((OOC: Thanks, Darkspark!

I felt better today than I have for the past few days. Still hoping for the lingering cough to go away. Also, here is my post, guys! Sorry, it took so long. I'm a bit hesitated to post it since it is actually nighttime, but I did say I would post it today, so. XD I hope I didn't forget anything or made any big mistakes. I looked at posts a few times. *fingers crossed* ))
Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:"Plannin' ta sabotage and shoot me in de back fer all I know!"
She rolled her optics at the rat's comment. Like it wasn't already too late for her to turn back on her choices. At least, she would stand by what she said what she was going to do. Also, she wasn't going to allow herself to die, so Megatron and Tarantulas could laugh at her. Or worse, Arachnitron. That little, weak widow, who can't seem to figure out that maybe death would be her only freedom if she continued to be under Tarantulas' heel.
Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:"Hands off de controls, Legs!"
"No." she said simply, trying to figure out a way to get more power from the CR Chambers to the brig.
Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:"We need as much power as possible to de CR that Cheetor's in!"
Rattrap pushed her off the console. She let out a short shout, hissing at the rat. Maybe she should have him for lunch. At least, that sort of personality from Tarantulas never bothered her. Except his table manners. And the way he ate... Ew.
"Well, I'm all ears. What do you think we should do? Unless you want Zodiac to escape."
Optimal Optimus Primal wrote: "You keep your slimy Predacon hands off of our consoles, black widow. You got no right or authority ta use our equipment."
She just shrugged her shoulders after she picked herself off the ground. It was then she fell again on her behind from the violent trembles. There was a horrible loud creaking and shearing noise mumbled down the hall. The schematics of the ship showed up on the screen, showing a massive hole near the brig where Zodiac and two Maximals were. She rested her pincher underneath her chin. The Axalon was defenseless. No brig. No cage. No shields. No autoguns. Uh oh.
"Rat-face, you better figure out a way to get the shields back up. And fast. Or Zodiac and his big, dumb buddy are going to be the least of your problems."
Phoenix wrote:"Indeed.. While I'm sure your abilities would make for a fascinating topic of conversation, it would appear we are running short on time,"
Whitegrazer just smiled, saying nothing. Zodiac wasn't aware of that that a long ago chest injury diminished most of her abilities. Yet, despite that, the recent events have been... tough. So tough that some more of her abilities have been shooting up to the surface for a short time or more. Unpredictable.
She noticed his smile had dropped when she had said the second part of her last sentence. Was she right? Was she right about him not being free? She had been mistake before. But the clear drop of his smile proved something to her that she was on to something. Maybe she had been wrong when she thought he was free. Was he as free as he thought he was-- or only believed he was? Sounded like a cruel juxtaposition. But she wondered about the source. Was someone holding him back or was it his past?
Phoenix wrote:"More trouble..," he mused, her choice of words again piqued his interest, "Again I'm not sure I follow your reasoning, my lady. How would your deaths give me any trouble at all?"
She wondered if she should answer his question or not. She will just give him a general statement. "It is from my experience that people with higher body counts draw more attention to themselves. Good publicity for some people, but bad publicity if you are a person whose goal is to remain faceless and mysterious. Also, if you believe yourself to be our future, despite popular belief, higher body counts don't win favor. "
Phoenix wrote:"Lest you forget the alternative isn't exactly much to brag about either,"
Whitegrazer nodded her head, "No, it isn't. But like I have said before, by becoming a weapon, you make yourself make susceptible to those with the authority to use you where they see fit. Even if you believe it was your choice. " Yes, there was such a thing as illusion of choice. People giving you options, but ultimately, all options leading to a similar outcome. Moreso for their benefit then for yours, but of course, with such an illusion that person choose it themselves, it make for a good show.
Phoenix wrote:"Use me?"
Phoenix wrote:"Whoever said I plan to let that renegade fool dictate my actions? I am not one of his Predacons to command nor would I ever want to be."
Phoenix wrote:"Do not insult me.. I bow to no one, certainly not Megatron."
"Megatron has people who have probably said the same thing you have. Just look at the spiders. Even Blackarachnia, for example. Look how quickly he turned on Nemesis. No questions asked. Just elimination. You came to him and he took you in because of your abilities. Which as clever of a Cybertronian he is, Megatron should have spotted right away something was off." Makes her wonder if Megatron didn't see it or thought Nemesis was worth sacrificing.
"You are clever too, but you have shown too much about yourself already. Also, Megatron has already made it clear he was willing to get the cure by any means necessary. Even if you can offer any information, once you offer it, you will lose your usefulness to him. He will see you as a threat." She thought about the irony of her next words. "You might have a better chance staying here. "
Despite everything, she was willing to live and let live. But if Zodiac continued with his plan, they might have no choice.
It was then she witnessed the tearing of the brig by Dirge's handiwork. She kept herself steady, taking a look at the damage. The fact she could clearly see the outside made it clear, to her, that after all this was over it would take days for them to repair their ship. Not that this crew already had pressing issues to deal with. It seemed the last few days have been nothing but a test of their endurance and will to survive. She could feel the tension radiating in the air. The fear. The despair and desperation. Dirge was standing right behind them now. She kept her injured back towards the large Predacon. For all looks and appearances, she seemed to be the most vulnerable in the room, and she knew. Rhinox knew. Zodiac. Dirge.
Phoenix wrote:"So you are willing to hand me Optimus' head on a platter? Did your beloved leader agree to these conditions? Somehow I wonder.."
Whitegrazer wondered if her words would ever stop being misinterpreted. Maybe some of her old colleagues are right. She was a poor communicator. She noticed Rhinox' optics and face for what she had said. She placed a hand on Rhinox's shoulder ,after a fire a bit at Dirge, while still keeping her optics on Zodiac. It was her way of putting Rhinox at ease. She wasn't sacrificing anyone. Her ideas was more of a complicated series of thought patterns trying to figure out a way to made sure everyone remains alive. Landslide was dealing with Dirge right now, so she didn't have to worry about two Predacons, but now, she was still trying to figure out what to do next. She needed to think fast or they could all be in serious trouble.
"You misinterpreted the intent of my words." She shook her head and calmly made it very clear to him about what she meant. "I'm not handing anyone over to you. I'm willing to allow you the chance to face your past head on, so maybe you can find some peace. " She was telling the truth. She was offering Zodiac a way out.
Her spark began to ache. A numb pounding invaded her entire body, like someone was knocking on her spark. Wanting her attention. Wanting her. Was it... Was it Optimus? Should she unblock her connection... or keep it blocked? She didn't... she didn't want to cause him anymore pain, but what if... what if he needed her calming presence? She couldn't... she couldn't take that away, especially during a time where he really needed her. But Zodiac... What if he attacked? He continued to talk to them. Making no such move. She sighed inwardly.
She unblocked her connection. The moment she did... The flood of emotions nearly overwhelmed her. It shocked her a bit, but she realized this was natural. She... She only wanted to spare Optimus more pain. Was there any way for her to spare him that much? After everything he has been through.
Optimus? Optimus... I'm so sorry. I was only trying to spare you anymore pain if Zodiac did attack me or Rhinox. Forgive me. We are okay... for now. She sent calming signals, trying to soothe him once more. Trying to shake away those accursed whispers he suffered from. To her, the only way was to show himself that he could take control once more. She regretted ever suggesting what she said to Zodiac. No... Optimus was in no state. But everyone looked up to Optimus... He was their leader. If he challenged Zodiac, maybe.. just maybe the Maximals would regain some hope.
Optimus, everyone... Everyone seems to be feeling like they aren't going to make it out of this. That they are going to die. There is fear. Terror. Despair. We can't have that. She closed her optics.
If everyone believes that we are going to die today, they would find some way to make it happen. We need to take back control. Or we are going to lose.
They needed to do something. They needed to restore hope and optimism into their people once more. She wasn't scared of Zodiac. She wasn't going to let fear compromise her nor let it cripple her. If she must, she would use every ounce of strength and will to defeat him. Even if it might kill her. Though, she didn't want to cause anymore heartbreak or loss towards this group. But nor did she want Zodiac revel in, laughing at their misery and watching them lose so much.
We must face him. Together.
Phoenix wrote:"What do I choose..,"
Phoenix wrote:"What was it you said earlier?,"
Phoenix wrote:"I choose freedom."
"If you were really free, you would have kept flying." She said at Zodiac with the same calmness, just not eerie as his was, then shook her head. "Whatever plans you had, you stopped here. You flew down here. You planned. You staged all of this. Because you couldn't let go. You couldn't let it go. You wanted Optimus to pay. You were, and still are, willing to kill every single one of us. Innocent to what happened to you. Not to mention, someone who might still have some sort of feeling towards you. You were willing to kill her in your crossfire."
Nemesis. She might not been able to see the last few moments Nemesis had before she took her leave, but she could guess that Nemesis didn't like the fact that Zodiac was willing to sacrifice her in the sake of his own merciless vengeance. She might have taken a personal insult to it. Might even ruined any chance of whatever bond those two shared before all of this. She wondered if Zodiac cared at all about that.
"That's not freedom, Zodiac." Whitegrazer stood her ground, watching as the bars that once held him prisoner turn into a protective sheet of metal. Rhinox's chainguns of doom would have a hard time getting through that. It may only slow him down, but still might be useful if the situation required it. "You are still hurt. Still carrying the scars of your past, as a shield, using them as an excuse for your actions. "