The Intergalactic Highway

(Whitegrazer is RO sector 42. As I've stated before, Nem isn't considered a pod. She's considered spacejunk or a corpse. That's why she's a lower priority. So there is only one stasis pod. Oh and nice including Nightmist and Whitegrazer to the list. Glowstick's endurance is a 5 not a 7. Sorry if I made that confusing. )

Steelclaw arrived at a region of the plain that was more densely covered in grass, and by this time the sun had gotten a little higher.

He was starting to wonder if he'd miscalculated the pod's direction when he was stopped abruptly by the sunlighting reflecting directly off of its metal exterior. Well, that was fortunate.

Before he had crossed the gap between him and the pod, he'd already determined that the thing was open. But he walked the the rest of the way just to get visual confirmation of the fact that the Maximal wasn't inside. After nodding his head to the side, he turned around and looked at the land around him.

A flock of sparrows flew overhead. The Maximal wasn't going to be there. Steelclaw spied a herd of four legged creatures which his Heads-Up-Display promptly informed him were "horses." Eh, maybe. Then again, perhaps the Maximal was just out of sight.

He hated exposing himself so obviously, but he was already on the plains after all, and for the moment, the situation seemed to be lacking any hostiles.

"Hello?" he shouted loudly, looking around and raising a paw. "Anyone out here?" he called again.

This grass is so good.

She ate some more before she heard the noise. Keeping herself normal, she tipped her head towards the pod, noticing a transformer. Using her sensors to zoom in on the transformer who had black fur around his grayish form, she searched for an insignia...it was a Maximal.

They only sent one? Maybe their ship just encountered trouble?

It was a reasonable conclusion from her perspective but she still didn't know the situation. Though, since the transformer was a Maximal, it seemed wrong to leave the poor mech hanging there.

She galloped forward towards the Maximal, calling out to get his attention, "Hello!"

"Whitegrazer maximize!"

With a graceful jump, she landed in front of the Maximal. Her towering figure had her look down a little, "I'm glad that my intuition was correct. My name is Whitegrazer. What's yours?"

She held a warming smile towards him.

((OOC: Just to make sure...since Steelclaw changed his activation code, his insignia would change too, right? Just want to be sure. If there is anythig I need to edit, I will gladly edit it so I will be accurate.))

Sonar waited at the hanger his hand behind his back as waited for the two other fliers to arrive. His ears twicthed slight when he heard the flying reptile.

"Let's hope not," "I need my battle buddy to stay alive this time. Otherwise, we might end up scrapped like the last mission."

He smirked before turning to face the fliers.

"Well, it seems you made a full recovery, Terrorsuar which is good to hear. Now shall we?" He transformed into his beast mode then flew out of the hanger.

Soaring high up in the air, heading back to base, Nightmist picked up a partial radio transmission concerning what she perceived to be a pod landing.

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

She was picking up a lot of static, although hoped her message had gone through. Upon returning to the base she would run some diagnostics on her radio, since this had been a recurring and increasing problem lately.

With no answer WIntersong growled slightly, "Must be too much interference. Maybe by luck I'll run into TIgatron." She sighed and began making her way towards the fallen object but she was much more careful where she stepped for the snow could be deep in some places or patches of ice could lie hidden. She was glad for the thick fur and large paws which seemed to make it a bit easier to move through the biting cold snow. But she was partly running and partly trotting while trying to avoid falling into snow.

In a word this was not going to be an easy trek less she met with the other Maximals at some point along the way.

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

Snow Trix had come in quietly, listening to what the t-rex was saying of the missions. Something in the tundra? That was right up her alley, "Sign me up for the tundra. Blending in outta give those Maximals a surprise or two." She said with a smirk, looking forward to causing trouble for their enemies. She had long since had a hatred for the Maximals and was looking forward to this mission where she would have a better advantage then anywhere else.

(( OOC:

((Hey, doesn't Optimus still need to talk to Saber?))

Night-Hunter, I don't know if that's ever going to happen. Every time there might be an opportunity for them to chat, something always comes up that requires his or her attention. Or one of them is in the CR. ...Or we end the episode.

una, I don't remember where it was that you said characters could recognize Whitegrazer if they wanted to because of her status, but I just wanted to say that Optimus could, if you'd like. I would think he'd know some of those "upper ranking officials" or soldiers, or... whatever. Sorry, the right words aren't coming to me tonight. ))

Optimus Primal had spent a significant amount of time in his quarters since his repairs from the previous mission. He was supposed to be using his time to rest, but instead he filled it with recording logs, studying their data about the aliens, and pondering about some of the Predacons under Megatron's command. Logging took the longest, of course, with every detail and specification it required from day to day missions, happenings, and learning about themselves, as well as the planet. As for the aliens... Well, it was something Optimus tended to dwell on every so often. Who were they? Where were they? And what would be their initial intentions? How much could they really control? What did they want from his Maximals and the Predacons? If they wanted anything at all. Sitting at his desk in robot mode in front of his computer, he unconsciously lowered his right hand to his side where his clone had stabbed him with a sword, all the way through his body. The wound appeared to be fully healed from the outside, but internally it didn't feel quite like the way it used to. Optimus assumed it was because of the energon fields the injury had been exposed to as long as it had and all of the damage that the sword caused as it was twisted inside of him. It wasn't so much a burden as it was a reminder. A reminder to carelessness, near defeat, and to the aliens' existance.

The Maximal Commander was grateful for the team he had. Icebreaker had gone above and beyond his duty to help him and Saber-Fang. In fact, all of them had done an honorable job that day retrieving the energon, guarding the Nomad, and protecting each other from the Predacons and the alien clone. Optimus was proud of them. Despite the squabbles and bickering that happened among the ranks once in a while, his Maximals always followed through when it came to desperate measures and long battles. They were selfless, they worked together to reach common goals, and they watched each others' backs. There was a lot of hope for this team. Most importantly, there was hope to survive and return home to Cybertron.

Now, the Predacons. Primal kept a few notes on some of them. Starshadow, for example, was difficult to understand. She seemed to be completely off the wall when her temper got the better of her. However, he recalled the battle in the mountain and the look in her eyes when she saw what Megatron had done to him. He remembered her step forward and her hesitation. It was as if... as if she didn't want to harm him like any Predacon would've taken advantage of, but more like she wanted to help him. Unless he completely misread her concerned conduct, he felt that there was something she was hiding. Maybe. Steelclaw was another one that grabbed Primal's attention. For a big Predacon that could easily cause a lot of damage, he was quite calm. Calm and intelligent. He was never irrational or overwhelmed by emotions or greed. There was something different about him. Why were there so many mysteries and secrets with Predacons?

Restoring his mind to reality and reviewing his notes, the leader's audio sensors picked up the commotion from the others beyond his quarters. Securing his computer, Optimus exited his room and headed to the main control room where the other Maximals had gathered. He was unusually late to the party.

Rattrap, on the other hand, was fashionably late. Then again, it hadn't been his turn for monitor duty. He joined the parade just before Optimus got there, standing in robot mode and leaning his back against a currently unoccupied console with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Status update, please," Optimus asked no one in particular with a firm tone that warned everyone that they had no time to mess around. While his red optics scanned the monitors that illuminated before Rhinox, he recognized the stasis pod, but what was the other object? Rhinox and Cheetor had information they could share, and everyone else had their opinions and suggestions on both occurances, he assumed. He needed to be notified before he made any decisions.

"That also has yet-"

Did the computer find the LZ for both of them?

"We haven't-"

"Almost," "The pod's Northwest a ways, and the other thing is way off to the North, in Tigatron's territory."

"I believe Ocariner was looking for more spec-"

"Landing coordinates calculated," the computer announced. Dinobot, interrupted once more, threw his claws up in exasperation and turned around to face the center console, waiting for the computer's next announcement.

Rattrap couldn't help but snicker at Dinobot. "Don't take it personally, Chopper Face," he grinned. "I programmed Sentinel ta ignore Predacons." Yes, after all this time and all the times that Dinobot had proved himself a worthy Maximal, Rattrap still poked at his former allegiance, purposely teasing the raptor to get under his scales.

-----

"Must be too much interference. Maybe by luck I'll run into TIgatron."

"Then you must have a lot of luck on your side," Tigatron smiled as he stepped out from behind a snowbank in his beast mode. He had contemplated pouncing on Wintersong, but the fallen object they both had spotted took serious priority and obligation. And he honestly didn't know the tigress well enough to pull off such a playful maneuver. Like him, she seemed to be the solo type of Maximal. Running with her, they headed toward the very large unidentified object. It was lucky for them to have already been so close to the area.

(( OOC: Since OP just joined the party, someone more familiar with the situation could answer the incoming calls to the Axalon from Wintersong and Nightmist. Someone else can fill in OP, and so forth. ))

Starshadow looked around and transformed into her beast mode. The only choice was to team up with the fliers and that irritating bat and that was not her first choice.
"Megatron, shall I follow the fliers?" she asked her leader.

((OOc: Oh yeah, I did but I deleted it. XDD You may if you wish, OOP. You don't have to either. It's okay. ))

Feralnight listened but looked as Icebreaker came in then Primal and Rattrap. She was still wondering about the whole thing her optics looking at the different locations to where the pod had landed and the strange object. The cold tundra was last on her mind to do but she was curious of the plains where the pod had landed and definitely looked forward to helping to that.

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

Frilla wasn't so sure in partaking in the missions, her mind still caught up in the odd aliens and their technology and their reasons for being there. It seemed they would have enough advantage and fire power but then again she had no other leads for these odd beings. Giving the monitors a final glance she reverted to beast mode, awaiting to leave to the plains, if needed at least.

(Reason no one responded to Wintersong is being in Tigatron's area without using a external communication device IE:Tigatron's laser pluse communicator,a drone, or some sort of floating long range repeater, normal radio communication at that distance is impossible between distance, energon interference, and snow interference. Oh and I did some research, uh Saber-tooth cats could probably easily go into a tundra like environment but I'm sure you want to send her to the plain. )


Icebreaker looked towards Rhinox, then moved to the Radio as he heard Nightmist Hey Misty, didn't think I'd hear from you again so soon! From what I can tell a Stasis pod has come down and a strange object. he then said rather excitably. It'd only been a short while since the maximals had found Nightmist, one of his comrades from South America (OC event 1) and after splitting up to go with Orcariner as his comrade couldn't travel on land like everyone else, he'd lost contact with Nightmist, Xzuk, and Cerano. Even now, Xzuk and Cerano were still MIA and with the original existing radio equipment even with a stronger broadcast they probably wouldn't be able to detect the maximals other then coming across them with luck.

Rhinox glanced towards Icebreaker, then looked to Optimus Two objects fell from the sky a few moments ago. One is a Stasis pod that landed about here.. he then stood up pointing at the holographic display, then moved to the keyboard typing into it as the display shifted showing Tigatron's territory 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.

_______________________________________

Megatron looked towards StarShadow as she proceeded with her usual banter You will take the missions I assign you. Do not question my orders!

Scorponok and StarShadow Agreed, Scorponok, StarShadow, and Frilla. You three will be accompanying me to the stasis pod. With Steelclaw already ahead of us and the fliers doing their work.. that pod is as good as ours.. Yesss..Beast mode! he then shouted as his body twisted violently transforming to his Tyrannosaurus Rex mode, then started to run out of the hanger on heavy steps.

Glowstick floated out of the transport looking down at Snowtrix Looks like it's just you,me, and the spiders.... his voice trailed at the mention of the spiders. While he could deal with Tarantulus to a degree as the two did see eye to eye on some scientific matters the Engineer and Scientist in the long run still had different ways of thinking and even Glowstick found some of Tarantulus's actions as down right creepy. Blackarachnia, for the most part didn't really get along with Glowstick as he had a IQ higher then a fly, which seemed to be a issue with alot of the original Predacon crew.They easy to manipulate for her whims, though he admited to making some similar mistakes with other females of the crew.

He was also displeased at the near death he and the others experienced to get the ungrateful little bug, and became less trustful in Tarantulus's work since that day as he basically wasted their efforts on an attempt to make a girlfriend and failed to accomplish even that. Either way, the experiences left a bad taste on his suction cups.

Glowstick scratched his cheek with a tentacle as he glanced to the side Maybe we should just leave them behind?

Nightmist drew a silent sigh of relief as Icebreaker's voice came over the radio. Whenever she left base for a while, she would always worry if her friends would still be around the next time she returned. This, in fact, was a big part of the reason Nightmist was afraid of returning there. It was not home for her, exactly, but she did feel a sense of gratitude and friendship with the few she had spent enough time to bond with.

Hey Misty, didn't think I'd hear from you again so soon! From what I can tell a Stasis pod has come down and a strange object.

"Roger that," she responded, changing her flight course to intercept the pod coordinates she had received from the base. "I will head to the crashed pod location. If there are any damages, I may be able to assist with repairs."

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

Further north the ice was thin in some spots, easily cracking under the feet of anyone getting close enough to the crash zone. In addition a strong, freezing wind was whirling up the snow in the area, causing a limited field of vision. It was not a very hospitable place to be..

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?"

* * *

Optimus Primal wrote:Status update, please.

Cheetor was about to answer, but Rhinox spoke up. Even then, he had to look for himself. "So Crashville is..." he muttered, taking a second to look at the monitor. "...Grid RO sector 42. The other thing is sitting over in Grid SW, sector 2. No, 5," he corrected himself.

Rattrap wrote:Don't take it personally, Chopper Face. I programmed Sentinel ta ignore Predacons.

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

((OOC: Yeah, Steelclaw's insignia would change too. Also, NightMist and Steelclaw have never met. Does she know, then, that he is a Predacon or would she assume he's a Maximal because he and Whitegrazer aren't killing each other yet? I'm fine with either way, of course. He's probably going to have to pit the (non-)validity of his Maximal allegiance against accusation at some point.))

"Well it seems that way. Good to see you Tigatron." Wintersong said smiling the best she could in her alternate form. But the wind had begun to pick up as they continued and even focusing in was rather difficult, the field of vision becoming limited. "This just gets more and more difficult." She muttered shaking her head trying to keep the snow from blowing too much into her eyes.

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

Snow Trix frowned, "Sounds fun, both back stabbing spiders in one ship. Joy." She said before giving a glance to Glowstick, "If that's an option I say yes." She said coming inside the Levianthan. She never really worked with Tarantulas or Blackarachnia but that didn't mean she didn't have her own opinions on the spiders, one Snow Trix thought was just downright creepy and the other she wasn't quite sure. Snow Trix noticed the two hardly got along and wondered why they put up with the other.

Saber didn't pay much attention to the conversation that was going on around her and either mission was a no go for her.

"Well, seeing how I can't swim and my beast mode can't handle snow... I guess I'll just go on patrol then." She said to no one particular.

She had been avoiding Optimus as much as she could, but every now and again she would end up in the same room as him but he never said any thing, which she was gratful for but she kept her head down any way.