Mission, Possible?

[random_xtras]

Vector Prime stands next to Optimus, his hand on his younger sister's shoulder as he glances around the rec room in search of signs of the party that occurred here the night before. He wonders slightly how that party will be affecting the battle to come. Of Lumen's ability to fight even when overcharged he has no doubts, but the two femmes and the medic who'd been involved.... Well, he's seen so many versions of the three that he isn't quite sure what to expect from them.

-They'll probably be fine.- Optimus' optics flash with laughter as she takes advantage of his offline status to communicate with him privately. -I've never seen a Chromia yet who couldn't hold her charge. And she and Lumen will stand by the other two.-

-As you say,- he replies softly, smiling. -Though I would have still wished for more sober troops for such a serious assignment, I know that we have exactly the troop that Primus feels is most appropriate.-

"Right." Optimus gives him a grin, then turns toward the door as they sense the first arrival's approach.

Comments

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

Aaaand WakeJumper is now facepalming and muttering about welding Lumen's vocalizer shut. Though he is also pinging Optimus' comm. //How bad is the damage, Optimus?// Yes, that is a bit of worry you're hearing in his voice, Optimus.

Desinex and Chromia are currently busy dealing with a few heavies and several dozen smaller units, and therefore are unable to offer immediate assistance if it's needed.

[fallen-flakes.livejournal.com]

Fallstreak tilts and outruns a couple of too-hasty acid bursts, which dissipate in the wind and his wake. //...What? Ah. Say again, sir?//

He can't have heard that right. What could Vector Prime do?

Distracted from teamplay as he is, at least he's done more damage than he's taken so far. He is, basically, competent. Although the fact the enemy is trying to use liquid weapons at aircraft altitude helps.

Movor makes a low, displeased noise that's lost to the wind. He tightens up his position, slowing to a near-hover as Optimus applies her solution. The groundpounders have things in hand. He needs to cover his commander, since their wingmate is...

Wouldn't have this kind of problem if Ro-tor was here. The shuttle's fins twitch, his lasers lash out, and another spitter turns to vapour and bits of carbonized exoskeleton.

[random_xtras]

//The acid was neutralized and I can fly, WakeJumper. Watch Lumen, he's going to stomp that Tyrant. Fallstreak, Vector can help you stay focused. You're doing good work, but I think you need someone to remind you of what you're doing.//

She's aware of Movor's protective movements even as she continues to fight through her speaking. A comm ping is sent his way; a wordless reassurance.

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

//Don't I know it... Any idea where he picked up those lyrics?// WakeJumper has his own blaster out and is providing cover fire for the older mech, though he's not thrilled with having to do so.

Desinex, meanwhile, is starting to wish that she still had her rifle, but she's still putting up a good fight as Chromia picks off the smaller units around the heavy unit.

[fallen-flakes.livejournal.com]

//Oh, uh, I can stay focused,// Fallstreak tries to assure the commander. Something about the unspecified way Vector Prime can ‘help’ is making his flaperons twitch. //You don’t have to do that.//

Just to prove it, he tidies up his position and focuses his fire on the targets that actually come into his field of fire instead of chasing after them. One shot, two shots, another spitter wounded and flailing downward. See? He can totally do this!

At least until something else overloads his processors.

Movor acknowledges the ping and carries on, though as far as he’s concerned he’s not the one who needs reassurance. After all, he’s the one supplying backup. He glances at the battlefield below, though, and wonders if Desinex could use air support. Maybe he'll keep a sensor on that...

[random_xtras]

//I do believe he's ad libbing, WakeJumper. Fallstreak, I will not be harming you, merely playing what Optimus tends to term a 'back seat' driver.// Vector's voice comes over the comm frequencies, as calm and precise as ever.

Aaaaaand Lumen just came down on that critter the same size as he is with both feet and then shot it in the head before whapping a few spitters out of the air with his tire iron.

Optimus to is keeping a close sensor on the ground forces even as she clears away more of the aerial units.

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

//Oh, joy.// WakeJumper sighs over comms, before continuing to pick off some of the smaller units heading for Lumen.

Desinex, meanwhile, is flat-out cackling and tearing into the smaller units with unabashed glee. It's almost as though a weight's lifted off of her shoulder struts and she's finally cutting loose.

[fallen-flakes.livejournal.com]

//I don't understand, sir...// And Fallstreak doesn't have time to, besides. There are still acid-spitting organics vying for his attention as they swoop and circle into his guns' range.

Movor's listening too, while he works, and frowning internally as he wonders what the commander might be doing.

[random_xtras]

//Watch your six, Fallstreak. Movor, do you see that blip on the radar to the west? Looks like we've got aerial backup coming in for the other side. Fallstreak....//

//Perhaps my assistance isn't needed, Optimus,// Vector cuts in gently.

There's a clear //....// over coms, but then the big flying truck blinks her lights in acknowledgment. //Alright. Fallstreak, just keep your sensors peeled. Lumen, do NOT bite anymore of these things. That's disgusting.//

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

See WakeJumper. See WakeJumper pause. See WakeJumper pause and facepalm. Facepalm, WakeJumper, facepalm! //Lumen! If you clog up your fuel lines, I'm NOT working on you.//

Over where Chromia and Desinex are working, the part of the swarm that rushed to meet them is currently getting mowed down and torn apart. Though it does seem a few of the smaller units have Desinex surrounded, it doesn't last for more than a few seconds at most.

[fallen-flakes.livejournal.com]

Movor will have to set aside his disappointment at not getting that demonstration... yet. He retrains his sights, sensors flicking disdainfully away from the cruder Autobot antics below. //Acknowledged, sir. I see them.//

Fallstreak 'whew's softly, and then hastily checks he didn't do it over the comm. Maybe he's showing his programming - of course an Autobot commander should be trusted on principle, and his aft looks good in neon green too - but he has the idea he's just dodged a bullet. An invisible, possibly weirder-than-anything-he-was-expecting missile, but he's not taking chances...

Speaking of which, he'd better be careful of his tail. He tips and drops, outrunning the spitters on his tail and leading them into Movor's line of fire almost by accident. It's a pleasant surprise that the shuttle actually deigns to pick them off. He doesn't acknowledge Fallstreak's wing-waggle of thanks, though.

[random_xtras]

//It bit me first!// comes the cheerful reply as the old Autobot continues to wreck havoc on the beasts all around him. //I mean, yessir! Optimus, sir!//

//Do you have an idea of numbers? They're still too far out of my range for me to pick out details.// Optimus pots the last large ground unit, leaving it to explode in Lumen's face, then peels to the side and cuts a swatch through the now very thin ranks of acid spitters.

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

//So what if it did?! That's still gross, Lumen!// WakeJumper grumbles and grouses, even as he moves to take down some of the remaining smaller units.

Over on Chromia and Desinex's part of the battlefield, there are two gleefully whooping and hollering femmes, who are picking off smaller units one by one.

[fallen-flakes.livejournal.com]

//Fifty, fifty-five of them, sir,// Movor reports. //Enough to try a swarm if they weren't so slow.// He relays a short burst of the images from his optics to the commander. And maybe anyone else accessing too much of the channel.

Fallstreak's fire goes silent for a cycle as he refocuses on this news. //Ah. More targets. That's good!//

What? He's enjoying the shooting and burning bit.