On the Run

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Nightbeat? Rodimus?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock here!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Hey Grimlock. Have you seen Silverbolt maybe?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Fireflight, this is Rodimus. What's up?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Where are you? Are you in the base? Can we talk?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock in Autobot city! What you want?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I need to talk to Rodimus, Grimlock... have you found Kup?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "I can't tell you my location right now. Feel free to send me a person-to-person transmission, though."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Uuuuh. Him Kup gone?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... err, yeah. I mean, I didnt see him in the repair bay after the fight the other night..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "He's, uh, saying some... interesting... things on the EDC frequency right now."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Maybe him Kup just tough! Him no need medic!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Oooo! Me Grimlock like Kup stories!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Boss, y'need me to track him down?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Get on it, Nightbeat."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "First Red Alert, now Kup. I don't like where this is going."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Ooo! Oooh! You Nightbeat show me Grimlock where him Kup is! Me want hear stories too!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "All right, Grimlock, but detecting is tricky work!"

Arizona

The Grand Canyon state consists of terrain from the high desert plateau in the northern and eastern sections to the desert basins and jagged mountain ranges in the southern and western parts, broken only by the high, forested mountains in central Arizona. The spectacular Grand Canyon, for which the state is best known, displays its timeless beauty close to the border between Arizona and its northern neighbor, Utah. To the south are the major cities of Phoenix and Tucson, irrigation from the Colorado and Salt Rivers making them green oases in the southern desert.

Contents:

Avalanche

Anubis

Kup

Arizona State University

Grand Canyon

Obvious exits: Fly &lt;Up&gt; leads to Skies above the Western United States. South &lt;S&gt; leads to Mexico. Out &lt;O&gt; leads to Southwestern States.

Nevada &lt;NV&gt; California &lt;CA&gt;

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me can be detekt-ive!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Just don't get too distracted, Grimlock. We're facing a possible alien invasion here and I need you on your toes.  Or claws.  Or whatever."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "...what's this about an alien invasion, boss? Aside from us."

Grimlock has arrived.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me not alien! Me AMERICAN CITIZEn."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Read report 3 slash 80."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Oh, that. Bounty hunting scum. The dregs of the galaxy."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I honestly didnt think he was serious about that you know. I mean, a lot of decepticons are still on planet earth..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Oh, them guys! M waiting for them to show up so me can punch them!"

Ah, yes, Arizona. Dusty. Sunny. Though not quite as hot this time of year. Kup's trail leads to a jagged mountain range in the middle of nowhere. Finding the crazy old man may be harder than that, though...

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Who knows if Galvatron is serious. What matters is that they actually /believed/ him."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "That's rather sad..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Times are tough. After the Galactic Credit Crunch, people are looking for any way they can to make an easy astroeuro.  Seems planetary conquest isn't so unappealing when you can't make the payments on your star cruiser."

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; is a master tracker, when he actually has time to do his job and isn't stuck balancing Blaster's chequebook or filling out forms in quadruplicate for Red Alert or stabbing himself with a prop sword by accident. Kup was last seen in Arizona near an EDC airbase, so there Nightbeat will look first. Kup can't fly, so there'll probably be tracks if he wasn't kidnapped. Airzona doesn't get much rain to wash away evidence.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "People shouldnt' have spent so much money getting planets built then..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "...Planets are built?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Some are."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Huh..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Cybertron might be."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I wonder how much it cost..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "A lot!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Looking to retire on your own little artificial planetoid sometime soon, Fireflight?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Oh, I could NEVER afford it I'm very sure. I'd have too many ideas to try and fit on one planet."

"Me Grimlock 'member where stuff happened!" Grimlock says, soaring through the air- though some distance behind Nightbeat. "Over there!" he points at one (slightly irradiated) mesa. "Me Grimlock and him Kup fight him Shockwave! Me punched that guy i the head!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Build a fox-themed planet. That'd be awesome."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Foxtron?"

There is indeed a trail of disturbed rocks leading off in a certain direction. It leads to a blackened patch of ground, which had been irradiated by Shockwave, then off into the distance. At this point, a little bit of oil joins the trail. Seems Kup was injured. Eventually, the clues lead to the top of a crag, whereupon a figure appears to be sitting down, rifle cradled in his lap.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Rodimus Prime says, "Like Fox Planet V?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Yeah!...hey..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight snickers

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; transforms and glances around, taking in everything with his advanced sensors. His listens along to the witness, Grimlock, and Nightbeat rubs his chin. The detective muses, "Could be that Shockwave's radiation fried his circuits and has him acting wonky." He starts to follow the trail of disturbed rocks and oil, and once the figure comes into sight, Nightbeat pauses cautiously.

Grimlock follows Nightbeat! He lands on the ground with a *boom!* and stomps along. "Hnn. Me Grimlock never get crazy from radiations before." he notes. Upon spying the figure in the distance, Grimlock hmms. "Hey! That look like him Kup! HEY! HEY KUP! IS ME GRIMLOCK!" he even waves- too hard, like an excited kid. "OVER HERE!"

The figure on the crag doesn't respond to Grimlock's shouting and waving. It just sits there, motionless.

At the base of the crag, Nightbeat might notice that the area looks like it had been disturbed and then "wiped" of any tracks, except for the trail leading up to the crag.

The puzzle pieces of Porsche 959 rearrange into the hard-boiled Autobot detective, Nightbeat!

Nightbeat frowns. This area looks disturbed to him, and his detective sense is warning him to hang back. He looks over to Grimlock and comments uneasily, "I don't like this, Grimlock. It just... doesn't seem right." Then, Nightbeat hollers at the figure, "Kup! The turbopunk kids are on your lawn again." If that doesn't get a reaction...

"Him Kup just sleeping!" Grimlock says, "Me go wake him up!" and with that, Grimlock starts stomping up the path. "YOU KUP NEED WAKE UP NOW! WAKE UP AND TELL ME GRIMLOCK NEAT STORY!"

As Grimlock approaches the crag, Nightbeat might hear the sound of a rope being drawn tight, the sound of something being dragged out from under a rock, then some running, with a hop thrown in for good measure. Grimlock's audials aren't as good, but surely even he will notice the giant boulder rolling towards him from a nearby rocky outcropping.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "...Can anyone pilot a shuttle? I'm kind of, you know...lacking in *hands*."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Sorry Foxfire. I'm not trained to and they wont even train me for good reason."

Nightbeat does hear some things, and he raises a hand and calls out, "Grimlock, get out of the way!" Granted, Grimlock could probably survive a bomb going off in his head, but it's the thought that count. He transforms back to car mode and tries to drive away from the boulder, around the crag the long way. He's just asking to get hit with caltrops, isn't he?

Nightbeat slouches down into Porsche 959 form. Time to roll.

"Uh oh!" Grimlock says, facing down the oncoming boulder- and while not fast enough to dodge much of anything, he is, however, strong enough to smash anything, too! So, as the rock rolls towards him, Grimlock just rears back with one fist, and puts his whole body into a forward-stepping *PUNCH!* Rock dust billows around Grimlock, and the boulder shatters to crumbling bits! The dinocommander dusts his hands off, and hmms. "Him Kup need wake up, or rock fall on HIM too!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Frag it all..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "What did you need a shuttle for anyways?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Well...I need to get into space. I don't know *where* in space, but..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "into space?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Guys, just a quick warning - be careful in Arizona. It's booby-trapped."

&lt;Earth&gt; Hobo says, "Wherever my first may meet your eyes, A lovely color will it be, -

My second's formed of earth, stones, sand, - Almost all things except the sea.

My whole's a country dark and wild, The people honest, poor, and free,

Who from reflection gain much light, Yet seldom trees or flowers see.

The strangest thing about this land, Where snows are deep and stars are bright,

Is - in a year as long as ours, They only have one day - one night!"

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "Hey...d'you *ever* talk normally?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Desert?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Good thing I'm not going to Arizona, then. And yes, Fireflight.  Space."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "...ehn... Alaska?"

&lt;Earth&gt; Fireflight says, "That's much better than your last one..."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "No. Snow. I'll check the caps."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "ALL of it??"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "I haven't checked *all* of it."

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "Best thing to do with a hobo is stab him with a screwdriver and sell him to a chinese restaurant."

There's a transforming noise that the Detective might hear, then the sound of a truck's engine roaring and tires peeling out, which he will definitely hear. The noise seems to go deeper in the rocky countryside. Wait, isn't Kup up on that crag?

Speaking of him, "Kup," sitting up there on the crag, still does not acknowledge Grimlock in any way.

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "they pay top dollar, it's pretty rad."

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "You be quiet."

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "Don't got a screwdriver? Just garrote him with your pantyhose, lady!"

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "Who are you calling a lady?!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Wait. People mentioned. Has to be somewhere populated."

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "look, you can just buy new pantyhose with the money the chinese people give to you."

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "...I'm a BOY, you moron."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "It does sound like Alaska. Northern Canada..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Look, I just need someone who can fly a shuttle. ANYONE?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I dont know of anyone Foxfire. I'm looking around..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me busy!"

&lt;Earth&gt; Blitzwing says, "Lucky you, you can join that human-boy love association thing the filthy Earthlings have, then."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Kinda distracted by boulders, Foxfire."

&lt;Earth&gt; The Creepy One: Sunder says, "..."

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "Oh shut up..."

"Hey! Hey! Kup!" Grimlock stompstompstomps up towards 'Kup' "How come you no talk to me Grimlock? Me being EXTRA LOUD!" he waves his hands around "Am you brokened?"

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; is mildly relieved that Grimlock is okay. He starts to warn Grimlock that 'Kup' is probably a trap, but... it's Grimlock. Sometimes, Dinobots need to learn the hard way. Maybe it's the only way for them. He, instead, peels off, trying to follow the sound of that engine.

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "I was the midnight NAMBLA for a while but they didn't pay well."

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "anyone can join though, so look'em up, they're uh... friendly."

"Kup" is... a *cleverly arranged pile of rocks.* That's right. Kup set up a pile of rocks that would sorta look like him from a distance. Also, Grimlock may have stepped on a bear trap crudely fashioned from scrap metal. As for Nightbeat, well, you know what they say, fools rush in, which is probably what the real Kup was counting on once he transformed and raced off. Remember when Kup was running off, and he "hopped?" Kup was hopping to avoid the pit trap he had setup with a tarp and a bit of sand. If Nightbeat doesn't spot the trap in time, he might fall right into a pit full of rebar, arranged like spikes!

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "GREENLAND! HE WAS HERE!"

Kup succeeds in grasping Grimlock, throwing him off-balance.


 * snap*

Kup succeeds in grasping Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt;, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing thro'.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I:

But when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

So this begs one question:

How do you catch what you cannot see?

You'll have to be faster than that, if you want to catch me...

-H"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "When the Light first reached out, the Dark was already there, waiting for it."

Kup's trap closes around Grimlock's leg! It bites in just a bit- enough to make Grimlock take notice as he waggles his leg, trying to shake it free. He pauses, and looks to the Kup-pile, and hnfs. "Is trick! SOMEONE TRYING TO GET ME GRIMLOCK!" he snarls, and stomps his foot down to shatter the trap on his leg! He fumes for a few moments- then glances about. "-Hey. Where him Nightbeat go?"
 * CHONK!*

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Fine fine fine, but he's not here now. So is that another clue, or just a taunt, Detective?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat screams in pain.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Nightbeat? Problem?"

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; screams in pain as the rather fragile Porsche falls into a pit full of rebar spikes. They easily skewer through his rather fragile armour. Panting heavily, he transforms, wrenching out some of the spikes. He calls out to Grimlock, "Help!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat screams in pain.

The puzzle pieces of Porsche 959 rearrange into the hard-boiled Autobot detective, Nightbeat!

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Nightbeat!!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Argh. And I can't even help..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "What?"

"Huh, whut?" Grimlock says, and stomps over towards Nightbeat. "How come you in hole?" he asks- reaching down to roughly pull the poor detective out. "You never find him Kup like that!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat grinds out, "Slagging fanbelt-snapping, antennae-bopping Kup! Tricked me into a pit of rebar fragging spikes!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Ah. I stay the pit away from him when I can."

Krinch krinch krinch! Someone runs up from behind Grimlock and tries to shove him into the pit, too! Who would do such an awful thing to the lovable Dino?!

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Nighbeat just screamed... he's in trouble..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "This goes against my better judgement, but do you guys need help?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Him okay! Me Grimlock still here!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "They're in Arizona... Grimlock? Do you need help?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "I admit, I was a bit concerned when I saw him approach Shockwave yesterday, but there have been no repercussions yet, and I've got a cover that I think should be sufficient even if Shockwave were to listen."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat grinds out, "Slagging fanbelt-snapping, antennae-bopping Kup! Tricked me into a pit of rebar fragging spikes!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "KUP did that??"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Kup?!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "That or his evil twin."

Kup succeeds in grasping Grimlock, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Nightbeat, are you all right? Do you need me?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "Does he 'have' a twin?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch bursts into a stagger of laughter--then silences, "Kup..?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Nightbeat ol buddy, I'll be right there! Just give the word, man!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Be careful Quickswitch! apparently Arizona is booby trapped!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Get me OUT of this pit!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "I doubt he was even in the country when making the transmission, though the ice message doesn't look all that old."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says in a dry intonation, "All of Arizona?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "That's what /I/ asked, Quickswitch"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "Tag and bag it."

Foxfire has arrived.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Uhm... Rodimus or someone? If someone can authorize me leaving the base to help I can be there soon and scout from the sky..."

Grimlock flails! He falls! ...on Nightbeat. Uh oh. The good news is, Grimlock's armor is strong enough to turn the rebar aside, and he manages to catch himself with his arms. "Ooof! What happen!" he growls, and rolls off of the semi-smashed Nightbeat

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Fireflight? You're authorised by my rank as Intel XO. C'mon."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... okay!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "In any event, I'll be there directly once--myself, as well I presume."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "... It's a message carved into the glacial landscape that's only visible from above, Nightbeat."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "I'm on my way, Nightbeat. I'll do what I can.  C'mon, guys."

Fireflight has arrived.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "I don't have a big enough bag."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Need a ride, Foxfire?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "...gimme a photograph."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Yes, please."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet transmits an image.

Nightbeat is bleeding rather badly and stuck in a pit full of rebar spikes. Then Grimlock falls on him, nearly breaking the detective's back. He does not look like a happy person at all.

The Sixchanger's engines' urgent scream rattles the earth sky as he appears in jet form, toward the approximate location Nightbeat, searching for him.

Fireflight swoops in alongside Quickswitch, carrying Foxfire in his cockpit. He was still a little sluggish, but kept up as best he could, scanners on full as he flew slightly higher than the other autobot "I'll stay in the skies and keep an optic out for anything." he notes privately to his passenger and Quicks. "You help them out...

"C'mon Fireflight!" Quickswitch calls, lowering altitude as he searches the general area for this pit.

"Got it," Quickswitch descends.

Accelerated, Quickswitch transforms into a sub-orbital jet.

"Foxfire, I'll slow down as much as I can and low as I can and you can hop out ok?" Fireflight then states to his cassette passenger.

At last, Kup appears at the edge of the pit, his rifle pointed down at the two Autobots stuck inside. His optics gleam brightly, and it seems Kup has done some rather crude looking repairs to himself. Patches of scrap metal are welded onto his body, and even on the top of his head and the side of his face, like he's some sort of post-apocalyptic Autobot. "Heh. Well, look who I got here. Grimlock and the GREATEST Detective ever. I dunno who's side you're on, Grim.. but Nightbeat there... I know for a fact he's a lying piece of slag. So how about it, Nightbeat? Why'd you lie to me?"

"My thoughts exactly." Foxfire braces himself. "My anti-gravs will keep me from crashing. Okay...let's do this." To the Sixchanger, he transmits, "You'll have a better chance of helping the others. I'll be doing what I can, though."

Nightbeat draws his weapon - screw it, if he's bleeding and stuck in a pit of spikes, he wants his gun for protection. He looks up at Kup, clearly and honestly bewildered. Nightbeat sputters, "Wha... what? What are you even talking about, Kup?"

Grimlock shoves his way off of Nightbeat- and then peers up at Kup, scratching at his head. "...Why you Kup push me Grimlock in hole and point gun?" he asks, sounding bewildered, almost hurt. "You look like Junkion!"

Fireflight waits until he was as slow as possible, murmuring "Kup! Kup is doing something... not kuppish." he notes to him, and then suddenly flips right over, his cockpit opening so she could drop out easily, the jet quite close to the ground and nearly overhead.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "I suspect it's more taunt than clue."

What?! Shock sends static cracking beneath the assault unit's armor. ...The elder is accusing the detective of lying. The crust of fury hardens its central processes. A second thought joins the first. Kup has finally flipflopped. A short sigh, "He doesn't even /look/ right.." The ground is coming up on the pondering assault unit, and in a suicidal move, it transforms just before it meets the ground, the impact crater leaving a dusty cloud and spray of debris. The ground around Quickswitch shudders and there's no outward sign of the sixchanger at impact. Just a big hole.

Quickswitch rapidly transforms into a hulking drill tank.

Kup yells, "You know damn well what I'm talking about! When I was fightin' Shockwave, I asked him why he framed you for sabotaging the space bridge, and told him we knew it was a Decepticon that did it. Shockwave didn't even know which one it was. He didn't even know it was one of his own guys in the first place! Which means that this nonsense about Fleet doing that at the behest of Galvatron is a buncha turboslag. And how about that missing security footage? What were you and Fleet doin', arranging the props!? ANSWER ME!"

Kup glances at Grimlock, and sighs sadly. "I'm... I'm real sorry Grim, but I just don't know who I can trust anymore. Please. Just... just stay down there til I figure this out."

Foxfire promptly extends his wings, giving him a rather batlike appearance, and activates his anti-gravs. He jumps out and swoops toward the others. He circles a few times, then descends and lands, retracting his wings. "KUP! What are you *doing*?!" He darts over to the pit and reaches out to Grimlock and Nightbeat with a forepaw. Not that it will do much good, of course, but he's trying. "C'mon...!"

Fireflight rolls upright again and accelerates, pulling up into a circling pattern overhead, remaining quiet now in concern

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "Kup knows too much."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Careful, Foxfire!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Discredit him?"

Nightbeat stares up at Kup in clear disbelief. He exclaims, "What? No! Kup, you're being crazy here. Don't you think a Decepticon would lie to you sooner than one of your own boys in blue? The missing footage is from when he chased me to XXX - there ain't no security cameras there. C'mon, boss, don't play like this."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Scrapper says, "What does he know?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Autobots, Kup is clearly glitching - maybe his circuits got fried from Shockwave's radiation. I'm authorising, under Special Authority Assumption protocol subsection W-13, that he be taken into custody and brigged."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "O-okay..."

We should wait.. Quickswitch thinks to himself in the tunnelled darkness, doubt and confusion and thoughts clouding him, "I can't hear them anymore, and that stuff about the spacebridge," the drill tank gives a shudder, "I'm glad I'm just a warrior, not intel," he murmurs to himself earnestly, "I'd never know who to trust." Who my enemies are.. and it is joined by uncertainty as his drill angles a tunnel downward and in the direction of the pit. +re He's guessing that Fleet was lying on those security tapes.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "He's guessing that Fleet was lying on those security tapes."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Understood, Nightbeat!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Understood..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "can he hear us by the way?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "Maybe it was one of those shell thingies?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "I think he can - and yeah, it could be a cerebro-shell or the like."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "... I'm a Decepticon. Lying is often a given. It proves nothing."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "I'm tryin' ta tell him that!"

Foxfire blinks, withdrawing his paw. "Kup...why would you listen to *Shockwave*? Fleet was the one who sabotaged the spacebridge--not Nightbeat. We have *proof*. I could smell that Seeker all over..." He shakes his head. "Sorry, Kup..." His hip compartments open, revealing the rockets inside, while a few small flames flicker in his jaws. "Now just cooperate..."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Scrapper says, "You're the best detective the Autobots have, Nightbeat. If you can't convince them of the... heh, truth, then nobody can."

Kup tries to boot Foxfire away from the pit. "Stay outta this! And shut your mouth! I don't trust you, either! And YOU!" He snarls at Nightbeat, and kicks some rocks into the pit at Nightbeat. "You think I'm stupid? Shockwave didn't have any reason to lie to me anymore. The only way he'd know that this revelation would make me suspect you is if he knew everything I do, and I'm damn sure he doesn't! Oh, and it's damn convenient you and Fleet took your playfight somewhere with no cameras, ain't it? Grimlock."

Kup looks at the Dinobot with a serious, sober expression on his face. "Nightbeat is a traitor to the Autobots. I'm ordering you to kill him. Prove you're one of us."

Kup succeeds in grasping Foxfire, throwing him off-balance.

Grimlock glances over at Nightbeat, shrugs, and looks back at Kup. "Huh." he says, and stands up- his head's poking out of the hole now, at about Kup's ankle-level. He pauses, and looks down at Nightbeat for a few moments, that blank optic band of his showing absolutely no expression. "Hn."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Grimlock! Dont do it!"

Nightbeat has to think fast, and he says quickly, "Grimlock, if you're a *real* Autobot, you won't kill me - you'll take me in for a proper trial. That's the Autobot way. Kup's the one glitching here, not me! Take *Kup* in for trial."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "...oh, ashes! Kup just ordered Grimlock to execute me!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Hmmm. If Grimlock follows through, you may have to withdraw."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "If Grimlock follows through, I'll be deader than a doornail."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Scrapper, I assume you were able to look at the lockdown technology we delivered?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Nightbeat, do you need assistance? It will blow your cover, but I could provide a flight out of there."

Foxfire yelps as he's kicked away. "*Listen* to yourself, Kup! Nightbeat is no traitor, and even if he was, killing him wouldn't be the Autobot way to handle it!" He glances to Grimlock apprehensively, trying to slip closer to Kup, the rockets extending slightly, ready to launch. "KUP. I hate to do this, but none of us have a choice. Surrender and we won't have to fight you."

Kup growls, "Don't listen to him, Grimlock. The Autobots have been compromised. His pals will get him out of any trial. There can be no mercy!" He scowls down at the tape. "And as for you, I just dare you to shoot."

Fireflight swoops lower "Kup! Please, stop doing this!" The aerialbot banks sharply "What do you mean no mercy?? That's not the Autobot way no matter IF they are compromised or not!" he tries himself now, coming dangerously close to clipping the gorund with a wing "We just want to HELP Kup. Can't you see you're hurting other Autobots?"

Foxfire snarls in irritation, retracting the missiles, but a few more flames can be seen in his mouth. "As much as I'd like to at this point...I just can't fire on another Autobot. You're one of us, Kup, even if you aren't yourself right now. Please just give yourself up." He approaches the old mech.

"ME GRIMLOCK SAY EVERYBODY SHUT UP!" The Dinocommander can be very, very loud when he wants to be. When one's got to push Sludge & Slag around on a daily basis, it's a good talent. "Me Grimlock FIX THIS!" he says, and points at Kup. "Just you see!" And with that, he reaches forward towards Nightbeat- aiming to grab the detective's gun-wrist with one hand, and his throat by the other!

Grimlock succeeds in grasping Nightbeat, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat makes a noise rather like GACK. "...could you just maybe attack Grimlock and Kup in a fit of madness?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "GRIMLOCK! What are you DOING?!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat gurgles.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "... Oh yes, because that won't blow your cover at all."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I... I may try landing soon. I don't know what I could do to help but..."

Kup smiles, nodding as Grimlock apparently prepares to deliver a horrendous beatdown to the detective. "Quiet, you," he mutters to Foxfire. "I ain't turnin' myself in. The traitors will just kill me while I'm offline and say it was because of my injuries. I AIN'T GIVIN' MYSELF UP!" This he yells at Fireflight.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Just DO something, Fireflight!"

Hmmm, the reverberations are changing, Quickswitch notes to himself as his armor piercing drill rips through ground. Must be getting close to the pit now. The pit and spikes are vibrating, then the crimson drill tip pierces through the earth and assembled spikes. Oh no.. the scene comes into view overhead. Quickswitch revs into the pit itself, and transforms, "Hey guys, I made an incline for you so you can get outta here," Quickswitch's fragmented attention then diverts upwards. A mururing and flurry of thoughts descend upon it--the furious flood twisting its form into a snarling beast, optics wild with wrath and stark confusion.

Faster than the eye can follow, Quickswitch transforms into an assault beast.

Nightbeat gurgles as Grimlock grabs his hand and his throat. He hisses, "Grimlock! Kup's renounced the Autobot code! We don't do lynchings! We seek *justice*! Lemme go, you big lunk!" He glares balefully at Kup. C'mon, old guy solidarity! Why's Kup gotta play this way?

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "I can see that he's got you, but if I go down there in your defense... you'll have to work from the outside, as Steeltread has been."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Uhm... Uhm..."

"Grimlock," the beast howls, "What are you doing?!" and the assault unit scans upward toward Kup.

"NO ONE'S A TRAITOR!" Foxfire all but screams at Kup, quickening his approach. "This goes against Autobot code! Let us help you! You're not in you're right mind! Have...have First Aid take a look at you!" He now darts toward Kup, apparently intent on knocking him down...but there's this issue of whether Kup will even let the little fox touch him.

"You shut up!" Grimlock says, and gives Nightbeat a little shake- he soon activates his antigravs and flies out of the hole, landing beside Kup. "Me Grimlock helping!" he says, edging closer to the old timer, using Nightbeat as an impromptu shield, should the need arise.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I'll rip ALL of you apart!! No more problem!!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Hey! That me Grimlock other plan!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Gnn. No killing!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "You're not helping, Quickswitch!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I'll shoot every last one of you. No more problem. Aww Primus..."

Kup's optics go wide as an escape route suddenly opens up under the pit. "What the--you're not getting away from me, Nightbeat!" He swings his rifle up, aiming to blow off Nightbeat's head, then suddenly Foxfire knocks his aim to the side. PZOW! A laser bolt harmlessly disintegrates a rock, instead of its intended target.

"Why you little--" Kup is about to punt the fox into the stratosphere, when he notices Grimlock walking towards him, with Nightbeat as a living shield. "Grimlock!? What the frag are you doing!?" Cautiously, the old man backs away carefully.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Why am *I* the only one who seem to remember that Autobots. Don't. Kill?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "/I/ remember! Ok, I'm landing... I'll see what I can do."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "HEY! I was saying the same thing!  What am I, a turborat?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Sheng says, "You're not the only one... though I worry that we may be the FEW"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup, in fact, has been listening the entire time. "Do it, Quickswitch. Come on. Unless yer some kinda pink-painted sissy."

From within the pit, the assault unit transforms to laser pistol mode and aims, keeping its thunderous emotions clamped down.

Quickswitch shrinks down into his utilitarian laser pistol mode.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Do you see WHY Kup needs to be taken in?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Sheng says, "...That is not normal behavior for Kup."

Nightbeat attempts to kick Grimlock in the knee, hard, to convince the Dinobot to let him go. Hey, he's being throttled by an angry thunder lizard. Can his life really get much worse? If can end up over, sure. But at this rate, over would be an improvement, really.

Nightbeat succeeds in grasping Grimlock, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I AIN'T A MEDIC, AIN'T A FEEBLE PEACEKEEPIN DRONE!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "I dunno. Maybe you got a sissy, seventh mode or sumthin'."

Fireflight whirls around in midair suddenly, turning to fly right above the heads of those present, his engines rumbling and sending hot air all about, before pulling up. Then he comes back once more, this time his belly SCRAPING the ground, his nosecone aimed right at Kup "Sorry, Kup!"


 * FWOOOSH*

Fireflight misses Kup with his grasp attack.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Don't do it, man. It's not worth it."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Maybe ya turn into a playground, fer human kids. All pink and--ah, nuts--"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Ow ow ow ow..."

Kup apparently has eyes in the back of his head, as he simply hops over Fireflight as he flies at him. "Look out, Grimlock!" he yells.

Foxfire crouches down. "Now I'm getting ticked..." He blinks. "Uh...Fireflight?" Ignoring the Aerialbot for now, he lunges at Kup, snapping his jaws at the mech's leg. He's not aiming to *hurt* Kup, just to pull him off-balanace.

Foxfire misses Kup with his grasp attack.

"OW!" Grimlock does indeed drop Nightbeat. In fact, it'd seem the detective knows JUST how to fight dirty, as the dinocommander is soon hopping up and down on one foot, clutching at his knee. "OW!" And then a jet zips by! Grimlock hops backwards a bit- but his balance is precarious! And he falls! ...towards Kup.

Grimlock succeeds in grasping Kup, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "Heh, he said nuts."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Perverted human..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Noah Wolfe says, "You have no idea...."

Fireflight misses Kup! and everyone else! And he wobbles a little, his belly banging into the far side of the pit before he goes bounding and sliding along the desert on the far side, yelping as he loses some paint. "Ow! Ow owow ow...

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Yeeeah...ignoring now..."

Kup manages to shake Foxfire off of his leg without too much trouble, but big, huge Grimlock presents a bigger problem as he lands on the old mech and flattens him against the ground. "If I had an energon chip for every time a Dinobot fell on me..." he grumbles. "Grimlock, get off, I'm serious, here! They're gonna kill us if we don't move!"

The assault unit's sights are clouded--the menacing sting of irritation as Fireflight passes by, clouding where it's aiming. As soon as Fireflight passes right overhead, it is decided in the Six Changer's multitudinous thoughts, "Someone has to end this madness.."

The assault unit swivels in the air, aiming for each Autobot and firing precisely, "Now, let it be sorted out."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup coughs a bit, then sings out, "Sissssy bot. Sisssssy bot."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Sorry guys... I really tried..."

Nightbeat fights as dirty as they come. He gets dropped - out of the pit, conveniently, and he immediately tries to put some distance between himself and the Dinobot, transforming to car mode and driving away over ground he knows to be safe. He reviews the situation: 1) Kup wants him dead for some reason. 2) Grimlock is a pain. 3) Quickswitch wants everyone dead.

Well, SLAG.

Nightbeat slouches down into Porsche 959 form. Time to roll.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Don't worry about it, Fireflight."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "We're thinking that Kup may be suffering from a cerebro shell or something like that."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Quickswitch...what are you doing...?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Heh. That's gonna be what ya tell Rodimus, huh? Might wanna worry about the shell I'm gonna put in YOUR head, traitor."

Quickswitch strikes you with Photon Cannon &lt;OH SH*T&gt; for 15 points of damage.

Quickswitch unleashes its Photon Cannon &lt;OH SH*T&gt; attack on Kup, Nightbeat, Grimlock and Foxfire, striking Grimlock, Nightbeat and Foxfire.

Quickswitch succeeds in grasping Fireflight, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "No one's a traitor, and we're not going to kill you! Snap out of it, Kup!--AHH!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "OW!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch snarls, "DAMMIT!!""

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "QUICKSWITCH! What the FRAG?!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Quickswitch! You.... gaaaaah! Primus, Quickswitch, *why* do you keep shooting me?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Can't even hit an old mech. Shameful."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Stop! All of you.. just stop."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I /did/ stop! *CRUNCH* ... okay I was wrong. NOW I've stopped"

Fireflight yelps as his backside is fried by Quickswitch, and the belly-sliding Aeriabot hits a Mesa. Probably the same one Shockwave used yesterday. CRUNCH

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: Corporal, I know you can hear this. Kup wants to murder me. And that ain't jivving. Warn the EDC that Kup's gone mad, please.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Don't you think we'd stop if we had a choice? And WHY are you opening fire on your allies?!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Hey, Quickswitch. Hope yer lookin' forward to the day when the Autobots lock you up in the same place they put Red Alert. Oh, trust me, it'll happen."

Grimlock is a good shield! He falls atop Kup, and...stays there. "OKAY." he grunts, enduring the blast from Quickswitch. "Hnnnf!" He shifts about a little bit, to the point where he's...sitting. On Kup. "Everybody stop shooting! Me Grimlock am fixing things!" he says- and almost as an afterthought, he reaches forward, attempting to grab Kup's gun and toss it aside!

Grimlock succeeds in grasping Kup, throwing him off-balance.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "You know where Red Alert is??"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "You go AWOL. You trick Grimlock and I into a spike-filled pit. And - did you just admit to locking up Red Alert, Kup?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Nah. If I did, I'd break him out--HEY!"

You receive a radio message from Noah Wolfe: Oh smeg, I knew the old junk heap was off his floppy but he went senile too? Right, I'll pass the word on mate. Thanks.

Foxfire is knocked right off his paws. "Ungh...ow..." He shakes his head, climbing back to his feet, albeit a little wobbly. His ears are lowered. "The things I go through to help my friends..."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Oh, I see now! Yer gonna tell Rodimus it was me that kidnapped him! You fraggin' liar!"

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: I dunno if he's under mind control or what, but he wants me *dead*. Don't let him near any humans, you hear? He's dangerous.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "You were the one who said that the Autobots locked up Red Alert!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Err, no. I was hoping you could tell us so we can go get him out"

Quickswitch transforms almost reflexatively, landing on his knees. He trembles, vocalizer unsteady too, and an unsettled murmur through clouded optics, "..I just wanted all of you to stop. Each of you accusing the other. No one is prepared to listen, and I had to do something.."

Quickswitch springs up into his massive robot mode.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Damn it all...I've tried to find any trace of Red. The Golden Age--it's been scrubbed so clean...like someone's trying to hide a scent...Kup, if you know anything, TELL US."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Red Alert... locked up?"

You receive a radio message from Noah Wolfe: Understood, do you need any help? Alameda might be a safe place for you.

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: Y'know, I'll take you up on that generous offer, if you don't mind.

Fireflight transforms, standing and rubbing his chest and stomach where the paint was scraped clean off "Bitbucket is going to KILL me." he groans a little, turning back to watch the others. He takes a few steps, then stops, looking down at the ground nervously

Kup coughs out, "Dammit, Grimlock, yer heavy!" He tries to push the Dinobot off, but he's very, very heavy. "Come on, get offa me! If ya don't, they're gonna kill me!" Kup begins to look a bit wild-eyed. "Grimlock... I'm the last... hope... for stopping... the conspiracy...."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "You're mistaken, old man. No one will set lock and key to me. ...No one would dare."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup coughs, "Just you wait... Quickswitch. Wait til you see what they do to me."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Tailgate says, "What in the slaggin' pit of slag are you people jabbering about?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "What, check you over for cerebo-shells and make you cool down until you stop acting nuts? Better than you'd do to me!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "You people know where Red Alert is... damn you. Damn you all!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "/I/ dont! I broke Switzerland trying to find him remember?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "H-Hey, where IS Red Alert?!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "...how did you *break* Switzerland? It's a country!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... I stood on part of it and it collapsed under me..."

Grimlock hnfs. "Me Grimlock am RANKING OFFICER HERE." he pauses. "'cept him Kup. But that mean you ALL DO WHAT ME GRIMLOCK SAY! And me Grimlock say you all go home!" he grunts, and looks down at Kup, idly tapping him on the head. "You Kup no worry. Me Grimlock make sure nobody kill you!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Did you know Switzerland has four official languages?"

You receive a radio message from Noah Wolfe: It's all good Nightbeat. When you can, come on over.

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: I'll be booking it there post haste. Thanks, Corporal.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "I'm gonna find Red...even if I have to learn to fly that shuttle myself. Fireflight...BE QUIET."

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; has an offer that he, frankly, cannot refuse, so he thinks that he's going to have to take it. Also, as far as Grimlock's orders go? Forget those. There's no way he's obeying the reptile that just tried to strangle him. The Porsche pours on the speed, kicking up a cloud of dust, and tries to make himself not here anymore. +retreat

Nightbeat begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Fireflight.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... Yes Sir."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight sounds meek.

Kup coughs a bit. "*kaff* Yeah, I bet you will, Grimlock. If you don't kill me first, that is." He makes an angry face as Grimlock pats him on the head, feeling like the world's biggest idiot. "Ennnnnnnnhhhh."

"The Autobots may embrace utterly ridiculous ideas and not know when to use lethal force when they must, but this, every last one of you, is glitching, makes no sense," Quickswitch spits, "I'll shoot you a second time if any of you so much as lifts a--" SLAG IT!! The expression twists to wrath as does his form, "...All of you will STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!" he shrieks, systems brought to their limits in this.

Foxfire is very angry by now. Beware the infuriated fox. "All of you...just SHUT UP. Kup, I'm DONE trying to be nice. You're going to let yourself get checked out even if I have to DRAG YOU BY THE NECK back to Autobot City. And Quickswitch, STAND DOWN. You're not helping!"

Quickswitch shrinks down into his utilitarian laser pistol mode.

"Me Grimlock no kill you Kup! Who tell me Grimlock stories then?" he hmms, and glances curiously off as Nightbeat peels out. "Huh. Me wonder if him Nightbeat have handcuffs." He says- and then peers curiously at Quickswitch and Foxfire. "HEY." he snarls "YOU NO BE CRAZY TOO!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... Where is Nightbeat going?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "FOLLOW!! FOLLOW HIM!!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Y'all have gone bonkers."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me no crazy!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Contain Kup as well!!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock just need grab you Nightbeat so him Kup no shoot you!"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Nightbeat says, "Got it sorted. I'll be staying with the fleshings. On the plus side? The chaos has been brought, for certain."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "errr, okay!"

Fireflight jumps at all the shouting and shakes his head. He looks after Nightbeat "Nightbeat! Wait up!" he transforms, taking to the skies wobbily again to follow the car.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Indeed. There's still 'Magnus' in place, and from your position with the fleshlings, you can work to undermine their support of your 'fellows.'"

Grimlock siiiiighs, and reaches forward, attempting to grab Quickswitch's laser-pistol mode. At least he's more manageable that way! "Me Grimlock say this stuff never happen long time 'go." he mutters. Will he be yelling at the kids on his lawn, next?

Kup thinks for a moment. Stories? Ah, yes, he has just a story for this sort of occasion. "I ever... tell you about this time I was captured by this group of Autobots that went traitor, Grimlock? There was this one guy in the unit that hadn't gone rogue and had no idea what was going on, and the traitors just told him that it was ME who turned his back on the faction. They even had him guard my cell. I tried to warn him something was up, Grimlock, and, well, he didn't listen." He looks meaningfully at the Dinobot that's sitting on him. "You know what happened to that guy, Grimlock?"

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; does totally have handcuffs. He tries to outrun a jet, which may well be stupid, but he's going to try to go it anyway. If only he had that new engine in - he might have a fighting chance! But oh, the first tunnel on the googlemaps route? Nightbeat's taking it. He'd like to see Fireflight follow him underground!

You move west to California.

[travel spam]

You hop on the ferry to Alameda. Isn't mass transit great?

Alameda

Alameda, formerly the site of the Naval Air Station and the associated Marine base, is now home to the newly formed EDC and its massive launching, recovery and repair facilities. The city seems to have adapted to the change rather well. The carriers, cruisers and destroyers formerly tied up alongside the piers have been replaced with hyper-sonic fighter craft, interplanetary interceptors and shuttles of all varieties, but the servicemen never change. The towers and hangars of the EDC shine brightly in the sun.

Contents:

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; Tank

Jayson Redfield

Chase Technologies lab

Underground Parking Garage &lt;UPG&gt;

Terran Standard Troops #5328

Terran Standard Troops #5329

Terran Standard Troops #4172

Alameda Base Defenses &lt;ABD&gt;

Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt;

Obvious exits: Fly &lt;Up&gt; leads to Sky over San Francisco. Ferry &lt;F&gt; leads to Uptown San Francisco. West &lt;W&gt; leads to San Francisco Harbor.

Fireflight has arrived.

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; unfolds each pod under itself forming arms and legs, the nose folds down revealing a head which flashes its lone optic.

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; has arrived.

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: Fireflight's dogging me. I've tried to lose him in tunnels, but I dunno how well it worked.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch whimpers, "..Primus."

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe pulls back on his controls as the armor lifts up. It transforms and pulls out its laser rifle resting it on his shoulder. Noah waits for his contact to arrive and hopefully, EDC reinforcements. He's got security feeds coming into his armor so he can keep tabs on any of the other gates than the main one. The defenses of Alameda are not active at the moment and the base doesn't seem very active.

You receive a radio message from Noah Wolfe: Gotcha, any reason why he's following you and is he welcome?

Sam enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the south.

Sam has arrived.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the south.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; has arrived.

You send a radio message to Noah Wolfe: Unwelcome. He's following either Kup or Grimlock's order - I didn't invite him along.

Porsche 959 &lt;Nightbeat&gt; has been skewered through with rebar and shot up. He's leaking rather badly. He drives erratically, zigging and zagging as if he expects to be shot at any point. When he finally approaches Alameda, he skids to a halt. The Porcshe transforms, and he looks around, wide-opticed. He just has to pray that the humans haven't gone nuts like Kup has. Nightbeat hates living on a prayer.

The puzzle pieces of Porsche 959 rearrange into the hard-boiled Autobot detective, Nightbeat!

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Roooooooodimus."

Fireflight follows Nightbeat as best he can, from a distance up in the sky. He had managed to keep the Porsche in view and remained quiet this time, his red and white body circling overhead.

Sam pokes his head out of the gates.

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: N... Nightbeat? Its Fireflight. I'm not gonna shoot you or anything.

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe watches Nightbeat stop and the armor waves him over. With the laser rifle still against his shoulder, Noah looks up in the sky, trying to pick out the tag along. He speaks over the channels and then flips over to his loudspeaker, "Nightbeat, you look like scrap. Common in before anyone else comes along to make trouble. We'll sort things out then."

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield is standing by with his arms folding, giving his exo a rather smug-looking appearance. Kind of like if Soundwave was smug. It's kind of weird, really. "Did anyone follow you?" he emits to Nightbeat.

You send a radio message to Fireflight: Fireflight? Kup is pretty clearly glitching, Grimlock's way too personally fond of Kup to be objective here, and Quickswitch tends to go mental, now and then. So you're going to go back and tell them that you lost me in the tunnels. Do you understand?

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: But you need repairs!

You send a radio message to Fireflight: Yeah. But if I go back to Autobot Ctty, Kup's gonna kill me. You let me handle myself, y'hear?

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "how are things going, Grimlock?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Everyone crazy 'cept for me."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "okay...."

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Robot is also outside of the gates except the dark blue talon seems to be searching the skies. However, the speaker crackles to life. "I'd put money that someone did. It's just a matter of spotting him."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "What him Nightbeat doing?"

Nightbeat staggers toward the entrance of Alameda, leaving a trail of pink energon and black gasoline behind him. He clutches one of his wounds, groaning. Nightbeat murmurs lowly, "Fireflight followed me. Couldn't shake him." He looks rather upset at himself, and he twitches, still expecting this all to be a trap.

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: Uhm...

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I kinda... lost him a little bit in the tunnels... Lemme keep looking."

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: If he finds out I lied to him, he's going to flatten me.

Fireflight continues circling overhead slowly. Making wide circles, but never approaching or moving away

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "all of the players are nearly in place. All we need to do is find whom our master is speaking of and remove him......"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I might have followed you, but I'm a little busy at the moment."

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe pushes his armor forward to help Nightbeat. The warthog lifts up Nightbeat's arm not holding a wound and helps him, in case he falls over from the injuries. The Warthog shakes his head, "He's still looking for you, let's get inside before he finds you." He looks over at the two Talons, "Head up and see if you can intercept Fireflight if you please."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "He was in Greenland, but I can't tell where he's gone to since."

You send a radio message to Fireflight: But if he knows I'm here, he might hurt humans trying to get to me. Could you live with that, Fireflight? Could you go to the door of a grieving family and explain why their son is dead?

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: N... no... But I did tell him I lost you in the tunnels, but I'm still looking. That's what I told him. So it's not QUITE a lie, cause I did lose you for a bit... But I won't tell him I found you again.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield nods at Noah and activates the thrusters. "Don't worry, Nightbeat, we got yer back." He ascends into the air, bracing himself for potential combat, although he hopes it doesn't come to that.

You send a radio message to Fireflight: Such a clever Aerialbot. Thanks.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "hrm. Think you can find him again?  or must you remain at your post to keep your cover?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "The whole universe has gone crazy. Frag this, I'm goin' back to finding Red."

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: Heh. Thanks. It was all so confusing back there. I do hope they get a hold of Kup...

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Leave Nightbeat to me ok?"

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "The problem isn't whether or not I can leave my post. The problem is that this is a big planet and I'm one Seeker."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Hollywood says, "I hear bad news."

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Robot is already hovering above the ground. "you got it, Noah." The pilot says before lifting into the air....transforming in the meantime.

Twisting and shifting, the exo-suit transforms into the Talon exo-jet.

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: anyways, isnt the better part of valour discretion?

You send a radio message to Fireflight: You said it.

Nightbeat murmurs gratefully, a little woozy from the loss of fluids, "I really 'preciate this, you guys. If'n you ever need a detective, just gimme a call." He accepts Corporal Wolfe's help without complaint. Then, he moves to go inside, still staggering.

Fireflight continues circling overhead, knowing exactly where Beat was as he murmers into his radio.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "I can send out 'Starscream' to assist."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "Two of us in the same place looking doesn't do much better than one of us in one place looking. Send 'Starscream' elsewhere. And by the Eigth, if you want him to actually spend some time looking and not dodging Decepticons, get him a new paint job."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I'm running low on fuel guys... I may have to go back to base soon. I shouldnt really have gone out this far I think..."

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe nods and mumbles into his own radio. "Don't mention it, when this is all over, I might need your help with something. Since you're offering." he says thinking he might be able to get Nightbeat to track down his parents or any family members for that matter.

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: Oh yeah! If uh, Rodimus or someone else asks, can I tell them? Once we get Kup back to base and stuff we can sort this out.

You send a radio message to Fireflight: Better to just let that lie. I'll come out when it's safe.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "So it was. Is it still the idea if he's trying to instead search for that cassette?"

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: ... if Rodimus orders, I can't disobey even for him. But I'm sure he'd understand too... I'll try my best okay?

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "which cassette?"

Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt;

This is the main complex of the Earth Defense Corps's HeadQuarters. Based here in the beautiful city of San Fransciso it rises above the tranquil park below. To the north is the multi-level EDC Command Tower, beautifully designed in blue glass it shines brilliantly in the sun. A large EDC crest is subtly blended into the building. Over to the west, you can see star fighters taking off and landing. Behind you is the gates leading back down to the peaceful park below.

Contents:

Talazia Keldahoff

Terran Standard Troops #2844

EDC Roster

Obvious exits: Southwest &lt;SW&gt; leads to Barracks Hall &lt;EDC&gt;. East &lt;E&gt; leads to Prisoner Confinement Area. North &lt;N&gt; leads to Alameda.

South &lt;S&gt; leads to Hangar Bay &lt;EDC&gt;. West &lt;W&gt; leads to EDC Command Tower.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet there is perhaps a longer pause than there need be. Finally, Fleet answers, "The Wolf. The one the Fallen has commanded we find."

You send a radio message to Fireflight: I ain't sayin' lie. Just... don't pipe up unless directly asked.

You receive a radio message from Fireflight: Ohh! okay.

Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; comes into the main complex through the gates to the north.

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; has arrived.

Sam comes into the main complex through the gates to the north.

Sam has arrived.

Sam slips along, just to see what's going on. Just a little human on the ground, don't mind him.

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "I don't know of a wolf cassette. That's a new one on me......"

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe walks in with Nightbeat and says, "We do not have much for repairs for transformers, but what we have is at your disposal. That and if we're lucky, Andi can help fix you up. How badly hurt are you?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "This is.."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Fleet says, "... Never mind, then. I shall continue the search alone."

Nightbeat staggers into Alameda, making a mess on the floor. He looks around, rather wobbly, and he comments, "...nice place you got here." Then his attention wanders over to Sam. Wait, is that...? Nightbeat's optic band cycles a few disbelieving blinks. "Uh, I got skewered through by a rebar spike pit-trap, choked and manhandled by Grimlock, and shot by Quickswitch. I've had worse, but it's enough to ruin my day, Corporal. I'm really more worried about Kup, though."

&lt;Reaver&gt; Steeltread says, "I'm not an airborne unit Fleet....otherwise I'd help. *he then pauses for a bit*  "perhaps Magnificus can....correct that.""

&lt;Autobot&gt; Hollywood says, "Does Hollywood need to come save your afts? What's going on?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "Enemies....Traitors...All of them...."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Hollywood says, "Wait. I read this script."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I dont know anymore to be honest Hollywood. Kup was acting like Red Alert usually does, and Quickswitch, Foxfire and I came to help Nightbeat and Grimlock, Nightbeat and Grimlock fell into a spike pit set by Paranoid-Kup, who tried to talk us all into shooting Nightbeat instead or at least, some of us, and said WE were all traitors and was talking about killing us all and stuff, and then Grimlock picked Nightbeat up and flew out of the pit while Quickswitch disappeared and everyone started shooting at each other, I tried to knock Kup over to at least get him down, but I missed and ended up sliding across the desert into a Mesa - or is it a Butte? And then Nightbeat got free when Quickswitch shot everyone, and I was sent to follow him and I did."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "... and I think I just confused myself"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock get Kup!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Hollywood says, "... Right."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I was trying to keep order."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "Kup wanted me *executed* without a trial. That ain't in our code."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock take him back to Metroplex, and follow him 'round so nobody try to kill him!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Hollywood says, "This is worst than Mission Impossible Sixteen."

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe smiles and nods, "It's got it's small charms. So about the autobots. They probably know you're here so we should make it official that you're under our protection..." he chuckles, "...this is all kinda new to me. But I think that's probably a good idea. It'll keep them from storming in here right away." The armor's head motions towards the large hangar, "This way and we can maybe patch you up." Maybe Sam knows how, because Noah's in the dark with something as complex as a transformer.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "...I wanted the traitor DepthCharge executed, and none agreed."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Me Grimlock sorry me have to throw you 'round some, Nightbeat. Me Grimlock need to do stuffs so him Kup no go crazy. Uuuuh. Go crazier."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "so you have Kup?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Kup says, "Better than the brig, I guess. Would probably last ten astroclicks before a traitor arranged an "accident" for me."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Quickswitch says, "I was dugging a tunnel to get em out. Grimlock just flew up out of the pit."

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "Anyways... I followed Nightbeat westwards, but he went into the tunnels and stuff. I was looking for a bit, but I'm getting low on fuel - still not recovered from that fight yesterday. Permission to call off the hunt?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Yes, me have Kup!"

Nightbeat isn't sure he'd let Sam touch him. He knows that face, and the fellow who was last wearing it... is one of the worst Decepticons in the history of Cybertron. It could be a coincidence, sure, but Nightbeat doesn't believe in coincidence, only conspiracy unexplained. He replies to Corporal Wolfe, "Eh... the Autobots don't know I'm here. If you gotta announce I'm here, I ain't gonna argue with your protocals, given the hospitality you've shown, but if it's all the same to you, Corporal, I'd just as soon lie low."

Sam ducks his head a little bit and moves forward. His left arm is in a sling. "Er.." he poses a question, "what has happened..?"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "That's good!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Fireflight says, "I'm heading back then."

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe nods, "I understand, you know better than I would. No announcement then." He looks between Nightbeat and Sam wondering why Sam got the look that he did, then dismisses it. It's probably not important. He looks over at Sam and says, "Kup went nuts and ordered the other bots to hunt down Nightbeat for some reason. He needs a place to cool down for the time being...maybe some repairs if you're up to it." He notices the sling as they reach the hangar.

=
===================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/82                     Posted        Author HIM KUP! Fri Nov 21   Grimlock -- "Me Grimlock go with him Nightbeat to find him Kup! Him Kup go crazy and push us in hole, though. Then bunch of other Autobots show up and start yelling crazy- ME LOOKING AT YOU QUICKSWITCH." "Him Nightbeat run off somewhere, but me not sure why. So me Grimlock sit on Kup, and talk to him bunch! Him Kup 'fraid somebody gon' kill him, so me Grimlock follow him around and make sure he not die! Is great! Him Kup gon' tell me LOTS OF STORIES." "So, uuuuh. Yeah. Nobody kill him Kup! Also, someone get medic fix him Kup, too. Him all crazy lookin' like Junkion or something." *BLIP!*
 * Hey look, it's Grimlock! And Kup's right by him!*

=
=================================================================

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says, "Grimlock, for the last time, no one is going to kill Kup."

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; leaves to the Hangar Bay &lt;EDC&gt; to the south.

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; has left.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Grimlock says, "Somebody tell him Kup that!"

&lt;Autobot&gt; Nightbeat says, "I already did!"

Sam leaves to the Hangar Bay &lt;EDC&gt; to the south.

Sam has left.

You move south to the Hangar Bay &lt;EDC&gt;...

Hangar Bay &lt;EDC&gt;

A large hangar, dark, but full of people working on various types of craft, all trying to make them ready in the least amount of time, should the threat siren go off. About a dozen craft, in various states of repair, but all bearing the symbol of the EDC are here. The main doors of the hangar stand open to let the fumes of damaged coolant lines, leaky fuel pumps and broken exhaust systems bleed out into the open air. Armed guards also stand near the door, but they seem to be more window dressing than anything else, their weapons held loosely, only snapping to attention when they see an officer coming across the tarmac. The bay is alive with sounds: techs yelling at each other, tools being dropped, the whine of protesting engines, the shrill shriek of the elevators as craft are raised or lowered from the underground storage bay, the roar as one of them passes by. The EDC is not all glitz and glamour, and this place proves it.

Contents:

Sam

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; Robot

Tank Depot

EDC Refueling Station

Scanner

Obvious exits: North &lt;N&gt; leads to Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt;. West &lt;W&gt; leads to Landing Fields &lt;EDC&gt;. East &lt;E&gt; leads to EDC Training Room. South &lt;S&gt; leads to EDC Medical Facility. Down &lt;D&gt; leads to Aircraft Storage Bay &lt;EDC&gt;.

Nightbeat stumbles into the hangar, still looking rather wide-opticed and bleary. Okay, so Not-Soundwave has his arm in a sling. He's still suspicious! Nightbeat clarifies, "Actually, Kup rolled a boulder at Grimlock, set a pit trap for Grimlock and I, and then ordered Grimlock to execute me, and see, Autobots don't do that. We have trials first and juries of our peers. We also don't dump other Autobots into slagging pit traps. Or roll boulders at them."

Sam follows them along, having to jog pretty quickly to keep up with the fast-moving mechs. When they slow, he catches up and then scratches his head with his right hand. "Not acceptable for Cybertronian repairs. Could perhaps apply temporary patch to fluid leaks.." he shrugs his right shoulder.

From Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;, Noah Wolfe grumbles, "I never did like Kup. Called me a coward and warned everyone about me. A person can't help who he is..." but he's still a coward in battle. Then looks down at Sam and says, "Help out if you can. I'll give Andi a call and see if she can come help too."

Nightbeat sits down on the floor of the hangar, taking a moment to rest his weary and aching struts. "Don't worry about fixing me if you're damaged, ah..." Nightbeat doesn't really know Sam's name, and calling him Not-Soundwave would be even more tactless than Nightbeat usually is. He arches an optical ridge and comments, "Kup did that, huh?" He thinks back and remembers that report. "Maybe he's been glitching for longer than we suspected. See, this kinda behaviour ain't like him. Either he's gone bonkers, or there's mind control involved. In any case, I don't feel safe with him in command."

Sam tilts his head at Nightbeat, listening curiously. "Oh.. er.. called Sam." He moves closer to Nightbeat to peer at the Bot's injuries. Then he looks at Noah. "Yes, this would be very helpful," he agrees, about calling Andi.

Noah Wolfe leaves the Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;.

Noah Wolfe has arrived.

Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt; has left.

Noah Wolfe takes Exo-Armor Warthog &lt;Noah Wolfe&gt;.

Noah Wolfe opens the hatch and uses a wench and hook to lower himself to the ground. "Andi should be coming in a bit to look at your injuries." he says, but at this point he really isn't sure what to do but just asks, "So Kup went nuts and set a trap for Grimlock and you, then ordered your capture which forced you into hiding, is that about it?" He shakes his head, "Just trying to get this straight."

Andi Lassiter enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the north.

Andi Lassiter has arrived.

&lt;Autobot&gt; Saboteur Foxfire says flatly, "Where is Rodimus?" He doesn't sound like he's in the mood for nonsense.

Nightbeat is sitting on the floor, a puddle of gasoline and energon slowly forming around - only slowly because his wounds have started to self seal. It looks like he got into a fight with a box full of sharp rebar, lost, and then he got into a barfight with Grimlock and Quickswitch. That's not actually how it happened, of course, but the truth is actually stranger than fiction. He corrects, "Not my capture. My *execution*. Otherwise, that's about right."

Andi Lassiter arrives hastily, thanks to a motor pool jeep and the skillful driving of an MP. She's got a duffel bag on her lap, and her hair looks like it was very recently washed -- as in practically still dripping wet.

Sam is standing near Nightbeat, looking over the Bot's injuries and frowning a lot.

Talazia Keldahoff enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the north.

Talazia Keldahoff has arrived.

Noah Wolfe has disconnected.

Nightbeat sitting on the floor, looking like a wreck. He is a bit baffled why Andi would have wet hair. It wasn't raining. Oh... perhaps it was some strange human custom! Maybe the mysterious 'shower' rite. He has to admit he's suspicious of her, but he's suspicious of Sam, too, and he's also suspicious of small rocks at this point. His commanding officer did just order him executed, after all. He has a right to be twitchy. He drawls, "I gotta thank you for makin' a special call, Doc, but I got reasons why I can't just haul back to Autobot City."

Andi Lassiter clambers out of the jeep the moment it stops. "Thank you Vanessa." "No problem, ma'am." And with that the jeep and its driver leaves again and Andi hurries over toward Nightbeat. She takes one quick appraising glance at the puddling liquids and is all business. "Sam, bring four sets of protective gloves, non-permeable, as well as all the duct tape you can find." She looks up at Nightbeat now. "Nightbeat. You and I didn't meet on the best of terms, but I'm willing to ignore that to help you. I'm warning you, though. We don't have the parts and facilities that Metroplex does, so this is going to at best be a patch job."

&lt;Earth&gt; The Confused Philosopher asks, "Is it cruel to serve Alphagetti to someone who's illiterate?"

&lt;Earth&gt; Foxfire says, "...What?"

&lt;Earth&gt; The Confused Philosopher asks, "What did tornadoes hit before there were trailer parks?"

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "It disappoints me how many random fleshlings have acquired access to the world-wide broadband system."

&lt;Earth&gt; Foxfire says, "Yeah, well, deal with it, Scrappy."

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "Oh don't tell me it doesn't annoy you too, Autobot."

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "I know you dogooders wouldn't mind wringing the necks of more than a few fleshlings."

&lt;Earth&gt; James Bailey says, "You make it sound like it's a big deal. Are there Cybertronians that don't know how to handle simple radio machinery? That can't speak coherently?"

Nightbeat is starting to slump over, and he props himself up with an arm. He confides lowly, "Well, see... Kup went AWOL, trapped and injured two Autobots, and ordered my execution, which just ain't in our code. I think he's glitched, personally. So I'll gladly accept your roughest ministrations, sugar, because whatever you do to me, it's better than bein' dead." Or so Nightbeat hopes.

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "Yes. We call them Terrorcons, and we give them radio access in order to annoy our enem- oh I see where you're going with this."

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield can be heard giggling. Don't mind him.

&lt;Earth&gt; Apeface says, "Someone sounds like they got a membership card in the Human-Boy Love Club"

Sam nods several times and hurries off to one of the workstations. He begins emptying out gloves and duct tape, as well as most of a tool chest, onto a cart. He starts wheeling the cart back over to Andi and Nightbeat.

&lt;Earth&gt; James Bailey says, "Uh...are you some kind of expert on the subject?"

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "Careful Apeface, this fleshling is sassy."

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "He might be a Briar."

&lt;Earth&gt; Fleet says in a flat, emotionless, and most importantly, unafraid voice, "Oh. My. Sass. Our greatest weakness."

James Bailey enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the north.

James Bailey has arrived.

Andi Lassiter says, "Lie down, Nightbeat, before you fall down."

Andi Lassiter takes a small hand-held medical scanner out of her duffel bag and starts to scan the injured Autobot to assess his injuries.

&lt;Earth&gt; James Bailey says, "Do you even know what that word means...?"

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "I bet no."

Jayson Redfield enters from the Main Complex &lt;EDC&gt; to the north.

Jayson Redfield has arrived.

&lt;Earth&gt; Fleet says, "Of course not, human. I was programmed without basic language protocols and am incapable of accessing the enormous amount of information you provide freely on your internet."

James Bailey hurries in, muttering something, one hand on his small EDC radio earpiece. He slows to a stop when he sees Nightbeat. "...what's the problem, Andi?" He's not the expert on Cybertronian physiology that Andi is, but James is pretty sure it takes more than turning a wrench to help one...

&lt;Earth&gt; Scrapper says, "Which word? 'Briar'? I do, but there may be protoforms listening in so I better not say."

Nightbeat has a dame telling him to lie down! Of course, the context is that she's a human mechanic, and he suspects her of being up to something ill-defined, but oh well. Nightbeat more or less just flops over onto the floor, for once not protesting what the doctor orders.

Sam helpfully holds out a set of gloves to Andi.

Jayson Redfield darts into the hangar shortly after James. He's not sure what's happening, but far be it from him to ignore a request for help. "James!" he calls upon seeing his teammate. "D'you what's going on?"

Marissa Faireborn has arrived.

&lt;Earth&gt; Jayson Redfield says, "Oy..."

Andi Lassiter turns as James and Jayson arrive. "Jayson, I need to you go to my house and bring back the sealed container in the garden shed." She throws her house keys at him. "Get someone from the motor pool to take you, it's going to be heavy. James, do we have any energon stores around here anywhere? What I've got at home is barely a swallow's worth for Nightbeat, and I know he's already lost more than that."

Marissa Faireborn arrives in the hangar shortly after J&J. She's wearing jeans, a T-shirt with the EDC logo on it, and a light Giants jacket, having returned from an evening jog around the base. After a shower and change of clothes, she headed down to see what help Andi needs. She is completely unaware of any wackiness involving Kup and Nightbeat.

James Bailey says, "Sure, we've got energon...we need it to charge some of our own Exos and weapons systems." He goes over to some of the machinery in the hangar bay and prepares the charging functions. During this process he looks at Nightbeat with undisguised curiosity. "He's lost energon? Is that dangerous by itself? Or does he just need a recharge to funtion normally...?"

Nightbeat is sprawled out on the hangar floor, looking like a mess. His optic bands brightens slightly. A skirt saying that he needs more energon? Yes please! Well, actually, he really does - rebar spikes through his undercarriage while he's a car will tend to make an Autobot bleed out. He rambles, a bit incoherently. "See, Rodimus Prime had told me to track down Kup after he went missing. Guess Kup didn't like that, and... yeah. All that went down. So I tried to tell Kup and Grimlock that Autobot don't do executions, that we do fair and just trials, but they wouldn't listen..."

Jayson Redfield comes to a stop and approaches the others. He studies Nightbeat for a moment, gently biting his lip. "That doesn't look good..." To Andi, he nods. "Sure thing. Back in a flash." He sprints off to proceed with his assigned task.

Sam frowns rather deeply. "Very strange. Kup spoke on EDC network ah.. earlier. Said 'do not trust Autobots.' Seemed very er... paranoid."

Andi Lassiter takes two sets of gloves from Sam and puts them on double-layered to protect her hands, then takes a few tools out of her duffel and tucks them into her jeans pockets where they'll fit. "Marissa, Sam. Protect your hands with those gloves and start patching any leaks you see with the duct tape." For her part, she starts to climb up onto Nightbeat's arm then his chest to get at the most critical injuries right away.

James Bailey stops what he's doing for a moment. "Nightbeat...are you saying that Kup and Grimlock did this to you? -Autobots- did this? The 3rd in command of the Autobot forces and the commander of your military division?" The machinery beeps gently at him, making him jerk a bit. "Uh...recharge is ready."

Andi Lassiter says, "James, losing energon is the Cybertronian equivalent of losing blood. We've got to make sure he doesn't bleed out too much or he'll go into stasis lock -- like a coma -- and that's something I can't fix without facilities like those in Metroplex."

Marissa Faireborn jogs over upon seeing Nightbeat in the sorry state that he's in. She resists her natural instinct to ask what the heck happened and instead obeys Andi's orders. "Right," she says, putting on thet gloves. She grasps the duct tape and looks the Autobot over. He is in bad shape, and Marissa only hopes that plugging those leaks is as easy as Andi makes it sound like it is. Moving down to the detective's right leg, Marissa stretches out a long strip of silver tape and begins her work.

Sam carefully unstraps the sling on his arm, and then pulls on his own double pair of gloves. He's not very quick about it, but he methodically starts to go around patching minor leaks about the extremities while Andi works on the main damage.

True to his word, it's not long before Jayson returns. He hurries back into the hangar and over to the others. "Okay..." He hands the keys back to Andi. "I got someone who'll bring it in." And speak of the Devil, here comes a pickup with the requested container in tow. "You were right about it being heavy...what's in it, anyway?" He pauses. "And what happened to Nightbeat, exactly?" Since he was off on an errand, he missed *that* part.

Andi Lassiter starts to carefully open an access panel near the side of Nightbeat's chest. "Nightbeat, I'm going to put you into recharge while we patch you up, so you don't have to feel the worst of it. All right?"

Nightbeat is losing his ability to focus his optics. That's bad, right? He really doesn't want to pass out in a room full of humans, but he doesn't see himself having too many options here. Sighing, he repeats for Marissa's benefit. "Uh huh, Commander Faireborn. Kup ordered my execution without trial, and I got kinda roughed up escaping. Corporal Wolfe graciously offered to let me crash here, and... ugh... really not feeling too hot right now. Go for it, Doc." Passing out in a room full of humans it is! +ooc Thank you for the RP and the hospitality, everyone! I really appreciate it.

Jayson Redfield frowns a bit. "Definitely not Kup...I always liked him. I was under mind control recently--don't remember anything about it, of course--but it sounds like the same thing might've happened to him...ugh. Don't wanna think about that."

================================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/83                     Posted        Author Nightbeat                         Fri Nov 21    Marissa Faireborn --

*** TEXT ONLY *** *** CC'd to the EDC Messaging System ***

Earlier Friday evening there was an incident involving Kup, Grimlock, and Nightbeat that left Nightbeat badly wounded and near death at Alameda. I am unclear on the details, but there have been reports given involving Kup and Grimlock attempting to kill Nightbeat. Due to the seriousness of these reports, I have placed Nightbeat in our medical care and protection until Rodimus lets us know what he wants done. Autobot visitors must be cleared with either EDC Security, Rodimus Prime, or Ultra Magnus. I'm sure everyone recognizes the need for these security measures, and I appreciate in advance everyone's understanding.

- Colonel Marissa Faireborn

=
=================================================================

=
===================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/84                     Posted        Author Autobot Code Breach               Sat Nov 22    Nightbeat -- Nightbeat is somewhere generic in Alameda. He's had some repairs, but he still looks rather banged up. This unhappy detective reports, "Rodimus Prime told me to, "Get on it," with regards to tracking down Kup, who went AWOL after a recent fight with Shockwave. With Grimlock along, we went out to Arizona to investigate where Kup was last seen. Kup rolled a boulder at Grimlock, but Grimlock being Grimlock, it was the boulder that broke." He smirks a little, but really, he doesn't seem all that amused.

"It got worse, though. He lured me into a pit full of rebar spikes and then shoved Grimlock in on top of me." Nightbeat grimaces in remembered pain. "So then Kup orders Grimlock to execute me. I plead with Grimlock, telling him that's not how the Autobot Code works, that we seek a fair and just trial first - and yeah, I know I ain't exactly the best guy to talk about following finer points of the Code, but I know it insides out and backwards," mainly so that he knows just how many subsections he's rampantly breaking in his investigations.

"So Grimlock grabs me by the hand and neck." Not a happy memory, either. "Foxfire, Fireflight, and Quickswitch tried to control the situation, but Kup goaded Quickswitch on channel, daring him to just kill everyone. So, uh, Quickswitch shot a bunch of us." Nightbeat facepalms. "I kicked Grimlock in the knee and ran away." Knee-kicks: the solution to everything.

"Anyway, in booby-trapping Arizona, injuring fellow Autobots, and ordering my execution without trial, Kup has committed major breaches of the Autobot Code and has shown that he cannot be trusted. Maybe Shockwave's radiation fried his circuits or those slag-sucking Decepticons got a cerebro-shell into him. A lot of people have been commenting that Kup hasn't been acting like himself lately. Either way, I have to suggest that he be relieved of command until he can be properly medically examined and have his glitch repaired. I think we all know that Grimlock is too personally fond of Kup to make an objective decision. The EDC has kindly offered to take me in for the time being, and if any Autobot makes trouble for them, I'll personally see that he or she regrets it. So just don't. Nightbeat, out."

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