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Australia - Uluru

"Sounds like fight time. Data should be useful for Commander Shockwave. Flywheels will enjoy this. Time to show Fallen he will go down. At least we will have plenty of back up. Not sure if I like Motormaster as front leader. He brute no brain. I will follow orders though to make Shockwave look good."

After Shadowing responds, Battletrap transforms and splits apart into his two modes and moves up towards Motormaster.

Australia - Uluru

“I understand your desire to take the fight to the Fallen, Motormaster, and that will happen very very soon. Your concerns about the Fallen hitting us first is misplaced, my friend. If this demigod was going to strike at us first, he would’ve done so already. No, I sense that he is waiting for us to come to him, and I promise you that the Fallen will not be disappointed."

"Fine." The large Stunticon found himself muttering, not wanting to complicate the matter any more right now. Razorclaw was after all the leader and this was not the time and place to challenge him about this. Not before the Autobots. But that hardly meant he agreed with the Predacon. As if they could predict the unknown. Who could understand the mind of a self proclaimed god? Even Motormaster didn't have the ego to claim he was certain of how the Fallen was going to behave.

"Motormaster, send one of your Stunticons to join Smokescreen’s diversion team to handle Drag Strip. I suggest sending in Breakdown, but it’s ultimately your choice."

Having waited patiently what seemed like an eternity, Razorclaw finally stopped talking with the Autobots for long enough to issue an order to Motormaster, an order he could have just issued himself, wasting less time and thus giving an impression of a stronger leader too. Razorclaw was far more intelligent than he was and he had already picked the same guy Motormaster was going to send in himself. Add to that, the Stunticon leader had no doubt the Predacon was more suitable to pick the right Stunticon than Motormaster himself anyhow. Still, Motormaster was not going to bring that up either.

"Breakdown will go." He simply said and activated his comm-link. >>"Breakdown you scrawny pile of shaking scrap metal, get your sorry aft over that no good Autobot racer Drag used to butt heads with. Boss wants us to work with the Autofrags and you have been selected for Smokescreen's diversion team. Give him hell."<<

There had been something Razorclaw had said which even Motormaster couldn't ignore though. Sixshot. When? How? He certainly had not been around when the battle between Razorclaw and Shockwave had ended. And if that was true... If Sixshot truly was present in this backwater solar system, why he was kept in reserve? Just for the sake of having a backup plan if they couldn't hurt the Fallen themselves? Unless... of course. They had no way of controlling him. Razorclaw was playing a dangerous game here. Motormaster couldn't but respect the Predacon's guts. Well played. Now one could only hope luck was on their side. Only handful of Cybertronians could go toe to toe with a phase sixer and Motormaster did not have anyone in his sights that he thought being strong enough to qualify for that task.

"Motormaster, you will lead the frontal assault on Ayers Rock. You will be the anvil of our strategy while the rest of our forces will circle around to the back. Roadblock has just awakened on the Thanatos and will join you once he is on the ground. You two will coordinate the attack together. Flamewar and Krunix, you both will join the frontal assault. Battletrap and Flywheels will provide air cover while simultaneously contributing ground support with your dual modes. Divebomb, Shadowing, Waspinator and Misfire, you will also reinforce our air superiority. Several squads of both ground-based and aerial vehicons will join the frontal assault. Soundwave, your cassettes will be part of the 'anvil' with Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ratbat providing air support. You, however, will assist on the second front. Furthermore, I want you to use those mind reading powers of yours and find out what's going on inside the Fallen's head and his heralds if possible."

And then came the announcement he had been expecting for. The message had been veiled into way too many words but it was there nevertheless. He was going to spearhead the frontal assault against the Fallen. That was just fine with him as long as someone else provided the tactical insight over the situation. Really, Roadblock would have been more suitable for the role. Motormaster knew his role. He wasn't the officer making the decisions. He was the sergeant type who whipped others to action. Oh well, at least he had people around who'd most certainly offer him their insights. Heh, he could only think how some of these 'cons would be fuming silently inside having been commanded to serve under his command rather than being in command themselves. Flamewar, Soundwave, Shadowing nor Roadblock were not going to like it one bit. They all thought themselves better than him. And to a point with good reason. Still they were giving him far too little credit as well if they thought he'd just lead them to death without listening to them.

The black and grey demon given robotic form had barely taken few steps towards the direction of Flamewar and the others assigned to his flock when he heard Razorclaw calling his name again.

"Motormaster, you will no longer have to coordinate with Roadblock. He will, instead, be serving directly under you. He apparently likes to question his superiors. If he gives you any trouble whatsoever, well, I’m sure you’ll know how to handle him."

Well well, Roadblock had been up and running for less than an hour and he had already rubbed Razorclaw the wrong way. Motormaster had no idea what Roadblock had said to make Razorclaw to lash against him in such manner but he'd delight in any kind of misery he saw around him. Even from those he respected and whom he would have gladly given his current command role to.

"Alright, gather around you gnats! If you have something to say before we march into the pit itself, the time is now."

Australia - Uluru

Roadblock replied to Razorclaw's message.

"In all those words you uttered to me, Razorclaw, you never stated that I was wrong about my sense that you are leaving your rear exposed. Have you really changed this much since you became leader? The Razorclaw I knew would show more patience. He would be able to see clearly this entire situation for the trap that it is. This Fallen wants you to do an all out attack. A reserve is the best way to counter whatever surprises it has in mind. Not to mention that it also protects your forces from the enemies you are temporarily calling allies and the allies that are waiting for an opportunity to become enemies."

Roadblock replied in a calm but serious voice.

"I will not forget or forgive the dishonor you have shown me with your words nor will I subject myself to the indignity you wish to inflict on me. I will wait here so that, should you survive, I may challenge you to a duel. In the meantime, take heed of my words for the sake of your command."

Australia - Uluru

Shadowing smiled and shook his head at Battletrap rushing forward to Motormaster. He was not sure if it was bravery or foolishness on display, perhaps both. He opened a communication channel to Divebomb.

"I assume you will be in command of our group. Where do you want us all to rendezvous?"

It was an odd feeling to ask someone who you had just beaten up a short time ago for orders. He still had some wounds from that fight as he had never had an opportunity to get repairs. Still, there was nothing else to be done but to see this play through.

Australia--Uluru

Thundercracker was not exactly overjoyed when the call came through from their new Supreme Commander informing him that he would be in command of their aerial forces until Starscream arrived. He had not been kidding around with Skywarp earlier: he did not want Starscream's job. And now that he had it, however temporarily, it only served to give him a small case of circuit surges. He would make do. Starscream would be here, after all. Right? He wouldn't have to deal with this for too long.

>>"Yes, sir. Understood,">"U-Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure. I'm o-on it,">"Satisfactory. Proceed as commanded."<<

Australia - Uluru

A small bounce portal opened, and Runabout tumbled out of it, rear first, and landing with a dull *thud*. He grumbled as he got to his feet and turned to look at the Decepticons assembling. He had been roused from his power-down cycle by a particularly large Vehicon informing him that he was to leave the ship and report immediately to the Bounce Point. He had done so immediately...after getting a drink, breaking the door to the recharge station that refused to let him enter power-down again after being awoken, and acquiring an X-Ray Laser Cannon left in the armory unattended. We he looked around he noticed that there was a battle that was being prepared for. Great! Now he could use the Cannon on actual targets. It was much better than his original plan, which consisted of shooting it at anything that caught his eye.

He looked around quizzically, back to where the portal had dumped him out. Surely Runamuck had been right behind him...?

---

A lone black car with no driver, it's finish covered in scratches and dings, roared towards the collection of Transformers.

Wipe-Out was surprised to see Autobots just...existing around the area. But given the massive power readings his scanners had picked up right outside the obvious staging ground, he wasn't going to pick a fight.

Wipe-Out rumbled to a stop near Flamewar, who'd been his contact on the reconnaissance mission he'd been on since requesting a transfer to Earth, and had sent pretty clear orders than he had to get to this location post-haste. At least he thought it was Flamewar...truth was he'd received all correspondence and mission information through datastreams and hadn't actually met anyone from Command since starting the assignment. Still, the larger Femme's IFF signal matched the one he had for his orders. He transformed and saluted, "Flamewar? Wipe-Out, Scout Third Class, reporting for duty. Last orders said to meet here?"

--

Krunix gave Needlenose and Misfire a small salute as he readied and checked his weapons, "Looks like assignments are in, fellas. Keep a steady head out there." Krunix dropped his visor over his eyes and beamed his transmission line to the pair of flyers, "If you see something we don't on the ground or the situation calls for assistance, radio in to me. Good luck out there." and the gruff Con groundpounder made his way over to Motormaster, listening intently as the large Stunticon laid out the general idea. Krunix raised his had to indicate he had a question:

"The battle isn't gonna stay as organized as we want it to, sir. What's the plan if the other teams can keep the Heralds from supporting the Fallen directly?"

Australia – Uluru

They had arrived. First Aid wasn’t sure if he should be grateful or worried. After all they were here to do battle with some sort of supernatural entity. He frowned beneath his faceplate.

His musings were pleasantly interrupted by the voice of Hot Spot through his comm link. First Aid sent a non-verbal acknowledgment before he quickly gathered everything he thought he’d need and jogged outside.

The sight of the gathered mechs, both Autobot and Decepticon, felt…unnatural to the Protectobot doctor.

He scanned the two factions quickly before he focused in on Ratchet and Axle. The two were deeply involved in the battle planning so he decided to simply make his way to the Longevity.
_____

Arms crossed over his chest and a deep set scowl etched possibly permanently on his face, Ratchet watched intently at the two new faction leaders. He was not particularly happy about working with the ‘Cons but they were necessary if they were to get their mechs back.

Ratchet sighed.

The low grunt, at least that’s what Axle heard, from the CMO caught Axle’s attention. He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his optics. “What’s wrong now?” he whispered. “What makes you think something’s wrong? I mean everything’s just hunky-dory. It’s perfectly natural that we all stop our war to fight something that’s hell-bent on wiping us out. Oh and let’s not forget the fact that once this battle is over we’re right back where we started.” Ratchet was sure to keep the volume of his vocalizer low.

Axle shook his head and turned back to filling the last syringe with the sedative. “Let’s worry about that later. Right now I think it’s best to focus on getting all of them back…safe.”

Both medics grew quiet as Ultra Magnus and Prowl laid out the framework for the attack and ensuing battle. But it was Smokescreen’s voice that caught Ratchet’s full attention.

"Ratchet, Prowl wanted me to get those sedatives we’re going to use on the heralds. Whenever you’re ready, of course."

Ratchet let his arms fall from his chest, his optics set on Smokescreen’s. Axle turned around when he heard the diversion expert approach. He was not happy the mech whose life he helped save was even present, let alone in charge of a dangerous mission but there was not much he could do or say.

A slap of the back of his hand to Axle’s arm was all that was needed for the field medic to know what Ratchet wanted. Axle scooped up three of the four syringes and slapped them down into the CMO’s open palm. “Here.” Ratchet handed them to Smokescreen. “Those don’t just anywhere. The sedatives will work much faster and keep them out a lot longer if it’s pumped directly into their main energon lines….in their necks.” He pointed to the area on his own neck.

“Give it to one of your team who has no link to the herald.” Axle cut in. “And, be careful. Those are all we have. You lose one or fail to inject the entire contents there won’t be enough time to make more.” With that Axle looked to Ratchet and back to Smokescreen.

Once the sedatives had been handed over Axle offered the diversion expert a forced smile and then set off to speak with Chromedome. He slowed his pace and cast a gaze in Ratchet’s direction. The CMO caught the look and simply nodded.
_____

A nod from The Hatchet was more than Axle had expected from the CMO. It scared him. With a small shake of his head he put the gesture out of mind as he approached Chromedome, and Rewind by default.

“Chromedome. Rewind.” The field medic smiled as he stopped in front of the two mechs. “I’ve got the sedative…” he extended his hand indicating that the mnemosurgeon take the syringe. “You’ll need to inject that into Hex’s main energon line in his neck.” Axle looked down at Rewind before he turned his attention back to Chromedome.

*Ahem* “I….uh….think, Rewind, that it’d be best if you stay here.” The back and green medic looked down at the tiny archivist. It wasn’t that he was useless in battle, far from it in fact, but he just wanted to be sure that Chromedome had someone to come back to. “Chronicling the battle with the Fallen from a safe distance would be a much better option than getting up close and too personal with his heralds.”

Axle left it at that. Hopefully the smaller mech would understand and stay behind. Or if he refused to listen to reason then perhaps Chromedome could convince him otherwise.

Secured transmission from Wheeljack to Ultra Magnus:

>>”Commander Magnus, this is Wheeljack. I have a status update for you here on the Ark-22. I have succeeded in repairing the transwarp drive. It is fully functional, and the emitters are at your disposal should you need them. As far as the generators are concerned, the construct-bots have been working diligently on them while I was busy with the warp core. 1 and 2 will be up and running within one cycle by my estimation. 3 and 4 not long afterwards.”>”Sir, I just want to say that I hope that using the warp emitters won’t be necessary to defeat the Fallen. However, if all other options have been exhausted, I can promise you that I will go through with your plan. Primus forgive me.”<<

Australia--Uluru

And then came the orders. They were so close to the edge of battle that Onslaught could taste it. Though he had long been given command responsibilities, he still felt the old familiar surges when they were this close to fighting a foe--any foe--and advancing their cause. The familiar pangs of being a soldier and fighting on the front lines. Or, perhaps more accurately in this instance, fighting for their survival. Onslaught couldn't see many scenarios whereby Megatron's original vision was advanced by their engagement here, but there was something to be said for simple survival; they couldn't advance anything if they were not alive to do so.

Onslaught nodded at the first set of orders directed at him and his unit, quickly opening up a comm to his subordinates. >>"Vortex. Anvil assault. Coordinate with Blast-Off. Flywheels, join them and support as directed. Onslaught out."<<

Onslaught knew that those in his unit were intimately familiar with a multitude of strategic gambits. They reviewed them, drilled them and carried them out in live missions numerous times. This would simply be another. Those not familiar with the rigorous Combaticon drill procedures would learn from those who were. As expected, Onslaught would be part of the hammer strategy along with Brawl, the other Predacons and whatever other mechs the commanders deemed necessary. Nodding and taking his leave from Razorclaw's side, Onslaught began his trek back to Brawl's position, knowing what he would need to do.

Approaching the oversized tank, Onslaught transformed into his missile truck alt mode, his armaments and incendiaries clicking and whirring into their various placements as he steeled himself for battle. His engine revved as he drove around and pulled up alongside Brawl.

"We roll when the Predacons charge," he stated simply. He knew Brawl would be more than itching for his next fight. The Combaticon Commander was only too ready to unleash him once more.
___

Rampage was more than ready for the assault. He could sense the building tension as more and more Autobots and Decepticons were in the process of being deployed to their assorted positions. Still brandishing his blade, he kept a watchful optic on Howlstrike even as the orders came down from Razorclaw.

"Oh yeah, ready to rumble, heheheh," Rampage chuckled to himself. And ready to tear you a new spark chamber, you traitorous glitchbag.

Australia – Uluru

“Don't have to tell me twice,” Blades said to Hot Spot.

He'd been keeping an optic on the proceedings between the powers that be, hoping to glean a little more information regarding the upcoming battle. He heard nothing else, of course, their voices too soft to carry over to where Blades stood. He frowned, annoyed at that, but he supposed he and the rest of his comrades would be told of the plan soon enough.

They'd have to be. With some of the Decepticons beginning to form groups, Blades wondered if they would be doing the same thing. A glance at Prowl and Magnus confirmed a simple truth: that Blades needed to learn patience and wait. Again, he would know soon enough.

No rush, no rush. The Fallen and his yes-mechs would still be there, even if another ten kliks passed.

Blades had to admit that Hot Spot was doing an admirable job of remaining at ease. A much better job than him. Finding his actuators subconsciously roaming to his back, the Protectobot enjoyed the reassurance of his rotor's sharp edges against his questing digits. Once again and soon enough, they'd have a purpose to serve.

For now, though, the waiting game beckoned, and Blades was a participant whether he liked it or not.

Australia - Uluru

The mention of the infamous six changer in this section had surprised Flamewar, but she kept her visual reaction to a minimum, showing no surprise on her countenance. Why was Sixshot here? Had...Megatron called him before his disappearance? But why? This planet was barely out of Phase one. Unless...their favorite air commander was up to something again. Neither of them had made an appearance yet. This boded ill...However, now was not the time. The Fallen required their full attention.

"Flamewar and Krunix, you both will join the frontal assault."

"At once, my lord," Flamewar said flatly with another sharp field salute. She moved away from their illustrious commander with a dour feeling settling in her spark. Ordered about by the likes of Motormaster. She knew that she had hit some pretty low points in her career as a black operative, but Motormaster was never one she had expected to be serving under. Ah, life seemed to hold an endless amount of surprises.

Warwolf had not been among the names called, so she cast her optics about the battlefield until she spotted him not too far off. She opened a comm link to the lupine interrogator, glancing at Motormaster as he asked the troops to come forward with anything that they wished to say.

>>"Warwolf, join me by Motormaster. Stay close to me and bring that little worm Misfire along with you, would you? He's been avoiding me.">"Mission report. What have you found so far?">"Rendezvous at my location,">"I am less than a mile from the Fallen and his Heralds in a holding pattern around Ayer's Rock."<<


"Chromedome. Rewind."

Rewind glanced over to the medic as he approached the archivist and the mnemosurgeon. He had a pleasant smile on his faceplate, but Rewind wasn't sure if it wasn't one of those...those...fake nice smiles? Like the kind that medics give before telling you that you're going to lose a foot or something to try and lessen the blow. Or Rewind was being completely paranoid because he assumed that someone was going to try and make him leave Chromedome's side so he could go off and pretend to be some...some Optimus Prime. It was probably the latter.

Axle explained to Chromedome what he would have to do to subdue Hex. And the Axle gave him the look. The one that larger mechs always gave him when it came to battle. Chromedome's reaction was admittedly worse however. The patented Chromedome silent treatment. Primus he hated that.

*Ahem* “I….uh….think, Rewind, that it’d be best if you stay here. There it was. "Chronicling the battle with the Fallen from a safe distance would be a much better option than getting up close and too personal with his heralds."

Rewind remained silent for a moment, and glanced up to Chromedome before looking back over to Axle. "Oh...yeah. Right. Sure, I'll hang back. Right behind Domey. Don't worry about me," Rewind said with his usual cheer. As if he would ever really let Chromedome do this alone though. Chromedome probably wouldn't forgive him for sneaking along but...Rewind was already angry enough with the mnemosurgeon for even thinking of doing something so risky that it didn't matter if he was going to get the Chromedome silent treatment for days. Sure he'd hand back. A few feet behind Chromedome at all times.

((OOC: More to come.))

Australia - Uluru

The first thing that Blaster did when they had arrived in Uluru was to shield all Autobot communications as well as he could from Soundwave. The second thing was to follow Springer over to where Ultra Magnus stood. This invariably brought him closer to the Decepticon communications officer, Soundwave. Blaster did his best to avoid looking at Soundwave because the only possible look that the red CO could give Soundwave was a glare. He'd also probably feel the impulse to punch Soundwave out at well. Working with the Decepticons probably didn't sit well with most Autobots, as evinced by Howlstrike's little outburst, but that was to be expected after all. Traitors weren't generally liked by the betrayed.

Seeing Jazz nearby, Blaster made his way over to the special operative while awaiting orders from Ultra Magnus. It seemed like things were about to rock and roll. The Decepticons had gotten their orders. Blaster sent out a little communication to his cassettes Eject and Steeljaw. >>"Yo, Eject, Steeljaw! Looks like we're about to roll out! Meet up with me over by Jazz when you can. Ultra Magnus might have orders for us."<<

Blaster then opened his chest up where he kept the cassettes while they were inactive. "C'mon out Graphy, Ramhorn. It's time to rock!" As the two cassettes shot out from his chest, Blaster looked down at Graphy. "We're teaming up with the 'Cons to take down a demi-god. That's the short of it anyway. When I send Noise out, you gotta combine with him before he goes berserk. Got it?"

The autobot communications officer simultaneously monitored the Autobot communications while turned his head to Jazz. “And I thought the Sea of Rust was a hot, barren desert of nothingness," Jazz commented lightly.

"I heard that," Blaster replied, "Kinda makes you miss the rust in your optics." Blaster grinned at Jazz and began playing an old cybertronian magna march to get him into the mood to rumble. "So how are those tunes I sent ya, treatin' you, Jazz?"


Weirdwolf and Skullcruncher had bounced down in time to see the Autobot shuttle land. And then the other Autobot shuttle land. They seemed to be coming in droves. Weirdwolf's hand twitched as he fought the immediate impulse to open fire on the Autobots. Skullcruncher obviously felt similarly, for he had begun to grind his dental plating together to produce that all too familiar screeching sound. Usually, Weirdwolf hardly noticed the sound, but now it set the tracker on edge.

"This is wrong. Just wrong."

"The truth you speak," Weirdwolf agreed with a low growl in the timbre of his otherwise calm voice, "Some kind of irony this must be. The guiding hand or some higher power playing a jest on we. Allying ourselves with the Autobots...even for a moment..."

Weirdwolf merely growled rather than finish his statement. Rather than continue to stare at the Autobots on the field, Weirdwolf attempted to reign in his more destructive impulses by glancing over to their own ranks. It helped. Not too much, but it did help. It served to keep him content until Razorclaw finally provided them with orders. Not explicitly but Weirdwolf assumed that he and his dear friend were going to be a part of the frontal assault on the Fallen.

"Interesting this will be, for it is we who would slay a god," Weirdwolf commented while making his way over to where Motormaster and the other Decepticon forces were congregating. "Think you what on our chances, Skullcruncher?"

Australia - Uluru

Magnus's expression remained as calm and unreadable as it had since the initial start of the parley between himself and the Decepticon Commander, Razorclaw. He did not flinch when Motormaster began his initial approach in an ill advised attempt to intrude in the debate in order to push them closer to battle before all details of the cards were placed out upon the table. Nothing so much as an arched optical shield moved to indicate his absorption of information... and finally the largest card of the deck was placed upon the board. Whether it was a slip of the vocorder or it was an intentional reveal of his existence, the arrival of one of the dreaded Phase Six knights of Megatron had not been outside the realm of possibility given the circumstances. But the fact that one, particularly Sixshot, was already in orbit on board the Decepticon Flagship... It revealed a great deal more than Magnus cared to admit about possible timetables for them than he cared to admit.

Still he remained placid and calm as the final details were agreed upon. Razorclaw began dispensing his orders throughout his rank and file as Magnus turned back towards his gathered troops. He lowered the volume on his vocal processor to the point where only Prowl could hear him. "You have a point. The time it would take Sixshot to travel from his last reported location to Earth, is significantly longer than the preparation time we have been allotted." He paused briefly as the thought was allowed to sink further in. "I believe your projections may be a bit conservative on that part Prowl. There were other plans at work that we are unaware of, and the revelation of the Fallen might have been a slight insight into what those plans may have been."

Ultra Magnus reset his vocal volume though attempted to keep his tone low enough as to not draw unwanted attention. Quietly he opened one of his side compartments and pulled out two ammunition clips and the registry disc necessary to adjust Prowl's computers with the added weight and potency of the new ammunition. "A gift from the Research and Development Division." He handed over the stronger clip of acid pellets to the tactician.

A mote of silence passed between the two Autobot Commanders as Magnus surveyed the distant rock formation. A burnt orange red lump of sand stone thrown into the heart of a nearly endless scrub land. In a perverse sense, it was poetic. A battle between a sentinel of the damned and the sea of wayward scions. Without breaking his own stern fixation on the formation before the two armies, Ultra Magnus raised his voice to garner the attention of Prowl, Springer, Silverbolt and Hotspot. "Prowl, decide on the formation for the anvil force. I will provide transport for those capable of being loaded in the carrier. You will be the direct link to the battle, adapt where necessary in your deployment strategies. Springer, take Broadside and Sandstorm. You three will provide the initial hammer strike for our forces, as you each have flight capabilities..." he turned ever so slightly to catch the green officer's vision out of his periphery, "as well as your unique histories and talents. Work with Razorclaw to the extent of the mission. We cannot afford petty rivalries to upend our already faint hope at stopping the Fallen from his crusade."

He returned his view to the formation. "Hotspot, you and your team... sans First Aid, will provide ground support with the Anvil unit. You and your team are under Prowl's direct line of command, though I am certain that he will provide you with the latitude and flexibility you require..."

The silence loomed again as the three addressed commanders acknowledged their assignments. Now it was time for his aerial squadron commander. He had only recently pondered alterations to the operation itself and the assignments he would give to Silverbolt, beyond the confining bounds of aerial support. It was not entirely without merit in adjusting those tasks, given the size of available soldiers had increased almost exponentially since the initial briefing while in Peru. It gave him more flexibility to divert his forces to bolster weaker positions on the battlefield.

"Silverbolt, I want you and your squadron to fly escort for the diversionary force. However, when the Decepticons break off their escort to attack... which I would believe to be earlier than designated, I want you maintain your escort for a few minutes more. Assess the battlefield and mechanics of the board. If you feel you have a better success rate to attack do it, if you believe that your best option is to join Springer's assault... I leave that call to your discretion. Furthermore, I want you to take Blaster with you." He ignored the curious look that was assured to come from the others. Everyone respected the communications officer for his abilities on the battlefield as well as on the comm. But the method of deployment was anything but typical. "Have him scan the frequencies over the battle. Try to find a controlling signal between the Fallen and his Heralds. It might not exist, but if it does then its a boon that we should exploit. Besides, I am certain our Chief Comm. Officer would be invaluable in more direct confrontations, should his skills be necessary."

Finally he turned away from his hard stare at the rock formation and faced each of his unit commanders. "Its all on our shoulders gentlemen. I have every giga-joule of confidence and faith in your abilities to get this job done... Once you have reviewed the details of your operations with your subordinates, signal Prowl and we will commence with final deployment operations."

OoC: Will respond to Wheeljack in another post my friends

Australia - Uluru

“Yeah, you too, ‘Cracker!” Skywarp responded to his seeker friend as Thundercracker leapt into the air and transformed, rocketing away and leaving the teleporter behind. The prankster let out another deep sigh as his optics scanned the crowd of Cybertronians until he found the object of his dissatisfaction. Oil Slick was standing not far away and he looked oh so pleasant in his demeanor. Maybe the purple and black seeker was reading him wrong, but it sure didn’t look as though the chemical expert was a happy mech. It didn’t matter. Just as long as those toxins didn’t burn a hole into the teleporter’s spark chamber, everything would be just fine.

Taking a step forward, Skywarp traversed the distance between himself and his diversionary teammate. Approaching the chemical specialist with caution, the prankster gave him a curt nod before addressing him directly. “So, Oil Slick, looks like you and me are going to be working together to bring down Darkride. I hear that you’re the closest thing he’s got to a friend. Not sure if that’s the right word for it. Primus knows he’s not the most likable mech around. I mean him and I aren’t exactly on the best of terms. He likes to torment me and I would love to see him scrapped. Heh.”

The prankster paused for a moment letting a brief smile escape his visage before it dissolved into a frown again. “So, how do you want to handle this, Slick? I could use my teleportation powers to get us close. Maybe I could then teleport Darkride away from Ayers Rock instead of trying to draw him out. What do you think?”
_________

Smokescreen waited patiently for Ratchet to respond to him. The rallybot wasn’t about to hurry the grumpy CMO along as his disposition was bad enough already. No need to make him any worse. Smokey noticed that Blurr had appeared alongside him and gave the blue speedster a curt nod before his attention was drawn back to Ratchet and Axle, the latter of which had scooped up three syringes and given them to the CMO.

”Here.”

The diversion expert accepted the trio of vials from Ratchet and then listened as the grumpy doctor gave him instructions on how to use them. “Gotcha. Main energon line in the neck. No prob....” Smokescreen was then interrupted by Axle who added that the syringes should be given to those with no link to the heralds. Unfortunately, that would be hard to do, especially in Drag Strip’s case. Both Blurr and Smokey had a past history with the yellow racer and whichever Stunticon ended up on their team would obviously be connected to Drag, as well. Instead of arguing, however, the rallybot simply nodded and forced an appreciative smile. The field medic then warned him to be careful with the vials. They were the only ones and there was no time to make more. “Understood. We’re do our best, Axle. Thanks.”

With the three syringes in hand, Smokescreen turned to look at Blurr just as Breakdown approached them. It appeared as though ol’ Motorhead had picked one of his cronies for the team. “Yeah, we’re the Drag Strip team, Breakdown,” the rallybot replied, sparing a glance over at the twitchy Stunticon. “And don’t worry, Drag’s all yours once we take him down. We’re going to use one of these syringes filled with a powerful sedative to knock him out cold. He’ll be alive for your boss to do his worst to him.”

Smokescreen then returned his attention to the blue speedster. “Blurr, since you’re the fastest, it would probably be best if you held on to our team’s syringe. Your speed makes you the best chance we have at getting in close and administering the sedative to Drag Strip quickly. Now, when you do, inject it directly into the main energon line in his neck. Ratchet says it’ll work faster that way. Got it?” Smokey handed one of the syringes over to the blue speedster. Truth be told, the rallybot was still a bit star struck being in the presence of the champion racer. If it wasn’t for the threat of annihilation, the diversion expert would likely be asking for an autograph right now instead of giving out instructions to his idol.

“Well, I guess I should give the other two vials out to the remaining teams. You two stay here and wait for me,” Smokescreen said as he turned to look for the other two teams. “Let’s see, Howlstrike and Blindside need one for Hardhead and who’s going after Darkride again?” The rallybot paused for a moment as his spark then literally skipped a pulse. Slaggit! Skywarp and Oil Slick! Oh, frag! Smokey tried not to let his thoughts betray him as a worried expression briefly appeared on his faceplate. He knew that he would eventually cross paths with Tracer’s dealer again while he was down here. He just didn’t think it would be this soon. Still, he was the diversionary coordinator and it was his job to handle the teams. Smokey would simply have to suck it up and hope that Oil Slick would not immediately recognize him in his new body. Not likely, but one could hope.
_________

Razorclaw listened to Roadblock’s latest response which proved for certain that the ground commander had completely lost his processor. Perhaps it had been his long stint in stasis that had corrupted his senses and made it near impossible for him to contemplate the current chain of command. After all, it had been hard for most ‘Cons who had lived through it to come to terms with Megatron’s disappearance and possible demise. Surely, it would be more difficult for a mech who had basically slept right through it to accept as fact. Still, respect needed to be given, especially to the current Supreme Commander and the lion-former would certainly demand said respect no matter who it was from.

>>”No, Roadblock, it is YOU who have dishonored and disrespected ME! I am your leader! Have YOU changed so much that you no longer understand the chain of command? I do NOT have to explain myself or the reasoning behind my orders. Perhaps if you had initially approached me regarding your idea in a more respectful manner, the outcome of this conversation would have been different. Instead, you have decided to disobey a direct order and hide onboard the Thanatos like a spoiled protoform who did not get his way. Is this what you want, Roadblock, to be remembered as a coward who refused to fight when all other able-bodied mechs put their sparks on the line to save the Empire? The mech I used to know was better than that. As for your challenge, take heed of MY words. I have already defeated Starscream, Shockwave and Thunderwing to secure the throne. If you insist on fighting me, your fate will be the same as theirs!”<<

Razorclaw cut his comm line once again. He had no intention of continuing the debate, but Roadblock’s latest rebellious tirade demanded another response. The lion-former would not continue to go back and forth with him, however. There was too much as stake to waste further time on an insubordinate mech who liked questioning authority. Of course, the Predacon lord should expect such challenges for the foreseeable future as it was clear that Razorclaw would have to continue to prove himself a worthy leader in the optics of those who thought they were better suited to the throne.

((OOC: More to come later.))

Australia--Uluru

From the looks of it, Octane hadn't exactly received the answer from the Combaticon that he had been looking for. He supposed that wasn't really surprising. If his fellow trip wanted to indulge in some of his innate greed during this massive melee, he was going to have to fly a lot lower under the radar than that. He had to give him some credit though; he had the bearings to go right out and ask for an Autobot ship. Astrotrain guessed that such spoils would boil down to how badly this whole battle went. And in terms of things that could go wrong, pretty much anything was on the table when you were fighting a myth.

"Looks like that's our cue," Astrotrain said, having both acknowledged Razorclaw's orders and noticing Thundercracker take to the air, followed shortly thereafter by a squadron of Vehicons with aerial alt modes. He looked over at Blitzwing. "Battle time."

Grinning, he lurched himself into the air and transformed as he continued to ascend, his full thrusters kicking in at that point and launching the shuttle higher into the sky.
___

Breakdown eyed the little syringes that Smokescreen had produced with wary curiosity. He didn't really see how that was gonna work, but he wasn't the strategery - startergy....strategy type, anyway. At least the Autobots seemed to understand that the Decepticons were supposed to handle their own when it came down to brass tacks. And in the case of Drag Strip, that was doubly true. Even though drag Strip probably didn't have any control over what he was doing.....slag....he was gonna get a beating from Motormaster for this.

"Yeh. Yeah, good," Breakdown muttered, not really having anything else he wanted to say to the Autobot. Still felt weird.

He then watched as Smokescreen talked to Blurr. Wow. The Blurr. Breakdown could remember watching him in the races, before he became a 'Con. Shame he decided to join up with Prime and his government cronies. Woulda been nice having a mech that fast on their side.

Australia - Uluru

Octane overheard the orders and wasn't too surprised. The thing what got him was Tantrum was allowed to be in the battle while Octane was left out. Tantrum was the other main fuel carrier for the Cons and in Octane's mind Tantrum should be in back just like Octane. The favoritism bothered Octane quite a bit because he was just as good as a fighter as Tantrum.

"Slag some for me Astrotrain and Blitzwing. I detest the idea of being stuck back here. Tantrum gets to go out and fight while I have to stay back here. If anything I can claim to be the last line of defense but at the same time that thought bothers me because if everyone else falls, I probably have no chance unless whoever is left is barely holding in its spark chamber."

________________________

Skydive wasn't too surprised his idea fell on deaf audio receptors. It was like when he proposed it to Ultra Magnus and Prowl on the Longevity. The ideas sounded like they might work but still didn't make any sense to send all the troops only to get slagged easily by the heralds. This is probably what the Vehicons are for instead of any strafing or bombardments. He waited for Silverbolt to decide what to do.

"Commander Silverbolt, I still wish they listen to my idea of bombardment followed by strafing runs. Why let them a claw into any of us when we might have the power to soften them up from long range? This seems like leading lambs to the slaughter with hopes of overwhelming odds slowly taking them down."

__________________________


Hot Spot looked at Prowl and Ultra Magnus. The plans were set and soon the battle would start. The Fallen needed to be taken care of but still doesn't sit well with him because of who they have under their control along with who they are working with. Working with the Cons does seem odd but at the same time sort of good with hopes this could last into a longer peace. As much as Hot Spot is a warrior he and his team might embody the peaceful ideals Optimus Prime had preached about for the last several centuries.

"Commander Prowl, if I may, it may be wise to have a bot or two in reserve to clear the field of injured mechs during the battle if the opportunity arises. If you go along with this idea, I suggest Groove to fill this role. I would expect the likes of First Aid, Ratchet, and Axle to be shoulder deep in repairs once things get going."

Australia - Uluru - Autobot crowd

"...Springer, take Broadside and Sandstorm. You three will provide the initial hammer strike for our forces, as you each have flight capabilities...as well as your unique histories and talents. Work with Razorclaw to the extent of the mission. We cannot afford petty rivalries to upend our already faint hope at stopping the Fallen from his crusade."

Springer's bottom lip pushed out forward as the green and yellow triplechanger scowled at Magnus' request to work alongside the Decepticons. He was right though, Springer had to put away his hate for the purple insignia wearing mechs for this mission. If not, it could easily cloud his judgement and cause the two rivaling factions to lose their unity over a common foe. Instead, Springer was gonna use that hate to fuel his actions here on the battlefield.

"Understood Magnus." Springer stated as a forced smile made its way across the Triplechanger's faceplating, "C'mon fembots, into the air with ya! Razorclaw will be issuing commands for us from here on out so listen to him. Let's go wreck some scrap! Wooo!!" Using his powerful leg servos, Springer leaped straight up into the air and transformed into his helicopter mode and awaited for his fellow triplechangers/wrecking crew to join up with him before flying out along with the other aerial units.

"...So how are those tunes I sent ya, treatin' you, Jazz?"

"Oh I am loving them Blaster, my man. These Earthlings sure know how to speak my language! Like, who is it now...*Mig Mit*? I think that's there name... Stuff reminds my of the tunes I'd use to jam to at Macaddam's back on Cybertron!"

The special operations director folded his arms over his chest plating and sat back and watched as the strike teams were being formed. He grinned as he began to assume that he'd be apart of the larger team that would be going to take on the Fallen himself. The thought of taking on a mythical Prime was one most would find frightening, if not merely suicidal, but Jazz didn't get to his position of Director of Special Operations by sitting back and fearing the worst that was out there. No, to him this was just another challenge.

-

"Hey Blaster! We're here!" Eject spouted as he came popping out of the crowd, hopefully with Steeljaw following close behind. "Gang's all here now, right? We can get this game going? I'm ready for kick-off, don't know about you guys!"

Chromedome. Rewind. I’ve got the sedative…" he extended his hand indicating that the mnemosurgeon take the syringe. “You’ll need to inject that into Hex’s main energon line in his neck.

Chromedome shifted his gaze to the medical 'Bot and took the vials without hesistation. It had taken awhile for the tan and white Autobot to process his new orders.

Directly into the main fuel lines... Hmmm... Shouldn't be too hard to do...

"I...I understand." Chromedome said in response to Axle. The mnemosurgeon then turned towards his conjunx endura and kneeled down to optical visor-level with the Cassettobot and placed his free hand on the Archivist's shoulder pauldron. "Rewind...Axle is right, the battle is going to be much too dangerous for you to tag alongside me. You're not built to fight..." Chromedome's spark chamber felt like it was being sucked down into his fuel pump, "Stay back here... I don't wanna see anything happen to you..."

The mnemosurgeon then rose back to his full height and stared at the syringes handed to him while he awaited a response from the tiny archivist.



*Chi-chik-tsk* *Chi-chik-tsk*

Getaway continued loading shells into his Plasma-shell shotgun, studying the Decepticons and the environment around him. He gazed back up at Ultra Magnus as he awaited further orders. It was safe to assume that he would be placed along Prowl and whatever team he was scrapping up at this point.

*Chuk-Chink*

There, now he was loaded and ready for action. All he needed now was the order to move out, and with whom to do so with.

((OOC: Bots are up to date, Cons coming in a different post))

Australia - Uluru

Air Raid carefully listened, the Aerialbots were given their directions, and it seems like they will be escorting stuff, again. Except this time they weren't escorting "stuff", they were escorting a diversionary force against The Fallen's bots and the Cons. Nice.
He will try to stay cautious in this one even though he can't promise himself. But he knew that this was a serious situation, they will be in battlefield with both Cons and The Fallen, it was no laughing matter. However, it was Air Raid's job to make it sound less dangerous and more fun, and that's what he intended to do.

"This is gonna be exciting." said Air Raid in his usual fun and easygoing tone. "Well, let's get ready!". He stretched his arms, allowing the Energon to flow through them.

Australia--Uluru

"Understood Magnus. C'mon fembots, into the air with ya! Razorclaw will be issuing commands for us from here on out so listen to him. Let's go wreck some scrap! Wooo!!"

Sandstorm whizzed past, rotors chopping loudly. He had been keeping a close watch on the dynamics of the little Autobot/Decepticon pow-wow as well as trying to get some kind of look at the big rock and whoever might be on it. He saw something and had wanted to go in further to investigate. Buuuuutttt....he hadn't been told to, and he didn't want to be a bad mech on his first mission out. He could afford to get a little crazier after he reminded these office jockeys why he was so good at his job in the first place.

"I was in the air already, Kermit!" Sandstorm laughed. "You guys're slower than Bulkhead at an energon buffet. Or Broady, hahahahah!"

Australia - Uluru - Autobot crowd

Broadside was casting his professional gaze across the arrayed force deployed around the two supreme commanders. He was close enough to hear Ultra Magnus issue his orders to Springer “great I get to be shot out of the sky along with you and sandstorm” muttered the huge Triplechanger as he took a run and jump transforming into his alternate mode as he powered into the air.

As he gained height he realised that the assembled mechanoids below was pretty much the entire autobot and decepticon forces in the solar system. But this was fun putting the band back together Springer, Sandstorm and himself the remains of the wreckers. It was time for some old school pain bringing and for once Broadside was relishing the chance to prove to the decepticon triple changers that the autobot triple changers where the better warriors.

_________________________________________________

The orders had come through Air Support of the diversionary force up until the decepticon aerial support broke off and assaulted their main targets. Silverbolt weighed the options for this and the alternate plan of joining Springer’s attack force. Just as he thought he had everything figured out Ultra Magnus threw in his curve ball. Blaster was to be a tag along on the mission the logic was sound behind the move. Find any controlling frequency that was influencing the heralds it was slim but if it got into the close combat Blaster was more than capable of holding his own.

Skydive took the oppertunity to complain about the upper echelon’s ignoring his strategy Silverbolt didn’t even grace Skydive with a look as he spoke “that’s because they are looking at the big picture separate the head from the body then pummel it. I shall decide whether we move from the diversion to support Springer and the other triple changers. We’ll give Blaster a chance to search out the possibility of signal that is directing the minion’s. All I know is we are fighting for the species here”

Silverbolt’s white frame glinted in the sunlight as he turned his head to search for Blaster in the crowd his pale blue optics scanned the crowd he added a small message to blaster.

“We’re ready when you are”

Australia- Uluru

"Divebomb, Shadowing, Waspinator and Misfire, you will also reinforce our air superiority. Several squads of both ground-based and aerial vehicons will join the frontal assault."

Misfire gulped. Someone was finally asking him to do something. His brief vacation with Krunix and Needlenose was over before he could come up with a decent rebuttal to Needlenose's invitation. Instead, he'd take to the skies again.

That was some small comfort. At least he'd be flying in formation. He was good at that.

But then there was that "frontal assault" bit. That didn't appeal to him so much.

Well, he could always hide behind Waspinator. Insecticons were very good at taking damage. And once all his comrades were dead he had a viable excuse to flee back to the ship.

He wasn't in any rush to do battle. Or die. Maybe he'd get lucky and the sight of superior numbers would scare off the Fallen...

... maybe his optimism would last.

He turned to Needlenose. "We'll have to continue later, friend. I'd like to hear more about your club. I'm moving onto the line."

He put on his brave face and transformed, taking to the skies and moving to join formation.

Australia - Uluru

"The truth you speak," Weirdwolf agreed with a low growl in the timbre of his otherwise calm voice, "Some kind of irony this must be. The guiding hand or some higher power playing a jest on we. Allying ourselves with the Autobots...even for a moment... Interesting this will be, for it is we who would slay a god. Think you what on our chances, Skullcruncher?"

"As good as ever. We still live." Skullcruncher replied to Weirdwolf's comment while walking towards the group the two were assigned to. Motormaster's group. Of all possible groups it had to be Motormaster's. Oh well, at least the Stunticon bully was familiar enough with Skullcruncher to respect him. Not too many could match, let alone overcome the Stunticon's strength but Skullcruncher was one of them. The others, they wouldn't be as lucky.

"Godspeed you worthless slag-lickers! That was an order!" The doom-laden voice from the pit itself boomed across the gathering grounds of the allied Autobot and Decepticon forces around the natural landmark known as Uluru. "If I have to repeat myself because you tripped over due to your shaking tinfoil chicken legs it will the last damn thing your audio receptors will ever process! Now form a slaggin' line before me!"

Motormaster was irate. The Decepticons assigned under his command were moving around way too slowly. He knew many lacked respect towards him because of his abusive behavior. It didn't matter. All they had to do was to obey him out of fear.

"The battle isn't gonna stay as organized as we want it to, sir. What's the plan if the other teams can't keep the Heralds from supporting the Fallen directly?"

At this point the one Krunix decided to open his vocal synthesizer and actually dared to ask him a question. A question which should have been presented to Razorclaw. A question Motormaster had no answer to. "You will speak when spoken to maggot! Are you not a slaggin' Cybertronian?! If the situation changes we adapt! That's what we fraggin' do! And that is all you need to know!"

"This Fallen probably has an ego to match his ridiculous claims. If we could perhaps use that to our advantage...We also do not know the full scope of his abilities. Only that he somehow teleported onto the Thanatos without anyone noticing and destroyed the engines. I would recommend sending in some Vehicons as an advance party to gauge his abilities."

Then the femme spoke. Words of reason no doubt. But this was not her command. It was his. And he would not be belittled any further before the forces he was supposed to command into the battle. It was time to assess the situation.

"A word." Motormaster spat out as he planted his hand on Flamewar's shoulder with enough force to dent her armor planting and pulled her to the side while pulling Krunix there forcibly as well. It was just for the show. The real purpose of the action was having a short exchange of words with the two while giving the impression he was scolding them. >>"Make no mistake, I know who you are. Both. I also know when I should listen to others. That puts you in charge of the Anvil task force Flamewar. Coordinate with this strategist if you must. But here, I am the figurehead. They will listen to me and obey. You will speak through me, not through you own vocalizer."<<

"Got it? If you have a problem with this, our problem just got bigger." This was the only loud enough vocalization from Motormaster for the soldiers assigned to him to hear. It was also emphasized by seemingly tightening grip of Motormaster's hand on Flamewar's shoulder before the large Stunticon released the femme and shoved Krunix back into the line of other Decepticons as he turned to face his troops again.

"Stand ready maggots! Vehicons move in! Rest of you! Follow! Fifty steps behind!" Motormaster roared out and pulled out his atom-smasher gun. "And remember you turboworm droppings, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, because I'm the meanest fragger in the valley. Now move or I'll shoot you myself!"



Oh the wait. How could they stand it? Brawl certainly couldn't. Vortex offer was so tempting. So tempting and so wrong given the situation. Damned propel head wanted to get him in trouble to ease his own boredom. Not now. They needed to save their energy and ammonation against the Fallen. Even someone as thick as Brawl understood that. Good thing the boss pulled over when he did too. Vortex wouldn't probably have needed to goad him into mischief much longer. But with Onslaught present and them all having given new instructions, things had changed.

"We roll when the Predacons charge."

"Got it boss. I just hope it sooner rather than later!" Brawl rumbled, his engine revving and turret module turning towards Uluru.

Australia--Uluru

Landgrab was just lost. But he did his best to pretend that he wasn't. He found other clusters of Decepticons and did what he could to help out. He hadn't noticed at first when he started speaking to them and try to stir up a little pre-battle camaraderie that he was actually talking to Vehicons while he helped them dig their trenches. And Vehicons didn't exactly converse. Pre=programmed, automated responses to specific commands maybe, but not actual intelligent conversation with another sentient mind.

As for other Decepticons he might rely on to steel his nerves before they decided to join the Autobots and attack this mythical figure from Cybertron's ancient past, they all were pretty much locked into their own little groups and subgroups. And none of them really looked like there was room for one more.

Landgrab sighed and looked over at the rock formation. Somewhere on that thing was the Fallen. Somewhere on that thing the fate of their whole race was going to be decided. That thought didn't do anything to calm his circuit surges. But he readied his rifle as their new Supreme Commander's orders came through. When the call went forward, he would find a group and do his part.

If he did anything well, it was obey orders.

Australia - Uluru

Graphy jumped out of Blaster's chest and transformed. He effortlessly flapped his wings to keep in front of Blaster. He looked towards the summit where his keen eyesight told him is where most likely said demigod was. He then looked towards the Decepticons that where around them. Finally he looked back at Blaster.

"Uhm... somehow being surrounded by Decepticons and a demigod still does not seem nearly as hard as trying to keep Noise from attacking any of them. I will try though."

Graphy flew around Blaster somewhat as to make sure that Blaster was between him and the Decepticons.

"There, if you block Noise's vision that should help. Just push him to combine before he smells something."

Graphy lands on the ground and transforms into the lower half of Decibel.

Australia - Uluru

"Alright. I will go there now."

Shadowing replied to Divebomb and transformed into his jet mode, quickly covering the distance distance. As he flew he noticed that he flew over Flamewar as she made her way towards Motormaster. Suddenly he did not feel as bad about his own situation. He opened a communication signal to her.

"Good fortune and good hunting."

It was a brief message of support. It was all he would dare do considering Soundwave was around which did not make it intelligent to voice anything more.

Australia – Uluru – Decepticon Crowd

Warwolf closed in on Motormaster and his crew per Flamewar’s orders. He had joined in just in time to hear the Stunticon commander barking his “prep speech”.

“Misfire is under a different set of orders, Flamewar.” The lupine mech whispered to his former mentor, “My he certainly has quite the vocalize…”

Before he could whisper another word, Flamewar and Krunix were pulled aside by Motormaster and given a private conversation. Warwolf paid no attention to this, he was sure Flamewar was capable of handling whatever the brutish Decepticon was muttering to her.

You can’t hold me back any further, you know that right? My return is nigh and you know it ‘Wolfy. The moment the battle begins, you know you’re going to lose all control you have over keeping me locked up.

Warwolf ignored the violent thought as he marched on, drawing one of his swords and his sidearm respectively.

You can’t ignore it…I shall be liberated and there’s nothing you nor that obsidian-plated femme can do about it…



“Heh heh…BAM!” Runamuck exclaimed as he bomped the butt of his rifle into the back of Runabout’s cranial unit. He didn’t swing with enough force to knock him out or deliver any sort of damage to his fellow Battlecharger, just enough to alert him of his presence behind him.

“HA! I got you good! Heh heh… Wait… Runabout, look! Look Autobots!” The white and orange Battlecharger exclaimed as he pointed an actuator at the Autobot crowd prepping for battle. “Before we leave this place, we gotta, and I mean GOTTA do something to them! Let’s pop a tire or two…Ooo! Maybe scorch *Tyrest’s #1 Glitch* in Magnus’ armor! Heh heh.”

”Divebomb, Shadowing, Waspinator, and Misfire, you will also reinforce our air superiority. Several squads of both ground-based and aerial vehicons will join the frontal assault.

“Well, this certainly was a short-lived endeavor.” Needlenose commented as he swished around the magenta-colored engex in the cube Krunix provided him. Just when you meet up with some people and get a conversation going, someone wants you elsewhere. Typical. Oh well, they were here to get a mission over with, shouldn’t be complaining about actually trying to get it over with. The sooner he could get out of here and return to his human broadcasts back aboard the Thanatos, the better.

“Well it certainly was a time and a half you two, but it appears I’m needed elsewhere. Good luck and all that… something or whatever.” The aerial assaulter said as he waved his hand around in the air trying to find the right thing to say to his new acquaintances. He wasn’t good at goodbyes, let alone trying to say goodbye to others he just met. Usually he’d just bounce out from that scene, but that one guy was courteous to give him some Energon so it would have been rude to just disappear. Needlenose then walked over to Thundercracker’s side and awaited further orders from the temporary Air Commander.

-

Given his orders, Waspinator flapped his robot-mode wings and slowly transcended into the Australian sky before shifting into his more flight capable robotic wasp mode. He loaded his weapon systems and began the arming process as he met up with his newly formed Squad. Surprisingly, the insecticon reject remained quiet as he met up with his teammates, unusual behavior for the nosey little bug-former.

>>Vortex. Anvil assault. Coordinate with Blast-Off. Flywheels, join them and support as directed. Onslaught out.

“Finally!” Vortex exclaimed as he wasted no time in dropping the earth rock next to his feet. “Sorry Brawl, looks like target practice is gonna have to be put off until the big battle!”

Vortex then sprinted off away from Brawl’s side and leaped into the air, transforming into his helicopter mode and spinning himself around to face the direction the jet-vehicons were beginning to rally up on. His forward facing cannons clicked with fresh rounds of ammunition as he hovered near the other VTOL capable fliers such as Sandstorm and Springer.

Now all they had to wait on was the order to attack… The order to swoop in and begin the anvil portion of this jointed-plan between the two factions.

Australia - Uluru

Howlstrike chuckled under his vocalizer as Blindside explained that he was talking to Veneer over a private comm line. “Heh, well that’s good to know. For an astrosec I thought you were going crazy and talking to yourself. Now’s not the time to lose one’s chips, ya know.” The wolf-former flashed a toothy grin at the blind tactician before giving him a playful, but still hard, punch on the shoulder. “Close, huh? Well, after we kick Hardhead and the Fallen’s aft plates, I’m sure I can arrange some private time for you two love-bots. Ha!”

The former Predacon’s ribbing was then interrupted by the approach of Smokescreen. It seemed that the diversion expert had something for them and he wasted no time in offering said object to the hunter. “What’s this?” Howlstrike asked quizzically as the rallybot handed him a syringe.

“It’s a sedative for you and Blindside to use on Hardhead,” Smokescreen explained as he looked up at the bigger wolf-former. “It needs to be injected directly into the main energon line in the neck where it will get into Hardhead’s system faster and hopefully bring him down quickly. Also, the syringe should be used by someone not known to Hardhead, if that’s at all possible.”

“Really?” Howlstrike replied stoically. “So, you really think this little thing will knock him out for good?”

“It won’t last forever, but hopefully it’ll give us enough time to allow us to rescue and secure him on board one of the shuttles. Our goal here is to save our friends from whatever influence the Fallen has over them, not to kill them if that’s avoidable.”

“I see,” Howl said, knowing full well that he intended to inflict as much pain and damage as possible to Hardhead before he even thought about using the syringe. “Well, we’ll do our best, Smokes.”

Smokescreen nodded with a slight smile before moving away to the last diversion team in need of a sedative. Howlstrike, meanwhile, gazed down at the small syringe he held in his hand before turning his attention back to his sightless friend. “Well, Blindside, it seems that the plan is to drug our comrades into submission. Wonder who came up with that brilliant plan. Regardless, I think it’s best for you to hold on to this since ol’ Hardhead doesn’t really know you all that well. Besides, I’m more interested in using my sword on his neck than a tiny needle.”

Howlstrike then handed the syringe to Blindside before casting his gaze towards Ayers Rock. “I hope we get going soon. If I have to wait any longer I’m going to burst a fuel line.”
_________

The last diversion team was the one Smokescreen dreaded having to deal with. It wasn’t that he was afraid of Oil Slick, necessarily, but he certainly didn’t want to be this close to him so soon after their last encounter. That little fight didn’t end so well for the rallybot, leaving him a melted wreck which required Wheeljack and Axle to construct an entire new body for him. Perhaps the chemical expert wouldn’t recognize him in his new form. Of course, Slick was not stupid and Smokey still sported the same color scheme as before. Therefore, the red and blue mech needed to hand over the needle as quickly as possible before things had a chance to get out of hand.

“So, you’re the team going after Darkride, correct?” Smokescreen asked as he stopped near Skywarp, keeping his gaze fixated mainly on the black and purple seeker. The rallybot had had run-ins with the prankster in the past and while there was no love lost between them, ‘Warp was a much better option to directly deal with than the chemical specialist.

“You dare interrupt me when I’m in the middle of talking, Autobot,” Skywarp spat back at the diversion expert, casting a stern glare down at the smaller mech.

“I’m sorry, Skywarp, but I need to give this to you,” Smokescreen replied, offering the final syringe to the teleporter. “It’s a powerful sedative you can use against Darkride. It has to be administered directly into his neck where the main energon line is. It’ll work quicker that way. Hopefully, it’ll knock him out long enough for you guys to secure him while the others battle the Fallen. Also the vile should be given to someone Darkride doesn’t know if that’s even possible.”

Skywarp looked down at the small syringe in the rallybot’s hand and aggressively snatched it away, not caring if he hurt Smokescreen’s actuators in the process. “Fine, but both Oil Slick and I have a history will the interrogator so that idea’s not going to work. I’ll just keep a hold of it. I can teleport, after all. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Whatever works,” Smokescreen agreed with a curt nod before his optics briefly fell onto Oil Slick. The tall, gangly mech looked no worse for wear since their previous encounter. The rallybot could not tell if the chemical expert recognized him or not, but Slick did not look pleased to see him again, regardless.

“The order to move out will come shortly. Be ready,” the red and blue racer said, looking back at Skywarp.

“Don’t you worry yourself, Smokey. We’re Decepticons. We were ready before you ‘Bots finally showed up,” the prankster replied with nothing but contempt in his voice.

“Of course,” the diversion expert responded as he turned and started to walk back towards his own team, hoping that Oil Slick wouldn’t shoot him in the back with an acidic compound before Smokey had reached the relative safety of his friends.

With a scowl etched across his faceplate, the teleporter’s attention then returned to the chemical expert. “Sorry for the interruption, Oil Slick. Some ‘bots have no manners. Wish I could’ve just ripped Smokescreen apart right then and there, but we’re supposed to be working together so I guess that’ll have to wait for another time.”


((OOC: A Prowl post will be forthcoming. Sorry for the delay. Life's been busy.))