Making Things Right: Part 5
The begining of the final Operation on Endport, the Maximals are forced to find a way off the planet, to try and salavage Justice. However they will face one of their toughest taskes along the the way, Fighting one of their own...
PART FIVE
Eternity blinked for a second and then turned her head to the side looking at the bot. " Ummm....is it a Predacon base?" With one arm behind her back he motioned for Buckshot to stay back and out of sight. Eternity began to toy with her hair a bit more alert that she was doing it this time and took on a more innocent yet inviting stance. " I didn't know there were any on this planet. I haven't been here long..." She blinks slightly seductively at him. Eternity wasn't sure who this dinosaur was and if he was friend or foe.
“The Brig?” Burnout inclined an audio sensor toward them. “Hrm, I think I’ve heard of that place. You Retro?
Retro stroked his chin. “Yea, I think….. Wasn’t that the place with the really good prison food?”
“Mmmm, I’d give it a 8.5. There WAS that giant spark-eating goldfish thing running around in the sewers.”
“Ohh yea. I kinda liked him.”
“Um..” Tundra cut in. “I think we understand by now that you two have paid a visit to the Brig. So could you cut us some slack here?”
Burnout considered, before shrugging. “Eh, sure. Dedlis, let um go. Just…” He pointed toward Tundra. “If you want to keep that voice box in your neck, don’t be goin’ super-sonic on me again, n-kay?”
Tundra smiles and says "Of course, sorry about that, but my brother is a hot head and he asked me to 'take you out' so..." she shruges to show her helplessness, "after all, I'm just a helpless little girl who can't fight." Burnout looks at her and says "Who ever said that never felt that voice box thing of yours!"
He sat alone in the room, watching his friends in their chambers, while Retro went to investigate the occurrence. He drummed his fingers on the table, taking solace in the rhythmic thuds amidst the silence. He turned his gaze away from the row of CR chambers, to the shattered pieces of his sabre on the table. He picked a piece up by the hilt, and stroked the edge with a thumb. The blade felt heavy in his hand, its dull grey hardly reflecting his image.
The cogs in his head began to whir, as he mentally summed the years he had had the sabre. It was so far in the distant past, that he could not remember. But now? What was he going to do with it? It was the only fetter still holding him to a life of bloodshed. But it was more than a tool, was it not?
"I'll give you a fair requiem if we return to Cybertron," he said to the sword, then chuckled to himself, feeling foolish. He tapped a button on his wrist, and the pieces winked out of existence, into the subspace pocket that was his own.
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"What? No fighting? I thought that'd be plenty of that going on here," the wolf-bot voiced out loud, leaning against a wall in the ship, his arms akimbo.
"Nope, no fighting, no killing. Their friends, Querion. F-r-i-e-n-d-s. I think," explained Retro.
"Who said anything about killing? No sabre, no bloodshed."
"Right. As I'd mentioned earlier, I can get them repaired for you, if you wish of course."
Querion shook his head.
"I'm going to destroy them the moment we return to Cybertron."
“And you guys trying to free this world from Predacon control?” Timber asked, before sipping on an energon drink kindly provided by their hosts.
As they sat in the lounge aboard the Xavier, Burnout polished his shotgun, Querion seemed to be sizing up Vinoc, and Retro was busy telling the epic of their valiant fight versus oppression.
“Yep. Even now our comrades are on a mission to knock out the predacon chain of command here as well as blow the sensor-net so we can get out of here. We ran into a little snag and had to repair some of our friends.”
“Hrm.” Tundra thought for a moment.
“Thinking about joining us? Please say yes.” Retro smiled at the young owl smoothly.
Rita watched as the back door of the warehouse slid open. Catfish giggled and poked at the panel, gliding through the various levels of security. Corvus was pulling the last of the downed guards into shadows (no need to make their trail clearer then it already was) and Penji was… gnawing on someone’s leg. The penguin threw the appendage away and gave Rita an adorable smile when the mink looked at him. “Weird.” Rita mumbled…then she saw the other Maximal. He’d been there since mysteriously appearing during the fight and now approached.
“Might I offer any assistance?”
Rita glanced down at the rat, paused, then she turned and scanned her group. Penji, Corvus, Catfish… That was it. Her team had been reduced to four people. She turned back and scrutinized the new one.
“You got a death wish or something?”
“Rita, I don’t think we’re in a position to resist help, in any form.” Corvus commented from beside her.
“Whatever. Welcome aboard. Don’t expect to understand anything at all until we get back and Rhapsody explains it to you.” Rita frowned, “Catfish? Is is safe to go in yet?”
“Yep!” the small fuzor announced, “The defenses and alarms are shut down so no one out front or inside knows we’re here and I found where they keep the scanners, at the very center of the building. Then I installed bunny screensavers! Lookie!”
Rita obediently looked and acknowledged the cuteness of the little bunny rabbits hopping around the terminal. Then ushered everyone in.
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The interior of the building consisted of one huge room and a handful of adjacent chambers. Apparently the warehouse hadn’t completely foregone its previous purpose as a storage space. The room was cluttered with dormant Predacon technology. This made it harder then usual to keep Catfish in line. She was constantly scampering off to collect things that caught her eye. However, the crates were useful in that they provided cover.
And cover was needed. Most of the Predacons were outside, but groups patrolled the paths between the towering piles of junk. There was a small clump of guards around a terminal in the center. After a short and quiet discussion they concluded it was what they were looking for.
Rita leaned against a large vat of murky liquid. It was a gigantic construct and threw half of the room into darkness. It gave Rita a position where she could see the Preds, but they couldn’t see her.
“Well,” mused to her comrades, “I guess we could just attack and run for out sparks as soon as ‘Fish disables the station. Unless anyone…hmm?” Rita glanced back and frowned. She turned and looked into the vat.
“What is it?” Trapper asked.
“I thought I saw something move, something really big. Strange.” She frowned, “Anyway. Anyone have a better idea?”
Penji quietly got out some plastic explosives and raised his eyebrows.
"No," Rita replied, "We need to disable the station, not blow it up. If we just blow it up, backups will kick in in nanoclicks. By hacking in, Catfish can bring down a good portion of their security system."
Penji was disappointed.
"And I can put cute bunny screensavers on everything!"
Penji smiled, as if that alone made it all worthwhile. He then looked back at his explosives, and got another idea.
"Going away present?"
Rita took a little longer to consider this one.
"Cover fire. Destroy evidence."
Vinoc starts to reach for his six-shooter. Tundra says "Geash calm down bro' before I make you calm down." She started to open her mouth and draw a breath. Vinoc draws his hand away from his pistol, "You socialze to much. One day it'll get you raped." "You are deffinalty a pesimist." "And your a clinging vine!" "So, at least I have friends, and attempt to make them." "Friends are not high on my priority list." "You have a big problem with letting me do my own thing. I'm not a little kid anymore, and I have been in a fight." The two argue for a few minutes. Retro turns to Queiron and says, "I think I layed it on a little heavy."
“I….guess that means yes?” Burnout asked siting up.
(They do right?) “Why not?” Tundra replied.
“You don’t speak for everyone you know.” Vinoc interjected.
“Oh yea? Well what are you gunna do? Cause I know what I’m going to do.”
Vinoc rolled his optics and let himself slump into his seat. “Fine….”
“Good!” Tundra turned to Retro and smiled. “Well, you have two more members in this little resistance of yours.”
“Great!” The possum bot beamed. “Mind if I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Well, you look like a smart cookie. And your looking at the best hacker around. You’re a hotty, I’m adorable. Wana go out with me?”
Tundra smilles coyel and says "Sure!" she walks over and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Vinoc looks a her and says, "go on then" He stands up and as he walks past Retro he slips a note into his hand.
Retro reads the note "IF YOU TOUCH A HAIR ON HER HEAD YOU WILL HAVE NO HEAD!!!!!"
Solarflare was just about to spill his guts to switchblade if she didn't already know but then Mimi showed up. "Hey GUYS! Look we found another maximal!" Behind her Rhapsody and phyphen ran up and then wraith appeared. Solarflare swore under his breath
"Lets hurry and get back to the ship." Rhapsody said panting a little. "There are guards all over the city now, Excellent work Wraith." Wraith smiled and walked near rhapsody the rest of the trip. Mimi kept chewing Solarflares ear and switchblade had given the new girl somthing to eat and was explaining the basic goings on leaving Solarfalre to wait for another time.
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Rhapsody stepped up the Xavior and the door promptly opened. "Helllllllooooo." Mimi called into the ship.
"WHat is this place?" Phyphen questioned looking around carefully. Burnout appeared from around the corner and welcomed the crew. "Hey guys, looks like more newbies, well make yourselves at home."
"Has the other team made it yet."
"No." Burnout said begining to wonder about Rita.
//Enternity try to check it with Team 2 but do it quietly.//
//Rodger.//
//Also monitor pred frequencys ad listen to see if they get onto out location, if they do redirect them.//
"Lets get settled," Rhapsody said walking by the others. Solarflare and Switchblade where of the to the CR chambers while Mimi and phyphen headed to the Kicthcen(Does this thing have a kitchen) For some late dinner.
Phyphen and Mimi wandered off in search of a kitchen. They headed down a few corridors weaving left and right, not really knowing where they're going.
"It's over here." Mimi said, pointing to a large overhead sign.
The two femmes walked through the double doors and were surrounded by stainless steel machinery. Phyphen’s optics went a little wild as she spotted the massive refrigerator. Gaily she skipped over to the fridge and opened the two huge doors.
“Whoa! Look at all this stuff!” Phyphen gasped as she grabbed a slender bottle, popped off the cap and took a long drink of the sweet, dark fluid. Mimi had positioned herself in front of the pantry and was musing to herself over what she could prepare. The female ‘bot pulled out about half a dozen foreign items and grabbed a large pot from overhead. As Mimi prepared a dish for the two of them, Phyphen wandered around the kitchen, stepping over chairs and finally setting herself on the counter beside Mimi.
“What are you making anyway?” Phyphen inquired.
“You’ll see. . . why don’t you go wander around for a while, I’ll probably be done when you return.” Mimi said, never lifting her eyes from the bubbling pot.
“OK! See ya in 15 minutes!” Phyphen said, jumping off the counter and dashing out the doors.
The young ‘bot wandered around the level, peeking in random doorways. At the end of the hallway was an elevator, or at least what appeared to be an elevator. Phyphen casually walked in and departed for sector three. Phyphen stepped off and found herself in the medical wing. There were a few rooms that were dedicated to CR chambers. Phyphen glanced down the hallway and saw a ‘beam’ of light pouring out onto the floor. The bot walked cautiously towards the room and peered around the corner. The room was illuminated in a white light. Phyphen walked into the room and found a single CR chamber. Phyphen walked over and stood beside the chamber. Inside was a large black bot, trembling slightly. He had emerald green optics and a tattered cape. His hands were like claws and there were visible scars on his chest-plate.
A great wave of pity came over Phyphen as she stared down at the comatose ‘bot. She placed a hand gently on the top of the chamber and felt the soft hum of the machine. ‘I wonder what happened to him. He must have been in a great battle, that or he got his ass kicked.’ Phyphen smiled. A familiar rumble came from her stomach and Phyphen decided it was time to visit Mimi in the kitchen.
Phyphen jogged out of the bright room and bounded into the elevator. The young ‘bot ran all the way back to the kitchen. She entered the room and there were some very appealing fragrances wafting through the air. Phyphen came over to the stove where Mimi was working.
“I’m back!” the young ‘bot announced, as a streaming bowl was thrust into her hands.
“Here, eat this. You’ll definitely regain your strength after a bowl of my stew.” Mimi said as she placed heaping spoons into a bowl for herself. Mimi walked over to the table and seated herself down. Phyphen followed and sat down across from the female bot.
“Mimi . . . who’s the huge ‘bot up in the CR chamber. The one in the room that’s covered in bright lights?” Phyphen said as she shoved a huge spoonful of the stew into her mouth, “Mmmm… this is great! What’s in this stuff?” Phyphen said while swallowing another heaping spoonful.
“Why were ya up in the medical center? The bright lights eh? Oh, that was Relic.” Mimi paused, “You better stay away from there… Relic’s still very injured.”
“What happened to him?”
“He was in a fight… there was a darkness that possessed his spark. He went crazy after that. I believe they chased away the darkness though…” Mimi chucked softly to herself, “Chased isn’t exactly the correct term… beat the darkness out of him is better! They threw everything they had at Relic… he was killing fellow Maximals and almost killed a close friend of mine, Timber.”
“Whoa…” Phyphen’s jaw dropped slightly at the thought of the huge ‘bot going berserk.
Mimi stood up abruptly, “We better get back up there, full?”
Phyphen nodded and jumped up from her seat. The two ‘bots left the kitchen and languorously made their way up to where everyone else was.
Trapper glares into the vat....his scannners switcing to multi spectrum and biorythmic mode......
Trapper: um..Rita....might I take a sample of this stuff? My scan's are showing some weird properties........
“What? Sure, whatever.” Rita waved Trapper off, “Just don’t give away our position.”
The rodent nods and scans the container for a good way to get his sample. He had a queerest feeling he was being watched.
“Anyway,” Rita said, turning back to the other issue, “Actually Penji, I think blowing this place sky high would be a nice way to go out.”
“Building go boom!”
“Building go boom AFTER we’re out of it.” Rita informed him.
“Time bomb!” Penji announced giddily.
“Good, now if we can get on with the plan. Catfish and I will go around this side of the vat. Corvus fly over and drop in from above. Penji and the new guy…”
“Wait!” Penji and Trapper said almost simultaneously as they worked on their individual projects.
“Oh right.” Rita said sitting down, “Ten cycles to finish with the bombs and the samples. I’m amazed we haven’t been found yet…”
Buckshot drew his baseball bat and flipped it around in one hand. He settled its cool weight against one palm and glanced at Eternity from the shadows, waiting for her to give him a signal.
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Phyphen became abruptly aware of a shuffling sound near the doorway. She excused herself for a moment to go check it out. The young girl approached the doorways carefully, holding her weapon, and slowly opened it.
A charred and smoking tie-dyed Maximal burst in, promptly tripping over a trash can. He tumbled to the floor, shook his head, and then looked up at Phyphen.
"Uhhhhh....dude?" he asked.
"Dudette." she replied uncertainly.
"No way."
"Yes way."
"...COOL!!! Uh huh huh uh huh, we get new chicks like every week, dude! Uh, I'm burnt and stuff." Weede babbled.
Cutter walked in slowly and sheepishly behind weede. "Greetings." He said quietly picking Weede up off the ground.
Penji looked around, examining the building's structure. A single block of C4 would probably be sufficient. he got out two, for good measure. One he already had rigged on a timer, the other he split into small chunks. He converted back into beast mode and waddled around the in the shadows, strategically placing the small explosives near key structural points. The initial explosion of the time bomb wouold be enough to set these off and send the whole building down. Meanwhile, Rita, Catfish and Corvus began their parts of th operation. Perhaps if he got done early, Penji figured he could help out. Or have a quick snack on a gaurd. Whichever.
"Getting more and more cramped in here," Querion muttered, to no one in particular, as he watched the others mill about the ship, ignoring him as he sat silently by the table. There was a sense of family, a feeling of camaraderie in the air, like they were preparing for some huge banquet, and not for a daring escape. The smells of Mimi's stew wafted into his nose, mingled with the acrid burnt scent of Weede, and the wolf-bot became even more convinced that he was in the middle of some dinner-preparation.
Querion jostled past a few others, picked up a mug, and filled it to the brim with ale. He then made his way through the many corridors, and found himself back in the CR hall. He took a sip, and settled himself down on the floor, in some unobtrusive corner, and kept a long silent vigil on his wards.
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