by Smokescreen85 » Sun Aug 14, 2016 12:06 pm
- Motto: ""A look can be deceiving; a touch can be lethal.""
- Weapon: Twin Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers
Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station
Prowl moved away from the station as Nova Strike assured him that this wasn’t his first go behind enemy lines. “I’m aware of that, Nova. That’s one of the reasons you’re on this mission,” the military strategist replied, continuing to scan and map the surrounding region while the Autobot ranger made room in the rundown barn structure that was adjacent to the primary building that comprised the abandoned station. The black and white remained focused on his task, allowing Nova Strike and the others to perform theirs.
The prick-bot then stopped and turned back at the sound of Nova’s vocals once more, mentioning something about recruiting an electrician for this operation. “I’m sure you can handle things just fine, Nova. And, by the way, don’t call me Skipper. Now, if you need me, I’ll be down the path a ways finishing up my scans.” With that said, Prowl turned back and headed down the dirt road leading away from the abandoned station and towards Route 99. He swept the entire area on both sides of the roadway, finding nothing but trees, grass and other forms of flora. There were some wild animals, as well, but nothing large enough to pose any kind of threat to a Cybertronian.
Having reached the end of the dirt path, Prowl remained hidden in the shadows as a few human vehicles drove by on Route 99. Going left would take them north to Wheeler Army Airfield while going right would lead south to Pearl Harbor. This makeshift base was perfectly situated between their two targets, but time was of the essence and this mission needed to move forward sooner rather than later. There was no telling when the Decepticons would arrive to retrieve their missing ordinances. Thus, the scouting portion of this assignment needed to get underway within the cycle.
Wasting no further time, Prowl pulled out a small aerial probe and programmed it to finish scanning and mapping the region around their temporary base of operations. The black and white could accomplish all that he could as there were many areas a mech of his size could not access within the forest and thus his own scanning was limited. Releasing the tiny probe, it took to the air and flew in through the trees, immediately beginning to transmit data back to its prick-bot master. “That should hasten the mapping task,” Prowl muttered quietly to himself as he turned away from Route 99 and headed back down the dirt path towards the abandoned station.
_________
Hound knew that finding an appropriate place to put the holographic generator would be a bit of a challenge. Considering that they were located in the middle of a forest, the surrounding trees could become an obstacle that would block and thus create gaps in the overall hologram that was designed hide the station. The green scout couldn’t just place the generator anywhere. Even putting it on one side of the station wouldn’t work as the false image needed to completely encompass the base and the building, itself, would get in the way. Therefore, there was only one location that would suffice: the top of the primary structure.
“Okay, very carefully now,” Hound whispered to himself as he lifted the holographic generator up and very gently placed it onto the roof of the two story main building. The barn area next door was too dilapidated to properly hold the weight of the generator. The main building, however, appeared more study even considering the number of years it sat deserted.
Once the device was secured, Hound entered the appropriate security codes and immediately programmed it with the required 360 degree hologram, in this case a dense area of trees that matched the ones found within the park’s forest. The scout then activated the generator and it hummed to life, casting a holographic net completely around the ranger station, but stopping short of the surrounding tree line. Afterwards, Hound opened a secured comm line to the Autobot team:
>>“Hey, everyone, I’ve got the holographic generator up and running now. I kept the circumference of the hologram close around the base in order to avoid any trees that would create gaps. We’re now invisible to the naked optic or human eye. If anyone came near here, it would appear that there was no station at all, but instead just more forest. Just FYI.”<<
_________
As Prowl approached the area where the base should be, he noticed nothing but more trees. It was as if the forest had swallowed the abandoned station up whole. Of course, that was not the case as Hound’s subsequent message confirmed. Continuing forward, the black and white stepped across the holographic threshold, causing a brief shimmer in the image. Once on the other side, the Autobots’ temp base came into view.
“Well done, Hound,” Prowl called over to the green scout. “Now, go help out Red Alert and Eject with their sensor placements. I want that done within three breems.”
“Thank you, sir. Right away,” Hound replied, giving the mission commander a respectful nod before transforming and heading off in the direction that Red Alert had previously gone in.
Meanwhile, the military strategist walked over to the barn structure and cautiously stepped inside. “Nova Strike, how’s the portable computer terminal coming along? Everything set up yet? I want to get things moving ASAP. Those missiles aren't going to retrieve themselves.”
_________
The green military Humvee sped through the underbrush and rough terrain of the state park. Now that he was outside of the hologram, he would have to be careful and avoid any potential campers or hikers that may stumble into the region. It was then that it occurred to him that perhaps it would be best to let Red Alert and Eject know he was coming. Otherwise, the paranoid ‘bot might accidentally shoot him, thinking he was a ‘Con.
>>”Red Alert, Eject, this is Hound. On Prowl’s orders, I’m on my way to your location to help you guys finish up the security sensor placement. Prowl wants it done in three breems. Just thought I’d give you the heads up so you guys knew it was just me. Heh. I’ll be there shortly or if you guys want to home in on my signal and meet me part way, that would help speed things along. Whatever works best. Regardless, I'll see you soon. Hound out.”<<