The Energon Pub

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"Good lad," Kup told Orpheus as he offered to take the wounded Wheelbar from Brewer. "We need Brewer's good optics in the lead as we pull back."

Search-and-rescue specialist was a function that required a highly perceptive 'Bot with keen attention to details who took nothing for granted when searching for a lost comrade - qualities that also made for an excellent scout or ambush-spotter. Among the Autobots present, Brewer was probably the most likely to spot trouble before it reared its ugly cranial unit. With his wounded cargo secured in his truck bed and the other casualties under control, Kup rolling forward, heading back into the city-state proper.

"Autobots...transform and roll out! Next stop, Autobase Nu."

---

Rust Sea - Heading Back to Tyrest

Flying along at low level, just above the cresting swirls of corroded ferrous liquid that comprised the Rust Sea, Weirdwolf was simultaneously pleased that the Autobots had seemingly been thrown into total disarray and somewhat disappointed that he had not had the opportunity to inflict more casualties upon the enemy force. He turned his cranial module as he flew along to look at his commander, Clench.

"Success the mission was, boss?" he asked. "Autobots distracted and into disarray thrown?"

He wondered what was next for Clench's commando team. No doubt Lord Scorponok had some use for them.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"Ahh, slag...it looks like they're gone," Came the muttering from the heavily built fembot, standing up and shoving dirt off of her frame. Looking around, through the layers of dust that had been kicked up by the Decepticon's final covering barrage and that was still swirling around the are, the facial structure of the female Transformer formed a frown of dissapointment.

Ingram waved towards the seashore and gave up hope to involve himself in battles any further. Her heels screeching against the metallic ground, she turned around and began walking back the way they had rushed through earlier to help their comrades, as if her wide back was posing to be some sort of rear guard or shield for the rest of the Autobots.

The tank femme did suffer some minor injuries from the hailstorm of firepower, but nothing particularly serious or inconvenient.

As she paced, her optics caught the sight of her team mate and friend, Glock, stumble along with the rest of the mechs, her steps and motion uncharacteristically wobbly.

"Hey what, Glocksie, someone hit you on the cranial?" Ingram asked in her usual, gruff tone.

"Almost..." Glock hissed, trying to get her focus back and straighten the line on which she was walking, not paying too much attention to her comradine.

"Whatever..." Ingram dismissed her with a wave and took a last glance in the direction the Decepticons left before transformed into her tank mode, and with her tracks rattling against the ground, she headed after Kup and the rest of the Autobot force.

Rust Sea - Heading Back to Tyrest

Juggernaut's hastily fired shots towards the retreating Decepticon group offered no real threat against Clench and his group. Nor did Clench feel a need to answer to the fire despite Juggernaut being a compelling target even from this distance. Getting back to Tyrest was more important than wasting ammunition for not all that sure hit. He would remember the Autobot though, the thought of taking the hulking mech apart with his bare hands was rather entertaining.

"You three did what was asked from us. Got a signal from Scorponok, Tagan Heights is ours." Clench grunted as an answer to Weirdwolf's inquiry, his voice telling he wasn't all that happy despite the successful mission.

"You slagging saw it yourselves. Had we been here with few more warriors Nova Cronum would have been weakened greatly if not outright fallen under the power of our assault." The notorious Decepticon cursed, still plowing through the waves of the Rust Sea in full speed towards Tyrest.

"Such waste."

Highway Grid ~ Shoreline

>>Understood Prowl, I'll inform my team of their orders. I've taken some damage and will require a trip to the Medbay before I can rejoin my team back in the air, if those repairs end up taking longer than planned, should I inform Skydive to take the Aerialbots and resume the patrol without me?<<

Silverbolt radioed back to the Military Strategist as he walked along behind Kup and the others. This was far too much of a coincidence for the Aerialbot Commander to just accept, as usual, cease fire was a term that seemed to have a different meaning to the Decepticons and Autobots. Pushing the thoughts aside for a moment, Silverbolt radioed Skydive to inform him of Prowl's orders, and was answered by the Aerialbot Strategist falling into position overhead of him and the other members of the ground patrol, Slingshot, Fireflight and Air Raid in formation alongside.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

Being confronted by two bots offering aid in taking Wheelbar off his hands, Brewer wasn't sure who to give him to. So, he only held out the bot as best he could without harming him any further - and not dropping him - waiting for either Orpheus or Kup to take the younger bot away. In response to the far older mech's orders, Brewer nodded and said, "I'll keep a close optic out."

Highway Grid ~ Shoreline

Springer’s sword just missed Skullcruncher’s optics as the Headmaster then transformed and retaliated with swordplay of his own. But before The Wrecker could engage his foe Skull turned to retreat. Springer looked beyond the swamp demon to see someone had called him back, someone from the sea …….
“Clench”
Springer muttered angrily. To make matters worse clench sent a hail of fire upon them hitting his fellow Autobots and giving the three headmasters an easier escape.

Springer punched a large hunk of scrap that was within his reach. He thought to himself. This had been a set up. That’s the only reason they would give us such a meaningless fight. Angrily he made his way over to Kup, only for his expression to soften when he realized the extent of his fellow’s injuries. He choked suddenly when his optics came to Archangel.

“Slag, we need to get them back now.”

He looked over at the femmes Ingram and Glock then at Orpheus and Brewer who was now holding an injured rookie Wheelbar. He was about to comment when he noticed Silverbolt and how banged up he was. The triple changer walked beside the Aerialbot as he sent a message to Prowl. Waiting for him to finish Springer spoke in an aggravated tone.

“Silverbolt do you have the distinct feeling something isn’t right? I mean what the heck was that? It was a pointless ambush. I mean yeah cons are stupid but this just wasn’t right. Especially with Clench retreating like that.”

Highway Grid ~ Shoreline

Taking Wheelbar from the outstretched arms of Brewer, Orpheus transformed into his truck mode and did his best to imitate what Kup had done with Archangel earlier, by placing the injured 'Bot in the bed of his truck. With his passenger secured as best he could, the young Warrior fell into the Autobot convoy as they began the journey back to base.


As he stared up at his team flying overhead, Silverbolt's attention was brought back down to earth as Springer came up alongside him. It seemed he wasn't the only one asking questions about this incident.

"I have my doubts over this being pointless Springer, those involved aren't exactly known for their inefficiency, quite the opposite in fact..." The Aerialbot Commander paused briefly, making sure his voice wasn't too loud before continuing "..But I agree, something isn't right. I've just been in contact with Prowl, and it seems Omega Supreme is currently engaged in some sort of skirmish with the 'Cons, nothing too serious at the moment, but it does fit in rather too easily with what just happened here.."

Silverbolt paused once more as he shrugged his shoulders, slightly wincing in pain as he did so "..But it's a dangerous game to work on assumptions, let's just get back to base and talk to Prowl, if there is anything going on, he'll be the first one to know"

OOC - I think we can move Clench's Commandos back to the Tyrest thread, fellas. IC -

Highway Grid - En Route to Autobase Nu

Rolling along at a modest speed to keep his wounded comrade from experiencing too many bumps and jostles, Kup attempted to piece together what had happened on the Shoreline.

The old priest...I remember him. But he died thousands and thousands of vorns ago. Kralix went down in the early days of the Civil War. Vanished. His cranial unit was already aching. But then I saw him on the shore, right after the Decepticons ambushed us. Kup was no Perceptor when it came to the brains-and-observation department, but he didn't have to be Percy to realize that Kralix's appearance in the current day, on the shores of Nova Cronum, made no sense whatsoever.

Hallucination? Old processor finally giving out on me, making me see things? he wondered bitterly. His mind went to Archangel, laying in stasis lock in his truck bed. Like Pit I'm wasting the medics' time on this drek when there are Autobots with real injuries to deal with.

He kept on rumbling toward Autobase Nu, resolved that he wasn't about to start letting the technicians tinker with his head module just because of one incident.

One incident that might've caused the casualties the Autobots were now carrying back to base.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Prowl considered the Aerialbot Commander's response for a moment before transmitting, >>Affirmative, Silverbolt. I don't want you up in the air at less than one hundred percent functionality, and ideally I'd like your whole team to be ready to support Omega, but if necessary I'll authorize Skydive to take command. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, though.<<

Hope, however, was a commodity in very short supply at the moment. Transmissions out of the Tagan Heights had ceased, and there were strong indications that Ultra Magnus had ordered a general withdrawl before the communications disruption. There was still no word on Prime. And sensor scans of the border with Polyhex were revealing a major spike in random energy surges, a fairly clear indication that the Decepticons were now bringing serious firepower to bear against the mighty Guardian.

Still. No cause for panic--not that such an emotive response would have been in any way productive. Clear and lucid thinking was required now. Omega would surely be sending a status update shortly. Once Prowl had that, he could make the call, whether to send what reinforcements Springer and the others could scrape together or trust in the Guardian's formidable defenses.

Or even, if it came to the worst, order Omega to withdraw to the Maximus line. Even if it meant no longer contesting the fringes of Polyhex, their dwindling resources had to be utilized with the utmost forethought and pragmatism.

Highway Grid - Shoreline

"This was a diversion, no doubt about that" Juggernaut turned his gaze from the horizon where Clench had just disappeared towards Springer and the others around him.
The giant Autobot transformed and began rolling towards Autobase as fast as he could. Something told him that the battle would soon be continued right where it they left it.

Message to Prowl from Omega Supreme

>>"Position: Unmaintainable. Withdrawl: Necessary. Course: Nova Cronum. Repairs: Necessary. Arrival: Shortly. Pursuit: Possible."<<

Maximus Line: Bunker 23

If there was one thing that bothered the commanding squad officer beyond all measure, it was the near continual distress calls flooding the communication arrays. It was a tragic turn of events abounding around the invasion of Tagan, and of course neither he nor his squad were allowed to smash the Decepticon flanks in Polyhex. Still hitting them there would have only diverted a small portion of the invaders back to defend, and not having certain other units there did not help matters. Thus it was, Tagan Heights fell to the full onslaught of Decepticon invaders while command sat back and relaxed unable to do anything but watch. It didn't matter now, what was done was done and could only be changed through a renewed offensive... once Megatron's beasts were stopped at their next advance.

"Sir, Sir... Nova Strike Sir." An aid clammored up a ladder and pushed through the hatch doors. His facial expression, albeit limited, told the signs of urgency. "Sir, we have further reports from Iacon."

Nova Strike, a squad level commander currently in charge of the bunker on the front lines of Nova Cronum, turned his gaze from the panel of streaming information. "And what does our illustrious command have to say?"

The lower non comp let the hatch door close behind him and straightened his posture as it handed over an encrypted data pad. He snapped to attention, obviously a new arrival, as it waited for Nova's responce. "So they are overloaded with casualties and wounded. Not suprising considering the aft kicking they just received by Megatron's cons." He shifted his weight slightly as he leaned back onto the command panel. "Shortages of medics and supplies, I can empathize... but nothing I didn't already know. We missed the action on the coast and the fighting in the interrior, I suppose we're the only group at relative full strength along the line."

"Shall I send a reply sir?"

Nova Strike tossed the datapad onto a small metalic table covered in a flat map of the Nova Cronum, Polyhex territories. "No, Iacon knows we're here, and so do those commanders over at Nu. Cons probably think we moved the bulk of our units south to join the battle." He scratched his chin briefly as he moved over to the holo map displaying the recent incursion into Nova Cronum. "If anything I want them to continue to think that, at least for a while. Pass the word to keep all out door excursions to an absolute minimum."

The mech nodded, "Anything else sir?"

"Yes, this bunker is on full combat alert. Everyone is to be fully armed and ready at a moments notice... Dismissed." The mech departed allowing the hatch to close silently behind him leaving Nova Strike alone once more to his thoughts. He was aware of the new stresses that were being put on his men, afterall he had been fighting this war as long as he could remember. He wasn't a strategist by nature, indeed he perfered to run in, kick con can, then get out with the victory in hand. But he was smart enough to know patterns and logic to strategies in war. If Megatron wanted to hit Iacon fullbore now, he would be repulsed catostrophically. Primarily because even though it was treating wounded, it still had plenty of numbers to repel a Decepticon invasion long enough for Altihex or Nova Cronum to hit the Con columns in their flanks.

It left only two foreseeable options in Nova Strike's mind, attack Altihex, strategically worthless in many respects, and armed with plenty of defenses in its own right, or turn attention to Nova Cronum. It was the nature of war, it would take time for the Decepticons to build enough of a force in Tagan and Polyhex to be able to secure flanks while taking down any sort of target. Which meant for the next long while, until the wounded were repaired and Optimus and his council had a chance to talk things out, Nova Strike was going to have to remain on his toe components and have his mechs ready.

As he pressed a magnetic marker across the map indicating the latest reports of secured shorelines, his console erupted in a distasteful klaxon. The screen flashed over to radar mode and began to show a single blob. And it was a big one too, definately not the friendly neighborhood energon delivery man. Pressing on the console communication button he activated a closed line channel to the Anti Aircraft batteries. "We've got incoming, still to far off to make any sort of positive ID. Arm up but keep out of sight until we can get firther confirmation... that is all." Nova closed the line and watched the screen as the object moved closer to the line.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

It appeared that Prowl had underestimated the Decepticons' determination to drive Omega Supreme from Polyhex. Obviously whoever had assumed command of the city-state had not spent the tense lull afforded by the ceasefire idling. Even so, if it weren't for the recent disasters on Moon Alpha and in the Tagan Heights, the strategist might very well have considered ordering the formidable Autobot to hold his position until reinforcements arrived.

As it was, with Megatron on the offensive along seemingly every conveivable front and most of Nu's personnel either damaged or engaged in repair efforts, there was nothing they could do. Omega Supreme could probably put a significant dent in the forces that were assaulting him, but likely at the cost of his own functioning. And that was a loss the Autobots simply couldn't afford at this juncture.

Acknowledging the ancient Guardian's transmission, Prowl then commed the Aerialbots, under the interim leadership of Skydive.

>>Aerialbots, this is Autobase Command. Consider this your order to scramble. Rendezvous with Omega Supreme inside the Maximus Line and escort him back to the Autobase. Avoid hostilities if possible; however, use of lethal force is authorized should enemy units cross into Nova Cronum.<<

Maximus Line: Bunker 23

Nova Strike waited patiently as the blob grew more emense across the scanner screen. It was too big to be a single fighter or bomber, but still it didn't segment as it got closer to reveal any sort of multiplicity. Punching in a few extra commands into the computer he managed to bring up a networked connection with the two flanking stations to the north and south of his current position. Same results, too big to be a fighter with no indication of there being more than one. It was frustrating, he had not received too many reports from Nu, probably because they had too many problems of their own to deal with. Still some sort of sniff of what was going on outside would have been of great assistance.

A soft rap upon the command doors broke his consentration. He gave the clearance for the doors to open and returned to his work. "Sir... As per your orders, bunker is at full combat readiness. Anti Aircraft specialists Flak Trak and Tomburst have manned their respective weapons and are awaiting your orders."

Still no changes, and the object was quickly entering effective weapons range. "Antiquated junk." He finally spoke aloud. He flipped the console switch to another channel for visual cameras splayed across the peremeter. "Still nothing."

"Sir they require orders now before that object reaches effective range for a bomb run."

"Shut up Lacy I am thinking." He folded his arms over his chest plate and began to rub at his chin with his left thumb and index finger. It wasn't typical Decepticon tactics, they'd fly much lower to avoid detection, or more likely they would just walk up to the front door and take off for their runs point blank. "Tell'em to hold fire. I want visuals..." He turned to a small storage locker off to the right of his little map table. Entering the proper codes, he pulled back the hatch and withdrew a pair of fresh blaster clips, a couple of smoke grenades, a Phosperous Flare or was it two, and a pair of flash disks. He closed the locker up and turned to the aid mech. "Who ever that is, its coming this way, I want all personel on standby but no one fires unless I give the direct command, got it?"

Lace nodded and gave a salute. "And what about you sir?"

"I am going to the observation tower, hopefully I'll get a better sense of what the hell is out there." He slapped the items to a magnetic strip across his chest and reached into a box next to the previously discarded datapad. Pulling out a micro transceiver and stuffing it into a wrist compartment along with a pair of high powered binoculars, he looked over at the aid. "Stay here and try not to touch anything."

"But sir my assignment is to prot..." Nova Strike scowled and the mech fell silent.

"Do I honestly look like I need protection? Your assignment is to follow orders of your superiors. No exception." Before the slimmer escort could respond, Nova Strike was out the door. He flipped end over end and entered his vehicular form driving up the various ramps towards the observation tower.

After only a few minutes he reached his destination and reverted to his robotic form with Binoculars in one hand pressed up to his optics and the micro transceiver in the other. It auto focused on the last recorded coordinates and began scanning for power signatures. Simultaniously he instructed the communicator to construct an encrypted link with Commander Prowl in Nu. "Bunker 23 to command, Nova Strike reporting, we have an unidentified big bulky object headed our way. We're standing by for further data, hope it don't take too long..."

(OOC: the wounded are taking to long to get here so I’m about to go get them unless they turn up sharpish)

Where were they? Minerva hated waiting for casualties, caught between two points of activity, but this was taking far to long. She had heard Prowl’s message correctly, and Sub-Zero’s reports confirmed the situation, therefore she could only conclude that something had happened to the task forces. Once that thought stuck, it was difficult to dislodge, suppose they couldn’t get to med bay? What if they were on the ground, helpless whilst the energon was draining out of them? Minerva couldn’t stand around waiting for the wounded, she needed to go to them.

‘Prowl, this is Med Bay, we are ready to go but have received no patients. I’m worried they may be somehow impeded and am requesting permission to go to them.’

Forte, Sub-Zero, I’d like you to be ready for an outdoor excursion, we may be about to become a travelling field hospital.

Autobase Nu - Entrance

Rumbling up to the large wall that surrounded Autobase Nu, Kup sent his authorization codes to the fort's security systems. A gate parted to allow the old warhorse and the rest of the Autobots admittance, and he rolled straight for the main entrance. Again, armored shield doors parted and Kup continued rolling along, headed for the medical facilities. He opened a comm channel to the Med Bay.

>>"Med, this is Kup. We're on our way."<<

Turning a corner, he sped down the corridor as best he could without jostling his wounded cargo and then drove into the Med Bay. Spotting Minerva, he came to a stop near one of the repair tables. Transforming carefully, the battered green and gray Autobot emerged into robot mode with Archangel in his arms. Gently placing the Autobot field medic onto the table, he looked to Minerva.

"Lad caught one from Clench," he said bitterly. "Looks like it sheared his rotors and a Pit of a lot more."

He looked to where the other Autobots were arriving in the base.

"And we've got more where Archangel came from."

Autobase Nu - Medical Facilities

Emerging just behind the rally of injured mechs from the ambush, Brewer scanned around, ready to help Minerva in any way he could. Through his scan, the green bot spotted Forte and his spark seemed to have jumped, relieved that she made it through repairs successfully. But there wasn't time for greetings and rejoicing. Others needed help similar to her previous condition, and he wasn't going to let his emotions get the best of him again.

Walking up to Minerva Brewer offered his assistance on Archangel.

Forte, in the meantime, wasn't sure what to do. If anything, all she could do was point out which beds to place the patients in. "Ummm...You... er...the big black bot," she was trying to catch Orpheus' attention, but with all the commotion around, her voice may not have reached him. "C-could you bring your injured to this table?"

Highway Grid ~ Nearing Autobase Nu

Slightly behind the rest of the returning ground patrol, Silverbolt continued walking alongside Springer as he recieved Prowl's confirmation that he wasn't to take to the air until full repairs had been carried out, and Skydive was to be place on standby to assume leadership of the Aerialbots until that time came. After sending a quick reply of acknowledgment to the Autobot General, the currently grounded leader of the Aerialbots filled in his second in command as the the situation as the safety of Autobase Nu got ever closer.

He hadn't got much closer before another commlink message from Prowl reached him and the rest of his team, it seemed that the skirmish in Polyhex had escalated somewhat since he'd last talked about it.

>>Orders recieved and understood Prowl Sir, we're on our way<<

Skydive replied as he broke formation off to the left, Slingshot following him, while Fireflight and Air Raid broke off to the right, all 4 heading towards their escort target. Watching them turn and head off back towards the Maximus Line, Silverbolt cursed as he knew he should be up there with them, even though he may secretly prefer to be on the ground.

------------------------------------
Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

He'd been following Kup as best he could, back along the highways of Nova Cronum, through the base entrance, and around the corridors of Autobase Nu back to the Medbay, Orpheus' unofficial second quarters. Archangel often said he should just request to be stationed in the Medbay seeing as he spent so much time there. Orpheus never did quite understand that, he wouldn't be allowed to have his quarters in the Medbay, it's not proper procedure.

As he stood there with the injured Wheelbar over his good shoulder, his thoughts quickly turned from happy ones to what greeted him now, his longtime friend now on the Medbay table rather than standing over it. Orpheus felt useless. It was his job, he had sworn to protect the Medic, ensure his safety at all times, and yet here he was, a veritable wreck, and the young Warrior had failed. As he went to clench his fist in anger, Orpheus was only greeted by pain, as he tried to clench the wrong fist, the one attached to the half eaten arm.

The pain was largely unwelcomed, but it did bring him out of his thought fuelled daze and back to the matter at hand, which was a soft voice, barely audible over the background noise of the Medbay. As he searched for the source of the voice, Orpheus spotted a small femme, who seemed to be calling him over. Walking towards Forte, the bulky black 'bot stared at her, trying to figure it out how he recognised her, before placing Wheelbar down onto the indicated table.

Still looking as inquisitively as he could (Which wasn't very) Orpheus replied "Here you go.." He began, once more bringing his injured arm round in front of him "..I, uh, don't know what's wrong with him, I just followed Kup's orders and brought him back, are you a Medic?" Orpheus asked Forte, maybe he knew her from one of his numerous trips to the Medbay, she could well be one of the 'Bots who worked here.

Autobase Nu ~ Medbay

Zero nodded and started to make proportions for what Minerva wanted to do when Kup radioed them. Moments later the weathered bot appeared with Archangel in his arms. Zero dropped the soddering iron that was in his hand.

“Primus, Arch……. Is he still alive?”

The beastbot walked over to the injured medic placing a hand on one damaged chopper blade to comfort him. Zero looked at Kup.

“I didn’t know Clench was there. He must have shown up after I was knocked out.”

He looked back at the battered Archangel.

“Don’t worry buddy, Minerva will get you up again. I’ll do my best to assist.”

Looking around he spoke to Kup again.

“Where’s Wheelbar?”

Zero’s spark went Ice cold when he saw who Orpheus had. Kup need no longer answer the Direwolf mech’s question. Zero’s arm fell to his side as he approached Orpheus. Wheelbar was obviously in stasis lock. Sub-Zero’s optic visor flashed as he looked over Wheelbar’s damaged body. It appeared that holes lined one side of Wheelbar’s body and there was possibly more but Zero was no medic himself.

“I should have been there to help him.”

The black and silver mech whispered. He watched Orpheus place his battered friend on the table then motioned the medical drones to come over to assess the damage while Minerva was occupied.



Highway Grid ~ Nearing Autobase Nu

Springer nodded to Silverbolt’s body language, as they approached the facility. Being uninjured he was positive Minerva would have some assistive duties for him. He looked skyward as The Arielbots broke and headed off on assignment.

“Good luck boys.”

Springer would have loved to join them but he wanted to hear what Kup had to say about this suspicious little ambush they had all been duped into. After that he would see if there was any action he could take. Secretly he wished the other wreckers had been there with him, they would have kicked aft under his direction. Perhaps later Srpinger could assist Silverbolt after his repairs.

Autobase Nu - Medbay

The med bay had gone from deserted to crammed in astroseconds, Whilst the drones began to patch up minor injuries, Minerva quickly moved over to Archangel, and let out a small gasp as she saw he full extent of his injuries. Minerva wasted no time and immediately began to hook the bot up to life support, and began issuing instructions to the intact mechs who were waiting for something to do.

‘Brewer, Orpheus, I need you to do what you can for Wheelbar, if his armour is beyond repair, strip it off, we’ll deal with dignity later. Kup, if your not busy I’d like you to ensure everyone in this room gets some energon into them.’

Minerva turned towards Sub Zero, who stood frozen looking at the stiff form of Wheelbar; he needed to have something to take his mind off of his friend.

‘Zero, I want you to hold the med bay entrance, no one leaves who looks like they have so much as a bolt out of place, Forte if you could help him?’

Minerva wished she could comfort these poor mechs, tell them everything was going to be all right, but she didn’t have time, Archangel was in real danger, she had to act now. She began by running a full scan of his form, then proceeded to start reconnecting his primary circuits, if she couldn’t keep energon flowing through him, he was dead. The process took so long; there were so many breaks, so many places where lines had broken in two. Archangel was going to need extensive repairs, possibly temporary amputation. Determined she would not let him die, Minerva continued her work in grim silence

Autobase Nu - Hallways

Topspin was running along the Autobase corridors, he’d heard talk of Omega Supreme being attacked and was eager to get his teeth into some action

‘Prowl, this is Topspin, requesting permission to aid the team heading to re-enforce Omega Supreme, they’ll need all the help they can get’

Topspin was now nearing the Autobase entrance, it didn’t really matter what prowl wanted, he was bored of hanging around, he wanted action. As he moved on he thought that he could always go and find Springer, he’d be doing something exciting, Topspin hoped.

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Gears had been generous enough towards the wounded and avoided going to the medbay despite having the urge to see what had happened to his comrades. No, his presence would have not helped there right now. I'd just have depressed them more somehow, better this way. The small Autobot thought as he slipped into the Command Center where Prowl was making himself busy.

"Any news from other fronts Prowl?" He asked after hesitating for a while. "I feel we have been played here."

Autobase Nu - Command Center

Prowl wasn't precisely sure just when he had become a mech in such great demand, but if pressed would have speculated that it had happened sometime just prior to the whole planet coming apart at the seams in such spectacular fashion. The command center was abuzz with communications traffic ranging in importance from the proprietary to the questionable. Coping with the influx was hardly beyond his capabilities, but there were moments when it began to test even his considerable patience.

It was probably understandable, given that he was attempting to do the work of a communications officer, military analyst, and city commander simultaneously. Perhaps he should see about getting an assistant some time in the near future.

Such flights of whimsy, however, were not going to achieve any productive results. First, there was the transmission from Bunker 23 to deal with. From the sound of it, they were sorely in need of a maintenance crew and a full overhaul of their scanning equipment. >>Hold your fire, Nova Strike,<< Prowl returned just a touch wryly. >>The object you're detecting is Omega Supreme returning from Polyhex. Are you having problems receiving his passive recognition signals?<<

That was just what they needed, really. A lot of nervous, triggerhappy Autobots shooting at each other.

He then acknowledged the Aerialbots' departure message. Sending the unit out at less than full strength was hardly the ideal scenario, but they were unarguably best equipped to handle interceptor duty, should the necessity arise.

Checking the Autobase's internal scanners, he formulated a short reply to the Repair Bay. >>Negative, Minerva. My instruments show that the Rust Sea patrol and reinforcements have arrived, and are en route to your location now. Remain where you will have full access to the equipment and energy you'll need to do your work effectively.<<

And then there was Topspin. Prowl was not terribly surprised that the Wrecker wanted to be wherever there was a potential for action in the near future, but his enthusiasm was perhaps interferring with his better judgment. >>I'm sorry, Topspin,<< he returned, >>but I'm not authorizing that. You're not optimized to take on Decepticon fliers in the air. And besides, we don't need things escalating any further than they have already. Remain on standby.<<

Somehow, he doubted his logical argument would have the desired effect. Like most of Springer's crew, Topspin was highly accomplished in the craft of artfully misinterpreting his orders. But Prowl was prepared to contact the Triplechanger directly if his subordinate gave any indication of imminent departure. In his experience, the mech most capable of talking sense to a Wrecker was another Wrecker.

His ruminations were interrupted by the arrival of Gears, and he gave the smaller Autobot a tight, rueful smile. "There's plenty of news. The only problem is that it's all bad. Decepticons have overrun the Tagan Heights and driven Omega Supreme out of Polyhex. Worse, Optimus Prime was ambushed on Moon Alpha--still no word as to his current status." Prowl shook his head. "To say we've been 'played' is to severely understate the situation."

Maximus Line: Bunker 23

"That would be an affirmative Command. Our equipment here have all seen better days, I think one of our terminals have been around since the second golden age." Nova Strike lowered his binoculars and gave a quick standdown nod to the rest of his unit. "We're not exactly top priority when it comes to getting replacement supplies. And with all the scuttlebutt we're flooded with from Tagan we probably won't be anytime soon either."

The bunker leader lowered his communicator long enough to place the long range binoculars into a sleeve compartment and take a seat on one of the metallic rims. "Still, if ya got any spares I'd be happy ta take 'em off your hands there commander."

A light chuckle did little to breach Prowl's mood, it never did considering when Primus was creating autobots and was handing out emotion chips, well it was one of Prowl's days off. Though if some one else on the other end got a smile out of it then the crack was justified. On his own end, Nova Strike was not only worried about survivors crossing Polyhex itself from Tagan, but those who had elected to stay behind. Personally he wanted Prowl and Prime to get off their bumpers and start refocusing to stop Megatron's offensive on Iacon's southern border and then move in pressing for the liberation of Tagan. But as an officer, albeit not a high ranking one, Nova had learned the benefits of patience so he could not fault command for taking time out to reassess what the next steps were.

"Alright Prowl, if you can fit us in for a visit from Engineering, that would be excellent. If ya have any assignments for my squad, then let us know..."

Outskirts of Nova Cronum

Omega Supreme continued to rocket away from Polyhex, his massive engine propelling him at speeds few could even hope of reaching. A few Decepticon fliers tried to keep up with him, even launching attacks at him. Unfortunately for them, in this highly compacted from his armor was nearly impenetrable. They did little more than scorch his armor.

He reopened his line to Prowl. >>”Omega Supreme: Approaching. Landing Location: Requested.”<<

Autobase Nu - Medical Facilities

Hearing and understanding Minerva's orders above the rushing noise of so many patients, Brewer nodded, halfly expecting to end up working on Wheelbar. He didn't mind fixing up the mech, but he did mind the fact that the female medic was working on a major project by herself. A thought soon crossed him that maybe she wanted an experienced medic on each injured bot to balance things out and get it all done a bit quicker. Accepting the idea, he didn't hesitate any longer, attaching an energon tank to Wheelbar to get his levels back up.

Brewer knew that the bot was leaking pretty badly, but internally, thus emergency surgery would have to be in action within the next click. "Orpheus," he acknowledged the darkly painted mech next to him, "can you start scraping any irrepairable armor for me?"

Forte was soon ordered about again after she had gotten Wheelbar onto a table. Walking over to the entrance to the Med. Bay, the small, shy fembot kept close watch for any bots who would attempt escaping without being fully repaired and re-energized first. She only hoped any opposing mech would actually listen to her instead of brush her off.