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Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 3:56 pm
by Insidious
On Shore

It had not taken long before one of the other Decepticons was able to get the Combaticon Commander what he was wanting. Though he wasn't certain if his situation was any better or worse for having heard it.

Two independent sightings of a mechanoid who--if the legends were true--was one of the thirteen progenitors of their entire race. It was difficult even for a gifted strategist like Onslaught to wrap his mind around.

But that was exactly what he was going to do.

>>"Understood, Long Haul. Standby."<<

Onslaught's optics sought out the area above the treeline on the cliffs that Long Haul had indicated. Zooming in, he could see Ultra Magnus nearby as well. It was almost perfect positioning. Onslaught would release every mortar in his arsenal and see what managed to remain of the two, given that they were in such close proximity to one another; however, before Onslaught could really put that line of thinking in to action, the Fallen seemed to open up something of a spacebridge like vortex and then he and those who now appeared to be allied with him were gone in a burst of flame and energy.

Onslaught's actuators tightened. It was clear now that the Autobots had not come here to assault their construction site. They were dealing with internal affairs that would clearly eclipse the internal power struggle amongst the Decepticon command figures. At least there was no mythically legendary Cybertronian vying to fill Megatron's place.

But perhaps that was not the Fallen's goal.....indeed, how could it be? The Autobots would never fall in line with the vision of such a figure, at least if any significant percentage of the stories were true. The Decepticons, on the other hand, were quite another matter. With Megatron's death, a vacuum of power had been created that such a figure, even if it was an impostor of some fantastical sort, could fill. That presented a threat that could not be understated in and of itself. Yet if it truly was the Fallen of legend surely his objectives were far greater than simple, factional command. The threat he presented, then, would be equally great.

The transmission from Ultra Magnus came as a surprise, but also served to bring Onslaught's thoughts out of the hypothetical and back to the here and now. Eerily, Magnus' sentiment echoed the one that had already begun to form in the Combaticon's mind.

>>"Do not presume to command Decepticons, Magnus. They stand down at my behest, not yours,"<< Onslaught began, initially appalled by the City Commander's gall at attempting to order both sides to cease hostilities. Ultra Magnus' prowess and skill were well known to Autobots and Decepticons alike. In a direct confrontation, Onslaught expected he too would meet defeat at Magnus' hands. Even so, he would not allow the Autobot to overstep his bounds unchallenged. But that did not mean Onslaught would ignore reason, either. >>"......however, given what I have seen, I am in agreement with your request. I will order all Decepticons to stand down and we will parley over this new development. Rendezvous with your subordinates at my position."<<

Onslaught then switched to a broader, minimally secured Decepticon frequency.

>>"Decepticons--cease fire. Immediately. Constructicons, return to Scrapper and inform him of these developments. The rest of you will join me at the treeline. Much has changed within the last breem. There is a new threat and we must deal with it, as it will most certainly deal with us."<<

Eventually..., Onslaught thought to himself as he began to walk towards the treeline where numerous other mechanoids were already gathered, his weapon transforming and retreating back in to its storage cavity,

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:35 am
by Devastron
On Shore

Kup grunted as another shell slammed into the ground nearby, pelting him with shrapnel and debris. The old timer almost growled out something about not getting any covering fired when Brawl’s attention was drawn away by just that. Maybe some of his training over all that time had sunk in with a few bots. He didn’t waste any time pondering that though as he hefted Warpath’s body on his shoulders and staggered for the treeline.

The elder bot crashed through the trees with even less grace then he normally possessed. He had been so focused on getting the wounded back to cover he only now noticed the deaths of two other Autobots, apparently in pretty grisly fashion. This day was turning into a very dark one for the Autobots. Even Magnus was going to have a tough time holding things together after this.

Kup caught site of Rodimus saying something to Magnus before vanishing through some sort of tear in reality along with what looked like a few Bots and Cons. He wasn’t exactly a science type but he knew there was nothing he’d ever seen or heard that could do that. They were dealing with something far bigger and more terrible then he could comprehend at the moment. He wasn’t sure what Optimus would even do in this situation.

Fortunately this particular Autobot didn’t have to worry about the bigger picture, not at the moment, not while he was carrying a dying Autobot on his back. He caught sight of First Aid dashing off towards the deceased Autobots. Kup grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back. “Doc, there ain’t nothing you can do for those bots now, its too late. It isn’t too late for Warpath here though, I hope. You need to stabilize him and get him back to the Guardian. We’re gonna have a lot of wounded coming in and you need to keep it together. This ain’t the first battlefield you’ve been on, and I doubt it will be the last. Time to prioritize the living over the deceased.”

The Autobot gently laid Warpath down in front of First Aid before glancing over at Magnus. He was calling some sort of cease fire with the Cons. Apparently he’d missed quite a bit. Musket still in hand he jogged over to Ultra Magnus. “Cease fire or not I’m ordering all the wounded to bounce back to the ship Magnus.” He glanced over at the spot where Rodimus and the others had vanished. “I take it I missed something while I was trying not to get my aft blown off out there.”

*

Swindle’s shots didn’t do a whole lot to Ironhide as he continued to fall back. There were a few nicks, dents and scratches in his armor and he’d probably be picking out the shot from it for awhile but it certainly wasn’t anything debilitating. He took aim to return some fire at the Combaticon when his attention was drawn towards Rodimus.

His optics widened as flames erupted all over him and he declared himself ‘The Fallen.’ Ironhide had never been one for much of religion, myth or history and the Fallen was a little bit of all three of those. That said even he knew who the Fallen was and he knew he was nothing but bad news for all of them. Still, just because he had a fancy light show and a booming voice didn’t mean he was the Fallen. There could be a more logical explanation, he just couldn’t really think of one.

His thoughts were pulled away from the Fallen when he saw Hex and Darkride each move to attack a couple of newly arrived Bots. Ironhide was shocked to see them both brutally beat and rip apart both of their opponents. “Why you….you’ll both pay fer that!” The red Autobot charged at the Fallen’s little group, aiming his rifle right at Darkride. He was still hesitant to fire on Hex, him at least once being an Autobot, but Darkride was fair game. Before he could get a shot off, the Decepticon disappeared with the Fallen.

Ironhide let out a growl and punched a nearby tree, splintering it and sending it falling to the ground. He was still getting over the death of Optimus and now to have all of this heaped on top of it was pushing him pretty hard. While he wasn’t about to snap and turn against his fellow Bots he could certainly go for a hard battle against some Cons. He turned to fire on Swindle when Magnus called for a cease fire. Still, Ironhide hesitated, his finger on the trigger. With a snarl he lowered his rifle, but kept it ready as he walked over to join Magnus and Kup. He still had his old bodyguard instincts and so he made sure to be around the leader. If this cease fire went south he would make sure he got out safely.

*

Hot Spot frowned as Ricochet spit up more energon. The other Autobot was bleeding out pretty bad. While it would take a pretty severe injury for a Cybertronian to die from bleeding out it definitely wasn’t good to see it coming from the cranium. Still, the Protectobot had the utmost confidence that he would pull through under First Aid’s care.

Fortunately for the two Autobots by the time they left the cave everyone’s attention was elsewhere. Hot Spot didn’t waste any time, briskly jogging towards the trees where he knew First Aid was waiting. He could hear some shouting and there were plenty of explosions and gunfire but he was focused on saving Ricochet. His team knew that if they needed him that they should signal him.

The Protectobot burst into the forest still at a jog. He was surprised to have avoided any incoming attacks. Something big must have happened while he was gone to draw so much attention and fire. He wasn’t about to complain, but it still disturbed him a bit on one level. It wasn’t like the Decepticons had any respect for retrieving wounded or fallen comrades on the battlefield. Hot Spot was quite accustomed to running while under fire. This situation felt unnatural.

The Autobot came to a stop next to First Aid just as Kup left Warpath with him. Hot Spot grimaced as he saw Warpath’s condition. “Get them both stabilized and back to the ship ASAP First Aid.” The medic definitely looked shaken and Hot Spot knew something major had gone down. His thoughts were confirmed when Magnus ordered a cease fire.

>>”Protectobots, report in and rendezvous at my coordinates!”<< With the wounded now relatively safe he quickly turned to his next priority, that being his team.

*

Swindle was rather pleased to see some of his shots strike the injured Autobot. There was a slim hope that maybe she wouldn’t be able to keep going and he would be able to take a prisoner/spare parts. Of course that so rarely happened. Autobots were all too goody-goody and honorable then to leave a wounded comrade behind. It made the salvage business a difficult one at times.

Unfortunately his shots seem to have only wounded the Autobot and he had to frantically dive for cover. One of the shots grazed his shoulder, leaving a dark scorch mark and making him grunt in pain. He wasn’t a coward or anything, but he couldn’t just laugh off damage like Brawl and Onslaught could. This is why he was better as the brains of the team then the brawn.

He ducked back into the water to avoid any more incoming fire. He snickered as he got the signal from Ultra Magnus. The Autobot knew he was losing and was asking for a cease fire. Slag that! They would take them all down and there would be enough salvage to make a nice big profit off of.

Swindle was about to emerge from the water with guns blazing when Onslaught ordered the cease fire. Thoughts of salvage and profit disappeared as the Combaticon emerged from the water with his guns down and a dejected look on his face. It seemed like the universe was dead set against him making any sort of profit anymore.

*

Oil Slick observed events as best he could. While he was not eager to re-enter battle he was prepared once the Combaticons were satisfied with softening up the opposition. He had no weaponry remotely comparable to the likes of Brawl or Onslaught, nor was he a tactical expert. He was more then happy to let the Combaticon leader direct and control the battle. If he ordered him into combat he would do so but he was quite satisfied with waiting.

The order never came however as instead a cease fire was called. It was certainly an odd turn of events for both sides. The chemist did not full trust the Autobots or the situation, particularly after seeing Darkride dragged off as he was. He decided to hang back and observe, playing true to his scientific background.

*

Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Construction Site

Hook had finished the structural adjustments to Mixmaster relatively quickly. After just one experience with it he now found it easy work, perhaps something that could be delegated to a lesser technician. Certainly Scrapper could do it and maybe even some other Decepticons with half a brain. Of course Scrapper was busy and outside of him he was surrounded by morons and so he knew the work would all be his.

The nervous system and mental connections though, that was a worthy challenge. Each Constructicon was liable to have greater variance in these systems then their physical structures. Experience helped here but not as decisively as the structural work. He carefully made the adjustments, allowing for the combination with the others and a free flow of information through Mixmaster to the other components of Devastator. Had he more time Hook would have been tempted to tinker more with the other Constructicons cerebral circuits. Perhaps he could make the chemist a bit more stable. Alas such work would have to wait for another time.

The surgical engineer pulled his hands out of Mixmaster and began sealing him up. “The operation is complete Scrapper. We can begin reactivating him.”

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:43 am
by Cryhavok
On Shore

It wasn't too big of a surprise that Brawl's attempt to shoot down Blades with his main cannon had failed. However, the Combaticon tank found it odd that Blades' didn't live up to his reputation as a brawler who liked to get to your face instead of shooting your from the distance. In fact, the Protectobot withdrew from the battle, disappointing Brawl greatly. Not that he had time to curse after Blades' supposed cowardice. While Kup had forfeited his chance to attack Brawl and using the chance given to withdraw with Warpath's motionless body, someone else had been far more active - Streetwise.

A blast of compressed air hit Brawl's side just as he had been lining up for another shot at retreating Blades. The blast itself did little more than slightly sway the heavily armored Decepticon, making Brawl to lose his aim. That was merely irritating though. The blast had pushed hundreds of kilograms of sand, rocks and dirt into Brawl's tracks, filling every open space between the tracks and its wheels, effectively jamming them,

"You dirty slagger! You'll pay for that! I am gonna rip your wheels off one by one and them jam them down your exhaust pipe!" Brawl boomed and he began rotating his turret to track on Streetwise's movements.

The Autobot was quick but a car built for fast and precise steering on paved highways was completely out of its element on a beach, for Brawl could rotate his turret far faster than Streetwise was able to circle him. The only reason he was still moving was the fact that Brawl's wasn't really that good hitting moving target. Or rather, Brawl was to impatient to aim carefully enough. Even so, the sonic blasts the Combaticon tank was now firing at Streetwise were hitting closer and closer to their target now.

"You can run but you can't hide Streetsomething!"

Then came the command Brawl had difficult time to accept. He had heard Onslaught's initial demand of a secondary confirmation upon a fallen something. Who had fallen? And why he was supposed to care? He had not listened to his superior officer that well. But the later cease fire command just as he had been about to remove Streetwise from the battle for good? Just damned unacceptable.

>>"The slag Onslaught?! There are Autobots to kill! What threat could possibly top that?! "<<

_____________________________


Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Decepticon base

"Ah, excellent Hook." Scrapper stated as Hook reported his progress. "He seems to be responding well towards the new programming I upgraded his transformation cog as well."

"However it seems we are forced to take a pause after Mixmaster here." He added, shaking his head with some level of disappointment. "Bonecrusher and Long Haul are still on the field and I will not risk anything when it comes to our self-modifications. Without one of us two to oversee the other, the risks are simply too great in a highly stressful environment as this."

Scrapper turned his gaze from the monitors towards Hook, "Particularly the modifications our plans require to be made to both Long Haul and you are simply too extensive to be performed here and now. This battle needs to end before we can continue."

_____________________________


Skies Above

Slingshot's lack of air support had made it easy for Thundercracker to began tailing the Aerialbot. Being busy with Ramjet had made the Aerialbot sharpshooter susceptible of being attacked himself and no seeker would miss such of an opening. Particularly someone as good as Thundercracker was. He had had the target locked with air-to-air missiles ready to fly on a whim. If only Onslaught had not called for cease fire. Breaking off now felt just wrong but if anything - Thundercracker was a soldier and we would obey a command from a higher ranking officer even if Onslaught's jurisdiction over the seekers was rather shaky.

>>"Acknowledged Onslaught. Thundercracker moving in."<< He simply transmitted back to the Combaticon commander before transforming and landing to the treeline that Onslaught was already approaching by foot.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 10:25 pm
by Foximus
On Shore

It was all Streetwise could to do not spin hopelessly out of control as he raced to avoid Onslaught's volley. He had hoped to draw some fire away from the others, but this was beginning to become too much for the interceptor. Sand kicked up by the explosions that otherwise rolled off his streamlined alternate form was beginning to catch on his underside. Not good. If it continued like this...he wouldn't be able to move much less avoid fire.

Unfortunately, doing anything but continuing in a straight line was a challenge on this Primus forsaken terrain. It didn't help matters now that he had provoked Brawl. Streetwise grimaced internally when Brawl's furious tirade boomed across the beach. That...hadn't been his brightest idea. The sonic blasts from the Combaticon shook the beach and made large plumes of sand rise up in their wake.

"Oh slag! Slag, slag, slag!"

With each subsequent blast, they grew closer and closer to Streetwise. If he didn't think of something, he would be slag. He had an idea. More of a gamble really, but it was a better alternative than continuing on as he was. As Brawl spat his latest jeer at the interceptor, Streetwise decided to act. He swerved to the side, transforming and planting one foot into the sand to slow himself down. In the same instant, he brought his photon pistol around and charged it in the hopes that the next shot would blind Brawl and give him some time to make a hasty tactical retreat.

It was also in that instant that Ultra Magnus' call for a cease fire came ringing through the interceptor's audio receivers. The Protectobot froze with his pistol still leveled at Brawl for an astrosecond. Slowly, he lowered it, wondering why on Earth Magnus had called a ceasefire. Streetwise quickly realized that Brawl probably wouldn't honor the ceasefire and that the Protectobot was currently a sitting duck.

Hastily, the interceptor jerked his foot out of the sand where it had embedded itself and transformed, making his retreat back into the forest at the fastest speed that he could maintain control over. Hot Spot's call to report back in came not too soon after the declaration of ceasefire.

A sense of confusion came over the interceptor and left him wondering what had happened that would give cause to a ceasefire. The call also turned Streetwise's mind back to his teammates. He scanned the skies looking for Blades or Groove and saw with dismay that Blades was slowly falling out of the sky.

The interceptor turned toward his teammate and raced to meet him where he would touchdown in case he needed any help. As soon as Streetwise approached the treeline, he transformed and continued to jog in Blades' direction.

"Hang on Blades...you better not crash and burn, buddy."

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 2:13 pm
by Insidious
Bottom of the Yellow Sea--Base

The first thing that Mixmaster was aware of were the slowly upward ticking readouts at the bottom of his optics. Energy levels and functioning servo mechanisms all appeared to be within their standard operating ranges.

He slowly pushed himself up and off the operating table and looked around. Truth be told, he didn't feel all that different. There was sort of a vague sensation that certain things weren't in the exact place that they had been prior to his going under...but nothing that he could precisely identify. What he did know was that anything that had been done was for the greater good of their little collective and he was only too happy to have played his part. Devastator would be worth far greater sacrifices than anything he had made thus far. Devastator would be the future.

"Everything, hehehe, um, everything turned out like you wanted?" Mixmaster said, looking over to Scrapper and Hook.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 2:58 pm
by Smokescreen85
Shoreline

>>”Understood, Commander Onslaught. I’m on my way back down to the sea floor now.”<<

Long Haul cut his comm line to the Combaticon Commander as he turned back towards the Yellow Sea from which he had just come not even a breem ago. This confrontation with the Autobots had been very disappointing to say the least, ending with the revelation of the Fallen’s supposed return. It certainly seemed as though Hot Rod had transformed into something far more powerful than a mere Cybertronian, but to be the actual Fallen Prime of legend was a bit of a stretch. Still, Onslaught seemed to believe that it was the Fallen and therefore that’s what the heavy lifter would report to Scrapper.

Taking one last glance back over his shoulder plate, Long Haul could see both Autobots and Decepticons alike converging on an area near the treeline in the distance. The transporter had not been invited to the “party” and thus it was really none of his concern regardless of his curiosity on the matter. The decision on what to do next, with or without the Autobots assistance, was left to those of higher ranking. The heavy lifter had his orders and he intended to carry them out. At least he didn’t have to carry anything of substance this time.

“Come on, ‘Crusher!” Long Haul bellowed over to his belligerent comrade. “Let’s get back down to Scrapper like Onslaught said. There’s no more battle here, anyway.” With a snort, the green transport trudged back into the sea, allowing the disgusting salt water to consume him once more.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Decepticon Base

The long trek back down to the partially completed underwater base was an uneventful one, much like the battle on the surface that found both Autobot and Decepticon under a ceasefire agreement to discuss all things regarding the Fallen. It was still hard to believe that the Fallen, himself, had seemingly returned with a chip on his shoulder the size of Cybertron, itself. Not only that, but both Drag Strip and Darkride had joined his vengeful crusade against all Cybertronians along with two Autobots, as well. Were the former Stunticon and interrogator traitors to the Empire or were they under some kind of spell for lack of a better word? It didn’t matter at this point. All would be revealed in due time regardless of what the heavy lifter thought.

Entering through the outer dome, Long Haul made his way to where Scrapper and the other Constructicons were gathered. Approaching his commander, the green transporter offered a respectful salute before giving his report. “Long Haul reporting back from the surface, boss. The battle is already over in a ceasefire that both sides agreed to. Apparently, the Fallen has somehow returned in the body of the Autobot Hot Rod. He along with Darkride, Drag Strip, Hex and Hardhead have declared war on the Cybertronian race and disappeared into some kind of portal. Not sure where they went. Commander Onslaught is now meeting with Ultra Magnus to talk about what to do next. Bonecrusher and I were ordered to report back and inform you of the situation. Personally, I think we should just take out the Autobots now and worry about the Fallen later, but that’s just me.”

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:39 am
by USDA Prime
On Shore

Saferoute continued backing to the treeline as she reloaded her rifle, watching as one of her shots grazed Swindle's shoulder, causing the Combaticon to duck for cover. Any other day she would have taken some satisfaction from making a Decepticon cower and hide, but this was far from any other day. As she looked for another target to fire at, she heard the order from Ultra Magnus.

"Ceasefire?", she said to herself. Again, any other day she would have insisted that they continue taking the fight to ther Decepticons, making them pay for all the planet's inhabitants they had hurt. But this was not any other day. She had been made a complete fool, manipulated and then attacked by a bunch of traitors who now were nowhere to be found. It was only by Primus' grace that reinforcements had arrived to even things out with the Decepticons, and after the damage she had received she had to consider herself and the others fortunate that any end to the current hostilities could be brought.

I just hope those slaggers actually make good on it., she thought as she was slow to lower her rifle, watching the enemy carefully in case they tried to take advantage of the situation. To her relief the Decepticons were also willing to lower their weapons and end the current fighting, and so she reluctantly holstered her weapon.

She finally let her guard down as mechs from both sides gathered together, and noticed a couple of injured mechs being brought to First Aid. Her mind no longer occupied with keeping alive from Decepticon and Autobot attacks, she grimaced as the burning pain on her backside came to the forefront of her thoughts, followed by the piercing pain from Swindle's shot from just a few astroseconds ago. Looking down she saw the trickle of energon from the bullet hole in her lower torso, and place her hand over it in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.

Making her way to the Protectobot medic, it looked as though the only wounded were the other betrayed members who'd been led to this ill-fated surprise attack on the Decepticons. She looked down at Warpath, only to confirm that the crimson warrior's body was lifeless and headless as First Aid went to work. Then with a deep breath she looked at Ricochet who looked to be in stasis, almost as bad as the tank-former except for the fact that his head was still attached to the rest of his body.

So between the three of us, it looks like I was the lucky one., she thought with guilt, I guess Hex wanted to toy with me more than the others.

For now there was a sense of uneasy calm as it seemed the battle was over, for now. Saferoute wished that her two teammates were conscious, as she wanted to talk to them about what had happened, not to mention what was going to happen. All three would require repairs, though Warpath and Ricochet would require more extensive work than she did. But once that was done and they were all fully functional, there would be no sympathy for all the trouble they had caused, regardless of whatever Rodimus and others had done or planned.

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

Groove shook off his initial shock at Rodimus' further transforming, and started chasing after First Aid. Then came the order for a cease fire from Ultra Magnus, followed by the old war veteran Kup stopping the Protectobot medic and handing Warpath over to his care. Though the act of a cease fire would have normally filled the pacifist with great joy, there was little for Groove to be happy with, as he couldn't bear to look at the decapitated crimson warrior's body.

The end of one horror now, but who knows what horrors will be coming now?, the scout thought as he remembered the sinister new look of Rodimus. Though he couldn't quite put his finger on it, there was something vaguelly familiar about the former cavalier's monstrous new look.

Groove didn't have any time to think on the subject as he got the order from Hot Spot for the team to regroup around him. The scout didn't have far to go as he had stayed near First Aid when the Protectobot commander brought another wounded Autobot to be looked over.

"I'm here, Hot Spot.", the scout addressed his commander, "Still fully functional."

As it occured to Groove he looked himself over. Though he wasn't really hurting, his armor was covered in small dents and scuffs from all the debris he'd been hit with from Vortex's cyclone.

Thank Primus for Blades,, he thought, Or I'd probably be in pieces all over the place.

"Have you heard anything about what's happened to Rodimus and the others?", Groove asked, "Is that why Ultra Magnus ordered the cease fire?"

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:44 am
by Insidious
Shoreline

Astrotrain wasn't sure if his sensors were going glitchy or if he had actually heard what he thought he heard. Onslaught calling them to a ceasefire? What in the greasy slag had prompted that move?

Astrotrain rolled over on to his back, looking up into the clear blue sky as a few astroseconds ticked by on his internal chronometer before at last sitting up and ultimately getting to his feet, weapon still in hand.

The sound of weapons fire had died off. The firing had ceased. Astrotrain was honestly a little surprised, given that it was the Combaticons who seemed to be calling the shots out here right now, despite some of Ramjet's efforts. Speaking of Ramjet, where had he gotten off to? Astrotrain looked around but he couldn't immediately find the white and black conehead.

It was then that he remembered receiving some sort of garbled transmission from Blitzwing, indicating that he had got himself in to the same sort of predicament that A-train himself had. Glitching little Aerialbot got some lucky shots on them, that was for sure.

The mechs present seemed to be convening near the trees. That coincided with the location of Blitzwing's current energy signature, so that suited him just fine. Checking on his unit mate was still the priority, then he would see what exactly had prompted Onslaught's surprising call.

It didn't take him long before he found his fellow triple-changer, not far form where others, Autobots and Decepticons alike, appeared to be regrouping or convening.

"Not our finest day, Blitz," Astrotrain said with a smirk as he walked towards Blitzwing with a slight limp in his step. "But not our worst either. I still remember that mess back in Tyger Pax. We were lucky to come out with heads attached, heh."

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 2:33 pm
by Marcus Rush
Treeline

Ultra Magnus agreed with Kup's logical decision. Get the wounded out of here as soon as possible so they did not share the same fate of his two escorts. The Autobot Commander added one caviat to that directive, to have the bodies of the two Autobots coldly and mercilessly torn to shreds by crazed followers of a Fallen God, be returned to the Ark for proper ceremony and funerary rights. Quietly Magnus surveyed the battlefield. The Autobots had taken a beating, and though they now out numbered their Decepticon counterparts, at least so far as he knew... this was a fight that was not in either side's interest. And for these losses, he swore that the Thrown Down Prime would pay. Transgressions such as these, and others sure to come, could never be forgiven. A mistake I don't ever intend to make again. For that I am sorry Optimus.

A frantic and rather surprised Slingshot flew over head as Thundercracker appeared on his six. From Magnus's vantage, Slingshot had once again bitten off more than he could chew and got himself in over his head. Still, he knew from experience that the Seeker was not his squad commander. Thundercracker followed orders, much to his own personal dismay. There was much potential for the flier, if he ever turned his skills towards peace rather than the brutality of the Decepticon Cause.

"I would agree. We require a sharing of information Onslaught." He finally spoke into the terminal that extruded from his exo armor before deactivating the link and returning his rifle back to a holster located within one of the towering spokes. His optics narrowed at the scorched earth where five entities were engulfed in flame and taken by an unholy fire to the depths of the pit.

A sage counciled voice broke Magnus's train of thought as Kup approached from his left flank. "You could say that. I believe I have discovered why Hot Rod has been acting unusually." He paused briefly. His sensors alerted him to the approach of Onslaught. "And I can honestly say, no one on this field could have possibly seen it coming."

Quiestly as the entire assembly of able bodied mechs gathered into a tight circle of council, well a relatively tight circle given the eons of mistrust and tensions felt throughout the ranks, Magnus greeted Onslaught with open and unarmed palms. A signal that this was no longer a combat zone, they both knew the recent situation changes outweighed those old grievences. "Onslaught," he gave a curt nod towards the Combaticon Commander.

Magnus looked down at Kup, the Autobot Sage who had outlived nearly every Cybertronian outside of Alpha Trion himself. His optics immediately shot up towards Onslaught quietly telling the Decepticon through visual que alone that they all needed a ground base of information. And Kup was the perfect resource for Ancient Tales and Legends. "Tell me something Kup. What have you heard of The Fallen?"

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:54 pm
by Ember
On Shore

The appearance, and subsequent touch, of Kup had First Aid halt his advance out of the treeline toward the fallen Tonton and Bidder. The doctor wanted nothing more than to get to both mechs and save their lives. But even without Kup’s assurance that both were beyond help, First Aid still had the need to do something.

When the elder ‘Bot finally placed Warpath’s headless body down before him, First Aid knew that his attention needed to be focused on those who actually could be saved. He gave Kup a tight yet affirming nod before kneeling down and setting to work on the tank-former’s body. Just as he began his work Hot Spot arrived and placed an energon covered Ricochet down next to Warpath. First Aid let out a low sigh before he took a quick scan of the marksman and determined that he was stable enough to bounce back to the Guardian. Although with so much energon loss he wasn’t sure how long that would last. But first thing's first…Warpath’s wounds took precedence.
____

“Where the slag is he? Where’s that sleazy excuse for a ‘Con?!”

The battered and scorched form of Blades came limping heavily from the woods just beyond the cliffside where The Fallen and his lackeys had vanished from. The Protectobot flier was holding his right arm which seemed to be mangled and hanging on by nothing more than a few wires and the support of his left hand.

Although he was impaired Blades was still determined to finish what was started between he and Dirge. Ceasefire or not the Conehead was in his crosshairs.

At the same time the Combaticons complied with Onslaught’s orders, Dirge had turned from his prey…albeit with a low groan…and headed toward the meeting point. He quickly transformed and landed lightly behind the Combaticon Commander…of course leaving a wide berth between him and the already assembled Autobots.

The sound of Blades trudging out from the trees caught his attention. The look of the flier brought a wide satisfied grin to his face, but when Blades continued to advance the blue and gold Conehead raised his arms and began to power up his weapons. “Back off Blades and take your beating like a mech!”

Blades let out a deep growl and pressed forward. “I’m gonna beat you to within an inch of your existence!” But his advance was suddenly halted by a firm hand tugging on his still functional shoulder. First Aid was able to get Warpath stable and was ready to move his two patients back to the ship when Blades appeared. The medic needed to get his brother to go back with him as well.

“Let it go Blades. Right now you need medical attention. Come on.” First Aid kept his tone cool and even hoping he’d be able to squelch his teammate’s riled demeanor. It seemed to do the trick as Blades’ tense frame loosened and he staggered slightly into First Aid’s touch. “Fine. But this ain’t the end of it…not by a longshot. You better watch your back, ‘Con.” With the doctor’s help the limping disheveled mech was guided back toward the treeline where he was sat down and looked over.

Dirge sent another satisfied grin over to Blades as the Protectobot was helped back to where the pacifist loser had set up shop. They’d meet again and just like this time around Dirge would make sure he’d have the advantage and fight in the air.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 12:57 pm
by Rex Prime
Air Raid after facing a few technical errors and problems with some security details, has finally reached the yellow sea. As the Bot flew towards the area, he sent a transmission to his fellow Autobots.

>> It's Air Raid...sorry for being late, security and tech stuff, you know what I'm talking about <<

The Aerialbot checked his surroundings, to find what seemed an odd situation. As both sides gathered, none them was firing each other, also witnessing First Aid leaving with an heavily injured Blades.

Air Raid suspicious and unsure, flew to his partner Slingshot.

"What did i miss, Slingshot?" The Aerialbot asked.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:56 pm
by Smokescreen85
Transmission from Skywarp to Thundercracker:

>>”Thundercracker, this is Skywarp on board the Thanatos up in orbit around this miserable mudball. Starscream has been taken prisoner by Shockwave and is facing a hearing with the Decepticon Justice Division to determine his fate. Believe it or not, Shockwave has named me the interim Seeker Commander. I’m not kidding, and he wants me to organize the squadrons on top of that. I need your help in gathering every seeker together down planet side and inform me of their current activities so I can then present a report to ol’ one optic. Let them know what’s going on up here and try to keep their laughter at my leadership status to a minimum if you can. Contact me as soon as you have what I need. Thanks, buddy. I owe you one for this.”<<

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 2:57 pm
by Insidious
Treeline

Onslaught looked at the carnage of the their little skirmish with the polished, cold indifference of any hardened battle commander. Casualties of any kind were necessary. Vital to the eventual win. The trick was ensuring the other side incurred more than you did.

Even now, Onslaught assessed the resources he currently had on the field in case Ultra Magnus or one of his subordinates decided that their temporary truce was not to their satisfaction and the fighting resumed again.

The City Commander's greeting to the Combaticon Commander was brief. Onslaught's reply was equally so.

"Magnus," he said simply as he closed the distance between himself and the formidable Autobot. But not so close that he would be within range of Ultra Magnus' well-known diffusion techniques. He would let the Autobots dictate the tenor of this meeting for the time being, as they were the side that had to possess more information regarding what had just happened out there. The Fallen had arisen from one of their ranks, after all, not one of the Decepticons. That alone surprised Onslaught considerably.

Despite allowing some margin of deference to Magnus' style, he did not want this conclave to devolve in to some sort of campfire story.

"I don't see how rehearing the old tales will do us any good, Magnus," Onslaught began, his line of sight finding Kup. He had no qualms with the elder Autobot soldier. He was a soldier through and through. He respected that. But his penchant for doddering oft in to tales of "way back when" were nearly as notorious as Grimlock's tantrums or Prowl's supposed direct uplink to Shockwave's personality, all of which had worked their way in to various stories Decepticons told one another in barracks across the galaxy.

"For the sake of argument, we're all agreeing that was the Fallen. That would explain the change in Hot Rod that Shockwave had briefly mentioned back on Cybertron. What it doesn't explain is how it happened...and how you all did not see it before now."

Underneath Onslaught's faceplate, he couldn't help but grin somewhat at the reality this presented. Could the Fallen have chosen a more antithetical avatar for his personality, given what was known of him in the ancient legends?

"Does Hot Rod carry himself as one of the legendary progenitors of our race when he's not on the battlefield?" Onslaught said, barely letting a chuckle escape his vocal processors. His optics settled on the City Commander once again. "Truthfully, I'm surprised that he did not choose you. He could have remained hidden for an eternity."

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:44 pm
by Foximus
Treeline

Streetwise had found where Blades had touched down. From there, it wasn't difficult to track his aggressive comrade to where the rest of the Protectobots were gathered. A smile touched the interceptor's face when he saw Blades - who seemed as slagged off as pit - with a mangled arm and Groove mostly unscathed. He was glad to see them functional.

However, the interceptor's smile soon faded when he noted the other denizens gathered about. Ceasefire or not, being in such close proximity to the Decepticons made Streetwise uncomfortable. Streetwise moved over to where Hotspot stood, taking in the Autobot casualties with a grimace. So many critically injured...

Slag...

Streetwise had faith in First Aid's skills to get most of them online, but it looked really bad. The interceptor finally had reached his commander and turned to face him.

"Hotspot, what's the situation? Why was there a ceasefire? And where's Hot Rod and his group?"

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:19 pm
by Marcus Rush
Skies Above

Slingshot banked hard right as the firing solution painted his six on his advanced sensors. He had underestimated Ramjet's tactics and quite frankly those of the seekers present. At least he knew he was spared the undignified pain of being sent to the scrapheap for that mistake, primarily because of the temporary truce between the two waring factions. Still he had to give Thundercracker his due.

Begrudgingly he sent a quick and sarcastic laced text communication to the light blue seeker. <At least you shown improvement Thundercracker. Maybe you'll be a threat next time theres a live fire excerise.>

He drove his afterburner down towards sea level and entered into a tight spiral before transforming into robot form in mid air, his rifle loaded in his right hand and aimed up at an awkward angle towards the charging Decepticon flier. He didn't pull the trigger, he didn't have to. The message was clear to his foe. Next time they'd scrap it up good, and the Sharpshooter never missed twice. The Aerialbot transformed back into fighter form and shot towards Ultra Magnus and the gathering conclave of Autobots and Decepticons.

As he passed Thundercracker and the flowing signals of Dirge and Ramjet, all more than likely converging on the same location he was headed, a familiar signal finally materialized on his scanners. It was the ever crazy and thrill seeking Autobot Wingmech, Air Raid. Slingshot was surprised that Ratchet let that suicidal maniac out of the iso chambers. Still it was at least nice to have some air support, even if all of the fighting had concluded even before Slingshot had managed to even get warmed up.

"You missed everything Air Raid. Course like always, better late than never I suppose. Just like our Fearless leader, course at least you had the pistons to crawl out from the CR Chamber, so I'll give ya a point up on that." Slingshot transmitted his response to the new wingman as the two pulled into a loose formation. At least now the Seekers would have to think a few more micro seconds before violating a ceasefire order from a superior.

Tree Line

Vortex transformed and landed behind a pair of short artillery blown trees. His foot crunched under the shattered splinters of timber and branches with burnt leaves and twigs, adding to a small rise of ash and dust as he stepped forward. His optical visor kept his emotional struggles hidden from view as he advanced towards Onslaught and Ultra Magnus. His mind was still racing with what he had bore witness to, Autobots and Decepticons working together under the spell of a crazed lord of creation.

The Interrogator scratched at a wound that had been carved out of one of his rotors, a result from one of Hard Head's improved and over powered retaliation salvos. His optics leveled on the old timer of the Autobot cause, Kup, and his master Ultra Magnus. "Of course having first hand accounts of the rise and fall of The Fallen, you know a witness to those events, could never hurt in the over all analysis of how to best proceed."

Magnus for his part stood firm. Onslaught's question had been pointed to a deficiency that would have to be addressed after this discussion. The facts were he had yet to even speak with Hot Rod/Rodimus since arriving in system. The failure to provide an accurate examination of Rodimus had not been investigated properly as of yet, and he knew that would be yet another piece of discussions he would have to have with his inherited senior staff.

After a few moments of thought, an eternity for Vortex's tastes, Magnus began his calculated response to Onslaught's accusatiory question. "It is difficult to say what has happened since the arrival of his unit on Cybertron until this moment. The signs were there, however, none could have predicted the depths or the lengths of the corruption that had infected Hot Rod. And to be honest, I am not entirely convinced that the corruption of the Fallen is complete for any of the party involved."

Slingshot transformed and landed behind Ultra Magnus and Kup. His optics were transfixed on the Combaticons as they gathered their strength. The flier was ready for a true dance, but a quick glance from the battlefield commander, he kept his mouth quiet.

"That is a valid question. Why was Hot Rod, a flamboyant and head strong Autobot, be selected to bear the burden of a disgraced all powerful being?" Vortex quipped as he rubbed at his chin. There was no real answer to that question that could be known without examining evidence of Hot Rod's rather unique model structure or perhaps there was something more.

Magnus shook his head. He ignored the remark that had been designed as a baiting insult and instead focused at the confrontation at hand. "A fair question that we will have to investigate, I would suspect perhaps because Hot Rod's initial personality was so drastically diverging from that of this corrupted deity that it assumed that he would be the best cloak in order build a coalition. But beyond that I am concerned about the four who alligned themselves with the Fallen. What are their connections to the Fallen, beyond being manipulated on some subconcious level? And what do they have in common with one another?"

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:10 pm
by Ember
On Shore – Near the Tree Line

From his considerable vantage point First Aid was still able to watch, and listen, to everything that was transpiring between his own superiors…namely Ultra Magnus, and that of the gathering Decepticons. To his great relief the stragglers on the opposing side had actually stayed their attacks to see just how the ceasefire would play out.

In the mean time the Protectobot doctor performed a once over on his teammate and deemed that Blades’ injuries were not life threatening and could therefore wait before being worked on. “You’re injuries can wait. Just hold tight while I initiate an emergency medical evac.” Blades offered nothing more than a curt nod and low growl while his optics bore deep into the form of Dirge who was still poised just behind his comrades, a broad smug smirk still plastered on his faceplate.

First Aid let out a low sigh as he watched his over aggressive brother stare death at the ‘Con flier. He quietly stepped back to Warpath’s stable form and ran one last scan and followed it up with one of Ricochet's prone form. Once he was sure both mechs were able to be bounced First Aid offered Saferoute a slight nod. The femme was injured but not as extensive as the two patients he was currently looking after. The doctor then opened a link with the Guardian’s emergency medical frequency and sent a request for an evacuation and a team of medical drones to help transport his patients. As soon as he received the acknowledgement that his message was received First Aid made his way…tentatively to the gathered group now discussing just how all of this could have come about.

It was Ultra Magnus’ last few queries that caught the doctor’s audios and this First Aid took a careful step forward so that he was standing directly beside the interim Autobot Commander. “Sir? I’m not entirely certain that the four had a choice in following him.” He paused for a moment as he took a quick look around the group and then back to Magnus. “I can’t speak for the two Decepticons that the Fallen has taken an interest in, but Hardhead is a…well, he's a serious warrior...plain and simple. He’d make the perfect field Commander for whatever the Fallen has planned.”

With another quick look around and a heavy sigh First Aid reset his attention first on Hot Spot and then back to Magnus. “As for Hex…well, you might wanna talk with Axle. Hex is his ward after all. If anyone would know about him Axle would.” First Aid cast a gaze over his shoulder when the sound of the materializing drones caught in his audios. He flashed the gathering a quick nod. “I’ll get the wounded back to the ship and keep you informed on their conditions.”

His peace said, First Aid turned back to the tree line and made his way to Blades who he quickly helped to his feet. Both Protectobot brothers then fell in step behind the drones that were transporting Warpath, Ricochet and Saferoute. Moments later the entire group was swallowed up in several pillars of bright light that quickly vanished…the Autbots with it.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:00 pm
by Cryhavok
Tree Line

Thundercracker managed to pretty much ignore Slingshot's attempt of getting under his steel skin just because Slingshot himself had failed to stay aware of the ever changing battlefield. The blue seeker was confident of his flying and dogfighting skills being superior to any Aerialbot. And Slingshot was not even the best Aerialbot flyer out there. Heck, Slingshot would have turned into one out of control fireball of an Aerialbot with a painful crash landing as his only certain destiny were it not for the timely intervention by Onslaught and Ultra Magnus.

Slingshot though was really just a minor inconvenience before what they were now facing. The Fallen? That was one name out of the Cybertronian legends he was not expecting to run into. Ever. While no one could accuse Thundercracker of being a coward, he had to admit the realization of why a cease fire was called had sent a shiver going through his spinal column. This was one of those moment he really hoped Megatron was here. The leader and founder of the Decepticons would know what to do. The Slagmaker wouldn't let even one of the legendary Thirteen to dominate him.

>>”Thundercracker, this is Skywarp on board the Thanatos up in orbit around this miserable mudball. Starscream has been taken prisoner by Shockwave and is facing a hearing with the Decepticon Justice Division to determine his fate. Believe it or not, Shockwave has named me the interim Seeker Commander. I’m not kidding, and he wants me to organize the squadrons on top of that. I need your help in gathering every seeker together down planet side and inform me of their current activities so I can then present a report to ol’ one optic. Let them know what’s going on up here and try to keep their laughter at my leadership status to a minimum if you can. Contact me as soon as you have what I need. Thanks, buddy. I owe you one for this.”<<


Thundercracker's racing thoughts got some kind of a pause through a transmission sent by his brother. To say Skywarp's news weren't surprising would have been a lie. And yet, they felt so insignificant in the face of the return of the Fallen. But respond he had to, if only to let the Decepticons on board the Thanatos to know what was happening down on the planet.

>>"More than one. You'd owe me more than one 'Warp. But hey, listen... I can't help you other than naming the seekers present here - me, Dirge, Thrust and Ramjet. See, we have a situation here. The Autobots found our new base somehow. Except it seems like it wasn't the Autobots after all because Onslaught and Ultra Magnus just ordered a cease fire both and are now talking about... Well, let's just say I rather believe you were promoted the interim Seeker Commander than bear witness to the return of the Fallen. Yeah. That Fallen. The 13 all that ancient history mixed with myths Fallen. Uh, you probably should tell Shockwave."<<

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:15 pm
by Devastron
Treeline

Kup was startled to hear the name ‘The Fallen’ thrown about. Apparently he had missed something pretty major. He could hardly believe Magnus was being serious here, but he had a pretty no nonsense reputation. Still, to think something like the Fallen had shown up, a being that was at the very most ancient history and more likely a myth or legend was unbelievable. The old timer would have had an easier time accepting his gun leaping out of his hands and changing into a tiny Autobot then the old godlike figure appearing in their midst.

The old timer looked over at Magnus as he asked him for more information on the Fallen. It wasn’t too surprising of a question really. He certainly had more experience and knowledge then any other Autobot around. This wasn’t the first time he’d been asked for some information, although it was the first time he’d been asked to consult on something so…mystical. It took him a minute to gather his thoughts on the topic before speaking.

Of course in the time it took him to gather his thoughts Onslaught jumped in with his own, rather rude comments and accusations. Before Kup could say anything Ironhide spoke up. “Typical Con, always thinking they are right and casting blame. Maybe you didn’t notice but there were a couple of mechs from your team fighting with him too. Maybe you’d like to explain how you missed that, or do all of the crazy psychos just blend in over on your side?”

Ironhide took a menacing step forward before being restrained by a lifted hand from Kup. “Keep it cool here Red,” he whispered to the other Autobot before looking at Onslaught and then Magnus with a slightly annoyed expression. “How dang blasted old do you think I am? Believe it or not some things happened before I was around, like the legends about the Fallen. I certainly wasn’t a witness to them myself, but I probably know the stories better then most.”

He glanced back at Onslaught before continuing. “Since we don’t seem to have the time for the full story I can just give some of the pertinent facts. The Fallen became an agent of chaos. He was bent on bringing that chaos to the whole universe and he saw Cybertronians as standing in his way. The Fallen sought to eliminate us all through some sort of ritual, I never really believed in the mystical scrap until now I suppose. Anyway he was stopped and banished somewhere that he wasn’t supposed to escape from.”

Kup stopped and thought and listened as others added to the conversation. “The thing about the Fallen is chaos. There might not be any rhyme or reason to who is working with him, or why he picked Hot Rod. It might just be bad timing, or, hmmmm.” The elder Autobot rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It might have happened right around the time that Prime and Megatron got taken out. That might not be a coincidence.”

*

Hot Spot was relieved to see each of his teammates rendezvous with him in short order. It appeared they had come out of the battle fairly intact, save for the usual amount of battering that Blades always seemed to manage to absorb. With the wounded taken care of and his team accounted for the Protectobot leader could move on to the next order of business, which appeared to be answering the storm of questions coming in from the other Protectobots.

“To be honest I’m not entirely sure what’s going on guys. I was running out of a cave when all of this happened and it sounds like I missed quit a bit. Right now we just need to follow Magnus’s orders and keep calm. We will hold position back here while they talk, so if things break down we can cover a retreat.” He glanced over to where Magnus and the others were talking with Onslaught. “For now this cease-fire seems to be holding but I want to be ready to move fast if it breaks down.

*

Oil Slick followed Onslaught out of the water and to the treeline. He hung back however, preferring to go unnoticed if possible. While he didn’t expect to see Smokescreen or Tracer among these Autobots he preferred to stay somewhat anonymous and unnoticed. The chemist did, however, listen closely to the conversation taking place between the Autobots and Decepticons.

Oil Slick had always considered himself a being of science and so he found it both bizarre and intriguing to be discussing a creature that had been, until recently, little more then a myth. It was hard for him to truly grasp concepts such as magic and mysticism. Whatever the Fallen was and whatever his abilities were they must just simply come from a higher scientific and technological understanding then they possessed. Simpler minds could call it ‘magic’ if they wanted but he would study it with a more clinical mind.

The fact that Darkride was somehow brought into the Fallen’s circle wasn’t all that surprising. Whatever promise or dark seed he had planted in the Decepticon’s head likely found quite fertile ground. That wasn’t information he was about to volunteer however as being associated with a now revealed disciple of the Fallen would not reflect well upon him.

*

Swindle slowly followed Onslaught towards the Autobots, all the while eying the remains of a couple of Autobots who had been torn apart by the Fallen’s goons. That was of course assuming Hot Rod really was the Fallen. He was more then happy to leave that discussion up to the likes of Onslaught and Ultra Magnus. He was more interested in concrete things, like profit, and how this situation might help or hinder his ability to make some profit.

The weapons dealer could practically smell a profit coming off of this planet. From what he had gathered about the planet from the computer databanks on the ship, the inhabitants were primitive and warlike. Those two words were like music to him. He just had to find a way to get more of his ‘merchandise’ down to the planet and get away from everyone for a while. He’d run the whole ‘selling to the natives’ bit plenty of times. Heck, old Ultra Magnus was always trying to bust him for that. Too bad for him he had called the ceasefire and he was here with all of his teammates, for once.

Maybe he could convince Onslaught to just strike out on his own with the whole team. I mean, who wants to team up with those idiot Stunticons anyway? They were liable to get them all killed sooner or later. And the Predacons? They just looked at you like they considered you their next prey and meal. You just couldn’t trust anyone who took on a beast alternate mode. And the seekers, don’t get him started on seekers. And then there were the Constructicons who had a secretive little clique so tight they even had their own color scheme. They would always be up to something.

Speaking of which, where the slag were all of them? Sure they were probably down their working on the base, but he was pretty sure a couple of them were just idiot grunts who should have been up here fighting. The Combaticon rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Now that he thought about it he hadn’t seen much of Hook and Scrapper lately, and they were the brains of the operation. Sounds like someone was doing a little plotting and scheming, and where there was plotting and scheming there were secrets. Where there were secrets there was the potential for profit, either in blackmail or selling those secrets. He was going to have to keep an optic out for those two Constructicons.

*

Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Decepticon base

Hook finished sealing up Mixmaster as he looked over at Scrapper. “There is a battle going on?” he asked him with a bit of surprise. He had been so engrossed in the delicate surgery that he had blocked off the various incoming signals and extraneous sensory data to focus fully on his work. The fact that a battle had been taking place nearby had completely passed him by.

The surgical engineer glanced down at Mixmaster in annoyance as he reactivated. “It went well enough. I, unfortunately, did not have time to explore your cerebral circuits to try to give you a more stable personality. Sadly we appear to be stuck with you as you are now.”

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:33 pm
by Phaze
Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Con base

The formerly blank optics came back online first that that he heard clearly was “We appear to be stuck with you as you are” the green and purple materials expert swung his legs around and stood up right a grin spread across his face as he addressed Hook. “Admit it if you messed with my head you’d lose a materials genius” Mixmaster stretched out his joints loosening them after being laid up he wasn’t sure where he was needed or what was going on after being out for however long seemed like vorns but was probably only a couple of breems.

He found the upgrades that where done to his body while he was out he chuckled he felt better than he did before the procedure.

“Thanks for the tune up Hook now that’s done what’s the plan?”

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:58 pm
by Insidious
Tree Line

Ultra Magnus' response was along the lines of what Onslaught was expecting to hear. He could tell that the City Commander was bothered by the fact that he had not recognized what the Fallen had been able to accomplish from within his very ranks. Onslaught harbored no such guilt, and it was Ironhide who got to the very heart of why.

"They do, actually," Onslaught shot back at the elder bodyguard. Opposing soldiers on a field of mutual discussion. It was bound to get heated. Though Onslaught personally preferred the discipline and expert execution of each member of his Combaticon unit, Megatron had never been so picky when it came to swelling his ranks. For every Blast-Off, Swindle, Brawl or Vortex that was within the Decepticon war machine there were likely a dozen Wildriders out there. If not more. "Megatron knows only obedience. Or knew. And even a psychopath's knee will typically bend in the face of his own obliteration."

Onslaught's gaze shifted as Kup sought to ease the rising tensions between the two mechs. Having expressed his disinclination towards hearing stories, Onslaught did not object as Kup began to speak of what he knew. In the end, there could prove to be a valuable nugget or two that he had not considered.

As to Kup's initial assessment, Onslaught was inclined to agree. Given what he knew thus far of whom the Fallen had taken there did seem to be an absence of any overt connection. If it was there to be found at all, it would require digging much deeper than they had the means to do here.

Kup's secondary observation had caught the Combaticon Commander a little off though. Had the timing of such monumental events coincided with one another?

"That would be extraordinary," Onslaught began, his words trailing off as his hand rubbed thoughtfully against the bottom edge of his faceplate. He was going to need to dig in to everything that the Fallen's Decepticon "recruits" had been involved in within the last several breems and orns. Maybe longer. But given that the stakes and the risks were so high within the Decepticon ranks right now, he wasn't really sure when he would be able to find time to do that. What was for certain was that he would need to get word of this to Razorclaw. That too, however, would likely have to wait.

"So...where does this leave us? Inclined though I might be to draw my weapon once more, this threat seems far larger than us."
___

Undersea Base

"Yes...though we seem to have avoided the brunt of it," Scrapper said, considering their options. There weren't many. And he needed more information in order to make a decision.

He wasn't going to risk incapacitating Hook to enact the needed changes until his unit was whole and out of danger. Just as importantly, he didn't want to leave Long Haul and Bonecrusher up there against what could potentially be some overwhelming Autobot force. At this point, that meant either calling them back or joining them.

Fortunately, he did not have to wait long for an answer, as Long Haul and Bonecrusher made their presence known once more, Long Haul with a fairly detailed report of what was happening on the surface. Detailed and spark-stopping. Scrapper couldn't believe what he was hearing. But none of the Constructicons were known to be practical jokers either. Given the immensity of the projects they were working on, no one had time for such nonsense. Therefore, it had to be true.

"Primus...," Scrapper cursed quietly, thinking about all of the possible ramifications this information would have. It was enough to overload a circuit.

"In other circumstances I would probably agree, Long Haul. But this affords us a rare opportunity to get our work done in relative peace, however short-lived it is. If what you say is true, we can't finish him soon enough," Scrapper said, motioning for Long Haul to take the place that Mixmaster had occupied only moments before. "You're next."

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:38 pm
by Foximus
Treeline

"Right," came Streetwise's short reply to his commanding officer, his head turned toward where Magnus, Kup, and Onslaught were gathered. He strained his audios to hear what was being discussed and almost blanched in disbelief when he realized what they were saying. The Fallen? As in...the Fallen? Impossible. He couldn't even fathom how many ways this situation could not be possible. The Fallen had been an old tale to scare the protoforms into shape. Something out of legend.

Unconsciously, Streetwise rested his actuators on his photon pistol. It steadied his nerves and gave him some solace in case chaos erupted here. He realized it could be interpreted as a sign of aggression and quickly let his actuators slide off of the gun. The interceptor devoted his unrest to more beneficial pursuits. He studied the other Decepticons gathered around. It served a dual purpose. He maintained a constant vigil of the Decepticons and also allowed him to observe their mannerisms, habits, and finer details of appearance. Things Streetwise would not forget. Any sort of information could prove useful in future pursuits of these Decepticons. Streetwise kept an audio on Magnus's council on the hill, however for new developements.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea - Decepticon Base

Scavenger stood off to the side fidgeting with impatience as he waited for the rest of the Constructicons to be finished with whatever Hook was doing to them all. He just wanted to go back to the Constructicons' usual type of projects - the kind that would let him dig to his spark's content. Not to mention the Autobots scurrying around above sea level, disrupting the relative quiet of the underwater terrain, also managed to interfere with the work the Constructicons wanted to accomplish.

When Long Haul and Bonecrusher returned, Scavenger tuned in his audio receptors to hear the news from above. For someone as simple as Scavenger, all of it was a bit much to take in. The excavator's processor narrowed down the thought process to only caring for how it would effect them and their future projects. Scavenger edged a little closer to Scrapper to ask his question.

"How's this gonna affect us, Scrapper?"

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:45 pm
by Smokescreen85
Undersea Base

Long Haul was a bit disappointed when his suggestion to just destroy the Autobots on shore now was dismissed by Scrapper. It was nothing new to the green transporter. His job was to carry stuff from point A to point B, not to think of military strategies and tactics. If he had been an analyst, he wouldn’t have picked a dump truck for an alt mode. However, that feeling of disappointment quickly changed into one of pleasant surprise and overall excitement. With the majority of the Earth bound Decepticons preoccupied with other matters at the moment, it was the perfect time to get as much work done on Devastator as possible.

“I’m next,” Long Haul said, not as a question but as a simple statement that elicited even more joy within his spark chamber. “You got it, boss!” Now, he would finally become more than just a mere transport. He would be one sixth of a whole, an important cog in a much larger mechanism that would spell certain doom for anyone who dared get in the Constructicons’ way. In fact, Long Haul already felt more valuable and the process to modify his body had not even begun yet.

Long Haul wasted no further time and moved over to the berth where Mixmaster had just been operated on. The heavy lifter sat down before eagerly swinging his legs up and onto the slab where he then allowed himself to lay flat. The green transporter couldn’t wait for the alterations to be complete, and he certainly couldn’t wait for the gestalt to finally become a reality for everyone to see and be awestruck by. It would be a momentous day when a Constructicon regime reigned supreme over the Empire. Both Shockwave and Razorclaw would tremble at their superior firepower and brute strength. No one would be able to stop them. No one!

“I’m ready, Hook,” Long Haul stated plainly as he glanced over at the surgical engineer. It then dawned on him that the procedure might not be completely painless. Although, the other Constructicons who had already gone through it seemed to exhibit no outward sign of distress. Of course, that didn’t necessarily mean they weren’t feeling any form of discomfort. It could simply mean that they were all tough enough to handle the change. If they can handle the modifications then so can I, Long Haul thought as he off-lined his optics and waited for the operation to begin.

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 3:10 pm
by Marcus Rush
Treeline

"You are correct to an extent First Aid. His capabilities and experiences are a valuable asset regardless of the circumstances. But even still, there would have been better options beyond Hardhead." He quietly nammed the two or three who combined the qualities that Hardhead offered to any commander or entitity. Magnus shook his head, "regardless of how it stands. Hardhead and the others are classified as POGs. And as such we will do what we can to help them. Unfortunately given the circumstances..." he left the last part unspoken. He refused to consider destroying his comrades as an option, even though he knew it was still a possibility.

Ultra Magnus responded to Kup's complaint with an apologetic smile. He did not mean to infer his friend was as old as Cybertron itself, though the same was decidedly untrue when it came to Vortex's prodding. Still it did bring to light that there was a lot of surface randomness to these possessions. He rubbed his chin in thought as his audio receptors picked up the various unrelated conversations and stored them for later analysis. There were connections, of that he had no doubt. Why these five individuals? Had they been apart of some operation on both sides that left them marked? His processors were in over time desperately trying to find a common ground. Onslaught was correct however, whatever that connection was, it was deeper than any of them truly knew. It meant that both sides would have to admit to operations that neither were ready to. All in order to find a way to stop this crazed lunatic before all were erased from existance.

Again his memory played back the brief glimpse of information from his trusted friend and advisor. A ritual that was stopped. That bit of information would be held deep in the vaults of history, but now they had at least something to investigate. Beyond looking for the connection as to why these five were selected, which would only serve a purpose as to explay why in itself that these events were being moved into place, finding a way to thwart the Fallen and his horde would be the only way to ensure their combined survival.

"Thank you Kup," he finally spoke as something sparked at the back of his mind. "A chaotic element inside a chaotic personality bent to quell a chaotic period. I believe that there is a connection for both sides. Any other time I am sure Perceptor would call this facinating. Unfortunately I don't think this is one of those periods." He stopped briefly as he considered his next avenue of responses and directives.

A thick pause of silence drifted over the smoldering battlefield as a ray of sunlight speared the broken remains of Tonton, the jungle combat specialist that had been torn to shreds by a smaller and decidedly more heavily overpowered Herald. The scene wanted to make Magnus expell empty platitudes of revenge or how their deaths would be in vain. But to die at the hands of a possessed mechanism, he could offer no words of comfort for his comrades or even his enemies. It was a reminder of the awesome power they were about to stare down.

"Agreed," he finally responded to Onslaught. He was still unsure as to which avenue to travel. This was Optimus's work. He and he alone would be able to make the right choice without hesitation. "The revival of the exiled one trumps our divisions of political ideologies. For now I recommend a complete withdrawl of our combat forces. Secondly we begin a colaborative review of our operational logs in pertaining to the five individuals in question. Each connection traced and logged for combined review. We find that proverbial micro fusor in a stack of hyperspanners, we may be able to locate the binding theme." He stopped briefly again as he allowed his optics to sweep across the gathered. "I have a feeling that when we locate that connection, we will locate the thread to The Fallen's ritual site."

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:08 am
by Drop Bear
(OOC: Oh, man. I'm so, so sorry for taking forever to post. And I hope you can forgive this shoddy post. I just needed to write something for Blitz, before 2013 got here...)

Shoreline

“Weren't we ever.”

Blitzwing shook his cranial unit. How could he forget the events that occurred at Tyger Pax? Simply, he couldn't. What began as a strong campaign, promising much success as it unfolded, inexplicitly deteriorated in rapid fashion, almost turning into something bordering on catastrophic.

Rather hard to forget about, that one. Particularly when Blitzwing and Astrotrain avoided certain death by the barest of margins. And considering that they were among the very few Decepticons to survive the disaster. All six of them in the end.

No, not an easy one to forget.

'Train, what the Pit's going on over there?” Blitzwing pointed to the assortment of Autobots and Decepticons not too far from his position. “Why is Onslaught talking with the 'Bots? What the Pit did I miss?” Another shake of the cranial unit. “Slag. I go off-line for a couple of breems and I miss something. Typical”

Re: Sea of Change

PostPosted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:22 am
by USDA Prime
Treeline

"Good luck.", Groove wished First Aid, waving as the medic was bounced back to the Guardian with the wounded.

The Protectobot scout turned back to the remainder of their team still there- Streetwise and Hot Spot. Having been occupied with rescuing Ricochet, the Protectobot commander was just as in the dark about the entire situation as they were, so it was ordered that they would stay calm and follow Magnus' orders, but to be ready should the ceasefire suddenly fall apart.

"Understood.", he simply nodded to Hot Spot, gently placing his hand on the photon pistol holstered on his side.

Once that was said, Groove did as Streetwise did and focused his audio sensors toward the gathering of Autobots and Decepticons currently in discussions. Under normal circumstances such a gathering would have brought great joy to the pacifist's spark, but given the circumstances there was little to be joyful about. And even less once Groove heard what they had to say.

"The Fallen!?!", he exclaimed to the other Protectobots, unable to control his disbelief or dread, "Dear Primus no!"

Groove remembered the sinister feeling he got when he had spoke to Rodimus, how difficult it felt to look him into his optics, like they were trying to pierce right into his spark. It made the possessed cavalier's claims of "ending the war" all the more haunting, as Groove finally understood what he was really saying.

"Hot Rod is still here'..... Now I understand what he really meant.....", Groove spoke just loud enough for Hot Spot and Streetwise to hear him, "And he was telling the truth when he said he wanted to end the war.... Because there would be no war if he wiped out the Cybertronian race....."