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| - Transformers: 2005 - Fortress Maximus - Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 8:38 PM After weeks of searching, the Autobot search and rescue team dispatched to find the missing crew members of the Archa-Yau has finally yielded two different planets where they could've possibly went. Fortress Maximus is leading a seperate team to investigate the other planet, while the rest of the Autobots (you guys!) are sent to investigate the planet of Armeni. While entering orbit they receive a distress call from the planet's surface and land in one of the Knossoians' secret goverment air bases, akin to Earth's Area 51 equivilant. A tall, Cybertronian-sized alien shaped like that alien from ET walks in to greet the Autobots, "Thank you so much for coming to our assistance. I am Woogbam and... err, how may we address you lot?" Clutch has arrived. Crosshairs has brought the S&R ship into close orbit, and after having had a study or two of the planet taken has ordered planetfall! And so, he emerges at a walk. His appearance is much as it always is, with Pinpointer walking along side of him; but there is an air of caution and carefulness about him that is not normally present. He halts, gesturing to his right. "Chief Armorer Crosshairs, Autobot Operations Division. That's Loadout, Rewind, Specter, Warpath and Clutch." His right hand gestures towards each of them. "Now, if'n y'don't mind . . Woogbam, was it . . we're a blunt folk. What can we do for y'all, today?" Warpath salutes as he disembarks. "Yeah, POW, what seems to be the trouble? Do we need to ZAP, beat up some Decepticons?" He takes his place beside Crosshairs as he waits for the explanation. Loadout stands by as he's introduced along with all the others, looking very much like he's just sitting there and watching quietly, but his optic visor taking it all in, particularly the alien that has come aboard. He does manage to lift one hand in acknowledgement as he's seeing to the shutting down of excess power systems on the ship for the moment. If it's not going anywhere, no need to be wasting extra energy for no reason. Not to be the odd mech out, Specter follows suit.. snapping to attention and giving a curt nod alongside a quick salute. Staying quiet for now, the albino Autobot allows the others to voice their questions for him instead. Rewind walks with the rest of their crew. He stays quiet as Crosshairs does the introductions, instead he is listening for any communications from the lost crew from the Archa-Yau even as he attempts contact to them himself. Flipping through frequencies to ping each one and listen for a reply. Secretly wishing Blaster were here to handle that sort of thing. But he'd have to do in the mech's stead. Blue Sportscar heads off the ramp with the others, then transforms into his car mode and drives ahead a bit. Not out of sight or even speaking range, but giving his sensors just a little bit more range in that direction - and hopefully giving the Autobots that much more warning if something unexpected comes from thata direction. Loadout twitches a little bit. JUST a hair as he's referred to as 'the weakest' on the radio. It's not that it isn't -true- but, ouch. Bah, he'll see who's laughing when everyone else is unconscious from lack of energy and he's still going strong! Woogbam bends over backwards and clamps his hands together and wiggles it a bit. It... looks like their species' method of a formal greetings. Ah, the joys of interspecies contact. "It is a pleasure to meet you all, Autobots. I am grateful for you all." The alien's large eyes sweeps across the room, looking at each and every Autobot present. Soon Woogbam gestures for the other Autobots to follow while verbally explaining the situation along the way, "As I'm sure you know, there is an asteroid field located uncomfortably close to Armeni. From time to time the planet's gravitational pull would attract wayward asteroids and they usually are handled by the planetary defenses..." Eventually they end up in the command base with a large monitor displaying a BIG chunk of asteroid with a projected trajectory coming right smack towards one of Armeni's most populated areas, "Unfortunately the latest one is of a size far outside of our estimations. Our defenses cannot repel asteroids of this magnitude! Is there anything your people can help us?" Combat: Cybertronian All Terrain Tech Truck is size 5, significantly smaller than you. Specter gives a slight nod for affirmation, then breaks the opposite way that Clutch had departed. Data-pad held aloft in hand, the scout runs a reading of outlying areas and keeps a careful gaze in the other direction. Something doesn't settle right, deep down in what could be described as a Transformer's gut. Rewind cocks his head a bit at the 'Loadout is the weakest' comment as well, exchanging a glance with the mech and rolling his shoulders in a shrug. The cassette bot isn't about to argue semantics in front of the Knossoians. He does as he is told on top of what he was already doing, encryting their channel usage to keep things under their control as much as possible. "Big one." he murmurs. "You want us to BLAM, blow something up? Well, that's my specialty!" Warpath says, "We'll make sure your asteroid is POW, nothing but little crumbs!" Cybertronian All Terrain Tech Truck keys a transmission over his radio as he listens to what Woogbam has to say. He nods, once or twice. It's not a difficult request to answer considering their cargo manifest, especially since it is seemingly the right thing to do. Politely, he holds his hand out to Woogbam in the standard expectant hand shake pose while he waits to see if the alien understands. Then, once the gesture is accepted or rejected he begins to step along with the individual while he looks at the monitor. "Moment." He says; offering the request to Loadout via radio as he poses more questions. "That's a big one." He echoes from Rewind. "How long have y'all known about it coming?" Pinpointer ejects from Crosshair's turret mount as the Autobot's vehicle form spins sideways as though in an involuntary roll. But it is not a crash as his legs unfold from beneath the vehicle and his arms emerge. As his head pops into position, Pinpointer is caught in Crosshairs' waiting right arm. The Autobot targetmaster duo are now in Robot mode! Crosshairs keys a transmission over his radio as he listens to what Woogbam has to say. He nods, once or twice. It's not a difficult request to answer considering their cargo manifest, especially since it is seemingly the right thing to do. Politely, he holds his hand out to Woogbam in the standard expectant hand shake pose while he waits to see if the alien understands. Then, once the gesture is accepted or rejected he begins to step along with the individual while he looks at the monitor. "Moment." He says; offering the request to Loadout via radio as he poses more questions. "That's a big one." He echoes from Rewind. "How long have y'all known about it coming?" Loadout stayed behind on board the ship, of course, while the others went with their designated 'guide'. He -was- using the sensors to have a look around the area, picking up what information he could find, but it isn't long before Crosshairs' request is coming through, and he's soon panning the sensitive dish skywards, probing into deep space again. Yes, he's scanning for the asteroid in question...though he's also taking a good look around the area as well. It's not that he's the suspicious type he's just...thorough. Specter falls back to cover both quadrants, one that was left unmonitored by Clutch's absence. Linking up with Loadout via the main on-board computer systesm, the albino Autobot sends a curt question. "Are any readings coming back, out of the.. ordinary?" Blue Sportscar is halfway back to the shuttle when he hears the 'revised' orders. He emits a little good-natured grumbling, but continues on his way. It doesn't take him very long to reach the shuttle, and once there he looks at Loadout. "The sooner we get started, the quicker we'll be done," he offers. Rewind hangs out with Loadout since that was what he was told to do, switching the frequency of encryption every few minutes to keep the inter-Bot comms private. He moves to head back inside the ship to assist Loadout in any way he can. "Comms are clear so far. No attempts to hack into them. No sign of our missing crew yet either, but I'm pinging the frequencies as fast as I can. Clutch transforms into robot mode! Warpath goes where Crosshairs tells him, which is right beside him. "So, now what are we going to ZAM, do? Aim cannons from here, or ZOOM, take off and fire them in space?" Encore has arrived. Loadout steps back from the console when he's satisfied that he's seen all that he needs to see, making his way back to the storage area and using some of the on-board loading equipment to set the long barrel of one of the weapons onto an available trailer. "Not exactly leaving me much time to get familiar with the local circuitry, but it wouldn't be the first time I've had to improvise." As Clutch arrives, Loadout is already transforming, dropping down to his four large roadwheels since...well, he may not be the strongest around but he's still a truck and has a trailer hitch, which he latchs onto the container behind him and starts pulling away. "Let's get this to the headquarters then, shall we?" He even opens his driver's side door so Rewind can get aboard as he descends the shuttle's ramp and moves to catch up. Fanfare has arrived. Parts fold inwards, Loadout's body compacts into a blockier shape and previously hidden roadwheels emerge on his body as he transforms into an armored offroad Cybertronian truck. Clutch walks a few steps after (probably checking to make sure nothing is dragging behind), then transforms and follows Loadout. Occasionally he accelerates and pulls ahead, then moves to the other side and slows to let Loadout pass him again. Clutch transforms into sportscar mode! The result of the sensor readings in the area will come out normal and nothing out of the ordinary with the exception of a few hangars that lined with sensor blocking materials, not strong enough for Autobot sensor technology to be impeded but inside there's just nothing more than fancy space fighter jets. Obviously any sane military base would want to keep that secret. Woogbam stares at Crosshairs' extended hand for a moment... pausing for a moment as he tries to understand the meaning behind the gesture but eventually just goes along and accepts the hand shake, "As you can see. We have a crisis on our hands. Our only cruiser burnt its engines out trying to alter the course of the asteroid, the inertia is simply too great to overcome." As the Autobots begin talking about sensor scans, Woogbam looks visibly distressed, maybe it's because he feels that they're losing their privacy? He doesn't make a comment about though, wisely so given his situation, "We calculate that this asteroid impact will make half of the planet uninhabitable. We were knew it was coming a standard galaxy month ago but all of our plans to deal with the asteroid has failed. We've sent for help to the Knossoian homeworld but they won't make it in time." Folding down and around, Fanfare transforms from a Realistic Silver Duct Tape CF-130 Super Hercules into his robot mode. Fanfare steps out after Loadout, grinning at his brother as he simply picks up one of the last crates "On foot or do ye want tae load me up an' escort me baby bro? " he asks his brother, glancing to his new paint jobbed arm happily. Rewind hops up into the open cockpit of Loadout, "Nothing politically hot huh? Interesting." he comments. Once inside he let's Loadout handle the door closing as he continues to flip through radio frequences, pinging them and waiting for any reply from the lost crew while simultaneously encrypting the inter-Bot comm and changing that frequency every few minutes. "Something going BANG louder than Warpath, maybe should let the mech fire off the cannon so he doesn't get envious." he notes with a chuckle. Encore steps out from the ship beside his brother, looking around at the surface of the world. He offers both hands to his brother, one containing two Victory Dance cigars, the other clenched into a fist. "Sounds good to me bruv." He agrees, with a nod. "Let's take it to the skies an' express deliver. Loadout, you ready to fly the Suicide Jockey Express?" Armored Truck rumbles on past Encore and Fanfare as he keeps towing the trailer with the cannon behind him. "No need, gentlemen, the headquarters we're going to is actually within walking distance. However, we -will- require you both to lift and align this piece of equipment once we're there, so I will see you both there shortly." And true to his word, Loadout leads, or follows in the little 'convoy' that leaves the shuttle and travels the relatively short distance up to the HQ building where Crosshairs is waiting. It's only then that he unhitches from the trailer as he comes up near the other Autobots, then transforms and rises up once more. "Now, first things first. I'll need to access a computer." Armored Truck transforms AFTER he lets Rewind out, of course. Splitting down the middle followed by spinning in the center, Loadout unfolds into his Robot mode. Fanfare shuffles the crate under one silver arm as he takes the Victory Dance and then fistbumps with the other one, moving to clench the cig in his teeth as he looks at Loadout "Aye aye then!" he states, then looks to his brother "LEt's rock out!" he notes, turning on some Greg Kihn Band as he headbobs his way after Loadout. Rewind hops out of Loadout once they have arrived. "Let me know if you want an assist Loadout." the cassette bot offers politely. A quick frequency flip for the inter-Bot channel that he sends out via private comm to the others so they know what to switch to as he moves out of the bigger mechs' way. Still a ways from the main group of Autobots, Specter still keeps an optic about him.. in case anything might 'pop' out of the woodwork. A few alien technicians frees up a computer terminal, "We've been instructed to make available one of our computer terminals for your people to use." Encore glares at his brother slightly. "Don't get all premature on me, man." He warns. "Put a hex on the whole bastard thing..." He saunters after Loadout, waving to the others as he stashes the Victory Dance into his hat-band. A more normal cigar is produced - and a second for Fanfare. "Smoke this if you gotta." Fanfare pffts "Ah'm nae gonna light up. Ye know ah'd never doom the mission by doing that! Just needed two 'ands' tae carry the box, an' ah've nae lid like ye!" he notes to his brother easily with a smile, taking out the cig again to replace it with the other one as he carefully puts the box down with a dull *BOOM* "Ohh. Ah like this song " it was Slip Kid, by Who. Crosshairs emits a 'hmm' sound as he listens to Woogbam, nodding as the other speaks. His expression has gone neutral as he taps his audial to indicate that he's busy talking on his radio for a moment. It's hard to say what he's thinking. He puts his hands behind the small of his back after he finishes his speech. He offers no sign that he disbelieves Woogbam, but he doesn't offer any sign of actually believing him either. He pulls a datapadd from subspace and types a few notes on it. "We're settin' up one of our Megacannons to look after it. We'll just patch ourselves into the defense computer there, once we finish our scans." He stresses the word scans very, very subtly. As Encore and Fanfare come by, Crosshairs holds out his hand. "Got one of those for yer boss, Fella?" He asks Encore. Then back to Woogbam. "We'll need all of yer telemetry data . . an' full access to the computer core, if'n ya don't mind." He then hands it off -- the datapadd -- to Specter, nonchalantly in the same gesture. As ordered, the sleek scout doublebacks and timidly paces up to Crosshairs. Without being addressed or acknowledged -directly-, Specter accepts the datapad and slinks back to his original position. That is, until no one's noticing.. Combat: Specter slips into the shadows and out of sight... Loadout walks up to the indicated computer terminal, nodding quickly. "Yes, I should be able to make do with this." He stands in front, and extends both hands forward....the sudden sound of transformation filling the air as his arms reconfigure themselves and then plug-in and merge with the computer terminal itself. You don't see transformation technology like -that- too much anymore, but then again it's no secret that Loadout is a design from a loooong ago bygone era. A holographic interface appears in front of him as he kind of 'zones out'. Data streams by his face as 1's and 0's, until a sudden and VERY disturbed look crosses his features for just a split second, then fades as quickly as it had appeared. Encore pulls out both a Victory Dance and a normal cigar, offering both to Crosshairs. He indicates the Dance very carefully. "Don't light up until the fat lady sings, you understand?" He stresses. "Not until the mission's complete and we're all on our way home safe." Then he looks over at Loadout. "What'cha need us to do, boss?" Blue Sportscar pulls up next to Loadout, transforming and then standing around, ready to provide heavy lifting if required but otherwise watching the alien techs with interest and Woogbam. Clutch transforms into robot mode! Rewind peers at what Loadout just did and chuckles. "I just so had a flash back to Robocop for a moment there." Still flipping through the frequences one by one to ping them and listen for any ping back. So far no reply ping has come back to him. Woogbam listens to Crosshairs' list of requests, nodding to each of them until the part about the computer core. He pauses for a moment, and turns around to give one of his subordinates a subtle nod, before turning his attention back to the Autobot, "Done, we will provide you with the facilities that you have requested." With that said, one of Woogbam's subordinates leaves the room, perhaps he's there to process one of Crosshairs' requests? The aliens thus far have not yet noticed that Specter has goen out of sight. Darn that sneaky bum! Fanfare bobs a little bit as he starts to uncrate the cannons, rocking to 'Lost in America' next as he starts to get ready to mount the weapons. With a grin, he flicks a packing peanut at his brother. Crosshairs actually doesn't give Woogbam, or his associate, much time to respond. "I'm glad." He says. "Cause we've already jacked in an' are gettin' what we need at the moment. You'll have t'forgive us if'n we're intrudin' and all. Just tryin' to help you and get on our way. Now, speakin' of which, I'm goin' to go supervise the installation. Why don't ya come with me?" Gently, his hand aims at the small of Woogbam's back as he attempts to gesture him gently towards Encore. "This is Sergeant Encore, an' is a good friend of mine. He's a musician an' all, and on t'way to the computer core, he can keep ya company an' tell you lots 'bout our choice of drinks and music. That's his brother, Fanfare, there." "Encore, Fanfare. Look after Mister Woogbam here, an' keep him company on his walk to the core room where Loadout an' I are gonna be." Rewind cocks his head, looking up at the middle of Loadout's back and hmming softly. "Eh not sure if I could pull that off." he mutters, figuring the other mech is too entrenched in the data code to really hear him. Encore sins along. "I can't get a job 'cause I can't go to school!" he headbangs. "I can't get a girl cuz I ain't got a car! I can't get a car cuz I ain't got a job-" He stops when his name is called, saluting when he hears the addition of 'sergeant'. He listens carefully and saunters up to Woogbam. "Yessir!" He calls out cheerfully. "If you'd like to walk this way, Mr. Woogbam - tell me 'bout your people, please. I ain't met you folks before, an' I like 'earin' about new people. Or, if you 'ave any questions, sir, I'm quite 'appy to answer 'em." Loadout still has that faraway look as his optic visor keeps reflecting the datastreams as twisting lines that keep curving upwards. Plugged in as he is, his arms transformed and ALMOST looking kind of like a pair of Rumble's piledrivers right now...if they were interfaced with a computer system, anyway. He hasn't so much as said a word to the tapebot all this time until finally... "Rewind, do me the favor of transforming and plugging into this system as well would you? I have a direct download of the...data, I wish to put on you for reference." Fanfare peers at Loadout curiously, then his brother, then the incoming Crosshairs as he finishes unpacking the first Cannon and hefts one end out, walking it almost upright "Awright. Errr, where i s this goin'?" Rewind inclines his head and transforms, flipping through the air and landing inside anything that will accept this cassette form... failing that there's always just downloading directly. "Ready when you are Loadout." he comms to the mech and then flicks the inner-Bot comm traffic one more time and sends out the new frequency. He opts for ceasing the frequency search and ping process for now so he can focus more fully upon the task at hand. Rewind compresses and folds inward until he becomes a cassette. Combat: Encore is size 7, a lot smaller than you. With all the commotion, people coming too and fro, cannons being loaded and unloaded, systems being interfaced.. Specter is quite easily lost amid the rush, it also helps that their host is pratically hand-held to look the other way. Keeping to the outer edges of the facility, Specter slinks along at a calm pace. Investigating friendlies was actually one of his first quirks, after rediscovery. It's the reason his reintegration into society took longer than it should have, he was too busy studying his targets and honing his skills of stealth. Both quirks have paid off today. The shielded building in question is finally reached, the albino Autobot slips into the rear entrance and out of sight. Woogbam does his species' equivilant of arching a brow at Crosshairs but follows along over to Encore nevertheless. He looks up at the slightly taller Autobot that he's introduced to, "Uhm. Are you certain there's nothing I can do to coordinate my own staff to help speed up efforts here?" The alien looks concerned at the situation but inevitably gives up and begins filling in Encore on BORING details of Knossoians. Now that Woogbam is being 'entertained' by Encore and possibly Fanfare, Crosshairs wastes no time -- transforming into vehicle mode and roaring off; transforming at the last moment to slide towards Loadout. His hand reaches out for the other's access port and a faraway look comes into his optics as he begins recieving the data that the other is currently accessing as instructed. Of course, he transforms again during the 'slide' Loadout's port on the middle of his back serves as an access point for Crosshair's hand, merging around with his forearm in the process. Data now flows freely between -three- Autobots, because not only is Loadout replaying to Crosshairs what he's seen, he's recording it onto Rewind at the same time. Like it was said... He's not paranoid, but he -is- thorough. Fanfare frowns in confusion, then shrugs and turns up some Billy Squier as he grunts, hefting up the cannon as he carefully walks it towards where what looks like a Cannon-mount arm. Cassette looks at the download and stifles a verbal reaction. He instead analyzes what he is seeing, looking for any sort of video tricks or signs of tampering. He private comms to Loadout and Crosshairs, Encore listens carefully and nods, his expression interested. He asks intelligent questions about the people, and then launches into a long-winded and a little bit entertaining tale of his and Fanfare's exploits back on Cybertron, before he blew himself up. All the while, he leads Woogbam slowly in the direction Crosshais vanished off in, happily toking away on his cigar. "And honestly I don't think you can help, boss. We're quick workers." Cassette folds outward and expands into the form of Rewind. Fanfare pauses again as he considers this, looking sheepish a moment. THen he slings the cannon over one arm and goes to stand just around the corner of where his Brother and Woogbam went, intending to just fall into place beside them casually as they came back the way they'd gone.He lights up the Non Victory Dance cigar at the same time and dialled up some Hells' Bells, though he held it on apuse for now as he grins widely. Encore carefully invading his personal space, Encore attempts to steer Woogbam towards the square infront of the vessel, even nudging the alien if needed. He gives his brother a quiet nod and fistbump behind Woogbam's back, just the quiet clang of metal on metal. "If you'll just step this way, Mister Woogbam, I'd like to introduce you ta my brother Fanfare. Don't worry, 'e's as 'ard as I am, an' we'll look after you no worries." Clutch transforms into sportscar mode! Warpath is eager to blow up the asteroid. He only wishes he could do it with the shells from his own tankbarrel. "So what are we ZOW, waiting for?" he wonders. Rewind transforms back to root mode and inclines his head toward Crosshairs, ready to head back to the ship with him and Loadout. He does another frequency change that he encrypts and private comms that out to the others so they stay on the same channel. he private comms to the 'team leader' Crosshairs directly. Blue Sportscar cruises on towards the forward turret as directed, moving at looks like a liesurely pace that nonetheless eats up the distance to his destination quickly and smoothly. Once he's in place he transforms once again, spends a moment looking around nonchalantly and then leaning against the turret seat while he peers out of the viewport, as if he's studying something outside and just came this close to the turret controls for a better view. Encore also surrepticiously draws the Bofors rifle Fanfare just holds the Giant Cannon like a boombox on one shoulder. That's mechly enough for most folk. Crosshairs stands up, breaking the connection with Loadout and Rewind as he switches to private comms with Loadout and Rewind. << Affirmative. >> He says to Eject. His voice is tense, over the point to point communications. << In due time. I don't wanna do what I've got in mind without the general consensus of the troops, so I'm gonna poll people. Plus . . I wanna hear some explanations from that rat sluggo first, and I know jus' how to get it from him. >> He begins to walk towards the spot, gesturing for Loadout and Rewind to come. << You two, come up with the fastest virus you've ever written. an' do it in your heads via tightbeam. I've faith y'all can do it. When this all goes down, you'll be responsible for gettin' that data deleted. Somethin' self replicatin' that can spread through their entire system net. >> Loadout disengages from the computer terminal finally, his arms transforming back to normal again as he briefly shakes off the flow of data from his optic sensors. Following after the others, his optic visor pales for a moment before returning to its previous glow. A -virus-? Just like that, out of the blue? Well it's not that he doesn't have the idea of how they work...he's a technician, afterall and computers are something he's quite familiar with. Still, he -was- able to get into classified data as it was, and he wasn't even trying at the time either. So it shouldn't be hard, in theory, to put something like that into somewhere important in their networks. Still, this isn't the sort of work he's accustomed to needing to do, if it becomes necessary...he's a medic, not a destroyer of systems! Nonetheless, he keeps quiet, frowning to himself as he falls into step. Rewind rubs his hands together and nods to Crosshairs, he comms to the mech then begins conferring with Loadout on a virus that's going be as ugly and nasty as they can get in as fast the two can slap it together. Woogbam reluctantly follows Encore's lead. It sucks being the unofficial "ambassador" to a bunch of walking tin can robots. Once Woogbam sees Fanfare, he does his best to force a smile across his own face, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Is the guy getting nervous over his planet's predicament, or is something else on his mind? Who knows?! Fanfare grins widely "Yo." he says simply, his voie deep and booming. Its been a while since he's gotten to intimidate someone. After the last few days, he'd better get no lip from Grimlock about being unwilling to 'fight'. He cradles the huge Cannon easily as he walks along casually. As Crosshairs, Encore and Eject get closer to the appropriate spot, the old weaponsmith simply steps into an apparently pre-arranged spot and casually draws his rifle -- behind Woogbam's back, of course. Crosshairs is going to let Encore do the talking, for now. Warpath helps surround Woogbam. He doesn't like what he's hearing at all, though it's impossible to tell if he's scowling or not, behind that faceplate. He glares suspiciously at him. Right now he's just blocking the alien's way. Slipping out to the structure just as carefully as he slipped in, Specter stalks back towards Crosshairs and the others. The sight was sickening, one akin to seeing a frog splayed and torn apart during an amature science class.. only that instead of a frog, it was a full crew of Cybertronians. And instead of some guts pulled out, well.. you get the idea. A bitter expression is worn on the scout's face, one that's usually devoid of emotion. For one so untrained in dealing with emotions, it's hard to hide them now.. in this time of distress. Combat: Specter appears from the shadows... As Crosshairs, Encore and Rewind get closer to the appropriate spot, the old weaponsmith simply steps into an apparently pre-arranged spot and casually draws his rifle -- behind Woogbam's back, of course. Encore places a huge hand firmly on Woogbam's shoulder. "And you, SunnyJjim, aren't going anywhere." To re-inforce the point, there's a huge rifle butt in his back. "Now, Mister Woogbam, you're gonna start singin'." The Autobot's tone isn't pleasant. It's got a deep growl to it, and his optics are gaining a slight orange hue. Fanfare stands to the right of his brother, still holding up the huge Cannon, other hand underneath it as though holding its' trigger button as he hums, bobbing his head lightly. "Aye!" he agrees with his brother. Rewind comm nudges at Loadout, Loadout stands close with the others, of course. But somewhat to the back of the crowd. He has no rifle to point, not that he would feel all that comfortable pulling it in these circumstances. It's not that he doesn't know what the situation is...he -saw- what he saw in those databanks, so he knows darned well. And certainly he knows just as well that answers need to be gotten. And yet, somehow, to some part of the Autobot technician, it still feels somewhat wrong. "Yes, yes...." he says to Rewind almost absently, sighing and rubbing at his forehead for a moment. "Yes, I think we have something that will do, all the same." Blue Sportscar vaults into the turret and activates the systems, quickly pushing the main power to maximum - and then feeding even more power to the systems. Hopefully anyone with any sort of sensor can tell this is a weapon, and primed and ready to fire. Clutch transforms into robot mode! The moment Woogbam feels the icy cold metallic barrel poking at his back he immediately jumps up in distress, "W-what is the meaning of this?! What's going on?!" The alien's head darts towards all sides and finally realizing that there's an uncomfortable gathering of Autobots. Angry looking Autobots in his vicinity. With Encore's hand on Woogbam's shoulder it becomes clear now that he won't be able to flee anywhere anytime soon, "What do you want?!" Crosshairs says absolutely nothing throughout this, letting Clutch provide the fireworks and letting Encore do the talking. Rewind checks the work that has been done between them and gives a little nod to Loadout. he agrees and stands at ready to provide the virus and/or the video feed that the mech downloaded onto him. I don't recognize that channel. Combat: Crosshairs resupplies Crosshairs with ammunition for his weapons. Encore crouches down to look Woogbam in the air, turning him around to face... well, his massive face. "We know what yer up to, Woogbam. With yer 'shielded buildin' - we got access to your central core and we know what's in there. Start. Squawkin." A dangerous pause. "Or you and I might fall out, and I'd 'ate to 'ave that 'appen, epsecially 'cause I was just startin' to like you. I'm sure you'd 'ate it to 'appen too." Combat: Crosshairs resupplies Encore with ammunition for his weapons. Warpath is incensed by what the aliens have been doing. "You shouldn't be ZAM, doing what you're doing!" he says, fingerpointing at the alien, "So you'd better POW, fess up, or I'll POW, start busting some chops!" Encore twitches slightly at the receipt of the tightbeam transmission, but gives no other sign. Fanfare blinks and looks shocked. He turns to one side to hide the expression, the cannon swinging with it as it held on a bit tighter, the metal creaking audibly. Shielded buildings. Big gun barrel pointed against his back. An ugly angry Autobot in his face. Woogbam clearly does not have balls of steel as his brown alien face pales. The truth is out, and he finally realized why his superiors sent him to speak to these Autobots, "I-i-i was only following orders! I had to provide the facilities, I wasn't in charge of the experiments! Please, you have to believe me!" However even a slime ball can be a patriot, "W-what of Armeni? What of my people? Y-y-you wouldn't just let millions of Knossoians die, would you?!" Fanfare turns back suddenly, his optics white as he stood there, now utterly still. Encore lifts Woogbam up with a growl, his hand wrapped around the waist of the brown-skinned alien. He stands, lifting him right up to his face. "After what you did to our people, Woogbam, what makes you fink any of us actually give a shit about your people?" He asks, his voice very metalic. He takes a pull of his cigar and blows the smoke out at Woogbam. "Tell us everything, and we might 'elp 'em. Who's involved? Where do the orders come from?" Woogbam would've been a bad poker player because he begins squeeling out the names and even the back up data cache that contained secondary data on the hideous experiments carried out on the moment he's carried up by Encore. When he's done though, he goes back to his original concern, "Please, my people! There's no time! I've told you everything I know!" Even now the asteroid is still on its way. You drop Colossal Chunk of Asteroid. Rewind nods and moves over to any computer that's handy to plug in and get to work on checking the guy's credibility. You drop Asteroid Buster Cannon. Armeni(#10497Ten) The surface of Armeni is filled with cities and the planet's overall population of Knossoians numbers into the millions. Mining and technological research are the main economical driving force of this planet. Contents: Asteroid Buster Cannon(#8193) Colossal Chunk of Asteroid(#10248) Fanfare(#406) Encore(#5370) Clutch(#179) Warpath(#1982) Specter(#7917) Rewind(#1184) Crosshairs(#8804) Loadout(#10113) Rewind accesses the personell database and checks for each name listed that the guy blabbed and then comms the results. Encore looks over at Crosshairs and nods, placing Woogbam down. "Go home." He advises. TO re-inforce the point, he applies a swift boot to the alien's rump. "We'll save your people." He then turns to the shielded building and takes his helm off, holding it against his chest with his left hand. His right comes up in a salute to the fallen. He doesn't say a word, he just stands like that for several minutes. Without a moment of hesitation, Specter grabs an trailer hitch.. powered by anti-gravs of course, making it easier for the scout to tow over towards the shielded building. His face is a mask of confusion, seething anger and overwhelming grief for the dead. Thanks a lot Crosshairs! Loadout has said his own piece, his optic visor pulsing rapidly for a moment before he sighs and turns to make his way to the nearest terminal. Since Rewind is handling the virus, the Autobot technician busies himself with the cannon, making a few adjustments and hooking up several power relays to the giant weapon as the barrel tracks skywards, then locks on target. "We are ready to fire at anytime." He still seems troubled at something about all of this, frowning as he takes a half a step back. Encore finally decides to move, re-seating his helmet, clipping the chinstrap into place, and then raising the Bofors gun to his shoulder. He works the action and takes aim at the acility, awaiting the order to fire. Five fat 40mm shells await the order, aimed at one of the facility's main structural members. He stands almost like one might as the firing line at a funeral, his position somehow sombre; he's stood like the stereotypical image of a rifleman. Rewind downloads the virus to the computer then disconnects from it. He steps away from the computer and walks over to join the others. Woogbam would sob like a pansy right about now in joy if he actually had tear ducts to do so, instead he squirrels away out of sight. In the mean time, the tall tale vestige of the incoming asteroid destined to collide with Armeni can now be seen above in the the black night. The asteroid itself is a fiery ball of fire, its surface becoming superheated due to the friction with the air in the atmosphere. Is this the end?! Emerging from the building, each body's remains are handled with the utmost care. Wrapped in what canvas Specter could find in the warehouse, he tries to keep each individual's seperated.. but it's hard when their entrails are strewn about and intercrossed. But as ordered, this is Specter's task.. and so he goes about it with a detached calmness. Loadout takes one last look at the angles to make sure they're right, then proceeds to step back for a moment. A quick backflip later, and Loadout is transforming into that familiar gun-form of his...as he latches on and integrates onto the -top- of the already huge cannon itself. A cannon on top of a cannon? Though given the way the targeting beam suddenly emits outwards, painting into the sky, it's apparent that Loadout has actually become something not unlike a big 'scope'. Loadout shrinks down, parts lock together and his torso spins about as he transforms into an imposing looking heavy cannon. Combat: Ion Assault Cannon sets his defense level to Fearless. Combat: Loadout takes extra time to assist Clutch's next attack. Warpath is pretty steamed. "Well, I guess it's better to POW, bring him to intergalactic Justice, than BLAM, pound him," he says, "Now let's get to busting the Asteroid!" There's nothing better Warpath likes, than seeing things go boom. Rewind is going to let the big mechs handle the big cannons as he keeps up the comm encryptions so the locals won't know what they have been talking about. Encore watches Specter for several moments, then slings the gun up onto his shoulder and walks over, silently offering his aid. if he can offer none, he places a small square of cloth over each one, makrked with the Autobot insignia, and places a Victory Dance ontop of the symbol. Each body, or piece, is then saluted, before Encore turns his attention to the asteroid chunk beginning re-entry. A bow, no more.. no less, is directed at Encore for his aid. Silently Specter drags the trailer up to the S&R craft, dropping the handles directly before the cargo bay doors. "Mission parameters accomplished, sir." he informs Crosshairs, sighting the asteroid with his targetting reticule attached to his forearm. "Relaying tactical information, now." Combat: Specter analyzes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid for weaknesses Clutch can exploit. Rewind snickers at Crosshairs. Crosshairs, upon realizing his thoughts were getting away from him, strides forth and approaches the cannon's control panels. He tinkers for a moment or two, and attaches a couple of wireless access points. Tinkering for a moment or two, he tosses them out in a pile. "Okay, here's the deal. The planatery targeting systems are a little off here, an' require some recharge time between shots -- but I've copied the telemetry to these secondary cores. So, uh . . grab a core, and start firin' in sequence. Y'all have fun with that." Combat: Loadout takes extra time to aim his next attack. Combat: Specter analyzes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid for weaknesses. Ion Assault Cannon isn't at a terminal...for good reason. He's not a very good shot anyway, so he just settles on doing the best he can. Since he's -already- mounted on one of the cannons? He just...opens fire! His shots are a little less powerful than the huge cannons, perhaps. But they're no less dazzlingly pretty! Combat: Ion Assault Cannon strikes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid with his Ionic Blast attack! Combat: Clutch sets his defense level to Fearless. Warpath is happy that he's going to be allowed to help take the asteroid apart. While not with his own shells, this is just as good, if not better! "BAM, BLAM, yeah! Let's blow this asteroid to POW, kingdom come!" Combat: Warpath sets his defense level to Fearless. Clutch takes control of the Asteroid Buster Cannon. At least if he misses and the asteroid crushes them all into so much metal dust...he can die happy, knowing he's fired something called the Asteroid Buster. Combat: Warpath strikes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid with Asteroid Buster Cannon's Cannon Shot attack! Combat: Clutch strikes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid with Asteroid Buster Cannon's Cannon Shot attack! Specter quickly snatches up a core, inputting the firing sequence and synching the information garnered from study of the asteroid's trajectory and makeup. Hitting the enter key, the Autobot winces and tries not to dred the upcoming consequences of what's happened here today. Combat: Sneak Attack!! Combat: Specter strikes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid with Asteroid Buster Cannon's Cannon Shot attack! Large pieces of the asteroid begins to split up under the repeated fires of the asteroid cannon buster and that PESKY ION CANNON on the ground. As these pieces breaks off apart, the fierce air friction rips the rocky fragments into pieces like an angry lion shredding its prey. Encore takes a pull of his cigar and looks up at the asteroid, He smirls slightly, deciding what the hell. He then lets fly with his bofors gun, deciding what the hell - it might work. And if not, then he's firing a farewell salvo to the dead. His Bofors gun shouts five times, sending five small, fat shells at the asteroidal fragment. Combat: Encore strikes Colossal Chunk of Asteroid with his Bofors Rifle attack! Combat: Colossal Chunk of Asteroid is completely disabled. Rewind watches the asteroid break apart piece by piece, the smaller shards breaking up further in the atmosphere. "Nice work!" he calls out. Soon the last fragments of the asteroid burns up in the atmosphere and all is well again, at least for the oblivious Knossoians anyways. Rewind moves over to the computer again to access the databases and check if the virus worked. As soon as he spies the fragmentation in the sky, Crosshairs feels a little bit relieved. That is one thing out of the way -- the smaller fragments will burn up in the atmosphere, and be safe. But there is still something to do. He walks into the S&R ship and comes out a moment later with a large satchel full of square, rectangular devices and dissapears within the 'laboratory'. It takes him some ten minutes to set the incinedary charges, and soon he emerges, face grim, with a control panel in his hand. The old armorer doesn't even look behind him as he thumbs the button, a bass -thrakoom- sound occuring as a rolling plasma fireball consumes the facility; turning anything within into so much metal slag. Rewind finishes his accessing and turns, giving Crosshairs a thumbs up. Clutch climbs out of his turret and goes to help Loadout. After making sure the turret and shuttle are locked with the proper Autobot ID codes of course. Slaggin' untrustworty Armeni. Encore spits out the stub of his old cigar and glares up at the burning chunks of asteroid. Almost angrily, he shakes the Victory Dance from its tube and runs it under his nose, taking a sniff before biting the end off savagely. He chews on the bitten-off stub as he lights up the rest of the Dance, taking a short puff of the cigar. He turns to the container and salutes.. "Fat lady's singin' now, boys. Wherever you are, spark 'em up wherever you are." He reloads the Bofors gun and fires a salvo over the dead Autobots. While behind him, looking all damatic and awesome, the building burns. Encore seems quite subdued as he and Fanfare clomp back onto the shuttle, the Autobot sitting at the far back, next to one of the extractor vents with his Victory Dance. He smokes it slowly, regarding the smoke occasionally then glancing at the container of fallen comrades. Rewind accesses the computer one last time, searching out anything and everything he can find and download to prove what happened here before their arrival. Names of those involved. What atrocities were done to the Bots that they desicrated. Et cetera. Once he's done he disconnects and walks toward the others. Locking the final strap and buckling the trailer down, Specter leans against the rear hatch of the craft as it closes up.. peering out in the distance, at the facility that housed all his comrades pain and torment. Did they make the right call? Should they have leveled the entire planet? Primus knows he's angry enough to, but that's another matter entirely.
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