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Autobase Prime - Command Centre

“Wait…no…”

Arcee tried to protest but it was of no use, true too his nature Hot Rod was already away, engine roaring and tires squealing. She hated to admit it but the sudden change in flow of the days events caught her flat footed. One moment she was within moments of having the impulsive youth in her debt…and the next everything had gone to Pitt…

“Blast!!”

Within a few moments the Fembot was up and away after the others, taking just a second to log off from her terminal, before transforming and pushing her own engine for all it was worth. It was amazing how quickly things could change. How quickly she could go from manning a station in relative peace to tearing along through Iacon as part of a Battle Convoy lead by Optimus Prime himself.

It didn’t take her long to make up the lost ground with the others, the sleek pink speeder pulling up alongside Hot Rod. There could be no illusions as to the danger they were heading into, the Supreme Commander of the Autobots didn’t mobilise an entire Garrison to go shopping.

“This doesn’t change anything Hot Rod…”

The Fembot at least tried to insist.

“…you already promised”.

Shuttle Gamma-Bridge

Stormrider looked at Hex as he received the remarks, grinning back, a low tone chuckle under his breath.

Let the games begin

Stormrider thought as he turned away from Hex. "Aww, sounds like some bot thinks his exhaust don't stink." Stormrider said as he activated his shuttle monitor, accessing tutorials on shuttle operations, trying to quickly learn about the ship.

Stormrider then turned his head, seeing Nighthawk enter the shuttle. He swiveled his chair away from the monitors and stood up with a smile. "Whoa... full shuttle." He said to Nighthawk. "Who might you be?" Stormrider asked in a warm manner.

Autobase Prime ~ Shuttle Gamma

Jazz's question was forgotten as soon as he heard Optimus Prime's announcement over the PA system. Uncharacteristically, he frowned when he heard it. It seemed that the Decepticons were active all over the place this vorn. As much as Jazz wished he could go find out what was up, he already had his orders to help protect the Tygus Span. Whatever Prime was mobilizing the troops for would have to wait.

Turning his attention back to Elita-1, his smile returned.

"C'mon let's get movin'. If we hurry we can meet up with Prime after we finish kicking Decepti-can at the Tygus Span."

Jazz's suggestion was for the benefit of Elita-1. Though he knew she was used to commanding her own troops, it would likely be difficult for her to keep her mind off mind off Optimus. With a lively step he moved toward the shuttle and paused at the door. He swept his arm in a grand gesture toward the door. It never hurt to be a gentle-bot, so Jazz always tried to take the opportunity whenever it arose.

"After you."

(OOC: This is taking way too long, so let us assume that everyone is present on the ship that way we can get this party started. All done with a mod's permission of course.)

Autobase Prime – Shuttle Gamma

Elita nodded at Jazz’s gesture and made her way onto the shuttle with the special operations commander in tow. She made her ay briskly onto the bridge where she took her place in the pilot’s chair. The femme commander began the initial process to take off, all the while with Optimus Prime in her thoughts.

“Okay everyone, take your seats.”

With her final words Elita initiated the takeoff sequence. The shuttle’s engines ignited and the landing gear retracted leaving the hulking aircraft suspended in midair.

"We’re off.” Elita looked to Jazz and smiled slightly. “Next stop, the Tygus Span.”

The shuttle then shot out of the hanger and into the air, nothing left but a large plume of smoke.

Energon Bar

Wideload grinned happily behind his faceplate, "Yeah we'll settle this after beating the Decepticons,"
Freeway looked around, "I knew it involved Cons!" he was still unsteady but transformed to drive off to the hanger, almost crashing into the wall.
"Hey, Freeway! Don't drink and drive!" said Rollbar.
"I can handle it!" said Freeway bumping into the back of Brawn, "Watch where you are going, stumpy,"
Rollbar and Wideload hurried after Freeway to board the shuttle. Rollbar was keen not to be left behind for a chance to scrap with the Cons.

Autobase Prime: Command Center

Pondering when they should step up and ask Prime for something to do, Blurr was saved from having to ask by Optimus’s sudden ship wide announcement.

“Excellent!,” Blurr stated enthusiastically to Jedishen, “No-tedious-
desk-jobs-for-us.-That’s-great!-Now-we-can-go-strike-back-at-the-‘Cons-
that-forced-us-from-the-Heights.”

Turning and transforming into his alternate mode, the blue transformer, charged out the doors after Optimus Prime.

Shuttle Gamma-Bridge

"Me?" Nighthawk replied to Stromrider as he sat down in the chair next to him. "I'm Nighthawk. What about you?" he asked.
As he waited for the reply, Nighthawk looked around the shuttle. There were so many different Autobots on the ship. Ones that he'd never seen before, although Nighthawk had only ever met a handful of other Autobots before this mission.
Nighthawk couldn't quite decide whether he was excited by this mission or scared witless. On the one hand, there was the fact that he was finally getting to play a part in the war. But on the other hand there was also the distinct possibility that this mission would be his first... and his last.

Autobase Prime - Primary Hangar

His six tires screeching as he skidded to a halt within the confines of the massive Primary Hangar, Optimus Prime transformed and moved toward an assault-class heavy shuttle in one fluid motion. The craft was designated the Indefatigable, and its combination of speed, solid armor, and significant armament would doubtless prove useful to the Autobot contingent about to fly it into battle in the Tagan Heights. At Prime's approach, one of the Indefatifable's main hatches hissed open to admit him to the shuttle's cockpit. He settled into the pilot's chair and activated the comm unit, knowing that he needed to send one more transmission before leaving the Autobase.

>>All Autobots not assigned to Permanent Garrison Units or Autobase Nu, proceed immediately to the following coordinates with all possible speed," he ordered, uploading the last known coordinates of Grimlock's ship. This is a Level III Mobilization. I repeat: this is a Level III Mobilization. Prime out."<<

The vital transmission sent, Prime deactivated the comm unit and waited for the other Autobots to board the Indefatigable. It was only a matter of time now.

The Autobots were coming to the Tagan Heights. And for better or for worse, we're bringing an aft-kicking with us.

Autobase-Hangar

Hound pulled up to the shuttle Indefatifable and transformed back into robot mode. It was time for action. To his surprise, Hot Rod hadn't even bothered to make him eat his dust for once. Either Hot Road had other things on his mind, or he was actually wising up, though he did not expect the latter to happen anytime soon.

Not wanting to keep Opyimus Prime waiting, he stepped up the ramp and boarded the shuttle, taking and radar station just in case they were hit by an aerial assault from seekers or worse. He'd make sure ot let Prime know the moment something came on radar.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Prime." he said as he sat down. I'm ready as ever."

(OOC: Moving things along. The next post should go to Nova Cronum.)

Iacon Airspace ~ Shuttle Gamma

Jazz sat at a computer console collecting as much data as he could from Autobase Nu about the Decepticon assault on the Tygus Span. Going into a fight without an intelligence report would be like fighting in the dark. Unfortunately, there was little information to be had. It seemed the Decepticons had caught them by surprise. He would talk to Prime about establishing some new recon teams after the battle was over. Too many times had the Decepticons got the drop on them. Maybe Wheeljack would have some ideas.

Before long the shuttle was approaching Autobase Nu. Elita-1 handled the craft like a true expert. Her prowess at such things was truly impressive. Not much wonder she was such a good match for Optimus Prime. She brought the craft down in the hanagar bay with ease and as soon as it touched down Jazz was up and moving.

"Alright Autobots let's get a move on. The Decepticons aren't going to wait for us."

Jazz opened the shuttle door and extended the ramp. Exiting the shuttle he stood to the side of the ramp and watched the Autobots exit and waited for Elita-1. He was sure she had a plan, but he had a few ideas of his own to bounce off her. It was going to be tough to repel the fliers from the ground, but these types of missions were Jazz's specialty. He grinned his cocksure grin as always.

Autobase Prime - Primary Hangar

Vroom snapped back into full functional status as Prime's orders came in.

"Sheesh, must have been so bored I slipped into recharge mode. I wonder what Prime needs. Oh well, who cares. Better than sitting around doing nothing."

Vroom stood and quickly moved out to the outside, transforming into his rocket car mode and racing towards the shuttle. Soon the Indefatigable came into view and an idea began creeping into Vroom's mind. He turned towards a nearby servicing ramp and speed up using it to take to the air. While in mid air he activated his rocket boosters and shot straight into the Indefatigable's door. Once he passed into the door Vroom transformed in mid air and landed on his feet but the momentum kept him going forward until he hit the wall and fell to the ground.

"Ow... that hurt... but what a rush it was!"

Vroom chuckled and stood up clearing the dust from his arms and walked into the cockpit.

"I'm here so no need to panic. Need me to do anything on the shuttle while we get there Prime? Hey Hound."

Autobase Prime ~ Primary Hangar

Brawn entered the hangar at a full run, hoping that he wasn't late for the mission. When he saw who was present he stopped short and looked back to the door in disbelief. Brawn figured he must be a faster runner than he thought. His internal chronometer had recorded a klik that was unaccounted for. It was what had led him to believe he was late, and that he should see Ratchet when he got back.

"Where the hex is everyone? You'd think a priorty message from Optimus Prime would get their aft in gear. Anyway, I'm ready. Where do you want me?"

The final question came as Brawn was heading for the shuttle. He boarded the ramp and went inside, but saw that no one was there yet. Poking his head out the door again he looked at the others with a smirk.

"C'mon guys. Let's go."

He went back inside and sat down, leaving the helm and nav staions available for a more competent Autobot. Brawn was competent at one thing only, and it wasn't flying shuttles. Pity to the Decepticon Brawn got his hands on first. He was just chafing for some action, and the 'Cons just gave him exactly what he wanted.

OOC - I'm assuming everyone's on board that's going, so let's move this along. IC -

Autobase Prime - Shuttle Indefatigable

With all the functional Autobots available aboard the heavy shuttle, Optimus Prime initiated take-off protocols. The armored blast doors of the Primary Hangar slid open and the shuttle taxied forward, a large deflector shield rising up from the floor as it neared the exit. The shield absorbed the exhaust blast as Prime took off, the Indefatigable's engines roaring as the craft climbed to cruising altitude and accelerated to maximum speed. As autopilot engaged, Prime turned in his chair to address the Autobots on the shuttle.

"The Tagan Heights is home to the largest Decepticon garrison on the planet, including the Constructicons and Devastator," he began. "Preliminary reports show several dozen squadrons of new 'Sweep' Drones are there as well. If this were a normal mega-cycle, I wouldn't touch the Heights with a ten-meter pole."

Prime paused, then continued. "But, this is no normal mega-cycle. We have Autobots down in the Heights with no way out. They're surrounded, outnumbered, and in the fight of their existences. They're counting on us to get them home to Iacon."

He looked around the room at the various Autobots gathered for the mission. "I know it shouldn't matter what Autobot is in trouble when it comes to giving him help, but I want you to keep this in mind. Kup is there. Ironhide is there. Most of you on this shuttle were trained by one of them, or both. I was trained by them, too. And I know that if it were any of us pinned down in the Heights, they would be there yesterday, cracking 'Con cranial units left and right. Let's do the same for them, shall we? Let's follow the example they set for us."

The shuttle's autopilot emitted a low tone, indicating that they would soon be over the LSC's coordinates. Prime stood, and drew his heavy laser rifle from subspace. Checking its energy feed and then resting it on his shoulder, he continued speaking.

"When we're over the battle, I'm dropping first. I'm going to draw the Decepticons' attention away from Grimlock's team. At the same time, I want Blurr to take as many med-kits and field-combat energon recharge units as he can carry and get them to the LSC's position. If they're going to break out, they're going to need to be functional and charged, and there's no telling how long this battle might go on." Prime looked to the others.

"Arcee," he addressed the young but capable femme warrior. "You're taking everyone else and landing on the 'Cons' flank. We're going to open up a second battlefront to make them split their attention. By then we should have the rest of the Mobilization forces on scene. After a safe drop, the Indefatigable will go into a high-altitude holding pattern over the Heights. We'll need her to get out of here when it's time."

Prime looked around the shuttle. It goes without saying that we're sitting on top of a gigantic energon bomb. Everyone on this shuttle knows that. Primus help us all if this battle goes on for much longer... He banished the thought for now. 'Warrior, not worrier.' That's what Ironhide always told recruits when they barraged him with 'What if?' questions about all the bad things that might happen in a battle. 'Stop worryin' about what if and start dealin' with what is.' Prime could hear the old soldier's words echoing in his mind.

"Questions?" he concluded the briefing. They would very soon be over the drop zone in the Heights.

Vroom shrugged as Prime ignored his question but quickly let the matter drop. Less stuff for him to do and more opportunity to concentrate on what really mattered. The boom.

He crossed his arms and listened to Prime speak. Listening to the talk about Ironhide and Kup made him think back to his own training. Both had played a large part in his current role but not the in way one would expect. He worked so hard to hide from both so he could skip the drilling and head over to the pub that he ended up becoming a master at infiltration. The larger point behind the talk didn't impact Vroom. He would have gladly gone in there to get out any Autobot.

As Prime continued to speak Vroom thought about the Tagan Heights and what it held. Energon, and lots of it, was probably what stood out most. A grin began to form on his face as an idea came to him.

"Not a question but a suggestion, Prime." Vroom responded. "Why don't we give the Decepticreeps a little taste of their own play book? While you deploy I could sneak into the Heights and set an explosive charge. If they get too pushy we can threaten them with setting the whole area off. Afterwards they can keep themselves busy looking for that charge. If we are going to be fighting on top of that minefield anyway we might as well use it for our advantage."

The plan was full of risks so, of course, Vroom REALLY wanted to do it.

Autobase Prime: Shuttle

Arcee had already been listening intently, the young Fembot giving the overall commander of the Autobots her full attention from the moment he had joined the others. There was one statement, however, that had caught her so off guard that she wasn't immediately aware of how to react. Optimus Prime had just placed her in command of the second company, placing in her young hands the responsibility of leading them into battle.

For the a moment she believed that she must have misheard, that she had been given some other task. As with all moments however, it passed briefly. It passed as she looked back into the optics of Optimus Prime and did not see a flicker, nor a seed, of doubt. He had chosen her for this responsibility, however unexpectedly, it was now in her hands to either succeed, or fail.

Her cortex registered and filed other statements, the importance of the mission, the lives that were at stake, those that were in danger. Kup was among them, the elderly Autobot most certainly dear to her spark, his life, as well, was also now conceivably in her hands. No, she would not falter, she could not falter, not when the stakes were so high. Not when she had just been handed the greatest responsibility of her life.

Arcee made the smallest of nods, confirming that she understood what was expected of her, and began scanning her optics across those placed under her Command. This was a daunting task indeed that had been set before her, but it filled her spark with pride that she would be facing it with such fine company.

Shuttle Indefatigable - Leaving Iacon Airspace

Optimus Prime listened to Vroom's plan. As usual, the saboteur had some especially creative ideas about how to get the job done. But, with one slight alteration by the Autobot supreme commander, Vroom's plan was a good one. Nothing wrong with making the Decepticons a little nervous about their choice of battlefield.

"You will deploy into the Heights per your plan, Vroom," he told the saboteur, "but you will be planting a dummy bomb. Same trigger device, same transmitter, same casing, but no actual explosive. Anyone who sees you will believe you've just planted a bomb, and after the battle, they'll be hunting for a bomb. Only once they actually crack it open to disarm it will they know that we were bluffing. Understood?"

Vroom's enthusiasm for things that went BOOM was understandable. It's most of what he does, after all. But we're Autobots. We're not in the business of blowing up our own homeworld if we can help it. And a bona fide explosive device planted in the refineries or energon mines of the Tagan Heights could very well do just that. Still, there's nothing wrong with us running a little mind-game on the Decepticons, should things get desperate.

The shuttle banked and rocketed toward the Heights. They would soon arrive in Tagan airspace.

OOC - The next Shuttle posts can be in the Tagan Heights thread.