The Intergalactic Highway

(( OOC: Come on, guys! *as Jim Carrey's Grinch...* "Stay focused!"

By the way, loving the interaction between Scorponok and Terrorsaur. ))

"Your an immature rodent with really bad jokes is what you are."

Capturing Wintersong's tone, Primal had narrowed a suspicious optic at her and Rattrap. "Is there a problem here?" he inquired.

Rattrap, taken aback by the tigress's remark, simply shook his head at Optimus and shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't figure that cat out. But then again, she was never around long enough to get to know. Where does she always run off to so 'secretly?' he pondered. While she moved away from him to follow Icebreaker, Rattrap remained where he was and took a seat, looking over the controls at his station and keeping his mouth shut. For now.

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

Looking up at Orcariner, Optimus chuckled. "Do you mean to tell me that if you had sat on me, you wouldn't have noticed?" He momentarily raised a brow with a smile to one side of his mouth. Orcariner may be a large Maximal, but Optimus was capable of staying out of his way as necessary. A simple step to the side for the big Maximal was not an inconvenience to the leader.

"On it, Big Bot,"

"Tigatron, this is Cheetor," "come in Tigatron."

"Looks like you won't have to worry about my well being now," Optimus told Orcariner light-heartedly. If Cheetor got through to Tigatron, he would like to speak with him. "Excuse me," he pardoned himself and climbed the ladder up to the bridge.

"Little Cat," Tigatron responded with a smile on his voice. "It is good to hear you." There was still some interference but it was very little now. Cheetor had done a good job tweeking it.

Standing over the cheetah's shoulder, Primal jumped into the conversation. "Tigatron, this is Optimus. What is your status?" He hoped he wasn't in danger, but it didn't sound like it by the tone of his voice.

"Optimus," the white tiger answered, "I discovered a great amount of raw energon, uncovered by last night's meteor shower. The area appears to be undisturbed."

"Not for too long," the leader replied. "We're currently on our way to that area to mine as much energon as we can. Which also means that the Predacons are most likely to be on their way there as well."

"Agreed. What would you have me do?" asked Tigatron.

"Hang back and find cover until we arrive. Those energon deposits are highly unstable, and if a fire fight breaks out, it will ignite the energon and blow the whole place to pieces. We have to deal with this situation with great care and caution. Do not engage the Predacons if they arrive before us. I repeat, do not engage the Predacons. Contact us immediately on this frequency."

With a nod to himself, the large feline said, "Understood. Tigatron out." And the transmission was ended.

"Looks like we already have eyes on our destination," Optimus said to Cheetor. His tone was light but there was no smile. As relieved as he was to already have a Maximal at the site, he was also concerned about the Predacons finding him there alone and attacking him while he was dangerously outnumbered. "Icebreaker, is this the Nomad's top speed?" he asked, looking at the penguin. It most likely was judging by the size and the weight of its occupants. And if so, Primal was thinking of flying out there ahead of the mining team to assist Tigatron in case trouble found him before they did. Feralnight and her beast mode's ability of flight may be the more logical choice, but this was not an aerial excursion he was comfortable with sending her on, especially if Starshadow was among the Predacons' team. She was a loose cannon, from his own observations, and tended to physically lash out without much reason. But would the Preds risk that with so much energon at stake...? Perhaps it would be wiser to go with company... Such decisions he faced. Someone was going to get hurt...

-----

Tigatron looked around from his perch one more time, and since he saw nothing suspicious, he retreated from his spot in search of a forested area nearby. He would be lucky if it was close enough to the energon to scramble anyone's scanners of his signature but he couldn't be too sure of it. He certainly didn't want to sit in the middle of the crystals because the white kitty would stick out like a sore thumb, and if the place blew up by a stray shot, he'd have no way of escaping the blast. So he seeked shelter in the shadows, sitting low among trees and brush, closer to the direction of the Axalon. His ears turned to every noise they picked up, but it was only his ears that moved. Everything else was still, as if he wasn't even there.

Glowstick turned his head overhearing the conversation from Scorponok and Terrorsaur. Seemed the Flier was still able to push his buttons as usual. Though Terrorsaur did have a point, any records Scorponok made of the crew would be meaningless to Megatron unless it was a direct conflict to the mission. As he stated before, he only cares if they follow his orders, otherwise he'd rather they be offline. Glowstick then glanced at the main monitor Yeah.. this looks like the place. Sonar take us down, at this altitude we'll be easier to detect via Radar. I'll check the radio.

Glowstick then walked towards the Radio and plugged himself into it, he raised his headphones and started tuning signals. If there were maximals in the area, they might try communications. It could provide some information that they could utilize.

__________


Icebreaker looked towards Optimus and shaked his head Uh no sir. We can go much faster then this, however there is some worry about traveling at speeds of over 200 mph. The design isn't that aerodynamic and even with some of the tricks Rhinox showed me, the craft is about as agile as a flying house. Icebreaker then pushed the throttle a bit further, the transport starting to become more noisy as the wind buffeted against the flat front of the Nomad. I guess we'll just have to deal with those worries later. He then stated, the terrain seemed mostly flat and desert like, so he didn't really have to worry about random giant rocks or large lifeforms like trees and,giraffes, or elephants getting in the way at least.

Steelclaw attempted to stay at absolute attention at the weapons' controls- especially as the Nomad got closer to its destination. But with all the talk of Maximals hiding, stray shots and massive energon explosions, his processor began to wander, until it finally settled on an event from the past. And suddenly, he realized that he had never made complete sense of it.

"Say, Scorponok- you remember when we first came to this planet? And we ran into that, uh... that huge mountain where we had to fight the Maximals in beast mode because the energon concentration was so high? You see, as I recall, Megatron decided in the end to detonate the place. I admit I retreated as soon as it happened, but I figure that's what he would've wanted us to do, you know? So anyways..."

Steelclaw paused for a moment to find the right wording. Scorponok would be the most likely to know the answer to his question, but he had to phrase it in such a way that he'd get a logical answer instead of a response fueled by Scorponok's utter lack of doubt in his leader.

"Well, Megatron didn't get out immediately. When I was getting away I saw him just sorta... lying there on the ground. But he obviously survived the explosion because he's walking around. I'm curious... did you ever try to figure out how he did that- I don't know, so you might learn from his technique or something? Because I'm wondering if he got himself up and jumped away in time, or if he bore the explosion somehow... or maybe it was something in between- like he ran away with enough time to just catch part of the blast. Do you know?"

Frilla hoped they would be here soon, already finding doing nothing boring a bit so decided to try and distracted herself taking out her Pellet Gun and beginning to make sure it was still full. The last mission had caused her to use most of the acid type pellets and a few of the ink ones. Before she hadn't had any back ups yet made sure to just in case. The worse thing could happen is the energon probably being melted if an acid one hit. Well Frilla hoped at least. Shaking her head she doubt there would be much she could do anyway.

Worse comes to worse we'll be lucky to escape without being blown to the moon, Frilla though.

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

Feralnight looked over as Optimus Primal and Cheetor made the transmission but only heard part of what was said. So the Predacons were getting close. "Optimus, Tigatron might need some back up. If you will allow it sir I can go and offer some aerial support if he is attacked, no doubts that they'd attack if they discover his signal." She said but had no idea if Optimus would risk it. Yet she hated leaving a fellow Maximal out alone and at risk.

Wintersong looked at the others as they got the transmission through. The predacons really couldn't have spotted Tigatron could they? If they had then she could see why anyone would want to hurry.

Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:Looking up at Orcariner, Optimus chuckled. "Do you mean to tell me that if you had sat on me, you wouldn't have noticed?" He momentarily raised a brow with a smile to one side of his mouth. Orcariner may be a large Maximal, but Optimus was capable of staying out of his way as necessary. A simple step to the side for the big Maximal was not an inconvenience to the leader.

Smiling alongside Primal, Orcariner quickly turned his attention to Tigatron's transmission. The energon field was large and the terrain was anything but smooth. Should Tigatron fall into a situation where he needed to run, it would be extremely easy for him to escape into the deposit in beast mode. Still, Predacons had a nasty tendency to act rash. If he did that then who knows if they would fire after him.


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Blazemane wrote:"Say, Scorponok- you remember when we first came to this planet? And we ran into that, uh... that huge mountain where we had to fight the Maximals in beast mode because the energon concentration was so high? You see, as I recall, Megatron decided in the end to detonate the place. I admit I retreated as soon as it happened, but I figure that's what he would've wanted us to do, you know? So anyways..."

Steelclaw paused for a moment to find the right wording. Scorponok would be the most likely to know the answer to his question, but he had to phrase it in such a way that he'd get a logical answer instead of a response fueled by Scorponok's utter lack of doubt in his leader.

"Well, Megatron didn't get out immediately. When I was getting away I saw him just sorta... lying there on the ground. But he obviously survived the explosion because he's walking around. I'm curious... did you ever try to figure out how he did that- I don't know, so you might learn from his technique or something? Because I'm wondering if he got himself up and jumped away in time, or if he bore the explosion somehow... or maybe it was something in between- like he ran away with enough time to just catch part of the blast. Do you know?"

Scorponok was still fuming over his conversation with Terrorsaur. It took him a cycle to calm down and form coherent words in order to fully reply to Steelclaw's question.

"I asked him myself back then," he said, "Megatron was not in the mountain when it exploded. He just... willed himself out of stasis lock and escaped. Nothing short of incredible."

With that being said, the warm and fuzzy hero-worship feeling returned to his spark. The anger and frustrations of this mission thus far were fading away and inspiration took their place. They were walking into a large energon field and this fight would not be so much different than the encounter on the mountain. Except, this time both teams were much better prepared. This time, Scorponok was standing in for Megatron.

"I am Megatron," he whispered silently to himself with a grin.

(Just to post a headsup, Leviathan II art is done for those interested in what you may be fighting/riding in. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3364 )

Steelclaw saw Scorponok grin, and he thought he heard him say something, but he couldn't tell what. Well, he supposed having the scorpion proud again was better than having him angry and senseless.

So that was the story with Megatron, was it? But that brought up more questions. Was his re-awakening a result of his computer recognizing its dangerous environment and reflexively desiring to get Megatron away from it? Or maybe he actually did will himself out of stasis lock. And if that was the case, did Megatron have the capacity for conscious thought in an unconscious state (Steelclaw knew he didn't possess that ability himself)? Or was there some sort of unconscious thought process which allowed him the will to get back up?

Steelclaw thought for a second about asking Scorponok, but he he had used the word "willed", so his opinion on the matter was pretty clear. If Steelclaw was, then, to ask whether that opinion was based on evidence or supposition, he'd either make Scorponok angry or he'd appear overly-obsessed. Or both.

So he looked back to monitor again and focused on his duties as Sonar took the ship lower.

Yeah.. this looks like the place. Sonar take us down, at this altitude we'll be easier to detect via Radar. I'll check the radio.

"Taking her down now." Sonar replied.

Sonar's ear twitched at a strange nose, it sounded like some thing was trying to escape from some thing. He turned his head just as some large and green fell out of what he bleieved was a closet, making him jump at least five feet out of his chair.

"Waspinator? What-what are you doing here?" Sonar asked shocked.

"Wazzpinator wazzz trying to get zzzome zzzleep," The large bug replied. "What izz Bat-bot doing here?"

Sonar didn't reply instead he contacted Glowstick. "Glowstick, we seem to have a stowaway."

Glowstick blinked hearing Sonar and Waspinator's voice, he lowered his headphones turning his head towards the helm with a surprised look. Then scratched the side of his head with one of his tentacles If Waspinator is here.. Tarantulus is probably at his lair....... the only one guarding the base is Megatron?!

Glowstick then shrugged Oh well. This is a rare opportunity I guess.. usually all of us fliers are spread out, but the whole group is here. But that does pose the question.. Waspinator, what were you doing sleeping in the Leviathan?

If Waspinator is here.. Tarantulus is probably at his lair....... the only one guarding the base is Megatron?!

Sonar snorted. "I'm sure Megatron can protect the base by himself, he's a big boy."

Waspintor looked at Sonar and tilted his head a little

Oh well. This is a rare opportunity I guess.. usually all of us fliers are spread out, but the whole group is here. But that does pose the question.. Waspinator, what were you doing sleeping in the Leviathan?

"Darksyde wazzz to noizzy when bat bot and crazzzy kitty bot were fighting, zzoo Wazzpintor went inside Sqiud-bots ship to zzzleep." Waspintor replied.

Glowstick blinked again listening to Waspinator, then shrugged I suppose you do have a point there. I don't usually have a problem with that since my room has sound canceling.. However, there are triple bunk beds in the back if you want to sleep, the bridge isn't really the place for it.

Glowstick then pondered to himself aloud Hm.. Crazy kitty bot.. She was saying some strange things earlier in the decontamination room. Something about using the Darksyde's computer.. contacting her team, and raising hell.. He then looked to Steelclaw's section of the controls on the bridge Steelclaw, you've known her longer then I have. Do you know what any of that means?

Uh no sir. We can go much faster then this, however there is some worry about traveling at speeds of over 200 mph.

Well, that kind of surprised Optimus.

The design isn't that aerodynamic and even with some of the tricks Rhinox showed me, the craft is about as agile as a flying house. I guess we'll just have to deal with those worries later.

"Let's not push it," the Maximal leader suggested. If they needed to get there more quickly, a flier would be the better solution.

"Optimus, Tigatron might need some back up. If you will allow it sir I can go and offer some aerial support if he is attacked, no doubts that they'd attack if they discover his signal."

"Hold on, Feralnight," said Optimus. "Tigatron said the area was clear. We don't know where the Predacons are and how close they might be." Looking back over Cheetor's shoulder, he asked, "Cheetor, do we have anything on radar yet?"

-----

A loud crack near Tigatron made him stoop low in an instant, and his green eyes frantically scanned the brush in the noise's direction. He heard nothing else and, more importantly, saw nothing at all. The tip of his ringed tail twitching with both caution and curiosity, he remained low to the ground in the shadows, watching and waiting. The longer it took for the Maximals to arrive, the more dangerous it felt to be out there alone.

"I'm not exactly sure what that's about," Steelclaw remarked, keeping his gaze forward. "We met her the day before we ran into that mountain I was just talking about. And when we were on our way there, she confided in Tarantulas that she was an assassin. Something about... one of her missions going bad, her relatives getting executed and her being forced to flee Cybertron. Said she wanted to kill the Maximals here and then go back home, locate her sister and terrorize the urban public.

"And I almost believe the story- she shows signs of an acquired mech fluid-phobia- well, you know that already- as though she associates the stuff with specific memories. She has mood swings and excercises unpredictable behavior- an instability that may very well have been caused by trauma. And she has obviously had some combat training."

"But this whole affair about... contacting her 'team' seems to run against her original claim. If she had a team which for one thing she thinks is that powerful and for another thing she seems to have a way of getting into contact with- why would she ever have "escaped" Cybertron in the first place? It seems to me that she might have been telling the truth the first time, and she really had been on the run. Otherwise, if she does indeed have some team, she came here under less desperate- and perhaps very calculated- purposes.

"Of course," he said relaxing a little, "it's possible that neither claim is true. Like I said, she behaves unpredictably."

* * *

"No, Big Bot- nothing so far. I don't think we're clo-"

A blip on the radar interrupted him.

"Scratch that- I'm picking up Tigatron's signal just on the edge now. He's gone a little east of the energon, probably went there after you told him to find cover."

I suppose you do have a point there. I don't usually have a problem with that since my room has sound canceling.. However, there are triple bunk beds in the back if you want to sleep, the bridge isn't really the place for it.

Waspintor nodded then left to where Glowstick had intructed.

Hm.. Crazy kitty bot.. She was saying some strange things earlier in the decontamination room. Something about using the Darksyde's computer.. contacting her team, and raising hell..

Sonar raised an eye brow but didn't reply.

Steelclaw, you've known her longer then I have. Do you know what any of that means?

"I'm not exactly sure what that's about," "We met her the day before we ran into that mountain I was just talking about. And when we were on our way there, she confided in Tarantulas that she was an assassin. Something about... one of her missions going bad, her relatives getting executed and her being forced to flee Cybertron. Said she wanted to kill the Maximals here and then go back home, locate her sister and terrorize the urban public.

"She can kill every Maximal on this planet for all I care. The only Maximal she can't kill is Saber, she's mine." Sonar smiled darkly.

Sonar ignored most of what Steelclaw was saying, but the last thing he said caught his attention.

"it's possible that neither claim is true. Like I said, she behaves unpredictably."

"In that case, we better watch our backs, she could turn on us." Sonar advised.