757/Out of the Silent Planet 1

Out of the Silent Planet 1
Date of Scene:	06 October 2014
Location:	Cybertron-2
Synopsis:	The Swarm just keeps getting weirder and weirder...what's going on here? Is someone else pulling the strings?
Cast of Characters:	Kotone Yamakawa, Blurr, 513, Bahamut, 569, Ayako Hasekawa
Tinyplot:	Out of the Silent Planet

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Blurr has posed:
    Cybertron is a dead world, for the most part. But lately, Autobot orbital surveillance probes have been picking up on a rather strong signal coming from the surface. A signal that shouldn't exist on such a decrepit scrapheap. There -shouldn't- be anything down there capable of creating such a signature, right?

    Shouldn't. But there definitely is, and it is definitely coming from somewhere planetside.

    So High Command had sent Blurr to investigate the source, but he's run into a bit of a problem. One that he'd expected, granted, but one can only prepare so much for a massive horde of ravenous, mech-eating Insecticon savages. He may be fast, but he can't exactly teleport. He might have been able to orbital bounce if that signal weren't jamming everything except basic communications, but such was not the case.

    For the time being, he's been sneaking around the Swarm, observing them and searching for any clues as to how he might be able to trace the signal to its source. And hoping the bugs won't see him.

    Prime had dropped in briefly a megacycle ago for a SITREP, and he'd told Optimus that the signal appeared to be coming from deep within the catacombs of Cybertron, but the Swarm had apparently acquired some sort of newfound purpose -besides- devouring everything in its path--that is, keeping anyone else from venturing down there. They aren't exactly durable, but they have strength in numbers, and lately there seemed to be an extraordinary amount of them prowling about. More than usual. Blurr may be fast, but he doesn't exactly have an internal orbital bounce mechanism like Skywarp does. So the Autobots have called for support from the Union, hoping that with their help, he'll be able to push through the thousands of savage Insecticons and find out just what the slag is -down- there creating such a powerful energy signature!

    But perhaps the Union won't be the only ones there...the signal itself is strong and unusual enough to attract just about anyone who might have picked up on it in one way or another.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako lands lightly on her feet as she exits a warp gate leading to Cybertron. Her amber gaze whips around quickly as she takes in where is is now. "Whoa... that's something you don't see everyday..." A planet almost completely made up of ruins... After a moment, she quickly shakes her head and then starts actively looking around. "Umm... now where were we supposed to meet up with everyone? I definitely don't want to go anywhere alone!"

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     It's easy for Bitter Medicine to draw connections between this place and Autochthonia. He can imagine the dead, lifeless corridors of Cybertron awash with the sea of humanity, throngs of mortals busily hustling through them on their way to work, or to the factories. Cybertron is barren, eerily quiet, a cold glimpse into the future of Autochthonia should the Great Maker's Gremlin Syndrome overtake him. How very like the gremlins the Insecticons seem--the only difference is that their destruction comes from hunger rather than sociopathy.

     Alchemical Exalted have no need for air save for their ability to speak, and so Bitter Medicine looks much the same as he does any other day as he comes thudding through the warpgate. Ayako is paid a look of stern greeting, as well as a clap on the back from a gloved hand. Wordlessly, he produces a jury-rigged radio no larger than the palm of his hand and begins searching for friendly frequencies.

Bahamut has posed:
     Did someone ask for a way to obliterate something from space, as it is the only way to be sure? Well, even if not, Bahamut enters from orbit. If anyone wishes, they can be riding on him, or be carried by him. "So, some sort of infestation has formed on this dead world, and we are here to eradicate it?" Bahamut says as he comes in low over the target area. "Where do we enter?"

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is once again on this dead world but this time's she's not wearing something that's suited for clubbing, no she's wearing something that looks like some sort of body armour with notablke chucks on the torso, shoulders and legs there's also some odd lighted part and ammo clipped on hard points here and there. She had a assault rifle over her back and a pistol on her hip. She seemed on edge but was better ready than last time. She thinks she needs to look into something else form her world but this new armour that the Doc cooked up and Shen rolled out seems pretty good so far.

"A dead world so alien organic life's never existed here..."

Finna (513) has posed:
    There is a fox following after Bitter Medicine. Twin earrings are clipped to its ears, providing a small bubble of clean, breathable air no matter where she goes. Thank the Union armory for simple gear!

    She hops up onto Bitter MEdicine's shoulder and makes a forlorn whine, snout scanning every which way and ears at high alert positions for anything unusual.

Blurr has posed:
    Once everyone's arrived, it isn't long before Blurr shows up at the warpgate. He expected that's where most people would be popping up first. The Autobot examines the team that was sent. Especially that fox. Not exactly ruination tanks but it was worth a shot if they could find an alternate way down, maybe one less...conspicuous than Kaon.

    He waves up at Bahamut, and nods to the others. "Kotone. Thanks for showing. Bahamut, that's the question at the moment. Kaon is the most obvious route, but there's no way we'd get past all the Swarm if we tried using it. I'm hoping to find something a little more discreet." He then glances over at Finna, Bitter, and Ayako. "You look familar," he says to Bitter. "I don't think I've met any of you before, though."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako smiles softly at Bitter Medicine when he gives a clap on the back to her. While Bitter Medicine scans for frequences, she keeps watch for anything hostile. Her watery awareness swiftly letting her know if anything out of the ordinary approaches.

    She waves cheerfully to Bahamut as he enters from orbit. "Ah. That voice. Hello Bahamut! No idea. Hopefully our Autobot contact locates us soon before something else does." Ayako then giggles softly when Kotone steps in. "Nothing wrong with inorganic life." A comforting smile is given to Finna. "Relax, relax. Take a deep breath in... breathe out... breathe in... breathe out. If you're too jumpy now you'll burn yourself out."

    Ayako smiles softly at Blurr as he (naturally) arrives quickly. "I'm Ayako Hasekawa, a water spirit. Please call me Ayako!" She bows politely to everyone. "If anyone needs healing, support magic, or anything water-related, I'll be happy to help-just don't expect anything... offensive from me." She nods her head once cheerfully.

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     The Alchemical reaches into his coat and produces an Autochthonian artifact. It looks a bit like a breather, designed to fit over the mouth. He opens a panel up and plucks out two wires, scraping the rubber coating off. The wiring is then crudely intertwined with the palm radio, which is crammed unceremoniously into the breather mask. Closing the panel, he places the mask over his mouth. "Testing," he says. His voice is transmitted through the air provided by the mask, into the radio, and thus into those of his allies.

     "We've met," says the Alchemical to Blurr. "Bitter Medicine, Chosen of the Machine God. This is Finna Snowdancer, Chosen of Luna." He gestures to the fox on his shoulder. "I'm currently equipped for threat engagement and mobility."

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa tilts her head a little bit as she looks about ans shakes her head a little bit.

"If it wan't for those things? I think this planet would be stripped bare by salvagers at this point. Just the alloys making it up alone would be worth someone's efforts to attempt this."

She admit's she's tempted this stuff could do some pretty cray things she thought but she's not oging to press too hard on it.

"Kaon huh? all right I'm going to keep a map app rolling on my cyberbrain humm hey any intact orbital sats we might be able to use to help map things as we go?"

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut carefully moves down to land near the group, then he smiles to those that have greeted him. "We may be able to find another way in, but a distraction may be more useful. I could attack somewhere and draw their attention. But, this is your world and your operation. I will follow your directions in this matter." he says.

     Bahamut looks around at those gathered, picking out those he knows. Finna is the only one he recognizes by sight, but Ayako is familiar by voice. He offers both a nod of acknowledgement, then looks to those he doesn't know. "So, what alternate routes might there be? Where should we start looking?"

Finna (513) has posed:
    The fox offers a sort of chirp-croon at Ayako, Blurr, and Kotone as they arrive. A friendly little melodious sound of welcoming. For whatever reason, Finna doesn't seem to interested in normal speech right now, but that will do easily enough. She nudges Bitter Medicine with some nose-on-cheek action, apparently ready to help with whatever.

Blurr has posed:
    Blurr nods to Kotone and uploads a topographic map of the area to a local broadband frequency for all to see. The terrain is very rugged, covered mostly in ruins of a time long past. There are a lot of holes that might lead underground, where they are hoping to go, but most of them are just dead ends that don't go far.

    The Autobot shrugs at Bahamut's idea. "If this were a typical anti-Swarm operation, I would've been 100% sure that would work. But lately they've been acting weird. Like organized, as if they're trying to keep us out of the catacombs for some reason. But it's worth a shot."

    At Bitter's reminder, Blurr seems to finally recall. "Oh, right. I did meet you once. Sorry I just have a bad time with names. Hmm...Maybe Finna can scout out the ruins for a tunnel that goes down deeper than just subsurface, since she's small enough that she'll be the most likely to go unnoticed. The rest of us can watch her perimeter--the Insecticons could come from any direction."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako looks over the broadcasted map on her radio. "Hmm... lots of holes." She looks up from the radio and inclines her head to the side gently. "I've been releasing water vapor since I've arrived... I can see, hear and feel out of it, but only when it's so close to me. The radius isn't super far, but... if I can help scout that way, then I could do that." Ayako smiles softly.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut looks the map over, then hmms. "So...what is our plan?" Bahamut asks. "Simply wait for Finna to explore? If this Swarm is as dangerous as you say, it seems irresponsible to send anyone into the darkness alone." he says, looking over at Finna before back at Blurr. "With so many possible entrances, I could expedite the process, but...it would draw a lot of attention.

     "It would involve firing a charge down each hole in the nearby area, seeing how deep it goes." he continues, regarding his claws as if the idea is perfectly valid.

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is keepinga move ona s they head out and she looks over the map she's packing reaper rounds for what it' worth it should have a better chance to deal with thos ebugs she's wondeirng how she ended up like this.

"...splitting up is suicide in my experiance."

Xcom teaches NEVER SPLIT UP /ever/ seriously don't you'll get an alien french of death if you do.

"Either way we should move onwards."

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     "Don't mention it," says the Alchemical to Blurr. He imagines she's in fox form for exactly what Blurr suggested, so he'll just let her speak her objections if she has any. "I don't care either way. I came here ready for a fight. I'll stand by whatever decision the Assembly makes." Bitter Medicine rolls his neck, then cracks his knuckles.

Finna (513) has posed:
    Finna hops off of Bitter Medicine's shoulder, tail wagging slightly. Seems she's up for the 'scout ahead' role if Blurr pushes for it!

    Everyone who sees that will get the feeling she is, anyways, whether they want to or not.

Blurr has posed:
    Blurr shakes his head, looking slightly impatient. Weren't they listening? "Which is exactly why I said we'd watch her perimeter so that if the Insecticons approach from -any- direction she might not be looking at the moment, at least one of us would see them. But I guess you're right, maybe we shouldn't send her down there alone. Ayako, since you can use water as a detection method, why don't you accompany her. Bahamut, in all fairness they're probably going find us at some opint, but the longer we can go undetected the better. We'll probably need your firepower on the offensive moreso than on the scouting side anyway."

    When Finna seems eager to get on it, the Autobot starts off toward the porous terrain. "Let's get going." Blurr isn't one to stand around waiting, either. As they make their way toward the ruins, Finna could probably easily dart in and out of a million little nooks and crannies and chasms here and there, while Ayako's water could likely do the same.

    For the rest of the team, glowing yellow optics are starting to appear in the distance...

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako nods her head once. "I'll go with her! Just remember to call out on the radio if you do see something. I... I'm not much in a fight on my own..." She smiles awkwardly and follows after Finna. "Let's go, Finna!"

    Once she gets to the holes, she kneels down for a moment, looking down into it to direct her water vaopr through... and then stands back up to go to the next one when she doesn't find anything. However, she's so focused on what is inside the holes, she doesn't even notice the glowing yellow optics in the distance.

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     Straight to the point. Bitter Medicine likes this guy already. As soon as the Autobot makes his impatience apparent, the Alchemical is not far behind him, walking at a brisk pace. His right hand moves to his collapsed weapon, a disc of dark, blue-black steel--Voidbane, his gyroscopic chakram. His fingers slide into the grooves at the weapon's center, and he holds it at the ready.

     The yellow eyes are a warning sign, nothing more. The Swarm can see them, and they can see the Swarm. For the /moment/ it doesn't seem like they want to engage, but he'll damned sure be ready when they do. Their motive, according to the Autobots, is hunger. There must be some way to use that against them. He broods upon possibilities as he walks, casting suspicious glances to every alley and abandoned facility they come across. All of them seem good places to mount an ambush.

     "You'll be protected," he states assuredly for Ayako's benefit. He let Armsmaster down with his shameful attempt at apprehening the Undersiders. He /won't/ let anyone else down. He takes a brief survey of the other Elites. Bahamut looks like he could be equally useful on the air or on the ground. He's not sure of Blurr or Kotone's capabilities, but he's sure everyone is going to do what they're best at. With that in mind, the Exalt from the culture with milennia of experience fighting in close quarters picks a choke point and guards it.

Finna (513) has posed:
    Indeed, Finna does just that. She separates from the group, darting about through the ruins and scouting at tremendous speeds. The little fox is FAR faster than any normal fox has any right to be - a ghost in the ruins, drifing from place to place like debris carried by hurricane winds. Scurry scamper zip, leaping over small buildings and scouting out the area - and any enemies...

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut hmphs. "On the surface? Isn't the danger underground?" he asks as he starts to scan the area. And notices yellow optics. "...hmm...it seems our operation may already be compromised." he says as he walks, his bulk creating loud footsteps despite his best efforts at being stealthy. Okay, his slight efforts to be stealthy.

     "He is right, Ayako. We will not allow any harm to come to you or Finna if we can help it." the big dragon says, grinning. "No bugs, big or small, will hurt you."

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa humms and keeps an eye out at this point she looks around somethi8ng that might seen off also these things seem to be hive minded she will check for wirless signals or other forms of communicaiton she might be able to pick up. She keeps her rifle ready she notices the optics and narrows her eyes. Yup there they are watching them but she takes comfort in they'd just eat her, unlike those other things the Sqadies run into

Blurr has posed:
    "The danger is everywhere. I don't know what's underground, that's what we're trying to find out, and that's where we're trying to go. But, you know, bugs." Blurr answers the dragon, as he keeps watching Ayako's and Finna's backs.

    The yellow optics stay focused on the group, not moving for the time being. "See if this were a typical situation, they would have attacked us by now. But look, they're just waiting..."

    As for the two scouts, Finna would find a tunnel in a ruined warehouse about the diameter of three humans in size, that doesn't seem to lead to a dead end or be blocked by rubble. If they can make that hole bigger, then the larger members of the party might be able to fit through.

    Kotone's scans of the airwaves for forms of communication reveals that strange signal that drew them here in the first place. Now that the Swarm seem to have approached, she might be able to tell that they're actually receiving it somehow...

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako continues searching the holes, and then she pauses for a moment. Her gaze turns outwards as she just now notices the yellow optics watching everyone. "A-ahh... W-well... they certainly know we're here..." She takes a deep breath... and then resumes searching the holes.

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     Bitter Medicine grunts. He's more than ready for the Swarm. Hell, he was built for almost this exact situation! This place is very similar to the reaches, and the Swarm are like gremlins with bigger numbers and less murderous glee. /Almost/ this exact situation! "Got nothing here. What about you, comrades?"

Finna (513) has posed:
    Finna announces over her radio, "I fooooound something!" While bounding around the tunnel and examiing it herself. She doesn't really know all those machines, but she knows that glowing buttons and levers usually do stuff, so she's got her eye out for any of those.

    And of course, she's still in fox form as she scampers around.

    And uns around into the tunnel and starts walking UP THE WALl to get another look from a different angle...

Bahamut has posed:
     When Finna radios that she has found something, Bahamut turns in that direction. When he gets there, he hmphs. "It might be hard for Blurr and myself to fit in there." he says as he regards the warehouse. "Unless we are going to do some smashing and really make our presense known." he says, looking around at the eyes watching them. "Which I can do, of course."

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa Says "Yes I get the idea it's eveyrwhere and I suspect it's stuff we don't want to deal with down there."

She shifts her rifle a bit and move to keep with the group when Finna calls out she's found something? Kotone turns to see just what has she found?

Blurr has posed:
    "Good work, Finna." Blurr moves over to the opening she has found, and examines it. "Yeah, anyone have any abilities that'll let us make this hole bigger without alerting them t--"

    So much for that.

    Quite abruptly, a mechanical bug resembling a dragonfly seems to soar out from behind an adjacent ruined building and latch itself onto the Autobot's upper body. It's about three quarters his size, so by Cybertronian standards not that large, but to others--quite massive. Caught off guard, the speedster flails but can't seem to get it off right away. Can his allies get the better of it, without harming him? Probably! But where there's one, more will most definitely be on the way!

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    "Ahh, good job, Finna! I'm on my way there!" Ayako happily makes her way to the hole and then blinks at the dragonfly on Blurr. "Uhh... That's... That's not a friendly one, is it..." She glances around quickly. "Umm... someone help, please!"

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     Smoking the bug off might not be the best idea. While it's true that some Cybertronian creatures apparently have olfactory senses, there's no guarantee this one will--its purpose is unknown to Bitter Medicine. That leaves one option.

     The Alchemical hoists his chakram, holding it level with his face and using it as a makeshift ironsight. The blades extend, giving it the appearance of a buzzsaw. They set to spinning with a puff of steam, and Bitter Medicine sends it hurtling towards the insect. The soulsteel weapon hungers for the essence of the insect, banking towards it.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut blinks as that giant dragonfly flies out. "Blurr!" he growls before charging. As the next closest in size at about 15 feet high, he feels he is best equipped for this situation. He closes in quickly and his powerful claws lash out, trying to cut the bug to ribbons. If the cutting doesn't work, he would grab it and try to yank it off of the Autobot.

     "I can widen the entrance, but it will be dangerous. You guys may want to be deep underground or outside about 100 feet from me." he says even as he struggles with the giant dragonfly.

Finna (513) has posed:
    Finna's not late to respond to the massive insecticon-thing because it got her THAT much by surprise. No, it's the OTHER's responses that got her by surprise, while she was preparing to pounce and strike it in the eyes or something , claws gleaming silver...

    Wel;l, the claws are gleaming, but she hasn't launched. Instead, she's on the lookout for anything ELSE that muight approach in the confusion. If it does? She'll zap THAT bug instead. "So much for trying to sneak past 'em all!"

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa get her rifle ready she aims it and is trying to keep back she knows she shouldn't be sitting still even as that goes on. Another part of her mind is tracking the converstation about the horrible black stuff from Kingsmouth, suddenly? Cyberton seems like it's the land the Ponies come from now. She fires off several controled bursts as she moves but what good could they do well? She's going to have some data for Shen and the doc at this rate.

Blurr has posed:
    The dragonfly-look-alike is blasted off of Blurr by Bitter's voidbane attack, screeching angrily and now with a smoking hole in its side. But before it can recover and charge at its attacker, Bahamut charges in and rips at it with his claws. A few of its legs are sheared right off, though it seems undeterred in its frenzied hunger and attempts to sink its mandibles into Bahamut's leg, venom squirting out of its mouth.

    Kotone's shots miss, but hopefully Bahamut has that particular one well in hand. Or should we say claw? As soon as the bug is off of him, Blurr shakes his head. "Heh, yeah. You've got that one right." he comments in response to Finna. Speaking of Finna and looking for anything else that might come their way, there certainly -are- more coming their way! The Autobot's own weapons are out in a flash and blasting at the incoming group of Insecticons, who immediately charge the group, with the one at the front swinging a massive bladed claw at Bitter and Finna in an attempt to knock them off of their feet.

    "Bahamut!" Blurr shouts. "Can you get that tunnel entry bigger or not? We need an opening before they get in front of it!" There's a bit of a sigh at Ayako's lack of action, however. "Look, Ayako I know you don't like hurting things or whatever but can't you make an exception especially if they're trying to eat us? Or at least, I don't know, don't you have something that'll make us hit harder? I mean you look very...magic-y?" She must have some kind of, oh what do they call it, 'spell'?

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako quickly moves towards everyone else for cover. "I... well... that sort of thing takes time to make! And... well, I have to do this first!" She closes her eyes for a moment... and then sweeps her hands outwards. "Water Bubble!"

    A bubble of water forms around everyone for a moment and then fades away. A strange barrier that doesn't appear to do anything but slow enemy attacks a negligible amount. "Uu... give me a while to get the right barrier..."

    Her gaze does turn upwards to Bahamut who just got bit by a venomous bite. "I can help with that, though! Healing Water!" Ayako cups her hands together in front of her body and glances down at her hands. Purple water forms in the cupped hands-which is swiftly thrown at Bahamut.

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
     Speaking of magic-y and spells, there happen to be two Exalts here, and while Bitter Medicine is certainly of a flavor more familiar to Bitter Medicine, he is by no means less magic-y than his peer, or, for that matter, less outrageous. The buzzsaw cuts through the tough synthleather of his trench coat, a light cut now visible in its wake.

     Knocked onto the ground by the force of the attack, he retaliates with the pinnacle of the outrageous--Exalted martial arts. Thousand Wounds Gear style was designed specifically for fighting gremlins. It's cold and merciless, striking hard, fast and clean to eliminate threats.

     The Alchemical's booted feet thrust toward the looming insecticon in a vicious ground attack, introducing it to a technique known as Linear Flight Principle--a favored 'get out of my face' charm among practitioners of the style. It tends to live up to its name.

Finna (513) has posed:
    With more giant robobugs coming in, Finna gives them an unimpressed look. They're big, but she can read their intentions from a world away! Unamused by its approach, she adopts a rather dull expression and--

    Leans forward, ducking UNDER the big blade and grabbing onto it. using the momentum she swings up and about, shifting into her Warform as she moves and bringing a tremendous kick using the creature's own power and her Claws of the Silver Moon right for its head! "down you go! Bug off!"

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut growls as those mandibles bit into his leg, and he winces as he feels the burn of poison in his veins. "The machina of your world are much more fearsome than those of mine." he says before he grips the bug firmly, then gives a flap of his wings. "You guys had better clear out! I can still do this without putting you in danger. Get at least 100 feet from the warehouse!" he shouts as he rises.

     Bahamut rumbles pleasantly as he feels that healing magic wash over him. He nods to Ayako before he takes up a position about 100 feet in the air. Then, he holds the Insecticon firmly as he builds energy. His mouth hangs open as grey-white energy builds between his jaws. If they can't get out of the way, hopefully they have a good magic shield. Bahamut throws the insecticon downward, then follows it up with his Mega Flare!

     A column of energy at least as thick as Bahamut fires downward right at the warehouse, taking the insecticon with it, and when it impacts it starts to expand, burning its way into Cybertron, obliterating the warehouse in the process. Objects in its path are saturated with energy to the point that they actually explode to some degree, and the depth the beam burrows is limited only by how tough the area is around the hole.

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is not having much luck it seems but she's still trying to avoid getting hit first she's still got ammo in the clip as she's not firing wildly thankfully. She tries to keep on the movve firing more shots are she goes but this isn't hte best way to go then again she's able to even attempt to do this without worrying about the recoil s much as she could.

"How many of these things are there can they breed!?"

She calls out to Blurr wanting to know if this is like an endless tide sort of situation.

Blurr has posed:
    Blurr's weapons keep blazing full speed, the Insecticons blow up several at a time, but still--there are just so many of them. Finna and Bitter's melee attacks cut into the bug's thorax, causing purple body fluids to go spewing everywhere. "I don't -think- they breed...but somehow I feel like there are more here than there were last time." They'll have to figure that bit out later, though.

    Ah, that poor, poor dragonfly that bit Bahamut. Thanks to Ayako, the dragon almost immediately regains full strength, even after the toxins were injected. The Mega Flare -incinerates- the bug and turn the wreck of the dilapidated warehouse into bits of slag. The torn-down walls light up with golden energy before exploding in a magnificent display of destruction, taking out most of the bugs with it.

    Mission accomplished, the hole is now large enough to fit several full-sized Cybertronians down there at once. The only disadvantage of that, though...

    ...Something is happening to the few remaining Insecticons. The one Finna and Bitter had been fighting suddenly turns and seems to flee, heading straight for the entry to the tunnel Bahamut's just widened. In fact, all of them seem to be headed there. But are they fleeing, or gathering? After a few seconds, it seems more likely to be the latter--in fact, are they -forming up- on each other? Yes, the few Insecticons that didn't get obliterated by the mega flare appear to be joining their bodies together into one MASSIVE Insecticon gestalt about the size of Superion!

    Blurr stares up in horror at the first-ever Insecticon combiner he has ever seen. And slag is it -ugly-. "Holy scrap..."

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
Bahamut's warning is heeded by Bitter Medicine. He knows that Finna is quick enough to escape. There's got to be some kind of creature on Creation that can outrun a fireball. Kotone and Ayako, though? He's not sure of their capabilities. He /is/ sure of his own.

     The Alchemical takes to the air, jets of dark purple plasma erupting from the soles of his boots. Trails of ash and cinder follow in his wake as he swoops in to grab both the squaddie and the elemental, taking each by the scruff of the neck--sorry!--and flying away from the warehouse at a brisk 45 miles per hour. The classical blunder of Exalted combat is starting a naval war near the Blessed Isle, but less well-known is this: always protect your sorcerers! Once the... /most/ imminent danger is done with, he toouches down, posthaste, and unceremoniously drops the both of them on the roof of a building, where they can do their thing from the high ground.

     That done, he jumps off of the building and... sticks to the side of it, running down the length! Extending his arm, he calls for his weapon, which comes screaming through massing insecticon after insecticon to return to his hand.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut grins at the destruction down below, but that grin disappears as he sees the giant bug form. "Well...that is impressive." he says before flying downward rapidly. If the camera zoomed out, it would probably look like a fighter jet trying to bring down Godzilla. Except this jet has more firepower. Bahamut roars as he flies around the creature. He builds energy in his hands, then thrusts them at the giant Insecticon. "Flare!"

     Just a normal Flare spell. There is not even a projectile. There is just a sudden explosion of energy on the Insecticon. The same kind of energy as the Mega Flare, just not nearly as much of it.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako blinks her eyes quickly as she's picked up by the scruff of her neck and flown off away from the warehouse. She eeps softly when she notes the gigantic energy blast that Bahamut just spewed out of his mouth! Once she's dropped, she lands lightly on her feet and bows politely to Bitter Medicine. She walks to the edge of the roof and watches the battle carefully. "Eep... really, really big one..." Figuring out the correct barrier to use is never easy, and it still isn't extremely clear to her which she should use. The size of the new opponent doesn't help either!

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is having terrible luck with the bugs at this point she's getting hits but it's not doing much in the way of damage even with using the reaper rounds she's flips the round selector up to a higher rate of fire power pausing as she sees them combing. That was not osmething she was erxpecting she's got this look of fear on her face.

"That should not happen!"

he's then grabbed by Bitter Medicnie and she's dragged to higher ground. She try to get off a wild shot at the thing as she's grabbed however.

Finna (513) has posed:
    Two immediately WOWZER things happen. The first is a freaking DRAGON.

    Finna scatters far away from the blast zone out of pure instinct and BOY was that a good idea.

    But then... the other is... the sight of dozens, perhaps countless Insecticons forming up into one big monster. ".......... Fffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuah... mammoth shit. That's something else! Uhh...."

    The foxwoman hops and springs off various rubble and metal outcroppings, all while firing off silvery silk from her palms. Aiming to circle the creature, entangle its legs, and bring it down by... well, attaching the silk to a building foundation!

    Argent-Weaver Art! Take that!

Blurr has posed:
    The Insecticon combiner takes a few seconds to form up. The team's attacks tear into it as its many members link up together, knocking bits of armor off, but it manages to hold out. Finna's silk causes some annoyance in the way of interrupting a few of the interfacing processes, but is of little consequence.

    By the time it has finished, it resembles an enormous hornet with spokes all over its back and legs, and a scorpion-like for a stinger.

    And boy is it -gigantic-. Ayako's words are a bit of an understatement.

    "Hit it with all you've got, I'll see if I can't keep its attention for you!" Blurr calls out, and zips off, running in circles around the monstrosity while taking potshots at its legs. However, this seems to be to no avail. Its rage is focused upon Bahamut. Well, wouldn't yours be, too?

    The scorpion tail rises, and shoots what basically looks like a bolt of lightning at Bahamut. Though the strongest bolt seems to be focused on the dragon, it also seems to split in midair, arcing across the entire area and threatening to strike anyone within its reach!

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako winces as the split lightning bolt strikes her! Although it seems she doesn't conduct electricity as well as could be expected. She does quickly note how badly Kotone was hit by it, though! Luckily Ayako is extremely close by!

    She holds her hands out towards Kotone. "Water of Life!" A ball of golden water forms out of it and floats in the air. "Drink this of your own will, please! It will heal you a lot but... it doesn't work when just splashed on you..."

    Her gaze then returns to the battle... was that electricity? Still... more information is needed before she can make a decent barrier!

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut is struck squarely by the attack, which sends him spiraling downward with electricity arcing over his body. He roars as he regains his posture and resumes his flying attack. He is glad the others made it out before Mega Flare hit, but he couldn't wait any longer to use it.

     With the new joined creature obvious quite dangerous, Bahamut joins Blurr in trying to draw its attention. But, rather than going for the legs, he goes for the face. Like an eagle striking its prey, Bahamut flies in, claws and talons outstretched, and tries to use all his bulk and his sharp metal claws to dig into the giant Insecticon's face, hoping to blind it or at least draw its attention away from the others. Especially poor Kotone.

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
The lightning strikes the Alchemical, leaving a smoldering, ugly wound across his face. He /really/ needs to have a Perfect Defense built. The Scourges of Autochthon are not so easily dismissed, however much the weapons of their enemies burn and scorch. He grits his teeth, his soulgem sparking slightly.

     The Alchemical /leaps/ into the air, which causes his soulgem to arc visibly with purple lightning. Midway through the air, he seems to... change direction, his feed flipping up over his head. It's almost like his relative gravity has changed! Hurtling through the air towards the giant wasp, he sends Voidbane after it.

     The gyroscopic chakram tears through the wasp again and again, ceaselessly attacking it. Soulsteel weapons hunger for the Essence of living beings, and eagerly drink it up for their owners. If the wasp has any to steal, it's in for an unpleasant sensation indeed--well, arguably as unpleasant as what's about to happen.

     BOOM! Bitter Medicine touches down on his new center of gravity, slamming his heels into it with all of his might. Juuust visible around him is a thundercloud, dark blue and ominous.

Finna (513) has posed:
    "One of these daaaaaays--" Finna goes flying past Bitter Medicine as she says this, fur all standing on end and body charred...

    She reorients in midair, scraping claws along the metal ground, and brakes her momentum. "You've gotta teach me some of those things, Bitter Medicine! This one's a BIT too big for my tastes!"

    She has a bow, claws, a sword... even a pistol, and this is a HUGE ROBOT. What's any of that gonna do to it? Dent it?

    She repeats the tactic from before, but THIS time slings silk up at the creature's upper reaches, trying to drag it off-balance. This is akin to a fly trying to grab a dog's tail, but...

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is wearing body armour tht on it's world would laugh off even assault rifle fire or partially a grenade hit here it's just enough to keep her alive it does that but ther's not the sound of flesh burning there is not the sent of chared flesh at all just the smell of burnt metal and plastic along with Kotone's scream of pain.

Ayako doe act fast as Kotone's vision is a sea of pain, static and glitching HUD parts she tries to get up she attemps to issue the command to disable her pain receptor and while that might risk more injury it does make things... more ... bearable for her.

There's smoking comeinf from under her armour and some even from the back of her head some of her hait has melted away she pulls something the grenades she has on her and lobs the entire belt of them at the huge insect thing.

Blurr has posed:
    The giant wasp-scorpion hybrid Insecticon howls as Bahamut claws it its face, and as such it is unable to avoid Bitter's voidbane attack and Kotone's grenades. The ensuing explosions create deep cracks in its armor, energon and corrosive body fluids spurting everywhere. That can't be good for those who are in close proximity to the mechanical monstrosity!

    The thing flails, attempting to drive its bladed front legs into Bahamut's midsection. But now what is it doing? The creature's wings begin to beat, and it takes to the air, flying fast with Bahamut and Bitter still on top of it toward ...the smelting pools. Designed for melting down scraps and well...-unwanted- mechs. If it was hot enough to melt metallic beings--well perhaps we shouldn't think of what it would do to an organic. Unfortunately, Finna's silk spinning again does little to harm or slow the creature down.

Bahamut has posed:
     Bahamut roars as those legs slice at him, cutting into even his thick armored hide. Of course, he isn't about to just ride this thing into a giant melting pot. He lets go after the intended target becomes clear, and flies by to pick up Bitter if he needs it. Then, Bahamut turns to keep pressing the attack. But, he doesn't fire a normal spell. He uses Gravija, a spell that inflicts damage through use of gravity to crush those in the blast radius. And, he makes sure not to fire it anywhere near his allies this time.

     He shoots it in front of the Insecticon so that hopefully in addition to the crushing damage it will pull the thing even more strongly toward the melting pot. If it wasn't intending to fly in, maybe that will give it the push it needs. Then, he flies back toward the hole. "If we are going in, now might be a good time! That thing won't be able to follow us down, with how big it is!"

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako eeps as she's splashed with the corrosive bodily fluids leaking from the giant wasp-scorpion thing! She swiftly creates water and washes the icky stuff off of herself before it can eat away at her body and clothing too much. She puffs out her cheeks in a pout, and opens her mouth to say something-and then slowly closes her mouth.

    Her eyes widen when the Insecticon is fiannly taken down and she sighs in relief... "Everyone who's hurt, come over to me and I'll treat you!"

Bitter Medicine (569) has posed:
The corrosive fluid splashes onto the Exalt's face, taking all that it hits and melting it away. Now sans an eye, and morbidly enough, an arm, the Alchemical narrows his... eye.

     "We'll see," he replies to the Lunar over the radio. With that, he leaps off of the insecticon, his anima flaring. The acid from before melts off his remaining sleeve, revealing the synthetic soulsteel musculature beneath it--and the pale faces of the dead trapped within. He twists his body in the air, calling the chakram back to his hand before tossing it again. Snik-snik. It flies through the falling creature's wings then returns to him.

     Looking very much worse for wear and sporting a full anima banner, he activates his plasma thrusters again and touches down next to Ayako. He... looks even more menacing than usual. One-eyed, one-armed is not a good look for him.

Kotone Yamakawa has posed:
Kotone Yamakawa is very glad she's got the armour though the doctor isn't going to be /very/ happy about this level of drame the body sluids eat into the carapce armour, and Kotone is forcesd away trying to get the stuff /off/ of her before it can eat throught the armour and get into the workings of her body she doesn't even bother to attack there's a panicked look on her face as she tries to get it off. Some of it oes catch and eats through her cheek but she doesn't notice... due to her pain receptors being off.

"I... I... shouldn't ... have been here..."

Finna (513) has posed:
    "Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" So Finna ends up sizzling as the creature breaks down. Splish-splash! She somehow, however, manages to counter this after a few moments by LAUNCHING ALL OF HER FUR as thick needles at high speed in a pulverizing barrage at the thing as it flails, and then drops to the ground panting and gasping, while... the white fur grows back in remarkably quickly.

    "....Owwwwwwwwwwwwwww...." She's NOT happy.

Blurr has posed:
    The gravity attack does the creature in. It screeches as its wings are sheared clean off, and it goes plummeting toward the smelting pools. Bitter's and Finna's attacks tear it up even more before the hot chemicals quickly consume its frame, and it sinks into the depths, melting away as it goes. For now, it seems the Insecticons in the immediate vicinity have been taken care of, but at a price to the Union and its allies.

    And where's Blurr been all this time? Well, he's been scouting out that tunnel, to see how far he could get. It seems he wasn't very successful. <<Yeah I took a peek down that tunnel, and it's -crawling- with them. There's no way we'd make it...Pull back for now--I'd like to keep this from turning into a suicide mission. In fact get back to Njorun if you can...this might be a long haul.>> They'll have to find a more secluded entry that -doesn't- require blasting or other attention-drawing activity in order to be made useful.