Transformers: Steel Reign

[Dark Silver]

"Scan for alternate forms would require Transformation Cog scan. We've not equipment to do that here." Gridlock said, until now having been quiet.

"Gridlock's right" Springer said, the tilt up panel "folding" back into his arm. "We'll wait till Optimus gets here. And everyone here is to help build the base. It's important we get up to running as soon as possible. We have reports Megatron's been eyeing this area for a quick acquisition, and he controls enough of this planets fuels sources and landmass already."

Gridlock rose up, nodding, as he issued out orders to the group, "We will be working on the Eastern Defensive Perimeter and structures today. Humans will be assisting, so work will be done with mind to them."

"Springer and I will be making out report to Prowl, so he can forward it to the Ark and Optimus Prime. We'll be joining all of you after. Your all dismissed"

[LadyTevar]

Crimson had been about to agree with DeathStrike, when Jazz and Gridlock made their call. Her protests died unspoken... even as she wanted to emphasize the odd way the copter vanished, and Swiftshot appeared.

Triplechanging... yeah... that would make far too much sense. Enough that even Stryke was agreeing with Deathstrike.

[Cynical Cat]

"Wait!" Deathstrike shouted. "You are just going to let him wander around armed?"

[Dark Silver]

"Of course not, just like you, his CR chamber deactivated his weapon systems. So unless he has some knives on him, he won't be able to do much damage. We're not completely stupid" Springer said, a hint of mocking derision in his voice.

[Cynical Cat]

"You mean they deactivated all the weapon systems you know about," said Deathstrike, "which doesn't include any that he has hidden. If he is Black Ice or another infiltrator model, he will have concealed weapons."

[LadyTevar]

BlackIce was a name even Crimson knew. "If BlackIce exists ... I don't think he'd be caught this easily, DeathStrike."

[Cynical Cat]

"Don't be foolish," said Deathstrike. "You're about to let a robot that you have overwhelming evidence is a Decepticon wander around a base just before Prime arrives. Not one of you know him. You know me, a Decepticon that walked away from the war ages ago, but you don't know this Autobot who is supposedly on your own side. You make it easy to walk among you. If he is Black Ice, or another Decepticon with the same job, you will learn the true extent of his skill when things start exploding and your comrades start to die."

[B4UTRUST]

Ice stood silent during the tirades. At this rate they'd be pulling guns on each other. But they caught on. He'd have to escape soon, because chances were if the Autobots didn't slag him, Deathstrike would. Of course Deathstrike was unarmed at the moment. Ice, however, was not.

They were right to assume hidden weapons. He had several on him at the moment. Even if he couldn't access his guns, his blades and monolash would be enough to end any of their lives. Even as they discussed it he was sorely tempted to kill Deathstrike. He was a liability that Ice could ill afford at this juncture. His only saving grace would be if they found the site bombed like he requested.

He turned his optics to Deathstrike and stared at him, willing him to attack him, to give him an excuse. If he died, he'd make sure the Decepticon traitor went first.

[Cynical Cat]

"You've gotten careless," Deathstrike said. "I know you couldn't have anticipated my presence here, but really your cover story is so thin even the Autobots don't trust it. Let Megatron know that my greatest mistake was to lose faith in him and abandon his cause."

[B4UTRUST]

"I'm sure you'd be the better individual to attempt that one, Deathstrike. I don't think I'd be well liked if I went to see him."

[Cynical Cat]

"Your performance is wasted on me," said Deathstrike. "I know that every word I say to you will be relayed to Megatron, especially since these ones are too foolish to take the appropriate measures. A Decepticon strike team is either in bound or will be on its way soon. You will commit some act of sabotage or assassination and join the attackers at the optimum moment. I will either be destroyed or dragged before the rest of the Decepticons to be made an example of.

"The only ones who will place any weight on my words are Decepticons. I lost faith in Megatron's victory. I saw only a war that would leave a handful of survivors ruling a dead and powerless world. I abandoned a war that would kill me and where victory would be worthless. And I was wrong. Both Autobots and Decepticons found alternatives. My own plans came to ruin and I have wandered the galaxy as refugee, slowly falling apart piece by piece. Heed me warrior, my decision doomed me and those that left with me. I lead my few surviving friends to their doom. Surviving this upcoming battle unarmed is likely to be beyond me. But I know what you are and that you will take these words back to Megatron. He deserves to know why I committed my treason."

[LadyTevar]

With the two larger 'bots talking, Crimson took a chance, quickly moving forward just enough to grab Hornet by his wing and yank him out from between them. He was so light, she nearly pulled him off his feet.

Once he was by her side, she whispered urgently into his audio receptor "If a fight starts, we are -both- leaving. No questions, no arguments. Understood?"

[Dark Silver]

"I think the Vorns in space fried your cerebro-circuits Deathstrike" Jazz said, walking next to the Decepticon deserter.

"We're going to put you back in the CR chamber for some repair time, Stryke will remain with Swiftshot. And no, while I don't know him, or ever heard of him, no one can know everyone in a army. Not even Optimus. Now let's go."

Jazz one on side, Springer on the other, they prepared to escort Deathstrike back to the maintence bay.

[General Havoc]

Hornet was not expecting to be dragged aside anymore than he was expecting everyone to pull guns on one another. He barely touched the ground once as Crimson pulled him over to the side.

As she whispered to him, he raised his head suddenly and with a shocked look. "We... we can't just leave everyone! We have to make them stop!" His expression was nearly frantic on this point. "Please Crimson! We can't let them start shooting each other!"

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke had shifted, putting himself between the two 'Bots and Crimson. He nodded when Jazz said he would be guarding Swiftshot.

[Charon]

Shellshock looked between the two raging transformers. The giant bot got to his feet, stomping a foot to get the attention of everyone.

"That's enough! You're arguing like little children! Do I need to seperate the two of you?"

Shellshock looked at Stryke and then Overload. "Stryke, you've got your orders, please get Swiftshot out of here and keep an eye on him." As Jazz and Springer started to escort Deathstrike Shellshock looked over at Overload and whispered to him. "Overload, could you keep an eye on Deathstrike for me for now?"

Shellshock looked over at the presiding Autobots. "My apologies for giving orders, but I feel it necessary that these two be seperated and be kept under watch."

[B4UTRUST]

Ice continued to stare at Deathstrike.
"For someone so cheerfully traitorous to a cause, you seem to know an aweful lot about Decepticon plans. So, Deathstrike, when is this Decepticon raid going to happen? You seem to know everything else, so please by all means tell us. I'd certainly like to know. I'm sure some of the others here would as well."

[Cynical Cat]

"Go into stasis lock with a Decepticon assassin on the loose?" Deathstrike asked incredously. "Him first."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke stepped forward and put his hand on Swiftshot's shoulder. "All right, lets go outside." He said in a commanding tone.

[LadyTevar]

One hand clamped over Hornet's vocalizer as he protested, as Crimson watched Stryke sidestepping protectively between herself, Swiftshot, and Deathstrike as he was about to be lead out.

"Thanks, Stryke," she whispered privately to him, and started moving Hornet out of the way so Jazz and Springer could take Deathstrike out the door.

"See... Jazz has it under control, Hornet," she whispered, letting her hand loosen. "Just trottle down, please...... we don't need them noticing you, do we?"

[B4UTRUST]

Ice spared Stryke a glance then turned his attention back to Deathstrike.
"Come on Deathstrike, let me know the time. You can come whisper it in Uncle Swifty's ear...

"If the Seekers come here to destroy us, I promise you that I'm personally making sure you're there to greet my arrival in the Pits..."

Ice turned his head to Stryke again and turned, walking out of the command center in front of him, his hands in plain view.

[Cynical Cat]

"I was one of Megatron's strike commanders," Deathstrike snapped. "I know exactly how and when Megatron likes to attack. That's one of the reasons I'm valuable to you." He turned to Crimson. "And you ask why Black Ice would arrive with such a flimsy story? Because you buy into it anyway!"

[Agent Fisher]

As Stryke walked behind Swiftshot, he nodded at Crimson. He would hate to see her hurt. Partly because it would mean he had failed, but also because she had started to grow on him. Once outside, he turned to Swiftshot. "You know, I'm not really sure what to believe, but if you are a 'Bot, and if you ever want help taking down Deathstrike, let me know."

[LadyTevar]

Why was he looking at her?! She had no control here, everyone else was overriding her, out-ranking her....

"There were no tracks around the building," she blurted. "How did Swiftshot get there?"

[B4UTRUST]

Ice smirked.
"Like I told him. If the 'cons show up, I'm making sure he dies first. So how long before I got here did he show up? Just for my own curiosity mind you.

"Warner Robins gets attacked, there are known plans for the cons to hit this installation with a vengence, and a Decepticon shows up out of the blue to proclaim that he's found Primus and wants to convert like some born-again Autobot."