"More Than Meets The Eye: Part III"

[DarkSpark]

OOC: Thanks for the answer Naito, gonna provide an open invite to any preds who wanna go make the maximal's bad day even worse lol, figure that be easier than just selecting people at random since I know not everyone is readily available these days.

NaitoKage wrote: Umbra gave a nod looking back towards the others I'll do my best. he then lead Star away, showing her how to use some tools and begin work on repairing the damaged consoles in a corner.

Waspinator cringed again watching as Starshadow left, then looked at Inferno with a raised optic ridge as he was dragged off with Terrorsaur to assist in repairs on the ship.

"Nevermind, I'll do it myself" Megatron grumbled, too impatient to wait for Spineback, wanting to update himself on the status of his enemies as quickly as possible.

If it had been himself in Primal's place, he would have organized a strike force to attack his base while it remained in disarray, but fortunately, despite the ape's uncanny luck, he wasn't quite that sensible, but there was a first time for everything, so better to be safe than sorry, especially when there was a shapeshifting turncoat involved.

"Well I'll be, it would seem it did not take Primal long to lose control of the situation again, nnnnnooo" Megatron mused as he was able to detect the maximal base itself on the long range scanners, which could only mean the Axalon's defense shields were down, which could only mean Primal must be having an even worse time than before.

There were a few theories running through his head as to what could have gone wrong, most involving a stunt pulled by one of his renegade predacons, or the maximals failing to properly contain Zodiac, either way, this was an opportunity worth checking out, especially if it meant hitting the maximals where it hurt while they were still hurting, or taking out one or more traitors before they made their escape.

"Attention Predacons, it would appear that our neighbors are in need of our assistance, anyone wish to drop on by and see what seems to be the trouble?" Megatron said, providing an open invite to his warriors to make themselves useful in the field as opposed to doing cleanup duty.

Megatron was sorely tempted to go himself, but felt the base would require his presence to ensure its safety as repairs were made, and he also wanted to be present when Nemesis returned with what he hoped would be a fresh recruit.

"We would be more than happy to lend our neighbors a hand Royalty! Or a fireball for that matter! Hahahahaha!" Inferno cackled gleefully, lifting Terrorsaur and Waspinator up into the air by their arms as though they weighed nothing, volunteering the three of them himself.

"HEY! Don't put words in our mouths Bug Eyes!" Terrorsaur snarled, the ant's impudence sinking to new lows so far as he was concerned.

"Splendid, anyone else?" Megatron inquired, eager to get this business underway.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

"Yeah.. I hear you, Optimus, I'm all right,"

A great deal of relief swept through Primal upon hearing Aurora's voice. Thank Primus. Her waving him down drew his attention to her and he hurried to her side. Them being literally blown off course was his fault but he failed to address it or apologize at that moment. He was just glad she was all right. Just as her audios were drawn to the noises at the Axalon and Dirge, so were the ape's and he watched in horror. It was like he froze. He just stood there and observed as if there was nothing he could do.

You're falling, Primal. Falling and failing because you couldn't take Zodiac's life. Now look at what you've done. If you had killed him, Dirge wouldn't be here tearing holes through your broken ship. Who else are you going to lose now because of your mistake? Whitegrazer? You left her in the brig with him. No one stands a chance against him; not even you. But you could have prevented all of this!

Now that this voice mentioned it, he searched for the mare's connection after she failed to respond to his radio communication. He couldn't feel her anymore. Had she cut him off, blocked him? If so, why? Or was she... Was she dead...? Did Zodiac escape and murder her just like he murdered all of those innocent bots at Outpost 62? Emotions ran high again and collided within him.

"Rattrap," "Is there any way we can transport the cage with Zodiac away from the base? Dirge will surely attempt to follow but he is slow so it shouldn't be too difficult to lose him."

The thought of losing Whitegrazer was unbearable and he decided to take his anger and rage out on Dirge instead of doing his job and leading his Maximals. Aurora seemed to be step in, however, to offer a solution to Rattrap and although Optimus heard her, it didn't really register with him. Without giving her an order, he maximized and jogged with his light limp toward Dirge.

Landslide! he thought with a gasp as he witnessed Dirge ram him against the ship and then pinned him to the ground. I am NOT going to lose any more Maximals! Primal yelled at himself.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha! It's what you deserve, is it not?! It's just like Zodiac said, after all of the torment and suffering he went though that you were a part of, now you get yours!

Your days are numbered, Primal, yesss, Megatron's voice suddenly said inside his head. I had you groveling at my feet once and I shall have you doing so again for the last time!

No, Megatron! I will defeat you! I will not lose any more of my crew! Optimus argued but there wasn't as much confidence behind his words as there would have been before any of this brutality had happened. His tongue slipped out and licked the scar across his mouth as he recalled the sounds, the smells, and the pain that he endured while staying at the Darksyde. He stopped just short of about ten yards to the Predacon's position, glaring from the damage he had done to his ship and down to him on the ground. There was so much rage boiling inside of the gorilla now. Was Zodiac free? No power and a big hole straight to the brig. What about Whitegrazer and Rhinox? "Step aside, Landslide," the Maximal leader warned him coldly as his back weapon lifted up and over his shoulders, the ends of the clubs attached targeting Dirge and ready to fire.

"Ummm.... Saving your slagging tailpipes." "What do you think I am doing?"

"Plannin' ta sabotage and shoot me in de back fer all I know!" Rattrap spat at Blackarachnia while he continued firing at the pests that were infesting his base. Pulling out his tail with his other hand, he straightened it and speared one of the armored robotic "bugs" right through its small body as it laid on its back. Then he kicked another onto its back and stabbed that one through its under side, stacking them on his tail like a kabob. He kicked one more at Blackarachnia.

"Yo! A rat I would eat if I was hungry! I'm going to try to divert some power from CR chambers to Zodiac's!"

"Hands off de controls, Legs!" the Maximal Spy said as he slapped her claws hard against the console with his tail and the bugs attached to it with their legs twitching and bodies sparking, like slamming a ruler across someone's hands on a desk. "We need as much power as possible to de CR that Cheetor's in!" He roughly pushed her aside with his shoulder to get her away from their computers. Despite the tougher protocols that Rattrap had installed earlier, how would he know she - or Tarantulas - wasn't putting in some kind of a virus or command to turn their system against them? Zodiac had already succeeded once with the same stunt! And she didn't know how badly injured Cheetor was, so he kept the power flowing to his CR chamber, even if that meant that they could no longer power Zodiac's cell. "You keep your slimy Predacon hands off of our consoles, black widow. You got no right or authority ta use our equipment."

"Rattrap," "Is there any way we can transport the cage with Zodiac away from the base? Dirge will surely attempt to follow but he is slow so it shouldn't be too difficult to lose him."

"Heck if I know!" he told Aurora with some distress in his voice. And then his optics lifted to the monitor with the video feed from the brig.

"Zodiac, if you really want to fight Optimus, then fight him."

Rhinox's optics darted to Whitegrazer. What was she trying to pull off here? Optimus was in no condition to fight anyone, let alone Zodiac.

"Do not waste your time with us. Challenge Optimus to a fight. If you are really better than him as you say, prove it. Prove that you are better. If you win, Optimus and we are at your mercy. If Optimus wins, you leave us alone... All of us, including Optimus." "Think about it. You get what you always wanted. If you win, of course. Or, you could do whatever it is you plan on doing. You could try to kill us and escape, if you that's what you want, but there would be no guarantees. At least, if you agree with what I'm proposing, you finally get the chance that was robbed from you back at Outpost 62. It is your choice, Zodiac. We can have the dual in front of the Axalon. No interference on both sides. Just you and Optimus."

"So you are willing to hand me Optimus' head on a platter? Did your beloved leader agree to these conditions? Somehow I wonder.."

The engineer very subtly shook his head. Even if Whitegrazer was trying to stall or pull some kind of a stunt here to save them all if not just the Maximals excluding Optimus and herself, this was a terrible idea. Zodiac would kill them all no matter what. His word could not be trusted. Granted, Optimus was a formidable opponent, proving himself again and again even against Megatron, but that was when he wasn't under so much emotional and mental anguish. Since that wasn't the case here, Rhinox could not allow this. And as far as he knew, she had not discussed this with their commanding officer.

"So what do you choose?"

"What do I choose..," "What was it you said earlier?,"

Rhinox turned away and ducked a little when Dirge's hand came through the wall, wires sparking and debris falling inward. Surprised that this was happening, that the others outside hadn't prevented it, he kept his cool and turned back around, firing his weapons at the large Predacon's appendage as he pulled it back out of the walls. His guns flashed with their bullets flying and the noise deafened the room until he stopped. Quickly, he returned his attention back to Zodiac only to find him consuming the metal bars and stepping through. Everything was falling apart at this point.

"I choose freedom."

Still, Rhinox held his fire as he appeared to remain calm. His bullets might hurt him, maybe even damage him, but they wouldn't stop him. He took a step back, his dual guns targeting the shape shifter as they spun, his fingers on the triggers ready to fire as many bullets as possible, but he waited for Zodiac to make the first move while he blocked his exit, glaring at his smug smile.

"Uh... I think we're too late for dat, Aurora," Rattrap said over their communication as he watched everything unfold in the brig on the monitor that kept blinking on and off and scrambling the feed. To say he was terrified was an under statement. Zodiac was free again. He had escaped. His plan worked. Now what? They were out of power. They had nothing to take the pretender down. They had two gaping holes in their ship. They had no shields and no auto guns. "I think we're in big trouble..."

[una]

((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* ))

"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.

"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.

"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."

"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."

"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?

"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. "

"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.

"Use me?"

"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."

"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.

"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.

"What do I choose..,"

"What was it you said earlier?,"

"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. "

[Phoenix]

Nemesis had decided to continue her search from the ground now that she was getting close. The device Megatron had provided was indicating that it had not only picked up a signal but that she was getting very close to the source. A Decepticon. Her own kind. Of course the terrain wasn't exactly making her search any easier. Her wings kept getting stuck in the branches of nearby trees, and the ground consisted of long grass. It was getting wetter by the moment, her feet sinking into the almost mud like consistency of the ground and thus slowed down her approach. Part of her wanted to simply take the the skies and continue her search from there, but alas the vegetation was covering wherever this Decepticon was hiding so she had little choice but to continue her search on the ground.

The wetland soon turned into a more swamp like terrain, causing Nemesis to look around with a certain expression of disdain on her face. This place was certainly not befitting a burial ground for a Decepticon, not even an Insecticon should be forced to spend eternity in this forsaken place. Aside from the occasional noise made by the local wildlife, subtle as it was, and her own struggling to wade through the thick layers of rotting vegetation and dirty water, this place was fairly quiet at least. It wasn't hospitable but at least she was alone, far from the chaos that had gone down at the Axalon.. far away from him. The very thought of the friend-turned-enemy made her mech fluid boil. It wasn't that he had taken it upon himself to kill the Maximals, but the fact he had not even hesitated to let her die with them. During the experiments they were all the other one had to rely on, a friend amidst the chaos. A lifetime had passed since then, it seemed.

The sound of her foot hitting metal snagged her back to reality and Nemesis looked down. She'd been wading through the murky waters to almost the middle of the swamp where a mound was protruding from the otherwise flat terrain. Curious she tapped her foot against the object again, excited to find that it really did give off a metallic sound. She then glanced at the tracking device which showed that she had reached her target. Her excitement growing still, she immediately set to work with clearing the organic debris off the fallen Decepticon.

It was a male of average size for his time, so about three times her height and obviously more bulky than her. He was about as tall as she had been during her glory days, didn't look to be in too bad of a shape really.. Some dents and scrapes, nothing really all things considering. Of course he had been deactivated a long time ago, probably however long it had been since the two ships crashed onto this planet, but Nemesis suspected it wouldn't require much more than a few wire changes and a power surge to bring him up and about. Still.. as tempting as it was to simply reactivate him this instant if she was able to gather the parts needed, the female was intelligent enough to know that would be a risky affair for her to do. With the re-emerging consciousness there would likely be a lot of confusion and misdirected anger. Her own awakening on this planet had ended up bringing down the Predacon cargo ship after all. And with only her around, all that anger and confusion would be directed at her no doubt.

No.. It would be better to deal with the situation in a more secure environment..

But how to get him there..

Fortunately Decepticons were all designed with the ability to fly. It didn't take Nemesis long to decide that her best approach would be to rewire the circuits so that she could manually control his boosters to fly them both back to the Darksyde. Now that would certainly raise an optic ridge or two, a fact that would surely show up the likes of Terrorsaur and Inferno.

She maneuvered herself to the top of the Decepticon's head and proceeded to open the latch. Fortunately the anatomy was well known to her, even if he was more primitive in design than she had been. He was, after all, several million years older. Contrary to what many Maximals believed, Decepticons had not gone extinct after the great war. A number had been forced to undergo the protoform upgrade but some had gone into hiding as well. Her kind wasn't lost even though there weren't many of them left.

Afterwards she very carefully realigned the wires so that whatever power she could provide would be reverted to the boosters. The soldier himself would remain inactive, or asleep, until a larger boost of power could be provided. As for the power source, well, the only thing she had on hand at the moment was Megatron's tracking device. She was pretty sure it would deplete its reserves to bring the Decepticon back to base, but otherwise the device would remain unharmed and it would work again with a new source of power.

After hooking up the device to the boosters, she made the final connection. The body made a jolt as the boosters came online, at which point Nemesis climbed on top of the Decepticon and held on as best she could. "Objective acquired," she radioed Megatron briefly, "Prepare for delivery of package soon." She left it at that, a secretive smile on her face that nobody could see. She then adjusted the flow rate to the boosters, enough to lift the fallen Decepticon out of the swamp with her riding on his backside. Decaying organic material and murky water splashed everywhere as the buried soldier emerged from his prison before shooting across the sky within moments. A few times the booster engines coughed, likely due to the icky goop getting stuck inside, which threatened to bring the body back down to Earth. But fortunately it didn't take long before the wind cleaned them out, allowing for a relatively comfortable ride back to the Darksyde.

"Heck if I know!"

Aurora could not help catching the growing frustration and desperation in Rattrap's voice although she still didn't know what was going on, exactly. She was trying her best to keep a level head despite it all, drawing on the strength of the likes of Whitegrazer to keep her senses intact. Optimus, on the other hand, looked like a statue as he stood there, staring aimlessly towards Dirge and the destruction the Predacon was rendering on their base. And then he suddenly started running towards the giant beast. The fuzor called out after Optimus but it was too late, the Maximal leader was already challenging Dirge.

"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."

Zodiac merely sent the female a blank stare in return, now certain that she was merely trying to stall him. She was talking of things she clearly did not understand.

"Again you presume I fear Megatron..," the shapeshifter growled, the increasing level of annoyance becoming obvious in his voice, "You might as well stop this feeble attempt at distracting me. Megatron isn't nor has he ever been a concern."

His voice had taken to a darker pitch, his tone sounding dangerously close to unleashing his barely contained rage unto the female before him.

"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. "

A spiteful laugh greeted her suggestion.

"Really now.. And what do you propose I do? Fall in line under the Maximal flag?" He snorted at the very idea. Just outside he heard the ongoing ruckus caused by Landslide's struggle with Dirge. Oh ever predictable Dirge.. As lethal as he was loyal. The giant wasn't much in the way of conversation but somehow he doubted that is what his creators had in mind. Strength and obedience. The ideal soldier didn't need much more than that provided he had a good commander to do the thinking for him.

"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. "

"And when Optimus is dead at my feet, what will your words be then, I wonder? Will you still be as keen on offering me an absolution then?" He took a step closer to her as he spoke, his arm reaching for her. Her face then twisted as if in agony for a moment, causing him to halt ever so briefly while studying her.

"If you were really free, you would have kept flying." "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.. Why was this female bringing her into this now? Whatever he had with Nemesis so long ago was now but a distant memory, a fading glimpse into a past he had been trying to leave behind. He was not that weakling anymore. Sentimentality held little but a lifetime of sorrow.

The shapeshifter shook his head as he reached for the large broadsword he kept strapped onto his backside. The sword was huge, as long as Whitegrazer in fact, yet the shapeshifter had enough strength to wield it. Single-handedly if needs be.

"I see stabbing you the first time didn't teach you anything," he told her grimly, casting a weary look over at Rhinox as he took another step closer to Whitegrazer. "My only regret is that I will be doing your team mates a favor when they no longer have to listen to your constant jabbering."

"You are still hurt. Still carrying the scars of your past, as a shield, using them as an excuse for your actions. "

As if on cue, Zodiac's massive cannons emerged from his shoulders as well, their automatic targeting system immediately following Rhinox' every movement while his attention remained on the white female. "Enough!," he yelled back, pointing the sharp edge of his sword against Whitegrazer. No more stalling. No more talk. He realized that even Dirge couldn't hold them back forever so he would have to act quickly. His initial thought had been to use Whitegrazer as a hostage while he and Dirge made their escape, but the more she kept talking the less he wanted to have to deal with it for any extended period of time. Perhaps it would be better to simply cut her down where she stood.

[Mystrea]

Dirge was about to destroy Landslide when his enemy surprised him by grabbing hold of the very weapon he was going to use to end him. The giant some how lost his balance an was forced down to the ground with the Maximal right over him. The rescue was now taking longer than he had anticipated, his logic was being denied and that simply would not do. Even though he was on his back and the Maximal had attempted to pin him down, he decided not to try and over power the smaller one of them. He could probably achieve this but that was not good enough. It might appear that his rescue attempt was failing, that the Maximals were over powering, that he was unworthy. No. That will not be. He would show that he could be eloquent. Dirge saw the cutting blade move towards his cannon. When it began to make contact the cannon gave way with ease almost unnaturally. The Predacon suddenly looked at Landslide and lurched towards him. His armour dissolved around the Maximal, his joints disconnected. It was like his physical composition completely changed as it flowed past and behind Landslide. It reformed into his beast mode and the hellgrammite reared up showing his size. He shrieked like an enraged beast then plunged his jaws into the beetle whilst also wrapping his boy around him, constricting him. By this point Optimus had approached and was trying to take a shot. This would be difficult because of how entangled Landslide was with Dirge.

[NaitoKage]

"Step aside, Landslide,"

Landslide was about to follow Optimus's orders, but suddenly Dirge seemed to dissolve apart, transforming and wrapping himself around the beetles body, biting into his frame cracking it open with his large fangs. Arg! So yer like yer master huh? Landslide struggled to break free of Dirge's grasp, but found he couldn't move. Landslide leaned his head down as he thought for a moment, if Dirge was like Zodiac.. he must have the same weakness. While Landslide didn't have the electro laser on him currently, he did still have a means of generating electricity.. though this would be risky for himself as well. Landslide started to struggle, moving the plasma cutter in his hand inch by inch, then hit the release button to release the power and gas line from the end of the cutter. Sorry about this Optimus.. Computer,Safety off, Current AC.. divert all power to Welding unit!

A sudden surge of electricity discharged out, conducting through Landslide as well as Dirge. Landslide gritted his teeth as his body started to tremble, but was paralyzed from. Arcs of electricity seen dancing along the large horns on his shoulder like the effect of a Jacobs ladder. Smoke soon poured out as Landslide's internal fluids and circuits started to rapidly heat up from the electricity coursing through his body, which had become effectively a living electric chair.


_________________________________

"Attention Predacons, it would appear that our neighbors are in need of our assistance, anyone wish to drop on by and see what seems to be the trouble?"

"We would be more than happy to lend our neighbors a hand Royalty! Or a fireball for that matter! Hahahahaha!"

"HEY! Don't put words in our mouths Bug Eyes!"

"Splendid, anyone else?"

Umbra looked towards Megatron, then looked back at the console he was repairing. As much as I'd be willing, I must decline. I'm still repairing my own damage from all the missions taken, I'll continue repairs on the ship with Starshadow. If things become too hectic out there, then we'll go in as support.

Waspinator reluctantly held his hand up Wazzpinator will go. he said, not pleased with the idea of fighting so soon, but he would atleast get away from the vampire bot.

Quickstrike then entered the room smacking his Cobra head into the palm of his Scorpion legs.. hand.. thing. I dun care if it's Maxis or space monsters.. This hombre is always ready fer a fight!

[una]

"Again you presume I fear Megatron..," the shapeshifter growled, the increasing level of annoyance becoming obvious in his voice, "You might as well stop this feeble attempt at distracting me. Megatron isn't nor has he ever been a concern."

Whitegrazer didn't know if this was just pure arrogance in the shapeshifter's part or ignorance. And despite what the shapeshifter may believe, her actions weren't to distract him, but to warn him. "We thought the same thing too and made the same mistake. Megatron is not to be underestimated. Do you really think he might not take advantage of what he knows of you to try to control or destroy you if your actions interfere with his plans?"

"Really now.. And what do you propose I do? Fall in line under the Maximal flag?"

"No. Our discussions haven't be one of conversion, Zodiac. You being Predacon or any other side doesn't matter to me." It was true. It really didn't matter to her. Maximal. Predacon. Autobot. Decepticon. Made no difference beside ideological standpoints. Which she knew made a lot of her friends confused and wondering why. "I'm trying to solve this situation peacefully. I still hope that it is possible. "

"And when Optimus is dead at my feet, what will your words be then, I wonder? Will you still be as keen on offering me an absolution then?"

She noticed Zodiac's arm reaching for her, but during her reopening her connection to Optimus, the arm went straight back, noticing his face. He was probably wondering what was happening to her. Whitegrazer just shook her head. Didn't he understand why she was talking to him? What this discussion really was about? "Are you asking for absolution, Zodiac? Would it really matter to you if I absolved you or not?" She highly doubted, but she continued the line of thought. Solemn with a hint of sorrow in her voice. "If you truly believe in absolution, would you ask for it for what happened back at Outpost 62 to the hostages? Do you know why you killed them, Zodiac?"

"I see stabbing you the first time didn't teach you anything," he told her grimly, casting a weary look over at Rhinox as he took another step closer to Whitegrazer. "My only regret is that I will be doing your team mates a favor when they no longer have to listen to your constant jabbering."

Whitegrazer studied Zodiac's face when she mentioned Nemesis, wondering if there was anything there. Did he really feel nothing for Nemesis anymore? Was she just another causality to him? Was he that far cut off from any sort of feeling or remorse? It was sad to see how far people can fall. How Zodiac seemed to be losing everything here and now. Did he not see that his life was slipping away from him?

"Zodiac, it isn't I who needs to be taught a lesson. It is you." Whitegrazer said nothing about the remark after that sentence. She just shook her head once more, seeing that broadsword as tall as she was in her sights. She wasn't afraid nor shaken by its appearance. "The only thing you stabbing me showed was a bot who lost and is continuing to lose."

"Do you think you aren't the only one who hasn't been experimented? Then used. To have people try to force their will upon you? Control and strap you away your will?" She stared straight into Zodiac's optics almost piercing through his very soul. Yes, Saber. Probably others in the Predacons beside nemesis. People who Zodiac could join with understanding, who have been through the same trauma despite differences. To fight against people, on both sides, who are determined to turn their own in experiments or control. "There are people, especially on this planet, who have been through similar experiences just like you, Zodiac. I bet those people were told the same thing, the same thing you told us you are, that they were the future of our race. The pinnacle of our evolution. Our destroyers. Our saviors. But they didn't fit their criterion of their own twisted vision of perfection. They were cast aside as failures or worse, they found something better."

"You found a way to cope with what those people did to you by surviving and becoming stronger by becoming what they created you to be: a weapon. I understand that, but I bet they are working on something or someone is continuing their work. To make something or someone better than you. Those Maximals captured you because you were the newest weapon. They either have two choices: turn you into their own instrument of destruction or find a way to make something similar." She shook her head. "Do you understand what I'm telling you, Zodiac? You aren't our destroyer. You aren't our savior. Nor our future. If you continue to see yourself as such, then your demise would be inevitable. A demise by your own hubris. Some day in the near future, someone bigger and better than you, who comes from a similar place like you, would come along and kill you. "

"Enough!,"

"Go ahead. Strike me down." She spread her arms a bit, widening the space between them."Slice me to pieces. Kill Optimus. Kill us all. When you lie there, broken and dying, you would remember this moment of triumph, but it would change into bitterness and contempt. You would realize in that moment that you have nothing. At least, Optimus had something. He had a life, he had us, even in those last moments but you? Who only sees himself, as others have seen him, as a weapon of pure power and might? You would have nothing. You would die for nothing. And you don't have to."

"Forget about us. Move on. Live a life while you still have a chance." She kept her stance, blocking her connection from Optimus now.

[DarkSpark]

OOC: Sorry for the wait guys, return of the work week hit me hard lol

Phoenix wrote: After hooking up the device to the boosters, she made the final connection. The body made a jolt as the boosters came online, at which point Nemesis climbed on top of the Decepticon and held on as best she could. "Objective acquired," she radioed Megatron briefly, "Prepare for delivery of package soon." She left it at that, a secretive smile on her face that nobody could see. She then adjusted the flow rate to the boosters, enough to lift the fallen Decepticon out of the swamp with her riding on his backside. Decaying organic material and murky water splashed everywhere as the buried soldier emerged from his prison before shooting across the sky within moments. A few times the booster engines coughed, likely due to the icky goop getting stuck inside, which threatened to bring the body back down to Earth. But fortunately it didn't take long before the wind cleaned them out, allowing for a relatively comfortable ride back to the Darksyde.

Megatron could barely contain his excitement when Nemesis contacted with the news, not even caring that Nemesis had cut off the transmission so quickly after, the first of his new recruits who would turn the tide of the war for him at long last and completely reshape his command structure would soon be here, ready for his upgrade into a predacon and ready to serve him, the leader who would guide him into a glorious new future for all their kind!

It was decided, Megatron could not join the battle now, he had to remain here to personally oversee the decepticon's transformation into a predacon, to ensure his loyalty would be to him and him alone, and that none of his would be usurpers could interfere with his return to the land of the living, this soldier needed a proper introduction into the Beast Wars and he intended to see to it himself. So many preparations would have to be made, and he already knew of a few seemingly useless resources he had in storage that could serve him well in the process of bringing his new recruit back online, yyyyyeeessssss, it was all coming together...

Naitokage wrote: Umbra looked towards Megatron, then looked back at the console he was repairing. As much as I'd be willing, I must decline. I'm still repairing my own damage from all the missions taken, I'll continue repairs on the ship with Starshadow. If things become too hectic out there, then we'll go in as support.

Waspinator reluctantly held his hand up Wazzpinator will go. he said, not pleased with the idea of fighting so soon, but he would atleast get away from the vampire bot.

Quickstrike then entered the room smacking his Cobra head into the palm of his Scorpion legs.. hand.. thing. I dun care if it's Maxis or space monsters.. This hombre is always ready fer a fight!

"Splendid, good to I know I can count on your best efforts. Do as much damage to the maximals and their base as you possibly can, and if you see an opportunity to destroy any of the traitors, be it Blackarachnia or Zodiac, terminate them, with extreme prejudice, understood?" Megatron commanded to his volunteers, seeing this as an opportunity to hit the maximals while they were down as well as finish off Primal's latest house guests as well.

"As you command my Que...I mean Royalty!" Inferno proclaimed, his master's baleful glare encouraging the loyal drone to choose his words wisely before finishing his sentence.

"Very good Sub-Commander, I entrust our strike force to you capable hands, and this should go without saying but if you do encounter Zodiac, do not allow him assume any of your identities" Megatron instructed, reaching into his subspace pocket for a small jar of what appeared to be ultra violet paint, the kind that would only appear under a black light, and handed the jar to his troops, motioning for them to smear it on themselves anywhere before leaving.

"The enemies of the colony shall all burn this day, Royalty! Hahahahahaha!" Inferno cackled as he activated his flight mode and took off into the sky first via the ship's skylight, Terrorsaur changing into his beast mode after tossing the jar to Waspinator and saying "Oh goody, with the "Sub-Commander" himself leading us what could possibly go wrong?" before taking off after him, leaving Waspinator to carry Quickstrike.

Megatron in turn took flight and headed for the ship's storage area to acquire some additional materials he would need for the new predacon, instructing "Umbra, you are in command of the bridge until my return, inform me the instant Nemesis returns...Or should Tarantulas wake up, yyyyeeessss."

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

"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."

Rattrap laid his gun down on a console for a moment so he could slide off the gross, unresponsive armor bugs from his tail spear and dump them in the corner on the floor to later examine. Then he put his tail away and grabbed his gun while he surveyed the large room, glancing at the new window Dirge installed for them. It was mostly quiet inside the bridge now excluding the occasional sparks from gnawed and severed wires, and the spider's bantering. His optics lingered on her as well as his aim. His index finger gently and thoughtfully tapped his gun's trigger, seemingly contemplating shooting her but since she oddly hadn't shown to be a threat or even hostile so far, the Spy decided against it and purposely sighed out loud, annoyed that he was stuck with this dirty, irritating female Predacon. How he hated spiders.

"It ain't dat easy," Rattrap told Blackarachnia. "Besides, he's already on de loose," he added while pointing to the monitor that was barely functioning at that point which was showing video feed from the brig. A few moments later, it cut out. Oddly enough, he didn't seem panicked by Zodiac's escape. Either Rhinox and Whitegrazer were going to stop him, or die trying, or just let him go to spare themselves the inevitable agony. Whatever the choice, he simply thought to himself with his casual negativity, We're all gonna die. "Are you gonna behave yourself while I try ta restore the power?" The rodent squinted a skeptical optic at her. Even if she would have said yes, he wouldn't have believed her, but right now he needed to do whatever he could to get their power back along with their shields. Of course, if she wanted to leave, he certainly wasn't going to stop her. She had more than one exit to use now thanks to Dirge. But if she still wanted Rhinox's help getting Tarantulas out of her, she'd have to wait around.

Finally, Rattrap put his gun away and started removing panels so he could access the circuitry and wires to start working on the power. He kicked and flicked more of those bugs out of his way toward Blackarachnia so she could dispose of them.

-----

Optimus? Optimus... I'm so sorry. I was only trying to spare you anymore pain if Zodiac did attack me or Rhinox. Forgive me.

There was Whitegrazer, thank Primus. Spare me nothing! I need to know that you're alright and what's going, he sent her.

We are okay... for now.

He was relieved but he ended up ignoring her signals and energy that she was trying to use to help him. He was too focused on the damage and havoc that Dirge was creating as he effortlessly tore holes in his beloved exploration ship.

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. 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.

What was he supposed to do? He himself was lost, shredded inside, beaten time and time again, mentally drained, his optimism slipping away as everything unfolded. All of his hope of Nexus's help stripped away from him like a band-aid and finding out that he was indeed involved in another terrible experimentation at someone else's expense. Zodiac's smug smirk and laughter taunting his thoughts and proclaiming the death of his Maximals before taking his own life so he could watch all of the horror and suffering. I'm sure the only one who thinks we're going to die is Rattrap, he finally said as a-matter-of-factually, which was somewhat uncharacteristic of him given the current circumstances and the pressure he was under, especially with all of his Maximals in danger right now.

We must face him. Together.

And do what, I wonder, he said to the mare, sounding more bitter now.

Kill him by electrocution! What else? After all, he's not going to stop hunting you and tormenting you until you're dead, one of the whispers told him.

No! Stop saying that! There has to be another way, Primal defied the voice.

Ask yourself, what would Megatron do?

I wouldn't hesitate to extinguish his filthy, corrupted spark! Megatron's voice answered the other. No regrets. No remorse. No one to answer to. I do as I wish with no consequences, yesss. I have nothing to fear, unlike you, Primal, who has everything to fear. His mocking laughter bellowed.

It would make it so much easier, Optimus admitted, sounding like he would actually consider it. But then he said, But I can't. I can't... It's not me. Zodiac is right... Just what was he right about? Optimus didn't elaborate. Instead, he returned his attention to the obstacle in front of him. Perhaps an idea or a plan would come to him soon. Ever the opportunist, he just needed something to start with.

For his Maximal's safety, he hesitated to fire, although he was really itching to let loose an onslaught on Zodiac's minion, Dirge. And then, somewhat similar to the shapeshifter's motions, Dirge appeared to "dissolve" and reassemble by wrapping himself around Landslide. This only angered Optimus more, and he almost opened fire, but he watched his comrade squirm and make movements to possibly help himself in his tight predicament. And then he spoke.

Sorry about this Optimus.. Computer,Safety off, Current AC.. divert all power to Welding unit!

"Landslide!" Primal called out to the beetle just after he realized what he was going to do. He then took a step back as the electricity flowed between him and Dirge. There was nothing be could do and he felt helpless while he watched. His "backpack" weapon retreated but he grabbed his gun from his hip in case the large intruder was going to make his way out of the electrocution or harm Landslide.

(( OOC: Not sure what to do with Rhinox at the moment. Too much conversation back and forth between Zodiac and Whitegrazer that I simply don't have the time to cover with his own thoughts and reactions. ))

[Phoenix]

(ooc: I think I've been keeping everyone waiting long enough now. School, work and life in general. Fortunately I'm getting near the end of the semester now and I only have 1 more paper and 2 presentations due by then. Peace of cake compared to the 3 long papers, 1 presentation, and countless shorter written assignments I've turned in this past month. Also I had to clarify a few things with Whitegrazer before I proceeded.)

That smile.. That oddly genuine smile troubled him a bit. There was something about this female before him that was unique, different from anyone he had ever encountered. And much to his dismay, it bothered him a bit. He himself was unique as well. He possessed the ability to be anyone he desired to be, his body could form any weapon he could possibly need, and he had the intellect and persistence to conduct intricate plans and see them come to pass. His body had the ability to heal any damage done to it, not leaving as much as a scrape behind. They called him special, hailed his remarkable ability to not only survive the implementation of alien technology but even thrive with it. And here she was, merely smiling at him as he held the sharp blade pointed at her, ready to run her through. It was infuriating.

"We thought the same thing too and made the same mistake. Megatron is not to be underestimated. Do you really think he might not take advantage of what he knows of you to try to control or destroy you if your actions interfere with his plans? "

"Are you always this perceptive with everyone but your own kin?," he questioned her, not sounding very amused by her insistence of talking. "Or are you simply naive enough to actually believe I will ever fear Megatron? What you fail to grasp is that I have the stronger hand at my disposal."

He glanced ever so briefly in the direction of the ongoing battle outside but Dirge had moved away from the opening.

"No. Our discussions haven't be one of conversion, Zodiac. You being Predacon or any other side doesn't matter to me. I'm trying to solve this situation peacefully. I still hope that it is possible. "

His annoyance with her persistence growing, he responded by poking the sharp edge of his sword against her abdomen as if he truly intended to run her through. Indeed, he probably would have done so already had he not figured that she would be an excellent bargaining chip should Dirge fail at keeping the other Maximals in line outside. Not that he doubted the dimwitted but powerful soldier's capabilities, but the Maximals with Optimus in the lead had proven to be resourceful before. And Optimus was nearby, as revealed by the commander's call to his friend easily heard through the gaping hole in the Axalon wall.

"And your solution is that I simply lower my weapons and walk away?" He snorted at that concept, having no desire nor reason to fall in line. Obviously they still didn't fully understand what they were up against here.

The tip of his sword cut into her armor slightly as he applied more pressure to it, still not enough to drive it through her though.

"Are you asking for absolution, Zodiac? Would it really matter to you if I absolved you or not?"

His anger rising, his response came in the form of a sneer.

"Nothing you say or do matters to me. You are merely stalling, hoping for a safe ending that I assure you will not happen."

"If you truly believe in absolution, would you ask for it for what happened back at Outpost 62 to the hostages? Do you know why you killed them, Zodiac?"

For that brief moment he was back there, the memories emerging quickly enough to flood his senses and cloud his judgement. He heard the terrified screams of the wounded and the whimpers of the dying, he felt the warmth of the flames crawling up the walls, and he saw the horror on the partially melted faces of the dead.. Expressions of excruciating pain and fear painted on their faces. The smell of death and decay had been overwhelming. He remembered quite vividly how he had looked down at his own mech fluid drenched weapon, still dripping with fluid from the security guard he stabbed through moments before. He recalled the sense of urgency as the fire was spreading faster than anticipated, the slight sense of panic that had been growing inside him when he first came to realize that they were all dead. All but Nexus' protege who'd been assigned to be his handler, so to speak. The one Nexus viewed as a son, destined to follow in the admiral's own footsteps.

He remembered looking down at the unconscious form at his feet, a wound from the blunt trauma to the back of his head clearly visible. Optimus. Even then Zodiac hated him. If only he could find the clarity of mind to finish the job, but instead his mind was racing.. throbbing..

They were all dead or dying. Scientists, researchers, terrorists and soldiers alike. Most of them with injuries so severe it was incompatible with life even if they had gotten help right after it had happened. Whatever it had been.

Most were already long gone by the time Zodiac and the others in the rescue team had arrived, mutilated and torn apart by some unknown force. The soldiers making up the rescue party had stood as if paralyzed by what they saw. Some had cried, some prayed.. One soldier had dropped to his knees next to the charred remains of a female Maximal; she was so badly burned that her ashes crumbled when he had touched her. Zodiac has braced himself, blocked out the carnage, before he ran the soldier through with his weapon. At the time his action seemed almost merciful, given the utter chaos in the place. He always had been an opportunist and wasn't about to pass on his guards' distraction. Disposing of the remaining team members had been no big problem either, the act of such violence feeling almost natural to him. Yet his actions paled against the torment faced by the inhabitants of the outpost and their attackers. It left him wondering what, exactly, had happened there.. What secrets had they been hiding at outpost 62? And was he about to fall victim to it as well?

Again his thoughts drifted to the unconscious figure at his feet. He remembered taking aim with his weapon, and approaching footsteps.. shouting.. Nexus Prime. The shapeshifter had decided to leave the carnage behind now that he was in a position to regain his freedom. Or at least so he had thought..

"Zodiac, it isn't I who needs to be taught a lesson. It is you." Whitegrazer said nothing about the remark after that sentence. She just shook her head once more, seeing that broadsword as tall as she was in her sights. She wasn't afraid nor shaken by its appearance. "The only thing you stabbing me showed was a bot who lost and is continuing to lose."

Her words hauled him back to reality, and he found himself staring at her in somewhat disbelief of what he was hearing.

"Do you think you aren't the only one who hasn't been experimented? Then used. To have people try to force their will upon you? Control and strap you away your will?" She stared straight into Zodiac's optics almost piercing through his very soul. Yes, Saber. Probably others in the Predacons beside nemesis. People who Zodiac could join with understanding, who have been through the same trauma despite differences. To fight against people, on both sides, who are determined to turn their own in experiments or control. "There are people, especially on this planet, who have been through similar experiences just like you, Zodiac. I bet those people were told the same thing, the same thing you told us you are, that they were the future of our race. The pinnacle of our evolution. Our destroyers. Our saviors. But they didn't fit their criterion of their own twisted vision of perfection. They were cast aside as failures or worse, they found something better."

"You found a way to cope with what those people did to you by surviving and becoming stronger by becoming what they created you to be: a weapon. I understand that, but I bet they are working on something or someone is continuing their work. To make something or someone better than you. Those Maximals captured you because you were the newest weapon. They either have two choices: turn you into their own instrument of destruction or find a way to make something similar." She shook her head. "Do you understand what I'm telling you, Zodiac? You aren't our destroyer. You aren't our savior. Nor our future. If you continue to see yourself as such, then your demise would be inevitable. A demise by your own hubris. Some day in the near future, someone bigger and better than you, who comes from a similar place like you, would come along and kill you. "

A surge of rage was now building within him. At that moment it was only the two of them in the room. The unrelenting female and himself. Her words were affecting him far more than he'd ever admit, and it only fueled his rage.

"Go ahead. Strike me down." She spread her arms a bit, widening the space between them."Slice me to pieces. Kill Optimus. Kill us all. When you lie there, broken and dying, you would remember this moment of triumph, but it would change into bitterness and contempt. You would realize in that moment that you have nothing. At least, Optimus had something. He had a life, he had us, even in those last moments but you? Who only sees himself, as others have seen him, as a weapon of pure power and might? You would have nothing. You would die for nothing. And you don't have to."

"Forget about us. Move on. Live a life while you still have a chance."

A loud noise sounded as his heavy broadsword hit the floor, the shapeshifter now closing the distance between himself and the female. He grabbed her by the throat, his optics flashing in hatred as he lifted her off the ground so that her feet were left dangling in the air.

"You.. will regret.. those words," he grumbled at her as he turned to the side so that Whitegrazer was dangling between him and Rhinox. As he spoke, his arm started glowing again, thousands of tiny nanomachines rushing through his fingertips and onto Whitegrazer's neck and chest region. Within an instant her armor started feeling warm, a strange tingling and then burning sensation spreading as the nanomachines started consuming her metal.. dismantling her piece by piece. And draining her very life away in the process.

Meanwhile Nemesis was getting close to the Predacon base. Her ride hadn't exactly been comfortable due to the limited steering capabilities that she had while riding the much larger Decepticon, but at least it was getting her there. When she was getting close, she started periodically cutting some of the power to the thrusters so that her ride would start descending. Finally, when she was only about 50 feet off the ground, she cut the power entirely and spread her wings so that her landing wouldn't be too rough. The fallen Deceticon soldier hit the ground and skid to a halt, stopping only a short distance from the Darksyde entrance. Nemesis was well aware that the commotion would no doubt bring some visitors, but she opened her channel to Megatron regardless.

"Your package has arrived," she told him, while circling the lifeless Decepticon.

[una]

"It ain't dat easy," Rattrap told Blackarachnia. "Besides, he's already on de loose," he added while pointing to the monitor that was barely functioning at that point which was showing video feed from the brig. A few moments later, it cut out. Oddly enough, he didn't seem panicked by Zodiac's escape. Either Rhinox and Whitegrazer were going to stop him, or die trying, or just let him go to spare themselves the inevitable agony. Whatever the choice, he simply thought to himself with his casual negativity, We're all gonna die. "Are you gonna behave yourself while I try ta restore the power?"

Blackarchnia stared at the monitor. Noticing that Zodiac was pointing a huge sword at the Maximal horse and the big rhino had his guns up, but still made no attempt to fire. She would had fired, even if it didn't work. What they did use to get Zodiac in the brig in the first place? "I suppose you guys don't have any electric power bonds to throw at him. Might have come in handy." She would have made a joke about what a number their power bonds did on their leader, but she needed to be careful with what she said towards this trigger-happy rat here.

Maybe she should create these? She snickered towards herself. At all, it may come useful if things turn bad for her here. Rattrap threw bugs at her much to her annoyances. She glared and puffed at him, "I didn't come here to be an exterminator." She kicked and stomped on a few.

Hopefully, Megatron wouldn't take advantage... What was she thinking? Of course, he would! She been around the Predacons, knowing that he would. She just hoped that Tarantulas wasn't one of them.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm sure the only one who thinks we're going to die is Rattrap,

"Are you always this perceptive with everyone but your own kin?," he questioned her, not sounding very amused by her insistence of talking. "Or are you simply naive enough to actually believe I will ever fear Megatron? What you fail to grasp is that I have the stronger hand at my disposal."

"My kin? My perceptions aren't blinded by those I fight with or against." Whitegrazer stated clearly. "You may believe what you wish, Zodiac, but we know how situations can change. Change just as easy as the winds changes." She had followed Zodiac's stare towards the battle outside.

She kept herself from expression her sorrow at the battles. Landslide was being wrapped around Dirge. Then electricity seemed to be surging through Dirge and... Landslide himself. She realized what Landslide did. She turned her attention back to Zodiac. It was her way of taking her optics off situation over there.

Spare me nothing! I need to know that you're alright and what's going,

No, Whitegrazer shook her head. There are some things I must spare you from.

"And your solution is that I simply lower my weapons and walk away?

Zodiac moved the position of his sword to her stomach. The tip of the sword stared, but it didn't make any attempt to stab or cut her... yet, "Yes. That may be the best solution for all parties involved." The tip of the sword cracked her white armor. She remained undeterred by the slight movement. The pain was minimal, and even if it hurt, Whitegrazer was desensitized by such a little wound. Zodiac was mainly toying with her, but it would not work.

I'm sure the only one who thinks we're going to die is Rattrap,

Whitegrazer sighed. She could feel the tensions still in the air. She couldn't erase it. She needed to end this here and now. Somehow.

And do what, I wonder,

"Nothing you say or do matters to me. You are merely stalling, hoping for a safe ending that I assure you will not happen."

Kill him by electrocution! What else? After all, he's not going to stop hunting you and tormenting you until you're dead,

No! Stop saying that! There has to be another way,

Ask yourself, what would Megatron do?

I wouldn't hesitate to extinguish his filthy, corrupted spark! Megatron's voice answered the other. No regrets. No remorse. No one to answer to. I do as I wish with no consequences, yesss. I have nothing to fear, unlike you, Primal, who has everything to fear.

It would make it so much easier, Optimus admitted, sounding like he would actually consider it. But then he said, But I can't. I can't... It's not me. Zodiac is right...

Zodiac doesn't care if Megatron kills him or not. He doesn't care about him at all or what he thinks. Nor should you. If you kill him, he would win because that's what he wants. He wants to see your hands drenched in energon. Optimus, you mustn't kill Zodiac. That was Zodiac's game towards Optimus. How else would he take great plans to disguise himself as Optimus' mentor and lead him into a position that would cause the deaths of everyone he held dear. You, Optimus, I know deep down you don't. You want to, but you know you shouldn't. And you are right. There must be another way. I believe it too. We mustn't give him what he wants.

She could feel the turmoil going on in Optimus. It pained her so. He needed rest.

"You.. will regret.. those words,"

Whitegrazer opened her optics to see something going on in Zodiac's own. Was he remembering something? Did her mention of the hostages and his past jog some sort of emotion? She studied the expression on his face, trying to search what was he feeling? There seemed to be some horror, even shock. Was he aware of what he was feeling? The hostages and people in Outpost 62? Did he regret or would he admit if he even did? Was there a slight chance that there was remorse?

When he dropped his sword, she wondered if she got through to him somewhat, but then she should have known better. Known to not like her guard down with him. As he grabbed her throat, lifting her up in the air, like last time, she was expecting the spikes in his arms to stab her again. Her arm, unlike last time, began to perform a technique to force him to release her. She could see the hatred his optics burned towards her. He must really hate her. But she wondered if he hated her because she was just a annoyance or maybe he knew... She was right.

She blocked her connection to Optimus.

She was about to twist when she saw his arm glow with the blue tint. A blue tint she witnessed the same way in Optimus. The nanomachines. Though, she didn't believe those nanomachines were going to heal Zodiac nor her. Her instincts told her to twist. Her elbow attempted to bar down on Zodiac's arm, trying to release his grip upon her.

An extreme warmth overcame her processor, consuming her chest region in a mere moments. It didn't faze her. The feeling was similar to what her abilities felt: warm. Except her temperature was increasing. Her internal computer's temperature gauge gave her a warning of the increase in abnormal readings. Her spark began pulsing rapidly. She could almost hear the beats in her auditory sensors. Then she felt a strange tingling sensation. She looked down and saw it. She saw Zodiac's nanomachines, or well, the blue tint they produced. Her neck and cheat area looked like it was liquefying in appearance. Moving like some oddly shifting metal. The armor changed from white to black, then to a glowy blue. The same blue tint that was now familiar.

A burning sensation took her as fast as Zodiac's hand gripped her throat. It was a blazing inferno, and for a moment, she could see those nanomachines. Zodiac's nanomachines tearing her apart bit by bit. Articulate, but yet, expressing the fury Zodiac felt for her, they tore her. They cut her. Shed her metal with a precision yet cruelly slow intent to make her suffer by the command of their owner. The nanomachines were feasting on her, walking to and fro from her and back to Zodiac to increase his own energy.

If she could, she would scream in agony.

But she couldn't. Nanomachines silenced her.

But she wasn't screaming from the pain. Pain was a constant in her life.

She screamed because Zodiac... He wasn't aware of something. Something that no one knew. Something she kept close-mouthed about for the protection of those she loves and the secrets from following into the wrong hands. But... That wasn't all.

"N...." she gurgled. Despite everything, she tried to speak to Zodiac. To warn him. "N-no. Don't. S--S--Stop."

Her spark pulsed hard against the nanomachines. Some were inching their way to consume it. When her spark brightened, it's white color blinded the sheer blue tint within the cracks that were visible. Her optics changed from a yellow to a white color. A glowing white color.

She saw something. She was at some type of facility. Emotions ran rampant. Agonizing, terrifying screams overloaded her sensors. Shut up! Silence! Walls were burning. Hurry! She had to hurry! She needed to escape! She needed to get out! Those faces melted into a permanent marker of pain and horror. What... What was going on? What happened? Everything was a sea of flames and torment. This was her chance. Mech fluid spurted upon her weapon at the whimpering male holding someone's ash. Anger. Anger at those who tried to control her. How dare they try and take her freedom away. She would make them pay. She tore them apart. Wait. Him. That protege. She knocked out the black and grey bot that was supposed to watch her. Her weapon aimed at him. She stared at those crimson optics. Young. He was younger here.

Optimus?

Her head started to hurt. The weapon hit the ground. Her spark ached in pain, gripping it as her knees fell to the ground. Whispers. Chanting. It echoed within her.

Wait a minute. It wasn't her.

It was him.

It wasn't you, was it? You didn't do that, do you? She said to Zodiac, realizing that those memories she experienced was his memories. Those memories at that fateful day. It was becoming clear now to her. She was wrong. Missing something. What really happened?

The green meadow flashed, replacing the carnage she witnessed and experienced. Why was she...?

Her optics widened. She struggled. She fought harder. No. No. Stop. Stop it, Zodiac.

[DarkSpark]

OOC: Hey guys, just so you know, I'll be hanging with family over Thanksgiving vacation so I probably won't be doing much posting then. Also, would anyone like to take over for Tarantulas?

Phoenix wrote: Meanwhile Nemesis was getting close to the Predacon base. Her ride hadn't exactly been comfortable due to the limited steering capabilities that she had while riding the much larger Decepticon, but at least it was getting her there. When she was getting close, she started periodically cutting some of the power to the thrusters so that her ride would start descending. Finally, when she was only about 50 feet off the ground, she cut the power entirely and spread her wings so that her landing wouldn't be too rough. The fallen Deceticon soldier hit the ground and skid to a halt, stopping only a short distance from the Darksyde entrance. Nemesis was well aware that the commotion would no doubt bring some visitors, but she opened her channel to Megatron regardless.

"Your package has arrived," she told him, while circling the lifeless Decepticon.

"Excellent, perfect timing, bring our guest inside and meet me in the lab, most of the riff raff won't be hear to meddle in his revival. Megatron out" Megatron replied back, pleased that the majority of his crew, particularly the less savory ones, were either out in the field or, like Tarantulas, currently indisposed, he wanted to oversee the new predacon's creation himself personally to ensure it would turn out correctly this time and not be another maniac or turncoat.

As he finished his communication with Nemesis, Megatron beheld the items he had gone to the storage area for, two maximal stasis pods, each containing protoforms he had been keeping in storage for sometime, blanks, sparkless masses of nanomatter, completely useless to him...Until now.

"Finally, I can put you two to some good use, and clear out some storage space as well while I'm at it" Megatron mused as he loaded both blanks onto grav lifts and pushed them back down the hallways, pleased with himself for being patient enough not to dispose of the protoforms before now, the tyrant having decided that all protoforms were worth bringing back to base even if they lacked sparks, not necessarily for special occasions like this, but anything to keep any potential small advantage out of maximal hands, especially after Primal had cheated death once already by presumably downloading his spark into a new body...A trick that could come in handy for him someday should the worse come to pass.


Meanwhile, the predacon raiding party was quickly approaching the maximal base, Terrorsaur, Waspinator, and Quickstrike having no choice but to listen to their superior, Inferno, explain their attack strategy for the mission.

"We will swoop in fast, taking the maximals and the traitors by surprise with our sudden arrive, bombarding all parties from the air with all our firepower, inflicting as much damage as we possible can! Do you drones follow?" Inferno inquired, the ant speaking to them as they they had the brains of sparklings, or perhaps because he honestly thought a plan that simple really needed to be spelled out as thought it was a brilliant gambit rather than an effective but straightforward stratagem.

"Oh no Subcommander, I don't think our drone processors were able to catch all of that, would you PLEASE repeat it for us again? Slowly this time?" Terrorsaur replied with the most sarcastic voice he could muster, laughing at his own humor until Inferno replied "Very well drone, I shall do so, but listen carefully this time for I shall not repeat myself! We will swoop in fast, ta..."

"Sweet Primus, days like these I wish I had been melted with Scorponok" Terrorsaur groaned as he rolled his eyes and rubbed his temples, baffled by how the ant could take everything so literally, as if sarcasm were an alien language or a complex scientific formula.

All in attendance could not wait to reach the maximal base and do some damage, the thought of destroying the maximals in their weakened state a welcome distraction from the drama they'd all been through recently.

[NaitoKage]

( OOC:

Darkspark:No problem on being busy on thanksgiving, I believe alot of us in the states are going to be. As for Tarantulas.. I have no problem with it, though I'll probably have him mostly in the background unless it's plot relevant.

Also.. Mystrea hasn't posted in 13 days, so to get things moving along.. I think maybe going with the verdict of "Double KO" on Landslide and Dirge and just move on with the story since I'm assuming he's busy.)

"Sweet Primus, days like these I wish I had been melted with Scorponok"

Waspinator looked at Terrorsaur was they were flying towards the Maximal base, still carrying Quickstrike along. Spiderbot not tell you Terrorzzaur? Scorpionbot wizhezz he had melted.. We just can't get him out.

Quickstrike laughed Guess that feller had no luck. Today lady luck is shinin' on us boys.. lets kick some keisters!


(In one of the BW Sourcebooks Scorponok and Terrorsaur survived and were transmetalized, but turns out they were sitting in the lava for ages in stasislock,so they didn't get out til the war ended.)

[Mystrea]

Dirge continued to constrict Landslide for all to see, most especially Optimus Primal. His jaws dug deep, aiming for vital circuits until he felt a jolt of electricity. He paused for a second wondering what was happening, before he knew electric current came and flowed through the length of his body. The hellgramite shrieked as the electricity played havoc with his systems, his armour system most all reacting quite violently. Dirge's long body started to uncoil which resulted in him throwing the large Maximal into the distance. The armour plates uncontrollably shifted in random directions. With difficulty he transformed into his robot mode, his armour twitching almost as he began to recover from his electric shock. The giant Predacon moved over the hole in Axalon and made a strange noise. An audio signal to notify his master that he was ready to receive him.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

"Are you always this perceptive with everyone but your own kin?," "Or are you simply naive enough to actually believe I will ever fear Megatron? What you fail to grasp is that I have the stronger hand at my disposal."

Rhinox had to agree with Zodiac. Although Megatron had proven to be very intelligent and powerful, this shape shifter had the ultimate advantage against all of them, even the TransMetal t-rex. His only weakness seemed to be electrocution, which was not easy to strike someone with unless they were already detained.

"And your solution is that I simply lower my weapons and walk away?"

The engineer's fingers twitched on his weapons' triggers as Zodiac pressed the tip of his large sword against Whitegrazer's armor. He narrowed his red optics, clenched his teeth and said deeply as a warning, "Zodiac..."

"Yes. That may be the best solution for all parties involved."

"Nothing you say or do matters to me. You are merely stalling, hoping for a safe ending that I assure you will not happen."

"You speak as though you already have complete control of everyone's actions and reactions, as though we're already dead. But we're not and you don't. Anything can happen," Rhinox pointed out to the egotistical imitator.

"You.. will regret.. those words,"

"N...." "N-no. Don't. S--S--Stop."

The robust Maximal's optics watched the sword fall to floor as quickly as Zodiac reached for the mare's neck and wrapped his wretched hand around it, lifting her off of the floor. Well now they were too close together for Rhinox to use his guns, stray bullets would certainly hit Whitegrazer, so he had to improvise. While Zodiac's hatred seethed over her, his nanobots distracting all of them as they appeared to start consuming the equine, Rhinox put his guns away, reached over to a shelf with tools and small weapons, grabbed an electrical stick and charged at Zodiac. Fearing for Whitegrazer's life, he didn't hesitate to leap at Zodiac with a tackle, plowing all of his weight straight toward his waist while keeping the stick in his grasp. The stick had the ability to electrocute him but he didn't want to use it while his hand was still attached to Whitegrazer witnessing that all-too-familiar blue glow, so his tackle was meant to break him loose from her. Only then he would jab him with the electricity, which probably only had enough voltage to numb him temporarily but it was better than nothing.

-----

"I suppose you guys don't have any electric power bonds to throw at him. Might have come in handy."

Rattrap ignored Blackarachnia's should've-would've-could've. It wasn't going to help them now. It was too late. He tried staying focused on repairing wires under the consoles and restoring the power they desperately needed.

"I didn't come here to be an exterminator."

"Oh dat's right. You came here to avoid bein' exterminated since Megajerk is such a kind and generous leader," he said, ending it with great sarcasm, hearing her feet stomping on the bugs anyway. Gradually, computers and monitors started to reboot but he still had a long way to go before the ship's entire power grid and shields would be functioning again. Right now he was attempting to get their scanners back in case any more Predacons would decide to take advantage of their disastrous situation.

-----

Zodiac doesn't care if Megatron kills him or not. He doesn't care about him at all or what he thinks. Nor should you. If you kill him, he would win because that's what he wants. He wants to see your hands drenched in energon. Optimus, you mustn't kill Zodiac. You, Optimus, I know deep down you don't. You want to, but you know you shouldn't. And you are right. There must be another way. I believe it too. We mustn't give him what he wants.

Primal glanced at his hands, one of which was still wielding his gun, and imagined them as if they were covered in energon like she had described. Do I... care...? he asked himself, seemingly bewildered. If taking his life meant saving my Maximals, wouldn't it be the right thing to do? Wouldn't it be right to stop all of this? He's the one who wants to kill everyone and get his own sick gratification from it! I know I shouldn't, but if anyone should have to, it should be me. I'm the reason he's here threatening all of you. And who knows if he was being honest about Nexus. Nexus... who kept everything a secret from me. ...He's here for me. Why shouldn't I just surrender to him and let him take my life? I was more than willing to let Megatron take the same action merely days ago. Megatron... There was a possibility... The enemy of my enemy is my friend... But could he convince his nemesis that their common threat was Zodiac? Did Megatron understand how easy it would be for the shapeshifter to over throw him? Or would he instead just try to use Zodiac to get rid of Optimus first before he'd try getting rid of Zodiac? That outcome seemed more likely, unfortunately. Primal licked the scar across his lips.

Whitegrazer was under pressure, he could feel it emanating from her. Not mentally or emotionally, but physically. Something was against her. Something sharp. Whitegrazer...? In a flash, she blocked Optimus again. "Whitegrazer!" His attention immediately turned to the gaping hole in his ship where the brig was located, in fear that Zodiac was harming her. His spark raced. But just as he took a step toward that direction, Dirge shifted and moved, finally releasing Landslide from his constriction and electrocution. This caused Optimus to stay put, ready to help the unconscious beetle until the larger intruder threw him into the air like a softball.

"Aurora, after him!" Primal turned to holler at her over his shoulder and make sure Landslide was all right wherever he had landed. Then he went back to face Dirge and began a relentless firing spree at his feet in close proximity to make him turn around and focus on him in case he was going to do even more damage to the Axalon. The Commander wanted to distract him and draw him away from everyone else.