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Inside Blast-Off's Cargo Hold

Ratbat had resettled himself, clinging peacefully upside-down along one of the upper rails that normal-sized mechs could use to steady themselves when they were riding inside the Combaticon. The mission was well underway, it seemed. Onslaught fortunately seemed to have a competent grasp on the situation, since Ratbat shuddered to think what would happen if this operation had been left in the hands of Skywarp, especially given the conversation he had just overheard.

"'Bomb it into oblivion' indeed. Pfeh," Ratbat huffed outwardly. "I've heard more strategic thinking from Brawl, and that's saying something."

Fortunately Blast-Off of felt similarly, and nixed the idea before it even got brought to Onslaught's doorstep. Small favors.

>>"Yes, Skywarp, brilliant. Then after we're done here, you can go and bomb the White House and blame it on the Russians. Or the Iranians. Noone would surely ever suspect it was sentient, alien machines."<<

Nearing Wheeler

Nova Strike accelerated as one of the drones shot over head, noticed only by the blip on the friend or foe identification system before disappearing completely. The ranger allowed his targeting computer and sensor only the briefest of moments to secure a firing solution on the diminutive object before releasing it... an effective confirmation to their overseer that he had acknowledged the presence of the devices, before releasing it and waiting patiently for the inevitable admonishment from beyond. Still it was better than sending a reply over the com frequencies, as Prowl would eventually agree with... though again it probably wouldn't spare the blue soldier a lengthy lecture about targeting friendly observational units.

With a slight twist of his axle he slid into the lane a few meters ahead of Hound, as the once four lane highway zone condensed back to a standard two lane road. He slowed down a notch in order to conform with local laws and regulations, again as to avoid drawing unwanted attention from potential obstacles. "I've had worse overseers in my time. Well maybe not much worse, but still pretty bad." Nova chuckled as a dim light illuminated his interior cabin. "Course last time I worked with our guardian pain in the exhaust port, I ended up swimming at the bottom of that artificial glacial lake."

The trip was mired by a divided mind. Nova Strike had separated himself from his vehicle form and was already adjusting to driving himself with a pair of organic actuators. It was a difficult transition, particularly travelling at speeds nearing 65 miles per hour. "How do humans manage these sorts of tasks with such frail little bodies?" He muttered to himself and accidentally over the link established with the powerful holographic master. He pushed his break down just enough to slow to take a rather sharp elbow turn leading over a narrow stone bridge.

"Speaking of our last partnership... I never got the chance to ask you Hound, about that night. I mean..." His voice trailed off as he approached the bridge over a narrow waterfall. Before him was the exit of the valley leading towards a lit compound. Parts of it glimmering in solar radiation as the sun began to peak over the eastern portion of the island, the rest still dotted with spotlights and street lamps... flickering out as rays of light danced at their base.

Nova Strike came to a stop at the edge of the bridge and immediately activated his passive sensors to their most extreme range. "... Scrap." He needed eat more distance in order to capture a greater resolution of detail from his scans. But he did not dare risk exposure until Hound had his own opportunity to visually inspect the compound from their present locale. "There's a look out post a little further up the road. Probably will give us a better visual read, but as far as sensors go... I'm not getting as clear a picture as I would like. Probably some sort of primitive scramblers somewhere, or that dark energy that Magnus detected still lingers around here."

"What do you think Hound? Think you can get a better reading from the look out, or should we get up close and personal?"

Nearing Wheeler Air Field

Hound fell in behind Nova Strike as the blue ranger took the lead when the roadway went from two lanes in each direction down to one. The pair also slowed down in order to maintain the posted speed limit and thus avoid getting pulled over by the local authorities. That was the last thing they needed now. Avoiding unwanted attention was paramount. Of course, that might not be doable once they were inside Wheeler Air Field.

"I've had worse overseers in my time. Well maybe not much worse, but still pretty bad. Course last time I worked with our guardian pain in the exhaust port, I ended up swimming at the bottom of that artificial glacial lake."

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Hound replied, sheepishly. “The shuttle was struck by lightning. I did what I could, but I guess I should’ve let an Aerialbot fly instead. Maybe they could’ve set her down on dry land. But at least no one was seriously injured.”

"How do humans manage these sorts of tasks with such frail little bodies?"

The green scout would’ve smiled had he been in robot mode. “Humans are a lot tougher than they appear, Nova. I think you might be surprised by what they can withstand when they are put to the test.” Hound’s admiration for the humans was not really a secret. Although, deep down, he did secretly wish to know what it was like to be an actual human. His holomatter avatar that was currently situated in the driver’s seat of his Humvee alt mode gave him a pretty good idea, but it wasn’t the same. The avatar wasn’t real flesh and blood, but energy and light contorted into the shape of a human. It looked real and felt real but it just wasn’t real.

"Speaking of our last partnership... I never got the chance to ask you Hound, about that night. I mean...... Scrap."

“What’s wrong, Nova?” Hound asked as they crossed over a bridge, the Wheeler base now coming into view. The sun was beginning to rise in the distance as night gave way to dawn and the sky turned into various shades of red and orange.

"There's a look out post a little further up the road. Probably will give us a better visual read, but as far as sensors go... I'm not getting as clear a picture as I would like. Probably some sort of primitive scramblers somewhere, or that dark energy that Magnus detected still lingers around here. What do you think Hound? Think you can get a better reading from the look out, or should we get up close and personal?"

Hound considered the question for a moment before answering. “I would say both,” the holographic expert replied plainly. “My topographical scanner can get a good reading on the base from that look-out point. However, my normal scanners are just as limited as yours. I’m not picking up anything Cybertronian from here and I doubt I will be able to from the look-out spot, either. Once I have the topographical data, we’ll have to ‘get up close and personal’ as you said in order to find that missile.”

The Autobot humvee then went around the blue ranger and took the lead, heading for the look-out point. Once there, Hound trained his topographical sensors towards the base and almost immediately he received a flood of information. The data in question was quickly compiled into a detailed map of the human installation. Every building, every window, every fence, every roadway, every wall and every vehicle appeared in a 3D holographical representation of Wheeler Air Field.

After about a breem, Hound let out a low sigh. “Well, that’s about all the topographical information I can get, Nova. I’m sending you the 3D map of the base now. It’s far more detailed than what the scans from orbit gave us. And my normal scanners still aren’t picking up the missile or any signs of Decepticon activity. But, if they’re using signature dampeners like we are, we won’t know they’re there until we’re much closer or one of Prowl’s probes detects them.”

With the map sent to Nova Strike, Hound began to rev his humvee alt mode’s engine. “Regardless, it’s time to get down there and get onto that base. I hope you’ve got a good plan to get us past the guards at the main gate. We’re going to need one if we’re not going to arouse any suspicions.”

Nearing the naval base

Hot Spot pushed the speed in his alt mode to catch up to Red Alert. Usually Hot Spot could easily focus on a mission but this one could go wrong on so many levels. It is almost guaranteed the Cons are going to be involved and it will be a challenge in dealing with them when the time comes. Soon his fellow fire truck Autobot came into view.

>>Sorry about the delay, Red Alert, I had to discuss something real quick with Prowl before I headed out. This mission is very important in keeping the Con tech out of human hands even more than what it already been. It bothers me to think if they somehow accidentally set it off. Thankfully there are no signs of such things happening yet so I hope it stays that way. The other factor are the Cons. I wouldn't be too surprised to find the Combaticons coming back to claim what is rightfully theirs. The question for them is do we hold to our truce from the mess of the Fallen. I doubt they want to expose themselves even more to the humans as much as we do.<<

The route to the naval base was calm with a gentle breeze. Some of the indigenous birds were fling overhead almost as if they were ignoring the two fire engines. For some of his fellow Autobots a drive like this would be relaxing. It would be for Hot Spot if he wasn't so worried about the mission. Hot Spot's avatar, a trim slender built man with a goatee and mustache in a black fire fighter jumpsuit with fire inspector written on the top left pocket sat in the driver seat acting like he is driving the truck.

>>As to how we are going to get in, one way is we can say we are doing a surprise inspection. I usually don't like lying but we may have very limited options. I've done my fair share of inspections on Cybertron back in the day. My team did more than search and rescue even though that was the preferred for some. Blades would prefer slashing up Cons though. The inspections were often times left up to me since no one else beyond First Aid seemed interested in preventive measures. Protecting and serving is one of the things Prime believes strongly in which is the main reason my team joined up with the Autobots. I just wonder if this will eventually involve the local inhabitants on this planet beyond hiding ourselves from them.<<

Wheeler Army Airfield

Outside, Vortex could feel the seconds tick by slowly. He knew this was a time-sensitive op. The longer they were here, the more easily things could get FUBAR.

Inside, his holomatter avatar slid the security keycard he had acquired from one of the Decepticons' inserted human facsimiles and was granted access to the next level of security within the base.

So far, so good.

Nearing Pearl Harbor Naval Base

>>Sorry about the delay, Red Alert, I had to discuss something real quick with Prowl before I headed out. This mission is very important in keeping the Con tech out of human hands even more than what it already been. It bothers me to think if they somehow accidentally set it off. Thankfully there are no signs of such things happening yet so I hope it stays that way. The other factor are the Cons. I wouldn't be too surprised to find the Combaticons coming back to claim what is rightfully theirs. The question for them is do we hold to our truce from the mess of the Fallen. I doubt they want to expose themselves even more to the humans as much as we do.<<

A likely story.

Red Alert didn’t believe it for a second. Discussing something quickly with Prowl. Pfeh. He’d heard better alibis from mechs who were standing over a corpse. Changing the topic like that. Hah! Did Hot Spot think Red would just let it go so easily?! Oh no, no. The only outward sign of Red’s suspicions was to put more space between himself and Hot Spot, acting as if he were leading the fire engine in his fire chief’s car alternate mode.

Hah! Didn’t like lying. Hot Spot had done it to Red’s faceplate! Did he think he was a fool? Well, that was fine. That was good. Let him under estimate Red Alert. See where it got him. Listen to him blabber and change topics wily nily.

He’s a madman.

He’s a fool.

He’s after you.

All these thoughts flitted through Red’s head. >>”It’s dangerous to reveal ourselves, so don’t get any ideas, Hot Spot. In and out. Grab the target and get out. That’s all we need to do.”<<

Wheeler Air Field

Vortex's facsimile approached a massive, secured room, his rank insignias changing to make it appear as if he were a superior officer to the men guarding the door. He couldn't help but feel a little tinge of satisfaction. Advanced tech was making this almost too easy.

"The contents of this room are being transferred to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Immediately."

The guards looked at the man before exchanging brief glances with each other.

"Uh, yessir."

Nearing Pearl Harbor Naval Base

Noticing his partner picking up speed, Hot Spot pictured Red Alert running to a fire on Cybertron. The only thing missing are the sirens and lights. As it is if he went any faster Red might catch the attention of the local law enforcement for what they call speeding. Biggest thing bothering Hot Spot was no information from Prowl about any Con spotting. He understands Prowl's desire to get the tech first but Hot Spot was fine if the Cons got their projectile back as long as it was away from the humans.

>>Prowl, has your probes picked up any sign of Con activity at either location? So far Red and I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. I hope we get to the missile first but more importantly whoever does get it is able to do it without being caught.<<

His attention returned to the road ahead and his partner. If they were supposed to not get noticed, he hoped going over the speed requirement would be ignored considering they are both emergency vehicles.

>>Red, you might want to watch your speed. We don't need to draw any unwarranted attention from the local law enforcement for breaking their acceleration laws.<<

Pearl Harbor Naval Base

Red Alert cursed many things when Hot Spot suggested he slow down. Of course that was what Hot Spot wanted him to do. What was he planning? But he had a point. He couldn’t let his suspicions jeopardize the mission. So he slowed somewhat, adhering to the legal maximum while still trying to keep a respectable distance from Hot Spot.

Eventually, they did come upon the gates to the human military installation. Red’s holomatter avatar stiffly flashed his authentication papers to the gate guard who nodded and admitted him into the human military installation. Pulling up and parking in a lot reserved for such vehicles, Red had his holomatter avatar step out of him and don his cap.

“Well, we’re here.”

>>”Prowl, we’ve reached the naval base. Heading inside to retrieve the objective.”<<

“Come along then. Let’s do what we came here to do,” Red said to Hot Spot as he moved for the entrance to the facility.

((OOC: I’m taking charge of Nightraven when needed.))

Skies Near Pearl Harbor Naval Base

“No. It sounds idiotic. Do you think it is phase five? Hmmm? No. And I won’t be party to something that could potentially get us all killed, or worse, humiliated.”

That was pretty much the response that Skywarp was expecting from his peers. They never seemed to fail to insult and belittle him no matter what ideas he suggested. To them he was just a simple-minded grunt. Only Nightraven saw more in him than that. She saw some kind of potential that no one else saw, not even the teleporter, himself.

“Well, Blast Off, I wish it was phase five! It would be a hell of a lot more fun than all this secret stuff and hiding. What kind of life is that for a warrior, anyway? Especially for a seeker? All this cloak and dagger slag is boring, that’s what it is!”

>>"Yes, Skywarp, brilliant. Then after we're done here, you can go and bomb the White House and blame it on the Russians. Or the Iranians. No one would surely ever suspect it was sentient, alien machines.”<<

Of course, Soundwave’s flying rodent had to chime in, as well. >>“Well, Ratbat, I didn’t think the humans knew we even existed. Why would they not think it was the Russians or Iranians, whomever they are?”<<

Without waiting for a response from either of his insulting comrades, Skywarp took note of a small, shiny silver sphere flying a few hundred feet just beneath them. “Hey, ’Cracker, you seeing this thing beneath us? What the slag is it?”

“My scanners are saying it’s Cybertronian in design,” Nightraven interjected as she few alongside the prankster. “Definitely not a human device and not one of ours. Looks like some kind of probe.”

“Then it must be the Autobots! They’re here!” Skywarp exclaimed as he dropped out of formation and descended towards the probe.

“Wait! Skywarp, stop!” Nightraven yelled, but it was too late. The teleporter had already come up behind the aerial probe and locked his weapons onto it.

“It’s okay, Nighty! I got this!” Skywarp replied as he unleashed a series of laser fire at the small probe, destroying it instantly. The black and purple seeker then ascended back into formation with the other Decepticons. “See? I took care of it. No problem!”

“No problem?” Nightraven said with a huff in her vocals. “Warp, if that was an Autobot probe you basically just let them know we are here. Our signatures are dampened. It would’ve just thought we were ordinary fleshling aircraft at that distance.”

“Oh,” Skywarp replied, sheepishly. “Maybe they’re just think the humans shot it down. Right?”

“We can’t take that risk. You shot lasers at it, Skywarp! The probe could’ve detected that before it exploded! The Autobots will then know it wasn't the humans. We need to be on guard now more than before,” the seeker femme pointed out. “Blast Off, I suggest we land at the base ASAP. Send whatever clearance codes you have so we can get on the ground and get that rocket back before the Autobots do.”

((OOC: Going to try and move things along some.))

Central Oahu Regional Park – Abandoned Ranger Station

Once everyone had left on their assignments, Prowl settled in at the portable computer terminal in the barn to keep a close optic on the two teams’ movements. The military strategist had previously dispatched four small probes, two of which spread out across the island in search of Decepticon activity or anything that could suggest the presence of the Autobots’ sworn enemies. The other two probes kept watch on the teams, one for each group. Prowl could see that Hot Spot and Red Alert had successfully gained entry to Pearl Harbor Naval Base while both Nova Strike and Hound were quickly approaching the main entrance to Wheeler Air Field.

>>Prowl, has your probes picked up any sign of Con activity at either location? So far Red and I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. I hope we get to the missile first but more importantly whoever does get it is able to do it without being caught.<<

>>”Prowl, we’ve reached the naval base. Heading inside to retrieve the objective.”<<

The two transmissions came across his comm line in quick succession. He was about to respond when he picked up a troubling reading for one of the probes. Bringing up the visual data, Prowl could see what appeared to be a human fighter jet followed by a barrage of laser fire. Then nothing but static filled the screen. After a few quick checks, the black and white determined that the probe had been destroyed.

“That was not a human jet. Not with laser fire coming out of it!” Prowl muttered to himself as he rewound the destroyed probe’s recordings in order to see what else it had picked up just before its destruction. With his optics wide, the mission commander opened a secured comm line to both teams:

>>”Nove Strike, Hound, Hot Spot, Red Alert, this is Prowl. One of the probes has been destroyed by laser fire. It came from a fighter jet near the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. After reviewing the recorded data, the probe had also picked up three other aircraft flying together in the vicinity. It has to be the Decepticons, seekers by the looks of it. They’re sporting different paint schemes, but one of the aircraft appears to be some kind of space plane, which is likely Blast-Off. That means the rest of the Combaticons are here, as well. Keep a look-out for them. So far I’ve not detected anything at Wheeler Air Field, but that doesn’t mean the ‘Cons aren’t there, especially if they're using signature dampeners. Remember, avoid a confrontation if possible. Just get those rockets and get back here as quickly as you can! We have no time to waste. Prowl out.”<<

Wheeler Air Field

Hound received Prowl’s encrypted transmission as he and Nova Strike approached the main gates of Wheeler Air Field. It sounded like the Combaticons and some seekers were in the area, likely hoping to retrieve their lost ordinances. Time was of the essence now more than ever.

“Well, Nova, I don’t know what plans you had to get inside the base, but we really don’t have time to get all fancy,” the green scout said as the Autobot humvee drove around the ranger and took the lead. “I’ll handle this,” Hound said, pulling up to the front gate of the human air field. His holomatter avatar then rolled down the driver’s side window and presented the guard with the appropriate authentication paperwork that had been generated before they had arrived on Oahu. The guard looked over the paperwork carefully, glancing up directly at the fake human behind the wheel before returning his attention back down to the paperwork.

“Everything here appears to be in order,” the guard said stoically before handing the papers back to Hound’s avatar. “You may proceed inside.” The holomatter human nodded as the gate in front of the Autobots opened. The green humvee then proceeded across the threshold and onto the military installation with Nova Strike close behind him.

>>”Prowl, Nova and I are now inside Wheeler Air Field. We’ll let you know as soon as we find the missile….or the Decepticons, whichever comes first.”<<

With his communique sent, Hound rolled forward deeper into the human base, his scanners sweeping the entire area for the lost Combaticon rocket. "I'm not picking anything up yet. How about you, Nova? Anything on your scanners?"

Skies Near Pearl Harbor Naval Base

Blast-Off could scarcely believe the sheer idiocy of Skywarp. It was almost as if he wished to let the Autobots know their exact battle strength. He was actually dumb-founded. Not that Brawl was honestly much better but at least Onslaught had a better hand on him than the seekers did this brainless dolt with wings. He was so angry.

Slaggit all!

“Well, now we have no choice thanks to that braindead idiot!” Blast-Off snapped. He was more than tempted to fire on Skywarp for his sheer incompetence. Primus help them all. “Follow my lead and try not to do any more damage,” he snarled.

Angling down and beginning his descent, he transmitted the human codes over the antiquated human channel and requested landing clearance for the lot of them. As he did, he opened up the comm to Onslaught.

>>”Bad news boss. The Autobots likely know we’re here now. Skywarp blasted one of their probes out of the sky. We gotta step it up.”<<

In the next moments, Blast-Off was on the ground as directed by the humans. He angled into one of their hangars and had his holomatter avatar hop out of the cockpit. He showed the other humans his authentication and made up an excuse about a top secret project while he waited for the seekers to link up with him.


When Red Alert received Prowl’s encrypted transmission, he cursed internally. He was still at the entrance, verifying his authentication with these humans. He was absolutely certain that they were onto him already as well. Frag, frag, frag. This was all he needed. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally got past the entrance and into the base proper.

If he were a human, he would likely keep something of this nature under lock and key. So, all he needed to do was interface with the human network to most quickly and efficiently survey the base to determine just where that was. He located an empty human workstation and began his work.

>>”Hot Spot, watch my six.”<<

Wheeler Air Field

Vortex's facsimiles were on their way. ETA-- five minutes forty-three seconds, by human calculations. The transfer orders had gone through without a hitch. But of course they did. Humans had never encountered an adversary that was so technologically beyond them that replicating and modifying all their little security clearances was essentially protoform's play. The Combaticons had been doing slag like this since the earliest days of the war. Even before.

Vortex's rotor blades slowly began to fire up. Once the missiles were on board, he wanted out of here, ASAP.

Wheeler Air Field

These humans were so slow in their retrieval. Onslaught's holomatter avatar pulled back the sleeve of his simulated military uniform and flipped his wrist to check the time and see how well his plan was following schedule. Sure, the strategist could just get the time from his HUD, but this mundane task bettered his deception against the human militants.

>>”Bad news boss. The Autobots likely know we’re here now. Skywarp blasted one of their probes out of the sky. We gotta step it up.”<<

Onslaught nearly froze when Blast-Off reported into his comm unit, but quickly steadied his servos to regain his composure. Damn that imbecile of a seeker! Here, Onslaught was hoping that without Starscream giving them commands that he himself could try and reshape the Seeker Commander's underlings to better serve Razorclaw's regime and ultimately be better warriors. But it seems even with Starscream offworld, these jet-brained 'Cons still acted upon impulse like their commander.

>>"We're working on it, Blast-Off. Stick to the original plan but further your scans to see if the Autobots reveal themselves in the excitement. If we're lucky, they may have detected 'Warp and the other seekers only, granting us more time to acquire the targets. Keep Skywarp close and ensure he doesn't expose our presence here any further, Onslaught out."<<

Wheeler Air Field

With Vortex's rotors going at almost full speed, the facsimiles emerged from the base, wheeling the concealed armaments out onto the deck and then up the ramp into the chopper.

"Thought you were gonna be late," one of the actual human officers supervising the transfer said to one of the facsimiles as they secured the weapons.

"Only...for dinner...with mother-in-law, hah hah," the facsimile chuckled. The officer slapped him on the shoulder.

C'mon, c'mon, c'monnnn... Vortex groaned as his own personal facsimile climbed into the co-pilot's chair. Once the ramp had been secured, Vortex started his ascent and opened a comm to the other Combaticons.

>>"Wheeler ordinance cleared. Moving out now."<<

Blast-Off's Cargo Hold

>>“Well, Ratbat, I didn’t think the humans knew we even existed. Why would they not think it was the Russians or Iranians, whomever they are?”<<

As he hung in position, upside down in the Combaticon shuttle, one of Ratbat's hooked metal claws at the end of a wing scratched his chin structure thoughtfully.

>>"You know, I think you might be on to something. What a brilliant idea I just had!"<< the Casseticon chuckled, before listening in to the ongoing comm chatter and Skywarp's decision to blast some sort of unidentified probe out of the sky, completely wiping away whatever credit he might have earned for forcing Ratbat to question his earlier mocking.

>>"I concur wholeheartedly with Nightraven. Time is critically of the essence now."<<

Sigh.

Naval base

Hot Spot received Red Alert's message about keeping a look out. Hot Spot drove up to the same human guard who gave him what some would consider an odd look.

"Why are there two of you here? The first guy had something about inspections for the building which did seem a bit odd but it cleared. What is your mission here?"

Hot Spot's avatar handed over similar paperwork with a gentle grin on his face. The guard looks over the paperwork and sighs as he waves Hot Spot through.

Whew, that was a close one. Good thing this human believed we needed to look around the entire base, inside and out. Now I can keeps sensors and avatar optics out for the Cons while Red gets the missiles.

Hot Spot's avatar walked out of his cab and started a path around the outer perimeter of the complex. His sensors, on the other hand, was searching the sky for any sign of Con Seeker and the Protectobots' counterparts, the Combaticons. Hot Spot had lost track of how many times the two groups have clashed with the most recent being the area known as Kansas. Oddly enough knowing Onslaught being most likely the one in charge of the Con operation soothed Hot Spot's concern of any active hostility until both factions were away from the location. Personally it didn't bother Hot Spot much if Vortex got his missiles back but did understand Prowl's desire to have the technology even it were malfunctioning missiles.

>>Red Alert, I'm inside the base perimeter keeping optics and scanners out for any signs of the Cons. I'm also getting an up close look at the base as a whole to add to what we got from the mission briefing. So far nothing indicating any signs of the Cons.<<

A few moments later the avatar sees a hangar with what appears to be a shuttle craft. The avatar walked closer to the bay and saw the very familiar image even though it was almost hidden by the camouflage. The design also fit Blast Off's design.

>>Correction, we have Blast-Off on the ground. I repeat, we have Blast-Off on the ground.<<

Hot Spot then open up a private secured channel to Prowl.

>>Prowl, Blast-Off is spotted at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. I've yet to spot any other Cons but most likely only time for any others to land or at least get close. My avatar will keep its distance from Blast-Off and observe from afar. Thankfully Onslaught will try his hardest to keep his troops in line long enough for all of us to get away before any hostilities could start. We can also at least try to negotiate a non-violent leave from this island but wouldn't surprise me it would cost any of the missiles we could recover.<<

Skies approaching Pearl Harbor Naval Base

“Well, now we have no choice thanks to that braindead idiot! Follow my lead and try not to do any more damage.”

Not surprisingly, Blast-Off was non too pleased with Skywarp’s actions. “I was only trying to help. Sheesh,” the teleporter muttered as he followed the Combaticon space plane down towards the human naval base. Nightraven and Thundercracker were close behind him as all three seeker jets landed on the runway and taxied into one of the hangars, pulling up near Blast-Off.

The holomatter pilots of the seeker trio hopped out of their respective cockpits and walked over to where the space warrior’s avatar was standing and conversing with a group of humans. “Yeah, we’re all with him,” Skywarp’s faux human pilot stated with a nod and a smile. “Top secret stuff.” The prankster then felt a slight jab to his side. “What?” Warp turned and saw that it was Nightraven’s female avatar trying to get him to just keep his big mouth shut. “Oh, got it. Sorry. Heh.”

Wheeler Air Field

Hound broadened his scanners as he and Nova Strike split up in order to cover more ground around the human air field. The green humvee drove slowly past several buildings before eventually rounding a corner which revealed the helicopter pad. Red lights immediately began flashing across the dashboard of the alien humvee, indicating that a Cybertronian signal had be acquired.

>>“Nova, I think I’ve found it,”<< Hound transmitted over a secured comm line to the blue ranger on the opposite side of the base. As the scout came to a halt, he focused his scanners on the humans who were transporting some kind of ordinance concealed underneath a tarp from a nearby building over to a grey chopper on the helipad. Within astroseconds, his sensors confirmed that the concealed object was, in fact, of Cybertronian origin.

>>”Yep, I’ve found the missile, Nova. It’s being loaded onto a chopper by some humans. Although, wait a sec…”<< Hound’s words broke off as his visual sensors zeroed in on a very familiar purple insignia on the side of the grey helicopter. >>”Slaggit! It’s Vortex! The chopper is Vortex! The Combaticons are here or at least one of them is!”<<

Hound then opened an encrypted comm line back to the Autobots’ make-shift base of operations at the abandoned ranger station:

>>”Prowl, this is Hound at Wheeler Air Field. I’ve located one of the missiles, but I’m afraid the Combaticons beat us to it. It’s just been loaded onto Vortex who has already begun his ascent. What are your orders, sir?”<<

After a few moments, a response came back across the secured comm line:

>>”I read you, Hound. Do NOT engage, especially not at the base. Be careful. Vortex is likely not alone. You and Nova Strike get off the base ASAP. Try to follow Vortex from the ground if possible. I’ll get one of my probes that’s in the area to pursue by air. I might even have a little surprise in store for the copter-con. Prowl out.”<<

>>”Understood, sir,”<< Hound commed back before switching his channel over to the ranger once again. >>”Nova, it’s time to go. Prowl wants us to follow Vortex from the ground and await further instructions.”<<

With that said, the green humvee turned around and headed for the nearest exit from Wheeler Air Field, keeping his sensors attuned to the skies in order to keep tabs on Vortex’s position as best he could.

Abandoned Ranger Station

Prowl’s actuators danced across the keys of the portable computer terminal as he rerouted one of his probes that was in the vicinity of Wheeler Air Field. Hound’s revelation that the Combaticons had beat them to the first missile was an unwelcome one, but you couldn’t win them all.

Or could you?

The black and white had a plan, one that just might allow them to salvage the situation and get the misplaced rocket into their own hands without the need for all out combat with Onslaught’s brood.

>>Prowl, Blast-Off is spotted at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. I've yet to spot any other Cons but most likely only time for any others to land or at least get close. My avatar will keep its distance from Blast-Off and observe from afar. Thankfully Onslaught will try his hardest to keep his troops in line long enough for all of us to get away before any hostilities could start. We can also at least try to negotiate a non-violent leave from this island but wouldn't surprise me it would cost any of the missiles we could recover.<<

Another transmission came across Prow’s comm line, this time from Hot Spot again. Combaticons and now seekers have been confirmed at Pearl Harbor, as well. Not a big surprise considering that one of his probes had just been shot out of the sky by laser fire. The military strategist opened a return comm back to the team at the naval base:

>>”Understood, Hot Spot. You and Red Alert need to double-time it and get to that rocket before the Decepticons do. As a reminder, do NOT engage unless you are attacked first. Get that missile and get back here ASAP! Prowl out.”<<

With his latest transmission sent, Prowl returned his attention to the computer terminal where he quickly finished reprogramming his probe near Wheeler. “Well, Vortex, let’s see how well you fly with a probe up your aft section. Hahahah.”

Skies near Wheeler Air Field

The small round probe that had been scanning the forest near Wheeler abruptly changed course as it’s programming had been updated by it’s Autobot master. Rising just above the tree tops, the probe swiftly located it’s target: a grey helicopter that had just ascended and was flying away from the human air field. With a quickness that would have made Blurr proud, the small round probe shot forward directly at Vortex, aiming squarely for the base of his rotor blades. The blades, themselves, were highly durable, but perhaps crashing the probe into the connection point just beneath them would do enough damage to force the aerial Combaticon down into the forest below.

Skies near Wheeler Air Field

With Onslaught notified and him now in the air with his precious cargo, Vortex was feeling more or less in the clear. Mission accomplished.

That was until something slammed hard into the connecting base between his rotor blades and his alt mode. Smoke began to pour from the point of impact and the blades started to lose their speed integrity.

"Aw, what the frag," Vortex growled aloud. None of his internals had registered any kind of ballistic or energy fire coming at him. He tried to keep his altitude but this choppy alt mode wasn't having it. He also couldn't fraggin' transform and just fly off or he'd risk losing or destroying the precious cargo and they'd be right back in the same mess they were when they'd started this mission.

Frag frag frag....

>>"Mayday, mayday...I'm goin' down,"<< the Combaticon interrogator transmitted to all the other 'Cons on this mission.

And he was right. With each passing microsecond, Vortex was losing altitude fast before ultimately crashing into a grove of trees.

Pearl Harbor Naval Base

Blast-Off rolled his holomatter avatar’s optics. Oh, well, he guessed the humans called them eyes. The reason for this was Skywarp’s inane comments. After a moment, the human that had taken his paperwork returned to him, looking…different. Blast, he couldn’t make sense of these organics’ facial expressions. They all looked the same to him.

“So sorry, sir, but…er. There are new orders.”

“What? What new orders?” Blast-Off snapped. That wasn’t right. Ratbat and he should have handled any of that.

“It seems the item in question is being moved via ground transport.”

“I see,” Blast-Off grunted, turning on his heel and giving the seekers’ holomatter avatars a brief hand signal. He retreated back into himself. He started back up and rolled out of the hangar. Blast it all! It was the Autobots. He just knew it. Even if it wasn’t…he now had to completely reconsider their strategy. As he took off, an emergency transmission came through.

>>"Mayday, mayday...I'm goin' down."<<

>>”Ratbat, handle damage control for Vortex,”<< Blast-Off partly ordered, partly groaned, >>”Onslaught, the ordinance is moving via ground transport from the human base. My guess is Autobots. Orders?”<<


Red Alert, having finished his little deception in the human base with relative ease, exited the human military installation. He brought himself around to the loading bay and had the humans load the ordinance in his trunk, explaining something to the effect of looking inconspicuous. He plonked his avatar down into the driver seat and opened a comm to Hot Spot and Prowl.

>>”Hot Spot, we’re withdrawing. Prowl, we have the package.”<<

Wheeler Air Base - Departure

As Onslaught's holomatter avatar boarded into the Combaticon Commander's cab, his communicator began flare as different issues arose within the operation. Vortex had gotten hit and was going down over the National Park, and Blast-Off came reporting that the second munition had already been acquired. And here he began to think everything was running so smooth...

>>"Vortex, do you read? Speak to me here buddy... We're making our way to your location now, hold tight."<<

Onslaught's wheels kicked into gear once he and the rest of the facsimiles loaded into the vehicle and began to leave the facility.

>>"Blast-Off, start scanning around for the lost missile. If the Autobots already took it, they couldn't have gotten too far. Swindle, I'm transmitting Vortex's coordinates to you, head there and get him patched up, ensure the Autobt's don't make off with his cargo either. Ratbat, make your way to Vortex's position and give us a two kilometer blackout around the point of impact. Disable any surveillance equipment that enters the area as to not give away our presence here."<<

With his orders given, Onslaught's vehicle mode rushed down Wilikina Drive and onto the freeway.

Blast-Off

>>”Ratbat, handle damage control for Vortex,”<< Blast-Off said, shortly after the mayday from Vortex had come through their group frequency.

"Just what I wanted to do," Ratbat hissed. Moments later, Ratbat had launched himself out of the Combaticon's cargo hold, simultaneously activating every cloaking and sonar blocking technology he had access to. The only real threat to his discovery would be eyewitnesses, and if he happened to come across any of those, he could execute them directly.

Once he was within Onslaught's specified range, he began to extend the signal strength of his jamming technology as he looked for the downed Combaticon.
___

>>"Vortex, do you read? Speak to me here buddy... We're making our way to your location now, hold tight."<<

Vortex was more than a little relieved when Onslaught commed back.

>>"Copy that, sir. I read you. Some unidentified projectile took out my rotors. Don't know how the frag that happened. I didn't see anything incoming on my sensors."<<

Vortex then felt another projectile land on the back of his alt mode. This one, though, was immediately identified as Ratbat. Fan-fraggin'-tastic.

"...because this is how an illustrious senator of Cybertron would want to spend his operational vorns on a world that is ripe for plunder," Ratbat grumbled, crawling along the Combaticon's roof before getting to the rotors and the mangled connection between the rotors themselves and his primary body. "Ugh...what the slag is this mess?"

Naval Base

It was a relief to Hot Spot when Red Alert told him the missile was secured. It was too dangerous for the humans to have it but he also wondered how much information they got from it. They won't know until they get it back to base and this is if they got it back. Hot Spot still in support of using the Con missile against the Cons if needed to be once they get out of human range. The biggest problem is the size of the island. They probably could get from the immediate viewing but any lasting battle between the two groups would draw attention of the humans either during or after the conflict.

>>Good job Red on getting the missile. I'll let you head out first while my driver finishes his inspection. I expect the Cons to leave as soon as we leave to either intercept us or meet back up with Onslaught somewhere. I'll try to keep optics and sensors on the Cons to gauge where they will be heading to before I follow you.<<

Hot Spot's driver continued to walk around the base keeping up the inspection act. He would glance over his shoulder seeing if he could spot anything which resembled the Cons or their infiltration units. It surprised Hot Spot that the mission had gone off with little to no glitch with the humans or Cons. Were humans really this gullible? Did they follow the letter of the order like many in both Bot and Con ranks? The more intelligent humans had to know what they had but this is if they got a chance to look at the missiles.

Abandoned Ranger Station

Rook bounced in with a flash of light into the vicinity of the makeshift Autobot base. He wasn't quite as used to the process yet, so the bounce had disoriented him and made his optics run amok. After clumsily taking a few steps, his optics readjusted and he regained his balanced, once again becoming the hardened soldier that Rook is.

He looked around to try and find Prowl, whom he found with some machinery, presumably operating the mission at hand. "Commander," he called out to him, "I have arrived, sir. What is the situation?" Rook quickly tapped his pulse rifle and looked firmly ahead.

He had heard about the 'bot in charge here, Prowl. Sometimes humorous and sometimes grim stories were passed around several thousand years ago. He did really wonder what sorts of things he'd be asked to do. Perhaps he could contribute something of his own, with his own knowledge of battle strategy. Of course, he wasn't a commander here, so he had no place in doing so.

Oahu Regional Park -Abandoned Ranger Station

Another beam of light followed Rook's bounce. The light cleared up, revealing Pinpoint, sniper rifle in hand. Immediately, she drove the butt of her rifle into the dirt. Experience taught the pearl white Autobot sniper that orbital bounces left her disoriented for a few moments and she didn't want to be seen stumbling in front of her superior officer. Before long, the dizziness and vertigo cleared up and she blinked, taking in her surroundings.

After another moment to take stock and allowing her optics to adjust to the new level of brightness, Pinpoint stuck her rifle to her back. She located the bot that had bounced before her -she thought his name was Rook?- and followed him to their commanding officer.

Prowl. During her years of fighting this Primus-forsaken war, Pinpoint had heard a lot of stories about the Autobot tactical officer. Some good, some bad. Whatever the case, he was in charge, and she saw no need, at least for the the moment, to question the authority of the Bot she had never met.

Pinpoint put her musings to the side and addressed Prowl with the respect deserved of a soldier of his rank. "Sir, I'm ready for anything that you require of me to do. As Rook said, what is our situation, sir?"