The Intergalactic Highway

Steelclaw's voice crackled from Scorponok's radio as he was approaching the bay doors of the Darksyde. The 1st Lieutenant snarled and replied.

"You were not present at the bridge! Megatron will surely hear of this and punish you!"

Come to think of it, there were some others who were missing. Sonar, for one, was not present either. The self-proclaimed "scientist" did not seem to be in the same clique as Steelclaw, so they must have been pursuing their own independent agendas. Scorponok made note to tattle tale on the bat, as well.

"A transwarp signature has been spotted on Sector M18 just south of the base," he continued, "Wherever you are, just proceed to the site and meet us there. Deactivate anyone who stands in your way! Scorponok out!"

Scorponok fervently crawled towards Megatron's direction. As he was doing do, he specifically reach out to Sonar's communications line.

"SOOOONNAAAAAARRR!!!!!!" he bellowed, still crawling at full speed, "Drop whatever you're working on and meet us at Sector M18! We'll explain as soon as we see you there."

Shutting off the radio, the 1st Lieutenant found Megatron lumbering towards the doors. The Predacon leader had been so patient with these animals thus far, but as of late Scorponok had noticed that the lack of discipline and order had gotten under his skin. So many individuals running around and not reporting to their stations when ordered to. It was no surprise that the Predacons had their issues with organization, and he wondered how they have even accomplished their victories thus far. The thought was answered by the presence of the imposing tyrannosaurus rex. Megatron was the key to winning at the end of the day. That, and Scorponok helped out a lot, but it was mostly Megatron's work.

"Megatron!" he called, running side-by-side with the dinosaur, "Sonar and Steelclaw were not present at the briefing despite your command. You probably already knew this but I wanted to let you know for safe measure. I also told them to meet us at the target destination. You may punish them there."

Yes, punishment was in order. No Predacon was above Megatron's command. Scorponok felt an inner sense of glee reporting the disobedience of these scrubs. He must appear favorable in his leader's eyes now.

"Alright, I'll meet you guys there," Steelclaw answered as he changed direction. "Say, as long as Megatron isn't going to meet me on the way to the battle and punish me before I get there, would you mind getting my mini-gun? A transwarp signature's going to bring out most of the Maximals, so it would serve our leader well to have crowd control like that on the battlefield. If, uh... if my door gives you trouble opening, don't be afraid to kick it in. You're the second in command after all. The mini-gun's behind a panel directly to your left once you go in."

Steelclaw picked up his pace as he put himself on the alert for any Maximals he might run into on the way.

(( OOC: Yeah, he's pretty mad. But now he'll be distracted. ))

Alright, I'll contact them right now.

Primal nodded to Rhinox, then watched some of the other Maximals leave immediately. Since no one showed any interest in bothering with questions, Optimus told the rest of them, "All right. Move out! The last one to leave will need to activate Sentinel." With that, he said, "Optimus Primal, maximize," and shifted to his robot mode. As soon as the lift returned from Feralnight, Cheetor and Dinobot using it, he stepped on and was lowered down.

"This still seems like a bad idea."

Optimus had heard Feralnight before she had departed and agreed with her. Still, they had to check it out. There was no other choice. They couldn't let the Predacons get a hold of that tech.

The leader stepped off of the platform just as Dinobot and Cheetor had taken off. Looking at Feralnight, he said, "Let's hit it." He knew Airazor would catch up with them in a flash. "Prime jets, on!" Igniting his thrusters, Optimus blasted off into the sky leading their way toward the skeptical destination.

-----

"Hey Frilla and Rattrap, you guys can hitch a ride on me. I can hold you two." "If you want to."

"Sure Whitegrazer. Though hopefully Rattrap doesn't mind of course."

"Yeah, I guess," Rattrap answered, unfolding his front legs and walking over to Whitegrazer and Frilla. "'Cause I know if I waste any time arguin' about it, Optimus'll wring my neck," he snickered lightly. Slowly but surely, he was growing more accustomed to Frilla, much like he had with Dinobot but he'd never admit it. Dinobot was different. Frilla was a lot more lenient about things, and truly seemed to fight for what they believed in. He was gradually accepting the frilled lizard into their ranks. Not to mention the constant teasing of her former allegiance was probably getting old. Time to let it go and just see how she'd roll with their team. So far, she seemed pretty trustworthy.

Whitegrazer stood on the lift, waiting for Rattrap to catch up. She hoped Cheetor and Dinobot won't be too far ahead but they probably will. She was fast but not faster than a cheetah and Dinobot was pretty quick himself. Though, she was confident that she could keep up if she paced herself.

She still couldn't shake off the feeling that something was going to happen. Something bad. It was almost like they were all heading towards a trap. It reminded her of a few battles years and years ago she was thrown into. Something attracted her team and their enemies, and then natives from that planet started attacking them or some huge worm-like creature swallowing them whole.

Ah, she should really tell these stories sometimes to her crewmates. Primus, all that she experienced so far in this war made her want to survive it to tell it all.

Okay, back to focusing here.

___________________________________________________

Blackarachnia who had transformed back in her beast mode crawled out of the lair to join her "comrades".

She could hear Scorponok blasted shouting and saw him standing next to Megatron like some attention seeking femme looking for a mech's attention. What an aft-kisser.

Mind wandered back to what she saw in that lunatic's lair. Why was he all interested in stasis pods? She will have to learn more. Now, she has to worry about this transwarp signature. Her mind knew this was all a scam. A spider intution and part of her wanted to keep Tarantulas in her optics. He knew more than he was letting on. She knew it. She just had to dig it out of him.

Starshadow just listened and watched the present fliers leave for their scouting mission. Her ears went back when Scorponok bellowed Sonar's name. She sighed and looked at Cecaelia then to Megatron, "Your orders, Sir?"

Wintersong turned and sighed,"I have to admit despite the trouble we have gone through I'm going to miss this planet." She sighed looking as the lift came. Leaping onto the lift she stepped off when it went down stepping off. Barely a few steps the tigeress gazed around, listening to the sounds of the waterfall and birds and brief few other creatures scurrying around. Shaking her head Wintersong quickly took off catching up with Orcanier towards the transwarp signature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snow Trix headed out after scorpnok and Megatron but kept her mouth shut for now. Her ears were back as Scorponok bellowed and looked at the scorpion,"Hey Scorponok keep bellowing like that Cybertron just might send help." The fox remarked. Not like anyone else found the second in command irritating so wouldn't be the first time someone spoke up.

Feralnight listened To Dinobot nodding a bit and glanced at Cheetor before he took off. There was unfortunately a large number of fliers, Terrorsaur already being someone she had dealt with before. Turning as Optimus came she quickly followed after him reverting to beast mode to save energy and followed without issue.

Frilla followed the others glancing at the map for a moment. Something just seemed too out of place for a signal like that to still be up. Pushing to the back of her mind she stepped off the lift after Whitegrazer and watched the others leave."Beast mode!" She said and transformed,"Just hope his is the real deal otherwise Rattrap is right, we're as good as dead if we aren't careful."

"SOOOONNAAAAAARRR!!!!!!"

Sonar winced his teeth bared at the sudden shriek from his COM link.

"Drop whatever you're working on and meet us at Sector M18! We'll explain as soon as we see you there."

"There's no need to shout, you know," Sonar commented lightly. "And I shall meet you there, oh mighty aft kisser."

Sonar knew that he would get into trouble for that, but it was to hard to resist calling Scorponok by his nickname that he had just given him.

It'll be worth it. He thought with a smirk.

Megatron rolled his optics watching Scorponok, his aft kissing was even starting to get on his nerves. Punishment? Hrm.. No.. I don't think that'll be necessary, Steelclaw has been doing alot of patrolling lately, which explains his absence.. and Glowstick is rounding up the fliers while on the way to the location, so having Sonar here is.. Redundant. Scorponok, retrieve Steelclaw's weapon as he requested, it'll be vital that you two are at full power for this operation.

Tarantulus walked into the room soon, transforming to his spider mode.

Megatron then looked towards Cecaelia sleeping on Starshadow's back raising an optic ridge, then shrugged it off. Ah good, the majority of you are here. A transwarp signature has been detected rather close by, the Maximals will be desperate to get their hands on that technology, so we are going in full force to the area.. to destroy it. Now Predacons.. Transform and enter the fray! he finished in a more theatric inflection while making a gesture with his hand, then transformed to his T-rex mode as he started to lead them out of the base.

Tarantulus sighed shaking his head, then crawled along following Megatron out.

__________________________


Glowstick floated high into the air following after Terrorsaur, catching up to him as Terrorsaur was usually slower in his beast mode. He then activated his comlink again Hey Sonar, you can ignore that bug. Just head towards the point I'm transmitting. I'm thinking.. Maybe if we can send someone ahead, they could set up an ambush. Hmm.. Waspinator, Inferno,Manterror, and Terrorsaur are our fastest fliers.. He looked towards Terrorsaur Hey, what do you think? Have you, Inferno,Manterror, and Waspinator fly ahead to lay an ambush on the Maximals? If you can't hide on the ground, try in the clouds and do a little death from above. Sonar and I will back you guys up when we catch up, and by then the rest of the ground forces should have met up with us.

Glowstick had a feeling Terrorsaur would probably like the tactic,as would Manterror, though he wasn't sure in Inferno's thought processes, and knew Waspinator probably wanted to be back in his bed sleeping to avoid any more bad luck. It was regrettable for Glowstick however that he wasn't fast enough to keep up with the ace fliers of the Predacons, sure he got used to flying as he floats near constantly having grown to hate the ground.. But he wasn't faster, he was still like a blimp or prop plane, just sharing the sky with fighter jets.

_____________

Icebreaker watched as Steelclaw headed out, his optics narrowed slightly at the tone of words the bear gave. He then glanced towards Saber about to speak as suddenly his comlink chirped up. You know, your not supposed to call someone on a sneaking mission Rhinox..

That's why I didn't say anything. What's your situation? Rhinox then said, Icebreaker looked around, then looked towards Saber Situation is clear, we're returning to base. he responded, but then heard a sudden reply Don't, the Maximals are all heading towards a detected Transwarp signature, we need you both with us or the Predacons are going to completely outnumber us. Transmitting coordinates now.

Icebreaker blinked Huh.. that's not that far away at all.. Alright, got it. We'll be heading there now Rhinox.

Icebreaker transformed to his penguin mode Well Kitty kat, looks like I have bigger fish to fry, lets head out. We'll just be going a few clicks east of here.


Once Rhinox finished, he got up and started to walk to the bridge platform using it to exit the axalon, then transformed to his beast mode.

Hey Sonar, you can ignore that bug. Just head towards the point I'm transmitting. I'm thinking.. Maybe if we can send someone ahead, they could set up an ambush. Hmm.. Waspinator, Inferno,Manterror, and Terrorsaur are our fastest fliers...

"Hmm, I like that idea. Dive bombing the Maximals is always fun. Death from above." Sonar commented with a smirk.

* * *

Saber growled deeply at Steelclaws comment, but she wasn't in the mood to attack the bear. She watched him leave through narrowed eyes.

One of these days, I'm gonna tare him apart for that. She thought as he vanished from sight.

Saber ignore most of what Icebreaker was saying to Rhinox.

Well Kitty kat, looks like I have bigger fish to fry, lets head out. We'll just be going a few clicks east of here.

Saber growled quietly when Icebreaker called her Kitty cat. "Fine, lead the way."

She remained quiet as she followed ICebreaker toward thier destination.

No punishment?

Scorponok obediently felt Megatron's side and proceeded towards the personal quarters of the crew. He could not help but feel slight dejection from the leader's response. These Predacons treat him with contempt and disrespect. It was only fair that they were to be punished for their insolence. He continued to mumble some nonsensical words as he approached Steelclaw's room. Punching in a master code, Scorponok was granted immediate access to the room. It was one of the perks to being the right hand man. He was able to sneak through others' personal belongings and see if they were up to anything that classified as disobedience. It did him no good, though, as most of Scorponok's complaints have fallen on deaf ears. The lieutenant grabbed the mini-gun with a heave and walked out, punching the panel to shut the door. Transforming back into beast mode, he strapped the weapon onto his back and proceeded to crawl towards the hanger. If his actions in the Darksyde would not earn him respect, then he will earn it in battle.


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NaitoKage wrote: Hey, what do you think? Have you, Inferno,Manterror, and Waspinator fly ahead to lay an ambush on the Maximals? If you can't hide on the ground, try in the clouds and do a little death from above. Sonar and I will back you guys up when we catch up, and by then the rest of the ground forces should have met up with us.

Terrorsaur nodded in understanding.

"It's still early in the day, so we'll be able to gain the upper hand from above with the sun and clouds as our cover."

He looked at the other Predacon flyers and pointed to Inferno, Manterror, and Waspinator.

"You three, come with me. We're moving ahead to lay a trap for the Maximals."

Transforming to his robot mode, Terrorsaur's engines roared to life. A flash of red sparked from his jet pack as he quickly surged towards the destination.

Snow Trix followed after Megatron but didn't say anything further. Something though seemed a little off about this transwarp signature and the fact it was another ship. "Megatron as much as you hate being questioned but this may not exactly be a ship. For all we know it just may be something from these aliens or something." She pointed out. Even if Megatron did have suspicions it seemed a good idea to say something just in case.

Starshadow transformed into her beast mode and followed Megatron with an awaken Cecaelia on her back.

"An alien? Could it possibly be one of the crew members?" she whispered to the octopus.

"That's impossible. I told them to seek help from the Krateira and repair Vengeance." Cecaelia whispered back.

But still it was interesting. An alien ship crashed on the planet. The cat could probably get her paws on everything she could find whatever the ship contains.

Airazor listened quietly to the giant maximal's speech. She wasn't too fond of the idea of going "home" to be honest. She had no memories of Cybertron and she had just begun to think of this planet as her home. Going someplace else so soon wasn't too appealing to her. Still, she had little choice in the matter. It seemed her new friends all wanted to go back to Cybertron. She would join them, but she hoped that it was as beautiful as this one was. For some reason however, she doubted it.

"Airazor and Feralnight, you're with me in the air. We'll reach the area the quickest and secure a perimeter,"

Nodding, she waited until the leader was finished giving orders and speaking before leaving. This operation seemed like it was going to be quite large. The entire crew would be leaving in order to investigate this portal thing. It really must be important.

Soon enough, Optimus had activated his jets and set off towards his destination. Airazor watched him leave before turning towards Tigatron next to her. "Catch you on the flip-side." She said with a smile. She gave him a lingering gaze before turning away and jumping up towards the roofhatch. As she did, she began to transform into her falcon mode. Her body changed from a shining and radiant gold and black to the feathered organic creature. Flapping her wings to keep afloat, she set off to catch-up to Optimus who had left before her.

---



Waspinator, Terrorsaur, Sonar, Inferno, Manterror, I just got our group's orders. Transmitting coordinates for rendezvous, we'll be acting as first strike on the Maximals, if you guys have any plans on the way, I'd like to hear them. I'll fill you guys in on the rest of the parameters of the mission while we're in the air.

Not entirely sure what this mission would entail, the mantis changed coarse yet again to the coordinates he was sent. Doing missions for Megatron was a pain. He always expected you to follow orders and complete them, blah blah. He had his own work to do. He couldn't be bothered with this other assignment which he had no desire to complete. Still, it would give him some time to kill Maximal's which was always a plus. In fact, that was likely the only reason he even bothered to go about these mission any longer. Well that and, not being blown to pieces by Megatron.

Catching up to Glowstick and the other Predicon's, Manterror slowed up slightly in order to keep pace with them. He heard Glowstick's plan, but didn't respond, although he wanted to ask why terrorsaur would lead the group instead of someone competent. He decided against it though. Instead of arguing, he'd rather experience firsthand how stupid he was and then complain about it from then on. Perhaps that would give him a chance to lead in the future... then that would also give him a perfect opportunity to get some of his teammates killed and one less person to challenge his rule in his global domination scheme!

For obvious reasons, Optimus should not have gotten so far ahead from his Maximals. The Predacons had fast fliers as well, and if they managed to get there before him, they'd be setting up to ambush him. Then what good would he be to anyone? But they had to reach the transwarp signal first. They had to!

While it was still fresh in his memory, Primal reverted his thoughts to what Whitegrazer had taught him that morning. It was rather lonely at this time flying by himself, so his mind tended to wonder. He didn't detect any threats yet, but he was only about half way to the location from the Axalon. He tried thinking of ways to incorporate Whitegrazer's techniques into battle. Granted, there wasn't enough time for her to have taught him much, but what she had said about using meditation to block pain or cope with it easier really intrigued him, especially the way the Predacons enjoyed putting him through the mill.

Invisible to the naked eye, someone had arrived with that open transwarp signal. Having taken off from the signal's origin, the unseen being automatically set a collision course with Optimus Primal. These bots were so predictable it was pathetic. Both allegiances would be heading for the signal to battle over the device but it seemed the Maximal leader was already well underway to its position. Time to make it interesting. Time to strike some fear into them again. They had no idea who they were dealing with. They were the Vok.

Blasting off straight toward Primal, the invisible clone matched his altitude and speed. Whipping out his mace ball and chain, he began swinging it in a circular motion while he quickly approached the unsuspecting Maximal head on. Then, at the very last moment, "Clear Convoy" disengaged his invisibility and swung the spiked ball at Optimus's chin for an effective upper cut.

As soon as his clone showed himself, Primal's spark stopped. Unfortunately, the first and only reaction he had was a gasp of utter surprise. After that, he felt the impact under his chin before it snapped his head back and knocked him unconscious in mid air. Blackness. He was no longer coherent of anything. His prime jets disengaged themselves and he spiraled toward the forest below, crashing into the trees, hidden from view. Optimus laid there on the shadowy forest floor on his back among the branches his body broke during his free-fall, covered in a few leaves that slowly floated down in the wake of his uncontrolled descent and settled on him. For now, he was completely vulnerable and out cold.

Emotionless at first, a very small and cynical smile appeared at the corner of the Vok's mouth, taking pleasure in watching the leader fall helplessly out of the sky. Hopefully he would remain there for sometime. He could just kill him... But, no. Not yet. There would be another time for that. Putting away his weapon, and remaining visible, "Clear Convoy" turned around and resumed in Primal's place, flying off and maintaining the Maximal commander's original path toward the signal. He was going to see how far he could go impersonating Primal and leading his team of misfits before crushing them and the Predacons, and their dreams of leaving planet Earth.

-----

"I have to admit despite the trouble we have gone through I'm going to miss this planet."

Watching Wintersong exit, the white cat agreed with her. He loved the nature of this planet. But if they were not meant to be here, then they should not stay. They already caused enough pain and damage to this world.

"Catch you on the flip-side."

Tigatron returned the smile to Airazor, his bright red optics settling on her dark green before she flew off and transformed to her beast mode. "Safe journey," he wished for her. They would see each other again soon, but who knew what could happen during their trek. The tiger wished he could fly with Airazor, but he knew she was more than capable of protecting herself in case of an attack. She was quick and intelligent.

Sighing, Tigatron hoped this battle would not last long and would not have casualties. Without anymore hesitation, he transformed to his beast mode and followed Rhinox out of the Axalon.

-----

"Beast mode!" "Just hope his is the real deal otherwise Rattrap is right, we're as good as dead if we aren't careful."

"Hope I'm wrong for once," the rat commented, waddling over to Frilla and Whitegrazer on the lift, and were then lowered to the outside together. "All right, Whitegrazer. Run like the wind!" he grinned, motivating her to get in her beast mode. He was looking forward to riding on her back, like an old western cowboy.