Airazor
Rookie
"Airazor, you have to let go," Tigatron said with a slight smirk.
Posts: 186
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Post by Airazor on Sept 18, 2008 10:36:33 GMT -5
Airazor had transformed when the others had, though she kept in the air. "If it does stay, though, it could possibly be a distraction to the other side."
When Kup tries to shoo it away, Airazor transforms back to add in her own beast mode's call. Though foreign (to the Gillanan beast) in nature, it is still the call of a large, confident predator.
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 18, 2008 20:49:40 GMT -5
The large purple throon rushed at Kup, stopping just short of the gray-green robot, and made a series of threatening swings with its clawed forearms. As Dead End strode up as well, the feathered centauroid pivoted and twisted to one side, trying to face both of the robots.
Dead End drew his sword--a Transformer-sized katana--and held it out, prodding gently at the creature. "Begone, creature. This is no place for you."
The throon opened swiped at the sword, claws chunking against the blade to no result. It backed up a few yards and opened its jaws wide for a final booming cry, then bolted suddenly into the brush upslope.
Dead End watched after it for a few minutes and then sheathed his sword. "I do not think it liked the odds," he said, turning his head up to watch Airrazor soar by.
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Post by Kup on Sept 19, 2008 16:54:49 GMT -5
As the creature puts on its display, Kup stands firm and glares up at the creature, firsts clenched in irritation, trusting to his thick hide to protect him should any of the swings make contact - one does, and lightly scrapes across his armor, but it doesn't look to be particularly calculated or intentional.
When the creature runs, and Dead End makes his comment, Kup turns back towards him and nods. "Looks like." He looks up at Airazor, then back at Dead End. "Not a serious threat, outside of the noise they might make. Doubt they're liable to approach large groups. We'll have to just keep them in mind if we use this area, maybe have the aerial folks," he nods towards the Maximal, "keep an eye out. It'll be just like tracking the tyllizaagros of Pharlion 5."
He falls forward into a transformation. "Let's get over to the gorge proper. You're saying the walls are messing up your returns? Good. I want to find the spot where they're at their most confused." His engine starts, and he gets moving.
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 23, 2008 16:53:35 GMT -5
Dead End gave Kup a curious look. "Can't say I've ever been there. Alas, my short career has been limited to Earth, Cybertron, and the two shades of Gillanan III."
He folded up into a Porche again and followed Kup as they drove down the rough track into the canyon. Said track was apparently intended for six-legged mules or dirt bikes, but the Stunticon managed.
"There, where the canyon forks--that area is the worst. The forked canyon and the stack at the fork bounce my returns around in a most confusing way," Dead End pointed out. "Oh, and that stack looks less than stable. A strong robot might be able to push it over on someone."
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Post by Kup on Sept 24, 2008 21:30:58 GMT -5
"Or in the way, to block off retreats," Kup muses, agreeing. "It'll be like the ambush on Crynus Six." He then transforms and turns towards Dead End, faint grin touching his expression. "Only we'll be the ones doing the ambushing." He then takes a few steps towards the chasm, muttering, "Which is good. We took a lot of losses that day..."
He falls quiet, expression distant as he studies the canyon, committing it and its angles to memory. At least part of his mind is still elsewhere, however, as he comments, "Did you know Crynian rockbats are attracted by loud noises?"
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 25, 2008 20:49:02 GMT -5
Dead End returned to robot mode and looked around, also committing the angles and reflections to memory--not just visually, but the tangled radar image as well.
"Even with the advantage of surprise, we will probably take grievous losses from the Demon Prime and his henchbots," Dead End said, keeping his tone even. He actually thought that the Prime would kill them all, but he didn't want to depress this particular Kup before battle. Bad for morale and all that.
"However, I care not if I survive so long as we end his reign of destruction." He stared downstream for a long while. "I believe I have the false returns sorted out from the true; I may have the advantage on my counterpart so long as he does not have a chance to scout here."
He glanced at Kup, curious. "No, I cannot say that I do. Earth bats are oft confused and discomfitted by loud noises."
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Post by Kup on Sept 26, 2008 19:21:30 GMT -5
"Oh, right, right. Well, they're not quite the same things, exactly," Kup explains idly. "For one thing, rockbats are a lot bigger. For another, they've got more teeth. And, erm, more mouths." He leans over the edge of the canyon, examining the floor, then lifts his head and looks down it. "Yeah... this'll do nicely..." he murmurs.
Then he straightens and looks sharply at Dead End. "You know, lad, it's all well and good for you to be ready to die for your cause, but your goal should be to get as many of /them/ to die for it as possible. The fight's not lost yet, and while we need to brace ourselves for the worst, if we're assuming that's what we're going to get we're lost before we get started."
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 28, 2008 19:06:52 GMT -5
Dead End removed his visor and battle-mask, the threat past for now. He gave Kup a peculiar look, and said wearily, as if explaining something he's explained many times before, "Soon or later, all roads end.'Tis inevitable. What matters is getting done what needs to be done before this road gives out. Pretending that the road 'goes forever on' is self-delusion, and leads to pointless, futile actions that waste precious time we do not have to waste."
Dead End continued with just the faintest ghost of a smile, "If one assumes the worst, one may often be pleasantly surprised. If one is prepared for the worst, anything else can only be an improvement. Or as Wildrider is fond of pointing out, after I've analysed all the ways a mission can go pear-shaped, it's all uphill from there."
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Post by Kup on Sept 28, 2008 19:55:39 GMT -5
"Time well-lived is not time wasted, lad," Kup answers, his own tone also tired, as though he's explaining something he has many times before.
And odds are, his "many times" are a lot more many.
"Though I gotta say," Kup chuckles, "usually when I'm dealing with someone as young as you, the problem is that they're determined they're going to live forever, not that they're so focused on dying."
The veteran drops down into vehicle mode. "I gotta say, though, while it may work for you, most people who go into a fight figuring they've already lost don't perform their best, potential for 'pleasant surprises' aside."
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 28, 2008 20:45:27 GMT -5
Dead End followed Kup's cue and transformed back into handsome European sports-car mode. "I have noticed that my fellows do not share my awareness of inevitable mortality. They consider me a pessimist. I consider myself a realist. I have always been such a realist, thus one battle is no more daunting than another."
The Porsche's engine purred reassuringly as he idled beside Kup. "You are, of course, referring to the morale issue of expecting defeat. I do not expect defeat; I simply do not expect to survive. Thus, I feel obliged to get as much done as soon as possible."
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Post by Kup on Sept 28, 2008 21:59:13 GMT -5
Kup's engine starts. So many places to check out, so little time.
"I was referring to the morale issue of assuming the worst is predestined," Kup answers. "Sounds like in your case, that'd be death without victory. But if you're determined to put your all into it, I don't see as anyone else can ask any more."
He starts driving off, probably to the next point of interest.
"But Dead End, you don't need to tell me about 'realism.' I've been around long enough to know plenty 'bout what's real. I'm well aware of the potential for casualties, lad."
OOC: Don't really expect to actually RP out ever stop. We can continue this as long as it's interesting, though.
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Sept 28, 2008 22:18:23 GMT -5
Where Kup led, Dead End followed, offering his insights and radar vision on the situation. Indeed, there were many places to check out--narrow passes through coastal hills, sinkhole-pitted farmland, a radar installation on a hilltop....
"Indeed." A moment later, he continued, "Megatron created us to be courageous warriors in his cause. Without the hope of, if not victory, at least accomplishment, of at least standing for something worthwhile, there could be no true courage. I am not experienced enough to know if I am blessed or cursed in my awareness of the inevitable course of things--but it would truly be a curse if I had this awareness, yet had no hope of accomplishing anything. If I saw all actions as pointless and futile, because all roads come to the same end, disregarding what may happen on the journey..."
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Post by Kup on Oct 2, 2008 19:21:16 GMT -5
But they don't wander too far away! Because Kup can only go 100 miles per hour.
"Ah," Kup answers cheerfully in response to Dead End's descriptions. "So in other words, like your alternate, huh?"
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Dead End-3
Cadet
"We who are about to die salute you"
Posts: 63
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Post by Dead End-3 on Oct 2, 2008 20:21:40 GMT -5
Dead End braked hard, rocking to a stop. "Oh dear. Is that what my other self is like? Poor bastard. How does he even fight?"
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Post by Kup on Oct 2, 2008 21:44:34 GMT -5
"Huh-wha-?!" At Dead End's sudden breaking, Kup skids to a stop, intentionally throwing his back wheels around so he's now facing the Stunticon. "What's wr- oh." The pick-up makes a snorting noise. "You're just overreacting." He backs up, then drives forward so he can turn around.
"He generally fights with his tires, forcefields, and guns," the veteran answers grumpily as he gets moving again. "Manages to find some motivation in a fight. S'pose he just likes violence. Don't let what I said before lead you to underestimate him."
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