49/Freedom is the Right of All Sentient Beings

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< Blurr Posed on Jan 24 04:57PM CST >- The skies of Vos are well-populated as usual, but on this particular cycle something rather large is headed for the industrial sector. An Autobot air assault unit, with Sky Lynx in the lead. The locals notice--and stay out of the way for the most part as it moves with purpose and determination.
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These days...they know what -that- means.

Aboard his larger shuttle friend, Blurr stands near the cargo bay doors as he prepares for the drop. The Decepticons are probably expecting this, no doubt... ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 05:02PM CST >--- Sky Lynx is not in his shuttle-mode, no, but that behemoth form that is wonderful for those who wish to behold a truly magnificent mech at his finest. The cargo door opened so that the others can jump when the time comes. "We are on final approach, Blurr. I've already marked the drop-zone on the internal maps and you should see the light flashing red. Standby for green." He takes a moment to sweep the area below with his optics and frowns. "The local population is clearing out swiftly. It seems they are anticipating this will turn to conflict rather soon. That is not a good thing... we shall have to attempt to keep collateral damage at a minimum." < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 05:04PM CST >- Arcee has been singularly focused lately on improving her attitude. She's been training for this particular mission quite extensively, and now she's aboard Sky Lynx's shuttle mode, armed and prepared for battle. She's rather proud of Blurr that he's in duty mode, too. He has a lot of potential when he's focused on a mission.

"I'll certainly take care," Arcee answers Sky Lynx, making a mental note to keep an optic on Blurr out on the field to make sure he doesn't get too carried away. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 05:09PM CST > Guard duty. How ignominious, Tankor thinks. One minute, he's working with Starscream on bold new plans for acquiring fuel, the next he's sent to sparksit. At least he's had time to think, and while it should have been spent on those fuel plans, it's been mostly fuming about being on guard duty, and figuring out how he can get someone else to do it for him next time.

Slowly, from the mists of his funk, Tankor realizes that the locals are thinning out, and the streets are getting quieter. Could be nothing, could be something. He checks his blasters and starts carefully scanning the alleyways and intersections, grumpily. Being on guard duty is bad enough, now for something to actually happen? Harrumph. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 05:09PM CST >--- After Starscream failed to eradicate the Autobots who previously visited Vos, it's more than safe to say the Decepticons are expecting them to return. Only this time a far more logical individual is present in Vos. Though in part he may also be securing some of the sparks for himself (but don't tell anyone, he might not have bothered to check with Scorponok first).

And so Shockwave is standing on one of the many high buildings within the city looking out at the skies around Vos. Far below him his own personal assistants are securing half a dozen of the sparks, while others are dashing around the city with other chores for the Decpticon scientist. Meanwhile from his rather distinct lookout spot, Shockwave is easily able to spot the approaching Sky Lynx (he mentally notes that the Autobots continue to be cocky in their handling of things, a fact which will be their undoing).

Without moving he sends a message to others, his singular optic blinking as he intones, "All Decepticons be aware, the expected Autobot party is approaching. So far identified is Sky Lynx. Expect more forces to come from within. Target his cargo bay doors and fire at will." there is a slight pause before he remarks, "Ensure every effort is made to minimise collateral damage, local population should be protected where ever possible." The later may be an odd statement, but Shockwave seems to have his own plan, as any of the Decepticons might suspect from his activities in the last few hours. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 05:16PM CST >--- With their previous proddings in Vos, it was only inevitable that the Autobots would return. It was just a matter of waiting patiently for the time to come...

Shockwave may be the first to detect the approaching Autobot transport, but with his tendancy to perch in high places Razorclaw has a perfect view of the incoming form when the alert goes up.

A mental eyebrow does raise slightly at Shockwave's ammendment to the order, but it's simply filed away as wanting to keep their image positive in one of the few cities that could actually be considered aligned in their favor. Now if only that favor wasn't with facination of someone like Starscream, but that's not important to the matter at hand.

Shoulder blasters lock into place, and with the command to fire already given the Predacon does just that, lobbing several artillery-esque shots in Sky Lynx's approaching direction. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 05:26PM CST >- "Standing by." Blurr replies to Sky Lynx's message. He, Arcee, and the rest of the unit are lined up as the doors finally open. Shots have been fired already, that much was expected. "Alright. Just like Lynx said, we need to avoid collateral damage as much as possible. If we win today, this place will be ours so if we don't want to be spending too much time repairing our own damage we'll need to keep it to a minimum. Oh and those sparks are people, so be careful with those. Remember, we need to get to the central control room and stay there. We do that and victory is ours. On my signal....now!"

The speedster leaps from the cargo bay, some of the incoming fire searing his outer plating before he lands somewhere on the perimeter of the facility. The others do the same, though some of them get blown to bits before they ever touch the ground. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 05:28PM CST >--- Sky Lynx will wait on the green light, angling himself as he takes the brunt of those blasts head-on and shields the bots inside. Once the impacts dissipate, he lets the lights change from red to green. "Go now. Seems I've drawn some attention." He grunts. "Heavier artillery, and the source is marked with a beacon. Silly Decepticons... They do know that when they shoot that lets me see where they're at, right?" He holds course so the mechs inside can get their jump underway before snapping into a roll, descending to provide additional cover and support should Razorclaw try to pick off Blurr or Arcee. Sky Lynx does make a great shield, after all. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 05:30PM CST >- Arcee leaps out of the cargo bay doors immediately after Blurr, tumbling in the air several times before righting herself for the proper position to land on her feet and begin running. She gets tagged a couple of times, but not too seriously, and she's able to bring up a mission map to keep track of where she must go. Pistol in hand, she runs with a sense of purpose. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 05:38PM CST > "OK," Tankor replies to Shockwave. Not exactly the proper soldierly way to respond, but Tankor isn't that sort of soldier. His optics snap up from ground level as the shooting starts. Oh, up there. Too late to fly up and meet them, so he rushes toward the direction Sky Lynx seems to be coming from. While he goes, he takes pot shots between buildings and down streets at any Autobot he can see. He sticks near the facility, though; they'll come to him soon enough. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 05:43PM CST >--- Shockwave refrains from mentally comparing Sky Lynx dropping Autobots out his cargo bay to a bird taking a crap on Vos, but only because he already has a low enough opinion of the Autobots that the comparison would improve their standing.

Shockwave analyses the four threats he has decided are significant enough to consider.

The various gumbies with the Autobots, dismissed as easily eradicated as and when required.

Arcee, warrior, possibly unstable, possibly more protective of others given her nature.

Blurr, impulsive, quick moving, arrogant enough to think this makes him untouchable.

Sky Lynx, big, bulky, dangerous but avoidable.

Shockwave reaches a logical conclusion, and stepping off his perch he transforms into a high tech jet, and moves far faster than he ever could in his old alt mod. Straght for the most logical target he's analysed. And so he sweeps through the air directly for where Blurr dropped to the ground. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 05:45PM CST >--- But what's to say that having your attention isn't intentional? Though Sky Lynx seems more interested in getting his passengers out safely, and Razorclaw takes the oppritunity to vault over the edge of the rooftop and drop back down to street level. The industrial sector's architecture leaves plenty of shadows for even a big mecha-beast to prowl through sneakily. Rest assured, whoever he comes across next is going to be having a very bad time... < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 05:55PM CST >- Chaos immediately erupts on the ground. Blurr rushes at the building, vaulting over a fence as he heads for the nearest opening, which happens to be a window on the side. He picks up on Shockwave's approach, but instead of attacking the scientist he just speeds up and fires on the window, shattering the glass. He aims to get inside where it'll be much more difficult for the Decepticon to maneuver in that altmode before he can get a shot off.

That's what he's best at, after all. Beating his opponents to the punch. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 05:58PM CST >--- Sky Lynx gets no follow-on shots fired his way? Well, that's good. Though, he's quick to spot the Decepticon going in to intercept Blurr, and angles himself to address that little problem. <> In a move that is best described as clever and brilliant in as many ways as Lynx can manage to find, he does what he feels would work out best given the circumstance... And just goes to land on Shockwave. Because...it works. Usually. "Hah, and where do you think you are going?" < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 06:02PM CST >- Arcee is met with opposition by one of the Decepticon defenders very shortly after she attempts to get closer to an entryway. Taking cover, she draws a laser-pistol and returns fire, unwittingly triggering one of Shockwave's secret 'plants'. The resulting LOUD explosion stuns her momentarily -- it was far bigger an explosion than she was expecting, and this is enough hesitation to get her tagged on the hand by incoming laser fire. She curses, retrieving her gun off the ground with her good hand, and returns fire as she flees her cover spot. Seeing a fence in-between her and a suitable entry point, she quickly works to scale it and vault over. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 06:11PM CST > Tankor watches a blue flash zooming toward the building, and recognizes it, anger bubbling up. Last time he saw Blurr, the Autobot was crashing into a tower, on fire. Yet here is is, somehow still functioning, as he had heard from some other sniggering Decepticons. The fact that Shockwave is already chasing him down doesn't matter; Tankor wants a piece of that racer. He gets himself not in Blurr's trajectory (that's crazy), but near enough, and starts blasting away. "You! Do you know how embarrassing it is for me that you're still alive?!" --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 06:13PM CST >--- As he monitors his intended target, Shockwave confirms he has proceeded inside as he had already concluded he would. While many might declare Blurr was a coward, Shockwave merely confirms the speedster has some understanding of basic strategy, if a lack of any advanced strategic knowledge.

And then, as predictable as the speedster, the bird tries to find a perch. Alas Shockwave has more surprises in this mode than his cannon mode had (mostly since he recently aquired this one and made sure to add on some extras), included being extremely manueverable. And so just as Sky Lynx is about to land on him, jets push Shockwave down, then spin him to the side, up and full circle around the Autobot. In the end it is Shockwave who is flying over Sky Lynx.

As he performs the manuever, his monotone voice can be clearly heard, "I was going to obliterate your companion, however I had concluded there was a high probability you would attempt a foolish manuever to delay me. As a result you have left yourself very much open to catastrophic consequences." And with that Shockwave opens a bomb bay, dropping the Cybertronian equivalent of napalm to fall to where Sky Lynx is. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 06:19PM CST >--- The sound of one of planted explosives being triggered gives Razorclaw a bit more locational information to work with, stalking in that direction until he comes to the edge of an alleyway. Red optics narrow as the mecha-lion spies Arcee scaling a wall on the other side of the street beyond. Several options spin through his processors, and then Razorclaw settles on what he sees to be the best option.

The Predacon bolts from the alley, and by the time he's crossed the pathway he bolts up into a charging run in robot mode instead. One hand grabs the hilt of his sword and pulls it from his back, then plants a foot to skid to a stop and let the momentum shift to the swinging of his weapon instead.

Though instead of lashing at the femme? He slams the flat of the blade against the wall itself, sending it's vibrations through the structure without severely damaging it in an attempt to knock Arcee off her attempted climb. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 06:29PM CST >- "Thanks Lynx!" With Shockwave off his tail, Blurr charges toward the window, firing as he goes. He smashes through it and lands on top of a moving conveyor belt with spare parts on it. Okay, according to the schematics, if he can avoid the obstacles, he can ride this thing all the way--

And then Tankor. He dodges, skipping back and forth across the moving belt as the fuel transporter's blasts glance off of the machinery. Some of it manages to catch him in the side, but it's going to take more than that to stop him! He smirks at at royally pissed off Tankor is. Ha, he bets some of his friends made fun of him.

"Awww Tankor, what's the matter? Your friends hurt your feelings? Sorry, but maybe you shouldn't have jumped to conclusions so fast. Ha, that's funny, it's usually -other- people tell -me- that one!" he laughs and draws his own weapon to return fire. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 06:29PM CST >--- Sky Lynx can't move, else the bomb will just hit the ground and cause possible damage to things best left undamaged, and...well, there's more to it, but he smirks slightly. "If you think I'm afraid I might have moved in error, Shockwave, then you've horribly underestimated me." And then there's just so much fire, and he's peeling away, trailing smoke as he tries to get some distance between himself and the Decepticon Commander... Or, well, half of him is, at least. Just the half with wings and the beak. Seems Shockwave's not the only one with a few surprises to bring out, as a four-legged blue-and-red mech that looks suspiciously like the missing half of Sky Lynx jumps to latch onto the purple flier to execute some horrific acts of vengeance with those claws. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 06:32PM CST >- The climbing is a little bit complicated with one hand malfunctioning, but Arcee is very near to getting over the wall when suddenly, the wall begins quaking violently. (NOW what??) she thinks in exasperation, as she clings hard for dear life to the top of the wall. She stares downward, and sees Razorclaw there...well within shot range, IF her hand were working properly.

"Slaggit..." Arcee frowns deeply, clenching the top of the wall with her good hand so tightly that her fingers are leaving impressions. In exasperation, she whaps her injured hand against the wall a few times. "Come onnnnn....!" A couple of servos begin twitching, and she uses the temporary good fortune to pull a grenade from subspace and fling it down toward Razorclaw. She lets her feet find a few steps purchase on the wall, then flings one of her legs over, hoping the momentum & gravity will be enough to scale the wall. She does, indeed, make it over, but not gracefully. <...CRUNCH...> Arcee lands in a heap on the opposite side, then wobbles in dazed fashion until she reaches a broken-out factory window, which she sort of falls through like a stunt double. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 06:38PM CST > "They did! I mean, they tried to make fun of me. I have a reputation to uphold OW!" Tankor cries in frustration at not only most of his shots missing, but then getting tagged himself. He stumbles back clutching his damaged shoulder, but with a growl replaces his blasters with what he should have been using this whole time: his flamethrower. He looks around: this stuff doesn't look too important, but who cares. He squeezes the trigger to pour flame out towards Blurr. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 06:41PM CST >--- Razorclaw looks up at the clinging femme with an expression that seems to carry plenty of malice despite the lack of features. "So we cross paths again. Have you put the refinery back together again, hmmm?" Not that expects an actual answer on that front.

Sure enough, the answer he gets is in the form of a grenade. He jumps back from it but when it hits the ground and detonates the shockwave is still enough to knock him off his feet, giving Arcee the precious time she needs to drop off the wall and make for the facility proper. "Looks like this chase isn't over yet..."

Razorclaw drops back into lion mode which has little trouble jumping over the wall and rushing the factory, leaping through the window not long after Arcee has. She's going to have to keep moving quickly or come up with some more tricks if she wants to keep him off her tailpipes! --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 06:43PM CST >--- And so one half of the Autobot is if not dealt with, at least kept busy. And the second part of the Autobot latches on to him.

"Ahhh, the divide and conquer approach. Very predicatable. And despite the lethality of those claws Sky Lynx, they are not going to cause more than minor damage. However, as this part of you has no flight, perhaps I should bring you to the ground." And with that, Shockwave does his best to give his new passenger air sickness, as he starts to spin sideways in the air, while also begining a rather insane dive for the ground. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 06:55PM CST >- Arcee isn't a newspark, but comparing to the mechalion currently stalking her through the factory, she may as well have been activated yesterday. She knows that physically, she's absolutely no match for him. No doubt, she's probably going to do things on this mission that will 'deeply disappoint' Prowl. Such is life. What was it Senator Proteus said once, 'You can't please all the mechs all the time'? She's beginning to understand what that means.

Now that she's inside the factory, she scurries frantically to find a quick way off the floor she's on. There's zero chance of her escaping the mechalion if she goes the traditional route of running down the hallway. But maybe she can take a shortcut...

"Sorry, kind of busy right now," Arcee quips, because she's pretty sure the mechalion is close enough to hear her at this point (but is she going to LOOK and see just how close he's getting? No way). She comes across an area of the hallway that is open to the other floors; it's a trellis that overlooks the factory floor. Looks like a long, wicked drop. She doesn't really have time to think about it; she just heads to the edge of the hallway railing and leaps off like a lunatic. "GAAAAHHH!!!" ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 06:59PM CST >--- It's Lynx! Or, well, half of Lynx. There's not much that he's not subjected to himself to. He holds on, and not with intent of causing damage as much as grappling and helping in holding the other mech as immobile as possible... All so the other half, the one with wings, can dive in from above and slam into Shockwave. Sandwiched between Sky Lynx! ...it's a thing now. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 07:04PM CST >- Blurr smirks as he manages to tag Tankor with a blast. "'Tried'? Sounds like they were successful, from how ticked off you sound." he laughs. And then he whips out the flamethrower. Not exactly the smartest move on the manufacturing floor, but Tankor doesn't seem like the brightest mech, either. At least not according to Blurr. But he does have size and strength on the speedster.

The former racer continues to jump back and forth, stepping over the various parts on the belt. It's not long, however, before they reach a section with a lot of robotic assembly arms moving about as they work with the parts. Some of them are welders, others are connected to pipes full of molten metal as they move over armor molds in order to fill them. Blurr vaults over a massive pipe drone behind him, putting it between himself and Tankor's flamethrower. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 07:05PM CST >--- Razorclaw skids to a stop on the trellis just seconds later, stopping to peer over the railing. He... actually looks slightly surprised that she jumped in the condition she's in. But she hasn't let her injury or predicament dull her instincts any. Good, good.

That just makes the hunt all the more interesting on his part.

With a snort he vaults over the railing himself, dropping to the factory floor below. Though lands a little harder than he anticipated, legs clenching moreso than usual with the impact, servos still a little stiff from how long he had been waiting on that rooftop. With a grunt of annoyance at his own oversight he resumes stalking, sticking to the form with better senses. There's a lot of places an Autobot could hide or try to double back in here, after all. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 07:14PM CST > "The only thing that ticks me off is ... is you!" Tankor has no better witty retort, as he has more trouble navigating the conveyor belt than the agile Blurr, so his concentration is split. His flames are haphazard, doing less damage to his quarry than the factory, but in his rage Tankor doesn't care.

When they arrive to the assembly area, it isn't long before Tankor is beaned in the back of the head by a swinging armature. He shouts and stumbles, and then kabongs face first into the drone blocking him from Blurr. Finally he falls off the belt. He's lost Blurr for the time being, but he gets his bearings and sneaks (as well as a bulky triplechanger can) around and ahead to try to catch up. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 07:16PM CST >- As she descends quickly, Arcee comes to the conclusion that this wasn't one of her better ideas.

Then, in a fraction of an astrosecond that seems like an eternity when one is reaching a dangerous or even terminal falling velocity, Arcee sees it. A clump of dangling cables which have fallen down from their original mooring inside the ceiling. Instinctively, she grabs at them, and manages to get tangled up within them. Now, she's dangling sort of like a big, pink metal marionette, facing downward toward the factory floor. "...." Has Razorclaw noticed? She can see him stalking her below. If she takes a shot, he'll definitely notice her. She keeps her gun in her good hand, just in case he happens to look up. For the moment, she watches him silently, and tries to gauge the distance to the floor from this 'perch'. She decides that from here, it will be a heavy landing, but not an injurous one. If she manages to shake the mechalion, maybe she can make a direct run for the sparks. Especially if Blurr and Tankor continue their bout. That might actually work out for the best, she decides. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 07:21PM CST >--- Ahhh, causing damage with one half of the bird brain would be interesting to see the effect on the other, but inflicting pain on both is always better. And so Shockwave actually speeds up in his descent, aiming for one of the places he knows has an explosive device. And just to make sure he doesn't lose his passengers, he deploys a number of small temporary glue restraint devices on himself, making it very difficult for the Autobot to get off of him.

Within moments Shockwave crashes into a building, detonating the explosive device within. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 07:27PM CST >- "Ha! Talk about a lame comeback!" Blurr laughs, as Tankor clumsily KABONGS into the swinging assembly arms. The impact causes the moving pipe to jostle off of its normal course. Molten metal spews out and splatters onto the belt where the speedster's feet are, burning him significantly.

He stumbles from the pain, but manages to get back up. Tankor's gone for now, but the triplechanger will probably be back. He'd best make the most of the time. He fires at the valve that controls the flow from the pipe and whacks the robot hard with the barrel of his electro-laser, causing the arm's joints to become bent out of shape. Now, a continuous stream of molten slag flows downward, threatening anything or anyone who happens to be below.

With that done, he continues running down the belt toward the center of the factory, dodging obstacles as they come. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 07:35PM CST >--- Sky Lynx has a hunch where things are going, and he just smirks as he bites into Shockwave's frame with both sets of teeth. If he's going to blow up, then so is everyone else with him. The explosion is enough to leave him rather stunned, and he slowly works towards re-combining his two parts and dragging himself out of the wreckage, immediately scouting the area for Shockwave. "Well, that was unpleasant. I'll need some polish when we get through here." --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 07:43PM CST >--- Can Razorclaw see her? No... but that is why he is in the form that doesn't rely on sight alone. He can smell her, and can hear the slight jostling of cables as she tries to hold still.

Yet he walks right under her awkward hiding spot. The Predacon snarls as if frustrated, followed by an intelligible mutter as one would whispering into their comm.

No, he knows exactly where she is... But he's trying to make it look otherwise, to lure her farther into his grasp in the end... < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 07:44PM CST > Although dazed, Tankor does manage to see Blurr take off down the belt after mangling the innocent drone. There's no way he can catch up by getting back on that belt, and besides he'd have to avoid a small gusher of melted metal. So, he backs up and finds a service accessway that runs parallel to the belt. He converts down to tanker truck mode and drives ahead, as fast as his wheels can take him. His engine noise isn't stealthy by any stretch, but this factory is so noisy it shouldn't matter. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 07:47PM CST >--- Given he knew the exact composition of the explosion, and was in control of the detonation, Shockwave is not so stunned. Indeed he was fully braced for it. His frame however does take quite a bit of damage.

As he stands up and walks out of the other side of the building from the reforming Sky Lynx, Shockwave holds a wall in place while two 'civilians' escape, thanking the Decepticon scientist as they run past him. There may even have been a camera filming this heroic save from somewhere.

With the propoganda setup completed, Shockwave moves off to enter a different building, the same one Tankor and Blurr are in, though he enters from an upper location to avoid the stream of molten slag.

<> < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 08:02PM CST >- Indeed, the factory is quite noisy, and Blurr doesn't pick up on the sound of Tankor's engines roaring through the accessway below. He continues on his way, leaping from belt to belt as he makes his way toward the control room.

Finally, it passes close to the target location, and he jumps off the belt and onto a walkway that leads to the door of the control room. Drawing his weapons once more he begins blasting his way in. A few other gumbies pull away from their own fights and join him in the effort. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 08:06PM CST >--- Sky Lynx shakes his head to clear it and then spreads his wings, going airborn again to get some altitude between himself and the fighting below, trailing black smoke in his wake. <> < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 08:09PM CST >- Arcee watches Razorclaw beneath her, pacing and circling. He looks to her like he isn't quite sure where she is, but she isn't so sure. And she doesn't have time to stick around; she's fairly certain that Sky Lynx and Blurr need her in that central area more than they need her literally hanging around here. If she drops directly down, he'll most certainly catch her. But if she can give herself a little 'head start', somehow...

She kicks her legs slightly, causing the cables to sway to and fro. She continues to do this several times, until she has a pretty good swing going. While she's doing this, she begins working her limbs out of the tangles, until she's only swinging with her one good hand. And then, when she finally gets enough momentum, she lets go, causing her to descend and land further away from Razorclaw than if she had simply let go and fallen straight down.

"<< I'm here, Commander. Still near the factory floor, >>" Arcee radios Sky Lynx, as she transforms and accelerates toward the central command center. "<< Will rendezvous with you shortly. >>" < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 08:14PM CST > << Um, affirmative. >> There, that sounded more soldierly. Shockwave is a good one to impress, at least if Starscream isn't around. And although Tankor himself did some damage just now to the facility, it'd be nothing compared to what Sky Lynx might do; however, Tankor is at least smart enough not to question Shockwave's hope that it happens.

He drives on until he hears gunfire from the direction of the belt, then converts back to root mode and clambers back to it. He spies Blurr, and apparently some Autobot buddies, shooting their way to the control room. With a smirk, Tankor hops up to the same level as the walkway and levels his blasters from behind on any nearby, unsuspecting Autobots. He doesn't move directly for the control room, but just tries to reduce Blurr's options when a surprise appears. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 08:17PM CST >--- Moving through the factory, Shockwave accesses various sensors in the area to determine where Blurr is, however when he registers shooting near the control room his question is answered. And so he swiftly (and surprisingly silently for someone his size and bulk) moves towards the control room, his cannon hand crackling slightly as it builds a charge up.

Meanwhile inside the control room the civilians (both fake and real) begins running around as the doors beging to get blasted apart, some even getting hit with stray blasts as the door gives way.

As he comes upon the walkway that leads to the control room, Shockwave starts dispatching the Autobot gumbies with his cannon, as predicted they are not much of a threat to the Decepticon scientist as he starts to make his way towards Blurr. As he does so he radio's Sky Lynx, <> --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 08:22PM CST >--- Razorclaw stops and turns his head partway when he hears the cables shaking about, which means she's in the process of getting down... Only she actually uses the swaying to her advantage instead of dropping down directly. A good move on her part, if she'd come down straight he'd of been able to pounce right on her still. But he can't cover the extra distance in one leap because there's too much overhead clutter in the factory for him to use his full jumping height.

The brief amusement at the antics of his prey doesn't stop him from turning to give chase once more, even though she's a fair bit faster when she takes off in vehicle mode instead. <> he comms quickly to Shockwave and Tankor. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 08:42PM CST >- The gumbies go down like so much cannon fodder before Shockwave's heavy blasts. Those remaining don't relent though, continuing to attempt to hold both he and Tankor back as long as they can while Blurr breaks into the control center. Finally, the door caves in, and he enters, finding a bunch of people who appear to be neutrals...

But if they're working here, they're Decepticon sympathizers. They've made their choice...right?

In a flash, he levels his weapons at the mechs sitting at the controls. "Surrender now, and no one gets hurt." he informs them. "Come on, what have these insurrectionists done for you, anyway?" ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 08:47PM CST >--- <> He looks himself over and winces a bit at the damage sustained so far. Quite a bit of cracked armor panels, and there's that gout of smoke from one side that's just disturbing. <> As for Shockwave's tauntings? He considers ignoring them outright... <> he opens the comms with the Decepticon, <> < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 08:54PM CST >- Arcee accelerates hard, making clumsy turns in the hallway as she tries to stay one step ahead of the mechalion. Sky Lynx sends Blurr and herself a radio transmission that gives her spark a sinking feeling. Inwardly, she feels afraid and overwhelmed. However, to show those emotions outwardly would mean certain death. She and Blurr would handle this, because...they would NEED to do it. It was time to buck up and go into magical invincibility mode.

"You'd best get out of here, if you know what's good," Arcee says back to Razorclaw as she closes in on the control room. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 08:55PM CST > Some bots wouldn't shoot their foes in the back, but that group doesn't include Tankor. He blasts a few Autobots from behind, and a few more that have turned around, as he works in closer to the control center. He takes a few glancing hits, and one significant one to that same damaged shoulder, but the knowledge that Blurr is on the other side of them motivates him to keep going. Soon, at least in Tankor's vicinity, the resistance gives out, so he crouches and aims a single blaster cannon (with his better arm) at the door to the control room. "Come on out, speedy." He's not thinking about whether Blurr hears him in there. "What's faster, your feet or my trigger finger?" --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 08:55PM CST >--- As Blurr holds up the control room like it's a bank job, the neutrals inside cower in the corner, with a couple of them begging the autobot for their life. One finishes smashing out a window hit by one of the blasts, and screams out if, "Save us! Decepticons, save us!" if this is a real neutral or one of those in disguise is anyones guess, but clearly they're not sdiding with the Autobot agressors here.

Shockwave meantime proceeds through the gumbies, crushing the head of one that manages to get close enough to the Decepticon without being cannoned. He then radios on broadband, <> You never know, maybe Shockwave will allow the Autobots to withdraw unharmed if they leave now. Anything seems possible today with the Decepticon scientist. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 09:05PM CST >--- "Perhaps you should take your own advice, Autobot," is the only reply Razorclaw makes. Occasionally he takes a potshot at her with one of his shoulder cannons as they chase through the hallways, but everyone one of them is a near miss at best. Was she really dodging, or was he purposely missing her by microns just to amp up the dread of how much of a threat she was living by right now?

... And then abruptly the shooting stops. A look back and Razorclaw is nowhere to be seen. If this is a relief or even more worrisome is up to Arcee...

Having diverted down a side corridor after hearing another outbreak of fighting, Razorclaw comes out onto another upper level overlooking a work area. Down below a shootout is going on between some of the Autobot gumbies and factory 'security' (which are probably sympathizers in disguise, knowing Shockwave's plans. All the same, Razorclaw leaps down from the walkway, this time transforming midair to land between the two groups and using his sword to deflect several of the Autogumbies' shots away. "Get clear!" he snaps over his shoulder. "Do not let these followers of the Prime corruptions detain you!"

Okay, so he diverted to play up Shockwave's political PR angle more. Doesn't mean it's made Arcee's life any easier because she doesn't know -where- he went... < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 09:22PM CST >- Arcee is definitely unnerved by Razorclaw's sudden disappearence. Where did he go?! Did he find a way to stealth himself while running?? She just had no idea! But she didn't have time to let that slow her down. Maybe he was a teleporter; if he was waiting up ahead, she would just need to deal with it.

Within the control room, Arcee arrives and quickly transforms to robot mode, still fairly convinced Razorclaw's going to jump in at her at any moment. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 09:27PM CST >- Blurr shuts out Shockwave's transmission as soon as it starts. He doesn't need to hear that scrapheap run his vocal synth. As one of the mechs throws himself out the window, he shrugs. Hey, at least -he- didn't throw him out.

He lowers his weapons as the 'neutrals' step away from the controls, resorting to cowering instead. "Now -that's- more like it." He moves to start seizing control of the facility by reprogramming the access codes and shutting the machinery down. But then Tankor's shot slams into his back, sending him forward into a holopanel projector responsible for one of the displays. It sparks dangerously as he jumps off of it. "Haha! You're too late, Tankor!" he announces, directing his weapon at the fueler now. "Better be careful with that aim, you might hit some of your friendly supporters!" ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 09:28PM CST >--- Sky Lynx can see those blips as the jump-troops he sent in are hit by Shockwave and go out. He sighs and shakes his head slowly. He'll remember that. As the situation progresses, and he's not hearing any reports coming in from the team. Not enough for his liking, at any rate. <> --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 09:35PM CST >--- Allowing Arcee to enter the control room (which can be the only explanation for her getting past where he is fighting the gumbies on the walkway to the doorway), Shockwave dispatches the last of those around him, and proceeds to walk towards said control room, pointing his cannon at the doorway.

"I believe I gave you the opportunity to retreat Autobots. I will not tolerate this agression towards the innocents here any longer." Shockwave also uses his non cannon hand to press a control on his cannon hand, which causes something in the control room to start blinking. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 09:39PM CST >--- Once the 'workers' have backed off and evaded the room, Razorclaw stops playing nice. "Invaders will not be tolerated." And with that he rushes in and with a few swift sword swipes proper dispatchs the gumbies he had 'saved' them from. Because the Autobots were jerks and stormed the place first. Or so they'll get the media to tell later. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 09:50PM CST > Tankor deliberately calms himself as he aims at Blurr, but his concentration is broken, to an extent, when he hears Starscream and Shockwave arguing on comms. When Starscream orders them to stop, he impulsively takes his shot - one last hurrah before leaving? He's very satisfied to see it strike home, too. And even better, Shockwave talked Starscream down, so another shot of celebration is in order.

Blurr taunts Tankor again. "I am careful, Blurr," he grouses loudly, still sighting down the blaster, but then a shot from the Autobot pops him in the shoulder. That same shoulder. With a yelp, Tankor tumbles out of his crouch onto his aft. The pain is searing. He twists to protect the shoulder, trying to keep his blaster at least aimed at Blurr's general direction. He doesn't shoot for the moment. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 09:53PM CST >- Once she arrives and transforms back to root mode, Arcee puts on her absolute bravest act when she sees not only Razorclaw and Tankor, but...Shockwave! This mission sure looks like a total bust to her. Yeah, this one's got an F for failure all over it, no doubt about it.

Except...it's not over. YET.

"Come on, Blurr, these guys are speedbumps," Arcee urges the impulsive speedster. Maybe that impulsiveness could work in their favor this time. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 10:00PM CST >--- Sky Lynx takes a moment to glance at his own vitals and runs a quick diagnostic before slowing his overwatch pattern to conserve fuel. That done, he rechecks and gives a soft sigh as he turns and drops altitude over the factory itself. <> < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 10:24PM CST >- There are lots of dead Autobot gumbies on the floor, as well as lots of fuel and other body fluids, given Razorclaw's preferred methods. The Predacon has cut down the last of them--now only Arcee and Blurr remain, as well as Sky Lynx outside.

"Right, speedbumps...always hated those." Blurr mutters in response to Arcee. But he watches with satisfaction as he manages to hit Tankor in that same shoulder again. Ha, score. He notices that red flashing light and turns his gaze toward Shockwave. Slag it, this wasn't going well. The Decepticons were too determined. Well...maybe they just need a little -extra- motivation. He has an idea, and it's probably a bad one but he's never really been one to think over things before jumping headlong into them.

"Oh, -we're- the ones guilty of aggression toward innocents, are we? That thing you glitches pulled in Iacon, with the betrayal, that doesn't count, does it? Don't think I don't know you plan on brainwashing these newsparks just like the Senate and Functionists used to brainwash people. You don't want freedom or equality, you just want -revenge-. You just want the chance to do to us what you think we did to you, so you can revel in your righteous retribution. He raises his electro-laser, but instead of pointing it at Razorclaw, Shockwave, or even Tankor, he holds the barrel up against the controls. "You're a smart one, Shockwave. So I imagine you know what these are. Withdraw, or I'll blow the coolant controls and flood the cryochambers." he threatens. And given the nature of the toxic coolant, those sparks won't last long if that happens! But would he really do such a thing, or is he bluffing? --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 10:42PM CST >--- Reading Shockwaves expressions is a bit like trying to tell what a torch is feeling. A very unreadable torch. He stares at Blurr for a moment, his singular optic glowing ever so dimly as he remains silent. The Decepticon scientists optic then blinks as he intones, "You are already in there with a bomb, you are suggesting that we either withdraw and allow you to detonate the bomb, or remain and watch you shoot the controls which would be destroyed in the explosion anyway. Even for you Blurr, this is hardly a logical threat."

As if to remind the Autobot about that blinking thing in the control room, it now beeps as well as blinks, each beep getting miniscually closer to the last one as if it were some form of timer. While the bomb certainly was not planted by the Autobots, it seems Shockwave had one planted in there, and so got to the same 'bluff' that blurr has gone for only sooner. And while also making a cover story to blame the Autobots for it.

"I will still permit your withdrawal unharmed Autobot. But this offer will not remain in place for much longer." < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 10:48PM CST > Tankor takes the time afforded by Blurr's speech to get back up, standing now that the firefight has ended. That shoulder still smarts, but it feels good seeing him - oh and the other one too - cornered. As he rises, he listens: Revenge, yep. Righteous retribution, yep. None of this sounds bad to Tankor, maybe Blurr could do commercials for the Decepticons sometime. He's worried when Blurr finally threatens to destroy the coolant controls, but hearing Shockwave's cool handling of the situation eases him. Somewhat, anyway; he still backs away, blaster in hand, from the control room in case of an explosion. --< Razorclaw Posed on Jan 24 10:52PM CST >--- While this was not Razorclaw's preferred method of operation, he could not object to how effective Shockwave's strategy had been. Shockwave and Tankor confronting the Autobot sabotures in the command center. The Predacon had lagged behind, instead 'saving' workers (that may or may not be plants) from the gumbie forces to keep the positive propeganda wagon rolling.

The later, while unorthadox for him, did serve Razorclaw's own purposes. It painted beast moders like the Predacons in a positive light to the public, when they had been part of the downtrodded and outcast sects under the Functionist governments that had made them out as no more than the animals their altmodes resembled.

In the end, an acceptable outcome to his own angles on the affairs. And less hinged on what happens upstairs, since his showing as a protector was a seperate instance. There was no need to farther complicate matters in the command center so Razorclaw continued prowling around the lower floors, looking for any other Autobot stragglers needing to be delt with. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 10:53PM CST >--- Sky Lynx sighs as he listens to the radios. One last good check of his systems is all he needs to really convince himself that it can indeed be done...and he folds his wings, rolling into a dive that has him crashing straight through the ceiling of the factory and through anything else in his way to get to the beacon showing where Blurr's at. Oh...there's a few more nice dents. With a groan of protesting servos and hydraulics, he straightens up and instantly opens the crew-door. As he does so, he lets out a pretty fine roar, just to intimidate anyone who might try to interferre with things as a banner showing 'Days without accidents' floats down in front of him in proper dramatic fashion. <> < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 10:57PM CST >- As Sky Lynx makes his very dramatic entrance, Arcee begins laying down cover-fire for Blurr so he can make a break for the sparks. She's pretty sure that Sky Lynx isn't going to want her to try and pace the racer, as she would almost definitely slow them down. One of her shots nearly zaps Tankor in the helm. "Did you mechs think we were bluffing? Did you?? HA!" < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 11:03PM CST >- Slag it! Blurr curses when Shockwave has already out-maneuvered him. If he had a bomb planted in here already, chances are he's already set up failsafes to prevent the factory from going haywire when the controls are destroyed.

<< Arcee, cover me! Lynx, get ready! >> As Sky Lynx comes crashing in, the speedster does what he does best--he thinks fast. He dives at the flashing light, grabbing the bomb and attempting to rush past the Decepticons and down the corridor toward the walkway he'd used to get there. If successful, he leaps off of it, zipping from platform to belt to platform, until he reaches the floor where the cryo-chambers are. Once there, he throws the bomb at the doors, intending to use it to blast his way inside quickly. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 11:06PM CST >--- The big ugly Autobot bird is pretty much a cannon magnet. Yet the one cannon (or former cannon) in the room pretty much ignores him, and turns as Blurr heads for the sparks. He then does two things.

First he radios Blurr stating ominously, <> Would Shockwave be that cold to destroy the sparks rather than let the Autobots have them? Does Blurr have the knowledge to spot any if they ever were there.

The second action he takes is to remark, to nobody in particular, "Blast Off always finds it curiously difficult to hit you, the failing is he makes the error of shooting where you are rather than where you will be." And then promptly uses a very VERY fine cannon blast to shoot the points he predicts where Blurr will be running too. He also first a single blast of an odd energy at the door, striking the bomb right as Blurr tosses it, the bomb nicely deactivates (what an amazing save, and probably on camera too). < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 11:12PM CST > Good thing he backed up already, as Tankor watches Sky Lynx crash through the ceiling of the facility with a roar. He gets behind a column and starts shooting without much though about it; that thing is a nice big target for sure. Arcee's shot whizzes right in front of his face, almost blinding him. He shifts to the other side of the column for better cover, but then sees Blurr zipping away, and now he's out of position, so by the time he brings his blaster back around the column, the racer is well past him. He shakes his head in frustration and resumes shooting at the remaining Autobots. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 11:18PM CST >--- Sky Lynx growls and positions himself to take the brunt of the blasts coming in, going so far as to interject himself between Blurr and Shockwave before unleashing a gout of flame towards the Decepticons. "Arcee, take cover behind me and assist Blurr when he returns." He turns to continue glowering at Shockwave and his cohorts, almost daring them to try and push their luck against his position. <> He charges up his flamethrowers again in anticipation of resistance. < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 11:21PM CST >- "Understood, Commander!" Arcee takes cover behind part of Sky Lynx's...bulk, and begins peeking out to take pot-shots at Tankor so he doesn't become a hazard to Blurr. Failure at THIS point is not an option. She knows Sky Lynx has Shockwave more-than-covered at this point. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 11:27PM CST >- << Do it, I dare you. >> Blurr shoots back at Shockwave's tightbeam, even as he jumps and twists back and forth to dodge Shockwave's shots as best he can. One of them nails him in the side, causing him to stumble momentarily but not stopping him altogether. << Wouldn't think it below someone like you. >>

He smirks when the detonator is deactivated. But a bomb is a bomb, full of explosives whether there is some kind of built-in detonator or not. Drawing his weapons he fires upon it, causing it to ignite and blast the doors apart.

Unfortunately though, some of the hot debris from the blast strikes a coolant chamber in the back, causing it to leak severely, the toxic chemicals spilling onto the floor. But, as impulsive as he is, Blurr rushes in anyway. Yes, he is aware that Shockwave may well have planted a bomb in here, too. So he grabs as many cases as he can and hopes for the best. If he gets blown up--well, at least he forced them to destroy their own. And at least he was the one trying to save them and not the one with his finger on the detonator. --< Shockwave Posed on Jan 24 11:34PM CST >--- As Blurr zips into the cryo chamber Shockwave confirms all civilians are out of the factory, he then radios on the Decepticon channel, <>

And with that he transforms, taking to the air faster than you can say 'Holy Primus that's fast.'

And sure enough, there's bombs in the Cryo chamber, quite a few bombs (some of the cases may even be bombs, hopefully Blurr was lucky and didn't pick those ones up). And they all go boom, a bubble of heat, flame, and debris expanding out from the cryo chamber and through the factory, a shockwave preceding it (no pun intended).

Shockwave proceeds to fly up into the towering buildings of Vos. < Tankor Posed on Jan 24 11:39PM CST > Flamethrower, Tankor thinks as Sky Lynx begins breathing fire. Why didn't I think of that first? But does he get his own out? How does that work, flamethrower versus flamethrower? Sky Lynx is probably kind of fireproof ... and then Shockwave's announcement sounds out, and the scientist transforms. Holy Primus, that's fast. Without missing a beat, Tankor jumps out from behind the column and converts to his own flight mode, rocketing out of the hole Sky Lynx made and getting his share of scorch marks and blaster shots for the trouble. But, he's clear. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 11:45PM CST >--- Sky Lynx doesn't mind the flamethrowers tossed back his way. He just turns heat-shielding towards them and growls. As Shockwave turns to leave and sounds a rather...healthy retreat, he turns to look back the way Blurr went, opening up his comms. <<Blurr, are you there? We need to get out of here. Sensors are reporting multiple detonations throughout the building. It very well may come down on us if we don't move with a sense of urgency and haste.>> < Arcee Posed on Jan 24 11:49PM CST >- Arcee watches as the Decepticons depart, and the remaining Autobots discover they're in a difficult situation. She's torn between simply boarding Sky Lynx now, or going in after Blurr. Only... "In this place, in this condition...I honestly don't think I could reach him in time," she admits sadly. She has moderate injuries, and isn't even remotely as fast as Blurr is. And this place is already about to explode.

Reluctantly, she boards. < Blurr Posed on Jan 24 11:50PM CST >- Shockwave may have been lying about the bombs actually being in there, but Blurr was fairly certain if they -were-, he wasn't bluffing about actually setting them off. Which he does, right as the speedster was headed out of the doorway. As soon as he hears the detonation, wraps his arms tightly around the cases he did manage to grab, and throws himself onto the floor as far away from the blast as he can and behind a bank of old holding cells used for housing new bodies while the sparks were being thawed.

Indeed, multiple explosions go off, the entire factory turning into a blazing inferno. Walls and machinery come crashing down all around. << Go, just go!! >> Is the only response Sky Lynx gets before the commlink goes dead. ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 24 11:58PM CST >--- Sky Lynx waits for Arcee to board and lets out a growl. His engines spin up, and he starts to charge towards where Blurr had gone. Structure be slagged. He's got an Autobot down, and sparks in danger, and he's not about to let anything just get away. <<Arcee, you'd best be ready to pull whomever we find into the cargo hold.>> This said just as there's a rather loud clank of something striking his back and drawing another soft growl. Upon charging into the chamber, he just strikes a pose, mainly to offer a pose...but also to shield the floor from falling debris. "Come now, Blurr, snap to. Last I saw, you do not give the orders when I am on scene...." Oh, he's going to hurt in the morning for this one. < Arcee Posed on Jan 25 12:02AM CST >- Arcee hangs on as Sky Lynx charges to the rescue, and she remains near the cargo doors, keeping her good hand ready to grab ahold of Blurr. "I'm ready to get him." Hopefully, he's still in one piece, she thinks. < Blurr Posed on Jan 25 12:03AM CST >- Blurr is in no shape to board himself, but when Sky Lynx dips low even as the facility collapses around them, they might spot a small glimpse of blue among the rubble... ---< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 25 12:07AM CST >--- Sky Lynx holds his own as best he can, giving Arcee time to do the rescue as he simply takes on the brunt of debris and other such things falling around him. <<You've got precisely to the count of five, and then I need to get out of here, Arcee.>> He lets out another soft groan and slumps slightly, already spinning up engines and scouting out his escape route. < Arcee Posed on Jan 25 12:11AM CST >- Arcee hustles out of the cargo bay, not needing any further encouragement, and she heads rapidly for the blue glint. She has a few choice Cybertronian curses as she hauls the lithe form of the speedster out and flops him over her shoulder. Then, she hustles back through the armageddon toward Sky Lynx's cargo bay. "Got him..."

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