(Untitled)

[botwithacamera]

[Wednesday, late afternoon/evening]

*Comm, to Autobot officers* We have a problem. I'm receiving reports of the Decepticons attacking Portland. Visual confirmation on at least three of the Combaticons present.

Comments

[tactics_planner]

*Heads out of his meeting with Wheeljack.*

I'm on my way, Red Alert.

*Enters the security office moments later and looks over the camera.* ... what now? What the frag are they doing? There's nothing of strategic value in that area of Portland.

[tactics_planner]

Yes, I've asked him for something and he's checking into it. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of time. Onslaught is controlling his troops, but it's only a matter of time before he lets them lose on the city again.

[bigdamnsemi]

That is probably our best bet.

*Magnus was quiet for a second*

What are you going to do if this turns out to be a trap or he just lets his troops run wild through the city after you return Ravage?

[tactics_planner]

I'm anticipating that it will. I'm bringing who I can to Portland with me and we will attempt to draw the Combaticons away from the city. According to the reports there are only four of them there, so we don't have to worry about Bruticus. We do, however, need to worry about where the missing member is, as well as this being some sort of ploy to draw us away from the Ark.

[bigdamnsemi]

Exactly. As I recall, Megatron wasn't the type for subterfuge so I hope this isn't some ploy to lure us away from the Ark but you never know. Why don't we have Teletraan-1 scan for Vortex's presence just to be safe. That way, if they try and get the drop on us, we'll know.

[tactics_planner]

Yes, please deal with that, Ultra Magnus. I'm leaving you in charge of the Ark's defence, and I trust your judgment on it.

[bigdamnsemi]

But, sir! Ratchet's repaired my leg and cleared me for duty so I could accompany you and the others to Portland.

*It spilled out before he could stop himself. The last thing Magnus wanted was to be stuck gathering dust back at the Ark when his services could be better spent helping the others in Portland.*

[tactics_planner]

*smiles slightly* Ultra Magnus, I need an experienced commander in Portland and I need one on base. This is not a slight on your abilities, it is simply a fact. One of us must go and one must stay.

[bigdamnsemi]

Yes, sir.

*Ultra Magnus was too good a solider to argue with a direct order so he just bit down on his displeasure and accepted it with as much good grace as he could manage.*

[tactics_planner]

*Pauses slightly and runs the numbers.*

Magnus, meet me at the front of the Ark. I will bring Ravage up for transport and I will leave the Portland mission to you, if you would prefer that opportunity. Have you ever faced Onslaught?

[bigdamnsemi]

Uh--Yes sir, I'll be right there.

*He wasn't completely sure why Prowl was having the change of spark but who was he to complain?*

Onslaught? Yes, but it was vorns ago. I thought Megatron had killed the Combaticons off because they lead some kind of rebellion against him?

[tactics_planner]

No. Merely imprisoned them. Since you have faced him on the field of battle, you know what to expect. *Pauses momentarily contemplating his next words. If there is combat try to draw them away from the city. On this new world, we need to keep the humans constantly in mind, and if saving them means taking a route as a victory, then so be it.

[bigdamnsemi]

Do you think we'd have any luck drawing him away from the city before we hand over Ravage?

*Re-energized, Magnus hurried out of the med-bay and towards the entrance.*

[tactics_planner]

There's only a 22.35% chance of that happening. But if you can make it work, then by all means, try. If we can manage to avoid turning over Ravage at all, even better.

[bigdamnsemi]

Well I highly doubt they're going to let us get away with dragging him all the way out there and renege on giving him over without them running amok in the city. What I hope is we can convince Onslaught to leave the city and out-flank him so we're between the city and his team.

[tactics_planner]

Agreed. I leave it to your discretion. *Pauses again* Ultra Magnus, if you have the opportunity to take out one of their members permanently, then do so. Bruticus is too dangerous an enemy.