"OC Episode #3"

[starshadow]

Starshadow's left eye twitched as Megatron used his authority. "Yes...sir..."
Scorponok was in the team and not with the squid? She would not stand his blabbering of being the second-in-command if he were to boast his rank.
With a snarl, she ran out of the entrance, not waiting for the big purple dino to catch up.
"Guess I deserve the yelling..." she sighed.

[una]

Steelclaw glanced at Whitgrazer with as cordial a smile as his beast mode could manage, but he was already assessing the Maximal.

"Steelclaw, maximize," he commanded before transforming into robot mode. Whitegrazer seemed strongly built, but Steelclaw could only see one weapon at her side. Maybe he'd been lucky, and she would actually be one of the explorers from the supposed exploration mission the Axalon had been sent on.

Probably not...

"Hey, Whitegrazer," he replied, returning her friendly introduction. It felt good to merely speak to an opponent. "My name is... well, yeah, you already heard," he said with a slight chuckle before offering his hand for a shake.

"You're feeling well, I hope? I know you just came down so you haven't been stuck on your own for too long, but I mean... any circuits damaged in your landing, did you come online with enough energy reserves, that sort of thing?"

She chuckled alittle as well as she shook his hand, "I guess I have, Steelclaw. It's nice to meet you. As far as I can figure, I'm fully functional, ready for anything."

He must have come from the pod since the name wasn't on the orignial crew list.

Maybe now she will get some answers. She didn't have to wait too long, did she?

"What happened? Where is the Axalon?"

Whitegrazer asked curiously, staring at the Maximal in front of her. He was more well-equipped than she was. She guessed that he uses his weapons but he did look tough enough to fight hand to hand. She wondered if after she gets to the Axalon, she might ask to spar with this fellow as well as with everyone else.

[Phoenix]

(Ooc: Nope, Nightmist would not know Steelclaw's real identity. He has a maximal insignia and all.)

To make matters worse for the approaching team, the chilling winds were only getting worse. This was not uncommon for the tundra area, providing an unhospitable welcome to anyone venturing into this desolate landscape.

The drifting snow had created a blanket covering the area, hiding the many cracks in the ice. Some snow-covered mountains were scattered around the place too. One of said mountains, or snowpiles if you will, had part of the snow knocked off as if something large had plowed through it on its way down.

[New Moon]

Frilla looked after Starshadow shaking her head and reverted to beast mode, "This outta be a fun mission." She muttered and followed Megatron out still deep in thought on the aliens. She had heard about the rock formation Primal had been trapped in for a while and it was getting at her processor to check that out for more answers. At least if Megatron would allow it. "Megatron sir, after this mission do you mind my investigation on the odd rock formation primal was trapped in? A closer inspection might give us some answers on these aliens." She said catching up a bit to the larger reptile.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

(( OOC:

Reason no one responded to Wintersong is being in Tigatron's area without using a external communication device

Perhaps I should've used "acknowledge" instead of "answer" her call. It just seemed like her post was ignored because someone could've said her transmission didn't get through. At least then Wintersong would know that people read her post. But it's fine. She filled the void herself. ))

"That would explain why we've been forced into head on confrontations every time Megatron has come to this wreck,"

"Maybe he just misses his little dinosaur friend," the rat muttered under his breath while he glanced at his fingers on his right hand and then rubbed them a few times across his beast mode's head on his chest as if he were polishing them.

"Maximal base; This is Nightmist approaching. Are you in need of assistance?"

Nightmist? Well, this is a pleasant surprise, thought the Maximal leader. It had been quite some time since last they heard from her. Why did so many Maximals always seclude themselves from the rest of the team? Speaking of which, Optimus turned his attention toward Saber-Fang whose head was hanging before Rhinox spoke up.

Two objects fell from the sky a few moments ago. One is a Stasis pod that landed about here.. The other object that fell is humaniod in shape and roughly over 6 meters long. From the shape of the image, we can only assume it's cybertronian in nature, an Autobot or Decepticon.. but I can't imagine such a thing randomly crashing into this planet would still be alive.. Perhaps a soldier of the old wars drifting in space? Either way However that terrain it fell is an area even Tigatron wont be able to access easily.. it could of just landed on icy ground, but it could of crashed into the ocean.

"So Crashville is..." "...Grid RO sector 42. The other thing is sitting over in Grid SW, sector 2. No, 5,"

Primal slightly tilted his head in curiosity at the large unknown object. What could it possibly be? ...Or who? Primus, as long as it wasn't alien... It was unfortunate that it was crashing into such frigid, doscile and difficult terrain. He had no doubt Tigatron and/or Wintersong may have spotted it, as big as it was falling through the atmosphere, but there was no way of communicating with him unless either one was near one of Tigatron's transmission stations. Possibly. The stasis pod would be easier to get to. Another one of their comrades joining the Beast Wars. And they were alone out there.

Megatron was surely assembling his Predacons and sending them off to try and investigate and retrieve what they could and as quickly as they could before the Maximals. Yet another race. But this one would be trickier, at least in the area where the large object had fallen.

"Well, seeing how I can't swim and my beast mode can't handle snow... I guess I'll just go on patrol then."

"Hold on, Saber-Fang," Optimus said thoughtfully. It was true fliers would reach the pod the quickest, but who knew how many Preds might be tracking it at the same time. They could use some ground units. The ones more suited for the arctic weather could participate in the unknown mech-like object. And then the rest would stay at the Axalon to keep it guarded.

"I will head to the crashed pod location. If there are any damages, I may be able to assist with repairs."

"Nightmist, Saber-Fang, Cheetor, Dinobot, and I will head for the stasis pod," Primal announced. Quick ones on the ground as well as those in the air. "Orcariner, Icebreaker, and Feralnight will meet up with Wintersong and Tigatron at the unidentified subject, assuming it's on land." Feralnight could prove to be an aerial advantage for their team.

"Rhinox, you and Rattrap stay here. Tigatron should be reporting in soon, and when he does, have him rendezvous with Icebreaker's team," the leader said.

"Feralnight, will your beast mode fair well in arctic weather?" he inquired. Wolves survived in snowy winters, he knew, with their thick fur, much like tigers, but he wasn't sure about her flight.

Rattrap was surprised. Really? I get ta stay here? he thought. He managed to keep his mouth shut about it, so as not to draw any attention to himself in case it would have an influence on changing the monkey's mind. A nice relaxing day at Base without that slag-sucking Dinobutt around.

-----

"Well it seems that way. Good to see you Tigatron."

"And you, my friend," the white tiger said over the wind. His ears were folded back to block the drifting snow from getting inside them, as well as the sound of the wind from obscuring his hearing. The low temperatures didn't bother him as much as the deep snow did. It was just more difficult to travel through.

"This just gets more and more difficult."

Tigatron nodded but continued moving forward. "There is a communication tower just up ahead. We should report to the Axalon once we reach it and let them know our status," he suggested. He hoped it hadn't been damaged in the high winds because it would only delay their travels even further.

(( OOC: NK, do you mind that Rhinox is always left at the Axalon? Would you rather have more action with him, or is it easier for you to leave him behind and focus on the other twenty characters you're playing? Just curious. ))

[Night-Hunter]

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Optimus turn his attention on her, she remained prefectly still so it looked like she didn't know that he was looking at her.

"Hold on, Saber-Fang,"

Crap... She thought.

"Nightmist, Saber-Fang, Cheetor, Dinobot, and I will head for the stasis pod," "Orcariner, Icebreaker, and Feralnight will meet up with Wintersong and Tigatron at the unidentified subject, assuming it's on land."

I should be fine just as long as I don't lose my temper and stay calm. She told herself.

[New Moon]

Feralnight nodded an acknowledgment at the assignment but looked to Optimus, "If the wind conditions are not bad perhaps Optimus. But in the tundra it's hard to say when the weather will be calm for flight." She answered to his question. She hadn't really been in the tundra very long, only being there once or twice.

[Wintersong]

"Agreed, trying to do it through the com-link proved to be useless, too much interference out here." Wintersong said over the wind, her eyes slightly closed against the wind. Her ears lied flat against her head but it didn't do much to help with the thundering sound she could still hear but the cold itself was not really a bother.

[NaitoKage]

(Oh no, it's fine. It gets Rhinox prepared for season 2 and 3 when he spends all his time in base sitting on his butt. Seriously though no problem. You guys have Nightmist to cover as tech support which is better then Icebreaker since she can do full repairs instead of just field repairs, so it'd make sense to leave Rhinox for Phone tag,er Radio tag rather. Besides, I am leaving Tarantulus and Blackarachnia behind too. Leaving me to focus more on.. Megatron. Yesss...Bwahahahahaha!)

Rhinox nodded as he heard Optimus, then got up walking to a near by weapon rack that Dinobot seemed to enjoy browsing ever so often, pulling out two rather bulky looking phone like objects much like a old military radio or 80s style cellphone with a massive folding antenna on the side. He then walked towards Optimus and Feralnight handing the two the radios Well if we're going to be playing phone tag on this planet you better carry these. You'll have to fly pretty high up to get a signal to us and back as at those distances not only energon interference but the curvature of the planet itself messes with our radios. You should also be able to contact each other in theory.. but with the magnetic pole so near by the fallen object I'm not so sure for the Tundra mission's case. After Tigatron calls, I'll see what I can do about upgrading the Nomad and it's medical supplies.

Icebreaker responded to Nightmist Hey wait up! Optimus is going to join up with you and a land party, ask Rhinox for more details if you want. I need to head out now if I have any chance of catching up. he then moved from the radio as Rhinox took his place in his seat once again. Icebreaker rushed into one of the lifts and saluted the group with a flipper as it lowered.

As the lift lowered to the ground he hopped off, then started running towards the cliff and performing a move that none of the other maximals would be insane enough to do, jump off it into the waterfall under the base. A rush was seen under the water as he came out of the waterfall and into the river, then transforming to robot mode in the water floating towards Orcariner Looks like we're teamed up with Feralnight, she should be able to catch up. But we're going to have to take a land route. Luckily.. I happen to have a plan for that! Icebreaker then said, pulling out some cable and walking over to Orcariner, he then clipped some hooks on ring like anchor points which were attached to Orcariner's front gravity lifts incase his body had to be towed again.

Icebreaker then moved to the shore edge walking out, wrapping the cord around his right arm as he threw out his left arm sending his shield onto the dirt as it unfolded to it's board mode and stepped onto it. With your Gravity lifts and my speed, I can easily get you going almost as fast as Cheetor. Icebreaker then turned his head as he muttered something Though stopping is a different story.

_______________________

Megatron watched as StarShadow ran ahead, even though she was technically one of the second slowest of the group going. He then looked towards Frilla as she spoke

"Megatron sir, after this mission do you mind my investigation on the odd rock formation primal was trapped in? A closer inspection might give us some answers on these aliens."

She posed a good question, they knew next to nothing about the aliens other then seeming to be god like in power and aggressive nature, points he liked but only if he was the one with such powers. Ofcourse, any light you can shine on this mystery that Tarantulus has not is worth knowing.

________________________________

Glowstick followed Snowtrix inside Well as the captain I say that's an option. he then chuckled warmly, one of his feeder tentacles extending and pushing a button on the wall causing the main cargo bay hatch to close. They had the minimal requirements for operating the ship and really that was all he cared for at the moment. If he had to choose between bickering backstabbing spiders or a cute loner fox, his choice was all too clear though probably misguided.

He floated along the cargobay silently, then moved up the stairs and into the bridge of the ship. He landed softly on the floor walking into the pilot's seat, then started to flick a number of switches as the Leviathan started to power up. You can take the gunner seat Snow. he then shouted, starting a few tests on the flight controls before taking off out of the hanger. Check's are all clear for take off. Hm.. Wonder how well the Leviathan will work in the cold.. guess I can try out the heater at least. he then said to himself.

[Blazemane]

I guess I have, Steelclaw. It's nice to meet you. As far as I can figure, I'm fully functional, ready for anything.

"You're lucky then," Steelclaw observed. "A lot of the pods seem to have trouble descending."

What happened? Where is the Axalon?

"Oh, wow," Steelclaw said, scratching the back of his neck. "Long story. I guess after we-" For a moment, he paused. "Do you mind terribly if I transform a second? Beast mode!" he commanded his computer before transforming back into a black bear.

"The energon radiation on this planet is so powerful it starts to short circuit things if you stay in robot mode too long. I figure as long as we're out here talking, staying in robot mode would waste some of the meager time we do get. I'm telling you, some days you get out there, you're right in the middle of a fight and then you're just- well what am I saying? You just came out of a pod. I'm sure you already know why you have a beast mode."

He tapped the ground for a moment with his claws. "Where was I though?" Suddenly he looked back at Whitegrazer.

"Oh yeah. After we set off for our mission, our ship was diverted to chase after a Predacon criminal- goes by the name of Megatron. He stole the Golden Disk, and I guess he wanted to find some place to collect energon. But his crew was using transwarp technology, and we were the only ship that could lock onto their signal. We got into a battle right by the planet you now find yourself on. Megatron would've gotten away if he'd have just taken the right shots too, but he didn't and we took him down with us. And now we've got both our ships stuck on the planet." At this, a thought occurred to him and he laughed again. "It's a bit of a rotten deal. The Darksyde- that would be Megatron's ship- fell right on top of a waterfall. Nice view, a place to cool down, all that business. We, on the other hand, landed in a volcanic region. You can actually see lava while you're inside the ship."

"Anyways, we're basically fighting to keep Megatron and his Predacons from getting the energon he'd wanted all along and leaving the planet to start a war on Cybertron. Speaking of war, we should probably head back to the Axalon. The Predacons tend to come for fallen pods so they can forcibly reprogram them. That isn't really your problem since you're already out of your pod, but if they get here, they'll do the next logical thing and try to kill us."

[Alak]

"Sounds like a plan," said Orcariner.

Diverting energy to his gravity lifts, the killer whale relaxed and prepared to enjoy the ride. It had been a while since they had embarked on a water mission, and it was such missions that gave them the advantage. As soon as they approach the arctic, the dynamic duo should be able to enter the water. Their beast modes are more than adequate at handling cold water. If his scanners detect Predacon signatures, they would be able to take on their foes with surprise and hit & run tactics. It was an excitable thought, as Orcariner was much more agile in aquatic environments than on terrain. Furthermore, having Tigatron and Wintersong as scouts who are already in the territory provided a huge advantage. Should anything unexpected come up, they will be ready for it.

[una]

"You're lucky then," Steelclaw observed. "A lot of the pods seem to have trouble descending."

"Oh, wow," Steelclaw said, scratching the back of his neck. "Long story. I guess after we-" For a moment, he paused. "Do you mind terribly if I transform a second? Beast mode!" he commanded his computer before transforming back into a black bear.

"The energon radiation on this planet is so powerful it starts to short circuit things if you stay in robot mode too long. I figure as long as we're out here talking, staying in robot mode would waste some of the meager time we do get. I'm telling you, some days you get out there, you're right in the middle of a fight and then you're just- well what am I saying? You just came out of a pod. I'm sure you already know why you have a beast mode."

"Energon radiation?" She nodded in understanding. Since that was true, she should change as well, "I should too."

Transforming back to her beast mode, she let out a small snort, her hooves dancing alittle. She really loved her beast form.

He tapped the ground for a moment with his claws. "Where was I though?" Suddenly he looked back at Whitegrazer.

"Oh yeah. After we set off for our mission, our ship was diverted to chase after a Predacon criminal- goes by the name of Megatron. He stole the Golden Disk, and I guess he wanted to find some place to collect energon. But his crew was using transwarp technology, and we were the only ship that could lock onto their signal. We got into a battle right by the planet you now find yourself on. Megatron would've gotten away if he'd have just taken the right shots too, but he didn't and we took him down with us. And now we've got both our ships stuck on the planet." At this, a thought occurred to him and he laughed again. "It's a bit of a rotten deal. The Darksyde- that would be Megatron's ship- fell right on top of a waterfall. Nice view, a place to cool down, all that business. We, on the other hand, landed in a volcanic region. You can actually see lava while you're inside the ship."

"Anyways, we're basically fighting to keep Megatron and his Predacons from getting the energon he'd wanted all along and leaving the planet to start a war on Cybertron. Speaking of war, we should probably head back to the Axalon. The Predacons tend to come for fallen pods so they can forcibly reprogram them. That isn't really your problem since you're already out of your pod, but if they get here, they'll do the next logical thing and try to kill us."

Her small ears intently listened to Steelclaw's explanation about the turn of events when he mentioned Megatron--she had heard some rumors back on Cybertron from her students about this rogue. And she thought Cryotek was dangerous. Despite how the justice system says Cryotek was innocent, everyone knew he was guilty of the crimes he commited against the Maximals but with no solid evidence, Cryotek roamed free and to top it off, he even had a protege. She wondered if...but what about the Golden Disk?

She shook her head. Her mind seemed to love going on tangents but she mustn't think about all this now. Right now, she had to get back to her people before Predacons came to this location. She was confident in her skills but she was still new to this world, whereever they are and unaware how these Predacons were organized. Again, she must be cautious. At least, one of the Maximals were here.

"Well, I don't plan on getting scrapped today by Predacons."

She thought about what they had to do. Steelclaw knew more than she did but she knew that Predacons were very intent in getting what they want. She knew...she fought many of them when she was younger. There was just two of them and Predacons...if she could recall, love to double team their enemies...

A thought stuck her mind.

"Surely, we will have some backup approaching from our friends, yes? We better find some advantage if our enemies come first. We are so open here and I hate gun battles..."

[New Moon]

Feralnight took the old styled radio, nodding at what Rhinox said, "Well guess we won't know till we need to contact each other. Hopefully we'll have some luck this time, more then the last mission." She said before watching Icebreaker leave down the lift and put the radio away in a subspace just in her side, "Guess that's my cue to leave too." She said and moved to the other lift, "See you guys later." With that Feralnight left down the lift, looking around a moment before moving towards the cliff.

Looking down the fuzor could see Icebreaker and Orcanier below, she thought they would have been gone already with how eager Icebreaker could get. Shrugging she stepped back then ran off the cliff letting herself free fall before spreading her wings and flapped her wings a bit, "Beast mode." She commanded to her computer and reverted to her wolf-raven form and flew towards them. "Come on marine unit don't be left behind by the Big Flying Wolf!" She called as she flew past, looking back grinning.

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

What did Tarantulas already know? Frilla gave a slight frown at hearing the maniac scientist was also looking into this which also meant he knew other things. But had he gotten any closer to why the alien beings were here? "Perhaps. But we'll see what turns up sir." She said.

[Optimal Optimus Primal]

"If the wind conditions are not bad perhaps Optimus. But in the tundra it's hard to say when the weather will be calm for flight."

Optimus nodded at Feralnight.

"Well guess we won't know till we need to contact each other. Hopefully we'll have some luck this time, more then the last mission."

The last mission was actually quite successful, but Primal knew what she meant. Too many had been damaged and it was, to say the least, a really bad day for all of them. Images of his clone, the destruction it caused, and remembering the pain flooded his memory for a moment.

"Guess that's my cue to leave too." "See you guys later."

"Be safe," Optimus said to Feralnight, watching her leave along with Icebreaker. He was sure at least part of her beast mode should be all right for the tundra location; while on the ground anyway. As for her flight, well, the weather was rather unpredictable, much like running into a blizzard in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean. Their team should be fine, however, especially when they would meet up with the two white tigers.

Well if we're going to be playing phone tag on this planet you better carry these. You'll have to fly pretty high up to get a signal to us and back as at those distances not only energon interference but the curvature of the planet itself messes with our radios. You should also be able to contact each other in theory.. but with the magnetic pole so near by the fallen object I'm not so sure for the Tundra mission's case.

The leader took the radio and stored it away for later use. It was a good idea Rhinox had; he was always full of them.

After Tigatron calls, I'll see what I can do about upgrading the Nomad and it's medical supplies.

"Good," Primal commented to his old friend. "It might also give something for Rattrap to do," he added, glancing at the idle rodent with a small smile to the side of his mouth.

Rattrap simply sighed quietly. Of course he couldn't have a day to just sleep around, or roll in garbage just to make himself smell bad and follow Dinobot everywhere with the stench.

"All right. Let's move out," the Maximal commander ordered; directed at Saber-Fang, Cheetor and Dinobot. Walking on to one of the returning platforms (with or without someone else), he was lowered outside of the Axalon. Stepping off of the lift and on to the dirt, he looked up to the sky in the direction Nightmist would be flying in.

-----

"Agreed, trying to do it through the com-link proved to be useless, too much interference out here."

"Yes, that was the problem I continued to run into while I spent most of my time here with Snowstalker. Optimus suggested we place a few stations that we could use to communicate with the base in such a long distance that is often interfered with dire weather such as this and energon fields," the white tiger explained as the snow pelted his face. He squinted his green eyes to keep the frozen precipitation from messing with his vision. "Rhinox has done an adequate job building them."

Approaching the tower, Tigatron hurried up to it and said, "Tigatron, maximize." With a low growl, he converted to his robot mode and activated the system, running the diagnostics and calibrations, and increasing the signal's strength due to the blizzard. Everything seemed to be running smoothly despite the high winds. Rhinox's ability in manufacturing such reliable equipment was truly unmatched by any other. "Tigatron to Base," the Maximal called while he stood in the deep snow that drifted along the tower's base. "Come in, Axalon."

[Night-Hunter]

"Good," "It might also give something for Rattrap to do,"

Saber chuckled and shook her head.

"All right. Let's move out,"

Saber waited until Optimus was out of the lift before going inside herself.

Sighing and shaking her head, she just hoped that the creature would rear it's head; that would be the last thing she needed.