The Intergalactic Highway

Glowstick raised an optic ridge as he watched Sonar fly off, then listened to Steelclaw and Scorponok. He watched as Scorponok exited, then closed the cargobay. Glowstick turns his head talking to Steelclaw This whole situation is rather weird, I have no idea where Sonar is going but I assume it probably involves violence.. he's far too crazy to be a coward..hm?...What is he gabbing about? Hang on.. Glowstick then noticed Sonar near StarShadow's area, he turned on his radio adjusting, then turned on his external speakers.

Night-Hunter wrote:every one here, Phantom. But you haven't fooled me, I may not be able to see you with my optics, but I can see you with my echo's." "Are you nothing but a coward? You seem to be one to me, seeing how you attacked these bots while cloaked. So it your not a coward show yourself and fight like a real mech!"

starshadow wrote:"Pffft...since when you're so concern about my safety, bastsy? I still haven't forgot about that unpleasant pain-in-the-foot incident. Don't bother looking for- GAH! AHHHHHH!!"

Glowstick rubbed his face with his tentacle, then listening to Frilla That sounds like a fantastic idea.. as it stands currently, Sonar and Scorponok are screwed. And us being in range of them makes things worse for Sonar and ourselves. We do have a system similar to Sonar's, in fact if the idiot didn't run out like that.. we could of attached him to the ship and used his softwear to enhance our echo location abilities, but since he isn't here.. that means we're stuck with nautical based echo location, which can be used to view a 3D plane but is less effective in the air,slower refresh rate, plus firing off pings in the active mode will.. essentially make Sonar's ears explode. Not to mention give away our position to everything within 3 klicks of us..So my only idea at the moment is this.. Frilla, I want you to use the maintenance computer to tweak the settings of our sonar system to increase the refresh rate and work better in the air,there are documents on a certain Predacon and Maximal that use such systems to give you some help.. Snowtrix I want you to monitor the radar in case the maximals start to get near us as they are still a threat, as well as any activity from our allies.

After finishing his statement, Glowstick then made the Leviathan start to raise in altitude and turn to float in the direction of the energon field.

________________________________

Icebreaker nodded hearing Primal's orders, a bit surprised he wasn't yelled at for his conduct. He then looked towards Cheetor Hey Spots, make sure to watch her back. I know you can do that. , Icebreaker then walked towards Optimus Er.. Sir. When I was out there, I noticed something strange. My tactical visor detected a heat signature in the air after an additional two shots were fired when Tigatron was removed. The signature seemed like a trail of heat from thrusters used by fliers like yourself and Terrorsaur, but I couldn't get a energy signature, it then flew off into the forest rather quickly. I'm not sure how useful that information is.. at first I thought maybe my scanner was broken, but I believe I should bring it up anyway.

((OOC: Since everyone's doing it, I'm gonna try using font colors for Orcariner's dialogue ))

"SSSSSOOOOOONNNNNAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Scorponok's infuriated voice boomed through the air as if it were amplified by unmeasurable rage and fervor. He scurried at a surprisingly fast pace as the bat and panther came into view. Megatron was very stern about not fighting within the team, and it took every drive and gear in his body to restrain him from disappointing his fearless leader. Thousands of images flashed through the Predacon's mind of the myriad ways of torture and execution he could inflict on Sonar for his disobedience. His loyalty for Megatron was the weakening line that held back these fantasies from crossing into the realm of reality. Scorponok may not be able to unleash every mega missile he had into the bat's oversized ears, but he would certainly give the winged rat an earful once he got his pincers around him.


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"Aye, sir," replied Orcariner, "I'll go ahead and prepare the drilling machine for Rattrap to operate."

At the corner of the bay, there was a folded up machine that Orcariner had placed. He began to lock in the hinges and install the gears for the device. It was essentially a small four-wheeled vehicle with two arms in front. The right arm was the one with a steel drill at the end while the left arm had a shovel. The rear end of the vehicle had a trough in which the driver could place the energon pieces into.

"Hey Rattrap," he said while installing the wheels, "There's something you should know about this thing. It's pretty small and light compared to what you're normally used to back on Cybertron. Try not to pile on more than about 1000 pounds. Otherwise, she might tip over and we'll have a mess on our hands."

"One system tweaking coming up." Frilla said turning to the maintenance monitor and pressing a few buttons to pull up the system. At the same time she pulled up the profiles on Sonar and the whale transformers called Ocarnier, as far as she knew they were the only two capable of echo location. Giving the files a few look overs she began her work and hoped it would be enough to even identify this unknown figure.

((sorry about abandoning this place. ^^'' i forgot about it. but i'm back!))

Rattrap winched and cursed loudly pulling his body out of a panel. "SLAGGIT! fraggin' useless slaggin'..." his voice trailed off with a growl as he went back into the panel, reattaching primary circuits to the computer for the med bay. "there....that should do it," he said coming back out and moving to check the computer to see if the medical system had been properly integrated.

((OOC: Nice color, Alak.))

Optimus Primal wrote:Feralnight and Cheetor, you're on recon. Report anything unusual or suspicious, and don't wander too far alone.

Cheetor simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Icebreaker wrote:Hey Spots, make sure to watch her back. I know you can do that.

"Will do," Cheetor responded. "Thanks." he responded before turning and walking up to Feralnight.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Maybe we'll be lucky enough this cloaked figure will reveal themselves."

Glancing at Feralnight, Optimus didn't think luck would have anything to do with it.

"Very well Primal, but if things get hairy out there I'm not going to sit back and watch."

"With all of the running around you do on your own, Wintersong, I would think you'd have no problem taking a rest," Primal looked at her up on the bridge. His tone had been firm until he took a breath and added, "You and Rattrap will be rotating shifts between occupying the bridge and the drill."

Er.. Sir. When I was out there, I noticed something strange. My tactical visor detected a heat signature in the air after an additional two shots were fired when Tigatron was removed.

Optimus turned back to Icebreaker and folded his arms across his chest. "You mean when you irrationally and foolishly exited our only means of safety and entered a highly dangerous situation without knowing who or what we're up against? We don't know what that being is capable of, Icebreaker! You're lucky it didn't attack you as well," he interrtupted the penguin. Primus, he could have been terminated.

The signature seemed like a trail of heat from thrusters used by fliers like yourself and Terrorsaur, but I couldn't get a energy signature, it then flew off into the forest rather quickly. I'm not sure how useful that information is.. at first I thought maybe my scanner was broken, but I believe I should bring it up anyway.

Lowering his arms, the Maximal leader sighed and nodded. "If it has the ability of flight, that would make sense why Tigatron looked up at the shot," Optimus commented, and why it was quick between locations. So it could fly. It was cloaked. It was probably the only one like it out there. And it had heavy firepower.

"Aye, sir," "I'll go ahead and prepare the drilling machine for Rattrap to operate."

"And, Orcariner? Let's see if your echo location sonar can help us find our invisible 'friend' out there," Primal suggested. "The Nomad's radar may not be able to detect its energy signature, but perhaps your scanners may have a different effect. It couldn't hurt to try."

Tigatron remained on the table, sitting up in his beast mode but keeping weight off his wounded front leg. He watched the others carry on, concerned about their mission to mine the energon despite the creature being everywhere and no where. But like the rest, he had faith in their leader and would assist them as soon as he was able to.

-----

"You may have fooled every one here, Phantom. But you haven't fooled me, I may not be able to see you with my opitcs, but I can see you with my echo's."

One thing the Vok was learning was how Predacons gloated too much. So, that was how the little bot discovered his location. He wondered how he could disrupt that sonar of his. Well, all in due time. If he wanted to pick a fight with him, then it was picked. Reverting back to his robot mode, identical to Optimus Primal's, he stood up straight on the rock and watched the bat flutter about above him.

"Are you nothing but a coward? You seem to be one to me, seeing how you attacked these bots while cloaked. So it your not a coward show yourself and fight like a real mech!"

The invisible bot smirked. He was not that foolish. Besides, a coward or not, he didn't care. He wasn't there for honor or dignity. He was there to wreak havoc, acquire results, and perhaps some destruction to these Cybertronians who were interfering with the Voks' project. His cloaking was his biggest advantage and he was going to have fun with it. Out of the corner of his optic, he noticed Scorponok exiting the Predacons' transport. He was trained to mind his surroundings. While the scorpion seemed no threat to him at the moment, he proceeded with his plan. Unsheathing one of his swords, he ignited his prime jets and blasted off directly at Sonar, prepared to slice off one of his wings in one quick swipe.

Wintersong looked back out of the corner of her eye, for a moment silent and thinking, organizing her thoughts before she sighed. Primal was the commander of this crew and he at least deserved an explanation. Standing she came near the ladder kneeling on one knee, for a moment listening as Optimus seemed scold Icebreaker on his rash behavior. "Can't blame him Primal, he was doing what any of us would likely have done, even you." She pointed out, flicking her tail. "And if you must know I only go off on my own to keep out of the business of your crew. Honestly I wasn't even suppose to be on this little exploration, just did something stupid and now stuck on this planet. Though if ever need to assist in future missions I am normally roaming the jungle." She said before standing and returning to her post.

For now she saw that as a good brief explanation of her actions and choice. If Optimus wanted to know more another time would have to wait.

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Snow Trix merely nodded and went back to monitoring the radar again, watching what seemed like Sonar still acting on his own. "Seems our batty friend might have found something...or someone." She remarked.

Feralnight looked at Cheetor with a nod, "Ready when you are." She said then moves towards the door again, ready to leave.

"SSSSSOOOOOONNNNNAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sonar smirked as he heard the second in command scream his name.

Baby sister's here. I can make up an excuse later. He thought.

His ears twitched when he heard the sound of thrusters igniting, he turned but didn't see anything, which meant...

"Sonar, terrorize!" He commanded.

The roar of the thrusters became louder. Thinking quickly he moved out of the way, when a sudden gust of hot air went by, he growled in pain as some thing sharp sliced his right shoulder. The weapon what ever it was, missed his right wing by mere inches.

"So, you chose to remained cloaked. Very well." He closed his eyes.

In doing so, he sent out a continuous waves of sound in all directions. He smirked as he spotted his attacker, he still found it slightly unnerving that the phantom looked just like Optimus in Beast mode and in robot mode.

(( OOC: Wow. Quiet today on the board. I'll take advantage of it and post on my birthday. Go me! ))

"Can't blame him Primal, he was doing what any of us would likely have done, even you."

Optimus turned his head back up to the tigress on the bridge. "It's one thing for me to pull such a dangerous maneuver as I am Commander of this crew. It's another for Icebreaker or anyone else to do so and be out of line. Each and every one of you is my responsibility. It's my duty to pass judgement on uncertain and difficult situations and give the orders as I see fit. I am always opened to suggestions from the crew. However, the stunt Icebreaker pulled was careless and irrational. It's irrelevant as to who would have done the same thing in his situation. If he had discussed it with me first, I'd have disagreed and ordered him to stand down because we didn't have all of the information we could have gathered to make a better decision and avoid anymore injuries. I will not give an order I would not be willing to do myself, and that was one of them." If Optimus had had it his way, he'd have gone after Tigatron and exposed himself to the unknown being out there, keeping Icebreaker at the Nomad. He wouldn't want anyone else to deal with it when he was the Maximal leader and it was his job to confront such occurances and to put his life on the line in order to protect and ensure the safety of his crew. That's the way it was. That's why everyone had a function and everyone was supposed to follow orders.

"And if you must know I only go off on my own to keep out of the business of your crew. Honestly I wasn't even suppose to be on this little exploration, just did something stupid and now stuck on this planet. Though if ever need to assist in future missions I am normally roaming the jungle."

"As far as I'm concerned, Wintersong, you've been a part of this crew ever since you showed yourself. You're a Maximal, you were a stowaway on the Axalon, and that puts you under my leadership," explained Primal in a firm voice again. "And since you're stranded on this planet with the rest of us, I suggest that you come around more often to assist us. You have never been in the way, but every time you walk off on your own, you're putting yourself in danger as well as those who will have to come to your rescue. You never report to me and you never let me know your whereabouts. What am I to do if something happened to you? From now on, you participate in this crew with everyone else," Optimus ordered. Enough was enough. Things were only gradually getting worse on this planet and it was his job to know where his crew members were at all times. There was no time and no room for "loners." Mistakes had dramatic consequences here. "Please, keep an eye on the radar and monitors," he finished.

-----

"So, you chose to remained cloaked. Very well."

The invisible Vok had flown upward past Sonar, a little disappointed that he had missed his wing in miscalculation, but he was close; he caused some damage anyway. Stopping and hovering in mid air, turning to face downward on the Predacon, he simply waited to see if Sonar would engage him instead this time since he claimed he could find him so easily. After all, he had all the time in the world, especially since his race basically controlled when Doomsday could happen. Spinning the sword in his hand, feeling its balance and weight, he knew the bat would have to revert back to his beast mode once those energon fields started surging through his body. That was another advantage the Primal look-alike had; endless exposure to raw energon. Come and play, the Vok thought. Let's see how quick you are to follow that sonar of yours.

"Great," Cheetor responded. "Let's go." Then he went through the door.

He was reveling in the prospect of being out in the field, but he also wanted to get away from the inside of the Nomad as quickly as possible- there was an air of tension building in there. The dirt felt refreshing as soon as he hit it.

It wasn't that he disagreed with Primal. When Icebreaker first went out, he had been glad someone was going to help Tigatron and Feralnight, and he was grateful that those two had come back by Icebreaker's assistance. But what Optimus said was right. The situation could have turned out much worse than it did.

Still, hearing his leader lecture the 'bots inside was an uncomfortable thing to overhear.

Wow. Quiet today on the board. I'll take advantage of it and post on my birthday. Go me!

((OOC: Happy birthday OOP!!))

Sonar smiled before reinforcing his wrists, so he could be able to block slashing weapons. He knew that he only had a matter of time before he had to revert back into beast mode, thus making him vulnerable to attack.

You want to fight, then lets fight. He thought.

He let out a roar like battle cry before attacking the phantom using his claws. He was also going to use his hand to hand combat moves and if it came down to he would bite him, unlike that cursed feline he was unable to drink blood, instead he would tare a good chunk of armor off his target if he could.

((OOC: Just for laughs here's what Sonar battle cry would sound like if he was real and facing a Predator. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCG_ETMZvyg XD ))

"Very well Primal. And I will report when I can if there isn't much energon interference in the area which unfortunately is a problem in a lot of place." Wintersong said with a sigh. Alright maybe she had a bit off on her own and keeping away, not wanting to be a bother to the exploration crew yet she couldn't deny Optimus had a point. He was the commander and a respectable one. Ears going back she shook her head, knowing she had been acting foolish. "My apologies Optimus Primal for acting alone. I will try not to do so often." She said but still watched the monitors.

"Hm?" Leaning forward she frowned, "I think one of the Preds found something. Bat boy seems on the offensive." She said watching the monitors and observing Sonar seemed ready to fight.

Icebreaker turned his head listening to Primal speak up, obviously he was right about most of what he said, however the Penguin did disagree with some of it. Not to stand out of line.. but if I didn't go out there, when Feralnight turned her back on Terrorsaur she would of ended up worse then Tigatron. I may be hotheaded but,I know the risk going out there, just like running into a fire.
And I may not be a commander, but the commander is the most important to our group. You don't need to always sacrifice yourself, because one day when you do the people that need you most will be lost without you. It already happened once before..

Icebreaker then transformed to his beast mode, raising an large yellow eyebrow hearing Wintersong talk about Sonar attacking the enemy. Well..that bat has the best chance out of any of us I guess.

(Oh, Orcariner you may want to change the weight limit unless that drill is specialized designed to work with Rattrap. Optimus Primal, Rhinox,Icebreaker, and Dinobot easily triple the weight limit of that thing. Cheetor nearly doubles. Most the maximals seem to be bigger then the majority of the Predacons other then the canon ones..though probably because most of the Predacons are academic types.. )

((OOC: I went ahead and changed it to 1000. It's a compact, easy-to-store machine designed for smaller Maximals so I was trying to estimate how much weight you can put on one end without having it fall over. We'll just assume that the rear wheels are larger and more capable of supporting the weight. I don't think I mentioned it before, but here's an important note about the drilling machine. It does not have any dampers whatsoever, so the rider may have to operate it in beast mode. It shouldn't be a problem for Rattrap, but I just wanted to clarify this so that there's no confusion later.))

"Alright," said Orcariner, "She's all finished. We should probably head out while our scouts are able to provide cover for us."

Opening the massive doors to the hanger, Orcariner stepped outside and felt a slight pressure from the high population of energon.

"Beast mode!"

Transforming back into his killer whale form, Orcariner ignited his hover pads and proceeded to lead the way towards the field.