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Submitted by Omega Supreme
Xroads - Tuesday, February 13, 2001, 8:35
PM
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Oregon and Washington
The Northwestern United States is covered with high mountain peaks and
lush forests. The Pacific Ocean borders to the west, Canada to the north.
In the state of Washington Mt. Saint Hillary, standing tall and majestic,
serves as the northwestern Autobot outpost. Through a hole in the mountainside
a glimmer of gold can be seen, the only evidence of The Ark.
Contents:
Fort Maximus [Robot]
Autobot Hovercraft <Liberty>
The Ark
Seattle <Sea>
O'Nielen Estate
Obvious exits:
<W>est leads to Northeast Pacific.
<U>p leads to Sky over Western U.S..
<N>orth leads to British Columbia.
<E>ast leads to Northwestern States.
<S>outh leads to California - Pacific
Coastline.
Fort Maximus walks the oregon mountains around the ark quietly, each footfall leaving a mark on the landscape...
Omega Supreme's sitting outside of the Ark
with his tank half diligently patroling the piece of track around his defense
base mode. The little tank never tires, never sleeps, but then again the
Decepticons do not rest either.
Fort Maximus emerges over a ridge, head down
slightly as it bobs with each foot fall. Seeing Omega there engaged in
what he does best a smile crosses his face briefly. Picking up his pace
slightly he makes his way down the ridge and up the path towards the Ark's
resting place.
Omega Supreme's tank continues about it's daily
task, but it's always a daily task no matter how tedious it might appear
to be. Scanners spin about searching for any hidden intruders. The tank
stops as Fortress Maximus begins his trek down the mountain side. It runs
a scan over the Cybertronian Commander, and the base rumbles in a resounding
dull voice, "GREETINGS."
Fort Maximus nods once, "Greetings, Omega
Supreme... your vigilance in protecting the Ark is appreciated during this
dark time."
The tank goes back to it's duties quickly picking
up the pace from after it stopped. Omega's voice rumbles, his words cause
the mountain side "THE SECURITY OF THE ARK HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE
TERRAN WAS ABDUCTED BY DECEPTICONS. OPTIMUS PRIME'S DEPARTURE HAS LEFT
MANY AUTOBOTS UNSURE. LEAVING US VULUNERABLE. I WILL NOT TOLERATE DECEPTICONS
HARMING INNOCENTS WITHIN REACH OF THE ARK. PROWL'S LEADERSHIP: QUESTIONABLE."
Fort Maximus nods, and emits, "I have been
pondering many of the same things, my friend. I keep comming back to the
same belief... perhaps it is time for me to once again assume the Mantle
of Leadership as I did when Optimus departed with the Ark. Prowl is an
excellent officer, but he lacks certain qualities that a leader truely
needs."
Fort Maximus says, "I do not wish it, but
I must put the needs of the Autobots ahead of my own personal wishes. We
need to regain our order and return to our previous level of vigilance
else the Decepticons will pick us off like so many fish in a barrel."
The tank rolls to a stop infront of or behind Maximus, and the turret swivels about, "A LEADER FOR THE AUTOBOTS SHOULD BE VIGILENT, WISE, MERCIFUL, AND WILLING TO PUT OTHERS BEFORE HIMSELF. MY VIGILANCE HAS NEVER BEEN DOUBTED COMMANDER. BUT I DO BLAME MYSELF FOR THE LOSS OF THE NATIVE LIFEFORM TO THE DECEPTICONS. IT IS MY DUTY TO ENSURE ALL INNOCENT BEINGS ARE NOT HARMED BY AUTOBOT OR DECEPTICON. THAT DAY I FAILED MY DUTY. I WAS BUSY WORKING ON CALIBRATING THE ARK'S DEFENSE GRID." He's definately not pleased, and out of the many humans the Decepticons have killed..It still bothers him.
Fort Maximus nods, "Vigilance is critical, yes. But we are but mechs, Omega Supreme. We are not infalable, no matter how much we wish to be. It is time that you not have to hold the ark alone. It is time that we come together once more as a Faction, the loss of Optimus is held heavy by all, to mourn a fallen leader is both fitting and expected. To allow it to pull you apart is neither acceptable nor proper of an Autobot."
The tank continues to turn it's turret about. If it's not going to move along looking for Decepticon interloopers on track it will do it's duty another way. His voice rumbles, "IT IS MY FUNCTION TO PROTECT THE ARK AND ALL THAT ARE INSIDE. I WILL WELCOME ANOTHER WHO WISHES TO SHARE THE DUTY. THE FATE OF THE HUMAN WILL ONLY IMPROVE MY EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOLVE TO NEVER ALLOW IT TO TAKE PLACE AGAIN."
Fort Maximus says, "It is too great a burden for one Mech to hold, Omega Supreme. Do you know where Prowl is?"
Omega Supreme booms as the tank goes back on patrol, "NEGATIVE." It circles about the track again and again. Omega's voice again rumbles, "IT IS A BURDEN I ACCEPT EVEN IF I MUST DO IT ALONE."
Fort Maximus says, "You are a guardian, that is understandable." his optics raise to the Ark up a bit further, "For the moment, I will share your burden. It is not fair that one be expected to be vigilant always."
Perceptor has connected.
The tank stops again before you, and Omega rumbles, "YOU ARE NEEDED TO GIVE THE AUTOBOTS STRENGTH DURING THIS DARK TIME THROUGH YOUR ABILITIES AS A LEADER. MANY THINGS WE DO ARE NOT CONSIDERED FAIR BUT NEEDED TO ENSURE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE."
Fort Maximus brings a hand up to his chin, resting the elebow in his other hand and considers, "You are of course, right Omega... I will see if I can send a few to assist in your guard duty, perhaps run Patrols around the mountain as well. You are deserving of support."
Perceptor steps forth from the Ark, carrying a large bundle of wires and scrap metal. He cants his head to the side, to peer past the items. "Greetings, comrades. I trust all is in a state of tranquility for the time being?"
Fort Maximus glances over and smiles, "Greetings,
Perceptor. Yes, things are definantly quiet... the Decepticons have been
quiet aside from this apparent Toxic Cleanup in New York. I have been meaning
to examine just what is going on there..."
The tank starts up again, and Omega's voice
rumbles again, "GREETINGS PERCEPTOR. DECEPTICON ACTIVITY IN NEW YORK: SUSPECT
OTHER MOTIVES INVOLVED." The little tank patrols the proper of the Ark
with enternal vigilance. What a wonderful guy.
Perceptor nods to Max. "If I may interject my personal opinion," which he does without waiting for a reply "it would be a highly recommended course of action. After all, the Decepticons are handling toxic substances, which could easily be converted into some sort of weapon. That, by even basic formulaic calculations, will equate to trouble."
Fort Maximus glances at Perceptor, "Well yes, they obviously have something in mind. I, myself, am curious how they discovered the Toxic waste to begin with. They were in the New York region for a reason, and I aim to find out what."
The tank keeps on going around, and around.
Not much for poses, and Omega rumbles, "I WILL REMAIN HERE. THEY COULD
BE PLANNING AN ASSAULT ON THE ARK. AN ATTACK WHILE WE STILL ARE HAVING
PROBLEMS KEEPING UNITED."
Fort Maximus says, "Problems I aim to solve
actually..."
The Ark
Security Checkpoint
A very large imposing counter stands off to one side of this hallway, and directly behind it, those who are tall enough will notice that there is a bank of monitors that allow anyone on duty here to have an unimpeded view of all things that happen in the city. The walls and even the counter itself, are filled with sophisticated sensors that allow only those with clearance to pass.
--- Base alert Status: <<< Normal >>> ---
Contents:
Prowl [Robot]
Fort Maximus [Robot]
Ramhorn [Rhinosaurus]
Computer Station <CS>
Obvious exits:
<S>outh leads to Oregon and Washington.
East <E> leads to Launchpad - Autobot
HQ.
North <N> leads to Main Level.
Fort Maximus is making his way towards the Ark's Exit, footfalls ringing heavilly through the ship.
Prowl enters the Ark, he has been on a long patrol of the region with several other Autobots.
Ramhorn is sitting in the entrance. In fact dead center in the middle. Looking around and snorting, daring someone to move him.
The tank of the massive guardian moves around
the base proper, and on it's round it passes the exit and enterance of
the Ark. It never stops going about it's business vigilantly.
Prowl enters the Ark, he has been on a long patrol of the region with several other Autobots.
Fort Maximus turns his head and smiles, "Ahh Prowl... just the one I was hoping to speak with."
Prowl nods. "Hello, FortMax. What can I help you with?"
Fort Maximus smiles, "To discuss the state
of the Autobots during this dark time of course..."
The tank makes it's rounds pass the Ark's
enterance, and comes to a stop at the sight of the rather large gathering.
Omega's great voice drones as he greets the return of Prowl, "GREETINGS.
PROWL." The soundwaves allow for unsettled setiment to fall to the ground,
and the base's long ranged radar swivels about to pick up the slack that
his tank half is doing. Omega is not one to sleep or talk on the job unless
it can be delt by other means.
Prowl nods to Omega then turns to Fort. "Very well. Our original warrior complement is 85 percent operational. And the Ark is undergoing repairs as we speak. Wheeljack and Perceptor are working on a way to refuel it. Ratchet and First aid are working on the injured..."
Ramhorn flicks his ears, perhaps irritated by all the chatter. Still he is stubborn and remains in his spot. gaze going from one person to the next as they speak. Looking up at the larger bots.
Fort Maximus says, "And what of our defensive arrangements? Indications are that we've lost ground."
Prowl says, "We have Omega Supreme for defence. What we are lacking is resources to take the fight elsewhere on the planet."
Fort Maximus says, "So you rest all of our defensive hopes upon a single Mech?"
Prowl says, "He is more then capable."
Fort Maximus says, "He is a single unit and cannot cover our entire vulnerable area alone." he shakes his head, "We need to run patrols around the perimeter, the Decepticons won't come to our front door."
Prowl says, "If you haden't noticed I myself just retuned from a patrol. Are you questioning how I'm running things in the absence of Optimus?"
The tank remains in place, cannon turret whir-clicking to face each of those in the room before it stops to face Prowl. Omega again speaks his mind on the state of the Ark's security with deep concern, the ground trembles as the giant speaks, "CURRENT STATE OF SECURITY OF THE ARK: UNSTABLE. A MUCH MORE EFFICIENT DEFENSE GRID SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED. I AM WORKING ON WAYS TO RECTIFIY THE SITUATION. UNIT OMEGA SUPREME WILL DEFEND THE ARK UNTIL TERMINATED. UNIT OMEGA SUPREME IS NOT INVISIBLE TO FULL SCALE DECEPTICON ASSAULT."
Ramhorn snorts."I could take em. No con is walking in here."
Fort Maximus says, "I'm providing advice to you Prowl. We cannot survive unless some clear plans of action are put into effect, we're listless without Prime. His loss was great, and it pains us all, but unless something is done to solidify our ranks, the Decepticons will pick us off one by one."
Ramhorn snorts and stands, he circles a moment then trots into the ark. Driven off by all the yammering no doubt. Planning not his specialty, prefering th direct approach. Run right at them and knock them down, hopefully.
Prowl says, "I'm no fool. And I'm doing what I can. No one can fill the void left behind. Think of the pain carried by the Protechtobots who witnessed his death? Or of Ratchet who had to prepare his body? It all takes time, and right now, Omega can handle our defence, and can always call for help."
Fort Maximus emits softly, "You were not on Cybertron the first time he disappeared, were you..."
Prowl says, "Of course not. I was here."
The tank's turret whirs back to life, and clicks as it points to Fort Maximus, "FORTESS MAXIMUS'S ADVICE TO INCREASE PATROLS AT THE PARIMITER OF THE ARK IS LOGICAL." It then whirs and clicks onto Prowl, "OPTIMUS PRIME WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR A DECEPTICON TO TAKE A HUMAN FROM THE VACINITY OF THE ARK." Omega rumbles, and that event does have the old guardian sour. He rumbles, "UNIT STARSCREAM SHOULD BE TERMINATED AS A RESPONSE."
Fort Maximus replies to Prowl softly, "We were nearly wiped out in the first few vorns after he vanished, disarray ruled our ranks. I ended up taking the mantle of leadership as noone else would. Prime isn't comming back this time, Ratchet has already proven that... we cannot allow our personal feelings to interfere the way they did on Cybertron Prowl. We must act decicively to regain troop morale."
Prowl looks to Omega. "If we killed him we'd be no better then the cons." then to Fort, " Then what is your solution?"
Fort Maximus emits, "Agree'd, Starscream is
best left right where he is. Out of our way and unable to cause trouble."
he turns his optics on Prowl and replies, "I have none, Prowl, there is
no answer. I am still not certain how we were able to regain our footing
during the time on Cybertron... but one thing we didn't do was sit back
and look for excuses. We mourned what we feared to be the loss of all of
you, but we continued to fight one way or another...
Prowl nods. "We continue to fight the cons
here, that is all that matters."
Omega's tank portion moves the turret to face Fort Maximus, and his voice rumbles, "SUGGESTION: A TEMPORARY COMMANDER TAKES THE PLACE OF OPTIMUS UNTIL ONE WHO IS TRUE IS FOUND. SUGGESTION: FORTRESS MAXIMUS FULLFILLS THAT NEED. CURRENT LEADERSHIP: UNSTABLE." The guardian lets his thoughts known on the situation with the Autobot leadership and how things are being handled from the prospective of a simple Autobot troop.
Fort Maximus nods, "Agree'd. If you will allow, I will begin inquiries into establishing steady resource lines that will allow us to go back on the offensive. The decepticons have..." he breaks off, staring at Omega, "I have offered such, but I will not take it without the consent of the faction."
Prowl remains silent.
Fort Maximus says, "Regardless of my Track Record, I do not wish to lead. I do not even wish to fight, I have done both out of neccessity. The Autobots must back a commander as one, and select them for the reasons that any leader is selected. I cannot simply 'assume' the role... I was given the role on Cybertron by my peers, and I will accept no less here.""
Prowl doesn't have much to say. He had thought he was running things well enough here since Prime's death. It appears that others disagree...
Omega Supreme keeps his focus on Fortress Maximus, and he booms, "MY SUPPORT FOR YOU TO TAKE THE MANTEL OF LEADERSHIP IS NOTED." The turret turns to face Prowl, "PROWL IS AN EXCELLENT OFFICER, WHO I RESPECT. BUT HE LACKS THE CERTAIN QUALITIES THAT MAKES ONE THE COMMANDER OF ALL HIS PEERS. LOGIC IS NOT ALL THAT IS REQUIRED."
Prowl says, "I will cast my vote only when the faction meets."
Fort Maximus regards Omega for a long period of time, then turns to Prowl, "We require stability, at this point, that means you are the wisest choice, you have been in place since Optimus' ceased function."
Omega Supreme begins to slowly roll back to to patrol the Ark's parimiter, and he stops. His voice booms, "WHAT IS THE COURSE OF ACTION THE AUTOBOTS PLAN TO DO ABOUT THE DECEPTICONS IN NEW YORK? TOXIC WASTE MAYBE USED AGAINST A HUMAN POPULATION IN AN AREA UNKNOWN TO US NOW."
Fort Maximus says, "I was enroute to depart as we speak, Omega..."
Prowl nods. "I will continue what I can." then to Omega. "The Protectobots should be in the area, I'll send orders for them assist." then back to Fort. "I will go as well."
Fort Maximus nods, "The company would be welcome. Do we have any functioning shuttlecraft?"
The tank begins to roll away from the Ark and back on patrol without much of a word.
Prowl says, "I'm afraid not. However we aren't without rapid transport."