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The Great War has raged on for millenia on the planet called Cybertron. Its surface and core scarred, its resources depleted, its populace decimated, there is one major frontline, running along the border of the city state of Polyhex.

A front lines, with the Autobots on one side and the Decepticons on the other. Optics and weapons trained at each other, ready to strike. The conflict will end soon, one way or the other.

Unfortunately, whichever side wins, the ultimate loser will be the planet itself.

Maximus Line - Bunker 23: Assault Bay

Nova Strike held fast on his laser blaster tight in his right hand as he looked acrossed the exploding stretch of land between Nova Cronum and Polyhex's Helix Line. The warrior stood at the point of the advanced assault ready for battle. Behind him the rest of the members of Bunker 23 held their weapons at the ready. "Blindeye." Nova yelled into his communicator. "Target the main guns to point 552. Take out those decepticon guns as soon as we pop the green."

"Rodger."

The sound of guns thundered across the thin atmosphere of the nomech's land of the battle zone. The automated turrets on both sides of the line exchanged fire as the artillery lobbed shells deep behind the flimsy advanced outposts. Airflak and Sundial loaded their mortors and joined in on the chaos of war. Their smaller shells spiralled tightly as they drilled into a maganiese bagged bunker igniting the element and causing serious burns to the decepticon troopers behind.

"Good shot. Alright Springer, you're in the driver seat." Nova flicked a can of green smoke over to his green commander and friend. "We've been itching for this far too long.

Maximus line, Bunker 23: Assault bay

Nearby, Hardhead was checking and rechecking his shatterblasters, ensuring that the crystal feeds were clean and free of debris. He didn't want his weaponry locking up halfway through a firefight afterall. Having done so once, he did it again, just to be certain.

As he was doing so, the back doors opened, and finally, the imposing form of Fortress Maximus, regional commander of the Autobots entered the room, his massive photon rifle already drawn. His armour was already damaged to an extent due to providing supporting fire in his immense battle-station mode for the recent Autobot reinforcements from Nova Cronum proper, but the dents and scratches barely dug into the immense armour that protected him. As he walked in, several dozen other mechs following behind him to take their places in the assault line, those in front parted to allow him to reach the front of the line. That was where he knew he had to be, leading his troops from the front. As he did so, he opened his communicator.

>>>Silverbolt, whats your status with our aerial contingent? We are approximately a minute away from initiating the ground assault, so i'd appreciate the usual aerial support..<<<

Finally reaching the front, he approached Springer and Novastrike, the former being his assigned commander to the Maximus line, the latter the Bunker Commander of this installation. Nodding to them both, he brought up a forced smile on his face.

"Good morning gentlemechs, my apologies for the delay. Springer, are all the other bunkers combat ready?"

Skies above the Maximus Line

With confirmations from squad leaders coming in one after the other, Silverbolt counted them off until all Aerial forces were accounted for and known to be in position, the only thing left to do was to wait for their targets to be identified by Command.

As he flew over the Battlefield with Skydive and the rest of his team in position close by, Silverbolt recieved what he was expecting to be the order to attack from Fortress Maximus over his commlink, but only turned out to be the General checking in.

>>All aerial squadrons in position and ready to move out on your orders Maximus Sir. I'm aware that you gave me orders to join you in the Command Bunker Sir, but I feel my talents would be much better utilised up here with my team and the rest of the aerial forces, leading them from the front, that is if you would allow me to do so..>Skydive, if Commander Maximus requests I join him on the ground, you'll be in charge of the aerial forces up here, ok?<<

Skies above the Maximus Line

"I would be surprised that he would have you be down there with him, Silverbolt. However, if that be the case, I could take command but we do have incoming Cons closing in on us. I hope this isn't your way of getting out of flying." Skydive joked knowing his commander better than that.

Maximus line, Bunker 23: Assault bay

Maximus listened to Silverbolt's suggestion over the comm, and after doing several calculations, came to his decision.

>>>Go for it Silverbolt. Standby for telemetry for assigned pressure points. Focus on providing covering fire for the ground forces, then move to bombing runs>>SKywatch, i'd like you to send your telemetry to all Command staff down to Squadron level...<<<

Polyhex, the defensive line

There was tension in the air, so thick that you could cut through it with a knife. The constant too-ing and throw-ing of the decepticon and Autobot artillery platforms were taking their toll on the decepticon forces.

Thrall stood in robot mode, his neutron cannon deployed and charging on his right arm, as his immense energon axe stood besides him, gripped firmly in his left. His purple optics starred impassively towards the autobot positions, though his stance was stunted to hide most of his form behind the piles of rubble that made up most of the defensive line.

He had only recently arrived, and his comparatively well-kept armour and well-fueled frame stood out like a sore thumb to the energon-starved mechs around him. The Butcher sighed, a sense of injustice filling his core. But, he hoped that his precence would perhaps tip the balance of the siege more the way of the Decepticon Empire. Together with Bane, he had traveled with Thunderwing to provide some sort of tactical advantage he hadn't been bothered to work out, but he knew that plans were in motion.

As the bombardment continued, he readied himself. Something in his spark told him that soon, he would be surrounded by enemies.

But then again, it was something the former gladiator had, quite literally been born into.

Maximus line, Bunker 23: Assault bay

"Please identify command personnel. Relays standing by" Skywatch replies while slowly moving towards a command station in the bunker.

Approaching Polyhex

"We're approaching Polyhex, Onslaught," Blast-Off reported as he led the Seeker squadrons towards the besieged province. "Orders?"

Onslaught remained still, his arms crossed. "We'll await Megatron's instructions. For now, run a check of your equipment."

Obediently, the Combaticons began running checks of their weapons and systems. If for some reason they failed, it would not be because of poor equipment.

Maximus Line: Defense Bunker 23
Springer saluted Fortress Maximus as the hulking commander approached. He saluted as a gun turret fired in the general direction of Polyhex. Springer casually gestured at the big gun. "I'd say so sir. Problem is, of course, we can't do any damage to the city with these things. We gotta get up close and personal if you catch my meaning." He winked at his leader and brandished his swords. Springer wasn't hiding his impatiences at wanting to get into the fray.
-------------------------------
As the transport landed, Minerva was the first to exit. But not really knowing what else to do or where to go, she decided to wait for Ratchet's lead.

Skies Above Maximus Line

>>Will do Maximus, have Skywatch identify our targets and we'll take care of them for you, Silverbolt out<<

Silverbolt closed off the commlink and took in the current situation once more, trying not to focus on just how high up they were at the current time. Artillery fire was being exchanged constantly, and the Decepticon Aerial forces would be in range imminently.

"Ok Aerialbots, you heard Commander Maximus, hold position and await information on who we have to cover first, lets show these 'Cons who rules the skies"

((( O.o What's this? The RPG started and I wasn't told? I feel so loved. )))

Polyhex - Bunker 23

As Fortress Maximus stepped in and check up on things, two other more silent mechanoids were busy keeping their set of photon cannons running. One lavendar painted fembot known as Forte, and an old-green painted bot named Brewer. The femme kept her two cannons aimed, switching back and forth from their handles as she tried to reach them with her short stature. She stood upon her tip-toes, as it was challenging to see through the scopes. Brewer, on the other hand, was a more average height, helping out his friend with the other two photon cannons, though he had no idea what he was doing, for he was a Search and Rescue specialist. The two never noticed the higher ranking Maximus enter the room.

"Go ahead and place those two in stand-by, Brewer," Forte suggested to her slightly older friend. She held on to one cannon, watching carefully her far-off target through the scope.

"Yes, ma'am," the bot joked, doing as he was told. "Do you need help with one of those?"

"Actually, that would be nice."

Brewer took hold of the cannon next to Forte and began firing in a slow pace, watching the recharge meter to make sure it wouldn't overheat or anything.

(ooc: Hey Deathcaller you still need to make those small changes to your character's profile before they're really approved for play. Also are you sure Ultra Magnus was around you can't really speak for him. I'm not sure myself, I don't quite remember.)

ic: Skies

Starscream veered off from the main squad for a moment to get his own view of the ground forces. He knew that Autobot air forces were incoming, but he wanted to go for the easy plan of picking off targets on the ground. He didn't see any targets that were sticking out, so the Autobots were using bunkers to protect themselves and artillery as well to scatter any Decepticon ground troops nearby.

Starscream knew that in this situation it would be the best idea to sanitize the skies then go after the artillery, then go after the Autobot ground units. Still, there was a certain glory to be reached in taking out ground forces now... the battle would be over much sooner.

>>Seekers! We're faster and better then anything the Autobots can throw at us! Ignore the Autobot flyers! Swoop down and strafe any Autobots you can find on the ground! Attack their bunkers and crush them!<<

Polyhex - the defensive line

Bane had arrived with Thrall not long ago. The invasion army was gathering and he could see that most of the Decepticon forces was being assembled in the area. This time the High Command was gambling with high stakes. If they would fail here, the rest of the Decepticon territories would be vulnerable. Thunderwing had something special for him and Thrall or else he hadn't bothered personally transporting them to the upcoming frontline.

The Decepticons in the near vicinity looked at Bane and Thrall with a mixed feeling of awe and dread. The massively build Thrall with his intimidating axe and the mysterious and dreaded Bane, who had once again burried himself inside his hooded cloak. They were legends and they both knew it, and each of them took advantage of it in their own way. Thrall nuitured the Champion-idolization, while Bane used his reputation to inspire fear.

Bane was viewing the Maximus Line in the far distance, trying to make a picture of the strategy that the High Command intended to deploy. The Maximus Line was impenetrable, or at least that would it be until the battle was over. Nevertheless the casualties would be huge, but it was a price that they would gladly pay if it could turn the tide of the war in their favor.

Polyhex, defensive line

Thrall noticed that Bane had finally joined them right at the front, and glancing over to him gave him the precursory nod that indicated that he was ready and able. This would actually be the very first time they fought as a pair for many, many vorns: during the Civil War they often had several other members of the Corrupticons by their side. But, alas, the last of the others had died in their last skirmish. He had to admit, having only one 'wingman' again was slightly daunting, as he had no idea of the true combat capabilities of the other mechs.

He admitted it, he'd become much too accustomed to fighting in a squad, and the slight nervousness he felt made that clear to him. Not that he'd show it to anyone else.

"Wonder what's taking 'em so long..." Thrall grunted, ducking slightly to avoid the shrapnel of another shell.

Maximus Line, Bunker 23, Assault Bay

Maximus returned the salute from Springer with a slight smile, knowing that he had chosen the Maximus Line's commander well. "Excellent... organise this bunker's contingent into three groups. The first will be made up of our heavy weapons specialists. Nova Strike?" he asked, making sure that he had the mech's attention. "You're in charge of them. Keep them safe until they can reach effective firing positions onto the Polyhex perimeter. Springer, any fast ground units i want personally assigned to you. When we go out, i'll be leading the charge. Make sure our flanks are covered. Once we hit their lines, you and your men will punch a hole in their lines, situated here..."

Bringing up his arm, a small laser opened up and beamed a direct image of the battle line, together with an indicated point. It was Skywatch's telemetry. "This was compiled by our Aerial Operations Officer. A weak point in their defences. Patrols are infrequent here, so the defenders won't know how best to use the cover and surrounding area. When Springer's team is in position Nova, you will direct approximately 40% of your unit's capacity on that point. We punch through, and then spread out once a Beachhead is established. The other bunkers will be making a standard assault on the lines as normal". Quickly he activated his comm at this point, giving his directions to Skywatch.

>>>SKywatch.. Aerial commandant is Silverbolt, ground force captains are Bunker Sargeants. Bunker 23 commanders are myself, followed by Springer and Nova Strike. We're about to advance..>>Autobots... ADVANCE!>>Hey Strike... you coming with the rest of the big guns or am i gonna have to waste a few cons whilst you're pussy-footing around??<<<

(((OOC: Ok. I've noticed in the previous RPG how I was rather reserved and waited for commands, but I'm gonna go ahead and see how asertive I can be without getting into trouble. Let me know if I'm getting my characters to do things they shouldn't - like what I'm doing in this post. XD)))

Polyhex - Bunker 23

At the command to attack by Maximus, Forte let loose her wall-mounted cannon and looked to Brewer, "Do you think we're suppose to go?"

The green mech dropped his cannon as well and smirked to the small femme, "We can't be missing out on much. Besides, I'd rather get in trouble for being in he battlefield than getting in trouble for not helping out."

"You don't normally like to battle, though."

"And I don't like battle marks on my record, either. Come one," Brewer grabbed Forte's arm and pulled her along to the enormous doors that opened and released hundreds of battle-ready Autobots. He activated his two acid-ray pistols and began vering away from Forte, dodging the turret fire and crashing bombshells. "Sorry, Forte. I've got an entirely different duty that you. Take care, all right?"

Forte paused in the middle of the rush and stared after Brewer in disappointment. She really hoped that he would join her in the battle, but that wasn't what was happening. A close call with a shell startled her and got the fembot's mind back into reality. It was time for the heavy lifting; it was time to get rid of these Decepticons once and for all; this was it; this was now. Forte pulled out her Null-ray rifle from her back and ran foward with the rest of the racing Autobots.

Many 'bots were already injured severely by the bombardment of enemy fire, and Brewer easily found them in all the action. He transformed into vehicle mode, mechanical arms reaching from his trunk and lifting the Autobot into his open space in the back of his vehicle mode. "Don't move too much. Just hang on, if you can." He then revved his engine and peeled out through the broken terrain, heading back into the entry of Bunker 23.

Skies above Polyhex

From the direction of the Tagan Heights flew in a small shuttle. This design had been used even before the war, but the frame had been heavily modified to withstand heavy firepower and a plentitude of turrets had been mounted around it. Most noticeably however was the Decepticon insignia emblazoned on the front underneath the cockpit’s windshield, wits violet chrome glimmering proudly in the light.

Inside were the five elite hunters known as the Predacons, their red, orange black and yellow paintjobs matching to signify the tightness of this unit, managed by their stern leader Razorclaw in a way only he could. While Tantrum manned the helm, swapping barbs and bets on who would kill the most Autobots today, Razorclaw stood motionless with his arms crossed in the center of the shuttle, glaring at Tantrum who was pacing nervously and wasting precious energy. At least Divebomb was doing something constructive, double-checking his weapons systems to make sure they’d be in perfect working order for battle.

“We’ve reached the Polyhex line!” Tantrum informed his commander.

“Good,” Razorclaw said. “Take us down on our side of the line. Megatron wouldn’t appreciate us playing heroes when there’s no call for it yet. Is that clear?” He looked especially at Rampage, though he knew there were other members of his unit who were just as prone to making that mistake.

“Yes, sir!” they all answered crisply as the shuttle touched the familiar metallic ground of Cybertron. Razorclaw was first to disembark, drawing his sword and pulling his arm cannon out of subspace. “Predacons, attack!” he yelled.

Skies above the Maximus Line

"Silverbolt, Starscream is starting a strafing run on our ground troops. We should engage him and the seekers that are with him." Skydive strongly suggested.

Skydive then redirected his attention to the rest of the aerial Autobot forces that was up there with the Aerialbots.

"Keep the ground troops protected at all cost. Starscream and his group is the Aerialbots. The rest are up to you all. Take down as many as you can. May Primus be with you." Skydive said as he adjusted his course setting to intercept Starscream and his Seekers.

"All right, it is time to fry some Cons. They will go down in blazes of molten metal!" Fireflight exclaimed as he lost track of where he was again and almost flies into Slingshot.

Skies above the Maximus Line

"Agreed Skydive.." Silverbolt replied to his Second in Command "..Looks like our targets have already shown us where to attack. Alright, Slingshot, Air Raid, move in and engage Starscream and the rest of the Seekers, be sure to draw their fire away from the ground troops"

Air Raid wasn't listening, he had already veered off and was up alongside Skydive, also trying to get his sights locked onto one of the Decepticon attackers. Slingshot meanwhile sent a quick acknowledgement to Silverbolt, and was about to change course when he was almost hit by Fireflight.

"Primus!! What the slag are you doing Fireflight?!!? Do I look like a Seeker to you? You're just lucky that I'm the best flier in this team, if you had done that to Skydive or Air Raid, well.."

"Cut the chatter Slingshot and move out. Maybe you could actually use your 'talents' to prevent the 'Cons from wiping out half our ground forces instead of telling us about your 'greatness'" Silverbolt interrupted, as he too banked and set a course to intercept, readying his Electrostatic Battery for fire.

Slinsghot hmphed loudly over the commlink in response to being cut off by his Commander before continuing to speak to Fireflight "C'mon 'Flight, lets get stuck in, as always, watch and learn from the best"

The Killzone

Maximus ran at full pelt, ducking into every single crater he could find, firing his weapons simultaneously at every opportunaty. The gap was closing fast and already, he knew they'd recieved casaulties. Aerial flak rained down on the, a piece of shrapnel slashing across his shoulder, yet still he persisted. His pulse guns mounted on his shoulders fired, potentially frying the circuits of another decepticon facing them, as he fired his mortars yet again, bombarding the decepticon positions. As much as he was gaining ground, some of the other, faster autobots were getting there earlier. Already some of the heavy weapons teams had setup positions in smoldering ruins and other cover, setting up their weapons and begining to bombard the enemy line.


Somewhere away from him, Hardhead plowed through the decrepid remains of a wall in his tank mode, and pulled to a halt, bombarding the enemy line with his main cannon. He used explosive rounds, intending to destroy as much of the con's cover as possible. Alongside the other heavy weapon teams, he provided covering fire for the advancing Autobots.

Polyhex, defensive line

Thrall kept his head down, allowing the Autobots to get close before making his opening gambit. Whilst some of the other decepticons were firing back, he already knew that he was more effective in a brawl as opposed to a firefight, so he decided to conserve his energy. Since he wasn't concentrating on fighting, his animal-cunning did detect something... odd about the Autobot's troop movements. Were they trying to move on a particular point in the line? He didn't know, and put that thought in his 'to think about pile' as he readied himself.. just a breem or two before he was going to strike...

Maximus Line, Command bunker

WIth Maximus's identification, Skywatch logged into the bunkers commo system and started passing information. Once the links were set up, he noticed that the Aerialbots were engaging a small group of Seekers, leaving the line open to a string of shuttles. Time/Intercept solutions passed

" Silverbolt Your team has time for one pass on that group. Watch for Decepticon assault shuttles inbound. Highly probable they containt Decepticon ground troops for reinforcement" Icons on the link start pulsing, identifying them. The Aerialbot commander could bounce his team between the targets with minimal exposure.
That item taken care of, Skywatch turned his full attention to the air defense net. As more turets were folded into his network, the skies started to become truly deadly to fly.
Passing fire plans to the Aerialbots so they wouldn't fly into an errant missile Now, lets follow the Aerialbots Skywatch thought.
A full half the lines air defense net opened up on Starscream and the few seekers following him, coordinated by a single intelligence with a score to settle.

Ooc: >______> I really donno what to do with A-train since originally the preds were supposed to board him, so I assume he arrives and assists with the aerial attack and all..

[Skies]

"Lookie what we have here! The seekers are being countered by the little petro-flies. Hahah!"

Seems the fun had already started without the decepticon triplechanger arriving on time. Oh well, at least he'd seek out the unfortunate flyers of the Autobots and dismantle them from the skies. Even if it took alot from him to do it. The Predacons had taken some other shuttle themselves instead of him, which freed up Astrotrain some time to attack with the aerial force in Polyhex.

Slingshot and Fireflight were already in his first line of sight. Firing on them would only scatter them apart... but why not maximize his speed and burst right by them, which would intentionally disrupt their flight patten for a few seconds at best? If he were in robot mode, and could he possibly do it, his grin be wide enough from audio receptor to the other audio receptor. Fueling his engines up to boosting power, the shuttle increases his speed, aiming dead center in front of Slingshot first. Astrotrain literally rockets past the two aerialbots, creating a wake in his path behind him.

"Can't catch me, flyer wannabes!"

If Slingshot decided to give chase, he'd have a grand time shooting that little pest down and then set his sights on Fireflight. If not, he'd turn around and continue to harass them both with his ion-displacer rifle this time.

[Skies above Polyhex]

"Don't have to say a word."

Divebomb was eager.

He hadn't experienced action in a while, and though he worried for his mecha nest back on Hydrax plateau, the sounds of battle were more interesting to his audio receptors than mere jet noises and command complaints. Grinning slightly just as Razorclaw exits the shuttle, the aerial attacker shifts to running and jumping out, transforming to his hawk mode. With a steady flap of the wings, he's up above the shuttle and the rest of the Predacons below, eyeing any and all potential grounded Autobot victims to bomb from above.

Skies of Polyhex - Bunker Strife

Blink and Wink change course

"As you command Starscream."

Wink slows down as Blink gets directly a head of her. Keeping a head of Wink Blink raises up so that Wink would be able to fly under her with her tail wing nearing missing scraping the bottom of Blink.

Keeping the formation they line themselves up with the bunker line as if it was a runway. They swoop down and both open fire on the bunker.

[the suburbs of polyhex (assuming polyhex is a 'con stronghold, i honestly cant remember, if not ill edit it to 'an easily escapable decepticon bunker') on the edge of the battlefield]


In a cloud of smoke, a blacked out military ambulance bearing a purple emblem approached the outer edge of the battlefield. He drew up under a large peice of cover and the door of his cab opened so a black cassette could leap nimbly out, gripping one of his shoulder cannons in his hand.

Mal Practice switched his to his robot form resembling a blacked-out Ratchet, seperating from his lower section that elevated up into a platform before him whilst he assessed the situation. He looked to his base unit and punched in a few codes, a few lights activated, and his emergency medical lab came online. He knew tactics, he knew how to fight, but he was here for a different purpose.

"Woohoo! Look at those seekers kick aft!" The Cassetticon whooped as if he had been trapped for decades, as he climbed onto the lab bench and sat down. "Now we get our chance for some fun, we've been cooped up in that lab for WAY too long!". Psychout was the impatient sort and, as with all cassettes, possessed far more attitude than substance. His wiser collegue counciled him patience.
"Not yet. We must only become involved if the criteria is met. To do otherwise is to waste valuable resources. We are far enough from the front line to be safe, but close enough to cover to be protected. We hold here until a subject arrives or we are sent for."
"And the criteria is?"
"The first decepticon weak enough to fall. We extract it, repair it and get it back into the battle."
"Is that it?" demanded the incredulous cassette.
"They will be a few credits lighter, but they will function again in record time. I can fix them up faster than a CR chamber can..." Mal Practiced rubed hands in glee.
"And if its an Autobot?"
"Then they are about to have a really bad day..." he cackled.

Making them selves confortable and performing a reluctant weapons check (they hated having to use them) they both took their positions and awaited the call.

It took almost exactly 20 minutes for Psychout to become bored.
"I'm missing Androids for this?" He lifted up a viewscope and could see the Aerialbots fighting int he far distance. He had met them before from his time on the nemesis, "Glory hunting Seekers are just ignoring the Aerialbots and going for the bunkers, surely we have ground troops for that? Astrotrain is attacking hard though, we only need to take one out to render Superion useless, lets hope Shockwave built Astrotrain with the bearings for it..."

Maximus Line

It was a harsh time out in the battelfield. There were turrets flying like swarms of insecticons, metal and dirt flying up in the air as bombs and other ammunition struck the ground, also hitting 'bots and 'cons here and there. It was loud in the atmosphere, thick with screams and roars. Would they ever stop for good?

The short lavendar femme charged forward as much as she could keeping cover behind and in whatever she could find. As much as she found her NR rifle to be powerful, it wasn't enough to take out a Decepticon in one blast, no, she was required to fire a few times. With these problems, quick melee battles also followed, but she soon won them by taking the risky chances of using her rifle in such short ranges. Of course, Forte never finished without getting her own wounds.

Bunker 23 - Medical Facilities

The 'bot in Brewer's cab groaned in pain as he awoke from his short drift into stand-by mode. Brewer stopped at the entrance to the Medical Facilities and allowed the large door to slide open, revealing a medic inside. The Search and Rescue Specialist had sent a comm. message to the Facility to announce his arrival. Quickly, the injured Autobot was taken from Brewer and set into a stretcher, where he was rolled off further into the Med. Ward. That done, the green Jeep took off the exit the Bunker and find other allies in need of rescuing.

No sigs in RPG forums please -Devastron

Skies of Polyhex - Bunker Strafe

"Let's see those Aerialbot losers follow me now!" The skies seemed to burst up in front of him as he got lower and faster. He figured that is he shot through fast enough and unpredictably enough he could keep from getting hit and shot down. Of course, the nature of anti-air fire meant that any random shot could strike him when he least expected it. Seeing the explosions even closer caused him a bit of a panic, so he decided to go with plan B. He fired off a couple of missiles, which had a larger range the any anti-air guns, but the he quickly pulled up and banked to the left to get out of the strafing run.

"Eh, the Aerialbots are nothing! I'll just handle them first..." Starscream said to himself, trying to convince himself that he was not just being a coward about going into the dangerous strafing run. Still, Starscream didn't tell Wink and Blink to stop the run, the could have saw his move away and followed, but Starscream just simply forgot to issue orders in his panic.