The Intergalactic Highway

Seeing Starshadow leave and come back, Rhinox provided a somewhat exhausted sigh.

Seriously, are all the young bots this volatile nowadays?

He walked with the femme bot out into the hallway, sending Optimus Primal a reassuring look before he left the bridge.

You take care of one young bot, my friend. I'll take care of the other.

"Yes I wanted to talk to you. It's about you being part of this team and learning to change some things if you want to stay on board."

He nodded his head in the direction that Ironclaw had walked. It was a clear indication that he, and possibly everyone else nearby, had overheard the entire conversation she had with the honey badger.

"That," he continued, "is a prime example of what needs to change. I was a Predacon once, albeit for only a day, but it was enough for me to know what that kind of lifestyle is like. What I want you to know right now is that lifestyle is not going to get you anywhere with this crew. Lose the tough girl attitude. The whole chest puffing, neck grabbing, big talking act may help you get by with Megatron. Here we do things differently."

Rhinox waved his hands, emphasizing the conversation going on between him and Starshadow.

"You want to bring something to someone's attention? You talk to them. You have a problem? You talk about it. Any act of violence will only be used on the battlefield and it will stay on the battlefield, Starshadow. Otherwise, if you keep up this behavior of yours, you will not have a place among this crew."

The senior officer's stern expression then broke into a warm smile.

"Either that, or I'll just keep eating wild beans around you until you do change. Do we have an understanding?"

(( OOC: !! Oh, the drama of it all. You guys rock. I love it. NOW we're having fun! ))

"All clear Big 'Bot. Dinobot should be back soon; he said he wanted to look at the circuit room."

Nodding, Optimus said softly, "Thank you, Cheetor."

"You... weren't all waiting for me, were you?"

"Yes," the Maximal Commander managed a small joke despite the circumstances, giving Cheetor a faint smile.

"Megatron has found a strange golden disk of alien manufacture, it was activated recently by some sort of energy anommerly. It has moving symbols on it, Megatron has translated them. It was designed to be a beacon, the aliens, the ones that seeded this planet with energon, the ones that created some sort of flying island which I'm not too familiar with. Well, theyre coming. They're on their way here and I don't think they are very happy"

Well, that's just prime, thought Optimus. A visit from the land lord. In all seriousness, though, this disturbed him greatly. The Vok were going to pay them a visit? What exactly did that mean? Did they want to talk? He doubted that. So far, every test and trap they have sent explicitly avoided conversation and only represented the want or need to kill them. With this news, he feared the worst. Now it was only a matter of time before all of them may very well be face to face with their fates.

"You, I expected more from you.

Obviously taken aback by Ironclaw's sudden change of topic, focusing on Primal himself now, the leader blinked at the badger. How could he expect more from him? He hardly knew him, or even the situation they were in.

We're in this desperate situation and it's only getting worse. Im not holding you responsible for the deaths of Icebreaker and Valkyrie but they are affecting the team. And you've now agreed to a truce and letting these....Predacons to serve among us! Stop trying to be a Maximal and start being Optimus prime!"

For a moment, Optimus looked bewildered at Ironclaw's words. Maybe he should have told Ironclaw to start being Ironhide. ...Nah. That's exactly what he didn't want the badger to do. Clearly he was still in a fog about being himself and still trying to be someone like his ancestor. But everyone was their own bot. You can't be someone you're not.

"We're so far away from Cybertron, around here, in this place. Being a Maximal means nothing. Now these aliens are coming? You need to sort this out now, including whatever Whitegrazer was doing with that Predacon."

Predacon? Optimus trusted Whitegrazer with his life, so it was impossible for him to grow suspicious about this news. That must have been what she said she was going to do earlier when she left and would explain it to him later. No doubt Ironclaw misinterpreted whatever it was he saw. ...He hoped. Time for that later, and to speak to Whitegrazer about it privately.

"You give it back to her"

As soon as Ironclaw jammed Starshadow's gun onto his chest, he reached up and grabbed it so it wouldn't fall to the floor when the badger released it. By this point, Primal's oil was boiling inside. He didn't need this. Now was as good a time as any to set things straight. Enough was enough.

"Do NOT walk away!" Optimus suddenly hollered in Ironclaw's direction after the engineer stepped out of the bridge, his voice echoing down the corridors. Whether or not he interrupted Wintersong's and Starshadow's words to him, he didn't care. They should have left this to him first. "NO ONE was dismissed!" he added furiously. He had hoped what he said earlier to the group was enough to calm everyone's circuits, but now Ironclaw was heating everything up again. Taking notice of Rhinox's reassuring glance before he left with Starshadow in tow, and also noticing that Orcariner had already made his departure, Primal walked over to where Wintersong had stopped Ironclaw and forced himself between her and the badger, letting the rest of the Maximals watch and listen. Taking Starshadow's gun, he held it sideways and shoved it back into Ironclaw's chest, pushing him hard enough to have made him take a step backwards towards the wall behind him, and said with a deep and cold tone, "YOU'RE the reason Starshadow is here, Ironclaw! YOU stole her gun which made HER come HERE to retrieve it! So YOU can hand it back to her! Take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes. And do NOT continue to question my decision to allow her to join this team. You haven't been here long enough to judge her and assume her intentions. I have my reasons to give her a chance, just like I have with Dinobot and Frilla," he growled, his optics unwavering from the badger's. "By the way, being a Maximal here on this planet means EVERYthing," Optimus corrected the badger's earlier statement. "We're in a war here with one of the most powerful and manipulative Predacons from Cybertron, and I'm doing my best to lead everyone through it so we can go home. I've never denied I wasn't trained for this, after all I didn't sign up to be stranded on some planet in a time we have no idea when with a ruthless gang of Predacons who most of which would enjoy tearing each us apart limb from limb. No, I was trained to command an exploration crew. But I followed orders and chased Megatron here, risking all of our lives. The situation we're currently in greatly exceeds anything I once thought I was capable of handling with the lack of experience I have leading. So for anyone to compare me to a Prime has been blinded and terribly misguided. I have never claimed the want to rise to that status. I'm only trying to do what I can with the resources we have in order to survive on this world with Megatron and his ambitions, and the threat of the Vok, that put our lives in danger every day. I would highly recommend that you stop worrying so much about amounting to your ancestor Ironhide, and instead discover the Maximal who you really are and are meant to be during the duration of your stay on this planet." Pausing, he added, "I know who I am and what I have to do. Now, return to the group and fall in," Optimus finished, stretching out his arm and pointing his index finger to the bridge, indicating to the badger to go back and join the others.

-----

Rattrap, who couldn't help but stop what he was doing and watch what was going on, had to side with Optimus on this loud discussion between him and Ironclaw. Turning around in his seat, he watched them closely and glanced at the others. He also wondered what Rhinox was talking to Starshadow about, and he was surprised that her words with Ironclaw actually defended their leader, and that the loss of her own friends or comrades had hurt her as well. Hm. Maybe the scrape ape was right about her. Still, he'd keep an optic on her. Right now, the only one being demeaning and defiant was a Maximal of their own, not even a former Predacon. He knew Optimus didn't need any of them to be acting that way. He had enough on his plate as it was. Their leader had come a long way from the first day they had spent stranded here, and after the first battles they had with the Predacons. If the gorilla still had any doubts about his own leadership, Rattrap wouldn't be able to figure out why. Most of them had survived this long, despite a few unavoidable accidents which lead to unfortunate deaths, and that was saying a lot for someone new who had been thrown into a war with a crew they hardly knew and the skills they lacked for leading in said war. Rattrap had grown proud to be under Primal's command. After all, he had been under worse commanding officers. Many of which who lacked the compassion and selflessness that Optimus clearly strived for. Why was Ironclaw being so hard on him and debating everything he did? Oh, wait. Didn't Rattrap used to do that every time in the beginning? Whoops. Well, that badger's got a lot ta learn then, he thought, now feeling guilty for all the trouble he used to give Primal.

-----

"Tigatron..." "I'm so glad to see you."

Smiling, Tigatron accepted Airazor's embrace and returned it to her, holding her closely until she released him. He then followed her as she moved closer to their commanding officer so that he could hear about everything that had gone on while he had spent most of his time with Orcariner.

Hearing the news about Valkyrie was tragic, and the white cat frowned and silently prayed for her. He couldn't imagine what Optimus was going through now after having lost three Maximals in this war under his command. He knew it was something he had never experienced before. Tigatron couldn't remember if it was something he had either, but it was nothing for him to dwell on. He was content making the memories he had now from the moment he had been activated on this beautiful planet, and to have someone to share them with.

He was glad their mission had been successful but Tigatron did not like what Ironclaw had to say about the aliens. It did not sound good, and he could see the concern for it on Optimus Primal's face. This was something else that no one had ever contended with, let alone an inexperienced commander who was thrown into this troublesome war without a choice. Who knew what was in store for them, but Tigatron had a bad feeling about it.

Things took a turn for the worst when Ironclaw jumped all over Optimus and his ability to lead. Had the honey badger not put himself in Primal's shoes? Leading was not an easy task, especially with so many young soldiers, most of which were not meant to be soldiers but were forced to in order to survive here with Megatron. Perhaps it was respect that Ironclaw was lacking toward Optimus since Optimus himself was not so old and was quite new to this commanding position and having so many lives and different personalities that he was responsible for. No, not an easy task at all. Hopefully Ironclaw would learn to trust Optimus, who, according to the other Maximals he had spoken with, was unlike any other leader they had dealt with. Tigatron always took that as a positive sign.

Hearing Optimus suddenly holler made the white tiger a little uneasy. He did not like to see their Commander pushed so far to make him result to increasing the volume of his voice and basically ticking him off, all from on bot underminding his orders and decisions, and then walking out before their commanding officer said so. Even Tigatron, who may not have been military quality, knew better than to dismiss himself before he was dismissed, no matter how much he might put himself in the hot seat. Ironclaw's reaction was very disrespectful and he couldn't blame Optimus for expressing his anger and telling Ironclaw how it was. Now was not the time to separate themselves from each other. With the Vok on their way, now was the time to grow stronger together.

"Megatron has found a strange golden disk of alien manufacture, it was activated recently by some sort of energy anommerly. It has moving symbols on it, Megatron has translated them. It was designed to be a beacon, the aliens, the ones that seeded this planet with energon, the ones that created some sort of flying island which I'm not too familiar with. Well, theyre coming. They're on their way here and I don't think they are very happy"

Airazor listened to Ironclaw's statement and was a little bit confused on one thing. Speaking aloud to no one in particular, she was hoping someone could give her an answer. "Haven't the aliens already been here?" Her voice much more confident now then it had been just moments before when talking to Cheetor and Tigatron. "We saw a clone of optimus and some flying heads in the underground labyrinths. What is meant by 'them coming here'? What is it that we already saw?" The falcon shrugged her shoulders as she spoke the last line. If those two situations weren't these aliens, were they something else? They barely had survived the previous two encounters. What would they do if the next one was worse?

Before an answer was given, Ironclaw flipped out at optimus and chaos broke loose. While watching it all unfold, Airazor reflected back on her previous thoughts. Perhaps the reason why she wasn't considered one of the younger maximals, is because she doesn't act like one. Maybe she was quite old and wise in her past life and had grown out of this youth drama nonsense. Looking up at Tigatron, he looked as if he had little desire to get involved as well. I wonder what Tigatron was like on Cybertron... She thought to herself and smiled at the possibility of him being some sort of hero. Perhaps she would ask him one day as it was a conversation they had never had.

Frilla had turned to listen to the reports as soon as the others began to show up, glad to see some of them but was surprised of anyone to dismiss themselves for it to be Orcarnier. Icebreaker's death really seemed to be taking it's toll on the orca which was fairly worrying it but there wasn't much they could do unless Rhinox or Optimus told the larger mech what had truly happen, though that as not likely to happen any time soon. Shaking her head the frilled lizard went to listening to what Ironclaw had discovered, frowning in dismay at hearing the aliens were coming back and likely with something far worse then Primal's vok clone or the Labyrinth they had hardly just escaped before on the last mission. What more could they possibly have in store?

But the real shock came form Ironclaw's words, a little offended by the badger's words that others who were once Predacons, like herself and DInobot, couldn't be trusted just because of who they use to be. Did he really think that like most other Maximals not among the crew? Though she was a little surprised that the one to also defend Primal was Starshadow but the most uneasy part was Primal's own anger towards what the honey badger had said which it really seemed he had gone over the line this time and was really pushing it with Primal. Shaking her head slightly Frilla wondered if this would happen often now or every so often because this was what occurred within the Predacons when they fought among themselves.

"And I thought you were judgmental Rattrap, think someone took your crown."Frilla said glancing towards the rat as she pointed with her thumb towards Ironclaw and Optimus.

On the other hand Feralnight only shook her head after Ironclaw went off on Optimus, a mistake some here had made in the past but Primal had proven himself time and again that he was trying and was proving to be a great Commander compared to some. The fuzor was more worried about the Vok's return then someone else's pride, more worried about their ancestors then the present time. But one thing that did make Feralnight look over was Primal's words of 'discovering the maximal your suppose to be' part of his rebuke towards the badger, recently finding it hard to think much of supporting to Maximals in general and it seemed it was becoming obvious with Rattrap though not really the others. So she thought.

Looking at the ground the wolf/raven fuzor began to question herself again of remaining on the Axalon before pushing back the thoughts and focusing on the current situation, knowing dwelling on the past wasn't what they needed. She quickly went to thinking about the Vok threat to distract herself and to what they possibly could be planning this time that could prove more dangerous then last time.

(ooc: Since we're expecting a bad winter storm this evening and they warned of power outages and what not, I figured I'd make a quick post now while I still have the chance.. )

Aurora opened the door just in time to hear loud shouting coming from the bridge area. The one raising his voice was mainly Optimus, but he sure did not sound happy.

Glancing back at Whitegrazer, Aurora noted, "Sounds like something is going on. We better hurry." And with those words she went scattering out the door, running towards the shouting as fast as she could. In the hallway outside the bridge she could see Ironclaw near a wall, with Starshadow walking away with a rather annoyed look on her face, and an even more upset Optimus lecturing the badger.

What was going on..?

She got her answer fairly quickly as Optimus, apparently oblivious to her presence at the moment, continued ripping into Ironclaw for what Aurora could only assume had started with the badger's reluctance to fall in line.

"I know who I am and what I have to do. Now, return to the group and fall in," Optimus finished, stretching out his arm and pointing his index finger to the bridge, indicating to the badger to go back and join the others.

Without really thinking, Aurora grabbed the commander's arm, having to stand on her toes to reach high enough to do so, and gently tugged at it. As she did, she cast a quick glance back at Ironclaw hoping he wouldn't do anything foolish, before turning her green optics on Optimus.

"Hold up, both of you," she said in a tender tone, really disliking all the arguing that was going on right now, hoping she didn't sound like she was barking out orders as much as making a genuine request. "We're all tired, we're all on the edge, and we are all hurting right now from one thing or the other. Turning against each other will not solve any of these issues."

She slowly let go of Primal's arm and took a step back, closer to Ironclaw.

"Optimus has been trying his best to weather this storm with the crew. We're all trapped here, all learning as we go, so how can anyone expect him to be able to predict the future and how to act accordingly?"

She directed her last question to Ironclaw specifically. Before giving him a chance to answer, she continued,

"Optimus never asked for the responsibility of leading us, and given the circumstances I don't think any of us could ask any more of him than what he has already provided. I haven't been here very long, but it's blatantly obvious for me that Optimus cares greatly for his crew and is willing to sacrifice anything for each and every one of us."

The small ermine fuzor had no idea how much truth that statement would prove to hold..

"Yet I understand your frustration, Ironclaw, and your impatience. But please do not take it out on Optimus."

Aurora took a moment to reflect on how Optimus had struggled to maintain his composure after learning of Icebreaker and Valkyrie's recent and tragic deaths. He had not been entirely successful in hiding his feelings, exactly, but Aurora was actually rather relieved this had been the case. From what little she had seen of the Predacons, this compassion was what mainly separated the two factions.

Finally she took a few steps away, again fighting to avoid thinking of Icebreaker. It was a losing battle though..

((OOC: That's funny, Phoenix as I just had a power outrage. For a short period of time, but in that short period, it damaged our DVR. Blast XDD ))

"Valkyrie would still have had a chance if I hadn't started that dumb experiment.. I really didn't mean to cause any harm."

Whitegrazer nodded in understanding as she and everyone else knew that Aurora would never mean any harm to anyone.

"Oh.. We were supposed to wait on the bridge. We should probably get back there before Optimus gets mad. He's already been through enough."


She grabbed Whitegrazer's hand and tugged at it, trying to pull the larger female along.

Whitegrazer chuckled abit at Aurora and nodded at her comment about Optimus, "Yeah, he has had a very chaotic, trying day as have we all...hopefully, we can all catch our breath soon before anymore things happen to us."

She had to smile as Aurora grabbed and tugged her arm, eager to go outside. She too heard the commotion and was concerned, feeling through her connection towards Optimus and sensed some tension.

"Sounds like something is going on. We better hurry."

She let Aurora lead the way to see Optimus and Ironclaw with Wintersong right behind Optimus, arguing. Optimus was really ticked as he was talking to Ironclaw. What did Ironclaw say? She wished she had heard, but whatever it was, Optimus didn't like it.

Watching as Aurora was talking to both of them, she couldn't help but smile big at Aurora's words, agreeing with everything she had said towards Optimus and Ironclaw.

Laying a hand on Aurora's right shoulder as comfort and gratitude towards the young one's words, she looked at the optics of everyone in the room including Optimus and Ironclaw, "Aurora is right. We have been through and seen alot for the past hours, not to mention the past weeks. We are all tense, saddened, and frustrated by the events that have befallen us, but arguing will get us nowhere. We need each other to survive. We need to stay together or we will get nothing accomplished."

"Yes I wanted to talk to you. It's about you being part of this team and learning to change some things if you want to stay on board."

So it was going to be about acting like a Maximal. It would take a lifetime to make changes.

"That, is a prime example of what needs to change. I was a Predacon once, albeit for only a day, but it was enough for me to know what that kind of lifestyle is like. What I want you to know right now is that lifestyle is not going to get you anywhere with this crew. Lose the tough girl attitude. The whole chest puffing, neck grabbing, big talking act may help you get by with Megatron. Here we do things differently."

That would be challenging but she had no intention of doing that. The chest puffing and neck grabbing was a daily routine to her.

"You want to bring something to someone's attention? You talk to them. You have a problem? You talk about it. Any act of violence will only be used on the battlefield and it will stay on the battlefield, Starshadow. Otherwise, if you keep up this behavior of yours, you will not have a place among this crew. Either that, or I'll just keep eating wild beans around you until you do change. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes..and start serving everyone energon first thing in the morning like a good shipmaid. Perfect..." and with that she left him to meet the others. What caught her attention was Optimus' rage. It was the first time she saw him lose his temper.

We're in a war here with one of the most powerful and manipulative Predacons from Cybertron, and I'm doing my best to lead everyone through it so we can go home. I've never denied I wasn't trained for this, after all I didn't sign up to be stranded on some planet in a time we have no idea when with a ruthless gang of Predacons who most of which would enjoy tearing each us apart limb from limb. No, I was trained to command an exploration crew. But I followed orders and chased Megatron here, risking all of our lives. The situation we're currently in greatly exceeds anything I once thought I was capable of handling with the lack of experience I have leading. So for anyone to compare me to a Prime has been blinded and terribly misguided. I have never claimed the want to rise to that status. I'm only trying to do what I can with the resources we have in order to survive on this world with Megatron and his ambitions, and the threat of the Vok, that put our lives in danger every day. I would highly recommend that you stop worrying so much about amounting to your ancestor Ironhide, and instead discover the Maximal who you really are and are meant to be during the duration of your stay on this planet."

Starshadow gently put a hand on Ironclaw's shoulder and turned to Optimus, "Optimus, I believe he needs some time..afterall, the situation is in total chaos." she walked towards the table and looked at the others before continuing, "our priority is to find a way to survive from whatever the aliens will be throwing at us. I wouldn't mind launching Sonar to their deadliest weapon. Right now, we don't know when will they be coming. It's getting late, we should rest.

Ironclaw did not stop she he heard Optimus shouting after him. He only stopped when he heard Wintersong and grabbed his arm. He paused but didn't turn around, she calmed his temper. He thought about what she said and yes she did suggest it even though it was Optimus' decision. "Why Wintersong?" he asked with a sigh, still not facing her. His thoughts then betrayed him, he wanted to take her hand. Ironclaw was about to turn around and take her hand when Optimus moved in between them jogging him a little. At this temper amplified and he went to punch Optimus but his attempt failed when Optimus pushed the pistol into his chest. It caught I'm off balance and he took the chance to take it. At this point he would usually back down and just act like a coward, however this time he didn't. He stood up straight, taller than Optimus and met his eyes. He listened to Optimus, he did make some valid points. Maybe he was right, stop thinking about Ironhide and Optimus Prime. He admitted that he wasn't meant to be commanding a mission like this. Even though Ironclaw may have been wrong about certain things, now that Optimus had shown some assertiveness he gained more confidence from Ironclaw.
Ironclaw ignored Starshadow through out this confrontation, he didn't take his focus off Optimus until Aurora came over to both of them and added her view. Ironclaw could do nothing but stare at her blankly, even when he looked right at him. She still presented hol in his life that he couldn't handle, she was too difficult for him to handle. He felt like he could never get over that. As soon as Optimus told him to fall in he looked back the bridge where the rest of the Maximals were. He knew that there were quite a few eyes on him now and a lot of judgement. At the moment he didn't care about what they thought. The only one he cared about at that moment was Wintersong. "Starshadow" he called her name then through her the pistol not wanting it anymore.
Ironclaw then pushed past Optimus and went back to Wintersong. He took her hand and looked at her "I'm sorry" he said to her realising that she didn't want him to act out. However he said this not thinking she would forgive him. He then let go of her hand and fell in line, hanging his head in shame.

Megatron delighted as he observed the strife among the Maximals.. Drama.. strife.. discourse.. Bravo Maximals.. he let out a dark laugh, then started checking the other camera channels around the base.

Observing a camera in Tarantulus's room, he found the spider was missing, but on his computer desk among other clutter, was a transwarp cell. Busy as always.. but I have plans of my own.. Computer, access and install program..


(Alrighty. Transwarp cell is rigged to blow. And the Maximals are fighting out so much they're making Icebreaker spin in his grave. )

__________________________

The voice coming from Cecaelia's dagger paused, then responded That wont be possible. preparation for deletion is already engaged the moment this program contacted you as a means to prevent dangerous use of Glowstick's memories.. and to prevent too much relying on the will of the dead. The Levithan's navigational AI has been upgraded using data from this AI however.. So you wont be alone. The Leviathan also has countless hours of media in it's libraries to occupy yourself with.

Wintersong had glanced at Rhinox and had merely nodded before looking back towards Ironclaw to answer him. Though by then Optimus had gotten between him and at that point she didn't bother to argue and stepped back from the hall to return with the others. From where she stood she only watched and listened, surprised by Optimus' rage but it seemed to pass as soon as it came and some of the others put in their say. Sighing the white tigress didn't have anything more to say as she just let them talk or shout, whichever was needed until they passed.

Though there was slight surprise when Ironclaw approached her and took her hand, something she really hadn't expected at all. Though she glanced at the taller mech when he apologized and moved off to be back in line but it was definitely bad to see Ironclaw looking ashamed. Though from what had just occurred it was not surprising to see him in such a mood now but she decided to take the chance to come near the badger's side and rested a hand on his upper arm as a gesture she forgave him.

From there she looked towards Starshadow as she spoke and couldn't help but agree they needed rest. Though she couldn't bring herself to really feel tired but only wanting to get out for a while and go for a long run.

(Probably will, since show wise the Axalon was filled with empty stasispods too, likely as escape pods for the skeleton crew of the Axalon. And yes, Primal is over 9 feet tall. Ironclaw apparently messed up on size as he wants to be Dinobot's size, with Rhinox's bulk. So.. a very big bulky badger..)

(I don't think he is 9 foot tall, really don't. Plus I don't think he actually has a bio? With his height? Meaning that Ironclaw will be looking down at him. Why Ironclaw when your referring me? Bizarre.)

(Heights were obtained from the Beast wars videogames, and one of the books also includes Optimus Primal being over 9 feet tall.. and apparent flight speed of Mach 9.. From that estimate.. it's assumed Dinobot is around 11 feet tall. Not really that unusual considering how massive Generation 1 transformers were, even Micromasters could usually dwarf a human. Though that scaling also means Megatron is much smaller then a real T-rex. )

(still don't think he is, checked the forums. Plus, don't care, not an issue to me. It's how I want his story to be. Deal with it. Not changing the bio just cosmof that)