[Original RPG] Eye of the Storm: Take Arms Against a Sea of Troubles (Polyhex)

[Blackjack]

Medbay, Darkmount

Bonecrusher cocked his head to one side, and laughed at Frenzy's threats. "Do the math, punk. There are seven of us and one of you." The Constructicon moved his hands slowly to indicate Scavenger, Hook, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Glit and Tinker. "Plus, if things get ugly, don't you think Megatron would be annoyed if one of the Constructicons should be injured after all the effort they put in getting us back?"

The demolitions specialist transformed into his bulldozer mode and revved his engine loudly. "If you think you can even damage me, however, you are severely mistaken."
__________________________________

Intelligence Office, Darkmount

"True." Bombshell replied to Retcon, and hurriedly typed a search for reserve energon stocks, and his eyes widened in glee. "Well, what do you know, you're right! It's slightly lower than it's supposed to be, but not low enough to raise suspicion. Look." the Insecticon said, turning the monitor of his computer towards Retcon and Kickback.
__________________________________

Security Office, Darkmount

"Come in, in." Shrapnel said to Rumble.

[Ungla Cracker]

Medbay

Frenzy had done the maths and his odds weren’t good but he certainly wasn’t going to lower his weapons and let the wolf pack tear him apart. He stood motionless for a few seconds before deciding on a plan of action. His solution started with a defiant rant,

“Oh I HAVE done the maths,” his voice got louder and louder until it was almost a scream “and in regards to damaging you I think you forgot to include the FRENZY FACTOR!”

The small mech squeezed the trigger, one shot aimed into Tinkers chest the other into Bonecrushers cab. With another swift move he made a dash for the door not waiting to see if the shots landed their target. Perhaps to others his actions seemed rash, even crazy but Frenzy wasn’t stupid. He realized Bonecrusher was right, if he did damage the dozercon there would be no doubt that Megatron would send him (Frenzy) to the brig or worse. He had taken care to set his ionic displacer to a low level, so it would at best stun the Constructicon. Tinker on the other hand was another matter and the cassettecon had set the power level accordingly high.

(OOC. Oh dear Frenzy you loon! iwonder if Clench will stand by and let carnage ensue....... )

[Blackjack]

Medbay, Darkmount

Bonecrusher grunted as the low-powered ion blast from Frenzy shattered the windows of his cab and torched the dashboard and chair inside his alternate mode. It's a good thing I've got no drivers...

Bonecrusher roared as he charged forwards, treads spinning as fast as he could. Devastator's lower arm appeared out of subspace and mounted on Bonecrusher's hardpoint, and the drill on its end began to spin dangerously... (OOC: his toy's attack mode.) "Ohkay, little guy... you asked fer it!"

Tinker saw the blast coming, and rolled forwards so that the blast did not slam into his chest. He did not dodge it completely, though, and the blast exploded on his now-exposed back, causing the medic to wince.

[optimusskids]

Medbay Darkmount

Scavenger transformed and extended his shovel in such a way as to attempt to trip Frenzy

[Clogs]

Medbay, Darkmount

Taking another swig of energon wine, Glit resolved to keep out of the escalating fight. Truthfully, he had no real idea how it started, but he could see it was one of those stupid internecine Decepticon showdowns about status. He looked back to Hook and decided his decision was the right one; carefully, he hugged the newly-replaced wall, skirting the melee, making for the door.

Hook was on the verge of incandescent.

Knowing his vocals would be drowned by the din, the medic went to radio and, in a less than refined manner, bellowed: 'STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY!'

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security Office, Darkmount

Rumble groaned silently as his body stepped forwards, activating the door's autosensors. "I'm here, Shrapnel," his voice acknowledged, suddenly without the least trace of Starscream's distinctive tones or delivery.

[Chip1123]

(OOC: Sorry, been out of pocket for the last few days)


Clench sighed inwardly. The casseticon didn't realize how much work he had already done to calm the situation down and keep it from getting worse. Then the slagger had to go and make it worse by actually firing on other 'Cons. "Shrapnel, please send security down here if Frenzy and I don't report to your office soon. Trying to avoid trouble, but Frenzy is doing his best to stir it up. Not sure if it is avoidable now."

Clench pulled out his gun, firing a warning shot between Frenzy and the aggrivated 'Cons. "If anyone fires another shot" Clench began, "I will shoot WHOMEVER it is. STAND DOWN NOW." He bellowed. " Turning to Frenzy, "This includes you - stop behaving like a child. I alone will not be able to hold back everyone in this room, and don't feel like getting deactivated for something so worthless." He said icily.

[Warcry]

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

Buzzsaw hummed to himself as he selected a series of brushes to use on Laserbeak. "Oh, yes. This will do nicely..."

He smiled in satisfaction as the paint booth stripped away his comrade's old paintwork, then started to spray on a fresh matte black base coat.

Once the paint jets had stopped, the booth's heat lamps clicked on.

"This will be a bit warm," he warned Laserbeak belatedly.
___________________________________

Operations, Darkmount

Soundwave strode over to where Scrapper was working. "Can the drones handle the remainder of the repairs here?"

"I suppose they could, yes," Scrapper told him. "They won't do as good a job as a living engineer, but if I send someone through when they're done to check, it should be fine."

"Good," Soundwave told him. "I have a new assignment for you." He held out a datapad for Scrapper to read. "This project was actually initiated under Gigatron's rule, but his engineers could never manage to make it work properly."

Scrapper read the specifications that Soundwave had given him, and a surprised expression came over him. "Well, I can understand why. These things...they were designed to launch ships into orbit, not to be used as weapons."

"Then you are saying that you won't be able to do it?"

"Now, Soundwave," Scrapper said, his voice just a little bit scolding, "you've known me for a long time now. If that's what I meant, that's what I would have said. I'll need to take a look at the hardware to know for sure, but I think it's workable, if a bit crude."

Scrapper got up from the console he'd been working on and strode over to the nearest comm panel. "Scrapper to all engineering crews," he said, "I've just received priority orders from Soundwave. Anyone who is available should meet me on the rooftop hangar in two breems."
___________________________________

Intelligence Office, Darkmount

Kickback looked over the list and picked an address at random. "We'll have to check out the storehouses first-hand," he said. "Bombshell pick one at random. Then grab a gun. You're coming with me. Retcon, would you mind staying here and running comms? We'll need someone who can give us instructions in the field."

[Ungla Cracker]

Medbay

As Frenzy sprang for the door he could hear what sounded like a drill and an engine roaring, he glanced over his shoulder just in time to dodge Bonecrushers charge. However he had no time to notice that Scrapper had extended his shovel arm. As the cassetecon landed the Constructicon easily pushed him of balance. Frenzy with little dignity went tumbling into Hook, who by the looks of things had been trying to stop the brawl. Frenzy again raised his weapon and was about to squeeze the trigger for the third time before being startled into inactivity by Clenchs out burst.

The cassettecon froze breathing heavily he muttered,

“They started it…”

[Blackjack]

Medbay, Darkmount

"We started it?" Bonecrusher balked at Frenzy. "You're the one who came into the room and insulted everyone." The Constructicon transformed, and considered charging the ex-Cassettecon. Seeing Clench and Hook, however, he decided against it. Bonecrusher subspaced his weapons and shrugged.

"He shot first. We defended ourselves." Tinker spat, scratching at his flesh wound. Nothing the CR chambers couldn't handle... the medic thought.

Bonecrusher nodded, as he heard Scrapper's message. "We're coming." The Constructicon replied to his leader, and he turned to face Hook, Scavenger and the other Constructicons. "Well, we've got ourselves a job, as it seems."
________________________

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

"You don't say..." Laserbeak replied to Buzzsaw, and winced as the heat was turned on. "Ah, the pains one must endure to be a work of art..."
________________________

Intelligence Office, Darkmount

"Eeniee meenie miny mo." Bombshell said, moving his fingers over the datapad. "This one." Bombshell pointed at one of the storehouses on the list. "Warehouse Number 29 at the Fringe."

Bombshell shrugged, "I need my mortar launcher back, Kickback. Either that or a little minion to do my dirty deeds. Can't you talk to security about it?"
_________________________

Security Office, Darkmount

The door slid open to admit Rumble. Shrapnel stood up and was about to speak when Clench's message came in through the loudspeakers, loud enough for both Rumble/Starscream and the Insecticon to hear.

"Well, I was figuring something out for you, but it seems your brother is in a bit of a fix, fix. What is he thinking- taking on the Constructicons, cons?" Shrapnel sighed as he pulled his grenade launcher from his desk. "I'll be sending troops there." Shrapnel replied to Clench.

The Insecticon gestured for a group of armed drones to prepare to move to the medbay, then turned back to Rumble. "Well, where to begin, begin?"

[Chip1123]

"Shrapnel, the situation seems to have... dissipated. You can have the security stand down... for now." Clench said in reply.

"Thank you all for seeing reason. Before you leave," He said turning towards Hook and the others, "Were you able perform the operation Frenzy 'requested' ? If you weren't, do you know someone who could?"

[Aero Blade]

Corridors, Darkmount

Having been announced on the general com, Tracer paused to hear the Scrapper's message. As much as he'd been intending to track down Soundwave, there was little much he could do about the other Con until he did something, aside from the two of them annoying eachother. It would do him no good to focus so wholely on the communications officer as to neglect other matters. Megatron, after all, had tasked him with improving the efficency of his division - how would he be able to do that if he wasn't aware of all the happenings?

Now interested in what was to be happening up above soon, Tracer adjusted his direction, headed towads a lift to take him back towards the roof once more. The sooner he knew, the better.

[Warcry]

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

"If I have to suffer for my art," Buzzsaw asked haughtily, "why should the canvas get off scot free? Deal with it."

He watched as a timer counted down to zero before the heat lamps clicked off. Then he gestured toward one side of the room. "Now, on to the real work. Go stand on the tarps, please."
___________________________________

Intelligence Office, Darkmount

"Come with me," Kickback told Bombshell. "You and I will have a little chat with our neophyte head of security before we go."

[Blackjack]

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

Laserbeak shook his head several times to clear his mind from the heat. "Right, right..." he replied to Buzzsaw, before proceeding to do what his mold-brother instructed. Namely, to trot over to one of the tarps which he had indicated.
_______________________

Security Office, Darkmount

"Oh?" Shrapnel replied to Clench. "Alright, then, then." The Insecticon waved his hand, and sent a mental command for the drones dispatched to return to their posts.

Shrapnel turned his attention back to Rumble and asked, "Now, where were we, we?"
_______________________

Intelligence Office, Darkmount

Bombshell raised his eyebrow (or did a gesture equivalent to it) as he stood up and followed Kickback. "What's a 'neophyte'?" the Insecticon asked out loud.

[Clogs]

Medbay, Darkmount

Hook pointedly dusted off his livery where Frenzy had bumped into him. The fighting had stopped, but not through any unit actually heeding him, which was a trifle disappointing; he needed to work on the command stuff... At least Bonecrusher had recognised that crossing him was perhaps not sensible.

He was making a show of tidying some instrument racks that had been rattled by the short fight, when Clench asked him about performing the impossible. "No," he replied, hands still busy. "I cannot do as requested and that means no one else can." After a brief pause, he added: "And you may inform Scrapper that I am detained in Medbay by a security-related task."

At the door, Glit tried to make himself scarce.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Security Office, Darkmount

Starscream managed not to smile at the news of another 'Con-on-'Con fight.

For his part, Rumble wondered whether his twin needed a check up to see if he was faulty; it was too introspective for him to relate that back to himself.

"Ya wanted to see me about somefing?" Starscream suggested to Shrapnel in Rumble's vocals.

[Chip1123]

"Frenzy, make your report to Soundwave and let us proceed to Shrapnel. If the genius of the Constructicon's cannot unravel what we need here, then we are surely out of luck." Clench said, trying to placate and soothe the wounded egos of the combiner squad.

[Warcry]

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

"Now, why doesn't that sound like agreement, hmm?" Buzzsaw asked Laserbeak.

When the other bird was properly positioned on the tarp, Buzzsaw flew up behind him and started carefully airbrushing silver paint onto the edges of his wings.

"This first," he said. "Then the red."
___________________________________

Corridors, Darkmount

"And here I thought you were supposed to be the smart one," Kickback teased Bombshell. "Once the mission is over I'll be sure to buy you a new thesaurus program."

As they walked out of the office toward the turbolift, Kickback looked at his fellow Insecticon and said, "Shrapnel has got the job now. I gather he's not very happy with you, so let me do the talking when we get there."
___________________________________

Rooftop Hangar, Darkmount

Scrapper arrived and started to investigate a bank of equipment on one side of the hangar.

[Blackjack]

Medbay, Darkmount

Bonecrusher shrugged at Clench's comment, and then turned to the other Constructicons and Tinker. "Well, I'm going up t'see Scrapper. Y'all know how he gets if we're late. I'll tell him about your absence, Hook."

Bonecrusher have been around his surgeon comrade long enough to know that it's hopeless to turn him from a task once he's set, and made no attempt to drag Hook along with him. Bonecrusher gave Frenzy a hateful look, and strode out of the medbay, bumping into Glit in the process. "You comin', doc?"

Tinker, meanwhile stumbled off to a CR chamber and plopped himself in.
_______________________

Security Office, Darkmount

"Yes." Shrapnel answered Rumble. "You've been involved in the battle against the Imperials, and there's been much that needs improvement, improvement. I've some things in mind, but lack the manpower, manpower. Drones can only do so much, much."

Shrapnel shrugged, and continued, "Besides, a second opinion won't hurt. Anything which you think the security could improve on, on?"
_______________________

Buzzsaw's Studio, Darkmount

"Oh, I agree fullheartedly." Laserbeak replied to his fellow cassette and grinned. "I'm happy enough experiencing these little jolts of pain. No, really- spend five minutes as a noncorporeal wraith and you'll get my meaning." _______________________

Turbolift, Darkmount

Bombshell snorted when Kickback mentioned the thesaurus program. "They don't teach vocabulary in psych-warfare classes, you know. And this coming from the guy who got himself tricked into surrendering by Autobots."

When Kickback dropped the news and mentioned Shrapnel's new position, it struck Bombshell like a, well, bombshell. The Insecticon, for the second time in the day, was rendered without a snide remark to throw back. Instead, the word that escaped his mouth as a barely audible: "Guh?"

[Raze]

Medbay, Darkmount

Long Haul had kept out of the drama involving Frenzy satisfied that his brother's could handle anything Frenzy might pull. Still he was prepared should his assistance be required.
Satisfied that the newly built medbay wall was up to the high standards of the Constructicons. Long Haul turned his attention to Scrapper's request for assistance and the others present in the medbay.

"No point staying here if we're not going to be allowed to test out these new bodies against a willing volunteer." Long Haul added while looking in the direction of Frenzy and Clench.

"Besides I'm not sure I appreciate the attitude of every visitor making demands of us." said Long Haul thinking back to the arrival of the Stunticons earlier on.

Long Haul transformed and headed for the Rooftop Hangar.

[Clogs]

Medbay, Darkmount

The Cassettecon looked up at Bonecrusher and shook his head. "Not needed, I believe," he pointed out. "If you'd excuse me..?"

Glit made it out of the door just ahead of the burlier mech and his brother, and started off down the corridor. He had made up his mind: he was leaving Darkmount.

With a new sense of resolution, he picked up speed, loping along, passing several units going about their business. No one stopped him, possibly presuming he was on a mission, which he was... Once outside, he would activate his rockets and head for Iacon.

~~~

Hook moved purposefully over to the mutilated Imperial and checked if the power flowing through the exoform remained stable. Satisfied, he began to open the main chest panel, working with extreme care in case the body had a defensive or booby-trap build. This was more practical than messing with the head Frenzy had brought; the CPU was damaged, but it was a CPU rather than mere layers of short-term over-write positronic circuitry.

He pulled the panel free, set it aside carefully, drew a probe. Immediately, he noted two of the major neural connections to the laser core displayed frayed casing at their terminals, and he frowned. Someone had been in here before him - someone who had not his skills. Now, why should that be? he mused.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Security Office, Darkmount

Cruelly, Starscream left the real Rumble to reply to Shrapnel's somewhat open question. The Seeker was wondering whether Rumble would be flattered at being called upon. And he was wondering where the conversation would lead, for it was entirely possible that Shrapnel had something in mind already for Rumble, which he would be in on.

[Blackjack]

Medbay, Darkmount

Bonecrusher shrugged at Glit's departure, assuming that the Cassettecon was indeed on a mission. Turning to Long Haul, he said, "Well, let's get to it, shall we?" before transforming and following the dump truck, heading towards the Rooftop Hangar.