| Digging Deeper | |
|---|---|
| Date of Scene: | 06 February 2018 |
| Location: | Ruins of Harmonex |
| Synopsis: | Decepticons and Autobots race to get the Power Converter from Coldrun's hidden vault. |
| Cast of Characters: | Blurr, Blast Off, Phantom, Doublecross, 95 |
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
Of the four locations Coldrun's logs had pointed to, right beneath the lab, which was already discovered, seemed a VERY simple matter. After all, with Harmonex in shambles, there was no jurisdiction to violate. Until the VinTech people started petitioning all kinds of ridiculous agencies and minor governmental branches to try and stake a claim to the finding and the area around it. The matter tied up in bureaucracy, it has been deemed unwise to just start digging a hole in the Lab's floor, or even getting people in there to look for some sort of existing access has been difficult without ruffling the feathers of people who take old technology too seriously.
THe Autobots are determined to try anyway. A team of them have been sent to try and get past the guards and look for access to the vault. Presently, within view are the four privately contracted security guards, stationed around the opening to a tunnel excavated by VinTech. The tunnel is a direct route to the lab. The only problem is, the security detail will stop anyone who is not on their list of approved personnel. It is known, however, that these mechs do not carry lethal weapons, but are trained to subdue offenders. Nonetheless, a fight with them is heavily discouraged.
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr and the team are hiding in a half-collapsed building a short distance off. He scans the four guards, determining that they do not carry any lethal weaponry. However, engaging these guys directly in a fight probably wouldn't make command happy. Politics, and all that.
Then he turns to the others. "Doublecross, you distract them and draw them away from the tunnel entrance. I'll slip in and get to the power converter--it'll be gone before they even know it. If I run into any trouble I'll call for backup."
- Doublecross has posed:
Doublecross is here because procurement is his specialty, and this is something big. The handsome Monsterbot scans around with all six optics - the two sky blue ones behind his protective visor, and the two crimson ones in each creepy dragonhand. After studying the guards, Doublecross nods and says in a low voice to Blurr, "OK. Distraction. Got it. What do you think - bribery, or violence? My vote is violence."
- Blurr has posed:
"No, do not engage the guards if you don't have to, we don't need anyone reporting that we attacked VinTech's security detail unprovoked, nor do we need any lost civilian sparks on our servos." Blurr replies, shaking his head.
- Doublecross has posed:
Doublecross scowls, his pretty face twisting into a disgusted frown. "Mortilus, Blurr, you are such a buzzkill. Fine. No killing. We'll do it your way." Doublecross transforms, and starts walking directly towards the building, smoke starting to drift from within both dragon maws. Once he's in clear sight of the guards, he turns and opens both mouths, and starts breathing giant gouts of flame, lighting up the broken street outside.
- Phantom has posed:
For the time being Phantom is watching the guards and the Autobots silently from somewhere unseen nearby, listening to the Autobots bicker. He carefully takes out a single round from his own weapon as quietly as possible, then tosses it towards the guards before phasing through some nearby rubble, disappearing from sight.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off is here, too, the Combaticon sniper watching the others from a more distant viewpoint, somewhere he hopes is hidden in the shadows. He radios to Phantom, "<< Where are you going? >>"
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
Dragons are distracting. Very distracting. Especially when they breathe fire. An amusing string of diverse swears can be heard from the security guards as the ruins of what was once a street are lit up in flames. Unsure whether the menace is sentient or merely a monster, the guards seem to be in disagreement how two respond. One of them yells up at the two-headed fiend "Cease and desister or we'll--" another grabs him by the arm, trying to silence him. They weren't paid to take on two-headed, fire-breathing dragons, after all. This causes an argument between two of the four.
And then something rolls towards one of the third guards, who had been standing back in pure dumbfounded amazement. The movement caught his eye and he turns quickly, bringing out a stun weapon... only to see a small piece of ammo land by his foot. He's about to to kick it away from himself, completely unaware of Phantom presently, when the heat from the flames reaches it, causing it to explode. The guard hops back, accidentally discharging his weapon at the fourth unlucky guard, stunning him. Now there is fire, bickering, and one downed guard - and a ripe opportunity to get past them.
The way is open! The length of the tunnel that leads directly to the lab is not overly long and very secure. It's a breeze to pass through - the problem is after one bend there are two more security guards in front of a door leading into the lab. They are shouting into their radios trying to sort out the problem going on at the tunnel entrance. Between that, mention of the delicate equipemtn - holoscanners - being used in the lab right now is also mentioned. If, indeed, the lab is being scanned for a faithful 3D rendering, entering the lab without being detected will be nigh impossible. HOWEVER, there seem to be narrow paths along the outside of the lab carved out, left and right. But the second batch of guards still need to be got around. Perhaps a way to the vault can be found from either of those directions.
- Doublecross has posed:
Doublecross turns one head, and smoke curls from beneath its teeth as it addresses the 'cease and desist' guard. "Or you'll what?" he growls. "My name is Hun-Grrr, and I mean to burninate these entire ruins! Unless you can convince me to spare your little hovel," he chuckles. The other head continues to belch flames, yet somehow has managed to not catch anything on fire, aside from accidentally blowing up Phantom's shell.
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr takes the opportunity and makes a dash for the opening, easily making his way down near the lab. But then there's more guards. They seem kind of distracted frantically shouting into their comms...maybe he can slip past and go around, to see if he can find an access to the basement. Or at least a layout that will tell him where it is.
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
The two guards are dismayed by Doublecross' threats. And they argue with him vehemently as much as with each other, for one wants to give in and scamper, while the other is putting up a brave face. It makes for an amusing scene for an outside observer. Speaking of outside observers, one with a good vantage point might see the third still standing guard has began to carefully drag his accidentally subdued coworker into the tunnel - coming up the rear of those who already entered during the golden opportunity. That may or may not be a problem for those already in there - it's too early to tell. In the wake of one of the dragged guards, a datapad and a small card seems to have been dropped.
- Phantom has posed:
Scrap, Blurr is heading straight for the tunnel! Looks like he made it in. Phantom curses to himself in his native tongue, but immediately notices the datapad and the small card that has been dropped by the other security guard. While the other two are bickering loudly, he reaches for both items, attempting to subspace both of them while slipping into the tunnel unnoticed...
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off sees Phantom going for the datapad and card, so he decides to follow Blurr down the tunnel. "<< Be sure to get that, Phantom! >>" If you don't, Blast Off will not let you forget it! But speed is of the ssence, and speaking of speed, the Combaticon tries to use some to follow the Autobot speedster down that tunnel unnoticed.
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
With superior speed, Blurr manages to slip by the second checkpoint down the right corridor unnoticed by the guards. Well. He gets passed them unnoticed, but then he hears behind him "Did you just see... something? I think I need to get my optics checked."
"No, I saw it too... think I should go check it out? Checkpoint is heading this way with what's-his-name, new guy."
"Yeah I'll cover this spot until they get here. Wish those techs weren't taking so long to do their thing... and seriously? Fire breathing monsters?"
"Yeesh. Tell me about it." This voice sounds closer and seems to be heading down the route Blurr had taken.
And as for that route, Blurr does end up at the supposed 'back' of the lab. The narrow path carved around it continues onward but there is another path shooting off which has been cordoned off. There is a sign saying "DANGER - UNSTABLE AREA AND STEEP DROP - DO NOT ENTER!". Proceding through here could be, as the sign says DANGEROUS, but a drop sounds like maybe an old elevator shaft. To the vault perhaps? Sticking around here deciding, though, will likely risk discovery from the cautiously approching guard who is still around the corner.
Phantom scoops up the two items with no problem. The problem comes from both him and Blast Off getting noticed by the one guard trying to drag his fellow - who is also starting to come back to functionality by show of a groan and twitching arm - from within the tunnel. Seems he had stopped partway through for a break (the other guard is heavy!) and glanced back towards the opening. Instantly the one guard drops his slowly recovering coworker and getting out his non-lethal weapon and pointing it at both of the Decepticons. "HALT!"
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr continues down the narrow corridor until he reaches the sign. Scrap, that guard is coming so he'd better make a move. So make a move he does. He dashes for the shaft, vaulting over the barriers and signs and allow himself to free fall down to wherever this leads. He probably should have at least tried to scan for the bottom or something, but it hadn't really occurred to him. At any rate, he maneuvers into a proper landing position.
- Phantom has posed:
"Dammit!" Phantom curses angrily, once the security guard notices them. "Blast Off you are always ruining /everything/!" He grumbles angrily and tosses the card and the datapad at the Combaticon rather lackadaisically. Blast Off will have to practice some of his agility to catch it properly, the elusive seeker isn't putting much effort into making sure the shuttle former catches it. "I quit this," he says, transforming and heading away from the tunnel, "it's no use trying to do anything when you are there!"
- Blast Off has posed:
Frag. Blast Off freezes as he's spotted by the guards, but not for long. Only one thing to do now, because he certainly is NOT halting for long or going to surrender. No, time for some *motion* as he swings his ionic blaster up and starts shooting away at the guards. You'll never take him alive, coppers! He shoots and tries to make his way down the tunnel after Blurr. Except, wait, Phantom is tossing the datapad at him. Whoops. He HUFFFs, "They saw YOU TOO, you know!" There's not much time- he's got to try to catch the information and then hightail it away.
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
Sure is getting dark as Blurr falls through the shaft. There is a lesson to be learned about looking before leaping, because Blurr ends up crashing into an uneven surface beneath - the remains of a perhaps an old elevator car now reduced to rubble. And some of that rubble is sharp. VERY sharp. A long, rusty pole with a twisted, sharp had been jutting out at a slant. An angle at which upon Blurr's landing it manages to pierce through part of his thigh armour and up into his hip socket. Oops.
The guard is a little amused at Phantom's tantrum, but still means business. But Blast Off means MORE business as the sniper manages to take down each of the guards in one shot before they even have a chance to report the presence of the two Decepticons. Catching the pad and the card, Blast Off is able to get down the hallways to the lab. The card has the ID of the guard and the pad has a list of personel allowed to pass the checkpoints - as well as instructions not to enter the lab to avoid screwing up the holoscanning the techs inside are doing - they don't want some dufus photobombing their 3D recreation! The lists seem to be all synced together so a change to one updates all the other guards' lists. HMMMMMMMM! Which might be useful getting past the upcoming solitary guard outside the lab itself.
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr cries out in pain as a twisted pole stabs through his body and hip. Grunting, he manages to pull himself free of the thing, although it rips a lot of wiring and circuitry on the inside as it comes out. Frag it, he's going to be feeling that one for a while...but he can't worry about it right now. Trying to take his mind off of the pain, he starts scanning his surroundings in search of that power converter mentioned in the logs.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off glances through the datapad once he has a quiet moment. Ok, interesting. The Combaticon makes his way towards the guard, trying to look to like one of the other guards, bored and kinda vapid, and looks down at the ID number. He'll just try to impersonate the guard and see if he can get through. Yes. he looks up and.....
Aw, who's he trying to kid? The faster route is this: shoot the guard, move on. That's the the sniper attempts to do. BAM.
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
It's a good thing the walls to the lab are sundproofed and the technicians inside are consumed in their work, otherwise a crash, distant cry of pain, and the sound of a guard being murdered right outside might have brought them out in alarm. Alas no one comes out. But the one guard who had gone to look for the source of movement hears Blast Off's weapon go off and comes running to check on his partner. But by then Blast Off as made his way around the left corridor. They just barely miss each other - but he does hear the guard exclaiming in horror and frantically reporting his co-worker is down into a radio. For duty's sake, until someone else can relieve him of his post, he must remain there.
AS For Blast Off, he comes to the same DANGER sign BLurr had ignored earlier. And Blast Off WOULD have heard an echoey crash and sound of pain come from that direction.
Looking around, Blurr will find a very short corrdior leading to the vault entrance. It's locked with an old mechanical combination lock rather than an electronic one. Luckily, both factions were able to find the code for it hidden in the logs. So he should be able to get into the vault. Inside the vault it is mostly dark with only vague illumination from some unknown source. There are several old boxes, but one stands out, neatly labeled Power Converter V2.3.90. It's not overly large and can be carried easily by an average sized Cybertronian with one hand.
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr limps over to the door and inputs the code, then searches the vault until he finds the box. "Well at least it's nice and labeled, right?" he mutters, quickly taking possession of the converter. But now he has to get out of here without getting seen, which is now a lot harder due to the injury he'd taken. Again, he scans the area, searching for a way out, since there's no way he's going back up the way he came with that hole in his hip. Preferably a more discreet one as well.
- Tachyglossus (95) has posed:
Despite Blurr's best efforts to find another way out, all signs point to the shaft he fell through being the only viable option. If he had the right heavy equipment he could drill his way out. But that would require both time and tools he is unfortunately without. Luckily there are places in the vault to hide.
- Blurr has posed:
Blurr sighs and curses inwardly. He knows the Decepticons are probably going to be here sooner or later, given the fact that VinTech just had to give them the data too. So he just puts the converted back where it was and finds the most discreet hiding spot he can, hoping that whoever comes down here will not come looking for him and simply take the objective without a second thought.
- Blast Off has posed:
Blast Off peers down into the shaft, frowning under his faceplate. Hmmm. There don't seem to be any good ways in or out of here except THIS way, and that cry of pain certainly makes the Combaticon wonder... He makes his way down the shaft, MUCH more slowly and carefully, and ultimately a lot less painfully, than Blurr's rash action. The Combaticon gets to the bottom and makes his way forward, finally coming across.... Is that the converter just... lying there for him to find? Strange. The Combaticon just stops and stares.
Needless to say, Blast Off *does* actually put a lot of thought into his next moves. Perhaps TOO much. The ever-cautious shuttleformer goes to great lengths to make sure that yes, that *is* the object he came for and yes, it's safe and not boobytrapped. With the prize finally in his hands, he begins searching for Blurr, who's got to be around here somewhere... but a few muffled shouts of some guards remind him his time is beginning to run short. He doesn't like being underground and he certainly doesn't want to be caught down here. His objective obtained, the practical thing to do is get back to base safely. So Blast Off leaves, making his way out with no real further incidents.