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Both Steeljaw and Ramhorn finished their bounce, dizzy and annoyed. Both cassettes disliked bouncing, and both deary wished someone would either make a more efficient mode of quick transport or fix the bugs with this one. Once they recovered their bearings, Steeljaw flashed Ramhorn a glance.

"You hop in too for the time being." Ramhorn audibly groaned. So much for that headstart he mused, disappointed.

"Fine." He grunted in response to his fellow cassette. Both cassettes jumped into Saferoute's open emergency door, Ramhorn very much unamused with his new ride. With a snort, he waited with quickly waning patience for Saferoute to ride into the battle.

El Dorado Refinery - Meat Shield Rodeo

Runamuck chauffered the fifteen humans towards the hard at work Octane. One of the humans was lagging behind, whether or not he was tired through his ordeal, terrified beyond comprehension - well there were other massive monstrous robots stomping around the oil refinery - or dragging his heels trying to work out an escape route. The silver white battlecharger growled at the human and kicked him with just enough force to motivate him forwards.

The human landed face first on the ground in an awkward heap at the feet of the other huddled humans. As the helpless man did, Runamuck gave a twisted snicker of amusement as he waved his Friction Rifle in the direction of the human throng that was slowly getting bigger around the fuel guzzling tanker-con. There was a noisy scuffle behind him, and turning to see what the commotion was all about - it was no surprise that it was the Decepticon's resident pintsize trouble makers.

The pair of pintsized trouble makers - unaffectionaly called the Twin Terrors by Runamuck - were Frenzy and Rumble, and they were more than eager for a scrap with each other. But as Runamuck observed, Motormaster put the twin terrors in their place, and then become engrossed with something on the horizon, and as Runamuck observed Motormaster out of the corner of his optic, he noticed that the Stunticon's resident brutalizer was priming himself for something else. He had drawn his atom-smasher rifle and had turned towards something in the distance.

Looking over at his braggart of a commander, Runamuck set his optics to scan, and as he slowly scanned the distance, his built in HUD alerted him to the energy trace of a form of teleportation.

'So that's what's got the attention of Motormaster...Autobrats most likely....'

He turned back to hold his rifle at the massed meatsheild around Octane, and at the same time he noticed Runabout hearding some of the remaining few humans towards the center of the refinery.

"I hope your Particle Beam rifle is fully charged...I think we might have some actual target practice soon..."



Runabout slogged back with the few humans that he had managed to wrangle up, but not before he squashed one of them into the ground. He was less than happy with his lot at the moment, as he was covered in splatters of blood from humans. One from the human on the motorway that he had drove through, the human he had squashed with his hand when he fell earlier, and now the human covering the sole of his foot.

He seemed to be getting all the crappy jobs lately, but at least he was out and about. It brought a smile to his face that he wasn't cooped up on the Ultrax. He imagined that the massive Contemptor would be going crazy about now. Ahh that thought brought a smile under his faceplate...then he realised that after this was all said and done.. he would have to face him again. Tch one would have thought that the mistake all those vorns ago would have been forgotten.

'I guess some 'Cons just can't let grudges go..' Runabout would have gotten a slap upside the grill from Runamuck if he spoke that aloud. His more than capable brother knew that may decepticon's would hold grudges, but also Runamuck would not hesitate in reminding him how he managed to get himself into the predicament between himself and the massive trophy hunter.

Runabout was snapped from his thought process by the voice of his brother Runamuck.

"I hope your Particle Beam rifle is fully charged...I think we might have some actual target practice soon..."

Sprints reeled from the bounce a little more than the others nearby, but quickly corrected himself. He wasn't used to bouncing, as he hadn't done it in a while, but his dexterity let him rebalance soon enough. He glanced around and saw that they were in an abandoned parking lot. Good, at least there won't be that many more humans to worry about.

Sprints caught Hex's eye just as the other headed out. He was about ready to flip the other 'Bot his own sarcastic grin when Axle put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. Sprints wasn't quite certain of what to make of Hex and Axle's varied actions, but he grinned back and put up a thumb.

With that, Sprints ran forward, leapt into the air, and transformed into a sleek Lamborghini as he landed. Revving his engine and accelerating quickly, he pushed himself both to catch up to Hot Spot and to grow faster and faster until he was even with Hex.

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

Protoforms. That was exactly what they both were. Always had been, in fact. So what was the point of offering a recommendation that would allow them to evade certain punishment for acting on their idiotic compulsions?

Similar to most of the questions swirling around in Dead End's helm, there was no point. Especially with nickel-plated nitwits like them. Sooner rather than later—much sooner in his estimation—Rumble and Frenzy would suffer the consequences for submitting to such heedless behaviour. Perhaps even fatally.

Which would amount to no big loss, provided Soundwave wasn't taken into consideration. The Decepticons might even begin to successfully complete missions from thereon in. With efficiency, too. Why a simple change like that could possibly alter their reputation, endowing—

Yes, of course... There was still the matter of the mechanoid currently leading the Decepticons. Just when Dead End pondered how things would look better without those two troublemakers, Starscream violated his thoughts.

He ran an actuator down his face-plate, sighing more heavily than usual. He forgot how useless hope was and how he had never benefited from it. It was a lesson he learned the hard way every so often.

Dead End glanced at Rumble and Frenzy, unfazed at their replies. “Fine then. Do as you please.” He lowered his gaze, directing it elsewhere. As long as it wasn't at them he didn't care. “Just don't do anything foolish around me.”

Being with the Cassetticons on this mission was about as much as he could tolerate. Quite like being around Motormaster for too long when he reflected on it. That was equally as awful, if not worse.

* * *

Abandoned Parking Lot Outside of El Dorado, Kansas

A tremendous beam of light struck the cement of an abandoned parking lot and a group of Autobots appeared to seep through the contracting flash. Blades quickly recovered from the bounce, conjured up scenes of violence the main reason why he repelled the bounce's effects so rapidly. They repeated themselves over and over in his mind, each time attaining a level of enticement greater than the previous one. He smiled and clenched his fists, ensuring they were going to propose agony on the Decepticons.

After Hot Spot issued his orders Blades transformed, his helicopter mode ascending into the blackness of the sky. Hot Spot had designated him the task of reconnoitering the refinery—but more crucially to discover how many Decepticons they would encounter. Blades hoped the number was an ample one; the more to destroy the better. He had a bet to win, after all.

He perused the ground below intently, his sophisticated optical sensor systems distinguishing everything that fell before them with ease. Although, in this instance, it was a bittersweet advantage to be in possession of. Amongst all the buildings and processing units sat human bodies, soaking in their individual pools of blood. So many lives had been taken away, never to return.

Blades took a moment to compose himself before transmitting a message to Hot Spot. >>”No signs of the 'Cons yet but the cowards decided to mess around with some of the humans who must work here.”<< He continued to survey the facility, his findings including more victims accompanied by several structures rent asunder. >>”I sure hope you meant it when you said something about taking them out for good.”<<

Up ahead Blades perceived an assortment of figures with some of the larger shapes undoubtedly belonging to the Decepticons. He had located his quarry but it was not a sight he was anticipating. Blades cursed, fully aware their mission could no longer demonstrate the straightforwardness it once held, particularly the physical aspect of it. Nevertheless, he apprised Hot Spot of his discovery.

>>”Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The good news is that I've found who we're up against and how many. Octane, the Stunticons, the Battlechargers, and those little frags, Rumble and Frenzy. But the bad news is that there are a whole heap of humans surrounding Octane's tanker mode, most likely taken as hostages.”<<

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

Breakdown had struggled slightly with keeping the humans in place around Octane, but only because they insisted on looking up at him. This irritated and angered him to no end, but he remained obedient by not stomping them into the pavement. He was prepared to contact Motormaster about being moved to a more secluded location away from the eyes of the meatsacks, but quickly thought otherwise.

With his weapon still trained on the prisoners, Breakdown lifted his head and looked toward the still darkened horizon. There was a faint sound coming from that particular direction that nearly caused the scout to hitch. Breakdown’s mouth dropped open as he realized just what the sound was.
The white and blue mech took a few shaky steps backwards before he raised his servo to his audio and opened a link with Motormaster.

>>”Hey, boss! I can hear the sound of a copter comin’ from the north. I can’t tell from here if it’s a human vehicle or a ‘Bot. I, uh, think that maybe…”<<

Breakdown trailed off as he tried to focus on the now growing form of the helicopter. If he lived through this battle he’d need to find a new line of work….maybe.

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

The sound from an approaching helicopter did not go unnoticed by Motormaster either but he had to admit that Breakdown's reaction to it certainly did arrive before the Stunticon commander had picked the noise himself. However, Breakdown was not going to be thanked for the news.

"Blades." Motormaster growled and rised his atom-smasher rifle towards the direction his audio receptors were registering the noise from.

"Everyone stay your ground! If you get a visual of that helicopter, shoot it down!"

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado Kansas

Runabout titled his head slightly as he heard Runamuck mention about getting his weaponry ready. It was no sooner than it was said that Breakdown had picked up on the sounds of rotorblades whupping in the sky. Runabout dulled out the surrounding commotion as he trained his audio receptors to focus on the whupping sound of the blades chopping the air above the refinery.

He turned and looked up at the sky, his optics focusing in on the location of the sound. His hud flashed up with a warning as the originator of the sound. His optics zoomend in and pulled up the image on his HUD. It was that damned protectobot Blades.

Runabout was going to alert the rest that there was a pesky audobrat above them, but Motormaster beat him to it. The gruff and baritone rumble cut the air around the other Decepticons. "Everyone stay your ground! If you get a visual of that helicopter, shoot it down!"

"Yeah no problem..." Runabout grumbled as he raised his Particle Beam Rifle and trained it on the sky. With a casual aim, Runabout's HUD brought up his targetting system, and set it to track the sound of the helicopter blades, making it seem like he wasn't really paying attention - but he would be ready alright...



Runamuck grinned behind his faceplate. He'd called it right. There was going to be some auto-butt kicking. He heard Motormaster's gruff instruction, and he readied himself.

He wanted to shootdown that pest of a protectobot, and he would enjoy every moment of it. In fact Runamuck couldn't wait to get into combat with Blades. He wanted to rip him apart servo by servo - micro-board by micro-board.

Maybe with this - if he and Runabout made it back with their aft-plates intact, it would give them the recognition that they sought after. Would it also meamn that it would indoctrinate them into Motormaster's gang of misfits?

Time would tell....

'Come on Blades...Bring it!'

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado Kansas

Wildrider's more sadistic nature perked up at the mention of Blades. Where there was one Protectobot there were bound to be more. And the Protectobots represented everything Wildrider stood against: defense, the status quo, order. You could run the list. Wildrider hated it. And them.

Whipping out his rifle,, the device locking itself on to one arm, Wildrider's increasingly twisted optics scanned the surroundings, his auditory sensors now picking up the same disruption that Breakdown had earlier.

Who knew they'd get to go back to killing Autobots so quickly?

Things were looking up.

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

Once Drag Strip had delivered his latest quarry of humans to the ever expanding “flesh shield” around Octane, he moved away once again to look for even more. He had no intention of stopping until there were either no more meat sacks to find or the Autobots had finally arrived on the scene. As luck would have it the latter was apparently the case with the familiar flash of a bounce beam in the distance followed a short time later by the sounds of a helicopter approaching from the north. Motormaster ordered everyone to shoot the chopper down if a visual was achieved, and the yellow Stunticon was more than happy to oblige his aggressive leader.

Bringing his weapon to bare, Drag Strip looked to the darkened skies above as the growing sound of spinning rotors became almost deafening in his audio receptors. Then, over the rise of a group of buildings, came the sight of a Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopter in the recognizable red and white color scheme of the Protectobot Blades. “There you are,” the former champion racer muttered quietly to himself as he raised his gravito-gun up and took aim. It was still possible that this was merely a human rescue chopper, but he highly doubted it considering the recent far off light burst from a bounce beam.

When the helicopter was within range of his weapon Drag Strip opened fire, hoping to knock out the rotors and bring it down whether it be Blades or just an ordinary fleshling aircraft. Either way, Drag would be following Motormaster’s orders and once again show the rest of the team who the best really was.

Approaching the Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

Hot Spot would have grimaced at Blades’ report if he were in robot mode. Instead there was no way to outwardly display his displeasure at his teammate’s news. It was low even by Motormaster’s standards. The mass destruction was typical, but taking hostages was cowardly, especially for a Stunticon who prided himself on being so tough. Something more was definitely going on. At the very least they were likely protecting a fully loaded Octane.

>>”Alright Blades, good work, now get back to the rest of us. I want us to hit them all together.”<<

The Protectobot leader switched channels so he could contact the entire team. >>”Alright Autobots, it looks like we are up against the Stunticons, Battlechargers, Rumble, Frenzy and Octane. It looks like they have taken some human hostages, surrounding Octane with them. I think it’s safe to assume that he is fully loaded with something that they are out to protect. Saferoute, I want you and the cassettes to go right for them and clear the humans out. Take down Octane too if you need to, but getting the humans to safety is top priority for now. The rest of us will charge in and keep the rest of the Decepticons busy. Since the Decepticons have already broken infiltration protocol don’t worry about your own disguises”<<

With his orders given Hot Spot increased his speed. With all of the destruction the Decepticons had already wrought in the area there wasn’t any point to obeying any speed limits. With hostages on the line time was of the essence.

*

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

Rumble and Frenzy glared up at Motormaster, but remained quiet. They knew they had tested the limits of the Stunticon leader and were willing to back down, for now.

Approaching the Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

As soon as Steeljaw and Ramhorn jumped in, Saferoute shut the emergency exit in the back and headed behind the others full speed, slowly but surely starting to catch up to the rest of them. As she drove on she saw the damage the Decepticons had already left. Despite all the wreckage, however, the most troubling things she saw were the human remains. Some looked like they were run over, others shot by laser fire, even a few that looked like they had been squished. Every so often she would slow down a little in the hopes of finding some signs of life, but to no avail.

"Slaggit, we should have got here earlier!", the bus-former cursed as she tried to focus on the road in front of her, "They didn't deserve this! This isn't their war!"

It was then that she got the news from Hot Spot, and her spark ran cold. Hostages. Though part of her felt a slight relief that there were still a number of humans alive, she knew that things could change very easily. On Cybertron she had been in this kind of situation many times, and it had never ended well. But back then she was alone, the only bot who seemed to care about the little creatures that were being threatened. This time she had help, and she was determined that it would end differently.

<<Just keep those slaggers off my bumper until I have the humans all loaded up, guys. Once they're inside they'll be safe and I'll get them far away from here.>>

The red headed bus driver looked back at her two passengers, as the emergency exit opened again. Although Hot Spot had said to forget about infiltration protocols, she felt that having a human face to greet them would make the humans all the more willing to accept her help.

"All right Steeljaw, Ramhorn, don't take this the wrong way, but the humans would probably freak out if they saw you back there.", Saferoute said with all seriousness, "So as soon as we're close enough, jump out. If you could, try to keep those little punks Rumble and Frenzy occupied. It'll be a lot harder getting the humans on board if there's a tremor or a sonic attack."

The driver looked back ahead, focussing on the road. No matter how fast she drove, for Saferoute it wasn't nearly fast enough.

-------------------

Groove had hoped that he could talk to the Stunticons before any lasers were fired. He had hoped that Hot Spot would allow him to go ahead, unarmed, while the other Autobots stayed behind. Even when seeing the carnage and destruction the Decepticons had caused, he still hoped there was some way to avoid a conflict. Those hopes were dashed away when he heard the word hostages. Any hopes for a peaceful resolution were now scrapped.

"Since when do the Stunticons take hostages?", the scout talked mostly to himself, "This can't be right."

Groove shut off his avatar as Hot Spot gave the order, the motorcycle now moving without anyone on it.

Something must be going on here. If they had time to collect hostages, then they most certainly would have had time to collect whatever fuel they needed and leave. Are they hiding something, or is this a distraction? Maybe I can still talk to one of them while keeping them distracted, but who?

Approaching the Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

Hex had been keeping pace with Hot Spot only out of consideration to Axle who would certainly rend him limb from limb if he sped off on his own. The young mech, however, was getting more impatient by the mile. Had he been in robot mode he would have grit his teeth and curled his hands into tight balled fists. He was raging and if he didn’t get to vent in a physical way he’d probably explode. I can’t take this slag! We’re literally pacing it to the ‘Cons, and for what, so that glorified weather balloon can head back to us?! This is a joke! A literal joke!

Hex’s thoughts were interrupted by Hot Spot’s voice coming through his comm. line. Not to his surprise, the message was more intended for Saferoute and the Cassettes, as Hot Spot only mentioned that the rest of the group was to keep the ‘Cons busy. With a heavy groan Hex finally voiced his displeasure with the, so called, plan.

“A distraction! Are you fraggin’ serious?! If you titanium plated dolts wanna be the distraction; that's fine with me me. I'm headin' in there to crack some cranials!!”

He hadn’t even finished his statement before he was speeding past Hot Spot and heading directly for the center of the refinery.

Thanks to his larger slower alt mode, Axle had fallen to the rear of the traveling troupe. They were moving along a steady pace, and the field medic was keeping one sensor locked on his ward just as precaution. Soon his comm. line came to life with Hot Spot’s voice breaking through the silence. Axle let out a low sigh of relief when their commander ordered then to just keep the ‘Cons busy while Saferoute and the Cassettes gathered the humans and took them to a secure location.

His contentment was shattered when his audios picked up the very last word Hex said and the sound of his acceleration. Snapping out of his slight stupor, Axle hit his own accelerator and took off after the young mech. He quickly over took their team commander and silently chided himself for doing exactly what he said he’d never do.

>>”Hex! Stop! You head in there half cocked and you’re gonna get yourself killed, not to mention get the rest of us slaughtered! Hex! Damn it! Stop!”<<

Hex paid no attention to Axle’s pleas.

Approaching Frontier Refinery-El Dorado, Kansas

Sprints was running even with Hot Spot and Hex for a ways, going through the motions of battle sequences in his mind. Melee, pound in with fists and guns. Close range, close while firing then instigate melee. Mid-range, evasive advancing followed by fists. Far-range, fraggin' dodge. Sprints would have nodded if he could have; he thought, all told, that it was a pretty damn good plan.

Suddenly a transmission from Hot Spot came in over the comm sequence. Distraction? Sprints wasn't too thrilled about that plan, at least until he realized that high-temp bullets and superhard fists were relatively distracting. Suddenly even more eager to get to the 'Cons, Sprints revved his engine, but didn't leave Hot Spot's side.

Then he saw Hex zoom off after spouting some bit of slag about cracking cranials. Sprints wasn't sure what to do-- on the one actuator, he knew that he ought to stay with the CO, i.e., Hot Spot, but on the other, he felt that he should try to keep his teammates safe - even if the teammate in question was, as the humans had once said in a phrase that Sprints liked, "cruising for a bruising."

Sprints's mind was closer to made up when he saw Axle zoom ahead of the pack after Hex. Taking a risk, he sped up a short distance so he was midway between the leader and the medic, then sent a message to Axle.

<<Axle, I can get to Hex faster than you. Unless you say otherwise, I'm going in. I'd hate to see him drop before admitting I'm not slag, eh?>>

With that, Sprints accelerated to draw even with Axle, ready to either fall back to the main group or to follow Hex.

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

Motormaster's sensors could already register the approaching low rumble from the engines of the Autobot team sent here to stop him and his gang of Decepticons. They were getting closer but he still had some time to spare to order his men around to make certain he'd get the reaction he was baiting for from the Autobots.

"Frenzy, get into the human crowd around Octane. Make sure that the Autobots will have to go through the meatsacks to get to you. And if they do go for the fleshlings like I wager they will, kill a human for every step they take towards you." The towering Stunticon leader instructed the small Decepticon who truly lived up to his name - with a malicious smile on his face.

Walking over the quivering human mass next to Octane, trampling few humans that were not fast enough to move out of his way - Motormaster then reached down and grabbed couple of humans with his free hand. "Octane, open your doors."

Not daring to challenge Motormaster in any manner despite his reluctance towards having any of those disgusting organics inside him, Octane quickly complied with the Stunticon leader's orders and opened the doors of his truck cabin.

"These meatsacks are your guarantee of getting out of here in one piece, the energon you carry is worth far more than your presence in the coming battle. Those goody-two shoes ain't going to take the risk of attacking you with humans locked inside of you." Motormaster smirked and tossed the humans inside Octane's cabin where they were immediately bound by Octane's seat belts.

As Octane's doors slammed shut, Motormaster straightened out and with a smug grin on his face, the large Decepticon watched as Drag Strip made an attempt to shoot the helicopter that had dared to enter the area down. Letting out an amused chuckle, Motormaster mocked the former racer one more time before moving forth with his plans. "Doesn't look like you hit anything there champ. I am amazed you haven't shot yourself already with such marksmanship."

Having finished tormenting Drag Strip, the demonic Stunticon cranked his loudspeakers to a voice level that the incoming Autobots could not miss. And a moment later, Motormaster's deep, doom-laden voice boomed beyond the boundaries of the refinery. "Autobots! Let us pretend for a moment you actually care for these pathetic organics!"

A short pause followed before Motormaster continued with his threat. He really didn't care how the Autobots would reply. Likely they would try to bait him by calling him a coward. That was hardly the case and it would not work, not this time. Motormaster was merely buying time for Octane to finish up and leave the refinery. He was not going to miss this chance for revenge. "I have rounded up nearly hundred human workers of this refinery! Failure to cease your advancing towards our position is to sign the death warrant of them all!"

Approaching Frontier Refinery-El Dorado, Kansas

Ramhorn groaned audibly when Saferoute kept on slowing down to check on dead civilians. Steeljaw glared at his fellow cassette when he did such, hoping his annoyance was clearly conveyed. Ramhorn snorted in response each time. Eventually, Saferoute slowed down to a complete stop...and Motormaster delivered the news that he held hostages.

"Don't worry about it Saferoute" Steeljaw responded confidently, hiding his own concerns.

Slag

"Me and Ramhorn'll deal with those nasty cassettes and give you a chance to get free, don't worry about it." Steeljaw's advanced sensors picked up the bus-bot's doors opening. The two hopped out in compliance with Saferoute's idea.

"We'll be fine...and no offense taken." Steeljaw responded. Both cassettes watched as Saferoute rolled out.

"Good riddance." Ramhorm snarled. "I wanna bust up Rumble big time, I'm rearing to go, let's do this thing!"

"Sounds good, Ramhorn. I'll take down Frenzy then." Steeljaw responded. "We'll take a different way from the other Autobots so we can make our way in." Ramhorn nodded eagerly in response, and without another shared word the two cassettes sprinted off. Steeljaw could see the situation from here- hopefully the others would let them slip around and take out the Decepticon cassettes.

"Got a scent, follow me!" Ramhorn complied. The two sprinted towards a different section of the refinery, one far away from where the Autobots were rolling in. Their advance would cover their slip around, hopefully.

>>Hot Spot, this is Steeljaw. Ramhorn and I are heading into a different part of the refinery outskirts, see if we can't help out the hostages.<<

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

The silver Chrysler ME 412 never eased up, in fact it actually increased; this only caused the International 4300 Lo-Profile flatbed to increase its own speed in order to catch up to the sports car. Hex paid no heed to anything Axle was saying and instead pressed on toward the refinery. It was at that time when Motormaster’s voice carried over the din of their engines. Axle nearly stopped when the severity of what the Stunticon Commander had said hit him. Oh sweet Primus!

Axle pushed himself harder in order to catch up with his ward and stop him. His comm line crackled to life as Sprints’ voice came through. If only it were that easy.

>>”I appreciate it, Sprints, I honestly do, but he won’t listen to you. With the way he’s spiraling he’s liable to take out his frustrations on you.”<<

With his message sent Axle concentrated on stopping Hex. The field medic finally pulled alongside of the young mech and quickly transformed to his robot mode. He quickly moved into Hex’s path causing the bot to stop and transform.

“Get the hell out of my way, Axle!”

The two mech’s had ended their advance on the outskirts of the refinery where the towering form of Motormaster could easily be seen with; not only his subordinates but also the human hostages surround Octane. Axle took a tentative look over his shoulder at the ‘Cons before turning his attention back to Hex. The medic flashed his ward a pained expression before he addressed the youngster.

“I can’t let you go, Hex. Not when there are innocent humans at risk. We need to come up with a way to get them out of harm’s way before we can move in on the ‘Cons.”

Hex’s angered expression morphed into something Axle didn’t recognize. It caused him to take a slight step back.

“I don’t give a slag that they have hostages! They’re simple collateral damage!”

Axle gazed at the mech in shock. He hadn’t realized just how far gone the young mech was until now. Without countering, Axle turned and slowly moved toward the boundary of the refinery arm spread wide and brandishing no weapons.

“Motormaster! We need to talk!”

Hex watched his guardian as he made his way to the outskirts of the foundry and called to the Stunticon Commander. The silver mech’s furious expression faded in its place a look of pure disspointment.

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

"Stand your weapons boys, let's hear what this Autobot has to say!" Motormaster thundered, making a gesture with his free hand as a sign for his Decepticons to not to attack Axle.

With an amused smirk on his face, Motormaster's red optics burned triumphantly in the dark as he evaluated the lone Autobot before him. Average frame. No weapons. No sign of backup at least yet. And by the looks of it, this one was a medic by trade - evidently compassionate enough to throw himself to the wolves in hopes of saving the lives of the hostages the Decepticons had taken.

"We need to talk?" Motormaster chuckled. "Who are you to make such a request to me? I am hardly convinced of you being in charge of your unit doc. But entertain me. I will listen what you have to say. I can promise you that much."

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado Kansas

Runabout had wheeled round when he heard the voice of an Autobot coming from behind them. He instantly brought up his weapon and aimed it at the autobot. An autobot who dared have the audacity to speak to those who were far more superior to him.

"Why should we listen to him.. let me blast him right now!!" Runabout said harshly as he took a step towards the medic.

Runamuck punched him upside the head. There was a resounding clang as he did so, and a series of grumbles from Runabout.

"Can your griping you sprocket brained idiot..." Runamuck said as he turned and kept his optics alert.

It was then that Motormaster turned and spoke to the Autobot.

"Stand your weapons boys, let's hear what this Autobot has to say!" Motormaster thundered, making a gesture with his free hand as a sign for his Decepticons to not to attack Axle.

With an amused smirk on his face, Motormaster's red optics burned triumphantly in the dark as he evaluated the lone Autobot before him. Average frame. No weapons. No sign of backup at least yet. And by the looks of it, this one was a medic by trade - evidently compassionate enough to throw himself to the wolves in hopes of saving the lives of the hostages the Decepticons had taken.

"We need to talk?" Motormaster chuckled. "Who are you to make such a request to me? I am hardly convinced of you being in charge of your unit doc. But entertain me. I will listen what you have to say. I can promise you that much."

Runamuck was suspicious about the whole thing - So suspicious that, after kicking Runabout in the aftplate he sent a private message to Motormaster.

>>"Motormaster, I'd wager he's a distraction to keep us occupied till they try a rescue on the humans..."<<

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

Hex watched Axle with a perturbed expression plastered across his youthful visage as the field medic stupidly approached Motormaster. From what he could tell Axle insisted that he and the loathsome Stunticon needed to talk. I hope for your sake you’re not doing this to teach me a lesson, because if you are I’m gonna kill you.

With his arms still spread to either side, Axle looked to all of the Decepticons present just to reassure himself that they actually followed the savage commander’s order not to harm him. Once was satisfied, Axle slowly lowered his arms and took a tentative step forward.

“You’re right. I’m not the commander of this team, but I felt it necessary that I do something to help these innocent humans.”

Axle gestured to the men surrounding Octane and the ones scattered between the Stunticons and the two Battlechargers. The medic took a quick scan of their vitals and concluded that they were all in good physical health barring, of course, their psychological health. Satisfied with his scans on the humans, Axle turned his attention back to Motormaster.

“Let these men go, you know you don’t need them. Please, they are not part of any of this.”

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

When Hex, Axle and Sprints had started racing up ahead, Groove had felt dread.

They're going to get those human's killed! What are they thinking, they're just asking Motormaster to open fire!

The scout sped up ahead of Hot Spot, hoping to prevent them from doing anything rash. His motorcycle mode had been meant more for manueverability then pure speed, so he wasn't able to overtake any of them before they reached the refinery. As soon as he reached the others he noticed Axle trying to talk to Motormaster. Not wanting the young mech to possibly interfere with a potential peaceful resolution, but not wanting to provoke him either, Groove drove up to Hex and transformed back into his robot mode a few feet to the side of him.

"Settle down.", Groove whispered to the silver mech, "This may be our only chance to get the humans out without any further casualties. We need to give him a chance."

It's good to know there are other Autobots who prefer a less violent solution to conflict. Axle has definitely earned my respect., Groove thought as he watched intently at the possible negotiations with cautious hope.

--------------


"Good luck", Saferoute wished the two cassettes after they had jumped out, the emergency exit in the back shutting behind them.

Despite Motormaster's threat she sped up faster, knowing the human's lives were in danger regardless of the situation, as long they were with the Decepticons. The sooner she reached them, the sooner they would be out of harm's way.

After a minute she eventually caught with Hot Spot and passed by him without saying anything. She didn't care for rank and file when human lives were at stake. When she arrived she had found most of the other Autobots already there, with Axle attempting to talk some sense to Motormaster.

Before long she spotted the hostages surrounding Octane, and to her horror there were at least a dozen dead bodies outside the main crowd. She could also just make out either Rumble or Frenzy within the crowd, placing them in even greater danger. But what worried Saferoute the most was their numbers- Motormaster was telling the truth, there were almost one hundred humans. Her bus mode had been built to carry less then 80.

They'd have to cram in tight and stand, but hopefully I can fit them all in. I'd just have to be extra careful not to crash or roll over during a sharp turn.

While the other Autobots mostly stood still at the edge, Saferoute slowly inched toward the humans, hoping that none of the Decepticons would notice.

Frontier Refinery - El Dorado, Kansas

A frown became etched across Drag Strip’s faceplate when his shots at the Autobot helicopter had apparently missed their target. That scowl went even deeper once Motormaster began mocking him and suggesting that his marksmanship was less than perfect. That’s right, I am a champ, Motormouth! The former racer thought to himself, not daring to utter those words aloud as his belligerent leader would no doubt pound him into scrap metal without thinking twice. It was times like these that Drag couldn’t help but wonder why he had joined the Stunticons to begin with. It had been so long that he couldn’t even remember the exact reason. Was it for the glory of being a part of a specialty unit in the same vein as the Predacons or Combaticons? That might have been it. Too bad his comrades ended up being more like a band of degenerate misfits under an abusive leader than actual elite warriors like in those other squads. None of that mattered now, of course. The yellow mech was here and he had to make the best of what the Allspark had dealt him. Perhaps someday his situation would change, but that day was a long ways off.

Turning his attention away from the fleeing helicopter, Drag Strip listened to Motormaster's booming voice as he threatened to kill the fleshings if the Autobots didn't stop their advance. A short time later, Drag laid his optics on an unusual sight. The Autobot medic known as Axle had begun a cautious approach, wanting to speak with the Stunticon Commander directly. At first, the former racer simply grinned and aimed his gravito-gun at the foolish doctor regardless of his intent to talk things out. But then came the surprising order to stand down and Drag reluctantly compiled with his abrasive leader's wishes. What’s Motorhead doing, toying with him? We should just blast the fragger now so he can’t heal the other ‘Bots later on in battle. But, what do I know?

Drag Strip listened with great amusement as Axle requested that the meat sacks be let go, arguing that they were not needed and should be left out of the coming fight. The yellow Stunticon couldn’t help but agree that the humans were not really needed as the Decepticons present were more than capable of taking on the Autobots without hiding behind a flesh shield. However, Motormaster found it necessary to do so, and it had admittedly been fun watching these tiny men squirm in the process of rounding them up. Still, Drag wanted to get on with this battle already. This was meant to be a distraction and fuel raid not a stand-off that simply delayed the inevitable.

As Drag Strip awaited his commander’s expected rejection of Axle’s ludicrous request, the yellow mech set his optics past the field medic where he could make out several more Autobots that had gathered at the outskirts of the refinery. He didn’t care about any of them, except for one. Standing there was the unmistakable silver form of Hex, the source of Drag's recent torment that had rivaled even what Motormaster was capable of. The former racer gripped his weapon tighter as both fear and anger swept through his circuits. Everything that had happened at Mount St. Helens came flooding back at once, but instead of allowing the fear to take over, the yellow Stunticon pushed his anger and rage to the forefront. Vengeance was in control here, not trepidation. Soon, it would be the crazy young 'Bot that would learn what it meant to be afraid.

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

>>"Runabout. If stating the obvious is all you have to share, just keep you trap shut and wait a while longer."<< Motormaster replied back to Runabout through internal communicator with clear annoyance in his tone. Questioning him was something that a wiser mechanoid would understand to avoid. Now, Runabout had just managed to increase his chances of joining Motormaster's hall of pain at later date.

“You’re right. I’m not the commander of this team, but I felt it necessary that I do something to help these innocent humans. Let these men go, you know you don’t need them. Please, they are not part of any of this.”

As Axle approached Motormaster, so did the towering Stunticon leader approach the Autobot medic until they were standing only few feet apart. Placing his free hand on Axle's shoulder gently while all the time being prepared to take a crushing grip of the field medic, Motormaster locked his optics with the smaller Transformer. While already keeping his servos in a state that would have made the escape of someone with Axle's strength impossible despite of not actually hurting the Autobot yet. But were Axle to struggle, he would immediately feeling Motormaster's digits digging into his shoulder armoring.

"No. *I* do not need them." The malevolent Decepticon smirked with clear amusement in his doom-laden voice. "But they are an excellent bargaining tool."

Despite being seemingly focused on Axle, the ever keen optical sensors of Motormaster's had not failed to notice Saferoute's attempt of slowly creeping closer to the humans either. Unceremoniously the large Stunticon pointed his atom-smasher rifle on cyclone setting at a small group of humans that had somehow been caught between him and the Autobot coach and fired the weapon. The tremendously powerful's winds created by the weapon threw four humans hundreds of meters into the air and towards the yellow Autobot. Whether or not the Autobots would attempt to save their lives, Motormaster could not care less. The action had been made to prove his point. More would perish if he was ignored again. "I would prefer not to repeat myself! Cease advancing towards our position or more humans will cease to function!"

"And you." Motormaster addressed Axle again, his optics flashing dangerously. "Pray tell me, why should I let the fleshlings go?"

Frontier Refinery- El Dorado, Kansas

Sprints understood Axle's concerns. That Hex had so suddenly sped ahead after openly declaring his unhappiness with Hot Spot's plan attested to his anger, and while Sprints was always up to a challenge or a spar, even he figured right now probably wasn't the best time for infighting. He fell back from Axle... but just a little bit.

It turned out to be a good idea to remain only slightly behind, as Axle and Hex appeared to have a short altercation before the medic turned to face the Decepticons and shouted out to their leader.
Forger-fragger, what in the name of Primus is he doing???

Sprints accelerated for the last stretch, then transitioned into bot mode, sliding out sideways as he transformed so as to maintain both speed and balance. He stood just a little behind and to the side of Hex, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself but keeping an eye on the unfolding events. He kept himself limber, ready to act at a moment's notice.

As such, Sprints noticed the arrival of both Saferoute and Groove. He was about to nod to the busbot when he realized she was probably inching forward like that in an attempt at stealth, and decided not to blow whatever cover she may have had. He cringed, however, when Groove admonished Hex. Oh, Primus, be with that poor 'Bot...

Refinery - El Dorado Kansas

Runamuck stood watching what the Autobot medic was doing. It galled him to see such affrontery from such a lowly life form, so much so that behind his faceplate his moth contorted as if he had just taken a swig of very very bad energon. It was bad enough that he had to constantly cater to Runabout's bumbling and repeated idiotic actions. As a result of his constant dimwittery, Runamuck had to deal with everything else that came along with it.

Holding his rifle across infront of him in both hands, Runamuck would be ready for any sudden moves that the Autobot infront of them would pull off. It wasn't too long, however, untill another Autobot made an appearance. It was that blasted hairtrigger Hex!

Runamuck's mood wasn't getting any better - it was getting darker and more foul by the minute. It was then that he had noticed that glitching Protectobot Groove show up as well. He opened a private comm to Drag Strip.

>>"Fan-Fraggin-Tastic!!! Firstly and underrated no name medic who shows up with his pet hairtrigger...and now that mother-glitching pacifist of a Protectobot has shown up....is this all they have to send against us?"<<

'Hmm....If Groove is here, then indeed the remaining Protectobots would be nearby....'

Runamuck thought to himself as he remembered a confrontation he had vorns ago with the one they called Blades.

Runabout however, took a different tact. Using his initiative - well some would call it smarts, but Runabout made more mistakes than clever decisions to warrant that description - he scanned the surrounding area for more Autobots whilst Motormaster, Runamuck and Drag Strip were focused on the three Autobots infront of them. His scanner picked up the location of a few more Autobots, and one was far too close for his own comfort.

Focusing on the closest Autobot on his scanner, it pulled up the image of a bus. His system's cross referenced it to the multi-carriers that the miserable humans used to transport many of them from location to location. He gave a frown, his optics focusing in on the bus coming towards the refinery.

Runabout, not one for mincing his words, was about to mention the approach of the Auto-Bus but it had already been noticed by Motormaster. Runabout groaned at Motormaster's comms message. Why was it every time he tried to help out, he was a parsec to slow or stated the obvious. He guessed thats why Runamuck was always floating around behind him - to keep him on the right path.

There was a collective snigger from both Runabout and Runamuck as the small group of humans were turned into broken heaps from the fall. The point yet again stated by their leader that, whilst the humans weren't really needed, they made an excellent barganing tool to hold over the autobots.

Runabout, turning in the direction of the bus called Saferoute, pointed his cannon at the femme-bot, ready to take a shot if need be. He had to redeem himself somehow - his constant blundering was making him and his twin look really bad.

'Just bring it auto-brat' Runabout thought to himself as he waited, watching Motormaster out of one optic, and keeping the other trained on the busformer...

Frontier Refinery – El Dorado, Kansas

Breakdown nearly had a conniption when he spotted the Autobot medic show up on their proverbial front doorstep. All at once he pointed his concussion rifle at the immediate threat. Unfortunately he didn’t get to use it as Motormaster instructed everyone to lower their weapons and let the ‘Bot speak. Breakdown nearly panicked, optics moving from one comrade to the next finally he settled on Drag Strip whose focus was not even on the medic, but instead something just outside their perimeter.

Breakdown’s engine began to turn over a slow, low rumble at first, but it continued to grow slowly. The paranoid mech opened up a line with the yellow racer.

>>”He…hey, Drag? Ain’t that that Autobrat that tried to offline you in the old base?”<<

Axle’s optics remained glued to those of the much taller Motormaster as he approached and stopped only a few feet away from the medic. Axle flinched slightly when the Stunticon raised his hand and placed it gently on his shoulder. It was then that the field medic realized that if he tried to move out of the Stunticon Commander’s grasp not only would he be dispatched, but the humans would also be killed.

Lowering his gaze to the ground and relaxing his shoulder, Axle listened to Motormaster explain that he personally did not need the humans, but they were useful anyway as a bargaining ship. All at once Axle’s head snapped up when he heard the large ‘Con’s atom-smasher rifle power up and he aimed it at a grouping of humans. Axle quickly strained to look over his un-obscured shoulder to see the resulting blast lift four of the humans hundreds of meters into the air. Axle let out a low growl before he turned a heated gaze up at Motormaster.

At the Stunticon’s query Axle glanced down at his caught shoulder and then back up into those dead optics. The medic knew when was in store and did not want to fight it.

“Let the humans go and you can use me as your bargaining tool. You said so yourself, they are of no use to you, but I can be.”

Hex watched intently as Axle had inched closer toward Motormaster, but he dared not advance for fear that he would cause the lunatic rig to tear into his guardian. However, the young mech was seething inside. Not only did he want to rend Motormaster limb from limb, but he also wanted to scream at Axle for being so stupid. The whole ordeal was wearing on him; sooner or later he was going to crack.

Hex’s intakes were hitching causing his internal fans to kick in. The anxiety of the situation was already having an effect on his circuits. Hex never even noticed the arrival of Groove or Sprints, instead he simply kept his focus on Axle. As if on cue the young mech’s optics began to scan the gathered Decepticons. When one particular signature flashed in his HUD he zeroed in on it. Hex’s bright cerulean optics met Drag Strip’s crimson ones and there they stayed.