Clash in Perihex

The dawn of war approaches and the Decepticons know that they have only a short time to get their forces ready for what could be a long and drawn out carnage as rebel collides with the status quo- not /just/ in a war of words and ideals but the tearing and rending of actual metal and circuitry. Speaking of that tearing, shredding and general state of disrepair... the Decepticons are not going to get very far if they can't repair themselves after battles. But they are "only" rebels... they do not have access to major factories, medical facilities, or other means of mass production. They will need a way to replace damaged armor and other parts- but where can they get this?

This brings us, dear reader, to Perihex. Center of upgrade technology and research, the Decepticons have gotten word of a state-of-the-art nanolathe inside the Center of Cybertronian Design and Function. What is a nanolathe? Basically, a 3-D printer that builds molecular layers, sweep by sweep, until an object is created. It's the perfect way for the Decepticons to reproduce armor, physical components and other replacement parts to keep an army up and running.

The modern center is smack-dab in the center of the Perihex industrial complex. There are some guards on the outside of the building- the Decepticons have been hitting more facilities lately and the Senate most certainly does not want something like a nanolathe to fall into enemy hands. It \*seems\* quiet right now, but peace will only last so long once the Decepticons have set something in their sights....

"Do as you've been instructed and this will go off without a hitch. There are multiple contingency plans in place for dealing with resistance. There is also a final contingency plan to deal with securing the objective: Me. If there are any questions, now is not the time. No, the time has come for us to take what is rightfully ours. The time has come for us to prove to those that carry themselves above us that /true/ power lies in the mind. Nowhere else."

Onslaught stands at the forefront of the collective Combaticons and Decepticon Fodder Troops. He walks down the line speaking to each of his Combaticons in turn.

"Blast Off. You are Air Support. You are also Exit Strategy 4A. If I make that call you stop what you're doing and you get to Swindle and you get the smelt out of here with the package. Otherwise, you keep those guards down there pinned down."

"Vortex. Brawl. Autobots will, no doubt, either be there or be responding once we are spotted. Bathe Perihex in their energon." Onslaught smirks. "Brawl? You'll get bonus points for each Autobot you kill. Vortex? Stick close to the target location. We may need your assistance getting inside. You will also be Exit Strategy 4D. Prepare yourself accordingly."

"Swindle. The Nanolathe is your responsibility. Get in, get it, get out. Make yourself scarce the moment you have it. You are our primary exit strategy, A1. Don't frag it up."

Onslaught turns to the DeceptiFodder. "As for the rest of you, keep any and all resistance off our afts. We have a job to do and we cannot do it if they, or you, are in our way. Make sure that neither of those things happen and this will be the first of many victories for the Decepticons. I guarantee it."

Onslaught finally turns to look off at the modern center of Perihex and he holds up a HoloPad. He swipes his finger across it and appearing in front of him is the entire plan for this operation designed to the letter. Blueprints, surveillance footage, patrol routes and routines, as well as increased security measures. Hell, there's even multiple live feeds going (thanks to a couple of mini-drones hovering around the location.

"Alright. Enough micro-management." Onslaught reaches onto the HoloPad and presses a button on it. Almost immediately, on a couple of the live feeds and in the city center itself, alarms and systems and everything start going off like mad. Except, it's not just the building that the Combaticons are targeting. It is the entire collective of security systems within a 100 mile radius of that particular building. Onslaught smiles as that is the signal to begin the assault/heist hybrid operation.

"Give 'em hell, Combaticons."

The time for questions is not now. Also, the time for witty banter is not now. Right now it is time to salute, nod, and get to work. For the time being, Vortex focuses his attention on Swindle. He does his best to stay close to the mech, but not alert anyone to the location of their snatcher. After all, the plan will be ruined if Swindle cannot even get in there. As a helicopter, he would attract too much attention. Thus, Vortex is moving on foot at a safe distance, but is ever alert. According to the plan, he needs to keep close to the facilities they are bombing, while Brawl is free to just merrily slaughter any and all Autobots that arrive. Lucky aft.

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Vortex says, "In position. Brawl?"

Brawl certainly doesn't need to be told twice to get to work. After a quick salute he transforms and starts moving. Twin cannons send out a few shots at buildings other then the one Swindle is heading for. The tankbots sensors on high alert for anyone that comes his way. Cause as is proven while he may not be the stealthiest of bots, he's certainly the one that knows how to draw attention to himself. Especially when to go WILD!

Well- here they all are, like old times again. Blast Off had almost forgotten what that felt like. But watching Onslaught stand there, barking out orders- yes, the shuttle is remembering what being a Combaticon is all about. What working as Primal Vanguard was all about. What pride in a job well done is all about. Not some soft scientist job handed to him by the Senate, either... no, a far more deadly game- and a far more exciting one. He may enjoy the "civilized" life, but there IS something about raining highly skilled and accurate destruction down on your enemies that gives the sniper a sense of pride- I mean, even MORE pride than he already feels, which is always plenty.

"Understood." He gives Onslaught a nod, then is up in the air and transforming into shuttle mode. It's not long before the spacecraft is circling high over the Center. Spotting a gaurd, he aims a wing laser down- and fires. The guard falls on the spot. More look up and begin firing at him, but the shuttle dodges, banking to the right and down slightly as he swoops in for a strafing run, firing more laser shots at any likely targets. He'll keep those guards occupied alright.

--Radio: D-Chat-- ;'s cannons go off as he says, "That answer your question."

-- Radio: D-Chat -- Brawl's cannons go off as he says, "That answer your question."

-- Radio: D-Chat -- Brawl says, " OOC:Miss"

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Brawl's cannons go off as he says, "That answer your question."

Arcee happened to be patrolling out here in the vicinity of Perihex when she began noticing an increase in scanner hits...a \*drastic\* increase. The moment she takes notice, she sends out a call to the Autobot mission channel. "<< Attention, Autobots. Local radio traffic and scans show a major siege is about to occur, in the vicinity of Perihex. Flip on those scanners and just follow the bogies, it will be impossible to miss. >>" Still in vehicular mode as she draws closer, she's finding it rather alarming that there's too many Decepticons to keep track of on the scanners. (Wow, this is ridiculous. I hope those mechs are ready to scramble. This is something major for sure,) she thinks.

Perihex. A land that is always painted in the electric glow of the advertisements and holographic billboards that perpetually create a false daytime for the polity. As the alarms start to sound off from the attack, indeed, a caphony noise from all over the city, the local polity is quickly overwhelmed and forced to call in for reinforcement from any available security forces that may be in the area. Civilians are out in the streets, fleeing from trouble, not understanding the concise plan of Onslaught just to sow the very chaos that is starting on the streets below.

With the call of assistance going out to the local security forces, such requests are quickly forwarded up the chain of command directly to Autobot forces thanks to the assistance of Arcee's rather timely radio alert because of her presence already in the polity.

There is a Clampdown that is going on. While the Senate mostly relies on mobile platforms and the moonbases to enforce the Clampdown, there is one very large wildcard that is on call for such times that there is an attack that involves aerial elements that could possibly have space travel use. As Blast Off is recognized and called out, the call goes out to that wildcard to have him deploy. From far above the polity, there is a flash of thrusters and a contrail of flame as Sky Lynx breaks from his usual low orbit patrol pattern to make the re-entry planetside, his cargo pod easily asorbing most of the friction from his return.

Cutting into the atmosphere over the polity, Sky Lynx circles the scene first to assess the situation. << Autobots, >> he transmits, << There are approximately five thousand one-hundred seventy-six alarms sounding at this very moment. Even if the Decepticons were to activate and deploy every insurgent they had access to, I doubt that they would be able to rouse such shennanigans as this. Instead, I would recommend that we redouble and refocus our efforts to where the air alt-modes would locate to. After all, most normal air traffic will clear the area and allow us to operate freely. >>

That is when Blast Off makes his presence known as he takes to the skies and opens fire on the guards down below. << Ah, there's are quarry flushed from the brush now. I am transmitting the coordinates to the location that Blast Off is attacking - I also have a visual on the escaped prisoner Brawl. If they are noth presence, it only quantifies that is most likely that the rest of their twisted brotherhood is present. Practice caution and remember that if you find yourself overwhelmed, radio me and I will not haste to bring forth my superior speed, strength and skills to assist you. >> with that sent, the Aerospace Lieutenant Commander actually does /not/ engages Blast Off, instead leaving him for one of the other fliers that is arriving on scene.

"Onslaught! Choosing to hide in the shadows and allow your troops to carry out your dirty work for you again? It is the type of cowardice I should have come to expect from someone of your ilk and class to attempt to carry out, as they are all just as disposable as you are. Come out and face superior forces, Combaticon!" the Roc calls out, attempting to taunt the Combaticon leader out of hiding.

Now that his mission orders have been transmitted, he transmits one more message before he streaks above the city in preparation to attack.

While she's nowhere near as WONDERFUL and POWERFUL as Sky Lynx, Acuity does have flexibility on her side, mainly because of her triple changer status. Upon receiving the call she speeds over with all due haste to the endangered location, using her faster aerial mode first. Whether she stays in it, or not, will depend on how circumstances play out. For now, however, it seems that Arcee is already on the ground and Sky Lynx is posturing in the air. Since Blast Off has ALREADY made a casualty from the air, it seems only fair that she try to return the favor. Not bothering with words at this point (de-escalating doesn't seem to be an option) she opens fire on the Decepticon shuttle.

-Combat- Acuity hits Blast Off with a ranged attack!

Springer comes in on Skylynxs tail, weapons online and circling the area in a decisive fashion. <"Scanning signature locations and transmitting to youre HUD, Skylynx."> he says quickly as he does so.

Swindle has been skulking about, to follow Onslaught's orders and get that nanolathe, hopefully without being spotted by the 'bots. He moves like a burglar, looking for an opening that isn't being guarded.

Megatron has been listening to the mission radio chatter and has decided to come see for himself how well this 'mission' is goig to go. How a large mining tank can sneak is anyones guess but the rebel leader can and does it well. Wonder where he got some of those skills from? And so the miner comes up to the area in question, from behind the Combaticons and he takes a spot behind the edge of a building and he just watches. What they are here for is indeed very important but hes also curious just how well his troops can carry themselves.

Shortly he sees Autobots coming in hot and glances up at them, then he looks back down at his Combaticons and just watches.

Unless something gets in his way, theres nothing to stop Brawl except himself. The twin cannon on his turret letting loose explosive shells mixed in with a few sonic blasts. Unless they are more stupid then the berserker theres no doubt people are scattering from his assault. The mechs sensors keeping alert for any guard or Autobot that get in his path.

Blast Off's scanners keep track of his teammates, especially Swindle, seeing as how the shuttle is probably going to get stuck carrying the nanolathe.... er, priveleged to...er, stuck.... oh whatever. Technically it WILL make him look extra useful, and that's a good thing. Part of him wants to prove to Onslaught that he was right to bring Blast Off back into the fold. But still- TRANSPORT DUTY? PFFFT. The shuttle has never liked transport duty. It's just so...so /common/, you know? Blast Off is a skilled sniper and space warrior and gentlemech and so much more than a CARGO BAY. Ugh. Still- it's a function that often makes him excedingly useful to the rest of his team, so he may hem and haw at it, but he'll provide that needed service for his cohort. He may just complain a lot about it, is all. Especially if that cargo is DIRTY. Try cleaning YOUR insides some time, huh?

The strafing run sends some more gaurds hunkering down, unable to really pay much attention to the other Combaticons coming in on the ground. Ha, this will be a piece of enercake! Or it would have been, until Acuity shows up. Busy with raining destruction down on the gaurd, the shuttle doesn't notice her in time, not until a gunshot soars through the air and slices into the shuttle's fuselage. There's a \*hiss\* of air vents and a rumble of thrusters as he lifts one wing straight upward and banks sharply (or as sharply as he can) to scan for just \*where\* that came from, His scanners find the Autobot- and there's a moment's surpise and hesitation. It's... is that WHIRL? Oh no, he doesn't want this, he's not sure.... wait. No, that ISN'T Whirl.

The shuttle vents a sigh of relief before circling down just a bit (but still way out of reach from the ground of course). << What's this? Another empurata working for the government? How droll. You must be one of those mind-controlled buffoons. Here, let me put you out of your misery... >> His lasers point down and fire her way!

-Combat- You hit Acuity with your ranged attack!

Onslaught remains in his hidden location. It would be difficult to single him out in the mass chaos that is happening right now but Onslaught is watching everything with a narrowed optic. He's focused heavily on the Live Feed and he's got multiple views of the Nanolathe Building and Swindle in front of his optics. That's what he's more focused on since that is the objective.

"Who is that speaking to me?" Onslaught asks his Holographic Emersion Response software.

HER: "Sky Lynx."

"Oh?" Onslaught actually takes a moment to sit down in his chair as he turns to pull up another holoscreen and there's Sky Lynx. "Hm. Interesting."

HER: "Slaughtikins? Focus. You have a job to do."

"I know, I know. I'm on task." Onslaught looks reluctant to flip back to his other and more important screens. "But the opportunity to slaughter the mighty Sky--"

HER: "Onslaught!"

Onslaught vents and turns his attention to his holoscreens, swiping the Sky Lynx one to the side. "Ah. Predictable response time. Predictable citizen reaction. Predictable inefficiency of local authorities. Perfect." Onslaught pulls up a screen of the building. <<Swindle's on the move. Vortex? Make a door for him, would you?>> Onslaught turns to his HoloPad and flips on the microphone. He's got the signal bouncing all around Perihex so his voice comes from any random speakers that can pick up on this frequency he's using.

"As much as I would love to tear you into a bunch of little pieces, Sky Lynx, I have a job to do. Have fun displaying your need for violence to those you claim to protect. I do hope civilians continue to remain unharmed through this." Oh ho. Is that a threat?

Onslaught leans back into his seat now. Banter Complete.

Blast Off's scanners keep track of his teammates, especially Swindle, seeing as how the shuttle is probably going to get stuck carrying the nanolathe.... er, priveleged to...er, stuck.... oh whatever. Technically it WILL make him look extra useful, and that's a good thing. Part of him wants to prove to Onslaught that he was right to bring Blast Off back into the fold. But still- TRANSPORT DUTY? PFFFT. The shuttle has never liked transport duty. It's just so...so /common/, you know? Blast Off is a skilled sniper and space warrior and gentlemech and so much more than a CARGO BAY. Ugh. Still- it's a function that often makes him excedingly useful to the rest of his team, so he may hem and haw at it, but he'll provide that needed service for his cohort. He may just complain a lot about it, is all. Especially if that cargo is DIRTY. Try cleaning YOUR insides some time, huh?

The strafing run sends some more gaurds hunkering down, unable to really pay much attention to the other Combaticons coming in on the ground. Ha, this will be a piece of enercake! Or it would have been, until Acuity shows up. Busy with raining destruction down on the gaurd, the shuttle doesn't notice her in time, not until a gunshot soars through the air and slices into the shuttle's fuselage. There's a \*hiss\* of air vents and a rumble of thrusters as he lifts one wing straight upward and banks sharply (or as sharply as he can) to scan for just \*where\* that came from, His scanners find the Autobot- and he returns fire.

although prone to whim, Vortex has been maintaining all of his focus on being responsive to Onslaught's commands. There is so much opportunity for improvising, but often Onslaught's plans do not have a lot of leeway for such antics. And it is probably just as well that Vortex did not take to the air when the firing started up ahead as his instinct was to go join in the fun. Being on the down low, it was easier for Vortex to forge ahead. He goes to a wall of a less than populated area, and after silencing the only nearby guard with a penetrating laser through the throat, and then again through the chest, and a stunning pulse just to be on the safe side, he knocks on the wall. He has to work quick. Very quick. He sets four small charges, each taking up a corner of an imaginary square, and then connects each with some wire. explosives are NOT his forte so to speak, but these insta-door charges are very handy. Small but high impact and they don't make as much of a spectacle. With the chaos, there is a good noise cover too. Vortex backs away as the timer goes off, and watches as a Swindle-sized hole is made. He then steps to the side. "<<Swindle, got a door here on the west wall - no guards and a lovely door made just for you!">>" Vortex waits to make sure Swindle gets in, standing aside ready to gesture him in like a perfect gentlemech.

Arcee tracks Brawl cautiously, taking side alleyways to gain ground on the pugnacious Combaticon. When she's finally within decent targeting range, she hides behind a building and parks, transforming back to root mode and bringing a shoulder-mounted missile launcher out of subspace. She's going to need at \*least\* that much to give this guy a single crack in his armor; the laser-pistols might not even make a dent in him.

It takes the pink femme a moment to balance the launcher on her shoulder, and then, once she finds her opportunity, she takes the shot at Brawl, sending an armor-piercing rocket sailing in his direction. The kick-back from the weapon is enough to push her slight frame back hard, and she slams up against the building behind her with considerable force as the weapon fires.

-Combat- Arcee hits Brawl with a ranged attack!

Ouch, that stings! The aerial Decepticon certainly knows how to shoot; Acuity isn't exactly a large and cumbersome target. Still, she'll accept the attack and return it in kind as best she can, hopefully giving those who are bound to the ground a chance to get out of the shuttle's way. << Yes, pick on someone that's closer to your level. It's rather cowardly to shoot those who have a poor chance of retaliation! >> she says, finally speaking up. It's not her usual method to try to escalate things, but there's a first time for everything. As far as she can tell, the Decepticons have made their choice; now they have to face the consequences. One such consequence is Acuity taking aim and firing on the shuttleformer once again.

-Combat- Acuity misses Blast Off with a ranged attack!

With Onslaught playing the game of cowardice and hiding behind multiple transmissions, Sky Lynx cannot get an accurate triangulation on the location of the Combaticon leader. But unfortunately, the Combaticon is right. Let him hide. Sky Lynx can instead work on dividing and conquering the Decepticons while Onslaught sits in his chair and watch it all fall apart. It would serve him right.

Hearing Brawl making his racket down below in the city, Sky Lynx turns his attention towards the ground and darts towards it. Getting in close as he comes over the buildings and displays, the Autobot shuttle slows his speed, lowering to the ground in front of where Brawl is charging, and drops his cargo pod. The large pod lands on the ground with a thud and a rising of dust and debris. Then the pod itself protoforms out of it's root mode, becoming the giant Lynx half of the Sky Lynx combination.

The golden head of the lynx shakes his head and crouches down into position as Brawl comes barreling down with both barrels and Lynx comments, "Halt, cease and desist, insurgent!" the Lynx roars out in challenge, even as one of the shells explodes right in front of the creature, kicking shrapnel all over his splendid armor. Lynx steps forth and then leaps, attemping to bring down both of his paws on the front of Brawl's tank more and flip him over much like trying to knock a turtle onto it's back.

Sky, in the meantime, leaps skywards once he has seperated from his Lynx module and taken back to the skies, while still in shuttle mode. The large shuttle catches sight of the battle between Blast Off and Acuity and keeps a moderate watch between the two should Acuity become overpowered by the Decepticon's inferior shuttle. Destroying the transport should just make /Onslaught's/ day, right?

Sky was about to join in the battle against the shuttleformer, but then something else catches his attention. A large form outside of the battle zone that is watching the battle with interest. Focus. Enchance. Focus. Enhance. Really? It takes a pair of scans to confirm it, but once he has, the Autobot Lieutenant Commander sends out the warning to the rest of his team. << I have positive verification of the presence of Megatron. >> However, Megatron has made no move to attack. Sky protoforms into his large Wyvern mode to take flight, sweeping back down to rake his claws against the sides of Blast Off and cause him some major damage hopefully, and give Acuity a moment to retrain her bearings. Since Onslaught nor Megatron are battling? Why not assist his fellow Autobots. "Never fear, Acuity, I shall not let this ruffian harm you further!"

-Combat- Sky Lynx hits Brawl with a melee attack!

-Combat- Sky Lynx hits Blast Off with a melee attack!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "Swindle. Contact me the nanosecond you have the Nanolathe in your possession do that I may prep the Bait and Switch."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "Gotcha."

Springer rolls one ten-sided die and gets: 1.

Blast Off hufffs at being called a coward. << Hardly cowardly- more like using skill and superiority to make a point. And those guards are hardly innocent bystanders- nor are you. You support a system of oppression while WE fight against it. Look to yourself for judgement before you deign to lay it at MY thrusters! >> The Autobot fires at him, but he's ready this time, dropping some speed and diving down to avoid any damage. << Tsk- you might want to work on your shooting skills, too. >>

Unfortunately for Blast Off, he's still focused on Acuity, and doesn't notice Sky Lynx until there is suddenly a shadow overhead. Wait, what? The shuttle's scanners sweep up to figure out just what this is- a little too late. Sky's claws rake into his fuselage (and yes, not in the good way), rending metal and sending several heat shields falling to the ground in a cascade of ceramic tiles.

* GAHHHH!\* The attack knocks the shuttle spiraling out of control, sparks flying and a soft trail of smoke trailing behind. His scanners pick up the other shuttle, however. Blast Off looked Sky Lynx up after hearing him on radio earlier, so he knows who this is now. << You. >> The Combaticon shuttle's lasers point and lock onto the Sky mode, even as he adjusts elevons and just barely avoids crashing. << Such poor manners for someone who claims to have class. But you are an Autobot, so I should expect hypocrisy I suppose.>> With that, he fires as he works to gain elevation once more.

-Combat- You hit Sky Lynx with your ranged attack!

"<<Thanks!>>" Swindle shortranges to Vortex, then hurries to the freshly opened door and goes for the nanolathe. He finds it, grabs it, stuffs it in Subspace, and beats a hasty retreat the way he came!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "I got it!"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "Am I Swindle's get-away?"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "Clear a path for him to disappear. We don't want too much unwanted attention. I doubt they even know what we came here for."

"Keep me updated on Sky Lynx's progress. If there was ever a predictable unknown variable it would be He. He is, quite possibly, the biggest wrench the Autobots have to throw into my well oiled machines." Onslaught vents and steeples his fingers as he watches his holoscreens. "I /hate/ wrenches." Onslaught is obviously trying to keep himself from going out there and taking care of Sky Lynx himself.

Onslaught continues to keep tabs on his team as they work their magic. He is slightly underwhelmed by their performance, thus far, but he seems to be okay with not micro-managing them at this particular juncture. His optics are focused on making sure that Swindle is getting where he needs to be. He makes sure a Micro-Management Drone follows after Swindle and off in the direction of Vortex's Door.

"Hm. Let's see if we can't give these Autobots something else to deal with, hm?" Onslaught lets his fingers dance across his HoloPad and he seems to be hacked into the Perihex Network. He proceeds to see if he can't take control of some of the automated systems here, whether they be monorails or traffic lights or anything that could possibly put a civilian in danger. "Oops. Oh dear. Did I do that? Primus me." Onslaught amuses himself with sarcasm as he starts attempting to create some malfunctions so that he can make those Autobots split their attention!

Especially now that Swindle has the package!

If theres one thing Brawl hates worse then a missile in his viewports its a blasted robocat flipping him over. His engines certainly roar in protest before he protoforms back to root mode yelling, "BIG MISTAKE, FRAGGER!" He glares at Lynx as he pulls his hammer out of subspace with one hand and swings it towards the beasts head. As for the pink femme that sent the missile, he tries to let out a few rounds of gunfire whenever he see's Arcee.

-Combat- Brawl hits Sky Lynx with a melee attack!

-Combat- Brawl hits Arcee with a ranged attack!

>> Onslaught rolls one one hundred-sided die and gets: 70.

Well, now, with that taken care of, Vortex can finally take to the air. However, he is disinclined to expose the little door he made, and thus Swindle's entry route. Thusly, that crafty coper begins to run out into the street, flailing his arms and screaming like just another panicked citizen - and is having perhaps a bit too much fun giving himself into the mass hysteria. Sure, he may be yelling things like 'we're all gonna die' and 'it's the war the war has broke' or 'the time for judgment is nigh' and yet another ‘the automated drones are taking over DO NOT TRUST SECURITY WEAPONOS THEY HAVE MURDER IN THEIR CIRCUITS!' to sow further chaos... so less hysteria and more hysterical. Once he feels he has enough distance from Swindle's location so as not to compromise the mech's exit route, Vortex transforms and takes to the air.

Did someone say clear a path? Brawl might be good for crowd control by creating a distraction and drawing fire, but Vortex has his own unique methods. Vortex begins to spin his rotors faster and faster as he hovers above the ground. It starts with small loose objects bouncing and crawling along the ground in a large circular pattern, but soon even citizens and guards will feel the pull of a strong force, trying to suck up anything and everything that isn't bolted down.

Megatron feels the radar ping from Skylynx and looks up to see what the strange mech is going to do. Nothing? Ok do be it. then as he watches hes presented with Vortex's 'peformance' if you will. He steps away from the corner of the building slightly to just stand there and watch. Hes not sure at this point if hs proud or not of his Combaticons.

And then Sky Lynx sallies to the rescue...and Acuity didn't really think she NEEDED to be rescued. Trading shots is part of the job. Still, no sense in being rude. << Thanks, >> she radios back to Sky. Even so, with Sky being focused on Blast Off, it seems hardly necessary for her to continue her own fight with him, so she contents herself with shooting DeceptiFoder.

However, it seems as though the volley of words is not to be ignored. << I support law an order, something your people have abandoned, or so it would seem. And I never said anything about innocents; I just said that it's a rather base tactic to fight those who can't fight back properly. >> Of course, not being a sniper, she hardly appreciates such methods. The Decepticons are welcome to such individuals. << Though you /do/ sound like you're not one of the low caste workers; are you sure you're working for people who have your best interests in mind?" >> How's that for a barb?

The hammer slams across the Lynx's face, and the shield and armor asorb most of the damage as the large creature takes the hit. However, it is Brawl's continued attack on Arcee that causes the Lynx to growl. "Arcee, find Swindle and find out what is going on here. There are still two Combaticons not accounted for, and we need to know what no good they are up to. It has to be something big if it has gathered Megatron's attention." Lynx comments before he decides to fill his mouth with something else. Leaning down, he attempts to grab up Brawl in his mouth and fling him against a nearby building as hard as he can to buy Arcee time to escape.

Up in the skies, Sky is struck by the lasers from Blast Off. One of his bird legs takes a good solid hit and smoke trails from the wound created, though in the end, the damage is moderate at best. "I do not have time to listen to your petty jealousy and ramblings about things you care not to understand, Combaticon." Sky responds as he turns his attention to the goings on below him. "Acuity, I believe you have this more than handled. >> He's still not accounted for two of the Combaticons, his radars and scanners starting a more active pinging against the ground even with the increased clutter of Onslaught's interference.

Chirp. Chirp. Ping. << Swindle must have gained some massive weight since our last engagement - or he is attempting to carry more than usual. >> Sky reports and transmits the coordinates to Arcee. << Intercept and ascertan the situation before engaging to stop him. But do make sure he does not escape. >>

Sky in the meantime, continues his scanning, which takes his attention away from the battle as he carries out the intensive search.

-Combat- Sky Lynx hits Brawl with a melee attack!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Blasted beastmechs gonna be a pile of scrap when I'm done. Vortex, Swindle, you possibly got company heading your way."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "Goodie. I do love company. I hope it comes bearing gifts"

"<< Acknowledged, >>" Arcee radioes Sky Lynx, just as soon as she's able to get her wits about her. When she picks herself up off the ground, she realizes that her battle armor, a fairly new acquisition for her, is pitted with shots. She's leaking some energon, but had she not had the battle armor guilding her frame, it could have been MUCH worse, those shots could have taken out her spark easily.

Quickly, she flees down the nearest alley, transforming to vehicular mode in mid-stride and beginning to scan specifically for Swindle. She's now attempting to track the sneaky, double-dealing Combaticon to find out where he is and what he's doing.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "Acknowledged!"

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Blast Off says, " Onslaught- should I continue fighting this Autobot femme or should I go after Sky Lynx?"

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Onslaught says, "Protect The Package."

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Blast Off says, "Understood."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "Swindle. Bait and Switch time. Stop in front of the Warehouse 20 meters from your location. I'm on my way down."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "The rest of you? Buy us 30 nanoseconds."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Blast Off says, "Understood. Again."

Blast Off pulls back up to a more comfortable elevation as Acuity hits him with some distinctly uncomfortable/ comments. He really \*doesn't\* fit in with the usual Decepticon ranks... he IS High Caste and feels the discord of mingling with miners, groundpounders, and other ruffians cycle in and cycle out. Bristling, he responds with a haughty huff, << If these guards are such poor fighters that is the Senate's lack of foresight, not my problem. I am simply using my own superiority to fight for the RIGHT cause. ....And yes, I am High Caste, how surprisingly perceptive of you. And yes, I'm quite sure I'm on the right side- I have sided with the people who do NOT support mind-control. I LIKE making my own decisions- I do not need someone to hand-feed them to me. >>

But his attention goes to Sky Lynx, or specifically Lynx this time- who throws Brawl off like a ragdoll. The shuttle doesn't like that one bit. Nor does he like that the other shuttle seems determined to interfere with their work. He radios Onslaught, gets his response, and goes to provide aerial support to the other Combaticons, especially Swindle. Thrusters engage as he speeds towards the Autobot. Lasers point and the sniper fires right at Lynx's head- the same jaws that just tore into his teammate. << Ignoring me, Sky Lynx? /Your error/. How rude. Let someone more erudite teach you a lesson- never turn your back on a sniper. >>

He also sees a... flash of pink? Is that... Arcee? Blast off feels a twinge of something... is it regret? Anger at what Rung told him? Lost days that seem so long ago? Whatever they are, he has little time to really dwell on them right now.

-Combat- You hit Sky Lynx with your ranged attack!

Pushing himself up Brawl barely takes notice of the dent he left in the wall. Listening to his comm he says nothing, instead remaining focused on the beastformer infront of him. But instead of immediately charging forward he braces himself and leans forward. Shouldn't take long for anyone to realize what he's up to as the twin cannons on his back go off once more, his feet digging into the street from the recoil.

-Combat- Brawl hits Sky Lynx with a ranged attack!

Swindle does as he's told and heads for the location by the warehouse, not far from where he started off. He parks, waiting patiently for Onslaught.

At this point Vortex is rather easy to find. He is slowly rising as the whirwind he had begun becomes stronger and stronger, sweeping up anything or anyone that in it's path. To add to this, the mech is cackling madly. Off task? Not really, because this Whirlwind is blocking at least one of the flanks of Swindle's intended retreat path. He is also drawing attention, or trying to at any rate. He considers firing off a missile, but isn't too certain of the power these ones pack - he hadn't tested them. And it just might get caught in his own whirlwind. Instead he opts for using lasers to take out a few peripheral security forces that aren't in the direct path of his manufactured twister. They aren't very strong, but at the moment he seems more intent on harrassment tactics than anything. And is he ever good at harrassment. Pew pew, LASEES EVERYWHERE!

Sky Lynx is the size of the largest gestalts when merged - wait, you don't know about gestalts.. yet - but simply put, Sky or Lynx is a huge target. However, he is split in two at the moment. Even though both components are still very large, they do take some damage, Blast Off's shot to the cargo pod's back causing the Lynx to stumble before the twin shots of Brawl slam into the creature's shoulder, causing him to stumble forward and collapse forward with a pained roar onto the road, his shoulder barreling through a shop that has been emptied out just at the start of the battle. Lynx growls, attempting to push himself up, but his left leg actuator has taken the brunt of the damage and is siezing up periodically.

Sky chuckles, though pained as he can sense the condition of his other half. << You are both a fool and a fool's errand, as you have allowed someone to dictate to you everything that you do now. >> the large creature suddenly looms over Blast Off. Powerful legs reach down to grab a hold of the glass cannon. << That. Is. Enough! >> the large creature suddenly roars. And his claws attempt to dig deep into the shuttleformer and hold on. And if it succeeds --

-- Sky will attempt to tear Blast Off in two.

-Combat- Sky Lynx hits Blast Off with a melee attack!

Onslaught rises to his feet. "Well then. I think it's time we made our great escape."

Onslaught swipes away all of these holoscreens and subspaces his holopad before rushing towards what appears to be stairs? He's been nearby this entire time?! "Activate Charges."

HER: "As you wish, Lord Onslaught."

Onslaught smiles. Primus, he loves HER.

Moments later, at a significantly visible warehouse in the heart of this madness, Onslaught hits the ground and immediately transforms into his vehicle mode. DeceptiFodder bum-rush the mobile artillery vehicle and hook up an empty trailer to the back of it. Onslaught rolls, speedily, around to the side where Swindle is waiting and backs up towards him.

DeceptiFodder scrambles like mad to get the Nanolathe from Swindle and load it up onto the trailer that is attached to Onslaught. "Faster, you idiots! This entire building is going to blow in another seventeen nanoseconds!"

They finally manage to get the thing connected. <<GO!>> Onslaught accelerates like crazy and the Deceptifodder scrambles to get away from the building. Swindle probably does too.

Because, uh, BOOM! BOOM-BOOM! BOOM-BOOM! Strategically placed charges in the warehouse has that thing exploding and coming down. Anyone in the vicinity better run, drive, fly or whatever.

>> Sky Lynx rolls one one hundred-sided die and gets: 85.

Touche! Acuity can't refute that there is mind control, but she's at least wise enough to not point this out to Blast Off. Still, she finds it interesting that a High Caste would side with the Decepticons, who seem to be the champions of the working poor and disposables. Whether this lends more weight to the cause, or less, is something she'll have to think about.

Sky is still taking 'care' of Blast Off, so she focuses on the helicopter that is making a mess of things down below and attempts to fire on him instead, hopefully just to get him to move away; she doesn't want to bring a helicopter crashing down into the streets.

It's a good thing she isn't on the ground today, especially the ground near the warehouse. She only hopes there weren't any civilians inside.

-Combat- Acuity hits Vortex with a ranged attack!

-- Radio: Globalband -- Sky Lynx, thundering voice. "DECEPTICONS. I have Blast Off. Unless you wish to see him ripped /asunder/ before your very optics, you will surrender your objectives and depart, post haste."

-- Radio: Globalband -- Panacea says, "Tsk. Such violent threats."

-- Radio: Globalband -- Sky Lynx says, "Violence begots violence. I am merely finishing the threat that they have started."

Arcee closes in on the signal, just in time to see Swindle and other Decepticons in the area help load...something rather large, into the trailer of Onslaught, who then takes off with it!

She listens to the radio chatter as she follows Onslaught from a distance. Now Arcee realizes this could all end very differently.

-- Radio: Globalband -- Panacea says, "Still, we do not need to hear such graphic descriptions of what you wish to do to your enemies."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Your orders sir? I got the other half of that beastmech crippled."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "Sky Lynx is going to kill Blast Off if you do not do something about him, Brawl. What say you to that?"

What was all that about having each other's backs? Well, Vortex was specifically ordered to have Swindle's back. But catching sight of Blast Off's plight, Vortex now has a new personal mission - to put his shanix where his mouth is! But before he can do that -- hey -- HEY! The helicopter takes a hit, and it isn't exactly easy to brace against an impact when there is nothign to brace against. Vortex faulters upon being hit by Acuity, which causes a disturbance in his perfect little (not so little) funnel of mayhem. WELL! Regaining directional control to what it was may not be possible, but rolling with the punches (or bullets) just might work to the helicopter's advantage. It is time to give physics the black card and bend some rules. Do not ask how, but Vortex rolls over, further destabilising the whirlwind and bending the neck of the funnel in the direction of Acuity. Then he quickly disengages himself, leaving all manner of items and people to go hurling in many directions, but the bulk of them which would have been sucked into his skids (or cargo area had he been open) are now hurtling in the air towards Acuity. So, dodge random civillians so that they go splat, against various surfaces, shoot them down, or try and save some of them? MUWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Oh yeah, and a gas main explodes, adding to the amount of FIRE in the city.

During all of this, Vortex hazards letting loose a supposedly guided missile towards Sky, which he plans to detonate before it actually reaches the arrogant shuttle that is grappling HIS arrogant shuttle to try and dazzle him more than anything.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "BLAST OFF GET READY TO CLOSE YOUR OPTICS!"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Blast Off says, "\*zkkkkt\*"

-- Radio: Globalband -- Swivel says, "B-B-Blast Off?"

Swindle quickly scoots under the falling rubble, allowing himself to get buried under it!

-- Radio: Globalband -- Blast Off says, " \*zkkkkkt\*And-and\*crackle\* is this...\*civilized\*, Sky Ly\*zkkk\*nx? \*Gahhh\*"

-Combat- Vortex misses Sky Lynx with a ranged attack!

-Combat- Vortex hits Blast Off with a ranged attack!

-- Radio: Globalband -- Whirl says, "..."

Brawl's optics narrow behind his visor as he looks to the still down Lynx. Since he's basically been told by his commander to do as he wants since Sky has Blast Off he doesn't waste time. He protoforms back into tank mode and once more takes aim at the beastformers head. Though this time instead of firing off explosive shells he amps his cannons up to their full range of 300 decibels, releasing a blast of concentrated sound.

-Combat- Brawl hits Sky Lynx with a ranged attack!

Onslaught powers away from the falling building, though his scanners pick up on someone tailing him. Granted, from a distance, but he can't have her knowing his escape route. So he slams on his brakes and donut-drifts (wildly) to turn right around and head back in the other direction. Towards the rubble and towards the Arcee that is currently in pursuit?

"You will /not/ ruin this for me, AUTOBOT!" Onslaught's voice booms out of his external speakers as he pours on the speed and aims for some Chicken Flavored Antics by way of rushing towards Arcee at top speed. He's going to ram her! He's going to ram her!

... Shut up, Peanut Gallery.

Also, the wildness of Onslaught's driving has tugged loose the tarp that was covering the Nanolathe on the trailer hitched to the back of the Combaticon Commander. Y'know, the trailer that's now dropping random bits of metal and plastic and-- where's the Nanolathe?!?! Or Swindle?!?!

Blast Off has had some bad days. Just ask him sometime. A LOT of bad days. It's almost like Primus himself just loves tormenting the shuttle. The poor innocent shuttle who NEVER does ANYTHING to DESERVE IT. Totally innocent, really. Getting called a fool causes the shuttle to bristle again, armor plates shifting slightly even in shuttle mode. << No, I have sided with those who will give me freedom FROM those who seek to control my very thoughts! >> Blast Off banks to the left, scanning below for Swindle and Arcee.

He doesn't take his own advice, though, turning his back on the Sky part of Sky Lynx- and soon regrets it- GREATLY. \*GAHHHHH!\* Metal claws rend into the shuttle, snagging him like an osprey does a fish. Thrusters roaring, Blast Off tries to force his way from Sky Lynx's grip- to no avail. He's hooked and helpless to do anything about it. Except: << \*zkkkkkt\*And-and\*crackle\* is this...\*civilized\*, Sky Ly\*zkkk\*nx? >> Engines cycle and groan in protest, metal sides crack and buckle. His armor is flimsy to begin with and once locked in the dinobird's grip he's...well let's just say he's in severe pain now. \*Gahhh\*" Vortex TRIES to help- also to no avail. In fact the damage from it just hits HIM! \*AIIIIGH!!!\* Ok, now he's barely holding together. Ceramic tiles rain from the sky- as do several large pieces of Blast Off himself. He won't be transporting ANYTHING soon. It's questionable he'll be doing /anything/ anytime soon, as smoke and sparks fly. << UnHAND M\*zttt\*EEEE!! >> Right now, he just tries to work past the shock setting in and see if he can get his lasers online once more.

Using Blast Off as a shield, Sky Lynx shoves the shuttle in the way, and allows him to asorb the missile that Vortex fired at him. Even as Blast Off struggles, Sky digs his claws further into the shuttle as he rockets towards the ground, where Brawl continues to pound away at his Lynx form.

Rocketing down the street, Sky aims Blast Off like a claw held missile and rams him directly into the back of Brawl as he finally lets go of the shuttle and rushes to his Lynx component, which has taken a pounding. Reconnecting and merging back into his full Audurian Roc mode, the creature turns towards the two Combaticons. "Flee while your sparks are still not forfeit!" And considering the remerged form, he sounds like he /means/ it.

-Combat- Sky Lynx hits Brawl with a melee attack!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Frag! What hit me? ....Blast Off!? Can't watch your chassis and wreck this guy at the same time. Should I take him out of here, Sir?"

Arcee finds herself suddenly playing chicken with Onslaught, and it's not exactly where she wants to be. For one, it looks like either the object that Onslaught had been transporting had either fallen out from his reckless turns -- which wasn't particularly likely, because she would have easily been able to spot something of that size rolling down the road -- or somehow, Swindle pulled a fast one and made it disappear.

These guys were GOOD.

Mere nanoseconds prior to collision, Arcee makes an emergency turn off the highway, careening down an embankment until she stops herself by transforming back into root mode and scurrying back through an alleyway to rendevous with the others, as well as assist with evacuations.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Onslaught says, "Evacuate."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Yes sir."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "I'll be there shortly to pick up whatever pieces of Blast Off are left if you can keep them together in the meantime, Brawl."

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Vortex says, "Prepare the repair bay we got some heavy injuries en route."

-- Radio: D-Mission -- Zephyr says, "We're on it."

Onslaught slams on his brakes once again and transforms, unhitching himself from the trailer. His feet land on the ground and he turns to survey the area but Arcee is long gone. "Next time." Onslaught narrows his optics at the carnage he has wrought and gives himself a silent pat on the back.

"Megatron will be pleased." Onslaught transforms back down into his vehicle mode and turns to make his escape once again. "... Glitch better have my shanix or he's not getting his precious package!" And with that, Onslaught makes with the getting the heck out of dodge.

Brawl grunts and tries to stabilize himself as something other then a standard missile slams hard into him. <<Frag! What hit me?!>> It doesn't take long for him to realize that what or who it is <<Blast Off!? Can't watch your chassis and wreck this guy at the same time. Should I take him out of here, Sir?>> He doesn't reply to Vortex as he protoforms back to root mode, optics focused on Sky Lynx, "This ain't over! Your gonna pay for this."

He does his best to carefully pick up whats left of Blast Off and run off to the rendevous point to meet up with Vortex.

Well. That. That didn't turn out very well. Vortex gorans inwardly and winces when his missle, meant to harmlessly explode and just cause a diversion, hits the already mangled Blast Off. So. Vortex is already preparing who all to blame besides himself for that outcome, and perhaps, calculating how much wine it would cost to make good on that little misfire. Vortex sends a completely unecessary farewell pair of missiles, happy to unload them them as junk, carelessly sending them after Sky Lynx. With tat last fire, Vortex hurries to the rendezvous to where he can meet up with Brawl and get Blast Off ready for transport to repair.

Blast Off is already in extremely poor shape, and as he gets PLOWED INTO BRAWL what's left of his structural integrity is seriously compromised. He's not built for this kind of roughhousing, meant to be a sniper firing at his enemies from afar. There isn't much left to say to Brawl- he's barely concious at this point. But pieces of Combaticon shuttle are strewn across Sky Lynx's flight path. Yes, he's definitely had better days.

What a mess! Vortex acticateshis whirlwind again as he follows Sky Lynx' flight path leading up to where he dropped Blast Off on Brawl. He uses a much weaker vacuum to gather what pieces of Blast Off he can into his hold.

Swindle is now still buried under rubble, hoping the bots that are in the area don't spot him!

Once the Decepticons retreat with their victory, Sky Lynx stands there for a moment. He can feel the pain of his Lynx component. He takes a few steps, but his gait is pained, slightly hobbled and limped. He remains on scene while recovery efforts are started, but eventually the best he can do is transport civilians wounded in Onslaught's demolition to the local medical facilities and then return to the Decagon to tend to his own repairs.

Sky Lynx goes home.

Arcee remains on site to coordinate evacuations, direct repairs...all of that happy-fun post battle sort of busywork that she's already been trained to do.

Acuity works with Arcee to do things that are all helpful and useful and don't invovle shooting shuttles that were later almost torn in half. She much prefers what she's doing now.

Brawl grumbles as he waits for Vortex to come pick up Blast Off. Part of him wants to go back out and fight but the order was to evacuate. For now he waits the copterbot as he adjusts his comm.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Alright ready for pickup, got Blast Off. Anyone else I need to go look for?"

Swindle hopes arcee doesn't pass his way. Silently he tells himself 'move along, nothing to see here...pay no attention to the mech under the rubble...'

Vortex lands a little ways from Brawl. "Right 'en, load 'im up and be gentle 'bout it, Brawl." Vortex is alert, just ready for anyone to dare come near while trying to get his fellow comrade loaded up and sent for repairs. His lasers are all powered up. He really needs better firepower in the future.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Anyone heard from Swindle?"

Arcee picks up a stray signal after diverting a group of mechs away from a damaged building. She begins following the signal toward a pile of rubble. "Hmm...what's this..."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "uh hey, guys? Wanna come pick me up before one of the 'bots finds me?"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Right, where are you?"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "under some rubble"

Acuity is doing things else where, and while most of her mind is on the task of clean up, damage control, and civilian guidance, a small part of her mind is sifting through the things that Blast Off said. The door to doubt had been opened a long time ago; he's just made it a tiny bit wider.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "and be quick, will ya, I think there's a bot sniffing around."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "I'll come dig you out."

Once Blast Off is loaded onto Tex, with not too many jolts and bumps, Brawl turns to look towards Swindles position as he recieves the signal, "He better hope I don't have to blast him out of whatever he's under." He doesn't wait for Vortex to reply as he protoforms back into vehicle mode, engines igniting as he makes his way acros the battlefield towards where the shifty one is buried.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "What's your condition, Swindle? Am I going to have to ship you AND Blast Off, or can I take off now to make sure Blast Off gets the immediate repair he needs?"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "I think I'm good to go under my own power after someone digs me out."

Well, Vortex has everything he feels he needs to get a move on. Vortex takes off as smoothyl as he can, and heads to Kaon.

Swindle is still securely buried under rubble, and hoping whoever digs him out isn't an Autobot!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "Swindle, do YOU still have the goods? If so, I'm sticking around... but I'm keeping myself mobile"

Arcee scans...and then scans a second time. Why is she getting such a strong hit, here? She stares at the unassuming pile of rubble; might this be an error on the part of the scanner? She begins carefully digging through the rubble.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "But if Blast Off seems ta get worse..."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "yeah, I got em, and if the bots find me, they might grab it."

Brawl keeps his sensors locked on to where Swindle is currently buried according to the comms. No doubt Arcee is going to hear a familiar sound before the bruiser is in full sight. This is even more clear as he yells out, "Alright out my way! Battles over but I'll still blast whoever gets in my way!"

Arcee quickly looks behind her and sees...uh oh, the TANK is returning. She just doesn't have the resources to deal with him, and she knows it. WHY is he coming back here, to this blitzed-out block?? She could try shooting him again with the rocket-launcher, but if he so much as steps on her or even rolls over her in tank mode, she's going to be in big trouble. While she doesn't actually leave the area, she backs way off, to see what the big brute is going to do.

That's a good question. Why /is/ Brawl still here? Acuity has finished off clearing the section she was working on and has driven by to find out what else needs to be dealt with. It's kind of hard to miss the TANK that's shouting. Hmmmm. Keeping in her 'cycle mode, Acuity ponders her options. She's not exactly built to stand up to a tank. "Shouldn't you have run off by now?" she asks from behind Brawl. "You seem to be the only one left." Maybe she can stall him, or distract him, until Arcee figures out what he wants. Unlike Arcee, she can fly away if she has to.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "You concious at all in there Blast Off?"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Blast Off says, " \*zkkkt\*No."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "Good enough. How'd opertion recover Swindle going?"

Hovering not too far off is Vortex, having not completely departed for Kaon, but trying to keep a low profile considering his delicate cargo.

Brawl ignores Acuity for a few moments as he stops where Swindles signal is coming from, quickly protoforming back to root mode. Looking to the pile of rubble his optics glow a bit as he glances back to the cycle saying, "You better get out of my sight before I crush you!" As he says this he starts to pick up chunks of rubble and toss them aside. Considering tossing one of the largest pieces at the Autobot.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Digging him out, think theres still one or two annoying Autobots nearby that aren't doing anything then talking."

As Acuity begins providing a distraction, Arcee slinks closer to the opposite side of the pile of rubble, and begins digging. Oh, there is definitely SOMETHING in here. Something important...

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, "I've got one more piece of scrap missile with a faulty detonating and guidance system. I could set it rogue in the city to provide another distraction."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "Brawl are you digging me out? Please say that's you digging me out..."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Yeah I'm digging you out and not blasting out. While go ahead Vortex."

No one likes being snubbed, even when it's obvious they're trying to distract someone. Apparently words aren't going to cut it, so Acuity fires at Brawl, hoping that speaking his language will get better results. Then she tenses, ready to transform the moment it gets too dangerous to remain on the ground.

-Combat- Acuity hits Brawl with a ranged attack!

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Fragger just shot me in the back!"

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "are you digging me out RIGHT NOW? Because someone's digging me out right now and I think it's a bot."

Incoming! Although at a distance, Vortex lobs the last of his faulty missiles into the area they had already been causing trouble in, and it lands, causing considerable damage a few blocks away from Acuity, Arcee, Brawl and Swindle.... a few blocks away where people had not been fully evacuated. And for all its bizarre guidance system on the fritz, it'd be hard to tell where it really came from as it sort of swerved and took an odd aerial route before finally landing amidst more innocent civillians.

Brawl's optics glow behind his visor as he's suddenly shot in the back. He steadies himself from falling forward from the shot, still holding on to a massive piece of rubble. Something that he plans on using as he turns towards Acuity to throw it at the femme, "Buzz off!"

-Combat- Brawl hits Acuity with a ranged attack!

Once Arcee notices missiles STILL coming down in the areas she thought were clear, she gets on the radio to Acuity. "This isn't going to be worth it, let's break off and let them get what they came for." She hates to do it, but curiosity isn't worth the possible loss of civilian life. Or THEIR lives, for that matter.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Buzz off! \* sound of rubble impacting\* Wait.... I just stopped digging cause of an annoyance."

The good news is, Acuity transformed fairly quickly back into a jet; the bad news is that it wasn't fast enough for her to avoid being rubbled. She's about to make some sort of retort to Brawl's words, but then hears Arcee. "Alright; you've made your point. You win," she says. "Tell your commrades to stand down from the civilians." The only place she wants to go now is a repair bed, but she has to do her job and take care of whatever civies are left. Sigh.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Ok it worked Vortex, unless you got anything else that goes boom, but bots are heading to the civvies."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, " Whew, that one was just full of glitches."

"Thats better, yeah go look on the civvies. No one else is gonna fire as long as you stay outta my way.", Brawl replies as he gets back to digging Swindle out of the rubble. While he is still itching for a fight, he knows what Onslaught will do if he doesn't help his combatibro get the Nanolathe out of the area.

Arcee is no more pleased about breaking off the encounter than Acuity probably is. But in a densely populated area such as this, it's just not worth the risk, period. Still keeping a wary optic on the digging Brawl in case he gets any ideas, she then makes her way over to the civilians and escorts them back a few blocks, rounding up the injured and bringing them to a repair facility.

Acuity inwardly curses her comparative frailty. She doesn't like leaving Brawl to his devices. Whatever the Decepticons wanted, it was important enough to stage this whole operation. That's not good news. But, how can they claim to work /for/ the people if they are spending time destroying people too. In fact, that seems to be the flaw with everyone: the notion of acceptible loss.

Likely she and Arcee are coordinating their efforts in this case to get done what needs to be done. She just hopes that more of her arsenal will be ready by the time she has to fight again...but she isn't going to count on it. Wheeljack must be incredibly busy.

Blast Off is just going to be /really, really/ sore when he wakes up later.

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Brawl says, "Well Swindle, I think I about see you."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Vortex says, " Well I don't think Blast Off is going to hold out much longer. I'm no medic, so I can't say how bad off he is and not going to gamble. Brawl, you guard Swindle, and both of you, guard that lathe with your lives."

-- Radio: Combati-Chan -- Swindle says, "got it"