Sideswipe
Apr 7, 2019 16:49:35 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2019 16:49:35 GMT -5
PLAYER INFO
Name/Alias: Jaxrond
CHARACTER INFO
Name: Sideswipe
Age: Human Equivalent- mid to late 20’s
Gender: Mech
Species: Cybertronian
Faction: Autobot
Original Occupation: Law Enforcer
Occupation/Specialization: Autobot frontliner
Appearance:
Standing somewhere between Ratchet and Breakdown’s heights, Sideswipe a fairly large Autobot. His frame is suited for the heavy frontline combat he’s accustomed to and, yet, maintains an almost sleek appearance as well. Bright red with silver and black accenting, stealth is usually not his strong suit, though, he fares better than his brother. His armor plating is extensive on his upper half, covering his arms, chassis, and back. A small section around his abdomen is left bare. Black belt-like armor shields his hips and groin. Then the armor continues from his lower thighs down to his pedes, breaking briefly to allow free movement in his knees. His shoulders are formed by his front wheels while his back wheels act at the heels of his pedes. His Autobot symbol is on his chest, in clear sight. The only visible weapon he has is a large, mounted rocket launcher on his right shoulder. Sideswipe’s servos are formed of five rather standard digits. They are not long and thin, nor are they short and fat. They are made for combat, and that is what they have been used for most often. That said, the plating around his knuckles is very thick, suitable for the amount of punching he does.
Sideswipe’s black helm is very unique in its form. His nasal strut runs from the center of his faceplate, up his helm, and then tapers off near the top. The helm itself is rounded from front to back, but somewhat flat on the sides. Sideswipes audio receptors are formed of two blocky structures on either side of his helm. They are curved enough to cover the sides of his faceplate and extend enough upward to have an almost antenna-like appearance. His faceplate, though as angular as any Cybertronian, has a boxier shape than most. His optics are a bright and often cheerful blue.
Altmode: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster
Flashy, shiny, and fast, Sideswipe’s alt form is exactly how he likes it. Though not as ostentatious as his brother, some of Sunstreaker’s taste has leaked through their split-spark bond and influenced his selection of alt modes.
History:
Back on Cybertron, both Sideswipe and his brother were law enforcers for the Senate. They were sparked at the tail end of the Golden Age, just before the turn to the caste system. The twins were an anomaly from their first days on the planet. Created as two individual entities sharing a spark, they were the cause of much curiosity for many, specifically within the science and medical community, as were other split-spark pairs of the time. Any data concerning the pair was carefully studied and documented without causing damage to the twins themselves, as intrusive experimentation was still completely taboo.
Both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were still young when they joined the Cybertronian law enforcement, both being naturally drawn to peacekeeping and the prospect of a scuffle. As they trained, it quickly became apparent that they were very talented in the field of law enforcement and were fast learners when it came to picking up skills. Enough so that their respective personality flaws were overlooked. They were generally well thought of by their trainers and superiors and, due to many shining reports, rose quickly through the ranks of law enforcement, eventually coming under the employment of the Senate itself. During their time working for the Senate, they enjoyed a rather successful career, always staying together and functioning as a team. Because of their high functionality as a pair, they even made a few arrests of bots who would later prove themselves to be of legendary caliber during the war.
Despite their work as law enforcement officers, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were not immune to temptations of vice. This was at least in part due to their dislike of the injustice of the caste system, a system that they were charged with upholding. They both regularly attended the gladiatorial matches in the pits of Kaon, drawn by the shows of brute strength and power. Over the course of their continued attendance, the twins became supporters of the gladiator Megatronus, to the point that, when Megatronus put forth a call for followers during his revolutionary movements against the caste system, Sunstreaker eagerly answered. Sideswipe warned his brother that his actions may not be wise, but, his advice went unheeded until the point that the protests turned violent.
When the war broke out, both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe sided with the Autobots. It was the natural choice, due to their work as law enforcers, but, it was also fueled by a feeling of betrayal. Both had agreed with Megatronus’s original message of peace and equality, but, the outbreak of war was something neither had wanted. Over the course of their many battles, the twins continued to survive side by side, very rarely allowing themselves to be separated. It was their teamwork that kept them alive in many battles, though, even when alone, they were each a force to be reckoned with. Sideswipe in particular proved himself to be a brutal fighter. Early in the war he decided that, if he were to die during the fighting, he would go out in a blaze of glorious battle. This led to him often making reckless decisions in combat, sometimes goading superiors into battle with the enemy, and often taking on opponents much larger or more powerful than himself. Despite this, Sideswipe continued to walk away from each and every battle, as did his brother.
It was during the Autobot flight from Cybertron that the twins were truly separated for the first time. Sideswipe lost his brother in the chaos that followed the Ark’s arrival in Earth’s system. By the time he realized it, the crew made the final jump to Earth itself. Sideswipe was among those who survived the crash landing on the planet’s surface, though, due to his unpreparedness, he nearly lost an arm in the process. As the Autobots extricated themselves from the wreckage, Sideswipe stayed to assist, despite his worry for his twin and anxiety at not being able to feel him through their split-spark bond. As soon as the Autobots were safe, however, and his arm repaired, he quickly departed.
Sideswipe spent the time after their arrival on Earth scouring the globe for his brother and any other Autobot survivors, despite not knowing if Sunstreaker had arrived on Earth at all. At Prime’s order, he acquired an Earth vehicle mode and remained under cover during his search. This was, of course, worrisome to his teammates because of his infamous recklessness. But, Sideswipe’s need to find his twin quickly caused him to remain quiet and efficient in his movements. He would occasionally report Decepticon activity back to base or engage them in a skirmish for some energon, but, he kept mostly to himself during that time. He returned to base only long enough to ground bridge to the next continent in his search. He left no place on Earth unexplored save the poles, wary of what the cold would do and doubting that Sunstreaker had landed there, else he would have felt his twin’s death when he froze. When he was given a report of the danger MECH presented, Sideswipe redoubled his search efforts, making a number of very reckless decisions in doing so that risked his personal safety and disguise. He was terrified that, if Sunstreaker was on planet, alone, he would be intercepted by humans with ill intent. It was only after it became too dangerous for him to continue on alone that he returned to base.
After returning to Omega-1, Sideswipe underwent physical therapy for his damaged arm, both Ratchet and Skirmisher assisting him in returning to combat readiness. He wasted no time in developing friendships with a number of his fellow Autobots and reaching out to the youngest member of the human allies, Raf. Sideswipe was on base when Bumblebee was overcome by the mysterious plague that had been circulating among the Cybertronians and took a great deal of damage while assisting in bringing the scout down without harming him. For a long while, he remained in stasis, allowing Ratchet to heal him as his systems worked on recovery.
Personality:
On the surface, Sideswipe is usually cheerful, playful, and smiling. He makes up for his brother’s sociopathic tendencies, balancing them out with his own fair amount of extrovertedness. He’s the one most likely to crack a bad joke to break the tension in a room or pull a prank to lighten a gloomy mood in a group of bots. He’ll also flirt with every femme in sight. For this, he’s seen as childish. The reality is, he’s incredibly others-focused, a side effect of having a twin as high-maintenance as Sunstreaker. In order to deal with his brother’s constant presence, Sideswipe became the type of bot who can, at least for a while, remain relatively unaffected by the trials around them. He’s naturally a protector. He’ll put on a challenging smile, raise his fist, and charge straight into whatever obstacle is in his path, particularly if that obstacle adversely affects others. Despite his seeming childishness, Sideswipe truly has a kind spark.
That said, he is exceedingly brash and reckless. He also has a streak of arrogance that, quite possibly, is from continuous interaction with his brother. Sideswipe is a skilled fighter, and he knows it. He also wishes to prove his skill at every opportunity he can. Just as he is concerned about the safety and wellbeing of others, he desires their praise and admiration. If there is a fight to be had, Sideswipe wants to be in the mix. Whether it was running a criminal off his wheels on Cybertron, challenging the strongest Decepticons to combat during the war, or singlehandedly throwing a wrench into their mining endeavors on Earth, Sideswipe is almost constantly seeking a fight. He loves the high that comes from a life-risking situation and the thrill of a victory that comes out of it. He craves the glory of battle like a drug.
It is for this reason that it’s a very good thing that he’s as skilled a combatant as he is. Sideswipe is infamous for his rash decisions in the heat of his much desired combat, decisions that may very well endanger him. He hardly cares if he thinks that such an action will secure victory. Sideswipe is also not above cheating, especially when Decepticons are involved. If they won’t fight fair, why should he? The means always justify the victory, in his mind. If winning the battle means that he has to throw himself on a grenade to save his unit, so be it. If it means that he has to charge Megatron himself, all the better, because what a way to go out.
His recklessness has mellowed somewhat as he’s gotten older and gained experience in the war. He used to be known as a glory hound who fought only for the thrill of it. After vorns of following Optimus Prime into battle, though, his goals have changed to align with his leader’s. He fights now out of a desire to defend freedom and the innocent. As brash, and sometimes obnoxious, as he can be, he believes with his whole spark that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. For that cause, he would lay down his life.
Recklessness and outgoing nature aside, Sideswipe is capable of being deadly serious, particularly in combat. Just because others perceive a decision as stupid doesn’t mean he didn’t put a lot of thought into it. In the heat of battle, he might honestly believe that running straight out of cover is the best tactical course. This rarely happens, but, he is not the idiot that some may perceive him to be. He’ll bend the rules and cause a bit of chaos, but, he understands all too well the nature of the war. He’s fought in it too long not to.
Likes:
Combat- Whether it’s jumping a comrade in a ‘surprise sparring match’ or finding a Decepticon (or a group of Decepticons) to rough up, Sideswipe is always down for a fight.
Earth- After spending a number of years exploring the planet, Sideswipe has found that he very much likes Earth. It’s incredibly diverse in both landscape and populace, with something new around every corner. For an adventurous spirit like him, this is extremely exciting.
Humans- Sideswipe finds them unendingly interesting. They’re so much different from his own race. During his travels, he had a great deal of fun observing them, and, occasionally, playing harmless pranks just to see what kind of reaction he would get. He stands with Prime in his desire to protect them.
Fighting Sports- Sideswipe adores MMA, professional wrestling, boxing, and all other full contact sports. He could sit for hours with his optics glued to the television, shouting out useless advice and very vocally cheering for his preferred combatant.
Video Games- Be it Call of Duty, Halo, Mortal Kombat, or even Pac-Man, his natural competitiveness will cause him to throw himself into any game with a vengeance. His personal favorite is Grand Theft Auto, mostly because he thinks a car playing a game in which one steals cars is hilarious.
His Comrades- if anyone is called ‘comrade’ or ‘friend’ by Sideswipe, he will do his utmost to protect them and take care of them. Whether it be running into battle at their side, sitting next to them in silence when they are having a difficult time, or following them about and making numerous attempts at drawing a smile from them, he’s up for the task.
His Sunshine- Sunstreaker is Sideswipe’s closest and most trusted friend and partner. He would do anything for him. Every day that they spend apart causes his worry to deepen.
Pranks- Sideswipe may be the most incorrigible prankster to have ever been sparked. One would think that those battle-ready servos of his would hinder his ability to play the more intricate ones, but, that is not the case. Sideswipe is well known for his childish practical jokes, whether it be an explosive full or paint or a simple trip wire, he is terrifyingly good at managing even the minutest details of these jokes
Dislikes:
Those Who Harm the Innocent- In all honesty, Sideswipe could get along with a Decepticon if they weren’t bent on total conquest. It’s their desire to subjugate others that he despises. Anyone who would harm innocent people for the sake of furthering their own goals are worse than scum and he would gladly give them a pede up the aft.
Stillness- Sideswipe is the type of bot who needs to move. He can’t sit still and divesting him of something to do would cause serious problems for everyone around. He will find a way to entertain himself, and, sometimes, depending on just how playful he’s feeling, other people will wish he hadn’t.
No Sunshine- Sideswipe is used to always having his brother at his back. Sunstreaker is the peanut butter to his jelly (he’s very eager to pull that one out on his twin). They make sure the other survives and pull each other out of bad situations. Not having him there is like not having one of his optics, or having his left arm and leg disabled. Not only does he miss his twin desperately, but, he feels distinctly uncomfortable without his back being constantly watched, and without watching Sunstreaker’s back.
Continued War- Sideswipe likes to fight, but, he doesn’t like this continued war. He was perfectly happy as a law enforcement officer. All that the war has done is taken their homeworld from them and caused the deaths of untold numbers of their fellows. He would love for the war to finally end and their homeworld to be rebuilt.
Weapons:
Shoot ‘em Up- Sideswipe’s servos transform into two generic energon blasters, capable of piercing light armor, damaging medium, and doing minimum surface damage to heavy. He uses them primarily to distract as he gets in close, though, he is capable of using them for the sake of truly doing damage.
The Big Boom- The rocket launcher on Sideswipe’s shoulder is the most fearsome of his weapons. It’s big, bold, and does a lot of damage. Unfortunately, it’s not very useful in close combat, simply because of the explosion it causes. He also has to be within eyesight of a target because he aims and fires it manually, there’s no scope to lengthen its range. The availability of the rockets themselves is also an issue. He is capable of carrying four at a time: one ready to fire, one inside the subspace of the launcher itself for a quick reload, and two in his personal subspace. However, his carrying capacity hardly matters if he has no rockets to use. There’s also the problem of just how big that boom is. When using the launcher, he might as well put up a big sign that says ‘Sideswipe is here’. Currently, he only has two rockets, as he never had the chance to resupply during the flight from Cybertron. The rockets themselves are made for use in desperate situations, and are capable of damaging heavily armored bots. Those with light armor had best get out of the way. A well-placed shot could do minimal damage to a transport vessel, but, something of, say, the Nemesis’ capacity is beyond Sideswipe’s reach. Despite how much damage his rockets are capable of, Sideswipe rarely uses them. He dislikes the possibility of ending a fight too quickly and sees no honor or glory in simply blowing an opponent up.
Fists of Fury- His preferred method of combat, and the one he’s best in, is hand-to-hand. He’d much rather utilize the classic ‘servo to faceplate’ than shooting from a distance.
Strengths:
Damn, I’m Good – Having trained as a law enforcement officer, and gained experience before and during the war, Sideswipe is no stranger to fighting. Whether it’s hand-to-hand or with the use of weapons, he is an incredibly skilled combatant. This is why he enjoys it so much. If he comes up against an opponent who is stronger than he is, he immediately sets himself to improving his abilities.
I See It- Having been trained in law enforcement, Sideswipe is very good at observing a situation and making a quick decision, even if it may be a reckless decision. He can pick up on things others may miss, making him a skilled tracker. This also factors into his combat ability. If a bot is favoring their left leg, he notices and will capitalize on it. If an ally is struggling, he’ll shift to cover them. This is also true for off the battlefield. He watches people without making it obvious and learns all that he can about them.
Which Way They’re Leaning- This branches out of his observation skills. Sideswipe is very attuned to others’ moods, mannerisms, habits, and so on. He can guess when someone is hurting and putting on a strong front, or when they are truly strong and hiding behind a perceived weakness. How he acts on this, however, depends on the day and how he’s feeling at the time.
You Know You Want To- Sideswipe is the type of bot who can convince just about anyone of anything. Until they get wise about his methods. He knows when to use certain tones in certain situations and can portray himself as someone who is very knowledgeable and reliable. His main weapon of persuasion, though, is his bright smile.
I Can Do This All Day- Due to his thick armor and natural combat ability, Sideswipe can take a lot of punishment. This means that he can keep fighting for a good while against some very tough opponents.
Weaknesses:
Sounded Good at the Time- Intelligent and experienced he may be, but, that does not stop him from deciding that the idea that just drifted into his processor is a good one. Sideswipe is not the type to sit and think through a situation logically. He’ll use those observational abilities, see a situation is quickly going downhill, and decide that blowing the supports on the building he’s in is the best course of action, thereby risking himself.
Bleeding Spark- Sideswipe’s ability to care deeply is a double-edged sword. If the enemy were to get their hands on a comrade, he would immediately go on the war path, becoming painfully predictable in his movements.
Emotional Response- The master of his emotions, Sideswipe is not. If someone manages to stir him up, he’ll charge. It’s his natural response. He’s also very obvious about what he’s feeling.
I Can Take It- That ability to take damage is a double-edged sword. If someone lands a hard blow to a vital area, yeah, he can take it and keep going, but that damage is compounding. He’s also bull-headed enough not to stop until he achieves victory or is put down. When Sideswipe comes back from a fight injured, he’s usually in very bad shape.
Exposed Joints- Sideswipe may not be super large, but, he’s big enough. Taking out one of those weight-bearing joints would bring him down hard.
Old Wounds- Sideswipe has been around since the beginning of the war. Being the frontliner that he is, that means he’s sustained a lot of damage over the course of the fighting, some of which couldn’t be healed properly. It’s difficult to tell when an old injury is going to act up or a weakened portion of armor make itself known.
Only a Half- Without Sunstreaker there to watch his back, Sideswipe is left off-balance. He’s used to having another bot there who knows how he thinks and what he’s likely to do next and can compensate. Without his twin, it’s likely he’ll unwittingly leave himself vulnerable in certain situations where he normally wouldn’t be.
Special Skills:
Jet Judo- Sideswipe is one of the proud inventors of ‘jet judo’, a reckless ‘fighting style’ that involves jumping onto a flier’s back and wrestling with them. The goal is to force them back into their bipedal mode or bring them down through whatever means necessary. Sideswipe also simply enjoys the thrill of doing it. If there is a flier on the battlefield, it is highly likely that he will look for a way to practice his jet judo on them.
Earth Knowledge- Due to his extensive travelling, Sideswipe knows his way around the planet. He’s also spent a lot of time observing various people as he passed through an area and perhaps has a better grasp than many of his fellows on just how diverse humans are.
Teaching- Because he is so extroverted and wants to help others, he is a very good instructor, particularly in hand-to-hand combat. It’s engaging enough that it keeps him from wandering off and it makes him feel particularly accomplished. But, he’s not the most conventional teacher. It is not uncommon for him to jump people in the hall in order to ‘test’ them.
Deviously Creative- Sideswipe is intelligent, yes, but not in a ‘book-smart’ way. His intelligence comes in the form of his deviousness. When he applies it to the war effort, he’s incredibly successful. However, Sideswipe prefers to use it on his fellows. He will wait until they are least expecting it and then strike with very little proof that he’s the one who acted, though, everyone could probably guess that it was him. He’s the one who will rig the alarm system to play John Cena’s theme music or set the ground bridge to spew confetti, simply because he can.
Extra Info:
Split Spark- Sideswipe is one half of a split spark bond, meaning that he and his twin were originally one spark that was divided between two individuals. Not much is known about the nature of this bond. What is documented, though, is that the effects of are empathic, meaning that one twin can generally sense the other’s emotions. The bond is drastically lessened over distance, though, if one twin were to die, it is likely the other would feel it, perhaps even experiencing sympathetic physical pain at the same time.
Sample RP:
There was something undeniably pleasant about human vehicles, Sideswipe mused, taking a curve in the desert at enough speed that he skidded on the blacktop. They certainly knew how to make a sleek, shiny car. He had specifically picked one that he knew Sunstreaker would like too. Lamborghinis were just the right amount of sleek and shiny to pique their interest, and were fast enough to be truly enjoyable. Sideswipe enjoyed driving about in vehicle mode, something that had become familiar over the past few years. He didn’t like it as much as fighting, but, that was a given.
He’d rolled his tinted windows down just a crack to allow the electronic sound of a pop song filter into the empty air. Their music, too, was enjoyable. Aside from the Decepticon presence and hostile natives, Earth was a very nice place to be. And beautiful too. Just because he was a fighter didn’t mean he couldn’t admire aesthetic beauty. From the snow-capped mountains to the sprawling deserts, the old cities to the empty miles of grassy plains, the vast oceans to the sprawling tundra, it was such a diverse place. Cybertron had been all metal and energon and rust. In the later years, it had just been dead. Earth, though, was so very alive in everything that was on it. It was a shame to have to stop exploring it.
His search for his brother had been utterly fruitless. He’d traveled everywhere but the poles and had seen neither rim nor shine of his twin. It was discouraging to say the least, but, Sideswipe refused to be overcome by that negativity. He had not sensed Sunstreaker’s death, which meant that the narcissistic fragger was still out there somewhere, even if he wasn’t on Earth.
Sideswipe hadn’t wanted to stop looking, but, it was becoming dangerous, even for him. He could handle ‘Cons, but, these humans that his faction had said was targeting them were unknown to him. He doubted he’d be able to clobber them like he did the Decepticons. They were small, and he was willing to bet they were more like scraplets in their attack patterns than anything else. They would work in numbers to overwhelm him, which would be an issue. How would he find his twin or support
Optimus if humans captured him? Besides, there was no glory in that.
The red Lamborghini reached a flat portion of the road before opening his comms up to the Autobot frequency. He was in Arizona at the moment, having made a detour there after returning to the states, following a false lead on an ostentatious car in a junkyard. With that most recent, crushing disappointment over with, he was ready to return to base. America was dangerous at the moment, and he had no desire to deal with hostile humans should they find him.
::Yoooo, anyone home? Any chance I might get a ground bridge back to base?::
His tone was mild, bordering on cheerful as he made the call.
::Or, you know, I could drive it. Just seems like a waste of fuel if you ask me.::
He smirked internally. If Ratchet was running the bridge, he knew the doc-bot’s expression would be the very definition of grumpy.
Name/Alias: Jaxrond
CHARACTER INFO
Name: Sideswipe
Age: Human Equivalent- mid to late 20’s
Gender: Mech
Species: Cybertronian
Faction: Autobot
Original Occupation: Law Enforcer
Occupation/Specialization: Autobot frontliner
Appearance:
Standing somewhere between Ratchet and Breakdown’s heights, Sideswipe a fairly large Autobot. His frame is suited for the heavy frontline combat he’s accustomed to and, yet, maintains an almost sleek appearance as well. Bright red with silver and black accenting, stealth is usually not his strong suit, though, he fares better than his brother. His armor plating is extensive on his upper half, covering his arms, chassis, and back. A small section around his abdomen is left bare. Black belt-like armor shields his hips and groin. Then the armor continues from his lower thighs down to his pedes, breaking briefly to allow free movement in his knees. His shoulders are formed by his front wheels while his back wheels act at the heels of his pedes. His Autobot symbol is on his chest, in clear sight. The only visible weapon he has is a large, mounted rocket launcher on his right shoulder. Sideswipe’s servos are formed of five rather standard digits. They are not long and thin, nor are they short and fat. They are made for combat, and that is what they have been used for most often. That said, the plating around his knuckles is very thick, suitable for the amount of punching he does.
Sideswipe’s black helm is very unique in its form. His nasal strut runs from the center of his faceplate, up his helm, and then tapers off near the top. The helm itself is rounded from front to back, but somewhat flat on the sides. Sideswipes audio receptors are formed of two blocky structures on either side of his helm. They are curved enough to cover the sides of his faceplate and extend enough upward to have an almost antenna-like appearance. His faceplate, though as angular as any Cybertronian, has a boxier shape than most. His optics are a bright and often cheerful blue.
Altmode: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster
Flashy, shiny, and fast, Sideswipe’s alt form is exactly how he likes it. Though not as ostentatious as his brother, some of Sunstreaker’s taste has leaked through their split-spark bond and influenced his selection of alt modes.
History:
Back on Cybertron, both Sideswipe and his brother were law enforcers for the Senate. They were sparked at the tail end of the Golden Age, just before the turn to the caste system. The twins were an anomaly from their first days on the planet. Created as two individual entities sharing a spark, they were the cause of much curiosity for many, specifically within the science and medical community, as were other split-spark pairs of the time. Any data concerning the pair was carefully studied and documented without causing damage to the twins themselves, as intrusive experimentation was still completely taboo.
Both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were still young when they joined the Cybertronian law enforcement, both being naturally drawn to peacekeeping and the prospect of a scuffle. As they trained, it quickly became apparent that they were very talented in the field of law enforcement and were fast learners when it came to picking up skills. Enough so that their respective personality flaws were overlooked. They were generally well thought of by their trainers and superiors and, due to many shining reports, rose quickly through the ranks of law enforcement, eventually coming under the employment of the Senate itself. During their time working for the Senate, they enjoyed a rather successful career, always staying together and functioning as a team. Because of their high functionality as a pair, they even made a few arrests of bots who would later prove themselves to be of legendary caliber during the war.
Despite their work as law enforcement officers, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were not immune to temptations of vice. This was at least in part due to their dislike of the injustice of the caste system, a system that they were charged with upholding. They both regularly attended the gladiatorial matches in the pits of Kaon, drawn by the shows of brute strength and power. Over the course of their continued attendance, the twins became supporters of the gladiator Megatronus, to the point that, when Megatronus put forth a call for followers during his revolutionary movements against the caste system, Sunstreaker eagerly answered. Sideswipe warned his brother that his actions may not be wise, but, his advice went unheeded until the point that the protests turned violent.
When the war broke out, both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe sided with the Autobots. It was the natural choice, due to their work as law enforcers, but, it was also fueled by a feeling of betrayal. Both had agreed with Megatronus’s original message of peace and equality, but, the outbreak of war was something neither had wanted. Over the course of their many battles, the twins continued to survive side by side, very rarely allowing themselves to be separated. It was their teamwork that kept them alive in many battles, though, even when alone, they were each a force to be reckoned with. Sideswipe in particular proved himself to be a brutal fighter. Early in the war he decided that, if he were to die during the fighting, he would go out in a blaze of glorious battle. This led to him often making reckless decisions in combat, sometimes goading superiors into battle with the enemy, and often taking on opponents much larger or more powerful than himself. Despite this, Sideswipe continued to walk away from each and every battle, as did his brother.
It was during the Autobot flight from Cybertron that the twins were truly separated for the first time. Sideswipe lost his brother in the chaos that followed the Ark’s arrival in Earth’s system. By the time he realized it, the crew made the final jump to Earth itself. Sideswipe was among those who survived the crash landing on the planet’s surface, though, due to his unpreparedness, he nearly lost an arm in the process. As the Autobots extricated themselves from the wreckage, Sideswipe stayed to assist, despite his worry for his twin and anxiety at not being able to feel him through their split-spark bond. As soon as the Autobots were safe, however, and his arm repaired, he quickly departed.
Sideswipe spent the time after their arrival on Earth scouring the globe for his brother and any other Autobot survivors, despite not knowing if Sunstreaker had arrived on Earth at all. At Prime’s order, he acquired an Earth vehicle mode and remained under cover during his search. This was, of course, worrisome to his teammates because of his infamous recklessness. But, Sideswipe’s need to find his twin quickly caused him to remain quiet and efficient in his movements. He would occasionally report Decepticon activity back to base or engage them in a skirmish for some energon, but, he kept mostly to himself during that time. He returned to base only long enough to ground bridge to the next continent in his search. He left no place on Earth unexplored save the poles, wary of what the cold would do and doubting that Sunstreaker had landed there, else he would have felt his twin’s death when he froze. When he was given a report of the danger MECH presented, Sideswipe redoubled his search efforts, making a number of very reckless decisions in doing so that risked his personal safety and disguise. He was terrified that, if Sunstreaker was on planet, alone, he would be intercepted by humans with ill intent. It was only after it became too dangerous for him to continue on alone that he returned to base.
After returning to Omega-1, Sideswipe underwent physical therapy for his damaged arm, both Ratchet and Skirmisher assisting him in returning to combat readiness. He wasted no time in developing friendships with a number of his fellow Autobots and reaching out to the youngest member of the human allies, Raf. Sideswipe was on base when Bumblebee was overcome by the mysterious plague that had been circulating among the Cybertronians and took a great deal of damage while assisting in bringing the scout down without harming him. For a long while, he remained in stasis, allowing Ratchet to heal him as his systems worked on recovery.
Personality:
On the surface, Sideswipe is usually cheerful, playful, and smiling. He makes up for his brother’s sociopathic tendencies, balancing them out with his own fair amount of extrovertedness. He’s the one most likely to crack a bad joke to break the tension in a room or pull a prank to lighten a gloomy mood in a group of bots. He’ll also flirt with every femme in sight. For this, he’s seen as childish. The reality is, he’s incredibly others-focused, a side effect of having a twin as high-maintenance as Sunstreaker. In order to deal with his brother’s constant presence, Sideswipe became the type of bot who can, at least for a while, remain relatively unaffected by the trials around them. He’s naturally a protector. He’ll put on a challenging smile, raise his fist, and charge straight into whatever obstacle is in his path, particularly if that obstacle adversely affects others. Despite his seeming childishness, Sideswipe truly has a kind spark.
That said, he is exceedingly brash and reckless. He also has a streak of arrogance that, quite possibly, is from continuous interaction with his brother. Sideswipe is a skilled fighter, and he knows it. He also wishes to prove his skill at every opportunity he can. Just as he is concerned about the safety and wellbeing of others, he desires their praise and admiration. If there is a fight to be had, Sideswipe wants to be in the mix. Whether it was running a criminal off his wheels on Cybertron, challenging the strongest Decepticons to combat during the war, or singlehandedly throwing a wrench into their mining endeavors on Earth, Sideswipe is almost constantly seeking a fight. He loves the high that comes from a life-risking situation and the thrill of a victory that comes out of it. He craves the glory of battle like a drug.
It is for this reason that it’s a very good thing that he’s as skilled a combatant as he is. Sideswipe is infamous for his rash decisions in the heat of his much desired combat, decisions that may very well endanger him. He hardly cares if he thinks that such an action will secure victory. Sideswipe is also not above cheating, especially when Decepticons are involved. If they won’t fight fair, why should he? The means always justify the victory, in his mind. If winning the battle means that he has to throw himself on a grenade to save his unit, so be it. If it means that he has to charge Megatron himself, all the better, because what a way to go out.
His recklessness has mellowed somewhat as he’s gotten older and gained experience in the war. He used to be known as a glory hound who fought only for the thrill of it. After vorns of following Optimus Prime into battle, though, his goals have changed to align with his leader’s. He fights now out of a desire to defend freedom and the innocent. As brash, and sometimes obnoxious, as he can be, he believes with his whole spark that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. For that cause, he would lay down his life.
Recklessness and outgoing nature aside, Sideswipe is capable of being deadly serious, particularly in combat. Just because others perceive a decision as stupid doesn’t mean he didn’t put a lot of thought into it. In the heat of battle, he might honestly believe that running straight out of cover is the best tactical course. This rarely happens, but, he is not the idiot that some may perceive him to be. He’ll bend the rules and cause a bit of chaos, but, he understands all too well the nature of the war. He’s fought in it too long not to.
Likes:
Combat- Whether it’s jumping a comrade in a ‘surprise sparring match’ or finding a Decepticon (or a group of Decepticons) to rough up, Sideswipe is always down for a fight.
Earth- After spending a number of years exploring the planet, Sideswipe has found that he very much likes Earth. It’s incredibly diverse in both landscape and populace, with something new around every corner. For an adventurous spirit like him, this is extremely exciting.
Humans- Sideswipe finds them unendingly interesting. They’re so much different from his own race. During his travels, he had a great deal of fun observing them, and, occasionally, playing harmless pranks just to see what kind of reaction he would get. He stands with Prime in his desire to protect them.
Fighting Sports- Sideswipe adores MMA, professional wrestling, boxing, and all other full contact sports. He could sit for hours with his optics glued to the television, shouting out useless advice and very vocally cheering for his preferred combatant.
Video Games- Be it Call of Duty, Halo, Mortal Kombat, or even Pac-Man, his natural competitiveness will cause him to throw himself into any game with a vengeance. His personal favorite is Grand Theft Auto, mostly because he thinks a car playing a game in which one steals cars is hilarious.
His Comrades- if anyone is called ‘comrade’ or ‘friend’ by Sideswipe, he will do his utmost to protect them and take care of them. Whether it be running into battle at their side, sitting next to them in silence when they are having a difficult time, or following them about and making numerous attempts at drawing a smile from them, he’s up for the task.
His Sunshine- Sunstreaker is Sideswipe’s closest and most trusted friend and partner. He would do anything for him. Every day that they spend apart causes his worry to deepen.
Pranks- Sideswipe may be the most incorrigible prankster to have ever been sparked. One would think that those battle-ready servos of his would hinder his ability to play the more intricate ones, but, that is not the case. Sideswipe is well known for his childish practical jokes, whether it be an explosive full or paint or a simple trip wire, he is terrifyingly good at managing even the minutest details of these jokes
Dislikes:
Those Who Harm the Innocent- In all honesty, Sideswipe could get along with a Decepticon if they weren’t bent on total conquest. It’s their desire to subjugate others that he despises. Anyone who would harm innocent people for the sake of furthering their own goals are worse than scum and he would gladly give them a pede up the aft.
Stillness- Sideswipe is the type of bot who needs to move. He can’t sit still and divesting him of something to do would cause serious problems for everyone around. He will find a way to entertain himself, and, sometimes, depending on just how playful he’s feeling, other people will wish he hadn’t.
No Sunshine- Sideswipe is used to always having his brother at his back. Sunstreaker is the peanut butter to his jelly (he’s very eager to pull that one out on his twin). They make sure the other survives and pull each other out of bad situations. Not having him there is like not having one of his optics, or having his left arm and leg disabled. Not only does he miss his twin desperately, but, he feels distinctly uncomfortable without his back being constantly watched, and without watching Sunstreaker’s back.
Continued War- Sideswipe likes to fight, but, he doesn’t like this continued war. He was perfectly happy as a law enforcement officer. All that the war has done is taken their homeworld from them and caused the deaths of untold numbers of their fellows. He would love for the war to finally end and their homeworld to be rebuilt.
Weapons:
Shoot ‘em Up- Sideswipe’s servos transform into two generic energon blasters, capable of piercing light armor, damaging medium, and doing minimum surface damage to heavy. He uses them primarily to distract as he gets in close, though, he is capable of using them for the sake of truly doing damage.
The Big Boom- The rocket launcher on Sideswipe’s shoulder is the most fearsome of his weapons. It’s big, bold, and does a lot of damage. Unfortunately, it’s not very useful in close combat, simply because of the explosion it causes. He also has to be within eyesight of a target because he aims and fires it manually, there’s no scope to lengthen its range. The availability of the rockets themselves is also an issue. He is capable of carrying four at a time: one ready to fire, one inside the subspace of the launcher itself for a quick reload, and two in his personal subspace. However, his carrying capacity hardly matters if he has no rockets to use. There’s also the problem of just how big that boom is. When using the launcher, he might as well put up a big sign that says ‘Sideswipe is here’. Currently, he only has two rockets, as he never had the chance to resupply during the flight from Cybertron. The rockets themselves are made for use in desperate situations, and are capable of damaging heavily armored bots. Those with light armor had best get out of the way. A well-placed shot could do minimal damage to a transport vessel, but, something of, say, the Nemesis’ capacity is beyond Sideswipe’s reach. Despite how much damage his rockets are capable of, Sideswipe rarely uses them. He dislikes the possibility of ending a fight too quickly and sees no honor or glory in simply blowing an opponent up.
Fists of Fury- His preferred method of combat, and the one he’s best in, is hand-to-hand. He’d much rather utilize the classic ‘servo to faceplate’ than shooting from a distance.
Strengths:
Damn, I’m Good – Having trained as a law enforcement officer, and gained experience before and during the war, Sideswipe is no stranger to fighting. Whether it’s hand-to-hand or with the use of weapons, he is an incredibly skilled combatant. This is why he enjoys it so much. If he comes up against an opponent who is stronger than he is, he immediately sets himself to improving his abilities.
I See It- Having been trained in law enforcement, Sideswipe is very good at observing a situation and making a quick decision, even if it may be a reckless decision. He can pick up on things others may miss, making him a skilled tracker. This also factors into his combat ability. If a bot is favoring their left leg, he notices and will capitalize on it. If an ally is struggling, he’ll shift to cover them. This is also true for off the battlefield. He watches people without making it obvious and learns all that he can about them.
Which Way They’re Leaning- This branches out of his observation skills. Sideswipe is very attuned to others’ moods, mannerisms, habits, and so on. He can guess when someone is hurting and putting on a strong front, or when they are truly strong and hiding behind a perceived weakness. How he acts on this, however, depends on the day and how he’s feeling at the time.
You Know You Want To- Sideswipe is the type of bot who can convince just about anyone of anything. Until they get wise about his methods. He knows when to use certain tones in certain situations and can portray himself as someone who is very knowledgeable and reliable. His main weapon of persuasion, though, is his bright smile.
I Can Do This All Day- Due to his thick armor and natural combat ability, Sideswipe can take a lot of punishment. This means that he can keep fighting for a good while against some very tough opponents.
Weaknesses:
Sounded Good at the Time- Intelligent and experienced he may be, but, that does not stop him from deciding that the idea that just drifted into his processor is a good one. Sideswipe is not the type to sit and think through a situation logically. He’ll use those observational abilities, see a situation is quickly going downhill, and decide that blowing the supports on the building he’s in is the best course of action, thereby risking himself.
Bleeding Spark- Sideswipe’s ability to care deeply is a double-edged sword. If the enemy were to get their hands on a comrade, he would immediately go on the war path, becoming painfully predictable in his movements.
Emotional Response- The master of his emotions, Sideswipe is not. If someone manages to stir him up, he’ll charge. It’s his natural response. He’s also very obvious about what he’s feeling.
I Can Take It- That ability to take damage is a double-edged sword. If someone lands a hard blow to a vital area, yeah, he can take it and keep going, but that damage is compounding. He’s also bull-headed enough not to stop until he achieves victory or is put down. When Sideswipe comes back from a fight injured, he’s usually in very bad shape.
Exposed Joints- Sideswipe may not be super large, but, he’s big enough. Taking out one of those weight-bearing joints would bring him down hard.
Old Wounds- Sideswipe has been around since the beginning of the war. Being the frontliner that he is, that means he’s sustained a lot of damage over the course of the fighting, some of which couldn’t be healed properly. It’s difficult to tell when an old injury is going to act up or a weakened portion of armor make itself known.
Only a Half- Without Sunstreaker there to watch his back, Sideswipe is left off-balance. He’s used to having another bot there who knows how he thinks and what he’s likely to do next and can compensate. Without his twin, it’s likely he’ll unwittingly leave himself vulnerable in certain situations where he normally wouldn’t be.
Special Skills:
Jet Judo- Sideswipe is one of the proud inventors of ‘jet judo’, a reckless ‘fighting style’ that involves jumping onto a flier’s back and wrestling with them. The goal is to force them back into their bipedal mode or bring them down through whatever means necessary. Sideswipe also simply enjoys the thrill of doing it. If there is a flier on the battlefield, it is highly likely that he will look for a way to practice his jet judo on them.
Earth Knowledge- Due to his extensive travelling, Sideswipe knows his way around the planet. He’s also spent a lot of time observing various people as he passed through an area and perhaps has a better grasp than many of his fellows on just how diverse humans are.
Teaching- Because he is so extroverted and wants to help others, he is a very good instructor, particularly in hand-to-hand combat. It’s engaging enough that it keeps him from wandering off and it makes him feel particularly accomplished. But, he’s not the most conventional teacher. It is not uncommon for him to jump people in the hall in order to ‘test’ them.
Deviously Creative- Sideswipe is intelligent, yes, but not in a ‘book-smart’ way. His intelligence comes in the form of his deviousness. When he applies it to the war effort, he’s incredibly successful. However, Sideswipe prefers to use it on his fellows. He will wait until they are least expecting it and then strike with very little proof that he’s the one who acted, though, everyone could probably guess that it was him. He’s the one who will rig the alarm system to play John Cena’s theme music or set the ground bridge to spew confetti, simply because he can.
Extra Info:
Split Spark- Sideswipe is one half of a split spark bond, meaning that he and his twin were originally one spark that was divided between two individuals. Not much is known about the nature of this bond. What is documented, though, is that the effects of are empathic, meaning that one twin can generally sense the other’s emotions. The bond is drastically lessened over distance, though, if one twin were to die, it is likely the other would feel it, perhaps even experiencing sympathetic physical pain at the same time.
Sample RP:
There was something undeniably pleasant about human vehicles, Sideswipe mused, taking a curve in the desert at enough speed that he skidded on the blacktop. They certainly knew how to make a sleek, shiny car. He had specifically picked one that he knew Sunstreaker would like too. Lamborghinis were just the right amount of sleek and shiny to pique their interest, and were fast enough to be truly enjoyable. Sideswipe enjoyed driving about in vehicle mode, something that had become familiar over the past few years. He didn’t like it as much as fighting, but, that was a given.
He’d rolled his tinted windows down just a crack to allow the electronic sound of a pop song filter into the empty air. Their music, too, was enjoyable. Aside from the Decepticon presence and hostile natives, Earth was a very nice place to be. And beautiful too. Just because he was a fighter didn’t mean he couldn’t admire aesthetic beauty. From the snow-capped mountains to the sprawling deserts, the old cities to the empty miles of grassy plains, the vast oceans to the sprawling tundra, it was such a diverse place. Cybertron had been all metal and energon and rust. In the later years, it had just been dead. Earth, though, was so very alive in everything that was on it. It was a shame to have to stop exploring it.
His search for his brother had been utterly fruitless. He’d traveled everywhere but the poles and had seen neither rim nor shine of his twin. It was discouraging to say the least, but, Sideswipe refused to be overcome by that negativity. He had not sensed Sunstreaker’s death, which meant that the narcissistic fragger was still out there somewhere, even if he wasn’t on Earth.
Sideswipe hadn’t wanted to stop looking, but, it was becoming dangerous, even for him. He could handle ‘Cons, but, these humans that his faction had said was targeting them were unknown to him. He doubted he’d be able to clobber them like he did the Decepticons. They were small, and he was willing to bet they were more like scraplets in their attack patterns than anything else. They would work in numbers to overwhelm him, which would be an issue. How would he find his twin or support
Optimus if humans captured him? Besides, there was no glory in that.
The red Lamborghini reached a flat portion of the road before opening his comms up to the Autobot frequency. He was in Arizona at the moment, having made a detour there after returning to the states, following a false lead on an ostentatious car in a junkyard. With that most recent, crushing disappointment over with, he was ready to return to base. America was dangerous at the moment, and he had no desire to deal with hostile humans should they find him.
::Yoooo, anyone home? Any chance I might get a ground bridge back to base?::
His tone was mild, bordering on cheerful as he made the call.
::Or, you know, I could drive it. Just seems like a waste of fuel if you ask me.::
He smirked internally. If Ratchet was running the bridge, he knew the doc-bot’s expression would be the very definition of grumpy.