Transformers: Alone and Unafraid

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:06 am

"You leave in 12 rotations. As all of you should have already figured out, this is not to be discussed with anyone, at anyplace, at anytime outside of HQ briefings. You'll receive additional data downloads over the next 12 rotations. Metalhead will be showing you to where you're staying. Deathstrike stay a moment please. Cavalier, wait outside." Breakout said, clearly dismissing everyone.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:48 am

"Your will," replied Deathstrike.

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:57 am

Cavalier had a feeling that he knew what his discussion with Breakout was going to be about. At this point, he was almost looking forward to it.

Dutiful for once, he walked out of the room and waited outside until Breakout was done with Deathstrike.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:17 am

"As you command," Farshot said as he nodded to Breakout. He then and filed out with the others. Soon, it would be time. His sensor-swarms and main gun would soon be used for both defense and offense.

Farshot nodded to the others in recognition as he left.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:59 am

Another nod to Breakout, and Shimmer joined the exodus. As she passed Cavalier, she just couldn't resist the dig: "you're in trouble" she sing-sang.

She didn't wait for a reply before she sasshayed on down the hall. "So, Cutter, Merka, what have you two been up to the last few solar rotations?"

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:02 am

Cutter nodded, standing and filing out with the other Cybertorians into the hallway. The flier smiled down at Shimmer. "Well, you know how it is, banding together with others, searching the stars, fighting and such." Cutter said. "Course, not everyone I was with made it here."

Post by **Dark Silver** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:35 am

Grindstone inclined his head to Breakout as he rose, "Of course Commander," being his only reply. He was sorting throught he data that had been downloaded to him, slowly digesting each byte of data as if it could reveal anything to him.

He seemed preoccupied in his research, as he stepped out of Breakouts office, and into the hallway.

Lys · Post by **Lys** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:28 pm

Blastcap's circuitry almost skipped a cycle on hearing that Deathstrike was staying in the office. Dare she hope? No, no, that was none of her concern. Besides, there was other business to attend to. Stepping out of the office without a word, she stopped in front of the waiting Cavalier. "I have some questions to ask you about a matter of some importance to me," she said, almost tripping over the roundabout words. "There is an empty conference hall at the end of that hallway. When you're finished with Breakout, please go there, I'll be waiting."

The large combat engineer continued down the hall she had indicated, looking over the data from the briefing. The conference room was indeed empty, and bare. As she thought there were wide windows on one side, but blast shutters blocked the view. Blastcap opened them and stared out at Fortress Optimus. It was a breathtaking view of the sprawling brass city, but she found it merely an improvement over the an empty shuttered room. After some time, and with much trepidation, Blastcap began to slowly open and review all the files related to Axis Station in her memory core. She had hoped to never look upon them again, but it had to be done.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:23 am

"Your will," replied Deathstrike.

"That's the core of the matter." Breakout said once everyone filed out.

"I said this wasn't a democracy and I meant it, but on a mission like this, the commander needs to be willing or it'll be a disaster. I want you in charge. I've been on the other side when you're in charge. You're a hard bot to fight. That's what we'll need out there. That's who I want out there. You won't let the FWA turtle up like most Autobots will. Nor will you let them start attacking before they're ready. The troops will follow you. However, if you don't feel you're the best bot for the job, then I get someone else." Breakout said.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:45 am

The Decepticon warrior rose. "I am Deathstrike. I do not turn away from the tasks put before me. Whether I command myself, a squad, or an empire I will do so to the utmost of my abilities."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:03 am

Shellshock stepped back into Breakout's Finger, his armor newly polished, his paint freshly applied. He'd had to get fixed up again after his last mission. Recon and support for one of their more established allies against a minor incursion. One GDE Decepticon and a whole bunch of their slaves against him and his allies. Long fight, occasionally rather tough, but it was incredible how quickly the fighting had changed once he'd slagged the enemy commander. Some bots still seemed to forget that 20 miles wasn't a safe distance away from him.

Breakout was gonna want the report on it, and word on the grapevine was that he had a new mission for him. R&R was a thing of the past. Stepping onto an elevator he made his way up to the boss's office, idly listening to the elevator music as he traveled up.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:30 pm

Crankcase went straight back to his lab, such as it was. As one of the senior mechanic-engineers in the capital, he often found himself tasked with things like high priority repairs of damaged bots and equipment as well as R&D for the weapons that would make their allies better-suited to fighting the GDE.

His assistant, Gearbox, was swift to report to him. "Sir, how did the meeting go?"

"Fine," Crankcase answered gruffly. "And for Cybertron's sake, don't call me 'sir'. I work for a living."

"Oh, yes, of course," Gearbox answered. He wasn't a bad mechanic bot himself, Crankcase had to admit, but the small cargo hoister bot could get too formal for his tastes at times. Too much time pounding metal at the front with the officer-bots and not enough in the lab.

So, I have to keep my mission secret, but prep Gearbox and these other bots to take over all my vital projects while I'm off to Primus-knows-where. I need a vacation...

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:48 am

"Good. I have Shellshock joining you as soon as he arrives. Pick your XO and arrange your squad as you see fit. By the way, see the mechs before you go, get a check up. I'll speak to them about it. Good Luck Deathstrike." Breakout said standing up and escorting the Warrior out. Despite their shared past, seeing Deathstrike in this state was painful for Breakout, the Con was a warrior who should be treated with respect not as a junkpile. Something like this would be good for Deathstrike he thought. Get him out where he belongs, in the fighting and away from nagging Autobots who were to full of themselves to let go of grudges.

Speaking of grudges and Autobots who were full of themselves.

"Cavalier, get in here." He ordered. Primus aide me, he thought, I could never have been this much trouble for Optimus.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 3:12 am

Deathstrike left Breakout's office and headed down to the maintenance sections.

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 4:15 am

Cavalier rolled his optics dramatically at Shimmer as she walked by, teasing him for being in trouble. As Blastcap walked by, she asked to see him after the impending conversation with Breakout. What this was about was beyond Cavalier, but there was something about Blastcap that rang a faint bell. Unfortunately, there was no time to consider that right now.

Cavalier walked into Breakout's office without a word, and waited for what was guaranteed unpleasant.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 12:12 pm

"We've lost far too many good friends, Cutter," Shimmer answered softly. Not just Autobots -- Shimmer had been on more than one info-gathering mission for the League, and a lot of beings gave their lives for the information brought into Fortress Optimus daily.
"They each knew it was possible, and they each gave their all," yet Shimmer's optics were a little dimmed as she spoke.

She shook it off quickly, returning to upbeat and cheerful. "Last time we saw each other, you promised me a drink. Still up for it after nearly a vorn?"

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Sat Jul 09, 2011 9:59 pm

Stepping off the lift, the large, old bot spotted Shimmer, Merka, and Cutter coming the other way. "The boss is still busy with meetings?"

He looked past them to Breakout's office just in time to see Cavalier walk in. He didn't say anything about it though, simply looked back to the other three bots.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:11 am

Moving with a relaxed, though inexorable pace, Farshot moved from the elevator to the hallway, still thinking about the upcoming mission.

He noticed that three of the Cybertronians who were at the meeting, namely Shimmer, Merka, and Cutter, had run into a 'bot that Farshot hadn't seen in many cycles: Shellshock.

However, Farshot did not stop his pace just yet, preferring for the present to greet them as he passed. "Shimmer, Merka, Cutter," he said in recognition with a nod. "Shellshock," he said, with another nod, after a small pause.

It was unlikely the large artillery Cybertronian remembered him, but for Farshot, Shellshock was the first being, alive or metal, he'd ever tried to save. It had led to him meeting Breakout, and eventually being here today.

This all seemed amusingly unlikely in retrospect - had Farshot not intercepted and acted on the distress call Shellshock had sent, all those many cycles ago, he wouldn't be here now, actively taking a part in protecting those weaker than he for an important cause.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:51 am

Cutter laughed. "You still remember that? Well sure, I guess. Just as long as you don't charge interest, not sure I could afford it." THe flier said.

He looked up as Shellshock stomped by. "Well I'll be..." He said with a smile. "Shellshock. Yeah, boss is still in a meeting."

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 3:02 am

Cavalier walked into Breakout's office without a word, and waited for what was guaranteed unpleasant.

"Sit down Cavalier. I just got a report, about a planet called Corax II. You reported a slaughter. You also reported that you got rid of the Decepticons involved. Good job on that. Needed doing. There's a problem though. Before you came here, you stormed a bar and assaulted a Bot know as Division. There's one problem with that, you let him walk." Breakout turned around and tossed a datapad at Cavalier.

"That's a report from several of our agents, never you damn mind who. Division had been turned. Worse, he might have been setting up a spy network. I get this, I sent guys to bring Division in. Between this and what you dug up, he needs an Laser Defragging. But only after we find out what he knows. Here's the problem Cavalier. Seems some walking tank beat the rust off of him and told him to run away. So now, a bot who may have been setting up a spy network on Coldrock itself, a bot who took part in the murder of thousands of innocent sapients, a bot who was setting up billions more. And you let him walk. We have little clue where he is now. He could be on the horn with Starvous right now. I'm not saying you should have blown his head off, but you damn well should have brought him in or reported him without your grandstanding so someone else could have brought him in. Good instincts, bad judgement. You're not getting punished for this, cause you didn't know he was rotten metal to the core. Here's the deal Cavalier, I want you to leave this office and think real hard. You have a processor, I've seen you use it. Realize you got more options then 2. Realize you got other bots and organics you can call on. You're gonna be in the aft end of nowhere, you can't afford to be stupid. Now go get prepped, I expect you not to come back from the FWA without killing at least 10 Cons." Breakout said.

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:37 am

Shellshock looked over at Farshot, the look on his face suggested that he did indeed remember the flier. He smiled some. "Farshot, it's been awhile."

Then he looked back at the others. "Hmmm." He nodded a bit at this information. "So what brings you all here at the same time? A mission?"

Post by **Dark Silver** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:37 am

Grindstone hadn't stayed around after the meeting - there would not be need to. Even among the Decepticons (or former Decepticons), Grindstone was never known as a sociable Mechanoid. He was known, rather, as a professional soldier, speaking few words on the battlefield, always keeping a cool and level processor.

It was because of his apparently aloof behavior, Grindstone had few "friends" on Coldstone. There were for battle-mates, but most of those were left with the feeling that Grindstone looked down on them - which was furthest from the truth. It was simply, that Grindstone learned long ago, that having friends left to many vulnerabilities for the enemy to exploit, so he didn't make friends. He did his job, and withdrew to silent contemplation so he wouldn't feel the pang of being "left out" of the social fun others had.

It was for those reasons, that Grindstone had decided to head to one of the many firing ranges in Fortress Optimus. It was easy to be alone there, in the midst of all the others firing their weaponry, shooting targets.

He had arrived at the most convenient firing range not long after leaving Breakout's Finger, and requested a booth.

"Whatcha plan on shooting? I don't see no gun," the organic incharge of the range said, noting Grindstone's lack of sidearm.

"I am a Decepticon Warrior, my entire body is a weapon," Grindstone spoke evenly, "But if you mean firearm, I am outfitted with several energy weapons, as well as missile emplacements. I will be sure to make use of dummy missiles, as well as lowering the output of my energy weapons to training levels, as to cause no undue damage to your facility."

The organic grumbled something, before directing Grindstone to take up one of the Cybertronian sized booths. Grindstone inclined his head, and paid with a credit chit, before heading to the appointed booth.

The sounds of weapons fire could be heard from each of the booths he passed, and Grindstone welcomed the sound of gunfire. It was soothing to him, and if he had a mouth, or a face plate, Grindstone would have smiled.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 4:40 pm

"Breakout was having a meeting with old friends," Shimmer lied smoothly. Do not talk about the mission "Then Cavalier did something stupid, so now Breakout's blistering some paint off him."

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:11 am

Cavalier stared at the datapad in complete silence, his optics transmitting the data held therein to his processor and lasercore. He did not even look up at Breakout as the commander gave him hell for what he'd done to Division. He'd expected to be given hell of course, it was not the first time, nor the fifth, that someone had given him a lecture about firing before he locked his breach. Normally he said nothing in such circumstances. Cavalier had no intention of really ever changing his modus operandi, and everyone knew it, and so generally it was a matter of letting the commander vent before getting to the punishment detail.

But this time things were different, and not simply because there was no punishment detail. As Breakout finished his speech, Cavalier's hands actually began to tremble.

To say this was not normal was an understatement. One might as well have seen Optimus Prime return from the dead a coward and braggart. Cavalier's opinion of himself might have been inflated, but thousands of beings the galaxy-over could attest to the fact that Cavalier simply did not get nervous, his circuits for such reactions either malfunctioning or nonexistent. Not just a warrior, but a bot who actually enjoyed war, Cavalier was not the sort to get nervous or emotional over anything, certainly not a report or a speaker-lashing, no matter how serious.

But if it looked like nerves, it only did so for a moment. For as Breakout finished speaking, Cavalier suddenly crushed the datapad in his hand, a mass of sparking circuits running through his fingers and dropping onto the floor. He slid his optics shut, soft sounds of churning motors emanating from somewhere deep inside his chassis, his hand now packed into a tight fist that continued to tremble from the raw energy coursing through its actuators. When Cavalier finally replied to Breakout, his voice was tight and rigidly controlled, letting only a wisp of what sounded like bitter anger seep through.

"You're right," said Cavalier, which was likely close to the last thing Breakout would have expected to hear Cavalier say. "I should have gutted that petro-viper when I had the chance." He ground the remnants of the datapad between his fingers, mashing the circuits to paste and powder. He did not raise his head or even his optics, his systems hissing like a steam engine, before he finally opened his hand again and let the remnants of the datapad fall to the floor, his fingers opening and closing as though searching for something else to crush.

"I didn't let Division go because I was grandstanding," he said, his speaker clenched and rattling like a power saw cutting against the grain. "I let him go because I knew him. I knew him when he was just an intel bot, back on Cybertron, with no more sense than a petro-rabbit. I saved his life. Twice. We used to play Cyberdraw with a couple of maintenance bots back at Iacon, before everyone left. Massacre was a bully and a tyrant who thought he could psych people into joining him whole hog if he made them help out with an atrocity or two, bully people into standing by and watching him kill so that they couldn't feel any better than he could. I thought Division might have gotten caught up with a bad crowd and gotten stupid or something. I never..."

He stopped, indeed it sounded like his speaker almost seized up, his entire frame quivering like a sports car with its emergency brake engaged while its engine ran in the red, a quiver that spoke not to nerves but a sudden desire to bring buildings down. He took a moment, took several moments, to downshift his engine and even out his RPMs, until his frame was stable once again and his speaker reasonably calm. Only then did he raise his optics and look at Breakout.

"I don't call on other bots," he said, "and I sure as hell don't call on organics. Not when I've got work to do. I'm the guy who exists so that those people don't have to be called on. That's my job. I'm not going out there to "support" the FWA, I'm going out there to replace them. At least on the front line. Because the best organic army in the galaxy would need five thousand casualties to do to a Decepticon what I can do to them, and you know that's not just me making things up. Even if this war's too big for me to take down myself, I'm still a hundred thousand organics who don't have to go out there and face down the 'cons, and thirty thousand who don't have to come home in body bags. I don't call on them. They call on me. That's what I do."

"I'll get you ten cons," he said after a moment's pause. "I'll get you a hundred if I can. And when I get back if you need me to track Division down, I can do that too. But I don't throw organics at the cons just to make my kills easier, not even when it's smart. If the GDE has a hundred and fifty Cybertronians, then I will whip them a hundred and fifty times. That's what I'm here for. That's why they need us."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 7:27 am

Shellshock raised an eyebrow at Shimmer and chuckled. "For an infiltration bot you're a terrible liar." He grinned at her, then looked past them to Breakout's office again. "One day he'll figure out how to keep from saying the stuff he shouldn't. Of course that'll be the day he stops talking." Shellshock shrugged, notably leaving out any question on why the bots had really been there.

"So what have you all been doing? Fighting the good fight?"

LibriumArcana.Games

Transformers: Alone and Unafraid

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