Taking Technology

Southwestern States - North America



      The Southwest covers such vastly different states as California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. New Mexico is a land of broken mesas and high peaks. Colorado has the Rocky Mountains running north-south through the center of the state, and the arid Colorado Plateau to the west, with its many canyons carved by the Colorado River. Spectacularly scenic Utah shares both the Rockies and the Colorado Plateau with Colorado. Nevada lies mostly in the Great Basin, its mountain ranges and high plateaus alternating with valleys running north to east.



Contents:

Dustoff

Obvious exits:

   Fly  leads to Skies above the Western United States.

   North  leads to Northwestern States.

   Northeast  leads to North Central States.

   East  leads to South Central States.

   West <W> leads to North Pacific - North American Coast.

<p class="MsoNormal">Nevada <NV>   California <CA>   Arizona <AZ>

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<p class="MsoNormal">Melody Reynolds has arrived.

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<p class="MsoNormal">With a disdainful shrug, Blast Off transforms into a space shuttle.

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<p class="MsoNormal">In a ridiculously complicated series of twists, turns, and noises, Dustoff transforms into a STORM SRT-V.

<p class="MsoNormal">Space Shuttle <Blast Off> flies over the Arizona desert towards a military base. Galvatron has issued orders for Decepticons to steal resources from the humans and to sow chaos. Having already been in the area with his fellow Combaticons, the shuttle knows there are several military installations here with cutting-edge weaponry that are just ripe for the picking. The base he attacked earlier is probably too heavily guarded after the earlier attack, but earlier reconnaissance informed him of several other interesting locations. He nears the base, radioing to Dustoff: <<We are approaching the installation. Well,.... *I* am approaching it, you seem to be taking your time.... but I suppose you can't help that you're not as fast as I *sniff*... Anyway, once we arrive, I shall draw the fleshling's attention while YOU try to sneak in and take some of their weapons! Plus anything else that looks valuable...>>

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<p class="MsoNormal">Triggerhappy descends from the skies above.

<p class="MsoNormal">Triggerhappy has arrived.

<p class="MsoNormal">You NEVER go anywhere without a medic. At least BO's learned that much. Dustoff's not so much taking his time, as the combaticon insinuates, but he isn't exactly caring about the fact he has to go off-roading to get there. The medic's burning up dirt trails at speeds best left for the suicidals, leaving a trail of dust in his wake as some of Earth's finest country music blares on the radio. <<What's that, BO? I can't hear you! I heard you say something about 'fast'... slag, you're missing out down here, man!>> Right about then, the buggy pulls a nice Dukes-of-Hazard over a rocky outcropping, suspension protesting the landing but holding out all the same. <<YEEEEEEHHAAAAWWWW ...hahah, had to do that. So, anything of interest? Wonder if they've got those new air-less tires...>>

<p class="MsoNormal">The problem with raiding advanced weapons facilities? They tend to have advanced weapons there.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Case in point, Lt. Melody Reynolds strides across the small outpost in her state-of-the-art exosuit, calmly issuing orders through her radio-

<p class="MsoNormal">   "Two...make that potentially three purples on the radar- I'm moving to intercept- I'll buy you some time, but all non-combat personnel should get to cover. I'm guessing they're here after that experimental missile system you've been working on- get the techs to disconnect the fire computer and hide it, smash it if they have to, to make sure these creeps don't get the most valuable parts."

<p class="MsoNormal">   Melody reaches back, pulling out her battle rifle- reflexively checking the sights, the ammo, and everything else she needs. Her armor whirrs smoothly into place, and Melody settles into a kneeling position behind a concrete barricade.

<p class="MsoNormal">   "Here comes the fun part." she deadpans.

<p class="MsoNormal">Melody suits up and activates her battlesuit!

<p class="MsoNormal">Andi Lassiter arrives from the California to the west.

<p class="MsoNormal">Andi Lassiter has arrived.

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Yep, she's right about three hostiles, there are quite plainly three Decepticon energy signatures headed that way. Even if one of them is Triggerhappy and therefore doesn't quite count as a real Decepticon. Well, he tries, okay? <<So uh...>> The Targetmaster begins. <<What're we out here for, exactly?>> Now that Blast Off outranks him, it's the Combaticon's job to know and not his. Which is nice, honestly.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Space Shuttle <Blast Off> sniffs again at Dustoff's comments. <<Miss what down there? Dirt? Bugs? All sorts of hideous organic squishies that stain on contact? I think I'll just have to suffer through missing out on that experience, thanks...>> But it's true.... Blast Off (aka glass cannon) greatly benefits from having a medic around. Especially if he's forced to bring Triggerhappy along.

<p class="MsoNormal">   The shuttle radios the two of them: <<There is some kind of experimental missile in development here. Not that I expect a *fleshling* to actually develop much of anything useful, but apparently they have a decent idea from time to time. Dustoff will find and steal it, Triggerhappy and I will divert their forces' attention. Enough that we might find something useful. Beyond that, we are supposed to be creating havoc, unease, and forcing these organics to waste time battling us.>> Blast Off is still getting used to the whole "leadership" deal, when he'd really rather just work alone... but he's doing the best he can, too. The shuttle dives down towards the base, launching an orbital bombardement that takes out a watch tower in the front of the military installation.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> hits the open expanse of 'no-mans-land' surrounding the base and floors it now that obstacles are no longer a worry, canisters mounted on his framework unleashing a nice smokescreen to help obscure anyone targeting him. Besides, they should shoot Blast Off first, anyway. <<Wait, wait... Did I just hear you say /I/ need to steal it? Fine, fine... I'll get right on it. Just keep the meatsacks busy so I don't end up looking like swiss cheese again. Last time we tried anything, it was that nutcase in an exo-suit that forever damaged one of my auditory receptors. I don't want a repeat.>>

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Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> strikes Battlesuit <Melody Reynolds> with his Dust Storm Area attack!

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Battlesuit <Melody Reynolds>'s Accuracy. (Blinded)

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Dust Storm Area attack!

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> strikes Cybertronian Turbo-Thrust Jet Fighter <Triggerhappy> with his Dust Storm Area attack!

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Cybertronian Turbo-Thrust Jet Fighter <Triggerhappy>'s Accuracy. (Blinded)

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<p class="MsoNormal">Air Raid manages to dodge the errant shot from Triggerhappy, somehow. He leers as Blast Off scoffs, but his scowling quickly fades when Blast Off decides to turn and threaten the shooty 'con. A moment spared, Raid takes it, swiftly darting in to take Andi in his hands as quickly as he can manage without making things worse. Hopefully.

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<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Blast Off says, "......"

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Triggerhappy says, "Quick, wash it off before he melts!"

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Blast Off says, "Hush up, Triggerhappy."

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Blast Off says, "....Though.... Dustoff... what he says wouldn't actually happen, ....would it?"

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Triggerhappy cracks up.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Well, it was worth a try. Andi almost resigns herself to being Blast Off's bargaining chip when she realizes he's paying attention to that other jet over there. THis is her chance to... get scooped up by Air Raid. The moment she realizes this she hooks her uninjured arm around the Aerialbot's thumb so he doesn't have to worry about possibly dropping her.

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Dustoff says, "Nnng...no."

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Blast Off whews.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dustoff is in the process of removing a vault door by force when he feels that all-too familiar searing pain through his back and into his chassis. Though, he doesn't see it come from Triggerhappy directly, so...maybe that's for the better. Slumping against the heavy door, he tries to recover, throwing the inconvenient obstacle aside and straightening up once more... <<Alright...let me grab this and I'm ready to go.>>

<p class="MsoNormal">Staggering into the vault, he starts loading up whatever 'missiles' he spies, not sure which ones might be the right ones, and slams the ammo-container into its spot once it's full. With that done, the medic's hauling himself out of the vault and back towards Blast Off. "Let's blow this joint, BO..."

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Dustoff takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

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<p class="MsoNormal">Blast Off has his optics on Triggerhappy, thus he doesn't see Air Raid dart in until it's too late. Catching the movement in the corner of his optics, he whirls around as Raid grabs Andi. He huffs, bringing his blaster up to follow Raid, but doesn't move from his spot. "Fine- you just go ahead- catch Primus knows what germs from her, then, Aerialbuffoon!!" He looks down at his leg and notices some blood splatters. "Gah!"

<p class="MsoNormal">   Shaking a foot, he starts trying to rub it against what's left of a wall to wipe the mess away- which only serves to bring that part of the wall down. There's another annoyed huff as he moves rapidly away from that newly crumbling area towards Dustoff. "Good. I am ready to be rid of this miserable place. So unhygienic... ." He keeps muttering for awhile until he finally stops to look at Dustoff and his bounty and ask, "Let me guess... you probably need my cargo bay for all this, don't you?" As he asks, he makes a point to look at what condition Dustoff is in. "You're not going to leak all over me, right?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Air Raid immediately hunches to shield Andi close to his chest, but he does offer a parting wave at Blast Off, "Say hi to Blitzwing for me! Oh, wait! Hahaha!" :( Hmmm, hopefully what they're stealing isn't /too/ important. Looks like Blast Off isn't interested more of a scuffle. "You okay Andi?" he asks, sprinting for the nearest cover.

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Air Raid begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Blast Off

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<p class="MsoNormal">Dustoff looks at Blast Off, offering only the most incredulous of glares. "I can carry it fine. We do need to get off-planet and you're a shuttle, but...yeesh. Seriously? You're worried about me leaking energon on you?" He looks down at the various holes punched through his armor, only now realizing the latest ones match prior ones... "Of course they do..."

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<p class="MsoNormal">         Triggerhappy's guns are like, still going off.

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<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Triggerhappy says, "You mechs done yet? Still need your diversion! HAHA!"

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Dustoff says, "Please stop trying to kill me."

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Triggerhappy says, "Don't look at me. Just followin' orders."

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Blast Off says, "STOP creating a DIVERSION, Triggerhappy. There- NEW orders."

<p class="MsoNormal">< Decepticon > Triggerhappy says, "So we're done here? Well geez, you only -just- said so!"

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<p class="MsoNormal">Blast Off watches the Aerialbot retreat with a haughty look on his face... up until Air Raid brings up Blitzwing. The Combaticon's anger suddenly flairs up again and he whips his gun out and fires at the retreating form. "You will be paying for that, Aerialbot. If not today... soon." Not that Blast Off misses Blitzwing or anything. Of course not! The fact that Blast Off hasn't even been to a bar since Blitzwing... "left"... that has nothing to do with it. Then he turns to look at Dustoff. "... I... I just... Oh, never mind. I will transform and you can load the objects in. Just be quick- and don't be messy." And he does just that, after getting back out in the open of course. "And STOP creating a DIVERSION, Triggerhappy."

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<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Blast Off sets his defense level to Aggressive.

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Blast Off strikes Air Raid with his Payback attack! [Pulled -3]

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<p class="MsoNormal">         "HOKAY! Guess we're done then!" Triggerhappy laughs, then transforms and takes off, smoke pouring out of his aft.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Triggerhappy transforms into a blue and white Cybertronian aircraft.

<p class="MsoNormal">Combat: Cybertronian Turbo-Thrust Jet Fighter <Triggerhappy> begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yeah," Andi says a bit breathlessly when Air Raid asks if she's okay. "Nothing that won't heal... except maybe my dignity." She can't help but worry also about what the Decepticons are making off with. The only consolation she can really think of is that those are all preliminary prototypes, not even lab-tested yet. They may well blow up in the faces of anyone that tries to use them. She kind of hopes they do.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Air Raid has left.

<p class="MsoNormal">Air Raid heads back to OOC-Land.