1173/Catching the Culprit

**Nightbeat has posed:**
It's dusk.

The sun is rapidly slipping below the horizon - soon, it'll be dark, and at a place like Sherma Bridge, there's little artificial lighting. Which makes it the perfect location for a sting.

 The Autobot team that's been assembled, led by Jazz, is currently hiding out under the bridge, counting the breems until dark.

 Nightbeat is attending the holomatter projector, running diagnostics checks on it to assure it will function properly, while keep an optic on the grenades they've planned to equip the fake Nightlash with, should Whirl decide to start being adventurous. "Hopefully we can make enough of a commotion to draw Soundwave all the way out here without it taking too long," Nightbeat says to Jazz.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl is trying to keep his fidgeting under control. He's clamping his claws shut, hard enough that anyone close to him can likely hear his joints creaking from the pressure. "If you need a commotion, I'm your guy," he says. "I can make it loud enough to raise the dead. Easy-peasy."

**Jazz has posed:**
Nodding, Jazz pats Nightbeat on the back, "Let's hope so would be a tremendous waste of time"

He looks around at his and nods cofidently, "The plan will work."

Turning gaze up at the 'sun' he looks at his chronometer. "Any click now."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid has come along in case things go bad. You never know when you need a medic with you. He follows along quietly, hoping he's not needed. "Well. We'll know soon enough."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock was leaned against the wall with her vital monitor panel popped open with all her team members vitals on screen. She still looked exhausted form a lunar-cycle before (felt it too) but she wasn't acting out of the norm... Well mostly, she was dissociating attempting to make her mind a very murky and hazey place to traverse as a way to Soundwave from picking up her thoughts. (Now weather this worked or not she would probably never know.)

      "Here is hoping." She'd add to the others responses, keeping her chassis lights and optics low, and pulled her cape tighter over herself as she attempted to keep hidden in the dark below.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave is always watching. Watching with his own optics or those of his army of what some might call his minions but he would call his friends. They all are familiar with the shadows, living in the dark, hidden and silent, observing the hustle and bustle of life. Cataloging it, obtaining information, then putting that intelligence to use for the Decepticon cause.

Everything is for the Decepticon cause. Soundwave has been willing to do anything to further the righteous path that Megatron laid out for them, even ... some rather morally questionable things. But no, no time to worry about \*that\*, he has only to continue doing all that he can to see that the Decepticons succeed- even if it means putting his own outlier powers to an exhaustive and invasive use. He continues to watch, monitoring his most recent project- or rather, the lack of activity he's had as of late from Nightlash. He radios Sixshot, "<< Inquiry: any recent activity from Nightlash detected in your sector? >>"

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
After last nights blue turborat chase in the tunnels Sixshot has been out on patrol near Rodion. Checking his sensors he radios a reply, "<<None at this current cycle, sir. Keeping a eye out and will immediately relay it to you.>>" The sixchanger has yet to pass over the bridge as he looks about.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
Nightbeat gives Whirl a flat look. "Literally the only reason why you're here, chum."

 He glances over at Jazz. "I'm tempted to say I like your attitude," the private investigator says, "but leery of overt positivity." He switches on the projector, then loads up the holomatter with the bombs. He then begins piloting the holomatter straight towards Rodion, and hopefully into the fringes of Soundwave's sight range.

"Well, then, have at a commotion," he says to Whirl. He then turns to Starlock and First Aid. "You can either help him, or make sure he doesn't get killed in process," he says to the medics. "Either way - good luck."

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl's optic brightens. "See, you say that like it's an insult, Nightbeat," he says, moving to leave the cover of the bridge and transform to his gyrojet mode. "But, that's the only reason anybody has me around. Well, except my book club, but they're biased. Let's see if we can shake Sounders out of whatever hole he's hiding in, shall we?"

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz frowns and says to the Starlock and First Aid, "One of you keep an eye speficically on him, I'm moving forward.

Jazz makes a move from under the bridge, staying to the shadows and structures. He's done this before.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "I got it." he says, keeping an eye on things. I see anything strange, I'll let you know."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would look over at Whirl and Nightbeat, already pretty irritated from being tired she'd give then both a flat look. "Know your thoughts of beating the slag outta' each other are probably going to end up alerting soundwave to us, right?" She'd ask in a flat tone.

      She'd huff, and keep to the wall, waiting quietly, and then pinched her nose bridge when Nightbeat addresses her and First Aid, giving Jazz a look of questioning and irritation, and nodded, she'd look to aid. "So, me or you?" She'd ask Aid, for who to watch Whirl.

      She would when he says he'll help Whirl, her ridges would knit and a cringe found it way on her face, but still she accepted his decision. "Also Nightbeat, those are the exact same thing." She'd point out tartly as she leaned back on the wall.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave soon picks up the holomatter image. From a distance he cannot sense what appears to be Nightlash heading their way- or her thoughts, but something is obviously amiss. The spymaster frowns behind his faceplate, adjusting controls and radio signals ...but to no avail. He again radios Sixshot, "<< Nightlash detected approaching Rodion armed with weapons. Meet me at <coordinates>. I must set up my device and regain control. Stay alert, this could be a trap. >>" He quickly assembles the device he has used to amplify his own thoughts and direct them at his victim and hurries to meet Sixshot at the predetermined location. It's heavy and awkward but with a little help from his friends (data slugs) he manages to get there.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot turns towards Soundwaves location as he radios him, "<<On my way.>>" He quickly shifts into fighter mode and ignites engines. Once at the coordinates he returns to root mode, catching his blasters as he lands, "After recent events it would not surprise me." Optics shift in the direction Nightlash is supposedly coming from, waiting to see what the femme does.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
"I'm the civil one," Nightbeat says evenly, "and helping him make a commotion versus making sure he doesn't get killed in the process are opposites."

 Nightbeat watches as Jazz maneuvers out from under the bridge stealthily - and once it looks like he's in the clear, manipulates the holomatter into dropping the bombs on the outskirts of Rodion!

 "<Explosives discharged>" he radios to Jazz and Whirl, "<Let me know when you have optics on Soundwave. We'll need to cut him off while keeping the patrol at Rodion at bay>"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl looks over at Starlock. '...so, it'll do what we want t'do? And that's bad because...well, okay, it's bad because I don't get to go out and throw an absolute wobbly and maybe get to take a couple shots at the Big Blue Blaggard himself if he shows up too soon. Soooo, I'm outta here."

With that, he edges away from the others' position before he leaps into the air, transforms and charges out of cover and into the air.

**Jazz has posed:**
<<Affimative. I am sure that Whirl's noise will get some sort of notice>> he radios back

Leaning his back against a wall he sees Whirl for high up and tries to shadow his movement from the ground.

<<Keep your radars hot team. If he does come, he's likely not showing up alone>>

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid keeps back with Starlock, just being quiet until hes needed. He tenses a bit as if these kind of situations leave him on the edge but is otherwise quiet.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock looked over at Nightbeat, with a raise ridge, wondering if he was serious about what he'd just said in regards to being the reasonable one. She'd shake it off though. "....This is Whirl we're talking about." She'd emphasis, they were onehoundred percent, the same thing.

      She however did not having much energy to argue, she'd stuff away her cloak, nod to First Aid, counting to thirty, and transform into her alt-mode, following after whirl on the bridge above, time to put her reputation to the test. "<<Copy that Jazz.>>" Starlock would respond, attempting to keep her mind clear, but she did have a plan.

**Soundwave has posed:**
"Indeed," Soundwave replies as he sets up his device inside an unused building. It seems to consist of a helmet attached to many wires which connect to a console. A window provides a view of the outside as Soundwave sits down, removing sections of his own helmet in order to connect the wires to his own head. Sixshot can probably help in getting everything put in place. "Nightmare Transmitter- activated," he informs the six-changer. "Device allows me to control Nightlash, amplifying my thoughts to direct hers- and her actions. Has lost signal recently until just now..." He watches as Nightlash seems to drop bombs on the outskirts of town.

"Odd... all that effort for target of no value." Yeah, this is definitely smelling like a trap. "Sixshot, patrol immediate area, look for other Autobots sneaking in while I attempt to regain control of Nightlash." Of course, that includes Autobots NOT sneaking in, too (hello Whirl). Soundwave then gets to work, letting Sixshot scout out the nearby area while he focuses on just one target. Nightlash should be in range any time now... he turns the machine on, reaching out with his mind to find hers- IF she's there. Meanwhile, other Decepticons- likely Laserbeak and more- scour the edge of town, keeping an optic out for intruders.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot aids in setting the device into place. Nodding to Soundwave he says, "Right, I'll make sure any don't interfere." The sixchanger quickly transforms and takes to the air once more. Spotting Whirl he immediately moves to intercept the gyrojet, "<<Spotted Whirl, moving in.>>" Jets ignite as he speeds towards the rotary preparing to open fire.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
Nightbeat has deemed the subject Starlock is trying to discuss with him as now unimportant, and doesn't dignify her with an answer. He puts the Nightlash holomatter on a rigged auto-pilot, then takes up arms, heading after Whirl.

 "<Looks like his friends have joined the fray and are opening fire>" he tight beams Jazz, "<must be somewhere nearby, otherwise the big six changer wouldn't be trying to keep us occupied. Let me know when you find him>"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl makes no effort to hide his presence. In fact, he goes one step beyond simply being naturally loud and begins a high volume soliliquy about Megatron's shortcomings. "He's got a head like a bucket, for starters," he says, speaking on broadcast. "And not a good bucket either; just a really cheap, badly made bucket. The kind of thing they wouldn't even accept for free in the Dead End. Just a sad, pathetic, aft-headed looking bucket headed aft-head, that's our Megatron!"

Whirl flies in a wide, looping pattern, which allows him to purely accidentally avoid being shot by Sixshot -- at least, this time. "Ooh, musta hit a nerve! Taking fire from a member of Ol' Buckethead's fanclub! Here's hoping they don't start spouting some of his poetry; that stuff's practically a war crime!"

**Jazz has posed:**
With his visor dropping over his optics Jazz begins to scan the area.

<I figured as much Nightbeat. I am scanning the area.>

Using Whirl as a destraction he moves a little be more in the open.

<Scanning for some kind of device.>

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Damn Whirl, just trying to lube off the whole Decepticon faction aint ya'?>>" Starlock would ask with a laugh. "<<Let me give you a hand there.>>" Still tailing behind whirl on the ground, glanced up above, and deployed her canon, and taking aim at the starfighter in the air above.

**Soundwave has posed:**
"<< Understood, >>" Soundwave replies and then reaches for Nightlash's mind, trying to make that connection-it's been strong, almost disjarring in its power. He's connected with minds but rarely like this and from a distance. But it was worth it- for the cause. He concentrates, feeling that familiar tinge of exhaustion, and yet.... there's no connection.

It's not her. Frag. Soundwave might be fooled from a vast distance, but up close he can sense the truth- there's nothing there. He can sense Whirl and his chaotic nonsense, plus other minds nearby, ghosting along the edges of his cerebro-cortex... but no Nightlash. "<< Nightlash is an illusion, this is a trap of some kind, >>" he radios to Sixshot. The spymaster starts unplugging the wires in a hurry, attempting to get the device put away before the Autobots can damage it.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot ignores Whirl as the crazy mech is just taunting. His attention diverted as he's struck by both attacks. Upon receiving the radio he says, " <<Returning to aid in extraction.>>" He flies past the bridge before quickly performing a U-turn in the air, strafing the two bots as he heads back to the spymasters position.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
"<Whirl, stop him!>" Nightbeat radios the rotary urgently. And then the six changer flies overhead, peppering him with strafing shots. "Dammit!" he cries, ducking for cover. "<Starlock, assist Jazz. I'll take care of this.. nuisance>" he grumbles.

 "<Keep your optic wide open, whirlybird, I'm going to give you an assist>" He tightbeams the rotary. "<Hopefully you won't waste this opportunity>"

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl pauses in his roasting of Megatron's literary talents to reply to Starlock. "Uh, duh," he says. "That's the whole reason I'm here; weren't you listening when Nightbeat was talking? If you weren't, I don't blame you - I only listened 'cause he said my name."

"Hey, hey, hey! I will \*not\* be ignored, slaghead! You're gonna dance with the one that brought you!" he says, rounding to take aim against Sixshot. "Some people's protoforms...huh? I never waste opportunities! Only enemies!"

**Jazz has posed:**
Comeing around the the building Soundwave is in and hears some commotion in there.

<I think that I have found him Prepareing to Engage>>

Jazz rounds a corner and seems to be in full view but he doesn't see to matter.

"Ah ha, -there- you are Soundwavey....drop your little toy and make like a turborat and turn tail."

He doesn't have a gun drawn but a comparment in his leg opens up slowy and he reaches in.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock hissed out as the roof of her alt-mode was hit, a smoking burn left, but nothing too serious. Oh no he wasn't, She took aim at Sixshot once more, reading herself to attempting to put a bigger crack in that armor of his to at least slow him down, only for nightbeat to chime in.

      She would quickly switch tactics and withdrew her cannon, and picked up speed to get to Jazz's location from the location marked on her read out monitor. She'd transform once more into her root-mode, going into a fast paced skid, leaving a trail of purple sparks from her pedes. She'd slide behind Jazz and didn't fire, not yet, she was awaiting his order.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave hurries, getting Sixshot's message and glancing up as he hears something- Sixshot returning? ....No, Jazz. The spymaster halts, staring a second at the Autobot. Then, the Decepticon General glances to the Device he hasn't completely finished unplugging, then back up at the Autobot. No, make that AutobotS.

"Autobots foolish to infiltrate Rodion," his monotone voice chastises. "Only ones to turn tail should be \*you\*." His Ion Blaster materializes quickly into his hand, which he then aims at Jazz, as he is the best target, and fires! If he can get them to take cover, he can completely unhook and grab the Device and get out of there! Hopefully. "<< Autobots engaged. >>"

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot quickly rolls to the side as he notices Whirl taking fire as he retorts, "Wasn't you that brought about this little dance." He doesn't turn to fire back on the gyrojet as he has a more important task to get to. Flying low to the ground as his gears quickly shift him back to root mode. The sixchangers pedes skidding across the ground before running to Soundwaves position, taking aim to attempt a shot at Jazz.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
"Ugh," Nightbeat mutters to himself. "Utterly useless, that one opticked bastard," he grumbles.

 He transforms, and takes aim at the six changer again, but this time while heading over to rendezvous with Jazz.

 He hoists his upper chassis over the ledge of a window in the unused building Soundwave is in. "You..! Hypocrite! For all your faction's talk of liberation and freedom from the clutches of the puppetmaster Senate, you certainly have a sick and twisted version of what you apparently think that should look /like/!"

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz hits the floor and rolls from Soundwave then rolls back to where hs was but as he moves he calls out to Starlock, "I think that thing is what we are looking for, keep the pressure on Soundwave," he says to Starlock.

Then into his radio, <Whirl, get down here as soon as posible. First Aid, keep a look out.>>

After all of that what he was reaching for in his leg makes an appearance, it's an EMP which he rolls over Soundwaves way.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Im back here if you need me" He tightbeams keeping his optics open for trouble.

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl grumbles as Sixshot ignores his attack. Ok, so it missed but still, a mech likes to feel appreciated. <<On my way, who do you need me to throw myself in front of?>> he asks as he heads for Jazz's position.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Welp, that answered that question for Starlock! As Jazz dodges the heavy fire, and volleys the EMP, Starlock rushes after Soundwave, stowing her pistols away, and drew a baton from it's clasp on her belt, spinning it in her hand as the force sends the ends shooting outwards from the force, to reveal her stave.

      She'd press the button on the hand guard and engage the electric charge and swung at Soundwave's legs in a bid to trip up the much larger bot, and give Jazz (or anyone incoming) a nice jagged, star shaped bullseye-target.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave misses! It's not \*that\* surprising, given that Jazz is known for competence and skill. With ever-increasing numbers of Autobots approaching, time is running out for the spymaster and his comrade. He's no slouch in the weapons department, but he's still more of an ambush artist, not one for direct head-on prolonged combat with long odds to begin with. Sixshot defeinitely helps, but Soundwave isn't one to hang around when the odds tilt out of your favor. There's a rumble from his enhines as he yanks the rest of the wires, no longer concerned with care or snapped cables. He just needs to get out. "<< Sixshot, operation is a failure. Cover me and retreat. >>"

Then Nightbeat is over there, calling Soundwave a hypocrite! The Decepticon's red visor flickers as he stops to stare at the detective... something there seems to hit home. But he doesn't have lots of time to dwell on those thoughts, for Jazz's EMP explodes, injuring both him and his Device. He turns to fire again when Starlock trips him up- loterally- and he goes crashing down heavily. There's an audio buzz like an alarm system emitting out of the big blue mech, not unlike the angry buzz of a staticy radio.

He turns to Nightbeat, ultimately, focusing his ire on him though his own head is now abuzz thanks to Starlock's attack. He fires off a low laser shot, again trying to distract the Bots enough to grab the now damaged Device and skedaddle.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    The skies over Sherma Bridge have a new arrival in the form of an assault shuttle known to some as the Arrowship model. The particular color scheme of the incoming space-faring vessel is known to many more, as Darkstar's engines whine and the pop of his afterburners hail those below. For the time being Darkstar hangs back, simply observing the action below as he searches for who among the Autobots appears to be the most capable of the warriors to have joined the skirmish. Suddenly a shot finds him, slamming into his chassis from below and the Arrowship begins to descend rapidly.

    << Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot! >> he shouts over the comms, more annoyed than injured as he transforms and drops into a superhero landing not far from the engagement area. << That's one way of invitin' a mech to your party... What's our status, General? >> he asks Soundwave, the very mech who happened to shoot him though in the confusion of battle he was none the wiser of that fact.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
"<<Roger that.>>", Sixshot transmits back as he looks around at each of the bots as they all seem to want to focus on the general. Raising both his blasters he quickly takes aim and starts to fire off on every Autobot he sees.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
The private investigator is unable to maintain his balance on the window sill, and topples over the windowsill, falling onto the ground.

 And then Soundwave opens fire on him, so he grabs a fallen ceiling panel shields himself. The shot ricochets and goes out the window, up into the air and strikes Darkstar. Lucky? Maybe.

 Nightbeat smirks and leans out the window. "You're welcome," he shouts at the spacer, "I completely did that on purpose!"

 "<First Aid! Or.. dammit, Whirl, if you're still around>" he tightbeams the group. "<He's trying to leave. Don't let him get away with the device intact>"

 "And you thought mnemosurgery was evil!" He shouts after Soundwave. "Some struts you have..."

**Whirl has posed:**
Whirl dodges Sixshot's full auto attack, zipping back and forth in a wide arch. <<I'm on it!>> he says, heading after Soundwave and opening fire as he flies.

**Jazz has posed:**
Jazz is looking the other way when he -hears- Sixshot start shooting. He slliiiidddes to he left.
    hen drops to a kneel and simply says to Starlock, "Good Work."

Then into the radio he offers, <Copy Nightbeat. I have it in my sights. Firing>

From his kneeling position he fires at the device.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would go sliding after her strike hits its mark, she'd use her free hand to help bring herself to a stop, before launching herself backforward, she hears Nightbeat, and dares to take this 'taunts' one step further. "You've become the /EXACT/ thing you've been claiming to working against!" All hints of that exhaustion fading in a quickly growing blaze of heated anger.

      With the star-shaped electric bullseye starting to fade, she swap her staff for her dual blades, igniting the blades as she charges at Soundwave. "Taking advantage of someone so vulnerable for that matter! I swear If you ever preach that Bullslag you have in my presence ever again..." She'd snarl, from the passion and anger, he can probably tell what the end of that sentence entails, as she goes into a quick flurry of slashes at Soundwave.

**Soundwave has posed:**
Soundwave gets a message as Decepticon troops begin to arrive- Soundwave and Sixshot may be caught up a creek without a paddle, but reinforcements are due to arrive any time, given this is Decepticon territory. "<< Darkstar... >>" Soundwave replies, also unaware that his shot singed the spacer, "<< Sixshot. Attempting to retreat... Nightmare Transmitter damaged. Several Autobots at our location, >>" he radios the coordinates to Darkstar. "<< MIssion: Control Nightlash- failure. Operation: defend Rodion in progress. >>"

He seems to linger just a bit on Nightlash's name, turning again to look at Nightbeat as he calls out Soundwave's hypocracy. "Mnemosurgery... \*unwilling\* Mnemosurgery \*is\* evil," he counters. "But this is..." Different? ...How? Now he just feels confused again, which right now he tells himself is merely the aftereffects of Starlock's attack. YEAH.

Then the Device just explodes. Or rather, Jazz blasts it to kingdom come. Soundwave actually screams as the few still connected wires into his head purge their last electricity into him. With a groan, he yanks the last wires away, shaking his head as Starlock digs in- with words as well as blades. "No... not bullslag, it... I had to do it for..." He shakes his head again, staggering back and not even bothering with the Device anymore, which lies in ruins all around him. "I..." He suddenly stops, straightens up, looking at the gathering 'Bots... then transforms right there. The Communications truck aims a rocket at Jazz this time, while radioing the other Decepticons. "<< I am retreating. Cover fire, send Autobots back to their own territory. >>" He fires, then starts turning around, aiming to flee.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Oh! So that's the mech who shot at him! Whether Nightbeat had actually intended to strike him or not, Darkstar was certain of one thing at least... Nightbeat was taking credit for it. The Autobots were out in force, which made it all the more fortunate that he happened to show up when he did. Luck again, maybe. Wasting no time at all the spacer saw where the bulk of enemy fire was being focused, and if it was one thing that annoyed him more than friendly fire it was when mechs ganged up on a warrior rather than fight them proper in a stand up fashion...

    Following Sixshot's lead, Darkstar moved quickly with a thruster powered leap onto the front lines of the engagement area with laser batteries opening up on the Autobot firing line. "For the Cause! FOR GLORY! HAHAHAHAAHAH!" The 'pews' were many, and unfocused, yet given the berrings out nature of the spacer's attack it just might be enough to distract the 'Bots enough to allow the General to find appropriate cover. << Consider your aft covered, General! Leave it to us! >>

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
"<<Understood.>>", Sixshot replies as he focuses on Jazz as he pulls a sword from subspace as he says, "Run or be escorted to the smelting pits. Makes no difference to me." He doesn't wait for a reply as he charges forward to slash at the Autobot officer.

**Nightbeat has posed:**
Nightbeat just gives an exasperated look as the spacer sprays the area with an aerial barrage. The private investigator takes a hit, but no severe damage is inflicted. "Primus, he's worse than Whirl," he mutters, "/inconceivable/."

 But Jazz has obliterated the device Soundwave was using and the Decepticon comms officer is retreating, so Nightbeat considers it a win in their book. Time to call it a cycle.

 He transforms and heads straight back towards Autobot territory.

**Jazz has posed:**
is just hit twice. Twice! He whirls around to see the Seeker in the air and the 6 changer now right on top of him.

"Ok. Let's get out of here Bots. Misson Done......we are going to be outnumbered soon anyway. Let's roll!"

 A few sparks shoot off of him and he switches himself or doesn't and heads out.

**Starlock has posed:**
     "That's not an excuse." Starlock would hiss, taking note of her low-fuel warning, but then she hears that idiotic laugh and grating voice, oh, and that rocket fire. "<<Scrap, that's Darkstar, Decepticon spacer, pretty much one their heavy hitters, we need to go.. Whirl, Jazz, he is likely going to target you two.>>" She'd explain. "<<Nightbeat... Ehh maybe if you get in the way.. I know he's threatened to end me if I interfere with his stupid 'duals.'>>" She continue.

      She'd take note of the heavy fire Jazz was now taking and check her vitals panel. She'd roll her optics and sneer at something said over the communlink in response, and soundwave likely gets a fading glimpse of something, before Starlock acknowledges Jazz's orders and transforms, following behind the group.

**Soundwave has posed:**
With Darkstar's and Sixshot's excellent shooting, Soundwave is able to get out of Ground Zero and hightail it to a better gaurded position. He's smoking a bit from the damage he received, but that's not even what bothers him. It's what they \*said\*. He's not a hypocrite... is he?

Hunkering down in another area, he watches the Autobots retreating. "<< Pursue until they are no longer in our territory, then meet me back here. >>" He'll let the two capable soldiers do their thing while he literally picks up the pieces. Then they can start again, try it with another....

No. Soundwave's not so sure he even \*wants\* to try this again. Was this really the right way?

**Darkstar has posed:**
Leaving? So soon after he arrived!? AGAIN!

    Darkstar was absolutely miffed as he watched the Autobots transform and roll out, as if they had come there for a specific purpose that didn't include fighting glory duels. They usually didn't bug out so quickly unless their objective had been achieved, or they had never really wanted a fight to the finish to begin with. << Copy that, General... >> the spacer says almost reluctantly, as something told him that there would be little to no real glory to talk about once he and Sixshot had finished their pursuit.

    Leaping into the air, Darkstar transformed into his Arrowship mode and after-boomed his way fter the speeding 'Bots. << Nice sword, Lieutenant... Think I might hafta' invest in gettin' one of those for myself someday, >> is offered to the six-changer along the way.

**Sixshot (135) has posed:**
Sixshot gives chase as the Autobots flee. Firing off several but missing as they get away. His optics scan the area as he says, <<Area secure. While the blade is useful when I can get in close.>> He turns to rejoin Soundwave as reinforcements moves in.