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Bridge

Thunderwing nodded as Shockwave pushed again for the information he desired about the grafting process. He had hoped that Starscream’s stunt would have delayed things a bit, but Shockwave was as efficient as ever. He would have to come up with some new tactics to delay or manipulate the delivery of information to him. While he had no doubt that his personal knowledge of the grafting process could not be surpassed, what with the time and hands on experience he had with it, he also knew that Shockwave would be able to advance through it rapidly. He just needed to make sure he stayed one step ahead of investigating Shockwave’s work.

“Of course Commander. If I may excuse my self from the bridge, I would like to examine the equipment I brought on board from Cybertron and perhaps begin setting up in one of the labs on board the ship. Having the equipment set up and calibrated will surely help in your analysis of my forthcoming report.”

*

Soundwave swiftly moved to comply with Shockwave’s orders, annoyed at the seeker’s cowardice, but not surprised by it. Starscream had never favored a true fight, he always preferred facing his enemies back and placing an energo dagger in it, or a well placed shot to the cranium. Part of this was just his nature, but mostly it was him realizing that he was always challenging his betters. He would fair little better against Shockwave in a standard battle then he would have against Megatron. The only difference would have been Shockwave being more efficient about it, not feeling the need for any satisfactory humiliation of the seeker.

As he attempted to contact Razorclaw Soundwave noticed an intrusion into certain command controls. A quick investigation revealed a certain familiarity in the intrusion. It appeared that Psychout had been revived and was up to his standard snooping. Unfortunately for him he had gotten their first and was already well embedded in the ship’s systems. Only his current distractions had allowed the other Decepticon the opportunity to sneak into the systems. It would be the last successful attempt he would make. Swiftly Soundwave locked down all of the command codes and froze out access to key systems such as sensors, engines, weapons, navigation and defensive systems to only those with command codes or those with the appropriate permissions, which excluded Psychout.

*

Repair-Bay

Psychout’s image on the various consoles garbled and distorted until it reformed into the visage of Soundwave. >>”Further access to command systems of Thanatos: limited to those with correct codes or permissions. Punishment for further attempts to hack into, monitor or seize control of those systems: severe. Further warnings you will receive, Psychout: none.”<< Soundwave’s image disappeared from the monitors. At the same time a bolt of raw electrical power surged from the computer and directly into the plugged in Psychout. It was a standard defensive measure against intruders that Soundwave had activated against the former cassetticon. It sent a highly painful shock to the victim, but not strong enough to do any permanent damage.

Med-Bay

Contemptor and Vindicators little brawl spurred Psychout on. Getting these two onside should be reasonably easy - although why everyone seemed to want to chase after female seekers was beyond him - but Hellion's whereabouts was a problem for another day.

First things first... He set Contemptors shoulder repair running at full speed and thought over what he had just seen. Vin was clearly out of sorts, 'Temptor here had a good short fuse and clearly respected Vin as much as the big guy looked after his ward. We really need to get these two back into the field, a hunter and a siege tactician is exactly what we need down there, if Starscreams crew has gone to ground, we are going to need too flush them out...

His thought process was interrupted by Soundwave's montone drawl. I've got a job to do here as an analyst and that paranoid fool getting involved just prevents me from being able to compete it!!. The shock to his system ejected him from most of the network but as communications and medical lab was an area he still had clearance for he just about held his place in those addresses. I'm done working for you, you overplayed mouth organ...

His face returned to the screen "Ouch! Looks like the old boss has finally discovered my reactivation, I'm locked out of all the fun parts of the ship but got what I need for now. I think I know how we can shut down Starscream and the Autobots' chances of leaving earth for a while..."

Regardless of Soundwaves interference, he had a job to complete, and pulsed a message through to Shockwave to update him on the situation, including Shadowing to ensure that he was kept in the loop. He was now also painfully aware that Soundwave would be listening in, but it made little difference. Soundwave should know exactly what he was talking about anyway - he is more than aware of my work here.

>>Commander Shockwave, This is Psychout over in Med-Labs. As you will be aware, the Ultrax has moved from its former position and considering the resources available in this sector, the power levels of the ship prior to my departure and Starscreams core psychological profile markers, it a pretty safe assumption for all that he has attempted a jump to the surface of Sol 3. Further, as requested, all parties defecting from the Ultrax prior to its leap are now receiving treatment and are in the process of being re-armed for re-deployment. Both are tactical heavy-combat specialists and as such the barracks environment is not suited for them. I do however have a use for these soldiers when their treatment has finished, and Shadowing if he so wishes and you permit it, in ensuring that the Autobots and Starscream-loyalists are tied up down there for an indefinite period of time, allowing you to complete your work up here unhindered. Do I have permission to discuss this with you personally?<<

He made no mention of his suspicions towards Thunderwing, nothing could be proven and knowledge like that was best kept until it was required, but he had to get these guys doing something, and soon, it was enough of a mess in here as it was.

--------

Mal Practice grumbled to himself as Psychout broadcast his message, but chuckled at Soundwave's punishment for his overconfidence. He couldn't hear what was said but had no need to, he knew the little schemer would be up to something. Vindicator's unconscious body lay awkwardly on the slab as he began to work away at his neural malfunctions, sparks and flashes occasionally lighting up his silver panelled faceplate and his tough black hide. He cvhatted to Contemptor as he worked on his mentor, "So, Hellion eh? I remember that one. Fixed her up a few times back on Cybertron. Couldn't sit still as I remember, more interested in how her friend was... now what was her name..? Ah well, not that it matt- ah, hang on..." Vindicator began to convulse on the table as Mal Practice tested a series of his nerve sub-routines. Then, chuckling, Mal began to use the neural pathways to make the large seige-cons arms and legs move gracefully as if he was a puppet "Look, he's doing the robot!" he laughed as he began to hum an unrecognisable Cybertronian tune whilst making Vin move his arms an legs in time with the music... "Well, that's good news, the lava damage hasn't touched his mobility core, meaning my diagnosis is complete." He stopped playing in Vin's head and let his limbs slump back to the table. "He is an older Generation, which means he is more hardy and easier to fix, but finding parts may be complicated. I will probably need to to speak to the engineering lab. The lava has melted through the couplings on his personality matrix, so I will need to reconstruct the matrix shell, upload a new version of his core character file directly from his spark, and install it... It's pretty simple for a genius such as my self. Highly illegal though, of you care about that kind of thing - luckily for you, the right amount of energon credits means I don't, and even better is that your costs are already covered" apparently.

"Psychout, when you have quite finished scheming, I need one of your cerebro shells, and you need to send a comms to Haywire over in the weapons lab for some class-4 dermaplate housing for a large scale cranial insertion, its mostly used in photon weaponry these days. From the records Haywire should be more than capable of knocking you up a batch. Ill be able to do the rest from here..."

Bridge

Shockwave turned to Thunderwing.

"Acceptable. Proceed. I will expect your initial report within the established time frame," Shockwave said.

Whether Thunderwing was intentionally stalling or their current circumstances were forcing him to become distracted, Shockwave was not fully certain. The greater percentage--even if it was only by a little--suggested that Thunderwing was intelligent enough to multitask to the level of Shockwave's expectations. It would follow, then, that any delay on the information he requested would be intentional. For the time being, their most recent interaction would be a suitable enough reminder that Shockwave had not forgotten, nor would he. But he would also not take any more proactive steps unless Thunderwing's delays became a hindrance to the empire's progress. Given Shockwave's own doubts about the suitability of widespread-application of the process, that was not likely to become an issue for the foreseeable future.

Shockwave's research in to Ore-13 was a much higher priority for the Strategist. And given that there were still a few tons of unprocessed raw materials that Megatron had given to him that were not fully refined in to the premium grade energon that Dreadwind and Darkwing had already tasted, that would be Shockwave's priority once the question of leadership had been put to rest.

Even so, that did not mean that Shockwave could not deal with both matters, at least partially.

In regards to other matters, Shockwave could see that some of the subordinates that had been awakened were beginning to display their restless nature--a situation that was often the case amongst the lower-ranks of the Decepticons. Deprived of Autobots to engage for any significant span of time, and they would quickly regress in to fighting one another. Counterproductivity at its utmost, especially in their current circumstances. It was unfortunate that Psychout, whose function and intelligence did not suggest a proclivity for such things, seemed to be only too willing to push the boundaries of his rank and skills. Soundwave, much to Shockwave's unspoken satisfaction, had quickly remedied that. Shockwave would now take the next logical step.

>>"Declarative: permission granted for bridge access. Proceed immediately."<<

After Thunderwing had departed the bridge as he requested, Shockwave turned to Soundwave.

"Declarative: I require any insight you have in to Thunderwing's current motivations. I had thought the command structure of this operation to be resolved on Cybertron. If that is not the case, I will need to take additional steps."

Med-Bay

Shadowing did not know what he felt more insult about. The tone that Contemptor took with him or that he thought he would care about their little discussion. Still he waited for the little fight to pass before going back to Mal Practice's question. He was not about to enter the verbal fray by trying to compete with the audio level of the others.

As he waited he listened to Psychout's private message. It was not a bad idea and he suspected that Shockwave would accept speaking to him. This served to raise his spirits as it meant he would likely be sent out to doing tasks that he was more used to undertaking.

"What do I get out of it Mal Practice?" Shadowing said in a thoughtful tone. "Blackwind spoke of times like this being moments of bettering one self. Well, I suppose I should not be too surprised to hear a Seeker speak like that. That kind of thought has cost the Decepticon cause in more than one occasion. Me? I am not interested in fame, riches, or power. The only thing that I want out of this is that rarest of commodities... victory."

Shadowing work with a calm intensity with special emphasis on the word "victory." He stood and looked towards the others.

"I came to make sure you received what you required and I have done so. Now it is time for me to get back to my usual work. If you wish to continue to seek femme-cons or riches then I wish you luck in your endeavors. If you would like to join me achieve our goal then I will welcome your aid once the repair work is complete."

(OOC: It's not perfect, but at least I finally got something up)

Corridor Outside of the Med Bay

Blackwind contined down the hall with Weirdwolf in tow. She wanted to guage the tracker’s loyalty, but she did not want to declair Thunderwing as the candidate who would lead the Decepticons to victory. The mech was quite intelligent, something that was often overlooked by others due to his unusual quirk. The Aerial Coordinator knew that Weirdwolf was not entirely sure of Starscream’s intentions or his worthiness as the heir to Lord Megatron’s throne. Shockwave, well, from what she had witnessed in the shuttle bay she knew that the tracker would be very reluctant to follow the cycloptic mech.

Slowing her advance so that Weidwold could move up along side of her, Blackwind let a smile crease her lips as he stated that there were no femmes that could resist him. She had never personally seen such an instance, but she was not going to tell him that. After all she wanted the mech to feel at ease in her presence.

“Weirdwolf, I have no doubt you’re a very capable mech…”

Looking over to him as they continued their trek she continued.

“…on the battlefield and off. You, in fact, are an experienced and intelligent warrior, this I have witnessed with my own optics. But I feel your abilities are being hindered. You should not have to sit on the side lines even now while others claim what should rightfully be yours.”

Turning a corner, Blackwind paused in her vocal musings to let what she had said sink in. Rounding another corner, Blackwind finally stopped her advance, turning fully to look at the tracker.

“You can be so much more, Weirdwolf. Give what I have said some thought. I am sure you will come to an admirable decision.”

That said, the encased Seeker flashed the golden tracker a smile before she left him alone to ponder what she had said. She then opened a secure channel to Thunderwing.

>>”Thunderwing. My appologies for leaving during the meeting with Shockwave. I decided to guage the troops in the medical bay. Unfortunately, our cycloptic friend has already gained the backing of several of the mechs. It appears that Psychout, Vindicator and Contemptor have made their choice. None of them seem to be adequate additions. But of course that is Shockwave's problem.”<<

She grew quiet for a moment before she went on.

>>”Where has the ‘Commander’ sent you? I would prefer to continue this conversation in your presence.”<<

Med-Bay

Psychout was unsurprised at Shadowing dropping that Blackwind was a Seeker, he was definitely growing to like his new associate and both of them being outspoken supporters of Shockwave meant that there was a certain degree of trust and an incredibly high chance of them working together in the foreseeable future. Now if I can just find a spark of commonality between Shadowing and the colossal twins currently undergoing treatment, I can finally have a team to depend upon after the loss of my old unit... He stopped torturing himself over the death of his friends as Shockwave's reply arrived. Excellent!

He replied straight away
>>On my way Commander, Psychout out.<<

"Shadowing, Shockwave has requested my presence, but it would be an honour to work alongside someone with both your credentials and objectives. It would appear we both share the same goals; the betterment of our race, the destruction of our enemies and the restoration of Cybertron, the whole 'enough energy to be able to swim in' is just an added bonus. I'm fairly sure the Commander will want a lengthy explanation of what's been going on here for the last few hours as well as to analyse my intentions towards furthering his cause and ending Starscreams, but I'd like you to join us if you can. My strategy could use someone with your talents?"

Mal Practice seemed less than impressed. "And where in the Pit do you think you are going!? You wake me up with no explanation, tell me Megatron and Cybertron are dead, dump this relic and the drone-destroyer here in my new repair bay for me to fix - FOR FREE!! - and then swan off like you own the place? Last I checked, I outranked you - I order you to stay here!!" He didn't wait for an answer and went straight back on with his work, scowling and grumbling to himself. Psychout knew he secretly enjoyed pulling rank on him, even if it was almost always ignored.

"Mal, you heard the message, he requested me. You are the precise instrument, I am the hand that guides you, and now I need to speak to the brain for instruction. Vindicator and Contemptor are you focusi for now. Here is the Cerebro shell you required and I will call in on Haywire on my way past for the rest of your parts and to assist you in my place, Engineering is only next door. Get these guys fixed up fast, as when I get back we will all be busy putting a stop to Starscream and sucking the energon out of that ugly green rock."

Vindicator was still out cold, but Contemptor was basking in the repair on his shoulder. Psychout nudged him and said "You hold still now, we'll have this sorted shortly and then you'll be back to work breaking stuff and making noise or whatever it is you guys did previously..."

"Shadow? I gotta move out. Shockwave said to come immediately and I have to pop into Engineering next door for Dr. Hfuhruhurr here first, so if you're coming, Ill see you in the corridor in 10."

Psychout left Med-Bay at a trot, checking that Blackwind and Weirdwolf had moved on before he emerged, and rounded the corner and headed into Engineering.


Engineering Doorway

"Haywire? I'm Psychout, and before you say it - yes, I'm short. Until 5 minutes ago I was assisting Surgeon Mal Practice over in Repair Lab. He has now requested that you relieve me, so can you head over with some Class-4 Dermaplate plasma housing, enough for a large-scale cranial insertion. I'll also warn you, he's not in a very good mood currently, so good luck..."


And with that request he headed off towards the Command Bridge, hoping Shadowing would soon follow. This scheme didn't hinge on his involvement, but it would certainly be easier with skills like his available. He just had to hope Shockwave went for his plan, it wasn't exactly... logical.

Corridor outside of the Med Bay

Despite of his earlier quip about no femmes being able to resist him, Weirdwolf did not really entertain any beliefs about Blackwind being interested in him. Not that he had ever had to suffer the lack of company before the war. The war however had made short work of the elitist circles whose appreciation for the finer arts had been Weirdwolf's source of top grade energon. In fact there was little doubt about this being nothing else but another attempt by Blackwind to gauge his loyalties or steer his opinion towards her preferred direction. And her words and mannerisms only reinforced his presumption. As did her hasty retreat and disinterest in hearing the tracker's reply.

Contrary to what others may have believed to be the only options for the new leader of the Decepticons, Weirdwolf's vision was not limited on the options at hand. Whoever he decided to follow for the time being was nothing more than a temporary choice. The two most competent Decepticon warlords in Weirdwolf's opinion were not present in the Sol system. Yet, he also realized that informing either one of them about what had taken place on Terra could plunge the remnaint of the Empire into a civil war where the disagreements between Shockwave, Starscream, Thunderwing and Razorclaw would be considered minor in comparison. Without Megatron, neither Scorponok or Deathsaurus would be satisfied with nothing less than becoming the Supreme Leader of the Decepticons.

The attempt to bait Weirdwolf with promises of grandeur and higher rank had been a miscalculation on Blackwind's part. Perhaps it was because of how his wires were crossed or perhaps it was just his true nature but Weirdwolf lacked the ambition of aiming higher within the ranks of the Decepticons. Nevertheless, he did yearn for respect what he did. Weirdwolf was proud of his talents and he knew he was very good at what he did. Shockwave had indeed made a mistake earlier by utilizing him to serve his goals like a drone. Thunderwing had done better back when the carapace clad scientist had led the team of explorers into the depths of Cybertron. It did little to change the fact that neither of the long lost scientists had Weirdwolf's trust. In that sense both Razorclaw and Starscream were far more accomplished leaders with both having led numerous campaigns while both Shockwave and Thunderwing had been presumed dead. It was something others might have forgotten but not Weirdwolf.

It didn't matter. He was no closer to a decision than he had been when he had first heard of Megatron's demise. Shrugging his shoulders as Blackwind headed to out to scheme with Thunderwing or whatever the femme had in mind, Weirdwolf moved to opposite direction. Perhaps Skullcruncher had some new insight to offer to him, likely not but at least the tracker knew his friend wouldn't mind having at least somekind of a pause to his guard duty.

Bridge

As Thunderwing left the bridge Soundwave continued his efforts to raise Razorclaw. The lack of response from the Predacon was troubling on many levels. He was certain that the Ultrax was still in communications range. That left only 2 options, that Razorclaw was unable to respond or unwilling to respond. Either way it made the current leadership situation even more complicated as they were without one of the more elite fighting units at their disposal. He placed the signal on automated repeat for now as Shockwave gave new instructions.

Soundwave turned to face Shockwave as he asked for his opinion. He quickly skimmed through his recordings of the past several minutes on the bridge. While he hadn’t been focused on scanning the electrical impulses generated by the cerebral circuitry of all Trasnformers he did have some readings he had recorded out of habit. He studied the ones in particular from Thunde2rwing.

“Thunderwing has not lied, but withholds full information. He is making plans of his own, but what these plans pertain to cannot be determined without further exposure to him and concentration on my part. His new technology could cause interference as well.” He briefly glanced back at his console. “No response from Razorclaw.”

*

Corridors

Thunderwing felt a slight tinge of relief at Blackwind’s signal. Unfortunately it was quickly dimmed by the news she had to give him. It was beginning to look like Shockwave had stocked the vessel with his supporters when no one was looking. In the meantime any other Decepticons he would want to talk with to sway to his possible side were unreachable. The entire situation was beginning to look untenable. He opened a channel in reply to the femme.

>>”I am heading to the cargo bay where we brought in my equipment. I am glad you, as always, had the foresight to investigate the other Decepticons’ leanings, even if the answer was unfavorable. At least we know now where so many stand. I will meet you in the cargo bay, but you may wish to take your time. I wouldn’t be surprised if some Decepticons are suspecting us. Both of use meeting up in the cargo bay so quickly may further arouse suspicions. Of course I am sure you can use your talents to remain unseen, if you wish.”<<

Med bay – Deep in Thought/Flashbacks of Yesterday

Contemptor lounged back, more at ease now with the probing tendrils that were working their way in and around his shoulder. The knives, clamps, and laser-scalpels all working in unison as they chopped, moved, and reaffixed the damaged gears and rotators that were damaged by the super-cooled nitrogen from Ironhide’s counter attack in the Iranian Desert. One that Contemptor would be sure that he would never forget, nor let Ironhide forget in due course, and whilst his thoughts turned to revenge, Contemptor let a chuckle rumble up from his vocal processor as he watched Mal Practice manipulate Vindicator’s prone form, the limbs of the Siege Master whirling in the air as the Decepticon Medic pulled, poked and dug around inside Vindicator’s cranial unit.

It was a comical sight to Contemptor, and one that he would definitely keep for posterity, a little bit of blackmail would go a long, long way – especially if listening to Psychout was anything to go by! But then again, this was the Decepticon Empire, and backstabbing, betrayal and blackmail; well it went hand in hand with being a Decepticon, so why not use it to full effect?
The truck-former slowly moved the fingers on his left hand, the motion feeling more relaxed and smoother thanks to the invasive, yet quick, surgery of the probes that Psychout had commandeered from his interface with the Med Bay’s mainframe.

“Just like rolling off the assembly line!” Contemptor remarked with a smile on his face as the tendrils slowly retracted from his shoulder, the small, but firm clamps retracted with shards of carbonised metal, some of it still frozen, and other blackened bits of aged materials, still within their grasp. “Well I’ll be a proto-form’s illegitimate progenitor...” Contemptor said as his optics focused and zoomed in on the retracting clamps, targeting the small bits of metal. “...That was the junk that was causing my shoulder discomfort? Frakking automated repair systems!” The large Decepticon grumbled darkly as he folded his arms over his chest “That’s the last time I ever let an automated repair system replace a broken limb! Especially if it’s on the Ultrax...damned ship can’t even hold itself together much less repair damaged soldiers.

All his grumbling aside – and he was pretty good at grumbling – Contemptor watched Psychout eject himself from the mainframe of the Med Bay and proceeded to make his way from the repair center, complete with a ‘shopping list’ from Mal Practice – still wrist deep in Vindicator’s brain casing.
Contemptor stood and flexed his wrist, turning it left and right whilst clenching and unclenching his fist, wriggling his fingers slowly, then rapidly. He rotated his arm at the shoulder – no grinding sound and definitely no more stiffness. Psychout was good, but when he was focused, he was fragging well excellent!

“So what’s the prognosis Doc...” Contemptor asked Mal Practice “And spare me the jargon and medical mumbo-jumbo. I might be an intelligent mechanoid, brutal and twisted too...” he paused as he looked over Mal Practice’s shoulder at the shimmering and sparking neural network that was his mentor’s brain unit. “...but when it comes to technical jargon and professional ramble or babble, then it’s over my head!” he made a swiping motion with his newly repaired left arm over the top of his head, a quirky grin on his face as he did so.

“I wonder what’s going on inside his processors right now...” Contemptor stated, half out of curiosity, half matter-of-factly as he waved his right hand over the Siege Master’s amber optics, as he slumbered.
Vindicator, lay inert, his internal memory units cycling – as if he was remembering.

“Hey Vin!” the other miner shouted over as he set the blast chargers in the adamantine rock, ready to blast out the outer metal ore to reveal more of the rich energon seams. “Move yer lumbering aft-plate outta the way or we’ll be scraping you off the mineshaft!”

“Yeah, yeah Tremolo!” The bigger mechanoid rumbled as he put down one of the mining hammers and moved over to the blast shield that was finally erected by four other miners that would keep them safe from the flying adamantine shards, proven to be lethal to Cybertronian Miners, especially to the optics for there were the few miners that were taken out, suffering from "Black Rock" - the term was struck because the black shards of adamantium ore ended up being wedged deep inside the optical units of the miners.

Vindicator, lumbering with the weight of the penta-cannons, and the pair of mining hammers, finally made his way behind the blast sheild as Tremolo finished setting the charges to break open the rock-facing. Vindicator gave the thumbs up sign and then, like the rest of the miners, braced for the impact of the detonation.

There was an audio splitting bang as the charges went off...

...There was shouting and what sounded like the clamour of voices as smoke filled the gloom of the mine. There was the limp, and inert form of one of the miners at Vindicator's feet, the dead miner's energon, splattered on the ground, and over Vindicator's right foot as the seeping flow of energon came from the fallen miner's cranial unit. The head of the miner had been staved in that much that the housing was cracked and damaged, the crainial circuits of the fallen cybertronian damaged beyond system repair. Tremolo was gone, and Vindicator was in a rage.

He picked up both his mining hammers, and in a scream of anger, Vindicator launched himself at the throng of guard's and began to demolish them one by one. The static power in the hammers making short work of their armour as the hammers, swung by the titanic Vindicator bit into the Autobot Guards. Vindicator smashed one of them in the head, lifting the guard's head from his shoulders, as he stepped through and unleashed a volly of point blank destruction from the Penta-Cannon mounted on his right arm...

Contemptor sat as he watched Mal Practice, and listened to the medic's ranting and grumbling as he continued to work away inside Vindicator's head.

"Ya know doc..." Contemptor began "...I really have no idea why i suddenly had a soft spot for a damned seeker, Hellion much less...its not like I've had to fight others off for her, or earn her affection..pft.."
The truck-former huffed as he sat back down on a comfortable chair in the med bay.

Corridors

Shadowing looked at the others one last time then walked out the corridor. He was grateful for the momentary quite this act brought as it allowed him to think without distractions. He was already guessing what duties Shockwave would give him next and the likely complications he would have to face. He had only been back a short time but he could already sense that he stood near a very dangerous edge that was just about to be crossed. Whether the Decepticon cause could survive the fall he did not know. He needed more information.

He walked slowly as to give Psychout a chance to catch up. He realized that, being larger, he would tend to cover more ground as he walked.