NEW ADDITION

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

Starcraft's central optic clicks. "Information." he says.
"Where I have been working, it is customary to offer
something for something." His voice seems to have a slight
tone of disdain creeping in, but it fights with the
limitations of his crude vocalizer. "The Consortium has left
earth." He allows that to sink in.

Starcraft is standing before Optimus Prime, his presence
unnerving, and intensely mysterious.

Optimus Prime hmmmms. Even though this was something he
already knew was coming....thanks to a certain other
consortium member that will remain nameless.....it
nevertheless gives the final confirmation. "I
see..........and what comes next?"

Starcraft tilts his head in a gesture that is unfamiliar,
coming from him. "That is what I am here to discuss." he
says.

Candice flickers a glance around and steps further
out...mindful to stay clear of the main "road" of traffic.
She spots a small gathering at a small distance as she hears
voices nearby. As she rounds a bend within the hardened rock
she blinks at the small group in conversation.

Optimus Prime nods again. "Very well then. You may bring up
what is is you wish to discuss....." being in business mode
right now.....Prime's face remains somewhat impassive
throughout all of this.

Grimlock listens with half an audial receptor, not looking
terribly interested.

Candice pauses on her trek and stops where she is. She looks
towards the others present and then refocuses on the
commander and Starcraft...

Starcraft's face is totally... not inhuman, but non-human,
so his expression is a total mystery. "The Consortium left
earth last night, according to this global time-reference."
he emits. "But as you see, I am still here." his three-digit
hand flexes with a hiss. His hands, too, seem to be basic,
just like his vocal apparatus. "I was unwilling to abandon
this planet, and all that it has to offer for Cybertron."
His secondary optics dim slightly. "I wish to discuss
less... commercial means of helping our home."

Optimus Prime arches an optic ridge slightly......followed
by a slow nod. This seems to be happening all over lately.
"Go on....."

Candice leans against the rocky wall...listening as well.

Starcraft's servos hiss. "I have been a sl..." he cuts off.
"An *employee* of the Consortium for only a short while
compared to most of your existences. My life before that
is... another matter entirely." He pauses. "After Renegade
became leader of the Consortium, my pro..." he cuts off
again, "My purpose, in the Consortium was altered, and I
came into more freedom, thanks to Renegade. As such, I have
also been instilled with a passion for the well-being of my
fellow Cybertronians."

Optimus Prime nods again slowly. He has an idea where this
is leading to.......but he most certainly wants to hear it
from the blinky eyed cybertronian in front of him. "And what
does this have to do with us?"

Starcraft's central optic whirrs and his armor shifts again,
almost like it was alive. "The purpose of the Consortium's
mission to earth was to benefit the Undersector, and
ultimately the whole of Cybertron, independently of either
faction in the war." His optics harden slightly, then soften
again. "Renegade found this to be... ill-timed, as the human
and Autobot reactions to us were frosty, at best, so our
comparative benefit in the venture was insufficient to
maintain our presence." He makes a noise that could be best
described as a sigh. "I disagreed with him. I wanted to try
and continue to explore how Cybertron's ills may be
alleviated by Earth. I want your opinions on this. My
experience with humans is... non-existent." his optics
flicker to Candice for an instant.

Candice blinks as she notices she momentarily under
obsevration. She does nothing but slightly shift her weight
and simply glance back in quiet contemplation.

Optimus Prime leans forward, placing his foot up on a nearby
boulder......and resting his elbow on his knee. "You're
looking for help in how to help out Cybertron using Earth?
I'd better ask this question of you first. What did -you-
believe was the proper method? Obviously....if you're asking
me right now.....your old method has been.....questioned?"

Starcraft tilts his head. "It proved to be insufficiently
beneficial in a commercial sense." *click* goes his
telescopic optic. "But earth's abundance is boundless. I
think it was premature to give up so soon, and narrow-minded
to ignore diplomatic channels." he says, an edge of...
enthusiasm? creeping in. "I don't know for certain what the
correct path is. I am currently a warrior, and previously...
something esle. I wanted to go to the one place I thought I
might find help, if the humans are truly as hostile to
Cybertron as Renegade believes."

Optimus Prime hmmmms. "The reaction in many instances has
tended to be hostile yes." he then stands up fully again.
"Am I correct in assuming that you're looking for someone
to.....work with while you remain here?"

Starcraft's torso shifts forward slightly, independent of
his leg position. "Yes." he says simply. "Cybertron is...
nothing like I remember it." His optics flare somewhat. "And
I wish to see it returned to its former beauty. The people
there suffer and starve because of the war, and it isn't
right."

Optimus Prime crosses his arms and nods. "Your efforts in
the gulf of mexico were not forgotten. Your assistance was
greatly appreciated. Shortwave's as well. You're the second
Consortium member to approach me about this.......she was
the first. I think I've come to a decision. I'm willing to
accept you on a trial basis for now.....you understand there
will be some tests....and a time of evaluation as well..."

Starcraft tilts his head. "I thank you for your openness. My
reintroduction to Cybertron was at the hands of
Graverobber and Amalgam, as was my... reconstruction.
Kindness is a commodity far too expensive on Cybertron now,
among its civilians."

Optimus Prime inclines his head in turn. "Too true I am
afraid. I will make preparations for quarters to be reserved
for both you and Shortwave. For now the accomodations may be
somewhat crowded until we can work something else out....."

Candice  . o O(" 'Mercy in Heaven'...but it's sometimes
impossible hard to find it here on earth..." as the quote
goes...)

Starcraft gestures with his arms, opening them somewhat as
his armor shifts. Another unknown gesture. "Thank you." he
emits. "May I ask, if I may meet with a medical expert?" he
asks. "There are some... personal issues I wanted to
discuss."

Optimus Prime tilts his head........but nods. "Ratchet is on
call right now. You should be able to speak with him if you
need to."

Starcraft lowers his head in an approximation of a nod. He
looks at the rest of the Autobots in turn, his emotions
still a mystery.

Pumpkin looks back with a warm smile on his faceplate.
Everybody starts with a clean slate unless you have that
nasty little purple symbol on ya.

Broadside looks at Starcraft, and he then looks to Grimlock,
"Who is this? I never seen him before. Odd looking fellow if
I do say so."

Optimus Prime motions to Starcraft.....then to one of the
Autobots nearby. "Pumpkin....perhaps you can take Starcraft
to see Ratchet right now...."
Starcraft's central optic whirrs.

Candice regards Starcraft with a curious tilt of the head,
staying silent for the most part. But...for all his aspects
of being 'differnt' she doesn't shy awya. After all...look
who she's company with on a regular basis... ;)
OOC: Grimlock nods to Candice. "Mercer."
OOC: Broadside hehs. :>
OOC: Starcraft laughs
OOC: Candice WAS referring to you bozos... :)
OOC: Grimlock says, "Nah, we're normal compared to him. ;)"

Pumpkin nods to Optimus then turns to Starcraft, "This way
if you will..." and starts to head towards the cave
enterance.

Starcraft follows Pumpkin. He turns and watches Candice as
he passes her, his optics intense, but curious.

Grimlock says, "Him help fight Cons during fight a few days
ago. Shoot down lots of Seekers. Me, Grimlock, know know him
other than that."

<In Medbay...>

Ratchet is busy making a list and checking it twice of the
present supplies...taking of note of what parts are low in
stock...and which aren't. Like he had told Prowl...it's not
enough to cause too deep a concern...

Pumpkin walks in, followed by Starcraft. He points to
Ratchet, "That's the `bot you want to see..." and he raises
his voice a little to get the medics attention, "Yo
Ratchet!"

Ratchet looks up from where he is at one of the side
counters in time to greet the two visitors. "Yes?" he asks
of Pumpkin. He then turns a curious gaze towards the former
Consortium member. "May I help you?"

Pumpkin nods his head towards Starcraft, "The dude's got
some business with ya." He looks from one to the other, "and
with that...I duck out.."
Pumpkin has left.

Starcraft's central optic whirring as he gazes around. His
attention fixes on Ratchet and he steps forward, watching
him evenly. "I have been accepted probationally as an
associate to the Autobots." he says, his crude vocalizer
cutting through the silence. "And I had some... personal
things related to... my body, that I need to discuss."
Starcraft's servos hiss.

Ratchet places down his data pad and approaches the
mechanoid. "Alright. As you may have gathered, I'm Ratchet.
Chief Medical Officer." He pauses, taking in the sight of
the Cybertronian with a perked optic ridge. "What is it you
wish to discuss?" He gestures for Starcraft to take a seat
if he so wishes.

Standing before you is the strange and sinister-looking
Consortium enforcer known as Starcraft. His large central
optic observes you, two smaller ones glowing green. His
broad, rounded chest tapers downwards and sits atop powerful
looking legs. His arms look spindly, and end in bulbous
looking forearms that you have heard conceal dangerous
Photon Blasters. His alien-looking body is coloured in a
rich blue-green, with two red-brown strips that run down the
torso. You see what appear to be identification markings in
some strange alien language on his chest, legs, and wings.
The Consortium starburst symbol is emblazoned on the lower
part of his chest plate.

Starcraft looks at the medtable and his optics flare
slightly. "I would prefer to stand, for the moment." he
says, shying away from it unconsciously, it seems. "This..."
he indicates himself, his body, "...is not my original
body." he says. "I was transplanted into it by Graverobber,
the Consortium's medical tech and experimenter, at the order
of Amalgam, the former leader of the Consortium." His
central optic clicks and his armor plates shift like a thing
alive. All his responses are totally unfamiliar for a,
supposed, Cybertronian.

Ratchet furrows his brows. "I see," he muses, noding
belatedly in ackowledgement to the refusal. He tenses
slightly...not wanting to even think what those two others
mentioned had done. "What is it you wish?"

Starcraft tilts his head and produces a high-compression
datapad from subspace. "There are many things not understood
about the body they placed me into. It is, according to
Consortium files, of alien origin, but based on Decepticon
Seeker models. It includes a combat computer programmed in
an alien language that has resisted deciphering attempts,
and has... an influence on my personality and autonomic
responses. They also added surface programming that forced
me to conform to orders."

Ratchet narrows his optics considerably. Alien origin?
"Would you mind if...we attempted to decipher some of the
alien language with our own computers. Something may come of
it...it may not. But at least we would have tried. At any
rate, it may be dangerous to help you in your current
situation without first realizing what is being delt with."

Starcraft pauses. Why, it's impossible to tell. "The
computer... eh..." His optics flicker into a deep red for a
moment. "...is not to be tampered with." he emits, a
strangled tone creeping into his basic voice. "But there are
samples of the language that were extracted by Graverobber
on this datapad." he says, voice returning to its normal
monotone.

Ratchet holds out his hand. "May I see them?" he questions.

Starcraft hands the pad over.
Starcraft steps back. "All the information from
Graverobber's files, plus data from a recent...
reprogramming, are in there."

Ratchet nods and glances over the pad...knowing he'll have
to look it over more thourghly when he gets the chance.
"Understood." He sighs. As he skims the data his mind
boggles over the presented information. How could *anyone*
do this to---?  He cuts his thoughts short. "Would you
permit me to run some basic scans over your frame? That may
also help me to know what I'm dealing with in regards to
your situation."

Starcraft hisses. "Yes." He seems uncomfortable being
scanned, but chokes it down.

Ratchet hmms. he flickers a glance towards a nearby
medtable. That wouldn't do well. Instead he gestures for
Starcraft to follow him to where the medics normally scan
those Autobots unable to use the bedtables. It's a slightly
enclosed raised platform on the otherside of the room. "If
you wouldn't mind stepping on the dias I should be able to
obtain what I need in just a few momwnts time." he states,
readying the terminal for use.

Starcraft follows and sets himself up in the platform. He
looks around him, optics dimmed significantly. His simple
three-digit hands flex unconsciously.

Ratchet programs the needed information into the computer.
Above Starcraft a red beam of light gently washes over the
Cybertrion to obtain surface details. It slowly changes to
green. And then blue. The process takes under 4 minutes max.
The beams fades and Ratchet looks up from the terminal.
"Alright...done. You may step down."

Starcraft steps down. "I must rest. I have not done so since
the Consortium left earth." he says. "If you need to ask me
any questions, I will be in the barracks."

Ratchet nods as the mechanoid leaves, glancing up from the
baffling readouts. "Very well. And if you need
anything...you'll know where to find me."

Starcraft approximates a nod as he walks out. He almost
seems relieved.
Starcraft has left.