[Video]

[slaggingsaurian]

If I could have your attention for just a moment-

[Dinobot is standing with his back against a wall, which can be seen behind him.  His optics are just a little wider than usual, and he keeps glancing up warily from the comm screen, looking around as he talks.  By his standards, this behavior is close to panic.]

There is a new danger in the forest.

Comments

[Audio]

[slaggin_preds]

[There's a long period of silence on Rattrap's end of the line at first, then quietly, he speaks]

Yer comin' home right now, right?

Re: [Audio]

[slaggingsaurian]

[There's a brief pause, then a heavy sigh.] I can't, vermin. Not just yet. I will stay and keep watch until someone can take my place. I don't feel comfortable letting this... thing wander around untracked.

Don't worry, I don't plan on going near it. The fate of its prey is one I don't care to share.

[Audio]

[slaggin_preds]

Kay. Don't die, Choppa'face. I'm gonna lock da door, so warn me when yer comin' home.

[His voice is kept carefully blank, empty of the usual emotion. He didn't want to have Dinobot come running home if he felt standing guard was important, but he was still worried.]

Re: [Audio]

[slaggingsaurian]

I will. [Brief silence, then, very quietly...] I won't let it get near you.

[Video]

[powerofthedomz]

[Jade clicks on video from her end as well, there's only one slightly dim light in the room she's in. Her hair is a mess and she's wearing shorts and a tank top, like she had just woken up.]

There's no guarantee that this... thing will stay in the forest is there? We should probably prepare some sort of watch in case this thing comes out, that way we can starts a chain if someone sees it. It'll give people enough time to hide if they need to.

Re: [Video]

[slaggingsaurian]

[Dinobot nods.] Consider mine the first watch, then. I'm standing at the edge of the park now. I will send out a general warning if it shows up. That should give the rest of you time to organize.

[Honestly, he's a little embarrassed at having fled. But while he doesn't fear death, being reduced to nothingness - no Spark, no afterlife, no Matrix - is another matter entirely. Besides, he promised Rattrap he wouldn't go out of his way inviting death again.]

Re: [Video]

[powerofthedomz]

I can try to find a few people in the area that wouldn't mind helping keep a watch.

[The communicator drops for a moment as she grabs her Dai-Jo and pulls on a green jacket.]

Do you need any help or are you alright until we gather up a group?

Re: [Video]

[slaggingsaurian]

I can handle myself. [Rattrap's voice appears in his mind, chiding him for his stubborn lone-ranger bullshit.] ...But I would not say no to backup. [Dammit, vermin.] I'm hoping that it won't be necessary.

[starshipcommand]

It can do what?

[slaggingsaurian]

It is difficult to describe. I saw it sprout... tendrils, of some indistinct dark substance, like congealed shadows. They reached out from its body and touched its prey, and the prey dissolved into a similar substance. Most of them were alive and kicking when it happened. [Pause] You see why I didn't care to confront it.

[ video ]

[starshipmedical]

...

[ If the way McCoy is headdesking is any indication, he hasn't realized his... pocketwatch is on. ]

[Audio]

[lovesignlasers]

*sighs, mutters* I was afraid of something like that, ze.

*louder* At least if it's as big as you say, it'll be easy to hit, and I'm really good at dodging incoming attacks, ze. Should I grab my stuff and meet you somewhere?

Re: [Audio]

[slaggingsaurian]

I don't plan on attacking it without knowing a great deal more. But you're free to do as you wish. You can join me on watch if you like - I'm sure it will be boring otherwise.

[Audio]

[lovesignlasers]

If this thing's likely to be causing us trouble, then it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Best-case scenario, it has weird ideas of "friendship", and I've dealt with that before.

Worst-case scenario, it doesn't want to be friends... and I've dealt with that, too.