The Energon Pub

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

"Now that you mention it.." Archangel began in reply to Brewer's offer of assistance, pulling away to grab another plasma torch before handing it to the S&R specialist "..You can give me a hand here. Sorry I didn't ask sooner, I'm kind of used to working alone" The medic added, offering an apologetic look to Brewer as he spoke.

Continuing his work, Archangel carried on speaking out loud, as was his way, preferring not to work in silence unless it was absolutely necessary "I wonder what Forte wants to do about it. I've seen similar cases before, and those affected have sometimes chosen to leave the condition as it is, beacuse of the benefits it gives them in battle, choosing to deal with the consequences if and when they occur.." The young Medic paused in his work as he looked to Brewer once more "..Speaking of which, Forte didn't do anything she shouldn't have, did she?"

---------------------------------
Highway Grid

Rolling alongside Kup, Orpheus recieved the order to set his internal systems to mirror that of the Veteran Warrior, and promptly set to changing them to the afore mentioned settings. Inside, the young warrior secretly hoped that they did run into some 'Cons spoiling for a fight, perhaps even Rampage would come back for some more, the Predacon still fresh in the thoughts of Orpheus after their recent 1 on 1 during the battle for Polyhex.

As he looked to his sides, Orpheus finally realised that he didn't recgonise either Sub-Zero or Wheelbar, and he only knew Getaway by name, a far cry from most of his early time in the Autobot army, which he spent constantly being told that he would never make anything of himself. Now, here he was, alongside a team of 'Bots with varying talent, experience and abilities, if only those who doubted him could see him now. It was too much for Orpheus, and he began laughing to himself as the memories of his past came back to him, as he continued on his way, proud of his place in the Autobot ranks.


Over and above, Silverbolt watched on as his systems picked up 4 more squelch's, indicating each member of the ground patrol was now on the same page as Kup. As Skydive and Air Raid dropped down to take a closer look at the ground, the Aerialbot Commander affixed his view on the horizon, still dominated by the huge form of Omega Supreme. The sheer size of the Guardian still amazed Silverbolt, but the Aerialbot still had the uneasy feeling that the Guardian's incredible power alone still wouldn't be enough, the Decepticons were not built to just lay down and accept defeat, not by a long way.

Highway Grid

Air Raid then returned to normal formation, evelating back above the group until he was on Silverbolts left flank once again, flying wingman to Silverbolt. To bad this was a black out or Air Raid would activate some cybertroian music.

Autobase Nu - Medical Facilities

He graciously accepted the torch, glad to know that someone actually wanted his help. He listened to Archangel's diagnostics on different cases similar to Forte's and responded, "I'm not sure, either, really. She was powerful enough before the glitch accured, so I can't see why she would want to keep it. I mean... Getting into trouble isn't best for Forte. She's too shy to be yelled at and face such harsh consequences. But," Brewer sighed, afraid to admitt the terrible fate of a fellow Autobot [i]by[/b] an Autobot, "yes, she's done something that nearly cost a bot his life. Know anyone named Dogfight?

"In the midst of his battle with the Decepticon Bane, Forte was quite offended by Bane tossing an Autobot head to her. Anyone would be, but she took it too far." He began taking over a section on Forte's chest, reattaching connections and tubes, "she ended up going bezerker mode with her rifle and injured Dogfight well enough to put him down. After that, I ended up being called over by Juggernaught to assist him. That's all I really know, but I hope that's all she did." The S&R Specialist was disappointed in the fembot, but he forgave her, knowing more about her condition than anyone else - even if it wasn't by far all that much.

I've said it twice now "replies an irratible Skywatch "I was making a delivery of some hazardous materials to the Unimatrix reprocessing plant. I has headed polarbound on the Binary Highway, minding my own business then...here. " He waves at the medbay. I've been making that run - or runs like that ever since I was activated. Now I dunno. My chasis is way different - I'm armed for Primus's sake." Skywatch gestures at the shoulder missile pod "I had no reason to be retrofitted. And.." He pauses as if searching for something "and I've got whole function classes that I've no idea what they do, where they came from, what they are for, or how to access them..or anything. "

Autobase Nu - Medical Bay

"Oh, I got it," Springer nodded as he turned and walked out the medbay. As the doors closed, he called back one last thing. "Knee feels great by the way, Minerva. Thanks!"

As he heard the woosh of the doors, the triple changer transformed into his car mode and began driving to the command center.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Springer transformed back into robot mode as the doors to the command center opened. He walked in, looking around at all the screens with information and shots from the battle. In front of one of the screens stood Prowl.

"Kup told me to report here after my repairs were done," Springer said after a pause. "What's up?"

Highway Grid

>>"The Playgroup won't ever get to be the Strike Team if ya don't take 'em out for a romp through no-mech's-land once in a while," Kup answered Getaway as the five Autobots rumbled along Nova Cronum's highways.

As the others sped along with relative ease - with the exception of Orpheus - Kup found himself huffing a little bit to keep in his position in the lead of the formation. Blasted 'rigors of old age,' he quoted Ratchet's analysis bitterly. Bring out a few Decepticons and I'll show 'em just how bad the 'rigors of old age' are! Though he certainly wasn't looking for a fight - not with all these rookies in his care - Kup wouldn't have exactly turned away from one, either. Nothing like a good punch-up to keep the servos in line...and to make you forget about how they lock up when you sit still for too long!

"Optics open, kids," he told everyone. "And keep one of 'em on the skies. Starscream and his morons might still be up there, especially if we get closer to Polyhex."

Autobase Nu - Command Center

>>Understood, Minerva,>Let me know if anything else comes up. Prowl, out.<< The tactician drummed his fingers upon the console in front of him, grateful that at least the damaged had been attended to with laudable efficiency. His mind was then returning to compiling and cataloguing combat data to append to his report to Iacon when Springer arrived in the command center, seeming only slightly the worse for wear, given his experiences in the Killzone.

"With Kup and Silverbolt leading patrols along the Polyhex border in support of Omega Supreme and Fortress Maximus still out of action, it falls to the two of us to keep this base running," he said without preamble. No sense in trying to break the news gently, since he had never particularly excelled in that particular art, anyway. "I think the best use of my time would be to remain here, as a coordinator. That means I'll need you to make certain that the Autobots who are still here are all fully repaired, refueled, and ready for action at a moment's notice. We know the Decepticons are going to attempt to strike back at us, but we don't know how, or where. All we can do is be prepared."

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Things can't stay this quiet this long

"Has there been any recent Decepticon movement anywhere?" Springer asked Prowl. "I know that sounds stupid, you being the type to have probably already checked this all out. But I mean has anything strange happened lately? Have you detected anything out of the ordinary?"

Springer paused for a moment, rubbing his chin with his right hand. Though he wouldn't admit it, it was obvious he was enjoying himself a little, even in the midst of the impending danger.

"What... what are the weak points in the Autobot territories right now?" he asked. "How are the other bases holding up?" The triplechanger paused again, this time more for genuine anxiety than dramatic effect. "And where exactly is Prime?"

Autobase Nu - Medical Bay

Minerva stared at her patient, trying to figure out how to help him.
‘What cycle do you think we’re in Skywatch?’
She looked at him, and was suddenly struck with a thought.
‘I’d like me to tell me if you remember these people or events. A simple yes no response will do.
Do you remember the great shut down? Or someone called Megatron or Optimus Prime? Do you know about the Autobot and Decepticon factions?
To help him Minerva needed to work out how far back he’d been flung and if he’d lost his recent memories or was stuck in a suppressed memory.

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

Shaking his head in response to Brewer asking him if he knew of Dogfight, Archangel continued his work while listening to the S&R Specialist tell him about Forte's indescretion during the battle. Similar stories had been told to the young Medic before, and 9 times out of 10, the patient had little or no recollection of the incident, which didn't help them when disciplinary charges were brought against them, which by the sounds of things, could be what was going to happen to the unfortunate Fembot.

"Forte, Forte, Forte..." Archangel mumbled to himself, looking up to her face and shaking his head "..What are we going to do with you?" He continued before looking back to Brewer "I think we've got the major damage repaired and she's no longer in any danger from her injuries, it's nearly time to place her into CR and let her recharge, but..." Archangel paused as he placed the plasma torch he was holding back on the tray next to him "...We're not finished yet"

Grabbing a smaller torch, Archangel returned to finish up some of the finer work that needed to be done as he continued talking "If Juggernaught comes looking for her, and I would bet a cycle's salary he probably will, we've got to make sure he understands that what happened wasn't Forte's fault, that she is the victim of an unfortunate condition within her programming.." The Medic paused again as a slightly mischevious grin flashed across his face "..You got any problems stretching the truth a bit if the situation calls for it?"

--------------------------------------
Highway Grid

As Air Raid ascended back to the wingman position alongside him, Silverbolt noted that the time had arrived where their route, and the ground patrol's route parted "OK Aerialbots, take bearing point 25, and spread out, keep your optics open for any signs of 'Con incursions into the Killzone, be it on the gorund or in the air" The Aerialbot Commander ordered before changing his commlink frequency to Kup.

>>OK Kup, this is where we leave you. If we spot anything even remotely out of the ordinary, you'll be the first to know, until then, no news will be good news. Keep those squelches coming, Silverbolt out<<

Highway Grid


Zero turned to watch Orpheus for a moment with mild interest as he rumbled along, but then was distracted by the sound of the Aerialbots above them. He tilted his canid head to watch their formation silhouetted against the sky. Idly he wondered what it was like to free fly as they did. Then Kup commented about Starscream, though Zero never had the …. “pleasure” of dealing with the notorious seeker he knew to look for a red flier, but the sneaky con was never alone so Zero did not expect to see him anyhow. He bounced, as the road seemed to be a little rough.

“How’s the driving Wheelbar?”

Though Zero figured he knew what the answer would be. He lifted his optics to view Getaway who was near Kup. He wondered what they were gossiping about.

Highway Grid

"Roger that Silverbolt, Air Raid moving over and out." Air Raid exclaimed as he started to seperate from the formation, flying down-nose 25 degrees as the black jet started his patrol route. "Hey Skydive if you find the Decepticons before me, make sure to radio it in!" Air Raid exclaimed not wanting Skydive to start the fun with out him.

Medcial Facilities

The green mechanoid paused for a moment. Not sure if he could actully lie. Being a medic meant that information was critical. And telling it to an official was crucial enough. Brewer looked to Forte and her seemingly lifeless face. For his sister... no, Forte was far more than a sister. She was a crush that Brewer was too scared to admitt about. For his crush, Brewer would do anything to keep her safe.

He finished a few harsh cosmetic details and answered, "I might be able to pull off a sob story. Or did you have something else in mind?" Being a medic also meant that you had to mess around with the officials every once in a while.

Highway Grid

WheelBar hadn't noticed how quiet they both had been untill Sub-Zero had spoken up. He relayed the first response that came to him.

"It's ok, not nearly as bad as back in the Killzone on Polytex." WheelBar remembered. Wow, it hadn't been that long ago since he was thrust into battle, and now that he thought about it...well, It was amazing all that he had done in such a short amount of time.

WheelBar focused his attention on the road ahead, knowing that Zero was fixed on the sky. He wished that at least something would happen soon, it was the suspense that was really killing him.

As WheelBar kept rolling forward, the only things he could concentrate on was where we was going and where the 'Cons might be hiding...

Highway Grid

>>"Roger that, Silverbolt," Kup answered the Aerialbot commander as he rattled along Nova Cronum's highways toward the outskirts of Autobot territory, where the Rust Sea rose up to meet the city-state's plains and more developed areas. "We'll keep in touch. Kup out."<<

Rambling along, Kup noticed something unusual on his scanners. What, old age creepin' into my sensor system now, too? He slowed and turned onto a side road that led down and away from the main Grid toward the shores.

"Anyone else catchin' a blip on their scanners? Might just be mine actin' up, but let's see just to be sure."

He slowed even more as rolled closer and closer to the shore, and the road narrowed. This has ambush written all over it...slaggit. Gotta depend on Silverbolt and his boys to watch our tailplates.

"Optics online. Getaway, cover our rear." Kup transformed, indicating for the others to do the same. "Sub-Zero, left flank. Wheelbar, right side. Orpheus, be in the middle and ready to move."

Optics narrowed as he scanned the rubble and wreckage along the shore of the churning rust, Kup slowly moved his musket from side to side as he looked for potential danger.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

"And don't hesitate to do so" Juggernaut grunted and dismissed himself. Now it was time to see how his brother-in-arms had it. If he remembered right, he had seen the medic Brewer around. That probably meant that Dogfight was being repaired at the Medic Bay.

Highway Grid - shore line

Kup lead them along the road turning down a side street so that they headed towards the rust sea . The great body of liquid opened up before them stretching out seemingly forever, until it ended at the shore of Tyrest. The rust liquid beat a rhythm upon the shore wave after wave hit the jagged metallic scrap left to rust beside the beach. Sub-Zero had begun to Growl long before Kup made his complaint about his own sensors. His advanced sensory had picked something up, basically he could “Smell them” or at least a smell that did not belong on the shores, their side of the sea. On Kup’s signal he leaped down from Wheelbar’s truck bed and transformed into his black and silver robotic mode. Without a word he moved to the left, his pistols drawn and his Absolute Zero laser was set on his shoulder. He spoke to Kup in a quiet tone.

“Sir, my olfactory sensors picked up something that doesn’t belong …… basically this doesn’t smell right.”

Mentally he had already made an image of Getaway, Wheelbar, and Orpheus’s positions, he then focused on the shoreline. He wouldn’t put it past the cons to use the sea as an attack point or entry into their defenses. The laser hummed by his head, charged and ready.

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

"Nothing specific exactly, but I like to be prepared just in case Juggernaught is less than happy with Forte.." Archangel began in reply to Brewer "..He may be very understanding and won't require us to convince him of Forte's innocence, but if he does want answers, I think the best course of action would be to work along the lines that Forte was unaware of her condition, and we're now beginning to look into what exactly is wrong with her and if there is any way of fixing it, you know, really play on Forte being a victim in all this"

The Young Medic stopped as he placed the small torch back onto the tray next to thim and closed up the plating on Forte's chest, before looking to Brewer once more "You got anything else you need to do here, or shall we call this a job well done?"

---------------------------------------
Highway Grid

Orpheus had just been rumbling along among the others, paying little attention to the presence of the Aerialbots overhead, just concentrating on following Kup and making sure his squelches were in order, when the veteran Warrior quickly changed direction towards the coast of alongside The Rust Sea. With tires smoking, the huge truck form of Orpheus made an abrupt turn to follow the others down the small, narrow road, when he heard Kup's question about blips on his scanner.

The young warrior was in the middle of checking his own scanners, and was about to reply, when Kup ordered him to get in the middle and be ready, for what exactly, Orpheus didn't have the faintest idea, but he hoped Kup's instincts would be proven right. Transforming into his imposing robot mode, Orpheus took up a place off to the right of Sub-Zero, and grabbed his laser chaingun from it's mountings, and his 2 linear cannons clicked into position to fire at a moments notice. Looking off down to the shoreline, the huge black 'Bot could see nothing yet "You want me to go down and take a look Kup sir?" He asked, the possibility of ambush not registering within his decision making circuits.

Highway Grid

As soon as Sub-Zero was clear of him, WheelBar immediately Transformed, taking to the left of the group's formation. He didn't have anything on his radar yet, but he could tell something didn't feel right.

The waves of the rust sea beat against the shoreline. As WheelBar tapped his right leg, the automatic hatch opened and he pulled his sword from it. His weapon lit up in a bright green color as WheelBar stood ready for anything.

Looking back at Kup, Orpheus, and Sub-Zero, he knew that the time of waiting was almost up. Tightening his grip, he focused on what was soon to come.

Highway Grid - shore line

Skullcruncher had transformed and dropped into the Rust Sea before the trio had gotten with in visual or sensor range of the city state. His alternate mode wasn’t the swiftest, even in the water, but he knew the element of surprise would more than balance out that disadvantage. The Autobots possessed very few aquatic based combatants and he was adapted for fighting in murky fluid like the Rust Sea. He would be virtually invisible while submerged until he struck.

The swamp warrior slowly approached the shoreline, spotting a group of Autobots on patrol. He only recognized Kup, the old warrior being well known on both sides. He also knew how tough the old coot’s hide was. He would probably have to drain his softening-gun’s battery just to make him easier to chew. He didn’t want to wait that long or waste that much energy before sinking his teeth into an Autobot. He could already almost taste them.

He watched as they came to a halt and began to talk amongst themselves. A couple of them cast suspicious glances at the Sea. It looked like his cover might be blown so it was time to act quickly. He picked a target and made his move. Skullcruncher launched himself out of the sea, his jaws gaping open ready to clamp down on Sub-Zero.

Medical Facilities

"Understood," Brewer replied to Archangel. "I'm sure he'll understand. But I'm also sure he won't accept a simple, 'it wasn't her fault' answer, either. We'll more than likely have to explain the situation." The green bot watched has his medic friend closed up Forte, soon asking another question. In reply, Brewer smiled a tad bit and nodded, "Looks great. The CR chamber should take care of the rest without a problem." He gestured his head toward the exit door of the room, "How about we get her in there?"

Highway Grid - shore line

The sea erupted, giving birth to a fearsome creature reptilian in nature but pure Decepticon to the core.

“Oh, SLAG! Look out!!!!”

Sub-Zero did not even have time to aim, as he dove to avoid Skullcruncher rolling upon the ground, rounding off a shot from each Riffle, almost certain they would not hit their mark. The enemy’s teeth snapped mere millimeters from his body, the spray from the attack soaking him, dripping from his armor. The blue of his optics burned bright as he struggled to stand, slipping on the now wet surface he caught himself with his hands, stuck in a crawling position.
He spoke to himself more than to anyone else.

“I may not be made for highway travel but four legs are definitely more agile than two. Besides a smaller target is harder to bite I think.”

With the gift of mass displacement technologies, Sub-Zero transformed into his Dire-Wolf mode. More agile and maneuverable. His black and silver canine form stood snarling viciously at his foe lasers swiveling into position. His pointed ears turned to his Autobot team ready for any orders that may be shouted in the next moment. A howl escaped his lips as he showed his defiance to the headmaster.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"Negative, big fella," Kup told Orpheus as the large Autobot volunteered to go search the shoreline for hostiles. "You're our backup. Keep close and keep ready."

A sudden rustling and scraping near the edge of the land drew the old warrior's attention to Skullcruncher's attack on Sub-Zero. It soon became apparent that Skullcruncher was not alone. With a wild growl, Weirdwolf sprang from the rubble and ruins along the shore in beast mode. Missiles from his triple-stage missile launchers streaked at Wheelbar and Orpheus as he attempted to take advantage of his enemies' surprise.

"Autobots die!" he snarled, turning his murderous attention to Sub-Zero. Lunging forward with his fangs bared, the Decepticon tracker attempted to snatch the Autobot in his jaws and throw him viciously into his comrades' ranks.

"Look lively, lads!" Kup bellowed, swinging his musket laser into action. Spotting Mindwipe not far behind his crocodilian comrade, he snapped off two quick shots before storming forward at the Decepticon hypnotist. The other two are bad enough, but this one'll turn the odds against us in a hurry if he locks optics with one or two of us! Kup knew the Autobots' success likely depended on taking out the mind-control specialist early in the fight.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

Taking to wing, Mindwipe fell back as Kup advanced upon him. This old soldier will suit our purpose nicely...Yes. The shrikebat's devious mind had already formulated a course of action.

Continuing to draw Kup away from his troops, Mindwipe circled around, diving down to pass very close to his foe. As he did, the Hypnotist's optics took on their signature glow.

"Kup! What are you doing?!" he said, his voice filled with mock surprise. "It is I, Kralix." The necromancer called himself by his old name, the one he had borne as a Priest of Primus long, long ago. "Do you remember? We met at Virtue's Forum not an Unath ago!"

The Iacon landmark he spoke of was long gone, reduced to rubble in the early days of the war. However, Mindwipe's words (and his sinister powers) were already working their magic upon the ancient Autobot...

Highway Grid

Skydive circled the whole of the grid thrice before diving low over the motorway. He steadily throttled forward, his optical sensors locking in on the scene before. As he was preparing to transform, a chill ran through his various sensors. Something felt wrong. Very wrong. But what was it? More importantly, where was it? He discarded this thought and kept focusing on ahead. Straight ahead was were he needed to be.