[ti]Ep 2.5[/ti]Impromptu Evacuation - [Breakdown]

[Ravage]

"Amazing you survived," the Vehicon said to the medic. "Can't believe the ship is gone."

After that, the burly purple mech shook his head and was quiet. 

As Breakdown finished his warning, Ravage paused at Knock Out's side.

:: Ah, there we go,:: he said quietly. This time he'd opened up the line between both the medic and Breakdown. ::I have explained the situation as much as I can, but I am sure Pyrotech will no doubt want you both to explain the rest from your standpoint. Be ready for a Ground Bridge to open shortly as soon as he sends me the meeting co-ordinates.::

Ravage had fully expected the tone of shock that had met his query. The cat appreciated the fact that Pyrotech was not the sort that remained surprised for long, though.  Nemesis was downed, they had survivors, and they needed a place to regroup, if not stay for a bit.

Pyrotech did not panic or fret. He simply assessed the situation immediately, the same way he might eye a shifting foundation or test for structural soundness after an earthquake.

Once they had established that he did not have to meet them, that the Ground Bridge was still operational, Pyrotech had explained he didn't dare have them bridge in too close to the base. Ravage had agreed; at the moment, they couldn't afford to attract attention from any source.

Numbers too low, unsure of who had survived, and the last thing they needed to do was alert MECH to their presence. The Autobots were fine for now; the truce was still on. As much Ravage personally did not like it, and felt it didn't accomplish the goals either side was doing... right now, it was useful.

Unlike Megatron, Optimus Prime would not see the sense in ending the truce the moment he realized his enemy was at such a disadvantage, one strike and the war would end. 

The slanted red eyes of the cat focused up on the red mech next to him. Ravage's tail was shifting from side to side in the thoughtful manner of someone doing three things at once.

Next to them, waves broke on the rocky shore; greasy foam silvered the stones and clung to it, refracting a rainbow of shimmering color. In the distance, a film of chemicals could be seen in the bright morning sun, likely released from the Nemesis when she struck the water, or even the jettisoning escape pods.

All along the beach, the slick, intermingled mess was slowly being washed up on land. On top of the waves, the substances whirled and dipped, as the thicker globules broke up and dispersed. Luckily for the wildlife, the distance it was spread out over made it at least slightly less toxic to the shoreline. No seabirds today on the coast would need sad music playing in the background while they took a bath in Dawn detergent.

::Get the Vehicons ready to move,:: the cat murmured to Breakdown and Knock Out. ::I will go with you, help you get them to the outpost, and then come back and search the area for any other survivors. I have no doubt a few more will wash up.::

His optics half shuttered in concentration, muzzle lifted towards a point in front of them. A pang of unease actually curled within him; this was Soundwave's territory, to open and close a thousand of these. He had never had to do it himself, and he felt rather awkward, even if he would never admit it. As if he was attempting to open a doorknob with his teeth for some reason. He hated doorknobs. Humans had no sense; he could hardly wait for them to hit that point in their evolution where they would do away with them and go to a normal method of opening doors, like access panels or motion sensors.

A hundred yards down the beach a burst of green light shimmered. It started as a point, then whirled and blossomed into the familiar swirling motion of the Ground Bridge.

"After you," Ravage murmured to Knock Out, inclining his head.

Larry lifted his head from where he'd been obviously mulling over his short existence. He blinked up at Breakdown.

"I guess he didn't forsake us after all?" he mumbled, before going limp once again.

[Knock Out]

Knock Out hadn't noticed that Breakdown had trailed behind again – his attention fully focused on not stepping into any unnecessary puddles, and also talking to Ravage without drawing too much attention to himself. It was probably for the best, as it meant that the Vehicons had stopped crowding to the point of making the Chief Medical Officer uncomfortable, and this way if they did need to huddle and swarm? They could swarm around Breakdown.

He was only half listening to what the big blue mech was saying as he spoke, but the soft rumble of frustration was heard loud and clear. He frowned in response, but thankfully a Vehicon drew his attention away before he could turn and glare at Breakdown. If anyone should be complaining here? It should be him!

“Indeed. I'm very lucky.” He vented out a sigh, shaking his helm sadly in response to the last part added by the Vehicon. While the loss of the ship was tragic, it hadn't fully sunk in yet just how much they'd actually lost. Things taken for granted would become rare luxuries now, and Knock Out was certain that wherever they were going wouldn't be anywhere near as accommodating. Then again, anywhere would be better than nowhere.

He wouldn't pause like Ravage – at least, not straight away. The name mentioned made him stop in his tracks, and he'd stare up at the sky as if thinking.

Pyrotech. He should've known. It was a name he hadn't heard in a while, actually. Still, what choice did they have? They couldn't stay out on the beach like this – especially with MECH supposedly nearby. As long as you stayed on Pyrotech's good side he wasn't all bad, right? Or at least that's what he'd heard. At least Ravage had the means to contact him, and... At least he'd received a reply.

::I'll explain it to him as best I can. I suppose I should inform the others about what really happened, too, once we're there.:: He sighed, glancing to Ravage. He wasn't looking forward to that part, but at least with someone like Pyro there, the Vehicons wouldn't erupt into a frenzied riot of panic.

The order to get the Vehicons ready came, and Knock Out would swivel and turn to face Breakdown and the others. A soft grumble escaped him as his pede sank gently into the sand, and he'd adjust his weight accordingly after gently shaking off his sand covered pede.

“Alright, our contact has come through and we're going to be moving from the beach momentarily. Once there, please try to behave yourselves.” He looked pointedly at Larry as he spoke, as if that last part was entirely directed at him – even if Larry wasn't paying attention in his limp noodle state.

The familiar sound of the Ground Bridge caught Knock Out's attention, and he'd turn quickly.

“Thank you, Ravage.” He murmured in reply, bobbing his head.

He didn't have to be told twice, and would roll his shoulders back, standing up a little straighter as he led the gaggle of Vehicons – who he assumed would be following his lead – through the swirling green and yellow vortex to their new accommodation.

[Breakdown]

     Breakdown looked at the Vehicons, more just listening in on the conversations they were having among themselves. It wasn't that interesting to be honest, but he still gave them at least the time of day while Ravage and Knock Out were having their own private talk. Ravage assist with the Vehicons? He and KNOCK OUT corral them around like cattle? Right, and he was a spark-eater trainer. With a roll of his optic he turned his back to Ravage and Knock Out and scanned around the beach. 

     It was instinct for him to watch out for possible trouble. When it was just the two of them Breakdown would always make sure Knock Out went through first and that there was no oncoming enemies that may try a cheap shot while their backs were turned before he would go in himself. Even though he hadn't spotted anything so far, that didn't mean they couldn't still pop out of nowhere in a hurry. He knew how fast MECH could move when they were focused on their target.

     "Follow Ravage and Knock Out through the bridge. I'll enter after all of you are through. And hurry up, we don't have forever. We can get everyone a quick look-over once we arrive at our destination."

     Breakdown wanted to make sure there wasn't anything lagging the Vehicons behind, so while they seemed to be having trouble with shuffling Larry along, he figured he may as well assist. He reached down with his free arm and scooped Larry up around the waist to sling him over his shoulder, then motioned for the others to follow through the bridge that had just formed.

     Something was irritating him and it was irrational. No one was behaving any differently but whatever it was? It was just... enough. He wanted to get to where they were going and be done with this fiasco they'd found themselves in. Maybe he'd have Knock Out check things out to make sure nothing was off?

     No, that was a stupid idea. They had more important things to worry about.  

[Ravage]

The familiar tunnel of light was steady under Knock Out and Breakdown. Whatever had happened on the Nemesis didn't seem to affect that one way or another. The Vehicons trailed after them like a string of lost metal ducklings, all of them surprisingly hushed and quiet as they made their way through.

Ravage was the last to follow. His slanted red gaze swept the beach one more time, his ears pricked upwards.

One final call, one final touch through that one constant line of contact that was hushed and dull, barely there, but still there. Reassurance and concern - he would come back. He would come and find him, he would help him. Whatever had happened did not matter; he knew it was for the good of the cause, and that it had been the only option available.

His tail swished lightly, and then he turned to follow the others through the portal. It flickered and disappeared behind him, leaving only the waves lapping lightly on the shore, and the faint smell of evaporating coolant.

The crab peered out from under his safe rock and then scuttled back down the beach, enjoying the fact that it was safe from massive giant robots for now.

Knock Out would step out of the portal into --

Dirt.

Well, there were jagged outcrops of rock, little scrubby trees, and plants.

Mostly dirt though. So much dirt. It was like all the dirt on this whole planet had wandered around, thought about where it wanted to live, and finally decided that this place was going to be the perfect spot. 

Not a single building, paved road, or water that didn't have some sort of organic life teeming in it as far as his optics could see. It was a vast, lonely wilderness, dry and arid. Sun beat down on him, and beneath his feet, there was a sharp crunch as a rock decided to make itself acquainted with his paint job in a rather unpleasant way.

The Vehicons stepping out behind him seemed equally confused. 

"There's... nothing here," one of them finally said. "Is the Bridge messed up too?" 

Before anyone could answer him, there was a dry, accented voice over one of the common Decepticon comm-channels. 

:: Pyrotech here. I'm sending someone to meet and bring you into the base,:: the mech said quickly and quietly. ::They will be there shortly. Stay where you are, it shouldn't be more than ten minutes. The section you are has been swept earlier, it's safe.:: 

The comm clicked out with the same crisp abruptness that it had opened with.

No one said anything for a long moment. The Vehicons eyed each other and their surroundings once again. Some sort of Earth animal yipped and chortled in the distance; it sounded as if the organic was laughing hysterically at their plight. 

[Knock Out]

Finally, there was an end in sight to all this chaos.

Knock Out would pick up the pace a little as he made his way through the swirling vortex. Oh how he longed for whatever was on the other side - because anything would be better than this. It wouldn't be the same as the Nemesis, nor would it even come close. But - it'd be a roof over his head, away from the sand and the salty air. Away from the elements. Away from the threat of MECH. There would be wash-racks. Oh, wash-racks! He missed those already! He was going to have the longest shower – and it was so very well deserved after everything he'd been through the past few hours.

...So when he stepped through the portal only to find yet more dirt? It took everything in him not to collapse and buckle to his knees in defeat. The crunch of the rock beneath his pedes only made him shudder and freeze – optics wide as he peered around in horror. Why had they bridged to the middle of nowhere?

What was this crap?! Where was the base? Where was his shower?!

Slowly he'd lift both servos to rest on the back of his helm as he looked around in dismay, and the Vehicon who spoke up behind him made him realize that no, this wasn't some horrible dream – they really were here.

Thankfully, before Knock Out could reply or even make so much as a whimper of protest or complaint? A voice spoke over the comm-channel, and Knock Out would grumble in response before a servo swiftly moved to the side of his helm.

::Ten minutes?!:: Came the squawked reply from the Chief Medical Officer. ::We just survived the Nemesis crashing into the ocean and you expect us to wait?:: It seemed the emotion of it all had finally gotten to him and Pyrotech was the unfortunate recipient of Knock Out's whining. He was filthy and he was miserable, and where he'd thought the end had been in sight? It hadn't been. There was probably good reason for them being bridged here instead of to the base itself, but for right now? Knock Out would only complain, grumbling as he kicked the smashed remains of the offending rock under his pede.

He would do as he was told, though – and would stay put. The less he moved, the less dirt and other filth he got on himself. Whatever it was that was laughing at them only drew another growl of frustration from the cherry-red Mech, but he wouldn't go investigate it.

[Breakdown]

     Breakdown stepped through behind everyone else, taking up the rear to ensure they weren't being followed through the portal. Once he made his way through to the other side and stepped foot on the solid ground?

     The dark blue mech figured that this was probably a safety thing, whereas it would have been foolish to just bring someone to a secret base without verification of who it was or what side they were on- screening would have made sense, especially with the truce happening. That, or perhaps the base did not have a bridge of its own? He wasn't so bothered by this, but he knew that one probably would. The fact that Knock Out hadn't screeched out in frustration the moment they had set foot into the location was a bit surprising. This was a development! Or perhaps Knock Out was in so much shock that he hadn't been given ample time to respond.

     :: Pyrotech here. I'm sending someone to meet and bring you into the base. They will be there shortly. Stay where you are, it shouldn't be more than ten minutes. The section you are has been swept earlier, it's safe.::

     Oh boy, he didn't think that was going to end well. He was about to lift his servo to respond but Knock Out was faster and was already voicing his complaints about it over their comms.

     "Knock Out... you have to be patient. At least there's not salt water ruining your paint job."

     ::I'll wax your finish twice once we arrive at our final destination and make sure I'll get every single bit of grit off ya- make you up really well. Sound good?:: The comm was sent privately to the medic after his complaints were over.