| Portal Tech Recovery 2 | |
|---|---|
| Date of Scene: | 01 September 2018 |
| Location: | Kalis |
| Synopsis: | Another portal facility has finally shut down, this time in the undergrid. |
| Cast of Characters: | Blast Off, Shockwave, Deadlock, Swivel, Hot Rod, Grotusque, Healthpoint |
- Deadlock has posed:
Deep in the bowels of the Torus States region, near Kalis, yet another one of those infamous wormholes has finally worn itself out and shut down quietly enough, leaving the area at least somewhat safe to approach without risk of getting sucked into the distant Crucible for a fiery death.
Additionally, every bit of energon it has managed to siphon from the other world remains unclaimed within the on-site warehouse, just waiting for someone to snatch it up. All across Cybertron, more and more of these portals are closing up on their own, with the warring factions scrambling to seize them before the other can take possession. Even as the planet itself begins the cool slowly, the fighting only seems to pick up with a renewed fury.
- Shockwave has posed:
Much like earlier, Shockwave remains in the facility. By now, he had anticipated having troops, equipment and all of the logistics worked out to move the portal equipment out along with the stored energon.
That did not go as planned.
Explosions rocked the area earlier, and though Shockwave did not know where or how, he had his suspicions. He has disassembled what he could with the help of his two drones, as the Seekers guards would be of little use. He also suspects that the Autobots would probably be here soon. It was, after all, terribly unlikely that the explosions that took out his reinforcements were a coincidence, or that the Autobots did not notice this factory go cold. In light of this now precarious situation, Shockwave has installed a tracking device into one of the portal components. It is small, simple and well hidden, but there is no guarantee that the Autobot technicians would not discover it. Still, should he find their position overrun, the data could prove useful while the transmitter still functions.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off is just glad HE is not the one who "discovered" the source of those explosions. Those would have really ruined his day. As it is, he's here doing whatever Shockwave has ordered, likely getting ready to fly out a haul of resources before the Autobots can get their grubby hands on them!
- Swivel has posed:
The one drawback to successfully completing missions is one might get sent on further even more dangerous ones. Alas. Swivel is sent right back to the place she'd scouted earler and thanked her lucky stars didn't end in an engagement. She doesn't expect to be so lucky this time.
Swivel leads the group she is with through an alternate route from the one Nightlash had rigged, just to be safe. Indications that the explosions went off meant that their plan was a success. A success. And yet Swivel was unsure how she felt about that. She's no at all feeling proud of going above and beyond a simple recon. As she battles with these mixed feelings, she's kept quiet beyond important communications and directions to get the job done.
- Grotusque has posed:
As a gargoyle of low social standing and high moral flexibility, Grotusque has been his usual care-free self. "I'm just saying that we can entirely scuttle any chance of enenmy success here. It's asset denial! That's Tactics 201 there." He has been talking /endlessly/. His wings flap erratically as he follows along, mostly not following proper noise discipline. "..and the best part is, its all perfectly legal, because there was a typo in the court case that was banning Vaporators from conflict as 'unstandardized weapons of war'!" He chuckles to himself as he follows. "That means we win via court loophole, and that's the best kind of loophole.!"
- Hot Rod has posed:
Well, in all honesty Swivel and Grot may have been surprised to see that Hot Rod had been delegated to their team. Hadn't the guy supposedly deserted? Anyway, they might have heard from Prime that he was planning on tagging along. But whether or not he was actually going to show may have been in the lower percentiles.
Regardless, the former Nyonian rebel does show up - albeit late. Very late. He should have deployed with them from the Iacon base, but that didn't happen - instead, he's now suddenly appeared behind Grotusque while he babbles. He sneaks under him, and pokes his underbelly playfully. "Hey dude~ Did you hear that I'm back?" He doesn't greet Swivel, not yet, anyway.
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock had been on his way to the site when he nearly got blown to shreds by one of Nightlash's mines. He definitely wasn't happy about that. How did they not see that one coming. More specifically, how did -Shockwave- not see that one coming? Pff. He's working on carefully disassembling some of that portal tech to get it onto a freighter so that it can be reclaimed for the Decepticon cause. "Hmph," he mutters. "We could've been out of here already, if someone had warned us about the mines. Bet it was just to delay us so that they could get here before we got everything squared away, and it probably -worked-." he grumbles.
- Shockwave has posed:
"That is correct, Deadlock," replies Shockwave blandly, looking at all the remains to be retrieved, "And if they are on their way here, as I anticipate, we will be required to stand our ground. We no longer possess the logistical capability of moving this equipment before we are interrupted." Turning away from Deadlock, already done speaking, he opens radio communications to Blast Off, who he trusts significantly more to keep watch than the two Seekers who were helping before. He sent THEM to survey the damage and retrieve anything still useful.
That they have not returned is heartening.
<<Blast Off, alert us immediately if any Autobots are spotted moving in this direction. Be specific with their identities.>>
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off stops near the top of a rock ledge overlooking one of the ways out and listens. "<< Understood, Commander. And...er, yes, I will let you know. >>" He frowns to himself under the faceplate he usually wears, not enjoying being down here underground to begin with. He's a shuttle- he's made to FLY, not wallow down in the dirt, and fights with Autobots can lead to cave ins and being BOXED in and other unpleasant memories and.... better to not think about this anymore. He makes his way up to an even higher spit, keeping watch on the area.
It takes far less long than he thought to see... actually, HEAR, Autobots coming, and the voice he hears most sends a jolt of ...frag, that's fear through his struts. His voice is a bit tense as he radios back, "<< Shockwave... they're coming. Like- NOW. I haven't seen all of them yet but I detect movement and.... I recognize G..Grotusque. Possibly Hot Rod, too. There's someone else I think, but I haven't gotten a good look yet....>>"
- Swivel has posed:
Swivel hadn't actually expected Hot Rod to make an appearance. She'd just been sifting through Grotusques interesting stories and theories and things that went a little over her head at times. She occasionally considered gently reminding the Monsterbot that the element of surprise would be best achieved if they were silent, but she's far too intimidated by Gortusque to do so. Instead Swivel quietly resents the lack of proper leadership accompanying them.
When Hot Rod makes himself she's not overly surprised. As much affection Swivel might have for the rebel, she doesn't always take him at face value. She's seen enough of his bluster and posturing. She's about to say something when Hot Rod already can't keep his hands to himself. Swivel doesn't even have the authority to call either of them down if a fight errupts. And they will certainly give away their location. <<"NOT NOW!">> Swivel hisses over the radio, reflexively moving to wedge herself into a small crevice for cover. Sorry guys. Habitual coward here.
- Grotusque has posed:
As Hot Rod decides to surprise the Monsterbot...well, hindsight might make an appearance here. The Monsterbot gets poked from below as he just goes on about war crimes, technicalities, and the like. "...and that's why I was acquitted of all ch.." The moment Hot Rod pokes at him, the Monsterbot's mood shifted. He just drops down and BITES right at Hot Rod, right on the shoulder. It was just enough to scratch the paint before he recognized what he was dealing with. "Humma....sahhree yah rahhllla shada saak haaap ah mah laah tha." He speaks with Hot Rod's shoulder in his mouth, his tusks scraping on the Nyonian's frame. "Thas jhas bah paannahh rah thaaahhh." He tilts his head a little, to look at Hot Rod, "Ah sappah ah sha lahhh gahhh nah?"
- Healthpoint has posed:
Healthpoint had fallen behind as she worked through the underground passage. It wasn't that she couldn't fit so much as that she was a flyer and being underground made her a bit nervous. She was sure that each doorway, tunnel, or even hole in the walls would contain something nasty and had spent much of her time making sure each one was clear before following after the others.
She is almost as surprised as Grotusque when Hot Rod pops up and pokes the gargoyle mech. "Primus, Hot Rod!" she hisses, trying to keep her voice down. "How did you get past me without me seeing?! I didn't go down any side tunnels!" When she realizes Grotusque hasn't released Hot Rod she rolls her eyes and taps him. "You can let go now. And please, both of you keep quiet. The Decepticons are going to hear us!"
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod yelps loudly when Grotusque suddenly just.. bites him. Thankfully, the monsterbot doesn't really cuz any damage. Sadly, they're making a lot of noise, contrary to what Healthpoint and Swivel were hoping for.
The former Nyonian rebel chuckles and grabs onto the monsterbot's tusks, dislodging himself from his mouth. "Hey!" He says to Healthpoint. "Long time no see, huh?" He grins. Then he transforms and starts racing down the tunnel, having decided that the cons probably already know they're here.
- Deadlock has posed:
It isn't long before Blast Off isn't the only one who hears the commotion. "Primus, can they be any louder? Not that I'm complaining." Deadlock smirks and draws his weapons, eager for a fight as opposed to boring Operations work. He transforms and drives outside onto a balcony in front of the facility, spotting whoever happens to come charging in first, and that happens to be Hot Rod.
Oddly enough, as the Nyonian approaches, Deadlock appears to hesitate, frowning at something. Was there...something oddly familiar about that mech?
- Shockwave has posed:
The noise is so loud, in fact, that even SHOCKWAVE hears it. This isn't Soundwave in here, folks. Shockwave turns sharply as Deadlock races off, his optic glowing faintly. So, they have come already. He does not leave the building, however, preferring instead to remain inside for now. After all, if some of the Autobots break off and enter the building, then simply leaving the prize unguarded was foolhardy at best.
He transmits: <<One of the beasts, the ego-ridden cavalier, and an unidentified party. Acknowledged, Blast Off. I will guard the disassembled portal. Destroy them if necessary.>> He pauses, adds, <<Capture if practical. I would know what they're up to.>> Raising his arm, Shockwave directs power into his weapon arm and waits.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off finds, to his consternation, that merely *hearing* Grotusque's voice is enough to send shivers down his struts and a deep, flipping upset to his fuel tank. The shuttleformer glances around for the nearest escape routes and high points... just in case. NOT THAT HE'S AFRAID or ANYTHING. Just... Grotusque is the last person he wants to see in a cramped place like this. Too cramped to fly safely, except maybe in an emergency. He takes another step back, his ionic blaster already up and ready. Yes, he hears Grotusque and Hot Rod but...ah! That third person must be the medic, whats-her-name... Healthpoint! Funny, they looked smaller, almost... familiar but...whew, thankfully he *does not* see Swivel. "<< I see the medic, Healthpoint, too... she must be the third one. Acjnowledged, Sir. I'll... see what I can do. >>", he informs Shockwave. Right, CAPTURE Grotusque. Suuuure he will. Maybe Hot Rod or Healthpoint but...
The Combaticon's aim points straight to the heart of his concerns... Grotusque. He's got no beef with either Hot Rod or Healthpoint... but the Monsterbot? Very much so. Much beef. This will perhaps put a ding in the Monsterbot's appetite, he hopes. "Eat THIS," the sniper mutters from his high point as he pulls the trigger, foot edging, even then, back and away, ready to run.
- Swivel has posed:
As Hot Rod rushes forward, despite many protests, Swivel isn't really in a position to stop him. Swivel remains wedged in her hiding spot, but begins to push and squish her way to a well concealed yet better vantage point of the noe inevitable battle. Perhaps if she can get inside there while everyone is focused on the fight... but for now she just observes. Swivel does note Deadlock's hesitation, and of course... Blast Off. He's hard to miss. Frag. THat just further inclines Swivel to remain hidden and watch and wait.
- Grotusque has posed:
Grotusque had followed in Hot Rod's wake, eventually. A big, stupid grin on his face as Hot Rod drew aggro. "Its great, he'll find all the traps for us! Gyahahaha!" His wings flap off-rhythm, causing Grotusque to shift his position erratically as he approaches. His eyes flash as he looks around, "Yeah...there we go. We got partisans and rebels before us. Time to make another visit to the junk heap." Grotusque hits his team's channels, <<Huh, that Shockwave's back in action. Too bad DeeCee isn't here to eat him again, ah well. We'll have to play it smart, and by the num...NAHHHH I'm just playin! TRY NOT TO DIE!>> Grotusque slams to the ground as Blast OFf shoots him in the kibble. His armor shifts, pulling away to reveal the Autobot beneath, and Grotusque is already bringing up the hoses. "I spy with my optics...a couple of Cons at a tactical disadvantage! SUCK GAS, Flying Guy!"
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod screeches to a stop then transforms once Deadlock is within viewing range. His optics widen, and then he blinks, saying nothing. Then his shoulders sag, and he gives the Decepticon a tired look, rubbing his Autobot badge uncomfortably. "Sorry, kid..." he says. A pause. "I mean, like maybe now isn't a good time to talk? Wanna grab a drink at M-- " And then Blast Off shoots Grotusque!
"Dammit!" He turns and looks over at Deadlock. "Look, I really need you to let me pass.."
- Healthpoint has posed:
"It hasn't been that long." Healthpoint says, seeming a bit confused by Hot Rod. Even moreso when he suddenly rushes off. "Hot Rod!!" she exclaims urgently, then vents heavily and follows after at a run with her own weapons deployed. When Grotusque is hit she quickly takes aim and fires off one of her syringes at Blast Off. "You should withdraw, Blast Off! The reports say that last time you faced Grotusque it didn't end well for you!"
The medic doesn't bother to take cover again. Her stark, polished white plating is sure to stand out even in a cave.
- Deadlock has posed:
The hesitation doesn't last long on Deadlock's part. He resumes glaring at Hot Rod when the young mech tries to convince him to just...step aside, his optics narrowing a bit. "I remember -you-. Heh, who would've guessed you'd go on to destroy your own home just to spite the Primal lineage. Ironic that you're serving under one now. Still, you would've made a good soldier--too bad you chose the wrong side."
Without further ado, he levels a gun at Hot Rod and fires right at the mech's head in an attempt to take him out quickly.
- Shockwave has posed:
Hearing the commotion outside, Shockwave looks back at the disassembled portal. He could remain here, but ultimately concludes that is is useless to do so. If the Autobots drive them off, he will be able to track their prize, to a point. If they drive the Autobots off instead, then the resources will be theirs. Either way, remaining here accomplishes neither of those goals. His optic flares and he points at his drones. "Guard this with your lives," he states. They salute, as compliant as they are programmed to be. He marches out of the facility.
Once outside, he scans over the growing battlefield, spotting the beast and the medic attacking Blast Off with relative ease. Mathematically, the odds are certainly stacked against Blast Off. He will even them. His arm cannon rises. He fires, purple lasers lancing toward the Hungry Caterpillar.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off's fuel tank flips yet again as Grotusque just turns and eyes him, then transforms and shoots... what, some gas at him? The Combaticon backs away, but the gas envelops him before he can get away. He quickly discovers he regrets this development as the gas corrodes within. His systems start screeching at him about lower energon levels... "What?" Blast Off huffs and stumbles back, "Arrgh!"...Frag, it's painful, more painful than he'd have guessed. His blaster comes up to take a shot, but then Healthpoint is shooting at him, too. With another, sharper *huff* he springs back, determined NOT to get hit this time, and he evades the syringe. Her remark stings... frag, what, were they GLOATING about it afterwards? Pride hurts even more than his fuel lines do, and he grimaces as he brings his weapon back up, aimed at the Monsterbot. He's a Combaticon, this fear is unbecoming. ...Still, he continues stepping back, trying to keep distance between him and his foe- and stay above him. "I'm not going anywhere. YOU'RE the ones trespassing, and my job is make you LEAVE! Now take your ill-mannered /curr/ and begone before I-I drop an *orbital strike* on you... I'd like to see you try to eat *that*, you guttersnipe!!" With that, he fires another blast at Grotusque, trying to cripple a leg and slow him down, even as Shockwave comes out and joins the fight.
- Swivel has posed:
Swivel winces somewhat as the fighting begins. Swivel observes Hot Rod and Deadlock a moment longer, then her attention snaps to the fight brewing between Grotusque and Blast Off. That's... not going to be a pretty sight. Which is why Swivel quickly looks away, back at the facility. Ah! And Shockwave has emerged. But there'll surely be more defenses inside. And if she gets in, but the Autobots lose the fight, she'll be a sitting duck. Perhaps she ought to just storm out. But... that's not her style. Swivel begins to move from her current place of cover to the next, trying to keep low and hidden even as she gets closer to the facility.
- Grotusque has posed:
Grotusque had eyed Shockwave, noting the high value target. Blast Off was still prattling on. Honestly, Grotusque could've finished him off right during that one big huff...or the next one. Shockwave drills him, as Grotusque brazenly moves forward. The mech grins, "Heh...I deserved that one." Blast Off fires at him as well, what was he babbling about now? The shot catches him in the leg, and the grin widened "I deserved that one too!"
And then that body forms back around him, turning him back into that toothy monster, "But the best part is...that I deserve THIS TOO!" He takes to the sky, and just charges towards Shockwave, a snarling, gutteral noise, his tusks gleaming...
- Hot Rod has posed:
Surprisingly, Deadlock mentioning the N word doesn't trigger Hot Rod. Well, that's a first.
The young flameo shakes his helm, his optics dimming a little. "Optimus isn't like that," he says quietly.
But he barely has time to dodge when Deadlock opens fire on him. The shot grazes him, singeing the side of his helm. "Dammit! I'm not going to fight you," Hot Rod says. "I don't care if you think of me as the enemy. I'm still gonna look out for you." He transforms, and revving his engine, swerves wide, giving Deadlock a wide berth, heading towards the disassembled portal. "<Healthpoint>" he tight beams, "<can you take care of this guy? Get him with your needles, but don't hit him too hard. Just ... paralyze him for a few breems>"
- Healthpoint has posed:
Healthpoint is already firing on Shockwave when she hears Hot Rod's request. The syringe launcher fires one of its large needle-tipped prjectiles toward the purple scientist before she can retarget. <<"Copy!">> she replies over the radio to Hot Rod, but doesn't make her way toward him. She could be called to any of the other targets after all. <<"This mixture is unpredictable, though!">> she says as she takes aim at Shockwave, loading another syringe.
- Deadlock has posed:
"Oh, and how do you know that, -Hot Rod-?" Deadlock sneers. "Isn't that what they all said? Isn't that what Zeta promised? Seriously, you bots are -so- naive! I just don't get how such a massive group of people could possibly fall for this same old posturing all over again!"
Then Hot Rod tries to make a run for it and get inside. "Oh no you don't!" he shouts, transforming himself to attempt to cut him off and knock him toward the edge of the balcony. "You won't fight me, huh? Well then die a coward."
- Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave strikes the brute. Excellent. He increases the charge on his cannon, preparing to fire again, when he's rushed by the highly uncivilized beast that makes with the biting and the chomping and the oooooow. The purple cyclops turns away, his shoulder getting bit at, the armor cracking.
"I am uninterested in your delusions, savage," Shockwave drones, his free hand curling into a fist. He begins to bring it up, to try and sock Grot in the face, but then he takes a syringe to the knee. He staggers momentarily, his optical connections flickering out and the light dimming. He has been blinded! Accursed Autobot!
But Grotusque is RIGHT THERE, CHEWING ON HIM, so hopefully that sudden lack of sight will make little difference. His fist swings.
- Blast Off has posed:
Oh thank Primus, Grotusque is focused on Shockwave now. Blast Off breathes a sigh of relief. What a good Boss. However, while Shockwave has so selflessly kept the Monsterbot occupied, Healthpoint over there is still shooting those slagging syringes at everyone, even at Shockwave. Well, one good turn deserves another. "I think it's time for you to stop shooting and start *running*," he growls at Healthpoint while firing off a shot at the arm she holds the syringes with. "You Autobots have NO manners!"
- Grotusque has posed:
Shockwave belts Grotusque a good one. The Red Right Hand has a lot of power in him, and the strike nearly broke Grotusque's jaw, but Grotusque still had ahold of the mech. His optics actually flash off for a moment, as he reels. Grotusque is covered in Energon. Given how much he's been shot at, its probably at least half his, and yet the Monsterbot's zeal is hard to overcome. "Gyahahaha!" He cackles, pieces of Shockwave in his mouth still, "You've got a ruptured line there, Shockmaster! I see you're down a hand, so I'm going to do you a favor!" His mouth opens up wider, and even wider past what he should be capable of as sparking fire lights up his throat, "I'll cauterize the wound in no time!"
Grotusque convulses forward, actually vomiting up a powerful, heavy ball of plasma fire onto Shockwave at point blank range.
- Swivel has posed:
Continues to observe the battle. This time closer. But she continues to keep to her cover as much as possible. Hot Rod's behaviour perplexes her somewhat. There's... definitely a story there. But now isn't the time. Grotusque and Healthpoint seem to have Shockwave distracted, and Hot Rod's efforts to get inside are stymied by Deadlock. Should she try and disable Deadlock? Swivel was just about to consider this when BLast Off fires on Healthpoint. Which... is probably strategically sound. But medics are what gets her fixed! Helping Hot Rod is abandoned in favour of assisting the medic... even if it means doing something she'd rather not.
Swivel stands up from her cover and turns to Blast Off. OH LOOK! BLAST OFF'S FAVOURITE AUTOBOT! Swivel doesn't waste much time raising a laser rifle - and lowering the setting before trying to aim for Blast Off's optics - which won't be easy since she's not a crackshot like him. Alas, it's not damage she's after. Just leveling the field a bit. Because snipers got to see, right? ...She's going to pay for this whether it succeeds of fails.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Deadlock's powersliding knocks Hot Rod way off course, so much so that he has to transform and grab onto the edge of the balcony. He clings to it, blue optics wide. "Slag..." he mutters. "I don't care!" Hot Rod yells at Deadlock. "I promised myself that I'd do my damn best to make sure you never came to harm." A pause. "C'mon. You /know/ me. You know how stubborn I am. I don't ever back down, or break my promises."
But then Healthpoint takes a critical hit. "<Grot, keep Blast Off the hell away from Healthpoint. Help Swivel out. I'll take care of Shockwave!>" He swings an arm up and takes aim at the one opticked Decepticon!
- Healthpoint has posed:
Healthpoint is aiming her shot when...her forearm explodes! "Gaaaaah!!" She stumbles back, cradling that arm with her other. The arm is still attached, but the launcher is destroyed and her hand barely works, nearly all the plating blasted off and much of the internal workings fragged. A bit of energon leaks from the wound. "Guh..." She has to take cover for a moment to try and recover from that hit. But, she isn't going to leave Hot Rod hanging. She raises her good arm and deploys its syringe launcher, then aims at Deadlock again.
Until she realizes how bad off Grotusque seems after those hits from Shockwave. <<"Sorry Hot Rod!">> she radios, then rushes out of cover to try and get to Grotusque, not seeming to consider her own safety. <<"Hold on, Grotusque!">>
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock transforms as Hot Rod manages to grab the edge of the balcony, and STILL refuses to fight him. This...perplexes and infuriates him. He's never met an Autobot who refused to attack him. "Listen, I don't need your sympathy, and I -don't- need your -protection-!" he growls.
When Hot Rod attempts to fire at Shockwave, he raises an arm and quickly knocks his hand aside, causing the shot to go astray. "I don't know why you pitied me--I deserved the life I had because I didn't know how to rise above it. But whatever your reasoning was, I'm different now. If you somehow think holding back is going to make me do the same, you're sadly mistaken." He attempts to grab the Autobot and push him over the edge.
- Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave is set on fire. It's hot hot hot. Also, hey look, Deadlock knocked a shot meant for him off course! Whaddaguy!
Not that Shockwave notices. He's too busy being on fire. Fortunately, he is able to utilize the sudden energy from all the heat to force his optical systems back online. His optic flickers violently and then flares to life, just in time for Shockwave to witness Healthpoint run up and perform repairs on the beast. He bats at the fire while thrusting his cannon arm out, training it on the medic.
"You should not have interfered," Shockwave drones, opening fire.
- Blast Off has posed:
Things do not look good for Shockwave at the moment, and Blast Off winces as Grotusque tears into the bot- then burns him. He'd better help his Commander. He KNOWS what that feels like, he knows what those syringes of Healthpoint's feel like, and coupled with everything else going on here he's extremely displeased with the whole situation. And nervous, and boxed in, and.... wait, who is that.... SWIVEL? Blast Off just stares as the small femme pops up. Fraaag. It WAS her! He does not want to fight her, not after....
FLASH. Swivel FLASHES HIM, HOW DARE. "Gahhh!" The shuttleformer was staring, dumbfounded, at his old friend, so he gets hit full on with the blast of light, while still feeling the effects of Grotusque's gas earlier, still corroding at his fuel lines. He feels- sick and dizzy. Stumbling back, the Combaticon's armor plates rise and ruffle and he flings his hands around, weapon swinging with them, mostly just desperate that nothing pounces on him while he can't see. "You!!" His voice hisses at Swivel, sharp and outraged.
- Healthpoint has posed:
Healthpoint finishes her quick repairs on Grotusque...and looks up to see a HUGE cannon pointed right at her. "..." She can only stare for a moment before taking the blast and being sent flying back, somersaulting through the air. She smashes against a nearby rock before crumbling to the ground. "....nnng..." She slowly gets to at least her knees, a smoking crater in her chest. "Y-you should focus on the more dangerous foes." she says, smirking at Shockwave. She raises her good arm and reveals the second syringe launcher there. "But, that's really up to you." she says before firing.
- Swivel has posed:
And Swivel is already regretting this. She did not like disable Blast Off in the middle of a fight. But she needed at least one of the guns taken out. And sitting by while he fires on Healthpoint was not a favourable option. Swivel cringes inwardly. She's no longer watching what's going on with Deadlock and Hot Rod, and Shockwave seems to be well in hand. Swivel instead focuses on Blast Off. Besides... she just needs to keep him busy until either they win or call a defeat, right? She can take his indignation and anger.
Swivel looks at the ledge Blast Off is on. She hates using her knowledge of the shuttle against him but... while her former mentor is blinded, Swivel changes the setting on her weapon again. Rather than aim at Blast Off, she aims at the ledge just beneath him. He's probably already on edge being underground, and it's too dangerous to fly in here. And blind. Swivel fires, hoping that rumbling beneath his feet, or anywhere, will frighten him further. Maybe he'll withdraw. Or maybe it will at least bring him down to her level.
- Grotusque has posed:
Grotusque is ready for it. Shockwave was bound to retaliate, and retaliate big. He pauses, as Healthpoint lends him a hand, giving him a quick patch up. "Huh?" He looks quizzically at the medic, as if he doesn't know what to say....and then Shockwave shoots HER instead of HIM.
He turns his head back, and his eyes glow red. Normally, Grotusque is just /playing/ when he eviscerates Combaticons. But for some reason, this actually IRKED him. The gargoyle lets out a more powerful growl as he grabs Shockwave in his arms. "LETS DANCE!" He immediately slams himself and Shockwave into a wall, then flaps his wings, scraping Shockwave against the wall. "HEY HOWSABOUT THIS HUH?" Sparks keep flying as he just rakes Shockwave against wall after wall for several seconds, before letting him drop. "NOW...." He drops to the ground as well, "I've worked up an appetite."
- Hot Rod has posed:
"It's not even about that!" Hot Rod insists, "I don't give a damn about whether you think you need it or not. This is about me, keeping my promise, and doing the right thing." Hot Rod does his best to continue clinging to the edge. "You say you're different now, but you aren't! You're the exact same mech I met at the scrapyard, ready to give up on life. And those were the exact words you said to me. You're still afraid of who you think you are deep down, you just don't want to admit it!"
Then Deadlock knocks him over the edge, and he falls down onto a structure below that's obscured from above by lack of light. However, though it's dim down here, Hot Rod can see there's an opposing side to the lower level he's fallen onto. He scrambles towards it, and starts to climb back up - hoping he won't get spotted.
- Deadlock has posed:
"The 'right' thing, huh?" Deadlock laughs derisively. "Do you think your Prime would agree with you on that? He sent you here to fight us, to drive us out. And yet you refuse to obey him because of petty, outdated convictions? You claim to serve the Prime but you won't even folow his orders."
He watches at Hot Rod falls into the shadows, scanning for his location but not quite finding it. Hmph. Deadlock turns away from the ledge and focuses his attention on Grotusque, who is giving Shockwave a hard time. "I have a feeling your own comrades might even appreciate this." he says, firing at the Monsterbot.
- Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave is popular tonight, it seems. Even more popular than Blast Off! How did this happen? Surely, the universe must be breaking down. Shot by Healthpoint, the chemicals injected into his frame weaken his armor. Clearly, he did not hit her hard enough. He contemplates correcting that oversight, choosing to ignore what Healthpoint is actually saying, and then there's the beast again. It picks him up. He drags him into walls and generally tries his level best to ruin Shockwave's day. Surprisingly, Shockwave emerges mostly only scraped up, his heavy armor absorbing much of the monster's rageful mistreatment of his purple form. Then it drops him.
Shockwave's optic flashes. The opportunity that he was waiting for has presented itself. Before hitting the ground, he ignites his boot thrusters and immediately reconfigures.
"How delightful for you," Shockwave says dryly, purple energy gathering at the barrel of his cannon form. He opens fire.
- Blast Off has posed:
Unfortunately for Blast Off, Swivel knows him all too well. The shuttleformer IS indeed already on edge, both literally and figuratively, and when he feels the ground giving way beneath him he nearly squawks with alarm, hands swinging wildly around now, trying to balance, trying to find anything- anything at all- to grab hold of. He finds nothing, and he falls. "Aiiiiigh!"
The Combaticon is fighting panic now. The box, it's closing in, he's going to be buried alive and left for dead.... eternal limbo, like last time... "NO!" He fights with everything he has, though he's STILL feeling weakened from Grotusque's corrosive attack earlier. His sight is still nothing but a ringing halo of white light, but he can FEEL the darkness closing around him. Every instinct is telling him to fly away... no, transforming could bring it all down on him even faster. Ok, shoot wildly, make sure nobody can get near... no, that could bring everything down on him faster too. It's all coming down. Down, down... Blast Off comes tumbling down, falling into the finger of a crevice nearby as small rocks pile on him, some bouncing off into an even deeper chasm below. It's... not unlike their last encounter, only reversed this time. Blinded and scrambling, systems rebooting, he doesn't have a lot to say. Though Swivel might hear him repeat that sharp, disgruntled, muttering, "*You!* How /dare/....When I...when I can SEE again...."
- Grotusque has posed:
Grotusque crashes to the ground. Deadlock's blast caught him in the wing, destabilizing him, but naturally it was the Shoxcannon that caught him dead center. The monsterbot collapses to the ground, leaking all sorts of energon beneath him. He lands flat on the ground, his body shuddering. His limbs twitch as a raspy chuckle rolls out of his vocalizer. His head raises up just a hair as he twitches, his optics unfocused. "H.........h......." He tilts his head and lays back flat on the ground, "Heehhh...hehhh........come..on..theehehehennn"
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod is climbing up onto the other side, without being seen, thankfully. He hears Blast Off fall down though, and he hesitates. "Blast Off? You okay?" He doesn't wait for a response from the shuttle though. Instead, he finishes scaling the cliff face. Then, looking around, he reorients himself, searching for in which direction he should head to get to the portal.
- Healthpoint has posed:
As Shockwave transforms and fires on Grotusque, they might notice that the company medic hasn't quite gone down yet. And she isn't pointing her syringes as Shockwave this time. She makes a fist and the long, sleek, polished blade of a very sharp looking oversized scalpel slides forth from above her hand. She stands up slowly, then breaks into a run right toward the tank. Her wings flare out from their position as her lab coat and aid her as she leaps and somersaults, aiming that gleaming steel for the cannon. If she hits, the actual cut might hardly be noticable by her target despite how deep it might go until circuits stop working or a piece of armo (or hopefully the barrel of a cannon) simply falls off. That's just how sharp she keeps her blades.
- Swivel has posed:
Swivel hates putting Blast Off through terror. But... what else can she do? Swivel watches him tumble and winces at his vague threats - which she does take seriously. Swivel edges closer to the edge of the cliff, about to say something... but... then she spots Hot Rod working his way up. Swivel clams up then looks to Hot Rod. "Yer okay." Pause. "Need me to cover you?" Trying hard not to look where Blast Off fell to make sure he is okay. Then Swivel's optics go over to Grotusque who seems ot be down, and Healthpoint had reported heavy damage, yet keeps fighting. She can't stand around making sure Blast Off will be alright. But She's still keeping Shockwave busy. Swivel's optics turn to Deadlock. Swivel shifts her position. <<"Alroight, on my count, shield yer optics. 3... 2... 1...">>
And on her signal, the chasm is filled with a bright flash of light - followed by the subtle sound of something breaking. Like a light burning out.
- Deadlock has posed:
Hot Rod finds himself having come up behind the facility, and he can probably see the drones Shockwave left behind guarding the payload while some of the manual labor ones are working on loading energon up onto a freighter. He -could- try to destroy the drones and hijack the transport before the Cons could react fast enough, although the vehicle -could- be rigged. Or could just get blown up. Risky move, either way. Or he could just rejoin the fray and hope the Autobots gain the upper hand and manage to capture the facility.
Meanwhile, Deadlock smirks in satisfaction as Grotusque feels flat on his back. But the fight isn't over yet! The medic is going for Shockwave's cannon, and the former addict was about to intercept when Swivel suddenly let loose with some kind of flash grenade or something. "Arghh!" he cries out in frustration as his vision flickers with the unexpected sensory overload. "Glitch, you're just delaying the inevitable!" he snarls and charges in the general direction he thought he'd seen the light come from.
- Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave gets stabbed! Goodness, these Autobots are such vicious brutes this evening! Wait, why does he sound like Blast Off? That isn't right.
Script page flip. Flip. Ah, here we go.
"You delay the inevitable, Autobot," the flying laser cannon rumbles, transforming back into the robotic form of Shockwave. A quick diagnostic readout indicates that the medic has managed to damage his targeting systems. For a moment, there is a flicker of interest. Such battlefield precision. This one, perhaps, may be worth taking note of. No time to ponder that, however, for there is Swivel, hitting everyone with blinding light. Shockwave staggers backward just as he lands on his feet, his optic forced into a reboot cycle once again.
Fascination will have to wait. He cannot continue with such deficiencies and maintain appropriate operation. He swings his arm cannon up, firing approximately where he believes the medic that attacked him last was. With any luck, the weak barrage will strike home.
- Blast Off has posed:
Is Blast Off okay? "NO I AM NOT," The shuttleformer answers Hot Rod rather truthfully with a huff, then.... "Wait, Hot Rod?" He tries to look around, shoving rocks and rubble from his face, but it's still hard to make much out. "What do you...why...?" But the voice is gone, as is any more nearby movement or sound. Blast Off feels solid ground underneath him now and he frantically pushes up and away, getting back to his feet unsteadily. Swaying precariously close to the edge of the cliff but unaware of it, all of his attention is focused on... where is she.... THERE! He... thinks.
Something about fear is after a time, especially after the rush of fear has flooded your life, your circuitry, your entire being, when that wave of sickening fear leaves.... something has to take it's place. After the terror of being confronted with Grotsuque again and then the-the /betrayal/ of Swivel, Blast Off finds he's /angry/. Very angry. He's been telling himself he's a Decepticon, he's a ruthless warrior who isn't going to let silly things like compassion or sentiment keep him always LOSING. He'll make Onslaught-and Shockwave- and all the rest of them- proud and prove he's no longer chained to the past. Not chained... to HER. He can barely see, certainly doesn't notice Deadlock, he only sees her right now, there at the edge above him. (Or he sure hopes that's her, doesn't he?). He pulls the trigger of his gun.
- Grotusque has posed:
Grotusque just lays there for a bit longer. "Heh...." His claws grip the ground, as everyone ignores him. "Wh..what about my coup de grace?" He pulls himself off to the side a little, "Its the only grace I'd ever heh ...heh...have...." He groans as he pulls his arm in closer, pulling his ruined frame across the ground. In the middle of all the gunfire, he just seems a bit beneath notice. "Ah...well..should've expected." His hand grasps against a ledge. The mech vomits up purple black energon, and chokes out another laugh. "I gotta do everything...." He grunts as he pulls himself over the ledge, and into the chasm, "myself!"
- Swivel has posed:
It had been Swivel's hope that she'd actually offer some cover. But... it seems she just brought attention to herself. Swivel takes a step back to brace herself when she sees Deadlock charging at her. It doesn't really do a lot of good as Swivel takes the brunt of the hit, skidding back but still remaining on her feet. Swivel reaches for her trusty whip to retaliate, crackling with energy, she lashes out at Deadlock. Yet just as the whip cracks there is a simultaneous bang as a shot is fired at her from not just behind, but below. THe blast goes straight through her shoulder, leaving a small yet smouldering hole. The peircing pain leaves her somewhat shocked and she tries to steady herself. Her hand goes to the wound as she steps back - only there's no ground where she puts her foot. Next thing Swivel knows she's falling backwards and DOWN INTO THE CHASM! Whoops. Seems everyone is falling left right and center.
- Hot Rod has posed:
It might be a long shot to try, but Hot Rod has never been known to not try anything, really.
He transforms, and instead of trying to fight the drones, just endeavors to drive fast enough while maneuvering to try to avoid them - hoping to make his final destination the transport. Hijacking it might be a risk, but it's one he's willing to take right now.
No one's asking why he's avoiding the melee (which is rather unlike the red and yellow speedster), but Hot Rod prefers it that way. He has his reasons, but he'd rather not explain them.
- Healthpoint has posed:
Healthpoint is starting to wonder if she can take another hit, but Hot Rod is still out there and she can't just leave him behind even if he might not be an Autobot and...apparently is somewhat chummy with Blast Off. <<"Hot Rod, Swivel...I hate to say it but I think we need to get out of here.">> she radios even as she charges toward Shockwave again. The longer that cannon is trained on her the longer her comrades have to complete the mission or escape. "Delaying my defeat to help the team toward victory is a calculated risk!" she exclaims as she thrusts that sword-sized scalpel toward Shockwave's torso.
- Deadlock has posed:
Hot Rod is certainly fast in his alt mode, but there are just too many drones. He probably should have tried stealth, but then again, he isn't exactly built for that. And now, they are shrieking alerts at the Decepticons that an intruder is headed toward the freighter.
Meanwhile, Deadlock's vision returns to normal in time for him to get a large amount of voltage from Swivel's whip coursing through his body. "Ugh!" he grunts as the electricity renders him temporarily immobile. Though he smirks slightly as he watches her get shot by Blast Off and attempt to steady herself only to fall off of the walkway as well. "Hrrgnnn..." He strains to regain control of his motor servos as the drones blare their alarms.
- Shockwave has posed:
<We are under attack!> alert the drones over the radio. Shockwave tilts his head as the news comes across, just in time to take a GIANT SCALPEL to the torso. He stands his ground, despite the energon now leaking from the wound, the damage now beginning to take a heavy toll on his performance. His optic flickers back on, the jolt to his systems forcing the reboot through, butis proximity to this stubborn medic limits his options, so he opts for radio contact:
<<Blast Off, Deadlock - to the portal immediately. I know the arrogant youth was here.>> He looks at Healthpoint.
"Your conclusions are logical. Your strategy sound," Shockwave intones, "But for one variable." He lifts his arm cannon, electromagnetic energy crackling dangerously around the barrel, "You have elected to accept a severe statistical disadvantage. Your actions are flawed." He points and fires.
- Blast Off has posed:
"<< Understood, >> Blast Off acknowledges Shockwave, but right now? He's watching and waiting- and he /knows/ it's her when the shot strikes and Swivel comes tumbling down not far from him. "HA!" The crow of triumph that slips his lips is sharp, savage, .... and short-lived. She falls... and falls and... she is falling all the way this time. Like last time, but with no Blurr to save her. "Wait." He murmurs under his breath, "Get back... you can't... Come back here!" He sounds angry, and maybe he is. How dare she tumble down into the darkness -er, I mean, how dare she escape when Shockwave was so looking forward to meet her, yeah that's it. Instinctively the Combaticon reaches out, grabbing at her form as she tumbles past him... but she's just out of reach, and in his own groggy, half-blinded state, Blast Off doesn't notice how close to the edge HE is. He also doesn't notice how his wings have been torn by the falling rocks. His lunge causes him to stumble- and fall right off the edge after her, into the abyss.
- Hot Rod has posed:
Hot Rod does his best to evade the drones, but in the end, he realizes it's too late to try and hijack the transport. "Dammit," he mutters. He protoforms. "<Healthpoint! That's enough!>" he growls through the comms, "<get the hell out of here. I'll find Swivel and retreat shortly after>"
Then he turns, and opens fire with everything he's got on the transport! If it's blows, well, hopefully Healthpoint is far away enough by then to not get hurt by the explosion.
Then transforms and drives off the edge again, plummeting into the darkness. "<Swivel, you down there? We gotta out of here>"
- Healthpoint has posed:
Once again Healthpoint gets blasted by the Shoxcannon, and again she is sent flying back by the hit. She bounces off a large rock and lands in a heap, smoke rising from her battered form. She groans as she slowly gets back up. The explosion and Hot Rod's message mean the mission is over one way or the other. Swivel seems lost to the abyss, she isn't sure how Hot Rod intends to get out of this, and she really doesn't want to leave them. But, if she doesn't leave then she will in all likelyhood be destroyed and that won't help anyone.
She looks toward the fiery wreckage, then at Shockwave. "It seems they were spot on to me." she says, then makes a break for the exit tunnel. <<"Hot Rod! Swivel! Are you two still operational?! I have to withdraw! But I'll come back as soon as I can with a recovery team!">> she radios before transforming and flying as far as she can in these tunnels.
- Deadlock has posed:
Deadlock curses as the transport goes up in flame. If only he hadn't gotten zapped by that whip, he could have stopped Hot Rod. He finally gets up, shaking a fist at the retreating Autobots. "Ha! You think you've won, you pathetic scrapheaps? We -will- destroy you!" he shouts after them.
"Frag them all," he mutters, and turns to assess the damage to the facility.
- Shockwave has posed:
Shockwave does not reply to Healthpoint. He merely stares at her in silence as she backs off, retreats and transforms. He makes no move to stop her. Indeed, shortly once she is gone, he takes a step and finds himself on one knee before he fully processes what is happening. While he still functions, he is dangerously low on energon, and the damage to his optical systems is teetering on the bring of severe from the constant strain.
<<Secure the portal. Prepare to recover all that we can, before the Autobots try to return,>> Shockwave radios, taking a moment to rest his systems before joining Deadlock to help coordinate.