Protihex-City state

[DarkXenith]

"Long's we're on the same page, Wreck,"[/color] Jumper muttered to the engineer's back as he headed in the direction of one of the side rooms off the main facility. He'd square it up with the mech later and quiz him on exactly what it was that Shadow had done that had him so riled. For now though, any direct contact with the self-proclaimed 'super soldier' from the medic's side would be suitably guarded.

Returning his attention to Laser at the guardian's comment, he replied with a smirk, "Jus' doin' my job, pal. You wanna thank me, stand me a round at the bar after hours. Primus knows I need a top-up after everythin' that's kicked off today."[/color] Clocking the Arachnoid as it followed Beam from the facility, he added, "An' make sure your eight-legged friend there ain't gonna harm Beam... kid doesn't stand a chance against him. - Anyway, seen's auto-repair's gettin' itself in gear your side, mind if I take a look under the hood?"[/color]

[Rexacon]

"Sure thing, I'll be very appreciated."

Glancing at Beam as she stood off somewhere along with that spider. So that thing is on the planet again, no doubt thanks to that big bot over there. Judging by Towreck and Beam, the rest will soon begin to hate him. Bad enough that those two can't trust him, the rest of the bots barely do and will side on their side. Getting fixed up and leaving is the more logical choice so things won't escalate. The sooner the better.

[Laser]

Without saying a word, Laser began to open the massive chamber in his chest.

Latches flipped out of place and layers of metal slid out of place, revealing a gleaming, vibrant blue light. Turning seemingly inside out, the pre layers disappeared into his sides, revealing the final safety hatch. It began to buckle and twist, as if unlocking through means of combinations. The door broke into a spiral and disappeared outwards, fully opening the chamber.

And so revealed Laser's spark.

A great blue ball the size of 3 or 4 normal sparks put together, Laser's spark lit up the room, nearly blinding out all other light. It throbbed lightly, then decreased in brightness. His open chest looked like a whirlwind, fueled by 6 other miniature whirlwinds--miniature sparks. Unlike most sparks, Laser's was cold instead of hot. 4 of the 6 miniature sparks had a connection with the large center one, but 2 did not, causing the center spark to have a deformed appearance. A low level force field generated over the exposed chamber as a precaution, but Jumpstart would still be able to put his hands through it. Energy coursed through the enter crater, carrying itself to and from the rest of his body.

Laser lifted an arm, and, in response, his 6 miniature sparks spun in the right direction on their wheel. When he lifted his right arm, the spark studded wheel cycled to the left, maintaining their connection with the center spark. It was a demonstration.

"There is a connection between my power system and my processors. However, some functions require more energy usage than others, as they do with all cybertronians. However, do to my great size, I must have a means of balancing and regulating energy output. This is why my massive spark is connected with non-vitals, or power nodes. These regulators keep me from passing out or worse....2 of which are damaged...."

*************

Beam was nearly clear of the Hospital when she saw the blast of blue light coming from the windows and doors. "Damn...I wonder what that was!" But she saw everyone still standing around safely, so she figured she would just keep moving. Humming the words of one of her favorite songs, she chewed on an energon cube and walked through the dirty streets.

"So what am I looking for then? I don't need a center...just someplace with a basis of technology for me to get a better idea--" She stopped short.

Right in front of her face, seemingly just around 2 or 3 corners from the Medical Center, was The Protihex Communications Bureau.

"Well I'll be.....bingo." She took the last bite of the cube and skipped into the building....

Spironok slinked up after she'd gone in. It hissed in annoyance. Staying hidden in a building was going to be difficult, and it wasn't looking forward to a prolonged stalking. Reluctantly, Spironok crept inside, staying out of sight...

[Cutlass Rebooted]

"Very well." Tecton cleans up all of his tools. The bright light from Laser's spark distracts him for a moment. Glancing over he now wishes he had made working on Laser his top priority, but Shadow also needs assistance and it seems it would be best for everyone to get him on his way quickly. A few minutes later after setting up the last of his equipment he turns to Shadow. "If you would like to move over here I can begin." A small monitor switches on next to him.
Cutlass steps aside as Towreck leaves and leans on the wall next to the door bringing out yet another bottle of energon. He almost chokes on it when the light fills the room. "That's your spark?! Woah..." He slides down the wall a little and gulps down some of fluid with for once, nothing else to say.
Volca almost drops her tools, but quickly regains her composure.

[Laser]

Beam stepped up to the main access controls at the top of the tower and laughed at them. "Man this stuff is old." She pulled off some of the dusty panels and tossed them aside. "Sheesh...some of this tech dates back 3 centuries...when I was born! Wow." Frustrated, she started probing around for a way to get into the system. "I don't even see a simple way to get plugged in--oh wait." She stabbed a sharp drive into the computer mainframe, powering it with her own data and rebooting the systems. "There we go. Let's see what we got here."

She hopped up on the center computer stool and started investigating. "Okay...Protihex is divided into 4 sectors....including this one...and the others aren't connected. Great." She looked up from the computer and saw two turrets perched a ways off on the prison wall. "...Search...turrets..." instantly, one of the turrets began firing. "Oh shit! Hahah I didn't say fire the turret! At least we got some kinda defense here. I can control it, I just gotta make some repairs. As far as these other sectors--" she slammed her tiny fist on the screen--"I gotta connect them manually."

Unplugging herself, something caught her eye below. The Death Row building. "Whoa...they actually did capital punishment here? Maybe that's why they shut it down...considering it's waaay too controversial." But she felt utterly attracted to this place, like something was calling her there. Looking up, she saw a wire leading from the tower to the executioner building. "This place is so old, I love it. A wire? C'maaan haha." She hopped up onto the wire and zip-lined down to her destination....

Shortly after she had zipped away, Spironok finally got to the top floor. Once he saw her scooting off, he swore. Rage quitting on his assignment, he decided he would just find her later.

****************

The Death Row building was dark and grungy, but had a funny smell. A smell like...someone was burning something. Beam opened up a door. "Hello? Is anyone--"

A dead body fell in front of her.

"AAGHG!" She sprinted away, tripping over her own legs and towards the exit ahead, until she saw something that almost make her keel over in terror.

Sitting in a high security cell, alive, was a cybertronian. He wasn't wearing any armor, but his body style was pretty outdated. He was covered in tattoos, both cybertronian and alien, as well as ones that Beam didn't even recognize. His head was clean bald, with no ridges or plates. It, too, was covered in tattoos. And there was smoke. He was smoking some kind of scented substance. Beam found the fragrance to be quite pleasant, but the action was disgusting to her. Few cybertronians knew how to smoke, because the breathing rhythm wasn't natural. He was young and muscularly lean, which was puzzling for Beam, considering his body style was so outdated.

Beam was so scared she almost let go all of the drink she put away with Starport, but she opened her mouth to speak.

"H-h-h-hey!"

The smoke cleared and the bot looked down to see Beam. He grinned warmly, revealing a set of polished teeth. Some of these teeth were missing, but were replaced by a kind of gold plating. Each had some kind of inscription on it. His face was scarred and tattooed, and his eyes were black and lacked any light whatsoever. Though there were quite a few distractions, Beam could see the face of a handsome, kind young guy. He took another drag, and exhaled, filling the chamber again.

Beam coughed and waved the smoke away. He was locked up in that cell, which meant she was a little safer. Plus he didn't seem hostile...but that's just what he may want her to think. "Hey! Who are you and what are you doing here?"

The bot twirled his 'blunt' to his other finger, smiling at her again. "My name is Aeron...."

[Rexacon]

Shadow nods towards Tecton as he heads over to the table. Laying down, he looks up on how he remembers the good old days. Fortunately such moments pass quickly as he reminded himself on the situation that he is in. Looking over to Tecton, Shadow nodded as a signal to begin the repairs.

~~

A slight blue light wrapped around Vibro's body as it began to dim down. In the conscious of Vibro, he woke up in a dark void of space. In front of him was Alpha Trion as he began to speak.

"Vibro, you must hurry to the vault. Securing it from the decepticons must be top priority. With the autobots scattered and your group hasn't been detected yet, it is essential that you do."

"I don't understand, what will happen if they do?"

Alpha trion blinded Vibro as his optics opened to reveal a horrible future. Worlds being conquered and armies of cybertronians corrupted being led by one bot. Flaming with vengeance, it looked upon Vibro as its eyes glowed with hate. Screaming Vibro came back into semi reality with Alpha Trion.

*Gasp* "What happened? That can't be the future right?"

"Only a future in which you and the team can prevent. We have contacted you to give you this responsibility. *Starts to drift away* Only you & your team can do it."

Vibros eyes glowed as he awakens from his slumber. Trying to get up, he felt pain as he was connected to the machine. Laying down, he didn't see how many autobots were there. Just a simple question was asked.

"How long have I been out?"

[concentratedrandom]

Starport was standing around to the sidelines, not saying a word. He really wasn’t sure what was going on, but without any healing abilities or anything, he thought he would just be in the way. He wasn’t built for these kinds of events, he was a simple delivery bot. In the battle, he did his job, but in the aftermath held more than he could do. Now, he could only wait until they finished. Cutlass had lead them to the rest, but Starport couldn’t face Laser after what he said. Getting mad at him when he only wanted what’s best for all of them didn’t seem right to him. He couldn’t talk to Laser right now, and everyone else seemed a little busy. Letting out a sigh, he simply put his head back and dreamed of times he spent in the city.

[Laser]

Beam frowned. “Hello…Aeron. My name is Beam.”

Aeron took a deep drag and exhaled from his nose, which was almost impossible from Beam’s perspective. “’How ya doin?”

“Why are you smoking so much?”

Aeron shrugged, his big knotty shoulders rising and falling. “Somethin’ to do, I guess.”

“Why are you the only person here?”

He looked around for a second. He even had tattoos on his neck. How did they get there? “I guess everybody left, ‘n’ forgot me here.” He grinned.

“Are you Autobot or Decepticon?” Beam pointed her little pistol at him, ready to fire.

Aeron just laughed in a confused tone. “Wha…what?”

Beam lowered her pistol in awe. How didn’t he know about…well, the war? “How long have you been locked up in here?”

He raised his hand. “Why you askin’ all them questions?”

Her face softened and she became embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little scared and confused right now.

Aeron grinned and puffed some more smoke through his system. "S'alright. You 'n' your team doing okay in the 'Hex?"

"Yea, it's just--" She frowned and raised her pistol again. "How'd you know I came with a team?"

He pointed to a nearby window. "Saw you guys fly in earlier. You seem tense, short stuff. Why don't ya' take a load off? Have a seat." He gestured for her to come closer.

Beam backed away slowly, worried and frightened.

He smiled at her and beckoned. "C'maan. I ain't gonna do ya no harm, besides I wouldn't want ya friends takin' me out, now would I?"

Beam was skeptical for a second, but all fear left her instantly once she sat down and began spilling the entire Iacon story and exactly why there were here. Aeron was quiet, except for an occasional "intrustin'", a drag on his blunt, or an understanding nod.

"....And so here we are...And I can't help but feel like the end is so near. And we just started! I feel like we can't prolong it no matter what..."

"Dat's because it's coming for you."

"What?"

Aeron put out his blunt and leaned forward for Beam to understand him better. "Youse guys took a' beatin' in Iacon, see? Ya' enemy knows dat. You ran for da hills. Ya' enemy knows dat. Now ya' strugglin' to get organized and fixed so ya' can stand a fightin' chance. Ya' enemy knows dat. They'll be comin' for ya, I promise."

Beam drooped. "Great. Now I'm gonna die in this filthy place....No offense."

The tattooed bot laughed and rose his hands. "Ay, none taken. Listen, you gotta be ready for 'em. From what I catch from da story... you's a tech wiz, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Perfect. You's gotta get to all four sectors and activate defense mechanisms on all 6 walls. But that 'ain't enough. You gotta establish internal securities. I know dis place like the back of my hand, so I can walk you through it."

"Cool, so I'll just let you out--"

"No." He said firmly. "You gotta do it on your own. I'll tell you how to get wherever you need to go, but dis is your time. My time served me, n' I mistreated it...now I serve my time."

Beam was interested now. She didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay here and talk to this criminal for hours. But she owed it to her allies to be productive. Still, she was almost entranced by the passive creature in the 'cage'. "What's your story, Aeron? Why are you here?"

He shook his head, grinning. The light bounced from his gold teeth and onto the walls. "Get da next sector online by taking the broken transit system nearby. Ya gonna have to do it manually, but dat shouldn't be too bad. Do this and come back, and I'll tell you."

Beam loved a challenge. In a flash she was already at the exit. Stopping, she shouted out to him. "I'll be back soon Aeron! Don't go anywhere!"

He laughed and took a deep drag of a freshly lit blunt. "I'll be here." He exhaled, disappearing in the smoke....

[DarkXenith]

Jumpstart dimmed his optics momentarily, acclimatising after the impromptu lightshow from his current patient. Sure, it was an impressive display, but then he'd expect as much from a mech of Laser's build and specification. Anything less than a multiple redundancy power management system would, frankly, be a ludicrous design flaw.

Disconnecting the power feed he'd run in to avoid any potential feedback issues, the medic pulled over a working platform and positioned it accordingly to gain access to the larger mech's thoracic chamber. Most of this work would be done remotely, the manipulation and repairs being carried out by long-reach tooling to minimise interference with the master-spark energy field. For the medic, getting 'hands on' with spark casings was always a last resort. All it would take would be one surge from his charger system and he would cause major damage to his patient.

Flicking his visor back down to make use of his HUD and shield his optics from the residual glow, Jumper manually tapped into the data and visual feeds from the bench bringing the equipment's onboard tooling online. Carefully guiding the tools into position just above the first of the damaged nodes, he took a steadying intake of air and lowered them to start the delicate task of repairing it.

Growling lowly, he issued a warning to Laser and those others gathered:

"F' the love of Primus, mech, do not move.... an' if anybody - an' I mean anybody[/u] - in this room touches this equipment or knocks me while I'm workin', I will personally disassemble the stupid fragger an' rebuid 'em as an automated sanitation drone. Is that 110% clear?"[/b][/color]

[Cutlass Rebooted]

Tecton immediately starts to analyze the damage keeping Shadow awake through the process. The first thing that he noticed internally was the wires. "What in the universe did that?!" He looks a little closer at the wires which were touching and running a small amount of charge to the armor on his back. "How can you withstand that? It's electrifying your armor, fortunately with only a small amount of charge."
He starts to cut various points of power until he found the one the wires were connected two. Switching the rest of them back on he gently pulls at the wires checking they weren't pulled through anything they shouldn't have been. Fortunately they hadn't. "At least they haven't been pulled through anything else, I can start to repair the rest of this damage." He begins to seal the various cuts and holes in his armor while checking for deeper damage. It doesn't take him long as most of the damage appears to be in his back. "You'll have to turn over, I can't replace the wires like this."

Cutlass sighs. "For the first time in days... I'm totally bored..." He has some more of his drink, then sits up suddenly. "Any of you guys need me to get anything?"
"I think we're alright for now Cutlass." Volca stands to the side waiting for further instructions.
"Oh okay." A little disappointed he crosses his arms behind his head and leans back against the wall.