Iacon

[Time Traveller]

The autobots in the security center open the gates for snarl... The dinobot lumbers in and looks around, seeing the repair activity, and seeing the Rodimus touring about the grounds.

[Rodimus Prime]

Rodimus and Arcee sit in Rodimus Primes office, they are examining the new security upgrades

These seem satisfactory, nothing that will stop the Decepticons, Megatron will be pleased.

He glances at Arcee

We must check out the datafiles on these new Autobots, I need to know every detail so we can be effective in our job. We must hurry, these bodies will not last much longer.

[Time Traveller]

Cambreaker sips his drink slowly, and tiredly, listening to Rattrap and Dinobot's stories, occasionally glancing to Minerva with a tired smile. He finally sees Rodimus and Arcee go to the commander's chambers.

Excuse me my friends, I must talk to our leader. make yourselves at home here in my suite until we get you some quarters set up.

He glances to Minerva, a concerned look in his eyes. He stands using his axe, and rushes out the door to Rodimus's office. He presses the call button, but to no answer, he keys the door open and strides in.

Rodimus Prime, we need to talk. Your inaction is crippling our ability to...

He looks down at the holoprojector on Rodimus' desk, seeing the files of all the autobots who registered in Kup's office in the last 20 megacycles, with the exeption of Rattrap and Dinobot, whose files are blank.

What's this? Now you have to examine every security file on each registree? We haven't the time for this! Have your positronic brains been disrupted?

Cambreaker's mech fluids churn hot in his systems, his heavy jaw hangs open as he glares into Rodimus and Arcee's momentarily blank faces.

[Minerva]

Minerva, who has also excused herself from the 'bots company walks by Rodimus's office, where the door is left open. She hears Cambreakers voice and he seems to be very upset.
She walks up to him and looks into the room, spotting the two autobots at the desk.

Oh, um.. I'm sorry for interrupting... Is everything okay..?
Everything's just fine, don't worry. Arcee replies with a smile.

Minerva relaxes slightly hearing those words.

[Time Traveller]

Cambreaker, still seething, slams his fist down on the desk with a thud, sending a statuette crashing to the floor. He remembers that it's not just he and Rodimus in the room, and speaks in a low growling tone.

Everything is NOT fine. Deszaras fell back and left Liokaiser here for a reason. Even all those damned bugs have ceased gnawing upon our walls. Something is going on, and we're not ready. You're here meandering around admiring our undermanned defenses, reading datafiles, when we should be preparing to stop the decepticons' rapid regeneration at Kaon. We had the fortress at its knees, by only a freak accident or miracle. By the time we're done dawdling around here, it will be back at full strength and pressing back into lands we DIDN'T secure because YOU won't authorize orders to do so! AND FURTHERMORE!

He stands bolt upright, his arm cracking like a whip as he points accusingly at Rodimus. He realizes his tone has grown again to a bellar, and shifts down again to a seethingly icy snarl.

I will NOT have you referring to Minerva, who's saved the lives of at least two of your comrades in the last DAY, not to mention countless other invaluable contributions as 'some med-bot', and rolling your eyes disparagingly when she enters a room as though she were some sparkless drone.

He puts an arm across her shoulders, presenting her as a great hero, barely holding his composure, saying bitterly to Rodimus

You should be proud of the actions of this Autobot.

And you, Arcee, are not completely abstained of this. While I know that you, like myself, do not outrank our lackadaisical commander, nor is it your responsibility to act as his sensibility, I would think that you would have realized the error of this inactivity and aided to strengthen our cause.

But now I shall leave you two to your datafile browsing, ~I~ have work to do. Sideways requires my attention, and I'll be setting supply runs to Tagon, and leading an offensive raid to prevent the Decepticons from bringing their full military might to bear on Iacon. Countermand me, and I will consider to be ordering all Autobots to knowing self destruction, assume command, and have you jailed and court marshaled. Don't think this is a grab for power, commanders, this is to save the lives of my friends from your incapable hands.

Too angry now to await a response, Cambreaker turns to leave, Minerva following after him.

[Blackjack]

The road to Iacon is long, dusty, and lonely. Fortunately, Blackjack isn't alone. He muses to himself if they'll miss him after all this time. He wonders what's been happening too. Maybe Rodimus finally got that stick out of his tailpipe and decided to lead, but then again he doubts it. Something had happened to the Autobots, no doubt about that. He missed Optimus Prime. Those had truly been the days. But enough musing, now the time had come. Iacon was in sight.

He pulled his new acquisition up to the gates and hopped out. He walked over to the gates and activated his commlink.

Hey, I was hopin' you 'bots might be in need of some good news. It's Blackjack out here and I've brought a friend with me, so open up.

He walks back to the vehicle and leans against it, waiting for the doors to open. Looks like someone was tryin' to break these doors down not too long ago, he thinks, sure hope it wasn't the 'cons.

[Cliffjumper]

where are those two ... oh well

CJ starts priming and reloading the EMP cannon, He looks out to the front gates and see Blackjack with a new someone

Hmmmm whos this bot that Blackjack has brought with him

CJ ponders with concern as he heads down to the Security room

Welcome back BJ who ya got with ya

he pushes some buttons and the gates open

[Rattrap]

Noticing all of the commotion down by the main gates, Rattrap wanders down to see what is going on. He spots three 'bots unfamiliar to him and wonders aloud: Who are these 'bots?

[Arcee]

As Cambreaker turns to leave, Arcee grabs him by the wrist. She turns him around, and with a strong arm, pushes his back against the wall. Minerva is particularly surprised, but holds back.

Rodimus may have no problem looking the other way, but you won’t soon be speaking to me in that tone again, Cambreaker. Her voice seethes as she stares coldly into his optics. He appears surprised to have gotten a reaction. Not a grab for power? It certainly seems otherwise to me, "big bot." She withdraws her hand from him and takes a step back. Attempting to calm to herself, she lowers her voice. I needn’t justify myself nor my actions, but I will tell you this—threaten me again, and you’ll find yourself longing for the days of our so-called “inactivity.”

The two ‘bots stare at one another for a lingering moment before Arcee nods at Rodimus. I’ll leave him to you. She quickly excuses herself, fearing her display of aggression may have given Cambreaker reason to suspect something may be wrong within her. Finding a secluded area, Arcee attempts a transmission to Kaon.

Commander. We have the information you need…

[Time Traveller]

Cambreaker, face pallid with shock, watches Arcee leave with wide, livid eyes. His eyes flash to Minerva, double checking her safety, then ushers her out the door and back to his quarters, he slams the door shut, leaning on his axe and the door. He sees the maximals have gone. He slumps into his chair. He plugs his wrist comm into the security mainframe and routs his call to all the autobots excepting Arcee and Rodimus.

Autobots, this is Cambreaker. Something very unfortunate has happened, and commanders Rodimus Prime and Arcee are unfit for duty. If they are sighted, detain them to quarters with as little force possible, but as much necessary. We are expecting a large Decepticon action and soon. Prepare all defenses. Kup, Cliffjumper, Elita, Goldbug, and the throttlebots, Travel to block H of the northwest sector of Tagon Heights. Bring back as much light artillery as you can, and sufficient ammuntion. Nothing too heavy, I want to be able to use it on the move to fend off Decepticons before they make it to Iacon's walls. Blurr, prioritize work on the ground penetrating radar. Doublecross, fly top cover and monitor activity on main roads. Sideways, bring whatever it is you're working on topside... be ready to use it. Sunstreaker, close all physical doors on the cell block containing Liokaiser, and all other cell blocks. Kill power to all prison areas.

Everybody else, ready your battlestations, then meet in the forward courtyard.

Cambreaker closes his comm, and looks to Minerva, his hands shaking slightly.

I... I must have a little hydraulic fluid leak somewhere.

[Blackjack]

Blackjack hears the voice of Cliffjumper and is relieved. For a moment he wondered if any Autobots were left in Iacon.

Good to see ya Cliffy. Actually this isn't so much a 'who' as a 'what'. Let's just say I got distracted during the battle when I noticed that ol' Megs had a little secret storage bay and a new little toy stashed inside. I...

He was about to continue talking when the comm came through. For a moment he almost asked Cliffjumper what had happened while he was gone, but he thought better of it. It would be better to ask Cambreaker. He chuckled a little as he walked through the gates of Iacon, driving the tank in and closing them behind himself, maybe the Autobots did need some good news.

He drove the tank to the forward courtyard and hoped that this would at least bring a small smile to his old friend's face.

[Sideways]

Inside Sideways' lab, a mysterious Transformer lies dormant in a stasis pod. His eyes glow a dim red.

[Dinobot]

Wow, it sounds like Cambreaker has taken matters into his own hands! Dinobot leans towards rattrap, It looks like we are going into another battle Rat, It seems our work has caught up to us here in the past as well.

[Cliffjumper]

*On comm to Cambreaker*

Hmmmm I dont like this feeling I have Big Bot. The EMP is ready for action just in case

Elita and Kup walk in both wondering about that last comm

We should head out to H guys

Im ready when u are Cliffy

Me too

Lets Roll

CJ Elita and Kup head down to the tunnels, Transform and head out to Tagon

*Comm to Goldbug*

Hey GB u guys wait for a bit then head out to cover our Tail Im gonna head out in front of Kup and Elita and do a bit of recon first

[Grimlock]

* Snarl looks at rattrap, sideways and the new bot *
" ME SNARL WODER IF YOU DECEPTICONS "
* Snarl transforms to robot mode and stands over rattrap *
" YOU TELL SNARL WHO YOU ARE OR ME DO TO YOU WHAT I DID TO GATES "

[Time Traveller]

Cambreaker gets up and takes Minerva down to the front courtyard with him. He sees Maximals and Autobots starting to gather, then he spots the tank and freezes in his tracks as though not to be spotted.

What in Primus' name is that...

[Rattrap]

Rattrap backs away from Snarl slowly.

Whoa Big Lizard, I'm on your side. Relax, we're all Autobots here. I think I spotted something shinny for you, look over there.

Rattrap points behind Snarl and while the giant lizard is looking for it, backs into the gathering crowd. He spots Blackjack's new toy and lets out an astonished whistle.

That's some powerful looking tank there Blackjack. This baby is ours now?

[Time Traveller]

Blackjack? That's him in there?

Cambreaker sees Blackjack pop the hatch and poke his head out. He runs/stumbles the rest of the way down the ramp to the courtyard.

Where the slag have you been? Where did you get this?

[Dinobot]

Blackjack turns his head to see an unfamiliar dinosaur robot walking towards him. All of a sudden the dinosaur says MAXIMIZE! Then he turns into a robot. Blackjack is speechless. Greetings Blackjack, I am dinobot. Its nice to see our forces growing ever stronger. That tank you have is going to be a very valuable asset in the forseeable future.

[Blackjack]

Blackjack gets out of the tank and walks over to the unfamiliar 'Dinobot'. He also notes a large gray rat among the assembled Autobots. He turns to the assembled.

Oh, so you like this lizard lips. Good to see you too Cammy. Let me explain a few things and then we can introduce ourselves. You see while yous guys were fighting with the 'cons, I took the opportunity to see what ol' Megatron had parked in his storage bays. It seems that he was leaving this little beauty lying around for anyone to find, must've forgotten about it or something. Anyways, I didn't like the color, so I took her over to a few friends of mine and had some adjustments made. I call her the Royal Flush. She's not a full fledged Autobot, but she has her uses. For example...

He gets back into the tank and presses a few buttons. A moment later it begins to transform. Soon there is what looks like a gestalt-sized transformer standing in the courtyard.

See, its like a suit of armor. She's still got all her armaments that Megatron put on her too.

He transforms the Royal Flush back and hops out.

So anyways, for those of you who don't know me the name's Blackjack.