![Decepticon :CON:](./images/smilies/smiley-decepticon.png)
As Jetfire adjusted his course and speed he began to arc higher into the air, goading Starscream to follow him, and the Seeker Commander of course did so kicking in his own after burners and began closing the gap between them. Granted his former Autobot friend was nearly as fast as he, but Starscream was more maneuverable and agile. However, every time the Seeker engaged the so called Autobot Air Guardian he was always aware of the faint hint of nostalgia that came with each encounter. Of the days before the war when the greatest concern the two had was what ever project they were focused on on the the research station that had been their home over Cybertron, or one of the many high orbital races they would have to try and see who was faster. Starscream normally won, and when he lost it was because he did it to help his friends confidence, not that Jetfire needed it he rarely grew concerned over such matters. In some ways Starscream wanted to go back to those simpler times before the war when life wasn't nearly as complicated and far less dangerous or stressful, but those faint nostalgic thoughts evaporated as Jetfire once more fell into Starscream's crosshairs.
>>Oh please Jetfire, do not try and goad me into a careless frustration. I learned long ago how childish my antics were and that the Decepticons, indeed our entire race, need this war to end if we have any chance for survival. And I intend to ensure that it is the Decepticons who end it on our terms so we can bring order to this galaxy.<<
Starscream opened fire with a burst of laser and null ray fire aimed directly at the aft section of Jetfire. After his initial burst he fired his afterburners as hard as they could go, pushing himself at his top speed and he angled his position so he would pass under Jetfire and then he arced himself to climb higher into the air and once more adjusted his angle so he came out in front of his opponent. He Transformed and angled himself downward and let gravity pull his robot form down and as he and Jetfire passed each other, this time he was looking at the Autobots top side, he raised his arm cannons and fired a deadly barrage of laser and null fire again. Once he had past Jetfire he transformed back into his jet form and banked to the left as he began to come around in a wide arc, coming up to flank the other Autobot.
However, he could feel stress from the speed and movements he had just carried out, although he was used to travel and complex aerial movements he did not carry them out often. Though he was certain it was not a serious problem at the moment ,given he had not taken any damage so far, he knew that to continue as such would likely lead to him over taxing his guidance and flight systems. Such an occurrence could prove to be fatal at this altitude, even for Starscream.
Inside
![Decepticon :CON:](./images/smilies/smiley-decepticon.png)
As Baneblade felt his fist connect with nothing but air he came to the instant conclusion that he had been fooled by a clever feint by Ironhide, one he should have seen coming given his superior mental capabilities. The series of punches that landed into his armoured flank were also predictable, and if he were like most other Decepticons they would likely prove to be critical hits that would have toppled them. That is not to say Baneblade didn't feel them, the large Decepticon grunted in pain and his knees bulked as his strength left him momentarily. The only thing that ensure he was still capable of fighting back against this Autobot was the fact his flank armour was thicker then the average Cybertronians, now that isn't to say he didn't feel it, his armour was starting to give, noticeable cracks that were certainly a major concern were forming and his surface was full of holes from weapons fire and dents from hand to hand combat.
As the giant slumped to his knees and slight grin formed on his face. He still had one more ace to play, the small EMP charge that he carried was still of use and once activated it served as a convenient distraction as it disrupted his opponents systems, primarily their optics and gyros that kept them standing. It wasn't anything powerful, just enough to disrupt his opponent and knock him off kilter for a few astorseconds, but long enough for Baneblade to move out of position. Normally he used the charge in more open areas so he could move to a better firing position, but right now it would serve a different purpose. However, he was at risk as well, normally the visor/faceplate mask he wore over his true face was meant to both intimidate and provide protection from the charges effects, but his mask had been broken in half by Hot Spot and now only covered half of his face. Regardless, he needed to use it.
Once he felt his strength returning from Ironhide's blows to his side, he began to move, placing on foot on the floor for stability and getting ready to move, he turned his head so the exposed section of his face was shielded. He fired the EMP charge, useing it up until he could recharge it after the battle, and even though he did his best he still felt his head swim a bit as a noticeable dizziness over took him, but not enough to render him inoperable. He just hoped Ironhide was disrupted enough by the sudden charge to given him the opportunity to get the upper hand in the battle. Pushing off the ground, grunting as the pain in his side burned, he swung his bulk around and aimed a heavy fist right from the Autobots mid section.
Corridor Approaching Bounce Chamber
![Autobot :BOT:](./images/smilies/smiley-autobot.png)
Annex followed the larger Hardhead down the corridor and watched as he smacked Long Haul aside, a small grin appearing on his face at the scene. He nodded at the others instructions for covering fire and he was readying his carbine when Skywarp launched his attack. Two of his blasts struck the ranger square in his chest, burning two holes in his armour and knocked him off his feet and landed him hard on the ground behind him. Recovering quickly he flipped his carbine to semi-auto and rolled into a firing position as he knelt on one knee.
"You 'cons really need to get some new witty banter." He said as he squeezed off a burst from his carbine at the Seeker before rolling into some cover. "Do you know how many times I hear some 'con or another going on 'I am so powerful, look at me and how I am going to dismember you and use your after as a new hat' or some old slag like that."
He ducked out from behind his cover once more and squeezed off another burst of fire, this time more aimed at forcing his opponent to keep his head down rather then trying to do some damage. He leaned back against the wall and ejected the spent magazine before popping in a fresh one. He wanted to use his stealth skills to try and sneak away to flank his enemy, but he didn't know the lay out of the base to effectively do that, he could end up wandering deeper into this 'Con nest and get himself trapped. He also wished he had a grenade or two to toss out there, but then he remembered the demo charges he normally carried with him. Since he hadn't expected to rig up any major demolition displays on this operation he only carried the one at the moment, but it might be enough.
Pulling the charge out of the storage compartment on his right hip he quickly adjusted the timer on it, and he also had to do some quick field work to reduce just how much punch the explosive had. For a mech that oh so loved to blow up 'Cons and their real estate reducing the explosive punch of one of his charges was not something he enjoyed doing, but he just wanted to blow up a small section of this corridor, and Skywarp to if he was lucky, not collapse this entire corridor on top of them all. After all he was a 'Bot he didn't have a death wish and wanted to live to fight another day.
With the explosive ready he nodded in satisfaction and set the time for ten astroseconds and it began ticking down. He ducked out into the corridor once more.
"Hey Skywarp, I got something here just for you. Enjoy it buddy!"
He tossed the charge not knowing how many seconds were left on the timer or if he threw it hard enough to actually reach his opponents position. Regardless he quickly dived back into cover and curled up and braced himself for the coming explosion.