To Catch a Thief

 

Logged by Tempest/Rumble in January 2001

 

***

 

Command Center

 

This circular room was formerly the bridge when the base was a viable spaceship. Now used as the Command Center, it is dominated by the large central viewing screen. The screen is linked to the main computer system, and can display anything from energon production reports to tactical updates to topside weather information. The various other bridge control stations have been converted to monitor and control the various mechanisms and activities of the base. They curve around the room from the door to the central viewscreen.

 

(Recently the desert base had been experiencing raids, the thief or thieves in question stealing energon and spare parts.  Reflector had been put on watch with the intent of identifying the culprit.)

 

Reflector enters the room, carrying surveillance images from the desert base.  He drops a sheaf of photographs onto the table.

 

Soundwave swivels around in his chair at the station, to regard Reflector with interest.

 

Rumble peers over at the images. "What a mess!" He looks up. "Autobots?"

 

Megatron’s optics flash. "If so... they will pay for stealing our supplies."

 

Ruse glances to Reflector and wanders over to the table to look at the pictures.  "No way.  They would have taken it all...not just a bit."

 

Reflector nods, all three heads bobbing at once. "It does not seem like the work of Autobots...I saw no one while I was there."

 

Divefire walks in a little slowly, still unsure of how the base layout works exactly. Seemingly he's found his way to the command center now and what looks like another problem for them. Without an anouncment of his presence he just walks close enough so he can cast a quick glance over the photos.

 

Megatron thinks about the fact for a minute. "Hm... you are right... Humans? The energon isn't of any use to them."

 

Soundwave says, "Might Autobots incite this planet's native species to steal for them in order to cause us a setback? They seem to be encouraging them to cooperate in terms of weapons manufacturing, for instance."

 

Megatron turns to Divefire. "Do you think, the humans would really so stupid to steal our energon, Divefire? You are the expert for this planet."

 

Divefire looks to Megatron, a little shocked to be considered the expert on this place already, but he still answers with a little confidence. "I can't see why Megatron. As you say it won't be of use to them. I can see them trying to understand our technology by stealing that, but the energon as well? No."

 

Rumble looks nervous. "I hate to say this but...you don't think it's one of our guys, do ya?"

 

Soundwave looks to Rumble. "I would hate to think so badly of one of our troops. Everyone is surely aware that we must act as a unit.”

 

Ruse trys to lightly backhand Rumble upside the head, "We have plenty of energon from the base, nobody here would have a reason." She notices something looking at the photo, and picks it up to take to Soundwave, "Look at this.. in the corner. Isn't it yellow paint?"

 

Rumble looks ashamed to have suggested it, and returns to fiddling with the radio dial controls.

 

Soundwave accepts the picture and regards it carefully. "Reflector, transform, focus in, and magnify this image."

 

Megatron looks at the picture for a while, nodding. What he sees seems to remind him of something. "Trashrats..." he murmurs.

 

Reflector does so, zooming in ont the smear. Finished, he returns to robots mode. "It appears to be paint, matching exactly those samples you gathered several weeks ago in hue."

 

Soundwave says, "Interesting. The rogue seeker whom Rumble and his siblings detected. This individual *would* have use for our energon. Perhaps there is our answer."

 

Rumble looks up, startled. "That weird Seeker?" As he does so, his hand hits the radio knob, spinning it around...and picking up a single word as the dial spins through the frequencies. ...."...Prime..."... And the voice sounds, indeed, like their enemy.

 

Soundwave swivels back to his station, his hands darting across the controls to re-gain that frequency.

 

Divefire muses for a moment. "It does look and sound like we've got a pest problem."

 

The channnel comes back. The first voice is deep, unfamiliar. "...seen anyone matching that description?"

 

Prime replies, "Negative, Defcon, but we'll keep our optics peeled."

 

 Ruse glances to the communications array then to Rumble asking puzzledly, "Defcon?"

 

There is a pause, then Prime asks, "Just how dangerous is the perpetrator?"

 

Defcon answers, "Your risk is probably minimal. She was heavily damaged resisting arrest. She's been on the run for months and about a Cybertronian month ago, I encountered her in this area of space. I think I finished her, but it doesn't hurt to check.”

 

Soundwave's left hand activates another set of controls, even while his right hand works independently, keeping the voices coming in relatively clearly. "Transmission is coming from off-planet," he announces.

 

Megatron rubs his chin. "Defcon..? Mmmh..."

 

Defcon adds, "If you do find the body, let me know. There's a good price on her head."

 

Rumble shudders. "That guy's voice gives me the creeps!"

 

Soundwave says, "Cross-referencing known enemy files."

 

Megatron says, "Either this is a cunning trick or our enemies have a problem..."

 

Divefire shakes his head lightly as he tries to place the name and voice. "Something awfully familiar about that name..."

 

Megatron says, "A bounty hunter."

 

Soundwave says, "Transmission appears to be authentic." A smaller side-screen flickers to life, with a scroll of data rushing past. "Autobot personnel files list: Defcon, bounty hunter, enforcer, solitary operative, given a high degree of autonomy by Autobot high command. Wanted in three Decepticon sectors for atrocities.""

 

Rumble looks at the photos and mutters, "WE have a problem too. This guy doesn't seem like ANYBODY's friend. Why doesn't he steal off the Autobots?"

 

Ruse coughs and murmers to Rumble, "Becase they actually post guards around their energon maybe?"

 

Soundwave shoots a sideways glance at Ruse. "I assigned guards. This individual found his way around them."

 

Prime radios back, "If we see your fugitive, we'll let you know.”

 

Defcon answers, "I appreciate it Prime. And if by some miracle she IS functional...watch your back. She's nastier than you'd think. Defcon out."

 

Rumble pokes Ruse. "Do YOU wanna get stuck on guard duty? *I* don't!"

 

Soundwave corrects, "*Her* way around them."

 

Megatron says, "No, stealing energon like a Trashrat isn't the style of such a guy... more the style of his... prey."

 

Rumble says, "So what are we supposed to do…clean up the Autobots' mess?"

 

Megatron looks over the Defcon file again.

 

Divefire’s optics narrow as he listens to the conversation... "I'm not sure if I like the idea of a prey that can give Defcon trouble. From what I remember there are some good reasons why he's still wanted, not apprehended."

 

Rumble adds, "I don't think that guy...girl...whatever...is a Decepticon. The logos were the cheapest ripoffs I've ever seen."

 

Ruse erks and ehehs... and hushs. (Gotta watch what I say around Soundwave.)

 

Soundwave turns to look at Megatron. "It would seem we share a common enemy with this individual."

 

Megatron says, "Someone who is able to escape him and survive, this individual may be of use for us."

 

Rumble adds sourly, "If she doesn't steal all our energon first." He frowns. "Why didn't she just ask? If she was a real Con, she WOULD have!"

 

Megatron says, "And... according to what we know about what he hunts - his prey seems to be a Decepticon."

 

Soundwave says, "Perhaps she is afraid to come forward, Rumble. There are many possible reasons. Perhaps she is not a Decepticon, but wishes to be - thus the makeshift symbols. We will find no answers by tossing about speculations."

 

Rumble mutters, "I saw her. She looked like garbage flying around on its own. And how're we gonna catch her?"

 

Ruse hmms, "Maybe wait for her to return for more energon at the desert base? She doesn't know we know after all..."

 

Soundwave nods to Ruse. "She is desperate enough to break into an armed installation for fuel and spare parts. She has a dangerous enemy on her trail. That is a point at which to start."

 

Megatron nods as well.  Megatron says, "But she won't be easy to catch."

 

Divefire says, "And I don't supose we have a global tracking net in place just yet, do we?"

 

Soundwave says, "Negative, Divefire. If the disturbance has not been picked up on this planet's information networks, I cannot access it."

 

Rumble chips in, "She's not in the greatest shape though. She might be easier than you think..." And he pauses. "Though, if she got away from that bounty hunter guy...""

 

Divefire nods to Soundwave but keeps his notes on Earth comunications networks on hold for now.

 

Ruse hms, "I think we should try to talk to this individual first, confront them at the base when they return. After all she does wear our symbols... although crude ones... and is on the run from an Autobot bounty hunter. There no real reason to 'catch' her, just confront her."

 

Soundwave says, "It seems, however, that we will have to lure her to a place where we can do so."

 

Rumble says, "I don't know if she's the talkative sort. I was there for a long time on surveillance and didn't see a thing. It was as if she knew I was watching, and laid low because of it.”

 

Megatron says, "She's a Trashrat. She will be away faster than we can see... We'll prepare a rat trap."

 

Ruse hms and frowns slightly not so sure about trapping someone who’s possibly a Decepticon or wants to be one... still she remains silent for now. (Megatron’s right I... suppose. I still don't like the idea though.) She looks to Megatron, "So when do you want me to go set up the trap?"

 

Soundwave says, "Commander - what if we were to transport energon from storage closer to the space bridge, as though in preparation for sending it home? Might this attract the scavenger?"

 

Rumble grins. "Sounds good, Soundwave." He looks to Megatron.

 

Megatron nods. "I think we could use the desert sand to camouflage an energy cage...”  Megatron says, "Prepare the trap, Soundwave."

 

Rumble begins gathering up components, eager to go.

 

Soundwave taps out a few quick commands on his keyboard.  Soundwave says, "A temporary cage can be generated fairly easily with some modification to the medical stasis field equipment, but it will not have much power."

 

Divefire gives Megatron a quick questioning glance. "So we’re going to do what? Transfer some energy from the desert base to the space bridge and hope our thief walks over the energy cage while we're gone?"

 

Megatron says, "It doesn't need much power, Soundwave.  We just need to gain a bit of time."

 

Ruse wanders over to a chair and has a seat.. silently drumming her fingers as she leans back and watchs.

 

Rumble chuckles. "Yeah. Don’t ask me how that bag of bolts even managed to drag herself away from the crash site."

 

Soundwave nods. "I will gather the equipment from repair bay and meet you at the appointed coordinates."  Soundwave stands as though to make his way to repair bay, awaiting final confirmation from Megatron.

 

Megatron says, "Soundwave, you'll take everyone you need to install the trap. While the rest of us draw the attention of the intruder."

 

Soundwave opens his tape compartment and looks to Rumble. "Enter, Rumble. You will assist me."

 

Rumble transforms into his Blue Cassette mode and enters Soundwave's tape compartment.

 

Megatron says, "To the desert base!"

 

Ruse stands and follows Megatron...

 

Divefire walks after Megatron as well.

 

Soundwave gathers up a small handheld stasis field generator, and pops open the back panel. A needle-tipped tool emerges from one fingertip as he makes some adjustments to the circuitry. He reaches out telepathically to Rumble as he works.

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) Rumble, when we arrive at the capture site, you will eject, and I will transform. Together we will be able to hide more effectively than larger Decepticons. I will give you the control device to activate the cage, while I scan for the sound of approach.

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) (Soundwave quite naturally in the course of 'conversation' transmits mental images of the whole process)

 

Soundwave finishes up, and strides out of the room to join up with the others.

 

 

Southwestern Desert <North America>

 

     The arid southwest ranges from thorn scrub all the way to true rocky desert. Where the sun bakes the ground, cracking the reddish earth, a timeless quality pervades the silence, and the desert seems to stretch to the end of all infinity. Sand-sculptured arches and mesas in yellow, orange, and ochre rise like painted primitive works of art reaching for the brazen sky. Here and there balanced stones tilt precariously on their tapered precipices, frozen forever in an instant of eternity. Occasionally native wildlife can be seen scurrying through the burning sands or winging their way upwards on hot thermals. Tumbleweed blows across the landscape, swept by the ever-present desolate sigh of the winds.

 

In a nearby cave, there is a flicker of yellow and blue in the shadows near the cave mouth. Behind the cover of the rocks, a robotic figure lies low and listens, hidden from the sight of the other Decepticons.

 

Divefire looks around the desert landscape, his optics squinting against the harsh light. In a quiet voice he comments. "No sign of anything yet."

 

Rumble ejects and transforms into his Robot mode.

 

Rumble looks around as if trying to see their quarry. He sees nothing but rocks and sand.

 

Megatron watches the busy working inside the base, the "preparation of the shipment". "Hurry up!"

 

Soundwave flies in low to the ground and lands in the shadow of the old desert base, ejecting Rumble and the control device for the cage, almost simultaneously shrinking down to his tape recorder mode.

 

Soundwave transforms into his Tape Recorder mode.

 

Rumble slips the control device into storage space and begins lifting energon cubes for the mock "transport."

 

Soundwave lets the momentum of his transformation drop him into a hollow between rocks where he's practically hidden from view. A tape reel moves silently inside him, as he extends his senses to detect every sound and movement around him.

 

In the shadows of the rock wall, a gleaming red optic is pressed to a crack between the rocks as the fugitive observes the activity at the base. Transport, it looks like. Are they taking all her food?

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, "(narrow-range radio frequency to those nearby) If this scavenger is so clever as to avoid the Autobot bounty hunter, she will be suspicious if we do not leave a guard posted.  Rumble has the control device for the cage, which he can keep hidden until needed."

 

Ruse enjoys the wonderful task of helping Rumble load up the energon cubes. Lift and carry, lift and carry. (You know as often as I end up doing this I should have a forklift altmode.)

 

Rumble grumbles, "Why do WE always have to be the manual labour?"

 

Megatron says, "We leave!"

 

<Earth> Divefire says, "No offense to Rumble, but what if the trap doesn't work?"

 

Megatron flies off with a pile of cubes.

 

Ruse picks up a small stack of three or four and lifts off following Megatron. She answers Rumble first though, "Becase we are the lowest in rank... for now."

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, "If you have a better suggestion, Divefire, I would be open to hearing it."

 

Rumble takes up position as guard, lounging about, pretending to be half into rest cycle as soon as Megatron's out of sight.

 

Soundwave listens intently for any approach.

 

<Earth> Divefire  pauses before answering. "Not really."

 

Divefire takes up a pile of cubes himself and launches into the air without a word.

 

<Earth> Megatron says, "Silence now!"

 

There's a few minutes of pause, then a shifting in the rock valley. A loose pebble, or...?

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) (Soundwave transmits the direct experience of what he's hearing)

 

There's a flicker and then...a yellow helmeted head adorned by two blue spires rises cautiously out of the shadows. She watches in the direction which Megatron left fo a few moments, then regards the base intently.

 

Rumble lies perfectly still, pretending to be asleep.

 

Slowly, the yellow Seeker slinks out of the cover and sprints towards the base.  She's limping, due to the fact that one of her engines is shattered. As she approaches, you can see sparks spitting from a deep gash in her left arm. She's dented, her split panels crudely sautered shut, but she moves deceptively fast despite her wounds.

 

Soundwave doesn't see the movement from his current position, but he does hear the almost infinitessimal whisper of movement against the rock and sand. He transmits this on a continuous mental link to Rumble, indicating the direction from which he's hearing this.

 

Rumble replies telepathically, "I can see her Soundwave, and she looks tough...but she's coming. Get ready..."

 

She pauses for a minute, regarding Rumble...and then slips two long blue blades from the brackets on her wings. She stands there, weapons at the ready, as if considering.

 

Rumble telpathically messages Soundwave with 'Um...Soundwave...you know I really don't like the looks of this...'.

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) I will signal you as soon as she is in range. You will have to point the stasis field generator directly at her, and quickly. Remain calm, let her take a few more steps ... you are still 'asleep.'

 

You paged Soundwave with '(tel) Rumble agrees, nervously.'.

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) (Soundwave conveys a sense of calm and reassurance)

 

The Seeker seems to come to a decision. She sheathes one sword and makes to step past Rumble towards the energon cache.

 

Soundwave pages: (tel) Now!

 

Rumble's optics fly open and he points the generator at her, pressing the activate button.

 

An electric cage flies up around the yellow Seeker.

 

Tempest stops dead in her tracks, then whirls around, both swords in her hands. Rumble's very wide awake, and coming towards her. She glares at him...one optic is cracked, but the vehemence in both is plain...and lets out a sort of /hiss/ more appropriate to the voice processor of an animal.

 

Soundwave transforms into his Robot mode.

 

Soundwave transforms and rises out of his hiding place, stepping forward out from behind the base.

 

Tempest's head immediately snaps around and focuses on Soundwave...and she strikes the bars of the cage with a double blow from the points of her swords.

 

<Earth> Soundwave says, "The scavenger is contained."

 

Megatron says, "We got her! Back to the base!"  Megatron flies back.

 

Tempest's attention is absorbed by Megatron's arrival, and she lashes out again, striking the same place repeatedly...

 

 Megatron lands. "Surround the cage!"

 

Rumble examines the captive. "I'm telling you, she don’t look like much..." He breaks off as she hisses at him again.

 

Divefire turns back as well, landing near the cage and glancing over the captive.

 

Soundwave steps closer to the cage and regards the individual inside. There isn't any menace about his manner, just an obvious interest.

 

Tempest growls at Megatron and draws back to get as far from him as possible...but those who are perceptive will see her dig her swords into the sand, as if testing the feasibility of flipping the cage over.

 

Megatron slowly walks closer, watching Tempest. "Well, well... here is the little rat that is stealing our supplies.”

 

Tempest regards Megatron straight in the optics with another hiss, apparently unimpressed.

 

Megatron says, "What is your name?"

 

Tempest looks him straight in the face and replies, "What's it to you?" proving that she can, indeed, speak.

 

Ruse flies back and does as Megatron commands, drawing her laser rifle just in case but she keeps it pointed at the ground.

 

Tempest holds her swords at the ready, jabbing one of them backwards repeatedly at the cage behind her, the other on guard in front of her lest the wall collapse and the Decepticons attack.

 

Megatron says, "Oh, she can speak!"

 

Megatron says, "If I know your name, I'd be able to address you instead of calling you a... trashrat."

 

Tempest's optics sweep the group. She squints her bad lens to see more clearly. There's no recognition in her face until she zeros in on Ruse's Decepticon emblem and suddenly looks somewhat uncomfortable.  The yellow seeker sneers back. "Tempest...the storm. That ring any bells?"

 

Soundwave notes in his reverberating voice, which conveys a certain serenity: "You wear our symbols on your wings" he does not make mention, for the moment, how poorly painted they are, "and yet you steal from us without first introducing yourself? Surely that situation can be remedied. And, I would not recommend you try to break your way free. There is a good deal of firepower trained on you, should you make any threatening moves."

 

Megatron watches the prisoner thoughtfully.

 

Tempest's optics widen a little, and then she hides what seemed to be uncertainty and fear with another sneer. "I took what I needed. As do we all."

 

Megatron says, "You are good, very good..."

 

Tempest looks around. "Look, what do you want with me? Why don’t we skip the pleasantries and get on with it?" Despite her terrible condition, she taps the points of her swords on the sands, as if in challenge.

 

Megatron suddenly says: "Turn off the energy."

 

Soundwave looks to Megatron with a flicker of surprise, but then nods to Rumble.

 

Rumble looks at Megatron like he's nuts, but turns the power off.

 

Tempest looks around as the cage flickers and dies. She doesn’t bolt right away, but regards them.

 

Megatron says, "You can go."

 

Tempest doubletakes as if she didn’t hear that right. "What?"

 

Ruse hmmms, looking towards Megatron then Tempest. (He’s going to convince her via a show of good will to perhaps aid us? She does have skills like he said.)

 

Divefire keeps his distance from the cage and others and just regards the thief with a serious but blank look, although his attention does seem a little drawn by her swords.

 

Soundwave waits quietly to see how things progress.

 

Megatron says, "However, I have to warn you. If you try to steal our supplies again, you will regret it. But if you join us, you'll have your daily part of energy."

 

Tempest looks back at him. "I'm not a mercenary. I don’t work for pay and I don't take orders." She looks back somewhat longingly at the energon, then steels herself, narrowing her ruined optic to a slit.

 

Megatron says, "You are a Decepticon, aren't you?"

 

Tempest replies, "I've called myself that, among other things..."

 

Soundwave tilts his head curiously. "You have at least one Autobot enemy," he notes.

 

Tempest laughs harshly. "I've got a hell of a lot more enemies than just him."

 

Megatron says, "If you are a Decepticon, you'll have to take orders from Megatron."

 

Tempest snorts. "Megatron's probably long dust, and..." She pauses. "Is that what's got you so mad...the symbols? Fine, I'll take them off."

 

Soundwave looks from Tempest to Megatron and back, realizing that she truly doesn't associate the name with the silver command figure standing before her.

 

Megatron laughs. "Prime would indeed like me being dust, but I never did him that pleasure!”

 

Tempest hesitates. "You're...you're Megatron? THE Megatron?"

 

Divefire smirks slightly from the back of the group. "You know any one else with a gun that big?"

 

Megatron’s optics flash shortly. "Yes, I am Megatron, leader of the Decepticons."

 

Tempest 's head snaps around. She loses her obvious cool and transforms in a flash to Star Cruiser mode, trying to make a break for it...unfortunately, one engine's not working and without fuel, the other cuts out within seconds. She transforms and lands facefirst in the sand several feet away.  Tempest pushes herself to hands and knees, looking up at the assembled Decepticons with an expression resembling desperation and terror...which suddenly hardens into a firm and vicious snarl.

 

Soundwave ejects Buzzsaw and sends a silent command to circle overhead, to keep watch on the gathering from above - and especially on the battered yellow seeker jet that just crashed into the sand during her escape attempt.

 

Buzzsaw leaps out of Soundwave's tape compartment and transforms into his Condor mode.

 

Tempest crouches on her knees, slowly pulling out those long blue blades, keeping a wary optic on the circling robo-bird.

 

Divefire casually lets his electro sword snap into reality as he keeps a carful optic on Tempest and her long blades.

 

Soundwave takes a few steps toward Tempest. "Why so afraid?" he asks, almost conversationally. "You wear our symbols. What do they signify to you? Or are they meant merely as decoration?"

 

Buzzsaw leaps from Sounders, transforming immediately as he swoops up into the sky, hyperacute senses scanning the ground below. He keeps his distance.

 

Tempest regards Soundwave right in the optic band, trying to read his expression and failing. "Power. You wear these in the Spaceways I came from, people tend to leave you alone." She pauses. "Look, like I said, I can scrap 'em if you want..."

 

Megatron addresses Tempest in a calm way: "It's time for you to rest for a while. You need energy and repairs. I offer it to you.”

 

Rumble sneers. "It's hard to tell why Defcon thought this trash rat was worth his time."

 

Tempest smirks at Megatron. "No one offers anyone anything, Sir Megatron. What do you REALLY want?"

 

Megatron says, "A good warrior for the empire."

 

Rumble laughs at Tempest. "Sister, you're in no position to argue!"

 

Tempest growls back at Rumble, "There's things worse than dying." She snaps her head around to Megatron, not sure what to say to that.

 

Buzzsaw continues to circle and scan, taking close note of the newcome seeker.

 

Tempest begins to consider. Those assembled can get a good look at the sparking shoulder, the slow leak of fluid between those badly welded panels, the intense damage to her left engine...but there's an anger and fire in those optics burning still...

 

Megatron looks at her. "I know how it is...," he says softly. "Being hunted... not knowing how to get the next bit of energon...”

 

Tempest still doesn't trust him. "And so I take what I want. Can you blame me for that? But I'm not a mercenary...I don't take anyone's orders..." This is obviously disturbing her. The light in her optics is growing wilder. "ANYONE's!" She's furious now, and her optics are blind...she's screaming, but it's not you she's screaming at...it's something only she can see.

 

Divefire’s optics narrow at the femme seeker, he steps foward to Megatron, sword still out in the air. "Megatron, there's a good chance she suffured neural damage in her crash. She might not be entirly stable."

 

Tempest sees that outstretched sword and her internal alarms start ringing...mistaking the gesture as an attack, she lashes out with both blades. And the attack's not that of a trashrat--it's calculated. One blade's going for Divefire's neck, one for his midsection, in an arc.

 

The modulation of Soundwave's voice becomes, if possible, even more calming. "In your condition, Tempest, it will only be a matter of time before that Autobot bounty-hunter catches up with you. You will gain no resources from the Autobots stationed on this world - and you will gain no more resources from us unless we share them with you. It seems you have been offered a viable alternative."  Soundwave says, "An option that not many are given. How many warriors have striven their whole lives to serve among Megatron's elite?"

 

Tempest seems to snap out of it and looks up at Soundwave...but too late, for she's already started her swing. She seems to have realized her mistake of her hasty action, but now she's got Divefire to worry about...

 

Ruse snaps her rifle up and tries shooting the swords out of Tempest’s hands without harming her!

 

Megatron jerks forward, trying grasp Tempest out of her movement.

 

Tempest slips past Megatron's grasp; she's surprisingly fast...

 

Soundwave says, "Buzzsaw. Detain her."

 

Divefire reacts with a quickness that matchs Tempest’s, but his priority is to block the severing of his head from his shoulders. He spins his blade up to block the head shot, but all he can do for his mid section is take the blow, hoping his armour can absorb it, and hope none of his team mates shoot him...

 

Even in her damaged condition, the yellow Seeker is tenacious...and fast. This is no ordinary trash rat.

 

Tempest's sword bounces off Divefire's chest armour...and now she has more threats to deal with.

 

Buzzsaw dives immediately upon seeing Tempest head for Diver. His mortar cannons are loaded but are not used. Instead he uses his lasers, aiming for Tempest’s wrists to get her to drop her weapons.

 

Buzzsaw's blow hits the already injured arm and one blue Longblade goes flying.  Tempest tries to run for it again, but she's surrounded...

 

Megatron says, "Enough!"

 

Tempest is obviously scared now, but regardless, she holds that blue sword at the ready...and then her expression changes to a fatalistic acceptance. She's fearless now...she is convinced she's going to die...and her optics narrow in a lethal determination, ready to go down fighting.

 

<Earth> Divefire says, "Permition to take her down? Non-lethally I might add."

 

Ruse lowers her rifle and growls out of frustration at missing. She sighs, "Tempest, we aren't going to hurt you but we aren't going to let you hurt us either! Drop the sword..."

 

<Earth> Megatron says, "Permission granted, but do NOT hurt her... more than necessary."

 

Buzzsaw lifts off gently, hovering in midair, holding his fire.

 

Tempest glares at Buzzsaw, but with both engines out, she can't fly up to strike at him, he's out of her sword range, and she has no guns...

 

Megatron says, "Surrender."

 

Tempest looks him straight in the optics and spits, "I NEVER surrender!"

 

Soundwave's optics shade slightly into an approving expression.

 

Buzzsaw drops to his lowest laser setting, adjusting it to stun her. To ensure a good shot, he dives fowards, lasers flaring up as he sends the stunrays towards Tempest, unwittingly coming into swordrange.

 

Tempest takes full advantage of Buzzsaw's mistake and slices up at him!

 

Divefire’s laser pistol snaps into his free hand and he takes a quick aim at Tempest, hoping for more of a distracting shot then actually harming her.

 

Buzzsaw fires at Tempest’s face with his stun-lasers even as her blades cut into his squareish body. HIs optics flicker and then he spins away, trailing a little smoke.

 

Divefire's shot strikes the yellow Seeker on the back of the helmet. She spins around to face him...and staggers. The light in her optics flickers. Lights glimmer under her damaged panels. It's clear that as tough as the yellow seeker is, she's hit the hard line...the very end of her endurance. She sways, struggling for control, but there's only so much damage a body can take.  Tempest's knees buckle under her and she falls chest first onto the sand, her other sword flying out of her grip. She turns her head weakly to the side, glaring at the Decepticons. Her lips curl into a snarl. "Damn...you...all..." And she loses consciousness.

 

Rumble approaches cautiously for fear she's faking it, but she really is knocked out. "Holy slag. Now I see what Defcon was worried about. "

 

Megatron walks over to Tempest. "Take care of Buzzaw, Soundwave..."

 

Rumble adds to Soundwave, "You know, I don't think she believed you." He looks back at her. "It's like she thought we were all gonna kill her right off hand."

 

Megatron picks the yellow seeker up. "Back to headquarters!"

 

Rumble transforms into his Blue Cassette mode and enters Soundwave’s tape compartment.

 

Soundwave holds out an arm to encourage Buzzsaw to land.

 

Divefire raises a brow at the shot he just pulled off and then he just lets himself smirk slightly without another word as he puts his weapons back into subspace.

 

Ruse winces, and holsters her rifle. She sighs, "Well we tried to talk to her, Rumble. That’s all we could do... Buzzsaw, you ok?"

 

Megatron flies off, carrying Tempest.

 

Soundwave lets Rumble enter his tape compartment, but keeps Buzzsaw outside, so as to carry him back to base without having to fold him up and risk aggravating the sword slash.

 

Buzzsaw circles raggedly, going up and down erratically. He finally lands on Sounder's arm, almost falling off again. The blade had cut deep into his torso.

 

Soundwave steadies Buzzsaw in his grip, and takes off into the sky

 

 

Repair Bay

 

        The place Decepticons seek medical care, the repair bay makes every effort to put the patient at ease. The temperature and lighting are optimized for comfort, and the walls are a neutral grey. There are ten beds along each wall, all with display panels. Equipment and tools are stored in the wall between beds and diagnostic scanners emerge from under the beds when in use. Off of the main room is a specialized surgery unit for laser core trauma, a small cryogenic stasis facility, and an emergency room with stacked beds to be used when the main room becomes too crowded. Overall the repair bay appears to visitors as modern and efficient and this impression is quite valid. Even the most catastrophic injuries can be treated here by a skilled medic.

 

Megatron lays Tempest on a table for repairs.

 

Soundwave enters carrying Buzzsaw, whom he places down on one of the repair tables.

 

Rumble ejects and transforms into his Robot mode.

 

Rumble looks down at the figure on the repair table, and then up at Soundwave and grins. "That's gonna take a LOT of work."

 

Buzzsaw is placed down genly, laying down with a sigh on the table, hiding any pain the condor might be feeling from the deep wound. Turning his head slightly, Buzzy looks at the yellow seeker.

 

Ruse walks in, and hops onto an empty repair bay table to watch... hoping Buzzsaw will be alright. (I didn't think he got hit that bad. I hope he’s going to be ok.)

 

Megatron looks from the damaged form on the repair table to Soundwave. "It's up to you now."

 

Tempest looks a lot less dangerous now, though she's hardly what one would call attractive. Her face, body armour, and limbs are constructed of hard square and triangular corners with pointed edges, instead of the typical femme curves.

 

Soundwave casts a glance toward Tempest and Megatron, but his first priority is to patch up the leaking on Buzzsaw, and still the pain. He opens a small access panel under Buzzsaw's wing and disconnects the local tactile sensors, then welds the slash wound in a superficial manner, until he can get back to it more thoroughly.

 

Buzzsaw sighs a little and relaxes, sending a silent thanks to Soundwave for his gentle doctrine administrations.

 

Rumble looks at Buzzsaw with concern. "Take it easy there bro." He scowls at the yellow Seeker. "She can leak to death for all I care."

 

Divefire leans up against a wall and casts his gaze over Tempest from afar. "It also might be an idea to disarm her for now. Considering how quick she is."

 

Rumble lifts up a sword that's almost as long as he is tall and hands it to Divefire. "Nasty, eh?"

 

Megatron says, "Take them to the armory, Rumble.""

 

Divefire takes the sword from Rumble and just nods. He gives it a quick inspection before handing it back to the smaller robot. "Very. Though they don't seem to be powered."

 

Rumble takes the sword back, picks up the other, and holding them out in front of him, heads for the door. The tips catch on the floor panel, almost sending Rumble sprawling...but he stumbles and catches himself, heading out.

 

Ruse wanders back in with a cube of energon tucked under one arm. She wanders over to a storage drawer and gets out a can of oil before walking over to the table Buzzsaw is resting on. She hops onto the crate again and sets the cube down and carefully opens the lid off the can of oil for Buzzsaw before setting it to on the table.

 

Rumble returns.  He peers at Tempest and goes to sit beside Buzzsaw and Ruse.

 

The helmet comes right off in Soundwave's hand.

 

Divefire steps over to the med table and takes a closer look, keeping out of Soundwave's way. "That's a new design feature."

 

Soundwave's optics flicker slightly in surprise, as he carefully brings the helmet up over Tempest's head and sets it aside.

 

Underneath is Tempest's true headpiece...softly rounded, a pale lemon yellow that is a weak contrast to her bold yellow golden colour, trimmed with pale turquoise that is a shadow of her electric blue stripes. The true headpiece has rounded holders as if to contain spires like those on the helmet, but these are broken off close to the base. Perhaps most surprising is the cast of her features without the dark shadow of the pointed helmet. They are still sharp, still hardened by the passage of time...but they are those of a youth, still a few upgrades short of adulthood.  Lying there, she looks more like the survivor of an Autobot attack on a suburban living quarter than the desperate raider of the desert base.

 

Buzzsaw looks at the energon and oil hungrily, but turns away. He's tough. He doesn't need to be babied.

 

Soundwave in the midst of his concentration remains aware of what's up with his creations. "Buzzsaw," he admonishes gently, "do not make me come over and feed you."

 

Divefire frowns as he looks over the features of Tempest, and then looks to Soundwave, another question on his mind. "She's a kid?"

 

Soundwave says, "I would not describe her as such. But - she is clearly trying to armor herself. Physically or emotionally. Against what, I cannot guess."

 

Rumble snorts. "Some kid, she almost skewered poor Buzzsaw."

 

Divefire folds his arms over his chest, being carful to avoid the slight gash on his side. Considering, he drums his fingers against his arms. "Something bad enough that she carries around two blades that are bigger then Rumble." Speeking of the smaller mech he gives him a side on glance. "And nearly beheaded me."

 

Ruse, to her credit, doesn't laugh at the thought of Buzzsaw being hand fed. She instead smiles, "Look your autorepair systems need energy otherwise you’re never going to get better." She then looks up, "Rumble... she’s no kid, just like you and I aren't 'kids'. Shes a warrior and she was irrational. It happens. It was just fortunate Buzzsaw was skilled enough to evade the slash in part."

 

Buzzsaw grumps silently but obeys Soundwave, reaching out to take a few swallows of energon. Then he opens his oiltank and tips some oil into it... hardly enough.

 

Soundwave replaces the external helmet, and moves on to other repairs. He notes a storage compartment, and out of curiousity taps it open - wouldn't do to let someone like this keep a secret stash of weapons, after all.

 

Weapon indeed...or is it? There are two items within... The first seems like some sort of ornament, a jeweled ring far too small for a Transformer on a long gold chain. The other is a rusty hilt of a weapon with a firing stud on it.

 

Soundwave examines the apparent keepsakes with interest, especially the weapon, to see how functional it is. Even if he's curious about this being, his first pr iority is still the safety of the other inhabitants of the base.

 

Pressing the stud causes an energy blade to zip out of the hilt.

 

Divefire looks at the blade with interest, from afar. "That's odd."

 

Rumble agrees. "I ain’t never seen a weapon like that."

 

Soundwave snaps off the energy blade and hands the hilt to Rumble. "Keep this in storage for now, Rumble."

 

Rumble nods and does so. "Great, just what we need, a walking arsenal." He scowls at her. "Lock up the guns."

 

Divefire casts another side long glance to Rumble. "Not quite what I meant, Rumble. I mean why keep an energy blade in storage but go instantly for those longblades of hers? Doesn't make sense."

 

Soundwave replaces the unusual ring in the storage compartment, and does another scan to check for more hidden weaponry and any other injuries that need immediate addressing. He notes the fuel readings too. "Ruse, bring some of those energon cubes over. They will need to be infused into her systems, since she is unconscious."

 

Buzzsaw turns after his quick gulps of fluid towatch again, relaxing on the table.

 

Rumble examines the hilt. "This thing looks like an old piece of junk, Divefire.  Like it's had to store up charge for a long time."

 

Ruse says, "... reminds me of Megatron. More weapons then arms factory. Eh probably because the energy blade uses too much fuel. Remember she was and probably is still low if she’s stealing from us."

 

There's no indication of any more hidden compartments.

 

Ruse does as Soundwave commands...

 

Divefire seems to accept both those points of view and nods in reply. "Most likely."

 

Tempest, repaired and refuelled,begins coming around.  Tempest is still at first...then a red optic opens a bare crack, the gleaming light moving as she looks around to determine what's going on. Her limbs move very slightly...as if she's trying to not attract your attention....

 

Buzzsaw moves to look better, ignoring any damage reports coming in from the half-repaired wound. He wants to see this girl who managed to, by some fluke of fate, slash him.

 

Locked down, her leg comes up against the limits of possible movement and stops. She tries again, more firmly, and is again arrested in her movement. Her optics open a little more and she catches Buzzsaw looking at her.

 

Soundwave has set the stasis field so that Tempest can move somewhat to be comfortable, but not enough that she can leap off the table.

 

Tempest realizes the futility of pretense and raises her head up, quickly glancing over her restraints...and then blinking as she realizes her bad optic's been repaired. The look of surprise on her face is almost comical...she looks herself over again, her jaw dropping more as she sees herself repaired. She stares incredulously at Soundwave.

 

Divefire steps back from the repair bay and once more observes from a distance.

 

Soundwave nods to her in greeting. "Welcome back to the land of the living. Another direct hit with an energy weapon, and you might not have returned."

 

Tempest fixes Soundwave with a direct glance. "You...you fixed me!" Her optics narrow. "Why?"

 

Soundwave replies with simple honesty, "I was so ordered by Megatron."

 

Buzzsaw looks back at Tempest, letting her see the damage done, but not attempting to appear threateningly.

 

Tempest looks absolutely confused. "What the..." She scowls again and says tersely, "What do you want from me?" Her hands raise up to her wings, and she doesn’t seem surprised to not find her swords there.

 

Rumble says tauntingly, "Don't waste time looking for your weapons."

 

Soundwave gestures to the faintly shimmering stasis field. "I must apologize for the current accomodations, but I would not see you attack one of my creations again."

 

Ruse moves back over to the crate and stands atop it... to watch Tempest with Buzzsaw. She asks somewhat quizzically, "Want? Why do you keep asuming we want something?"

 

Divefire adds comment from the side. "Personally, I'd like to see you stop going for your swords every time something new confronts you."

 

Tempest glares at Ruse. "There's no other logical explanation for you to save my life."

 

Tempest nods to Soundwave. "Understandable." She doeesn't seem the least put out by this, though you can see her testing the limits of her movement just in case.

 

Soundwave says, "But Megatron has already explained. A fighter such as yourself, with the ability to survive as long as you have, could be most useful to our cause.""

 

Tempest looks around and offers grudgingly, "So where am I?"

 

Soundwave says, "We are not a charity, I can assure you of this. Though we have common enemies."

 

Tempest nods slowly. "You want a soldier. And I..." She doesn't look as if she particularily likes the arrangement but... "...have no real choice, do I?" She smiles humourlessly. "Common enemies? Who are they?"

 

Buzzsaw flexes his wings at Sounders’ mention of his creations. He remains silent though.

 

Soundwave answers with a question of his own. "Why is the Autobot Defcon after you? And, you are in our headquarters, here on this planet."

 

Tempest snorts. "Him. An enforcer. Raids, attacks, pillage...I take what I need to survive. He seemed to have a problem with it." She offers no more explanation, nothing about her role in said pillaging. "What planet is this?"

 

Ruse falls silent for now, just watching along with Buzzsaw...

 

Divefire replies casually. "Earth."

 

Tempest adds, "He also seemed to have a problem with these..." She gestures to the logos on her wings...then to the logo on Soundwave's chest. "Your insignia."  She doesn't seem to really understand this.

 

 Buzzsaw continues to watch, ignoring the rest of the energon offered him.

 

Tempest looks blankly at Divefire. "That means nothing to me. Do you have a star chart?"

 

Divefire shakes his head slightly and explains more sceintific terms. "Not to hand. Earth is the third planent in a system to refered to as Sol by its inhabitants. This startsystem has some defining features like the asteroid belt in its outer regions."

 

Tempest tilts her head. "Any relation to Ritaxa? The Van Whitbourne Quadrant? Kilair?"

 

Divefire says, "And in Standard Cybertronian that means?"

 

Tempest replies, "That's where I'm from..."

 

Tempest shifts as if trying to hide the badly painted faketiCon insignia on her wings.

 

Divefire raises his brow a little at that. "Okay. Just so we know, do you even know what Cybertron is? Or the Transformers. Or about the Autobots and Decepticons and the great wars?"

 

Tempest looks at Divefire. "Cybertron's the home planet of our Species. I know that much. And Transformers are what we are. Do I look stupid?" She frowns at the last one. "Autobots...Decepticons...I hear they don't get along very well, but that doesn't mean a lot to me." She looks at her wings and seems somewhat embarrassed. "As I said, you wear this insignia in the Van Whitbourne Quadrant, and people think twice about picking a fight with you. Lots of the pirates wear 'em. Some of them even make a big deal about being Decepticons but I always figured a real...I mean, you guys...would wipe the floor with most of them."

 

Tempest adds softly, "I've never seen Cybertron..."

 

Soundwave's optics shade a little brighter into what those who know him would recognize as a smile. "Perhaps we would. But you have held your own nicely." The optic band resumes its usual color. "It is sad, almost, that you wear the symbol without having an understanding of what it truly means. It is not merely a token of intimidation. It is a mark of honor, a symbol of hope for the future, a brand of unity." He pauses and regrads the form on the table. "Unity is unfamiliar to you, I would guess."

 

Ruse softly hmmms, "Who would have thought being a Decepticon would be a fashion trend in some part of the universe... and eh how can you not have seen Cybertron? Were you not created there like the rest of us?"

 

Tempest looks up at Soundwave. "I ran with a pack once..." She trails off, unwilling to elaborate. Instead, she scowls t nothing and says tersely, "I sincerely hope you're not the type to get carried away with your "great hopes for the future."

 

Divefire for his part just looks serious and considering. Little else escapes his dark green optics or fetures. Although he does betray a little smirk as Ruse beats him to the punch.

 

Tempest looks back at Ruse. "Well sure. I was built on Kilair."

 

Buzzsaw listens with interest, but is quickly growing bored. He flutters up a little unsteadily to land on Soundwave's shoulder.

 

Rumble says, "Watch it Buzzy, you're still a little weak."

 

Soundwave 'smiles' again slightly. "You will have to discuss the great hopes for the future with Megatron. But the goal is, as always, to make a better future for ourselves and our creations." He reaches up to steady Buzzsaw on his shoulder.

 

Divefire replies dryly. "The death of Prime is a starting point."

 

Ruse hmms, "Another planet with transformers on it... besides this one." You can already see the hundreds of questions she wants to ask Tempest but holds off for now.

 

Buzzsaw looks at Rumble a moment as if to say /I am fine./ and then turns back to regard Tempest, allowing Soundwave to steady him.

 

Soundwave nods to Divefire. "The elimination of the Autobots. The revitilization of our homeworld, the expansion of an empire. Those are all very lofty goals, but we gain on them piece by piece.”

 

Tempest corrects Ruse sharply, "It HAD Transformers on it."

 

Tempest looks curiously at Soundwave. "What do you have against the Autobots?"

 

Soundwave says, "As you have noted, they react badly to that purple symbol."

 

Tempest nods slowly. "Irrational if you ask me."

 

Soundwave says, "Perhaps irrational. But it carries behind it many generations of warfare and ongoing enmities."

 

Ruse says, "... what happened Tempest? If you don't mind a few questions."

 

Tempest eyes Ruse. "There's a lot of us in the Van Whitbourne quadrant....raiders, enforcers, pirates. Last survivors of colonies, fugitives from justice, galactic warlords, those with nowhere else to go. The Van Whitbourne quadrant is the dregs of the universe for many species..."

 

Soundwave says, "And yet you say your planet *had* Transformers. Past tense.""

 

Tempest replies coldly, distantly, "Kilair was destroyed...as it deserved to be.”

 

Soundwave says, "Destroyed by whom?"

 

Buzzsaw listens intently.

 

Tempest nods in agreement. "Correct. Transformers who, on the most part, did not deserve to live. Pacifists, destroyed by raiders. "  Tempest squares her shoulders and looks at Soundwave. "Raiders who wore a logo like this. Raiders like me."  Tempest is clearly getting agitated, and would be pacing if she could. Instead, she beats her hand back and forth on the repair table, sitting up alertly, her optics flashing their customary defiance.

 

Divefire looks a little uncertain at that statement. "Decepticons don't kill without a reason. Least not the ones I know."

 

Soundwave says, "We do, however, take what we need. For the benefit of the entire group."

 

Tempest says tersely, "Everyone does. The strong kill the weak to survive. Kilair was a planet of pacifists, who left Cybertron to escape the wars. They deserved everything they got. And I...will never be the weaker adversary again."  Tempest grins coldly at Divefire. "They kill because they /can/. That's reason enough where I'm from."

 

Soundwave nods. "To that end, however, it helps to have equally strong friends."

 

Soundwave says, "The universe is a hostile place."

 

Tempest looks back at Soundwave, somewhat startled, somewhat...saddened? And then she sets her face and nods in agreement.  Tempest thinks, considering. "So you want a soldier. And it seems you're willing to take a gamble on the likes of me."

 

Rumble rolls his optics. "Oh goody...lock up the guns."

 

Divefire nods to Soundwave in agrement. "That's true enough." His optics then narrow at Tempest’s words, noting something but leaving it unsaid for now. However he does reply a little tersly and quietly. "Killing because you simply can can lead to the road of your ultimate destruction."

 

Soundwave says, "It is as I told you. We are not a charity. We also have no use for warriors in our ranks who do not wish to be here. We will not force anything upon you. If you refuse Megatron's offer, he is likely to send you on your way.  But you have an opportunity that is seldom given to outsiders."

 

Buzzsaw looks at Tempest, looking as though he wasn't upset at all that Tempest slashed him.

 

Tempest pauses, thinking. "Ashes..." She nods tersely. "My odds do seem much better here, don't they?" She still eyes Soundwave suspiciously, as if unsettled by the fact that she can't read his expression, and unsettled by her own warming towards him.  Tempest looks at Divefire. "It also seems the rules here may be different than where I came from."

 

Chasm arrives from Equipment Storage.  Chasm slinks in to one side and tries to press himself close to the walls.

 

Tempest starts as Chasm enters, eyeing the newcomer for threat potential. She smirks as he slinks.

 

Soundwave says, "Greetings, Chasm. Come meet our ... guest."

 

Divefire has his optics locked on Tempest for a momment, then without a reply to her comment he simply walks away to another area of the repair bay to call up something.

 

Soundwave has Buzzsaw balancing on one shoulder.

 

Chasm flaps up to a perch near the ceiling, where he can comfortably survey all of the room's inhabitants, "Hmmm, what exactly does she do?"

 

Buzzsaw looks at Chasm and nods to the other tape. He has a deep, quick-repaired gash across his body.

 

Tempest eyes Chasm...hungrily? As if evaulating his combat capability...

 

Ruse hms noticing Tempest startle and looks back to Chasm, "Hi... havn't seen you around the base recently."

 

Chasm flaps a wing idly, "I see the troops are looking a bit battered. Care to tell the tale? You see what you miss when you are engaged in the important work I do all the time..." He yawns discretely.  Chasm smirks at Ruse, "I've been keeping busy, my dear."

 

Tempest looks around the room. "Well, if we're going to be in the same crew, I could use some names."

 

Chasm flicks at tail elegantly, "Chasm," he says, by way of introducing himself.  "A mech of no small talents," he adds, studying his claws in detail.

 

Ruse hops onto the table Buzzsaw was perched on and has a seat there, "I am Ruse. Ambush Operations... at least in title function." (More like Decepticon in training.)

 

Rumble looks sourly at Tempest. "Rumble." He's about to say something challenging, but decides better of it, just in case they ever give her those swords back.  Instead he mutters to Chasm, "Stay clear of her--she's mean."

 

Soundwave makes a surreptitious gesture to Rumble as though signalling him to relax.

 

Chasm flicks a head towards Rumble, "Oooh, gossip. Do tell."

 

Rumble pokes Chasm and gestures towards the yellow Seeker, who's glaring at the both of them as if deciding how best to dismember them piece by piece. Rumble shifts behind Soundwave.

 

Buzzsaw scrawks a little, stretching his gold and black wings. His red eyes glisten, but he says nothing. Instead he just looks at Tempest.

 

Tempest looks at Soundwave. "So Sir Medic, do I stay locked up here forever, or what?"

 

Chasm rolls over onto his back, "Ah, Soundwave, still locking up all the new Decepticons you find, I see?"

 

Tempest's optics dart. She seems more willing to trust Chasm's word at face value than that of the others. "What do you want with me?" she hisses.

 

Soundwave replies in a tone that takes no offense to Chasm's words, "You are hardly locked up, Chasm. As for you, Tempest - I will assign you temporary quarters where you will be under guard until Megatron determines further what your role is to be."

 

Chasm rolls his optics, "Jolly good, just like my case."

 

Tempest gives him a twisted smile. "Goody, I'm in jail. Maybe I should have taken another waltz with Defcon." But there's a slight gleam in her optics that suggests she may be being facetious...

 

Divefire doesn't say it out loud but wonders who the lucky soul is that gets to guard that one as he looks over Mk III Trans-Am modifications.

 

Tempest looks at Chasm. "Please tell me I'm not getting incarcerated with him."

 

Ruse says, "Chasm... stop rolling around like an earth mutt and show some respect."

 

Soundwave says, "Now there would be a thought. Tempest and Chasm to learn their way through our ranks together?"  Soundwave's optics flicker a little, indicating he too isn't being entirely serious.

 

Tempest says, "Out of curiousity, what's the punishment if I rip his fuel lines out?"

 

Chasm whispers conspiratorily to Tempest, "I barely survived the initiation process, you know. Look at me - a mere shadow of the mech I once was. Terrible things are done here... especially to the 'new' recruits..."

 

Soundwave realizes he's never formally introduced himself to Tempest, and adds, "I am Soundwave, incidentally, and my creation" he indicates Buzzsaw on his shoulder, "is Buzzsaw."

 

Tempest immediately tenses up, hissing under her breath...

 

Soundwave says, "And Chasm is highly fanciful."

 

Buzzsaw flicks his wings and snaps his beak, the diamond serrations glittering in the light as he flexes his wings again, regarding Tempest cooly.

 

Tempest relaxes a little, looking up at Soundwave as if wanting desperately to trust him and being afraid to for that very reason...

 

Tempest looks at Buzzsaw and mutters, "Sorry."

 

Soundwave nods to Tempest reassuringly, then looks to Chasm and shakes his head slightly.

 

Chasm flicks a tail slightly, ignoring the hostility edged towards him, "Now, now Ruse. Remember I'm more cunning, graceful, elegant and witty than you, so there's really no need for you to try and prove yourself."

 

Tempest waits to be released.

 

Divefire pipes up from the back, not being able to keep himself silent any longer. "Tempest, the best way your are going to get along in the ranks of the Decepticons is ignore every thing that is told to you by Chasm."

 

Soundwave reaches toward the controls near the med table and releases the stasis field, which fades out of existence with a faint sparkle. He stands still for a moment and regards her. "If you wish to leave us, Tempest, now is your opportunity."

 

Tempest smirks a little and nods to Divefire. She stares back at the dragon-bot.

 

Buzzsaw shrugs off Tempest's apology, as though to say "It doesn't matter. "

 

Chasm flashes Tempest a wicked grin. "Don't always believe what they say, m'dear."

 

Ruse doesn't bother to reply to Chasm... no need. (He reminds me of Starscream on one of his bad days.)

 

Tempest stands up slowly, testing the range of hermovement, and hops off the table with a surprisingly fast movement. She stands there, giving off an aura of coiled energy. Her optics dart around the room, over the assembled faces...but she doesn't move. "I'll stay. For now, anyway." She seems a little withdrawn, but her attitude's changed a lot since the desert base.  Tempest stretches her limbs, obviously delighted at the effected repairs, and offers a brief grin at Soundwave, in that moment seeming like the child from before, when she had been asleep...

 

Divefire watches Tempest carfully as he ponders stepping on Chasm when he walks out of the repair bay.

 

Chasm selected his perch on top of the shelf for a good reason.

 

Soundwave watches Tempest in complete silence for another long moment, his expression unreadable, but his presence somehow conveying a non-threatening sense of total composure.

 

Tempest smiles weakly at the assembled group. "I guess I ought to sand those logos off my wings, hm?"

 

Buzzsaw watches Tempest closely, tipping his head to watch her movements.

 

Soundwave decides, "Keep them for now. In time, perhaps you will gain upgrades." Again the faint brightening of the optic band.

 

Tempest looks kind of embarrassed, but nods.

 

Soundwave says, "I will show you to your quarters. You will find them more comfortable than the current accomodations."

 

Chasm snickers, "It even has a view through the bars."

 

Ruse says, "Good to have you with us Tempest... and glad you’re not against us."

 

Tempest looks surprised. "I get actual quarters?" Then she adds, "This isn't the brig, is it?"

 

 Soundwave intones warningly, "Chasm."

 

Buzzsaw shakes his head, stretching his wings a little, and glares at Chasm.

 

As Chasm adds his comment, Tempest grins back at him. "Then we can be cell mates together, since we're in the same position. If I get hungry I know where I can findsome pre warmed fuel." She grins at his stomach area.

 

Chasm hmmphs and flicks his wings up.

 

Tempest looks at the others to see if she's gone too far.

 

Buzzsaw lets out a chirp-chuckle.

 

Soundwave says, "It is not the brig, Tempest. Ruse, accompany us."

 

Ruse ughs at the thought, "His fuels probably as black as his fuel pump." Ruse hops off the table... and does so.

 

Chasm waves an inquiring paw, "I'm sure I'd be very tasty with a bit of vinegar and persimmon."

 

Buzzsaw remains on Sounder's shoulder, obviously coming with them. He's still looking at Chasm.

 

Soundwave gestures Ruse to lead the way toward the personal quarters of the base.

 

Living Quarters

 

        When needing to rest, recharge, or relax, Decepticons go here to their private rooms. A long hallway has doors on either side leading to each Decepticon's assigned space. The rooms are equipped with a small computer console and work station, a recharge bed, and whatever personal belongings the individual has. The rooms are fairly small and packed close together, but they are reasonably sound-proof for privacy.

 

 

Tempest looks around, notices a porthole...and freezes. "We're...under water!" she says in a raspy voice.

 

Soundwave says, "Indeed we are. This is our current base. It is quite safe, I assure you."

 

Ruse leads the way, "Here we are... it’s simple but it’s home." She motions to the row of doorways.

 

Buzzsaw continues to ride on Soundwave's shoulder, wings half-extended for balance.

 

Tempest presses her face to the porthole, again seeming young for her demeanor. "Weird..." She tears herself away, awaiting an assignment.

 

Soundwave says, "And you may find the view quite enjoyable at times."

 

Ruse sorta ignores her tent and the crate beside it. She herself isn't sure why Ravage along with herself have decided to make their home in the hallway but they have.

 

Soundwave opens one of the doors along the stretch of hallway. "Here is one of the unused rooms. You may claim it as your own for the moment."

 

Tempest sticks her head inside. "Whoa..." She looks around. "It's so...clean..." She peers with some puzzlement at the recharge bed, and you may notice her optics darting around to all the corners, all the windows, all the vents...

 

Soundwave notes her observation. "I would not advise seeking a way out through the windows or vents, considering our base rests at the bottom of the ocean. I suspect Megatron would not be pleased if you flooded the lower levels."

 

Buzzsaw watches, a little amused. Then he looks around again quickly growing bored.

 

Tempest smiles a little. "No worries at the moment. Still, I dislike being boxed in anywhere...I promise not to flood your base if you promise not to attack me..."

 

Tempest is also a little startled at how perceptive Soundwave is, and files this for future reference.

 

Soundwave says, "You will have to remain here until Megatron can review your status. But you will find it adequately comfortable, I believe. If you require energon or other accessories, you may let me know."

 

Tempest nods her agreement, and heads inside to check out her new home.

 

Soundwave decides in response to a silent inquiry from Buzzsaw, "Very well, Buzzsaw will remain. Ruse, you may look in on Tempest later to see that she is faring well."

 

Soundwave paged Buzzsaw with '(tel) Remain in contact.'.  (you sense that Soundwave doesn't *entirely* trust Tempest yet not to be unpredictable)'.

 

Buzzsaw takes off and soars the short distance to Tempests' shoulder, perching gently on a free spot.

 

Ruse nods, "I will..." She glances to Buzzsaw in thanks, nodding to him. (He’s fine. Thankfully.)

 

Buzzsaw pages: (tel) emits emotions of reassurance and confidence.

 

Soundwave assures himself that Tempest is well-secured and comfortable, and then turns to go.

 

Buzzsaw heads into Tempy's room with her, perched on her shoulder.