The Intergalactic Highway

(Una: I see everything.. EVERYTHING! Mwahahahaha. And I'm serious about the gun if you want to carry around his Epic weapon.

OOP: Friesian Horse-baroque type, they're about 6 feet tall, but heavily built for carrying Knights. So a very muscular horse. Sorry for being Nitpicky, when you have characters that scale like this http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn18 ... rumNem.jpg sometimes size matters.

)

(( OOC: I think this is why I had the impression of Onyx being taller than Rattrap in beast mode. Friesians are NOT short horses. Sixteen hands is taller than me, and I'm 5'2". I've been around them in person and they are not anywhere near the size of a pony. Much taller than Rattrap is in beast mode standing on all fours. But like I agreed, not unmatchable. Being more critical scaling characters in robot mode makes more sense since they're usually battling in robot mode. ))

Starshadow was running smooth and rocky ground, it would take a longer time to reach the Axalon or more.. She stopped as her nose was itching as the wind blew the sand and let out a loud sneeze. "Ugh..."

It was obvious that the badger would return to his base to share the information with his comrades but what if their ship was protected by a shield? She shook her head to clear her thoughts and looked at the river below her. "If I'm not wrong...the ship should be at the north from where I'm standing..." she said to herself, and with that, she continued her journey.

Rhinox heard the radio announcement and responded.

"Rhinox here," he said, "I'm still within proximity of the base. If Starshadow approaches, I'll be ready."

With that, he halted in his tracks and turned to the ship.

"Vessel Axalon, remote active Sentinel shield. Passcode Alpha-Two-Seven!"

A nanoklick passed by and the Maximal wondered during that short period as to whether or not the program was fully operational from that last assault. He was relieved to hear the ship's reply.

Voice recognition approved for Rhinox. Remote passcode accepted.

The night sky became illuminated from the brilliant energy field that was now enveloping the Maximal base. It would be an easier target for Starshadow now that the shield was active, but at least it was virtually impenetrable. She would have to bring the entire Predacon army to put even a strain on it. In the meantime, Rhinox had to plan on how to deal with the feline without any obvious violent means. He glanced around the area looking for ways to set up traps. Unfortunately, the ground was too tough to create pitfalls in such a short duration. There were no loose rocks in sight either. However, the rhinoceros found something that may be useful.

"Hello, old friends," he said with a smile.

Approaching a patch of large wild beans, the Maximal proceeded to consume them.


--------------------------------------


Terrorsaur now saw more Maximals approaching the region. Despite the truce, their presence would prove to be quite a hindrance. Growling at his predicament, the Predacon sent forth a message to Scorponok.

"The furball is above ground, but the scum has his friends here to protect them."

The 1st Lieutenant replied, "It doesn't matter. I'll take care of the spy. You find a way to deal with their air support."

"How exactly am I supposed to fight them without shooting them?"

Scorponok rolled his eyes.

"I don't know! Give them a hug or something! Anything that will keep them from interfering!"

Terrorsaur was about to make a witty remark but stopped himself short. That was actually a pretty good idea. Flapping his wings to gain altitude, the pterodactyl found his aerial rival within no time. Airazor, the queen of the skies, who had foiled his missions time and time again. It was time to give her a very warm welcome. Bursting forth with great speed, Terrorsaur grinned with malice as he closed in on her. His wings wide open, he screamed at her.

"Hugs for everybody!"


--------------------------------------


Infirmary. Got it.

Orcariner continued to walk down the hallway with the white tiger by his side. He was actually quite thankful that Tigatron was with him, and at the same time he was also thankful that the older Maximal did not speak much thus far. There was something warm and comforting about his presence. Something that kept Orcariner focused despite the lack of words. It was a similar confidence that Ice Sight, the snow leopard, inspired. That was back before he had been killed in action. As he had come to think of it, the orca realized that he had lost a lot of friends on this planet. This realization certainly did not help his mood either. So much tragedy had transpired to so many around him. Yet, how was it that Orcariner still walked about this very day? It was his duty to protect the others. He was the one who was supposed to endure what they could not. Based on the stat sheet alone, Orcariner was sent to the CR Chamber more than everyone else combined.

So how is it that I'm alive? Why am I alive?

Ice Sight often spoke of Primus and how this god had a plan for each individual. How did all of these deaths play into that supposed grand scheme? If Orcariner was designed to be the blood tank, then how come the Maximals he was supposed to protect ended up dead? The giant pondered over these questions. It seemed like every time he was coming close to thinking that he was fulfilling whatever destiny Primus set out for him, something like this happened that shattered that illusion. He wondered if this was some sick joke played by a sadistic god. Perhaps Primus really was a myth, and all of it was just plain bad luck. Anger rose within the titan. He had to have someone to blame. It could not just be coincidental that these people were dying all around him. If this was some test that Primus set out for him, then it was truly a terrifying one.

I am the protector who could not protect those I loved. Is this His message for me?

Orcariner turned another corner down the hall in an almost automatic manner. His darkened thoughts shrouded his usually more deliberate actions. This must have been what his mentor had felt. So much pain. So much loss. So much suffering. These were not simply teammates who had died, but they were his friends. He fought with them, adventured with them, and laughed with them. Orcariner lived with them. What truly wrenched his spark was the fact that he could not die with them. Primus, apparently, would not bestow such a fate upon this young soldier. Such a cruel god.

The Maximal's thoughts vanished almost as immediately as they had overwhelmed him. There he was, lying on the table of the infirmary. The once dauntless warrior of the Axalon crew. The one whom Orcariner was proud to call his best friend.

"Icebreaker," he painfully whispered.

Each blundering step forward felt like an eternity. The image of the broken body before him was a picture which burned through his processor. Orcariner fought to push it out of his mind, but it was only enlarged as he approached closer and closer. Others have said that the dead often looked peaceful. Their relaxed composure provided the comforting illusion that they were simply sleeping. Bodies which were graced upon with eternal rest. This, however, looked nothing like those descriptions. It was the most painful thing he had ever laid eyes on. A noticeable wound had caved in at least half of Icebreaker's head. The neck was forced in such an awkward position which indicated the force of impact from the object which had slain this soldier. This was no random death. It was precise. It was deliberate. It was obviously the work of some malicious Predacon. Orcariner slowly lifted a hand, raising it as if to touch Icebreaker's lifeless corpse, but instead allowed it to feebly fall back to his side. He was shaking now. The orca should have expected to see this, but somehow he did not. His brow furrowed into a glare and he clenched his fists in order to stop the shaking.

"Tigatron," he said, still unable to tear his gaze away from Icebreaker's body, "I want to know who did this to him."

(( My bad with sizes with Onyx,but like many here I am reallllyyy bad when trying to decipher sizes so I will go edit that now. But boy I think Onyx will end up being one of the tallest in the Predacons, once I get the right height and all. ))

(ooc: Well.. I think that size comparison pic kind of gives the wrong impression. But I'll be adjusting the size a tad too when TM time rolls around.)

Finally opening her eyes as Primal slowed down, Aurora was relieved to see what appeared to be a safe and sound Ironclaw standing on the ground beneath them. The trip back had been rather speedy, as Primal had been in a hurry to make it back to the others. Even though he didn't always show it, Aurora believed the leader harbored a genuine concern for the well-being of others. He even tended to show a form of compassion for certain of the Predacons.

Personally Aurora had never had a problem with any particular Predacon. That is until Icebreaker was so viciously shot down. Thus far she had not asked many questions about what had really gone down during the attack, of who the individual responsible for the penguin's injuries had been. After seeing Icebreaker's wounds, especially in the facial region, she had not been able to even consider how badly he had been injured before the CR chamber had performed at least a partial repair of his infrastructure. The empty expression in his eyes had been replaying in her mind over and over since that moment, until she managed to block it out by focusing on other things. Even so glimpses came back every so often.

It was only then her mind registered Optimus' request that she should get off so he could transform. Obliging she spread her wings, letting the wind catch them, and quite elegantly sailed off from her spot. Once she was completely clear of Primal, she flapped the wings a couple of times to catch a better updraft, and proceeded to circle far above Ironclaw and where she presumed Optimus would be landing momentarily.

"Nice job, Ironclaw," she whispered to her friend, but her faint voice was quickly grabbed by the wind and disappeared. Chances were the badger would not have heard.

(( OOC: at Rhinox. Nice, Alak.

I'm just going to make a quick post for OP and Stripes to help keep things rolling. You know, guys, we're almost done with this part. Get Ironclaw back to base, he tells everyone what he found, and then that's it. Then it's on to the Vok site and all that fun stuff. ))

"Rhinox here," "I'm still within proximity of the base. If Starshadow approaches, I'll be ready."

"Copy that, Rhinox," Optimus replied. It was good to hear his friend's voice again. Hopefully Starshadow won't cause too much trouble, whatever she was up to. At this point, he thought it would be unwise to tango with Rhinox, who kept ending up in the CR chamber. Surely he was getting tired of that by now.

As soon as Aurora gracefully lifted off of Primal's back and floated down to greet Ironclaw on the ground, an energon surge went through the leader's body and he cringed with a growl. Maintaining his balance to the best of his ability while the surges continued, Optimus transformed to his beast mode in mid air, but he was falling a little faster than he intended to. Now protected, he concentrated more on his landing. With his feet down, he skidded sideways across the dirt, keeping himself upright, and stopping himself just near the honey badger and the white ermine Fuzor. Granted, it wasn't as graceful as Aurora's landing, but at least he didn't crash and burn. She had performed her departure from his back expertly even though he was sure she hadn't pulled a maneuver like that before, so he was impressed with how well she handled it.

"Well done, Ironclaw," Optimus commended his effort in making it a successful mission with a smile and a quick, gentle pat on his shoulder. "Let's get back to Base," he encouraged them, gesturing both of them to quickly proceed him while he'd take up the rear and keep the Predacons back if any chose to follow and attack them. Sniffing the air as he caught an unknown scent and glanced at the collapsed tunnel right near the badger in robot mode, he inquired as they started on their way, "Ironclaw, was there someone else with you?" Whoever it might have been, they were long gone now it seemed.

-----

Stepping into the infirmary with Orcariner, remaining quiet for the time being so Orcariner could let himself think and take in his fallen friend, Tigatron couldn't help but frown at Icebreaker who laid on the table before them. It was good of Whitegrazer to have taken the time while she could to wrap him up in some bandages. However, it didn't make it any less painful for the orca to cope with the loss of his very close friend.

"Icebreaker,"

Tigatron slowly looked up from Orcariner down to Icebreaker's body. He couldn't know what was going through his head but it must have been a lot. He felt so much sorrow for him. He merely stood there quiet next to the large Maximal, watching him raise his hand as if he was going to touch Icebreaker, but then lower it. Tigatron wasn't quite expecting what happened next, though. He noticed Orcariner was beginning to shake, and he balled his fists. First comes grief, then comes anger, he thought, growing concerned now for his very tall comrade. Then came the inevitable question. The one to which Orcariner might seek revenge or justice, and the one Rhinox did not want anyone answering unless it was him or Optimus.

"Tigatron," "I want to know who did this to him."

For a moment, Tigatron wished Optimus was there. He knew Orcariner looked up to him, and even as inexperienced as their leader was, he still knew the right things to say and that Orcariner was likely to listen to him. This was not the position Tigatron wanted to be in, and he was certainly not one to lie, but in order to obey Rhinox's order, he would have to choose his words carefully. He was uncertain as to what the orca might do if he knew who had shot his dear friend. "I was not present when it happened," he truthfully told Orcariner. "But I would recommend you speak with Optimus or Rhinox. Until then, let us make our preparations and focus our sparks on our fallen comrade," he tried persuading Orcariner with a soothing tone. Primus help Orcariner if he is blaming himself for Icebreaker's loss, the tiger thought. It was not uncommon for some to do so. As Optimus saw it, however, he was the only one to blame and was responsible for all of them.

Blackarachnia had heard of the commotion near the Darksyde, but she didn't care. She was in a hurry to get the stuff and get back to the pod before Tarantulas damaged things. She knew what was going on. That spider was a sneaky, manipulative one and that Arachnitron could turn on her, which she felt would be foolish. Keeping herself hidden from the action going on, she lifted the rock she knew Tarantulas used when avoiding other Predacons. Crawling down the tunnel, she entered the lair.

Now, where did you put your laser coil?

She needed to be careful. Transforming, she scanned the area looking for some type of clue where Tarantulas stashed the laser coil. There were probably traps to keep anyone--mostly her, from stealing any of his stuff.

Reaching towards a webbed compartment, she cautiously moved slowly to be ready for anything...

((OOC: I almost forgot about the traps! Tarantulas, do your worse. ))

"Heh,sure starshadow will get a warm welcome when she gets there."Wintersong remarked over the com-links, for now finding no reason to go after the panther she had long since grown to despise. There were far more important things to do right now and the tigress was more worried for her teammates at the Darkside then some old grudge, or could it just be a nemesis thing? Whatever it was becoming it was of little worry for her right now, and Wintersong continued to run until she could finally see the Predacon ship, catching a brief glimpse of someone arriving there among all others who might be there currently, though she hoped it was someone from the Maximals and that Ironclaw, Airazor, and Rattrap had some back up already.

As she drew closer Wintersong slowed enough to begin sniffing the air, catching familiar scents around the place of both Maximal and Predacon alike, deciding to follow the closest Predacon scent and make sure she wouldn't find someone lying in wait to attack her comrades. Quietly now she crept forward, her gaze darting left and right until she could get closer and spot someone, eventually spotting Optimus, Ironclaw, and Aurora in the distance but also noticed the last thing they needed: Megatron seeming to have noticed them. But it worried her when he seemed like he was ready to attack almost, or was giving off that impression which made her quickly think to act before the Predacon leader did,'Most reckless thing I'm possibly going to do.' She thought.

When she was close enough Wintersong let out a low growl as she bounded forward, "Hey scale belly over here!"She called as she jumped forward, aiming to hit and distract Megatron despite the obvious disadvantage she would have.

---------------------------------

SNow Trix however had found a spot to merely watch, finding no real reason to interfere and knowing full well there was little she could do against most of the Maximals present so she had turned her attention to just observing. She was sticking low to the ground and pressed along the side of the boulder, her dirt covered fur helping to blend in much better then if she was still fully white furred and giving her away quite easily, so she was making use of the boulders around the place to hide. But she decided to disobey Megatron again and felt no drive to take part against the Maximals when the others seemed to be doing just fine without her. Besides it wasn't like there were any Maximals around who could take her out if she wasn't in robot form.

Sometimes she wondered why she even was with the Predacon team if she didn't even really work with them. "Maybe it's time to just leave this place and stick it out on my own."She muttered and with her mind made up she slowly backed out of the spot she was hiding, glancing around for a moment before she scurried off in the opposite direction of the confrontations going on.

((Well I edited Onyx's size so I hope it's better now. ))

Onyx came closer to where Rattrap lied in hiding, eventually having to come to stop as he came to the area in which he had witnessed Airazor coming up alone and likely leaving the rat behind. But yet he wasn't there like the stallion had expected, in fact it seemed he had taken the advantage of using the environment to his own advantage, but to what advantage was unclear to Onyx. For now the mech was left to move with deep caution, slowly moving forward and turning his head to the left and right, his gaze doing the same as he watched for signs of movement,"Alright Rattrap I know your here and there isn't any need to hide, I am asking you kindly to leave before we end up with more conflicts then needed today."He said loudly enough the rat would hear.

Though Onyx was soon passing along the boulder where Rattrap lied in wait, his hooves making light thuds on the ground with each step from the muscular stallion. His intent wasn't to harm or kill, just to make it clear the Maximal was no welcome on the Predacon territory while at the same time he also had to wonder if it was only fair when they had attacked the Maximals without even real actions of provocation. The thoughts made Onyx pause in his tracks, giving an almost frown in his beast form, or what looked like one, to make logic of all this, to find any real reason the Maximals would be invading their base. They were attacked first, so it has to be only fair right? He wondered to himself, swishing his tail in thought. His ears went flat as he continued to think, ignoring everything else around him and giving no thought that he would be leaving himself vulnerable to attack.

===============

Megatron in the meantime had been watching Ironclaw, his eyes narrowing when he noticed a new Maximal he had never seen before making it all the more irritating that they would pop up out of no where. In this case literally and making the t-rex growl softly in his throat, but it didn't seem long before the reinforcements were arriving to give aid to Ironclaw and likely help him escape. Megatron had no intention of allow this to go on without some form of trouble for these Maximals, especially Optimus when he was beginning to realize this had all be planned out, turning the irritation to pure anger at the trickery. "You won't be going anywhere in one piece Primal I will..."His sentence was cut short as something large and fuzzy knocked into his side, making the Predacon leader stumble just slightly and shaking his head before he turned his attention on the white tigress, having failed to take notice of her.

"Nice move kitty cat, but all the while also foolish, foolish to think you can take on the mighty Megatron."Megatron said, not overly impressed by the female's attempts to take him down, not exactly finding it to be a distraction but a mere nuisance. With a sharp turn of his body Megatron retaliated against the tigress to whack her hard with his tail, enough force in the blow to send her flying off the ledge in which they stood and on to take care of the already injured Maximal but only to also teach her a lesson in getting in over her head. Such blind bravery sometimes from these cats, least in his eyes.

As Drillclaw came closer towards the Predacons, she noticed with her electro sensory wintersong attacking the large walking one and being batted away like a fly, but from the noise of her drill and being underground, couldn't hear anything that was being said between the two. She never did like seeing smaller ones being bullied.

With Megatron distracted, Drillclaw closed in towards the large purple tyrant.

With little warning, Drillclaw busted out of the ground as her hand transformed from it's drill to it's claw configuration, forming into a giant spiraling fist. As she raised up she uppercutted Megatron with the giant spinning fist, a limb that seemed to look more suited on someone Orcariner's size from the elbow down.

While coming down to land, she pulled her legs inward and swung her large claw hand down gripping the ground, then bent her wrist as her arm motor activated, swinging her entire body low along the ground to sweep out the possibly punch stunned Megatron's legs out, upon passing through then let go of the ground and slid a short distance on her side from Megatron, starting to get up.

She shouted to Wintersong, but kept her optics focused on Megatron Nice distraction, but you should stick to someone more in your weight class Kitten! Leave the heavy ones to heavier hitters, go help out Ironclaw.

Standing up, Drillclaw was visibly disturbing to look at. Her body probably was attractive at one point in life, before she grafted what looked like pieces of mining or construction equipment to her body. Battle scars, worn metal from the rock in the ground, and thick armored cables stung about her body, her face covered in a strange half mask with one green optic, and one red optic which seemed to glow differently. She was fairly tall too, around Optimus Primal's height nearly, though with more reach as her right arm's claw tips reached the ground.

Starshadow could see the Axalon protected by a green shield. The badger must've reached it before her. Slag! Now it is impossible for her to get into the base. She stopped to a halt when she saw Rhinox consuming some sort of plant. Why would he be out here in the open having his supper? According to the files she downloaded from the Darksyde years ago, Rhinox was the brains of the Maximals. Such intelligence could make him a crafty opponent so it wouldn't be wise to sneak up on him. The panther lay on her belly and watched him for a moment then groomed herself, "Tasty, isn't it?" she asked just to make herself known before she make her next move, "it would've been a nicer dinner if you had a jar of fireflies and some energon."

(ooc note: Ironclaw, Steelclaw, Drillclaw.. we have a cap on the amount of members of a certain species allowed. Perhaps we need something similar for names including the word 'claw'? :p Speaking of the latter.. Drillclaw seems to be making a habit of popping out of the ground, quite literally, to 'save the day'. First with hauling Ironclaw out of the line of fire so the other Maximals who were supposed to help him never got the chance to, and now by not letting Wintersong have her moment of glory, for better or for worse, against the local Barney the Dinosaur. )

Although she had not made a landing yet, merely circling overhead at an altitude where there was still enough of an updraft to keep her airborne, Aurora watched as Primal appeared to make a rough descend in his beast form. For a moment she pondered trying to grab a hold of him, to ease the fall, but the Maximal commander appeared to be handling the situation on his own.

A short distance away she noticed some more commotion. The wind was distorting the voices, but it almost sounded like Wintersong engaging someone.

"You okay, Optimus?," Aurora then asked without taking her eyes off what was going on in the distance. "It looks like we have some unwanted company."

She had not spotted Megatron yet, as her view of him was blocked by some of the local scenery. So initially she thought the intruder could be Starshadow, since the Maximals were already on alert that the black panther was incoming.

But then she thought she caught a glimpse of an all too familiar shape, just as what appeared to be Wintersong flying off the edge of a cliff.

"Oh no..," she muttered, flapping her wings frantically to try to catch another updraft so she could move in to intercept. Unfortunately, even if she was able to get over there, she was too far away to be able to grab Wintersong in time unless the feline could manage to grab a hold of something on her way down.

(oops, glad Mystrea caught the throwing off cliff part since I entirely missed that!)

Frilla paused in startlemen as she shields came up, shortly after the com-link about Starshadow making her way towards the Axalon, but at the same time she smiled too. The shields were at least online and gave time for the others to react if it ever became needed. For now she merely grabbed her Pellet Gun and set it aside, just in case she would need it and went to finishing the auto guns while there was little going on. But no sooner had she done this did she hear her former teammate.

Moving towards the edge of the ship she watched as Starshadow sat there for a moment before addressing someone, which turned out to be Rhinox. Now what is he up to[\i], She thought, watching the large mech just eating at the beans and tilted her head for a moment before she remembered."I wouldn't want to be standing there Starshadow otherwise I hope you haven't had your daily grooming."Frilla remarked from the top of the Axalon before turning back to what she was doing, a faint grin on her face.

--------------

Meanwhile Feralnight arrived shortly after Wintersong to the Darkside, soaring above the others as she saw things going on. But at the moment she wasn't seein any reason yet to engage any of the Predacons since they all seemed to be heading in places the others could hold their own or had back up. Turning her attention to the other areas of the Predacon ship she began to scan the ground for any missed Predacons.

Soon a movement captured her attention, the wolf/raven fuzor focusing in on the movement for a moment before noticing it was a lean shape, almost hardly seeable from all the dirt but she could catch a faint bit of white and make out the details of the fox,"Now where do you think your going Snow Trix."She said to herself before changing her course and diving towards the direction Snow Trix seemed to be sneaking away, and she had to wonder why. Or at least figure it out.

Ironclaw had now spent a good amount of time n this planet, he'd realised that some bots would treat him differently because of his age or his ability. He soon started to feel arrogant, trying to push other opinions aside to form a barrier around himself. He would do this in every environment he would arrive. Just fit into place and let others just push him around with out even a word back. Times had now changed, he knew he had to rely on himself more and assert his authority. This idea then solidified when this new strange looking bot addressed him as 'kid'. He watched her leave and heard what she said about Predacons. He would have listened but then he saw Optimus land near him in beast mode. Ironclaw should ha be been pleased with the praise that Optimus gave, but he wasn't. He was annoyed with Prime at that moment and ignored him. Even when he tried to encourage him to move he didn't, then a moment later he said "Yes sir" moving until he realised that Megatron was on his approach.
"I'll talk to you later" Ironclaw said not even with the decencency to look at Optimus. He moved tactically to handle Megatron when Wintersong came out of no where and intercepted him. However she then took a blow and was thrown off a cliff.
"Wintersong!" he shouted as he ran over to her. He stood over her to make she was ok when the new fembot burst out of the ground and levelled Megatron. "Now we should definitely go" Ironclaw said aloud so the Maximals heard him. Not that he was ordering them.