Coalition of the Brave: Battle for Cybertron

Running for cover, the light blue beam tears up the ground around and beneath Red Alert as he dives over an embankment. Cracks and tears in his armor wreak havoc, sparking this way and that. Looking up from his point, Red Alert releases the locking mechanism on his shoulder rockets and takes aim.

No witty combat banter, no pats to his own ego, not a single word said. Red Alert is old school like that.. well, that and he's pissed. Combat: Red Alert misses Space Shuttle  with his Shoulder Rocket attack! < Cybertron > Jetfire says, "Correction. If a -Decepticon- refuses to be reasonable, you should simply shoot them." < Cybertron > Blast Off says, "That's usually because alien planets see us coming and run to you for friendship- happily giving you resources. You ought to thank us for that little benefit, actually." < Cybertron > Octane says, "That's racist." < Cybertron > First Aid says, "It was your mech that started this up here, Octane. No use crying foul now." < Cybertron > Jetfire says, "Oh, -I- am racist, am I?" < Cybertron > Octane says, "Gonna tell me your best friend's a Decepticon now?" < Cybertron > First Aid says, "Why you... ugh! Blast Off, we should be getting resources through /trade/ and /diplomacy/. It results in a whole lot less 'alien fleets invading our homeworld'." < Cybertron > Scorponok says, "Blast Off is right! You debase yourselves as the beggars of the galaxy! Your hand out, and holding a sign that says, 'Will fight Decepticons for energon!' YOU'RE PATHETIC!" < Cybertron > Red Alert says, "Jetfire, First Aid.. leave them to their degenerate thinking.  You're wasting time and effort on them." < Cybertron > Jetfire says, "If we were pathetic, you would have destroyed us all by now. But in fact, it is quite evident that you h--ah, yes. You are right, Red Alert." < Cybertron > Octane says, "Hey, if you guys want energon, y'aughta enlist with the winning team. I can make that stuff from stuff as unimportant as petroleum! I've got more of it than I know what to do with." < Cybertron > Blast Off says, "Scorponok is correct, of course. Oh- degenerate, is it, Red Alert? So says the Autobot who doesn't seem to trust anyone, even his own faction at times... or am I wrong about that?" F-15E Strike Eagle  tries to draw Blast Off's full attention, in hopes of trailing him back towards Fortress Maximus. "HEY! Stop whining over the frequencies, it's not our fault you guys totally suck and you keep bringing destruction to our planet!" He swoops right below Blast Off, dangerously close. Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle  misses Space Shuttle  with his Taunt! attack! < Cybertron > First Aid says, "Blast Off you're a-- hmm, yes, you're right Red. Thanks." Now that they are clear of the crashing ship and safely aboard Maximus once more, Scoop takes a moment to look around. Sees several Bots trying to pick of Blast Off to no prevail, while the shuttle blows the scrap out of First Aid while taunting everyone else. "How do they even make a motherboard big enough to hold all that ego?", he muses.

But hey, he's still got his little buddies in their unified form. "Guess its time to blast off Blast Off." Gripping his united partners in both hands, he levels the weapon towards the dogfighting Combaticon and fires!

Holepunch's compressed blasts of air are enough to knock airships down on their own. Right now, he's also got Tracer's additional power and targetting systems to boot. Once the others have boarded, Jetfire flies away from the fleeing Coalition ships. Now, he would have peacefully taken himself and his friends back to Iacon, but some Sweep had to go and shoot at him! Plus, the Decepticons are really getting him worked up with their insults over the comms. "Hmph! Disgusting, oversized scrapheaps..." he mutters, and lets loose with his particle beams at the Decepticons. Combat: Scoop misses Space Shuttle  with his Laser-Guided Compression Cannon attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Tech Spaceship  sets his defense level to Aggressive. < Cybertron > Blast Off says, "Yes, First Aid, ... can't think of a proper response, so you were going to resort to name calling? How... crude." Combat: Tech Spaceship  misses Space Shuttle  with his Quad Particle Beam Phalanx Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Tech Spaceship  strikes Octane with his Quad Particle Beam Phalanx Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Tech Spaceship  strikes Sweepcraft  with his Quad Particle Beam Phalanx Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Tech Spaceship 's weapon has jammed! < Cybertron > Scoop says, "You know guys. There is a very simply way of dealing with talkative loudmouths like this." < Cybertron > Blast Off says, "And I must say, NONE of you Autobots can hit a THING, can you? At this point I think Misfire would have a better chance at hitting me than any of YOU would..." < Cybertron > Scoop shuts his radio off Well, at least no one's successfully shot at him yet. For that, Grapple is thankful, even as he clings aboard Jetfire's internals. Hopefully, Tailgate is with him.

Speaking of; the architect looks to the minibot. "Are you all right?" He DID kind of... Fall out of Jetfire before. < Cybertron > First Aid refrains from commenting to Blast Off, THOUGH HE TOTALLY WANTS TO. Blades vanishes out of reality. Blades has left. "Blades, I am totally going to feel alright the next time I have to shoot Blast Off," First Aid tells his fellow Protectobot. They're both inside of Jetfire by now, so there's not a lot that he can do offensively. That doesn't mean he's useless, though. He heads to Jetfire's cockpit and begins helping to reroute power so that the Macross fighter can keep going despite his injuries. Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of Tech Spaceship 's minor injuries. Tailgate is indeed with Grapple, thank Primus, and he's alright. But he's staring at the other bot, utterly confused. "Who are you??" he asks, having absolutely no recollection of Grapple. Then he starts, noticing that they're being shot at by Decepticons. "Oh no!" he peers out the window, "Jetfire, strike under his wing! That's where it's weakest!" Combat: Tailgate analyzes Blast Off for weaknesses Jetfire can exploit. Rodimus Prime has arrived.

The passengers that Fortress Maximus had been waiting for finally boards him and soon the battleship begins cruising full speed ahead towards the silver metallic world of Cybertron! Several hostiles speeds after the retreating form of the battleship and various weapons fire causes small explosions to explode over the aft the ship! Combat: Interstellar Battleship  begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Tech Spaceship , Decepticon Starship , F-15E Strike Eagle <Air Raid>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, Sweepcraft <Avarice>, and Alien Armada - Primary Fleet Sweepcraft <Avarice> curses as Jetfire evades him and retaliates. He does his best to avoid the particle beam, but fail miserably and the blast shatters his front armor forcing him to transform back into his robot mode. The sweep snarls in disgust as his optics brighten. A moment later, he fires a twin energy beam at Jetfire. The sweepcraft splits open and unfold, revealing the sweep known as Avarice. Combat: Avarice misses Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> with his Energy Dissipator attack! LATER

Silas lays on a stretcher within a dimly lit medical ward, an oxygen mask hooked up to his face as doctors operate on him and monitor his vitals. "His wounds are severe," says one MECH officer overseeing the operation. He looks at a fellow officer standing to his side. "With ordinary medical technology, he may never recover fully. Fortunately for him, MECH's technology is anything but ordinary!"

"And we've got the perfect candidate to help him regain the use of his body," says the other officer, turning to a monitor and clicking on something with his air mouse. "Or it will be his body once we've captured it!" The monitor brings up a picture of the Stunticon Breakdown.

Officer Number One stares at the monitor for a second, and says, "...are you shitting me? Breakdown?! That guy's a nobody. For crying out loud, we've been planning on something like this for months and this is what you've got!? Fu--"

Officer Number Two cringes. "Geeze, sorry! I... I just clicked the wrong one... here!" And then he loads up another image... it's #-1 FUNCTION (ANSI) EXPECTS 2 ARGUMENTS BUT GOT 1

"MUCH better," says Officer One.

DUN DUN DUN DUNNNN! LATER

Silas lays on a stretcher within a dimly lit medical ward, an oxygen mask hooked up to his face as doctors operate on him and monitor his vitals. "His wounds are severe," says one MECH officer overseeing the operation. He looks at a fellow officer standing to his side. "With ordinary medical technology, he may never recover fully. Fortunately for him, MECH's technology is anything but ordinary!"

"And we've got the perfect candidate to help him regain the use of his body," says the other officer, turning to a monitor and clicking on something with his air mouse. "Or it will be his body once we've captured it!" The monitor brings up a picture of the Stunticon Breakdown.

Officer Number One stares at the monitor for a second, and says, "...are you shitting me? Breakdown?! That guy's a nobody. For crying out loud, we've been planning on something like this for months and this is what you've got!? Fu--"

Officer Number Two cringes. "Geeze, sorry! I... I just clicked the wrong one... here!" And then he loads up another image... it's SCORPONOK!

"MUCH better," says Officer One.

DUN DUN DUN DUNNNN! F-15E Strike Eagle <Air Raid> actually seems to be getting fatigued by the miss-fest, and seems less than enthused at Red Alert's orders to keep going after the 'con shuttle. He drifts back towards Fort Max instead to try and provide covering fire as the battleship descends, muttering and cursing. Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle <Air Raid> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Tech Spaceship <Jetfire>, Decepticon Starship <Absolution>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, and Alien Armada - Primary Fleet With the majority of the Autobot forces having pulled out, Red Alert tips his helm to the sky and at Blast Off. "My thanks, Combaticon." he smirks, then transforms. Engines rev and bring the vehicle to the edge of Tarn and out beyond. <<Keeping you preoccupied allowed us to evacuate our wounded, thanks for being the MVP of team Red Alert!>> he follows up, dust kicking in his wake. Someone must be following Red Alert.. suspiciously, because he folds down into his Lambourghini Countach Fire Department vehicle looking to book it!! Combat: Fire Department Lambourghini Countach <Red Alert> sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Fire Department Lambourghini Countach <Red Alert> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Tech Spaceship <Jetfire>, Decepticon Starship <Absolution>, F-15E Strike Eagle <Air Raid>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>, and Alien Armada - Primary Fleet Space Shuttle <Blast Off> hits Red Alert, and then all Slag breaks loose. One, two...three...FOUR Autobots take a shot at the space shuttle...and MISS. Hahaha!!!! This is delicious, positively delicious. The Combaticon's ego just continues to grow with each missed shot. He speeds through the air, relishing taunting the Autobots further through the comm channel. He watches Air Raid and Red Alert retreat... then Red Alert comes back with a taunt of his own. WELL, that can't go unanswered... <<Let me show you how grateful I am for such an honor, then! But be careful, my aim is far superior to yours!!!>> Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> strikes Fire Department Lambourghini Countach <Red Alert> with his Re: MVP attack! [Pulled -5] Jetfire's shots connect with most of the Decepticons--in fact, all but -Blast Off-. And of course, the Combaticon has to go and taunt them over the comms. Ugh, what a glitchead! He thinks, as he evades another shot from Avarice.

However, instead of pursuing the Sweep, the scientist bears down upon Blast Off, speeding up as he appreaches from behind. A missile moves into position as its targetting protocols lock on to the enemy.

"Thank you, Tailgate, First Aid." He transmits to his passenger bay as his friends lend their assistance. "I can only hope that the information will allow this projectile will strike its target." Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> misses Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Heat-Seeking Missile attack! The fighting is done for now for them, and there's work to look foreward to in cleaning up the mess made. He's going to need to be at his best capacity for that, so while Maximus is heading back towards the surface Scoop heads inside to make quick use of one of the Master Commander's repair bays before they get there.

First Aid heads to the passenger section with Tailgate as Jetfire shoots and misses Blast Off... again. "Geez," Aid says. "Of all the times to be unable to wipe the smirk off that Combaticon's face." Nevermind that Blast Off doesn't have a face in space shuttle mode. The Combaticon's smugness is still detectable, even through space. Tailgate peers out the window at the remaining 'Con, optics wide. Oh no, it's that really evil guy, the one Tailgate considers to almost be more evil than Galvatron. He doesn't know his name, but he isn't sure he wants to know. He shudders. Then he leans out the window and pai

Avarice keeps chasing Jetfire around even though he went for Blast Off. It's not that Avarice wants to help the combaticon but he's not willing to let of a prey. As soon as he's close enough, he launches himself forwards, attempting to grab the autobot while his hands are surrounded by a strange looking halo.

Combat: Avarice sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Avarice misses Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> with his Draining Touch attack! Tailgate aims at the other Decepticon, Avarice! Combat: Tailgate strikes Avarice with his My First Pistol (Pistol) attack! Hey, who knew; Jetfire's windows DO go down!

This pleases Grapple, particularly as they're still sort of in a fight. Finally, he could try to help! Maybe! He had a gun, it might work...! Space Shuttle <Blast Off> continues to soar right along, and yes, as First Aid noted, the Combaticon's smugness can almost be felt through space. This only increases as Jetfire suddenly takes a shot at him... and MISSES! The normally quiet and humorless shuttle laughs. <<HA HA HA! Is that TRULY the best you lot can DO??!! Thank you, I needed the amusement!>> He makes a couple of rolls and waves just to show off. However, his energon is low again, and he needs to recharge... so he does, chuckling smugly the whole time as weapons power up again. Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass] Combat: Grapple misses Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Laser attack! Jetfire continues to basically ignore Avarice, though he does barrelroll to avoid the Sweep when he tries to grab the scientist's afterburners. But he is so focused on bringing Blast Off down, that he still does not dignify the other Decepticon with a response, beyond dodging the attack.

This is something that Perceptor often finds irritating about him, he tends to get reckless when he is determined or angry. Which is why his passion for science mostly revolves around his belief that it is the key to winning the war.

Blast Off gloats even more, but Jetfire does not dignify him with a verbal response, either. Missing has some use, actually...the more he fails to hit the Combaticon, the more overconfident and therefore careless the mech is bound to get...yet another missile moves into position, locks into its target, and launches. Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> misses Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Heat-Seeking Missile attack! Avarice curses as he misses again and decides that it's not worth it. He should rather find Scourge because if he doesn't, he will never hear the end of it. Therefore he transforms and dives towards the surface. Avarice leaps into the air, his wings folding around him as he reconfigures into a sweepcraft. Combat: Sweepcraft <Avarice> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Tech Spaceship <Jetfire>, Decepticon Starship <Absolution>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, and Alien Armada - Primary Fleet

Tailgate gives Grapple an approving pat on the shoulder. "Nice... shot!" he says, even though Grapple misses. "Jetfire, maybe we should just go home and leave him alone..." the minibot comments. "I'm getting tired and I think my toasters are missing me." However, Tailgate notices that Jetfire seems quite preoccupied with wanting to strike Blast Off, so maybe he can try to help speed things up a bit?" Tailgate transforms into a Sports Car! Combat: 1986 Pontiac Trans-Am <Tailgate> sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: 1986 Pontiac Trans-Am <Tailgate> strikes Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Ferrocobalt Hood Magnet attack! Combat: You took 0 damage. Combat: You can't seem to think straight... Combat: 1986 Pontiac Trans-Am <Tailgate>'s attack leaves him temporarily incapacitated! First Aid says, "Yeah! Great work, Tailgate! I think we've got him now."

Air Raid vanishes out of reality. Air Raid has left. Velum has left. Combat: Added combat flag 'stunned'. Space Shuttle <Blast Off> avoids two MORE shots from these inept fools who only THINK of themselves as warriors... The Combaticon's ego, already huge, just continues to inflate. He does finally notice that he is the last Con standing, and perhaps it would be wise to leave? But unfortunately for him, he has become a little too arrogant and over-confident. He sees Tailgate preparing an attack, but...PFFT! Tailgate? REALLY? Like that little toaster-loving twerp would ever land a hit on h-*OWW! The shot hits. BLast Off is suddenly feeling disoriented- and it's hard to "swoop" very much anymore. Slag. Grapple gives Tailgate a long, incredulous stare. That's sheer disbelief, folks; amazement at the seemingly impossible. "That... That was an impressive shot." A bafflingly incredible shot, really.

For a moment, it looks like Grapple wants to say something more, but then simply... Turns away again, back to aiming at Blast Off's retreating form. Well, may as well take a parting potshot. Combat: Grapple strikes Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Laser attack! Combat: You took 6 damage. Jetfire grumbles inwardly as yet another missile is dodged. But then Tailgate jettisons his hood magnet, and miraculously--it strikes the Combaticon! Ah, Primus! All those advanced targetting mechanisms that the scientist had spent many cycles laboriously perfecting, and blind luck still triumphs?! This is frustrating, to say the least, but of course he only congratulates the minibot outwardly. "Excellent shot! I must say, your marksmanship skills are impressive, Tailgate!" he exclaims. And now that the Combaticon is vulnerable, he launches his final missile at Blast Off. Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> strikes Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Heat-Seeking Missile attack! Combat: You took 30 damage. Combat: Massive damage! Combat: You are very aware that your life is in danger! Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire>'s attack has damaged your Firepower! Now that Blast Off has been incapacitated, the next two shots hit. Grapple's shot tears into one of the wings that Red Alert had been trying to hard to hit earlier, then Jetfire's attack tears through the main part of his fuselage, rupturing several vital components. "Ghhnnnnn." The shuttle's cry is muffled, as his "head still spins"... and the Combaticon just concentrates on retreating now. Ah well... his reign of glory, while it lasted... was indeed glorious. It's a shame it had to end on such a sour note. Ego a little more manageable again, the shuttle tries to get out while he's still awake to do so. Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> Tailgate beams. "Oh, eh-heh, thanks guys!" He looks bashful. "I just wanted to get home quickly. It's way past my toasters' bedtime--and they really do need to be tucked in. Although it's Waffles, Carly's waffle iron, that I'm mostly concerned about! He gets grumpy when he loses sleep!" the minibot pipes up. "Heh!" Jetfire says with a satisfactory tone as he watches Blast off take off like the pathetic slagheap he really is. "You're quick welcome, friend." And he turns around, heading back toward Iacon.

Primus, who knew those little toasters and waffle irons could be so effective in combat?! Combat: Tech Spaceship <Jetfire> begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.
 * quite

Shockwave vanishes out of reality. Shockwave has left. First Aid vanishes out of reality. First Aid has left. Jetfire goes home. Jetfire has left.