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Under the Oil Rig

Smokescreen made haste in his ascension of the oil platform. His Autobot comrades were up there fighting for their lives and he needed to get back into action to help them as quickly as possible. Smokey’s back still hurt from Nightraven’s attack, but it was nothing he couldn’t persevere through. Thankfully, the femme seeker had not yet followed him below the platform. Perhaps she thought the diversion expert had been killed and was lying at the bottom of the ocean.

If she only knew, Smokescreen thought to himself with a slight grin as he pulled himself onto a catwalk-like structure that was suspended just beneath the main deck. There wasn’t enough room to stand up, at least not for an Autobot, but Smokey was able to crawl along as he looked for a way up to all the action.

The red and blue Autobot then stopped at the sound of Hound’s voice coming from just above his position. The green scout was calling to Prowl for backup, but Smokey didn’t hear an immediate response. It sounds like Hound’s in trouble and Prowl’s probably got his own problems to contend with. I need to get up there, and I need to do it now!

Smokescreen then noticed a small hatch that lead upwards, but it was only big enough for a human to fit through. But perhaps Smokey could make it big enough for him to fit through with a well placed shot from his laser rifle. It’s worth a try!

Above the Oil Rig

Skywarp looked down at the green metal heap that was the Autobot Hound near the edge of the platform. His laser blasts had hit home and caused enough damage to the scout that ‘Warp could see some lubricant leaking out of him. “That looks like it hurts, Autobot!” Skywarp said followed by a maniacal laugh. The teleporter landed on both feet only a short distance away from where Hound lay wounded. Pointing his arm-mounted laser at the green mech, Skywarp smiled. “Now it’s time to finish you off!”

However, before Skywarp could fire his killing shot, Thundercracker’s message came over his comm. Oh, for slag’s sake, ‘Warp thought as he opened a comm line back to his blue friend:

>>Roger that, ‘Cracker! I’ll send help your way now.<<

The teleporter than opened another comm to his wing mates:

>>Solarstrike, Riptide, Firebat and Blackstar, if any of you are able, drop what you’re doing and go help Thundercracker with collecting fuel from this rig immediately.<<

Switching off his comm, Skywarp turned his attention back towards the wounded Hound. “Now, where was I?” However, before the seeker was able to utter another syllable, laser fire ripped through the deck of the platform as Smokescreen suddenly emerged from underneath the rig. Unable to react in time, Skywarp came under intense fire as the diversionary tactician unleashed a barrage of lasers on the teleporter, striking him multiple times in the upper body and forcing him backwards and away from Hound.

“Take that Decepticon punk!” Smokescreen yelled as he continued to fire at the surprised Skywarp, striking him in the head. Disoriented and unable to focus, 'Warp had no other choice but to teleport away in order to regroup and avoid further damage.

Smokescreen then turned his attention to Hound and ran over to the wounded Autobot. ”You okay, buddy?” The diversion expert asked as he knelt down beside the green scout and pulled him away from the edge of the platform. Smokey then inspected the damage to his comrade's side. “It’s not as bad as it looks. I'm not Ratchet, but I should be able to patch you up to prevent more lubricant from escaping.” Smokey then went to work and before too long the fluid had stopped flowing. “There, that should do it. It’s not a permanent fix, but it’ll do for now. Just avoid taking any more damage to your side or you’ll start leaking again.”

Oil Platform

Prowls initial advance did nothing to really drive back his opponenet. instead, he was now coming at him in a rather sizable locomotive mode, fiirng at him. Prowl carefully dodged the incomming alser fire and rolled out of the way, taking a hit to the door wing as Astrotrain came at him. He gave Astrotrain a free pass on that one, so he could annalyise his form for a weakness. He quickly did a cross-reference form the particular model and relaised it was a vehilce that only achived optimal performance on a track-based path, incapable of manueverability and sluggish to start. He was certain aside ramming attacks and the lasefire, Astrotrain would be limited in that mode. But this gave him an opportunity to exploit weaknesses. Quickly annalysing the mode, he found the bars at the bottom of the vehicle pushing the wheels. That was the weakpoint and he had just the wepaponry to derail the triplechanger.

He transformed into car mode and chased after Astrotrain, accelerating so eh could try and get ahead of the triplechanger, believing that the flat surface had ot be slowing him down. All he had to do was get ahead of him.

"How about a game of 'Cops and Con's' [b]Astrotrain/b]?" he asked following after the triplechanger.

Oil Platform

Still worried about Bumblebee, Hound didn't see Skywarp bearing down on him until the Seeker was pointing his lasers at him. He froze up, unsure of what to do: His missile launcher was empty and he could barely move. The only option was to throw himself off the side of the rig, but in his damaged state he might not be able to swim to safety before sinking to the depths of the ocean...

Just before the wounded scout was preparing to dive however, a flurry of blaster bolts sent the Seeker flying into retreat, and Smokescreen appeared to aid him. Hound winced as his friend began patching him up, still a little stunned at how badly things had gotten out of hand.

"Thanks Smokescreen, I feel a bit better now. But Bumblebee needs saving as much as I did, we gotta go help him now." Getting shakily to his feet, Hound reloaded his missile launcher with his final round. "The little guy won't last long against a tough guy like that black Seeker, he needs our help now". With that, Hound headed to where he last saw Bumblebee and Darkride, although more cautiously, and gingerly, than last time.

Gulf of Mexico - Under the Oil Rig

His optics finally clearing from the blinding flash, Blackstar rises from the water under the oil rig. In the catwalks above he notices Smokescreen is blasting a hole to the top and climbing threw. Flying out of the water Blackstar speeds threw the hole that the red and blue bot has blasted. As he exits the hole Blackstar blasts a quick volley of suppressive shots at the hopefully unaware Hound and Smokescreen, to aid his escape, not bothering see if his shots hit. Falling back to Thundercrackers location Blackstar begins helping his wing-mates drain the oil.

Gulf of Mexico – On the Platform

As Darkride bore down on him Bumblebee was able to slink away. He moved as fast as he could, but the larger mech was much more agile and was quickly upon him once more. Darkride was able to grab a hold of Bumblebee’s forearm with a vice like grip. He swiftly pulled the yellow minibot in against him in a tight hold; his sword was then brought down and held against Bumblebee’s neck. Darkride brought his head down near his captive's, an evil grin spread over his face. In a breathy tone he spoke into Bumblebee’s audio receptor. “I told you I’d have you.” He let out a deep chuckle as he looked out over the platform for Prowl. The interrogator knew from past experience that the unlikable mech was often put in charge.

He spotted his intended target and spoke to his captive once more. “Let’s just see if you’re as important to them as I know you are.” Darkride let out a low growl as he intentionally licked Bumblebee’s cheek. He then tried to get the attention of the Bot in charge. “PROWL! I suggest you call off your Autobots if you wish this one to remain active!”

His grip grew tighter and his sword closer to Bumblebee’s neck as he waited for a response.

On the Oil Platform

Smokescreen stood up with Hound as the injured green mech got to his feet and began moving forward in an effort to rescue Bumblebee from Darkride. “Easy Hound! You’re going to bust a gasket!” Smokey stayed by his comrade’s side as the two Autobots made their way towards the yellow minibot and the Decepticon interrogator.

The diversion expert brought his weapon up and was about to take aim at Darkride when a volley of laserfire rained down around the two would-be rescuers from above. Instinctively, Smokey spun around and stepped between Hound and their airborne attacker, taking a hit on his chest plate. Smokey returned fire, but it was too late. Blackstar was already gone from sight. “That was close,” the red and blue mech said as he checked his chest for damage. His Autobot symbol was messed up, but otherwise no extensive damage.

Smokescreen then turned his attention back to Bumblebee and Darkride. The two were locked together in combat and it seemed that the interrogator had gotten the upper hand. Darkride had the minibot in a death grip with his sword to the Autobot’s neck. “Wait, Hound!” Smokey said, stopping and placing a hand on the scout’s arm to keep him from advancing. “We can’t attack now. That ‘con has Bumblebee too close to him. We can’t fire without risk of hitting ‘Bee, and if we advance any further, Darkride will surely kill him.”

Smokescreen carefully considered their options. Perhaps a trade, Smokey thought to himself as he then leaned in close to Hound. “I have an idea. I’ll offer myself to Darkride in exchange for Bumblebee . Meanwhile, you head around to the left and sneak up on Darkride from the side," Smokey whispered. "But be careful, Hound. If you don’t have an opening, don’t risk anything. You’re still hurt.”

Putting his weapon away, Smokescreen then slowly approached Darkride and the captive Bumblebee. “Darkride, I propose a trade,” Smokey said to the Decepticon, putting his hands in the air. “Let Bumblebee go, and you can have me as a captive, instead.” The diversion expert hoped to distract the interrogator long enough for Hound to move in from the side. Hopefully, his plan would work. “What do you say, Darkride?

(OOC: I'm gonna get things moving a little bit. Sorry Dev, gotta end the Prowl/train fight prematurely. Hope Astrotrain enjoys a small swim.)

Oil Platform

Prowl managed to get some distance in front of Astrotrain and transformed back into robot mode and pulled his Acid Pellet rifle and pointed it at the wheels. He fired repeatedly at the right break. He figured that if Astrotrain was going fast enough and he took out one of the breaks, even if using the other one, the momentum might be too much for him to stop before he hit the edge. He concentrated his fire to make sure msot of his shots count and lept out of the way at the last possibly nano-second as the triplechanger passed him.

But it was then that another voice got his attention he turned to Darkride, who still had Bumblebee.

He noticed Smokescreen and Hound repairing an ambush but he knew well the Decepticon would kill Bumblebee in such an act.

He opened his private comm to Smokescreen and Hound. >>"Don't provoke him!" he ordered. He knew they were out-numebred. Looking back now, if he had better known the situaiton earlier, he would have disagreed with Prime's decision to allow Grimlock and his team to return to Cybertron with Magnus and those that went. Still... the objective was still the same.

"Autobots, stand down!" he yelled.

He opened his comm to Sideswipe. >>"Sideswipe, get some higher ground!" he commanded. >>"I have a plan that can stop the Decepticons operation in it's tracks. On my order, you're going to hit that main fuel tank where that bunch are centered! If this platform goes, they're plans are shot."

He knew winning through brute force was not an option. At best, they could only stop them. He was not a fan of destroying things to win, but given the scenario and all possible outcomes, he determined that there was no other alternative if he wanted his men to live. He couldn't rely on Optimus Prime all the time. All he could do here was turn a no-win scenario into a draw. It was best salvaging some form of victory from the situaiton. And Bumblebee's situation gave him an idea.

He walked up to Darkride and stood with his acid pellet rifle pointed a him.

"You kill him with that sword and we will fill you with holes within a microsecond!" he threatened. He had no doubt that the Decepticon could be overwhelmed, still there were the others to be concerned with. His plan needed to work. He just needed a few moments. He figured he could make things interesting and he knew just the Decepticon who could involuntarily help him.

"I couldn't help but notice that if we withdrawl, you'd be the one credited with our defeat... right?." He had a plan and he knew who was the weakest link in the group of Decepticons present when it came to pride.

"If we withdrawl, it'd be your gain in Megatrons eyes. Wouldn't it?" he asked. "That might make someone here look bad."

Oil Platform

No sooner had Hound started forward when Blackstar burst through a hole in the rig and began spraying him and Smokescreen. Hound desperately jumped back, catching bolts on his left leg and forearm, and making a worrying "SPROING" noise as he landed awkwardly behind cover. Aagh! Hope I haven't started leaking again...

Looking up cautiously, Hound saw an agonising sight: Bumblebee a captive of Darkride, and being used as a hostage on top of that. Hound grit his teeth as Prowl ordered him to stay back. Although, given how useful I've been so far today, I can't really make things any better.

(OOC: Just so everyone knows, the Cons will be winning this fight, so no heroic moves please, they won’t work.)

Gulf of Mexico – On the Platform

The interrogator couldn’t believe his luck, not only did he gain one captive, but another Autobot was willing to take Bumblebee’s place. He smiled wickedly as he looked at Smokescreen. “Forget about it Autobot.” With that said Darkride took off into the air and out of reach. He hovered for a moment as he waited for Prowl’s response.

The black and purple Con looked down as Prowl finally approached where he had just been standing. He smiled down at the Bot and chuckled at his pathetic attempt to pit him against Starscream. “How apropos of you. What I do is for my gain and no one else. If it happens to benefit the Empire, then so be it. Now, I suggest you get all of your Autobot lackeys on the deck where they can all be seen and accounted for.” He then rubbed his cheek against Bumblebee’s and growled out the rest of his demands. “Once everyone is accounted for I want you all to bounce off the platform.” He quickly reached Bumblebee’s wrist comm. and made short work of it making sure they had no way of contacting him and no way of locking onto his signature to bounce him out of harms way.

With another smirk on his face he looked down at Prowl once more. “If I’m feeling generous you’ll see your little friend here in a little while. It’s your move, Prowl”

Gulf of Mexico - On the Oil Platform

Skywarp reappeared high up on the oil rig where he could assess the damage done by the Autobot's diversionary tactician. He had been able to absorb the hits to his chest plate with minimal fuss, but the laser blast to the head was what caused him to become disoriented and thus unable to properly defend himself. As the astroseconds passed, 'Warp slowly regained his composure and briefly considered striking back at Smokescreen for interrupting his attempt to end Hound's existance. However, his visual sensors were still a bit fuzzy which would most likely place 'Warp in a compromising situation. It was better to let the Autobot have his small victory for now and return the favor another time.

Besides, there were more important things to be concerned with at the moment. Skywarp looked over to where Thundercracker and the other seekers were offloading the fuel into storage cubes. 'Warp frowned at the idea of manual labor. It was unbefitting of a warrior such as himself. However, he could stand guard with his friend and help ensure that the Autobots did not interrupt the fuel collection.

Skywarp teleported down to the fuel tanks, appearing next to Thundercracker. "Hey, 'Cracker! How's it going?" The black and purple seeker asked, taking up a defensive stance while watching as the battle raged on.

*********

Smokescreen watched as Darkride rejected his offer and leapt to a secure place up above his position. The diversion expert then backed away, following Prowl's orders to stand down. With no other option, Smokey returned to Hound's side and inspected the scout's damaged area once again. "You alright, Hound. You're not leaking again after Blackstar's attack, are you?"

At the same time, Smokescreen kept one optic on the situation brewing between Darkride and Prowl. If his commanding officer needed back up, Smokey would be the first one there to give it. He then heard Darkride's ultimatum. We can't give up. Bumblebee wouldn't want that, Smokey thought, shaking his head. The diversion expert waited to see what Prowl's response would be.