Predaking attacks base Vigilance

Transformers 2K5 - Prowl - mercredi, octobre 15, 2014, 12:11 -

Grayglint's Gorge - Thunderhead Pass - Nova Cronum

The Thunderhead Pass is a system of jagged cliffs rising up above deep chasms filled with a strange smog. Of the sparse civilization, there's naught but a few lonely Autobot outposts atop the uneven zigzagging cliff tops of Grayglint's Gorge. Everything is a sullen gray, save for the occasional glint of sterling-like chunks of ore in the cliff face which can been seen through the thick smoke.

Contents: Shockwave Zipline Razorclaw Vigilant Defenses Command Center Vigilance

Sureshot has arrived. Rodimus Prime has arrived. Fireflight has arrived.

Command Center Vigilance was looking good, more importantly it was now protected from artillery fire and orbital bombardments to an extent. The once-firebase now dug into the canyon itself, using a few secret entrances from the gorges nearby to run supplies. Only a sweep ago, Rodimus Prime and the Autobots had made one of those supply runs, only to come across a squadron of Seekers. Whomever gave that command REALLY wanted the firebase to be defenseless and ill supplied, which meant the base needed a tighter guard.

With the matters in Tarn being spearheaded by two of his finest, and Tyrest's incident being looked at by others as well, Rodimus found himself in the field at Vigilance. He walks down the lower tunnels of the base, talking to a few gumbies who are assigned there. "...so it turns out a turborat devoured the processor, and scampered off with it. But he ate it whole. Which meant it was still active...when the rat was in range. It'd scamper by, then suddenly those orders we gave eight months before would suddenly go active, missiles were armed, red alerts went up, then suddenly it all went back to code green. The rat left the area, you see."

One of the gumbies manages a quizzical look, "How'd you fix it?" Rodimus laughs, "Kup climbed up in there, covered in axle grease, barehanded...he comes out two days later, with the turborat unharmed, held by its tail." With the amusing story told, Rodimus takes his leave of the others, returning to above ground. Down below, Nova Cronum, home of philosophers, was still under Decepticon control. Apprehensively he crosses his arms, as he reflects on the city, and its inhabitants...

The last few days near Nova Cronum have been relatively quiet... maybe two quiet. If anything it only had the Autobots stationed at their recently upgraded outpost more on edge than ever. Razorclaw was not a Decepticon to make empty threats, so it was more likely that the calm was before a brewing storm... even if that calm seemed to be stretching into cycles... days...

Then it finally happened. A ping on Vigilance's radar, picking up a large craft approaching from near orbital altitude! Was this it? Were the Decepticons going to try and kill-sat the outpost like they had its predacessor? Would the new shields be able to hold as promised they wou--wait a minut! That craft isn't slowing down, it's passing over the area.

And as the attendants crowd around the screen in bewilderment a new ping appears. Another large one, different one... and its coming down almost right for Vigilance itself! Commands are hit and orders are shouted, sending off a frenzy of alarms blaring throughout the station as technicians scramble to get the forcefield up! Would the Decepticons be so vicious as to skip the orbital lasers and try to drop a bomb on the region?

Or maybe they'll wish it was just a bomb. While staff scrambles to ready the defenses a deafening THOOM that is almost an explosion in itself thunders across the region, a cloud of metallic dust erupting a distance too close for comfort from where the object of considerable size and mass impacted with Cybertron's surface, mingling with steam hissing off of heat from athmospheric descent. The cloud billows around a bit, then gets partially dispersed as an equally thunderous mechanical roar bellows from within it, and the gold-lined wings spreading their massive span through the cloud. A massive foot slams to the ground stepping out of the crater made in landfall, and the all too familiar and frightening form of red, black and gold emerges from the settle debris, footfalls continuing to rumble the ground to a lesser degree in strides towards Vigiliance.

Forget orbital strikes, the Decepticons just *orbital dropped* a *monster* onto the Autobot's front lawn!

Predaking has arrived.

Rumble arrives from the Plaza to the east. Rumble has arrived.

Combat: Vigilant Defenses creates a forcefield shielding itself from damage.

 Bunkerbuster says, "Commander, we've got a serious ping coming in."

 Rodimus Prime says, "Can you make it out?"

 Sureshot says, "I'm in the area. What ever it is, I'll shoot its head off and we can go back to the base to take a drink."

 A cacophany of noise and static fills the open channel for several moments.

 Rodimus Prime says, "Found it."

 Sureshot says, "*tap*tap*tap is this thing working?"

 Prowl says, "There was a strong chance of the Decepticons pressing after the supply run we made."

Dustoff has arrived.

In a ridiculously complicated series of twists, turns, and noises, Dustoff transforms into a STORM SRT-V.

 Rodimus Prime says, "Autobots, this is Rodimus. We need assistance at Vigilance on the double.  If you're at an armory, grab whatever anti-combiner weaponry you can, and get in motion.  All non-military personell, start stage one of the evacuation protocols into the tunnels.  The rest of you, hold tight.  We're not giving this up without a fight!"

Sureshot happens to be in the area and he quickly makes his way towards Vigilance as soon as he receives the warning. His optics survey the sky and it's not long before he spots incoming massive orange robot. As Predaking lands, he glances towards his weapon, "Urg. I'm gonna need a bigger gun..." A moment later, Spoilsport's voice replies, "Shut up and do something useful!"

 Swoop says, "Swoop would come help them autobots, but... Swoop have big hole in wing from last fight. Angry lady in hospital not let Swoop fight."

 Zipline says, "You got it, big boss! Be back to Vigilance in two tail-shakes!"

Actually Prowl has not left yet. He is still there from the supply run a few days ago. He needs to have a chat with Arcee about the final ops in Tarn but for the moment he is here. "I cannot say I was looking forward to this but there was a 94% chance of the Decepticons pushing and an 87% chance of Razorclaw taking it personal." The Autobot readies his weapon and begins running scenarios and compiling data. He decides not to share the odds of success.

F-4C Phantom II  toodles through the sky, his ventral multi-camera turret scanning the ground seemingly at random. "Hey, that's where a Seeker crashed! You can still see the scorch marks. And there's where Prime was stuck on a barricade..." the camera zooms in... "Yup! Still some rubber there." The camera swivels around some more. "That scorch mark looks a little like Steelj--" he cuts off as something huge barely misses him, and the Phantom is hurled end-over-end through the atmosphere. "AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" After a bit of time and a frightening loss of altitude, he regains control, and starts scanning madly. "What was tha... oh. Yikes." He claws for altitude, and banks right as he does so.

 Fireflight says, "I'm close, Prime. Almost too close, a second ago."

No one ever likes it when things are quiet; it only means that things can and possibly will become very noisy and chaotic very fast. Zipline, for one, doesn't really like it when it's quiet. It probably comes from hanging around a bunch of noisy, music blaring bots all the time. But whenever things are quiet, she tends to get out her turbo-bunny foot and rubs it for good luck, 'cause things are probably going to get nasty sometime soon.

If only she had her lucky turbo-bunny foot with her now.

The little yellow cheetah bot was running a scouting mission when the blip came on the radar. Literally running, that is; pushing the limits of her movement systems to avoid decepticon detection. Just go figure that the 'cons would pull something while she was on patrol. She screetches to a halt when the call comes in, kicking up a dustcloud behind her. "Seriosuly!? Of all the... Deceptilosers have the WORST timing!"

After a quick recalibration of her systems, Zipline turns about. Then like a shot, she does the opposite of what most people would do when faced with a combiner; Run straight back to where it is.

 Rodimus Prime says, "Alright Bots, welcome to Rod's anti-combiner training. First things first, stay at range.  Predaking's incredibly dangerous, but he's even more dangerous in melee.  Use whatever weaponry have.  Both myself and the base itself have extra mounted weapons.  Predaking also has his own forcefield, if you see that pop up, hit it with whatever you can.  It'll eat up energon faster like that than trying to punch through that armor."

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Rumble was out patrolling some distance away over another part of Nova Cronum when he...couldn't help but notice the sudden appearance of PREDAKING way over by the Gorge area. He flails around in excitement for a moment, then makes a beeline for the gorge as fast as his tiny little self can travel. "This can only mean one thing. It means someone's about to get BEAT DOWN. An' if someone's gettin' beat down, I don't miss it for nothin'," he says to no one in particular.

Y'all didn't think the Decepticons would just drop a Predaking on Nova Cronum without some sort of logistical support, did ya? Well...in all honesty, they probably would, just because it's Predaking. But, still, Nova Cronum's one of those areas Dustoff was assigned to for some Independant Duty, so he ain't about to let anything go down in his area without getting a good look on. Time permitting... The SRT-V cruises along, following the trajectory of the orbital Predaking bombardment, running through his weapons-checks as he goes. << Alright y'all, got some nice snacks an' a good bit o' supplies t' carry us through)]. Jus' give a holler when ya think yer too broke or out o' ammo, eh? >> He downshifts, tires squealing as they lose traction from the sudden acceleration, speakers coming on to blast some music. "Let's get this started!"

Combat: Storm SRT-V  sets his defense level to Protected.

Predaking stomps towards Vigilance with little visible concern for the defenses that start to activate around the base. Unless someone takes control of them they are not much threat to the titan. His focus is on his primary objective. Though the prey was of a different sort tonight, something that would be a challenge to crack open instead of something trying to run away. Autobot grunts scatter from his path like ants. The other Decepticons are given little regard other than 'things not to step on'.

Undaunted, unfrightened, unconcerned with the defenders preparing themselves. Until they make a threat of themselves, uncaring towards. As he steps up to the perimeter of where the forcefield wraps down around the base Predaking stops for a moment. Huge hands clench into fists like wrecking balls, as he draws back one arm fading evening light glints off the vicious spikes adorning the behemoth's knuckles. And then the fist comes down, slamming into the field with enough force that it sends visible waves of energy rippling across the surface.

Combat: Predaking sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Predaking strikes Vigilant Defenses with his KNOCK KNOCK (Punch) attack! Combat: Vigilant Defenses's forcefield absorbs Predaking's attack.

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Music starts playing, the moment Predaking starts forward... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5U6-R9d-hc&index=7&list=PLF539D1452F98756F Sureshot looks at his weapon and comments, "Ok. Now you listen to me. All combiners have a soft spot, it's just a matter of finding it and then hitting it. I can manage that part just fine. YOU scan him to find the spot and I'll..." That's when Spoilsport cuts him, "Why don't you scan him while, /I/ handle the shooting..."

"You little..." starts Sureshot but before he can add anything, his weapon aims itself at Predaking and fires right towards his face. Combat: Sureshot strikes Predaking with his Double Barreled Laser Cannon attack!

Prowl makes a dash for some form of cover and takes aim at the knee. Mobility is everything. IF they can slow the combiner, momentum and balance wil become an issue. Smart plan as any. The Autobot fires a small 3-round burst at Predaking.

F-4C Phantom II 's camera scans around frantically. <> He noses over into level flight, and zooms in on Predaking as he pulls up tracking and telemetry data. <<Oh, actually Predaking's design is a bit newer than the old combiners... he's bigger, the mind-melding is more fluid and less distracting, and... uh... no known weaknesses. I'll do what I can, though.>> "I sure wish the rest of the Aerialbots were here... but at least the Autobots have air superiority for a change." He tightbeams a trajectory and suggested aiming point for Prowl, then noses over into a steep dive.

Combat: Fireflight analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Prowl can exploit.

Combat: Prowl sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Prowl strikes Predaking with his Acid-Pellet Rifle attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: Removing analysis data for Predaking.

Combat: Drained 14 energon.

For just a moment, Rodimus' shoulders sunk upon seeing the massive gestalt land, his very appearance more than enough to rattle the Autobots to their lasercore, and why not? One of the single most devastating engines of destruction ever created had just announced himself, and was more than ready to lay low the Autobot command center. <<Steady Bots! We can persevere this, we just need to play it smart. Operations, shut down all auxiliary systems, focus all energon to weapons and shields. Standard Military personal, focus your fire! All others, we get out there and we flank him, make him work harder and break his focus. >>

He leaps forwards, turning into his large techtruck, his trailer latching in behind him moments before he goes roaring out into the fray, leading the ground charge. <<Let's show these guys that Nova Cronum's going to get liberated, and we're not taking no for an answer! Forward! >> Smoke billows out of his exhaust pipes as he starts to circle around Predaking. " Autobots, time to put the cat out!"

Combat: Rodimus Prime inspires Prowl, F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>, Zipline, and Sureshot with moving and noble words! Combat: You feel more courageous!

A lot of scouts are silent when they move. Not Zipline! Her paws hit the ground rapidly with no regard for how loud each step is, metal clattering against hard metal. It takes her slightly longer than a few shakes of her tail to arrive at the base of the chasm where Vigilance stands. She doesn't slow down, instead quickly leaping up a series of outcroppings, one after the other. Then finally, at the top, she lunges right up and on the edge of the edge. Her cannon materializes as soon as she lands, her remaining momentum making the extending barrel slide out.

"I'm gone for like, ten minutes, and you losers have just got to show up. You're as bad as door-to-door salesmen!" She complains, as the cannon begins to charge. "Seriously getting under my fur! ... If I had any!" She levels the cannon at Predaking's chest and fires, sending the spinning slug in a straight line at the monstrosity.

Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Protected.

Combat: Zipline strikes Predaking with her We Don't Want What You're Selling attack! [Pulled -3]

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Rumble eventually arrives, and he looks around gleefully, like a kid in a candy store. Just...too many good things going on. While all the Autobots are busy with trying their hardest at bringing down Predaking, Rumble decides to...be a little sneaky, and look to see if there's anything around like unguarded weapons or energon that's worth stealing. He doesn't have traditional stealth, but he's counting on a little bit of 'distraction factor' from the battle.

Combat: Rumble sets his defense level to Guarded.

Predaking takes a large step back as he withdraws from the punch, and that's when the Autobots finally swarm in on the towering warmachine. Lasers glance along his upper body, potmarking the panels of Razorclaw's mane composing his chest and getting precariously close to the gestalt's own head. A shot from the approaching Zipline thumps against his back, while from the other Fireflight's spotting helps Prowl score a direct hit where the acid of his shots can seep in through some armor joints.

The titan takes another step back as his split-second threat analysis kicks in. It's so fast that it is indistinguishable from instinct in appearance. His focus is on the base still, so it shifts to take into account the Autobot's nearest it -- excluding the cassette-cat approaching from behind then, and the Aerialbot that is airborn. The rest are treated to hell being unleashed as Predaking opens fire with his mortar guns, attempting to scatter the Autobots and soften up those shields farther before he goes back to beating on them physically. Savage and brutal yes, but there wasn't entirely without consideration to some basic tactics when it came to Predaking being involved.

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Here he comes, Autobots, Move!"

Combat: Predaking sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Predaking strikes Vigilant Defenses with his Twin Mortar Launchers Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Vigilant Defenses's forcefield absorbs Predaking's attack. Combat: Predaking strikes Rodimus Prime with his Twin Mortar Launchers Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Predaking strikes Prowl with his Twin Mortar Launchers Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Predaking (Predaking) used "Twin Mortar Launchers": A Level 3 AREA-RANGED attack. Combat: You took 12 damage. Combat: Predaking strikes Sureshot with his Twin Mortar Launchers Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Your attack continues to damage Predaking

Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> skids to a halt as everyone opens up on Predaking, cannisters along his chassis dropping into place before loud 'THUNKTHUNKTHUNK' noises fill the air. The cannisters fly, exploding halfway to the ground to send up a nice screen of dust and smoke. << Alright y'all, IR signatures while we give th' brute some space t' work. Have at 'em, PK, let m' know which gnats need t' get squished. >>

Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Rodimus Prime with his Dust Storm Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Sureshot with his Dust Storm Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Prowl with his Dust Storm Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> (Dustoff) used "Dust Storm": A Level 0 AREA-RANGED attack. Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Zipline with his Dust Storm Area attack!

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Looks like Predaking's not alone here. I need bodies to distract them.  We've got to focus fire.  If you're low on Energon, use the base defenses, just remember the more that we use there, the less the forcefield can hold."

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Sureshot attempts to duck for cover but a mortar shell explodes near him and sends him bowling into a wall. "uuuurrrrggg. Did someone got that truck's license number?" Slowly he gets back on his feet and looks up at Predaking, nothing paying attention to the cloud of dust raised by some nameless Decepticon. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall" he shouts while aiming at Predaking's knee. Combat: Sureshot strikes Predaking with his Leg Shot attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Predaking's Agility. (Crippled)

Prowl is knocked back by the exploding mortar rounds. The Autobot shakes off the ringing and uses his HUD to scan Predaking for soft spots and relay the information to a collegue. "Indeed, there are more Decepticons in the area. Keep your optics opened and relay cooridinates." Combat: Prowl analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Sureshot can exploit. Combat: Drained 4 energon.

As Rodimus roars out into battle, he notes Predaking's mortars shifting into position. Despite his warning, just about everyone got a taste of the explosive damage the behemoth had at his disposal. Sand and grit get caught in his vision for a moment. "Urk." In doing so, he misses Rumble, actually swerving away from him in fear he was a Bot. Windshield wipers are turned on, clearing his vision. He shifts back to his root form, slamming his feet to the turf with authority. << Sappers, please tell me you've got charges still. We're going with plan 'Drawbridge'..." He eyes the gorge wall, <<...at point 1.13.2 I need thirty feet readied. Tell me the moment you've got it done! >>

Having fully flanked Predaking for the moment, Rodimus draws up his mighty Photon Eliminator, and takes a bead on him. Electricity gathers around the barrel as he opens fire, a powerful shot intent on discouraging the gestalt from focused attacks...on anyone other than him at least.

The thump wasn't as satisfying as Zipline had thought. Optics glare up at the edge of her cannon, "What gives? Stupid thing's on the fritz!" But no time to worry about the energy clog. She'll just have to force that open later. The extended barrel slides back as Zipline leaps off into a run. She speeds up along behind Predaking, staying just out of his vision - And far away from his feet. Her optics are on his back, scanners flicking on.

"Weaknesses, weaknesses, where are the weaknesses..." The smoke and dust is barely noticed as she runs past, her low to the ground stature keeping her under the screen. She growls a little, struggling to find anything that looks remotely like a soft spot on Predaking's armor. ... But maybe that energy line... "Package for you, boss. Don't say I never got you anything!" She beams to Rodimus, alongside a detailed positioning of an overcharged energy line just ripe for shooting at. Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Zipline analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Rodimus Prime can exploit. Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Predaking with his Don't Get Eliminated! attack! [Pulled -4]

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> pulls out of his dive, doing a half loop and a little more, ending up upside down. He flips back over and scans the area frantically with his cameras, searching for the source of fire through the dust and debris kicked up by the mortar fire and... whatever it was that peppered around the groundbound Autobots. "Infrared and... there you are." He zooms in on Dustoff, then back out again, and over to Rumble. "Hey, they make an equilateral triangle! What are the odds of that? Well, discounting the difference in elevation, of course. Probably better odds, since they're not on a flat plane. I think? I mean, nothing special about a flat plane, probablisti--AACK!" He barely jukes away from a craggy outcropping. He twirls upward, and his throttle and flightstick ram foward, sending him in a steep dive into the crevasse, right toward Predaking. The selector lever on the flightstick clicks over to -G-, and a rain of shell casings pepper his approach trajectory, while flickers of light from his recessed chaingun flash out along with a few hundred rounds of 20mm cannon.

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> strikes Predaking with his M61 Vulcan attack! [Pulled -2]

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Fireflight, concentrate!"

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Combat: Rumble sets his defense level to Neutral.

<Autobot> Fireflight says, "Roger, Prime! The two additional targets look like Rumble at 78 degrees, 439 meters, and Dustoff, at 138 degrees, 439 meters.  Azimuth and range from Predaking, not the base.  Pretty neat, huh?"

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Just super, Fireflight."

Rumble locates a spare ammo charge, and he quickly loads it into his laser-rifle. "Finders keepers!" he exclaims, snickering nastily as his weapons recharge. He takes pride in being a rotten little thief! "Let's test this out...heheh." Still grinning, he fires off a 'test shot' in Sureshot's direction. Combat: Rumble misses Sureshot with his High-Intensity Pulse Laser (Laser) attack!

Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> sighs and watches as, well, nothing works. Must be expired canisters... He makes a note to restock those later once he gets back to base and transforms, dropping his pack beside him and hitting the big button that conveniently says 'CHARGE'. The indicator begins to rise and the medic smirks, pulling out his rifle. "Alright then, 's time t' get things goin' proper." He drops to a knee, sighting down and smirking as he pulls the trigger. "Boom." In a series of physics-defying turns, twists, and noises, the Storm SRT-V transforms into Cowboy Dustoff! Combat: Dustoff sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Dustoff strikes Sureshot with his Time for a little snipe huntin' (Laser) attack!

After a brief firing the mortars stop, exhaust hissing around Predaking's ankles as cooling ducts vent heat away from the weapons built into his feet. What a strange location for big launchers. Though when you think about it, it does put them closer to the level of what their usual targets are -- ground bound Autobots. Looks like they did pretty good at that.

Other Decepticons present. Friend/Foe analysis is given a larger portion of processing to prevent any 'accidents', though it's up to them to not get in his way in case he starts unloading attacks that can't be aimed precisely... which tends to be a lot when it comes to combiners.

Erratic vulcan fire stitchs across the combiner's form. Sureshot lives up to his name, pegging the right leg just behind the bull-head kneecap. Damage in itself is minimal but sparks fly as it tears through a few motor actuators. The disruption of stability is minor but it's enough to cause a flinch in Predaking's focus as he shifts his gargantuant mass to accomidate. Which is just the opening Rodimus Prime needs to, along with some help from Zipline, wails into him with the energy blast, sending cascades of sparks crackling along Predaking's form.

It's enough harm to actually split some attention from the base, realizing that Rodimus Prime is here and thus the highest threat to the monster's intended destruction. Shifting away from the damaged leg Predaking turns towards the Prime, lifting his right arm as he does so. The 'pack' mounted on it opens up, vents thrumming as the barrel extends out into place. Energized dots speckling around the muzzle give Rodimus a few precious seconds to reconsider his account that Predaking is less dangerous at range before a sheering beam of irradiant energy erupts from the cannon at him.

Combat: Predaking misses Rodimus Prime with his X-Ray Laser Cannon attack! [Pulled -1] Combat: Your attack continues to damage Predaking

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Alright, I need some covering fire. A WHOA!"

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "I mean, I'm going to try to take out his leg, Combiner can't stand, combiner is much less effective."

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<Autobot> Prowl says, "I got your back Sureshot. Focus on Predaking."

Sureshot easily evade a shot from Rumble and he's about to mock the tape when Spoilsport shouts a warning. The targetmaster spins on himself but not fast enough to avoid Dustoff's shot. The impact knocks him a few steps back but at the same times, he raises his weapon and fire a quick shot at the Decepticon medic.

Combat: Sureshot strikes Dustoff with his Double Barreled Laser Cannon attack! [Pulled -2]

<Autobot> Sureshot says, "Roger that."

Prowl notices Sureshot is coming under fire but seems to be holding for now. A quick transmission is received and some targeting data is sent back. Prowl makes his way towards Sureshot to give the guy some better cover.

Combat: Prowl analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Fireflight can exploit. Combat: Drained 4 energon.

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> weaves in and out of a forest of stalagmites, barely avoiding losing paint on several steep turns. Finally able to spare a moment, he pulls up into a steep climb, then applies full rudder, whirling around and pointing down at the ground, and Predaking, once again, this time 180 degrees from his previous attack run. A translucent circle appears over Predaking in Fireflight's viewscreen, dancing all over his black, orange, and yellow form... at least until Prowl's data updates the firing solution, pulling the reticule to the giant death machine's knee and bringing a solid tone. "Music to my ears. Thanks, Prowl! Fox Three!" A firefog missile bursts forward from his left wing as its ramjet engine engages and explosive bolts fire, getting it clear of the Phantom... which also pushes Fireflight's wing up, sending him into an unintended roll. "Whoaoaoaoaoaoaoa!" he yells as he spirals up and to the right.

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> sets his defense level to Aggressive. Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> strikes Predaking with his Fire-Fog Missile attack! Combat: Secondary Damage!

<<Nice shot, boss!>> Zipline lets out a whoop as she keeps on running. Always running, don't let the big nasty come at her. She barrels straight past Predaking's legs, keeping just out of melee range. Then curving around, she looks to make a straffing run on the big ugly. Only when she comes back around, she pauses. Optics focus on Rodimus's trailer. She squees just barely audibly.

<<Covering fire coming up!>> She announces, before making a beeline for the trailer and it's higher firepower. Diving behind the turret's controls, she quickly focuses them on Predaking's bulk. Those paws work surprisingly well in the controls. "Ooh yeah, let's light 'em up!" And light it up she does, firing the cannon in quick bursts in the direction of Predaking's face. Rodimus Prime stands there, gun forward in his side stance. His brow furrowed in judgement, he gives a thanking nod to Zipline without taking his eyes of the great beast. He knew there was a counterattack coming, and Predaking does not disappoint. A huge column of energy barrels down towards him, time slows, the Prime rolls off to the side, his leg high in the roll. He just barely clears the assault, practically going between his legs in his roll. He hits his shoulder against the ground, his wingplate scraping against the surface.

Rodimus puts his foot beneath him, and does exactly what he said not to do. He lunges closer to the combiner as his arm whips out behind him. From its housing comes his buzzsaw blade, shining in the light for a brief moment, before Predaking's shadow covers the Prime.

Rodimus halts his charge as the combiner shifts to confront him in full, the massive hydraulics hissing as he does. A giant leg hefts up into the sky, more than enough to stomp Rodimus flat into the planet's crust. He raises his head higher, focusing on the massive limb.

A tremor shakes the battlefield as he brings it down. The remnants of Dustoff's dust cloud roll through the area. Rodimus is nowhere to be seen after the earthquaking assault by Predaking.

Mortar fire explodes from Vigilance, impacting the Predacon combiner with several explosions, laser fire ineffectively hounds him. A high pitched whir breaks through the noise, coming from a certain rhino leg. Rodimus Prime, clinging to Headstrong's form, raises his buzzsaw, slices at Predaking's structural housing, then bounds away as quickly as he can manage. Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Predaking with his Hamstring...wasn't he a Porkacon? attack!

Combat: Zipline strikes Predaking with Rodimus Prime's Covering fire! attack! [Pulled -3]

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<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Good work, Zipline. I needed that."

<Autobot> Zipline says, "And I need one of these!"

Combat: Rumble sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Dustoff hits! HAH! ...and then he gets outright blasted to near pieces as the return fire strikes him square in the head. Falling back, his optic glitches momentarily and he turns to grab his pack, rifle, and find cover... ugh... that really stung. Like, really, really stung... He finds a spot to call his own, throwing his tank down. << Alright, tank's ready. Call if ya need it.>> He takes some time, though, to first slap a quick patch on his own gaping headwound... ugh. Hopefully his hat will cover that up.

Combat: Dustoff deploys his reserve energon tank. Combat: Dustoff sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Dustoff quickly patches up some of his minor injuries.

Now that Predaking's in a serious tangle with Rodimus, Rumble suddenly turns his attention on Prowl. Why? ...Well, it's Rumble, there probably isn't a good reason. This is just what he does. This time, he draws both his laser rifles and peppers a rather messy array of shots in Prowl's general direction. "Get off our turf, Autobums!!"

Combat: Rumble misses Prowl with his Dual Laser Rifles attack! Combat: Rumble (Rumble) used "Dual Laser Rifles": A Level 3 AREA-RANGED attack.

The energy beam tears along the gorge's surface as Rodimus manages to avoid its fury, but the rut of warped metal still glowing from the radiant energy of the attack is testimant enough to what the Prime barely managed to evade. Tch. It made him move from one tactical position, at least.

Side vents hiss cooling vapors as the barrel retracts into its housing again, and as Rodimus does the very reckless thing he told his troops not to he brings one massive foot slamming down towards the Prime. There's a thunderous quake and debris clouding the air briefly, and no flame-decoed leader visible as it settles. Hmph. Likely only a minor reprive from the leader, but it's enough of one.

Predaking turns his attention back to his original primary objective. Only to get a proverbial faceful of flaming fog, the burning vapors seeping through armor seams where normal attacks would not typically reach. Good thing for the easily distracted flier that Predaking is a very big target to miss. It's followed by several more shots slamming against his form as Zipline turns that disappearing trailer into a heavily armed cat-house. Defenses from the base fire, but the Autobots had been prepared more for another aerial assault. They had underestimated how willing the Decepticons would be to turn loose one of their monster weapons, it would seem.

With a rumbling growl Predaking draws out his massive sword, the edges of the blade glowing as it charges as Predaking raises it, and swings. The sheer radius of the gestalts reach is enough to put the airborn Aerialbot at threat if he doesn't see it coming, but he's little more than an incidental target as Predaking brings the mighty blade at a diagonal slice to the base's defensive barrier. Energy sparks sheer across the surface as the blade slashes across it until it finally glides off the edge of the curve.

Where it slams into the ground next to the base, causing more incidental damage as the impact on its own is enough to heave the ground away from the blow, launching the resulting tearing of metal at the nearest Autobots to it. Meanwhile Rodimus is tearing away at the back of his legs, cracks and splinters of metal shattering along the plating.

Combat: Predaking misses F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> with his Savage Slash Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Predaking strikes Vigilant Defenses with his Savage Slash Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Vigilant Defenses's forcefield absorbs Predaking's attack. Combat: Predaking strikes Prowl with his Savage Slash Area attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Predaking (Predaking) used "Savage Instinct": A Level 5 AREA-MELEE attack. Combat: You took 32 damage. Combat: Predaking's attack has damaged your Velocity! Combat: Predaking strikes Sureshot with his Savage Slash Area attack! [Pulled -4]

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<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Rgh, Status report, all!"

<Autobot> Prowl says, "I lost a few pounds of armor but allright. Might have a transmission issue but nothing severe."

Sureshot is showered in hot metal as he runs to try to escape the deadly rain. Unfortunately, he doesn't see where he's going : right towards a cliff. As the ground disappears under his feet, he falls down the gorge but manage to hold to the edge of the cliff. Spoilsport transforms and does his best to help him but it's gonna take a while. Sureshot is out of the fight. Combat: Sureshot takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Autobots, focus fire on Predaking. If you're too damaged to fight, get moving.  Operations is starting a medivac convoy into the side canyon entrance."

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Zipline, you staying on the gun? If so, prepare for a wild ride!"

Prowl gets knocked a good 20 feet from his current location. "Ow...I could have done without that." The Autobot crawls over some debris and keeps his profile as low as possible and begins prepping a little something. After that last one, the gloves are coming off. Combat: Prowl analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Prowl can exploit. Combat: Drained 4 energon.

<Autobot> Zipline says, "That's my kind of ride!"

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>'s crazy whirl takes him just over Predaking, and only his random spinning and rolling keep him from losing a wing to the gigantic Decepticon's swing. "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" he cries as his ventral camera gets an extreme close-up of Predaking's terrible face, and his internal gyroscopes go haywire from the twirling and swirling. He careens into a cliffside, and barely transforms in time to grab a sharp outcropping. Hanging from one hand about two hundred meters above the ground, he looks at Predaking, sword still in hand. "I like being in the air, but this is ridiculous." He fumbles for his pistol and nearly drops it, catching it between his feet. Grumbling, he aims his spare arm at Predaking, and a small barrel flips up from his wrist. It fires a small bullet through the pass, and also sets Fireflight swinging slightly. "Oh noooo..." The F-4's fuselage extends as its nose and tail section lift up and slide backwards. Arms extrude from its fuselage, and the wings rotate upward. Fireflight's robot mode seems clunky and ungainly on the ground, but considering his mediocre flying skills, that isn't saying much.

Combat: Fireflight sets his defense level to Neutral. Combat: Fireflight strikes Predaking with his Pendulum pew pew! (Pistol) attack!

<Autobot> Fireflight says, "I'm OK, just... hanging around..."

In a bound, Rodimus lands away from Predaking, out of his melee range. The great Combiner takes his vengeance on everyone else nearby, his sword audibly slamming into the forcefield, buckling it under his immense strength. Everyone was getting distracted with the other Cons on the field. "Right now, I see three Cons too many." He didn't like letting the others draw Predaking's attention, but he trusted his team, enough that the sooner the Bots had only one enemy, the better. The turret layout Zipline was giving covering fire from, starts to transform, sealing up, raising up the gun platform to sit atop the Winnebago. Rodimus lowers down into his tech truck mode, connecting to the trailer. "Get ready for a wild ride, Zipline!" He toots his horn, as his engine revs, more eco-friendly smoke pouring out as he puts it into high gear.

Crates are knocked aside as Rodimus barrels through them, a resounding crash as he charges forward. First up is Rumble, who exposed himself on the sidelines when he shot at Prowl. Unfortunately, Rumble had put himself near a barricade for a strategic advantage. The Prime makes no move to dodge the embuckment, slamming into it, full force, intent on sending the Cassettecon flying. He angles to the left, around Predaking's side towards where Dustoff kneels, doing self-repair work...which was about to get an even larger bill. He actually honks his horn again twice at the support Con as he barrels down at him as well, intent on clipping him with the bumper.

The entire circling motion gave Zipline a great vantage point to harry Predaking with more fire, should she choose to do so.

Rodimus Prime folds forward into the most dangerous Winnebago in the galaxy! Combat: Racing Winnebago < Rodimus Prime > sets his defense level to Aggressive. Combat: Racing Winnebago < Rodimus Prime > strikes Rumble with his Sunday Driver! Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Racing Winnebago < Rodimus Prime > strikes Dustoff with his Sunday Driver! Area attack! [Pulled -11]

Predaking rumbles what is likely an affirmative sound. "Focused strikes taxing on reserves due to interferences."

"NOW THIS IS A GUN!" Zipline shouts over the of the laser cannon. It's love at first shot! She almost doesn't notice Predaking reading his sword. If it had been aimed at her, she probably would have jumped out of the way too late. Luckily it wasn't. She ducks none the less, her courage briefly faltering when she gets to get a good look at that blade. "Okay, now that's a claw," She says in a slightly weaker voice.

But then the big boss is back. Zipline finds herself getting raised up on the back of the gun platform too when it starts to transform. But despite warnings, she keeps in the 'seat' of the gun turret. "My kind of ride, boss!" She flashes him a fangy grin. Claws dig into the turret chair, clamping her down into it. Her tail even coils around the base of the seat, keeping her as steady as she can! As they swing around, so does the cannons. They practically dwarf the little casette at their controls, but it doesn't hold Zipline back from firing, repeatedly, as they circle around Predaking! Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Neutral. Combat: Zipline strikes Predaking with Racing Winnebago < Rodimus Prime >'s Mr. Prime's Wild Ride Cannon! attack! [Pulled -2]

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Dustoff lets out a slow breath and gets to his feet, slinging his pack and darting for the big machination that is Predaking. Hey, it's what a medic does, after all... Until he's sideswiped by the ugly Pontiac-Camperbird that is Rodimus. It sends him flying, light armor crunching from the impact. But...job. Job to do... He pushes himself back up to his feet and starts to literally climb along the back of Predaking's leg so he can get to where he needs to go to give the beast the infusion that is so wonderful for Combiner ops. << I shoulda brought my gloves for this! >> He primes the recharge pack and sets it in place, engaging the transfer tanks to jolt Predaking's to life. The massive blade continues to scrap along the ground as Predaking pulls it back to himself, then flips it up to return it to storage on his back between the bases of his massive wings. There's a notible lag in his movements, at least in comparison to how quick and furiously precise he was striking before. The repeat intense strikes, coupled with the constant interference from the Autobot defenders, was starting to wear the monster down. Even for Predaking, with his coherent mentality and lightning quick reflexes, contending with so many secondary targets, so many additional variables, was showing its strain.

As soon as Sureshot disappears over the ledge he is quickly X-ed out of the matter, if he survived or not afterwards irrelivant. Prowl's laying low takes him off the giant's immeadiate list of threats at least, leaving him to strategize unhindered for the moment. Fireflight's gunfire peppers at him, managing to knock loose some damaged armor. It's chorused by the rounds of fire from Zipline, whom manages even through Rodimus' insane veering and swerving to pound several more powerful rounds into Predaking's form. The ground around the base is becoming littered in chunks of black and orange armor and other small bits of greebles that have been knocked off the titan.

Despite the strain starting to set in, Predaking focuses once more. Remember that little punch he threw at the field to 'knock'? That's nothing to when he steps up, raising both his arms over his head, worn systems audibly straining. Any sense of exhaustion is put out of mind for the moment as does not one, not two, but starts slamming away at the barrier again and again and again in alternating fashion, everything else blocked out of his refocused resolve. Combat: Predaking strikes Vigilant Defenses with his Shattering Punches attack! Combat: Vigilant Defenses's forcefield absorbs Predaking's attack. Rumble isn't making any particular gains with his targeting this evening, but up to this point, he's having a great deal of fun.

Then, just when he realizes how much fun he's having, Rumble gets broadsided by a flaming Winnebago, and is propelled much faster than he has any business going, straight into the side of a jagged cliff where he becomes both squished and embedded simultaeously...little legs still sticking out of the new aperature, kicking furiously.

Womp-womp.

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Rumble has 'skipped' his action for this round. Combat: Dustoff refuels Predaking's energon reserves.

Blast Off has arrived.

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Prowl exchanges a few messages with a fellow Autobot and links his HUD and targeting system to his collegue. "This should do the trick. Best of luck on that gamble. Hopefully it will pay off.". Meanwhile Prowl gets some cover until he is ready to make his move.

<Autobot> Bunkerbuster says, "Sirs, that hit just about shorted out the reactor. The forcefield cannot take much more of that!"

With a disdainful shrug, Blast Off transforms into a space shuttle.

Combat: Prowl takes extra time to assist Fireflight's next attack.

Fireflight swings back and forth, optics widening as he stares at the ground past his pistol caught between his feet. "Mmmmph!" He manages to pull his legs up behind him and reach down to grab it. "Grrrrah!" He uses some of the momentum from swinging to pull himself up onto the outcropping, clutching the faux ground for dear life. "Oof!" There's just enough room to wobble to his feet, and he aims down at Predaking with his pistol with both hands... right as the remaining fire-fog burns itself off. "Hmmmm..." He struggles to line up the shot, and then he reads Prowl's message: <<You're the best! Arou-ound! Nothin's ever gonna keep you down!>> (It also has a range adjustment for his pistol.) "Ha ha!" Fireflight laughs. Just as he fires, the reverberations of Predaking's furious attack travels through the canyon wall and causes the small ledge to collapse, sending him plummetting towards the ground. "Meep!"

Combat: Fireflight sets his defense level to Fearless.

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Drain all auxilary power from the weapons array and get all non-essential personel to escort the medivac convoy!"

Combat: Fireflight strikes Predaking with his Photon Displacer attack!

<Autobot> Sapper says, "Prime, we're up in location, rigged it to frequency detonation. You know the one."

Dustoff has reconnected.

By the time that the ride is over, those cannons are sizzling red hot and the controls are blaring several 'overheat' warnings in Zipline's face. "Awww, I was just getting warmed up." Zipline huffs an irritated puff of air from her coolant system. Yet even she knows better than to push big cannons past their heat limit. She hops down quickly, her own cannon re-materializing upon her back. "Time for good ole faithful!" She hops down to the end of the trailer, the barrel of her cannon extending out past her head.

"HEY! JERKFACE!" Zipline shouts. The insides of her cannon glow and crackle with electricity. Is the energy block still there? She doesn't care. Energon lines glow brightly, and the slug inside the rails begins spinning rapidly. "That's OUR base! GET YOUR OWN!" The cannon goes off, not with a pew, but with mightly TWHOOM and burst of energy as the slug is propelled, past the speed of sound, at Predaking's back-side.

And Zipline, not having anything to really dig her claws into to brace herseflf, goes flying the OTHER way off of Prime's trailer.

Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Fearless. Combat: Zipline strikes Predaking with her PAWS OFF JERK attack!

Firedflight hangs his head. "Sorry."

Time to draw the aggro again! Now Rodimus has annoyed Rumble, Predaking, AND Dustoff. Which was exactly where he needed to be. He boosts up into robot form, leaving the trailer conveniently off-screen, if Zipline weren't on it at least. "Come on, ugly, you're outmatched! You're up against the Autobot's finest here. You're not taking Vigilance, the only thing you're taking is a beating!" He draws his Eliminator again, as he bellows. The black oversided gun lets off four powerful cracks of energy, the reverb from it enough to be heard from the other side of the base. As he opens fire, he steps off to the side, in an attempt to lead Predaking towards the gorge's edge. "I've seen kittens that hunt better than you!"

The taunting wasn't really necessary, but the Bots needed to see him as the fearless bastion of hope. It helped take the edge off.

Rodimus Prime returns to his mighty robot form! Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Predaking with his Photon Eliminator attack!

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Dustoff is still scrambling along Predaking, cringing as the Autobots lay hate and discontent on the massive combiner. The empty energon tank ejects with a 'THNK' and hiss before clattering to the ground below as he starts working his way towards a fissure in the armor plating. Reaching in, he starts working on a few of the systems and trying to keep things in proper working order. << How ya holding' up there, Rumble? Need me t' stop by ya next? >> He sets the patch in place, doing a quick spot-weld to secure it. All while trying not to get thrown off... how 'bout that!

Combat: Dustoff quickly patches up some of Predaking's minor injuries.

Rumble eventually extracts himself from the cliff, then smirks and...well, more rational mechs would probably just retreat and leave Predaking to deal with the Autobots himself. But that isn't really Rumble's style. So he decides to...take more random pot-shots! This time, he fires a volley at Fireflight. That whole business with cratering into the cliff, though, that kind of took the *fun* factor out of this little escapade for him. So he's pouting now.

Combat: Rumble strikes Fireflight with his High-Intensity Pulse Laser (Laser) attack!

Space Shuttle <Blast Off> receives word over the radio of something going down at Grayglint's Gorge. Predaking snarling into the radio being a key factor in this. The Combaticon sighs as he sees the coordinates. Really? Again? Didn't he destroy that one firebase already? And then the Autofools had to go and build another... and rebuild the old one. It's aggrivating is what it is. He transforms and flies in, scanners sweeping the area. <<Report. What is going on?>>

Predaking slams his fists down again and again, though with each swing the sluggishness is growing. Though it's not until the railcannon round SMASHES into his backside that the assault stops, partially due to the impact being enough to briefly pitch him forward into the field he was trying to smash apart. Railcannons, even small ones, hit -hard-. Followed by Rodimus hitting a mech while he's down, causing a couple of the boosters in the 'backpack' his wings are connected to break apart. Divebomb is going to be feeling that in the morning.

But then Dustoff comes in to do his job, pouring energy back into the lagging behemoth, and then slapping together some of that damaged hardware. Systems audibly crackle and thrum as they're boosted back up, the threat that this war machine now has the energy to continue his assault anewed palaple in the air. Considering that forcefield is already straining now...

But as Predaking is backing up and preparing to strike again, the disorienting blaze assaults his optics. Things go blurry and the titan snarls out his rage as he stomps backwards, sensory input suddenly hindered considerably. His roaring is mostly unintelligable, but clearly aggrivated. If this was any other combiner, it would probably be a flurry of wild thrashing about that follows. It's not quite the same with Predaking. Blinded and disoriented, but he's at least still aware of the Decepticons present around him. Collateral damage, right now, would not be pleasant.

With a snarl he tries to smash a fist in the direction the disorienting attack came from... But it's not so savage. Aware that he may very well be heaving his weight in the wrong direction of his pack, the behemoth takes a more measured, and clearly restrained, swing...

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Space Shuttle <Blast Off> has 'skipped' his action for this round.

Combat: Predaking sets his defense level to Guarded.

Combat: Predaking's A restrained animal is still a dangerous one attack on Fireflight goes wild! Combat: Predaking strikes Rumble with his A restrained animal is still a dangerous one (Punch) attack!

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "I need targetting data."

<Autobot> Prowl says, "I can help with that."

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Prowl receives another radio message and keeps on helping his buddies the best way he can...With his highly training brain. A quick check at his energon level says he will not be abl to keep this up forever but for now. It's everything or nothing. "Got the message. Targeting data sent, bring it down."

Combat: Prowl analyzes Predaking for weaknesses Rodimus Prime can exploit.

Combat: Drained 4 energon.

Fireflight hurtles towards the ground, accelerating at approximately 9.8 meters per second per second. Fortunately, there's a ledge not too far beneath him. "Oh, thank Pri---OW!" he blurts out as Rumble's laser fire blasts into his leg, sending him cartwheeling away from his safe landing. "Why you little..." he transforms and ends up in full afterburner, his nose straight up, slowing his descent and causing him to sort of hover a meter or two above the hard, spiky, unforgiving ground. His nose tips over and he ZOOMs forward, through the canyon, straight at Predaking. "Get ready for this, you big palooka!" Once again, a targeting holo appears on his viewscreen, this time right on the face he got such a close look at earlier. He screams towards Vigilant's forcefield, banks left around it... and makes a surprised, frustrated, and thoroughly undignified sound as he spins out of control, since Rumble's laser blast melted his right aileron controls. "OH NO LOOKOUT!!!!"

Wings flip forward from Fireflight's legs as his arms compress into his torso. A nosecone flips up over his shoulders, covering his head, and the unique triangle of an F-4 Phantom II's tail section covers his feet as his legs partially retract. Landing gear flips down from each wing and below the nose just in time to catch the fighter as it falls forward.

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>'s Whee! Uh-oh... Whee! attack on Predaking goes wild!

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> strikes Prowl with his Whee! Uh-oh... Whee! attack!

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> (Fireflight) used "Distracted Flying": A Level 4 VELOCITY attack.

Combat: You took 9 damage.

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>'s attack has damaged your Agility!

Rodimus Prime grunts in effort, laying some full power shots at Predaking, but to his dismay...Predaking isn't laid low, he's not even looking his way. At least he accidentally took out one of his own with, perhaps, a glancing blow. He hits a few comms requests as Vigilance is given some desperate time to evacuate, if the Bots weren't successful here and now. Everyone was fighting so hard, fighting for their lives. Rodimus couldn't let them down. There were no excuses, he just had to knuckle down and take down the King.

Rodimus's optics flare as he gets that extra targetting data from Prowl. He stands back up, had he been slouched for a moment. A fierce determination fills him as he braces the Photon Eliminator in both hands. He takes an extra moment to aim, one optic closing. That backplate exposed when Divebomb's wings took some serious damage. Zipline just about shredded Predaking's plating, several massive plates were on the ground around him, smouldering and ruined. He squeezes the trigger, sending out a tight, focused blast of power into the Combiner.

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Predaking with his Photon Eliminator attack!

Zipline pulls herself out from behind Prime's trailer, just in time to see Rumble get flattened by Predaking. She grins, tail flicking behind her in amusement. "Totally had it coming." Eyes flicker to Predaking, and glance up as the big combiner smacks Rumble around. Her optics narrow, glaring at a point just between the combiner's arm and torso. What was she told about fighting combiners?

... Other than 'stay away from their feet', that is.

Zip's scanners act quickly, pulling in data on the joint between Predaking's component bots.

Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Guarded. Combat: Zipline analyzes Predaking for weaknesses.

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As he pulled back his fist from where it had smashed the ground and his senses started to clear Predaking was dimly aware of the fact that he had hit something else. Well, potential collateral damage when battling around gestalts was sort of a given, even when it was the King. Be thankful he had the sense to hold back at least. And the luck to not clobber the shuttle-con instead.

Most of the Autobots are either going for cover or assisting their allies. It's only Rodimus' blasting that tears through his body, sheering off several more layers of weakned infrastructure. His systems were re-energized but that would only off-set the damage being done to him for so long.

"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Predaking roars the first actual words of the night other than over the faction radio. Smoke from Rodimus' blasts roll off his form even as he reachs back to unsheath his gestalt sized greatsword once more. Gripping it in both hands, held high as he takes a massive step back towards the base. "YOU ONLY SLOW THE INEVITABLE..."

And he brings the massive sword in a downward impaling strike towards the shields defending the base.

"THE ONLY ABSOLUTE IS DESTRUCTION AND DEATH!" Combat: Predaking sets his defense level to Fearless.

"Bwahahah!!" Rumble points and laughs at Fireflight, and he's still laughing until one of his internal alarms goes off. Apparently, getting crushed into the side of a cliff put a slight leak in his main fuel line. Very serious stuff, but at least it was small enough to return back to base in plenty of time. "Well, scrap..." He takes off, headed for Darkmount. Combat: Rumble begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, Rodimus Prime, Zipline, and Dustoff

Dustoff holds on as Predaking goes nuts from whatever that confusing blast was, reaching in to snap a wire back in place. "Easy there, big guy. Snap outta it." He then looks towards Rumble... where'd the little engine that could go? Sliding down off of Predaking, he sprints across the battlefield towards the little mech, sliding in to transform and cover the guy. "I gotcha, get on back to cover." He spins up the mounted gun, laying into the Autobots for a bit of covering fire. ...Oh, payback will probably hurt, that's for sure.

In a ridiculously complicated series of twists, turns, and noises, Dustoff transforms into a STORM SRT-V.

Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Predaking strikes Vigilant Defenses with his Hail To The King attack! Combat: Critical Hit! Combat: Vigilant Defenses's forcefield protecting itself vanishes.

<Autobot> Bunkerbuster says, "That's it. Shield's down. Reactor's shutting down, we're out of power here!"

Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Prowl with his Chainguns. The suppressive fire tool of choice. Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> (Dustoff) used "X-18 Scrapmaker": A Level 4 AREA-RANGED attack. Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Zipline with his Chainguns. The suppressive fire tool of choice. Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> misses Rodimus Prime with his Chainguns. The suppressive fire tool of choice. Area attack! Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> strikes F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> with his Chainguns. The suppressive fire tool of choice. Area attack!

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "What's the status of the evacuation?"

<Autobot> Bunkerbuster says, "We're at 70 percent or so."

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "We're going to give you that time you need. See to it."

Space Shuttle <Blast Off> gets no response, but he comes in to find Predaking engaged in battle with several Autobots while Rumble and Dustoff seem to be roadkill in front of Rodimus Prime. Ouch. Or, at least, he'd think that if he cared. Well, Ok, maybe he does a little... Rumble is oddly enough sort of a friend, and Dustoff is a medic... which automatically makes him the paper napkin's best friend. Ok, not good. Not good at all. But even worse? The fact that that firebase is over there. Blast Off is beginning to think it's his personal mission to take those firebases out...otherwise they keep popping up. So the shuttle zooms down (Keeping distance as always, of course) and levels the lasers on his wings towards the Firebase. This one will fall, as well.

Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> sets his defense level to Guarded.

Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> strikes Vigilant Defenses with his Don't want them multiplying (Laser) attack! [Pulled -1]

Space Shuttle <Blast Off> gets a belayed message form Rumble and responds, <<Ah. Yes, Rumble. I am on my way.>>

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For a moment the heavy sword of Predaking's meets the shield of Vigilance, clashing in a desplay of defiance. Below, in the command center, Bunkerbuster, one of the last Bots standing within, rushes over to the main reactor array, and pulls a large switch. Bright blue light flashes within as the reactor reaches a critical mass, pumping more power into the shield.

Despite the power of their reactor, Predaking's applied pressure breaks through, the shield vanishing once it's integrity was lost. Vigilance powers down, leaving those few Bots within without power.

Rodimus' assault wasn't doing the job. Vigilance was being attacked in earnest, and the Cons were getting reinforcements. He takes a moment, displaying his need for a moment's recharge to the Cons as he does. In truth, he DID need a moment to press onward, but he also anticipated what may yet draw the Predaking towards him.

A sign of weakness from a worthy foe.

He stands near the gorge's edge, a hand on his knee. Even the Prime had his limits, and Predaking was taxing him soundly, and still standing. Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Rodimus Prime takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Combat: Prowl sets his defense level to Fearless.

Prowl scans the battlefi... *WHAM* He gets knocked by low-flying jet. "Somehow...did not see that one coming." The Bot is shaken but nothing to severe. He scans the battlefield taking stock of the situation. Rumble retreating, Predaking just collapsed the forcefield, Dustoff spraying bullets all over the place and a pristine Blast Off. Well used to be pristine.

In less than 0.5 seconds, Prowl's battle computer plots...

Targets: Predaking, Blast Off Range: 362m 975m Obstacles: Compensated Target vector prediction: Calculated Firing solution: Plotted

Weapon: Multi-Warhead Incendiary Missiles - FIRING

Combat: Prowl strikes Predaking with his Wire-Guided Missile Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Removing analysis data for Predaking. Combat: Prowl strikes Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Wire-Guided Missile Area attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Removed restrictions on REPEAT for your attacks.

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> lands on Prowl with a horrendous CRUNCH, his engines still blasting, pushing the lamest gestalt ever around the ground. "Sorry!" Unfortunately for slashfic writers everywhere, Dustoff's wild firing knocks the fighter jet off the strategist and back skyward. Luckily, the combination of the collision and the chillingly accurate machinegun fire knocked Fireflight's control surfaces back into alignment (as much as they ever were, at least), and he snap rolls to attempt to avoid any further damage, barrelling right at Predaking once more. Without waiting for a lock, he looses another missile, desperate to save the nascent base fow which so much energon has been spilled. A second or so before impact, Fireflight presses a secondary trigger, remotely detonating the missile and sending a horrific blast of fuel-air explosive towards his foe. The Phantom desperately pulls up, hoping to use the explosion, heat, and perhaps some luck to get enough altitude not to crash into anything... at least for a few minutes.

Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> strikes Predaking with his Incendiary Blastwave Area attack! Combat: Critical Hit! Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> strikes Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> with his Incendiary Blastwave Area attack! Combat: Secondary Damage!

And down go the shields.

Zipline utters a few choice curses that she could only have picked up from listening to too much com chatter. Her tail lashes behind her, flick slash, flick slash. "How is this guy still going?" She growls, eyes narrowed slightly. Targeting scanners flash another point of weakness inbetween the armor and torso, exposed from a result of Predaking's shredded armor. "Ugh, need something with more /kick/!" She glances around quickly, but Prime's cannons look powered down. That won't do...

Instead, Zipline spots a piece of piping, probably blown off from something. The end looks sharp, at least. She grabs it in her forepaws, then rears back, and carefully levels it into the barrel of her cannon. Far too long, but who cares.

She ducks back out from behind the trailer she was hiding behind, and raises her cannon up again. Though this time, it looks a bit like a needle gun. Although not her usual ammo, the piping starts spinning as her cannon charges. But it doesn't go off with it's usual satisfying THWOOM. More like a THUSH, firing one big needle towards the inside of Predaking's arm pit.

Combat: Zipline sets her defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Zipline strikes Predaking with her Time for your SHOTS! attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Predaking dissolves into its component Predacons. Razorclaw has arrived. Predaking has left.

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Rumble moves east to the Plaza. Rumble has left.

Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> is hurting, there's no lying about that. The blow from Fireflight was almost enough to knock him out of the fight. Almost...but he's got one good shot left in him yet. He looks for...one target. One that makes it worthwhile...and spies it. Hmm. The medic brings his rifle up and sights in, squeezing off the last round he'll probably get to shoot in this particular conflict.

In a series of physics-defying turns, twists, and noises, the Storm SRT-V transforms into Cowboy Dustoff!

Combat: Dustoff strikes Rodimus Prime with his Go out with style eh? attack!

Space Shuttle <Blast Off> strikes the firebase (and how could he not?).... then suddenly it strikes back. Or wait, no.... some/one/ strikes back. The Combaticon's sensors sweep the area again... and pick up Prowl. Slag. One of the few Autofools who can actually *aim*, as far as he's concerned. In other words, an actual threat to the dodgy shuttle. He shifts wing elevons and circles around, his attention now on the Autobot. <<Prowl. I would think an Autofool such as yourself would see that there is little logic in building things that are only going to be torn down again. Or orbital bombarded.>> He fires a short orbital bombardment burst to make his point. Then, speaking of destroyed... Predaking dissolves thanks to.... Zipline?! Blast Off makes a note to take her a little more seriously, especially next time he's part of Bruticus. W

Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> strikes Prowl with his Illogical amiright? attack! [Pulled -6] Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> (Blast Off) used "Orbital Bombardment Laser": A Level 2 RANGED attack. Combat: You took 12 damage. Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off>'s attack has damaged your Strength!

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "Good work, Autobots. Good work indeed."

<Autobot> Rodimus Prime says, "now we just rout these guys and send them packing!"

<Autobot> Zipline says, "That... actually worked? Cool!"

The form of Predaking is briefly highlighted by the flashing energy from the shield struggling to resist, just as defiant to the end as the Autobots that constructed it. But it can't hold up forever, dissolving like melting glass as the strain finally overloads the generators. The base as a whole goes dark, now an easy and vulnerable target for others. Like Blast Off's arrival on the scene strafing it. As the sword is drawn away he stares down at the facility at his feet, unshield. Easy prey... too easy of prey, in fact. The behemoth's job was done, rendering it vulnerable to his comrades in arms.

Somewhere deep in conciousness, Razorclaw was probably savoring the undoing of Imager's precious hard work to some degree.

Attention shifts with that, looking for the other Autobots, those were still a threat... And there was Rodimus, winded. A proper foe. Worthy prey. The counterpart to the only mech Predaking would outright call his master. To bring back his head and the matrix to Galvatron is a catch more tempting than even Predaking can resist. Even as missiles slam repeatedly into his damaged form Predaking turns, stepping and reaching with his left hand to grab Rodimus up while he's trying to recover.

... And that's when Zipline fires. The projectile TEARS through the shoulder just as Predaking reachs for Rodimus, severing the connections between his body and Rampage forming the arm, the resulting cascading system failure too much for the gestalt system to hold up in such a state. It shuts down and disengages to prevent potential critical damage, ejecting the monster into his component parts.

The other Predacons topple hither and yon, and poor Divebomb tries to catch himself midair but all the damage to the boosters that were on the combiner's back sends him smacking into a gorge wall instead.

Razorclaw, however, lands on his feet... though there's an obvious stagger due to damage. It's enough to see though, some of that stiffness due to his seditary tendancies showing before he pushes himself upright, and trains his shoulder cannons on Zipline. ".. Impressive.. though I would expect as such from another feline... but even success comes with consequences!" And then he fires at her in a rare showing of aggrivated rage.

Combat: Razorclaw strikes Zipline with his Twin Concussion Blasters attack! Combat: Secondary Damage!

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Prowl gets hit by Blast Off's orbital bombardment. "If this base is not worth the trouble why don't YOU leave? If you want to be logical you would retreat before I really focus on you." As if on cue, Prowl sends a small warning shot at the shuttle.

Combat: Prowl strikes Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Wire-Guided Missile attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Used up 1 Incendinary Missiles. 1 remain.

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>'s firefog missile does the trick, softening up Predaking for Zipline's amazing shot and also giving him enough lift to finally get anough altitude... unfortunately, it's also not exactly controlled, and he rapidly rises while spinning at a dizzying rate along his nose-to-tail axis. "Whooaoaoaoaoaoaoaoaoa!!!" he yells, trying to regain control. As his flight stick fights to the left to try to stem his insane clockwise rotation, his whirling wings get verrrry close to Blast Off's...

Okay, so it didn't work out like he had planned. Predaking didn't get quite into position to send him into a rockslide, but it would do. In his winded position, Rodimus saw Predaking loom closer, finally. The 'feigned' weakness had drawn him to just about the right spot.

Predaking collapses into his components suddenly, Rodimus follows the trajectory back in surprise only to find Zipline there. His surprise grows to a degree, as he stands back up proper. He glances again at Zipline, impressed, only to see her come under fire.

Rodimus turns his attention towards Razorclaw. With a determined step, he approaches the mech. If he had sleeves, he'd be pushing them up. "ENOUGH, Razorclaw!" He draws back a fist, the heaving of powerful pistons behind the motion. "Don't you see that you're done? Are you so stupid and stubborn that you can't figure it out?" As if he was addressing them, a stunned pair of Tantrum and Headstrong raise their heads. Rodimus puts quite a bit of follow-through into the move as he goes to simply deck Razorclaw, for his transgressions, "It's over....FINISHED!"

Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Razorclaw with his Next time you get the spray bottle! attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> misses Space Shuttle <Blast Off> with his Whirlywings of unintentional DOOM! (Punch) attack!

Zipline stares. Did that... Did that just happen? Did she really just...

If she wasn't getting stared down by the one Predacon still standing, Zipline probably would have cheered. Instead, she pays for her brief moment of shock by getting a blast of concussion fire to the face. She topples over backwards, rolling some of the ways back down the incline from the base. Claws finally dig into the ground when she figures out which way is down, and she skids to a stop. "Yeah? Well I got way more where that came from!" She shouts back. Her cannon begins charging, crackling and popping with electricity as she half stands. Then Rodimus comes in swinging. Zipline keeps her cannon leveled at Razorclaw, shot primed. "We gotta send you back to Galvatron in a litterbox?" Combat: Zipline takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

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It was rare to see Razorclaw give in so visibly to the savage rage that boils within all the Predacons, for him to lash out in abject aggrivation like that. But this was a boil-over that has been building up thanks to the constant counter-points the Autobots have been successfully pushing here and around Tarn lately. The mission to find out what sort of defenses Vigilance had and destroy them had been victorious for the most part, but Predaking was denied the change to rip apart their leader in front of them in another crushing blow and snuff them out one by one.

The little one had spunk, at least. But spunk was a good way to wind up on the scraphea--

The thought never gets finished as Rodimus steps in and outright SMASHES his fist into Razorclaw's face in a blindsiding roundhouse. True to form the Prime's force is enough to heave even the hefty Predacon Commander off the ground with the force and over the edge of the gorge. By the time he catchs up to what happened Razorclaw barely has time to transform and dig his claws into the metallic wall, braking his descent. But by that point it's too far to bother climbing back up to Vigilance itself.

With their leader clearly out of the fight, the other Predacons unsurprisingly scatter. Even Tantrum and Headstrong aren't dumb and stubborn enough to mess with Prime pissed off after he launched Razorclaw out of the battlefield like that!

... Though if one watched long enough they'd see Razorclaw eventually return to view, save via the opposite side of the gorge. The mecha-lion takes a long, glowering look at the base... but then turns and bounds off as well.

They will have to wait until another day to finish what they've started.

Razorclaw lunges forward to land as a massive, mightly lion. Let the hunt begin!

Combat: Battle Lion <Razorclaw> sets his defense level to Guarded. Combat: Battle Lion <Razorclaw> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, Rodimus Prime, and Zipline

Dustoff is...not retaliated against? He blinks...and looks at his rifle. Did he even hit? He sighs. Whatever...another weapon to get calibrated upon getting back to base. And suddenly, Razorclaw is there, the predacons are in a jumbled mess, and it looks bad. Really bad... He groans, pushing himself up and bringing his rifle up for another shot at Prime....at least, that's his initial intent. Razorclaw is retreating...and with that, the mission. He checks his own systems and...he's soon following suit, even if his tires look a little wobbly compared to what they should be... Oh, and that nice little energon leak following his trail.

In a ridiculously complicated series of twists, turns, and noises, Dustoff transforms into a STORM SRT-V.

Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Storm SRT-V <Dustoff> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight>, Space Shuttle <Blast Off>, and Zipline

Space Shuttle <Blast Off> bristles as Prowl takes a jab at him- and HITS him again. Slag it all, he hates Autofools with accuracy! The shots don't do a lot of damage, but they riddle along the shuttle's thin fuselage. He wobbles from the hits, only to see Fireflight suddenly coming at him and- NOPE. So much nope. As always, he seeks space- any space... personal space. Banking sharply to the side, he dodges the Phantom II. <<Watch it, Autofool! Miserable Aerialbots... As always, you dare to take wing like a Decepticon, but you can't handle the flight!>> He is just about to start firing at the 'Bot when he notices everyone else leaving. Hmm. <<Well... as much as I'd like to stay and finish what I started with that firebase, it shall have to wait until another time...>> With that, he fires up his thrusters and rockets away. At least for *once* he's actually probably in better shape than his comrades... though only because he arrived here much later. Let's not dwell on details, Ok? Combat: Space Shuttle <Blast Off> begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

Zipline trots up to the edge of the cliff, peering down after Razorclaw. The cannon levels at him, tracking him. KRACK, her cannon fires a quickly charged slug, but it goes over Razorclaw's head, zipping right over him.

And hits a nearby boulder. It wobbles, teeters, and totters. Then falls over forward, rolling straight for the injured Razorclaw.

F-4C Phantom II <Fireflight> whirls up into the stratosphere, still spinning... and finally gets his uncontrolled yaw, pitch, and roll back under control, coming back into equilibrium right as he ends up in the center of one of Cybertron's moons. A perfect silhouette of one of the greatest fighters ever made hangs in the center of the soft glow for 0.86 seconds, then slooowly begins the long fall back to Cybertron.

Combat: Zipline strikes Battle Lion <Razorclaw> with her AND DON'T COME BACK (Kick) attack!

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