Things are about to get weird...for these guys now

[1_true_leader]

((As assigned by HT, I'll be NPCing Sunstorm for the time being. And head's up to the crew on this, slightly different start from what was suggested.))*After leaving the Arctic -- first retrieving the pair of spears from the doorway and finding they could subspace the weapons now (and, subsequently, the entrance to the passage was sealed again)--

Comments

[cideways]

(( I'll leave Blitzwing and Megatron's initial scenarios in the Dreamtime to you, Shiri. ))

*Sideways was fairly certain that the stairs weren't supposed to lead into one of the viewing galleries in Unicron's ring. For one thing, Unicron didn't have any internal stairs.

But it did, and he still trailed at Fahrenheight's heels. The triple-changer didn't seem to recognize the place, but surely he would realize if he looked out the windows.*

.oO(I wonder where everyone else is.)

*He stopped at the foot of the stairs, almost curling against the wall. Tiny wires slipped from the walls and into his finger joints. Information rushed into his systems, as well as the overwhelming sense of 'who are you?/I have not made you yet'. The god was, as yet, not displeased with his existence. Best to keep it that way.

Sideways transmitted his own chronometer data to Unicron. The planet-eater rumbled very softly, barely a change in the thrum of his systems. The wires retracted from his hand.

The Delorean stepped away from the wall and practically stumbled to a viewport, to stare out at the star-spangled sky. He shuddered and brought up the chronometer data he had gotten from Unicron.

000:000:000:000:05

Five cycles from the beginning of time.

His own measure of cycles ran into the billions.*

** Welcome to the Dreamtime, kiddies. You're in for a ride. **

[sargncharge]

*Whirl looks around as the room suddenly seems to go white. When his optics readjust, he finds that all of his companions have gone missing with the exception of Thundercracker.*

WHAT THE SLAG JUST HAPPENED??

*The scene around him begins to shift, and suddenly he is back in the battle of Gideon Seven, where most of his unit was wiped out. As he watches, three of his friends have their sparks extinguished right before his eyes. Just as Jhaxius raises the gun toward his own head, he hears a strange voice calling to him from the void.*

[Voice] Do you remember this moment? This is the very instant in which you turned your back on your faith, when the young idealist died.

[sargncharge]

*Whirl stares into the gun barrel, renouncing Primus once and for all, and turning away from his future as a priest. It is at that moment that Roadbuster arrives with a relief column, and Jhaxius escapes with his renegades*

Why are you showing this to me? WHAT DO YOU WANT?

[Voice] If the fires of your convictions are not stoked, you shall fall in this quest. Your empty shell will remain within this rock for all eternity.

And if I allow my faith to return?

[Voice] Then all things are possible. Perhaps even the means to stop those who are corrupted.

*Whirl sinks to his knees* I accept that I was wrong. I ask Primus to fill me with his spirit once more.

[Voice] SO BE IT!

[1_true_leader]

((Going to temporarily step in here since this part of the thread seems so lonely. ^^;; ))

*Thundercracker looked on in silence. He wasn't familiar with this event and it seemed to be moving around him, anyway. But he can hear the words outside the memory being exchanged. He steps over to Whirl as the Voice's last speech fades and he peers down at the Autobot.* Just like that? It's just that easy to recall one's faith..?

[sargncharge]

What were you expecting pal? Trumpets? a great white light? Besides, you don't think someone that close to becoming a priest could ever totally switch off their beliefs, do you?

*Whirl looks around, studying their surroundings.* This seems to be designed to test us, maybe even tear down our perceptions of self. The real question is why were we split away from the others. Maybe......

You're having a crisis of faith as well, aren't you? That's the only thing that makes sense.

[1_true_leader]

What were you expecting pal? Trumpets? a great white light?

[Thundercracker] Well..I..suppose not. But it doesn't seem that simple.

You're having a crisis of faith as well, aren't you? That's the only thing that makes sense.

*Thundercracker shifts uncomfortably, mouth thinning to a wary line. Some things had changed in his way of processing since they had passed through the Gates, but ever since they entered this strange place his old doubts had resurfaced and were trading back and forth with his newer ones.*

[1_true_leader]

((I realized the bit of irony at you and I, in particular, being the ones to play these character types...*good-natured laugh*))

*A thought occurs to Thundercracker, and his expression shifts to a smirk.* If this is a test and I'm now the lone unbeliever, maybe your job is to convince me. ...Unless Starscream or his brother is going to show up any second now and start lecturing.

[sargncharge]

(( Funny ol' world, innit? :) ))

*Whirl begins to chuckle a bit* That gets on your nerves too? I thought it was just me.

As for convincing you..... I'm not sure that I can. Something about this quest doesn't add up. Maybe that's why we were paired off.... Perhaps our purpose is to ground the others.

*Whirl settles onto the floor* It would appear as though we are going to be here for some time. I WAS a priest..... maybe you should tell me the source of your doubts.

[1_true_leader]

*Thundercracker remains standing and folds his arms.* "Ground" those two vapor-brains who are yanking us around? And "ground" Megatron's tenacity? Big job for only two mechs. Not to mention those two others who nobody seems very sure of...

*His arms start to fall loose.* *quietly* ...That would be it, then..I...I don't doubt Primus so much as I doubt them...

[1_true_leader]

((*Is feeling really dumb that TC just keeps posing everything in questions*))

[Thundercracker] Heh. And now I wonder, if someone like Starscream could be chosen for a task like this, what if we were specifically chosen, too? He'll abuse the power again, I'm sure of it. We're here to temper both him and Sunstorm...

*He glances away as the walls seem to shift, rock appearing in some places and clear blue sky in others.* ...A choice, then? Between following them or leaving..

[far_n_height]

*Fahrenheight blinks and goes rigid for a nanoklik as he looks around. He's not all that familiar with Earth's internal structures, but after the jungle temple and the ice cave, this strikes him as horribly incongruous. He walks over to a viewport, staring hard. Somehow they had come to be in outer space..? But where, what station was this..? He turns, mouth tightly shut to keep from accusing either of the seekers of trickery, but he sees only Sideways.*

[cideways]

*Sideways gives Fahrenheight a weak smile.* I think-

*Unicron shudders and the internal light begins to flash steadily red.*

- we need to get out of here. Now.

[far_n_height]

*Frowns but looks around with increasing uneasiness.* I will not argue that... Which way is out..?

[cideways]

*Sideways freezes, then takes off down the gallery.* There's a hull port up ahead! Follow me!

[far_n_height]

*Follows, gaze darting back and forth as if something about this place should register with him, but it simply isn't.*

[cideways]

*Sideways finds the hatch he was looking for, more resembling an airlock than anything else. It opens to space before he can touch the control panel. Without hesitation, the Delorean leaps into the void, firing his thrusters to get away from Unicron as he shudderingly transforms.*