Sellout is generally quite wary about the Nexus, but by the time he trudges back out of it, he’s too weary and confused to worry much about what’s behind him.
To make a long story short, Scanbar had got loose in the place recently, and when he came back the pathologist-cum-layabout was far too enthusiastic for anyone’s liking. He babbled at everyone
(
Read more... )
Comments 75
If only Frenzy was here... Oh well. He starts hunting for a nearby terminal, or computer of any sort.
Reply
Reply
There are terminals, in some of the rooms leading off the hall. Most of them are overlaid with a film of dust, but half of them are quite functional.
The rest are missing various bits of their insides. Parts shortage, you know.
Reply
A cautious sweep for energy signatures before seeing where he is and finding all the details he can.
Saber tooth tigers just aren't what he's looking out for right now.
Reply
The little yellow femme just stopping in the doorway to look at him, on the other hand, is very visible.
"Barricade!" Her gun arm goes up, but then drops as quickly as she remembers that it's disabled. Faster than thought, she's stepped forward and lifted the heavy cane she'd been leaning on, aiming for his head.
"Bumblebee! No!" cries Uzulee, shifting to her furry simian middle form even as she drops her shield and springs forward, though what she'd be able to do is anyone's guess.
And over in another part of the base a certain artifact in a certain mech's chest starts to glow and emit power.
Reply
Cursing at that and the source of the glow (knowing what the mini-lightshow in his chest is is in no way comforting), he triggers the panels on his chest to open so he can glare at the Matrix. (But warily.) "Oh no. Can't a guy scrounge components in peace?"
//Sellout,// Redecho says calmly, //do we have a colour alert for 'Old Guard Decepticon in the base'?//
//What?//
Reply
He turns to Bumblebee, ignoring the Uzulee and readies his spinning spikes. But he's not going to stand and wait for his attacker to get him, so he attempts to duck, stand and swipe.
Reply
Uzulee, for her part, yelps and teleports, winding up on Barricade's shoulders. She isn't silent. She's shouting for help at the top of her small human voice.
Reply
Bumblebee is now going 0_0
Reply
Reply
Reply
As she talks she's moving very slowly away from where Bumblebee lays helpless on the deck.
The Matrix's light fades the closer Songstop comes to where the others are, though the feeling of urgency remains at the back of the com officer's mind.
Reply
That ghostly figure steps past Songstop, seeming to become more solid though no one of the crew or their allies see it yet. He seems to be reaching for Barricade.
And Bumblebee, forgotten on the floor, is struggling for focus as the here and now become superimposed with the then and gone.
Reply
Sellout is used to fighting up close. He's certainly not used to being assaulted by a Decepticon half his size who actually wants to kill him. For an instant the jet-former hesitates, halfway through taking aim again. Then he moves, attempting to block the initial swipe with his arm and knowing it's going to hurt even if it works. At least if he's focused on me, I can take it... for a cycle or two.
Reply
All in all, Barricade was feeling that little bit surrounded.
Reply
Uzulee leaps away from Barricade's foot, snarling as she shifts to saber tooth in mid jump. She crouches as she lands, her stubby tail jerking, then springs forward again and drives razor sharp fangs through a chink in the Decepticon's leg armor, hoping to hit tubing that can be severed.
And then there's a low shout from Bumblebee as she tries to pull herself up from the floor and rejoin the fray.
Reply
Optimus feels pain.
The crushing pain of failure; of letting his world and his people down.
The pain of loved ones deactivated before their time.
The remembered pain of slowly being blown apart before a firing squad.
Reply
With one lagging behind and the other's view blocked by Barricade, neither Ruindream nnor Songstop can properly see Sellout. Both more-or-less assume that he's done something to the Decepticon.
Reply
It's not right. These bizarre feelings. And if he could concentrate on his foes he would, but right this minute he's consumed by the experience.
Reply
His momentum will carry him through then, and Optimus stands blinking his single optic and shuddering before vanishing quickly to avoid Sellout.
Reply
Leave a comment