((New thread so this doesn't get cramped, but consider it a direct continuation to Red))
Shockwave was confident he could handle an Autobot like Prowl, with or without a hostage or a strange partner. Outside observers considered the two matched in logic (Shockwave, of course, considered himself superior), but in power, the Guardian was something of a higher level, almost on par with the faction leaders. In fact, if he were a fictional character written by some mysterious entity called "Marvel" and was intensely traitorous, he'd probably be capable of overthrowing his leader. Shockwave is disconcerted at the mere thought, and glad he is as loyal to his beloved leader as he is. Prowl, in summation, was not a mech he found himself apprehensive about the prospect of facing.
The Prime was a completely different matter altogether.
"Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots," said Shockwave. "Your appearance is improbable, yet at the same time so very typical. Autobots never do cut their losses to save their own datachips, do they? While a Decepticon knows to never waste their time saving the lower rank and file, Autobots roll straight into any opportunity to prove themselves foolishly noble," Shockwave shook his head. "The logic behind such sentimentality in wartime escapes me." A pause. "Though, I would have thought your second in command would be braver. You came so very quickly. Or is it that those in the sub-command position hold a certain susceptibility to cowardliness?"
Despite his criticism, Shockwave was no fool. He knew well the effect the Autobot leader had upon his troops. Prowl was a greater danger by his very presence. Even the glitch he had a hold of seemed oddly contemplative, focused internally in way he wasn't before.
However, the picture was beginning to form in his processors. More and more mechs were appearing on this mysterious false-Cybertron, which could only indicate one outcome. A hostage situation was ideal for the time it'd take.
Shockwave silently emitted a distress signal of his own.
"Now, where are the Autobots...Or "Maximals," I should say, hiding Queen Megatron?"
Optimus just stood proudly, impassive in front of Shockwave's taunt, but inwardly calculating how long it'd take Mirage to get in position.
"I do not expect the likes of you to understand the value of comraderie, Shockwave," he replied, rifle aimed at him, "though I see you have allied yourself with something peculiar." He waved his blaster lightly towards the small ....organic? Mech? Creature, at any rate, that was holding Red Alert's gun, therefore probably an enemy as well.
"Desist, Shockwave. We outnumber you and others are on their way. Release Red Alert and I will take you captive without harming you and your odd companion--" His tirade was abruptly interrupted by the purple mech's last question, optics widening almost comically in confusion and disbelief.
"....Queen?"
He gave Prowl a disbelieving sideglance, as if wondering whether the other had heard it, too, and it wasn't his audio receptors malfunctioning.
"If it's the same Megatron I know, I have not met him, and I sure hope he will never have the chance to taint this planet again."
Inferno was... well briefly overwhelmed would fit best. This new intruder seemed more familiar than the rest of his aquaintances so far, at least in the head. But he couldn't quite place a claw on it. It was of no matter, however. New intruders just meant more threats to the colony. The colony he had lost. Which housed the Queen he had misplaced; No. Not misplaced.
The Queen these Maximal kidnapped.
He waved his flame gun between the captive's foot and the newcomer's kneecap, constantly keeping an eye (and barrel of the way-too-big gun) posed on the white-and-black mech.
"Optimus Prime, leader of the--" Inferno's optics squinted, memory chips bringing up a file the Queen had informed him about. 'Optimus', that was the Maximal leader's designation. A charred Maximal leader will make the best gift for the Queen upon her arrival. His flamethrower instantly switched to pointing at the tall mech's chest. It was where his kind carried their most precious cargo, the Royalty told him once, aim there for a quick kill. Claw poised over the trigger, Inferno's laugher bubbled from silent to outlandish and loud, echoing off the tall metal robots' bodies.
That is, until something broke through his sudden bout of insanity. "... Queen?"
He watched the Maximal leader glance to the black-and-white. That look they exchanged. Certainly they were discussing the whereabouts of his captive majesty, there was just nothing else that look could mean.
That's it.
"MAXIMAL LIES," Inferno screeched, borrowing a page from one of the Queen's less competent ex-soldiers. "Speak now, drone, or you shall burn in the Pit."
Megatron received Shockwave’s distress signal shortly after gathering the medi-bot. It was on a different frequency to what he expected; Shockwave was not at his command post. The signal seemed to be originating from further within Iacon city, a few kliks from Megatron’s current position. //Shockwave, this is Megatron recieving. I am en route.\\
“Hold on.” he warned the tiny mech perched on his shoulder. Firing his thrusters, the Decepticon leader took to the air, headed on a direct course to the location of the signal.
Scanning the area below as he soared overhead, Megatron suddenly caught glimpse of a blue-and-white mech crouching atop a balcony: an Autobot, and one that he vaguely recognized. He swooped down, landing behind the preoccupied bot. “Autobot scum!” the warlord spat, as he swung his cannon arm at the bot, aiming to send him flying off the structure.
Prowl could certainly have stood there for the rest of the orn and debated with Shockwave the validity of his statements, but it was neither the time nor place-- nor did the tactician feel particularly inclined to in any case. More than having backup at all, standing at Optimus Prime's side once more seemed to make things feel more real, more solid. After all, he'd spent many vorns of this war as this mech's right hand.
The tactician might have replied to his commander, but he got out barely a shrug at the question before the little creature screeched again. Normally Prowl possessed veritable oceans of patience; however, this... being was proving to test his limits very quickly, though his self-control wouldn't permit him to do anything unless it was in an effort to save Red Alert. Ignoring the ant-being's screeching for the moment, he glanced once at Optimus. "Your guess is as good as mine," he said. "About anything going on here. Though it would appear that Megatron has been... promoted?"
One would think, after just so long of fighting the Decepticons, Mirage would be more aware of air attacks. However, he had been so focused on keeping his target in his scope and listening for an order from Optimus that he'd tuned out the rest of the world.
The spy only just turned as he heard the heavy footfalls behind him, and the angry yell of Megatron just before a fist connected hard with his frame. The force of the impact send Mirage up a few feet and flying back, over the ledge that had been his cover from those below just a moment ago.
Mirage hit the ground below the balcony hard, shoulders and upper back smashing painfully first before the rest of him followed, bounced, and finally came to a rest. His prized sniper rifle clattered to a stop far to his left. Needless to say, if the punch hadn't put him into stasis lock, the impact of the ground had. Mirage was out of this fight. For now.
I PROMISE I WILL NEVER BE SO OOC BESIDES THIS ONCEdazzlingmonocleAugust 3 2010, 05:03:47 UTC
this is Megatron recieving.
All at once, Shockwave's life felt validated; his reason for existence confirmed. Megatron had called him. To save him. For the first time since awakening, he wondered if he were in a mid-recharge defragmentation cycle, and he would soon awake to the countless space that separated the real Cybertron and Earth. He refused to even consider the option. No. This was real, Megatron was here for him, all logic out the window.
//Contact received, my Lord. Your assistance is appreciated.\\
Externally, the guardian looked as impassive and cold as always, not giving away the surprise to his company.
He observed as Inferno screeched at the Prime, grateful for the distraction. A short distance away he heard a warcry.
...Could it be?
Yes, it was!
Standing proud where a freshly downed opponent once hid (no doubt planning an attempt on his life), Megatron was surveying the scene.
Shockwave couldn't contain himself. The power and grace his Lord exuded, the majesty...Inferno was correct in his assessment; Megatron was nothing if not royal.
"Lord Megatron! My Queen!" Shockwave shouted. The orn was saved!
ALL ABOARD THE HAPPY TRAIN... FOR THIS POST ONLYsubcdrkissbotAugust 3 2010, 05:09:43 UTC
Inferno heard the war cry, the thump of metal hitting the floor, and the purple cyclops's excited cry. "MY QUEEN" The ant whipped himself around faster than his ankle supports could allow, nearly dropping both weapons in his haste to salute the newly-discovered Royalty.
She was safe! Found! And escaped on her o---
Inferno stopped, dropping his flamethrower-wielding hand in mid salute
Megatron let out a harsh laugh as he sent the Autobot plummeting to the ground below. Looking around to see what other bots were in visual range, a shout addressing him from somewhere between the buildings below drew Megatron’s gaze.
“…My Queen!”
The warlord’s optics widened. “Shockwave! What is your malfunction?!” He barked back. He wondered if he should have Scalpel run a thorough diagnostic on him later. As the Decepticon warlord stepped to the ledge rim and prepared to fly down to join Shockwave, he spotted a familiar red Autobot pointing a blaster towards his loyal Decepticon.
Optimus didn't have time to process a proper plan of action.
Apparently Primus had decided all the luck had to be on the Decepticons' side, for whatever reason, making it so that not only his arch-nemesis happened to be on the same planet and extremely close to their location, but had also answered a distress call - something unheard of; Decepticons hardly ever helped each other, as far as he could remember. Megatron had probably been just as desperate as him to find comrades in this beautiful desert of a city, that was the only explanation for his sudden appearance.
It didn't help the Prime's mood in the least.
Seeing Mirage - one of his men, regardless of space, time, and alternate universes, always one of his men - tumble from above, crashing and laying motionless, was the breaking point.
"Mirage!" His short cry was almost muted by the savage, angry roar of his own engine as he dashed towards the fallen spy, rifle still trained loosely on Shockwave but all his attention focused on the Decepticon Leader. "You take care of this, Prowl," he ordered, passing him, "I have a bigger fish to fry."
He quickly scanned Mirage with a glance, crouching next to him; he was in stasis, but there were no signs he'd turn ashen anytime soon, so the Prime could set the worry momentarily aside, letting burning hot anger take over.
Straightening, he pointed an accusing finger on the tyrant above, his voice carrying all of his furious outrage.
"Come down here, Megatron, you sly rust-bucket, and pick on someone your own size! You can magically drop from the sky at any time, but I will always be ready to rub your faceplates into the dirt with great pleasure!"
The statistics against this having happened were also staggering and boggling the tactician's processors, but he would have to focus on that later. With Megatron's timely arrival, they had to act quickly; the peril of the encounter was increased tenfold now.
And Prowl saw his opportunity at Shockwave's distraction. Focusing his aim on the Decepticon, he fired off a round or two of acid pellets. At their relative proximity he was confident no unintended damage would befall Red Alert - which would be unfortunate, considering the entire effort was to give the mech an opening to free himself.
Shockwave was unsure of what his Lord meant by "malfunction"; the only abnormal phrase he'd said was "My Queen." He wondered if Inferno was incorrect, and that was not an appropriate epithet for his lord after all. He would figure out the situation later, now was not the time. What mattered was Megatron was now here by his side, and in direct confrontation with the Prime.
In fact, Shockwave was so distracted by his Lord's return he didn't notice the tactician getting into position to take a shot at him. All at once, he felt pain spasm across his arm. He could acutely feel small pockets of melting metal form where they made contact; in retrospect a superficial type of wound, but painful and distracting nonetheless. His automatic response was to flail his arm in an effort to dislodge as much of the material as possible, at the expense of his hold on Red Alert.
Shockwave was confident he could handle an Autobot like Prowl, with or without a hostage or a strange partner. Outside observers considered the two matched in logic (Shockwave, of course, considered himself superior), but in power, the Guardian was something of a higher level, almost on par with the faction leaders. In fact, if he were a fictional character written by some mysterious entity called "Marvel" and was intensely traitorous, he'd probably be capable of overthrowing his leader. Shockwave is disconcerted at the mere thought, and glad he is as loyal to his beloved leader as he is. Prowl, in summation, was not a mech he found himself apprehensive about the prospect of facing.
The Prime was a completely different matter altogether.
"Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots," said Shockwave. "Your appearance is improbable, yet at the same time so very typical. Autobots never do cut their losses to save their own datachips, do they? While a Decepticon knows to never waste their time saving the lower rank and file, Autobots roll straight into any opportunity to prove themselves foolishly noble," Shockwave shook his head. "The logic behind such sentimentality in wartime escapes me." A pause. "Though, I would have thought your second in command would be braver. You came so very quickly. Or is it that those in the sub-command position hold a certain susceptibility to cowardliness?"
Despite his criticism, Shockwave was no fool. He knew well the effect the Autobot leader had upon his troops. Prowl was a greater danger by his very presence. Even the glitch he had a hold of seemed oddly contemplative, focused internally in way he wasn't before.
However, the picture was beginning to form in his processors. More and more mechs were appearing on this mysterious false-Cybertron, which could only indicate one outcome. A hostage situation was ideal for the time it'd take.
Shockwave silently emitted a distress signal of his own.
"Now, where are the Autobots...Or "Maximals," I should say, hiding Queen Megatron?"
Reply
"I do not expect the likes of you to understand the value of comraderie, Shockwave," he replied, rifle aimed at him, "though I see you have allied yourself with something peculiar."
He waved his blaster lightly towards the small ....organic? Mech? Creature, at any rate, that was holding Red Alert's gun, therefore probably an enemy as well.
"Desist, Shockwave. We outnumber you and others are on their way. Release Red Alert and I will take you captive without harming you and your odd companion--"
His tirade was abruptly interrupted by the purple mech's last question, optics widening almost comically in confusion and disbelief.
"....Queen?"
He gave Prowl a disbelieving sideglance, as if wondering whether the other had heard it, too, and it wasn't his audio receptors malfunctioning.
"If it's the same Megatron I know, I have not met him, and I sure hope he will never have the chance to taint this planet again."
Reply
This new intruder seemed more familiar than the rest of his aquaintances so far, at least in the head. But he couldn't quite place a claw on it. It was of no matter, however. New intruders just meant more threats to the colony.
The colony he had lost.
Which housed the Queen he had misplaced; No. Not misplaced.
The Queen these Maximal kidnapped.
He waved his flame gun between the captive's foot and the newcomer's kneecap, constantly keeping an eye (and barrel of the way-too-big gun) posed on the white-and-black mech.
"Optimus Prime, leader of the--"
Inferno's optics squinted, memory chips bringing up a file the Queen had informed him about. 'Optimus', that was the Maximal leader's designation. A charred Maximal leader will make the best gift for the Queen upon her arrival. His flamethrower instantly switched to pointing at the tall mech's chest. It was where his kind carried their most precious cargo, the Royalty told him once, aim there for a quick kill.
Claw poised over the trigger, Inferno's laugher bubbled from silent to outlandish and loud, echoing off the tall metal robots' bodies.
That is, until something broke through his sudden bout of insanity.
"... Queen?"
He watched the Maximal leader glance to the black-and-white. That look they exchanged. Certainly they were discussing the whereabouts of his captive majesty, there was just nothing else that look could mean.
That's it.
"MAXIMAL LIES," Inferno screeched, borrowing a page from one of the Queen's less competent ex-soldiers. "Speak now, drone, or you shall burn in the Pit."
Reply
Megatron received Shockwave’s distress signal shortly after gathering the medi-bot. It was on a different frequency to what he expected; Shockwave was not at his command post. The signal seemed to be originating from further within Iacon city, a few kliks from Megatron’s current position.
//Shockwave, this is Megatron recieving. I am en route.\\
“Hold on.” he warned the tiny mech perched on his shoulder.
Firing his thrusters, the Decepticon leader took to the air, headed on a direct course to the location of the signal.
Scanning the area below as he soared overhead, Megatron suddenly caught glimpse of a blue-and-white mech crouching atop a balcony: an Autobot, and one that he vaguely recognized.
He swooped down, landing behind the preoccupied bot.
“Autobot scum!” the warlord spat, as he swung his cannon arm at the bot, aiming to send him flying off the structure.
Reply
The tactician might have replied to his commander, but he got out barely a shrug at the question before the little creature screeched again. Normally Prowl possessed veritable oceans of patience; however, this... being was proving to test his limits very quickly, though his self-control wouldn't permit him to do anything unless it was in an effort to save Red Alert. Ignoring the ant-being's screeching for the moment, he glanced once at Optimus. "Your guess is as good as mine," he said. "About anything going on here. Though it would appear that Megatron has been... promoted?"
Reply
The spy only just turned as he heard the heavy footfalls behind him, and the angry yell of Megatron just before a fist connected hard with his frame. The force of the impact send Mirage up a few feet and flying back, over the ledge that had been his cover from those below just a moment ago.
Mirage hit the ground below the balcony hard, shoulders and upper back smashing painfully first before the rest of him followed, bounced, and finally came to a rest. His prized sniper rifle clattered to a stop far to his left. Needless to say, if the punch hadn't put him into stasis lock, the impact of the ground had. Mirage was out of this fight. For now.
Reply
All at once, Shockwave's life felt validated; his reason for existence confirmed. Megatron had called him. To save him. For the first time since awakening, he wondered if he were in a mid-recharge defragmentation cycle, and he would soon awake to the countless space that separated the real Cybertron and Earth. He refused to even consider the option. No. This was real, Megatron was here for him, all logic out the window.
//Contact received, my Lord. Your assistance is appreciated.\\
Externally, the guardian looked as impassive and cold as always, not giving away the surprise to his company.
He observed as Inferno screeched at the Prime, grateful for the distraction. A short distance away he heard a warcry.
...Could it be?
Yes, it was!
Standing proud where a freshly downed opponent once hid (no doubt planning an attempt on his life), Megatron was surveying the scene.
Shockwave couldn't contain himself. The power and grace his Lord exuded, the majesty...Inferno was correct in his assessment; Megatron was nothing if not royal.
"Lord Megatron! My Queen!" Shockwave shouted. The orn was saved!
Reply
"MY QUEEN"
The ant whipped himself around faster than his ankle supports could allow, nearly dropping both weapons in his haste to salute the newly-discovered Royalty.
She was safe! Found! And escaped on her o---
Inferno stopped, dropping his flamethrower-wielding hand in mid salute
wait a second...
Reply
Looking around to see what other bots were in visual range, a shout addressing him from somewhere between the buildings below drew Megatron’s gaze.
“…My Queen!”
The warlord’s optics widened.
“Shockwave! What is your malfunction?!” He barked back. He wondered if he should have Scalpel run a thorough diagnostic on him later.
As the Decepticon warlord stepped to the ledge rim and prepared to fly down to join Shockwave, he spotted a familiar red Autobot pointing a blaster towards his loyal Decepticon.
“PRIIIIIIIIIIIMMMME!”
Reply
Apparently Primus had decided all the luck had to be on the Decepticons' side, for whatever reason, making it so that not only his arch-nemesis happened to be on the same planet and extremely close to their location, but had also answered a distress call - something unheard of; Decepticons hardly ever helped each other, as far as he could remember. Megatron had probably been just as desperate as him to find comrades in this beautiful desert of a city, that was the only explanation for his sudden appearance.
It didn't help the Prime's mood in the least.
Seeing Mirage - one of his men, regardless of space, time, and alternate universes, always one of his men - tumble from above, crashing and laying motionless, was the breaking point.
"Mirage!" His short cry was almost muted by the savage, angry roar of his own engine as he dashed towards the fallen spy, rifle still trained loosely on Shockwave but all his attention focused on the Decepticon Leader. "You take care of this, Prowl," he ordered, passing him, "I have a bigger fish to fry."
He quickly scanned Mirage with a glance, crouching next to him; he was in stasis, but there were no signs he'd turn ashen anytime soon, so the Prime could set the worry momentarily aside, letting burning hot anger take over.
Straightening, he pointed an accusing finger on the tyrant above, his voice carrying all of his furious outrage.
"Come down here, Megatron, you sly rust-bucket, and pick on someone your own size! You can magically drop from the sky at any time, but I will always be ready to rub your faceplates into the dirt with great pleasure!"
Reply
And Prowl saw his opportunity at Shockwave's distraction. Focusing his aim on the Decepticon, he fired off a round or two of acid pellets. At their relative proximity he was confident no unintended damage would befall Red Alert - which would be unfortunate, considering the entire effort was to give the mech an opening to free himself.
Reply
In fact, Shockwave was so distracted by his Lord's return he didn't notice the tactician getting into position to take a shot at him. All at once, he felt pain spasm across his arm. He could acutely feel small pockets of melting metal form where they made contact; in retrospect a superficial type of wound, but painful and distracting nonetheless. His automatic response was to flail his arm in an effort to dislodge as much of the material as possible, at the expense of his hold on Red Alert.
Reply
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