We are a literate, intermediate to advanced AU Transformers RPG Based off of the first season of TFP with dashes of other incarnations sprinkled here or there. Characters from any continuity are welcome however must be restyled to match the TFPrime universe.
Active, with ongoing plotlines, we are always willing to integrate new characters into storylines once incorporated into the setting.
Post by Nathan Walker on Mar 12, 2023 21:43:36 GMT -5
Honestly it was a bit of an ego boost hearing Optimus Prime take his words into consideration.
Though many would say that Optimus was merely offering a token response, that wasn’t the impression that Nathan got. Based on his observations of Optimus during the few weeks he’d been assigned to Omega, he got the impression that the Prime tried to consider everyone’s words with the same amount of consideration. As any good leader should.
He listened quietly as Optimus described the circumstances of Neon and Bumblebee’s escape, his lips pressing together in consideration at the facts presented. He wasn’t an engineer, so he couldn’t offer any commentary on the vehicle itself...but he was a hunter and a soldier.
He knew how to pursue a target.
The fact that it was able to keep pace with Bumblebee and Neon in robot mode was an interesting detail...
“Did Bumblebee and Neon manage to damage the construct in any way?”
Atypical proportions weren't as surprising as it might be. While Nathan wasn’t an engineer, he’d heard rumors and seen some of the tech that DARPA had been testing out with some special forces units...and they were quite unorthodox looking.
His eyes narrowed at the mention of bait. So this was an ambush plain and simple.
Post by Optimus Prime on Mar 18, 2023 0:46:12 GMT -5
"Did Bumblebee and Neon manage to damage the construct in any way?"
"Yes. The canon was struck, and Bumblebee pushed a vehicle in its path to down. The rest was superficial."
It sounded as though the fall had done decent damage, though not enough to halt its advance once it got upon its feet once again. As far as Optimus was concerned, however, mangling its legs was well beneath the shadow of the gun getting struck in his opinion. Legs could be repaired, if not replaced in the worst-case scenario, while a true piece of Cybertronian technology with that power behind it could potentially be priceless. It was wishful thinking on his part, as there was no way to tell how far everything had gotten with their understanding. The fact the beast even was a thing meant they already surpassed their expectations.
At this thought, Optimus' weight would roll onto his left leg, before he gradually eased into a walk, heading towards the second portion of crackled asphalt that marked MECH's progression. It wasn’t far at all, though he still throttled his speed, mindful of Nathan enough so that he wouldn’t need to run even though very little distance was actually covered. Each footfall along this fleeting path created a heavy thrum, the joint letting out a double strike as weight bore down upon it, causing the ground to slightly tremble due to the full mass of the large Cybertronian.
"They utilized the remains of a Vehicon, simulating an injured soldier that was left behind."
Such an abhorrent act, effectively giving voice to a cadaver that had long lost its spark. Optimus had no doubt that they would come across what remained of the scene, though what shape it would be in was unknown. He hoped that the corpse was left behind so that they could give them a proper resting point rather than having it utilized further as a demented tool. If it was still there, he had no doubt its insides would be removed, though a partial recovery was better than nothing at all.
Halting at the next patch of decimated asphalt that were five or so of his paces away, Optimus peered at the long smear of bullets that created a dotted line rather than a tight cluster. Due to the long spaces between impact marks, and the potentially safe assumption that they were fired in rapid succession from the source weapon in a burst, it showed just how fast it had possibly been going to stretch them as they were.
This sight caused Optimus to tighten his jaw, not enjoying the idea that such a thing could run with that level of speed. Whether or not it had true maneuverability when stationary was unknown, though it could pursue and possibly outpace most should they be unable to transform.
"It is difficult to decipher how many have been claimed, given the lack of participation by the Decepticons."
The end of the truce had as many boons as it did loss, and he wished they still told one another some details about MECH. While the other team may not say how many of their 'expendable' soldiers had been lost, Optimus planned to take a higher road on such topics.
"Despite this, I intend to disclose what we find, so they don't fall prey due to lack of knowledge."
This was as informative as it was something someone could consider a trick question, Optimus fishing for how Nathan thought about revealing such things to the Decepticons rather than let MECH lessen their numbers should they be caught unaware. Cyan optics would look down at this, trying to learn what way the soldier thought and what shade of gray he was within the scale of aggression and compassion.
While this trial was offered, Optimus would ease his weight before dipping down into a partial kneel, his right hand lowering almost to the ground with palm up in a silent offer should Nathan wish to be picked up so that he did not need to jog between every pause along the way.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 0:50:07 GMT -5 by Optimus Prime
Post by Nathan Walker on Mar 19, 2023 20:34:29 GMT -5
“Sounds like it isn’t infallible then...”
No weapon system was ever infallible. Hell, no system was infallible period. Everything was a series of tradeoffs. You could build the most heavily armored tank in the world that could withstand everything short of a tactical nuke, but chances were that it wasn’t going to move faster than Nathan at a brisk walk. It would also burn fuel like Nathan’s father drank coffee during his on-call period, plus transporting it to the battlefield where it could do some good would be cost prohibitive.
Part of his mind wandered back to a movie he saw ages ago...where they circled the legs of the tanks with cables on the snow planet...he’d have to ask one of the kids about that movie. Seemed up Miko’s ally.
“Smart. Brutal and evil...but smart.” he said as he climbed into Optimus' awaiting hand, making sure to check every corner and rooftop out of the corner of his eye, as well as watching for any disturbed ground indicating landmines or other signs of booby traps.
It wasn’t a tactic Nathan would use personally, but it was something that would work on the Autobots based on his observations and the fact that it would probably work on Nathan. Captain Terrill had related a similar story years ago on how a sniper had attempted to bait his team into the open by rigging up a wire onto a dead body of one of their comrades they were attempting to retrieve and used it to cause the body to twitch. Unfortunately for that sniper, Captain Terrill had recognized a trap when he saw it and planned an assault that killed the sniper, though their victory turned to disappointment when they realized that their comrade was actually dead.
His eyebrow arched at Prime’s declared intent to share intel with the Decepticons about MECH. While he didn’t exactly like MECH because they gave humanity a bad name, sharing intelligence that might save Decepticons didn’t exactly sit right with him either.
“You sure about that Prime? We have a saying here on Earth. ‘Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake’.”
Last Edit: Mar 25, 2023 19:27:01 GMT -5 by Nathan Walker
Post by Optimus Prime on Apr 8, 2023 0:11:47 GMT -5
Optimus moved with care as he stood, being sure not to jostle Nathan in the process, though the transition upward would likely be disorienting in its own way from velocity alone. It would end with him at a higher chest level to the mech, somewhat closer to his mass so that each footfall would be better absorbed and dampened, while still permitting line of sight with much of the immediate area. What portions were blocked off however were the buildings that were direct to his back left, Optimus creating a shield wall that would keep gunfire from striking from behind. While Nathan was donned in protective gear, it did not mean inviting something was a wise choice.
A pause lingered briefly after the man's reply to his statement.
"Perhaps."
Optimus did not look down upon Nathan's opinion on the matter. It was profoundly sound, and in many situations could be considered a legitimate tactic with real power to it. The issue however was that he tended to show a level of mercy that likely was seen as too much by others in this war. At least in this situation, he had more than such feelings to inspire.
"Every soul that falls, fuels their advancement. The more we deny, the more we can hinder further acceleration."
Not that it was likely a concern any longer. Optimus would be willing to wager that MECH had enough corpses to have a good idea of how their internals worked ten times over. While the biological elements were potentially still out of their reach on some levels due to the metals used and the complexity of the more alien materials, they wouldn't need more spark chambers or fuel processors that would simply mirror ones that were already obtained.
Weaponry was where it got ugly.
Thinking over this, cyan optics flicked over towards the buildings as he walked, each footfall a heavy thrum that almost reverberated in the hauntingly quiet environment, before glancing to the side to see the trail of gunfire that had transitioned to the lighter peppering of smaller calibers. It was leading to a hook up ahead around one of the buildings, the point nearing quickly due to just how long his gait was when he wasn't throttling it beside a human or smaller Cybertronian.
"I understand hesitation in assisting an enemy force. It is hard to say what would change should things have taken different form."
MECH chose to exploit what they were, however, if they simply went out of their way to slaughter their kind, seeing them as vermin that plagued their world, then perhaps Optimus would choose inaction when it came to warning the Decepticons. At that point there would be no grievous backlash that could whip back in the Autobot's direction, it assisting in leveling the playing field that was so painfully skewed in favor of the other team. This sobering thought was quietly placed aside as they neared the bend, some mangled metals catching the light awkwardly down near the ground.
Once fully turning the corner, Optimus' momentum eased to a halt, looking at what must have been a car at some point, far removed from the expected outline. It was mangled beyond belief, its central mass completely caved in and ripped in half, with pieces of roof and a back door peeled off to get kicked far behind it, joining scraps of the back seat and frame that left foam and fabric exposed. All of the windows were completely missing to create a sheen of glitter across the ground, long grooves and cut marks coring through them in swooping lines. The car itself was black, though there were streaks of gray on the asphalt from the construct, some peeled ribbons of metal left behind.
It went without saying this was the aforementioned car Bumblebee had shoved in front of it.
"The damage is more extensive than anticipated."
This wasn't a trip over, stand, and move on, this was a trip and have the power to absolutely obliterate in response. The slightest level of concern seemed to slip into Optimus' otherwise monotone and steady voice, every new piece of information adding that much more to be worried over. He did not like where this was going, cementing a worried thought from mind to reality.
Post by Nathan Walker on Apr 23, 2023 21:15:19 GMT -5
Optimus did have a point.
After all, this was no ordinary enemy. MECH didn’t see its opponents as another lifeform, they just saw the Cybertronians as technology that could be ripped apart in order to glean its secrets. And from what he knew about their experiences in dealing with humans, MECH merely viewed people like Nathan as speed bumps on the way to progress.
And from what he’d seen, Nathan honestly wouldn’t wish what he’d seen them do on anyone. Even a Decepticon.
“I suppose you’re right, Prime.” Nathan replied as his eyes surveyed the area around them, looking for both threats and items of interest.
“I joined the military to stop people like MECH and Silas. I saw things like this overseas, saw what was possible when someone viewed their enemy as less than worthy of respect and decency. Coming back here and seeing it in my own backyard...”
“...makes me want to commit a few war crimes of my own.”
Not that he would. Nathan knew better than that. But seeing the results made him sick. He was grateful that Optimus seemed to understand that not all humans were like MECH.
He let out a low whistle as he saw the car...something of an all too familiar sight from his past.
Post by Optimus Prime on May 5, 2023 18:18:34 GMT -5
At Nathan's request, Optimus took a single half-step forward before he eased down with a hissed whirl of hydraulics and other systems in order to dip nearly onto one knee, leaving him able to reach the ground smoothly at a near-horizontal angle so he didn't just drop him roughly onto his feet. Once he hopped off and stood on his own, all concerns with being careful with how he carried himself were cast aside, a similar whir made as he pushed back upright. His mass towered up above due to height alone, ped shifting to the side to place down with a heavy low noise of contact due to the weights involved. This ended with his stance turning slightly, peering upon the vehicle a moment, before glancing over at his teammate this day.
Optimus was grateful for Nathan's presence on this scouting mission for more than one reason, however, the element that he was indeed smaller in scale was certainly one that could not be overlooked. His ability to scout on a lower level, while also knowing where clues may lie due to the nature of any quirks on how individuals used their vehicles, offered insight in order to seek even the tiniest of details. Ones that those of Cybertronian origin may not consider.
The vast majority of the mess in play simply was that of the vehicle that had been torn asunder. A dense roll cage ripped in half with one piece crushed in, a bumper and back hatch kicked far beyond the other pieces from being propelled skyward, all the way to the passenger seating being smeared into a strew of fibers and filling. Within this were smaller things. A crinkled water bottle that may have fallen beneath a seat, a couple of pens, and some loose change that once joined it in the black hole everyone lost things in. An owner's manual of the vehicle in question lay half out of a partly closed and twisted glove compartment, while some duct tape may catch the eye that was bound about the rearview mirror to try to keep it in place when everything was whole.
As for the constructs evidence, there were some gray scrapes and smears, as well as some strips and ribbons of metal that were sheered off.
Optimus turned and looked over at the closest building that's front was only now visible once they had turned the corner, a sort of roll gate pushed up to reveal something that clashed harshly with their environment.
Within the old façade was a clean floor and profoundly renovated interior, the middlemost point a voided space lined in black and yellow striped tape. Cored out in the center of the defined patch was a pit akin to those in a mechanics shop that had dull blue splattered at points around it, while an adjustable platform on a rail system was on its right. This system held numerous conduits, one acting as a powerful electrical line, while the others fed back to a computer terminal. Said terminal may have been a treasure trove of information once upon a time, however, it was completely punched in at its center, the indent almost as though a Cybertronian fist had rammed into it and crushed most anything of value. It was so aggressive there were even some charred bits chewing at the edges. To add insult to injury, its front panel appeared to be pulled open after the fact, pieces cracked out from its twisted interior.
Easing back down after traveling two steps to cross the distance, Optimus' hand planted flat against asphalt, dipping his mass to look as best he could from his angle. While he could technically move within, it felt more detrimental than beneficial since he would dominate the vast amount of space.
Cyan optics flicked across the work area, looking for anything that may indicate stairs that did not go up, but rather went down.
Post by Nathan Walker on May 21, 2023 19:20:24 GMT -5
Once Optimus had lowered his hand to a point where Nathan could climb off, the sergeant was off and on the ground without much effort. Once he had his boots on the ground he would advance towards the car, keeping his rifle in the low ready position as he moved while keeping his eyes up and on a swivel for anything out of the ordinary. His thumb moved almost imperceptivity as he took the weapon off safe and went to semi-automatic mode while he walked. When he arrived he shifted the rifle with the assistance of his sling after safeing it again in order to tuck it out of the way as he began to examine what remained.
There was no way to identify what make and model this car had been before it had been turned into a wreck except for the remains of the owner’s manual, but Nathan didn’t try to reach for it or examine it. It wouldn’t be worth the time probably.
“Do you know if Fowler has been able to find out if there were any 911 calls placed from around here? This type of ordinance isn’t exactly quiet, so someone from the nearby town should have probably heard something.”
From the looks of things...this car had been abandoned here a long time before MECH had arrived. There was nothing here.
Instead Nathan adjusted his rifle back into the low ready position and advanced towards the building that Optimus was examining, flicking the switch back to semi-automatic. Even though there was very little chance anyone was inside, Nathan approached safely from the other side, making sure to clear every space that he could as he advanced on the warehouse. He came up against the wall of the doorway Optimus was at from the other side, pieing off the exposed space with his rifle before making entry and sweeping the rest of it, switching on the mounted flashlight of his rifle when needed to illuminate the dark spots.
Last Edit: Jun 4, 2023 17:45:29 GMT -5 by Nathan Walker
Post by Optimus Prime on May 27, 2023 0:27:37 GMT -5
"I am unaware at this time, though I will field a request upon our return."
While they had a timeline on just when the incident happened with Bumblebee and Neon due to their report, there was no saying what other intel they could get, such as potential test shots having been taken at a different time. With this in mind, Optimus spoke further, a sort of lighter aspect to his tone as it implied a slight question, though was still stifled well beneath his standard way of speaking.
"Mapping previous reports may establish how long this site has been utilized."
While this may be muddled due to natural conflicts that could be occurring elsewhere, should numerous calls come in from a broader swath all at once, then it would be easier to triangulate an overlap with the facility in his opinion. It could give a potential idea, or it could be a futile endeavor, it was hard to say. The point was, it held a glimmer of opportunity for additional information, and they needed any crumb they could get as they were starving.
Here, Optimus would remain lowered to the ground so that he could watch what little he could, seeing as Nathan cleanly moved to clear the space and make certain none were hiding within. As the man turned and dipped into the adjacent rooms to scout it out, there was a certain helplessness experienced in the process, a desire to help derailed simply due to the fact that he did not fit in any way that would be beneficial. He would be only a bystander if things went wrong, unable to enter without destroying much to be a hindrance rather than a boon.
Even among his own kind, Optimus could be a giant versus the general norm, not fitting within some shuttles, and needing to be mindful of the top edge of more than a few doorways back on Cybertron to not clip his helm. He had learned the lesson and had to adapt accordingly, and while they all felt generally large on Earth, the clash between humanity and himself felt that much greater.
He had his Holoform, he certainly did, however, he used it more for utility rather than on the offense, knowing that if it were struck and damaged that the electrical feedback could be crippling. If things did go upside down, then being disoriented and temporarily broken to try to recover could be quite deadly, especially if some other construct was present. Though, it wasn't as though his own combat capabilities would translate even if he could take a hit, the different proportions simply destroying any familiarity of motion. Optimus could only wait patiently for Nathan to give a clear, in which case he could potentially assist in looking around, listening carefully to every footstep or opening door that he could pick up on.
Deeper within the building, there seemed to be a smaller room with a plexiglass window that separated it from the primary area on the second floor, serving as a surveillance or observational point for whatever may be occurring. There was a desk that was hooked to the side against a wall, abandoned mid-use by someone that perhaps wasn't that keen on their post. A sheet of blank paper had numerous lines and squiggles on it from trying to make a fading pen work, while beside it a couple of paperclips sat, one twisted out of shape. The pen in question as well as a soda can were dropped on the ground from a hasty clearing of the space, a cord that had once fed a laptop half hanging off the edge from the device being ripped out. The desk chair was rolled to the far corner out of the way, its broken armrest dropped down at an odd angle.
Above were four immense computer monitors that had some sticky notes pressed along the bottom edge, each screen split into numerous camera views across the entire facility. None of them were labeled in any way, and there was no map to indicate just which each was, that said, many were the expected exterior shots, major key points angled so that none could enter the facility's perimeter without being instantly seen. Each had a sort of fish-eye effect to them to further broaden this field of view, but beyond that, they were not particularly notable despite Optimus and the mangled vehicle being observable.
Others were the insides of warehouses and outbuildings, angled shots keeping a vigilant watch on decaying racking structures, conveyor belts from package handling, to even an abandoned forklift that evidently broke down and never recovered. One of them had a roll gate half lifted up already, while another had a massive fan on the ceiling with three paddle sheets broken down that had once circulated air in the potentially stuffy environment. There was an administrative building from the old days, dingy stained carpet and despair even traveling within.
One of the interior shots was a freshly made exterior, half decimated with a collapsed roofline that ended with some beams cutting in front of the camera's view on the rightmost side. Sunlight peeked through the gaps; profound structural damage able to be discerned as a cinderblock wall was completely crushed inward. This feed seemed to sputter slightly, a sort of twitching glitch on the leftmost side that would show and vanish incrementally.
Then there were the clashing environments.
Clean and remodeled, these final ones did not seem to match up with the others in any way. There was the building that Nathan was currently in, looking upon the primary area where the mechanized construct once stood with Optimus just barely in view as a flash of red on the edge, while others must have been other places somewhere within the maze of structures. One was an equally big work area, though instead of being fully vacant, there was a massive figure that stood quietly in the darkened space.
It was not human, that much was evident in an instant, given scaling and outline, though it wasn’t exactly apparent who it may have been due to the inky windowless space. Bipedal, with angular shoulder plating and claws, it made no movements, as still as the very building that was wrapped around it. It appeared to be looking at the large rolling hangar door that was closed directly in front of it.
Post by Nathan Walker on Jun 4, 2023 18:09:11 GMT -5
If Optimus felt helpless at having to stay outside, Nathan couldn’t help but feel a bit naked at having to clear an unknown area by himself.
He knew he was a dangerous man, but he also knew that he was vulnerable when he was alone in hostile territory, a fact that had been drilled into him as early as bootcamp. Getting caught going anywhere without your ‘battle buddy’ by the drill sergeants usually meant that one would wind up doing push ups until the drill sergeant got tired. For Nathan it had only taken one time to get the point.
If only Lieutenant Adler hadn’t decided to go off by herself without backup...
The building was in a weird combined state of use and disuse, some areas appearing to have been perfectly maintained while others were in a state of abandonment. This meant that some areas were perfectly lit like normal and others were in the dark, forcing Nathan to use his rifle mounted flashlight to illuminate the area while he cleared it. He avoided looking down the sight of his rifle as he scanned, allowing him to use the entire field of his vision as he cleared the area.
::Optimus, this is Diamondback. Proceeding to the second floor, over.::
Best to make sure Optimus was aware of his movements inside the building.
Upon entering the security office Nathan made sure to clear each corner before safeing his weapon and tucking it off to the side with his sling. Whoever was maintaining the guard here clearly hadn’t expected anything to happen...only to get a rude surprise.
Sloppy.
::I’ve reached what appears to be a security monitoring station in the building I entered on the second floor. Whoever was here appears to have left in a hurry.::
After he took his thumb off the talk button on his throat mic Nathan reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a couple of plastic zip-loc baggies and began to gently place the soda can, the pen, the bent paperclip and the laptop cord into an individual baggie. It might be a long shot, but there was a chance that NEST headquarters could lift some sort of DNA evidence from these items, giving them a genetic profile of whoever it was that was watching the post here. That way if they ever did catch up to them they could tie them here.
Once that was done and the evidence was secured in his backpack, Nathan turned his attention to the computer monitors. Most of what was on the screen wasn’t of much interest to him, just evidence that MECH had been watching the area. He made a mental note to take a photograph as his attention went towards one screen...
::Optimus, Diamondback. I don’t think we’re alone here.::
Last Edit: Jun 18, 2023 20:14:01 GMT -5 by Nathan Walker
Post by Optimus Prime on Jun 16, 2023 23:05:52 GMT -5
While Nathan worked through the building actively, Optimus simply remained idle and quiet so as to not create any noises of his own in the still landscape. He was trying to offer what minimal assistance he could given the circumstances, visually casting his gaze across the main work area in case something interesting would be noted in the long lulls, though he was primarily listening to the ambient sounds around him outside of the hanger door, trying to learn what was normal so that he could pick up on something should it go amiss. The wind brushing past created numerous tiny things of note, from the soft brushes causing the earlier rusted gate to creak, to a loading chain wavering to tap faintly on its mounting, to even papers from the mangled car flicking.
Cyan optics drifted aside at this, the casual glance more contemplative rather than looking for something in particular, keeping note of everything Nathan was saying about what was observed.
::That is to be expected. Time utilized for more valuable objectives::
While he could not see what Nathan did, what he could envision was the idea of a security room being bashed through to get only the most sensitive data or belongings, abandoning that which could be of little consequence. Not much time bridged between Bumblebee and Neon's endeavor to the present, yet there was so much that could be ripped away by a determined collective. Whatever the case, it had seemed particularly uneventful on the topic of active threats, no signs of immediate danger... that is, until Nathan spoke and things shifted instantly, Optimus' drifted gaze snapping forward with a sharp focus.
The voice that followed was far more direct than the one that had been used previously, almost commanding given the fact he needed to know whatever he could as soon as possible should things be going south quickly.
::What do you see::
There was little that he could accomplish within the building, and as such Optimus left Nathan with the space where he could do nothing, in favor of the area in which he could since he did not know just where the fault was seen.
Hydraulics and systems snarled as the Prime eased away from the mouth of the workshop to then stand upright, broad shoulders squaring off in the direction that they had yet to explore. His helm would rise at this, unable to hear anything nor see anything new, though that meant very little in the grand scheme of the facility's reach. This shift in positioning was then paired with a couple of steps away, each footfall causing grit to clink along concrete from the raw weight of the large Cybertronian. It is here he would then plant still, standing more in the open for a broader range of sight. While it could arguably make him an easier target, it would give him far more ability to see something coming if it rounded a corner.
Post by Nathan Walker on Jun 18, 2023 20:27:30 GMT -5
Looking back Nathan would realize that the shift in Prime’s voice was similar to that of his former team leader. Like changing a disc in a CD player, going from alert to focused and ready for combat. But that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.
He too had changed, his voice becoming more clipped and focused.
::Some kind of creature. It’s difficult to get a visual since it’s pitch black dark.::
There didn’t appear to be any way to control the cameras from where he was. If Nathan had to venture a guess that ability had disappeared with the laptop that had been here previously.
::Whatever it is, it isn’t human. It’s bipedal with shoulders and claws, and isn’t moving. It appears to be inside behind a roll up door. Other than that it's impossible to get a fix on where it is.::
Slowly Nathan reached around for his rifle, flicking a glance back towards the open doorway as he placed his hand on the pistol grip and switched the rifle over to fully automatic. Part of him wondered if it was another MECH weapon, perhaps a remote controlled prototype that was about to explode into action. Or perhaps even worse...what if it was a Decepticon waiting to ambush whoever came back here?
No. That was doubtful. If so they would have chosen a better ambush position, or would have ambushed Prime earlier...
Post by Optimus Prime on Jun 24, 2023 12:21:55 GMT -5
So, it wasn't human, which told him it more likely than not was something akin to their own species. The big question, however, was whether it was a corpse, construct, or... a captive... however the latter would no doubt have been evacuated with everything else due to its value. One of their kind alive could offer MECH just as much and then some that could be harvested by a corpse, just as it could be a liability if they were cognizant enough to convey anything they may have seen or found out along their harrowing journey if they were saved. As optimistic as the Prime could be, he knew when failure and disappointment were directly in front of him, and knew when a futile wish was exactly that, though he still had to ask on the off chance that fate would smile upon him this day.
::Do they appear restrained::
While Nathan had said the area was drenched in darkness, he had also been able to see just enough to know it had claws, so Optimus wondered if there was anything overt that could indicate any additional information. It was while he asked this, that he took a couple of further strides out, not enough to isolate Nathan should something go amiss, though enough so to give him a little more line of sight along the gridwork of the facility.
Even from this unideal angle, he could see the number of buildings that something could be lurking, a low sound of thought rumbling forth that was as much contemplative as it was irritated at the situation that they had found themselves in. It was not fed through the coms, it was not something that was meant to be heard, though it was something he filtered a minute amount of frustration into. Somehow, some way, they would need to cautiously comb the area to find whatever it was that Nathan could see, though the threat of it being another abomination meant it wasn’t a simple corpse recovery mission to steal back from the vultures.
Though it may very well be.
::Can you discern any clues that may convey the type of structure involved::
There were different buildings all around them that served different functions back when it was a full facility. Some had a row of loading docks for semi-truck trailers, while others seemed more office-oriented for those that did manage things and kept it all working smoothly, as well as everything in between. If they could exclude a handful, then that could help guide them onward to the ones that truly deserved their focus and effort, as well as help orchestrate a general plan.
The building that the thing was in looked similar to the one that Nathan himself was in, the hanger door, and scissor lift seeming to be in the same spot towards the left of the workspace, while a couple of glints of the metal railing on the second platform could be seen on the right side of both screens. Beyond that there wasn't much else that could be discerned of the surrounding space itself, some thin beams of light poking dots along the edges of the roll-up door where plating didn't line up a hundred percent any longer.
In this inky cage, what little could be seen of the figure's arms did not appear to have anything attached to them. No draping pieces of chain or cabling, as well as nothing bridging between it and its center mass. They hung inert at its side with claws loosely curled inward at rest. While nothing seemed to be at that portion of its body, there was a blotted shape above the entire entity that bridged up toward the ceiling of the building. What it was simply could not be discerned no matter how closely one may look, though it meant it wasn't fully standing on its own at this juncture.
Post by Nathan Walker on Jun 25, 2023 23:42:34 GMT -5
::Negative, whatever it is just appears to be standing there...::
The more Nathan looked at it, the more he figured that it probably wasn’t some kind of MECH suit like the one that Bumblebee and Neon had come across. Even it was just a prototype or a testbed it was highly unlikely that MECH would have left such an important piece of hardware in their scramble to evacuate, even if their OPSEC left something to be desired.
::Looks like it’s in a warehouse type building. I’m seeing roller doors like the kind that are on the building that I’m in, only these doors are closed. The roof appears to be mostly intact and the power is off. Other than that...I can’t give you any more details.::
A shiver went up his spine as he thought about it further. There weren’t really any Autobots missing from the base as far as he was aware...but what if he was looking at a Cybertronian corpse? How would Optimus react at the sight? Nathan was pretty sure that he wouldn’t blame all humans, he didn’t seem like that kind of individual. But even worse was what if it was a Decepticon? He was sure Prime could take whoever it was...but that didn’t make him feel any less naked being out here with only a rifle, pistol and a couple of hand grenades.
He made a note to put in for an M320 grenade launcher when he got back. If he got back.
Hell if he got back he was putting in for an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank...
::Do you want me to stay here or regroup with you?::