The Energon Pub

Highway Grid: Shoreline

As Kup barked out his orders without hesitation Getaway wasn't about to be caught napping. Slamming on his breaks the worn torn Autobot all but turned on the spot and immediately fell behind the small convoy, the continuing momentum of the other Autobots carrying them forwards, his own sudden stop leaving him far behind.

Getaway all but flipped in the air as he transformed, his screeching tires and roaring engine giving way to robotic arms and legs. His feet skidded across the ground as he made contact with the surface once more, small sections of debris being kicked up all around him, the Autobots keen optics were already sizing up his surroundings, his scanners keeping a solid track of the convoy still moving on up ahead.

No sooner had he come to a complete stop, his Shotgun already pulled free of its harness across his back, was Getaway on the move again, heading towards the mounds of rubble that littered both sides of the highway. Picking his path through the debris with quick yet quite care the veteran slowly caught up with the now halted convoy, being certain to keep himself out of sight.

Coming a stop, roughly fifty paces from the Autobot position, Getaway found himself a suitable slab of cover and hunkered himself down, checking the sights of his weapon. As he waited he heard the Decepticons launch their attack, emerging from the rust sea itself.

Getaway was having a hard time feeling surprised.

"Just like I said..."

The veteran muttered to himself as he slammed the barrel of his Shotgun shut.

"...ceasefire my Aft!!"

The Cons had gone and set themselves up a little ambush, no doubt an event taking place all across the face of Cybertron. Fine, two could play at that game.

Highway Grid - Shoreline


Because his attention focused on the Gator mech. Sub-Zero was taken by surprise as Weirdwolf’s jaws closed around him. Grasping him tight and flinging him towards his fellows. As the Wolf-bot was tossed through the air, he twisted skillfully coming to land a few steps away from the other Autobots. Not even sparing a look at them, knowing a slip could cost them their lives. Though in the back of his mind he hoped they would come out of this ok.

A nice set of punctures in his armor where Weirdwolf’s Teeth had made their claim upon his smaller chassis.
Zero snarled his words no better than a savage growl.

“Oh Heck NO! Let’s Dance you Nanoflea magnet.”

The Mechinoid black and silver Dire-Wolf , Targeted the Canid headmaster with his optic range system, his internal composites calculating his accuracy point. With surprising speed the smaller transformer launched himself at Weirdwolf , his goal to sink his titanium teeth into the Decepticon’s hide…….

Highway Grid-Shoreline

WheelBar had little time to note the surprise attack on Sub-Zero, as he soon met himself face-to-face with missiles launched from a secondary enemy.

He back-flipped, letting his agility do the work, only avioding the missles my mere inches. He landed back on his feet and one hand, the other holding his sword.

"You'll have to do better that that!" WheelBar yelled at the beast-like creature. Before he could even mount a counter attack, the 'con side-stepped him and flew straight towards Zero.

"Hey! Listen to me when I talk to you!" WheelBar flew around, seeing the Decepticon sink it's teeth into Sub-Zero, then tossing him into the air. He wasn't about to let ignoring him and letting his comrade get bit by this guy go! He gripped his sword and launched an attack toward the enemy, aiming for the 'con's mid-section.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Leaving the organization of the most recent data spools to the automated systems for the moment, Prowl keyed up a topographical display of the city-state. With another command, he focused the image upon the ravaged border area between Nova Cronum and Polyhex. "Negative, Springer. So far, I haven't detected any unusual activity from our Decepticon neighbors. Or any activity at all, for that matter. It's like a ghost-state over there. And frankly, that worries me even more than a Terrorcon assault squad tearing into our lines. At least I'm confident we'd be able to deal with something like that."

No, this deceptive quiet was definitely worrisome. If the Decepticons remained true to form, it meant that they were plotting something far more grandiose--and potentially far more damaging--than a mere counterattack against the Maximus Line. Prowl had observed the ebb and flow of the civil war as it had ravaged virtually the whole surface of Cybertron for millennia. In that time, he had noted a definite correlation between extensive lulls, like this one, and the implementation of the Decepticons' most dangerous strategems.

But without any hard data on which to base a working hypothesis, he was facing the same basic fact he had run up against earlier in discussing these matters with Kup: all they could do was prepare as best they were able and remain alert.

"As for the other bases," Prowl went on, waving a hand, "I haven't had any word from Tau in a while, or Autobase Prime, for that matter. My hands have been full just trying to get Nu back up to full functionality." He shot Springer a quizzical look. "And as far as I know, Prime's back in Iacon. Where else would he be?"

[ooc: seems that something ate my original post...trying again]

Medical Bay

Skywatch looked at the medic for a moment "What cycle is it? The Golden Age. " He states decisively, then looks around at the condition of the bay, less certainly "isn't it?. Why would there be a shutdown?" He asks
As for Megatron? Can't really say. Name seems familiar, but" He shrugs "can't really say I know it. Is he a holo star or something? As for Optimus Prime can't say I know that on either. Sounds like a politician..
Faction-wise..I don't think so, not the way you are implying I think. There's always been Autobots and Decepticons..We're different models. They handle the defense stuff, the rest of us the civil stuff. Works well enough I suppose - they like it that way, and it helps the rest of us work without troubles. Can't say I really know many of them though.."

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

Archangel nodded to Brewer and began to move Forte back towards the exit of the operating room. It looked as though the earlier organized chaos that was the medbay had dispersed since he and Brewer had last been in the room, and it was now more calm and under control. "That chamber there Brewer.." Archangel said, pointing to the nearest empty chamber "..And I think it's time we got a bit of a recharge, I don't know about you, but I'm running on fumes here"

---------------------------------------------
Highway Grid ~ Shoreline

Orpheus could barely finish his nod in reply to Kup, before the Decepticon ambush materialised from the Rust Sea, and he couldn't react in time to avoid Weirdwolf's missile attack, as he caught a full blast on his right shoulder, staggering him backwards several steps, and forcing a growl of pain from the young warrior.

As he slowly regained his balance, ignoring the smoldering coming from his armor, Orpheus looked for the source of his pain, but couldn't quite work out which of the 3 Decepticons was his target. Kup had taken off after some weird looking flying 'Con, while Sub-Zero and Wheelbar were engaging the 2 other beast like 'Cons who had launched the ambush. With his laser chaingun already in place, the huge black 'Bot brought it up and aimed it at the nearest target, Skullcruncher, before pulling the trigger, an arc of red laser bursts lighting up the area as they streaked towards the Decepticon.

---------------------------------
Nova Cronum Skies

"Hmm, that's a bit odd.." Silverbolt thought to himself as he cast his eyes over the ground below. Some of the squelches coming in to him from the ground patrol had become slightly irregular, not significantly so, but still enough not to be ignored "Air Raid, Skydive, are you picking up irregular squelches from Kup's team, or are my systems playing tricks on me?" The Aerialbot Commander radioed to his teammates, not sure if it was something to be concerned with, or if he was just getting a bit edgy spending this much time in the air.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"Something's happened, Silverbolt. I'm looking into it right now." Skydive transformed and skidded to a halt across the motorway. Kup wasn't far ahead of him, and there was someone Skydive had never seen before. They spoke as if they knew Kup. Who were they?

Highway Grid - Shoreline

Air Raid heard the incoming transmission from Silverbolt. A thunderous burst from his powerful engines could be heard in the distance as Air Raid performed a circle loop, heading back towards Kup's patrol. The patrol below could hear jet engines, getting closer and closer to there location, becoming higher in pitch the closer Air Raid came to there location while Skydive came to a halt in front of them after transforming. Air Raid took the opposite approach and descended towards the ground, flying around 20 feet off the surface of the grid. "This is how you get a closer look Skydive!" Air Raid exclaimed in a transmission to Skydive.

Air Raid flew overtop of the Autobots the thundering echoe passed crashed over the grid, the force of the wind slammed over those on the ground while Air Raid started to climb back up into the sky once again. "Decepticons!" Air Raid exclaimed while Air Raid opened up a secure transmission to Silverbolt. "Come in Silverbolt. Decepticons have launched an attack from the Rust Sea. Kup's patrol has engaged them. Over and out." Air Raid transmitted to Silverbolt.

Silverbolt was lucky he had got as much information as he did, because Air Raid was ready to have some real fun. The black jet started to circle around in the sky over Seibertron, circling around this time for an attack run. "Look out below Skydive!" Air Raid exclaimed as he started to make anther pass, approaching from the opposite wing this time. Air Raid was in a perfect straight line with his Decepticon targets. "You like to shoot missles do you? Try some from a pro!" Air Raid exclaimed while his missle bay doors opened underneath the jet.

Two missles dropped from the underside of the jet and ignited. A long red flame could be viewed, propelling the missles forward. The two missles left a trail of feint smoke behind them as they traveled towards there target to strike Weirdwolf.

Autobase Nu - Medical Bay

They brought the small fembot to the CR chamber, Brewer carefully placing her into the chamber Archangel had pointed out. He hoped to see Forte awake and fully functioning soon.

"Haven't been refueled since the breafing before the battle, actually," Brewer smirked. He didn't want to show his exhaustion, but he knew it was about time to take care of it. "I need to talk to you about something else that happened on the battlefield, though. How about we discuss it while taking care of ourselves?"

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"Kralix?" Kup wondered aloud. That name's...so blasted familiar... His aged processors ran through subroutine after subroutine, attempting to page the data that would make this situation more clear. "Kralix? What are you doing out here by the Sea?"

Kup paused, his musket still in his hands, but somewhat more loosely. Why in the Pit is the Priest hanging out here in the middle of nowhere? Doesn't add up at all... His fingers tightened momentarily around the grip of his weapon again. But Virtue's Forum...I was just there a little while ago...wasn't I? He shook his head, frustration on his faceplate.

"Kralix, either I'm buggin' out or something's real wrong with this picture. What's going on?"

His hands remained on his weapon, and his optics, though dulled slightly against the glow of Mindwipe's sinister gaze, revealed an internal struggle of will and memory. Kup waited to hear what the Priest had to say, wanting above all else...clarity. Slaggit, why am I havin' such a hard time...remembering?


"All you kill!" Weirdwolf snarled with distinct pleasure as he watched Sub-Zero fly through the air. Fangs gnashing wildly, the tracker advanced on the tumbled Sub-Zero and his comrade Wheelbar, murder in his optics. When Wheelbar advanced with his weapon, Weirdwolf was pleased.

"Die and lay down you won't just, eh?" he laughed through his very sharp teeth. As the claymore-like sword arced down at him, he swung his head to intercept its blade in his teeth, clenching it tightly and clamping down with tremendous force in an effort to snap the Autobot's blade clean in two. This, however, opened the way for Sub-Zero's attack. A roar of pain escaped Weirdwolf's very full mouth as the smaller mecha-wolf's teeth tore into his extraordinarily durable hide.

The tracker considered the difficulty of dealing with the sword he held in his maw as well as the Autobot cur latched onto his side, but as his brilliant mind formulated a way to deal with his two assailants, Air Raid's missiles streaked in at the three tightly-quartered Transformers...

Highway Grid - Shoreline

WheelBar struggled with his sword. That beast had one strong grip! But at least it let Sub-Zero get ahold of the enemy. He noticed how the 'con's head was tilting, as if he was trying to break the blade. WheelBar grinned.

"You're going to have to try harder than that to break this thing!" He struggled a laugh, not daring to let the Decepticon have his most valued possesion.

WheelBar heard a faint streaking noise in the distance and turned, meeting his optics with missles headed straight for the three of them. WheelBar turned to Sub-Zero, "Get out NOW! I'll hold him!!"

WheelBar glared his adversary in the optics. "I'm NOT letting go, and I know you don't want a planet-full of missle shoved down your throat..." WheelBar smiled. "Care to see who's the coward?"

Highway Grid - Shoreline

Seeing that his subject needed further convincing, 'Kralix' filled his face with fear and panic. "The rebellion has spread! The whole of Kaon marches on Nova Cronum, Kup!" His jaw opened and closed, shuddering like a faulty door mechanism.

"They show no mercy! My entire group was slaughtered, I barely escaped! Pilgrims, Kup." If he had not been in the moment, Mindwipe would have died laughing. "We were just pilgrims, and they destroyed us all the same." As he finished his touching portrayal of the fictitious tragedy, Mindwipe clutched an imaginary hole in his chest, falling to his knees.

"I...They've killed me too, Kup. I can't feel my legs." He collapsed to the ground completely. "You...must ge...urgh...get h-help. Warn No...Nova. Bring...the...omega...sentin..." With that, 'Kralix' was gone. Mindwipe lay still for a moment, waiting to see if he had broken the last of Kup's will...

Highway Grid – Shoreline

Skullcruncher ground his teeth in frustration as his prey escaped his jaws. He would have only been a morsel though, not a true meal. He was sure he would find something more filling and tastier among the other Autobots. He might just have to ‘soften’ them up a bit before chomping them down.

The reptile like Decepticon grunted in pain as he was pelted with shots from the Autobot Orpheus. He glanced over at the Autobot. He was a big one, and bulky. He’d probably break some teeth trying to chew on that one. He was going to have to tenderize him first, or chop him up into bite size pieces.

He lashed out with his tail, swinging it towards Orpheus’s legs, trying to knock him off his feet or do some damage to him. Once the attack was over he transformed to his robot mode, brandishing his softening gun in his right hand and his tail-sword in the left. He began firing at the Autobot, trying to make him an easier meal for later.

Autobase Nu - Medbay

Minerva let out an exasperated sigh at Skywatch’s response.
‘Okay your cycles behind. Sit still for a second I’m going to get a look at your memory banks.’

Minerva adjusted the scanner until it was set to Skywatch, then flipped the start switch. Looking at the results on her screen she let out a cry of shock.

‘Sweet Primus, what has been done to you!’

Minerva couldn’t understand why anyone would let a bot into a combat situation with such a fragmented mind and with such a poorly repaired or maintained body. That wasn’t her problem now, she had to try and get his recent memory back before she could convince him he was in need of serious repairs.

‘Okay Skywatch I have an idea, your cortex looks to be a real mess, so I’m going to try to give your memories a jump start, I’d like to download data files containing information on current and recent history as well as files on various members of the Autobot and Decepticon forces, that way you’ll at least know what’s going on even if you can’t remember it. Your memories may not come back instantly or even ever, but will you let me try to help you?’

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

"Heh, at least you can remember when you last got refueled..." Archangel replied as he nodded in reply to Brewer's request, and began moving towards the recharging stations over on the back wall, one of the more quiet spots in the Medbay, and seeing that whatever the S&R Specialist wanted to talk about sounded quite serious, a perfect place to talk out of hearing range of anyone else.

As he hooked his systems up to one of the charging docks, the young Medic made a quick check to make sure nobody was too close before looking back to Brewer "OK, so what do you want to talk about? You look in pretty good shape, what's the matter?" Archangel asked, quietly concerned at what was on his friends mind.

---------------------------------
Highway Grid ~ Shoreline

Orpheus was dropped to one knee as Skullcruncher's tail slammed into his left leg, taking away his base from which he could fire his chaingun. As he was trying to recover his balance, the young warrior was afforded no time, as the Reptile like Decepticon kept up the pressure with further attacks.

Orpheus had no idea of what Skullcruncher's weapon was capable of as he raised up his left arm to shield himself from the incoming shots, he soon found out though as a peculiar sensation overcame his arm as more shots hit the mark. Confused by this unexpected development, but still aware that his enemy was advancing towards him, Orpheus knew he had to do something.

With the blades on his arms not yet replaced from his encounter with Rampage in the earlier battle, the black 'Bot had had the foresight to switch them for the small missile launchers that made up part of his arsenal while he was back in the Medbay. Bringing up his right arm up, Orpheus took aim before firing off 2 missiles at Skullcruncher, roughly targeting the sword carrying arm, as without his blades, the young warrior was at a big disadvantage in close quarters combat.

------------------------------
Skies Over Highway Grid

It seemed that his concerns were not unwarranted, as Silverbolt recieved confirmation from both Skydive on the ground and Air Raid overhead, that Kup and his team were indeed under attack from an unknown number of Decepticons, seemingly launching there assualt from the Rust Sea.

Watching on from a distance, the Aerialbot Commander looked on in slight horror as Air Raid sent 2 missiles streaking towards a trio of fighters, 2 of which were sporting an Autobot insignia. "Air Raid! Watch your fire!.." Silverbolt shouted through the commlink "..We're supposed to be looking after the guys on the ground, not giving them more problems to worry about"

A slight gasp of anger filtered out, unheard by anyone else, as Silverbolt began to descend towards the ground "Slingshot, Fireflight, remain in the air and keep your optics open, there may be an aerial attack following up"
As he closed in on Skydive's position, Silverbolt opened up a commlink to his second in command "Skydive, can you see Kup from your position?"

Highway Grid – Shoreline

Sub-Zero’s enhanced auditories had picked up the hiss of the missiles before Wheelbar had spoke but his teeth had been locked into Weirdwolf’s body and he hadn’t a chance to shout anything. Obeying Wheebar he released the unforgiving Decepticon beast he turned to face Air Raid’s missiles. He had given his buddy a peek at his specialized lasers before but Wheelbar hadn’t witnessed the power behind them. Zero was not about to let friendly fire injure either of them. Hopefully the power cells that supported his weapons would hold out ….. or the wolf-bot was going down of his own doing. Out of two panels in his canine shoulders two blue crystal like laser canons rose, their hum could be heard by anyone close by. Normally Zero reserved using there for the most dire situations, they were dangerous for him to use, if he was not careful he would go into a hard stasis lock.

His visuals locked onto the oncoming projectiles they were still just far enough from them for him to knock them off course, but that was not the only thing his weapon would do to them. A strikingly bright white laser beam shot forth from each cannon head. Zero had aimed one at each missile he prayed to primus that he would hit them. The first one was grazed by the shot knocking it slightly off course, it was still coming at them, but would not hit Wheelbar. The other took the full effect of his absolute zero ray, quickly the inside of the projectile began to freeze, filling with ice and shutting down its internal mechanisms he kept his fire focused on it as it came at him. And as he did the inside of the missile began to fill with ice, as well as coating the outside by freezing the moisture molecules around its hull. Suddenly the missile burst into a million pieces of ice s the hull expanded, like many diamonds the ice chips sparkled as they scattered, mere moments before it would have hit them. The Wolf-bot turned his head to watch the second missile ……

Highway Grid – Shoreline

Air Raid continued to circle the battle ground from the sky the black jet monitored the the struggle below, watching his missles be destroyed and by none the less a friendly. Air Raid was wondering why his fellow Autbots had not cleared out of the area. Closer inspection revealed that his target had locked onto Wheelbar, refusing to let go, noticing the chances of Wheelbar, releasing himself from the clutches of the beast, Air Raid fired his sonic boosters coming around for anther pass, flying low to the ground once again to intercept his own missle. "Ah come on!" Air Raid excluded as he bolted in at blazing speed sending a whirling jet sound in all directions while he actively searched his target system. "This is gonne be close!" Air Raid exclaimed to himself as his missle bay opened once again and a solid black missle fell to the sky, falling for five seconds before activating, a brilliant bright flare lit up the sky as Air Raid launched missle to intercept his last remaining rogue missle.

The two missles collided in mid-air near the cornered Autobots and Decepticons sending a loud deafening explosion through the area, sending a small shockwave to the area nearby. Air Raid was revealed that his missles had not harmed any of his fellow Autobots. Now it was time to take this fight to the ground.

Air Raid circled around to approach Sub-Zero and Wheelbar. "Hang on guys!" Air Raid exclaimed as he transformed in the middle of the air, swinging himself backwards to do a back-flip and land on the ground with a loud thud. In his hands he held a large torgue rifle that produced 80,000 Psi of force, aiming from the hip Air Raids torgue rifle started to charge, glowing blue inside the barrel. "Over here Bozo!" Air Raid yelled before he started blasting multiple shots at SkullCruncher.

Medical Facilities

Brewer was silent as he hooked up himself to the refueling tanks, picking his words carefully. Once he and Archangel were secured, he began to explain.

"Back in Polyhex... A Decepticon medic and his little partner kidnapped me for a bit. They brought me to Shockwave, who was out cold at the time. Everything happened so fast, I can't even pull out their names from my memory banks right now. But... I remember they had taken a small device from my optics sensors," the green mech pointed to them and continued, "I was told that the device was something special. Something that very few bots had. They placed it into Shockwave's optic and told me to request a new one from Ratchet. I was allowed to leave, they even did repairs on me. But I could fight, or they would kill me."

He looked away in shame, feeling that he could have done more if maybe he had fought instead of run. "I'm worried of what my poor choice of actions might have done."

Highway Grid – Shoreline

WheelBar stood in deadlock with the Decepticon that had ahold of his blade, determined to not let go. Sub-Zero had released himself, as WheelBar had wanted him to, but he was taken by surprise when Zero was actually trying to intercept the missles with is laser-weapons his friend had showed him earlier.

When Zero fired, only one of the missles shattered to a million pieces, as the other one headed toward him and is Decepticon enemy. He wasn't worried about himself though, what was going through is circutry was that he needed to know how much of Zero's internal power had his friend used. If Zero was stasis locked, WheelBar was just going to have to get out fast and attend to his fellow solider's needs.

This thought had little time to be analyzed though, as the one who had fired the missles in the first place roared down to intercept the last projectile. The jet drooped another explosive, cancelling out the other in a massive fireball. The shockwave hit the two locked Transformers, sending WheelBar flying and smashing into the ground.

He was a little dazed, but his systems seemed to be unharmed. He could still feel his sword in his hands, amazingly, but he had no idea if the Decepticon was still attached to it or not...

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"The Pit what?" Weirdwolf snarled as he picked himself up off the ground. Aside tossed...an explosion then...! Whatever had happened, it had happened quickly. One moment he was trying to consume the Autobot's sword and his arm with it, and the next he was knocked several meters backward. "Autobots sneaking, filthy, cowardly!"

As he saw Air Raid land and open fire on Skullcruncher, Weirdwolf supposed he knew what had happened. Fire friendly! "Moron Autobot...aim lousy your is! Matter no. Friends kill shall I anyway!"

Transforming into his imposing robot mode, Weirdwolf drew his thermal sword and photon pistol from subspace. Firing a salvo of blinding blasts from his photon pistol at Wheelbar, he then moved in with the thermal sword, looking to eviscerate the Autobot with the blazing-hot weapon.


"Kralix!" Kup held the fast-fading Transformer in his arms as he slumped down to the ground. "Don't die on me, you old pilgrim!"

Whatever hold Kup still had on the here and now vanished as Mindwipe completed his illusion. Parts of it made little sense to Kup - what was he doing out here in the first place, and what had he been doing just before Kralix found him? - but he saw, real as real could be, the old Priest of Primus expire before his optics.

"I've gotta warn the Autobase," he said, standing. "Slaggit, Kralix, we'll give you a proper ceremony once we turn the rebels back." It bothered him to have to leave Kralix there, but he had no choice. Nova Cronum needed to be put on full alert. He opened a priority-one commlink and sent his message.


Autobase Nu - Command Center

A message, coded maximum priority for the city commander, arrived on Nu's main comm screen. The face of Kup, with the violence on the shoreline visible in the background, appeared.

Kup wrote:We're under a full-scale attack by an assault force from Kaon! They're slaughtering noncombatants and are about to overrun our positions. We need the Omega Sentinel now! We'll try to keep them back, but I don't know how long we can hold the line. Kup out...'til all are one!

With a brief salute from the veteran warrior, the message ended.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

Air Raid had just fired a number of shots from his torque rifle at SkullCruncher before his optics returned to Weirdwolf. Air Raid then split his attetion between the two Decepticons in order to aid his fellow Autbots better, turning his shoulders and aiming his powerful torque rifle at Wierdwolf, as Wierdwolf closed in on Wheelbar and Sub-Zero's status was unknown to him. "Not if I have anything to say about it!" Air Raid exclaimed after Wierdwolf had taunted him. Air Raid pulled his torque rifle up to his chest level and centered it on Wierdwolf as he advanced on Wheelbar.

Air Raids torque rifle opened fire once again, aiming to blast Wierdwolf directly in the back as numerous Psi energy blasts came from Air Raids torque rifle aimed at Wierdwolfs back.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

WheelBar's optics scrambled as he tried to soak in the full situation. He could tell that that Decepticon had let go of his sword, and he had heard the other Autobot land touch down on the surface. He regained his balance and gazed forward, unfortunatelly the beast-like con had not been seriously hurt by the blast and was advancing on him fast.

Also unfortunatelly, the Decepticon was too close for WheelBar to take the offensive side, so he clenched his sword, knowing that for the first few moments all he could do is defend himself.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Prowl's attention was drawn away from his conversation with Springer when the automated communications grid alerted him to an incoming top-priority message. It was coded specifically for the city commander, but with Fortress Maximus still absent from Nova Cronum, it seemed the Strategic Analyst had been temporarily saddled with that position. Holding up his hand to indicate to the Triplechanger that he would need a minute, Prowl routed the transmission to his own internal receivers.

As soon as Kup's frantic voice began speaking, the normally staid mechanoid's blue optics flashed brightly in alarm. Decepticons attacking from Kaon? Why in the Pit would they be doing that? Their aquatic-capable warriors weren't nearly sufficient to overrun the Autobase, and Nu's tracking systems would have detected an inbound flotilla coming in from the Rust Sea. But Kup was hardly the kind of soldier to exaggerate a predicament like this.

His trust in Kup aside, however, Prowl wasn't convinced that Omega Supreme should abandon his post along the Polyhex border. With the patrols evidently tied up with this attack, the Guardian represented the only military asset the Autobots had in the area. It was not outside the realm of possibility that this was all some sort of elaborate feint, either--although it would have to be a pretty accomplished feat of chicanery to get Kup this worked up.

But they weren't called Decepticons for nothing, were they?

"Springer," Prowl said quickly, accessing the sensor grid for the area adjoining the Rust Sea to confirm Kup's report. They were picking up heavy weapons fire, but there was no way to confirm the actual number of mechs involved. "I need you to grab every able-bodied Autobot you can lay your hands on and reinforce Kup's team. It sounds like things have gotten pretty urgent out there all of a sudden."

He'd known the relative peace and quiet following the assault on Polyhex had been too good to be true.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

With relief Zero watched as Wheelbar was spared from horrible damage. Suddenly the wolf-bot stumbled, his canine face hitting the ground burring his nose. Inside him somewhere a computerized voice spoke to him.

>>Energy levels at 50%>Energy levels at 40% Stasis Lock commencing.>Energy levels 30% Stasis Lock eminent.<<

“O-V-E-R-R-I-D-E!!!!!!”

Zero was fighting a loosing battle, his brilliant blue optics flickered. There was no medic and he toyed with death by forcing the issue. But he had given his word and he was determined to keep it.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

I guess this is Kup's way of saying he misses me.

Springer smiled internally. Of course, he still looked happy on the outside, as always. But any more satisfaction on his face and he would have Prowl on his aft.

And who would want that?

Springer shook his head when he realized jsut what the commander was asking.

"That won't take much work , Prowl," the triplechanger laughed. He realized he let it slip, but he didn't stop. "Kup has almost every 'bot we had here. On top of that we're already spread way too thin over all the other bases and territories. I'm not saying I won't do it, just that able-bodied might have a new, more inclusive definition in the web dictionary after I look through what we have. Don't worry, a challenge is fun, so I'll get on it."

Springer gave Prowl a reassuring thumbs up. With his other arm, he punched the other Autobot's shoulder.

"Oh come on, don't look like you just stalled your transmission," he said. "When have I ever let you down?" He changed to a slightly more serious tone suddenly. "Real quick, though, do we have any visual on what's going on out there? Any hints, leads? Any anything?"

Springer stepped back and smiled again

"Hey, and you know Kup," the Wrecker said. "He and the rest of the guys will probably have this all cleaned up by the time I get out there. This better not be a prank on me, or else you two better wear some clutch-guards around the base."

Though I really wish that was the case.