The Energon Pub

Bounce Chamber

Oh holy slaggin’ Primus lord of fraggin’ Cybertron you’ve got to be gods damned kidding me! Motormaster thought as the bounce beam faded, and he was still facing Hot Spot. Something had gone wrong. Very slaggin’ wrong. He’d called for the bounce since he and his team were getting their collective chassis handed to them by the ‘bots, but instead of a proper retreat, he’d brought the whole damn lot of them back with him.

Motormaster didn’t even have time to gather his wits or issue orders before Hot Spot was firing on him. “It’s just not my fraggin’ day!” he muttered as he attempted to dodge the blast. His maneuver was too little, too late, and his mutters turned into a roar of pain as a 2000 degree blue fireball caught him on one side of the head, scorching his plating and shattering the orb of one of his optics.

The pain was intense. For the moment, he couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything but writhe in agony, clutching the ruin of his left eye.

***

One moment Wildrider was charging blindly from a cloud of magnetic smoke, hoping he’d picked the right direction and wasn’t giving Smokescreen his back, and the next he was running smack into a wall – a wall that shouldn’t have been there. It only took him a moment to realize that they’d bounced, but that moment was a moment too long – he never even considered the possibility that the Autobot’s had bounced with them, and Smokescreen’s blast caught him, unawares, in the back.

Luckily for the Stunticon, his insulation was good enough to take at least one blast from Smokescreen’s electrodisruptor without failure. It still hurt like the devil though. Wildrider grunted in pain and rolled to the side, coming up on one knee in a firing position and opened up on Smokescreen. The Autobot had shrugged off several blasts earlier. Wildrider hoped he was wearing his opponent down and battering his way through the armor.

***

Ramjet didn’t speak as Starscream droned on about the mission and his plans. He simply stared blankly at the Seeker commander, carefully keeping his face neutral so he didn’t inadvertently scowl at his hated rival. Finally Starscream finished, transformed and took to the sky.

Ramjet quickly followed suit, dropping into Skywarp’s usual position in the formation without awaiting orders to do so. He wasn’t sure why he was here instead of the black and purple prankster - it was rare for Starscream to split his unit, but the more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that they didn’t want to leave him with his squad to garner support with Screamer absent. From that perspective, it did make a bit of sense.

Bounce Chamber

For a moment Dead End thought he was suffering brain damage. Hound's rocket connected hard, moreso due to th damage done by Lore-Lock. The next thing he saw was the Decepticon base interior.

Then he saw his foes still fighting them.

"Heh...heh heh heh heh heh." Dead End laughs. "I might not stand for much longer." He points his gun towards the wall mounted security system. "But I will ensure myself your company....Autobots." He fires three shots, causing the wall mounted device to explode and sound the alarm. "Hound was right fool...you thought to hard...and fought too little. What a waste...of precious life." He falls to his knees, clutching his shattered chest plate. "You may have...beaten me down but...in the end I still win. However pointless...victory might be." He says with a surprising hint of emotion. However it was obvious that he was no longer caring to fight.

Corridors

Snowcap pauses the moment he hears the alarm. He notices a wall mounted computer and punches the security map. "It's coming from the Orbital Bounce Chamber." He waste to time running off to the Chambers. His face betrayed his hope that this meant an Autobot invasion. It had been too long since his last real fight and he really wanted to cut loose.

Bounce Chamber

"SCRAP IT!!" Lore-lock screamed as he was first hit by a barrage from Breakdown which actually turned the autobot scout, while Dead End tripped the alarm. However he was still committed to the swing, but it did not go as planned. Instead of being a clean cut down the con's middle, it was clean through the shoulder. This change did little save further fuel Lore-lock's ire. He abandoned Dead End and turned his wrath on Breakdown. The terrorist was just out of axe range, "By the pit, I'll return you to the slag pile you were compiled from." his fight was now purely fueled by anger, and from his point of view, Breakdown wanted to bear the full brunt of it.

The bot traded his axe for his crossbow, and dialed it up to maximum yield. He then put several energon bolts in the air almost exclusively aimed at Breakdown's head and hands. With each shot he stepped just a little bit closer to his target. This he did even though his logic circuits were screaming for him to find the bounce controls and get his team back out to neutral ground.

"Why am I charging!?!?!?!?! I should be looking for a way out of this mess, before it becomes a circuit grinder," he thought, yet he kept moving.

Orbital Bounce Chamber

Hound looked around at his new surroundings in shocked confusion. What going on here? Did my holograms malfunction?....No, its turned off, this is real....And we're in deep slag!

Hearing his rocket explode, Hound is drawn back to the fight, as Dead End sets off the alarm as his final act. They had to move quickly if they were to have any chance...Hound transforms and charges at Breakdown, in order to save the reckless Lore-lock before the rookie got himself killed.

Bounce Platform

Breakdown had succeeded in stoping Lore-Lock from cleaving Dead End, however, it only turned the Autobot's attention towards him, which wasn't too bad since he was safely out of melee range. However, it was the crossbow that presented a new problem, as the Autobot was within point-blank range. Breakdown continued his frenzy of firepower against the Autobot regardless, yet it was his own negligence that would ultimately save him. Out of nowhere, Hound pummbled into the Decepticon, allowing Breakdown to be knocked out of the way. Breakdown tumbled, but used it as an opportunity to transform and give hismelf some space.

This was madness! Two was too many for him. He needed to even the odds quickly. He reved his engines and sped away from Lore-Lock, giving chase to Hound, though this was merely a ploy to give himself a few moments to think of something, though the sound of the alarm blarring was a relief, meaning it as only a matter of time before they would be aided by their Decepticon allies.

Bounce Chamber

Before the intense flash of the bounce beam, Hex had been deep within the woods trying desperately to disable Drag Strip. Unfortunately the racer had gotten a hold of his blaster and began firing. As he attempted to dodge the barrage of weapons fire, the bounce beam engulfed him, and then deposited him in an unknown location.

Hex carefully placed both hands on the metal floor and pushed himself up, trying urgently to figure out what had happened, and where he was. The young mech finally stood up, but groaned in pain as he aggravated the wound to his side; it certainly hadn’t helped that Drag had kicked him hard in the exact spot. He barely had time to locate his advisory before he was being fired upon once more.

He quickly ducked one shot before he began to move out of the open to a more secure location, but as he took off one of shots hit him in the back of his upper leg. “Arrrrggghhh!” he cried out in pain as he finally dove behind some large storage containers. Hex placed a hand on the back of his leg in order to feel how extensive the damage was. Thankfully the wound wasn’t severe, and his internal repair system would have the damage fixed in no time.

His location, however, was not the very best so finding another site would be best. He carefully peeked around the corner to see where Drag was. Satisfied that the Stunticon was not in the line of sight, Hex began to work his way around the room. When performing recon work remaining unseen was of the utmost importance.

Now located on the other side of the large chamber, Hex slowly ascended one of the large storage containers. Once he was perched on top he focused in on Drag Strip, just below him. If the Con didn’t move he’d be able to take him out from above.

Command Center

Soundwave had resumed his duties on monitoring the base and communications. Most would consider it a menial task, but only a few particularly skilled Decepticons could come close to carrying it out as effectively and efficiently as Soundwave could. He watched as Starscream gradually gathered his team together for his mission. He monitored reports of massive automotive accidents in the Chicago metropolitan area. It took little effort to confirm that this was the doing of Motormaster’s team, but Megatron seemed content to let them rampage for now.

The Decepticon checked internal scanners as he registered an orbital bounce inside the base. It had come from the Stunticons’ vessel so it had gone through their jamming devices. Sensors had registered something odd about the bounce though, and he quickly confirmed it. The Stunticons had brought along some Autobots with them, and they did not appear to be prisoners.

Soundwave spun in his chair to face Megatron. “Megatron, intruders in the bounce chamber,” a slight tone of alarm slipped into his usual neutral tone. “Stunticons have bounced back with multiple Autobots. Weapons fire indicated.” As if on cue the base alarms began going off.

Megatron’s voice twisted into a scowl. “Put me through to all Decepticons on planet.”

Soundwave spun around and manipulated his control console, amplifying Megatron’s signal to make sure that all Decepticons received.

>>”Decepticons, this is Megatron. Autobots have infiltrated our base in force. All current assignments and missions are cancelled. Return to base immediately so we may rout these interlopers and defend against the inevitable rescue attempt by Prime and his troops.”<<

Megatron cut off the signal. “Soundwave, continue to monitor sensors and communications. The Autobots will be sure to come to the rescue of their comrades, even with our jamming their communications.”

*

Bounce Chamber

With Motormaster out of the fight, if at least for the moment, Hot Spot was able to do a quick bit of assessment. He immediately activated his emergency distress beacon, hoping that he could maybe get a very brief burst out before he was completely jammed. With that done he knew they had to get out of this room. If they stayed here the Decepticons would just trap them and wear them down with numbers.

“Autobots! We can’t stay here!” As much as he wanted to finish Motormaster off, he took off running past the fallen Stunticon. He fired off a few shots from his cannon at the other Stunticons to keep them distracted as he dashed towards the door. “We can’t let them trap us in this room! We are going to have to find a way out of this base if we are going to survive.”

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean

Starscream had been leading the formation of his team towards the intended new location for their forward base when Megatron's transmission had come over the communications channel. Somehow the Autobots had managed to get into the base. Again. It was times like these he really wondered just how effective Decepticon security really was as Autobot infiltrations were almost an annual occurrence.

>>"Alright Decepticons, you have heard our illustrious leaders request for reinforcements."<< Strascream began, wishing he could come up with some reasonable excuse to ignore those orders, alas he knew he could not. >>"We will turn back and help clear and secure the base before we can return to our current operation. Thundercracker, Ramjet; you two will accompany me back to base at full speed. We will conduct and aerial sweep of the area to ensure the bases perimeter is secure, if Autobots are in the area we will strike them from the air. If the area is secure then we will move to block off and route of escape the Autobots in the base may attempt to create. Scraper, you will lead the rest of the team back to base and link up with our ground forces their and render any assistance you can. Now move Decepticons!"<<

Strascream banked hard to the right as he came about and reversed his direction once his orders were given. Although the flight out had been at a leisurely pace he ignited his engines to full speed and began to burn hard back to base.

>>"Starscream to Megatron, I am leading my team back to base where we will secure the base perimeter and then move to cut off the Autobots avenue for withdrawal. I anticipate our return to be only a few breems. Starscream out"<<

Decepticon Base

Baneblade had been conducting a number of private studies in his quarters and some other projects that would be vital to the Decepticon cause on this world when the call from Megatron came. Despite his build the massive Decepticon was not strictly made for combat, more for intimidation, of course that didn't mean he wasn't a threat on the battlefield, not was he a coward. He immediately got up from his chair and grabbed teh standard issue rifle he carried then moved towards the bounce chamber. When he arrived there the scene was chaotic, clearly not all of the involved combatants had yet to fully assert the situation, though he could tell Motormaster was down, though if he was out was yet to be determined.

"Decepticons, duck and cover! Heavy fire incoming!"

The large Baneblade bellowed a warning down the hall as the two canons on his back which normally stuck into the air behind his head ratcheted down to rest on his shoulders. The space was small and the Autobots packed in close for his heavy canons. He grinned as he unleashed one shot then another from his paired canons. He hadn't really centered on any one Autobot, he was mostly firing to avoid damaging any vital equipment, and to pin down the enemy long enough for other Decepticons on the base to arrive.

Corridors outside Bounce Chamber

Snowcap had turned the corner in time to see Baneblade enter and begin firing. He hoped that his aim was steady as Megatron would be furious if that station was taken out needlessly. He reached the doorway and saw Hot Spot trying to escape. "I don't think so Autobot." He raises his arms and fires his freon guns at the Protectobot leader's feet, hoping to at least impede his progress. He'd take this one alive. He'd be good for interrogating.

Bounce Chamber

"By the lacquer of Unicron's brow, this is getting ugly. I'm on your six Hot Shot." Lore-lock replied to the squad leader, all the while bringing the cross bow back out, and stowing his axe. This situation most certainly called for ranged weaponry. Not that the scout cared either way. Then he saw the brute, Baneblade, in the doorway fire a canon. The shot knocked the scout into the wall. It took him a klik to regain equilibrium. Once it had he reflexively let loose a volley of bolts at the con, aimed low for maximum effect. After he fired he rolled to his right, and hugged the wall. While he waited for an opening he checked his systems for damage, nothing critical, but they could get that way if he lost his head again.

Then he saw the bounce controls, and got an idea. He rushed over to the console and found it locked. Scrap it! That's a thought, I'll disable the bounce platform. That should keep these decepticreeps busy here at home for a while. He took a step back and shot a fully charged energon bolt into the control panel for the bounce platform.

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean

Thundercracker followed Starscream's example and turned around, firing his thrusters to gain enough speed to get back to the base fast but without having to burn too much energon - there was a battle waiting for them after all. Big one too it seemed. How the Autobots had slipped past Soundwave's sensor grid this time was rather baffling to him but still, it mattered little. He was a warrior and he had a job to do.
_______________________________________

Mess Hall

Blitzwing had been chucking in the lousy energon substitute in the mess hall like he often did when he didn't have any assignments. It hardly ever made him feel better. But he had found out a long time ago that old habits die hard. Back in the day he'd have had his system overloaded with energon already. Now he was just in a foul mood. Then came the lifesaver. Base wide infiltrator alert, quickly followed by orders directly from Megatron.

The veteran commando was quickly on his feet. Heading out of the mess hall meant passing by Skywarp and the two seeker femmes. Why they had not acted as fast as he when the alert came escaped him but quite frankly he didn't care.

"Get up you fraggin' empties! We are under attack!" The worked up triplecharger bellowed as he stormed past the three seekers, slapping back of Skywarp's head hard on his way out of the mess hall.

Orbital Bounce Chamber

Hound keeps driving after he knocks Breakdown out of the way, and goes looking for an exit. If we really are in the Decepticon base, we gotta find a way out!! It can be done, Mirage was able to get Bumblebee out!! Then he notices that Breakdown is on his tail, and he cuts left to avoid him, skirting the wall.

Damn, not a lot of room to manuver, and that Seeker and the big guy are covering the door! Gotta get this guy off me if I'm gonna help the others break through...

Aiming his rocket launcher to the side, Hound fires it into the wall beside Breakdown, to shower the Stunticon in shrapnel and hopefully blind him to the upcoming corner, before breaking off to meet up with Hot Spot.

Over the Pacific

What?!? Autobots in the base?! Scrapper turns around immediately on hearing Soundwaves transmission, expecting Astrotrain to do the same. This is an incredible breach of security!! We should have checked over the security systems of the entire base, but we were too busy with the new Energon type. I only hope we get enough time to secure our position properly this time, before the Autobots take advantage of this.

>>Acknowledged, Starscream. Bonecrusher, I know you'll be wanting to charge in once we land, but hold on until we understand the situation. Long Haul, be prepared to use the supplies you're storing for emergency repairs. Its alright to use them, keeping the main base operational takes precedence over the mission for now.<< The Constructicon commander starts going over the design of the base, trying to figure out what flaws might have allowed the intruders inside.

Bounce Chamber

Smokescreen laughed as he saw Wildrider run directly into a wall just before being struck by one of the diversion expert’s blasts. “That’s what you get you fraggin’ terrorist!” Smokey shouted as he quickly reloaded his rifle and prepared to unleash another volley of shots. However, that did not happen as he suddenly came under attack from Wildrider, who had somehow managed to shake off his previous blast and return fire. One of the Stunticon’s lasers struck Smokey in the right side of his chest plate, shattering his headlight and propelling the red and blue ‘bot backwards.

“Arrgghh!” Smokescreen grunted as his back hit the metal wall behind him. This was followed up with another well aimed blast that struck the diversion tactician right in the gut, causing him to bend forward and fall to his knees, clutching his midsection. With the wind knocked out of him, Smokey braced himself with one hand on the floor as he attempted to regain his composure. Energon began to seep from the abdominal wound, covering his other hand in purple liquid. Think of something, Smokey. You’re a sitting duckbot like this! The diversion expert thought to himself, knowing that he had very few options considering his current condition.

Finally managing to sit up straight, Smokescreen quickly grabbed his rifle and was able to fire off a few more shots towards Wildrider before noticing that more Decepticons had arrived at the bounce chamber door, including one very large ‘con called Baneblade and the seeker known as Snowcap.

I don’t think we’re going to get out that way! Smokey thought as he turned his attention towards the section of the chamber wall where Hound had just fired one of his rockets into. The wall still stood, but it had been weakened considerably as shrapnel and debris littered the floor. Smokescreen readied one of his own shoulder-mounted rockets that was equipped with a standard warhead and quickly fired it off towards the wall, directly striking the weakened area.

The resulting explosion blew a sizable hole straight through to the corridor beyond. Knowing he wouldn't make it too far in robot form considering the recent damage he had sustained, Smokey transformed to race car mode and made his way towards the newly created exit. “Come one guys! Hurry! We have a new way out!” Smokescreen shouted to the other Autobots, hoping they'd be able to make it to the hole before even more Decepticons arrived.

******

The sound of Hex crying out in pain was music to Drag Strip’s audio receptors as one of his blasts struck the young Autobot in the back of his leg. “What’s the matter, Autobot? You don’t like pain?!” Drag fired several more shots just before Hex managed to duck out of sight behind some storage containers. “Where are you going? I’m not finished with you yet!”

Drag Strip approached some of the containers that lined the edge of the room and began kicking them aside as he looked for his wounded prey. “I’ll find you soon enough! You can’t hide from me forever, Autobot!” However, little did the yellow racer know, Hex had already snuck around past him and was perched on top of a large pile of containers just behind where Drag was currently standing. “Son of a glitch! Where are you, coward! Show yourself!”

Just then, Drag Strip noticed a shadow cast down on the floor beside him. Slaggit! Not again! The yellow Stunticon thought as he was reminded of the Autobot’s hiding place in the tree not too long ago. Drag spun around and looked up to see Hex ready to pounce down on him from atop the container. The former racer raised his weapon into the air, hoping to get off a shot before the Autobot had a chance to strike.

Mess Hall

Skywarp sat at the table trying to engage in friendly conversation with Nightraven and Hellion when the base alarm suddenly went off, followed closely by Megatron’s transmission. “Autobots are here?! How in the slag did that happen?” The teleporter questioned, speaking to no one in particular when he felt the sudden slap of Blitzwing’s hand against the back of his head. “Fraggit, Blitz, give me a chance, will ya!” Warp shouted as he placed his glass back down and stood up.

“Well, ladies, I guess we’ll have to continue our drinks another time. Stupid Autobots always know how to ruin a good time!” The prankster said before hurrying out of the mess hall and down the hallway, rubbing the back of his bruised cranial unit as he went.

Corridors

Skywarp followed behind Blitzwing, assuming that the triplechanger knew where all the action was. It didn't take long before the sounds of laser fire could be heard, which gave a good indication of where the Autobot intruders were holed up. “Sounds like they’re in the bounce chamber, Blitz!” Skywarp said as he rounded a corner and saw that he was correct. Baneblade and Snowcap were already at the doorway, engaging the enemy. “My best bet is to teleport in and take them by surprise! Catch ya later, Blitzy!” And in an instant, ‘Warp was gone from sight.

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean

Once Megatron’s transmission had been received Astrotrain turned around and headed back towards the Decepticon base as fast as his shuttle mode would take him and his Constructicon passengers. Inside the triplechanger’s cargo hold, Long Haul received Scrapper’s communiqué and quickly responded:

>>”You got it boss! If I need to use any materials to help fix the base, I can always get more supplies from storage.“<<

Long Haul then emptied the equipment he was carrying from his truck bed into the accompanying hover cart and then resumed his robot mode, readying himself for the battle ahead.

Mess Hall

Nightraven was just about to answer Skywarp’s inquiry about why she hadn’t touched her drink when Megatron’s transmission boomed over the PA system. Nightraven looked over to her sister and then back to Skywarp. This was certainly an unfortunate turn of events, especially since she was not a warrior.

It was then that Blitzwing made it over to their table and slapped Skywarp in the back of the head to get the teleporter’s attention. The Commando then continued on and out of the Mess Hall. Skywarp quickly followed suit. Nightraven let out a heavy sigh and glanced back at Hellion.

“Maybe you’ll get another chance at Ironhide, Helly. I just hope I can even survive this.”

She rose from her chair and began to make her way out of the Mess Hall.

“Come on, let’s get this over with.”

Since Thundercracker was out on a mission, it was unlikely she would get to fight alongside him, making her enthusiasm for the up and coming battle dwindle with each passing moment.

Bounce Chamber

Just as Drag Stripspun around and looked up at Hex, the young mech jumped down, his arms extended and his legs behind him. The shots from the Stunticon’s weapon missed him entirely making it possible for Hex to land on his intended mark.

The two of them landed on the floor, and as before Hex was able to stay on top. With Drag Strip now pinned beneath him the young mech was able to knock his gun out of his hand and restrain him. Hex glared down at the yellow racer, and angry sneer on his visage.

“You all are the reason this war has gone on so long. All of you. And now someone is gonna pay for it.”

His statement wasn’t meant for the Decepticons, it was meant for both factions. As it was he was brought into this war in order to add more soldiers into the fight. He was glad to be a part of it, and then he learned that his place within the Autobot ranks meant nothing.

With his thoughts on the way he was treated by his own faction, Hex reared back and began to savagely beat Drag Strip. Each time his fist made contact with the racer’s face more and more Energon covered it. His demeanor changed to that of an uncontrolled madman. The beating grew more intense as he began to rip apart Drag Strip’s armor in an attempt to get at his spark chamber.

Bounce Chamber

The hulking Baneblade had been rather disappointed to see that his initial volley from his shoulder mounted cannons seemed to have left little or not impact at all. Though it did catch the attention of one little Autobot who loosed a burst of fire, some of it missing, the rest striking against his thick armour. Doing nothing more then bringing Baneblade's full attention to the Autobot know as Lore-Lock, his optics narrowing behind his visor as the massive Decepticon focused in his target.

His cannons still cycling through more direct impact damage ammunition rather then high explosive rounds he had fired before, Baneblade raised the rifle he was carrying and began to lay down a stream of fire in Lore-lock's direction as the Autobot raised his own weapon at the bounce control panel. He kept firing until he felt the new rounds click into place, and then hunched down and took aim with his two primary weapons.

"You Autobots are mere vermin, persisting to nag at the heals of your betters. Go now you walking pile of trash to your oblivion!"

Baneblade's voice boomed as his canons roared, sending two more shells into the fray, this time set right onto Lore-lock's frame.

Bounce Chamber


Lore-lock felt the sting of projectiles delivered by Baneblade and looked for some fashion of cover, being as he was in no condition for close quarters combat. Scrap it all to the pit!! not much to use for cover but this blasted control panel the scout thought as he came under a withering barrage from the big 'Con. He was even further annoyed by the lack of effect his bolts had on the behemoth. If this was going to be his last battle, he was going to go out with his axe swinging, even though the skirmish at the theater had taught him a thing bout this particular group of marauders.

He made sure that his axe was ready for deployment and started returning fire. But this time he wasn't going to play fair. He aimed for the big brute's optical visor, and made sure he never stayed in one place for more than a klik. Fire and move, fire and move. More than once, the scout dropped down on to the deck to avoid cross fire, or a direct hit. As he carefully worked his way across the floor he noticed Hex in the process of tearing Drag Strip apart.

>>Hex, he's looking locked up from my angle, leave him and get outta here. We can talk bout the leadership's decision to prolong the war later. Besides you can't gripe about it, if you're no longer around to have a reason for whining. Plus that there stun gun of yours could be proving real handy bout now.<< Lore-lock, transmitted over the burst channel as he doubted that the bot would hear had he shouted.

Bounce Chamber

Baneblade couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he watched his directed fire strike Lore-lock, sending the Autobot scurrying to seek what little shelter he could. Of course then he launched himself back into the fry, directing his fire at the large Decepticons face plate. This proved to be somewhat frustrating, as it made it difficult for Baneblade to study his rapidly moving foe. Although the faceplate and visor that made up the mask the covered his true face was armoured as best it could be, it was still very light protection and although a difficult target to hit, those weapon strikes that did hit began to eat away at the protective surface.

No matter.

Even as his faceplate was slowly eaten away, Baneblade was returning fire with his rifle, as he yet again switched over to high explosive rounds for his shoulder canons. However, he had managed to decern a pattern to the Autobots movements, his keen mind seizing upon the body language of his opponent, a move of the ankle, a twitch of the head, to indicate when he was about to stop. Baneblade did his best to time his shots to try and land a hit, and even though his mind was capable of keeping up with his targets movements, he was still moving quite fast making landing a solid shot difficult.

A blast from Lore-lock finally penetrated the mask over Baneblade's face, tearing away a section of it, revealing one of his optics and the left half of his face. The strike caused him to stumble back wards, disrupting his concentration on the fast moving Autobot, meaning he would once more have to concentrate on his target again and begin deducing his movements all over again. However, he had been over hearing the words being spoken by the young Autobot Hex. He recalled the name from some vague intelligence file from long ago, but he recalled this to be an Autobot who bemoaned the war itself, and given his previous statement Baneblade concluded it was perhaps a statement meant at anyone who would listen, not necessarily the Decepticons.

A deep rumbling, amused laugh came from Baneblade as he turned to fire his rifle once more at lore-lock.

"It seems your young friend enjoys to rage against the current situation of conflict between our two factions. Such idol fancy and superficial chatter. To direct his aggression at anyone who will hear it, to cry and scream against a conflagration he himself seems to be so eagerly engaged in seems to strike me as being foolish and attention starved. He is nothing more then a petulant youth, a protoform crying for his energon bottle, demanding the attention of others around him by blaming them for this war. Oh foolish boy." Baneblade said as he shifted his focus from Lore-lock to Hex, his armour still absorbing the fire directed at him. "To rage against war is just as futile then to rage at nature for gravity pulling down upon our bodies, or for space to have a vacuum. War foolish one is the greatest catalyst for change and progress that the universe can offer us, and those who embrace this truth will surely be the ones to achieve their destiny as the rightful rulers of this universe and to shape it to their will. Of course if you so wish to continue along this agonized train of thought about the current state of conflict, I can be most assuredly bring your internal debate to an end."

With a grin upon his face Baneblade dropped into a firing postion, his canons aimed at the distracted Hex and fire two high explosive shells directly on the young Autobots position.

Bounce Chamber

Hot Spot stumbled a bit as Snowcap’s blast hit near his feet, creating a bit of an icy patch on the floor and frosting up his right foot, but he quickly recovered. Leveling his fireball cannon he returned fire at the seeker, giving him two quick blasts to make him think twice about opening fire on him again.

The Protectobot took a second to take in the situation now. The room had all but erupted with laser fire and battle. Hound had managed to punch a whole in one of the walls of the room, and from the way Decepticons were moving into the chamber it might be their best bet to escape through that then the door. “Autobots, get through the wall! I’ll buy you time.”

With those orders given the Autobot turned his attention to the biggest threat in the room, which was the massive Decepticon standing at the doorway unloading rounds from an impressive pair of cannons. He apparently preferred not to get his hands dirty as he fired round after round, all the while spouting insults and propaganda. He was just the sort of Decepticon who he would enjoy taking down a notch or two. While Baneblade was distracted firing on other Autobots, Hot Spot charged him. While he was bigger then the Protectobot, from the way he was holding back from wading into the fray directly Hot Spot figured he wasn’t as tough or as strong as he was. He was going to find out one way or the other as he lowered his shoulder to slam into the Decepticon.

*

Mess Hall

Hellion’s mood brightened when the alarm began going off. A smirk formed on her face when she got the signal from Megatron. Fighting was always preferable to some boring social gathering, even when there were drinks involved. Speaking of which, she threw back her second container of fuel before standing up.

The femme snickered at her sister’s comments. “That’s not the right attitude to go into a battle with. You should be thinking about how many ‘bots you’ll be gunning down and if you’ll have the highest kill tally.” She flashed Nightraven a smile before jogging ahead down the corridors, ready for the battle, wherever it was.

*

Lab Facilities

Hook was startled out of his studies by the sound of the base alarms, quickly followed by the message from Megatron. A scowl formed on his face at the interruption in his work. With several of the other Constructicons pulled to other assignments he finally had some time to conduct his research. He wasn’t going to get anything done with alarms going off and a battle taking place inside the base though.
The Constructicon sighed. Such was his lot in life it seemed. While Megatron had called for all Decepticons to join the battle, he knew he wasn’t of much use in such close quarters combat. His time would be better spent securing the lab and backing up all of the files they had here. It wouldn’t do any good for the Autobots to steal or wipe out all of the valuable data they had gained on this planet, not to mention his personal work and experiments.

*

Corridors

Slipstream was surprised to hear the intruder alarms going off. Her surprise only increased when she received the message from Megatron. Apparently base security had a major failure. That was something she might be able to use to her advantage. That would have to wait for now though, as she had to heed the call to arms issued by the Decepticon leader.

Unfortunately the seeker wasn’t partial to combat, particularly not the kind of combat that would be going on inside the base. That type of fighting was better left to the mindless, thickheaded brutes that made up so much of the Decepticon ranks. Fortunately Megatron had mentioned the possibility of attacks coming from the outside. Out in the open she could much more easily use her speed and maneuverability. Perhaps she could isolate an Autobot for her manipulations.

The Decepticon activated her transwarp drive and jumped from the corridor to just outside of the base. It was a bit of a risk, but a very small one considering they were inside of a mountain, and the short distance made sure the fuel drain was low. She quickly transformed, grateful for having taken the time to obtain an Earth based mode, as clumsy and inelegant as it was. She slowly began circling the mountain, sensors scanning for any incoming Autobots.

Bounce Chamber

Baneblade barely had a chance to see if his attack on Hex was successful when he heard the sound of someone charging grow out of the din of battle, and he was just beginning to twist around to see what was coming when Hot Spot slammed into him. The large Decepticon reeled as he nearly lost his footing but he managed to stay up right. Backing away slightly he looked optics with his new opponent, discarding his rifle, though keeping his canons loaded and ready, just in case he could use them in this coming fight. He also reminded himself that his EMP charge was still primed and ready to go in case it was needed. Although Baneblade was a physically powerful Decepticon, the Autobot he now faced easily matched him, and even surpassed him. Regardless he wasn't about to back down, although his armoured had been gnarled in several areas it was still holding, where as Hot Spot had already been engaged in heavy combat.

He hoped that would give him an edge.

Staying silent Baneblade dropped into a basic fighting stance, studying his opponent carefully, his mind working as fast as it could calculating out the best approach. Unfortunatly it didn't appear that Hot Spot had suffered any major damaged with his battle with Motormaster, regardless though the fight had to be fought. Rushing forward as best he could the large Decepticon feinted a strike to Hot Spot's face plate with his left fist, while his true strike was a full power strike to the Autobots left flank with his right fist.

Over Decepticon HQ

Starscream cut his speed as he finally entered the air space of the Decepticon headquarters and initiated a quick scan of the area. So far it appeared that the Autobots had not yet made it to the outside of the base, though it appeared that Slipstream had taken it upon herself to patrol the skies for any enemy approach. Settling into a patrol pattern over the base Starscream opened up his communication channel.

>>"Alright, I have arrived on station. Slipstream, I am merging you into my team for the time being, you are to coordinate with us on establishing an effective CAP of the area. Thundercracker, Ramjet, establish a tight patrol of the outlying sectors of the base in a rotating pattern so you are not each covering the same area. Slipstream, me and you will preform a rotating patrol of the inner sectors. All of you keep your sensors and optics peeled for any bounce activity and Autobots moving in on the ground. Once they do appear notify the rest of us and we will all converge and carry out heavy air strikes to keep the enemy pinned down."<<

Once his orders were given the Air Commander adjusted his course to fall into the patrol pattern he had designated for himself.

>>"Megatron, Starscream. I have arrived with my team and at present we are establishing a CAP of the area. Once the Autobots have arrived I will update you on the situation and carry out air strikes against them. Out."<<

Corridor outside the Bounce Chamber

Snowcap had anticipated Hot Spot's potential counter attack, but his reaction time caught him off guard. H evades to the right fast enough to protect hos body but his right arm and wing got struck. "Nggh...not bad." The damage to his arm was superficial at best but his wing was shot. Good, nothing vital was damaged. Repairs would be easy. "Just what I'd expect from the Protectobot leader." He then saw Lore-Lock and took aim. "But this glitch howevr needs to go down HARD!!!" He then fires several shots at him.

Bounce Chamber

Wildrider staggered, and his vision browned out momentarily from the impact of Smokescreen’s electro-disruptor. He shook his head to clear it, and ducked behind the twisted remnants of a storage locker while his systems rebooted. While his obvious physical injuries were few, his circuits had taken such a beating from a crash, the concussion wave of a missile exploding at his feet, and then multiple shots from that damned Autobot’s disruptor weapon that he was barely able to keep his feet.

Wildrider shifted his position so he could see what was going on, and was appalled by what he saw. Motormaster was down, and judging by his reactions, he’d been shot in the face. While it was good to see Motormaster get his once and a while, having an Autobot take him down like that wasn’t what Wildrider had in mind when he was wishing for it.

The terrorist craned his neck a bit to peer further down the wall he was hiding on, and was met by a sight even worse than Motormaster’s facial injury. An Autobot, Hex he thought it was, was astride Drag Strip screaming incoherently and looking for all the world as if he was trying to dig through the floor of the base with his fists – without bothering to move Drag out of the way first. Hex’s fists were already dripping with the eerily glowing purple mix of energon and hydraulic fluid that was the lifeblood of a Cybertronian. The same purple fluid had splattered the mad little Autobot, not to mention the walls and storage containers behind him. There was so much of it, it looked like someone had thrown a bucket of glowing paint on the walls, that Wildrider wasn’t sure Drag was even still alive.

He knew madness when he saw it, he was reputed to be mad himself, and he was staring it in the face now. Hex was over the edge and about to beat Drag Strip to death, if he hadn’t already,. While he didn’t give a puff of exhaust about Drag Strip personally, he still wasn’t going to stand by and let some slaggin’ Autobot kill him. Wildrider clambered to his feet and into a lurching run that culminated in him launching himself at Hex in an attempt to knock him off of Drag Strip.

Over Decepticon HQ

Ramjet peeled off as Starscream ordered and began to fly his assigned pattern around the perimeter of the base. Even from this distance, his sensors could detect heavy weapons fire inside the HQ complex, and it galled him to no end to be stuck outside while there was a fight going on in the depths of the base. Screamer seemed to think the Autobots would be showing up any minute, but so far all Ramjet could see were these damned green trees. There was hardly a patch of grey anywhere. Damn he missed Cybertron sometimes…

Bounce Chamber

Drag Strip barely had time to squeeze off a single shot at Hex before the silver mech jumped down onto him from atop the containers. The blast missed and once again Drag found himself flat on his back with the young Autobot on top of him. Hex knocked the former racer's weapon away, leaving him pinned down and defenseless. Drag tried to fight back with his one good arm, but it was no use. An enraged Hex shouted down at him about how it was everyone's fault that the war had gone on for so long. Drag didn't understand where all of this rage was coming from, and he had no chance to react to Hex's words as the Autobot began to furiously pound on the yellow mech's faceplate, which soon began to crumple under the intensity of the brutal attack.

Energon quickly poured from Drag Strip's broken optics and mouth as he tried to put his one arm up. However, it was easily pushed aside as Hex began to rip apart the Stunticon's chest plate in order to get to the spark chamber beneath it. Drag's internal systems detected the breach and began to systematically shut down all vital components in an attempt to prevent further damage. Drag's spark chamber sealed itself, as well, to protect the most vital part of his body. Once that occurred, the unbearable pain Drag felt disappeared as he slipped away into stasis lock.
___________________________

Skywarp appeared in a flash and attempted to assess the situation. Unfortunately, he had not anticipated that he would teleport directly into the path of Smokescreen, who was attempting to exit the chamber through the newly formed hole in the wall behind the seeker. Unable to stop in time, the red and blue race car slammed into 'Warp's legs, sending the surprised 'con tumbling to the floor where he hit his cranial unit on the hard surface with a loud thud. "Ow, that fraggin'....hurt..." the dazed teleporter muttered as he gripped his head, trying to regain his composure.

Side Corridor

Meanwhile, Smokescreen lost control and skidded sideways but still managed to guide himself through the gaping hole and into the hallway beyond where he finally slammed into the far wall. "Arrggh!" Smokey groaned as he then took stock of his present location. The side corridor he was in was empty, but his audio receptors could clearly hear weapons fire coming from just around the corner at the bounce chamber door. Smokey quickly opened a comm line to his Autobot comrades:

>>"Everyone, I've made it out of the chamber. The side corridor that I'm currently in is clear, but that won't last long! I'll initiate a smoke cloud into the main hallway to help cover our escape."<<

Smokescreen backed down the side corridor and aimed his tailpipe around the corner. The diversion specialist then unleashed a controlled burst of smoke towards the bounce chamber door that filled the air and would hopefully provide enough cover to help the other Autobots escape through the hole and finally get out of that death trap of a room.

Hangar Bay

Astrotrain landed in the hangar bay and immediately extended his ramp, allowing the Constructicons within a quick exit. As Long Haul reached the bottom of the ramp, he turned to address his ride. "Astrotrain, stay here and guard the equipment. We may need what's in your cargo hold to repair whatever damage the Autobots do to the base. Hopefully, this won't take too long." Long Haul then turned and quickly left the hangar, heading towards the sounds of laser fire.

Bounce Chamber

Lore-lock got lucky with that brute Baneblade, only to find himself coming under fire from a seeker. With Hot Shot having knocked the big 'con out of the way, Lore-lock quickly checked the angles. He decided that he might be able to bring the fight to Snowcap. His decision was cemented after the seeker fired off a few shots, and hit with about half.

"That may have been a mistake, decptiscrapper." The bot said just barely loud enough to be covered up by the din of battle. Then he heard both Hot Spot's orders and Smokey's informative tid-bit and the scout figured that mebbe it would be best if he were to haul Hex out kicking and screaming. So he dashed over to where Hex was still busily engaged in slagging Drag Strip. It was a race between Lore-lock and Wildrider as to who could get there first. He put a few shots in the air, not really aiming to hurt the 'con, but slow him down.

Bounce Chamber

"So you're going to ignore me too?" Snowcap says, seeing Lore-Lock flee from his strike. "No...you're going to save your friend aren't you?" Snowcap grins evilly. "Mistake number two Autobots...huh?" It was tyhen that he realized Skywarp had arrived. "That was unusually stealthy of him. SKYWARP, GET UP AND HELP BANEBLADE!!" He then took aim again at Lore-Lock. "Save your friend or yourself Autobot. Can't do both while I'm here." He raises his arms only to wince as his right arm surges with pain. "Slag it..." Hot Spot must have done more damage than he knew. "Scrap sucking fireball gun." He muttered as he forced his arm straight and fired on his target.

Corridor outside the Bounce Chamber

"Slagdarnit! If you are going to stand there blocking the whole damn corridor, you'd better start delivering!" Angry Blitzwing cursed as his entry into the fray was stopped by Baneblade's bulk blocking the corridor.

"Did I just hear a wall being penetrated?!" Blitzwing bellowed out after his sensors picked an explosion in the chamber that had not come from Baneblade's guns. "Skywarp! Snowcap! What the slag is happening there?!"