[ti]Ep 2.5[/ti]To Seek that which is Lost [Open]

[Deleted]

Only more and more questions were brought to Dreadwing, this truce seemed to be true and not riddled with lies, laying his optics on the infamous one eyed scientist sent jolts through his gears, his size did not exceed the Seekers and yet he held more menace than he could possibly fathom even to how he strolled through the canyon, his single optic staring through into every Cybertronians spark, exactly ow the rumours were told among the ranks. Dreadwing still aims down his Plasma Cannon, the smouldering energy conjuring inside the massive barrel only to power the weapon down leaving it at his side for any chance of an ambush.

"We shall remove anything that is deemed valuable enough to salvage. The rest shall be disposed of."

The bombs?! He remembered setting a timer for said explosives in case of any intrusion or disrupting by a hostile force and in such an exposed area a salvage would be suicidal. Returning back to his standard vocalised voice. "I am inclined to agree, but if what you say is true and these 'humans' pose that much of threat for the war to cease here, I would highly recommend not to salvage my vessel." Knowing his place below Shockwave he could not issue that said order, merely attempt to work with his logical mindset to perhaps reach common ground.

"It does not contain any real value that I have not already drained. This MECH may already know of my crash site, the signal I sent out was to all frequencies." He finally disarms himself taking a stationary stance turning back to the large whole torn through the hull. "And what news of Megatron? What of the other Decepticons here? And why... It is very unlike you of all Decepticons to leave the sanctity of your laboratory."

[Bumblebee]

Whhhhhy did it have to be Shockwave?

Bee adjusted his position just slightly, a tiny shift and wiggle of his front wheels as he continued to linger at a distance and observe what was going on. Part of him wanted to just ease on out of there, drive in the opposite direction and get the heck out of dodge before he got any more involved in this. The two Decepticons could handle the ship on their own, surely. Plus, given the Decepticons had so much more in terms of resources than the Autobots, maybe they wouldn’t go to the effort of dismantling anything and would just leave.

The Autobots needed all the help they could get right now, even if that help meant sneaking back at a later time to take apart an abandoned Decepticon shuttle.

He could hear Shockwave just fine from over here, so wouldn’t venture any closer. While his windshield and other windows were blacked out to the point nobody could see in, he was still overly wary and protective of the precious cargo currently sitting in the back seat. The absolute last thing he wanted to do was move too quickly and put Raf into any danger. Even though he knew that Shockwave would stick to the truce, he was still scared of the mad scientist and any possible fascination with the small human.

The ‘we’ in Shockwave’s words wasn’t lost on him though, and as much as he’d like to just tell them to handle it so he could leave, this small act of kindness may be remembered and may help in the future, he figured. The truce wouldn’t last forever, honestly he was surprised it’d lasted this long to begin with.

Then, he was directly addressed. Even if Shockwave didn’t turn to look at him, he was speaking to him.

::--Of course!--:: he chirped back quickly and loudly. Anything that was seen, said or done here would remain with him. He wasn’t stupid enough to go blurting things out - it was probably part of the Truce somewhere after all. That, and he’d rather not have a reason for Shockwave or Dreadwing to hold a grudge against him once the ceasefire had passed.

Then, while Dreadwing was talking to Shockwave, he’d lower his tone once more to speak only to the small passenger - while continuing to listen in on what was going on just ahead of himself.

--Looks like I gotta help out. Ugh I’m sorry, this is probably gonna be super boring for you. Ya gonna be okay standing back here? I don’t want you near the Decepticons, truce or not. That and the ship might be super dangerous.-- there was a slight whine to his tone, like he didn’t really want to be here any more. Raf had just won the science fair, they should be celebrating and having fun! Not Raf standing over here or behind a tree being bored out of his mind while Bee helped the enemy!

--I’ll make it up to you I promise!-- He quickly added.

Probably an oddity to the two Decepticons, rather than the yellow scout shifting forms and moving over to help and get things started, he remained in his vehicular mode for now, the passenger side door opening. He’d stay like this until Raf was out, and only then would he transform- ready to crash-tackle or go on the defense should either of the Decepticons try anything against the small human.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf had been listening to the conversation as well, and understood what was going on.

He had certainly heard about Shockwave, and while he was doing his best to be more mature and grown up, not be seen as a baby...Raf wasn’t eager to meet the mad scientist of the Decepticons, no thank you.

“Ok,” Raf nodded, and exited Bumblebee, sliding out under the front passenger side seatbelt like an eel. Small as he was, he still slid out hunched over, trying to make himself look even smaller - a rather amusing sight, in all honesty. Such a short child, wild shock of hair, scrunched down like a soldier hiding behind a barrier to escape detection from the enemy. His sneakers looked even more oversized in comparison.

Once he was out, Raf picked the thickest tree he could find, and knelt behind it, where he could still peer out around the side, watching what would take place. The mossy ground made his knees wet within seconds, but he ignored that for now. It wouldn’t be until his mother asked him about the stains on his pants would he realized it might not have been the best idea.

Peering back over his shoulder, he spoke quietly, but still loud enough for the scout to hear him, “Be careful, Bee. Don’t worry about me, I’ll stay here. But don’t turn your back on them, especially Shockwave.”

[Deleted]

     "Under normal circumstances I would be inclined to agree with you, and merely have the vessel disposed. However, circumstances are no longer considered normal, and we must take the risk to salvage what we are able to from whatever we can... by whatever means. Supplies are in too dire need to overlook." 

     Even though Shockwave was speaking to Dreadwing, he was not unaware of Bee's position, nor of what he were doing. He was an observant mech to the world around him, as was needed for one who walked with the air about him that he did- constantly needing to be aware of someone lurking in the shadows looking to be rid of him. Had the truce not been ordered, this would have proven to be an ideal opportunity for them to gain an upper hand. Bee was not without his little fleshling pet, and he had brought him along for the ride instead of being sensible and leaving him behind in the safety of other of his own kind. 

     The Autobots were becoming far too relaxed with the truce. The scout was alone, bringing a human along. Surely it had been because of the signal that Dreadwing had sent out, though had it been a more hostile situation and Shockwave hadn't been there to ensure the Decepticon did not fire on them and ruin the pact that had been made with the opposing forces? 

     Far too foolish.

     "The cease fire also extends beyond merely the Autobots, Dreadwing. The inhabitants of this planet that are not affiliated with the MECH organization are not to be harmed. This is includes the ones which accompany the Autobots. Take mind to watch where you plant your steps." Shockwave usually wouldn't care to even mention that, though some part of him felt it was a necessary thing. A strange, annoying little tick somewhere in the back of his processor that he would evnetually have to deal with. The downing of the ship had certainly caused some further damage that he simply could not repair at the moment with the limited supplies available to him. He needed... particular... things. Being mindful was at the priority as of now. The Scout bringing his companion may cause issues that Shockwave would rather just do without should Dreadwing not be warned.

     "The questions you ask are ones that shall be answered in due time. For now we should not further waste what little we have and should get started with the salvage. I would... recommend you to disable and disarm and safety protocols you have activated until we have completed our work." 

     Shockwave tuned in his frequencies to the feline once more, to instruct him to send some of the Vehicon grunts to their location to assist with the recovery of what they could pull off the vessel. Parts were in dire need, and even down to the small wiring work would be something they could use. 

     :: It is unnecessary for your companion to hide, Scout His location is not undetectable, and if he is out in the open we at least do not risk an... 'accident' occurring.::

[Deleted]

Dreadwing immediately set his aim towards the shifting Bumblebee, his intention to shoot through being a almost instinctive reaction for the Decepticon. Yet the tiny size of the infamous Bumblebee, the scout that managed to escape the Decepticons time and time again was far smaller than he had ever imagined, the bot was like a insect compared to Shockwave and himself, a small rodent scuttling below them. His long curved brows tense for a moment his face looking to kill that which stood before him, but his eyes trailed to the cold centred beam of Shockwave, staring right into his very spark. Such a figure of high authority could not be disobeyed.

Dreadwing disengages his Plasma Cannon, powering it down once more smirking to the Autobot. "Its almost fitting, a rodent among insects, of course you would take a liking to them, Bumblebee..." He turns to face his broken ship returning to his conversation with Shockwave. "I assume these humans have not been too exposed to our presence, otherwise they would realise the foolishness of their hostile nature?"

With the absence of the Seeker the humans seemed to be nothing more than primitive beings that had little understanding to how small they are in the Universe. To even make friend with any human would be folly, leading to only a terrible end, besides, what could an insect even do in comparison to even a small scout like Bumblebee? "And why do we not simply take this planet, if they will simply attack us we should show them the folly of their ways..."

Suddenly Dreadwing dropped to one knee, letting out a grunt of pain he clenches his side seeing a small shard of his ship piercing through his exposed joint, the rest of his body at this point could be visibly seen covered in various scratches and dents, so much so that his Navy paint resembled more a plain grey, the rocky climate causing various scuffs of dust and dirt engulfing through his circuits. His movements were slower, dropping his Cannon to the ground, gradually removing the shard, although small it had cut through deeply into the Seeker, the further Dreadwing pulled out the shard the more thick oozing energon could be seen dripping from it. 

[Bumblebee]

Once Raf was out the way and to safety, Bee would shift and transform in a familiar whir of metal and parts - only to find himself staring down Dreadwing’s plasma cannon once he’d shifted to his pedes. There was a gentle whir of his optics as they adjusted, taking in the two Decepticon’s before him, and the surrounding area.

Just because the Truce had been explained, didn’t mean either of them had to follow it - and standing before them like this, facing the barrel of a gun? He felt very small indeed. He knew without a doubt that if it came down to it, he could outrun and outmaneuver the pair but he really hoped it wouldn’t come down to that.

A fraction of a second that seemed to linger, his frame tensed and he stood up a little straighter, watching as Dreadwing’s optics glanced to the single one of Shockwave. That could be a silent cue to attack. But- it wasn’t. The gun powering down a moment later, but still, Bee did not un-tense his frame.

He wouldn’t respond to Dreadwing’s comment out loud, although his optics would narrow into a fierce glare the moment the large Seeker’s back was turned - only for a crackle to sound in his processor, his attention snapping to Shockwave as the comm was sent.

::--He’s fine where he is.--:: he spoke defiantly back over the comm. Not glancing to Raf, not drawing attention to the fact they were talking about him. Shockwave may have had a point, but if Raf stayed in one spot hidden behind shrubbery and trees, he’d be safer, right? The others knew he was there, they had no reason to come this far over.

But what if they did?

His gaze drifted to Dreadwing as he dropped to one knee, optics narrowing into a frown - this one of concern. Humans and Energon did not mix, and the Energon was oozing onto the ground below. While most of it would probably be washed away the next time it rained, he didn’t want Raf being so close. While he wouldn’t want Raf being out in the open like Shockwave had so helpfully suggested, maybe having Raf be somewhere up high would be beneficial.

Lowering himself slowly into a crouch while Dreadwing was preoccupied with his injury, it was then that Bee turned his attention over to Raf - holding one arm out, with his servo resting palm-up on the ground.

--Hey, uh, change of plan. It’s probably safer for ya up on my shoulder for the time being!-- he chirped, being careful not to use Raf’s name - it was bad enough the Decepticon’s knew what he looked like, but he didn’t want to give anything away that could put him into any more danger once the Truce no doubt fell apart.

At least this way, Raf would be close, and more importantly? Safe.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf had remained kneeling where Bumblebee had left him, still peering out at the two Decepticons. Even here he could hear their voices when they spoke aloud - he supposed it was just the nature of giant metallic beings…they had big voices.

Raf was uneasy. He didn’t like Shockwave, and he didn’t like this new one. They were both really big. Of course, Bumblebee was the fastest Autobot ever and he knew they couldn’t catch him if he had to take off…but he still worried.

Hearing the other one speak only made Raf feel more uneasy. He knew that Decepticons didn’t like Humans, but the way the new one talked just gave him an unhappy knot in his stomach.

Raf frowned as the new one suddenly faltered, dropping to one knee. Was he hurt? If so, why was he waving around his weapon? Why didn’t Shockwave get him out of there? At least he felt a little better, knowing that one wouldn’t be able to chase them if they had to run.

Raf blinked when Bumblebee suddenly knelt, holding out a hand. He was a little confused. Bee had just told him to stay here, and now he was going to go closer? Well…at least he’d get a better look at the new Decepticon.

Raf trusted Bumblebee completely. Trusted him with his life. And if Bee felt it was safer for him to be on his shoulder, then Raf agreed.

“Ok, Bee.”

Standing up, absently brushing at his knees, Raf quickly moved over and clambered into Bumblebee’s palm, balancing carefully. Offering the yellow scout an encouraging smile, the youth’s face turned back to a soft, concerned frown when he looked back at the two Decepticons standing a small distance away.

[Deleted]

     Shockwave stood and listened to Dreadwing, surmising that he was not unlike his twin- not to be surprised by that fact, given the natures. Seekers were so... fickle. They seemed to play the same game, especially when they bore the mark of the Decepticons. Perhaps it was them having something to prove- that they were more than just a pair of wings with flashy attachments- which drove them to be as irritating as they were. Dreadwing at least had the honor code bound to him, unlike the underhanded little hookworm of one that had been placed at the helm of the Decepticon forces. Even so, the banter going on was a waste of time and energy, 

     The scientist should have really known better, considering his previous alt mode from that time.

     When the Seeker dropped to a knee, Shockwave briefly acknowledged the injured that he had sustained, in what he presumed to have been, as a result of the crash. Energon was leaking from it and staining the ground beneath him, moreso as he messed with the shard protruding from it. Pull the shard, spill some energon. Pull some more and see if it stops leaking? Seemed like a perfectly logical way to handle this situation.

     :: Very well. Though I doubt we would be the ones to blame should he be exposed to spilled energon and become ill as a result.::


     His optic flashed once. Dreadwing would only get the warning to pay attention once.

     "I believe it would be ill advised to remove that at the present time, as it is providing a means to clot the injury. We lack the necessary equipment to cauterize a wound such as that, and without a thorough scan we can not be fully aware of the extent of the injury. If it does not prohibit you from moving, you should leave it for the time being. To risk going into a stasis lock due to an internal leak that your systems find to be dire, however, is your choice to make."

     Shockwave had absolutely no problem with leaving Dreadwing behind should he prove to be invaluable to the cause, even if it would be quite a loss to be out a warrior when they had so many others who didn't pull their own weight around the crew- which would probably be the only saving grace Dreadwing would really have that may convince Shockwave to carry him should the end result be him going into the said locked state.

     "The inhabitants of this planet are great and they do have arsenals behind them that could prove problematic to our race should we risk an up rise against them when we are not ready for such an act. Neither side is in the great number of forces as we had on Cybertron. This is not the Great War. This is not Cybertron's Senate we are up against. You would be best to hold that knowledge." He paused to turn his helm towards the sky, looking in the direction of their former home. The Senate were such fools, though they lacked any defense for themselves outside of their henchmen. Shockwave had dealt with the Senators after they alleviated him of his foolish moral core.

     Helm lowered and he canted his helm back towards Bumblebee as he went to collect his human, watching the exchange of the two. They did seem so insignicant compared to the Cybertronian's sheer size- even compared to a smaller frame such as the yellow Scout- but even Starscream was not foolish enough to underestimate them. Neither was Megatron. Nor he.

     "The time is not yet right."

[Deleted]

"Are there truly that few of us left?" Dreadwing hangs his head low his body more hunched over in his knelt position, his large claw like hand clenched around the exposed hole that was pierced from a piece of his ship, he brought his hand up for his optics to analyse the extent of his energon loss, finding it drenched in his own life force. His face was that of sorrow and anguish, to realise how little of his race were left to roam the Universe, to be beaten and desecrated by fleshy insects at matters their primitive minds could not comprehend.

He peers up to see the small infamous Autobot Scout with the fleshy insect on his shoulder like a pet, his face suddenly changes to an angered scowl. Temptation and a force of habit almost got the better of him, seeing the detonator to the times bombs he had wired to cause the vessel to leave no trace of Cybertronian technology purely due to spite, he reached out as if he were about to trigger the detonator before quickly grabbing the chunk of metal that was impaled into him.

He prepares himself for the eventual pain he would suffer again through his systems,the instinct of survival overpowering any other piece of his mind launching the shard back into the exposed hole covering it enough to prevent any further leakage, he stands to his feet growling the various malfunctions of his body away. His posture set to a right angle, his gears no longer working as one but instead against each other to keep the hulking Seeker from his limbs failing.

"I do hope your medical skills are still in your expertise Shockwave, our time here is being wasted by the second." Dreadwing knew that if anyone but him were to enter the ship the main holding bay's turrets would activate, whether they were still working however was a completely different scenario. "I would watch your step 'Bumblebee' whether any of my systems are still even working, but I think you can do the....'honour' of going in first. A small smug smirk appeared on his face. The Seeker understood that survival of his race was now more important than ever before, but his tendencies does not prevent him taunting his enemies he had fought against for centuries upon end.

[Bumblebee]

Once Raf was safely in his palm, Bee would slowly raise his arm up so the small human could clamber up and onto his shoulder, closer to his head so he didn’t go sliding down the rounded shoulder plates. It’d be safer up there than in his servo - out the way of anything on the ground, at least.

He wasn’t trying to listen in on the conversation that the two Decepticons were having, but from this close proximity, it was a little hard not to. He wasn’t sure what intel the Decepticons had on humanity as a whole, then again it wasn’t like it was hard to find things out - they were so weirdly open with a lot of things. Boasts of power, massive armies. If they all teamed up against Cybertronian? They’d probably win.

He was curious as to Shockwave’s comment about timing, and wondered if there was some deeper meaning behind that. Who even knew what the Decepticons were planning behind the scenes - they had many a plot and scheme in the works almost constantly.

Movement from Dreadwing turned his attention toward the much larger Seeker, and he couldn’t help but grimace some as the other mech reached for the shard of metal that’d impaled his frame. Eesh. Didn’t he know the first rule about impalements? Never take it out!

Thankfully he didn’t, but then Bee was addressed directly, and he’s stand up a little straighter, optics narrowing into a gentle scowl.

--Nah. After you, Dreadwing. I ain’t going in there first - one accidental mis-step or touching something I shouldn’t, and,-- he’d stop mid beep to make a rather comical explosion motion with both servos, expanding them outward with a trill of a beep that trailed off like a toy battery dying.

--I’ll help where needed in dismantling, but I ain’t going in there first!--

No way. Not with Raf here.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf settled down on Bumblebee’s shoulder, in his old familiar place, setting his butt so he wouldn’t just slide off so easily.

He really wasn’t comfortable with the situation. He believed in Bee, knew the scout was utterly amazing and could do anything! He could fight, he could race, he was smart…Raf never had any doubts about his ability to handle anything, except…

Except this was Shockwave.

And the other Decepticon, the new one, was really big. And Raf didn’t like the way he was taunting Bee.

Raf wished there was at least one other Autobot there. Someone that could give Bumblebee back up if he needed it. It was always safer with a buddy, right?

Keeping his voice so low only Bee could hear, Raf spoke.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea, Bee. Let’s not get too close to them, ok? If anything happens, we can get away from them and fight if we have to. Don’t turn your back on the new Decepticon….I don’t trust him at all.”

To Raf, Dreadwing seemed like the type to disobey the truce first, then apologize afterwards.

Nervously adjusting his oversized glasses, Raf turned his attention to the crashed shuttle.

Rafael had never really seen a Decepticon shuttle before. For some reason, he had been expecting it to look….different, somehow. The way the Nemesis looked. All dark and purple and menacing. But this one looked like the others he had seen.

Anytime Bee moved, Raf kept looking around, determined to be on the look out, even behind Bee, if he had to. He was very small, but he could do that, at least.

[Deleted]

     The way the two went back and forth reminded him of other younger mechs he had encountered throughout his lifecycle, especially within his youthful years when things were much less stressful. He looked between Bee and Dreadwing as they bickered and threw their sarcasm at one another, then casually eyed the organic pest on the yellow scout's shoulder.

     How embarrassing when their much more advanced race would belittle and reduce themselves to such nonsense as to who would enter a ship first. The primitive creature on Bumblebee's frame was much more aged than either of these two at the moment. If these two were going to bicker like sparklings, Shockwave could find other things to turn his attention to.

     ... which is exactly what he did after considering Dreadwing's words.

     He made his way towards the ship, though paused within a safe distance to look it over. There were always hidden messages behind words if one would just listen, and Dreadwing had hinted to something more sinister than just challenging the Autobot scout. He lifted his gun arm to the small computer he had installed there, popping the screen up in order to poke around with his clawed digits. For the moment he was weaponless, though he had little worry about that with the truce in act and, well... Bumblebee didn't hit that hard anyway, even if there were cause of concern.

     His optic brightened slightly and the arm lowered back to his side, turning his attention to Dreadwing. The truce had been spoken of already and the new Decepticon arrival would pull something underhanded to risk it on their side? This was not acceptable. It was also not his place to make a scene about it- that he would rely on Starscream for, if the self proclaimed 'Leader' chose to do so.

     "We have an adequate medic. If you require emergency aid I can provide it, though your injury does not appear to be an immediate concern. We are pressed for time, and much of it has been wasted already. Perhaps... detonating your ship would be the best course of action." His optic darkened as he looked at Dreadwing fully and just fell silent, waiting on some form of challenge from the other.