The Intergalactic Highway

Frilla looked as Cheetor came down the hall, though something seemed on his mind. Before she could ask Optimus had opened the door,"Yes it's Onyx but it seems Icebreaker had it under control, he wanted me to inform you. I do apologize for the interruption Optimus." She said apologetically and gave a brief smile as Whitegrazer waved."It has only seemed one so I'll return to the bridge and keep an eye on it from there." She added before stepping aside to let Cheetor speak if needed or unless Optimus wanted to add anything.

Feralnight wasn't able to hear everything the others said but so far nothing sounded hostile. Though soon her thoughts were turning back to her past and something of what Onyx said made her frown slightly. Some act out if needed? She had heard that before, several times and she had seen some Predacons only wanting to have equal rights as the Maximals while others did it because they loved destruction. Could Onyx be one of those few who really wanted peace?

Or was this another trick? Looking back at the others something didn't feel right as she watched, her thoughts distracted from listening to everything. Deciding to abandon her place from being the eyes in the air Feralnight flew in a half back loop before she twisted straight and headed off away from the Axalon, turning off her com-link before anyone told her off.

OOC: @ OOP, welcome back! Yeah, if you get tired of him or whatever, let me know and I'll post an audition for him.

@ everyone: FOUR pages already?!? You guys are all really excited about OP dying....it shows!

@ Worpex.... where do you come up with these things?

BIC:

It had appeared that Arachnitron left the Axalon just in time. She was far enough away from the base that no one had seen her, but close enough that she could see the Predacon horse that had just approached. She couldn't hear much from where she was standing, but it appeared that the Pred was talking to the Maximals. It had appeared he came in peace.

She scoffed at the sight. "Negotiations and diplomacy...give me a break!" she muttered out loud. "And you call yourself a Predacon!"

She turned away from the scene in disgust and continued her trek. Her temper had cooled a bit. Her anger was no longer boiling through her circuits. She was certainly still frustrated, but she was able to think clearly again. She needed a new plan...

It seemed like just as she was thinking about the need for a new plan, a new plan was almost handed to her. She had been wandering through the foliage near the Maximal's base just outside their radar and she stumbled upon another Predacon who-since he was beyond the Axalon's scanners-had gone undetected by the Maximals.

Silently, the spider skittered up into a nearby tree, hidden by the branches, to get a closer look at the Predacon, a preying mantis, who was fiddleing around with some felled trees and....was that a trebuchet???

Now THIS was a Predacon after her own black spark! It appeared the mantis was hard at work, scheming and plotting against the Maximals...in their own backyard! His plan, whatever it was, was diabolical and maniacal....and... a little ridiculous...it would never work...

But there was one thing Arachnitron could make work for her. She smiled wickedly. It would be reckless of her to approach the Pred with no weaponry at her disposal. But it would certainly prove a good point...how was she expected to be of any use to the Maximals if she had no weapons? And how could she defend herself against potential attacks with no weapons? Surely, the Maximals would not want to put their "friend" in jeopardy. If she came back to the Axalon completely scrapped, they'd have to return her weapons to her.

Arachnitron continued to watch the mantis complete his project and crept closer to him...and though she was skilled in the art of stealth, she was purposely snapping twigs and rustleing leaves so he'd hear her...

OOC: She's such a monster....

Freedom is a relative thing.. On Cybertron, the Maximals rule over us, applying restrictions. The false peace they created is garbage, and it's spread like that over the universe. Here.. there is no Maximal reach, their forces are strong but not dominating. As strange as it may be, I found a purpose on this battlefield, something I didn't have before..

Hmm...interesting and true.

In anycase.. I'll respect your answer. You wont have to worry too much in that cage of yours.. if something unfortunate happens to me, you'll be released from your holding. But if you manage to get your old body again and try to take over the crew, I'm certain they wont be as merciful as I was.

As for your body, I'll take it out of that bottle and make sure it stays functional, after I'm done building a means of holding it. I assume that shouldn't be too hard with all the stasis pod parts I have laying around..

"Don't you-" he left. "dare...."

This was bad..a Cybertronian..going to inspect her body for some warfare upgrades and researching. If only she had a protoform to possess, she would've warned Starshadow about it. But how is she going to do that when she is currently trapped in her prison?! Visia's spark started trying to struggle out of the twin drive system. No matter what, she won't let the squid get his tentacles to inspect anything.

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

Cecaelia held her breathe for a few seconds then coughed, looking at her mentor, "Are you dying yet because I am..." she pinched her nose. She looked around, noticing Glowstick arrived. She stretched her tentacles while putting her handd in the air, unexpectedly smack Starshadow's face.

"Glowstick-kun!" her hoverboard flew over to the squid. Finally, she got to see his face again. The blue femme jumped off her hoverboard and wrapped her tentacles around him, like a big hug, "Where did you go?"

Starshadow rubbed her face and sighed, "Glowstick, we need to talk..in private.."

"NO!"

That was unexpected from the octopus.

"I saw him first! You can talk to him later!" Cecaelia stuck her tougue out while putting her index finger below an optic.

Aurora had not gotten to respond to Rattrap's remark about her flowers, but she did get a bit of a giggle out of his response. Somehow the idea of planting tulips in Waspinator's stripy stinger seemed almost fitting.. and quite funny! Some of the Predacons were quite scary, indeed, but Waspinator really was not one of them. Perhaps a giant fly-swatter might do the trick if he ever tried to engage her team in battle.

Rattrap wrote:"Doesn't hurt to take precautions, Aurora. You never wanna be unprepared or caught off guard 'cause some of these Preds just wanna kill us or use us,"

Aurora nodded to Rattrap before turning her attention back to Onyx. He did not strike her as someone who had come with bad intentions, but then again.. she was new to this world and learning to interpret someone's actions, presentation, and words was a skill that would require some time to fine-tune.

Rattrap wrote:"Ain't this the chimp's job? Where he is, anyway?"

"Maybe he's busy eating fleas off someone's backside," the small fuzor suggested teasingly before glancing quickly over her shoulder to make sure Optimus had not heard her little remark at his expense. It was just an odd behavior she had come across in some species she'd been doing research on, many primates included.

But the Maximal commander was still nowhere to be seen so she reckoned he was preoccupied elsewhere. Not dwelling on it, she turned back as Onyx spoke, offering something of an explanation as to why he was there. Well, sorta anyway. The black equine had thus far avoided to reveal exactly why he had come, but rather brought up the Maximals on Cybertron and how he hoped the group here would be more forthcoming to new ideas.

What was it he was trying to tell them? Was he suggesting an alliance?

Taking a step closer, the small ermine with the translucent butterfly wings looked straight at Onyx.

"Do you need our help for something..?," she inquired, hoping the equine would open up more about his true reason for being here.

Icebreaker crossed his arms listening to Onyx, then responded Peaceful terms.. We do know the predacons are diverse in their beliefs, but when predacons start talking about peace, it's usually just to give them time to reload their guns. Unless you're speaking for your entire outfit, it's hard to believe your claim.

____________

Glowstick blinked with wide optics as Cecaelia jumped towards him and brought him into an embrace. He increased the output of his anti gravity and projected a small jet of air to keep himself up right while floating, placing one of his feeder tentacles on her back You're in rather high spirits. Uh, I was busy with upgrading the Leviathan.

He then looked towards Starshadow

starshadow wrote:Starshadow rubbed her face and sighed, "Glowstick, we need to talk..in private.."

It was clearly obvious she wanted to talk about Visia, and what it sounded like before, she wanted to let that thing loose again. Even if it was planning to kill her, Cecaelia, and the rest of the crew. If Visia was let loose again, the events that transpired would just repeat..

Cecaelia wrote:"NO!"

"I saw him first! You can talk to him later!" Cecaelia stuck her tougue out while putting her index finger below an optic.

Glowstick chuckled slightly while floating backwards Heh, Sorry Star. She has been through alot, so I think I'll spoil her this once. I'll talk to you later. he then gave a wave as he floated into the halls.

So now that you have my attention.. what do you would you like to do Cecaelia?

Heh, Sorry Star. She has been through alot, so I think I'll spoil her this once. I'll talk to you later.

Starshadow nodded and left the two tentacled bots alone. Boredom was getting to her. Smirking at a new idea of having fun, she jumped on Sonar from behind and whispered in his ear, "So, what did you make? Music box? Heart-shaped energon crystal? or a malicious robo kitty companion?"

==============================

Cecaelia just gave Glowstick a big smile.

So now that you have my attention.. what do you would you like to do Cecaelia?

"To the beach, like you promised!"

Megatron wrote:Hm...yes it was quite strange indeed, and as for Onyx leaving I did see this.

Had he just heard Megatron correctly?

Megatron wrote:If it was worth you being locked away in that lab of your's Sonar and obviously smelling like something has died then very well, let's see what this project of your's can do.

"Pardon me, sir," Steelclaw spoke up, hoping to get his question answered before Megatron left. "Our ship's systems were acting up for you, too? Did you get a chance to see what the computer was trying to show us?"

* * *

Cheetor looked just slightly into Primal's quarters when he opened the door and talked to Frilla, and he saw Whitegrazer inside.

He decided that his problem could wait- he would need enough time to actually talk about it, or he at least thought he would. Cheetor gave a small wave back to Whitegrazer to acknowledge her and then moved on down the hallway without a word.

He started asking about the ordeal with Onyx once he came close to the bridge. "So what's going on wi..."

He stopped short once he found, to his surprise, that the room was deserted.

He walked to the forward wall of the bridge and started looking at the scanners and cameras. It really was just Onyx out there.

"Maximal you know as well as I do there are few on the Predaocn team stranded here that would agree to peace, so I come on my own terms." Onyx explained to Icebreaker looking towards Aurora as she asked her question then at the ones gathered there, though it seemed the fuzor had something else in mind for her to be taking off, he just hoped she wasn't being dumb enough to head to the Darksyde. "I come to talk of actually a matter of helping one another, otherwise our chances of leaving this planet to home is quite low." He explained and reached back grabbing his pistol and Friction rifle before bringing them forward and dropped them on the ground,"And to prove I mean no harm both my weapons are disarmed and where you can see them. Besides I know when I am outgunned and well outmatched." He said stepping back a bit from the two weapons and raising his hands in surrender.

They were surely suspicious and he would do what he could to prove no harm to them, he really wasn't trying to cause trouble. But he was sure even then the Maximals would still be cautious and choose their moves carefully as he was doing.

Manterror heard crunching from behind him and he simply assumed it was just the wind. He continued his project for world domination by putting the final touches onto his creation. It wasn't until the sounds started to get louder that he realized that it be another being behind him. He turned around quickly to come face-to-face with a spider. Immediately, the Mantis got into a battle position and began to spin the deadly blades inside his claw at full velocity. "Spider! Are you another creation of Tarantulas? Or some imitation!? " He said, slightly alarmed. He didn't exactly like the other spiders much, but then again, he didn't really like anyone much. It was difficult to make out of this Cybertronian was a Predicon or a Maximal at the moment... It looked very Predicon with the glowing red eyes, but he hadn't recognized her before...

((Not sure what to do with Airazor at the moment. It's likely she wouldn't be at the Maximal base though. I'm open to suggestions!))

(( OOC: at Manterror. For world domination! I'm not sure where to put Tigatron either, WorpeX. I was going to watch the "Before the Storm" episode to see where he and/or Airazor were in the beginning (or whenever they showed up), just to give me an idea on what to do, but I haven't had time to check it out. ))

"Yes it's Onyx but it seems Icebreaker had it under control, he wanted me to inform you. I do apologize for the interruption Optimus." "It has only seemed one so I'll return to the bridge and keep an eye on it from there."

Just Onyx? Interesting. Optimus recalled the details Rattrap had filled in later of his debriefing about their last encounter with him when Onyx had been activated; that he was more like Steelclaw and Glowstick, both of which stood out from the rest of the Predacons as a lot less violent and highly intelligent. "It's all right, Frilla," the leader reassured her again with her apology. "Thank you." After she and Cheetor had exchanged waves with Whitegrazer, Cheetor moved on without saying a word, Optimus watching him curiously for a moment.

Turning back to the taller equine, Primal sighed lightly and gently took her hand in his just for a moment, as he said with a light but warm smile, "Forgive me, Whitegrazer. I seems duty calls. We'll continue this once Onyx departs." Releasing her hand, he offered her to exit his quarters first before he stepped out and walked down the corridor following after Cheetor and Frilla toward the command deck.

"So what's going on wi..."

Hearing the cheetah ahead, Primal walked into the control room, glancing around, also surprised to find no one else in there at the moment. He wondered who was outside by now with Onyx. Fortunately, there were no alarms for any violent activity. Whichever Maximals were already out there seemed to be handling it well so far. What could Onyx possibly want, though? Why risk coming alone? Did the Predacons know about Nemesis being held prisoner? Did they have a Maximal prisoner as well? Worrying about Saber-Fang having left them the way she did bothered him greatly. Was it something to do with Arachnitron? Well, Optimus supposed there was only one way to find out what was going on.

"Everyone else stay here," Primal ordered Frilla, Cheetor and Whitegrazer ((if she followed them to the main bridge)). "I think we have enough Maximals as it is surrounding Onyx. No need to put the rest of you at risk in case of an ambush." With that, the leader stepped onto a platform that took him down outside of the Axalon. Cautiously, he took his time approaching the rest who were already speaking with the black equine, seeming unarmed himself. He was surprised to find Rattrap there, and even more surprised that he hadn't started any trouble yet. It seemed Icebreaker was handling the situation until he noticed Aurora, as curious as she must have been about this somewhat unusual situation for the Maximals, step up and address Onyx. Feralnight had been circling above before she flew off. Wintersong was nearby as well. Definitely more than enough Maximals present for something like this. At least they were prepared.

"Maybe he's busy eating fleas off someone's backside,"

Rattrap couldn't hold back his sudden burst of laughter at the young Fuzor's comment. "Awe man! No you didn't!" he said to Aurora. "That was a good one," he verbally applauded her.

"Very well, I came here to talk on peaceful terms which a few days ago didn't go as expected." "Obviously you Maximals seem more understanding then those on Cybertron and you must understand some only act out in force since they don't have a choice. I thought perhaps some of us might have the same thoughts on those situations."

Peaceful terms.. We do know the predacons are diverse in their beliefs, but when predacons start talking about peace, it's usually just to give them time to reload their guns. Unless you're speaking for your entire outfit, it's hard to believe your claim.

Composing himself for the situation, Rattrap watched Icebreaker's and Onyx's conversation, his weapon still lingering at his side.

"By the way, Rattrap was it? Starshadow is alive and well, you seemed bothered by it so I assumed you might like to know."

Wow. That was rather... unsettling to Rattrap. First of all, he could have sworn Starshadow had died, although it was a little bit of a relief to know he hadn't killed her after all. Something still seemed fishy about it but he didn't get a chance to pry. The other uneasy part about it was Onyx, a Predacon, having the decency to inform Rattrap about her good health in the first place, recalling how upset he had been about it before he and the other Maximals had retreated. What kind of tricks was he trying to pull?

"Maximal you know as well as I do there are few on the Predaocn team stranded here that would agree to peace, so I come on my own terms."

"Do you need our help for something..?,"

Aye, Aurora. So young and naive, thought Rattrap. She was a good bot and sweet but he was beginning to see that she and Optimus had something in common; trusting too much. Although the rodent appeared to be a little less cautious right now, he still found Onyx's solo appearance to be suspicious. However, he didn't interrupt anyone, and was taken aback when the ebony horse tossed down his weapons, unarming himself.

"I come to talk of actually a matter of helping one another, otherwise our chances of leaving this planet to home is quite low." "And to prove I mean no harm both my weapons are disarmed and where you can see them. Besides I know when I am outgunned and well outmatched."

Okay, he had a point, but Rattrap still refused to put away his own weapon. At least he kept it at his side, without his index finger on the trigger. That should be good enough for anyone who knew the paranoid rat. Hearing footsteps behind them, the Maximal spy glanced over his shoulder to find Optimus finally joining them. Took 'im long enough. Not that he doubted Icebreaker's skills, who had been dealing with Onyx quite well actually, but he thought it would be good to have their commanding officer speak with the Predacon as well, especially since none of them really knew Onyx. Rattrap felt more at ease with Primal present now.

Wintersong listened to the conversation finding it all at first a bunch of slag, rarely did any Predacon come with just seeking out peace and to 'work together' without something being a catch. Of course Onyx seemed one of the less aggressive ones, similar to Steelclaw and Glowstick but none the less he was sure to be deadly at the same time. It was surprising however he would allow himself without weapons unless he had some close combat training, for all they knew he might have to weapons hidden in a subspace somewhere since Wintersong herself was much the same with her own weapons. She had even considered training more in hand to hand combat since she really didn't use her long range weapons.

Turning her head as she heard the lift the tigeress relaxed as Optimus finally appeared and she guessed Frilla was able to get to the maximal commander about what was going on, though she wondered how this would go.Would Onyx become nervous and grab his weapons? Or would he still remain as calm as he was and speak of what he was looking for in his so called peaceful visit? At this point it was hard to really tell.

Frilla followed the others back to the bridge, but it didn't surprise her that the others were confronting Onyx and watched as Optimus went to join the ones gathered outside which seemed like they were more then ready for an ambush. "Guess we watch from in here you two, but who knows how this might go down." She said to Cheetor and Whitegrazer before she moved to the monitor and watched from there. But what caught her attention the most was Feralnight's signal suddenly out of radar range which made the frilled lizard wonder what the older fuzor could be up to.

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

Soaring over the arid, barren land of volcanic rock and molten lava Feralnight was keeping her eyes peeled, watching for any Predacons who might be out at this time and possibly might spot her on enemy territory. Once she found the place quiet and no movement she dove down before flaring her wings and landing carefully behind a pile of rock, stepping out enough to peek around them and could see the Darkside just in the distance being far enough not to be detected by the security systems. She was sure to get a lecture for flying off without reporting it before hand but she was a bit curious to what the Predacons were really up to and thought some of her old skills might come in handy, of course being black in brown environment wasn't exactly helpful. Not to mention feather and fur looked awfully funny too.

'There has to be a way to get in.' She thought to herself, her optics scanning the front but saw no visible entrance but the hanger which was the worse place she could try to sneak in. Not unless she used the Levianthan for cover or any crates that were there. It was her best option but now was the fact of getting close enough without triggering the defense system. Looking around the only thing that was close enough was mud, which would be difficult to get out later and she wasn't looking forward to explaining that to Primal or the others.

Taking a deep breathe Feralnight quietly and quickly moved around the larger part of the defenses, skirting any that might be closer then she thought and moved towards the side of the crashed Predacon ship then slinking quietly to the hanger and quickly moving towards the nearest crate as cover and keeping low. Though whether or not their were cameras in the hanger the fuzor had forgot to consider.

"If it was worth you being locked away in that lab of your's Sonar and obviously smelling like something has died then very well, let's see what this project of your's can do."

Sonar felt himself smile, without having to deal with Saber on a regular basis, he had plunty of free time on his hands.

"Pardon me, sir," "Our ship's systems were acting up for you, too? Did you get a chance to see what the computer was trying to show us?"

"If the ships computers are acting up again, I'll deal with them after showing Lord Megatron my project." Sonar said calmly.

((OOC: Of course not, since this is a RP, we can change things in the show. We can rewrite the future. *evil laugh*

Sort of anyway. Some things have to happen. ))

Turning back to the taller equine, Primal sighed lightly and gently took her hand in his just for a moment, as he said with a light but warm smile, "Forgive me, Whitegrazer. I seems duty calls. We'll continue this once Onyx departs." Releasing her hand, he offered her to exit his quarters first before he stepped out and walked down the corridor following after Cheetor and Frilla toward the command deck.

Whitegrazer had gripped Optimus' hand gently when he grabbed hers when he spoke and smiled. I hope nothing else happens, but something always happens around here. At least, it keeps it interesting. She had to note with an inward smile. Life was never boring around the Axalon.

She was walking along with Frilla and Cheetor, watching as he went to greet Onyx. She never had the pleasure of meeting her, as Rattrap and the others seemed to tell her, evil twin because of the beast mode they shared. Onyx appeared harmless, though and with Optimus, Icebreaker and Orcarnier out there, the situation would no doubt be under control.

Dark days will be coming. Trials will be testing everyone, student. Including you. Be prepared.

She closed her optics as she took in what her master just told her. She had faith that everyone will succeed in what they have to do. After all, life tests everyone and continues to the end.

"Guess we watch from in here you two, but who knows how this might go down."

Whitegrazer had taken an console beside Frilla, noticing Feralnight's flying off radar as well. Wonder what she is doing? She tried to see if she could track Saber-Fang. Saber had really tried to keep herself off the radar but there were a few instances where she wasn't. She hoped maybe Saber will come back to the base. Though, she or Optimus wasn't going to force her to.

Keep safe out there, Saber. Watch your back.

Icebreaker watched as Onyx put his weapons down. He raised an optic ridge So you're here for yourself. I'm assuming then you're either planning to be a free agent away from Megatron's goons, or would like to join with us for what your proposing..Well, I guess we'll at least get the communications open. My name is Icebreaker, I was search and rescue.. but these days I guess I'm a one man army..From the reports, I'm assuming your name is Onyx right?

Icebreaker transformed to his beast mode, the penguin glanced over toward Onyx's weapons. a Friction rifle? Very uncommon piece of hardware.. I'm guessing from your loadout, you could be called the same.

Icebreaker's head tilted as he saw Optimus, then looked towards Oynx Alright, let's hear your proposal.

____________________

Glowstick nodded towards Cecaelia Hmm.. the Beach huh? Alright. It'll Give me a chance to test out the power plant on the Leviathan as we go there! He then floated towards the hanger, moving his limbs to scoop her up as he floated along towards the hanger, then entered the craft through the rear airlock.

Heading into the bridge, he set her down speaking up If you want you can help, I'll monitor the power outputs, while you pilot and fly us towards the beach.

This would also give me an oppertunity to check the scans from the CR tank when Visia's body was repaired, from that I can learn details on her physiology.. he then thought to himself.