| abstract
| - Central Stadium Arena Floor The view from the central stadium floor is a remarkable one. Surrounded by all sides by sloping walls upon walls of bleachers and more bleachers. The bright lights, the roaring crowd, the beautifully done arena... it's all enough to make a grown robot proud to be fighting here. Compared to much of Cybertron, everything here is prestine, shiny, and new. The arena floor can be configured using holographics to represent different terrains and obstacles. When switched off, it's a simple but efficient pit with doors leading out and in on oppsite sides. Combatants enter from opposing sides, but only one is meant to walk back out. The Central Stadium Arena Floor had underwent a series of changes for the Sharpshooting event, most notably.. the removal of the turbo-lions kept underground for the pit fights of old. With the opening of Monacus and Pony World, there just hasn't been enough drive to see two gladiators duke it out on your home planet. They have to be surrounded by boiling magma pits, sparkly ponies, and ice cave dwelling yetis. :(And so the Olympic commitee designated a dazzling host and a new redecoed arena. That dazzling host happens to be one of the more annoying Decepticons, Backfire. "Greetings, comrades and Autotards! It is none other than I, BACKFIRE!! Glory of Lord Galvatron's great empire. Gather around for this year's sharpshooting competition!" the Seeker simpleton shouts into a microphone that's right next to a mega-phone, standing on a stage. The arena is more or less open and blank, the targets themselves the only -real- improvement made in the area. Stepping on a pedal, Backfire sends fireworks shooting up behind the sound stage, spelling out.. 2031'S SHARP SHOOTING EVENT!! Fragment gives a mild applause for the light show and show of interest in the event. Windshear watches the fireworks spell out the 'announcement' of the event and gives Backfire a surprised look. Boomslang checks the scope of his coilgun with a disinterested expression, not that it needs it. "Eh, I'll show him who's a BAM, tard," Warpath says, "I'm goona WHAM, BANG, blow you all outta the park!" He seems a little too excited. Jayson Redfield has a fever! You can blame Nepsa for that. He also has several bandages on his face where he was cut during his match with Carjack. Right now he is wherever Apocryphacius happens to be, occasionally shivering, if only slightly. He may be sick and injured, but damned if he isn't going to at least try to go for the Gold. Sharpshooting is what he does, after all. "Aw, man," Jayson grumbles as Backfire makes his announcement. "Are we gonna have to listen to that loser the entire time?" Breakdown peeks around a corner at the other contestants before he makes slow, cautious steps to approach them, looking about wildly like he expects to be attacked by lions at any moment. Apocryphacius looks rather concerned for Jayson's well-being, and he pulls out his chemistry kit and some plastic bags, quickly whipping up an impromptu hand-warmer-in-a-bag. He offers it to Jayson, suggesting, "You seem to be having trouble regulating your internal body temperature. Here, take this." It seems like they removed all the turbolions but one - Actually, no, it's not a turobolion. But Steeljaw may resemble one to some degree if it wasn't for the autobot symbol on his mane. He stands himself up on all fours from where he was waiting, and stretches himself out. A pause, as he glances around him briefly. "Hm, I feel like I've stepped into a decepticreep convention," He mutters, tail flickering a few times. After the disapointment with the Artillery range, seriously pumpkins? Of course the Autobots thought of turning something fun into somethign stupid, Darkwing was apprehensive about what they'd do to sharpshooting. Probably have us throwing waterballoons. But seeing a Decepticon in charge, even if it is that annoyance Backfire, give him some hope this might be a real event this time. Jayson Redfield eyes Apo momentarily as he takes the proffered hand warmer, muttering a "thanks". He coughs a few times, then takes a deep breath. "D'you think any of us have a chance at getting the Gold, Apo?" Blast Off looks up from making some final calibrations to his ionic disruptor at the announcement of the event actually starting.... and narrow his optics at who the MC is suppose to be. ".. Oh, this is going to be a riot," he drawls in a deadpan before shouldering his rifle and strolling down to the gathering are. "Blaster let you out of his zoo to play with the big robots?" Boomslang snickers. "Speaking of stepping into things, try not to leave turbodroppings around the arena, would you?" "Yes, yes.. very glorious, is it not? Let me tell you, they've spared no expense when it came to this event!" Backfire announces, walking across the stage and jotting down the contestant's names for the comp. Ripping off each tiny page, the Seeker jams them into a Bingo type dome that swirls them around. "You'll each take turns shooting at our targets.." he states, pointing to the round bullseyes with a crude image of Backfire himself at the center. "Oh so pretty targets, are they not? Heh, I imagine you'll be tempted to not destroy my GLORIOUS visage! AHEM. Anyways, you'll be systematically disqualified by the accuracy of your shots. Without further delay, the first shooter up is.." GAME: Backfire rolls a (100)-sided die: ROLL: Apocryphacius rolled a 100 ROLL: Darkwing rolled a 85 ROLL: Warpath rolled a 78 ROLL: Jayson Redfield rolled a 77 ROLL: Blast Off rolled a 60 ROLL: Breakdown rolled a 41 ROLL: Steeljaw rolled a 29 ROLL: Fragment rolled a 26 ROLL: Windshear rolled a 21 ROLL: Mirage rolled a 10 ROLL: Boomslang rolled a 1 ".. No one is going to want to -miss- those targets," Blast Off murmurs. "Heh, as if anybody's goona ZOW, wanna miss THOSE targets," Warpath chortles, "With that ugly mug on it? I'll be surprised if ANYONE misses, haha!" Darkwing ponders if their is any disqualification for 'accidenly' hitting the real thing... Combat: Backfire sets his defense level to Protected. Apocryphacius wonders if maybe he should also whip up some cough syrup for Jayson, and he speculates, "It is almost entirely certain that someone here will take gold, barring disqualification or some catastrophe occuring. However, if you mean you or me... I have never done better than silver, and I have not increased my skills, while others have. Taking better than silver is doubtful for me, I think." He stares blankly out at the Backfires. Yeah, Apocryphacius can shoot those, all right. Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sharpshooting Target's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sharpshooting Target's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sharpshooting Target's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Apocryphacius misses Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sharpshooting Target's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Sharpshooting Target's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Apocryphacius misses Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Apocryphacius misses Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Apocryphacius strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Die Target Die attack! [Pulled -3] Steeljaw raises his head slightly, as if he were hearing something, while pointedly ignoring Boomslang. "Strange, there appears to be a strong wind in this arena." A smirk forms on his muzzle as he eyes the targets. "Oh, good, that will make it easier to focus on it." "Yeah..." Jayson smiles weakly. "I'd like to see the EDC get at least one medal." He raises an eyebrow at the sight of the targets. "Wow, something worth shooting." Too bad it's not the real Backfire. Darkwing says, "Well didnt they set asaid one event just so you germs could have one set of medals all to yourself?" The look on Mirage's face progressively darkens as the names are annouced without his own being called, that is until his was called second to last, "Oh, calling me last isn't going to make me come in last in the competition." He shakes a fist in annoyance, his snobbiness just oozing. Blast Off is prehaps glad he didn't get called first. Time to scope out the compatition, as it were. Not that he doubts there will be much. Would of been nice for there to be more Autobots to show up, though. "You're not last, I'm last," Boomslang asides to Mirage, rolling a rifle bullet across his knuckles and back again. "But let's not spoil the spirit of the Space Olympics with competition, hm?" The dower monochromatic blue robot steps up after Apoc is finished with his ten shots. He pulls out his trusted and favored Electro-kinestic blasters, and takes aim for the targets. Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing misses Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Warpath whoops and steps up, his belly-mounted cannon warmed up and ready to go. "KAPOW, KAZAM, watch me ZOOM, mop the floor with y'all!" he says. He starts blasting at the target as if it were the real thing. Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAZOW! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAZAM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAZORCH! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAPLAH! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his ZING! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAZAP! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KABOOM (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath misses Sharpshooting Target with his PLOW! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his BOOM (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target with his KAFRIZZLE (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Jayson Redfield straightens himself and steps up, drawing his Desert Eagle. He's doing his best not to stagger, and to keep his vision clear. He breathes a bit heavily as he brings the gun up, and then he fires his round of shots. He's going to need a nice, long rest after this! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield misses Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield misses Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! Combat: Jayson Redfield misses Sharpshooting Target with his Mark XIX Desert Eagle (Pistol) attack! "This won't be -nearly- as satisfying as cannoning the real thing," Blast Off muses as he steps up to the firing position once the human is done with his teeny little firearm. The Combaticon sniper displays his usual emotional dissonance, raising his rifle and firing off 10 shots in a cold, detatched manner. Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -3] Mirage narrows his optics ever so slightly as he hears a voice that he has become associate with as trouble, of course being the shifty snob that he is, he manages to turn around to with a smile on his face to see Boomslang. Wait, is that ice building up on his smile. Frigid. "Yes, yes you're right. Let's not." There's a distant squeal of delight from the stands in Blast Off's direction. "That's going to be tough to beat," Boomslang says with an appreciative whistle. "One would think you derived some sort of sick pleasure out of that, Blast Off!" Backfire asides. Breakdown lingers at the edge of the contestants, like he expects them to turn on him and he needs space to run away if that happens. Cycling in a big gust of air, he creeps cautiously towards the firing line and takes a few shots from his concussion rifle! "W-w-whatever you say, Backfire. But if I shoot these things you better not hold it against me! I know people!" Combat: Breakdown misses Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown misses Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown misses Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown misses Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Breakdown strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Concussion Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] In the stands, Motormaster points two fingers at his eyes, then points them at Backfire in a warning gesture. Steeljaw steps up to the line next. More like leaps up to the line, considering his short stature compared to the leg length of the rest of the cybertronians in attendance. Raising his eyes to the targets, his guns follow, focusing in on Backfire's head on the first target. Compared to the rest of the weapons brought out tonight, his is downright miniscule! But functional, as they let loose at the targets in rapid succession. Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Blast Off blows a bit of ionized steam off the end of the muzzle as he walks away and back to the other Decepticons. "As much as I dislike non-living targets," he replies to Boomslang, "It is no reason to preform less than optimally." Then just chuckles a bit at Backfire's commentary. Fragment shoulders his gravel gun, loaded with uncommonly dense minerals found out in the reaches of space in asteroids. So no, it's not that cheap stuff you find in your driveway. Well, it matters to him anyway even if all anybody else sees is some cheap rock shooting gun. Perhaps one day he'll find a mineral to make it a truely formidable weapon instead of a basic unremarkable weapon. But today is about aim, not firepower. He takes his place and opens up on the target. Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Windshear steps up and looks at the target for a moment. Then reaching over he pulls off his left arm cannon. He flips out the crosshairs plate on it, which extends a trigger at the same time. Windshear then pulls it up toward his face, holding it like a rifle, and after a moment fires. Combat: Windshear misses Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Mirage hears his name called and promptly takes out his rifle over to the firing range. He lowers down the rifle and eyes down the tip of the barrel before squeezing off shots after shots. Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Boomslang finally takes his place behind the line, dials his coilgun to the lowest possible charge, shoulders it and sights in on the targets. As much as he might like to think so, he's no Blast Off. Boomslang's impressive standing on the Aerospace kill board is due more to cunning and slyness than self-discipline and long practice. All the same, he squints through his scope and gives it the ol' Academy try. Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Mirage looks up from his rifle with an irritated look on his face, he bloody missed once! The blue Autobot picks up his rifle and proceeds out of the firing range and finds a seat over at the spectator's stands, "Stubborn rifle must be out of alignment, hmm." Seeing as there's time before the next round, Mirage quickly begins disassembling his weapon and begins performing rigorous amounts of maintenance on his rifle. Blast Off hmms a bit as he watchs Boomslang fire. No, of course no one else is as good as him... Though some of the other aerospace warriors do have a capacity for damage output that is still to be admired. "Aha, did you see that comrades? Well done Blast Off. You know, I taught him -everything- he knows!" Backfire announces, growing excited that -most- of the Decepticon sharpshooters had advanced to the next round. All except Breakdown, poor Breakdown. "Bottom two scores are out, and looksie here.. we appear to have a LOSER tie for second crappiest aim. Haha." the Seeker laughs, pointing at Jayson and Apocryphacius. "Better luck next year, don't forget to write! Round two of this stunning match will now proceed, shooters.. ARE YOU READY??" Backfire hits a pedal on the ground, the targets with his face on them lower into the ground.. only to pop up seconds later, only much much smaller! Sharpshooting Target transforms into its Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) mode. Boomslang steps back looking satisfied with his performance, although it was by no means the best. He sits on one of the benches to refill his magazine with practice slugs while all the other advancing shooters take their shots. Steeljaw settles back down on his haunches once he's away from the target area to observe the rest of the matches carefully. And to recharge his batteries, even though the ten shots didn't really take anything out of him. Though the rest of the shooters appears to impress him a little. A little bit. Jayson Redfield returns to his previous position with a sigh. "Why do I never get past the first round at these things? Some sharpshooter I am, huh?" He shoots a glare at Backfire, then coughs, then sniffs. At least he can just relax for the rest of the event. Windshear stands off to the side holding his arm laser loosely over his shoulder as he quietly waits his turn for round 2. Darkwing watches as the others finishes their set, and listens as his name is called he once again steps up to the range and takes aim. Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Darkwing strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Electro-Kinetic Blasters attack! [Pulled -3] Breakdown lowers his head, and sighs. "Man, I knew I sh-should've spent more time at the firing range." He doesn't go, generally speaking, because when everyone else starts shooting he experiences a moment of panic as he wonders if they're shooting at HIM, and it can get pretty messy. Regardless, he shuffles back to the stands. Hopefully he can avoid Motormaster's wrath for doing so badly. Only Motormaster's broad back can be seen as he storms out of the arena through one of the side doors, clearly taking Breakdown's insufficiencies as a personal slight. Breakdown sees that. "Oh, man." Backfire turns to Breakdown, "You're boned." "You show them how to boom, Warpath," Steeljaw encourages the other autobot. "YEEHA!" Warpath whoops, "My turn to show you all how it's BLAM, done!" He takes his turn with an expectant glee. "Now stand back, or you'll feelt the BOOM, recoil!" Combat: Warpath misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his ZOWIE! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his ZOOP! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his KAZING! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his PLAM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his KRACKOW! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his MOSCOW! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his BRUM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his DOOM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his BROOM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his DUN DUN DUN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] MEANWHILE ON THE DECEPTICON CHANNEL! BACK AT THE SHARPSHOOTING EVENT! Other Decepticons would probably yell some retort back at Backfire for his claims, but the shuttle-sniper simple does not care. Or so Blast Off acts. It's all a cover for just how pleased he is to have several other capable Decepticons competing alongside him, but that will likely never be spoken. Returning to the firing line, he reloads an ion clip in his rifle, takes aim and fires off another round of shots. Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Second round? Well, that's something at least. Could be worse. Steeljaw surpresses a grin. Technically, he's on the job here. Pushing himself up to all fours again, he steps between a few feet to get back up towards the line. He eyes the targets and the faster way they move, and quickly re-calibrates his weapons to accomidate before letting loose. Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Blast Off hmphs, frowning a bit behind his mouthguard as one shot goes just a bit off from the target this time. Returns to the waiting point and makes a double-check to make sure the rifle's barrel isn't warping or anything from such constant repeat firing. Mirage looks up from his weapon in surprise as he notices a miss that blemishes Blast Off's performance this round. A miss, from one of the most accurate Decepticon he has ever known? Mirage ponders for a moment before applying a few choice adjustments to his rifle. Fragment uses a small round brush to clean out the mineral dust inside his gun barrel while he waits his turn for the second round. His purple optics focussed on the small task until it is thoroughly completed. He stands waiting until his time comes, then once more takes aim at the now more difficult target. Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Windshear steps up to the target and once again watches it for a moment. Then as before, he pulls his arm cannon up using it rifle style and starts firing. Combat: Windshear misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Windshear misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Laser attack! [Pulled -2] Components after components are carefully cleaned and slid back into place as Mirage completes his weapon's maintenance. With a smooth click, Mirage's rifle snaps back into place soundedly and he slings his weapon over his shoulder once more just in time for his name to be called out again. He goes back into the shooting range, before deploying the tripods underneath his rifle and setting it down, "Well, here's to better results." Mirage comments dryly as he looks down the his rocket-dart rifle's sights before squeezing its trigger. Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Boomslang resumes his position on the line and tries to outdo his previous efforts! If possible. Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Steeljaw's grin is a little wider once the dust settles and the smoke finishes rising up from his pellet guns. But before he turns away, he surpresses it so that he's just as calm as ever as he steps away from the firing line. He settles back down in time to see Mirage's go again. "Nice shooing, Mirage," Calls the little lion, nodding a bit, "And you too, Warpath." "Wham, BANG, thanks, little lion-buddy," Warpath says. "Noooooooooo, someone.. eliminate that little golden cat and red tank! I.. BACKFIRE, demand it! You can't let one of those Autobots with this event!!!" Backfire rages after the last round, throwing his microphone to the ground and stomping up and down on it. Instead of broadcasting his tirade, all the contestants probably hear is him jumping up and down.. only louder. Even when Mirage isn't cloaked, Backfire doesn't notice him. :(Dropping down on all fours, the Seeker whispers into the smashed up microphone. "Can you hear me now? Good. AHEM. Darkwing and Windshear are eliminated from this round of competition, ugh. Get ready for round three!!" Slamming his fist on the pedal again, the targets rescend momentarily.. then shoot back up. Instead of just being slightly smaller this time, they have spinny hypno-eyes. "Don't dare to stare into my precious face too long currs, or you be HYPNOTIZED!!" Sharpshooting Target (Level 2) transforms into its Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) mode. Somewhere in the depths of Mirage's heart, he's crying over being overlooked. Mirage looks up from his rifle's sights, "Bah, that stubborn target." He slings his rifle across his shoulder and once again heads out of the firing range, on the way he nods at Steeljaw, "Thanks for the compliment, I see you did quite well yourself this round." He then looks over to Warpath, "Here's to us all making it to the finals, hmm?" Jayson Redfield leans against Apo for support. "Mmm," he murmurs, "comfy..." He sounds slightly delirious! Blast Off garners a small bit of amusement from Backfire's triad as he finishes cleaning out some ionized dust out of the barrel of his blaster. Presumably that's what intereferred with his aim. Though despite the simpleton's ranting, it's Mirage that he gives one of his cold glares towards. Yes, he knows who the -real- threat is here. Warpath has made it to the next round! Not that he was expecting any less. "See, we're goona ZAM, blow them away!" he asides to Mirage and Steeljaw, before preparing to take aim against the Backfiresque target. Combat: Warpath misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his FRIZZLE! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his BAZAP (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his BAZAM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his PAN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his ZORT! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his POW! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his CAN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his KING! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his ZIP! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his DAMN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Swirly eyes. How droll. Blast Off just focuses his aim on the center of the target's relative forehead instead, ignoring the eyes entirely as he unloads another round of ionic discharges. Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Apocryphacius looks down at Jayson, clearly worried, and he tries to escort Jayson over to the human-sized stands, to sit him down. He murmurs, "Please don't fall over on me or faint. Don't look at the targets." "An autobot win here would be nice to see," Steeljaw admits, grinning crookedly up at Mirage. After a few minutes of making sure his guns are fully charged again, he pushes himself up to all four paws. "They're quicker this time, and smaller. I'll have to be a bit more patient with my shots." Walking lightly, he makes his way back up to the line. A little glow of energy forms in the barrels of his weapons as he levels them, patiently watching the targets each time before firing. Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Fragment once more cleans out the dust from his gravel gun barrel and then waits alone, not speaking to interrupt anyone nor seek counsel. He wipes dust from his face and sighs. He forgot to put up his face guard since it wasn't a battle situation. Still, why start now if he is still on a contender streak? He steps up, checks his reservoir of minerals is still loaded up enough to continue, and then opens fire. Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Combat: Fragment strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Gravel Gun (Pistol) attack! Jayson Redfield waves a dismissive hand as he's led to the stands. "Not gonna faint," he assumes the Quint. "Promise. I just...need to rest for a while." He flushes slightly. "And, err, thanks," he mumbles. "For...y'know. Helping me." Mirage settles back into his previous seat in the spectator's stands and goes back to cleaning his weapon. Accuracy and success requires proper due diligence! The Autobot counter-intelligence specialist looks up in time meet Blast Off's cold glare with a glacial glare of his own. "Tch, not bad. Still doesn't change the fact he's got a glass jaw though." Mirage comments before being called up and heading over to shooting range once more. Setting down the rifle and looking through the sights before squeezing off his shots. Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Boomslang has to make a special effort to not fall under the influence of the Backfire-targets' whirling spiral eyes as he aims at them! It's awfully hard not to look at something you're aiming at, however. Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] Boomslang looks a little dazed and keeps chanting "all glory to the hypnotoad" as he returns to the bench, but at least he hit the targets most of the time. Blast Off reachs over to give Boomslang a light bop upside the helm with the heel of his palm when the warrior sits. "Snap out of it. Before you start sounding like our oh so grand announcer up there." You can here the sarcasm dripping off the last few words, even if his tone is as indifferent as always. Boomslang shakes his head, rubbing his cone with his palm. "Thanks, Blast Off." Steeljaw might have been focusing a little too hard on the swirling targets. He's not hypnotized, but he's certainly looking a bit dizzy when he staggers away from the line, almost running into someone. Probably was following the way they swirled around instead of just staring at them. "Ugh. Why did they have to be spinning." He plops himself down heavily to soak up a bit more sun. Mirage sighs as he makes his way back to the stands, not entirely satisfied with the results so far but he does a good job concealing it. Although he does notice a bit of a drool coming out of the side of his mouth. ZOOKS! The whirling spiral eyes actually had effect on him too! This is why Blast Off focused on something OTHER than the eyes, people. Still kneeling on the ground, yelping into a crushed microphone. "Can you feel that, curs? Are my thoughts becoming your own, do you feel a constant need to worship me?? Haha, Fragment managed to get himself tossed out of the competition. Now, we'll be stepping up our game a little bit folks. I bring you.. ROUND FOUR!" Hitting the pedal again, instead of rescinding.. the targets multiply? "Now you'll have to discern WHICH is the real target, and WHICH TWO are the fake hologram ones!!" Backfire's mug remains on the targets, only this time they start spouting sporadic nonsense to futher mess with the sharpshooter's aim. Sharpshooting Target (Level 3) transforms into its Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) mode. Apocryphacius replies, "It is my simple duty to help my comrades! May I take a scan to better ascertain what ails you? You do seem a bit under the weather, as they say, whoever 'they' are." His tentacles do air quotes. Jayson Redfield snorts quietly. "It's just a cold," he insists. "I was on Nepsa a few days ago. The fever came back yesterday after my match with Carjack. I just need to rest awhile and I'll be fine." Which is probably a lie. Mirage raises a pair of binoculars over his optics as he attempts to acertain the characteristics of the holographic targets, "Did they have to choose one of the most irritating Decepticon target in this corner of the galaxy?" Fragment puts his gravel gun away and watches the remaining shooters. Two decepticons and three Autobots. Now no matter what an enemy wll walk away with at least one of this events medels. Evil bitter bitter evil. "Autotard, you're the poor mech's Brawl! Bet you cannot figure which is the real me.. well, you know. The fake real me, anyways!" the targets redicule Warpath. "Pshaw," Warpath says, "I got this covered, BLAM, you can't fool me that easily." He steps up and fires, taking careful aim at what he believes to be the 'real' target. He knows some low-quality holograms have a 'flicker' that can be detected if he's concentrating. "BOOM, BLAM, take this, YEAH!" Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his ZAP! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his ZAM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his BRAK! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his KAPANG! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his BLAST! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his TINGLE! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his GRAND! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his THEFT (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his AUTO! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his PAWN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] "Hey, shuttle guy! Does it piss you off knowing you're no match for my GLORY?? Does it, does it? I bet it does. It so totally does, HA!" the target attempts to insult Blast Off. "You've got to give them credit, they've gotten quite devious with the targets this year." Blast Off snorts a bit, doubting the holograms were Backfire's own idea, though. Followed by a simple "No" to the recorded catcalling before opening fire for another round. Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Blast Off strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Ionic Blaster attack! [Pulled -4] Blast Off frowns, as some of the holograms are still enough to get the better of him. Apocryphacius is not going to scan Jayson against his will, but he does look concerned, and he reminds, "If you caught the cold on Nepsa, it is likely an alien disease to which your body has no natural immunity. Now, the human immune system does have some capacity to 'learn'," more air quotes, "and fight off new diseases, but exertion such as Olympic events will stress you, elevate your cortisol levels, and run you down." "Steeljaw, where's your wittle tape commander guardian? Are you even old enough to be out here alone?" the target heckles Steeljaw. "Can I shoot the announcer instead?" Steeljaw mutters after he clears his head with a quick shake. He turns his head back to the targets, squinting slightly. Holograms? His grin quirks a little bit, "I should be able to sniff the real ones out." Maybe. Hopefully. But with the scents as mingled as they are, will he really be able to? Steeljaw pushes himself back to his feet much more stabley this time, and starts back up to the line. He glares at the speaking target, focusing his scanning software on them hard and long. "Old enough to drink," He mutters, pushing his annoyance back and firing. Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Jayson Redfield practically flops into a seat in the stands, taking a few deep breaths. He shivers slightly, then wipes a bit of sweat from his forehead. "You...do have a point," he admits. "If you think it's necessary, then do the scan." Boomslang rubs his chin. If the targets are actually trying to interact with them... he can make it hard on them. Combat: Boomslang activates his cloaking field and vanishes from sight! "Oh, have you been here the whole time? I probably didn't see you, because you're just so DULL and BORING.. I bet you don't even turn invisible either. Everyone just ignores YOUR presence!" the targets verbally assault Mirage. Mirage lowers his binoculars as his name is called and heads off over to the shooting range. He sets down his rifle against the table, "Too hard to tell which one is real, I'm just going to have to shoot at the ones that irritates me the most." The Autobot counter-intelligence agent cries a little bit deep down inside from the insults, good thing nobody will ever know! He lowers his head across the rifle sights and lets his feelings guide his actions. Literally! Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] "Hey, that's not fair! How are we supposed to heckle them if they VANISH into fat air??" the targets complain. "I'll allow it!" the REAL Backfire announces from the stage. Boomslang watches how Blast Off does it. So much for trying to be like Blast Off. Boomslang gives this a little thought while invisible. The holographic targets won't have shadows, of course. He just has to try to watch the shadows. Maybe if he approaches from a point on the line where the targets can't see him (or Backfire can't see him) they won't be projected correctly from his perspective and he can figure out which ones are fake! Combat: Suddenly, Boomslang appears out of thin air! Combat: Sneak Attack!! Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Boomslang strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) with his 20mm Gauss Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Apparently, the nose really does know. Steeljaw doesn't bother to hide the grin this time as he steps back from the line and back to the waiting area. "Nice try with the insults, it just made me want to shoot your head even more." "No! No, no, no, no, NO! N.. O! Nononononononono! No, it cannot be!! Did I create such traps that the Decepticons would easily fall prey to, only to allow these.. these.. these Autobots into the FINAL ROUND??? Curse my genius intellect, Blast Off and Boomslang are eliminated from competition." Backfire kicks his legs in a hissy fit, still laying on the ground. "Well, at least with all my comrades gone.. I can release the HOUNDS! Well, leftover turbo-lions.. but HOUNDS sounded cooler, don't you agree?" the Seeker slams his fist on the pedal, trap doors open up on either side of the arena. "Watch out Autobots, they're hungry!" Vicious turbo-lions creep out of each hole, stalking towards the contestants in a loose pack.. and anyone else who wasn't smart enough to get into the stands. "Ahahahahaha, glorious. The final round begins, NOW!" Backfire announces. Sharpshooting Target (Level 4) transforms into its Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) mode. Warpath chuckles, as it appears no Decepticons advanced to this round. "HAHAHAHA! Told ya, we're better than you cons, ZAM, BAM!" he says. "Now we've locked em outta the medals and call it All Bots!" No matter what happens now, no Decepticon is getting a medal and at this point Warpath doesn't care who gets gold. Though he would like it if it was him. Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his BLAST! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his BLAM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his BOOM! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his BING! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his DING~ (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his BLIP! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his WHAM (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his GOT! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his SLAGGIN! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Warpath strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his OWNED! (Laser) attack! [Pulled -2] Apocryphacius takes a scan of Jayson, and then he chides, "Jayson! You are not merely sick - you are injured as well! Please, let me see to your wounds before you bleed out. Why must subadult humans be so reckless with their lives?" He does engage in a brief chuckle as Backfire defeats his own people with his machinations. Fragment headshakes. "What a wash." He strolls away with the aerial race to look forward to. "Primus, it's a lion!" Boomslang exclaims. "Get in the stands!" He does so. Thank goodness for mode1 flight. Blast Off dittos that sentiment Jayson Redfield stares at Backfire. Good thing he's already in the stands. "He's almost as crazy as Carjack." But not quite. He grins sheepishly at Apo. "Err, yeah...sorry..." He holds up an arm, which has a few cuts on it. "It's mostly just a bunch of scrapes and cuts, but I really could use the healing." "Well, now this is more like it," Steeljaw's grin grows as he eyes the other two Autobots. "Autobots all the way." There's a pause as the next 'challenge' is reveled. The little gold lion stares at the turbolion that's approaching on him. Glaring, even. "Seriously?" He grunts, quietly, but grins at how effective it is at sending the decepticons packing. Ignoring the other lions, for now, he resumes his vigil on those targets, firing when he's good and ready. Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Combat: Steeljaw misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Solar-Powered Pellet Guns attack! [Pulled -4] Mirage's name is called up but a walking box approaches the shooting range instead? No, that's not Solid Snake or Big Boss hiding in there. That's just Mirage taking advantage of his holographic camoflauge capabilities. Why are the lions not going after such an obvious target, no one knows, no one ever seems to suspect the walking box. Apparently it's an universal law. The barrel tip of Mirage's rocket-dart rifle pokes out of the box and fires! Hold on a moment, did an exclamation point just pop up on top of the turbolion's head?! Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage misses Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Mirage strikes Sharpshooting Target (Level 5) with his Rocket-Dart Rifle attack! [Pulled -3] MEANWHILE ON THE DECEPTICON CHANNEL! BACK AT THE SHARPSHOOTING CONTEST! "Bah, why we even continued that last round.. is beyond me. I'd rather had thrown the medals between the three of you, let you SQUABBLE over the scraps! Haha, so I guess Warpath got first. Steeljaw second, and Mirage third. BUT, they still get to contend with the TURBO-LIONS!" Backfire shouts with glee, stepping up from the microphone and clapping his hands. The microphone broadcasts the sound, which in turn.. attracts all the Turbo-Lions. :(Setting upon him instantly, the Seeker is enveloped by the beasts. "Noooooo, I am undone by my own machinations AGAIN!" "WAHOO!" Warpath whoops. "My Autobuddies, we BLAM, cleaned their clocks!" Combat: Apocryphacius expertly heals Jayson Redfield's injuries. Combat: Apocryphacius is able to heal some of Jayson Redfield's internal damage. Mirage disengages his holographic disguise, the all-powerful box disappears into nothingness, "How stereotypically typical." He sighs a bit before heading over to the other Autobot contestants, congratulating Steeljaw and Warpath, "Not a bad turn out, you two. We've gave a strong showing, as usual." Apocryphacius applies some antispetic ointment and bandages to Jayson, commenting brightly, "At least those wretched Decepticons all lost, even their orbital sniper and their commando! Could have been worse." Boomslang lurks in the sullen part of the stands, playing idly with a knife. Boomslang mutters to Blast Off, "I'll be... when... can... smug looks... their..." BACK ON THE DECEPTICON CHANNEL! BACK AT THE CONTEST! Jayson Redfield smiles. "True." He cocks his head slightly, then calls, "Way to go, Autobots!" He winces then, as the antiseptic stings his injuries. "Ow..." "Little help.. guys??" Backfire shouts from under the Turbo-Lion pile. :(Warpath shouts helpfully (?) at Backfire, "Play Dead!" "Why would I play with the dead, you sick necro.. OW, that's MY HEAD!!" Backfire shouts back, the Turbo-Lions drag him into their underground den. Warpath facepalms and laughs hysterically. Boomslang pointedly leaves the arena without helping Backfire with his 'lion problem.'
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