Transformers 2.0 1X1 [Scoinwolf, ThousandSounds]

[ThousandSounds]

■■ThousandSounds:
■■

- Starscream ■■■ - Arcee
- Knockout ■■■■■- Bulkhead
- Airachnid■■■■■ - Bumblebee



.
Original Char/Extra:
- Sphynx
- Blaze (minicon)
- Kaylex "Kai"
- Ramona "Valerie" Garcia (18[turning 19],nic: Ra, Mechanic, Portuguese-latina)

■■■■■ScoinWolf:
■■

- Megatron ■■■■■- Ratchet
- Soundwave ■■■ - Optimus Prime
- Shockwave
- Breakdown
- Dreadwing
- Steve The Vehicon
- Gary The Vehicon


.
Original Char/Extra:
- Speedbreaker
- Septimus "Seven" Bishop - human
- "Ace" - Decepticon, Seeker
- Ravine (Con)
- HeatRacer "Hot shot" (Bot)
■■■
■■■

______________________________________________________________________________

■■■
■■■

Setting.

Set sometime after Season 2's Orion Pax saga. Optimus struggles with complicated feelings and internal thoughts after the experience, when an ancient Cybertronian disease breaks out after the ancient guardian's pod had been stirred, sending the Body of the inhabited, crash landing onto earth. Unbeknownst to her that she was the carrier of the disease that had taken many of the great Cybetron's historical figures during, and post, The Solus Era.

Lore:

An Egyptian styled Era of Cybertorn's great history and birth years, when predacons were good nor bad, but could also be both at the same time. A time before the modern Predacon, and even more modern Predacon rebirth. Ancient Predacons once placed to guard the old Cybertronians, along with their small populations, that walked the lands, and vital places of interest that could be dangerous if fallen into the outsider hands. Each predacon was unique to it's task, or it's place. Each given a unique affinity to aid it in it's purpose or odyssey.

These predacons were pure, and rumors speculate that they were mothers and fathers of what would eventually become the predacon clans that roamed Cybertron only to die out in the Great Cataclysm. Or at the very least an example of what their future, more feral, generations would eventually evolve into.
The most Notable of these original Predacons are: Sphynxion, Isis, Ra-Horakhty, and Nubis.

• Ra - Who's blood was the ancient Golden Energon itself, was the patriach of the Predacon assemble. He was to lead them with glory and grace. Whilst Ra himself served under their alleged creator, as his loyal right hand and guardian. Taking whatever task was given to him without complaint, even if it was the job of a mere servant.
  ■■■
• Isis - A Predacon with a high knowledge of healing and the "magic" that surrounded the Solus Era. Unlike her sister Sphynxion who was a Predacon of the Sun, Isis was a Predacon of the moon, and gifted with the ice affinity, and blue energon coursing through her veins. She served as the master medic/physician of the primitive times. Her caring and maternal nature was rumored to have been unmatched, and she loved her job, she loved the purpose she served, and she loved doing it. Isis knew of every disease that even plagued their ground within their time period, and she always knew of a way to conduct a cure - or, at least she knew what she needed to do to MAKE one.
  Isis was also a master tracker, among the many gifts she had been bestowed, one of which was Energon tracking and super-robust sense of smell. She could smell out Energon mines, and the types within minutes.
  ■■■
• Sphynx - She was the Primary, if not sole, guardian of the Golden Dunes and everything within them (ex. Lakes, Temples, Burial grounds, etc.), and a Predacon of the Sun, who was gifted the Fire affinity, and yellow Energon coursing through her veins.
  ■■■
• Nubis - The last of the Eldest sibling trio. Reserved and often keep to self, contradictory popular belief, Nubis was actually a soft and very loving mech. He was tasked with leading the dead warriors, and over all deceased Cybertronians to their safe haven, a realm within the Allspark. Gifted with the ability to rise the dead, and Dark Energon witht he mix of Purple Energon coursing through his veins. He was a master of the dark arts, and one Unicron's most hated enemies. Nubis was renowned for taking Unicron's blood source and attempting to create a separate energon source between it and the other energon variants, studying the effects of S type of Purple Energon.
  Nubis would eventually go on to become romantically involved with Bastet, or historically known by the name Ubaste. An ancient of a further generation form a completely unrelated to his own, where Sekhmet was her Matriach.

A time when a lot has been said to rest on faith and beliefs. [wip]

An ancient place long to have since believed to be a myth, much like the City of Doradas. However, it is revealed to have been no myth, after all. But rather an Egyptian styled Era of Cybertorn's great history. A Predacon was specifically created to be the sole guardian for the desert known as the Golden Dunes - which housed a Lake of a special type of Energon once used by said ancients. [wip]

A large body of liquid Energon, deep within the chest of Golden Dunes depths. Unlike Yellow Energon, Golden Energon has a more gold coloring and, if not, a mildly metallic appearance to it's lively form, the way it reflected light, and acted in it's use. The contents of the loch have long since been told to have healing qualities, and can even be used to craft various sorts of primitive medicine. The key component to cure these pre-historical diseases (which would eventually spread to create their modern day lesser but equally dangerous kind - one of which would eventually evolve to become the Cybonic Plague) that once threatened to eliminate the great pharaohs, and rulers of the temples, where the users would be bathed in these lakes, to grant them immunity, strength, and restore what was once withered and taken by age - thus creating the tales and rumors that eventually spread into Cybertron's mythology. As the rumors told of The Golden Lake would grant whomever either consumes, or takes a swim - understanding that they are willing to risk their life's drowning in the pool prove their worth, a rumor that said the worthy shall be protected or even revived, and be given immortality that even Unicron's own blood stood second to. A rumor that told of it's regenerative powers that would repair any type of mesh, metal, lost organisms, or wielding damage. Golden Energon is one of the highest and NR. 1 rarest forms of Energon, usually the blood of those cybertronians who have boosted systems/boosted immunities, Which is the reason that makes it both; highly desired, but also advised to be wary of.[wip]

Headcanons:

• Arcee and Tailgate were a long-term romantic couple (married or enganged) during the War for Cybertron. Thanks to being veterans and skilled warriors, their stats placed them to work together not only as life partners, but also job partners.[T]
• It's been heavily implied in the series that Knockout and Breakdown were definitely dating.
• Bulkhead has a crush on his old pal Wheeljack.
• The events of Orion Pax Part 1-3 were the cause of Sphynx's awakening. At least it was partially the cause. The already rumbling disturbance was the initial reason the guardian stirred, while Arcee, Jack, and the Insecticons assisted in reanimating her from her deep stasis, by convincing cybertron and their hidden resting place that it was time for Protocol: Custodian Uprise.[T]
• Hot Shot is just an absolute flirt, and he flirts with anyone. But his one true love is the Vehicon Steve. And Hot Shot is the only one able to tell Steve apart form the Con gang while the other Autobots don't see a difference.
• Gary is a Himbo and he simps for Sphynxion, because buff wamen hottie.
  ↪He's also Steve's BFF and the two of them often gossip together.
  ↪Gary is ALSO BFFS with Hot Shot and they often trade tips for impressing bots.

[ThousandSounds]

----It's been a while since her disturbance. Her Cryo-sleep had been interrupted by the war of the worlds so very long ago. Entrancing herself into a new phase of deep sleep, Sphynx gave out a breath of serenity. Unaware of the world around'er, the unstable grounds tender to the touch. And though dead it breathed with life of a different size. Every now and then the world would be settling as it continued to crumble in it's own apocalypse. Some shaking a region within it's limits, other's causing tremors to travel across the entirety of Cybertron. And always so close to convincing her it's time to wake up. But even if she wanted to she couldn't. The fiery pits of her enclosure kept her suspended. Until something was out of place.

For a long time she had felt nothing, had been unable to control her surroundings, and when her subconscious came to, her brain core realized she felt a different air surround her. A different feeling to a different environment. It took a while for her to register her feeling, when she finally awoke from her centuries old nap. She realized she was plummeting towards a new planet. The outter shell of this spell protected her from it's own generated heat upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, now like a flaming baseball she was headed for ground.

-

----Kai groaned silently as he followed his nearby tour. He didn't like being boxed in between them, Hell, not on his vacation day! He was a star, and he deserved his space. And yet he was slightly irritated people didn't make that big of a deal out of it. He loved the Egypt trip thus far, interesting people, interesting tales, and history, interesting treasure's which he totally didn't think about stealing at one point.
Even with the hot air, and the sand it was pretty cool, it kept him intrigued, and inspired in an odd way. Tucking in his earbuds and plugging the cord into his phone he plaid some of his music, while also enjoying another interesting artist. He was especially waiting to see if the guide was going to address some conspiracy theories, or announce plans to address them. So caught up in his own zone he started rocking out in an air guitar. While dancing his heart out in the sand like a weirdo, he noticed the ground beginning to rumble, at first thinking it was 'cause he was blasting good tunes, but then he realized that would be impossible, the heat was becoming increasingly unbearable and looking up he saw the sun had gotten bigger and brighter. He'd usually never had problem with heat but this one was wicked strong. Deciding it was high time to catch up with his tour he picked up his pace in the direction they were said to last head in.

After the guide had announced their last stop Kai took the chance too look around instead of just relying on recording everything. A walk through some of the pyramid's inner tunnels that were said to continue the following day where they would not only explore the hidden walls, but also come back the same night to spend in the Pharaoh secret chambers. Or so he remembered, having difficulty focusing after that weird earthquake hours prior. Ducking down and following the crowd he watched the sun take it's position into dusk. The warm light providing a sense of comfort and beauty, and yet an odd sensation in the lighting hung in the air, he stopped to take a picture before realizing his snapshot contained 2 suns instead of one. A breath caught in his throat, was that the new normal? Should he be afraid? Did anyone else see it? Not wanting to be left at the entrance he hurried to his group, doubting anyone would believe him if he told, but he wanted to ask the locals and the tour guide anyway.

Feeling a little unnerved from confusion, the guide had told him it might have been a light glare when he was taking that photo, or that it really wasn't normal and his prodding questions he wished he could answer but he's never seen anything like it. He hated being confused, he hated it so much.. He hated it to a point like his buddy hated Zane's laser abs, from their favorite show, well.. second favorite of course, the soap opera alien tv show was on the rage and almost everybody enjoyed it - emphasis on almost - But the references were extremely easy to understand.
As they camped out for the night he sat by the tent and tried to occupy his mind by reading a book, but having exhausted his muse to read he set it all aside and just stared up at the sky, the night was rather peaceful, and it helped watching the stars dance free from light pollution. A huge flaring meteor appeared in the sky and as he gasped in astonishment he covered his face, temporarily blinded by the brightness when the crackling of it coming closer to ground became rather loud, waking up the entire camp. Like a plane flying horrifyingly low. It felt like his skin was being burned alive, and by the time he looked back up it was gone, yet his face wore a grin so wide it almost looked like a child meeting their idol for a very first time.

-

* * *

----It was a brand new day, though no one could really be in a mood to call it any new at all, after the flaring meteor crashing last night had caused a huge buzz amount the tourists and some locals, majority of people hardly slept. It was obvious a lot of people wanted to go check out the potential crash site, however everyone was just as nervous and had an odd sense of feeling telling them to move along with their day. Especially those with busier schedules. However Kai was far more and intent on checking out the crash. He just had to find the right timing. And plan out his attack pattern; Tell the guide or sneak away and risk possibly never being seen again if he got lost?
Stupidly enough he liked the odds regardless of what he chose. Agh.. what to do, what to do.. Scratching his head head he went along the group while trapping himself in deep thought, a fellow tourist saw him falling behind and slowed down to snap him out of it, asking if he was okay to which he just laughed sheepishly "Oh! Yeah, Just thinking I guess. That whole Meteor event last night just wow.. heh" Seeing a smile on his travel companion he could tell he wasn't the only one mystified. Feeling a pat on his shoulder he watched them re-group, meanwhile he looked out into the openness, and decided to go with Option B as stupid as it was, he cursed himself mentally.


"Oh... Oh.. my- uh, g-.." Lost at words, he found a huge, what looked like a dent in the sand decorated with giant shards of glass. Partially surprised the crazy hours actually paid off, he started calculating how he would get there so that he could explore with hands on. Sliding down the walls carefully he stopped, seeing the crystalling powder of glass remnants, his throat emitted a loud gulp and he could feel his heart skipping a beat as his anxiety began to rise. Fully aware getting so close to the particles would be dangerous.
Yet he also noticed something else, oddly shaped... "Prints?" he asked himself, leading off from the pit. It looked animal, but there was no way it was one. "What the fudge-sticks.." he awed trying to make his way down safer, and hopefully, Hopefully, avoid lung damage, but still get a souvenir if possible. He carefully pulled his storm-scarf over his face and made his way down his earbuds keeping him in a leveled mind, after all; he is a musician. Holding his breath he winced a little when he made touch with the sandish glassy patch. Part of him fearing the glass particles could get in his shoes. Striding cautiously as if he was treading ice and walking a tight rope at the same time. A whimper of fear escaped his lips, finally beginning to slowly let the panic settle in, realizing this was the worst idea he ever had, the glass crackled under his heels so softly it almost felt like it was about to swallow him in quicksand underneath. Crouching down he examined the plates as well as taking in the thickness of the various shardling. Choosing 2 different sizes he was about to get up when he heard a noise. Taking out his earbuds he kept his hearing open to see if it was just in his head, but nothing, a moment of silence before he continued on, he looked back up and began to realize he had no idea how he was gonna get back up without slipping down. Was he really that dumb to attempt this? The answer is; Yes, absolutely. Yes he was.

Swallowing his gut Kai took a deep breath completely full of fear, and cautiously began to attempt his journey upward, It was impossible to keep his footing the moment he slipped he gasped and whimpered in fear, tensing up and bracing for impact and protentional glass getting stuck in his flesh. But he always stopped half way through, these had to be the worst minutes he ever lived out in his life, what was he thinking coming down here!? He cursed himself under his breath and tried to carefully crawl his way up again. He could feel his arms about to give in and tremble, but he had to get himself out of there first. It felt like fighting a wave in the ocean desperately trying to get back to shore only to end up further and further into the sea.

"Please..." he whispered his plea, and reached for the nearest thing closest to the surface. A warm glow with a humm out of this world, but terrifyingly comforting at the same time, was all he heard - shutting his eyes tighter. He didn't want to see his demise. He didn't want to fall, he didn't want to die, not all alone, not in the frigging desert. A metallic hand of an angel reached down, he could feel an odd sharp point to the spike he had grasped onto. He felt himself being cautiously raised ever so tenderly while tuning out to the whirl of her mechanics and gears ticking so soothingly. This is it. This Was it... he was going insane, the end of the line for his mind. And His clock was counting the seconds.

-

----Feeling the soft sand under his hands he opened his green eyes to find.. Nothing, he made it. A feeling he felt like it was a dream, but; no, he was safe, as safe as can be of course. He pulled his scarf down taking in a much needed mouthful of fresh air in his lungs, He had to get the fudge out of here.

Standing up he looked around, it was almost dark out, almost dusk. He had to find camp, or place to set camp. He'd be lucky if he even could find his group again, looking around he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. His gut screamed at him he wasn't alone. However, that wasn't a priority. Starting on trekking in the direction closest to the spot from where he arrived, he noticed something, a distant shape-- or shapes. Hoping to find shelter for the night or help. He took off sprinting through the dunes, reaching it at a mere sunset, it's golden glow illuminating a rather beat up pyramid couple of these bricks had strange symbols on it. It... didn't look like a tomb, but it didn't look empty either, Kai tried finding an entrance to it hoping to rest up.
And there it was again, the noise.


Walking around slowly he fell on his back startled by the sudden figure moving around the corner, he guessed it tried to hide from him, or maybe it was guarding it. A golden glow lighting up the shadow accompanied by some heavy sounds of footsteps and metallic parts moving against each other.. Slowly and quietly getting up, not wanting to scare it away. He looked around the side facing the sun, and saw a giant sphynx looking creature step out into the light, he couldn't make it out; apart from it's silhouette, and yet Kai, was not aware he had made eye contact with the beast, those golden orbs capturing him almost in a trance like state.

-

-

* * *

-

----It was a strange experience coming to earth for the first time, almost like she was drawn to it.

----She felt it, a change in the air, he fire slowly boiling her exterior, and the dust crashing against her, it was all so strange and disorienting. She wished she could describe it as bracing for impact, however, she was never given that choice. A loud thundering boom emitted shockwaves across her surroundings, the sound of a slowly crumbling mountain trinkled in the air like rain. Waking, the bot slowly powered on it's cat like optics, and like a princess waking from a dream took in the sight before her: Void. There's was a void of nothing but sand, pebbles and rocks. Looking below her she looked in the mirror like substance seeing a glowing reflection cased from the moon, dark as the night and yet light as the day. Fhe could hear the clashing rocks from distant pyramids and tiny tunneling shafts as she watched the shapes change.
This wasn't Cybertron, but it felt familiar for some reason. Wasting no time the quadruped straightened herself out and shook her entire body - her wings swaying gracefully. She stepped out from the bed she laid in and tried to put the pieces together hoping to find an answer as to where she is. Almost drawn to the triangles she took to the skies stretching out her old form.

It felt good to move again, to feel free again. But she knew her task was paramount, and worked toward it diligently. Sphynx circled what felt like miles and she couldn't find the golden lake, where was it all? where was her home? It was impossible for her to fail guarding the sacred waters. Deciding to take the grounding path each step she took, though granted, shook the earth a tiny bit, it left a print like that of a godfigure.

-

----Hours gone by and still coming up empty she's realizing she's back at the crumbled pyramid, the wind calmly flew the sand across the land, as she watched, she noticed a familiar writing on the said architecture. Climbing high she began to dig into it with her powerful claws. She recognized it as her siblings language, but it provided nothing of value or anything at all. Frustrated she huffed and shoved herself away from the bricks. A thud completing the notion, and as the dust settled she could see a change in her environment.

Approaching the pit she heard a meek voice cry out, It was... a human, taking a step closer she could see he was trying his darn hardest to get out from the slippery trap. A pathetic little life form, and intriguing. Quietly she reached out her hand and pulled him up. Sphynx observed this tiny lifeform prior setting it free. Seeing nothing useful to her she left him in the dust.

She could feel his presence, she saw him approaching, deeming it persistence, she circled the walls between them, when she saw him peeking from behind a corner, her gaze as deep as it was intense, she watched him quietly shy away - wary that she might attack him.

[Scoinwolf]

Autobots

Optimus had left the base early that morning without much of a word to anyone. He'd spoken briefly with Ratchet, who'd given him a sympathetic look before he left. While he'd claimed he was going on patrol - Ratchet knew. Ratchet always knew.

But the medic had opened the gate regardless and Optimus had transformed and rolled out. Alone.

He hadn't turned his comms off, of course, but no one had bothered contacting him. Not even Ratchet. He understood it, the silence, and on some level he felt grateful because he knew they were giving him his space. Optimus.. Optimus couldn't blame them for it. He felt guilty, distancing himself from his team like this, but he needed the space to be able to sort out his head after all that had happened. Being Orion Pax again had left him confused and disturbed. It hadn't felt like he'd lived his full experiences out as Optimus Prime, but rather that Optimus Prime's memories had been shoved into his own head - a lifetime of war condensed into moments of real time.

Years of coming to terms with his brother's betrayal slammed into a split second.

And it ached. He'd been Orion Pax just a week ago and now he was a championed savior of Cybertron. He'd been a revolutionist fighting by the side of his best friend and now he was the sworn enemy of his own brother. It was .. a lot to process.

The dusty roads of Jasper had never felt so lonely before.

-

Ratchet was watching the screens - what else was new? He'd been putting in enough time recently trying to work with all these Earthling spare parts - the pitiful scrap they passed off as 'technology' was so inferior to what he was used to working with that it frustrated him to no end. Obviously he was a genius for being able to do anything with this junk but it was infuriating to be reduced to this crap. Who even used Terabytes anymore?? And to think that was the largest storage these computers Agent Fowler had given him really had.

Agent Fowler.

Guy had no idea how to use any of this stuff, it felt like the man was bringing him tech at random in a hm-this-might-be-neat fashion. Hm what trash can I bring Ratchet today. Ratchet scoffed at the imagined Fowler. The man had the nerve to tell him he should be grateful that he'd managed to get Ratchet all of this 'high tech'. Ratchet knew what was really going on though. This was just all from the junk pile that the government either couldn't use or didn't want anymore. He was convinced of it.

A ding on the map drew him from his sulk and Ratchet focused in on it at once. He selected the area, zooming in to reveal a crazy energy signature in Egypt of all places. For a second he missed having Raf by his side, the little human always had some relevant history about the contact sites even though Ratchet never asked him for it and always was (pretend) grumpy about the interruption.

Best to call Optimus in for this one. The energy levels indicated something originating from deep space had breached the atmosphere and it was certainly not something the Earthlings had sent out. But this computer wasn't equipped to diagnose much more than that and it was best to have their own eyes on the ground. He sighed and activated his comm. "Everyone come in, I've got something for you to see."

Decepticons

"Tell it to me again." Megatron sat in his seat, facing out the window of Nemesis, staring out into the sky. Soundwave was behind him, by his side, and a nervous vehicon was before him, reporting back about some sort of mission. He drummed his digits against the metal arm of his chair, aware that the action unsettled the vehicons. Good, he thought. They should never rest easy around me.

The vehicon started its report up again, about how it had been on a scouting mission, which Megatron waved aside with disinterest. He did not care about the scouting mission, that was for Soundwave to analyze. They only brought those details to his attention when his attention was needed. Instead, he was more interested in this energy disturbance that the vehicon reported. The one that threw off strange and massive waves somewhere in Egypt.

But the details were sparse, incomplete. "Soundwave, monitor it. Let me know if anything changes but otherwise do not engage. We don't know what might be causing it, but if I do know one thing, it's that Optimus Prime and his merry band of Autobots will be unable to stop themselves from sticking their noses into whatever is going on. Let them face whatever dangers may be there first, and if it's interesting, we can always intercept them later." He waved his hand, dismissing his audience.

Soundwave remained by his shoulder long after everyone had left.

The Boys

laying low for now

[ThousandSounds]

----Her intense gaze advanced ever so slightly toward him, but he made sure to keep his distance from the titan before him, watching as she observed him - locked in a stalemate staring contest. Quietly, he clutched his phone in his hands and a shaky breath left him, words failing him, he could only make noise, or expel air from his lungs that were desperately gasping for oxygen through the process of it all. The softest - The camera rolling, as he began taking video evidence of his experience. He wanted to remind himself that this was real, or at the very least a mirage if it wasn't. Knowing full well in this sort of heat he could easily be losing his mind and this isn't some sci-fi divinity coming true. Or so he prayed.
Having grown bored of this inferior creature, who was bug the size of a bug to her, she moved on to carry out the beginning of the Uprising protocol. A large scanner, projected itself before her, and Sphynx began resuming to read the cybertronian hieroglyph, telling exactly how to activate the passages, and allowing for the old temple to rise from it's depths of the sandy grave where it laid for millenia. The quiet external beeping indicating each processed letter, each complete sentence. Turning from the rubble, she got to work on rising up the old structure. Digging, looking for something that matched her records. A quick burst of fire assisting her to confirm the symbol she sought was the real deal.

Kai, still paralyzed in shock, just continued to keep his eyes on her, his mind personally engraving the visual of this... thing, in his mind. the wing structure, the shapes, and the color scheme. He knew it could not be an attraction gone aye wire, or even one in testing phases, because it just wouldn't make sense for it to be here. Finally, regaining his ability to move when the ground tremored beneath his very feet, he tried to find a safe place to wait it out, being too close tot he rubble was dangerous - he could get squished. But going too far and out in the open may also not be to swell of an idea - Lord only knows what was happening.
The sand suddenly being pulled form his feet, he gasped - falling onto his back, crawling away from it the best that he could, his eyes widened, when a large piece of architecture began to rise from the ground that it had been buried in. "Oh, nononono, no, Agh!" he cried breathily, alerting the large bot when he was being grassed toward her. Now this, was getting annoying. He may not be a threat, but that doesn't mean she will throw caution to the wing if he did turn out to be some kind of drone.

-

----When finally he was stopped, allowing him to get back on his feet. His phone still in hand, he froze like a deer in the headlights when she glared at him. The softest of camera shutters emitted a quiet click, and in doing so agitating the beast who did not recognize it, and immediately perceived it as some kind of offense. A hissing squeal escaped her metallic mouth, and Sphynx began to advance onto him. Scrabbling to get away, he bake a run toward the building that stood proud and tall, with the predacon giving chase after him without a second thought. Kai couldn't believe it, this HAD to be some kind hallucinations, heat or panic induced, it just HAD to be! This place was almost like a maze. Not. Scratch that, it WAS a maze. A maze that surrounded the temple as a means of protections, loaded with booby traps and dead ends. twisted turns. And he was never really THAT good at mazes under pressure. Losing her in some of the turns when he took coverage behind the walls hoping she'd pass him, thinking he'd ran ahead, oh gods they all looked almost the same to him..

The loud clanging against the wall that he was running through told him the big bot was more likely on the other side, he only hoped he wouldn't run into a booby trap, his eyes slowly watering from fear, and his vision blurred. Looking back, he slowed down noticing how quiet things got after some time. He was running low on energy, and he needed to rest, there was only so much adrenaline could do for him. If he used it all up in one go, he may not be able to get away when he needs another boost later. So he quietly snuck around, trying to steady his breathing and catch his breath. The echoes of low, heavy footsteps, clunking metal, and claws hitting any rocky surfaces rang throughout the endless halls. Going back seemed like a bad option, especially when he doesn't even know where that big... creature even is. For all he knew it could be waiting for him at the entrance of the maze, and that's even boldly assuming he could find his way back when he doesn't even know where he is, or where he ran!
Keeping his eyes on his back, and all around him he could hear her lumbering form getting closer. The moment he looked over his shoulder was the moment he couldn't see the glowing yellow lights ahead of him, coming up at a turn - she was nearing him on the left side. And that's when they met eyes again when they spotted each other, startled he quickly took off ahead of her, running through the maze like a crazed rat injected with energy drinks. Unaware that the turns he decided to take will eventually lead him to a dead end...

______________________________________________________________________________

Autobots

Bulkhead having been the only one besides Bumblebee who stayed, walked into the command center, and grinned. Ready for today's briefing. "Give us the goods, doc." The wrecker encouraged Ratchet to tell them what he found, the autobot scout following him in tow, staring at the screen the muscle car buzzed, asking Ratchet if it was a deception signal, or perhaps an energon deposit, Primus knows they sure could use that kind of luck for once.

Meanwhile Arcee commed in, having gone on patrol as part of her chores. "Read you loud and clear, Ratchet. What've you got?"

Decepticons

Starscream, confused and in disbelief that Megatron would just be willing to let the Autobots got first, gasped. And was quick to try and reason with his master. "Lord Megatron, will all due respect, are you certain that letting the Autobots be the first on the scene is a good idea?" He questioned, putting his hands together like an old witch. "We should at least send out scouts! Dispensable ones, preferably.."

Ramona

----Ramona sat in the garage, tinkering with her Auntie's tools with one of the motorbikes they had in there. It was at least her favorite past time, giving the occasional look over to their truck. Her grandpa and her having come to visit some family for reunions and holidays. To spend some time together, as she talked on the phone with her best friend. "Ah, shoot.." She muttered.
"What's up?" The girl on the other line asked.

'Ah, I'm missing some parts for the Honda Valkyrie. And the fuel pump it came with is pretty shot, need replacing. I'm thinking of riding down to Crazy Edde's to see if they've got what I need to build this baby."
"Wow, Valkyrie, huh? You always have been fond for those old vintage scraps."

"You know it. I love the way their bodies were built. Plus, they got great mileage for old heaps of metal" Ramona laughed, packing up her tools and grabbing her bicycle, she loved working on the mechanical stuff, but she never could have the gut to ride that kind of machinery, especially not with the danger rates. Plus she preferred the physical exercise over the sore butt. Closing up shop she shouted. "Papai, vou sair para comprar algumas peças para a moto! Talvez eu pare na cidade para comprar alguns mantimentos ou lanches!⁽¹⁾"

"Entendido, Ra. Lembrem-se de ficar seguros na estrada e de chegar em casa antes de escurecer!" Her grandpa called from inside the home as the door shut. Grinning, Ramona hoped on her bicycle wand told her friend she'd call them back, and by the looks of it, her boyfriend was attention starved, as well. So it wasn't a loss. Pocketing her phone and steading her helm she took off cycling to Eddie's, still chuckling how the owner had somehow managed to misspell the shops name. Well, at least it was memorable. And stood out.

(*Papa, I'm going out to get some parts for the bike! Might stop in town for some groceries or snacks!
Roger that, Ra. Remember to stay safe on the road and be home before dark out!)

[Scoinwolf]

Autobots

"Optimus to base. I hear you, Ratchet. What's going on?"

"Heatracer comming in. What's up, doc?"

"Look at this." At everyone's confirmations that they were there, Ratchet zoomed in on the energy signature emanating from Egypt for Bulkhead and Bumblebee to see. He sent a copy of the readings for Optimus, Heatracer, and Arcee to see. "There was a sudden, massive energy surge from this part of Egypt. It's in a heavily populated area but I'm getting reports that an evacuation around the pyramid it came from is in progress. The military is mobilizing but Agent Fowler is running static to buy us some time. If we want to investigate we need to act now."

Optimus thought about it for a moment, evaluating who on his team was where. Arcee had gone out on patrol but she was far closer to the base than either he or Heatracer at the moment. "Arcee, return to base ASAP. When you get there Ratchet will bridge you and Bulkhead over together to run reconnaissance." He instructed. "Once you have gone over, Ratchet will continue to monitor you and keep communications open. Bumblebee will bridge Heatracer and I back to base and then the three of us will join the two of you." He transmitted his location back to base for the bridge to pick him up. "We may not have a lot of time to work with so we need to work quickly. Find what the disturbance is but report back and wait for us if you need backup to confront it."

Decepticons

Megatron had intended to consult with Soundwave after he had dismissed the room, but a particular needling voice remained behind. The massive warlord turned to look over his shoulder, considering his so-called second in command for a long, long moment. The icy silence stretched on for an uncomfortable amount of time, long enough for Starscream to reconsider his actions if he so chose to. And then, just as it edged into unbearable, Megatron broke the silence.

"Why, Starscream, how unlike you to volunteer." He smiled a horrid smile, all sharp teeth and edges. "Very well then, if you're so curious yourself, you may lead a team of your seekers out to investigate for me. Take the vehicons that have already been out there, they'll brief you and show you all you need to know." His voice dropped low, threatening. "Do not make this a waste of my resources. You know what awaits you if you fail." The threat hung heavy in the room, darkening the corners and clinging to the dim lighting that Megatron so preferred.

-

Ace did a long loop in the air, reveling in the feeling of weightlessness that came at the top of it all. He'd just come back from a recon mission in the arctic, after Starscream's failed attempt at reaching the unmineable energon Megatron had been curious about how far he'd actually gotten to the deposit. The answer was not nearly far enough, the whole endeavor had been a failure start to finish. Ace had known that going in, but the warlord had wanted eyes on it regardless since he himself had been too.. preoccupied the first time around.

Ace had taken his time with this one too. The mission itself hadn't required a lot of it, both with his prior knowledge and the fact that most of it had refrozen (that which had just melted, not evaporated) made for a short trip. But Megatron hadn't given him a deadline, and it didn't seem a priority job, so he figured he'd have enough time to make a personal call.

He'd been unsuccessful. Speedbreaker was well undercover, wherever he was, and if he still had that human with him.. he wouldn't be found unless they wanted to be. And clearly they did not currently want to be. Which was fine! It was all fine. But still. It would have been nice to know, would have been nice if he could have found his oldest friend.

Ace wasn't even entirely sure what had happened this time. Breaker had always had a tenuous relationship with the rest of the crew, preferring to go off on solo missions or hang out with the other two land vehicles, Knockout and Breakdown. He knew in part Megatron kept him isolated as part of being a double agent was plausible deniability - if he was never seen with the rest of the 'cons then there was nothing linking him to them. The whole double agent thing was actually quite confusing to Ace, and he tried not to think about it too much. Breaker had been an Autobot spy, then a Decepticon spy, and now he was.. somewhere in the middle? All the mind games had started to get to the two-wheeler and he had some sort of metal break and vanished.

Megatron hadn't been too worried, that Ace could tell. Megatron also hadn't sent out a search party, or even really mentioned what had happened. Ace had only pieced together what he did from Breakdown and Knockout gossiping about it. Was this another one of Megatron's schemes involving Breaker? Was it another ploy to get the Autobots to take him in? Ace just wished he knew what was going on so he could verify his friend was alright.

With a sigh, he looped around again, and rocketed back to base, touching down on the landing strip and heading in to report back to Soundwave and Lord Megatron.

The Boys

laying low for now

[ThousandSounds]

Autobots

"Ho-hO-Oh Yeah!" Bulkhead pounded his fist, chuckling with excitement, as a means of pumping himself up for the mission. Placing himself by the ground bridge on stand by and waiting for 'Cee.

It was as if all she needed to hear was a single phrase to abandon her chores and hastily retreat back home, while Optimus was relaying her the mission plan, a loud rev of engine roared into the open air as soon as the Autobot leader spoke the word "Return", indicating that Arcee had already began speeding back to base without a second thought about it. "Copy. Heading back to base, standby for updates. 'Bee, get ready, to bridge the others to HQ." To which the muscle car beeped in approval, already starting the countdown 'til her arrival.

It wasn't too long before her little, blue, approaching from came into the security feed. The large gateway of the base opened and the sound of horsepower echoed from the walls so clearly. Transforming she slid gracefully across the floor and came to a halt, straightening her stance and dusting herself off. Bumble buzzed in an excited cheer, welcoming her back to base. Bulkhead tilted his head, standing tall and poised while they exchanged fist bumps. "Personal best?"

"I guess we'll find out." The little two-wheeler smirked. Turning to Ratchet she addressed him confidently, fired up and ready for action. "Rachet, Take us to Egypt!"

Decepticons

Starscream stared after his master for a long moment, the sound of the silence was deafening and the chilly icy gaze of those hellish red eyes that burned through him, left him unsettled with an innocently sheepish smile plastered over his facial plates. He was about to let out a nervous filled laugh only for the Warlord to finally break through the quiet with his words.
As soon as he'd selected his second-in-command to lead the scouting mission, Starscream let out his signature sound of choking on shock, a mix between a bewildered yelp and a hiccup, almost like Megatron gone on to have said something utterly blasphemous, which wouldn't even be surprising if he'd had. The high-heeler couldn't believe the low comparison of those brainless drones that filled the gut of the warship form top to bottom, those obedient, snarky drones he called an army of Decepticons. But the vertebrae chilling concept of the cruel, twisted punishment Megatron had already planned for him was quick to put him back in line, for now, at least. His wings fluttered as he let a devilish sneer creep along his cold metallic lips, and he bowed as graceful as a ballerina. "Of course... Lord Megatron. I shall take our finest to ensure our success and domination of the Autobots."

Airachnid stood by, leaning on a near by wall and giggled childishly, like the demon bred devil woman that she was. Listening to yet one of many Starscream's little daydreams. Starscream. Oh the poor, incompetent, useless little Starscream. She gazed at him evilly, her stare filled with such love as she thought of the way she would rid of him, and then take over as Megaton's new lieutenant, his parts would make for a nice trophy with melted down into one, maybe even a nice figurehead to decorate the prow of the lord's warship. As the seeker was taking his leave their electric exchange of intense, burning eye contact filled with mutual hatred for one another, just counting the days until one of them bites the dust, Starscream made it clear to her, as he passed her by, that she was going with his team. She smiled, with parted lips, the tips of her venomous fangs poking out she cooed, mocking him, in such a snobbish way that CLEARRLY said that she was above him in every possible way, and he was nothing but dirt in comparison. "Oh really, Starscream~? Very well, since you so clearly need the help of an expert Autobot killing machine, I suppose I could help you look good in front of Lord Megatron... Not that it'll matter much to him, I expect you to fully mess up our entire mission by handing it off to those..." She hissed with disgust as she waved him off like a freaking diva. "Autobots.."
Her thin, saw like claw scraping over his face hauntingly, it might leave a small scratch in his finish but that can be buffed out. And the four bug like legs clicked and hovered, making herself look taller than she was, her voice low for him to hear. "After all, you've always been nothing but a screw up. A waste of energon."

And with that he left the room, a snarl under his breath, and an airy hiss as he fumed away his frustrations. How DARE she talk to him like that! HIM! The almighty starscream! But he was no fool, he would take his seekers, he would take the Vehicons that had any information of value, but he would also take Megatron's greatest and most trustworthy fighters with him. One of them is bound to have a short fuse. And with Airachnid on his team, if the Autobots were going to be there, he could blame her for any failure that may come. She would be considered responsible for botching their mission... And he could save face while at the same time getting away scot free. YES! HE WAS A GENIUS! A PURE, UNDOUBTABLE GENIUS!

He cackled quietly into the empty-ish halls like a mad scientist, his wicked witch like laughter only growing in volume, until he abruptly stopped, noticing a pair of vehicon staring at him. "What the hell are you leering at! Get back to work!" he growled, stomping his foot like a tantrum baby, and continuing down the halls until he ran into Dreadwing. He stepped up to the large, bulky bot and told him to follow as he went to fetch his seekers. Coming across a recent returnee. Putting his hands together and hummed in satisfaction. "Ahh... Ace.. I see that you've returned from your little vacation in the arctic... Come!" His wings twitched, springing upward, and puffing his chest out. "We have a recon mission to run for our beloved Lord in a much warmer place. I'm sure you'll enjoy."

The others

Kai is still stuck in the maze, while Ramona is heading into town.

[Scoinwolf]

Autobots

Ratchet rolled his eyes at their antics, but obliged the duo, punching in the coordinates and lighting up the ground bridge. “The moment you have eyes on anything, let us know.” He growled out, pretending not to care. “That surge could be anything - including Dark Energon. I shudder to think just how much could have been dropped to cause the readings to be that high, but it’s a possibility. Don’t fool around out there, Optimus will be your backup - but if you can give us an idea of what’s going on out there before he gets here that would be ideal.”

He waited for the pair to acknowledge him and disappear fully through the bridge, his monitor confirming when they landed, before turning the groundbridge controls over to Bumblebee so he could track the advance squad’s vitals.

Decepticons

Dreadwing followed after Starscream as the second-in-command ordered him along. Dreadwing only answered to Megatron.. but Megatron had told him when he’d released him from the cryoseal to humor the pompous seeker for now. He nodded to Ace, who had just returned from a mission and was in the hanger with two vehicons. They were the land based type, so Dreadwing paid them no mind.

“Already? I haven’t had time to debrief yet with Soundwave and Lord Megatron.” Ace sounded reluctant, and Dreadwing could sympathize. He wasn’t thrilled to be along with Starscream either, but a mission was a mission and he would see it through. “My energon reserves are also a bit low. Do I have time to refuel?”

Normally Dreadwing would never have permitted backtalk such as that - but normally Ace didn’t question orders. He thought it strange Ace would need to refuel for a simple recon mission, wondered if the junior seeker anticipated the mission to go off course. That seemed to be a common thread when Starscream ran the missions from the field, so he supposed he could see where Ace was coming from. Whether or not Starscream let the younger bot was something different however.

The Boys

laying low for now

[ThousandSounds]

Autobots

"Roger, stand by for updates." Arcee confirmed Ratchet's worry, and rolled out thorugh the groundbridge with the large green tank of a wrecker rolling out in tow. The bridge enveloped them within it's bright, glowing voidm only to spir them back out into the hot, sandy destination, famous for it's history and it's landmarks. The blue two-wheeler commed in to confirm they've made it through just fine, her arm taking shape to her blaster gun, she trekked with caution. "We made it through, not seeing anything worth radar." She hummed suspiciously.

Bumblebee buzzed back to let them know which way to keep heading while he punched in the coordinates for the next transport, letting Optimus and Heatracer know he's opening the bridge for them. Briding back whoever was furthest away first, and then birdging back the other second. He stepped aside so that he could get a clear view of them coming through.


"Woah.." Bulkhead mindlessly thought out loud when he saw the crash site in the far distance. "That's got to be one big asteroid."

"Let's hope it's not one of ours." 'Cee replied.

Decepticons

Starscream hummed raspily, trying to calculate the best outcome this time around, on one hand letting Ace refuel could give them an edge on the Autobots in battle. But on the other, if they delay, the Autobots could beat them to the target.. Oh what to do, what to do... "Unfortunately, it pains be to say; we do not have time for that this time around. Megatron has sent us to investigate an interesting signal frequency in Egypt and report to him quickly. No doubt Ooptimus~" He lolled the name the same way Ratchet would, except Screamer did it to mock the autobot leader. What a stupid name for a Prime. "And his nosey little lap dogs have caught wind of this as well... And with the unknown, we cannot risk something potentially worthwhile to the Decepticons to end up in their hands.." He fiddles with his long fingered hands, while relaying the mission to Ace. "Airachnid will be j-."

"Airachnid will 'what', Starscream?" She entered with distaste in her tone. Glaring at him, to which the mech returned her rivalous stare. She'd been continuously trying to make him look like a fool. Well...We'll see how that works out for her. Without wasting any more time than the seeker had already done, she leaping into the air and transformed into her slightly black helicoper.
Starscream snarled in annoyance and rolled his eyes. "Soundwave!" he called out to ask for a ground bridge.

The others

Kai is trying to exist the maze, while Sphynx is stalking him, while Ramona is heading into town.

[Scoinwolf]

Autobots

Heatracer practically flew through the groundbridge, drifting just enough that he didn’t crash into anything in a tightly controlled turn. He transformed into his bot mode, coming up to Ratchet’s side to peer at the screen before him as Optimus was bridged back closely behind him. “What’s the situation so far, doc?” He asked as Optimus approached.

“Personal space please.” Ratchet snapped at Heatracer, who promptly ignored him.

“Nothing much yet..” He grudgingly acknowledged, shifting slightly in a failed attempt to gain some more space. They could see the crash site come into view and Ratchet leaned in, promptly forgetting about Heatracer. “What is that? Can you get closer?” The question was more of a demand.

A flicker in the corner of the screen caught his attention and he cursed. “Decepticons. Of course they’d be here.”

Decepticons

Arachnid.. the only one possibly more annoying than Starscream. Dreadwing did not miss the way Ace recoiled, if only slightly, when he realized she was part of the party. If he hadn’t been paying strict attention to the seeker, he may not have even noticed. But Dreadwing payed attention to everyone.

And it was through his careful evaluations that he decided this mission was doomed. Starscream and Arachnid would fight for command of the unit, in the process dragging everyone through unnecessary loops and drawn out combat because neither of them were capable of focusing when the other was near. Ace, unable to refuel, would be the first one to go down. Dreadwing knew this.

As the ground bridge hummed to life before them, he stepped up next to the young seeker, clapping him on the shoulder. “You will stick by me.” He decided. There was the flash of color, the bridge manifesting, and he charged forwards, leaping through the portal and transforming as he started the freefall towards the sand.

Egypt. He had not been here before, but it reminded him of the desert he had awoken in on this planet.

He hated it. Best to finish this quickly then.

Ace roared out above him, the last to come through the bridge. Starscream and Arachnid were ahead of them, and he noticed the young seeker adjust his speed as to not draw too close to the two. That would be for the best, Starscream’s self destructive tendencies were often an area of effect kind of self sabotage and neither of them wished to be anywhere near Arachnid. Drawing up through the sky, they took positions just above and just behind the two in front, following their lead, while the vehicons filled in the ranks between them.

-

Soundwave’s long digits flew across the counsel, drawing up surveillance on the group through the cameras mounted on Ace and one of the vehicons. The live feed took priority on the screen, bars displaying the statuses of the group as they flew out. Megatron stood behind his chief spymaster, watching.

“And now we wait.” He murmured as his optics scanned the scene lashed out before him. If the Autobots weren’t already there they would be soon. Or, soon in their sights.
Soundwave pointed, digit extending slowly, before resuming his typing. Megatron flicked his gaze towards the bar he’d indicated and grunted. “You’re right, that’s not like him to not refuel. Starscream must be impatient.” He clenched his fist, voice of mild disinterest and disappointment. “Keep an eye on that, but don’t interfere. This will be a test for Starscream. Let’s pray he passes, for his own sake.”

The Boys

laying low for now