Arena: Command Discussion

[Rodimus Prime]

If Emirate Xaaron is such a bad daddy, should Rodimus be worried that he keeps calling him, 'my boy'?

Probably.

Rodimus does not return Starscream's pointed look and instead moves his gaze over the entire group, as though naturally following the flow of conversation. "I think he'd need to, yes," the Prime answers. "But if he doesn't, we can have Goldbug ping him." Rodimus frowns thoughtfully as Emirate Xaaron asks about Holi. He shakes his head. "I didn't see their Holi, no."

[Starscream-3]

Starscream would have been much more content with a 'We're not comfortable talking about it' than some cheap attempt at misdirection or, at worst, out-and-out deception. But he lets the matter go, for now.

"As for a Micromaster, we know the Autobots have a small police car among their number. We've only seen him a few times."

[Shanodin]

Botanica at first looks puzzled at the question about Holi. Why would it matter if....oh dear. This could make things problematic

"Holi's specialty is communications, isn't it? And includes encryption and decoding? If their Holi- and that description does sound like him, Starscream,- is similarly skilled...."

She frowns, "If he is, and we start trying to reach Mirage over radio, it could be the equivalent of shining a spotlight right on him."

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron paid a lot for that attempt at misdirection! He's losing his touch, definitely.

He paces, and he clarifies, "We can contact Mirage with instructions. We just cannot ask for an answer, if our enemies may be monitoring communications."

[Rodimus Prime]

"Which doesn't exactly get us the information we need. Unless the instructions include, 'Get where you can contact us, ASAP,'" Rodimus frowns as he works this through, both in his head and out loud.

He turns and walks several feet, then sighs, rubbing the top of his head. "We seem to have the beginnings of a couple workable plans here, but I feel like we keep running into the same roadblock over and over: not enough information."

[Starscream-3]

"Then we have a choice to make," Starscream says, following Rodimus's remarks. "We can either pool our resources into finding more information, and doubtlessly give away the fact that my Decepticons and I have arrived and spoiling our element of surprise," he folds his arms behind his back, "Or we stick with a plan with insufficient knowledge. I'm reluctant to give up our element of surprise, but this doesn't impact just myself and my subordinates, it's not a decision I can make on my own."

Starscream's optic ridge raises, wordlessly enquiring what Xaaron might have to say.

[Shanodin]

Botanica raises an eyebrow, "If Pee-Dee and your Barricade are successful, the element of surprise could well be lost regardless. And perhaps even if they are not." Her tone is faintly disapproving, yet not. She can't say she wouldn't be attempting the same, were their positions reversed.

"Surprise is only so useful a tool. As soon as they realized we were allied, they would have the advantage again, since I presume they are well acquainted with your troops and their abilities, whereas we only have passing experience," Albeit horrible experience, "With theirs." She shakes her head, "And then there is the Hook you mentioned, who has just been freed. That will not go unnoticed."

[Emirate Xaaron]

Emirate Xaaron is, when one gets right down to it, ruthless and vicious. What separates him from a (normal) Decepticon is that he would throw away his own life, if the gain was enough to be worth the cost.

He declares, "Surprise is what we have, and we have waited long enough. We will draw out the enemy and force him to fight on our terms. Prisoners can come later. If we lose the value of surprise, there may be no one left to rescue them."

[Rodimus Prime]

"We'll need to give it at least another day or two, no matter what. We'll need that much just to set up, never mind getting the Dinobots back into some semblance of combat-ready." Naked and half-dressed Dinos charging into battle just won't do.

//And besides,// Rodimus adds to Xaaron alone of the radio, //we'll need that much time just to test what we need to test.//

"That's a good point, though. If we're going into this without information, we need to go into this quickly. Delay only serves to give them more chances to find out about us."

[Starscream-3]

"Then we all agree." Starscream says, admittedly somewhat relieved. "But Botanica... what exactly are you hearing of Barricade and Pee-Dee?" Starscream extends a wrist-mounted radio, which he uses to contact Barricade to hear his side of things.

"We'll have to report back to our respective camps. Do we require any rules or boundaries for interactions? I'm certain that 'no inter-factional fighting' will need to be expressed to certain members.. but what else?"

[Shanodin]

Botanica shrugs, then gives an apologetic glance towards Rodimus and Xaaron. She had every intention of giving them both a full report on her conversation with Barricade- once she could do so without being overheard. But bringing it up now seems prudent. She turns back to answer Starscream.

"Barricade mentioned that the other Autobots held one of your own prisoner, and that he intended to search for him. Pee-Dee apparently refused to allow Barricade to do so alone. Which," she can't help but smile, "Is very much in her nature, as far as I can tell."

"If we are wrapping up here, I would like to arrange a meeting with your medical and engineering personnel, to determine how we might aid each other. Also," again, she looks faintly apologetic, but her tone is firm "I must insist that your people who have been in enemy hands be fully examined jointly by a member of both our medical teams." Hopefully, the Prime and Xaaron will back her on this. If not, they might find her much less pleasant to deal with than previous.

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OOC: Meeting(s) can happen off or on screen depending on the players involved, as can any exams. I know medical rp can be tedious, and don't want anyone to feel obligated

[Emirate Xaaron]

///Mmm. Yes. That,// Xaaron replies to Rodimus Prime, sounding a bit distant. The wheels in his head are already turning. His alternate was fleeing the demon Prime. Perhaps it is fitting that he should, instead, run to him. Luring out dangerous enemies is a part of his job description.

He quips, "'Don't reveal anything you'll regret.' We should begin preparations now, and strike when the iron is hot."

He will need to have words with Mirage, and he's not looking forward to it.

[Rodimus Prime]

//That,// Rodimus answers Xaaron, agreeing.

"I agree with Botanica on having recovered personnel checked out. There's more at stake here than any individual's comfort level." In other words, no matter how badly captivity has left them, Rodimus supports forcing them to accept an examination. In most human militaries, refusing to submit to ordered medical care can result in expulsion. Can they do less?

"If there's nothing else, then, I'll go meet with Kup and Goldbug, see about picking a location."¹ He pauses, and looks at Starscream. "Any representatives you want to include?"

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¹ This meeting can happen on or off screen, but if it's on-screen, some time-jiggering may have to be done, and Rattrap or other spy-types may get roped into it. It should go fairly short, though: a simple relaying of orders.

[Starscream-3]

Starscream lowers his radio. He was concerned about their cover being blown, but he's not going to order against a mission to rescue Thundercracker.

"That seems perfectly acceptable, Botanica. I'll notify my high command about the meeting and bring along people accordingly."

[Shanodin]

"Good," she says, nodding at Starscream, "Please feel free to contact me once you've coordinated with your team, and you may pass along my frequency as needed."

Botanica turns toward Xaaron, then respectfully asks, "If I might likewise be dismissed? I've had a few items added to my card that need to be seen to." Such as checking on that new arrival, coordinating with 'Con medical, catching First Aid...too much, and time is short.

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OOC: Unless someone needs her, feel free to consider her out of thread, as she'll leave as soon as as Xaaron gives her the go ahead. For that matter, Xaaron, you can pose her leaving if you wish.