Aktualisieren der Stuka

Fusillade's Quarters
The doors swish open, revealing the glittering lights from the Decepticon city-base. Fusillade swishes in, and with a flourish of her hands activates the dimmer switch. With a quick glance over her gilded shoulder, she announce, "OOOOH girl you are gonna have FUN, I am gonna miss it. Can't talk about what I'm doing, but that doesn't mean we can't get you dolled up for the party."

Banshee blinks quietly and looks around "It is a shame you're going to miss ze 'party', Fusillade - I know I would appreciate your... fireworks, as would ze Autobots, but such is life." She comments, looking out over the city-state casually. "But hey, it happens." Boomslang follows Fusillade, looking shifty-eyed as usual. He hasn't been in here before and he always seems to expect traps. "We've got other parties to attend. What mission did you draw? A milk run or something meaty?" Hack and Slash discreetly bow out of the suite after they pull aside the sliding doors to Fusillade's personal armory. Fusillade is silhouetted in golden light. "Ahhhhh," she aspirates, planting hands on hips while admiring the view. "I normally am up on what everyone in Aerospace is doing, but yes, we've been busy planning something big. Depending on what you're doing, Banshee, though, I think I might be able to hook you up. Not like I'll miss one or two anyway." She flashes a mischievous grin. "So tell me more about what it is you're hitting. Did you find Omega Supreme?!" she asks suddenly, pausing with one hand on a vertically mounted rotary launcher.

Banshee grins widely. "I am to attack a target of my own choice in Iacon itself, with a weapon of my choice. I am honoured - that's why I came to you, Executrix. You haff such a vide array of... fireworks... that I could use." She looks at Fusillade and sighs, shaking her head. "Alas, no Omega Supreme - but... well, attacking the Autobots in their home is still pretty good."

Banshee peers at the armory itself, pointing to a few of the bombs and asking what they are.

"You're lucky there's no Omega Supreme," Boomslang remarks. "That'd be a real short mission."

Banshee snorts and laughs "Ja! Hallo Banshee. Auf wiedersehen Banshee."

Fusillade makes a face. "I dunno, Banshee. Who gave you that assignment? It sounds like something I'd give to someone I wanted to prank. Or didn't like." She shrugs a bit. "WELL, let's get started. You want something high-yield with good precision, you get a JDAM." She hauls out a long tapering spindle of a bomb, clutching it to her chest. "And let's not forget to accessorize. As much as you tease me about precision, we do have things to help with that." She shoves the 2000-lb munition over to Banshee to let the other bomber test its heft, rummaging around on a top shelf until she pulls out a basket-shaped frame with fins on it, pinkie extended. "THIS is a GBU add-on, which stands for Guided Bomb Unit."

Boomslang adds snidely, "A little more smart in your smartbomb couldn't hurt, from what I saw last time."

Banshee shrugs "Prank or not, I still intend to carry it out to the best of my ability. Perhaps it's a test?" She shrugs, giggling quietly at Fusillade's comment. "Ja, I do tease, but I mean it well. You far, far outstrip me in the amount of ordnance you can carry, and the speed at which you can deliver it, so... ja, I haff to tease. It's small-girl syndrome." She grins, taking the JDAM and testing its heft, comparing it to the Torpedo Ted bombs she herself carries. "Much heavier than what I normally carry, but not more than I can deal mit, I think. What's the minimum height for these GBU add-ons to work? I normally release at quite a low altitude" She casually ignores Boomslang.

Fusillade fans herself sassily, enjoying talking chat with Banshee. "Oh honey I make this work." She ducks back in, and pulls out a blunt-ended cylinder with large fins and seams along its length. "This is one of my favorites to use on Earth. You know how the Autobots love to have help from the hyoomans with fighting -- " Her robotic face makes the best approximation of a squinch as possible, "This is a GATOR. It's a cluster bomb unit that breaks apart and drops both anti-vehicle and anti-personnel mines." She interjects with a "Shut up jerkface I'm working here, how're those spider-mines of YOURS anyway, huh?" Fusillade hmmms a bit at the inquiry regarding deployment height. "Hadn't really thought about that, I do it high, I do it low, I do it from the side..." She paces back to the main computer console in her quarters, pulling up the specs. "Just a sec..."

"I don't like to talk about the spider mines," Boomslang says airily, looking at a light fixture.

Banshee examines the fat, blunt-ended cylinder, hugging the JDAM with both arms. She seems quite taken with it. "I might have to investigate getting a pair of those fitted once I have my kannon and rockets up and running..." she comments, casually, trying to peer over Fusillade's shoulder and take a look at the specs too.

Fusillade scowls and jabs at the touch-screen, making it flicker from the force of each impact, "Meh, I can't pull it up right now about the JDAMs. Hey Boomer, what's the closest you've been to a target when you've lased one for me? I know that I roll up on those targets pretty fast and low -- I could buzz Ultra Magnus, ha ha, from that height. You would need a good infiltrator to get into position first. Ravage has been around, perhaps he can help. Go ahead and keep those two. They'll probably need modification by MSE folks to fit right, I don't make these things, just use them." "About thirty yards," Boomslang replies. "But I had good cover. Plus I wasn't worried you would drop it on my head since I was designating. Having a designator makes a big difference."

Banshee nods as she listens, examining the bomb. "I think I can see how to fit it. Find the centre of balance with the GBU fitted, fit a simple ring collar to that position with mounting points for the propellor-crutch..." She ponders thoughtfully. "But I'll leave that up to the techies - like you said, I don't make these things, I just drop 'em." She looks over at Boomslang, nodding quietly. "Hmm."

Boomslang adds, "Of course then you have to wait for the designator to get in, and hope they do so without being spotted and giving away your target."

Banshee nods quietly, pondering. "Ja, I get you. Hmm... dya have anything that doesn't need a designator? I'm more suited for lightning raids and precise bomb-dropping..."

"Ah, thanks, Boomslang!" echoes from a bit further into the walk-in armory. The weapons that Fusillade hauls out keep getting larger and more obscene. Banshee's question doesn't quite register over all the grunting and shuffling and heaving. Fusillade emerges with a 5,000 lb tapering dark green bomb with two sets of stabilizing fins, and a distinct, narrower nosepiece. It's nearly as tall as she is in robot mode, clearly meant to be mounted and used solely on her much larger bomber mode. "BUT, as you know, the Autobots are filthy tunnel rats! A warren like Iacon will have tons of subterranean catacombs and caverns, which means having to punch through the surface first before detonating. This is the GBU-116 Deep Throat. Bunker buster." Fusillade starts second-guessing her decision, and disappears back into the closet. "Uh, I think I heard you say something earlier?"

Banshee looks at the bomb and blinks "Sheiss, that thing probably weighs almost as much as me! Zat's, what, 5000lb? I'm only seven thousand!" She blink-blinks, chuckling quietly. "I doubt I could take off with that thing - or even lift it in this mode!" she laughs quietly, pulling from somewhere on her person a flask of high-grade brandy-type energon, and pouring three measures of the rich, glowing amber fluid. She offers one to Fusillade and one to Boomslang

Boomslang waves it off with an outstretched hand. "That comes with the territory when you pick an anachronistic mode like that."

Banshee chuckles quietly. "Ja, perhaps. But it does have its advantages. When I fix the glitches of my siren, I will strike terror into the hearts of the Autobots, and deliver destruction precisely. Fusillade unt I will compliment eachother rather well, I think - she delivers much firepower, lots of it, very quickly. With help, she can alzo deliver lots of firepower precisely. I deliver smaller amounts of firepower extremely precisely... perhaps, when I am fully upgraded, mit a bit of multirole. After all - I can hit a /flier/ with a bomb."

"Maybe one of those big Autobot transports," Boomslang says skeptically. "But that seems to be all they've got in the air these days, I suppose."

Banshee laughs "Nein. Ask Herr Rampage... his name vos, oh, vot was it... Skydive."

Fusillade busts out into laughter, and paws the air in Banshee's direction. "Isn't that BEST?! I love it when that happens, ha ha ha ha! AND he's a quick one!" She sniffs a bit. "Anyway, intel has a pretty good satellite layout of Iacon, so the GBU will be able to hit within a Dinobot's length if you pick a known surface target. The distance away from the target when you release the weapon will depend on your height and speed. Faster you're going, the sooner you release it. Ditto for height, too. If you have to blast past fast and low to get flak off your tailfeathers," she motions for another hit from the flask, "You might need some ballutes to slow the bomb's fall so you don't get damaged by any of the backblast. I can't calculate the specifics right now, but there's a few aerial treadmill programs in the training room that you can use to practice."

Banshee grins widely. "I can say with absolute certainty he did NOT see it coming, unt plainly wasn't expecting it." She mimes what Fusillade would clearly recognise as loft-bombing with her hand. "Sent ze bomb sailing through the air unt I think it detonated within two feet of him. I wish I could haff seen the look on his pilot-hologram's face!" She laughs, looking slightly smug. She pours another measure and takes a sip, nodding. "Ja, I understand. Line it up in the dive, drop high with the ballutes, and pull out of the dive as hard as possible?"

"High speed, low drag," Boomslang concurs. "Or as low drag as possible, at least. Maybe for you dodging through buildings would be more productive."

Fusillade hops up to catch Banshee's imaginary Hail Mary. "Yep. You're gonna need the time to get out, these things have a slagguva blast radius!" She wobbles, and eeps as a few droplets spill from the cup. She quickly saves it -- by quaffing. "Got some thoughts on who your escorts are gonna be for the mission?"

Banshee nods quietly. "Ja, then pull up hard unt dive down without warning. I /am/ more accurate in the 90-degree dive, after all." She chuckles and ponders "Ja, but they're both unavailable." She laughs, quaffing some of her own brandygon. "I'll have to think about it, it might unfortunately come down to whoever's available."

Fusillade says, "Ha ha, good answer. And yeah it sometimes happens that way. Knowing your troops and their limits will mean the difference between a good day and a bad day. I suggest reading up on the dossiers of the scoundrels that have been showing up the most frequently on missions." She then starts waving Boomslang and Banshee to the door. "A'ight, party's over, got some more scheming to do for this off-world gig. I'd say good luck, but you'll make your own!"

"Break a leg," Boomslang agrees, and phases out with an electronic hiss.

Combat: Boomslang activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight!

Banshee nods and 'accidentally' leaves the flask of brandygon on the table - after, of course, filling her glass with it. "Auf wiedersehen, Executrix." There's just the hint of a salute as she turns and heads out, heading out of the room and back to her hangar.

Fusillade says, "G'night!"" Fusillade pauses a bit, glancing suspiciously around at the empty air. "OUT!"

"Heh heh," says Boomslang's voice, but it does sound like it's going outside.

- A few days later -

High Council Pavilions - 

The High Council Pavilions is where the Autobot High Council and the Council of Ancients were housed, here in the northern end of the Iacon city-state. Prior to the Cybertronian Civil War, the High Council Pavilions had acted as the center of government on Cybertron.

The rows of tall, dome-like government buildings have been painstakingly rebuilt using the city-state's archived blueprints and they now stand proudly amongst the sea of smaller building structures that surround them. Their presence stands as a symbol of Autobot ideal and gives a glimmer of hope to the inhabitants that the freedom that they had enjoyed long ago just might return once more.

The multi-leveled network of floating collapsible highways somehow manages to connect to each of the buildings in this region, while a more centralized path leads back towards the center of the city-state. Sub-Level Six Quadrant can be found just over in the lower-eastern quadrant of the city-state.

< JU-87 Stuka < Banshee > has been ordered by Shockwave to attack a target of her choice in Iacon. After talking with Fusillade, she's picked up the meanest bomb she can sling beneath her frame - a 2000lb JDAM, with the precision attack nosecone and tail unit. Gathering up all the decepticons she could get hold of, the Stukacon has set out for Iacon, flying low and fast to avoid the Autobots' sensors.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Decepticons! Ve attack! Our target is Iacon itself, ze High Council Pavilions- Ve strike at ze very heart of ze Autobot abshaum leadership!" < Decepticon > Slugfest says, "Oh, me saw them up too!" < Decepticon > Carjack says, "I still don't know how I got dragged into this...." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "You vere there, Carjack. Didn't you ever learn not to look idle? I'll paint you, as thanks." < Decepticon > Carjack says, "I wasn't idle! Not my fault most of these pistonheads they gave me from the CC recruits are more suited to menial labor... yeah, yeah, whatever, just try to not get us all killed first."

Perched up in Banshee's cockpit is a little robot stegosaur. Slugfest's little stubby front legs are on the console, while his back legs are on the edge of the cockpit seat. "Us going to be bombing Autobots, us going to be bombing Autobots," he singsongs.

To facilitate a diversion for the planned attack, Snaptrap follows along behind Banshee, although obviously much slower than the aerial. His atom-smasher rifle is tucked tightly into the crook of his elbow, and his hands grip the weapon close. He surveys the passing landscape below him with a weary optic, ready to engage in battle at the slightest hint of aggression, if need be.

Some cycles it really sucks to be a 'field' medic instead of a 'medbay' medic. This cycle was really turning out to be one of them, too. Seriously. Right into the heart of Iacon? Carjack didn't want to disect Autobots for scrap parts -that- badly. The incident with Omega Supreme still gives him rest cycle nightmares. Brrrr. Yet, here he was. The first thing he does?... Find the biggest thing to hide behind as far away from the intended bomb zone as possible. Which would be a building, mostly like. The second thing he does? Make sure his auxillery tank is full up. If not for the attackers, for drowning his own pain and misery later. The third thing would be loading his hypo gun... and stabbing it into his own neck for a dose of some relaxant compound to keep his wiring from frizzling any farther. * hiss * "Aaaaah."

Combat: Carjack deploys his reserve energon tank.

Decepticons entering the airspace of what is, arguably, the largest concentration of Autobots on Cybertron, even moreso now with the ranks of Crystal City's evacuated civilians swelling the living blocks and city streets would hardly go unnoticed. You'd have to be blind, in fact, not to be made aware of the copious sensor warnings sounding out in the obversation posts, and the Autobot guards set to watch these delicate instruments certainly aren't blind. Sure, the Autobots are all about equal opportunity employment but they're not -that- crazy. The first air raid sirens start to sound out, their keening wails echoing over the cityscape and sending the civilian population into what could best be described as an organized panic as those who are unable to fight for themselves quickly scramble for the nearest shelter. Those who -are- capable of fighting are quick to scramble for weapons or to get to their assigned posts, many fearing that it's a massive Decepticon push to put the Autobots off Cybertron once and for all. Rodimus, being privvy to information that your rank and file soldier is not, is of course well aware of the makeup of the intrusion, even as he charges out onto a balcony on the upper floor of one of the council buildings, binoculars in hand as he peers out towards the specks that are growing larger by the second. "Pretty tiny force to be trying to tackle the heart of our territory with. They're either ingredibly gutsy, stupid, or they're a distraction for something else entirely. I'm not gonna rule out any of those options. Okay Autobots, let's get ready to send some broken toys back to Galvatron!"

Kup is on a standard patrol when the air raid sirens go off. Immediately, he begins barking orders to those guards manning the heavy defenses. Pulling his trust musket rifle, he makes for a position near the tower. Turning towards the incoming force, he flips a switch on his weapon and calls out to Rodimus, "Can we go with all of the above, Prime? Prolly some punks trying to make a name for themselves!"

Impactor had just gotten back into the city after helping fortify the asteroid impact site the Autobots fought over last week. He arrived just in time for the klaxons to begin sounding. "The hell? Is someone running a drill or something?" Briefly, Impactor can't believe that the Decepticons would have the balls to attack the Autobot capital... but only briefly. Breaking into a run, Impactor quickly contacts the defensive coordinator back at HQ. He rushes up in time to hear Rodmius's remarks. Not having binocs, he squints off at the distance. Four Cons against all of them? Seems fishy, but at least Prime is already taking it into account. He turns to shout some orders at a guardsmech, but Kup is already here. Impactor hmms, realizing that the two finest military minds are already here. Well then, nothing for him to do but focus on shooting Decepticons. C'est la vie, right? "I recognize the fat one," he says, pointing at the specks. "Snaptrap's been making a mess of our troops for the past two months, Kup. What say we repay some of that kindness?"

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Contact! Fire at vill!"

 smirks to herself and begins a dive, her rear canopy sliding aside for Slugfest to bail out as she inverts and pulls 'up' hard. The sirens under her wings scream as she dives, spotting her first target - Impactor. He gets treated to the Stukacon's wing-mounted machine guns as she strafes down the street towards him! <  >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Impactor with her Stuka Strafing Run (Pistol) attack!

< Decepticon > Slugfest says, "Who are vill?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Just attack zem!"

Slugfest slips out of the canopy and flies behind the Stuka, opening fire with his sidemounted cannons. He's no jet fighter, but at least he can fly and shoot at the same time! He utters an untapely squeal when he bails out.

Combat: Slugfest strikes Kup with his Disruptor attack!

< Decepticon > Carjack is still muttering under his breath about how he somehow got dragged into this... < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Quit your moaning, Carjack. I'll make it vorth your vhile."

Snaptrap slows and comes to hover in mid-air, some distance away from the periphery of what he assumes to be the extreme range of Iacon's anti-air battery network. Running a subsystem readiness evaluation before assaulting the beating heart of all things Autobot, Snaptrap runs a hand along the contours of his rifle, ensuring it is primed for action as well. Realizing his velocity, or lack thereof, will do nothing but end in his deactivation, Snaptrap instead chooses to turn this raid into something more his style - a ground game. Using the initial pass from the others as a distraction, Snaptrap tilts and dives headlong, his limbs and head disappearing into the confines of his reinforced carapace - effectively transforming the Seacon Commander into a turqoise meteor with a trajectory intersecting the roof of a nearby skyscraper.

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Guarded. The Global Pose Tracker marks that Snaptrap has 'skipped' his action for this round.

Carjack leans around the corner of his cover, visor flipping down as he switchs to combat mode. Only three defenders so far? Of course, it's three of the biggest defenders that could possibly come to defend. Hell, even just two of them would be bad news. Hopefully Snaptrap gets out there and does his job of tanking like a good walking wall of a turtle.

On the other hand, perhaps he can do -something- to make things easier on the juggernaut of a Seacon.

Sliding a second needle into his gun, he grips it with both hands (which may or may not be to try and keep shaking to a minimum) and takes aim. "Cut the head off the snake, and some such," he mutters under his breath, and fires are the biggest big dog of the bunch. (I still can't believe I got dragged into this, it is not going to go well for any of us...)

Combat: Carjack misses Rodimus Prime with his Syringe Gun attack!

Kup takes the piddling fire from Slugfest. Slugfest -- really?! Kup grumbles as the shots bounce off his shoulder and do little more than glancing damage. "Great..we got real threats to deal with and I get attacked by the Cybertronian equivalent to Emmanuel Lewis." he glances to Impactor, "I'm with you, 'Pac. Let's show these kids how we used to do things back in the good ol' days!" he raises his rifle, takes a bead on the stegotape and squeezes the trigger, sending a red laser shot in his direction.

Combat: Kup misses Slugfest with his Laser attack!

"Here they come!" Impactor shouts as Banshee makes her strafing run on the balcony containing him, Kup, and Prahm. The Wrecker leader crouches behind the balcony railing, protecting him from some but not all of the machine-gun fire raining down on him. He rises with his pistol in hand, now sporting bullet holes, glaring at Banshee. Too bad he doesn't have Dust Devil around to take care of him again. Raising the pistol, Impactor tracks Banshee as she soars past the council building, finally letting loose with a stream of uncoded laser bolts. Hit or miss, Impactor then vaults over the railing, landing a good half-dozen stories on the ground below. There's two dents in the ground in the shape of Impactor's feet. Shooting at Banshee was just to get his attention. Nah, the actual important part of this attacking Decepticon force just mashed himself into a skyscraper. "SNAPTRAP YOU GUTLESS SLAGLICKER!" Impactor roars at the now-collapsing building. "Quit wasting your time screwing around. It's time you faced a /real/ threat."

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

Rodimus Prime is still looking through the binoculars, when he spots the Decepticons starting their attack runs, "Kup, Impactor heads up! Time to earn our keep!" He then trails his gaze towards the Seacon Commander making his own unorthodox entrance, smashing through the roof of one of the domed high rise buildings on his way down to 'street' level. And then, you know that feeling like the hair rising on the back of your neck? Rodimus may not have hair, but he still gets it, and suddenly JERKS backwards just as the dart whistles by a split second later, thudding into the side of the building right where he was standing a moment ago. "What the..." Pinching the spent syringe between thumb and forefinger, the Autobot leader narrows his optics, before turning to look towards the source of where the shot came from. "Typical Decepticon, shoot when your target's distracted!" With that, Rodimus proceeds to vault -over- the railing of the balcony in front of him, his feet making contact with the side of the building...which is on a slant, and sending him sliding all the way down towards ground level in a shower of sparks. "This isn't Crystal City, Decepticons! You'll find us a little more than you can handle!" As he slides on downwards, Rodimus releases a couple of rapidfire sprayed shots at where Carjack was hiding. He can't quite -see- the medic but he has a feeling he's around there somewhere.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Carjack with his American Style - Spray and Pray attack! [Pulled -3]

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > smirks and does the typical Decepticon thing - attack while the target's back is turned. THis is very good. What's very bad is the fact that she's screaming in a powerdive straight towards Rodimus Prime himself. Without sirens, her engine still roars loudly as she pours on the power, centring the Prime in the centre of the little window between her pilot hologram's feet. < > she mutters, releasing one of the 250kg Penetrator bombs that grin creepily from under her belly. The "Torpedo Ted" whistles as it falls, released at an altitude of just a hundred feet while the Stukacon pulls up hard - she'd almost misjudged this one, and leaves a thirty-foot black tyre mark on the flat roof of a nearby building!

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > sets her defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Rodimus Prime with her 250kg Penetrator Bombs attack!

Carjack yelps and ducks back behind the corner of the building, but not before a few of the shots clatter across one oversized shoulder.... But by the sounds of the bombs going off afterwards, he got the Prime good and distracted for someone else. Hmph. He'll live. Abiet be really cranky still when he's putting the others back together. Stuffing his needle gun into a leg compartment to save ammo for later, he pulls out generic laser gun... and leans out again, watching Banshee as she's pulling away from the bomb drop. Hmmm.

Ideas for later, right now, more shooting to be done, as much as he hates being here. "Eat surgical laser, Autobum!" Pew pew pew from the high precision but puny weapon.

Combat: Carjack misses Rodimus Prime with his Surgical Strike (Laser) attack!

Fortunately Kup's shot is way off, but Slugfest is angered and dives down at the old Autobot. He has a mind to trample Kup like a one-stegosaur stampede.

Combat: Slugfest strikes Kup with his The pitter-patter of little FEETS! (Kick) attack! * THOOM! *

The Seacon asteroid explodes through the building, punching through floor after floor like a bullet through so many sheets of tissue paper. A moment later, and Snaptrap impacts the base floor, causing an explosion there of countless alloys and misecllaneous debris. The force of the blast rockets back up twenty floors in the form of a giant cloud of dust. The roiling veil spills out from inside of the building and into the street, blanketing the block if a grimey fog. Snaptrap bellows to match Impactor's fury, matching the Autobot in intensity. Thunderous steps rumble from inside the gutted structure, and a second later two door frames careen out from within the settling dust cloud, clattering across the road and landing at the Wrecker's feet. A titanic silhouette begins to take shape from inside the passing haze. An ebony claw cuts through the smog and stabs at Impactor. "It's time you learned about respect."

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Neutral. The Global Pose Tracker marks that Snaptrap has 'skipped' his action for this round.

Rodimus Prime lands on street level, just in time to hear that telltale whistle of something descending from above. Quick enough to hear it, but not quick enough to react as the sudden blast at the base of his feet picks the Autobot Leader up and sends him crashing to the street several body lengths away, his rifle skidding along the ground in the opposite direction, "Oof!" Shaking his head, the Autobot leader slowly pushes himself up to one knee as he glares skywards, watching the plane's trajectory as it starts to rise again, "Hoookay, it's going to be -that- way, is it?" He tucks and rolls suddenly as Carjack's next series of shots stitch the ground around him, one hand reaching out to seize up a broken lamp post that was blown off of its mountings by the bomb blast a few seconds ago. "I'm never going to hear the end of it from Grapple about how he's going to have clean up this mess!" Without breaking stride, he winds up and kicks out with one large foot, crashing it into the side of a futuristic-style fire hydrant, sending it spinning in Carjack's direction and leaving a gush of fire retardent foam in its wake. At the same time, he leans back and then HEAVES the lamp post he's holding, like an Olympic javelin thrower, sending it arcing up and up towards the flying Stuka above.

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his The old Boot & Toss Area attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Carjack with his The old Boot & Toss Area attack! [Pulled -2]

Kup gets his shins shredded a bit by Slugfest's trampling. He staggers back to see the armor in the according places busted up, grimacing in pain. He maglocks his weapon to his hip, preferring to take on the stegotape hands on. "You keep this up, and I'm gonna take you seriously..and you don't want that, wee one." He moves with a quickness that belies his age, and fires a fist down arcing to punch the tinydino on the top of his head.

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Kup strikes Slugfest with his Whuppin' attack! [Pulled -3]

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "SHEISS, zat vos close. Carjack - Look out!" < Decepticon > Carjack says, "A little too close..."

Impactor watches grimly as the building Snaptrap hit buckles from the pressure. The thick wave of dust washes over the Autobot, but this only makes him grimace harder. C'mon, Snaptrap, Impactor grumbles inwardly. Don't keep me waiting. Finally, the unmistakable shape of Snaptrap appears. Impactor and Snaptrap stare at one another for a good, long while, until the latter breaks the silence. "Always been a terrible learner," Impactor admits. His expression flickers to one of amusement and anticipation. He's been waiting for this for a long, long time. Acting swiftly, Impactor raises his right arm, firing off his harpoon straight at the turtle's center. He doesn't give Snaptrap any advance warning, clearly hoping to catch the Seacon unaware. The strong cable attached to the harpoon and his arm means, if this works, the pair are going to be linked up. "Hey," Impactor says almost casually, "Did Overbite mention the ass-whuppin' I gave him a couple weeks ago?"

Combat: Impactor strikes Snaptrap with his Hook-Shot attack! [Pulled -1]

Slugfest gets punched in the top of the head! If it was on the other end it might be considered a spanking! The angry little stegotape starts revving his chainsaw plates, hoping to catch Kup's hand or arm in them! "NONONO! NO PUNCH IN HEAD!"

Combat: Slugfest misses Kup with his Chainsaw Plates attack! [Pulled -2]

Carjack ducks and dives for cover as a fire hydrant and the spray propelling it hurtles past him, unfortunately tumbling out into the open in the process. ".. Dammit, should of went the other way." Which is all wet now. Ugh. "Oh, fine, if we're going to do it this way, I might as well get my aft scrapped on my feet." Said wide feet for his size he pushes himself up onto, then unslings his multi-tool from his back. The device latchs onto much of his arm, whirring to life as its standard claw head retracts, and a spinning pronged drill replaces it, buzzing in eager anticipation. Hefting it up, a bit of his mad doctor grin finally starts to return. "Fortunately after that last fiasco, I made a handy modification to this baby!" With a FMMM of modified pneumatics the spinning drill abruptly shoots out of the device, propelled towards Rodimus with it's armor munching fury one an extendable shaft.

Combat: Carjack sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Carjack strikes Rodimus Prime with his Reach Out And Crush Someone attack!

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > 's pilot hologram visibly ducks out of reflex as the lamp post sails past her cockpit, just off her wing. She's certain that her propellor's left score marks on the damn thing. To taunt Rodimus she pulls a victory roll before turning. Carefully lining up, she flies straight down the street - not diving, this time, but flying straight, level, and fast. She pulls up sharply, one of the 50kg bombs from under her wing dropping free and bouncing off the street a few times. If she's done her numbers right, the bomb should hit Rodimus and bounce off him to hit either Impactor, Kup or, hopefully, both. < >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > misses Rodimus Prime with her Skip Bombing! Area attack!

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Kup with her Skip Bombing! Area attack!

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Impactor with her Skip Bombing! Area attack!

* Ka-THNK! * Snaptrap grunts and takes a step back at the force of the impact, but is quite surprised to learn that the damage is not incendiary in nature. He takes a step forward, and feels something... awkward. He looks down, and discovers a mean looking device embedded into his rotund belly. Chuckling at this, Snaptrap does not move to extract it. In this way, he will know where his prey is - and he will not be able to escape. Snaptrap instead wraps several tendrils of cable around one of his giant arms, pulling it taut. The Seacon smiles, although the expression is hidden behind his stone-cold face plate. "Mmm... the past is not the place to live, Autobot. More importantly: are you going to mention the 'ass-whupping' I'm going to give you here to anyone else?" He gives a dark chortle, then pivots and ferociously throws the entirety of his substantial girth into pulling the cable past his position, unsheathing his incendiary sword to cut through whatever part of Impactor that may go hurtling past him.

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Snaptrap misses Impactor with his Get Over Here! attack! [Pulled -3]

Kup attempts to make another punch at Slugfest's head, but before he can he gets fragged by the bomb Banshee let loose. The blast pushes him a bit, clearing him free of the chainsaw plates of the stegosaurus. It causes some surface damage, cracking the armor in a few places but nothing serious. He looks annoyed at Banshee, before turning his attention baack to the wee one. A look of grimace, and then he just rears back and levels a punt at Slugfest's side.

Combat: Kup strikes Slugfest with his Punt! (Kick) attack!

Rodimus Prime spins to one side as Carjack fires the spinning drill in his direction, lifting his right arm up to intersect the path of the projectile. He winces briefly as an explosion of sparks rings out, and he and Carjack are figuratively joined together now. Though this doesn't stop Rodimus from outright -moving- as he hears the sound of a bomb descending again. Tucking forward into a dive and roll, the Autobot leader coming up on one knee...and still joined by the drill imbedded in his forearm. "You have to really think carefully..." he says, giving Carjack a looong look. "...was attaching yourself to me -really- the smartest idea?" And then? He suddenly WRENCHES hard on the drill and extended arm, to jerk Carjack bodily towards him whether he likes it or not. At the same time, his -other- hand comes around in a heavy-handed haymaker punch aimed straight at the Decepticon's chin!

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Carjack with his The Hand of Prime attack! [Pulled -4]

Impactor braces himself as his harpoon strikes that incredibly tough Seacon exterior. He's done a lot of dumb things in his life, and attaching himself to Snaptrap is probably going to be pretty high up there. Snaptrap yanks, but Impactor holds his ground, reaching over with his free hand to grab onto the line and keep himself steady. Banshee comes around for another pass, but with the line taut between him and the Seacon, there's no room for him to maneuver. One of the bombs lands far too close, sending hundreds of dagger-shaped bits of Iacon-ground flying in all directions. Numerous pieces of the deadly shrapnel embed itself in Impactor's back, ripping through the armour.

Worse, this makes Impactor lose his balance, and with Snaptrap pulling for all he's worth, the Autobot is yanked off his feet and sent flying in the air towards the enemy. There's a look of muted shock and horror at this sudden development, and it's only a last-second twist in mid-air that makes Impactor fly past Snaptrap and crash into the debris of the nearby skyscraper instead of getting hacked through by that sword. Victory? Rolling to a kneeling position, Impactor holds his head, gritting his teeth. The ringing in his audio circuits is loud enough that he doesn't bother quipping back. Instead he opts for a quick shoulder cannon blast - hopefully before Snaptrap can yank him off his feet again.

Combat: Impactor strikes Snaptrap with his Disruptor attack!

The punt by Kup launches the tapestego into the air! He squeals an ungodly high pitched shriek as he goes flying! "NO KICK MEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeee!" he shouts, like Team Rocket blasting off again!

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

Carjack throws his head back with a laugh as Rodimus chides him. "Can't do worse than Omega Supreme did, flame butt -- whoa!" The yank heaves him forward, straight into Rodimus' fist, which sends him flying backwards across the street as the drill-pole snaps apart to unanchor him from the movements. Damn, Iacon has metal streets too, so skidding across them is even more painful and spark making than usual before he finally comes to a stop. With a growl he gets up to his knees, lifts a fist and shakes it at the Suka overhead. "Banshee, stop screwing around and do what you dragged our afts here to cover you doing!" Bellowing done, he drops back to the ground... if only to transform. The roof of the rear of the truck slides open, allowing his flame blaster to ratchet up into place. "As for the rest of you, it's not the smelting pits, but you can BURN in it anyways!" Flames belch out of the gun as a ball of fire is launched initially at Rodimus... but Carjack's flame spewing turret is infamous for not having the most precise of aim. Or best at friend/foe determination. Carjack hits the ground and folds into a rescue truck.

Combat: Crash Response Truck  strikes Rodimus Prime with his Friendly Fire attack!

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > smirks at the damage she's done and peels around for another attack - transforming to touch down on the ground gracefully. "Haff you ever heard me sing, Rodimus?" she asks. "I think you should. I have an extraordinary vocal range." She seems to gather herself up and take a deep breath, before singing an extraordinarily pure high C. She begins to layer other notes onto this original note, the sound becoming increasingly discordant and actually painful to listen to. More subharmonies and discords are added, and glass begins to shatter all around. Rodimus might also feel mechanisms within his body resonating and shattering, too! < B > "I SCREAM! YOU DIE!" 

Combat: Banshee misses Rodimus Prime with her Banshee Scream attack!

Kup, watching Slugfest go flying, he pulls his weapon from maglock. Finding Banshee in his sights, he growls a bit, "Hit me with a slaggin' bomb, will ya? I'll show ya how t'act with proper manners." he strokes the trigger and fires at the Decepticcon.

Combat: Kup misses Banshee with his Acid Musket Laser attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: Kup (Kup) used "Acid Musket Laser": A Level 3 RANGED attack.

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "Oh for Straxus sake.. if you're going to make a target of yourself Banshee, learn to move faster!" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "He missed, didn't he? I can't dodge much faster, anyvay." < Decepticon > Carjack says, "I said you needed to get properly modernized on the inside, but noooooooo, no one listens to the doctor. Too damn worried about their precious authenticity."

Rodimus Prime lifts his arms up to shield his face as the flames wash over him, the damage being minimal, but still leaving a film of scorched paint in its wake. Tendrils of smoke rise into the air as he stands up straighter again, turning to look towards Banshee as she begins to make an incredible racket that does indeed start to rattle his audials. Up until he clamps his hand over one listening port and turning his head to the side to avoid the sound waves. "Personally I'm a fan of rock and roll, so I'm gonna take a chapter from Kup's book....shut that racket up!" Reaching out to seize up yet -another- lamp post, Rodimus inflicts his own damage to Iacon's cityscape, ripping it out by the roots in a shower of sparks, then turning and swinging it two-handed in a long arc as he attempts to smash Banshee hard for the HOme Run! ombat: Rodimus Prime strikes Banshee with his BATTER UP! attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Rodimus Prime (Rodimus Prime) used "The Touch": A Level 4 MELEE attack.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I had neither ze prestige nor saw ze nee for it. Find me ze materials I need and I vill get z-" < Decepticon > Carjack, drolly, "You were saying?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "...ow. As I vas about to say. Find out vot ze materials I need are, unt I vill get zem. Ow..."

Slugfest takes a while to get back into the battle, since he was kicked so far away. A little cloud of dust appears as he tramples towards Kup again. He once again tries to run over the old Autobot!

Combat: Slugfest misses Kup with his stego stampede of one! (Kick) attack!

Banshee draws her Luger-styled pistols and is about to level them at Kup... when Rodimus reminds her why you never take your eyes off a Prime. The lamp post crumples on impact with Banshee's chest... and the Stukacon is sent flying, tumbling end-over-end to imbed herself, inverted, backside-first into a building. She remains there for a good minute or so, seemingly KO'd by the attack, before she works on levering herself out of the crater. "Gottverdammte... arschloch Autobot Abschaum..." she grumbles to herself as she drops to the ground. " Schlagen Sie mich mit blutigen Laternenmasten und Einbettung meinen Arsch in Gebauden... "

Combat: Banshee takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

Snaptrap growls fiercely as he is met with strong resistance, tugging viciously at the line to force his opponent into yielding even as the cable groans under the strain. The stalemate proves to be in his favor, however, as Banshee's attack run destroys the Wrecker and leaves the Seacon with a window of opportunity. Taking advantage of this, Snaptrap roars and gives another pull, ripping Impactor from the ground and hurtling him into the air. Unfortuantely, with so many other things playing to his side, the Seacon's attempt to slice the Wrecker in twain is thwarted, leaving Snaptrap to cut through another layer of dust. Impactor's collision with the building behind him is far enough away to eventually tug at the rope, causing Snaptrap to whirl around - only to catch a faceful of offense from the Autobot. Knocking him to a knee, Snaptrap drops his sword and grabs at his optics, unholstering his rifle and blindly firing it in front of him.

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Snaptrap misses Impactor with his Blind Fire attack! [Pulled -4]

"Typical, takes getting slobberknocked by a Prime to make them realize I was right," Carjack growls under his breath as Rodimus bats 1000 with Banshee as the ball.

Hmmm. If he needs to figure out what she needs to be augmented, he needs to know where she's falling behind in ability.... Which Rodimus just demonstrated pretty good. One of the proper Seekers would of darted right out of the way of that. Or at least moved to take it as a glancing hit instead of a home run drive. "And this is what they call tough love.. have fun playing with the Rodimus!"

Leaving Banshee to learn just how valuable being up to date is, Carjack turns as he pulls out his syringe gun again, and tries to shoot Kup in the back of the neck joints with it to give Slugfest a hand. "Besides, I'm more afraid of what Soundwave will do to us if one of his precious hoodlums comes back in pieces."

The emergency response truck opens up into a robot.

Combat: Carjack strikes Kup with his Bad Medicine attack!

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "Well maybe if Rodimus hits you a few more times I'll know for sure." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Go verpflichten Kunstfehler." < Decepticon > Carjack says, "I have no idea what she said, but it sounded delightfully improper of a femme to be saying." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "It was german. Of /course/ it sounded improper."

Rodimus Prime apparently has a reprieve for a few moments, as Banshee is sent hurtling away. Still gripping the mangled and smashed remnants of the lamp post, Rodimus tosses it to one side before he calmly moves over to where he had dropped his rifle earlier, scooping up the Photon Eliminator and clutching it in his right hand. "So what's your game, Decepticons? Surely you can't think you're going to accomplish much here other than getting wrecked. Honestly I thought most of you at least had -some- sense of self preservation!" He points his rifle forward and fires a scattering of weapons fire in Banshee's direction, as if to punctuate his point. "Cause I guarantee what's going to be left of you isn't going to be enough for Galvatron to make a desk sculpture with!"

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Banshee with his Scatterblast (Laser) attack!

Combat: Rodimus Prime (Rodimus Prime) used "Laser": A Level 2 RANGED attack.

Impactor smirks as Snaptrap catches the shoulder cannon blast to the face thanks to the accidental pull on the line. Later he'll claim he planned it that way. Out of the corner of his optic, he sees Prime taking care of Banshee. Excellent. He was getting fed up with that bitch fragging them from above. Least Snaptrap here has the decency to come down and face the Bots on their own terms. Still holding the line taut, Impactor's optics narrow as he spies the rifle. Impactor moves swiftly, first yanking on the line just as Snaptrap pulls the trigger. He isn't sure whether the shot was going to hit him anyway - frankly he's not sure the Seacon can even still see(..con), but the yank throws off Snaptrap's aim. The Atom Smasher blast goes high, hitting the gutted skyscraper and causing debris to rain down around him.

Keeping relatively silent for now to keep Snaptrap in the dark as to his location, Impactor reaches with both arms, grabbing onto a huge piece of metal that was once part of a defensive laser turret. Hoisting it up over his head, Impactor grunts as he hurls it towards Snaptrap as hard as he can. Regardless of whether this works, Impactor can then break his silence. "Prime! Kup! You guys got everything under control over there or what?" He's still expecting to hear that the Decepticons have made some other, more * logical * move while they're distracted.

Combat: Impactor misses Snaptrap with his In Soviet Iacon Building Crash Into You! (Kick) attack!

Kup is trying to deal with Slugfest, when Carjack approaches him. Before he knows it, he's been stuck! Giving a painful growl as whatever it is courses through his system he reacts in a flurry of wild swings towards his attacker trying to make some sort of connection, "Blast it! It's burning my circuits!" he grimaces and spasms.

Combat: Kup misses Carjack with his Wild Flurry attack!

Slugfest backs up a bit and aims his solar cannons at Kup. "Hold still while me fry you!" he says crossly, "Old Autobot should go to scrapheap where belongs!"

Combat: Slugfest misses Kup with his Solar-Powered Vibro-Cannon attack!

Banshee raises one of her wings to deflect Rodimus' attack, then begins to run. At first it appears she's going to flee, but instead she leaps into the air, transforms and begins to loop around - accidentally displaying, for a brief moment, the purpose of this attack. She's got a long, thin 2000lb bunker-buster slung in place of one of her 250kg penetrator bombs! Pulling a loop, the Stukacon blasts overhead, attempting to strafe all the Autobots below with her cannons!

Combat: Banshee sets her defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Banshee misses Rodimus Prime with her Strafing Stukacon! (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Combat: Banshee strikes Kup with her Strafing Stukacon! (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Combat: Banshee misses Impactor with her Strafing Stukacon! (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Carjack hops back a few steps when Kup starts swinging like crazy, taking advantage of his shorter stature to duck under the flailing fists. "You see, -that's- what happens when you run around with old parts that aren't even in regulator circulation anymore!" Then pauses to check his chronometer. "I give five minutes or so to eat through a portion of your internal fluid distributio--Frak!"

The evil science moment is ruined by the belching of automated gunfire, the manic medic wheeling around on his heels to dive out of the way of any potential stray (or not so stray) fire, considering he's probably ticked off Banshee at this point too.

Having decided he's had enough of the frontline fiasco for the time being, he scrambles across the ground and dives behind some of the wreckage wrought by the earlier bouncing bomb to cool his heels. "I still say this is idiotic and insane, and yet here I am, about to get my actuators blown up my exhaust port for you lunatics..."

Combat: Carjack sets his defense level to Protected.

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

Snaptrap fires the rifle until the internal mechanisms click over with the unfortunate signal of spent ammunition. Growling in frustration, Snaptrap slaps the gun into the ground and rights himself, removing his hand from his face in an attempt to determine the functionality of his optic sensors. "I wouldn't worry about your comrades just yet. I haven't finished with you!" Although still not at peak efficiency, the sensors are still operable enough to warn the Seacon of an incoming mass with an internal klaxon to match a pulsing red HUD. With a grunt, the Seacon Commander pivots and rolls an oak of an arm behind him, only to slam it forward again a split second later, crushing the gruesome melee weapon with the power of his own fist. Snaptrap continues his momentum, plowing through the resultant explosion of the laser turret mounting. Pulling at the cable wrapped around his arm again, Snaptrap whirls about at the same time, cutting the distance between himself and Impactor in half while simultaneously maintaining the force behind his fist - which will hopefully collide with the Autobot's face.

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Snaptrap strikes Impactor with his Punch attack!

Kup's system finish purging the venom from Carjack's injection but the spasms remain. Luckily it's these spasms that cause him to dodge Slugfest's cannon blasts. He notices the loadout that Banshee's carrying. "L-L-L-Look likes..Banshee's...packing some extra heat..Prime!" he calls out. He flips a switch on his rifle and strokes the trigger, causing it to pour out acid pellets. He moves the weapon side to side and up and down, hoping to accomplish a street-sweeper style attack. "Gonna wipe you all..off the the map..now."

Combat: Kup strikes Carjack with his Street Howitzer (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Combat: Kup strikes Slugfest with his Street Howitzer (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Combat: Kup misses Banshee with his Street Howitzer (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Combat: Kup (Kup) used "Full-Auto": A Level 2 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Kup strikes Snaptrap with his Street Howitzer (Full-Auto) Area attack!

Rodimus Prime sidesteps neatly out of the way of the chattering gunfire that follows the line of the street and comes within a body's length of making contact with him. "Yeah like I'm going to sit still for that!" He then trails off as he spots something when the plane pulls away, lifting his free hand to send a smattering of automatic fire from his forearm blasters chasing after Banshee. "...what the hell is -that- supposed to be? Okay something definitely doesn't add up here. What's your game, Decepticons!?"

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Banshee with his Arm Blasters attack!

Combat: Rodimus Prime (Rodimus Prime) used "Arm Blasters": A Level 4 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Banshee's Accuracy. (Blinded)

"Heh," Impactor says, grinning slightly at Snaptrap. It isn't that he's worried about his comrades. Far from it. With Snaptrap having batted the broken laser turret out of the way with a single swipe of his arm, Impactor braces himself for what's obviously going to be coming his way. Snaptrap rushes forward, and Impactor does the same. The line recoils as the two charge one another. At the half way point, Kup's musket rifle sprays acid pellets into Snaptrap's hide. Toldya it wasn't Impactor being worried about the others. Meanwhile, bullets rain down all around Impactor, ricocheting in all directions. Impactor himself seems to weather it, though. Really, Banshee's job is to shoot things that make Impactor look cool in silhouette.

Impactor and Snaptrap slam into one another like two locomotives colliding. Snaptrap's fist buries itself into the Wrecker's face, causing his mouth to cave inwards. Impactor's other fist is meanwhile coming around as well, though the Autobot can't tell if he connected before he falls to the ground in a heap. Working his jaw for a few moments, Impactor grimly spits out numerous mechano-teeth. "Snaptrap," he says, slurring his words heavily through a shattered jaw, "You punch like a femmebot."

Combat: Impactor strikes Snaptrap with his Punch attack!

Okay, time to get back to what his job is -suppose- to be. Carjack pokes his head up, flipping his visor back down and zooming in on Banshee as she takes back to the air and gets back to what they came here for in the first place. Sort of. "What the... you idiot don't move like that... augh, now they've seen the bomb! If you didn't have to bank so damn wide that wouldn't be a prob-aaaugh!" With his range of vision narrowed in at the moment, he doesn't see the sweeper fire from the old geezer until the pellets are already punching the edge of his cover and splattering acidic dribblets at him. "Frak this madness, I've got enough data for my needs." With a grumble he jumps out of hiding, transforms, and takes off. Right towards Kup, intending to either plow the oldtimer down or at least make him jump out of the way and cut his strafing short before he can help Rodimus with stopping that bomber! Carjack hits the ground and folds into a rescue truck.

Combat: Crash Response Truck  misses Kup with his Ram attack!

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > rolls aside from Kup's attack... straight into Rodimus'. The arm blaster fire puts a hole in one of her oil coolers and blows off a dive brake, while the leaking oil sprays over her optics. She can see well enough to avoid buildings - thanks to her windscreen wipers - but her targeting sensors? Well she's got to stem that oil leak first. Cursing, she begins to circle while re-routing the oil through the other cooler. < >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "And there's -another- thing, too many exposed key components!" < Decepticon > Carjack is likely nagging her just to be annoying at this point. < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "If I armour myself like ein tank, I cannot fly. The oil coolers are in each ving - lucky shot, ja? As for ze dive brake... vell if it's not exposed, it can't do its job!"

The little stegotape shrieks as shots hit him from Kup's weapon. "NONONONONO!" he exclaims, "No shoots!" He tries biting the hand holding the gun that is peppering him!

Combat: Slugfest misses Kup with his A millyun lil TEEFS! (Punch) attack!

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "Someone that actually knows what their own parts do! I think I'm gonna have a core failure from shock."

Snaptrap thunders after Impactor, even while an acid storm rains down around him. A handful of projectiles manage to find him, but they dissolve almost harmlessly into his reinforced carapace only to leave a trail of noxious fumes in their wake. As the two warriors crash into each other, Snaptrap successfully lands a blow to his opponent's face, surely improving Impactor's looks free of charge. The Seacon grunts as an equally sturdy blow lands on his torso, denting an otherwise stout vessel. Snaptrap laughs at this, slackening his grip on the cable holding the two combatants together and then casting it aside. "Hmm hmm hmm," he chuckles at Impactor's quip, "you must know some awfully horrendous females. Not surprising..." Snaptrap then stalks after the Wrecker, lifting a huge foot that casts a grim shadow across him. "Now then... allow me to spare us both anymore of this charade." Snaptrap puts his foot down. Literally.

Combat: Snaptrap misses Impactor with his Kick attack!

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "They've noticed your little present, drop it already" < Decepticon > Carjack says, "So we can get the slag out of here"

"You guys are real fascinated with that bomb, aren't you?" Rodimus idly notes, overhearing Carjack's words, then turning his gaze up towards Banshee once more. His optics narrow as he turns and lets loose with another scattering of withering blasterfire in her wake. "Stay alert, guys! I don't like the way that this is shaping up!" Transforming as he goes, Rodimus drops down on his tires in a squeal of burning rubber and smoke, driving down a side street after the path of the Stuka. It's a ground-based interception!

Combat: Flaming Winnebago  strikes Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Pewpew! (Laser) attack!

Combat: Flaming Winnebago  (Rodimus Prime) used "Laser": A Level 2 RANGED attack.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ja! OW!" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Sheiss... zhere goes ze other dive brake..."

Kup remaglocks his weapon, and is lucky to have done so. It's just then that he sees Carjack barreling towards him, and he jumps high and it allows him to escape Slugfest's bite as well as clears him out of harms way. He grins. "So ya wanna play chicken, huh?" he chuckles, "I can do chicken." and with that he transforms and roars towards Carjack!

Combat: Cybertruck  misses Crash Response Truck  with his Dodge THIS! attack! [Pulled -5] Impactor gurgles something else at Snaptrap, but has to pause to spit out some mech fluid and a few more teeth. Impactor tries to force his hands to push himself up, but is finding his body resisting him every step of the way. Luckily, Snaptrap reintroduces himself to an old friend named 'desperation'. The foot hovers over Impactor's head for a split second before slamming down on the ground. Spurred onward by the threat of an instant death, Impactor rapidly rolls away. The foot-sized crater beneath Snaptrap's leg makes it clear what would have happened if he were just a milisecond too slow.

Forcing himself up to his feet, Impactor violently yanks with his right arm, tearing back the harpoon and recoiling it entirely to its proper socket. It doesn't stay idle for long, however, as the Autobot thrusts forward, this time punching with his bladed arm. "Only charade I see is you four thinking you can take us all on in Iacon. And you were trying to teach ME respect?!"

Combat: Impactor strikes Snaptrap with his Hook-Shot attack! [Pulled -2]

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Distract zem! I am beginning my run."

Slugfest starts running around in random directions as his cannon fires intermittently. Stego temper tantrum mode! After all, Kup was ignoring him now.

Combat: Slugfest strikes Cybertruck  with his Full-Auto Area attack!

Combat: Slugfest misses Flaming Winnebago <Rodimus Prime > with his Full-Auto Area attack!

Combat: Slugfest strikes Impactor with his Full-Auto Area attack!

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > snarls as she takes Rodimus' laser hit, the other dive brake being shorn partially loose - but not so much that she can't use it to pull out. She peels away from the Autobot leader, looking for a moment like she's going to flee as she gains altitude... But then she rolls and begins her attack run against the High Council Pavilions themselves. It's clearly an attack run; the sirens under her wings wail as she centres the building in the window behind her rudder pedals and throttles up as far as her engine can take. It begins to trail some smoke! Rodimus Prime (roddy) pages: Heh. Alrighty then. If you're sure.

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

Fortunately Carjack's vehicle mode is built for two things: being fast and being mobile even over dangerous terrain. He has little trouble zigzagging through the battlefield on the streets of Iacon, and still has enough to make a sudden sharp turn to dodge the outdated truck trying to bumper car him from behind. "Hah, too old and too slow, rustbucket!" Tires squeal as he skids from the turn, using momentum to bring himself directed towards the old timer again without losing too much velocity. A pair of hidden guns deploy from his grille, poking out past the center of the push-bars to pepper lasers after grizzly old Kup.

Though one may get the feeling he's doing more to keep the clunker distracted than anything else...

Combat: Crash Response Truck <Carjack > sets his defense level to Neutral.

Unfortunately, Snaptrap is not resultantly serenaded by the wondrous sound of precise machinery being ground under heel. As Impactor rolls away, Snaptrap hisses and rotates to follow, unsheathing his incendiary rifle as he does so. The visible state of the Autobot catches Snaptrap offguard, in that the Wrecker more or less leaps at him with a fresh set of legs. Seeing Impactor lead with the harpoon arm, Snaptrap does what he can to shield himself for the blade, letting it instead rake across his hardened shell vice grabbing at vital internals. Now dug into his side, the Seacon growls at his adversary, "Your mistake is believing that I care for the well-being of anyone here at all. I can destroy you /anywhere/ I choose to - today it just so happens that I have chosen Iacon to be your grave!" Snaptrap then wheels and throws his weight into slamming the back of his fist across Impactor's already war-torn visage.

Combat: Crash Response Truck <Carjack > misses Cybertruck <Kup > with his CIRCLE STRAFE! CIRCLE STRAFE! (Laser) attack!

Combat: Snaptrap misses Impactor with his Punch attack!

Cybertruck <Kup > is peppered by Slugfest's wild, unpredictable fire, however he's well versed in the tactics Carjack's employing. In fact, he's done them himself. "You know, Carjack, that's a really neat trick but let an ol' pro show you how to shoot a whole buncha Cerrilium Ducks in a barrel!" and a mean looking laser gun deploys from the bed of his truck, and begins firing at the Decepticon.

Combat: Cybertruck <Kup > strikes Crash Response Truck <Carjack > with his This is my BOOMSTICK! attack!

Flaming Winnebago <Rodimus Prime > races along the streets, gaining speed as they're prety much cleared of any panicking civilian presence at this point. He catches sight of the bomber above starting to set up its attack run, and guns the throttle even more, heading straight towards the high council buildings, "So that's your game, is it!? Oh no you don't!" Picking up even more speed, Rodimus suddenly catches air as he hits a convenient rend in the street surface that serves as a makeshift ramp, transforming as he goes and flipping end over end and coming down with a heavy * CRASH * on an upper ledge, directly in the path as the Stuka starts to bear down. Turning in place, Rodimus raises his rifle up, the barrel glinting as its pointed directly towards the incoming aircraft, his mouth set into a deep frown. "Not. On. My. Watch!"

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ah. Sheiss."

His finger squeezes the trigger, and a split second later the entire rifle bucks in his hand as it unleashes a thick beam of pure energy, stabbing up into the sky like a lance as it goes straight for Banshee.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Photon Eliminator attack!

Combat: Rodimus Prime (Rodimus Prime) used "Photon Eliminator": A Level 10 RANGED attack.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ach, ow... nein.. MAYDAY!"

Impactor's face may be a wreck, but it doesn't seem to do anything to slow him down. "Bulls---," Impactor snaps. "Banshee was at the lead in your dumb little raid." Impactor draws his harpoon back, having successfully slashed at his hide. No wonder Snaptrap is so slow - with all that armour it's amazing he can even move. "I haven't heard you shout even one order." Oil drips from his mouth as he rants, "Let me guess - she orders, you follow?" Impactor sidesteps the backhanded smack, narrowly preventing it from taking off his head. The Wrecker can't afford to take his optics off Snaptrap. He hopes the others are doing better than he is. Prime and Kup he has faith in, but there's other, no-named soldiers here who are going to wind up dead thanks to this. "You're just Banshee's bitch." At that moment, the sound of Rodimus's Photon Eliminator echoes across the battlefield. Impactor grins. Putting his left shoulder into it, the Autobot tries to slam into Snaptrap and knock him back. He's got the upper hand on the Seacon and is desperate not to give it up. Keep hitting him, Impactor. Keep doing whatever it takes to keep him off balance. Impactor winces at the impact - it's like hitting a solid wall. Hopefully he hasn't dislocated his shoulder.

Combat: Impactor strikes Snaptrap with his Smash attack!

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Going down...!" < Decepticon > Carjack says, "If you somehow manage to come back in more than iddy biddy pieces, I've got a nice long list for you."

And that less than reassuring sound of explosions and metal getting smashed about would be Carjack doing an unintended impression of what happens to the bad guys' cars in an action flick as the back mounted gun blows him off his wheels mid-maneuver. Luckyly he comes out of the roll back on them... but the smashed down hood and cab are all the indicator one needs that he didn't make it out of it unscathed. "Screw this inane isanity, you torquers are on your own!" Tires screech a second time, but this time it's just because he's peeling out for the city gates.

Combat: Crash Response Truck <Carjack > sets his defense level to Protected.

Slugfest sees Banshee going down and starts running towards where he thinks she'll land. He rushes past the Autobots, possibly tripping or trampling someone in the process.

Combat: Slugfest misses Cybertruck <Kup > with his trip! (Kick) attack!

Rodimus would be able to clearly see Banshee's purple-goggled pilot hologram grinning at him - and, as he brings up his Photon Eliminator, look surprised a moment before settling down behind the controls with an angry glare. When the thing goes off, the hologram flickers and then vanishes, and the big bomb slung under her denonates. Cancel that, ALL of the bombs she's carrying go off, showering Rodimus with oil and parts. But it doesn't take the Stuka go down, not immediately, at least. It's quite clear from the complaining engine and almost total lack of control that Banshee will be crash-landing, very soon, but she manages to turn around and point her nose out towards the city gates herself. Once past Iacon's limits, she decides that now she can stop fighting the inevitable. With no landing gear, this isn't gonna be a pretty landing, but hell - any landing you can be rebuilt from is a good one, right? That's the last thought to cross her processor before she slams down, HARD, rolling several times and shedding most of the non-structural parts of her airframe - and even a few structural ones. Coming to rest vaguely upright, she checks there are no autobots immediately in her vicinity, and relaxes. <<Gute Nacht, Cybertron... > >

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "And people wonder why I like not having an aerial altmode." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I'm repairable, right? It was a successful landing. Ow... just haul me back home, ja?" < Decepticon > Carjack says, "You can still talk.... debatable if that's a good sign or not."

Snaptrap's titanic arm whiffs across the top of Impactor's head with only a few millimeters keeping the Seacon from doing serious damage. He grunts as instead of knocking a head completely off of a body, his enemy's shoulder thuds into his belly. He steps back once, to brace himself, and laughs at Impactor. "You should have put more thought into your own defenses rather than trying to figure out who I answer to or why I am here. And if anyone is going to be a 'bitch', I'm going to make sure that it's you." The Seacon raises up and begins to stride after Impactor again, but an alarm blares out across his HUD, and although unwise, he turns to meet the waypoint plastered over one side of his vision. Returning to Impactor after the brief survey, the Seacon growls and takes a leap backwards, bending down to pick up his rifle. He reloads the weapon in practiced fashion, levelling it at his opponent. "We'll have to finish this another time, Autobot. Someplace more... neutral." He chuckles at this, peppering the landscape in front of Impactor as he takes to the air under the aid of the patented Decepticon anti-gravity systems in his large feet. Up up, and awaaaaay...

Combat: Snaptrap sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Snaptrap begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Cybertruck <Kup >, Rodimus Prime, Slugfest, Impactor, and Crash Response Truck <Carjack >

Rodimus Prime covers his face with his free arm to avoid the worst of the splashing oil and debris, then watches the trail of smoke through the sky that follows the path of where the aerial Decepticon had gone down after her payload was detonated. With smoke still curling skywards from the barrel of his weapon, the Autobot leader shakes his head slowly, "I'll never understand the motivation of Decepticons sometimes. That was destined to end badly..." With that, he turns to look towards the fighting that's still going on nearby, raising his rifle for emphasis, "Alright Decepticons! You've well overstayed your welcome so I suggest you get out of here while you still can!" He reaches over with his free hand to press a panel on his rifle, bringing with it an ominous * BWEEEEE * noise. "Or else!"

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I'm not... quite... unconscious. Processor undamaged. Laser core, umdamaged. Everything else... well, pretty fricked up." < Decepticon > Carjack says, "No kidding."

Cybertruck <Kup > transforms and advances on Slugfest, cracking his knuckles. The damage he could do to the little stegotape is immense. He gets within feet..then inches..looming over the tapecon dangerously. Then, he contorts his face in a horrid mask of rage and makes the most ungodly, horrific roar at the wee Decepticon that he can, "RAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" in an attempt to literally scare the little scamp off.

Combat: Kup strikes Slugfest with his Grab attack!

Impactor takes two steps back from Snaptrap, keeping his dukes (and harpoon) up at the ready. He tries to pass this off as cocky confidence, but in actuality Impactor is desperate for the chance to catch his mechanical breath. You might as well be punching a battleship instead of punching Snaptrap. His shoulder aches, but he ignores it with the hope that Snaptrap's gut feels worse. When the Seacon gets back up, Impactor manages to avoid wincing. Damn, he isn't even slowed down. Thankfully, Prime's heroism saves him here. With Banshee down, the fight goes out of the Decepticons. Impactor watches as Carjack makes his retreat, and it is with great relief that Snaptrap prepares to do the same. "Frag some place neutral, Seacon - we're finishing this at the gates of Crystal City. Enjoy that city while you have it, cuz we'll be there soon to wipe you all out." Snaptrap rises up, and Impactor swiftly bends, grabbing the pistol he keeps in his lower leg holster and sending a flurry of laser bolts at the retreating Snaptrap to ensure he doesn't get any thoughts about turning back around. Once Snaptrap is out of sight, Impactor glances over his shoulderv at the ruined skyscraper. "Hmph... well, Grapple had been looking bored lately," he mutters before stalking off towards the others. He can see Kup still fighting Slugfest, so he heads in that direction. Maybe there's another Con or two still lingering behind.

As he speeds past her Carjack shoots out a towline to grab what's left of Banshee. He's already going fast enough to just wrench her out of whatever crater she made, so why bother stopping? Yes he's going to drag her all the way back to Darkmount. Literally. Not like she can get in any worse condition....

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > yelps, not /quite/ offline when she's towcable'd. Now she nows how the AT-AT feels. Her propellor, and a good portion of her airframe, are left behind outside Iacon, and she bounces along behind Carjack.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ow! Vell, zat's just more parts to replace... sheis... mein propellor..." < Decepticon > Carjack says, "Hey, at least I'm gonna repair you. Imagine what the bots would do if we left you here."

Slugfest is spooked by Kup's scaring! He starts running after Carjack and Banshee, finally noticing that the other cons are either out of commission or running away! "Take you to junkyard nuther day!" the little stegotape snaps, as he pelts his stubby little legs in pursuit of the other Decepticons.

Combat: Slugfest begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Rodimus Prime

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ja, true. I'm... going on standby now."

- A few hours later -

Darkmount - Workshop

White cement tile floors complete with floor drains mark this room as a maintenance space even before you see all the machine tools. Toolchests and workbenches are mounted on the walls, with the center of the room left open for access to the lifts and hoists. Air hoses for pneumatic tools hang in reels from the ceiling, easily accessable from any part of the room, and at several points along the rear wall there are connections for fuel, coolant and welding gas hoses.

Slugfest is already perched on a table, waiting to be repaired. The little Stego has seen better days, but the damage isn't horrific. Just cosmetically nasty looking.

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > is pretty fragged up, offline and unable to transform from her altmode to robot mode. Most of her wings are missing, and her belly is properly blown out. Her damage /is/ pretty horrific! "Of all the stupid, idiotic, insane, rediculous -- Don't just stand around you morons, do your jobs!" Carjack shoves a tech aide in the direction of the less severely hurt Slugfest, and goes to make sure Banshee's at least stabilized and all that rot. "-- incorragable sheannigans I have ever seen..." Plugs in a few critical support relays back into the laser core casing, and makes sure the power feed to restore her energon levels is hooked up. "... Let's go bomb Iacon, they said. Let's go be heroes. Shockwave said so. Bah! You people are lucky we're still in one piece long enough to hear me complain about it." The trek across the medbay ends with grabbing Brunt by the audial and dragging him off. "You, you slacker, come with me. You're going to repair me, and then you're going to start compiling this -really long list- I have of... ah frak it, she's not awake to hear it anyways."

================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 2/60                     Posted        Author AAR- Special Delivery: Iacon      Wed Oct 12    Banshee -- *  *  * Decepticon Spinny *  *

Banshee's face appears on screen, with a medical bay behind her. She looks like hell; among other things, her propellor is missing. "It is vith great regret that I must report my attack on Iacon was repulsed. Under orders from Shockwave to harass the Autobots unt attack a high-value Autobot target, I 'borrowed' one of Fraulein Fusillade's 2000lb bunker-buster bombs - danke shon - unt decided to attack Iacon's High Council Pavillions. There is no reward without risk, and this would have been a crushing blow to the Autobot abshaum... and with that possibility came very high risk, and it didn't pay off, this time at least. "Snaptrap, myself, unt Carjack were able to get almost right into the heart of Iacon before Autobot forces were arrayed against us, and unfortunately, ze Autobot defenders included Rodimus Prime himself." She pauses, to swear in German at one of the Gumbies treating her rather considerable injuries. "Agh, I'm surrounded by arschlocher. Kup unt Impactor were also present. To put a positive spin on zis, we were able to inflict moderate damage on Iacon's central infrastructure, unt the Autobots know that wherever they are, wherever they crawl too, wherever they hide... THEY ARE NOT SAFE! We will find them! We will punish zem! We will prevail!" She slams her hand down onto the table beside her. A medical gumby sidles up to her, and injects her neck with something. The sharp-eyed amongst the viewers will read 'sedative' on the auto-injector. "Ach, I'm trying to be angry and vengefull here, go avay, ja? Anyvay..." Banshee trails off, her optics looking unfocussed. "I... think I need to recharge now, while repairs proceed further."

Banshee takes several attempts to push the off button.

* *  * Decepticon Spinny *  *  * ==============================================================================

=
====================Banshee's Inbox============================== To: Banshee From: Carjack Date: Mon Oct 31 -- Well, it seems that despite that last stunt being insanely suicidal it scored enough points with whatever chain of command that was vile enough to assign it to get you bumped up the loooong list of potential upgradees. Yay. More work for me.

By the time you've gotten this you've likely been restored to your basic operating parameters. Good! That means -you- can do the basic wingwork, save me some time wasted getting shot at for no good reason. This is how it works, really. You get the parts, I make sure installing them doesn't get slagged up, Empire gets a new and improved warrior. Got all that? Doesn't really matter, if you don't you'll be another metal slab on my table again either way. And yeeees, we'll preserve your precious historical look... at least on the outside.

List included as follows:

- Lightweight, high tactile strength airframe metal alloy. Doesn't matter what alloy, just make sure it's got the strength to handle those high speed, high G maneuvers. - Tension resistant rivet bolts. For assembly. Duh. Even an idiot like Brunt knows that. - Precision Aircraft Acutators. The more control you have over your flaps and control surfaces, the better. - Shock resistant locking moors. Last thing we need is evasive maneuvers shaking your payload free.

.. Oh, slag it all, just throw in anything else useful you find in the process. I'm not picky enough to look practical supplies in the mouth.

Carjack ==============================================================================

- About a week later -

Welcome to Palmdale, California. Home of Lockheed's 'Skunkworks' research centre, where the famous SR-71 and U2 were built. It's also where one can find a large amount of high-end aviation parts and alloys, which is why it's the target of today's raid. The sun shines, and the wind gently ripples the palm trees, and, while well-defended, the Skunkworks has no idea what's coming. Banshee is on the ground, for now at least, moving closer to the facility with surprising stealth, for a huge robot. About two miles from the facility, she grins and activates her radio. "OK." she whispers. "Strike team, begin ze attack. Remember, ve're looking to get..." She pulls out a datapad and looks at it. "Lightweight high-strength airframe alloys, tension-resistant rivets, precision activators unt shock-resistant locking bolts. Zese are essential - anything else ve can get is a bonus! Attack!"

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "OK! Strike team, begin ze attack. Remember, ve're looking to get lightweight high-strength airframe alloys, tension-resistant rivets, precision activators unt shock-resistant locking bolts. Zese are essential - anysing ve can get else is a bonus! Attack!" Dead colored Tetrajet gets the order and swings down for a scraffing run on the lockheed building.

Slugfest is running as fast as a pot-bellied, stubby-legged robo-stegosaur can go. "Me coming!" he says to Banshee, "Me almost there! Now what are doing?" A cloud of dust rises behind the trampling stego.

Stealth? This was suppose to be stealth?... Actually, Carnivac can be shockingly subtle when he wants to be. It just tends to not last very long. Case in point, as soon as the 'attack' command is given, any thought of stealth and subtefuge is forgotten as the hunter leaps from hiding and charges towards the compound.

And somewhere in middle of the camera shift transformers, so it's a monsterous wolf that crashes into the middle of the grounds, claws digging into the pavement as he grabs a parked vehicle in his jaws and crunchs it a bit, then tosses it across the lot. Cue the typical human panic as he throws his head back and howls afterwards. Or is it laughing. "AAAAAHOWOWOWOOOOOO!" Probably both. Are we sure this guy is a wolf and not some sort of freak hyena?

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I just told you what we're after, Slugfest! Pay attention, ja?" < Decepticon > Carnivac chortles, "You think he sat still long enough for a list?" < Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "Oh! Okay!" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Ja, point" < Decepticon > Darkwing says, "You're really trusting a Primative cassette to carry out a mission? I wouldn't trust him to carry my Enerhol..." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "He hass ze bravery to come here, Herr Darkving. Unlike /others/ I could mention." < Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "Hey! No talking bads bout me!" < Decepticon > Carnivac says, "Hahaha. Not as dumb as you think." < Decepticon > Darkwing says, "I do not lack bravery, I just rather be on missions that envolve me torturing others, rather then picking up someone else's grocery list." < Decepticon > Galvatron says, "Easy, Ladies. You are all pretty." < Decepticon > Scorn snickers < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee sounds like she was about to make chicken noises when Galvatron speaks and she falls silent < Decepticon > Galvatron says, "Darkwing has proven his usefulness, many times, Banshee." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Sir." < Decepticon > Galvatron says, "Specifically, largely not-so." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "As you say, mein kommandant."

California is pretty much the coolest state in Powerglide's opinion so it should come as no surprise that he's spending his free time soaring through his skies. He does this for fun, discovering that he's close the source of a Decepticon-based 911 call is just a bonus. A slight adjustment to his trajectory and he's en route to the scene, ready to kick ass and chew bubblegum.

And he's just about out of bubblegum.

"That was nice," First Aid says as the convoy of Autobots (and possibly a Junkion) pull back into traffic. Our heroes had just been at a fundraiser for the Red Cross. An easy enough job, just being at the fancy dinner helped raise money. That's the advantage of being famous, folks. Sure, robots don't eat that much, but it's the thought that counts. "So, Streetwise, want to lead on back to Autobot City?" he asks. He's grateful that he doesn't have to screw around with Google Maps whenever his fellow Protectobot is with him. He hasn't been contacted yet about the attack.

One never knows where Longtooth is going to be. Today, he is actually not patroling the depths of the ocean blue. Rather, he's coming back from the same event as the rest of the Autobots. Specifically, he's rolling along in his amphibious altmode. This is the first time in months anyone has seen him too, because he's been isolating himself somewhere in the water eating kelp. Because that is what Longtooth does. All at once though, he happens to be flipping through communications channels and ends up drawing to a swift halt. "Err." He says. "Channel Baker Baker Omicron Nine, Autobots. Sounds like the Decepticons are causing trouble, didn't catch where though!" Longtooth's shell splits open and he is now an amphibious vehicle!

Combat: Longtooth sets his defense level to Protected.

Garbage_Truck doesn't get out of his lab very often, spending much of his time working on new ways to blow things up. Usually things OTHER then himself! But today was one of those days, seeming to have decided to join or just annoy some Protectobots while out when he hears Longtooth's communication. "Oh Right-o Walrus! Eggman out, or am I Carpenter?"

Banshee transforms and leaps into the air as Carnivac begins his attack, scooping up Slugfest and sticking him in her gunner's seat as she takes to the air and transforms. Swooping around some of the ineffective (but cool-looking) AAA from the facility's defenses, she lines up on the doors and skips one of her 50kg bombs into them. It... makes a dent. <Sheiss! Carnivac, make a door, bitte! >

Folding and shifting with the classic noise, Banshee transforms into her Junkers Ju-87 Stuka altmode The little stegosaur is scooped up by Banshee and presses his front feet on the console as he goes for a ride. "Okay, need bucket for bolts," he says, "Me get bolts."

Dead colored Tetrajet sees the scene unfolding below and continues to do scraffing runs over the building and any defences it might think it can raise against a Decepticon assault. He didnt really pay attention to the list of stuff they are after; its not his concern. Hes just there for air support, such as it is. Its up to the ones on the ground to get what they came for.

"I thought Halloween was last week!" some random worker shouts while ducking for cover. Carnivac looks up from his merry chaos as Banshee radios, and tsks a bit. "I like explosions as much as the next crazy, but you need something more focused for something this thick." Leaping closer to the buildings the massive wolf's eyes light up as they turn blood red, and unleash high intensity lasers that he uses to carve an opening with their vaporizing strength in the wall. The beams finally die off, and Carnivac sticks his grinning fanged head in the resulting 'door'. "Knock knock!"

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Danke, Carnivac"

Police Car - <Streetwise > is indeed perusing Google Maps for the best route back to Autobot City - along with a few realtime traffic services to ensure that the Autobots aren't delayed. But Streetwise always goes a step further, monitoring local emergency channels. Because for the Protectobots, it's not always about avoiding emergency situations - more often then not they actively go looking for them. <<Autobots -- Longtooth is right, I'm getting reports now of a confirmed Decepticon attack...hard to determine the numbers based on the radio chatter, but we've got Flyers and Primatives! Follow me! > > Activing his whooping sirens, Streetwise suddenly turns into a parking lot, speeds through an alleyway (one that happens to be wide enough to fit all of the Autobots in the convoy however), and then onto a highway that fastest route towards the Palmdale facility.

"Oh boy," First Aid mutters. "It can never be a quiet evening with us, can it?" His frustration for the Decepticons' constant antics is beginning to show. Activating his own sirens, First Aid blazes after Streetwise, letting him clear the path through traffic to the Palmdale facility. The doctor would complain about the complicated route Streetwise is taking, but past experiences tell him it won't do any good.

As Powerglide nears the research center he cuts his altitude and roars over the building; pulling off one amazing barrel roll after another as he does so. Surely this performance will lure out any hostile fliers on the scene. Surely.

Garbage_Truck says, "Look on the Bright side, at least we can get a chance to see some spectacular explosions! What could possible go wrong?" He asks with almost manic glee at the idea of a fight, just to see things blow up. He says as he follows behind the Protectobots, darting between cars. Plus hey, a fight means new scrap, and scrap can always be used for his devices and weapons. So double points for him!"

Longtooth is not an exceptionatly fast individual. Truth be told he hates his stupid terran altmode, his cybertronian gifted hover vehicle mode was so much faster and less primitive than this. But that is besides the point as he accelerates, catching a section of highway and then accelerating more towards the scene. It is probably the Decepticon's misfortune that the Autobots were so near! Either way, as he bursts into the parking lot of the facility; Longtooth jams on the brakes. How did. . he get there first? That just isn't right, Autobot slowpokes! He transforms to robot mode, keying his radio. "Not sure what this building is, but I'm seeing, uh, Banshee and Slugfest for sure and . . " His mecha-blood runs cold. "Carnivac." Oh, he remembers him all too well; while he was under Thunderwing's control. Mentally, he summons his shell and there is a sudden bellow as it appears from subspace -- grafting around him with the wet slither of flesh. "CARNIVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC!" He thunders; walrus teeth gleaming. "Cease your destruction of the human facility immediatly, or I -- or -- we -- will be forced to open fire and destroy you!" With a mighty walrusy bellow and an explosion of steam along with the sounds of wet flesh in motion, Longtooth's shell closes around him. He is now a giant and angry bio construct with a glaring red bionic eye. GOO GOO G'JOOB!

< Decepticon > Carnivac says, "..." < Decepticon > Carnivac breaks into manic laughter. < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "...Vot... ze... hell...?" < Decepticon > Scorn says, "Eh?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "It's... a valrus." < Decepticon > Scorn says, "Errr" < Decepticon > Carnivac says, "It's another Pretender. I was wondering were that lardball got off to."

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > banks around and pours on the power, flying towards Longtooth surprisingly fast. Her wing-mounted machine guns chatter loudly, causing the asphalt of the parking lot to explode in two rows that stitch rapidly towards, and then past, the Pretender walrus. <<Slugfest! Locate the items on my list, I want to be ready to grab and run if we need to. Everybody else? BREAK ZEM! > >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > sets her defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Longtooth with her Strafing Run (Pistol) attack!

"Okay!" Slugfest says, tapping on the canopy so that Banshee will let him out. "Me go get! Me go get!" When the canopy opens, he wriggles out. Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > pops the canopy for Slugfest

Dead colored Tetrajet pulls up from his latest scraffing run and hears the order. >< "I know." > is all he says and then notices a certain red Autobot flier rolling into the scene. < "Hows the face, Powerglide?" > he asks as he changes direction and startsheadig for the Warthog. He aims his wing cannons toward the Autobot and fires off his one and only alt mode weapon toward his new target.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet misses A-10 Thunderbolt II < Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

Giant Armored Timberwolf < Carnivac > pulls back from the opening in the wall, ears flaring up at the bellow of his name in such a loud, melodramatic manner. He turns his head in the direction of the shout, jaws parting into the typical toothy grin the manic tracker wears. "Aaaaw, he remembers me. Long time no see, Longtooth." Then switchs to a deadpan briefly. "Not long enough."

As he resumes grinning he turns, bringing the turret on his back to bear, cannon recoiling back faintly as it belchs out several bolts of energy. "But it doesn't matter... WELCOME TO DIE! NYWAHAHAH!" Someone really needs to regulate the mutt's media access.

Combat: Giant Armored Timberwolf < Carnivac > strikes Longtooth with his OMG NOT LASERS! (Laser) attack!

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Carnivac, if you ever do ze Pencil Trick, I svear I vill find somesing unpleasant to do to you." < Decepticon > Carnivac giggles. "Is that a promise or a threat?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee struggles to find a response to that, sputtering several times.

Longtooth, being the first man to arrive on the scene expects to get shot a couple of times for his effort. Banshee's strafing run gouges a few craters down his left shoulder pauldron, but Carnivac's cannon catches him right in the abdomen -- splitting flesh and a trickle of blood appearing. But the giant bio-construct shows no sign of pain, reaching instead to his ionic rifle. He points it at Banshee, swinging it down in a wide swath as a crimson streak of ion energy appears in the air as though he were painting it -- attempting to burn the circuits out of both as he begins an all out berseker charge towards Carnivac. "I will handle the other Pretender, friends, but I will require your aid to defend myself from the others. Already, they begin to swarm me!"

Combat: Longtooth misses Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Ion Field Area attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Longtooth (Longtooth) used "Ion Field": A Level 2 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Longtooth misses Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Ion Field Area attack! [Pulled -2]

<<Of course /you'd/ be here > > Powerglide says, banking sharply to the right to keep Windshear's shots from ripping into him. <<This might actually be a good thing. Remember we have a score to settle. Now is our best option. > > The Warthog ascends and lets loose a concussion bomb to meet the Seeker.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > misses Dead colored Tetrajet with his And Away We Go attack!

Police Car - <Streetwise > appears to have been beaten to the Palmdale facility by Longtooth, even though the Protectobot was ostensibly leading the way. But maybe that's because Streetwise actually veered off upon final approach and is now circling around the facility, dividing his attention between makeshift inspection of the exterior for further signs of forced entry, and observation of the skies for flying Decepticons absconding with stolen goods. After a full circuit of the complex's exterior he doesn't come across either, so instead he transforms into robot mode, takes up a position next to the opening Carnivac blasted earlier in the wall, and then ducks his head around to take a quick peek inside. "Clear!" he reports. Then he draws his pistol, looking around for any Decepticons who might be approaching. Police Car - <Streetwise > transforms into his Streetwise mode.

Combat: Streetwise sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Streetwise analyzes Slugfest for weaknesses.

Ambulance <</nowikiFirst Aid > is blindly following Streetwise (as usual) and so he winds up circling around the complex as well, transforming into robot mode along with him. His photon pistol is already drawn as he moves in concert with the police bot. He moves to the next corner just inside the hole Carnivac made after Streetwise gives the sign. "Clear!" he calls out for the next intersection. Ambulance <First Aid > flips up into robot mode.

Lab-brat, not being a protectobot, isn't one for emergency or police procedures, and just burts on to the scene. A rickety old garbage truck that looks like it's been through better days, is certainly going to be the most threatening thing to strike fear into the laser cores of the Decepticons. While his 'buddies' are just watching the doggie, Lab-Brat just decides to trash him.

Combat: Garbage_Truck misses Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Lifter Lance attack!

Dead colored Tetrajet does a lazy wingover and avoids Powerglides return attack. "Yea we got a score to settle.. good start there.. bud." he snickers and cranking up some godsmack in his internal CD player he launches into another attack on the autobot flier.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet strikes A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

Slugfest has a bucket for the 'grocery list'! He runs to where the bolts are and upends a container of them into his bucket, which he was carrying in his mouth. It is not a LOLrus bucket.

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > banks hard to avoid the blast from Longtooth and swears, about to loop around to give him another go when she spots Lab-Brat coming in to strike. With a faint chuckle she gains some height and instead begins to dive on the garbage truck, the sirens under her wings screaming loudly as she accellerates. Centring her crosshairs on Lab-Brat, she releases another of her 50kg bombs and pulls up hard. Hopefully she should catch Longtooth in the blast, too... <<You haff no business here, Autobots. > > she snarls <<Let us get what we need unt we won't kill you - or any of the squishy, disgustink little meatsacks! > >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > misses Longtooth with her 50kg GP Bombs Area attack!

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Garbage_Truck with her 50kg GP Bombs Area attack!

"Aaaaw look, he's being all heroic and stuff." Followed by Carnivac putting a forepaw to his gaping mouth and making several gagging noises. The mocking, however, doesn't keep him from noticing the weaponfire being swung in his direction. He backsteps away from the ion field, then ears snap up again at the sound of a rickety trash truck coming barreling in. With a grunt powerful legs launch him into the air, the mighty leap evading both attackers without getting a stratch on himself.

Loudly pavement crunchs under his paws as Carnivac lands from the evasive maneuver, knocking over a parked VW that's thankfully not yellow. "Aaahaha. Perfect!" Carnivac grabs it with his teeth, and with a swing of his head flings it at Longtooth. "Punch Buggy!"

Combat: Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > strikes Longtooth with his No Bumblebees were hurt in the making of this attack (Punch) attack!

A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > doesn't want to admit it, but Windshear does have a point (punctuated by lasers) and that point is that Powerglide is starting this grudge match on a bad foot. He drops altitude and falls back to let the faster Seeker pass over him before firing a hail of bullets from his alt mode's best assest: the GAU-8 Avenger cannon. Hail to the king baby.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his pewpewpwe (Laser) attack! Streetwise steps away from the wall and then raises his pistol, sighting down the top of the weapon at Banshee's form as it flies overhead. "Let's see you back up your threats -- without your optics! > > He carefully draws a bead, then factors in for airspeed and adjusts his aim to lead the target by the appropriate amount. So focused is he on his shot that he risks making himself an easy target for anyone aiming his way.

Combat: Streetwise sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Streetwise strikes Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Photon Pistol attack!

Combat: Streetwise (Streetwise) used "Photon Pistol": A Level 1 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: That attack has temporarily limited Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > 's Accuracy! (Blinded)

Longtooth is moving at a decent rate of speed by now; clawed feet tearing into the parking lot as he skids to a halt in a defensive crouch. He just has time to. . . catch the flying volkswagen in one hand; hefting it easily with bulging bio-construct muscles. The catch opens a small cut on his forearm but doesn't seem to slow him down much. Then, the Walrus grins ferally and begins a charge anew -- his momentum carrying him well out of Banshee's blast radius as he accelerates from a jog into a full out lope. Shifting the bug -- which thankfully has nobody in it to his left hand -- he attempts to plough into Carnivac like a freight train and get his right arm around his neck in a headlock. If he's able to do this, he attempts to ram the vehicle straight into the other Pretender's face repeatedly. Even if he isn't able to do that, he'll still try and cram it down the other's throat.

Combat: Longtooth sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Longtooth misses Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Force Feeding attack! [Pulled -1]

Garbage_Truck spins and transforms as the bombs stikes him, and rattle some of his junk armor loose, scattering it across the feild; but the Junkion doesn't seem to mind. In fact he seems to be... luaghing...? "Hoo! Oh boy! That was all BAM! And WOOOSH! ha ha ha. Spectacular! Simply brillant explosive works!" His optics ligghting up as he seems to bask in the after glow of the explosions for a moment. "Explosions are truly an art form few understand. Here, let me share some of my art with a fellow lover of explosive ordience!" Lab-brat reaches into his backpack and pulls out what looks like a Bob-omb, though with a smily face as not to embark in adventures of copyright infringement. "He's the wind up," he says, litterly winding the clockwork toy up. "And the pitch!" He says with a smile and tosses it up at her... if it doesn't explode in his hand first. Lab-Brat changes back to his robot mode, which mostly consists of him standing up and lifting his head.

Combat: Lab-Brat's Clockwork Bombers attack aimed for Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > backfires!

Combat: Lab-Brat strikes himself with his Clockwork Bombers attack! ...Lab-brat probably didn't need that arm anyway... First Aid is about to move in and give Longtooth medical assistance, but the walrus bravely wards him off. Streetwise gives him his orders to continue sweeping the facility, and the Protectobot does just that, moving cautiously through. At each corner, he stops and peeks around it before advancing. It doesn't take him long before spying the Decepticons' fourth most adorable Cassetticon with a bucket in his mouth. First Aid doesn't need to be told twice on what to do here. He fires a photon bolt towards Slugfest, trying to blind him and ruin his attempts to loot the place.

Combat: First Aid misses Slugfest with his Photon Pistol attack!

That manic toothy grin never leaves the wolf's oversized muzzle, even as the other Pretender picks up the pace to charge towards him with previous projectile in hand. Legs flex as Carnivac crouchs a bit, looking at first as if he's bracing himself for the potential impact.

Until Longtooth gets within range to reach for his neck. Position abruptly shifts as Carnivac puts that 'able to leap in any direction' in his profile to good use -- by lunging straight forward to intercept the rushing walrus with his own brute force before he's got a chance to shove that care down the mongrel's maw! "No tag backs!"

Combat: Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > strikes Longtooth with his Bodyblock attack! [Pulled -3]

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > snarls as the photon pistol hits her, spiralling out of control. With what little she vision she has, she turns herself around to face Streetwise and pours on the throttle, resting her wheels on the ground to make sure that, at least, she doesn't crash into it. "<ARSCHLOCH! > she snarls, hoping to slice and dice him, or at least one of the Autobots, with her propellor!

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > sets her defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Streetwise with her I vill GRATE YOU! (Ram) attack!

Dead colored Tetrajet is indeed caught offguard when Powerglide drops down. And it goes how the bot wanted and bullets spray down the Tetrajets undercarriage as he streaks overhead. Warnings blast through his HUD and he feels the pain feedback but simply ignores it. Windshear slams on his air brakes and spins around in a way no earth jet could survive and goes full power toward the Autobot, "Lucky shot." he rumbles and opens fire.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet misses A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

Slugfest is startled when a wide shot impacts near where he's unloading bolts, which just went over his head as he was finishing tipping over another bolt container. He whirls around and sees First Aid with the evidence. "No shoot at! Me getting bolts! Is important!" His little optics light up with indignation and rage, and culminate in lasers zipping out at the Protectobot Medic!

Combat: Slugfest strikes First Aid with his lil glowing optics of DOOMS! (Laser) attack!

First Aid's shot went wide, no doubt blinding the wall something fierce. Wait, when was the last time I had the sights on this thing checked again? First Aid wonders. Flashback! First Aid and the other Protectobots sit around their base as Ronald Reagan gives his Presidential address to the nation on the TV. Groove strides in, "Yo yo, just picked up Back to the Future on Betamax, dudes." Everyone cheers. Ok, First Aid realizes, it's been a while.

This brief trip down memory lane ends up costing the medic, as Slugfest manages to zap him with those laser eyes of him. First Aid raises his arm defensively, successfully blocking the shot. His forearm is heavily singed now, though. "There's no way that /bolts/ are important," he retorts. "Even the Decepticons could make their own if they wanted." Aid retaliates with his now damaged arm, firing off his surgical beams through his fist.

Combat: First Aid strikes Slugfest with his Malpractice Suit Waiting To Happen (Laser) attack!

Streetwise, almost subconciously copying First Aid's defensive movements even though the two Protectobots can't see and aren't even in the same room as each other. He flings up an arm to ward off the spinning propellor but that only works partially - one car-mode doors is sliced off of his forearm and much of the armor is flayed off of his upper arm, revealing the servos and mechanisms underneath. The Protectobot is almost bolwed over by the still fast-moving plane, but manages to duck under one wing. An instant later he surges up, pressing his good arm against the underside of the wing in an attempt to overturn the plane and force her into robot mode.

Combat: Streetwise strikes Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Police Brutality attack!

Combat: Streetwise (Streetwise) used "Police Brutality": A Level 3 MELEE attack.

The Seeker's shots harmlessly pass by overhead and Powerglide just laughs. "It's not luck, it's /skill/! " There's also some courage (or stupidity more likely) involved because instead of pulling away, he accelerates and charges, as it were, straight at Windshear. It's like jousting but instead of pointy sticks you use your face.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his Ram attack!

Longtooth would have handled Slugfest differently than First Aid did! He'd have encouraged bolt collecting, and sent the little Stegosaur off to do his own thing and then shot someone else. But he isn't First Aid. He also isn't really able to do much but react as Carnivac meets him halfway. The VW is flattened between them. Even as his 'accessory' armor plating is crushed beneath the two pushing individuals, Longtooth gives no quarter. He is at least as strong as Carnivac is and pushes back against him, tearing at the ground all the while. For a few seconds, strength meets strength, and then all at once Longtooth's maw opens and he simply attempts to bite Carnivac on the neck with his massive, pearlescent tusks!

Combat: Longtooth misses Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Tusks of Doom attack!

Despite the fact he just got his arm blown off by one of his own bombs, Lab-Brat still looks pleased with himself. "Well... Not quiet the result I was hoping for, but still one doozy of an explosuin, if I do say so myself, and of course I do!" He luaghs as he looks down to his arm on the ground and picks it up, reattaching it with little trouble. Hooray for balljoint and junk technology! He rotates it a few times to make sure its connected well, it pops and crackes and bit. "Ah well, good enough for now!" He says ever gleeful. Nowhere was he... oh yes... He was in a battle wasn't he? We'll lets try another tactic..." He looks to the doggie, and tries to take aim as best he can, before firing off... his bumper?

Combat: Lab-Brat strikes Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Jet-propelled bumper attack!

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > is indeed tipped and forced to transform, but... that's not that much of a hindrance. She gathers herself up like an opera singer, the cogs around her neck beginning to spin as she spreads her arms and sings an astonishingly sweet, pure high A note. She begins to layer more notes onto this original A, the sound changing from beautiful to screeching and discordant, to actually painful. Car windows between herself and Streetwise shatter under the sonic barage, especially as she focusses the sound at her target. It's almost a visible distortion in the air! "ICH SHREIE - DU STIRBST!" Folding and shifting, Banshee transforms into robot mode.

Combat: Banshee strikes Streetwise with her Banshee Scream attack!

Combat: Drained 14 energon.

Malpractice is indeed practiced, and the little stegotape charges at First Aid angrily, revving his chainsaw plates. "Stop that!" he shouts, attempting to cleave the Protectobot in half.

Combat: Slugfest strikes First Aid with his Pint sized Jason without the hockey mask! attack! [Pulled -3]<

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Slugfest! I see you haff ze bolts; vot about ze other supplies?" Dead colored Tetrajet sucks in jet mode. He knows it and though hes a Seeker through and through, the majority of his life has been in the pirate lanes in space. Not much need for an alternate mode in a profession like that so yea, hes lacking. As Powerglide rams into him, new damage readings hit his HUD. And as usual per his unique gift some might call it, he handles the pain well and ignores it. But now hes mad. The Tetrajet transforms and extending his arm blades attacks the jet now all in his face. Dead black and gray Cybertronian Tetrajet transforms into Pretty Boy Seeker Windshear.

Combat: Windshear misses A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Arm Blade attack!

< Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "Them are over here! Behind bolts and to left!"

Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > 's claws likewise tear into the pavement and toss chunks of it out of the ruts cut as the two brutes vie back and forth, a poor empty car lost as a casualty between them. "You may be bigger, and fatter, but I'm still uglier, so there!" .. Okay, that insult attempt didn't come out right. "At least until I'm do--Oof!" A sudden explosion to the side bowls the wolf over.. though haphazardly out of the way of the tusks as well as he tumbles off.

With a snarl he rolls back onto his paws, attentiono shifting for a moment in the direction the exploding bumper came from. "Normally I don't accept cutters, but there's always exceptions!" Followed by a chortle as shearing beams of energy erupt from his optics once more. But maybe Longtooth will finally be able to get a heroic drop on him?

Combat: Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > strikes Lab-Brat with his If Looks Could Kill... attack!

Get the drop on Carnivac? Not likely if Longtooth's past performance is taken into account! He's having a pretty bad day of connecting mainly with air. In truth, he is getting pretty annoyed with this situation. "I'll have you know, there are some that might otherwise disagree with that belief. I . . am not just stronger . . " As Carnivac goes tearing off towards Lab-Brat he attempts to catch the fleeing Decepticon by his hind legs. " I'm bigger . . AND UGLIER!" Why this is a matter of pride to Longtooth is unknown, but he attempts to lift the Decepticon by his hind feet and slam him face first into the ground. Repeatedly. Lift, slam! Lift, slam!

Combat: Longtooth strikes Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his POWER SLAM OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO attack!

A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > hightails it outta there before Windshear can slice him up to ribbons. The flying Autobot makes way to the research building and descends upon it, transforming and landing on the roof with a thud. "Yo Windbutt!" he shouts, producing his pistol from his chest compartment and aiming it at the Decepticon. "Look this way so I have a better chance at hitting your face!" Powerglide turns into an AWESOME robot. < Decepticon > Carnivac's radio transmits the sound of someone's face being repeatedly slammed into the ground. Combat: Powerglide strikes Windshear with his bangbang (Pistol) attack! Streetwise watches Banshee's seemingly odd antics...and then he stumbles back, hands held over the sides of his own head in an attempt to shield his receptors even as elements of glass from his alt-mode that ended on his chest, his feet and on his remaining arm-door shatter. Once the sonic onslaught has ended he shakes his head in an attempt to clear it, to focus on his enemy again. But there's something...off...about him, a slight hesitation in the way he raises his backup pistol, a dimness in his optics that wasn't there before, a hunching over as if even as he fires he's almost wincing at the anticipated return shot.

Combat: Streetwise strikes Banshee with his Backup-Piece (Pistol) attack!

Combat: Streetwise (Streetwise) used "Pistol": A Level 1 RANGED attack.

First Aid figured that, despite what he told the Cassetticon, there must be a reason they sent him in there to do it. Maybe it's more important than First Aid realizes. I mean, ha ha, it's not like the Decepticons are incompetent or anything. Ha ha. Ahem. As Slugfest charges him, the Protectobot takes a step back. This, surprisingly, does not help. Slugfest lashes out at him with his backplates, and First Aid's left arm is neatly sliced off at the rest. "Argh!" The medic yells in pain. The fallen limb lands helplessly to the deck plating, and First Aid has no choice but to turn and run. He only makes it a few steps before he folds down into ambulance mode, blazing away from the Cassetticon. Unfortunately, there's no real room for him to maneuver in here, and he's forced into a turning skid to avoid hitting a wall. Now facing Slugfest again, First Aid cuts loose with his roof mounted decrystalizer cannon. Then, hit or miss, he takes off, starting to head back to the main battle to join Lab-Brat and the others. First Aid folds down into Ambulance mode.

Combat: Ambulance <First Aid > strikes Slugfest with his Decrystallizer Cannon attack!

Okay that hurt... One can tell by the fact that Lab-Brat is actually no longer has that manic grin on his face. He huffs heavily as once more armor falls off of him, sliced off by the cutting lasers, and much harder to heal. "Good doggie... Nice Doggie... Wanna go play fetch?" He asks as he backs away and digs something out of his back pack, a long metal "stick". well as good as anything he supposes... "Go Fetch!"

Combat: Lab-Brat sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Lab-Brat strikes Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Go Fetch! (Punch) attack!

Banshee draws one of her Luger P08-styled pistols and works the action, then draws the other and does the same, turning to face First Aid. "You vill leave Slugfest alone." She growls, levelling the two guns at him. But she does't just open up on the big protectobot; she also tracks the aim of her two Lugers across Longtooth and Lab-Brat. "Or I vill hurt you!"

Combat: Banshee misses Lab-Brat with her Full-Auto Area attack!

Combat: Banshee strikes Longtooth with her Full-Auto Area attack!

Combat: Banshee strikes Ambulance <First Aid > with her Full-Auto Area attack!

Windshear misses..yea. He watches Powerglide land on the building below and fire at him. Then he feels the hit and his optics glow a bit. That came real close to his face. He simply transforms and blasts toward the Autobot not really interested if he hits or not. At this point anything he hits will suffice. Pretty Boy Seeker Windshear transforms into dead black and gray Cybertronian Tetrajet.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet strikes Powerglide with his Ram attack! Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > was totally going to lunge for the Junkion after softening him up with his vile vision, but a clammy hand grabs his legs first and he thumps short of leaping away.

Followed by a * WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM * and if one managed to zoom in they'd see Carnivac's face half-squashed into a different distorted expression of pain each time it connects with the pavement. That's what he gets for getting cocky enough to turn his back on a mad walrus! Then gets a stick across the ugly mug as well before finally reeling out of Longtooth's grasp and somewhat shakily getting to his feet. ".. Ahahaha. Idiots, my head is the hardest part of my body!" .. Then after a moment he pauses, squinting in confusion slightly as it seems to dawn on him that wasn't quite the most self-complimentory of replies. "Wait a minute... oh, nevermind. Not important!" Having vented his annoyance with the Junkion already, he turns his attention back to the bigger, self-proclaimed uglier Longtooth. "Y'know, you're right, I probably couldn't actually kill a big tuskerninny like you..."

Cue the ominous thrum from his cannon as he brings it to bear. "But there's some things that are worse having to live through!" The rest desolves into maniacal bark-cackling as he fires the system slogging anti-thermal weapon at the other Pretender! Slugfest gets nailed square dead on by the decrystalizer cannon. "OW!" he yelps, "No do that! Me blast you!" His solar vibro cannons heat up, absorbing energy from the sun from his backplates, and he aims them at First Aid. "Hope you get holes in tires!"

Combat: Slugfest misses Ambulance <First Aid > with his Solar-Powered Vibro-Cannon attack!

Combat: Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > strikes Longtooth with his Anti-Thermal Cannon attack! Combat: That attack has slowed Longtooth, making him less

efficient.

Ambulance <First Aid > slams through the hallways like only an ambulance in a huge sprawling facility can. He hits the walls a few times, knocking both his side mirrors clean off. "Pretty sure you're going to try that anyway," First Aid retorts to Banshee. As he reenters the main battle, Banshee's shots ricochet off his front hood, leaving it riddled with bullet (?) holes. It doesn't slow the Protectobot any, and with a nifty last-second turn he's even able avoid Slugfest's attempt to knock his tires out. "Too slow!" He'd rather Slugfest focus on him than his friends. Flipping into robot mode, First Aid skids to a halt next to Lab-Brat, staying just behind him. Hopefully by this point Carnivac is busy picking himself up off the ground from Lab-Brat's punch, and First Aid takes the opportunity to seal up several of the Junkion's wounds with his surgical lasers. Of course, as he's missing one arm now thanks to Slugfest, his medical efforts are going to be less effective. Ambulance <First Aid > flips up into robot mode.

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of Lab-Brat's minor injuries. Powerglide takes a moment for pointless weapon dickery; namely, spinning his pistol around like some kind of robot cowboy. By the time he 'holsters' his weapon, he's rolled over by Windshear's alternate form. Powerglide scrambles to his (wobbly) feet and transforms. "Time to jet! Get it!? Jet!?" And with that said, he takes off into the sky but not before dropping off a present for the Seeker. Powerglide turns into an AWESOME jet

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his And Away We Go attack!

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet has been temporarily incapacitated.

Lab-Brat streches some after the quick patch job done. "Ah, Much better. Here let me give you a hand!" He says, and sure enough he pulls out a spare arm from his backpack and hands it to First Aid. "I would help attach it, but I'm scientist, not a Doctor Jim."

Combat: Lab-Brat takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Carnivac's anti-thermal cannon attack strikes Longtooth dead center -- immediatly beginning to drain heat away from him. He begins to slow as a result; skin painfully cracking as the water and thermal energy are both neutralized. That doesn't stop as Carnivac put it, a mad tusker, for he reaches out -- moving slowly but deliberatly as he puts as much effort as he needs to into countering the effect of the weapon -- attempting to take hold of Carnivac's throat. He is not doing anything fancy right now, because he can't, really. All he tries to do is crush the other's throat with a kevlar gloved hand. " . . . less talk, more fight." Is all he ends up saying.

Combat: Longtooth misses Giant Armored Timberwolf <Carnivac > with his Punch attack!

Streetwise drops his smoking pistol then transforms into his police-car mode. He's looking pretty battered, windshield and windows shattered, police lights cracked and one door missing completely. But somehow his surveillance systems are still functional. He trains his systems on Carnivac and then begins transmitting information to the opposing Pretender, hoping the tactical advantage can help tip the scales in the Autobot's favor. Streetwise transforms into his Police Car - <Streetwise > mode.

Combat: Streetwise analyzes Carnivac for weaknesses Longtooth can exploit.

Dead colored Tetrajet bowls over Powerglide and then gets hit again. Stunned he crashes a few hundred yards away, simple as that. No need to elaberate on the obvious. The Tetrajet lays there in the reentry path he made and doesnt move. The Global Pose Tracker marks that Dead colored Tetrajet has 'skipped' his action for this round.

Slugfest realizes he's being ignored! He charges after First Aid and tries whapping him with his little spiky tail.

Combat: Slugfest strikes First Aid with his tail whappies! (Kick) attack! Banshee blows smoke fron the barrels of her two P08 pistols and twirls them, the hail of bullets having done their job. She smirks to herself and, noticing that everyone else is fighting, takes her chance. With a slight grin and as unobtrusively as possible, she attempts to move past the fight and into the factory itself, to collect the rest of the parts she needs...

Combat: Banshee takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

At this point Carnivac merely has to shift to the side a bit to avoid the sluggish snatching for his neck, cackling the entire time. "Missed me, missed me~!", catcalls the crazed canine as he backs up. Then the wolf-shell splits open and phases away as Carnivac flips up into his robot mode, grinning as manically as ever. Grabbing one of the lot streetlights by the base he wrenches it free from the ground. "It's lights out for you all!" Like an oversized club he swings it rather awkwardly in a wide arc to try and clobber as many of the Autobots as possible. Carnivac flips up from his grinning mecha-wolf mode into his manic robot mode.

Combat: Carnivac strikes Longtooth with his Lamppost Swingin' (Ruckus) Area attack!

Combat: Carnivac strikes First Aid with his Lamppost Swingin' (Ruckus) Area attack!

Combat: Carnivac strikes Lab-Brat with his Lamppost Swingin' (Ruckus) Area attack!

< Decepticon > Carnivac says, "Better finish your five finger discount quickly, I can only hold aggro for so long." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Aaaalll ready on it." < Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "but me no has fingers!" < Decepticon > Cindersaur rahrs

A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > swings back around for a pass at the now downed Windshear, his approach slow and controlled as to get a steady shot. "You should save us both the trouble and officially forfeit right now. I'd like to collect my prize as quickly as possible." A red hot beam fires from Powerglide nosecone to sear his competition.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his Thermal Beam attack!

Police Car - <Streetwise > kicks his engine into gear and then shudders into motion, emitting a few distubring grinding noises every time he turns but at least presenting a more difficult target now. His air compressor cannon unfolds from his trunk and turns to track Banshee as he circles, but then she disappears into the lab. Resigning himself to take a shot when she emerges, he angles his cannon to try to give First Aid some relief. So close is his fellow Protectobot to his attacker that Streetwise can only risk a low-powered blast.

Combat: Police Car - <Streetwise > strikes Slugfest with his Air-Compressor Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

First Aid eeps at the spare arm. He welds it back in place. For most Autobots, that would NEVER work. For a Junkion? Probably! Meanwhile, First Aid is being assaulted from all sides as the Decepticons break out their heavy duty AoE's. Slugfest finally catches up to him, smacking First Aid in the gut with his tail and sending him sprawling across the floor. This leaves him open for Carnivac's rampage with the streetlamp, and First Aid is forced to crawl away, badly damaged. "Guys... not... doing so well," he mutters, though it's hard for him to talk at this point, and so it might be difficult for anyone to hear. Deciding that the best way to deal with Carnivac is not by retaliating, but by getting Longtooth bak in fighting shape. "We're not licked yet," First Aid wheezes, sealing up Longtooth's injuries as best he can given the circumstances.

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of Longtooth's minor injuries.

Combat: First Aid sets his defense level to Guarded.

Longtooth is really, really getting grumpy with all of this. "Did I?" Longtooth asks, as he slips to the side to attempt to avoid the post. It is likely to strike First Aid and Lab-Brat before it does him. Indeed though, it strikes him with a teriffic blow that sends him sprawling -- a cracked rib obvious in the side of his bio-construct shell. He goes sliding, bumping into First Aid -- only to have the medic fix him. " . . .thanks . . " He says and staggers to his feet, looking rather put out. A massive hand extends; ripping up a streetlight of his own to do battle with. Raising it over his head he lunges at Carnivac with a brutal walrusy bellow only. . to rotate the weapon and attempt to stab the sharp, broken-off end right into Carnivac's flank!

Combat: Longtooth strikes Carnivac with his Streetlight in Suppository Configuration attack!

* WHAM * right to the kisser, comes the lamppost. He shakes it off as best he can when he sees the little Dino trying to attack the Medic. "Hey! Its not notice to attack medics when they're down!" He lunches at the casseete and tries to grab hold of him, after all how hard can it be to hold a stumpy little steggo?

Combat: Lab-Brat misses Slugfest with his Commere you! (Grab) attack! Slugfest squeals as he's hit with an unexpected blast, and turns and rushes towards Streetwise. Somehow he manages to dart away from Lab-Brat's clumsy attempt to seize him. The little stegosaur tries to tapdance on Streetwise's hood and roof! "Nononono! Was busy! You no bother me!"

Combat: Slugfest strikes Police Car - <Streetwise > with his The pitter-patter of little FEETS! (Kick) attack!

Banshee smirks and slips into the factory, apparently unnoticed by anyone. "Ja..." she mutters to herself. "Das gut." Accosting a worker hiding amongst some crates, the brandishes her list of parts at him, crossing the bolts off the list. "These things! Take me to them or you and I will have... disagreements, ja?" When the man - Michael Shaeffer according to his badge - begins to lead the way, Banshee follows. "Ja, gut little fleshbag. I won't kill you today."

Dead colored Tetrajet gets hit again as he lays there. Systems reboot slightly and hes not as stunned as he was before. The Seeker lifts back up into the air, pivots around and fires back at the Autobot. He doesnt say a word, theres no point.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet misses A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

Carnivac WAUGHS as he gets sideswiped with a lamppost in return, knocking him off his feet and to the ground. And once again slamming his head into it. "... I hate gravity..." he grumbles to no one in particular as he plants both hands on either side and pries his face off the pavement. Which says nothing of the massive mauling of metal and mechanical bits torn out of his side because of the sharp end. "Hmm, not usually how I split my sides. But effective!"

... Why -is- this guy still smiling, despite being trashed pretty good at this point? Must be a masochist, or something. Or just plain nuts. "Don't worry I'll keep hounding you until the very end!" Leaping and transforming into his not quite as fugly robotic wolf mode, Carnivac tries to land on the now larger Longtooth's back, digging in with his claws. Or is he trying to get in a position that's hard to reach behind oneself? It's hard to tell when Carnivac is being clever, or just crazy. Carnivac drops to all fours, turning into a mechanical wolf.

Combat: MechaFenrir Wolf <Carnivac > strikes Longtooth with his I'll Scratch your back you scra--wait you already did. attack! [Pulled -2]

Police Car - <Streetwise > 's hood is imprinted with little steggo-footprints, and then an instant later his roof is nearly caved in. Streetwise transforms into robot mode, forcing Slugfest off and then drawing a photon pistol in each hand. This time Streetwise fires in two directions at once, wide-angle beams of light that sweep across the parking lot to wash over Slugest, then Carnivac. At this intensity they won't blind an opponent, but hopefully they will still hurt. Police Car - <Streetwise > transforms into his Streetwise mode.

Combat: Streetwise strikes Slugfest with his Photon Pistol Area attack!

Combat: Streetwise misses Mecha Fenrir Wolf <Carnivac > with his Photon Pistol Area attack!

"Come on!" Powerglide jeers, unaffected by Windshear's laser fire. "At least give me a good fight! I need a story to tell when this is all over, after all. Here, let me give you a little motivation." The Warthog cracks off a couple shots at the Seeker before shooting into the air, goading the other flier into chasing him.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > misses Dead colored Tetrajet with his laser noise (Laser) attack!

Lab-Brat shakes his head again as he regains his sense in full... least as fully as a Junkion can. He grins softly and pulls out another one his Not-bob-Bombs, and begins to wind it up, winding for longer this time though they always seemed to have minds of their owns when it comes to when they explode, before chucking it at Slugfest! "Get off My friends!"

Combat: Lab-Brat's Clockwork Bombers attack aimed for Slugfest backfires!

Combat: Lab-Brat strikes himself with his Clockwork Bombers attack! ...Once again that doesn't go as planned... "Gonna have to adjust their timing..." Lab-brat mutters before falling back, optics flickering as he's already burned through the quick patch job from moments ago...

Longtooth is having a bit of trouble with Carnivac, he reckons. Not that this can't be dealt with. With the other pretender on his back, he has no witty walrus-ism to offer. Instead he does a strange thing -- reaching up with his kevlar gloved hands and attempting to seize the wolf's forepaws and hold him in place. Why? So he can. . wait, is he crouching? Yes, yes he. . is leaping with all the power of his walrusy limbs in a good sixty foot arc. . coming downwards as he brings his legs up to attempt to land butt first on Carnivac and crush him beneath the weight of his shell. First Aid is, gratefully, able to escape the wrath of Carnivac despite helping Longtooth out in the fight. He backs away, forced to lean against a wall for support. He looks at his left arm, where his hand was sliced off at the wrist by Slugfest's armour plating. Grimly, he sets about sealing off the wound so he doesn't lose too much energon. Physician, heal thyself.

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of his minor injuries.

Combat: Longtooth strikes Mecha Fenrir Wolf <Carnivac > with his big fat aft (Grab) attack!

Dead colored Tetrajet doesnt know if his shot hit or not, just keeps firing at the Autobot.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet strikes A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Anyvun with heavy-lift able to come to the Skunkworks?"

* Squash * Carnivac gets sat on by the fat walrus butt. Yet somehow still finds some bad sense of humor to laugh about. "That is the most asinine attack I have ever seen." Oh, the puns, his commentary almost hurts more than the attacks. But he is kinda stuck at the moment, unless he can manage to get out. Fortunately Carnivac's transformation isn't all that complicated, as it mainly involves his limbs becoming robot ones, so he can still shift modes, grab onto the tub of blubber, and try to throw him off. "Stop sitting down on the job!" Carnivac flips up from his grinning mecha-wolf mode into his manic robot mode.

Combat: Carnivac strikes Longtooth with his Get Off (Grab) attack!

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Keep zem busy. Whirlybird (a gumby) is waiting back at the RV point; I'll deliver zese parts unt return to help you guys finish zem off."

Slugfest runs a wide arc, but his tail gets singed by Streetwise's gun. "EEeowww!" he cries, running for his bucket of bolts. He finds the lid, snaps it on quickly, and picks up the handle in his mouth. Then for good measure he fires his optic lasers at Lab-Brat, whose attack seems to have backfired. "Teach you throw things at me!"

Combat: Slugfest strikes Lab-Brat with his Evil Glowing Optics! (Disruptor) attack!

Banshee smirks quietly and begins loading the supplies she needs onto a semi trailer. First duralumin and molybdenum alloys are stacked up, followed by a few crates of shock-resistant mooring lugs. High-strength precision activators follow, and shortly after that, more tension-resistant rivets are added to the pile. Rather comically, Banshee's head appears at the hole Carnivac made, looking left and right to see if anyone's looking at her. Once she's sure the coast is clear, the Stukacon re-appears, dragging the flatbed trailer of crates and metal bars behind her towards a rendezvous point - a Gumby helicopter-based decepticon awaits these parts.

Combat: Banshee takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

Combat: Regained 12 energon.

And so, Carnivac grabs ahold of Longtooth. The unfortunate matter of the fact is that with the physical exertion, the 'tub of blubber' has begun to sweat a slippery, sickly sweet sweat that normally wouldn't be a problem except in this case it really does make the tub quite buttery. As such, Carnivac is successful in getting Longtooth to his feet and getting him off of him, but no more than that. Placing his gloved hands togeather in a traditional axe-handle movement, Longtooth attempts to swing a horrendus double-fist towards the other Pretender's face! "Can't you go chew a bone, or something? I'm getting . . Dog Tired . . of this. Ha ha ha!"

Combat: Longtooth misses Carnivac with his Buttery Blubber Love (Punch) attack!

First Aid moves his left arm. It's no longer bleeding, but it's still a useless stump at this point. Worst. Charity night. Evar, First Aid decides. With his photon pistol still holstered so he can utilize his surgical lasers (1 hand, remember. Thanks, Slugfest. Thanks a lot), First Aid surveys the battlefield from where he's leaning up against the wall. He spies his partner on the receiving end of a Slugfest tapdance, and moves to intercept. Streetwise will no doubt see his approach, and First Aid doesn't even need to call out which defensive protocol this is. Vorns of experience has let them read each other like a book, and after Streetwise has completed whatever his next maneuver is, First Aid seals up his injuries with several well placed lasers.

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of Streetwise's minor injuries.

The Seeker's shots pepper Powerglide's left wing, but it doesn't bother him. He decides he's tough enough to endure a sort of kamikaze manuever while his opponent is not, so he banks around and divbombs the other jet. Hoo-yah.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his banzai! (Ram) attack!

Lab-Brat twitches at the hit and coughs, as once again he gets hit by a 'con's evil eye... lasers... He's struggles to his fett and looks around, barely able to stand but finds something that might be of help: The bumper he fired off earlier! He picks it up and gives a half glare at the steggo. It might have used up its fuel, but he can always fall back to more primative means... and simply chunks it at the fleeing cassettecon.

Combat: Lab-Brat misses Slugfest with his And don't come back! (Kick) attack!

Streetwise flexes his newly repaired arms, then nods his thanks to First Aid. "This is getting us nowhere," he remarks, scanning over the battlefield quickly. "Time to bring out the heavy ordinance." With that he reaches behind his body and produces a large rifle, which he raises to his shoulder. He aims first at Slugfest, then up in the air at Windshear, then finally zeroes in on the elusive Carnivac.

Combat: Streetwise misses Carnivac with his Lethal Force attack!

Banshee makes her drop-off and transforms to return to the fight, coming in from a relatively high altitude to give Carnivac a hand. She's sure the nutjob won't mind at all, and will probably get a kick from a Walrus eating a 'torpedo ted' bomb. The first thing that Longtooth probably knows about it is when her engine suddenly roars loudly, the sirens on her wings screaming as she descends towards him, pulling up at the last minute - leaving * just * long enough for the grinning face on the bomb to be seen and recognised before impact and detonation!

Combat: Error - Could not find an attack matching '250'. Folding and shifting with the classic noise, Banshee transforms into her Junkers Ju-87 Stuka altmode

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes Longtooth with her 250kg Penetrator Bombs attack!

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Dropoff made. Retreat if you wish, but I'm sure it vould please our superiors if ve vere to SLAUGHTER ZEM ALL!" < Decepticon > Scorn says, "Bring me back a snack if you can!" < Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "I has bucket! Retreat nao?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "If you vant. I say ve stay unt kill zem all" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "But Slugfest... retrieve zat arm you severed. It vill make a fine gift for Fraulein Scorn"

Dead colored Tetrajet gets hit again. Hes flying blind at this point from the massive feedback in his neuronet and the damage hes taken so far. His engines falter and the Tetrajet struggles to keep his altitude, leaving a trail of smoke and energon along the way. In sluggish responce his wing lasers light up again and he fires in the general direction he thinks Powerglide is.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet misses A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Laser attack!

< Decepticon > Scorn says, "You're the best, Banshee~" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Vindshear, fall back!"

The little stegotape evades the bumper being thrown at him, carrying the covered bucket of bolts. No, he's not carrying Lab-Brat. "Got goodies!" Then Banshee tells him to go get the arm he lopped off of First Aid. So he goes to retrieve it!

Combat: Slugfest misses First Aid with his Arm is mine nao! (Grab) attack!

< Decepticon > Windshear says distantly, "Doesnt.. matter... hopeyougot..what.. you came.. for..." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Zat is an ORDER! Fall BACK!"

Carnivac briefly makes a disgusted expression as some of the persperation oozes down his hands. "Eew, check your fluid levels." Shaking the dribblets off, he looks up again just in time to see the massive fists coming down, and abruptly rolls out of the way of the blow smashing into the pavement. He rolls up onto his hands and knees and pushes up to sprint away from Longtooth -- just in time it would seem, as Banshee unloads a bomb at him. "Wheee, fireworks!" Also the mad darting deftly dodges Streetwise's barrage chewing yet more holes in the scenery. "Oh no, it's the fuzz!" Skidding to a half-spinning stop that makes his mangled side ache, Carnivac whips out his cannon and fires a low yield blast back at Streetwise, while making a mimicry tone of some movie mobster. "Ya'll never take me alive, copper, nyaaa!"

Combat: Carnivac misses Streetwise with his Anti-Thermal Cannon attack! [Pulled -1]

< Decepticon > Darkwing says, "Windy's not exactly good at 'orders'" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "He knows to listen to me. /Don't you/ Vindshear?"

Oh, look. Longtooth has a bomb dropped on him from a random direction that he didn't see coming. He vanishes into a fireball, momentarily.

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

< Decepticon > Carnivac says, "If we've got what you want, let's not make this stay any crazier than it already is." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "...Carnivac, do I need to book you an appointment vith Carjack? Are you feelink OK?" < Decepticon > Carnivac says, "I'm insane, not stupid." < Decepticon > Windshear finally replies, "I think.. its too .. late for me.. to fall..back..." < Decepticon > Carnivac pause < Decepticon > Carnivac says, "Most of the time."

Streetwise's optics widen as Carnivac not only avoids the attack but then readies his own cannon. "Take cover!" he shouts at First Aid, heeding his own advice and flinging himself to the side as well. He transforms back to police-car form, and much of the massive damage from earlier seems decreased. His windshields are still missing but the jagged glass shards around the border are gone. Footprints still adorn his hood and roof, but just impressions rather than huge craterlike dents. Even his engine sounds better. And then Streetwise risks undoing all of his Protecto-brother's hard work by lining himself up for a collision course with Carnivac! Streetwise transforms into his Police Car - <Streetwise > mode.

Combat: Police Car - <Streetwise > strikes Carnivac with his Ram attack! < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Make ze attempt at ze earliest opportunity. I vill distract Pansyglide" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Carnivac, Slugfest, withdraw when you vish." < Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "Okay!"

A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > circles above Windshear in a wide circle like some kind of predatory bird. "Aw geez, I feel kind of bad," the Warthog mumbles to himself. "Might as well finish this quickly!" he shouts, returning fire. "If you see Scorn on your way back to your repair bay tell her I say 'hey guurrrrrl' and to call me because this victory is mine!"

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > strikes Dead colored Tetrajet with his Bzzzap attack! [Pulled -3]

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Scorn, vhen you next see Powerglide? Eat him for me, bitte."

First Aid stares at Carnivac as he defies Streetwise, shouting at him. When the Pretender retaliates, First Aid takes Streetwise's advice and hauls ass out of there, diving away from the thermal cannon. He wasn't the main target, but when that thing gets used, anyone in the vicinity end up dying. Rather than rising, First Aid falls back down on all four wheels, having shifted into ambulance mode. His huge, double barreled decrystalizer cannon is pointed directly at Carnivac. The cop car and ambulance have Carnivac flanked, attacking him from both sides. Even if he manages to avoid one of them, it should be darn well impossible for him to avoid both. First Aid folds down into Ambulance mode.

Combat: Ambulance <First Aid > sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Ambulance <First Aid > misses Carnivac with his Decrystallizer Cannon attack!

< Decepticon > Scorn says, "I was already planning on it~" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Sehr gut"

Lab-Brat coughs and sputters, and falls back over with the failed attack, barely having the energon or structial intreigry to reamin standing for long...

Combat: Lab-Brat takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > smirks and slots herself in on Powerglide's tail, lining her wing guns up on his engines. She tries to remain as quiet as possible until she's got her guns aimed, suddenly pouring on the throttle to blast past the A-10, machine guns chattering loudly as she attempts to distract him and stitch him from nose to tail with 7.62mm fire. <<Pansyglide! How /vunderfull/ to see you, ja? Perhaps vun day I'll feed you to Scorn, von't zat be vunderfull? > >

Combat: Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > strikes A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with her Strafing Run (Laser) attack!

Combat: Drained 2 energon.

Carnivac gets missed by the decrystallizer blast... if only by virtue of having the battered cop cruiser slam into him like a deer in the headlights first, the impact sending the Pretender skidding across the lot in a shower of sparks and torn bits of metal. Carnivac remains lying on his back for a moment, holding a hand overhead briefly. "Call me crazy -- as I am -- But I think now is a good time to cut our losses and cut out." .. Maybe all those blows to the head actually knocked some sense into him, literally. Or it's one of those rare lucid moments. Either way Carnivac rolls over, transforming as he does so, and bounds off as quickly as his battered body can go. "Time to scoot, this welcome is more wore out than I am!" Carnivac drops to all fours, turning into a mechanical wolf.

Combat: Mecha Fenrir Wolf <Carnivac > sets his defense level to Guarded.

Combat: Mecha Fenrir Wolf <Carnivac > begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee >, A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > , Ambulance <First Aid > , and Police Car - <Streetwise >

Slugfest picks up the hand in his mouth and pries the bucket lid open, stuffing it inside. "OKAY! Us go now?" The lid is pushed closed again, and Slugfest takes the handle back into his mouth and runs off.

Combat: Slugfest begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee >, A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > , Ambulance <First Aid > , Dead colored Tetrajet, and Police Car - <Streetwise >

Dead colored Tetrajet gets hit again. Everythings blurring in this processer at this point. Its a drawback of having such tolerance to pain and damage, sometimes you just dont know when to withdraw. At this point Windshear realizes it doesnt matter. Hes slagged so theres nothing to save. In one last ditch attempt he pours whats left of his energy into his afterburners and speeds up to ram the Autobot.

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet strikes A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > with his Ram attack!

Combat: Dead colored Tetrajet falls to the ground, unconscious.

< Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Sheiss! Vindshear, come in! I told you to fall back! Arschloch! Inkompetenten Narren! Weisst du uberhaupt, was ich horen? Offne deine Ohren und tu, was ich BESTELLEN!"

Longtooth emerges from a cloud of smoke with what appears to be only a somewhat tattered body. Apparently, he took a moment to rest and recover in a place where it was unlikely that the Decepticons were going to see him. Somewhere between a building and a bomb detonation. He finds that Carnivac is already bounding away and Slugfest is running too. That leaves. . hrm. Longtooth is not dumb, and he can reason where that bomb came from. And so, he picks up the broken-off light pole that he had used to stab Carnivac with and breaks the light end off over his knee to create a relatively straight item. Hefting this to his shoulder he takes a few steps forward for momentum, aiming and then letting it fly towards where he assumes the Stuka is going to be like a giant, twenty foot long javelin. It's an improvised weapon and will probably miss, but if it hits, boy oh boy is it ever going to hurt.

Combat: Longtooth strikes Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > with his Light Pole Javelin attack!

Combat: Longtooth (Longtooth) used "Tusks of Doom": A Level 5 MELEE attack.

< Decepticon > Darkwing says, "Yeah, Windy sure listens to you good, doesn't he Banshee?" < Decepticon > Carnivac says, "I didn't understand a word of that other than 'boy she's pissed off'." < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I'm going to have you rebuilt JUST so I can kick you back into unconsciousness! Ficken Idiot! Ich schwore, ich werde sicherstellen, dass Sie leiden!" < Decepticon > Scorn says, "I can't understand a word of that, but I like it."

A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > growls when his shots don't cleanly finish off Windshear like he planned. He steadies his aim to try again but is interrupted by another Decepticon aircraft. Her shots puncture his fuselage and thin plumes of smoke begin to trail from the fresh openings but he's too hopped up adrenaline to let it get to him."Ha! I beat you to the punch, I've already given her a little taste and let me tell you I taste /great/." As soon as he finishes saying this face-palm inducing statement, he's struck by a suicidal Windshear; the force of which tears a section of his damaged wing from his body. The Warthog keeps control, however, and descends towards the research building. Windshear is down. Time for a new game plan.

Combat: A-10 Thunderbolt II <Powerglide > takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

< Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "oooooooh" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee subsides into just general gruttering. "I vill retrieve vindshear." < Decepticon > Darkwing says, "Wouldn't it better just to leave him there? You're at a museum ain't cha? Best place for mostly dead things..."

Police Car - <Streetwise > turns and revs, chasing after Carnivac. But it's not his usual high-speed pursuit. His front bumper is dangling and in danger of falling off - or worse, dragging underneath him - and his bodywork is showing other signs of damage. Instead, he follows for as long as he can, but it's clear that Decepticon Pretender's lead is increasing.

Combat: Police Car - <Streetwise > takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Ambulance <First Aid > is pleasantly surprised when the Decepticons abruptly begin pulling out. It'll take a forensics team weeks to sift through the rubble to see what, if anything, was successfully taken by them, but the Protectobot suspects that at the very least, they managed to cut this raid short. "Oh, wow! Hey," First Aid's voice is getting stronger, "I think we might have actually, ow, won..." He flips back into robot mode, wielding his photon pistol just in case there are Cons still lingering about. as it turns out, Banshee is still battling it out with Powerglide, but it'll take the Protectobot some time to actually get there and assist. <<Streetwise, break off. You're in no condition to go after them all. > > Odds that Streetwise will listen: Ha ha ha ha ha-no. Ambulance <First Aid > flips up into robot mode.

Lab-Brat continues to lay on the ground, staring up the the... night sky? Is it night? He's not really sure anymore... and mutters somethgin to himself, anyone that gets closer can hear: "...brings a shining light to every face, shines for all to see, to make the world a brighter place, rainbow brite and me..." Clearly he's delerious from his wounds...

Banshee snarls loudly as Longtooth's thrown telegraph pole smacks into her, rolling out of the air. She'd been planning to drop a bomb on Powerglide before rescuing Windshear... but a telegraph pole tends to scupper such plans. * WHAM * <ARSCHLOCH! > Almost knocked clean out of the sky, she drops down and transforms, lifting Windshear up onto one shoulder and taking off under power of her antigravs. And the whole way she is /shouting/ at him. To say that she's annoyed would be an understatement; the torrent of German coming out of her mouth, even to those who don't speak a word of it, is turning the air positively blue. And she is shouting it, squarely into Windshear's unconscious audials, at a range of three to four inches. "...arschloch! Wenn ich getotet werde, weil dieser die ich euch heimsuchen bin! Ich habe dir gesagt zurckzugreifen Sie inkompetente Trottel!" she begins. "Was zum Teufel hast du gedacht, Vindshear? Idiotic Duell mit ihre boyfriend!! Holen Sie sich einen Einfluss von selbst!" She slaps the unconscious Windshear on the back of the head.

================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 2/58                     Posted        Author AAR: Skunkworks Raid              Tue Nov 08    Banshee -- *  *  * DECEPTICON SPINNY *  *  *

Banshee's slightly battered face appears on screen. "Carnivac, myself, Slugfest unt Windshear attacked Lockheed-Martin's Skunkworks research facility in Palmdale, California. Ze attack was successfull, even though we were opposed by Lab-Rat, Powerglide, Longtooth Streetwise unt First Aid. "Windshear did a wonderful job in keeping Powerglide occupied - though he needs to learn when to fall back when ordered and had to be hauled out offline. Carnivac kept Longtooth tied up - rather excellently - vhile Slugfest retrieved bolts unt located ze parts required. "While Autobots were trying to deal with Carnivac, I entered the Skunkworks unt retrieved just over twenty ton of supplies on a flatbed semi trailer. The crates marked with 'B&' are mine and are to be taken to Carjack directly. The rest... are for ze good of ze Empire. "Many thanks to Carnivac, Slugfest, unt Windshear for your ze assistance. "Glory to Galvatron! Glory to ze Decepticon empire! Banshee out."

* *  * DECEPTICON SPINNY *  *  * ==============================================================================

- Later that week -

"And this," Carjack holds one one of the 'aquisitioned' (aka stolen) hydraulic pumps in one hand as he walks into the operating chamber, "why you make people do the fetching for their own upgrades. If they're serious, they'll get the best stuff they can, because they know it's what's going -into- themselves. Not that I had any doubt you'd do less, despite that suicidal mission nonsense." Considering he was about to get servos deep in work, the manic medic was in a good mood. Probably from all the other wonderful new stuff to play with Banshee brought in on the side.

Sectioned off from the rest of the Trypticon's medical facilities, the operating enhancement lab was a circular, dome-ceiling room, in the typical black and purple that dominated the city-former's architecture. Work stations circled the exterior walls, and a lone medical table sat in the center of the room. It actually looked pretty relaxed and compliant....

Until one lays down on the table, and in looking up notices the large collection of actuated arms and tubes ending in all sorts of sharp claws, clamps, blades and other debatably 'medical' tools looming directly overhead like a massive mechanical spider waiting to drop down and strike...

< Decepticon > Carjack says, "If anyone needs medical attention... you get to deal with Brunt. Too bad, I'm going to be... very busy for a few cycles, yessssss." Banshee chuckles quietly. "I do not do sinks by half, Herr Carjack. You should know zis by now" She replies. "If I am given a possibly-suicidal mission, I vill make sure zat it ist at least ze kind of mission zat - if it vorks - will inflict a crushing blow on the enemy." She shrugs thoughtfully. "I take it you approve of all the extras I collected? Sehr gut. Would you prefer me to be in robot mode or mein altmode?"

< Decepticon > Fusillade says, "Yeah? Who ya opening up, and for what?" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "I am being fitted with the things I stole from Palmdale" < Decepticon > Fragment says, "To the victor go the spoils. Congratulations."

< Decepticon > .30 cal. Slugfest says, "Me helped!" < Decepticon > Der Stukacon Banshee says, "Danke"

A little stegosaur-tape is excitedly pawing through a bucket of bolts. The same bucket of bolts he had spirited away from the Skunkworks. Strangely, his tail is tucked firmly underneath him.

Carjack stops mid-way into the room, optics shutter-clicking a few times. Humans would call it blinking. But humans don't make that little *blib-click* noise when they do it, either. ".. Vehicle mode. Right. Right! That's why we're not using the crowded, underspaced and overpopulated main bay, after all." He recovers quickly, sliding open a compartment in one arm to reveal a set of controls and flipping a toggle.

Behind him the floor splits open, retracting the medical table, and raising the sort of hydraulic lift one would see in a vehicle bay.

"Now that we're properly equipped. Make yourself comfortable... for how long that will last, ehehehe." With a bit of a snicker he walks over to one of the work stations, bumping the taller gumbie-tech out of the way so he can gather up a few things. "It's a good thing you're cutting edge... for the period you came from. Or this would be a lot more," he turns partway towards Banshee, flashing his grin of needled teeth and holding up what can only be vagely called a tool as he revs the energy-sawblade a few times, "invasive.... But yes, plane mode is fine, as that's where most of the work is being done.

Banshee gives Carjack a slightly-worried look before moving into position and transforming, looking a little wary. Her canopy slides back and her pilot and gunner holograms keep their eyes on Carjack suspiciously. The Stukacon opens the engine cowlings and other maintenance hatches for Carjack, somewhat nervous. "Ja, you think? Everything was cutting edge once, you know." Folding and shifting with the classic noise, Banshee transforms into her Junkers Ju-87 Stuka altmode

"Me cutting edge all times!" Slugfest says, revving his chainsaw plates once. He peers over at Banshee and Carjack.

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > chuckles softly "Ja, that you are, SLuggy" "And just the same, everything is eventually outdated. There's been a few mechs with otherwise potential that ended up a smear on the warmachine's heel because they clung to their old archaic 'cutting edge'.. But if that was true, you wouldn't be here." Walking over Carjack pats the side of the Stuka. "The Empire can only grow if its soldiers do... Don't worry, athsetically you won't look a bit different on the outside." Slugfest is given a brief look for the joke. "A bit dull in the head, but at least his wit is almost as sharp."

Turns back to Banshee, stepping aside as the hatch next to him pops open. "Oh, good. But before we get started." He clicks another control, and the chamber goes dark briefly. Then lights back up with several spotlights focused on the work area. And then several panels slide open in the ceiling, revealing another soft glow through the uncovered viewports, partially shadowing the assorted forms and builds behind them. "Okay you yokels, listen up!" Carjack turns and points up at the viewers. "If yer gonna cut it around here as medics and technicians, you can just take all of whatever mushy sympathey they stuffed your processors with in Crystal City and dump it right now. This is war, if we're going to win it, you've got to be willing to cross lines and break boundries! A little suffering in the medbay to make sure your subject is capable of handling the rigors of warfare and crushing the Autobot enemy into rusty bits is entirely acceptable around here."

With that he leans a bit closer to Banshee's cockpit, talking to the holo-pilot in lieu of a visible robot to speak towards. "Sorry about the audience, but with the influx of bodies from Crystal City, the only way to get any training in is to kill two turbo-birds with one bazooka." Before walking around and leaning partway into one of the open hatchs.

Slugfest keeps pawing through the bucket. Then he snorts. "Me lose count again! One, two, three..."

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > smirks softly at Carjack. "Ja, I understand. Just bear in mind zat, unlike most of your patients, I am not averse to attempting to reciprocate any harm you might deliver to me at a later date, deliberate or otherwise." Her hologram smirks quietly, leaning in to whisper in Carjack's ear. "If you can find a couple of Bordkannone 27mms around, I'd be rather partial to zem, if you get my drift. I'm sure I could compensate you." She looks up at the gallery. "If I hear of any of you arschlocher laughing at any pain I might be caused - it's neccessary, not funny - I will make sure zat you are put in my place to understand zis lesson."

Carjack glances over his shoulder for a moment at Slugfest... Well, at least it was keeping him busy. With a shrug he ducks back into the access hatch, and then chuckles a bit. Which gets a bit of an echo from being within. "And that bit of spunk is why I like you... when not nearly getting me killed... Lets see... if we go here, here, and here, that'll make sure the increased kinetic force won't snap you in half." The medic shoves himself back out onto his feet and walks back a few paces, stepping on a switch and popping a control console out of the floor. "While normally I prefer the hands-on approach, when it comes to dealing with strictly vehicular modifications, size and weight can be difficult. Just keep in mind," a glare up at the gallery, "Tools are only good as the doctor using them." Grabbing the joysticks in both hands, metallic tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth in concentration. First a tubular extension lowers on either side of the plane from the coglomeration above, extending several smaller lines from their ends that slither into the open compartments in the engines and plug in, starting to run diagnostic and recalibration checks. Nothing too discomfortible, but possibly a bit creepy as it's -almost- like having a bunch of mechanical tendrils shoved into someplace important and, considering how fine tuned fliers love to keep themselves, sensative. Arms with sucker-cup fingers bend down next, latching onto a pair of exterior panels, then a removal tool extends out of the arm and takes out the bolts and rivets, allowing the hull plates to be lifted overhead. "Take note of this fine lady's interior framework. Whatever factory spat her out knew what they where doing, there is little to no construction kibble, even with the adaptation of terrestrial appearances. But that just makes this easier." Once the bolts to the frame pieces are also losened, graspers under Carjack's control rise out of the floor, grab the old pieces and pull them free. Probably a bit of a jolt and kick there as Banshee's bumped around a bit. Then the newer high resistance spars that were crafted out of the stolen materials are slid into place. "While this won't increase the patient's durability any, it -will- keep the her airframe from shaking and twisting itself apart during high speed maneuvers. Important for a bomber needing to move fast, hit the target and dodge the flak being flung at--" Carjack double-takes a moment at the request, and one of the arms bumps roughly against the Stuka's form before he recovers and gets back to work. ".. You sure about that, Banshee? That's a bit big on the scale of technical levels." He pauses one controller to rub his chin. "Recoil compensation, might need a newer targeting intereface..." The 'class' overhead are busy taking notes, or staring in various levels of shock and/or interest.. though a few of the female models look a little ill from seeing the diagnostic cables wiggled in like that...

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > 's pilot hologram shivers slightly at the sensations coming from her engine and other panels. "I vos built as a Seeker, Herr Carjack. And vhile I vas but vun of the nameless hords, I vos vun of ze best, before I decided I should be... different, and make ein name for myself. Like Herr Carjack says - I'm a dive-bomber. I do not have the endurance or payload capacity of somevun like Fraulein Fusillade; agility is my saving grace. If I am not agile, I am dead, very quickly. As ve saw from Herr Prime." Her pilot hologram extends an arm to point at a monitor, which displays a shaky view of her getting hit by Rodimus Prime's cannon, and going down hard. "Play to your strengths! If you are armoured, get more armour. If you are fast, go faster. If you are agile, do as I am doing, and become more agile." She laughs at Carjack's double-take. "Ja, I am. A couple of BK-27 autocannons unt I have better killpower against both ground unt air targets. They're not /that/ different from the 37mm kannons that were pod-mounted below Stukas during their period of use; I just want to replace my wing guns with them and keep mein bomben payload. It won't look /too/ different. I also want at some point to add a pair of quad-mount R4M incendiary rocket launchers too." A schematic appears on the screen; how Banshee envisions herself looking once fully upgraded.

Slugfest keeps counting bolts, but halfway through he loses his balance on the rim of the bucket and falls in headfirst! He kicks little feets as he tries to extricate himself.

"So adapt, but without taking away with what you're best strength is. FINALLY! SOMEONE has some BRAINS when it comes to UPGRADES around here!" Pause, and then Carjack coughs into a clenched fist after the outburst. "We can remold the exterior of the guns to look similar to the ones that would normally be present without changing their operation any, if necessary. Rockets are easier, since they aleady coincide with your payload of explosive wrath is it is. But that's for a later modification." He dismisses the matter for the moment and regrips the controls... but then after another thought looks up again. "Have that schematic forwarded to my workshop database, though. Knowing what -you- want makes it easier on -me- figuring out how to do it! Now then." Under the medics guidance the operating arms move up to the next part of Banshee's work load. "Keep in mind that the forces that enact upon a airframe are different from that of a car or truck. Lift, drag, and considerable more torque due to kinetic force are just the beginning. And you can't just change one part without making sure the rest of the form can handle it -- Eh? Dangit, bolt chamber is empty. Un momento!" Stepping down from the control pedistal Carjack walks over, grabs Slugfest by the tail to pull him out of the pail, and set him on one of the work counters. "Thanks for keeping an optic on these so no one else tries to use them." Pats Slugfest on the head, then walks back over to the machinery to dump the bolts into a hopper. "There, high tension restraining bolts reloaded." He trots back over to the controls and gets back to work, first lowering bracing beams to brace Banshee's wings and then removing the hull panels and wing support structures to replace them with the tension bolts and vibration resistant supports. "Case in point, reinforcing the wing mounts so her engine power doesn't just rip them off her body." While he's working on that, several smaller automated arms lower from the overhead structures, opening smaller panels in the wings themsleves and go about using the aquired hydraulics and so forth to the wing-flaps, whatever they're called. He's not a flier, he doesn't know. "Also, if you're going to upgrade speed and mobility, for Straxus sake, -remember- to upgrade the controls so they don't crash themselves into something!"

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > nods as she listens to Carjack, agreeing with him on most points. "Ja. Unt exactly. In my case, the mechamisms zat hold mein bomben to their supports, especially the 250kg bomben mit their pivoting 'crutch' supports, because they are very heavy unt might get ripped away. Especially after ze damage zat vos done to me by Rodimus." She nods to Carjack with a smile "Jawohl. Sending the schematic now. I think mein engine is fine - It is mein kopft. Um. Head. I... look after it!" The holograms sure make it easier to interact with the Decepticon's altmode, at least like this.

Slugfest is grabbed by the tail and pulled out of the pail! He shuffles a little as he's set down on the counter, promptly stego-loafing as he's patted on the head. "Yus! Me keep nuts and bolts safe!"

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > 's hologram smiles at Slugfest. "Danke, schon, Slugfest."

Carjack chuckles a bit as he flips a switch, and the interfaces retract from the engine housing, retreating into the overhead assembly of equipment with the other operation arms. "I know. What do you think those plug-ins were for? Getting enough power out of your engine wasn't a mechanical process, it was a matter of recalibrating and tuning it to perform to the level your reinforced body now allows. And hopefully this time your brakes won't be broken so easily." He steps down from the podium again, allowing it to retract back into the floor, and dusting his hands off.

Ju-87 Stuka < Banshee > feels her wheels settle back on the ground and transforms again, putting a finger into one of her audials and wiggling it around a bit, as if clearing something. "Ja. You're one of the few medics I allow to fiddle mit mein engine. It is... well, you can understand why I am sensitive about it, considering what part of my body it is." She chuckles. "Danke, Carjack. I can feel the difference already." She dances a little on her feet and nods with approval, feeling the lightness. "Das ist gut."

Folding and shifting, Banshee transforms into robot mode.

Slugfest looks over at Banshee as she transforms. "Are all done nao?" he wonders.

"The structural integery increase may give some minor modification to your robot mode as well, but the majority of the affect is in flight." Carjack waggles a finger at the femme. "Just try not to get scraped up -too- quickly. Give it a little time for your body to settle with the changes. Now, if you'll excuse me," he pulls out his hypo gun, adjusting the setting on it, "You were only the first lesson for the day." Turning and walking up behind one of the techs that had been working on the sidelines to craft parts, Carjack jabs the needle into his back. The gumbie spasms a bit, then keels over on his back with a thud. Carjack stoops down and scoops him up with an arm, tossing him hapazardly onto the work table. Then pulls out that energy-saw he had earlier. "Next on the list, neural interface surgery. Watch closely people, this is one of my favorites!" A few sparks fly as the blade is applied to the top of the gumbie-tech's head, but thankfully the camera pans away into a discresion shot to the windows overhead and the various expressions of facination and/or disturbance from the 'students' watching the manic medic get to work.

Banshee slips from the room, anxious to take to the air and get a /feel/ for the modifications Carjack has made. "C'mon, Sluggy. You want to go for a fly-around?"

Slugfest yays and toddles up to Banshee. "Yus! Go test! Me come wif!"