Transformers: Steel Reign

[Dark Silver]

The Defense Grid was not completed, only 50%, scattered autocannon emplacements through the entire perimeter, most able to tilt to a aerial assault vector.

Laser and plasma fire boiled up into the air, trying to target the two Seekers and the dragonic Decepticon.

The Western perimeter was a rolling wall of energy as the cannons attempted to strike out.

Chimera dodged and swirved around the blasts, streams of high energy plasma rolling out of his mouth, and striking the ground. Turrents melted and exploded as Chimera took them out.



In the air, the dark form of Blackout appeared in the middle of the sun, descending, laser fire pouring from his weapon ports, as well as "murder holes" prepared in his passenger section.

It wasn't long before he seemed to be blocking out the sun, his shadow being cast over a great deal of the battlefield. Deathstrike rocketed upwards towards the Seekers, broke their formation,and continued up past Blackout.


Coming in from a higher assault vector, Blitzwing and Thundercracker rocketed towards Deathstrike, and together, opened fire, "Die traitor!" Thundercracker shouted. If Deathstrike would bother to recall, he would remember the Seeker's own misgivings of the Decepticon cause vorns ago...though he had become one of Megatron's most loyal soldiers now. "I'll rip out your afterburner and shove it up your waste disposal port 'Strike!" Blitzwing shouted, his own machine-laser spitting energy bolts at the former Decepticon.




Hovering over the battlefield, weapons pouring hot death to the ground below indiscriminately, Blackout's rear hatch swung down, and the Decepticons exited, hovering in the air for a moment, before breaking off to begin their assault.

"Decepticons!" Megatron shouted, his gravily voice ringing out through the battlfield, "Leave no Autobot functional! Turn them to Slag!"

[frigidmagi]

Blitizwing is in the air! He prefers ground combat, why won't the protoform lover land!?! I tamper down the rage, now is not a good time. He will land eventually and then I will hunt him down and tear out his optics.

Ramjet is approaching my bunker on a direct fly over. Easy target, I have a 85% chance of hitting him with my cannon as well as missiles. I move quickly, practically launching out of my bunker. My seeker missiles launch as soon as lock is achieved and I fire with my cannon. The cannon hits first slamming into his engine. I move quickly to a new bunker as he screams in pain, losing height quickly even as my missiles close in on him. He is one way or another out of the fight, he just doesn't know it yet.

I would prefer to follow up and achieve a kill but it is more important to pare down the assault force as quickly as possible. Prime and the others are counting on me.

I ease into a new position. I am hopeful at least some of the Cons will come looking for me.

[Agent Fisher]

"Oh boy." Muttered Stryke, shifting so he was between the 'Cons and Crimson. He aimed his cannon on his shoulder and fired at Blackout, hoping to either hit the chopper or the 'Cons exiting it.

[Charon]

Shellshock had transformed to his alt. form. Giving him a slightly better accuracy advantage. While the Decepticons began their assault the old Warbot's gun was silent, taking in information at a rate humans would still think impossible. Shellshock had spent an hour digging out a secluded spot on the base, giving him a good deal of cover, and only leaving his gun exposed. Even then he'd only get a few shots before he was targetted and he'd have to move. But the first shot was crucial. The Seekers were not too much of an issue yet. The real issue was...

There. Blackout. He's carrying other troops. But where would they come out from? Shellshock's sensors examined Blackout, discovering a few points of egress.

When Blackout hovered over the battlefield Shellshock did not begin to fire. Instead he took careful aim. He would not miss this time. Once the rear door opened Shellshock began to fire deadly accurate shells into the midst of Decepticons as they attempted to disgorge.

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike heard the taunts but ignored them. He can outclimb them, they can outmaneuver him. They want him to engage and fight a dogfight. He won't fight their fight.

Laser bolts flash around him. One pierces his port wing, another grazes his fuselage. Several of Thundercracker's incinderary bullets strike him, but don't penetrate armour. Temperature spikes, but remains within tolerances. The Decepticons receed below him.

Deathstrike cuts power, flipping end for end. His engines roar back into life, flinging him down at his attackers. The air howled around him like the screams of a thousand angry demons. This was what he did, better than any other mechanism alive. His targeting systems locked as he flashed towards them at a speed that would make accurate return fire almost impossible.

His weapons bay opens and a pair of flechette missiles streak down towards Thundercracker as his x-ray laser strobes beam after deadly beam toward Blitzwing. Both of them would go falling back to Earth, the only question was in how many pieces.

[LadyTevar]

As Swoop fell to the ground screaming his warning, Crimson ducked for cover. She'd not been in a firefight in ... in.. she couldn't call it to mind. Instead her mind replayed Elita-1's advice, from when Crimson was simply one of her girls.

We don't have the strength the Autobots do, or the armor. We can't stand an fight, so we have to fight sneaky. Find the weak spots: the optics, the joint actuators. Pick your target and make your shots count.

Crimson held her pistol in hand, staying in cover. Stryke was protecting her as promised; his weapon had the longer reach. She could not hit anything until they were closer...

Then Chimera made his run on the defenses, and Crimson dodged and rolled, rising into a crouch with pistol aimed.

Pick your Target. Find the Weak Spot

The five laser bolts walked their way from Chimera's wing-joint to wingtip.

[Dark Silver]

Thundercracker swung around just as Deathstrike began throwing bolts of death and missiles at himself and Blitzwing. Thundercracker's lasers and his own missiles rocketed at the traitor, even as x-ray lasers put holes into his wing - some shots he had taken for Blitzwing. He powered on through, twisting to avoid the missles, a many of the fletchettes tearing into his wings ruining them, before he transformed, just before he met with Deathstrike - only his superior mobility in alt-form allowed him to survive. Thundercracker grabbed onto the traitor's wing strut, his fingers tightening as armor cracked under the pressure, and his arm tore off with Deathstrike's thrust past him. Energon and mechfluid rained from his arm, before auto-repair systems managed to cut off the flow and reroute systems, before he started to fall to the ground.

Blitzwing, on the other hand, had taken a laser hit to his thrusters, his thicker armor allowing him to absorb the bulk of the hit, though his engines where damaged still.. He felt the need though, to get our of the air, and take it to the ground. The triplechanger flew down to the ground, machine-laser blasting at defense turrents and autobots, till he was almost on ground level, then pulled up. Blitzwing arced into the air, performing a loop, as he transformed, his body shifting and twisting into the beige and purple tank form. "Let's see whose got the better cannon, Autobrat!"

Blitzwing's main cannon locked onto Shellshock, and hot explosive plasma launched on the Autobot artillery cannon.


Blackout's massive form rocked as the artillery shell exploded against his hull, stressing out his rotor servos, and causing him to lose altitude. Luckily, the other Decepticons had all disgorged, the Stunticons remaining in the air as they rained energy blasts onto the ground, covering their mighty comrade. Blackout's form twisted as he transformed into the robot form, nearly as tall as Shellshock or Overload, heavy mass causing the ground beneath him to sink down upon contact. Blackout's arms swung up, laser gatlings pouring death into the closest group of Autobots, the quickly approaching Bluestreak, Rachet and Hound. The bolts flew straight through the holograms, as Hound's rocket impacted onto Blackout's back, distracting the Decepticon temporarily.

Dirge's lasers peppered the ground after Breakout's dive, missles and lasers impacting against the bunker outer armor. Ramjet groaned as he transformed on the ground, shaking his head. Luckily, his systems and superstructure was heavily reinforced, just for those hard impacts.

The Predacons, on the other hand, were doing what they did best. After freeing themselves form Blackout, the animal formed Decepticons began war, their weapons, claws and fangs tearing apart Autobot emplacements, hunting for the Autobots. It wasn't long before they heard Megatron's orders ring out.

"Predacons! Merge into Predaking!"

Rampage growled in hunters lust, "Predacons" he snarled, "You heard Lord Megatron! Transform and merge!"

The time it took a Combiner team to transform and combine into their gestault form was several seconds. In the case of the Predacons, it took less time. Within a few astroseconds, the five had become one, as Predking stood high on the battlefield, his booming voice echoing over even the bark of Megatron's fusion cannon, "Predaking destroy Autobots!"

[frigidmagi]

PredaKing appears on the battlefield, this lowers our chances almost ruinously unless the combiner is taken out. I do not have the firepower, or the strength. I wish my Headhunters were here with me.

I shake off the maudin streak. Hopefully the remaining Dinobots will engage the Combiner I need to find a constructive way to aide in the battle.

It is then I hear Blitzwing taunting Shellshock.

I roll out of my bunker, my missiles have been reloaded. Luckly for me I am close enough to engage the triplechanger with them but not with my cannon. The missiles lock on and I fire.

"Blitzwing you Protoform lover, quit playing around and get over here!" I call out, taunting him. I figure 55% chance at best that the taunt will work, Blitzwing is somewhat stubborn.

[Charon]

Shellshock took the blow on one of his side panels. Grunting some. "Autobrat?! Child I have grease stains older than your spark!" The massive Autobot transformed, snow and cover blowing out in a massive display. The Autobot rolled away, ignoring Blitzwing for the moment as he turned his cannon towards the sky, aiming for the Stunticons. Pulling his pistol out with his other hand the old Warbot started lighting up the sky towards his Stunticon targets.

"Take out the Stunticons before they form into Menasor!"

[Cynical Cat]

Thundercracker had inflicted more damage, cracking already compromised armour. Deathstrike needed that rebuild more than ever. Even a minor hit would penetrate Deathstrike's armour in too many places. He could still fight though. His gun still worked and his belly was still full of missiles. Time to rack up another kill.

Chimera was below him, the one the Autobots feared and hated so much. With a little luck he wouldn't see Deathstrike coming. Predaking certainly would see Deathstrike coming and activate his force field to ward off any attack that could seriously damage him. The vicious combiner was a poor target choice at this point of the battle. Deathstrike only had so many missiles.

He locked onto Chimera and let loose four armour piercing proton missiles from above and behind. He then let loose with max powered laser blasts. No half measures against this one.

[SirNitram]

Overload wanted to bumrush Predaking.. He was just standing there, asking for it.. But Shellshock needed backup. The old 'Bot transformed, racing across the permafrost on railwheels. As he did, the Transformation Cog clicked into it's third position. The train rolled straight for his partner, as parts began to shift. Two thrusters engaged, lofting the heavy, old alt-form up.

Folding down the middle, Overload's main body became a suit of heavy armour, snapping into place around Shellshock's main body. The arms shifted, grabbing what would normally be his legs, pulling them free as they moved into place over the Combiner's shouldrs. Two large apetures indicated that those were, in fact, more guns. Overload's own heavy ion pistol dropped into the Combined form's offhand.

"Breachload online."

[Dark Silver]

"You heard him boys! They want Menasor, let's give him to them!"

Wildrider laughed and as the five Stunitcons dodged around Shellshock's blasts, returning with their own laser fire. They arced into the air, coming into close formation, as their bodies transformed, and the five became one.

Menasor lowered toward the ground, his impact causing the very earth to shake as Shellshock's gunfire slammed into his chest armor. "Puny Autobots, Menasor crush you all!"



Chimera stood in the wreckage of what used to be the defense grid, most of the autocannons in his range melted piles of slag. Crimson's pistol fire pinged into his armor, annoying the transmetal Transformer, before laserblasts impacted on and around him from above. His armor melted and began to run at the points of impact, causing the dragonic Transformer to growl in anger.

Chimera's heads lifted up, twin gouts of hot energon plasma boiling out to arc into the air, towards Deathstrike's incoming strafing run. Several of the proton missles exploded as the beams of energy intersected it, another struck one of the wings, shattering the armor over one of the internal structures. With his alternate form damaged beyond it's usefulness, Chimera transformed into his robot mode, his gyro-inhibitor rifle coming up to target Deathstrike. Red laserfire poured from the pistol, up at the quickly incoming Deathstrike.



Blitzwing heard the taunting of Breakout, turned his turrent just intime to have the missles impact his armor and around him. As one of the missles struck just below his tracks, Blitzwing transformed as he rocked back on his treads, turning to his robot form, holding his energon sword in one hand, the other gripping his laser machie-gun, and he rushed on at Breakout.

"I'll make sure your just a pile of molten slag this time Breakout!"




The little robot gripped Predaking's leg, like he was attempting to pick up the massive combiner. Jetfire roared through the air, heading straight for the Predacon gestault, forward laser cannons pouring firepower into Predaking's chest. Predaking looked to Jetfire, and almost instantly his X-ray cannon was opening fire, leaving Jetfire falling to the ground, a smoking trail behind him.

The brief distraction of Jetfire gave the two Autobots time to merge together, forming Breachload. Predaking's optics set on Breachload, and within a second, he had analyzed the robot, come up with a list of threat responses, and decided on one.

X-ray laser blasts and motor rounds exploded from Predaking directly at Breachload - joined in moments later by Menasor's atom-smasher rifle blasts. After one volley of weapons fire, Predaking rushed in one Breachload, sword held high as it swung down, the forcefield was already raised to defend against Breachload's extensive looking weapons.



Megatron remained in the air, as his Decepticons continued to attack the base. It was going to plan, Menasor and Predaking would make sure the battle would continue in the Decepticon's favour, while he and Soundwave went after Optimus Prime...

"Astrotrain! Soundwave! Follow me!" he ordered, as he flew through the air, over the fighting. On occassion, the three Decepticons would unleash bolts of destructive energy into the battle below, the loud bark of Megatron's fusion cannon drowning out the others.

[General Havoc]

Total anarchy.

Hornet had been on the long-leg of a patrol sector when the Decepticons came, well out of range of their initial attack. His radar spiked and then positively screamed in his ear as dozens of targets appeared. He gulped, he trembled, he whispered a small prayer to Primus, and then he slammed on his flaps and turned around to fly towards them.

Already everything had erupted into chaos. Deathstrike was engaging several Decepticon fliers, while other Decepticons were on the ground. Hornet spotted the unmistakable form of Blitzwing under fire from several others. Predaking was there, so was Astrotrain, and half a dozen others Hornet simply could not recognize. Down below, Hornet could see Overload and Shellshock merging into some kind of monstrous artillery weapon. Unconsciously, Hornet adjusted his flightpath to avoid its line of fire.

What should he do, where should he go? He had no idea. His plans and thoughts as to how he would engage evaporated in the total chaos of this pitched battle, and for a second he hesitated, target fixated, not sure WHAT he should do.

Up ahead, he saw a Decepticon flier spiraling out of the air as Deathstrike ripped its arm off. Dirge and several other fliers were still operational, and Hornet briefly considered engaging them, but then he saw Blitzwing shifting into a tank form, his armor already cracked and damaged from previous shots...

... well here goes nothing.

He slammed on his afterburner, shattering the sound barrier with a boom that was completely lost in the thunderous sound of the battle ahead. His velocity ratcheted upwards to eight hundred, twelve hundred, thirteen hundred miles per hour and he shot over Breachload like a cruise missile, slightly shifting right to avoid a cluster of rockets fired likely at someone else. His elevators shifted and he pulled up, hard, rocketing into the air up to altitude, flashing past another flier he belatedly recognized as a Decepticon, perhaps Dirge. Too late to worry about that now. Before Dirge, before ANYONE could get a shot off at him, he pulled a complete loop and wound up facing downwards.

His afterburner continued to motor, and he flung himself down at the ground with reckless haste as he armed the bomb clutched underneath his fuselage. His airspeed indicator now exceeded Mach 2, his warning lights were blinking as several search radars pinged him only to lose him an instant later. Ahead loomed the massive tank-form of Blitzwing, which Hornet hoped had been damaged by the previous barrages enough to make this one shot he had count.

At 1500 feet, Hornet released his bomb.

The bomb dropped at 1300 miles per hour for only a second before its own rocket motors kicked in, flinging it earthwards like a meteor. A modified version of the french-model Durandel Anti-Runway munition, this bomb was Hornet's sole armor-piercing weapon, a rocket-propelled high explosive that could penetrate forty feet of concrete before detonating with enough force to level a skyscraper or blow a sixty foot crater in the ground. It was laser guided, and Hornet's laser was targeted directly on the roof of the Blitzwing's turret, the lightest section of armor for any tank.

With that, Hornet slammed on his airbrakes, pulled up as hard as he could, and JUST barely avoided crashing right into Blitzwing himself as he shot over the plains at less than fifteen feet of altitude, glancing back into his rearview mirrors to see if he'd scored a hit. He saw that as he was releasing the bomb, Blitzwing had shifted back into robotic form... he also saw that the bomb, completely oblivious to the nature of the target it was flying at, was now aimed right at Blitzwing's head.

[Charon]

Breachload threw himself to the side as fire smashed down around him. A few rounds struck against his armor, most glancing off the thick carapace.

As Breachload got his sensors in order again he noticed Predaking bearing down on him with his sword. Letting out a string of curses the bot rolled to his left, the sword digging deeply into the ground. Breachload decided to leave Predaking for later. That forcefield was too strong right now. Menasor, however, had no field.

Dropping to a knee Breachload brought his guns about and let loose a volley at the gestalt's knee joint, hoping to bring him down.

[Cynical Cat]

Three thoughts went through Deathstrike's head. One, he really needed that rebuild, especially his gun. Chimera's armour wasn't breached and he wasn't showing any sign of ionization damage or disruption. The second was the Autobots needed to build better missiles, because the anti armour proton missile weren't packing enough kick. The third was that Chimera was a superbly built machine and a better fighter than Deathstrike was if he could pull off that missile shooting trick with any kind of regularity.

Then the gyro inhibitor rifle shell struck and Deathstrike spun out of control toward the ground. The veteran warrior transformed, gyro compensators kicking in as he switched modes. He was able to reorient himself, feet towards the ground, with a surge of his thrusters.

He fired them, killing enough of his velocity that he could land without harm. Chimera's armour would resist his laser and missile strikes were unlikely to cause serious harm. Hand to hand favored Chimera. Death was the most likely outcome.

But it would be death as a warrior. Best to move, because his armour was in terrible shape. He sliced his laser at Chimera on continuous beam, trying to weaken or breach armour or at least damage and disrupt circuitry from x-ray ionization. The beam lasted for a full second and then then heat overload shut the weapon down.

[frigidmagi]

I back up firing my cannon as my missiles reload. I aim for his lower torso, I cannot cripple him with long range fire but it will hurt and annoy him. Blitzwing is not a smart fighter, I have goaded him in the past and will do so now.

"Please you couldn't kill me even with the help of your drone babysitter! That was a pathetic use of a crutch too! What, are you afraid of me you strutless coward!?!" I howl adding insult to injury. I prefer not to waste computing power on the notion of questioning his courage as I retreat into a more built up area.

I turn behind a large bunker and transform. Holding my knife low as I wait for him to close. I must get to close for his sword or cannon to be effective. Use the knife to inflict internal damage on his gears and circuits. He comes sliding into my cover, trying to slow down but his mass and the planet's gravity work against him. I jump into him knife striking out. I feel more then see him twist, guiding my strike into his upper torso area. It is a heavily armored part of his body, the knife will strike nothing vital. My bid for a quick kill is a failure. But I have the upper hand still.

My plans are quickly brought to naught by Hornet. His bomb goes off right as we meet. I curse myself. I really should have seen it coming, I've been told of Hornet's... Luck. Blitizwing and I are hurled apart by the force of the blast. I am damaged. The bomb hit Blitzwing from behind so he is worse off but I am still in pain. I resolve to have a discussion with Hornet about this, after I am repaired, I believe a 67% chance that calm explation will work better then screaming and waving my arms will.

My shoulder joints and armor are injured, most of the damage seems to be on my left side. That seems to be a theme lately. 54% of my leftside armor is burnt away, one of my knee gears is damaged as well. My right side fares better, only 37% of the armor is gone. Yes I will have to have a chat with the young bot.

[Dark Silver]

Predaking's sword sliced into the ground, as the Autobot rolled away. It took only a second for Predaking to free his sword. In that time, Breachload had focused fire on Menasor. The Stunticon Gestault stumbled back as the heavily armored joint was attacked, and then he rolled away. While Breachload was distracted Predaking seperated into his component parts, all following the agreed upon plan. They moved behind Breachload, and the sounds of transformation and combination was heard from behind Breachload, as Predaking appeared again, the clawed hands curled into heavy fists which were sent flying into the back of the Autobot's cranial unit.



Blitzwing screamed in utter pain as the bomb exploded as it struck the ground, pressure waves sent him flying, as the heat slagged his armor. Whoever dropped the bomb surely had meant to hit him with it, interrupting the fight between himself and Breakout - their long standing feud interrupted again.

Energon sparked from Blitzwing's back as systems were revealed, , entire sections of armor would need replacing after that explosion, mechfluid flowed like Fleshing blood, coating what remained of his armor.

Blitzwing could barely remain conscious, having barely held onto his sword, his laser gun only a few short feet away. getting to his hands and knees, Blitzwing began to crawl towards his weapon.

"Help...me..." Blitzwing groaned out, passing the message over the Decepticon comm frequencies.



Chimera managed to score a direct hit with his gyro-inhibitor rifle. A hit which also cost him the rifle as it flew out of his reach. Deathstrike tumbled through the air, before the transformer switched to robot mode, and managed to save himself.

"Finally..." Chimera said, having taken the full brunt of the second long burst of x-ray energy. His armor showed the ionized scorch marks where the blasts had hit, small cracks appeared near the wing strut, but overall, it seemed he was little bothered with it. The second long burst struck his chest, eating away at the armor, causing it to smoke, as energy crackled in the wound. His heatwip snapped out from beneath the shieldlike covering over his left hand, the prehensile whip glowing red and energon flowed through it.

"Finally...an opponent worthy of me." Chimera's aristocratic voice seemed laced with deadly intent, as he saluted Deathstrike. The whip moved of it's own accord, snapping in the air, as Chimera rushed for Deathstrike.




Ramjet and Dirge were now limited to ground based attacks, the Autobot's anti-air defenses were just to much. It was as Megatron had said. When the two coneheads picked up on Blitzwing's call for help though, they took to the air, staying low, just skimming the ground in robot form as they rushed to their comrades aid.

Moments later, as they arrived, they saw the aftermath of Hornet's attack run. One Autobot on the ground, heavily damage, and their comrade and friend, on the ground, crawling to his weapon.

Dirge charged his arm lasers, and walked over to point blank range of the Autobot, "Death is bittersweet Autobot...embrace the chill as you would a lover..."

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke came running, throwing himself against Dirge from behind, his cannon pointed and firing at Ramjet, hoping to distract them enough for Breakout to get back on his feet. His smaller laser machine pistol also opened up on Ramjet. Stryke didn't expect to do any real damage. In fact, he didn't expect to survive the fight, but he would go down with guns blazing.

[LadyTevar]

Confusion is your ally. Use it to disrupt the enemy and keep them offbalance. Elita-1 continued to speak in Crimson's memory, guiding her current actions as she rolled and dodged, avoiding the strikes from Soundwave and Astrotrain as they flew overhead.

If the enemy moves in formation, break it. Separate them to take them down singly. Crimson clenched her left hand, pulling on her Energon Reserves. Best way to break up a knot of enemies? Throw an explosive. The ball of Energon grew in her hand, stablizing just enough for her to affix to the end of her pistol.

Hit and run. Aim your best, but do not be there for the return fire.
The grenade was fired, aimed in the center of Megatron, Soundwave, and Astrotrain as they flew towards Optimus. Crimson moved quickly to new cover as the grenade exploded in a flash of a surprisingly large concussive blast, hitting the three massive Decepticons with an overdose of Energon.

Crimson didn't wait to see if the EMP had stunned them, moving and moving again. Even if it simply made them pause for a cycle, Optimus or one of the other Autobots could use the distraction against them. Time to see who else she could distract.

[frigidmagi]

A audio cue informs me that my missiles are reloaded. I was planning to use them on Dirge but Stryke's intervention has spared me that. I instead target Ramjet who just dodged Stryke hasty cannon blast. Stryke needs to concenrate on a single target or he'll be overwhelmed. I can help with that.

I lock unto Ramjet and fire, the range is short, he cannot dodge or otherwise defend himself from my twin missiles slamming into him. I vault to my feet, pain lances through me but I am a Cybertronian WAR MACHINE not some whimpering farm tool and I ignore it. I have fought for millienia across the galaxy and I will not die at the hands of these Con rejects! My knife is in my hand, despite all odds against it. I believe I can defeat Ramjet swiftly 88% likely. Firing my arm cannon at him I advance at best speed about 80% my normal speed.

Today I will avenage the regiment. Today I will rip out Blitzwing's spark with my bare hands if I must and I will murder any Con that tries to stop me or die trying so help me Primus.

[Charon]

Unfortunately for Predaking's attack. Overload was still active enough to give Breachload enough warning that he was able to roll with the blow, changing the blow from something that would have almost caved in his cranial plate to something that knocked him off his feet. The large bot was on his feet very quickly for a bot as massive as himself. With a growl, Breachload spoke out. His right arm swung around, placing the barrel of the gun against the massive gestalt's face. "Eat plasma Prediking!" Breachload let out a full charge blast into the creature's face. Hopefully that would get it to back off.

Breachload has multiple weapons platforms, and it was about time he started to use them. The combiner brought the Ion pistol around in his left arm, pointing it at Blackout. It was a heavy pistol, so it might be able to injure him some. The old Warbot took aim carefully and fired at the distracted decepticon.

[General Havoc]

The bomb missed Blitzwing by scant inches, burrowing into the ground instead. Hornet cried in dismay when suddenly the ground opened up like a volcano and threw Blitzwing and Breakout both into the air, gouts of flame and peals of thunder crackling over the smoke-stained battlefield. Hornet temporarily forgot all else and just stared into his rearview mirror. What the hell was THAT?! His bomb wasn't supposed to be able to do...

... and then Hornet remembered that they were fighting above an oilfield... into which he had just dropped an armor piercing bomb. No doubt he had struck a patch of natural gas or otherwise flammable materials. He winced. Breakout had been too close... but there was no time to worry about that now. At the very least, Blitzwing had to have taken the worst of the impact.

His radar told him the rest of the story. Ramjet and Dirge had decended, avoiding the Autobot AAA, and had landed nearby, no doubt to help Blitzwing finish off Breakout. Dirge shifted back to humanoid form, concerning himself with finishing off the fallen Autobot, neither Decepticon apparently concerned with who had actually orchestrated the explosion that had staggered Blitzwing.

That was an error.

Hornet turned about as hard as his airframe could stand, and with a snapshot, launched a missile straight at Ramjet, chosing him over Dirge due to Dirge's proximity to Stryke and Breakout. With the explosion playing havoc with his heat seekers, Hornet had to acquire a lock visually and launch the missile with a radar lock. In the air, at this range, Ramjet would have found it criminally simple to avoid, especially since the missile had not had time to establish a solid lock, and Hornet dared not let it ping for Ramjet actively for fear of it acquiring Breakout instead.

However without a solid lock, Ramjet would receive no warning that the missile was incoming, and so with a little luck, would not notice it until it was far too late. Either way, Hornet was already closing as fast as he could, activating his Gatling lasers as he struggled to line up a clean shot on the Decepticon flier.

[SirNitram]

Partial Override Engaged. Control of shoulder cannons to Overload. Identity acknowledged.

Breachload's dual mind was now working overtime, as the limited sweeping arc of the shoulder cannons rotated them to keep them locked on Menasor. Aiming for the joints, both erupted with incandescent fire.

Shellshock, old friend, I recall what the humans did for the psychological part of warfare..

Everything is fair in war, Overload. The other half replied.

The deep, resonant thrum wasn't a sonic attack, literally, though it emerged from the loudspeakers at maximum volume all over the base. The sound of bagpipes was something that had mightily impressed Overload in the times when he saw humans fight, and it was worth a shot against Decepticons.

[Cynical Cat]

An energized whip and no armour breach. His laser was overheated and useless. His balance was still disrupted, his maximum speed low. All direct engagement strategies would result in Deathstrike's termination within ten astroseconds. Probability approaching unity.

Deathstrike thrusters roared, carrying him into the air on a ragged column of thrust and making him an easy target for far too many Decepticons, if any had a moment to spare. Predaking, with his hyper senses, incredible reaction time, and huge x-ray laser cannon was particularily worrisome. It was, however, the best option.

Launch bays opened and two pairs of proton missiles blazed toward Chimera even as Deathstrike attempted to flee out of his reach.

[Agent Fisher]

Stryke quickly gave up trying to fight two at once, he ceased shooting at Ramjet and swung at Dirge. He wasn't built for close quarters, but after tackling someone like this, you can't just pull back to a longer range.