The Intergalactic Highway

Megatron, meanwhile, was lying at the bottom of the mountain, having tumbled al lthe way down the steep sides. His body was dented, scratched, pulled, broken, and bleeding, but he was still alive.

His optics flickered to life first before he let out a startled yell at his condition. Status reports filled his vision and it took will power to get internal alarms to shut the frag up. His body was so burnt up from te energon that he could hardly feel the pain he was supposed to be feeling and the lack of feedback could be treacherous. but he had to risk a transformation.

Struggling to sit up, he voiced, with a crackling vocaliser, "Beast Mode."

A grunt, clicks, whirrs, and a terrible screeching sound later, he was in beast mode and cycling air heavily as a high pitched squealing died down from his chest. Something was loose in there. Not good, no. But he couldn't just sit here. His Predacons were likely alive unless they were completely clueless and had gotten themselves killed. He lay a moment, his vision blurring as he watched his mech fluids dry in the dirt and dribble off the rocks he was settled on. While the squealing was bad, leaking was not better.

"Predacons, sound off," he growled with effort through his comm link, which miraculously survived the past megacycle undamaged. Well...perhaps not miraculously - he had, after all, had it modified to withstand almost anything he could think of in case he was damaged as he was now. He wondered however, if their comm links had survived. He really needed repairs, though, he needed to get back to base...

With further effort, he attempted to stand, finding the feat difficult at best. The squealing picked up again and he was tempted, oh so tempted, to just hit his chest to fix it like he did to fix most jumbled electronics, but to do so could kill him and he'd be a moron to try.

So, he crouched back down into the dirt, his tail slightly curled to the side, and waited, wondering how exactly the others would get him back to base.

Scorponok noticed Megatron's distressed state.

Oh no! No! No! Megatron hurt!

"Megatron! Megatron! You're badly damaged!"

He babbled like an idiot as he stated the obvious. Intense situations occpied by the stringing sensation that lingered still from the battle with Dinobot always made him talk like that. He couldn't help it. Probably the sudden rush of his fuel pump did that.

"Scorponok?"

Steelclaw had not yet heard back from anyone, and he looked again to Tarantulas.

Suddenly, a loud static interrupted him. He looked around until it hit him that his comm-link was beeping.

He didn't know who it was but he talked through it anyway.

"This is Scorponok. Megatron badly damaged. Requesting help in..."

His brain was on the fritz, "bringing Megatron back to base. That is an order!"

He almost forgot that he was second in command.

Pull together!

He smacked his face, irritated at the pain his face still endured.

Sounds like a plan to me. I'm going to have enough work on my hands as is around the base. So the sooner, the better.

That was true. There were a lot of repairs to be made on the Axalon, especially its defenses. But chances were the Predacons wouldn't be showing up any time soon. Optimus suspected that Megatron, as well as a few of his minions, would be out of the picture for quite some time. No doubt the Predacons had their own repairs to make on the Darksyde as well. However, rest was important, too, and he knew everyone needed it.

"Yeah, for once I think I agree with you Rattrap."

"Yeah?" Rattrap grinned at the bald eagle while he began to follow the others as they headed back to base. "Well, there's a first time fer everything," he said light heartedly. The rat was actually feeling better now. Tired, sure, but he was alive, and he wasn't staring at the velociraptor's big, scaly butt this time during their travel.

"If you call that walking."

The rodent glanced at Cheetor who seemed to be enjoying stirring up trouble with Dinobot. Well, Rattrap wasn't going to get yelled at this time. He'd keep his mouth shut before he'd see the uglier side of Optimus, if he even had one to back up his earlier threat.

"Had I been in fighting condition, you would not be able to move at all, fuzzball."

For a split moment, Rattrap wondered who was faster than the other. And then he realized that it didn't matter because Cheetor would more than likely mess up and get caught. And then what? Dinobot knew what he was doing, despite him being a Predacon. Rattrap could tease the over-grown lizard because he was capable of defending himself. As for Cheetor... he wasn't so sure he could do the same.

"Hey Rattrap, I think we actually found someone who's touchier than you."

The rat glanced at the cheetah near him and said, "Yeah, I think-" and then abruptly cut himself short. "D'you just call me touchy, Spots?" he asked Cheetor, narrowing a black, beatty eye at him. "I'd be careful 'bout which trees yer barkin' up, kid." Rattrap looked away from the feline, glancing at the ape, rhino and the two birds before looking straight ahead.

"Cheetor, Dinobot is your team mate and you will show some respect towards him."

Primal listened to the commotion around him while he continued to ride Rhinox's back. By the Matrix, he thought rather bitterly, rolling his eyes. He was beyond exhausted, still in extreme pain with every step Rhinox took, and the level of his normally quite high tolerance was just about depleted. He could not let his team of Maximals continue to carry on like that. He had had enough back-talking, name-calling and disrespect ever since they crashed. "That is enough!" Optimus growled with a hard tone, looking over his shoulder at those whose voices he heard. "It's a wonder we made it out of there alive with the constant bickering and teasing I keep hearing from this group!" He paused briefly to cope with a jolt of pain that shot through his limp leg. "If you can't get along now, how are you supposed to work together during battle?!" Primal took a breath, momentarily closing his eyes, and then looked at them more calmly, speaking with a lighter yet deep voice. "Dinobot is a part of this team... whether you like it or not. Show him the same respect you would... give me and your fellow comrades. ...If we're to ever stop... Megatron and go home, then I need to have everyone's full co-operation... whether off-duty or in battle. Is that understood?" The gorilla's brown eyes swept across their beast mode faces, making individual strong eye contact with each one, expecting acknowledgement.

Tarantulas wrote:Around 300 meters,So essentially...our amazing advanced technology has been reduced to that of a mere child's walkie talkie. Hmm...

"Hmm... well, Cybertron's greatest minds..."

Steelclaw waited a little bit, hoping for a response through the com-links anyways.

"Though... I liked walkie talkies back in the day." he said.

Tarantulas wrote:I suppose we'll have to track them down... How annoying.. Your beast mode is supposed to have some of the best tracking abilities on this planet, perhaps you could pick up their scent in the wind?

Steelclaw was willing to give the whole "scent" idea a shot, as unorthodox as it sounded, but he was stopped before he even began.

Scorponok wrote:This is Scorponok. Megatron badly damaged. Requesting help in...

He almost thought he could hear the ellipses on the end of Scorponok's sentence. The second in command was apparently flustered by the situation. Ah- well, at least it meant somebody on the team cared enough about Megatron continuing to function. The Predacons probably did still need his leadership. The voice finally came back.

Scorponok wrote:bringing Megatron back to base. That is an order!

Steelclaw leaned back in.

"Sure. But what's your position?"

* * *

Cheetor, Dinobot is your team mate and you will show some respect towards him.

Cheetor wanted to retort about how she had forgotten to tell him to respect Rattrap, and despite her ability and will to back up her commands, he was still considering doing it.

Rattrap wrote:D'you just call me touchy, Spots? I'd be careful 'bout which trees yer barkin' up, kid.

But Rattrap defended himself.

Cheetor leaned slightly back away from Rattrap while he gave his response.

"O.k., o.k., you're not touchy." he submitted.

"And what loser barks?" he thought to himself. Then, quite suddenly, Big Bot started shouting. Cheetor couldn't quite meet his gaze and looked down at his own feet.

He was going to have to figure out what the difference between an acceptable joke and an instigating comment was. There seemed to be a thin line, but he knew he had pushed it this time.

"That is enough!"

Saber actually when Optimus' voice cut off the aurgment.

"It's a wonder we made it out of there alive with the constant bickering and teasing I keep hearing from this group!" "If you can't get along now, how are you supposed to work together during battle?!"

Saber's ears drooped at his words, she knew he had a point and she should have known better she had been a general for crying out loud, if this kind of thing happened in her group. Punishments and repramans would be handed out.

Dinobot is a part of this team... whether you like it or not. Show him the same respect you would... give me and your fellow comrades. ...If we're to ever stop... Megatron and go home, then I need to have everyone's full co-operation... whether off-duty or in battle. Is that understood?"

Saber could only hold Optimus' gaze for a second before looking away ashamed of herself. "Yes sir." She replied honestly her ears drooped even lower.

He almost thought he could hear the ellipses on the end of Scorponok's sentence. The second in command was apparently flustered by the situation. Ah- well, at least it meant somebody on the team cared enough about Megatron continuing to function. The Predacons probably did still need his leadership. The voice finally came back.

Scorponok wrote:

bringing Megatron back to base. That is an order!

Steelclaw leaned back in.

"Sure. But what's your position?"

Position? Scorponok looked at his surroundings. His brain wasn't working right.

"We are in front of the blown-out mountain. The same place we climbed to enter."

That was only as specific as he could. He probably will have to launch a missile up in the air. He should just do that.

"I'll launch a missile."

Transforming, he opened up his right pincher and fired a missile up in teh air which detonate after thirty nanoclicks.

Hope he gets that

Quickly, he went back to beast mode.

That is enough!" Optimus growled with a hard tone, looking over his shoulder at those whose voices he heard. "It's a wonder we made it out of there alive with the constant bickering and teasing I keep hearing from this group!" He paused briefly to cope with a jolt of pain that shot through his limp leg. "If you can't get along now, how are you supposed to work together during battle?!" Primal took a breath, momentarily closing his eyes, and then looked at them more calmly, speaking with a lighter yet deep voice. "Dinobot is a part of this team... whether you like it or not. Show him the same respect you would... give me and your fellow comrades. ...If we're to ever stop... Megatron and go home, then I need to have everyone's full co-operation... whether off-duty or in battle. Is that understood?"

As Skyfire followed the group via flight, she down at the ground as Optimus scolded the group. Being scolded like a sparkling always made her feel lousy, but she knew that Optimus had a point. "Yes sir" she replied.

Tarantulus's eyes nearly twitch noticing the missile explode in the air ....That idiot. If we're in communication range, he could of just sent his Cyber bee. Instead.. he's alerted every-slagging-thing within 5 clicks of his area! he then sighs shaking his head walking towards Scorponok's area with a limp, rather frustrated at the incompetence around him, the only one with any lick of sense seemed to be the delusional maximal bear that joined their group.

"O.k., o.k., you're not touchy."

"Huh. Dat's more like it," Rattrap told the yellow cat before the ape's tantrum took off.

"That is enough!" "It's a wonder we made it out of there alive with the constant bickering and teasing I keep hearing from this group!" "If you can't get along now, how are you supposed to work together during battle?!" "Dinobot is a part of this team... whether you like it or not. Show him the same respect you would... give me and your fellow comrades. ...If we're to ever stop... Megatron and go home, then I need to have everyone's full co-operation... whether off-duty or in battle. Is that understood?"

Respect? Hah! I'll give dat over-grown iguana respect as soon as he knows his place on this team, Rattrap thought sourly as he waddled along with the group. After his eyes met Optimus's, the rodent glanced at the others who seemed to be in the dumps. Boy these guys fall for that commander gig waaay too easily. Primal couldn't be that strict. After all, he willingly welcomed a Predacon into their faction. It just wasn't in his background to be mean or ruling with an iron fist.

"Yes sir."

"Yes sir"

The Maximal leader gave a sharp nod to them and turned forward again. Finally, some peace and quiet.

Scootching up beside Rhinox, Rattrap walked along as he looked up at the gorilla. "Look, Optimus, we're all tired from crashin' on this dump and fightin' Predascum for two days now-"

"Save it, Rattrap," Primal coldly interrupted him, looking down at the smaller Maximal. "You of all should choose your words wisely because I am this close to rectifying your disobedience," he said as he held up his hand with a very small gap between his index finger and thumb as a sign of measurement.

Rattrap looked at his hand and tried rolling the threat off his shoulders. He'd call his bluff and try to talk some sense into the big guy, not just for everyone else, but for the rat's sake. "I'm just sayin'," he went on as if he hadn't been cut off, "we're all on edge an' we just gotta let off some steam, ya know? Take a break now and make fun of those lousy Predacons who're makin' our lives miserable."

"We aren't here on vacation, Rattrap," said Optimus, looking forward, his voice a little warmer and calmer. "This is a new war that Megatron has started, and it must be taken seriously if we're to survive." He looked back down at him, adding, "All I'm asking for is a little more co-operation from everyone and a lot less ridicule, especially toward new members of our team." He was willing to give Dinobot a chance. After all, he was different than most Predacons. Why was that so hard for everyone else?

The rat glanced at Dinobot to Saber and then to Cheetor. So maybe they had been really knocking on the ex-Pred, but it wasn't like he wasn't dishing it back. Still, instead of trying to keep the raptor an outcast, maybe they should try to get to know him a little better, at least before the next battle since they were stuck with the guy in their group. Not Rattrap, of course. He'd let someone else do the job. Looking back up at Optimus, who had already turned his head forward again, RT took it as an end to their little discussion and pulled away from Rhinox back over near Cheetor.

"Don't worry, kid," Rattrap spoke softly to the cheetah in attempts to cheer him up. He didn't worry if Optimus could hear him or not. "He's harmless." He briefly added a small grin. He wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble, but he wanted to lighten the mood. As long as they didn't pick on each other, he doubted the ape would throw another fit.

Steelclaw saw the missile go up slightly Northwest of where he and Tarantulas were waiting.

Tarantulas wrote:....That idiot. If we're in communication range, he could of just sent his Cyber bee. Instead.. he's alerted every-slagging-thing within 5 clicks of his area!

"Well, I guess if the energon is gone..."

"Steelclaw, terrorize." he commanded before quickly transforming.

"...it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for whatever might come our way."

He took out his gauss rifle and pumped it, then walked alongside Tarantulas, keeping pace with him. He got on his com-link.

"We're coming your way, Scorponok."

* * *

Rattrap wrote:Don't worry, kid, he's harmless.

Cheetor was uncertain of what to say, and he merely nodded in response.

He knew Big Bot would never hurt any of them. The biggest problem was just trying to figure out what was right of what he had said. Of course Big Bot should have known more about team cooperation than Cheetor, but the bickering hadn't seemed as bad when it was actually happening. Either way, it was in Cheetor's best interest to keep his big mouth shut for the time being.

Terrorsaur wrote:"Just shut up and concentrate on flying, Waspinator!"

Waspinator mumbled into his antennae, though his wingbeats steadied themselves.

Terrorsaur wrote:"Hey, uh, Waspy. I'm gonna let go and try to glide to the ground. But if I say HELP, you come get me!!! That's an order!"

Terror-bot didn't even wait for Waspinator's 'okay', though of course the Flyer would have agreed directly- being at the bottom of the Predacon food chain taught you a few things.

Terrorsaur wrote:"HAHA! Hey, it worked! I told you!"

Baby blue optics widened as Terror-bot smugly comm.-ed in his short-lived success, and the pterosaur's wing slit open, making Waspinator's wing-mate plummet toward Tarantulas and Steelclaw. In a stunning display of quick-wit, Waspinator dived after Terrorsaur, catching up with the gliding dinosaur before he crashed into their fellow Predacons. Making a pleased noise in his throat, three pairs of tiny arms wrapped around Terrorsaur's thin wing bones, and with much straining and heaving, managed to slow and stop Terrorsaur's descent. He gently touched down onto the ground, looking impossibly superior- a look that didn't grace the insect's face often.

"Hehe, Wazzpinator save Terror-bot'zz zzkid-plate," he informed his fellow flyer pompously.

Megatron wrote: "Predacons, sound off,"

Waspinator's commlink hissed with static, startling the emerald flyer so bad that he jerked sideways, pulling the red wing of his teammate over himself like a protective blanket, trembling with fear. Then he figured out that Megatron's voice was not haunting him, just coming from his comm-link.

"Oooh, Wazzpinator here! Terror-bot, with Bear-bot and 'Rantulazz too," he sang out gaily.

Scorponok wrote:"This is Scorponok. Megatron badly damaged. Requesting help in...""bringing Megatron back to base. That is an order!"

Rather peeved that Scorponok had been named second-in-command after Dinobot's fall from grace, Waspinator was not really impressed with his stuttered order. And according to Steelclaw's and Tarantulas' dialogue, neither was the arachnid.

Steelclaw wrote:"Sure. But what's your position?"

Scorponok wrote:"We are in front of the blown-out mountain. The same place we climbed to enter." "I'll launch a missile."

Tarantulas wrote:....That idiot. If we're in communication range, he could of just sent his Cyber bee. Instead.. he's alerted every-slagging-thing within 5 clicks of his area!

Steelclaw wrote:"Well, I guess if the energon is gone..." "Steelclaw, terrorize." "...it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for whatever might come our way." "We're coming your way, Scorponok."

"Wait for Wazzpinator and Terror-bot!" Waspinator called after the bear, pulling Terrorsaur with his claws while trying to buzz off into the sky on half-depleted energy reserves. The result being that Waspinator kept trying to lift off, but kept getting yanked back by Terrorsaur's weight, making him look very much like a big agitated version of his beast mode.

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

Saber wrote:"Cheetor, Dinobot is your team mate and you will show some respect towards him."

Dinobot most certainly did not need Saber sticking up for him. He was a fully grown warrior with vorns of military experience. If he could not face Cheetor by his own self, then he might as well surrender in this war.

Optimus Primal wrote: "That is enough!" "It's a wonder we made it out of there alive with the constant bickering and teasing I keep hearing from this group!" "If you can't get along now, how are you supposed to work together during battle?!" "Dinobot is a part of this team... whether you like it or not. Show him the same respect you would... give me and your fellow comrades. ...If we're to ever stop... Megatron and go home, then I need to have everyone's full co-operation... whether off-duty or in battle. Is that understood?"

A pretty speech. But then Maximals, as shown by the Maximal High Council, were famed for using their voice boxes more than their blasters. Dinobot still retained his Predacon pride and views, and did his best to translate his opinion of Primal's speech by raising his upper body to its fullest extent and when the gorilla's eye passed over him, met it unwaveringly and almost threateningly. No gratitude was displayed for Primal's mention of his being apart of the team. As far as the hot-headed raptor was concerned, this was only temporary. Though this was an impressive show of will, Dinobot still believed that if the situation was handled correctly, Primal would serve as a most excellent puppet in the ex-Predacon's grand plans for the demise of Megatron.

Rattrap wrote:"Look, Optimus, we're all tired from crashin' on this dump and fightin' Predascum for two days now-"

That 'Predascum' was Dinobot former comrades, including his own ward, Venatrix, who though it was hard to admit, Dinobot felt a strong bond with- though it leaned more toward a parental relationship than that of comrades.

Optimus Primal wrote:"Save it, Rattrap," "You of all should choose your words wisely because I am this close to rectifying your disobedience,"

Rattrap wrote:"I'm just sayin',""we're all on edge an' we just gotta let off some steam, ya know? Take a break now and make fun of those lousy Predacons who're makin' our lives miserable."

Silently, Dinobot seethed. Most likely that miserable waste of energon knew that this inadvertantly angered Dinobot. Though he knew that he was on the Maximals' side now, he was loathe to take up the banner 'ex-Predacon'. And the fact that back on Cybertron it was the Maximals who made the Predacons' life miserable did not help ease the raptor's temper.

Optimus Primal wrote:"We aren't here on vacation, Rattrap," "This is a new war that Megatron has started, and it must be taken seriously if we're to survive." "All I'm asking for is a little more co-operation from everyone and a lot less ridicule, especially toward new members of our team."

Dinobot shook his head, anger lessening somewhat. These Maximal's were indeed sentimental. It was alien to Dinobot, but something deep within him stirred at the Maximal leader's kind words.

Shaking his long reptilian head, he continued the trek to the Maximal base. It came into sight, a ruined wreck of a ship, grounded for life. A single thought crossed his mind as he surveyed the ruin, What a dump.

Megatron glanced at Scorponok, the scorpion approaching with an obvious nervous aura around him. He was so stressed, the t-rrex could guarantee he'd develop a glitch. Megatron didn't move, though, and neither did he say anything. He just watched until he heard Waspinator report.

"Good," he replied. "Meet at our coordinates. We shoulnd't be hard to find when everyone and everything within a klick saw that missile."

He glared hard at the scorpion, but didn't attempt to hit him, as much as he would have liked to.

"When Tarantulas showss up have him exact repairs on my fuel lines and then get me out of here," he ordered precisely. Hopefully the dolt would remember if Megatron went into stasis lock.

-------

Terrorsaur felt Waspinator's spindly legs touch him and he recoiled midair, letting out an angry snarl. He struggled a little, feeling like he could have landed perfectly fine on his own. Upon landing, however, he simply muttered several curses to himself as he struggled away from the wasp.

"I coulda made it, Waspinator! I never said help" he complained, his pride injured. He absently nursed his torn wing while he reoriented himself in his surroundings, then heard Megatron's voice and grimaced, although the expression might have equally been towards the Wasp's sudden impromptu use of his wing. He yanked his wing back and folded it gingerly, holding tight against him.

"He's still alive?" he grumbled quietly to himself.

The group was going to start moving again and even though walking wasn't his preferred method of movement, he was going to have to -

He screeched briefly in surprise as Waspinator was once again tugging at him. Apparently, the bug was trying to give him a lift over to Megatron and having trouble. Terrorsaur let his weight relax so Waspinator couldn't drag him anywhere and then ignored him a moment, posing a question to Tarantulas while the insect kept trying to get him to budge.

"Hey, Tarantulas, is the energon gone now? Can we transform yet?" he inquired with an impatient tone, annoyed with the world and his wing, and still upset someone else stepped in to interfere with his flight, as poor as it was.

"Good," he replied. "Meet at our coordinates. We shoulnd't be hard to find when everyone and everything within a klick saw that missile."

He glared hard at the scorpion, but didn't attempt to hit him, as much as he would have liked to.

Scorponok shivered in fright at Megatron's glare and covered his eyes for the glare seem to burn. Maybe he should have used the Cyberbee. Man! It's not like the maximals are going to come back anyway.

"When Tarantulas showss up have him exact repairs on my fuel lines and then get me out of here," he ordered precisely. Hopefully the dolt would remember if Megatron went into stasis lock.

"Yes sir!" He stuttered and maybe a little salute to his leader but by then his leader was already in stasis lock.

Tarantulas and Steelclaw better get here. My memory is very fragile and I don't want to be hit or yelled at Megatron again.

(( OOC: I believe it was being said, that if Megatron went into stasis lock, Tarantulas might have to remember his orders before Scorponok forgets them. But I believe he is not out yet. ))

(( OOC: O.k., I know Terrorsaur's waiting for an answer on whether or not he can transform, but I think we've been walking long enough to reach Megatron, so that conversation could be retconned in. Anyways, if my writing of our arrival is to controlling, just go ahead and tell me and I can delete this. ))

After walking to the location where they saw the missile, Steelclaw, Terrorsaur, Waspinator and Tarantulas found Scorponok and Megatron.

Steelclaw knew that Tarantulas would have to work on repairing their leader, but if the Maximals did decide to come back, Terrorsaur and Waspinator would likely be able to defend the group's position. Steelclaw had something else on his mind.

"Megatron, request permission to search for the panthers."

* * *

Cheetor's thoughts were interrupted when he finally saw the Maximal base come into sight. It was a battered ship which had taken its damage keeping the Maximals inside alive. It seemed to be begging to fly again, or promising that it would, sitting atop the waterfall with a portion of its frame suspended above the river below.

What a home.

Megatron looked up as most of his Predacons arrived. He sighed quietly, mentally tapping a foot. Could these incompetant fools be any slower?

"Yes!" he snapped at Steelclaw. "Find them! But the rest of you will stay here. Tarantulas! Repairs, now. You two - " he gestured to the two flyers with a small claw. The movement was less grandiose than he intended, the claw rather small and his weakness showing through his facade. " - keep an eye out for the Maximals. I doubt they'll come back, but some in their company... It's a possibility to consider, regardless of their spineless Maximal nature. We must get back to base as soon as possible..."

He went silent, his vision blurring and his balance, even sitting, going haywire for a moment.

Terrorsaur nodded as a "Yes, sir," and found a perch on a large rock torn between paprehension at having a delirious, fuzzy Megatron at his back and an impatience born of boredom that was slowly creeping its way over him.