"OC Episode #4"

[Alak]

"Did you acquire the knowledge and experience from watching Rhinox as you had hoped?"

"And what of Nightmist's body? Has Rhinox found another secure location for her?"

Orcariner thought his answer out. There was a lot of chaos that ensued with the Predacon attack, and the pod's damages did not ease the situation. On the other hand, at least he had somewhat of an idea of how to approach a similar situation. The locking chip was a good idea by Rhinox, and it was very selfless of Cheetor to lend his own.

"Not as much as I would have liked. Given the situation, there was no time for any tutorials. I don't have anything bad to say about it, though, since a life was saved today. I'd rather pick that over studying any day."

Once more, Orcariner pondered over Rhinox's actions the second time around. The scientist was beyond brilliant but his thoughts mostly stay with him.

"Rhinox has the situation under control. I remember him looking around for Icebreaker so I'm assuming he knows what he's doing. Rhinox never mentioned a location, but I wouldn't doubt him."

[Blazemane]

Cheetor stepped onto the platform at the same time Airazor was stepping off, and then he had it go up.

Cheetor, please report to my quarters.

What for? he wondered. Was something else going wrong? Was he in some kinda' trouble? Or maybe it was the opposite- maybe he'd be given a cool mission or something like that.

Cheetor knocked on Optimus' door once he got to it.

* * *

Dinobot shook his injured hand for a moment to flick some of the fluid off.

It seems, though i have came a long way on my own, i still have much to learn.

Satisfied that the duel was over, Dinobot converted to beast mode before looking at the warrior.

"Correct," Dinobot replied with a slight pause, "on both accounts. I think you would do well simply to spend more time working with what you already have."

Dinobot stopped ponderously before continuing. "But the best advice I can give you now is not how to fight, but where to properly aim your skills. We are on opposing sides, Venatrix. You must certainly realize that this will eventually lead to my termination or yours. I have no intention of honing a blade pointed in my direction."

Dinobot.

"As for you," Dinobot suddenly turned to Steelclaw with a stern glance, his eyes beginning to narrow. He hadn't actually noticed the shooter before, but he knew what Tigatron wished to tell him as soon as he brought it up, and Dinobot thought it best to give the illusion of one who'd been completely aware. "The next time I see you, you had better have your weapon in hand, because I will refuse to regard you as a non-combative."

"Oh," Steelclaw, standing a safe distance away, said with mock fear and humility, "thank you so very much for your kind warning."

Dinobot's eyes slitted even further as he let out a snarl. Steelclaw, by now growing indignant, had to resist the urge to give into his beast instincts and bare his teeth. Instead, he raised an "eyebrow" innocently before replying.

"Well, I mean, if that's your policy, we can start now."

Dinobot quietly growled before he made up his mind to refuse the bait. He turned to Venatrix again as he relaxed slightly.

"Any learning you receive from now on must not be from me," he concluded. He looked to Tigatron as a simple acknowledgment before turning and trotting off towards the Axalon.

[New Moon]

Frilla crossed her arms when Rattrap suggested she might recognize it, alright she understood his suspicion but it was growing old real quick. Then again not all the Maximals were comfortable with a former Predacon. "Unfortunately I haven't a clue and I can tell you now I am terrible liar. Curiosity can be faked but this time I am curious, from whom did you get it from?" She said calmly but mentally rolled her eyes. Oh well Rattrap would get over it eventually. "And if you must go ahead and show the whole crew, I have nothing to hide." She added.

One way or another she was determined to prove her loyalty to the Maximals and if this was one way to show it then so be it.

Feralnight gave the two a side glance but she said nothing having to agree with Rattrap for being suspicious. After all what more could the Predacons have to do with their former teammates if they knew they were defected? Unless of course Frilla was indeed lying but it was hard to really say until the device was looked at.

[starshadow]

"Well..no. Some of my buddies were upgraded by some sort of venom the boss had after proving themselves worthy for it. Starshadow-sama was one of them..though we didn't see more physical changes than we expected that time. Usually, the venom either kills us or change us physically, sometimes mentally which could be risky as the could be mutated to hungry mindless vampire. As for me, I requested the professional medics to implant a venom sac in my mouth so I could give Maxies a taste of it and it makes my job easier to complete." Cecaelia replied.

Starshadow chuckled and looked at Manterror with her lovely optics. "Why should I be afraid of a handsome mech standing infront of me?" she said as her index finger lightly scratched under Manterror's chin. "Besides, I'm no fool, Galvatron is a big idiotic and insane leader of the decepticons who lost the Great War centuries ago, even most of the decepticons I knew lost their respect for him. So...are you a criminal on the run like me? Or just another sweet gentlemech who's reprogramed into a bloodthirsty predacon?"

[NaitoKage]

Glowstick raised an optic ridge at the mention of a "venom" a Venom..? Hmm.. must be some sort of disease. Didn't notice that on the records.. Hrm..I'll have to check the readouts from the CR tank. Well, that seems like a smart use of a superficial adaptation, though now I think I understand why Starshadow is so crazy. If I study this disease I might be able to derive some sort of cure for it. he then raised one of his tentacles to his chin pondering I suppose that might be where you get your sunny disposition? Maybe I should examine you thoroughly as well..

________________

Inside the lab, Rhinox and Icebreaker started working feverishly. While Icebreaker didn't entirely understand what Rhinox's plan was, he was a valuable extra set of hands to the scientist as he could understand his directions without any explanations, this was something alot of the other crew wouldn't of been able to accomplish, though perhaps in time would learn.

A bit later, Rhinox powered up an array of machinery attached to the body, which torso was opened revealing the spark chamber. A bolt of electricity arced between the chamber, the bottom of the chamber glowed in reaction as particles raised collecting and sending arcing electrical streams between each other weakly as they started to swirl slowly.

Rhinox looked towards the screen It's collecting.. but it's not enough energy.. he then looked towards the table with the body on it, his mouth slightly open in disappointment, he then looked towards Icebreaker You came this far didn't you? If you can make this 1%, then through guts I'll cover the extra 99%. he then pulled out a cable that looked something like jumper cables attaching them to the body, then opening his spark chamber and clamping them to points of it.

Rhinox shouted in horror and protest What are you doing?!, but his protest fell onto deaf audios, Icebreaker roared in pain as portions of his very life essence was being drained away. Rhinox rushed over grabbing the cable ripping it from Icebreaker as he fell to the floor. He leaned down examining Icebreaker, he found him to be in stasis lock and stable, for now at least. He let out a sigh shaking his head You idiot! Why are you always doing things so recklessly?! he then stopped as he heard a sound behind him, the sound of a pulsating spark. He glanced looking towards Nightmist's mutated body surprised to see that indeed, a spark had formed.

He activated his comlink Whitegrazer, this is Rhinox.. I need you to bring Icebreaker to the CR chambers.. he then walked towards the computer starting examining the readouts from the newly formed spark.

[una]

"Those two have something going on. " She agreed with Rattrap on Saber and Sonar. Maybe Whitegrazer should ask her but Saber might just deny it.

"Well, here she is!" Whitegrazer had to chuckle as Airazor flew down to them. Her tour was done already? Optimus must be fast.

She inspected what Rattrap was holding, only just noticed it. She saw nothing like that before but from here it looked harmless though she did understand Rattrap's hesitation about it. Well, if it was explosives, wouldn't it have exploded already or since Rattrap is an expert at these, he would know. It looked harmless.

She heard Rhinox's voice from her commlink, "On my way."

"I will be right back!"

She transformed and ran to where Rhinox and Icebreaker was. "What happened?" She asked as she picked up Icebreaker. She saw something pulsing where Rhinox was. Was that a spark? Was Nightmist...?

[NaitoKage]

Rhinox looked towards Whitegrazer Ah good, you made it. What happened?.. Icebreaker happened. The Nanomachines in Nightmist died and there were still traces of her spark remaining, so we attempted to try to rebuild her spark, but there wasn't enough energy.. Icebreaker then rashly supplied a portion of his own spark's energy to her to jump start her..Judging from these readings, he's succeeded, but he's going to need to go to the CR chamber, pulling a stunt like that.. I wouldn't be surprised if he caused himself some sort of damage.

Rhinox then looked towards the screen reviewing read out information, from what he could tell, the spark had a mixture of Icebreaker, Nightmist, and Nemesis's energies, something very uncommon. He then activated his comlink again sending a message to Optimus Optimus, this is Rhinox. The Code 1 order on Nightmist is no longer required, the Nanomachines are dead. However thanks to Icebreaker's.. foolish action, Nightmist might not be.. or whoever is on my lab table now.. I'll give you more information when I can.

He then sent another comlink message out Saber, can you come down to the lab?

[starshadow]

I suppose that might be where you get your sunny disposition? Maybe I should examine you thoroughly as well..

Cecaelia just giggled at that, "I'm always sunny from the start. Too bad I can't get an upgrade like that but I wouldn't risk myself from being a zombie. So far there's no antidote for it. It's a good thing that Starshadow-sama did not mutate into a zombie, or she'll turn us all into hungry vampires, killing each other in the base, ugh...horrible." she directed the hoverboard to the bridge.

"Hmm..but why did the venom took a longer time to transform Starshadow into a superbot? Unless...The parasite is inside her. Bots with a Netherzarian inside the body or the spark chamber takes a longer time to mutate because the little critter. Now I know why I failed my test.." the blue femme said to herself.

[una]

"I better get him there quickly then."

She hoped everything would turn up all right in the end. Icebreaker was trying to help but they didn't know what will happen to the spark. Would she still be the same Nightmist or will it be a different being?

Walking towards the CR, she hoped whatever happened, new being or Nightmist, that spark didn't die on them. She placed Icebreaker in the CR gently and closed the door.

[Night-Hunter]

"Injected something inside her?"

Saber had to resist the urge to flinch instead she looked around to see if there was any thing that she could at least try to fix, she kept her ears posed so she could continue to listen to thier coversation.

Thank you, Feralnight. Way to keep your mouth shut. She thought with a mental growl.

"Yeah. Who knows what," "Although, Icebreaker said he was gettin' some funky readings when he scanned her earlier. Rhinox should probably take a closer look at 'er."

The former general could feel the rats eyes on her, she ignored him for the most part, she also wanted to know what strange readings Icebreaker got when he scanned her.

"Hey Rattrap what do you got there?"

"Just a little parting gift your Predhead friends wanted to give ya. We're not sure what it is, so we figured we'd let Optimus see it first. Unless you recognize it?"

Saber's interest peaked, knowing the predacons it was most likely a bomb of some kind or possibly some thing else.

"Unfortunately I haven't a clue and I can tell you now I am terrible liar. Curiosity can be faked but this time I am curious, from whom did you get it from?" "And if you must go ahead and show the whole crew, I have nothing to hide."

Brave words, Frilla. She thought.

"Those two have something going on."

This time Saber didn't flinch, but only slightly. She also had to fight back the urge to say some thing stupid.

Now is not the time spill every thing. I will have my chance, but it will be on my terms. She thought through slightly narrowed opitcs.

Saber, can you come down to the lab?

Her ears twitched when she heard the com.

Crap... Look, you can get through this. Just one more lie if not more. She thought with a mental sigh.

"Alright, i'll be there a few seconds." She replied.

Saber had to resist the urge to stomp down to the lab, like a sparkling who didn't get its way. She paused threshold when she spotted what she thought was Nightmists body, it looked different then before, younger even.

What the heck is going on here? She wondered.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

(( OOC: Icebreaker's going to get himself killed one of these days! Nicely done, NK. ))

"Not as much as I would have liked. Given the situation, there was no time for any tutorials. I don't have anything bad to say about it, though, since a life was saved today. I'd rather pick that over studying any day."

Well, there would be more opportunities for that. Optimus gave a brief smile to Orcariner's answer. A life was saved today. Those words held a great meaning to the leader. It was a lucky decision to have sent Rhinox to that stasis pod. "I suppose the terrain of the area Airazor's pod landed in didn't help the situation either. Thank you, Orcariner. You did a nice job on this report. It's well organized and direct," he commented.

"Rhinox has the situation under control. I remember him looking around for Icebreaker so I'm assuming he knows what he's doing. Rhinox never mentioned a location, but I wouldn't doubt him."

"Oh, are they back with the Nomad?" asked Primal. He hadn't been notified.

Hearing the knock on his door, Optimus looked over and said with a light voice, "Come in, Cheetor."

Optimus, this is Rhinox. The Code 1 order on Nightmist is no longer required, the Nanomachines are dead. However thanks to Icebreaker's.. foolish action, Nightmist might not be.. or whoever is on my lab table now.. I'll give you more information when I can.

Well, that answered his question to Orcariner about Rattrap's team finally arriving, but it certainly raised a lot more questions for Primal about this new situation. At least they didn't have to worry about the little nanobots anymore. He decided not to bother Rhinox with them right now since it sounded like he was still working diligently on whatever needed to be done. That, and he offered to share more information on the matter when he'd have the chance. Optimus wondered what Icebreaker had done this time, and what exactly Rhinox meant by "whoever is on my lab table."

-----

"Unfortunately I haven't a clue and I can tell you now I am terrible liar. Curiosity can be faked but this time I am curious, from whom did you get it from?" "And if you must go ahead and show the whole crew, I have nothing to hide."

Rattrap found it a little hard to believe that Frilla didn't know what it was, but he decided not to dwell on that or get her upset so pulled his hand away from her to conceal the object in his palm at his side. "It was from Glowstick," he answered her. "And I don't think everybody's gotta see it, but I gotta run it by Optimus at least." Or maybe that was what the Predacons wanted them to do! He wasn't too crazy about the dumb thing.

"Those two have something going on."

"Definitely," Rattrap agreed with the mare. Kinda wish Optimus would push it and get it out of her already, he thought a little bitterly.

Whitegrazer, this is Rhinox.. I need you to bring Icebreaker to the CR chambers..

"On my way." "I will be right back!"

Blinking, Rattrap wondered what the heck was going on that Icebreaker was suddenly injured. He watched Whitegrazer take off before he sighed.

Saber, can you come down to the lab?

"Alright, i'll be there a few seconds."

Her too? What was going on in lab? Now Rattrap was growing suspicious and curious. "Aaand then there were four," he grinned at Airazor, Frilla and Feralnight. "So, Airazor, what's your story?" he inquired. He knew he'd have to see the Boss Monkey soon for a debriefing and all that junk, but he thought he'd take the opportunity now to get to know the new femme while he had the chance.

-----

"The next time I see you, you had better have your weapon in hand, because I will refuse to regard you as a non-combative."

"Oh," "thank you so very much for your kind warning."

"Well, I mean, if that's your policy, we can start now."

"Any learning you receive from now on must not be from me,"

Tigatron studied Steelclaw while he and Dinobot exchanged words. To the tiger, the bear actually didn't seem so different from the raptor. For a Predacon, he had standards, intelligence and honor. Steelclaw appeared to be one of the more civilized bots on that team of wreckless and merciless minions ruled by Megatron.

As soon as Dinobot glanced at the white tiger and turned around to head to the Axalon, Tigatron knew that was his cue to follow. Since his beast mode had done an acceptional job on his shoulder from Nemesis' earlier attack, his limp was almost unnoticable as he galloped off after his comrade.

[WorpeX]

"Besides, I'm no fool, Galvatron is a big idiotic and insane leader of the decepticons who lost the Great War centuries ago, even most of the decepticons I knew lost their respect for him. So...are you a criminal on the run like me? Or just another sweet gentlemech who's reprogramed into a bloodthirsty predacon?"

"Neither." He responded coldly, not interested at all in starshadow or her endless blabber. He had grown bored of this conversation quite quickly. He had no interest in giving any secrets away that could possibly be used against him. Instead, he preferred to just not give a straight answer. This Predicon had no reason for knowing this information, and she wouldn't get it. Manterror was no fool, he could tell that she was trying to make him uncomfortable or melt from her womanly desires. It would have no effect on him however. He simply was not interested in women.

About to walk away, the Mantis took a few steps before turning back. Pheonix had arrived by now, and it was the perfect time to propose a little bit of harmless scheming. "Say... If either of you have any interest in a perfectly intact stasis pod... I happen to know the location of one which is quite well hidden. We may be able to strike up a deal."

---



"Guess so and you must be Airazor. I'm Feralnight."

"Well, it's home sweet home," he commented to her, grinning as a greeting. "I'm Rattrap, the local spy and demolition expert."

Airazor nodded to both of the maximals. The one seemed particularly interesting, surprisingly, she was actually taller than him as well. He had a peculiar accent and way of speaking which was apparent even after he only spoke a few words. He could prove to be a rather interesting character... or an annoying one. Only time would tell. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. Though, i'm still not sure what to make of all this." She said, rather overwhelmed by everything she has to learn and the amount of bots she still hasn't had a chance to meet.

As whitegrazer galloped off to do something, rattrap addressed her again. "Aaand then there were four. So, Airazor, what's your story?"

"My story?" Airazor responded, rather surprised by the question. She wasn't entirely sure how to answer it either. All she really knew was from the last few hours, perhaps he wanted to know what happened on the mission? In fact, she wasn't entirely sure what happened herself. She woke up in the middle of a firefight with some red flying bot and the maximals. She hadn't been entirely sure about the full details herself. "I don't really have one. Rhinox only brought me online a few hours ago."

((Sorry for the terrible post. @.@))

[Wintersong]

Wintersong left the others to talk and walked from the hanger, looking towards the ruined storage facility and shook her head. Deciding there was nothing really to do the tigeress trotted towards the boulder her, Frilla, and Optimus had hid behind early and leapt onto it to watch for Tigatron and Dinobot yet was still refusing to get the repairs. The wounds were not bothering her by now so it wouldn't hurt to wait and for now she reverted to beast mode to save energy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snow Trix rolled her optics as she listened to the three, yet this Manterror was only a schemeing stab in the back liar as the rest of them. Nothing different then any or most Predacons. Shaking her head Snow Trix sighed, "Beast mode."Transforming she headed back outside to get away from the base for a while and away from bots she still didn't care to get to know very well.

[starshadow]

((Just a question for Worpex. Is Manterror talking to Nemesis or Starshadow or both? But I'll post this just incase he's talking to both Nemmy and Star))

"Say... If either of you have any interest in a perfectly intact stasis pod... I happen to know the location of one which is quite well hidden. We may be able to strike up a deal."

"Hmm? A deal? What sort of deal?" Starshadow said after she climbed up the wall leaving small scratch marks on it and lay her belly on the vent like a cat. This was getting interesting. After getting a simple but unsatisfying answer from the mantis, he wanted to make a deal. Noticing Nemesis standing in the corner watching her and Manterror, the catbot winked and gave the bird lady a small smile.

[NaitoKage]

(I imagine Icebreaker's bad luck, he's going to die from a toenail clipper as the ultimate joke compared to the damage he has soaked up. )

Rhinox looked towards Saber as he stopped typing into the computer Have a seat. He then walked towards the door closing it as he spoke up I've been going over your records lately from out of the CR chamber and tank.. including todays.. I've found some inconsistencies and some irregular results, but.. I've also noticed something.

Rhinox looked towards Saber Saberfang, the chemicals recently injected in you had many similarities to chemicals you already had inside of you.. How long have you had this arrangement with Sonar? he then crossed his arms looking towards her.

_______________________

Glowstick blinked again at the mention of a parasite Wait what..Parasite.. mutations..Um.. yeah.. I think I'll be do a very thorough examination of you both..um.. excuse me a moment, I need to check on some things at the CR tanks, feel free to join if you like. Glowstick then started to float away from her heading towards the CR tanks, he was starting to make sense as to why Starshadow was crazy, and he had a feeling he'd also need Sonar's help in dealing with this.