Battle of Mimas

< Decepticon > Commander Shockwave says, "I am available for operational duty."

< Decepticon > Fulcrum says, "Rampage you seem to have some sort of fault in your vocabulary circuits."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "And so . . are there others?"

< Decepticon > Give him some catnip Rampage says, ".......alright who downloaded LOLcats into my vocabulary program?!"

< Decepticon > Ransack says, "I'll come! Me me me! Pick me!"

MIMAS

NOW

The vast crater of the moon of Mimas is home to the giant death-ray that may just be mankind's last great hope for taming the stars, had it not been abandoned. The skies directly above it, however, dark save for the glittering wealth of stars, is home to something far more dangerous.

"SEIZE THE LASER!" bellows the hoarse, choked voice of Galvatron, jutting out at the head of a swarm of Decepticon warriors, descending from the sky like a plague of locusts. "TAKE NO PRISONERS -- TAKE ONLY /THE MOON/!"

Galvatron stops in mid-air, firing the first shot, a massive orange lance cutting through the empty sky and ripping a hideous, burning gouge into the northern lip of the crater. "NNNNYYYYYARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!"

Cyclonus is flying along at Galvatron's side. Really, he probably was Galvatron's ride up until this point. Odd how cheerfully Cyclonus goes from running the show, to falling back in the shadow of Galvatron once again -- but this is modus operati for him. Either way, he punches his afterburners and accelerates beyond the swarm at high velocity -- approaching the moon in an evasive pattern; co-ordinating the arrival of others and seeking primary targets.

Combat: Cyclonus sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Galvatron sets his defense level to Fearless.

Risk - Super Laser Prototype

============================[ TACS Weapon Object ]============================

An otherwise non-descript rocky moon of Saturn, Mimas is notable only for the tremendous impact crater that occupies a considerable section of its grey surface. A large central cone made from the impact's ejecta juts outward. Perhaps inspired by Terran popular media, the EDC has taken it upon themselves to fashion Mimas's crater into a focusing dish for an extensive underground weapons platform. None of the charging batteries or capacitors are visible from the surface, the project all but forgotten after controversy over rampant spending cut its funding, and completion, short. Much of the infrastructure is present, though, suggesting that highly motivated engineers just might be able to harness the power of this superweapon -- provided they are the ones that make it fully functional.

--

This is a "weapon object". That means it has attacks and can interact with the new combat system. If you are able to use this object it's attacks will show up in your usual '!attacks' listing. Most of these objects can be interacted with like a normal "vehicle": you can use !rebuild on them and you can !evaluate them if you have the appropriate abilities.

--

Usage Restriction: ALLIES

Can You Use It?: No

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

Ray Gun < Shockwave > knew this was going to happen soon enough. Galvatron's return, that is. He had been enjoying the Decepticon leader being missing as it gave him a chance to get his own work done, such as establishing the energon production facility on the hellish moon of Io. But predictably Galvatron couldn't stay gone forever, and so Shockwave has once again been conscripted into their leader's plans. At least, Shockwave reasons as he soars in gun mode along with the other Decepticon attackers, Galvatron seems refocused on killing Autobots and acquiring territory. Refraining from firing just yet, Shockwave is making his way towards the super laser's infrastructure.

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Fulcrum, Shockwave."

< Decepticon > Shockwave says, "I read you, Cyclonus."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "You are responsible for subverting the facility."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Try not to die."

< Decepticon > Fulcrum says, "Acknowledged."

< Decepticon > Shockwave says, "Acknowledged."

The green MiG that is Fulcrum comes in low, booming over the lip of the crater with his heat-rays already on high, scorching twin grooves in the side of the tiny moon, the immense heat leaving the tracks glittering with black glass. He follows Shockwave in, giving him air cover as they head towards the giant weapon in the center of the crater.

Swoop turns into a flying dinosaur!

"Move it! Out of the way! Me first!" Shoving his way through his fellow soldiers, Ransack finally pushes himself to the front of the group. Not because he's in a hurry to get shot at, no, but because his desire for destruction nearly always overrides his self-preservation programming. It was a quirk, one he loved to indulge. "Hahahaha, prepare to be scrapped, Autobots!" The Insecticon cackled as his body began the transformation into its alternate mode.

Ransack's limbs fold as he falls forward onto his locust form's legs.

< Decepticon > Galvatron says, "Nnnngh. /Additional/ orders--"

< Decepticon > Galvatron says, "/STAY OUT OF MY WAY!/"

A Tiger leaps over the edge of the crater, as he charges in with the rest of the Decepticons. Since it's the Moon, the lesser gravity makes his leaps and bounds seem like he's Tigger on Winnie the Pooh.

The station still sports a skeleton crew, and as the Decepticons attack, the humans desperately scramble for the comms, transmitting a distress signal... a signal that the Autobots, on their way home from Pz-Zazz, just happen to be in the right stellar neighborhood to receive. Rodimus wastes no time in gathering a team to protect the station and the crew. As their transport, Jetfire, swoops into the scene, Rodimus addresses the other Autobots. "They've brought their big guns... good thing we did, too. Autobots, hit them hard, hit them fast, get them away from that station! I'll go after Galvatron! Kup and Magnus, make sure Shockwave and Cyclonus are occupied. Everyone else, pick your targets and don't spare the energon." With that, he leaps out the side of Jetfire while the transport is still in flight, landing heavily as near as Galvatron as he can mange. "You really need to learn to stop playing with other people's toys without asking first, Galvatron!" Rodimus shouts, taking aim with his photon eliminator and firing.

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his Photon Eliminator attack! [Pulled -6]

The nearly complete lack of atmosphere outside on Mimas has Nightbeat twitching. He's used to his hearing acting as an early warning system, telling him when to duck and when to dodge, and the utter silence of space has the detective on edge. Sure, his optical sensors are top notch, and his peripheral vision is just crawling with information, but he really wishes he could hear. He stows a yellow pad of paper that has the designations of star systems scrawled all over it in Pz-Zazzian script. Then, the detective draws a photon pistol and spins the chamber, looking at the load of photon bullets. Good to go? Good to go. The detective dives out of Jetfire, and as he's descending, he picks out a target - Ransack. Insecticons are almost as much trouble as the other kind of bug! Bang.

Combat: Nightbeat sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Nightbeat uses up a charge on his Detective Manual booster pack!

Combat: Nightbeat strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Photon Pistol attack! [Pulled -1]

Once again, serving as transport, Jetfire flies towards the ground of Mimas. His scramjets burn a bright blue, making his location obvious. Skimming over the various Decepticon targets that are available, Jetfire knows he cannot pick a target until his cargo is released. He pipes up over the radio: < < I'll provide cover fire until you guys have successfully engaged. > >

Jetfire slides down across the terrain, flying through and around anything to provide cover. The space fighter showing an amazing amount of agility while avoiding targets; but, also allowing easy release of his cargo.

Kup leaps out of Jetfire, who was apparently drawn big enough in this episode to carry everyone over. He lands on the dusty surface of the moon, and takes a moment to appraise the situation.

"Decepticons!" Kup exclaims, pointing upwards.

Having gotten the obvious out of the way, Kup whips out his acid musket, and aims it waaaay up at the imposing space cannon bearing down on them. "Right, lad. I'll do more than keep him occupied, though. None of his gun barrels are gonna be pointing in the right direction by the time I'm done with 'im!" Squeezing his trigger, his laser sends a blazing blue bolt Shockwave's way. How anyone can see it in a nearly airless void is a mystery, though.

Flying slightly lower than Jetfire is none other than SWOOP: BEST DINOBOT EVER! The blue pteranodon soars over the surface of the moon, wings splayed out on either side. On his back, the Autobot's new minibot! EXCITING!

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Kup strikes Ray Gun < Shockwave > with his Laser attack!

Combat: You took 8 damage.

Combat: Jetfire sets its defense level to Guarded.

Arsenal leaps outta' Jetfire and eyes the scene as well. He readies his arm rifles and prepares for a fight.

"You heard the mech, 'Bots. Watch each other's backs and we will be able to win this fight!" Magnus seconds Rodimus as he sets his weapon to charge and he's out the hatch right after Arsenal. His landing kicks up a dust cloud that he has to hustle out of, firing up into the Decepti-swarm to brovide some cover fire for the rest as they disembark.

Arsenal was actually riding in on swoop all heroic-like.

"Nnn, a significantly larger Autobot presence detected," Shockwave reports as he and Fulcrum fly towards the centre of the crater. "Probability of mission success has dropped to 61.31%." The Operations Commander, floating just above the Mimas ground, transforms into robot mode just as Rodimus blasts Galvatron with his photon eliminator. "Correction - 59.27%," he states. "Fulcrum, begin determining the status of the focusing dish. I shall evaluate whether the charging batteries hold enough of a charge to assist us in this battle."

Shockwave touches down on the Mimas surface. As there is virtually zero gravity here, he actually has to use his thrusters to keep his position. "Fulcrum, watch f- UGH!" Kup, charging out, has fried Shockwave with a blue bolt. Gripping the fresh wound in his side with his hand, the cycloptic Decepticon aims his arm blaster back towards Kup and returns fire, sending a sizzling pink blast back towards him. "Order correction, Fulcrum. Enemy forces take priority."

Ray Gun < Shockwave > 's barrel and handle splits into arms and legs as Shockwave transforms into robot mode.

Combat: Shockwave strikes Kup with his Arm Cannon (Laser) attack!

Combat: Cyclonus sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Cyclonus misses Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > with his Forward Cannons attack! [Pulled -5]

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > lets out a growling chirp (or would that be a chirping growl?) as the Autobot's shot nails the edge of his wing, leaving a nasty sorch mark. He seems to recover from the rage quickly, though, and lets out another sharp cackle. The locust's antennae start to writhe about, bolts of electricity forming around them. "Good! I was hoping someone would step up to be slagged first." With a quick forward nod of his head, the lightning arced off of Ransack and down at his chosen target.

Combat: Ransack sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > misses Nightbeat with his 80kV electricity attack! [Pulled -2]

"Acknowledged" Fulcrum replies, vector-thrust nozzels firing as he draws a line on Kup, using the low gravity to his advantage as he starts his attack run. "ATTENTION AUTOBOT" he booms from external speakers. "Pay no attention to Shockwave! Pay attention.. to your DOOM!"

Combat: Fulcrum sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: MiG-29 < Fulcrum > strikes Kup with his Heat Ray attack! [Pulled -2]

The luminescent bolts from Rodimus Prime's blast catch Galvatron in one of his mighty purple shoulders, causing the Decepticon warlord to spin off-balance as he lines up his next shot. Orange light pulsing from his translucent cannon barrel, Galvatron lets out a snarl that carries across the void. "As usual, /PRIME/, your fault is that you cannot /see/ the /obvious/." The master of the Decepticons suddenly flares his boot-thrusters to life, soaring toward Rodimus, arms outstretched to tackle the Autobot at intense velocity. "/Everything/ already belongs to /ME/!"

Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with his Bare Hands attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Rodimus Prime's Agility. (Crippled)

The Tiger spots a flying birdie! Ok, it's not a bird, nor a plane, it's Swoop. And there's an Autobot riding on Swoop! The Tiger LEAPS! Trying to catch the birdie or knock Arsenal off Swoop's back.

Combat: Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > strikes Arsenal with his watch the birdie! (Grab) attack!

Rodimus Prime is tackled around the waist by the Decepticon Commander's assault, throwing him backwards and to the ground. "Unhg!" he grunts faintly as he attempts to recover his bearings, but grappled as he is, he finds his movements hampered. Still, his arms are free. "Gee, I didn't know you felt this way, Galvatron," he grinds out, tone angry and grim despite his light words. As he speaks he clasps his hands together over the Decepticon leader's head, and attempts to bring both fists down on his back.

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Neutral.

Kup growls, optics narrowing with steadily building anger as his chest absorbs two laser shots. Vaporized metal sprays off from the impact points before it freezes up again, twinkling in the darkness as it drifts away. "Can it, Fleet!" Kup says to Fulcrum, getting his Seekers confused. Hey, he's an old man. Cut him some slack. "You ain't the Decepticon I'm worried about, here!" And so, he throws himself at Shockwave, hoping to tackle him to the ground, since he has little hope of beating him in a shooting match.

As soon as the last Autobot jumps from his body, Jetfire pulls up into a hard vertical climb and begins spinning counterclockwise wing-over-wing. The laser blasts from Cyclonus pepper the area around Jetfire. The Air Guardian levels out and adjusts his flight path. He swings around towards the other space fighter as he prepares to attack. His underbelly turret opens up with several blasts towards Cyclonus. < < Cyclonus, quit polluting the universe. > >

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > misses Cyclonus with its Laser attack!

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his The Touch attack! [Pulled -7]

Combat: Kup misses Shockwave with his Whuppin' attack! [Pulled -2]

Nightbeat finally touches down, a cloud of Mimasian fines coating his boots. The light gravity cannot compell him to do much. It more suggests. It plays tricky with trajectories - and makes him harder to hit, as Ransack's shot passes through where Nightbeat would have been, if he was under the influence of Earth gravity. The detective tries to take stock of the situation. terrified humans in a skeleton super-laser. Galvatron and Rodimus Prime throwing down for a slobberknocker. Fulcrum drawing attention to Shockwave. Cyclonus harrying the ride home - sorry, Jetfire. Rampage is pretending he's Air Cat and liable to get a one-two Minibot-Dinobot punch. Slogging over the dusty surface, the detective tries to make his way toward the station, carefully, so he doesn't fly off. He does turns to pop off another shot at the Insecticon, however.

Combat: Nightbeat strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Space Revolver (Pistol) attack!

< Decepticon > Shockwave says, "My mission with Fulcrum has been waylaid by Autobots. We are diverting our attention to them."

Arsenal was enjoying his ride on the Dinobot Swoop but his ride is abruptly ended. "Eh! Get the slag offa' me cat!" he grumbles as he's struck by the pouncing Predacon. His armor peels away slightly where the claws rake his chest plate. He scrambles to grab hold of swoop but flails at air instead. Arsenal raises his right arm and takes aim at the leaping cat and tries to get a shot off before the moon's surface catches up to him. With a growl he falls to the moon's surface in a resounding *thud*.

Combat: Arsenal strikes Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Right Arm Rifles (Laser) attack!

Ultra Magnus takes a moment to survay the battlefield, optic sweeping over the gathered, calculating their odds against their opponents. He'll have to keep a optic opn a few of them to make sure they come out alright. Rodimus is trusted against Galvatron, Kup's predicament is more worrying. Hefting his rifle, Magnus takes aim at the Mig and fires off a few warning shots towards the seeker's fusilage to deter him from the elder 'bot.

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes MiG-29 < Fulcrum > with his Laser Blaster attack! [Pulled -5]

"HEY!" Swoop shreiks when Rampage decides to start trouble with him and his passenger. "You not hurt me Swoop's little buddy!" The Pteranobot gives his wings a mighty flap before shifting and twisting into his totally cool robot mode. Feet meet moon with a surprisingly soft thump (hey, man. Space) and the body they carry begins to bumrush the Predacon with a shoulder tackle.

Combat: Swoop sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > strikes Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Wham! Kablam! Body Slam! (Grab) attack!

"Turning your back on ME, you geriatric scrap pile?" Fulcrum grinds, the MiG swinging around for another pass, a shrill beep indicating he's got missile lock on Kup. "That will the last mistake you'll ever OW OW OW OW" Lased energy scorches across his fusilage as he flies directly into Ultra Magnus's gunsights, too focused on old whatshisname to think about dodging. And now he's lost his target lock! Well there's a larger target right there, and he has faith in his Smart Missiles. They are so smart. So very smart. S-M-R-T smart.

Combat: MiG-29 < Fulcrum > misses Ultra Magnus with his SMRT Missiles attack!

With an avian roar, Swoop unfolds into his robot mode.

Shockwave doesn't bother correcting Kup's identification issues involving Seekers. "You should be worried about *all* Decepticons, Kup," he instead drones. Shockwave can't really brace himself for Kup's charge due to the lack of gravity, and so he instead uses his boot thrusters to propel himself sideways, hovering slightly off the ground. Kup goes flying past with the missed tackle. This might cause Kup to miss the ground entirely due to the lack of gravity, but he's a wily mech and he surely has a plan! Shockwave on the other hand has redirected his own attention towards assisting his comrade.

His lone optic falls upon Ultra Magnus as he begins to walk towards the Autobot second in command. "Tell me, Magnus," he states over the shortwave general broadband, "What brought the Autobots into this area? Mere coincidence? Or has Autobot Command learned to predict our moves in advance?" As he makes his slow advance, Shockwave adds to Fulcrum's efforts with a flurry of arm cannon blasts, each one punctuating a question.

Combat: Shockwave strikes Ultra Magnus with his Arm Cannon Blasts attack! [Pulled -3]

Cyclonus punches his retro thrusters hard; a sudden drop in velocity causing Jetfire's shot to sear through empty space in front of his nose. Afterburners are hit immediatly and the starfighter rockets forward in a silent, eerie purple glow in pursuit of his chosen target; rocketing on past him. Forward manuvering thrusters are slammed in one direction and the aft another, causing him to reverse course even though intertia still has him flying backwards for a second from the sheer power of his acceleration. Rocketing after Jetfire he routes all available power to his engines in an effort to gain on him; transforming at the last second and attempting to bring this to melee range by slamming his sword into some point of Jetfire's hull for a handhold.

Combat: Cyclonus misses Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > with his Diamond-Boron Carbide Sword attack!

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > 's descent to the moon's surface is interrupted by another blast impacting against his armor, giving the bug another ugly black spot. And to annoy Ransack even more, this time on it's on his thorax. "Grgh, all you're doing is messing up my paint job and making me want to blow you apart more, Autobot!" Rather than land as planned, Ransack instead flies directly at Nightbeat, thrusters propelling him faster than his wings can in this crummy atmosphere. His jaws open wide. "I'm going to bite those stupid ears right off your head!"

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Nightbeat with his the Mike Tystron Special attack!

The Autobot leader's flamin' fists slam into Galvatron's back. The warmonger staggers, falling to one knee as the blow causes his back to arch in pain. "NNARGH!" he barks, sounding feral and mad (as always). "Make all the precious quips you like, Prime -- soon enough you won't be /able/ to make any -- WHEN I RIP YOUR VOICEBOX OUT OF YOUR THROAT!" Galvatron surges upward, swinging an elbow out to try and smash it into Rodimus' stomach as he rises, to give himself a bit of space.

Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with his Atomic Elbo (Smash) attack! [Pulled -1]

The Tiger is knocked off off of Swoop and blasted by a laser, to boot! He twists around as he falls, landing on his feet. He opens his gun ports and aims them at Arsenal. "Before I make you my chew toy, I think I'll soften ya up a bit!" he snarls.

Combat: Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > misses Arsenal with his Making You Into Swiss Cheese attack!

The Decepticon leader's elbow hits true, digging into the Prime's midsection and sending him stumblng backwards - more than would be expected, due to the gravity. Rodimus digs his feet into the ground in order to regain his balance. "Well, then, I'd better get in /extra/ while I've got the chance!" Rodimus exclaims. Balance regained, he pivots on his right foot while he brings up and around his left, attempting to kick the Decepticon leader in the side.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his Sidekick (Kick) attack!

As soon as Cyclonus begins his rush towards him, Jetfire drops power to his main engines and immiediately slams on the retro-thrusters. The Air Guardian emits a small laugh as Cyclonus swings at the air in front of Jetfire. However, Jetfire isn't quite ready to give up his alt-form to go robot to robot... for multiple reasons. First one being he knows he isn't as strong as Cyclonus.

However, the Veritech fighter drives towards Cyclonus's new position wanting to make sure he makes his next shot count. Jetfire powers up his missile systems and then a flare comes out of the rack mounted between his scram-jets. A missile flies towards Cyclonus. For those with good enough perception, the missile tip doesn't appear to be the normal exploding rounds that are combat standard. Jetfire is firing off a status effect missile.

Combat: Jetfire sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > strikes Cyclonus with his Armor-Piercing Missiles attack!

Kup's plan, after missing the tackle, is to flail around helplessly as his momentum sends him right off the surface of the moon. "Oh, frag!" he cries out as the ground looks increasingly distant. "Knew I shoulda let that guy on Marpalap III install boosters on my legs, but noooo, I thought they were too expensive!" Unthemely, too.

Eventually Kup disappears into the distance.

...and comes roaring right back, a few moments later, in truck mode! "This gravity's horrible, but I've got enough mass to come back down eventually!" He hits a bump, and the truck lifts up somewhat into the air, wheels spinning as he is flung right at Shockwave. "Ah, geeze, not again..."

Kup falls forward, folding up into really old looking futuristic truck!

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Cybertruck < Kup > misses Shockwave with his Old-Fashioned Overrun attack! [Pulled -4]

Nightbeat is in Intelligence. In theory, yes, he should be warning the other Autobots about this sort of thing! Instead, he is busily trying to figure out a riddle he heard on Pz-Zazz. Nightbeat is useful that way. He has focus and drive! He's just never focused on what would actually be helpful. In fact, Nightbeat thinks he almost has it, and he snaps his fingers - then Ransack nails him, tearing of fone of Nightbeat's antennae. He sheyaghs in pain (and no one can hear him, in space), and he tries to crack Ransack over the head in retaliation.

Combat: Nightbeat strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Long Arm of the Law (Punch) attack!

Ultra Magnus gets Fulcrum's attention. He gets a lot of it, in missile form. He couldn't hope to escape them, to slow even if the lack of gravity made his bulk less of a burden. Instead he takes aim once more, firing into the rush of missiles, peircing one or two with his lasers while the others are detonated in the explosion that is caused. His feat of marksmanship buys him little time however, Shockwave on the the attack with The City Commander himself resting in his sight. His thick armor can only shelter him so much from the atomic blasts unleashed from the cyclops, each one hammering him, lips parting in a cry of pain that is silenced by the airless void.

Magnus is quick to shake off the pain, damage control taking over as he turns on Shockwave with a stern reply, "All those microchips and processing power and you can't even calculate that someone would call for help?" he quips, a dry smirk across his features. He sees Kup coming back and has a mind to give him a hand. Crouching, Magnus propels himself forward, sent sailing by a good hard push from his trunk like legs towards Shockwave. He extends a arm as he draws closer, a clothesline meant to hit him high while Kup comes in low.

Arsenal is rather nimble and with the lower gravity he's able to leap crazy high. With a hrumph and a grin he watches as the Predacon's attack strikes where he once was. "Chew on these!" he exclaims just before leaping. In a rather agile flipping motion he opens fire on the predacon with both sets of arm rifles at once. However he didn't plan on the low grav to make his attack send him flying even further into the air. Arsenal is sent spinning wildly to the side crashing into the crater wall he's slightly burried in rubble as some of it collapses down on him.

Combat: Ultra Magnus misses Shockwave with his Clothesline (Punch) attack!

Combat: Arsenal misses Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Double Arm Assault! attack! [Pulled -2]

Cyclonus is already in mid-transformation when Jetfire's missile is launched. He is actually accelerating towards the Autobot Air-Guardian when it strikes him; blasting a noticible hole in the armor along his left wing. But still he comes on; seemingly have aborted dodging for the moment in an effort to focus almost entirely on his aim. Jetfire is not an easy target afterall. And so, his HUD beeps quietly as it attempts to achieve a lock for his oxidizing lasers. The relative speed between the two of them makes it a difficult shot, but as they pass by each other in space his nose-lasers lance out -- attempting to tag the Air Guardian near his thrusters.

Transforming into his starfighter mode, Cyclonus is backlit by the eerie blue glow of nuclear-powered turbines as they come online.

Combat: Cyclonus sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > misses Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > with his Forward Lasers attack! [Pulled -2]

Swoop chortles to himself like the mean bully he truely wants to be. Yes, Predacon! Go after the smaller one! Get distracted! Without any further hesitation, Swoop's swords appears and begins to glow dull orange. "Hey! You Predacon! What did the five fingers say to the face?" He stomp stomp stomps over to Rampage, pulls his free hand back, and SLAPS the tiger. "SLAP!"

Combat: Swoop strikes Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his SLAP (Punch) attack!

Oh look, they're ignoring Fulcrum again. Rapidly transforming, the blacksmith raises his fearsome sledge above his head in both hands, its surface splitting open as the dynamo inside begins to glow and spark. Firing his boot jets, Fulcrum propels himself towards the surface of the tiny moon, striking the regolith as he touches the ground and sending a rippling electric shockwave towards the two Autobots attacking his commander.

The MiG-29 twists around and folds in on itself with a grinding sound, transforming into the robotic form of Fulcrum.

Combat: Fulcrum strikes Ultra Magnus with his Thunder Hammer Area attack!

Combat: Fulcrum strikes Cybertruck < Kup > with his Thunder Hammer Area attack!

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > gnaws at his new chewtoy, trying to get every last bit of energon-y goodness until the former owner of the antennae's fist impacts the top of his head. Ransack's treat is crushed between his jaws as they're forced together. Disappointed in his meal being ruined, the locust spits out the remaining bits of metal and circuits. "A little too hard, still. I think I'll just /pound/ you into scrap and eat whatever's left over." The yellow and black Insecticon spins around in place, legs vibrating with a high-pitched sonic whine as they slice through a cloud of kicked-up moondust and thrust out at Nightbeat in a powerful strike.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Nightbeat with his Leg Strike attack!

Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > growls as Swoop beyatchsmacks him. He rolls, kicking upwards with his feet in an attempt to tear open the Dinobot's armor. "Hey, that was my chew toy, birdbrain!" he protests.

Combat: Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > misses Swoop with his Tomcat hindleg disemboweling (Kick) attack!

Shockwave may appear to have forgotten about Kup as the old timer sails off into the void, but this is incorrect. Inside that massive brain of his, a running tally is being kept, counting down the seconds and the milliseconds and the nano-seconds that it will take for a Transformer of Kup's exact mass, traveling at the velocity and angle he was at the time of the attempted tackle, to return to the Mimasian surface. He factors in other such calculations as the possibility of Kup firing his acid musket into the 'air' and use the recoil to slow him down (he has concluded that this is unlikely, though still a distinct possibility), Kup having installed some other measures since their last encounter, or any other number of improbable scenarios. Turning his head as the Cybertronian pick-up veers towards him, Shockwave jumps to the side, landing in a crouch. "2.31 seconds faster than I had calculated," he states. The significance of this may be lost on others.

Back to Ultra Magnus, who he sees is already back on the go. "A distress call was anticipated. Significant Autobot presence within close enough proximity to mount a defence is not. Logic, Ultra Magnus, dictates that our attack was discovered long before we ever arrived on this moon." The Decepticon prepares himself for Magnus's charge, and meets the clothesline by ducking under it, lashing out with a leg to kick the bulkier Autobot in the gut for his troubles. Hit or miss, Shockwave is already aiming his arm cannon towards Ultra Magnus again. The pair of Autobots might be in a lot of trouble if they don't quickly get it together.

Combat: Shockwave strikes Ultra Magnus with his Kick attack!

The kick from Rodimus Prime dents Galvatron's side, making purple armor plating rumple and sparks hiss around the corners of the damaged area. "GRAH!" the madman howls, pain jolting through his body, causing him to bend and seize until his spinal gyrostabilizers correct themselves. "DON'T SPEAK SO SOON, RODIMUS PRIME -- FOR THOSE WORDS WERE YOUR /LAST/!" the tyrant brays in heated rage, raising his cannon to loose a low-powered shot, point-blank.

Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with his Fusion Cannon attack! [Pulled -7]

Cybertruck < Kup > zooms right past Shockwave, grumbling to himself. Transforming, he continues to hurtle through the air like an extremely cranky space rock. "Bah. Alright, fine, since I can't seem to shoot Shockwave for s**t, I'm gonna try shootin' you, Contrail!" Kup growls at Fulcrum, confusing him this time with an MIA Seeker. "You were lookin' kinda lonely anyway." As he drifts, Kup levels his acid musket at Fulcrum, but then the energy wave hits him--will it send his aim astray!? Only one way to find out!

Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > swings away from Cyclonus and begins evasive maneuvers as he heads back towards where the battle began. His scramjets use a massive amount of power as Jetfire changes his attack plan. As he nears the area where most of the melee fighting is occuring, Jetfire brings his tactical system online for precision strafing runs. Adjusting his altitude and velocity, the Veritech fighter's underbelly particle cannon opens fire. Particle beams blast out stitching the ground with blasts. Jetfire turns his body slightly to avoid hitting his fellow Autobots as he peppers their opponents with blasts. < < Autobots, try to regroup. I shall provide some cover fire. > >

The faded green cybertruck springs up and splits apart, revealing the ancient Autobot, Kup!

Combat: Kup strikes Fulcrum with his Acid Musket Laser attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Jetfire sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Removed restrictions on NO-ARMOR for your attacks.

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > 's "Strafing run" attack aimed for Shockwave backfires!

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > strikes himself with his "Strafing run" Area attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > 's "Strafing run" attack aimed for Fulcrum backfires!

Combat: Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > strikes himself with his "Strafing run" Area attack! [Pulled -2]

MEANWHILE, IN A CAVE ON THE PLANET RG-1033

"Hahaha!" cackles a badly damaged Seeker as he uses a crude stone hammer to chip away at a group of boulders in front of him. "You may have trapped me in this cave for three million years, Kup, but one day, I'll be free! Free to have my vengeance! And on that day, you will learn to fear the name of Contrail! Nyahahaha!"

Then a stalactite falls upon Contrail's head, killing him instantly.

Arsenal shakes his head to collect his thoughts......this battered lasercore doesn't respond as quickly as it use to. He lets out a sigh of relief the Predacon seems to have turned his attention to the Dinobot for now. With a grunt he shoves a larger chunk of debris off his leggs and sweeps away some smaller bits before rising to his feet. "I ain't no chew toy." he retorts before transforming to his alt mode. Once transformed he aims one of the smaller guns on the predacon and opens fire.

Combat: Arsenal strikes Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Small Turret Fire (Pistol) attack!

The Autobot Arsenal expands and converts into an M50 Ontos.

Rodimus Prime is blasted backwards by Galvatron's shot which, though low powered, incinerates a chunk of the armor in his lower torso, just above his waist. "Eengh!" he grunts, one hand moving to cover the wound through which sparks can be seen. "Damn it, I just got that fix," he gasps out as he scans the ground, looking for the photon eliminator he dropped earlier when Galvatron tackled him. His right hand withdraws, and is replaced by a thing blade on a hinge that starts to rotate, effectively becoming a buzzsaw, as he charges forward and to Galvatron's right, attempting to cut his way through to his rifle.

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Ultra Magnus's arm sails over the ducking Shockwave leaving Magnus sailing forward without the anticipated impact to slow him. Some how ham manages to get his feet into the dust of the moon, momentum slowed as he digs in his heels. This proves a unfortunate mistake, the electricity flowing from Fulcrum's hammer ripping across the moons surface and driving into him, his servos spasm and fry scrambling his circuitry. He crumbles, falling into a smoking heap against the surface of Mimas only to raise and face his attacker..and get kicked in the gut.

Shockwave's foot drives into Magnus' middle, the force doing little on its own but in conjucture with Fulcrum's blow it ads up, his targeting systems seeming to lag and stall. "M'maybe we've just been reading your news letters." he replies, pulling himself upto his full height once more. The sight of the buisness end of Shockwave's arm cannon brings a stern frown across his features. He was going to have to take that thing out of the equation some how! The City Commander suddenly lunged into close quarters with Shockwave, one hand going for the barrel of his arm to grab and wrench it away, the other going for his face. He tried to get the mech off balance, a leg shifting forward to hook around Shockwave's own and provide the leverage that Magnus would need to slam Shockwave to the dust in a hard take down.

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

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

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes Shockwave with his Ultra Crush attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: You took 13 damage.

Nightbeat watches as Jetfire suffers one of those malfunction to which the white jet is so prone - ow! And then Ransack clobbers Nightbeat, breaking his armour. "Gnn," says the detective. He switches out his choice of gun and shouts (over short range radio), "Eat hot plasma, if you're so hungry!" He's louder than he usually is, because he's half-deaf and can't hear so well. That done, he dives down a crater.

Combat: Nightbeat sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Nightbeat misses Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Plasma Blaster attack!

Fulcrum doesn't even notice whatever it is that Jetfire thinks he's doing up there, as he's too busy yelling in pain as highly corrosive acid eats away at his armor. "AAAAAAH" he emits helpfully, recoiling from Kups attack, then suddenly lunging forward in an attempt to introduce his elbow to the old-timer's nose.

Combat: Fulcrum sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Fulcrum strikes Kup with his The People's Elbow (Punch) attack!

Shockwave glances upwards at the distinctive form of Jetfire as he comes in on a clear attack-run. He can see the particle cannon on the belly of the craft taking aim, but he doesn't see any shots appearing. "I see Autobot maintenance protocols has not improved any," he states of what appears to be a malfunctioning for the super scientist. "Sarcasm does not become you, Ultra Magnus," Shockwave replies to the Autobot second in command, clearly finding nothing funny about what his adversary is saying. < < Fulcrum. Report in if Kup gets out of hand. Also be on the look-out for Jetfire, as he appears to be suffering from an unknown malfunction. This could change at any moment, however. I shall be dealing with Ultra Magnus. > >

Squaring off against the City Commander, Shockwave is preparing to blast him with the arm cannon. Before he can pull the mental trigger, Ultra Magnus has pulled himself up and snagged his weapon, shoving it away. Shockwave's errant blast flies into the rocky ground, and the rest of Shockwave soon follows as Magnus gets ahold of him and sends him slamming into the ground, head first. The ground crumbles from the impact and Shockwave is left on his back. His antennae are bent as he lashes back out at the Autobot, trying to send him hurling towards the crater walls at a high velocity with a single swipe of his hand.

The Tiger roars as the blasts from Arsenal hit their mark. Turning away from Swoop, he charges at the Autobot, claws out and ready to tear him limb from limb.

Combat: Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > strikes M50 Ontos < Arsenal > with his Scratching Post (Punch) attack!

Combat: Shockwave strikes Ultra Magnus with his Autobot Smacking attack! [Pulled -6]

If there's one thing a locust is good at, it's hopping (well, and also eating, but the hopping is what's important here) and that combined with a brief show of reflexes allows Ransack to leap out of the way of Nightbeat's counterattack. "Haha! Saw it coming, dum-" The insect's taunt is cut off as it comes to his attention that, apparently, he misjudged the gravity a little and now finds himself floating slowly to the ground upside-down. "...Oh WHATSLAGGINGEVER!" Ransack's legs kick out angrily as he fires a sweeping arc of lightning at the fleeing Autobot, trying to scorch the crater just as much as his opponent.

Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > keeps on after Jetfire; attempting to come around and stay with him as he begins those evasive manuvers. It's tricky but really, if anyone can keep pace with the Autobot Air Guardian it is Cyclonus. Engines running on full afterburners he isn't really seeing anything but Jetfire. Well, more then full afterburners as he cycles his power levels up to 115%. Jetfire will likely be abhorred by just how much radiation he is putting out. Then again, Shockwave is here too. Between the two of them they could probably poison an atmosphere. Either way though, he lets go with another blast from his forward lasers -- attempting to tag Jetfire in the middle of the strafing run.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Nightbeat with his Disoriented Electricity attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > misses Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > with his Pewpew! attack! [Pulled -4]

Galvatron lunges at Rodimus at the same time as the Autobot commander makes his move -- and what results is a hideous spray of yellow sparks and the squealing whine of a buzzsaw cutting through armor. Specifically, Galvatron's face -- the handsaw slashes a diagonal line across the ugly, sharp features of the warlord, shattering one of his blazing red eyes. "AAUUUGGGHHH!" the monstrous robot cries, staggering backward, clutching his face -- before releasing his grasp on it, revealing ugly features even further deformed. "A BOLD MOVE, PRIME -- AND A /SUICIDAL/ ONE!" Galvatron fires his cannon wildly, aim yet to autocorrect -- but he's content to destroy everything /around/ Rodimus just as much as the Autobot leader himself.

Combat: Galvatron misses Rodimus Prime with his Fusion Cannon attack! [Pulled -5]

"I'm not dead yet," Rodimus replies to Galvatron, switching his blade back for his hand as he finishes his dive, making a grab for his photol eliminator. He almost overshoots it in the low gravity, but manages to grab it as he goes by. With his other hand he reaches down, grabbing at the ground to hold himself in place, before he gets to his knees, twists towards Galvatron, and fires.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his Photon Eliminator attack! [Pulled -2]

M50 Ontos < Arsenal > emits sparks from his left turret as his interal alarms sound off signaling a targeting malfunction. The main turrets rotate up and down as quickly as possible trying to shake the large cat loose. Internal systems begin correcting the issue and his self repair does it's best to right the wrong.

Combat: M50 Ontos < Arsenal > takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

As the Veritech Fighter begins to strafe, Jetfire feels an odd discharge. He feels several of his circuits overload and then pop and explode. Jetfire transforms into his robot mode as drops behind a large chunk of meteorite rock in the middle of the battle. His helmet armor plating drops into place, his blue optics covered with a red visor. Jetfire has his particle beam cannon in his hands and attempts to make adjustments to repair whatever happened to it. He seems rather unphased by the malfunction; it happens enough. Jetfire seems to pipe up on his radio about something.

Combat: Jetfire sets his defense level to Protected.

Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > transforms into his Jetfire mode.

Nightbeat is really feeling the pain, as the electricity scorches his systems from the inside out. He staggers out of the crater, aching in every servo, and yet - and yet, there's a smirk on his face, as he thumbs the plasma blaster - with a broken sight. Slag. He grumbles and lets loose a spray of plasma at Ransack's general direction, anyway.

Kup's face crinkles as Fulcrum's elbow bends his nose in the wrong angle, and he almost bounces off again before he reaches out to grap Fulcrum by his shoulder-thingies. Grinning, Kup says, "Big mistake, gettin' up close, buddy! I love dishin' out a good whuppin'!" The old mech then thrusts his forehead right into Fulcrum's face!

Combat: Nightbeat strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Plasma Blaster attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Kup strikes Fulcrum with his Smash attack!

Ultra Magnus gets himself back handed stiffly and is sent stumbling back, feet working quickly to try and keep him anchored to the surface. His own immense bulk is his sole savior in the endevor, absorbing much of Shockwave's blow and managing to keep him from flying away as Shockwave had planned. Stabilizing, Magnus powers himself back into close quarters, short, careful bounds delivering him back to Shockwave's door with speed and force, the City Commander seeking to collide heavily with Shockwave in order to keep him on his heels.

Combat: Ultra Magnus misses Shockwave with his Smash attack!

Fulcrum staggers backwards, his head ringing from that Liverpool Kiss. "Stubid Aubobob! Youb nob the obly one!" he mumbles back, a cruel-looking sickle suddenly appearing in his free hand, the blade hissing through the thin atmosphere towards Kup

Combat: Fulcrum misses Kup with his Burning Sickle attack! [Pulled -2]

Cyclonus is out for blood. The fact that he has not yet even managed to tag Jetfire with a rock is weighing in on his nominal calm. Because he has been under accelerating for so long, it is going to be difficult to change his line of motion as he streaks in after where Jetfire went. And indeed, he doesn't even attempt to stop and engage him in actual physical combat. He just squeezes off a few missiles at him that streak towards the Autobot under their own power as Cyclonus rockets by; main thrusters at least managing to move him in an arc around the asteroid. He's probably moving too fast to hit anything though -- at least he'll be hard to hit himself!

Combat: Cyclonus sets his defense level to Guarded.

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > misses Jetfire with his ZOMG MISSILES attack! [Pulled -8]

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > is peppered with plasma shots, stopping his new attempt at rushing Nightbeat before it could even start. The Insecticon shakes off the shots and decides to play it a bit safer from where he is. With a "Grrah!" Ransack flips back around and lands on the moon's surface, firing a more miniture bolt of electricity at the thrashed Autobot.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Nightbeat with his 40kv electricity attack! [Pulled -2]

Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > sets upon the Tank with the full fury of his claws. His rising anger fed by the realization that he's missing a brand new episode of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.

Shockwave connects with Ultra Magnus but fails to send him flying. This is unfortunate, as Shockwave's obvious plan was to blast the City Commander from a relatively safe range. No matter. Magnus appears battered already. "You are damaged and outmatched, Ultra Magnus. Continuing your efforts here to presume this weapon is illogical. It will result only in your death." The Military Operations Commander's boot thrusters ignite and he meets Ultra Magnus with his shoulder, using his ability to maneuver in space to his advantage to gain the upper hand and force the Autobot to take the worst of their collision. After crashing into one another, Shockwave appears undamaged. How does Ultra Magnus fare?

Combat: Shockwave misses Ultra Magnus with his Shoulder Slam (Punch) attack!

Combat: Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > strikes M50 Ontos < Arsenal > with his butchering the filet what a waste! attack!

"NYAARR!" Galvatron cries out, continuing his obnoxious tendency of crying out in spasms extreme savagery whenever he gets hit or whenever anyone does anything. His targeting systems lock in, funneling the full power of his sight into his one remaining eye -- if it works for Shockwave, it can work for him, too. "NOW, RODIMUS PRIME," Galvatron roars, "FEEL MY UNFETTERED WRATH!" He takes aim -- and fires. But his fusion cannon's bolt whizzes by Rodimus' head, going over the leader's shoulder, barely missing his chevronic dorsal fin -- and toward the landscape behind Prime, seeking to smash into the crater wall and cause a miniature avalanche!

Combat: Galvatron misses Rodimus Prime with his Bare Walls attack!

Kup catches the sickle by its handle, preventing the cruel blade from slashing his neck and leaving his opponent wide open for an attack! "Geeze, what is it with you Decepticons? I ain't got nuthin' wrong with a sword or axe, but come on, a sickle? That's just gettin' too fraggin' fancy, you ask me." Having abused Fulcrum verbally, he takes the next step by attempting to abuse him physically by throwing a punch at Fulcrum's canopy.

Combat: Kup strikes Fulcrum with his Punch attack!

M50 Ontos < Arsenal > 's armor plating takes a huge hit shreds of plating gives way to reveal slash marks of exposed circuitry. Sparks and slivers of the tank's armor fly as he growls, "Back off!" Arsenal is frustrated and hopes to blast the Predacon loose....he's had enough of this close range mess it just ain't his cup o' tea. All six of the tank's rifles let loose on the large Mecha-Tiger.

Combat: M50 Ontos < Arsenal > strikes Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Multi-Barrel Barrage attack!

Combat: M50 Ontos < Arsenal > 's attack leaves him temporarily incapacitated!

Combat: Swoop sets his defense level to Fearless.

Swoop clenches and unclenches his fist a few times. Heck yes. Nothing feels better than slapping someone. Especially a Predacon. Since he's so distracted by how awesome he feels, Swoop is completely oblivious to the plight of his minibot buddy for quite some time. Finally, he snaps his head up and takes into account the situation. "HEY! HEY YOU PREDACON! ME SWOOP NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!" The Dinobot begins a mad charge towards the Robo Tiger, iron-hot sword held high above his head. When he's just in range, he grips the weapon's handle with both hands and brings it down; blade aimed to slice and rend right into Rampage's red armor. Me-ow.

Combat: Swoop misses Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > with his Thermal Sword attack!

A lot of debris and dust gets blown up by Cyclonus's rockets. Jetfire spins back behind the rock he's using as cover. The white Autobot looks around the battlefield and picks out a target of opportunity. The armored face doesn't show any emotion as he aims at Cyclonus. Jetfire slips out from behind the rock and unleashes another blast of particle beams at Cyclonus.

Galvatron does, indeed, cause his mini-avalanche... but unfortunately, the lower gravity gives Rodimus the time to jump up and out of the way of the falling rocks. He lands on top of one of the largest, actually 'running' backwards to keep his balance as the thing rolls down the crater side, until at the end he leaps up, lands on the same rock with his hands, springs up again like some sort of circus act, this time aiming both feet towards Galvatron.

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Galvatron with his Feet First! attack! [Pulled -6]

Combat: Jetfire misses Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > with his Precise Shot attack!

Nightbeat is just... not well. He's not well at all. The detective looks like slag warmed over, and Ransack's attack hamstrings him, blowing out his leg piston. He starts to limp over toward Jetfire, waving his arms over his head. On the plus side, it occurs to him... ''...I've solved it! I finally solved it! Aaahhaha, it was right in front of me the whole time - the Bird's in the Sol system!" He pauses and makes a face. Oh. Oh. Did he just blast that on shortwave radio?

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

Fulcrum's systems are already weakened by Kup's horrible acid, his frame still steaming in the thin air as the last of it still eats into his now-pockmarked and cratered armor. The blow to his cockpit shatters the yellow material into a mesh of shards barely kept together by a underlying membrane. Still reeling from the savage headbut and now being pummeled, Fulcrum decides that Shockwave probably can handle both Autobots by himself. He's going to have to anyway. "Systems compromised" he calls out, wrenching his sickle away from Kup and leaping skywards. "Retreating for repairs" Rapidly transforming, he rockets up and away.

Combat: Fulcrum sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Fulcrum begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from M50 Ontos < Arsenal >, Kup, Mecha-Tiger < Rampage > , Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > , Jetfire, and Shockwave

Fulcrum says, "Oh balls I forgot to transform, hold on"

Fulcrum's joints screech as his body reconfigures itself into a green MiG-29.

Combat: MiG-29 < Fulcrum > begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus >

Shockwave continues to battle with Ultra Magnus. Their duel causes the ground itself to shake, and the heavens cries out for mercy as these two juggernauts go head-to-head. Grown men will weep when told of their battle, and women will faint.

The Tiger yelps as the next blast disables a forepaw. Transforming so as not to be hampered by it, Rampage reaches for his sword. "I'm goona hack you into bits before I make you into a chew toy!" he shouts.

Rampage's head slides down to his chest, his body rising upright. His robot head appears where his beast mode head had just been, and he now stands before you in robot mode.

Combat: Rampage strikes M50 Ontos < Arsenal > with his Hassan CHOP! attack!

Rodimus goes up -- and when he comes down, his feet impact the ground where Galvatron was, a second ago. The low gravity can be used by both robots to their advantage -- particularly Galvatron, though, owing to his fantastic rocket-heels. "I WON'T BE DEFEATED SO EASILY, PRIME!" Galvatron screams, grabbing a boulder and hurling it at his enemy. "I WON'T BE DEFEATED -- /AT ALL/!"

Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with his Planet Rock attack! [Pulled -1]

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

Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > accelerates hard back towards Mimas itself as he slingshots around the asteroid; Jetfire's shot passing off of his right wing. He must have something special in mind because he leaves the Autobot Air Guardian a good deal behind; leaning hard on his port wing and coming around in an attack run -- orientated back towards the direction that he came. It takes a few seconds for him to get pointed in the right direction but he is soon flying low over the surface of Mimos, targeting scanners arrayed downwards as some. . special missiles are loaded into his launchers. Modified by himself personally for extra oomph, a pair are launched at several different targets. The first of the missiles are sent towards Kup as he roars overhead -- dropping down towards him with a streak of purple energon. The next pair are sent towards the dinobot, Swoop, two more towards Nightbeat and finally as Cyclonus pulls up, the last two of the self-guided missiles of the lot go streaking towards Jetfire; corkscrewing in on his location but likely easily dodged given the fact that the rock will confuse their targeting scanners.

Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > doesn't actually fire on Swoop, though, due to his proximity to Rampage.

Combat: Cyclonus sets his defense level to Fearless.

Cyclonus drops Special Munitions.

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > strikes Kup with Special Munitions's Specialized Munitions Area attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > 's Special Munitions is destroyed!

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > strikes Nightbeat with Special Munitions's Specialized Munitions Area attack!

Combat: Nightbeat falls to the ground, unconscious.

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > strikes Jetfire with Special Munitions's Specialized Munitions Area attack!

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > snaps back to his robot mode, gun appearing in hand and pointing it dramatically at Nightbeat...right as the Autobot detective's smoking body hits the ground from Cyclonus' overwhelming assault. "..Aw come on!" The Insecticon growls, looking for another target and picking one practically at random in his destruction-craving fit. The old guy looks like a good enough target. Shrugging, the Insecticon opens fire on Kup (and the area generally around him to boot.)

Ransack's humanoid legs unfold as he stands up, shifting into his robot mode.

Combat: Ransack misses Kup with his Concussion Blaster Gun attack!

As Nightbeat makes his DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT over shortwave, revealing the location of the supposedly ultra-powerful Bird, Rodimus snaps his head around, exclaiming, "Nightbeat! Not no- NIGHTBEAT!" That second 'Nightbeat' comes when the detective is knocked unconscious, the distraction giving Galvatron time to knock him over with a planet boulder. Debris and dust get into his optics, interfering with his targeting system now. Still, he tries to see past it, lifting his right arm to fire a blast from his pipes, even as he shouts orders over the radio.

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Fearless.

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

M50 Ontos < Arsenal > 's right tread is torn apart at the front the blade ripping it's way thru them and some of his side armor plating. Alarms sound as the bot is left immobile. "Yearg! That smarts." Internally he's got several alarms blaring now and finds it hard to focus. He brings around one of the smaller turrets and belts out a blast of energy from his laser turret.

Combat: M50 Ontos < Arsenal > strikes Rampage with his Laser attack!

Nightbeat is down. In several pieces. One leg off. One arm totalled. His flame-painted aroumr in pieces. Cyclonus has finally cashed in on the call to thrash Nightbeat - entirely incidentally! Even Nightbeat couldn't see that coming. Even his head is off, and Muzzle is sprawled out in Nebulan form, still suited, unconscious. Inside his suit, one of Muzzle's temples bleeds.

The blast that Cyclonus lays out explodes, throwing the Air Guardian to the ground. Jetfire can feel various reports of damage all over his systems. Jetfire pushes himself up onto his feet and tries to lean back against the rock to give himself some more cover. Jetfire begins to rapidly begin repairing himself. Part of the repairs include a material Rodimus would recognize as his armor replacer.

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

Okay. This is getting ridiculous. It seems no matter what Swoop does, that stupid Predacon just goes right back to attacking that poor little minibot. What a bully! What a beast! What a menace! Time to put an end to his rampage (hurr hurr get it?) once and for all. "HEY! PREDACON!" Swoop stands as tall as possible, one hand on his hip, the other pointing his sword straight out. "You big jerk! Pick on someone tiny and small! Me Swoop say STOP BEING BIG FAT JERK!" He hunches over and kaboom, kaplowey! Insert your own sound effect here, children at home! The missile on his right wing goes sailing towards the Tiger-gone-Robot.

Combat: Swoop strikes Rampage with his FABLAAM! KAPOW! KABOOM! attack!

Kup wipes his hands together, nodding in satisfaction as he sends Fulcrum packing. He has little time to gloat, however, as Cyclonus's missiles slam into his back, and for a moment he disappears in the explosion. When the dust clears, Kup is sprawled out in the middle of a new crater on Mimas. "Nnnn--nnnnhhh," Kup grunts, digging his fingers through the dust as he gets up onto his knees. "Damn, what the hell was in those things? Eh... don't matter, none..." Forcing himself to stand, Kup yells up at Cyclonus, "That was a nice hit, Cyc--but you made one mistake!"

Up comes Kup's rifle, blasting out a prolonged burst of acid pellets, which eat away at their plastic capsules even as they are fired at their target. "You didn't finish the job! NOW YER GONNA--ah, dammit!" Kup ducks down just in time as Ransack fires upon him, but the old man is nevertheless angry that his tirade was interrupted.

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Kup misses Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > with his Acid Musket Laser attack!

Ultra Magnus is battered and near broken... But far from beaten. His body complains and aches, the armor a protective burden, possibly all that is keeping him together after the punishment he's endured. "Give it up, Shockwave. You're not getting this moon!" demands Magnus, returning to a fighting posture, hands open and ready to bend Shockwave into a pretzel. "Not while there's a Autobot left standing to keep on fighting for it." he vows and moves in once more, pushing himself through the weightlessness and towards Shockwave, leading with a elbow towards that beacon of light set into his hexagonal face and then lifting both hands up over his head, bringing them down in chops at his shoulders to drive him down into the dust like a sledge hammer to a railway spike.

Combat: Ultra Magnus sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes Shockwave with his Ultra Crush attack!

Combat: You took 25 damage.

Combat: Ultra Magnus's attack has damaged your Firepower!

"Did I?"

The comment that comes from the Decepticon second in command is delivered in a simple monotone. Cyclonus at this point is neither angry nor overjoyed, he simply is -- his neutrality and calm returning to him as he lands that hit. Jetfire is ignored for the moment as he hits his retro thrusters; coming around in an arc and making a dive towards Kup. Apparently tired of fighting from the sky he transforms and sword in hand; bears down on the Elder Autobot -- attempting to skewer him through the ribs as he descends. "This fight will be your last, Old Timer!"

The purple glow of nuclear-powered turbines fades away as Cyclonus shifts into Robot Mode.

Combat: Cyclonus strikes Kup with his Diamond-Boron Carbide Sword attack!

Galvatron is ready to take his broken boulder and smash Rodimus again -- when the blasts from Rodimus' bracers catch him right in the chest, causing his Decepticon emblem to bubble and distort as the lasers melt into it. "NNAAHH!" Galvatron cries, knocked backward, dropping the boulder. Falling to one knee again, he raises his cannon, gazing at Rodimus with his mutilated, evil visage. "FALL -- FALL!" he cries, firing a potent, bright orange shot.

The double-teaming by a Dinobot and a Tank have taken their toll on Rampage. He's no longer able to continue the battle, and if he doens't hurry up, he's going to miss CSI: Miami. "I'll get ya next time," he growls, "With Predaking!" He rises into the air and escapes.

Combat: Rampage begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Ultra Magnus, M50 Ontos < Arsenal >, Rodimus Prime, Cyclonus, and Shockwave

Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with his Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before attack! [Pulled -3]

A lesser Decepticon would have been mad at Cyclonus for snatching his prey away, but Ransack didn't mine for a few reasons: One being that getting mad at Cyclonus could be terminally bad for his health, another was that he appreciated the sheer beauty of such an explosion regardless, and the third being that this gave him a perfect chance to help pin down a hapless Autobot and maybe even get another snack in before the battle was through. With more food and more mayhem on his processor the Insecticon takes another series of shots at the old Transformer.

Combat: Ransack strikes Kup with his Less talking more Exploding Shot attack!

Shockwave by comparison is practically undamaged. Kup gave him a wound in his side, but it's no longer sparking. Aside from slightly bent antennae, Shockwave does not seem to have suffered much from Ultra Magnus's previous blow. Ultra Magnus on the other hand looks like hell, and it does not appear that Shockwave is going to let up on the Autobot City Commander anytime soon. "If that is what it will take for this moon to fall under Decepticon rule, Ultra Magnus, I have no objections." He lowers his arm cannon even as Magnus stirs, ready to finish him off. "Farewell, Ultra Magnus."

Two things happen within the span of a split second. Ultra Magnus lunges, and Shockwave fires. The purple blast from his arm cannon flies over the flying Autobot, missing by mere inches. Magnus then collides with Shockwave, driving him backwards before lifting him up and smashing him into the ground. The ground supporting the two explode, sending a shower of rocks and dust flying in all directions, separating them both. The Decepticon Commander clamours back up to his feet. His glowing octogonal chest has been shattered, and the upper 'lip' of his head crushed. Where-as before Shockwave had every advantage, he has now been stirred into desperate action against his foe. Wordlessly, Shockwave crouches and fires another shot from the arm cannon, backing up even as he goes.

Combat: Shockwave misses Ultra Magnus with his Arm Cannon attack! [Pulled -2]

Continuing repairs on himself, Jetfire continues attempting to hide around the meteorite, hoping he can keep himself together long enough to patch up the other Autobots.

Combat: Jetfire quickly patches up some of his minor injuries.

M50 Ontos < Arsenal > transforms to his robot mode since being stuck as an immobile tank doesn't seem very appealing. Arsenal waves a fist at the retreating Predacon, "Scaredy cat!" He steadies himself scanning the battle field and takes aim on a new target. The Insecticon tormenting is pal Kup. With a blast from his right arm rifles he hopes to draw some attention off the old timer.

The M50 Ontos before you begins to twist and contort into the Autobot Arsenal.

Combat: Arsenal sets his defense level to Neutral.

Rodimus Prime is blown off his feet and onto his rear, indeed falling as Galvatron 'commands.' By this point his chest is a smoking ruin, between the damage done to it earlier and the more recent blasts. For a moment, just a moment, he is still... and then he rolls to his side, curled up around his wound. "Whether... whether or not I fall isn't the issue..." He pushes himself to one knee, then brings his foot onto the ground in a crouch, still holding his torso. "It's whether or not I stay down."

And then he pulls himself up completely, feet digging deep into the moon surface to let him propel himself forward, towards his enemy. "And I'm not going to!" he shouts as he charges Galvatron, intending to slam his shoulder into the Decepticon leader with as much force as he can muster.

Combat: Arsenal strikes Ransack with his Single Shot Arm Rifle (Pistol) attack!

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his I Get Knocked Down But I Get UP Again attack!

Swoop throws his arms up in the air and lets out a hoot. "Me Swoop am greatest! Me Swoop am bestest! Me Swoop am KING! Hahaha! Look! Look at stupid Predacon run!" He cups his hands around his mouth and hollers, "RUN, COWARD, RUN!" Aahh...good times. But now it's time for work. As per radio orders, Swoop puts his sword away and begins a sprint towards Nightbeat (or what's left of him at least).

"Hey! Hey! NIGHTBEAT!" he screams as he looms over the detective's fallen body. "If you can hear me Swoop, me want you to know that me taking you to safety now! EVERYTHING GOING TO BE OH KAY!" The Dinobot bends down and hefts the mostly limbless Nightbeat up and sort of slumps him over a shoulder. Then, like a madman, he begins another mad sprint away from the battle.

After about two minutes, he sprints back. "Oops! Me forgot head guy!" And so he takes the little Muzzle up in his hand and continues.

Kup coughs up oil as the sword tears into his guts, and to make things worse, Ransack blasts him from behind with explosive rounds, tearing great chunks of metal out of his back. "Unnh... nnh.." Kup leans forward, placing a hand on Cyclonus's shoulder, as if to brace himself. "Not... the first time... I heard that..." Summoning his last reserves of strength, Kup's face fills with fury and he reaches for Cyclonus's head, attempting to grab him by his chin and by one of the prongs on his head. "Even if you... take me out... I ain't goin' down easy!" Then, the old mech attempts to violently wrench Cyclonus's head into a position it really shouldn't be in.

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Kup misses Cyclonus with his Worst Chiropractor Ever attack!

Nightbeat cannot hear Swoop at all. Neither can Muzzle. Muzzle would be very thankful to Swoop for remembering him, though. Space is a cold, harsh, mistress, and his suit only contains so much air.

Ultra Magnus loses his foe for but a moment in the sudden upheavel of debris, the cloud surrounding them blinds him and almost costs him his life. Through the haze and dust he sees the gleam of Shockwave's chest, sees the light and energy build within the barrel of his weapon. It gives him the warning he needs to be able to fling his weightless bulk out of the firing line. The errent blast sears through the moon's surface, further clouding the area surrounding the two.

Seeking to take advantage of the concealment, Magnus attempts to draw himself up and quietly maneuver around to Shockwave's flank hoping that the purple menace had somehow lost him in the ensuing chaos of unleashing his weaponry. When next shockwave would plainly see Magnus he would be coming out of the haze that surrounds them, optics ablaze with determination, face a lip drawn scowl. He trys to manhandle Shockwave again, reaching out to grab hold of him and draw him closer to his upthrusting knee.

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes Shockwave with his Magna Knee (Kick) attack!

Combat: You took 11 damage.

Combat: Ultra Magnus's attack has damaged your Accuracy!

Cyclonus is a terribly slippery opponent when it comes to melee. Despite being a ranged fighter, the Unicronian's agility is noteworthy; and he raises both hands to grasp Kup's own; fingers attempting to thread through the other's and push back against him -- mano on mano, strength to strength. At the very least he succeeds in avoiding getting his neck snapped. For a moment he pushes against the Elder Autobot; his blue face close to the other's gray one; optics narrowed and a hiss forming across his lips. "It seems almost a pity to kill one with such a glorious record. Perhaps the surviving Autobots will build a monument to your name, once I am done with you!" He lowers a hand, attempting to grasp the hilt of his still-impaled sword. "Out of respect, from one warrior to another -- I shall make your end as quick and painless as possible!" And with that he attempts to snatch his sword back violently, and probably tear out a good deal more insides.

Combat: Cyclonus strikes Kup with his Hey now gimmie that back. (Kick) attack!

Rodimus rips into Galvatron with his forward press -- it's not just that Rodimus' shoulder hits him, it's the spike of Rodimus' fin, ripping into the previously damaged side of the Decepticon leader and tearing a broad lateral slash that threatens to start spilling out vital tubing and servos. "NNNYYYAAARRRGGGHHH!" Galvatron cries, attempting to literally hold himself together, swatting at Rodimus distractedly. He launches into the sky, clutching his belly, energon leaking liberally from the grievous wound. "NEXT TIME, PRIME -- /NEXT TIME/!"

Combat: Galvatron begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Ultra Magnus, Arsenal, Rampage, Rodimus Prime, Cyclonus, Ransack, Jetfire, and Shockwave

Ransack stumbles forward, the shot coming from out of nowhere as far as he could tell. "All right, someone /else/ wants to be scrapped? Fine by me!" His head pivots around, looking for the source of the attack before finally spotting the 'bot Rampage was playing with earlier. "Gotcha! Time to show you what happens with you mess with an Insecticon!" Ransack lunges at Arsenal, transforming in mid-air and landing on the Autobot with a powerful kick from his grasshopper legs.

Ransack's limbs fold as he falls forward onto his locust form's legs.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Arsenal with his Leg Strike attack!

Shockwave pivots on one foot, unable to locate Ultra Magnus through all the kicked up dust, which will take ages to settle. He spies motion out of the corner of his optic and whirls, firing a second arm cannon blast. Whatever it was, it wasn't Ultra Magnus. He catches another glimpse of what might be Ultra Magnus. This time it is, but this time it's far too late as the giant Autobot leaps through the fog and slams into Shockwave with all his mass. The pair go flying, tumbling across the giant Death Star-like crater. Shockwave catches a knee to the chest, smashing the other side of his glass-like octogonal chest. Little purple shards float off away from the pair, and the Decepticon has to wrench himself out of Ultra Magnus's grasp. "Odds of success have -*shhzzht*- reached lower threshold," Shockwave states in a staticy voice as he floats away from Ultra Magnus. He hears Galvatron's transmission about 'next time' and knows how to interpret that. "Decepticons, I am withdrawing from the field of battle." With that announcement, he shifts into his ray gun mode and speeds away from this Primus-forsaken asteroid.

Shockwave's arms and legs connect into a barrel and handle as he shifts into Ray Gun mode.

Combat: Ray Gun < Shockwave > begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Decepticons, support Galvatron and aid the retreat. This facility will be re-taken at a later date."

< Decepticon > Ransack says, "Yes sir!"

As he finishes off his own patch job, Jetfire keeps on his feet. His radio pipes up as he continues to rest.

< Decepticon > Galvatron says, "NNNNNNNHHHHHHH"

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

Kup's guts are ripped out along with the sword, and like a tired boxer, he falls forward, trying to wrap his arms around him so that he doesn't have to use too much energy standing up. "Awful... polite of you..." Kup grunts. "But I don't need a Decepticon doin' me no favors!" Then, he attempts another savage headbutt, though it is more likely to knock himself out at this point!

Combat: Kup misses Cyclonus with his Smash attack!

Rodimus Prime watches Galvatron retreat, then turns and scans the battlefield, seeing that Shockwave has also withdrawn, leaving only Ransack and Cyclonus. On the other hand, his own troops are hurting badly as well, and extending the battle risks them. He himself badly damaged at this point, but he still stands determidly in the low gravity. Without warning he lifts his weapon and fires a low-powered shot at Cyclonus. /After/ the shot is fired, he declares, "That's the only warning you're going to get, Cyclonus!"

Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Neutral.

Swoop is still on the run with Nightbeat and his head. "Hrrmm..You Nightbeat sort of heavy. Me bet you be heavier with arms and legs, but you still pretty heavy. Eventually he reaches another crater. Perfecto! He pokes over the edge and very carefully slides down untill he hits the bottom, at which point he plops the Autobot and his little buddy down. "Hrrmm..if only me Swoop knew repair stuffs."

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Cyclonus with his Low Powered 'Warning' Shot attack! [Pulled -9]

Nightbeat needs to stop drinking all those high-energy fuels. Maybe then he would weigh less.

Arsenal yearghs again as the kick lands squarely in his mid-section. His already battered and beaten armor tears open sparks showering from the wound. He staggers back a few steps coughing and wretching up energon. "What? You get fried?" Arsenal has no fear of bugs and lets loose with his right side of rifles his left arm clutching his mid-section.

Combat: Arsenal misses Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Triple Righty Shot (Laser) attack!

Ultra Magnus, with Shockwave and Galvatron in sudden retreat, allows himself to feel his injuries. A hand clamps over a still sizzling wound born from Shockwave's earlier shot. He's sucking proverbial wind.. Proverbial because there is a decided lack of actual wind at the present time.

Combat: Ultra Magnus sets his defense level to Neutral.

Cyclonus leans back against Kup as he leans against him; sidestepping to put the old timer's back as close to the Autobots firing at him as possible. In effort, trying to use the old timer as cover as much as he can. While Kup is looking like a punch drunk boxer, Cyclonus is out for murder today. As he spies Galvatron retreating over his shoulder in the way that only Galvatron can he speaks into his radio and gives the order to retreat himself -- and yet stands fast, meaning to give cover to Shockwave and the others around him. First in, last out as always. But that presents the problem of what to do with Kup?

He steps back slowly, trying to get Kup to follow him as he puts that one or two steps between him and the rest of the Autobots. He half turns, about to retreat himself when his face curtails into utterly cruel malice and he rotates; levelling his pistol at Kup and squeezing off another shot -- foolishly braving the Autobot return fire in exchange for one more attempt to level the old timer.

Combat: Cyclonus strikes Kup with his Oxidizing Laser attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Kup's Agility. (Crippled)

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > dashes forward on his spindly legs under the shots, letting them pass over entirely as he leaps up again, this time directly in Arsenal's face. In fact, his ugly insect mug is right in the Autobot's faceplate, which is exactly what inspires the locust to have another quick snack.

Combat: Gigantic Locust < Ransack > strikes Arsenal with his Chomp attack!

Feeling rested up, Jetfire makes a run towards Ultra Magnus. Seeing the City Commander taking a breather, Jetfire quickly begins to patch up some of the damage. Pushing his hands into Ultra Magnus's chest, he patches a work around some of the damage internal systems. Then Jetfire fills in some of the damaged armor with his new polymer. "Best I can do in short notice, Ultra Magnus."

Combat: Jetfire quickly patches up some of Ultra Magnus's minor injuries.

Kup's chest is blown open from the laser blast, but even with his internal components exposed, the old codger refuses to give in. He swings a punch aimlessly at Cyclonus, but only succeeds in unbalancing himself and collapsing.

Combat: Kup misses Cyclonus with his Punch attack!

Rodimus Prime /did/ say that was the only warning he was going to give, didn't he?

When the veteran is blasted, and then falls down, his optics widen in fear not for himself, but for his mentor. "KUP!" he shouts over the shortrange, then begins to charge towards Cyclonus. "You asked for it, Decepticon," he growls, voice low and rasping as he fires again, this time a higher-powered blast.

Combat: Rodimus Prime misses Cyclonus with his Leave The Geezer Alone! attack! [Pulled -5]

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Ransack. You will be permitted a /very/ rare honor."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "When I transform, you have roughly two seconds to get on board."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Otherwise, you are on your own. Am I clear?"

< Decepticon > Ransack says, "Crystal clear, sir! Believe me, I don't wanna be stuck here with these odds."

< Decepticon > Cyclonus says, "Astute."

Arsenal is damaged badly he's still hacking up energon and clutching his midsection with his left arm. The insecticon takes a hunk out of his helmet exposing the all too vulnerable head wiring. The damage is severe as some systems begin to shut down. This bots not quite out of the fight but he's close. "I said they get fried!" He musters the courage to continue and opens fire with his right set of rifles at max capacity hopefully nailing the point blank range Insecticon.

Combat: Arsenal sets his defense level to Fearless.

Ultra Magnus attempts to ward off the treatments of Jetfire only to still his protests and let Jetfire do his work. "Thank you, Jetfire. now see what you can do for Arsenal!" he orders, a hand gestured towards the minibot and his current insect problem. He himself gets to his feet and takes aim, sighting down the barrel of his weapon. His gun might not have the Firepower of Prime's.. but it would serve well enough to 'gently' coax Cyclonus into not abusing the elderly any further.

< Decepticon > Rippersnapper says, "Wipe your feet and don't slam the door."

Combat: Ultra Magnus strikes Cyclonus with his Laser Blaster attack!

Combat: Arsenal strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his Right Arm Fury attack! [Pulled -3]

Swoop decides that Nightbeat and Muzzle are pretty good. Sort of. Okay, they're looking death in the face, but it's not like they're in any more danger then they were before. Swoop transforms into his pretty tight Pterosaur mode and takes off out of the crater to, you know, do something useful. Oh hey, check that out; another robot picking on Arsenal. GEEZUS, ARSENAL! Sooo popular today. Everyone's favorite Dinobot (not Grimlock) swoops down at the Insecticon, jaws spread and hellbent on snatching a chunk off his armor.

Swoop turns into a flying dinosaur!

Combat: Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > strikes Gigantic Locust < Ransack > with his OMNOMNOM :O (Kick) attack!

Cyclonus wrenches himself to the side; seperating himself from Kup as Rodimus fires on him -- the blast impacting into the ground and creating a glass crater in the moon beneath his feet. He speaks into his radio, brandishing his sword high over his head in both hands and lunges for the fallen Autobot. He streaks forward at a full run, the sword coming down in a vicious, glittering arc in an effort to decapitate.

sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccKABLAM

Cyclonus looses his footing completely as the shot that he didn't see strikes him in the center of the body, punching through already damaged armor. Immediatly, he begins leaking radiation into the area as he drops to his knees, then his hands and knees; fluids bubbling away from him in the light gravity.

"Another time, Old Timer! Your friends have bought your life for a short time longer! But one day, your age and obselescence /will/ catch up to you!" And then, rather than stand up he simply transforms and accelerates, leaving Kup behind as he heads towards where Ransack is fighting. Canopy open, he hovers there for just a second before booking it under full afterburner -- hopefully with Ransack on board.

Transforming into his starfighter mode, Cyclonus is backlit by the eerie blue glow of nuclear-powered turbines as they come online.

(And Rampage)

Combat: Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

Gigantic Locust < Ransack > is blown away from his meal, hitting the ground on his back and bouncing a little in the weak gravity. Bad enough, but then losing part of his thorax armor in mid-air? That's /rough/. The locust lets out a cry of anger as he transforms back into his robot mode quickly, glares at the Dinobot and...promptly flies over as fast as he can to Cyclonus, climbing into the open cockpit. He's /done/ with this place.

Ransack's humanoid legs unfold as he stands up, shifting into his robot mode.

Combat: Ransack begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Robot Pteranodon < Swoop >, Ultra Magnus, Arsenal, Rampage, Rodimus Prime, Cybertronian Starfighter < Cyclonus > , and Ray Gun < Shockwave >

Kup tries to grab at Cyclonus's ankle while the Decepticon retreats, but he's not fast enough, and even if he was, he couldn't have possibly held on to him in his current condition. "Frag... you!" he spits out.

Rodimus Prime keeps running towards the spot where Cyclonus /was/... because that's the spot where Kup still is. As he runs, he returns his rifle to subspace. He tries to slide to his knees next to Kup... and overshoots, and so has to scramble back to the veteran. By the time this happens, however, Kup is swearing again, causing the Prime to breath a sigh of relief that would be audible were there an atmosphere. He looks around. Nightbeat has fallen, but was recovered. Everyone else is injured, but still conscious, and the Autobots are the clear victors. "Good job, Autobots," he tells them, even as he checks on Kup's status.

On seeing the Decepticons retreat, Jetfire drops down to one knee. "The battle has been won." Jetfire looks down at his own shell and shakes his head. "Its going to take a lot of time to fix all this battle damage... and I still need to figure out what happened to my cannon."

Combat: Rodimus Prime runs a diagnostic check on Kup

Combat: Rodimus Prime prepares Kup for surgery, his COMBAT flag has been waived.

Combat: Rodimus Prime expertly repairs Kup's injuries.

Combat: Rodimus Prime is able to repair some of Kup's internal systems damage.

Combat: Jetfire runs a diagnostic check on Nightbeat

Jetfire transforms into his Super Veritech Fighter < Jetfire > mode.

Kup grins up at Rodimus, despite looking like absolute hell. "*Kaff* So we beat 'em, huh? Good, I hope those purple bastards are steamin' about it back at their HQ. Heheheh. Eh, and don't worry about this, lad. I've gotten worse than this."

Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > would totally give Arsenal a high five if he had hands in this mode.

Arsenal is battered and beaten but still able to stand. His internal systems are flashing red warnings all over the place. His right legg is beaten badly he favors it and keeps most of his weight on his left legg. He's gripping the tear in his mid-section with his left arm still and part of his helmet has been bitten off. He wretches up more energon his insides having took a pounding.

< Decepticon > Give him some catnip Rampage says, "Medic?"

Arsenal could high five with his right arm I suppose. :P

< Decepticon > Dredclaw chuckles, "I've got your medic right here, Predacon."

Ransack moves in on the planet Saturn, becoming little more than a speck after a few moments.

Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > totally feels like a jerk because he managed to get through this entire battle without a single scratch on him. He coughs to break the awkwardness he's feeling.

< Decepticon > Give him some catnip Rampage says, "Good."

Rodimus Prime grins down at Kup and nods. "I know, old timer, I know." At this point he is gathering up the pieces so that he can help get the veteran onto the Jetfire. < fade-out for Roddo. >

Combat: Kup sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Swoop sets his defense level to Neutral.

Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > forces Arsenal into helping him load Nightbeat onto Jetfire, despite the fact he feels like crap ): < GET TO WORK, MINIBOT.

Arsenal reluctantly helps but can barely walk himself.

Robot Pteranodon < Swoop > offers to buy Arsenal a couple rounds of drinks for being an awesome decoy. Unfortunately for him, Swoop has no intention of paying and will probably stick him with the bill.

Arsenal grins and deffinately needs a drink or ten. "Good fight. That cat woulda' sent me to the scrap heap had you not helped out." He hacks up more energon holding his guts still with his left arm a shower of sparks around the wound. He's not much help lugging Nightbeat around since he can only use his right arm and is nearly hopping on one foot.

With an avian roar, Swoop unfolds into his robot mode.

Swoop stares at Arsenal for a few minutes before finally asking, ".....You 'kay?"

Arsenal steadies himself a second he looks as if he could drop over any second now. He hacks up more energon and simply shakes his head 'no'. It's easier for him than coming right out and saying it. He's in terrible shape.

Swoop looks around and coughs a few times. Awwwkwaarddd. "Oh. 'Kay.." He clasps his hands behind his back and whistles. "OH! ME SWOOP TRY REPAIRING YOU!"

Arsenal shakes his head, "No way." He wretches up more energon. "Your not a medic....it aint happenin'."

Swoop shrugs and shakes his head. "Oooookay. If you Arse-guy say so.." He begins to collect pieces of Nightbeat and load them up.

============================ BB Post in Progress =============================

Group: Reports

Title: Decepticons Attack Saturn Moon

--

DECEPTICONS ATTACK SATURN MOON

SAN FRANCISCO - A large Decepticon squadron has attacked an old abandoned and classified Earth Defence Command weapons experiment on Mimas, one of Saturn's moons. An Autobot defence force led by Rodimus Prime fought the Decepticons on the surface of the moon, driving the Decepticons away. Autobot Command stated that the Decepticons had with them numerous members of their upper chain of command, and their goal was likely to gain control of the weapon.

According to an EDC statement, the weapon project had been discontinued. The document goes on to note that bringing it online would require a considerable investment of resources, but declined mentioning whether they or the Autobots would consider doing so as a result of the attack.

Autobot City Commander Ultra Magnus told the press, "The Autobots will do their utmost to stave off this new offensive push into the Earth home solar system." When asked if Autobot Command was taking this as a sign of a new Decepticon offensive, Magnus said, "The Decepticons have long held interest in Earth and it's surrounding planets. To say that this is a renewed effort on their part would be incorrect. We do now believe that the Decepticons will be searching for something specific. Anything beyond that I am not at liberty to say."

Mimas is the smallest known natural object in the solar system to form a rounded shape due to its own gravity. Its rocky surface is covered with craters. The exact details of the Mimas installation remain classified.

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