Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Jan 27, 2008 21:51:01 GMT -5
Takes place after all the training and the tower threads are done. Also occurs shortly after the events of Perceptor Updates Kup and the refugees have been settled, however that might go down.
There's a small park near the base, and Botanica has been spending some time attempting to identify the flora found there. That childing, Holi, had found a book that seemed to bo one on horticulture and given it to her. She may not be able to read the names proper, but having it as a referance didn't hurt. At least, it had several pictures and diagrams.
A small sigh escapes her. There was something she was putting off, though in her defense she had been busy, what with being placed second in a division, then being promptly flung into commmand of said division for an indetermiante amount of time. And then that business with Perceptor's invention and the doppelgangers. She shakes her head. Really she needs to get this out of the way.
//Rattrap? Airazor? If you are not busy, could you meet me at <insert coordinates>? We have things to discuss.//
|
|
Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
|
Post by Rattrap on Jan 27, 2008 22:40:13 GMT -5
Rattrap doesn't exactly hurry to meet Botanica; travelling in beast mode ensures that even if he had decided to make haste, he wouldn't be arriving in a timely fashion anyway. When she called him and Airazor, she'd used a tone that told him whatever it is she wants to discuss, it won't be the weekly forecast. Considering the last chunk of bad news he got care of a chick from the future, he can't say he's thrilled to hear what Botanica has to say.
…Well, okay, so he can say it, but sarcasm that thick would choke a sandmanta.
Then there's the matter of Botanica just rubbing his fur the wrong way. She knows him, and pretty well if he's judged correctly. He still doesn't know a heck of a lot about her; this is partially his own fault for stifling his curiosity and mostly avoiding her when he can, but hey, he's a division second, too. He has an excuse! Kinda.
"Rattrap – Maximise," he says and doesn't miss a step from beast mode to robot on his way deeper into the park. He supposes it's fairly cozy… in a distant alien planet, we're all marooned here and might die here sort of way. All they need are a few more palm trees and some canned laughter to really make it a party, he decides, strolling around a bend in the path. No wonder Botanica picked this place; trees and hedges and flowers all over the place. She must feel right at home nestled in the middle of that flower bed up there, perching oh so prettily on that rock.
No, not pretty like that.
"Hey there, Lily-legs," he greets with a jaunty wave. "Thanks fer not siccin' a fly trap on me." Yet.
|
|
Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
|
Post by Airazor on Jan 27, 2008 22:53:36 GMT -5
Airazor had been a bit further away from the location than Rattrap, off in the forest. That means she arrives about the same time as him, though, with her faster beast mode. She has been curious as to what Botanica knows about their future, but hasn't intruded, as she knows Botanica's been busy. She wonders how Botanica's unusual form came about... and about what that means for them.
She transforms and lands in the clearing, glancing around at the plants. Tigatron would have been able to figure out more about the plants' biology, but she had learned a few things from him in the months before she wound up here. Either way, they are quite beautiful.
Airazor smiles and nods to first Rattrap, and then Botanica. "You wanted to talk?"
|
|
Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Jan 28, 2008 13:52:17 GMT -5
Whatever reaction Rattrap expected to garner from Botanica with that ridiculous nickname, it is highly improbable that the sad smile and the and almost tender look she turns on him was it. "That's a new one. I still think I prefer 'Sprouts,' she says, then visibly composes herself. Really, she has to get used to the idea that this is not and will never be the Rattrap she knows. Given what she's observed since her arrival- well, she has to wonder is the reformatting also affected the Maximal personalities a bit. When Airazor arrives, she smiles and nods, "Yes, I did. I doubt I have much either of you actually want to hear, but I did promise you both a chance to ask me questions."
"I will start by saying that I was not a part of the engagement on Earth. I was part of a separate crew, on a similar mission to your own, Rattrap. It has only been relatively recently that i returned to Cybertron. So any information I have on the events of the beast wars is second hand, garnered from either Cheetor or Ra- the Rattrap I know. With that in mind, perhaps it will be easier to simply answer your questions, then extrapolate as nessacary."
|
|
Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
|
Post by Rattrap on Jan 28, 2008 18:30:17 GMT -5
Now, Rattrap isn't the type of guy who can be called compassionate; he's a jerk and he knows it. It's just one of his many and varied charms. He has a singular knack for brushing off the troubles of others and he's spent decades cultivating it. He's actually pretty proud of himself for that, too. Makes his work a whole lot easier sometimes. But something about the way Botanica looks at him is like a fist right in the gut.
It's because she's a chick, he decides, shaking it off quickly. Keeping it out of mind is always harder with kids or chicks involved.
"Yeah, it ain't like the Axalon was the only science ship out 'n' about," he says dismissively as he picks a comfy-looking tree and props himself against it, twining his fingers behind his head and crossing his ankles. Reclining while standing is a fine art and Rattrap is its master. "Arright, if you're gonna answer questions, here's one fer starters… what's wit' dis techno-organic thing? How'd dat happen?" He'll save questions about 'the Rattrap she knows' for later if he decides he wants to know. At least he knows he's alive even further in the future than Airazor could tell him. Botanica hasn't mentioned many names so far, though. Who else besides Cheetor and Rattrap is around with her? What about Rhinox, or Optimus? Slag, even Dinobot. Who all got off that stupid rock anyw–
Wait. That stupid rock was–?
"Hold it, hoooooooold it!" This is where the record scratch goes. Rattrap narrows his optics skeptically at Botanica, mouth twisting into his characteristic look of suspicious bafflement. "Maybe my hearin' ain't so good these days. Too many bombs goin' off inna general vicinity'll do that to ya. But I coulda sworn I just heard you say 'Earth'." You know, Earth. That planet the Elders declared off-limits. The one with the humans crawling all over it. Last Rattrap checked, he hadn't spotted a single human on that lousy backwater undeveloped nightmare of a planet.
|
|
Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
|
Post by Airazor on Jan 28, 2008 21:43:42 GMT -5
Airazor knows the expression Botanica gives Rattrap, because she herself had given similar ones to Tigatron's retreating back early on, when he was still insisting on working alone. Whatever Botanica's relationship with the Rattrap of her time is, Airazor will likely hear about it eventually. She can make an educated guess, though. Airazor hopes that if Tigatron ever does show up here, he's from late enough that he does at least know her for a friend...
Some girls-only commiserating time might be appropriate after this. If Botanica wants to, anyways.
She nods at Rattrap's question. "I'm curious as well. You mentioned before it was based from our ability to use organics as templates for alternate modes?"
|
|
Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Jan 30, 2008 11:26:18 GMT -5
"Yes, you were on Earth, Rattrap. Prehistoric Earth. A ripple in time interacted with the transwarp drives on the Axalon and the Darksyde, sending both ships into the past. No, I do not know or even understand the whys and wherefores of it all; Primal seemed to think it was deliberate, that it was necessary in order to bring organic DNA back to Cybertron. It is my understanding, however, that had you all not been displaced in time, then Earth would have had a much different evolution, and possibly so would we, all things considered."
"As for 'what's wit did techno-organic thing'," Botanica says, in a passable imitation of Rattrap's accent, "Short version: Cybertron was at it's core an organic planet. Megatron wished to wipe the stain of organics from the Cybertron. The planet... disagreed.
Botanica shrugs, vines rustling as she shifts position on her rock, the placement of her vines now giving the impression of legs crossed under a skirt, her hands resting in her lap. "But that dos not really answer your question, does it?"
"You were returning from Earth, Primal, you, Cheetor, Rhinox, Silverbolt, and Blackarachnia." A pause here, "She is a Maximal, now, Rattrap. What was done to her has been undone." Botanica tilts her head at Airazor, gives the falcon a serious look. "I am sorry," is all she says.
"Megatron was your prisoner. Something happened, some malfunction, and Megatron slipped free and into an earlier point in the time line. He conquered Cybertron, forcibly removed the sparks of every inhabitant and imprisoned them. He desired order, you see." The sarcasm in those few words is razor sharp. "When you all finally made it through the timestream, he was ready, having crafted a virus which reverted you all back to your original organic modes, locking you there. The virus was corrupting your systems, forcing you into stasis lock."
"Primal was guided to the Oracle, and it reformatted him, yourself, Cheetor, and Blackarachnia into a technorganic blend which was immune to the virus, and, at least in Beast mode, could not be detected by Megatron's drones."
Botanica pauses here, giving them time to digest what she has said. And waiting for the one question from Rattrap that she really does not want to answer.
|
|
Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
|
Post by Rattrap on Jan 31, 2008 20:52:09 GMT -5
Oh. Prehistoric Earth. See Rattrap. See Rattrap make a sourer face than usual. That means there isn't even a Maximal Council extant for Rattrap to curse over the stupid pursuit that got them there. The rest of the gobbledygook about evolution flies right over his head, registering just long enough for him to wonder what part, exactly, of their situation the boss monkey could think was deliberate, except for how he jumped on that pursuit order.
Cybertron has an organic core. Uh-huh. Great. Bigger problem: Megatron with the power and freedom to pull off any idea that nuts. And since when was mechanical purity his game? He's just some stupid petty Pred crook.
"No," mutters Rattrap, crossing his arms over his chest, "dat really don't answer my question. But do go on." And she does! Imagine that. He's actually surprised, considering how stuffy and avoidant she's been, that they're getting such a straight explanation out of her. Not that he can complain on that point. Or that they apparently get off that rock. That's probably the best news regarding the future he's heard since he got here– Wait, what?! The spider left with the Maximals? He scowls and opens his mouth to tell Botanica just what he thinks of that little tidbit – and no, it won't be very complimentary – but she cuts him off instead. His scowl deepens and he hisses under his 'breath'. Attentive Maximals will hear the sound for what it is: "Once a Pred, always a Pred." He doesn't know any Silverbolt, but the absence of Tigatron's name catches his attention, as does the apology to Airazor. She isn't named among the escapees, either. This means one thing to Rattrap: Airazor doesn't make it. And either Nature Cat stays behind on Earth when the rest of them do the sensible thing and go home, or he bites it somewhere down the line, too. Great.
The details of their homecoming force away that brief, almost pained look on Rattrap's face as he looks sidelong at Airazor, his expression going flat at first, then furrowing once more into a scowl, this one edged with outrage. Megatron – that slag-sucking maniac goes off the deep end! All of Cybertron?! Everyone?! Taking their sparks and – and how could they just let him get away? They had him!
"…The Oracle, huh?" Rattrap echoes through a clenched jaw. His crossed arms hide the fists he's making. Whatever this Oracle thing is, it's what saves their behinds and starts this technorganic malarkey? Okay, he'll bite. It keeps him and the others from dying, at least.
The others. Silverbolt goes unnoticed; it's the other missing name that throws up every last red flag in Rattrap's book. His face goes slack and he pushes himself away from the tree. There's no coolness, no composure that can hide the concern as he stares at Botanica. She said they were all in danger of stasis lock – dying if Megatron got his mitts on them, that spark-jacking freak – and she left out Rhinox. It can't be. Rattrap tells himself it'd never happen. There's just no way Big Green–
"Rhinox," he croaks. "What about Rhinox?"
|
|
Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
|
Post by Airazor on Feb 2, 2008 22:14:01 GMT -5
Airazor nods in response to Botanica's apology, her lips pressing together tightly. Thoughts and emotions whirl inside of her... When did it happen? How did it happen? Was she protecting the planet or her friends, or was it just a bad accident?
...Was she with Tigatron?
Her optics shut off and her head tilts forward as she tries to pull herself together, her hands trembling faintly. She wants to know...but she can't ask. Botanica made it clear that she knew very little about what happened in the Beast Wars, and there's no one else from after Airazor's own time that could let her know. And getting angry at Botanica wouldn't help at all, since it's not the plant-former's fault.
Her head shoots up at Rattrap's croak. Rhinox? Something happened to him as well? No...
|
|
Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Feb 3, 2008 2:11:58 GMT -5
"I...think perhaps you understand now why I have not been particularly eager for this conversation," Botanica says softly, her hand clenched in her lap, her eyes downcast, refusing to meet either of the others' gazes. " I know how close the two of you were, Rattrap."
She looks up, Rattrap's distress prompting her to reach out, but she lets her hand fall before completing the gesture. He is enough like her own that she is certain he would not appreciate it. She lets her gaze move to Airazor, and here she wishes she knew more, had pressed the others for information. But they seldom discussed the ones left behind, the ones lost, not with her. But she does know Rhinox's fate, and now the question is how much to tell and how much to not.
With a sigh and a shake of her vines, Botanica continues, now staring off over their heads, "Rhinox and Silverbolt's sparks were taken by Megatron. He used their sparks, and the spark of Waspinator to create three Vehicon generals, subverting their original selves with a rather complex shell program. Similar to what was done to Blackarachnia, come to think of it, but decidedly more advanced. It was you who discovered Tankor housed Rhinox's spark."
"You...did not take it well. Particularly when he refused...," Botanica breaks off, "His spark has rejoined the Matrix. I can tell you the particulars if you wish; it is one story you shared with me in detail. You will not enjoy having such knowledge, and I will enjoy the telling even less so. But it is your choice."
|
|
Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
|
Post by Rattrap on Feb 5, 2008 2:41:53 GMT -5
Oh, so Botanica knows how close Rattrap and Rhinox are, huh? And it's are, not were, slag it. The spy alternates between clenching his fists – his jaw, his whole body – and feeling various cables and servos go limp and dead with numb shock. Rhinox… caught by Megatron and then he – his spark just… used. And then he dies. It isn't fair. It isn't fair to Rhinox! That lousy kind of end isn't fair!
"He refused… what, exactly?" Going down without a fight? That'd be typical of Rhinox. Steady, dependable, stubborn old Rhinox.
Second thing Rattrap's doing when he gets back to Earth, because first comes warning the other Maximals and third goes some quality time with his pal, is he's paying a visit to the Pred base with several kilos of explosives. And they're all going in Megatron's CR tub. Frag the timestream, frag protocol, frag the Elders and their blasted capture orders. That thing doesn't deserve to live. Rhinox deserves to live. And Rattrap's probably gonna regret asking just what else happened, but angry as he is, he has to know.
|
|
Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Feb 9, 2008 1:21:20 GMT -5
Skipping Airazor per player request. Any posing of Airazor done w/ player permission
Well, this is going about as well as trying to transplant an immature Traveling Chyrstimel without handguards. Though in this case, Botanica doubts she'll heal these wounds as easily. Airazor seems about to shut down from shock, but considering her rather uncertain future, that is not surprising. And Rattrap...Rattrap tends to shoot the messenger.
But he asked....
"He seemed to recognize you and Cheetor, after you unlocked his buried memories, but the Tankor personality was too strong. He didn't want to remember. The two of you were all for just...overwriting that back to Rhinox's baseline. Primal disagreed, said that would be as bad as what Megatron did, because it would not be Rhinox's choice."
"But apparently he did make a choice."
Botanica does her best to lock her eyes with Rattrap's optics, trying to show that she is being truthful as much as she knows. "It is my understanding that Rhinox told Primal at some point that he felt Megatron was right. That organics of any sort had no place on Cybertron, that he had seen they brought only strife. Rhinox, he...," Botanica's voice goes very soft, "he attempted to to usurp Megatron's position, by pitting him and Primal against each other. Cybertron...you told me Cyberton was almost destroyed.1"
The look in her eyes is pleading. Knowing Rattrap well enough to know his reactions does not preclude her from begging for a different one.
1 This is a paraphrasing of secondhand knowledge gained from biased sources. Inaccuracies are to be expected.
|
|
Rattrap
Major
Sarcasm as a Lifestyle
Posts: 695
|
Post by Rattrap on Feb 12, 2008 1:16:27 GMT -5
Rhinox… chose. That part hammers its way through the chorus of loathing and vengeful thoughts ringing in Rattrap's mind. Rhinox chose against the other Maximals. Against his friends. And Rattrap's supposed to believe this?
"No." The spy shakes his head, frowning bitterly. "No way would Rhinox do that. Whoever it is you're talkin' about, lady, it ain't Big Green." And Botanica can make the big eyes at him until they all get back home. Doesn't matter how soulful a look she makes, he won't – can't – just swallow this news. Not happening.
|
|
Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
|
Post by Airazor on Feb 13, 2008 16:09:21 GMT -5
That shakes Airazor out of her shock, at least a little bit. "Rattrap right... No way he would do that." Not the same mech who nearly killed himself to bring her online.
|
|
Shanodin
Major
The Chamberlain, Her Chivalrous Immensity, Lady Botanica. The Unyielding Vanquisher of Weed Killer
This is NOT her field of dreams
Posts: 700
|
Post by Shanodin on Feb 14, 2008 15:54:53 GMT -5
"Technically, you are both correct. It wasn't Rhinox, not the Rhinox you know, at any rate. That is the way you all chose to acknowledge it, remembering him as a fallen comrade, not the twisted creature Megatron had turned him into."
The words are even. She is more composed, now, having told the worst. At least the worst from Rattrap's point of view. There are other things, such as how Primal died, the hate plague variant, the time Rattrap himself begged help of Megatron. But all of that had paled for her Rattrap in comparison to the situation with Rhinox. That might not be the case here, but still. It is done.
"What else would you like to know?" she asks, opening the door for more conversation if the two wish, and also attempting to turn the focus elsewhere.
|
|