Tarantulas
Minor
The not-so-friendly neighborhood spider-man
Posts: 398
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Post by Tarantulas on Dec 8, 2009 17:20:14 GMT -5
Tarantulas lies face-up amid the debris scattered about the room. His face is stuck in a grim rictus of terror (or as close as his face can get) with his arms thrown up in front of it. His optic band flares with yellow light as he comes online. "Get away from me!" he shrieks, shoulder-guns firing, the bullets ricocheting off the ceiling. If there's some sort of alarm that detects weapons fire, it probably just went off. After a tense moment, he uncovers his optics and looks around, taking in the room: no scientific equipment, no Fuzor in a web, no horrific ethereal aliens floating toward him. "Hmm. . .this isn't my lair. Some Vok mind-game? . . . No, they sent an emissary to interfere directly, were about to scrap me, they've no need for tricks at this point." He rises to his feet and brushes himself off, knowing where he isn't and wondering where he is. Did the Vok kill him? Is this the Pit? No, not crowded enough. The spider-former can hear the hum of engines in the background. The architecture is wrong for the Ark or the Nemesis, and the ceilings too high for a Maximal or Predacon vessel. "What's going on here?" he asks of no-one in particular.
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Counterpunch
Minor
The Overlord, His Peerless Highness, Arch Duke Counterpunch. The Salient Vanquisher of His Own Mind
What're you looking at?
Posts: 419
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Post by Counterpunch on Dec 8, 2009 23:51:59 GMT -5
There are, indeed, alarms that go off at the weapons fire, although, in addition to the debris, Tarantulas might note that he's also in a (rather large, but with an energy field to account for smaller arrivals) cage - unlike the Autobots, the Decepticons keep their 'arrival rocks' caged by default.
There's also a rather bored Decepticon sitting at a terminal, standing watch over the rocks. When the shots start flying, he immediately falls out of the seat, using the terminal for cover. "What the blazes do you think you're doing?!" he exclaims, then, once the fire ceases, he pushes himself up, his red optics glaring down at Tarantulas rather angrily.
"So. Predacon... one of them weird metal... Transmetals, right? Anyway, who the blazes are you, and what's the last timestamp you remember?"
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 9, 2009 0:16:38 GMT -5
To date, Hellbender has pulled completely boring rock watches. No one, not even a burned-out corpse, has dropped in on his shift. Other people get cat-fighting spider-women and raving Megatron-fanatics. Not Hellbender. He gets to finish reading his exceedingly dull reports and manuals undisturbed, and not disturbing the other guy on watch with him, either.
That was then. This is now.
Hellbender flinchs momentarily, instinctively ducking his head to protect his optics from stray shots. One hand reaches out to slap the arrival alarm, then Hellbender turns to see what has turned up in the cage full of rocks.
He spots the exceedingly colorful spider-con against the dull rocks immediately, the faint sound of legs scraping against rock drawing Hellbender's gaze in the right direction.
"Y'all can calm down in there; shootin' up the walls ain't gonna get you on anybody's 'Atta-boy' list anytime soon," the big, blue-black worm-former rumbles as he stalks over to the forcewall cage. He glances at Counterpunch for a moment; the boy was a bit on the volatile side and Hellbender half-expected him to be drawing down on the new arrival.
Nah, CP isn't even more surly than usual. "You reckon he's one of them there Predacons? 'Nother bug, too. They seem to have a thing for bugs."
The dark purple Decepticon sigil on Hellbender's chest is also deeply incised; otherwise it would be very difficult to pick out of the midnight blue of his chassis. He has the helm and face of a classic Seeker, but a much odder build; two shell-shrouds arc behind him like wings, and his body armor is all curves and banded segments.
"That means we're on the same side and you're on the right ship, so you can holster the weapons, son."
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Post by Ravage (ROTF) on Dec 9, 2009 0:20:05 GMT -5
Ravage, who had been quietly pacing about the room, snarls and darts behind cover as well when Tarantulas arrives. Once the shots quiet and Counterpunch approaches the new arrival, the great cat does likewise.
He eyes the Predacon warily. Another strange one. Mrrrr.
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Tarantulas
Minor
The not-so-friendly neighborhood spider-man
Posts: 398
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Post by Tarantulas on Dec 9, 2009 22:21:50 GMT -5
Tarantulas eyes the three Decepticons, noting the symbols immediately and arching the area that on a more humanoid face might be termed an eyebrow. He looks up at Counterpunch, then up, and up some more at Hellbender, then back down at Ravage. Has Cheetor turned into a Transmetal 3 now? Ah, but they're talking to him. And asking for information instead of giving it. Hardly his preference. "My name is Tarantulas, and yes, I am a Predacon. My last chronometer reading is <Right as he was about to die>." Tarantulas then holds up his hands over his head. "Unfortunately, I can't holster these weapons, as they're attached to my shoulders. Now I don't suppose you could answer my questions, specifically where and when we are?"
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Counterpunch
Minor
The Overlord, His Peerless Highness, Arch Duke Counterpunch. The Salient Vanquisher of His Own Mind
What're you looking at?
Posts: 419
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Post by Counterpunch on Dec 10, 2009 12:22:28 GMT -5
Counterpunch has two Decepticon symbols on his chest. That makes him twice the Decepticon of anyone else here!
The grumpy carcon throws himself back down into his seat and gives a faint shrug of his right shoulder. "You're on 'Ship.' Don't ask which ship. That's the thing's blasted name." He shakes his head faintly and a quick tilt of his head ceilingward suggests eyerolling.
"We're not completely positive about 'when.' Wrong part of the galaxy to make time keeping real easy, but the egghead's calculations have us at around the first quarter of the 21st centry.1 Something's been pulling Transformers outta different times and realities, since obviously we didn't have anything better to do back home or anything." He looks around and rubs his chin. "Actually, I don't think any two people in this room are from the same universe, come to think of it."
1 Of course, Counterpunch uses some Cybertronian time measurement instead, but it's assumed that, like everything else he's saying, the time units have been translated for the reader.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 10, 2009 22:05:18 GMT -5
Hellbender makes notes in the duty log. "Yeah, like he said. You done got jerked clean out of your timeline and history and dumped in Strangeville with the rest of us. Lucky for you, son, you landed in the Decepticon ship, not the Autobot ship. Yeah, it really is named 'Ship'. Some mystery force is pullin' Cons, Bots, Preds and Maximals out of their own time and space and dumpin' 'em here. Hope your affairs are in order, 'cause there ain't no goin' back. "
"Our leader is Shockwave, dunno if that name rings a bell. Some of our security boys are gonna interview you, you'll get assigned a position, a berth, and rations if all goes well. Any questions?"
He also makes a radio call: // Spinister, Needlenose, we got us a new arrival here. Predacon named 'Tarantulas'. //
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Post by Ravage (ROTF) on Dec 10, 2009 22:50:02 GMT -5
Ravage's tail flicks hard as he huffs, scenting to see what stories this one can tell. Every thing has a unique scent, of course, but there are often similar undertones, like shared base beats in music.
A snort and a shake of his head, and the big cat sits, tail curling around. He growls softly over the broadband: //More like the bug than either spider.//
He looks up as Hellbender speaks about an interview. //Mayhems are on planet. Procedure in interim is to assess threat level, provide and gain information. Allow common area access if deemed suitable.//
His head swings back toward Tarantalus, once more focusing that single purple optic on the spider.
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Tarantulas
Minor
The not-so-friendly neighborhood spider-man
Posts: 398
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Post by Tarantulas on Dec 10, 2009 23:21:41 GMT -5
"Different universes? Interesting. . ." Tarantulas taps his chin with a claw, then makes a sniffing noise. "If your local 'eggheads' are unable to come up with a more exact date than that, they're obviously behind the curve." He takes another good long look at the other 'Cons, sizing them up. Counterpunch seems normal enough. He could have walked right out of a history lesson. Same thing goes for Hellbender, the Seeker chassis is recognizable enough, though the worm kibble is unfamiliar. Ravage on the other hand, well, let's just say it takes half the fun out of vivisecting someone if all their parts are already on the outside. Then it finally sinks in just what's happened to him. And the spider-former starts laughing maniacally. "I'm free! Finally free of that wretched prehistoric mudball! No more Opimus Primal with a new body every other cycle! No more treacherous witch! No more Megatron! No more annoying Quickstr-" He stops, and looks up at Hellbender, then resumes looking at no-one in particular and ranting, rubbing his hands together. "Trapped in a foreign reality, now, granted, but on a functioning ship with ample resources to conduct experiments." Tarantulas stops talking to himself and starts talking to everyone else again. "The name Shockwave isn't terribly familiar, I'm afraid." In addition to the normal Predacon scents Ravage might expect (lubricants, metal, a slight organic overtone, that sort of thing) Tarantulas smells like decay. As though maybe he's spent a lot of time killing organics slowly, and hasn't washed his claws afterwards.
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Counterpunch
Minor
The Overlord, His Peerless Highness, Arch Duke Counterpunch. The Salient Vanquisher of His Own Mind
What're you looking at?
Posts: 419
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Post by Counterpunch on Dec 11, 2009 9:36:47 GMT -5
Counterpunch makes a snorting noise, despite his lack of any obvious nose-structure.
"Or could just be I never cared enough to remember more exactly than that," he shrugs. "All I care about is 'not where I was, something close to when I was.'"
He watches quietly as Tarantulas... celebrates being pulled into another reality? Then he makes a growling, sighing noise. "Great, another crazy," he grumbles, pondering if he should mention to Tarantulas the dangers of dissing anyone named 'Megatron' around Lugnut.
Naw. Better to sit back and watch the fun.
"Anyways, Shockwave, in addition to being in charge, is one of our behind-the-curve eggheads," he says, jabbing a button that brings up a hologram of the current Decepticon leader. Oddly, this leader has no Decepticon symbols. "Not my reality, but he looks it. Mostly. Seconds are Starscream and Scourge. Yeah, two of 'em. I think Starcream is my reality, pre-dead years. The black one, not so much." Another jab, two more holograms. Then Counterpunch slams his hand down on two more buttons, and Shockwave, Scourge, and Starscream are replaced by two more of roughly G1-type style but far more lurid color schemes: one is fuschia and teal, while the other in lavender, gray, and blue. "Spinister and Needlenose, collectively called the Mayhems. They'll probably be doing your security interview, but they're busy right now. And if you're into experiments, I imagine you'll be reporting to Hook." And then, a hologram of the Constructicon appears.
Counterpunch looks up at Tarantulas. "If you got any questions, I'll try to pretend to care."
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 11, 2009 23:07:18 GMT -5
"Your enthusiasm is almost catching, Counterpunch," drawls Hellbender. "Lord Shockwave ain't quite my Shockwave, but close enough. Same for Starscream; spooky how he's almost the same, but not quite. Mayhems come from my reality." "You're in luck, we ain't got a Megatron. 'Course, my Shockwave defeated both Megatron and the entire Earth contingent of Autobots single-handedly, so don't think you got a license to run amuck just 'cause old helmet-head ain't here," Hellbender gives Tarantulas a friendly warning. "The 'Bots have an Optimus Prime, but he's a short-pint greenhorn, nothin' like the guy from mah universe. On the other hand, he don't seem like the type to blow his CPU out over a video game, and he's crazy-brave, so he might be dangerous when he gets more trainin'. Instead, they got Emirate Xaaron leadin' them, which is much worse. He's a sneaky bastard, and from my reality. Woulda been a hell of a Decepticon; instead, he's our worst enemy. Seriously." "So what's your area of expertise? I'm guessing scientist if you experiment, but there's specialities," Hellbender remarks. "Ah'm thinkin' you'll probably go with Hook's division first, 'less you're a spook type." He peers down at the spider. "And you ain't the first Predacon we've seen. Reckon the others know who you are?" And how well does the spider react to that possibilty? Hellbender makes another radio call.
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Post by Ravage (ROTF) on Dec 12, 2009 9:39:27 GMT -5
Ravage listens patiently as Counterpunch and Hellbender give the new mech the verbal tour de command. The cat does tilt his head again toward Hellbender. Why such a need to extol the abilities of Shockwave? Worry? Insecurity? Pride? The commander seems no better or worse for the job than those who lead Ravage in his own reality, though perhaps this Shockwave is less fanatical in some ways.
Another snort. //He smells like death.//
No, Ravage doesn't care that Tarantulas ought to be able to hear him, if the spider has a working radio.
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Tarantulas
Minor
The not-so-friendly neighborhood spider-man
Posts: 398
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Post by Tarantulas on Dec 12, 2009 11:29:19 GMT -5
"The Megatron I'm familiar with was. . .or is, I suppose, a pretender to the name. He's nothing more than a rogue and a criminal who defied the will of the Tripredacus Council. Brilliant, yes, but foolish in that regard," replies Tarantulas as he bends down to pick up one of the smaller rocks from the floor and examine it. "I couldn't care less who's in charge, as long as they're not completely incompetent and give me the freedom I need to do my work. Speaking of which, yes, I am a scientist, and I fancy myself a bit of an inventor as well." There's no need to tell anyone about the secret police agent part of his job description yet. That can wait for the interview with the Mayhems.
Tarantulas chuckles and turns to Ravage. "Why, thank you."
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Counterpunch
Minor
The Overlord, His Peerless Highness, Arch Duke Counterpunch. The Salient Vanquisher of His Own Mind
What're you looking at?
Posts: 419
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Post by Counterpunch on Dec 12, 2009 22:10:23 GMT -5
As Hellbender extols the virtues of Shockwave, Counterpunch pffts.
"Sometimes, Hellbender, you are like a low-key Lugnut for Shockwave," he rumbles boredly, offering a quick nod to acknowledge Ravage's comment. He looks back down at Tarantulas, then up at the others.
"So we letting him out, or does he rot?" he asks in a tone that suggests that either one is fine with him.
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Hellbender
Major
Mecha-Shai-Hulud
"Seriously."
Posts: 892
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Post by Hellbender on Dec 13, 2009 11:59:59 GMT -5
Hellbender gives Counterpunch a sour look. "The difference is, mah metaprocessors are fully functional, and Ah ain't gonna try to blow up the ship because you don't fall down and worship Shockwave--which would look right silly of you, anyway. It's outright treason Ah get really riled up about, though blithering stupidty what gets our own killed does makes me a bit testy. That's why Ah slugged Lugnut." Hellbender is simply being honest about what really pisses him off. Anything that hits close to home with those present is pure coincidence. He turned back to Tarantulas. "Ah'm temporarily assignin' you to Hook. He's the head of science and engineering, an' you'll find he's very competent and a perfectionist. He's also in charge of logistics, so he'll assign your berthing." Pursuant to that, he sends a radio message to Hook. "Counter-P, Ah figure we can let him out of the cage, just so long as he don't go wanderin' off by hisself. Tarantulas, just hang on until Ah get your escort sorted out." By which he means 'waiting on a reply from Hook, because Ah know Hook hates surprises'.
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