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(All events taking place in the Iacon area of Cybertron can be posted here)

Autobase Prime

The shuttle touched down on one of the numerous landing pads that dotted the main Autobot headquarters. A hover stretcher and additional medics were waiting as they took the still unconscious Fortress Maximus and led him off to the main medbay. Prime watched as his second in command was carried off. He knew he would soon be functional again, but there were many other Autobots who would not be as fortunate this day. He had to make sure that their sacrifices hadn’t been in vain.

He exited the shuttle and made his way into the main Autobot headquarters. He walked past various other Autobots, receiving salutes, congratulations and reports with only brief acknowledgements. He wasn’t totally convinced of a complete victory over the Decepticons yet, but he hoped that they could at least reach some sort of uneasy peace, perhaps keeping them contained to just their own territories for a time. Even a cold war between the two sides would be far better than the wholesale slaughter that had been going on for eons.

He arrived at the heart of the base and took a seat in his command chair. In seconds various holographic viewscreens popped up and the Autobot leader became engrossed in updating himself on recent events outside of the Polyhex conflict. Of particular interest were the reports coming out of the Tagan Heights.

OOC: Hardhead, feel free to do whatever NPCing you want to get Maximus repaired. Ratchet is there and there should be plenty of medical drones and CR chambers to use.

Autobot Headquarters- Central Communications Tower

Blaster was kept busy with all the signals at various frequencies he had to keep up with, monitoring all of them, in case any rescue or deployment request was signaled. As the leader of the Autobots arrived on base, he couldn't help but to to feel excited because it was a sign of Autobot victory. Yet, his feelings were bittersweet...

"On such an occasion there needs to be a party-- and MUSIC!!"

But the Autobot knew that there was not time for celebration and too much work for music to be a distraction and this but him in a bad mood. Blaster then received a message from the hospital that was to be relayed to Optimus Prime.

>>

Autobase Prime – Command Center

Optimus received the signal from Blaster just as he was scanning through the first casualty reports from the Polyhex battle. The lists were too long for his liking, they always were, but it was good to hear that Maximus was going to recover in short order. He was going to need him for whatever aftereffects were going to come from this meeting with Megatron.

>>”Thank you Blaster. Can you get me a direct line to Ultra Magnus in the Tagan Heights? I need to inform him of our current situation and find out what is going on there.”<<

Autobase Prime – Command Center

As Optimus Prime entered the main command center Elita – One turned and nodded slightly in his direction. She had something on her mind and she had planned to make it known to the Autobot leader.

Redirecting her attention to the computer terminal in front of her, Elita pushed a button here and flipped a switch there; once completed the femme commander rose form her chair and made her way to Optimus Prime’s side. A slight smile creased her faceplate as she looked up at the taller Bot. Her smile faded almost as quickly as it made its way to her stern chiseled face.

“Congratulations on your victory, Prime. However I must speak with you about this, so called, peace treaty.”

Pausing only a moment to gather her thoughts, Elita finally began.

“Meeting with Megatron in order to procure peace on this planet is not a wise maneuver. Looking down toward the floor, Elita slowly shook her head. “He is not one to be trusted,” Her head shot up swiftly and her optics met his, “You know this, Prime. Why are you doing this?” She looked imploringly to the one she cared most for.

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

Autobase Prime - Hallways

“Dang it all to the inferno! I can’t believe I’m late.”

Bumblebee ran as fast as he could to his appointed location. He had been in his quarters recharging when he finally “woke up” and took a glance at his clock. He was late, again. Shaking his head as he got up, Bumblebee slammed down on the clock and made a b - line for the command center. His thoughts were racing about as fast as he was running.

He hadn’t been recharging well and his tardiness was not helping him in the least. His only hope was that Prime wasn’t in the command center just yet.

Pumping his arms as he turned the corner the minibot slid to a complete stop in front of the command center’s titanium doors. Checking himself to make sure he hadn’t scuffed his pain job Bumblebee made his way into the room and to his horror there stood Optimus Prime. However he was in luck, it looked as if Elita – One had his occupied. This was good, this was very good. Carefully Bumblebee made his way to his station and began his diagnostics of the command centers computer terminals. Hopefully he hadn’t been spotted……by anyone.

Autobase Prime - Hallways

After Jazz received the news that Optimus had returned from the Polyhex battle, he decided to make it priority to get up to the command center to meet up with him. Walking through the halls of Autobase Prime, he could not stop wondering about how many Autobot casualties he was bringing with him. Realizing the seriousness, getting to the command center was his top priority now. Running through the halls in robot mode, Jazz quickly made his way through Autobase Prime.

Autobase Prime - Command Center

Coming up on Optimus' location, Jazz slowed his pace considerably and walked the rest of the way there. Reaching the entrance doorway, he walked in to see Optimus there, as well as Blaster, Bumblebee, and Elita One. Not expecting a huge welcome from any of them, a slight smile did come to his robotic face as he saw the sight of his old friend, and a sigh of relief that he was alright.

"Prime, good to see your back." Walking over to him slowly, "How many casualties did we bring back this time?" It wasn't meant as an insult, but more as a question than ever. Jazz just had a feeling that their was something wrong with the situation, and knew someone big was out of action. Seeing Elita, Jazz nodded his head at her to acknowledge his 'hello' but did not speak as he was waiting for Optimus answer.

Autobase Prime- Central Communications Tower

"I'm on it Optimus!" Blaster immediately contacted the Command Center in the Tagan Heights. Blaster to Ultra Magnus. What's poppin' man? Optimus needs to speak to you stat! So I've opened a direct line to the Command Center here in Iacon.

Blaster stood from his seat in front of the large monitor. "Activate Mobile Transmissions through my communicator: voice code Blaster." Now that Blaster could take his work with him, he took an elevator down to the Command Center. As he entered he saluted and greeted Optimus, Elita One, and Bumblebee. "What's poopin' everybody?"

Suddenly Jazz walked in the door. "Whats crackin' Jazz? You look like you've been popped, locked, and dropped..."

He then turned to Optimus. "Optimus, I've opened a line from Ultra Magnus' communicator to us. He should be coming in any second now..."

Autobase Prime – Command Center

Prime tore his eyes away from the reports coming in to look over at Elita-1. He had suspected this was coming after he had decided to negotiate with Megatron. Most Autobots were willing to trust his judgment implicitly, something that made Optimus feel uncomfortable. Despite the insistence of some of his troops, he was far from perfect. Elita was one of the Autobots who knew him beyond the persona and aura he seemed to generate as the current Prime. She knew him probably better than any other Autobot, and was closer to him than any other.

“Elita, I have to take that chance. We have the possibility of a lasting peace here, even if it is just for a few vorns or less. Isn’t it worth trying to end the slaughter for a time? Isn’t it worth even my life for a shot at ending this war?” Prime wasn’t eager to sacrifice himself and he didn’t think he was going to, but he would gladly do it without hesitation if it meant ending the war.

He turned away from Elita as Jazz entered the room, happy to get away from the more intense discussion the two of them were having. “Too many as always Jazz. This time though it appears that Fortress Maximus may be out for awhile, hopefully not too long though.” The condition of his second in command did concern Prime, particularly since he was potentially putting himself on the line. He didn’t want to leave the Autobots leaderless if the worst came to be.

Prime glanced over at Blaster as he announced he had a line with Magnus. “Good job Blaster, let me know when Magnus responds. I need to know what is going on in the Heights and to keep him informed of how the Polyhex battle went.”

Approaching Autobase Prime

Rollbar bounced along off road letting his suspension do the work, "Wideload you should try this!" he said happily throwing up a load of dust and swerving about at high speed.
"No thanks," said Wideload, "I like staying upright," Rollbar had already rolled three times on this journey from Altihex to Iacon, "You'll end up going straight to the medbay when we reach the autobase,"
"And get taken care off by some nice nurse femmes...I think I can handle that!" said Rollbar.

Autobase Prime – Command Center

With a stern look upon her faceplate, Elita listened to what Optimus Prime had to say. It was true, all of it. He had to try, if only to end this war. This endless battle has lasted for far too long. As far back as she could recall she had been on the run or in some sort of life ending battle for freedom, for scraps of energy, for survival. With an unnecessary sigh, Elita nodded in agreement.

As Prime turned from her to address Jazz, Elita sent the special operations director a warm smile as she moved past him to one of the many terminals.

Her thoughts began to wander to happier times, but they were so far in the past she struggled to remember. A frown made its way to her lips as she went back to work.

Jazz could only smile as Blaster greeted him. Jazz picked up his arm and wave him away, "Yeah, yeah we all have our days. Now get that message through to Ultra Magnus before I pop, lock, and drop you punk." Humor was abundant after he finished that sentence, and chuckled a little with his vocal receptors. Jazz walked away a bit and over to where his station was on the command deck and waited while Blaster attempted contact with Magnus.

"It isn't your fault Optimus. We are fighting for freedom, and have been for as long as my memory banks can recall. At least we know that what we are fighting for is worth something, for all Transformers everywhere. Sometimes sacrifices are made, but they wouldn't have died in vain as long as we continue to press on." Lecturing his leader wasn't something he had planned on, but just couldn't help himself. It looked as if Prime was down, and whatever he could do to cheer him up, even the slightest bit, he did it.

Looking over to Bumblebee, their Espionage Director, he said, "What's goin' on Bumblebee? How've ya been ya little punk?" He joked as he walked towards his station. Bumblebee was cool, and perhaps one of the most laid back Autobots in his eyes, and that was a reason why he like him so much.

Autobase Prime - Command Centre

Rollbar and Wideload rumbled into the command centre. Actually Rollbar not so much rumbled as skid, clipped the door and spun through, "Awesome," he said simply still buzzing with energy.
He and Wideload transformed," I wish you wouldn't embarrass me in front of the big mechs," Wideload said to Rollbar.
"Bah! I mis-judged my entry speed," Rollbar explained as he waited for Optimus Prime to finish speaking with Jazz.
"Not that...well, that too but look at yourself. You look like you've been in tar pits," said Wideload.
"It shows I've been enjoying myself," retorted Rollbar.

Autobase Prime-Medical Wing

Ratchet, the chief medic of the autobots, analyzes the damages on Fortress Maximus' body.

"Internal workings severely damaged, left arm not functioning, right optic destroyed, armour severely scorched," says Ratchet as continues to work on the decimated body,"He took a lot of damage. Shockwave did a great deal, but Megatron really thrashed his interior."

Ratchet walks over to the comm and sends a signal to the command centre.

"Optimus," says Ratchet,"I've analyzed the damages done to Fortress Maximus. It will take me a very long time to get him up and running."

Autobase Prime – Command Center

“You’re right Jazz, I just hope that this battle might be the last one, that just maybe Megatron has seen that it isn’t worth anymore killing. His position is the weakest it has been in ages. He must either accept a peace, even if its just temporary, or have a very good chance of being defeated.” He clapped Jazz on the shoulder, “And if we do have peace Jazz, I want you and Blaster to be in charge of a celebration part the likes of which Cybertron has never seen.” Prime smiled beneath his mouthplate, an expression he knew his closest comrades would recognize.

Prime had been a bit surprised how easily Elita had given up arguing with him. He was disappointed in a way. He always enjoyed their conversations, even their arguments. He always valued her judgment and her company. If there was more time before he went off to meet Megatron he would talk to her in private, but there was just too much going on and he would have to leave soon.

The smile faded from his face as he received the news from Ratchet. He didn’t want to leave the Autobots with out his second in command being functional, but that was beginning to look like what he would have to do.

>>”Roger that Rachet. Give him top priority in the repair bays. Prime out.”<<

Prime then noticed the arrival of the two Throttlebots who made a rather noisy entrance. “Rollbar, Wideload, do you have something to report?”

Autobase Prime – Command Center

With a slight smile, Bumblebee looked over to Jazz and nodded.

“Well, I’m okay, Jazz; just been having a difficult time getting to my station without being late.”

A slight chuckle escaped the minibot as he turned back to his terminal. He found the whole ordeal a bit amusing. The problem he’d been having only recently manifested itself. As a mater of fact the whole ordeal began when Prime told the yellow mech to stay behind during the recent battle.

Bumblebee gazed deeply into the terminal as he thought. Maybe I should see Prime about this. It seems he’s been leaving me behind lately, and I want to know why.

Shaking his head of his recent thoughts, Bumblebee went back to work once more.

Command Centre, Autobase Prime

Wideload and Rollbar stopped bickering and snapped to attention when Optimus addressed them, "Just come in from Altihex," said Rollbar, "Little bits of Decepticon activity but not nearly enough to keep the Bots occupied...at least that was the situation when we left. Our comrades have gone to the Taigen Heights to see what assistance they can provide there,"

Autobase Prime – Command Center

Jazz smiled at the humor presented by Optimus. It had been a long time since he saw that within their leader, and was now happy and confident that he was feeling a bit better. It was good to see him this way, away from war, away from destruction. He walked away from Bumblebee, patting the Minibot on the shoulder, and said to Optimus, "Prime, now that Fortress is out of commission, for awhile anyway, your going to need some help out there the next time you leave."

He looked down and then back up towards him, "What I am trying to say is that I will accompany you on your next trip out of here and fight with you, should you need my help. I think Autobase Prime can actually do without me for a little while. Besides, if your going to fight Megatron, your going to need all the help you can get."

Autobase Prime - Hallways

Snipe walked around the Autobase, hoping to find somebody or just someplace where he could relax. "Ok.. I could almost swear this part of the base was new. Or maybe I'm just too tired to recall. I wonder where everybody is.."

Then he remembered hearing a few corridors back that Optimus Prime had returned. "Man, it would be cool to fight next to Optimus Prime. Then again, I wouldn't last long out on the battle field." Snipe thought about that. "Haha! Sneaking around is much more fun anyways."

Snipe kept musing to himself, until he had wandered into a very big hallway. "Woah!! This is wide!! It's so...quiet here." He grinned. "Too quiet." In a klik, Snipe transformed and raced down the empty hallway. "Whooohoooo!!!"

Autobase Prime – Command Center

Prime nodded at the two Throttlebots. “Good. It sounds like Magnus needs some assistance over there and the other two should help out there.” Perhaps they could help sort things out over there. He didn’t want to meet with Megatron without a clear picture of what had happened over there. If Megatron had something planned in the Heights, he needed to know about it, and now.

He turned to look at Jazz again. He had been trying to come up with someone to come with him to the negotiations. He hadn’t wanted to order anyone to come with him as there was a chance that it was all a trap. But if Jazz wanted to volunteer, then he would accept. “Jazz, I’m going to meet with Megatron to negotiate a succession of hostilities. We agreed to bring only one other with us, and if you want to volunteer, I would be honored to have you at my side during this momentous occasion.”

Autobase Prime - Hallways

Punch absently exited his quarters and turned towards the Command Center, wondering why the halls were so quiet. Normally, a bustle of technicians and officers were going back and forth from station to station, an aspect that kept the base on its toes readiness-wise. But now for some reason, they were eerily silent. A feeling of paranoia crept into Punch's mind, and he eased himself against a wall, and peeked around the corner.

Seeing no one on the other side, the Autobot agent stepped out, only to dodge a fast-moving object at the last second. A black sportscar had sped past him, nearly striking his foot.

"Hey, I recognize that 'bot..." he thought.

Taking off in a even stride after the vehicle, Punch called out, "Snipe, you showboater, slow down in the hallway!"

Autobase Prime - Hallways

Enjoying his run thru the hallway, Snipe noticed that somebody had called his name. "Wha?" Hitting his brakes, he transformed while still in motion, and kicked off the floor to make a 180 degree turn.

As he screeched to a stop, Snipe looked ahead of him and saw a hover car speeding towards him. Taking only nano-kliks to recognize the bot in front of him, Snipe energetically responded back saying, "P-Punch!" Not wasting any time for Punch to reply back, he continued to talk. "Primus.. You know, I was seriously beginning to think I was completely alone in this part of the base!" He smiled.

Autobase Prime - Hallways

"Hey, this corridor is kinda wide, I guess it is good for drive if you're bored..." Punch thought while still throttling towards Snipe.

As he came within a few meters of the other Autobot, Punch slowed down and transformed back to his robot mode. Standing just a few feet taller than Snipe, he walked up and patted a hand on the recon bot's shoulder.

"No, you're not quite alone." Punch chuckled, leaning against the nearby corridor wall. "I was just heading to the Command Center. Prime's shuttle made it back, and I heard Fortress Maximus and some of the others got banged up pretty bad, so I was going to see if I could help fill in the gaps somehow. Where were you off to in such a hurry?"

Autobase - Hallways

'Wait, he's going to see Optimus Prime? Command Center?! I'd love to see that! Ok, must convince Punch to take me with!

"Where was I off to, you say?" Snipe thought about it. 'uh, think of a good answer. Good answer. Good answer. G-'

"Can I come?!" Snipe finally blurted. 'Aw, im such a slaghead. Don't say that!' he mentally kicked himself. "I mean.. I was going nowhere. ..In particular." he managed to spit out, while being partially embarrassed for that unexpected outburst.

'Remember to throw myself into a smelter later today.'

Autobase Prime - Command Center

A coded communication arrived in the processors of Optimus Prime, labeled urgent.

Mirage wrote:Please assign Punch to Autobase Tau for a short-term mission. I require his rather unique expertise to deal with a unique problem. Mirage out.

Autobase Prime - Hallways

If Punch had been created with eyebrows, one would be raised now at his puzzlement of the way Snipe responded. The recon Bot seemed a little jittery to Punch, but that was not inmportant at the moment. Punch simply nodded his approval and shifted his footing to continue down the hallway.

"Sure thing. Since you don't have anything better to do, you can come with me. I'm sure there'll be some use for us with so many Autobots in the Medbay right now." Punch said, and transformed as he finished. "Now let's get going."

With that, Punch took off down the hallway, leaving it up to Snipe to follow him.

Autobase Prime - Command Center

Coming to halt just outside the doors to the Command Center, Punch transformed back to his mech form and calmly entered the room. Making his way past the numerous consoles and stations, he noticed Optimus Prime conversing with Jazz, and approached the pair.

"Optimus, Jazz. Optimus, sir, I'd like to help out around the facility any way I can. I know a lot of troops were injured at Polyhex, and I feel a little helpless just standing around. Even if its holding a flashlight in the Medbay, I'll be there in an asctrosecond." Punch said, making his urgent desire to help be known.