A New Direction: Part 9
A brand mission, a brand new world where many things are not as they same and thier true objective is not even known to them.
PART NINE
"So when bots ask," Caska told her servant as he followed her through the corridors, "I'm on the run."
"Bots ask you run? What does I?" Mephetis replied
"...No.. When they ask we tell them I'm on the run, from a former employer."
"We is- you fail Master, Master?"
"Not really, no. It's a cover story."
"Magazine cover?"
"No, covering our skids."
"Oh," Mephetis said, in a way that made it totally unclear whether he understood or not. "What employer runned from?"
"It's best not to say."
"Words it might get around right."
"..Right, actually."
Caska was satisfied that either Mephetis understood, or he was confused enough not to tell anyone anything that would set alarms off. Her attention turned to her destination, which she was approaching. It seemed someone was in the training room already.
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On the bridge, Penji sat with a disappointed frown. Dusty wasn't around, so he was on the weapons console, and he hadn't gotten to blow anything up yet. He was getting hungry too. Perhaps before the mission was out he'd show Relic how to mix his profession and his new hobby.
[Nearby – The Edge of Predacon Space]
One moment the hangar was empty. The next, it was crawling with Predacon Special Forces ‘bots. There were thirty of them there, all experienced, and all grim. They proceeded to load the transport vessel with quick precise movements. Little energy or time was lost, giving any observers the distinct impression that they had prepared for this type of mission many times before.
As for the ‘bots themselves, they were all fairly large (none below eight feet) and loaded for bear. Heavy body armor supplemented their already metal bodies. Weapons large and small were slung across backs or in carriers at their waists. Knife hilts promising deadly blades protruded at intervals. In short, they looked just as dangerous as they really were.
As the last box was loaded, the team of thirty filed into the ship. As they boarded, the final member of their crew stepped into view. He wore no body armor, only the thick metallic carapace carried over from his Scarab beast mode. The ‘bot, who went by the name Scarab, was the most dangerous of them all. He boarded last. The other Predacons seemed to draw back from him a bit as he entered.
“Take me to Andronicus,” he rasped.
The pilot wasted little time in complying. With a flash and a bang, the transport took flight. It burned a path outward into the void of space. Twelve hours in Transwarp would bring them to their destination.
“And the killing,” Scarab whispered to himself in a disturbingly pleased voice. If any of the others heard his words, they were careful to make no sign.
Trance was running through the final security check during the entire conversation. Everything was checking out as good as it could get, and Trance was passing through the personal quarters when he passed by Querion. He paid little notice, except giving him a slight nod as they passed.
'That's Querion. Seems to be able to take care of himself. I'll chat with him later. Right now, gotta finish this sweep.'
"Hey Trance," called Querion. "Mind if I went along with you? It's part of my duty, and it gives me something to do. Timber's too busy back in the kitchens, and I think we should initiate some conversation if we are to work together."
The wolf-bot picked up a piece of Relic's pastry, and bit into it. His mouth widened into an appreciative smile.
"Can't believe Relic made these," Querion said. "Wish Timber could do the same."
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"I hate the kitchen," muttered Timber. "No where to run, no where to hunt, and... him"
The she-wolf shuddered, glancing at Relic, who was fussing over a bubbling pot. Something about the fire being too big and the lid not placed on properly. Something was definitely screwy about the assassin.
Dusty finished moving all the equipment back into place, stretched slightly, then headed for the training room door. As soon as she opened it she came face to face with Caska, who'd just been about to open the door herself. Dusty blinked in surprise, then backed away from the door slightly so Caska could enter, trailed by Mephetis.
"Hi. Are you using the training room at the moment?" Caska asked.
"Nah, just finished. Was about t'head back up t'the bridge t'find that portfolio thing we're s'posed t'memorise. Y'have any idea who's holdin' it at the moment?"
"Not a clue," replied Caska, "I haven't looked at them myself. I figure the higher up guys should be easy to spot, and I've seen Croak and Grapple's files already.... Pity you're done training, I could've used a sparring partner."
Dusty shrugged casually and grinned. "Eh, I'll find it later then. As for sparrin' partner, well, I could always use a bit more practice. Count me in."
"Excellent," Caska smiled. From her back she pulled her holosword and activated it. Dusty's optics widened a bit as the blade sprung from the hilt, and became nearly as tall as Caska was. Turning her grin sideways a bit, Caska then opened a panel on the handle, and pressed a small button. The blade abruptly changed from white to pink. "There, it's now in training mode. Won't even scratch. So what's your weapon?"
Dusty held up her battle staff, provoking a guffaw from Mephetis.
"Haha! Is just a stick is!"
"Shut up," Caska chided, "That 'stick' can be a very effective weapon... if used correctly," her voice turned upwards at then end of the sentence, as did an optic ridge, as she eyed Dusty. A not so subtle challenge.
The Penance slowly rifted into the space of Andronicus. The ship slowly drifted in front of Metalicron's ship which seemed to move eve slower. Gaul didn't seem to be pleased with this development, or atleast that is what Solarflare was getting. The bot paced around the bridge looking not nervous but just irrated with the situation. THe penance fired its retro engines and began to slowly drift into the atmosphere. Moments later they were pulling into the main space sport of Traul, the Main city of Andronicus. Traul was to say the least amazing. It seemed to warrant Cybertron's technology without the blackness. Traul was as bright as ever. Two sns in the distance giving off subtle yellow glows. Most of the crew were heading out of the ship when they were met by Metalicron. "Welcome to Traul." THe blue bot said smiling.. it seemed on the virge of fake but no one could really tell.
"So what now?" Junlge asked looking over some of the crew of the other ship.
"Well you welcome to stay at our barraks just a short trip away." Gaul nodded and motioned for the crew to come along. The group headed into a few transports and made thier way to barraks that looked more a huge mansion then a military barraks. Once there the blue conformist bot contiued to lead them. "Feel free to get unpacked and your welcome to come to a small gathering we are having tonight." He said smiling again.
Most of the crew eyes ignited but they quickly looked at Gaul. "Sure." He said being just a discustingly nice. Most of the crew was excited and headed to for a place to unpack their stuff.
"Well meet here at 2000 hours." Metalicron said and quickly walked away. Moments later Gaul moved infront of the large room where each maximal was finding a bunk.
"Alright listen up!" A catch Solarflare knew it. "Now the only reason i agreed to this is so we can search for the package." Gaul tapped two folders in his hands. The maximals groaned and began to complain. "But if you have some fun, i guess i can't control that...." Gaul sighed and walked away to find a bunk.
Trance picked out a bunk and threw his bag on it. Before they were transported to the bunks, he and Querion had managed to finish up the security sweep of the ship, but had little time to socialize. So he walked around until he came to Querion.
"So," Trance said to get his attention, to which Querion turned around. "You want to get to know each other, let's do that. You can start out by telling me about yourself Querion."
Dusty just grinned in answer to Caska's challenge and moved to the middle of the training room, her staff held lightly in both hands. "How 'bout y'come see how effective this thing can be, aye?"
Caska gave an answering grin and slowly advanced, sword at the ready, while Mephitis scurried out of the way and watched from the side of the room. The two femmes eyed each other warily for a moment, before Dusty suddenly swung in with her staff, aiming for Caska's side. Caska quickly blocked with her sword, then had to duck as Dusty brought the staff up and around towards her head.
Earlier.
As Caska ducked, she swept with her sword, forcing Dusty to jump over it. Caska then swiveled with the follow-through, as Dusty began a swing of her staff. Caska brought the sword up over her head and back down at Dusty, as the dingo femme swung upwards at Caska, and the two weapons met in between. They both pressed, Dusty with hands on either side of the staff, and Caska with both hands hlding the sword, testing eac other's strength. --- . Caska finally slid her sword away, and then stabbed from the waist full force at Dusty. The dingo reacted quickly, hitting the sword sideways with a counterclockwise turn of her staff and deflecting the balde away from her body, and then abrupty turning the staff in the opposite direction while stabbing foreward, lightly poking Caska in the chest.
"Haha! I win!" Dusty proclaimed.
"What?" her opponent retorted, "That was nothing. A point scored, sure, but-"
Dusty just smiled smugly, held her staff up before Caska, and made its bladed tips spring out.
"I see," said the bird-tiger, "but had I known about that, I would have acted differently."
"Well, now you know. Again?"
"Of-"
Just then, the ship shook a bit, and an announcement came that they had landed and for everyone to report to the main exit.
"Well," said Caska, "I want a rematch, so we'll continue this later. Outside, perhaps, were I can use my wings."
"Oh like that'll be fair."
"Nothing is fair in war," Caska replied, suddenly serious. She left the training room, motioning for Mephetis to follow. Both he and Dusty tagged along, as they all had the same destination.
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Now
Penji was excited. He loved parties. They were such a great place to meet one's next meal.
"Me? Heh, there's nothing much to know that's not already in the files," the wolf-bot shrugged, as they carried on walking. "I'm just slightly better than a grunt. Did some training on the planet Taldar, just north of Sector 63's Interplanar Coalition."
Trance nodded in acknowledgement, as Querion continued.
"Done a little travelling, a little brooding of my own, the usual stuff. Oh, hold on a second," said the Maximal. He walked over to the side of the hangar door, and extended his arm, bowing slightly. A little trick he had learnt from his more civilised comrades. Timber giggled slightly, and curtsied, and took his arm.
"How was the kitchen? Hope you didn't blow it up... Oof! Hey watch that finger!" cried Querion, rubbing his flanks with mock distress. Timber's finger jabs to the ribs sometimes hurt.
"Not funny," pouted Timber, sticking her tongue out at him. The she-wolf arched her back, stretching herself, revelling in the cool air. "I need some exercise," she mumbled, tapping a finger against her chin. "I know! Let's go to some bar and dance! Whoo-hoo!"
"Hey wait! Timber! I can't dance. I... Never mind." Querion sighed. As the couple passed Trance, the swordsman shouted," Trance! Bar! Drink! Now!.. Whoa! Watch my leg, Timber!"
Trance watched as Querion and Timber passed him by, then heard Querion shout out to him the words bar and drink. 'It's been a while since I've had one.' Trance thought to himself as the couple walked out of his sight. 'Hell, why not.' Trance followed after them, and eventually caught up with them.
Wraith had heard from the rest of the crew about the 'party' that was going to take place soon and was not happy about partying with Preds. Especially when Rhapsody was around. He repeatedly told himself that she was an adult and could take care of herself, but the thought still lingered in his mind that he needed to protect her.
It was a good thing he hadn't seen Rhapsody since he left the bridge. She would most definately object to his brooding attitude. She would most definately object, quite violently, to what plans he had in store for those filthy robots.
He decided to check out the training room. Bringing his holo-projector with him, he made his way there. Once he arrived he saw Dusty and another bot he didn't recognize. Raising his hand in a friendly gesture, he greeted them with a grin. "'Sup crew? Ready to pound some Preds?"
Dusty nodded a greeting to Wraith and grinned. "Pred pounding? I'm always up for that, heh. Y'talkin' real or simmed Preds tho?" The dingo femme gestured to the holo-projector Wraith was carrying and raised a browridge questioningly. "'Cause I, for one, would love t'go planetside and bust some -real- Pred heads..." She shrugged casually.
Jungle was perched above the barracks - term used loosely, as this place would rival some estates on Cybertron - some what over looking the scene. The Penance was about five cycles away via the transports they took to get here from there. Moving at a quick foot pace; it'd probably take about ten cycles to reach it, Jungle estimated. Things like that were good to know.
Jungle knew damn well this hospitality wasn't coming without a price; the price of privacy. Jungle valued his privacy more then most. But the dark warrior could make due. He'd just have to be extra careful about what he did and said cause he knew; he and the rest of his charges were likely under a constant watch. If Jungle was in the Jonas Movement's shoes, he'd do the very same. While you should always welcome new comers, you should be equally leery of them. JJ just hopped the rest of his force was smart enough to figure that one out…
As for what to do…
There was that social event Gaul's 'friend' mentioned. Jungle would be there. Be foolish to pass up an opportunity to see whose who in these parts. And who ranks where on the totem pole…
The party was still a ways away. J's muscles were cramping up, so spending the time gap here wasn't a real choice option. The time be better spent snooping around. The panther-bot knew that the folks here would be almost suspicious if no one in Gaul's group upped for that option…
Transforming to beast mode, Jungle jumped down to the ground, landing with the grace only a cat has. There were several structures in addition to the barracks in the immediate area. Good of place as any to start…
"Both." The wolfbot said with a wide grin. "We'll warm up with some simmed Preds. Get into it with a little friendly sparring," He pointed a finger from Dusty to himself, then back to her.
"And then bust some real Preds at the party. Trust me, I've got some sweet ideas in mind for that, heheh."
Caska leaned agaisnt the wall and rolled her optics. "The Preds here are our 'friends', remember? Now is not the time to be busting them up." Covert missions weren't her style, but she did at least have enough of a processor between her shoulders to know how they were supposed to be acting for now.
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