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Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Cipher’s interest in the small cybertronian grew tenfold when he considered the mech just might know how to get to the very site they needed to find. Carefully the scientist moved up to Wheelie and regarded him with a slight nod. With a false smile plastered on his face Cipher addressed the little bot.

“You have clearly been on this planet for quite some time. My comrades and I need to get to sector SW – 64110. Do you know a clear path? Preferably one that would bypasses the native creatures.”

Cipher grew silent as he began to wait for the little bot to answer at the same time the CR chamber hissed open and Rippersnapper stepped out. The synthetic skinned Terrorcon quickly moved down the shuttle’s ramp and made his way to stand behind the scientist. Why were they still here? Why hadn't Hun-Grrr ordered them to begin their trek?

Letting out a low growl the terrorist placed a hand on Cipher’s shoulder and tossed the smaller mech off to the side. Obviously the scribe had been attempting to get information from the little bot which meant they would have to wait even longer before they could move out. Not something Rippersnapper was willing to do.

With a grunt Cipher landed against the dropship with a hollow thud. A deep frown grew on his face at the white and blue mech’s sudden action. However, he did not want to get on the terrorist's bad side. Instead of complaining about his treatment, Cipher raised his hand and rubbed it over a small dent from where he impacted the dropship.

“We have no time for this slag! You…” Rippersnapper pointed a clawed digit at Mindwipe “…get the information we need from this…creature so that we may finally be on our way!”

Decepticon Dropship ST-4

Mindwipe had let out the scarcest utterance of a chuckle at Cipher's earlier suggestion that he should kill the other Decepticon if the time came that they were to be made a meal. Interestingly, Mindwipe had been contemplating making the same request of Cipher, if they came to a point where they were left with no other options.

Mindwipe could handle death. His studies in to the occult had assured him fairly well that this terrestrial plane was not all that awaited them. Whether it be convergence with the Allspark or some other eternal destiny, Mindwipe was confidant that the essence of his spark would continue on in some fashion once he came to the end of his functional existence on this plane. But he was also in no rush to test that assumption.

Hungrr's chastisement had stirred up a modicum of his old warrior's instinct, but not enough. It had been long since he had felt the inspiration of Megatron's leadership in battle. Leadership that had inspired him to wipe out many more Autobots than he would have originally thought himself capable of. As commanders went, Scorponok was tolerable, but he was no Megatron. And Hungrr? Well, let's just say it's exceedingly difficult to conjure up courage when your field commander or any one of his subordinates might suddenly decide to end your existence.

Of course, he wasn't going to argue with the Terrorcon commander, either.

"I will do as you command, in all things, commander Hungrr," Mindwipe said, again setting down the equipment from earlier an approaching the protoformic Cybertronian with increased curiosity. He seized the smaller mech by his shoulder joints, needle-like appendages jutting from the palms of his hands as he locked optics with this "Wheelie". The technology MIndwipe was outfitted with and had become synonymous with his name could work from a distance, but it was much more potent when direct contact was possible.

"You have survived on this planet for a long time. You know 'every peak'. We seek the quickest route to any Cybertronian structure. You must know this. Guide us, and no harm will come to you."

Decepticon Dropship ST-4

As Mindwipe had looked down in to the optics of the young Cybertronian protoform that was now under his thrall, he felt something odd. Pity? Remorse? This thing was clearly not a creature of the war. He had obviously been abandoned here and left to survive on his own. Impressive indeed that he was still alive.

Mindwipe stood back and watched with the others as Wheelie seemed to instinctually integrate himself with this living world around them, finding the best path to that which they had come here for in the first place. The protoform's mind was different than many that Mindwipe had encountered. He wasn't sure if it was the mech himself, or the effect that this planet would have on any among their kind who found themselves marooned here for any significant length of time. Whatever the cause, Mindwipe could feel his psychological grip slipping already. Another curiosity to add to the many that already existed about this world.

"He would have done it anyway," Mindwipe said, shrugging slightly as followed after Wheelie. How very interesting. Perhaps they had unwittingly stumbled upon a new ally.
___

As soon as he was able, Sinnertwin quickly transformed back in to his cerberic alt-mode.

"It would have done it anyway," the dual-headed Decepticon growled in a low tone, its optics flashing as he leapt off in pursuit of the Cybertronian protoform. It was the northwest that would reveal their path. North, south, east, west....Sinnertwin cared not. Hungrr's satisfaction was what mattered. If he found satisfaction, they would all reap the reward.

Moving through the Forest

Rippersnapper remained silent as the group of Terrorcons and the two hangers-on began their trek in to the wood heading, according to the miniscule mech northwest. The terrorist was still wound up pretty tight from his abuse brought down upon him by Hun-Grrr. Declaring his anger to his commander would only bring about a beating that not even Motormaster was capable of.

Cipher had taken up a stake within the center of the group, not only to keep safe from anything that just might be out there, but to also keep in optic contact with his bodyguards. This planet was teeming with an assortment of flora that seemed just as terrifying as the unseen fauna.

The scientists’ optics shot from one tree to another, at least he hoped they were trees, from what he witnessed when Wheelie climbed that…thing…well, now he just wasn’t sure anymore. Directly to his left Cipher heard a slight rustling just beyond the treeline. It didn’t sound as though it was made by something too large. The scribe slowed his advance letting Rippersnapper stride by him followed by Hun-Grrr.

Optics narrowed in to mere slits, Cipher veered off to where he heard that light rustling. He didn’t move far from the others, but he still wound up falling slightly behind them. When his inspection was finished, and his curiosity satisfied, he backed away from the treeline. Unfortunately, he failed to notice the thick vine that had been behind him. With his optics still focused on the bush beneath the trees, Cipher tripped over the obstruction.

"Slag. Where did that come from?"

Before the scientist knew what was happening that same tendril lifted from its grounded location and wrapped around the mech’s ankle. Unsure of just what was happening or what to do, Cipher turned over on to his stomach and tried to crawl out of the things grasp, but when he finally realized that all of his struggling was useless, he panicked.

“Ugh! Get this thing off me!”

Moving through the Forest

Transition from base of operations to the target destination had always been Hun-Grrr's least favorite part of any mission he took part in. To make it worse, they were forced to travel on feet. It was slow and inefficient way to move. And for someone who wanted everything to be done without delay and with minimal waste of his own energy, the situation was hardly ideal. Had it not meant losing even more time and their overall energon, the slothful Terrorcon commander would probably have made Blot drag him to their destination on a sled instead walking on his own. Speaking of Blot, Cipher did seem to trust his chosen bodyguard given the scribe suddenly stopped and let both Hun-Grrr and Rippersnapper walk by him.

Ignoring Cipher, Hun-Grrr's thoughts flowed towards the protoform Sinnertwin had found. The being had managed to ignore the biggest and baddest monster of the group. His presence not getting the attention the former pitfighter was used to, ate up Hun-Grrr's ego even if he would never admit it. Even more infuriating was the fact that right now - there was nothing he could do about it. Wheelie was under hypnosis and if he were to hurt the little slagger now, it would only slow them down even more. And thus, Hun-Grrr tried to turn his attention to something else while the group of Decepticons continued onwards on their dreadful journey. Namely his attention turned towards Rippersnapper who had been silent for abnormal lenght of time.

"Stop yourrr sulking Rrripperrrsnapperrr. Therrre was no otherrr way. You know this." Hun-Grrr growled as his left head turned to look at the terrorist. It was the truth. Rippersnapper would have never let him done that voluntarely. In fact, Hun-Grrr had been rather gentle with his minion in comparison to beatings he had given to the white and blue Decepticon in the past, and for the same reason even.

Meanwhile, behind Hun-Grrr and Rippersnapper - Blot had stopped his advance as Cipher did so before him. For what it was worth, Blot took his orders seriously and followed them to the letter. At least when the orders were simple enough for the simpleminded Terrorcon to understand. Hun-Grrr's latest set of orders certainly had been so.

As Cipher managed to trip himself on a vine, Blot snorted small flames out of his nostrils in amusement. The amusement was quickly replaced by worry as the vine began dragging Cipher upwards towards the canopy of the tree-thing. Blot was not really worried over Cipher's well being but he was worried in being unable to fill the duty given to him by Hun-Grrr. Charging forth at the tree-thing, Blot collided with Cipher's tormentor violently, shaking the large tree-being like it had been rammed by raging Chaosteros.

But Blot was hardly finished. The massive clawed arms of his alt. mode sunk through the tree-creature's bark and took a firm grip of it. Next few seconds saw Blot putting his incredible strength to work as the Terrorcon began lift the tree from the ground, exposing its roots. With the tree creaking of the forces it was subjected to and some of its roots being snapped in two, Blot began shaking the tree-creature violently in hopes of making it drop Cipher back to the ground before Hun-Grrr would get mad at him.

Ravine

Mindwipe cautiously made his way to the edge of the ravine. The trenches outlying this particular edge of the forest cascaded deep below them. He wasn't sure if a fall from this height had the potential to be fatal for any of their kind, but Mindwipe was of no mind to risk it.

At this point, he was just satisfied that he had been left alone by the marauding flora. And Hungrr's size and intimidation factor seemed to be keeping the appetites of his murderous crew at bay. Going back was hardly an option for the hypnotist. His survival lay in whatever was ahead of them.

"An unnecessary risk, in my case. I will see the rest of you on the other side," Mindwipe said, before leaping in to the air and transforming. Flapping his new fleshy wings fiercely, Mindwipe arced down partway through the ravine before angling back up again towards the other end of the bridge.
___

Sinnertwin, eager to see what the rest of this planet offered, quickly set foot on the bridge itself. His currently low center of gravity provided additional stability as he quickly began the process of crossing, his pace quickening in to an almost-run as he began to catch new scents that awaited on the other side.

Moving through the Forest

A desperate screech escaped the scientist’s vocalizer as Blot uprooted the tree-creature and began to shake it vigorously. The living tree only seemed to tighten its grip around Cipher’s leg, but as soon as all of its roots were severed the vine finally slackened and then opened up completely. Cipher grew silent as he looked up at where the tree finally released his leg. He let out a quick yelp before he fell to the ground in an unceremonious heap.

Slowly, and carefully Cipher lifted himself up off the ground and shrugged Wheelie’s helping hands off.

“Back off, protoform! I don’t need any help! And that thing was a menace; it deserved what Blot dealt it!”

The scribe looked over his shoulder at the lumbering form on Blot and offered the Terrorcon a grateful nod. If it weren’t for the assigned bodyguard he would have wound up being swallowed whole by that unholy organic creature. The thought sent a deep shiver running down his spinal structure.

Once he regained his composure he fell back in line with the others. Soon the group had finally arrived at the bridge Wheelie had mentioned. The makeshift catwalk was a debacle just waiting to happen. Cipher let out a heavy sigh as he stared out over the expanse. Luckily for him his alt mode was one that was capable of flight.

A smile grew on his visage as he watched Mindwipe transform and fly off toward the opposite cliff side.

“I suppose I will see you all on the other side.”

Cipher stepped to the edge of the cliff beside the bridge and leapt off. One flip in midair and the scientist’s body twisted as he took on his alternate mode. The synthetic covering filling in every gap revealing nothing but the scale covered creature he had chosen for protection.

The wings that adorned his back flapped slowly as he started to gain altitude. He then followed after Mindwipe and on to other cliff that lie across the ravine.