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Oahu is an island in the mid-Pacific Ocean, third largest of the Hawaiian island chain and home to the state capital of Honolulu. It is also home to both the Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Wheeler Army Air Field, two United States military installations where a pair of misplaced Decepticon missiles are currently being kept top secret, one in each location. A team of Autobots, as well as a team of Decepticons, have been dispatched to retrieve the Cybertronian ordinances before the humans learn too much. And while both sides are expected to operate covertly and thus maintain infiltration protocols, it is only a matter of time before they encounter one another, sparking a battle that could easily get out of hand and risk exposing themselves to the population of nearly one million island residents.


Oahu, Hawaii – Central Oahu Regional Park

A bright beam of light shot down from the night sky and pierced through the wooded canopy of Central Oahu Regional Park. Striking the ground beneath the trees, six Autobots were deposited safely before the beam retreated back into the heavens as quickly as it had appeared. Both Prowl and Hound stumbled slightly as they attempted to regain their composure from the dizzying affects of the bounce trip. Traveling in such a manner affected each mech differently. Some felt little at all while others practically fell down once the trip was over. Most ended up somewhere in between.

Prowl was one mechanoid that had bounced around so many times over the countless vorns that he was all but used to it by now. While it still affected his equilibrium to a certain degree, the military strategist was able to shake it off faster than others. With his bearings set, the black and white activated a light on the side of his cranium in order to help him see in the darkness of the forest. His internal scanners indicated that the abandoned ranger station was close by and there were no signs of human life anywhere.

“All right everyone, activate your headlamps if you haven’t already and keep your scanners attuned to your surroundings,” Prowl spoke in a low tone. “The ranger station is just through those trees ahead of us. Once there, Red Alert and Eject, I want you both to establish a secure perimeter around the base site. Spread out and set up security sensors to be equidistant from the station. Hot Spot and Nova Strike, I want you two to set up the portable computer terminal. Hound, get that holo-generator up and working before we lose the cover of darkness in a few hours. Understood?”

“Not a problem, sir,” Hound replied with a salute before grabbing a hold of the generator in question.

“Good. Meanwhile, I’ll map out the immediate area in more detail. If any of you require assistance, just let me know,” Prowl said as he began walking through the trees towards the abandoned ranger station. “Now, let’s get moving. Our base isn’t going to set itself up.”

Central Oahu Regional Park

Red hated bouncing. He was the security officer and tended to keep to his office or the ship on which he was assigned. As such, he didn’t often travel by bounce. He absolutely hated that it scrambled his senses for several long moments and even more, the aftereffects. He stumbled forward upon rematerialization, kneeling slightly as waves of illness washed over him. It felt as though his fuel pump had coiled up into a knot as the world spun around.

Despite that, Red Alert forced himself to stand and take stock of his immediate surroundings. It was dark. Great. Pressing a digit to the side of his head to activate his headlamp, Red now scanned his newly illuminated surroundings. Better. It was all clear for the moment.

“The ranger station is just through those trees ahead of us. Once there, Red Alert and Eject, I want you both to establish a secure perimeter around the base site. Spread out and set up security sensors to be equidistant from the station. Hot Spot and Nova Strike, I want you two to set up the portable computer terminal. Hound, get that holo-generator up and working before we lose the cover of darkness in a few hours. Understood?”

“Understood,” Red Alert replied, looking down at the little cassettobot. He marched forward as Prowl did, keeping his optics on Eject. “We’re going to establish a certain radius away from the ranger station. From that, we’ll calculate circumference and segment that into arc lengths. I think about a dozen or so arcs will do…depends on the radius we choose really. We’ll put down the first together, then spread outward. I will go clockwise, you counterclockwise. Got it?”

Red didn’t wait for an answer but instead trotted toward the ranger station with haste. They needed to accomplish this as soon as possible. The radius needed to allow for them to operate around the ranger station without being seen, which meant a rather wide radius. Perhaps their bounce position would be good? Hm.

As Red Alert arrived at the abandoned ranger station, his face fell somewhat. Not very well maintained. But he had operated in more ramshackle outposts than this. He thought so anyhow. From here, he could make out some of the surrounding terrain, judging where the furthest point of contact might be. It was not long before he spotted it. A little cliff up the way gave a good view of the ranger station. Their first sensor would have to be a bit beyond that.

Transforming into his alternate mode, Red opened one of his doors for Eject, so that the little mech would have a swift ride up to the first sensor location.

“Let’s go, Eject. I’ve found our first point.”

Central Oahu Regional Park

Hot Spot materialized with some balance issues. Shuttles were much friendlier on the systems but much easier to track. With a mission like this, having the least amount of technology available for the humans to eventually get assuming the team left anything would be counter productive. Once he got his bearings, he heard Prowl's order about the computer. There is a part of him who wished he thought about bringing down Streetwise for scouting purposes especially to keep optics out for the Cons. As Hot Spot picked up the computer terminal, he slowly trudged up to their new temporary home.

>>Prowl, we need to figure out who is going to keep optics out for the Cons. I know we don't have the mechs to do constant active searches but still be wise to partially dedicate someone on each squad to have sensors and optics out for our fellow Cybertronians.<<

It wasn't lost on Hot Spot about the appropriate nature of their modest temporary home. The station was designed to be a look out for danger in this area. Their mission, in a way, is looking out for danger for the humans by acquiring the missing technology.

Central Oahu Regional Park

Nova Strike's gyro stabilizers ran in circles as he leaned to his left, only just landing against the thick trunk of a palm that bent under the new stresses of the multi ton ranger. He never really enjoyed transport in this fashion, few did. Being totally broken down to component atomic signatures and shot through space and time to a blind destination with the omnipresent risk that the signal could be lost or one atomic particle misplaced that would lead to his demise, never set well with him personally. However, unlike most Autobots and probably Decepticons, Nova Strike's systems had become rather tolerant to the procedure. Many of the Ranger's incursions behind enemy lines had involved such a means.

Still, given the damage inflicted to the Guardian during the raid of the Fallen's herald, the bounce system was still not entirely up to proverbial snuff. The ride itself had been relatively bumpy, what should have taken only an instantaneous stretch of time... took, at least for Nova, almost an eternity. Nova Strike materialized approximately a second after the others had stepped away from their positions to stretch their servos.

The Ranger pulled himself up to height and immediately activated his recently installed sensor packages, including the modified bio scanner system. Data flooded his left optic H.U.D, confirming what Prowl had surmised upon his initial inspection. Nova kept the results to himself. Instead he shifted the sensor mode again to continue to scan across the various spectrum's in order to ascertain potential threats or at least avenues of advance should their location become compromised.

Nova Strike turned his head only slightly toward Hot Spot after Prowl began deploying the small infiltration team. "No need to worry bout that for the moment, Hot Spot." He gave a knowing smirk of confidence. "Behind this pretty blue armor plate, beats the throbbing core of a walking tactical sensor package." He drove his right fist over the port on his chest where the new assets pulsed with energy and dedication.

He then turned his attention towards the ranger station itself and the small work shop located to the south of the main structure. The angular thatch roof was partially caved towards the rear of the building. Several portions of timber were warped and partially dislodged, but just on appearance, the shop was stable and sound. Still its defensive location was less than ideal, a situation correction that would be best left to the likes of Prowl and Red Alert to address. Through the double wood doors of the shop, Nova could see the ghostly outline of an old style military jeep... more than seventy years old, and rusted through in many places. "You want a place with some leg room, Commander, then that barn there will give it to us. Might be a bit cramped inside, but it still has a live electrical feed... that is over thirty years old, and is covered by underbrush."

"Shall we get started, chief?"

Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station

Prowl approached the ranger station as his various subordinates began following through with their orders. Red Alert seemed to have things on his end well in hand, telling Eject exactly what needed to be done. Likewise, Hound was already beginning to search for a good location to set up the holographic generator, trotting around to the other side of the station and out of sight. Hot Spot, however, had concerns regarding who would be keeping a lookout for Decepticons. The military strategist was about to respond when Nova Strike spoke up and informed the Protectobot Commander that he was a walking tactical sensor package.

“Indeed,” Prowl finally said, giving a nod in the ranger’s direction. “Nova Strike will know when the ‘Cons are within range of his sensors. Not to mention the security sensors that Red Alert and Eject will place around the perimeter of our base site also have long-range tactical capabilities that will give us warning of any Cybertronian signatures in the given region. You’re only concern at the moment, Hot Spot, is to help Nova Strike get that portable computer terminal up and running. After all, the perimeter sensors will be tied directly into that terminal, so it’s paramount that we get it working ASAP.”

Prowl then turned his attention back to the station which would serve as their base of operations on this recovery mission. It was rundown and less than ideal, having been deserted for a considerable amount of time. However, the structure seemed stable enough as the black and white scanned the main building along with the smaller, barn-like workshop Nova then mentioned. The barn even had electricity still flowing to it from what had to be old lines that no one bothered to shut off when the station was first abandoned by the humans. “Nova Strike, you’re going to want to check the quality of the wiring in there to make sure they’re not too corroded. The last thing we need is for an electrical fire to break out.”

The military strategist then turned and headed away from the base site, a scanning device situated in his upheld hand. Prowl suddenly stopped and looked back at the blue ranger, who had just asked someone if they should get started. “Chief? I'm sorry, were you talking to me or to Hot Spot? As I've said before I’m going to scan and map out the surrounding area in more detail unless you require my assistance, as well.”

30mi outside Wheeler Army Airfield

In a flash of white, Vortex appeared, already in mid-transformation, which he completed as soon as the orbital bounce was completed. His rotors began to spin and the Sikorsky blackhawk chopper quickly lifted itself into the air.

>>"Our facsimiles are stationed in an unmarked humvee 2.78 kilometers from our bounce position, commander."<<
___

In the next flash, Swindle appeared. He, too, quickly transformed.

>>"Well, at least they know how to ride in style, heh. I'll go get them."<<

Saying nothing more, the Combaticon Munitions Expert sped off in the direction of the frequency their facsimile minions were broadcasting.

30mi outside Wheeler Army Airfield

Like the others, Brawl too appeared in a flash of bright light and transformed as soon as his feet hit the ground. True to himself though, Brawl was already steaming. He had been thrown into a new mission without a briefing due to his late arrival and he just knew he was going to blow it. And all of them, his fellow Combaticons that was – all of them would blame him. Again. It made him angry, really angry. Which did not actually increase the chances of mission success.

>>"So what the frag I am supposed to do?! Drive to firing range of the meatbag base and sit there in case you need support fire or something destroyed?! 'cuz I am feeling like breaking something and if you are not going to bother filling me in I might just total whole slagging base all by myself!"<<

Approx. 30mi outside Wheeler Army Airfield

The tan humvee pulled up alongside the black one, parked in the parking lot of a long-abandoned gas station. Too bad, too. Swindle wouldn't have minded a little snack.

"Going my way, sunshines?" Swindle chuckled as the pair of Cybertronian facsimiles exited the vehicle and silently crossed over and climbed into the driver's and passenger side of the Combaticon's vehicle mode.

"Maybe when we upgrade these things we can give them a personality," Swindle huffed.

"You are very amusing," the first facsimile said.

"Oh boy," Swindle sighed, before reopening his commlink. >>"Got 'em, boss."<<

30 miles outside Wheeler Army Airfield

Skywarp appeared alongside his comrades as the bounce beam struck the ground before receding into the night skies above. The disorientation from the trip wore off quickly, allowing the teleporter to take in his surroundings. It was dark but they appeared to be in some kind of open area where the tall grass grew past their ankle joints. The clearing was surrounded by woods on three sides with a dirt path heading off in the fourth direction. The prankster took note of Nightraven standing next to him, giving her a nod and a smile, before noticing Swindle transforming and heading off down the roadway to retrieve their facsimiles.

At the same time, Vortex assumed his helicopter alt mode and took to the sky while Brawl complained about not being able to immediately destroy something. Skywarp was glad he wasn’t in charge of this mission like the one in the Iranian Desert a while back. No one listened to him during that assignment and there would be no way anyone, except Nightraven and maybe Thundercracker, would listen to him now. Brawl would likely pulverize him while the others just did whatever the frag they wanted. ‘Warp didn’t want the responsibility anyway. Let Onslaught deal with them and the repercussions from Razorclaw if they ultimately failed to retrieve the lost munitions. Better to be the simple grunt who just follows orders than be the leader who takes the heat for failure.

“So, should we just remain grounded for now or take to the air like Vortex?” Skywarp asked, looking to his left at Thundercracker. “I mean the flesh-sacks might be able to pick us up on their radar right, if we fly too high? And while I’m not as worried about being shot down by their inferior weapons as you seem to be, ‘Cracker, I still think keeping the element of surprise would be a good thing. Of course, we could just fly low. That would work, I guess.”

30mi outside Wheeler Army Airfield

Onslaught soon emerged from the flash of light following suit with the rest of his unit. Swindle and Vortex quickly shifted to their respected alt modes, their's being the least intrusive of the team. He had a moment to think to himself outside of planning this task, as well as finally return his call to the Supreme Commander back aboard the Thanatos.

>>"My Lord,"<< the Combaticon Commander began as his visored visage scanned the Hawaiian horizon, >>"We've come this far and fought countless amounts of infighting to help you secure your position at the head of Command. The Combaticons and I will stand behind you should Scorponok try and claim the mantle of leadership for himself."<< Onslaught shifted his gaze towards his team already moving out on their mission. >>"We'll try to wrap this thing up quickly in order to help get those additional combiners up in time. Onslaught out."<<

The moment his commline was closed with the lion-former, Brawl immediately became vocal about his part in the mission, with Skywarp following shortly afterwards in a less robust manner.

>>"Easy Brawl!"<< The Combaticon Commander called to his hot-headed subordinate as he quickly shifted to his truck mode, lowering his ramp for the tank-former to climb upon. >>"Should the situation devolve into a firefight, you'll have all the freedom to let loose, but for now we need to get into the human air base. Swindle's got the facsimiles picked up and we'll have Vortex act as an aerial escort."<<

>>"Blast Off, take Ratbat and see if you're able to hack into one of the Earthen satellites. If we can enter their network, it'll make it easier for the facsimiles to get in and get out with the cargo. I'm more than sure you're clever enough to fabricate a reason to gain entry once we arrive."<<

>>"As for you three,"<< Onslaught began, switching his comm-device to the seekers, >>"I hope you aren't too attached to your color schemes because this job is going to require ditching your vanities for the sake of blending in with the rest of the human armaments stationed here. If Ratbat can change their system's records to show you three are running a combat simulation, you'll be our optics in the air until Blast Off finishes his task."<<

Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station

A very annoyed Hot Spot looked back at Prowl and said nothing. Sensors are one thing but a scouting party is another one. Prowl is living up to his prick attitude by dismissing the suggestion. The more he thought about it, more he wished he had his entire team down here to ensure no one would surprise them. This should be a quick search and recovery mission but his team been on one too many of them which had gone wrong due to some oversight on his part or other situations.

Once he and Nova Strike got to the right spot, Hot Spot put his end down.

As Hot Spot was almost venting at whoever listen, he got contacted by Jetfire about reporting for a deep scanning and cleaning.

>>Jetfire, what are you talking about? There is no need for such waste unless you are afraid the fight with the Fallen had some sort of weird particle or energy our systems didn't pick up. Even if you insist on such scans, First Aid has done them on us plenty of times due to some of the messes we've been in over the vorns. He should be able to do it on his own without Iron Fist's assistance. If the computer systems didn't tell you, I'm currently on a mission so I will deal with this once I get back to the Guardian.<<

30mi outside Wheeler Army Airfield

>>”Fine boss but I don't know how long I can keep still. Makes me twitchy.”<< Brawl groaned as a response to Onslaught and proceeded to park onto his superior's trailer unit.

Turning off all his lights and the engine sound simulator so that he'd appear like any other US military M1A2 Abrams being transported by an army truck, Brawl could already feel the increasing need of doing something. Anything. He hated silence. He hated being restricted from moving. There was a good chance the mission wouldn't end up well just because Brawl would grow so angry that he would blow the cover. But that was something the other Combaticons would have to worry about.

>>”I don't need a stupid human facsimile, do I?”<< Brawl asked just to break the silence. >>”And can I shoot something already? I am soooo boooored...”<<

Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station

A slight tropical breeze blew through the clearing as the lone Autobot Ranger, Nova Strike, glanced back at the mission commander. "I hate to be the one to rain on the proverbial parade here, Skipper, but this isn't the first operation behind hostile lines I've been assigned to." He gave a soothing smile that had the potential to pacify even the most ruckus of fan mobs. Stepping closer towards the station, he knelt down and pressed his fingers into the thick leaf litter. Immediately a flood of biological data flooded his tactile sensors, basic DNA sequences and construction patterns were instantly stored into his sensor matrix.

Slowly he scooped up the partially decayed litter and allowed it to filter through his fingers into miniature piles at the base of his foot. He pulled himself up to height and dusted off his digits as he looked back to the dilapidated station work barn. He then transformed into vehicle form.

Without warning, he revved his engine ever so briefly as his internal weapon's packages shifted position underneath his hood. Again, without warning or order, the license plate at his front withdrew into the main body. A second later a small grapple and winch emerged. His targeting computer painted the rusted hulk that was the early military jeep, and he fired the grapple and towline.

Silently the grapple ate the distance between himself and the derelict vehicle before impacting with the ground at a very shallow angle. It then ricocheted up and connected with the jeep's drive train. Hidden servos and sensors tightened and alerted the ranger that the grapple hook had been secured.

Nova Strike immediately activated his winch and began to absorb the length of cable until the grapple line was drawn taunt. He applied his breaks and held himself firm in the loose gravel and leaf litter as he began to slowly pull the rusty hulk from its nearly half century of rest. Through the tension, the inward struggle of rusted gears and blown out tires made the process delicate and slow to progress... but after a few minutes between momentary gaps in silence, the rusted joints finally gave way their ages old hold and the jeep slowly began to roll out of the work barn.

After a few dozen feet, leaving enough room for the transformers to walk in comfortably without fear of destroying the human relic. Once settled with the vehicle being placed under a structurally soundish... awning to protect it from the natural elements, Nova Strike released the servo locks on the grapple and retracted it back into his body. Secured in place, Nova Strike reverted to robot form and made his way into the derelict building, passing Hot Spot long enough to activate the portable computer terminal's hover jets to make it easier for the big guy to lug around.

He pushed aside a few fallen timbers and bundles of fallen thatch and palm leaves as he crossed the threshold into the barn. Auto torch lights activated to pierce the darkness of the long neglected building... illuminating lengths of electrical cable, rusted tools and other supplies necessary for the maintenance of the building at large. "Pathetic," Nova spoke softly as the mission executive officer entered the building. "These humans leave so much without even a second thought to the consequences. Still... I suppose its fortuitous for our needs that these humans do not have such foresight."

The ranger transformed again, this time allowing a small strand of light to emerge from his driver side projectors. Through the haze of dust and debris caused by his sudden transformation, a humanoid figure emerged. The human sized construct, clad in expensive business attire, crossed the floor of the barn and drove his hands into the boxes and clutter. From the mess he drew out a small coil of cable. He climbed around to his trunk and popped the latch.

A silver box of tools emerged as the trunk hood carefully opened into two halves and slid down to the sides to protect the rear tires. The holographic avatar took hold of the box and set it down on an over turned cable spool. As the rear trunk returned to secured form, the avatar withdrew a small Cybertronian multi-tool, and a scanner. He then set to work by tearing off the rusted covering of the fuse box.

"Shoulda recruited an electrician for this op Skipper," the avatar called out as he yanked out spent fuses and plugged them into the refurbishing device on the multiple use tool. "Would have made this job tons more electrifying."

30 Miles Outside Wheeler Army Airfield

>>"Blast Off, take Ratbat and see if you're able to hack into one of the Earthen satellites. If we can enter their network, it'll make it easier for the facsimiles to get in and get out with the cargo. I'm more than sure you're clever enough to fabricate a reason to gain entry once we arrive."<<

>>”Ah, company then. Roger that, Onslaught,”<< Blast-Off commed back at his commander, glancing over to the aerial cassette.

“Well, let’s get going. You’ll probably want to hold on tight, Ratbat.”

Transforming into his alternate mode, Blast-Off opened one of his cargo bay doors for the much smaller Decepticon. “They’re counting on us, and I’d rather it be Brawl to be the first to botch this operation.”

Central Oahu Regional Park

With the little cassettobot in tow, Red Alert made his way up to the first point. It was…not quite as smooth a ride as he had hoped it might be. The rough terrain ground against the underside of his alternate mode, but, eventually, the security officer made it to the first point, letting Eject out before transforming back into robot mode.

“Alright, mark this location’s exact coordinates, okay, Eject?” Red said as he began to set up the security sensor. “Keep in mind the radius that we’re maintaining from the ranger station as well. We have…nine more of these to set. We’ll meet at the last one, but for the rest, here.”

Red Alert began to handle four of the security sensors to the smaller bot when he realized something a bit troubling. “Wait…can you…carry all of these? We can go together if you can’t.” Going together would take longer, for sure, but it would also ensure that Red could keep a stern optic over Eject. Make sure he didn’t accidentally or intentionally sabotage anything.

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.”<<

30 Miles Outside Wheeler Army Airfield

So, Onslaught's orders were for him to ride along in the shuttle, eh? Ratbat supposed that was suitable enough. Certainly far better accommodations than had he been ordered to ride around in Brawl.

“Well, let’s get going. You’ll probably want to hold on tight, Ratbat.”

"Yes yes," the Casseticon said, mustering as much agreeableness as he could fathom as the cybernetic bat flapped its way inside Blast-Off's cargo hold and latched himself upside down on a nearby stability handle. In the next instant, a holographic feed illuminated his metallic, chiropteran features.

"I'm tapping into the fleshlings' comm systems...something even more easy than it would've already been, thanks to our precious little facsimiles."

Central Oahu Regional Park

>>”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.”<<

Ah, company. Well, that worked out for the best really. The sensors were rather hefty and large and Red Alert wasn’t sure that Eject could easily tote them around. Still. Three breems didn’t give them a lot of time. Better hurry it up there. “New plan,” Red said to Eject, carefully placing the remaining sensors on the ground next to the one that had already been installed. “Hound’s on his way, so he’ll take them. You can come along with me, Eject.”


>>”Hound, we’re going on ahead. I’m leaving half of the sensors here for you. You’ll need to place them in equidistant arcs based on the circumference of the circle based on the ranger station’s location. Got all that?”<<

As he sent the transmission, Red Alert transformed, opening his door to allow the smaller mech entry once again, then revved off down the cliff face to the next location.

30 Miles Outside Wheeler Army Airfield

Closing the cargo hold behind Ratbat, Blast-Off launched into the sky, disappearing above the clouds. He corrected his angle slightly so that it would make for the most comfortable ride for his passenger. Blast-Off could manage a steeper angle by himself, but he felt a little more conscious of it with a passenger that he wasn’t actively trying to antagonize.

Despite this, it did begin to heat up a little as Blast-Off departed the atmosphere, the inner cabins shaking a bit. A sensation was well accustomed to. It was so familiar in fact that it was rather comforting for Blast-Off. Soon the shaking ceased, only to be accompanied by a familiar weightlessness. Gliding over to one of the nearest satellites, Blast-Off opened the cargo bay doors to allow Ratbat to gain direct access to the satellite.

“Maybe this will help.”

Central Oahu Regional Park

>>”Hound, we’re going on ahead. I’m leaving half of the sensors here for you. You’ll need to place them in equidistant arcs based on the circumference of the circle based on the ranger station’s location. Got all that?”<<

Hound received Red Alert’s transmission and immediately opened a channel back to the security director: >>”Copy that, Red. Will do.”<< Cutting his comm line, the green humvee continued through the trees, following a natural trail that was just barely wide enough for the Autobot scout to follow. He quickly honed in on the location where Red Alert had just sent his communique, arriving at the spot mere astroseconds after both the paranoid mech and Eject had departed the area.

Transforming into his robot mode, Hound made his way over to the pile of sensors that his comrades had left behind for him. The green scout then opened another channel to Red Alert: >>”Okay, Red, I’m here and I’ve got the sensors. I’m off to my first location. Just FYI.”<<

With his message sent, Hound gathered up the sensors in both arms and held them close to his body as he reverted back to his humvee alt mode. The sensors easily slid safely into place within the military vehicle before Hound revved his engines and headed off through the forest.

Central Oahu Regional Park

>>”Okay, Red, I’m here and I’ve got the sensors. I’m off to my first location. Just FYI.”<<

>>”Roger that, thanks for the help, Hound. It’ll set me at ease to get these up as quickly as possible.”<< Red transmitted as he and Eject arrived at the next point. Red transformed as Eject got out to set up the next sensor with the urgency of the paranoid. Glancing around to triple check for onlookers, both organic and cybernetic, Red flinched as a bird tweeted from a nearby tree, readying his rocket launcher almost immediately.

He relaxed and shook his head slightly when he realized that it was non-sentient organic life. Time to move on. Transforming back into vehicle mode, Red picked up Eject and roared off to the next point.

After repeating this process several more times including a variety of native life based frights, Red Alert arrived at the last point, a bit more haggard than the outset. He knelt down, Eject beside him to set up the last sensor that he had. >>”Finishing up on my end, Hound. Where are you?”<<

Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station

The gold indicator light on the top right hand corner of the portable refurbishing device winked on and off as the small electromagnetic nanite enriched field began to withdraw from the device's work surface back into its internal tanks. It was spun again before the holographic avatar positioned its thumb over the eject toggle. The moment the light solidified the toggle was pressed causing the refurbished fuse to launch into the air in a slow tumbling fashion.

A pair of dexterous fingers reached up and plucked the rebuilt electrical fuse from the air and spun it around again in between the index and middle finger. In the blink of an optical sensor, the fuse was thrust into the fuse control box and the results of the holographic avatar's work began to show signs of paying off. For as the refurbishing and reconstruction of all twenty two fuses were underway, the task of rewiring the barn had fallen squarely on Nova Strike's hard light shoulders. The overhead lamps had to be torn down and reconstructed in their own right, with rusted leads removed and more powerful and energy efficient lighting filaments installed in their place. Newer more efficient Cybertonium based wiring was also required to boost the feeble power that the station was receiving from the main lines.

All in all, the work to bring the power back on line to the outpost had taken Nova Strike the better part of an hour and a half... judging by local human standards. It also helped that his avatar was advanced enough to handle multiple tasks at once, another innovation born out of necessity. Finally, as the over head filaments began to flare to life, another of Nova Strike's avatars emerged from the backroom of the dilapidated building dusting his hands free of wood dust from his reinforcement to the structure's integrity. The two images nodded to one another in the manner of one nodding to one's reflection in a mirror.

They each positioned themselves over a side of the enormous plug that would finally allow the power supply to be joined to the portable computer terminal. The first image, covered in soot and lubricants from the work with the electrical system, waved off the larger Hot Spot... silently telling the mission executive officer to go stand out side away from the power cord. Once the larger mech was out of the way, the two avatars hefted up the cable and charged it straight into the proverbial female outlet of the terminal. With a satisfying thunk and a twist of the power cord, the ghostly haze of the computer terminal booting up granted the two images the confirmation they needed... their tasks were temporarily completed.

The two images faded, leaving piles of grease and dust where they once stood. Nova Strike's robotic form emerged from a darkened edge of the barn and made his way over to the computer terminal as the Autobot symbol appeared on its screen. He tapped a few commands into the system and brought up the remote link between it and the most advanced data base available in the sector, the Battleship Trion. Another string of commands ordered a massive download of all sensor data for the target region, a process that would take a few moments. "Alright Capt, got that computer terminal up and running. Even managed to work this place's electrical system to accommodate an energon rationer."

Quietly Nova Strike emerged from the new HQ for the operation, and made his way to the treeline. Wordlessly he allowed his optical sensors to stretch out to their limits, absorbing as much of the dense foliage and fauna as he could distinguish without the aid of his more advanced tactical packages. It was not a moment for tactics, at least not for the ranger. Just a simple moment of reflection, through his optical sensor filters he could see a majestic majesty that was so often neglected through this costly war. "Kinda reminds you of the Nova Cronum Natural Preserve. Without the metal renders or the Tetryon beetles."

Central Oahu Regional Park

Hound soon arrived at the first designated location where he transformed to robot mode, knelt down and carefully set up one of the security sensors. It didn’t take very long to stick the bottom of the device into the ground and then activate it. Once the sensor had come alive with a gentle humming sound, the green scout stood back up to his full height before returning to his humvee alt mode.

Wasting no time, the holographic expert sped off to the next series of locations where he repeated the same process over and over again with no real issues to report. One of the sensors refused to go on at first, but after a close examination it was found to have a loose wire. Once things were tightened, it came on just like all the others. After the last device was placed, Hound received Red Alert’s newest message. The scout then opened a comm line back to the paranoid ‘bot:

>>”Hey, Red. All done on my end, as well. I’ll signal Prowl that we’ve finished and then meet you guys back at base camp. See you soon.”<<

Hound then switched over to Prowl’s private comm channel:

>>”Commander Prowl, Hound here. Red Alert, Eject and I have finished placing the sensors. All are activated and working fine. On our way back to base camp.”<<

Cutting his comm line, Hound assumed his vehicle form again and headed back to the ranger station that was now serving as their temp base of operations.

Abandoned Ranger Station

Prowl watched as patiently as was possible for him while Nova Strike’s holomatter avatars finished their work on the barn’s electrical systems. Once all was completed, the fake humans disappeared from sight, and the real Autobot ranger appeared from a dark corner of the structure. Nova approached the computer terminal and tapped a few commands on the display before turning his attention to the prick-bot.

"Alright Capt, got that computer terminal up and running. Even managed to work this place's electrical system to accommodate an energon rationer."

“Excellent,” Prowl responded plainly as he walked over to the computer terminal and took note of the in-process information download from the Trion’s database. Meanwhile, Nova Strike had left the barn and made his way over to the tree line. Before the black and white could follow him, he received Hound’s message. Prowl sent a non-verbal acknowledgement back to the green scout before returning his attention to the portable computer console. Without interrupting the Trion data download, the mission leader entered the proper commands which allowed him to quickly access the security protocols and thus sync the computer terminal up with the newly established safety perimeter. Each sensor was online and functioning at optimal levels. Prowl then synced the console up with each member of the team. If anything hostile came within a mile of their base camp, especially a Decepticon, every Autobot would be alerted immediately.

“All good here,” Prowl muttered to himself as he moved away from the terminal and out of the barn structure. Approaching Nova Strike by the tree line, the strategist overheard the ranger say something about this place reminding him of the Nova Cronum National Preserve, only without the metal renders and Tetryon beetles. “I suppose it does,” Prowl replied as he stood to Nova’s left and stared into the woods. “But we’re not here to admire the scenery. Hound, Red Alert and Eject have finished placing the security sensors, and I’ve just synced them up with the portable console which, in turn, is now synced with each of us. Nothing can get in here without all of us knowing about it well in advance.”

Prowl then turned away from the trees and looked directly at Nova Strike. “Once the data download finishes and the others return, I will assign teams to infiltrate the human military installations. I’m considering two units, each consisting of two members with myself and one other to remain behind here at base camp where I will coordinate everything from the computer terminal. Even with the security perimeter in place, it would be unwise to leave our temporary base, and the equipment within, unguarded. It’s only a matter of who will remain here with me and who will be assigned to each team. Recommendations are welcome.”

50 Miles Outside Wheeler Air Field

>>"As for you three, I hope you aren't too attached to your color schemes because this job is going to require ditching your vanities for the sake of blending in with the rest of the human armaments stationed here. If Ratbat can change their system's records to show you three are running a combat simulation, you'll be our optics in the air until Blast Off finishes his task."<<

Skywarp looked over at Onslaught a bit perplexed. “You want us to change our color schemes now? We can’t just do that without a CR chamber or equipment alcove you know. We’d have to bounce back up to the Thanatos to do that. I’m sure if Ratbat can change the fleshlings’ computer to say that we’re on a combat simulation then he can change it to say we have unique colors from the other inferior jets. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

The teleporter then looked back at Thundercracker and Nightraven with a chuckle. “Slag, even I knew we can't just change appearances, and I’m supposed to be the dumb one here. Heh.”

Abandoned Ranger Station

“Once the data download finishes and the others return, I will assign teams to infiltrate the human military installations. I’m considering two units, each consisting of two members with myself and one other to remain behind here at base camp where I will coordinate everything from the computer terminal. Even with the security perimeter in place, it would be unwise to leave our temporary base, and the equipment within, unguarded. It’s only a matter of who will remain here with me and who will be assigned to each team. Recommendations are welcome.”

“Well, there’s only one obvious choice isn’t there?” Red Alert as he walked up with Eject. He had raced back after having received Hound’s transmission, expecting something to have happened while he was away. He was only slightly relieved that things seemed alright back at base camp. But appearances could be oh so deceiving.

“I have to stay here. I’m a security officer. I wouldn’t feel right with someone else watching over this place,” Red Alert stated simply. “I wouldn’t mind company, but ultimately, it’s up to you, Prowl.” Red actually did mind company, but he minded the possibility of a Decepticon attack far more. His own personal discomfort was secondary to the security of their base. The truth was that they would stand more of a chance with more bots garrisoned here in case of an attack.

50 Miles Outside Wheeler Air Field

”What the slag Skywarp you stupid dweeb?! I bet Thundercracker knows!” Brawl bellowed from his position on Onslaught's trailer, his turret turning towards the seekers. And yes, obviously unaware of the real meaning of the human word he had spontaneously chosen to insult Skywarp with. ”Ever heard of a standard issue digital camo-mesh?! Slaggin' better than everyone fly boy can't even change his color! Hahaha!”

”SEE?!” Brawl roared, changing the color of his camo painting from it's usual dark green in to a desert camo and then into a nearly invisible looking distorted shape and again into different kind of a green based camo selected by Onslaught for the mission according the data package the Combaticon leader had shared with the rest of them. ”Fools the meatbags but won't fool the Autodolts sensors like proper hi-tech cloaks! But that ain't the point, is it?!”

Blast-Off--Interior

Though having been reformatted in the way he had been was mostly a curse and a punishment, the former Cybertronian senator did not feel as if his time in Soundwave's service had been an utter waste. He had learned more than a few communications tricks since taking on this alt mode lo those many vorns ago. Bypassing primitive security protocols was certainly one of them.

"I have no doubt these creatures think they're using top of the line encryption: for their level of technological advancement, they surely are. But this is pitiful. I've seen Soundwave override satellites more complicated than this just by looking at them."

The holoscreens continued to flicker as the fuel scout did his work.

"There we are. Your illustrious commander now has access to one Terran satellite. You may inform him accordingly, space bus."