Iacon

[Dirge]

* dirge flings the gameboy over his shoulder, not really caring how or where it lands *

" listen very carefully, i shall say this only once ....

I require your medic to perform a delicate operation, one that i myself do not have the knowledge to complete.

in exchange for this, you have my word that i shall release the junkion * dirge again shows the autobots the imprisoned wreck gar * without harm, refuse me and i will tear him apart and have his head as a trophy *

* dirge gets out of his chair and leans on the console *

" once she has performed the operation to a satisfactory standard, she shall be released without harm and i will give her the location of a large supply of energon that i ..... uhhhh ...borrowed .... from starscream

but beware autobot, any attempt to rescue her, any attempt to gain knowledge of my operation, any attempts at communication or if i even sniff an autobot, i will tear her head from her shoulders and mail it to you "

* dirge stands upright again as his optics flash a deep red *

" do we have an agreement autobot ? "

[Blackjack]

Apparently Dirge didn't own the Energon he had been promising them, first strike against his deal in Blackjack's mind. He also seemed to have a 'backup plan' for any rescue attempt, one that made Blackjack uncomfortable. But then again the point of any good infiltration mission was not to be caught, he only hoped the A-Team was up to the challenge. He glanced at Minerva to make sure she would accept these terms. He admired her bravery, not relishing the thought of finding her severed head on their doorstep. She nodded.

Alright, Decepticon you've got a deal. Where are we supposed to send Minoirva for you to 'pick her up'?

He wore his most grim expression and spoke with a hardened tone. This was not the Blackjack who gambled on life, he had realized that there was no room for chance here.

Take it easy, Jack. It's just one Decepticon. Not like we're facin' the Mafia or anything.

[Dirge]

" fantabulas autobot ....

you will send her to the tagon heights region accompanied by one other autobot to oversee the exchange

you have 2 earth hours to be there "

* dirge leans on the console *

" remember autobot ....... any tricks and she will die

dirge out "

* dirge does an army salute and the screen goes blank *

[Dinobot]

Blackjack, its a trap I just know it. Send me to accompany Minerva. I shall keep in contact with you throughout our trip over there. Besides, Rattrap and I throughly worked in that area before and I know the way. Dinobot looks over at Minerva and gives a reassuring glance of her safety. He knows however that something is very wrong in this situation but just cant put his figure on it. I will keep in constant communication with you. I believe that some of the security cameras the Rat and I installed are still functioning in the heights, just not sure how to operate them from here.Just then a memory sparks dinobot's optics. Wait a sec, Blackjack, we set up a base down there in Tagon, remember that? It was long ago, but I bet the station is still there functioning. I have a blueprint of the outer city entrances that the Rat and I constructed.

Minvera and I can go to meet Dirge, but while we are on our way, you and the rest of the bots can sneak into the outer city ventilation shafts and have a bead on us throught the trip. Those shafts and tunnels run all through tagon. If its all still functioning, the communication spire should still be up and would make an excellent rally point. Dinobot has to think for a moment of where the plans are. I think the plans are in Cam's old quarters somewhere. Let me know what you would like to do.

[Blackjack]

He couldn't have agreed more with Dinobot, it was a trap. There was no way that a Decepticon like Dirge would pass up a perfectly good chance to eliminate two foes at once instead of only one.

I agree that you're the right 'bot for the job ol' friend. You go wit' Minoirva. I'm goin' with the A-Team to stage a rescue for both her and Wreck-Gah and you if you get in too deep.

Blackjack remembered the base at Tagon Heights. It had been a factory of some sort, build by Rattrap and Redline. Cambreaker had planned for some type of large scale manufacturing to protect against Decepticon invasions in the future. If that was true, there may have even been heavy security systems set up there. But what condition were they in? It was time to find out.

Got a new plan. Dinobot you and Minoirva had bettah get goin', don't want to keep that Deceptislime waitin'. Alias and the A-Team you guys follow em'. Go to Tagon Heights and stage your rescue plan. Just be careful, we don't know what kinda trap Doirge might be settin'. I'm going on anothah mission, to activate the security systems of the factory Rattrap set up there. Makeway, I'd like you to stay and watch ovah Sideways and the rest of Iacon. See what you can do for gettin' the security systems back online.

He looked at them all as he mentioned them. It felt odd being in this position and he hoped that maybe when this was all over he could retire. Maybe Cambreaker would even come back. At least he would be getting a chance to do what he wanted again, infiltration. He trusted each and every one of them. Iacon would be safe with Makeway and Sideways and he imaged that Jazz was still prowling around somewhere. They needed to move now.

I know I'm not the one who usually says these things, but we've got a chance now to make Cybatron a safe place for all Autobots. If we can save our friends and get rid of the last remainin' Decepticon threat to this world we'll be doin' everyone in univoirse a favah. It's time to transfoarm and roll ouaht!

As he says this he glances around the room, each group begins to head out on their missions. Blackjack watches them all go and then sighs. His own injuries are such that he knows combat is out of the picture. Hopefully this mission will be nicely routine. And the Royal Flush was still semi-operational should they need it, although its combat capabilities hadn't been tested in some time.

He trudges slowly down the corridors towards Cambreaker's old chambers. The doors opened with a slow clank and warm air rushed out. He liked the place to a tomb, a place scattered with battle plans, alternate strategies, manuals on tactics, and a big list of Autobots who had held the Matrix of Leadership: a testament to his old friend's paranoia. Finding anything in here would be a challenge, one Blackjack knew he had little time for.

Cammy, whereevah you are, forgive me fer doin' this.

[Rhymus]

Although Dinobot offers a plan that would have all the available Autobots, including Makeway, secretly keeping pace with Minerva and Dinobot as they go to retrieve Wreck-Gar from Dirge, Blackjack orders Makeway to stay in Iacon to keep an optic on Sideways and see about starting some of the repairs to Iacon's monitoring and defense systems. Makeway wishes Blackjack, Minerva, Dinobot, and the A-Team good luck, while Blackjack heads for the exit. Then Makeway sits down at one of the war room's computers and starts pulling up a diagnostics program to get a status report on Iacon's monitoring and defense systems.

"Intel Inside!" Alias enthuses after Blackjack steps out of the war room. "Dy-no-mite! Knowledge is power. Harness the power, Dino! Highway to the danger zone--gonna take a ride into the danger zone! I want you to show me--can you tell me how to get, how to get to the dark side? But get me to the church on time, before he cheats."

((Makeway, already focused on his new task, does not translate--does not really even pay any attention to--the Junkion's words. Alias thinks it's dynamite that Dinobot has intel in the area Dirge has chosen for the rendezvous with Minerva--intel in the form of prior knowledge of the area, and any live-feed cameras still functioning. Alias urges Dinobot to use that knowledge, starting by telling the Junkions how to get to the rendezvous point and then escape to someplace safe before Dirge tries to pull anything. OOC: If Makeway doesn't translate--and he won't be able to in Tagon Heights if he isn't going--can any of the non-Junkions (Autobot, Decepticon, or otherwise) understand a thing the Junkions say? The A-Team's loyalty to Wreck-Gar will make it hard to keep them from going on this mission, but while they can understand everyone else, their presence could make things more complicated for others who can't understand them--and if they can't make themselves understood, they might just try to do their own thing without the other Autobots being forewarned. BIC:))

Suddenly Makeway realizes something, and he spins around in his chair to address the other Autobots still in the room.

"Hey," he interrupts the other Autobots' conversations as they plan to move out, "Blackjack assigned you, Dinobot, as Minerva's official escort, and you Junkions as their secret backup. But he didn't ask for any of us to be his backup when he goes to activate the security systems at--Rattrap's?--factory. He's not planning on going alone, is he?" ((Makeway does not know about Brakkas Garlon, Blackjack's Headmaster partner.)) "Dinobot, you know where he's going, right? Alias, maybe you Junkions could split up, some follow Minerva and Dinobot, and the rest follow Blackjack...?"

The Junkions (who have been showing up one by one and finally all arrived in response to Alias's summons) all start talking at once, rendering their words incomprehensible but their meaning clear: All of them are taking part in Wreck-Gar's extraction. Period. No alternatives. No discussion.

[Sideways]

After several cycles in the CR chamber, Sideways is finally able to move around and function. Although his memory loss is still unexplained, he can worry about that later. Stepping out of the chamber, Sideways transforms into his new Delorean alt mode to get a feel for it. Liking the way it feels, he takes off for the war room to catch up on what he may have missed.

[Minerva]

Despite wanting to save Wreck-Gar, Minerva liked the idea of having given in to Dirge’s blackmail less and less the more she thought about it.
Although, there didn’t seem to be any other way to deal with it.

Minerva couldn’t for the life of her figure out what kind of “delicate operation” Dirge needed her for, but since she knew that they already had some knowledge of repairs, it had to be something out of the ordinary …and if a Decepticon felt the need to go through all this trouble and blackmail an Autobot do it, it had to be very important as well.

Minerva was relieved that Dinobot was accompanying her to Tagon Heights. She held him in high regard and knew that he was a skilled warrior. As he gave her a look of reassurance she nodded back to him, letting him know that she appreciated it. She knew he’d look after her. Having the A-Team following them would further assure them of their safety.

As Blackjack and Makeway leaves and Alias begins to talk excitedly, Minerva realizes that having Makeway stay in Iacon might not have been a very good idea after all. She glances to Dinobot, silently hoping that he was better than her at interpreting Junkion speech. He didn’t look as clueless as she occasionally felt when Alias spoke, so she took that as a good sign.

Suddenly realizing something, Minerva excuses herself.
I’ll be right back, Dinobot, Alias. There is something I need to get before we go, she explains. Something that might help keep us safe if bad comes to worse, she thinks to herself.
She rushes off, leaving Dinobot to share his knowledge of Tagon Heights with Alias.

Not long thereafter Minerva returns, just in time to see the last of the Junkions gather in the room, and even though she didn’t understand their language very well, it was clear that they were all intent on coming along to rescue Wreck-Gar.

It seems like they’ve all decided what they want to do and and i don't think we'll be able to change their minds, turning to Makeway she continues …but with you watching over Iacon and having the security systems at your disposal, Blackjack won’t be entirely alone. Also, Jazz could still be in the area and Sideways might be able to help as well.
I’m afraid that the time is running out and we have to get going. Are we ready?

[Dinobot]

Trying to decipher exactly what the junkions were saying most of the time was difficult, but while on cybertron, before he left for earth with the predacons, he was a student of war. He enjoyed many nights spent in the gallery of autobots before joining the predacons. Thats where he learned of the original war, historic battles, warriors, and of the junkions. He studied most of their language from archived interviews. Figuring out that the junkions were intent on helping their comrade, he decides the next course before heading out.

Okay bots listen up. Blackjack needs to do his mission alone. He will have Makeway here to back him up if needed. Sideways is familiar with the systems here if you need anything, as he nods to Makeway. The rest of you, I need your attention. It takes a breem for them to quit talking in their earth tv voices. This is what I need from you. Dinobot pulls up a schematic of the original Tagon Heights plans before the installation of the base. See these entrances?, as Dinobot points out the main one, Im gonna need you to be as absolutely quiet as possible when you enter here. The 'cons probably have some kind of device to detect presences, so stealth is key.

Once you enter the shafts, you will make your way down to this junction, pointing at different parts of the map. Here is the main energon piping for the electricity of the city. Once here head due north to the control spire. Once there, take this auxilary tunnel east to the hall of Tagon Elite. Dont play around, as you need to keep aware of your surroundings. Once there, you will find an entrance taking you up to the roof. Here will be your vantage point on where Minerva and I will be making the exchange. Keep your heads down, but watch out for 'cons. If you see one, do not engage. We need the transfer to be as smooth as possible. If something happens, I will give you a signal to open fire. I will light a flare for the signal. Everyone got it?

As Minerva re-enters the room and addresses Dinobot about the time, he leaves the schematic up for Makeway and Sideways. Bots this mission is going to be critical. I want you all on your toes, and your heads on a swivel. One of the junkions spins his head, and Dinobot sharply addresses him. Knock that off! This is an absolutely serious mission, Minerva, and Wreck-Gar are depending on us. He transforms back into Raptor mode and the junkions look stunned, never seeing an earth dinosaur before. Its time to leave, so follow my instructions, and dont deviate from the plan. Dinobot misses the days of doing battle planning, and the briefing of fellow transformers. He looks at Minerva, Take this, its a distress beacon rattrap created for this type of situation. I found it in my quarters. I want you to know, I've got your back. No matter what happens, you will be coming back here safe. Seeing Minerva's nerves calm a little bit, he turns back to everyone. Alright bots, Roll Out! One of the junions starts to make a comment about Dinobot having legs, but quickly silents himself, seeing Dinobot bare teeth.

[Rhymus]

In response to Makeway's suggestion for the Junkions, Minerva says, It seems like they’ve all decided what they want to do and and i don't think we'll be able to change their minds…but with you watching over Iacon and having the security systems at your disposal, Blackjack won’t be entirely alone. Also, Jazz could still be in the area and Sideways might be able to help as well. I’m afraid that the time is running out and we have to get going. Are we ready?

Half talking to himself, Makeway worries,

"I don't know how much we can help Blackjack from here... Even if we can get sensors working that can track his progress as far away as Tagon Heights, I don't know if we can get Iacon's weapons systems working well enough to cover him. At that range, without precisely calibrated weapons, we might be more of a threat to him than an asset..."

When Sideways enters the war room, Makeway says,

"Hey, hi! The CR chamber must have finished working on you--congratulations! I thought it would take longer--you must not have been as damaged as I thought, or else the CR chambers here are more advanced than the ones I'm used to. Or maybe both. Unless you came out early for some reason? Is everything all right? Did the CR chamber run its full process, or did it spit you out with the program incomplete? Or did you abort? How are you feeling?"

After Sideways responds to Makeway's barrage of questions and asks what's been happening, Makeway says,

"Blackjack and Minerva have agreed to Dirge's terms: Wreck-Gar in exchange for Minerva and one Autobot escort of her choice--Dinobot. The Junkions will be going along too, though, in secret. Meanwhile, Blackjack has another mission in Tagon Heights--he's going to a factory there to reactivate some security systems someone named Rattrap set up. I don't know if Blackjack should be going alone without backup, but everyone else is either going to get Wreck-Gar and see what Dirge wants with Minerva, or has another job to do. And Blackjack is in charge now, so we have to trust he knows what he's doing... unless you feel like we should go with him? My orders were to try to get the monitoring and defense systems operational, but more importantly to be around in case you needed any more help getting back in working condition--but that was when you were still in the CR chamber. Now that you're out and about, maybe the monitoring and defense systems can wait until after we get back from backing up Blackjack. In fact..."

Makeway turns his back on Sideways but keeps talking to him while entering commands into the nearby computer.

"...maybe if the monitoring systems are still working well enough, we can use them to find Blackjack in Iacon before he leaves, so we can catch up with him."

Makeway suddenly stops and looks sheepishly at Sideways.

"Um, that is, if you're feeling well enough to go, and you don't have anything else you need to do?"

++++++

While Makeway talks with Sideways, Dinobot speaks to the Junkions. It takes a breem for them to quit talking in their Earth TV voices, but once Dinobot starts showing them the map and the route he recommends, they become highly attentive and uncharacteristically quiet.

Once they all seem clear on the plan, Dinobot starts wrapping up. Bots this mission is going to be critical. I want you all on your toes, and your heads on a swivel.

Nova, attempting to nod, unintentionally spins his head, which is still a little loose after coming off during the recent skirmish with the Seekers and only being hastily reattached afterward.

Dinobot, apparently thinking Nova meant it as a joke, sharply addresses him. Knock that off!

At first Nova thinks Dinobot is talking TV--the comment is perfect for a slapstick cartoon comedy that would see Mr. Roboto or Alias literally knock Nova's head off right about now--but the comment does not make sense given the seriousness of the current situation. Then Nova realizes that Dinobot thought Nova was joking around, when Dinobot says, This is an absolutely serious mission, Minerva, and Wreck-Gar are depending on us.

Nova opens his mouth to point out that the A-Team knows how serious the situation is even better than Dinobot does. To Dinobot, Dirge's hostage is just a fellow Autobot--an ally deserving of rescue, but still a stranger. To the A-Team, Wreck-Gar is a leader and a close personal friend. Dinobot's friend Minerva will be going to meet the enemy alert for trickery and supported by backup 'Bots, whereas the A-Team's friend Wreck-Gar is currently alone and unprotected in enemy hands.

Before any of the Junkions can say anything, though, Dinobot transforms back into Raptor mode and the Junkions look stunned, never having seen an Earth dinosaur in person before. They've seen Earth's broadcasts depicting dinosaurs in shows like Jurassic Park and The History Channel, but Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, and Swoop all turned into distinctly robotic-looking versions of dinosaurs ((all right, technically a pterosaur isn't a dinosaur, but whatever)). Who knew Transformers could look so fleshy without using Pretender shells?

Its time to leave, so follow my instructions, and dont deviate from the plan. Alright bots, Roll Out!

"Big wheel keep on turning, LEGO--" Mr. Roboto starts to make a comment about Dinobot having legs, but quickly silents himself, seeing Dinobot bare teeth.

"Stop, drop, and roll," Nova says, pointing at a different Junkion with each syllable. The Junkions he points to--Radiohead, Alias, Survivor, and Energizer--transform into their motorcycle modes. Nova climbs aboard Alias while Mr. Roboto climbs onto Radiohead. A "backpack" Survivor brought into the war room that he didn't have during the earlier fight with the Seekers unfolds into a passable replica of Wreck-Gar ((prior to his reformatting into a garbage truck, which the A-Team does not know about)), positioned so that "he" appears to be riding Survivor. (The fake Wreck-Gar was part of the A-Team's plan to get their leader back themselves if the other Autobots didn't come up with anything better.)

"Dino-Rider? Strider?" Energizer says, asking Dinobot if he would prefer to ride Energizer's motorcycle mode or walk. (Of course, Dinobot won't be able to ride a Junkion all the way to Minerva's meeting with Dirge, especially since the Junkions will be leaving Minerva and Dinobot well before then to make use of the hidden route Dinobot suggests, but Energizer is guessing that Minerva and the motorcycles will be able to get to Tagon Heights faster if they aren't waiting for a Transformer who's on foot.)

[Sideways]

I'm not in any condition to fight right now. Lets worry about getting the security systems running. I do need to get used to this new body, though. I'm gonna do a systems analysis. Watch this!

Sideways walks over to a nearby terminal. His left pointer finger transforms and extends into a data cable, which plugs into a similar slot on the terminal. Instantly, Sideways's physical body enters a standby state as his consciousness is spread all throughout Iacon's systems. Finding a free channel, he speaks to Makeway.

I can interface with just about any computer system or network. I can take complete control of a network if I wish, but I need a physical entrance that's protected, because it leaves my physical body vulnerable. From here, I can see that Iacon's systems are badly damaged. There are a few sensors still operational. I'll pull it up so you can see what's going on.

Another monitor near Makeway lights up. It shows a map of Iacon with many different dots that indicate different security systems, most of them are red, indicating that they are offline. A few are green, which indicates that they are still online.

[Blackjack]

The room is a varitable labrynth of information and the occasional booby trap set up by Cambreaker. Blackjack smiles as he is reminded of his friend, another one he'd lost. But Cambreaker was not dead, just missing, and he swore he would find him.

He wondered if any of the Autobots would resent his decision. He wanted to get to know the newcomers like Makeway and the Junkions better, but there was hardly time. So he had to trust them. But had he been unfair to Makeway by telling him to stay there. As an apparent scientist and inventor he'd assumed that the speedy-bot would prefer to be in a lab instead of on the frontline. Maybe he'd been wrong. One of the trials of leadership he supposed. Hopefully one he wouldn't have to endure much longer.

After what seemed like cycles of searching, he found what he'd been looking for. It was a manilla file folder containing reports from Rattrap on the progress of the Tagon Heights facility. Inside he found a nicely designed map of the current facility, showing all ventilations systems and locations of security centers.

Jackpot.

As Blackjack glanced through the rest of the file, he noticed there were a few other reports in there. At the top of one he saw the words: PROJECT PARANOIA. He'd never heard of that, some secret project of Cambreaker's. What was it anyway? Best to take it with. Feeling satisfied, Blackjack makes his way out of the room. It was time for him to roll out as well.

Feeling a twinge of guilt again for leaving Makeway behind, he stopped by the war room to check if any 'bots were still there. Minerva, Dinobot, and A-Team had headed out, not a suprise. But Sideways was there, apparently working on one of the computers while Makeway looked on.

Just wanted to stop in before I left. Wanted you 'bots to know that you're welcome to come along, don't havta sit here and stare at them screens all day. But I'm not plannin' on this bein' easy eithah. I'm going in to that factary quick and gettin' out before the 'cons can do anything to Minoirva or Wreck-Gah.

The he notices Sideway is actually connected to the Iacon mainframe. An interesting trick. He wonders if the scientist-bot is even hearing him speak. Then again, given what he'd been through Sideways probably wasn't interested in going anywhere. It was Makeway he was curious about. The new-bot may just enjoy seeing the factory with all its advanced gizmos and whatnot.

[Sideways]

Sideways can hear Blackjack, even though he is currently plugged into Iacon's mainframe.

I won't be going anywhere for a while, Blackjack. Iacon needs a lot of work and we'll need all the defenses we can get online. Makeway, We should make a plan of action and decide what systems we should repair first.

[Rhymus]

Makeway is very impressed by (and slightly jealous of) Sideways's ability to interface with a system so completely and easily.

"You'll have to teach me how to do that," Makeway says admiringly

(not really believing it's something a 'Bot can learn). ((OOC: i don't want it to be something a 'Bot can learn, either, or easily be modified to do. i think that ability would make Makeway a less interesting character, but if it's possible for a 'Bot to learn it or accomplish it with easy modifications, then it wouldn't make sense for Makeway--and every other TF--not to do so.)) Then, partly from envy but mostly from genuine concern, he asks,

"Is there any risk of you being damaged yourself when you interface with a damaged system like this?"

When Blackjack stops by the war room to check in one last time before heading out, and he makes a comment about Sideways and Makeway not having to stare at them screens all day, Makeway, still staring at Sideways, replies,

"I'm not sure Sideways needs a screen at all. He's actually connected to the Iacon mainframe--the whole computer network. He's merged with it--his consciousness is Iacon's computer system."

Makeway finally manages to refocus his optics away from Sideways and meet Blackjack's gaze.

"I'm not sure it's such a good idea for you to go on your mission alone, but Sideways isn't familiar enough with his new body to feel confident going anywhere in it--I should stay with him in case his new body gives him any trouble, or any of the repairs he underwent start coming undone. Plus, with this interface capability of his, he's gotten a pretty good picture of what Iacon needs done, and I think we can get a good start on enacting some of those repairs."

Sideways confirms some of what Makeway said: I won't be going anywhere for a while, Blackjack. Iacon needs a lot of work and we'll need all the defenses we can get online.

"Maybe you could take Jazz with you, if you can find him," Makeway suggests. "At any rate, good luck with your mission. Stay safe--I think we need 'Bots more than we need those security systems up and running."

Sideways says, Makeway, We should make a plan of action and decide what systems we should repair first.

Makeway looks at Sideways's map of Iacon, with many different dots that indicate different security systems. Most of them are red, indicating that they are offline. A few are green, which indicates that they are still online.

"Well, this section seems to be where the highest concentration of the damage is, where the most systems are inoperable... but this side of Iacon faces Kaon, which would be about here, and Tagon Heights, which would be around here--so I think we should focus on repairing this area. Do you think we should start with the early warning systems, or the weapons emplacements? Maybe alternating repairs--first a monitoring device, then a weapons platform, then a sensor, then a turret, and so on? And how far apart should we set our repairs? Better, I think, to have a wide sensor grid with some gaps in it than a tight sensor net that's so tiny anyone could just go around it. Same with guns--don't want to have all our functional weaponry concentrated in one area, because then the 'Cons could just come at us from another direction where we don't have anything that can shoot at them..."

[Minerva]

A velociraptor and a Porsche, Dinobot and Minerva, could be seen leaving Iacon in direction of Tagon Heights.
The A-Team had been given directions on how to find the vantage point, where they would secretly watch over the exchange. If all goes well and they follow the instructions Dinobot has given them, they should be there soon, Minerva mused to herself, as she and Dinobot were approaching the location where the exchange would take place.

Minerva caught herself thinking of Cambreaker, and for a moment she wondered how he would have dealt with this blackmail situation.
She missed him, and even though her efforts to find him, or any trace of him for that matter had been futile, she was not intending on giving up her search for him.
She pushed the thoughts of Cambreaker aside for now, and focused on the task at hand, not wanting to be caught off guard by any potential Decepticons lurking in the area.

[Blackjack]

He understands Makeway's concern for him and is glad that some 'bot mentions it. This Makeway was certainly a true Autobot, with his mind on the safety of his fellows. Blackjack admired it. He is confused at how exactly Sideways had managed to merge with Iacon's computer systems and unnerved a little. If it were possible for a Transformer, any Transformer, to do that then what would keep the Decepticons from invading Iacon via its computer system. It was a problem he would leave to the more technically savvy 'bots.

Then I'll leave Iacon in your capable hands. You guys stay safe as well and if there are any Decepticon attacks while we're gone, get a message to me or Dinobot as quick as you can.

He felt secure knowing that Sideways was working so hard on reactivating Iacon Fortress's defenses. Makeway also seemed quite experienced, having worked with Wheeljack, so he was certain things would be fine. Smiling to himself as the two quickly set to work discussing a plan to restore the defenses, Blackjack exited the war room.

Making his way out of Iacon Fortress into the Cybertronian air, he focused himself on the task ahead. He transformed to his Lotus Esprit form and zoomed into the distance towards Tagon Heights. He hoped that everything would turn out with the rescue. If anything happened to Minerva, the Decepticons would pay. He'd lost too many friends already.

[Sideways]

OOC: Only I have that ability to enter computer systems so easily. A remainder of my power that Unicron granted me from the past..

[Sideways]

Sideways responds to Makeway's suggestions.

A wider sensor array is defintelty what Iacon could use at this time. The way I see it, the 'Cons aren't very organized at this time, and we should use this time to rebuild our defenses and get Iacon somewhat prepared for a battle.

Sideways highlights where he thinks they should start.

It would be nice to be able to tell a 'Bot from a 'Con. We should start with our short range sensor array first, get a few back online, then get a few weapons emplacements back online. We need to spread out the repairs like you said, and not get caught off guard by an attack on our weakest area.

[Dinobot]

As Dinobot and Minerva approach the coordinates laid out by Dirge, they are both on their toes. Minerva, keep your comms open, if and when you get into trouble, I can come in and get you. Dinobot surveys the building Dirge is using. Im going to keep my optics open for any defenses. If I can disable them I will. The more of them that are down, the better. Dinobot glances around for any other decepticons in the area. We also have to look for or gain knowledge where they're holding Wreck-Gar. He probably needs out help. I will contact the junkions with his location so they can assist. As he ponders the fate of Wreck-Gar, he wonders if he can get the drop on Dirge somehow, he might be able to end the decepticon threat once and for all. But it may endanger Minerva.

[Blackjack]

Within Iacon, Sideways and Makeway work on their plans for repairs and upgrades to the defensive systems. Their silence is broken by a message coming through the control room comm system. It is a Autobot frequency.

This is Blackjack calling anyone still hangin' around Iacon. I've found somethin' interesting down here in Tagon Heights. But it looks like I'm gonna need some 'bot with computah skills to bring this security back up. Sideways, if you're gettin' this I'd like you to come down here and help me. I'll find a front door so you don't have to go through the tunnels like I did. Just be careful to avoid the 'cons or it might ruin our deal with em.

The transmission ended and again there was silence.