1051/Fending Off Feral Insecticons

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Following the events revolving around several particular incidents involving missing persons and mangled, dead bodies in the Dead End near the outskirts of Rodion, a unit of Autobots has been assigned to investigate who, or what has been causing these unfortunate events.

 Unsurprisingly, the first 'bot on the scene is the turbo revvin' young punk, Hot Rod. Parked in an alleyway overlooking a decrepit, abandoned scrapyard, the flameo is using a visual enhancer to scope out the area carefully and watch for any kind of movement. So far, he's had zero luck - but the former Nyonian rebel is persistent, if anything.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock was another immediately to head out to the scene, given the numbers of other times she'd been out there recently, thanks to trying to pull Aid out of a certain fight-club mess. a frown was plastered on her face and her medical supplies set safely in her subspace... She'd long since transformed out of her alt-mode, given to its size...

      And the fact Hot Rod stuck out like a sore thumb and they didn't need two brightly colored bots giving away their position. "<<Spot anything yet, guys?>>" Starlock would ask over the commlink as she looked around some of the nearby alleyways, not far from Hot Rod.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos is amongst the mecha sent to investigate the recent attacks and deaths. He's been left under Hot Rod's command, which in of itself is a mildly horroifying concept. While the others remain on the ground, he is perched on a building's roof as he scans the area from above. "<<Nothing yet from up here.>>" Maybe he should change positions soon?

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker definitely drew the short straw for assignments today. He's proud to do his assigned duty, but... disappearances at night and mangled bodies being discovered? Eep.

 As such, the twitchy warrior is twice as twitchy as normal, skulking around in the shadowy alleys and ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice. His dark, drab coloration might make him hard to spot.

 All of his senses are on high alert, kept keen for any signs of whatever they're after... or any other sign of danger. <<"Nothing,">> he answers quietly.

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Slinking from shadow to shadow is a stealthy creature, optics and audials picking up surrounding input. He glanced with some amusement at Hot Rod and Starlock, and a clashing of disdain. Quickswitch is here to observe, to intervene, if neccessary. He watches Hot Rod closely.

**Pharma has posed:**
    Certainly, it shouldn't come as a surprise to Ravage that there are quite a few Autobots here, after all, the Dead End is on the fringes of Rodion, a currently Autobot-controlled city.

    As for himself, Pharma is here with his own intentions...well, not -fully- his own, since it is fully backed by Intel, but it is classified, as in no one else here is supposed to be privty to it. But sure, let them think he's here for the same reason they are, searching for bodies of victims or evidence thereof.

**Ravage has posed:**
Who knows what danger lurks in the sparks of mechs? The shadow knows! ...or, no, wait, that's just Ravage. The sneaky, cloaked feline is lounging on a nice ledge overlooking the alleyway, watching Hot Rod and Starlock, as well as the others, who slowly filter onto the scene with a hint of amusement coupled with healthy curiosity.

Because that's just how things go.

Oh, and there's a Cosmos... Quite a few Autobots, as it stands. Interesting... <<So, if any of you...Decepticons are in the area and care to show up, be forewarned, it's busy here. Relaying the files of those on-site so far... seems whatever is happening here has garnered the attention of several notable names.>>

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar was here in Dead End doing what he does here in Dead End... They didn't really talk about Fight Club anywhere else, and Decepticon presence this close to Rodion was typically light for any other reason until now. "Oh yippee... Get to go clean up somebody else's mess. My \*favorite\* passtime," the spacer murmured to the small group of battered mechs and femmes, though he did seem to carry a small hint of amusement in spite of his words. "Be seein' ya, femmes and mechs," he'd offer in farewell to the fellow Fight Clubbers before taking his leave of the group.

    A delicious enerbar in hand, Darkstar strutted along the back alleys of the relatively dangerous slums while sticking to a path that his many travels had shown him to be the least hazardous to one's health. The relayed files have the space-alt grinning from audial to audial, and he couldn't help chuckling as one of the names stands out above the rest. He had missed this particular mech, even if he was a dirty Aaftobutt. << DS-131 here... So, what's this all about? One of Major Cyclops' pet projects on the loose or something? >>

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off has other places he'd rather be. The Dead End is NOT really his idea of a good time, after all, but work is work and here he is, on assignment. Right now, Cosmnos is not the only spacer perched on a rooftop, observing what goes on below. Blast Off stands in the shadows somewhere, looking down, ionic blaster in hand. He radios Brawl, "<< There are some Autobots up ahead, be prepared. Hold your fire for now, though, until we know what's going on. >>" He gets the other Con's messages as well, replying, "<< Blast Off and Brawl present and already on scene. I'm up high watching, Brawl...>>" he looks down below... well Brawl can tell them where \*he\* is.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp picks up Ravage's transmission and since hes out on patrol, banks over to head toward Dead End. Along the way he puts out a call on chan and is mildly curious whos going to show up.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl tries his best not to make nose as he's already moving through some of the back alleys of the slums. At the mention of Autobots he stops and almost turns immediately in their direction as he replies to Blast Off <<Bah, yer already messin' with my fun.>> Listening to the transmissions he moves to find a suitable spot to bunker down out of sight <<In da alleyways lookin' around as was told. Dang Shox pets.>>

**Hot Rod has posed:**
"<Nope>" Hot Rod tight beams the group of 'Bots. He checks his radar and frowns. "<Looks like we got plenty of Decepticon company, though>"

The former Nyonian rebel spares a nod in Quickswitch's direction before squinting at Pharma, wondering why he, in particular is here today. Not really a huge concern, though.

He then shrugs, sighing. He's been here for the past eight cycles and seen nothing, and the former Nyonian rebel is anything but patient. "Dammit," he mutters, "there's gotta be a better way.."

He looks around, and his gaze lands on Cosmos. He pauses for a moment, then tight beams Cosmos privately. "<Hey. I've got an idea. Meet me southside, near the the opposite side of the scrapyard.>" Wait, but isn't that like, away and out of their unit's line of sight? Cosmos won't have much time to decide, though. Looks like the former Nyonian rebel is already headed south...

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Oh lovely..>>" Starlock would comment sarcasitcally over the commlink, rolling her optics. "<<No one is alone, right?>>" She'd ask over the commlink, after realizing that, she, herself, is currently on her own. "<<Currently on my Lonesome and should probably pair up with one you guys.>>" She'd mumble, slightly on edge.

      She'd start moving back to the alleyway she last saw Hot Rod, in a bid for safety, looking around the area as she moved... For both bots, and whatever was causing this mess, her finials drooping. She'd look down for a moment to flick open her arm panel to look at her readout monitor, bringing up current Autobot signals in the area, and their vitals.

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
There's a bit of a clatter from one of the alleys as Siegebreaker stumbles, catching himself just in time to prevent himself from falling over.

 <<"Th-there's Decepticons?">> he stammers. <<"Here? Why? What do - what do they want? Why are they here?"

 He's /really/ glad he almost never stows his glaive in subspace. He's gripping the thing so tightly that the gears in his hands are creaking.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos glances down as a comm message gets to him, processor distracted from the jolt of realizing Decepticons were in the area. "<<What? Why would we go->>" Hot Rod is already on the move, leaving no time for Cosmos to question him. He can't just leave Hot Rod to go out of sight! The minibot flips into alt mode and flies to their little meet up spot.

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Quickswitch slunk towards their meeting spot, "Greetings, Bots," he nearly purrs before taking the form of his cannon mode and studying the area through his sights. This place hardly intimidated him, but the sight of starving, beaten down mechs tugged at his CPU threads. The assault unit, however, did not feel such weakness towards them. Their actions had taken them to this point. It was their destiny.

**Ravage has posed:**
<<Just...trying to see what they're all interested in. Looks like they're milling about and...now a bit apprehensive about Decepticons. Well, so much for you all sneaking in.>> He chuckles softly.

But he just leaves it at that, tail slowly curling as he carefully and quietly repositions himself a bit to keep an eye -and ear- on the Autobot happenings.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar rolled his optics and shook his head while loosing a chortle. Shockwave couldn't keep his own projects under wraps, but he sure could chew a mech out for being victorious in battle. Typical brass! << Just came from the east side. Been there for most of the day without picking up any strange happenings. Headin' north now. >> North, the direction from which the Autobots were making their way through Dead End. Who knows what wonders Darkstar might behold on his trek toward the break between the crime infested Dead End and Rodion proper.

    Just like Starlock, Darkstar was also alone though he was considerably less nervous about it. Nah, Dead End had become like a home away from home for him... It didn't have the same creature comforts, and was far more dirty than an upper class spacer was used to, but none of that mattered very much when the hand to hand competition was fierce and there were new challenges on a regular basis to keep his spirits high. Oh, and speaking of Starlock...

    "Hey hey! Look what we have here... Little Aftobutt out on the bad side of town," Darkstar says with a grin as he turns a corner and happens upon the Autobot combat medic. "Didn't think you'd 'ave the courage to come back here again after what happened the last time," he chuckles. "Then again... You're far from alone, aren't ya?"

    Rather than reach for a weapon, or take a swing at the evil Autobot, Darkstar takes a bite of enerbar. They are sooo good! Chewing away, the spacer hums with delight before radioing his comrades. << Just ran into the medic 'ere... Starlock. Separate from the pack. >> The Decepticon's optics shifted back to his meal then, and he took another bite of delicious e-bar.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off squints a bit as ...is that Cosmos flying by? "<< I see the Autobot Cosmos is here, flying south. >>" Hmmm. He listens to the chatter on Con radio, frowning under his faceplate a bit at the mention of Starlock. Hopefully Darkstar doesn't want a prisoner again. He also frowns as he looks down where Brawl is, "<< Just hold your turbohorses, your fun can wait. >>" With another glance towards more Autobots, he adds, "<< Though it may not have to wait long. >>"

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp listens to the chatter as he closes in on the location of whats possibly going down. <<Might as well let the Autoslaggers go in first to see just whats going on before we jump in. >> he says nothing regarding Darkstar and the medic. Rabk or not, who is he to deny a mech from some -- Cosmos? The dark Seeker perks up a bit at that. He chuckles, this is about to get even funner...yes thats a word to Skywarp.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl holds back from letting his engine emit a rumble as he looks around the area he's in. He doesn't even glance towards the shuttleformers position, "<<Fine, fine, I'll hold on. Just where the frag is this thing we're lookin' for?>>" For the moment he doesn't move waiting for someone to point him in the direction as he adds, "<<Ok let dem take the first hits.>>"

**Hot Rod has posed:**
The meet up spot is ... dark. Never a good sign, but Cosmos might feel even more hesitant when he arrives and notices that Hot Rod is actually scaling the fence and venturing into the scrapyard itself. He motions for the little UFO to come over, gesturing at a box he'd yanked from the scrap pile. It looks... barely big enough for Cosmos, but it's apparent that the former Nyonian rebel wants him to get into it. "Just trust me on this," he says to the minibot. If Cosmos obliges, Hot Rod will attmempt to slide the lid of the box shut - only to discover that Cosmos is actually too big and the UFO's helm will just have to poke out of the top of the box awkwardly. "Oops.." he mutters. He then starts placing little energon cubes on top of the box. What's he doing?

 "<Hey, Quickswitch, can you come to the southside of the scrapyard? But don't get too close. I just need you .. like, within reasonable attacking range, but don't... do anything yet. I'm working on something>" Hot Rod tight beams the six changer.

 Starlock might be tempted to return Darkstar's insults with a cutting remark, however, she'll notice that as Darkstar is talking, something with glowing yellow optics is moving in the shadows behind him. But as quickly as she spots it, it disappears...

**Starlock has posed:**
     "<<Dunno Breaky, but.. Suppose we'll likely find-- FRAG!>>" She'd take a few steps back, optics narrowing at Darkstar as she drew her energon blade hilts, and ignited them, her battle mask slipping into place as she took a defensive stance. "Dumpstar." She'd respond tartly.

      "<<Smelt, heads up, Decepticon unit, Darkstar, as caught me separate from you all.>>" After she says that, a thought does cross her mind, and speaks once more over the commlink. "<<Maybe a diversion to get us all to take our optics off whatever the scrap their doing here.>>"

      Her optics expression then changes to something of alarm. "<<...Uhhh, Also I think I just saw something?>>" She'd question, blinking at the "<<Yellow Optics, no visual yet.>>" she'd quickly respond.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos flies over, intending to land, but is confused as Hot Rod just scales the fence. Cosmos doesn't even bother to land, just flies to the other side and drops down beside the speeder. "Uh... What?" Cosmos stares at the box, ".... Why would I ... need to trust you?"

Immediately wary, Cosmos steps into the box. Hot Rod tries to put the lid on but it simply sits there on the small spacer's flat topped helm. The energon cubes get Cosmos to snap, "Hot Rod what are you doing!?"

**Quickswitch has posed:**
<Will do, man!> Quickswitch replies, trying to keep as tight control over his warring emotions as he possibly can. He transforms into his assault beast mode and melds back into the darkness where he stays, heading toward where Hot Rod indicated. He liked this plan...

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
<<"With all due respect, don't -">> Siegebreaker startles at Starlock's exclamation. <<"What's going on? Where are you? I - I'm on my way!"

 He throws all desire for stealth to the wind and dashes for where he thinks Starlock is, possibly banging off walls as he goes along.

**Pharma has posed:**
    Pharma had been keeping an optic on the situation from above, circling the area in his alt mode. When he picks up on what Hot Rod is doing, he descends a bit, approaching the area but not quite landing. Well, that might be useful! For now, he watches, to see if Hot Rod's plan will actually work or not.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar chuckles at the nickname Starlock uses for him, having liked that one since the first time she'd used it. "That one is pure energon, Starlack! Might be small, but you sure are creative," he notes with another laugh before finishing off his e-bar. If there was something lurking in the shadows behind him the space-alt was certainly unaware of it, as the only indication that anything at all was amiss would have been the Autobot medic's sudden brandishing of her weapon and combat gear. "Yeah, yeah... Cute," he'd reply tiredly when Starlock assumed a defensive stance as if she was ready to fight. "Come back to the Fight Club since apparently you've gotten bolder since then." Barking another laugh into the air, Darkstar turned and threw a farewell wave back as he started deeper into the alley.

    << C'mon... You think I'm gonna fight a medic? She's like... half my size, >> the spacer offers over the comms. There's also the fact that if he started firing off powerful weapons there would probably be plenty of collateral damage among the local emptty population. Not that Darkstar really cared that much about collateral damage in war time, but he did care that such might result in negative consequences for the Fight Club. << Since we're just waitin' around for now... I ever tell you mechs about the time I defeated Sky Lynx? >>

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp closes in on what looks like Cosmos in a box with energon cubes? Now common sense would tell a mech that this is a trap but the Seeker is not known for having common sense. He does have a bucket list though and one of the things on that bucket list is flinging the minibot through the air like disc that on some planet far away the intelligent life there calls a frisbee. So forgetting that hes more or less told everyone to wait until the nasty shows up against the Autobots, Skywarp drops down to circle arpund Cosmos in the box. "So afthat, whats with the box?" he chuckles as he brings his lasers online.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off keeps an optic on whatever is going on over there int he junkyard. Is... Hot Rod putting Cosmos in a BOX? ...Ok, he knew Autobots could be weird but that's just ridiculous! However, Skywarp appears and seems to be taking that group of 'Bots on, so Blast Off remains where he is, the eye in the sky, standing in the shadow of a tall rooftop.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl is certainly getting impatient as he stamps his foot on the ground several times muttering to himself, "Shoulda brought a flask with me." The tankmech listens to the chatter but shrugs as he holds back from finding something to crush.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Well, Hot Rod didn't plan this very well (or at all), clearly. The lid doesn't fit, so the former Nyonian rebel just tries to coerce it flat, probably causing some discomfort to the minibot UFO. Eventually, the lid makes a horrible cracking sound and should Cosmos try to move, he'll discover that doing so will be nearly impossible, the lid is now firmly stuck - pretty much immobilizing him. Whatever Hot Rod's plan is, it does not involve Cosmos getting out of the box anytime soon.

 And then Skywarp shows up. "Ugh!" Hot Rod grumbles. "Not now, flyboy!" he says, making a shooing motion at the seeker. He doesn't make an attempt to shoot the seeker, though. Instead, he turns around and starts heading towards the north side of the scrapyard, essentially leaving Cosmos all alone while stuck in a box. He tight beams Quickswitch. "<Can you remove the flying thing? He's ruining everything>"

 Now's the part where all hell breaks loose. Because nanoseconds after Hot Rod leaves the scene, an insecticon with creepily misshapen armor suddenly springs out from behind a pile of scrap, foaming at the mouth. It screeches, and heads straight for Cosmos!

 Meanwhile, Darkstar will be similarly, and suddenly, harassed by another insecticon not unlike the one trying to devour Cosmos. With the feral scream, it attempts to bite the spacer's arm.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would quickly ping her coordinates to Siegebreaker as she held her ground, her optics settling into a flat look. "No." She'd simply state. "<<Be on your guard, he's capable of firing some pretty high yield missiles that leave one heck of a hole and burn, he's normally left wide open afterwards though, isn't above ramming those with his alt mode.>>" She'd quickly respond.

      She'd glance to her readout monitor and what direction Siegebreaker's signal would be coming from. Her attention would then snap to Darkstar as he's now being harassed by the feral insecticon, and look confused on what to do. "<<WHAT THE SMELT IS /THAT?!/>>" She'd shout over the commlink, it looked.... "<<It looks like Harbinger!>>" was what she'd finally add after the her thoughts processed.

      She'd remember Siegebreakers signal, and in what maybe a surprise to Darkstar, takes a swipe at the insecticon as she passes to get to where siegebreaker would likely be showing up.

**Quickswitch has posed:**
<<Already on it, man!>> Quickswitch had leaped into the darkened sky and, suddenly in jet form, flew towards Skywarp. His lasers cut sharp light against the sky as he attempts to distract the seeker from Cosmos-in-a-box. The hideous jet form of the sixchanger circles dangerously as Quickswitch opens fire!

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker receives the coordinates and goes sprinting towards them. As a result, he practically runs smack into Starlock, but he does his best to avoid her - and smacks face-first into a wall instead. Clonk.

**Ravage has posed:**
Time to roll optics... of course things devolved into mindless combat. Ravage just sort of takes stock of things before he shuffles and picks his target. Since one Hot Rod seems to be the...ring leader, he'll just have to brutalize the flaming one.

Keeping to the shadows, his demeanor shifts from carefree and lacksadaisical to calm and focused, his systems locking onto the Autobot as he smirks in anticipation... This will be good.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar's optics flash when he notices Starlock running past him toward the ugly mishapen insecticon! "Ohhhh, you like a challenge too, eh?" the spacer chortles as he assumes a fighting stance, only to focus on his target's reaction to Starlock's sudden attack. That's right...see which way the fragger begins to move first, and then... Now! Kibble thrusters light up and Darkstar leaped into the air, his vertical increased significantly by the sudden thrust as he spins his torso and kicks outward with a finely executed jump kick.

    << I think I just found Captain Cannon's science project! >> the spacer radios, only then noticing Siegebreaker's heroic faceplant against the alley wall. "\*Definitely\* a friend of yours..." he'd comment to Starlock with a laugh, while the Decepticon raised his fists and stood beside the Autobot medic as the two faced their new and hopefully injured foe.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp didnt realize Hot Rod was waving him away until he banked around waiting for Cosmos to answer him. Cosmos -in-a-box is an awesome idea but hes all scrunched up so of course how can he answer? The black Seeker pulls up to transform when he's suddenly shot! ow! The Tetrajet spins around and sees Quickswitch. "Seriously?" he says as he returns fire. "Get lost!"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off is just fine staying up here above it all and watching all those petro-ants... er people.... scurrying about far below. "Hmm..." He taps his chin and watches the craziness- and oh look, Insecticons! Of course, if he spotted Pharma his attitude would be different, but for now? "<< Let me know if you need \*help\*... >>", he radios down below. He then tightbeams a message to Brawl, "<< There's Insecticons that need swatting down there, Brawl. >>"

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl is obviously half asleep as he leans against a wall. He quickly jolts up when he catches the tightbeams, "<<Huh, bugs need squashed? Where dey at and none needin' caught functionin'?" The tankmech makes his way back into the alleys looking around to find something to scrap or catch if needed.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
"Damn!" Hot Rod yells, when the feral insecticon leaps out from behind the pile of scrap. "What kind of monstrosity..." he mutters.

 The insecticon picks up the box with Cosmos in it with his mandible and gives it a good shake, attempting to shake Cosmos free.

 "Hey!" Hot Rod yells, "try eating /this/!" And he opens fire at the insecticons face.

 The insecticon attacking Darkstar is knocked back, a slight gash in its side opening up. Whoa, maybe it's infected with sanguinolentus? It's bleeding profusely. But nanoseconds after it starts bleeding, the wound heals over. Heh, nicely done, Shockwave - they might have looked ugly as hell, but at least they had a healing factor.

 The rabid insect, now enraged, charges at Darkstar, mandibles agape! Maybe it wants to swallow him whole.

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker staggers back, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Ouch.

 Trying to regain his lost composure and dignity, he stands up straight at Starlock's side, ready to attack anyone who gets too close to her - or shoots her, for that matter. He's not really sure what the deal with the insecticon is, but right now it's going after the Decepticon, so he holds his ground next to Starlock.

**Cosmos has posed:**
"AH- AH- AH- AH!" Cosmos' yells are repeatedly broken and renewed as the Insecticon begins to shake the scrap out of him. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Hot Rod crammed him in there good... "Hot Rooood! ANybod-" Hot Rod manages to get a hit! Yes good more of that!!

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Quickswitch laughed. Cutting laughter, even as Skywarp's shot strikes him. Wing singed, Quickswitch banks around to fire upon the dark seeker again. Exhiliration and a hysterical glee surges within. Hot Rod, Cosmos, even Starlock's predicament are second to his current target. For now.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would look down at Siegebreaker and frowned, poor bot, that had to hurt... He can't see it, but she cringes, what he can see though is her ridges knitting. "...You okay?" She'd ask as she quickly extinguished both of her blades, and slipped the hilts onto her belt, and offered Siegebreaker her hand, to help him back up.

      She'd step closer to Siegebreaker in an attempt to keep from being in close quarters with Darkstar, and raised her other hand to give Darkstar a rude gesture, Her head would snap to where Brawl was and...

      Oh... Oh no.. The prefuse bleeding does set off the paranoid alarms in Starlocks head, It made logical sense to her, given the plague was heavily known in this area, and it was spread through contact with bodily fluids, (As explained by Rosie) and if they were eating infected Meches? They had what pretty much the equivalent of plague beasts running around. She'd need to be careful how she worded things.. Not to speak in confirmations or absolutes.

      "<<Be careful in touching them! They may be infected with that Thinning Plague- I mean sanguinolentus that's been spread through here by Gallo! Also they seem to have some kinda self regeneration.>>" She'd state over the commlink as she looked to Siegebreaker, wondering just what they should do... She would draw his pistols though.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage just sort of...blinks at the radio chatter. Really...blaming him for one's own ineptitude? He rolls his shoulders in a light shrug and just continues to stalk after Hot Rod...and just when the other mech is distracted with a bug and a Cosmos-in-a-Box, he primes one of his missiles and...pauses, just sort of watching the insecticon a moment longer.

Hmm. Interesting. He catalogues that for later and resumes his work. There's no more talking, no more radio banter... leave the excuses to the weak. He's going to blow a Hot Rod to pieces.

And just like that, there's the flicker and shimmer from the shadows, a cheshire smirk as a single missile is released.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar can't help laughing at the rude gesture he receives from Starlock. She was always making him laugh it seems... "C'mon Little Wonder, let's see if you can fight when it ain't a one on one against \*me\*," the spacer teased just before the Insecticon's jaws clamped down onto his arm. Yow! The creature drove him back with the weight of its charge, the Decepticon's heels digging in as he positioned himself to push back against the Decepticon experiment's momentum leaving large divots in the ground. "Or you can just let \*me\* handle it!" It might mean certain death, but that's just the kind of challenge that Darkstar lived for.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off gets a bit bored being the eye in the sky and transforms to fly closer to where Cosmos is. He lands on a closer rooftop and watches the goings-on. "Quite interesting, Autobot." He calls down to Cosmos. "So they made you the bait to lure these monstrosities in?" He thumbs casually to the Insecticon, still not raising his weapon to help \*anyone\* yet. Nope, he's going to get back into fighting... gradually. When he \*feels\* like it.

**Brawl has posed:**
Its very obvious now that the tankmech is in the area, heading straight for any bugs that get in his way as he yells out, "GET OVER HERE YA PIECES OF SLAG!" Infact Brawl is getting real close to the scrapyard as a few of the bugs are actuall scattering from something? Which becomes clear as the Combaticon thug comes charging in, swinging a insecticon around like a club.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp tries to spin back around and resume getting Cosmos but now theres little insecticons around. and just assorted chaos going on everywhere. Nice. But before the dark seeker can pick a new target he's shot yet again by the 6 changer! "Ok I'm not your target, slagger!" he spins back around and takes another shot at the Autobot this time with more energy in it.

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker gives Starlock a questioning look, silently asking her for a command. He doesn't know what to do in this situation. The enemy of his enemy is his friend, but... well, he imagines that both Darkstar and the insecticon are his enemies.

 <<"There's a thing," he broadcasts to the other Autobots. <<"It's - it's going after the 'Con. I don't know what to do. Orders? Please">>

**Quickswitch has posed:**
Quickswitch radioes Siegebreaker, <Protect Cosmos! Defend him from those... things!> The sixchanger is the highest ranking Bot present. However, Skywarp poses a sharp annoyance to the hateful sixchanger, who gives immediate chase.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod is entirely preoccupied with playing hero, so Ravage's surprise missile catches him completely off guard. "Argh!!" he cries, getting bowled over. The former Nyonian rebel tumbles unceremoniously down the pile of scrap he'd been standing on, face planting at the base. After a moment, he sits up and ughs, dazed. Then he turns around and notices Ravage. Scowling, he opens fire at the smaller beast former.

 Meanwhile, the insecticon attacking Cosmos-in-a-box is shaking off the effects of the shot Hot Rod fired when its suddenly hoisted violently up into the air and twirled like a cheerleading baton by Brawl. Naturally, the box containing Cosmos flies out of its mouth and is yeeted out of the scrapyard. If Starlock and Siegebreaker don't get out of the way, they might just get struck by an Incoming Cosmos Snack box.

 The insecticon chewing on Darkstar's arm apparently seems to think that the spacer is too much effort. With a hiss, it takes to the air, and, spotting Blast Off, lets out a hideous shriek and flies straight for the shuttle former!

 "<I think.. you have to kill it by.. cutting off its helm completely>" Hot Rod tight beams the group.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos is suddenly flying through the air, and most definitely not in his alt mode!! The last he saw was a decepticon- brawl he thinks- come crashing out of nowhere then the world was spinning! Then he smacks into something befoer inevitably falling to the ground in a toppled pile of box and round- now dented- plating. "oww...." What happened?

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock shutters her optics, managing to quickly dance out of the way of Cosmos's unfortunate box and just...Stares at what she's witnessed. This was a thing that was happening that she wasn't sure how to respond. "I don't... know." She'd reply to Cosmos, before venting a sight. "<<How do you know this Rod? Also are you okay?>>" She'd quickly state over the commlinks.

      "Right.." She'd state tartly to herself, before her attention snaps to the insecticon as it goes after Blast Off, her lips pressing into a frown, she'd open fire on the Bug. "<<Right, we don't get rid these things they'll just keep chewing on the poor civilians here!>>"

      All of this, while blatantly ignoring Darkstar's taunts.

**Skywarp (65) has posed:**
Skywarp is surprised when the 6 changer charges toward him after getting hit again by his lasers. The Tetrajet watches for a moment and then realizes if he doesn't move this is not going to end well. So a game.of chase will it be? He laughs, flips around and lights his afterburners. "Bring it!" He breaks the sound barrior and takes off.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage gets blasted for all his effort and trouble and just turns to glare at Hot Rod as though some major offense has been rendered upon his being... A glare that just slowly shifts into a smirk as the shadows envelope his form, leaving just the optics and smile to be the last to disappear from view. "I'm going to enjoy this..."

And then, he's gone. At least from view... time to stalk.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar growls as the insecticon decides to just...leave. What the frag is that all about? There they were having a really good back and forth struggle, and the piece of smelt just decided to peel off and fly after Blast Off! This must be how his opponents felt when he decided there were just too many juicy targets on the field to stick to just one. "Hey! Where're you going!?" the spacer snapped as shots rang out from the Autobot medic's guns. "Hahahah! Oh, so \*now\* you're a top shot," he'd bark amusedly before brandishing his laser rifle from its subspace holster.

    Dropping to one knee Darkstar took aim along the barrel of his rifle, following the insecticon's flight path. No collateral damage likely when your target is flying, right? << Heads up, Lieutenant! You've got one comin' in hot right on yer' aft... Gonna pre-heat the oven if you wanna do the cooking! >> And pull goes the trigger.

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off huffs softly as Cosmos doesn't even \*notice\* him, but then again being picked up and tossed into the air by a tank might distract anyone. "Hmph," He hurrumphs to himself, still not lifting a finger ...at least not until he notices a form leaping his way. Oh really? The Combaticon's optics flash as his ionic blaster whips up and aims at the beast. He sees he's not the only one- why hello there, Starlock... but he doesn't have time to respond. Got a bug to swat first. He fires his ionic blaster- PEW PEW! "<< I'm on it, of \*course\*, >>" he radios back to Darkstar.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl doeson't even notice that he launched a bot in a box as he looks around to figure whats going on besides a few crazy bugs. Though obviously not forgetting about the one he still has a grip on as he decides to try and rip it apart, "Come on, put up more of a fight."

**Hot Rod has posed:**
"<I'm.. fine>" The former Nyonian rebel splutters over the comm, his spoiler a smoking mess. "<Damn recon...>" He gets up, and dusts himself off. "<Exactly>" He transforms and heads straight for where Starlock and Siegebreaker are meleeing.

The stupid bug really doesn't care what Darkstar thinks. It still goes for the shuttle former, even though Starlock opening fire on it severs one of its appendages, and then Darkstar's shot grazes one of its wings, making it careen wildly off of its flight path. It will nearly crash into Blast Off, just before the sniper shoots it in the face. It howls, it's faceplates a bloody mess - then it regenerates, but rather incorrectly, so what used to be a face is now just a molten, misshapen mess with two, glowing yellow optics. It lunges at Blast Off once more!

The insecticon Brawl is tussling with is tough one apparently. Brawl manages to rip off one of its wings, but it regrows it and attacks the burly Combaticon.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos manages to roll his way out of the box, yelping and ducking as the insecticon flies around. What happened in the midst of his tumble!? He watches as Blast Off above shoots the thing directly in the faceplates only for the thing to /reform/. "What are these things!?" he yells both out loud and over comms.

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker nods briskly. It irks him a little bit that he's /not/ going after the Decepticon, but orders are orders. He does what he does best, and retrieves his beloved, battered rifle out of subspace. The warrior takes aim at the insecticon's general direction and fires. If he misses and hits Blast Off... well, that's okay too.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock unloads a number of shots into the insecticon-Zombi. "<<Don't hesitate to say something if you need repairs.>>" she'd radio Hot Rod as she kept firing, also piging him Siegebreaker, Cosmos, and her location. She'd frown as her other question goes unanswered, but would muse aloud. "<<Well.. Fairly, ripping or blowing somethings head off would kill anything, so, I guess that it's not important.>>" She'd nod.

      "Frag if I know! They look similar to Harbinger, but... you know.. Not Smart! and /way/ more ugly!" she'd respond to Cosmos. "Rod says to take their heads off to take 'em down." She'd need to think how to get close to it with her blades, to even attempt such.

**Ravage has posed:**
Oh, no, Hot Rod isn't getting off that easily. Again, there's a swirl of shadows from which emerge the 'Recon' that's been stalking him, this time, though, it's not so explosive, but rather a swift set of claws going for the support struts in his legs.

It's very clearly like a cat playing with it's prey...and prey it's clearly selected due to the chaotic state of the battlefield. "And where do you think you're going, hmm? I'm not through with you yet, Hot Rod."

**Darkstar has posed:**
    If there was one good thing about being so close to these evil Autobots it was that when they weren't chatting on their radios Darkstar could pick up some pretty decent intelligence. Starlock had handed him the information thread, and it looked like taking out the Insecticon's heads was the surest way to put them down for good. << Helm's up, mechs! Looks like ya' can take 'em out if you destroy their heads! >> Thanks team Aftobutt! Leaping into the air, Darkstar transformed and rocketed toward the inseciticon as it attempted to lay waste to Blast Off.

    << Time to finish this! For the Cause! >> The Arrowship closed in on the grotesque creature before transforming to give Darkstar the close-range advantage. "Nice knowin' ya, Ugly!" A whirr-click later, and rockets filled their tubes while the Decepticon spacer thrust his arms forward. Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh!

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl's engine emits a loud rumble as the bug doesn't break as he wants it to. The fact that bug bite backs doesn't improve his mood as well. His optics focus on the insecticon not even wincing from the attack as he says, "Alright, yer done this time!"

 He's currently ignoring any orders to chase after the bots as he tries to slam the bug onto the ground. If successful quickly following it up by attempting to stomp whatever has for a neck.

**Blast Off has posed:**
"<< Yes, yes...>>" Blast Off replies, almost bored, to Darkstar. The shuttle is definitely in aloof mode today. However, he does have to up the ante in order to dodge out of the way of both the Insecticon AND Siege's "stray" shots. With a huff, he declares, " That's quite enough of \*that\*.... smelts to be you, groundpounders!" He lifts his nose to the air and soon he's airborne, transforming to rocket upwards while still blasting a few lasers down below. And if he hits an AUTOBOT by mistake.... well actually it probably won't be.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
"Beats me," Hot Rod says as Cosmos yells out his incredulous exclamation. "Looks like an experiment gone sideways - but it isn't like the Decepticons are trying to hide, so why don't you ask /them/??"

 Well, today is just .. really not either faction's day, either that, or these Insecticons are really the hounds of hell in disguise. Starlock and Siegebreaker are both unsuccessful in trying to strike down the feral bugs, and so are Darkstar and Blast Off (despite his reputation as a sniper).

 Brawl manages slam one of them to the ground and stomp it, eliciting a primal wail from it, but ultimately he's also unsuccessful in killing it.

 And even after all of this, Ravage is still trying to be a damn nuisance. "Will /you/ quit?" Hot Rod grumbles at him, "I'm trying to boost my rep, and you're totally ruining it!" Now his ankle is bleeding, and that's NOT cool.

 "I don't have time for this," he grumbles. "Don't worry Cosmos, I've got this!" the former Nyonian rebel yells, his hand switching out for a revolving miter blade.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos watches as Hot Rod jumps the thing, ".... I don't think you got this!" He kicks out from the remains of the box and aims his board blasters as well, contributing whatever little firepower he can.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Hot Rod's vital alarm starts going off on her readout monitor, causing Starlock to look down at the blinking health Bar, she almost laughs out as Cosmos calls Hot rod out, with Cosmos blast epicly hitting home, she runs over and tends to Hot Rods injury once he was close enough.

**Siegebreaker has posed:**
Siegebreaker stays by Starlock's side, accompanying her through the alleys all the way towards Hot Rod. He thinks Cosmos has this under control - mostly - though he still fires a few rounds at the insecticon. Just in case.

**Ravage has posed:**
Ravage chuckles as he just stalks around Hot Rod. "I don't care if you have time... even if the...spawn from the depths of the unknown are rampant, there's still a war to be won, and I'm content to feed you to the insects." He looks as Starlock ventures over and tsks... "And that will not do." Of course, there's also a Siegebreaker coming along to join where he's been whittling away at Hot Rod...and the feline finally takes the queue to leave the Autobots alone.

For now, at least.

And like a whisper, the feline is gone again to resume stalking... Poor Hot Rod's probably going to get it again. Maybe.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    While some of the Decepticons in the area were growing tired of all of this pew pew miss pew pew hit but not enough damage to kill business, Darkstar was just warming up. You see, most femmes and mechs didn't actually like nearly exploding on a regular basis, or the possibility that one might be digested by a massive cyber-creature, or almost infected by a nearly indestructible Insecticon... Not Darkstar! Again, this is what he lived for and he was fully dedicated to showing it. Hovering in place, his blaster rifle made its second appearance and the spacer took aim along the barrel before squeezing the trigger to send deadly light streaking across the skies on a direct course for an Insecticon processor box!

    "For the Cause! Glory be to the Cause! Hahahahaha! AAAHHAHAHAHA!" Yep, Darkstar has officially left Cybertron far behind...In mind at least.

**Brawl has posed:**
Brawl would be scowling if he had a visible face as the thing lets out a wail. He looks around and finds what looks to be the sharpest implement he can find at the scrapyard. Grabbing it he raises it up above his head before yelling out, "SHUT UP, ALREADY!" Unless the thing move the tankmech is determined to impale the bugs head or least leave it stuck there so someone else can finish it, <<Bah, annoying things.>>"

**Blast Off has posed:**
Blast Off ...just rockets skywards. It's good to be a flier at times like these. Though... hmm, he actually MISSES a shot. He tsks to himself and decides he needs some more target practice soon. Perhaps... sweeping to a level pitch, he maintains altitude as he veers off towards the skyline. "<< I'll go search the rest of the city, pick off any bugs I find. >>" He does see Cosmos' little moment of glory and radios down, "<< Good shot! >>" to the Bot.

**Hot Rod has posed:**
Hot Rod manages to land his swipe at the insect with his miter saw, but it's ill placed and strikes too low on the insecticon's neck - it makes a deep gash, but it isn't enough to sever the bug's head.

 However, Cosmos' shot strikes the insecticon's faceplates full on, and at nearly point blank range. Its helm literally explodes, raining gross pink liquid and stray wires on everyone. Ew.

 The one Cosmos killed must have been a leader of sorts, as soon as that one's down, the other lets out a cry of terror and tries to flee, only to have its cerebral circuitry fried by the shot from Darkstar's rifle. The third insecticon's helm is crushed by the sharp piece of debris Brawl has chosen.

 As Ravage slinks off and Starlock tends his wounds, Hot Rod yells out after the feline. "I'll cut your tail off and shove it up your aft!" Then he swats Starlock aside, transforming. "I'm /fine/!" he grumbles. "I don't need to be fixed right now."

 Well, looks like it's time to go home, the bugs are dead and the Decepticons have gotten their fair share of glory and gore.

**Cosmos has posed:**
Cosmos isn't sure if he should be proud of his actions or absolutely disgusted as mechanized gore splatters everywhere. He sits there, blaster raised, for several seconds when Blast off's comm snaps him out of it. Dazed, Cosmos responds, "<<I... uh... thank you?>>"

How does one get insecticon energon out of their seams?

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock's optic twitches, not form the wires and bodily energon though! She's used that getting sprayed on her every other day with her line of work... And worse, but we don't talk about that. She wants to yell, she wants to snipe at Hot Rod, to and to tell him to stop being an ungrateful little Aftspawn! but she would hold her voice synth.

      She'd just vent a huff and look at her comrades, once she was sure they were not going to get jumped by the cons, she'd call for a clean up team because, lets face it, they could /not/ leave those corpses there, before starting to head back to Iacon. "Come on.. let's get you guys cleaned up."

**Darkstar has posed:**
Well, that was fun...

    Darkstar lowers his rifle and thrusts a fist into the air as victory is achieved. "Chalk up another one for the goodguys!" Dropping from the skies to where the corpse he'd created lay still the spacer is quick to return his rifle to subspace and then grab hold of the insecticon by the ankle. << Gonna bring one o' these back base. This bein' a retrieval mission and all... >> And who knows? Maybe their resident mad scientist can put one of these things to good use given their more 'exotic' abilities.

    Transforming into the Arrowship, Darkstar's engines whine briefly before the Arrowship rockets out of Dead End with a resounding sonic boom.