Property Aquisition

Transformers: 2005 - Fortress Maximus - Saturday, February 05, 2011, 8:22 PM

Serao IV is a world under siege. For the past week Decepticon forces have been bombarding the Autobot mining facility but Autobot reinforcements appears in the nick of time! For the Decepticons, this is an unfortunate set back but is it enough to turn the tides completely? Even now, generic Decepticon troopers are lobbing mortar shells against the defensive shielding of the Autobot's mining facility. Cerulian blue shimmers of forcefields crackling under the bombardment and the thunderous BOOMS of explosions continues to remind the miners that despite the presence of Autobot reinforcements, their safety is still not assured.

Down below the hill, several Autobot shuttles have landed and the troops within can be seen pouring out of the boarding hatches on the side where they are met with mortar explosions nearby. Luckily the enemy hasn't properly zero'ed in on their location yet, but staying in the landing zone is almost certainly suicide!

Serao IV(#10312Ten)

Serao IV is a muddy world due to the fact that it is almost always raining. A large Autobot mining outpost can be seen sitting on top of a hill to the north, while to the south west stands a series of communication satellites. In between this entire area are deep holes that the Autobot miners had dug in order to remove the valued ores held underneath the planet's surface as well as various three story leveled buildings where the ores are processed within.

For the Autobots who have landed, this means they're exposed to Decepticon fire the moment they land in the clearings at the bottom. As for the Decepticons, it means that while they're well entrenched in their position they are still pincered in the middle between the Autobot reinforcements coming from the bottom and the Autobot mining facility at the top.

OOC Info: People wanted open ended TPs so this is an example of an objective based TP.

- There is a capture point here that represents the Damaged Communications Satellite.

- You must spend the first round capturing the satellite cap point to repair it before being able to use your faction's attacks.

- The Satellite can be recaptured by the enemy as well.

- Only the person who captures the Satellite capture point may use the Satellite's attacks.

- The Satellite object can also be destroyed if you don't want your enemies to access them.

- The Autobots will be forced to evacuate the Autobot NPCs inside the mining facility if the Main Shield Generator object is destroyed.

- The Autobot NPCs can also be destroyed to rub salt in the wound.

- The scenario ends when if the Autobot NPCs have been evacuated or one side is forced to retreat, or even a combination of such.

Contents:

Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > (#739)

Jeep(#3640)

Grotusque(#10311)

Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > (#9839)

Warpath(#1982)

Encore(#5370)

Damaged Communications Satellite(#10247)

Main Shield Generator(#10248)

GAME: Fortress Maximus rolls a (100)-sided die:

ROLL: Fortress Maximus rolled a 87

"Ugh. I can't believe the likes of I, Cackle, have been reduced to fighting over this worthless slime-planet!" So complains Cackle as she's jostled into the Decepticon fortifications. "I'd be better off in the lab, where my expertise could-" she trails off, glancing around her as she realizes nobody's listening. And her shoulders slump, just a bit.

"...if nothing else, I might at least get some good field data. Hm." and with that, she peers across the battlefield- zooming her optics in on the bank of satellite dishes. "Oooor, I might be able to make use of those!" But she stays put for now- allowing a bigger, stronger, braver Decepticon to make the first move! Or maybe just shove her into the fray first.

Cackle transforms into robot mode!

Serao IV(#10312Ten)

Serao IV is a muddy world due to the fact that it is almost always raining. A large Autobot mining outpost can be seen sitting on top of a hill to the north, while to the south west stands a series of communication satellites. In between this entire area are deep holes that the Autobot miners had dug in order to remove the valued ores held underneath the planet's surface as well as various three story leveled buildings where the ores are processed within.

For the Autobots who have landed, this means they're exposed to Decepticon fire the moment they land in the clearings at the bottom. As for the Decepticons, it means that while they're well entrenched in their position they are still pincered in the middle between the Autobot reinforcements coming from the bottom and the Autobot mining facility at the top.

OOC Info: People wanted open ended TPs so this is an example of an objective based TP.

- There is a capture point here that represents the Damaged Communications Satellite.

- You must spend the first round capturing the satellite cap point to repair it before being able to use your faction's attacks.

- The Satellite can be recaptured by the enemy as well.

- Only the person who captures the Satellite capture point may use the Satellite's attacks.

- The Satellite object can also be destroyed if you don't want your enemies to access them.

- The Autobots will be forced to evacuate the Autobot NPCs inside the mining facility if the Main Shield Generator object is destroyed.

- The Autobot NPCs can also be destroyed to rub salt in the wound.

- The scenario ends when if the Autobot NPCs have been evacuated or one side is forced to retreat, or even a combination of such.

Contents:

Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > (#739)

Cackle(#3640)

Grotusque(#10311)

Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > (#9839)

Warpath(#1982)

Encore(#5370)

Damaged Communications Satellite(#10247)

Main Shield Generator(#10248)

Within the fortifications, a tall, skull faced warrior is to be found. His sword is already in his hand and he can be found marching from rampart to rampart; checking on the well-fare of the soldiers that are found there. Not having the look of the typical blocky Cybertronian, but a smoother and organic figure encased in samurai-styled orange armor. . it could only be Bludgeon. Here and there, he suggests an adjustment or applies a firm grip to a shoulder elsewhere and continues along his way, saying very little but obviously attempting to harden the troops for what he percieves as a difficult battle ahead.

He reaches Cackle eventually, just in time to hear what she says -- and the skull faced Decepticon emits to her in a hissing monotone. "That would make every strategic sense. Go get it done, you are the scientist here." And he continues on then, towards another rampart.

Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > flies over the battlefield at breakneck speeds, the likes of which to make even seekers seethe with jealousy! At least how Astrotrain would like to imagine it, anyway. Even as stray tracers whip past overhead, snaking up like swatting hands, the big purple space shuttle almost casually jinks to one side to avoid the stream, before zeroing in on the Autobot's entrenched position for good measure.

"C'mon outta yer holes, Autoscraps!" He calls out gleefully, his targeting systems picking out the generators as he starts an attack run, heavy cannons on his underside opening up with a deafening *PCHOW PCHOW!* as he rockets past overhead. "Maybe if I take away yer big fancy shields!"

Combat: Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > strikes Main Shield Generator with his Heavy Laser attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > 's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

< Autobot > Generic Autobot Shuttle Pilot says, "The LZ's hot, but we've landed somehow! Get out quick before they nuke us sky high!"

< Autobot > Encore says, "On it!"

< Autobot > Let's Blow Scrap Up! Warpath says, "I wanna BLAM, nuke them before they nuke us!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Now that's the spirit"

You must be on that channel to speak on it.

< Decepticon > Onslaught says, "The bzzzt-- Autobots are jamming our planetary communications. --bzzzt-- Sensors detects a salvageable comm---cations satellite array. ---bzzzt---epair it if you can spare the resources."

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "Alright everyone, you heard the mech. Out, out!  Don't stop for anything, get up the hill as fast as you can!"

Encore sprints out of the shuttle with his Bofors rifle in hand, running behind a low wall and kneeling behind it. He raises his rifle to his shoulder.

"Move move move!" He shouts. "We stay 'ere we'll get blown ta buggery."

While not of true 'command' rank, the large Autobot warrior seems to act rather like a Sergeant, though whether that's due to discovering what the stripes on his helmet mean or not is unclear. A Victory Dance cigar tube is hooked into his helmet's band, while a less-expensive lithium-cobalt enercigar is clamped beween his dental plates.

After a moment's pause behind the wall he begins to sprint up the hill, as ordered.

"Come on you lot! I seen steel mites move faster than you lot!"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "Communications will be difficult from here on out, the Orion Pax's activated the comms jammer. There's a communications satellite nearby that we might be able to salvage on the way up, that thing should have enough juice to cut through the interference."

Encore says, "Wot are you? Autobots or insecticons?"

< Autobot > Encore says, "Workin on it!"

A red tank comes charging out of the shuttle, treads creaking at full speed. "BOOM! KABLAM! KAZAM! Let's POW, take these turkeys out!" The barrel attached to the turret swivels this way and that, panning like a hollywood camera.

Warpath folds down into his awesome tank mode.

< Autobot > Grotusque for a moment sounds extra practical. "Requisioning communications networking would certainly be an advantage."

< Autobot > Encore says, "Come on, ladies, I seen Decepticon tapes move faster'n you lot in tape mode, come ON! We don't 'ave time to stand around."

A large hand extends out from inside one of the Autobot shuttles that had landed, and soon an equally massive body attached to it follows the limb out. It's Fortress Maximus and from the grim expression on his face, it becomes apparently that something is troubling him. A second later the ground beside the Headmaster leader's shuttle explodes, spraying muddy earth all over the large Autobot. Yes. Mortar strikes are already being zero'ed in on their landing zone. Far quicker than estimated, but then again this is why Decepticons are so dangerous in the first place. They always do seem to have the tendency to surprise even the most cautious commanders with their sheer efficiency in warfare.

Without even bothering to wipe the mud off the corner of his face, Fortress Maximus points a blue index finger towards the hill and hollers out to the rest of the Autobots, "Get up that hill! Stop for nothing! Regroup at the base of that hill and push up, we need to stop the artillery bombardment and clear the landing zone for the other Autobot reinforcements!"

Grotusque has his rifle in his hands, but otherwise seems to be the epitome of calm as he walks off one of the shuttle ramps, unphased by laser blasts and mortar shots going off around them in the mud. A last ditch effort in some Matrix forsaken hellhole in the butt end of the universe was just the sort of job they kept the Monsterbots around for. Have no doubt that behind that almost carefree demeanor a shrewed sense was taking stock of the situation, and with a glance the generic troops also filing off the shuttles behind them.

"Welp, this is where we seperate the mechs from the sissybots. We're 'bout to walk into Hell, and some of us won't be walking back out. But don't let that stop you. There's only two things that are gonna win here... sheer grit and gratuitous firepower! So if yer not gonna come back, at least take down as many of the aft-ugly Decepticons with you as you can." He's mostly trying to the spur on the gumbies into their charge up the hill, but the other Autobots may benefit a bit from his 'encouragement' as well.

Combat: Grotusque inspires Encore and < Warpath > Red Tank with wise and righteous words!

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Max, can we get a fix on the general vicinity of that satellite? Finding it would be keen, but we don't want to waste time flounding about blindly looking for it."

"Augh!"

Cackle's startled by Bludgeon's horrifying appearance- it takes her a moment to remember 'oh yeah, he's a Decepticon under there.' Ahem. "Uh, right! The communications!" she says- and with that, she leaps into the fray! With her ray projector in hand, she rushes towards the downed satellite- and, trying to be as unnoticeable as possible, Cackle cracks open the side of the thing and begins to fiddle around with its innards! "Hmf! Trivial. Figures that this would be shoddy Autobot engineering. It's almost an insult that, I, Cackle, one of the greatest scientific minds in the galaxy, should debase myself with it!"

Combat: Cackle takes control of capture point A - Damaged Communications Satellite.

As the Autobots begin to rush the fortifications, Bludgeon visibly relaxes. This, at least, he can deal with. Unbenowst to most, the seemingly emotionless Master of Metallikato finds periods of calm before the storm to be irritating at best and annoying most of the time. Not for his own feelings, for he is probably the most paitent of Decepticons, but watching the actions of others. Astrotrain would seem to have the right of it, and the martial artist watches his rolling barrage as he paitently waits for the Autobots to get closer. As the charge begins, Bludgeon simply steps down and dissapears into the maze of trenches and defenses that make up the area before the fortress itself -- activating the power to his weapon.

After a few moments, the battle truly begins. Grotusque makes his inspiring words, Astrotrain is shooting and everyone is doing that thing that they do. Bludgeon is calmly making his way through the trenches, in absolutely no hurry whatsoever as he allows the Autobots to come to him. A sound is heard, and the Master of Metallikato drops into a defensive crouch; weapon at the ready as he waits. This person is revealed to be. . Encore, and as he vaults, Bludgeon lunges -- attempting to catch the Autobot in midair and chokeslam him to the ground upon his back. The motion is fast, fluid and brutal. Not a word is uttered from the skull face, which, Encore might remember breaking a chair over once.

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > sets his defense level to Fearless.

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "Intel---bzzzt-- said it was to the southwest of-- bzzzzt--- that hill. Uploading coordinates to all of your ---bzzzt--- mainframes now."

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes Encore with his Skull-Faced Metallikato Chokeslam (Kick) attack!

Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > pulls up at a dizzying pace as he begins to gain altitude again, looping back slowly before coming around for another attack run. This time he sends out a few more high speed shots from his undercarriage, as he bobs and weaves to avoid some extra anti-aircraft fire coming his way, explosions rippling through the air before he stitches more firepower over the shield generator's position. "Stupid razzin frazzin thing...c'mon! Blow up already!" He howls with glee as he accelerates again past his target, a series of *KRAKA-BOOM*'s issuing out as he breaks the sound barrier in picking up speed again.

Combat: Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > strikes Main Shield Generator with his Pewpewpew! attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > 's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

< Decepticon > Bludgeon hisses across the channel. "Engaging Autobots in melee."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Got it... sort of. Enough to fake it."

Grotusque pauses a moment after his speech, lifting a hand to the side of his helm as he tries to make sense of the broken communications signals. But he gets enough to go on, turning his attention to the side for a moment. "Mmm... let the big hitters and the mob take the hill. I'll handle this myself," he muses, and then grins widely.

Which is replaced by an even wider one as he transforms, and bolts off, taking the distance in leaps and bounds that send mud splattering with every jump, until he finally gets into the air to glide around the side of the mountain, eyes narrowing at the ground below... Unfortunately just as he thinks he's spotted the satellites, there's already a Decepticon there. With a grunt he whips back his wings and goes into a divebomb! "RRRRRAWRRRRrrr--waaaa-whoa!" Unfortunately it turns out to be a rather jittery, erratic dive as he looses control, and just as likely to knock over some trees and send mud splaying as he is actually pounce on the scientist like he intends!

Grotusque hunchs over and changes into some nightmarish biological mashup of a creature.

Encore makes a little 'erk' noise as he's chokeslammed, feet leaving the floor before his body hits it. "Aw shit..." He mutters "Dis in return for the chair, right?" He grins up at Bludge. "Well, dis is fer da chokeslam, mate."

And he brings the 40mm rifle up to fire, point-blank, into the Pretender. But he's doing it one-handed, so... it might not be as accurate as usual.

"And fer breakin' the barfight rules - what happens in da bar STAYS in da bar!"

Combat: Encore strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Bofors Rifle attack!

"Astrotrain! POW! Come down from there and fight like a mech!" the red tank bellows, aiming his turret barrel at the triple-changer. "Or I'll BLAM, blow a hole and then ZOOM, bury you in it!" He's still moving as he aims and fires a shell. "Here, get a BOOM, shock out of this! I'll ring your ZOWIE, bell!"

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > misses Cackle with his Grotusque happens to be a very horrible flier! attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: < Warpath > Red Tank strikes Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > with his Sonic Shells attack!

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > in fact ends up hitting nothing but mud on the other side, sending it splattering all over the place. Oops.

< Autobot > Grotusque may be trying to say something, but all his radio picks up is a bunch of sputtering and spitting.

< Decepticon > Cackle says, "The Satellite is mine!"

< Decepticon > Cackle says, "Er, OURS."

Far up on the hill, the few remaining defensive batteries indeed proves to be useless against Astrotrain's raw speed and agility. The few systems that could have posed a tangible threat to that big hulking space shuttle were destroying during the course of the week long bombardment and the few remaining Autobot guards are woefully unskilled enough to handle a Decepticon elite. Even now the main shield generator continues to crackle in protest against the bombardment. The Autobot engineers who managed to bring the main shield generator back online a few days ago can only look at each other grimly as the generators begins to smoke. It's a tall tale sign that the defensive barrier is now on an one way path to catastrophic failure.

Meanwhile far down below, Fortress Maximus can be seen swinging his sword around, letting the reinforced material that makes up the melee weapon absorb the stray laser bolts that travels too closely to the team that he's leading. Eventually the Headmaster leader and his team of Autobot soldiers (NPCs) makes it to the bottom of the hill. Fortress Maximus presses his back against the muddy soil behind him and takes a look around. Grotusque is working on the communications satellite. Bludgeon has seemed fit to jump Encore, but the little guy seems to be holding his own. Warpath is trying to shoot down Astrotrain. Tough mechs. Looks like the responsibility of getting the rest of the troops up the hill lies upon him and Fortress Maximus embraces that duty grimly. "Keep going! Follow me, don't fall behind! We can't stop once we're up on this hill!" Having said that, Fortress Maximus begins running up the side of the hill, master sword in one hand, and the hand pointing towards the top of the hill unwaveringly.

< Autobot > Encore says, "Going #cracklefuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz# -sat. Repeat, #cracklefuzz# com#crackle#, soon as I shake this #crackle#."

Bludgeon is snaking to the left to avoid Encore's attack when another Autobot comes to the would-be sargeant's aid. Leaping over the battlements, the young Autobot charges into the metallikato master shoulder first -- only to be bisected by a blurr-fast motion of the Decepticon's deadly vibro-sword. The attack was ineffective at doing damage directly, but it sets Bludgeon up to be unable to dodge Encore's fire and the weapon's burst strikes his armor with a series of small explosions. Each leaves a crater behind, and the fragment effect of the old-style flak rounds makes numerous lines and gashes in their wake.

Soundlessly, the Decepticon turns to regard Encore with empty, burning eye-sockets as the fluid from the still-standing lower half of the other's would-be assistant fountains down over him. Still, Bludgeon does not attack, almost goading, almost daring Encore to respond to the likely-destruction that happened during his shot, while all around Autobots and Decepticons go to town on each other. Trench warfare is not a pretty thing.

After a moment, Bludgeon flicks the dark fluid off of his keening blade and the skull-face almost seems to leer. Then, he's coming for Encore, right hand seeming to blurr as he fakes a strike at Encore with his sword-carrying left. Within that right hand, clasped between powerful fingers is a long, tri-bladed weapon -- a carbon copy of a Sai from ancient earth. With the full force of his lunge he attempts to bury the weapon (and leave it behind) roughly where Encore's ribs would be if he was human.

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes Encore with his Sai Strike attack! [Pulled -2]

Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > is just coming around for a third pass on the shield generator, when a shell slams into his tail, bringing a curl of black smoke followed by shower of sparks for a few seconds, "Yeowtch!"

Wobbling once, he goes back on course a moment later, snarling as he turns and dives at a seemingly impossible angle, levelling out a moment later and rocketing just over the ground towards Warpath's position.

"Careful what you wish for, ya little pipsqueak!" He transforms in mid-flight, wheels extending downwards as he flips over and hits the ground with a heavy *BWOOM* of impact, scattering nameless soldiers of both factions in all directions in his wake. He COULD be going straight for Warpath's tank mode in an attempt to smash him to pieces on his armored ram prow.

Or he could be taking another approach, as the triplechanger's huge armored form crashes instead into the side of a trench, carving into the ground and peeling it back almost like the top of a sardine can..

...and dumping a huge amount of debris in the process, cascading and crushing towards Warpath like a tidal wave in a ferocious display of raw power.

Combat: Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > sets his defense level to Neutral.

"What the slag is that!?"

Cackle ducks beneath Grotusque's lumbering pounce, and glares over at him. "Must be one of those horrible dino-bots. Hmf!" she just shakes her head, and then patches herself into the Satellite- optics widening as she sees the data scrolling in front of her. "Oh. Oh. I can -use- this! Mwa ha ha ha ha!" Cackle, well...cackles.

And soon, she's feeding false data into the Autobot network- and a brief glance up shows her right where she needs to direct it!

And soon, Fortress Maximus may find 'enemy' dots popping up on his HUD...right where the Autobot positions are!

Combat: Cackle strikes Fortress Maximus with Damaged Communications Satellite's Sabotaged Combat Data attack!

Combat: Cackle (Cackle) used "Sabotaged Combat Data": A Level 0 RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 0 damage.

Combat: You can't seem to think straight...

< Decepticon > Onslaught transmits from orbit, there's the dull sounds of ship-to-ship bombardment fire in the background, "Confirmed. Excellent job. The Autobot interfering with our ability to assist you in orbit, but I can commit three wings of Seekers to your location."

With body twisting in place while folding up on himself, Astrotrain slams to the ground as a huge armored locomotive.

Combat: Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > strikes < Warpath > Red Tank with his AVALANCHE! attack! [Pulled -3]

Topspin has arrived.

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > grunts and sputters as he spits out some mud while pushing himself out of it, one rediculously tiny in comparison to the size of his head flicking back at Cackle's comment... and living up to her name. "Dinobot?", he chuckles as he turns himself back towards the satellites. "Oh, I ain't no dinobot." Shakes his head off, splattering mud about to reveal the hideous mutant visage underneath. "I'm -much- more hideous!" Followed by a cackling snarl as he looms towards the femme.... and then spin around to try and knock her away with his oversized gator tail from the satellite controls!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > challenges Cackle for control of capture point A - Damaged Communications Satellite.

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > defeats Cackle in an epic duel of NERDERY!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > takes control of capture point A - Damaged Communications Satellite.

Combat: < Warpath > Red Tank strikes Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > with his This is my PEWPEWPEW stick! (Laser) attack!

Encore yelps as the katana/sai is imbedded in his chest, growling quietly. He kicks up from the ground and decides he should concentrate on the mission objective, jump-transforming into the air - hopefully, if he can, striking Bludgeon with his wing in the process - as he circles upwards. "Nice one, Grote! Direct me where ya need Heavy Rain!"

Folding and unfolding with the usual noise, Encore transforms into an AC130U Gunship

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Wing-smash (Punch) attack!

The Autobots huddled inside the mining facility earns a brief period of respite from Astrotrain's barrage as Warpath succeeds in diverting the triplechanger's attention. With the pressure off, the engineers quickly goes to work on juryrigging the shield generators back to more operable levels!

Meanwhile, down over at the hills. Fortress Maximus can be seen leading the charge up, every so often a Decepticon shock trooper gets too close and promptly loses a few limbs under the Headmaster leader's swordsmanship, leaving them disabled but alive nevertheless. Even now brief bursts of information appears within Fortress Maximus and his team's HUD as tactical data feeds breaks through the jamming every so often. Soon a few large red blips denoting a group of Decepticon ambushers pops up and Fortress Maximus quickly reacts, "Hostiles north west, 100 meters out. Looks like they're about to ambush one of our teams. Put some fire down over there quick! We can't afford to lose any teams."

Having said that, Fortress Maximus pulls out his fusion powered photon rifle and takes aim at the barely visible targets in the distance before squeezing a few shots off which is soon followed by weapons fire from the rest of his team.

Combat: Fortress Maximus's Fusion-Powered Photon Cannon attack on Fortress Maximus goes wild!

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes < Warpath > Red Tank with its Fusion-Powered Photon Cannon attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Drained 11 energon.

< Decepticon > Onslaught says, "Ground forces -bzzzt- come in. Communications are being interf-bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt -BLOOP-." Yes that's right. Bloop.

Bludgeon seems to dissapear as Encore takes off; and at first it may be uncertain as to where the skull faced-samurai has gone at all. Certainly, he is struck by Encore's attack but. . where has he gone after that? In reality, the big AC/130 may or may not feel a little extra weight behind. . but what he will certainly feel is the prick of Bludgeon's claw-like fingers as he attempts to scale the undercarrige and approach the root of one wing as he slashes out with his sword, attempting to bisect a prop from an engine.

Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > is struck again as the tank barrel pokes out towards him! This time however, the shell seems to glance off of the curve of his armored front end, much more heavily protected than his shuttle form. Though there's still a blackened point of impact left in its wake.

"I'm just gettin warmed up, half-pint!" The triplechanger snarls then, lifting up as he transforms once more, then suddenly shields his face as the incoming fire from Fort Max's direction inadvertently strikes the Autobot tank. "..."

A moment later, the triplechanger is all but doubled over, guffawing and pointing for good measure. "HAW HAW HAW! Remind me to thank Fort Squishyhead for the assist later. Now I'm TOTALLY gettin into this!" With that, in a sudden rush of antigravs, he lunges forward and reaches for that tank gun barrel pointing in his direction.

Unlike Kup however, who was once happy to aim Bliztwing's cannon at a different target, Astrotrain goes for the more direct, brute-force approach as his entire frame suddenly tenses and he starts to HEAVE upwards to lift the tank over his shoulder and attempt to slam it down on its roof on the opposite side. "Now upsy daisy so I can carve open that little soft underbelly of yours!"

In a chorus of shifting and spinning parts, Astrotrain's body spins and lifts up into his large robot mode.

< Autobot > Kup's voice can be heard from the bridge of the Orion Pax. There's awful lot of dull explosion sounds that can be heard in the background, "About time you hot roddin' young un's managed to cut through that communications black out. We got our hands full with the Decepticon warship in orbit, but we can spare a few 'Bot flyers down your way to help you guys out of this mess."

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > with his Proppin' attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: Astrotrain misses < Warpath > Red Tank with his Turn the Tank Turtle! attack!

< Autobot > Grotusque suddenly breaks out in mad cackling.

"Mwa ha ha!" Cackle punches more buttons on the satellite- only to be blindsided out of the way by the not-dinobot! *CLANG!* And so, she flies a good distance, landing in the mud!

"Hey!" Cackle objects, and springs upwards, "You're interrupting my SCIENCE! For that, foolish Autobot, you will die! Now, quake and quaver at the power of my SCIENCE RAY!" and with that, Cackle brings up her ray-projector and lets fly!

Combat: Cackle strikes Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > with her Science Ray attack!

Combat: Cackle's attack has strange and mysterious effects on Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque >.

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "I'll take that as confirmation that you've got the satellite under control, excellent job Grotusque! Stay the course, everyone."

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > snarls quietly as he feels the extra weight, waiting 'till the last moment to roll hard, trying to dislodge the samurai. It's this roll that means that, while the gash in his hull is quite nasty, it's not near anything too vital. "Get offa me ya prick!" He 'orders' his foe. "Pick on someone yer own size, ya soft-shell!"

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > misses Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Gravity sucks (Kick) attack!

"Oh, no you don't!" the red tank exclaims, as Astrotrain tries to get up close and personal. When Fortress Maximus' stray shot strikes him, he backs up and transforms, aiming a fist at the triple changer's midsection. "I may be small, but I BOOM, pack a whallop! And don't you forget it!"

The tank splits down the middle, then rises up. The treads separate into legs and arms pop out of the sides. The head comes out of the top of the tank. It's Warpath!

Combat: Warpath misses Astrotrain with his Let's see if you have the POW guts! (Punch) attack!

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > takes over the controls once Cackle's been literally knocked aside, punching across settings and dials surprisingly quick for those weird paws he has. Just one of those few moments that show Grotusque has a bit more in that noggin' that his perverse sense of humor. It just takes him a few moments to use it as a signal booster to cut through the jammings to the ships still in orbit.

That's as far as he gets before Cackle start rambling and he turns towards her. "Oh, did I? Geee, I'm just so sorry." Pause. "NOT! Now go awa--augh!" Then gets SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE! He wobbles a bit, clearly feeling a bit punch drunk from it.

And then cracks up in howling laughter again. "You freaky woman! Shooting the already crazy guy with that weirdass ray? AhahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHARRROWR!" The latest fit of laughter breaks up into a a half-roar, half spewing sparks of fire from his internal flamethrower. Extremely haphazardly at that, as much setting trees, bunkers, and soldiers on either side on fire as he is actually hitting his target.

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > 's ARROOOOBURNITTOTHEGROUND! attack on Cackle goes wild!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes Warpath with his ARROOOOBURNITTOTHEGROUND! attack!

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > burns lots of things!... unfortunately a few Autobots as well. Oops.

Cackle is not one of the things that's burned! But, this doesn't stop her from fleeing the battlefield anyway. She -is- a coward, you know. "AIEEEE!"

Combat: Cackle begins retreating, leaving herself vulnerable to parting shots from Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque >, Topspin, AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > , Astrotrain, and Fortress Maximus

As the communications black out lifts, the sabotaged information feed becomes apparent to Fortress Maximus, who's face contorts into sheer horror, "Cease fire! By the code, cease fire! Our tactical feed has been sabotaged!" The Headmaster leader quickly turns his fusion-powered photon rifle's barrel upwards and swings his free hand into a cease fire motion to the rest of his squad. Luckily fire discipline is observed and the Autobots quickly stops firing, although the damage has already been done by then.

With the Autobots having gained the advantage of being able to cut through the jamming, Fortress Maximus wastes no time analyzing the current course of the battle. Soon the Headmaster leader turns to his squad of Autobots, "We need to split our forces a bit, team A and B on me, we're pressing up to the top. Team C, bunker down and cover my drones as they perform repair operations on Warpath. Go. Go!"

Having said that, Fortress Maximus sits down into his even more massive battlestation mode and soon his two drones are sent out into the field.

Fortress Maximus transforms into its Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > mode.

Fortress Maximus(#8799) - Enter unlocked.

Combat: Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > quickly patches up some of Warpath's minor injuries.

Combat: Drained 4 energon.

< Autobot > Grotusque grfffs. ".. Sorry 'bout that mates. She zapped me with some weird mojo."

Bludgeon holds on tight to Encore; fingers dimpling the surface of the AC/130's steel skin as he hangs from one hand during one of those sharp rolls. He has managed to climb upwards a few feet and now sits with one arm over the massive wing roots, getting his position and bearings for a moment as he watches the fight spreading out upon the ground before him. Either way, he locks himself down as best he can, hunkers in. . and buries his weapon as deep into Encore's wing root as he can. Providing it hits, the weapon sinks through steel as easily as it does thin air. Clearly, Bludgeon is trying to bring Encore to the ground where the fight is just a -little- bit easier than this aerobatic stuff.

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > with his Monomolecular Edge Katana attack!

Astrotrain backpedals a bit as Warpath transforms, waiting for the much smaller Autobot to lunge at him, then leaping into the air and landing behind him once more, assisted in the 'leap' by a boost from his anti-gravs. "Get real, half-pint!" He catcalls, grinning the whole time. "The slag pits are long since gonna freeze over before ya think you're gonna be able to punch -me- in the..."

*FWOOOOOOOSH*!

And just like that, Astrotrain is forced to raise one hand to shield his face as the Autobot gets torched by his allies AGAIN. The triplechanger blinks once, then twice, then almost falls over as his body starts to rack with laughter. "...GUWAHAHAHA! I don't even have to raise a finger! Yer own pals are doin all the work -for- me, bwahahaha!" With that, the situation starts to come into focus again, as he becomes aware of the fact that the Decepticons currently aren't in control of the satellite. "Since yer own pals are dealin with you all nicey-nice like, I think it's time to put things in a new...PERSPECTIVE!" And with that, he transforms once more, slamming down on his eight huge wheels before taking off in a deafening roar of rocketfire. With the ground shuddering beneath him with quake-like proportions, he carves a path through the lines and goes STRAIGHT for his original objective. A hundred tons of hurtling locomotive aimed RIGHT for the front gates of the shield generator building. This may not be pretty.

With body twisting in place while folding up on himself, Astrotrain slams to the ground as a huge armored locomotive.

Combat: Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > sets his defense level to Fearless.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Just keep them away from here, and I'm gonna have some fuuuuuun to make up for it."

Combat: Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > strikes Main Shield Generator with his TRAAAAAAAAAAAIN! attack!

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > 's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

Serao IV(#10312Ten)

Serao IV is a muddy world due to the fact that it is almost always raining. A large Autobot mining outpost can be seen sitting on top of a hill to the north, while to the south west stands a series of communication satellites. In between this entire area are deep holes that the Autobot miners had dug in order to remove the valued ores held underneath the planet's surface as well as various three story leveled buildings where the ores are processed within.

For the Autobots who have landed, this means they're exposed to Decepticon fire the moment they land in the clearings at the bottom. As for the Decepticons, it means that while they're well entrenched in their position they are still pincered in the middle between the Autobot reinforcements coming from the bottom and the Autobot mining facility at the top.

OOC Info: People wanted open ended TPs so this is an example of an objective based TP.

- There is a capture point here that represents the Damaged Communications Satellite.

- You must spend the first round capturing the satellite cap point to repair it before being able to use your faction's attacks.

- The Satellite can be recaptured by the enemy as well.

- Only the person who captures the Satellite capture point may use the Satellite's attacks.

- The Satellite object can also be destroyed if you don't want your enemies to access them.

- The Autobots will be forced to evacuate the Autobot NPCs inside the mining facility if the Main Shield Generator object is destroyed.

- The Autobot NPCs can also be destroyed to rub salt in the wound.

- The scenario ends when if the Autobot NPCs have been evacuated or one side is forced to retreat, or even a combination of such.

Contents:

Topspin(#1808)

Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > (#739)

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > (#10311)

Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > (#9839)

Warpath(#1982)

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > (#5370)

Damaged Communications Satellite(#10247)

Main Shield Generator(#10248)

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Hey Bladeboy! Whenever yer done playin with the aerial wildlife we're gettin outnumbered AND the Bots got control of the orbital communications. If we don't do somethin to shift their stance quick we're gonna be in a mess of trouble."

< Decepticon > Bludgeon hisses back. "We shall mutually clear the controls of the communications satellite, then."

"Hey, OW, watch where you're aiming!" Warpath exclaims. "What is this, Unlucky Warpath Day? I'm going to need some repairs right now!" He runs over to Fortress Maximus.

Combat: Warpath takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > growls louder and keeps on trying to shake Bludgeon, feeling his skin dimple some. He's not, it seems, that put off by the damage - even though, by now, it's getting beyond a joke - though he is starting to get angrier. "Get OFFA ME!" He growls, going through an even rougher series of goals- and popping flares at the same time, in an attempt to get the Pretender off his back.

When, during the maneuvers, Bludgeon swings across the barrel of his Bofors gun, the Autobot fires a burst in an attempt to /really/ get rid of him.

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Bofors Cannon attack!

What little reprieve the Autobot engineers had received finally ends as Astrotrain's slams right into main gates of the shield generator. The kinetic shield barrier crackles loudly as electricity arcs and snakes all around the area Astrotrain had slammed into. Almost immediately, one of the shield generators that an Autobot engineer was in the process of juryrigging explodes and engulfs the Autobot in superheated flames and sharp metallic fragments. Things are getting grim up there.

Meanwhile, on the hill side. Fortress Maximus is still seated in his battlestation form as he guides his drones. Gasket and Grommet soon finishes their last bits of field repair work on Warpath before they race further down the hill over to Encore. So how does a pair of ground based drones manage to repair something that's flying? Magic healing beams. Really. ...really!

Combat: Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > quickly patches up some of AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > 's minor injuries.

Combat: Drained 4 energon.

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > clamps his mouth shut as he comes back to his relative senses, watching as a scorched tree topples over and random soldiers from both sides run around in panic because they're on fire. Or try to hit other people with their flaming limbs. It's chaos in general. And though she seems to have been spared burning the freaky femme is running off. "Aaaah, I love the smell of chaos in the evening." But it's time to get back to work.

No longer being accousted he turns back to the controls, transforms so he has actual hands and starts fussing with the network readings again. Frowns as he picks up the signal of another Decepticon squadron coming in for an attack run on the mining shields and Autobots. Grotusque quickly taps into the signals and starts sending out some errant data of his own.

As they suddenly get all sorts of conflicting data, throwing the would-be bombers into chaos. Some of them still manage to aim at Autobots. A couple of them even manage to strafe at the Monsterbot at the satellite. Others start firing on the other Decepticons in their confusion! Or just dropping their scatterbombs in general on both forces.

It looks like the only two targets to be avoided are the shields, and to make up from his previous friendly fire (literally) Grotusque manages to steer them all away from Warpath.

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "I think I'm almost through to the squishy parts on this generator setup they got for their nobodies working the mines. Break that down and they'll be all flustered cause their little fellahs are in danger!"

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > misses Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > with Damaged Communications Satellite's Decepticon Air Strike Area attack!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > misses Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with Damaged Communications Satellite's Decepticon Air Strike Area attack!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > with Damaged Communications Satellite's Decepticon Air Strike Area attack!

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > (Grotusque) used "Decepticon Air Strike": A Level 1 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 1 damage.

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > 's Accuracy. (Blinded)

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > 's Agility. (Crippled)

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > with Damaged Communications Satellite's Decepticon Air Strike Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > 's Accuracy. (Blinded)

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > 's Agility. (Crippled)

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes himself with Damaged Communications Satellite's Decepticon Air Strike Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > 's Accuracy. (Blinded)

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > 's Agility. (Crippled)

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Gah! Dammit, I thought that'd throw them off for sure!"

Bludgeon is dislodged by the sheer force of the multiple shots. The first one just knocks him away from the fuselage, and the second causes him to lose his grip a bit more, the third causes his clawed fingers to tear at the stressed steel skin and by the fourth one he is gone and falling away; clawing at the empty air with pretty severe damage visible to the armor over his chest and face-shield. He transforms; the shell dissapearing into subspace as he switches to the more nimble mode in which he can fly. He lands in a rolling crouch in an un-known spot, cannon coming up as he lets go a few volleys into the distance where he can see the shield generator while he gets his bearings.

Bludgeon is now a robot.

Combat: Bludgeon strikes Main Shield Generator with his High-Voltage Cannon attack!

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Bludgeon's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

< Autobot > Encore says, "*Garbled message. What can be made out are Cybertronian, German, Spanish Russian, English, and Quintesson insults, most of them directed at Grotesque*"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus can be heard underneath thunderous explosions, "It happens. Most of the Autobots have reported in safe, we're getting suppressed here though.  Some of us are digging in and keeping our heads down until the bombing run is done."

The monstrousity stands up into a -slightly- less disturbing robot.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "At least they stayed away from the shields? Sorry, I couldn't stop them entirely when they're just carpetbombing like that."

< Autobot > Encore says, "Max, you need CAS?"

"Huwahahaha!" Astrotrain cackles, transforming as he rises up again, the energy field keeping him at bay for the moment but...just barely. Given the Engineer's reactions inside, he gets that feeling that he's close...oh so close to getting to the chewy, gooey bits within! "You can't keep me outta there ya little tinkertoys! I'm gonna be in there in two shakes in a minute! Hey Bladeboy, you ain't the only sword user around here!"

And with that, Astrotrain produces a HUGE blade handle, igniting it into a shimmering energy blade that he takes two-handed and winds up for a blow with every bit of fearsome strength that he can bring to bear, arcing it overhead and bringing it slashing down towards the shimmering field keeping him at bay...for the moment!

He claims to also be a sword wielder like Bludgeon, but really...his 'sword style' simply consists of having a humungous blade in hand and swinging it with all the force he can muster. Surprisingly, it works rather well. "IMMA COMING IN THERE!"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "Provide covering fire for Warpath and suppress those Decepticons' attack on the mining facility, Encore. Make every shot count!"

In a chorus of shifting and spinning parts, Astrotrain's body spins and lifts up into his large robot mode.

< Autobot > Encore says, "Roger roger."

Combat: Astrotrain strikes Main Shield Generator with his Zord-Sword attack!

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Astrotrain's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

< Autobot > Autobot Engineer screams, "Everything on fire in here! We can't take more of this!"

< Autobot > Grotusque sighs. Sort of. It sounds like he's trying to not giggle at the chaos he's managed to cause for BOTH sides. "Do you want me to abandon this spot and come help you guys?"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "The Decepticons managed to feed some corrupt targetting data to us earlier, Grotusque. Think you got the tech savvy to do the same to them?"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Who's the biggest threat over there?"

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > grins as he watches Bludgeon drop like a stone, taking a moment to re-assess the targets- mainly those threatening the mining facility. He circles the Decepticon once, then grins to himself.

"Oi!" He calls out. "Arse-trotrain. Up 'ere!"

He's about to fire when the carpet-bombing strike hits him hard, his own defensive flares blinding his sensors. SO he doesn't shoot, instead spending time trying to clear them. "Dammit..."

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

< Autobot > Encore says, "I really don't #static# trust you directin' another airstrike, Groat."

< Autobot > Autobot Engineer says, "Primus! Astrotrain by far!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Fine, fine, no more air strikes!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, ".... Yet"

"That's POW, much better! Thanks!" Warpath says to Fortress Maximus after getting a quick repair job. "Now, where was I? Oh yeah! I was going to ZAM, make Astrotrain eat dirt!" The barrel of his tank zeros in on Astrotrain's current location, and fires a regular shell in that direction.

Combat: Warpath strikes Astrotrain with his Here's POW mud in your eye! attack!

< Autobot > Encore says, "Hit me again wiv another airstrike an' you'll find out first bastarding hand that friendly fraggin fire fraggin' well AIN'T!"

And for his troubles Grotusque manages to bewilder his own allies as much as getting the bombs into the general masses of battling generic soldiers, and a few scattered blasts around his own station as well, splattering mud all over the place. Most Autobots would probably feel bad about this..... Well, Grotusque probably feels bad. He's also just snickering at the sheer irony of it all. "This is what I get for trying to be sneaky and clever isn't it? Why does universe hate Grotusque so? Am I really -that- horrible?" He continues to chuckle to himself even as he turns back to the controls, swats some mud away, and punchs in a few more commands.

He brings up the previous bit of network hacking Cackle had done previously.

But instead of deleting it, he types in a few alternate strings, and fires it off through the local tac-net instead. Maybe this will help slow them down a bit, filling someone else's processors full of gobbly-gook if it works... Unless the triplechanger's head is really that thick.

Combat: Grotusque sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Grotusque misses Astrotrain with Damaged Communications Satellite's Sabotaged Combat Data attack!

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Hey guys, word of advice."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "NEVER let me do this again, ehehehehe"

Support columns begins to collapse and fall as patches of fire runs rampant within the Autobot mining facility. By now what few remaining defensive emplacements that was present when the siege began are gone, destroyed by the Decepticon mortar bombardment. The forcefield itself seems to be constantly alit though as enemy fire pounds upon it relentlessly.

After a few moment, the air strike above finally subsides and the Autobots that were taking refuge from the strike finally gets up from cover and begins advancing upwards. Amongst them is Fortress Maximus, who looks dazed by the after effects of the shockwaves from the bombs that were dropped on top of him and his team. That doesn't stop the Headmaster leader from encouraging the squads of Autobots under his command to press on the attack though, "Keep them off the mining facility's perimeters! Place your shots wisely!"

Having said that, Fortress Maximus lifts up his rifle and squeezes off a few shots at Bludgeon.

Battlestation < Fortress Maximus > transforms into its Fortress Maximus mode.

Fortress Maximus(#8799) - Enter locked.

Combat: Fortress Maximus misses Bludgeon with its Laser attack!

Combat: Drained 2 energon.

< Autobot > Grotusque is laughing in spite, for some Primus forsaken reason

Bludgeon flips into the taller form of his techno-organic armor, the exo-skeleton encasing him as he crouches down again; sword in hand, seemingly out of line of sight for the moment as Encore roars overhead. Not really, it would seem, as he becomes mired for a moment by an approaching Autobot Infrantry Squad -- parrying a few bursts of energy weapons fire with his sword before his tank turret appears on his arm. Wordlessly and silently, he opens fire on the squad that has ambushed him along with just about everything else that he can see. Encore has flown overhead, but Grotesque gets a fireball sent his way, along with Fortress Maximus and the shielded facility itself; hunkering down and projecting a rolling barrage of weaponry. Fortunatly, his position protects him from Fort Max's snapshot -- the weapon sizzling into some hastily constructed ferrocrete fencing nearby.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Oh screw this piece of crap"

Bludgeon is now a tank.

Bludgeon dissapears as his techno-organic shell grafts to him. Gone is the robot, and in its place is a giant alien humanoid with a skull face and orange samurai armor.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "I think I'm just doing more harm than good at this point"

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes Grotusque with his Electric Fireballs Area attack!

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes Fortress Maximus with his Electric Fireballs Area attack!

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > (Bludgeon) used "Electric Fireballs": A Level 3 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 8 damage.

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > strikes Main Shield Generator with his Electric Fireballs Area attack!

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield absorbs Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > 's attack.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 0 damage.

Astrotrain's head really IS just that thick.

Or it could be the fact that Warpath's shell hits him in the side and sends him stumbling away from the shield generator for a moment, thus distracting him as his sensor net crackles in his audials as it reboots. Either way, the effect is the same and the triplechanger remains focused on his target, at least for the moment.

"I'm gonna kick that loudmouthed minibot right in the..." With all the explosions and such going on right now, it's no surprise that a bank of previously mined materials cuts loose from its moorings, nor that it goes crashing down on Astrotrain's head in the process as he lays back for a moment, gathering his wits. Full of hydraulic fluid, a container crashes over him, breaking open and spilling its contents all over the Decepticon Triplechanger's body.

And when it clears, Astrotrain emerges, stumbling...and Green.

**GREEN!**

He remains focused because by now, he's a big ball of Decepticon fury unleashed as he reaches over and picks up and ENTIRE flat of ore and equipment, stumbling under the weight for a moment even with his great strength, before hurling it towards the biggest part of the complex he can find. "RAAAAAWRGH! ASTROTRAIN SMASH!"

Combat: Astrotrain sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Astrotrain strikes Main Shield Generator with his HULK SMASH! attack!

Combat: Main Shield Generator's forcefield protecting itself vanishes.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 9 damage.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: Astrotrain's attack has damaged your Agility!

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Sunnofa!"

< Autobot > Encore says, "On it!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Max, yer the biggest thing out there, you gotta get people cover"

< Autobot > There's a loud series of explosions in the background before the Autobot Engineer says, "Shields are down! It's all down! Main power is failing!"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "I'm still too far away to project my own forcefield around the facility."

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "Buy me some time, we're getting there as soon as we can."

< Autobot > Encore says, "Workin on it, guv. Grote, you better make up fer it and distract him!"

"HAW HAW!"

Warpath points and laughs at the triple changer, who is looking and acting for all the world like the Incredible Hulk. "You got your POW, just desserts! Now have a little bit more!" His tank barrel loads yet another shell, firing it. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the POW, kitchen!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "I'm gonna yank out this thing's code-box out, so at least they can't recover that. Be with you all in a moment."

Combat: Warpath strikes Astrotrain with his Cryo Shells attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Astrotrain's Agility. (Crippled)

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "Astrotrain."

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "Provide a distraction."

< Autobot > Encore says, "Bugger the code box, help our mates in trouble"

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "You seem to be doing this admirably anyway."

< Decepticon > Astrotrain huffpuffs, "I'm gettin shot already. What -else- kinda distraction is there?"

< Decepticon > Bludgeon emits, tonelessly. "Shoot -all- of them back?"

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Yeah right, you seen how much juice this gun of mine uses on 'are effect'? Ain't gonna happen."

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "If only it were powered by complaining."

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > snarls as he attempts to clear his vision, mud and oi still staining his optical receptors, despite the best efforts of his windscreen wipers. With what little he can see, he attempts to take aim at Astrotrain, opening up with his basic minigun - hoping that it'll at least annoy or distract Astrotrain.

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > strikes Astrotrain with his Minigun burst (Pistol) attack!

Okay, even Grotusque is having trouble at this point, as it would seem fate has decided to mock him royally tonight. "Oh well. At least I can still do -this-" He yanks part of the control console out with his clawed fingers, taking the part containing it's communications decoders and stuffing it away. At least the won't be able to steal that and crack into a network somewhere important other than this mudball.

Stuffing that away he abandons the satellite, transforming and bounding back towards the main fray, knocking over assorted gumbies still stumbling about at random. Fortunately he's a lot better and a lot faster at jumping than he his flying, as the leaps and bounds bring him charging towards the skeletal samurai. "Hey, pick on someone yer own level of ugly!" With the final lunge he tries to chomp down on Bludgeon's shoulder with his armor piercing saberteeth.

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Sorry I can't hear ya over the *EXPLOSION*...AGGRO I'M DRAWING! If you're gonna do somethin, do it!"

Grotusque hunchs over and changes into some nightmarish biological mashup of a creature.

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Indestructible Tusks attack!

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Mental note, next medic that gets lost or runs away from the battlefield before I get a patchup is gettin dangled over the slag pits on a thin wire!"

The Autobot mining facility's main shield generators had been withstanding punishing bombardment from the Decepticons for an entire week, and it's failed more than once only to be brought back online thanks to sheer Autobot ingenuity and resourcefulness. Unfortuantely feats of engineering can only extend a battle so far, and at last the forcefield fails as the mining equipment that Astrotrain flings at it pierces through it and smashes through one of the facility walls. At last the world outside can see the fiery chaos that is running rampant within the facility itself. Clearly the facility is now down to its last stretch.

Meanwhile, just a bit down below, Fortress Maximus can be seen pushing several of his squad members out of the path of the incoming fireballs. Those were the lucky few. Other Autobot shock troopers keels over as they are struck and critically wounded by the fireballs, falling to the ground. The Headmaster leader grits his teeth angrily. Something must be done. He's still just a bit tad bit too far to shield the mining facility, but he can do something about the bombardment that they're taking. The ground shakes a bit as Fortress Maximus pushes off against it and leaps into the air, transforming into his battleship mode. The two primary twin barrelled mortar launchers emerges from within the battleship's superstructure. Several laser dots paints the ground around Bludgeon and Astrotrain... followed by a pair of KRAAAAK-FOOOOOOM in the distance.

Fortress Maximus transforms into its Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > mode.

Fortress Maximus(#8799) - Enter unlocked.

Combat: Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > sets its defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Targetting Error: No target named 'astrotrain bludgeon'

Combat: Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > misses Astrotrain with its Laser-Guided Mortars Area attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with its Laser-Guided Mortars Area attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Drained 12 energon.

< Autobot > Grotusque probably has something witty and stupid to say, but lucky for you all he has his mouth full.

Astrotrain is weaving on his feet for the moment, struck by another shell from Warpath, slowed enough that a series of bullets spray off his shoulder at the same time! The damage is adding up, but he's actually still got a fair bit of 'ooomph' left in him despite it all. Not only is he fast, but he's big AND sturdy, a deadly combination!

Unfortunately, he's completely exhausted from having 'hulked out' a moment later, his energon reserves running very low now. He needs time to recharge, or somewhere to plug in. Where the HELL is Octane these days? Isn't that why he and Blitzwing keep him around? FOr moment like these!?

And then..he stumbles on something as he makes his way into the facility, stopping as he spots a glowing object sitting where it fell after it fell out of a storage container with the facility taking damage. An energon cube! It's only half full, it may not be the purest strain...

...but Astrotrain doesn't care! He's got it in hand now, and SCARFING down on it like he were a starving lion over a zebra carcass on the African plains.

"OM NOM NOM NOM!"

Combat: Astrotrain sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Astrotrain takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Bludgeon is struck by not just one, but two attacks. He attempts to parry the slashing bite of Grotusque, and is rewarded by his shoulder Pauldron coming off in an ugly shower of sparks and black-colored organic fluids. The shell involuntarily reaches to it's shoulder, emitting a keening sound of pain. . only to get blasted by Fortress Maximus' mortar shells. The explosion is violent and powerful, and Bludgeon literally goes missing underneath the tremendous gout of molten fire. The mighty Autobot has done Bludgeon some severe injury, for the shell lies there; hands over the gaping hole in it's chest with black ugliness pouring out of the shattered jaw mandible. It lies unmoving and broken.

. . while above it, the rumbling shape of a T-72 Main Battle Tank has just finished ascending a pile of debris. It is broken, battered, melted in several spots, but he's still there. . as the turret comes around to point at the shield generator.

"You may win this battle, Auto-whelps . . but you will lose the war!"

And then, Bludgeon attempts to deny the Autobots their objective with the loud, echoing *THOOM* of a 120mm Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding-Sabot round.

Bludgeon is now a tank.

Astrotrain is so engrossed in FEEDING that he doesn't even notice as Fortress Maximus' artillery barrage lands all around him. RECHARGE! REEEEEEECHARGE@!

Combat: Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon > strikes Main Shield Generator with his Bludgeon Shells attack! [Pulled -2]

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You took 18 damage.

Main Shield Generator > Combat: You are very aware that your life is in danger!

Main Shield Generator > Combat: Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon > 's attack has damaged your Firepower!

Combat: Main Shield Generator is completely disabled.

Autobot Mining Team > Fortress Maximus drops you.

Cerebros > Autobot Mining Team has left.

Gasket and Grommet > Autobot Mining Team has left.

Autobot Mining Team has arrived.

You drop Autobot Mining Team.

< Autobot > Autobot Engineer says, "That's all she wrote for this place! Everything's coming down all around us. Evacuate! EVACUATE! Everyone evac-"

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "OM NOM NOM...oh it tastes go good..NOM NOM...I DON'T CARE if it's half full...NOM NOM!"

< Autobot > Encore says, "Bugger! I'm on the way to pick 'em up!"

< Autobot > Grotusque chompgnawchomp. Then, "Okay guys, I know this ain't been the best of nights for me, but we all have an off cycle, right? Heh. But we gotta get these blokes back to the shuttles, or onto Maximus."

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > is circling to attack Astrotrain again when he notices the shield generator exploding in a shower of sparks. He goes into a sharp dive and drops like a stone, pulling up at the last possible second to a) land on Astrotrain and b) get into a position to pick up the mining team. He comes down hard and fast, touching down almost too hard for his chassis to cope with, whether he hits astrotrain or not, and putting his engines in full reverse.

< Autobot > Autobot Mining Team says, "We've lost contact with Primer's engineering team. I... I don't think they made it out of there. We're all that's left. Requesting emergency extraction!"

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > misses Astrotrain with his Fat Albert on yer 'ed! (Ram) attack!

< Autobot > Encore says, "Soon as I stop and drop my tailramp I want you onboard!"

< Autobot > Let's Blow Scrap Up! Warpath says, "You don't have to BOOM, tell me twice!"

< Autobot > Encore says, "Not you, the mining team! I want you providin' me cover"

< Autobot > Let's Blow Scrap Up! Warpath says, "Oh, haha, I POW, knew that!"

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Warpath, keeping hounding Astrotrain if you can. I'll get tank boy's attention."

< Autobot > Let's Blow Scrap Up! Warpath says, "ZING, roger that!"

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "It would seem likely that I will require evacuation, soon."

< Decepticon > Bludgeon says, "Perhaps you may be of aid, and we may cause as much damage as we are able yet."

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Yeah yeah, follow my lead."

Jets of fire can be seen spewing out of the gaps and holes all over the mining facility while Autobot non-combatants can be clearly seen evacuating out of the nearest forms of exits available to them. Before long though Bludgeon's tank shell drops straight into the middle of mining facility. There's an awkward silence before a loud explosion engulfs the mining facility before it finally collapses upon itself and into a flaming grave, taking with it the few Autobots who weren't able to make it out in time.

Autobot survivors can be seen running towards Encore, but given their numbers, evacuation won't be completed for a while.

Fortress Maximus can be seen cruising into range of the destroyed Autobot mining facility, his external speakers broadcasts to all of the Autobots in the area, "Get the as many survivors on board Encore and myself then get yourselves on board as well. Be methodical, lay down suppressing fire in the mean time. Take this step by step and we'll keep the casualties to a minimum!"

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > grunts as Bludgeon pulls away and transforms, grabbing the ripped off piece of armor with his foreclaws and yanking it off his teeth as a few residue crackles from getting zapped with fire earlier still snap about him. "OMNOMNOMNOM... Okay, I feel a little better now." Well truth be told, Grotusque never really felt bad in the first place. Despite the dire turn of events he'll probably make dark humor about it later. At least he seems to get the notion to not say anything now. "Alright folks." He points down the hillside. "I'm probably the unluckiest mech here tonight, so if you don't want to end up dead, you wanna get as far away from me as possible. Or grab a ride on one of the big bots." Okay, I take that back, he doesn't know when to shut up. At least he's trying to be constructive about it?"

As for you..." Turning his attention back to Bludgeon, he positions himself between the Pretender and the fleeing miners, and attempts to keep the tank-con at bay by unleashing another scorch of fire from his mouth.

Autobot Mining Team begins running towards Encore. Many of the Autobots are dragging wounded comrades along with them by the pairs. Their advance is slow by steady, "We've got many injured here. We can't leave them behind!"

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon > with his Roaring Flames attack! [Pulled -2]

Autobot Mining Team > Combat: You are not COMBAT-OK

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "We'll hold them back as best as we can!"

"Taking a coffee break, are we?" Warpath says, as he keeps his sights on Astrotrain. He converts back to tank mode and stares down the tank barrel sights at the nomming triple changer. "That snack is going to POW, cost you!" A volley of laser fire emits from the barrel.

Combat: Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > takes extra time to steady itself. [Pass]

Combat: Regained 12 energon.

Autobot Mining Team(#9882Tnp)

=====================[ TACS Object: Autobot Mining Team ]=====================

The surviving Autobot mining team on Serao IV looks worn, ragged, and at their last legs. With most of their more combat oriented comrades already slain during the initial defense of the mining site, what remains are mostly technicians, engineers, and scientists. Fortunately, despite being non-combatants, they are more than capable of utilizing traditional fire arms to protect themselves from harm but their endurance is a whole other matter.

Try not to let them die.

--

This is a weapon object, see '+help WeaponObject' for more info

--

Usage Restriction: None                Can You Use It?: Yes

Ammunition: None Required

Energon: 50

Endurance: 50 / 50                     Mode:  of 1 (#-12 INVALID MODE)

=========================[ TACS Weapon Object #9882 ]=========================

Combat: Warpath strikes Astrotrain with his THIS AIN'T a POW Starbucks! (Laser) attack!

Combat: Autobot Mining Team begins retreating, leaving itself vulnerable to parting shots from AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > and Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon >

Astrotrain processes the energy finally flowing into his systems. It isn't much, but BOY does it feel better! This is about the time that he becomes aware of a large shadow descending in his direction, turning and staring up at the huge C-130 comes roaring in towards him.

His optics widen like a pair of dinner plates, as he suddenly hurls himself hard to one side, just a bit ahead of the tires slamming down where he was a moment ago. He gets to his feet again, only to take ANOTHER shell from Warpath, this time in the back. It doesn't hit that hard, but it's still enough to double him over a bit as it glances off into the sky, bringing a low growl in his throat. "Next time, I'm gonna show ya just how well I can crush tank armor when ya got my undivided attention. But as for YOU!" And with that, he turns and points a finger at Encore's huge frame, "I'll show ya how you run into someone!"

And with that, the triplechanger transforms again, slamming down with a heavy *TOOM* as he takes on one of his own huge forms, a shrill blast emitting from his train whistle as he starts to trundle over the debris, picking up speed as he turns around and angles straight at the C-130 Hercules. There is a sudden, deafening *BWOOOOM* as his rocket thrusters ignite, and the ground begins to rumble heavily as he heads STRAIGHT at Encore's fuselage, the Autobot's paintjob reflecting off of the equally huge locomotive's armored ram prow!

Fleeing miners are ignored, or scattered like bowling pins if they aren't fast enough to get out of his way.

CharGen: Overwriting Autobot Mining Team's CURRENT schema with new info.

With body twisting in place while folding up on himself, Astrotrain slams to the ground as a huge armored locomotive.

Combat: Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > strikes AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > with his This is what an ASTRO-RAM feels like! attack!

It would seem that Bludgeon's shell was only temporarily knocked out of service, for as the Decepticon lines up his shot and brings down the mining facility the shell's fingertips begin to twitch with involuntary nervous reactions as 'consciousness' comes back to the forefront. It is a subtle thing as the techno-organic thing cannot move without Bludgeon inside of it, but it seems that the Master of Metallikato is conscious of the suit's change in health. He punches his throttle as Grotusque burns away at his armor, flying upwards and over the other to land in robot mode within the shell. It closes around him anew and rises, missing sections of armor and bleeding profusely. But anything that is online remains a threat. . and Bludgeon aims his arm-mounted cannon at the fleeing group of Autobots and attempts to drop a fireball right in the middle of the lot of them. His priorities seem fairly clear.

Combat: Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon > strikes Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > with his Parting Gift! (Laser) attack!

Combat: Green and Brown T-72 Main Battle Tank < Bludgeon > (Bludgeon) used "Laser": A Level 2 RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 4 damage.

Bludgeon dissapears as his techno-organic shell grafts to him. Gone is the robot, and in its place is a giant alien humanoid with a skull face and orange samurai armor.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Slag it, I thought it funky armor thing was down when he abandoned it!"

< Autobot > Encore says, "So did- aw..."

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "We're just going have to tough it out until the extraction operations is done."

< Autobot > Encore makes noises of pain. "KEEP HIM OFFA ME ALREADY, for PRIMUS' sake! I'm defenceless here!"

< Autobot > Let's Blow Scrap Up! Warpath says, "I'm getting him, I'm POW, getting him!"

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > spins around as Bludgeon blasts past and reunites with his shell, cussing under his breath as he thought the thing had been disabled when the Decepticon abandoned it. And now he's still firing on the miners. He can hear the fighting still going on farther up in the facility, but he's got to put his faith in Warpath being able to help Encore out for the moment. "Y'know, not that -I- particularly care if you want to waste your time shooting at a bunch of fleeing workers, but that's still not very nice." With a growl he lunges at the armored samurai, trying to use the combination of force, weight and really sharp claws to land on his back and knock the Pretender over again. "Com'n ya sodder, focus on the -real- threat."

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > lands and drops his tailramp, his 'pilot's' eyes widen at the approaching Astrotrain. "Aw..." he mutters, not having time for much else before the massive train crunches into him. The structural damage the Autobot sustains is... fairly moderate, but what hurts most is the way that armoured prow-ram crushes an entire engine nacelle.

The Autobot makes an almost animalistic noise of pain and anger, an unnatural moderation lending it a mechanical edge. He yearns to transform and just beat the snot out of the triplechanger, but with his cargo bay and gundeck rapidly filling, he can't.

"Touch nothing!" he warns, keeping his holographic 'crew' active to keep them out of areas where they can affect anything sensitive. "Or you ALL walk home, y'hear?"

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Combat: Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > strikes Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > with his Lunging Tackle (Smash) attack!

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Max, I hate to nag, but we gotta get these people outta here pronto."

Several Autobot engineers collapses as a single fireball strikes them in the back. Others turn around and quickly grab for the nearest limb of the wounded and drags them along, at this point it's really just a desperate retreat and there's really little time to make it more comfortable for their injured comrades. Alas, such is the terror of war.

Meanwhile, high above, the point defense laser batteries mounted underneath the belly of Fortress Maximus' battleship form emerges from the superstructure and begins unload rapid fire at the other Decepticon soldiers that are now mobbing the perimeter of the destroyed mining facility. Once in a while the dual laser batteries also fires, resulting in explosive results and detering the waves of Decepticons from coming any further.

While all this is happening, a spherical cerulian outline can be seen appearing all around Encore as Fortress Maximus extends his battleship's shields down towards the gunship below.

Combat: Interstellar Battleship < Fortress Maximus > creates a forcefield shielding AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > from damage.

"Oh no, you ZOWIE, didn't!" the red tank shouts as Astrotrain sics himself on Encore. "Need a bit more of a pounding before you learn to ZOOM, leave well enough alone? Maybe I ought to fry your heat shield!" A flaming hot shell is propelled towards Astrotrain now. *FOOM*

Combat: Warpath strikes Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > with his Thermal Shells attack!

< Autobot > Encore says, "Cheers Max"

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "I'm doing what I can, I'll be landing as well to help load up the wounded. The rest of you get ready to hop on board me or Encore.  The shuttles won't make it in time at this rate."

< Autobot > Encore says, "Gonna need you ta clear me a runway too, if ya can Max"

Bludgeon is sacked from behind as he emits his shot and moves with the motion; ducking forward and executing a neat roll. The effect is, even though armor plates crumple from the impact to his upper shoulders and back, he is not pinned beneath the Monsterbot. He begins running, not especially fast, but the shell's wounded frame carries him towards Encore and at first it seems like he's going to make an attack but instead he approaches Astrotrain -- punching an internal access button and diving within.

Combat: Skull-Faced Samurai Warrior < Bludgeon > begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque >, Warpath, AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > , and Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain >

Armored Locomotive < Astrotrain > is briefly locked up with Encore as shredded Hercules armor is crunched around the width of the locomotive's armored front end. Sparks fly on tarmac as the locomotive actually PUSHES the huge aircraft several hundred feet before coming to a halt as his wheels lock up again, then slam into reverse and bring him backwards to disengage in a shriek of tortured metal tearing free. As he does so, the forcefield goes up around Encore, but the triplechanger nevertheless seems to be luxuriating in the amount of damage he caused. "Yeah, that's right. Laugh THAT one off...hurngh!"

And again Warpath fires a shell, and again it hits Astrotrain's boiler section. There is a loud *PTWANK!* as the armor dents, but again the shell deflects and goes into the sky, losing alot of its punch. The tradeoff for Astrotrain's loss of agility in this mode is clearly shown by just how many layers of armor he adds onto himself. One thing is for certain, the Triplechanger is just NOT going down fast.

"Ya little robo-rodent! When ya ain't got a dozen of yer buddies demandin attention I'll test proper-like how tough ya are sometime! For now, I think we done MORE than our bit!" Just as Astrotrain is saying that, his rear ramp has dropped down long neough for Bludgeon to lumber on board. And a moment later, the Locomotive is hurtling his way across the landscape, picking up speed with each passing second. He doesn't need no stinking runway, because he -makes- his own as he smashes apart anything in his path, finally transforming when the opportunity presents itself and rising up in a plume of rocketfire that takes him straight into the sky like a shooting star.

Even as he parts, his last transmission is to the Decepticon troops left behind, "Now that we done gone and singlehandedly FIXED yer problem, CLEAN UP THIS MESS!"

Parts spin, wings extend and Astrotrain transforms into a huge purple space shuttle.

Combat: Decepticon Space Shuttle < Astrotrain > begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

< Decepticon > Astrotrain says, "Disengaging. If the moron toy soldiers we called troops left behind fumble THIS on us, I personally volunteer for beating their faces in one at a time."

Although he would really really -really- love to shoot the evil samurai skeleton robot in the back, even Grotusque realizes it wouldn't really accomplish more than burn some frustration at the night. Instead he turns his attention back to the miners trying to get to Maximus now that they're not being shot at, and tromps after them. "Hold on guys, I can get them there faster. You all just -run-." He doesn't bother being gentle, just careful enough to toss a couple of the wounded over his shoulders, using his wings to keep them in place. Then picks up a couple more and makes a expedious trip towards the Headmaster ship. Fortunately he's only running and leaping instead of trying to fly, so they'll get there in one piece... other than how they're already busted up, that is.

Sabertoothed Creature < Grotusque > flies like crap, but JUMP GOOD

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "I've got some of the wounded. Lets get out of this hellhole."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "I'm really sorry my trying to turn their own warfare against them didn't work so well"

< Autobot > Encore says, "Max... you big enough fer me to dock?"

Combat: AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > is size 8, a lot smaller than you.

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "I'll open up my repair bay. Have the others unload the wounded as well, I'll initiate repair protocals."

AC130U Spooky II Gunship < Encore > keeps his engines running, the three working ones at least, while he waits for as many miners as he can fit aboard (plus a few who want to risk holding onto the outside). Once fully loaded, he raises his tail-ramp and begins to accelerate, the three working engines being pushed to 150% of their rated capacity (even though they're all damaged) to get the overloaded Autobot off the ground.

"C'mon... Encore... you overweight... piece... of... crap...!" he mutters to himself through gritted teeth, using the flattened runway Astrotrain smashed in the ground to lumber into the sky.

It takes him nearly four miles, but he's eventually airborne and headed straight for Max's docking bay, trailing smoke from the damaged engine.

< Autobot > Andi Lassiter says, "Max, will my help be needed?"

Warpath shakes a fist at the departing Astrotrain. "Oh, POW, yeah, bring it! I'll whallop you BAM, good!" Once it's clear that the Decepticons are bugging out, he also makes his way over to Fortress Maximus. "Ow, I'm going to be needing some repairs again."

< Autobot > Fortress Maximus says, "It would be greatly appreciated, Ms. Lassiter. We've suffered a lot of casualties here today.  Too much."

< Autobot > Encore says, "I hear dat. And the cowardly #cracklestatic# didn't even stay around to capture the place... just murdered and ran."

By now Fortress Maximus has landed onto the ground. Gasket and Grommet can be seen rolling out and administering emergency field repairs to the retreating miners while the vast repair bay opens up and a ramp leading into the bay extends downwards. While all of this is happening, the two twin barreled mortar launchers on the battleship continues to lob low-yield mortar rounds at the remaining Decepticon forces trying to enter the perimeter of the facility. Each and every time the mortar launchers fires, the ground rocks as the recoil of the artillery sends shockwave reverberating throughout the area. It's not enough to deter the Decepticon forces completely though, but enough to scatter them and slow their advances.

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "So! Who gets to courtmartial me for nearly getting you all killed?"

< Autobot > Grotusque is way too cheerful sounding about this. It must be a Monsterbot thing.

< Autobot > Encore says, "You, ya git, owe me a drink. And I owe you a dented face."

< Autobot > Scientist Perceptor says, "If that were a court-martial offence, then Cliffjumper would have been courtmartialed decades ago."

< Autobot > Encore says, "It's not court-martial for me. It's a face-punch offense."

By now Fortress Maximus has landed onto the ground. Gasket and Grommet can be seen rolling out and administering emergency field repairs to the retreating miners while the vast repair bay opens up and a ramp leading into the bay extends downwards. While all of this is happening, the two twin barreled mortar launchers on the battleship continues to lob low-yield mortar rounds at the remaining Decepticon forces trying to enter the perimeter of the facility. Each and every time the mortar launchers fires, the ground rocks as the recoil of the artillery sends shockwave reverberating throughout the area. It's not enough to deter the Decepticon forces completely though, but enough to scatter them and slow their advances.

"We don't have too much time left everyone, the Decepticons forces vastly outnumbers us and we don't have a stronghold here to hold the line. We've done all we can here though, you've all did your best for what it's worth."

< Autobot > Andi Lassiter says, "No, Encore. I think it's my turn to deal out the discipline."

< Autobot > Saboteur Foxfire notes to Grotesque, "You sound very cheerful there."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Well someone's going to punish me, I might as well just accept it and get it done with."

< Autobot > Saboteur Foxfire says, "Riiight. Now you're scaring me."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "Then my work here is done."

< Autobot > Encore says, "I'm still gonna punch you in th' face, Grote. How hard dat is depends on the drink you buy me first."

< Autobot > Grotusque says, "By the way. Pretender shells have a really weird aftertaste"

Encore has left.