The Intergalactic Highway

This is likely to become a first part to a two-part episode, but I'll change that if and when we get to that point.

This is the RPG's finale to the first season! Pretty crazy, no? So, here are a couple "major" things we should be focusing on first (as loose guidelines):

• The Predacons find the Vok's golden disk
• Predacons offer a no-weapons truce to the Maximals
• Maximals infiltrate the Darksyde for information on the alien disk

A truce should only be discussed and agreed upon between both factions' leaders, so if NK can't post so much for Megatron, is anyone willing to take him off his hands, and able to give him more attention? This is an important episode and his presense should be made greatly. I don't know that NK can offer that right now, and I haven't found anyone else to take Megatron yet. I would do so myself but I don't have enough time to play both leaders; it's difficult enough to keep track of one crazy team.

Later, plans will include:

• Vok make their presence known (yet again) and will speak with Primal after they fry Airazor (or whoever decides to play hero first in the Vok's silly green dome of doom). They reveal the secondary moon is a weapon of mass destruction.
• Predacons infiltrate the Axalon and dispose of those left to guard.
• Someone sabotages the stasis pod Primal will use to defeat the weapon in space.
• Primal dies, creating a transwarp explosion. Predacons rejoice with cake and party favors. Maximals weep for 30 seconds and move on.

And then the next question will be: When do we end the finale? Like they did on the show, so we jump into the second season's first episode with the transwarp wave, and certain bots go all TransMetal and new Fuzors are introduced? Share your thoughts. Oh, and the last two episodes will remain open for the time being.

Start your characters wherever you'd like! And try not to post too quickly because some people may not be available to start this episode right now, and I'd hate for them to have to catch up on five pages in two days. Here we go!

((OOC: So it looks like we're combining the last 3 episodes into one chapter. Let's end it with a cliffhanger. The moment OP dies, we start Season 2 with a brand new topic.))

IC:

Despite his early yearnings to be with the others in the Axalon, Orcariner actually found himself enjoying himself alone in the great outdoors. Swimming down the river the led away from the waterfall, the killer whale wondered what the day would lead to. The Predacons had been quiet lately. As usual, the orca both enjoy the peace as well as raised suspicions over the lack of activity. Then again, the Maximals were not that active, as well. Aside from routine patrols, they were just as quiet.

(ooc: End immediately upon the death of Primal? I suppose it would be sort of a cliffhanger, but.. we all know he comes back. So maybe end after the other characters have been given the chance to go 'oh noes!'?)

The little fuzor who'd come to name herself Aurora was hard at work with her new project. Over the course of the past several days she had essentially turned the laboratory into a botanical garden in an attempt to unlock the mysteries of the plant life of this strange world. In truth, if the others had let her, she would have expanded her experiment to include many of the animals on the planet as well, but the lack of space and presence of proper procedures prevented it.

Nevertheless the laboratory was currently the home of a number of lush green plants ranging from short cacti to large bushes in size and shape. Aurora eagerly categorized each individual plant's growth process and entered the data gathered into the computer, keeping her very preoccupied during the course of the experiment.

Ever since she had first come online in this very lab, the small female had been exploring her skills and tried to expand upon them. She appeared to have some skills in the field of science, particularly with computer engineering, and had spent countless hours doing research into the computer systems of the Axalon. Yet she also found herself enjoying medicinal science as well as exploring the wildlife of this world, a trait that, unbeknownst to her, she shared with the former Maximal medic; Nightmist. And since the other Maximals tended to be somewhat overprotective of her, she spent most of her time in or near the base. At nightfall the others could often find her outside, admiring the sun setting on the twin moons this planet hosted. Or she'd be trying to persuade those of a similar age to herself, such as Cheetor, to join her in some fun recreational activities often involving music or exploration.

Right now she was playing the waiting game with the plants, wanting to see how different environmental conditions would affect their growth and ability to prosper. With little else to do but wait, she started heading for the door so she could come back later to see how they were doing.

Wintersong bounded through the large forest, dodging around trees and charging right through bushes and making them sway wildly as she sprinted on, glancing back over her shoulder as she heard a low growl. She had merely been taking a stroll that day, with nothing going on she was spending her free time in the forest where she felt far more at home then the Arctic or the Axalon which she hadn't been to for a few days though reported in every so often. Today however she had trekked into the territory of a orange furred bengal tiger, a male that was slightly bigger then her and a very cranky one at that, not to mention he wasn't far behind. Why she had taken the risk to cross through a territory owned by this planet's creature she didn't know, perhaps having expected this tiger to elsewhere.

'Always a magnet for trouble, is there any way to turn it off?' She asked herself with a sigh as she leapt over a fallen tree then ducked down as soon as her paws hit the ground. Luckily the male tiger roared loudly, leaping clear over the fallen tree himself and taking off through some bushes which Wintersong waited a few minutes before she took off in a different direction and out of this fellow tiger's territory, making a note to never risk it again unless the scent was stale. "Now that's over maybe I can continue without becoming another beast's dinner." She mumbled and trotted on.

Though knowing her luck this one bit of trouble would soon lead to another.

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

At the Predacon ship Snow Trix had wandered out from the ship, coming outside to practice with her energon whip as she considered what else she could possibly do that wasn't a bore. Bringing the whip back behind her then bringing her arm forward quickly the whip lashed forward, hitting the charred rock with a loud crack and bit of sparks flying off from the contact and pieces of the already worn down rock flying off. Yes it had been many times she had used this boulder for practice yet it never relieved the bordom Snow Trix was feeling, honestly she had considered going rogue but had decided against it. On this planet there would be no other benefits and well there just wasn't anything else to do.

"Something is bound to happen." Snow Trix muttered with a bored sigh before once more continuing her practices.

((Hey if you guys need a Megs I can give it a whirl since I'm kind of a big fan of the Beast Wars Megatron, might be a bit rusty but willing to try. ))

Even though it had been a short time he had been there Onyx had to admit he was growing to like the Darksyde, sure some of the other Predacons were creepy, crazy, or just plain rude he didn't very much mind it. Onyx was a mech with much patience and tolerance, he had dealt with several such mechs and femmes in the past, especially during the skirmishes and raids back on Cybertron for the bots who went again the order of the Maximals being in charge; he still was against it now. In fact the whole reason he had volunteered for this trip wasn't exactly to pick a fight but to hopefully find a different negociation with these Maximals, hoping they might be more understanding then those of the Maximal Council or those at the higher ranking and upper city transformers. Meeting those few Maximals shortly after his arrival had shown they more then likely might be.

But how could he talk to them without risking in being shot down? "Hm..." Onyx rubbed his chin in though, sitting in his new assigned quarters at his desk and tapped the top with his free hand. Certainly being enemies wasn't the answer of course, but there had been no other way back on Cybertron but here...they were far from the Pax Cybertronia and maybe, just maybe he could speak to the Maximals on friendly terms. Besides again Onyx was a mech with not only the traits of patience and tolerance, but he also preferred some ways to talk a situation through instead of force all the time. Normally he'd use that as a last resort but if Onyx did try now he'd be under great suspicion.

Though maybe it was worth it, for the sake of both factions it would be far better if they worked together. "Eh I'll take the heat from Megatron later, he's got enough on his plate as it is." Onyx stood, grabbing his Friction Rifle and laser pistol, placing them on his back and checking his wrist swords before he left his quarters and came out to the hanger for the Darksyde. Giving a brief glance around, hearing something a little ways off like someone with a whip he was sure it was clear,"Beast mode." He said softly before transforming to his stallion form and took off full gallop.

Sonar hadn't left the Darksyde Laboratory in three days and he was starting to smell. It was pretty easy to tell hadn't bathed in a while seeing how his fur looked ragged and he appeared to have a 'five O'clock shadow'. His left ear was even drooping slightly, but he had to continue working on his project, after Inferno had almost blown himself to pieces with nitroglycerin it had given him ideas about making bombs. They could use them against the Maximals in coming battles, he had been working on then nonstop which was why he hadn't gotten any sleep or bathed himself for that matter. As he continued to work, his left optic started to twitch slightly, but that wouldn't stop him from his work.

This needs to be perfect. He told himself with a slight growl.

* * *

Waspinator was finally getting some sleep that wasn't cut short by Sonar and Starshadow bickering about who was crazier, this time he had been smart enough to sleep in his own quarters. He lay face down on the berth, in deep stasis, making a quiet buzzing snoring noise. Giggling in his sleep every once in a while

* * *

Inferno waited dutifully in the shadows for the Royalty to wake from his slumber, he dared not wake his queen from his peaceful rest, he had been so busy lately trying to fine a way to get rid of the enemy Colony. His queen needed to well rested and fully alert and the fire ant would be by his leaders side every step of the way.

I will follow the queen any where, for I am his most loyal follower. He thought proudly.

((OOC: And so it begins! ))

Usually, she was outside, meditating like always but not today. She was staying put for reasons she knew of but couldn't speak. Her mind swirling with words, phrases she was trying to convey, but nothing could really prepare for a message that was a very dire one. How do you tell someone that they were going to die? How do you tell someone that somewhere soon something was going to happen and there was nothing to tell but say, "Be careful." Was that all she could say to him? Be careful? Was there anything more she could say to him? It seemed like the visions were a warning but someone really didn't want her to know too much to interfere. It was so frustrating and begged the question. Why? Why him? Years ago, back in that ruined world, she had learned that it was the good people that get hit the hardest because evil always attacks those who stand up to it. Bad things always happened to good people for that reason. She had come in terms with that though. It was funny to her that after so long, she still hasn't kicked the bucket as the humans termed it. She chuckled, "Not my time yet I guess." It's not like she hadn't been experiencing near death situations before.

She looked around her room. She hardly ever used it but she decorated for fun with the personal belongings she took with her in the journey. With no window, she had lit some of the candles around the berth. Sometimes, she puts them on the ground when she meditated. Also, around her berth was things of sentimental value to her, irreplacable like memories. She had was a glowing orb that was just a decoration but very pretty, white lotuses that were organized to a bouquet, and a device that burned some good, fresh smells of herbs that gave her room a clean, calm feeling. She folded her pad on the ground and placed it on the berth.

There was a holocron shaped like a pyramid and when activated, it opened up and showed pictures of different places she had been to, planets, her mentor--though, he was always covered in something because he hated pictures and always grabbed for the device when she tried to--, and also the Axalon crew when they weren't looking and were looking. There were some serious ones and some funny ones. She opened the holocron and looked at them. There was one of her with everyone, her dragging Cheetor somew--no, she was using him as a demonstration buddy for her fighting style which got him mad at her, but it wasn't her fault he volunteered. There was a picture of her and Optimus meditating, another one of Optimus, and one of her trying to get Dinobot to be her demonstration buddy. Haha. Why were people so hesitated to be her demonstration buddy? She didn't hurt anyone. She guessed they didn't like to be thrown around like she threw Dinobot up into the ceiling. Oops, her bad. She forgot how tall Dinobot was and how small the room was. There was a picture of Rattrap and Dinobot fighting like an old married couple. There was Icebreaker making his moonshine and she didn't know how that picture of her sleeping on the command table was from--oh right, she accidentally drunk some of the moonshine. She will always remember to check her drinks now especially when Rattrap decided to try and prank Dinobot, forgetting that she was in the middle! Why did she keep this pic for anyway? Oh right. Optimus was beside her with a facial expression that was priceless. That was why. That was a strange day. Then there was another one of Optimus and one with Rhinox. Many more with Wintersong, Feranight, and Frilla. One with Tigratron and Airazor. It was rare to catch those two since they spent alot of time outside and alone. One of Optimus and Orcariner. Dang, she took alot of pictures! There was a story in all of them. The last ones were of their new comrades Aurora, Arachnitron, and Ironclaw.

She closed the holocron before she got drowned inside the pictures of past events especially the ones of Optimus when she took a lot of him. For a while, she had developed feelings towards Optimus, but she tried to keep it hidden and it wasn't because of the visions. That just made it more difficult. She didn't want to put Optimus through anymore pain if anything happened. Also, she wondered how he felt about her. From what she can tell, probably the same way which was a plus. It would take someone oblivious to not see the signs or the way he carried himself when he was near her. Both of them--she noticed how her spark seem to radiate alot of warmth when Optimus was around, how she always enjoyed his company during meditation, always listening, and she had been looking at him more too in that lovely manner which she hadn't noticed until she saw her reflection once. She also noticed how she always looked out for him in battles. Someone had to because he was always a target for Predacons. Someone had to be his guardian angel....sorta speak. The leader always took care of everyone, someone needed to take care of him when he played hero. Well, it's not like she would have done it differently. They were the same like that. Sighing, she realized this was going to be hard for her, but she needed to tell him about the visions. Maybe there could be a way to change it. Maybe it could be changed. She hoped. That's the only thing she can do. If it didn't...he would know then anyway.

Taking a deep breath, she walked out of her room and headed towards his room. She needed to tell him about the visions now before it was too late to warn him.

The visions started playing in her head again like a movie as she walked with a heavy stride, carrying a burden.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Almost done.

She put the last finishing touches on her shield breaker, a device which can match the shield frequency on the Maximal ship and let a section down long enough for her to go through it. She probably won't have time to test it but she was confident that it would work. Tarantulas thought he was the only one could make such things but nope, she can top him. After wielding the last part, she put the small torch down and looked at the device with a smirk.

She was going to need if she was going to follow that lunatic. He was the only one who seemed to know more about the aliens and how they thought. Made her wonder if Tarantulas encountered them before. She could try getting that information out of him but Tarantulas was no stupid he would know. She couldn't try it on Megatron either. Definitely not Megatron. No matter how many times she has disobey him or run off, it was by her wits that Megatron hasn't killed her yet. Megatron seemed to like that. Put up a smart wit and a flattering tone and there, she escaped death. How long will that last though? How long will it be when Megatron will decide that it was her time to die, her usefulness finished? Well, she will just have to keep being useful then.

Placing the part in a small compartment until she needed it, she glanced at the other project she had been working on ever since that labyrinth incident weeks ago. It was still a mystery and she wanted to crack it, but her survivial was more important. It was a shame but her scientific curosity will have to take a backseat.

Now, all she had to do was wait...

Megatron and Tarantulas were both waiting for something and she must watch them both.

Frilla yawned as she came from her quarters, having just woke up later then usual from working on some more stuff with researching these alien beings. They were still a mystery to her since at the moment she didn't recognize the symbols from the previous mission. None of it was making sense. "Sometimes I wish I was an expert on aliens." She muttered to herself and headed down the hall to the main bridge though it didn't seem anyone was out here quite yet or were off busy with other things.

Coming to one monitor not in use she sat down and turned the chair and took out a different data disk and slid it into a slot. After the information loaded up Frilla began typing on the computer board and pulled up some schematics of a what looked a bit like a shield having thought Tigatron made a good idea about a shield. With such weak armor and small stature she had considered it but was still playing with the design and all.

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

Feralnight meanwhile was out for a walk, her thoughts lately fairly preoccupied with the near slip earlier with Rattrap. She wasn't ready to reveal her past to anyone yet, not even Optimus. Considering her options she wasn't quite sure how they would take the news of what she did way back when, it just seemed too risky.

Shaking her head with a sigh the fuzor spread her wings and took flight into the sky wondering if anyone had noticed much of her history was still a mystery. Though if not they would figure it out soon enough.

((OOC: OAO I'm just in time!! YAY!!))

Starshadow walked out of her quarters for self training. Finally, free from Visia's control after so many years. Spending a few hours in the CR was rather...refreshing. She could sleep well without having nightmares often or even have insomia just to satisfy her urge to kill and was all thanks to Glowstick.

Something reminded her- Oh slag. Cecaelia told her that Visia trashed Sonar's lab while fighting against Glowstick. Apologize or don't apologize? He was the one who "killed" her husband-in-war (her broken gun), he was the one who ruined her opportunity of escape, he was the one who called her a half breed. Well, the halfling thing was a fact so no point denying it. Heading to the hall, she started her kicking excercise. Cecaelia deserved her rest after what she had been through.


((Stars infiltrating she would want a pod or two. And yessss...no weapon truce, lucky day for her!!))

((

(( OOC:

((OOC: So it looks like we're combining the last 3 episodes into one chapter. Let's end it with a cliffhanger. The moment OP dies, we start Season 2 with a brand new topic.))

(ooc: End immediately upon the death of Primal? I suppose it would be sort of a cliffhanger, but.. we all know he comes back. So maybe end after the other characters have been given the chance to go 'oh noes!'?)

Thank you for your input, Phoenix and Alak. I'm not sure about giving the Maximals a chance for their "oh noes," , at the end of the finale. That could carry on for quite some time, I imagine. Then again, it might be a little awkward to begin a new season and a new episode with something dramatic that happened at the end of the previous season. Hm. I don't know, I kind of like the sudden cliffhanger, even though we know OP comes back but that won't happen immediately, of course. I don't think we've started an episode before as a continuation from another, so maybe that would be something nice/different to do. I kind of like the cliffhanger idea, similar to the show.

Also, everyone, I have given Wildfire permission to take control of Megatron; I think it will help out NK. Megs needs to be more active in the game, especially now.

Blackrosefencer, if you really want to play Rattrap, I'll give him to you. You'll probably play him better than me. It would help me save a lot of time if I just play two characters instead of three. What say you? Want to drop an audition post off at the canon auditions topic? Be my guest! ))

IC:

It had been an early morning for the Maximal leader, although he was never one to sleep in anyway. After having made his quiet rounds in robot mode throughout the Axalon before the sun rose, never disturbing his crew in slumber, Optimus wound up back in his quarters, organizing things and keeping it tidy. Then he sat at his desk and reviewed his logs and information, revising things here and there and looking over the specs for his newest additions; Aurora, Arachnitron and Ironclaw. As light began creeping in through his window, he sat back in his chair in thought. His gaze lowered to his left hand that laid palm-down on his desk, and he lifted it toward his face, studying the scars that had been left by Nemesis' sai. While Frilla's first time tending to such a drastic wound had turned out be a success for her and her new occupation of becoming a field medic, some injuries just couldn't be healed entirely. The same went for the hole that he had acquired in his shoulder from his clone; there was a small scar on the front and the back of his body where his sword had been driven through. For the most part, his scarred hand functioned normally, but every once in a while it would lock up, or cramp, only for a moment. It was no surprise after all of the internal injuries it had suffered. Primal never thought he would be where he was right now. He did not mean for his Maximals to fall into a war of survival. He wished he could have taken them back home a long time ago.

As his red optics lingered on his hand that lowered, his thoughts drifted to Nemesis, their Predacon captive in the Axalon's brig. It appeared her behavior had improved since he last spoke with her in her cell, and so releasing her sometime soon had crossed his mind. What was left to prove? He couldn't change her perspective or her beliefs, nor did he really want to. She was who she was just as he was who he was. Her history was tragic, but at least he had learned that much from her. Then again, actions like hers may very well cost someone's life some day. If they simply kept her locked up, she couldn't harm anyone. However, Optimus couldn't keep someone caged; he'd have to let her go eventually. Why continue to keep his crew in danger with her aboard? This thought process inevitably lead to Whitegrazer, who had almost lost her life. He recalled seeing her spark, and feeling the presence of her while she had been in the CR. He imagined there were many more things he had yet to learn from her. She was a great instructor and teacher, and he believed everyone was benefiting from her teachings and her positive energy, especially him.

Optimus Primal, the Captain of a simple exploration vessel transformed into a commanding officer of war. How did it come to this? Maybe it was destiny, that it ran in the family. Family. These Maximals were his family; young and old. And he cared for them unconditionally. But he carried deeper feelings for one individual. As the Commander, would it be inappropriate of him to enter in a relationship with Whitegrazer? Would it be a disraction? Would the Predacons take advantage, inevitably putting Whitegrazer's life in grave danger? Should he let all of those possible scenarios stand in the way of a bond that could be unbreakable, and waste the rest of his life wondering what could have been? Why should he be denied the right to feel this emotion and to have it returned, assuming she felt the same way? He was just an exploration Captain, not a war General. Should his rank interfer with his feelings?

Some light rustling beyond Primal's door and down the corridors snapped him out of his day dreaming, telling him some of the Maximals had since wakened and were now roaming about. The sun had risen by now as he glanced out the window in his room, sighing to himself in his chair and deciding that it was time he spoke with Whitegrazer about this "situation." It was time to confront his feelings and find out how she felt, especially while things around the base were still quiet, and everyone had their duties to tend to. "Whitegrazer," Optimus called softly over his communication link to her's. "May I see you in my quarters, please?" Unbeknownst to him that she was already on her way with her own concerns that far outweighed his own silly emotions.

(( OOC: Unsure yet what to do with Tigatron right now. Any ideas you have with Airazor, WorpeX? And I'll hold off on Rattrap in case Blackrosefencer would like to take control over him. ))

OOC: @ Phoenix, I see....I don't know...it may be weird that the bot they turn to as their medic is mentally unstable...like off the charts mentally unstable. Just call her Dr. Jekyll....

@ OOP, you do great playing him!!! But if you really want to give him up to have less characters to play, then I'll think about it. But you might be better off doing it since you've interacted with a lot of these players for awhile and know Rattrap's history with them.

BIC:

Arachnitron's first day in this strange new place had been met with many new challenges; one of which being the sudden interest her Predacon personality was taking in eliminating the other two personalities. It was a stressful and emotionally trying day in her new home amongst Maximals. But she decided her best choice was to make the most of it.

In the days that followed, Arachnitron's Maximal and Hybrid personalities shared control of the body. Though the differences were mostly too subtle for others to detect (at least they were in situations that did not provoke stress or fear). She kept mostly to herself whilst in the base. She spent most of her time in the room that had been designated as her quarters....she sat by herself in beast mode in a web she had made for herself in the top corner of the room.

When she could get away unnoticed, she would quietly sneak away to the spot where her escape pod had landed. She wanted to see how much of it was salvagable. She was hoping that enough of it could be fixed that all she would need to do was get it to fly. She was willing to steal parts for that. But, unfortunately, it was completely, and would forever remain, unfunctioning as an escape pod. She decided, instead, to do her best to secure the location as her own private lair. She spent some nights there once everyone had retired to sleep for the night. But it wasn't always easy to get away.

She wasn't oblivious to the fact that the Maximals were hesitant to leave her to her own defenses. There was always someone following close behind her. She could only assume that they all, or at least most of them, had been informed of her condition and were warned about her Predacon personality. They mostly stayed away from her.

Arachnitron's Predacon programming, though unaware of the truth behind her suspicions, expected that the Maximals would not really be as trusting of her as they at first appeared. So, the only times the Predacon programming took over control of the body were in secret- at night or early in the day. Many nights she would just sit on her web and let her anger build. But she also spent some time roaming around the brig while whoever was on duty stepped away (or fell asleep at the consoles).

This is what the Predacon was doing early this morning...up before most of the base....roaming and quietly searching everywhere for the weapons that Optimus Primal had wisely hidden from her. She had to admit, the monkey had good sense- he was a smart leader...she had to give him credit for having the foresight to hide them. But it greatly angered her and right now, her rage was uncontrollable. She needed to leave otherwise her programming glitch would consume her and she didn't want to jeopardize any possibilty of her getting her weaponry back. She had to go out and cool off and give herself a chance to brainstorm. She would get her weapons back.

Stealthily, she activated the lift and let it carry her down and out of the Maximal's base. She quickly transformed to her spider form and scurried away.

OOC: Sorry, if anyone wanted to see her doing that, that's fine, but I didn't want anyone to approach her so I didn't leave room for that. If she knew the Maximals had seen her looking for her weapons, then she wouldn't do what I have planned for her to do. lol.

((OOC: If you re-watch the first episode of Season 2, every character has a short moment to give their reactions to Optimus' death... until they get struck seconds later by the shockwave. I think that's the way to go with our RPG. Otherwise, this finale will draw on way too long.

Also, congrats to Wildfire on the successful audition ))

IC:

Turning back, Orcariner began swimming upstream. Pushing his tail against the powerful current, the killer whale worked hard to fight against the gradient that was against him. He always knew that despite being a marine Maximal, his agility and speed in water were sub-par to his natural counterparts. Orcariner had a lot of shortcomings which needed to be overcome. He had been on this planet for months, perhaps even over a year now. It was difficult to tell with the new revolution cycles that differed from Cybertron's, but he knew that he should have enough experience under his belt to press on. His combat needed refining as he had survived due to his physical superiority thus far. His decision making needed to be quicker and yet more considerate as many had suffered as a result of his choices in the past. Orcariner had already conquered many weaknesses, such as the useless nature of his beast mode on land. He had developed his body and scanners to help become a fortress for his teammates on defense. Still, there were a lot of things he had to work on. Learning to swim just so happened to be a good start.

Orcariner continued to make way towards the waterfall. Transforming back into his tall robotic mode, the titan unsheathed both of his energo-swords. With the waterfall bearing down on him with its full might, Orcariner proceeded to dig his blades into the rock wall and climb. His processor vigorously worked to read and scan his body parts as well as the myriad hardware devices hidden beneath his exoskeleton and thick armor plating. Due to his mechanical nature, Orcariner was unable to produce any natural growth through strength training. However, by studying the readouts of what is strained through such exercises, he was capable of modifying his body to reduce such stress in the future. It was through this method of training which allowed him to grow stronger each day. Through these adjustments and learning of proper body forms, Orcariner found himself able to lift more weight with less difficulty. It would prove useful in dire situations where he would have to push his own body around in order to pull off evasion techniques. The armor was a privilege, and he should refrain from relying on it in every single encounter. While not many Predacons were capable of going toe-to-toe with him in unarmed combat, Orcariner found out the hard way that the Vok had more than a handful of soldiers who could toss the giant Maximal around like a rag doll.

Grabbing the ledge with both of his hands, Orcariner muscled up onto solid ground. The time it took for him to scale the entire cliff was enough for his energon dampers to drop to 13% power. He quickly walked back towards the Axalon, having enough of the outdoors scenery for one day. It would be rather relaxing to return to his station in the hanger bay.

((OOC: Yeah, ending it with the cliffhanger just like in the show and showing the feelings in the beginning of S2. I like that. It's going to be so sad until Optimus returns. ))

Hey Optimus, I came here to warn you. I have been having visions lately like back in my meditation before we went to see Arachnitron's pod. Ummm..

This was going to be so hard. How many times has she said that to herself? Of course, it was. Telling someone that you care deep for is going to perish and there was probably nothing they can do...well, she didn't know that but that was usually the case and it always hurt. Despite how many times she felt this pain, she never got used to it. The only thing that made it easier is that she knew that they would be one with the One or the Matrix as it was called where they will be at peace and never feel pain again. Death was just another plane of existence. That was what she kept telling herself. It still hurt though, but she made a promise to be strong and to live...for them and herself as well. That kept her going and it will continue to.

Maybe I should tell him my feelings as well. After that, though, it is going to be hard to tell him that but I have to.

If there was one thing she did, she made people know how she felt for them. Some through actions and others with what she speaks. This was no different. Optimus wanted people to be opened to him and she should honor that. She wasn't one to hide anyway.

Taking another deep breath, she was just going to let her spark guide her like always. It was dangerous but she was willing to take it.

"Whitegrazer," Optimus called softly over his communication link to her's. "May I see you in my quarters, please?"

She just rung the clime to let him know that she was at his quarters when he talked inside her comm. She just smiled, holding back a chuckle.

"I guess I can safely enter then?"

She entered his quarters, the door hissing closed behind her, and just gazed at Optimus with a warm smile, wondering why he wanted to see her for. Could it be for the same thing? Actually, since they both wanted to see each other for something. It's the matter of who was going to talk first?

"Since we both want to talk to each other at the same time, the question is who should go first?" She said with a light chuckle, "You want to?" She asked.

Despite what she was about to speak about was grave, she wanted to keep a light atomosphere. No matter what. She was a strong being and she was keeping herself that way. Whatever was going to be spoke in this room she could feel it in her spark that they will both come out of it with their head held high.

Even though, her spark was racing like mad.

Trotting closer the Axalon Wintersong relaxed more, coming from the trees though she paused for a moment, catching a familiar scent. It seemed Arachnitron had been by not too long ago and the tigeress hoped the arachnid was doing alright. Thinking she had gone out for some air she paid no mind to it, thinking nothin of it and continued on her way until movement caught her attention and she recognized Orcanier's large frame."Hey Orcanier!" She called and took of in a full sprint to catch up with the orca, slowing down as she came to his side panting a bit.

"How are you today?" She asked as she looked up at the much larger bot, walking at his side so he could see her better. Since being among the crew a few of them she had come to see as good friends, Orcanier being one of the more recent.

It was Steelclaw's turn for monitor duty that morning.

Now, he was glad to shoulder responsibility for the good of the crew, but... the morning? Really?

Once he'd managed to get past the brief period he had spent internally bemoaning his fate, he found he actually did have a lot of time alone to think that morning.

...Like how the Predacon crew seemed to be losing their cohesiveness as a group. Megatron still wanted to defeat the Maximals and gather energon, and his subordinates loosely fell into line with his commands, and even so, they didn't fall in line consistently. But more frighteningly, it seemed like everyone was focused on something entirely different.

Tarantulas and Sonar were always hidden away in their labs. He'd figured out what Sonar was most preoccupied with, but he wondered what Tarantulas was thinking.

Blackarachnia was actually pretty reliable on missions, but she was acting like a recluse too. And sometimes Steelclaw got the feeling she was just waiting to stab the right the people in the back for whatever reason...

Terrorsaur had made no attempt to hide his desire to lead the Predacons himself. Big problem for unity.

Snow Trix pitched in, but she seemed generally disinterested in the war.

From the original Darksyde crew, there was still Waspinator, Scorponok and Venatrix to consider. These three, in addition to Inferno (especially Inferno) and Manterror were actually very willing to help out. Of course, Waspinator had a terrible time on the battlefield, Venatrix was still trying to figure whether Dinobot was really an enemy or not and Manterror liked to try to take care of things himself.

Then there was Onyx. He couldn't assess him too thoroughly yet, but he seemed... professional. Committed. Steeclaw guessed he would be a good ally to have in the days to come.

And Glowstick. He was a huge help. He had done things for the Predacons that they simply couldn't have done without. And he was also focused on winning the war. Steelclaw just wasn't sure anymore whether Megatron and Glowstick worked on the same set of principles. He wondered if it would ever be a problem in the future.

Of course, Steelclaw would at times ask the same question about his own set of principles in comparison to Megatron's. Of course, that led to another problem. Here he was, worrying about the Predacons' ability to work as a unit, and he himself had been actively investigating Sonar's past and motives. And once he'd found them out, he had wondered what should be done about those motives. But certainly, working against his own comrade would be counter-productive.

Steelclaw was taken out of his thoughts when the monitor in front of him started flashing. He leaned closer and studied the information in front of him. It seemed like a topographical map of some sort. But almost as soon as it came up, it disappeared.

"Odd..." Steelclaw muttered to himself. "Computer, bring that image back. What were you just showing me?"

"Specified data is unretrievable..." the computer replied in its monotone voice.

"O...k. Our perimeter scanners are still working, right? There aren't any Maximals nearby?"

"Affirmative."

Steelclaw leaned back away from the monitor. "I wonder what that was all about..."

((OOC: What the computer showed for a moment was the alien anomaly. But in the episode, only Megatron gets to hear about it.))