MEGATRON'S OFFER TO AIR RAID


-From Outside- Western USA Skies

Air Raid pages: Where art thou and thy steed, Hoversled?

-From Outside- -OOC- Air Raid says, "GAH! How art thou in the sky, 
squishy one?"

-From Outside- Hoversled is rising within the skies of the volcano seemingly 
practicing some maneuvering and stunts
-From Outside- Air Raid cruises down from the stratosphere, and curves 
northward, flying at minimum speed over the terrain below.
-From Outside- Air Raid doesn't notice Candice's craft, and heads slowly down 
and to the north.
-From Outside- Air Raid heads out towards the vast horizon of the Canadian 
Skies.
-From Outside- You head out towards the vast horizon of the Canadian Skies...
-From Outside- Air Raid descends rapidly towards British Columbia.

You send, 'Um...Air Raid, Were you just flying over southwestern Canada just 
now?' to Air Raid.

Radio message from Air Raid, 'Affirmative.'.

You send, 'Um...I saw where you descended. Mind some company?' to Air Raid.

Radio message from Air Raid, 'I'm not good company right now, but if you 
want to land, I'm just outside Vancouver.'.

You send, 'OK' to Air Raid.

-From Outside- You descend several meters closer to British Columbia...
-From Outside- British Columbia.
-From Outside- Air Raid sits on a rock, overlooking the bay, and he tosses a 
ball between his hands.
-From Outside- Hoversled begins it's descent and lands only a few feet way 
from the Aerial.
-From Outside- Hoversled retracts it's wings, settling them back in to their 
original places, the vertical stabilizers also fold in and seem to vanish into 
the hull of the vehicle.
-From Outside- Hoversled extends three wheels, one from it's nose and one from 
each of it's out laying pods, then settles down on them.
-From Outside- Air Raid looks up briefly and nods, face all but coloring 
with what seems to be shame. But he hides it well.

Candice climbs out of the hoverseld.
Candice approaches the Aerial, not knowing exactly what to say. "Um...hello."

Air Raid offers a faint smile, and gives the ball a quick, twisting toss. He 
catches it in his other hand, and says, voice hoarse, "Uh, hi."

Candice glances at the ball briefly. "How goes it?" she asks.

Air Raid grins wryly. "You know how it's going. No need for me to make up 
something."

Air Raid's radio fizzes with activity.
Air Raid mumbles "sharp sigh*...up,...Wraith?...*sounding...bit..." into his 
radio.
Air Raid's radio fizzes with activity.

Candice glances up at the Areial and nods slowly. She waits for the other 
conversation to end before saying anything else.

Air Raid mumbles "I'm...But...I'm...you I'm...not...company...." into 
his radio.

Air Raid smiles weakly. "Sorry."

Candice shrugs. "No problem. Too bad they don't have answering machines for 
radios."

Air Raid hmms. "Yeah. Well. So, how are things with you?"

Air Raid's radio bleeps with activity.

Starchaser comes into view across the ocean's expanse, traveling from the 
Pacific Ocean <Canada and Arctic>.
Starchaser has arrived.
Starchaser appears as a tiny dot far above.

Air Raid mumbles "yeah....I...gu--..." into his radio.

Starchaser flies in, and is surprised to see the hoversled.
Starchaser scans it from way up high.

Air Raid sits on a rock overlooking the bay, and talking to Candice. His 
posture is rather slouched, and he looks up, frowning at the craft.
Air Raid's radio bleeps with activity.

Candice follows AR's gaze, not even able to start to give an answer. 
"Whoops," she mutters.

Starchaser mumbles "found Candice...the Hoversled,...Raid...." into her 
radio.

Air Raid stands and squints at the speck, audio's picking up the engines 
even though he can barely see the aircraft. 
Air Raid frowns deeply. "Candice, inside that hovercraft now. I don't 
want any surprises."

Starchaser mumbles "Candice..." into her radio.

Candice nods and does what she's told
Candice hurries over to the sled
You climb into the Hoversled.

-From Outside- Air Raid narrows his optics now, hearing more rumbling. He taps his comlink.
-From Outside- Starchaser performs a deep scan on the Hoversled.

-From Outside- Air Raid's radio squeaks with activity.
-From Outside- Air Raid swears colorfully. "Da**. Candice, try to take some 
cover, and don't let them see you go. I'm going to draw attention."
-From Outside- Air Raid doesn't summon his weapon yet, but his slouch has given way to battle-readiness, and he stands alert for any sign of danger.

-From Outside- You hear Candice's voice saying, "Gotcha. Good luck" over the 
hoversled's PA system.

-From Outside- Starchaser gains more altitude, scanners on full.
-From Outside- Swindle comes in from the east.
-From Outside- Swindle has arrived.
-From Outside- Swindle flies in, following Starchaser's radio signal.
-From Outside- Hoversled moves itself on over behind a small building...not 
seeing any other form of cover.
-From Outside- Air Raid snarls as he hears a sound, and backs toward the 
cliffside, wings twitching against the wind. He turns to scan the area.

-From Outside- Starchaser engages her external loudspeaker.
-From Outside- Starchaser says, "Aerial!"
-From Outside- Starchaser says, "Supreme Commander Megatron would speak with 
you."

-From Outside- Swindle says, "Starchaser, what is the situation here?"

-From Outside- Air Raid twitches his trigger finger, though he hasn't yet 
summoned his weapon. His face is fixed in a frown, and he doesn't seem to 
be in his usual humor. "What do you want?"

-From Outside- Starchaser mumbles "me...to..." into her radio.
-From Outside- Starchaser keeps one deep scanner trained on the hoversled.

Candice leaves the sled and runs behind another small building.

Air Raid eyes Swindle, and backs closer to the cliff, wings twitching 
visibly. He tries not to look at Candice's hiding place, and he cocks his 
head toward the Decepticons. "You have ten seconds. Spit it out."

Swindle grins a bit at the Aerial. "You have him pinned down for a reason 
right?"

Starchaser's radio bleeps with activity.
Starchaser says, "We have no further orders, but to carry this message."

Air Raid rolls his optics, easing down a bit. "Fine, whatever. Go."

Starchaser's speakers crackle, and Megatron's voice issues from them.
Starchaser says, "Tell him I wish to meet with him in a safe location, no  
traps, no hostilities."
Starchaser stops the recording.

Air Raid smirks. "You wanna meet who where? And you call me pinned? Swindle, 
please." He laughs for the first time in a few days.

Starchaser switches her scan to the human.
Candice watches for her hiding place, not knowing what else to do.

Air Raid tips his face toward Starchaser again. "You wanna explain that 
message to me? Tell who to meet Megatron where?"

Swindle turns to Starchaser. "Where is the human and her sled?

Starchaser calls down "You, Aerial. The Commander would like to speak 
with you, and I believe that he will radio you, or perhaps he would like 
you to radio him. It was not made clear to me."

Candice mouths an "uh, oh" from where she's hiding.

Air Raid smirks, puffing himself up and trying to regain his sense of 
humor so recently lost. "Yeah, well, tell him to radio me then. I don't 
have time to chase down that tin can."

Starchaser mumbles "behind...has...order...I..." into her radio.
Swindle's radio squeaks with activity.
Air Raid looks around furtively, trying to keep attention on himself. He 
doesn't see Candice...and hopes no one else does, either.

You paged Air Raid with 'So much for our chat : P'.
Air Raid pages: No doubt. I shoulda headed back to Siberia. : )

Starchaser's radio bleeps with activity.
Swindle starts to move down towards the buildings
Starchaser mumbles "He...to...radio...with...information...." into her 
radio.

Air Raid yells to Swindle, roguish grin back in place, "Hey, scaredy! 
Where you runnin' off to?"

Air Raid's radio bleeps with activity.
Air Raid waits to see what the Decepticons will do, and seems ready to spring 
into action. On hearing his radio, however, his concentration breaks for a 
moment, and he seems to waver..
Starchaser enters a lower holding pattern.
Air Raid mumbles "tense,...if...hard*..." into his radio.
Swindle ignores Air Raid as he lands close to the buildings. Anyone close 
enough would be able to see the box-like object in his hands.
Air Raid's radio bleeps with activity.
Starchaser scans Swindle.
Air Raid summons his rifle on impulse, a purple flash surrounding his hand,
and he snaps off a shot toward Swindle, hoping to gather his attention.
Starchaser switches to ground support radar mode.
Air Raid mumbles "if...your thugs....them...here,...or...open..." into his 
radio.
Candice sees Swindle. Hoping he doesn't see her she crawls a bit further 
behind one of the structures...looking for something to crawl into.
Swindle drops Box-Cage.
Starchaser eyes the Aerial very closely.
Starchaser's radio crackles with activity.
Starchaser mumbles "<mumble><mumble>" into her radio.
Swindle whistles to himself as he removes a control
Air Raid mumbles "*sound...of two...I..." into his radio.
Candice looks around desperately for some sort of ventilation duct or open 
basement window...ANYTHING!

Starchaser says, "Swindle. Stop that and give them some space. Megatron's 
orders are to back off a ways."
Starchaser chides Swindle and rises into a high pattern, keeping her radar 
in combat mode.

Air Raid shouts at the two Decepticons, "Back! You want your leader to get 
his two cents in, then you two beat it."

Swindle says, "I'm the reason that human got away, Starchaser, I intend to 
recapture her."

Candice attempts to supress her growing apprehension. 

Starchaser says, "Swindle, Megatron's' orders! Hover up here with me."

Air Raid gestures with his rifle at Swindle, "One move toward that human, 
and your head is gonna decorate my mantle."

Starchaser swings around in a tense arc and eyes the situation.
Air Raid mumbles "Fine. Now,...is...out...if...intend..." into his radio.
Air Raid's radio buzzes with activity.

Starchaser says, "Swindle! Don't escalate this unnecessarily."

Swindle says, "Oh fine." He opens the box, then hovers up. "Robo, activate 
and guard the area. Do not advance or attack.""

RoboWolf has arrived.
Air Raid mumbles "'commander'. Now,...speak with...off, and..." 
into his radio.

Swindle says, "I repeat, guard only."

Air Raid's radio crackles with activity.

RoboWolf sits down, watching the buildings, but not moving towards them.
Swindle turns to Star. "Just so she don't run off."

Starchaser scans Swindle's device.
Starchaser says, "I swear, Swindle, sometimes..."

Candice stops moving and stays were she is for the moment.
Turbowolf surveys the area, scanning beams from his eyes watching for 
enemies...
Starchaser chuckles softly.

Air Raid shouts up at the Combaticon. "Look! I've had a very bad day! 
So don't think I won't shoot your aft right outta that sky and put your 
smiley head as a decal on my cockpit!"

Swindle says, "Settle down. I didn't move any closer, did I?"

Air Raid raises his rifle. "There. You're closer to the butt of my gun. Now 
don't get any ideas, you yellow-chassis coward! Because I'm no wishy-washy 
Autojerk!"

Starchaser performs a deep scan on the metal mongrel.
You hear Starchaser mutter to Swindle: "that thing...safe?..."

OOC- Air Raid is sensing one of those "bad day turns worse" kind 
of IC days. :)

You hear Swindle mutter to Starchaser: "as...it...attack or..."
You hear Starchaser mutter to Swindle: "<mumble><mumble>"
Megatron flies in, flanked by Soundwave and Quazar.
Starchaser is in a holding pattern overhead.
Thermosphere has arrived.

Air Raid snarls at the entourage behind Megatron, and he shouts up into the 
air, "I said YOU! Not your whole slaggin' army! "

RoboWolf is sitting close to a small group of buildings, watching them.
Thermosphere flies in and starts to circle
Starchaser circles under Thermosphere.
Swindle is hovering in the air, the controls to the wolf in his hands
Candice is trying to hide behind one of the buildings, hoping she isn't seen.
Ramjet has arrived.
Candice doesn't see the newcomers of course but she hears them. She mumbles 
a quick prayer.  Fearing whay may happen if she radios for help she feels it 
best if she allows Air Raid to deal with the situation his own way.  She 
can only prey both she and her Aerial friend can both vacate the area with 
their lives intact.

Air Raid backs up against the cliffside, nearly ready to leap off and into 
the wind. He keeps his rifle trained in Swindle's direction, however, and 
watches the crowd with growing unease. "This is NOT what I had planned, 
Megatron!"

Thermosphere mumbles "columbia..." into his radio.
Megatron spots Starchaser circling, and heads for her locations.  
Starchaser mumbles "you...me...sled..." into her radio.
Megatron's radio squeaks with activity.
Megatron mumbles "No...." into his radio.
Starchaser's radio buzzes with activity.
Starchaser flips straight up and lowers her thrust so that she is hovering 
as well.
RoboWolf ears twitch as he hears the human whisper, but he doesn't move. 
Thundercracker has arrived.

Megatron lands with a grace that seems inconsistent with his size, and holds 
his hands up, striding towards Air Raid. "You have nothing to fear from the 
Decepticons, Aerialbot."

Starchaser chuckles softly at the distressed Aerial.
Thermosphere circles, as if on guard.
Candice holds herself tightly.
Quazar lands a few feet behind Megatron after transforming.

Air Raid growls, lip curling in a snarl, his usual buoyant manner seeming to 
have evaporated long ago. "Stand back, con, or I'll twisty tie your aft."

Starchaser circles closer and closer to the ground, largely unnoticed by the 
others. Quazar transforms into Robot mode.
Starchaser transforms into Robot mode.
Starchaser walks back towards the buildings and looks curiously at Swindle's 
beast.

Megatron stops at Air Raid's threat, and smiles. "I am only here to offer 
you something, Aerialbot. If I wished for your destruction, you would 
already be nonfunctional."

Candice notices movement not that far away from her and holds her breath
Starchaser's glance flicks over to the human, just to let her know that 
she has not gone unseen.

Air Raid's wings twitch, wind nearly buffeting him over the edge of the 
cliff. But he maintains his balance with relative ease, and watches the 
assemblage with his rifle upraised. "Yeah, not if I could help it. You 
couldn't hit me if I was flyin' with blindfolds. Now, if you want my 
*trust*..." he looks around, "...then call off the brute squad."

Starchaser walks over to the hoversled and kneels next to it, examining the 
construction.

Megatron nods, still smiling, and calls back to Soundwave. "Soundwave! 
Pull the rest of the Decepticons back! I wish to leave our uncomfortable 
friend at ease!"

Some of the Deepticons began to follow their commander's orders.
Candice's eyes widen as she realized she was indeed found. Here comes that 
sinking feeling - regardless if the others are leaving or not.
A cool breeze blows through the area.
Starchaser smiles sweetly and predatory at Candice, then holds one blueblack 
finger to her lips.

Air Raid snorts. "Uncomfortable? I think smart is more like it. Get those 
things away from me..." He wrinkles his nose in human fashion, "They stink."
Air Raid keeps an optic on Swindle and Starchaser. "All of them," he adds. 
"Just you, Megatron, and no tricks."

Thundercracker frowns at that last comment
Swindle sighs and hovers down to the box. "Robo, return to your cage."

RoboWolf has left.
Starchaser watches the creation appreciatively.
Swindle closes the box-cage, then picks it up and flies away from the 
buildings.

Air Raid eyes Megatron slowly as his troops depart. His unease is apparent, 
but despite his nervousness, there doesn't seem to be fear in his optics.

Starchaser mutters to you: "Human, who constructed this device?"

Megatron watches as the other Decepticons move off, and then nods to Air 
Raid. "Satisfied?"

Starchaser stands, and walks slowly away from the hoversled.
Candice looks up questionably at the Decepticon, not answering.

Air Raid quirks an optic ridge and keeps watching. "When none of them 
are in my line of sight, then yes, I will be."

Starchaser disappears behind a stand of office buildings.
Air Raid doesn't look anywhere but at Megaton and the other Decepticons, 
and he hopes desperately that the little human has found a suitable place 
to hide. He doesn't need to add guilt to the turmoil of the last few days.

-OOC- Starchaser is unseen now, behind some buildings with Candice.
-OOC- Air Raid says, "Uh, I've had my optic on you...I doubt I would have 
fallen for that."

Megatron does not move, merely holds his ground, still smiling. "I have 
heard reports of the Aerialbots' dissatisfaction with the Autobot command 
structure."

-OOC- Starchaser says, "Oh, but I wanted to Quiz her on the sled. *whines*"

Starchaser raises an eyebrow at the human, then spins on her heel and stalks 
off towards the outskirts of the little town.

Air Raid smiles back, lips twisted into mock politeness, and he keeps his
rifle in place. "Well, then you're finally up to speed. Let me guess...
You want me to switch sides? Haven't we done this before?"

-OOC- Starchaser says, "There. Happy now? ;>"
-OOC- Air Raid says, "Yuppers. :)"

Candice pushes herself up against the wall, seated on the ground, watching 
Starschaser closely

-OOC- Air Raid /does/ have a close optic on Candice's position. Anyone 
getting her is going to have to put up with some fanfare from moi.

Starchaser stops at a mini-mart at the outside of town and sits, leaning 
against the pump structure, one knee drawn up to her chin. She watches the 
huddled Candice while listening to the Aerial and Megatron speak.
Starchaser distractedly sketches something in the slushy road with one 
finger, a circuit diagram of some sort.
Air Raid keeps an optic out for any movement around Candice's hiding spot, 
but his attention seems riveted to the Decepticon commander. Twice the 
wind buffets him precariously near the edge of the cliffside, but he seems 
to pay it no attention.

Soundwave keeps his distance, staying quite far away with the others.. 
*who's here still?"
Thundercracker just stands around patiently, arms crossed 

Long distance to Air Raid: Candice cries and cries some more.
From afar, Air Raid won't let you be taken without quite a fight. *patpat* 
Actually...if someone tries to sneak off with you, I'm probably not going to 
OOCly let it happen, since I'm keeping a close optic on you.

Shred comes into view across the ocean's expanse, traveling from the Pacific 
Ocean <Canada and Arctic>.
Shred soars in, wings gently flapping, as unseen jets help along his swift 
flight.
Shred glides in high above.

Megatron raises his arms into a gesture of peace, he looks directly at Air 
Raid, "It seems that I have pressing matters to attend to, Air Raid, I would 
like to see you join us. Seeing your current dilemma with the Autobots, You 
have my sympathy." 

Candice eyes the Decepticons warily.
Shred drops down slowly, and lands on the mini-mart, nodding silently to 
Starchaser, taking in the activity.

Megatron looks down at the ground for a moment, smirking. After a moment, he 
raises his head to speak. "I am sure you are as committed to your brethren 
as I am to the Decepticons. However, you must ask yourself. Are the Autobots 
committed to -you-?"

Air Raid is very aware of any movement made by the distant Decepticons, 
and he follows Shred's descent with wary intent. His answer, however, is 
directed at Megatron. "Spare me. Just get to the bottom line, because if 
you want my assistance in anything, you need to convince me, and I've 
already seen what your kind does."

Megatron narrows his optics slightly, looking straight at Air Raid. "My 
kind? I will -tell- you what my kind does! We seek only to return Cybertron 
to its former glory! This planet offers severely needed resources, and I 
will waste no time in harvesting them! Your so-called leader, Optimus Prime, 
spends far too much of his time concerning himself with needless causes. The 
Decepticons only desire to revive our beloved homeworld."

Air Raid sighs sharply, and gestures with his rifle. "No, you don't 
understand on two accounts. First, my *leader* is not Optimus Prime. 
If you think he is, then you're not as up to speed a I thought. And 
secondly, my focus is a lot narrower than you seem to think it is, 
and I don't' give a flippin' updraft for your glory. So just tell me 
what it is you want, because I've had a *bad* day, and I'm not really 
ready to hear your stars and stripes speech."

Megatron points at Air Raid. "Then I ask you, Aerialbot. What do -you- want?"

Air Raid suddenly throws his head back and laughs, and regards Megatron 
with a cock-headed grin. "What do I want? Ha! You know, if you weren't 
the leader of such a bunch if scrap sucking rust swillers, I could 
actually thank you for asking me that. Now, if you were sincere, I 
would tell you. But since you're not, why don't you just tell me what 
it is you want out of me, and we can start from there?"

From afar, Air Raid grins. It's not often you get to tell off the leader 
of the cons. ; )
You paged Air Raid with 'And not get cannoned you mean?'.
Air Raid pages: Um, yeah. :)
You paged Air Raid with 'Like you told me before...cannons are bad'.
From afar, Air Raid knows this from experience. :)

Megatron's optics flare, as he glares at Air Raid. "You don't -know- me, 
Aerialbot. You only know what you have -heard-! You have no idea what I can 
offer you. Perhaps you should consider this; Why would the Decepticons 
choose to follow me? Yes, I am powerful, but if they worked together, 
they could -easily- replace me. I am leader because I further the interests 
of -all- under my command! And I could do the same for you and your fellows."

Air Raid smirks, and says deadpan, "They bow and scrape because you 
would shoot them in the aft. I *have* heard the name Slagmaker, you 
know." He adds, "And anyway, anyone associating with that disgusting 
bunch of roachicons deserves what people think of him."

Candice very quietly icks.
Starchaser doesn't miss the human's sound.
Air Raid seems reasonably collected, despite the current situation, but 
there is a strain and weariness that sits just beneath his features. He 
seems to be at the end of a very long and stressful string of events.

Megatron does not seem affected by that insult. "You are so misled, 
Aerialbot. If I did not hate Autobots and their allies so much, I would 
feel pity for you. Bah! Let Optimus Prime continue to order you around, 
following his idiotic orders. If you have no ambitions of your own, STAY 
with the Autobots!"

Candice shifts uncomfortably in her seat,

Air Raid snorts derisively. "Um, Earth to Megatron. I told you I'm not an 
Autobot. He's *not* my commander." Of course, he doesn't go on to explain 
the rest of his situation, which is quite new and unique to his short life 
span.

Shred claws at the roof of the building, repositioning himself.

Megatron's lip curls into a slight sneer. "You are missing the point. You 
obviously have your own interests. Why not join with a force that feels the 
same way as you?"

Candice glances up above her, feeling some of the cinders from the roof fall 
into her hair. She slowly blinks and sighs inaudibly.

Air Raid shakes his head slightly, and rolls his optics toward the sky. 
"So you want me to join you. You want me, or my whole team?" He shifts his 
stance slightly, flicking a glance over to Candice, and then back at 
Megatron.

Candice leans back against the wall and continue to listen to the 
conversation.

Megatron crosses his arms, regarding Air Raid with a faintly distant 
look. "I never -asked- you to join the Decepticons, Aerialbot. However, 
if you have difficulties with the Autobots, I suggest you look to my side 
of this conflict. If you and your brothers are concerned more with your own 
interests, rather than the Autobots' foolish quests, the Decepticons may be 
more to your liking. We seek only what is best for ourselves, and our 
allies."

Air Raid raises an optic ridge, corner of his mouth lifting in a lopsided 
grin. "Well if that doesn't just top of my week." Face a careful mask of 
interest, he steps forward. "And what would this -- alliance -- involve?"

Megatron's smile grows wider. "My greatest wish is to end the conflict 
here on Earth, so the entire Cybertronian race can concentrate on greater 
things. With you and your brothers' aid, this pointless conflict could be 
ended much sooner. While Optimus Prime is content to force his morality on 
the Autobots, I desire to provide the -universe- to my followers!"

Candice blinks, wishing there was something she could do besides being so 
helpless.

Air Raid gives his shoulder a half-shrug, as if shaking himself free 
from some of the tension. He seems to be thinking hard, as if considering 
how he wants to approach this. He says, after a moment, "Well, this is an 
interesting conversation at least." He flicks a glance around, apparently 
uncomfortable with the dilemma he's been presented with. "Tell you what. 
I need to confer with my team...Should I get back to you?"

Shred is getting bored, having heard all this before.

Megatron nods once. "You may be surprised to hear this, Aerialbot, but 
I-am- agreeable. Contact myself, or one of my troops, when you have 
conferred with your brothers. I am most anxious to hear what they have to 
say."

Air Raid holds up his free hand, two fingers extended. "Two things: first, I 
will only contact you. If I'm going to make a deal, it's going to be 
honestly and straightforward. Not through one of your...thugs."

Megatron nods again. "Very well. Contact me when you are ready to converse 
further."

Air Raid continues, "Secondly, as a way of earning my trust, I want the 
human Candice to be left alone."

Megatron says, "Very well. The human will not be disturbed."

Air Raid nods, and lowers his rifle. "I'm not saying yes, Megatron. 
Don't think I'm trying to deceive you."

Megatron narrows his optics. "It would be unwise to attempt to deceive me, 
Aerialbot. I am no fool."

Air Raid snorts. "And it would be unwise to use deceit with us. So because 
of that, I'm not answering right now. I'm thinking. I want that on record."
Air Raid gestures. "Now, since all of your troops know where Candice is 
currently hiding, as you leave, I want them to skirt the area in a wide arc, 
and not come near her. And if I'm followed, you lose my trust."

Megatron nods once more. "I am not trying to deceive you, Aerialbot. I am of 
course interested in my own concerns. Fortunately, yours are similar."
Megatron says, "Very well. The human is free to depart. The Decepticons will 
depart as well."

Air Raid nods. "Then I will stay and watch you leave. Good day, Megatron." 
He smiles, looking youngish for a moment. "I mean that."

Megatron watches Air Raid a moment more, and then smiles slightly as he 
rises into the air, flying westward.  One by one the remaining Decepticons 
take leave and join him.

Candice doesn't seem to move from her location until all the 
Decepticons have finally left.  After they have done so she uses the 
brick wall for support to get to her feet.

Air Raid breathes an audible sigh of relief, and makes his way directly 
toward Candice. "Get your craft," he says as he nears, "I'm shadowing you 
back."

Candice nods. "Alright." She makes her way over to her craft and mouths a 
silent: "Thank you."
You climb into the Hoversled.

-From Outside- Air Raid keeps an optic out for Cons, but his rifle is gone 
into subspace, and his tiredness shows clearly now. He merely nods, and 
jumps clumsily into the air.
-From Outside- Air Raid transforms into F-15 mode.
-From Outside- Air Raid flips down into a sleek, black F-15.
-From Outside- Hoversled raises up A little and retracts it's landing gear.
-From Outside- Hoversled extends it's wings, the cylinders on it's sides 
becoming wing mounted thrusters, two long thin vertical stabilizers rise 
up and lock into place over the back of the small craft.

<Cut to outside the Ark>

-From Outside- Air Raid has arrived.
-From Outside- Air Raid transforms into Robot mode.
-From Outside- Hoversled retracts it's wings, settling them back in to their 
original places, the vertical stabilizers also fold in and seem to vanish 
into the hull of the vehicle.
-From Outside- Hoversled extends three wheels, one from it's nose and 
one from each of it's out laying pods, then settles down on them.

Candice climbs out of the hoversled rather shaken.

Air Raid stumbles to the ground, and walks Candice inside, not pausing for 
anything.
Air Raid says, "Let's go. Move. Now."

Candice nods
You proceed into the Ark.
Security Hallway
Air Raid goes into the command center.
You go into the Command Center.

Air Raid stumbles in, Candice in tow. He pauses just inside the door and 
stands tiredly gazing at the gathering. "Candice..." he says quietly..
Air Raid mutters to you: "I'm sorry...we didn't get to finish our...um, 
conversation."

Bluestreak is standing near Percy, he has his hand on his chest, rubbing it 
thoughtfully.
Candice stops and gazes to look up at Air Raid.
Air Raid looks a bit dazed, and seems to be gathering his scattered thoughts. He barely notices where he is, much less who else is in the room.
Ramhorn ears perk up, he gets up, and slowly approaches Candice
Bluestreak turns at the sound of a voice and blinks.

You mutter to Air Raid: "Um...raincheck?"

Bluestreak says, "Hey, it's Air Raid! Thought you left or something, Raider?"

Candice glances up at the Aerial in deep concern. "Thanks, Air Raid."

Air Raid grins and hears it in his daze.
Air Raid doesn't even register what Bluestreak says.
Air Raid walks over to the southern exit, nodding numbly to Candice. "Bye," 
he mutters as he leaves, and you can hear him clanking down the hall toward 
the farthest corridor.


Bluestreak blinks again. "What was THAT all about?"
Bluestreak mumbles "<mumble><mumble>" into his radio.
Bluestreak's radio fizzes with activity.

Ramhorn looks after Air Raid. "I didn't even get to say hello."

Perceptor frowns, looking at Candice. "Was there a problem?"

Ramhorn mumbles "<mumble><mumble>" into his radio.

Candice is looking slightly pale. "Um...yeah. But...it's taken care of...
sorta."

Ramhorn says, "You OK, Candice?"

Bot-OOC> Air Raid grins at all the sudden radioing...I'm ignoring you  on 
purpose, so you know. :)
<Bot-OOC> Bluestreak says, "You are? Gee, that won't bother me any : )"

Perceptor hmms. "What was the difficulty?"

Candice umms, "Just some slightly rough turbulence."

Perceptor frowns.

Candice hmphs. "Ok, so not so slight."

Bluestreak mumbles "what...happened?...I...mean,...out there...come 
you...such...a rush?...time,...first place,...don't...understand, 
me...here...be someplace...think...mad....you...alright?...are...you 
doing?...your...to yourself?...than...stuck here....come...wherever you..." 
into his radio.

Bluestreak looks down at Candice. "So what happened?"

Candice shifts uncomfortably. "I...don't really want to talk about it...
at least, not right now."

Bluestreak blinks.
Bluestreak says, "Uhh, OK I guess..."

Candice starts moving towards the door. "Um...I'm I've gotta get some sleep. 
I'm exhausted. I'll see you all later."

Bluestreak says, "Umm, goodnight Candice. You need a lift?"

Candice sighs inaudiably and then shrugs. "Sure...I guess so."

Bluestreak nods.
Bluestreak transforms into 280_ZX mode.
Bluestreak opens a door. "You look too tired to stay on my shoulder 
this time, so hop in."

Candice walks over, her steps somewhat unsteady as she gets in
Candice carefully slides into the front seat and buckles herself in.
Bluestreak heads out the door towards the barracks.

Candice say, "Thanks, Bluestreak...for the ride I mean."

Bluestreak turns the corners slowly so as not to bounce Candice 
around too much.
You say, "Well, at least you got to see your friends the Aerials again. 
How are they doing?"

Candice sighs inaudibly. "They're in one piece," she answers.

Bluestreak chuckles. "They are? I thought there was five of them. Wouldn't 
that mean five pieces? Unless you mean Superion, of course."

Candice frowns slightly, not in the mood to be amused. "Um...yeah. There are 
five."

Bluestreak cruises in auto mode as he makes his way towards the barracks. 
He honks his horn cheerfully.

Stormwind's visor darkens greatly... "Excuse me..."
Stormwind gets up and heads for the corridor
Stormwind has left.

Bluestreak says, "Stormwind and I aren't on real good terms either, I guess."

Candice hehs, shaking herself free of her thoughts. "Whatever gave me that 
idea."

Bluestreak's face on the screen shows troubled astonishment. "She really did 
hit me."

Candice blinks. "Stormwind???"

Bluestreak's image head nods.

Candice falls back in her seat and shakes her head.You mutter to 
yourself: "What a night"

Bluestreak says, "She slugged me. That's why she's confined to the Ark. You 
can't see it now, but she dented my chest where the bumper is."

Candice's eye widened. "She HIT you?"

Bluestreak's image head nods again.

Candice grumbles. "Everyone is at each other's throats."

Bluestreak says, "That's what my reaction was too. We were playing around 
before that, but I didn't realize she was serious. I mean, she'd do some 
kicks, and I'd tag her when she missed. Boy does she have lousy aim too."
You say, "No, I think she just hates me in particular."

Candice sighs. "I told you earlier she thought you ment every word you told 
her. She doesn't know you're just teasing."
Candice adds, "And don't worry. She hates me too probably."

Bluestreak's image face grins. "Maybe we should start our own club?"
Bluestreak heads for Candice's room.

Candice gives a half-hearted shrug. "At least she didn't call you a traitor."

Bluestreak hmms.
Bluestreak stops in front of the garage door

You say, "You don't look so good, Candice. Kinda pale. You need company 
tonight?"

Candice nods. "Yeah. I suppose I do, Bluestreak."

Bluestreak waits patiently for the door to rise.

You move into the Public Relations Office.

Candice waits for the Autobot to stop before unbuckling her belt
Bluestreak opens a door and parks himself.
Candice gets out of the car and stumble somewhat to her bed
Candice grunts somewhat as she sits on the bed, brushing cinders from her 
lengthy strands of hair.

Bluestreak chuckles and observes, "You need to go through the car wash a few 
times, Candy."

Candice ttttthbs lightly. "Very funny, Blue. Very funny."  
Bluestreak says, "Hey, I need a wash too. How about putting that rag to good 
use, eh?"

Candice looks tiredly at the rag and blinks. "Not tonight, Blue. Maybe some 
other time."

Bluestreak laughs quietly.
Candice sighs, looking thoughtful for a moment.  Her mind is obviously 
on other thoughts.  One thing she'll have to do is try to send an 
electronic message to Optimus Prime himself.  

Bluestreak says, "Maybe tomorrow then, eh? Then you can tell me what's 
on your mind maybe, eh?"