INVASION & RETRIEVAL The Ark -- Medical Center (2) Candice has just entered the room, barely managing to stay out from underfoot from a rampaging Scattershot. "Hey...what...?" she exclaims, "Con's attacking?" Is this the reason why a passing technician ushered her in here during those first few tremors? Optimus Prime is half-off of his metable, optics glued to the monitor nearby, from which he's getting direct feeds of the action outside. "It seems so...." he notes grimly. "Omega Supreme has been deactivated as well......" Even Roller seems somewhat awake...although quiet. His camera/optic swivels about, also watching the screen. Candice blinkblinks, shocked by the suddeness. Her eyes go wide as she starts heading for the door. "Gotta make sure Tom's ok..." Optimus Prime's hand suddenly shoots out. "Candice no!" Candice stops halts immediately at the command. "But---!" Optimus Prime says, "It's safer here right now. Don't worry. The technicians will see that he's safe. If he's back at your quarters it'll be safe there anyway. You know that." Candice draws in a breath and is forced to relunctantly nod. "Alright," she states...even tho a bit shaken. But what about Trent...he's alot closer to the fighting. What if the Decepticons breach? "How's the battle going?" as she looks at the monitor...or tries to from her standing. Optimus Prime's gaze turns back towards the monitor as well. "Hard to tell." he says grimly. "Too early to judge...." Candice bites her lower lip. She idly wonders if this is another one of those things going to be displayed on the news. "Least...we know why they've been hanging around so much..." she offers quite lamely. Optimus Prime hmmmms through narrowed optics. He wants nothing more than to be out there at the moment.....but even he knows he can't do that. His fingers tap in several more keys on the control panel. "There was no way to tell.....although I feared something like this might happen. Let's just hope our defenses can hold...." Candice can only nod in agreement. It's too bad, however, much of the force was either dealing with Omega or...out searching for leads on the bomb. "Already am..." Optimus Prime's optics flash for a moment....as he taps a few more keys, spanning the scene for a brief moment. He seems concerned definetely......then again....is it any wondor why? Candice catches some of Optimus's concern... "What is it?" Optimus Prime grates quietly, but not inaudably. "Megatron.....I don't see Megatron anywhere......Primus knows he should be standing somewhere gloating." Candice looks back towards the screen. He's right! "He's not...anywahere in the vicinity?" Optimus Prime taps the keys a few more times....shaking his head once. "No....I can't see him anywhere. He might be down fighting but.....that just dosen't seem like him." an idle hope that maybe Megatron was hurt in the fight with the guardian arises. Perhaps thats the only reason he's gone......but....it dosen't give him much confidence. Candice toys with the same idea...if... "Was Megatron there at the site with Omega? What happened with Omega anyway?" Optimus Prime speaks quietly into his radio. Optimus Prime sighs and keys up a few more buttons. "Omega Supreme is down....." Optimus Prime speaks quietly into his radio. Candice asks, How?" Optimus Prime shakes his head. "They did something to him.....he went beserk. Was about to attack Las Vegas, but Prowl and Magnus managed to deactivate him with the help of Galactix and Delta Ultima." he clenches his jaw for a moment.....having heard that the other guardian was damaged by Omega during the frackas..... Candice ohs and falls silent...not knowing what to say. Well...looks like the Decepticons are being far from quiet *now*. She figets more than a little...feeling very helpless at the moment. "Anything either of us can do?" Optimus Prime's hand tightens slightly on the edge of the medtable. "No...." he says deeply, as if the very word were a physical blow to himself. Candice swallows hard and nears closer to the medtable...watching the screen intently. She blinks. "Guess that makes us bystanders then..." Even Roller adds his own, ominous whistle to the scene. Candice leans against the side of the cold metallic surface. She flickers a glance around medbay. it seems fairly empty now. Those who could have left already did. Behind are those who are two injured or still recovering from massive injuries. She presses her lower lips tightly...not really knowing what to say. Optimus Prime continues to scan the screen around.....bringing it zooming in on an image of Wheeljack battling with Razorclaw......Groove engaging Spoiler....Even Blurr as Skywarp approaches. Then it centers on the image of the shuttle with Prowl inside of it....and Shockwave's precisely aimed blast. "PROWL! NO!" Candice can't see the screen as well from her position. Maybe...that's a *good* thing. "What...what happened?" Optimus Prime's hands tighten so hard on the console that it creaks dangerously. "Prowl....in the shuttle.......Shockwave....." he says dumbly..unable to tell what happened afterwards either.... Teletran-2 alerts: Error detected. Switching to diagnostic level 8. Estimated time of diagnostic: 7 hours, 13 minu...*zap* (Teletran-2 goes offline) Right then....the screen suddenly fizzles...and turns into static. Optimus Prime raises his head, instantly recognizing what happened. "Teletran-2? Megatron!" his hand flies to the radio controls...trying to warn somebody of his hunch....but the radio here was tied directly into the central computer as well. Candice swallows...harder this time. "What's going on?" Optimus Prime's voice remains strained..but calm. "It's alright Candice...." he says reassuringly. He struggles to stand.....wobbling on his feet, then gently reaches down to take ahold of the human. "I..I need you to do something for me...." Candice 's features pale noticably. "Of course. Anything. What?" Optimus Prime clutches Candice carefully in one hand...as he wobbles towards the nearest medical storage cupboard. With his free hand....he reaches out and opens it, sweeping the supplies inside out of the way, then proceeding to move and deposit her inside. "Stay here.....you must stay here. No matter what happens....no matter what you hear, no matter what you see. Alright?" his voice remains grave....but eerily calm throughout it all. Candice's eyes widen. She feels sick to her stomache. "They're coming here aren't they? They already infiltrated somehow and are coming here." Optimus Prime dosen't deny it one iota. "Stay here.......and don't make a sound. No matter what." his hand moves to close the cupboard a bit, as his other one reaches to pick up his rifle that was set nearby on the counter. Candice gulps in a lungful of air...just staring. It all seems to be going in very slow motion. She moves for the door even it’s being is being closed. "But...you...Optimus! No!" There is a sound of metal tearing, and the very the door to the Medical Bay is torn apart, a giant blue frame making his way inside. Soundwave steps fully through, optic band reacting with the intensity of an electrical storm, playing over the surface in all it's ruby glory. Ravage stalks into the room, moving along the walls silently, almost invisible in the dim light. Optimus Prime steps away from the cupboard, then stands defiantly in the middle of the repair bay floor, his rifle in hand. Soundwave is barely through the door before he's greeted by a sudden flurry of laserfire from the huge rifle. The form of Soundwave is the least of the evils present. For as Soundwave moves out of the doorway, twin piercing orbs of pure crimson malice. Having waited behind; and as Soundwave is blasted... that form behind; those points of pure crimson. Actually, chuckling as Soundwave gets greeted. Candice hugs herself tightly as she sits in the cabinet where she had been placed...listening to the terrifying sounds coming in from outside and despretely trying not to cry out... Soundwave is not that splendid of a dancer, and the shots from Primes rifle sink into his shoulder, a spray of smoke erupting from it almost instantly. He slams against the wall, but makes no moves just yet... Optimus Prime takes a staggering step forward after blasting at Soundwave, swiveling his rifle towards Ravage's form for another brief volley.....mostly to ensure the kitty con keeps himself down. Optimus Prime says, "Not......while.....I still.....stand!" Ravage counts on Prime's true attention to be on Soundwave. He quickly dodges fore, taking one shout across his back, but still with it enough to quietly duck into the shadows, waiting for Prime to turn his attention to Megatron before he vanishes entirely. There is a loud grating chuckle as Soundwave spins out of the doorway. And then, stepping through the doorway; a form emerging from the shadows. Shadow plays over all, the smoke from Soundwave's shoulder crossing the shadows. Through this, living silver seems to spring from the shadows and the smoke. A massive, silvered form; powerful, and apparently un- noticed by Prime. Those orbs of pure crimson flare as the being known as Megatron fully steps into the room. His continuing chuckle melding with the telling hum of his fusion Cannon. As Prime grates his heroic; if not foolish defiance, the silvered form speaks. A laugh hollow, but tinged with pure malice; and something else. Something more... victorious. The ancient, grating voice of the warlord rasping, "Well played. But it's over Prime..." and with that, his cannon-arm snaps up, the building fusion suddenly unleashed in a rushing torrent of pure, white, malice/hatred; and above all else...power. As Megatron steps into the room, and unceremoniously fires..... Soundwave ignores the throbbing pain in his shoulder, hefting his right arm up, sonic cannon primed in case assistance is mandatory. As the fusion rips through Prime with the force of a freight train. His visor brightens, a sign to Megatron and Ravage as a smile of sorts. Candice brings herself to look out the tiny crack of the cabinet’s door just before the Decepticon leader opened fire. Her hands cover her mouth like frightened birds as she is caught within a silent scream of sheer horror. OOC: Megatron hmms.. "Kidnap Prime & Candice?" OOC: Soundwave mmms... OOC: Optimus Prime says, "NO NO NO. No touch Candi. Not after the sentimental slop I went through!!!!! :)" Optimus Prime's defiant stand.....almost appears to stay right to the point even when the cannon blast strikes him. Unlike before......this time it dosen't blast through, but instead appears to simply hurl him backwards, slamming hard against the medtable that he occupied for so long. His rifle flies out of his hand and clatters against the far wall.......and with a deafening crash.....Prime falls, smoke billowing in a thick cloud from his chest. Soundwave steadies himself and keys his record sequence in fully, wanting to replay this touching moment for Megatron and the others once they return. Slowly, he makes his way towards Optimus Prime's 'body', tilting his head in the silent slasher flick killer fashion, as if probing the Autobot Commander's soul. Megatron stalks in, heading for Prime's form. This time, oh this time, he will take no chances... no quarter will be given....no mercy granted. Oh no, this time.. it ends here and now. Megatron closes in on the fallen form of Optimus. There's a sudden loud squeal of anger and rage. And a blurr streaks across the floor to ram forcefully.....and rather ineffectively against the warlord's foot. Soundwave ponders assisting in the death, but instead the thought flickers quickly. He knows this is his Commander's finest hour, and he lets him ebjoy it. Outback wanders past along the corridor. "Flippin' Cons, always causing..." The shots from the medlab catch his attention. "What the... PRIME!" Roller smashes back, dazed..but still squealing angrily after the impact. Megatron stops his stalk as something rams into him. Spotting the Roller module, Megatron's sneers as he replies to the smaller section of Prime's 'being'. "Oh worry not, sweet Roller, Primus has saved a fate for you.... a _special_ one for you...." And with that Megatron mercilessly and rapidly raises his foot, and brings it SMASHING down into the small Blue car. Roller gives one last pathetic squawk......then there's as ickening *CRUNCH* as the foot simply smashes him into so much junk right then and there..... Optimus Prime's body gives a noticable jerk at the sudden destruction of the secondary module. His struggles cease....and with a final groan he falls still on the rubble of the medtable.... Candice draws her hands down from her mouth as she continue to watch from her hiding place. She takes a sharp intake of breath...wishing there were something she could do. She crawls forward slightly. The young woman barely manages to hold in a shriek of horror as Roller is dealt what must be a fatal blow. Due to her shakiness she accidently topples over an empty glass flask...which shatters against the metallic flooring of the storage place.. Soundwave's head snaps over to the cupboard and he slowly stalks towards it, the glass shattering quite loud to his receptors. Outback draws his artillery cannon from subspace. "Megatron, you slaggin' piece of oil-spewin' scrap! I'm gonna kill you for harming one rivet on Prime's hull!" Megatron's foot is buried in what used to be Roller, his head coming up as he looks at Outback. Sneering, "Flee before me Autobot, or Die here with your spiritual leader." Something in Megatron's optics, something that has never been there before in such intensity.... Could it be... victory? Soundwave turns around and harmonizes, "Ravage... inspect the noises..." With that said, he raises his sonic cannon and intones, "Autobot... prepare for annhilation..." The gun convulses once as a stream of coherent energy is sent towards Outback. Outback says, "The VOID you say!" Enraged by the sight of Optimus' crumpled body, he fires at the Decepticon commander, even as Soundwave blasts at him. "Yeargh!" Candice holds her breath as she tries to find *something* within the dimly lit holding in which to hide. Of course...with ravage...she's not sure that would work...already hearing tales of his abilities from those who discovered them first hand. Megatron's form is suddenly consumed by the explosive carnage of an artillery shell. Then the smoke dissipates, and the form of Megatron is exactly where you remember it. His red optics burn as he pays the Minibot no further attention. Stalking to Prime's now fallen corpse, he reaches down with an opened gauntlet. Fingers reaching for that throat, beckoning him, pulling him. As they clench, he uses his massive strength to raise the Autobot up...lifting him by his tilted and beleagured neck In a flash of energy, Soundwave's visor replays the shot from his weapon, a shudder of glee echoing throughout his very body. Very slowly, he advances, not saying one single word. Ravage stalks out into the light, just long enough to stop before a closed medical supply cabinet. With a swipe of his paw, he lazily tears the flimsy door from it. Candice turns around right as the feline face peers inside. In seconds she is rendered immobile, paralyzed by her own fear. Megatron whispers, to no one else but the form of his ancient nemesis. Raising him untill Prime's feet dangle lifelessly beneath him, "Your end will not be here however Prime...." And with that, he tosses the Autobot leader up, and positions him over his... shoulder? Then turning as he grates out, "Soundwave, Ravage, finish up. Our second objective has been met. Leave no witnesses.” Outback stares as his shot has no effect against Megatron's hull, then staggers to his feet. "You're not going anywhere, Megatron!" Ravage stares at the small human form inside, almost appearing hungry. He turns, at Megatron's voice, however, and ignores Candice. Optimus Prime dangles lifelessly in Megatron's grip......unable to even speak now.....beyond any sort of consciousness..... Megatron speaks quietly into his radio. Soundwave heads towards Outback in a slow deliberate fashion, not taking his gaze from him. As he nears the Minibot, he raises a fist and intones, "Your destruction is assured..." Outback says, "I'm willin' to take my chances, blockhead!" He lifts his artillery cannon and fires a low-intensity laser shot at Soundwave. "Eat this!" Megatron turns, ignoring Outback as he stalks back to the entryway; stepping towards the tattered edges. Ravages tail whips around, and strikes the human in the neck, apparantly not hitting hard enough to snap her neck, but she is effectively knocked out. Candice oofs and collaspes against the metallic surface of tha cabinet...unconcious but alive. Something that wouldn't have ocurred if Ravage had been even slightly off. Ravage gingerly picks up the human by her clothing, carries her toward the door. One would almost be reminded of a kitten being carried by the scruff of the neck. Soundwave staggers back, his movement halted as the laser splashes into his chest and does a ripple effect across his very body. Silently, he stares down Outback and raises his hands, rings of pure sonic energy coalescing out. Outback staggers under the sonic assault, and fetches up against the wall. Energon leaks from a ruptured pipe, and his sensors are badly damaged. "Not... bad," he mutters, "But not good enough." He raises his mortar gun again and fires at Soundwave, though not terribly accurately. Megatron stops in the doorway, noting that Soundwave is running into difficulty. "Ravage?" He then motions to Outback. Soundwave rips free the medtable and hefts it up with great force, blocking the incoming shell with much efficiency. "No substance," he taunts quietly, throwing the massive block at Outback. Outback's shell explodes against a medical terminal, and shrapnel flies everywhere. Ravage is nicked by the shrapnel, and lets out a surprised growl. In the process he drops the human. Candice's body falls limply to the floor. At least Ravage's actiona, oddly enough, prevented her from being nicked by any of the shrapnel. Megatron then himself, "shifts" Prime's bulk, freeing up his left arm and spinning around. Raising the cannon-arm towards Outback....His cannon comes alive, its humming fortelling doom of all in it's way. As Soundwave throws the table, and Outback dodges, Megatron; still bearing Primes' body, prepares to fire. Outback manages to evade the thrown table, but is still a bit wobbly and falls to the ground. As he gets up, he fails to notice Megatron taking aim... Megatron mercilessly, and without one iota of hesitation, unleashes another torrent of energy towards the fallen Outback. Ravage deftly avoids being in the blast, and dives out the door, the human forgotten, and in fact, left for dead. Megatron then calls out, rather in contrast to the scene. "Soundwave, Ravage, let's go." Soundwave takes a look at Outback's tattered form, then rebounds towards Megatron, still recording the carnage. The intruders depart...taking their prize with them. Tomcat enters the medbay.....or more appropriately, leaps over the blasted hole in the armored door leading to the medical bay. Wide eyed....he scans the area around him, unbelieving what he sees. Last time he was here.......there was all sorts of activity. Now it looks like a warzone.......which, ironically enough...that's exactly what it is. Candice is laying in a heap on the medbay floor...admist the carnage that had been created by an all too brief battle. Nearby are the ravaged remains of Roller and the Autobot Outback. Tomcat's eyes go even wider.....if that's at all possible. "Oh shi...." he mutters, immediately leaping over a large pile of debris, and running full tilt to where the unconscious form lays. "Candice!" he fairly screams, immediately skidding alongside her, almost tripping in his haste. "Candice! Are you ok? Say something!" Candice flinches ever so slightly and sputters out a few weak coughs as she struggles to open her eyes. Her entire frame aches horribly as she manages to glance toward's the child's direction. "Tom? Y---you alright?" she manages just above a whisper. Tomcat appears to take on a new role this time.....one that hasn't surfaced yet......but suddenly faces him. He embraces Candice roughly, holding tight for a moment. "Jeez......you scared the crap outta me! You sure you're alright...?" He pulls back immediately, afraid of broken limbs or other injuries. Candice returns the embrace in th eonly way she can. As the boy pulls back she struggles to sit herself up...and managing...although awkwardly. She's still a bit offbalanced. She winces as her hand reaches for the back of her neck where the Decepticon kitten had orginally struck her. She's extremely grateful he didn’t strike even slightly higher than he had. "Yeah...except...except another collection of brusises." She holds in a groan and almost falls back to the floor. "Tom...get ...on your radio. They...took Optimus Prime..." Tomcat continues to help hold Candice upright, worry reflected on his face. "M...my radio? But....who do I tell? Who do I call?" Candice shuts her eyes tights, still swaying. But she steadies somewhat under Tom's aid. Why is hard to think? "Ultra Magnus...or Prowl. Call them." Tomcat nods quickly, keeping one arm around Candice's shoulder, as he fishes for his radio with his free hand. Tomcat says into the radio, "Uh....any...body out there?" The response comes, "Yes, though the entrance to the volcano is currently blocked." in Ultra Magnus’s voice. Tomcat says into the radio, "Candice is hurt.....and...the big guy, Prime. He's gone. She says they took him.....whoever they are....." Candice opens her eyes again. "Megatron...Soundwave...Ravage.." Tomcat adds into the radio, "She said the names are.....Megatron, Soundwave and Ravage?" Magnus' reply comes out, "D***. We'll try to open up the mountain as soon as possible." Candice goes back to nursing the back of her neck, her voice braking near the end with emotion. "Optimus...he put me in a cabinet before they came...I saw him gat cannoned...again...and..." Tomcat sets his radio down again, glancing at the back of Candice's neck as well. "Don't move too much...." he insists. "You don't know what could be wrong or anythin..." Candice gives a slight nod in agreement as she releases a breath. "I doubt...I'd be able to move that much even if I could." She winces once more. Whether it's from the physical or emotional pain she's feeling at the moment it's hard to say. More than likely both. "You...stayed in the quarters....like I told you...didn't you?" Tomcat uhs...... "Yeah..." Well at first he did. "Near....the end I was hearin’ explosions and stuff...I....I had to check, Candice. I knew you were here. When I was comin’ this way....I saw that big grey guy blowing a hole in the wall. He had Prime over his shoulder....." Candice presses her lips together, digesting that piece of information. "I'd hate to think what the Decepticons will...do to him." She sways a little more before stabilizing herself again. "He was so...distraught he wasn't able to...help out." Tomcat actually hugs Candice a second time....the thought of a reverse situation in which he almost lost her surfacing for a very uncomfortable moment. "Just...don't think on that k? Its not the right time to though...." The boy can more than likely feel the young woamn's form tremble beneath his hands. "I'm trying not to...but...it's...hard." Tomcat shifts slightly, his gaze falling on the crushed form of Roller nearby. He openly winces at the sight of that.....and glances over.....also spotting Outback's blasted form. Wow....they're everywhere..... Candice leans herself against Tom shoulder as if seeking some type of shelter. "Just...don't leave...ok?" Tomcat hugs her tighter, placing his cheek against her head. "I won't....I promise." After all...she never left him..... Candice lifts her arms and wraps them around her charge. "Guess...we wait until someone comes..." Tomcat's radio comes to life with Magnus' voice. "We're still clearing the entranceway. Can you find a Marine Corpsman inside?" Tomcat picks it up and answers, "Uh...I...dunno. It’s...a big mess in here. There's an Autobot that got blasted to bits....and that little six wheeled guy that belongs to Prime has been smashed....I don't see anyone....anywhere." Candice's voice is muffled agaist Tom's shoulder. "Who's that...Magnus?" Tomcat nods slowly. "Yeah....he's checkin’ on us...." Candice asks, "What...what he say?" The radio chirrups, "Copy that. Will try to get back in as soon as possible, but see if you can find a Corpsman to take a look at Candice." Tomcat answers a quick reply, then glances back at Candice. "He's just worried..makin sure you're ok." he pauses and bites his lip for a moment. "Are you?" Candice isn't actually sure she is. She lifts a hand to her head. "I...I don't know. So hard to think right now. Concussion...maybe..." In truth...she does indeed have a concussion. After all. the black cat did happen to hit her a bit hard with that tail of his. For those who peer closer she seems to be in a state of shock...both of which is affecting her. "So...tired." Tomcat gulps. His own experience with a semi-concussion left him a bit wiser about it. He notably shakes Candice a bit. "C'mon.....you gotta stay awake k? Remember when I hit my head? Candice..? You remember that?" Candice thinks for a moment and then gives a bear nod. "A little," she confesses. Hard to think..." Tomcat nods quickly. "`Member how I wasn't allowed to fall asleep? Huh? You gotta stay Candice. You can't nod off. Its just like then...." Candice gulps...some of *that* sinking through. "Kay," she tones. "How did...how did I keep you awake?" Tomcat hehs. "Kept me talkin’?" Candice blinks weariler. "'Bout what?" Tomcat hugs her tighter, starting to grow a bit desperate. "Just....just about anythin." he says, trying to think. "I...this is gonna be a chance.....I'm gonna be able to put that fixing I been learnin to practice huh?" Candice considers that a moment. "You mean about Roller, Outback, the others...?" Tomcat nods. "Yeah.....them.....and anyone else that got busted up too..." Candice forces what could be the beginning of a smile. "You are good at fixing up. Hmm...I...I ever tell you that...?" There's the sudden sound of footsteps out in the hallway, and an entire squad of marines.....armed to the teeth begins to tromp past the blasted hole in the medbay door. One of them happens to pause and peer in, spotting the carnage. "Holy moly!" Candice blinks rather slowly, wincing at the new voice. Loud. "Who's...Moly?" she questions weakly. Tomcat glances up and waves to the staring marine. "Hey! Over here! She hit her head.....I think she's got a concussion or somethin!" He glances down and rocks Candice for a moment.....shaking her a bit. "Not much longer.....just gotta stay awake for a bit longer k? Do that for me?" Candice mumbles, fighting valiently to keep her eyes open. But it's getting harder for her to stay awake. "Trying." She glances bleary-eyed at the rag-tag group that begins to enter the room. Meanwhile the marine glances over and calls out the classic line. "Medic!" to which the answer comes immediately and said members stream into the hole. Candice focuses back on Tom...or at least within his direction. "What's happening?" Tomcat says as he leans forward one last time. "They're gonna help you k? It’s ok now Candice. They're gonna get you some help." meanwhile one of the marines places a hand on his shoulder, gently but firmly starting to move him back. "Let the doc take care of her now kid. You did good." Candice offers Tom a pained glance...momentarily confused as to why he's being pulled away. But before she manages a form of protest she emits a deep and troubled sigh. "Kay...just, be good...alright." Tomcat allows himself to be moved so far.....then stays put, nodding as his eyes mist over a bit. "I will...you just....let em help ya. It'll be better...." Candice hesitates a few moments more before carefully nodding...allowing the corpsemen to do as he wills to give aid. "I'll...let them..." she promises...somehow understanding that the boy needs reassurances as well...