(( OOC: I'm back!
I love what's going on with the Predacons and Megatron's panicking. Good stuff.
As for the virus, whether or not your character gets infected is completely up to everyone; it's not mandatory. Ironclaw won't be since Mystrea has already made that clear. Rattrap won't be because he'll end up leading the Maximals while OP is gone since Rhinox and Orcariner are compromised. It will be contagious through touch only since the gas has long since been dispersed and vented out of the base to cause anymore contamination being airborne. While at first I thought it would be great for Optimus to spread the virus to the Predacons during his surrender, I've been leading up to him being merely a carrier by the time he's at the Darksyde while the nanites fight against it; this way he can still be himself, and in order to keep the Predacons themselves throughout his and Nexus's stay there, we can simply keep it contained within Optimus and he won't be contagious. No big deal here. Maybe after they beat him up and torture him or whatever, his immune system and energy will grow weaker and won't be able to fight off the infection anymore and it will creep back on him (kind of like what Phoenix recently suggested) when he's rescued and back at the Axalon so the Maximals can cure him properly. This episode will obviously be a two-parter. ))
BIC:
"No problem, we'll figure something out,"
Watching Aurora peek out from behind Rattrap who had finally lowered his weapon, Optimus nodded at the young Fuzor, putting his faith into her like he always did. Although she sounded a little nervous and uncertain, he knew she and Rhinox and whoever else could help them would be able to get it done.
"Don't go, not again! Last time I.. we.. had to watch you die!"
A soft smile crossed the leader's face as she ran up to him, begging him not to go. He wished he didn't have to, just to save Aurora any more anguish and sorrow in this war. But he had to. He didn't see that his life was worth more than Cheetor's and Banshee's, and he couldn't have their deaths on his conscious every second of every day; it would eat him up inside. It was unlikely that he'd be able to live with himself if anything happened to them if he didn't do this, especially after everything Cheetor had been through. He was like a son to him. Primal frowned sadly down at Aurora, holding back his own tears as his orange optics stared right back into her's.
"I'm so sorry, Aurora. But I have to do this," Optimus tried saying without his voice wavering. Her expression and sweet voice was very difficult for him to argue. He was about to bend down and hug her, without thinking about the virus inside of him, when Nexus spoke up and interrupted him. He had also seen the Admiral's reaction to the news and suddenly remembered how he never wanted him involved with any of this despite what Nexus said to him earlier about being stranded there with them now.
"I.. see," "However I should be the one to go. You have a responsibility to your Maximals and I have already served my term. I shall go in your place."
Primal was so grateful to hear that and to have Nexus there. His volunteering and selflessness touched his spark, and as much as this offer of his probably gave Aurora hope again, he couldn't accept it. Optimus, shaking his head, explained,
"These were Megatron's terms. You and I for them. And we must be unarmed."
Watching Ironclaw shove Whitegrazer and approach him and Nemesis, the Commander let out a deep growl and stepped toward him, ready to backhand him for being so disrespectful, not just toward a female but toward a fellow comrade and a superior officer. Some how, he was able to control himself and hold back his aggression. Instead, he clenched his sharp teeth and ground them, baring them at the badger.
"I won't you do it Optimus" "You think because she's playing nice now, she will play nice later? You're willing to aid her back into the Predacon ranks?"
"Lower your weapon, Ironclaw," he told him firstly with a firm voice.
"And, yes. At the moment, I see Nemesis as more of an advantage to us and a great disadvantage to Megatron. However, as I said before, I'm far more concerned about this Darkwind character. Assuming he actually exists and this isn't some story she's making up just to get into our base, Rattrap should be able to clarify that with the ship's surveillance footage. If there's evidence, then perhaps you would all do better to give her a chance to help us instead of helping Megatron. I understand how all of you feel about this, but she won't be wandering the base alone at any time and her access to anything will be extremely limited."
"We need a leader, not a peace keeper..."
"We have one," "However your friend here does have a point. You are needed here, Optimus, to lead them against this unknown foe and Megatron's forces as well. Stay with your Maximals and I will face Megatron's wrath."
"As far as I'm concerned, Ironclaw, I have never been a leader under your qualifications!" Primal suddenly accused him. He was not the least bit intimidated by his stature or posture as the badger in robot mode "loomed" over him. If Optimus no longer feared Megatron, then there was no one left to daunt him except the Vok.
"You deliberately disobey every order I give you and argue with every decision I make more so than Rattrap! You're disrespectful and selfish! And I clearly don't rank as a commanding officer to your satisfaction. So no matter what I say, no matter what my orders are pertaining to this unique situation, you're going to ignore me and stomp away to do your own thing. But do you realize just how much more difficult your negative actions make for everyone else in this war of survival? Everyone's actions here have consequences," Optimus emphasized with his index finger pointing downward.
"Everyone," he repeated but refrained himself from listing any specific examples, such as the one he was about to pay for in order to get Cheetor and Banshee back because he had no doubt that Ironclaw had refused to follow Dinobot's orders, or simply being a team player as the badger's past has shown thus resulting in their comrades' capture and now Primal's and Nexus's. He had had enough of Ironclaw's antics and poor behavior.
"Now, STAND DOWN," Optimus ordered him not wanting anyone to get shot.
Rattrap had remained uncharacteristically quiet through their leader's explosion on the TransMetal honey badger. There were times Primal yelled at Rattrap and even smacked him to make him shut up, but he had never seen him blow up on anyone like that before. Either it was the hallucinogen talking or the monkey was sincerely fed up with Ironclaw's disapproving methods. Whatever the case, Rattrap came closer to Aurora's side to subtly shield her from the ape's confrontation that may have frightened her for all he knew. It actually kind of frightened him a little.
Then, Primal turned his attention back to Nexus Prime.
"I appreciate your bravery and nobility, Nexus, but if we don't hold our end of the bargain, then we're putting their lives in grave danger, and I can't risk that."
"I'm going to be present at the exchange"
"No," the Maximal Commander disagreed with Ironclaw coldly, but at least his tone had lowered.
"We're to go alone and unarmed. If I could trust you to follow my orders, then I would allow you to tag along with Whitegrazer and Landslide to retrieve them outside of the Predacon territory once they cross it, but your track-record of irrationality and unpredictability suggests otherwise and I fear you will compromise their well-being. I nor they can afford anyone to screw this up. Megatron made it quite clear that if I deviate from his conditions at even the slightest, they will not hesitate to kill them. At least once Cheetor and Banshee are returned, there's still a chance to get us back. And if there's anything we can do from the inside to help, then we will do it. My orders stand as is: We go alone while Aurora finds a solution to this hallucinogen, Rattrap will search through the footage to find out how Sonar escaped the brig and if there's any video of Nemesis exiting our ship, Landslide and Whitegrazer will aid Cheetor and Banshee in case they're injured or followed, and you, Ironclaw, can babysit Nemesis until you can make yourself useful and cooperative in a possible rescue attempt on our behalf," Primal ended with him pointing at himself and Nexus.
"End of discussion. We have no more time to waste, now move out!"
This was a lot for them take in. Rattrap understood Optimus's sacrifice for Cheetor and Banshee but he didn't like it. He thought it was a trap just to get four Maximals and execute them on the spot. He never trusted Megatron's word on anything, however, he did see Optimus and Nexus as very valuable assets in this war of world domination (unlike Cheetor and Banshee) so maybe he would do anything not to miss this opportunity. Their leader could easily take on Megatron since their power and strength were pretty equal, and then to also have Nexus there, Rattrap doubted Megatron would risk tricking them if he could have them so easy like this. He still didn't like the idea and thought Optimus could have negotiated better for more in his favor, then again it sounded like strict terms on Megajerk's part, who was just using the two to get to Primal and Prime anyway, his most worthy adversaries, taking advantage of Optimus doing anything for his Maximals' safety.
The Spy glanced at Nemesis as she got to her feet but remained surprisingly as quiet as he had. It was very... unusual for him to see her not so threatening as she always was during every other encounter. Although he didn't trust her, she sure was putting on a good, consistent act.
I wonder how much she's holdin' back right now from attackin' Ironclaw and his trained weapon on 'er, he thought, not letting his guard down even though he had lowered his own gun.
"Whoever this Darkwind is, he is more of a threat than Nemesis is now. We have a common enemy and I sense nothing but truth in Nemesis. Nemesis didn't have to come here and give us this information, but she did. I believe that should be taken into consideration. With us helping Nemesis back into Predacon ranks, we are also are gaining the identity of someone who is playing us for fools."
Considering Whitegrazer could feel and sense a lot more about others than the rest of them could, it brought just a tiny bit of comfort to Rattrap. Still, he could never trust Nemesis. Not after everything she had done to him and the way she had treated him. Once a Decepticon, always a Decepticon. However, he had to follow orders and he had to somewhat try to keep an open mind. ...That was so very difficult for him to do.
Reaching over his shoulders with both arms, Optimus detached his clubs from his back and then held them together in one hand and handed them to Rattrap. He would still need his gun for now in order to fly to the
Darksyde and make up for lost time.
"Rattrap, you'll have to take command in my absence. Find out what has been transpiring and use your best judgment. And please note that Saber-Fang left the base and is wandering around outside alone and infected. She slipped into the darkness before dawn." Obviously he was trying to remain calm and in control despite everything, hoping that he and Nexus could escape with or without his crew's assistance as long as Megatron didn't execute them immediately. And if they couldn't escape... then it'll be what it'll be. He wanted to hand his clubs to Aurora as he did his swords before and tell her he'd be back for them, but last time he did that he was killed and he was incredibly lucky to come back. He didn't want to recreate that loss and extreme emotion for her again with the same repetitive notion. No, this time would have to be different. He would come back to them, as would Nexus. No matter what it would take, for as long as he could hold out, Optimus would fight and find a way back to his Maximals.
The TransMetal rat reluctantly took his twin clubs as he wrapped his free arm around them to hold them and kept holding his weapon in the other hand. He didn't know what to say at this point. He didn't want to be left in this position under all this uncertainty, aggression, anger, drama, hatred and fear. How the heck was he supposed to lead everyone like this? Some were still suffering from the hallucinations, Sonar was still loose, Saber and her beast were running amok, they knew next to nothing about this hallucinogen, Ironclaw was probably about to pummel Optimus in the face, and they had to accept Nemesis into their home - granted, with very tight security - and find out who this Darkwind guy was and what he wanted besides trying to get Nemesis killed and manipulating Megatron. Rattrap immediately felt overwhelmed and had no idea how Optimus always kept his cool under such burdening conditions. Well, almost always. This morning made for an exception.
"We're gonna get you an' Nexus back, Boss Monkey."
"You may relay on us both to make sure Megatron doesn't go back on his word."
Primal studied Whitegrazer and a wave of calmness suddenly wrapped around him.
I know, he sent her with gratitude. He had seen her cover her spark with her hand when Aurora spoke up and approached him, pleading him not to lave them again, and felt her return to the time of his death. It was painful, agonizing even, and so much sadness, but not from him nor the mare, from Aurora.
And you may relay on us all to make sure you and Nexus get out of there.
"Not until you rid everyone of their hallucinations first," Optimus enforced at both Rattrap and Whitegrazer even though she hadn't spoken her last determination. After all, they couldn't very well fight efficiently against Predacons if they were all seeing things and were scared of everything they saw. Speaking of which, his were becoming more and more sparse. And the nanogel was still glowing on the side of his chest, the tiny robots still busily working as well as they could since the last boost of power.
(( OOC: I'm going to leave it there so others can react, but my next post should be Optimus leaving since we need to keep rolling here. Ironclaw can still assist with the antidote for the hallucinogen, if you want, Mystrea, as well as aiding in the rescue of Optimus and Nexus later on; his aggression could prove useful there with an ambush whatever they plan on doing to get them back. As for whether or not he obeys and stays away from interfering with retrieving Cheetor and Banshee, that of course is up to you. And please don't take OP yelling at Ironclaw personally from me, I'm just drawing on what he would have observed and gathered from his own point of view in the game. I know some players mistaken that sometimes.
I'll post for Rhinox another time. It's getting late and I don't want to be in front of my computer all night after having just gotten home; not fair to my kitties who obviously want my attention. ))
))
Loving this, truly!
