Lost

Rumors ===================================
        Hey, I /know/ yer not gonna believe this one, but I
swear it's the
truth. I saw Optimus Prime in Tarn. No, really! He was
followin' Starscream
across the Plaza when I spotted 'em. I dunno what he was
doin' there, but the
two weren't even tryin' ta kill each other.
==============================================


<Silverbolt has been ordered away from his assignment at
Capital City after being told Optimus Prime is
rumored to be missing...>

Area Around IaconContents: Skyfire, Glasspack, Groove,
Prowl, Galactix

Skyfire drops out of the air, his engines roaring.
Silverbolt enters the area
almost immediately behind him.Groove waves to the other
Autobots as they arrive, still smiling in the face
of  all the activity

.Silverbolt descends and transforms as he nears the
ground...landing not too far
away from the air guardian and transforms.

Glasspack half-skips over to Groove and playfully chucks him
on the cheek.   "Hey, Shortstuff. Haven't seen you around in
a while."
transforming into robot mode.Groove grins at Glasspack. "Hey
Glass! Nice to see you! How's it going?"

Glasspack waggles one of her gloved hands noncommitally.
"Oh, you know, same
old same old."Galactix waits patiently for the gathering
bots to board.Prowl quietly comments, "Skyfire,
since you are in the actual chain of command
and I am not, would you please lead this mission?".

Skyfire nods, rising up to his full height as he takes his
place in front of
the small team. "Autobots, the latest talk in Capital City
is that Optimus
Prime was seen entering Tarn late last night..."

Groove nods, remembering some talk about that.

Silverbolt blinks, facial features betraying concern.Skyfire
quiets for a moment, allowing that news to sink
in. "As you all know,  Tarn is currently held by the
Decepticons. In addition, Prime has not filed a
report on the incident. Have any of you seen him since
then?"

Groove shakes his head to indicate that he
hasn't.

Glasspack cocks a brow, not worried about The Bot, but
curious about the
situation. "Nuh-uh."

Silverbolt comments, "I saw him last night leaving Capital
City , rather
angrily. But I'm afraid I don't know what it was that upset
him in such a way
or where he was going."

Skyfire looks down for a moment, his expression grim. "Then
it's our duty to
investigate. There's a very good chance that Prime allowed
himself to walk
directly into a Decepticon ambush. If he's being held at
Tarn, we have to get
him out. Are you all with me?"

Glasspack nods emphatically. "Sure thing."

Galactix says, "I will offer what help I can."

Silverbolt quietly nods, but he's showing certain signs of
hesitation.

Skyfire looks faintly annoyed, as if he feels that Prime's
causing more
problems with this recent behavior than solving anything.

Groove looks surprised. "Well definitely! If Prime needs us,
we should be there
for him!"Prowl just listens to the briefing silently and
impassively.

Skyfire smiles. "And that's what we're going to do, Groove.
He's saved all of
us many times, so we can't do anything less for him." The Air
Guardian then
turns to look at Prowl. "Have you worked out a plan?"

Glasspack glances over at Prowl, still slightly spooked by
him.
Groove stands next to Glasspack, a concerned and nervous
look on his face. He
looks at Prowl expectantly.

Prowl quietly comments, "The only thing I can think of,
given how Starscream is
constantly manipulating the media with whatever mistakes we
make, is to
approach Tarn, Radio Starscream, and request that he allow
us to search Tarn
for Optimus."
Prowl quietly comments, "Attacking the city would do little
good for our image
given the conflicting reports of the hostage situation last
night, and given
our small task force, would only lead to a crushing defeat
without much being
accomplished."Skyfire crosses his arms, considering this.
"Yes, that's likely the most
unintrusive method. With all the bad propaganda the
Decepticons have been
sending our way, we can't afford a military operation."

Silverbolt comments, "Not to mention the lives of the
civillinas."

Groove nods emphatically, agreeing with Silverbolt.

Glasspack adds, "And it'd hurt a lot."

Skyfire puts a hand to his mouth, stifling a laugh at
Glasspack's
comment.  After he regains his composure, he looks at the
assembled group.
 I don't have  the cargo capacity to carry everyone here. Is
Galactix refueled?"

Galactix says, "I am fully fueled."

Skyfire nods. "And you're willing to take us into Tarn?"

Galactix says, "Hop aboard. I will take you wherever you
need to go."

Ironhide walks in, not knowing what's going on.
Groove waves to Ironhide, a big, nervous grin on his face.

Ironhide says, "'eyyuh, Groove."

Groove follows Glasspack up the ramp.

Ironhide looks around, "Whut's goin' awn?"

Silverbolt gives the older Autobot a quiet nod before
turning to see the others
board before he goes himself

Galactix [Starship]

-- from Outside -- Ironhide looks around, "Anybawdy?..." he
scratches his head.

Skyfire ushers the remaining Autobots up the ramp, turning
back and seeing
Ironhide entering the area. Raising his voice to be heard
clearly over the roar
of Galactix's engines, the Guardian calls out. "Ironhide!
Get aboard, I'll
explain on the way!"

<After all have entered...>

Groove paces back and forth as everyone else boards, nervous
for some reason.The lift rises up to the
bridge. As it reaches the upper level, the bridge
hatchway opens with a slight hiss.

Ironhide gets on board, "Whut wuz thaht 'bawt Tarn? We
gunnuh
cleahn awt those  frack'n D'cept'creeps an' send 'em tuh th'
scrapyahrd?"

Silverbolt enters the area followed by the others. His
features betray a slight  frown. he seems to have
some...reservations.
 But he's uncertain how to  formulate them. hence, he
remains silent.

Skyfire quickly catches up with Ironhide quickly as the
other
Autobot stomps  down the hall. "Optimus Prime disappeared
into
Tarn late last night. No one has  seen him since, and he
hasn't
reported in. We fear he may be captured."

Ironhide's brow furrows, "Frack, ah shoudluh gawn with 'im!"

Skyfire smiles, putting a hand on Ironhide's shoulder. "You
can't watch him
-all- the time."Hold on tight. I'm firing the ascent
thrusters.

Ironhide grunts, "Well, thaht's mah JAWB..."

The ship rumbles slightly as the thrusters engage.

Silverbolt takes a seat within a vacant chair.

Skyfire nods in understanding. "Yes, but from what I've been
able to learn,
Prime went into Tarn willingly, Ironhide."

Groove reaches for something bolted down to steady himself
as

Galactix ascends.

He seems too nervous to sit. Ironhide grabs onto a
standing console, to brace himself, "An' ah shoulduh
been  with 'im!"

Glasspack scoots over to a 'pseudo-window' monitor and looks
out. "Whee," she
opines.

Skyfire steadies himself against the wall as Galactix takes
off, used to the
pressures of flight.

Gravity asserts itself with a strong downward pull as the
ship lifts off.
Silverbolt slightly adjusts his wings before the gravity can
take affect...if
only to avoid damage.<Cut>

Area Around Tarn
Massive Decepticon Construction Job
Tarnian Work Crew

"Tarn is directly ahead. Where do you wish me to land?"

Groove grips the back of a chair rather hard at the sight of
the now subtly
altered city of Tarn.

Glasspack explains, "There was this watermelon, and.. oh."
She quiets up when
the ship starts talking.

Skyfire steps forward, looking out the forward viewscreen.
"Prowl?"Prowl quietly
comments, "Here would be fine.".

"Descending..."

Skyfire nods, happy to be able to refer to Prowl's superior
tactical knowledge.   "Do as Prowl says, Galactix. Keep your
 engines hot, we may need to make a hasty
exit."

Prowl quietly comments, "Given that Galactix has no weaponry
systems to defend  himself, I recommend leaving someone
behind with him who does have weaponry."

Groove stares at the scenery, trying to pick out any details
that might be
helpful in assessing the situation of the citizens.

The ship slowly approaches a clearing in front of the main
gates. He lands with  a slight thump, and the roar of the
thrusters slowly dies off.

Skyfire rubs his chin in thought for a moment,
and then looks up at the ceiling, addressing the ship
itself.
"Galactix. Can you keep your atmospheric
engines in standby-mode while you're in your robot form?"

Glasspack runs over to the edge of the bridge
and vaults over it, rather than
wait to crowd into the lift. She lands with a *clang* next
to the airlock,
eager to get out and do her thing.

Silverbolt looks distractedly outside a nearby
window...barely
 hearing  Prowl at first. He then turns to Prowl. "I
volunteer
 to stay and help Galactix."

Galactix lowers the main hatch. It slowly descends with a
hiss, and hits the ground with a soft thump.

Groove looks like he was about to say something, then shuts
his mouth.Ironhide
grunts, materializing his rifle out of subspace with a blue
flash and
a sneer.

Skyfire nods to Silverbolt. "If you run across any trouble,
contact me and I'll
get back here as quickly as I can."

Silverbolt stands to his feet. "Will do."Prowl lets Skyfire
handle the
details as he steps outside.

-- from Outside -- Starscream roars into the area, flying
high out of Tarn,
circling in an  observation pattern.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire arrives out of the starship,
looking around cautiously.The
viewscreen changes to a ray-trace view of the surrounding
area. The gates,
and those present outside.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide grunts, seeing Starscream, and
he looks towards Prowl as if to inquire
about firing orders.

-- from Outside -- Glasspack hears that seeker-noise and
waves up at it. "Hi, Starscream."Silverbolt
doesn't feel very well about this mission *at all*.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire looks up, scowling slightly as he
ex-best friend appears. This time, he
does not transform to engage the Decepticon.

-- from Outside -- Glasspack stands around impatiently
scuffing her feet on the ground.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire walks over to Prowl and leans
close to the Autobot, whispering
something to him.-- from Outside -- Starscream executes
another circle, then sinks
towards the ground, transforming to land between the Autobot
group and Tarn.

-- from Outside -- Groove looks about, taking in his
surroundings
while trying to stay  inconspicuous.

-- from Outside -- Prowl nods to Skyfire.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire shakes his head to Ironhide
sternly in
response to the trooper's  muttered question, and then
straightens up, amplifying his voice so all the
others can hear. "Autobots, hold your fire. For the moment."

-- from Outside -- Starscream folds his arms across his
chest, optics narrowed irritably as he
surveys the Autobots, but his gaze is drawn again and again
to that enourmous
spaceship, perhaps indicating a degree of nervousness.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide sighs, and crosses his arms
impatiently, his rifle affixed in them,
ready to be out and firea t a second's notice

.-- from Outside -- Glasspack gives a nearly imperceptible
shrug at Skyfire's words.

-- from Outside -- Prowl steps away from the other Autobots
towards Starscream.

-- from Outside -- Starscream takes a few steps towards
Prowl, in answer of a radio hail.

-- from Outside -- Groove looks like he has no intention of
opening fire unless absolutely
necessary.

-- from Outside -- Prowl's face is impassive and he bears no
weapon.
"We've come looking Optimus  Prime. The last anyone knows of
him, he was
here, in Tarn. What have you done  with him?"

Galactix merely sits and observes, this being his first
mission of sorts.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire, for his part, is able to keep
his dislike of Starscream confined to
glares of anger as Prowl speaks with the Seeker.

-- from Outside -- Starscream's optics momentarily widen in
confusion, then he grins in
understanding. "Now, where would you have gotten the idea
that he was in Tarn?
Why would he -possibly- come into Decepticon territory,
alone?" His voice is
distinctly insinuating.

-- from Outside -- Prowl quietly comments, "Perhaps it had
something to do with your unjust
capture of Windcharger. Now answer the question,
Starscream.".

-- from Outside -- Starscream's optics sparkle with malice,
his grin
broadening. "Which question  was that, again?"

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain enters from the northern
roadway.

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain blares in, dangerously close
to the ground.
The sound of his engines rumbles the immediate area around
him,
sending tremors through close by objects.

-- from Outside -- Prowl's impassive face tightens slightly
as he takes a step closer to
Starscream. "What have you done with Optimus Prime?" he asks
in a low, almost
dangerous sounding tone, given his utter lack of emotion..

-- from Outside -- Skyfire flicks his gaze to focus on
Astrotrain for a few moments, and then
returns his attention to Starscream.:stands there near the
ramp of the ship the
others had departed from somewhat earlier. He shakes his
head slightly and
reenters the craft, thinking he can perhaps be of better
service inside the
ship until it is deemed otherwise.

"This Starscream seems like a most despicable fellow."

-- from Outside -- Starscream's radio crackles briefly
before he replies. His face is a
calculating expression of mirth, thoroughly enjoying the
situation, despite the
obvious dangers. "Nothing you wouldn't approve of."

-- from Outside -- Ironhide is near Prowl, with his
arms crossed, and his rifle strapped to his
back. He does NOT seem to be in a good mood, and is likely
thinking how to get
within punching distance of Starscream without causing
disrutpion.

Silverbolt nods. "He is I'm afraid," as he steps off the
forward lift and walks
to the bridge. "Believe me...he is."

-- from Outside -- Prowl's optics flicker briefly. "And what
is that
comment supposed to mean?"

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain streaks over the main group of
Autobots
 and in  the direction of Tarn. He raises out his brakes and
slows his
engines, pulling  into a hard turn to cut his velocity. He
hovers above
Starscream, and  transforms, ejecting Swindle.

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain transforms into Robot mode.

On the forward screen a 3D scanned image of Starscream is
visible. Data
recorded by Gx's sensors is listed off to the side as the
image rotates around.

Silverbolt remains standing,
there...looking at the screen as the scene pans
out, too nervous to get himself to sit down. "I do not like
this -- at all," he
murmurs.  As Astrotrain and Swindle arrive, images and data
scanned from them as well
appears on screen.

-- from Outside -- Glasspack waves a bit at Swindle and
Astrotrain.

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain hovers slowly down to the
ground using his
anti-gravity system, and  his legs flex as he contacts the
ground, to absorb the shock.

-- from Outside -- Starscream half-turns to the side, giving
Prowl a sly, sideways glance. "It  means, you have nothing
to worry about."
 Though his tone suggests anything but  that.

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain notices Glasspack waving at
 him, and just sends her an icy stare  from his position.

-- from Outside -- Swindle nods, grinning at Glasspack

.Silverbolt crosses his arms in front of his chest as more
of the Decepticons
enevitably arrive in the area.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide growls... "So yuh KILL'D 'im?!"
he asks, with
slight maniacal anger  slipping out of his voice.

-- from Outside -- Swindle turns his attention to Ironhide,
blinking. "Wha'?
Killed who?"

-- from Outside -- Groove looks nervous at the increasing
tension

Starscream is provoking.

+radio op= Silverbolt to Optimus. Acknowledge.
RADIO: Out of Range.

-- from Outside -- Prowl makes a calming motion to Ironhide,
 though he keeps his optics firmly on
Starscream. "If that's true, you won't mind us searching
Tarn
to make sure."

"Nor do I. Considering the way this Starscream fellow is
avoiding Prowl's
questions, he seems to know more than he is letting on to
believe."

-- from Outside -- Starscream laughs shortly at Ironhide,
giving
him a knowing look. "Now, was  that what I said?"

-- from Outside -- Ironhide continues looking at Starscream,
his optics piercing... he growls, and  is likely not to
remain inert for long...

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain slowly brings his arms across
his
 chestplate, looking over the Autobots
present with a slight air of disgust around him.

-- from Outside -- Starscream's optics narrow, some of the
humor going out of his face. "I mind a  great deal. As would
the many
Decepticons stationed there."

Silverbolt shakes his head at Galactix. "No...it's not that.
It's
something...else. Galactix, see if you can hail Optimus
Prime. I just tried
but I'm getting an out of range..."

-- from Outside -- Prowl states in a blunt, but still quiet
voice, "You have not told me if
Optimus is still within Tarn or not."

-- from Outside -- Glasspack comes up behind Prowl and taps
on his
shoulder, whispering something
to him.

The viewscreen changes to communications mode.
Several hails are made, but  there are no response

-- from Outside -- Starscream unfolds his arms, plantng
his hands easily on his hips, some of the
amusement returning to his expression. "Haven't I? How
inconsiderate of me. No,  he is not within Tarn."

-- from Outside -- Prowl's optics narrow as he impassively
scrutinizes Starscream's face and  optics for any hint that
the Seeker may be lying.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide sneers, "Well, then where IS 'e,
frackferbrains?..."

Silverbolt blinks at the console. "Anything?"

-- from Outside -- Swindle blinks again, and steps a few
paces forward, arms up. "Now, fellas
let's not get hostile. Take a deep bretah, and review. We
don't know
where he is..."

-- from Outside -- Sinnertwin enters from the northern
roadway."

My signal reached it's destination. I believe he is not
responding."

-- from Outside -- Starscream widens one optic at Ironhide,
his
 equivalent of an eyebrow-raise.  "Now, now, I'm not likely
to tell you
anything with /that/ sort of attitude."

Silverbolt thinks for a moment. "But if your's reached then
why didn't..."

-- from Outside -- Prowl's optics flicker as he
imperceptably notes the
arrival of more Decepticon  reinforcements. Without seeming
to turn
his head, he takes in the entire situation, where everyone
is, what
 everyone's doing, and if anyone has anything
remotely like a weapon to hand...

Silverbolt activates his radio.

-- from Outside -- Sinnertwin's eating head  says "Dis da'
spot we supposed
to be." His talking  head looks over and growls "I know
that, you twit!"

-- from Outside -- Ironhide grunts, having a hard time
keeping restraint, having to look up  occasionally to the
assorted
guards, bearing the Decepticon symbol, to keep
himself under control.

-- from Outside -- Prowl softly asks, "What about
Windcharger?"

-- from Outside -- Skyfire shifts his stance, keeping his
anger in
check while Prowl slices  through Starscream's verbal mazes
with
his cold logic."

Shield system is running at full efficiency...let's hope I
do not have
to use it."

+radio Skyfire=This is Silverbolt. I attempted to contact
the Commander.
However, for some reason my hail was out of range. I asked
Galactix to do the
same. His hail was sent...but not responded to. From
appearnces Optimus Prime
would appear not to be in this vicinity."

-- from Outside -- Starscream's look turns mock-serious as
he
addresses Prowl, "Windcharger will  be released -- when and
*if* he is cleared of the charges against him."
I dare not speak outwards.....for I fear that if I reveal my
true nature to the
Decepticons, I will become a valid target..

RADIO: [Skyfire] Are you positive it's not a Decepticon
trick?

Silverbolt nods to Galactix. "That may be very well wise.
Just standby."
Silverbolt stops before responding to the radio. "Galactix,
any idea why your
radio would go through and not mine?"

-- from Outside -- Prowl quietly comments, "You have to
order
your fellow Decepticons to release hostages *they* took, and
now
you say Windcharger is to blame? A sad day when a
mini-bot manages to force two large and supposedly powerful
Decepticon soliders  to do nasty deeds. Then again, maybe
that says something about the Decepticon
army and its inability to resist or overcome even the
smallest and weakest of  Autobots."

-- from Outside -- Swindle raises his arms again, in a
timeout motion. "Okay, what we got here
is  a failure ta communicate..."

-- from Outside -- Onslaught enters from the northern
roadway.

A computer like voice sounds out:
Warning...Warning...hostile
emotional states detected.

Silverbolt blinks at the console. "Galactix, what frequency
did you use?"

"The frequency is displayed on the screen...listed as long-
range."

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain stands with his arms at his
sides, his hands balled into fists. He  faces Prowl, looking
down
on him menacingly.

Silverbolt seems to be getting more and more nervous, tho'
outwardly
one only  sees his brows deepen.  A sign his earlier
suspicions were
more than likely correct.

-- from Outside -- Starscream refolds his arms over his
chest, forcing
his features to a degree of  seriousness, though his optics
twinkle
maliciously. "Nasty deeds? The capture  of a possibly
dangerous and
-muderous- saboteur is hardly.. 'nasty'."

+radio skyfire=The radio Galactix used to transmitt the hail
was a long-range
frequencey. I had used the standard.

-- from Outside -- Swindle clears his throat, as much as a
Cybertronian can, and speaks, "Okay,
lesse. Now, yer lokkin' fer thge big red? We ain't got him.
Yer lookin' fer one
a the short guys. We got him. Now, he committed a crime,
thus he ain't
leaving..."

RADIO: [Skyfire] Understood. Inform Galctix to prepare for
liftoff.

-- from Outside -- Prowl quietly comments, "Windcharger is
no
saboteur and you know it,  Starscream. you're just...".
-- from Outside -- Prowl turns to Swindle and says, "Shut
up, Swindle."

+radio skyfire=Acknowledged.--

from Outside -- Groove blinks in surprise at Prowl's
outburst.

Silverbolt turns back to the console after radioing.
"Galactix, prepare foir
lift-off."

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain growls to Prowl, "No, I
believe it is you who
needs to cease your  speaking."

"Roger. Thrusters powering."

-- from Outside -- Swindle arches an optic ridge, and looks
over at
Prowl with a grin. "Well,  well, mister Loves-tha-Sound-of-
His-Own-
Voice is tellin' me ta shut up??"

Silverbolt nods. He turns a worried optic to the screen once
more.

-- from Outside -- Galactix makes a low humming sound,
then a soft roar as his ascent thrusters  begin to power up.

-- from Outside -- Starscream turns to Swindle, optics
narrowing
 in irritation. "Shut up, Swindle!"

-- from Outside -- Skyfire steps forward, coming up
alongside Prowl, but
keeping his optics locked  on Starscream. "Prowl, we're
getting
nowhere here. I've received new  information that supports
Starscream's
story, as amazing as that may sound.
Lets head home."-

- from Outside -- Prowl nods quietly to Skyfire, his optics
still on Starscream.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide says, "Then thaht meahns 'e's
eith'r in Darkmawnt, or deahd..."

-- from Outside -- Starscream shifts his gaze to Skyfire,
lips
twisting in a smirk, tilting his head
in a kind of acknowledgement.

-- from Outside -- Prowl quietly comments, "I'd be careful
of how you do
your Kangaroo court,  Starscream. Your tactics might come
back and
kick you in the aft.".

-- from Outside -- Prowl steps back a few steps, then turns
to the
 Autobots. "Let's go," he
comments quietly.

-- from Outside -- Groove looks relieved as he moves to
comply.

-- from Outside -- Ironhide grunts, gripping his rifle,
HARD, as he turns
and walks towards  Galactix. He gives a final glare to
Starscream, before
 trudging the rest of the  way with the other Autobots.

-- from Outside -- Starscream watches Prowl go, his voice
lowering, taking a
dangerous turn. "Oh,  I doubt that, Prowl.. I doubt it very
much."

Silverbolt keeps his optics locked on the screen...hoping
they're
allowed to  leave without incident.The viewscreen shows the
Autobots
walking towards the ship. The Decepticons as  of yet have
not moved.

-- from Outside -- Prowl glances back over his shoulder at
 Starscream. His face is totally  expressionless, but he
could
almost be glaring at Starscream.

-- from Outside -- The group then heads back
for the ship.

Silverbolt is remaining at his stance by the console, still
concerned the
Decepticons may retailiate. But he turns to see his comrades
re-enter the
bridge area and gives a small nod. He turns back to the
screen.

-- from Outside -- Galactix's thrusters reach
full power and are now making a full bodied roar.

-- from Outside -- Skyfire glares at Starscream, not
wanting to say anything that will start a  firefight.
Clenching
his fists, he turns and stalks into the Autobot starship.

-- from Outside -- Astrotrain watches Galactix lift off with
a vengeful
glare of his optics.

Silverbolt watches as Skyfire enters and then finally sits
back down, saying
very little.

Prowl comes in and sits down quietly. "Is everyone accounted
for?"

-- from Outside -- Galactix raises his hatch with a hiss.
Once closed,
the starship lifts off  slowly, then with increasing speed.

Glasspack nods. "Yeah."

Ironhide shakes his head, "Any ideahr where those **** put
'im?"

-- from Outside -- You head north, towards the crossroad

.Silverbolt looks at Ironhide. "We have no proof the
Decepticons
are holding  him or the fact he's even really missing."

Groove looks around. "Do we even know if they took him in
the
first place?"

Prowl quietly comments, "Skyfire?"

.Ironhide says, "'e wawlk'd intuh 'n Awcuhpah'd Zone,
don't tahke too much tuh  put two an' two t'geth'r an' yuh
gawt
uh solut'n in most cas's..."

Silverbolt frowns. "It's still circumstantial."

Groove says, "But did anybody see him leave? He might be out
there somewhere.
If we let the Deceps know we don't know where he is, they
could go looking for
him."

Skyfire falls into an acceleration chair. "Galactix tried to
contact Optimus
using his long-range com system. Although Prime didn't
responsd,
he was able to  tell that our leader isn't in this area."
Skyfire continues. "However, we still don't know WHERE he
is."
<Cut to Iacon...>

"We have arrived at Iacon. Prepare for landing."

-- from Outside -- The ship slowly descends to the area
outside the main gates. The ship lands with a slight thump,
and
the thrusters slowly power off.

Groove frowns, and responds. "Well, maybe we should send out
search parties?"

Silverbolt still looks rather uneasy about the entire
situation...especially
how events may have so easily turned catastrophic. He stands
as soon as the
ship lands. He looks to Skyfire. "You've been on speaking
terms with some of
the civillians at Capital City. Do they know what may have
infurated
Optimus?  Perhaps that would help."

-- from Outside -- Galactix lowers his hatch with a hiss.

Skyfire stands up, preparing to leave the ship. "I don't
know,
Silverbolt." He  then turns toward Ironhide. "Prime's
welfare is your
 business, Ironhide. If you  think we should send out search
parties,
give the order.

Glasspack hms and bounces out the airlock before
anyone else.

Ironhide says, "YES."

Prowl stands up, preparing to leave also. "Thank you for
your service,
Galactix."

Ironhide says, "Ah'm leahd'n th' first one awt, t'naight."

Silverbolt turns to the console. "And thanks for the
assistance."

Galactix states to those inside oand outside, "My services
are always
at your disposal."

-- From Outide -- Ironhide nods, giving Galactix a pat,
"Thahnks, 'lix." He nods to Groove,
"Awraight."

-- From Outide -- Groove smiles.

-- From Outide -- Glasspack throws the ship a salute.
"Coolness."

-- From Outide -- Skyfire walks down out of Galactix.
"Unfortunately,
I've got duties in Capital  City, but I'll deploy my troops
there to search
the immediate area."

-- From Outide -- Groove waves to Galactix. "Thanks for the
lift, big guy!"

-- From Outide -- Ironhide grunts, "Any s'gest'ns as tuh
where tuh
look?... ah wuz thinkin' th'  areuh neahr Tarn... prawbl'm
is, ah
don't feel s'cure 'bawt send'n awt anyone  but m'self
there."

Silverbolt gives the console a nod after a moment's, thought
and leaves to return to
his duties in Capital City.  Not knowing what else, at the
moment, could be done.

Rumors ===================================
The Hunt For Red Optimus           Sat Apr 18    The Rumor
Mill
------------------------------------------------------------
----------
-Hey, have you heard the latest? Seems those
dumb Autobots heard about Prime
goin' ta Tarn and they took half the army to Tarn ta look
for him. Course, he
weren't there, and Starscream defended his honor from those
tempermental,
trigger happy Autobots, but they didn't care. They tore
apart half the
construction area outside of Tarn as they were leaving to
show what poor losers
they are. The Decepticons, of course, did nothing to the
Autobots as a show of
their honesty and good faith. Just goes to show you who to
believe and not to
believe on this planet.
==================================
The REAL story                     Sat Apr 18    The Rumor
Mill
------------------------------------------------------------
---------
DIMWAD! Don't you know? Starscream
kidnapped Prime and is holding the Autobot
Commander in a cell beneath Tarn. He's torturing him too.
The Autobots tried to
get him back, but took heavy casualties trying to assault
the city looking for
him. Starscream wouldn't budge though, and kept repelling
them when they tried
to rescue Prime and Windcharger from the Decepticon's evil
clutches. It's no
wonder the Bots came unglued with their leader missing and
all. Can you blame
them?
=========================================