Autobot Briefing

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--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 06:13PM CST >---------------------
A meeting is going on in the command center, which is located on one of the Decagon's basement sublevels. Everyone on base and available has made an effort to be here. It is being held in a large circular conference room with a large holographic projector in the middle of the room.
As mechs file in, they'll notice Prowl standing near the projector, going over something on a datapad and looking as stoic as ever. They also might notice that as of the moment, Prime isn't here. Probably has his hands full with the Convocation. But maybe he'll be fashionably late.
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 06:17PM CST >-------------------
Wheeljack has little trouble bumming himself a comfortable seat... if only because there's not many Bots that want to sit too close to the resident mad inventor. Just for their own safety. Not that he seems to mind, he's paying more attention to fiddling with something on a holopad hovering in front of himself than anyone else around anyways.
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 06:21PM CST >---------------------
Arcee enters carrying a datapad and has a seat up near the front, half-expecting at least one portion of this meeting to be about all the ways she's screwed up. Maybe they'll leave the best for last. Until such time that she has to endure it, she's decided that she's just going to do what she's always done, and show up ready for whatever the moment brings.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 06:22PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx patiently awaits all the others to enter before doing so himself and taking up a corner in the back. After all, that's probably the only spot truly 'available' to him, and it also keeps many from hiding in the back as most seem to be prone to doing in meetings like this.
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 06:24PM CST >-------------------
Being fashionably late himself (perhaps someone told him it's dangerous when Prowl is running the meeting), Sandstorm enters shortly after Arcee. Spotting his own personal favorite inventor (if only because things are almost always going to explode around him), Sandstorm finds himself a nice seat right next to Wheeljack. As the triplechange sits down, he makes a fairly blatant effort to read whatever is on Wheeljacks holopad.
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 06:39PM CST >---------------------
As the time for the meeting to begin approaches, the projector in the middle activates, showing a rotating First Face emblem to get everyone's attention.
"Right then everyone," Prowl begins. He doesn't waste time. "First order of business, we apparently have an issue to address. An issue regarding trusting the Decepticons, or anyone who might be affiliated with them, with -anything-." At this, his optics are directed specifically at Arcee, and even Sky Lynx. 
"The answer to that is simple. You -don't-. Ever. Especially when the life of one our own is at stake. I don't care if they offer to help you, or offer to give you something. Don't believe a single word they say. Don't allow yourself into any vulnerable position. This includes being in close proximity to them at an unmonitored location, or allowing yourself into an exposed position where you might be caught off guard. If you're not sure of their allegiance, always be cautious."
"Secondly, don't give them -any- information regarding our activities unless lives or other high priorities are at stake, or unless you've received specific orders to do so. Now are there any questions?"
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 06:45PM CST >---------------------
Arcee apparently has no questions, as she remains seated quietly, showing no more emotion than if she were bored and passing the time watching traffic on the expressway.
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 06:45PM CST >-------------------
The display isn't nearly as interesting as it could be, as it's just a list of various mechanical damages to the mega-refinery. Some have been marked as done, but a lot of them are still in process or not touched entirely. The Decepticons managed to do quite a bit of structural damage, and with resources the way they are, I don't need to spell out how slow some things are going to be to even get to.
"Hey Sandstorm," he greets the triplechanger as he looks up. And Prowl is already talking. Hey, at least he gets right to the point as usual.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 06:46PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx is likewise quiet. This was something discussed earlier, and there's apparently no need to revisit. Not from him, at least, though he does glance briefly at Arcee before returning his attention to the briefing taking place.
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 06:47PM CST >-------------------
Pulling his attention away from the holopad long enough to listen to Prowls opening comment, Sandstorm considers if he should ask if it's okay to blow the Decepticons up. However he decides it may be better to ask forgiveness for that than to request permission. Least that's what some other Autobot he overed heard speaking seemed to think, and it certainly sounded like a good idea. So instead Sandstorm remains quite and looks back at the holopad briefly, shaking his head slightly at the list of damages.
"They sure pulled a number on that refinery." And the triplechanger gives Wheeljack a look to convey how he feels about that (not very happy to be exact).
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 07:00PM CST >---------------------
Prowl waits a moment, glancing about the room to give people a chance in case there are any questions, but after about a half a breem he continues. "Excellent." He manipulates the controls on the projector a bit, and the symbol changes to a list of profiles of known Decepticons, of course including its leadership such as Starscream, Megatron, Scorponok, and Soundwave, as well as a number of others, including Blast Off, Tankor, and Shockwave. Another list contains images of unnamed mechs who were seen aiding the Decepticons, including Phantom and Razorclaw. "I can't stress enough the importance of ensuring, wherever we can, that the Decepticons or their supporters, do not achieve whatever goals they may have. I've sent this information to all of your private frequencies, therefore, if you see any of these people or find any evidence of them--get after them. Hunt them down, and arrest them. Use lethal force if you have to, and -don't- give them the benefit of the doubt. Don't hold back, either. Some of you might think this is going to be easy, but you couldn't be more wrong. Even with Megatron gone, they are still a threat. If we don't gain an edge over them, we're fighting a losing battle."
He glances over at Wheeljack, aware that he's been overseeing repairs to the mega-refinery. "Wheeljack, report on the situation at Toraxxis. How are repairs coming along?"
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 07:02PM CST >---------------------
Arcee makes a few notations in her datapad as she listens to Prowl, then glances over toward Wheeljack when the engineer's name is mentioned.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 07:06PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx continues to study the data being fed to them courtesy Prowl's briefing, keeping relatively quiet throughout the data spewing. Of course, he makes special notations on the fliers, going so far as to rank them on perceived speed and threats (all either 'Low' or 'Lower' of course).
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 07:09PM CST >-------------------
"As you can probably imagine, I've got good news and bad news," Wheeljack responds as he stands up. He 'closes' the hologram he was looking at between his hands, only for it to pop up on the various displays instead. But a lot of it is technical jargon that many average Autobots probably wouldn't be able to completely process anyways.
"The good news is that most of the machinery is still working. Unfortunately a lot of it is not entirely up to current specs thanks to the.. ah.." The way his flashers go dim for a few moments is a clear sign he's got to stop and actually think of a decent way of putting it "... -choices- of some of the previous leadership we've had to... -contend- with. The strain of providing almost all of the current energon needs for Cybertron is severely taxing on it."
Wheeljack shakes his head a little. "The bad news," that wasn't the bad news? "Is that the structural damage the Decepticons did was a lot more extensive. Repair materials is difficult to come by, as you can imagine. So even if the machinery is running, another hit like it could just bring the entire place down." He snaps two digits and the displays flicker off again, and shares a look with Prowl. "And I doubt I'm the only one that wouldn't put it past the Decepticons to try and jackshaft us all by destroying what they can't have."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 07:22PM CST >-------------------
Listening to the report, having already read quite a bit of what was on Wheeljacks holopad (pays to be nosey), Sandstorm listens patiently. At the mention of how hard repair materials are to come by, Sandstorm rubs his chin as he considers. As Wheeljack continues, the triplechangers thoughts run through his recent experience, and a grin (one of those grins that you just know means there's trouble abound) appears on Sandstorms face. However he remains silent, politely tuning back into what Wheeljack is saying.
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 07:25PM CST >---------------------
Arcee looks worried as Wheeljack explains the dire situation with the Toraxxis refinery. "Maybe we could form two teams -- one for the engineers to effect emergency repairs, and another team for security, to be their guarded lookout at all times. There could be...three 'shifts' of A, B, and C for each team, so no one would be taxed beyond their limits and the next team could cycle right in to pick up where the last shift left off," Arcee offers. "Then we would stand a good chance of not only fixing what's wrong and obtaining whatever fuel is left, but at -no- time would the refinery be left defenseless."
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 07:33PM CST >-------------------
"That... actually is not a bad idea, Arcee." Wheeljack pauses a moment, but the lack of comment means Prowl must be pulling the silent act again. Figures. "Security would be another mech's job to organize, but three shifts on the repair side would mean Grapple, Hoist and myself could take turns handling the directing of matters. Doesn't really help with the matter of resources, but hey, we work with what we've got." He shrugs a bit, having gotten pretty use to that necessity of practically something from nothing at this point.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 07:39PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx nods slowly. "As always, if I may be of assistance, consider it available." He takes a moment to look over the others, then back to Wheeljack. "But I am also certain many others here would readily say the same."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 07:40PM CST >-------------------
And now Sandstorm chimes in, "Well as far as repair resources, I may have an idea. Or the start of an idea. Or it may be nothing." Sandstorm smiles, "When we went into the Con territory, they seemed to have their little arena at the Forge all nice and set up, they must have gotten the supplies to set up there from somewhere. I say if the Decepticons damaged the place so much, why can't we take some of their supplies and use them to fix that damage." Or at the very least inflict just as much damage on something they give a hoot about... okay so Sandstorm may also like the idea of payback.
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 07:47PM CST >---------------------
"Thank you, Wheeljack," Arcee says, smiling slightly as she feels like she's more a part of the team in this moment. She looks over toward Sky Lynx, nodding in agreement, then she looks toward Sandstorm. "I know you're not one to think about things like 'odds'...but I would wonder if such a mission would be worth it for us in terms of what we'd able to gain from it."
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 07:51PM CST >-------------------
Wheeljack reachs over to pat Sandstorm's shoulder. "As much as I'm sure a lot of mechs would love to dish out some payback, the main thing with a deal like that is making sure we don't lose more than we're gaining. A null sum, or worst, doesn't really help us any in the long run."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 07:56PM CST >-------------------
Looking over to Arcee, Sandstorm feigns a hurt look, "'Odds'? Who needs to worry about that sort of thing." And the smile is back, "And hey, even if we don't gain a huge amount, we can make the Decepticons lose far more." And as if that isn't enough, "And if we pick the right target, well maybe we can grab whatever we need to, least something to help fix the damage. The Decepticons have to have resources to repair their stuff somewhere. If we can find the right target, then it isn't all about exacting payback." Sandstorm looks to Wheeljack, "Which isn't all I'm after. If we picl the right target, we get resources we can use, and deny the Decepticons access to them."
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 07:57PM CST >---------------------
Prowl listens intently to Wheeljack's report, nodding as others chime in. "Absolutely. Wheeljack is correct. The Decepticons know we are very dependent on Toraxxis for fuel. And they know it was damaged in that incident about a stellar cycle ago. We -can't- leave it vulnerable."
He nods at Wheeljack and Sandstorm's exchange. "Sandstorm, if we do this right, you'll have plenty of opportunity for payback, trust me. But for now, we need to make sure whatever we choose to spend is worth the cost. It seems the Forge is used as a training ground, but we need to focus on finding supply depots. No doubt they're fueled by smuggling runs as well. Search for evidence of illegal trade routes, cut them off."
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 08:01PM CST >---------------------
Arcee grins knowingly at Sandstorm. She likes his variety of crazy; sometimes it backfires on him, but more often than not, it actually works as few expect him to actually go through with his schemes. When Prowl speaks up and mentions illegal trade routes, she speaks up. "The brazen incident on the Pan-Continental expressway is a good example...it shows to what extent they're going in order to obtain weapons right now. Making shady deals right there on an emergency off-ramp."
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 08:03PM CST >-------------------
Wheeljack waggles a finger at Prowl when he does finally speak up. "Yeah, like that. That's both getting stuff for us, and denying the Decepticreeps supplies. Much more worth the risks it would take right now..." There's a pause and a fainter thoughtful flicker of his lights as he rubs the chin of his facegrate with two digits. "Not that wrecking their training center wouldn't be a bad idea, but it's pretty high risk for little return other than trashing the place."
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 08:04PM CST >-------------------
"Ah, yes. That incident. It seems to have resolved itself rather swiftly, though. The impact to through traffic was minimal, and very few seemed to complain about the delays on the expressway when I offered services to shuttle them back and forth." Lynx muses. "Actually, it was quite like the time back in old Vos, when we had some construction taking place in the region that caused terrible delays in the local traffic, outside of fliers of course..."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 08:14PM CST >-------------------
Shrugging, Sandstorm leans back, "I didn't say take out their training facility, I said they had to have gotten the materials for it from somewhere, so why not find where and snatch them." The grin on sandstorms face does get a little wider as he adds, "Though if people insist it be the training facility, I'm sure a few well placed bombs could do a fair bit of damage to the place." Well, who wouldn't want to see things explode.
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 08:16PM CST >---------------------
"Sky Lynx, now is not the time for dwelling on the past." Prowl doesn't have time for stories. Seriously, he's almost as bad as Kup. Good thing Kup isn't here. Pfft. 
"It wasn't that brazen, actually." he says with regard to the recent incident. "They had crowd cover--and I'm sure they were thinking we wouldn't expect them to use highly populated sectors and would assume anything going on out in the open must already be authorized. But they weren't expecting anyone to recognize them. Which was why I sent you and Blurr to patrol that particular area at that specific point in time. You two are already acquainted with Blast Off and could spot him a kil away."
He pauses, then continues. "Intel is critical, people. Find out whatever you possibly can. The identities of Decepticons and their supporters, where they live, where they work. If you're suspicious of someone, or something, pursue it. Whatever you find, report it to Command as soon as possible."
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 08:23PM CST >---------------------
Arcee smirks slightly, making a few more notes in her datapad. She finds it the epitome of irony that she's been scolded for 'talking' to Decepticons, but she's fairly convinced that she's the one who found out most of the intel on the enigmatic Phantom and his unusual abilities. Funny how /that/ worked out, she thinks. Much as it rankles her, however, she's not going to say anything more about it. She has a few ideas as to why Prowl's all over the board with her methods, but as far as she's concerned, he has little room to complain about 'methods'.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 08:24PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx stops as he's cut off, giving a faint 'scoff', but...well, he remains quiet all the same as further conversations take place regarding the Expressway Incident. Which he was not fully a part of, so he refrains from input on that note.
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 08:44PM CST >---------------------
"So the focus, then, is...intel, and aquiring said intel," Arcee reads off her datapad, in an effort to clarify the situation. "Step up patrols in the Toraxxis region and look for Decepticon activity."
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 08:52PM CST >---------------------
"One more thing." Prowl adds, images of a factory in sector I-201a of the city-state Vos appearing on the holoprojector. "Our contacts in Vos have picked up on some insurrectionist activity in the eastern industrial sector. Abandoned cold construction factory. Those sparks they stole, they've got to have somewhere to store them, or even to potentially use them to create more soldiers. Given Starscream's influence in Vos, it's not unlikely he's used his connections to gain control of the facility. Needless to say, we need to pay this facility a visit and find out if our suspicious will be confirmed, as well as who exactly handed it to him."
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 08:56PM CST >-------------------
"Yeah, getting our hands back on those wouldn't be a bad idea either," Wheeljack murmurs absently. He's already working on other things in relation to the refinery and such and only paying partial attention now.
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 09:07PM CST >---------------------
Arcee stares keenly at the image of the factory in Vos, and takes copious notes. Right now, the factory is not at the top of her priority list, but if she finds herself in that area then she will most certainly see what she can do to scope out the facility. But this may best be suited for a flyer or for someone with gifts in stealth.
-------------------< Sky Lynx Posed on Jan 11 09:15PM CST >-------------------
Sky Lynx just glances at the factory, taking a quick survey of it before turning to walk out of the room. "I'll do what I can to get some aerial recon done in the area. I'm certain they won't mess with me."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 09:21PM CST >-------------------
Having been keeping silent since people rejected his perfectly good idea of finding and hitting where ever the Decepticons keep their repair supplies, Sandstorm chimes in, "And I'm sure I can do a fly over as well. Perhaps get some closer shots of the area too." Sandstorm doesn't add that street level shots are definitely closer, and VTOLs don't look suspicious at street leve right?
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 09:27PM CST >---------------------
Prowl nods. "Good. Sandstorm, you and Sky Lynx run some aerial recon, and report back to us on the factory's status. Then we'll determine what needs to be done there. Now, if there are no further questions or comments, this briefing is adjourned. Keep at it, 'Bots."
Once the others start filing out, he pulls Wheeljack aside, away from everyone else. "Any progress on the sixchanger situation?"
--------------------< Arcee Posed on Jan 11 09:31PM CST >---------------------
Arcee stands up, and slinks off quietly, glancing over toward Prowl and Wheeljack briefly before quietly exiting.
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 09:31PM CST >-------------------
Wheeljack had completely stopped paying attention to anyone else at that point so it startles him a bit when Prowl yanks him aside. "Huh?" Notices everyone else is leaving. "About the what ... oh, yeah, that." Then engineer recomposes himself once everyone else has made it out. "As best as I can get on simulations and theory. Not like I can shove a six-changer style cog into a dead chassis to see how it works. But I haven't been able to catch our multiform friend to actually operate on him, either."
--------------------< Prowl Posed on Jan 11 09:36PM CST >---------------------
"Hmph. Do you need test subjects?" Prowl asks. "I'm certain I can find some for you. Just tell me what you need. Quickswitch should be at medical after yesterday's events."
------------------< Sandstorm Posed on Jan 11 09:42PM CST >-------------------
So he gets to fly over Decepticon territory, well that's a good thing. He can follow the orders and stay in the air. With a smile on his face Sandstorm leaves the room.
------------------< Wheeljack Posed on Jan 11 09:49PM CST >-------------------
Wheeljack gives Prowl as much as a scrutinizing look as he can with the limited facial features he has. "I'm a scientist, Prowl, not a psychotic." Pause. "Wait, that's probably not the word I want." But with a shrug the somber moment is gone quickly as it often is with him. Too busy pushing forward to stare back for long. Emphasized by giving Prowl a slap across the back instead. "Don't worry though! I'm sure it will work just fine, just needs some minor hands on adjustment.... Oh? Well that might make it easier actually, if he needs repairs anyways!" Wheeljack lets go of Prowl and wanders out before the cop-mech can get a chance to say much more.