The Intergalactic Highway

((Oh come on you guys have to beat up on the dino? ))

Once more Megatron found himself unprepared for Drillclaw's sudden appearance from the ground and being smacked right under his large jaws. But he wouldn't allow another maximal take another lucky shot as he jumped out of the way for Drillclaw's low sweeping kick, growling in anger towards the mole. But the Maximals now were seeming to find the right time to finally escape while they could. "Predacons stand down, for now."Megatron ordered over communications, at this point not knowing if anything else had occurred with his underlings of actually accomplishing anything.

For now he himself backed off, as much as he wanted to attack the Maximals while they were in their full retreat, but he knew better. It would only cause strain in the truce, more then this sneak attack and assault by Glowstick earlier had done. There was no reason to blow it, not now at least. They would still bide their time and when Megatron saw fit the order to fire would come, yes sooner or later.

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

Onyx let out a surprised snort when Rattrap suddenly jumped clear over him, turning to face the rat. Though he turned his large head to see another joining them, not quite familiar with the name of this cheetah but it was obviously a maximal and someone Rattrap knew well. Turning his head back to Rattrap he merely nodded,"I suppose both our leaders finally found some room to end this."He said curtly, swishing his tail before he turned to head back towards the others before going into a slow gallop.

He had heard the orders from Megatron and was becoming puzzled as to what had occurred with the others. But he hadn't been paying attention the rest of the landscape nor the sky and would have to find out when the Predacons regrouped. For now he merely came to the hanger, slowing to a stop and waiting outside while watching the area now.

Frilla once more looked towards Rhinox as he spoke, raising an optic ridge as she heard him say it was too late. What did happen next told what he meant and it made her jump a bit, slight disgust showing on her face as the shields flickered slightly that seemed to threaten to let the force of the butt cannon within closer towards the Axalon. Luckily they held. It shocked her anyone could hold so much force into their behind, and just from some bean vines whih seemed to be very bad to eat for anyone.

Though when it cleared a bit Frilla looked towards Rhinox as he collapsed on his side, not looking so well at all,"That can't be good."She murmured before grabbing her gun as she put it at her side and headed to one of the nearest rocks and jumping down before heading out of the force field. At first she had to hold her breathe for a moment as she came over to the rhinoceros to see if he was alright but up close he seemed worse.

"Rhinox are you alright?"She asked, putting a hand on his large shoulder and showing concern for the older transformer.

-----------

Upon hearing Primal order the retreat Feralnight had to stop short, just feet above the fox and figuring out where she was going. With a frustrated look she decided to obey the order then risk more trouble and flew back in a wide arc before heading towards the Axalon bit looked back towards the others. She just hoped things hadn't been too bad on the ground or for Airazor and could only really head back at this point.

This hasn't been much of a truce,She thought and shook her head before flying a little faster to get back. Hopefully also avoid any other questions.

ooc: I. Am. So. Lost. It's a good thing the only post I really need to understand fully is Darkspark's and luckily he does a spectacular job with Tarantulas.

BIC:

Almost as soon as the bickering between Arachnitron's alters began, their voices were halted by Tarantulas' next response. The silence was deafening.

"Perhaps, though instead of wasting my time on that twisted mess, how about I help you with your problems my dear? Hhhmmm?"

Arachnitron's usual cold expression softened a moment as she processed what Tarantulas had just said to her. "How does he know?!" the Maximal panicked. Her main concern was that he would inform the Predacon scientists on Cybertron about her whereabouts and she would be returned to them so they could resume the task of extracting her spark.

The Predacon would not be so easily taken in. She tried to calm the Maximal programming. "He may suspect, but he doesn't actually know what is wrong. Panic and you'll let him know that something is wrong! Let me handle this!" She always viewed herself as the one responsible for protecting the other two personalities. It was something she did not because she cared what happened to the Hybrid...and least of all the Maximal....but she did it because she cared greatly what happened to the body they all shared. It had been her body first, so she took it upon herself to be the one to step up to the plate when it came to keeping the body itself safe. She knew the Maximal would panic and back down in a fight...and she knew the Hybrid to be indecisive about things to the point where it could get them all killed. So she trusted neither of them when it came to the safety of the body.

"But how do you know that? Maybe he really does know something. Maybe he really can help?" the Hybrid reasoned.

"Don't be a fool! He knows nothing and he can't help us!"

Although, for a brief moment, the Predacon tried to picture what it would be like to be able to think for herself again without having to put up with being criticized by voices in her own head....voices that shared her body with her and, in doing so, competed for control of the body that belonged to her. It was difficult. She had been so young when the experiments started that she didn't remember what it was like to be normal. It didn't matter. She highly doubted that there was a cure. If there were a cure, why wouldn't she have known about it already? Why wouldn't the scientists have used it when it was clear their experiment was a complete and utter failure? Not only that, but she knew Predacons well enough to suspect there were ulterior motives behind his offer.

Without another moment of hesitation, her face hardened again and she tightened her hold on the leash. She gazed back at Tarantulas stubbornly. Though her first instinct was to lash out violently, she didn't want to let on that he had, in fact, struck a nerve, so she tried to not to give in to her fury. "Well, that should be easy because the only problem I have is the slacker in front of me trying to get out of work! I'd hate to have to put your muzzle back on, pet, so stop stalling and get started!" she demanded.

Outwardly, Arachnitron was calm and collected, but inwardly, competing emotions were beginning to take their toll on the Predacon's strength. The Maximal was still frightened despite the Predacon's reassurance that this was just a Predacon game. As for the Hybrid, Tarantulas had definitely piqued her interest. She was curious to know if he really could solve their problem. But, what if he could? How would that change things? And what would his solution be? Would he be able to remove two personalities and leave one in control...and if so, which personality would remain? Or maybe he could make it so that it was less painful to switch between the three of them. Could he stop "the rage" from occurring?

The Hybrid's mind spun thinking about the possibilities which caused the Hybrid and Predacon to switch momentarily. Arachnitron's optics flashed green for a split second before returning to the deep, blood red that usually showed that the Predacon was in control. Arachnitron tried to maintain her composure, but with the Maximal's fear intensifying and the Hybrid's curiosity growing stronger, it would be difficult for the Predacon to hold on for very long. She had to get them back under control....

OOC: Sorry, Darkspark....I can't make it too easy for you!

Blackrosefencer wrote: Without another moment of hesitation, her face hardened again and she tightened her hold on the leash. She gazed back at Tarantulas stubbornly. Though her first instinct was to lash out violently, she didn't want to let on that he had, in fact, struck a nerve, so she tried to not to give in to her fury. "Well, that should be easy because the only problem I have is the slacker in front of me trying to get out of work! I'd hate to have to put your muzzle back on, pet, so stop stalling and get started!" she demanded.

Outwardly, Arachnitron was calm and collected, but inwardly, competing emotions were beginning to take their toll on the Predacon's strength. The Maximal was still frightened despite the Predacon's reassurance that this was just a Predacon game. As for the Hybrid, Tarantulas had definitely piqued her interest. She was curious to know if he really could solve their problem. But, what if he could? How would that change things? And what would his solution be? Would he be able to remove two personalities and leave one in control...and if so, which personality would remain? Or maybe he could make it so that it was less painful to switch between the three of them. Could he stop "the rage" from occurring?

The Hybrid's mind spun thinking about the possibilities which caused the Hybrid and Predacon to switch momentarily. Arachnitron's optics flashed green for a split second before returning to the deep, blood red that usually showed that the Predacon was in control. Arachnitron tried to maintain her composure, but with the Maximal's fear intensifying and the Hybrid's curiosity growing stronger, it would be difficult for the Predacon to hold on for very long. She had to get them back under control....

"My my, what a lovely shade of green your optics are...Or rather were for a nanoclick or two" Tarantulas chuckled in response to Arachnitron's outburst.

Though Arachnitron was trying hard to hide her weakness, Tarantulas did not miss the brief change in color her optics had underwent, only strengthening his suspicions, if not confirming them. It was true some Cybertronians possessed optic beam weaponry that altered the color of their eyes when activated, like Dinobot or Terrorsaur, but Arachnitron did not possess optic beams as far as he knew and the color flash had been too fast for it to have been a weapon charging. She was putting on a brave front, but that's all it was, Tarantulas could tell, he'd interrogated and broken stronger willed bots than this confused fembot, and break her he would.

Changing his tune, speaking softly, almost sympathetically, Tarantulas said "Calm yourself Arachnitron, there's no need to be so defensive, I was a scientist & information gatherer back on Cybertron, and as part of an organization as vast as Cryotek's was prior to Megatron setting him up as his patsy, its only natural that I'd be familiar with entities such as you. There are few secrets of Cybertron that I haven't heard of at least in whispers and rumors my dear, secrets I often went out of my way to research to satisfy my own scientific curiosity...And in turn could be of great help to you."

He then carefully placed a pincer on her shoulder, gently, like a friend trying to comfort her and ease her troubled mind...When in reality he merely wished to be too close for her to fire upon him without damaging herself, as well as be ready to snap off a limb or two if necessary...Maybe even her head if she really pushed it, but he doubted it would come to that. She was unstable, but he could tell he was effecting her in some way, he just needed to keep at it until she gave herself away, until she was firmly ensnared in his web like the fly she didn't realize herself to be.


Meanwhile, back in his lair, Blackarachnia had inadvertently activated Tarantulas' defense system the instant she'd come too close to the webbed compartment containing the laser coil, the dark shadows of the ceiling above her being pierced by innumerable blinking green optics, all belonging to Arachnoids, the tiny multipurpose spider drones he used to maintain his lair and help with his projects. Though Blackarachnia had not yet seen them, they could see her plain as day as they slowly lowered themselves down on threads of silk stronger than steel, each of them equipped with a three fingered taser claw which emerged from a panel on their backs, crackling with high voltage energy in preparation for zapping the intruder who'd dared to enter their master's lair uninvited into stasis lock, or worse. In no time at all, these little botstrousities had reached the cavern floor and had silently and effectively surrounded her, scurrying about on their many mechanical legs. However, one Arachnoid was literally right on top of the would be thief even as she bent over to retrieve the booby-trapped laser coil that had triggered the drone's activation, the little bugger landing squaring atop the fembot's big round backside, taser claw ready to sting her right where it hurt...


OOC: Glad you guys are enjoying my portrayal of Tarantulas so far! Oh, but just so there's no confusion, I'm actually a guy Blackrose, . And don't worry, you're not the only one having trouble keeping up with all that craziness going on between all the others Maxis and Cons , glad that for now I just need to focus on characters at a time besides my own

((OOC:

Wintersong wrote:I don't really see how it was power playing to kind of skip the time of traveling to the Darkside or of my OC kind of just really distracting Megs.

Oh, no, I didn't personally think you were power-playing at all. I was saying you had every right to attack Megatron.

Starshadow wrote:The reason why I made Star run to the Axalon becauseeeee....:
- after the white powder of doom temporarily blinded her, she didn't know where Ironclaw went. And that was the part I ddn't know if he came out of the new or old tunnel. (I was a lil confused then but I didn't bother bringing that up.)

I didn't have a problem with Starshadow running off, either. What you had her do made sense (I was just talking about who wasn't around to chase Ironclaw at the Darksyde).

As for the rest of everything everyone's said... I am tempted to respond to things, but this is already taking up a lot of OOC space, and if players are ready to move on anyways, no point in kicking it around. These playing mechanics debates are important for letting the game go smoothly and all, but... I'm still pretty sure they're less important than I give them credit for.))

* * *

Optimus Primal wrote:This is Optimus Primal. All units, retreat back to Base immediately! We have what we came for.

Cheetor started slowing down, but he rolled his eyes in exasperation. Just like that? He'd started running inside the Axalon, and he hadn't stopped going at full speed since he got off the elevator, and he made record time getting to the Darksyde, and he saw the first guy he was gonna take on, and then Big Bot says, "retreat."

Talk about your break-slamming slag.

Rattrap wrote:Yo, Spots! Take it easy. Yer late to the party. We gotta amscray.

Cheetor was surrounded by a dust cloud by the time he finally stopped in front of Rattrap. The cloud started clearing and he walked out of it towards Rattrap and Onyx, and then he pointed a paw at the Predacon.

"Aw, but I wanted to make this guy slam head first into a metal sheet or something. You sure we have to go?"

"Well, I do want to get one thing straight here: Megatron is a very specific kind of criminal. A war criminal. He refused to give up the fight for Predacons long before most 'bots realized how unjust the Pax Cybertronia was going to allow Cybertronian civilization to be. So Maximal society have him the label they found most befitting.

So he was part of the war she participated in those years ago? She didn't remember one leader named Megatron or maybe she forgot?

"Here's the problem: I've already told you that I believe our societies are beyond reconciliation. You believe they are not. Both of those opinions are very hard to switch. And unless one of us convinces the other, we're going to stay in conflict. I'm not entirely sure what you called me out here for, but if it was to find out what keeps me fighting, I'm fairly certain you've got it now, and if it was to find out whether we can stop fighting, well... now you at least know why I don't think we can.

"As for Arachnitron- yeah, she's fine. I'm not really ashamed to admit that she is being allowed to act as a regular crew member; we thought she was a prisoner of yours, so we weren't trying to take her by force, we were trying to rescue her."

Did he really think she was a prisoner inside the Axalon? Hopefully, Glowstick would fix her without doing harm to her.

Of course, if she wasn't all Predacon, he couldn't guarantee how long she would stay safe. If Megatron couldn't trust something as basic as her race, there was no guarantee he would fully accept her help, or her presence. Of course, as Whitegrazer herself had pointed out, perhaps with Glowstick there to...

Steelclaw felt the force of the re-realization hit him in a mixture of loss, horror (at the memory of his death) and reactionary stoicism. No, Glowstick wasn't going to be there to protect Arachnitron, like he wasn't going to be there to watch over the group any more, and like he wasn't going to be there to stay some of the Predacons' more vindictive impulses against each other and against the Maximals (he had just saved Feralnight's life that very morning, hadn't he? Hadn't he saved her from Megatron himself? It was an underhanded rescue, to be sure, making her into an unwitting spy, but the second, and perhaps craftier, trick he had pulled off was convincing Megatron not to kill her under the guise of making her useful to the Predacons.)

He felt a sudden, aching, demanding, crying temptation to let Whitegrazer know what had happened to Glowstick right then and there. He didn't know how to speak of these things around those he knew well; maybe with somebody he could label as an outsider and who he wouldn't have to live with every moment, he could truly say everything on his processor.

But he knew even in that moment of indecision that he would regret it. It would be another act of goodness Whitegrazer could vaunt in the future (and her sympathy would be something, that, for once, he could actually agree was an act of goodness, rather than falsely perceived self-righteousness); a secret to manipulate in future confrontation, whether that confrontation was violent or intellectual

.

She noticed his optics and face change like it was hit hard with something huge. Wondering why only made her guess that something she said forced him to remember something? Did something happen?

"Are you all right?" She asked in concern, but it was all for nothing as it seemed his demeanor had changed really quickly to his calm stoicism.

Steelclaw up and off to the distance quizically.

"I could've sworn he said we had a truce going when we got back to base earlier today." He looked back at Whitegrazer. "I'd offer to race you there, but I try to avoid bruising my ego unnecessarily."

"Wait, Steelclaw, before we leave to rejoin our different sides." Whitegrazer stood up to her full size with a smile on her face, "I just wish to say that I enjoyed the conversation we have had. To answer your question before, this conversation was what I told you in the beginning was about peace and it will continue to be. We may not see eye to eye with each other, but that doesn't mean we can't sit down and talk or debate peacefully. I know that depending on how long this truce lasts, we will either meet in more friendly terms or if truce ends, more deadly, but I wish to continue these discussions. I know it would be a risk, but I promise to not reveal your identity except to someone I trust implicitly. I don't want to put you in any unnecessary danger."

She will have to discuss this with Optimus. Only Optimus. He is the only she could trust with this. Also, he deserved an explanation for her going off without telling him why. If he were more militaristic, she would have been demoted or suspended from such behavior despite her explanations.

It wouldn't be right for her to take advantage so she better give him that explanation and see what he says sooner than later.

"For now, I must reflect on what we just discussed and I will meet you or get a message to you somehow for another one. It is your choice if you wish to continue or not." She gave out her hand to shake Steelclaw's, "Until we meet again in the battlefield or here."

"I think it would be best if you go on. I will return to my base." She looked at her tail and behind, "And wash off some dirt. I had to be a white horse, didn't I?" She laughed.

I love white. It just shows dirt too much. And as a soldier and instructor, I have to be presentable.

((OOC: Love the conversation Steelclaw and Whitegrazer had, Blazemane. Great insight on both of the characters. Can't wait to see what the others would bring.

Also, loving the thing between Optimus and Ironclaw. It made me go: Oooooooooo ))

_______________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, back in his lair, Blackarachnia had inadvertently activated Tarantulas' defense system the instant she'd come too close to the laser coil, the dark shadows of the ceiling above her being pierced by innumerable blinking green optics, all belonging to Arachnoids, the tiny multipurpose spider drones he used to maintain his lair and help with his projects. Though Blackarachnia had not yet seen them, they could see her plain as day as they slowly lowered themselves down on threads of silk stronger than steel, each of them equipped with a three fingered taser claw which emerged from a panel on their backs, crackling with high voltage energy in preparation for zapping the intruder who'd dared to enter their master's lair uninvited into stasis lock, or worse. In no time at all, these little botstrousities had reached the cavern floor and had silently and effectively surrounded her, scurrying about on their many mechanical legs. However, one Arachnoid was literally right on top of the would be thief even as she bent over to retrieve the booby-trapped laser coil that had triggered the drone's activation, the little bugger landing squaring atop the fembot's big round abdomen, taser claw ready to sting her right where it hurt...

Blackarachnia grabbed the laser coil in triumph when she felt something on her abdomen and quickly knocked it off, crushing it under her heel. Jumping over to the side, she reached for a sturdy metal pole and attacked the little buggers that surrounded her, swinging and smashing them. Looking at them in disgust and annoyance, she growled as there were too many of them. She couldn't exit back where she came, she had to go through the other side which was cave like but headed inside the Darksyde's vents with more security measures by Megatron and Tarantulas. One of them nearly nicked her neck, but it still burned causing her to let out a shock yell of pain almost overloading her entire systems.

Running through the passageway, she realized those little spiders were still following her. Literally, Tarantulas felt all this was his so it made sense that they were still trying to zap her. The only safe haven would be when she entered inside the Darksyde.

Oh joy. She was running a labyrinth giving Tarantulas more time to plot. Well, she needed to head back to her quarters anyway. Hopefully, these attack drones were cease their pursue.

((OOC: Nice trap. XDD))

OOC:

DarkSpark wrote: OOC: Glad you guys are enjoying my portrayal of Tarantulas so far! Oh, but just so there's no confusion, I'm actually a guy Blackrose, .

Oops. My bad. I was writing "he" in posts before because I had no idea. I figured since you hadn't said anything about it you must be a he, but then I second guessed myself because we all referred to Wildfire as "he," but she ended up being a girl! I didn't want to do the same thing again! And I did......epic fail.....so sorry!!!

Anyway, I need to think of how Arachnitron will respond next.....I'll post as soon as I've decided how hard I want to make Tarantulas work....

Blackrosefencer wrote:OOC:

DarkSpark wrote: OOC: Glad you guys are enjoying my portrayal of Tarantulas so far! Oh, but just so there's no confusion, I'm actually a guy Blackrose, .

Oops. My bad. I was writing "he" in posts before because I had no idea. I figured since you hadn't said anything about it you must be a he, but then I second guessed myself because we all referred to Wildfire as "he," but she ended up being a girl! I didn't want to do the same thing again! And I did......epic fail.....so sorry!!!

Anyway, I need to think of how Arachnitron will respond next.....I'll post as soon as I've decided how hard I want to make Tarantulas work....

OOC: No worries, its no big deal, the name DarkSpark isn't really gender specific after all

DarkSpark wrote: My my, what a lovely shade of green your optics are...Or rather were for a nanoclick or two." Tarantulas chuckled in response to Arachnitron's outburst.

Arachnitron cocked her head curiously and raised an optic ridge. She, of course, knew her optics to be red because she had seen them one time before being taken by the scientists to their research facility. So why would he say green? She shrugged chalking it up to the nonsensical ravings of the lunatic in front of her. If she had paid more attention to it though, she might have saved herself a lot of trouble later on.... (ooc: Hooray for foreshadowing!)

Tarantulas was reluctant to give in. The spider approached her gently acting as though he felt sorry for her and attempting to calm her. What did this sniveling spider want from her? If he wanted her to let him loose he could just forget it! In fact, she tightened her grip on the leash just in case that was his aim.

"Calm yourself Arachnitron, there's no need to be so defensive, I was a scientist & information gatherer back on Cybertron, and as part of an organization as vast as Cryotek's was prior to Megatron setting him up as his patsy, its only natural that I'd be familiar with entities such as you. There are few secrets of Cybertron that I haven't heard of at least in whispers and rumors my dear, secrets I often went out of my way to research to satisfy my own scientific curiosity...And in turn could be of great help to you."

She glared at him. If he thought he was familiar with "entities such as her," he had another thing coming! He knew nothing about her and her so-called problems! The Predacon fumed, but she did her best to hide her anger.

"Easy now, Pred. You said it yourself, he's just trying to push your buttons...." The Maximal said trying to soothe the Predacon, but her voice quivered. She was still frightened, but she knew the Predacon had a short fuse. She felt obligated to keep a cool head.

"Just shut up! I know how to handle this!" she snapped.

Arachnitron took a step closer to Tarantulas so that her face was just inches from his. Though she was much smaller than him and had to raise her head to look up into his optics, she approached him confidently. She softened her gaze, winked flirtatiously at the taller bot, and returned his feigned affection. "I am flattered by your offer. You really needn't worry about me! she responded playfully. "But if you're so insistent to help, then you can best do so by...." and her gaze and tone turned cold again. "Fixing my slaggin' ship!!" She shoved him away from her and closer to the ship. "The others may be easily influenced by your wiles, but I am not. Get back to work!" And by others she was not just referring to other Cybertronians....she also was referring to her alters who were still fearful that the Tarantula was an agent for the Predacon scientists who were no doubt searching for her still. She turned away adding darkly, "Nobody knows anything about me and that's just how it will stay."

Arachnitron became aware that her head was gradually beginning to throb.

"HYBRID! I thought you had everything under control!!" she accused angrily.

" The Maximal is scared. She's determined to take control so that she can run away! I think you'd be better able to hold her at bay until we're safely off this planet," the Hybrid reasoned.

"I'm not letting you take control! If you can't handle holding back the Maximal, how will you be able to handle the Predacons?"

"I can pretend to be you!" the Hybrid offered not realizing they would give themselves away if they did.

The Predacon scoffed inwardly. "Ha! Pretend to be me! That'll be the day!" But secretly the Predacon was beginning to think that maybe they should consider it. At least that way the searing pain in her head would stop.

"Optimus I'm sorry for that stunt but I wanted to buy you guys time, it hopefully won't happen again."

Primal stopped in his tracks when Wintersong flew by him and apologized for her actions. He said nothing - more relieved that she was all right than anything else at the moment - since it could be dicussed later and simply turned to follow after her, Ironclaw and Aurora as he ran on all fours. His brown eyes frantically searched the area for any of his other fliers and ground units. Some of the lava between rocky cracks illuminated some areas, but the majority of it surrounded the Darksyde. The air here was very humid and warm, even at night. Optimus certainly preferred the waterfall under his broken ship.

"Maximals," the Maximal leader called over his comm. link, "regroup on my position," and sent out a signal originating from himself. This enabled him and the others he was with to keep moving as they made progress exiting Predacon territory, while the rest of the scattered Maximals who had come to help could track him and meet up to head back to their base together. At which point, he'd be able to get a count on who had joined them. He definitetly wouldn't want to leave anyone behind. Hopefully, Rhinox wasn't having any trouble with Starshadow.

As for the new bot that snuck up on Megatron and attacked him, Primal had no idea who she was and if she belonged to an allegiance, but since she seemed to be able to take care of herself digging around underground for protection, he wasn't too concerned about leaving her behind, especially since Megatron seemed to have given up on the chase. He was sure she'd be able to make up her own mind and either follow the Maximals and introduce herself or go on her own way.

-----

"I suppose both our leaders finally found some room to end this."

The rat gave a slight snicker at the stallion's snort, and then watched him politely take off. I guess old Megadump also called a retreat? Shrugging, he looked back to the cheetah.

"Aw, but I wanted to make this guy slam head first into a metal sheet or something. You sure we have to go?"

"Cheetor, as much as I'd love ta be holding the other side of that metal sheet with you, we betta do what the whim chimp says," Rattrap recommended, briefly recalling Icebreaker's death and knowing Optimus wouldn't be in a good mood if they ignored his orders.

"Maximals," "regroup on my position,"

Receiving their fearless leader's transmission, the rodent looked at Cheetor and sighed. "I guess dat's it. Let's get outta this smoldering junk yard before the Preds change their minds, eh?" Falling down on his little pink paws, he started to run in Primal's direction.

"Yo, Airazor, ya read me?" he asked over his comm. link. Ever since they had split up, he hadn't heard or seen her, and since they had started out as partners in this mission, it only felt right to check up on her. No doubt Terrorsaur was roaming the dark sky.

-----

"Alright," he finally said, "Let's take care of him."

Tigatron disguised his relief with a nod and a light smile to Orcariner. However, there was a tone of anger, possibly rage, resinating in the orca's voice. He was angry with him not telling him? Or just generally angry about everything? The last thing Orcariner needed to do was act on his very high emotions right now. If he did so, he may very well live in regret for the rest of his life. If he could sit on it for a few days, the anger might lessen and then the whale would be able to think more clearly. For the time being, Tigatron would just make sure he kept Orcariner busy until Rhinox or Optimus would return.

While the white tiger in robot mode gathered some tools and equipment to help the much larger Maximal, he asked him, "Orcariner, what is your fondest memory of you and Icebreaker? I have heard some stories from missions that you both attended, but I'm afraid I haven't been around enough to have observed you two in action or off duty. Except when you had discovered Nemesis." Hopefully, getting the big guy to talk about the more joyful times with his lost friend will help him focus on the "brighter" side of this situation, and remembering the good times rather than so much the bad.

Whitegrazer wrote:I know it would be a risk, but I promise to not reveal your identity except to someone I trust implicitly. I don't want to put you in any unnecessary danger.

"If you think it's that dangerous for the two of us to be talking, then... I suppose I can give you the same promise back. None of the other Predacons need to know it's you I talked to."

When Whitegrazer offered her hand, Steelclaw eyed it for a moment, and then gave a half-smile. Without a word, he transformed into his beast mode (though his systems automatically sounded out a bear's growl) and on his way down, put his right forepaw into her waiting hand, after which point he shook her hand up and down.

"I'm not sure what we've accomplished here, but something's got to be said for having a conversation with the opposing side." He dropped his paw and stood on all fours- a bit easier than standing on three, he thought. "As for talking in the future, though, I don't know what more can be said."

He then started walking away towards the Predacon base. "Good night, rest well," he called back. "I'll most likely shoot you one of these mornings."

((OOC: I'm not shutting off all conversations from happening in the future. Whitegrazer's just going to have to work to convince Steelclaw to have them. Which he might not take well.

And all this time I thought T.C. was Thundercracker...))

* * *

Cheetor caught up quickly after Rattrap started running, and then he kept pace with him, wondering to himself where the two of them would even find a sheet of metal out here.

Once they caught up with Optimus, Cheetor saw Ironclaw with the group. That meant they won, right?

"I guess we showed Megatron, didn't we, Big 'Bot?"

It was then that he looked at Optimus' face and saw the stern look there. "Big 'Bot?" he asked, now a bit more worried.

((OOC: For Cheetor and Rattrap must catch up with Optimus relatively quickly...))

Blackrosefencer wrote: Arachnitron cocked her head curiously and raised an optic ridge. She, of course, knew her optics to be red because she had seen them one time before being taken by the scientists to their research facility. So why would he say green? She shrugged chalking it up to the nonsensical ravings of the lunatic in front of her. If she had paid more attention to it though, she might have saved herself a lot of trouble later on.... (ooc: Hooray for foreshadowing!)

Tarantulas was reluctant to give in. The spider approached her gently acting as though he felt sorry for her and attempting to calm her. What did this sniveling spider want from her? If he wanted her to let him loose he could just forget it! In fact, she tightened her grip on the leash just in case that was his aim.

Tarantulas noted how the femme appeared confused by his mentioning of her color changing optics...Could it be the poor wretch was ignorant of how her own eyes gave away her conflicting personalities? If so, pressing her buttons further and forcing a change, then SHOWING the change in her own reflection could be the key to getting her to give up the ghost. He also didn't fail to notice she'd tightened her grip on the leash...He was truly becoming sick of the slaggin thing and looked forward to ridding himself of it. A genius like himself was no one's dog. At any rate, it was still proof that he was affecting her in some small way, forcing her out of her comfort zone at least.

Blackrosefencer wrote: She glared at him. If he thought he was familiar with "entities such as her," he had another thing coming! He knew nothing about her and her so-called problems! The Predacon fumed, but she did her best to hide her anger.

"Easy now, Pred. You said it yourself, he's just trying to push your buttons...." The Maximal said trying to soothe the Predacon, but her voice quivered. She was still frightened, but she knew the Predacon had a short fuse. She felt obligated to keep a cool head.

"Just shut up! I know how to handle this!" she snapped.

Arachnitron took a step closer to Tarantulas so that her face was just inches from his. Though she was much smaller than him and had to raise her head to look up into his optics, she approached him confidently. She softened her gaze, winked flirtatiously at the taller bot, and returned his feigned affection. "I am flattered by your offer. You really needn't worry about me! she responded playfully. "But if you're so insistent to help, then you can best do so by...." and her gaze and tone turned cold again. "Fixing my slaggin' ship!!" She shoved him away from her and closer to the ship. "The others may be easily influenced by your wiles, but I am not. Get back to work!" And by others she was not just referring to other Cybertronians....she also was referring to her alters who were still fearful that the Tarantula was an agent for the Predacon scientists who were no doubt searching for her still. She turned away adding darkly, "Nobody knows anything about me and that's just how it will stay."

Arachnitron became aware that her head was gradually beginning to throb.

"HYBRID! I thought you had everything under control!!" she accused angrily.

" The Maximal is scared. She's determined to take control so that she can run away! I think you'd be better able to hold her at bay until we're safely off this planet," the Hybrid reasoned.

"I'm not letting you take control! If you can't handle holding back the Maximal, how will you be able to handle the Predacons?"

"I can pretend to be you!" the Hybrid offered not realizing they would give themselves away if they did.

The Predacon scoffed inwardly. "Ha! Pretend to be me! That'll be the day!" But secretly the Predacon was beginning to think that maybe they should consider it. At least that way the searing pain in her head would stop.

Tarantulas narrowed his optics in confusion and suspicion when the fembot began acting like a more girlish version of Blackarachnia, a reaction he'd honestly not expected...Including the rather irksome shove that followed.

"Gaahh!" Tarantulas hissed in anger as he was pushed away, it hadn't been a powerful shove, but at this point he was honestly sick of being treated like a mere maintenance bot.

He held it together though, her defensive attitude and increasing agitation was more proof of him getting to her.

"Come now, no need for such violence, on this planet true allies are hard to come by, its unwise to shirk assistance offered. Afterall, its not as though that She Devil scurrying about my lair right now like a scavenger looking for roadkill is going to keep you around forever my dear. She dreams of leadership but her people skills are limited only to how best to use people before tossing them aside like yesterday's energon. She's done it before to everyone she's worked with, she'll do it to you as well...Is something the matter? You appear...Ill."

He hoped her paranoia of betrayal combined with his feigned concern for her obvious mental state would get the results out of her he needed, otherwise he would have to take more drastic action, and soon.


Elsewhere, back in the lair of Tarantulas, the arachnoids continued their dogged pursuit of Blackarachnia, tasers zapping furiously, legs scurrying surprisingly fast. While most of the arachnoids followed right behind Blackarachnia, some went off to the sides and out of sight between the stalagmites...Even while several of their more "dedicated" comrades turned their backs to BA and launched strands of sticky webbing at her while the others flung themselves through the air to attack. Their intent was obvious, they were trying to ensnare and restrain her so that the rest of the group could swarm over her!

Watching as Megatron called off his group, Drillclaw found the whole thing.. strange. They were abiding to this truce? What slag is this? she thought to herself, then backed up, transforming to her mole mode and scurried away. There was no point in further being in this battle, a battle which just left more questions then answers to the mole. She would eventually have to look into those answers, but for now leaving enemy territory was the best idea.

Terrorsaur followed Airazor as she entered a swoop maneuver.

"You can't get away from me!" he shouted.

Unfortunately, she quickly pulled up and Terrorsaur ended up face planting the ground. It hurt a lot.

((OOC: Minimum posting requirements ftw))

((OOC: Sorry for not posting, guys. I had caught a nasty virus for a week and that's why I haven't been on here for...week? Lost track. I should be able to post today or tomorrow since I feel much better now.))

"If you think it's that dangerous for the two of us to be talking, then... I suppose I can give you the same promise back. None of the other Predacons need to know it's you I talked to."

When Whitegrazer offered her hand, Steelclaw eyed it for a moment, and then gave a half-smile. Without a word, he transformed into his beast mode (though his systems automatically sounded out a bear's growl) and on his way down, put his right forepaw into her waiting hand, after which point he shook her hand up and down.

"I'm not sure what we've accomplished here, but something's got to be said for having a conversation with the opposing side." He dropped his paw and stood on all fours- a bit easier than standing on three, he thought. "As for talking in the future, though, I don't know what more can be said."

He then started walking away towards the Predacon base. "Good night, rest well," he called back. "I'll most likely shoot you one of these mornings."

Whitegrazer nodded, "Thank you."

"We may have been talking but much was accomplished today, in my opinion."

Watching Steelclaw turn his back go forward to his base, she just kept a playful smile towards the black bear, "You too."

"Shooting is a truce violation." Smirking at the bear, she shook her head when he disappeared, "But if this truce ends, I say you would try to shoot me. Keyword there."

She hoped the truce didn't end, but that's just wishful thinking from her.

She turned around, heading towards the opposite direction where there was a small stream she knew of nearby. The two moons above reflected beautifully inside the water, seeing her face join below them. Using the water, she tried her best to clean herself off from where she sat. Maybe she should have picked a less dirtier location. She chuckled before transforming into her beast mode, gallopping towards the base. She was going to wait outside for the others if they weren't back already.

________________________________________________________________________________

Elsewhere, back in the lair of Tarantulas, the arachnoids continued their dogged pursuit of Blackarachnia, tasers zapping furiously, legs scurrying surprisingly fast. While most of the arachnoids followed right behind Blackarachnia, some went off to the sides and out of sight between the stalagmites...Even while several of their more "dedicated" comrades turned their backs to BA and launched strands of sticky webbing at her while the others flung themselves through the air to attack. Their intent was obvious, they were trying to ensnare and restrain her so that the rest of the group could swarm over her!

The sticky webbing yanked her down by her feet which smacked her entire form on the ground. She let out a yell as the ones in the air landed on her. Using her elbows and her weapon, she knocked them off with the swarm crawling towards her and they overwhelmed her, leaving her frantically pushing them off her. Tasers were burning hot against her body, but her survival program kept her going. Transforming in to her beast mode, she bursted away before the heat torched her systems and shot her sticky webs at them in vengeance, starting back on her dash towards the Darksyde's ventrailation systems.


((OOC: I hope this post is okay, Darkspark and it looks like there is going to be a line at Optimus' room. XDDD ))