Log edited with Logedit 2.6.9pl on Thu Aug 28 09:27:02 EDT 1997 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A weary voice is heard with poor reception by radio operators in North America, "Hello? To anyone who can detect this message, my name is John Malewotkuk, and my fellow villagers and I have unearthed something large frozen in ice. We may need assistance if anyone can provide it. Our village is located along the far northern regions of the continent...near the Arctic." EDC Command responds, "Mr. Malewotkuk? This is the EDC lab in Anchorage.. how may we assist you?" John Malewotkuk says, "Hello, EDC Command. We discovered something during our last whaling trip...using some techniques at our disposal, we have brought it to our village." EDC Command returns, "Transmit your cooridnates, and we will pass them along to EDC Command Headquarters. We should have a team out there shortly." John Malewotkuk replies, "We're along the very southern latitudes of the Arctic circle, generally (some far northern latitude and mid-continental logitude coordinates)." EDC Command responds, "Understood, Mr. Malewotkuk. Can you tell us the nature of this object?" John Malewotkuk replies, "Unkown at this time. We can barely make out its shape through the ice encasing it. Sorry, I don't have much more than that..." EDC Command transmits, "Understood. Teams should be arriving shortly.." John Malewotkuk says, "Acknowledged, EDC Command. I'll notify the others of your arrival. Thank you." EDC Command transmits, "We're on our way, Malewotkuk. EDC out." Groove says, "Mister Malewotkuk, this is the Autobot Groove, we have assembled a small team and will also be arriving shortly." John Malewotkuk says, "Thank you as well, Groove." DepthCharge arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. DepthCharge walks into the area Gar-Bage arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. Backup arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. Backup slowly enters, his lone optic stares forth like an empty void of darkness. Jennifer arrives and makes her way toward the center of the village. Jennifer looks about. DepthCharge continues walking along and says to the others as he gets closer "Hey, it is just the smoke from a village." and walks into the village. Huh? (Type "help" for help.) Jennifer looks at the ice block an dshivers. John Malewotkuk stands near the center of the village. He looks in amazement, as do many of the villagers, at the towering robots approaching their homes. Stepping forward, he waves a politely greeting to the Transformers. Several small children running around tossing snowballs and each other quickly stop their playing and rush over to their mothers, gripping tightly in fear. Backup steps lightly around the village Gar-Bage says, "Greetings humans! We come from a peaceful planet in the Rukbat system! Our mission, should we choose to accept it..." John Malewotkuk looks up and smiles, "Greetings...I presume you are the ones sent by the EDC to help with this...situation?" Backup says, "What situation?" DepthCharge looks at the ice block too, wondeing what it can be. D.C looks back towards the others, giving them an 'you guys got any idea' look. D.C. notices all the vilalges looking at them and raises a hand in greeting, saying "Err. good morning?" Jennifer nudges Garbie quiet. Backup looks at the Block of ice that somehow he missed Coincidentally, that's why Garbie trailed off. :) John Malewotkuk motions toward the large block of ice. "That one," he says through his wind-burned lips. Turning his head back to the new arrivals, he explains, "We came across this chunk of ice while on a whaling mission yesterday morning. There seems to be something frozen within it." DepthCharge nods slowly and says, "Yea, we are here to help. So do you people have any idea what is in it?" D.C then tries to smile towards the other villages, showing that he means them no harm John Malewotkuk walks up near the block, grabbing one of the ropes with his hand. "I had the other hunters strap together these ropes," he says. "We managed to use several dogsleds to help drag it here to the village. We have not yet tried to melt the ice, and felt it would be better to contact someone for assistance in determining what this is." Jennifer says, "Good Idea..!" Gar-Bage uses his free hand to pull out a large blowtorch. A pair of dogs sit on their haunches nearby, munching on some bones rolled off a dish by a rotund elderly woman. Jennifer looks at Garbie. John Malewotkuk looks in surprise toward Gar-Bage. "Wait!" he shouts. "We don't know what this is!" DepthCharge looks over to Gar-Bage and says, "Err.. perhaps that would not be wise till we actually worked out what is inside it." Backup moves over to the ice and tries to makeout what is inside Gar-Bage recoils at the horrible reaction to his wanting to help, "I didn't do anything! I only took out the tool! I didn't deep fry the ice cube ASAP, did I?! Geez! Take a chill pill!" Jennifer gives GArbie a little kiss on the cheek. Huh? (Type "help" for help.) Jennifer says, "I know, I know." Gar-Bage smiles DepthCharge moves over towards Gar-Bage and says, lowering his voice "Just try and not make too many sudden moves. I doubt these people have seen many Cybertronians before. Jennifer says, "Hey, I'm with him, and I'm not being mauled." Jennifer says, "That should be a clue you guys are okay, right?" Gar-Bage says, "Don't worry." Gar-Bage says, "I'm groovy." Jennifer rubs at Garbie's nose, shaking her head. DepthCharge looks towards whom he assumes is the leader and asks curiously "Did you guys find anything else with this?" Gar-Bage looks at Jennifer, "What?" Jennifer says, "GV's grooovy, not you...!" John Malewotkuk wipes some powdery snow from the fur aroudn his thick hood. He looks up toward DepthCharge and says, "No, we did not." He notices Jennifer, then looks back to DC and says, "My apologies...I forgot to make introductions, didn't I?" Backup taps the ice lightly, "Hello in there" Gar-Bage looks sad Gar-Bage's lip quivers Jennifer says, "YOu're kinda cuddly though." John Malewotkuk smiles and says, "My name is John Malewotkuk. I handle most of this village's business dealings, hence I get better exposure to outside lifestyles." Gar-Bage says, "Thanks, but I'm groovy too! Look! I got groovy shoes!" DepthCharge nods slowly and says, "Greetings, I am Autobot Oceanographer DepthCharge. I was wonderinghow you knew to contact the EDC." Gar-Bage holds up a platform shoe, transparent with a saline fluid in it, two robotic goldfish floating in the solution. John Malewotkuk chuckles toward DepthCharge. "I handle most of our communication with the outside world. I keep a HAM radio with me." Backup nods to the Eskimo represtative, "I am Backup, of the planet Junkion." Jennifer tickles and teases Garbie's nose. DepthCharge nods and allows the others to introduce themselves. You @pemit an anonymous note to Jennifer explaining why you find their actions twinkish. Please do not overuse this command. Gar-Bage steps forward, "I am Gar-Bage, also from the planet Junkion. And this little lady is Jennifer... um... Jennifer Something. She's our buddy. :)" Huh? (Type "help" for help.) John Malewotkuk nods his head and makes a polite bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Jennifer. I welcome you all here...perhaps you can offer any advice on what this could be? Its size seems relatively similar to the rest of you." Gar-Bage says, "Are we still open to the possibility that it is a giant man eating moldy vegetable that absorbs puppies?" Backup says, "it could be Godzilla?" John Malewotkuk smirks toward Gar-Bage and lets out a small chuckle. "I do not think that's too likely." DepthCharge looks over to the piece of ice, then over towards the other teams members.. not really sure how to go about this. D.C. says to Gar-Bage "Well, you never know. That is why I don't think it would be a good idea to open it up till we are sure we know what is inside. As it would be terrible to realise something dangerous we couldn't put back in Gar-Bage says, "No! Godzilla's asleep beneath the Pacific! Giant moldy man eating vegetables that absorb puppies are the only things that get stuck in the Artic ice." Jennifer says, "COuld we try a small area..?" John Malewotkuk :nods his head toward Jennifer. "That may be a good suggestion," he says. "Perhaps a small enough area that would allow us to get a better view." Jennifer says, "I assume it isn't human in origin, anyhow." Jennifer says, "Where to try, though..?" Backup says, "I wanna see what it looks like" DepthCharge looks towards Jennifer and says, "Well, let's just hope it isn't human in origin." Jennifer says, "Not the head end." Backup says, "We can't tell what it is by looking at its feet" Taking notice of John's obvious level of comfort with the towering metallic beings, several of the villagers have stepped forth from their huts and are slowly walking toward the centeral clearing. They watch attentively with great interest. Jennifer says, "No, but I'm assuming a brain in the head area..." Jennifer says, "YOu might wake it up if you warm up the head..." DepthCharge asks, "What about a hand area?" Jennifer looks thoughtful. "Then again... you gotta ID it somehow... John Malewotkuk slowly begins to walk around to the other side of the massive block of his. Nodding his head toward DepthCharge, he says, "That's exactly what I was just thinking." Gar-Bage says, "I still think we should've brought a dolphin." Backup says, "The rest of it would be still be in ice right" John Malewotkuk nods his head toward Backup. DepthCharge nods to Backup, saying "Well, yes. If we do it properly." D.c. then wonders exactly how they are going to do it. Jennifer LOOKS AT gARBAGE'S BLOWER. Jennifer says, "Bit by bit..?" DepthCharge nods slowly and says, "Yea.. perhaps that would be best." Gar-Bage says, "Howaitaminut!" John Malewotkuk glances up at Gar-Bage. "Yes?" he asks. DepthCharge looks over to Gar-Bage, not really understanding what he just said Gar-Bage says, "In Encino man, they left an electric blanket on top of him! Or was that The Thing... I think it was in both... But anyhoo, wouldn't that also work here?" Jennifer says, "Yes - it would thaw AL of this, though." Jennifer looks at the arm area of the shape. DepthCharge says, "That also brings me to another question people. What re we going to do if it actaully does escape and it is dangerous?" Gar-Bage quotes, "Nuke the bastard." Jennifer says, "DOn't be silly." Backup qoutes, "AAAYYEEE, Godzilla!" Gar-Bage says, "Well if it's evil..." Jennifer says, "And suppose it ISN@T..?" Jennifer says, "What if its a being from another world..?" DepthCharge says, "Jennifer has a point." Gar-Bage quotes, "EEEvil, like the FRUits of the DEVil..." Gar-Bage says, "Well, then we give it a big squeegie hug!" Jennifer says, "And you nuked their ambasador..?" John Malewotkuk says calmly, "I still think our best choice of action may be to get a better chance to determine what it is." Jennifer says, "Or something?" Jennifer says, "LEt's heat the hand, then." Gar-Bage says, "Nonono! I mean if it like eats John, /then/ we nuke it. But if it eats DC, we give it a big hug. :)" Gar-Bage snickers Jennifer says, "YOu Garbage, are mean." DepthCharge looks towards Gar-Bage and shakes his head slowly. Jennifer says, "This is serious." Gar-Bage says, "What?" Gar-Bage says, "That's exactly why it needs to have some humor added." DepthCharge nods and says to John "I guess that would be best. How long would it take you to evacuate this village? just incase something goes wrong." Gar-Bage says, "I'm sorry." Gar-Bage says, "I'll settle down now." Gar-Bage sits down, legs crossed. Being careful not to dump his human cargo, he settles carefully into the snow and watches patiently, being as serious as he can, waiting to help in any way he can. John Malewotkuk lifts a finger to his stubbled chin in consideration. Looking back up to DepthCharge, he replies, "The dogsleds can be launch within five to ten minutes, I surmise." Backup looks over to DepthCharge, "It doesn't look that big, i mean how much trouble can the thing be?" he then turns to Garbage, "Am I right on assuming this?" DepthCharge nods and says, slightly worried about what may be in the ice "Perhaps it might be a good idea to have them ready." DepthCharge then turns to the team of Junkions and humans and asks, "Okay.. who knows how to actually heat a single part of that thing up?" Gar-Bage shrugs, "Ya never know. Powerful things can come in small packages." he gives Jenn a look. :) Tongata arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. Sending a hand signal to a few burly men standing nearby, John nods as the village begins to make preparations for a hasty retreat, if required. Women gather their items into packs and sling them over their shoulders. The dogs along the edge of the clearing are led off to the sleds and strapped into their harnesses. Tongata slip silently through the outskirts of town and takes up a position just outside of the town square. Backup says, "I do have interal heaters and coolers so I can probably heat the whole thing, but heating a small area would be tough" Gar-Bage says, "Well, my blowtorch should do nicely, on a low setting. Do you want me to...?" John Malewotkuk nods his head toward Gar-Bage. He motions toward the right side of the block, then backs away several steps. DepthCharge looks around, towards the other team members and says, "Well.. I say give it a shot. But if too much begins to melt stop right away." Gar-Bage says, "K." Tongata shifts slightly and tries to get a better vantage point. Gar-Bage says, "I'm sorry, Jennifer my dear, but I'll have to put you down for a while." Jennifer says, "Okay." Backup watches the people scurr around. He tries not to shift his wieght and cause the snow under his feet to sink or shift. Backup's heavy body could do major damage to an area Gar-Bage pauses and pulls out an extension cord. Hooking it up to the electric blanket, he sets Jennifer down and makes his way toward the ice block, sidestepping Eskimos and leaving a trail of orange electric cord leading back to Jennifer. Backup says, "Be careful of the humans Gar-bage" Groove arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. DepthCharge takes a couple of steps towards the block of ice, watching closely as Gar-bage is about to being melting the ice. Gar-Bage pulls the blowtorch back out, along with one of those black helmet things. He slides the helmet over his head and turns the blowtorch on, which flares a huge plume of flame into the air. He grins sheepishly and turns it down to a small blue flame. Backup steps back carefully, he almost stepped on a Iglo, "Sorry" Gar-Bage makes a small X in the ice with his finger. He looks over at John, "Here?" John Malewotkuk watches intently, his thick brow furrowing as Gar-Bage activates his torch. He throws a quick glance toward Backup, then nods his head in confirmation toward Gar-Bage. Groove enters, he sees the large ice block with the others standing arround it, he walks closer and smiles, "Okay...I checked the sub, there's a few dents but no damage to the hull." He looks closer, "What's going on?" Gar-Bage crouches down and begins to melt the ice away. Slowly at first, he turns the flame up slightly, melting the ice more quickly. Water begins to run down the ice and pool around Gar's feet as he melts the block. First he sets the width of the opening, then melts it further in, keeping a circular pattern as he continues inward toward the arm. Gar-Bage continues carefully, moving the blowtorch in a circular pattern, spiraling into the ice block. The melted ice flows down and continues to pool around Gar-Bage's feet. DepthCharge heads over towards Groove and says "In order to try and identify the object in there, we are melting a small piece of the ice." Backup looks torward Groove, "We are trying to find out what is inside of the ice cube, here." rickles of water drain off the ice as the heat causes what looks like a small impression in its surface. Gar-Bage says, "Sir, I have a pinky. Proceeding with caution, reducing power of blowtorch." Groove nods, watching intently, "Good idea..." He walks closer to Jay, bending down slightly, he asks, "How are you doing? Not too cold are you?" Jennifer says, "I'm fine. Thanks." John Malewotkuk turns and nods his head in a quick greeting to the newest arrival, then quickly glances back toward Gar-Bage and the chunk of ice. Gar-Bage turns down the blowtorch and begins to work around the pinky, uncovering more fingers and a bit of a wrist. He slowly works his way up the arm, revealing an elbow. The arm is completely exposed up to the elbow. DepthCharge looks back towards the ice, setting his optical magnification up to its fullest setting. Gar-Bage says, "DC, I'm up to the elbow. You wanna come take a look?" DepthCharge nods and cautiously approaches the ice. D.C. looks back towards the other team members, wondering if they are comming for a look to. After all, D.C. has no idea how they are going to ID this thing. As parts of the ice slide to the ground, revealed in the ice is a large black hand. It has five fingers in a humanoid position. The lower parts of the wrist and arm have small indentations on them, but are obviously constructed on a dark metallic substance. Jennifer goes closer to take a look for herself. Jennifer says, "I suggest you don't melt any more ice. I don't like the feel of this." Gar-Bage says, "Why?" DepthCharge looks at the metallic hand and asks the others "What is it?" Backup looks at the hand, and then takes the whole Ice cube in as he begins to feel uneasy about this whole situation, "I have a fuuny feeling in my tummy" Jennifer says, "I know very little about alien figures, but I have seen enough Transformers to guess that s one as well." Flaming RV arrives and makes his way toward the center of the village. DepthCharge reaches out and touches the arm slightly, tapping it and saying softly "Who are you?" Gar-Bage is on bended knee at a hole that's been melted in the ice block, blowtorch in hand. Groove stands quietly, scanning the object with his optics, taking in as much data as possible but still remaining quiet. John Malewotkuk steps toward the block, standing on his toes to lean on it and look toward the hand. He looks toward Jennifer, then toward DepthCharge and Gar-Bage, "So you think it may be one of..." His voice trails off as he turns his head to look at the vehicle driving from the wilderness. Jennifer says, "CAn we do something withthe face end... melt a BIT of the ice on the top?" Flaming RV drives in cautiously through the snow and slush, his pace kept to a virtual crawl inside the village limits by a group of children who run out to inspect the newcomer. Jennifer says, "Make it glass-like?" Jennifer says, "Maybe we could see inside better?" Gar-Bage says, "Yes, it appears to be a Cybertronian..." Gar-Bage says, "Yes, we could do that." Gar-Bage says, "Just a moment." Gar-Bage tries to stand, but stays where he is, knelt down. Backup says, "I wanna see more of that thing, It could be an Autobot, or a Junkion. But I really don't want to melt to much of it in case it is not." Groove turns also as the noise of an aproaching automobile is heard. He notices Rod and the children. He smiles and walks toward them. Gar-Bage says, "Uh oh." Jennifer says, "LEt me guess Gar-Bage...stuck?" Gar-Bage sets the blowtorch down and grabs his right leg. He tugs at it, but to no avail. The water from the cube flowed down to where he was kneeling and froze. John Malewotkuk lets out a sigh of relief, smiling with reassurance to a woman standing in a doorway near a hut on the northwestern edge of the central clearing. Gar-Bage says, "Backup, you look like a stout lad. Gimme a tug." Flaming RV stops a short distance from the ice block, calling ahead, "I drove in as soon as I heard -- what's the story?" DepthCharge looks at the exposed black arm of the being and says, "Or it could be a Decepticon... or something we haven't even encountered yet. Who knows how long that being has been forzen for." Flaming RV waits for a clear spot before transforming, not wanting to spook the kids. Hey, you never know. Groove says, "They found this large block of ice on a whaling expedition I believe. Right now Gar-Bage is attempting to slowly melt some of the ice to see what is inside." Backup begins to move torward Gar-bage to help, he stops to let some humans pass as they move to go look at the flaming RV. He then moves again to Gar-Bage Backup says, "Stuck?" Groove points to John, "This gentelman here will be able to answer any more of your questions Rod." Gar-Bage says, "Yep." DepthCharge nods in agreement with Groove and adds "A very small piece that is. Gar-Bage has what looks like an arm exposed." Jennifer says, "I don' suppose being frozen a millenium's going to make him...or her too happy, either. Who knows what the cold could have done to the internal systems..?" Gar-Bage holds his hands up toward Backup Backup says, "What?" Gar-Bage says, "Pull me out!" John Malewotkuk smiles toward DepthCharge as he looks over toward Rodimus. "Another of your friends, I hope?" Backup shurgs and kneels by Gar-bage's leg. He grasps it and gives it a tug The ice holding Gar-Bage gives a loud crack as Backup pulls him free. Gar-Bage says, "Ah! Thankee laddy!" DepthCharge looks towards John Malewotkuk and says, "Yes, you could say that.. He is the leader of the AUtobots. If anyone knows what to do, it will be Rodimus Prime." Jennifer looks at the arm carefully. Gar-Bage stands, brushes some ice off his knees, and picks up his blowtorch. He stands, examining where would be the best place to start on the face. Flaming RV smirks on hearing Depthcharge's review as he picks his way across the square. "Well, we hope so, anyway." Rodimus Prime shifts to robot mode. Backup stands up, and moves away from Gar-bage. He tries to get a closer look at the hand. Backup taps the hand with his fingers Jennifer says, "Ther's some kind of scratching, here..?" John Malewotkuk looks over toward Rodimus with a smile. "Welcome to our village, Rodimus Prime. I'm John Malewotkuk, business organizer for this community." DepthCharge asks Jennifer "I would love to hear your views on the arm. What do you think is inside? Apart from a Cybertronian." Gar-Bage hms, "Now to keep the image from being distorted, I'm gonna hafta keep the surface smooth and even..." Gar-Bage proceeds to flame at the ice around the things head, using a more formless, loose pattern to melt more of the ice. Rodimus Prime nods. "A pleasure, Mr Malewotkuk..." he stumbles slightly at first over the name then straightens it out, "Hope we haven't stirred things up too much." Jennifer says, "I can't tell with my limited experiemce. This decor is dark. Either camoflague... or the ice dulled the original paintwork." John Malewotkuk chuckles and replies, "Not at all, Rodimus Prime. I have a lot of backgroudn in dealing with the outside world...more so than the rest of the village...so I thought it would be good to contact someone for help with this matter." Jennifer says, "OR rusted it, maybe. I really don't know. But I definately don't like how I feel about it." Gar-Bage stands on tiptoe, removing the ice all around the head, leaving a lump of ice protruding from the rest. It's still difficult to make out the things face, since the lump of ice is rather distorted. DepthCharge nods slowly to Jennifer and looks back towards the piece of ice, wishing he had all the answers. Rodimus Prime nods again, a bit distractedly, craning his neck to eyeball the frozen black arm. "Looks like you called the right people." Groove smiles as the children slowly are herded away from Rodimus, he then turns his attention to the ice block, examining it as he walks nearer. Jennifer looks up and over towards the head end. "What have we got?" Backup says, "Do you see anything Gar?" Gar-Bage pulls out an ice scraper and proceeds to smoothe out the lump surrounding the things face. Once he's finished, there's an even cube of ice around the head, as clear as glass. Gar-Bage steps back, "Ladies and gentlemen, the iceman." Jennifer gets to her feet and goes over to take a look. Backup says, "need a lift Jenn?" Jennifer says, "I could probably use a vantage point." DepthCharge walks over towards John and Rodimus, wanting to hear their views on the latest pieces of information concerning the ice entity. Backup lowers his massive hand, palm up so that Jennifer may walk onto it Ice falls away from the face, revealing a broad, round black helm. The face is white with two blue optics set under the ridge from the helm. Its mouth is closed and its expression is neutral. Jennifer climbs into his hand, kneeling for stability. John Malewotkuk peers down at the face, then looks toward the others. "Any recognition?" he asks. Jennifer says, "Blue optics." DepthCharge shakes his head slowly, saying "Doesn't look like any Autobot or Decepticon I have ever encountered." Backup slowly raises his hand being cafefull not to move to fast Backup shakes his head, "I wouldn't remember if I did or didn't see him before" Jennifer looks at the features under the ice. Jennifer says, "Blue optics." Rodimus Prime squints through the thick pane of ice. "Me either... but if it's an older Transformer I probably wouldn't know 'em anyway." Jennifer turns to Rodimus Prime. "Sir, is blue necessarily a good sign..? Gar-Bage says, "Lets get Kup! He's REEEEEAL old! He prolly knows him!" Groove can't help but laugh at the comment. Rodimus Prime shakes his head. "Doesn't mean anything in particular." DepthCharge idly wonders what Kup's reaction to hearing that 'old' comment would be. Jennifer smiles at BAckup's idea. "Kup - he's the pickup truck vereran I've heard about, right? Rodimus Prime glances over in Gar-bage's direction with a slight smile. "He's off-planet, unfortunately." Backup says, "Could we maybe melt more and look to see if It has an autobot symbol? that might be a good indicator to if he is dangerous or not." John Malewotkuk hesitatingly asks, "Would it be possible to reveal any more of it, or do you think that may be too risky?" Gar-Bage says, "I'm game." Rodimus Prime says, "Insignia could be anywhere, though. No guarantee melting off any certain point would reveal one. If it even has one." DepthCharge looks at the group of Cybertronians, Junkions, and Humans and asks, his optics narrowing slightly "Do you think that this Cybertronian even still actually functions?" Rodimus Prime spreads his hands. "But really, after being *frozen*? I don't think it'd be a threa-- like he said," he nods to Depthcharge. Jennifer says, "Well, try doing the chest area. It's a likely place for an icon." Gar-Bage nods Jennifer thinks. "Hey, here's an idea. A theory. Maybe this guy's here on purpose? Like he was put here by someone..? Jennifer says, "I mean way back when sometime?" Backup looks at the Big red Autobot, "By the way I am Backup" he nods, "Do I know you?" Gar-Bage begins to torch the torso, using less regard than he did for the hand, since it's a Cybertronian, and they can take fire pretty easily. He melts all the way in, water pouring down and pooling at his feet. This time, though, Gar-Bage moves his feet about so they don't get stuck. Gar-Bage reaches the exoframe. "There we go!" DepthCharge looks at Jennifer and asks, "You mean.. that he was frozen for a reason?" Rodimus Prime says, "Maybe, though I could think of better ways to incarcerate someone." He pauses to squint down at Backup. "Err, yeah, I've seen you around Metroplex..." As more of the ice melts away, you can begin to see a large blue cockpit-like area. The torso looks pretty broad, and is colored black until about the midsection, where the value changes to white. No insignia is visible. Jennifer says, "H'm. Unless this was just storage..." John Malewotkuk asks, "Is this good or bad?" Gar-Bage offhandedly mentions, "Well, maybe not incarceration. Perhaps it's a trap. Maybe we were /supposed/ to discover it. Maybe he's got some virus, and the ice is the only thing keeping him from infecting us Cybertronians. We could all be infected with some bizzare space phage that's eating away at our inner circuitry as we speak!" Gar-Bage shrugs Jennifer says, "What movie were you watching last night..?" Backup looks at Gar-bage, "Are you this Parinoid all the time? Gar-Bage says, "Anyway, I don't see any faction symbol..." DepthCharge moves closer to the block of ice and peers in at the being, wanting to ask the frozen person once again who he actually is. D.C. looks back towards the others and asks, "Does he look like he is built for combat?" Rodimus Prime says, "No sense worrying about it. We can't exactly just LEAVE him, or.. her.. like this." Jennifer says, "It sure is puzzling." Gar-Bage's head suddenly slides open in the top, a small lightbulb rising out of the opening and lighting up with a *ding!* Gar-Bage says, "I have an idea!" Gar-Bage's lightbulb retracts and his head closes DepthCharge looks towards Gar-Barge, half worried, half curious. John Malewotkuk looks at Gar-Bage with amusement, laughing at the visual gimmick. Jennifer says, "Okay, what is you r idea?" Gar-Bage taptaps the Junkion symbol on his own shoulder, "Maybe he's got it here. After the chest, this is the second most popular place to have a symbol." Jennifer smiles! "Hey - good idea. Gar-Bage says, "Even if he doesn't, many factions display their rank on thier shoulder, including the Decepticons. If there are rank bars there, we'll be able to tell what group he works for." Jennifer says, "But which shoulder? Or do we do both..?" Gar-Bage says, "Right shoulder always holds rank." Jennifer says, "Go for it, I say." Backup says, "I say We open it. I mean what if this person needs help? What if he is just barely funtioning as is? I carry extra energon if he needs it? Cause if we keep going at this rate we will end up melting him anyway." Rodimus Prime offers, "Uh, why don't we just thaw out the whole thing? I think it'd have to be reactivated manually anyway, after being frozen like that." Gar-Bage says, "And since /I'm/ the one with the blowtorch, we go with the right one. ;)" Gar-Bage says, "Ok..." Gar-Bage says, "Stand back! I'm puttin' this thing on high!" Jennifer moves back to a safe distance. DepthCharge quickly distances himself from Gar-Bage, being reminded of Tinderbox, Backup says, "Remember Gar, when you melt the Ice it will turn into water then refreeze at your feet. I say we move it awat from town." Gar-Bage pulls the welding helmet down over his face. He cranks a knob on the blowtorch, causing it to flare outwards. He points it at the ice block, which is quickly engulfed in a blazing inferno. Groove walks up behind Jay, and very protectively picks her up, out of any danger that may come about. John Malewotkuk shrugs toward Backup. "We deal with ice all the time, my friend. It will not cause us any problems." Groove smiles as he looks down at Jay who is now in his arms, "Can you see better from up here?" Backup looks torwards tJohn and nods Gar-Bage quickly breaks off his bombardment as the mysterious figure collapses backward, crashing through the remains of the ice. The ice melts and breaks away from your body. Small Eskimo Village Gar-Bage says, "Ooh. How Speilburgian!" Gar-Bage hurries over to the figure Backup says, "Any of you know this guy?" John Malewotkuk looks in awe as the form of the robot as the ice breaks away. "Wow," he says to himself. Jennifer has NO idea... Gar-Bage pointpointpoints, "See! Right shoulder! Toldya!" Rodimus Prime scans the frozen robot intently, shaking his head. "No one I know.. if I were back home I might be able to run a check against our existing files." Backup says, "I wonder how long this guy has been a popcile" Groove smiles at the revealed figure, "Amazing!" Backup shrugs, "should we try to revive him? Gar-Bage drops the blowtorch to examine the mysterious Autobot. He forgets to turn it off though. The blowtorch melts into the ice, and soon falls through, sinking into the icy depths of the Arctic Sea. Rodimus Prime frowns. "Not here. He'll probably need medical attention." Rodimus Prime says, "Better to get him to a medbay first." Gar-Bage hears a splash and turns back to his blowtorch, finding only a hole. "DOH!" Groove looks to Rod, "Should we radio someone to come up here or do you think we should bring this guy back ourselves?" Jennifer looks at the frozen robot in wonder. Gar-Bage says, "I think we can get him back in the sub." Rodimus Prime says, "You brought the Typhoon, right? We can take him back in that." Seeing that they are not in any danger, the people of the village begin to move toward the central square, looking in curoisity at the form revealed from the ice. Jennifer says, "He's very rounded off isn't he..?" Groove nods, "Looks aquatic, like DepthCharge." Jennifer says, "Know what he reminds me of?" Backup says, "What?" Rodimus Prime says, "Could've gotten stuck on an exploration mission, or.. something." John Malewotkuk walks along the ground next to the robot, still somewhat astonished at what his fellow fishermen had come across. Jennifer says, "YOu'll laugh... a whale. A killer whale given the piebald colouring..!" Gar-Bage looks at Jennifer, "You're right!" he proceeds to laugh. ;) Jennifer says, "OR at any rate something akin to it. H'm A novel disguise..." Jennifer says, "I wonder how old he IS. COuld be pre-human." Rodimus Prime murmurs, "I know a few people who are..." Jennifer says, "Disguised to blend in with a whale instead of a truck or sub, whatever." Jennifer says, "A couple of thousand years ago, we humans didn't HAVE vehicles." Rodimus Prime says, "Let's get him back to Metroplex and find out. If he doesn't have a file on record, one of the old-timers might know." Backup says, "Well if we revive him I am sure he could answer all our questions" Gar-Bage nods at Backup Backup says, "though he could have Amnisia like me..." Gar-Bage reaches into his pack and pulls out a white square with an obvious metal framework. It appears to be folded. Grabbing two corners of the square, Gar-Bage pulls, unfolding the object, revealing a large, transformer sized stretcher. Rodimus Prime turns to John. "If you don't object, of course. We'll try to get back to you with any information about it." Gar-Bage lies the stretcher down next to the Autobot, then looks up at Backup, "You take his feet. On three we lift him onto the stretcher. John Malewotkuk nods his head. "Certainly, Rodimus Prime," he says. Looking toward the others, John says, "I would like to sincerely thank all of you for helping." He waves, then turns and begins to gather the ropes that were wrapped around the block of ice. Backup nods and moves torward the Bots feet Gar-Bage takes the Autobot by the shoulders, getting a firm grip. He glances up at Backup, "One, two, three!" Gar-Bage lifts the Bot up and moves him over, setting him gently on the stretcher. Backup lifts and sets him down Rodimus Prime nods. "All part of the job description," he murmurs, optics fixed thoughtfully on the unconscious robot. Gar-Bage stands and cracks his back, "Heavy guy." Groove sees the but being lifted on the stretcher, he turns and begins clearing a path thru the villagers, "Excuse me...pardon me...thank you." Backup says, "He's a little heavy one, isn't he" Rodimus Prime says, "You guys need help carrying him?" Gar-Bage grasps the handles of the stretcher, jerking his head at the handles on the other end, "Backup, can you help me with this part too?" Gar-Bage glances at Rod, "No, thanks. We got 'im." Groove hmms as his idea is not working so well. He sets Jay down carefully. Setps to the side and transforms. Groove jumps into the air and before you realize it, he has landed gentely as a beautiful black and white Police Motorcycle. John Malewotkuk shuffles along with a mass of ropes in his arms. He carries them from the clearing and heads toward one of the huts near several dogpens. Police Motorcycle emits, "Okay...when you guys are ready, I 'll clear a path." Gar-Bage nods to Groove, "Now, G." Backup nods Rodimus Prime nods, "Okay, if you're sure," and brings up the rear. Police Motorcycle turns on it's siren, a few short bursts and some flashing light, the crowd begins to part, allowing the Junkions to move the new Autobot thru the village. Backup says, "Mush, you huskies, mush!" Gar-Bage lifts up the stretcher and proceeds to carry the Bot out of the village, led by a 'police escort'. :) Jennifer heads away from the village. From inside Groove, Jennifer appears above the small huts of the village. From inside Groove, Jennifer looks about. Moving through the snow, you leave the village. ... Autobot Submarine > Backup carefully enters the sub > Groove walks carefully on the ice, the human in his arms, "You ready Jay?" He lowers her a bit so she can get into the sub. > Jennifer looks about. Jennifer takes her seat. Backup slowly enters, his lone optic stares forth like an empty void of darkness. Gar-Bage heads away from the village. Police Motorcycle moves slowly, trying to scare the villagers as little as possible. Backup whistles, "Hi ho, hi ho its of to work we go Backup heads away from the village. Moving through the snow, you leave the village. Police Motorcycle appears above the small huts of the village. Backup says, "So Gar, how are we going to lower his guy into the sub" Gar-Bage says, "Carefully." Police Motorcycle transforms, now that they are out of the village. Gar-Bage climbs up the ladder up to the hatch backwards, holding on to the stretcher. The Autobot remains on the stretcher due to the powerful titanium straps holding him in. Rodimus Prime steps out gingerly onto the ice, trying to help support the stretcher as it's fed down into the sub. Backup says, "Got it Gar?" Groove, the sleek black and white Police Motorcyle before you suddenly stands tall and proud. Gar-Bage now proceeds down the ladder, holding the stretcher so that the strange Bot is completely upside down. Gar-Bage nods at Backup and brings him the rest of the way in. Groove gets in and closes the hatch behind him, "Okay...all set!" The entrance hatches slam shut as the submarine seals up, making the hull seamless. Rodimus Prime levers himself down through the cramped entry hatch and moves toward the front of the sub, hunched over to keep from cracking his head against the ceiling. "Who's driving this tub?" Groove sighs and then whinces, "I can...but only if no one else knows how...I'm still learning." Gar-Bage says, "Go for it, Groovester!" Jennifer nods. "GO ahead, GV..!" Groove nods and squeezes his way to the front, nervously. Rodimus Prime chuckles. "I'll pilot, then. Take co-pilot, Groove." Groove smiles at Rod, "Really!? Great!" He lets out a sigh of relief, smiling once again. Jennifer finds a seat belt and does it up. Rodimus Prime grins, squeezing with some difficulty into the cramped cockpit. He manages to smack his head on the low overhead despite himself. Rodimus Prime says, "Consider it a charity lesson and all." Groove chuckles softly as Rodimus makes the same mistake he has many times. He deliberately lowers his head to miss the overhang this time, squeezing in next to Rod. Groove awkawardly buckles himself into the chair. Rodimus Prime says, "Main difficulty with one of these things is compensating for -- well, not only z-space like you have with a shuttle or an air-flitter, but you have to watch the water currents and pressure, too. Make sure they don't screw up your course heading." Rodimus Prime remembers himself sharply and squeezes a hand back to tug his safety harness over his chest. Groove smiles and nods, "Umm...be careful when you try and back us out...we kinda got wedged into the ice." Jennifer notes the comment about currents. Rodimus Prime eyes his perimeter sensors. "Yeah, I noticed. Okay, hang on, guys, we're going to have to break out of this." Rodimus Prime reaches up to the overhead console to flick on the auxilary engines, easing the sub from side to side carefully to test how tightly it's wedged into the ice. Groove sits back, keeping an optic on Rodimus, hoping to learn something, anything, that might help him. Jennifer flushes a little. Rodimus Prime murmurs, "Trying to break free.. if that doesn't work we may have to go to weapons." Gar-Bage secures the iceman's body, in case of turbulence. Considering the driver, it's a necessary precaution. :) Jennifer can't help on this one, so remains in her seat. The sub sways slightly, the sound of breaking ice crackling against the hull. Rodimus Prime says, "Looks like we'll be able to swing it. Try not to move around much, guys. This is gonna be tricky." Groove whinces at the sound of ice grinding against the hull, he sits forward and checks the monitor in front of him, making sure nothing has been punctured. Gar-Bage chuckles at Jenn's comment Rodimus Prime reaches forward to push up the throttle slightly, engaging the forward boosters. Watching a tactical readout of the ice floes on one of the monitors carefully, he starts to ease the sub backward. Jennifer looks at Gar's 'ice man'. The craft grates on the ice, scraping along the sides with a slow grinding squeal. Groove is constantly checking guages and monitors as the sub moves slowly in reverse, a bit over cautious, showing his nervousness. Jennifer says, "Here we go..!" The grinding suddenly stops and the sub lurches slightly as it pops free into open water. Rodimus grins. "There, that wasn't so bad." Groove takes a deep breath, now that that is over. He looks to Rodimus and nods, smiling. Jennifer applauds. "Yay..! Gar-Bage says, "Said Unicron as he swallowed the Matrix. ;)" Jennifer says, "Gar-Bage, I'm going to strangle you..!:)" Gar-Bage chuckles Jennifer laughs at the joke though, smiling. and shaking her head. Rodimus Prime glances back with a smirk. "Hey, give me some credit." Jennifer says, "Well done sir." Gar-Bage golf claps Rodimus Prime reaches up and flips another switch. The slight hiss of pressurized air starts to seep into the cabin. "Increasing pressurization and diving. Don't want to risk eyeballing any icebergs from topside." > North Atlantic Ocean Groove looks over the guages and dials some more, noting pressure > Under the Atlantic Rodimus Prime turns on the main floodlights, illuminating the submarine's path. Groove looks back for a quick second to check up on Jay, he smiles and suddenly realizes that she has not been introduced. Rodimus Prime's attention is focused on the perimeter sensors at the moment. Groove takes another quick look at the monitors on his side and then turns to Rodimus, "Oh, Rodimus, by the way, the human that's been so helpful today? Her name is Jennifer, she works at that new pizza place that opened up over by the EDC Headquarters...she's a great mechanic." Groove would continue to talk but realizes taht Rodimus is still trying to pilot and has alread heard an earful. Rodimus Prime glances back. "Oh..?" He meets the human's eyes briefly and smiles. "Nice to meet you, Jennifer." Groove turns his attention back oto the sensors, afraid that he's going to miss something. Rodimus Prime steers the sub to port, stabbing a finger at a wavering line on the right side of one of the sensor screens. "Wake from one of those whales," he murmurs. "Don't want to get stuck in that." Groove looks to where Rod is pointing, he carefully takes note of the situation, nodding. "Ahhh, I see..." Rodimus Prime pilots the sub and stuff and fades to black and finally resurfaces near the San Francisco harbor. > Exo-Suit 3843 moves out over the waves to the expanse of the North Pacific . Once again, the hiss of air fills the cabin as it depressurizes. > Exo-Suit 3843 comes into view across the ocean's expanse, traveling from the North Pacific . > Exo-Suit 3843 flexes. Rodimus Prime eases the sub into a docking slot and shuts it down, setting the stabilizers to lock it into position. He starts to get out of his seat, remembers his safety harness and unstraps it, then tries to get up again, this time successfully. "Just have to get him back to Metroplex, now." Gar-Bage dohs! Rodimus Prime cycles the hatch open. "Head on up. Once you get settled I'll hand up up to you." Gar-Bage points at a previously unnoticed cargo elevator in the back of the cabin, "NOW I notice it. ;)" Gar-Bage says, "Here, help me get this guy on the lift." Rodimus Prime glances over. "Hey, that'll work." He moves around to grab one end of the stretcher. "Got it." Gar-Bage carefully lifts the stretcher over onto the elevator. He pulls the cage shut, "You take the hatch, I'll bring him up on the lift." Gar-Bage presses a button and the elevator ascends, the ceiling ratcheting open. The entrance hatches atop the submarine open up as the vessel unseals. San Francisco Harbor The cargo hatch opens on the Autobot submarine and its lift ascends. On the platform is the body of a black and white Transformer, deactivated and inoperative. The entrance hatches of the vessel slam shut and seal closed. Thomas King looks at the Autobot sub wanting a tour. Gar-Bage rises on the lift along with Orca, on a stretcher, unconscious. Gar-Bage and Rodimus maneuver the stretcher down from the top of the sub, onto the dock. Once there, Gar-Bage transforms into his Garbage Truck mode as Rodimus loads the mysterious Autobot into the back. Rodimus Prime transforms and rolls off. Gar-Bage's head suddenly flips down into his chest, his arms contracting into a single part, and his legs collapsing into a wheel base. Gar-Bage has disappeared! In his place is a large, noisy, orange garbage truck. Cool. Thomas King wonders what's going on. San Francisco Harbor Garbage Truck begins the drive back to AC. Alameda You hop on the waiting ferry to mainland San Fransisco. Ah, mass transit. Uptown San Francisco Garbage Truck leaves to the Outskirts of San Francisco to the east. You move east to the Outskirts of San Francisco... Outskirts of San Francisco Entrance to Autobot City Main Lobby - First Floor Hot Spot enters from the Command Center to the east. Hot Spot quickly moves into the area, almost as if he's jogging. Hot Spot steps out of the command center. Garbage Truck enters from the Entrance to Autobot City to the west. The large orange garbage truck suddenly splits down the middle, the rear unfolding into arms, and the bottom chassis dividing into two large legs. The cab folds and changes to become a torso, and a rather odd looking face rises out of the shoulders. It is the face of the mighty Gar-Bage! Junkion Medic! Yay! Gar-Bage is helping carry Orca, and did /not/ enter in truck mode. :) Hot Spot stops, a bit startled. "Whoa. Whatcha got there, Gar-Bage?" Gar-Bage says, "Iceman." Gar-Bage says, "I'll tell ya about it in a minute." Gar-Bage continues into the repair bay with Orca. Gar-Bage leaves to the Repair Bay to the south. You move south to the Repair Bay... Repair Bay Hot Spot enters from the Main Lobby - First Floor to the north. Hot Spot quickly moves into the area, almost as if he's jogging. Gar-Bage directs the bots to set Orca on a medtable, then shooes them out. Hot Spot follows Gar-Bage inside. "Iceman?" Gar-Bage hooks Orca up to several monitoring machines, then turns him over to the medibots. Hot Spot watches, still confused. Gar-Bage nots to Hot Spot and motions for them both to leave the room. Hot Spot nods and backs out of the doorway. Hot Spot leaves to the Main Lobby - First Floor to the north. Gar-Bage leaves to the Main Lobby - First Floor to the north. ---------------------LOG ENDS - STATISTICS----------------