Transformers: Steel Reign

[frigidmagi]

Pitdamn them all! I let myself relax once, just once! I should lock my music files for the next 8760 megacycles.

I arrive to find Prime standing over two of my own. Of course it's my squad. Primus help me. Prime just had to shot two of my squadmates. I should have stayed in deep space.

I can only stand there with my mouth clamped shut and waiting. This is gonna be bad.

[LadyTevar]

Crimson grimaced, afraid that Deathstrike was right. "Your drastic measures were a mid-air fistfight. His drastic measures were a live missile volley," she replied to the larger bot. ""Big difference, considering you're the Decepticon and supposedly the more dangerous and warlike. Personally I'd rather have you flying cover for me." The small Fembot looked up, giving Deathstrike a wry glance. "I trust you more ... funny, isn't it." She faced front again, still taking two steps for every one of the larger bot's. "Personally, I think Breakout made the right choice for his second."

[Cynical Cat]

"He did not choose correctly," said Deathstrike. "My failure will undermine him with Prime. I am too much the Decepticon in my choice of methods and reactions. It is clear, that as in so many other areas, my opinions are rejected out of hand. I have endangered the offensive with my failure and there must be an offensive. Soon."

[LadyTevar]

"Now you're sounding as gloomy as Stryke," Crimson muttered darkly. "Somehow I doubt your actions alone are going to damage any plan Prime's got for striking at Trypticon. Pits, you and Slipstream might have just volunteered to be on the first strike team."

[rhoenix]

At this point, Blindside didn't know what to think about what had happened in so short a time. The events ran through his mind peripherally as he walked with the others of his squad, but he still couldn't quite make sense of them. He felt uncertain, something he didn't relish.

Hearing the somewhat gloomy conversation between Deathstrike and Crimson, he felt he should add his voice to the conversation. "You say you acted like a Decepticon Deathstrike, and yet you acted in defense of another, which is an Autobot trait. You also acted in the best interests of keeping the squad a cohesive whole, which I'd like to think is also an Autobot trait. I can't fault you for what you did," he said to them.

After pausing for a moment, he continued in a more soft voice. "In fact, your actions make more sense to me than Slipstream's or..." he trailed off. He continued after a moment, though it may have seemed to be a non-sequitur. "I'm having trouble right now just accepting things as they are, I guess."

[Cynical Cat]

"Decepticons are used to unit discipline, far more so than Autobots, from what I have seen," replied Deathstrike as he limped through the Ark's corridors. "In all the time I served Lord Megatron, only once did I need to do more than raise my voice and that was . . . . . exceptional circumstances involving a Decepticon not in my unit.

"And I was not speaking of Trypticon. Reacting to Decepticon victories guarrantees defeats. We must attack their territory, degrade their superior numbers and resources before simple attrition defeats the Autobots. Offenses like those planned by Breakout must occur, or defeat is inevitable. If the plan is set back by my actions, then it is my responsibility. A warrior accepts responsibility for his actions and the subsequent consequences."

[LadyTevar]

Crimson nodded in response to Blindside, and she had to wonder who the 'or' he refused to name was.

Deathstrike's answer was a good distraction however. "That's a story you'll have to share with us sometime," she replied, intrigued by which Decepticon it might have been. "I could tell StarScream was just thrilled to see you operational back at Fort Maximal."

"But what plan are you talking about?" she added, getting to the best gossip. "BreakOut's not said a thing, just that we have 72 hours and he wants us to spent it all in training."

[Cynical Cat]

"Starscream was my superior as Air Commander of the Decepticons," said Deathstrike. "I obeyed his lawful orders, although I was rarely under his command. He did, however, realize that if he did anything suspicious in my presence I would act in whatever way served the Decepticons and Lord Megatron. Given his ambitions, I was an uncomfortable subordinate to have. As for the other, if Breakout hasn't shared his plans with you, it isn't my place to do so."

[LadyTevar]

"Let's be honest," Crimson grinned wickedly. "StarScream's been one of our best Allies at times." The Air Commander's cowardice and back-biting had turned the tide of several battles. "Still ..." she continued, looking up at Deathstrike with that same grin. "Can't you give us poor squadies some idea what you and BreakOut are planning?"

[Cynical Cat]

"If you haven't been briefed, it is not my place to tell you," said Deathstrike. "Operational security. Soundwave can rip the thoughts out the heads of machines and organics alike. He can even pick up stray thought just by being nearby."

[LadyTevar]

Eyes got wide. "I thought that was just a Rumor!"

[Cynical Cat]

"It isn't," said Deathstrike. "Trauma may know pain, but information is Soundwave's specialty. Infiltrating the Decepticon ranks is extremely difficult, thanks to him. It's one of the reasons that Megatron hasn't terminated Starscream. As long as Soundwave is at his side, its very hard to execute any kind of treachery among the Decepticon ranks."

[LadyTevar]

"Good thing Soundwave isn't ambitious himself," Crimson quipped.

[Cynical Cat]

"Soundwave is ambitious, just not in that way. He has no desire to be supreme warlord, that is true. To be indesposable to the most powerful being in the universe and not to have the leader's bullseye on his back, that is not some small ambition."

[LadyTevar]

"Actually, that sounds like smart planning," Crimson had to admit.

[rhoenix]

Simply shaking his head, Blindside said nothing at first. This entire situation was gnawing at him as his own teeth might - he needed to clear his head. "This whole thing is getting to me - I just need to clear my head. I'll be atop the mountain if anyone needs me," he said before turning around, and walking toward the entrance to the Ark.

Activating his radio, he sent a private communique to Breakout. "Blindside to Breakout. I'm going to meditate and practice on top of the mountain for a while."

With that, he seemingly melted into his dire wolf form, and began trotting toward the entrance to the mountain. Even in this form, he smiled slightly - this mountain had become a refuge of sorts for him, helping him to feel calm and centered when he needed it.

With a mighty leap into the air, he began his rapid ascent up the steep mountainside, reaching the summit in less than two cycles. Upon reaching it, he changed back into his robot form, and sitting down crosslegged, began to meditate with a small smile on his face.

[Cynical Cat]

"To my knowledge, no one has called Soundwave stupid," said Deathstrike. "And if Megatron falls, the next Decepticon leader will find Soundwave equally indispensable."

[LadyTevar]

"You're not hearing me call him that either. Elita-1 had a lot of respect for him." Crimson answered.

[Cynical Cat]

Deathstrike stepped towards the row of CR chambers. With a hiss the nearest one opened for him. He stepped inside and it closed around him.

[Dark Silver]

Megatron sat in his throne, as Reaper entered and made his customary show of respect. The gleaming white Decepticon Commander's red optics focused and fixated on the assassin - one of his best - and spoke slowly, the gravely voice echoing high in the room's tower, "Reaper....I have a mission for you."

The pop hiss of the data-transfer cables sounded from the back of his head, as the panel slid shut, and Megatron rose. "It seems Thundercracker has decided to take his leave of our ranks. He has fled to the comforting bosom of the Autobots."

Megatron descended the raised dais, till he stood before Reaper, looking down on the Decepticon assassin, "Apparently, he has decided to try his odds fighting alongside the traitorous Deathstrike...." Megatrons optics narrowed menacingly, the great bulk leaning down, till he was optic to optic with Reaper, "Return him to the fold Reaper. Thundercracker must not be allowed to defect....bring him back here. You are not authorized lethal force in capturing him....is that understood?"

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

"I'll deal with the matter after their repaired Hornet," Prime answered the smaller bot, not without a hint of aggrivation in his vocal processors, "Realieze though, not every Cybertronian will want to treat you kindly. This includes teammates in training excercises. Go run along and play for now....I'm sure Breakout will want to talk to you soon."

With that, Prime left Hornet behind, increasing his stride, and heading back into the Ark.

Optimus had not returned to the repair bay, instead he had traveled to his own quarters. His massive blue fist slammed into the wall next to the door, denting the heavy cast-duranium steel wall.

"TELETRAN-One," he spoke, "I'm shutting down for a 4 local hour recharge cycle. Inform Breakout when Thundercracker comes online, he is to secure the Decepticon and interrogate him. Inform I will want to see himself, Slipstream and Deathstrike once their repair cycles are complete."

TELETRAN took a single moment to respond an affirmative, before Prime slipped into his bed like recharge chamber, and his optics dimmed as he went into sleep mode.

[General Havoc]

Reaper's optics narrowed to slits as Megatron confirmed the rumors that had been circulating. Reaper did not place a great deal of faith in rumors generally, but as always, the less pleasant the rumor, the more likely it would turn out to be true. No doubt many were asking what in the name of the Pits Thundercracker had been thinking, as they had when Deathstrike abandoned them. Reaper did not ask this question. It was not that he didn't care, it was that he had no idea, and speculating about it would not give him an answer. He would have to ask Thundercracker directly. He would have to ask Thundercracker a good many things.

"I will find Thundercracker," he said slowly, not blinking or backing down from Megatron in the slightest, "and return him to New Kaon alive. I make no such promises for those he has had dealings with..."

Indeed, whoever had convinced Thundercracker to throw his life away so recklessly would pay a terrible penalty for having done so. But that did not need saying.

"What of Deathstrike?"

[Dark Silver]

"I give him as a gift to you, my dear Reaper..." Megatron said, straightening. A cruel malicious grin was on his flexmetal faceplate, even as he turned away, "If it is possible to damage - or even terminate the traitor - do so....but I want his Laser and Personality cores brought to me. But make no mistake....Thundercracker's return is of utmost priority....nothing supercedes that."

Megatron ascended his dais once more, or orders given, and witht he knowledge they would be carried out.

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

(GM Note: Time can now be considered pass, it'll take approx 5 hours for Deathstrike and Slipstream's repairs to complete, Reaper's next post will basically be timelapse between this scene, and his arrival in North America.)

[Cynical Cat]

The doors of the CR chamber hissed as they opened and a repaired Deathstrike stepped out. Data logs indicated Prime wanted to see him. He began walking.

[frigidmagi]

My orders to report to Prime come in. I knew they were coming. This is going to be a long planetary rotation. The manic idea of simply shooting both Deathstrike and Slipstream, buring their bodies under the Ark and claiming they deserted sprints through my processor but I dismiss it.

First off I would miss Deathstrike's ability and company in the campaigns ahead.

Second off I would have problems killing them both quickly.

Third off I'm unlikely to sucessfully hide the bodies.

Forth off Prime would still likely want me to explain why in the Pit two of my squad just tried to kill each other in broad daylight in front the Ark.

I start heading in to report to Prime.

Primus help me I think I would rather be locked in a cage with Megatron and Chimera.

[LadyTevar]

In one way or another five hours pass... slowly....

"Look, Crim, just give me some time to think alright? And that doesn't mean I'm going to go off an mope, ok? I may be a dumb warbot, but I do enjoy thinking occasionaly." Stryke said to Crimson, who'd tracked him down within the hour.

"Need more than an hour, do you? Processor must be running slow...," The fembot retorted bitterly. It was all going wrong again, and Crimson didn't know where it'd jumped the road or how to get back on.

Stryke growled softly. "You always said I was a slow poke." He said, no trace of humor in his voice.

They were going round in circles and just wasting energon. "So how long are you going to need?" she asked, optics turning away, looking towards the wall behind him, wishing he'd forget this stupid idea that he was gonna get scrapped.

Stryke sighed, wishing Fembots came with instruction manuals. "I don't know. I just need some more time to work things out. Ok? I know it's not you, it's me, and I need to figure out what it is." The warbot said, his tone soft, almost pleading.

She'd never heard that tone in his voice before, and it pulled her back to face him fully. After a long moment of gazing at him, trying to think of something to say, Crimson finally started nodding. "Ok..." she answered, just as softly, accepting the peace offering. "...ok. Just ... don't burn out your processor... or something.." As a joke it sucked, but the tone of her voice wasn't teasing or witty but simply sad. "I'd miss you too much."

The warbot nodded, reaching forward and giving her a hug. "Don't worry. The reason I'm so slow is so I don't." Stryke looked down at her. "I'll comm you when I'm ready," he promised before turning to walk away.

The hug she had returned in full, and it was reluctantly broken as he turned away. She wanted to tell him not to take too long, but somehow that would ruin the moment. "Be careful." Crimson had no clue why she said that, but since she did... "Scratch your paintjob again, and I'll find more places for decals." It wasn't up to her normal teasing, but it was a start.

Stryke paused, bemused, looking back over his shoulder. "I'm just going for a drive out there. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I know five different organic species who have similar phrases, each of which is said to summon bad luck." Crimson replied, shaking her head sadly, but with a half-smile on her face. "Since you said that ... -really- be careful."

The warbot nodded, having to give her a slight grin. "Of course. I'll see you later." Stryke said, before walking down the corridor towards the exit.

Crimson watched him go, still wanting to go after him, until he'd turned the corner. Only then did she turn to the nearest wall and lean forward, thumping her head gently against it. "stupidstupidstupid...." she muttered to herself, before turning around to slump against the wall, head tilted back. "Well..." she said absently to the ceiling overhead. "At least we're talking...." Slowly she walked off deeper into the Ark to find something -- anything! -- that would distract her from the passage of time.