"Chain of Command"

[Blazemane]

Yeah.. they know we have destructive capability.. and reason power.

Dinobot was irritated for a moment- he was almost certain he heard Rhinox speak the term "destructive capability" as though it were some accusation against the Maximals and Predacons that the rhino agreed was condemning.

So what if they had destructive capability? What could these creatures possibly fear they would destroy- the local wildlife? Animals? Trees?

If they were offended by such destruction, then Dinobot was not in the least moved by their consternation. What truly frightened him was the question of how they would act upon that consternation. They seemed quite capable of enforcing whatever decisions they would come to, and for that reason, he did indeed hope they were not angered.

"But," he began to share his concerns with the group, "why would they want to know? And most importantly, who are they? Friends, enemies, or something..."

He then realized there were a few more life forms on the planet that the Maximals and Predacons could destroy- that just perhaps- the aliens would fear the destruction of: each other.

"...more?"

* * *

Probably give him the information in private later, if we do it in front of the entire group they'll just think we're kiss butts, which may have consequences. Whatever those may be..

"Alright, we'll endure his temporary rage" he replied, continuing on his way to the Darksyde.

* * *

But since Skyfire was fine...

"Come on, we should get to the bridge" Cheetor suggested as he started heading off in an awkward shuffle that was a mix between hurrying on ahead and waiting for Skyfire to follow.

[starshadow]

Starshadow growled when Megatron spoke. "I'm just wasting my time with this team." she whispered to herself as she felt her legs recovered and the panther's fur bristled along with the fur on her tail spiking out.
Without hesitation she ran past Megatron, leaving the rest of the predacons behind. She had other plans in mind and two secret missions which have not been accomplished for a long time. She may have to trick her teammates to help her but for now, she have to vent her anger on something.

[Night-Hunter]

Yeah.. they know we have destructive capability.. and reason power

Saber turned her head slightly to listen but didn't voice her concerns, her mind was else where. She prayed that Sonar had died some where but she knew that it was to much to ask.

"But," "why would they want to know? And most importantly, who are they? Friends, enemies, or something..." "...more?"

Saber didn't know and she didn't care. Instead she lifted her paw and looked at it, on Cybertron she had shaken his hand to seal the deal on thier agreement. Now she wished she hadn't.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

Yeah.. they know we have destructive capability.. and reason power.

"But," "why would they want to know? And most importantly, who are they? Friends, enemies, or something..." "...more?"

Excellent questions, and Rhinox was right. Whatever they learned from capturing Optimus and scanning him, it was quite detailed information.

"And, uh, who wants to hang around on this foresakin' planet to find out? Not me!" exclaimed Rattrap. "But nobody listens to da rat, do they? No!" He shook his head and put his weapon away, glancing around the area. "Anybody see where Winter went?"

Optimus looked around and sighed quietly. "She must have left on her own. And I don't think she was heading for Base," he answered. He would have to have a talk with her sometime soon. He needed to know where she stood and if she'd be willing to be a permanent teamplayer and not run off on her own all the time. It was dangerous out there. What if she was in trouble and no one would be there to help her?

The Maximal leader transformed to his beast mode and said, "Let's head back to the Axalon." He gave a quick look to the saber tooth tigress. All of them could chat on the way. He especially wanted to speak with Saber-Fang. He had observed her reaction to Sonar when he appeared and it looked as though she had seen a ghost. She looked terrified so it was apparent that she obviously knew something about this Predacon. But he would address her momentarily.

"Orcariner, Icebreaker," Optimus said. "What news of your team? Where are Cheetor and Valkyrie?" He was down on his knuckles and feet, walking away from the now calm scene, the standing stones back to their natural color and silence.

"Beast mode," Rattrap ordered his internal computer and reverted to his rat body. He proceeded to follow the gorilla back to the base.

-----

"Sonar," Megatron called out his name, expecting the bat to obediently approach the walking dinosaur. Where had this Predacon come from, and who was he? The t-rex intended to find out.

[Alak]

"We had a couple of encounters with the Predacons," replied Orcariner, "but found nothing from the ship's crash site. Any significant content was either burned up upon impact or already taken by the enemy. Valkyrie is back at the base in critical condition. Cheetor was undergoing some minor repairs."

[Night-Hunter]

"And, uh, who wants to hang around on this foresakin' planet to find out? Not me!" "But nobody listens to da rat, do they? No!"

Saber didn't want to chew the rat out even if she wanted to right now she didn't care.

"Anybody see where Winter went?"

Again she didn't care, the stray could jump off a cliff and she wouldn't even flinch.

"She must have left on her own. And I don't think she was heading for Base,"

No, really? What was your first clue? Saber thought rolling her eyes.

"Let's head back to the Axalon."

Saber stood up without a word and waited patiently.

"Orcariner, Icebreaker," "What news of your team? Where are Cheetor and Valkyrie?"

Saber didn't hear what the two water heads said her mind was once again else where.
* * *

"Sonar,"

Megatron's voice caught Sonar's attention, he looked over his shoulder and banked right to face the T-rex.
"Lord Megatron," He said landing infront of the Predicon leader with a small bow. "Its an honor to finally serve along side you."

[NaitoKage]

Icebreaker looked towards Orcariner and Optimus as they spoke It looks like the Predacons got a new member as well, that bat thing you were fighting earlier. Cheetor was banged up but we managed to patch him up..he wanted to come here to make sure you were okay sir, but Sky and I felt he probably wasn't up for combat yet.

He then stopped for a moment thinking as he looked around Strange though.. We didn't see two of the other predacons from the ambush earlier here..Oh well! he then put his flippers behind his head following the others. He pondered having heard Rattrap and Optimus mention Wintersong, he still didn't know too much as to why she didn't involve herself with the others. Perhaps one day he'd have to track her down to find out he then thought to himself.

_________________________________

Rhinox over heard the damage Valkyrie and Cheetor received, with only one CR chamber it was apparent his skills were needed back at the Axalon. Beast mode. He transformed to his rhino mode following Optimus and the others. Walking to the side of Orcariner Now I suppose I can explain. Last night a alien pod landed at the standing stones, Optimus investigated with Saber and was ambushed by the Predacons. in the chaos the alien probe captured Optimus in what I can assume they scanned him. With him gone and Valkyrie with you guys, Optimus radioed us somehow and put Rattrap in charge. Then the Predacons attacked us, were held back but Skyfire was injured, and finally lead to the battle here. That should cover everything..

Which leaves the other bit to catch you up on. Now, we've noticed you've had some difficulties getting around, so Rattrap and myself thought about helping you out. We had some grav lift parts for cargo we weren't using anymore, if we install the parts on you I believe you should be able to travel on land in beast mode.

You wont be fast ,but you wont be beached either. It's up to you if you want it or not.

[starshadow]

When Starshadow reached to the Darksyde, she transformed and rushed to her quarters and took out an electronic notepad and a cable then went to the halls. She sat down on a chair near the computers and connected the cable from the notepad to the main computer.
"Begin download."

The catbot hoped that the other predacons would return later before they knew what she was doing.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

(( OOC:

No, really? What was your first clue? Saber thought rolling her eyes.

OMG! The attitude! ))

"We had a couple of encounters with the Predacons," "but found nothing from the ship's crash site. Any significant content was either burned up upon impact or already taken by the enemy. Valkyrie is back at the base in critical condition. Cheetor was undergoing some minor repairs."

Optimus looked at Orcariner and gave him a nod. It was a shame they couldn't recover anything. More importantly, though, Valkyrie sounded like she had been through a lot but at least she was getting repairs. He was glad Cheetor was all right as well.

So, Optimus was right about some of the Preds makin' for Val's team, Rattrap thought from Orcariner's confirmation. He frowned a little at Val's and Cheetor's injuries.

It looks like the Predacons got a new member as well, that bat thing you were fighting earlier.

"Yes," Primal acknowledged. Unfortunately.

Cheetor was banged up but we managed to patch him up..he wanted to come here to make sure you were okay sir, but Sky and I felt he probably wasn't up for combat yet.

A small smile tugged at the gorilla's mouth. It was good that they heeded caution. He would see Cheetor soon enough.

Strange though.. We didn't see two of the other predacons from the ambush earlier here..Oh well!

Primal's smile vanished and a look of thoughtful concern washed over his face while Rhinox's voice explaining everything to Orcariner slowly faded. If those two Predacons weren't at this battle, but weren't injured enough for repairs, what if they didn't return to the Darksyde? What if they had other plans? With the three injured Maximals at the Axalon, would they have made a move to infultrate it? ...But Megatron wasn't heading in that direction. Either those two Predacons were back at their base or Megatron wasn't aware of their current status. Primal followed his instinct and opened a transmission to the Axalon. "Maximal Base, this is Optimus. Do you read me?"

Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed the saber tooth was hanging back quite a bit. Time to find out what was going with her while he waited for Skyfire or Cheetor to respond. "Saber-Fang!" Optimus called over his shoulder while he continued to walk. "May I speak with you?" He looked forward, waiting for her to stride up beside him.

Which leaves the other bit to catch you up on. Now, we've noticed you've had some difficulties getting around, so Rattrap and myself thought about helping you out. We had some grav lift parts for cargo we weren't using anymore, if we install the parts on you I believe you should be able to travel on land in beast mode. You wont be fast ,but you wont be beached either. It's up to you if you want it or not.

"Yeah!" Rattrap proudly said with a smile up to Orcariner's face as he waddled along below.

-----

"Lord Megatron," "Its an honor to finally serve along side you."

Megatron looked down at the bat before him, causing him to stop, and narrowed a curious eye at him. "Indeed," he replied, as if serving him was to be expected. "Tell me, Sonar, where did you come from? How did you get here?" He continued walking in the direction of the Darksyde as the heat and some smoke came into view from the area that the damaged ship laid on.

Then he addressed Venatrix and anyone who might know what he was talking about next. "And I couldn't help but notice two of my Predacons were missing from the battle. Where are Steelclaw and Glowstick?" Megatron questioned. He'd have asked Starshadow as well but it seemed she outcasted herself and had gone up way ahead of the group to the base.

[Night-Hunter]

"Saber-Fang!"

She lifted her head at the sound of her name, her ears pricked forward.

"May I speak with you?"

Crap. Saber thought but she nodded.
She trotted over to him. "What is it that you need, Optimus?"
She kept her voice calm but inside she was freaking out.

* * *

"Indeed," "Tell me, Sonar, where did you come from? How did you get here?"

Sonar chuckled lightly. "I came from Cybertron, of course. As to did i get here, i followed your ships signal. I was going to join you but you left before i could join you." He said lightly.

[Alak]

Acknowledging Rhinox and Rattrap, Orcariner replied with a big grin.

"That sounds great! It would definitely make my solarcycle a lot more cheerful it I didn't have to worry about rivers and lakes all the time."

Slow or not, a gravlift would definitely help the giant out. Orcariner had always wished for a more land-efficient beast form, but this will compensate nicely.

[Blazemane]

Steelclaw couldn't see any Predacons in sight as he neared the Darksyde, so whether they had not yet returned, or they were already back, they wouldn't witness his return.

Going back in through the same obscure hole in the side of the ship that he had left through, he quickly headed for his quarters.

Once he was inside, he locked the door. It was finally time for him to put down his weapons. They were going to be thoroughly cleaned whenever the first opportunity presented itself. But first, there were some data copies to make.

* * *

Cheetor just arrived at the bridge when he heard a communication coming in from Optimus.

"Yeah, we're reading you Optimus" he said, glad to hear another voice in all the confusion. Then what he had just said hit him.

"Big Bot!" he shouted. "How'd you get out of the probe? How close are you to the base?"

[NaitoKage]

Glowstick floated above the Darksyde silently descending upon it, floating in through a hatch he then made his way to the halls, heading towards his quarters, he then landed softly on the floor. One of his tentacles brushing up against the floor, the smell and taste of soil from the battlefield could be detected, as well as feline.

He turned looking towards an open door, floating into the air he looked around noticing it to be StarShadows, his tentacles moved towards the hall ceiling as he floated silently towards the bridge using the limbs to make his movements more silent.

Coming up behind her silently he moved down from the ceiling, one of his tentacles brushing up along her lower back softly, his voice changer softwear kicked in sounding like Megatron Now just what do you think your doing my dear?

_____________________

Tarantulus's optics rolled listening to Sonar while he dragged Terrorsaur, while it was possible. It seemed unlikely he would just follow in pursuit out of simple loyalty or admiration for Megatron, but for now his goals for coming to a backwards wasteland like this would be hidden.

_____________________

Rhinox smirked listening to Orcariner Good then, we should be able to install after I'm done patching everyone up.

[starshadow]

Starshadow was too focused on downloading all the data of the Darksyde. She felt something brushed her lower back and heard Megatron's voice, shivering slightly.
The catbot quickly turned around and secretly pulled out the cable and rebooted the computer. "Nothing!!"

To her surprise, it was Glowstick. Starshadow snarled and grabbed her notebook and walking to her quarters and slammed the door.

[Wintersong]

Snow Trix had been in her quarters just trying to get thigns settled but heard all the commotion. Glancing up she opened the door and came to the hall way to where Glowstick was raising an optic, "What was wiht allt he slamming fo the doors? SOmeone having a rotten day? She asked, flicking her tail.