The Intergalactic Highway

((OOC: Plus, this is an RPG where characters get more experience with more action and missions. The game's all about growth, so get out there and level your peeps up before Season 2 hits!



Optimus Primal wouldn't be the big and strong leader he is by sitting around. That's why Rhinox never changed forms ))

((OOP: Yup! I hope I wasn't pushing the boundaries and making optimus do something he wouldn't normally do. I'll leave it up to you as to what he was actually doing, all Manterror knows is that he was present.))

"Repair required before protoform ceases to exist in 18.3 cycles."

"Hey, uh, watch out for dat wall there."

"Thanks for the warning." Saber replied then leaned against the wall.

Those who will be looking for that should take caution, we've never seen this model of ship before but the ascetics clearly seem Predacon..

Of course, it's predacon. We've never been that lucky. She thought.

"Oh, goodie. More Predhead friends to play with,"

"And more parts for your collection." Saber said with a chuckle.

... Because of the dangerous nature, all crew members on that mission will be required to be able to operate the Nomad as well as be well skilled at ranged combat.

Hmm, that should be fun.

"Whoa, guys," Rattrap interrupted. "Uh, explain ta me why we're gonna waste our time runnin' after a Predacon ship? Let it sink to da bottom of a trench, an' let the Preds drown themselves tryin' ta reach it. Less hassle fer us in both long and short terms."

Rattrap did have a point but before she could voice what was on her mind Optimus beat her to it.

Just because the ship appears to be Predacon doesn't necessarily mean it's carrying any. There could be an innocent life on there.

Yeah? Well, that's highly unlikely. I say we let it go and make a run for the pods.

"It's worth checking out, Rattrap," "We can't just stand by, watch it fall and do nothing."

"I can,"

Saber pinched the bridge of her nose, why couldn't Rattrap just do what he was told?

"All right. You just volunteered."

"Volunteered fer what?"

"Rattrap, you'll be taking the Nomad to that ship with Icebreaker, Saber-Fang and Feralnight."

The look on Rattrap's face was priceless and she had to fight back the urge to laugh at the sight.

"No way! I ain't goin' to rescue that Pred, and I ain't taken the lead neither."

Saber rolled her optics, if Rattrap needed it she would help him out.

You know, if you can get that ship intact.. it's possible we could send someone to pilot it back to Cybertron.

I vote Rattrap. Saber thought, knowing that it would be a bad idea.

* * *

Ahem.. Attention! A Spacecraft has crashed on our planet and graciously knocked loose two Stasis pods from orbit, because of this we will be forming into three groups. Tarantulus, Nemesis, Steelclaw, and Snowtrix, You will be under my command. Terrorsaur,Waspinator, Blackarachnia you three shall be working under Scorponok.. Starshadow and Sonar shall be working under Glowstick. Now then.. Scorponok, come with me to the bridge, as for the rest of you proceed into the Leviathan now.

Alright, you heard him. Lets go.

Sonar followed Glowstick, fighting back the urge to trip Starshadow. "If any one needs me, I'll in the lap of the ship, working on some thing that could be used against the Maximals."

* * *

"You stay here!"

"What are we supposed to here? Twiddle our thumbs?"

Waspinator scratched the back of his head unsure what to do now.

"We're wasting time," Terrorsaur told Waspinator, "You and I should be at the pod by now. By the time they're done making their fancy plans and all, we could have picked up both pods and a glass of energon."

"Wazzzpinator agree's, we should go now." The wasp offered.

Echoing from outside the ship, Megatron overheard Scorponok, as did Glowstick.

Um.. he does realize we're pressed for time?

Megatron simply sighed and facepalmed, he then lowered his hand pressing a button on the arm of the chair Ignore those orders, get inside.

Glowstick attempted to hold back a snicker, as it was well known he didn't care much for Scorponok either, wondering of the Predacon had some form of brain damage after all the battles of being scrapped my the Maximals. He finished typing in the data and sat down in the chair having it turn.

Meanwhile outside of the vehicle, Tarantulus walked inside following the others.

((Aww thanks OOP! I'll hand her over to you after this post. Lol at Rattrap))

Blackarachnia just shook her head and walked inside the Leviathan.

Starshadow looked at the device she was holding on earlier. IceScar...I do hope it's you or any of your team members in that ship. Please be safe. she thought and kept it. The catbot walked out of the quarters and posed sexily infront of her comrades. "So, how do I look?"

(( OOC: Thanks for all of yur cooperation, guys!

at Alak! Love the level up.

Not at all, WorpeX! I kind of saw it as Manterror was simply handed down to Optimus by higher authorities to be dealt with later on, or whatever, if he was a trouble-some bot back on Cybertron, kind of like Protoform X. Manterror can have a more twisted perspective about it but that's fine by me that he was the last thing he saw.

No problemo, Starshadow. ))

"Yes sir!"

All of these Maximals always calling him "sir." Optimus knew it was simply status of rank that they addressed him in that manner, but he didn't quite feel like he deserved it. All he was trying to do was lead them through survival in this war that they never wanted a part of. He returned the salute to Whitegrazer's enthusiasm and glanced among the others' reactions toward the teams and missions they had been assigned to.

"I'm ready to deploy, sir,"

Orcariner looked both pleased and relieved to follow under someone else's leadership for a change. Optimus hoped it would be a nice break for the orca.

You know, if you can get that ship intact.. it's possible we could send someone to pilot it back to Cybertron.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Rattrap said to Rhinox when he stood up and got himself ready. Big Green was right, though. If they could retrieve it, even if it did bring another Predacon to the Beast Wars, it might bring them a step closer to going home. Or at least getting help from Cybertron.

"And more parts for your collection."

The Maximal spy chuckled at Saber-Fang's comment. If Waspinator was coming along, he'd probably be able to gather more junk and body parts. Hey, it's what rats do!

"Hey Rattrap heads up!"

The rodent suddenly jumped away from the black, sticky projectile with a shriek, but he had accidentally jumped into Optimus' arms.

With quick reactions, not really thinking, Optimus held out his arms to catch Rattrap, or rather, just the object that was suddenly flying at him.

Laying there on his back in Primal's arms, his legs draped over one and his head resting on the other, Rattrap grinned and said, "Uh... Nice reflexes, Boss Monkey," and flickered his optics at him as if batting eyelids.

Optimus narrowed an optic at him before grumbling with an, "Ugh," and simply dropped the rat to the floor, stepping over him and walking toward Frilla and Wintersong.

"Ow!" Rattrap landed with a bang on the metal floor and rubbed his skidplate. "Slagging, cold-blooded Predacons," he muttered under his breath as he watched Frilla walking away. He wasn't really mad, though, because he knew she was just joking around... very much like himself. Eh. Maybe, just maybe, he could get along with that umbrella-headed lizard. Getting to his feet, he started following everyone else out of the command center and to the hangar.

"Guess we get to go pred-fishing."

"Eh, well, before you toss 'em back in the water, make sure you clamp an anchor to each one, and let 'em sink to the bottom," Rattrap chuckled to Feralnight.

"If we can get to it before Megatron does."

Walking with Frilla, and Wintersong just up ahead of them, Optimus spoke with the female reptile. "I know you're concerned about Megatron and your former comrades, Frilla," he said softly, "but you're part of this team now and everyone will watch your back." Him especially. Although he didn't know her very well yet, he cared about her and her well-being, and would be very protective of her just like he was with the rest of his crew. It kind of came with his beast mode as well. She might be a prime target to the Predacons now because of her betrayal and he couldn't let them take advantage of that or... or take her life because of her decision. "I know your skills specialize in data analyzing and collecting, but if that stasis pod is damaged, the protoform inside will need your help. Wintersong, Dinobot, Tigatron and I will keep the Predacons off of your back should it come to reviving the protoform. Megatron might not even be coming for this one," Optimus tried assuring her, "but if he does, we'll be right there with you." He knew she didn't like fighting, and he hated to ask her to join them in a mission that could very well end in a battle, especially since he gave her his word that she could do a lot more with her function instead of doing what she displeased. On the other hand, because they were in a war, it would be expected of her to have to fight once in a while for their survival and for their cause.

"Come on, Fangs and 'Breaker, let's take a joy ride in the Nomad," Rattrap smiled mischieviously as he walked by Saber and the penguin, following the others to the hangar.

-----

Blackarachnia found a seat on the Leviathan, sitting back and crossing her legs, watching Megatron and Glowstick and waiting for the rest of the team to board. So, I'm stuck with the three stooges, she thought bitterly, referring to Scorponok, Terrorsaur and Waspinator. She had a feeling she'd have to carry her team to victory with these idiots most likely going to be blown to scrap before they even step foot off of the Leviathan. Ugh. It's going to be a very long day, she assumed.

Wintersong followed behind Optimus, listening to him and Frilla for a bit.If Megatron did come for the pod they were after then it'd be a tough fight but Optimus was right, four of them together would be more then a match for the Predacons.Well maybe. Coming to the hanger she looked towards the Nomad then the others hoping this time all of them would be back in one piece. "Beast mode." She muttered and transformed, waiting for the others.

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

Snow Trix entered the Levianthan and walked to the main bridge glancing around before finding a seat. When Starshadow came out in her new outfit Snow Trix rolled her optics, "Should we really care?" She said under her breathe turning in the chair to look else where. She still failed to see why it mattered how'd you look, an outfit was an outfit.

Cheetor went right to where Rhinox, Ocariner and Whitegrazer were meeting up.

"When do we get moving?" he asked anxiously. Before he heard the answer, someone's shriek made him whip his head around, and he found Rattrap sitting in Optimus' arms.

He didn't even know Rattrap could make a sound like that...

Dinobot's mood brightened considerably, which is to say that he went from brooding over the potential complications and dangers of the upcoming mission, to chuckling cruelly at his comrade's sudden display of fear.

* * *

Steelclaw was both reluctant and pleased to be put in the group with Nemesis, Tarantulas and Snow Trix.

He had a lot he wanted to learn about the first two, and there would be no faster, more effective way than to be doing something right alongside them. All the same, he feared what it was he would learn.

Snow Trix, of course, was no problem at all. She seemed to keep to herself, and didn't seem to have any agendas either. Steelclaw was just worried about her nonchalance- even reluctance- towards group work. He wondered if he should worry about her alliance to the Predacons. A lack of enthusiasm didn't always indicate a lack of devotion, but it was a possibility.

Maybe he did need to get to know Snow Trix too.

Megatron wrote:Ignore those orders, get inside.

Steelclaw immediately did so. It was interesting to see just how many of the Predacons were either annoyed with each other, frustrated with perceived incompetence, team placement, or even what they had to do with their teams in the first place. In fact, that was... everyone. Everyone except for Waspinator. Good old Waspinator.

The tension in the room, then, was amazingly high, and Steelclaw just couldn't help but try to appear unaffected, and in so doing, intentionally make things even worse.

He saw Blackarachnia sitting with her legs crossed and he made a quick one-motion wave at her.

"Hey, Blackarachnia, how're things going?"

Frilla snickered at Rattrap's reaction before she followed Optimus, glancing to him as he spokeand her smile faded slightly though she nodded, "I appreciate that Optimus. And I know I dislike fighting but if needed I will lend any back up I can." She replied. Megatron or not the pod was what they were after and racing to save. Frilla pushed aside her worry, following Optius and Wintersong into the hanger and looking towards the other groups.

Feralnight laughed a bit at that, "Hopefully they don't swim then otherwise an anchor might not do the trick." She said, glancing back at Rattrap then headed towards the Nomad.

Whitegrazer just had an amused expression at what Frilla and Rattrap's shriek. Chuckling softly, she headed towards the hangar. Cheetor was looking really anxious to get to the pod.

She smiled at the little cat, "Be patient, Cheetor. We are going."

She had a good feeling about this mission, she hoped it wasn't just her imagination.

__________________________________________________________

((OOC: I have Blackarachnia now, guys. =D Never played a bad girl before so here it goes XD)

The black widow took a quick glance at the black bear, still a little sour at her being in a mission with a bunch of incompetent mechs, "Terrible. I might as well go alone on this little retrieval mission then going with those three."

Being the smart spider she was, her confidence in her abilities overshadowed her beliefs of the mission failing. She will have to rely on herself, like always. She liked it that way anyway.

"Hey Rattrap heads up!"

Saber chuckled when Rattrap jumped into Optimus' arms.

Never a dull moment on the Maximal base. She thought.

"Uh... Nice reflexes, Boss Monkey,"

"Ugh,"

"Ow!" "Slagging, cold-blooded Predacons,"

Saber had to resist the urge to roll her optics again.

"Guess we get to go pred-fishing."

That should be fun The spear tooth thought with a smirk.

"Eh, well, before you toss 'em back in the water, make sure you clamp an anchor to each one, and let 'em sink to the bottom,"

"Or a large boulder." She added.

"Come on, Fangs and 'Breaker, let's take a joy ride in the Nomad,"

Please don't tell me Rattrap is driving, he can barely reached the floor when he's sitting down. She thought as she entered the Nomad behind Rattrap.

As Icebreaker moved to followed the others, he watched as Rattrap shrieked in horror jumping into Optimus's arms, he then rubbed the back of his head as he thought to himself Heh..I understand how he feels there.. as Icebreaker was one of the few maximals to be hit by Frilla's acid pellet attack. There was obviously still some distrust in the air, but not nearly the same level as Dinobot used to have, probably because Frilla was deceptively harmless looking and her tiny frame which compared against Rattrap made him look giant added to this.

Icebreaker stepped into the transport Joyride huh? Guess your driving then Rattrap. he then responded, Least the Nomad doesn't have foot pedals..

Rhinox stepped into the transport next, looking towards Icebreaker and Saber. He discussed with Icebreaker earlier about the information Optimus told him on Saber's condition, he just hoped she wouldn't suddenly have any complications during the mission, but trusted Icebreaker and Rattrap could possibly resolve the situation.

___________________

Glowstick looked towards Starshadow as she walked in and posed And me without a camera.. Che. he then said. While the armor was designed to be used to improve the seals on her body, as well as provide movement and streamlining of her body. There were also some astestics which Glowstick simply put in for his own interests, though he'd claim otherwise. Most noticeably the glowing magenta points all over Star's body, even including a matching glowing earring which served no advantage what so ever. But then that would be expected of the squid, nearly everything he builds tends to glow, either from the interest of music, or the twisted effects of squid behavioral programming on his subconscious.


Megatron raised an optic ridge looking at Starshadow, then Glowstick. He didn't understand the accessories or interests of females, in fact he had little interest in females other then using them as soldiers. All just pawns in his greater scheme of things on the chessboard he called the battlefield, his Predacons.

Megatron leaned his head on his hand as he looked over Starshadow again So I take it this is the fruit of your labor from your amphibious project? Will Sonar also be receiving such..cosmetic enhancement? he stated in a curious tone.

Glowstick shaked his head Ah..er no. I was only capable of making such parts for two of our troops for particular reasons. a more universal and mass produced means would probably require some form of power armor that would be bulky and slow due to the different sizes and transformations of the crew. Starshadow's case I was able to take down how her superficial armor works and use it to enhance her bodyseals,install propellers for thrust, and exterior lighting to see. But at the cost of some extra weight slowing her down slightly on land. Best results came from Steelclaw as his body already has great water seals and is designed to swim, so all I had to do was build a mask and accessory thrusters, but.. if he discharged any of his weapons other then his left arm's gun underwater,the guns would explode and possibly fatally injure him.

Megatron nodded I see, so generally your project is a failure with some moderately interesting results. I may take those into mind at a later time..Yess... Now,let us begin. The Stasis pods appear to have landed near each other, so we will first take landfall between the two pods, while Glowstick and his team take the Leviathan to find that crashed ship. Scorponok, your team will take the northern pod, those left with me will bring in the southern one.

Glowstick then spoke up Since those areas are rather large with some concealment, it'd be best to have the fliers scout the area to find the stasis pods faster, it might be more difficult noticing them on land. Scorponok's team should be most adapted to this having two fliers and a drone. So in theory, your group should have the best chance of taking the stasis pod Scorponok. he then said, then thinking to himself Though even with a more then well equipped body to be a field commander, the most fatal flaw in that group is brains to use it..

Starshadow listened and smiled at the thought of Sonar in a bikini then burst into laughter.

"I can't wait to see Sonny boy drown."

Nemesis had been in no hurry to join the others. In fact, so little that she had stopped by the armory to scout out some new weapons for herself.

During her brief stay with the predacons she had kept mostly to herself, finding some of the others downright creepy to be around. Tarantulas was one of few she had bothered socializing with, and only briefly at that, so that she could obtain raw materials and the equipment needed to make her favorite close combat weapons; a pair of sais for blocking, with an added 'explosive' trait to them, and also a pair of very sharp swords that she could mount to her backside with a holster. The sais were holstered at her hips. For the sake of needing a long range weapon as well, she had raided the armory for what appeared useful.

Finally making her way to the meeting point for a group briefing, she folded her wings around her shoulders like a cape. The flexibility of these avian wings were likely the only thing she enjoyed about her new Predacon body, as it did allow for easier movement in close spaces. Yet they could also stiffen up enough to function as a shield of sorts when needed as well.

She walked into the room and remained at the back wall.

"I appreciate that Optimus. And I know I dislike fighting but if needed I will lend any back up I can."

Optimus nodded to Frilla, appreciating her cooperation. Opening the large hangar door, Primal turned and addressed the others lingering around the Nomad. "Make sure the last one exiting the base closes the hangar and activates Sentinel."

Rattrap gave a dismissive wave to their leader. At least it let the ape know someone had heard him. They'd secure the Axalon as soon as they left with the Nomad.

"Hopefully they don't swim then otherwise an anchor might not do the trick."

"Or a large boulder."

The shorter Maximal chuckled at them. "I like the way you think, 'Fangs. 'Course, they might be able to blast apart a boulder. Meh. As long as it slows 'em down."

Joyride huh? Guess your driving then Rattrap.

"I was kidding," the rat told the penguin as he followed him inside their mobile vehicle. "Besides, if I'm in charge of this mission, then I choose who drives. Which will be Saber, since she thinks she's so much more sophisticated than me."

Primal's little dilema was deciding how to get to their pod. If he flew in robot mode most of the way, he'd reach it faster than Wintersong and Dinobot, which would be an advantage for their team in case the Predacons were also racing toward it because he might arrive before any of them with his mach speeds. On the other hand, he'll be vulnerable to more energon radiation on the way instead of saving it with protection from his beast mode for an inevitable battle once they reached the helpless protoform. Decisions, decisions. Well, they had to get there as quickly as possible, and with his larger team of Maximals on this mission plus Tigatron, they should be able to fend off the Preds even if Optimus was prematurely forced into his beast mode.

"Frilla, you and I will take to the sky. In case that pod is damaged, the sooner we get there, the better," Optimus explained to her as he walked outside of the Axalon's hangar. He hoped she wasn't afraid of heights, but she just might prove to be a better passenger than Rattrap. "Climb up on my back and hold on to my shoulders."

"Dinobot, you and Wintersong follow us on foot. I'll contact Tigatron once we're closer to his location and he'll meet up with us along the way," the Maximal commander said.

-----

Meanwhile, far from both bases, Tigatron had spotted one of the stasis pods ((Inferno's)) falling from the sky like a meteor. "Another friend joins the war for survival," he said softly to himself. Assuming, of course, it has a safe landing. Leaping off of a large boulder pertruding from the ground, the white tiger landed quietly and ran off toward its presumed landing site, according to his internal computer's analysis. It would take him a while to reach it, even if he ran the whole way, and at the time, he had no way of communicating with his fellow Maximals. But he was sure the Axalon should have picked up its activity and alerted those on board. They would be leaving the base shortly, and so would the Predacons.