Headmasters Finale: Koraja

Summary: The Transformers have brought their war to Nebulos, and it is the Nebulans who are really paying the price. Will the Transformers realise their mistake in time, or will the Nebulans take matters into their own hands?

Koraja -- Nebulos

The new capital of Nebulos, the city of Koraja is a testament to the resolve and determination of the Nebulan people. Barely a year after the end of the Decepticon occupation of the planet, this city was built from the ground up, from a sleepy farmland to a bustling metropolis. If there could ever be said to be a paradise it would be Koraja. Sky skimmers use ecologically friendly propulsion to swoop over the city, traders of all persuasions line the streets and at the centre is the Fountain Of Unity, a huge sculpture of a chorus of hands - green, blue, white - all the peoples of Nebulos, holding up a huge bronze bust of the planet.

Contents:

Jet

Nebulan News Network

Council of Peers

World Watchers HQ

Obvious exits: North &lt;N&gt; leads to Arvassian Range. South &lt;S&gt; leads to Splendora -- Nebulos. East &lt;E&gt; leads to Plains of Thok -- Nebulos. West &lt;W&gt; leads to Folassian Forest -- Nebulos.

Inside a fairly quiet cafe in Koraja, Vorath pokes at his food listlessly, as if he was dissecting a specimen, rather than looking forward to actually eating his lunch. His appetite seems to be a bit dead, lately. He would appear to waiting for someone and looks up, now and then, nervously. One might even reckon that he isn't looking forward to this meeting.


 * Dingding*

The front door swings open, and inside shuffles a nervous-looking man in a trenchcoat and fedora. Is it Muzzle? Oh, no, that's against the rules! Wait... no, on closer inspection, this jittery fellow appears to be very old, with wide, manic eyes that dart about as he takes everything in. He's trying not to draw attention but doing a horrible job of it--people in the cafe glance at him and wonder what the hell his problem is as he shuffles down the aisles, staring at the patrons.

Eventually he finds the right one--and sits himself down in front of Vorath. "Thank you for being here, Vorath!" Arcana says in a harsh whisper that isn't really that quiet. "Ah, we have a lot to talk about! Something very grave has happened, and it may doom this planet, yes yes!"

Vorath looks up at Arcana and drops his vibrofork on his plate with a clatter. He winces a bit at the harsh whisper. Dryly, Vorath jests, "Ah, the salad here? It /is/ rather dire. Class 3 biohazard, I might say." Then he shakes his head. "No. I can guess." Better than Arcana might think.

Arcana looks down at the salad incredulously, then at Vorath. "Dammit, man, this is no time for jokes!" This draws glares from around the cafe, and Arcana, noticing them, finally drops his voice a bit lower. "The Headmaster and Targetmaster technology has been stolen! Someone used it on the Decepticons, and now they are up and fully operational again! I had thought they had been almost crippled when their own ship crashed, and would've been easily wiped out once we restored the Autobots to fighting capacity, but now..." He sighs. "But, that's not why I came here. I... Vorath. I... I don't know how they got it! My associates couldn't have done this, they all hate Decepticons and they don't know the full details of the procedure anyway. So..." He grimaces, hesitating to go on further.

Vorath spears a bit of Folassian fettuccini with surgical precision and brings it up to eye-level, staring at it, before finally eating it. Then, duly, he rolls up one of his sleeves, showing a series of cut marks on his arm not down the road or across the street but the specific cut marks required to remove joints and replace them for the *master process. They seem to be healing well, as if he's had superb medical care. Vorath glances over, staring Arcana in the eyes (or goggles, as the case might be), and he confesses, tone cool, "I made a mistake."

Arcana isn't wearing his goggles right now, indeed. Too obvious. "Hey, why's that guy wearing a magenta-colored goggle?" everyone would say. Then a Nebulan police officer loyal to Zarak would try to arrest him, he'd have to don his Headmaster armor, radio in for Brainstorm to save him--huge mess. It's probably the smartest choice he made in his attempts to stay low-key.

"You did what?" Arcana hisses. He grabs the arm, which Vorath probably didn't expect, and leans across the table to stare at the marks. Staring up at Vorath in horror, he whispers, "Do you have *any* idea what you've done? Any at all?"

Vorath is grabbed, and he frowns severely but does not pull away. The soon to be ex-Minister of Science hisses, "I /know/ what I've done. Exactly. All too well. When you decided to raise those /machines/ from the dead but leave them their own wills, well... I could only see visions of it happening all over again. /Nogginburg/. I thought that with a modification to the process, the machine's will could be subsumed entirely. The tests on Skullcruncher were promising enough, and Scorponok has, at the very least, not bee rampaging mindlessly, but... see my error all too clearly now. This is nothing less than perdition."

Vorath's own partner, after all, is a specialist in overriding wills. He was a fool to think he could ever call himself Mindwipe's master.

Arcana releases the arm, still aghast at what he is hearing. "Of course you weren't going to control them, you fool! That was never the idea! The idea was... was... *cooperation!* That's why I thought it would work so well with the Autobots. They aren't typically aggressive and antagonistic, so surely pure-hearted Nebulans who share the same goals would be able to bind with them and and..." His hands shake as he struggles to continue. "...Decepticons?! Why would you bind yourself to one of those brutes, especially after what they did to our world!? To YOU!?"

People in the cafe start staring again.

Scorponok has arrived.

Hardhead arrives from the Folassian Forest -- Nebulos to the west.

Hardhead has arrived.

Arcana is sitting in a cafe with Vorath, having a pleasant chat. Kinda.

Highbrow arrives from the Folassian Forest -- Nebulos to the west.

Highbrow has arrived.

Triggerhappy has arrived.

Snapdragon has arrived.

Vorath is sitting at a cafe, having a discussion with Arcana. It's not going well. A mutilated plate of food sits on the table in front of him. He snaps, "There would be more of them. There are always more. I thought that I could fight fire with fire - it's the only way, sometimes. The Autobots are no better than the Decepticons - time and time again, they let our world rot."

Scorponok unfurls into his gigantic battlestation mode.

Arcana looks at Vorath sadly. "No! You're wrong! I bonded myself to Brainstorm, one of the Autobots. They care about worlds like ours, under assault by the Decepticons. But you have to understand, my friend--I've learned so much about the realities of war! You can't save everyone all of the time, Vorath! You save who you can, and work towards the ultimate victory! If the Autobots spread their forces out to stop every Decepticon attack in the galaxy they would lose for certain! And it's all the more reason not to cooperate with them and make the problem WORSE!"

Hardhead goes into a series of transformation manuevers, becoming the juggernaut Fortress Maximus.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Decepticons, TO ME"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Understood, Scorponok."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "I'd hope so."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "I like Scorpono...Yes, Lord Scorponok!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Snapdragon says, "En route."

Jayson Redfield arrives from the Folassian Forest -- Nebulos to the west.

Jayson Redfield has arrived.

Vorath sighs and murmurs, "You might be right, Arcana. Possibly." Then, he stands up, and his voice raises, nearly shouting, "But it's too late. You've learned from your partner? I've learned from mine, as well. A lesson in futility. That no matter how hard I try, no matter my intentions, there will always be a Decepticon there to thwart me." He slaps down the Ministry of Science's credit card on the table, dons his armour, and attempts to storm away.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "Of course, my lord!"

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; has arrived.

Jayson Redfield drops Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;.

Jayson Redfield has left.

Jayson Redfield enters the Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;.

The sky rumbles as thunder looms overhead. Only the noise is not thunder, and that is not clouds darkening the sky.

A shadow falls over the capital as the battlestation mode of Scorponok descends from space slowly to hover over the spires, taking position menacingly, with only the rumble of his engine making noise. And then the voice of Zarak booms from the tannoys.

"Autobots! Your time has come. You will be removed from this world the easy way or the hard way. It makes /no/ difference to /me/"

Triggerhappy closes up, folding into his dangerous-looking jetfighter mode as his engines roar to life, already eager to be in the skies.

This is the day both Krunk and Snapdragon have been waiting for since the fateful night the Transformers crashed on Nebulos. The two are so much alike they have no trouble thinking as one, as the filthy but speedy jet careens towards Scorponok's position. His Krunk-side wants to do as Zarak wants, to rid the world of the autobots for the good of Nebulos, but he's also torn at wanting to hand over the riches of Nebulos to the Decepticon empire... Either way, he's going to kick the crap out of the Autobot Headmasters.

First Aid has arrived.

Snapdragon transforms into a filthy, filthy space-jet.

Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; zooms across the battlefield, circling Scorponok like a pet shark about a pirate's ship as his mighty lord descends. Over the past week or so, Blowpipe had slowly intervened, gaining some level of control - or at least, lucidity - for the psychotic Triggerhappy, and it was only recently that he'd felt Triggerhappy was ready to rejoin the other Decepticons in combat. So it was that the jet dives and soars, rolling about its master as a deadly dog might about its handler. Triggerhappy dips down, landing with a THUD as he unfolds and stands, drool dripping from his faceplate despite the lack of a mouth. Blowpipe, too, transforms into his gun mode.

Remember, he intimates, shoot -carefully- and aim for their heads. Their heads are their weak points.

I like Scorponok, was about the most he got as a reply.

He really should've known better.

Triggerhappy wipes some drool off with Blowpipe, looking over at Scorponok. He was just -waiting- to be let off his leash, just -begging- for it with those big red optics. Let me kill them! Let me shoot shoot shooooot! Pleaaase!

"Shoot?" he asks Scorponok, distilling the thought to its most basic form before it could get away from him, "Shoot?"

The jet flips upwards, hands reaching outwards to grab the weaponry from its wings with an eerie mix of bloodlust and hyperactivity as Triggerhappy's head unfolds.

First Aid falls forward, arms sliding in and legs flipping about, transforming into an ambulance.

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; speeds toward Koraja, in time for the pilot to hear Scorponok's words. The exo stops quickly and hovers, while Jayson himself tries to stay alert and aware of the other Decepticons accompanying Scorponok. "You're the one who'll be removed!" he emits. "This planet doesn't need you and your kind! I'm not about to let you Decepticons have your way, like you have on my own planet!"

Sureshot has arrived.

Brainstorm reaches out to Vorath as he leaves. "Vorath, there's still hope! We can reverse the process! There must be a way!" He sighs, lowering his head... until he notices the shadow outside. Hearing the booming voice of Scorponok, he frowns, face filled with determination. "We'll see about that, Scorponok!" he says, and as he leaves the cafe, he summons his Headmaster armor, leaping up into the air, and right into the cockpit of a passing jet!

Sureshot transforms into his Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; mode.

Arcana reaches out to Vorath as he leaves. "Vorath, there's still hope! We can reverse the process! There must be a way!" He sighs, lowering his head... until he notices the shadow outside. Hearing the booming voice of Scorponok, he frowns, face filled with determination. "We'll see about that, Scorponok!" he says, and as he leaves the cafe, he summons his Headmaster armor, leaping up into the air, and right into the cockpit of a passing jet!

Guns swivel over Scorponok's emplacements, and Fasttrack units poke their grey heads over the sides of the ramps, guns at the ready and sensors scanning for Autobots. But it is at the centre where the activity lies, for standing on a purple hoverboard is the figure of Lord Zarak himself, a cloak regally draped over his shoulder. And he seems to take Jayson's radioed response rather personally. His reply echoes over the city.

"This is MY world /human/, not yours. You know nothing of the necessity of war, BOY, do not force me to teach you!"

Vorath looks back at the cafe and calls out, "I gave up on hope, a long time ago, with all my other childish toys." The figure of a massive robot bat swoops down next to the armour-clad Nebulan, looming over him, a dark shadow against the sun. Scorponok has summoned his men to arms. The bat announces, "The die is cast." Vorath transforms, and Mindwipe stands on the streets of Koraja.

Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt; is racing towards the capital along one of the main roads. Streetwise went over all the routes in and out of the main cities prior to their mission, so First Aid has a basic understanding of how things are laid out. The Protectobot's siren is blaring as he wishes to get there to help defend any civilians who might be harmed by this latest example of Decepticon aggression. The siren does two things: First, it tells other vehicles to get out of the way. Second, it draws attention to him. Better the Decepticons shoot at him than at harmless innocents, First Aid reasons.

Hardhead is on patrol of the capital, looking out for Decepticon occupation trouble. And boy oh boy, did he pick a fine day for venturing into the city. Gazing upwards, the immovable soldier casts a grim look to the foreboding arrival of Scorponok and the words of Zarak. "Of all the brass..." Inside his head, Duros grips his control interfaces and has lost all respect for Zarak. The bonded awakening to Hardhead's experience has shed light on the Nebulans past naievity and irresponsibility. Duros sees Zarak as a threat to his own people, no longer a champion for them but a would-be dictator. The pair, binary bonded and so much alike to begin with, decide unanimously to step forth and answer Scorponok, Zarak, and their thugs. Duros' voice is amplified by the vocal processors of Hardhead, "Zarak, you've degraded past your true self. You've corrupted yourself over time and for too long have the rest of your peers and followers watched in fearful silence. You've become what you once defended our people against. Face it or face us in disgrace!" With that, Hardhead's head detaches, transforms, and becomes the armored robotic exo-armored Duros just as the body transforms and becomes the vehicle of war.

~*~ Hardhead begins to transform, making a series of heavy metallic clanking and strong gear ratcheting noises as collapses, folds, and rotates various portions of his robotic body to become a Cybertronian Tank. ~*~

Fortress Maximus has arrived.

More engines roar, and the Sr-71 Blackbird-type jet soars overhead, and SNAPDRAGON flies past. He roars over the city centre, ripping past the sound barrier and causing a sonic boom to crack a few windows below. He begins to circle back, patroling a perimeter arounf Zarak's position.

Talazia Keldahoff has arrived.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; has arrived.

Talazia Keldahoff drops Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;.

Talazia Keldahoff has left.

Talazia Keldahoff enters the Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;.

Fortress Maximus transforms into his Battlestation mode.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet transforms into its Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Robot mode.

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; rolls into the capital at a high speed, possibly along side the amulance. His low slung frame bounces heavily over the road, but he doesn't slow down. "This doesn't look good," the sharpshooter notes. While no coward, the master of apathy is used to being a member of a crew that's spent several million years turning tail and run. But it seems he's gain a new resolve from a more organic source. "I guess, one way or another, the die is now cast," he adds, tone firm.

Highbrow's head flies off and transforms into a robot. Meanwhilte the headless robot collapses and folds into a dual-rotor helicopter.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, A mere child. That's all he is in the eyes of the enemy...and some of his own comrades feel the same way. "Your world or not," Jayson challenges, "I think the Autobots have something to say about that! You've destroyed the peace in this world. Because of *you*, innocent lives are in danger. You're going DOWN! You hear me?!"

Brainstorm does several loops around Scorponok at a fair distance. "I know the truth of how you stole my technology, Zarak!" Arcana yells at the monstrous station. "You betrayed your own people by binding yourselves to these thugs! And what's more, you have betrayed yourselves! Have you really deluded yourselves into thinking you can control them? You're fools!"

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; flies in behind Talon exo-armor and transforms a bit of a distance away. &lt;&lt;This oughtta be cute.&gt;&gt; The pilot shortwaves as the Ventress Transforms and hovers there for a second.

Brainstorm folds up his limbs and snaps out his nose section as he converts into a quick and powerful fighter!

Snapdragon zeroes in on the small exo-armor containing Jayson Redfield, altough he doesn't know the pilot's name. He /does/ know, however, that the off-worlder is threatening his commander. The white jet, far larger than the Talon, dives towards the human-pilotted craft, narrowly avoiding a collision. "The autobots are like you! OFFWORLDERS! you and them have no stake in what goes on here... If everyone would obey Zarak, there would be NO further bloodshed of our people!"

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; sets its defense level to Protected.

Combat: Triggerhappy sets its defense level to Fearless.

Jet_Helicoptor hovers overhead, in defense of the capital. "This would all be much easier if the enemy would listen to reason," he sighs, "What is it about conquerors and their need to take things over? Why can't they just live and let live?"

Gort sighs. A recurring theme from Highbrow. "They aren't going to listen to reason. The sooner you realize that, the better."

"Well, all the more proof that I'm smarter than they are," Highbrow replies.

Zarak stares down at Arcana impassively, his cloak fluttering over his shoulders, the wind breezing past his forcefield for effect more than anything. "It is YOU who betrayed OUR people Arcana!" he states, his voice carried by Scorponok's systems. "It is YOU who tried to control these Autobots, and once more it is I who must clean up your mess! Now leave, this is your only warning!"

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; darts to the side as Snapdragon dives. "Stop deluding yourself!" Jayson counters. "Your 'Lord Zarak' is a tyrant! Nebulos doesn't need a ruler like *him*!"

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; drives, not going to remain a stationary target. He does not move deeper into the city. Instead, his amplified fvoice carries upwards as it bounces off buildings, "LET'S ALL LEAVE AND TAKE THIS 'OUTSIDE'."

Battlestation drifts towards Koraja, the massive floating fortress staying a few hundred feet above the sprawling plains surrounding Koraja and casting its considerable shadow on the ground that passes beneath it.

"Koraja," Galen murmurs from the Battlestation's control tower, studying the occupied city from Fortress Maximus' long-range view scopes. "We must take control of the city if there is any hope of restoring order to Nebulos." The Nebulan pauses, staring at the city as it looms on the horizon. "But even if victory can be attained -- what will be the cost? Will this be the last time I see my home standing intact?"

Fortress Maximus' voice suddenly booms across the plains. "Scorponok, I have come to vanquish you from this planet once and for all. If Zarak has any shred of respect for the people of Nebulos left, you will move your forces out of the city proper and face us with honor on the plains."

Galen shakes his head. "A long shot, but worth trying..."

Triggerhappy listens to all of this back-and-forth nonsense with little interest. Some of his oil-drool spills onto the ground as he crouches, stroking the barrel of Blowpipe with an unpleasant gleam in his optics - the gleam of one who wants to spill oil from other people. Blowpipe outwardly sighs.

"Scorponok's great!" Triggerhappy offers helpfully, the gun leveling at a random building as he shoots. And misses. And shoots again. And misses again. In fact, he seems to just be firing off random potshots, at a -totally stationary target-, and failing.

"I like Scorponok." He was feeling so much better already...so -lucid-.

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; skids to a halt just outside the city, twisting so that his side faces the buildings, and transforms. Spoilsport hops out of the driver's cab, but doesn't yet transform as well. "Forcing us to go in after them will make us look worse," he notes grimly.

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; transforms into his Sureshot mode.

Combat: Sureshot sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt; hears the booming threats coming from Scorponok, Fortress Maximus, and the other Autobots and Decepticons. He's been around long enough to know that the odds of these two being able to take this out of the city are not good, but he still gives it his best. Shifting up into robot mode below the drifting battlestation that is Fortress Maximus, the Protectobot cups his hands to his faceplate and shouts, "Wait! If we're going to battle lets do it outside the city! There's no need for us to wreck this place! Zarak, Galen, you both care for this place. Don't let it be destroyed by your hatred of each other!"

Arcana pops out of Brainstorm's cockpit, shaking a fist at Zarak. "IDIOT! I never intended to control them! I was trying to HEAL them, and the Headmaster and Targetmaster programs were the only way I could think of to do it in such a short time! If you had simply left the Decepticons as they were, wrecked and beaten, we would've easily avoided this conflict!" He levels a condemning finger at the Nebulan leader. "It is YOUR greed for power to led you to bind yourself to that monster, Zarak! You're a disgrace!"

Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt;'s front section fold back as a pair of legs and arms fold out, transforming into First Aid.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; flies in place for a minute as the pilot talks to her wingman. Oddly, out of the Ventress' hip, the mech pulls a rifle of sorts. &lt;&lt;all right, Kid. let's get to work.&gt;&gt; The pilot says as the mech flies in to do battle with the decepticons....

"YOU will not judge me!" Zarak sneers down at Arcana, his grey hair blowing in the wind. "That is for history to decide. You would make us slaves, but I, I will /force/ Nebulos to stand up for itself. The galaxy is a cruel place Arcana, and survival is a harsh mistress!"

Ignoring all calls to take the fight outside the city, Zarak points a finger at Brainstorm. "Scorponok! Destroy Brainstorm, break him as he would break this world!" The gun emplacements on Scorponok whine, and a sonic blast thunders towards Brainstorm's jet mode!

Combat: Scorponok sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Battlestation misses Jet with his Sonic Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

The large white jet, piloted by Krunk, makes a sharp turn to reverse course. The jet has to pull it's punches now, so to speak, since it is now capable of inflicting massive G-forces on it's new biological components. The large jet veers towards the pair of human-piloted machines, and transform into it's huge and dirty robot mode. Gripping his gyro-guns in his hands, he opens fire on the loud-mouthed Talon, who so soon ago was speaking ill of Zarak.

Snapdragon transforms into a filthy, filthy robot.

Combat: Snapdragon sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Snapdragon strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; with his Gyro-Guns attack! [Pulled -2]

Triggerhappy tilts his drooling head up to look at Talazia as she arrives. The Ventress mech was his new target; Triggerhappy draws a second gun, twitching and firing a bunch of shots off in the direction of the exo-suit without really aiming. He fires a couple more times, then changes up his tactics, spraying blasts all over the area - not at the autobots, but at the surroundings.

Yessss, Blowpipe hisses in his mind, destroy as much as you can, Triggerhappy - fire away, and make Zarak look like the fool he is! Then I, Blowpipe, and you, Triggerhappy, will rule over Nebu-

"FOR SCORPONOK!" Triggerhappy shrieks.

Oh, great Nebulon gods, why did -I- get stuck with the lunatic?

Combat: Fortress Maximus sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Triggerhappy's Compressed-Air Cannon attack on Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; goes wild!

Combat: Triggerhappy strikes itself with its Compressed-Air Cannon attack!

Mindwipe takes delight in how low he has brought Vorath, for all that Vorath is an integral part of him now. Mental torment is a thing of exquisite beauty! A grin, wide as the permanent smile of a shark, spreads across Mindwipe's face, and his thumbs his viper pistol. Still, he does have some desire to see Koraja saved from these Autobots, however absurd that feeling may be. For some reason, he avoids aiming at Brainstorm and instead opens fire on Highbrow.

Combat: Mindwipe strikes Jet_Helicoptor with his Viper Pistol - Solid Ammunition (Pistol) attack!

Combat: Gained 1 energon.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield winces slightly as his armor is hit. "That the best you can do?" he mutters. "Eat THIS!" He extends the unit's machine guns, which promptly activate, firing rapidly upon Snapdragon.

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; strikes Snapdragon with its Medium Machine Gun attack!

Sureshot snorts. "Just as I figured." Still, part of him can't help but prefer that it be the Decepticons, not the Autobots, to open fire inside the city. He dives forward, transforming as he does, and rolls directly towards Scorponok, jigging and jagging across the road as he does. "Hey, Spoilsport!" he shouts. "Give me a moment to set things up, and I bet I can hit him without even looking!"

Combat: Sureshot sets his defense level to Guarded.

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; grumbles and reverses out of the city, dropping the cityscape line lower and lower giving his targetting more view of Scorponok. Duros speaks mostly to himself, "We failed him, and now he fails us because of it. He leaves us no other choice..." He reaches into a cargo pack and pulls out a photo of his wife and family. "... I'm sorry." The Tank's gun loads up a shell as his targetting acquires Scorponok. "Let tonights thunder ensure tomorrow be calm." The pair open fire at the hovering doom over Koraja.

The Jet-Helicopter wobbles a bit as the blast from Mindwipe hits. "Now that wasn't very sophisticated," he says, "Why not use your mental capabilities to assist the preservation of life, rather than its destruction? Tell me, Mindwipe, what do all those dead Transformers you talk to tell you? Do they not regale you with the futility of their former lives?" Oh yeah, Highbrow's heard of Mindwipe's Necromancing the Dead. He lets loose an energy blast that he hopes will slow the bat down.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; simply flies there as triggerhappy actually shoots himself in the head. &lt;&lt;Ooookay. That was the easiest bit of damage I've ever seen.&gt;&gt; She says as she raises the left arm rifle and starts opening fire on Triggerhappy. Ironically....it's disruptors.

Combat: Sureshot takes extra time to aim his next attack on Battlestation.

Galen hangs his head when Scorponok rejects their offer, firing on Brainstorm. "So this is how it must be," he says, staring at the blinking controls arrayed in front of him. "May history forgive me." Picking up a radio wand from the console, he makes an announcement that crackles over allied radios: "This is Galen transmitting from within Fortress Maximus. All units, prepare for full assault." Putting down the wand, he slides up the power level controlling Maximus' weapon systems, producing an audible whine outside the Battlestation.

The laser turret attached to Fortress Maximus' control tower swivels and lines up with Scorponok. Once a target lock is achieved, a stream of unrelenting red laser blasts begin to lance out from the weapon's barrels.

"Your fight is with me, Scorponok!" Fortress Maximus booms, continuing to float closer towards his nemesis in the city center.

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; strikes Battlestation with his Incendiary Shells attack!

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; misses Triggerhappy with its Disruptor attack!

Combat: Jet_Helicoptor misses Mindwipe with his Well Slow Me Down! attack!

Combat: Jet_Helicoptor (Highbrow) used "Targeting Scanner": A Level 0 RANGED attack.

Combat: Battlestation strikes Battlestation with his Dual Laser Blasters attack!

First Aid scowls as Scorponok tries to blow Brainstorm out of the sky. "I'm going to remember this, Zarak," the Protectobot says loudly. "I'm going to remember that you had every opportunity to keep this city safe and you didn't take it." Observing carefully, Scorponok's strike fails to kill Brainstorm, but does slam against the side of a tower. Chunks of alien concrete begins to fall towards the streets below, and First Aid sprints, using his body to safeguard a young Nebulos couple and absorb the debris. Each impact is considerable, but fails to break the doctor's armour. "Go!" he urges the pair.

Arcana seals himself back inside Brainstorm, just in time before Scorponok attempts to shoot him. He dips under the sonic blasts as the turrets open up, and veers away. He knows all too well how tough Scorponok is to fight, and besides, he might be better off keeping the other Decepticons off of Maximus's back as the two leaders duel. He aims himself at Mindwipe, first--until he recognizes the coloring of that Headmaster armor. "You bound yourself to Mindwipe!?" Brainstorm yells as he passes by the mystic. "Oh, Primus!" Now he and Arcana understand all too well Vorath's pain!

Coming around again, Brainstorm instead settles for Snapdragon, and fires upon him with photon blasts. "Dammit!"

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Jet strikes Snapdragon with his Photon Pulse Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

Mindwipe's grin widens, if at his even possible, and his voice hushes as if he is letting Highbrow in on a top secret, "They tell me to... DUCK!" which he does, evading Highbrow's energy blast. He pops back up and notes, "If you Autobots had just /left/ quietly, we would not have this problem, would we? Of course not. However, you've never been ones to learn from history, ever snakes devouring your tails. Eat this." He snaps off another shot at the helicopter.

Combat: Mindwipe misses Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; with his Viper Pistol - Higher Level Energy (Laser) attack!

Combat: Drained 2 energon.

Swindle arrives from the Folassian Forest -- Nebulos to the west.

Swindle has arrived.

Hinder has arrived.

Swindle drops Hinder.

The platform upon which Zarak stands wobbles slightly as he is hit by the blasts. "Very well then!" he booms as levers whir and click, and heavy mechanisms grind. The battlestation slowly begins to land in the main square, shifting and turning into the form of Scorponok himself, who raises his shield over his head in defiance as Fortress Maximus approaches.

"I am here for you, /Galen/"

Combat: Scorponok sets his defense level to Neutral.

With a grinding of gears, Scorponok rises into his huge and bulky robot mode.

Combat: Scorponok creates a forcefield shielding himself from damage.

Blowpipe, quite literally sick to bursting of Triggerhappy's idiocy, forcibly backfires; the explosion forces Triggerhappy to stumble backwards, stopping and staring with a stupid look on his face (as if that's new) before letting out a laugh that echoes between the towers of the city. As Blowpipe's Targetting systems slide into being, Trigger turns to look up at the strange robot shooting at him and missing, quite -miserably-.

And then he hears Arcana lamenting about Mindwipe, and Triggerhappy simply -turns around-, staring at Mindwipe stupidly. "Mindwipe!" He shouts, jerking around again to point at Highbrow. How -dare- he shoot his Bestest Friend Mindwipe Who Wasn't Quite As Bestest A Friend As Scorponok!

"HOW DARE YOU SHOOT MY BESTEST FRIEND MINDWIPE WHO ISN'T QUITE AS BESTEST A FRIEND AS SCORPONOK!" he rages, transforming into jet mode and zooming towards Highbrow at maximum speed, powered by -pure rage-.

Triggerhappy closes up, folding into his dangerous-looking jetfighter mode as his engines roar to life, already eager to be in the skies.

Combat: Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; misses Jet_Helicoptor with its POWER OF FRIENDSHIP CHARGE GO (Ram) attack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Tactical report"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Autobots are attacking the HIVE, Lord Scorponok!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "I am the only one of your loyal forces here, though I have some of Galvatron's ilk with me."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow tries to ignore Triggerhappy.

Snapdragon's chest sparks from the spray of bullets spouted at him from the alien aircraft(Humans=aliens here), and Snapdragon levels his guns for another blast at Jayson Redfield's Talon. However, Brainstorm swoops in and blasts at his flank, burning away his armor with photon pulses. Wishing he had an area attack, Snapdragon fires off a blast of his Gyro Guns at Brainstorm, hoping to make the flying Autobot crash into a building.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "@emit Blowpipe says, "I apologize. He's enthusiastic, Lord Scorponok.""

Combat: Snapdragon misses Jet with his Gyro-Guns attack!

Vintage Army Jeep &lt;Swindle&gt; comes driving into the area at high speed, bearing a critter and new, kevlar, critter-proof upholstery. The Combaticon smells war, and where there's war, there's war profiteering. Naturally, this brings him running like a cheap lawyer chasing an ambulance. "Hang on, my little weasel friend!" his speakers tell Hinder. "We're almost there!"

Sureshot continues to drive erratically, but as the battle progresses, he notes that some of his allies seem to be facing problems. He transforms, and this time Spoilsport does so as well, landing in his hand, and he lifts his weapon towards Triggerhappy, snapping off a quick shot aimed for the left tailfin. "We can attack you instead, if you'd rather."

Chasing an ambulance are you, Swindle? First Aid motions for the Nebulon couple to flee, looking skyward as the battle rages mostly above him. He remembers the days when only Decepticons could fly. He wonders if this latest trend change has increased or decreased the liklihood of innocents being harmed in battle. The Protectobot hears the screech of tires as a very familiar Combaticon jeep rounds a corner. Said Combaticon will come bumper to photon pistol with the Protectobot doctor. "Hold it right there, Swindle," First Aid says, pointing his firearm at the jeep. "This is not where you want to be if you value your health." First Aid idly checks to see if Swindle is still wearing the Autobrands.

Combat: Sureshot sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Sureshot transforms into his Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; mode.

Combat: First Aid sets his defense level to Guarded.

Hinder hangs on as best she can, enduring another rather insane Swindle-drive. She anticipated the driving, though, and was also warned about the upholstery, so is rather unflatteringly passenging huddled on the passenger's side floorboards, her chin smacking against the passenger's seat with every bump the yellow jeep hits.

Combat: Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; strikes Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; with his Laser-Light Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

Jet zips down towards Snapdragon, barrel rolling to avoid the return fire, and then transforming into robot mode--but oddly, Arcana does not merge with Brainstorm. Instead, he launches himself at Snapdragon's head! "Come on out, you're one of them, aren't you!?" Arcana yells as he *yanks* on Snapdragon's head, trying to pull it off. From there he'll try to force the head to transform so he can give the Nebulan a solid thrashing. "I ought to slap the lot of you! In fact, I think I will!"

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Aggressive.

The cybertronian jet unfurls itself, transforming into the robot mode of Brainstorm!

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; curses as Scorponok and Zarak land in the city. "COWARDS!" Zarak has fallen completely, not a shred of honor or premise of defending his world when using it as a shield. His gun rises again and he rotates the laser emitter into place behind the barrel. "If you can't remove the dung, you settle for swatting the flies, then." He targets the nuissance Mindwipe, having born the frustration of facing him twice since this conflict resumed in space.

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Snapdragon with his The Wrath of Doc Br--Arcana (Punch) attack!

Jet_Helicoptor rises higher into the air to avoid Triggerhappy doing his best impersonation of Ramjet. Incidentally this also put him out of the path of Mindwipe's next shot. "You must have been conversing with some very inferior minds if all they told you is that," Highbrow retorts. He fires disruptor bolts at Mindwipe, keeping an eye on Triggerhappy but not engaging him just yet. "Perhaps you should try contacting the essence of the earthling Mahatma Gandhi. You might learn something!"

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; strikes Mindwipe with his Laser Cannon Pulse ~High Yield~ (Laser) attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; (Hardhead) used "Laser": A Level 2 RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 7 damage.

Combat: Jet_Helicoptor strikes Mindwipe with his Passive Resistance WORKS slaggit! (Disruptor) attack!

Combat: Jet_Helicoptor (Highbrow) used "Disruptor": A Level 1 RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 6 damage.

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; retracts its machine guns and ascends higher, this time extending a gun on its wrist. "Hey, ugly!" he shouts at Scorponok, although that's probably directed at Zarak as well. "Got somethin' for ya!" From the gun fires a single laser blast.

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; strikes Scorponok with its Laser attack!

Combat: Scorponok's forcefield absorbs Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;'s attack.

Battlestation continues to charge into the city as skirmishes erupt all around it. "Direct hit!" Galen announces, watching Fortress Maximus' laser blasts splash against Scorponok's armor. "He's raising his shields... Predictable. We'll be able to handle this better if we combine, Maximus!"

With unspoken consent, the viewing window to the control tower flips open and Galen dramatically leaps out. The entire battle station begins to shift and convert -- pylons swinging out to form legs, the control tower splitting in half and merging into a torso. A block disconnects, Galen slipping inside of it as it transforms into the shape of a Cybertronian head, guided towards the corresponding connection port in Fortress Maximus' neck with cascading electromagnetic energy.

Once the head connects with a flash of light, Fortress Maximus' gray visor slides up and his red optics flash. Heavy feet strike the pavement below him as the large Autobot squares off against his nemesis. Lifting his laser blaster, now in hand-held form, Fortress Maximus takes a single blast at Scorponok's shield. "You cannot hide behind your shield forever, Scorponok," he announces, marching forward at a slow, steady pace through Koraja's streets.

Battlestation transforms into his Fortress Maximus mode.

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes Scorponok with his Laser attack!

Combat: Scorponok's forcefield absorbs Fortress Maximus's attack.

Snapdragon and his binary-bonded partner are heavily armoured and extremely durable, not to mention greasy. Arcana's attempt to pry the bonded Krunk off meets with no success, and all it does it put the minute Arcana within reach of Snapdragon's massive fists. He reaches up, and tries to CRUSH Arcana with his bare hands.

Combat: Snapdragon uses up a charge on his Radar Helmet booster pack!

Combat: Snapdragon strikes Brainstorm with his I'll CRUSH you with my bare hands! (Kick) attack!

Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; circles around for another assault on Highbrow before...both Highbrow -and- Hardhead attack Mindwi...

SCORPONOK! NOOOO! Nevermind the impervious force field Scorponok employs, that STRANGE MECHA (Jason) attacked him! HOW DARE HE!? Scorponok is the -greatest-! The -Best!- The most WONDERFUL THING IN THE UNIVERSE!

Spiralling around and spinning like a pinwheel in a noreaster, Triggerhappy charges for Jason, screaming "SCORPOOOOONOOOOOOOK!" at the top of his cyber-lungs. Transforming in mid-charge, he flips forward, grabbing at the exo-suit and trying to force it down into the ground with his own strength, in an epic-level piledriver from hell.

Combat: Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; with its FOR LOVE OF A SCORPION! (Smash) attack!

Scorponok's shield crackles with raw power as it absorbs the various impacts. "You would know about /hiding/ wouldn't you /Maximus/? Did the Autobots welcome you back with open arms when you limped back into dock? I doubt it! They don't want you. Nebulos doesn't want you. And /I/ don't want you."

He raises his shield to slash it at Maximus' chest.

Combat: Scorponok misses Fortress Maximus with his Shield Smash attack!

Vintage Army Jeep &lt;Swindle&gt; is actually just driving around the city on the way to the mountains, so all that First Aid gets in response is an annoyed, "Ugh! Why's it always Protectobots?" and a dust cloud. "Keep your head down, little guy, I'm putting it in high gear!" he tells Hinder. Vroomity vroom.

Swindle moves north to the Arvassian Range.

Swindle has left.

Mindwipe is passively resisted. This is about as bad as being shot by a tank. Who knew? He cranks up the dial on his viper pistol, humming an ancient funerary keen to himself. Then, he leaps atop s a building, bat-wings flaring dramatically, and as he lans, he snaps off a shot at Highbrow, aiming to bring the snob back to earth.

Combat: Mindwipe sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Mindwipe strikes Jet_Helicoptor with his Viper Pistol attack!

Combat: Jet_Helicoptor has been temporarily incapacitated.

Combat: Drained 11 energon.

Hinder uh ohs faintly when Swindle says 'high gear' and tucks her head under, now just an off-white metallic ball in the jeep's passenger side floorboards.

Hinder moves north to the Arvassian Range.

Hinder has left.

Boomslang has arrived.

Fusillade arrives from the Plains of Thok -- Nebulos to the east.

Fusillade has arrived.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield cries out as Triggerhappy grabs his armor and effectively slams him into the ground. Acting quickly, he brings up both legs and attempts to kick the Decepticon off him. "Beat it, punk!"

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; strikes Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; with its Kick attack!

The jet flips upwards, hands reaching outwards to grab the weaponry from its wings with an eerie mix of bloodlust and hyperactivity as Triggerhappy's head unfolds.

Arcana yells as the large Decepticon snatches him with his hands, squeezing the life out of him! "Great Skaht, this wasn't such a good idea after all!" But he does have one trick up his sleeve--goggles! One of them materializes over his helmet, and they look like... disco ball... goggles!? What? At any rate, they beam multi-colored lights at Snapdragon, which should surely be distracting and annoying and just downright *weird*.

While he does this, Brainstorm rushes forward, guns pointed forward. "Little lower, son!" Arcana says, and Brainstorm adjusts his aim until his rifles are pointed at Snapdragon's knees, and he fires!

"Irrelevant." Fortress Maximus raises one arm to block Scorponok's slashing shield, sparks flashing from his armor as the blow grinds against him -- but the Headmaster holds his place.

"All other concerns are secondary to your destruction." Fortress Maximus seems to have adapted his tactics to compensate for Scorponok's nigh-invulnerable shield -- swinging his other blue fist, he aims for a fast blow to the top of Scorponok's field, trying to knock the Decepticon back towards the park clearing without expending unnecessary energy.

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes Scorponok with his Punch attack!

Combat: Scorponok's forcefield absorbs Fortress Maximus's attack.

First Aid stares as Swindle turns tail and speeds out of here. He is so shocked that he doesn't even get off a good retort until a minute or so has passed. "Er... because... we're /always/ there to stop your brand of vil- oh forget it." The Combaticon is long gone, thus ruining the comeback that would have demolished Swindle's morale. Pleased that the Combaticon has high-tailed it out of the battle, First Aid sees that one of his friends is in trouble. Always eager to help save humans, First Aid rushes towards where Triggerhappy drove Jayson into the ground, firing his photon pistol.

Combat: First Aid sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: First Aid misses Triggerhappy with his Photon Pistol attack!

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; spies Snapdragon getting up close and personal with Brainstorm. Normally, it's not a good idea to fire into melee, as you risk hitting your own side.

Sureshot isn't normal.

Taking extra care to avoid hitting his own side, he, like Brainstorm, aims for Snapdragon's knees, attempting to increase the effectiveness by making a more precisely placed shot.

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; transforms into his Sureshot mode.

Combat: Brainstorm uses up a charge on his Goggle Collection booster pack!

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Snapdragon with his Photon Pulse Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; rolls around the trail, getting within a open street's lane view of the Bat-former atop the roof of the building. Duros asks, "Has that vermin always been a freak or did he go crazy over time?" Hardhead's internal cockpit speaker intones, "Always been a bad lasercore. A Decepticon through and through. And I'm through letting him play his tricks." The tank gun retargets the temporarily stationary target and fires a low calibur shell at Mindwipe.

Combat: Sureshot uses up a charge on his Energo-Targeting Sensor booster pack!

Combat: Sureshot strikes Snapdragon with his Laser-Light Cannon attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; misses Mindwipe with his Small Calibur Shells (Pistol) attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; (Hardhead) used "Pistol": A Level 1 RANGED attack.

A stunning blast hits the Jet-Helicopter, and his engines shut down suddenly. Highbrow only has time to grunt before his systems are completely paralyzed. This of course means a heavy landing.

CRUNCH!

Scorponok stands his ground as the impact of the punch sends him into the ground itself. "interesting!" he grunts. "I almost felt that!"

The huge Decepticon lurches forwards towards Fotress Maximus, the little Decepticon Fasttrack pluggin himself into his masters systems.

"You speak of peace Galen, but you are no better than any of us here. Perhaps more so, for you are /deluded/!" He swings a mighty claw up to try to crush Fort Max's neck!

Combat: Scorponok strikes Fortress Maximus with his I'm Crushing Your Head attack!

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

Triggerhappy is kicked by Jayson, but this is small potatoes compared to Mindwipe getting shot at. He doesn't even remember why he was attacking this weird thing in the first place...oh well. Maybe he was going crazier!

Oh Great Nebulan Gods, Blowpipe thinks, PLEASE DON'T LET HIM GET CRAZIER!

But there is no answer as Triggerhappy lunges towards Hardhead, leaping into the air and hanging there like some vast predatory bird before leveling his gun at the Autobot and firing, over and over and over. No longer was Triggerhappy even speaking; naught but a trail of drool and a disturbing laugh (and gunshots) comes from the insane Decepticon, so great is his anger at his Bestest Friend being assaulted.

He passes over Hardhead, landing on the other side and skidding to a stop as his drool splatters everywhere.

Combat: Triggerhappy misses Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; with its Oh God He's Getting Even Worse attack!

Snapdragon is being bombarded on all sides, with Brainstorm and Sureshot taking shots at him. Brainstorm is boring, and Sureshot the sharpshooter is dealing more damage. Snapdragon dives down at the bright yellow and orange Targetmaster, transforming in mid-fall, and tries to rip Sureshot's armor into pieces with his razor-sharp teeth and claws.

Snapdragon transforms into a filthy, filthy dinosaur.

Combat: Snapdragon uses up a charge on his Radar Helmet booster pack!

Combat: Filthy Tyrannosaur &lt;Snapdragon&gt; strikes Sureshot with his Rend attack!

Mindwipe manages to evade the tank's fire, stepping aside with a flourish. He grins wickedly as the jet helicopter comes crashing down from the sky and decides that he needs to add insult to injury, to rub salt into the wound. He leaps off the building, intending to smash down on Highbrow.

Combat: Mindwipe sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Mindwipe strikes Jet_Helicoptor with his Crushing De-Feet (Kick) attack!

Combat: Drained 2 energon.

With a resonant roar of engines, Fusillade slices through the air, rocket boosters ignited to better speed her to the battlefield. Hugging the ground to avoid radar, the Lancer rattles windows and sends leaves and small rocks flying in her wake. &lt;&lt;...I /SWEAR/ the next time you do that I am going to rearrange your circuits with my fist!&gt;&gt; she calls back to the other aerial unit tailing her. As her glossy white belly flashes the ground below, she remarks, &lt;&lt;Hmm, got some live ones down there. Urgh, MORE hyoomans, they're everywhere!&gt;&gt;

The Destron Masters are not alone! Galvatron has sent a strike package of his troops to support them! "I'm reading a wiiide varity of targets coming up down there, Wing Leader," Boomslang says to Fusillade as he supercruises a few hundred yards off her starboard wing, just outside the supersonic vortex. "A lot of the new guys look pretty similar. I'm going after their leader until I can ID some of those bogeys. Call me if you need me!" He accelerates and pulls away, raking the huge Autobot Headmaster commander with autocannon fire.

With the usual ratcheting sound, Boomslang spins and flips and turns into a fighter jet.

Combat: Boomslang sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; misses Fortress Maximus with his Autocannon (Pistol) attack!

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; is free! It promptly gets to its feet, flashes a thumbs-up at First Aid, then takes to the air again. "Okay, Scorponok," Jayson murmurs. "Let's see about taking care of that shield of yours." The Talon speeds toward the forcefield to collide into it, in an attempt to break through.

Combat: Hardhead sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; misses Scorponok with its Ram attack!

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; registers the nutjob flying over and landing behind, and does little to evade besides turn his rolling path to redirect his exhaust towards Triggerhappy while kicking up his velocity to maximum during the manuever. "A rabid drog that needs putting down... You're a menace, Triggerhappy." His exhaust spews out heavily and blows towards the Targetmaster. The winged Headmaster nuissance having to take a backseat to the more immediate threat.

Combat: Hardhead uses up a charge on his Badass Detection Device booster pack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; misses Triggerhappy with his Corrosive Exhaust attack!

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; finally with her head back in the action, transforms and follows Jayson in. Except, instead of ramming scorponok...she shoots at him. hopefully it'll do SOME damage.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; transforms into its Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet mode.

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet misses Scorponok with its Disruptor attack!

First Aid is, luckily, very used to be ineffective in battle, and he does not seem to mind being on civilian saving duty. The Protectobot only has time to give a quick nod of acknowledgement back to Jayson's Talon before rushing off. Looking up overhead, First Aid sees Boomslang and Fusillade make their arrivals. "Uh oh... two more incoming, guys," the Protectobot calls out.

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

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Should the Ministry fall, you are to evacuate and set the auto destruct, am I clear Apeface?"

Fortress Maximus is caught at the base of his neck by Scorponok's fiendish purple claw, the squeezing action causing a sickening sound of metal groaning under the crushing stress. Galen ducks under some sparks as they shoot out of a damaged console in Fortress Maximus' head. "Emergency seperation!" Galen slams his armored fist against a big red button.

Fortress Maximus' head launches up into the air, his decapitated body taking a few slow strides backwards to put some space between himself and a follow-up assault from Scorponok. Autocannon rounds from the Decepticon air support slam against his back, but after the sparks and noise, there seems little to show for Boomslang's attack save for a handful of scratch marks. Galen promptly reconnects with Fortress' body.

"It is a great misfortune that you have brought this battle to our capital," Galen concedes, drawing Fortress Maximus' gigantic red Master Sword from subspace. "But there can never be peace so long as there is tyranny!" Fortress Maximus lunges forward, trying to score another quick slash on Scorponok's shields.

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes Scorponok with his Master Sword attack! [Pulled -3]

Combat: Scorponok's forcefield absorbs Fortress Maximus's attack.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Yes, Commander Scorponok."

Arcana springs away from Snapdragon while his attention is on Sureshot, and sits himself back down on Brainstorm's shoulders as his head. He glances between them, realizing Sureshot has this one, and looks up as Boomslang opens fire on Maximus. "Hey! Lay off of him, Decepticon!" Brainstorm yells as he fires up at the Seeker. "You've got problems of your own!"

Combat: Brainstorm misses F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; with his Photon Pulse Cannon attack! [Pulled -4]

"Come on, man! Pull yourself together!" Gort shouts at Highbrow, as the paralzyed Jet-Helicoptor is kicked rather sharply. It damages the rear rotor assembly.

"I am trying," Highbrow says, "The particular weapon has a vexing tendency to disable opponents."

Sureshot is torn and shredded by Snapdragon's dive, his armor ripped and shredded by the attack. By the time he's recovered, however, Snapdragon is out of immediate sight - but he can spy more Decepticons coming. "Damn it... they just keep coming!" he exclaims, aiming for one of the larger incoming figures. He's normally not one to pick the easy targets, but there's something that just screams 'bomber' about this one, and that's one thing he aims to prevent.

Combat: Sureshot strikes Fusillade with his Laser-Light Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

Filthy Tyrannosaur &lt;Snapdragon&gt; is satisfied after taking a bite out of Sureshot, and the lumbering, filthy tyrannosaur trundles off somewhere. He transforms into his jet mode and flies off towards the HIVE, presumably to bolster the garrison at Zarak's "secret" base.

Snapdragon transforms into a filthy, filthy space-jet.

Combat: Filthy Jet &lt;Snapdragon&gt; begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit.

Triggerhappy whips out his Hand Pump, jamming it into Blowpipe. He was ANGRY now, because people kept doing...things! Especially that annoying Fortress Maximus! Pumping vigorously, his drool redoubles, splashing all over the grass as he avoids Hardhead's attack by pure accident (crouching to pump Blowpipe's hand pump better, of course!). His red optics lock onto Fortress Maximus...HOW DARE HE HARM SCORPONOK!? How dare he -try- to harm Scorponok! It was...it was so WRONG!

Blowpipe, of course, is too busy being soothed by the hand pump's rhythm to complain as he and the other gun are leveled at Fortess Maximus, blasts of compressed air rocketing forth.

Die! Die and be gone! he thinks, And Scorponok will reward me when I kill you!

"ALL! HAIL! SCORPONOK!" he screams at the top of his lungs, charging at Fortress Maximum.

Combat: Triggerhappy's EAT BLOWPIPE FORTRESS SUCKIMUS! attack on Fortress Maximus goes wild!

Combat: Triggerhappy misses F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; with its EAT BLOWPIPE FORTRESS SUCKIMUS! attack!

F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; rolls away from Fortress Maximus in a corkscrewing bank turn, photon pulses cracking by him on both sides. "Taking some flak... ahh, there's a familiar face, we got one of the Botdocs down there. Taking it out." Continuing in his bank turn he strafes First Aid's position with a loud burring sound of autocannon bursts.

Combat: Boomslang sets his defense level to Guarded.

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; strikes First Aid with his Autocannon (Pistol) attack!

Scorponok rocks and is forced back by the sword blow as a grin creases his face. "Come Galen, it is not too late. /Join me/ and TOGETHER we can bring PEACE to Nebulos. Or must I make an EXAMPLE Of you here before your people!"

His huge cannon levels itself at Fortress Maximus as its anti-gravity beam kicks in, sending rubble and masonry into the air. "You will become a monument to your own /folly/!"

Combat: Scorponok uses up a charge on his Fasttrack booster pack!

Combat: Scorponok strikes Fortress Maximus with his Anti-Gravity Fusion Cannon attack! [Pulled -2]

&lt;&lt;I'm SERIOUS, Boomslang, no more stunts like what happened at the de-icing station!!!&gt;&gt; Fusillade calls after the Super Hornet. She hmmphs! as he pulls ahead and starts pecking at Fortress Maximus. Despite her building fetish, the idea of following up after HIM was a bit distasteful, and she pulls away to find some other target to satisfy her pique. She's midway through a bank when Sureshot nominates himself to be her dance partner. The shots from the Autobot land home, and with an irritated snarl at the hotles in her left wing's trailing edge, she pulls up, and scatters candy.

Combat: Fusillade strikes Sureshot with her Toe-Popping Cherrybomblets (Laser) attack!

Mindwipe turns his attention over to the tank that has been harrassing him, on and off. He fiddles with his viper pistol and then snaps off a shot at Hardhead. Zarak's speech is quite... stirring, he thinks. Though he rather suspects that it will fall upon deaf audios and deafer ears. A pity, that.

Combat: Mindwipe strikes Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; with his Viper Pistol - Low Level Energy (Disruptor) attack!

Combat: Gained 1 energon.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield curses as Scorponok manages to evade. Without missing a beat, the Talon spins around in midair, transforms, and dives toward the large mech again in another ramming manuever.

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; transforms into its Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet mode.

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet misses Scorponok with its Ram attack!

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; pulls around as Triggerhappy goes raving off to take on Fortress Maximus. It seems trying to draw his enemies out of the city is futile. And so he rolls in after the Targetmaster and raises his gun. It's time to put the hurting on more than one crazy. Inside, the reflection of buildings scroll across Duros' exo-optics and he wonders if he'll see them standing tomorrow, or even live to see tomorrow. A Viper Pistol shot collides with the Tank and jars both vehicle and driver. The troublemaker, both now come to think of Mindwipe as. Hardhead loads up his shells and lets Duros do the aimming as he fires off a series of Sonic Shells, three targets.

Combat: Hardhead sets his defense level to Neutral.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet pulls up and takes another run at Scorponok. This time, she tries a different tactics.......especially as the heavy cannon under the jet starts to open fire.

Combat: Hardhead uses up a charge on his Badass Detection Device booster pack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; strikes Scorponok with his Sonic Shells Area attack!

Combat: Scorponok's forcefield absorbs Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt;'s attack.

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; misses Mindwipe with his Sonic Shells Area attack!

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; (Hardhead) used "Sonic Shells": A Level 6 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; strikes Triggerhappy with his Sonic Shells Area attack!

"I'll never join you!" Galen shouts, voice resounding from Fortress Maximus' PA speakers across the battle-filled streets of Koraja. "The only example you'll make today, Scorponok, is to show the people of Nebulos that they must always stand up against tyranny! That our freedom is the most precious thing of all -- and more than worth dying for!"

As if to prove his point, Fortress Maximus takes the fusion cannon blast squarely in the chest, vaporizing layers of armor and leaving a smoking, smoldering hole. His optics flicker, but the resolute Autobot doesn't fall yet. Galen, however, suffers from painful binary feedback -- clutching his helmet and groaning in pain.

"Artillery -- full spread! FIRE!" Galen gasps, the red cannons lowered into Fortress Maximus' shins lifting with a whir. Aiming squarely at Scorponok, the four barrels begin to explode in blasts of smoke and flame, firing a volley of heavy artillery shells against Scorponok's shields.

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet misses Scorponok with its Heavy Machine Gun attack!

Sureshot stumbles back from the cherrypoppers, but with his armor already shredded by Snapdragon, far too much gats through and he automatically cries out in pain. After a quick radio call, he starts running a bit towards the edge of the city, shouting, "That the best you can do?!" at the bomber. Keeping her on his tail may hurt, but it'll keep her from going after the city itself.

In moments, he reaches an intersection full of abandoned vehicles - the pre-planned meeting point. He dives in and snaps off a shot at First Aid's opponent instead of his own, muttering, "Better make it fast, Doc. There's way too many of them about."

First Aid's opponent: meaning Boomslang.

Combat: Fortress Maximus sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Sureshot sets his defense level to Protected.

Fortress Maximus transforms into his Battlestation mode.

Combat: Battlestation misses Scorponok with his Laser-Guided Mortars attack!

Combat: Sureshot uses up a charge on his Energo-Targeting Sensor booster pack!

Combat: Sureshot strikes F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; with his Laser-Light Cannon attack! [Pulled -1]

First Aid sprints down the Nebulon streets as Boomslang races after him, strafing. It is every movie you've ever seen where the villain is attacking the hero via strafing from a biplane. Ricochet marks ding off the streets all around the Protectobot as he runs towards Sureshot. Several of the shots slam into his back, breaking through where the debris that struck him earlier had dinged him. First Aid does not want to explain later to Blades why he has bullet wounds on his back and not his chest. He is mindful of the threat behind him, but focuses first on helping out the newly returned Autobot. Boomslang can be dealt with (or delayed, at any rate) later. Spying Sureshot, First Aid quickly holsters his photon pistol back into its hip holster, which folds back into his leg. Sureshot is in the middle of a busy intersection full of abandoned Nebulon cars. It'll make a decent enough defence spot, at least. The doctor vaults over one of the cars and lands in the middle of the makeshift barricade, finger mounted lasers already sealing up damage. "I hope you live up to your name, Sureshot, because we're going to have two angry Decepticons on us within just a few seconds..." The lasers seal up armour cracks, and should give Sureshot back some durability.

Combat: First Aid sets his defense level to Protected.

Brainstorm leaps up into the sky, blazing after Boomslang and attempting to place himself firmly on his six 'o clock position. "Leave the doctor alone!" Brainstorm yells, blazing away with brilliant bolts of energy. "THIS doctor is your problem!"

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of Sureshot's minor injuries.

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Brainstorm misses F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; with his Photon Pulse Cannon attack!

Finally the Jet-Helicopter's engines restart. But rather than rising into the air, Highbrow decides to transform. "There is no point to taking over," he tells all the Decepticons within audioshot, "It is all futile. You're wasting your effort and your lives, and the lives of countless others. There are far mor constructive things to do with one's time." Though he's directing this Disorienting Oratory particularly at Mindwipe, he's sure the others can hear him just fine.

Helicopter blades fold back and show the arms, the back end of the fuselage separates to form legs, and a little robot leaps into the air and transforms into Highbrow's head.

Combat: Highbrow strikes Mindwipe with his Use Your Words! attack!

Combat: Highbrow (Highbrow) used "Disorienting Oratory": A Level 0 RANGED attack.

Combat: You took 0 damage.

Combat: You can't seem to think straight...

Scorponok curses loudly as the fuel cells on his sheild splutter and die, various readings warning of low energon. "No matter!" he cries, as the robot folds down into the form of a huge scorponok, claws waving menacingly and Zarak falling into the driver's seat. "You were once like a SON to me Galen, and now LOOK upon the ruin you have brought to our world!"

As the city starts to burn around him, Scorponok reaches out to Jayson's flying Talon, lasers on the top attempting to stun him and pull him into the scorpion maw that looms at the front of the mechanical creature!

Scorponok folds into the form of a thickly armored giant scorpion, bristling with guns.

Combat: Giant Scorpion's forcefield protecting himself vanishes.

Combat: Giant Scorpion strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet with his System Shock attack!

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet has been temporarily incapacitated.

"You want some of this, Screaming Alpha? I brought enough for the whole class!" Boomslang hisses down at Brainstorm as he pops his flaps and swings around, lining up his main target, his main target's patient, and Brainstorm in a row. Coming in low and straight to release a firebomb from his underwing hardpoints, the fire rolling in a roaring wall towards the Autobot grouping... and perhaps beyond it!

Combat: Boomslang sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt;'s Mk.77 Incendiary Bomb attack on First Aid goes wild!

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; strikes Giant Scorpion with his Mk.77 Incendiary Bomb Area attack!

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; misses Brainstorm with his Mk.77 Incendiary Bomb Area attack!

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt;'s Mk.77 Incendiary Bomb attack on Sureshot goes wild!

Combat: F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; strikes Giant Scorpion with his Mk.77 Incendiary Bomb Area attack!

Mindwipe is light on his feet, one foot in this one world, one foot in the next - or so he'd tell you, tricksy bat that he is. However, trying to understand what the hecking heck Highbrow is on about will be the death of him. He rubs the side of his nose, dazed, and he tries to minister to Triggerhappy with a nano-poultice that smells terrible and looks worse.

Combat: Mindwipe quickly patches up some of Triggerhappy's minor injuries.

Combat: Drained 4 energon.

Snap Crackle Pop! The inundation makes Sureshot's footwork fancy indeed. As the taunt reaches up to her audials, a malevolent laugh rolls up from the bomber, the inflections heard in the roar of her engines as she pulls a windup turn. And then the sky lights up around Boomslang. Ah, the beauty of escorts -- they draw the aggro, although it could be that he was just particularly bad at making enemies that hold grudges. It's hard to keep sight of Sureshot as he weaves to and fro among the debris, but a flash of white and red tells her that a medic of some sort (First Aid in this case) is tending to the wounded. &lt;&lt;Careful what you wish for, AUTURDBOT!!!&gt;&gt; Fusillade raucously calls out, before she lives up to Sureshot's fears, and disgorges a set of more serious 500-pound bombs, looking to crack through the makeshift canopy that First Aid had erected. Urban renewal at its finest.

Combat: Fusillade sets her defense level to Fearless.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Galvatron, your troops are /worse/ than useless"

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 space capable B-1R Lancer, ready for flight!

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

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

Triggerhappy sits down, his legs crossed. It seems, at least temporarily, that the Decepticon's anger has been assuaged, his rage burned out. As he's patched up, he bobs his head up and down, drool spilling from his mouthless faceplate and spilling into a nice little puddle around him.

Despite the unhappy shrieking of Blowpipe in his head, it should be noted, he splashes a bit in the puddle, a sick little giggle escaping from his lips. He didn't know whose oil this was, but this was great! This was the best! Splish splish splash!

Blowpipe inwardly just...groans, attemping - quite hard - to backfire.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Grey Snapper, Fusillade says, "You speak too soon, warlord!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "...I'm almost afraid to ask..."

Combat: Triggerhappy misses itself with its Hey Stupid Pay Attention To The Fight (Disruptor) attack!

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield swears again. How does Scorponok keep managing to *evade* these manuevers?! He has no time to figure it out as he finds himself in the mechanical beast's clutches, and try as he might, he can't get away. "Shit! SHIT!"

From Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;, Talazia Keldahoff turns in the air and....despite all of the flying twits flying around...she STILL makes another pass at Scorponok. Coming in at a much faster and more even rate, she fires again at Scorponok....especially now that he has Jayson....

From Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;, Combat: Talazia Keldahoff sets her defense level to Fearless.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Excise says, "The battle does not go well here, Commander. I fear we may have to destroy the facility."

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet strikes Giant Scorpion with its Laser attack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "The battle does not go well here, Commander. I fear we may have to destroy the facility."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface said that.

"His shield is down, Maximus!" Galen announces as Scorponok folds down into his scorpion mode. "Now we finish this! Wait--" Galen gapes as Scorponok snatches Jayson. "He has captured one of the humans..."

"No matter, Galen," Fortress booms with confidence, extending his open gauntlet. "Prepare the Photon Rifle. Maximum level."

"I... see," Galen replies, his synchronized mind quickly connecting the dots in Fortress Maximus' plan. Selecting the Photon Rifle from Maximus' subspace storage, energon is spent to summon the massive, laser-scoped weapon from storage in Fortress Maximus' physical memory banks.

"Target lock. SHOOT!"

A focused beam of yellow-white energy lances from the weapon, slashing down across the joint Scorponok's claw in a precise blast -- intended to sever the limb and set Jayson free!

Battlestation transforms into his Fortress Maximus mode.

Combat: Fortress Maximus sets his defense level to Aggressive.

Cybertronian Tank &lt;Hardhead&gt; transforms, his cockpit opening to let Duros out. The Headmaster leaps into the air, and transforms into Head-mode while the Tank takes on the form of the body. The two connect via handy electro magnetic force. Hardhead runs at Mindwipe as he tends to Triggerhappy. "Welcome to the ground, Mindwipe. When I'm through with you, you'll never leave it again." Hardhead throws a snapping punch.

~*~ The Cybertronian Tank makes a series of heavy metallic clanking and strong gear ratcheting noises as it rises up, transforming into the robot mode of Hardhead. ~*~

Combat: Hardhead strikes Mindwipe with his Tackle (Punch) attack!

Combat: Hardhead (Hardhead) used "Punch": A Level 1 MELEE attack.

Combat: You took 11 damage.

Combat: Hardhead's attack has damaged your Accuracy!

Combat: Fortress Maximus uses up a charge on his Cerebros Unit booster pack!

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes Giant Scorpion with his Fusion-Powered Photon Cannon attack!

"Oh, I live up to my name," Sureshot tells First Aid, tone a bit insulted that he'd be questioned. His mirrored opticband glints in the sun as he looks up, and sees not one, but two missiles from Boomslang veer away from him and the doc. "... Unlike /that/ guy!" Then Fusillade's blasts hit him and hit him hard, undoing all of First Aid's hastily accomplished repairs. A quick check of his internal systems has him gasping. "My TARGETING! That /WITCH/ damaged my /TARGETTING!/" He leaps out from behind the cover and fires up at Fusillade. "You'll pay for that, Deceptibitch!"

Combat: Sureshot sets his defense level to Fearless.

Brainstorm pulls away from Boomslang, snickering. "You know what, you go ahead and keep up the good work, Decepticon!" Rapidly, he drops down into the middle of the melee between Maximus and Scorponok. Perhaps an unwise move, but Brainstorm is virtually fearless. "Let the human go, Scorponok!" he yells, aiming his photon rifles at Scorponok and attempting to blind him! He might accidentally hit Jayson, as well, but that hardly matters at this point.

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Sureshot uses up a charge on his Energo-Targeting Sensor booster pack!

Combat: Sureshot strikes Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Laser-Light Cannon attack!

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet with his Photon Flash Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet's Accuracy. (Blinded)

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Giant Scorpion with his Photon Flash Area attack!

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

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Nnn, destroy the facility, take as many Autobots with you as possible"

Explosions are going off all around them as First Aid works, and he tries to put the idea that any minute could result in extreme death and pain at the hands of the Decepticons out of his mind. He hears other explosions far off, and looking skyward briefly results in him spotting Boomslang's shots going awry. He thanks Primus for that one just before another explosion detonates, this one from Fusillade. The Protectobot flies backwards out of the barr icade, landing in ambulance mode rather than in robot mode. His decrystallizer is already out, aiming upwards, and firing as he tries to defend his patient.

First Aid falls forward, arms sliding in and legs flipping about, transforming into an ambulance.

Combat: Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt; strikes Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Decrystallizer Cannon attack!

Highbrow smirks as he sees his words are having an effect on Mindwipe. Well, some effect anyway. Just what effect...is anyone's guess.

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

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "With a good will!"

As Triggerhappy ducks his own gun's shot (well, more like his happy splashing about accidentally avoided it), Mindwipe is suddenly tackled away from him by -accident-. Oh, this did not bode well for Hardhead, if the Decepticon could focus long enough.

Guess what...he -can-.

Triggerhappy stands, transforming into his jet form. Blowpipe falls into the cockpit, finally given the hands to punch himself in the face as he so dearly wants to do.

"MINDWIPE!" Triggerhappy screams, rocketting upwards and killing his thrust to spiral down for a fall at the apex of his stall; as he spins for the ground, his pulse cannons explode outwards, pepperring the battlefield with shots. Blowpipe, for his part, is busy keying up an energy pulse, trying to amp the damage with Triggerhappy's decayed engines. He knew better than to question the lunatic Decepticon's piloting ability; he might be stupid, crazy, ADD, ADHD, hyperactive, bloodthirsty, MPD'd, schizophrenic, psychotic...what was his point again?

Oh right, he remembers, Triggerhappy -knew how to fly-.

And shoot. And...that was really about it.

Triggerhappy closes up, folding into his dangerous-looking jetfighter mode as his engines roar to life, already eager to be in the skies.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "...it occurs to me..."

Combat: Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; strikes Hardhead with its Leave My Best Friend ALOOOOOONE attack!

Combat: Triggerhappy uses up a charge on its Hand Pump booster pack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "Nnnn Mindwipe, report"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "Ah, you do recall A.F.S, my darkest lord?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "I /do/"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "A.F.S.?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "You know, we were storing a prototype of A.F.S. in the basement, in the system is rather, ah... volatile."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "Did somebody turn the channel to a soap opera? Who're these mooks?"

F/A-18E &lt;Boomslang&gt; winces internally as the wind suddenly changes and blows all the napalm from his bomb right onto Scorponok. "Err..." And then Brainstorm has to go and point out his error. That really gets his goat. "Okay, you know what, I'm gonna put the /personal touch/ on you, slagbird." He swoops down towards Brainstorm's position, flares, transforms, and abruptly vanishes entirely.

Combat: Boomslang sets his defense level to Protected.

The F-18 produces that distinctive transformation sound as it flips around and pops out limbs to assume a humanoid shape.

Combat: Boomslang activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight!

With a grinding of gears, Scorponok rises into his huge and bulky robot mode.

Scorponok rears up slightly as Fortress Maximus slices off part of his claw, and both the vehicle and Zarak himself roar in pain, as he is forced to drop Jayson's Talon and transforms back to robot mode, screaming to the heavens in anger and rage. "Come on /GALEN/, come down here and FACE ME!" he cries, his body sparking all over as he slowly raises a foot over Jayson's Talon

Combat: Scorponok strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet with his The Mind-Killer attack!

Mindwipe gets forcibly tackled, down to the ground. He is still rather dazed by Highbrow's oratory, and he transforms into bat mode to try to clear his head - by detaching it into Vorath! Sadly, this does not work, and he's still rather boggled. Piteously, the robot bat screeches, reaving the air with static.

Mindwipe turns into a bat. Is anyone shocked?

K-CHOW! Sureshot's weaponsfire is impressive in its ability to land, despite the wildly accelerating target and the poor visibility in the explosions' aftermath. &lt;&lt;That's GLITCH to you, dirt-eater! Ha ha-OW!&gt;&gt; First Aid's shot nails her left tailfin, the ceramic spacetile begins to creak, before spiderweb fractures begin to snake over their dark charcoal grey surfaces. With a fierce jerk of wings she whips back around, a trail of armor pieces pattering to the ground. She snaps back the leading edges of her leading edge wingslats, air whistling over the sharp surfaces. She rolls so her wings are vertical to the ground, and... looks to take a little off the top of Sureshot.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "I do not care. Cheat Galen of his victory, detonate the facility or I will have YOUR head Apeface"

Combat: Fusillade sets her defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet's Agility. (Crippled)

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt; with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt;'s Agility. (Crippled)

Combat: Giant Bat's Do Not Adjust Your Set attack on Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet goes wild!

Combat: Giant Bat misses himself with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat (Mindwipe) used "Do Not Adjust Your Set": A Level 0 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Space-Going B-1R Lancer with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Space-Going B-1R Lancer's Agility. (Crippled)

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Scorponok with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

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

Combat: Giant Bat's Do Not Adjust Your Set attack on Giant Bat goes wild!

Combat: Giant Bat misses himself with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat (Mindwipe) used "Do Not Adjust Your Set": A Level 0 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Giant Bat's Do Not Adjust Your Set attack on Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; goes wild!

Combat: Giant Bat misses Scorponok with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat's Do Not Adjust Your Set attack on Fortress Maximus goes wild!

Combat: Giant Bat misses himself with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat (Mindwipe) used "Do Not Adjust Your Set": A Level 0 AREA-RANGED attack.

Combat: Giant Bat misses Brainstorm with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Hardhead with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

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

Combat: Giant Bat misses Highbrow with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

Combat: Giant Bat strikes Sureshot with his Do Not Adjust Your Set Area attack!

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

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Yes Lord Scorponok!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "I shall see to it personally..."

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield is blinded by Brainstorm's attack on Scorponok for a moment, but he quickly shakes it off. As he is dropped, he manages to transform the Talon back into its robot mode, but other than that, he is essentially defenseless. He is overwhelmed with a strange sense of terror, which causes him to tremble as he tries not to look up at Scorponok, realizing that his death could be only inches away. The Talon stays on the ground, damaged and vulnerable.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;'s pilot shakes her head as Scorponok seems to be pulling classic galvatron.....picking on anyone littler than him. &lt;&lt;See if I can't get his attention off of you kid.&gt;&gt; and she comes in screaming one again. this time.....the heavy machine gun aiming at the front of the giant scorpion (or it's head. hard to keep track of in the spam)

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe sounds dizzy, "But sir! The /consequences/! This will burn every bridge, blind every eye!"

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; sets its defense level to Fearless.

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet misses Scorponok with its Heavy Machine Gun attack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "Scorponok says to!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "I would /gladly/ pay that price Mindwipe"

Fortress Maximus raises his Photon Cannon, smoke and shivering heat mirages streaming from its barrel following the full-power blast. "SO BE IT!" Galen shouts, his combined will urging the massive Transformer body forward.

Rifle flashing away into subspace, Fortress Maximus grapples with Scorponok hand-to-claw. Shoving his Decepticon opponent away from Jayson, Fortress Maximus swings a heavy fist into his opponent's chestplate. Pressing the attack, he attempts to lock Scorponok in a from-behind nelson, both hands gripping for Scorponok's head.

Ripping, pulling with all of his might. "This is the /end/, Scorponok!" Fortress Maximus shouts, right into Scorponok's audio module.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "I... I suppose so, my lord. For Nebulos!"

Hardhead took it for granted that the nutjob had spent himself with all his manic fits. He was wrong, alas. "Stupid..." Hardhead is bombarded by Triggerhappy's pulse cannons and dives for cover as the flyer plummets. Rolling up into a crouch, his shoulder gun swivels and snaps off a quick volley of low yield laser blasts. "You should have stayed down!" At the last second as the laser starts firing, Mindwipe's voo doo noise sends a wave of wonkyness through him, making his reflexes weaken...

Combat: Hardhead misses Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; with his Laser Cannon Pulse ~Low Yield~ (Disruptor) attack!

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Jet transforms into its Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; Robot mode.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface | Spasma says, "For Nebulos..."

Grimlock has arrived.

Brainstorm looks up as Boomslang calls him out, and swivels his rifles up to blast him out of the air, but by the time he's turned around, Boomslang isn't there! "Huh?" Brainstorm mutters, looking around for any sign of the target. He shrugs. "Must have pulled out..." With his target nowhere to be seen, he decides to play hero instead. "Don't worry, human! We've got you!" He attempts to scoop the exo-suit up and carry it away from Scorponok's cruel reach. Will he get to him in time?

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Scorponok says, "So say we a *KZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ*"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "I like Scorponok!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "For me!"

Combat: Fortress Maximus strikes Scorponok with his Maximum Force attack!

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; with his Grab attack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "You like him? Seems like a bit of a drama-queen to me. Nah, I prefer our good old beloved tyrant Galvatron to that meat-head giant bug any day."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Indeed, Rippersnapper..."

Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt; shifts back into robot mode, bleeding badly and struggling to move. His legs are a wreck after the firebomb blew through his legs. He stumbles several steps before falling to the ground. As he needs to be able to function in robot mode, First Aid has no choice but to tend to his own wounds. He lasers his own knees, welding the joints back together. A high pitched screeching is heard, and First Aid nearly screws up the job. As it is, he gets by with only accidentally drawing a squiggling mark over his lower leg with his surgical lasers.

Ambulance &lt;First Aid&gt;'s front section fold back as a pair of legs and arms fold out, transforming into First Aid.

Combat: First Aid quickly patches up some of First Aid's minor injuries.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder growls an affirmative.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe sniffs, "Scorponok has as his personal mug the head of Rodimus Prime. Show some faith."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Oh, *please*."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Dredclaw says, "You know that Swindle sells those at a discount, right Batboy?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "I think we can get them cheaper from Brigand."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "Nah, I got a supplier out of Taiwan."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "I pay no heed to the affairs of whelps. The artefact is genuine."

Sureshot braces himself for a bombardment that... never comes! Instead, he's forced to his knees as a signal is transmitted directly into his /brain/, slowing him down. When he finally shakes it off, the bomber has passed overhead. "Huh?" Then he looks around. That other jet is gone, too. He hisses, then transforms and rolls down the street, finally turning his attention towards the biggest threat.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Well unless Rodimus Prime is confirmed no longer functioning, snagging a body part as a trophy is meaningless."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "All: Hail: Galvatron."

Sureshot transforms into his Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; mode.

Fortunately, Highbrow is not affected by Mindwipe's random screeching. "So much waste," he says, shaking his head and sighing. "Then again, it seems to have disabled as many of his allies as his foes..."

Combat: Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; takes extra time to aim his next attack on Scorponok.

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

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "HAIL GALVATRON"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Yeah, what Soundwave butchered saying."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Hail Galvatron!"

"HEY!" A voice, surprisingly loud, calls out across the battlefield from a distance. "HOW COME YOU START WITHOUT ME GRIMLOCK!" (Probably because someone wants to sell *Master toys, that's why). And yet, here comes the dinocommander anyway, landing atop one particularly strong building with a *BOOM!*- at which point he looks over the battlefield, searching for an excuse to shoot someone. Wait, it's Grimlock. He needs no excuse!

"Psst, slick-sleeve," says a harsh metallic voice out of the seemingly empty air somewhere behind and to the right of Brainstorm. "This one's for you." There is a brief whining noise like a camera flash charging up and then a deafening hypersonic CRACK as Boomslang rematerializes where the voice was, steam rising from the barrel of his gauss rifle.

Combat: Suddenly, Boomslang appears out of thin air!

Combat: Sneak Attack!!

Combat: Boomslang misses Brainstorm with his 25mm Gauss Rifle attack!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Hmm, is he even out of rest cycle to hear this?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "Loyalty: Unconditional. Displays: Encouraged."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Eh, it doesn't matter, Soundwave there can playback it all if he isn't when he awakens."

"NEVEEEEEEEEER!"

Rocky has nothing on Fortress Maximus! The clash of the titans is over as suddenly as it began, as Scorponok's head is violently wrenched off his body, causing massive trauma and automatically shutting down all motor functions, leaving Maximus with a comatose Zarak in his hands.

The force of the punch is something else entirely. Windows shatter from the sonic shockwave that results as Maximus' fist punches Scorponok's chest. The unstoppable force meeting the unmovable object. Scorponok's headless torso is punched not only off the ground, but into space itself!"

Blowpipe eases the crazy Triggerhappy upwards, flying into the air and coasting gently. He needed to conserve fuel, and he was finally out of that cramped, stupid little gun. Triggerhappy, for his part, complies, sliding around Hardhead's shots with a gentle air, like a puppy who's just been calmed down after taking a pee all over the place. He was feeling positively lucid, and Blowpipe, for his part, was utterly happy to encourage that lucidity.

Not to mention maybe one day shoot Zarak in the face and take over Nebulos.

But that went without saying.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Geist says, "The devil we serve is far more interesting than the devil who submits to the will of a puny organic alien. All hail Galvatron, and let us not doubt an instant his Lordships warrior cunning and might in the face of any challenger, no matter how enormous."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Well spoken, my brother."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "Galvatron: Superior. Scorponok: Inferior."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "I have to wonder what inferiority complex you all possess, that you need to go on and on, like the prattle of imps. Oh well. No matter."

Combat: Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; takes extra time to steady itself. [Pass]

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Geist says, "You will learn to 'go on and on' like the rest of us 'imps', Mindwipe. You will learn, or never learn anything ever again."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "What in the hell are you people babbling about?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Geist says, "Lost profits, Swindle."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Geist says, "I hope you are well prepared for Ratbat's audit. ~chuckle~"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Pit... is it that time again?"

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield breathes heavily as Brainstorm pulls him to safety. "Th-thanks," he manages, and attempts to straighten himself. "Okay...I got...one last *present* for that overgrown arachnid." He ducks away from Brainstorm as the other is unsuccessfully assaulted by Boomslang. "Eat THIS, Scorponok!" He opens fire upon the now headless monster with the machine guns, using as much power as he can. "Die, you planet-destroying BASTARD!"

Combat: Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; strikes Scorponok with its Medium Machine Gun attack!

Combat: Scorponok falls to the ground, unconscious.

Giant Bat's head feels less fuzzy now! Oh, that's better! Then he watches as Scorponok's headless body is punched into space. Oh, /bother/. He knew, better than most, that the Decepticons would not be long for Nebulos, anyway, with A.F.S. being activated, but he would have liked to see a little dignity in their retreat. However, dignity is always too much to ask for, when one bears the violet blazon. He stands up on his hind legs, ducks his head down, and sweeps a wing across his snout before taking to the air.

Combat: Mindwipe sets his defense level to Protected.

Combat: Giant Bat begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet, Space-Going B-1R Lancer, and Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt;

Scorponok's damaged, broken body flies into space, destroyed by /Jayson/. And Fort Max has an unconscious Zarak. What a crappy day :(

SWISH! The tip of Fusillade's wing sails over Sureshot's head, and in fact wobbles, then veers up along the face of a high rise in a spray of sparks. "Ahhh gahh-ACK who DID that?!" However, the Decepticon warlord appears to have left in the diversionary fray, leaving very little in the way of entertaining excuses to continue lobbing ammunition at targets. She goes.

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

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet starts to turn back as Scorponok is....launched into space. &lt;&lt;Way ta go kid!&gt;&gt; She radios as she.....targets Mindwipe. &lt;&lt;Now here's someone I should've shot down before!&gt;&gt; She says into the radio before firing a pair of shots at the batty bat.

"ARGH!" Grimlock stomps down to ground level courtesy of his anti-gravs...and lands precariously close to First Aid. "Grrh! No fair! Thems do all the fightings while me Grimlock busy!" he grunts, and waves his sword around at the retreating decepticons. "Then they all run 'way cuz they so scared of me Grimlock! Grrh!" he grunts, and glances around, finally giving way to a helpless shrug. "But we win, right?"

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; sets its defense level to Fearless.

From the Ministry of Science's Arvassian mountain facilities... in the deepest of basements, Apeface stares at a huge metal vat with a clear glass window. A plaque reads 'Alternative Final Solution' adorns it. Inside is bubbling green liquid, kept contained by the vat itself. With a flick of a Decepticon's hand, green fumes begin emitting up through a series of pipes from the basement. Per Scorponok's orders, the A.F.S.... the Alternative Final Solution, is released into the Nebulon atmosphere. The green vapours pour upwards into the sky, dissipating as it dissolves into the air. Atmospheric readings change, as something in the air alters the planet itself. Some Transformers either aboard their ships or with their own advanced readings may notice the difference immediately: Energy on Nebulos is different now. Fuel has been altered. There is an additive in nearly all forms of fuel on the planet that is now poisonous to Transformer-life. Refueling via native means is no longer an option.

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet misses Giant Bat with its Disruptor attack!

Combat: Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet (Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;) used "Disruptor": A Level 1 RANGED attack.

Brainstorm yells, "GAH!" as Boomslang mocks him from behind, and is so startled that he drops Jayson. Good thing he was getting off anyway. He turns to the right towards the voice, and as a result narrowly avoids the high velocity round which would've hit him in the robo-kidney if he had stayed still--not that he has robo-kidneys, but you get the idea. "Woah, holy smokes!" Brainstorm says, watching the round fly into the base of a building, causing an explosion of plaster and rubble. "...was that a magnetically accelerated round? Cool, you know, it's surprising how few Transformers actually use those. They're actually very effective weapons. Also, where did you come from? Do you have a cloaking field of some kind? How does it work? I always thought it would be cool if we used image-projecting panels for camoflauge..."

While he rambles, he snaps off a few shots at the Seeker.

Fortress Maximus stands alone in the central square of Koraja, clutching Zarak's unmoving body in one fist as he watches Scorponok get riddled with shots on his way exiting the planet's orbit.

"At last," Galen's voice announces from Fortress Maximus' speakers, "/Justice/ can be done. I, Galen, under my authority as Counsilor and leader of the World Watchers, arrest /you/, Zarak, on charges of /treason/ and /murder/."

A red grate on the inside of Fortress Maximus' giant, blocky ankle slides open with a whir. Kneeling down, Maximus stuffs Zarak into the jail cell. The door promptly slams on him, sealing away the Nebulan dictator with a clang.

Fortress Maximus stands tall again, his battle-scarred body striving to the Council of Peers building.

Combat: Brainstorm sets his defense level to Neutral.

Combat: Fortress Maximus sets his defense level to Neutral.

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

Combat: Brainstorm strikes Boomslang with his Photon Pulse Cannon attack! [Pulled -3]

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "...we must recover Zarak! Triggerhappy, do something!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Ugh, nobody said this A.F.S. would get all over the place!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe points out, "I warned Scorponok! Such is Cassandra's creed."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Triggerhappy says, "Triggerhappy isn't available at the moment. But I, Blowpipe, will save the day."

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; is rolling striaght for Scorponok, taking aim, when he's blasted into space. Ordinarly, he'd be upset over his shot being ruined, but this time, he just transforms, pumps his fist into the air, and cheers.

The cheer is short-lived, however, as he hears Red Alert's report. He turns to stare at the others. "But... but Nebulos..." For Spoilsport, for part of Sureshot's very soul, Nebulos is home!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Who is Cassandra?"

Boomslang, distracted by looking over Brainstorm's shoulder at Scorponok's headless body floating off into space, takes the photon pulse right in the chest. "Uh, yeah, it's got a set of coils that... wait, why am I telling you this," he says as he sits back up, watching a vile green cloud spread across the sky. "Hey Poindexter, there's a fascinating atmospheric something-or-other going on right behind you," he says, pointing past Brainstorm, and fizzes out of sight again with a soft staticky sound.

Combat: Boomslang activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight!

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Some human that had the gift of prophecy, due to her looks. But in an ironic twist of fate, nobody ever believed anything that came out of her mouth."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Hurr, like an anti-Airwolf?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, ".......I suppose?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Boomslang says, "I'm on your six, Executrix. Let's get out of here, the air is getting real bad."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "The air is befouled."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "I do not like the smell of it."

Hardhead looks up watching Triggerhappy and Mindwipe taking to the air, his shoulder gun following but unable to lock. Once more, the crew of the Hellbender... excluding Scorponok ofcourse, has managed to live another day to perhaps curse the Steelhaven crew again. And then the tint rises and fades into the air. Strange. He shrugs it off as none of the Nebulans seem to be hacking up a lung or anything so far. He draws his Shatterblasters and marches towards the mobile Fortress Maximus to regroup. "Maximus... Scorponok is vanquished. It is like a weight unloaded.... Galen... this world..." Then Duros takes over speaking, "Our home. We are strong, Galen. You proved that today. You took back our strength from Zarak. Thank you."

Blowpipe turns, futilely trying to distract Triggerhappy from Scorponok's departing body. But it was, indeed, futile; he could do no such thing. Triggerhappy, like a wolf following its beloved master, soars into the sky, and Blowpipe bashes his head against the console in utter frustration.

"Stupid. Stupid. Machine!"

Combat: Crazy Jet &lt;Triggerhappy&gt; begins retreating, leaving itself vulnerable to parting shots from Space-Going B-1R Lancer

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "It is poison! It will not affect us unless we consume it in energon, however."

First Aid's knees are patched up again, and he limps towards the nearest defendable position: Fortress Maximus. The Protectobot is leaving a trail of servo grease behind him. The doctor uses Fortress Maximus's leg as a barricade. He looks up at the powerful Headmaster. "Orders, Commander Maximus?" he asks, apparently accepting his and Galen's courage and bravery as befitting an Autobot leader.

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

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

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Jet transforms into its Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; Robot mode.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Well this is one planet that we will not be harvesting from...for a long time."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "Hey, can we get a reputable source on that one?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Are you questioning my sensor readings, Swindle?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "Is your last name 'wave'?"

Fortress Maximus allows First Aid to hide behind his leg without a thought. He really does have the personality of a walking barricade. "Tend to the wounded. We will repair the damage done to the city and make sure that order has been restored. But we must evacuate this planet before it poisons our systems. We should depart within 48 hours."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "Findings: Confirmable. Nebulos: Damaged."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "My dear Swindle, I am a Sweep. My scanners are at least as sensitive, if not more so, than Soundwave's."

Hardhead nods to Fort Max and relays over the com.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "Atmosphere: Twisted. Energon: Poisonous. Recommendation: Avoid."

Combat: Like the wind, Boomslang is gone!

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield tries to catch his breath. The fight was simply exhausting, but despite that, he has a big sense of satisfaction. "Tal...Tal, where are you?"

Boomslang, unseen, slips away to rejoin the strike package. Late but moving fast.

Space-Going B-1R Lancer, considering how SLOW she is, won't be that hard to catch up to. :P

Brainstorm stares at Boomslang. "Huh?" Turning around, he sees the clouds, finally, and gasps. "What is that? Oh, no! Did they unleash a chemical weapon!?" Out loud, he yells, "Everyone, stay inside and close your windows!" He pulls out a scanner, waving it around frantically, attempting to get a reading...

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Some recommendation. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave makes a noise very much like a tape rewinding. Shadow's voice plays back after a moment: "Galvatron is such a loser. I can't stand him."

Grimlock grumbles a bit, and stomps up beside Fortress Maximus- going so far as to poke the big commander in the chest. "You Fortress fancypance...do good. Me guess." he grumbles- still a bit dissapointed now that he hasn't got to wreck anything up. "Hey! First Aid guy! Do scanny stuff! Do science!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Boomslang says, "Avoid the /atmosphere?/ How are we supposed to do that? It covers the whole planet."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "Leave Nebulos. The A.F.S. will salt the fields and poison the wells. Sup not of Nebulos's nectar. She will sustain us no longer."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Boomslang says, "I guess a scorched-earth plan is better than no plan."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Boomslang says, "Galvatron's gonna be steamed though. He loves energy."

Fusillade has left.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Hmph. Cheap trick."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "It is my assessment that we must pull out off this planet as quickly as possible. Several hours' exposure will make us very ill."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Rippersnapper says, "Here's to us and energy. Drink up... or wait... can't. Crap."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Swindle says, "You RUINED the planet FOREVER?! Are you nuts?! Think of all the lost profits! Augh!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "blame the one with a squishy for a head. That also likes bananas."

First Aid nods to Fortress Maximus, but this new situation now takes priority. He looks back at Grimlock, "I- er... does anyone have a Nebulon power source...?" The Protectobot looks around. It is only his training and expertise in crisis management that he doesn't start to panic himself. The young Nebulon couple he saved at the beginning of the scene stand before him. The young woman offers First Aid her futuristic cell phone. "Thank you," he says. The Protectobot flips open the back of the phone and holds the batteries in one hand, waving the palm of his other over them. "I think Red Alert is right..." he says. He looks back at the young couple. They still /look/ ok.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "H--hey, anyone able to help a fellow Con out?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "Swindle: Calm. Consider: Development. Energon Purification: Undeveloped Field."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Do you need evacuating, Apeface?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Mindwipe says, "What is it that you require, Apeface?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "Yeah!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Soundwave says, "New Sciences: New Discoveries."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Apeface says, "I need to get away from this crazed Autobot!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Big-Brother-Sweep Sunder says, "Tell him if he sticks around you he is going to be poisoned."

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; approaches the rest, joining the other Autobots now that the battle is, more or less, over. He gives First Aid a concerned look. "But... what about the Nebulans? Will... will they be all right?"

Dragster &lt;Sureshot&gt; transforms into his Sureshot mode.

Sureshot totally did that as a robot.

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield completely seals his armor as a precaution. He has a good supply of oxygen, so he should be all right. "I'm sure the Nebulans will be fine," he says as he approaches the others. "The toxins probably won't affect them."

"I- I don't know, Sureshot," First Aid says. He gently puts the batteries back into the cell phone, handing it back to the young woman. "I don't /think/ so, but I'm not an expert in Nebulon physiology. The batteries aren't emitting anything, and it isn't like the Nebulons are going to start /eating/ the fuel... I won't stake my reputation on it, Sureshot, but I *think* this will not affect them. The change seems Transformer-specific." Good news for Earth Defence Command, eh? He nods with Jayson.

Grimlock hmms, and looks over the planet- it sure doesn't LOOK different, fuel-ultimatum or no. "Hn. That good." he mutters, and slowly- reluctantly, puts his sword away. He grumles a bit to himself, and shrugs at Sureshot. "Hn. What 'bout humie suit thingies? Thems still work? Nebulan guys could use thems!"

Brainstorm rubs his chin, pondering as he studies the readings on his medical scanner. "I have to agree with First Aid, everyone. Nebulan physiology is pretty tough, judging from Arcana's knowledge on that subject, so I don't think this stuff will harm them. No, this looks like a very specially engineered chemical weapon--against *us.*"

His arm droops. "Did... Zarak save this planet, where we would have failed?"

Sureshot opens his hand, letting Spoilsport land. The Nebulan looks around and sighs. "I... I often swore I'd give my life for this world. Now, I guess, I'm giving this world for it." He smiles weakly up at Grimlock. "I... wouldn't worry about it. With us gone, and the Decepticons gone, I don't think they'll need it."

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield snorts. "Zarak is as much of a monster as Scorponok himself. Nebulos will be a lot better off without him."

Grimlock hmms, "But there Quintessons." he lists on his fingers, "Or Mecannibals. Or Slizardos. Or them big blobby things that eat squishy stuff, or Nespan Ice Spiders!" he hmms. "Me Grimlock smash all thems, but me think coupla exos could do it too."

Galen says, "We can supervise the transition back to a democratic government," he offers, his voice trying to maintain a positive note. "We must leave our homeworld, this is true... But we can always visit, at the very least. Perhaps one day our friends, our families, can join us among the stars. These horrible weeks have shown us that to keep Nebulos safe, we must consider the security of all the stars -- not just our own skies. While we may sacrifice, it is not done in vain. Nebulos will survive, and be the safer and stronger for it."

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield wipes something from his eye. It's an emotional situation, okay?

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; sighs and lands next to Grimlock. "Uh....Galen? is that your name?" She says up to the giant Fort Max. "If I can get a hold of EDC Brass....perhaps we can try and help Nebulos get back to normal. The new contaminant doesn't seem to affect us....yet."

Duros takes out the photo of his family once more as he remains within the head of the Transformer Hardhead. He looks at it with a stone face, and then puts it away. Hardhead looks around and then points at Grimlock. "You, Grimlock. Less supposing, more work. You can start by moving rubble out of the way so work can be done. That goes for the rest of you grunts too. You can talk and work at the same time." With that, the soldier takes a few steps and starts picking up building scraps from the ground off the road, tossing them into piles off the middle of the road.

Highbrow speaks up. "I do think we should get going, don't you? After all, in a few hours our systems will be corrupted by whatever nefarious substance has been released into the atmosphere?" He grimaces at the thought of "biological warfare"--or at least, its crude cybernetic equivalent. "Sooooo uncivilized," he moans.

First Aid wonders whether this fuel additive will mess up the energy that the modified Nebulons will need for their own cybernetic and power armour systems. Perhaps it doesn't really matter. Vacationing back here long term without their Transformer partner doesn't seem too likely with them. First Aid looks around at all the damage dealt by their attack. Looks like he won't get to stay here and finish rebuilding after all.

Grimlock growls a bit, and wheels around o glare at Hardhead. "You no tell me Grimlock what to do!" he snarls, and flexes his hands a bit. "Me Grimlock am AUTOBOT LEADER!" he seethes a bit, and glances around. "'least 'til they put him Rodimus head back on."

Hardhead barks, "You'll do it and you'll like it, maggot, is that understood?!"

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; holds up its hands. "Whoa, guys, chill!" Jayson emits. "You shouldn't be arguing like this, okay? Just make sure everything's all right!" He starts shifting some debris.

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; sighs as hardhead lives up to his name and brings Grimlock under that title too. &lt;&lt;Jayson.....see if YOU can't get a hold of EDC brass. I'm apparently not yelling loud enough for their receivers to feedback.&gt;&gt;

Hardhead is your typical drill sergeant voiced by George C Scott.

Arcana pops off of Brainstorm's shoulders, transforming and looking about contemplatively. "I never thought this world would be freed from the conflict in this way. If I had known Zarak was going to do what he did, I might've even helped him! For isn't it better that there be no conflict on our world whatsoever? Hm... well, as Hardhead says, enough talking, it's time to get DOING while there's still time!" He transforms back into a head, and Brainstorm pulls out his bio-sign scanner, searching for any Nebulans that may be trapped under rubble

Grimlock, on the other hand, is your typical murderous space barbarian. He's barked at- and to Hardhead's credit, Grimlock does take a step to start working before he can think the better of it...though once he does, he stops right in his tracks. "Me Grimlock no like it." He snarls. "Me Grimlock no like YOU!" And with that, Grimlock just stomps past Hardhead- giving the green 'bot a none too gentle *SHOVE* as he sets to storming off, just like he did in the old times. "Me Grimlock going to spaceship! This planet dumb!" and off he goes!

From Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;, Jayson Redfield just looks at Arcana. "It would've been better if there'd be no war to begin with. What price did you have to pay for peace?"

Sureshot has left.

Hardhead gets shoved, and budges a foot, and remains untoppled. He grumbles, "Useless bent-bolts need not stay and get in the way." Work continues.

Grimlock has left.

Talazia Keldahoff leaves the Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;.

Talazia Keldahoff has arrived.

Highbrow walks over to First Aid. "Could I trouble you for some repairs?" he asks politely. "I fear I've taken some damage."

Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt; has left.

Talazia Keldahoff takes Ventress Exo-Suit &lt;Talazia Keldahoff&gt;.

Boomslang has left.

First Aid is snapped out of his distraction as he gazes about the destruction when Highbrow approaches him. "Oh... Highbrow, yes, of course." First Aid looks up at Fortress Maximus, who presumably is awesome enough to let them use his repair bay. "I fear I could use some work as well.. You're, ah... you're going to have to forgive this work, Highbrow, as I'm afraid I can't give you an injection of energon..."

Combat: First Aid expertly repairs Highbrow's injuries.

Combat: First Aid is able to repair some of Highbrow's internal systems damage.

Brainstorm suddenly appears behind First Aid! "Did someone say they needed some work?" he remarks cheerily.

First Aid jolts, nearly lopping off Highbrow's head in the process. Well it's not like it would have caused any problems, right? "Hello Brainstorm, Mr. Arcana. Good to see you again! And, er, yes. Commander Maximus said to ensure the wounded are taken care of, first."

Jayson Redfield leaves the Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;.

Jayson Redfield has arrived.

Jayson Redfield emerges from his Talon to give it a look-over and see about repairs.

Combat: Jayson Redfield runs a diagnostic check on Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;

Combat: Jayson Redfield repairs structural damage on Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;.

Brainstorm nods eagerly, and begins to look First Aid, scanning him for damage before he begins. "Well, no problem, I'll have you fixed up in no time, First Aid!"

Combat: Brainstorm runs a diagnostic check on First Aid

First Aid finishes his work on Highbrow, "Thank you, Brainstorm, Arcana. I appreciate this," he says, stepping over to his own repair bay. He lays down. "And listen, about all of this... I'm really, really sorry that things turned out the way they did."

Brainstorm sighs, getting to work on First Aid with the laser scalpel. "No, no, it's fine, First Aid. Arcana's right. It was actually a very good thing that Zarak's men did this. It's funny, though. Arcana and I worried that Zarak's mind would be consumed by Scorponok, and he'd just resume his usual killing sprees, but I guess we both underestimated him. Still... you can't underestimate Scorponok, either. You have no idea how much hatred is in his core."

Combat: Brainstorm expertly repairs First Aid's injuries.

Combat: Brainstorm is able to repair some of First Aid's internal systems damage.

"I suppose," the Protectobot murmurs in reply about them being glad about how this turned out. He doesn't sound too convinced. Contrary to many doctors, First Aid is a superb patient and doesn't move or try to rush Brainstorm. "Considering what you know of Scorponok, do you think he'll accept being ruled by Galvatron? Or will we have another Decepticon civil war on our hands?"

Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt; has left.

Jayson Redfield takes Exo-Armor Talon &lt;Jayson Redfield&gt;.

Brainstorm finishes up, setting his tools back on the tray. "Well, how do you feel, First Aid? Oh, and yeah... based on what I know about Scorponok, well, he was pretty hard for the Decepticons to keep in line when he was part of their main force. I doubt he'll get along with Galvatron. Zarak's pretty strong-willed, too. He doesn't like taking orders from anyone, and if he serves under Galvatron, he won't be the "boss" anymore, like he was on Nebulos. It's like a demotion for him. It'll be humiliating. But, despite that, with Zarak bonded to Scorponok, he might decide to be a little more subtle about any attempt to overthrow him."

Jayson Redfield just listens to the Autobots' conversation.

"Feeling better, doc," First Aid replies. He listens to Brainstorm explain about Scorponok and nods, "Galvatron isn't the sort who gets along with other leaders either... honestly I'm surprised Shockwave is even still functional." The Protectobot's optics fade as he gets worked on. He can almost imagine Scorponok and Galvatron having to duel for leadership.

Brainstorm announces, "Welp, you're done," and sits up on another bay. "So tell me about Galvatron. Is it true he blasted Scorponok for doing something? Oh, and I'm going to need a little fixing, myself."

"Wouldn't put it past him," Jayson speaks up. "Galvatron's a few sandwiches short of a picnic."

First Aid shakes his head, "I didn't end up seeing what happened to Scorponok. I was hit by a firebomb... Sureshot also, and I didn't make it back to Fortress Maximus until recently." First Aid sits on the edge of the slab, still regaining his strength.

First Aid, of course, returns the favour for Highbrow, taking care of the Headmaster's injuries while he takes his turn to lay back.

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Astrotrain says, "Ya want us to bring in the freaks? Awwww, thanks boss! You're the best!"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Astrotrain says, "I'm gonna enjoy this!"

Brainstorm lays back, sighing, unresisting under First Aid's gentle touch.

While he's being repaired. What? What did you think I meant?

"No, no, this was before that. In another fight. Well, hm."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Scorponok seemed to believe *he* was in charge. I do not follow such mechs.  Lord Galvatron is supreme."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Astrotrain says, "Pft. That's nothin. You tryin bein trapped on this mudball with that clamped freak."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Galvatron says, "Scorponok is an idiot."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Galvatron says, "Hopefully /was/ an idiot."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Astrotrain says, "Can we just leave his squishy half with the bots and use the other part for a table or somethin?"

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Galvatron says, "I could use a new chair."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Shadow says, "Agreed, milord."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Dredclaw says, "We would gladly retrieve the parts for a new Throne for you my Leige."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Astrotrain says, "Now that'd be funny."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Galvatron says, "I'll decide on it later. Just get his rusted, good-for-nothing carcass back here for when I do."

&lt;Decepticon&gt; Galvatron says, "But let his little /head/ stew."

================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 2/87                     Posted        Author Update: Scorponok, Nebulos        Mon Mar 02    Galvatron -- 

"Decepticons...

"While I was /detained/ fighting off /assassin Sharkticons/ sent by that foul, five-faced freak /Delicious/ -- our ambitious friend /SCORPONOK/ has seen fit to /RUIN OUR CHANCES OF PLUNDERING NEBULOS COMPLETELY/!"



"His little... head-pet is incarcerated by the Autobots. I recommend we /leave/ him there a bit, if only to remind the two of them who is in /CONTROL/ of this situation. In the meantime, round up his men -- whoever doesn't swear loyalty gets their little fleshling /accessory/ /DRAWN AND QUARTERED/ in front of them. I also want his /SHIP/, the Hellbender -- we could /use/ a good destroyer on the Absolution.

"Scorponok tried to lead the Decepticons to victory... and garnered only /ruin/ and /failure/, turning a world rich in resources, ripe for the plucking, into whose fuel is /POISON/ -- /USELESS/ to us! I think that is enough to remind you /WHO/ is running this show."



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================================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/179                    Posted        Author The Future of Nebulos             Mon Mar 02    Fortress Maximus --

Galen appears on the screen, his powersuit helmet tucked under one arm. His hair is matted and sweaty, but the young Nebulan leader looks far from defeated -- just exhausted.

"Our assault on Koraja was successful. Scorponok has been defeated, driven from Nebulos -- and Zarak has been deposed. Unfortunately, Scorponok would not allow us a complete victory. He ordered his minions to trigger a bomb which poisoned the air of our planet..." Galen hesitates, anger causing him to visibly clench. "Leaving all of our fuel sources poisonous to Transformer life. I have no choice but to order all of my men to remain with the Autobots. If our Transformer companions die..." He pauses gravely. "So do we."

"I will leave our fate to be decided by your leader, Rodimus Prime, once he has recovered from his injuries. I do not wish to impose a burden on you, Autobots. Know that we, the Binary-Bonded Nebulans, are as loyal to the Autobot cause as our partners. We are joined irreparably, our fates intertwined. Where one of us thrives, so does the other. We will help you keep the Galaxy safe from the Decepticon menace. In so doing, we will keep Nebulos safe as well until the day the environmental damage has been repaired and we can return to our friends and our families.

When that day is, he doesn't say. "Fortress Maximus will remain in Koraja to assist with the repairs. All Autobots should leave the surface of Nebulos and return to the Orion Pax by the end of tomorrow, less they risk further contamination.

"You have helped freed our world today, Autobots. The price has been great, but one that I shall never regret paying. Galen out."

<>

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================================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/180                    Posted        Author The Autobots on Nebulos           Mon Mar 02    Fanfare -- As a Refueller, Ah volunteer tae remain until the last of us are evacuated, tae ensure that we have a non contaminated source of Energon.

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================================== Autobot =================================== Message: 3/181                    Posted        Author The Horrible Truth                Mon Mar 02    Brainstorm -- 

"Greetings, Autobots, this is Arcana, Brainstorm's partner. I have a revelation and... an apology to make. I discovered very recently that it was my former colleague in the Ministry of Science, Vorath, who leaked the Headmaster and Targetmaster technology to the Decepticons. He was the only one who could double-check the work Brainstorm and I had done, and I went over every detail with him. However, I never imagined that he would betray us! You must understand, during Thunderwing's occupation of the planet, the Decepticons put him in a lab and forced him to work night and day in hellish conditions. They barely fed him at all, and the poor man must've lost half his body weight in there. It's just unthinkable that he would turn around and do this!

"Well... he did. When I last spoke to him, and overheard his confession, I saw that he regretted it, for he and the other co-conspirators in Zarak's camp thought they would control the Decepticons like puppetmasters, but that was never the intention of my technology, nor was it the result. The poor man bound himself to Mindwipe, one of the most sinister of all Decepticons--truly a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy. Perhaps one might consider that a fitting punishment for what he had done. I find it tragic, and... heartbreaking. And I must apologize to all of you, for though it was not my intention, it is my fault that Scorponok and his men yet live. While Zarak was apprehended, I fear there will still be terrible consequences for my actions. I am sorry, I truly am. My only consolation is knowing that the war on Nebulos will come to a halt, at least, for now. This is Arcana, signing off!"

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