Brake Drums in the Deep

Every now and then, the great war takes a breather. It's been noted on record for eons now, a chance to collect the dead, marshal forces, and repair and rebuild. It is in these lulls in combat that Operations is the key element of both factions. Considering all the new wonders of Cybertron still unexplored on the surface, beneath the planet's crust lies a plethora of the unexplored. Cybertronian explorers, thrilled at a chance to use their skills again, architects, surveyors, and scientists, all of them had petitioned for chances to partake of underground expeditions. Reports were coming in with regular timing, maps were updated, and track was built...until

EARLIER: Freightline, the logistics Bot, stands with his hands at his hips as he looks over the remnants of a few of the expeditionary Autobot remains drawn up from the recently surveyed tunnels below Iacon. Nearly completely brown, much like his delivery truck altmode, the Petty Officer grimaces at the discovery of the corpses. "This isn't petrocrackers, Sir and Ma'am. I don't like it one bit, no sir! Iffin we've got a beastie below the surface, then we simply cannot continue our explorations, no sir!"

Before you lays the body of Trajector, noted Autobot Surveyor. A look of surprise and pain grips his face. The Perceptor repaint is very dead, his mouth open in agony, a giant hole ripped into his chestplate, taking most of the internals. Already the rumors of whatever this could be fills the hushed halls of Iacon, rumors of a sparkeater...

NOW: A small military contingent of troops, complete with extra lighting stand at the entrance of the newest tunnel, a temporary forcefield having been put up to block any potential threats from invading Iacon proper. As part of the Military CO's squad, if chosen to come along, their skillsets may be useful to locate whatever lies beneath...or they could simply become food for whatever awaits below. Deepdish, the ill-named radar-equipped Autobot, shifts uneasily as he glances over the assembled main cast, his optics flickering over towards the sealed tunnel...

You drop Deepdish, the radar Autobot.

Once Arcee heard about the latest casualty in the Iacon tunnels, she had to see what was left of Trajector for herself. The grisly evidence without question pointed toward a sparkeater. But then again, it could also be a spy 'pretending' to be a sparkeater to throw them off a trail. There was just no telling for sure without a direct encounter.

She sends word out to Zipline, she'll need that tracker if there's any chance of getting a step ahead of this thing. And of course, she's alerted Magnus and Rodimus to this danger -- if whatever it is gets out of the tunnels and into Iacon...well THAT would be bad. While she's thinking about it, she also gives a call to Mirage, because she could really use someone with his abilities down here as well.

"So...scanner-wise, what's this thing look like?" Arcee asks Deepdish. "Obviously it doesn't give much warning. But with an active scan, is there a sense of size, location?" Deepdish activates his radarcone on his shoulder. As a horrible sense of design, it only has a 30 degree range of motion due to his head being in the way of its rotation. HASBROOOOOOOO!!!! He looks apprehensively down the corridor, "Haven't uh...PING! seen a blip of it, yet. The tunnel itself is stopPING too intricate of scans, but even PING with that, motion caPINGblilty is going to be limited to close proximity."

EARLIER: "Sir," one of the many attaches that handle matters between the different branches of command objected, "I know this is a high priority matter, but it's also at a high rate of lethality. It's an extremely high risk to even go near those tunnels." "I know," Ultra Magnus replied as he made sure his rifle was properly charged and in working order. "But I'm not about to send off a bunch of Autobots to deal with a possible ancient monstrousity without being willing to face the matter myself. And with the majority of the Wreckers deployed to Code Red operations off-world... we're going to need the extra firepower down there." With that the rifle was stowed back into subspace and he turned to walk out of the office. "If you want to be useful, make sure this doesn't spread farther than need be. We don't need a panic amongst the civilian element." It still felt kind of weird refering to anything 'civilian' on Cybertron, but the recent revitalizations had seen to that coming around.

NOW: Ultra Magnus' expression was grim as he looked at the remains of the mechs pulled out of the tunnels. Just what the slag was down there now? "Make sure these chassis are properly preserved so rites can be handled later." Points at a couple of bulkier sentry mechs, then at the entrance. "Make sure no unauthorized indivuals come down here. Until we solve the mess, this section of the underground is officially off limits. If there are any other exits to conjoining areas, I want them found and sealed off to keep whatever is lurking down here from moving into agacent sectors."

With that dealt with, he turns his attention back to the femme. "We're ready to move out when you are, Arcee." This was her operation, as far as he was concerned for now, he was just here to be extra muscle. Because one only had to look at the bodies dreged up to know this thing, whatever it is, was unlikely to be anything other than hostile. Frontliner and Impass, aka the Bash Brothers, give Ultra Magnus a proper nod of acceptance, their heavy riot shields at the ready. "We'll keep a tight watch, sir, just as long as we've got the energon to pass. Heard we got a shield Femme comin in from Ops to keep Impass' forcefield fueled up." Frontliner nods, "There's only one way any freak monster'll get past us..." He delivers a cold, grim nod of agreement.

There were probably better trackers than Zipline out there, but how many of them were small enough to get into the tiny offshoot tunnels down below? And still were fast enough to get away from whatever it was that might be lurking around down there, preying on poor, innocent sparks, just waiting for some new morsal to slip into its-... Are we sure we don't want Steeljaw for this job?

Luckily, Zipline has gotten better at hiding her fears. She paces around the body, tail flicking from side to side behind her. "Ssoooo we're talking about a super fast, super deadly and super invisible killing machine?" She asks, glancing from the poor junk heap up to the taller bots. She stops pacing, tail flicking once more. "Just, y'know, checking to make sure. Not going to slow me down any!" She flashes a grin and pumps her legs in place a couple of times, "Just show me the way to go!"  Rodimus Prime says, "so, while we wait for Zipster, Arcee, any specific talent you want to take along before the SCS starts? You've got a lot of people at your disposal, of course, so any ability you may find useful can be selected. I'd say maybe up to three total."

A few minutes later, Veiler appears from active camo near the group, a thin and gangly Femme, she has a distinctly Arabic design to her, including a single scimitar....well if Drift and Bludgeon can be Samurai, she can be an Arabic Hussar! "Mirage sends his regards. I shall stand in his stead."

You drop Veiler, the cloaker.. "Okay, just standby for now," Arcee instructs. "I don't want anyone setting foot in there until we get a scout's-optic view of what's in there." She gives Zipline a slight grin..."Get your kick-aftness loaded and armed for bear," she notes. As Veiler arrives, Arcee regards her with some surprise. "...Right, well...what we're needing immediately is to know WHAT we're facing in there. It's fairly evasive to scan. It *might* be a sparkeater but we need to confirm that." From afar, Arcee is holding off on her picks until she can determine what they're dealing with. :) Because it might not be what it looks like. Frontliner and Impass grimly eye the tunnel, as weapons are raised. Deepdish concentrates as he steps towards the tunnel, "No movement within the first 300 feet. The area is giving off some strange readings further down, I'm going to guess there's a tunnel network....A killing field." Off to the side, a few portable sentry guns have been placed to help contain the area, probably put up by some old sawhorse of an engineer. Impass' forcefield goes down, allowing the group into the long dark. The area had been drilled initially, that smooth circular borework of Nosecone or Impactor perhaps. The metal having that freshly drilled scent, akin to freshly overturned soil to a farmer. Veiler cloaks up, disappearing into nothingness, as Frontliner throws an optical flare into the area for the team ahead. <> Her voice pauses, <>

GAME: Airwolf has disconnected. Arcee forges into the tunnel in the general vicinity of the Bash brothers, and her weapon of choice this evening is something more akin to what Roadbuster might use on a light day...it's a concentrated laser weapon which 'funnels' a large amount of energy into a tiny, focal point, which makes the charge a lot more potent and the blast site a lot smaller. Less chance for creating cave-in havoc on top of all their other problems. She listens carefully to Veiler's report, then frowns slightly. She...did she hear that correctly? Maybe this Veiler was new? There was just no telling. "<< You're doing great, what else are you seeing? Several small what? >>" Combat: Arcee compares her Intelligence to 70: Success!

 Veiler says, "Small tunnels, holes really, I think they may be hoses coming in from elsewhere. It is too dark to tell fully."

Ultra Magnus gives a bit of a nod. He's glad to see Arcee is taking a practical, strategic approach to the problem. Just can't really show it because he's got to remain professional about the matter. So despite that his demeanor remains in its usual seriousness. "You heard the lady. Lock and load, be ready to move out as soon as we've got a confirmation to do so." Scouts and cloakers. Good choices, Arcee, good choices. "We don't know for sure what we're dealing with down there. But instead of thinking about that," he points a finger up over his head. Not at the ceiling per say, but what's above it. "I want you to think about all the cybertronians up there, and remember that it's for them we're down here. To deal with this problem before it becomes their problem. Before it puts everything we've strived to rebuild this far at risk."

Rallying the troops to the cause done, Magnus draws his rifle, cradling it in his large hands as he slides back the housing that serves as a saftey, the barrel extending fully in response. "We move on your mark, Arcee."

Combat: Ultra Magnus inspires Arcee and Zipline with lofty and heroic words!

"My kick-aftness is /always/ loaded!" Zipline stops trotting in place, and she settles a little closer to the ground as if preparing to pounce. The miniature cannon materializes upon her back, pieces shifting and clicking into place. Hydrolics shift and tense, humming a little with the effort to actually keep her from just snapping off at a run. But she doesn't, not with a spark eater on the loose. Or whatever the heck it is. When Arcee takes point, Zipline trots off with her, paws making far less noise on the ground compared to the others. <>

You drop Curator, the Xenobiologist.

You drop Slapdash, the Medic.

Combat: Zipline compares her Courage to 80: Success!

With Veiler leading the group in her active camoflague mode, the team progresses into the tunnels. As mentioned by her earlier, there is indeed a very large ramp, one large enough that a Titan Transport, or even an aircraft carrier like Broadside. The room's ceiling is barely within the view of the lightflare that was thrown into the room. Several dozen hoses or tubes honeycomb the area. If there was something small, like a Turbofox sized-sparkeater, this place'd be a killing ground for it. The enormous ramp descends down into the darkness. Fortunately, it seems to have one of those large slanted elevators at the top. The darkness of the area feels actually oppressive, like it were actually pushing against the light that cuts into it from everyone's headlights and flares.

Hydraulic fluid trickles into a puddle of indeterminite depth off to one side of the room, not too far from the ramp. It's not too implausible to think that the elevator once used the fluid for whatever purpose it had.

Frontliner gazes into the tunnel that you disappear into. Impass mutters, "Whatcha thinking?"

Frontliner grimly replies, "I think we shouldn't have tried this. Cybertron's feral nowadays..."

"I think we dug too deep." With Veiler leading the group in her active camoflague mode, the team progresses into the tunnels. As mentioned by her earlier, there is indeed a very large ramp, one large enough that a Titan Transport, or even an aircraft carrier like Broadside. The room's ceiling is barely within the view of the lightflare that was thrown into the room. Several dozen hoses or tubes honeycomb the area. If there was something small, like a Turbofox sized-sparkeater, this place'd be a killing ground for it. The enormous ramp descends down into the darkness. Fortunately, it seems to have one of those large slanted elevators at the top. The darkness of the area feels actually oppressive, like it were actually pushing against the light that cuts into it from everyone's headlights and flares.

Hydraulic fluid trickles into a puddle of indeterminite depth off to one side of the room, not too far from the ramp. It's not too implausible to think that the elevator once used the fluid for whatever purpose it had.

Frontliner gazes into the tunnel that you disappear into. Impass mutters, "Whatcha thinking?"

Frontliner grimly replies, "I think we shouldn't have tried this. Cybertron's feral nowadays..."

"I think we dug too deep."  Touches and Dares Rodimus Prime says, "just means we have to be consistent with our TP days"  Touches and Dares Rodimus Prime says, "get that head of steam built up" Underground Transit Terminal(#10493Rt) - Decagon

The Autobots converted one of the many cavernous underground catacombs found all over Cybertron into an elaborate underground transit network capable of sending super sonic trains over to various destinations. This particular transit terminal is intended for the city-state of Iacon and is located underneath the Decagon.

The facilities housed by this transit terminal is constantly updated with the latest advanced technology, as a result this place often looks like a small glowing underground city. Large machines and burly Autobot workers can be seen moving supplies on and off armoured railcars in the northern area of the terminal, and Autobot personnel can be seen departing off super sonic railcars on the southern end of the terminal.

Evidently this place serves as one of the most important areas for Iacon, as during times of battle this transit terminal acts as means to ship in supplies unharassed as well as a method of evacuation of the city-state's population. Due to the importance of this location, it comes to no surprise that there is a significant amount of Autobot military personnel guarding this location and at any time a forest of defensive emplacements can emerge from their concealed alcoves and bolster the already numerous defensive emplacements in plain sight.

A holographic control panel can be found in each of the transit terminal's waiting station and a railcar can be summoned via the +railcar command. On the eastern wall of the the transit terminal is a series of glass tubed gravlifts that takes personnel up to the surface.

Contents: Slapdash, the Medic(#710) Curator, the Xenobiologist(#2555) Veiler, the cloaker.(#9846) Arcee(#4331) Zipline(#4917) Ultra Magnus(#1260) Autobot Railcar (#9460)

Obvious Exits: Gravlift  leads to Gravlift.  Curator says "Curious."  Ultra Magnus says, "Ominous feeling is ominous"  Rodimus Prime says, "you have no idea."  Arcee :<  Zipline says, "Magnus, sorry, but you're the only one old enough to be Gandalf."  Rodimus Prime says, "oh hell yes, I want fanart of that image"  Zipline says, "If I disappear, dad's messing with the fuse box. :P" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "Ultra Magnus bellows, as he slams his foot into the bridge of Cyber-dun, "I CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT NOW!"" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "... that's mean and yet I'm laughing at it" <OOC> Zipline aahahaha! <OOC> Arcee chuckles X) OK, Mags, did you roll? <OOC> Zipline says, "Wait, that means I'm Frodo." <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "Mags spent his turn using inspire" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "No, because I used an actual ability" <OOC> Arcee says, "Oh, gotcha."

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GAME: Velum has connected. <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "so yes, you can use about any ability/skill/signature attack to get your reroll once per Skill Challenge System. Now, for this specific scene you have some support Bots, the cloaker, the xenobiologist, and the medic. If you can rationalize how their skillset can help you, you can get a second reroll. Each one can be helpful only once." <Public> Rodimus Prime says, "hey Velum!" <Public> Ultra Magnus says, "Hi Velum!" <Public> Velum says, "Heyoo :>" <Public> Rodimus Prime says, "TP going on, in case you're up for it" Underground Transit Terminal(#10493Rt) - Decagon

The Autobots converted one of the many cavernous underground catacombs found all over Cybertron into an elaborate underground transit network capable of sending super sonic trains over to various destinations. This particular transit terminal is intended for the city-state of Iacon and is located underneath the Decagon.

The facilities housed by this transit terminal is constantly updated with the latest advanced technology, as a result this place often looks like a small glowing underground city. Large machines and burly Autobot workers can be seen moving supplies on and off armoured railcars in the northern area of the terminal, and Autobot personnel can be seen departing off super sonic railcars on the southern end of the terminal.

Evidently this place serves as one of the most important areas for Iacon, as during times of battle this transit terminal acts as means to ship in supplies unharassed as well as a method of evacuation of the city-state's population. Due to the importance of this location, it comes to no surprise that there is a significant amount of Autobot military personnel guarding this location and at any time a forest of defensive emplacements can emerge from their concealed alcoves and bolster the already numerous defensive emplacements in plain sight.

A holographic control panel can be found in each of the transit terminal's waiting station and a railcar can be summoned via the +railcar command. On the eastern wall of the the transit terminal is a series of glass tubed gravlifts that takes personnel up to the surface.

Contents: Slapdash, the Medic(#710) Curator, the Xenobiologist(#2555) Veiler, the cloaker.(#9846) Arcee(#4331) Zipline(#4917) Ultra Magnus(#1260) Autobot Railcar <Railspike>(#9460)

Obvious Exits: Gravlift <G> leads to Gravlift. GAME: Redshift has disconnected. <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Something of note?" <Autobot> Curator says "Oh, I was just considering that pool of hydraulic fluid over there. The great aero-fish of Psawn tended to lay hatchlings in such pools." <Public> Velum says, "Probably not tonight, sorry. I'm beat" <Public> Rodimus Prime says, "*nod*  Alrighty, I know how that is!" Arcee continues on with the team, motioning for Magnus and Zipline to follow but remain (at least for now) with the main part of the group while the scouter advances. Her mind's working on several situations and scenarios at once; how in the blazes do commanders keep all of this business straight??

She stares at the honeycombing tubes with a puzzled frown. And the other things...the ramp, the fluid...what was this, the remnants of someone's aero-fish farm?

"Let's not let our guard down," Arcee says warily. "I don't think that it's a good idea to split up right now. I know there's a lot of ground to cover, but...I'm getting a bad feeling about this. There might just be safety in numbers." She glances over toward Zipline and then Magnus briefly, then she looks toward Curator. "What do you think about the network of tubes? ...Aero-fish wouldn't do something like that, would they? And this far down?" Combat: Arcee compares her Leadership to 70: Failure :( <OOC> Arcee says, "Rechecking with the mighty power of this nerd -- I mean, very trained xeobiologist" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "sure" Combat: Arcee compares her Leadership to 70: Failure :( <OOC> Arcee pssh <OOC> Arcee shouldn't have called him a nerd X) The room should be huge, yet even Ultra Magnus feels like it's squeezing in on them thanks to the way the shadows cling to everything even when light is shown about the room. Optics narrow, processors digging through every piece of tactics he can find dealing with underground and enclosed spaces. What a time for Elita to still be in a coma and Chromia to be busy with her stationing in Tarn. Their guerilla knowledge could of been useful. At this point he would of even taken Wreck-Gar and a bunch of trivia about alien horror flicks. "Investigate, but don't stray too far. Don't hesitate to report anything that could be helpful."

A glance is given in Curator's direction after the radio remark. Are all scientists so easily distracted?

Waiting. As patient as he was, Ultra Magnus hated waiting when it felt like that was the only thing he could be doing. He didn't want to impede on Arcee's lead of the investigation, but felt the same need to support her as he would towards any other commanding officer. Even if technically he was the ranking officer present, he was detering to others more suited to the situation for the time being.

With the lack of anything better for the moment he tilted his head back, peering up at the ceiling. Even with lights and flares the shadows still clung up there. Out of reach. Was that the actual ceiling he could make out the vage shape of, or pipes and struts that something else could be hiding above, just waiting to drop on someone unexpected. If there was one thing he had learned dealing with the various predator-like Decepticons, its that they liked to use environment to their advantage.

Any advantage to the enemy is worth taking away from them. With that in mind, Ultra Magnus takes one of the flares, activates it, and throws it towards the ceiling to try and illuminate more of those potential shadowy hiding spots overhead. <Autobot> Curator says "Well, if we were to assume that these tubes were creature made, that suggests its a hive of some sort, so creatures of similar intellect." Combat: Ultra Magnus compares his Strength to 70: Success! <OOC> Ultra Magnus had to stop, consider, and then decided since he was throwing it that made the most sense <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "220/840 so far" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "I think you could've also made a strong case for FRP too" It might be the usual drone of a superior officer, but something about the way Ultra Magnus says has Zipline walking with a bit more bounce in her step, a little more purpose. Well, more than usual anyway. Blue optics light up with energy, her ears perked high atop of her head. "We're not going to let some lame spark-eater get us down, are we bots? We've faced down way worse things than this!" At least, she has. Or so she thinks. Her tail gives a slight flick behind her in doubt. "Anyway, I've been checking up on these horoscope things the humans have. Some sort of future telling thing that's been seriously on the energon. The one for today said nothing about our sparks getting eaten."

A flick of her tail. "But we probably should avoid peanuts. Dunno why."

But while Zipline is chattering, her optics are alert. She glances from side to side, even as she talks. She might almost seem like she isn't really paying attention, but she is. Her optics hone in on those hoses strewn about here and there through the area. Moving cautiously, without trying to move too far from the group, she tries to maneuver a little closer to one so she can get a better look. Her eyes flash, as scanning hardware and software are brought to life, quickly looking for heat signatures or energy traces that might suggest something leaving a 'blood' trail of energon from a kill. <OOC> Zipline says, "Uh, would that be tech?" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "if you can justify it, sure!" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "and i think you can" Combat: Zipline compares her Technical to 70: Success! <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "290/840 so far" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "okay, you passed 240 at turn 2, so you didn't suffer a penalty!" <OOC> Zipline says, "Yaaay!" <OOC> Arcee sweats <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "however, I don't see anyone having posed investigating the pool, so you lose out on the 30 bonus points. It's okay though, you can still win!" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "granted the bar's pretty high but you have 2 free rerolls left as well as Magnus' own. avg roll needed will be 91 phew" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "posing!" <OOC> Zipline says, "Pffft." <OOC> Zipline says, "I'm lucky I can hit 70." <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Hey you'd be surprised" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "yeah, I've got a good guess about how much of a margin of success you can get. It's pretty high" Flares are thrown up into the ceiling as the Bots in the background watch on. Slapdash raises his syringe gun, checking the illuminated area. Pipes and pipes and pipes go up for several dozen more feet until the flare catches on some exposed cables, and lands up there, giving the crew a much better view of the area. Curator squats down near the hydraulic pool. Veiler....well, she's still invisble at the moment.

Curator pokes at the pool with his penlight, "This is a transport hose, not a pool....current moving too." He prods at the pool for a moment, when suddenly, he startles backwards, his light disappearing as he startles, "Gaaaahh!"

When lights are cast upon the area, he's there, uninjured, on his aftplate. Apparently near the bottom of the pool was some disturbed debris, the main feature thereof was a mech's faceplate that had floated to the top when he disturbed it.

Zipline's scouting software analyzes the mech's head, noting a startling presence therein. It takes her several seconds to start analyzing exactly what the strange, dangerous chemical is that she's detecting.

Speedcircuits? No.

Tainted Engex? No.

Slapdash kneels down behind Curator, giving him a cursory look over. "Just startled badly...Untouched." He sighs in relief.

Zipline's combat computer finally blips up with the proper analysis.

Trace elements of DARK ENERGON! are on that mask!

After highlighting and adjusting her scouter to note it, she detects more faint, generally harmless streaks of it going down the enormous ramp. <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "... Aw crap, that stuff" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "needless to say, that close to Iacon, that's a problem."

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<OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "by the by, if it's getting late for anyone, we can make this 3 rounds instead of 4, and I'll lower the total needed as well" <OOC> Arcee is OK for now :) "It's just a head," Zipline notes to Curator, rolling her optics. "Geeze, come o-" The cheetah bot stops abruptly, her eyes wide at something that only she can see. She startles herself, hastily taking a few pawsteps back from the the exposed head as if she was stung by a cyber bee.

"Ewewewewew!" It sounds almost as if she was actually grossed out by something that she saw. "That's /Dark Energon/ on that thing!" She makes a face, paw scrubbing at her optics, "Eewww just /scanning/ that stuff feels wrong! Bleegggh! Like the bad taco flavored energon Blaster tried to make."

Still, she's got a job to do. She wrinkles her nose, and recalibrates her scanners to pick up on the signal of dark energon better. "That's not all of it. Looks like it's going down this way," She says, nudging her head towards the enormous ramp with her nose still wrinkled in disgust.

=
=============================== BASE STATS / MODE 1 Strength     -  69                     Intelligence -  60 Accuracy     -  74                     Leadership   -  41 Endurance    -  54                     Courage      -  78 Firepower    -  67                     Technical    -  73 Agility      -  82                     Energon      -  50 __________________ _____/ MODE 1 - Cheetah \_____________________________________________________ Size: 3   -   Velocity: 62   -   Armor: 30 Attacks: Hyperstatic Claws [2], Breaker Railcannon [5] Abilities: SCOUT Protection: Explosive (+1), Water (-2) ___________________ _____/ MODE 2 - Cassette \____________________________________________________ Size: 1   -   Velocity: 0   -   Armor: 0 Mode Agility: 0                        Mode Strength: 0 Attacks: Abilities: Protection: Explosive (+1), Water (-2)

SKILLS Interdiction and Interception, Superstitions, and Speed and More Speed

=
[ Use '!attacklist' for more specific attack info ]============== Arcee startles a bit as Curator discovers the faceplate. She hasn't yet realized what's been found on the faceplate itself, but her attention is on the newfound transport hose. She looks over at Magnus, a bit bewildered because these finds are really out of the realm of anything she's encountered before. Zipline's discovery makes her frown deeper. "What have we discovered?? Here I was thinking that we might be coming down here to kill a creature...maybe this is some kind of smuggling operation." Those who craved the dark energon, after all, very seriously craved it beyond everything else.

"Alright, let's go follow the trail. See where it ends," Arcee says. "Tight formation, I know it's a huge ramp, but don't stray too far, let's keep it together. Veiler, you're still ahead, but...don't go too far ahead. Safety in numbers. Let's follow this trail." Combat: Arcee compares her Courage to 70: Success! <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "360/840 so far" Ultra Magnus grimaced, even moreso than he already was. None of the reports coming from the other Autobots were very reassuring, and Curator's jump-scare moment only makes things more tense. "If there is Dark Energon near Iacon, we've got a problem. If it's connected to the 'sparkeater' we've got an even bigger problem.... and even if it's not, it's still a big problem." Even if the thing just happened to find and eat some mech that was contaminated, that still meant it had to come from somewhere nearby. Not a pleasant prospect regardless of how you looked at it.

The trails lead down the ramp? And.. "Taco flavored energo--no, nevermind, I don't want to know." Zipline points out the ramp. "Then that's the next place we need to go look for some answers... Can you tell if the trail was left coming up or going down?", he asks Zipline, even as he's walking towards the ramp. "Everyone stay close together. I'm sure I don't have to emphasize the need to not get seperated." Magnus stops at the top of the ramp for a moment, pointing his rifle ahead at the ready as he stares down the slop. The possibility that this thing could be baiting a trap to lead victims closer to its lair does cross his processors. Yet it was one of those times when even if you knew it could be a trap, you knew your own chance at solving the problem was to risk setting it off.

Equal parts brave to a fault and more concerned for the safety of the other Autobots over himself, Ultra Magnus takes the lead venturing forth, likely with only Veiler and the safety of her cloaking ahead of him. "Everyone else, stay close and stay behind me." <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "zipline, your stat check?" <OOC> Zipline hmm. Combat: Ultra Magnus compares his Courage to 90: Success! <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "450/840 so far" <OOC> Arcee pushes Mags up in front. "Be the wall." <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "hah!" <OOC> Zipline says, "Can I use courage again?" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "yes" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "The wall. My figure is basically a huge brick after all." Combat: Zipline compares her Courage to 90: Success! <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "all that I ask is that you don't just use one stat for the entirety of the event, it's true that some chars have one really good stat, and it's natural to exploit it, just as long as it's not boring :D" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "540/840 so far" <OOC> Zipline says, "No prob! I just figured it took her a lot of courage to keep following that trail." <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "oh certainly!" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "my move" <OOC> Ultra Magnus Doesn't have a bad stat! *looks at tech specs* okay, I take it back, I do have an -average- stat <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "I can guess what I think it is." <OOC> Zipline says, "Severed heads? No problem. Dark energon? PFFFTTHGHGHHEGwheresmytapedeck." <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Dark Energon is nasty shit. Entirely logical to be spooked by it" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "do you guys want to activate the elevator, or descend the ramp without it?" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "We were talking about ramps, I didn't realize it was the same thing" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "yeah it's one of those slanted ramp elevators" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "the type you use for really big cargo" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Ooooh" <OOC> Arcee was just going to head down the ramp sans elevator because the dark energon trail went down the ramp (though it does have a connection with the elevator too, you're right!)...but if Magnus says something like, "Hey, Arcee, you might want to not do that" she'll probably take the elevator X) <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "well they're both the same spot, I can't remember the proper term for that sort of lift. The question really is 'sneaky or loud', and I figure you want sneaky" <OOC> Arcee says, "Yes." <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Valid point" The party descends down into the deeper depths of Cybertron, weapons out and readied. Zipline can see the splatters of Dark Energon that serve as it's trail, glowing bright purple to her advanced optics. Footsteps echo throughout the darkness as Slapdash and Curator take up the rear, the usually chatty xenobiologist's demeanor telling of his anxiousness.

Giant belts, used for the enormous lift, are at your feet, pristine despite the depth. And then something is noted that may not have been expected.

A Decepticon Emblem, battered and worn, no doubt damaged in some sort of firefight, adheres to part of a large metal plate in the middle of the ramp.

Further down the splatter of Dark Energon grows along the wall, echoing the palid splatter of energon in the dark.

The ramp cuts off suddenly, replaced as if severed perfectly, and replaced with the ruins of some ancient Decepticon fort! It's in decent enough repair to still have the markings to denote it's history, it's location. Most surprisingly is that this base, technically, was destroyed in the great Dinobot assault on the outskirts of Kalis, two eons ago! Perhaps when Cybertron reformatted, it drew in and shifted the position of several places, forcing this strange juxtaposition, a dismantled Con base, ruined beneath Iacon itself.

The fort is mostly collapsed, leaving a large hole in the middle. As Zipline tracks it.

She discovers a foul creature hunkered over the silent scream of Veiler as it consumes her spark! <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "DUN DUN DUN" You take Veiler, the cloaker.. <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "Veiler has been killed."

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<OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "this reminds me of when I wanted to play a round of Werewolf here" <OOC> Zipline says, "Nooooooooo! ... Who was she again?" <OOC> Arcee says, "Scout. :)" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "your gumby Cloaker" <OOC> Zipline says, "I'm sure she owed me money." <OOC> Arcee says, "Puny leetle Scout" <OOC> Zipline says, "She didn't stay back behind the tank." <OOC> Zipline hides behind UM's feet. <OOC> Arcee says, "Cause I told her to keep ahead :(" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "who actually died in turn 2.5, but you couldn't tell. also she had orders to scout, but apparently a sparkeater can detect the cloaked" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Dang E-Senses" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Her death shall not be... something when I can think of something appropriately eloquent to say" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "this is not combat, btw, oh that'll come in the next episode, but feel free to shoot the hell out of it" <Autobot> Slapdash says, "Sweet Primus!" <Autobot> Curator says, "Kill it! Kill it with fire!" There was some twisted irony in finding the remains of a Decepticon fortification beneath Iacon. Had to been part of the location, or moved from somewhere else when Cybertron was reconstructing itself... Something to be investigate once it was safe. So to speak. Looks like there was going to need to be Dark Energon decontamination down here as well.

And at the bottom of the ramp, in this tiny piece of dug out hell... "Dammit!" Alas poor Veiler, having a name didn't save her from dying for her cause as a scouter. "Take it out, Autobots! Arcee, Zipline flanking crossfire. Keep it pinned down!" His assault rifle having been out the entire time, all it takes is the pull of the trigger to unload burst fire of retribution at the hideous creature <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Are we still doing checks?" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "ehh I think we've established how scene two is going to go, so not really, unless you want to, and if you do succeed regardless, well, you'll get a benefit" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "at this point though, the avg roll needed is 100" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "and you do have one reroll left, from Slapdash" Arcee descends the ramp with the rest of the team quietly, marvelling at the historical site they've stumbled upon. (I'll bet Rewind could bring up a ton of data on this place,) she thinks to herself. (Maybe in time we could clean up parts of this area and the archivists can study it, for historical purposes. But not until we've cleaned out the scum.)

As the team comes across the remnants of Veiler as well as the monster consuming her, Arcee's own spark sinks. This death is on HER. SHE sent that scout through here. In the next moment, she's burning with righteous anger. "Smoke it out!" she exclaims loudly, leaning back against Frontliner so the kickback from her weapon doesn't knock her completely over. She then proceeds to blast away at the sparkeater over and over again, until the barrel of the weapon begins to warp from the extreme heat. Combat: Arcee compares her Accuracy to 70: Failure :( <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "For the shits and giggles then, since I'm trying to make a tactical 'pin it down' strategy" <OOC> Arcee says, "Rechecking with expert weapon mofo" Combat: Ultra Magnus compares his Leadership to 100: Failure :( Combat: Arcee compares her Accuracy to 70: Failure :( <OOC> Arcee sorries, guys X) <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Look at it this way" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "just not your night, Arcee <:( but this was a very hard scenario to begin with, as is the way with horror scenes" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "We came trying to find out what it actually is down here, and we did that" <OOC> Arcee says, "Truth! :)" <OOC> Ultra Magnus also puts a hand on Arcee's shoulder. Welcome to the burden of being in charge ;p <OOC> Arcee says, "We can at least make this badaft, if not a success! :D Badaftdness covers up for failure! Right?? Mags? Zipkitty? 8)" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "hah ^_^" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Losing badass is still badass" <OOC> Arcee says, "Yesssssss" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "oh yes, the best badassitude is when you die like a BAWS" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "a warrior is judged by how he dies, and so forth. That might be a bit of Bludgeon still in me ;)" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "Mags, did you pose?" <OOC> Ultra Magnus thinks most of the Wreckers would agree with you <OOC> Arcee says, "He did!" <OOC> Arcee says, "Not Zipz tho" <OOC> Ultra Magnus points up... and then realizes he didn't have his name in it. Dammit <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "But I'm the only non NPC he here so" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "ah yes, I saw Zipline's name and thought it was hers, okay Zips to go and we'll wrap up" Underground Transit Terminal(#10493Rt) - Decagon

The Autobots converted one of the many cavernous underground catacombs found all over Cybertron into an elaborate underground transit network capable of sending super sonic trains over to various destinations. This particular transit terminal is intended for the city-state of Iacon and is located underneath the Decagon.

The facilities housed by this transit terminal is constantly updated with the latest advanced technology, as a result this place often looks like a small glowing underground city. Large machines and burly Autobot workers can be seen moving supplies on and off armoured railcars in the northern area of the terminal, and Autobot personnel can be seen departing off super sonic railcars on the southern end of the terminal.

Evidently this place serves as one of the most important areas for Iacon, as during times of battle this transit terminal acts as means to ship in supplies unharassed as well as a method of evacuation of the city-state's population. Due to the importance of this location, it comes to no surprise that there is a significant amount of Autobot military personnel guarding this location and at any time a forest of defensive emplacements can emerge from their concealed alcoves and bolster the already numerous defensive emplacements in plain sight.

A holographic control panel can be found in each of the transit terminal's waiting station and a railcar can be summoned via the +railcar command. On the eastern wall of the the transit terminal is a series of glass tubed gravlifts that takes personnel up to the surface.

Contents: Slapdash, the Medic(#710) Curator, the Xenobiologist(#2555) Arcee(#4331) Zipline(#4917) Ultra Magnus(#1260) Autobot Railcar <Railspike>(#9460)

Obvious Exits: Gravlift <G> leads to Gravlift. <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "slapdash and curator are fine, just grabbing em" You take Slapdash, the Medic. You take Curator, the Xenobiologist. <OOC> Rodimus Prime ,he said, lying. Regardless of her compulsion to go curl up in her tape-deck, Zipline continues on, putting one paw in front of the other to follow the trail of dark energon. No doubt she'll probably try and scrub her optics with bleach later after this is all done. But it's following this trail that leads them to something perhaps even a little bit more gruesome than just dark energon.

Zipline freezes, stunned into actual stillness for once. Half out of no wanting to get noticed by the sparkeater. She gives her head a quick shake when the orders come in, trying to shake free the image. "... Right!" She snaps back to herself quickly. Hydrolics tense, and like a rubberband she shoots forward. The railcannon on her back glows brightly, flaring with energy charging through the rails. "Watch your optics, big bots!" The cannon hums threateningly, but it doesn't fire its trademark slugs. Instead it fires a quick three bursts of highly volatile energy that explode in bursts of energy and light, aimed right at the sparkeater's optics to try and stun it and overload its senses - At least briefly. Combat: Zipline compares her Accuracy to 80: Failure :( <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "the sparkeater has you guys unnerved!" <OOC> Zipline says, "Nope, must've left my badaftness at home. .-." <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "It is rather freaky" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "well it IS horrific" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "And eating someone." <OOC> Arcee says, "Recheck with whatsisface! Slapdash!" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Even the animal cons don't EAT people" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "yeah you just have to justify how the medic'll help you, and you can" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Nasty shit" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Emergency recalibration!" <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "hah, I think Magnus is more into you hitting him than you are, Zipline ;)" <OOC> Zipline says, "I guess so. XD" <OOC> Ultra Magnus is just trying to help <OOC> Rodimus Prime says, "so yes, zipline you can use the last reroll we have if you'd like to peg this thing" <OOC> Zipline says, "Hm, if you guys are cool with it. I'm not sure I can hit 80 though." <OOC> Arcee says, "Doesn't hurt to try! :)" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Do it. May as well use it before the end, right?" <OOC> Zipline says, "True!" <OOC> Zipline says, "Emergency recalibration it is!" Combat: Zipline compares her Accuracy to 80: Failure :( <OOC> Zipline says, "Ah well. XD" <OOC> Ultra Magnus says, "Worth the shot" The creature hisses in instinct as lights and gunfire are cast upon it. Zipline and Arcee's fire upon it, startles the creature, its' mouth open wide with several tendril-like teeth, no doubt the very creature of legend itself. With a surprising nimbleness, it scrambles aside, tossing Veiler's body to the ground. It didn't need her anymore, that warrior's life was already so far.

As Zipline rushes forwards, it's already at the top of the tunnel, moving at a rapid pace. High velocity railgun slugs follow after the sparkeater as it starts to scramble away, deeper into an area radiating more of that horrid purple noise.

It leaps off the side of so some sort of pipe, out of view.

And as the team goes to investigate, to pursue, there lies a strange waterfall and pool of hydraulic fluid beneath you. A macabre scene out of nightmares is revealed as the sparkeater climbs down into the half-fused cyber-skeleton of some enormous figures. A pair of heads, four arms of some horrid creature that had the misfortune to merge with the wall behind it.

As the sparkeater approaches it. The rumbling of pistons is heard...as the skeleton head turns to face the Autobots above it.

http://dark.pozadia.org/images/wallpapers/61357688/Angels/Robot0Skeleton0Angels.jpg -- LAST WEEK....

Upon hearing rumors of something dark within the tunnels beneath Iacon, a security detail searched through the cavernous tunnels, seeking to find and contain whatever Operations had discovered. That led to the gruesome discovery by Freightline, of finding one of the security operatives...dead.

His eyes open wide in shock and fright, his body mangled. The poor gumby was taken by surprise, probably barely even registering what sort of creature could assault him and destroy him so easily. With his chest torn open, word began to spread that a dreaded sparkeater was in the depths of Iacon...

Arcee's assembled team, with three assistants, Slapdash, the Medic, Curator, the xenobiologist, and Veiler, the Cloaker, braved the depths, on the prowl for evil. And evil they did find, for deep below Iacon was the remnants of a Decepticon base, apparently having been shuffled into its location during the great reformatting of Cybertron! No doubt a sinister laboratory-themed base, the dangerous and unpredictable DARK ENERGON had been detected. Veiler was slain by what could only have been a spark eater, which fled when confronted. When the team pursued, they discovered a strange waterfall of hydraulic fluid, corrupted by DARK ENERGON, and the remnants of some massive Cybertronians, merged into the wall itself, endoskeletonized. Worse yet, it still seemed to be active...

"Wh...what...IS that thing??!" Arcee manages, as she beholds the monstrosity in the depths. Her revulsion, and her immediate inclination, desperately make her want to blast that thing with the heaviest weaponry available. But that isn't always a good response, especially down here in the depths. "...What do you think, Magnus, can we trap it? Maybe...we can cause a cave-in. On it. Or something..." In response to the noise echoing within the large chamber, the creature rumbles. A deep, otherworldly metal sound....

Frankly, the molten slag has likely just hit the osillating air shifter.

At the return from the cliffhanger ending Ultra Magnus stands on the Autobots' perch and taps two fingers to the base of one of his helmet antennae, triggering a special comm protocal the Command Ranks have. <<**ATTENTION ALL AUTOBOTS** A HIGH PRIORITY CODE RED has been iniciated by Ultra Magnus. Lockdown of *SECTOR COORDINATES HERE* is initiated immeadiately and all available decontamination teams are to be on standby. This is NOT A DRILL.>>

With that matter dealt with Ultra Magnus lowers his hand to regrip his assault rifle with both hands. "This... whatever that is, is irrelevant. It's overflowing with Dark Energon contamination. The Spark Eater is one thing, but if any of that gets into the fuel systems feeding Iacon above us, I can't even begin to describe how much bad news that is going to be..."

The sound of Magnus switching off the safety and giving the action a solid pump to activate the weapon's energy capacitors is hard to miss in the ominousity of the moment.

"It needs to be disposed of. Now. As much as I dislike the situation, we can't spare the time to wait for reinforcements. So, it's up to use Autobots. For Iacon and the rest of Cybertron. Slapdash, Curator, stay back if you can. Maintain a fallback point." Resolute as always Ultra Magnus starts to walk out on the pipework, trying to line up a proper view of the ... creature. "Look for weakpoints. Any advantage we can press, we need to take it. There isn't going to be second chances at this..." Combat: Ultra Magnus inspires Arcee and Zipline with majestic and uplifting words!

<Autobot> Something says, "#*@@X#!VKAK!!!L#:FF*#^M^$$#

<Autobot> Something says, "S*SSXX?SKARV!PPPPF?$^ZZZKZ <Autobot> Solstice says, "OUch" <Autobot> Ultra Magnus <<**ATTENTION ALL AUTOBOTS** A HIGH PRIORITY CODE RED has been iniciated by Ultra Magnus. Lockdown of *SECTOR COORDINATES HERE* is initiated immeadiately and all available decontamination teams are to be on standby. This is NOT A DRILL.>> <Autobot> Solstice says, "Uuuuh.... I just unpacked.. Should I go to stand-by in medical?" <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Double checking on the protocols for dealing with Dark Energon contamination would be highly advised." <Autobot> Solstice says, "Oh... Oh dear.. Uhm... I'll get the manual."

For once, Zipline stands is rooted in spot as if the servos in her legs had given out and are preventing her from moving. Her tail tucks down between her back legs, half curling around one ankle. "Um," She doesn't tear her optics from the sight out of fear that it might move if she does, "You mean aside from a dark energon corrupted monstrosity? Not a clue." At least she still can tell a joke, that's always a good sign. "Can we get to blowing it up now?"

Zipline's tail flicks at Ultra Magnus words. She shifts her head slightly, glancing at him without taking an eye off of the creature. "Now you're speaking my language, big boss. Weakpoints I can do." Another flick of that tail. "Doesn't look like we've got time for a fresh set of skidplates anyway."

Legs shift, then tense. Fear might have stopped her, but it's fear of what this thing might do that is moving her again. She lifts a paw off the pipe, then another, until she's quickly making tracks after Ultra Magnus. Her eyes flick around, quickly taking in the area, taking note of the orientation of the pipes around them, for anything that might actually be useful.

<Autobot> Solstice says, "There's a vaccine, 22-AA to be precise, that should be utilized in cases where there is a modicum of chance for exposure known prior to the mission beginning. Secondary contaminations should be avoided as there is a need for quarentine should there be exposure without a preliminary series of injections. Post exposure treatment is decidedly more intricately involved. Shall I prepare for both instances sir?"

The sparkeater that had killed Veiler, seems to have carried her corpse down into the strange pool. It's feral, split open face shrieks as it scampers aside like the animal it is. Veiler's dull eyes stare upward into nowhere, her form already turning grey.

A great rumble emenates from the corrupted creature, one of its large hands reaches out and forward, clumsily. Upon the rumbling noise, other figures almost seem to be summoned at it's side, other strange things, turborats, petrofoxes...all of them with those strange spikey designs that indicate the same thing...they're all sparkeaters. Several of them climb onto the walls, out of pipes. It's a veritable infestation!

The Corrupted's hand smashes down onto Veiler's body, and by proxy the Sparkeater that slew her. An inhuman shriek comes from the creature as it is caught, and bodily pulled upwards...right into the gaping maw of the creature.

Metal rends on metal as the wallmaster creature literally EATS the Sparkeater and the body, as others dance around in a cautious, yet excited glee. Another sparkeater eagerly approaches, causing another arm, one mounted up higher to swat out at it. As it does so, it hits the structure that this dilapidated pipe rests upon, sending durasteel and polycrete flying, and the pipe itself down into the craterous room that it occupies!

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Arcee with The Corrupted's A construction dissolving swipe! Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Ultra Magnus with The Corrupted's A construction dissolving swipe! Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Zipline with The Corrupted's A construction dissolving swipe! Area attack! [Pulled -4]

<Autobot> Curator says, "Curious. Those sparkeaters...*he shudders* have a most peculiar ecosystem with this...thing. <Autobot> Arcee says, "What's going on with them??" <Autobot> Curator says, "Well, I haven't really studied such feral creatures, but they seem to be....well, waiting to feed off of it or something? I recall a similarity study in symbosis with ahh...dear, what were they. those earth birds and crocodiles." <Autobot> Curator says, "Whatever it is, it is certainly dreadful."

And just like that the structure is torn out from beneath their feet while the Autobots are getting situationed. Reflexive systems kick in and Ultra Magnus orients himself towards the ground and hunkers together as well as his bulky, blocky form can manage. The sound of him hitting the ground of the chamber is still pretty loud, but the Commander stands up from it as chunks of debris fall down around them with little more than some jarred servos.

When a broken chunk of the pipe lands sticking into the ground next to him, Magnus grabs it with one hand and pulls it free. Making sure he's the primary form between the monsters and the other Autobots, he bellows a loud, "Autobots, ROLL OUT!" And charges into the fray to strike with the jagged, broken end of the pipe in an attempt to stab any of those appendages and pin them down. Combat: Ultra Magnus sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Ultra Magnus is expertly covering Zipline.

<Autobot> Solstice says, "The ones that pick teth sir?"

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes The Corrupted with his Appendage Pinning Maneuver attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily limited The Corrupted's Agility! (Crippled)

The Autobots converted one of the many cavernous underground catacombs found all over Cybertron into an elaborate underground transit network capable of sending super sonic trains over to various destinations. This particular transit terminal is intended for the city-state of Iacon and is located underneath the Decagon.

The facilities housed by this transit terminal is constantly updated with the latest advanced technology, as a result this place often looks like a small glowing underground city. Large machines and burly Autobot workers can be seen moving supplies on and off armoured railcars in the northern area of the terminal, and Autobot personnel can be seen departing off super sonic railcars on the southern end of the terminal.

Evidently this place serves as one of the most important areas for Iacon, as during times of battle this transit terminal acts as means to ship in supplies unharassed Arcee has definitely seen enough. She quickly flattens herself against the nearest wall as part of the room's structure buckles slightly, just barely avoiding getting pierced by part of a pipe. "Okay, let's go take that thing out," she agrees with Magnus bravely, feeling a bit like a small snack for the monstrous thing that's lurking beneath them. She heads in to see if she can target that beast.

Combat: Arcee takes extra time to aim her next attack.

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Zipline, try to stay close to me if you can. You guys have the better sensors for finding a vulnerablity than myself."

<Autobot> Something says, "S*SSXX?SKARV!PPPPF?$^ZZZKZ

<Autobot> Solstice says, "Uhm..."

<Autobot> Arcee says, "I hope to Primus that's just feedback, and this thing hasn't found a way to infect our frequency." <Autobot> Solstice says, "I'll.. uh.. go prep medical..." <Autobot> Curator says, "Hmm? Oh yes, exactly those sort, but I don't recall the crocodiles eating them..." Dull light registers in the large hollowed out skulls of this monstrous form as Ultra Magnus drives a pipe into the corroded arm, one of four. The thing's profound strength is enough that it takes only some cosmetic damage as it rips its arm free from the piping, sending it and debris flying.

Several sparkeaters lunge forwards, a pestering cry on their mouths as they...come to this thing's rescue apparently. A sparkeater turbofox, almost Zipline's size, stalks forward, eyeing her...then leaps up and forward, it's entire body becoming nothing but fangs and death as it moves with nimble speed!

The Corrupted itself, one of its heads turns from the semi-noble posture of two Conjux Enduras in repose together, and opens its mouth. It vomits a sickly brackish liquid forward with a dull groan of pipes and hydraulics, sending splatters of hissing foul admixtures forward towards the party! And then the ground falls away. It's unreliable like that.

Unfortunately, Zipline does not land on her paws this time. She hits the ground on the complete opposite, landing flat on her back. Armor crackles a little, making a little spider-web cracks near her back end. At least she quickly makes to get on her paws, head shaking to clear it. "Right, let's not do that again."

Zipline moves swiftly, keeping up easily behind Ultra Magnus. Hanging back might not be her style, but in this case she'll take the bigger body between her and the dark energon monstrocity. While not at her usual run, she is still light on her paws, practically dancing back and forth on them as optics give the... thing another once over.

There's got to be something there they can use. Some weakness, some... Well, anything. Much as she'll have nightmares in while in recharge mode tonight, she keeps searching. Maybe they could... She stores that idea for further analysis. For now, she settles for beaming a quick analysis of the the creature's endoskeleton to UM, pointing out various weak spots in the armor in brightly colored circles. Combat: Zipline analyzes The Corrupted for weaknesses Ultra Magnus can exploit.

Dull light registers in the large hollowed out skulls of this monstrous form as Ultra Magnus drives a pipe into the corroded arm, one of four. The thing's profound strength is enough that it takes only some cosmetic damage as it rips its arm free from the piping, sending it and debris flying.

Several sparkeaters lunge forwards, a pestering cry on their mouths as they...come to this thing's rescue apparently. A sparkeater turbofox, almost Zipline's size, stalks forward, eyeing her...then leaps up and forward, it's entire body becoming nothing but fangs and death as it moves with nimble speed!

The Corrupted itself, one of its heads turns from the semi-noble posture of two Conjux Enduras in repose together, and opens its mouth. It vomits a sickly brackish liquid forward with a dull groan of pipes and hydraulics, sending splatters of hissing foul admixtures forward towards the party!

<Autobot> Zipline says, "Ssooo out of curiosity, how-Ppfffftwhat the slag!?" <Autobot> Zipline says, "This thing's still got a working laser core!" Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Arcee with The Corrupted's You really don't want to know what this is.... Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Arcee's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Ultra Magnus with The Corrupted's You really don't want to know what this is.... Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Ultra Magnus's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Rodimus Prime's attack against Zipline is blocked by Ultra Magnus! Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Ultra Magnus with The Corrupted's You really don't want to know what this is.... Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Ultra Magnus's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Rodimus Prime's attack against Zipline is blocked by Ultra Magnus! Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Ultra Magnus with The Corrupted's Sparkeater Chipmunk Attack! attack! [Pulled -3]

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus hffffs

Combat: Arcee sets her defense level to Aggressive. <Autobot> Zipline says, "Look, uh, I don't usually say shoot the core, but maybe we should shoot the core in this case." <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Agreed" <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "This should get its attention. Capitalize on it." Arcee is trying to focus on the targets -- not so much the horrors, but the targets themselves, simply taking the emotions out of the equation. How did Prowl do it? She needed to be just like that, right NOW, and she was trying to find that in her. Getting dark energy-tainted fluid puked on her, though...that just really crossed a line. Hands stinging and burning like mad, she lines up a shot, trying to look stoic and not cry out in pain and fear. Combat: Arcee strikes The Corrupted with her Dual Heavy Blaster Pistols attack! Combat: Critical Hit! Combat: Your attack continues to damage Arcee

Ultra Magnus gets blasted by the noxious goo, hissing in disgust as some of it splatters in his face.

But that doesn't stop him from turning and just STOMPING a massive armored foot down on the Sparkeater stalking towards Zipline. The thing manages to twist around and start gnawing on his ankle, but Ultra Magnus is ignoring that for more important matters. The dead/undead animatrons are not the primary threat here.

The back of a hand is used to rub as much of the gunk off his face that he can, the stuff is just too utterly foul for words. Thankfully Zipline is there to provide some helpful tactical data ... it still has a core? Does that... no, even if the thing was in some semblence of life, the Dark Energon corruption was too great of a threat. To them, to the city above, to the entire planet that they defend. That swiftly overrides any regret the soldier may have at the discloser of a living spark.

A plume of smoke vents out the back of a shoulder launcher to keep recoil to a minimum as the heavy duty missile fires from it, tracking sensors homing in on that pinpoint Zipline provided. Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes The Corrupted with his Shoulder Missile attack! Combat: Your attack continues to damage Ultra Magnus

<Autobot> Something says, "S*SSXX?SKARV!PPPPF?$^ZZZKZ

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Someone have Blaster get on tracking down that interference."

Magnus crushes the sparkeater with a sickening crunch, and yet the thing still twitches, so empassioned and frenzied that with it's one solitary usable leg, it tries to crawl forward towards the Cassettebot, Zipline. It manages about two crawls before the thing just...gives up.

The Corrupted's other head brings its dim optics to Magnus, interested in him for reasons that become obvious. Its enormous hand reaches up and forward, sluggish, but with great strength and determination. Just then, Arcee opens fire at it, causing it to reel slightly, temporarily putting off its assault. Unable to dodge, Magnus' missile rips into its chest cavity, blowing out part of its ribcage. There within the ruined body lies a lasercore, being feasted upon by several sparkeaters.

The creatures hiss, three of them possibly Cybertronians at one point, feverously leap forward into the fray to protect their food source! Again the mighty creature's hand comes down to grab Ultra Magnus, intent on bringing him up towards its mouth...

Your music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdYH-5RXCno

So caught up in trying to scan this monstrosity (She's going to need a lot of bleach later) and the revelations that followed, Zipline didn't even notice the Sparkeater turbo fox until it was almost down upon her. And even then, she only got a good view of a heck of a lot of teeth. "... My what big fangs you have!" Paws hit the ground lightly, and she ducks underneath Ultra Magnus' legs. "You wouldn't want to eat me, I'm all armor and servos!"

She moves swiftly, leaving the turbofox behind. And thankfully, Ultra Magnus makes a good umbrella for the gunk that's being spat out by the corrupted creature. Zip's optics flicker and flash, darting across the corrupted frame until narrowing in on the energy source that she detected earlier. A core. What sort of thing like this still has a core?

Does it even matter?

Zipline retrieves her cannon from subspace, and its weight settling on her back makes her shift her stance slightly. It begins to thrum with energy, a slug inside spinning rapidly. "Fire in the hole!" A THWUM of energy, and the slug is shot off, aimed in the general direction of the thing's core.

But also not. Her aim is slightly off, that if it hits, it still miss the core. But instead, the spinning nature of the slug might take a bit of armor from in front of it. Trying to expose it, instead of damage it directly. Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Aggressive. Combat: Zipline strikes The Corrupted with her Let's see the heart of you! attack! [Pulled -2]

Magnus crushes the sparkeater with a sickening crunch, and yet the thing still twitches, so empassioned and frenzied that with it's one solitary usable leg, it tries to crawl forward towards the Cassettebot, Zipline. It manages about two crawls before the thing just...gives up.

The Corrupted's other head brings its dim optics to Magnus, interested in him for reasons that become obvious. Its enormous hand reaches up and forward, sluggish, but with great strength and determination. Just then, Arcee opens fire at it, causing it to reel slightly, temporarily putting off its assault. Unable to dodge, Magnus' missile rips into its chest cavity, blowing out part of its ribcage, and Zipline's railcannon shatters one of the hinges of the ribcage. It creaks open slightly, a hole smoking through it as the creature roars its dark rumble in defiance! There within the ruined body lies a lasercore, being feasted upon by several sparkeaters.

The creatures hiss, three of them possibly Cybertronians at one point, feverously leap forward into the fray to protect their food source! Again the mighty creature's hand comes down to grab Ultra Magnus, intent on bringing him up towards its mouth... You drop Heart of the Beast!.

Combat: Ultra Magnus is no longer covering Zipline.

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus nnnngh. "Don't worry about me, deal with the monstrousity!" Arcee tangles ferociously with the sparkeaters, finally ditching them from ripping off more of her armor than they already have by transforming to car mode and running rampant on and around them. "<< If you're dragging us back to whatever fresh hell you came from, then we're going down fighting, >>" she says. Arcee darts ahead to gracefully transform into her pink Cybertronian Tech Car, enging purring, ready to go! Combat: Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee> strikes Heart of the Beast! with her Ram attack! Combat: Your attack continues to damage Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee>

Strip off the exterior. Good thinging, Zipline! Though before Ultra Magnus can actually congratulate her on the thought, more of the Sparkeaters decide to enter the fray instead.

Time to do your job, soldier.

There is not an ounce of visible hesitation as Ultra Magnus steps over Zipline to get in front of the smaller cassette again. "I'll hold them back! Concentrate your efforts." He slams a fist into one of the lunging Sparkeaters, but several more pile onto him trying to get to the smaller Bot behind him. There is an audible growl as they bit and claw even through the thick armor Magnus has, chunks of blue and white scattering across the ground.

And then the monster itself grabs onto the large mech, trying to drag him closer even as he digs his heels in. Still with several of the Sparkeaters trying to swarm on top of him besides. But better him than the other Autobots.

Twisting and churning in the grip, Magnus manages to get his arms free, but can't break free of the monster's grip. So instead he grabs one of the Sparkeaters and tears it free, heaving it up over his head....

And throws it at the 'Heart' with all the strength he can muster! As always putting more effort into ensuring the other Autobots are capable of finishing their mission first before concern with himself.

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes Heart of the Beast! with his Throwing Enemies into Enemies is always a Viable Desperation Strategy attack! Combat: Your attack continues to damage Ultra Magnus

<Autobot> Solstice says, "Should I be more concerned with sending a triage team to your location rather than preparing the ward?" There it is, the core. The barrel of Zipline's cannon re-orients, aiming directly at it. It starts to thrum again, building more and more of a charge.

And yet she hesitates. That's a cybertronian core. Right? Some poor sap that got stuck down here, corrupted by dark energon, eaten on by the spark eaters. Or something like that. Either way it was still a cybertronian, despite what it is now.

The rails of the cannon glow brightly, an energy haze rippling over them with the effort to keep up the charge.

But it's also a monster, leaking dark energon, feeding the cparkeaters. If it's not destroyed, who knows what it might do to them, and the countless cybertronians above. Sometimes, the military life sucks.

Zipline grits her teeth, and steadies her cannon. Then BOOM, the cannon goes off, recoil sending her skidding backwards. Combat: Zipline strikes The Corrupted with her Breaker Railcannon attack! [Pulled -1]

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus groans with strain. "Do.. whatever it takes to.. finish the mission!" He's kind of in a tight situation over here

Combat: Ultra Magnus compares his Strength to 80: Success!

The Autobots attack the corrupted creature's very lifeforce, his lasercore. Perhaps the story will never be told about what this thing is, or how it came to be such a pitiful, horrific force. Even as Magnus hurls a sparkeater at its lasercore, a shriek is let out over the Autobot channels, no doubt from it! Was this pitiful thing an Autobot at one time, or simply had the power to use the Bot channels?

Zipline's hesitation causes her aim to wander, striking the massive wallfused machination, even as it seeks to devour Ultra Magnus. It's grim jaws open wide as it raises him to its faceplate, like a rancorous creature from beyond! He can sense its putrid and foul exhaust as it's rusted and decrepit internals are exposed. Suddenly the hand weakens, as Zipline shatters one of it's main support bones, giving Ultra Magnus the chance to break out of its grip, to land below....

Arcee, on the other hand, chose to go INSIDE the creature, and that in and of itself caused chaos, rampant chaos. The creature bellows in pain from the damage, the sparkeater that Magnus threw, buries its fangs into the lasercore. Other sparkeaters, panicked by the idea of their meal supply going thin, pick this moment to devour everything in sight! Unfortunately most of them were near the creature itself, and so the cycle of symbiosis draws to a close as they attempt to devour Arcee and their own host in a flurry of fangs and gore!

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee> with The Corrupted's Ouroboros attack! Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has locked on Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee>. (LOCKON) Combat: Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee> falls to the ground, unconscious. Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Heart of the Beast! with The Corrupted's Ouroboros attack! Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has locked on Heart of the Beast!. (LOCKON)

There's a terrible wail of shock and despair as Arcee just gets...thoroughly chomped and overrun by the creatures. They cover her until not a trace of her armor is even visible anymore. Somewhere in the back of her conscious mind, she's realizing what a really terrible death she's about to endure, and...it kind of bums her out. No, really, it does. Beyond all the horror, all the mindless terror, there's just plain old Arcee, the brave, gutsy Military CO, who really didn't want to go out like this, even if it is the work she enjoys most of all. There was so much more she wanted to *do*!

"Arcee!" Zipline hesitated when it came to directly shooting the core of another cybertronian, but not when it comes to saving the core of one. Hydrolics hiss as she lunges forward, her legs hitting the ground lightly but quickly. In seconds, she's almost at half of her top speed, running headfirst at the spark eaters assaulting the pink autobot. Legs move smoothly in sync as she lunges up on one of the beast's arms, then off again, leaping to where Arcee has fallen.

As Zipline comes down for a landing, the rails of her cannon glow brightly with a charge. They crackle and pop, arcing with nearly too much energy for them to handle! And as she comes down, aiming to land on Arcee's prone body, the rails discharge, creating a burst of electrostatic energy that explodes outwards from the cheetah. "Buffet's closed, fatties!" Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Zipline strikes The Corrupted with her NOT all you can eat! (Full-Auto) Area attack! Combat: Zipline strikes Heart of the Beast! with her NOT all you can eat! (Full-Auto) Area attack!

<Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Curator, Slapdash, withdraw. Get back to the main check point." <Autobot> Slapdash says, "On it. Prepping for emergency repair work!" <Autobot> Curator says, "Oh, right!...Sorry, this entire display is just fascinating."

Ultra Magnus hits the ground in a completely ungraceful manner compared to his initial fall into the chamber as the monster loses its grip. Which is to say, he lands face first in whatever gunk the thing has been spewing all over the place. Sputtering in an attempt to spit it out, Magnus pushes himself to roll onto his back.

Just in time to see Arcee dive fearlessly into the beast itself, followed by the creatures trying to devour her and everything else in a frency. "Arcee! No!"

Watching another Autobot make such a selfless sacrifice sparks otherwise battered servos into moving again, the Autobot second in command hefting himself to his feet. Whatever was in those things' bites was still eating away at some internal systems, but Magnus pushes it to the back of his processors with the rest of the pain. That was something he definately did not have the time to deal with right now.

It starts with just grabbing what sparkeaters he can and pull them out, throwing the creature's aside. But there's just too many of them to get through before they get to Arcee. And then Zipline! ... no, she's going to get Arcee out. So much determination for such a small Autobot. It also gives him an idea.... So why is he turning away?

So he can transform, mainly. Right up at the opening, shoving the ramp of his trailer inside to get it under Arcee (with the help of the kick from Zipline's improvisation.) "Hold on, this is gonna be a bumpy ride..." That's the only warning they get before he drops the proverbial hammer and slams it into high gear. Any of the Sparkeaters still trying to get in the way are going to get to say goodbye to the car carrier's grille.

Followed by Magnus' form SLAMMING into the wall of the chamber, opting to just make his own exit into the lower tunnels of the sector.

The other idea being that taking out the wall will cause the rest of the cavern to collapse on the monstrousity. Ultra Magnus transforms into his Freightliner Car Carrier <Ultra Magnus> mode.

Combat: Freightliner Car Carrier <Ultra Magnus> misses The Corrupted with his Smashing Walls and Causing Caveins to make a Dramatic Exit is a Time Honored Action Hero Tactic as well Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Freightliner Car Carrier <Ultra Magnus> strikes Heart of the Beast! with his Smashing Walls and Causing Caveins to make a Dramatic Exit is a Time Honored Action Hero Tactic as well Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Heart of the Beast! is completely disabled. Combat: You notice your attack on Freightliner Car Carrier <Ultra Magnus> wearing off.

<Autobot> A horrible squelch fills the channel. <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Just go! This whole cave is likely to be coming down shortly!"

The creature roars, a guttural cry, as Ultra Magnus loads Arcee on board. And she was in car mode too, how perfect for loading. Several sparkeaters hiss and snarl, leaping onto the car carrier, three of which are shot out of the air by Zipline's railcannon. When Magnus smashes forwards into the creature's lasercore, a giant piece of it snaps off, spraying viscous fluid everywhere. The Sparkeaters descend upon the nutrients with gusto.

Riding in the rear, Zipline can look back and see the creature's eyesockets fade in color as it manages a groan of protest, and then, as if this was the last thing keeping it alive, it actually starts to rust into nothingness! The wall it was trapped into suddenly finds itself with several dozen structural flaws, which causes it to protest and groan, before collapsing atop the sparkeaters who had conveniently piled together to feast!

Magnus smashes through a lower wall into the tunnels again. Perhaps a lucky shot, or perhaps he knew enough about Con bunker structures that he could hedge his bets. Needless to say, the cavern itself collapses in upon itself, in a cacophany of rubble, spraying detrius and debris everywhere, practically chasing the car carrier with its rubble, dust, and viscious fluids...

It would be many hours of decontamination before the trio would be cleared for active duty, Slapdash managed the basic energon transfer to Arcee to stabilize her, but was promptly put aside by more high ranking medical personell. Without much of the creature itself taken, Curator had only his own account to draw up a paper, theorizing what he had seen. Veiler had to be given a memorial slab, due to being lost in the cavern...

And for the Autobots as a whole? Iacon was that much safer, though one had to wonder, what else loomed in the deep depths of the city?

<Autobot> Perceptor says, "Autobots, Blaster has just picked up the most unusual transmission. I'm requiring assistance at Autobot City...." <Autobot> But that...is a story for another time...

<Autobot> Zipline says, "Blurrggh.  I want an oil shower for, like, ever."

Pink Saturn Sky <Arcee> is in just the right mode to get whisked out of this nightmare by Magnus...and thanks to Zipline's very brave gambit and the immediate assistance of Slapdash, she might even pull through this mess. But the question remained...what disgusting things lurked beneath Iacon, and how did they get there?

It was probably all of the above. Ultra Magnus has dealt with Decepticon fortifications to at least make a well educated guess in the short amount of time available to hit the spot with the best odds. Considering he had to be sure he could actually get clear with Arcee and Zipline in tow as well.

Sparks shoot occasionally and some screeching can be heard were the edges of the carrier scrape against the tunnel's berth, but it's not enough to drown out the sound of the cavern collapsing behind them.

Once they weren't going to be buried Magnus slowed down a bit to navigate the tunnels back to where they could conviene with the others. "Good job, Zipline. If your blast hadn't rocked Arcee forward I might not of been able to reach her. Don't even let anyone tell you that your size makes you any less of an Autobot."

Alas, he's going to have several hours of sitting in quarentine for the detox to worry about what -else- might be in the depths of their own planet...

<Autobot> Solstice says, "Dad?"n protocols, such as they are, but yes. I am here." <Autobot> Ultra Magnus says, "Tell Blaster to get as thorough an analysis as possible on the signals. We don't need any MORE unprepared for surprises." <Autobot> Solstice says, "Er.. sorry, I forget... My bad."

<Autobot> Perceptor says, "Of course, sir. I'll have a briefing prepared by the time you arrive back at Autobot City."

Zipline as much leaps into Ultra Magnus' carrier as she does sort of tumble into it. At one point she's on her paws, but then she's off of them again, toppling over head over paws when Magnus crashes through the core. "You've heard of shock absorbers, haven't you?" She mutters, forcing herself back up on legs that, despite being uninjured, are a bit wobbly for other reasons.

Twisting around, Zipline turns back towards the monstrocity and the spark eaters. Someone has to make sure they're not on their tail. But they seem distracted by everything coming down around them.

An ear flicks, and she turns her head back towards Ultra Magnus. Well, the cab of Ultra Magnus anyway. "Thanks," She says, albiet sounding a touch subdued. It won't last, knowing her. "Figured it looked like you had your hands full with the monster." Lasted less than five seconds.