1260/V. Extrinsecus: Mountain Fort

**Prowl has posed:**
    After the attack on the Autobots' new outpost on Varas Extrinsecus, extra Operations teams had been deployed to the site to get the shields recharged and repairs done to the outer defenses while the resident teams continue to keep the extraction operation running.

    Prowl is currently on-site himself, checking up on all the nitty gritty details that no one else pays attention to, and overseeing defense units.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock is there back to help Hoist with medical detail buut she has brought someone else much taller with her! She'd currently reading over a datapad.. Glancing around a bit heistaintly, given Ravage had last attacked her at this place... Her optics eventually move to look out at the landscape. "...Nifty, huh Aid?"

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
There is a lot of work to be done, and not a lot of time to stop and gawk. And yet, Hammerstrike, a generally diligent worker, frequently seems to occupy the few seconds between tasks staring grimly at the sky before getting back to work. Work, right now, which is mostly supporting more experienced constuction workers by doing the less, menial tasks. Hauling. Attaching brackets. Holding things in place with his large, strong hands. Whatever he is instructed to do, he does without delay.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash is just...there, because she would find a way to be somewhere...and at least she's not there alone! Of course, to be useful, she's just lazily circling overhead, cloaked up, her drone and onboard systems scanning the area (and atmospherics) to be on the lookout for any potentially problematic Decepticons (and weather patterns!) while watching everyone doing their thing below.

And probably playing music that's hopefully not broadcasting over the open comm frequency, she can't be bothered to check though.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Originally Varas was going to be put on Grapple's list of assignmets. But both he and Hauler objected to the jagged mountainous terrain not being very suitable for their big industrial crane alt-modes. But his more sturdy and compact all-terrain truck mode could handle hauling up and down the slopes well enough so Hoist had taken the project for them.... That also made it easier getting any intended architectual schematics from Grapple, as there were few Bots he trusted with enacting his handiwork.

Not that it looked very artistic at the moment. All he was doing was setting up a bunch of what looked like big metal rod towers, with various cables scattered about from the bases. Lightning rods, to help keep some of the strain off the shields from the storms so they can actually be usable against an actual assault next time.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl is currently loafing about and having a bit of a refuel. He's actually being useful, having helped haul in supplies and running errands for the construction crews. For the moment, he's taking a minute to rest between jobs.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid is following Starlock, trying to keep her out of trouble. He looks around "Yeah. Wonderful. Just hope we dont get jumped out heere. Been a lot of activity as of late."

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
    For a moment or two Hammerstrike stares at the sky, and then looks at the lightning rods Hoist has in the works. He finishes tightening a few bolts and passes off the prepped materials to a more experienced crew worker to fit to the damaged parts of the base. Hammerstrike reaches for the next item in his pile, only to find it empty. For a moment, the mech looks a little lost, his gaze shifting between Prowl and Hoist. After a moment of deliberation, Hammerstrike walks over to Hoist, giving Starlock and First Aid a very quick nod in ways of greeting as he passes them by. Whirl... not so much. Th empurata is passed by without any hint of acknowledgement.

    "Need a couple extra hands?" Hammerstrike inquires of Hoist, keenly watching him work.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Starlock glances up at Aid a moment, but chuckles lightly. "We'll... We'll be okay, there are /alot/ of us here, so I doubt they'd try to jump us." She'd glance around a moment and gives him a reassuring hug, once she's sure no one is looking.

      She then clicks on her communications link. "<<So, hows everyone's holding up? any injuries to report?>>" She'd question.

**Prowl has posed:**
    Yes, the perpetual storm over the moutain continues to rage outside, although fortunately the shields are doing their job pretty well for now, protecting everyone under them from the lightning that seems to strike all around. Well that is except for Nightlash, who seems perfectly happy to be flying about in the violent weather gathering meterological data, in case someone might be able to eventually figure out why this storm was always here and thus find a way to potentially dissipate it.

    << Nightlash, careful out there. >> Prowl says over the comms when a bolt nearly hits her. << Anything interesting on the scans just yet? >>

    When Hammerstrike approaches Hoist, he nods at the engineer. "Hoist, why don't you show Hammerstrike a few things. We could always use more engineers."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist glances up as Hammerstrike walks over. Then glances over at the remaining units. Then back up to the larger mech. "If you want to set up the other rods I can get started on wiring the ground-outs." He points down at the four anchor struts of the one he just finished erecting. "Just angle out the struts to anchor into the ground, and then turn the locknut at the top joint to lock them into place. There's a ratchet ring in the center of each you can twist to adjust the strut's length if you need to get past some uneven terrain.

Sounds like he's a step ahead of you there, Prowl.

**Nightlash has posed:**
<<Oh, I'm doing fine, Starlock... I mean, it's kind of like the good ol' days... fly over the storm, dip down to scoop...dart through the storm and gather readings... Ahhh, I missed this stuff.>>

She takes a moment to check her own sensor readings because curiosity compels it. <<And...I'll be careful, Prowl. This is the kinda work I was built for, though. I'm sure it'll be fine.>> She grins inwardly. <<It is pretty neat up here, you all are really missing out.>>

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Good. We should always move in large groups these days. Its too risky." he stays close to the others.

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
    Attentively, Hammerstrike listens to Hoist's instructions, optics glancing at the rods and struts. He makes a few small nods to show he is listening and understanding. Once the instructions are finished, he quickly gets to work. At first, he is a bit slow, occasionally looking over at the rod Hoist had finished assembling for comparison. While he may not the the quickest worker, he is conscientious about making sure he is doing it right. And, as is per his usual way, he doesn't talk much on the job. Alas.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl has finished his refreshement and has started following the others, sticking close on First Aid's heels. "Don't worry about it, I'm here," he says. "Anything tries messing with us, I'll blast it."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock looked over to Whirl and nodded with a chuckle. "And I know you will." She'd smile, walking along as she moved with Aid towards the grouping, reaching her hand up. "<<Good to hear Lash.. Anyone needs any medical help let us know right away, aye?>>" She'd ask, before looking around.

      "....Know, without the Cons shooting at us, this place is pretty cool.." She'd look up at the storm. "...Like, the storm above, I wonder whats keeping it in place, and fueled for that matter."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist will take the diligence over doing the job right the first time over someone being fast and chatty about it. Saves them all work in the long run. He nods approvingly, then gets down on his knees to start wiring up the ground-outs on the lightning rod he'd just finished. <<Things are proceeding apace here. Nothing out of the unusual to report. Once we've got these rods up the lightning strikes will be less of an immeadiate threat.>>

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
Hammerstrike contonues on at his meticulous place, mostly quiet. But again, between tasks, he seems to take a moment to gaze beyond the shields to the stormy sky. At one point, he seems almost lost in thought, nearly forgetting to promptly return to the task at hand. However, he recovers himself, grunting at himself in self-reproach as he quickly resumes setting up the rods. Once he has a firm grasp and can more or less finish the task by feel, he glances around as if to check and see if anyone noticed his lapse in attention, then quickly looks back at his work.

    Rods set up, Hammerstrike looks around for more work to do, gravitating towards Hoist. He does spare another glance over to Starlock and First Aid (yes and Whirl too), arms crossed. However, he does not enter into their wanderings out loud and instead just waits for more instructions while also looking for any potential danger. Not of the Decepticon or weather sort, but more of the slacking worker sort, or precariously balanced beams, or other work hazards and unsafe practices. Indeed, he has that grim, supervisory glint to his optics of someone who has spent perhaps a bit too much time watching for other people's mistakes.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "That's what we're trying to find out." Prowl answers Starlock. Yes, that is what Nightlash was built for, and that was why she was here, doing exactly what she's doing.

    He is pleased to see Hoist already on it. "We'll need the rods to be composed of the sturdiest material available, given the frequency of the strikes."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Good question. Maybe theres some people hiding out you know. Maybe htey need some help" He follows along.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash hmms... <<You know, all said and done, there's a rather...interesting and unique weather pattern up here... it's certainly not like anything I saw over the Rust Seas, but...that's not a bad thing. It has it's charm and it's just interesting in how unique it is.>>

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Maybe! Not sure what I can help with though." She'd chuckle. "I hate not being physically strong sometimes." She'd huff, watching the others. "...Like I /want/ to but I know my limits, and if I push it, i'm going to get hurt and make a bigger mess for everyone." She'd grumble, rubbing at the back her helm.

      Starlock would blink a moment, realizing something (mainly that Nightlash is here!) as she clicks on her communlink. "<<Hey Lash, if you get a chance, would loove to get to talk to you at some point, maybe even get a look at the weather readings you get this massive thing! I'm actually really curious on how it's staying in place and not dissipating>>"

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist takes a moment to check on Hammerstrike's work and nods approvingly. "Looking good lad, keep it up." He plugs a few more leads in, and makes sure the grounds are dug firmly into the ground. "A balance between durability and conductivity wasn't easy to find mate," he comments at Prowl's observation. "But a lightning strike wants to hit someplace high, and travel down through the path of least resistance. The rods will draw the discharges away from the structure and shielding, and disperse it into the terrain as the mountain's composition in itself is fairly conductive. Part of the reason the storms tend to propegate up here I imagine." He raps his knuckle servos against the rod. "The exterior housing is non-conductive though, to keep the charge traveling downward without trying to spread out and zap anything else."

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
Hammerstrike nods in respond to Hoist's encouragement. There's no big smile or bright optics, just a nod.
    "If the storm is here to stay, why not harness it...?" Hammerstrike intones, finally joining into the conversation. "But I just know buildings. I don't know energy." Hammerstrike adds, crossing his arms, peering at the sky for a moment, listening to Hoist explain the path of electricity. Then he begins to check and re-check his work, making sure everything is as secure as he left it, even thought barely any time had passed.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
"Efforts to harness the storm electricty can be made after the location is secured," Hoist replies. "Last thing we need is figuring out how, only for the Decepticons to swoop in and pilfer it for their own nefarity."

**Starlock has posed:**
     As Starlock waited for a reply from Nightlash, she'd look down below. "Want to go join 'em?" She'd ask Aid and Whirl with a jerk of her thumb to those a head of them.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Hmm." Prowl nods at Hammerstrike's mention of harnessing the energy. "Easy enough to say, but to actually find a practical method to control all that chaos is another matter altogether." he remarks, his tone even.

**Nightlash has posed:**
Nightlash is a bit...lost in her whole exploration of weather and such things, but indeed she heard Starlock, she's just...distracted... though, eventually, it clicks in her head that a response is due.

<<OH! Yeah, sure, I can totally walk you through every little detail about what's going on up here as best as I can see it... it's almost like there's really a fair bit of, uh...hrm. Well, like it's...maybe trapped? I dunno. It's kinda crazy, when a weather front pushes and blocks a storm...almost like that's on all sides, which would also kinda hint at why it's so ...crazy and chaotic. Hrm. Lemme dive through the eyewall again and see what else I pick up.>>

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
Hammerstrike tilts his head to the side, listening to first Hoist's explanation, and Prowl's observation about his idea. He takes it in fair stride, just giving another nod to show he understands. And it seems as far as he is concerned, there is no room for further debate. Passing off that notion, he turns fully to Hoist. "What else can I do?" He pauses, and then more quietly asks, "I'd be willing to learn and help with other projects, too. I've done a lot of tearing things down. But right now, seems we need more people who can build."

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
Hoist nods and gives Hammer a reassuring pat on the arm. "That we do lad, that we do. Will keep in it mind." He should get some more lessons to Starlock too, but she's been so busy with other projects as of late. Hmm. He'll think of something to get them working don't worry.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "We probably should. They might need us if things go astray." henods to Starlock "Im ready when you are."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Juust be careful, and don't let me distract cha'.>>" She'd chuckle, giving First aid a nod, Starlock activated her pede boosters and skated her way over to the group "Hey Hoist!" She'd call as she came over.

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
Hammerstrike said his part. And thus, he does as his customary for him to do: nods. If Hammerstrike were going to say anything more, it is held captive by the arrival of Starlock and her group arriving. Once again, he extends her a nod in acknowledgement, but as is his way, he says nothing. Instead, he looks for any work to do, or structures to check the integrity of. He may not be a builder, but he knows what will come down easily.

**Hoist (130) has posed:**
"Hello Starlock," Hoist nods to the femme. Then notes the way Hammerstrike is looking at the base structure. "Why don't you go look over the other side, Hammerstrike? Make sure there's nothing loose or easily busted off so we can get someone on shoring things up if need be." The demolitionist should be familiar enough on where things can be broken to do that.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Not that it's impossible or not worth pursuing." Prowl muses after hearing that bit from Nightlash. Then he turns to Hoist. "See to it that Hammerstrike gets the training he needs."

    << Nightlash, get the data to the Decagon. I'm headed back to Starsreach. >>

**Hammerstrike has posed:**
Hammerstrike nods to Hoist. "On it," he adds, supplying rare verbal confirmation. With that, he heads off to the other side to keep checking the structures, ready to report on anywhere that needs more reinforcement.

**Nightlash has posed:**
<Pfffft... me? Distracted? By you? ... ... good point. Focusing a bit. ...more.>> She turns the music up and (probably pointedly) forgets to turn off the open comm channel, meaning everyone gets to rock out to her flying music as she meanders about.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "How goes things over here?" She'd question with a tilt of her helm. She nods at the music, she's actually a bit thankful for it, it's something to listen to other then the sound of construction and set up work.