374/Tarn Blockade: The Inside Story

{{Poses
 * Poses=:{{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     The battle over the last Autobot stronghold in Tarn has been raging over the past half a megacycle or so. By now, fallen soldiers of both factions litter the scorched battlefield.

But one little Insecticon has gone mostly unnoticed...Mellifera thus far appears to be an unexpected ally of the Decepticons, chewing through a vulnerability in the wall where a turret had once been mounted before the Autobots realized what was happening. This might have meant instant defeat for them, if only the Decepticons had actually planned for that and had been searching for her signal, but as it is, only her and a small party of the insurgents manage to get through before the Autobots noticed and directed focused fire. But despite this and unfortunately for them, most of their forces were too busy fending off the frontal assault outside.

Once inside, the Mellifera and friends are faced with autoturrets and drones that are for the most part easy to deal with...that is, until they reach the command center at the end of the corridor they managed to burst into. Inside waiting for them are two of the Autobots' top officers--Jazz and Prowl! This won't be easy, but if they win, they'll have a chance to gain control of the entire facility...Risk and reward. High stakes, big prize. Is it worth it?


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour bursts into the command center, getting his second wind after his serious injuries outside. Spotting Jazz and Prowl, his crimson optics widen. Key elements of Autobot command! Luck is certainly on his side tonight! Having lost his halberd, Valour has to rely on his Seeker lasers, which he immediately brings up and locks on Prowl. "Autobots!" he cries. "Your reign of oppression ends here!" Valour opens fire.


 * {{#var:96|Mellifera (96)}} has posed:  Mellifera doesn't really waste time with words. In fact, she hasn't really said anything since she joined the fight. However, she flies in place for a moment, curling her abdomen towards Jazz and fires off her stinger.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:      Precision? Tactical strikes? Not Brawl's thing. Wanton destruction and ramping up collateral damage? That's what Brawl's do best. Brawl had been calling his own shots and inefficiently but still effectively taking down some of the automated defenses and turrets. But when he was alerted to a way in, his tiny processor realised he could do a lot more damage inside the stronghold. He didn't really care that he was following a giant bug. And it didn't even occur to him to feel threatened that someone broke the defenses before he could. It just looked like a tunnel leading to a lot more hectic violence.

Think? Brawl doesn't think. The moment he sees Prowl, there is no considering his environment, no coordinating with his current 'teammates' or even deciding what weapon would be best to use. Brawl just raises the weapon in his hand and fires at the Autobot second-in-command.


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     Skywolf is surrounded by many Autobots to get inside, but waits for someone to cut the power of Defenses from inside and bring down the main turrets. While looking around finds some weak spot and begins to fire.


 * {{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     Prowl sighs a bit when Valour charges in with his melodramatic shouts. Probably trying to be as charismatic as Megatron, but it isn't really working that well. "One kind of 'oppression' for another, I suppose." He mutters, as his seeker lasers scorch a shoulder.

Then Brawl enters and fires as well, but the tactician easily predicts the big tank's moves and dodges it, the blast scoring the wall behind him. He scans the opposition. Hmm...he doesn't recognize that Insecticon. Who is she?

He takes note of the stinger fired at Jazz. "Jazz, you all right?"


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz is still making his way back to Metroplex. As he enters the structure the bee grabs him and stings him, he is not happy. Pulling his weapon form his hip and puts it between himself and the bee, "Yeah Prowl. I am fine. I will handle this easy," and he squeezes the trigger.


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour leaps to the side as he fires at Prowl, smiling to himself as he nails the strategist in the shoulder. Valour takes in the command center in a glance and moves towards any available cover as he continues to pepper the Autobot commanders with laser-fire. Keeping aware of the positions of his teammates, he trusts Brawl on his own in a fight but winces as the Decepticons' mysterious new ally is shot at point-blank range by Jazz. With a fluid motion Valour switches his attack to Jazz, aiming a little high to make sure he doesn't accidentally hit the bee instead.


 * {{#var:96|Mellifera (96)}} has posed:  The bee is struck and she tumbles for a moment, transforming into her root mode. While there are still aspects to her that are quite insectiod, her face is distinctly standard. Her optics blaze in anger towards Jazz, but still she is silent. Gracefully, she gives Valour a nod of gratitude. Since he has switched his attack, she transforms again and attacks Prowl instead.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:      If Brawl got discouraged by missing, he would have given up combat a long time ago. Then he wouldn't be the Brawl everyone knows and... uh... tolerates. Or fears. Fears would work. Well he'd be feared if he actually hit anything. But it's okay. The others are hitting Prowl. Brawl puts away his gun for now and decides to charge straight at Prowl, bending forward a little and raising his massive treaded shoulder for a full on body slam. If he gets in the way of other peoples fire he doesn't even care - he can take the hits.


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     BATTLE RAGES

While in the front of Defenses, Skywolf sees someone in the command centre. Its seems that the Defenses is open to attack and due to Autobots low in forces, the routes can be made clear for transport.


 * {{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     "Ugh!" Prowl grunts when Mellifera's stinger hits--it hurt more than he expected, causing him to double over for a moment and preventing him from retaliating immediately. This gave Brawl the opportunity to charge straight at him, plowing him into a large holopanel with sensor array data on it. It shatters, sending sparks everywhere.

With the tank at close range, he aims to drive an elbow servo hard into an existing armor crack or vulnerability to get the brute off of him.


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz getst he bee off of him only to have Valour jump into the fray. Trying to duck he moves but is still shot while trying to evade. He looks at cValour recognizing the mech and says, "Oh. You are the talker right?" his optics flash as an energon axe materializes on his arm and he swings at Valour, "You should probably go home."


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour jumps back, allowing the ax blade to swish though the air where he had been a moment earlier. "Tarn is our home now," Valour declares. "It is you who are trespassing. It's a shame, since Tarn will also be the place of your death. I hope you have enjoyed a good life." Valour pops open two panels in his shoulders, and unleashes a small hailstorm of mini-missiles at Jazz from point-blank range.


 * {{#var:96|Mellifera (96)}} has posed:  Mellifera has no desire to shoot Brawl in the back, so she again changes her target. It looks like it's Jazz's turn again. Except this time she gets up close and personal, despite her delicate stature. Not wanting to hit her potential new allies with her stinger, she attempts to close in on Jazz and bite him, aiming for the neck. It may be a primative means of combat, but that's what her type has a reputation for, isn't it? Being primative?


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     Skywolf thinks the pathway is clear to go inside and begin do the damage by himself. The command center is gradually heavily guarded and is going to be very hard to takeover Defenses.

INSIDE DEFENSES

Skywolf moves inside the Defenses and is dragged into a confront. Skywolf says, "Its going to take a lot of firepower to bring down the Defenses, I would suggest to an all out brawl." while aiming at Prowl.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:  Brawl shoots Valour only a brief glance at all those wasted useless words. BUt the mech isn't slacking in the fight, so he says nothing. Brawl was about to throw down a double-fisted blow when Prowl reprised with armour shattering accuracy. And by shattering, we really mean sort of cracking. This is Brawl, after all. Brawl stumbles, alarmed more than hurt bu the odd sensation. "You little...." Brawl growls, not bothering to finish his insult. It'd just be something common and unimagintive anyway. But that's the way Brawl rolls. And speaking of rolls, Brawl rolls out of the oncoming fire from Skywolf. With a grunt, Brawl is just going to assume no one will try that again while Brawl attempts to give Prowl some new detailing WITH HIS FISTS!


 * {{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     There is a satisfying CRACK as Brawl's armor takes the brunt of the blow and he rolls away from Prowl, but apparently only to get out of the way of Skywolf's incoming cannon fire. The tactician turns slightly and raises an arm to partially block the blast, though it still scratches his outer armor a bit.

However, the distraction is enough to give Brawl yet another opportunity to attempt to redecorate with his -fists-, which he actually somewhat succeeds at. While Prowl certainly isn't a weakling, he sure isn't as large or as tough as Brawl. He clenches his jaw as the massive Combaticon wails on him with some serious kick to his punches. "You're going to regret that...." he mutters, drawing his weapon and firing it right into Brawl's chassis.


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz throws both arms up to protect himself as the rockets explode all over him and as soon as the explosions finish the bee grabs and bits him. He swats at the bee but being able only deal with one thing as a time he presents his hand again and fires off a grappling hook which hopes to attach to Valour and bring him closer.


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour is shot in the chest with a grappling hook, which punches right through into his cockpit and opens, locking tight into the Decepticon warrior's chest. Valour is then brought closer to Jazz at top speed. Reacting quickly, Valour balls both fists and swings them together at Jazz's face, using the momentum of the hook-pull to add strength to his attack.


 * {{#var:96|Mellifera (96)}} has posed:  Mellifera notices that Valour is a bit tied up at the moment. Instead of resuming the attack on Jazz, she flits over and tries to chew through the cord on the grappling hook, hoping to set the warrior free.


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     While moving towards Command Center, Skywolf sees some power grid that gives Defenses the energy source to stay online. Skywolf tries to infest the power grid, but his teammates faces an insane assualt from Autobots and transforms and flies back towards them and fires at all will. With the Autobots distracted, Skywolf's attacks to make them pay.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:      Does Brawl regret it? The only thing he regrets is not having a camera attached to his fist so he could show the other Combaticons before and after pictures of Prowl's face. Vortex would like that, right?

Brawl takes the full brunt of the photon blast, which causes the mech to reel backwards, arms flailing like very inefficient windmills. Brawl finds himself up against a wall and glares at Prowl. Who would have thought light particles could pack such a punch? Brawl lifts an arm when he sees a missile heading for Prowl. Hell yeah that's what Brawl's talking about! But missiles can be a bit explodey, so rather than go in for more close quarter combat, Brawl maintains his distance, whipping out a laser pistol and firing it at Prowl.


 * {{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     Brawl knew to avoid a missile from his own teammates, how impressive! At least he has SOME level of common sense, right? At any rate, Prowl is unable to dodge the projectile--it's such close quarters and Brawl had him pinned down at any rate. No chance there. The explosion rocks the command center--well at least if the Decepticons do win it'll be a while before they'll be able to get THIS damage repaired and therefore before the base will be much of any good.

Fortuitously, he manages to stay conscious somehow, despite that and the additional potshots from the Combaticon.

Close quarters...well Skywolf isn't the only one with explosives. He loads a phosphex grenade into his shoulder-mounted launchers. &lt;&lt; Jazz, get to cover -now-. &gt;&gt; he orders, and fires it in a direction that will, according to all his trajectory calculations, allow it to detonate within range of every Decepticon in the vicinity.


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz pulls Valour towards him with his hook but noticing the bee he snorts and tries to swat the bot...indicating his annoyance.


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour is freed by the mystery bee, who is rewarded for her efforts by being swatted aside. "Hey, friend. Keep your attention up here." Although a grappling hook is still embedded in his chest (with the cord now hanging loose), Valour ignores the injury and his own highbrow combat training and simply attempts to head butt Jazz in the face.


 * {{#var:96|Mellifera (96)}} has posed:  Mellifera keens in pain as she gets hit by the fire. She's never been on fire before, and the experience is NOT one she is enjoying. And then, to add insult to injury, she gets swatted by Jazz. SWATTED! Like a mere annoyance. But Mellifera's fear right now is stronger than her pride. Beating her wings rapidly, she attempts to flee, the sound of buzzing filling the room. "My apologiges," she says before she goes, finally speaking.


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     With the battle rages inside, the Decepticon transport is making a way out on the streets. Skywolf says, "We better destroy the Defenses or make it move somewhere far from barricades." while aiming to fire. As the battle has excalated to new heights, Prowl throws an grenade inside the Command Center that takes Skywolf in its wave.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:  And... everything is ablaze. There just isn't any nearby cover big enough for Brawl to seek, even if he were agile enough to attempt it. The grenade explodes and Brawl takes significant damage. Insult to injury, the large mech is immolated. A string of very unsavoury words are shouted from the hulking tank-mech as some of his treads partially melt while various spots on his armour blacken from charring. Brawl's response to this? Give back a little. Still on fire, Brawl charges at Prowl to give him a flaming fist of fury! FEEL THE BURN!


 * {{#var:13|Prowl (13)}} has posed:     With Brawl continuing to lay into him while -still on fire- AND Skywolf's continued missile onslaught, Prowl is quickly taken down for the count, his systems stasis locking even before he can retreat. It's up to Jazz now to call a retreat or try to keep fighting. The room is now completely ablaze--this really -will- take a while to get up and running if it'll even be worth the time and resources. But that'll be for whoever's in charge of Con operations to decide.

With alarm klaxons still screeching, some backup finally arrives, although they are mostly rookie soldiers and drones--should be easy to take out but hopefully will be enough to cover Jazz's retreat with his fallen friend.


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz grimaces as Prowl goes down with the head butt his stumbles back a little, "Prowl!" he says befire disengaging and going to the fallen autobot. He says, "Retreat. Everyone Retreat," be for droppinga greneade nad grabbing Prowl and trying to drag him out.


 * {{#var:47|Valour (47)}} has posed:     Valour has the satisfaction of headbutting Jazz in the face, but is then subsequently stunned by the special operative's EMP grenade. "Don't let... them... get... away..." Valour manages to stammer out before the effects overcome him. He crashes to the ground and lays still, fire all around him.


 * {{#var:94|Skywolf (94)}} has posed:     COMMAND CENTER ON FIRE

While making the attack, Prowl's attack burned Skywolf a little. But Brawl's attack makes Prowl unconscious to move anymore. Skywolf tries to get into the control room to takeover the Defenses, but somehow it got activated again fires at all directions. Now its only Jazz and some officials remain in control, but while trying to retreat Jazz throws smoke bombs for making an escape. It looks like Decepticons have won the battle as the Autobots make an retreat.


 * {{#var:86|Brawl (86)}} has posed:  There is something very satisfying about seeing Prowl crumple to the ground after slagging on him. Sure. Skywolf's missiles probably did most of the damage. But Brawl doesn't care. Right now he has the opportunity to end Prowl and get the bestest bragging rights ever! Brawl reaches back, getting his electron gun out, when Jazz intervenes. "Outta my way!" Brawl hollers, turning and aiming at Jazz instead. Though it's a little hard to see with the flames crawling all over Brawl's body sending up constant smoke into his optics. Brawl fires angrily and blindly, missing Jazz widely. By now he is feeling the warping of metal causing an unpleasant pressure all over his body which mingles with the pain. Being on fire... isn't really all that fun. And suddenly, there are reinforcements and defense drones piling in, and Brawl is forced to contend with them, allowing Jazz to get away. This enrages Brawl, which just ramps up the collateral damage to everyone and everything around Brawl.


 * {{#var:23|Jazz (23)}} has posed:  Jazz repeats he order to retreat and tosses Prowl over his shoulder he himself follow his own advice, "Why am I always saving you," he says to Prowl before the mass exit.