Mars Under Siege



Promontory Point, Mars

The vast red planetscape of Mars extends for thousands of kilometers, uninterrupted by little more than dust, rocks, and the occasional geological feature, at least until this particular area. Formerly the site of the Terran compound, it was the resting place of the massive city-Transformer Trypticon for a time, and of the compound itself, there are few traces; Trypticon parked himself right on top of it. To the southeast is the largest canyon system on the planet, Valles Marineris, dwarfing even Trypticon himself.

Contents:

Penumbra

Autobot Shuttle 

Swoop

Exo-Armor Pegasus 

Glaive II - Prototype 

Twin-Gunned Starfighter 

Scorn

Polarity

Slugfest

Galvatron

EDC Fighter Base

Memorial Plaque

Obvious exits:

North  leads to Martian Lake.

Northwest  leads to Ares Rail Station.

Southeast  leads to Valles Marineris.

Launch leads to Orbit of Mars.

The thin oxygen of the only-partially-terraformed Red Planet doesn't support much in the way of fires, but the Decepticons are burning the rail station all the same, sending up a pall of greasy black smoke boiling off the plastic buildings.

By the time the reinforcements arrive from Earth in response to the Martian distress signal, the battle on the surface seems all but lost. The skeleton crew of the fighter base has barricaded themselves inside habitats and reinforced hangars wherever they were able, and the Decepticons, thorough in their pillage, are cracking these open with weapons and hydraulic musclepower to let the precious oxygen out. Only some of the EDC personnel were able to reach rebreathers and pressure masks, and fewer were able to arm themselves with anti-robot weapons, but they have little choice but to hold out as long as they can, and hope that Earth heard their desperate call for help!

Shockwave's legs combine as his back unfolds. A wide, silver barrel appears out of subspace and connects to his arms, completing his transformation into ray gun mode.

Galvatron, disinterested in what little challenge the mopping-up can provide him, is outside the main entrance of the base with several of his stronger marauders. The Decepticons have already set up a defensive perimeter around the facility, although they haven't even killed all the humans inside it yet- their commander's confidence is such that he considers that part only a matter of time. "Are my soldiers in readiness, Shockwave?" he calls out to his merciless lieutenant, hands on his hips. "I have no doubt the Autobots and their filthy organic allies will soon be here in force."

Sixshot is standing right in the middle of the hotest spot. EDC fire is bouncing on his heavy plating, doing little damage. The sixchanger is methodically destroying the human's positions one by one. However, he looks much less intense than he usually is when fighting. Perhaps if he was facing a more worthy opponent... But that doesn't stop him from obeying orders so he keeps firing again and again.

Slugfest is trampling and sawing with his chainsaw plates as his pelting little feets take him from one position to another. It's like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre!

Laser Gun  soars over the rugged Martian landscape with a Seeker on both sides of him, streaking back towards the site of the main battle. Smoke is still drifting from his barrel, and both he and his soldiers are sporting minor damage in the form of carbon scoring and laser burns. The trio arrive at Galvatron's position and transform into robot mode, landing hard on the metallic surface that serves as the ground outside the base.

"The outlaying Shrike squadron has been dealt with, Galvatron," Shockwave announces. The three Decepticons had broken off from the main force an hour ago to deal with a squadron of enemy fighters that were trying to outflank the Decepticon invasion force. "All your squadrons are reporting mission success and are ready for further orders," he confirms. He glances at Sixshot and the other marauders with the Decepticon leader. "How fares the battle here?"

Shockwave's handle separates into legs as his barrel does into arms. Straightening out, he completes his transformation into robot mode.

There was little interest in taunting the humans already scared and cooped up in their barricaded building... Which was likely why other Decepticons had already wandered off to pillage more leaving little compatition for Polarity to hog one of the intercomm panels to torment the officers essentially prisoners in their own base now.

*beep* "You do realize this is all futile in the end, right? You've only got so much air in there~. Ooh, what if the oxygen recyclers give out? Or if you start starving and need to eat each other one by one for food, oh how will you ever decide who goes first... Just don't panic! I hear it raises the air consumption of organics to feel stress. Of course, you could just save us all the troubles and just commit mass suicide." Cackling gleefully the Seeker starts to walk away.

Though after a moment he jumps back to the terminal and hits the comm button again. "Oh! I hope your environmental suits have those built in urinal things. Otherwise, don't think about waterfalls!" Polarity rocks back with heckling laughter, then leans on the console button again to keep from falling over. "Eeheheheh.. I love having a -captive- audience. Hah!"

"Good, GOOD!" laughs Galvatron, in answer to both questions. His face is gleaming darkly with good humor. "The human resistance is puny, it will be inevitably crushed. The element of surprise, Shockwave. You should utilize it more often. The remaining Earthlings are scattered into small pockets within the pressurized structures and compartments. I tore open a few myself- it was pitiful, Shockwave. Only a few had weapons and half simply turned blue and gave up without a fight." He shakes his head disapprovingly. "Poor fragile things. I suppose you'll tell me that we should capture them for slaves, but I doubt there will be any left within a few hours."

Scorn chuckles as she grins, moving along the tops of the facility buildings, pistols in hand and firing corrosive acid shots at the sides of buildings, melting the metal to let the oxygen pour out into the open. "A pity these humans can't survive without oxygen like we can. Such a crippling weakness." She snorts, newly installed microthrusters, courtesy of Fusillade, fire up to help her steer as the Insecticon jumps to a high vantage point, taking up a scouting position. <> She radios Galvatron and Shockwave, maglocking her pistols to her hips while looking out over the martian horizon for anymore incoming forces.

Swoop has arrived.

Autobot Shuttle  arrives from the Orbit of Mars.

Autobot Shuttle  has arrived.

Sixshot obliterates one last bunker before sending his weapons back into their subspace pocket. For a moment, he remains still as his optics survey the battlefield, looking for more targets but everywhere the decepticons trooper are getting the job done...for once. Sixshot finally move as he joins the other Decepticons, "The battle is virtually one here." he reports, "Human resistance is barely noticable."

Penumbra leaves the Autobot Shuttle .

Penumbra has arrived.

From Glaive II - Prototype , Nate Briar is rocking a sour attitude as this was not supposed to be the case. "The Early Warning systems must have been taken out in advance. Probably sabotaged by Ravage or Firefox." Nate's inside the Glaive which is about to be deployed by a special ops EDC dropship that is charging through the limited atmosphere of the planet.

Behind that flagship are EDC transports filled with whatever space equipment was mobilized as fast as possible. A good core of soldiers are rallied up inside this transport to assist in the battle. As the transport begins to deploy, Colonel Briar suits up the Glaive for full combat inside the dropship.

"Colonel, I am going to continue a circular pattern, let me know when you want to deploy?" says the pilot as Nate smirks inside in the Glaive. The Armored Suit opens the cargo hatch and deploys without giving the pilot a chance to land it. After a couple seconds, the Glaive's slight modules kick in to assist with the environment and the pilot begins to strafe any targets he can get into his crosshairs.

 Colonel Nathaniel Briar says, "All available units, deploy now. We're expected and let's not give our hosts anytime to get the upper hand."

From Glaive II - Prototype , The Glaive II is now light up as Nate Briar takes control by adjusting the levers and switches. As Nate Briar touches the computer, AL, the AI unit for the Glaive, responds "Confirming... Pilot is Nate Briar. Initializing protocols. Preferences for Nate Briar loaded. Today's PNCS service rating is at satisfactory. Maintenance was performed by Lieutenant Seymour Fine as the duty officer within the last 30 hours The Maintenance Record Number is #2718.84LZVF. Would you like to view this record? If you would like to perform an additional check, you would need to make a change to the current settings. End the current training mode, connect to a external power source. Loading current mission messages. Calculations for objectives have been updated. Current mission assessments are now on display."

Mars is a pretty lame planet, definitely not one Swoop would on be had it not been for the fact that the ugliest soldiers the Decepticon army had to offer was currently tearing their way through an allied base. Already he's departed the shuttle he arrived on and is currently making his way towards the surface to intercept the enemy forces, drawing his sword and brandishing it threateningly as soon as his feet touch the ground. "Decepticons die now 'cause me Swoop am here!" Like a true hero, he starts punching the hell out of a random gumby that's half his size. "WELCOME TO MARS!"

Swoop transforms into a super cool robot.

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield is eagerly await the deploy order, and he is not kept waiting. As soon as Nate exits through the hatch, the Pegasus follows, weapons ready. Jayson, of course, is known for being reckless, especially when lives are at stake, but now is not the time. "Load and load, baby," he mutters to himself, prepping the exo's machine guns as he continues to follow Nate.

"Then the battle is over," Shockwave agrees. "At least, until reinforcements arrive from Earth. Neither Rodimus nor Earth Defence Command are likely to abandon their soldiers here despite the slim chances of their survival." He refrains from mentioning how stupid he thinks this would be of Rodimus, since the last time he did that the Autobot leader burned him pretty good. Casting his gaze towards the main base, Shockwave can see the Decepticons continue to pound the poor facility with everything they've got. Scorn's reported yet another success, and it's clear there will be no stopping the Decepticons tonight.

Glancing back towards Galvatron, he asks, "Shall I begin ordering the landing of our support personnel, or should we wait until we determine the Earthbound Autobots' reply?" Phase 2 of course is to land the engineers and techies to begin rebuilding this place as a Decepticon stronghold. Shockwave pauses as he receives a transmission. "New development: Our picket scouts indicate the arrival of Earth Defence Command transports an Autobot Shuttle: Sarikus. Autobot forces are deploying."

There must be nobody at the controls of that dolphin-looking Autobot shuttle... cause, damn, it approaches Mars more like a tactical weapon than a transport. No doubt whatever crew there is on the Absolution, unless they're busy bobbing for apples, notice the reckless approach of the silver and blue Bot spaceship.

Inside, Penumbra is in fact at the controls, and the growing proximity to the red planet starts to make the Sarikus shake and shutter under his safety-protocol breaking approach velocity. Does he have a death wish? He'd better fire braking thrusters...

Not giving a damn about the sudden violent g-forces, he pulls the nose up at a dangerously low altitude and utilizes landing thrusters while also firing breaking thrusters. Somewhere onboard someone's mecha-fish aquarium shatters. Stupid thing to keep on a ship anyway. The Sarikus makes a daring landing, responding to the call for aid.

Slugfest runs towards the Autobot shuttle when it lands. "NO NO NO! NO INTERFERE! US BEAT UP HYOOMANS YOU NO STOP US!" The enraged little cassette charges, chainsaws revving!

"Sixshot, handle that Dinobot," Galvatron commands smugly, watching the incoming shuttle start to drop jump troops as Swoop pounds some poor Battlecharger's face in. "The rest of you, you know what to do! Tear the Autobots limb from limb and peel their human pets from their suits! Show them Mars is OURS, and they will take nothing back from it but GRIEF!"

Sixshot didn't seem much interested by the conversation until Shockwave warned them about the autobot shuttle's arrival. The sixchanger almost looks relieved, there is finally something to do, a real challenge. He doesn't even wait for Galvatron's order, he immediatly leaps into the air, reconfiguring into a cybertronian starfighter. His engines spit flames as he takes off to meet the Dinobot.

Combat: Galvatron inspires Polarity, Scorn, Sixshot, and Slugfest with moving and heroic words!

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his Starfighter mode.

Scorn's antennas twitch at the sight of the incoming shuttles, lower jaw splitting and clicking rapidly in excitement when the order from Galvatron is given. "With pleasure, Lord Galvatron!" She cackles, shifting into her mantis mode and jumping from her peak, thrusters sending her forward while slowly falling. Once her feet touch ground she's off, nearly hugging the ground as four legs skitter and carry her across the dusty, rocky terrain.

Optics train immediatly on the exos, Scorn hissing and clacking her pincers as she heads straight for them, aiming a wad of nasty, sticky, corrosive acid at Jayson's rig in particular to blind him in her approach.

Scorn crouches before shifting into her scythe-armed mantis mode.

Combat: Preying Mantis <Scorn> strikes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with her Molten Plasma Spit attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>'s Accuracy. (Blinded)

Polarity perks up from his taunting of humans inside of the building at the announcement of more proper foes approaching. "Ah, finally. This was starting to get boring, even for me." Watching the shuttle arc across the sky and come down for more of a crash than a landing, he snickers a bit as he exploits the low martian gravity to leap onto the roof one of the standing buildings without bothering with antigravs. With a prime view of where the shuttle went down he half crouchs there and raises an arm-rifle, just waiting for an autobot to step into view. The groundpounders or generics can get in the line of fire of whoever comes out first.

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Polarity has 'skipped' his action for this round.

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> has 'skipped' his action for this round.

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield hisses through his teeth, annoyed as Scorn's acid knocks out his armor's sensors. However, he attempts to remain calm, quickly going his options. He did see Scorn briefly before she blinded the Pegasus...so chances are she's still in that general location. Acting fast, Jayson fires the exo's machine guns.

Scattershot has arrived.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> misses Preying Mantis <Scorn> with its Medium Machine Gun attack!

Fusillade has arrived.

Penumbra throws a series of switches. The interior lights change to flashing red notifying all onboard crew that this is a hot zone. Penumbra doesn't stray far from the bridge, going to the nearest gun port. He draws his simple laser sidearm. Hatches open as gumbies point their personal weapons out to give cover fire for the shuttle itself while the ship entry hatch opens and more Autobots start to deploy. Red Martian dust still settling all about the Sarikus. Hull hot from entry. Coolant working on the interior systems.

Scattershot leaps impossibly, due to his massive size, into the air and transforms into battlecruiser mode, hovering like a boss and being all ready for business.

Scattershot unfolds into his hulk of a robot mode, lovingly props his pump action acid lined slug artillery rifle against his shoulder, and lights an energon cigar he stole from Kup.

Shockwave/INFO - Set.

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar talks on the EDC radio about Kup and Jayson going to the Intergalactic Lemon Party as he continues to fire his rifle and have the weapon systems calculate what targets need to be taken out next.

The Glaive dashes past a couple of nameless gumbies and attempts to get into a cargo bay of some ware house to get the supplies needed to liberate the trapped EDC personnel. "This is going to be a very, very long night."

After Swoop tears the arm off the poor Battlecharger and beats him to death with it it, he takes a moment to survey the rest of the battlefield, discarding the limb with a toss over his shoulder. It's then that he spots the six-changer speeding straight towards him and he reacts quickly, transforming into his pterosaur mode and racing to close the space between them like a game of chicken, Autobot-red lasers firing from his parted beak the entire time.

Swoop transforms into a bad-ass pterosaur.

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> misses Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> with his Pewpew (Laser) attack!

Scattershot loads a second rifle and slings it over his shoulder, grinning at Penumbra as he chomps a cigar. "Hell and tarnation, Ah never knew you had moves like that." He clicks the safety off of two laser pistols, and his shoulder mounted turrets whir to life. "Alright, Autobots, ya'll wanna live forever? OR DO YA'LL WANNA GO TO WAR?

Penumbra glances towards Scattershot. "Nothing but another day walking the line. Good hunting." He opens fire out his port. ~pew pew pew~ Aw, his lil gun is so cute.

If her face in this mode had the ability to express she'd be all smiles at this point, zigzagging and dancing around Jayson's blindfire while orange tufts of dust from the ground explode up around her with each bullet. "Time to crack this hard shell and see what delicious, squishy treat it has inside!" The femme skrees, feet digging into the dirt and launching her at the Pegasus, scythe blades reaching out, ready to hack and slash to try and pry open the exo like a tin can.

Shockwave cranes his neck upwards as he watches the Sarikus come in for a fast and hard landing. Nice piloting, he admits. With Galvatron ordering the Decepticons to disperse and attack, Shockwave doesn't move just yet. He lets the cannon fodder move in first just in case Rodimus has another trick up his sleeve. Similarly, he is not particularly impressed by Galvatron's orders. He doesn't need to be told how to kill Autobots, and doesn't share with the Decepticon leader's blood thirst.

The EDC and Autobots deploy, blazing away at the Cons with everything they have, and Shockwave... turns away. "I will finish off the base," he tells Galvatron. Shockwave hovers up high into the air, shifting into laser gun mode. The two Seekers with him join him, staying in robot mode so they can better cover him. The EDC fighter base's aerodome hangar, battered and broken and containing the survivors of their first assault, lays beneath him.

Shockwave begins channeling power to his weapon systems.

Shockwave's legs combine as his back unfolds. A wide, silver barrel appears out of subspace and connects to his arms, completing his transformation into ray gun mode.

Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot>'s targeting computer is locked on the flying dinobot. He sees the incoming laser beam almost like if he was moving in slow motion. Weigthing his options, he transforms at the last moment and falls towards the ground, the laser misses him by an inch and a moment later, the sixchanger heavyly lands on the ground. His rifle instantly appears into his hands as he aims them at Swoop, waiting just long enough to get a good aim, before pulling the triggers.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his robot mode.

Combat: Sixshot sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Sixshot misses Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> with his Hypersonic Concussion Blaster attack! [Pulled -4]

Combat: Preying Mantis <Scorn> sets her defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Preying Mantis <Scorn> misses Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with her Plasma Sheathed Blades attack!

Slugfest reaches the shuttle and starts trying to saw his way into it. "Come out fight like mech!" the little stegosaur-tape demands. If Slugfest had ears, steam would be coming out of them.

<Decepticon> Fusillade says, "Lord Galvatron, Shockwave, I am nearly at the base. Are there any high priority structural targets I should focus on?"

Combat: Slugfest misses Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus> with his Chainsaw Plates attack! [Pulled -4]

Galvatron nods to Shockwave absently, the glare of laserfire and the blaze of rocket explosions glinting in his eyes. He's entranced by the taste of victory. "Very good, Shockwave. Cook the vermin in their nest. They're of no use to me."

Reidan Wesley has arrived.

Geo has arrived.

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Demolish the rail station so that no survivors can escape to the other human facilities on Mars. It should be easy to find. The Battlechargers have lit it on fire."

Generic troopers and palette swaps get to fighting generic troopers and palette swaps. It's just the way these things go. As lasers and bulelts fly back and forth at first Polarity is content to watch the fireworks, waiting for a moment to strike. Until from his vantage point atop the complex he spots a group of Autobots trying to sneak around the firefight to get to the domes. "Ooh ho ho ho. I don't thiiink sooo~" With another low-gravity leap Polarity lunges off the complex roof.

And lands right in front of the squad of would be rescuers. The martian dust doesn't get a chance to settle before the troopers open fire in their defense. Only to have their shots ping off in various directions as Polarity deflects them with his electromagnetic fields, bits of debris from the ravaging starting to float near him a bit since the low gravity and lesser magnetic fields makes it easier for his powers to lift things. Essentially turning his position into a barricade of blunt floaty things.

Some brave bot may want to come do something about that forcefield blockage so the rescue teams can do their thing, or this is going to get ugly fast...

Combat: Polarity creates a forcefield shielding himself from damage.

<Decepticon> Geo says, "Decepticon assault squad. If possible, please try not to interrupt the live feed; I will be using it to begin preliminary scans for potential Earth Defense Command and Autobot-related structures, as well as potential resources for us, within the local geology."

From afar (to Shockwave, Galvatron, and Fusillade), Geo (Pocket) bows. :)

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "It's my wish that Soundwave's minion be obeyed in this matter, Decepticons. There are... geological qualities here of INTEREST to me."

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "Well then, we'll just have to give the Autoblunts something else to pay attention to! Moving to intercept one of their rescue squads trying to get to the humans. If that doesn't draw some aggro, nuttin' will."

<Decepticon> Geo says, "Thank you, Lord Galvatron. I humbly accept this appreciation."

A yellow-orange trail plunges down the northeastern sky, slowly levelling off and resolving into the arrowhead silhouette of Fusillade's space-going bomber mode. The craft's thrust comes from a quartet of custom rocket boosters clipped to her wings and rear fuselage. Her ass just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The bomber rocks wings in greeting to the Decepticon ground troops, and then whips past the bulk of the fighting to finish the job the Battlecharger force started. She lines up with the rail lines linking the station to the other Martian compounds, and begins pounding them with sets of 1000-lb and 2000-lb munitions. Where the explosions' flames would be fiery on Earth, they are instead replaced with towering plumes of disturbed regolith as the rail ties and lines begin buckling.

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield momentarily gets his sensors back, just in time to see Scorn come at him. The Pegasus ducks to the side, narrowly avoiding the blades. His breathing by this point is a little heavy; he's anxious, eager to win this fight and prevent more casualties. "Sorry," he mock apologizes, extending the blades on the exo's wrists, "but this is one 'shell' you won't crack open!" He lunges at Scorn, attempting to stab her in the face.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> strikes Preying Mantis <Scorn> with its Arm Blade attack!

Combat: Penumbra sets his defense level to Guarded.

No, the shuttle Sarikus doesn't get up and dodge the blades of Slugfest... Penumbra is protecting his ride... The first Decepticon that approaches is an unlikely one... the Stegosaur-Cassette. His laser pistol swings down and opens fire to make it back off before those spinal blades touch. "Nobody keys my baby if I have anything to do about it, spud."

Combat: Penumbra strikes Slugfest with his A scoundrels laser sidearm (Laser) attack!

Scattershot strides down the ramp with the charging Autobot vanguard, laying down coverfire and generally looking awesome...until something large, purple, and laser shaped catches his eye. Shockwave. Charging up for a killshot. Scattershot doesn't need to look around to see if there's anyone else to take the cyclops down. The big Technobot drops his automatic pistols and unslings an absurdly oversized elephantbot gun from his shoulder and takes aim. "Time for a big ol' hail mary..." He squeezes the trigger.

Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> narrowly avoids the Decepticon's rifle fire thanks to a little fancy flying and a whole lot of luck (not that he would admit that.) He swoops behind Sixshot and transforms, feet kicking up clouds of red sand as he touches down and stomps towards his opponent. "Me know you. You got lots of modes." His fingers grasp the hilt of his thermal sword and he dashes forward, swinging the blade at the six-changer in a horizontal arc. "Too bad them all suck!"

Combat: Scattershot sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Scattershot misses Laser Gun <Shockwave> with his My cat just sneezed like 17 times and this is a big cannon and I'm not sure why I mentioned my cat attack!

Combat: Scattershot (Scattershot) used "Smackdown": A Level 4 MELEE attack.

Swoop transforms into a super cool robot.

Combat: Swoop strikes Sixshot with his Slice 'n Dice attack!

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar sighs heavily.

"Oh great, Starscream or Sunstorm or Sunscream... Or whatever he is..." mutters Nate as he watches Polarity start to mess with forcefields and the evacuation, "Has to be even more annoying than ever." The Glaive's rifle is quickly restocked as the pilot takes aim over at Polarity to fire a small blast of rounds in his direction; possibly to be a warning shot or give some damage to draw the menacing Seeker in his direction.

Nate continues to send orders as he tries to pull Polarity off his current projected.


 * Rata-tat-tat* is all that can be heard as the Glaive's focus is on Polarity now.

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> strikes Polarity with his Auto-Rifle attack!

Combat: Polarity's forcefield absorbs Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>'s attack.

Sixshot is nearly caught off-guard by Swoop's speed. Forgetting that Swoop isn't as slow as his brothers could spell death. The decepticon warrior launch his left arm to deflect the thermal sword...with partial success. He did manage to deflect it but not without receiving a nasty wound. "That's what we shall see Dinobot!". The sixchanger falls to the ground while he transforms into his cyberwolf mode. A mere second later, he goes for Swoop's throat with his jaws wide open.

Combat: Sixshot sets his defense level to Fearless.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his Cyber Wolf mode.

Combat: Armored Cyber Wolf <Sixshot> strikes Swoop with his Savage Wolf attack!

"Agh!" Scorn immediatly reels back in surprise when her missed attack is met with his own, the femme's scythes raising to her face as she stumbles back in surprise, trying to cover her wound. It's... not a pretty sight when she finally lowers her blades, the thin outer layer on the side of her insectoid face cleanly sheered away by his blade, some visible circuitry sparking as energon trickles down her neck and shoulder.

She can't see the damage itself, but she knows it doesn't look good from the pain. "Y-...You! You'll pay for this with your life!!" Mandibles snap as Scorn emits a hungry, insectoid scream, thrusters giving her a sudden boost when she charges and leaps upon the exo. "Get out of that husk so I can flay you alive, filthy pest!" Scorn hisses, trying to strike at the exo's front with her strong jaws and literally bite her way into his cockpit.

Sparks fly as bullets rattle across the electromagnetic barrier, pelting the ground with the scrap as some of debris suspended in it is shattered or knocked free by the blasts. The Seeker is unphased, but it certainly got his attention as he turns and cocks his head in the direction the fire came from. "Oh look, the squishies finally brought out their knock-offs."

He crooks back a glowing hand, disgorging a lump of metal from the junk-barrier; followed by turning to point in the direction of the Glaive and flinging it at the exo with a little magnetic repulsion. "And now I'm going to KNOCK it OFF!"

Combat: Polarity misses Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his scrap toss (Pistol) attack!

Combat: Preying Mantis <Scorn> strikes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with her Open up! (Punch) attack!

Laser Gun <Shockwave> and his two troopers hover above the aerodome while the former charges power. The Seeker to his right is a stern fellow carrying a huge gauss cannon, while the one on his left has shifty eyes and keeps aiming his arm cannons at random targets just in case he needs to shoot them... even fellow Decepticons. "Wait," the shifty one says, locking his optics on something near the Sarikus's boarding ramp. "Commander Shockwave, I s-" The Seeker's head snaps back as a wound appears in the middle of his forehead. The Seeker lets out an anguished cry before falling from the sky.

Shockwave immediately postpones his plan to finish off the aerodome. At the end of the day, it's defeating the Autobots that's important. Shifting back into robot mode, he takes the dead Seeker's fall, position, and wound into consideration as he calculates the location of the shooter. "Scattershot," he announces to his comrade. Shockwave takes aim with his arm cannon, firing a potent blast of purple energy down towards the Sarikus's landing ramp. Even if he misses, there's a chance he'll hit another Autobot.

Slugfest rages and rushes at the open port where Penumbra is peeking out of, after bouncing a bit backwards when the laser blast hits him. This thoroughly enrages him and the metal of his head starts to glow red. He leaps, intent on going through the port and trampling Penumbra. At this point he's too angry to form coherent words, so he's just jabbering dinobotese nonsense.

Shockwave's handle separates into legs as his barrel does into arms. Straightening out, he completes his transformation into robot mode.

Combat: Shockwave strikes Scattershot with his Laser attack!

Combat: Drained 2 energon.

Combat: Slugfest misses Penumbra with his Stego-Trampling! (Kick) attack!

KRT-THOOM! KRT-THOOM!

Fusillade dutifully severs the arterial mass of service tunnels and rails, frost spreading from the atmosphere as it leaks out, before disappearing in near-instantaneous sublimation. <<There, THAT should make it harder for them to leave,>> the sleek craft remarks in satisfaction. The sound of Briar's and Polarity's nearby fighting catches her attention, and she turns on one wing to spoil the fight. Several lances of purple laser fire arc out toward the pair, slamming into the ground, the walls, and with luck, the Exo-Suit.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer sets her defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer strikes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with her Nose-Mounted Laser (Laser) attack!

Galvatron looks on with satisfaction- the low-gravity training he had Fusillade put his troops through seems to be paying off. An explosion detonates against his back and dampens his reverie- a few of the Colony Marines have crept up on him and taken cover inside a smashed hydroponic greenhouse with their anti-robot launchers. Galvatron turns scornfully, swings his right arm up to wasit level and burns the greenhouse into a smoldering hole in the tarmac with four seconds of sustained cannon fire. Molten glass droplets fly out from the puddle of slag and patter down as hard little beads, like hail.

Scattershot mutters something unrepeatable as the Seeker takes the hit and quickly begins reloading. "This next one's yours for sure, ya One Eyed Plasma Shooter." An young, bright eyed Autobot named Bottlethrottle runs up and gives the Technobot a thumbs up. "You'll nail 'em, Scattershot, or I'm not a future Wrecker!" Scattershot gives the young idiot a weird look, distracted for a moment..."Slag it, MOVE!" He shoves Bottlethrottle out of the way, and gets blasted by Shockwave's counter. Bottlethrottle kneels beside him. "He died to save me!" The young Autobot wails, crying big dumb Beast Machines tears.

"Ah'm fine, ya moron." Scattershot knocks the moron away and points at a gathered group of Autobots. "Priority one, boys: Pull some heat offa that base. And that heat starts with Shockwave! Now ROLL OUT!" The five gathered red shirts cheer and transform: two Cybertronian fighter crafts, one helicopter, a wolf with wings, and a large order of french fries, which sits on the wolf.

"What about me, sir?" Bottlethrottle is ready to save the day. To make a name for himself. Scattershot rolls his eyes. "Ah need you to get into the ship and find me four lengths of siteline for my sniper rifle." The kid salutes and runs off. Scatter sighs. Hopefully the dumb mech doesn't figure it out until the shooting stops. He transforms, following after the Project: Kill Shockwave task force.

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

Penumbra responds over <NEST-Local> "We're still here and we're keeping the motor running for you, chief. I..."

The Stego-Tape leaps at him through the port and he catches Slugfest by the ugly-green neck. He topples backwards to the floor with mini-dino on top and he tries bashing the pest off with the butt of his sidearm. "No pets permittted on this flight, Fido!"

Combat: Penumbra sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Before Swoop is able to get another swing in, Sixshot is already upon him, jaws clamped tight around his neck. The Dinobot stumbles backwards but manages to stay on his feet as falling would give the cyber-wolf a perfect opportunity to just maul the hell of of him and that's no good. "Stupid dog let go!" he squawks, reeling back a fist and swinging it towards the beast's metal gut with all his strength to 'encourage' him to let go.

Combat: Penumbra strikes Slugfest with his Pistol-Whip (Punch) attack!

Trapped by Polarity's forcefield, Reidan darts out the emergency exit, and skids to a halt. He was wearing an emergency breathing apparatus due to the evacuation, but he hadnt counted on the shimmering wall of energy to block his way "... Well, isnt THIS a fine kettle of fish." he remarks idly, glanding about, and then seeing Polarity there, busy with Jayson.

Combat: Swoop misses Armored Cyber Wolf <Sixshot> with his Pummel (Punch) attack!

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield continues to stand his ground, even as Scorn's mandibles cut into the cockpit of his armor. Despite this, he grins, retracting the wrist blades and replacing them with arm-mounted laser guns. Sure, Scorn wants to kill him, but he doesn't particularly care right now. "Wow, now you're even more ugly!" He aims one of the laser guns, straight at Scorn's head. "Head shot! See ya!"

Fortress Maximus arrives from the Orbit of Mars.

Fortress Maximus has arrived.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> misses Preying Mantis <Scorn> with its Laser attack!

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar manages to avoid the assault brought on by Polarity by dodging the debris just in the quick of time but to be caught in the debris left by Fusillade's bombing. "Two? Why would the Decepticon pick me to doubleteam and not /Jase/?"

The Glaive's LED indicators suggest that the damage was minimum from the bombing but Nate still doesn't doesn't liked to be bombed from anyone. Particularly from a Decepticon. The anti-aircraft warheads hum before trying to track Fusillade and perhaps clip her wings.

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> strikes Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Anti-Aircraft Rockets attack! [Pulled -6]

Armored Cyber Wolf <Sixshot> doesn't let go...at first. But before Swoop could punch him, he transforms back into his robot mode and catches Swoop's fist into his left hand. "You may be faster than your brothers but you are not as strong." The sixchanger pushes the dinobot back but quickly follows with a vicious punch on his own.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his robot mode.

Combat: Sixshot strikes Swoop with his Punch attack!

"Six Autobots, Shockwave. Scattershot's got the highest rating, but the Product Placementbot isn't far behind," the stern Seeker says. He hoists up his gauss cannon. Unlike most Seekers, he only has one arm cannon, but he makes up for it by having the gun be three times the size and containing a rotating chain assembly that lets it fire seventy-one thousand rounds per breem. The six Autobots charge in, with Scattershot being last thanks to the need to get rid of the idiot (Shockwave feels his pain in this).

"Very well, the aerodome can wait," Shockwave announces. He takes aim at the lead fighter, firing a blast that tears off her right wing and sends her plummeting down towards the ground. The gauss cannon wielding Seeker braces himself with his boot thrusters and cuts loose, downing the helicopter and wounding the wolf before the second fighter blows him out of the sky. The remaining Autobots blast Shockwave with their assorted weapons, and the Commander is forced to take evasive action, exchanging light fire with them as he goes.

This might be the opening Scattershot needs.

Slugfest gets a pistol butt to the noggan as he tussles with Penumbra and is knocked sideways. Revving his chainsawplates some more, the little stego-tape tries snapping at the hand wielding the offending weapon. "NO AM PET!"

Combat: Slugfest sets his defense level to Fearless.

Preying Mantis <Scorn> hisses right in Jayson's face at his little remark about her looks, her jaws literally about a foot or two away from him in the piloting chair. But she knows well enough that such close combat isn't a good thing, especially when he shifts to his mounted gun. With a deft movement she ducks from the gun before it fires, legs then slamming into the midsection of the exo to push her off into the air.

"Ugh, you humans are such a nuisence." She clicks her pincers and shifts back to her robot mode while still in the air. Microthrusters burst to life once more, sending Scorn swiftly off to the side while she draws her pistols, strafing Jayson's exo and firing off a few acid rounds at him.

Standing up straight, Scorn shifts back into sexy robot mode.

Combat: Slugfest strikes Penumbra with his Millyuns of lil TEEF! (Punch) attack!

Combat: Scorn misses Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with her Plasma Burst Pistols attack!

Scattershot transforms into cruiser mode, focused on Shockwave...Autobots fall on either side of him, but...that's war. He'll grieve those dropping from his commands later, but the priority now is to drop the need for those commands. "Keep on them! Drop those Seekers, Ah'll handle Shockwave!"

Frybot leaps from the falling Wingwolf at the large cannoned Seeker and transforms into his 8 armed chainsword wieling robot mode, screaming something about it being a good day to meet the Matrix.

"Not a bad day at all...Multiple turrets train on Shockwave. On the inside, Scattershot's laughing. On the outside, he's killing.

Scattershot leaps impossibly, due to his massive size, into the air and transforms into battlecruiser mode, hovering like a boss and being all ready for business.

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> strikes Shockwave with his Side-Mounted Thermal Shell attack!

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> (Scattershot) used "Side-Mounted Thermal Shell": A Level 2 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 6 damage.

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

Polarity hasn't noticed one little human sneaking out of the building, due to having his attention focused on keeping Autobots and angry EDC Generals at bay. "You guys are so out of your league, it ain't funny." Pause. Then the Seeker starts cackling. "Actually, it is funny! Hahahaha! Buncha suckers."

The crimson and steel Seeker floats off the ground a bit more, drawing a little more power from his field to charge back through magnetic projectors. "But since you're so willing to come to your own interplanetary funeral, lemme give you a proper greeting."

Putting both hands together in front of him Polarity forms enough concentrated magnetism fo attrack bits of debris and shrapnel floating from the field, until he finally flings what's a lump of magnetized spikey pointy bits at the Exo. Might not do much physical damage, but it is giving off magnetic waves due to the charge holding it vagely together. "Catch!"

Combat: Polarity misses Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his Magnetized Ball-O-Sharp attack! [Pulled -2]

The chainsawplates briefly makes a rapid metal-on-metal chingidychingchinging with sparks flying before they knock Penumbra's gun out of his hand and he reflexively recoils the arm to shake his smarting hand joints. "No am care." He gets to his own feet and points his other arm at Slugfest. Mounted on this arm is a custom built dart gun assembly. A gear rotates, setting it from single shot to full auto and a hail of standard darts hail towards Slugfest.

Combat: Penumbra sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Penumbra strikes Slugfest with his Full-Auto Darts (Full-Auto) attack!

Galvatron glances up in time to see Shockwave's unit go into Scattershot's with guns blazing, and the Autobot's return fire. Galvatron appears to be holding himself back, guarding one of Soundwave's tapes, which is doing... something to the ground. Some scientific testing or scanning, using injected percussive charges and sonar. Galvatron decides that he likes the cut of that last seeker's jib, however, and turns to pulse a shot into and through Frybot, the detonation of the unfortunate McBot showering Scattershot with shrapnel.

Combat: Galvatron misses Battlecruiser <Scattershot> with his Ding Fries are Up (Laser) attack!

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield actually laughs as he ducks back, then dodges to the side, extending the wrist blades once more. "Glad you think so!" he says cheerfully, despite the dire situation. "Now if you don't mind..." He prepares to attack again. "Die!" He stabs at Scorn's chest. He is an angry little Redfield.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> strikes Scorn with its Arm Blade attack!

Geo has been, for the longest time, settled nearby Galvatron and hopefully out of the line of fire, putting together parts. Now, however, the machine is finished: it looks like a pedestal of some sort, with a number of extending arms and waldoes that end in scanning pads. "Beginning scans now, Lord Galvatron," she says softly, and begins to type at high speed on the keypad. Galvatron and other Decepticons nearby can see the screens light up, projecting a slight holographic readout of the surrounding half-mile of terrain in great surface detail. "As the scans complete," she says, "the interior of the terrain projection will fill in with underground crevasses and caverns, structural supports, and other alterations, both natural and manmade, to the Martian surface."

With a flare of engine brakes, Fusillade pulls up hard, avoiding most of the rockets sent her way. One manages to land, a brief glow of oxygen-starved explosion marking its impact on her left trailing edge. One aileron segment hangs awkwardly, before the large craft shakes it hard, wrenching the metal off and sending it down to collide against a boulder outcropping. The bomber climbs as she recognizes Polarity holding his own, and with an <<Atta boy!>> she starts looking for her next skirmish.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

From afar (to Shockwave and Galvatron), Geo (Pocket) leaves that up to Galv.

Swoop's face twists into an angry snarl, the six-changers words cutting him deep; he knows he's not as strong as the other Dinobots and he loathes being reminded of it, especially by some six-changer freak. The punch sends him staggering backwards but he takes it like a champ, letting it further fuel the resentment and anger building up inside him. "Maybe me Swoop not as strong as him Grimlock or him Sludge, but me strong enough to beat you!" The Dinobot swings his arm to smash Sixshot over the head with the butt of his sword and, if he succeeds, he'll follow up with punch from his other fist and maybe throw some knees and elbows in there just to spice things up.

Combat: Swoop strikes Sixshot with his It's Clobbering Time! this player sued for copywrite infringement attack!

Reidan Wesley scowls at lack of response on his radi. Then again the soldiers WERE busy trying to Not Die. The same as he. Only he wasn't being actively shot at. Yet. So he was on his own. Again. Well, it was typical of it, and he was old enough to take care of himself. Really. Thus he stares at the forcefield, trying to think of what to do, when he notices that it seemed weaker. Then he stares at the Seeker, and scowls as he sees Polarity targetting Jayson and then Nate. Well then. He rufles through his coat pockets, and finds a bag of candies as he saunters his way over, humming a little through the mask. How he intends to EAT the candies through the mask, is really hard to tell.

"That is QUITE the trick you do with that magnetic field! Your master of it exceeds anything I've seen on this planet!" he compliments. That seems to placate MOST Decepticons...

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar looks at Polarity who manages to miss again. "You're fighting an avid comic book reader. The Glaive has some resistance against magnetism. It was incase of an issue with an electric magnetic attack. You never know when Magneto shows up."

Of course, the pilot is lying and trying to see if Polarity falls for it. Fortunately, the laser blasting plane from above is no longer attacking and this makes Polarity the focus of Nate. The Glaive begins to move closer to where Polarity is and says, "Here, let me show you how this works!" The energy blade mounted in the armored suit's wrist is deployed and attempts to carve into the side of the poor Decepticon. Of course, this now puts Nate in tight quarters against Polarity.

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> strikes Polarity with his Energy Blade attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Polarity's forcefield absorbs Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>'s attack.

Reidan Wesley blinks as Nate suddenly makes this Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud. His eyes widen, and he drops his candies before turning to bolt back where he'd come from, before inertia of Nates' attaack, or the Decepticon, ends up with him underfoot.

<Decepticon> Shockwave says, "I'll need to deal with Scattershot before I continue my assault on the aerodome."

Several points of brilliant blue thruster fire penetrates the sandy martian clouds shortly before the bulk of a Cybertronian battleship follows through on its descent towards the surface. Behind it are a few other dropships, no where near as big as an Autobot shuttle itself, but sufficient to carry half a dozen or so Autobot gumbies in each of their transport compartment.

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Fusillade, Shockwave requires HELP. Why don't you see to Scattershot for him."

<Decepticon> Shockwave says, "I am fully capable of dealing with the Technobot on my own, Galvatron. However, her assistance would speed up the destruction of the hangar."

In addition to the sonar scanning pads, a number of the waldoes extend outward, pods opening and revealing small, cybertronuron-tipped drills that lower and begin to bore into the rust-colored Martian soil. As each of the drills enters the soil, there's a whoosh and the drill begins to dig deeper, driven on by vibrations that drive it deeper and deeper; it's these sonic scans, picked up by the scanning pads, that begin to fill in the holographic projection of the Martian landscape with details. "It will take some time for the scanner," Geo intones, as three more drills are released into the red ground, "to give me a full readout. But this should give us a bigger picture, my lord, with approximately 92.6254 percent accuracy. Is this acceptable, or should I boost the output, Lord Galvatron?" She takes a moment to stop typing long enough to attach what looks like a Cybertronian data-node interface to the machine: it looks like a cassette player, like most data-nodes made for interface with Soundwave's creations.

Sixshot is forced to step back under Swoop's onslaught. Separatly each strike does little damage but when you add all of them. After taking two steps back, Sixshot stops and hold his ground ready to block further attacks. "That's what we're about to see Dinobot." He meant no disrespect, after all, Swoop is a worthy warrior. He decides to go on the offense and starts walking towards the dinobot, throwing a flurry of blow at him.

Combat: Sixshot misses Swoop with his Sixshot Smackdown attack!

Down below, additional Decepticons are taking off to defend Shockwave, who quickly finds himself outflanked by Scattershot and his soldiers. Frybot at least is sent plummeting to the ground, where he'll probably massacre a few dozen Decepticons before getting tired. Either that or he'll run afoul of Galvatron and ascend to the great fryer in the sky. "Better mechs than you have tried, Scattershot," Shockwave replies. "This battle was over before it even began. Our forces have demolished the EDC presence here."

Shockwave briefly glances down, surprised that Galvatron hasn't launched himself face-first into the fray yet. He seems to be... guarding something? Is that Geo? Odd. This wasn't discussed during the battle plan. Just what is the Decepticon leader up to? Before he can investigate, a blast from one the Autobot fighter craft disrupts his train of thought.

Flying forward, Shockwave tries to outmaneuver the battlecruiser. Although he manages to stay out of the firing arc of that main cannon of his, the side turrets cut loose into him, spraying him with thermal shells. Shockwave's vision briefly turns to static, rapidly fading in and out. Calculating what he hopes is Scattershot's location based on his last position, trajectory, and speed, Shockwave fires a quick blast from his arm cannon.

Combat: Shockwave strikes Battlecruiser <Scattershot> with his I guess it's true--if you fire your cannon too many times you'll eventually go blind (Disruptor) attack!

Combat: Gained 1 energon.

While descending Jayson seems to catch up with Scorn while dodging her pistol shots. Once her feet hit the dirt she tries to avoid his blade, but she's starting to grow sluggish, internal alarms going off to signal low fuel. And this leads to her downfall as the blade rips cleanly through her chestplate and to the other side.

Hands clutch at the wound when she shrieks in pain, stumbling back while energon leaks heavily from the clean stab. <<Backup needed! Energon is critically low!>> Scorn calls out over the comm, venting hard while trying to scramble away from Jayson's exo, a trail of glowing violet energon left in her wake.

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

"Well I am the Decepticon Master of Magneti -- HEY!" Polarity realizes a moment after speaking that it wasn't one of the Con troopers speaking to him and turns a bit to glance behind him at the human in a space suit. "How'd you get outta the dome, you little germ."

*KRICRACKLE!* Nate dives his Exo in to attack at just the right moment while Polarity is looking away. The blade doesn't actually reach the Seeker, but the blade does penatrate through a weaker point in the field while he was distracted. "Ugh!" As Reidan runs again he snaps his attention back, scowling behind his visor. "You want Magneto? I'll give you Magneto!" The remaining chunks of debris drop to the ground as he releases the magnetic field, needing to focus his energies now that he's under direct assault. This allows him to amplify it towards the Glaive's form as a repelling field to fling it away, preferably into something hard. "WELCOME TO DIE!"

Combat: Polarity's forcefield protecting himself vanishes.

Slugfest is zapped again, and is still in a clear violent homicidal rage. "YOU ZAP ME ME ZAP YOU BACK!" he shouts, powering up his vibro cannons. "NO CARE IF NO AM CARE!"

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

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Make your way back to our line, Scorn. I will take care of your opponent."

Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Polarity misses Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his Repelling Toss attack! [Pulled -2]

Battlecruiser <Scattershot> takes the shot, refusing to lose his momentum on Shockwave. Behind him, Fryguy is obliterated by Galvatron, pieces of french fry raining on the battlecruiser...None of it matters. Shockwave has to die. Multiple light arm turrets activate and open fire..."Ah'm sure it'll feel good when a less than better Bot tears at yer spark!" He's in the zone. So zoned, in fact, if say...Fusillade showed up, he probably wouldn't notice until it's too late...

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> strikes Shockwave with his Turret-Mounted Artillery attack!

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> (Scattershot) used "Turret-Mounted Artillery": A Level 4 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 11 damage.

<Decepticon> Scorn says, "Thank you, Lord Galvatron"

The radio summons from Decepticon high commander rings sweetly to Fusillade, and the bomber stoops, easing into a line that plummets her toward the aerodrome, Shockwave, and Scattershot. <<Well hello there, nice to see something else large and in charge in the skies here, Scattershot!!!>> She also greets him with laserfire.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer strikes Battlecruiser <Scattershot> with her Nose-Mounted Laser (Laser) attack!

Galvatron hears Scorn's cry for help and turns in that direction to peer through the affray. "Keep your head down," he commands Geo, and steps up onto a piece of rubble to steady his arm. His cannon glows a brilliant orange and with a flare of white light a narrow but piercing beam spears out of the muzzle towards Scorn, sizzling over her shoulder towards the human craft pursuing the defeated Insecticon!

Combat: Galvatron sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Galvatron strikes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with his Quantum Phase Beam attack!

Reidan Wesley watches the Forcefield drop, and grins that catty grin of his as he bangs on the exit dor "Evac now! The forcefield is down! Let's get out of here!" while watching over his shoulder, nervously.

Penumbra makes a quick uh-oh expression before leap-diving out of Slugfest's firing line. An interior wall warps under the onslaught that was intended for the mustached pilot. He rolls to his feet and draws his rapier, charging at Slugfest with a flourish of his blade.

Combat: Penumbra misses Slugfest with his Rapier Wit attack!

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield attempts to pursue Scorn and finish her off, but he catches sight of Galvatron, though not fast enough. The shot from the Decepticon Overlord nails the Pegasus right in the chest, sending it to the planet surface. The fresh damage smokes and sparks as Jayson gets the armor back on its feet, grateful that the blast didn't completely penetrate the cockpit. "Dammit," he grunts, breathing heavily. Though he knows there is little he can do against Galvatron, he takes aim at him...and expects the worst.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> strikes Galvatron with its Medium Machine Gun attack!

"Which way is the shuttle?" asks one of the Colony Marines escorting the troop of engineers and scientists and pilots, looking out past Reidan with his grenade launcher shouldered.

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar cannot help but laugh for a second at Polarity who has been missing much of his attacks tonight. "Really, Decepticon? Really? You know who Magneto is? Here are some pointers. Try to see yourself as attractive first. Then you can try to fall back on your magnetic personality." Nate tries to fire his smaller gun at Polarity, "But if the femme bot doesn't like that, maybe you should tell her that opposites attract. She could just end up being a polar opposite!" The pilot really wishes the Glaive had a fake annoying laugh track at about this time. He takes aim as this strange glowing field emits around Polarity but fails to do anything to the Glaive. He fires a quick energy burst as he notices that Redfield is now engaging full combat against Galvatron. "/Mother Ducker/."

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> misses Polarity with his Pistol attack!

Swoop does his best to keep his distance when Sixshot goes on the offense, matching each of his steps with his own backwards ones, ducking and weaving to keep from getting pummeled by the flurry of fists before him. "Only thing you gonna see is me Swoop's fist in your face!" His words are misleading as he doesn't actually throw any punches, instead crouching down and kicking a leg out to sweep the Decepticon's feet right out from under him.

Combat: Swoop strikes Sixshot with his Kick attack!

Shockwave scores a hit, but his vision and other senses are still full of static. He catches glimpses of what's going on in sporatic bursts. He sees the red and black Martian horizon, then static. He sees the aerodome far below with Autobots and Decepticons exchanging weaponsfire, then static. He sees Fusillade tearing through the sky towards them, then static. Finally he sees more turrets than ought to fit on a frame of Scattershot's size. Then he sees /pain/ as his body is wrapep with explosions.

The force of the detonations is enough to short out Shockwave's boot thrusters and send him plummeting downwards, smashing into the metallic ground back first just outside the aerodome. A dozen or so red marks cover his body, where Scattershot's guns have superheated his armour to the point where it glows. Shockwave is slow to get up, but it's clear he still functions. This won't stop him. Looking up, he can see through the static enough to spy Fusillade blasting Scattershot. Good, good.

Shockwave turns, stepping towards the wall of the aerodome hangar. Pressing his hand against the heavy outer wall momentarily to gauge its thickness, Shockwave then pulls it back, makes a fist, and slams it through, breaching the aerodome with one frightenly powerful punch.

Sixshot is knocked off his feet and heavily falls to the ground. However, this doesn't slow him down for long. Without even trying to get up, he wuickly transforms into his ramming tank mode. He doesn't have much room to accelerate but that doesn't prevent him from launching himself towards the dinobots as fast as he can.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his Ramming Tank mode.

"Yes, My Lord," Geo replies, but pulls her pistol out of her hip holster and settles it on a flat surface on the scanning pad. Just in case. Her fingers begin to deftly work at maneuvering the scanning results, the scanpads moving a few degrees to the left and right, and the controls of the drills sending them turning and heading slightly to the left. As they go, more of the internal visuals of the Martian surroundings fill in; on the console, Geo hits a few more buttons, dropping another two drills. As the exo-armor returns fire to Galvatron and strikes him successfully, Geo grimaces. "If the scanner is hit, all will be for naught."

Combat: Armored Ram Tank <Sixshot> misses Swoop with his Tank Ram attack!

Slugfest deflects the slashing sword with his tail. "No are cut-up! Me cut you up!" he shouts at Penumbra, but first he'll try to trip the Autobot with his little thagomizer.

Combat: Slugfest strikes Penumbra with his thagomizer (Kick) attack!

Galvatron considers the human robot suit taken care of as he sees it go down, with Scorn limping hurriedly towards his position. But then it's back up, and high-caliber bullets are spangling musically off his glossy hull. He waves Scorn behind him with a frown. "Guard this cassetticon with your life," he commands her, pointing at Geo. "Your LIFE. I'll dispose of that wretched human."

Galvatron steps off the rubble and strides implacably towards the Pegasus even as it showers him with a rain of bullets. A nameless Autobot who looks like he turns into a pickup truck runs towards him and Galvatron shoots him through the head without slowing down, then steps over the body, pulsing his cannon in several short bursts as he advances. "That was a misstep, I think," he scoffs at the exo-craft. "You should've stayed down."

"Hey, hey!" Polarity jabs a thumb to his chest. "*I* make the magnetic jokes around here." The stops, optics blinking, and the annoyed fluster turns into a wry smirk. "Ooooh, I see what you're doing. Trying to throw me off my game by insulting my shtick. Hmph. Fine, have it your way." But as the blasts are fired they only chew up the ground where he had been standing as Polarity leaps into the air. No anti-grav, just taking advantage of the low-g training the Decepticons had before this assault. "I don't need fancy powers to do what Decepticons do best..."

Then the Seeker comes back down towards the Glaive feet first with enough force to deliver a body jarring slam if it doesn't move. "DESTROY!"

Combat: Galvatron strikes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with his Fusion Pulsar attack! [Pulled -10]

Combat: Polarity strikes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his Low-G Body Drop (Smash) attack!

Scorn honestly was not expecting Galvatron himself to come to her aid, or even shoot so close to her. The femme stays stock still in surprise as the beam fires over her shoulder, right beside the wound to her face, and strikes the exo down. With the opportunity presenting itself the Insecticon quickly rises to her feet, hunched over a little while retreating back to her leader's post to seek protection.

"Th-Thank you, my lord. Thank you.." She wheezes a little once she reaches him, still clutching her chest wound. What she wouldn't give for a medic and a massive energon cube right now. But she satiates herself for the moment by picking up some nearby metal debris, eating it like some starved animal, desperate for whatever fuel she can get. Thank Primus Insecticons can convert nearly anything into energy. But she nods at Galvatron's command, standing over Geo and her device to shield her from any incoming fire, wings spread for an added layer of protection.

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

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Have faith, Geo. This battle is going better than we had at first hoped. If you should be interrupted, we'll simply begin again at our leisure... Mars is ours, now."

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "The enemy simply hasn't realized it yet."

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "They do tend to be slow on that uptake, Lord Galvatron."

<Decepticon> Geo says, "Of course, Lord Galvatron. Your plan is infallible, as always."

<Decepticon> Geo says, "And thank you for your guardianship, Scorn."

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "Ugh, one of those little punks got the squishes out of the dome when I had to drop my field finally. Ah well. We don't want the fleshbags littering up our new digs anyways."

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield instinctively brings up the exo's arms to block the next blast, but it does little good. Briefly, the Pegasus in engulfed by the energy, but it remains standing despite all the damage it's taken from Galvatron alone. "You...you're pathetic," Jayson gasps out. "All your troops are pathetic. We humans aren't as helpless as you think!" He brings up the wrist blades as he takes a moment to prepare himself for another attack. Provided Galvatron sees him as a threat, which probably isn't the case anyway.

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> has 'skipped' its action for this round.

The rain of Fusi pain forces Scattershot into robot mode to keep control in the air. He scowls up at Fusillade as Shockwave forces his way into the base. "Ah don't have time for you, Decepticon!" Phasing in twin machine pistols from subspace, land of truck trailers and I think where tapes live, the Technobot empties the clips at Fusillade. "Ya know, Ah like mah mechs full figured, too! It's a shame you bleed purple, big girl!"

Scattershot unfolds into his hulk of a robot mode, lovingly props his pump action acid lined slug artillery rifle against his shoulder, and lights an energon cigar he stole from Kup.

Combat: Scattershot misses Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Both of these guns are being held sideways cuz it's AWESOME LOOKING (Laser) attack!

Penumbra was looking all cool until the four legged throwback whipped that tail about. He stumbles as his shin plates are smashed. "I'm not even following your dialog, grammer slammer. I just wanty you off my boat." With that, Penumbra dives for his fallen gun and on one knee opens fire on Slugfest.

Combat: Penumbra sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Penumbra misses Slugfest with his A scoundrels laser sidearm (Laser) attack!

Galvatron pauses and looks around the battlefield, since the human suit isn't fighting back at the moment. "You're lucky, worm, that I don't consider you less helpless than I do. I'm here because your species surprised me on Kwarch. You would be wise never to surprise me again," he says, over his shoulder. Steam rises from his cannon, waves of waste heat coming off his body from the power he's generating in battle mode. "Or are you trying to convince me you're a threat?"

While a pissed off tank barreling towards you might be scary for some Autobots, Swoop is unimpressed- merely activating his anti-gravs and lifting up into the air, hovering well above his opponent. "Hey, Six-guy! You forget Dinobots can fly? Me think that dumbest thing me ever see, and me see Sludge lots!"

The Dinobot cuts his anti-gravs and lands ontop of Sixshot's tank form with a thud, quickly taking a knee to steady himself. "Swoop gonna slice you open like tuna can!" he squawks, holding his sword high above his head before plunging it down to pierce the Decepticon's hull.

Combat: Swoop strikes Armored Ram Tank <Sixshot> with his Can Opener attack!

<<Oh, you're just going to have to MAKE time, Scattershot.>> Fusillade taunts back, all one hundred and fourty seven feet of her skimming sideways into a windup turn. <<And I ain't bleeding' ANYTHING right now, HAHAH!>> Fusillade cackles out in Scattershot's direction, before also shifting to robot mode, and chirping out, "Catch!" before winding up and flinting a plasma caster bolt from her elbow, along her wrist, and finally toward the Technobot's face.

The sleek bomber rears up, wings collapsing onto hips even as the rear fuselage splits to form arms. The horizontal stabilizer slides up, the forward fuselage folds up accordian style, and Fusillade hops up on thrustered feet.

Combat: Fusillade strikes Scattershot with her Doesn't Play Nicely with Others! attack!

Reidan Wesley is helping to evacuate the building, then checks to make sure it was empty. Then he emerges, carrying his hoverboard and a few things he managed to get from the Kitchen like lunch. He steps onto the board, intending to use it to flee FASTER than usual, glancing up and flinching at some of the blasts going on. Then he activates the hoverboard, cruising after the other evacuees to a 'pick up point'

Rearranging herself slightly, moving the mobile scanning apparatus back slightly to allow Scorn more room, Geo nods to herself, her visor dropping over her optics. "The scanning process is showing some interesting results," she states, mostly to herself but maybe to Scorn as well, "Natural caverns so far, but I am sure that, given time to perform a full scan in this radius... we will find more interesting resuls." Hopefully the results that Galvatron wishes to find. At that, she says, "Scorn, please warn me if there is incoming fire towards this apparatus." And with that, she transforms into cassette mode, landing in the data-node interface, which slides closed once she's inside. Her voice then emits from the machine, "It will be easier to collate and cross-reference the data in this form."

Slugfest charges at Penumbra again, intending to trample him. "NO CARE BOUT GRAMMAR!" he snaps, "GO SOAK CRAINYUL PLATES!"

Combat: Slugfest strikes Penumbra with his Stego-stampede of one! (Kick) attack!

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

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar is too distracted by the fact that Galvatron and Jayson are engaged into a combat battle. It's something that this Briar is smart enough to fear. Galvatron has cost the EDC a lot of men; including the cousin of Nate. This gives ample amount of nerves to be struck and distract Nate so that Polarity can body drop the Glaive.


 * KRUNK!* The Glaive is down. Inside Nate's head are visions of people he cared about being killed by the hands of the Decepticons. Michael Briar. Grunt #34. Kenny McCormick. Tasha Yar. Jayson Redfield. Optimus Prime. The Glaive clutches the rifle as it is down and tries to put a few holes in Polarity. "Sorry, but the comedy tour is over!"

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> misses Polarity with his Auto-Rifle attack! [Pulled -1]

Reidan Wesley is helping to evacuate the building, then checks to make sure it was empty. Then he emerges, carrying his hoverboard and a few things he managed to get from the Kitchen like lunch. He steps onto the board, intending to use it to flee FASTER than usual, glancing up and flinching at some of the blasts going on. Then he activates the hoverboard, cruising after the other evacuees to a 'pick up point'.

Penumbra finds himself staring down an oncoming one-tape stampede and, off of his feet, can't roll away in time to avoid being bowled down and trampled. He actually starts to lose his cool at this point and he muscles his way up off the floor enduring the viciousness of Slugfest. "I said... Get. The. Slag. OUT!" He tried to pick up Slugfest and ram the beast out the shuttle port with no regard to the damage the try might do to himself.

Combat: Penumbra sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Penumbra strikes Slugfest with his GTFO! (Smash) attack!

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield grins a little, though Galvatron can't see it. "Maybe I'm not a threat," he admits, "but that won't stop me from trying to take you down." Maybe he has a death wish. In fact, he's almost expecting to die in this battle. But really, he's always been the kind of person to put others before himself--he is angered by the fact that the Decepticons have killed so many of his comrades and allies. And he wants Galvatron to pay.

"Here I go," Jayson mutters to himself, bracing himself as he lunges at Galvatron, slashing at his chest with a wrist blade. "This is for Michael Briar!"

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> strikes Galvatron with its Arm Blade attack!

Scattershot charges at Fusillade...got to finish this quick...Shockwave is already causing problems... He trains his shoulder turrets on the Decepticon and...<<Scattershot, it's me! Bottlethrottle! I'm heading in after Shockwave! They're gonna assign me to the Wreckers! You wait and see!>> "Yer what?!" Scattershot shifts to spy the idiot Autobot dashing into the hole Shockewave punched for an entrance. <<Git outta th->> "GRGHTFYJDG!" Melting face. Scattershot twists away from Fusillade's viscious attack, grabbing at his face while his systems run diagnostics on his optics and vocal emitters...His burners pick up, keeping him out of a free fall...and he pulls his hands from his melted and burned face. A very unhappy looking face. "Time made, Decepticon." He unslings his acid cannon and fires wild!

Combat: Scattershot strikes Fusillade with his Automatic Acid-Pellet Gun attack!

Slugfest screams as he's picked up and unceremoniously shoved through the port back outside the shuttle. "NONONONONO!" he says, kicking all four of his stubby little legs. He lands awkwardly, headfirst.

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

Scorn multitasks by keeping a close eye out, and stuffing her face with any unimportant scraps laying around, trying to replace lost fuel fast. Antennas twitch a little though when Geo speaks, the femme looking over her shoulder at the device, swallowing a mouthful of metal before speaking. "I hope you find whatever Lord Galvatron is looking for soon, though I have no clue what he'd be searching for on this dustbowl of a planet." Either way she nods when the little Con switches to tape mode and nestles in the machine, Scorn keeping her a pistol drawn in case. "Right." Thankfully the internal warning signals have ceased at this point, her energon levels recovering with that quick snack.

The dinobot's sword slice deeply into the tank's armor. Oil starts to leak from the wound and electrical sparkles can even be seen. To protect his wound, Sixshot is forced to transforms once again, this times, into his armored carrier mode. Being this close, he hopes his next move will be more successful. "Well done dinobot...but it's not nearly enough." and then he unleashes torrent of lasers on his opponent.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his Armored Carrier mode.

Somewhere nearby Viator is doing awesome things that everyone will hear about later.

Combat: Armored Laser Artillery Vehicle <Sixshot> strikes Swoop with his Twin Laser Batteries attack!

The blade scrapes along Galvatron's prow-like chest with a high thin *skriiiiiiiik* noise, leaving little more than a deep scratch. Galvatron looks grave, his mouth twisted down like a Noh mask. "You poor fool. You remind me of some Autobots I have known." His hands lash out to try to catch the Pegasus by its wrists as his eyes flare with fury. "And LAID to WASTE!"

Drawing back one leg, Galvatron drives his boot out in a vicious straight kick towards the Pegasus' midsection in an attempt to tear its arms from its body!

The screens on the apparatus begin to flip out and a few guages begin to rotate. "Hmm. Interesting. Not just the normal makeup. Silicates. Microcarbons. Frozen water," Geo intones from the machine, as the holographic readout continues to fill in from the sonar scanning. Slowly, the scanning is making its way towards the base areas.

Combat: Galvatron strikes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> with his Dismemberment attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>'s Agility. (Crippled)

Polarity pushes off with the impact as the Glaive goes down, launching himself back into the air again. This time actually taking flight as he flips around and transforms, spiraling away from the auto-rifle shots lighting up the martian sky behind him. Pure jet engine flight doesn't work very well in the low oxygen atmosphere on its own, but Polarity also has his magnetic powers, essentially repelling himself against the metallics in the martian soil that gives it that ruddy red color. Or something. It's science-fiction people, it doesn't need to be 100% accurate!

The out-of-place Strike Eagle speeds into a low dive and barrels towards the Exo, looking like he's swiping a page from Ramjet's book. Until he pulls up at the last moment and blasts back into the thin atmosphere. Leaving the backwash of magnetic waves in his wake to rattle the Glaive instead as the magnetic field moving in one direction causes metal to want to twist and warp in other directions when it can't be pulled directly after it.

With the familiar click-clacking sound the Seeker becomes a F-15E Strike Eagle jet!

The glee melts from Fusillade's face as Scattershot re-emerges, barrel aimed right at her. The saturation of multiple pellets does the job where single large shots didn't, and he is rewarded with a scream, "GAH! My ceramic!!!" Her re-entry tiles -- and thusly much of her armor -- along her left lower leg fall away, darkened by the splashes. Green smoke sizzles up and away, and she snarls out, "Well, glad to see that you've giving good as you get! I was starting to wonder about you!" She pops open one of her thigh compartments, and brandishes a chromed sidearm, also making with the firing sideways.

Combat: Fusillade strikes Scattershot with her Dap! Dap! (Disruptor) attack!

Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle <Polarity> sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle <Polarity> strikes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his F**KING MAGNETS HOW DO THEY WORK?! attack!

With the last stronghold of the Earth Defence Command fighter base breached, the soldiers and non-combatants within evacuate, rushing towards the evac point in a desperate bid to escape Shockwave. The Cybertronian Commander tears his way through the outer wall, concrete and metal collapsing all around him as he makes the hole big enough for himself.

A moment later, and Shockwave is inside, out of sight from those still battling on the Martian surface. There's the sound of his arm cannon firing, a brief burst of EDC transmissions, followed by the sounds of more weapons fire, and the base's innards being destroyed one blast at a time.

Then, Bottlethrottle rushes into the hole, ignoring Scattershot's desperate order. The Autobot chases after Shockwave, hoisting his plasma spitter up onto his shoulder before vanishing.

Silence.

Then, there's a low hum that grows in intensity before reaching a crescendo, culminating in a loud blast that echoes through the base and beyond. The shot is quickly followed by metal crashing against metal.

More silence.

Finally, Shockwave emerges, dragging with him the body of the fallen Autobot. The mech's lower torso is missing thanks to a gaping hole that's burned through it. Shockwave tosses the body aside in an almost absentminded gesture.

<Decepticon> Shockwave says, "The EDC base is secure, Galvatron."

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Thank you, Shockwave. We have the battle in hand. Some of my troops will need seeing-to."

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield grunts quietly as Galvatron grabs the armor's wrists, and there is little opportunity for him to escape as Galvatron's foot crashes through. The arms of the Pegasus are torn asunder as the body of the exo crashes to the ground, badly sparking. Jayson himself, of course, is wounded in the process, shards of metal cutting into his flesh as he falls. The Pegasus lays there, while Jayson coughs and bleeds. Pain rushes through his body like a strong current. He tries to get the armor back up, but it fails to respond. "Sorry, Nate," he says quietly. "I tried..."

Scattershot crosses his arms over his face as he blasts towards Fusillade, the Decepticon's blasters burning into his armor...Optics starting to fade, due to the melti-blast's lingering effects... The Autobot closes the distance and winds up..."Well since Ah'm in a giving mood, time someone gave you some manners, Decepticon!" He swings a backhand at Fusillade's jaw, 70's blaxplotation style!

Indeed Sixshot is close enough, his lasers hitting their mark and scorching the Dinobot all over his body. It smarts something awful but Swoop is no quitter, he transforms into his sick pterosaur mode and, with a beat of his silver wings, takes off to unleash his own torrent of lasers from the safety of the air.

Swoop transforms into a bad-ass pterosaur.

Combat: Scattershot misses Fusillade with his Technobot Pimp Hand! (Punch) attack!

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> strikes Armored Laser Artillery Vehicle <Sixshot> with his Mouth Lasers (Laser) attack!

The Global Pose Tracker marks that Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> has 'skipped' its action for this round.

Penumbra sighs as for just a brief moment his shoulders sag, but then he raises his gun and re-mans his post. He provides cover fire, wanting to help keep enemies off the evacuating forces along with all the other port-manning Autobots onboard the Sarikus. ~pewpewpew~

<NEST-Local> Penumbra transmits, "Pest ejected. How much more time we need getting your people out?"

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

Armored Laser Artillery Vehicle <Sixshot> is scorched by the laser, some of his armor is melted but damage seems to be non-crippling. As Swoop takes off, the sixchanger decides to follow him. He quickly transforms into his starfighter mode and goes after the dinobot. A moment later, his targeting computer locks on Swoop. Sixshot takes his time while his target tries to shake him off and then BAM! He opens fires.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his Starfighter mode.

Combat: Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> sets his defense level to Neutral.

Galvatron tosses the exo-armor's arms aside, where they clatter on the dusty ground, red like dried blood, and turns away to walk back to the base. "Autobots, you are finished! Take the news back to Rodimus Prime! The Red Planet belongs to the Decepticons once more, and we will NOT brook interlopers! As I have other matters to attend to, you may take your wounded. Mars will keep your dead."

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

Fusillade apparently knows how to run in heels. Or, at least, move in them. With a supple flex of her black plates, she twists aside, while also snapping up the large V-shape of her half-folded wingblades in their swordbreaker configuration. Metal screeches against metal. It's a mistake to stay in close combat with the bruiser, though, and with a grunt and scissoring CHOP of the weapon, attempts to take Scattershot's hand.

Combat: Fusillade misses Scattershot with her Wingblades attack!

Combat: Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> strikes Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> with his Laser attack!

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar listens to the reports about the damage as Polarity begins to try and bend the Glaive into that bent spoon from The Matrix. Some of the servos will need a full repair. Perhaps some porcelain coating should be able to help from magnetism and purple lasers.

Trying to break free of the attack, Nate tries to activate one rocket to damage the seeker in his plane mode. Hopefully the magnetic field stops.

"Fall back, we need to escape!"

Combat: Your COMBAT flag has been cleared.

Softly, Geo intones, "I wonder what exactly Lord Galvatron expects to find..." But she trails off as the scans get deeper. The sonar begins to respond oddly, like they are hitting objects that can't be quite analyzed. And then they hit something wholly unexpected. Below the EDC base area. Deep under the ground below the EDC-Autobot joint construction. A structure. Over the local tacnet, Geo intones, <<Lord Galvatron. I believe, to use a human phrase, we have hit 'paydirt.'>> Scorn can see, filled in on the holographic projection from the scanning apparatus, is a large, blocky structure. Geo's voice begins to intone, in an almost excited tone, "Non-ferrous metallic composition. Definitely not anything of human construction." There's a few bleeps, and cybertronian symbols appear around the holographic projection, giving data, stratum, structure analysis, depth analysis and many other statistics that probably mean nothing to anyone but the cassette geologist. <<It has been depowered for quite some time. There is no activity or response to sonic probing.>> she relays over the local tacnet.

Combat: Shockwave misses Scattershot with his Grab attack!

Combat: Gained 4 energon.

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> strikes F-15E Strike Eagle <Polarity> with his Anti-Aircraft Rockets attack! [Pulled -7]

Scattershot lets the blades crush into his forearm. He tightens his trapped hand into a fist and punches forward, using Fusillade's momentum against her. "Back....OFF!"

Combat: Scattershot misses Fusillade with his NOSE BREAKER (Punch) attack!

Bottlethrottle is forgotten by Shockwave just as quickly as he was killed by Shockwave. The Decepticon reports his success over broadband before looking up. His vision is now one hundred percent clear, and he can see Fusillade and Scattershot engaged in hand to blade combat. Activating his boot jets, he soars upwards behind Scattershot, reaching out to him from behind. "To paraphrase my earlier statement," he says as he tries to grab Scattershot's head and throw him down to the ground. "Better mechs than you have tried to teach the Executrix manners."

"Good, Geo. Very good," Galvatron fairly coos over the news, breaking out into a cackle. "VERY good. This goes to show why you should never throw away old survey records."

Combat: Shockwave strikes Scattershot with his Throw (Punch) attack!

Combat: Gained 1 energon.

Scorn grins bright at the sight of Galvatron tearing Jayson's exo's arms clear off and sending him upon his back, though she winces a little from the pain of the slice to her face. But either way she radios her leader, sounding rather cheerful, <<Good show, my lord.>> As he starts to walk back Scorn glances back to the device, raising a brow at the sudden imagery and text. She doesn't quite understand what any of it means, but the successful find is all that matters. "Nice find, Geo." She smirks before looking back at the battlefield, seeing the Autobot resistant already starting to thin. Ah, what a beautiful sight.

The handful of Autobot dropships begins erupting blue thruster fire underneath as they slow their descent, evnetually they making contact onto the dry sandy surface of Mars. Soon Autobot gumbies storm out of their transport and disperses into their assigned areas. Some teams can be seen hauling bipoded weaponary and setting it up around the Sarikus, meanwhile others charge onwards to join the fray as they engage other Decepticon gumbies in off scene combat.

Meanwhile the large Cybertronian battleship cruises across the war zone and towards the wrecked Exo-Armor that houses Jayson Redfield. A side compartment on the battleship opens up and a pair of vehicles speeds out from within, dropping to the ground and cruising over to Jayson. Once over the wreckage, the drones merges together into a humanoid robot and picks up the damaged power suit before Galen's voice intones from the mouth of the robot, << Bravery is one thing, but it needs to be tempered with good judgement, soldier. >> The battleship, now undoubtedly Fortress Maximus, holds position overhead, expanding his shields across his drone, the wounded EDC soldier, and various other straggling evacuees as he shelters their retreat.

From Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>, Jayson Redfield is pretty much motionless. He's exhausted, wounded, and only partly conscious. "You're probably right," he mutters, then falls silent.

Combat: Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> begins retreating, leaving itself vulnerable to parting shots from Robot Pteranodon <Swoop>, Scattershot, Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot>, Galvatron, Slugfest, Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Shockwave, Fusillade, Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>, and F-15E Strike Eagle <Polarity>

While with a bit of practice Polarity did figure out how to fly in the martian environment, he doesn't have quite the maneuverability due to having to focus on a combination of his powers and thrust just to stay airborn. Doesn't help that it's an anti-aircraft projectile either, hitting the Seeker just as he starts to bank a turn, exploding against the back section and blowing chunks out of his tailfins and trailing wing edges. While not extremely damaging, it does mangle what little steering control with chunks blown out of wing flaps.

After a bit of tumble and spiral he pulls up and transforms mid-dive, hitting the ground with a loud thud to break his fall. Almost literally. Wings and joints still smoking even as he stands up and turns his attention back towards the Glaive again. "Now, were was I.. Oh, yes. Murdering a pest." He snaps up an arm, yanking a metal pipe out of the wreckage of the complex, floating it in front of himself as it points forward. Ripples of energy flow around his arms as he thrusts them forward on either side of it, the magnetic waves flinging the metal length forward at high speed, turned into a puncturing kinetic projectile in almost perfect imitation of magna-powered weaponry. "You're about to get SHAFTED!"

The Strike Eagle jet rearranges into the magnetic Seeker Polarity!

Combat: Polarity strikes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his Railgun Launcher attack! [Pulled -1]

Combat: Polarity's attack has strange and mysterious effects on Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>.

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> has been temporarily incapacitated.

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar gets hit by the attack of Polarity. The AI stays powered on as the rest of the Armored Suit powers off; save for the emergency life support systems. The Glaive is now completely dark.

"Colonel, we appear to be offline." says the computerized voice of the Glaive. "Really, AL, really? That's the best you can do? Can you get a me a cold boot up? I need to get the retreat in motion."

The Glaive just rests there, in the dark and trying to power back on.

As the lurking, menacing form of Shockwave bears down upon them both, Fusillade smirks, once again backpedalling out of the way of the punch. "Okay, sure, whatever you want." She flashes a wicked grin, and then kicks up into the air, transforming back into her much larger mode. She busies herself with potshots of the shuttles being deployed by Fortress Maximus, but the effort seems half-pumped.

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

Fusillade leans forward, wingblades whipping out to their full span, even as her arms lock backward in place as the rear fuselage. Her torso folds out to the become the cockpit of a Terran B-1B Lancer, ready for flight!

As he soars through the air, Swoop is able to see just how bad the damage to the facility is. He's pretty sure this base is doomed, what with the Decepticons swarming all over it and the piles of rubble sitting where bunkers once stood. While he examines the scene below, Sixshot's lasers rip through the fragile metal of his wing, causing the Dinobot to rock and smoke to trail behind him. "Swoop say this end now!" squawks the pterosaur, an explosive unlatching from beneath his undamaged wing to collide with the enemy starfighter.

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> strikes Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> with his Kablammo! attack! [Pulled -2]

Slugfest is angry at having been thrown out, and starts pounding on the side of the shuttle with his front feet and his thagomizer. Rampaging stegosaur temper tantrum!

Combat: Slugfest strikes Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus> with his stego-tempertantrum! (Kick) attack!

Scattershot gets tossed by the very sneaky Shockwave! Scattershot steadies himself, and spots the evacuation entering it's last phase. <<Autobots, get 'em out. Ah'll hold the line!>> Scattershot rockets to the ground admist some of the gumby gun crews and transforms into battle station mode. "Maybe Ah can't teach Fusillade any manners...but the 'Cons won't forget this lesson..." He spots Shejet and Hejet lying slagged nearby.

Ragnarok must have started, because Scattershot has transformed into his all or nothing battlestation mode. So many guns! Soooo many guns.

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> misses Shockwave with his Sonic Shell Area attack!

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> (Scattershot) used "Sonic Shell": A Level 2 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> strikes Galvatron with his Sonic Shell Area attack!

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

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> misses Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Sonic Shell Area attack!

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> strikes Polarity with his Sonic Shell Area attack!

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

Combat: Battlestation <Scattershot> strikes Scorn with his Sonic Shell Area attack!

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

Twin-Gunned Starfighter <Sixshot> is knocked off the sky by Swoop's missile but before he crashes on the ground, he revert back to his robot and manages to land on his feet, "This is far from over Dinobot! It is you who's going down." Then without adding anything, he raises his two blasters and fires at Swoop.

From his previous form, Sixshot transforms into his robot mode.

Combat: Sixshot sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Sixshot misses Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> with his Hypersonic Concussion Blaster attack! [Pulled -2]

Galvatron grabs his head as a sonic artillery shell goes off nearly on top of him, producing a horrible ringing and swirling sensation. "I see my GENEROSITY," Galvatron roars over the godawful noise as he storms over to Scattershot, "is NOT APPRECIATED!" He draws back his right foot, grabs the upper edge of the battlestation, and just starts kicking the living hell out of it.

Combat: Galvatron strikes Battlestation <Scattershot> with his Angry Galvatron attack! [Pulled -4]

The apparatus, despite all the incoming fire, is untouched. Which is good. Within the data console, Geo's tape spools, beginning to collate and archive the data. <<I am recalling the sonic drones, my Lord. We have the exact locations of the structure, and can begin excavation based on the stored coordinates and data,>> she radios over the local Decepticon tacnet. "Thank you, Scorn," she replies, then there's an explosion as Scorn is whacked by the shell. The data port opens up, and Geo ejects, transforming into robot mode in mid-air and hovering there, snatching her pistol up off of the apparatus. "Scorn, are you alright?" she says, taking aim with her pistol at Scattershot. At this range, she probably won't hit, but at this point, it's fire to drive off the last of Autobot defenders. (OOC: Mind, Scatts?)

Combat: Geo strikes Battlestation <Scattershot> with her Energy Pistol Potshot (Laser) attack!

Shockwave races down after Scattershot after throwing him, planning on stomping him into the tarmac with all of his weight. Alas, the Technobot is not as wounded as he should have been, and manages to shift into battlestation mode. Shockwave is well aware of what that means, and he touches down on the ground, using a huge wreck of twisted metal that used to be an EDC Warthog for cover as Scattershot unleashes hell upon the Decepticons. Shockwave patiently waits it out, though he realizes this is giving the allies time to make good on their retreat.

"Oh look, I broke his widdle toy," Polarity mocks scathingly as he walks slowly towards the disabled Glaive while it's trying to boot up. The Seeker stops just a few paces away, raising his arm-rifle to point almost pointblank to the Exo's cockpite. "Time to break it open for the prize ins--YEEAGH!" The timely intervention of a sonic shell exploding at his feet knocks the Seeker backwards on his aft. With a snarl he sits up and shoots a glare towards the techno-base. "Wait your turn!" Then back to the Glaive. "Bah, this defective knockoff ain't worth wasting my time with anymore."

Polarity grabs the Exo, not bothering with the fancy tricks, twists around and flings it in the direction of the Autobot shuttle. "Hey Autobrats! Pick up yer pets' trash and get offa OUR planet!"

"Ah, that's more like it," Fusillade exults as Scattershot transforms, and does his best Death Blossom impression. With a twist of thrust-vectoring exhaust slabs, the bomber goes supersonic, flying away to be a speck on the horizon, outdistancing the weaponry. Nearly a minute passes, before she returns, and grunts to herself as she spies Galvatron wailing on the base. "Pitt, most of my stuff isn't accurate enough to NOT hit the boss, too!" she laments. The bomber hmmphs, and then falls upon a sluggish APC crawler loaded with colony marines.

Combat: Polarity strikes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> with his Throwing Out The Garbage (Grab) attack!

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer takes extra time to steady herself. [Pass]

Scorn's antennas perk up at the incoming fire and then immediatly pin back before the shells hit, her arms raising to cover her face while stepping back a little to protect Geo in the device. "Brace yourself, Geo! Incoming fire!" She manages to take the hit for the cassette, thankfully still in a good enough condition to actually take it. When the tape ejects Scorn nods to her, "I'll live. Just stay close. If you get hurt Lord Galvatron will... well I don't want to even imagine, honestly." She shudders at the thought, but shrugs it off and draws her pistol alongside Geo, firing off a few acid rounds at Scattershot for some added damage.

Combat: Scorn strikes Battlestation <Scattershot> with her Plasma Burst Pistols attack!

Penumbra continues to defend Sarikus until he sees the numbers of evacuees on approach and boarding dwindle. "Alright, we're out of here." He makes his way back to the bridge helm controls and fires up the engines. The ground rumbles and bounces under those too close to the shuttle... say, an annoying dino-tape for example. The Sarikus launches.

<Decepticon> Polarity starts laughing again. "I just threw their General outta the base. Literally!"

Penumbra has left.

Penumbra enters the Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>.

<Decepticon> Fusillade says, "Awesome!"

<Decepticon> Geo says, "Wonderful, Polarity. Please do not cause the building to collapse, however. It will... hinder... future excavation efforts."

<Decepticon> Shockwave says, "What were you looking for, Geo?"

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "Not on an unsecured channel."

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I'll tell you... or rather SHOW you, soon enough, Shockwave. Too soon, for some, ha ha ha ha!"

<Decepticon> Geo says, "I believe that we have found it. There is a non-ferrous structure, about eighty meters below the surface, roughly beneath the EDC base. Lord Galvatron mentioned something about 'survey records' and asked me to perform sonic scans of the area."

There is a lot of smoke where Scattershot was. Fist, Galvatron dug in with the kicks. And then the rest of the Decepticons opened fire...The Technobot leader struggles to stand up in the newly blasted crater...energon pouring out of his wounds, an optic hanging out of his mostly melted face. Armor blasted clean off. An arm broken off at the wrist.

He grins. Lights an energon cigar with his good arm, and takes a puff. He phases in his last rifle, and points it in Galvatron's general direction. "You know what, Big Purple? You kick like a cassette."

Scattershot unfolds into his hulk of a robot mode, lovingly props his pump action acid lined slug artillery rifle against his shoulder, and lights an energon cigar he stole from Kup.

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

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "Non-ferr.. forro.. That's the not magnetic sort, right?"

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I said not on an unsecured channel! Count yourself lucky the Autobots are as stupid as they are weak, Geo."

<Decepticon> Geo says, "Of course, Lord Galvatron. I await my punishment."

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "And ugly. Don't forget ugly, chief."

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar manages to get the Glaive to power up to full functions again just to watch Scattershot become a beast. Fortunately, the Glaive is tossed aside by Polarity. An option that was not expected. "Ok, I can head back to safety now. The evac has gone pretty well. But Scattershot seems to be hanging around." With that being said, the Glaive hovers behind the Autobot's shuttle, to watch and see if Scattershot needs assistance.

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Combat: Nate Briar takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass]

Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus> hovers above Scattershot and expands his shields across the wounded Technobot Commander, << Good to hear, we're heading out now. Colonel Briar, it'll be prudent of you to head into the Sarikus at your earliest convenience. There's not much time, the Steelhaven's about to be in position and we're already behind on schedule. >>

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus> creates a forcefield shielding Scattershot from damage.

Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> circles above Sixshot, narrowly avoiding his fire with a carefully timed twist of the body. He tucks into a divebomb and barrels towards his opponent, spreading his wings wide at the last second to pull back and drag his talons across the six-changer's face. "Who not strongest now!?"

Combat: Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Robot Pteranodon <Swoop>, Shockwave, Space-Going B-1R Lancer, and Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> strikes Sixshot with his Claw'd (Kick) attack!

Geo floats nearby Scorn in a holding pattern, her pistol held at the ready, but something that will be fairly ineffective if Maximus decides to bombard the area. "At least the data has been logged and triple-redundancy-backuped," she murmurs to herself, visor lifting up above her blue optics.

Shockwave peeks out from behind the singed Warthog (now much more singed thanks to Scattershot). He sees Galvatron kneeing the crap out of the Technobot Commander, and is suitably impressed by the Autobot's bravery... if not his brains. The battle is not over yet, though, and Shockwave steps forward, targeting the Dinobot that's harassing his sixchanger. He takes steady aim and then fires a concentrated pink beam designed to hack through the strongest of armours. Even as he does this, Shockwave is trying to figure it out: just what /is/ Geo and Galvatron looking for?!

Sixshot tries to catch Swoop as he descends towards him but the Dinobot still manages to claw him pretty badly. As he tries to get away, the sixchanger gather his strength and attemps to slam the dinobot into the ground.

Combat: Shockwave misses Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> with his Arm Cannon Blast attack! [Pulled -2]

Combat: Drained 11 energon.

Combat: Sixshot strikes Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> with his Punch attack!

"RrrrrrAGH! YOU CRETIN!" Galvatron stands back, shaking with rage at Scattershot's defiance. "You IMPUDENT BUFFOON! I'll SLAP that out of your WRETCHED MOUTH." Galvatron hauls off and swings an open hand at Scattershot's jaw in blind rage, but it just skates off the forcefield. He throws a punch, and likewise rebounds with a soft *bwoomp* noise. "NYAAARG! Decepticons, OBLITERATE this Autobot!"

Galvatron thrusts his cannon downwards and fires, rocketing away from Scattershot and landing in his artillery mode.

Galvatron transforms.

Scorn hisses softly from her vantage point with Geo, "The Bot is stubborn as all hell. He just won't fall already." She holds her fire a moment, letting her gun cool down, before Galvatron's enraged order has her level her pistols again on the ragged looking mech, starting up her fire again. Better to at least get some shots in from far away rather than leave her post and go against orders.

Combat: Scorn sets her defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Scorn strikes Scattershot with her Plasma Burst Pistols attack!

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>'s forcefield absorbs Scorn's attack.

<Decepticon> Fusillade says, "That hard candy coating is gonna take a beating, just lookit those power cells fueling it!"

Fusion Artillery <Galvatron> lowers his barrel and rocks back on his treads as his cannon lets fly with a dazzling blast of energy into the forcefield and that horrid mocking brutish face grinning behind it.

<Decepticon> Galvatron says, "I don't want to hear excuses! Shatter it to pieces!"

Slugfest stands there and starts cursing at the shuttle in dino-speak, thrashing his tail for good measure, kicking up some dust.

Combat: Fusion Artillery <Galvatron> misses Scattershot with his Hate Beam attack!

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

"Hey, wait a second..." Fusillade remarks to herself as she studies the underside of the descending ship. "It's HIM!!! Oh boy oh boy a BUILDING has appeared!" The bomber cackles to herself, before grumbling at the shimmering forcefield. <<CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!>> she announces, letting fly with two large JDAMs -- one for the forcefield, and one for the mech projecting it.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer strikes Scattershot with her Bombs Area attack!

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>'s forcefield absorbs Space-Going B-1R Lancer's attack.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer strikes Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus> with her Bombs Area attack!

Fusion Artillery <Galvatron> ends up vaporizing a big chunk of the air processors instead, as he is simply too mad to aim straight.

<Append this to my previous pose portion...> Stowing her pistol, Geo nods at Scorn. "Very true, very true," she states, hrming softly. With a moment's alteration, she floats forward and transforms her arms into their jackhammer modes. Landing, she takes a moment, scanning the data in her core, and then grinning. The turns slightly sideways, and, arms slightly akimbo, she starts SLAMMING the ground. Abruptly, there's a cracking sound, and the ground begins to crack, forming a fissure that, instead of dropping away, rises up into sharp stone shards, towards Scattershot.

Combat: Geo misses Scattershot with her Jackhammer Arms attack!

Having done his job of getting rid of Briar's exo, Polarity brushes martian dust off his hands as he trots over to where Geo and Scorn and so forth are. "All the squishies are leaving." Casts a glance towards the lingering fighting still. "And the big bosses are having their fun. I guess it's a successful night, huh?"

Up until Galvatron starts bellowing 'OFF WITH HIS HEAD!' about the Technobot, making him frown a bit. Galvatron's orders.. but being a user of forcefields himself, doesn't see it doing much good. Especially with someone with as much energy as Maximus behind it.

Finally he just sighs, levels one arm-rifle and fires a few low-level bursts at the forcefield, for the sake of making an effort to not farther envoke Galvatron's wrath in the matter.

Combat: Polarity strikes Scattershot with his *pew pew pew* (Laser) attack!

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>'s forcefield absorbs Polarity's attack.

Combat: Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus> begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

Reidan Wesley has left.

Reidan Wesley enters the Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>.

From Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Nate Briar heads into the Sarikus. Hopefully someone grabbed the remains of Jayson. If not, the Decepticons and perhaps maybe Dogma might have a new toy or prisoner.

Fortunately for him, Swoop manages to avoid getting toasted by Shockwave's scary, pink beam. Unfortunately for him, the only reason it missed was because Sixshot grabbed him and threw him to the ground. Gotta take the good with the bad, it seems. Thick clouds of dust kick up as the pterosaur flaps his wings fruitlessly on the ground before transforming into his not-as-cool-but-still-pretty-cool robot mode and rising to his feet. He reels back a fist to clobber the six-changer, but between him and Shockwave, Swoop's odds aren't looking too good and it's about time to get the hell out of dodge anyway so he lowers his fist and scowls. "This not over," he practically grows, narrowing his optics at Sixshot before doing the same to Shockwave. "You rude! You interrupt fight! Me Swoop get you next time!"

Almost anticlimatically, Swoop activates his anti-gravs and takes to the air. Better luck next time.

Combat: Robot Pteranodon <Swoop> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Space-Going B-1R Lancer and Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>

Swoop transforms into a super cool robot.

Combat: Swoop begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Scorn, Scattershot, Slugfest, Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Shockwave, Space-Going B-1R Lancer, Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>, Polarity, and Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>

Sixshot vanishes out of reality.

Sixshot has left.

Scattershot leaps impossibly, due to his massive size, into the air and transforms into battlecruiser mode, hovering like a boss and being all ready for business.

Battlecruiser <Scattershot> grimaces, folding into a very beat up battlecruiser mode and lifts off. Time to go home. He does open an oil tank out in Galvatron's general direction, though.

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> misses Fusion Artillery <Galvatron> with his OIL DUMP (Grab) attack!

Combat: Battlecruiser <Scattershot> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Space-Going B-1R Lancer and Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>

A cerulian blue shield of energy shimmers and crackles under the bombardment from all directions with varied firepower. The shield goes through the visible cycle of depleting and regenerating as more energy is shunted into renewing its strength. Of course the only real damage of note comes from the bombs that the oversized bomber drops, first on Scattershot which temporary drains the shield's strength and opening up a window of opportunity for the second bomb to pass right through and turn a patch of Fortress Maximus' armoured hull into shattered, twisted metal, << Not on your best day. Autobots, move out! >>

With that said, the Cybertronian battleship takes begins its own ascent towards orbit.

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus> begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Scorn, Swoop, Battlecruiser <Scattershot>, Fusion Artillery <Galvatron>, Slugfest, Geo, Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>, Shockwave, Space-Going B-1R Lancer, Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>, Polarity, and Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>

Landing, and transforming her arms back, Geo heads back across to her scanning apparatus and begins to settle in to begin dismantling the machine into it's component parts. "Thank you for your protection, Scorn," she says, taking a moment to pull out an energon goodie and pass it off to the Insecticon. "And now, the waiting for Lord Galvatron to decide what he wants to do with the find..."

Shockwave looks upwards as he fires errant shots after Swoop until the Dinobot is out of range, at which point he unloads on the battlecruiser. It'll increase the repair costs of the Autobots' for this battle by .0004. Finally, once the heroes have fled, Shockwave steps back towards the main gathering of Decepticons. "Galvatron," he says, casting a brief glance at Geo, "What have you found beneath the surface?" No sense beating about the bush.

"You just GOT HERE!" Fusillade objects, trimming her rocket packs to with a mix of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. The bomber punches forward, frame rattling at the sudden acceleration, before she sends Scattershot a parting gift.

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer strikes Battlecruiser <Scattershot> with her One for the Road! (Laser) attack!

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>'s forcefield absorbs Space-Going B-1R Lancer's attack.

Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus> launches towards local space to the Orbit of Mars.

Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus> has left.

Scattershot launches towards local space to the Orbit of Mars.

Scattershot has left.

Fusion Artillery <Galvatron> transforms, disgusted both with the dirty old oil and with losing control of himself. He feels calmer now that he's burned off so much energy, however. "We're not the first species to visit Earth," Galvatron explains to Shockwave. "And one of the others has left something for us to find. Our surveyors detected it in a scan of this system when we first planned to harvest it, before the launch of the Nemesis, but the information was put aside and lost. I discovered a copy of the survey in a defunct outpost on Eurythmia."

Galvatron straightens up and converts his supports back into limbs, his cannon sliding down and locking into place on his arm as his scowling face rises from his shoulders.

Combat: Interstellar Battleship <Fortress Maximus>'s forcefield protecting Battlecruiser <Scattershot> vanishes.

Scorn's form vents a sigh once the Autobots and EDC move into a retreat, macklocking her pistols when they finally exit her range. With a pained grunt she sits back on a ruddy, red boulder, scratching idly at the open wound still trickling from her chest. Thankfully she has energon to spare now and doesn't require an immediate fix. But she nods to Geo at the thanks, "Of course, Geo. If Lord Galvatron wishes you safe, then who am I to say no?" She smirks a little, though it fades somewhat as she touches at the flayed side of her face, giving a soft hiss at the stinging pain.

Fortress Maximus launches towards local space to the Orbit of Mars.

Fortress Maximus has left.

"It's this buried treasure, here on Mars, which I will use to deliver the deathblow to the Earthlings," Galvatron adds, smiling again at the thought of it. "Now, summon my Constructicons. I have work for them."

Dipping one slender wing, the Lancer descends and transformers, feet clattering on the tarmac as she joins the gathered Decepticons. "The usual suspects? Quints?"

"... So that's why losing that dirtball wasn't such a bad thing. The boss already had what he wanted." Polarity chimes in, having been quietly in the background like a good soldier.

At this revelation, Geo smiles, and taps a few buttons on the console before her; the holographic display of her seismic scanning enlarges, showing the local half-mile of surface area, showing a blocky object about eighty meters below the ground. "I thank you for this chance, Lord Galvatron, to make my actual function useful." All around the holographic display are readouts, such as preliminary metallurgical scans, depth, power readings and other information.

Nate Briar leaves the Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>.

Nate Briar has arrived.

Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar> has left.

Nate Briar takes Glaive II - Prototype <Nate Briar>.

Shockwave's attention is significantly grabbed. So much so that he doesn't ask why he wasn't informed of this prior to launching the attack on Mars. "Left something for us? What is it?" Again he glances at Geo in case the Cassetticon wants to venture an answer. He also wants to hear the answer to Fusillade's question.

Nate Briar left Jayson Redfield behind. Oh well.

Nate Briar has left.

Nate Briar enters the Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>.

"Something else," Galvatron replies. "The survey was incomplete and the installation has been covered over in the intervening aeons. But when it was detected by our scouts so long ago, it was still powered. Much power. Weapons-grade. It's gone cold now, but we will make it burn brightly again. Once I know what exactly it is..." He wrings his hands eagerly. "I look forward to the excavation. Now, get me my Constructicons! And tend to the casualties. Exterminate any surviving enemies left behind and prepare a base of operations. I will be bringing Trypticon here." He turns on his heel and strides off to go examine the remains of the EDC base.

Galvatron vanishes out of reality.

Galvatron has left.

Jayson Redfield leaves the Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>.

Jayson Redfield has arrived.

Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield> has left.

Jayson Redfield takes Exo-Armor Pegasus <Jayson Redfield>.

Returning Shockwave's glance, Geo shakes her head at old one-eye. "I couldn't hazard a guess," she intones, using her fingers to highlight the metallurgical report. And as Galvatron speaks, she nods. "I guess then, my next step here is to begin identifying still-active volcanic areas underground which we can utilize for energon creation to power this... discovery," she says to Shockwave as Galvatron strides off.

Jayson Redfield has left.

Jayson Redfield enters the Autobot Shuttle <Sarikus>.

Shockwave listens intently. This changes everything. Shockwave thought he was here to destroy Earth Defence Command's supply lines, and now there's something else for them to grab. "I see," he replies to Galvatron as the tyrant makes his departure. "Geo, keep me informed. I want a copy of any report you make to Galvatron."

Scorn listens as Galvatron speaks of this weird artifact buried beneath them, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "With so much power, I wonder what it actually does." She looks to Fusillade next once Galvatron moves off, the femme pushing herself up slowly to stand. "Ah, Fusillade. About the temporary promotion... Hopefully I've served dutifully enough to keep it, yes?"

Geo salutes Shockwave. "Affirmative, Commander," she says, then turning towards the remaining gathered Decepticons. "Well fought, my comrades. I appreciate all of the coverfire and distractionary force." As Scorn speaks, she gives a small shrug, "The structure has no power going to it right now. So we will have our work cut out for us," she says. "But I have been researching a number of untapped energy resources on Earth that MAY be applicable here. More geological surveyance will be required before I can say for certain however. But, as long as Lord Galvatron allows it, I believe that we can use my findings on Earth to generate Energon to bring here for the excavation and recovery efforts."

All the sciency aspects of things go over Polarity's head for the most part, so he just shrugs, and sticks to what he knows best. "Give me long enough for a recharge and to get the dents out of my airflaps, and I'll get to patrols to make sure we don't get any unwanted guests coming back."

"Good," Shockwave replies. "Inform me if you require any authorization for these plans." The Cybertronian Commander turns to help find out what's left of the EDC aerodome hangar.

Geo salutes Shockwave again. "I will, sir."

Space-Going B-1R Lancer glances askance at Scorn. "Good job chewing up that hyooman's tin can, by the way. And aren't you eager? Girl, we just GOT here. We've got to shore up our position, keep them from messing with us, and whatever it is that Galvatron's found out about long enough for us to use it. There's going to be tons of sniffing around from the Autobots and especially the ECD since we just TOOk their place from them. So..." She pauses, considering Scorn. "Got some folks that're handy with a shovel?"

The sleek bomber rears up, wings collapsing onto hips even as the rear fuselage splits to form arms. The horizontal stabilizer slides up, the forward fuselage folds up accordian style, and Fusillade hops up on thrustered feet.

Slugfest runs up to Geo. "Geo Geo! You seen? Me chased away Autobots!"

Fusillade glances askance at Scorn. "Good job chewing up that hyooman's tin can, by the way. And aren't you eager? Girl, we just GOT here. We've got to shore up our position, keep them from messing with us, and whatever it is that Galvatron's found out about long enough for us to use it. There's going to be tons of sniffing around from the Autobots and especially the ECD since we just TOOk their place from them. So..." She pauses, considering Scorn. "Got some folks that're handy with a shovel?" A pause. "Thank you, Polarity."

Geo turns, at that point, to look at Slugfest and gives him a warm smile. "I saw, Slugfest. You were very brave," she says in a cooing, Dinotape-calming manner. "You did good." She looks at Fusillade and hmms, "If it pleases the Executrix, I would like to be involved in the excavation, whether the Constructicons are heading the crew or others are. I feel that my expertise in geology would be useful here, especially as I continue to compile more detailed scan information before we begin to dig." She looks towards the area where the structure would be located. "Were something unexpected happen, such as an unidentified pocket of elements that caused a destructive reaction, I would have to lose any troops to such. Or lose the object we have commited to recovering."

"Galvatron would be SO pissed," Fusillade exhales in response to Geo. "Do it."

Fusillade clicks heels. "You'll be fine," she announces to Scorn, before taking to the skies.

Fusillade leans forward, wingblades whipping out to their full span, even as her arms lock backward in place as the rear fuselage. Her torso folds out to the become the cockpit of a Terran B-1B Lancer, ready for flight!

Combat: Space-Going B-1R Lancer begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

Fusillade vanishes out of reality.

Fusillade has left.

Scorn's antennas flick at Fusillade's answer, but she bows her head a little in response, "Right, of course." Though her question has the femme give a sharp little smirk as she straightens up. "As many as you'd like. There are plenty of Insecticons who can get the job done. I'll set up the order to have the troops transfered here to help with the dig." She gives a final nod however before Fusillade lifts off, visibly relaxing once she does.

Geo salutes Fusillade, then nods at Scorn. "Perhaps, once I have seen what resources I need to request, I could have use of your services as well. For the moment, I suggest taking a rest. I will be scanning for the next few cycles," she says, and settles herself at the console, beginning to work on the seismic scanning in earnest.

Polarity gives Scorn a pat on the shoulder as Fusillade takes off. "Good job smoozing up with the femme in charge. Now you just gotta keep backing it up." That said he plops himself down on the ground and leans back against a remaining chunk of structure, folding his hands behind his head to rest. The downside to his powers is that they essentially give him the cybertronian equivilent to hyper-metabolism, producing and burning through energy exceptionally fast.

"Just let me know when you need them, Geo." Scorn nods, but gives a mild glare to Polarity. "Tch, smoozing. I was given temporary promotion during training, and was promised it perminently after the mission. I was simply... validating." She rolls her shoulders in a casual shrug before shuffling off to find a medic to patch her up.

<Decepticon> Thrust says, "My Liege, I cannot wait for the battle against the humans for Mars. I am standing by."

<Decepticon> Polarity says, "... Good grief Thrust, fix your chronometer already!"

<Decepticon> Geo says, "... I think you're late, Thrust..."

<Decepticon> Thrust says, "Geo, I am one of the fastest seekers. The only time I was ever told I was slow was by Ramjet when he had me take an IQ test."