Close to my Spark

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Intel reports were fairly solid from Buzzsaw. The Autobots were using a transport to move sparks currently frozen in stasis from somewhere in Vos. However, the bird had his way with things, and the transport that was already in poor shape was ripped up to the point of having to make a layover in Altihex. 
 
Perfect, for the Decepticons, at least. That meant that a quick force had a chance to get in, make a grab for some valuable cargo, and get the slag out before things got too hot for them. However, time was of the essence, and the scene in Altihex? Well, in an effort to keep from providing too large a target, security was kept light, but concise, though by the looks of that large shuttle arriving on scene and lowering itself down in a clearing? The move was happening.
Blast Off flies in just about at that time. The brown and purple shuttle is among those sent on this strike force. To get in, grab the cargo of sparks, and get out again. It feels strange though- the shuttle has spent time in Altihex, the city of space tech, and under other circumstances would love to stay and enjoy the scenery. Not today. Today they're running on a tight schedule. 
 
His scanners pick up the transport while he's still high in the air. << I have the transport. Sending coordinates now. I am ready to fly in and take the cargo as soon as you give the order. >>
Starscream is less than thrilled when he gets the report from Buzzsaw. Vos of all places to steal spark? This is a bit personal now and the Air Commander is part of this small group to move in and recover what he feels is rightfully his -- well theirs. <<"What Autobots have you picked up, Blast Off?>> Starcream asks as he stays out of range in a holding pattern in tetrajet mode.
Forces on the ground are a light guard, perhaps almost...too light. Certainly it's nothing to scoff at, but still, none of the usual heavy-hitters are seen setting up their perimeter around the shuttle itself as an empty container with a cryo-cooling unit attached is wheeled out. A few guards break off to head towards a nearby wreck of a transporter and, shortly after, a second sealed crate with the cooling unit attached to it is rolled out to meet the first halfway. 
 
How ever, something seems to look just a bit out of place, as one of the 'guards', it seems, is actually standing alone near the shuttle's nosecone and talking to...the shuttle itself? Well, that's what it looks like, at any rate, though without being up close and personal, such a thing would be difficult to fully confirm. But the package is on the move, it seems, as the cargo is revealed, the containers bearing sparks starting to get transferred from the old case to the new case.
Blast Off continues scanning the ground below. << I am picking up a few Autobot signiatures... nothing really registering in my databanks yet. >> Then something pings... and the shuttle runs a second sweep. Circling overhead, he scans a third time. <<... I... well, there's... something odd here. >> Adjusting his angle to maintain a slow arc, he scans yet again. << Running through my databanks now. I am picking up... >> 
 
A long pause. Then, his voice sounds over the radio, tinged with... an odd lilt to it. IT's not clear just what he's experiencing. << Sky Lynx. That's Sky Lynx. >>
Starscream listens to what Blast Off reports and then makes a rather snobby huff, <<That ugly brute of an Autobot shuttle is the one playing transport for property that belongs to Vos? What are they doing to him? Can you tell if the cargo is still inside him or not?>>
Currently, the keen eyes of an observer might note there is a delay in the process. It appears the coolant on one case is running low, and there's a flurry of hands working on transferring the sparks to a new case to ensure they are properly cared for. Of course, there's no immediate call to arms until one mech, the one talking to Sky Lynx's nosecone, glances up and points towards the shuttle... 
 
Oh dear. 
 
Blasters from those not involved in the transfer aim skyward to start sending up a scattering fire of inneffectual anti-aircraft bolts in an effort to scatter their airborne adversaries while the shuttle itself starts to shift, engines spooling up and coming online as navigational lights come to life.
Blast Off hmmms. He doesn't comment on the *ugly brute*, falling oddly silent on an opportunity to deride an Autobot. He does respond to the rest, however. << I-It appears they are transporting cargo from one to the other. Not in him yet. I detect a coolant leak and it is delaying them a bit. We may have a little time to plan- >> 
 
OOps. Ok, they don't have any more time, apparently, as a shot fires off near Blast Off's own nosecone. The shuttle veers to avoid the gunfire, firing up his own wing-mounted lasers to return fire at the small figures below. << I would suggest we strike fast. >>
Starscream hears the laserfire and mutters something sarcastically about what a great stealth job the Combaticon did. His afterburners fire up and the Tetrajet quickly fall in and then ahead of the shuttle to open fire on Skylynx. <<We need to pull the fire away from the transport! See if we can get them move away a bit!>>
Blame Blast Off's size for giving him away. It's hard to hide something as big as a shuttle, after all. 
 
As for the ground crew, they're working with a bit more haste on the transfer, but there seems to be a bit of miscommunication, as the one with the leaking crate starts to roll that crate back towards the ruined transport it was originally in as an effort to get to cover. Most optics, though, are skyward. 
 
Lynx has engines online and begins to hover in place, slowly shuffling towards the crate not being moved back to the transport to shield it under a wing as the fire going skyward intensifies.
Blast Off returns radio, << I can make them move away from the transport. >> With that, the shuttle dips down, swooping in with lasers firing at the mechs shooting at him from below. He tries to scatter the mechs attempting to push the crate to safety while not firing TOO closely at it.
Starscream veers to the side and takes special aim at Sky Lynx and alternates between both wing lasers as he fires. "I beleive you have something that belongs to Vos, Autobot! You need to turn it over now!" yea he will try some limited negociation. After all he was the last head of state for Vos, surely that still counts for something, right?
The mistake is realized too late, and the mechs pushing the crate towards the transport try to double back, only to be cut off by laser fire. They instead wisely (perhaps) opt to bunker up in the transport itself, using the Buzzsaw-wrecked hull as cover to return fire while the rest work on sealing up the second crate under Lynx's wing. "Hurry up and get the crate inside, we'll use me for cover to get the second one shortly." Seems the big shuttle's actually in a bit of a bind. He's being used as cover while shielding half the cargo, and it's possible there's others 'inside', meaning his immediate response isn't happening. 
 
Still, that doesn't mean he's not shifting position ever so slightly, bringing the leading edges of his wings around to face the other shuttle as open-channel radios are activated. "Decepticon shuttle, this is Sky Lynx of the Autobot Aerospace Command. You are flying in restricted airspace and are requested to vacate the premises immediately."
Blast Off succeeds- sort of. He makes a sweep, followed by an arcing run with nosecone pointed upwards- only to drop back down for another strafing run. He comes closer, trying to drill his shots where it counts- while not hitting that crate. << He's pinned down, Starscream. If we act fast we can get the cargo and leave before he gets properly in the air. >> 
 
Receiving the message, there's a moment's silence before he replies in kind. << ... This is Blast Off. Long time no see. >> Another moment of silence before he continues, << As I understand it, ALL airspace is restricted to someone like me, as a Decepticon now. Therefore I cannot see the point of worrying too much whether I am in one piece of airspace or another. >>
"Restricted airspace?" Starscream cuts in and asks as he turns and makes another straffing him himself. "Fine talk comeing from a THIEF!" he moves to a closed circuit and says <<Blast Off, prepare to land and grab the crates, I will keep Sky Lynx busy!>> Suddenly the Tetrajet pulls up, swings around and starts diving down toward Sky Lynx As he does he starts spinning and firing both his wing lasers at the same time. Suddenly it seems to be raining laserfire and all of it toward the Autobot Shuttle.
<<Blast Off? I hardly recognized you with that horrid paint. I'd have expected you to pick something more fitting your station, and not something that looks like it was wiped off Megatron's aft plates.>> 
 
He shields the ground crew, taking the blasts from Starscream until the first crate is loaded. Then, engines kick in to lift him out of the way of further punishment while bringing his own laser cannons to bear on the tetrajet, opening up with a volley of his own. 
 
Those remaining on the ground rush towards the transport itself, working on securing the location and a means of escorting their half of the load to safety, focusing their fire towards the shuttle.
<< Understood >>, Blast Off replies. He swings in for yet another run, though Sky Lynx's comment causes the smaller shuttle's armor plates to bristle a little in indignation. << MY paint job is *excellent*, and these colors have *always* looked good on me!! Though I might have more shanix for the best brand of paint if the government hadn't been so busy *taking everything I have*! >> Shuttle engines growl to emphasize his point. << Besides, I'd expect someone of *your* station and learning to know better than to side with *Autobots*! >> 
 
At that, Blast Off suddenly transforms, hitting the ground running. His ionic blaster is already in hand as he races towards the crate and tries shooting those attempting to spirit it away. "Run while you still can. Those belong to us."
Starscream pulls up from his spin and gets grazed by a couple of shots from the Autobot Shuttle. That stings but he comes back around for another attack run as he snaps to Blast Off, <<Put the energy you're wasting with your mouth and get that crate!!>> he starts firing toward Sky Lynx again.
There's no running from Blast Off, and instead a few stand their ground in the transport-turned-bunker to offer covering fire while the others start to move the crate towards a nearby building, their intent rather clear. Seems they're going for the utility lift to the roof. But it's not a quick move at all. 
 
As for Lynx, he turns to drive nosecone to nosecone with Starscream, slowly rolling to help mitigate some of the laser fire coming his way. Internally, there's claxons going off, warning the passengers inside to brace for impact as thin wisps of smoke start to vent from the forward vents on his nose... 
 
<<I'll have you know that what you see on me is nothing more than careful maintenance of what was given to me when I first entered service. Just because you forgot your paint-codes and had to put on a new overcoat does not entitle you to sympathy from me.>> 
 
And then there's fire. Gouts of fire. Sure, Sky Lynx is more than willing to play chicken with a tetrajet's lasers, because he brings fire to a laser battle. Or...something like that.
Blast Off hufffs at Starscream, muttering, "I can *multitask*, you know..." Sky Lynx gets another huff. << I didn't forget my paint codes, I just decided to stop trying to work with a system that was only interested in /slagging me over/. >> But he does quiet down some finally. He's on the ground among enemies- not a great spot. Working to overwhelm with sheer firepower and surprise, he rushes towards the crate, aiming at the people still trying to push it away. "I said that is OURS!!" He fires, trying to make them fall away so he can grab the crate.
Starscream notices Sky Lynx coming up into his turf so to speak and chuckles. "Big mistake, Autofool." and then suddenly theres a wall of fire coming toward him. Well that's not fair! His last spin over he pulls up and hard to try and avoid as much of the fire as he can. And he keeps climbing for a moment and then angles up and over, pulling the infamous Immelmann Turn, he is now facing toward Sky Lynx but at a higher altitude. He cranks up his lasers and fires anew as he starts to decend again. "You can't have what doesn't belong to you."
Sky Lynx is not near as nimble as he rightfully ought to be, primarily due to the limitations of having to keep his cargo safe from getting tossed around. Though, that also means he needs to keep himself from getting shot up too bad. His engines flare to life as he operates off strict speed to get a little buffer between himself and the tetrajet, putting aft armor to the onslaught of lasers. 
 
The boys on the ground are trained, to a degree, but they're not veterans nor built for proper, rough combat. They hold their ground, but it's not near as effective as it should be. More than a few are cut down by the fire sent their way, the remaining ones falling back to the pair moving the crate. Something which does not bode well with them at all.
Blast Off just keeps dogging that crate. Running after it, firing at those who keep pushing it, he aims (literally) to strike them down and grab it for himself. He doesn't want to get physically close- that would put him at a disadvantage. But he does keep moving closer, and he slows now in his walk, taking careful aim at each mech and firing. "I said LEAVE IT."
Starscream decides to give chase to the Autobot shuttle and starts firing toward his aft to try and herd him away, if you will, from the crate below. <<Aren't you done yet, Blast Off?>> he asks as he continues to generally be a serious pain in the skidplates to Sky Lynx. Hey what are Tetrajets for anyway?
With the bulk of his injuries repaired, a large and ugly jet flies in from the star-dusted sky. Recognizing each of the units here, he quickly takes stock of the situation. The 'Bots on the ground need help, from who? None other than Blast Off! Quickswitch rapidly transforms into tank mode and lands with a spark-shrieking skid to provide cover for those on the ground. Irritated, the Sixchanger begins firing in Blast Off's direction.
Sky Lynx has a flying pyramid on his aft. Where's the Chosen One to deal with those annoying things when you need it? He jukes and carefully alters his course to bring himself around for a strafing run towards Blast Off, diving down before slowly...pulling up as he checks his fire. The mech's just too close to that crate to put them at risk. 
 
Spying Quickswitch, the aerospace commander chimes in over the radio. <<Quickswitch, be advised, that crate near the ugly winged one- correction, the ugly space-capable, winged one has sparks in it. Do not, I repeat, do NOT compromise their safety with wild shots.>> 
 
The last of the mechs defending dutifully stands his ground, but it's all for naught, and he gets blasted out of the way by the sniper's own accuracy, leaving the crate itself unguarded.
<< Almost >>, Blast Off replies, << These fools refuse to give up. >> The Combaticon figures it's only a moment before he'll have victory. Moving in for a point blank shot, he takes aim...and suddenly there's shots fired AT him. WOAH wait a minute now. The shuttleformer ducks down and scoots to the side, looking for the source and- AHA. And oh smelt. A little trace of ice courses down down his fuel lines... he's run into that Autobot before and it didn't turn out well for HIM at all. Like... he barely survived. Now violet optics focus intently on the sixchanger as he takes aim. "You. I owe you." Firing off a shot, he still seeks to get closer to the crate. 
 
And then MORE gunfire. The Combaticon braces himself and looks skyward, trying to get closer to the crate still... maybe it will throw the Autobot off, not wanting to damage the cargo inside. And it works! This leaves the Combaticon face to face with that last mech standing. Coldly, he raises his weapon and fires. "I said this is OURS." The mech falls away and Blast Off grabs the crate!
Starscream sees a new mech step into the fray; Quickswitch. "You brought help but it will do you no good." the Tetrajet suddenly wing over and lights his afterburners. Hes heading for the ground and for Blast Off for a moment it looks like Starscream is heading Kamakazi style right for him but at the last minute he pulls up, transforms and lands. The Seeker quickly aims a laser cannon at the crate. "Cease fire or I blow all the sparks up in this crate. Understand?" he glances around coldly.
Quickswitch takes the painful shot in the armor. The tank is too slow to manouvre in time, but he has a wealth of modes at his disposal. He transforms.
And the assault unit studies Blast Off and then Starscream in its cannon's sights. Quickswitch's voice, cold and merciless, utters with frank directness, "...You will stand down or you will die. It is my function... The sparks mean nothing to me..."
Sky Lynx slowly comes around and lowers himself so his cannons are brought to bear on the Decepticon duo, though the silence that seems to radiate from the mech indicates he is indeed weighing the options presented, and possible outcomes of it all. 
 
<<Quickswitch,>> he offers after a moment of thought, <<Stand down. That is an order. We can always work on a recovery option, or reclaim them later if the opportunity presents itself, but we cannot risk lives that we are here to protect.>> 
 
Of course, there's a moment of pause as the large shuttle just stares down (as best a shuttle can) the two. "Just give me a reason, Starscream. You take that shot and I will ensure your own joins them."
Blast Off eyes Quickswitch warily but maintains a firm grip on the crate as he begins to walk away... backwards if neccessary. "Then you're a fool- AND a failure. You *ought* to care about these sparks. They're the future." Sky Lynx training his weapons on him doesn't go unnoticed, and he makes a sort of *tsk* ing sound. "If you shoot me, you shoot the sparks." 
 
Then STARSCREAM SAYS HE MIGHT. This has the shuttleformer whipping his head around to glare at the Seeker. "You better have one *smelt* of a good plan- or aim. If you shoot ME, well..." He leaves the threat unsaid, but he's obviously going to be VERY unhappy.
"...Yes, sir," the assault unit obediently backs off, even as humiliation and wrath fills him at Blast Off's comments and writhes like turbo-snakes. It transforms into its beast mode and remains vigilant, "Orders, sir?" he asks Sky Lynx in a casual voice, even reaching up to scratch an ear with his hindquarters nonchalantly.
"Or what, Blast Off?" Starscream prodes with a half grin on his face, almost taunting the Combaticon to finish his threat. Then he looks at Skylynx. "Fine, here is your reason. Unload the crate still inside you -- which by the way, if I had shot you down, you could have killed them you realize that?" he pauses a beat then continues. "Unload the other crate and we will leave with these it and this one -- property of Vos, and if you fire as we leave remember, you might damage them." humor creeps into his voice and a smile spreads across his lips. "And we wouldn't want that now would we?"
REPOSE: "Or what, Blast Off?" Starscream prodes with a half grin on his face, almost taunting the Combaticon to finish his threat. Then he looks at Skylynx. "Fine, here is your reason. Unload the crate still inside you -- which by the way, if I had shot you down, you could have killed them you realize that?" he pauses a beat then continues. "Unload the other crate and we will leave with it and this one -- property of Vos, and if you fire as we leave remember, you might damage them." humor creeps into his voice and a smile spreads across his lips. "And we wouldn't want that now would we?"
"No." Sky Lynx's voice is about as cold as it is serious on the matter, and he starts to spin up his own lasers. "While I will not allow one of those reporting to me to carry the burden of sacrifice, I will hold very little qualms in doing it myself. Indeed, it is starting to sound, more and more, like my simply igniting you two where you stand will be 'saving' those you hold ransom from whatever plans you have in mind for them." 
 
The thin wisps of smoke begin to rise from his nosecone. "The real question at this juncture, Starscream, is how much you value your own spark, because if you do follow through on your bluff, I will have nothing standing between you and my teeth." There's a pause. "The same goes for you, Blast Off." 
 
<<We're pulling back, Quickswitch. Gather the wounded and start moving out. I'll be right behind you.>>
Another transformation and Quickswitch is in robot mode, "Come on.." he whispers softly to the wounded mechs on the ground, "We're getting you out of here." One by one, Quickswitch escorts them to his own cockpit once he transforms into jet mode, "..Everything will be fine." Gathering up all the wounded, he blasts off in the direction of Iacon, where the wounded will receive treatment.
Violet optics narrow at the Seeker... but this is not something he wants to get into with right now, with enemies all around. "We'll discuss it... later," he mutters. Then returns focus back to Sky Lynx, Quickswitch and the crate. Optics narrow even more as the Combaticon hugs the crate closer to his chest. 
 
"If the sparks are destroyed today, it's on YOU, Sky Lynx, not I. And really now? You are actually saying you'd rather kill these sparks and get rid of us than allow them to cared for by Decepticons? You presume to make that judgement call? What if they willingly wished to go with us? How can you even know one way or the other without awakening and reviving them? I make no such assumptions, nor do I threaten them with destruction. But Starscream is right- these belong with Vos, and those of Vos. Like him." Blast Off makes no moves as Quickswitch gathers up the wounded, just keeping his distance and preparing to fly off at the earliest opportunity.
Starscream gives no reaction to Sky Lynx's refusal and seems only mildly interested in Quickswitch evacuating the wounded. As he watches the 6 changer leave and listens to what Blast Off says he considers the fact that in a sense the Autobot Shuttle is now out numbered. But he also doesnt care for those teeth he's looking at either. But Blast Off raises a good point: these sparks belonged to Vos and he was the leader of Vos so they belong to him. "There is no ransom other then what you are trying to leverage out of them." Starscream finally says after Blast Off is done. "I here alone have the most right to them but if you are that desperate to validate your kidnapping, go ahead. It will be written in the history files as a classic example of Autobot morality." he looks at Blast Off, "Load the crate --" he looks back at Sky Lynx, "Leave now." he really doesn't want to let half these sparks go but he also doesn't want to jepordize losing the half they have and if they do outnumber the bot, how this will go down in the history files will more then make up for what he will lose with the sparks the Autobot shuttle still holds.
Sky Lynx is silent, smoke churning forth all the while as Quickswitch handles the evacuations. "I never said it was the right choice, Blast Off, just that it is a choice I will make of my own volition should it be required." 
 
Though, it doesn't seem to come down to that. Not this time, at least. As soon as Quickswitch is in the clear, the shuttle starts to move. "Get out of my sight, both of you. Rest assured, this matter is not over. I promise you that." 
 
He turns and starts to gain altitude. "As for choice, Blast Off, how would mine be any different than Starscream using them as hostages? He seemed willing to consider them expendable. I've got to say...doing the same left a poor taste in my mouth." 
 
Engines flare and the shuttle quickly puts distance between himself and the Decepticons.
Blast Off nods to Starscream but remains focused on Sky Lynx until he knows better what the larger shuttle is going to do. What comes is welcome- and yet unsettling, somehow. Sky Lynx's parting words to the Combaticon leave said Combaticon feeling oddly unsettled somehow. Normally he wouldn't care. Normally he'd just shrug - stupid Autofools. But this is a fellow space mech- someone he worked with long, long ago. Blast Off frowns under his faceplate- and then shakes his head. He can't think of anything to say, so he doesn't try. 
 
Transforming, he uses his shuttle arm to grab the crate and place it inside his cargo bay. << I am ready for takeoff. >>
Starscream waits until he is sure Sky Lynx is not going to double back and attack before he transforms and lifts into the air. "Lets head back and dont damage your cargo whatever you do." he pulls up and back toward where they are based right now and runs escort for the Combaticon Shuttle and the cargo he carries inside.