The Intergalactic Highway

"Hm, I wouldn't say my skill is top notch sir, just enough that I can make a bot functional. I've come to learn that there are times it pays to be a medic, and other times a warrior." Spineback responded, her optics briefly flashing to where Megatron glared towards Cecaelia, guessing this was the other femme who had failed in her attempts against the Maximals. From the way she hid Spineback felt like this femme was hardly much for being on the battle field or definitely was one of the most timid of Predacons she had seen a long time. Still she probably couldn't blame the aquatic female, Megatron was quite intimidating to begin with after all.

Though for the next few minutes she listened as Megatron actually took the time to give an answer to her inquiry, raising her optic ridges upon hearing the events of a transwarp wave and what the results were. The former Decepticon had to admit she admired the forms the Transmetals had and faintly entertained the thought of probably nearly being one herself if this transwarp wave had affect her pod. It'd have been quite an interesting outlook perhaps, maybe having her old form included into her new beast form when she awoke but she didn't dwell upon this for too long as she focused upon her task at hand. "Well with sheer numbers either side could win, but I'd also say power could come into play as well my Lord, mean after all that has always been what the Decepticons were for. I've wondered the same for Predacons." She commented as she was also pondering upon what this alien device had been.

"This alien device, what exactly was it aiming for?" Spineback asked next, having finished connecting some wires and relays, double checking once she was done that they were connected properly as she also had to bend some of the blades of the turbines back into proper shape or carefully pick out some that likely could cause a jamming should Megatron fly. After a bit more time she finally did what she could for his flight mechanism but no doubt he'd require time in the CR tank to repair everything. "And that should get you good to go for flying Megatron, it's not perfect but some time in the CR tank should get you back in top shape."She added.

((Sorry for the wait Darkspark, I'm busy with this final semester and was too tired yesterday to post. Hope this is alright for now and should I go on ahead for Worpex or wait a bit longer? I know he might be busy so just kinda asking first.))

DarkSpark wrote:"Something on your mind?"

Blackarachnia jumped abit when Tarantulas interrupted her. Arachnitron just entered, standing beside him like a bouncing puppy. Great. She actually didn't plan on what to do with Arachnitron. She needed to get Tarantulas alone.

"Me?" She pointed to herself, feigning surprise, "Whatever do you mean?"

Her optics wandered around. She was still too far to grab anything to hit Tarantulas or Arachnitron with. Any sudden movements can trigger Arachnitron to get defensive, protecting the desire in her spark. She had to admit. There was a dark attractiveness to the gruesome spider. Something that sent chills down the spine. Dangerous. Poisonous. Ooooooo! There was a thrill to the chase. Too bad. Her hatred ran too deep for any of those feelings to resurface again and one of those cycles, Arachnitron was going to feel the same thing.

IF she was clever enough to realize.

There was a hallway behind her. It could be a good escape route when the chase begins, "Why don't you and you little partner go scheme with the fuzor and leave this black widow alone. You know better than anyone, Tarantulas. You don't mess with black widows. We are more venomous than taranutlas. " She stole a glance at Arachnitron, watching her move, "Now, shoo, I got more important things to do less crazy than turning against Megatron."

Wintersong wrote:"Hm, I wouldn't say my skill is top notch sir, just enough that I can make a bot functional. I've come to learn that there are times it pays to be a medic, and other times a warrior." Spineback responded, her optics briefly flashing to where Megatron glared towards Cecaelia, guessing this was the other femme who had failed in her attempts against the Maximals. From the way she hid Spineback felt like this femme was hardly much for being on the battle field or definitely was one of the most timid of Predacons she had seen a long time. Still she probably couldn't blame the aquatic female, Megatron was quite intimidating to begin with after all.

Though for the next few minutes she listened as Megatron actually took the time to give an answer to her inquiry, raising her optic ridges upon hearing the events of a transwarp wave and what the results were. The former Decepticon had to admit she admired the forms the Transmetals had and faintly entertained the thought of probably nearly being one herself if this transwarp wave had affect her pod. It'd have been quite an interesting outlook perhaps, maybe having her old form included into her new beast form when she awoke but she didn't dwell upon this for too long as she focused upon her task at hand. "Well with sheer numbers either side could win, but I'd also say power could come into play as well my Lord, mean after all that has always been what the Decepticons were for. I've wondered the same for Predacons." She commented as she was also pondering upon what this alien device had been.

"This alien device, what exactly was it aiming for?" Spineback asked next, having finished connecting some wires and relays, double checking once she was done that they were connected properly as she also had to bend some of the blades of the turbines back into proper shape or carefully pick out some that likely could cause a jamming should Megatron fly. After a bit more time she finally did what she could for his flight mechanism but no doubt he'd require time in the CR tank to repair everything. "And that should get you good to go for flying Megatron, it's not perfect but some time in the CR tank should get you back in top shape."She added.

((Sorry for the wait Darkspark, I'm busy with this final semester and was too tired yesterday to post. Hope this is alright for now and should I go on ahead for Worpex or wait a bit longer? I know he might be busy so just kinda asking first.))

"Hopefully both sides of your skill set will come in handy in the battles to come, Doctor" Megatron replied, then added "The weapon's target? Why us of course. Or rather the device would have destroyed us by igniting the planet's natural energon deposits. The aliens had plans for this world and our presence here disrupted said plans, so they attempted to hit the reset button on their grand experiment, and failed miserably thanks to the countermeasures I put into play, my only regret is that Primal and a certain eight legged troublemaker survived said countermeasures as well. No matter, all who defy me and the future glory of the predacons shall pay their dues sooner or later. What's important to know is that the resulting transwarp wave brought on by the weapon's destruction transmetalized many of us as well as converted all natural energon into stable energon cubes, as far as we know, so you need not fear energon field buildup."


Pleased to hear his repairs were complete, Megatron switched back to beast mode with a bellow and said "Then let us return to base, any further questions can be answered there. Caecelia! Make yourself useful and give Spineback a ride back to base with your vehicular form, since that appears to be your only use these days"

With that, Megatron took to the skies and flew in the direction of the predacon base, Terrorsaur falling in beside him without a word, keeping a respectful distance, merely eager to be returning home already.

Una wrote: Blackarachnia jumped abit when Tarantulas interrupted her. Arachnitron just entered, standing beside him like a bouncing puppy. Great. She actually didn't plan on what to do with Arachnitron. She needed to get Tarantulas alone.

"Me?" She pointed to herself, feigning surprise, "Whatever do you mean?"

Her optics wandered around. She was still too far to grab anything to hit Tarantulas or Arachnitron with. Any sudden movements can trigger Arachnitron to get defensive, protecting the desire in her spark. She had to admit. There was a dark attractiveness to the gruesome spider. Something that sent chills down the spine. Dangerous. Poisonous. Ooooooo! There was a thrill to the chase. Too bad. Her hatred ran too deep for any of those feelings to resurface again and one of those cycles, Arachnitron was going to feel the same thing.

IF she was clever enough to realize.

There was a hallway behind her. It could be a good escape route when the chase begins, "Why don't you and you little partner go scheme with the fuzor and leave this black widow alone. You know better than anyone, Tarantulas. You don't mess with black widows. We are more venomous than taranutlas. " She stole a glance at Arachnitron, watching her move, "Now, shoo, I got more important things to do less crazy than turning against Megatron."

Tarantulas shook his head in annoyance and amusement all at once, would she never learn her lesson? She belonged to him now, he won, she lost, he was literally inside her head and nothing would change that, her dreams of power were as hopeless as Terrorsaur's at this point.

"Normal tarantulas don't have the benefit of transmetal cybervenom and telepathy, little widow. Don't play coy with me, I'll scan your mind for the answers if I have..." Tarantulas began to say, raising a hand to his forehead as he concentrated on invading her mind, pushing past her usual deluded thoughts of unfounded grandeur & treacherous daydreams...Only for a mechanical beep signifying "access denied" resounding as he found himself unable to penetrate the tiniest of corners in Blackarachnia's otherwise open book of a mind...Something which should not be possible.

"Remarkable! A section of your circuits have been blocked to me" Tarantulas exclaimed, his attempts to probe his slave's mind causing her immense pain, which he of course was blind to, caring only for this unexpected and unwelcome development which could only mean one thing...She was hiding something from him...HIM, her master, her maker!

What could possibly be so important that she'd go to such lengths to hide? A plan to sever their psychic link? Impossible. A deal with Quickstrike to assassinate him? Feasible. Or...The datatracks...Of course! He knew she had to have been lying about their destruction, she simply had to be! Only one way to find out of course.

"Open your mind to me witch, open it! NOW" Tarantulas snapped, advancing on her like a warlock commanding obedience from a familiar he'd conjured, looming over her menacingly, his shadow stretching out behind him in a demonic silhouette.

He pounded her psyche with constant barrages of pain, like a battering ram breaking down a castle drawbridge, brutal, shearing, unrelenting pain. She would obey, she would give way, her defenses would shatter and whatever secrets she hid would soon be his, even if he had to break her mind to extract the information from her drooling, witless shell.

"Rattrap, lead your team back to Base for repairs. Silverbolt, you're with me." With that said, as short as it was and in a firm tone, Primal leaped into the air and reverted to his vehicle mode, hovering above the ground a moment before blasting off.

"Guess he's in a grumpy ape mood," said Rattrap when their leader was out of ear-shot. "Good luck, Prince Charming," he teased Silverbolt, still annoyed by his behavior from earlier.

Silverbolt transformed into beast mode and took flight. A few feet off the ground, he turned his head back towards Rattrap. "Safe travels, my friend," he said as he gave an informal one paw salute. He circled in the air above the group once to gain airspeed and altitude and headed off on the course set by his leader.

((Sorry about that Wintersong, I took a break for a bit. Didn't think anyone was going to be interacting with my characters for awhile. Apparently I missed a lot! I'm shocked that Aerostriker was killed already... I liked him. ))

"Then allow me to help you there Airazor, I didn't take much damage in that fight."

Airazor nodded in approval and climbed onto wintersong's back. "I appreciate the generosity." She spoke as she slid her feathery body onto the tigers soft fur. It would be a long ride home, but at least she had company for the journey and it would be relaxing. It wasn't often that she explored nature from the ground. Perhaps she would see the world differently from below as opposed to above.

((No worries Worpex, I mostly figured you might be busy. ))

Waiting patiently as Airazor climbed onto her back Wintersong merely smiled, "No problem, 'Razor, least I could do." She said before she glanced towards Rattrap watching as he tested his vehicle mode before following after him on foot, going into a slight trot to easily keep pace with him. But with seeing his condition she almost wondered if the rat would be able to make it back without falling to pieces, "Well if you can't make it back guess I'll just carry both of you." The tigress teased towards the rat, which was by far different compared to their earlier talks where she hadn't exactly gotten along with Rattrap. In fact, she recalled she once was like Ironclaw at one point of not listening and rushing into things head on, which she had long since been trying to change for the better.

She briefly glanced back towards the badger, wondering if one day Ironclaw might come to trust the Maximals as she had done since it felt like deja vu in sense with the way he was acting now. Thinking for now the transmetal tigress looked forward once more, following after the rat while keeping a close eye on him as well on their way back to base.

((I also want to mention I may be throwing another unfortunate event for the Maximals in one of the coming episodes. ))

DarkSpark wrote:"Normal tarantulas don't have the benefit of transmetal cybervenom and telepathy, little widow. Don't play coy with me, I'll scan your mind for the answers if I have..."

She rolled her optics. Like that was going to sa-AAAAAAAAAH! The link! She felt his mind, searching through her processor. Many of the firewalls she had placed were broken except one.

"Remarkable! A section of your circuits have been blocked to me"

"I don't know what you are talking about," her body spasmed with each word. Her optics flashing green to black again and again. Tararntulas was desperately trying to get inside. To get that piece of information she held close to. Her body moved farther back as a way t get away from him and the pain. Although, that was useless, but despite the pain, she was getting closer to cart that still held equipment.

"Open your mind to me witch, open it! NOW"

He was digging inside her mind harder like a person locked from the outside, hitting against the blast doors with his pinchers and feet. Her mind felt like it was going to explode. He would never get in. He would never get in. The headache that formed made it diffcult to think. Her body staggered agaiinst the cart.

She let out a yell of pain as she threw a pipe right at Tarantulas.

She transformed and ran. Ran like the pit.

The shiny blue and silver gorilla turned his head at Silverbolt for a moment when the Fuzor caught up to him in the air before looking forward again, ever diligent on the search for any hostiles. "Silverbolt, you do understand the chain of command, correct?" Primal asked him in a rhetorical tone and continued before he could comment. "You don't infiltrate a situation unless your leading officer tells you to. If there was a strategy for a surprise attack, or if some teammates are told to hang back on purpose before engaging with the rest, then you don't risk rushing into a situation and immediately outnumbering yourself. It puts your life and your teammates' lives in danger. You have to understand that Megatron will do anything to defeat us and he will order his crew to do the same." Fortunately, some Predacons had shown mercy in the past, but some others were trigger-happy and eager to carry out an order to murder.

There was a wind. An east wind blowing. Her head turned back. Her spark churned.

Optimus fell silent when he could feel something worrisome from Whitegrazer. Something had happened somewhere but he didn't know who or what. If she knew, she wasn't allowing him to find out. All of the faces of those who were on other missions raced through his mind with concern. He couldn't lose another Maximal but hopefully that wasn't the case. The leader grew eager to get back to the Axalon but he continued his flight speed with Silverbolt beside him. They would be within radio range soon.

-----

"Maximal base to Orcariner, status report," "All I'm getting is static."

Rhinox mumbled incoherently under his breath, not toward Saber-Fang but toward the trending lack of communication lately and the teams that had been unreachable. There was probably nothing else they could do but wait for Orcariner's team to report in when they could. Just when he was about to question why Dinobot, Feralnight ((just throwing her name in here so she isn't forgotten)) and Aerostriker hadn't returned yet, the velociraptor showed up. The engineer observed him for a few moments since he was unusually quiet while Onyx spoke.

"No thank you, I'm quite alright standing."

The robust Maximal nodded and listened...

"Well I'll admit, like most Predacons back on Cybertron I didn't exactly start out in a peaceful manner to try and get ourselves to be on equal terms to the Maximals back home. I was in quite a few campaigns of destroying parts of cities or destroying buildings and property with renegade groups of Predacons now and again, although my career really started back in the Predacon Military Forces for a long time in my function." "I'll admit, trying more peaceful tactics was only recent before I caught wind of what Megatron had done of stealing the Golden Disc artifact. So before the Axalon's departure I volunteered to become a protoform again in some hopes maybe I'd see this group and that hope came true. But as I said, not quite what I was hoping for now."

Rhinox appreciated Onyx's honesty with his background, and watched him trace the scars across his face. He was a prime example of what Optimus had been trying to help others understand. Being a Maximal or a Predacon didn't define you. Everyone was their own person. Some Maximals had bad intentions and some Predacons had good intentions. The reason why what allegiance a bot belonged to mattered in this war was because of gaining numbers in order to defeat or survive against the opposing side. Onyx disagreed with Megatron's methods and ambitions, so he sought for a better avenue in this war just to survive and get home, and that was all right with Rhinox. The significant downside to this betrayal was that, like Dinobot, Frilla and Silverbolt, Onyx would be targeted for termination as an example of what not-to-do if you're a Predacon under Megatron's command. Which meant that just about every Maximal would have to support him and watch his back like they had done so with the others. It wasn't a burden, it was simply being a team and helping one another through this chaotic mess that Megatron had thrown them all into.

"You are aware that Megatron will not take your betrayal lightly," said the rhinoceros, reluctantly but it was the reality of the situation. "You'll be a primary target both in and out of the battlefield. However, we will be willing to defend you just as we have for others who have left his ranks for the same reason you have." Assuming, of course, Optimus was going to accept the stallion's enrollment.

Unit Aerostriker, destroyed.

Just then, the Axalon's computer chimed in... and it was not the news anyone of them were expecting. An exasperated, "What...?" escaped Rhinox's mouth with deep disbelief, his face torn with shock.

"RAWR!!!"

Rhinox almost jumped at Dinobot's sudden outburst as his fist slammed onto the table after being so silent.

"He should have let me provide cover fire as was my function!"

"Dinobot, wait!" the science engineer called after him but the raptor refused to stop as he angrily left the bridge. How could this have happened? Wasn't Aerostriker with someone else? Why and how did they get split up before returning? Rhinox's large hand covered the lower part of his face for a moment with sorrow and thoughtfulness. Another Maximal lost... He could not predict Primal's reaction on this once he would find out. Even Rhinox was having a difficult time absorbing the news. His red optics shifted from Saber to Onyx as if he was expecting an explanation from the recently Predacon-turned-Maximal because he was part of the battle that Aerostriker had participated in. "What happened in that battle? Who was involved?" he asked him. He wasn't pointing fingers yet, but if he knew anything, then he had better step forward with the information. As much as he wanted to confront Dinobot about it, he couldn't leave Onyx there alone with Saber-Fang simply because of her unpredictable "condition", and Silverstreak and Cheetor were in the CR's, so he reached out to his next best option.

-----

"Safe travels, my friend,"

"Eh," Rattrap muttered at the birddog's salute and words. "He doesn't recognize sarcasm, does he?" he asked no one in particular.

"I appreciate the generosity."

"No problem, 'Razor, least I could do."

With Airazor getting a lift from Wintersong, the rat continued to roll along on his wheels, his senses constantly on alert even though it appeared they were in the clear from any ambushes during their journey back to the base.

"Well if you can't make it back guess I'll just carry both of you."

"I'm fine," Rattrap told the TransMetal tigress. "Just gotta few things loose an' some sore joints," no thanks ta Inferno and partly 'cause of Ironclaw, he added in thought. His tail casually swayed back and forth behind him as they moved along.

Umbra wrote: So that was you I noticed in the sky.. You were high up, but the shine of your chrome gives away your position for miles.. especially to anyone with good optics.. As for mercy.. I suppose you could say it's an old habit.. it may sound strange, but I don't particularly feel joy for those I'm hired to take down.. but that wont stop me either.. My hands are far too stained to change that.

Nemesis smiled ever so slightly, his words touching upon similar experiences in her own life. So many lives taken, so much carnage and suffering left behind , and still.. she never spoke of it. Death was merely the end of a violent existence, an escape from the suffering this raging war had thrust upon them. And speaking of her own violent past would accomplish nothing.

Umbra wrote: Oh, I suppose I could mention this to you.. Onyx just turned traitor during the battle, he managed to get away in the smoke screen this fellow produced in the swamp. Lord Megatron has put a hit on both their heads..

The black and red winged female let her gaze fall upon the mangled remnants of the brightly colored Maximal at their feet, giving a brief nod of recognition as she realized how the now deceased male had come to sustain such severe injuries. Sounded like the other team had run into some trouble and judging by the fact Megatron had gone to the step of putting a hit out on this particular Maximal, she could only assume that the damage she was looking at came from a battle with the Predacon leader himself.

Onyx was another matter altogether. Albeit she was not surprised by this turn of events, given the stallion's previous tendencies to shy away from the Predacon lifestyle. Well.. he was hardly the first Predacon to turn traitor. Previously Frilla and Dinobot had done the same and oddly enough Megatron had not bothered putting hits out on them specifically. Then again.. The unexpected return of Optimus had forced Megatron to up his game.

She opened her mouth as if to reply but the cephalopod still had more to say, this latest bit of information truly catching her attention.

Umbra wrote: Lord Megatron is now recovering at the hands of our new recruit.. I believe her name is Spineback, she seems to be of.. a later generation, much like yourself..

Tilting her head, Nemesis' red optics immediately settled back on Umbra.

"A Decepticon..," she mused. It wasn't often that someone of her own heritage showed up, much less revealing themselves as one. Decepticons tended to be scoffed at, to be looked down on, and most of them had either gone into hiding or had been reprogrammed as Predacons. Nemesis herself had never undergone such reprogramming even if her body resembled that of her Predacon cohorts now.

"Well.. I thank you for that bit of information, Umbra, it is most enlightening."

She started walking off, kicking the deformed remains of Aerostriker as she did.

After getting a few paces away, she turned to look at the cephalopod again.

"Unless you plan to remain when the horde of Maximals arrive to investigate, I suggest you get out of sight."

Nemesis wrote:"Well.. I thank you for that bit of information, Umbra, it is most enlightening." "Unless you plan to remain when the horde of Maximals arrive to investigate, I suggest you get out of sight."

Umbra simply smirked as his Camouflage shifted, matching the environment. I thank you for your concern ma'am, I'll be heading back now for repairs now. He gave a respectful bow, then transformed to his octopus mode, his suction cups clinging to Aerostriker and Stag's corpse as he took on his flatfish shape, then released a jet of air, floating swiftly over the sand, giving the appearance of as if the land itself was moving from shadow to shadow from the large rock formations.

As Umbra headed back towards the Predacon base, he took in the terrain of the Maximal environment. Looking for spots suited for hiding, taking watch, or setting up traps as a backup plan in case the operation had failed. He was far from arrogant as his employer's men might be, specially after being shot in the back by a small child. A Ninja had to be prepared for every circumstance, or fall in vain.

He then thought of the new recruit. With Steelclaw gone in field survival training, Umbra didn't really know any reliable gunsmiths, and his interactions with the engineers of the Predacons hadn't been as close as he'd like. Tarantulas was always busy or away in his own schemes,as had Blackarachnia, and Sonar had not even been to the Predacon base since before the transwarp explosion. If it wasn't for Starshadow's mutterings in her sleep while passing her room one night, the Cyber Ninja would of surely thought him dead. Perhaps Spineback would be of use to him.. if not for gunsmithing, at least he could attempt bartering of her technical skills.

((OOC: Wow, how many of your OC's do you plan to kill off, Naitokage?))

Giving a small huff, Saber sat down next to the communications console and half listened to what Onyx was saying.

"You are aware that Megatron will not take your betrayal lightly."

No kidding, that psycho can hold a grudge. Saber thought.

She stopped herself from saying anything unsettling as Rhinox explained that the Maximals would be willing to protect him from Megatron's wrath.

Unit Aerostriker destroyed

"What...?"

Saber was just as surprised by this unexpected development as Rhinox was. Aerostriker hadn't been with the Maximals that long and now he was dead.

Like Rhinox, she had forgotten that Dinobot was in the room until he through his infamous hissy fit, even if it was justifiable.

She noticed the glance Rhinox gave her shortly after Dinobot stormed off and she could tell that the engineer wanted to run after the Raptor.

And it begins. He doesn't trust me enough to be left alone with him. She told herself before crossing her arms as she quietly sighed.

Inferno walked back to the Darksyde anxiously awaiting the response to his report of the mission. Finally, his comm link crackled with a reply.

"Excellent work Subcommander, you've served me well, I look forward to meeting our new recruit back at base.”

Megatron clicked off the comm. For a split second, Inferno thought he was in the clear, but then his voice came back on to continue his transmission. Slag!

“Subcommander, you say the maximals returned to their own base gravely injured...I trust that means you defeated them, correct?"

Inferno lowered his head in shame as he entered the Predacon base. Time to face the music. He clicked his comm link on to reply to his commander. He knew lying would be unforgivable so he ventured at the truth throwing the new recruit under the proverbial bus in the process.

“Um.....well.....the new recruit fled and left us without proper backup. Once Primal showed up, I had no choice but to order a retreat. We were outnumbered without the new Predacon to back us up. Should I speak to him about retreating when he was expected to hold his ground?”

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Arachnitron watched Blackarachnia hoping to uphold her silent vow to herself of being more aware of the other widow's actions and not letting her surprise Tarantulas by sneaking away again. She noticed her optics dart in search of an escape. She knew Tarantulas would want her to be aware of all of the possible exits and keep Blackarachnia from running off so she followed Blackarachnia's gaze. Arachnitron took a step or two closer to the hallway that Blackarachnia so obviously noticed.

"Why don't you and your little partner go scheme with the fuzor and leave this black widow alone. You know better than anyone, Tarantulas. You don't mess with black widows. We are more venomous than taranutlas. " She stole a glance at Arachnitron, watching her move, "Now, shoo, I got more important things to do less crazy than turning against Megatron."

Tarantulas was as defiant as ever in his reply.

"Normal tarantulas don't have the benefit of transmetal cybervenom and telepathy, little widow. Don't play coy with me, I'll scan your mind for the answers if I have..." Tarantulas began to say, raising a hand to his forehead as he concentrated on invading her mind, pushing past her usual deluded thoughts of unfounded grandeur & treacherous daydreams...Only for a mechanical beep signifying "access denied" resounding as he found himself unable to penetrate the tiniest of corners in Blackarachnia's otherwise open book of a mind...Something which should not be possible.

"Remarkable! A section of your circuits have been blocked to me" Tarantulas exclaimed, his attempts to probe his slave's mind causing her immense pain, which he of course was blind to, caring only for this unexpected and unwelcome development which could only mean one thing...She was hiding something from him...HIM, her master, her maker!

Arachnitron could see the shock on Tarantulas' face and shared his sentiment. Blackarachnia really had the audacity to close off a portion of her mind to Tarantulas?! Could there have been a copy of the golden disks on Megatron's computer as Tarantulas had suspected? It was reported that the datatracks were destroyed after Dinobot stole the disks from the Darksyde. Perhaps Blackarachnia had found them? Or could she be hiding something else? Some other dark plan...maybe one to take down Tarantulas? Arachnitron knew how much the two spiders hated one another.

"Open your mind to me witch, open it! NOW"

Arachnitron snapped her head in Tarantulas' direction at his sudden outburst. Things were about to fall apart. She watched him strain to probe the other widow's mind for answers. She watched the other widow buckle with the agony of the psychic link. She couldn't help, but feel uncomfortable watching this exchange. She knew this kind of pain and these screams of agony so well. She wanted to pull her gaze from the other spiders, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She wanted it to stop....but she wasn't sure how to do that so she tried to talk to Blackarachnia just as she had when Arachnitron threatened to blow up the Maximal base with her explosives which was a better alternative than jail time in a Maximal holding cell.

“Blackarachnia,” she began calmly. “You know it's better for all us if you just do as Tarantulas says. Give him the information he wants. It will be so much less painful if you do.”

Arachnitron didn't want Blackarachnia to see her as a threat, but she had to know it'd be so much easier for herself if she just removed the mental blockade.

Suddenly, Blackarachnia stumbled backwards over one of the equipment carts, grabbed a pipe and threw it at Tarantulas. Then, she transformed and ran off in beast mode.

Knowing a pipe wouldn't do much damage to the now-transmetal Tarantulas, Arachnitron also transformed into beast mode and flung herself at Blackarachnia to try to catch her before she got too far away.

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

“Dinobot, wait!!!”

Dinobot heard the rhinoceros calling to him from the bridge and did stop, but just out of view of the green giant. Rhinox didn't pursue the raptor, though. Perhaps to give Dinobot some space.....perhaps for other reasons.....

"What happened in that battle? Who was involved?"

Dinobot heard the question and wanted to answer, but he just didn't have the words to do so. He stood in the hallway for a minute waiting for the others to explain what had happened. He didn't really know, himself, what had happened. As far as he knew, Aerostriker had been with the others. And what had created that mist that hid the others from his view? Dinobot hadn't been able to see what Aerostriker had done to create the mist, but the mist had separated everyone. Dinobot was deeply disturbed that he had allowed himself to lose track of his allies and he felt wholly responsible for Aerostriker's death.

OOC: I don't think I missed anyone this time, but do correct me if I did lol. After this last communication with Inferno, I was thinking Team Megs & Team Inferno could all finally be back at base, except for Umbra of course since he's on the hunt lol. I wanna do the scene where Megs calls Tarantulas while in the tub only to find out they're ignoring his hails XD

Blackrose wrote: Inferno lowered his head in shame as he entered the Predacon base. Time to face the music. He clicked his comm link on to reply to his commander. He knew lying would be unforgivable so he ventured at the truth throwing the new recruit under the proverbial bus in the process.

“Um.....well.....the new recruit fled and left us without proper backup. Once Primal showed up, I had no choice but to order a retreat. We were outnumbered without the new Predacon to back us up. Should I speak to him about retreating when he was expected to hold his ground?”

"SLAG!!!" Megatron roared over the comlink, his foul mood returning, unsure if he was more angered by the prospect of Inferno's team failing to slay even one of Primal's flunkies, or by the revelation that his other new recruit was apparently an unreliable coward.

Growling in agitation, Megatron begrudgingly accepted the situation as it was, a victory, imperfect, but a victory none the less. He had two new soldiers and may have destroyed one of Primal's flyers, and Umbra was on the hunt for the traitor Onyx, who's spark chamber would hopefully decorate a pike outside his base soon enough.

"Discipline the coward accordingly but try to leave him intact, I will want words with him once I've returned. And ready my personal CR Tank as well, I expect it to be prepared by the time I return. Megatron out" the tyrant instructed, deciding he would play good cop/bad cop with the newcomer as he had with Quickstrike and Silverbolt, allowing Inferno to slap the recruit around while he would play the merciful leader...For now, and of course depending on how useful this newcomer was compared to a real find like Spineback.

Una wrote: He was digging inside her mind harder like a person locked from the outside, hitting against the blast doors with his pinchers and feet. Her mind felt like it was going to explode. He would never get in. He would never get in. The headache that formed made it diffcult to think. Her body staggered agaiinst the cart.

She let out a yell of pain as she threw a pipe right at Tarantulas.

She transformed and ran. Ran like the pit.

Caught off guard by the widow's unconventional tactic, Tarantulas lost his balance and fell over on his back, cursing as he hit the cave floor. He sat up in time to watch the she spider scuttle off into the dark like a frightened crab on the beach...She BETTER run.

"You do of course realize, this means WAR" Tarantulas swore, clenching his fist in anger, already pondering a thousand different ways to punish his wayward widow.

Blackrose wrote: Suddenly, Blackarachnia stumbled backwards over one of the equipment carts, grabbed a pipe and threw it at Tarantulas. Then, she transformed and ran off in beast mode.

Knowing a pipe wouldn't do much damage to the now-transmetal Tarantulas, Arachnitron also transformed into beast mode and flung herself at Blackarachnia to try to catch her before she got too far away.

Tarantulas watched as Arachnitron pursued Blackarachnia without any encouragement from him, his one faithful servant knowing what he wanted without being told.

"Capture her! She has information I require, damage her if you must but leave her head intact. We cannot risk losing what she knows" Tarantulas told Arachnitron over his comlink so he wouldn't have to call after her or alert Quickstrike, rising to his feet to stalk after the two fembots, dark, angry thoughts swarming through his mind like a colony of bats.

( I don't really see anything waiting for responses for you to post to either. So yes, feel free to post returning to base if you want Mystrea.

And since it's been awhile, I may as well do the same..)

Transitioning into the badlands of the Predacon Territory, and then volcanic field of the Pred base, Umbra made his way inside with little event. Transforming to robot mode, he glanced around cautiously while carrying Aerostriker's remains towards his quarters, which while some Predacons had their rooms rather decorated, his was empty, for all but the stasis pod he arrived in.

He opened the pod placing the body and Stag inside, moving a few medical tools he had stolen out of the way so they wouldn't get crushed or covered by the body. While most Stasis pods had been stripped down, Umbra hadn't really done anything with his yet, other then disable the magnalocks to keep them from being activated. For whatever reason, he seemed to find it comforting to sleep inside the stasis pod.. a likely effect of his beast mode's programming influencing his own tastes, as Octopus like to sleep in tight spaces, crevasses, or like his own species.. burrow into the sand.

Exiting his quarters, he closed the door behind him. A thin sheet metal, it was pointless to lock.. even the weakest of cybertronian could probably just punch through it.

Making his way through the halls, there was still no sign of life. No one was guarding the base at all, even Tantrum didn't appear to be around who was missing from the mission earlier. With a shrug, he made his way to the CR tanks, climbing into one and transforming to his beast mode, the floor plate lowering as the machine begun the process of repairing his damaged tentacles, which wouldn't be too long since he still had the severed parts.

Prior to landing at the Axalon, Primal transformed to robot mode and then planted his feet on the ground. As the lift lowered for his presence, he stepped on and was lifted up into the bridge where he found Rhinox, Saber-Fang, Dinobot and... Onyx? Well, this was an interesting sight. However, he did not see the new protoform that Cheetor's team had set out to rescue. But judging by their expressions and the mood in the atmosphere, something else was wrong. Something was definitely wrong.

"What's going on?" asked Optimus, stepping off of the platform and settling himself standing between Dinobot and Rhinox where he could face Onyx from across the room.

While relieved to see their leader's return, Rhinox was still trying to grasp the loss of another comrade who had only just recently joined them in this horrible war of survival. He was still waiting for a response from Onyx, and would also like Dinobot's perspective on the battle since he had immediately returned to the command center but he appeared to be hesitant. "We recently received a notification that... Aerostriker has been killed." His red optics lingered on their commanding officer, studying his reaction to the tragic news.

On the outside, Primal was silent, but inside his spark sank and a flood of emotions began wrapping themselves around it, anger and sorrow constricting its rapid pulses. He clenched his jaws and balled his hands tightly into fists. He wanted to explode like Dinobot had, but instead he suppressed the potential outburst. Was this why Onyx was there? Had he been taken prisoner like they had Sonar, or was he there under his own will foolishly changing his allegiance to the side that was losing more and more lives? Finally, he asked in a deep and cold voice, "Cheetor and Silverstreak?"

"They're getting repairs in the CR's," the engineer replied, knowing Optimus had been concerned for them as well.

"What happened?" the leader bluntly asked those who were present, seeking an immediate response. There was a great possibility that Megatron had a hand in it, or one of his minions, but he desperately tried not jumping to any conclusions. It was very difficult for him not to do that anymore seeing how Megatron had already enjoyed killing him and Glowstick, and praised and encouraged those under his command who had also been able to murder some of his other Maximals.

Rhinox didn't answer. How could he? He wasn't there. All he knew was that they lost the new protoform to the Predacons and the Maximal team had taken heavy fire power. He left it open for either the raptor or the stallion to jump in and explain, assuming they had witnessed anything.