The Energon Pub

Australia-–Top of Ayers Rock

“Ay, dontcha worry Sandy! I won’t let the band break up before the show’s finale! Go on, put these bird-brains on ice! I can handle Sixshot."

Jazz. Good ol' Jazz. He got it, at least. When you got synergy between mechs, like the Wreckers developed with each other over their sometimes very short bursts of intense battles, you don't get in the way of the flow. If anybody understood flow, of course it would be Jazz, not Ultra-glitch Magnus. Thank Primus he was here.

Sandstorm attempted to use his weapon at a longer range, firing down on one of the rock golems, but it wasn't nearly as effective. Ice covered the golem's back and it still lumbered unphased towards its intended target. Bah. Humbug. This toy was strictly for the birds.

Turning back, his gaze shifted briefly in the direction of the Fallen--though he was staying well clear of drawing the big fiery nub's attention directly on him until Sandstorm thought he had at least a scraplet's chance against the DJD of surviving a head-on assault. Even so, his audios had picked up something. Words. But they hadn't been the Fallen's words. They had been Hot Rod's. He knew how the mech talked since the old days of random trips to Nyon for an orn or two of rabble-rousing. But as quick as it had been there, it was gone again. But the key thing was that it had been there.

Fight, buddy. Fight.

“I look away for one second and the mad genius gives you something from the goody bag?? Sandstorm, I almost feel insulted you don’t want to share with us!"

Sandstorm's smile grew as he playfully held the experimental freeze weapon away from the other Wrecker.

"You should! It's awesome! Just gimme room so I can ice these fraggers! Bwaha. Ice, y'know, because....shut up. Don't judge me," Sandstorm chuckled, firing again and enveloping another one of the firebirds.

“Alright, gents, the others have got the kid and the demon handled for now, let’s keep this fraggers off their backs while they work their magic. It’s just like Hell’s Point all over again, only with Rock-faced freaks and fire birds over the standard Decepticon trooper. Give’m all you go-“

"Yeah, yeah, just like that time we-"

But just like Springer, Sandstorm's words were cut off. He had seen the thing. The giant Constructicon thing. But, slag, seeing it up close like this. Well, it was all the nightmarish junk he'd been told as a proto about combining--made real.

And with titanic force, the gestalt slammed a fist against the Fallen's shield, kicking up a cloud of debris and knocking Sandstorm back a step or two in the process.

"Holy slagmaggot."

Australia – Killjoy Corner

Psychout monitored the battle through the viewscope of his rifle. The giant form of Devastator had finally begun to pummel the Fallen's forcefield and whilst this was still a terrifying battle with friend and foe alike fighting for their lives against what appeared to amount to a dark god, the green a purple behemoth was their best hope of breaking this creature down. He didn’t care about Hotrod, Magnus or any of the so-called ‘heavy hitters’ up on the top of the rock. All he cared about was sending this Fallen creation back to where it came from, and he wondered if Razorclaw, the current leader of the faction actually knew what was going on around him. Out of range of any orders given, Psychout figured it was best that he was made aware of a medical team finally in position, especially as it was saving the lives of three of his own Predacons.

<<<Commander Razorclaw, this is operative Psychout of the Deceptions specialist tech research unit reporting in. We have set up a secure medical zone approximately 0.85 kilometers from your position and our specialists have begun work upon some of the damaged Decepticons. We have established that the fallen is using an energy weapon of an unknown origin we have no defence against, but we have been able to develop a treatment that has kept Rampage, Headstrong and Tantrum alive. Suggest that if we wish to see any more Decepticons survive this battle, someone is assigned to bring them over to Mal Practice and Landgrab, as the Autobots don’t appear to have discovered an effective treatment for these injuries as yet. My team have already partially begun the collection, but will need help recovering our soldiers from the Autobot shuttle to the repair outpost, do you have any instructions?>>>


Still awaiting Swindles reply on some kind of freeze weaponry to help his aerial team members out, there was not much else he was needed to do and between rifle shots and fending off the Golem, he was pretty secure. It even sounded as though Blaster and Soundwave had come up with a solution to booting the Fallen’s mind out of Hotrod, desperate as it was though. It sounded pretty pointless to the educated cassette, assuming Hotrod's weak and impressionable mind was the reason he was chosen as host ...surely it’ll just jump from that idiot into someone even stupider? he thought to himself as his gaze drifted over towards the colossus of green and purple with the many tiny mechs surrounding it, but before a thought could properly manifest itself, he was distracted by a red and white blur of rotorblades dangling an unconscious robot below.

It took him a few seconds to place the Protectorbot, but Blades’ violent temperament was pretty notorious and even respected within the Decepticon ranks. Psychout figured now was the best time to start collecting in the Decepticon’s for repairs...

<<<Protectorbot Blades, this is Psychout of the Deceptions tech control. We are taking over the repair work for all Decepticons, effective immediately. Alter your course to heading two-zero-four, three-two-niner and deliver the Battletrap wreckage you are carrying to our repair station there immediatel- >>>

He was interrupted from his transmission by his bodyguard

Crueljaw wrote:"...you do realise I'm going to make your life hell for allowing these slagging seekers to join the team!"

He flicked off his comms, turned to Crueljaw and shrugged, chuckling. "Yeah, I know. We needed a comms jammer for the team, and, unfortunately, this is what we got. Seems ok so far, we just have to hope he's more like Darkfire, who's better than the rest of her kind..." indicating the extensive seeker wreckage strewn across the battlefield "...these ones were cretins, the lot of them."

Australia - Uluru- In the Midst of The Bodies

Listening to Mal Practice and Cloudbreaker chatter away, Feedback circled around a group of inert looking Autobots, he transformed, pulled out his gun and aimed it at the pile, looking for signs of life. No reaction to the gun... that's good.
He gracefully dropped himself down to the ground. Switching his gun for his grappling hook, he grappled the first bot he could find and pulled it free. He studied the wreckage.

He scowled. Not much there...wait...

A big 'Bot at the bottom of the pile had a really big gun. Feedback smirked. "Oh there we go..." He pushed the other 'Bots aside and took a hold of the gun... pulled on it.. tried to pick it up... gave up because it was too heavy.

Pushing around the offline bots with his foot, he found nothing of much interest but some weapons, he stashed them, and moved off, seeing a few Decepticons a little way off. He spotted another very large cannon type gun.

"Well slag on a stick, that's even bigger than the 'Bot's." He muttered. That wouldn't work. He needed a bigger gun, but he needed to be able to lift it.
He pushed around the 'Cons looking for anything useful, any out of the ordinary weapons or equipment... nothing.

Spreading the offline 'Cons out a little bit to a more 'respectable' position, he did spot a rocket launcher.

"Ooo! Always wanted one of these!" He exclaimed and hoisted it up. Turning to face the Fallen and his shield, Feedback smirk and let loose the rocket in a blaze of smoke and flash.

"Impressive! I might have to keep this!" A giddy smile of glee lit up his face plate, but only for the briefest of moments as the rocket made it to it's mark... hitting the shield... and grazing off of it changing it's course just enough to be heading straight for Ultra Magnus.

"SCRAP!!" Feedback yelled, dropped the launcher, transformed and hit the boosters to fly out as fast as possible. Maybe, just hopefully old Mags wouldn't notice where the rocket came from.

Australia-South of Ayer's Rock

The sight of battle never failed to both amaze and sadden Crosscut, but this was something else. Autobots and Decepticons working together to stop an evil entity. Never in his considerable career had he seen something like this. It was almost worth writing a play about.

The Autobots must be truly desperate if he was here. What did they expect him to do? Talk the monsters out of destroying them all? He doubted that they'd listen to him. What was he next to them?

On the field of battle, he had taken refuge in a trench with some fellow Diplomatic Corps members, where he had a decent view of the fight. Already, his mind was active, considering the diplomatic impact of the situation. This could create a whole new understanding between the factions.

Foxfire13795 wrote:“Hmm...perhaps if we lured them toward the flame vortexes, then Chameleon can trip them..." Skids frowned as he tried to think of some better options. “Maybe...No..." Skids looked up at the fire birds in the sky. “If we could just get the fire birds to attack those rock lords, we could take down two birds with one stone..."

"I have stun grenades, if they might help you." he spoke up after a moment. Let it never be said that he wasn't willing to help others in combat, even if he didn't directly participate.

Shuttle 'Longevity'

Bumblebee walked out of the shuttle and sat down on the red sand. He looked around at his surroundings, there wasn't much around him. A few spiky plants were growing and some rocks were lying on the ground lifelessly. Bumblebee decided to polish his horns while awaiting orders from Autobot Leadership. He was sent here to stop the Fallen from bringing Unicron to this world, but he is sensible enough to know that he can't beat him alone. Bumblebee wasn't always sure about this Autobot and Decepticon alliance, the Decepticons could betray the Autobots anytime. But in the meantime he had nothing to worry about, he was alone.

Uluru-– At the foot of Ayers Rock

“Who in the pit decided yellow and bright red were good colours for a team of hunters? Seriously, these three were just asking to get shot!"

Landgrab pretty much let Malpractice take over the steering and controls. The medic knew better where he wanted to go and who needed to be collected better than he did.

"These guys usedta be warlords. Don't think they were getting shot at much," Landgrab said, analyzing the other mech's statement for e few moments before realizing, a little belatedly, that it hadn't been a serious question. "Oh. Nevermind. You were joking, haha."

Landgrab rolled, his treads easily navigating the rough terrain as Malpractice continued to retrieve who he needed and utilize the mobile repair bay for exactly what he had been cold-constructed to do: aid others in fixing things.

“Thats it!! Necrotic enervation in a sub-dermal particle disruption scope! It targets the ‘living’ circuitry within a Cybertronian’s physiology, stripping it of its access to energon, thus – literally – starving the life out of anything it hits whilst ignoring the automated systems not controlled by the central nerve-routines! Rampage here, poor little moggy that he is, has been hit with a classic ‘Death Ray’. If we hadn't got to him he would evetually have been less use to us than that stupid throne Thunderwing has parked his aft on up on the Thanantos!"

That's it? What's it?

Landgrab strained to try and listen to what Malpractice was saying over the chaos of the battle and make some kind of sense of it. Medical conversations like these were usually well above his pay grade. It seemed to pretty much boil down to the Predacon almost dying. But not. Yay!

And what was a moggy?

“Woo! Landgrab, isn't this awesome? Transmit these findings to Commander Shockwave; Anyone hit by this ‘Dark Matter’ weapon of the Fallen’s should be treated as an urgent priority, as it is highly necrotic. Tell the surgeons that the patient will require a full sub-thoraxic bonding web exclusion procedure, followed by removal of all infected fibrous alloy tissue to prevent further spreading. Once the metallo-degeneration has been arrested, the surgeon must administer 5.45 millijoules of an epsilon-grade Energon substitute - give or take a 3.4% variance in purity per generational cycle - injected directly into the neural-microcardial array which will trigger a reboot of the self repair routines. You got that? Good."

If Landgrab had been a little lost before, he was out in the middle of the proverbial Rust Sea now. All alone. What the hell was Malpractice suddenly speaking in? The Primal Vernacular?

"Woo! Yes, awesome. So awesome," Landgrab said agreeably, attempting to at least convey enthusiasm if he couldn't successfully convey understanding and appreciation for the details in Malpractice's words. "Transmitting to Commander Shockwave now. I just wonder if-"

"Oh, and also tell him I’ll have the Predacons back into their standard self-repair routines in an hour or two, or for an extra three thousand I can fix them here and now..."

"Alright, lemme just add that to-wait. Extra what? Are you bartering with Shockwave? Does he do that? I suppose I could....put, hmm...a winky face after that last bit..."

Landgrab considered it for a moment before adding a postscript to the report he had just sent.

"There."
___

Shuttle Longevity--Exterior

Kup ducked back around one side of the shuttle as a firebird soared overhead, blasting a stream of flames downward before arcing back into the direction of Ayer's Rock. He gave it a couple of extra blasts for good measure, for all the good it was doing. Slagging, flaming, glitchmongering...

"Hey! 'Bee?! What're ya doin' just sittin' around? You're gonna get yourself toasted," Kup said, noticing that Bumblebee had exited the shuttle but didn't seem to be as concerned with the possibility of imminent destruction as your typical, battle-hardened Autobot. "Ya don't wanna meet Primus sittin' on yer aft, heh."

Outside shuttle 'Longevity'

Bumblebee watched firebirds soar through the sky and spew flames out of their mouths.

"Hm...you're right."

Bumblebee got up and walked over back to 'Longevity'.

"You know, Kup...I'm not really sure about this whole 'bot and 'con alliance thing. I mean, we need them to destroy the Fallen but you know how tricky those Decepticons can be."

Bumblebee looked at the ground like he was thinking.

"Anyways...I'll be in 'Longevity' if you need me." said Bumblebee.

Bumblebee then ducked into 'Longevity' and disappeared down the corridors.

Outside Shuttle Longevity

Ironhide walked towards the shuttle as fast as his old knee joints would let him. He saw Bee and Kup outside just a moment ago, but now both of them were out of view. He hurried towards the shuttle, hoping to catch it before it decided to lift off. He had no idea what his fellow Autobots were planning. He knew they wouldn't expect him. They didn't know he was here. As he made his way to the front of the shuttle, he raised his arm and waved. Maybe the pilot would see him?

"Kup!" he shouted. "Bee!"

He started walking around to where the entrance was and as he was about to approach it, he stopped dead in his tracks. Something was wrong. He thought to arm himself, but what would his rifle do in close range? He'd be better off using his fists. But what was wrong? There was no one around, just the shuttle. Maybe he was becoming too paranoid for his own good? He didn't trust the Decepticons 1 bit, and he hoped his fellow Autobots wouldn't either. Too much history to ignore. Ironhide shook his head, and stepped towards the shuttle.

Shuttle 'Longevity'

Bumblebee wandered around the shuttle, it was very quiet. The only sounds to be heard were the chirps of some firebirds. Bumblebee thought Earth was a beautiful planet, he would much rather sit outside. But, like Kup said he would get toasted out there. So he just waited in 'Longevity' for orders. It was dark and bland. Until suddenly he heard Ironhide shout his name. Bumblebee dashed back to the entrance to see if Ironhide was there, he was.

"Ironhide? What's wrong? Why do you have your fists up?" Bumblebee asked, Ironhide had his fists up to his chest like he was ready to throw a punch. "The only mechs inside here are damaged ones. No enemies here."

Bumblebee turned around and walked back into 'Longevity'.

"Actually, I think I was the one on guard...if I don't guard, they'll be mad at me."

Bumblebee went back out and armed himself with his laser pistol.

"All hell is breaking loose down here!" Ironhide said. "I thought I saw Kup here. Is he here?"

Ironhide put his hands down and walked to Bumblebee.

"Damaged ones? What do you mean? From down here?" he said, peering into the shuttle over Bumblebee's shoulder.

Outside shuttle 'Longevity'

"Kup is here and damaged ones? Yeah." answered Bumblebee. "We are currently in a battle against the Fallen, lots of bots and cons have gotten injured and are in here, getting repairs. We're losing the battle, but we still have hope. Devastator is trying to damage the shield as we speak."

Bumblebee spotted a firebird and shot it as it was trying to roast them.

"and also, watch out for firebirds."

Outside Longevity

"Yes, I've been running around trying to help where I can." Ironhide said. "But there is not much use for an old soldier who is most effective with these." He held up his fists.

He looked into the shuttle some more, but couldn't make out anyone. It was dark in there.

"So you have both 'Bots and 'Cons in there?" he asked. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, I know we're supposed to be in an alliance against the Fallen, but in the end, they're still Decepticons. Can't trust them."

Outside Longevity

Seeing Bumblebee had been a pleasant surprise. Seeing Ironhide? Even more so. Not that he'd ever say it out loud. Fortunately the battle seemed to be staying mostly concentrated around the rock, though it was evident the shuttle had taken its share of damage since landing.

"Well well, rusty, look who finally decided to show up!" Kup said, chuckling at the old Autobot warhorse.

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

"Impressive, isn't it?" Starscream said to Sandstorm as he landed feet-first behind the Autobot.

He had been shot by the firebird and went crashing into the side of the rock formation. However, luckily for him it was a glancing blow and Starscream was able to recover, except maybe for his pride. He thought himself ruler of the skies, and wouldn't allow anyone to best him in aerial battle, especially not some generic mindless drone.

"A marvel of Decepticon engineering, if not perfection." Starscream looked up as the gestalt assaulted the Fallen's shield. "And what exactly is the plan here? We're working together now, remember? So share."

Outside Longevity

"Rusty?" Ironhide said with pretend indignation. "Funny, coming from a walking scraplet infestation!"

With that, he put out his hand for his old war buddy to shake. The 2 of them, they've been there and back to every corner of this galaxy, butting heads with all kinds of creatures, and getting into some shenanigans along the way. Ironhide owed Kup his life more times than he could care to count.

"I tried to put myself to good use, but unless I'm up close and face to face with that pile of scrap, I'm not very useful." he said, referring to The Fallen.

Rodimus Prime wrote:"So you have both 'Bots and 'Cons in there?" he asked. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, I know we're supposed to be in an alliance against the Fallen, but in the end, they're still Decepticons. Can't trust them."

Outside shuttle 'Longevity'

"I was just thinking the same thing, I don't like the alliance. They could just back stab us after we defeat the Fallen...if we do..."

Bumblebee sighed and kicked the sand.

"We need to fight back, we can't just stand here. We gotta make our move. We gotta devise a plan..."

Longevity

"I'm sure we can come up with something." Ironhide said. "Me and this rickety old service droid you're hangin' out with have seen our share of battles.

He smirked at Kup with a shine in his optics.

Longevity

Bumblebee smiled and then started thinking.

"What creates the shield? The Fallen or a machine?"

Australia--Top of Ayers Rock

Sandstorm's systems had pretty much reoriented themselves from the sudden influx of grit and debris caused by the gestalt's titanic attack. It was hard for the triple-changer to pull his optics away from the scene in front of him, but a voice did the trick.

"Impressive, isn't it?"

That voice. He knew that voice. How could anyone have served any length of time in the Autobot ranks and not know it?

In a microsecond, all of the camaraderie and familiarity that had been in Sandstorm's voice only moments before when he had been talking to Springer was now gone. His body tensed, ready for battle, ready for an attack, ready for anything when dealing with the likes of him. Starscream.

"A marvel of Decepticon engineering, if not perfection. And what exactly is the plan here? We're working together now, remember? So share."

Sandstorm had paused long enough just to get the gist of what the notorious Seeker Leader had said before he was on the move again. Up here they were in the thick of everything. You couldn't afford to stand still and have a strategic chat.

"Yeah, yeah, you guys're a buncha combining freaks," Sandstorm said, still moving and letting off another blast from the freeze weapon at a low-flying fire bird. "Bet you guys ask ol' One Eye to combine you into all sorts of freaky alt modes, eh?"

Sandstorm caught himself before he provoked the Seeker any further. He had actually made it this far without smashing a Decepticon in the face. He should probably go for some kind of team record. Especially with this one. Primus-on-a-stick. Sandstorm was amazed Starscream wasn't being punched in the face by someone right this second.

"Yeah, we're working together, so long as you guys don't try anything stupid, Screamer. The plan was to get through that shield and get Roddy back, but that ain't working. I think Magnus, Prowl and Shockwave came up with some kinda plan now. I dunno. I shoot things."

Sandstorm aimed his weapon and fired upward again.
___

Outside Longevity

"Rusty? Funny, coming from a walking scraplet infestation!"

"Scraplet infestation!?" Kup chortled, shifting the cy-gar in his mouth from one side to the other as he kept an optic both on his Autobot allies as well as any potentially incoming threats. "Why you tin-plated piece of aftpolish. I got ridda those scraps as soon as we made it off the moon of Darhos," Kup said, shaking Ironhide's hand warmly before stepping back.

"I tried to put myself to good use, but unless I'm up close and face to face with that pile of scrap, I'm not very useful."

"Yeh. That fight's somethin' else," Kup said, indicating the top of the rock. "They say it's the Fallen they're fightin' up there. One of the Thirteen. In Hot Rod's body. Wouldn'ta believed it if I hadn't seen it. Still not sure I do."

Kup just smirked as Bumblebee and Ironhide started talking about forming some kind of plan to deal with the Fallen. The two old soldiers traded brief smirks with one another. Kup took a long drag off the cy-gar, soaking up the inhalation of relaxing microparticles before shaking his head.

"No way, kid. Whatever plan we got, it's in Magnus and Prowl's hands now. If they'da wanted us up there, they'da called. We got a better shot at fracking up these walkin' rocks and keeping the 'Cons from getting grabby than we do making any dent in that shield."

Outside Longevity

Bumblebee sighed.

"It's boring out here, I would rather be helping them than standing out here in the sun."

Bumblebee blasted a few more firebirds and then looked down at the ground.

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

"Yeah, that's about what I figured." Starscream said. "Shooting is all you can do. And not very good at that either!"

Starscream crouched down and let loose with both null rays at the firebirds in the sky, causing serious damage.

"That's how a Decepticon takes care of business!"

He then looked around to see who else was near them. He had a plan forming as he crouched there. He just needed to identify all the pieces around him. Maybe Magnus and Shockwave can do all the work, and he can just swoop in for the kill and grab the glory. Then he will take his rightful place as leader of the Decepticons. And his 1st order of business? Putting his foot in the mouth of this snarky Autobot right in front of him, as he shoots out both of Sandstorm's optics.

Outside Longevity

"Relax, Bumblebee." Ironhide said. "I'm sure we will get our chance. It looks like everyone will be needed to defeat The Fallen."

Ironhide then shook his head.

"In Hot Rod's body? Really? What happened to the young lad?" he said, his face turning serious. "Weren't you supposed to be watching him?" he pointed a finger at Kup. "And quit smoking those. They ruin your insides, how many times do I have to tell you?"

Australia – South of Ayers Rock

Motormaster was hardly a being who doubted himself. Fighting against odds not in his favor? No problem. If he didn't come on top, he survived. Track record of running into trouble for over 4 million years and still being alive was pretty good evidence of that. Not that he was actively seeking situations were he found his team outnumbered or out gunned. On the contrary, like most bullies – Motormaster preferred easier targets. He'd set up a trap and get the satisfaction out of beating up his hapless victim. But unlike your typical bully, Motormaster did not limit his wrath on those weaker than him. He was ever eager to test his strength against other powerful beings. And despite getting his aft handed to him by two at least two Primes and a handful of other powerful Autobots, he hadn't stopped seeking for chances of proving his superiority over them.

But this Fallen? This was something else. One being, no larger than Motormaster himself, was wielding more power than... than a slagging Omega Sentinel. And he had seen the impressive power held by those ancient guardians of Cybertron in action. More than once. And every time with great cost to the Decepticons. But even an Omega Sentinel could be brought down by a big enough gun. Nor did they control the elements or an army of immortal minions.

The Fallen though? He was doing all that and resisting their every attack. It was as if they didn't even have a fighting chance and that was difficult to swallow for someone like Motormaster.

Another rock golem crumbled to gravel before his might, no doubt to be risen again in a moment. But he couldn't slow down. None of them could. To his left, a golem - turned to glass by the Autobots' efforts only a klik or two ago, began moving again. Only the material which it was formed of having been changed. A swift kick to its abdomen shattered the glass golem to pieces. At least it was fragile. As if it mattered, they were going to keep coming at them nonetheless. Primus be damned, he wasn't going to stop trying even if it killed him. As if the King of the Roads was going to show any less guts than the fragging Constructicons.

“Push through Stunticons!” Motormaster roared, blasting apart yet another stone golem before switching his rifle to cyclone setting and letting its intense winds tear apart one of the fire birds that had come too close for his liking, “Show these pathetic Autobot cowards that our resolve does not falter against some prehistoric punk claiming godhood!”

Australia - Top of the rock

Broadside was blasting away with his pulse cannon forcing the firebirds away from him the stone golems where alot easier they broke apart easy thou they reformed he found they'd stay down if he launched them into the fire tornados or Firebirds. His vibro axe shattered the golems that he laid waste to it took them longer to reform after being shattered.

He looked around and found sandstorm blasting away with his frost beam the huge wrecker then noticed the being that was nearby. Starscream the lowest of the low in the upper ranks of the deceptions the massive wrecker moved to support his fellows as the huge fist of Devastator slammed into the shield the impact shockwave alone was enough to scatter the firebirds it was difficult for Broadside to weather but weather it he did.

He moved towards his wrecker comrade firing his pulse cannon he watched Starscream firing his null rays winging a couple of regrouping Firebirds.

"Hey Sandstorm look they let captain Squeaky out of his cage"

The wrecker chuckled as he looked into the dust and the concern that Springer was showing via a private wrecker channel he spoke to his colleague.

"Hot Rod will survive this he's a natural survivor in other news Captain Screech is in the house cluttering up the Turbofox pen"

Australia – Skies

He'd been fortunate in the sense that zero fire birds were in the vicinity as he transported Battletrap to the Longevity. While Blades itched for a good fight—slag, any fight at this stage—he didn't want to get caught in a struggle in his alternate mode, as actuator-to-actuator combat was a no-go. And because he had delicate cargo. But largely because duking it out as a helicopter was boring and impersonal.

His destination lay ahead, not too far—

>>“Protectorbot Blades, this is Psychout of the Deceptions tech control. We are taking over the repair work for all Decepticons, effective immediately. Alter your course to heading two-zero-four, three-two-niner and deliver the Battletrap wreckage you are carrying to our repair station there immediatel-”<<

Say what? Who the Pit was this? At least this stranger had gotten the part about Battletrap being wreckage right. Blades had to smile at that.

For what it was worth—which was probably nothing—he opened the abruptly closed link to this Decepticon and replied. >>“About time you gentlemechs stepped it up. But consider it done.”<< Blades killed the link.

Honestly, this was a weight lifted. Literally. Once he had transferred Battletrap to the Decepticons' care, Blades could perform proper duties. Like tending to the Autobots, his comrades. And fighting rock monsters and fire birds, even though special requirements were essential for the permanent termination of the elemental creatures.

Inputting the coordinates into his navigational systems and altering his course as he'd been told to do ('Cons were hilarious things without being conscious of the fact), Blades made his way to this repair station, progressing slowly as Battletrap would sway, proving to be a nuisance if Blades travelled with speed.

And there it was, gaining definition and size as Blades drew near. A nice, little repair station, featuring a medic and patients. Or, perhaps, more accurately: a bunch of poor victims and a lunatic patching them up. Hard to tell with Decepticons.

Blades came to a stop and set Battletrap down, a few mecha-metres away from the repair station. As the “wreckage” touched the ground, the Protectobot released the magna-grapnel. Not the most gentle of devices, but it had done well. If any damage had been caused by it, this fellow treating his patients would fix that—so no harm, no foul.

Transforming, Blades crashed to the ground on his feet. He approached Battletrap and removed the chains he'd tied his two...halves with together.

He looked at Mal Practice who seemed to be enraptured by his work. “I believe this belongs to you.” Blades glanced at the Duocon before looking at Mal Practice again. “You want him anywhere in particular? Otherwise I need to get back to it.”

Australia - Top of Ayers Rock

Razorclaw was now receiving comms from a variety of individuals under his command from all over the battlefield. Whether they all enjoyed being under his command was another story entirely. Onslaught, Divebomb, Oil Slick and even Psychout were all vying for his attention. The Predacon lord took note of each as he awaited Flamewar’s response to his immediate query regarding the seeker known as Bitstream. The black operative’s response was both unexpected and satisfactory at the same time.

“I see,” Razorclaw replied to Flamewar before opening a private comm line back to her. >>”It is acceptable. I look forward to your debriefing, my dear.”<< The lion-former then watched as Flamewar took Sixshot and, along with Warwolf, bounced back to the Thanatos in orbit. The Decepticon leader took the opportunity to check the warship’s coordinates and saw that it was now situated directly overhead, ready for any orbital bombardment he saw fit to unleash on the Fallen. However, that time had not yet come as Devastator prepared for his attack on the fiery demigod.

Weirdwolf’s words drew Razorclaw’s attention once more, this time commenting on both the minds of the Constructicons within the overall gestalt and then on whether or not Flamewar had the authority to execute Bitstream. “The consequences on each member of Scrapper’s squad will be determined once they are separated and returned to the Thanatos, Weirdwolf. If the affects are acceptable then this will undoubtedly usher in a new era of combiner technology. As for Flamewar, if she is telling the truth and the seeker was a traitor, her actions can be forgiven. This is a war zone and traitors to the cause cannot be left unchecked.”

The Predacon lord then turned his attention to the various communications he had received, opening a separate comm line to each subordinate:

>>”Commander Onslaught, the Thanatos is already in orbit directly overhead. The last resort countermeasures will be put into effect depending on Devastator’s success or failure in his attack on the Fallen and whether or not the Autobots have been successful thus far in reaching their precious cavalier.”<<

>>”Oil Slick, if you haven’t already, place the interrogator into stasis cuffs and remove him from the battlefield. Return to the Thanatos and take Darkride to the infirmary where he can be kept in indefinite sedation until the Fallen’s hold on him is removed. While you’re at it, find Drag Strip and take him with you, as well. He should be near the Stunticons. Have Skywarp help you if you require it. Those are my orders.”<<

>>"Motormaster, I have instructed Oil Slick to remove Drag Strip from the battlefield and return him to the Thanatos where he can be permanently sedated. I trust you will allow the chemical expert to do so."<<

>>”Divebomb, excellent work. The scans could prove useful to us in the future. Now, I want you to find Psychout. He and his group are currently providing medical attention to Headstrong, Tantrum and Rampage. Make sure our brethren are well taken care of. It is now your job to oversee their progress. Understood?”<<

>>”I read you, Psychout. Continue your work and maintain the vitals of my Predacons along with the others. I’m sending Divebomb to assist you. Additional medical drones from the Thanatos should be arriving near your location within one breem. Utilize them as you see fit. As for those damaged 'Cons within the Autobot shuttle, gather what men you can find and retrieve the injured ASAP. Bare in mind that we are still technically in a state of truce with the Autobots. Therefore, retrieve our comrades in a non-violent manner if possible. If not possible, well, do what is necessary to secure our own. Is that clear?”<<

Cutting his last comm line, Razorclaw returned his attention to the here and now just in time to witness Devastator’s attack on the Fallen’s indestructible shield. It was a direct hit, throwing up a thick cloud of dust and sand, making it almost impossible to see what the after affects had been, if any. This should be interesting, the lion-former thought inwardly as he readied the command codes to be sent to the Thanatos that would begin countdown procedures for an orbital strike.

((OOC: More to come.))