rustle* Sir, I'm in medical overseeing the unloading of supplies. What can I do for you?"

Hook changes key as the song nears completion, concentrating on the increasingly complex counter-melody, foregoing adaption to focus on hitting every note and chord exactly on time and sustaining them for just as long as required. The fussy engineer routes more of his processing power into the task, each bar more important the last, since to mess it up now would be to render his previous work pointless.

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Orbital scanners detect foreign matter drifting into the Cybertron system consistant with the profile of technology familiar to Imperial science. I am dispatching you from Imperial Headquarters to find and retrieve, immediately."

Mixmaster picks up that the tune is ending, therefore he too begins to wind his own contribution down. A few flirtatious notes pierce the tune, continuing to keep it soulful, but otherwise he too is directed towards wrapping the melody down. He wants to screw this up too, so he shuts down various non-essential systems, leaving little but his servomotors, audio units and other systems he'd need for trumpet playing.

<Decepticon> Arachnae pauses... "As you wish, sir. Departing immediatly to investicate source of.. stellar debris..."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, ">CHST< >BZZT< >KSSH<ome in Cyber>SSTH<on. This is DCI Colo>VZZ<l Comcast."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "This is IHQ.. medical, COmcast you're breaking up. Would someone in comm please dechiper what Comcast is trying to tell us? I have to depart planetside for debris check."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Launching from surface now."

Music can be a great number of things. For now, it is cathartic like no other, for it is a method of expression that even the Autobots cannot ruin. Break the instrument, and the song remains. Scrapper, sensing that the bittersweet harmony is coming to end, decrescendos poco a poco, quieting his part little by little, to fade out with a whimper rather than a bang. He's had enough of bangs for now.

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "IHQ, do you >BZZT< me? Acknowledged, Command>VRRRRRRRRRT<ckwave... Adjusting..."

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Colonel Comcast, report status and location."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "Commander Shockwave, this is Colonel Com>BZZT<. "Recepticon has improved, but my shuttle has a faulty transmitter. I am functional. Returning to Cybertron now, with passenger. Arrival time, 0.5 breems. Please foward Dec>CHK<ticon docking code for IHQ."

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Transmit identification code."

It ends where it started, but that does not mean nothing was accomplished along the way. As the others fade out, Long Haul plods on a little further before bringing the song to its proper ending. There is a moment of silence, and then his optic band flickers back on as he looks around at his brothers. Something has happened here today, something that doesn't normally happen outside of gestalt, but Long Haul lacks words for what it was, so instead he stays quiet, leaving it to one of the others to break the silence, to return things to something akin to normality.

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Recognized. Transmitting authorization code. Security and medical team dispatched to landing."

Hook stops playing exactly where the song is supposed to end, a slight frown on his faceplate as Long Haul adds a few bars. Hm. But he lets it go without comment, merely lowering his trumpet until his brother has finished, then quietly stowing the instrument back in its case.

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "IHQ Command, this is the Impeller. We have landed."

Hook has disconnected.

Mixmaster has already ended the scene, and so he ends about the same time as Hook. Well, a few notes before. Close enough. Mixmaster idly wonders what came over them all as he looks about to his brothers.

Scrapper finishing fading out, already a whisper, in time with the end. He pauses for a long moment and then ducks down to put away Emergency Trumpet 42 back in its slot, neatly hidden away in a hollow recess of the fountain. He latches the covering panel back in place, so that the trumpet will still be there the next time a Constructicon is in need. The engineer looks almost drained and stumbles a little as he stands back up. Hnn. Trumpeting shouldn't take that much out of a mech! Scrapper glances to his brothers. Dare he speak? Oh, Scrapper dares all right, narrowing his optic band. "Back to work! There's still a lot be done." But then, there always is.

"Alright already!" Mixmaster snaps, "Sheesh, Scrapper, you wouldn't know a touching moment if it kicked you in the face." And with that, he stows his trumpet away in his foot and storms off, to find something to do.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Long Haul grumbles as he puts his own trumpet back in the case and uses the side of the fountain to pull himself up. "Yeesh. Take one little break..." he complains as he plods off, heading back towards IHQ.

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "I've come upon the detrius, Shockwave. Moving closer to ascertain and identify."

Long Haul moves west to the Nightsiege Spaceport.

Long Haul has left.

You move west to the Nightsiege Spaceport.

Long Haul plods in, grumbling as he goes, despite the fact that he's not actually carrying anything besides a small black case. Some people are just never happy, it seems, and are going to find reason to complain and argue no matter what.

Comcast emerges from a generic cargo shuttle, the Impeller. Fulcrum has already left for parts unknown. Once he lowers himself with his anti-gravity units, he stretches his limbs somewhat. Those who soar through the skies are not used to cramped quarters of the small captain's chair.

Scrapper isn't carrying anything. He looks a little lost in thought, although that's typical with him. Yeah, mention work and Hook and Mixmaster vanish. Funny, that.

But Long Haul is still here! Whether he wants to be or not. The transporter's optics flicker in vague confusion as he comes on the spaceport and sees the recently landed ship and its seeker occupant. How's that get there? Well, wait... wasn't there some talk about that on broadband, before Long Haul had shut off his radio to avoid interruption? "Comcast." The Constructicon inclines his head as he approaches. "Where the pit've you been?" Ah, that Long Haul! Ever the master of tact!

What about this? Mention Medical team and /eventually/ a couple of Constructicons arrive. Comcast would have hoped for better. Bah. The Seeker spots the two Constructicons, and gives them a casual wave. Even though the one time he had much to do with Long Haul, he was threatening his wellbeing on broadband, Scrapper and him /do/ get on. "I hope nobody missed me too much." He says flatly, while he tries to conceal a slight smirk.

Missed him like a headache! Given that Scrapper's origin also gives him a headache, does this make Comcast Scrapper's cousin? There's a reason why Decepticon family trees are not meant to be pondered by mortal minds. Scrapper nods slowly to Comcast and notes, "Haven't seen you in a long while. DCI keeping you busy, I trust?"

Comcast spares Scrapper the direct answer to that question. It would involve using a number of human expletives he learnt from Motormaster, and he really doesn't want to use them. The groaning sound he makes with a vocalizer should serve as answer enough. "That and everything else..." He trails off. "Next time Fulcrum is left on earth while the rest of the Empire abandons the planet, I'm tempted to leave him there."

And on the topic of family trees, Comcast is Scrapper's Father's brother's nephews' cousin's former roommate.

Boncrusher arrives from the Courtyard to the east.

Boncrusher has arrived.

Boncrusher boogies.

Boncrusher moves east to the Courtyard.

Boncrusher has left.

Comcast spares Scrapper the direct answer to that question. It would involve using a number of human expletives he learnt from Motormaster, and he really doesn't want to use them. The groaning sound he makes with a vocalizer should serve as answer enough. "That and everything else..." He trails off. "Next time Fulcrum is left on earth while the rest of the Empire abandons the planet, I'm tempted to leave him there."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "I have made contact with the detrius in orbit and will require some assistence in returning to Cybertron. Unit recovered is a former DCI unit, Inquisitra. However, she is adrift without engine use or transformation capability. Aid is needed."

Long Haul lets Scrapper talk to the seeker while he turns his attention to the radio. He's got a vague idea who this guy is, what with all the reports he used to make, but even so, it's not really like he cares much about the guy or anything. Hmph. Wonder what Arachnae wants?

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Commander Scrapper."

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Yes?"

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Form Devastator and utilize the crash landing buffers to catch Colonel Arachnae and guest."

Scrapper pauses, because's there's radio chatter, and did Shockwave just tell him to get out Devastator? He stares blankly for a moment and then excuses to Comcast, "Crash landing buffers. You know." Yeah, because they do that every day! Right.

Comcast decides to find out what is going on from a distance. Accursed alt-char rules. Whee, off he goes!

Comcast moves north to the Outskirts of Imperial Headquarters.

Comcast has left.

Boncrusher arrives from the Courtyard to the east.

Boncrusher has arrived.

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "And guest? So formal."

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "Alrighty-then. Hook! Scavenger! Bonecrusher! Stop smelling the sludge and let's do this."

<Decepticon> Scrapper is quiet for a little while. "Couldn't we just get a shuttle and... never mind. Devastator. Right."

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "That's right. Devastator. Shut up, Scrapper."

<Decepticon> Scrapper schedules Long Haul over Mixmaster's 'phase one!' call rights for the next year.

Cement Mixer <Mixmaster> trundles in to the scene, with a lime green bulldozer, digger and crane in tow. Ready to DO THIS.

Long Haul looks vaguely surprised at this turn of events, but just shrugs. "Erm. Okay. This is new." He looks around as the rest of his brothers arrive (really!) and then pounds his fist into his hand. "Let's do this, then!" he exclaims, like he was in charge or something. "Constructicons, transform, phase one!" Ha-ha! He got to say it!

And with that, Long Haul himself transforms.

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

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "All non-Devastator units, clear the spaceport."

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Colonel Arachnae, you have permission to crash."

<Decepticon> Comcast says, "Don't have to tell me twice."

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "Waiiit!"

<Decepticon> Mixmaster says, "We're not ready! Wait for the call!"

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Lets hope this isn't so much a crash as a rather hard landing. It will take a few mnutes for me to get us oriented up here sirs."

Payloader (Scrapper) transforms and lets Long Haul call out, "Phase one!" for a change. Hah, that'll show Mixmaster. Well, it'll show him just as long as Long Haul pisses off Scrapper less than Mixmaster does. Anyone want to call bets here? He calls out, echoing it over the channel, giving the impression of shaking his head despite being a payloader, "Right. Constructicons, transform and combine!"

<Decepticon> Scrapper says, "Right. Constructicons, transform and combine!"

The Constructicons pull together, not as a happy family - hah! that'll be the day - but as Cybertron's biggest, greenest fastball catcher. Mixmaster and Scrapper 'stand up' into leg form, Long Haul joins them as the lower torso, Hook forms the head (and shoulders), and Bonecrusher and Scavenger form arms, outstretched to grab the falling Decepticons... and crush them! Wait, no, that's not right. Oooh, it's going to take a bit for Devastator to understand this. Better make a long fall.

merge

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

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

<Public> Bandit is now an instructor pilot WOOT!

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Negative."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "That is far from comforting...."

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Your instruction is to catch Colonel Arachnae and guest."

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "DEVASTATOR NOT CRUSH... DEVASTATOR.. /CATCH!!/"

<Decepticon> Commander Shockwave says, "Affirmative."

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Linkup achieved, porceding with single decaying orbital loop for lineup with Nightsiege. There will be a moment of comm blackout in the midpoint of the drop."

Devastator> Devastator once more EXISTS. And with no pesky cityformer to be taller than him too. Thankfully, even though there are many earth-based ships docked in the spaceport, there is still plenty of room for Devastator to stand without breaking stuff.

But that's the problem, isn't it? This mechanical brute is struggling with the fact that he is supposed to NOT destroy his target this time. He stands there, grunting out loud, trying to remember than when something plummets from the sky, he is to /catch/ it. /Catch./ And NOT crush like an empty energon vessell against his forehead.

<Decepticon> Devastator can be heard muttering quietly on channel, "CATCH... NOT CRUSH... CATCH... NOT CRUSH..."

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) comes in for a landing from Orbit of Cybertron.

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) glides into the area.

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) drops Inquisitra.

Devastator> A glitter at first, then a burning streak singeing it's way across the upper athmosphere like a meteor coming in to strike. The fireball that surrounds the two crafts is nothing more than the build up of heat from the re-entry, but as the two-as-one only have one set of functioning orbital engines between them, there is little to be done to bleed of speed at first. The resonding boom of something traveling many times the speed of sound heralds the beginings of a slow-down: a triad of smoke plumes trailing the duality as engines redline well over listed specs to begin the slow nose-up of the twinned craft.

The voidcraft is the undercraft in the pairing, the warbird 'docked' to it's upper side with wings locked in position. The voidcraft's wings shift and vibrate with the sheer forces being pressed on it as it slowly brings the noses up, bleeding velocity off at the cost of armoring on her underside flaking off as so much chaff, singed and cindered. Main engine cuts off, leaving only the secondaries as positional thrusters for final manuvering and positioning, velocity slowing even further at the cost of manuverability. As the fireball effect fades to some degree, the radio blackout ends and she can be heard over a rather widespread broadband pinging NIghtsiege with her codes for clerence as well as the emergency crash signal all over flavored with her voice.

Devastator> The Warbird itself does what it can to take its cues from Arachnae, who is clearly running the show while the damaged craft just hopes for the best. Of course, her pained snickering could be a good indication that although the heat is more than she can bear, she's certainly happy about -something-.

Devastator> Devastator , "s large RED optic band looks upwards as the invader can be heard, then seen. No, not invader. Catch, not crush. Catch, not crush. The uncertainty keeps him still for several moments, before the six minds that control him finally nudge him into motion. The Constructicon Supreme braces himself, assuming a ready stance as he raises his arms, still mentally grappling with the fact that this is an act of rescue, not Destruction. Then a big smile comes to his lips as a thought occurs to him... or rather, to one of his components before working it's way through his shared processors and finally getting agreed upon by the rest. It was probably Mixmaster's idea. The giant crouches down for a moment and then leaps high into the air, Mixmaster and Scrapper components providing an absolutely incredible amount of power to the jump, even as he reaches out to catch - not crush - Arachnae and the other with large Bonecrusher (perfectly appable!) and Scavenger hands."

Devastator> Devastator's large RED optic band looks upwards as the invader can be heard, then seen. No, not invader. Catch, not crush. Catch, not crush. The uncertainty keeps him still for several moments, before the six minds that control him finally nudge him into motion. The Constructicon Supreme braces himself, assuming a ready stance as he raises his arms, still mentally grappling with the fact that this is an act of rescue, not Destruction. Then a big smile comes to his lips as a thought occurs to him... or rather, to one of his components before working it's way through his shared processors and finally getting agreed upon by the rest. It was probably Mixmaster's idea. The giant crouches down for a moment and then leaps high into the air, Mixmaster and Scrapper components providing an absolutely incredible amount of power to the jump, even as he reaches out to catch - not crush - Arachnae and the other with large Bonecrusher (perfectly appable!) and Scavenger hands. <fixed repose>

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae)'s sensors are working overtime as she makes final adjustments, trying to time a retroburn to end just before a giant green and purple.. She can't help it., "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" emits in startle the burn cutting out mere nanoclicks before the giant reaches to grab the two ships. Engines cut out, antigrav kicks in with an audible screech of grinding internal componants, all to make the 'catch' as little damageing to all involved as possible. Hot ships, cold hands.. Ooh la la.

Devastator> Everything was find with Inqqy until Arachnae's scream. When your rescuer screams like a girl, it's usually not a good sign at all. Then it doesn't take long for Inquisitra to join in, except she sounds like lots of people screaming at the same time. She demands of nae, "/This/ is your plan?!" and there really isn't time to think of anything else. Not even death at the hands of big dumb robots.

Devastator> But your rescuer *is* a girl!

Devastator> Devastator doesn't pay any attention to all the screaming. He gets that's a lot, so he just auto-ignores it. Now... catch. Physics dissertations intermingle with empirical studies, sports vids, and experience to form a confused whole. So he calculates the coefficient of drag and then waits for a signal from the pitcher? Then there's the little fact that he's jumped and is in the air, and Constructicon grace in the air seems to be subtractive, rather than additive. Devastator manages to get this 'catch' concept under control, reaching out to nab Arachnae and her passenger - and not crush them! - but the landing part seems to be giving him some trouble. Oh-oh.

Devastator> Fleet descends from the Sky above Nightsiege above.

Devastator> Vortex descends from the Sky above Nightsiege above.

Devastator> Fleet moves north to the Outskirts of Imperial Headquarters.

Devastator> Vortex moves north to the Outskirts of Imperial Headquarters.

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) winces at the impact and the general grabbiness of it all. Inr esponse to her co-ship: "It worked, didn't it?!" Armiring pings white hot, systems destabilized enough for the maglock and physical connections to drop, leaving the two craft seperate but clasped together in the giants hands. "Devestator! Put us down.. Gently!"

Devastator> >THOOM<

That is the sound of a big goliath landing on a small cargo shuttle. Thankfully, the two passengers in the ship have long since departed. But the ship itself is still decimated, punctured and crushed by a large green stiletto heel. Other than a few salvagable small components, the Impeller is little more than scrap metal for MSE to smelt and reforce.

The mighty Devastator holds up his quarry, trimphantly. "NOT!! CRUSH!!"

<Decepticon> Devastator says, "HUHHHH.. ARACHNAE AND GUEST.. CAUGHT. BUT.. STILL CRUSHED!"

Devastator> The things that Inquisitra wants to say, she doesn't, because in the hands of a giant killer robot, one wants to draw very little negative attention to one's self. "Well--Just get Us repaired. We never thought We would so eagerly miss our robot body. And for your sake, hope that Galvatron doesn't blame -us- for what's left of that shuttle."

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) isn't aware of the crushing of a shuttle. All of the general noise she's picking up seems to originate from their mutual hero. She begins running internal diagnostics and issueing general orders, "As soon as we are let down, MSE will put you to rights, Inquisitra. Then you can report in officially." The craft remnds herself that she had, at one point, swore never to be stuck in a gestalts hands again. And lets out a whiff-sigh from engines, venting additional heat.

<Decepticon> Arachnae says, "Medical, send a dispatch of technicians to retrieve Inquisitra from the landing area."

Devastator> Devastator stands there dimly for a good long moment, looking down at the two in his hands. Caught. Not crush. And is that strange little one making threats at /him/? 'And for your sake, hope that Galvatron doesn't blame -us- for what's left of that shuttle'? Did she really just say that? The large hands begin to close together for a moment before the six minds put a stop to that. Arachnae's in there! So instead the hands spread further apart and the jolly green giant crouches down, gently putting down the both of them. No concern is given the shuttle at all. After all, what is broken may be fixed, and while their combined forms exist primarily for destruction, Devastator's components fix what they can.

Devastator> Voidcraft (Arachnae) has moment of slightly more than mild panic as the jolly greaan destruction giant's hand starts to tighten. Just an internalized squeek really. Then a flood of relief as she's set on the ground. She'd transform, but suffers from a mild bout of overheating and panic. Finding her voice she broadcats, "My gratitude Devestator, for your assistence in the recovery of a lost member of the empire."

Devastator> There's a moment there where Inqqy's not so sure about things, either, but she'd never admit it. Safely on the ground, Inquisitra waits for the medics to come take care of her repairs. Of course, she hadn't given much thought to what 'checking in' might entail. After all, shes not exactly a good nor well liked soldier. Ah, but at least she's back on Cybertron, and not floating aimlessly in space. So, even if she is overheated, singed, almost killed and doomed to stand before High Command, at least things are a little better than they were before. Inqqy simply waits, now, for the medics to come,a nd takes the opportunity to rest.

Devastator> Devastator grunts a dull grunt in acknowledgement of Arachnae's gratitude. 'Devastator, Thank you,' isn't something he's used to. Oh no, it's always 'Devastator, you're stepping on the thing we were trying to steal,' or 'Devastator, the enemy is over there.' "NEXT TIME..." Devastator 'quietly' intones. "LESS CATCHING. MORE DEVASTATION." He's got a rep to maintain, after all. And with that, the brute does something /else/ that's not done. He dissolves peacefully. It was a job well done, everyone's happy. So no Constructicons falling atop each other, then the bickering. They just break apart, reverting to the six Constructicon vehicles that comprise the Supreme Constructicon neatly falling down in a file of two-by-three.

Devastator> Devastator separates into the individual Constructicons.

Dump Truck <Long Haul> remains in dump truck mode and sighs heavily. "Well, if someone helps 'em into my truckbed, I guess /I/ can carry them in." Life may be topsy turvy, and Devastator may be SAVING people and PROTECTING cities (or trying to, anyway) instead of destroying things lately, but some things never change, one of those being the fact that Long Haul's going to have to carry SOMETHING when everything's over and done with.

And bitch about it as well.

Well, yes, that, too.

Dump Truck <Long Haul> vanishes out of reality.

Dump Truck <Long Haul> has left.

Voidcraft (Arachnae) rests on the ground as medics haul inquisitra off. She's still running internal diagnostics and waiting for some of the fuss to clear before she transforms. Matter of pride, really. She knows she's going to be in mind-twisting agony when she transforms but she doesn't really want to let folks know how much that did take out of her. So there she sits.

Mixmaster has disconnected.