The Golden Age came at a high price: Depleting Cybertron of most of it's energy reserves.  Inevitably, debate about how to save the starless wandering planet turned to violence.  Those who favored reducing the population by smelting the less productive and plundering other worlds became Decepticons.  The rest had to become Autobots or face annihilation at the hands of the Decepticons.

Iacon.  Ironhide has summoned you to a make-shift armory for a briefing.  Ammo boxes and weapons are haphazardly piled up along the walls.  Bumblebee and Wheeljack wave hello / goodbye to you as they pass you on the way out.

"I've got a few new upgrades for my vehicle mode I'm eager to test out," Wheeljack mentions to Bumblebee just before they disappear from sight.

Ironhide waves you over.

"Alright, you three.  If you haven't already heard the news, Perceptor has located a world rich in resources, and it's relatively close.  Our spies tell us that there's no sign that the Decepticons have found it yet.  That's the good news.  The bad news is: we don't have enough fuel to make it there, let alone back.  Yet.

"So that's where you come in.  We're organizing small teams to simultaneously go smuggle some fuel rods from scattered points in Decepticon territory.  If they find and respond to one team, chances are, the others will be home free.  But for good measure got separate hit-and-run teams that'll be providing you with a diversion far from where you'll be going.  Here's where you should search for the rods."

A map shows a location that's only 5 minutes behind enemy lines by land along with a few suggested possible ways of sneaking in or out.  But the search area is broad enough that it could take hours searching every inch of it.  "Sneak in, find and take as many rods as you can, but keep in mind that the longer you take the better your chances are of being caught.  Take what you'll need from the armory, but don't be greedy.  Time is of the essence, so get going."

Gem watches Wheeljack pass by with a smile and admiration. She has always admired his genius and has a goal of creating or doing something that will impress even him. But the Golden Age is over... creating new things takes time and energy that is in much higher demand now.

She turns to see Ironhide and listens. He could be intimidating when he gets riled up, but Gem knows that Ironhide directs all his burning anger at Decepticons. To Autobots, the guy is actually quite affable. Especially if you talk smack about 'cons.

Unfortunately, the haste with which he emphasizes for the mission derails Gem's thoughts on what "badass" thing to say to Ironhide and she just says, "Yessir!"

Even as she turns to go, she transforms mid-twist and lands on her already moving wheels!

Expecting the others with her to keep up (or pass her), she begins saying, "Sounds like a think-on-your-feet mission. Little we can do planning-wise except maybe an escape plan. My lightshow can blind a con for a second or two, but I'd rather be sure their optics are fixed on me when I use it, so preference for close range. So let's be sure to stick to routes that provide enough cover to force cons to land and get in close if they spot us, even it it means it slows us down."

Stealth almost always comes at the cost of speed, it seems. Especially true for robots that turn into vehicles that go at higher speeds.

On a straightaway, Gem can reach speeds of 100 MPH and she is pretty maneuverable due to being a small car, but she isn't specifically designed for speed.

Although she doesn't say it, Gem is determined to return with at least one rod per teammate.

  Turbo Thunder has already learned that whole worlds lousy with natural energy potential don't mean a thing when nobody can be bothered to spend the resources on how to safely get it (or him) back into space until it's too late to try.  So the place must be real convenient if everyone is excited about it.

  "You know how bots get when I'm spending anything but my own, Ironhide.  At least my gun's bigger than Bumbelee's."  Lightning! (That he makes him look wasteful to use) Micro Missiles! (that are technically harmless gyro-destabilizers)... And an 'Energy Efficient' Laser. At least it can fire both Blue, and Red lasers though.

  The Blue (probably) Bot drives off after Gem, passing her then pulling back.  "Everything may be horrible, but at least home has roads."   Turbo Thunder is still readjusting to the fact he's edges into 'fast' car territory.

Two cool blue bots.  Two cool blue text color choices.

The official story is that Jumpjet was a failed experiment in adding flight capability to Autobots.  With energon in such short supply, the idea was to make use of highly refined liquid organic fuel for his flight engines... which turns out to be in very short supply as well.  Oops.  So his alt mode was reshuffled to wheeled vehicle, ( https://www.njuskalo.hr/image-...s-slika-35486346.jpg ) "until we can figure out how to get your flight engine to efficiently convert energon into thrust."

In truth, he was actually a just a Decepticon jet deemed too inefficient for service.  Luckily, the Autobots rescued him from the ignoble demise of being melted down into the same smelting pot as the janitor bots they were there to free.  Optimus declined Wheeljack's offer to rewire Jumpjet's brain, opting instead to reprogram the ex-Con to join the Autobots in a more ethical way: persuading him with words.  It worked!

So plundering responsibly mining a world with lots of energy sources is kindofa personal matter.  Salute to the red van boss man, transform, and roll out with the other two, lagging behind them even at top speed.

"Uh... so... do we get optic shields to keep from being blinded?  Or do we have to play reverse peek-a-boo with precision timing?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:36, Sun 19 Jan 2020.

Gem answers Turbo Thunder, "Home will always be home... even in dire circumstances."

Gem says, "Hopefully, the idea would be you guys will have your backsides facing me ready to jet. I'll do my thing and trail right behind ya. But mostly, we're hoping it doesn't even come to that."

She figures Jumpjet probably figured she meant to distract cons so they could get a surprise attack. And it had crossed Gem's mind too, but escape is more likely than victory. Especially when they are going behind enemy lines.

Gem can't understand what the decepticons were thinking. Who is going to voluntarily get smelted anyway? Did they know bots would resist and simply didn't care? And what is the point of survival if you have to commit such horrid atrocities to survive? What about more scientific methods?

...and then Gem thinks about far in the future, when everyone in the universe starts running out of fuel. She decides to cut off her thought process there lest she think too much and get distracted from the mission.

  Man, imagine needing to be powered by organic goo compounds instead of vague super science.  Who would ever make an alt mode like that?  Oh right, desperate people.

  "I might or might not have problems looking anyways, lightning strikes tend to be a lot more brief than a sustained show.  Though 'just don't get caught' means not having to worry about that, I'd be surprised if we pulled it off entirely. So... Let's not get caught until after we've looted the place."

Jumpjet is inwardly comparing the lax approach to fighting the war that the Autobots have to the way things are run on the Decepticon side.  Not all that different, really.  Only, just as likely that your teammate would have said, "Not my problem.  You can't handle my power, who needs ya on the team?!"  At least Autobots have some semblance of teamwork going for them.  Maybe that's why the war's a stalemate in spite of the Autobots' lack of any jets.  If only the 'cons weren't such tailpipes...  They wouldn't be Decepticons.  Catch 22.

Iacon is far enough back from the front lines that there's plenty of time to chat in the underground tunnels.  But as the group begins to get close to one of the possible crossing points, the group has to start traveling above ground, risking being spotted by the enemy.

But as soon as they are above ground, Turbo Thunder will immediately recognize the construction style of the destination district.  Old lightning collector towers stand widely spaced apart, each with a surrounding deep ravine.  If there's any charged rods, it'll be under the service platforms that form the floor of these ravines.

https://postimg.cc/Th2H1BcP
https://postimg.cc/hhCZdMC1

If Gem knew Jumpjet's internal thoughts, she'd explain the idea of being lax to calm nerves so that one can even do the mission at all... she is quite nervous right now, after all.

Gem transforms and leans up against a wall, peering out at the scene. She whispers, "This looks like the place."

She looks up. "I wonder if those towers are being used for surveillance."

  "Much like 'throw something at them, 'look at it from a tall place' is an eternal concept no matter your tech level Gem.  But that's actually less likely for once.  I was shipped off because our local lightning collectors were going out of style."  Perfecting weather control or simply flying through space long enough weather doesn't even HAPPEN anymore has a way of doing that.

  "Still, we're living on the biggest flying hunk of metal the galaxy has ever seen.  So while any processed energon was probably taken, the capacitor banks are certain to have a charge in them after all this time... Well, unless somebody tore them out for spare parts."

Almost as if on cue, the team sees a green seeker take off from the part of the top of the tower that isn't visible from the ground.  The seeker transforms and heads northwest, away from the group.

Over coms, they hear Jazz give an update, "OK, everyone we've just received confirmation: The diversions are working!  The hit-and-run teams are kicking the 'run' part of their function into high gear, so if you haven't reached your targets yet, burn rubber!  The 'cons bore easy, so they won't chase ghosts for long."

Jumpjet examines the damaged lightning tower.  "This place is trashed.  Wonder what would happen if lightning were to strike it while we're busy fooling around with leftover capacitor banks."

Jazz or no Jazz, Jumpjet will cross no-man's land when the other two start doing the brave Autobot thing, and not before.

Gem says, "If lightning happens, we'll deal with it then. Now's our chance." she hurries over to the edge and skids her way down the side slope down to the grates. She doesn't wait for anyone before she gets to grabbing one of the grates to pull it aside and immediately get to looking. Of course, if the grate gives her a hard time, she'll look for one of her allies to help her get it loose.

  "Right, of course the Decepticons would order easily fried seekers to stand guard up there.  Probably called them a coward rather than appeal to statistics if they complained." Just because Turbo Thunder would benefit from nature wanting to smite him, doesn't make it feel any less crazy.

  So he heads over to help out Gem, also making a quick check for if this was a push or slide grate rather than a pull situation.

Ah Acid Storm.  One of the least annoying seekers in Jumpjet's opinion.  But bring up the time he was captured by organics and he gets just as hostile as anyone else.

"Easily fried?  You mean by catching a bolt of lightning because he's sitting on top of a lightning rod?  If only.  But yeah.  You're probably right about the dumb ways the Decepticons motivate one another."

The grates aren't locked down, merely held down with bolts.  Easy enough to pop off with a handy multi-tool that every member of the team likely has.  Unfortunately, though, the energy rods are all missing.  Probably looted long ago by the Decepticons.

But most 'cons aren't very tech savvy when it comes to legitimate ways to gather energy.  So they probably didn't know about the relatively small under-layer of energy rods that were kept underneath, insulated from the main battery as a back-up supply in case of emergency.

Turbo Thunder knows.  This is just like home.  A little bit of digging and the team hits a jackpot!  Dozens of fully charged energy rods!

"Ha!  So much energy to be had right under their noses!"

Gem's eyes go wide. OK, Transformers can't do that, so her jaw goes agape. "OK... dozens... how do we transport all this... No using the radio, lest the cons find us by radio. Well they didn't see us yet, so let's grab what we can, hide the remainder and report back immediately. There's no time to lose."

Gem grabs as many as she can hold and carefully watches the grates while the others grab what they can.

  "...Not it for asking Ironhide why we were sent out to loot without any way to bring back more than scraps." Are we sure you even deserve that 5 courage, Turbo Thunder?

  "Your alt Mode is open topped, Gem.  Though that's hardly stealthy, dumping some if we get spotted beats leaving most of this here for the cons to get after we leave.  I also didn't think 'hey, let's empty out my spare capacitors before possible combat!', so it's just basic trunks space for me."

  Turbo Thunder's actual conversion ratios are left deliberately vague on purpose.  But such catch 22 situations of storage vs output are why he's out on missions.

OOC: "You can get the occasional free energon cube, and then reimburse me for lightning I shoot decepcicons with. Or, I can shoot decepticons with lightning, and you never have to give me energon."  "Well, tactically speaking-"  "The second one means less math for you. "Second one it is!"
-Probably not quite how that conversation went.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:13, Sat 25 Jan 2020.

Jumpjet shrugs.  "I'd expect an answer like, 'Don't blame me for your lack of planning,' so why even bother bringing it up?  We can just snack on some and bring the leftovers."

What Jumpjet doesn't know is that just 1 rod would be more than enough to refuel 3 bots...  Unless one of those bots were a camel bot like Turbo Thunder.  Either way, it would take precious time to be feasting in enemy territory.

But with Gem in vehicle mode, the entire haul can be strapped into her open bay, if a tad awkwardly.  https://i.pinimg.com/originals...5039c9dba1629bf9.jpg

As the group begins headed back, the green seeker returns!  "3 Autobots at my location!  They've got a huge haul of fuel rods!  Send backup!"

His coms are apparently on speaker, because the reply is audible.  "We've got 2 of our own to deal with first."

The green seeker grumbles and starts shooting at Jumpjet and Turbo Thunder, deliberately avoiding shooting at Gem.  "Three on two and I'm left to take on 3 by myself."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:28, Thu 30 Jan 2020.

Gem was more than happy to put her car mode to use for the team. But no sooner has she been loaded up than trouble comes!

Gem says, "Nuts! He reported our haul! Sounds like he doesn't have backup for now, though. But even so... Like we planned. Look away, guys."

She watches the others to be sure they look away before turning on the lights and flashing a bright blinding light towards the seeker!

"Since I'm carrying our haul, one of you go ahead of me and the other behind me."

  "Rearguard it is. Try to get some distance so they don't land on you out of spite, Gem" Turbo Thunder may be faster than Gem, but that just means he can catch up to the group better, duh.

  He starts firing with his pistol's 'Are you sure your firepower isn't 2?' Blue Laser setting alongside Gem's (hopefully) convenient distraction.  Though 'lead with an ego boost to the Decepcicons to lull them into a false sense of security' is less a deliberate tactic, and more an inevitability when his cooler options are more situational.

Gem's blinding lights work!  The seeker swerves all over the place, completely disoriented!  Unfortunately, that makes him nigh impossible to hit with a gun.  He transforms in order to slow down, but a little too late.  A split second after disappearing behind some buildings, the Autobots can hear the loud CLANK of his body slamming into scenery.

"Ugh.  Taken down by a lightshow."

Jumpjet busts out laughing.  "Good luck coming up with a believable story about how you failed, Acid Storm!"

"That voice...  Jumpjet!?  I thought you were slag...  YOU'RE AN AUTOBOT NOW?!  Ahahahaha!  The goofy car mode suits you, slowpoke!  Wait till the others hear about this!"

"....oops.  Me and my big mouth."

Slowpoke or no, the distance between Turbo Thunder and the others is quickly widening - a perfect opportunity to show off just how fast he can go!

Now recovered from the blindness enough to spray and pray, Acid Storm fires a few poorly aimed shots at Turbo Thunder from behind cover.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Fri 31 Jan 2020.

To Turbo Thunder, Gem says, "You got it, Double-T!" and does her best to keep up with Jumpjet. Her efforts are pretty decent considering she's loaded down, but there's really only so much she can do.

Gem would comment about how being goofy is better than being slag. It wouldn't have quite clicked since some Cybertronians who aren't Autobots are not Decepticons either. But he added "that goofy car mode suits you" as if to insinuate he used to turn into something else. Though even that could be excused as Jumpjet might have been rescued mid-smelting. What horrors has Jumpjet seen or been through? Gem has many questions racing through the back of her mind, but foremost is survival and escape.

Gem calls out, "Turbo Thunder, there a way you can shut that Deceptitrap?"

Gem then says, "Jumpjet, don't let 'em get to you! We're not far from our goal! Besides; *I* think your car mode is sleek! And concerning your car mode, you gonna listen to the jerk who thinks it's silly to survive? Or the girl who's entire function was aesthetics and entertainment?"

  Wow, the seeker crashed already?  Granted not very hard, but hey less effort for him.

  "Yes, it's called leaving so we don't have to listen to them anymore." Turbo Thunder's parting shot didn't miss, he blew the corner off of Acid Storm's cover with a Red laser (legally distinct from the Blue laser setting) on purpose! Totally! Mostly.

  Vroom vrooms are go, and he expects the Decepticon won't be lucky enough to decide chasing them isn't worth it.

Is this what freedom feels like?  Compliments and assurances instead of jeers.  And, "leave so we don't have to keep listening to them," instead of, "put up with it or be shot."  Jumpjet knew the Autobots were different, but it's a whole other thing to experiencing it like this.

"You're so fast then why are you too tiny to see in my rear view mirror, Flaccid Storm?!"

That jab was almost enough to anger Acid Storm into comeing out of hiding.  No, not really.  It's still one on three, and his injuries will be enough to prove that he tried plenty hard to stop them.  Pew pew pew.  Whiff whiff whiff.

Soon after Turbo Thunder catches up to the other two, the team vanishes into the tunnel maze that leads back to home base.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Sat 01 Feb 2020.

Flaccid Storm? How did he think of an insult that had acid in its name so quickly? And then they made it to the tunnels!

Gem says, "Oh my goodness! We really did it! Radioing Ironhide."

After all, though she feels home free, she isn't taking it for granted that Acid Storm did, in fact, radio the other cons.

She radios Ironhide. "Gem to Ironhide. We are in the tunnels returning with a good haul! Decepticon spotted us and reported our haul. Expecting potential ambush before we can get back. Please secure our return, over?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:54, Sun 02 Feb 2020.

  Turbo Thunder is pretty sure Jumpjet doesn't even have rearview mirrors? But then it's a figure of speech that many space cars without them use anyways.

  "I suppose that means in this case, I should stop hiding behind you and take the lead so I'll be the first to get shot... That probably came out wrong, but really there isn't a good way to phrase it"

Ironhide radios back, "Great going!  Keep your heads down and we'll intercept as soon as possible."

Once the radio channel is closed, Jumpjet requests, "Can we uh... keep what Acid Storm said between us?  Prime said that some 'bots might refuse to work with me if they knew I used to be a 'con, so it's best to keep that detail on the down-low."

Gem remains in car mode and is still headed towards base. May as well be covering ground while hoping for that escort she called in. "....used to be a 'con? Sure, I can keep that comment quiet, Jumpjet. But if you don't mind my asking; why were you a con? And why join the Autobots?"

(OOC note: It is hilarious how perfectly our trio of characters have played a pair of rank 3's working alongside Gem's rank 4 self. XD XD XD Gem: "Even if I was rank 3, these two would make me higher rank by default" Prime: "Rank has more to do with integrity and a willingness to lead than any skillset." Which is why Bumblebee wound up leading the Autobots in the IDW comics. Which was awesome.)

  "I think you should worry more about the next dozen times it comes up Jumpjet.  Because if you're afraid of anyone finding out you used to be a Con, it's going to be Cons screaming it at the top of their lungs every time they see you."

  Robots in disguise!  Not very good disguises at all edition.

OOC: Winner By Default is a proud tradition, Gem.

Jumpjet nearly skids off the road from Gem's "used to be a 'con?" question.  Maybe she was too distracted to hear what Acid Storm said.

"Um.  You can't really help what factory you were manufactured in, Gem.  I didn't choose to be one of them and never would have.  They're insane.  I became an Autobot 'cause the 'cons were about to melt me down, but your guys rescued me along with the other prisoners.  So either be an Autobot or sit on my tail waiting to be found and melted down."

He pauses a moment, considering Turbo Thunder's words.  "Good point.  So I need a better cover story.  Um.  I was a double-agent.  Infiltrated the 'cons to supply you guys with important info.  But my cover was blown.  That's why they were gunna melt me down.

"Thanks.  Both of you.

(( Jumpjet: "I just want to be left alone."  Cons: "Rank 0.  You get to be everyone's whipping boy."  Autobots: "Yeah, don't we all!  Sounds like you're Sergeant material."  ))

In a mix of horror, sorrow and anger, Gem says, "What is their problem?! Why would they melt you down?! Well now I *know* the Autobots are destined to win! Even if we left them be, those jerks would destroy themselves for us! But the Autobots aren't gonna let them be. We won't quit until their reign of terror is over. They would slag us anyway, so they better know we are ready to die trying to stop them. I don't wanna cease functioning, but if I do, at least it will have been for a purpose."

Sure, Decepticons may say dying in their slag pits has a purpose, but Gem clearly can't or won't see that as a purpose. Certainly not one worth dying for.

"You're welcome, Jumpjet." Gem says in a calmer tone with still the undertone of anger shaking her vocalizer. Her voice stabilizes and she says, "A cover story sounds more like a question for someone good at such things, which I am not. Who all rescued you?"

Gem isn't ignoring Turbo Thunder. It's just that Jumpjet already addressed TT's point.

OOC: Heh.

  Decepticons.  When lessons about recycling go horribly wrong.  Transformers is a series that can't make up it's mind exactly what environmental warnings it wants to give.

  "You should probably run it by whoever is supposed to know first, so you don't end up making people think you are a double agent or something."

"Mirage and Beachcomber," Jumpjet answers, "Um.  Wow.  Really don't know how to respond to you guys.  You're the best."

Soon the group is intercepted by Ironhide and Brawn.  The bad news is that they only slow down the team.  The good news is that being slowed down didn't really matter - no hostility is encountered.  And they heap on praises for the huge haul.

Once back at base, the group again crosses paths with Wheeljack and Bumblebee on their way out from the Perceptor's fuel storage area.

"Woah!  That's a huge haul!" Wheeljack comments, "That alone would get us to the energy world!"

"Whoooeee.  Makes the handful we got look like pittens.  Nice work!" Bumblebee adds.

Jumpjet continues to be flustered with how rainbow-and-sunshine the Autobots are and remains speechless.

Gem is happy to transform back to robot mode and be free of that load. But far more happy about the fact she and her allies are no longer in danger.

Gem gives a full report. The reason why their haul was so large. The fact they were attacked by Acid Storm and that he reported seeing a large haul, but the other cons basically told him off. She is, of course, omitting any comments about Jumpjet having been a con. Doesn't mean she can't tell about blinding Acid Storm with her ability.

Hearing Wheeljack's comment, she looks excited. "Really? Well good. The sooner we can advance, the better."

She then looks at Ironhide. "Are Mirage or Beachcomber available? Their names came up in something and I need to speak with them about it."

  "Past experience has taught me to worry about the trip back OFF an 'energy world' Wheeljack.  But I doubt everyone would be so excited about it if that part wasn't expected to be easy."

  He shrugs in regards to Bumblee's comment. "Not many bots who will say no to a pittance these days, Bumbelee.  Those accumulators don't build up a charge like they used to either."

  Turbo Thunder opts to leave the name dropping of vague subjects to the more cutesey bot. They are less suspicious than he would be.

Ironhide answers, "Mirage is rarely available.  Nearly 'round the clock spy duty.  But I can leave a message for him to look you up the next time he's in to report.  Beachcomber was on one of the heist teams, so he should be enjoying some well-earned R&R right now.  Like you should be doing."

Wheeljack nods.  "Not to worry, my friend.  We've got contingency plans in place.*  No ship is to leave Cybertron unless they have enough fuel for a round-trip in case of a need for a last-minute abort, and have enough supplies for emergency repairs.  Long range scans can't warn you when a world might have some hostile subterranean species with long-range lasers, after all.  Moreover, we've always got a rescue team on reserve in case the away team gets disabled.  Prime's taking volunteers for the away team, by the way.  You interested?"

Jumpjet considers the offer.  "Yeah.  I think I'll sign up for that."

Bumblebee smiles back at Turbo Thunder and thumbs-ups.  "Thanks, bud!  Still, I'll feel more like I earned my keep when we come back with a world's worth of harvested energy!"

*(( The audience was never told why the Autobot heroes were never sent a rescue team in the G1 series, but in this story it certainly won't be for lack of precautions.  Autobots can make blunders, but I can't imagine lack of rescue or survival protocol for space flights being one of them. ))
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:45, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Gem is a bit more attached to Cybertron and hesitates a moment. "I would like to, yes. I'm not much of a warrior at all, so I think I'd be better on the away team's task than here at home."

She looks to Ironhide and gives him a handshake. "Will do, Ironhide. Thank you for the opportunity you gave me, Ironhide. Despite what I just said to Wheeljack, I do feel more confident already!"

Gem will get proper R&R... though her idea of that is probably to sing and dance for other resting Autobots. Bring back a small taste of the Golden Age. She hopes to find Beachcomber when she goes to do so. But either way, invites her two new pals to go with her on said R&R.

  "Yeah. At least I ended up on probably one of the only places in the galaxy where giant predators understand that bots aren't food."How do organics survive long enough to evolve when they keep trying to eat things they can't even digest? How!?

  "Hey, competition is great as long as it doesn't involve trying to trip eachother Bumblebee" It's totally fine to do it to assholes though, that's how an 'only' 7 speedy boy car escapes bad guys half the time after all.

 It's probably selling Gem short that she was filed under 'nothing better to do right now', but it is factually accurate that Turbo Thunder indeed, has nothing better to do than hang out watching Gem.

Jumpjet follows after Gem as well.

Beachcomber values his solitude, so he's not found where the singing and dancing types hang out.  But he's not hard to find.  He's reclined at a long-abandoned observation deck that provides a nice view of the stars.

When the group arrives he welcomes them.  "Oh hey, Jumpjet.  How was your first assignment?"

"Was practically perfect.  If not for running into a seeker.  Who outed me."

"Yeah?  You're surprised?  You've a long way to go if you thought you were disguised well enough."

Jumpjet pauses.  "On the bright side, my new team is willing to keep my being an ex-con secret."

"Not that fond of the idea of Autobots keeping secrets from one another, truth be told."

Gem says, "None of us are fond of it, but not everyone can handle the same things, Beachcomber. I came here to ask if you have some ideas on how to further disguise him? It was his voice that gave him away to Acid Storm. And if Acid Storm reports what happened in detail, his current alt-mode will also give him away to any future encounters with the Decepticons. I'd like to think no Autobot would question Prime's judgement on bringing Jumpjet into our cause. But for now, Jumpjet needs this."

She bends over to whisper into Beachcomber's ear. "He's used to Decepticons, who find excuses to hate. He needs it in order to transition into our ranks smoother without feeling so insecure that he slips up or locks up."

She waits in the position in case Beachcomber has anything of his own to whisper, but will straighten out if he doesn't.

Given interruption of alone time as it is, Turbo Thunder opts to stay out of the personal space zone of Beachcomber on the off chance they get pouty over crowding.

Just because Autobots usually don't go around killing eachother for petty reasons, doesn't mean they can't be petty.

Jumpjet is overthinking Gem's whisper.  She whispers right after the guy says no secrets between Autobots.  Does that mean that they both don't consider me an Autobot?  Or is this Gem's way of giving him a slap to the face for what he just said?  Do Autobots put on a show of sunshine and rainbows to get your guard down while they conspire how to get away with you having an "unfortunate accident?"  Is she whispering right in front of me to try and get me paranoid?  Etc.

Beachcomber sure doesn't look insulted or annoyed, though.  Just as chill as ever.  "Reconstruction.  He'd have to let the mad science guys change his voice, his alt-mode, his entire chassis.  Or have Hound follow him around at all times to cover him with an illusion.

"Autobots won't get along perfectly with each other no matter what they believe about your history.  Just a fact of life.  Secrets tend to only make that worse.  So may as well have people treat you the way they do, good or bad, for what you know to be true, rather than for the lie that you think they believe to be true.  You know who your real friends are that way.  Disguises don't even work that well for avoiding the attention of Decepticons.  Best to just have Prime announce the truth to everyone even if complete overhauls were no big deal."

Jumpjet thinks back to his time with the Decepticons.  Huh.  Ironically, they tend to be pretty honest.  Well... about who they are, anyway.  Eeeeveryone sneaks sips of energon from what they plunder and lies that they brought back everything they found.

"Do you really?  Know who your real friends are?  Doesn't anyone pretend to tolerate someone they don't like?"

Beachcomber thinks on how to answer that.

Gem taps her finger to her mouth in thought. What would Optimus Prime say? "It's OK to be afraid. We all are. But the truth has a way of coming to light, so pretenders will be found out. And even if someone pretends to be your friend, that doesn't mean you don't have friends at all. Though I have yet to hear of an Autobot capable of pretending to be the friend of someone they dislike."

Well OK, so Prime would probably put it in a more heroic, awesome way and probably add in stuff like, oh just say it, Gem, "Fear is your true enemy, not your fellow Autobots."

  "I will make things as painfully awkward as it takes for your enemies Jumpjet." Words of...we THINK it's encouragement, from the semi-distance.

  "I will futilely punch the shins of Omega supreme if he sasses you. For I have called dibs on being the only one allowed to sass you." He's probably joking.  Hopefully.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

Jumpjet sure doesn't know what to make of these three.  Don't all Autobots pretend to get along?  It's not an act?  'Fellow Autobots' sure sounds... weird.  Is Omega known for sass?  Who calls dibs on such a thing?  Do the Autobots have some hard rule on, 'only the being who called dibs may sass this individual.'  Must be for each-other only.  Autobots sass Decepticons without any restriction.

"You say, 'Have Prime announce,' like you expect him to drop what he's doing and make a broadcast on my say-so alone."

Beachcomber nods.  "Yep.  So long as he's not in combat, it's easy to get him to do you a favor.  Just ask."

Jumpjet is speechless.

Beachcomber chuckles.  "Well hey, sorry I didn't have the answer you wanted, but you've got my answer.  So unless you like silent star-gazing, this place'll probably be too boring for you three."

Gem says, "Thanks for your time, Beachcomber."

She looks to the others. "To Optimus Prime, then!" and transforms before racing off to look for Prime!

If Gem knew what was going on in Jumpjet's head, she'd answer is questions. Alas, the ex-con is still kinda secretive.

  Turbo Thunder's slider bar for how stoic or irreverent he is hasn't been the same since he voided his own metaphorical capacitor warranty.

  "Well that escalated quickly. Yeah okay sure." Curse you, 'Don't have anything better to do', not that he'll say it out loud lest he have something more lame than 'bug Optimus Prime' assigned as better to do.

Jumpjet is dumbfounded and follows along.

Autobot symbol spin scene transition!

Optimus Prime is busy at work at the central launch dome of Iacon helping with preparing the Arc for launch with several others.  Upon being approached by the group, he stops operating the loader and faces them.

"Good to see you, Gem, Turbo Thunder, and Jumpjet.  Congratulations on finding the largest stash of energy rods of all the teams.  Well done!"

Jumpjet transforms to robot mode and stands at attention.

Gem transforms to robot mode and smiles. "Thanks, Prime! We were lucky to find so many, but I'd shake the hand of any bot that went into Decepticon territory whether they brought in a haul or came back empty handed. Hope keeps fortune coming our way..."

Is she kissing up to Prime with words like that? Maybe a tiny bit. But she believes in those words all the same. You never know when's the last time you'll ever shake another's hand. She gives Prime time to respond to that first statement before piping in with her next one. Of course, any further affirmation Prime gives, she returns with a bright smile and encouraged expression.

She continues, "Hey, I've got two important things to talk with you about; First is that we heard you were still taking volunteers for the away team. We three would like to volunteer. Second has to do with Jumpjet here..." she talks quietly, "Acid Storm made him just from his voice. Given how easily his secret came out around Double-T and I, Jumpjet's worried about his secret getting out among the rest of the Autobots and being hated for it."

That's when she notices Jumpjet standing at attention, ohs, and copies the posture with an expression that says "oops, did I mess up?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

  Turbo Thunder is still expecting the Arc trip to go horribly wrong, but is just enough of a good person to want to stick with Naive and Nervous rather than ditch them.

  Turbo Thunder also didn't salute, the nerve of him-oh he didn't salute because he started operating the abandoned loader out of habit.  Are we sure he isn't secretly a constructicon? "Thanks Prime, Gem carried all of it though."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:20, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

Jumpjet continues to be bewildered.  Here's a golden opportunity to play up just how awesome you are for being the most successful team.  And brag about how you were the most important member of the most successful team.  And look down on the less successful.  But these are Autobots.  So you can't be so brazen about honking your own horn.  So you'll use reverse psychology or backhanded compliments to get the point across.

Nope.  Nothing but legit humility coming from Gem and Turbo Thunder.



To say they're programmed differently is an understatement.

"Agreed," Prime answers Gem, "And thanks for volunteering."

To Jumpjet he says, "Well that's 0 for 6: the number of times an Autobot has hated you after learning about your past.  With odds like that, I think you've got little to worry about.  Next time a Decepticon gives you a hard time for making the right choice, I'd say turn it around on them and ask them when's the last time they could trust their fellow Decepticons."

Jumpjet kinda flatlines.  It's perfect.  Telling off those numbskulls, inviting them to question the sanity of remaining Decepticon, bragging that the Autobots won't dump you into a smelting pit.  All at the same time.

"Uh...  R-right!"

An Autobot NOT Gem would suggest being an ex-con means that being an Autobot is an excuse to shoot at all the jerks you hated before swapping sides. But Gem isn't the kind of bot to even consider that angle.

Gem says, "Thanks, Prime! We'll stay near the launch zone so we can be on call. Unless... do you need an extra hand right now? Ironhide ordered us to get some R&R and we did unwind a bit before coming to you, so we've technically done so."

  Turbo Thunder finishes being a background gag just in time for Gem to ask Prime if they want help with work.  So far as successful labor without crashing into anything is a background gag.

  Not for the first time, he expects one of the reasons Prime is in charge is because when he says common sense, people actually listen to it.

"Affirmative, Gem.  And thanks, Turbo Thunder.  There is much to be done to prepare."

Scene transitions to Soundwave reporting the Autobots' plan followed by Megatron declaring that the Autobots will soon be defeated.  And the usual Starscream boast that he would have defeated them long ago, etc. etc.

Scene transitions to Autobot launch sequence.  The launch bay opens, Prime pushes the ignition button, engines fire up, and the Ark takes off!  Soon to be followed by the Decepticon ship.  The Autobot sensors do not pick up anything amiss, and the voyage is off to a smooth start.

In a separate part of the Autobot Ark that isn't the bridge, our heroes are securely strapped in for the initial takeoff.  Soon, the seatbelt light turns off.

"It is now permitted to disengage launch restraints," Teletran One informs the crew.

Jumpjet takes off his seatbelt and goes to look at a screen showing Cybertron growing smaller in the distance.

Gem joins Jumpjet (say that three times fast) and looks at Cybertron. "I've seen pictures before... but I've never been up this high."

She then looks over to the others present. "If I may recommend to everyone; minimal effort during the trip. Only what needs be done, and fun activities can be kept to things that don't involve any major exertion. I say this because we don't know how much energy we may need to use during or even after the trip."

Her nurse/medic's aid side is showing. But she's hoping Ratchet will back up her suggestion.

  Turbo Thunder takes a dramatic moment far too literally, and adjusts the zoom on the monitor.

  "We'll probably have bigger problems on our hands if I'm popping off lightning bolts indoors, so I should be fine otherwise."

Jumpjet considers how this scene would play out among the Decepticons.  "Don't you be wasting our energon with you compulsive target practice, Null Processor."  "You'll have more to worry about than that if I'm target practicing, Gas Guzzler.  You'll be the target!"  Etc.

After a quick jump through hyperspace, Jazz's voice can be heard over the intercom, "That's it for the majority of the distance, folks.  That's right, we really were that close to the destination.  Just need to take it slow through some space debris for the last leg of the trip, so kick back.  We'll let you know when it's time to strap in for the landing."

Jumpjet pulls up a space map showing the ship's location.  The ship has gone a mere 10,000 light years from one arm of the same galaxy to another.

"Huh.  Energy planet in our own back yard.  You'd think it woulda been noticed eons ago."

To Jumpjet, Gem giggles and says, "If you wanna hear Perceptor ramble on a bit, feel free to ask him why it hasn't. I know I would love hearing it."

Remember. She may be charismatic and an entertainer, but she's also a NERD.

Gem begins looking for Perceptor. "I can't wait to see what kind of world it is. Maybe a world with a lot of storms, but just calm enough to be able to safely collect the energy? Or a rocky world with lots of energy-infused surface magma and active tectonic activity!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

  "Space is huge, and we are but dust etc etc.  Except for all the times it's incredibly crowded."

  Turbo Thunder shrugs, "With our luck, we'll probably get one of those worlds that can't make up it's mind what extreme conditions to have at any given time, so wants all of them"

Jumpjet follows Gem, trying to figure out if Turbo Thunder thinks his luck is good or bad.  This is the team that got the most energy rods, so must be he figures that more than 1 extreme condition on a planet is a good thing.  A Decepticon would find a way to complain no matter how nice the planet is, so this is a welcome improvement.

Perceptor isn't on the bridge, he's manning a computer console with all kinds of data.  Possibly thinking out loud, or maybe talking to someone very patient over the com, he's spouting scientific theories about the sensor readings.

"These readings are consistent with the idea that the stellar dust in this region blocks the majority of the E.M. spectrum, allowing only visible light through.  But the answer to the question of how the 'window' recently opened to allow more data collection through this region remains elusive in spite of point-blank sensor readings.  Even now, with only fly-by-sight available, it would be nigh impossible to make out any high-speed navigational dangers with sufficient advance warning to completely circumnavigate the trajectory of the object.  Nevertheless, I calculate the probability of encountering any such objects in this region of space to be infinitesimal.  Though a tunnel through the dust could be carved with the main cannon, it would be a great expenditure of energon with only the slightest of improvement in long-range sensor readings."

Ramble ramble ramble.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:22, Fri 06 Mar 2020.

Gem sees this and concludes in a quiet tone, "Sounds like Perceptor isn't entirely sure himself what made the difference. Let's leave him be since he's busily trying to find the answer..."

She isn't intimidated by Perceptor's babble like most bots would be. She just doesn't wanna bother him when he's clearly busy looking for the answer to the very thing Gem would have asked anyway.

Speaking of leaving busy people alone, Gem expects the bridge is only to be approached when summoned. So she heads off with the others back to where they were and prepares to play some kind of three-way videogame.

Gem looks to Turbo Thunder. "If it has all the extremes, chances are the energy will be very high. Though I will say this: Optimus wouldn't expend the resources on taking a trip to a world if he wasn't sure it was safe enough to extract the energy. If we get destroyed, technically that means we no longer need energy, but that would defeat the point since we are collecting energon in order to survive."

  "Not crashing because of one of the many, many equivalents of driving too fast with the lights off is worth letting him be verbose."

  Table Flip Simulator 4000 is an incredibly niche game, and Turbo Thunder isn't sure these two are quite ready to face the nuances of ricocheting a table into all ten eyes of a quintesson in a single flip.

  "Well, whatever ends up eventually killing me it probably won't be with the last words I hear being Optimus saying 'oops'"

A pleasant chime sounds over the intercom followed by a message from Teletran, "Immanent asteroid collision detected dead ahead.  Please return to your seats immediately and buckle up."

Perceptive bots can possibly overhear Perceptor saying, "Fascinating.  The probability of such an astronomical event happening at this precise moment at this precise location is, well, astronomically low!"

Jazz chimes in on the intercom soon after, "Bad news good news.  You just heard the bad news.  The good news is that we're not in any real danger.  It's just gunna cost us a little extra energon to blast through the surprise debris in the way."

Jumpjet finds a seat and buckles in.  "Nothing quite so suspicious as nothing going wrong."

To Turbo's comment, Gem giggles. "Prime saying 'oops'. It's funny even trying to imagine him say it. That would be the most authoritative and wise oops ever heard in the history of Cybertron."

Gem goes to her seat and buckles in also. "Are you saying this asteroid collision is ironically calming to you, Jumpjet? I can't deny your logic, though... and I'm positive the people in charge of the energy allotment for our trip accounted for unexpected things like temporary malfunction in the nav systems or other such things that would cause us to use more energon."

Space seatbelts, they (hopefully) save lives.

"Perceptor is smart enough to check that the asteroid won't explode violently when shot, right?  Or would not being able to tell that ahead of time fall under 'sensors impaired' problems?"

Wisest "oops" in history?  Jumpjet's processor flatlines for a bit from that one.

"Um...  Was kinda more of a reaction to the 'oops' train of thoughts, but yeah.  Sure.  Surprise asteroid is just proof that we're probably not going to die on this trip."

Moments after the hum of the main cannon is heard, (And violent explosion of asteroid is not heard), Jazz coms, "To your battle stations!  We've got Decepticons on our tail!"

Jumpjet had managed to find one of the few seats left that wasn't within arms reach of a battle station.  He grumbles as he unbuckles to find a seat at a targeting computer, "Spoke too soon."

Gem immediately unbuckles and rushes to the nearest battle station available to her and looks into the monitor to assess the situation. Several ideas start pouring into her mind before she even knows for sure if it is Decepticons (though she is 90% sure it's them), or what kind of ship, or anything, really.

But knowing better minds are at the helm... oh well. If she sees an opportunity, she's going to take it unless commanded otherwise. "C'mon, Teletraan 1... show me what's goin' on."

  Battle stations for the battle bots, for all their peaceful speeches Autobots are still very honest about being giant killbots.

 "I may need to break promises to not use lightning indoors at new record times, depending on if this goes how it usually goes."  Turbo, you say that like Autobots and Decepticons board eachother's ships constantly or something.

Well...  "Peace Stations" would just sound weird.  Also, there's a very good reason to prefer boarding the enemy ship over just blasting the enemy ship out of the sky: it's more cinematic on top of costing you gobs of energon, you'll be missing out on looting their fuel reserves if you blow them up.

So although the Arc's main laser cannon's capacitors are drained thanks to blasting a path through the surprise debris, its not that surprising that the Decepticon ship isn't firing on the Arc.  (It would be different if Starscream were in command.  The guy has no concept of energy conservation.)  Instead it's on an intercept course, probably soon to use a tractor beam to attempt to board.  Risky at these speeds, but nobody ever said Decepticons are safety-minded.

The point-defense cannons available to our Autobot heroes are still fully charged!  That said, it's a tossup whether these much smaller yield weapons have enough punch to actually prevent the Decepticons from attempting to board.  A good hit will leave a dent, at least.

Jazz coms, "Looks like they want to board.  Most likely the bridge.  Close-quarters specialists are invited up.  The rest of you, aim to disable their main weapons, but don't pass up a good chance at something else important."

Jumpjet opens fire!  "I'm no close-quarters fighter."

Gem says, "I'm no close-quarters fighter either." as she opens fire on what looks like it would be the main weapons. Those were her orders. Don't pass up a chance at something else important, though, has her pondering those ideas she had earlier. But things are moving too fast!

Gem is loathe to disable vital systems like navigation. And knowing decepticons, if she shot their nav, one or two cons might destroy the Autobot nav systems in retaliation before Megatron can even tell them how stupid that would be. So firing on navs is bad because it would draw attention to that idea. At least, until she is done trying to disable the cons' weapons.

But her other ideas involve magnetism, positioning, maybe even boarding the decepticon ship. Mirage's power would be great for that. Why did the cons attack instead of just follow? Would it be a good idea to let them know if they stop attacking, everyone benefits?

This and more is running through Gem's processor as she continues blasting enemy weaponry.

  Turbo Thunder doesn't exactly want to, but he gets the feeling hardly any bots will declare themselves close combatants until Perceptor has to come out here and start punching Decepticons from lack of assistance.

  "Right, on my way Jazz."

Jumpjet, Gem, and various other Autobots deal some serious damage to the Decepticon ship's weapons, though several of the Arc's cannons get destroyed in the slugfest!

Jazz's guess was right.  The Arc shudders when the Decepticon tractor beam locks onto the Arc's left side, and a boarding chute begins to deploy.  But speaking of Perceptor - He sees a perfect opportunity!  The explosion resulting from Gem's shot destroying one of the enemy cannons rips a hole in the hull that exposes a possible vector to the Decepticon ship's main fuel cell!  With split-second precision sniping, he nails the shot dead center, causing a huge explosion in the rear of the ship!

Unfortunately, the force of the explosion and the sudden uneven thrust on the tethered ship causes both ships to begin to spin around each other, pivoting on the tractor beam!  Turbo Thunder and the other reinforcements headed for the bridge are suddenly slammed against the wall from the centrifugal force!

"If we can just dislodge that tractor beam!"

"Only way to do that from here is to sack this section of the Arc's hull!  We could be sucked out into space!"

Though the Autobots in the hall with Turbo Thunder are ready to take that risk to save the ship, most aren't strong enough to overcome the G-forces and lift a blaster to shoot at the already over-burdened welds holding the hull onto the ship!  Brawn manages to raise his gun and fires!  But the gun's firepower isn't quite enough to break the welds!  Will Turbo Thunder use his lightning to finish the job?  Tune in next time!

(( Hoping the situation is narrated clearly enough.  I'm putting my own spin (pun intended) on the spot in the 1st ep where both the Autobots and Decepticons are suddenly faced with mysterious G-forces.  Though the Narrator is presuming Turbo Thunder will take the risky shot that'll give the 'Cons the boot and free the Arc, there's no obligation.  Plot will move on and no Autobots will die either way. ))
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:44, Thu 02 Apr 2020.

Gem holds on as the ship twirls about. "Ah! Woah nice shot..."

Gem may be a fangirl over the geniuses/nerds among the Autobots, but that doesn't mean she knows about their military value. She had no idea Perceptor is a sniper. Makes perfect sense, sure, but she still had no idea.

Thankfully, even with the massive forces weighing down on Gem, she can still see what is going on from the battle station perspective. But she is not strong enough to do much about it as she is effectively glued to her seat.

  The G forces are out of control.  One could even say, destabilized.  Wait, of course!  If Turbo Thunder reverses the polarity of his gyrodestabilizer missiles, they will be RE-stablize-ah this science stuff is taking too long.

  Turbo Thunder isn't in Star trek, so as the Narrator expected he (hopefully) solves the problem by shooting lightning in it's general direction.

Perceptor isn't that great at taking a compliment.  He rambles on in technobabble about how he should have been able to anticipate the effect that the explosion and resulting slingshot forces would put the ship in jeopardy.

Jumpjet is also pretty well pinned, and is cursing his earlier thoughts that Turbo Thunder was being too paranoid about how dangerous this voyage would turn out to be.  "On the bright side, I'm pretty sure that's the last working warp-capable ship the Decepticons have."

Unless you count Astrotrain.

Turbo Thunder's lightning does the trick!  The welds break apart, and the left side of the Ark is ripped off, sending the Decepticon ship wildly careening off in a wild spin like a deflating balloon.  As for the violent depressurization from the sudden loss of a wall between the Autobots in the hallway and the vacuum of space, it doesn't even come close to being enough to suck anyone out.  Something something angular momentum continuing even after spinning object no longer is tethered to out-of-control ship being orders of magnitude larger than depressurization forces,, robots don't need breathable air, etc.  Also, the heroes have plot armor.

Why super-advanced alien ships still have force feedback in the wheel is anybody's guess, but Prime is so cool he's able to dramatically wrestle control of the ship and stop the spin!  Cheers erupt throughout the Ark!

"Nice shot, Turbo Thunder!" Brawn commends.

"What a view!" someone else comments of the gaping hole in the side of the ship.

"We coulda been scrap and you're admiring the view?"

"Well done, everyone!" Prime coms the crew.

Jumpjet is OK and functional. "I'm going to check on the others, Jumpjet."

Gem hurries over to the breech in the hull and jaw-drops at the sight. She is thinking what ALL the bots near Turbo-Thunder voiced. Nice view and wow that was close. Hearing the one bot, she defends the other. "All things oft become beautiful after a near-oblivion experience. Especially things that were already beautiful."

Gem offers a hand-up to Turbo-Thunder, but is looking around at the others. "Did we lose anyone?"

  Turbo Thunder accepts the hand up because hey, easier than being too prideful for convenience. "Thanks, Gem.  A headcount is probably a good idea." What if a Decepticon would use the same kind of stupid plan he would of 'If I just act like I'm supposed to be here, they will think I'm a background extra until it is too late'?

   "I try not to think too hard about why aiming lightning works out better than aiming a gun" Well, that's mostly because your gun sucks even when you aim it well, Turbo Thunder.  "But at least I get to honestly claim 'that hole was like that when I got here'... Not it for fixing it before atmospheric reentry."

Jumpjet follows after Gem and also gawps at the damage.

"...Shoulda seen the other guy."

Not going to admit he's not sure why you'd need to fix the hole before landing.  Aren't you supposed to fix ships after landing back on Cybertron?

"Everyone please com your immediate supervisor so we can get a head count," Jazz announces, "After that we'll be patching up the ship.  If you're qualified for space walks and/or welding, expect some overtime."

Soon, it's reported that nobody died in the attack.  The Autobots cheer!  A quick repair montage follows.  Where did they get all those spare panels?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:48, Wed 22 Apr 2020.

Gem eagerly volunteers as she is qualified and is eager to help out. "AM it for fixing!" Plus it will give her the chance to socialize with the mechanics. Maybe learn a thing or two during the experience. It is also an opportunity to enjoy the majesty of outer space. She is happy for the overtime, but works diligently to make sure the repairs are done ASAP, since the crew was informed the trek wouldn't be too long.

When the montage is over, Gem takes a break. As nice as it would be sing and dance, she just feels like relaxing right now. Never know when the next stressful thing will occur.

But in the back of her mind, she worries about the Decepticons. Did they meet oblivion? Will they meet a dark end of in-fighting over the resources left inside their ship? Or will they crash on the same world the Autobots are headed to?

As angry as Gem is about the cons... she is still sad for them. Jumpjet is proof that any of them could have gone a better way. And with that thought in mind, she smiles over to Jumpjet and Turbo Thunder and says, "Hey Jumpjet, Turbo Thunder. Just wanna say: You're good bots. I'm glad to be traveling with you both."

Worded that way because she was about to say "glad you're on MY side" but that would praise their badassery rather than their character.

OOC: It is an interesting fact that most Cybertronians don't exit atmo anymore. And with a war going on, those who came after the Golden Age just don't have the time to learn things like atmospheric properties. Sure, reentry isn't an issue on Cybertron, but as many travelers from the Golden Age know (such as Turbo Thunder), reentry can be an issue elsewhere. So props to Jumpjet on "uh... reentry-what?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Wed 22 Apr 2020.

 Turbo Thunder is all set to let Gem deal with the results of her enthusiasm all by herself.  But then Jazz had to go and make it official he had to help.  Because everyone knows swimming car alt modes work just fine so long as you are already in space (Or maybe that's just him?).

  Still not as handy as it sounds, given most of the actual work is done in bot mode.  But it sure cuts down on lost tools because of lubricantfingers incidents.

  "Thanks, Gem.  Makes being away from home again less of a problem."

Hah!  Not qualified!  Even though Jumpjet's unique power is all about easily moving around while ignoring inertia.  Because he was never Autobot qualified.  Aaah, sweet R&R!  Another reason the Decepticons can't win.  Most of 'em are lazy.

"You should get out there and pitch in," Ironhide says, "You're made for this!"

"Um... but I was never qualified by your qualifiers."

"Don't drag your tailpipe on technicalities when there's important work to do!  I'm a qualifier.  And you qualified right off the assembly line.  So go show 'em how it's done!  If anyone complains about some dumb certificate at a time like this, they can take it up with me!"

Jumpjet reluctantly makes with the delivery of panels, ignoring space physics as effortlessly as Turbo Thunder, but still unnerved by the infinite cold black void of the Cosmos glaring at him with innumerable lifeless distant pinpoint burning eyes, after having indifferently swallowed up Mighty Megatron and the others without a sound.

Which means he's there for Gem's compliment.  Words he was really not expecting in his lifetime.

What am I supposed to do with that?  Can't say, "No I'm not" 'cause putting yourself down is Dead End levels of (oops!  Dead End doesn't exist yet!) stupid, even if it's true.

"You're a good bot."

It takes a moment for Jumpjet to realize Turbo Thunder's answer was way better.  "Um... Thanks.  What he said."

After the work is done, the boss bots compliment the workers on a job well done and encourage them to relax and have a little fun.

OOC: Thanks for the props!  n.n  Props to your face.

Gem giggles from Jumpjet's response. "No problem, you two. It's true."

With the repairs done and literal commands to get R&R, Gem does just that: rests. Though she makes sure her two buddies JJ and TT are resting with her. "Doesn't it feel nice? That sense of accomplishment. Having repaired some damage. Building." The opposite of what normally happens in this war. But she doesn't say that aloud. A little too sad to talk about when she just wants to relax and enjoy having accomplished something good.

  Most Autobots are wildly unqualified for half the things they are stuck doing anyways, but Turbo Thunder shouldn't mention that (for now).

  "Honestly, I've mostly forgotten what maintenance that doesn't involve something being fried or exploded first feels like."  Which certainly wasn't helped with his experiences with working as intended 'it's supposed to be struck by lightning!' mechanisms.  But those didn't have much middle ground between 'no need for maintenance' and 'oh dear'.

Having to do maintenance is a punishment!  At least that's the Decepticon attitude.  Which is part of why tinkerers like Shockwave, Soundwave, and Megatron, who'll spend entire cycles in the lab, are considered a bit unbalanced in the processor.  Starscream is capable, but he at least has sense enough to stay away from it when he can.  So these Autobots enjoy fixing things?  Yeah...

"Um.  Yeah sure.  R&R is better, though."

The Ark arrives at planet Earth, the science bots do some initial scanning, and everyone's invited to a meeting.

Prime explains the findings.  "The good news is that the planet is indeed rich in energy sources.  But there's a wrinkle.  There is a non-warp capable sentient native species, and from their broadcasts it is evident that many aren't exactly peaceful and less than trusting of outsiders.  Some, however, seem open to the idea of cooperative intelligent life outside their world, and chances are good they'd be willing to trade for energy.  Conveniently, they have many vehicles on their world about our size that we could disguise ourselves as in order to avoid drawing the attention of the more xenophobic elements should the need arise.

"I've chosen a landing zone for our shuttle craft that is a remote location inside a vast landmass of the planet they call 'Earth' in their most broadcast language.  Though other landmasses could arguably be better in some aspects, I believe this one to be the best balance of important elements such as speaking the most common language while still having plenty of energy to spare and plenty of space to hide.

"No one will be required to take a new alt-mode.  We are taking volunteers for joining the first contact task force.  Those who volunteer will of course need to undergo an alt-mode reconfiguration."

"I'll pass," Sunstreaker answers, "My alt mode is perfect as it is.  No need to downgrade to some backwater look."

Sideswipe laughs.  "Think so?  You haven't even glanced at the options.  I'll make my decision after I take a look at their vehicles."

(( OOC: Which unlike Bayformers is probably akin to undergoing major cosmetic surgery minus the long healing process that humans have to suffer through. ))
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

Gem says, "Omigosh! First contact!" and raises her hand. "MepleasePrime!"

She likes her alt mode. But she is sure she will find something from Earth that is close enough. Right?

"Er... Sideswipe has a point too. I'd love to see the options. But putting the alt-mode topic aside, is it possible to contact them remotely first before decisions on who will meet them in person are made?"

OOC: Wasn't sure how many in the TF universe are actually human-sized. According to TF history, the Cybertronians didn't develop the ability to transform until after they kicked the Quints off world, which means they were not initially designed to transform. Since the Quints designed Cybertronians as goods for various aliens, it would make sense that most aliens are actually the size of Cybertronians.

  "I'm not exactly up on primitive society infrastructure, but if they can't even attain warp how would they have energy resources worth using? Or is this to get access to their materials just conveniently laying around that we know how to get proper use out of?"  You turn your electricity into... still electricity? Huh.

  Oh, right. Primitive society means probably not much variety in their vehicles wouldn't it? Turbo Thunder is expecting to be disappointed by cubes with wheels.

  OOC: My preference is not branching into an alternate timeline for looking like the toy car my character is named after. Having to prepare for this kind of eventuality is one of the reasons my personal meta didn't bother with one of the Not Car looks that caught my eye. But Jumpjet's "Earth" look is a land speed record jet car, so I'm probably in the clear. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Tue 28 Apr 2020.

"Um...  If I can get a jet mode, I'm in."

The silly looking car mode was to try and blend in with the Autobots without raising any questions about his former allegiance, but now that that's been handled, Jumpjet wants his wings back.

Options are shown to the those interested.  There's a huge variety of various tech that the Autobots can choose from.

"Hey, Perceptor!  This thing looks just like the alt mode you've already got!" Brawn points out.

"And these look just like Soundwave's minions," Wheeljack notices, "And this looks just like Turbo Thunder.  Uncanny."

Jumpjet is relieved when he fails to notice any vehicles that look like his existing alt-mode and chooses the Harrier Jet as his new alt-mode.

Ironhide notes Turbo Thunder's question and shrugs.  "Both.  It would be easy enough for the Decepticons to forcibly convert one of the Earth's many energy mining facilities to be up to Cybertronian standards.  For us, we just need to go one step further convince them to let us upgrade one or take over one that's abandoned.  Because the poor little guys don't know how get to the reserves that were just a little more out-of-reach at such places.  Heck, for the know-how to do that alone, they should be eager to help us out."

Prime answers Gem, "Road Rage has taken on radio first contact.  It was her wise suggestion that instead of immediately seeking out communicating with the leaders of our target major landmass known as 'The United States,' risking unwittingly breaking an important taboo in what we would consider friendly conversation, that we establish a rapport with members of the working class to learn of their customs.  She is speaking with a being named 'Sparkplug Witwicky' who is interested in our offer to show him how to improve the efficiency of his off-shore energy mining facility.  Negotiations are going well, and we should soon know enough to request permission to land without risking stepping on any feet."

(( So did Wheeljack mistake the Hot Wheels toy Turbo Thunder is based on as an actual vehicle?  Or is this a version of Earth where such a cool vehicle actually graces it's roads?  That's up to the player! ;) ))
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:15, Sat 02 May 2020.

Gem is relieved to hear that first contact via radio is already in the works.

She looks at JJ's new alt mode. "Ooo. Nice."

Gem looks to Turbo Thunder and says, "Even as far as we've come, Cybertronians are still developing new technology for better energy efficiency. Rewind that and you see the problem; inefficient use of energy and, in some cases, inability to even recognize certain resources as energy sources."

She taps away at a computer terminal and says, "Goodness. In fact, this planet is SO rich in energy resources, just a quick search is showing me a dozen different sources of energy and counting!"

Water, Fire, Steam, Wind, Electricity, Manual, Energy amplification machinery (which goes back to stone age stuff)... the list goes on. It is ironic, but Cybertronians are not familiar with creating sustainable fire. Or with using steam. Or a huge load of other things Earth has that Cybertron either doesn't have or lacks to the point of it simply not being worth using.

All these facts are setting in as Gem is learning this alongside the others (well, unless Perceptor already knew) "These people have such an abundance of things normally uncommon for us that they have found ways to harness power from things we have yet to try harnessing. If they had the efficiency we do... well they could win the war."

  Visit a civilized planet.  Still go out to the middle of nowhere to examine an energy platform.  We'd make a joke about 'Are the Decepticons hiring' except they'd probably be doing the exact same thing.

  "Well, that's convenient.  I'll keep that other car called the 'Alien' in mind if in case we need a double layer of hiding in plain sight."  Unless Gem's player beats him to it with another alt. Oh no, not that, anything but more cool robots.

  "Setting water on fire for power sounds made up if I wasn't already more familiar with steam vents than I'd really like." Look, Turbo, people can only have so many dangerous elements you can casually shrug off as a gimmick.  You came out ahead picking 'electricity' over 'heat'.  It's easier to run (swim) away from undersea eruptions than it is constant lightning, after all.

Time passes.  Several Autobots are reconfigured.  Data on how to speak English and various other Earth languages are passed around along with information on cultural mores, many of which show great similarity to Cybertronian.  Facial expressions, for example.  A smile means happy, a frown means unhappy, and so on.  Perceptor rambles about his theory that the organic "humanoid" civilizations the ancient Cybertronians were designed to serve likely sharing cultural similarities due to how DNA coding works.  So even though Earth was certainly not on the Quintesson customer list, it's to be expected that Earthlings are quite similar to Cybertronians.

"We should focus on land-based energy sources," Jumpjet comments, "In my experience, nothing good ever comes from water,"

Jazz interrupts, "Prime!  Emergency transmission from the Sparkplug energy mine!  The Decepticons are attacking!"

Prime takes a grim tone.  "They survived.  That they should land on this planet before we arrived...

"Leaders, assemble your squads!  We're going down there!  Prioritize protecting the Earthlings!"

Ironhide salutes and faces the three PCs.  "You're with me.  Let's go!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:16, Tue 19 May 2020.

Gem transforms and rolls out! Following Ironhide, of course. Which does mean driving a little slower than she's used to.

Gem hopes for poor Jumpjet's sake that the energy mine isn't one with lots of water. She is glad the decepticons didn't die a slow death in space... but is disturbed that they landed here. The little humans, for all their accomplishments, don't really stand much of a fighting chance from what she has learned of them so far.

One good thing, though. They got Ironhide. Dependable and able to make snap decisions, especially concerning how to engage Decepticons.

Even as she rolls alongside Ironhide, Gem asks, "How far is it? We have an ETA?"

  Well, technically drilling into the ground beneath the ocean would be land based if you wanted to be really netpicky about KEYWORDS.

  "Well, we're all driving there.  So there probably won't be any aquatic detours this time around."

"Just a couple klicks," Ironhide answers, "But every astrosecond counts."

Driving to the shuttle bay, he explains further, "It's an off-shore drilling rig that pumps up liquid hydrocarbon deposits up from the planet's crust.  Oxygen rich atmosphere, so watch your shooting or the whole thing might blow.  Try not to hit any hoses or big tanks.

"Shuttle craft Omega Delta will get us there, but it's going to be a bumpy ride."

Once everyone's inside, the shuttle doors close, the bay door opens, and the Autobots are soon underway.  Reentry into Earth's comparatively thin atmosphere at an extremely steep angle is far from the bumpiest ride the more experienced warriors have endured, but even Omega Delta is rattled on the way down from the turbulence these extreme speeds whip up.

Off-shore?  Jumpjet is so glad he can fly.  "So um... What happens if someone gets knocked off the platform?"

(( Said Autobot spontaneously gains the ability to fly for that one episode, duh! ))

"You get to knocking the next 'con off!" Ironhide answers with a devilish smirk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:20, Thu 21 May 2020.

Apparently only driving to the shuttle, not all the way there. But yay shuttles that cut the time down significantly.

Gem was going to answer when Ironhide gives an answer that knocks hers out of the park! She copies the impish smile Ironhide is giving and gently nudges Jumpjet's shoulder with her fist. She looks at Ironhide and says, "You definitely inspire, Ironhide."

She ohs and says, "The humans... Ironhide, I will fight as needed, of course, but since I'm not much of a fighter, I should prioritize getting the humans to safety."

  "It's less dangerous than falling off a land based platform, but you might have a long walk home if someone acts like there's no way you'd survive.  Also, what Ironhide said."

  Oh right, they are going to be dealing with locals where that would be worse than an inconvenience.  "Do we have any idea how many of them are on the rig?" well, to start with.  Might not be many left by the time they get there.

Ironhide smirked at Gem's compliment

"How many?" Ironhide echoes Turbo Thunder, looking clueless, "Uh..."

"About 80," Road Rage answers, "The number is constantly changing, so an exact head count will be impossible during combat."

The Autobots arrive!  Jumping out of a moving shuttle is no big deal for our heroes, nor is landing on the oil rig.  The shuttle then vanishes from the scene.  Upon arrival, the Autobots are fired upon by the Decepticons who looked to be in the process of converting crude oil into energon moments ago.

Megatron quickly winds up in a brawl with Optimus Prime, "Don't interfere, Prime!"

"Give it up, Megatron!"

"The Universe is mine!"

Ironhide takes on Starscream, Wheeljack fights Rumble, Prowl takes a shot at Thundercracker, and Ratchet takes a direct hit and collapses face down.

As for the Humans...  They're largely ignored by most of the Autobots.  There aren't any visible on the platform.  There's a few that must have dived into the water earlier to escape the Decepticons.  Looks like Humans float, so they'd be in greater danger if they were returned to the surface of the platform.  As for the rest of the expected 80... perhaps hiding inside some of the buildings of the oil rig.

Jumpjet figures he'd be most useful going after the energon, but Skywarp and Viewfinder hold him off.  "Oh hey!  It's really true!  Jumpjet's an Auto-Fool now!"

"How fitting that the Autobots should pick up our trash!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:18, Fri 05 June 2020.

One bot's trash is another bot's treasure. Well. With the humans safely out of the combat zone, Gem hurries to some cover to shoot at the cons from and fires on Sky Warp!

"Spoken like one who is proud of their disgrace! You threw him away because he's good! Well when your so-called friends no longer deem you useful and throw you away, remember you did it first!"

We don't know if the '86 movie will ever happen quite the same way in this continuity, but Skywarp was, in fact, one of the cons who got discarded like trash.

"If you guys can cover for me, I'll try to get to Ratchet."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Fri 05 June 2020.

  Not for the first time, Turbo Thunder considers the fact he's avoiding using his 'haha jets crash like idiots' Gyrodestabilizer missiles because he doesn't want them to land on something fragile.

  We almost said important, but we hardly know these tiny humans yet.  Also Ratchet is clever enough to play dead to trick Starscream, those Null Rays don't even hurt-  Oh, right. Malta Sappers Null Rays are a problem for other people.

  "Hey Starscream, don't look now but Megatron is dead and Thundercracker is calling dibs on leadership." Probably not gonna work, but that's what shooting at the Con with his 'At least it's bigger than Bumblebee's gun' Laser is for.

"You Autobots are the disgrace!"

"Oh that's cute.  'Friends' she says.  Hey, 'friends,' I sure hope you don't hurt my feelings or anything!"

"Less chatting, more blasting!" Starscream orders, busily stick-fighting with Ironhide with an steel rod found on the oil rig.

He scoffs at Turbo Thunder's ruse, "Like I'd fall for that!"

Still.  No harm in making sure.  The seeker momentarily glances in the direction of Megatron.  All the opening Ironhide needed to shove Starscream back a step, right into Turbo Thunder's shot!

"Aaah!"  Starscream takes for the sky.

Jumpjet provides the requested cover fire and Gem is able to get to Ratchet.  Jazz and Prowl charge the energon, detonating a few stacks with their guns!

"Decepticons!" Megatron shouts, "Grab the energon and withdraw!"

The Decepticons grab what they can and take off in a hail of Autobot gunfire.

"Thanks, Jumpjet!" Gem says as she ducks and weaves and makes it to Ratchet only to hear the call for retreat. Turbo Thunder's call to Starscream isn't lost on her. Inside, she is laughing a bit at that ruse. Outside, however, she can't change her expression of concern for Ratchet as she makes it over to him and immediately assesses the damage. "I'm here, Ratchet."

A quick look over and she says, "Ouch.. right in your core stabilizer. Your legs should still work, but I wouldn't put any weight on your central region right now. I can patch you up enough to make it back to base, but we'll need HQ's equipment to do a proper fix."

Gem patches Ratchet with the temporary fix she spoke of.

  Turbo Thunder doesn't even notice his plan worked, because 'And then Ironhide shoved him into a laser' is more funny and thus more attention filling.

  "I'm holding back on optimistic comments until the Decepticons are Deceptigone... Okay that was terrible."

  Old OSHA instincts (not that it was often a thing even in the Golden Age of Cybertron) has Turbo look for whatever passes for escape pods around here, because right now if he jumps into the water he wouldn't have much place to even put Humans he finds.

The lifeboats are about as obvious as they possibly can be and are clustered near what looks like living quarters.  ( http://gcaptain.com/wp-content...ifeboats-oil-rig.jpg )

"Sure," Jumpjet answers Gem.

Without a thought for the safety of the natives, he hurries to recover as many of the energon cubes that the Decepticons were forced to abandon as he can.

"Thanks, Gem!" Ratchet answers.

Megatron turns midair and says, "So long, Prime.  Have a nice swim!"

And blasts two of the oil rig's supports!  To the credit of the Earthlings' engineers, only the part where the Autobots were standing on collapses, leaving the rest standing!

"Here's something to keep you warm!  Hu hu he he ha ha ha!"

Another blast from Megatron ignites an oil tank, spilling burning oil onto the ocean!  The Decepticons then fly off!

"You're welco-" Gem answers Ratchet as she looks up to the sound of Megatron. "Wha-NO!" KABOOM!

But it's too late and the part of the rig the Autobots are on sinks. Why did Turbo Thunder have to be SO right?

As Megatron leaves, Gem makes sure to keep Ratchet close by so he won't sink. She swims him over to some scrap that hasn't sank. "Your upper body should still be functioning just fine, so if you can hold on here, I'll see who all I can help."

She calls out, "Gem offering assistance! Whoever needs help and can hear my voice, please call for me!"

  Yes Kaboom, Gem. It's YES Kaboom.  Even if we would have preferred No Kaboom, because then Turbo Thunder would have deployed more than one tiny human sized life boat before the fall... Hey wouldn't the fall make more of the boats fall over too?  Do we declare this 'Not his problem' when it might not be a problem?

  Either way, Turbo Thunder momentarily panics because he never actually fell into oceans all that much.  Who knew that a stormy volcano filled planet in the middle of nowhere was the safer option?

  "Oh no I can swim!.... Wait. Nevermind it's coo-" That wasn't a typo, that's the joke. Sploosh goes the Autobot, who transforms and starts looking for those less conveniently buoyant than he is under the waves.  The fact it's also under the fire is clearly a happy coincidence.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:32, Tue 23 June 2020.

Jumpjet floats in the air with several energon cubes in his arms, briefly reconsidering his allegiance.  The Autobots are looking to be in a bad way right now, and the few that I kinda like aren't in any real danger.  Would the others take me back with this energon offering?  But a few scenes of non-judgemental friends can go a long way.  He drops off the energon at a sturdy looking spot of the remaining part of the oil rig and gets to work making sure that precarious bits of oil rig don't break off and hit someone on the head.

"That's two I owe ya," Ratchet answers Gem, "I can still do my job if you bring me the wounded."

Prime rescues a pair of humans and orders Trailbreaker to use his shield to keep the fire from getting any closer.  Wheeljack volunteers to help Trailbreaker, Hound works on freeing Huffer from some debris, and those Earthlings who are able to move freely make their way to the lifeboat.  Gem finds Prowl in need of help moving a large bit of debris caging some Earthling.

As for those not so boyant - Turbo Thunder finds that Ironhide is sinking!  Not because he can't float, but because his leg is caught in a heavy chunk of oil rig, and it's dragging him down!

"Of all the ways to go down..."

He transforms his hand into liquid nitro gun mode, presumably to try and super-cool the debris to make it brittle enough to break free, but a plan like that could lose him a foot in the process!

Gem, and probably all the other autobots will never know Jumpjet was tempted to turn coat. But they also will never know the pressures that lead to such temptations. Hopefully.

To Ratchet, Gem smiles over her swimming shoulder and says, "You got it, Ratchet!"

Turbo Thunder's comment briefly has her look in his direction concerned, but then it clicks in her mind what he said and she just giggles before continuing on.

Gem goes to help Prowl with lifting the debris. "Hold on to me." she offers to the Earthling once the debris is lifted enough.

  Not exactly the sort of circumstances Turbo Thunder expected to be thankful to have a straightforward gun, but here we are.  "I know this is a time sensitive situation Ironhide, but maybe don't break yourself in the process... You don't get dizzy easily right?"

  Solving a disaster under pressure in a swift and decisive manner before it is too late is what all the fancy leadership speeches keep hyping up.  Turbo Thunder isn't a fancy leader, which is why instead he shamelessly removes the 'time sensitive' part of the problem as step one.

  ... Okay make it step three, the first two segments of wreckage don't quite fit his criteria of Autobot Tab A into Oil Rig slot B.  But the third one he can smoothly ram his alt mode into and crank up the aquatic thrusters, tilting the wreckage so that even if (more likely when) it hits the bottom before getting free, Ironhide will be on top of the resulting pile.

The Earthlings cooperate and hang on to Gem, who is able to get them safely to the lifeboat.

"Thanks, Gem!" Prowl says with a thumbs-up.

"Anybody else think it strange they speak perfect English and use familiar hand gestures?" one of the bewildered Humans comments.

"You're bringing something like that up at a time like this?" another answers.

A third says, "I think I saw one of them fold up into a life-size toy car / submarine thing.  This is the best day I've ever had on this boring old rig!"

"They're Autobots," one of the Earthlings begins to explain to the others, "The ones who attacked were Decepticons.  The Autobots want to stop the Decepticons from destroying Earth."

"You knew about this?!  And didn't warn anyone?"

One of them gets angry and raises his voice, "Hey!  Don't accuse my Dad like that!"

"It's OK, Spike.  I've been in radio contact with one who goes by the callsign 'Road Rage.'  I was playing along, but didn't really believe the crazy claims she was making till now.  And I know none of you would have either.  But it's really important we all tell the same story, or we may not get the extra hazard pay, so listen closely..."

Meanwhile, Turbo Thunder's third try was the charm!  With the debris no longer pushing him down into the depths, Ironhide is able to break free and return to the surface.  Crisis averted!

"Thanks for the save, Turbo Thunder!"

By now Jumpjet has secured several sturdy steel cables to the standing part of the rig and lowered the other ends for the Autobots to climb back up.  Figuring there's no point in waiting to be ordered to do so, he scoops up the lifeboat full of Earthlings and flies it to the platform then returns for Ratchet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:35, Sun 28 June 2020.

Gem looks surprised. That they should incidentally bump into the humans who have been in contact with Road Rage...

Seeing Jumpjet help the humans, though, Gem refocuses her attention on getting to any wounded to Ratchet and eventually getting herself up onto the platform.

If she knew anything about how human organizations work, she might suspect hazard pay wouldn't be covered by Megatron destroying your oil rig. But it sounds like this person who knows Spike knows what he's doing.

Still. "Optimus! There's an Earthling here who says he's the one who was in touch with Road Rage!" she waves to Prime and points to the human.

  "Well, it was that or let you sink.  Can you just imagine that conversation?  'Where's Ironhide?' 'At the bottom of the sea' 'Why?' 'I dunno, seemed like a good idea at the time'"

  Glowing cubes of a superior power refinement process would make a much more convincing case to tiny superiors than 'also there are some space robots', but also they want to keep the Energon so Turbo Thunder isn't about to suggest the humans bring that up.

Prime nods to Gem, approaches Sparkplug, then kneels to be a little less imposing for the Earthling.  "Hello, Sparkplug.  I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots.  As you saw with your own eyes, the Decepticons are dangerous and must be stopped.  Their presence on your planet has made it more urgent that I speak with the leader of your land as soon as possible.  Will you arrange a meeting?"

"Not so sure that's a good idea, Mr. Prime.  Me and my crew, we're grateful for your heroics.  But this is a big world full of people who would be frightened by alien visitors, no matter how much we insist that you're well intentioned.  The lower a profile you all keep, the less likely there'll be a panic.  I'll see about getting you all the support you need, without bone-headed politicians getting involved."

Jumpjet sighs.  "Nothing's ever simple."

Ironhide chuckles darkly from Turbo Thunder's point and reaches a hand to his shoulder.  "Then in return I'll be sure save your hide to avoid dumb conversations like that."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Tue 30 June 2020.

Gem says to Jumpjet, "Right?"

Speaking of wanting to keep energon, Gem looks to the cubes uncomfortably. All of this energy was stolen from the floating fortress here, right? Sure, there really isn't any other explaination for where the energon came from, but the energy is presumably going to be returned to the ones it was stolen from... unless they can't use energon cubes.

She looks at Sparkplug. "News of our being here will spread soon enough. The Decepticons will see to that. The difference is that the Decepticons will paint an ugly face on our kind before we even have the chance to speak our peace. You know your people better, but... well if you can secure the Autobot cause of protecting your world with people powerful enough, hopefully our efforts to protect won't be met with animosity."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Tue 30 June 2020.

  Turbo Thunder does not have to fear cooties from Ironhide, unless we've been deeply betrayed in this expectation.

  He is also surprised to hear the locals have a way to get around politicians that doesn't involve 'because they all died'...  Okay best not to ask for a clarification on that out loud.

  "The only good news about our reputation being ruined by the Decepticons, would be they'd have to run off screaming 'I MEANT to do that! It's a ruse not a failed assault!'"  Can't deceive a dead person, but the Decepticons seem to have a problem with that concept.

Whatever cooties Ironhide has is likely the same that's already all over Turbo Thunder from being submerged in an ocean teeming with microscopic life.

"This won't be the first time the indigenous species was not friendly to us," Wheeljack comments.

"Let's not bring that up," Ratchet comments.

Sparkplug rubs his chin in thought.  Spike chimes in, "I've got an idea.  Why not make like we're 'true believers' in the latest UFO sighting and take our story straight to talk radio?  Most of the world will shrug us off as frauds.  So every time the Decepticons are sighted, only the ones who saw them will believe it and they'll be made out to be copycat storytellers.  'Oh sure.  You're only claiming to see giant alien robots because you heard the story from those crazy bored oil rig workers who took some close-up pictures of fake-looking toys to make them look big.'"

Sparkplug gets a proud grin and gives his son a pat on the back.  "That's perfect, Spike!  That's the best way to keep the world from panicking!"

Prime nods.  "You know best what will soften the blow of the Decepticons' arrival to your culture.  As for us, we'll need to return to orbit to plan our next move.  In your message to your fellow Earthlings, be sure to give a means to quickly report where the Decepticons are attacking so we can intervene."

When the shuttle arrives, it hovers in a place convenient for boarding.  Jumpjet begins loading up the energon without a thought for it maybe belonging to the fleshlings.

Road Rage takes notice and realizes the potential offense to the Earthlings, so she explains, "Now that your resources have been converted into a form only us Transformers can use, those energon cubes would best be put to use by us for defending your planet."

Sparkplug nods.  "Of course!  And thanks again for saving the day!  We owe ya, big time!"

Gem smiles. "Glad that's sorted out." she kneels to offer a handshake to Sparkplug. "Thanks again for your willingness to cooperate." she looks at the other workers. "All of you. I'm terribly sorry the Decepticons came here and gave you a bad day. Rest assured, we Autobots are doing our best to keep them from harming your people."

She then heads over to Ratchet to help guide him to the craft while waving goodbye to the li'l fleshlings.

Once aboard the craft, Gem says, "I can't believe it... I just witnessed a fight with Megatron and many of his top guys. After seeing how the Autobots fight, I'm rather encouraged. Even with that cheap shot Megatron gave as he left, the reality is he was still forced to retreat, and had to resort to such methods for fear of not escaping."

  "Well, you know what they say.  You need energon to make energon... Even though you make energon out of not energon... I could never figure out why they say that, actually."

  As they take their seat, Turbo Thunder comments "Megatron wants a big gun to cause collateral damage.  I wish I had a bigger gun because it would help me avoid collateral damage.  Like many things, War is wildly inconsistent."