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The hum of the CR chamber faded and finally died. Inside, its occupant was coming back online for the first time. Systems; 100% functional. Energy levels replenished. Crazy programme that seemed to be able to control his body whether or not he resisted? How do you even test for something like that? Stormfire ran everything he could think of, nothing. That meant it was gone... for now. Stormfire opened the door to the CR chamber. He looked around. He saw Strafe and Jedishen, both apparently in good nick. A blue mech was close to his chamber and among the others scattered around the room was Blackstreak. Stormfire had feared the worst since the bot had disappeared around Tagan. He was greatly relieved to see his friends again. Stormfire stood in an awkward position, what could he do in this situation. He supposed he’d best let the first move go to the others, he simply watched them out of his cool blue optics. Him, and no-one else.

Autobase Prime- Medbay

There seemed to be a lot of activity going on but Blacktreak's audio receptors picked up on First Aid and he turned towards the medic. Lifting a finger up to the side of his head he pushed a button and with a click an internal monitor flared to life showing the vital functions of his body. When everything checked in 100% functional he shut the feature down and shook his head, "No, everything is operational. Every time I step out of one of these things I feel so disoriented. I could have sworn I was in Tagan Heights. The last thing I remember is dodging some incoming missiles and since then its been all dark. Well, I can logically deduce I've been in repair for a long time." He shrugged then noticed Stormfire exit the CR Chamber as well. "It's almost fitting for a newly repaired Autobot to welcome you back to the living, now isn't it?" the scout called to the newcomer cheerfully.

Autobase Prime: Command Center

It was some what of a suprise how quickly the entire command center went from bussling cacophany of chaos and voices each one making sure its opinion be heard to its current near empty state of monitor watchers, stink piles and small unit commanders. Prime and his generals had been in their little meeting for several Breems now and Grimlock had already pulled many of his former Lightning Strike members off from where ever they were hiding or assigned to go primus knows where. It sort of made the Protectobot Commander a tad jealous to have that sort of liberty was refreshing to say the least. For starters Hotspot would not be standing around waiting for an assignment in the one place he hated to be most of all.

Giving a brief nod to the departing transformers, Hotspot looked over at Jazz. His expression was quizical to a point, still trying to figure out how such events could have unfolded on the Moonbase of all places, supposidly neutral territory. Still he didn't need Jazz to explain the truly obvious, the Con's lived up to their names and deceived 'em royally. The name of the game was out trick your enemy, shame the bots hadn't gotten all the way there.

Instead of delving into the probably still sore subject, the Protectobot began to compile a communique to Streetwise telling him to be patient, as soon as Groove or Blades arrived to meet him in the Observation Deck for assignment. Like himself most of his troop hated to wait around, and while he was not authorized to go straight into Tagan himself and kick the damn decepticon infestation back across the Rust Sea, he was going to get something done to occupy his time. Training was a decent option, though with out First Aid, even going Defensor would be tough going, even with First Aid combat training would be all but impossible. Hesitently he looked over the message and began to ponder what exactly there was to do for them. The fires along the front were already calming down as the cons began to dig in, and the wounded were already being taken care of.

Hotspot filed the message away for a bit still unsure of what sort of assignment that he could actually give that would not for his own personal battlelust. What he needed was an update of the current situations across the borders. "Rollbar," Hotspot called out for the Throttlebot monitoring some of the recent reports flooding the command terminals. "I need the very latest from the Iacon lines, supply reports, engagement activity that sort of stuff."

The officer took a simulated breath not exactly used to commanding others around outside of his own unit. But he wanted to make damn sure if there were any holes they would be plugged now before the decepticons decided to press into Iacon proper. Of course if he decided to relocate to one of the frontal elements the chances for more direct measures of repair could be effected. "Maybe we'll get lucky and have a nice road trip out of it."

____________________________________

Landfill looked on as Hotspot began to scheme is own plans for departure from Autobase Prime. Though the materials transporter could not exactly figure out what the mecha had in mind, he figured it was going to be yet another way for Hotspot to get back into the war in some capacity. It did not matter in the general sense, it was not likely the Protectobot Commander would place his own forces over that of the cause.

With a brief scratch to his fender, allowing several bits of garbage and debris to fall to the floor in the ever growing pile of refuse. The air filtration devices now at maximum capacity themselves began to break down and signal repair drones for filter changes and upkeep. The fog around the area was ripe with an oder that few could ignore, save for those with face masks that helped shield their olfactory sensors. Once he was done with the most satisfactory of efforts, the transport moved across the command station to the upper platform where the energon dispensor was. He placed an order for a single moderate grade energon and waited... and waited... and waited. "I wonder if we've ran out of energon?" He spoke not realizing that the refuse he had dropped on the way had short circuited one of the fuses in the dispensor.

Autobase Prime ~ Main Medbay

Hopping up off the table with great enthusiasm, Windcharger gives First Aid a pat on the shoulder. "Bang up job, my friend. Never felt better," he tells the medic with a grin. "Time for me to find out what's going on. I'm not about to miss my chance to get back at those Decepticreeps."

Wincharger transforms and rushes out of the room forgetting, for the moment, that First Aid had recommended an energon supplement.


Autobase Prime ~ Command Center

Arriving in the Command Center Windcharger quickly Transforms and falls in next to Jazz. "Sorry I'm late," he says deffering to his superior officer. "What's our status? And where do you want me?"

I wonder where Optimus is? And Ultra Magnus? I hope he's allright. He had the lug nuts to protect us and make sure we got out alive. I hate not knowing what's going on.

No sigs in RPG threads! ~J

Autobase Prime - Hangar Bay

A cacophony of shouts and thunderous footfalls announced the return of Swoop and the Dinobots.

"...Oh yeah, Sludge? You think Me Swoop too bossy? Okay...we do it this way: You memorize your own serial number, and Me stop telling you what to do!" The bombardier emphasized the taunt with a swift kick to Sludge's enormous aft. "Move!"

Thankfully, the Dinobots were soon on board the Dauntless, preparing to leave. Snatching up the mike, he opened a P.A. channel to the hangar. "All aboard, Mechs!"

Making his way toward the helm, the pterodactyl was pleasantly surprised to see an old friend. "Wheeljack! You old son of a plasma cannon! It's been forever!"

Taking a seat at the ship's helm, the pilot began powering up the shuttle. "You wanna give Me Swoop a hand with the preflight routine?"

Autobase Prime - Observation Deck

Groove entered the Observation Deck.

"Hey, Streetwise. What's happening?" he said.

"Me only want to know why my name not said..." Sludge replied downheartedly to Swoop as they entered the Dauntless.

"Hey Sludge! Long time no see pal!" Ironhide cried from behind the rest of the Dinobots.

Sludge craned his large neck so that he could see Ironhide. "Ironhide!" He cried, his mood somewhat lightened by his appearance. "Me happy to see you. It been too long." He said joyously.

"True." said Ironhide as he leapt over the other Dinobots, much to their disgruntlement. "So, how've you been doing?" He asked.

"Good." Sludge replied. "Me glad to be back on Cybertron, only thing me not like is fact we not beat Insecticons yet."

"Yeah, Swoop was telling me about those guys earlier. I'm sure you'll get a crack at them sooner or later though." Ironhide replied.

"Me Sludge kick them to other side of universe when me see them again!" He replied joyously, imagining the Insecticon's defeat.

"Great. It'll be even easier I reckon once you get used to that new alt mode of yours!" Ironhide replied.

"Me no like new alt mode." Said Sludge, transforming into bot mode as he did so. "Every look at me when I'm in it, they look like they no know me, like they scared of me." He said, upset again.

"Ah, well you pay no attention to them." Ironhide said reassuringly. "Their just jealous of you. Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna find out what it is we actually aim to achieve here." Ironhide said as he headed towards the helm.

Almost immediately, Ironhide laid optics on Swoop and Wheeljack. "Sorry to interrupt." He said. "But I was just wondering, what is it we actually hope to achieve on this mission, beside kicking some Decepticreeps?"

Command Centre

"Yes I would still love to rub Freeway's nose in it," Rollbar said with a smirk, "By all means download it into a datapad for me, Trailbreaker," the Throttlebot was quite happy and responded quickly to Hotspot's request. He accessed the computer reports on the information he wanted and downloaded it into a file for Hotspot's consumption, "Here it is Protectorbot Leader, read and weep over the crap the Cons have poured on us,"

Entrance to Autobase Prime

Freeway and Searchlight stood around the entrance to the base. The two had remained because they were waiting for Chase to show up. Neither really admitted to it (for varying reasons) but they were worried about Chase. Both hadn't liked leaving Chase behind back in the Tagan Heights but without a way back to the surface and a wounded comrade to help, there was nothing to do but hope Chase could make it back on his own.
Finally there was the sound of a motor in the distance and Chase came driving into sight. He was dusty and driving slowly and transformed as he saw his two team mates, "Got energon?" he asked, "My fuel tank is running on fumes,"
Freeway rolled his optics and Searchlight smiled, "Yeah sure, come on we'll buy you a drink,"

Autobase Prime - Hangar

Slag sat in the middle of the shuttle passenger bay, in Dinosaur mode, taking up even more room than a mech his size should. Lying on his belly, chewing on the remains of the Energon Pump he had used to refuel, Slag decided he was quite fond of his new alt mode. The ability to step on things made a big change from just running things over as a tank, there was the tail for melee combat, all the things to do with the mouth, and the horns. Yes, the reformat had worked out well for Slag, no matter what Snarl complained about.

Slag turned to look at the reformed Coalition. "So we got Dynobots, Builder, Red, Big Red, and Smoky. Hey, where Little Red come from?" Slag turned his head to Cliffjumper. "Me no remember him before. And where Oldie? Him rust while we gone?"

Medical Bay

Perceptor, having made his delivery, nodded to Ratchet and First Aid. "Well, things seem to be well in hand here. Let me know if I can help in the future." With this, Perceptor left, pondering on the days events.

Command Centre

The return of the Dynobots coinciding with the attacks on Tagan and the Moon is peculiar, but not outside the realms of probability. But they appear to have moved on, no doubt back to the front lines as soon as possible. Most likely they beleive they can alter the outcome of the war by themselves, performing some bold charge into the teeth of the enemy defenses, trusting to sheer audacity to shield them...

Hold on, why did they leave in the first place again?

Pausing at a console, Perceptor decided to look up what was known about the Dynobots' last mission. It appeared they had been chasing after a Decepticon scouting mission off-world along with Jetfire, and then listed as MIA for the intervening period. The rest of the file was currently classified to high commands use. That is...most peculiar. I must ask Jetfire about what happened to them, to see what happened offworld.

Autobase Prime ~ Hangar

I got no business being in the command center. Prime will find me once he decides where he needs me. Maybe they need a hand loading the Dinobot's shuttle, Brawn thought to himself. Seeing the bustle of energon and ammuntion being loaded, he ran over to ensure that the munitions were safely transported and stowed.

The last thing we need to do is help the Decepticons by blowing ourselves up. Shouldn't be a problem for me to handle this stuff. Brawn smiled softly at this thought.

Happily going about his work, and admiring his friends positive attitudes in this troubling time, passed the time quickly. Upon completing his task, he positioned himself on top of a crate. Letting his legs dangle over the edge, he sat back taking in his surroundings.

Quickly tiring of the inactivity of the hangar, Brawn decided to poke his head into the shuttle to see what else needed to be done. Waving a greeting to his friends he said, "You guys all set? If you need anything else let me know. I have no duties to attend to for the moment."


**EDIT**

Location confusion. Slag wasn't in the hangar bay. That should clarify things.[/b]

Autobase Prime ~ Medbay

Roadbuster sat, listening to Mirage, while Ratchet continued fixing him up one hole at a time. New Drones, new technology, looks like the 'Cons had been quite busy while being 'Pinned Down'. The upshot of it all seemed quite simple to Roadbuster though, he had something new to blow the slag out of, which was always something to look forward to.

"Didn't have anything to do with any of them new drones.." The Wrecker began in reply as Mirage drifted off into his own private thoughts "..Didn't even notice them to be honest, can't say I'm that worried about them right now either, seems like we're agreed that the more pressing matter here is that big ugly, Roadblock.." Roadbuster paused as Ratchet touched on a sore point, stopping him mid sentence, the CMO holding up a hand in apology immediately.

"..I only dealt with the tank part of his new set of toys, so forgive me for thinking it was just a new alt mode.." The Wrecker continued "..If what you're telling me is true, then I'll admit, 3 different Roadblock's on the field of battle isn't exactly my ideal situation, but it's not the end of things.." Roadbuster said, assured and positive in his manner

"..Don't start getting ahead of yourself now Mirage, there isn't anything on this planet that doesn't have some kind of weakness, we just have to find it.." The Wrecker stated, quietly wondering if his opinion actually mattered to the Spy Master at all "..Tell me what you saw, I'll do the same, and maybe somewhere in there is something that can help us figure something out?"


Jedishen nodded in affirmation of Strafe's reply to his offer, and went to speak to the Technobot, but was interrupted by the return of Blackstreak, the Scout hadn't seen his fellow Scout since the attack back in Tagan, he assumed him to be lost, destroyed by the 3 unknown 'Cons. The black 'Bot spoke slowly, with a hint of confusion in his voice, which was to be expected given that it's not every Mega Cycle you get taken out in one place and wake up several thousand miles away in a different base altogether.

Watching while First Aid addressed the recently repaired Scout, Jedishen waited to answer Blackstreak's questions, if nothing else, he never liked interrupting the conversations of others without good reason. As is often the way with things though, another interruption made it's entrance in the form of Stormfire exiting his CR chamber after the conclusion of his repairs "Typical, you wait and wait for an Autobot to get repaired and then 2 come along at the same time" Jedishen thought to himself wryly.

A quick cautious check of Stormfire's optics put the Scout's intital concerns to rest, as the deep blue colour had once more returned in place of the dark red of earlier. Satisfied that it was both safe and appropriate to approach the newly repaired pair, Jedishen looked to Strafe before speaking "I guess it'd be rude if we didn't go over and welcome them back, no?" The Scout suggested to the Technobot, already wondering if he should just invite everyone up to the Command Center, after all, it would save time in the long run.

-----------------------------------------
Autobase Prime ~ Prime's Ready Room

He appreciated the words of the Autobot leader, it did mean a lot to him, and his fragile self confidence. Perhaps Optimus was right, perhaps he should stop looking at the negatives so much and take a look at what he did from a different perspective for once. Unfortunately, now was not the time to be dwelling too much on what had been, that would have to wait until a more appropriate time presented itself. As the Matrix Carrier moved onto more pressing matters, Magnus once more internally reprimanded himself for forgetting the Decepticon Infiltration Protocol. Regardless of recent events, that isn't something you forget easily, or at least it shouldn't be.

"Thank you for your kind words Optimus Sir, I do maintain that I could have done more in Tagan, but that's something for another time and place.." Magnus began in reply, nodding his head in thanks as well "..As for the 'Cons, I agree, we must cut them off as soon as we can.." Magnus concurred, his thoughts already drifting back over the Decepticon MO for planet infiltration, the later stages of which were the parts that didn't bare thinking about

"..Have our satellties or radar picked up anything leaving Cybertron?.." The City Commander inquired, as he glanced over at the large form of Fortress Maximus, who had been largely silent since the commencement of the meeting "..Also Optimus, did you have anyone in mind for my team, or will that selection be left up to me?" Magnus continued, his tactical circuits already working overtime to work out what was needed for the mission.

---------------------------
Autobase Prime ~ Hangar Bay

Charging into the Hangar Bay, Inferno barrelled towards the Shuttle Dauntless, which sounded like it was readying for takeoff. "Wait wait! Hold up!" The S&R Specialist shouted, unaware that Grimlock had yet to arrive, and the shuttle couldn't exactly leave without him. At top speed, Inferno ran up the loading ramp and into the shuttle, only to run directly into the large aft of Sludge and bounce off of it onto the floor. Momentarily stunned, the Fire Truck shook his head as he looked up at the gathered memebers of the Dinobots and the LSC before grinning widely "Uh, Hi everyone"

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Autobase Prime ~ Command Center

Smiling, Trailbreaker turned back to the computer monitor he was working on and quickly downloaded the Throttlebot's profile onto the nearest datapad he could lay his hands on. About a klik later, the pad popped back out of the console, and Trailbreaker quickly offered it to Rollbar, only to note that he was talking to Hotspot already about the recent happenings around Iacon.

Sitting back in his seat, the Defensive Strategist looked at the Protectobot leader and smiled as he heard Rollbar's reply, before his attention was caught by some pieces of refuse dropping down from above him. Without even looking, he knew who it was "Landfill!.." Trailbreaker called up to the often odorous Transport 'Bot "..Do you mind? I only had a clean up about a Meta Cycle ago.." He joked. It wasn't actually that long ago, but it sure felt like it "..What are you doing up there anyway?"

Autobase Prime - Hangar

Cliffjumper was so hyped about getting a chance to fight against the Decepticons that he couldn't even remember most of what had happenend while he had been making his way towards the Dauntless. Ironhide had said something to him but the minibot had not registered it. Instead he had spent his time rechecking his equipment, time after time. He wouldn't have his weapons failing him when he was about to get his revenge. His revenge indeed. To be honest, Cliffjumper wasn't sure if he would stop hunting former Decepticons even if a peace was forged between the warring factions... perhaps eventually but as it was he had many grudges to settle.

He thought he heard Slag mentioning his name and something about him never being part of the LSC but he didn't really register it either. The short moment his cpu gave time to process the thought, he did agree with the Dinobot. He had never been part of the LSC. Actually he didn't think he had been so focused on getting rid of Decepticons back then. The loss of Sentinel Prime had hurt true, but the real, burning hatred towards Megatron's cause he had developed much later. No matter, every chance he'd get to hunt Decepticons, he'd take.

Autobase Prime: Medbay

First Aid was slightly jolted around a bit at being patted on the shoulder in such a manner, by Windcharger. He re composes himself and went about his work again "Fine Fine..." First Aid gave a general response to everyone around, including Perceptor who had left. It was a busy place right now, and it seemed like most of that business was not focused on repairs. "This is a repair bay, not a conference room... if you're not injured or doing anything to help... be on your way... or do something as you talk. We can always use more nurses."

Autobase Prime: Command Center

Besides getting on odd look for Hot Spot it didn't seem like he wanted anything from Jazz. So Jazz just gave Hot Spot an odd look right back. Well, it seemed like a good idea. Jazz was so focused on giving the look back he barely noticed Windcharger nearby asking for orders or something. "Windcharger... right.... um orders." Jazz was half tempted to ask him to get some drinks or something, but that wouldn't be too nice.

"Actually, I'm waiting for something to do myself. Prime and the other big guys are in there cooking something good up I think."

Autobase Prime- Medbay

Startled by First Aid's comment about leaving if not injured, he smiled understanding where the doctor was coming from. "All right," he turned to Jedishen, fellow scout like himself, "Let's go see if someone in charge is around. I'm sure theres some Decepticon trouble going on somewhere we can sniff out." With that he started towards the exit.

Autobase Prime-Engineering and Development

Swerve continues to watch the new alloy being created and adjusts the machine when needed to make sure the correct amounts are in it.

What I wouldn't give to try out some new combinations. It would be even better to find a new metal or at least isotope of one we already have. Any new advantage would be good for us even if it is not much. We can't let our troops get smashed like they have been. The only problem is the Cons will just find a way to puncture a hole into any new armor we come up with. The best way is to find something that is more energy resistant or possibly absorbtion. Sadly, I'm not sure if there is such a metal out there that has absorbtion abilities. The closest thing is energy collectors but those are good size. It might be easier to figure out something that is more energy resistant.

Autobase Prime - Medical Bay

"Over the course of the battle, I saw a purple and black mechanoid with a strange sort of...organic cast to its features," Mirage began to elucidate, "that battled the Gunslingerbots. I saw the large armored vehicle that you encountered, and, of course, the Roadblock that most Autobots know and loathe."

The spymaster rubbed his chinplate. "Everything I saw on the battlefield suggests that the Decepticons are most concerned with numbers. Fielding scads of drones, multiplying their existing warriors with this remote technology...quantity over quality." He shook his head, unwilling to think aloud anymore for the time being. This problem requires a bit more contemplation before I begin sharing my thoughts on the matter. He stood.

"I would appreciate a copy of your battle ROMs and post-engagement reports," the spy said in his usual tone. Remembering the Roadbuster had been more accommodating and cooperative than most Autobot warriors might have been toward the spy, Mirage softened his tone to add, "After you're well once more. Thank you."

Mirage turned and left, walking out of the Medical Bay, a dutiful concentration on his features as he pondered the events of the battle in the Tagan Heights.

<hr>
Autobase Prime - Prime's Ready Room

"Satellite intelligence hasn't picked up anything in high orbit since Grimlock fell out of the sky," Optimus Prime answered Ultra Magnus. "I don't expect we'll have much time before they send their mission to AC488, though. They seem to have become very good at moving quickly in the past few meta-cycles." And so we must adapt. We've lost the initiative again, and we need to take it back.

Optimus hit a few buttons on the large table's surface and the holoprojector brought up the personnel file images of several Autobots.

"I'm sending Perceptor for his scientific expertise, with Swerve to assist. Searchlight, Bumblebee, and Windcharger will serve as primary scouts," he explained, rapid-fire. "Landfill will provide transport and construction assistance. Sureshot, Broadside, and the Aerialbots will serve as your primary combatants, should the need arise." Which, I'm quite sure it will.

"The Ark-13 will be under your command for the duration, along with its ATTT.*" Prime pressed another button and the holoprojector cut off once more.

"Any questions, Magnus?"

* - All-Terrain Turbo Transport. See issue #39 - Bob Budiansky.

Shuttle Dauntless: Bridge

Wheeljack tapped away on a few keys on the console before the mass of mecha began to pour in. Originally when he had entered he had seen that few had actually managed to arrive, so he had already taken it upon himself to already start the pre launch calculations. It was the habit borne out of being bored waiting. So when the large flier Swoop strolled up the gangplank, most of the work was already completed. Saved time that way.

Still the inventor was glad to see one of the more friendly members of the Dynobot squadron that had comprised the bulk of the heavy hitting LSC. Turning around Wheeljack returned the tight handshake as he looked up to the massive flier. "Agreed, it has been ages. I would love to hear your various tails of why you and Grimlock decided to take such a long vacation with out inviting the rest of us." he would have cocked a smile if he could have. Instead he leaned back and motioned towards the pilot's chair.

"Already preped and ready, I got abit bored waiting."

Autobase Prime - Hanger

Smokescreen arrived in the hanger, having taken a detour to pick up a couple of data files concerning the previous exploits of the LSC. One could never have enough information in his job, and Smokescreen wasn’t going to take any chances. The ship looked like departure was imminent, so Smokescreen wasted no further time and headed over to the boarding ramp. He boarded to shuttle and looked around, seemed like nearly everyone was here, as well as a few new faces. Smokescreen spotted Inferno with his back towards him and stole up behind the mech tapping him quickly on the shoulder.

‘Boo’

Shuttle Dauntless

Grimlock had stopped to download some more information on the current Cybertron situation before going to the hangar bay. He needed to know more than just the basics of who controlled what. He wanted intel reports and roster assignments. The intelligence reports would help him refine his plans. The roster assignments would tell him what other Autobots he would be dealing with in the other city-states, particularly in leadership roles. He was already annoyed about who he was going to have to talk to in Nova Cronum.

The bridge doors opened and the Dinobot commander walked in. A quick glance around confirmed that everyone else was present. He took his seat in the command chair. “Alright, let’s get out of here. Swoop, take us to Nova Cronum. We pick up an old friend there, very old friend. Then we finally have everyone together and we can start doing something in this war again, maybe turn things around.” He held back slightly on his usual criticism of Prime’s leadership. He knew that some of the Autobots present held him very highly. They had probably forgotten what real military leadership was like. Grimlock was just going to have to show them.

Command Centre

Rollbar turned and saw the datapad Trailbreaker was handing him, "Ah cheers!" he said happily and was about to read it when Landfill's smell hit his chemical sensors. Rollbar was a tracker and his brain was wired as such that he could see the smells as well as normal light. Landfill's smell made him glow like a small star, "By Primus!" Rollbar said covering his nose in vain to try and protect himself from a potential overload.

Autobase Prime Shuttlebay - Shuttle Dauntless

Slag made no secret of his laughter as Inferno ran into Sludge's aft, then began to guffaw in earnest as Smokescreen startled the big red autobot. Oh yes, the good old days are back. Now all we need are a few decepticons to frag.

Then Grimlock strode in, and Slag snapped to attention. He transformed into robot mode and took one of the copilot seats of the shuttle, opposite Wheeljack. It wasn't so much that he thought Grimlock cared much where he sat or in what form, but more that Grimlock inspired Slag to appear more competent, and less lazy. After all, who's gonna lead the Dynobots once Grimmy's gone? Or if he grows old and weak...

Autobase Prime ~ Shuttle Dauntless

With the arrival of Grimlock, Brawn could see that the departure of the shuttle was rapidly approaching. Since no one had responded to his query for assistance, he decided now was an opportune moment to make his departure. He moved toward the door and stopped, turning to say his farewells.

"Good luck guys! Grimlock, kick tailgate. And if you get a chance, get one good punch on a Decepticreep for me."

Brawn not being the talkative type, he waved goodbye and left the shuttle for the observation deck to see the shuttle off. Surely there would be some other Autobots there to talk with while Optimus Prime was deciding what to do with the rest of his troops.


Autobase Prime ~ Command Center

Windcharger turned his attention back to Jazz.

"Geez! Prime sure is taking his time. We can't stand around here all day with the Decepticons in Tagan Heights. We gotta get moving, or those rotten 'Cons will gain more of an advantage."

Windcharger began pacing about. He was becoming more and more anxious not having any orders.

I can't stand all this waiting. I know Prime is being cautious, but we could be doing recon or something.

Shuttle Dauntless

Wheeljack didn't need a mouth for Swoop to know the engineer would be smiling if he could. The two LSC members went way back. Smiling widely, the smallest Dinobot responded to Wheeljack with a chuckle.

"Heh. It a pretty long story, actually. How about Me Swwop tell you while we get your old workshop back in order?"

Of all the Dinobots, the soldier once known as Divebomb was the most technically inclined. His role as pilot, bombardier, and general handymech (not to mention his boundless enthusiam) meshed well with the brilliant inventor. Once upon a time, the two had been fast friends, spending many a cycle working together on some new payload Dreamed up by Wheeljack, and delivered by Swoop. Or, often as not, simply maintaining the various equipment of the LSC, and enjoying on another's company.

Truth be told, there was only one member of the Lightning Strike Coalition that the pterodactyl didn't get on well with: Smokescreen. The pilot had always felt the diversionary specialist looked down on his comrades, especially the Dinobots. And sure, they were a complicated and difficult bunch.

Sludge wasn't the sharpest sword on the rack, Snarl was moody, Grimlock was hard to know, and even harder to please, and Slag had gotten his pejorative name from his equally offensive attitude. Even Swoop himself had to admit there were those that somehow found his good cheer annoying.

But the Dinobots were as close-knit a unit as you were likely to find. On Cybertron, or any other planet you could name. And real or imagined, Swoop took any slight against his team as a personal insult.

When Grimlock arrived, Swoop felt a charge in the air. It only grew when the stoic Commander not-so-subtly hinted that Kup would soon be with them. It felt the way that mudball planet's atmosphere had felt before the rain came.

"Understood, Boss. Engines are hot."

<<Iacon Tower, this Shuttle Dauntless. Request final clearance for launch and exit telemetry.>> The Air Traffic Controller responded, and the exit vectors danced across Swoop's display. <<Me Swoop read you five by five, Iacon. Throttling up. Dauntless out.>>

"Here we go!" Swoop announced ecstatically as he skillfully took the shuttle airborne at a breakneck pace. The craft climbed swiftly, leveling off at an altitude of 30 klicks, en route to Nova Cronum.

This was it. The were Back. Before, he had known it. But now, the Dinobot could feel it. The Lighting Strike Coalition was back in business.

Decepticons beware.

(ooc: Sorry bout the delay guys, HMW affairs sapped more time than I thought they would've)

Autobase Prime - Command Centre
Blaster observed the bustling goings on around the command center, watching the Autobots prepare for missions to various other operating theatres. He made it no secret that he wished to go along with them, any of them. Sitting at his communications station reading reports was about as fun to him as watching iron rust.

He called over to Jazz, one of his favourite Autobots. The two seemed to share the same attitude towards life, combat and music. "Yo Jazz ol' buddy, if you're gonna speak to Prime about going to Tagan, make a mention about me will ya? You can see how a place like this can really drain the vibes out of ya. You really don't want me ending up like Prowl do you?"

Autobase Prime - Ready Room

Fotress Maximus shifted uncomfortably as Prime and Magnus discussed the fate of AC488. It went without saying that some response had to be mounted to the almost certain Decepticon mission to that distant world, but that truth did not sit well with the High Commander. The War had already ravaged Cybertron--left it a drained, lifeless husk for hundreds of vorns. Their world had managed to heal itself through processes which continued to mystify both sides on their most fundamental levels, but he was not so great an optimist as to assume that all planets could be so resilient.

The idea of spreading their conflict among the stars was profoundly disturbing to Fortress Maximus. The only comfort that could be taken from the hard realities now facing all Transformers was that neither side possessed sufficient resources to mount more than a small-scale expedition, and that was fairly meagre. He'd have much preferred a policy of containment to one of matching the Decepticons move for move. That, however, simply wasn't feasible, and he was enough of a realist to acknowledge that fact.

Despite all his misgivings, Maximus could not dispute that Prime had chosen well in selecting Magnus to lead this operation. The former commander of the Tagan Heights would spare no effort to ensure that the damage to the native sentients was kept to a minimum.

A shame that this was the best that he or any of them could hope for.