| abstract
| - Stars and nebula seemingly dance in the sky, pinned into broad swatches of vivid color. Systems of planets and planetoids dot the passing scenery, but there seem to be no signs of life out in this desolate part of the night sky. Long warned against by veteran travellers of the cosmos, the Cascade yet stretches beckoningly out on all sides. The brave -- or the stupid -- may proceed with their explorations... Contents: Perceptor Hot Spot Darkwing Scourge Galvatron Winnebago Goldbug Redshift Foundry World Voron Obvious exits: Rimward leads to Medusa Cascade. Located deep in the rift between two un-navigable nebulae lies the nigh-mythical Foundry World! It is a planet of metal, much like Cybertron. The entire planet's surface is covered by signs of alien industry. Pipelines the size of rivers, factories the size of mountains - the entire planet is dedicated to industrial production. Unlike Cybertron, the Foundry World is dull, lifeless - there is no light, no activity coming from the planet: it is just a dull grey ball of metal, hanging in empty space. "We're close." So says Goldbug from the pilot's seat of the fastest Autobot shuttlecraft he's been able to get his hands on! The little minibot's a good pilot- even if he needs to push the seat up all the way to reach the controls. "The Foundry World's only accessible for a limited window of time...if we can lurk in orbit, make sure the Decepticons don't show up, and then go home. Easy." Beat. "...it's not gonna be easy, is it?" "I doubt it," Rodimus answers Goldbug, peering out the viewscreen, chin rested lightly on his right hand and expression distant. "After all, even though we got the part of the map that holds Foundry World, there's a good chance they managed enough to figure out where this is," he continues, providing exposition to the viewers at home. He frowns and looks over at Goldbug. "Do you have the location of the source battery on the planet itself? Worst comes to worst, we may have to destroy that to keep it from them." Perceptor blinks and steps into view from off-camera to stand beside Goldbug. "No." Perceptor knows this from statistical probabilities, intuition, and pure Autobot instinct. The scientist crosses his arms. "What is our ETA?" Perceptor could grace the system himself but sometimes it's just best to let others do /some/ of the thinking. Hot Spot shakes his head, standing behind Gold bug. "Nothing is that easy, Goldbug, but having your mind set on that is a good thing. As long as you try your best you can do anything, but of course you know that!" The Protectobot Leader turns his head to Rodimus and nods, "My thought exactly. The Decepticons could figuire out the location, but we can't let this fact bug us. If we need to fight, then we must fight." Trailing the Autobots are... the DECEPTICONS. Thanks to the half a map obtained on the library world of Babel, and Doubledealer's advice (but what's the price?), the Decepticons actually know where they're going for once. Of course, the course is dangerous - this part of space is only safe to travel once every thousand years, and the Decepticons are impatient for a race of near-immortals. The space F-35 doesn't fear the perils of space (though maybe she should, given her track record), and the rewards - lenses for all, wreckin stuff, and screwing the Autobots out of their lenses, sound good to her. The Decepticons do happen to be trailing the Autobots somewhat, and likely, Catechism is trailing some of the more senior spacers, letting them do the hard work of navigating the treacherous path. No, it is not going to be easy, because the Decepticons are also at the Foundry World! Galvatron snickers to himself as he watches the planet loom on his viewscreen. "Excellent. Thanks to our... 'informant' we have the location of the Foundry World. Soon all the secrets of this planet will belong to ME." He slams a fist into the armrest of his command chair, and laughs. "Hm... but as always, there may be the inevitable complications from the AUTOBOTS. It should be a small trifle to destroy them, however, once we learn the secrets of this world FIRST!" With the map, and instructions given to them by Doubledealer, Scourge had set out with Galvatron and several others to track down the Foundry World, and sieze the ultimate power that Doubledealer said would be waiting for them! Of course, the Sweep had picked up on the Autobot's trail while he navigated this dangerous sector of space. They trailed behind the Autobots, but they would emerge victorious! Once they had the lenses, the Autobots would be powerless to stop them! Red Spaceship is flying close behind Scourge, the tracker. Redshift's superior speed and maneuverability would make him an ideal candidate for taking point, except for Scourge's tracking abilities, that is. <> Panavia Tornado GR1 Fighter Jet is onboard the Shuttle with Galvatron, as without his ever lazy brother the Powermaster was as Spaceworthy as Seaspray... "There are always complications from the Autobots... Most likely they'll destroy the secrets before we even get our hands on them." Sandstorm has arrived. Sandstorm strides into the room, looking for excitement. Sandstorm was here the whole time, seriously. The wrecker is just taking a nap in a shuttle seat, saving his energy for when they get there. Because he knows that, for as much as they hope, it's not going to be as 'easy' as they'd like. But then again, that's why he was here in the first place after all. Well, that and he really -was- curious about the alien devices. Goldbug's hands tighten imperceptably around the controls as Rodimus mentions the destruction of the battery. "...let's hope it doesn't come to that, Rodimus. We...we couldn't know what'd happen if we released such a large amount of energy." Aside from, well, the super-scientist along for the ride! "I'll take us in- someone else check out the scanners-" the shuttle rumbles, battered by the gravitational forces of the Cascade! "I've got a feeling it won't be too pleasant if we stay in orbit for much longer!" And with that, Goldbug steers the shuttle in towards the Foundry World as fast as it can go! Perceptor lowers his eyes to Sandstorm. He nudges the Wrecker from his sleep cycle. "Sandstorm, you wished to be alerted when we were almost there." Perceptor looks up, waiting on Goldbug for an ETA, but there was none because -- "We're here." Rodimus Prime looks up from his viewport then gets up, moving carefully towards the sensor position despite the rocking and shaking of the shuttle. "I've got the sensors, Goldbug, just take us down." As he sits down, he glances at the sensor panel and mutters a curse. "Well, for anyone wondering when the Decepticons will get here, that question's just been answered." Sandstorm jostles awake easily, between the nudge and the bit of rattling of the shuttle as it passes through the hazardous part of space. "Huh? We are?" Blinks his optics as he sits up fully and takes a look out at the viewport. "Aaaah, thanks Perc." He sits up a bit... but once Rodimus says something, any hints of still being a bit lagged are gone. "Damn, those guys are getting to be on the ball." It was sure a bumpy travel towards the Foundry World. "You have been flying very well, Goldbug! We could use more pilots like you. Just stay clear and make sure we land." Hot Spot feels the Bot needs a compliment once in awhile and Hot Spot does think he deserves it. He, too, hopes they do not destroy the battery. A mention of Decepticons, Hot Spot turns around and faces Rodimus. "Here? Right now? Of all the times... We must prepare for battle!" Perceptor strokes his chin and adds to Sandstorm. "A little /too/ punctual, yes." Galvatron glares murderously at Darkwing, who is presumably actually in robot mode. "THEY WILL NOT!!!" he screams. "And YOU will see to it they don't, Darkwing, because if they destroy my prizes before *I* get to them, then YOU will be held accountable!" He points angrily at Scourge and Catechism at the main viewport, and even though, in his rage, he forgets to key his radio so that they can hear him, he bellows, "And the same goes for YOU!" He is jostled roughly in his seat as the shuttle suddenly shakes. Looking perturbed by that, he demands of Darkwing, "What was that!?" In this highly unstable and dangerous area, even Scourge was having some problems, being tossed around and whatnot, but the Sweep maintained control. <> Turning a 'bend' in the cascade a moment later, and there it was....Foundry World. And the Autobot shuttle, heading for the surface! <> XF-35B Astral Lightning can't hear Galvatron, because this is space, but she can see him angrily gesticulating through the window, so she throttles up her rocket engines and heads for the surface of the planet, post haste, engaging her scouting sensors to see if she can spot anything interesting on the way down. Darkwing just seems to nod as Galvatron rants over the inevitability of the Autobots action. "Yes, Of course My lord." He responds flately before gettign tossed about the ship. "It would seem that this region of space isn't happy to have us here." He replies matter of factly. Foundry World You descend to the surface of Foundry World These machines have lain dormant for untold ages now - it's a testament to the engineering of the nameless builders that their creations have withstood the ages of time. Even still, inevitable entropy has taken its toll; one would be hard pressed to find anything not covered in a sheen of rust. One building stands taller than the rest, however- even decayed, one can tell its importance. Obvious exits: Up North Rodimus Prime has arrived. Scourge has arrived. Hot Spot has arrived. Sandstorm has arrived. Sandstorm strides into the room, looking for excitement. Redshift has arrived. Galvatron has arrived. Goldbug has arrived. Darkwing has arrived. Perceptor has arrived. "Hang on!" And the Autobot shuttle, raked by Redshift's lasers, comes to a not-so-gentle landing on the planet's surface! Goldbug wastes little time, soon springing out of his seat and heading for the airlock. "We don't have much time!" he says, glancing back at the other Autobots, "I know where the main battery is- we've got to get there before the Decepticons do!" The normally easygoing archivist's voice is terser than usual- but also somehow more confident. Goldbug steps out of the shuttle and points to the enormous structure looming in the north. "C'mon! If we get there first, I know a nasty surprise we can drop on the Decepticons." Rodimus Prime is knocked out of his seat and into the console - insert mandetory seatbelt joke here - and leaves a fair dent into it. Still, it's just the sensor station, meaning that the ship isn't disabled. He frowns and follows Goldbug out of the shuttle. "Just... /how/ do you know where the main battery is, anyway?" he asks, transforming into vehicle mode once he's cleared of the shuttle. Faster this way, anyway. Rodimus Prime transforms into his Winnebago mode. Sandstorm is out of his seat before the shuttle was even entirely on the ground, pulling his sandblaster from subspace and holding it ready at the hatchway, right on Goldbug's heels once the craft was landed. "Hope they don't blow it up again," he murmurs under his breath. "Right! Let's move quickly and make this a visit they regret they did make." Equally determined he transforms and speeds off in the indicated direction. Scouting the way, if you will. Recon's his job after all, right along with getting shot up. With a quick flip and the roar of an engine, Sandstorm takes off in dunebuggy mode, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Perceptor is rocked about, he holds a precarious stance with the support of the shuttle hull. The ramp lowers and the others roar off in their vehicular modes. Poor Perceptor, some Autobots don't have vehicular modes. The scientist chases after his comrades fast as his robot mode can run. "Wait for me!" Hot Spot flies into a wall (that is what he gets for standing), and gets up from the ground after a few moments. "Man, I'm glad we have landed safely, thought not a comfortable landing, on the planet. For a second, I thought the Decepticons... Nevermind, I should never think that." Hot Spot steps out of the shuttle and looks around the world they are in. He prepares himself by taking out his pistol and holding it firmly with his right hand. He's sure that the Decepticons will come any moment and will strike. "What an interesting world. So this is the world were these lens were created and where that battery is located. Hm.. I wonder what other technology we can find here, but for now we must hurry!" And with that said, he transforms into his fire truck mode and rides off towards the building. Hot Spot slowly goes down to the ground and transforms hastely into his cool blue fire truck mode. He's ready to terminate those fires! Red Spaceship is known far and wide for his speedy flight and brazen risky tactics(and also for biting off more than he can chew)! After peppering the shuttle with lasers, he follows the Autobot's descent, peeling away when thier shuttle makesit's rough landing. "FOOLS! You may have gotten here, but you wont be able to stop us, we will CRUSH you, and take the power of the lenses for our own!" The red crescent-format spacefighter emits, swooping low over the Autobots, and firing black beams from his LENS, aiming for Rodimus and Goldbug(whom he last met on the boring library world). Combat: Red Spaceship sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Red Spaceship misses Winnebago with Lense of Malice's Destabilizing Blast Area attack! Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Goldbug with Lense of Malice's Destabilizing Blast Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily limited Goldbug's Agility! (Crippled) "We're losing power! We're going down!" reports the helmsman of the shuttle, which is now plummetting straight towards the planet! "Imbecile!" Galvatron growls, grabbing the gumby pilot, and flinging him out of the seat. Leaning over the chair, he handles the controls himself--until he realizes that even the best pilot couldn't help them at this point! "BAH! Every mechanoid for himself!" Galvatron says just before blasting a gaping hole through the main viewport and flinging himself outside! Shortly afterward, the shuttle pancakes into the planet's surface, along with all the gumbies that weren't smart enough to bail in time! XF-35B Astral Lightning streaks down, and the atmosphere gives her a challenge - this is some rough space weather, for sure! Only her aerobatics training keeps her in one piece. She aerobrakes, bleeding speed, and lets her red-hot form cool down, only to see that Redshift has already found the Autobots, and Galvatron and the shuttle have found the ground. Ouch! Chasing the Autobot shuttle down, Scourge remains in the upper atmosphere of the planet, watching them as they scurry from their shuttle. When he sees the direction they are headed, it doesn't take but a second to pinpoint their destination, and he dives, as fast as his considerable speed can get him there. <> Transmitting the coordinates of the target building to Galvatron and those still on the shuttle, he does everything he can to increase his speed (Which just can't happen, since he's already at top speed, diving.) He will engage the Autobots, to keep them from entering the building, when they draw nearer. Darkwing makes his way out of the shuttle's new side door, installed by the best handyman the Decepticons have; Galvatron. Once into the air of the newest miserable planet they find themselves on, he transforms to jet mode and heads towards the postion that Scourge transmits, not like its going to do them any good but with Galvatron in command he might as well make the best effort he can before the Autobots wreck everything like they usually do. Leaping into the air, Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet Winnebago swerves back and forth, avoiding the mysterious blast from Redshift. "Yeah yeah yeah. Heard that song before over the /last/ ultrapowerful alien superweapon," he taunts as he keeps rolling northward, the direction that Goldbug says is where the battery is, even if he still doesn't know WHY Goldbug knows! Rodimus Prime moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Rodimus Prime has left. Scourge moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Scourge has left. "Need a ride, Perc- Agh!" Redshift's blast strikes Goldbug head-on...but he's not so easily killed! Lucky him. "C'mon!" and the little minibot transforms, door flying open for Perceptor to transform and hitch a ride! This done, the Throttlebot goes in reverse for a few feet- and then rockets forwards at a speed not usually seen in volkswagons, catching up with he Fire Truck and Winnebago! Goldbug transforms! "Oh slag no, they ain't beating us that easily!" Growling a bit in determination as the Autobots speed along the path, Sandstorm takes to defensive driving, and puts his petal to the metal to keep racing along after Rodimus, who still marvels all at just how freakin' fast that winnebago is. Blue Fire Truck watches the lens emit its power upon Rodimus and Goldbug. What power, he thought to himself during this scene. <> He speeds up, keeping up with the rest of the brigade. Hot Spot moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Hot Spot has left. Sandstorm moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Sandstorm has left. Perceptor blinks as he spots Goldbug's offer. "Thank Primus you-- ah!" Redshift's blast strike true to his golden peer. Perceptor's eyes wince but refocus quickly post-blast, happy to see Goldbug still there. Perceptor /leaps/ into the vehicle. "Are you alright?" The shriek of Decepticons overhead creates a greater sense of urgency. "Let's roll, Goldbug!" Goldbug moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Goldbug has left. Perceptor moves north to the Factory-Cathedral. Perceptor has left. You move north to the Factory-Cathedral. Every road and pipeline on the planet leads to this central point. Stretching for nearly three miles into the grey Foundry sky, it is a massive, blocky structure, stained by rust and decay. Within, the main chamber is cavernous, filled with rotted, unknown machinery - miles and miles of assembly lines. Still, after untold eons, the product of the machines is readily apparent: Lenses are scattered about along the line, still gleaming, as if somehow protected from even the slightest speck of dust. They glow faintly, waiting for a bearer. Could it be you? Contents: Perceptor Throttlebot Combat Dunebuggy Blue Fire Truck Sweep Spacecraft Winnebago Obvious exits: North South Redshift arrives from the Surface to the south. Redshift has arrived. Galvatron arrives from the Surface to the south. Galvatron has arrived. Darkwing arrives from the Surface to the south. Darkwing has arrived. XF-35B Astral Lightning transforms down into robot mode, as she enters the cathedral. Sure, she can hover, she's pretty aerobatic, and the cathedral certainly is big, but... no sense risking flying into a wall. (It happens more than you would think!) Catechism gawks openly, her gaze finally settling on the faint glow. She murmurs, voice a bare whisper, "/Power/." Catechism activates her anti-gravs and zips that way, eager to reach the glow before the Autobots can. XF-35B Astral Lightning transforms into robot form. Catechism's feet unfold, her arms unfold out of her body, her nosecone rotates through her body and ends up on her shoulders to expose her face, and her wings rotate into position. Streaking directly towards the building at his top speed, Scourge shouldn't have any problems beating the Autobots to the building. As such, he pays them little mind as he transforms and sets down, then steps into the building. The Autobots are coming quickly, and Scourge needs to know what is /in/ the building. If it is a weapon, then he could turn it on the Autobots as they enter. Pausing as he moves in and looks around, he smirks at the sight of the lenses and begins towards the nearest of them, transmitting his findings to the others. <> Galvatron flies across the surface of the planet, mouth curled in disgust. "Ugh--this entire planet is COATED in rust! If our informant's information doesn't pay off... well, Darkwing, let me tell you, it will NOT be pleasant!" As he continues to fly along, he squints as he spies some sort of structure in the distance. "Hm. Perhaps that is what the informant spoke to me of. Darkwing, do not let the Autobots approach that structure!" He glares down at Rodimus Prime. "WHAT!? Rodimus Prime is here!?" Making a bee-line for his nemesis, he roars, "You will not spoil my plans this time, Rodimus Prime! I will loot this planet of everything of worth and you can't stop me!" Galvatron then shoots Rodimus for emphasis. Combat: Galvatron misses Winnebago with his Exclamation Point (Disruptor) attack! Slag that Rodimus Prime, so evasive even though he is a giant ungainly winnebago! Redshift presses his advantage however, since no winnebago will ever be able to drive faster than Redshift can fly! He rises for more altitude as the Autobots roll towards the tallest of the abandoned structures, clearly a building of no small importance. The red ship darts in through the cavernous opening. "Shoot down the Autobots, let none escape!" He cries, swooping through the cavernous factory, his own lens glowing with dark energy. Combat: Red Spaceship takes extra time to aim his next attack. "I don't think it woulld be pleasent even if it did, if you end up covered in rust. You do have an image to maintain, and looking like a Kup won't help that." Darkwing replies, not becuase he cares about how Galvatron looks, but more becuase he likes the idea of their informant suffering for sending them to such a place. He watches as Galvatron flies off towards his flaming rival. He then hears scourge's comment about the lenses. "Seems Scourge might have the answer to the Autobots being here..." He replies and transforms before entering the Catheridal to find a lense of his own to make his power even more formidable. With the sound ot turnign gears ans shifting metal, Darkwing changes into his ever blue robot mode.
* Vrrrm!* Goldbug wheels around- giving Perceptor just enough time to bail out before he transforms! The minibot looks over the Factory-Cathedral for a few moments- his visor widens in dismay as the Decepticons are already inside! "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this..." he says- and with that, Goldbug rushes over towards a rack of lenses- and as soon as he closes fingers around one of them- they ALL begin to activate, lighting up one by one, like so many ethereal lamps! "We -CAN- stop you, Galvatron- and we will!" And so, the fearless little Minibot turns his lens onto Galvatron- focusing a beam of pure white energy upon the Decepticon Leader- perhaps only a distraction, but every little bit shall help! Goldbug transforms! Goldbug takes Lense of Determination. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Determination has bonded with Goldbug! Combat: Goldbug misses Galvatron with Lense of Determination's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -3] Combat Dunebuggy blazes into the cathedrial, only to see some of the Decepticons already got here. Well that's not good at all. <>, he shortwaves to the scientist, even as he veers through the chamber. And spots a half collapses piece of assembly line. Perfect. With a rev of the engine he speeds towards and up it like a ramp, launching into the air. And right towards Catechism as the con hovers by, transforming at the last second and trying to plant the high speed momentum he still had into them with a heavy kick. "Happy explory playgames is over, it's time to WRECK AND RULE!" Combat: Sandstorm sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Sandstorm strikes Catechism with his Flying Wrecker Kick (Kick) attack! Combat: You took 6 damage. Perceptor is launched on somewhat his own accord. The momentum of Goldbug's speed sending him flying out of the vehicle before the golden bot transforms. Perceptor groans as he's sprawled out unto the floor. He cradles his head with one hand as he sits up. There is something shiny beside him. "What's this?" The scientist takes a lense as Goldbug does, it flashes alight. "Spectacular!" Perceptor takes Lense of Discovery. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Discovery has bonded with Perceptor! Winnebago now zigs where Galvatron was expecting him to zag, letting the blast past him and hit the ground as he follows the Decepticons and Goldbug into the Factory-Cathedral. He transforms and turns to face the Decepticon leader even as the lenses on the rack behind him activate. "One way or another, Galvatron, you're not getting these lenses!" he proclaims, full of heroic bravado as he reaches his hand up to reach for a lense that seems to be flying towards him. It lips past his hand and attaches itself to his chest, right over his Autobot symbol. His bright blue optics open wide for a moment, and then they narrow. "You're not getting them... because they're /mine/, Galvatron!" he growls out, his voice now taking an entirely /different/ edge as he uses his lense to blast towards Galvatron. Winnebago transforms into his Robot mode. Rodimus Prime takes Lense of Oppression. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Oppression has bonded with Rodimus Prime! Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with Lense of Oppression's Power Corrupts attack! Blue Fire Truck follows the group into the Catheridal, focusing on their mission. He notices lenses lying on the line, but pays no attention to them at all, at least for now. He is confused about how Goldbug knows the location of the battery, still thinking the possibilities that could explain this. But his train of thought was interrupted when some of the Decepticons started to enter the building . He makes a sharp u-turn and transforms, taking his pistol out after the transformation. <> Hot Spot transmit to everyone, giving them some motivation. Though before he attacks, he notices something shining on the line. Interesting, very interesting. He quickly runs over to the line and examines this lens. "I wonder-" The lens, like a magnet, flies off the line and sticks onto the Autobot's chest, over his symbol to be more exact. Hot Spot transforms back into his robot mode. He's ready for anything now! Hot Spot takes Lense of Might. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Might has bonded with Hot Spot! Red Spaceship can feel his lens brimming over with fresh power- "Doubledealer was RIGHT, this place IS broadcasting power to the lenses!" Redshift exclaims, and the red craft swoops around, searching for a particular target. A Wrecker to whom he owes a few shots! With his lens glowing brightly with anewed power, Redshift swoops towards the sandblastin' Wrecker, and fires a flashing beam of deep violet-black light. Combat: Red Spaceship misses Sandstorm with Lense of Malice's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -2] Galvatron takes Lense of Conspiracy. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Conspiracy has bonded with Galvatron! As the Sweep Leader reaches for one of the lenses, it seems to lift from the ground, and move towards him of it's own accord! But the lenses were now being picked up by /both/ sides, and that was something that couldn't be tolerated. As the lens attaches itself to his chest, he smirks and feels the power. Turning, he looks up at the other Decepticons and growls, "Destroy them /all/! Let us show these weak fools the /true/ power of the Empire!" Oddly inspiring words, for Scourge. Combat: Sweep Spacecraft inspires Darkwing, Red Spaceship , Catechism, and Galvatron with majestic and patriotic words! Combat: You feel more courageous! Catechism is booted by Sandstorm's kick, and it knocks her smack into one of the lenses flying around, which situates itself just above her eyes, on her cone. Her optics darken, sooty red like a smelter, and she pushes herself up to her feet. Catechism's hands slowly clench into fists, and she stomps a foot into the floor, before whirling about and trying to land a blast on... Perceptor. As Scourge's speech filters through her audios, she sneers, "The weak deserve to be ground under the heel of the strong!" You take Lense of Oppression. Combat: Lense Artifact Lense of Oppression has bonded with Catechism! Combat: Catechism strikes Perceptor with Lense of Oppression's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -4] Galvatron frowns at the reports from Scourge and Darkwing. More lenses in here? He wonders--does he really need some silly trinket to crush his enemies? On the other hand, he imagines Rodimus Prime using a lense on *him,* and instantly he is filled with anger and jealousy! "So, there's more lenses here! Well! The Autobots aren't going to get more of them if *I* have anything to say about it!" he yells before flying inside the cathedral. He takes a shot from Goldbug and his lens, but manages to fly faster than the Throttlebot can track him. "And who are YOU to oppose me, little Autobot!?" Galvatron sneers at Goldbug. "I don't even know your name--nor would I care if I did!" He slams down onto the ground floor by the assembly lines, and laughs, "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Rodimus Prime! They are MINE, even if I have to pry them off your carcass--GAHHH!" He takes a blast right in the chest, and stumbles back into the line. Before he can even push off of it, a lens flies off of the line, as if plucked by an invisible line, and attaches itself to his chest! "Nnngh... nrrrhhgh... gahhrnnn!" Galvatron hisses out, scratching at the thing on his chest. His face takes on a wild look! "What is this!? Is this a trick!? Did you do this Rodimus!? Are you trying to--no, the lense wants to help me! Yes! The lense knows who my enemies are, it will help me destroy them!" He looks about the room before abruptly screaming, "STOP LOOKING AT ME!!!" Then he vanishes. Combat: Galvatron activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight! Darkwing notices a lense that seems to call out to him. As he reaches for it, the lense attacjes itself right to his chest. His optics flash as a surge of power washes over him and through even his binary-bonded partner. He clenches his fists as all usual sadistic yet depressed bully, finds the depression replaced with more anger. Amplifying the feeings of hate he has towards everyone and everything, and his desire to see everyone in the universe suffer his wraith. His feelings of darkness and malice are only amplied further my Scourge's speach. "YES! All these miserable creatures will die before me. They will forver know the true meaning of pain as I rip them transistor from transistor." He growls and fires his lense attack on the first Autobot he sees. Combat: Darkwing misses Goldbug with Lense of Malice's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -2] Rodimus Prime points towards the Decepticons. "Take them down! Destroy them! We've let this war go on for far too long by clinging to our misguided senses of mercy. How many of our friends and allies have died because we've allowed the Decepticons to survive time after time? I say /NO MORE!/!!" Rodimus's voice ends in a roar, and though that unpleasant edge is still in it, there's something... stirring about what he says. His optics flicker in shock as Galvatron then disappears. "What? NO!" He searches around the room, trying to determine where Galvatron's gotten to. "You can't hide forever, Galvatron!" he yells, now searching for his opponent. "And when I find you, I will rip you to pieces. This universe isn't big enough for the both of us!" Combat: Rodimus Prime inspires Perceptor, Goldbug, Sandstorm, and Hot Spot with dramatic and noble words! "Oh no." Goldbug murmurs as Rodimus' Lense takes effect. "Why did he have to get THAT one?" It is a good thing he has that faceplate, or else Goldbug's face would no doubt show a panicked expression! And then...then, Galvatron dissapears. "And why did -HE- have to get -THAT- one?!" Still, the minibot isn't about to be petrified into inaction- he shifts his feet about again to 'skate' mode, and zips over towards where Galvatron was! A quick jink steers him away from Darkwing's blast- and then he ducks down low, scooping up a handful of dust and rust- utilizing both an enhanced sensor suite and his own tactical knowhow, he throws the handful of stuff over where he THINKS Galvatron may be- thus to paint him for the rest of the Autobots! "There he is!" Goldbug calls out, helpfully. Sure, he's helping a raging maniac, but the devil you know, right? Combat: Goldbug searches for Galvatron. Combat: Galvatron has been found! "The weak deserve to be ground under the heel of the strong? I find that statement to be erronuous on multiple levels. Allow me to elaborate.." Perceptor's eyes shine as the lense takes into effect. "You are citing an age-old Decepticon philosophy which parallels an Sociological misconception on Earth that dates back to the late 19th century shortly after Darwin's theory of evolution was presented and misinterpreted into Social Darwinism." He prepares a chemical grenade. "This school of thought was of course debunked by a German Anthropologist in the early 20th century, a man named Franz Boas, considered by many to be the father of cultural Earth studies. He empathized with people who were not of western origin after inhabiting the northern hemisphere for quite some time with the native Inuit. He concluded that people are /different/, not inferior... specialized in their niche or habitat which is ideal for /them/ but necessarily so out of it's context. This is applicable to /all/ cultures in that one is neither superior or better than the other, merely more specialized in it's setting. I side with this school, but as with all things science and philosophy, nothing is lasting and we may yet unveil a greater understanding on equality." Perceptor pauses and tosses his grenade at Catechism. "Catch!" Sandstorm lands from kicking the femme-seeker to the ground, just in time to dive and roll to the side of Redshift's blast, being all too familiar with the crazy spaceboy having one of the lenses as well. Speaking of which... Coming out of the tumble in a half-crouch he looks down at his chest, taking note of the device refilling with energy. He'd gotten so use to it being there he'd almost forgotten about it, but feeling it glow with power once more he stands fully, a determined grin crossing his face. "Don't listen to their vile words, Autobots! Show them what it means to be the defenders of justice..." Sandstorm keeps his own speech short since others are already doing it... in a somewhat odd way from Rodimus, but he can't complain! He levels his blaster at Catechism when she turns to shoot the scientist and opens fire on the fem-seeker. "and WRECK 'EM LIKE HECK!" Combat: Sandstorm misses Catechism with his Sandblaster Gun attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Sandstorm (Sandstorm) used "Sandblaster Gun": A Level 2 RANGED attack. Combat: Perceptor strikes Catechism with his SCIENCE! attack! [Pulled -1] Combat: You took 8 damage. Combat: Perceptor's attack has strange and mysterious effects on Catechism. Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Catechism's Accuracy. (Blinded) Hot Spot studies the lens on his chest as he makes some notes about it. He then turns around and studies the others who have lenses as well. "Rodimus Galvatron the others," he whispers to himself. A strange feeling starts to flood his mind, a feeling that encourages him to punish those who have caused harm to the Autobots. The bad guys, they must be punished for their crimes and wrong doings! "These Decepticons have committed far too many crimes and they must be taken in!" He turns his head and notices Scourge, who was only a few meters away from him, his anger starts to flare. Scourge, he thought, is the most vile, criminalist Decepticons, why is he still a free Transformer?! Running towards Scourge, he pulls away his right fist which happens to start glowing, most likely from the lens which also was glowing. "Scourge! Punishment will be handed to you today!" And with that said and reaching him, the Bot swings at the Sweep Leader with a fist more powerful than his ordinary punch. Combat: Hot Spot strikes Sweep Spacecraft with Lense of Might's Might Makes Right attack! [Pulled -1] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sweep Spacecraft 's Agility. (Crippled) The red crescent corsair circles in the rafters of the cavernous, cathedral-like factory. He has a lens, yes, but he doesn't need it to bring on the HEAT. "Time to FRY, Autobots! Burn in the Inferno!" Redshift swoops down low, and begins to open up his bombbay to release a payload of hot, burning death! Sandstorm and Perceptor are his primary targets, although poor Catechism might become an unwilling bystander... But one never knows where these hastily-flung dumbbombs will go! Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Sandstorm with his Phosphorous Bombs Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Sandstorm's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Catechism with his Phosphorous Bombs Area attack! Combat: Red Spaceship (Redshift) used "Phosphorous Bombs": A Level 5 AREA-RANGED attack. Combat: You took 10 damage. Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Catechism's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Perceptor with his Phosphorous Bombs Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Perceptor's Accuracy. (Blinded) o/~ Blinding me with science - science!o/~ o/~ I can smell the chemicals o/~ This song starts to play in the background of the fight scene as Catechism stumbles about, both literally blinded by science and bored to frustration by Perceptor's lecture on philosophy. Her staggering takes her out of the way of Sandstorm's sandblaster. Then one of Redshift's phosphorous bombs blows up right in her face. She snarls savagely, draws her whip, and lashes it out at both of her Autobot assailants, growling, "You're service line! You should serve your warrior protectors, but no, you have delusions of grandeur!" Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Fearless. Combat: Catechism misses Perceptor with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Catechism misses Sandstorm with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -3] After his somewhat 'inspiring' speech, Scourge turns towards the nearest Autobot, which happens to be Hot Spot. He has a score to settle with that one, anyway, and he gets /punched/ by him? Snarling as his armor dents from that glowing fist, the Sweep responds by transforming and dropping to the ground, his lens suddenly flashing at the Autobot. "Punishment? Oh, I think it is /you/ who will be punished this day!" Combat: Sweep Spacecraft misses Hot Spot with Lense of Intimidation's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -3] Darkwing 's attention is cuaght by Perceptor as he just blathers on endlessly about something more inane as usual. Darkwing would normally ignore it and focus on squishing a golden bug, but in his more irrate state of mind the annoyance of Perceptor is just too great to ignore; and thus being the bully he is, Darkwing decides to pick on the nerd. He takes out his famed Blasters and fires on the microscope "Will you shut the slag up!" He yells and fires. Combat: Darkwing strikes Perceptor with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! Galvatron snaps from a point that can't be seen, but seems to move about at random, "SHUT UP Rodimus! I know what you really had planned--you led me here, trying to draw me into a trap, with deliberately leaked information! Well, you FAILED, Rodimus, because you didn't count on the lense choosing me, did you!?" It seems that he was trying to sneak up on Rodimus, because when Goldbug chucks some garbage into the air, it collides with an invisible object, which coalesces into Galvatron! "NYAAHHHHHH!" he screams, and a swirling beam discharges from the lens on his chest, possibly as a reflex from being hit. Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with Lense of Conspiracy's Lense Flare attack! Sandstorm gwahs as bombs are dropped all around them, inside a building no less, leaving nowhere to jump out of the way. The least he can do is shield his face with an arm, though that doesn't stop the blinding flash. "-We're- delusional? Lady, you're even more nuts than I thought!" he snaps back, even as he jumps the flailing whip. "As for you, you little fire bug." He lands on a stack of old decayed parts, picks up some half-rusted tube, and flings it at Redshift mainly for a diversion while trying to get his sensory input clear again. "Pipe down!" Combat: Sandstorm sets his defense level to Aggressive. Combat: Sandstorm strikes Red Spaceship with his Bad puns and random debris toss (Punch) attack! Perceptor winces as Redshift's phosphorous bombs blind him in their brilliant flashes. The scientists take a step back, raising his forearms. "Argh- my reactionary times might be sub-par for this exchange of retaliations, granted Redshift's speed and flanking position blindsides me, but such unforseen chaotic variables can and should be accounted for. For instance, I deduce that Catechism will take this opportunity to deliver her assault while I am temporarily blinded and disoriented, so if I merely sidestep with an adequate range in stride like so--" Perceptor sidesteps and Catechism's attack misses by an inch. "My assumption of that crackle and fizzle, as well as that sizzle of heat, being a missed assault on her part are ninety-nine percent accurate." His sight returns from the white. "My observations concur!" He rolls backwards for some more distance and transforms into a microscope. "Now, let us properly assess your weaknesses, Catechism." Combat: Perceptor sets his defense level to Protected. Perceptor transforms into Microscope mode! Combat: Perceptor analyzes Catechism for weaknesses. Rodimus Prime spins towards Galvatron as Goldbug's warning alerts him, and the move keeps the attack from being as damaging as it could have been, but the blast to the Prime's right shoulder still sends him stumbling back. "/LEAKED/?!" he roars, optics narrowed and furious. "Who told you the way, Galvatron?!" he demands, leaping towards the source of the voice in an attempt to grab it. He's hoping to throttle Galvatron, but he's fighting semi-blind at the moment. "Tell me, and I'll make your death marginally less painful!" As he grabs - or grabs for - Galvatron, the ancient, rust-riddled structure starts to give way beneath his feet, and sends him (and quite possibly others) tumbling down below! Combat: Rodimus Prime sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Galvatron with his The Touch attack! [Pulled -2] Perceptor observes Catechism for weaknesses. "I expect this alotted amount of time and energy being displaced to examining Catechism's system for structural instabilities will likely result in acceptable damage from a Decepticon peer." Perceptor is blasted by Darkwing, an adjustment knob exploding out of place as smoke rises. "Hrr... theoritcal knowledge doesn't hurt nearly as much as it's physical manifestations." Goldbug skates away from Galvatron and Rodimus! With the two leaders smashing away at each other, it's no place for a robot of his size, after all! He glances around at the brawl proper- but this moment of survey is too much! Goldbug is caught off guard, and tumbles down into the hole Rodimus has smashed into the floor! And from that hole, a near-blinding white light emenates. More power? Seeing the light of Scourge's lens emitting, Hot Spot quickly rolls to the side and avoids the attack. He gets up, brushes off the rust that was on him, and faces Scourge. "Deja vu, didn't this happen the last time in one of our fights? You, firing at me when I was looking straight at you, and me avoiding the attack?" He shakes his head and laughs a little, reaching his back and taking out his cannon. He aims his weapon at Scourge, but he couldn't help but to say something before he fires, the lens on his chest glows brightly with a white color. "Punish me? You're wrong! Once I'm done with you, you'll be taken into court and be tried under the law. May I bring you into justice, Scourge!" He fires at Scourge with his one cannon, serving him a round of justice. Turning as it approaches, the Sweepcraft seems to split in places, the arms and legs of a robot emerging, then the demonic wings unfurl and the menacing visage of Scourge makes it's appearance, completing the transformation from Sweepcraft to robot. Combat: Hot Spot sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Hot Spot strikes Scourge with his Fireball Cannon attack! [Pulled -2] Missed?! How could he /miss/?! Scourge snarled as the fireball from that cannon engulfed his shoulder as he reacted too slowly, but his retaliation was quick. "Court? I will /destroy/ you first, Autobot! And your precious forcefield emitter will be /mine/!" Stepping back, the Sweep Commander lets loose a shot from his head cannon, at half power as he fired hastily before it fully charged. Combat: Scourge sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Scourge strikes Hot Spot with his Laser Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Red Spaceship 's bombs just blew the fraggin' floor apart! This is not a typical result. Usually he just blows up /himself/. Of course, as the floor gives way, Redshift is there to take advantage of the Autobot's plight-He, after all, doesn't have to worry about fallig down a hole unless he wants to. While the ground-bound Autobots have to deal with a crumbling floor, Redshift presses the advantage, tranforming and letting loose upon Sandstorm with a second helping of scalding fire! The sleek red spacecraft transforms into the winged warrior Redshift. Combat: Redshift strikes Sandstorm with his Flamethrower attack! Galvatron's optics twitch uncontrollably. "You can't fool me, Rodimus Prime! You already know the answer to THAT question--after all, YOU'RE the one who put him up to it! Who else is on your payroll, Rodimus?! Who did you get to sabotage my shuttle!?" Rodimus seizes him by the throat, and he gasps as the fingers constrict fuel lines and crush metal. Worse, the ground gives out from under his feet, and he begins to plummet down! "Which... one!? Scourge? Catechism? Darkwing? Redshift!? WHO!" As Galvatron rambles, he appears to be surrounded by a swirling, magenta light. And Rodimus may soon feel a touch of paranoia himself! Combat: Galvatron strikes Rodimus Prime with Lense of Conspiracy's Paranoia attack! Catechism is hopped up on Fascism, which is making her a bit loopy. (Her weakness is that she collects buckets and has a girly hobby that she doesn't like to talk about.) Then, the floor starts to cave in under her, and like any good Decepticon, she forgets she has anti-gravs. Catechism shouts angrily, "Bow to us, servants! I'll bring you to your knees!" She snaps out the whip again, its crack echoing her fury, trying to drag Perceptor with her, and she protests, "Sell you out, Lord Galvatron? I would never! Such petty tricks are BENEATH me!" Just like the ground is not. Combat: Catechism strikes Perceptor with her Whiplash Whirlwind attack! [Pulled -4] "I'll show you phsyical manifestations of pain!" He growls and rushes up to Percy to aid with Cate's attack, he punches at Perceptor's scope wanting to break the continuingly annoying vocal nerd. The rage inside of him continuing to build, urging him on to destory just for the sake of seeing the universe around him in ruin. Combat: Darkwing strikes Perceptor with his Silent Killer attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Perceptor's Agility. (Crippled) Rodimus Prime moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Rodimus Prime has left. Scourge moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Scourge has left. Goldbug moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Goldbug has left. Darkwing moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Darkwing has left. Hot Spot moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Hot Spot has left. Sandstorm moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Sandstorm has left. Redshift moves north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Redshift has left. You move north to the Chamber of the Prime Lense. Beneath the factory floor is a stairway leading downward, deep, deep below the surface. The chamber is cozy by the gargantuan standards of Foundry World - it's only about the size of a football stadium. A stark contrast to the rusted decay of the rest of the planet, the entire chamber is pristine, lit up by the central glowing lens mounted on a dais in the middle of the chamber. A few cables are still connected to the lens- perhaps it was the source of the Foundry World's power? The lens hums faintly, still channeling its cosmic energy. Contents: Redshift Sandstorm Hot Spot Darkwing Goldbug Scourge Rodimus Prime Obvious exits: South Perceptor arrives from the Factory-Cathedral to the south. Perceptor has arrived. Standing on the stack of parts, Sandstorm is safe from the immeadiate collapse of the floor. Just not the being blasted by flames, causing some of his paint to peel and armor to warm from the heat. Feeling the heap of junk start to drop away as the floor beneath it gives, he uses the last few moments of stability to leap off of it launching towards Redshift in a flying tackle to send them both hopefully crashing into the pit opening wide below. "GOING DOWN!" Combat: Sandstorm sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Sandstorm misses Redshift with his Don't mind if we drop in! (Smash) attack! Perceptor is pounded by Catechism's whip and Darkwing's punches as he transforms back to Robot Mode and backsteps with the others further and deeper into the area. "Yeowch... it is entirely possible that I have miscalculated the severity and direness of my current predicament as my systems reach the verge of failure in a mere short duration of time during this exchange of retaliations. Likely a result of the random fluctuations in the change of factored personas, i.e. aggression and hostility from Decepticons, being manipulated by the presence of said alien artifacts. In which case I should merely invest all my concentration on self-preservation to ensure the continuity of my resistance or at the very least my distractions of the enemy." Perceptor produces some tools with an impressive quickdraw and gets to work on his own systems. Perceptor transforms into Robot mode! Combat: Perceptor quickly patches up some of his minor injuries. Rodimus Prime falls through the ceiling, hands holding onto Galvatron's neck for as long as he can, but the fall makes it impossible. He lands in a heap, and as he's bathed in the magenta glow that Galvatron eminates, his own optics start to glow brighter. He growls, throwing wild accusations over his own radio frequency. "You're lying! You're all lying!" he roars as he spins towards his own team. "How /dare/ you oppose me! I am the Prime Autobot! The Matrix Bearer! You'll pay for your disobedience!" As he shouts, he fires a blast from the lense in his chest... but at whom? Combat: Rodimus Prime's attempt to use Lense of Oppression's Lense Flare attack on Galvatron goes wild! Combat: Rodimus Prime strikes Sandstorm with Lense of Oppression's Lense Flare attack! Hot Spot runs to the side, but he wasn't able to evade the blaster, striking him at his right shoulder. However, not too much was done on his shoulder, but only leaving a slight black mark. Another paintjob on for my shoulder. Saying nothing back, Hot Spots aims the cannon, once again, at Scourge. He was about to fire again until the floor underneath him starts to crumble until the floor couldn't hold any longer, the Protectobot Leader falling through and dropping his cannon. But the Bot quickly latches onto the edge of the floor, the rusty floor itself not going to hold much longer it appears, and with his left hand he pulls out his pistol. Without taking an aim, he fires the pistol at his target before the edge assisting him gives in and crumbles, possibly because of the weight. He falls down into the next room and lands on the ground, luckily. '*Smash!* Goldbug plummets down with the rest of the Autobots in the schaos of the brawl- at which point he pushes himself up to his feet- no, this is going all WRONG. He's got to do something! But, one thing at a time! Goldbug again springs across the battleground- launching himself at Darkwing! "Get clear, Perceptor!" the little guy says- and with that, Goldbug attempts to wrap his forearm around Darkwing's neck and *SQUEEZE!* That's probably not why he's called a throttlebot. Combat: Hot Spot misses Scourge with his Pistol attack! Combat: Goldbug sets his defense level to Aggressive. Combat: Goldbug strikes Darkwing with his Pressure-Point Strike attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily limited Darkwing's Agility! (Crippled) Catechism hits the ground, hard, because she has forgotten her anti-gravs again. She picks herself up, indomitable, fuelled by both Scourge's inspiring words and an unsateable lust for conquest. As Perceptor repairs himself, she quotes, scorn dripping from her voice, "So too were denied all those who gave in and fell mercy to their pain." She throws her head back defiantly and seeks out a different target, one worthy of being smashed by her fist - and she settles on the Protectobot leader, since /Scourge/ seems to be having so much trouble there. Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Neutral. Combat: Catechism misses Hot Spot with her Smiting the Heathens (Punch) attack! Galvatron lands on the bottom floor as well, but at least he's free of Rodimus's crushing grip. He rolls onto his hands and knees, watching Rodimus blast one of his own guys in a fit of paranoia. "You see, Rodimus!? Traitors are everywhere! Even in the Autobots!" His head whips towards Catechism when she protests her loyalty. "SILENCE! I am FULLY aware of the depths of disloyalty within my ranks! But you won't get me... oh, no no nononononono..." While still on all fours, he skitters off into a dark corner, like a spider, and the shadows seem to swallow him. Darkwing 's momentum from his running punch only aids in his falling down the large hole, and in his rage fueled mind forgets completely about his ability to fly as he plummets down to the floor below. Hopifully there is an Autobot below him to break his fall... Combat: Darkwing strikes Perceptor with his Ram attack! Combat: Galvatron activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight! Scourge watches as the floor falls away, and kicks on his anti-grav's. Merely turning to the side as Hot Spot fires on him again, he sneers at the Protectobot and floats down to the room below. "Perhaps, before you issue further threats, you should properly assess your situation. Now, you are even /more/ helpless, lying on the ground in a heap." As he floats down on his anti-grav's, he draws his rifle from subspace and fires a short blast of acid at Hot Spot. "Now, I will take my time with you, and enjoy your termination!" Combat: Scourge strikes Hot Spot with his Acid Ray attack! Redshift's agility is not perturned by the sudden lack of a floor, and he dodges Sandstorm's crude flying tackle easily enough. His flames linger upon Sandstorm, and then the Autobot's own revered LEADER strikes Sandstorm as well. Redshift follows the tumbling Autobots down, mindful of the jagged debris on all sides, laughing all the while at Sandstorm's misfortunes. "Poor autobot! But surely now you must see that even the lenses THEMSELVES conspire against you! Soon you will all be corrupted, or FELLED by our hand!" Redshift laughs some more, his mirth punctuated by another attack utilizing his special lens! Combat: Redshift misses Sandstorm with Lense of Malice's Lense Flare attack! [Pulled -3] Darkwing growls soflty as he gets attacked and pinned by that annoying Golden bug he was trying to squash earlier, after he lands. "You are in need of being squashed!" He yells. Goldbug grunts at Darkwing- and then springs away from the much larger Decepticon! "And you're in need of being slagged!" Goldbug says, and with that, he whips his lens up again, firing off a searing-white energy beam right at the Powermaster's chest! "Get clear if you need to, Autobots! I'll hold them off!" Brave little guy, he is- or is it just his lens talking? Combat: Goldbug misses Darkwing with Lense of Determination's Obliteration Beam attack! You send a radio message to Scourge: You were there! You heard Doubledealer - we have to RUIN this world. I know you're a master demolitionist - blow that lense to smithereens! Perceptor is crushed beneath Darkwing. "While I've accumulated data on Catechism's systems, it would seem that you are the more immediate threat Darkwing. Goldbug, allow me to assist you." Perceptor transforms from beneath his assailant into microscope mode, doing his best to scan while being pinned under. Sandstorm whoops as he misses, and then in the process of falling gets shot by Rodimus' wild fit of paranoia. Ow. He thuds on the floor, the flames still licking at some parts of his body even as he rolls sideways in a vain attempt to put some of them out. It does get him out of the way of the energy flash from Redshift's lense though. "Com'n, you've got that li'l trinket and you still can't hit me while I'm vulnerable?" He stops on his back, aims up with his blaster and fires a surge of high velocity silicate back up at Redshift. "I may have one, but I don't need it to consume me to put yer lights out!" Well, that, and Rodimus' little fit has made him think twice about using it so willingly. Combat: Perceptor analyzes Darkwing for weaknesses Goldbug can exploit. Combat: Sandstorm misses Redshift with his Sandblaster Gun attack! Ah! The acid sprays on his stomach, starting to dissolve the armor slowly and painfully. However, Hot Spot can withstand the pain as if it was a mere cut and stands up. At least it didn't hit his face or else he would be in a lot of trouble. "Termination I think not, Scourge. My will is stronger than yours, my justice is stronger than yours, and even my power is stronger than yours. You're just a predator, a criminal, an unlawful Transformer!" The lens starts to glow brightly once more, his fists start to glow again. The Protectobot could feel the power and might flowing in him, all this because of the lens on his chest. He charges towards the Sweep, both of his fists striking at the Deception as he approaches him. "Another serving for you!" Combat: Hot Spot strikes Scourge with Lense of Might's Might Makes Right attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Scourge's Agility. (Crippled) Rodimus Prime stares in shock in the aftermath of his blast as it strikes Sandstorm, his jaw dropping open. He didn't mean to- but that's the worst part. He did! For a few moments there, that was /exactly/ what he intended to do! But the aftermath of the event is enough to snap him back to his senses, at least for now. He's too numb to prevent Galvatron's strange getaway, and by the time Rodimus looks around, the Decepticon leader is no where to be seen. His own guys, however, are hurting pretty badly, and he /can/ do something like that. Rodimus runs to the very Autobot he hurt earlier, Sandstorm. "Hang on, Sandstorm, I'm... I'm me again, and I'm here for help," he reassures as he hurriedly attempts to repair some of the Wrecker's injuries. "This won't work for long, but it's better than nothing." Combat: Rodimus Prime quickly patches up some of Sandstorm's minor injuries. "I don't NEED to hit you, you're still on fire from the /last/ time I hit you, Blandstorm!" Not the best insult-nickname, but it's spur of the moment. Redshift smirks at the still-smoldering wrecker, but now Rodimus is repairing all his hard work, oh no! Redshift raises his plasma rifle, and takes aim at the fearless Autobot Leader, who should be child's play to hit at this range. Suddenly, Redshift may find himself seized by invisible hands! "*YOU* sabotaged my shuttle, didn't you, Redshift?" Galvatron's voice says from out of nowhere. "It makes sense--after all, you're space capable, aren't you? What do you care if a shuttle goes down when you have an FTL drive of your own? Then, all you'd need to do is arrange a few more 'accidents' and YOU would be Decepticon leader! Well... this is that what I think of THAT." Then Redshift is hefted into the air, one hand grasping the kibble on his back, and another hand grasping his leg, then, both hands pull away from each other as Galvatron reappears! "NRAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Combat: Redshift strikes Rodimus Prime with his Incinerator Rifle attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Suddenly, Galvatron appears out of thin air! Combat: Sneak Attack!! Combat: Galvatron strikes Redshift with his I DON'T NEED PROOF attack! [Pulled -1] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Redshift's Agility. (Crippled) Catechism is chagrinned to see her punch go nowhere. Hyped up on raw aggression, she targets Hot Spot again and looses a blast of the fell power that is coursing through her, animating her, making her feel more alive and more quintessentially Decepticon than she has ever felt. Catechism snaps, "Criminals? He who has power IS the law. Did you never hear that history is written by the victors? No? Well, if you're lucky, you won't live to see the history books I write!" Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Aggressive. Combat: Catechism strikes Hot Spot with Lense of Oppression's Power Corrupts attack! Darkwing gets to his feet as Goldbug gets off. "Worthless insect! You do not know what it means to slag someone!" He roars as Goldbug's attack misses. Throttler charges up providing extra power to the enraged dour jet, allowing him to fight on without need for a breather. He lenses flashes as he attempts to take out both his enemies at once. Combat: Darkwing strikes Perceptor with Lense of Malice's Destabilizing Blast Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily limited Perceptor's Agility! (Crippled) Combat: Darkwing strikes Goldbug with Lense of Malice's Destabilizing Blast Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily limited Goldbug's Agility! (Crippled) You send a radio message to Darkwing: Doubledealer told us how to find this planet, and he told us that we need to ruin it - we need to break that big lense! You receive a radio message from Darkwing: Didn't Lord Galvatron say he didn't want that lense destroyed? You send a radio message to Darkwing: Lord Galvatron also just tore Redshift in half! We need to do it for the Empire! Redshift's gloating and picking on defenseless Primes is cut short as he is clapsed by impossibly strong, invisible hands! He is lifted off his feet as Galvatron appears from the ether, and Redshift begins to babble as Galvatron begins to inexorably tear him in half. "No no Galvatron, you have it all wrong! Why would I betray the Decepticons!!" his jionts creak and pop, a few nuts and bolts falling out of place ad to the floor as he is pulled in two different directions I don't even HAVE an FTL DRIIIIIIVVeeeee--" *SPLUTCH* You receive a radio message from Darkwing: He did? I was too busy with all these slaging annoyances. I don't like going against his orders, but we don't need an even more insane leader... And it will be nice to see another world lie in ruins... You send a radio message to Darkwing: Wouldn't it just? A pyre to our ambitions! You receive a radio message from Darkwing: :luaghs sadisticly. "Yes! The first of many!" The Sweep watches the acid ray eating into Hot Spot, and smirks as he touches ground once again. When the Protectobot stands and rushes him, he doesn't even bother with dodging, and lets the attack slam into him, denting his armor. With a growl, the lense on his chest glows brightly, and Scourge revels in the power coursing through him as he unleases some of that power on his opponent! Then he pauses as he receives a message over the radio, and he chuckles. Combat: Scourge strikes Hot Spot with Lense of Intimidation's Lense Flare attack! "Gah!" Somehow, Goldbug just can't make his lens that accurate! "Lousy thing must be defective." he grumbles- and then is struck full on by Darkwing's lens-based-reply! The little bot narrows his optic visor, and then, resolutely, he rushes forward- opting to use his bare hands! Goldbug attempts to close viselike fingers around Darkwing's wrist and *PULLS!* as hard as he can- even as he swings a foot towards the back of Darkwing's knee, aiming to bring him down to the ground- at which point the golden Autobot just keeps raining kicks and punches upon the powermaster with terrible efficiency! "You'll stay down if you know what's good for you!" Combat: Goldbug misses Darkwing with his Master of Circuit-Su attack! Perceptor is burned bad from Darkwing's infernal counter-attacks. "The heat is far above the tolerance maximum for my armor, Goldbug!" Through the smoke and haze of heat waves flickering about the him, Perceptor transforms and somehow manages to muster up enough strength to continue despite having surpassed what his systems can handle. His light cannon shoulder chargles with the crackle-fizzle of atomized energy gathering within the barrel, accumulating until -- "I must elimenate the fear in order to see this situation clearly and objectively." He pauses. "it is gone." '*KATHOOM* Perceptor transforms into Robot mode! Combat: Perceptor sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Perceptor's Laser Cannon attack on Darkwing goes wild! Combat: Perceptor misses Rodimus Prime with his Laser Cannon attack! You receive a radio message from Scourge: Lord Galvatron specifically said we would /not/ destroy it. Why would I risk his wrath, and possibly the destruction of these wonderful lenses?! Sandstorm grunts a bit as he gets up, and has Rodimus there to help with some limited patching up. It's better than nothing, that's for sure. "Battle's chaotic, things happen dude," trying to ease the worried Prime's conciense a little though it's probably not going to do much good. "Look --" And then stops as Galvatron goes after Redshift instead. "-- ... nevermind." The Wrecker turns his attention elsewhere, and notices Goldbug and Hot Spot still having some trouble with the Powermaster and Seeker. Forgetting his own still lingering burns and wounds he bolts across the room, opening fire on Catechism and give Hot Spot a little relief. Rodimus Prime is, indeed, an easy target when he's stopped to repair someone else, and he's struck in the side by Redshift's incinerator rifle. He turns to counterattack when Galvatron makes that completely unnecessary. He watches the Decepticon leader rip the spaceship-former apart. His fist clenches as part of him /demands/ that he attack Galvatron - Galvatron is a threat to his authority, Galvatron refuses to bow before the one /true/ leader of the Autobots and must be destroyed for his insolunce! Rodimus shudders as, this time, he fights off the lense's influence. Instead of physically attacking the Decepticon leader, he attacks with words. "Oh, good job, Galvatron," he almost purrs. "You're right, too. He /was/ one of mine. But he's not the only one." Rodimus leans forward, "THey're all mine. They all work for /me/. Scourge. Darkwing. Catechism. All of them!" Then his optics brighten in a startled flicker as a shot from Perceptor just barely misses the back of his head. "Erm. Except Perceptor. He works for you." At the rate things are going, that may actually keep Perceptor safe! Combat: Rodimus Prime takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass] Redshift has disconnected. Combat: Sandstorm misses Catechism with his Getting sand in all those uncomfortable places! attack! [Pulled -1] Combat: Sandstorm (Sandstorm) used "Sandblaster Gun": A Level 3 RANGED attack. The flash from Catechism's lens causes pain inside Hot Spot. He could feel his wires and circuits shocking inside, and his legs systems are losing response, possibly his velocity systems are corrupted. Taking his focus off of Scourge was a bad idea as he strikes Hot Spot with his lens as well. The power of Scourge's lens knocking him down to the ground, the Protectobot slowly got up from the ground. He really is in bad shape, especially two attacks from the lenses not helping him, but it doesn't stop him from say a few words. "But you're not the victors yet, aren't you, Catechism? Nor will you ever be! And Scourge, you will never win as well. You and your dirty tricks.. You will never know law or justice!" Hot Spot starts to transform into his repair bay mode, obviously to repair his damaged body. Hot Spot hastely sits on the ground and transforms into his Repair Bay mode. There is someone in need of medical attention! Combat: Repair Bay sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Repair Bay quickly patches up some of his minor injuries. Galvatron drops Redshift's body--both parts--to the floor. "No FTL drive? So what--maybe you planned to steal one from Scourge! Yes, you'd cannibalize his parts! Makes sense!" He looks up at Rodimus as he explains that ALL the other Decepticons are also working for Rodimus! "Is that so!? I KNEW IT! They've all betrayed me! They were all working for YOU all along! They'll pay for this... but I have no reason to spare YOU, either!" He whips his cannon around, blasting charges at everything and everyone in the room! "DIE! DIE! DIE, all of you! The only trustworthy being is a CORPSE, so why not kill everyone!?" BZOW BZOW BZOW Striking the Protectobot with the lens attached to his chest, Scourge smirks and ducks back a bit, rather than pressing his advantage. It would serve to not only make his opponent wonder what he was doing, but also, when he attacks next, will give him a /real/ surprise. The lense glows briefly, and surrounds Scourge with a protective field as he speaks. "I will rip you apart, Hot Spot, and I will enjoy every moment of it. And there is /nothing/ you can do to stop me." Catechism flattens herself against a wall to evade Sandstorm's assist on Hot Spot, and she sputters, "Rodimus Prime, you're the worst boss ever! If I work for you, get that Wrecker off me!" Then, since Scouge has refused to help, Catechism pulls out her demolition kit, and she sounds bit fevered as she mutters to herself, "War is wonderful, but no one ever thinks about the /cost/ of it all. The logistics. Doubledealer named a cost when he gave us that information, and I, for one... don't want to deal with the kind of bill collectors that space tengu is going to send calling." Holding a few wires in her teeth, she finishes off her hasty work. "Here's to you, power, and your price." That said, Catechism detonates a device, pretty much intending to blow up the whole room, the main lense included. Combat: Catechism has created a bomb: "Power's Price"! Combat: Galvatron strikes Scourge with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron misses Perceptor with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron misses Catechism with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron strikes Repair Bay with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron strikes Sandstorm with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron strikes Darkwing with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron strikes Goldbug with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Galvatron misses Rodimus Prime with his Fusion Cannon Area attack! [Pulled -11] Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Fearless. Combat: Scourge creates a forcefield shielding himself from damage. Darkwing luaghs as Goldbug's fancypant attacks fail him. "You need to do better then that." He says and luaghs at Perceptor. "Look, even your own team mate would rather attack his leader then my mighty form. You should tremble before me as well!" He says and flies up towards the disk on Cate's orders and seeing Galvatron delve deeper into madness. He needs to take down that disc so this whole slagging planet knows what pain is. But is shot off course as Galvatron fires on him, knocking him across the room. Combat: Darkwing takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass] Combat: Darkwing uses up a charge on his High-Throttle Energy Drink booster pack! Combat: Catechism strikes Rodimus Prime with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism's Power's Price is destroyed! Combat: Catechism misses herself with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism misses Galvatron with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism strikes Scourge with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Scourge's forcefield absorbs Catechism's attack. Combat: Catechism strikes Darkwing with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism strikes Sandstorm with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism strikes Repair Bay with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Catechism strikes Perceptor with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Combat: Perceptor falls to the ground, unconscious. Combat: Catechism strikes Goldbug with Power's Price's Huge Explosion #9671 Area attack! Goldbug is struck full-on by Galvatron's blast- smashing him against the wall in a shiny heap! He groans, taking a moment to poke at the gaping wound in his chest- only to glance up, seeing Catechism fiddle with a bomb. "No!" he cries- desperate. But Goldbug is too late. Catechism's bomb goes off, rolling flaming destruction over the chamber! The Prime Lens takes this blast full-on, and begins to tremble against such explosive force! And then, for just a moment, an otherworldly voice echoes over the chamber: "THE FOURTH OF THE TWELVE HAS FALLEN." And then, the Prime Lens shatters! It crumbles to the floor, no piece of it larger than a grain of sand! And then, one by one, the smaller lenses carried by the brave robot warriors present do the same, crumbling into so much worthless dust. And for a moment, all is still. That is, until the now-dark chamber begins to rumble again, even louder, tectonic forces beginning to shift and crumble- was the Prime Lense the only thing holding the Foundry Planet together? Or, more importantly, who's going to stick around to find out? The big lens shatters, followed by all the others. Rodimus Prime watches the one on his chest fall to the floor in pieces, and he breaths an audible sigh of relief, throwing back his head for a moment to enjoy the end of that maddening influence. "Thank Primus," he murmurs, then his optics brighten as the place begins to shake. "I don't see any reason to stick around. Autobots, retreat!" he orders, running to grab Perceptor. He scoops the unconscious Autobot up then transforms, somehow tossing Perceptor into his trailer as he leads the way back up a conviently placed girder! Galvatron howls with laughter as he blasts away at everyone and everything--until his lense crumbles to powder. The crazed look on his face vanishes, and Galvatron drops to his knees, gasping. "Wh--what... what happened... what came over me? I was insane! Completely mad! Those damnable lenses--our informant was right to tell us to destroy the Prime Lens! Those things were controlling us!" Galvatron throws himself into the air, and blasts through the roof of the cathedral. "Hnh. There's nothing else here for us, Decepticons! Let's get out of here! And someone pick up Redshift!" Sandstorm growls as he's first nailed in Galvatron's wild firing, and the slammed backwards into the wall from the explosion. "Ugh..." He looks up, just in time to see the big lense start to fall apart, and despite hurting like hell at least smirks, feeling the lense of his own starting to fade its power. "Well, that at least means THEY won't get it..." The Wrecker forces his battered form to his feet, and seeing Rodimus going to grab Perceptor, turns and offers a hand to the Throttlebot. "Com'n Goldbuddy, no one's gettin' left behind. If you want a quick lift out of this collapsing hellhole, grab on!" He transforms into chopper mode, giving the one Bot around that's actually small enough for him to actually carry a chance to grab on before he starts flying out. <> His sharp eye for detail picks up, and points out to the others over the local bandwidth. Jumping to the air, Sandstorm twists around rapidly, rotors whirl to life and he takes off in his helicopter mode. Rodimus Prime transforms into his Winnebago mode. Darkwing finds himself VERY glad he got the stupidily named metal Hook created as his armor. After a getting attacked by Galvatron and having a small hole ripped through his chest armor; he gets struck by the oddly much stronger backlash of Cate destroying the lense, which crumples his already damaned armor almost like it was aluminum foil... And yet Darkwing still finds the power to stand, though his lense seems to have had it as it crumbles to dust as his brightlly lit raged filled optics dim back to their normal dull red sheen. Its then the depression that had been held back by the lenses hits him. "Great, now we got this rust ball comign down on top of us after being used like puppets. I knew this would all end in ruin..." He sighs while transformign to jet mode and flying off before his day could possibly get any worse. Leaping into the air, Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet Some days, you just have to be a mad bomber and blow slag up. Today was just that kind of day, for Catechism. The power of oppression drains out of her, and she feels weak, feeble, wobbly. It disgusts her, and her lips curl into a sneer of distaste at her much-reduced state. At least she evaded Galvatron's crazed rampage and the concussion wave of her own explosive. Then she hears it. 'fourth of twelve'. Her lips make a stunned 'o'. Blowing up the lense was not perhaps what she should have done - last time she heard something like that, she ended up in the past! Sensing the need to make a quick getaway before the planet, Scourge, or Galvatron kill her, she transforms and blasts away. Time to go hide out on Alkor Zephyr for a while! Catechism transforms to her jet mode, which is quite astoundingly simple for the coneheaded model that she is. Combat: XF-35B Astral Lightning begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit. Combat: Winnebago begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Panavia Tornado GR1 Fighter Jet , XF-35B Astral Lightning , and CH-47 Chinook Repair Bay transfroms out of his repair mode and into his fire truck mode. The lense Hot Spot had earlier fell into many small pieces, making it useless. The reason to transform is to get the heck out of here with enought speed, but where is he suppose to go if they are below the main floor? "We have to find something we can use to drive out of here!" With luck, he notices a metal beaming leading towards the upper floor, acting like a ramp. Well, Wrecker notices it before he does... but mostly likely this beam fell from the fight earlier, but there is no need to explain. <> Hot Spot slowly goes down to the ground and transforms hastely into his cool blue fire truck mode. He's ready to terminate those fires! Combat: Blue Fire Truck begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Scourge, Winnebago , Galvatron, Panavia Tornado GR1 Fighter Jet , XF-35B Astral Lightning , CH-47 Chinook , and Goldbug Combat: CH-47 Chinook begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from Panavia Tornado GR1 Fighter Jet and XF-35B Astral Lightning Combat: Panavia Tornado GR1 Fighter Jet begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from XF-35B Astral Lightning Goldbug finally stirs himself from his blast-induced shock to grab onto Sandstorm's skis! He glances over his shoulder at the wreckage behind him, and mutters, barely to be heard- "What have I done?" Fortunately, a gumby grabs Redshift and flies off with him, so he doesn't die. This time.
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