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| - Optimus Prime Shark Magnum Arcee Rascal Slipstream NPC Nobyl Nobyl has encamped himself at this roadblock. Even though there's not terribly much here in terms of shelter, he decided on this place because it's far from Iacon and closer to Polyhex. Nobyl took it upon himself to decide his field station this close to Polyhex as he wants to investigate the Decepticon city and see if they were indeed the cause of the radiation. Having promised that Nobyl would not be forgotten in his short exile...Optimus Prime is coming to make good on that promise, with a few of his Autobots in tow. Partly for safety in numbers, partly for those who had been wondering as to the status of the hero. Their pace is an easy one; not rushed, but not intending to take forever to get there and back, of course. They're even bringing a small care package of energon! Shark is with Optimus, he has his pistol in hand, weapons systems are turned on, and scanners are going. Better safe than sorry. Slipstream is in the air in her root mode, flying along slowly. She has been tracking the radiation signal for some time now, ever since she got off from some mechs that were apparently exposed to the source of said radiation. She's also checking for any shields or other force fields that may be up that could be keeping the radiation down just enough to keep the source safe. Rascal AKA Recoil just happens to be in the area looking to gain some credits in favor of his cause.......survival. The young mech grimaces at the assembled forces. His options are helpless neutral or Decepticon. Of all the times to leave the Autobot disguise in storage. He grumbles to himself while applying Decepticon decals.....some official and others his own replicas. After applying a bit of paint and slipping into a pair of fake wings he assumes the role of Recoil! Decepticon flunky and terribad seeker. His hastily sprayed green and black paint job will pass him as a Decepticon foot or would it be air soldier? Either way the scamp sneers and prays to primus for the best. "Recoil! Reporting for duty!" the imposter exclaims falling into formation. Shark picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Shark rolls a 16! Slipstream picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Slipstream rolls a 17! Odin picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Odin rolls a 7! Optimus Prime picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Optimus Prime rolls a 18! Shark picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Shark rolls a 12! Slipstream picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Slipstream rolls a 14! Rascal picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Rascal rolls a 4! Nobyl, of course, is packing none of these shields or force fields to mitigate the radiation field. Since no electronic systems were nearby in his field expedition save Cybertron itself, everything seems fairly normal.. or is it? Nobyl's scanners pick up on the arrival of his Autobot friends, turning himself to greet them as Optimus leads the way. "Friends! It is good to see you. How is the search going?" Magnum hovers along with Optimus Prime. It appears that Magnum is in MUCH better shape than when Optimus last saw him after receiving radiation treatment, circuit board replacements, and a good washing. "I made good on that promise last cycle old friend. A replacement was sent before the grid was back online, and when I returned to the perimeter the grid was back online. It was a sight for sore optics." Arcee is also part of Optimus' entourage. She's curious as to what is going on with Nobyl. Arcee picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Arcee rolls a 11! As soon as they're within speaking range, Optimus Prime transforms, nodding a greeting towards Nobyl. "Iacon is recovering; it is possible that whatever was causing the radiation has deactivated." His phrasing is intentional; with what's been shown it is highly possible that Nobyl is the source, but...to make it obviously such is hardly any way to speak with the other mech. Shark hmms as he thought he saw something on his scanners a moment, but it’s gone as soon as it appears. Strange. He lets Prime handle talking to Nobyl as he keeps alert for any intruders. Slipstream isn't sure where Recoil came from, she didn't ask for help from anyone, including new recruits -- which she is reasonably sure is what Recoil is since he sure has the carriage of a new warrior to the cause. Frowning she lowers down to where the mech is standing, sizing him up very carefully, "Recoil hm? Keep your vocals down and cover me. I am nearing the reason for all the power failures." Rascal's disguise isn't his best work but he hopes it'll pass for now. "Primary target?" the recruit asks in a bluff. The young mech really doesn't have much for effective attacks but he'll at least commit to the bluff the best he can. Pseudo lasers on his fake wings light up and put on a nice show.....but other than that they're not gonna' fire. He nod nod nods to Slipstream playing the role of scared recruit well. "Affirmative. Your backside is 'covered'." The mech adds with a grin. He lingers about for a bit but slips back into the shadows almost as quickly as he appeared. Odin picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Odin rolls a 13! Odin picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Odin rolls a 7! Slipstream picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Slipstream rolls a 6! Optimus Prime picks up the dicebag and takes out a D20 Optimus Prime rolls a 16! Optimus nods with Nobyl's words. "Then we can hope they're leaving us alone, for now." If only that for now could be extended, but...if only is hardly a platform to stand on. To make it happen, now... As two have already called out the Decepticon, Optimus Prime says nothing - only scans for more. It could be a lone scout - but then, it also could be a warning that more are enroute. There seem to be no others here. Optimus relaxes his guard, but only slightly, looking back towards Slipstream. "I suggest you keep your hands from your weapon - we don't want this getting into violence any more than you do..." That trailing off is as he notices Magnum seeming to wilt. Brief alarm flashes in his optics. Optimus Prime takes a step forward of his own, reaching for his weapon. A careful optic would see that it's not so much advancing on Slipstream - Nobyl is taking care of that - but to move before Magnum, Shark, and Arcee - protecting them. "We will defend ourselves," he says sternly. "If you insist on searching for trouble, you will find it. Leave now." As much as he would like to open fire on the Decepticon - the simple truth is, even as he raises his gun as Slipstream lunges, he knows it's too crowded. And that Nobyl can easily take her down. "Hold your fire," he orders those near him as Nobyl returns the favor, seeming to pin her with ease. "But be ready. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other Decepticons nearby." A nod to Magnum, a glance at Slipstream and Shark. "Move to surround," is Prime's next order - if the Decepticon does break off, her only way to flee will be upwards - and if she for some reason she gets free and tries to take Nobyl /with/ her (not likely, with the displayed intent to kill), it'll be far more difficult. Small plans, but with them mixed in melee, there's only so much else that can be done other than prepare. Optimus Prime's optics brighten slightly as Slipstream seems to sink. He hesitates, a hand reaching up to his audial...and then he steps forwards. Either to get a better look, to make himself a target...or something else. His gun is still readied, though...pointed down and away, now, rather than focused on Slipstream. But there's little doubt it can be aimed in an astrosecond. "If we can put our differences aside for a breem," he says, speaking to both Nobyl and Slipstream, "I would hear your evidence." The latter is directed just at the Seeker. Accusations aside - it looks like there's a break in the combat. Optimus moves closer to Slipstream, optics intent. "Show me." If there's tampering, he might be able to work with it to fix, but if not... ...then this, combined with data he's just received, makes this very, very serious. "Arcee, enough." This is said without Optimus even looking up - and with just enough force behind it to make it an order without outwardly stating such. The Prime kneels down, accepting the scanner and looking it over wordlessly. A brief look towards Nobyl to ensure he's covered, and then he holsters his gun to look over the scanner for any signs of tampering. None. He offers the scanner to Nobyl, then holds out a hand to Slipstream. An offer to assist her up, if she'll take it. "I believe you know what you're talking about." It's not quite a yes - but neither is he discounting her information. The hand is still there as he glances towards Nobyl. "Whether or not this was planted on you, or this was the result of something that happened while you were in orbit," he begins solemnly, "We need to act. Now, before it becomes too late." He sends a data transfer of the new information he's received. "I pray there is another source and it will be shown, but even if so - it may be that you must leave us for a time, if only to prove the point one way or another. How soon before one of our own comes to the same conclusion that she has?" His voice is low and even - obviously not intended to reach the ring of those keeping watch - but careful audials may yet pick it up. Optimus's grip is firm, but not crushing. That said - he pulls Slipstream out with relative ease, getting to his feet as he tries to steady her single-handedly. "Be that as it may," he points out as he releases her, "it would be foolish not to explore all routes. Even Megatron could not deny this, were Nobyl following his symbol rather than the Autobot's." Such a powerful weapon - for that's what Nobyl is, from a certain point of view - cannot be given up so easily. "Return to Polyhex and get assistance. Your part in this is done." It's not a commander's voice with which he speaks - it is a /Prime's/. "Autobots, let her retreat." With that, he puts his attention on Nobyl, going so far as to reach to put a hand on the hero's shoulder. That Prime aspect is still there, but more than that; this is a matter of mech to mech. Spark to spark. "Cybertron will only truly be safe when those who prey upon the innocent have learned that we will not accept their tyranny. We are in this war for the long run, my friend - I can hope that it would end with the end of Megatron, but even if it would - we have much to rebuild. And if this radiation continues to scour our planet...there will not even /be/ a Cybertron to repair. "What I am asking you is to watch over us from above, as our optics and processors focus upon the ground and what is below it. I still hold hope that you are not the source... but if you are..." He pulls his hand back. The servos within it have begun to short, a thousand words contained within the faint sound of such. "...can you do less than save Cybertron from a threat currently greater than that even of Megatron?" If there is any pain from his hand, or from where Nobyl's rests on his shoulder - Optimus does not show this. He simply bows his head, grateful for the decision. Though the full admission...was not expected. Nonetheless, he does not correct it. Nobyl's actions are his own, from here - he knows what he has to do. Of all things to happen, Optimus Prime didn't quite expect the whole...boom. At first he thinks it's some sort of horrible accident, or perhaps an attack, and is quick to look towards Slipstream's retreat, but-no. Nobyl's not so foolish, and there would have been signs... "...blast it," he swears under his vocalizer. "We could have done something to fix it, Nobyl..." What a waste.
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