(( OOC: I thought for sure OP's anger right now would interfere with Whitegrazer's "soul" searching but maybe it's a good thing it didn't because we don't want to overload her ability.
))
Primal watched Dinobot step into the command center, studying the warrior's behavior as their optics locked on to each other. His patience was beginning to wear thin the longer it took for someone to answer him.
"It was my fault," "I am to blame for Aerostriker's death. I failed in my mission to provide cover fire. I was otherwise occupied in a battle against Terrorsaur that held personal significance. I could have backed down to better protect my comrades, but I didn't. I was too wrapped up in besting that featherless freak.
As far as Optimus was concerned, the only one to blame was the Predacon who took his life. Another Maximal under his command lost to this senseless and pointless war. It never got easier to cope with, and despite the fury that was boiling up inside of him, Optimus kept himself composed, his tightly balled fists at his sides. Dinobot's confession that even held sadness to it somewhat surprised the leader; not that Dinobot was incapable of such emotions and compassion, but he was usually tougher at hiding it and moving forward rather quickly. This seemed quite different and it was most likely because he truly thought it was his fault that Aerostriker was dead because he felt he had failed to fulfill his duty. Primal disagreed.
As to what happened....I really couldn't say. Aerostriker sent some sort of mist into the area so that the injured could escape safely. I stayed behind to keep the Predacons occupied while the others retreated back to base. The mist made it difficult for everyone to see, but I had assumed everyone made it back. No one radioed to say they were in any kind of danger. Perhaps there was some sort of malfunction to Aerostriker's systems or perhaps he was more damaged than he let on. I am deeply ashamed at my failure on the battlefield, so if I may be dismissed.....I would really like to be alone."
While Dinobot bowed his head, Primal searched for the words to say.
"Everyone made it back safely," he pointed out to him, implying that he did in fact do his job.
"What happened to Aerostriker was out of your control, Dinobot. Rationalize it any way you want, but lives do NOT have to be taken. The only one to blame is the one who murdered him. And we'll find out who that was soon enough." Because some Predacons can't help but gloat and use their homicides against the Maximals to distract their emotions and concentration and take advantage of their sorrow. Primal's voice was cold and deep though he felt warmer inside as his spark raced in grief, anger and anxiety.
"You may be dismissed," he granted the Maximal soldier who was probably eager to avoid any speeches.
He wanted to scream. He wanted to cry. He wanted to unleash everything on Megatron and stop this nonsense once and for all. Enough is enough! Every loss under his command made him feel further and further away from home. Home... Where was home anymore?
Rhinox watched their exchange and empathized with Dinobot's perspective on the matter. Optimus was right, he had done his job which enabled Cheetor and Silverstreak to return safely back to base. It wasn't fair that Aerostriker had paid the ultimate price, that he had some how been separated from the rest of them and for some reason couldn't call for help. Mistakes were often a death sentence in this war of survival by this point, which was why their commanding officer tried emphasizing on the comprehension of the seriousness of it all, especially with this particular group of Predacons that was lead by one of the most tyrant and egotistical Predacons.
As much as he wanted to grieve for Aerostriker and Stag's losses, the Maximal Commander would have to save it for a later time. He looked to Rhinox and asked,
"What's going on with Orcariner's team?" Optimus recalled the emotional state that the orca must have been in when they had left some time ago that day, and he was deeply concerned by it. Aurora and Whitegrazer were in his hands.
"We can't establish radio communication with them at the moment," the engineer answered knowing that the bad news kept snowballing for Optimus.
The leader raised one of his fists part way with a strong desire to drive it into a console or a wall but he stopped himself and shook his head in disbelief and frustration.
"Keep trying." And on with the next issue that was at hand; their prisoner and his obsession with a certain saber-toothed cat.
"Is he still in the brig?" Primal asked Rhinox.
"Yes," he answered, knowing that he was referring to the bat. And far as he knew, Saber was still unaware of Sonar's presence.
"Remain here," Optimus told Rhinox and Onyx.
"Saber-Fang, follow me," he ordered her before he stepped out into the corridor and walked down the hallway expecting her to be on his heels.
-----
Rolling along with his wobbly wheel, Rattrap was beginning to feel better while his internal repairs did their job during the journey. His sharp audios picked up an unusual sound in the distance which caused him to creek to a stop and listen. It definitely wasn't natural whatever it was. Maneuvering his silver ears and sniffing the air, the metallic rat tried deciphering the origin of the sound. It didn't take him long for his green eyes to also find a cloud a of dust.
"You guys see that?" he asked his group that had been awfully silent during the last leg of their trip.
"We better check it out," he said rather reluctantly. Most of them weren't in any shape for recon, spying or combat, but they couldn't just ignore the strange occurrence. What if it was some kind of secret Predacon mining operation? Or a new Predhead HQ?
Watching Ironclaw move forward toward the noisy cloud of dust, Rattrap hurried after him, ordering,
"Just a recon first, IC, until we know what's goin' on." He doubted he'd listen or obey but at least Rattrap could say that he did his part.
Looking backward at Wintersong and Airazor, he added,
"Come on, ladies, we're gonna do a little investigating." And hopefully not die, the wheeled rat thought. Who or what ever it was, he hoped it was friendly...
