981/Battle Over Machines

Battle Over Machines
Date of Scene:	16 November 2014
Location:	TARGET: The Factory (TF)
Synopsis:	The Confederacy wants the Factory back, Optimus Prime however has his own opinion on that matter.
Cast of Characters:	368, 568

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Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
In recent weeks the Union was able to re-obtain the Factory from Confederate control. It was a valuable resource for anyone of the technical or scientific minded given that the Factory itself pumped out machines and contraptions that were light years ahead of many cultures and sometimes from worlds that have yet to become part of the Multiverse.

No one is sure why the Factory does what it does, but it does-- and as such backward engineering things that come from here can quickly give someone or something the edge they need in battle. In the case of the Union, it is keeping it out of the Confederate hands that is most important, as they could use what to be learned here for the brutality of war, instead of the betterment of man.

At least, that is the thought behind it for Optimus Prime.

The young Autobot Commander walks across the grounds. His heavy steps almost causes the ground around him to tremble, given he stands close to thirty feet in height. Those true blue optics scan the area as he patrols around the edges of the facility and the guards posts that are lined up.

The red and blue Cybertronian also has his rifle at ready, resting against his shoulder and though on the defensive and keeping his optics open for any signs of trouble, he seems rather cavalier about it. Perhaps because his own mind is off on other thoughts then just the patrol itself.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
Despite what many might try to tell people, warfare was as much of a science as civilian engineering was. Majorities of the advancements in making life better for the masses can actually be traced back to developements originally made for some military or empire or another. Many of the technologies that create and heal started from needing to hurt and destroy.

Advancing the brutality of war, indeed.

The solemn of the Autobot commander's patrol is brought to a shattering end when gunfire rings through the air. Not at him, but tearing through one of the Union guard structures. Fortunately thanks to the active patrol schedual there was no one in the garrison right now, but it still makes an echoing explosion when it goes up in smoke and fire from the barrage.

The source of the volley makes itself known moments later as it slams to the ground. A ring of dust billows up from the impact, and its threw the settling clouds that the mechanical form stops, steam still hissing from the barrels of the gatling weapon mounted over its left shoulder from firing. Light gleams off the yellow and orange armor as it stomps closer to the main center of the 'Factory' area, crunching a blockade under one foot as it does so. The dual giant chainsaw blades extending from it's right arm rev to life as clawed digits clamp around the handle between them.

Within the cockpit enclosed in the mecha's torso Tesla Armadia sits back in the control harness, eyes glimmering faintly as she uses her technopathic powers to simply see directly through the machine's various sensors instead of bothering with display screens excessively. "Let's see who's going to come out and play today~"

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Optimus hears the explosion and sees the smoke rising into the air. His optics flicker as his sensors do a quick scan in that direction and then they narrow. "That didn't take long.." He rumbles as his face-plate activates and he easily, quickly moves the distance from where he is to where the action is starting to take place.

As he comes around the corner, he can see the mecha standing there with the chainsaws and the Gatling guns. A true problem for those who may not be well suited for such a battle, but at least for Optimus. He was a cybertronian, which means-- very capable of handling this exactly problem. Also so much easier to battle, then dealing with a much smaller humanoid.

The Autobot Commander took direct aim at the mecha and the barrel of his rifle started to glow green. "You have entered Union controlled space. Leave now before I /force/ you to leave under far more uncivilized means!" Then the shot is fired from his rifle, most a a warning shot and keeping his own weapon systems at a lower power because of it.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
As the voice of Optimus Prime calls across the field the mecha stops its match, if only to turn partially in the direction it came from. Senors zoom in, first on the charging weapon, and then on the one holding it. The later is what gets Tesla to raise a brow a bit. The form of Optimus Prime, any Optimus Prime, was pretty unmistakable. While the thought of having to deal with such a promenant Autobot would make some officers take pause, it just makes the evil genius smile a bit more.

The warning shot glances off one of the mecha's pauldrons as it lifts on leg and turns itself in the Autobot's direction fully. "Ah. You must be the 'new' Optimus Prime I've heard mention of. Megatron didn't seem all too pleased to have more iterations roaming about." Which is followed by a bit of chuckling over the external speakers. A few of the armored panels of the chest click open briefly, long enough to reveal the shielded cockpit underneath and, if one looked close enough, the semi-human looking pilot giving him a brief salute before the protective plates lock back into place. "Major Tesla Armadia, leader of Zero Point and overseeing officer of Confederate Research and Developement... Which probably tells you exactly why I'm here, doesn't it now."

Energy blasts out from the back of the Pangolinger's legs, using it's boosters like dashing jets to launch itself with abrupt speed towards Optimus despite it's armored bulk. Closing in to make a quick swipe at the Autobot, fortunately with just the clawed left hand instead of the chainsaws. That would of just been rude, and it's much too early in a fight for cheap tricks.

"I don't like having MY things taken away from me."

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
"It was never yours to begin with, Major Armadia." Optimus Prime remarks back as the mecha charges in right on him. He raises up his left arm in a defensive move. The claws slash across the red metal surface as sparks fly off from the two forces impacting.

The Autobot Commander stepping back with the force and having to move himself around, to try and get a bit of distance to bring his rifle around and open fire on the female major of the Confederacy. Even so, it wasn't much of a gap distance.

Including the fact he had to becareful how he backed stepped, given much smaller things around them. Be bad if he accidentally stepping on something important!

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
This is exactly why the Pangolinger is designed with additional defensive plates over where the cockpit would be. Not so much because the enemy might intentionally go for the controller, but because in close combat sometimes there was no reliability in NOT hitting that section of the mech. Case in point being right now as the short blast leaves a glowing scorch mark right across said plating.

The mecha steps back to brace itself with the hit, but in doing so Tesla also brings up the arms in what at first is a defensive stance. Right now the chainsaws seems to be serving more of a reason not to get too close than actually being used. "Tch. You may be a powerful soldier, Optimus, but you're the one at a tactical disadvantage here."

And then the stance shifts, Pangolinger turning its body to face sideways towards Optimus as it raise the left arm again. This time the panels affixed to its forearm can be seen glowing briefly as it spreads open its fingers to reveal the likewise glowing port in its palm. Just before it fires off a burst of energy that, while not very damaging in a direct since, delivers a tremendous amount of kinetic knockback with the impact.
"*I* don't have to give a shit about *who* gets underfoot."

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Tesla ha a point and Optimus knows it too. The kinetic blast knocks Optimus back a bit as he tries to stumble to keep his footing from the impact force. The heel of his foot easily breaking the chain fence line, as sparks fly off from any electricity that may have been flowing through it.

His other foot has to slide back by this point, impacting the ground with a heavy deal of force in order to keep his balance and not completely falling over. The thirty foot Cybertronian then pauses where he stands. It is perhaps a mildly awkward position given if another wrong move he could easily knock over a guard tower and he was /not/ sure under the given circumstance if someone was in it or not.

There was no time to check. The Autobot rumbles under some annoyance at his own predicament, before he pushes off with the foot he can. He then impacts the ground in a roll on his shoulder, before sliding himself around to a knelt position and then taking aim with his rifle, giving himself some open space to work with, "And that is why we Improvise."

Optimus fires a few shots, but they go right past the machine Tesla is within and impacting the mountain side right behind her. It wouldn't take long till some rocks come tumbling down to batter her machine, and this giving Opimus the hopeful amount of time to bark at some of the non-elite members of the defense to get the /hell/ out of the way before someone gets crushed under foot.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
The improvised landslide crashes into the back of the mecha, causing it to lurch forward with a heavy step to keep upright. The bladed spines of it's 'shell' (which is why it's partially named after the pangolin) help deflect some of the impact force by breaking the rocks that hit them, but it doesn't stop the impacts from inflicting damage, just delegating it to smaller hits across its form instead of a few large centralized blows.

Otherwise the main response Optimus gets is a bit of laughter. Not evil scientist laughter, but actual entertained sounding chuckling. "Ah, that's one thing about the Autobots that always amuses me. So willing to continue the struggle, despite being the underdogs."

An ominous whirr emits as the gatling blaster spins back to life on its shoulder. "And always willing to do it for someone else."

Six barrels come to life and spew out a burst of repeating laser fire. That's some potentially dangerous cone-of-fire spread if Optimus doesn't either get in the way, or somehow keep the mecha from turning it's volley on the soldiers he's yelling at as well.

And Tesla damn well knows it.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Optimus has to get in the way of the lasers to protect the people behind him. Oh the tricks evil does play and it seems to be a thing shared by perhaps many Primes' before him. Sure enough Tesla's point proves true and lasers scorch across his metallic form, including a few even burning a bit into his plates.

The Autobot Commander's eyes flare brightly in that moment, a low rumble escaping from him at the words she had to say regarding him. He stands up fully, even with his armor smoking. The left hand retracts as an energy axe then forms, glowing a fiery orange from the energy flow into it. "Comparing me to the others, may not be so wise. For I do what I do not only for myself," His foot slides back, "but for the future of all!"

Maybe that isn't so different, but honestly-- far as he has seen. He is the Prime with a tainted history and background. The Prime that is far removed from the others when it comes to 'proper' way to act, that even with the Matrix's guidance-- he is sometimes off by a few clicks.

The Autobot Commander comes charging right in. Those heavy feet leaving massive imprints into the very ground, before he charges in to not only shoulder check the other mecha into a part of the mountain face, but then to swing his energy axe straight for for the other machine, while he spaces away his Rifle for the time.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
"They are a convenient benchmarch," Tesla replies, still audibly smiling. "Science involves learning from comparison after all. But if you really are different... I'm waiting to see it."

Optimus comes charging across the field at the Pangolinger. Tesla adjusts just as quickly, bringing the mech's arms up in front of itself and the deflector panels deploying to form a barrier in front of it. Optimus and his axe smash into the barrier, but he hits with enough force that the impact still slams the mecha backwards into the mountainside, doing much of the work that the shield prevented him from doing directly.

The two machines, one sentient and one powered by technopathic energy, are nearly equally sized and matched. Close like this, Tesla could just level the other shoulder cannon at Optimus' head and open fire, end the fight just like that... but then where's the fun? Where's the knowledge to be gleaned from it? Not to mention she's been around more than long enough to know things do not always work that way.

The chainsaws fold away for the moment, they're not meant for grappling combat like this. Instead Tesla snaps up the arm to try and grab Optimus around the neck. Not that choking really works on a robot.

Which is probably why she uses the leverage to push off the mountain, turn around, and try to slam HIM into it instead.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Tesla's machine manages to grip around Optimus' neck. The Autobot Commander reaches up to grip a hold of the other machine's arm. Gritting his teeth behind the battle-plate, because though they don't 'breath', there is some important cables and things going on in the neck area!

As the machine goes to move him against the Mountain, Optimus goes to break free from the hold with a bit of a battle cry. The claws cut across some of the metallic protects against some of those cords as he moves himself into the other machine and using the arm as a leverage point.

The other hand comes back out as he actually goes to lift the very machine over his head, or attempt to anyways, and if successful-- go to throw the very machine into the ground. Though after such an attempt to steps back a bit with his hand reaching up to his neck, a bit of energon fluid on his finger tip as he checks. That is-- mildly concerning, but it will probably seal itself up.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
The great strength of Optimus Prime does not fail him at such a pivotal moment. Easily hoisting the Pangolinger off the ground and giving it a mighty heave away from his personal space. The mecha hits the ground with a thunderous crash, shedding busted plates of armor as it collides and skids a bit before finally coming to a stop. Another defense structure was victim to the robot's landing, but it was thankfully due to Optimus' heedful orders already evacuated.

Metal clatters against ground as Tesla works her mecha back onto it's feet and shakes off a bit of residue from the landing. "I admit I'm starting to see the differences now." Tesla still sounds way too amused by this. Probably because of all the information she's getting about this 'new' Prime from the experience. Really, to some extent the actual Target Zone is a tretary point by now. Analysis a new challenge in the enemy ranks, that's much more interesting.

As the Pangolinger gets back up right the panels over it's hips swivel open and back, revealing that they're actually shielding a pair of cluster rocket launchers. Tesla smiles as multiple points on Optimus' body light up with little markers in her vision from the targetting sensors, and the mecha briefly is overshadowed by the cloud of exhaust smoke as all those explosive projectiles go whizzing into the air towards the Autobot.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
The Missile come flying in and Optimus goes to punch one of the away. Though the rest of them explode across his form. Soon the very dust and smoke from the explosion hides the Autobot Commander under it all.

Yet as the dust clears and the flames only roar on the very ground, the figure of Optimus Prime can be seen standing up against the smoke and flames. Those true blue optics piercing against the very fog before him. There was no more people here. It was just the two giants now.

The gloves can come off, he tells himself mentally. No more reason to hold back and no more reason to give any quarter. "Is that so?" He rumbles out from the smoke and flames. Then with a heavy push off he comes charging right toward her. "Then you should have taken my warning to heart, Major!"

He leaps into the air and then goes to slam his fist down onto of the machine, before he rears back his next fist and goes to slam it across a hook punch. One strike after another strike. His blue metallic fists raging in with a great deal of ferocity and every bit of his hidden anger behind each of the strikes. "Because I have no reason to hold back!"

"Enjoy that for your science!" The last strike comes down with both hands gripped together and moving to slam all his weight and strength down right on top of the mecha's shoulder pauldron.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
The Pangolinger lifts one arm and leans back a bit, deploying the deflector shield again as Optimus Prime leaps into the air and comes down. Sparks flying from the energized surface as metal fist crashes into the barrier. It mitigates the damage, but Optimus' blows come with such force that it causes the mecha to kilter to the side, leaving it wide open for the second punch to smash a hook across it's 'head', sending bits of polymer flying from smashing out the shielding over the optical sensors.

But Tesla does what she does best, learn and adapt. As the hammerblow comes in she digs the clawed 'toes' of the machine into the ground and turns its stance so the fists slam into the side of it's torso once more instead of the shoulder guard. It proves to have been a good move, as it hit hard enough to smash inward much of the armor. That probably would of broken a shoulder joint entirely.

As the Pangolinger uprights itself again the mangled ablative armored plates fall. This once more reveals the shielded cockpit within the mecha. This time and much closer, the irradiant glow from Tesla's eyes is clear as day. "And pass up the oppritunity to learn more? Oh my dear Optimus, while you may very well win this fight, you still have no idea what you are truly up against..."

But the attack does not come from the mecha itself. Yet in an instant it would feel like almost every circuit and servo in Optimus' body is on fire, which might just be annoying or outright aggrivating depending on how effective it proves to be. Even if she cannot just outright obliterate 'sentient' machines like Transformers with her powers she's found ways to exhert he influence over technology in a way to be rather excrutiating to experience.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Optimus steps back and gets himself ready for another attack as Tesla speaks to him. Those true blue optics burn brightly. The combat itself has him pumping inside. There was always an essence where he and his Megatron were not so different and it was-- perhaps this very reason-- he had almost killed.. if not killed.. his version of Megatron.

A reminder that Soundwave has not let him forget either.

Yet when Tesla attacks, it is not with her equally matched Mecha, but with her own abilities. The Autobot Commander's optics go wide as he suddenly feels his internal systems /burn/. His pain receptors go off the charts and feeling-- a feeling he has not felt in a long time and worse-- it was an attack internally, not externally.

Optimus Prime grits his teeth before he barks out a yelp like sound in pain, before he slams down onto one knee. His hand coming to the ground to rest along side him as his fingers dig into the dirt. His optics held shut for a moment, before he opens one optic to look directly at her. It was a look that could kill really, a near 'how dare you', but only with knives behind it.

"..I should tear you... out of that core.." He manages to get out with his teeth clenched. Yet, he knows better. Killing her-- that is not what a /Prime/ does and that would only give some dark satisfaction to those who believed he would fail, even if they are long gone by now.

He tries to get himself to stand back up, only to manage to lunge really as he tries to make her actually /stop/. Instead his lunge falls short and he slams into the mountain side, using its rocky surface to actually pull himself back up. His optics burning brightly. "Tell me.. Major..does this bring you.. some satisfaction..? To.. try and tear me apart.. internally.. probably great.. for you damn report.. wouldn't it?!"

Optimus could be stalling for time, trying to shake off the pain or at least adapt to it where he can at least ignore it. "Probably... some sick.. twisted.. enjoyment.. out of torturing.. mechanoid.. life forms, right?"

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
As Optimus looks up he'd see the Pangolinger looming over him, its busted visor giving a cold glare on his scale that its operator cannot.

Partially because she's slumped back in the control harness, glow fading from her eyes as she labors a few breaths to compose herself. That worked... but it was extensively taxing on herself to do so. The size of and the alien complexity of Transformer mecha-anatomy forced her to expend a tremendous amount of mental and metaphysical reserves. Mostly to just make a point really. It's a few moments of just cold staring before she finally resumes the conversation.

"No such thing as torture in conducting a war." It's only out of experience and training that she's able to keep her own exhaustion from showing, though it helps that it's being mechanically transmitted as well. "Enjoyment? Only in the fact that it worked. Your state of being isn't entirely relevant afterwards. As for twisted... well..."

The Pangolinger lifts up one of it's broad, clawed feet and then stomps it down hard on Optimus' midsection.

"Not once have I -denied- that I am a mad scientist."

At least she's honest about it.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Optimus can't move fast enough for the tall mecha to slam its claw foot into Prime's body attempting to pin him down. The Prime's hand reaches up and grabs a hold parts of leg armor of the Pangolinger. Those optics gleaming brightly as the internal problem fades and its now all-- just external.

He can deal with external.

"So then tell me.. Major-- how fast can you calculate you just made a /bad/ slagging mistake?!" As he roars that out, he uses his pure, raw strength to shove the leg off him and hopefully throw the machine off balance.

Then he grabs the machine by the arm before it can recover and with a roar of anger he goes to slam the machine face first in direct of the mountain, before he rears back his very fist to actually go to slamming impale his whole hand into the back of the mecha, attempting to with all the force behind him to drive his very fist into the machine and actually /disable/ it. Though he also is showing a touch lack of concern if Tesla gets caught in the middle of this, should he succeed!

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
Even the smart and practical villians can fall into one of those moments of getting a little too worked up in the role. A chance to gload over an otherwise superior, self-aware machine life was more than someone like Tesla could pass up. Or maybe she just wasn't thinking as clearly because of the mental exhaustion of using her powers as she did.

Just the sort of moment for someone like Optimus to captialize on, grabbing the leg stomping on him and heaving the mecha off it's footing. Even battered and internally scrambled his strength was frighteningly formbidable. He gets up and grabs the mecha before Tesla can get her bearings back, only to SLAM the entire machine into the mountainside.

And then SLAM his fist into the back of it. Metal and other components flying hither and skitter from being outright IMPALED by the blow. It's only out of the sheer amount of redundant ablative plating that Tesla includes in her machines that Optimus doesn't punch all the way through to splat the cockpit against the rockface.

"Well, isn't -this- an interesting turn of events..." Despite her bluster Tesla is cringing to herself and groaning, between exhaustion and the fact that she can literally -feel- every alarm and emergency system in the mecha firing, compounding the migrane she was already getting.

It takes a mental struggle to work past the damage long enough to get the Panglinger's legs up between it and the mountain and push itself away from the repeatedly impacted stone. "Though now I'm left wondering if these 'differences' don't make you similar to -others- instead ..."

Damn this woman likes trying to press those buttons, doesn't she?

Metal makes a hideous sounding screech as it's farther rent by the machine pulling itself free of Optimus' arm. But instead of striking back, the boosters ignite and when the legs release it rockets upward towards the skies again. "Do enjoy your victory, Optimus Prime... though you've still given me more than you probably want to admit to yourself. Heh heh heh hehehe."

Okay that time it was definately an evil mastermind laugh, if somewhat subdued.

Optimus Prime (568) has posed:
Tesla goes to make a run for it and Optimus Prime slams his fist into the mountain side, before pulling out his rifle. As she continues to cackle away as she leaves, the Autobot Commander takes aim. The barrel starts to glow once more.

"I'm glad I could oblige to your madness!" He barks out toward the retreating mech. Though if she thinks for a moment it is over, Tesla could be /very/ wrong. For Optimus has her in his sights and his rifle is charging up for one more final good-bye shot.

Just as she thinks she may be in the clear, the Autobot Commander opens fire with a heavy blast that shakes the ground around him, the recoil force enough to knock his arm back. The Plasma of green energy fires off and heads straight for Tesla's machine.

Tesla Armadia (368) has posed:
... He actually SHOT at her when she was clearly leaving.

THAT actually surprises Tesla a bit. She wasn't expecting him to be -that- willing to attempt at eliminating her. She must of really hit a hot spot.

The blast hits one of the mech's legs, so it's a good thing it's in the air. Except for the fact that part of it's steering thrusters are in the leg that's not tumbling groundward in several pieces. Which means on top of everything else Tesla is likely going to crash rather than land back at base.