The Intergalactic Highway

((OOC: Hey, Optimal Optimus Primal. Whether the OOC comments should have been moved to another thread or not... would it be possible for us to keep them anyways? Assuming there isn't any way for you as a moderator to create a thread and put our posts in there. There isn't, right?

I mean, yeah, they add clutter to the thread, but a player's departure and the other players' reactions to it are, in my mind, even a little more significant than the story itself. I know I'll want to be able to look at how all this happened.

It just seems like, in this case, having a thread which results in 37 pages rather than 39 doesn't seem like a high enough priority. But that's just my opinion.

Of course, after all of this is discussed, I wouldn't mind seeing any ooc posts on this specific matter deleted. I wouldn't die to see them deleted either because they might be fun to remember too, but... hm.))

(( OOC: Okay, Blazemane. We'll keep these, thank you. It's just that when other OOC posts have resolutions (or just a sentence or two) it is clutter and do they add up. There were three pages worth of OOC posts that I removed a little while agp that would have been five or six pages by now. Sorry, I'm just an organizational person. Back to the game, is there anything for Dinobot and Cheetor to add? ))

Ironclaw noted Frilla's response and just gave a quick look then went back to Optimus. He wasn't suggesting a counter attack, although that was an option. Ironclaw justed wanted to be more active rather that just sitting here.

However when Optimus spoke of this task he had in mind for him, he changed his expression and folded his arms. He listened carefully. Ironclaw knew that no one else cared what he though but at least Optimus did.

((OOC: Thank you!))

Optimus had Dinobot's full attention once he mentioned the truce. For one thing, he'd answered the unspoken question of what he had been doing during the battle. But of much greater importance was the nature of that answer itself. He'd seriously called a truce with Megatron? What could he possibly have been thinking?

Rattrap wrote:A truce?!

"I can not believe you agreed to this!" Dinobot voiced his concurrence with the vermin, ignoring the shame which normally came from admitting Rattrap was right about anything.

Cheetor had also found something to be up-in-arms about.

"Optimus, we can't leave Arachnitron with the Preds! If they don't end up hurting her, it's gonna be because they'll change her into one of 'em. I mean, I don't want to have to end up fighting her some day."

Glowstick left Arachnitron with one of the other Predacons with the intention of introducing the pair. But as Arachnitron suspected, the black panther female was not interested in introductions either. They hadn't even really gotten the chance to say much to one another before the entire crew was called together for a meeting with the Predacon leader.

Glowstick left to discuss the outcome of the battle with his commander and the femme bot Arachnitron was standing with followed suit. Arachnitron shrugged. Was she supposed to follow? For a short moment, Arachnitron was alone again.

"Now is your chance. Escape and return to the Maximals." The Maximal programming encouraged inside of Arachnitron's head.

"Don't you dare! We came online as a Predacon....we will go offline as a Predacon. Go join your crew mates!"

Arachnitron sighed. Her alters were at it again. The Hybrid decided to follow the Predacons for the time being. She'd at least stick around long enough to see what Glowstick had planned in the ways of a solution for her and her multiple programming problem. Then she'd venture out on her own and go rogue again. She didn't expect the Maximals to come looking for her. She was a burden for them. Just like she was going to be a burden for the Predacons....that is why she would need to just fend for herself....no allegiances....no one to burden.

By the time Arachnitron had joined the Predacons in front of what appeared to be a large purple dinosaur, Glowstick was in the middle of his report on the battle. She watched and listened quietly, hiding herself from view behind some of the taller Preds.

NaitoKage wrote: ".....we were only able to aquire Arachnitron.. it seems Nemesis is heavily guarded in the brig. During the battle.. Sonar ended up losing himself to a combat high and ended up captured.. Now Optimus Primal seems to wish to talk to you at two-four-zero-three; neutral territory, in 20 cycles about their release."

"So let me see if I understand this clearly.. You organized a force without my orders, allowed one of my fliers to be captured...And may have jeopardized MY PLANS?! You've been effective, but I believe your usefulness has come to an end Glowstick.. This is not the Predacon military, your actions wouldn't of even been allowed by them.

But.. You said no Predacon would be held captive by the enemy while you reigned?!

Well.. it seems you'll learn another thing of the Predacons.. WE LIE!

Arachnitron widened her optics as she watched the Predacon leader close his jaws around Glowstick's optics, rip his head from his shoulders and then send the rest of the body into the lava pit below. Though the Predacon leader's cruelty did not really come as a surprise to her, his actions seemed to come out of nowhere, but then again, she had only been on this planet for a few days. It probably was something that had been long since coming.

Having no feelings or connections to any of the Predacons, she wasn't necessarily grief stricken for his loss. She was more disappointed that she would never know what he had in mind in regards to fixing her. He made it sound as though he was the only one who could do anything for her. Now she would never know. She lowered her gaze to the floor. Now that he was gone, what would become of her? It did not appear the other Predacons were all that interested in acquiring a new recruit and the Predacon leader seemed more concerned with whatever it was that he had been planning that Glowstick's rescue mission may have jeopardized.

Inside Arachnitron's mind, the Maximal was begging the Hybrid to take her leave while the Predacon cackled wildly. As for the Hybrid, the dinosaur's actions didn't really frighten or intimidate her. She had survived numerous torture sessions at the research facility, though she did understand one thing: This bot demanded respect and obedience. It was not something she was very good at giving, but the Hybrid would make an effort. She decided then and there: She would not question or disrespect the tyrant....she would have to tread carefully around him. The Predacon programming was not one to show respect or anything but plain and simple defiance....and unfortunately, just at that moment, Arachnitron's optics reddened as the Predacon programming regained control.

The Predacon looked around at the other Predacons. She didn't speak or make herself known in any way. She merely sneered in delight at the Predacon leader's brutality. The only Predacons she had come across so far had enjoyed kindly conversations and business-like negotiations. They were too nice to indulge in the kind of aggressive acts that Arachnitron, in this form, so enjoyed. She considered these other Preds cowards and a disgrace to the name "Predacon," but here was a true Predacon! She folded her arms over her chestplate and continued to smile wickedly.

((Ooc:Quite alright NK and sad to see you go. But as the others said, real life first, and I have to say I didn't think of that at all for punishment for the Preds though I do feel sorry for Glowstick's horrible end.))

Following the others towards the bridge Onyx was one of the last to arrive, but early enough to witness the gruesome seen in which Megatron tore Glowstick's head from his body, just leaving the body to fall into the lava pits below and burn to nothing. The sight mortified the black stallion which was saying something since he had been use to seeing brutal sights, he had been in the illegal underground fighting circuits enough to see many unspeakable things but this...this was just something he wouldn't expect from a leader, even if Megatron demanded respect through cruelty. He really could be labeled as a 'true' predacon by some but by others it could be better said of a different name.

None the less the equine knew better then to speak up about the cruel act, even if he didn't agree such an extreme punishment had been needed. There was such things as going over the line and this took the cake, but it wasn't like the Predacons could or would do anything, in fact none of them almost seemed to care.

Megatron paid no attention to the burning remains of Glowstick, and also merely tossing the crushed head of the squid into the fiery pits below as he faced his remaining underlings. Some of them seemed horrified, some just didn't give a care, and the new comer seemed rather delighted at the brutality, which was the real first. Clearing his throat the tyrant just continued as normal,"Well now that little problem is taken care of the rest of you would be wise to not undermine my authority nor do another of these little assaults without my knowing." He said calmly again, though there was still the edge of a threat in his voice as he cast a dark glare over the Predacons gathered.

"The reason for this punishment is because at the moment we are under a truce with the Maximals, a cease fire until further notice. Of course those Maximals will be coming around soon enough and all of you I'm sure can still make use of no use of firearms." The Predacon leader said in a much more relaxed tone, of course implying the truce wasn't an utter assurance of no conflict. There was sure to be something and he would be expecting some form of talk from Primal about the incident or possibly infiltrating their base somehow.

After moments of screaming, Starshadow panted with exhaustion and left Cecaelia's quarters and headed back to the bridge. She knew her insomnia problem would return again. Strangely, the bonding (not spark bonding) didn't hurt as much as the last time.

"a truce with the maximals. A ceasefire until further notice.

"Wait..a truce?" she let out a dark chuckle which slowly turned into laughter, "after being enemies for years, you want a truce all of a sudden? What is your defect? I bet the original Megatron wouldn't approve that."

The panther femme found this situation a joke. A truce? There must've been some reason for him to set up a truce, "besides that, most of you aren't trained in close combat. How are we going to defend ourselves or the base if they're going to try something infiltrating the base or even attack us since there's a flying giant whale in their team." she put a hand on her face and rubbed her temples, "if this situation gets out of hand because of your unwise decision, remember the first rule of leadership..every mistake a minion has made is his leader's fault." she narrowed her red optics at the purple tyrant.

((OOC: Skipped the return of Star's vampire side since I'm so lazy to type it out..she's gonna get herself killed one day. We need a temporary Tarantulas or else Blackarachnia and Star can't do the show's plan and that might ruin the opportunity of the Boss Monkey's deeeestructionnnnnnn...)

((OOC: Like the others have said already, it's sad to see such a prominent player as NK leave. I hope you rejoin the game in the future ))


IC:


Terrorsaur descended towards the Predacon base. It was hard not to miss the dark, jagged vessel that rested in the middle of lava veins. The pterodactyl was now regaining his focus as he proceeded to weave through the ship's corridors. Transforming back into robot mode, Terrorsaur landed on a hover pad. He breathed a sigh of relief. He was home again. Accelerating the transportation pad towards the command center, he quickly found himself braking before going any farther. The Predacon's keen vision brought forth the image of his teammates in the presence of Megatron. Their solemn demeanor told him that something was wrong. Perhaps the commander was not pleased with the lack of success from the attack. It was possible that Megatron did not even like the fact that Glowstick initiated the assault without consent.

Speaking of which, where is the squid? he thought.

The officer was nowhere to be found, but the floor was stained with brilliant blue mech fluids. Either Megatron had given Glowstick a beating of a lifetime, or he had done something much worse. Terrorsaur made a note in his mind to ask someone later about it. Predacons loved to gossip, especially the females, so getting information was no difficult task. Squinting to get a better view from the distance, the flyer heard Megatron announce the truce between the two factions. Things suddenly clicked in Terrorsaur's processor.

Maybe Megatron didn't want us to fight the Maximals at all...

That was something else he would have to ask around for clarification. Logically, Megatron would be the best individual to seek out for elaboration. Given the mech fluid stains on the floor, however, Terrorsaur thought it would be best to outright avoid his leader for the moment.

(( OOC: Thank you, Mystrea! It just sort of came to me, and I thought it would work nicely into Ironclaw's little outburst.

No worries, una! I was going to wait a little longer for you to post but then I decided to post anyway. And, of course, right after I posted, I saw you were on and I thought, "D'oh!" Thanks for editting that. Awwwwe. Whitegrazer is such a sweet heart. ^^

Now, as for Icebreaker, I'm going to make a somewhat subtle alarm from the CR chamber that he's in, notifying the Maximals that something is wrong. Of course, it'll be too late to save him since NK has left, but that's what I thought of for resolving his Maximal OC. I'll incorporate that into my post here; probably have Cheetor check up on him. ))

IC:

The positive and warm energy that Whitegrazer was feeding toward Optimus made him gaze thoughtfully in her direction, but he was quickly torn away by Frilla's words, and the rest from his crew that followed. He hadn't forgotten the white mare's warning that she gave him earlier that day, but at the moment, he couldn't bother himself about that now and if all of this tied in together.

"I hope you have a back up plan Optimus, there is no way the Predacons would do that. Like Rattrap said they have to be up to something."

"With all the insane bots on that side there is no way they'll keep a truce Optimus. Rattrap is right for that."

"I can not believe you agreed to this!"

Rattrap started keeping a tally on those who were actually agreeing with Rattrap instead of the boss monkey. "Three so far!" he grinned with playful triumph.

Primal simply raised a brow at the Maximal Spy and shook his head before returning his attention to Frilla, Wintersong and Dinobot. "This truce can work in our favor," he explained. "Obviously Megatron wants to focus more on whatever he found in that mountain instead of us. I believe he will keep the truce for that reason. And I'm certain all of you will abide by it as well. A cease-fire," he added as a reminder to all of them. "I've already agreed to it. Now, whether or not the latest Predacon assault was a deliberate attempt to foil the truce, or to use my absense as well as some others' to their advantage, I will soon find that out. But for now, assume that we are under a truce with the Predacons."

Looking directly at the frilled lizard, Optimus assured her, "And, yes, I do have a plan. But Megatron will be expecting it." He added a small smile. Well, Megatron would be expecting most of it. The Maximal Commander had another angle but didn't wish to discuss it in front of everyone just yet. Glancing at Feralnight, he took notice how quiet she had been since she arrived. He wondered what had happened with her ordeal with the Predacons earlier that morning.

"Optimus, we can't leave Arachnitron with the Preds! If they don't end up hurting her, it's gonna be because they'll change her into one of 'em. I mean, I don't want to have to end up fighting her some day."

Sighing with regret, Primal looked to Cheetor and said, "I know some of you are her friends, and you care for her," adding a sorrowful glance at Wintersong before looking back at the cheetah, "but we can't make that decision for her. Her Predacon programming may very well welcome the Predacons, even if her Maximal programming will long for her friendships with some of you. She has spent a great deal of time here in our care, and who knows how hard it has been for her to supress her Predacon personality while she was around us. I think it's only fair that she let her Predacon counterpart experience what it's like to be in Megatron's ranks. They may even have the tools to help her. And as we know, not all Predacons are deceitful and merciless. I don't think that they will harm her."

"Yeah right," Rattrap muttered. "What if they decide to experiment on her against her will? What if they make the Predacon in her destroy the Maximal? That ain't fair."

"Nor is it fair for us to discourage the Predacon in her so that the Maximal takes complete control," Optimus debated. "This is a very delicate situation, and we must-"

Suddenly, a loud and intrusive alarm, meant to get the attention of those occupying the command center, sounded off from the repair chamber that Icebreaker was in, interrupting the leader. It certainly was not an alarm heard often, but Primal recognized it. The penguin's spark was fading quickly and the chamber's repairs were not fast enough to keep up. They had not been able to keep him stablized even on a critical level. Hope to heal the fatally wounded Maximal was slipping away in a flash.

"Cheetor, check on Icebreaker's status in the CR," Primal ordered him with a firm tone. "Hurry." The alarm was not a good sign.

Even though Rattrap wanted to argue more with their fearless leader about Arachnitron and her crazy split personalities, the alarm made him grow quiet for a moment.

"That was probably why they attacked our base to get Arachnition and Nemesis. They didn't get Nemesis but...I just hope Arachnition will be safe."

Tigatron nodded to Whitegrazer. "Perhaps if all of us send her our thoughts and energy, it will help guide her through whichever path she chooses." As more talking about the truce and Arachnitron went on, the white tiger fell silent and only listened. He welcomed the chance for a truce. Finally some peace, not just for them, but also for the planet and the inhabitants which had lost their lives because of their war. And he truly wished no harm upon Arachnitron, whether she stayed with the Predacons or not. Tigatron just hoped she could find her way within herself. It certainly seemed awfully complicated for her. He couldn't imagine how much of a struggle it must have been for her.

(( OOC: Just thought we could get Icebreaker's sad and unfortunate demise out of the way before I have Optimus start informing certain Maximals about his plans. Also, I could use his fury that he'll gather from Icy's death during his meeting with Megatron. ))

((OOC: Might as well have Sonar wake up. I wouldn't mind if Whitegrazer went looking for Saberfang.))

Sonar groaned as he regained consciousness, the frist thing that hit was his pounding head ache. Next he noticed that he was on his back and his hands were cuffed behind him.

It seems Optimus wasn't in the mood to play. He thought. *fake sigh* Shame.

He managed to get himself into a sitting position, once he was sitting up right he realized that he was in the Maximal brig.

"Its a lot cleaner then the Predacon brig." He observed quietly. "And not as hot."

The bat managed to shimy his cuffed wrists under his rump then under his legs enough where he could move his legs under his out stretched arms.

"Ahh, that's better." He said standing up and rolled his shoulders.

Steelclaw numbly committed the fact that there was a truce to his memory. So that explained the "plan" Megatron was mad about Glowstick interrupting. The execution was still barbaric.

After Starshadow shouted at Megatron, Steelclaw subtly moved forward to the ground where Glowstick's tools had fallen. Anything to add some distraction to the scene; maybe Megatron wouldn't kill Starshadow too if his mind was occupied with something else, anything else.

He picked up the medical supplies and the Raver blade carefully, almost mournfully. He hadn't anticipated having to do this so soon in the Beast Wars. To be certain, the thought had crossed his mind, for this was war, but he hadn't actually anticipated it. Glowstick was resourceful, almost invincible. Besides that, he... really just deserved better.

* * *

Rattrap wrote:Three so far!

Curses.

Optimus Primal wrote:
This truce can work in our favor. Obviously Megatron wants to focus more on whatever he found in that mountain instead of us. I believe he will keep the truce for that reason.

That didn't assure Dinobot in the slightest, but seeing that Optimus had made this decision with a firm purpose, he wasn't going to be persuaded away from the truce by a reminder of the mere fact that a ceasefire with Megatron was absurd. So for Dinobot to argue any more with his leader would be counter-productive. Better to look ahead and see what could be done to make this horrible situation as manageable as possible.

Optimus Primal wrote:I know some of you are her friends, and you care for her. But we can't make that decision for her. Her Predacon programming may very well welcome the Predacons, even if her Maximal programming will long for her friendships with some of you. She has spent a great deal of time here in our care, and who knows how hard it has been for her to supress her Predacon personality while she was around us. I think it's only fair that she let her Predacon counterpart experience what it's like to be in Megatron's ranks. They may even have the tools to help her. And as we know, not all Predacons are deceitful and merciless. I don't think that they will harm her.

"Of course we can save her!" Cheetor wanted so badly to shout. But he faltered before he ever spoke. Save her from... Megatron? Or save her from being a member of another faction?

Well, what did it matter which one was true? The other faction was a bad...

It was a bad faction?

Cheetor put a hand up to his head. He suddenly realized he had so much to think about.

He flinched when the warning alarm sounded. His spark sank, because he knew what this meant.

Optimus Primal wrote:Cheetor, check on Icebreaker's status in the CR,

"On it," he responded and dashed over towards the CR chamber. Dinobot was standing slightly in the way of his path, but even he moved back for this situation.

Cheetor looked at a panel on the outside of the chamber as soon as he got there. A series of lines were strewn across the panel, all of them colored a foreboding black, and sinking horribly low.

"Big 'Bot!" he shouted, turning to Optimus and signaling him over with one hand "This isn't good. All his vital signs are cr..." What was the word? "...Cr-critical. And they're getting worse!"

Aurora only met Ironclaw's gaze ever so briefly before the badger spoke up against Optimus Primal's actions, or lack thereof, in regards to the Predacon attack apparently going unpunished. Albeit she was against the idea of a violent retaliation, part of her could still relate to what the badger was saying. And from the looks of their reactions, the rest of her comrades had somewhat mixed feelings about this truce as well.

It almost seemed a bit convenient for Megatron to have approached them about a truce as things were. There were too many changes ongoing right now, in fact she could almost feel something lurking in the very air surrounding them yet she blew it off as anxious thoughts with no base in reality. Having Whitegrazer's presence nearby helped calm them all, given the white mare's ability to soothe everyone around her even as she had been at the brink of death. It was a trait Aurora could not help find most admirable yet it was as if the mare knew more than she let on.

As the initial outburst of the other Maximals subdued, Primal continued explaining his intentions to maintain the truce with the Predacons but also made it clear he would have a little talk with Megatron about the actions of his troops. Tilting her head while looking at the commander, Aurora added, "Sir? I would like to go with you when you go to see Megatron about this."

Despite her inexperience, she was also one of few Maximals not overly angry at the Predacons for what they had done. She merely wanted to escort Primal as an observer, hopefully maybe even as mental support. The Maximal leader had been through a lot lately and was bound to be rather upset about the entire situation, even if he did attempt to hide such emotions behind a unmoved exterior if the situation called for such. But the other Maximals knew.. It did not take someone of Whitegrazer's insight to know that Primal was getting pushed beyond what anyone could normally take, a fact that would leave him vulnerable in such a difficult confrontation.

Just then the young fuzor took note of the alarm sounding. It was a piercing noise, dictating trouble in a sense. She hadn't heard that particular alarm before but the sound certainly didn't ease her mind. Something had just taken a turn for the worse and Aurora was not about to stay behind while it happened. Primal's tone when he addressed Cheetor on the topic certainly did not calm her either.

"Cheetor, check on Icebreaker's status in the CR,"

"Hurry."

No.. They said he'd be fine, they put him in the CR chamber for repairs, he..

Aurora didn't wait for Primal's response to her offer. Instead she rushed off to the CR as fast as her legs would carry her, rushing right up to the chamber where the alarm was sounding from. Cheetor was already standing there, but at the moment Aurora was oblivious to his presence.

She had to stand on her toes to peek through the window, barely catching a glimpse of the penguin inside. Although the chamber was seemingly in working condition, the flightless bird's injuries appeared to be too great for the machine to handle. He was already slipping away..

"No!," the tiny fuzor exclaimed, banging on the window in frustration. She wanted to open the chamber, to get Icebreaker out of there, as if the machine itself was the one killing him. The next few seconds would continue to replay in her memory as if an eternal loop had just taken place. After a tediously long wait, the chamber door finally opened so that she could finally get to him. The body itself did not seem to be in that bad shape, but the head was not completely repaired as of yet. Most of it appeared intact, however, allowing Aurora the chance to hold onto the head and turn the face towards her. Yet as she embraced the bird for one last hug and looked him in the eyes while doing so, the gaze that met her was an empty one. There was no consciousness behind it, no life force detectable.

Aurora's legs gave out and she crumbled into a heap next to the penguin who had given up so much so that she could experience life.

There was no point in arguing over the truce, it was a firm decision and even protesting wasn't going to change it. Wintersong didn't say anything more and just sat where she was, flicking her tail slightly and only fixed her gaze on the ground at the mention of Arachnitron and didn't even comment on that since there was nothing she really could say, in a sense Optimus was right. She would have to experience it for herself but still Wintersong felt guilt hit for her words before Arachnitron had gone on a sudden rampage and wanted to at least apologize for the wrongful accusation. Unfortunately she wasn't the best with saying the right words at the right time, having a knack for saying the wrong words at the wrong time and unfortunately had yet to get out of a stubborn attitude, like many young bots.

Though she glanced up when hearing the alarms from the CR chamber, shock showing on her face that the penguin had gone to such a downfall so quickly and moved towards the CR chamber shortly after Aurora, sadness showing in her amber eyes. "That makes two of our comrades gone." She said, her tone matching her expression. It was going to hit hard for the Maximals there, especially Orcanier since him and Icebreaker had been pretty good friends since their arrival and it wasn't going to settle well for the Predacons if they confronted them.

-------------------

Megatron actually agree to a truce? With Primal, of all mazimals? Either Megatron was making excuses and really had no plans or he was up to something without telling his crew about it, though then again he never exactly told them his plans or just not the full detail. "Great we'll be sharing energon next, maybe even sharing old war stories like old friends, sounds like fun." The snow fox femme said, her voice dripping with sarcasm and rolled her optics. Though she noticed steelclaw actually seemed mournful for the loss of Glowstick, and really didn't see what there was really to be sad about since it was war and there were casualties, the squid just happened to be the one caught up in the casualties of war and there was no changing it.

Frilla could only nodded,"Long as we have something Optimus." She said before turning towards the CR chamber at the sound of the alarms, shocked to hear Cheetor tell of how bad Icebreaker's condition had gotten in such a short time and to see the lifeless form when it opened made her feel mournful. Icebreaker had been one of the liveliest Maximals she had known, both as a Predacon and when she became one of the Maximals, and to know he had been killed was such a shock and surely to make the others feel the same way. Though it shocked her far more of it being Steelclaw, of all predacons, to make the kill shot, it never occurred to her that he was trying to kill Icebreaker but merely gain time to help Sonar. She could only guess this might be a surprise to him if they were to ever meet again, though it wouldn't exactly ever be on friendly terms that was quite obvious now.

Now the question was, how would Optimus take knowing Icebreaker wasn't going to make it? He was fairly upset and angry already, even if he had calmed down a bit it was worrying that this could cause his anger to escalate even more now. The Predacons would surely be questioned thoroughly about the situation and she just hoped they wouldn't lose someone else so soon.

Feralnight was also quite shocked at Icebreaker's critical state, considering he had always been a tough bird and seemed to pull through about anything no matter the damage he got. To see him the next one to suddenly be gone was going to be quite a hard blow to the crew and especially to Optimus,"Icebreaker may be gone, but we won't be forgetting him any time soon or ever." She finally spoke in a mournful voice, really the only thing she had said the whole meeting. But there really hadn't been much she could report, save for having to tell of the encounter this morning, though she was sure she would get a scolding for leaving without telling someone, especially when she had apparently encountered the squid. Though she never recalled the real reason she had left that morning, only having her troubled thoughts lingering.

Ironclaw listened to everything that Optimus had to say and the views of the other Maximals. He had a bad feeling about this truce, just listening to the other made him want to object. Although he would follow Optimus anyway. He put his task to the back of his mind when he realised attention had been diverted to an alarm.

Ironclaw noticed that some of the Maximals had crowded round the CR chamber. The alarm was warning them that Icebreaker's status was critical.he could sense the mood change and noticed that Aurora was trying to peak into the chamber. He wanted to comfort her but decided against it. Then when she fell to the floor he flinched towards her, fighting the want to get her up and on her feet. He decided to go into beast mode and left. He knew they may think badly of him for leaving but he had to.