MR. TACT

Pacific Northwest

A mixture of level plains and vast forested mountain chains
compose much of the northwestern
regions of the United States. Shrubby low-lying deserts
alternate with forested and occasionally
tundra -- or ice capped -- mountains. The most prominent of
these are the Rocky Mountains,
extending in full from Canada to New Mexico.

Another mountainous chain, known as the Cascade Range of
Oregon and Washington is a lofty
range with a complicated geological history, one which
includes several alterations due to the nature
of volcanic activity.

These areas present the last refuge of many of the big game
animals that have been a favorite of
human hunters over the years: elk, pronghorn, moose, deer,
bighorn sheep, mountain goats, timber
wolves, and in some remote areas, brown bears.

Contents:

Galactix [Starship] [A]
Seattle
Mount St. Hillary



David Mercer sits on the bonnet of his car, which is parked
just outside the entrance to the mountain
and drums his fingers on the car bonnet nervously. His eyes
flick back and forth behind his glasses,
apparently looking for someone to go in or out. He seems
slightly agitated.

Galactix reaches a height just above the top of Hillary, and
begins making minute adjustments to his
trajectory as he continues to drop.

Candice sits near one of the walls of the caverns not far
from the entrance...tossing a ball of snow
between one hand and the other rather absentmindedly.

Galactix activates his landing thrusters, which audibly
announces his presence. He settles to a smooth
landing just near the entrance to the mountain, his
thrusters slowly powering down.

Galactix lowers his main hatch, and several small drones
drive out and head for the mountain. From
their configuration, they appear to be supply carriers.

Candice looks up as Galactix lands. She tosses a small wave
as she catches the snowball with her
left hand, shifting somewhat in her seat.

David Mercer runs a hand through his hair, absently
searching through the pocket of his trenchcoat
as he waits. As Candice wanders into view he drops the pen
he was holding, the nervousness on his
face becoming plainer. He stoops to pick up his pen, hopping
off the bonnet of his car as he does so
and slowly takes a step towards Candi, waving halfheartedly.

Candice's attention is diverted once more and drops the
snowball altogether as she slides from the
rock on which she was sitting. She returns Mercer's wave.
"Uh, hi," she greets. She still doesn't trust
him. But she was surprised she hasn't seen him around here
recently since Optimus gave permission
for him to stay here.

David Mercer takes another hesitant step towards Candice,
and promptly drops about a foot as the
packed snow beneath his feet gives way. He looks down, the
sudden gasp of breath visible in the
cold winter air giving as much indication as needed he isn't
at all happy. That and if you're able to lip
read you probably wouldn't be any better off for the
knowledge of what David just mouthed.

Galactix waits patiently as his supply carriers return
loaded with medical supplies and other essential
items a base would require. They file neatly up his ramp.

Candice flickers a glance towards the behemoth known as
Galactix, knowing he's probably more
concerned about his missions and such. With his landing he's
more than likely preoccupied. He's the
recon base now isn't he? She turns to David and offers a
hand. "You all right? can be a tad slippery
around here."

David Mercer struggles to free himself from the drift,
pulling himself out of the snow and leaving a
sprinkling of snow around his suit trouser. He rolls his
eyes. "One of those days, " he mutters.

David Mercer reaches up and adjusts his sunglasses, then
after a moment of hesitation, flips them off
and slips them into his pocket. It's the first time he's
ever been without them and he stands blinking in
the daylight, one eye watching Candice, the other, for some
reason, staring into the middle distance.
"Uh, hello Ms. Thompson," he offers lamely.

Candice perks an eyebrow and lowers her hand as she backs
from the aforementioned drift. Loose
snow blows about due to the late December wind. She shifts
within the snow slightly. "Haven't seen
you around for a few days. Um...don't think any of the CoC
are available at the moment for that
meeting. 'Course, you can always ask. No harm in that."

David Mercer stares down at Candice's hand, suddenly
realizing she was offering to help him. He
shrugs, that one eye still unnervingly staring in a slightly
different direction from the other. "Um,
actually I'm here for another reason..." he pauses.
"Pertaining to you Ms Thompson."

Galactix secretly listens in. Being recon, any info can be
useful.

Candice looks down absently. These lightweight thermal boots
are rather handy on chilly days like
this. She refocuses in on Mercer, a slightly puzzled look
about her. "Oh?" she asks with a tilt of the
head. "What about?"

David Mercer rubs his chin and looks Candice up and down for
a moment, shifting uncomfortably,
one foot slowly sinking into the drift again. he ignores it
and stares evenly at her. "Um, you had a
friend called Trent didn't you?"

Candice's eyes widen and then narrow. "Yes...I *have*."

David Mercer's gaze flips off to the far distance for a
moment, then he turns to give Candice a
unnerving look again. "Well, correcting my grammar is very
admirable, but..." he pauses and coughs.
"Well, there really was no need."

Lia comes walking out of the volcano entrance, stretching
her arms high above her head in the
sunshine and glad she's finally out and about instead of
stuck in the infirmary.

Candice stares oddly at David. But, as she does there's a
roll within the bit of her stomach. Hmmm.
She kicks at the snow somewhat and then asks, "Mercer,
exactly *what* are you getting at?"

David Mercer reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small
notepad. "Trent, er...Castanaveras?" His
strong clipped British accent sounds slightly strange
pronouncing the Spanish sounding name, but he
continues, ripping a sheet from his notebook and holding it
up. Onto it is taped a picture of Trent. He
looks like he's asleep.

Candice gaps as she takes a hold of the photograph hastily.
She never told anyone Trent's real last
name...not even Optimus Prime. All she does is stare for the
longest time as the color pales from her
facial features. All she can do is mutely nod.

Lia spots Candice going pale just as she drops her arms to
her side. Immediately, she assumes her
doctor's face as she runs to her friend's side. "Candice?
Lass, be ye all right?"

David Mercer reaches out and to pry the photograph from her
grasp. "You're sure?" he asks, accent
apparently getting stronger with every second. He looks
concerned himself, but that one eye
continues to stare over Candice's shoulder while the other
stares at her face.

Candice closes her mouth as it promptly goes dry. She
doesn't directly answer Lia as she comes
near, or have the strength to keep a grip on the photo.
Instead she addresses Mercer.
"What'...what's this about?" she manages.

Lia towers at her full 5'7" height and glowers at Mercer,
gripping Candice's arm at the elbow to
keep the young lass upright. She waits to hear an
explanation of what is going on which would make
Candice react so.

Galactix finally speaks. "Ms Candice, your vocal patterns
are in serious deviation from the norm. Is
there a problem?"

David Mercer looks skywards for a moment. He watches the
birds. "Sorry, this isn't my sort of
thing," he mumbles apologetically. "In the force we just
used to send a letter when someone got
shot." Immediately his mind catches up with his mouth and
his clams up. His eyes dart desperately
from Lia to Candice. "I mean..er." he stutters.

Lia wraps her arm around Candice's shoulders. "Shot? Who got
shot and by whom?" Lia's thick
Celtic accent is cold and hard as she automatically tries to
protect and comfort Candice from
whatever it is Mercer is announcing.

David Mercer gathers his thoughts and attempts tact. It's
not something that comes easy to him. He
holds the photo up again. "You agree this is a pretty
accurate likeness of Mr. Castanaveras?"

Candice suddenly gets weak in the knees. The words don't
exactly register right at the moment. Her
voice tightens to where it's a bare squeak. "Excuse me???"

David Mercer holds the photo towards Candice.

David Mercer says, "Accurate, would you say?"

Candice slightly shakes her head to clear her thinking.
"Trent was shot? Where is he? How is he?"

David Mercer shifts position, sinking another few inches
into the snowdrift. "Well, strictly speaking
that's not a very accurate likeness anymore." He coughs
slightly, slipping the photo away and craning
desperately at his notebook. "In fact...he, er...well,
there's a lot less of him now than there is in that
photo.." He winces. "Um.." he starts, then shuts up again.

Lia straightens up slightly as she recognizes the photo. A
soft, "Oh, Lass..." escapes her mouth
before she clamps down on useless words and simply one-arm
hugs Candice tightly.

Lia barks in her best Lt.'s voice, "Out with it, Soldier.
What happened?"

Candice lifts a hand to her mouth as she struggles to
maintain some sort of a semblance of a grip
here. "How? What happened?" she echoes.

David Mercer stares at Lia, his eyes narrowing for a moment.
Instinctively his hand slips into his
pocket and his mirrored glasses are back perched on his
nose. "I'm not a soldier," he scolds. "I'm a
squadron leader, and kindly keep quiet madam, I'm trying to
tell this young lady her friend has had
his face blown off and I don't need you..." Oh bugger.

David Mercer inwardly facepalms, and a frown of chagrin
flashes across his face. "Um, that is.." He
starts again. "Ever seen what a shotgun can do to a human
face Ms. Thompson?" he asks, hoping to
make it sound like an innocent inquiry.

Lia almost smirks as her "command voice" gets a reaction,
but she pulls the reaction in when she
remembers what it is we're talking about. She waits for
Mercer to continue.

Candice shakes herself free of Lia's hold as she stumbles to
the nearest bolder...sinking to it's hard
and moist surface. She lowers her head and slowly blinks,
shaking now. "What happened," she
finally demands...looking at Mercer with an intense gaze.

David Mercer says, "Well, would you -like- to see what a
shotgun can do to a human head, ms
Thompson?"

Lia shakes her head and softly comments, "Lad, ye haven't
done much o' this before, have ye?"

David Mercer snaps a glance at Lia. "it's easier by mail,'
he mutters.

Candice clarifies rather impatiently as well as angrily,
"*What* happened? Why was he shot..?"

Lia says, "Might ye be answerin' her question? Such as who
did it and why?"

David Mercer flicks through his notebook and pulls out
another photo. This one is also apparently of
Trent, but there's a lot less of him this time. He's changed
quite a lot from the last photograph. For a
start there's a big hole where his nose used to be. He
silently passes it to Candice, his expression
unreadable now he has those glasses back on. "-That's- what
a shotgun does to a face."

Galactix scans the photograph silently, his curiosity
getting the best of him.

Candice takes one look glance at the second photograph and
abruptly turns away, barely able to
keep herself from throwing up.

Lia's voice is pure ice. "Lad, there be more tactful ways ta
be telling a lass such information. Just
answer the questions. Why and by whom."

David Mercer pulls his feet from the snowdrift again as the
snow around his feet is rapidly thawing to
slush. He snatches the photo from Candi's hand and slips it
away with the other one. "I think you
might understand what I'm getting at now," he announces
apologetically, then suddenly he's all
business again. "Is there any reason Mr. Castanaveras would
be in Vancouver with a hole in his
head the size of a football?"

Candice doesn't answer. She can't. All she can basically do
cover her face with a gloved hand. "I
asked you a question, Mercer. I *want* an answer. How did it
happen?" Something else comes to
mind. "And just how would you know any of this if it
happened in Canada?" she questions in that
voice which continues to weaken.

David Mercer glances at Lia, giving her a quick look up and
down, taking careful note of her
uniform. "Field surgeon?" he asks. "Well, coming from a
superior officer, do me a favor and bugger
off, eh, there's a good cha...er, gir..um, doctor."

Tonka skitters out of the entrance of Hillary, and is rather
surprised to see a large gathering of
humans.

Tonka skitters up to the group, curious. As small as he is,
he's able to slip up quietly.

Candice keeps her eyes closed rather tightly...not being
able to look on Mercer right now for some
odd reason.

Tonka notices Candice's distress and becomes worried.

Lia stands up, fire in her green eyes at Mercer's tone of
voice. She advances on him slowly as her
fists clench tightly. In a somewhat normal tone of voice,
belying her loss of temper, she comments, "I
be puttin' up with ye by a slim margin, James Bond, only so
me friend can hear what details ye may
be havin'. But I'd be careful with me choice o' words if I
were you." She continues to advance
towards him menacingly.

Tonka crawls up Candice's side up to her shoulder. "Heya,
Candice, what's wrong? How come
your eyes are leaking?"

David Mercer turns back to Candice. "Well in answer to your
questions, I don't know what
happened. he was apparently found like that. Haven't seen
him myself, but one body looks very
much like the next when they haven't got any nose, eyes of
mouth. Still, he's got his ears, and that's
always a good thing. I remember a time when a navigator got
caught by a landmine in the gulf. At
least with Trent we didn't need more than one plastic bin
bag."

David's mouth seems to be running away with him now, and he
quickly attempts to drag his thoughts
back to the matter in hand. "The Canadian Government passed
it on," he says loudly. "Not normal
for a homicide, but it was known that the corps..er,
gentlemen in question was involved with yourself
and the Autobots. Since I was on the case the details were
passed to my partner first, then to me.
He felt I was better suited to informing you of the bad
news."

Candice lowers her hand as she begins to hug herself
tightly. She opens her eyes as she's addressed
and simply looks at Tonka. Truth is, she wasn't aware that
she *had* been crying. She opens her
mouth to respond but can't bring herself to do so She then
turns back to the Brit and Lia numbly. If
Lia indeed hit him, she certainly wouldn't stop it.

Ellis comes out of the command area, pulling his field
jacket tightly around him. Attached to his back
is a large jump pack, with a second one in his hands.

Lia snorts. "Oh, Aye. Tactless bugger like you, more suited
to something like this." She stands over
Mercer, her eyes still flashing as her voice lowers. "I
think ye be doin' enough damage here. I be
suggestin' ye leave afore somethin' horrible happens to you.

David Mercer stands, slush around his ankles, looking at
Candice quietly for a moment. For once
he's run out of things to say. Finally he speaks again,
muttering an apology. "Sorry about that Ms
Thompson." Then he looks at Lia. "I beg your pardon?" he
says snootily. "Calm down my dear. I
have as much right to be here as you."

Candice finds her voice. Quiet and low she finally answers
Tonka with, "It's Trent. He's...dead..."

David shoots a look at Candice and absently pats her on the
shoulder. "Were you close?" he asks,
rather pointlessly.

Ellis glances about, looking for someone, until the scene
unfolds fully. He watches quietly for a
moment, and sighs. "Better call her off..." he murmurs to
himself, and starts to approach Lia, but
none too fast, as long as she holds the advantage.

Tonka looks rather shocked. "Dead? As in non-functional? Can
he be rebuilt?"

Lia makes a grab for Mercer's arm. "Dinna ye be touchin'
her. Ye be causin' enough pain here
already."

Lia hit David Mercer with her Generic Attack Roll.

Candice's mouth falls open as her eyes betray her anger.

David Mercer looks down at the hand gripping his wrist and
frowns. "Really, violence at a time like
this..." He smiles a dry evil smile. "But then violence is
what the army is about."

Tonka finally realizes what is going on, and makes a leap
for Mercer's lapels.

Tonka hit David Mercer with his Generic Attack Roll.

Tonka grabs hold and gets right in Mercer's face. "What's
the big idea of hurting my friend!"

Candice ignores Tonka's question and aims her fist towards
Mercer's stomach. "Close?? We were
engaged!" she shouts

Candice hit David Mercer with her Generic Attack Roll.

Lia releases Mercer's wrist in surprise as Tonka launches
himself past her and onto Mercer. She
grabs for Tonka when she see's Candice launch the fist,
trying to protect the small Bot from getting
caught in the middle of this.

Tonka continues yelling, "I'll rip ya to shreds! I'll.."

Ellis frowns, and watches the situation fall apart, and
finally starts a running. "Whoa, whoa, calm
down!"

David Mercer looks down at the tiny Autobot scrabbling up
his front. "Who hurt her?" he snaps, his
head jerking forwards as he does so. "What's hurting her is
the fact someone she liked has had his
head blown to blazes." Suddenly he doubles up as Candice's
fist drives into his stomach, his glasses
flying off into the slush. His eyes boggle, well, one eye
does, the other just stares sightlessly, and he
coughs violently for a moment. "Ah...", he breaths at last.
"Fair do's then."

ROLL: Tonka's random Strength roll fails.

Candice finally finds the strength to stand up. "I *am*
calm!" she retorts to Ellis. Er,...well, actually
she isn't. But that's beside the point is it not?

Tonka isn't able to hold on when Trent goes down, splashing
into a puddle of slush. SPLOOSH!

Lia says, "Tonka! Be calmin' down for just a sec. Let
Candice be handlin' this part o' it."

Tonka isn't able to hear Lia from under water, and bobs up
spitting and spatting. The bath has
calmed him for the moment.

Silverbolt comes flying in a little unsteady, as he flies
through the air.

David Mercer straightens up almost immediately. His combat
training has left him able to recover
relatively quickly, and anyway a blow to the stomach isn't
that different from the feeling when you hit
Mach 1 in a Tornado. A slow fixed smile works it's way onto
his face and he looks around for his
glasses. "Don't shoot the messenger," he begins, then
realises the tactlessness of the expression
considering the situation. "Well, don't punch him in the
stomach anyway," he amends and bends
down to pick up his spectacles.

Lia GLARES at Mercer as she moves back over at Candice's
side. A united front of Femme Power
against Evil (if one were writing a comic book or
something).

Candice blinks, her face still wet and slick. "Oh, I can do
much worse," she snorts. But she takes a
step or two back. "Anything *else* you'd care to slam in my
face?"

David Mercer looks at the cracked lenses of his mirrored
sunglasses and sighs, eyes rolling
skywards. "Not at the moment," he mutters. "But if you do
happen to remember why your fianc‚
was in Vancouver, be sure to mention it."

Ellis slides to a stop, "That's enough." He finally states,
the poor misinformed voice of reason.

David Mercer crushes what remains of his shades in his hand
and flings them to the ground.

Tonka acks as they bounce of his head.

David Mercer looks around the group, his one good eye
darting from face to face. "Death is never
pretty," he states matter of factly.

Candice swallows. Poor girl. So many emotions rising at
once. "Get out of here."

Lia states in an experienced voice, "Nae. It isn't. Still,
ye coulda handled this better."

Ellis glances at David, and simply shakes his head. He's
lost, but not admitting it as he glances at Lia.

Lia is somewhat calmer now that Candice has actually punched
the guy. But her mother-hennish
instinct keeps her looking aggravated and annoyed.

Candice falters somewhat as she takes yet another step back.

Ellis just looks confused, but decides it's best to well...
"Mister Mercer, allow me to -escort- you
out." Not a question, or request. It borders on an order.

David Mercer bows. "If you insist," he says coldly. "I'm
sorry," he repeats, frowning slightly. "Ms.
Thompson, I..." He shrugs, with a slight air of irritation,
or possibly sorrow. "Should you want to
talk, I'll be in my quarters." With that he turns, striding
away towards the Ark...Well, squelching
away. As he passes his car he thumps it once, hard, setting
off a shrill alarm, which promptly turns
into the sound of two gun ports flipping open on it's
bonnet. He blinks frantically, desperately
rummaging through his pockets for his key fob and finally
manages to press a switch on it that makes
the small arms retreat back to safety.

David Mercer gives his car a filthy look, and head towards
the Ark, and hopefully some peace and
quiet to shoot the wall and shout a lot.

Ellis folds his arms, blocking the path to the Ark. "I said
out."

Lia gently touches Candice's shoulders. "Lass, is there
anythin' I can be doin' ta ease the pain?"

Silverbolt flies in closer and lands in a clearing, as the
SST lands it's somewhat unsteady and a rough
little landing.

David Mercer elbows Ellis aside. "Actually, I live here." he
scowls, pushing his way past. "Ask
Optimus."

Ellis suddenly shoves back. "I intent to. But until I do,
you can find a hotel."

Candice covers her ears at the sudden sound of gunfire and
sinks back to the boulder. Had it not
been for Lia's touch Candice would have outright bolted. She
shakes her head rather harshly in
response to Lia's offer. "I can't believe this is
happening."

David Mercer staggers back slightly, finger suddenly
pointing straight at Ellis. "Now now," he
scowls. "You don't say who enters the Ark and who doesn't."
he lowers his arm and makes a dart
for it. "Now if you'll excuse me."

ROLL: David Mercer's random Speed roll fails.

Silverbolt transforms into Robot mode.

Silverbolt suddenly seems to unfold, the wings fold up as
arms extend out. The front of the SST
folds back revealing a head. Before you is the Aerialbot
Commander, Silverbolt.

Ellis suddenly sweeps out a foot as David tries to squeeze
by, his left hand reaching for his 9 mm in
the same swift motion.

Ellis missed David Mercer with his Generic Attack Roll.

Silverbolt gets up rather shakily and looks around, making
sure no one has seen his unsteadiness. He
gathers himself and starts heading towards the Ark.

Lia kneels back down in the snow, ignoring the cold wetness
at her knees. "Ye won't believe me
now, Lass, and it's probably clich‚' ta be sayin' so, but
the pain. It does lessen some. I've been
where ye are now. Well, not with a fianc‚, but with me
folks. And I know how much it hurts. If ye
need anythin'; a drink, a good row, anythin', ye be lettin'
me know. Okay?"

David Mercer hops over the foot, and darts towards the
entrance. "I don't have time for this!" he
exclaims exasperated. "Now buzz off, I need some sleep."

Ellis misses the sweep, but the click of a 9 MM is
undeniable. "I said.. halt."

Stroud arrives from the east.

Stroud has arrived.

Candice is rather oblivious to the incoming air traffic,
being already preoccupied with her own
misery. She breaths in unsteadily. "It won't help," she
bites out.

Ellis says, "See, where you are wrong, is that as far as
humans are concerned, I am the one to go
through. And until Optimus says otherwise, you can sleep in
your car for all I care."

Silverbolt comes up upon the humans as he's about to head
into the ark, as gives a quick glance at
what's going on.

A black Jaguar sedan drives towards the group

David Mercer turns, his eye blazing with irritation.
"Indeed?" he asks coldly. "Can I ask you a
personal question? Exactly how does one get a bug up their
arse that big?" With that he starts to
trudge towards his car, flipping open the door and hoping
in. immediately protective shields slide up
to cover the glass of the windows, and effectively lock his
Jag to any unwanted visitors. With that an
aerial pops up from the boot and swivels, getting the best
beam to Washington.

The dark vehicle continues on its dusty path, throwing
debris into the atmosphere that can be seen
half a mile away, rising into the sky.

The truth is, Candice had been through this before. Her own
parents, as well as her brother were
killed in a Decepticon assault on Seattle. Most every other
relative turned there collective back on
her at that crucial time. Coupled with past betrayals and
pain, and now with the knowledge the one
she loved and trusted was now taken away as well...is it any
wonder she just a tad upset? "It's
useless," she whispers.

Lia says, "Nae, Lass. Tisn't useless. Might seem so
sometimes, but tisn't. Mayhap ye be needin' ta
do somethin' with yer hands for a while. Take yer mind off
o' things. What sorta things can ye do?"

Ellis turns to Lia and Candice. "Maybe you two should go
inside and talk." He suggests quietly,
setting himself as he watches the black Jag approaching.

Candice shivers, but it's more than just the cold chilling.
"Pictures," she muses, not hearing Ellis. "I
used to take pictures."

Lia glances up at Ellis and motions him closer for a quick,
serious whisper.

Candice just sits there staring, oblivious to her
surroundings.

Ellis steps back quietly, allowing Lia the moment to
whisper, still holding his second jump pack in his
free hand.

The car arrives, the engine is silenced, and the door begins
to open. John Stroud steps out and
shields his eyes from the sun.

You hear Lia mutter:
"I...too...she...just...findin'...with...shotgun...somewhere
...Vancouver,
I...ta...might o'...him?..."

Stroud says, "Hello ladies and gentlemen, I hope we're all
well?"

Stroud breathes the morning air.

Ellis freezes in his tracks, the extra pack dropping. He
actually shoots Lia a brief dirty look, before
he heads over to Candice. "I'll do everything I can,
Candice." he says, not adding anything else
behind it, before he straightens, and nods to Lia, walking
up to her, and murmurs quietly to her.

Stroud strolls at a brisk pace towards the group.

Candice sets her jaw but doesn't answer the newcomer. She
shivers slightly from the cold and
continues to hug herself. Carefully she gets up unsteadily
and steps away from the rock. To Ellis she
shakes her head no. "I don't -- I doubt it."

You hear Ellis mutter: "to...her...to
go...was...do...can,..."

Lia pats Candice on the shoulder. "Easy, Lass. Let him try.
Let's be gettin' ye ta the infirmary for a
nice cup o' hot cocoa and some rest. Okay?"

Lia nods quietly, and very gratefully, to Ellis, before
helping Candice back towards the volcano.

Candice gives Lia a brief glance and silently nods. Hot coco
sounds rather nice about now. She lets
herself be taken since she seems a bit shaken to do much on
her own. "Thanks," she words.

Stroud adopts what could be loosely considered, a concerned
expression.

Stroud says, "Is there a problem?"

Ellis glances at Stroud, and decides to run pass
interference, strolling right up, "Why, hello, Mister
Stroud, can I assist you? Please, let's walk this way."

Lia pats Candice reassuringly on the back. "Nae problem,
Lass. And if'n ye want, I be tellin' ye all
about the Fair Folk back in my hometown of Kinsale,
Ireland..." her voice trails off as she hears
Stroud's comment and she glances his way.

Stroud walks with Ellis

Ellis heads in the opposite direction of the ladies,
chatting about Britain/US relations, and other such
tobbyrot to buy the gals some time.

Candice grits her teeth. "Haven't those two Brits done
enough?" she bites out.

Stroud turns to Ellis as they walk. "I heard about that
Trent fellow, awful mess....really awful. Were
you friends?"

Ellis keeps himself quiet until he is well out of earshot.
"Funny how you Brits heard about this first."

Stroud says, "Well, it was rather...how can I put this?...."

Ellis grunts. "Don't start with me, Stroud. I know what a
scattergun can do."

<Next day...>


Dear Sqn Ldr David Mercer

You are cordially invited to attend the 1999 New Years Ball
at the British Embassy - Washington
DC in recognition of your Stirling work for peace and
humanity.

Chester Cornwell OBE / MBE / VC / MM

Please see over leaf for further details.

Admittance = 2 (Two)

------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------



Pacific Northwest

A mixture of level plains and vast forested mountain chains
compose much of thenorthwestern
regions of the United States. Shrubby low-lying deserts
alternate with forested and occasionally
tundra -- or ice capped -- mountains. The most prominent of
these are the Rocky Mountains,
extending in full from Canada to New Mexico.

Another mountainous chain, known as the Cascade Range of
Oregan and Washington is a lofty
range with a complicated geological history, one which
includes several alterations due to the nature
of volcanic activity.

These areas present the last refuge of many of the big game
animals that have been a favorite of
human hunters over the years: elk, pronghorn, moose, deer,
bighorn sheep, mountain goats, timber
wolves, and in some remote areas, brown bears.



The Jag comes to a halt, melted snow runs from the roof as
the brakes are applied.

Jec lifts his small laser pistol and takes aim at the target
that Prime set up, sighting down it carefully,
then squeezing the trigger. The thin red laser beam that
emits from his pistol pierces the target near
the center.

Candice steps a little away from the volcano as she pulls up
her hood. She slides a glove off briefly
to take a looksee at what lies inside and just *blinks* at
the invitation. A Ball? On New years's Eve?
But...how can she? She sighs dejectedly and shoves the
invitation back within the envelops and back
in her pocket before slipping her glove back on. "Hi,
Tonka," she greets half-heartedly as he skuttles
past her and towards the aforementioned field..

Optimus Prime nods at Jec's dead center hit. "Very good Jec.
I think you....eh?" he glances down as
something plinks off his foot. "Oh! Tonka, how are you?"

The drivers side door opens, and out steps Mr Stroud.

The reinforced windows on the jaguar parked outside the
Ark's entrance finally roll down, and
David Mercer hops out, his hair tousled and a new pair of
sunglasses shielding his eyes. He shakes
himself, attempting to get the creases out of his coat, then
stamps his feet in the cold air, looking
around.

Stroud waves to Mercer.

Candice continues walking and seems content to stay away
from the bulk of activity. She finally
notices the new visitors and slightly frowns...remembering
well her last meeting with them.
Immediately she tenses.

Tonka says, "I'm doing pretty good Prime. How's tricks?"

David Mercer gives Stroud an ugly look, stamping over to
him. "Did you bring my toothbrush," he
demands.

Stroud steps carefully through the snow, it crunches
underfoot.

Stroud says, "No, didn't you pack?"

Optimus Prime hmms and glances up from Tonka as Jec takes
another shot at the target, again
piercing it with ease. The Autobot Commander smiles behind
his faceplate in approval, then glances
back down at the tiny Tonka. "I can't complain. Things have
been relatively quiet and I'd be lying if I
said I wasn't grateful for it."

Stroud continues up the path, he pulls his coat further
around his shoulders.

David Mercer mutters something to himself, trying to brush
his hair into some semblance of style with
his hand. "No, all my stuff is left in the Ark. That damn
car is equipped with everything but what you
most need. A shower and a comb."

Stroud says, "Hmmm, perhaps you should mention it to Bob?"

Stroud makes a gesture to the crowd by the mountain.

Candice pulls the waist string more tightly to keep herself
warmer in her coat as she directs herself to
a nice little niche in the side of the mountain. It's
situated so the ice and snow are removed from it's
internal hearth. But she's not completely hidden as she
wants to be. She simply sits...

Stroud says, "Common, I've got some more news to give."

Stroud beckons Mercer.

Stroud raises his voice. "Excuse me?"

David Mercer shoots John a look. "He's dead, as you well
know,' he says with a hint of distress.
Finally he seems to be happy with his appearance and slaps
himself in the face a couple of times to
improve his circulation. He reaches into his pocket, pulling
out a plain, flat envelope. He stares at it
for a while. "Amazing. Even when I'm sleeping in my car the
post manages to find me."

Optimus Prime's trailer appears by some trick of the camera
angles and proceeds to transform to its
alternate mode, the claw arm immediately rises as a small
compartment with large discs opens up.

Optimus Prime dropped Prime's Trailer.

Stroud says, "Can I speak to Ms Thompson please?"

Stroud shouts above the breeze

David Mercer flips open the envelope as he follows John, his
lips moving as he reads. Oh great," he
groans. "A party."

Stroud continues briskly up the frozen path.

Optimus Prime watches as the claw arm of his trailer picks
up one of the small discs. "I must
remember to thank Wheeljack for helping me get this
setup...." he says, then turns back to Jec.
"Ready for some moving targets?"

David Mercer slips the envelope into his pocket and stares
at John's back, wondering exactly what
he's up to now. For once, though, it appears he's happy to
remain silent, his mood too black for him
to be bothered to even force a smile.

Candice overhears some shouting from nearby. She bristles at
first. but decides that she can't spend
all her time hiding. She...she steps out into the open.

Tonka spots Candice as she moves, and skitters over towards
her.

Jec nods enthusiastically. "All set here Prime!"

Tonka resumes his usual perch. "How ya feeling today
Candice? Did you get your eyes fixed?"

Stroud notices Candice and begins towards her.

Candice shrugs. "What do you need to speak with her about?"
she questions. Her guard is up as she
approaches. She gives Mercer a certain look and turns to
Stroud, keeping a small distance.

David Mercer staggers after John, then draws up sharply as
he notices Candi, holding his distance
for a moment. He winces slightly, then decides the he too
can't hide, and takes a step after his
partner.

Stroud says, "I'm afraid I have some rather unfortunate news
concerning the late Mr....er...Trent."

Optimus Prime calls out towards his trailer. "Pull!" sure
enough, the arm whips forward and lets the
large discus fly through the air, spinning on its course as
Jec begins to take aim....

Stroud adopts his well practised concerned expression.

Candice flickers a glance to Tonka, somewhat confused. And
then she remembers. "Uh, sorta," she
answers. I'll tell you a little more later, kay?" She
immediately turns to Stroud as he approaches.
"What more could there be?" she intones to John. "Isn't the
fact that he's dead *enough*?"

David Mercer pulls up behind John. "Mr Castanaveras," he
says, effortlessly.

Stroud says, "Well, no...He's still dead, that is correct."

Jec's laser pistol flares as he tries to hit the
disc.......missing by the space of a few metres. He frowns
slightly as it continues on its way.....undamaged.

Silverbolt is flying unsteadily in the air, patrolling his
usual areas.

Candice sighs. "Then what is it," she states impatiently.
"Out with it."

David Mercer looks to his partner, ready to admit that he's
interested in that very question. In his
experience death isn't something to keep harping on about.
While he waits, he starts to go through
the contents of his pockets, using his glasses and the
activity to shield himself from catching Candi's
gaze.

Stroud says, "But I understand, well, Captain Johnson was
it? Yes, Ellis Johnson, he said you were
hoping to deal with the remains rather quickly?"

Stroud says, "Is that the case?"

Stroud looks down at a notebook.

Optimus Prime nods in response however. "It's all right Jec.
It isn't easy. You have to hold it
somewhat more steadily." He brings out his own large laser
rifle and sets it up a couple of notches.
"Now watch my grip and the way I track the disc. Pull!" with
that the trailer whips its arm back and
lets another disc sail through the air......

Candice falls silent for the moment. "First...where are the
remains...that he could be properly
buried?"

ROLL: Optimus Prime's random Skill roll succeeds.

Candice lifts a hand to help Tonka maintain his balance
should she get weak in the knees again...

Stroud says, "Well, in a funny old sort of a way....we don't
know..."

Stroud says, "sorry"

David Mercer drops his note pad, stamping quickly on it
before it can flip open to display the rather
grisly picture of Trent, and bends down to retrieve it. He
flips a look at Optimus, meaning to speak
with him about Ellis barring him entrance to the Ark, and
also wondering vaguely who his companion
is.

Candice blinkyblinks. "What do you mean you *don't* know?
Where *is* he??"

Stroud says, "Well, the chaps up in Canada, sort of...er,
lost him."

Stroud says, "awful business really. Shocking"

Stroud shakes his head.

Tonka watches the two, keeping a very close eye on them, and
this time, he's keeping his cool. So
far.

Silverbolt spots Optimus as he circles back, looking to land
in behind him, he's still a little unsteady,
but looks better than he did before.

David Mercer shoots Stroud and inquisitive glance. "I
thought you told me the Canadians had it," he
says, breaking his silence. "Dammit John, you were supposed
to be taking care of all that."

Candice openly scowls. "What do you mean *lost* him?"

Optimus Prime raises his laser rifle and lets loose with one
of his more high powered blast, as the
discharge of the weapon kicks back enough to even make him
grunt slightly. The result is a thick
beam of energy utterly annihilating the disc within the
space of a few seconds.

David Mercer looks irritable. "You get me out here to tell
this poor girl he fiance's dead, then you go
and loose the body? Nice one."

Stroud says, "Well David, apparently they've had a bit of a
cold spell over the last week or so, and
people have been dropping like flies."

Stroud says, "They just, misplaced him."

Candice sets her jaw. "You don't just *misplace* someone."

Stroud looks at the ground.

Optimus Prime raises his rifle again. "See? You can do it.
Keep practising and it won't take you
long."

David Mercer looks at Stroud. "John does, apparently."

Stroud says, "These things happen, you're just going to have
to bear with me..."

David pushes his glasses further up his nose, hiding his
eyes completely. "Did you check 'lost and
found?'"

Silverbolt lands in behind Optimus as he transforms...and
then walks over to Optimus.

Silverbolt transforms into Robot mode.

Silverbolt suddenly seems to unfold, the wings fold up as
arms extend out. The front of the SST
folds back revealing a head. Before you is the Aerialbot
Commander, Silverbolt.

Optimus Prime pauses as he catches sight of movement behind
him and glances back. "Ah
Silverbolt." his rifle disappears from his hands. "What can
I do for you?"

Stroud says, "See, he was bagged an labelled over a week
ago, but ink smudges..."

Candice takes a step back...more out of instinct than
anything. "You'll have to excuse me but...I'm
not bearing very well right now..."

Tonka looks at Candice. "Is it me, or is the bull getting a
little deep from these two as you humans
say."

Stroud says, "There there....."

David Mercer rubs his nose and sighs. "Things always get
lost in the post."

Silverbolt stands next to Optimus as he glances at the gumby
practising his firing, "I wanted to speak
to you about possibly building a large base. With so many
Autobots we're running out of room."

Jec meanwhile just raises his rifle and gets ready to keep
practising.

Stroud says, "I'm sure he'll turn up."

David Mercer stares at Stroud and just shakes his head.

Optimus Prime blinks at Silverbolt's statement. "Where did
you have in mind?"

David Mercer finally turns to look at Candice, a grimace of
chagrin distorting his features for a
moment. "You okay Ms Thompson?" he asks quietly.

Candice snorts in response. She remarks to the tiny Autobot,
"Very good observation," while
musing. She bites back her addition that perhaps Tonka
should go into recon. But there's not really
fair to take out her frustrations on *him*. "He better," she
states to the Brits darkly.

Stroud says, "I remember in the Sudan once, a colleague of
mine went missing for three years, but
they found him, and now he's on his old Mum's mantle, so you
see, things do work out."

Silverbolt stands there, "Well, I was thinking with the
speed of my Aerialbots we could be a
separate base. But then I thought it wouldn't really solve
the problem for the other Autobots.
Possibly, if we spoke with the humans we could get a city
built?" he says somewhat hesitantly.

Stroud "there there" s again.

Candice just sort of *stares* at Stroud. "Don't you two have
anything better to do?" She's obviously
able to handle herself a bit more than two days ago.

Tonka doesn't appear that way, and he's starting to hit
boiling.

Stroud says, "Well, it is Christmas, we're on a break."

Optimus Prime rubs his chin for a moment. "A city? That's
quite an undertaking."

David Mercer's ear prick up, his attention ripped from
Candice towards the Autobot leader. He
gives a little shrug. "Er...well, I do. John, make sure Ms
Thompson is okay, alright?"

David Mercer nods to the trio and turns and stalks towards
Optimus. As he reaches them he coughs
politely.

Candice hmphs...maybe they should each have something broken
then. She stops as Stroud hands
her something. "What's this?"

Stroud says, "I believe you have been invited already, but
this one is embossed."

Silverbolt nods, "But I'm sure we could get it done. With
Grapple, Hoist, Wheeljack, and Ratchet,
plus the other Autobots we could get it built. The number of
Autobots we have in the Ark is making
things very crowded."

Lia comes out of the volcano entrance, putting on her gloves
in anticipation of playing in the snow.

Stroud says, "could you give this one to Mr Johnson?"

David Mercer coughs louder, eventually giving Optimus's leg
a kick to draw his attention.

Candice's eyes widen. Hmm. "Well, I'll give it to him at
least."

Optimus Prime nods. "That's something that would have to be
investigated upon...."

Optimus Prime blinks.

Optimus Prime glances down at the kick.

Candice sighs... "But why am I given *two* invitations of my
own?"

Silverbolt follows Prime's gaze as he looks down.

David Mercer stares up at Optimus. "Excuse me, but I
couldn't help overhearing..."

David Mercer says, "Did you mention the word...base?"

Stroud says, "Red tape. But this is a little more personal,
don't you think?"

Stroud says, "Bring a date...Oh, sorry"

Lia overhears the comment "invitations" and decides to
interrupt the conversation. "Invitations? So
there were others sent out too? What be goin' on?" Her tone
is casual interest.

Optimus Prime kneels down for a more eye to eye level with
David. Well.....not really more eye to
eye but closer anyway. "Well....we -did- mention the word
yes. Its only an idea currently."

Stroud says, "I believe you were mentioned too"

Stroud says, "Though, not by name..."

Stroud smiles.

David Mercer nods slowly and stares at Optimus for a few
moments. "Rather like the idea we
discussed for an Autobot base in Great Britain?" he hints
obviously.

Candice shudders at that remark. She offers Stroud another
cold glance before reaching into her
pocket to give Lia her extra invitation as well as
Johnson's. "Here. Some...kind of New Year's Ball.
You and Ellis would probably have a fun time."

Tonka keeps a very close eye on Stroud. Considering his
response the other night, this isn't a good
thing.

Optimus Prime hmmms and rubs his chin thoughtfully at
Mercer's statement. "It's no small
undertaking....."

Stroud grins at Lia smugly.

David Mercer smiles, then says quietly, "The construction of
a base in our country never would be.
But if you are considering a base outside the US and we're
offering you a place to build one, I think
that would be what I refer to as ruddy good timing."

Lia pulls her own invitation out of her pocket to compare it
to the one she was just handed. "I
already got one. Thank ye, though. Sounds like fun."

Stroud says, "Well, that's one way to describe it."

Stroud says, "I imagine."

Candice shrugs lightly. "Yeah...Suppose it would. Hope you
and Ellis have a nice time. I'm *not*
going."

Optimus Prime quickly snaps off a reply and returns his
attention to Mercer again. He nods slowly.
"Indeed. Although currently I think it would serve as an
extension of our current base...." he pauses
and glances at Silverbolt. "Perhaps a forward one for the
Aerialbots could be established."

Hun-Grrr still w atches the going on below, plotting
something.

Stroud looks Lia up and down. "Do *you* have any formal
clothing?"

Laserbeak , unknown to anyone, glides into the area
silently. He is always ready to spy on the
Autobots...you never know when useful information might pop
up.

Silverbolt nods slightly to David Mercer, "But if I might
interject about an overseas base, we'd be
divided in our forces. Most of our troops are not flight or
water capable."

Optimus Prime speaks quietly into his radio.

Stroud looks at Candice "But you must go!"

Tonka nods to Candice, and gets a mischievous grin. He
continues his observations of Stroud.

David Mercer holds up a finger. "But you and
your...Aerialbots are?" he enquiries. Observation of
Silverbolt's earlier transformation and the fact they're
called 'Aerialbots' don't make this a particularly
astute observation.

Lia says, "And why not, Lass? It sounds like the perfect
opportunity ta get yer hand back inta yer
pictures and take your mind off o' things."

Candice narrows her eyes to Stroud. "And why's that?" She
then tells Lia. "Maybe...I just don't feel
like partying."

Stroud says, "Because...er, you're the guest of honour! Yes,
that's it!"

Silverbolt nods, "We are...but that would mean limiting 5 of
us to cover the rest of the world."

Candice blinkblinks. "Uh...me?"

Optimus Prime motions at the same time. "Skyfire could
accompany you as well. Like I said this
would be a small outpost to begin with."

Stroud says, "Of course you!"

Tonka says, "Somehow that strikes me as incredibly
convenient."

Stroud looks as though he's concentrating.

Lia looks surprised at the note that Candice is the guest of
honour.

Candice hmms. "Why? Why *me* of all people?"

David Mercer looks up at Optimus prime. "Not the rest of the
world as such, but..." He shrugs.
"Our satellites have picked up what appears to be an Autobot
ship floating around up there. I
assume you're not alone patrolling the planet."

Stroud says, "For.....Your sterling work for humanity, and
interstellar relations....yes, that's why. We
would have chosen Ellis too, but we don't think he'd look so
good in a ball gown."

Tonka says, "You're making that stuff up, pal. Spill the
truth."

Stroud looks down suddenly, noticing Tonka for the first
time. "Eugh!!"

Stroud says, "Christmas toys are great these days, aren't
they?"

Optimus Prime motions with one hand. "Yes we do keep our
eyes open wherever we can....." he
admits. "But having another solid base of operations would
mean more area covered lower to the
ground."

Candice furrows her brow. She doesn't exactly look like
she's buying it. And she doesn't want to be
placed on display. She steadies Tonka. "Stroud, he has about
as much right to speak as you or I do.
Leave Tonka alone."

Tonka says, "Christmas toys? Hey, watch it pal."

Silverbolt nods and waits to see what are Optimus's complete
thoughts on the base idea.

Lia crosses her arms over her chest as she makes her way
over to Candice and listens to what
Stroud is saying.

Stroud continues to stare at Tonka. "Does Santa know there's
a hole in his sack?"

Tonka says, "All right, that does it! BONSAI!!"

Tonka leaps at Stroud, trying to grab for his lapels.

ROLL: Tonka's random Skill roll succeeds.

Stroud says, "I SAY!!!"

Candice steps back half a step almost protectively...until
Tonka leaps that is. "Tonka, wait!"

Tonka grabs hold, and gets in Stroud's face. This is a
familiar sight to Mercer.

Optimus Prime nods for a moment. "Now.....I think that if we
were able to....." he's cut off by
several shouts and yells.

Tonka says, "you wanna say that to my face punk! Go ahead,
make my Christmas!"

Stroud says, "Ugh, HONESTLY!!!"

Lia shakes her head, chuckling softly. "I be thinkin' I not
wanna be in that little Bot's way anytime
soon."

David Mercer swings round, his hand slapping into his face
as he catches sight of Tonka grappling
with his partner. "Oh dear," he exclaims.

Stroud says, "Were you a stocking filler?"

Silverbolt looks over, "Wha, in Primus?" as whispers to
himself watching the scene.

Optimus Prime blinks in surprise at what's happening.
"T..Tonka! What are you doing!?"

Candice takes a few steps forward to try and restrain the
little Autobot. "Tonka, calm down. It's
alright."

Stroud shakes violently.

Tonka wriggles in Candice's hand as she pulls him off. "I'm
small and proud of it!!"

Stroud straightens his tie. "Well.....quite.."

Candice takes several steps back holding Tonka gently, but
firmly now. "You best watch your
mouth, Stroud. Not everyone tolerates your lack of
thoughtfulness."

Tonka begins to calm down as he hangs from Candice's hand.
"Oooh, I ..ooooh..."

Optimus Prime sighs for a moment and glances back towards
Mercer.

Stroud says, "I'm perfectly tactful, If your boyfriend
wasn't dead, you'd see that."

Candice winces audibly and catches her breath. "Take. That.
Back." she warns menacingly.

Stroud says, "Take that...back?"

Stroud shrugs

Tonka starts wriggling again, madder than ever. "I'll tear
him apart! Lemme at him! No one talks to
Candice like that when I'm around!!"

Lia taps her toe as she just STARES at Stroud. "Lad, ye
ain't doin' much good bringin' up subjects
like that. That tisn't tact. It's plain stupidity. Now
apologise to the Lass."

Optimus Prime is still blissfully unaware due to the
overhang of activity around the place and
addresses Mercer again. "What do you have left to do
concerning Autobot/British relations?" he
seems thoughtful. Is this it?? Is he on the verge of a
decision??

Stroud says, "I'm sorry he's dead! Better?"

Candice shakes somewhat and lowers Tonka to the ground.
before she even realises she pulls back
a fist just like she had done to Mercer the other day.

Candice hit Stroud with her punch attack.

David Mercer's eyes catch Optimus's. "Do you think this
would be a good time to shake hands?" he
asks brightly. "To be perfectly honest the deal is this -
You can establish a base in Britain, that will
offer you greater freedom of Europe and beyond. In return we
ask simply for protection when
possible. Oh and that I continue to act as your liaison..."

Tonka says, "Yeah! Kick his butt!"

Stroud buckles and crouches to the floor.

Stroud says, "eugh...*coough*....wasn't I sincere enough?"

Candice punches the unsightly Brit in the stomach. "I'm
getting tired of you insensitive sticking the
knife in!"

David Mercer pauses as he sees Stroud drop, his face
darkening. "John -won't- be involved," he
says darkly.

Optimus Prime blinks again as his 'about to make a decision'
disappears as Candice proceeds to let
Stroud have it. His mouth plate moves but no sound is coming
out.......

Stroud staggers to his feet, showing perhaps more pain than
was actually felt.

Tonka skitters over to Stroud and begins kicking him in the
foot.

Optimus Prime is just......too........shocked.

Stroud coughs again, before looking down at Tonka." Tell me
little one, do you transform into a
roller skate?" *Cough*

Lia reaches over to grab Candice's hand. "Easy, Lass.
Eeeeasyyyy. Just calm down for a wee
moment. I understand you're a wee bit upset, but maybe this
ball thing is just what ye be needin' ta
relax." She bends over as if to whisper something in
Candice's ear.

Blitzwing arrives from the west.

Candice watches Stroud carefully. She doesn't move to stop
Tonka this time unless Stroud moves
against the lil Bot.

Optimus Prime's mouth plate moves again. "Uh...er...yes." is
all he manages to answer Mercer.

Tonka whips out his little laser, and takes aim at Stroud's
nose.

Tonka hit Stroud with his laser attack.

Optimus Prime's optics widen. "Tonka!!"

Stroud says, "wha?"

Silverbolt just stands there looking at the situation.

David Mercer looks up at Prime, his comment suddenly cutting
off as John is shot, as tiny spray of
blood bursting from his nose. "Jesus-wept!"

You hear Lia mutter: "calm...may...these people...know......
untimely...it...."

Tonka says, "How's it feel buddy!"

Optimus Prime actually reaches down and picks up the wee
little tiny Autobot in case he gets ready
to fire again.

David Mercer shifts uncomfortably, then starts to follow
Optimus towards the group. The faint smile
on his face to slowly fading, replaced by a look of
irritation. "Good way start to an alliance," he
snaps, inwardly fuming at the poor timing.

Stroud is caught cleanly on the nose, the surgical precision
laser burning into his skin.

Stroud says, "AAAAGhhhhHHH"

Blitzwing cruises in the upper atmosphere, just below the
cloud line. His purple frame nothing more
then a streak as his afterburners glow blue.

Candice bites out to the Brit, "Get out..."

Stroud grabs at a hanky and begins to pad his face, which is
turning red with rage.

Stroud bends down to grab some cool snow.

Optimus Prime's optics remain widened, as he holds Tonka in
one hand. "Tonka! Why did you do
that!?" he glances towards John as Candice bites out
something. He finally comes to a decision and
stands to his full height, voice raising enough of an
octave. "All right! Everyone stop right now!"

David Mercer raises an eyebrow at Optimus. "it appears we
both have people in need of discipline,"
he says loudly. "But I'm sure such problems can rapidly be
overcome."

Stroud says, "MERCER!!! Do something nasty to that little
toybot!~"

David Mercer blanks Stroud completely, his attention riveted
on the Autobot commander.

Lia's words finally register and Candice calms herself down
a little and nods.

Tonka is so filled with anger, he can't even think of a good
reason. He just sits there in OP's hand,
rationality and reason slowing winning the battle in his
mind.

Optimus Prime glances down towards the humans, still holding
Tonka in his hand. "Mr.Stroud, (he
gathered that much from the name he was hearing) I would
thank you kindly if you kept your
opinions about my Autobots to yourself. Tonka....." he
raises the tiny little robot to look at him.
"Don't -ever- pull your weapon on a human again."

Tonka just merely nods, but his face shows he's still pretty
ticked.

You hear Lia mutter: "givin'..the run
around..gettin'..fiance's..ta..
Somethin'...dinnae...want...about.
Only...ta be...playin'..."

David Mercer finally acknowledges John, giving him a look of
pure malice, before a slight grin snaps
back into place.

Stroud continues to melt snow onto his face.

Candice reluctantly nods in response.

David Mercer waits for the situation to die down a minute
before he speaks again. "Oi, John, there's
a medical kit in my Jag, mate."

You hear Lia mutter: "we'll...cannae spring...for...some
ballgowns...beautiful
diplomats...ourselves...."

Stroud looks at the little bot with what can only be
described as a look of purest evil. "Nice
shot...yes...nicely done there..."

Optimus Prime turns towards Mercer, all hesitation gone as
he becomes quite business like.
"Consider this settled. Whatever paperwork now can be
finished and it can be made official . There
will now be an Autobot/British alliance and you can continue
as the liaison. Regretfully, if Mr.Stroud
wishes to continue to be allowed on Autobot soil then he
must learn to curb his opinions somewhat."

Lia chuckles as she whispers her last comment to Candice, a
glint of anticipation in her green eyes.

Tonka returns the comment, his words dripping ice. "Any time
pal."

Candice manages to slow her breathing a little as she wipes
at her eyes with her coat sleeve as she
gives Lia yet another nod. "I--I suppose..."

David Mercer nods sharply. "Thank you," he grins, extending
a hand. "And I assume this mean
Captain Ellis will be informed -not- to bar me from my
quarters in the Ark from now on?"

Stroud attempts to shield his nose wound from Candice.

Candice whoahs inwardly. "*Inside* the Ark?"

Lia pats Candice on the back gently. "There's a lass. We'll
get ye a gown and somethin' nice ta
decorate yerself with. If nothin' else, ye can spend yer
time takin' pictures o' the place we're at."

David Mercer glances at John. "The Jag.." he mutters in a
slight warning tone.

Optimus Prime reaches down and gently takes David's hand
between his two fingers. He nods in
turn, and produces a small pin which he hands over.
"Identification purposes if required."

Candice . o O(Better not be Trent's Quarters...)

David Mercer takes the pin, dropping it into his pocket.
"Pleasure doing business with you," he
smiles, and looks between Silverbolt and Optimus.
"Now...will you be requiring building materials
for the construction of your base?"

Candice mutters. "I guess." She still doesn't care much for
the idea however and scrowls somewhat
at Stroud.

Stroud catches Candice's gaze, and smiles thinly.

Optimus Prime motions with one hand. "We haven't even
decided yet if we -are- going to build one
there. That will be something to be discussed however."

Blitzwing speaks quietly into his radio.

David Mercer holds up a finger, shooting John a quick
glance. "Would you excuse me a brief
moment, I believe my partner requires medical attention..."
He pauses. "Or soon will do," he mutters
under his breath.

Optimus Prime nods. "Of course."

Candice gives Lia a glance and then turns to Optimus.
"Prime...could...you let Tonka down? I want
to ask him something."

David Mercer stamps towards John, giving Candice and Lia an
apologetic grin. "Excuse us won't
you ladies?" he says brightly, and turns to John, his face
suffusing into a look of pure hate. "C'mon,
we'll get something to put on that."

Stroud follows Mercer.

Dice arrives from the south.

Dice has arrived.

Stroud says, "I'll survive!"

Lia squeezes Candice's arm in gentle reassurance before
releasing it.

Prime's trailer suddenly extends a tiny radar dish in
reaction to something, beginning to circle around
slowly. The Autobot Commander himself noticably
stiffens.....

David Mercer hisses, "Not if you don't go and sit in the car
quietly for a minute or two."

Dice comes rumbling along, somewhere in the distance.

Stroud says, "Don't threaten me flyboy!"

Candice hmphs at the two Brits as they leave the small
group. "Please do..."

Dice humms and emits a lot of happy tunes from her speakers,
painted all nice and white like a UN
tank now...

David Mercer says, "I haven't even started yet."

David Mercer gives Stroud a shove towards his car, flipping
open the passenger door and reaching
in.

Stroud says, "I'll break your face off, I'm more than in the
mood!"

Stroud moves reluctantly

David Mercer backs out, clutching a medical box which he
drops onto the bonnet.

Dice drives up towards the Ark as fast as she can, getting a
radio signal on broadband...well...fast as
she can ain't that fast...tanks aren't known for speed, as
it is.

Candice sees Optimus as being preoccupied. She steps over
some more of the snow and taps on his
ankle...

Optimus Prime seems somewhat more concerned about something
else, glancing to the skies
carefully as he leans down towards Candice as she approaches
him.

Candice manages a lopsided grin as the wheels in her head
get an idea. "Uh...could you let down
Tonka for a sec?"

David peers at John's nose for a second, then gives it a
prod with his finger. "Hmm, nasty."

Dice HOOONKS and drives up to the Autobot Commander,
"Sir...should I do a sweep of the
area? Might be cloaked enemies skulking around.."

Stroud says, "OUCH!!!"

David Mercer flips open the box handing Stroud a bright blue
sticking plaster.

Candice jumps at the rather loud horn. Sheesh...and she
thought Omega Supreme was noisy!

Stroud says, "Careful"

Dice turns on her infrared scanners.

Dice's infrared unstealths Laserbeak!!

Optimus Prime gently hands Tonka down towards Candice
whispering something to the tiny
Autobot before fully giving him over.

Dice turns on her sensors and does an all over sweep of the
area.

Dice levels her turret cannon in the direction she picked up
Laserbeak, "Over there.", she emits.

Optimus Prime is already standing with his laser rifle in
hand. He barks a quick order, "Candice! Lia!
Get back to the mountain quickly!"

Blitzwing speaks quietly into his radio.

Optimus Prime turns towards where Dice is pointing, raising
his rifle. "All right Laserbeak. The game
is up. You and I have to have a 'talk' too."

Dice wrrroooms her engines, "Sir, ready to commence firing
on your orders, if deemed necessary.",
she emits.

Lia pulls out her barretta and grabs Candice's arm. "When a
commander speaks like that, Lass, it's
time ta do as he says."

David Mercer looks up at the sudden curfuffle. "Hmm, this
could be interesting,"

Stroud looks up from the first aid box as things begin to
happen.

Candice stands there for a moment until...well...her own
little training comes in. "Looks like the Bots
are going to have their own party," she manages.

Blitzwing speaks quietly into his radio.

Lia starts pulling Candice back towards the volcano,
automatically obeying the voice of command as
she was trained to.

David Mercer shoots John a quick glance, sighing audibly.
"Just remember, first sign of trouble, the
Jag is equipped with armour plate."

Laserbeak is perched high up in a tree when he suddenly
realises somethings wrong. He looks
around and then hears Prime talk. His eyes flare with some
alarm as he jerks himself to attention.

Dice pops her hatch, "I can take humans in here. They'll be
well protected sir."

Stroud says, "They won't shoot at us, trust me Dave."

Optimus Prime nods. "And keep your scanners up," he says,
beginning to advance towards where
Dice is pointing.

Candice calls out, "Just give us cover fire," she yells back
breathlessly, overhearing Dice.

David Mercer shrugs, leaning back against the bonnet of his
car to rifle through his pockets. He pulls
out a small bag and passes it to John. "Humbug?" he asks,
giving his partner a wary glance. He
pauses. "Gonna tell me what that was all about?"

Blitzwing speaks quietly into his radio.

Hun-Grrr still watches the going on below from his spot atop
the mountain peek, plotting something.

Stroud replies to David's question. "No!"

Dice swivels her smaller turret towards Beak and "grins",
"Al right, cover fire it is.", she emits.

Laserbeak watches with growing alarm as Prime comes closer
and closer to his position. Slag it all!
He hops up and glides away, swerving through the treetops,
keeping an eye on Prime.

Stroud says, "David, hand me those binoculars please?"

Dice says, "Do we open fire on him, sir, or do we wait?"

Candice notes, while running, Lia appears to be more
physically fit. Drat. Well...they weren't far
from the volcanic entrance anyway. Candice continues to hold
onto Tonka as the trio reach the
gaping mouth.

Optimus Prime watches as Laserbeak takes to the air, firing
a few warning shots for good
measure......and to help convince the birdy to -keep-
running.

Optimus Prime raises one hand towards Dice. "Its all right.
Let him go."

David Mercer reaches into the car, pulling out a pair of
apparently normal binoculars.

David Mercer hands them to John. "I thought you had blood of
ice."

Stroud says, "ha ha ha"

Dice wrrr's her engines again, "Acknowledged, sir."

Optimus Prime lowers his hand as he gets wind of -another-
presence from inside.

Stroud puts the bins to his eyes.

Laserbeak casts a glance back with some relief. Then he
notices Dice. Hmmm..did she have
something to do with this?

Lia pulls Candice inside.

Dice looks like a tank that would stick its tongue out at
Laserbeak...if it had a tongue.

Stroud watches Laserbeak through the binoculars.

Dice oh damns..."Sir...that's a lot of bogeys..."

Laserbeaks eyes narrow with menace. This Bot will pay for
that...but not when she's got so much
company...

Optimus Prime seems to nod to the latest radio channel and
stands quietly, weapon still raised. "Just
wait Dice....only a little longer and we'll know where they
all are."

Stroud says, "See that bird Mercer? Twin turbofans, very
simple, but the appear to be effective, I
don't know, you're the expert?"

Stroud passes Mercer the binoculars

David Mercer gives Stroud a sidelong glance and scratches
the side of his nose, keeping the other
eye on the Autobots. "That bird packs quite a punch, doesn't
she? reminds me of my old drill
instructor, but with tits."

Stroud rubs his stomach

David Mercer takes the binoculars and peers through them.
"Hmm, Aerial Decepticon? Those fans
appear to be some kind of jet propulsion. Check out the
intake grill at the front." He pauses, his
training kicking in slightly as he examines the Decepticon
from afar. "Be interested to take a look at
it. Something as un-aerodynamic as that shouldn't be able to
get off the ground."

Stroud says, "Yes, Laserbeak"

Dice nods her turret gun a few times to Optimus, "Al right,
you're the boss, sir."

Optimus Prime hmmms at that last message.

Stroud whispers, "He's an infiltrator I believe."

Laserbeak can hear bits and pieces of this conversation as
he flies off...he twirls in mid-air as if to
say Yes, it's me...watch yourself! then he glides out of
sight into the forest.

David Mercer shoots John another quick glance, frowning
slightly. "I'm not sure this if the best time
to be playing name that birdie," he says meaningfully.

Stroud smiles, and nods

Optimus Prime speaks quietly into his radio.

Blitzwing speaks quietly into his radio.

Optimus Prime speaks quietly into his radio.

Blitzwing banks from his high formation, dropping down to a
lower altitude.

Optimus Prime blinks as he gets a radio message from an
individual he wasn't expecting.

Dice growls and raises her turret cannon towards the
incoming Blitzwing and sets the supports on
the side down to get a better grip, "Sir, incoming."

Stroud watches the bird pass.

Optimus Prime glances upwards as Blitzwing comes into view.
"Why do I find it difficult to believe
you?" he states evenly, but calmly.

David Mercer pats John on the shoulder. "Gotta go report
in," he says sharply. "What's it worth not
to mention what a total balls up you almost had?"

Stroud says, "Your tongue!"

Stroud says, "Common, I'll tell you more about...you know
who...in the car."

Blitzwing starts to slow, and transforms about 500 feet
above the others. It is clearly obvious that he
wears no Decepticon insignia, as there are a pair of black
burn marks where they used to stand.

Stroud glances casually up at Blitzwing.

David Mercer smirks. "Okay, business here appears to be
concluded for the day."

Blitzwing transforms into Robot mode.

Blitzwing shifts and grinds, his cannon moving to his back,
his wings along with it. His tailfins slide
down to form feet, and he stands up.

Stroud says, "Yes, are you going to say cheerio?"

Stroud watches Blitz as he climbs into his black sedan.

David Mercer reaches into his car, rummaging inside for a
moment, then stands and watches for a
moment. "I think I'll leave it," he says brightly. "Don't
want to interrupt anything."

Stroud reaches into the dash board and removes a microphone
attached to a radio.

Stroud speaks quietly into his radio.

David Mercer slams his car door shut, flicking the button on
his key fob that raises the plating over
the windshields and treble locks all the doors. He nods
sharply, then hops into the passenger side of
John's car. "Already to go," he says brightly. "Let's get
back to the embassy, might be something
good on the telly." He nods towards the standoff.

Stroud starts his car, slamming the door as he does so.

Blitzwing crosses his arms to regard the humans and Autobots
below, nothing but content for them
both. His radio flares, and he casts his gaze towards the
area Stroud is in. Yelling boorishly, "What
-type- of plans -do- you have for the humans, pathetic
fool?" He says fool with a tinge of sarcasm,
sounding somewhat like Starscream?

Laserbeak was headed out...no need to risk himself further
..when he sees Blitz come in. Aha!
Suddenly interested again, he turns in midswoop and heads
back, staying farther away this time and
perching in a spot where he can keep an eye on Dice.

Laserbeak stays out of Blitz's sight.

David Mercer says, "Okay, it's something or other miles to
Washington, it's light, and we're wearing
sunglasses...erm, shall we go?"

Stroud speaks quietly into his radio.

Stroud says, "Yes, let's go"

The sedan pulls away, the winter tyres squeaking.

Blitzwing optics flare, and he 'freefalls' directly next to
Stroud, sending low level tremors through the
surrounding ground. He looks directly at him, practically
yelling, "What type of MUTUAL friend?"

Dice spots Laserbeak coming back towards and swings her
smaller gun around on top of the turret
to follow his movements, "don't even thinkaboutit, Con."

David Mercer waves through his wound down window. "Have
fun," he calls loudly as the car pulls
away.

The car does not respond to Blitzwing's antics.

Laserbeak blinks and snarls a bit as he flies away even
further...heading out of sight over a hill.