A private interview with the Maximal Agents was never a pleasant experience, but Krunch knew if he ever wanted to be put back into active duty, he'd have to follow their procedures. The Citadel office was a barely disguised interrogation room, lit in spotlights. Scanner sat behind a flat desk, with a computer screen facing him on his right side, and a datapad resting under his hand. His everpresent assisstants flanked him, partially hidden in shadow.
"First of all, Sergeant, we'd like to thank you for your assisstance. You may have a seat, if you like. We're just going to ask you a couple of questions about the preparedness of the crew."
Krunch looked around, knowing that Scanner was trying to be polite, but there wasn't a seat there that would support his massive frame.
"All in the line of duty, sir...." spoke the Maximal. "Thank you, but I'll stand if it's all the same. What do you want to know, sir?"
The sergeant stood at attention, not making visual contact with Scanner, but focusing his optics on the back wall. He savored these last few minutes of activity, before being put back in stasis until needed again.
"All right." Scanner looked down at a sheet on his desk. "What is your opinion of the group? Would they be willing to stand up to a significant challenge?"
Krunch had nothing to lose. He might as well be honest. The worst that could happen is that he'd be left in stasis even longer.
"Frankly, sir, they seem to be your average run-of-the-mill inexperienced skid-plates off the assembly line! I've worked with their kind before and I usually get results after a few weeks! But I had only three days to work with them, sir, and in my opinion, they've got about as good a chance at success as I do staying out of stasis...sir!" blurted Krunch.
Scanner nodded, typed a few things into his keypad, and continued the interview. "Your honesty is appriciated. Are you saying you believe the team would benefit from additional experience?"
"I doubt it!" he admitted. "The only way they can improve is by totally reprogramming them! You can't squeeze energon from a rock, sir!" Krunch began to feel uncomfortable. He realized too late that if that by criticizing the others, Scanner might think that the sargeant didn't have the skill to train them properly.
"They should be fine if they don't run into a combat situation!" he added.
Type, type. "Understood. So far the opinion as to which Maximal should lead the group is strongly divided. The team is split between selecting Viracide and Silverquick. Tell me, what do you think of the two as possible superior officers, and, if you were asked to break the tie, which would you choose?"
Krunch didn't hesitate for a nanoclick.
"Well, sir.... normally, I'd vote for myself!! But I don't want to have to babysit a sack of mismatched nuts and bolts! Anyway, I wouldn't pick either of them! Viracide is a literal jellyfish!! No resilience!! And Silverquick in his Beast Mode is helpless! A fish out of water! Totally out of his element!! But, Viracide does have the ambition. Out of the group, he was the most eager to train, while the other skid-plates took on a pacifist attitude! On the other hand, Silverquick seems to be more experienced, but not in combat! Since I'm forced to break the tie, I'd choose Silverquick, based on his experience!"
Scanner nodded once, and typed again. "Are you saying you'd be willing to take orders from him, if nessicary?"
"This is designed to be a mission of exploration and diplomacy. However, it could still use the presence of an experienced combatant. Would you be willing to engage and destroy any Predacon interferers if the Maximal government asked you to do so?" Scanner asked the qustion flatly, already knowing the response he would receive.
Before Krunch could answer the first question, Scanner hit him with the second. The second one was easier to answer, so he replied to that.
"Sir, I was programmed to slag those stupid 'Cons! I wouldn't pass up the opportunity if given the chance!" he replied proudly. "As to taking orders from Silverquick, that also part of my programming." the sergeant replied.
He would if he had to. Krunch knew that Silverquick would probably be like all the others. He recalled Snarler's comments about "talking things out." He'd be there to blast away the enemy, while they'd hold him back. But, he'd bear the brunt of all those pacifistic skid-plates if it kept him out of stasis.
Scanner simply nodded and input the information, then looked Krunch in the eye. "Would you be willing to engage and destroy any Decepticon interferers if the Maximal government asked you to do so?" he continued.
"Decepticon...Predacon.... They're all the same to me! Stupid 'Cons! I'll slag 'em all!!" Krunch stated.
Scanner didn't miss a beat. "Would you be willing to engage and destroy any Autobot interferers if the Maximal government asked you to do so?"
"Of course I wo........." there was a bit of a pause in the Maximal soldier's speech. He was tiring of this line of questioning and Scanner just hit a nerve. Krunch dropped all formalities. He leaned down and got in Scanner's face.
"Okay, Skid-Plate! What kind of mission has me slaggin' my own kind???" he demanded. "Now, I want some straight answers, or we're both gonna be in stasis for a long time!!!"
Krunch accented his words by crushing the edge of Scanner's desk with his bare hands.
Scanner barely blinked. He looked back at one of his assisstants, who nodded slightly. "Forgive us," Scanner said flatly. "That is a standard 'benchmarking' question; that is all. We're simply looking for a way to gauge an honest response. We don't actually believe that type of combat will occur."
He typed another phrase into his computer. "You'll be pleased to know that you pass, despite the unfortunate property damage." He pointed to the crack in his desk. "Are you ready to run a mission for us again?"
"I'm not upset.... I just know where my loyalties lie!! I'm ready for any mission you can dish out, sir!" Krunch had returned immediately to his more professional demeanor.
Just be grateful that wasn't your spark housing, skid-plate! the sergeant thought to himself.
I HEARD that, the agent mused, but, of course, Krunch could not hear the response. Scanner sighed.
"Very good. The ship is called the Renegade. It is a Worldseeker class, full size. It will be departing from Port Fourteen tomorrow at ten-hundred hours. Silverquick is being promoted to Lieutenant Commander and is your officer in charge. You and Viracide will be serving as second officers of equal rank. The ship will travel to Maximal Military outpost Cerebros Station, where you will report to General Jaxtrin Aximus for a full mission briefing."
"One of our ranking Citadel researchers is going to be accompanying you as far as the Station. He's gotten restless working on planet and we believe a change of venue may to him some good. ...Kitfox is a mute, but he is stubborn and causes trouble nonetheless. He has some artistic frustrations and occasionally attempts to harm himself, so keep a good watch on him. He'll report to a science officer on the station. Under no circuimstances is he to attend the briefing, or accompany you to the planet. I hope I make myself clear."
"Crystal Clear, sir!! And thank you, sir, for not putting me back in stasis! You won't be sorry.....but I am sorry about the desk.... It was just a reaction... sir!" said Krunch with a hint of excitement.
"Good." Scanner nodded once to his fellow agents, then stood and shook Krunch's hand. "Welcome aboard."
—AF, JA
The Predacon ship was delivered on schedule the evening of the third day. It was tightly tuned, and pristinely vacuumed. Stuttering Blastoff kept him company, but it was Upgrade who stepped whistfully back from the pilot's seat and offered the controls to Paradox.
"That's that. Safe voyage; keep 'er in good shape, or there'll be Pit to pay."
Upgrade took stock of the bridge, and walked over to the computer console. Nightfall was demurely leaning over the edge as she logged on, and Upgrade shook his head slightly before he stood next to her. He leaned into the computer, and spoke in the direction of the console when he talked. "My 'sources' tell me you're all leaving bright and early tomorrow." He sighed. "You know, it's funny. I just get used to the girl, and then she takes off, and now I don't know what shape she'll be in if and when I ever see 'er again." He pointed at the dashboard, but his voice was low. "You take care, sweetheart."
Without making eye contact, he turned away.
Nightfall smiled. "Thanks, I will..." she said softly enough that no one was likely to hear.
Blastoff, up at the pilot console with his old friend, made a slight clicking sound at the boss's behavior. "Weeeeeird. Hey, Pppparadox... I know you're off in a hurry, but I helped you out a little...just a little bit... by putting the hangar frequency in the communications databbbbbb, ddddattttt... You know, LIST." He took a breath. "If you wanna check up on anything homeside while you're out, you can give me a call."
Paradox smiled. "Great Great Great you know I will." He glanced over at Upgrade then at Nightfall, then finally at Blastoff. "Did he just call her 'sweetheart?' But she's ORGANIC!" he said just in a way that only Blastoff could hear.
"I think he was tttalking to the ship," Blastoff said, though he gave Paradox a questioning look. "Right?"
"Never mind, my job is clear. I will see you again. Unless unless unless I perish in battle." Paradox smiled again. "Like that could could could ever happen."
Nightfall finished starting up the computer system to full power. "We're good to go here; I'm heading down to engineering to monitor things." She looked to Upgrade. "Thanks for the good time, Upgrade. When we get back, I might just take you up on that offer..." She blew him a kiss. "Watch yourself."
"Yeah, yeah, I always do." He looked away, a little embarrassed. "Just don't crash my ship."
He changed the subject and called out to Blastoff. "Come on, idiot, let's GO! It's a long flight across the border the old-fashioned way!"
"Right, bbboss!"
Upon leaving the ship, the insects went into beast mode and flew off.
—AF, CB, BB
Warlord Serascar's throne room was still for all but the elegantly dancing flames. Carefully placed torches on the walls lit only certain parts of the large chamber, while other areas were hidden in ink black shadows.
The huge Lord could make out a very faint sound many other Cybertrons would not have picked up. Serascar, however, knew his agents well, and would not be surprised by them.
"Stormclaw," he stated.
The newcomer only just emerged from the darkness of one of the corridors. Red and black Transmetal parts shone as he entered the light. The warrior carried two long swords strapped on his back, and approached the throne with a stealthy but resolute tread. Stopping a few meters in front of his master, he sank to one knee and bowed his head.
"My Lord, it is my wish to find you enjoying a pleasant evening tonight." His voice was both respectful and strong. "I bring you my first report on the other Predacons partaking in our mission, as you requested of me. My Lord shall be pleased to hear all of them are worthy in their own respective ways."
"Excellent," responded Serascar, motioning for Stormclaw that it was acceptable for him to rise. "Continue."
"Of special note is Alpengeist," said Stormclaw as he stood. "The robustness he showed in the battle simulations is impressive. He may one day well be one of the finest Predacon warriors of all, but before that comes to pass we will have to tame his spirit. His temper might prove him fatal, not only to himself, but also to our mission. I shall see to it Alpengeist is brought under our control."
"That would be best. A mercenary tends to work for himself and his own, not simply the good of the Alliance. The mission counts on a strong combatant to lead the charge against any interlopers."
"The other members of our group are each well trained in the functions they were originally chosen for. It is too soon, however, to predict how they shall cooperate as a team. No enmities appear to exist between any of them as of yet."
The Lord raised a brow. "Suspicious. Keep watch, as such things may begin to occur in the stress of the mission."
Stormclaw nodded approval, then continued his report. "Our appointed vessel, the Whisper, is deemed to be in excellent condition by Charmacon, Nightfall and Paradox. Naturally, the engineer Upgrade insisted upon this fact as well." Stormclaw paused for a moment, perhaps to scan Lord Serascar's reaction at the mention of Upgrade's name. The Lord had no verbal response, though he knew a bit of the Chief Engineer, by reputation only, and gave a slight frown. Perhaps the engineer had done much for the Alliance, but he was a scorner of traditions, a ruffian in manner, and had been known to speak poorly of his and other great family names.
"All shall be in readiness for departure tomorrow, my Lord, all according to plan. The Whisper shall in fact take off two megacycles before the Maximal ship launches. After a headstart of ten megacycles, we shall begin our pursuit." Bowing his head once more, Stormclaw waited for the reply of his master.
"Well met, Stormclaw. I expect a report made over ship communications as soon as you discover the Maximals' true destination. I will pass your message on to High Command as you persue them to the secret world."
"It shall be as you commanded, my Lord."
Serascar rose to his feet. "May the pride of the Predacons and the spectre of the Dark Dragon Lord guide you safely to your destination."
Stormclaw bowed his head slighly, then replied, "My humble gratitude for your wishes. I shall not fail you."
With that, the Predacon warrior turned around and disapeared into the darkness.
—DN, AF
Krunch entered Port 14, looking at the Renegade. It had been a while since he was on a Worldseeker class, but it had been a while since he had done much of anything. The sergeant was surprised to hear that he had been in stasis for close to 50 stellar cycles. Needless to say, he had to make up for lost time.
His first night out on the town was absolute bliss. The first bar that he entered caused quite a stir. He sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of "Wheel-Jack" Daniels, which he drained in record time. After that, he lit his first cigar since coming out of stasis, an energon-laced Junkion-rolled Optimal! He enjoyed every long pull on the cigar, slowly blowing the smoke and several different shapes.
It was then that he heard a femme-bot in distress. Apparently, the femme was having a disagreement with her boyfriend, and it didn't take much convincing from Krunch to get the bot to move along and leave the femme alone.
The rest of the night was history. Krunch bought a few drinks for the femme, whom he never asked her name. Next thing he knew, he was in her apartment for an evening of interfacing magic. But that was behind him. He woke up and left before she even stirred. He felt it was better that way.
Using the access code given to him, Krunch entered the Rengade and located the larger bunk area where he would rest. He claimed the bottom bunk for himself. He then made his way to the bridge to check out the ship's weapons array and shielding. He remained there, waiting for the others to arrive.
"Geez big guy, you look like shizz!" Jynx shouted, as he saw the large Maximal arrive on the bridge. Jynx was early. He couldn't get any rest the entire night. He hated to admit it, but he was nervous. Having never left the Zone, his life suddenly became a vortex of new experiences. Stellar travel certainly was one of them. Not to mention that the ongoing presence of Kitfox didn't exactly make the catbot feel any more at ease. He wouldn't turn his back on him for one second, nosirree! "Had a rough night? Yer breath smells like a pleasant mixture of energon tabacco and Wheeljack Daniels. not to mention ye smell like sumthin' else too!" Jynx winked.
Krunch was startled by Jynx's welcome. He didn't think anyone would get there before he did. He continued to check the ship's weapons array, while he answered.
"For your information, skid-plate, what I do on my time is my business!! Besides, I hit the sonics before I got here!!" he said, trying to hide the fact that he did have interests. After thinking for a moment, Jynx probably could smell a lot better than most, considering his beast mode. Anyway, Krunch was here on a mission, not to make friends.
"Whoah big guy!" Jynx exclaimed, "Don't go burst a conduit, OK. We're all on this here trip together, ya know, so we may as well try to get along a bit! Or maybe I hit a soft spot?" Jynx didn't wait for the answer, as he saw the female bot, Digit coming his way. Might make more pleasant conversation.
"Ahh, mute it, you slaggin' Skid-plate..." said Krunch more to himself, as Jynx went over to Digit. The sargeant checked out the weaponry on the Renegade and was disappointed, since there was only a single torpedo launcher. He wondered how such an underarmed ship got called the Renegade in the first place. He then looked up and saw the rest of the crew assembling.
From across the hangar bay, a slender femmebot just emerged from one of the corridors. A rather large container hovered next to here on silent grav-pads. Another robot, very small in size, seemed to enjoy a quiet ride on top of the container. Digit walked towards the Renegade slowly, her body language telling onlookers she was not in a cheerfull mood. Finally, she spotted the other two Maximals arguing. She paused for a moment, as if considering if she would meet up with them first before boarding the spaceship. In the end, she diverted her cargo from its floating course, and headed for Krunch and Jynx.
Snarler appeared just behind Digit. He had thought that he was running late, but seeing that only three of the team had so far turned up he breathed a sigh of relief. He ran to catch up with Digit to say hi but when he caught up with her he noticed she wasn't as cheerful as she had been before.
"Hey Digit, wassup?" he said. "Bit of pre-takeoff nerves? Don't worry about it; you'll be fine. I doubt Maximal command would've assigned you if they didn't think you were the best at your job." He gave Digit a wink before walking over to the others to try and get that bottom bunk off Krunch.
Digit smiled at Snarler. "Yeah, I guess you are right." She looked at the tall Maximal walking beside her, then at the ship. "I must admit that I am very thrilled about this mission. It's just that we have so little idea of what to expect..." The femmebot turned, and saw Jynx approaching. "...On more than one account..." she added, a puzzled looked in her eyes.
Silverquick walked into the hangar, a cargo drone carrying personal effects and the equipment he'd requisitioned... well, the equipment he'd requisitioned that they allowed him to have. He paused for a moment and eyed the starship appreciatively; the Worldseeker-class had sleek lines, designed to maximize subspace flow while traveling at warp. Looking around, Silverquick saw Krunch, Digit, Snarler, and Velocity. He heard a slight scrape and turned to see Jynx, who apparently had been assigned to the team. Very well, thought Silverquick, I'll make up a duty roster while we wait for the others.
Velocity had come in rather late; the High-O in his body had kept him up late for a few nights. He'd had to satisfy himself with falling asleep in front of the television, watching pictures flash by his brain until his optics closed. He'd forgotten most if anything that he'd watched. When he finally had a chance to sleep, he found he had overslept for the day of the mission!
The Transmetal looked around, and saw many friendly faces—Jynx, Digit, Snarler and Viracide. He was unsure of which one to talk to first, but eventually decided that Jynx might need some assurances, since he didn't seem to think this mission was such a good idea. Come to think of it, Velocity might need to be reassured too, after remembering all that Jynx had said. Viracide was talking to some guards—the dog could wait to congratulate him on his new rank. It wasn't leader, like the dog had hoped but it was better than nothing.
"Hey! Jynx, man...how's everythin' goin'?" Velocity burst out...before realizing that he was talking to Krunch. The dog's ears lowered at the big dinosaur-bot, and he glanced at Jynx nervously. "Talk to yah later..?" he mumbled uncertainly. Maybe he would've been better of chatting with Digit, even if she didn't seem like she was in such a good mood...
Jynx burst into a laughter. "Hey little fella, this here bot is like 4 times my size? maybe a little realignment of yer optics would be in place. But anyways I'm just dandy, how's about you?"
When Kitfox arrived, it was not without escort, as two Maximal guards lead him directly to the side of the ship. He broke away from them, scowling like a manhandled diva, and marched into the ship and up to the bridge. For a moment he stood at the helm as if he were in command, then he sat in one of the uncomfortable flat seats, crossing his arms. He took stock of the Maximals already on board, and glared darkly at Jynx.
As Jynx came near Digit, he suddenly saw Kitfox looming up from besides the ship. Jynx was startled for a nanoclick, but then realized the 'bot wouldn't do anything to him, not here with so many witnesses at least. Actually, he held a trump card, as he could reveal his true identity in a flash. So he glared back at him, and decided it would be best to lay low.
More than happy that this ship will probably have some energon refining abilities, compadre, was Velocity's thought as he grinned at his friend. He tagged after Jynx as the bot went over to talk to Digit.
"Hey, everyone's bigger than me, I tend not to notice 'em too much," Velocity was saying, with a slight shrug and a chuckle. "I did see somethin' else though—you glarin' at that bot over there." The dog nodded back to Kitfox. "What's that about?" Velocity's mind raced with so many questions he could barely think of which ones to ask, but he decided that one was the best to start off with.
Viracide followed slightly behind Kitfox. "So, you're Kitfox..." That's all he said, being that it was all he could say. Viracide then turned his thoughts to his promotion. Then he thought of something important and rushed over to the two Maximal guards that brought Kitfox in. "Hey. Uh, did you happen to see a female Maximal outside? She's a cat. Her name is Persia and she works with Transmetal II's. She said she would meet up with me again, before we left."
The guards exchanged a glance. "Is THAT what that was about?" asked one. "We thought she was one of Kitfox's groupees. She's probably still outside trying to work her way in. You can catch her if you hurry."
Viracide started to run outside. "Thanks, guys," he said to the guards as he left. "Oh, Primus please don't leave..." he muttered under his breath. Then he sighted her. "Thank Primus I found you." he said in the cat's direction.
"Hello!!" Persia couldn't resist rushing over and giving Viracide a hug. "I thought I'd missed you! Congratulations on your promotion! I KNEW you had promise.
"Darling, I brought you a parting gift. You knew I wouldn't let you down, right?" She started searching through her equipment bag.
As Persia dug around, her avian sidekick, Maya, rushed to the scene. "Kitfox is here, isn't he? I heard he was LEAVING, and... well..."
"Yes, he's on the ship out. Isn't it a SHAME?" Persia agreed.
"Can you... Viracide, can you ask him something for me?" Maya asked. "ASK him if it's TRUE what he said about that labrat. Because I think she was lying; I don't think it's true! He's NOT a mute, you know," Maya added, lowering her voice to a confidential tone. "He's just TERRIBLY mysterious." She giggled.
"Ah, here we are." Persia offered up a long syringe, capped, and filled with an orange liquid. Maya gasped. "THIS is something we've been working up on the side," Persia explained. "Have you ever heard of a Transmetal II Inhibitor injection? We've been working with the formula to produce something that's just about the opposite. You have to inject it into your spark fluids directly, so be CAREFUL you don't stab yourself, darling... and it will give you a BIG increase in your natural power for a very short time. I was only able to steal...umm...BORROW the one, so don't waste it."
"I CAN'T believe you TOOK that!" Maya sputtered.
"Shh!! Now, of course, it's not TESTED completely, sooo..." She put the syringe in Viracide's hand, and looked up at him apologetically. "We don't think there are any harmful side effects, but you'll probably have to take a nap afterwards. And DON'T let that little DRUGGIE get his hands on it!! There's no telling WHAT this will do to a non-Transmetal-II at this stage of its development.
"And good luck on your trip! We'll all miss you!"
Viracide gave a warm smile. He opened a slot in his arm; his arms were one of the few parts of him that wasn't transparent. He then put the syringe in his arm slot, then closed it. "Don't worry. Velocity will never see it."
The whole thing about Kitfox rushed through his mind. "I'll be sure and ask him, Maya." Then he looked over at Persia: "and I'll keep a close eye on him, too." He looked at the two. He knew that of all the Transmetal II's that have been raised in the that lab, he was the best. He was a matter of pride to all those that worked there. He was a story of inpiration to all Transmetal II's. "I won't let you down," he said to the two. He looked directly into Persia's eyes, his spark visable from his chest gave a bright glow. He had spent most of his young life with her. It was a new stage in his life. All his emotions were drawn out. He approached her and gave her a soft hug. "I'll make you proud."
"Bon voyage, darling," Persia said as she broke the hug.
Maya burst into tears.
"Shut up, Maya," Persia muttered.
"But...it's...so EMOTIONAL!"
The cat sighed. "We'll get some air." She waved good-bye and lead her friend off.
—JA, MdJ, DT, DN, LB, AF
Viracide tapped his arm and heard the syringe rattle inside of it. He was glad to have new toy. He caught one final glance at them then headed for the ship. There it was, the Renegade. He wondered what he was going to do. See what Velocity was up to? Stare at Kitfox? He dicided he would probably talk to his commander first of all. He knew he was really close to becoming commander. But Viracide knew he didn't have any experience; that was his only problem. He had to get some. But Silverquick had got to know what he was doing. He stepped on the bridge. It seemed that everyone was settling in. He sighted Silverquick and walked up to him.
"It's going to be one heck of a ride, huh?" He extended his hand to him. "Second officer Viracide reporting for duty. Well, actually, since there's two second officers maybe both me and Krunch are two and a half officers." Viracide then noticed his rambling may not have made much sense.
Silverquick took Viracide's offered hand. "Actually, I plan to address that now."
Goldstreak had been up for several hours and had taken plenty of time to look the ship over before the others arrived. He was starting to get bored when Velocity arrived, and he decided to go down and join them. He swooped down in beast mode, and maximized at the last minute to land on the deck behind them. "Good morning everyone. Are we ready to go?" His entrence was diminished by the fact most of them were already inside.
After saying his greetings to everyone outside he headed inside and up to the bridge. "Well, Goldstreak is on board; we can get going now." He noticed Kitfox's presence but didn't say anything. Then turning to Silverquick he said. "Permission to take the com, commander? The ship looks in fine shape, and as far as Goldstreak can tell, ready for anything."
Krunch, however, was not so confident, as he groaned slightly at the sight of the rag-tag group.
"I gave up stasis for this?" he asked himself.
"Good morning Krunch," said Snarler as he headed towards the sub-commander, smiling as usual.
As he approached Krunch, he grabbed his hand and shook it. "Well done, sub-commander...or is it general? Actually what do I address you as now?"
Krunch took Snarler's hand and put as much of his strength into it as he could.
"Nothing's changed, peace-pipe! I'm still a sergeant!" said Krunch.
"Very well," he said. "Say, have you heard the news: we're roomies! That will mean we'll get to spend lots of time together, and maybee I can teach you chess if we get some spare time."
When he finished he saw Velocity. "Got to go; need to see the rest of the crew. And good luck, Sir!" he added as he saluted and headed towards Velocity. I'll show him how much fun peace can be, he thought as he left Krunch. After all, he can't be much worse than some of the Predacons I've helped in the past.
"Chess is for skid-plates!" thought the sargeant. He looked up, as Silverquick was ready to speak.
—BB, LB, JA, DT