ANH. Bespin Station. Return of the Jedi?

[random_xtras]

The speeding X-wing had just entered the system and was swooping through space.

Inside the cockpit, it was noisy.

"Yeah, Random." A grim-faced Hot Shot cut across the chatter of excited Minicons and a very anxious Astrotech. "I'm sure Kia's with 'em. So just circulate already. 'N stop talking about your insides squirming, you're kinda creeping me out here."

All three of the Starsaber Minicons turned their attention to the pilot, the volume of their beeping rising drastically.

"Just hold on," said Hot Shot with resigned patience. "We'll be there soon."

Then he blinked as he caught the barest hint of a communication that shut all three of his small friends up instantly. "...And nobody better ask me what that was, because I don't know."

Comments

[astrotechmech]

Cyclonus' mad (read: insane) cackling at the near-fight ends in a disgusted look at the sudden turn for the mushier while Smokescreen looks on, momentarily frozen in place with a slightly worried expression from when he had moved to see if he could get Arcee to stop. Smokescreen's expression turns more neutral as he waits to see if he needs to pull Arcee away from Jetfire. Cyclonus, meanwhile, seemingly satisfied with the promise of compensation if Jetfire lands up getting it as a result of this foray into new Transformers containment methods, has resumed a sadistically amused expression as Jetfire speaks those last words.

[random_xtras]

Arcee watched as Jetfire was taken to the pit and strapped onto the hydraulic deck, her body straight and tall and her face expressionless though her optics were a shade too pale. She was oblivious of the amusement of some in the room, and as unaware of the grim-faced administrator near her.

[astrotechmech]

Smokescreen will only keep part of his attention on Arcee as he watches the last of the preparations and then the process begin with the lowering of the platform Jetfire's on into the chamber. Smokescreen kinda hopes that something comes loose over Cyclonus' head, so that it will shut him up, but his poker face keeps this thought off of his face.

At a pressing of buttons from the Omnicons, the machine screams into action as steam bursts from the hole. The process, which actually takes less than a minute, seems like an eternity. Finally, the claw-like device overhead descends down into the chamber. A few moments later, it helps to lift a very large, frozen slab out. A couple of Omnicons come forward to fiddle with settings on panels on the slap's sides before allowing the slab to drop onto the floor with a mighty CLANG!

Once given an okay, Smokescreen steps forward and studies the readout on one of the side panels, trying not to let Jetfire's impression bother him. Despite doing his best to keep up his poker face, Smokescreen slumps slightly with relief as he calmly reports, "He's survived."

[random_xtras]

Nemesis Prime turns to Cyclonus, his voice a low hiss of satisfied menace mingled with indifference and contempt. "He's all yours, bounty hunter." Then his dark visor goes to the Omnicons. "Reset the chamber for Hot Shot."

"He's just landed, my lord," one of his aids informs him quietly.

The dark Prime nods as though this is no news to him. "See to it that he finds his way here."

[astrotechmech]

"Oh, goody!" Cyclonus replies gleefully, as the Omnicons give Nemesis Prime an affirmative before hustling about to their next task.

Smokescreen rises from the floor and moves to escort Arcee from the room. "Come on, Arcee."

[random_xtras]

"Take her to my ship," said Nemesis Prime negligently, not even deigning to look at the orange and blue bot.

[astrotechmech]

"What?" is what comes out of Smokescreen's mouth before he's realized it. "But you said she'd be staying here under my supervision!"

[random_xtras]

"I changed my mind," comes the indifferent reply. "Pray that I do not change it further."

[astrotechmech]

"What about the astrotechs?" Smokescreen asks cautiously, after a moment's hesitation.

[random_xtras]

It's very clear that the dark Prime doesn't care. "Recycle them."

Arcee doesn't lift her head or move her face, but a sudden flame sparks into life in her optics.

Then an aid comes and whispers rapidly to the dark Prime, who turns toward Smokescreen in a swirl of cape and a sudden heavy feeling of menace. "Where are the Minicons?"

[astrotechmech]

"Right," Smokescreen says calmly, his face unreadable.

Smokescreen's gaze snaps back to Nemesis Prime from where it had drifted elsewhere. He looks briefly surprised--possibly out of having the topic so forcibly put upon him--before he starts to look frustrated.

"I already told you. There are no Minicons!" Smokescreen's voice is full of exasperation as he waves his hands in emphasis.