The Intergalactic Highway

Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:(( OOC: Actually, Alak, OP is still down there with Orcariner. And I don't know where Cheetor is but I had OP tell him to patch into Tigatron's transmission with the Nomad. ))

((OOC: *eye twitch... cracks knuckles*))

Orcariner suddenly jumped up. He was astounded at the sudden appearance of Optimus Primal and even quickly realized that the Maximal leader was there all along. How could the whale robot have ignored him all this time?

"Uh," said Orcariner, awkwardly, "I didn't sit on you did I?"

What kind of question was that?!

((OOC: Er... woops.))

Optimus Primal wrote:Cheetor, acquire Tigatron's frequency through the Nomad and see if you can connect to his communication link.

"On it, Big Bot," Cheetor responded before going to the ship's front. At least communication equipment would be easy enough to manage.

After about half a minute of working, he got some static to sound on the ship's radio from Tigatron's com-link, but it soon disappeared. From there, Cheetor worked to fine tune the reception of that signal.

"Tigatron, this is Cheetor," he finally stated, mostly sure that he'd found the link, "come in Tigatron."

* * *

Steelclaw kept his gaze forward as people entered and exited the bridge, watching the display at the front.

Then a Maximal signature began to come in just on the edge of the ship's radar- a Maximal signal. It made sense since Glowstick had just said they were getting close.

"Scorponok, we've got a Maximal either at the site or close to it." Scorponok had probably already noticed himself. But Steelclaw was curious to know what he'd do about the situation.

Scorponok glanced at the radar screen. The signal was faint so that meant that the Maximal was in beast mode or that the energon radiation was more powerful than he realized. Punching the intercom with his claw, he reported throughout the Leviathan.

"Starshadow," his voice echoed, "Report to the bridge immediately for duty."

Scorponok turned to Steelclaw and explained.

"With this many Predacons on board, the transport is moving pretty slow. Since it's only one enemy signature, I will send the cat who is our fastest soldier on this type of terrain. Once she disposes the scum, Starshadow will remain there as a scout so we will know what we're getting ourselves into."

Frilla turned in her seat as she heard Steelclaw and Scorponok, wondering if this was a trap. "Let's hope we aren't going into a trap for that one Maximal signal. For all we know the other Maximals could just out of our range of detecting them." She pointed out, knowing they probably wouldn't care much.

"There could be others waiting close by," Steelclaw responded to Frilla, "but the closer this ship gets, the farther away they'll have to be to avoid the radar's detection. So whether they show up or not, we'll know the gist of what we're heading into."

Steelclaw liked the efficiency of Scorponok's plan. He was only concerned about the possibility that Starshadow would not be the victor of encounter she had with the Maximal they knew was there.

Starshadow ears twitched when she heard Scorponok. She quickly put on her helmet, rushing to the bridge. "Yes, Commander?"

Seeing Starshadow quickly enter the command bridge, Scorponok faced her and puffed his chest.

"There is a Maximal at our destination," he began, "I want you to go ahead of us at full speed and destroy it! Since your combat record isn't as impressive as, say, mine, I will give you some help."

He opened his right claw to reveal a cylindrical device with a small, barely noticeable needle protruding the bottom. Handing it to Starshadow, he continued his briefing.

"I constructed this in my lab back at base. It's a virus that will shut down someone's field dampers giving them the full hit of energon radiation nearby. Use it to your advantage, kitty, and don't poke yourself with it! We'll follow you on our scanners so we know who gets terminated. Once finished, stay put and keep an eye out for anyone else. If the Maximals get there first, fall back to the Leviathan and alert us so we can plan a new attack."

Outside the transport, a shadow was cast on the ground from a being high above. The aerial bound Predacon known as Terrorsaur loomed over the Leviathan and he proceeded to descend. Megatron had not informed him much about this mission, but rather sent him out to assist the Predacon task force. Their leader was untrusting and wanted everything to go as planned. Apparently, this mission had a lot at stake and Terrorsaur intended to find out what it was.

"Don't ever underestimate me, Commander." Starshadow narrowed her optics and whispered to him. "This cat has tons of secrets that you don't want to know..." she kept the device in her inventory and walked to the main deck, looking down.

"Ummmm...I don't think I could survive that jump with that kind of height!" Then she saw Terrorsaur, descending from the sky.
"Terrorsaur, mind giving me a lift?"

The descended Predacon cried, "Terrorsaur, terrorize!"

The pterodactyl transformed into his robotic form and the jet pack roared to life. Closing in on the female robot, he grinned and extended a hand.

"Leaving so soon?"


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Scorponok returned to the map and saw that the lone Maximal remained in the vicinity of the energon field. The blip was still alone but the computer failed to report which direction it was facing. The faint icon indicated that the Maximal scout was still in beast form. He had did not know whether or not Starshadow would be able to catch it off guard. He doubted her ability to fight, as well as most others abilities other than his own and Megatron's. Every Predacon had a big mouth and loved to boast what he or she was capable of until the time for war came and it was revealed that everyone was bluffing. Scorponok himself would probably fall into this category but at least he had a rank and a record. Granted, it blew his ego far beyond what he even realized.

Starshadow smiled playfully. "Very funny.." she took his hand.
"That lame-O Scorponok gave me a task. A maximal is located at our destination. Since I'm the fastest of the group, he sent me to eliminate it." she replied with a sigh.
Then, an idea struck her. Starshadow pulled Terrorsaur closer to her with a seductive smile forming on her face. "How about you hanging out with me? You know Scorpy loves to boss us around which is kind of...annoying, isn't it?" she asked as she stroked his left cheek.

Snow Trix had turned again to look at the monitors having become silent at this point, tilting her head in thought. If the Maximals were a lone like some Predacons would be couldn't they use that or was Megatron even intending such a thing? "Not to really question authority over here sir, but I do not understand something, why do we not attack any Maximals that go out alone? If I'm correct a few come and go on their own as much as we do." She said but still looked at the monitor.

Glowstick tilted his head slightly as he heard StarShadow speak to herself, then run off hearing the orders from Scorponok.It seemed like he was thinking more logically. He assess the machine was in good operating order, if it broke down he did have some spare parts for it on the ship. He stood up floating towards and up the stairs, then looked at StarShadow by the roof hatch, then pondered for a moment as she went outside. At least Terrorsaur was there to get her if she fell off, but it would seem he may need to develop some sort of parachute system? Then again, it'd probably just be easier to use a winch cable or some other method.

Glowstick then walked into the bridge, overhearing Snow trix Technically that is what we're doing. His intentions are to destroy the Maximal in an efficient and painful manner. As a poison user I also know how valuable it can be to swiftly cripple your enemy. One of his tentacles lift making a quick jab motion to the air One solid hit or even a graze, and that's it.. They're helpless in your manipulators.

_________________________

Icebreaker looked towards Cheetor noticing him to be busy Oh, he's busy. Alright. Then I'll show you two. He then turned his head slightly smiling Please, feel free to have a seat. he then stated in a non imposing manner to the two seats on either side of him. He could tell Wintersong was rather uncomfortable, she always seemed that way when interacting with the maximals. He hoped he'd be able to provide a better image of the group as in the end it didn't matter of status, they were all kin of the same race with generally the same goals.

"Makes sense." Snow Trix said turning to look at Glowstick. "Guess we'll see if it works." She wasn't one to be entirely hopeful though and merely sighed, more of bordom then anything.

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

Wintersong nodded slightly and sat down, tail twitching slightly as she still seemed uncomfortable around the others. She was though prepared to listen and if needed learn a few of the controls so not to feel like an idiot in case of an emergency, which more then likely might happen on this trip.

starshadow wrote:Starshadow smiled playfully. "Very funny.." she took his hand.
"That lame-O Scorponok gave me a task. A maximal is located at our destination. Since I'm the fastest of the group, he sent me to eliminate it." she replied with a sigh.
Then, an idea struck her. Starshadow pulled Terrorsaur closer to her with a seductive smile forming on her face. "How about you hanging out with me? You know Scorpy loves to boss us around which is kind of...annoying, isn't it?" she asked as she stroked his left cheek.

"Sure," grinned Terrorsaur without a thought.

He transformed into his beast mode as Starshadow hoped on his back. Flying ahead of the Leviathan, he squawked out loud and gained altitude. They were all going to the same place so technically he was not disobeying Megatron's orders. Suddenly, his radio com cracked with life.

"Terrorsaur!"

He delightfully replied, "Scorponok!"

"What are you doing up there with Starshadow?! This is my mission!"

"Well," smirked the Pterodactyl, "Megatron didn't trust you, so he sent me to babysit your little expedition."

Scorponok was clearly offended as he was unable to say anything more than a few stutters. Terrorsaur chuckled and winked at his passenger.

"Megatron," finally said the scorpion, "obviously trusts me since I am second in command! He probably just sent you here to add to my task force."

"That's not what I got from it."

"Lies! Return to the transport at once!"

Terrorsaur replied, "Sorry, but I only take orders from Megatron. You can go ahead and put that in your cruelly long report."

"How did you know about that?!" screamed Scorponok.

"I find your reports in Megatron's recycle bin folder all the time. He doesn't read them."

"Lies!"

Terrorsaur was obviously lying but he said whatever needed to be said in order to push Scorponok's buttons. He only knew about the reports because one day Megatron told him that he was informed by an anonymous report of Terrorsaur being to blame for the failure of a mission. Since Scorponok was the only Predacon of standing rank aside from the leader himself, it was only logical that these debriefings came from him.

"If you excuse me," continued Terrorsaur, "I have a lovely gal with me whom I have to take... uh... somewhere."

He had to be joking. Scorponok quickly turned off the radio and slightly glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone had overheard their conversation. Terrorsaur had no idea what the mission was about. If he was not briefed about the battle and mining plans, he could very well endanger the optimal success of Scorponok's objectives. Anything less than perfect would anger the mighty Megatron. This was definitely going in his report... and Megatron did read his reports! Meanwhile, quite some distance ahead of the Leviathan, Terrorsaur turned to Starshadow.

"So," he asked, "Where exactly are we going and what exactly are we doing?"

Starshadow chuckled as Terrorsaur had a short conversation with Scorponok and winked back.

"If you excuse me, I have a lovely gal with me whom I have to take... uh... somewhere."

The catbot purred sexily when he said that. Today was definitely her day.

"So, where exactly are we going and what exactly are we doing?"

"We're mining energon from an energon deposit which is located ahead of us and we must get there before the maximals does." she looked down to check any life forms who carry a maximal energy signature.
"But first, we have to send that helpless maximal who's lurking around at our destination..offlinnneee...." she chuckled darkly. The coming fight would be so much fun to the evil feline.