ep1.-Stretching One's Wings-Open

[acidstorm]

((Time wise this is near the very end of 1. After Cid has his lab in well shaped chaos instead of a complete slag-heap))


As it was told to him, Acid Storm was being sent into the field because the scanners picked up some new form of mold. The Seeker heavily doubted this, more likely he guessed that the Eradicons complained until he was sent on a wild goose chase. Still, in the Decepticon forces one did not openly question orders, but muttering about them in an annoyed fashion seemed to be all the rage. As Acid Storm soared through the sky, he turned his scanners down to the dry land below him. He had barely left the Nemesis in all his time on Earth, not much call for a chemist on the front lines or in raiding parties. However with the lab up and running it seemed that he no longer had an excuse to barricade himself inside. Or at least until some new task was thrust upon him.

Acid Storm wondered darkly about what pointless mission he would be sent on next. To his credit he did keep his sensors alert, just in case he really did find something of use to hm in this organic wasteland. As he searched he was careful to stay away from populated areas, as his research informed him that his altmode was not a common site in this part of the world, much less one barring symbols of both the United States and Great Britain. Still, some part of the Seeker grudgingly admitted that this flight was somewhat enjoyable, it had been quite a long time since he could just jet about without being shot at or needing to be at a certain destination under the threat or being melted down. Acid Storm's many complaints began to fade away in his processor as he instead found himself focusing more on his flight and the shear wonder of not having to scuttle about on the ground.

Perhaps today wouldn't be so bad...

[Deleted]

Agent Fowler was going to skin his metal ass.

A cowed Air Raid flew over the desert at a little over five thousand feet. Insomuch as a jet could slink, he slunk. He shot within two miles of an eastbound Comanche at one point, whose startled pilot did a double-take before swearing never to forget to check his NOTAMs again.

Luckily for him, the white and red F-35 was not a military aircraft practicing manoeuvres in a temporary restricted zone, but rather a chastised Aerialbot seeking friendly skies. Oh man, thought Air Raid gloomily as he roared towards the north. And I thought flying around Iacon was bad. These humans are merciless.

His accidental foray into the airspace surrounding McCarran International had not gone well. That was putting it mildly. It could have gone a lot better. Air Raid did not know what a 'TCAS corrective advisory' was, but apparently he had blundered somewhere he wasn't supposed to be and had caused a United Airlines flight to Chicago to take preventative action and deviate from its flight path to avoid him. Whatever a United Airlines was.

A great big jet, was all that Air Raid had seen. He had spotted it flying at his three-o'clock and soared closer, curious. Tried to scan it. Discovered it was full of humans. Bored humans who needed a little more excitement in their lives. Like getting to watch a fighter jet do a barrel roll just off the left wing of their aircraft. Aw, yeah.

Half-way through things went all wrong.

The Airbus had abruptly pitched up to gain altitude, just as Air Raid's radio had erupted into the iciest female voice he had ever heard. She had chewed him out at length before demanding to know his call-sign. At that point the Aerialbot had panicked, squawked seven-six-zero-zero, and turned tail and fled for the safety of uncontrolled airspace.

Now he flew moodily northbound and wondered when Agent Fowler would be getting the call about an incident between United Airlines and a military jet. Hopefully never, but Air Raid knew better than that. His luck was not that good.

Something blipped on his radar. Startled, he focused on it. Another aircraft was flying twenty miles out from him - something a lot bigger than the usual little spamcans zipping around below twelve-thousand feet. It was- oho! Decepticon.

His woes forgotten, Air Raid banked hard and opened his throttle. I'll come in high behind the sucker. Get a good look at him first. There's something kinda strange about this one...

[acidstorm]

((Sorry for taking so long. I forgot about this thread.))

At first Acid Storm thought his scanners picked up the mythical fungus he was sent to find, at this point he was about eighty percent sure that it was just a wild goose chase. However on studying the data input he learned that it came not from his scanners which were set on the ground, but his aerial radar. After a second he realized that he was being stalked by an Autobot. Him. Acid Storm of all mechs. The idea that someone thought he was worth track completely baffled the Seeker as he adjusted his air speed, slowing down to such a degree that he risked stalling out. This however was a tactical maneuver, he was no flying ace of any sort, his alt move had pitiful speeds compared to other aircraft as well. He was banking on the bot's speed and greater ability to shoot them passed Acid Storm.

Then with any luck he could do a quick barrel roll and transform, hiding somewhere in the scrublands. If that same luck held out, the Seeker planned to call for a bridge as soon as he had the opportunity. He was no warrior after all, while he could hold his own in a fight, alone against a dedicated soldier, Acid Storm considered his chances about the same as a tin-can against a mountain.

[starscream]

The sky was clear and there was a need to fly. Starscream took those did as he felt, he was flying. It was a wonderful day for it. Soon after taking to the air and doing a few turns, loops, and other acrobatic fun Starscream checked his radar. It seemed he should have checked before.

There was another Decepticon in one direction and there was a Autobot as well. From what Starscream could tell the Autobot was closing in on the Decepticon. Starscream did not bother to find the designation for the Con, he flew faster, and could soon see it was Acid Strom. This was not good news as from what Starscream remembered Acid Strom was not a fighter, and could almost be called a grounder. (Going by the speed he was going Starscream would think grounder really would work for him.)Tthis might be a fight that would be best for another day.

Starscream came up to the right side of Acid Strom. His jet-mode having trouble keeping the slow speed the fellow Seeker was going. “Are you always this slow?! How did you stand it? And how is the Autobot?” As usual Starscream gave little time to answer but stilled wanted the answers. It was a problem of the fast mind and little patience.

[Deleted]

What the hell IS that?

At ten thousand feet Air Raid levelled out and drew back his throttle. For a moment he simply flew straight and level and stared. His airspace woes were instantly forgotten as a sense of amazement came over him.

The strange aircraft was ahead of him now, perhaps seven miles out and a few thousand feet below. He enhanced his optical sensors, zoomed in on the thing as it flew over the desert, its powerful engines humming.

He had never seen such an aircraft before.

Like, ever.

Twin turboprop engines, high-wing design with a deep cargo bay and bulbous nacelles. Big looking thing, clearly designed for hauling something. Torpedoes? Sensory antenna? He had no idea. It was flying much slower than he was, and all at once he realised that he was going to simply overshoot it with no chance of lagging on its tail for a killing shot within a matter of minutes.

Overcome with the fascination felt by any flier upon contact with a model of aircraft that was fresh and new to him, Air Raid hesitated. He wondered to himself just how Autobot he was feeling today.

Because it would be a shame to have to shoot down an aircraft this, well, different and cool. Even if it was a Decepticon.

Something else blipped onto his short-range radar.

Startled, the Aerialbot turned his attention towards it. Oh crap. This second target was no slow-flying hauler, but a Seeker. Something sleek and fast, all power and long, venomous lines from its nosecone all the down to its curving delta wings. He could see it now too, a grey F-16, heavily modified.

Starscream!

His head went light. Air Raid could not believe his luck.

Starscream! Just about the biggest, baddest kill an Aerialbot could hope to score!

Oh man. If he could knock Starscream outta the sky, it would look great on his permanent combat record.

With a war-whoop of glee Air Raid cycled up his guns. The targeting pipper came up on his internal HUD and he immediately veered, altering his course to bring himself behind the grey F-16. He was file miles behind the Decepticons now and closing in fast. He laid the pipper over Starscream and waited to come within range. He was gonna nail that sucker right in the engine and then victory roll his way into the number one slot on the Aerialbot scoreboard.