| abstract
| - Out in the open, this unprotected section of the Old Cybertron Highway was hit heavily in the fighting and is only now being rebuilt. Other than the highway, the area is a total wasteland. Where energon once ran freely in rivers, there is now only a bleak, barren desert subject to frequent blinding, air intake-choking, paint scarring dust storms. Visibility is poor; even the bright golden light of the suns cannot penetrate the murky depths of the restless dust. Half-rebuilt sections show where construction has been temporarily abandoned. The brand new materials gleam like new-found hope, a distinct contrast to the metal dust and grit of this grim desert. Contents: Polarity Blue Fire Truck Battlecruiser The Steel Balloon Obvious exits: Fly leads to Sky above New Cybertron Highway. East leads to New Cybertron Highway . West leads to Vestral Overpass. Battlecruiser flies along above the highway, moving at what passes for crawling speeds for him. Decades of travelling convoy-style with a team of land-based vehicles (including a drill tank) have taught him to regulate his speed. "Scouts reported movement out this way..." He says grimly. "Which is fine by me. I was hoping I wouldn't miss too much of the action!" Blue Fire Truck follows behind Scattershot, riding on the highway. He, too, wants some action since he has nothing to do. "Alright, we must be careful out here. If you see anything suspicious, then hide quickly and spy on them," Hot Spot says to Scattershot. Battlecruiser laughs, but there's a comraderly sort of tone to it rather than the nasty scornfulness he often displays around lower ranking Autobots. "'Hide and spy on 'em'? You sure you're not thinking of some other Bot...? Tell you what, how about if I just follow your lead." XF-35B Astral Lightning is also out on patrol and might just be the movement that those scouts reported to Scattershot! She is, in particular, looking for any supply convoys that she might prey upon, though any of interest will end up reported back to base. Perhaps she has a fellow Seeker with her on her patrol route, though she's never really met the guy. In fact, what was his name again? "I'm not sure if it is a Bot out there or not, but we must take precaution," Hot Spot says with a serious, leaderly tone. He eases up the tone, however, to be of a more friendly, casual tone. "I will be glad if follow my lead if you want or you may do what you think it is right. It doesn't matter to me, friend." F-15E Strike Eagle is indeed with Catechism, or more so catching up with as he meet up with the other jet after running a sweep over the farther edges of the region. Not really much of a scouting type, but the potential of seeing some action for the sake of siezing greater control of their homeworld for the Decepticons was more than enough encouragement for Polarity to not object to doing some patrol flights. he shortwaves to the other jet, getting the name exposition out of the way, "But in the mean time, I'll split up with you and take a detour. I'll probably station there until you transmit to me what our unidentified /friends/ are," says Hot Spot as he turns to the left at the exit. He drives down the ramp and on the dirt road, approaching some sort of dust-like storm. He can station there to conceal himself from the optics of those far away. Combat: Blue Fire Truck takes control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Battlecruiser tries to follow Hot Spot's lead just like he said he would, but gets lost almost immediately in the raging dust storm. "I'd love to, but I can't see a thing in here!" Emerging near the dry riverbed, he barks a triumphant laugh. "Now /this/ is my kind of ground!" he calls out, then tilts up until he's facing nose-up, like a rocket. For a second the thrust from his mighty engines makes him hover in place, but he slowly thruttles back until he descends almost to the ground. Just before touching down he transforms into his mighty battle-station mode, advanced sensors coming online. Battlecruiser transforms into his Battlestation mode. Polarity! That's his name! Gee, Catechism wonders if his name and colours mean anything together. The XF-35B deigns to allow the Strike Eagle to catch up, slowing down into merely supersonic operation. Her scouting sensors alert her to the Autobots below, and she radios, <> He might not be new, and he may well even be older than she is, but she hasn't seen him before, and she'd like to see how he rolls. <> She streaks into evasive maneuvers, trying to get a better look at where the Autobots are holing up. Combat: XF-35B Astral Lightning sets her defense level to Protected. Combat: XF-35B Astral Lightning inspires F-15E Strike Eagle with righteous and intimidating words! F-15E Strike Eagle has in fact been around quite a long time, but being a Seeker, and other than his odd coloration a fairly standard one at least in appearances (abilities being another matter entirely) its easy to be overlooked in the background. <> The fighter jet does a barrel roll to get clear of the bomber and dives down towards the sand storm. <> The encouragement to his already fairly high courage just pushes him farther to dive into the storm and towards the fire truck without a second thought. "You can run but you can't hide!" Flies right up and tries to literally shove Hot Spot out of the spot with his magnetic field. Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle challenges Blue Fire Truck for control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle defeats Blue Fire Truck in a battle of INTESTINAL FORTITUDE! Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle takes control of capture point D - Dust Storm. After Round One: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout No one Endurance C Crumbling Overpass No one Accuracy D Dust Storm Polarity (0) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (0) Firepower ============================================================================== Blue Fire Truck watches around his area, but nothing as of it. "Hm.. nothing yet," Hot Spot says before he suddenly was pushed away by a magnetic wave. The truck rolls, on its side, on the ground a couple of times. Hot Spot transforms out of it and into his robot mode to stop his roll. "What sort of thing could've done this," he says, turning towards the direction of Polarity. "I should've known... Polarity!" he shouts back. He charges back to his place, hoping he can regain it. Combat: Blue Fire Truck challenges F-15E Strike Eagle for control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Combat: Blue Fire Truck defeats F-15E Strike Eagle in a battle of INTESTINAL FORTITUDE! Combat: Blue Fire Truck takes control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Battlestation 's sensors lock onto Polarity - but too late to help Hot Spot. "Frak! Where'd he come from?!" Transforming quickly, Scattershot hefts his acid-pellet rifle. Scattershot takes a moment to confirm Hot Spot's and Polarity's positions (on the ground and in the air, respectively). His lips twist into a grim smile even as his thumb flips the control lever on his rifle to full-auto. Soon there's a long stream of acid pellets filling the dust storm, just above Hot-Spot height. Battlestation transforms into his Scattershot mode. Combat: Scattershot strikes F-15E Strike Eagle with his Acid Rain attack! [Pulled -2] XF-35B Astral Lightning knows that Scattershot is really powerful, and she doubts that she can directly oust him from his hiding place, but her logistics training has taught her the importance of fuel, the lifeblood of any army. She transforms and lands near the Steel Balloon, taking a moment to collect herself, hands on her hips and chin raised high. She replies to Polarity, voice fairly neutral, <> That will be the trick. <<...oh, Scattershot's shooting at you, too. You probably noticed.>> XF-35B Astral Lightning transforms into robot form. Catechism's feet unfold, her arms unfold out of her body, her nosecone rotates through her body and ends up on her shoulders to expose her face, and her wings rotate into position. Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Fearless. Combat: Catechism takes control of capture point A - Watering Hole. F-15E Strike Eagle gwuhs as he's shoved back out of the center of the storm, leaving him wide open for getting pelted by Scattershot's acid blasts. Grunting as it starts to chew at his armor a bit, the Seeker transforms. "Aaaaw, he remembers me. How flattering." And then with a wicken grin, the ages of commando training allowing him to mentally ignore the gnawing effect of the acid for the moment, he charges right back in try and dislodge Hot Spot from his position again. "And you're gonna be flattened!" The Strike Eagle jet rearranges into the magnetic Seeker Polarity! Combat: Polarity challenges Blue Fire Truck for control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Combat: Blue Fire Truck defeats Polarity in a battle of INTESTINAL FORTITUDE! After Round Two: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole Catechism (0) Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout No one Endurance C Crumbling Overpass No one Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (0) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (0) Firepower ============================================================================== "Can't get a good angle!" Scattershot complains, lowering his rifle to point at the ground while keeping it tucked against his shoulder. "Where'd that other one get to?!" He barks. "Slaggit!" Scattershot transforms back into his aerial now, but using retro-jets and various maneuvering thrusters he's able to maintain a wobbly, highly inefficient hover (take that Catechism). Rising slowly into the air out of and above the riverbed, he turns slowly in place trying to track the Decepticons, while confident that his own guns will maintain a big enough 'instant death zone' below him to keep them out of his space. Scattershot transforms into his Battlecruiser mode. Combat: Battlecruiser remains in control of capture point E - Dry Riverbed. Blue Fire Truck steps out of the way, letting Polarity charge into nothing. "Flattened?" he shakes his head at his statement, "No way can you flatten me, Polarity, and there is no way you are taking this spot!" He reaches his back for his pitol and takes it out, aiming his weapon at Polarity. No way is he going to lose this spot to the Decepticons as the Autobots need this area he keeps thinking to himself. Squatting down, he fires his is pistol at Polarity. Combat: Blue Fire Truck sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Blue Fire Truck misses Polarity with his Pistol attack! Catechism is very efficient at hovering, thank you very much. She is just not doing that right now. Instead, she is just hanging out at the bar, looking tough, as if she was a bouncer. Straxus, this is the life! Chill out at a bar while her new buddy Polarity has two combiner team leaders trying to kill him! Catechism does some stretches, idly. Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Protected. Combat: Catechism remains in control of capture point A - Watering Hole. Oddly enough Polarity has no problem with this role. It's one he's filled many a time before, and one he was quite good at. Charge in, get the attention, teammates do other useful things. Snapping up his hands, a small magnetic yank pulls a discarded sheet of rusting metal into his grip just in time to deflect the pistol shot. "Oh really?" He rushes towards Hot Spot, trying to use the impromtive shield as a battering ram as well and knock the Protectobot commander off his spot. "Let's see what our panel has to say about that!" Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Polarity challenges Blue Fire Truck for control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Combat: Blue Fire Truck defeats Polarity in a battle of INTESTINAL FORTITUDE! After Round Three: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole Catechism (1) Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout No one Endurance C Crumbling Overpass No one Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (0) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (1) Firepower ============================================================================== Battlecruiser finally locks onto Catechism's form. Seeing as she's standing in plain sight by the Steel Baloon. "No way they're getting the BAR without a fight," he promises grimly to himself. "But first I'd better take care of something." One of the many turrets dotting his form angles down and opens fire! Carving into the riverbed a crude Autobot symbol, and then signing it with a giant "- SS." His territory marked thus, he deactivates enough of his forward engines to begin coasting forward. Combat: Battlecruiser remains in control of capture point E - Dry Riverbed. Why would you try to charge at an Autobot who is bigger than you? Hot Spot grabs Polarity before he can knock him down and throws him aside. "You got to do better than that if you really want this spot badly, Polarity," he replies coldly to him, still squating. He still has the pistol in his right hand, but he doesn't aim at Polarity. No, because they need this spot and control it if they want to be victorious. Combat: Blue Fire Truck remains in control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Toyota Wrecker Rig had been out on his way to do some urgent maintenance, but on his way one of Hoist's radar sweeps caught the ongoing battle, being one of the slower Autobots it had taken some time to get here but hopefully he is not too late to help his friends. ooO(Come on wheels don't fail me now!)Ooo The news of the battle has spread fast, and streaking in from orbit is none other than REDSHIFT, who is late because he's had his normally cherry-red paint redone into a more earthy terra cotta shade. He flies in, engines roaring, his leading edges glowing faintly after his rapid jaunt down from cybertron's orbit. <> Polarity gahs as he's tossed aside by the larger 'bot. "Okay, fine. If you want all this sand up your crack for yourself, you can have it!" Firing his foot-jets the Seeker takes to the sky, flying out of the dust storm and zips away. Instead he flys over to the overpass, or what's left of it, and hovers over that. "Play in your little sandbox, this road is much more important! I bet the Constructicons could turn it into a MAZE OF DOOM!" He may be a little crazy, but he does take orders well. Redshift transforms into his sleek spacecraft mode and takes to the air. Combat: Red Spaceship sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Polarity takes control of capture point C - Crumbling Overpass. Catechism continues to longue around near the bar. It seems that, despite her encouraging words, Polarity just cannot beat the selfless courage of the Protectobot commander, so she's ordered him to try to hold a different territory. Catechism paces around the bar, taking in the layout of what she has declared to be her new stomping grounds. She replies to Redshift, <> Combat: Catechism remains in control of capture point A - Watering Hole. After Round Four: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole Catechism (2) Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout No one Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (0) Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (1) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== A - Decepticon Win. E - Autobot Win. Battlecruiser picks up speed as he races towards the Steel Baloon. His weapons prime and lock on target...but then he sees a few other shadows moving around inside, and a few mechs, possibly some of those near-mythical 'neutrals,' popping out to see what the commotion is all about. "Civilians! Frak it!" Over various local frequencies and out loud, he calls out, "We got a whole mess of hostile Decepticon air in the area. Get back inside while we take 'em out!" By way of demonstration he opens fire with a few of his laser batteries at Polarity, who didn't have the sense to position himself in a place where collateral damage might be an issue to Scattershot. Combat: Battlecruiser misses Polarity with his Disruptor attack! Blue Fire Truck shakes his head upon Polarity leaving the site. His pistol is put away, and he looks around the area, nothing in sight. "Well, I think we own this spot now," The Protectobot Leader replies to himself. He walks around the area until he finds something he can write on, a nice, big boulder is perfect. Approaching the rock, he grabs a sharp object, a metal knife of his, and carves the Autobot symbol along with "~HS". <> Combat: Blue Fire Truck remains in control of capture point D - Dust Storm. Toyota Wrecker Rig finally reaches the scene and transforms, a quick sweep of the area shows that thankfully there hasn't been too much in the way of injuries so far, but that can often change in moments. <> Hoist looks around and then heads towards the bootlegger's hideout, nothing remains hidden from his powerful scanners. Toyota Wrecker Rig rises into the air as legs appear from beneath it, the chassis folds in two and doesn't stop as it rises from the ground arms appear from the vehicle sides and finally a head becomes visible, Hoist has arrived. Hot Spot transforms back into his robot mode. He's ready for anything now! Red Spaceship careens across the battlefield, trying to stay above the wisps of blowing silicates from the expansive desert. He has only rudimentary visual sensors, but they're enough to pick up the pair of Autobot combiner leaders, Hot Spot and Scattershot. Quite the pair, but are they a match for three Decepticon warriors? Redshift's sensors pick up the crude Autobot symbols eteched into the landscape, petty signatures of thier presence. "PATHETIC!" Redshift cries out, flying brazenly above the gestalt leaders, and opening his bomb-bay doors to drop hot, fiery DOOM upon the Autobots. Combat: Red Spaceship sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Hot Spot with his Phosphorous Bombs Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Hot Spot's Accuracy. (Blinded) Combat: Red Spaceship strikes Battlecruiser with his Phosphorous Bombs Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Battlecruiser 's Accuracy. (Blinded) Catechism does not stick around to get drunk on power or even just drunk. She also does not get Redshift a drink. They have gumbies and Full-Tilt for that sort of thing; it is beneath her! Instead, given her success in cowing the bar into submission, she looks over at the bootlegger's hideout. This is a great place to take cover, she thinks. But what is in her way? She thinks it is a Hoist! Catechism blobs some acid over at Hoist and shouts, "Get out of my way, Autobot, or I'll go right through you! Kind of like that acid." She smirks. Combat: Catechism sets her defense level to Neutral. Combat: Catechism strikes Hoist with her Acid Strike attack! Polarity hahs, hopping back a bit as Scattershot's blast hits some of the rubble of the overpass, cackling the entire time. "Whooo! Burn baby burn!" He cheers as Redshift firebombs the two bots. And is so glad he didn't stay down there now. Otherwise he's just holding onto his position, though he's plotting in the process. Mwhehehehe Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Guarded. Combat: Polarity remains in control of capture point C - Crumbling Overpass. After Round Five: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole Catechism (2) Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout No one Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (1) Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (2) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== D - Autobot win. Battlecruiser is suddenly awash in bright, blazing phosphorous. Kind of like what he does for fun in his off days, actually. "What was that, some kind of thermal shell?" he drawls, tilting back to gain altitude. "Incendiary? Phosphourous? Just curious, you know." Rising into position on the same 'plane' as Redshift, Scattershot suddenly unleashes a barrage of brightly glowing projectiles. Each streaks through the air, a tiny star-bright point of leaving a thin trail of smoke behind it. "Maybe I'll pick up a few for next time!" Combat: Battlecruiser strikes Red Spaceship with his Side-Mounted Thermal Shell attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Red Spaceship 's Accuracy. (Blinded) <> Hot Spot is interrrupted when Redshift's bombs land in his area, causing an explosion. The attack did not harm him that much because of his tough, robotic armor - though it did left a couple of black spots from the flames. However, the explosion's bright light did affect his opticals, causing his vision to be static and turning itself on and off. Regaining himself, he stands back up from the ground and covers his optics. <<.. And it seems we have another Decepticon entering the scene. Alright, so I'll go towards Hoist and protect him>> And with that said, the Protectobot transforms into his truck mode and leaves off towards Hoist. Hot Spot slowly goes down to the ground and transforms hastely into his cool blue fire truck mode. He's ready to terminate those fires! Hoist looks back over his shoulder as someone calls out to him, "Huh if you can't beat me in a race you need to take some of that lead out of your caboo... aaargh!!" The acid sprays across Hoist's back quickly dissolving his armour, trying to ignore the pain he makes the final rush for what used to be a hideout. He dives inside maybe he'll find something useful to help fend off Catechism, he can't afford to have many more baths like the last one. Combat: Hoist takes control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Catechism might just be lazy and wanting Hoist to open the door to the door to the hideout, so she doesn't have to. She might call it efficiency, though. Catechism tries to barge in after Hoist into the small space, demanding, "And now, get out of here! Before I throw you out!" She cracks her knuckles, expression intent. Combat: Catechism challenges Hoist for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hoist defeats Catechism staring contest! Polarity aws, no one is shooting at him anymore? Aw well. Polarity can live without being the center of attention for a little while, at least. Not daring to carve an emblem in the structure that could collapse, he works on fortifying his position by using his magnetism to bend and fuse some of the the battered metal superstructure back into shape so it makes a more applicable defense position. Combat: Polarity remains in control of capture point C - Crumbling Overpass. Red Spaceship unfortunatly gets a dose of his own medicine, as incendiary shells burst all around him, and dazzling his sensors. The terra-cotta hued spacer transforms, and Redshift shakes his head as he tries to clear his sensors. "You liked that, HUH? I'd give you some more if I could see you.." He grumbles, and he starts firing his plasma rifle at a blurry Scattershot-coloured blob. The sleek red spacecraft transforms into the winged warrior Redshift. Combat: Redshift strikes Battlecruiser with his Incinerator Rifle attack! [Pulled -4] After Round Six: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Hoist (0) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (2) Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (2) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== C - Decepticon win. Hoist stands just inside the doorway and scans the contents of the hideout, he feels something slam against his back but he hasn't time for trivial things now he's got a con hot on his heels. Pulling on a hidden container it opens to reveal some oddly glowing containers swirling with a sickly looking liquid, without a thought he grabs one, turns and throws it back out the door. "Here you go, the first one's free!" Combat: Hoist strikes Catechism with Koriolis Desert's Explosive Moonshine attack! Combat: You took 6 damage. Battlecruiser grunts as the plasma sizzles into his armor. Altering his course slightly, he comes onto a new vector that the airborne Decepticons Redshift and Polarity and Scattershot himself are all positioned roughly in line with each other - with Scattershot at the end of the 'line'. "Shootin' blind, huh Red? You're a quick learner. But school's not out yet." Multiple batteries open up at once, sending sheets of firepower streaming out in the general direction of Redshift and Polarity. They don't call him Scattershot for nothing. Combat: Battlecruiser strikes Redshift with his You Know the Name Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Redshift's Agility. (Crippled) Combat: Battlecruiser strikes Polarity with his You Know the Name Area attack! Combat: That attack has temporarily impaired Polarity's Agility. (Crippled) Blue Fire Truck drives in front of the hideout and transforms into his robot form. I just hope Hoist is doing okay, he thought to himself before he gets closer to the hideout. He notices Catechism standing in the doorway and getting hit by the object Hoist threw earlier. <> He takes out his pistol once more and takes aim at Catechim. "I have a special delievery for a Catechism," he says before he fires at the Decepticon. Hot Spot transforms back into his robot mode. He's ready for anything now! Combat: Hot Spot sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Hot Spot strikes Catechism with his Pistol attack! Combat: You took 4 damage. Polarity yelps, diving for cover behind some of the rubble of the overpass, but its not enough to keep the sheer amount of PEWPEWPEWPEWPEW! going on from peppering holes in his back all the same. Holes smoking a bit, the Seeker gets up partway with a snarl. "Okay, time for the -real- fun to begin!" Being on the overpass gives him a perfect position to unload on the Technobot without leaving a defendable position, firing off a repulsating magnetic wave to try and slam the fighter back down to the ground. Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Polarity strikes Battlecruiser with his Magnetic Pulse attack! Combat: Polarity's attack has strange and mysterious effects on Battlecruiser . Combat: That attack has temporarily affected Battlecruiser 's Accuracy. (Blinded) .. But gets a sensor scrambling wave instead. Go go unpredictable magnetics. Catechism gets moonshine all over her face, and some of it dribbles into her mouth. Thoughtlessly, she swallows - and she staggers, retching. Ugh, it burns from the inside! And that is really saying something, because Catechism's taste in drinks in frankly horrible. She wobbles, and her vision blurs. Then, Hot Spot shoots her in the back, and she cries out, "Ack!" Through the haze, Catechism takes aim at what she thinks is Hoist and Hot Spot with her whip, cracking it around, but can she really be sure? Combat: Catechism strikes Battlecruiser with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Catechism strikes Hoist with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -3] Redshift is bombarded by more shells, which rip through Redshift's fresh new paint and leave him with a few nasty gouges in his armor. Now he can SEE Scattershot, but it doesn't do him a lot of good. He hangs back to see what Polarity can do with his fancy 'magnetics' or whatever it is. With the Seeker hopefully taking Scattershot's attention, Redshift makes a b-line for the Protectobot commander, to take some of the heat off Catechism. Rifle still in hand, he squeezes off a quick balst of plasma at Hot Spot, while keeping a safe distance between them. Combat: Redshift sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Redshift misses Hot Spot with his Incinerator Rifle attack! [Pulled -5] Hoist chuckles as he hears the container break against something, hopefully it was Catechism, quickly emptying the other combustibles he pushes the larger box over and tries to jam the door shut with it quickly welding the barricade into position. Unfortunately Hoist speed is a telling factor and before the door is fully closed a whip cuts down into his right forearm. He hopes the barricade will hold but it probably won't but it's better than nothing, <> Combat: Hoist remains in control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Battlecruiser shudders a bit as the magnetics pass over him. This is something he hasn't subject himself to before as part of his sketchy recreational pastimes (but maybe he'll look into it later). "Don't know how many times you guys're gonna keep trying that trick," Scattershot comments. He directs himself directly at Polaris now, transforming just before he gets there for a skidding landing next to the Decepticon that sends overpass debris flying. "But if you want fun, /I'll/ give you fun!!" Scattershot fires off the two tiny lasers set in his wrist-guard, aiming conspicuously low. Battlecruiser transforms into his Scattershot mode. Combat: Scattershot strikes Polarity with his Dance Seeker-boy dance!! (Disruptor) attack! Hot Spot turns his head after hearing something fired. Looking right at it was the plasma, and Hot Spot quickly rolls over to the side to avoid the attack. <> He places his pistol back on his back and takes out his cannon for more firepower. "Redshift, you are not invited into this party of ours, so why don't you leave right now? Here, I'll even give you something just to leave!" Hot Spot replies to Redshift as he fires off his cannon. A fireball was comming towards the Decepticon. Combat: Hot Spot strikes Redshift with his Fireball Cannon attack! [Pulled -1] Catechism is still not feeling too well. The effects of the illicit hooch have put her all out of sorts, even if she can still whip her enemies. Catechism tries to shoulder check Hoist out of the little hideout, blustering, "Don't quit your day job and become a bartender! You're terrible!" Combat: Catechism challenges Hoist for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hoist defeats Catechism staring contest! Redshift recieves a scathing blast of heat from Hot Spot for his troubles. Maybe he should have left Catechism to fend for himself. "Hate to dissapoint, Spoot, but I'm crashing this party whetehr you like it or not!" He replies, lunging his way past the Protectobot and into the mostly empty bar. "This here's a DECEPTICON saloon now!" Combat: Redshift challenges Hoist for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Redshift defeats Hoist staring contest! Combat: Redshift takes control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Polarity yelps, hopping about as Scattershot shoots at his feet somewhat comically for a few moments. "Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!" ... Then remembers he can fly, launching into the air and doing just that, giggling about something. Possibly something he heard on the faction radio. Moving along the overpass to were its closer to the bar, he settles down into a better shielded position and starts forming one of his magnetic fields again. But instead of flinging it as an attack, he shapes it into a field of repelling energy around Redshift as he seizes control of the bar, hopefully giving him some better staying power. Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Polarity creates a forcefield shielding Redshift from damage. After Round Seven: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Redshift (0) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (2) Accuracy D Dust Storm Hot Spot (2) Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== Scattershot takes a swing at Polarity, but just misses him. Tilting his head back and turning, he follows the Decepticon's progress, frowning in disappointment when he realizes he's out of close-in brutalizing range. But Scattershot shrugs it off, scanning the ground briefly for a relatively clear spot to set up. Finally he transforms back into his most offensive (and for him that's really saying something) form. Now little more than a gigantic gunbarrel with legs, Scattershot slowly takes aim on Redshift's protected form. "I'll soften him up guys!" He calls out cheerfully. Here's a mech who really loves his work. Scattershot transforms into his Battlestation mode. Combat: Battlestation strikes Redshift with his Megavolt Pulse Cannon attack! Combat: Polarity's forcefield absorbs Battlestation 's attack. Hoist shakes his head to himself as Hot Spot suggest a shield, he's worked with Trailbreaker long enough to know that it probably isn't a good idea. He runs a quick self diagnostic and then Catechism bursts in and tries to evict him, "I say how rude! Barging into someone's place like that, i'll have to ask you to leave forthwith." Sidestepping at the last moment he grabs Catechism and spins throwing her back out again, then a reddish blurr zips in and shoves him out, "I say! W...what the?!?" Finding himself outside Hoist looks back at Redshift, "Bad form!!" pointing with his right arm arm he fires a double volley of weapons fire. Combat: Hoist strikes Redshift with his Twin Blaster attack! Combat: Polarity's forcefield protecting Redshift vanishes. Hot Spot saw Redshift fly past him and into the hideout. "Geez, this is not looking good," he replies to himself and enters inside the building. Inside the room, he sees Redshift in the middle while Hoist and Catechism are at the sides. Also, the forcefield around Redshift grabs his attention, taking note of this in his mind. <> And with that, the Protectobot Leader notices the two firing at Redshift and the forcefield dissipates. "Good work! Now lets see how he does when he sees a /force to be reckon with/!" Hot Spot charges towards Redshift, hoping he can knock him out of his spot. Combat: Hot Spot challenges Redshift for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Redshift defeats Hot Spot staring contest! Catechism decides that perhaps she should draw the attention of the Autobots, since victory is now riding on Redshift's ability to drink himself senseless. Catechism sneers at the Autobots and, with a powerful swing of her arm, casts her line at the Autobots gathered around the sill. She calls defiantly, "Me? Rude? You're nothing but a bunch of booze-hungry louts! On your knees, curs!" Polarity aughs as Scattershot and Hoist firing on the magnetic field, repelling their attacks from Redshift but succeeding in causing the field to collapse afterwards. "Well, I did always enjoy a good bar brawl!" Bolting out of his covered spot he continues running down the overpass to get closer to the bar itself. Though it's going to take a few moments for his systems to recoup from the mag-field failure. Hopefully the attention will stay down there and off him! Combat: Catechism misses Hot Spot with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Catechism strikes Battlestation with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Catechism strikes Hoist with her Whiplash Whirlwind Area attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Polarity takes extra time to steady himself. [Pass] Redshift stands his ground as the Autobots blast him from all sides, confidant that Polarity's projected field of magnetic force will protect him. Admittedly, that full-bore blast from Scattershot was more than a little unnerving. With the field gone, he has only his unparralleled agility to save him, and he ducks underneath the big blue 'bot's clumsy grasp. Redshift leaps behind the bar, and grabs a bottle of the most expensive-looking hootch he can find. Pulling the cork in his teeth, he then takes a hefty slug of the hard stuff, while cowering behind the battle-scarred countertop. Combat: Redshift remains in control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. After Round Eight: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Redshift (1) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (2) Accuracy D Dust Storm No one Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== Battlestation emits a small sound of surprise as Polarity's protective field absorbs the output from his strongest attack...and then goes down from Hoist's followup shot. "Huh. Well, whatever works. And for me--" He hisses in pain as Catechism's whip sizzles into him. The words don't hurt so much, since he /is/ a booze-hungry lout, and proud of it. But the whip hurts. "And for me, what works best is spreadin' the wealth. 'Course, by 'spread the wealth', what I really mean--" Additional gunbarrels sprout from all over his form, on support struts, mechanical arms, turrets that pop out seemingly from nowhere. This all makes his appearance ludicrous to the point of caricature - a massive gunbarrel with legs, covered in smaller gunbarrels. His radar dish sends out a few brief pulses to lock in the position of the hostile (and friendly) signatures in the area before he opens fire. "What I really mean is to spread the /pain/." Combat: Battlestation strikes Catechism with his Turret-Mounted Artillery Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Battlestation (Scattershot) used "Turret-Mounted Artillery": A Level 1 AREA-RANGED attack. Combat: You took 8 damage. Combat: Battlestation strikes Polarity with his Turret-Mounted Artillery Area attack! [Pulled -3] Combat: Battlestation misses Redshift with his Turret-Mounted Artillery Area attack! [Pulled -3] Hoist's optics twinkle as the shield goes down but unfortunately they're still not able to shift Redshift from the illicit enerhol stash, once more he feels the sting of the lash and a chunk of his chassis is torn free in the process, "Damn that hurt! Got to make this count!" Taking aim once more with his arm a small change occurs internally before he fires again. Combat: Hoist strikes Redshift with his Heat-Seeking Missile attack! Hot Spot drops to the ground before catechism's whip can strike him. "I'm sorry, but I'm that much of a drinker, Catechism," he repiles back to her. He crawls on the ground, watching as his comrades fire at Redshift. <> He transmits to his Autobot friends. Standing up and over the counter where Redshift is at, he looks over at the shelf and grabs a bottle. "Hey Redshift, you want another dose of Bud-Engergon?" He jumps over the counter and tries to strike the Decepticon with the bottle. Combat: Hot Spot challenges Redshift for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Redshift staring contest! Combat: Hot Spot takes control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Redshift can hear the roar and rattarattatattat of Scattershot's multiple barrels of bullet-shaped death, but his hidey-hole behind the bar of this rumrunner's paradise keeps him safe from the rain of bullets. The missile from Hoist's gun-arm? not so much. His bottle of private stock that is clutched in his hand explodes, taking his hand off with it! "Augh, my HAND! you blew it up!" Redshift is then clocked over the head by a bottle, showering him in glass and spilt fuel. "HEY, what a waste of energon! You're supposed to DRINK it!" He snasp, and, grabbing another bottle with his remaining hand, tries to force-feed it down Hot spot's gullet. Combat: Redshift challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Redshift defeats Hot Spot staring contest! Combat: Redshift takes control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Catechism sees that Hot Spot is giving her boy Redshift some trouble! She frowns and dismisses, "Whatever, you can say you're not a drinker, Hot Spot, but your actions speak louder than words!" Seriously, he's fighting over a sill, and Redshift just force fed the Protectobot some energon! "How does hypocracy taste?" She cracks the whip again. Combat: Catechism strikes Hot Spot with her Whiplash Whirlwind attack! [Pulled -1] Okay, that's better now that he's had a chance to get his systems back in proper sync. The bots almost oust control of the sill, but it looks like Red really REALLY likes his booze and doesn't want to give it up. Taking advantage of height from the overpass, Polarity leaps down, trying to land on Hoist's back and get an arm around his neck. "Don't forget about me!" Combat: Polarity strikes Hoist with his A Seeker attacking melee? OMGWTF! (Punch) attack! After Round Nine: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Redshift (0) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass Polarity (2) Accuracy D Dust Storm No one Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== Hoist punches the air with his fist, "A most agreeable result, precision is applicable to more than just constructive skills." Hoist in some respects is quite lucky he doesn't have to carry lots of equipment around all the time it's all built into him unfortunately it's probably why he's not exactly light on his feet. Polarity leaps on him and scrabbles at his neck but his well built and maintained design doesn't give much, "Hey no passengers!" Hoist uses his strength and bulk to just stands still holding up the additional weight with little problem as he alters his multi tool/weapon once more and fires, "Don't worry Hot Spot we can show them what's what!" Combat: Hoist strikes Redshift with his Laser attack! Gears descends from the Sky above New Cybertron Highway above. Gears has arrived. With Redshift grabbing his head, with surprise, and forcing the bottle into his gullet, the sweet tasting energon was pouring down inside of Hot Spot. The energon starts to mess with his systems, starting to be in a drunken state. He fights off, being released from Redshift's arm, but with half of that engergon from the battle inside of him. Hot Spot shakes his head, "I'm ain't a drinker.. cuz that stuff messes up my functions! Makes my job more.. *hiccup*.. difficult." He takes another bottle from the shelf and throws it at Redshift. Combat: Hot Spot sets his defense level to Protected. Combat: Hot Spot challenges Redshift for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Redshift defeats Hot Spot staring contest! Redshift is shot by Hoist again, the blast searing through one of his wings pretty badly. That'll definatly slow him down. Things are looking fairly grim, with the Autobots fighting so fiercely to remove Redshift from his comandeered still full of precious intoxicating nectar. He catches hot Spot's tossed bottle, and takes another swig of good ol' liquid courage! "Thankshs, Spot! I needed another drink!" Combat: Redshift remains in control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Catechism smirks. As far as she's concerned, Redshift can make Hot Spot's job difficult any time. She shouts some encouragement to Redshift, "Yes, you are the best rumrunner in all of the Empire! Keep chugging, Redshift. Do Astrotrain and Blitzwing proud." Catechism grins and beams. Combat: Catechism inspires Redshift with righteous and menacing words! Polarity huffs as even with him trying to cling to the guy Hoist manages to shoot at Redshift -and- hit him. Guh. "Just hang in there guys! The Empire needs that booze!" He leaps off Hoist's back and takes to the air, and tries to do a bit more to get the maintenance mech's attention. Since using his hands didn't work, he tries to form a magnetic ring around Hoist's neck and squeeze down upon him that way. "Excuse me while I try to get a head, hah!" Combat: Polarity strikes Hoist with his Magnetic Chokehold attack! [Pulled -2] Combat: Polarity's attack has strange and mysterious effects on Hoist. Hoist is concerned that Redshift still isn't giving up his position, most likely just being stubborn rather than using any common sense, "Now look here, you just wait your turn, i'll deal with you once this red fellow has been sorted out to my satisfaction." With the force choke being applied, Hoist scrabbles at his throat with his one hand as it starts to buckle but doesn't give, "You are becoming most dis...agreeable..." Hoists head swims and he seems to move as if in slow motion never the less he decides to go ahead and press the attack. Combat: Hoist's Twin Blaster attack on Redshift goes wild! Combat: Hoist strikes himself with his Twin Blaster attack! Hot Spot can see two Redshift's in his vision. "Oh noes.. two Redshifts? I gotta stop one of them, or we ain't gonna win!" the Protectobot says in a drunken tone, being wobbly. He steps backwards, to avoiding falling down on the ground, and charges towards Redshift - well, one of the two he sees. Combat: Hot Spot challenges Redshift for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Redshift staring contest! Combat: Hot Spot takes control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Catechism breaks out laughing with delight when Hoist shoots himself. She loves it when they do that! Catechism twists her wrist just so, trying to flick the whip through a window and ensnare Hot Spot with her whip, so that she can drag him out of the hideout with a yank of her arm. She sets her feet firmly into the ground since Hot Spot is a rather big haul. Is Catechism angling for more than she can catch? Combat: Catechism strikes Hot Spot with her Whiplash Whirlwind attack! Redshift is bowled over by Hot Spot's drunken brawling, and there's little he can do. However, his hefty doses of extra energon and Catechism's praise keeps his spirits high, so he keeps on with the contest of 40 oz fortitude! Still on the floor, he rummages through the refuse for a lost bottle, and he chugs it back in a very messy fashion! (drinking paying down isn't easy) Combat: Redshift challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Redshift staring contest! Polarity laughs with sadistic glee when thanks to his crushing force messing with his systems Hoist hurts himself instead of Redshift, catcalling "Quit shooting yourself; quit shooting yourself!" mockingly as he lets the magnetic grip go. Bah, looks like Red's getting too boozed up to resist properly. "Gotta do everything myself." Grabbing one of the hooch barrels between his hands, he tries glares at Hot Spot. And then tries to bust the barrel over his head. Combat: Polarity challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Polarity staring contest! After Round Ten: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Hot Spot (0) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass No one Accuracy D Dust Storm No one Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== Hoist yelps as he manages to shoot himself, his slowed movement causing him to fire before his arm had time to extend fully, "Might have known you cons would start playing dirty. Well if that's how it is i'm going to play nice." Hoist ignores the Decepticons and rushes over to Hot Spot, his multi tool cycling as he approaches, "Hold still a moment and i'll have you feeling like new." Combat: Hoist quickly patches up some of Hot Spot's minor injuries. With that whip of Catechim's grabing his leg, Hot Spot falls to the ground. The whip pulls him through the counter, but not through the wall as he grabs one of the stools to hold onto. He tries to untangle the whip from his leg so he can be released. However, he looks up and sees Polarity with a barrel in his hands, going to strike him with it. Hastely, with his left hand, Hot Spot releases himself from the whip. Pulling the stool out of its place, he uses it to prevent the barrel from hitting his head, the barrel breaking itself on the metal stool instead. He hastely gets back up and returns behind the counter, ducking underneath it to prevent further attacks. Combat: Hot Spot remains in control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Gears has disconnected. Redshift crawls up off the floor, using a crude stool to steady himself. He wavers on his feet, and glares blearily at the stump where he used to have a hand. "Huh, forgot I losst that for a bit." He mutters, and then looks at hot Spot, strutting around like he own the joint. Redshift pulls up the chair, and gloweres unsteadily at the blurry image of Hot Spot. The red space then grabs a bottle, and pours two deep shots, one for himself, one for Hot Spot. "I ain't leavin' until one of us drinksuh themselfes dead!" He slurs, and pounds back the shot. Combat: Redshift challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Redshift staring contest! Catechism has Hot Spot grabbed with her whip, so now she ties to drag him out of the hideout through the window. This is probably a stupid idea, given their relative sizes, weights, and the lack of power in her arm servos. However, she tries anyway, because if they don't get the Autobots out of here soon, they might not be able to do so at all! Combat: Catechism challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Catechism staring contest! "Slaggit!" Polarity curses as the barrel smashs and the contents are spilt all over the floor. "That was perfectly good enerbooze you made me waste." Hm. Maybe he's not drunk enough for this to work. Grabbing a jug, he takes a swig of it. ".. Mmm, not bad. A little strong though." And then he crouchs down so he can glare at Hot Spot under the counter, gets right up close, almost optic to optic. "BURRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAP!" And then belchs loudly and odorifically right in his face. Combat: Polarity challenges Hot Spot for control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Combat: Hot Spot defeats Polarity staring contest! Hoist finishes up his quick repairs and turns his attention back to the Decepticons, "Well, now you have my complete attention, so which one of you wants to go first?" The Decepticons don't pay Hoist any attention instead they all appear to be trying to oust big blue, "Well that is really quite rude! Well i'm not one to look a gift turbohorse in the mouth so...!" Hoist takes aim at Redshift again, clearly a hardened drinker he's the big threat here. Combat: Hoist strikes Redshift with his Twin Blaster attack! Hot Spot does stand up from his hiding place. "We's are gonna take this location! And yous Decepticons cannot have it!" And being wobbly, he falls down to the ground, avoiding all three attacks from the Decepticons trying to knock him out of his spot. Laying on the ground, he places his hand over his head, feeling all dizzy. "Well, I Hot Spots cans lay here for nows." Combat: Hot Spot remains in control of capture point B - Bootlegger's Hideout. Catechism stomps her foot, frustrated, and calls, "It's no use - curses! We've been foiled again. Decepticons, retreat!" She tries to grab Redshift with her whip to drag him away from the booze, flips into her jet mode, hovers up, and blasts off. Catechism may well be dragging Redshift along behind her. Catechism transforms to her jet mode, which is quite astoundingly simple for the coneheaded model that she is. Combat: XF-35B Astral Lightning begins retreating, outrunning all pursuit. Polarity huffs. Oh well. He really cares more that he got a fight than anything else, though territory claim would of been nice as well. Alas, not that way sometimes. Quickly he snatchs up a few more bottles, stuffing them in his cockpit. "But I'm having a few for the road!" Then transforms and takes off after Catechism. Combat: Polarity sets his defense level to Protected. With the familiar click-clacking sound the Seeker becomes a F-15E Strike Eagle jet! Combat: F-15E Strike Eagle begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from XF-35B Astral Lightning "Nooo, my booze!" Redshift moans, trying to grab a few bottles of the hard stuff while Catechism drags him away by the feet with her whip. "You -hic!- Autobots have won this time, but we'll be back!" Combat: Redshift begins retreating, leaving himself vulnerable to parting shots from XF-35B Astral Lightning and F-15E Strike Eagle Hoist justr stops and watches as the Deepticons make their hurried retreat the area secured and still in Autobot hands, if a little worse for wear. Hoist will likely be back once he's repaired to help fix things, "That will show you ruffians brains beats brawn every time!" Hot Spot reaches the counter with his right hand and uses it to help him get off the ground. Looking around the place, he notices no Decepticon in sight. "We have won, Hoists. We gonnna go now and do somethin' for our victory here, comradez," he says to Hoist. Polarity rises upward to the Sky above New Cybertron Highway. Polarity has left. ================================= Decepticon ================================= Message: 2/136 Posted Author AAR: Koriolis Desert Fri Feb 26 Catechism ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Text Only Polarity and I encountered both Scattershot and Hot Spot in the Koriolis Desert. Redshift and Hoist arrived as reinforcements on both sides, but despite Redshift's prowess as a rumrunner and Polarity's forcefield, we were unsuccessful in anything except getting inebriated. My recommendation is to send in Astrotrain and Blitzwing next time. End of File ============================================================================== After Round Eleven: ====================[ Capture Points in Koriolis Desert ]===================== Name In Control (Rounds) Fight Factor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Watering Hole No one Energon B Bootlegger's Hideout Hot Spot (2) Endurance C Crumbling Overpass No one Accuracy D Dust Storm No one Courage E Dry Riverbed Scattershot (2) Firepower ============================================================================== B - Autobot win.
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