Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Leaving the location of the research bunker was quite possibly the one blessing Rippersnapper was anticipating. He was tired of standing outside and waiting. Watching wasn’t too horrid but waiting was the downright boring.

The arrival of his Commander almost had the Terrorcon terrorist jumping for joy…almost. The white and blue Decepticon offered Hun-Grrr a nod and started out toward the location of the dropship that had brought them to this detestable rock.

The time it had taken the group to travel the land to their destination seemed to be cut in half while on their way back. Possibly due to the fact that they no knew their intended path. All well and good, but Rippersnapper had hoped that they would have arrived already. Of course…no such luck.

“Keep moving Blot! I’m in no mood to spend any more time on this slag-pit that’s necessary.”

Blot let out a low grunt before the foul smelling Decepticon pressed on this time at a slightly increased pace. He was, by no means, a fast moving mech. Lumbering oaf.

While the foot soldier trudged on Rippersnapper had taken the time to look around. The plants…disgusting, the ground…putrid, Primus only knew what everything smelled like. He had moved toward the tree line noting that the creatures that had been moving about and chattering had suddenly stopped…or had they stopped earlier?

“Gah! The slag?!”

The terrorist had caught himself before taking a fall down a deep indentation in the ground. Rippersnapper let out a growl as he backed up and took a good hard look at the impression. It didn’t surprise him to find it here. After all…this entire planet was crawling with them.

“Chaosteros.”

Blot looked over his shoulder and tilted his head in an inquisitive manner. The mech was stupid but nothing fazed him. If need be Blot would simply engage and kill it.
Rippersnapper rolled his head and let out a heavy sigh as he stared at his Terrorcon brother.

“Nevermind. Just keep going!”

Through the brush the dark purple and black form of Blot traipsed onward and toward the dropship. At the sight of the vessel Rippersnapper’s lips curled into a delighted smile. From behind him Hun-Grrr moved forward.

“How long are we going to wait for Sinnertwin and Cutthroat before we leave, Commander?”

Outer perimeter of Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

"Forrr long enough." Hun-Grrr replied to Rippersnapper's question as the trio of Terrorcons approached their vessel.

He didn't really mean what he had just said though. Scorponok would not wait for them forever and Hun-Grrr certainly wasn't going to risk being stranded on this planet. It wasn't the question of survival, the ferocious leader of the Terrorcons believed in his ability to adapt. He possessed enough technical know-how to not run out of energon either - or rather, its substitutes. Indeed, the issue was hardly about survival. It was all about the unvoiced fact that neither Cutthroat or Sinnertwin were worth the trouble as far as Hun-Grrr was concerned. He would rather abandon them here than actually put effort to saving them from their own stupidity. That was not to say he wouldn't give Sinnertwin a chance to return with Cutthroat - or without.

The footprints of the chaosteros Rippersnapper had noticed earlier, had not gone unnoticed by Hun-Grrr either. Particularly the fact how the footprints circled their cloaked dropship was worrysome. Not because Hun-Grrr feared the creature but because of the possibility of it having damaged to dropship due to its sheer size and strength. Hun-Grrr could smell the creature's chemical trail still reeking in the immediate area. His sensors could sense the slight vibration in the ground caused by its foot steps. And while his sensors could confirm it wasn't here now, it was obvious the creature was still close by. At least given how the creature was roughly as large and High Commander Scorponok, they were hardly going to be surprised by it.

"Blot, keep yourrr optics open and be prepared forrr anything." One of the large Decepticon's dragonic heads began, only to have the other to finish, "Ripperrrsnapperrr, check the condition of ourrr vessel. A chaosteros has obviously paid ourrr base camp a visit while we were gone. The lumbering oaf may have damaged the ship."

Outer Perimeter of Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Blot let out a low grunt as he nodded in Hun-Grrr’s direction. If the Commander said to keep his optics open and be prepared for anything than that’s exactly what the foot soldier would do. Blot drew his slime gun and began to slowly make his way toward the tree-line where he could better keep an eye out. He then started to walk around the perimeter taking note of all the organic structures.

In the meantime Rippersnapper set off to check the ship keeping in mind that the on chaosteros might not have been the only one roaming around the area. With any luck the creature or creatures hadn't caused any damage to their vessel and they could simply board and be gone. If only Sinnertwin would return with Cutthroat then the process could proceed on a much faster note.

His examination hadn't taken as long as he had thought and it seemed as though there was no pressing damage to the outer hull of the shuttle. That didn't mean there wasn't any damage to any of the inner workings.

Letting out a low growl Rippersnapper emerged from the raised nose of the ship and approached Hun-Grrr.

“One of those…things did pass through here, and although it didn't step on the shuttle directly it did do some slight damage to portions of the hull. Probably from some kicked up boulder."

The terrorist took a look over his shoulder at the vessel and then back to his Commander.

“I’ll check the internal structure to ensure its integrity hasn't been compromised. If anything that should give Sinnertwin enough time to reign in Cutthroat and haul his wayward aft back over here.”

Outer Perimeter of Decepticon Dropship ST–4

It had taken time, more time than Sinnertwin cared to spend, tracking down their wayward, fellow Terrorcon. But tracked him he had. And he had at last returned.

Approaching the Decepticon dropship, Sinnertwin stalked his way through the brush and bramble that was native to planet LV-117 in full robot mode. In one arm, a jagged blade that did not appear to have seen any action in battle in recent orns but brandished and ready for action nonetheless. In the other arm, being unceremoniously dragged on the ground behind him, was Cutthroat. It was clear that the Terrorcon had sustained multiple injuries, as claw marks etched their way across his body and fresh fluids of various types streaked the dirt behind him as he was dragged across it. It would be difficult to tell, at first glance, whether or not the insane Terrorcon had suffered the injuries at the hands of some native flora or fauna or whether he had done so at the hands of Sinnertwin himself.

Sinnertwin, for his part, was not saying one way or the other.

"Found him. No other option," was all Sinnertwin said as he trudged his way past the others and on to the ship where he immediately let go of Cutthroat's wing and let it drop to the floor of the shuttle with a muffled clank.

Sinnertwin himself still bore scars of Hungrr's dissatisfaction. He was not inclined to have any more added to the collection. Cutthroat could bear the brunt of the Terrorcon Commander's displeasure once he awakened.

If he awakened.

Outer Perimeter of Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Rippersnapper's report was a satisfactory one. Although the notion of a chaosteros not stepping directly on the shuttle sounded odd to Hun-Grrr. As big the native apex predator of this world was - it was not that big. All in all, the dropship was bigger than the chaosteros after all. However, any creature of its proportions and body mass could still easily inflict damage to the vulnerable radiation reflecting coating of the grounded vessel if not its actual armoring. A Decepticon dropship was a rugged warhorse made to last long enough under enemy fire to perform its job and as powerful a chaosteros was, Hun-Grrr still doubted it had been able to compromise the structural integrity of the ship. At least it gave Rippersnapper something to do while waiting for Sinnertwin to return.

"See that you do." Hun-Grrr grunted his response to the terrorist and proceeded to lie down. Why to waste his own energy when he had others to do the menial labor for him? Blot wouldn't complain. And the rest? They lacked the courage to even complain about the issue within the range of Terrorcon leader's audio receptors.

Fortunately they didn't have to wait for too long before Sinnertwin arrived, dragging the beaten and unconscious looking Cutthroat unceremoniously behind him. The sentry did little to explain Cutthroat's condition which was just fine with Hun-Grrr. The sole comment Sinnertwin provided was clear enough for the larger Terrorcon. It wouldn't have been the first time Cutthroat had to be taken down and out. And given how the intellectually challenged marauder had charged off into the air as his first action after removing himself from the shuttle - and without the protective organic coating despite the warnings given to him, yeah - it really was no surprise if Sinnertwin had had to fight Cutthroat.

"Good. We're rrready to go then." Hun-Grrr replied to the mostly yellow Terrorcon and slowly forced himself up only to have his attention drawn away by the steady increase in volume of the tremors he had been monitoring. A chaosteros was approaching and all too likely, Sinnertwin had caught the beast's attention.

"Boarrrd the ship! And get it rrready to fly!" One of the Terrorcon commander's heads roared while the other took a sizable bite of a nearby boulder and swallowed it down to let his inner processing machinery to turn the piece of rock into a crude projectile. Given that Rippersnapper, Cutthroat and Sinnertwin were already inside, the command was quickly fulfilled as Blot climbed through the shuttle's open hatch. Hun-Grrr however did not. The chaosteros was near and it had to be dealt with. If the beast would ram their shuttle before they were safely out of its reach, they could end up stranded on this organic equivalent of hell to a Transformer.

Only moments later the chaosteros' massive form appeared from the edge of the forest and let out a chilling roar establish its dominance over the territory it had claimed as its own. A common tactic to scare out competition without having to waste one's energy to actually fight an intruder. And the way the chaosteros saw it, a strange, unknown two-headed beast half of its own size was standing it's ground, and thus challenging its claim over the territory like only another chaosteros would. The beast had to be driven out or turned into the chaosteros' next meal. No. Just driven out, the creature smelled similar to strange orange creature the chaosteros had met before. The orange creature had been inedible and devouring part of it had caused severe indigestion for days. The chaosteros wanted it out of its domain.

Hun-Grrr watched with amusement as the chaosteros circled his position from afar and tried to intimidate him through roaring. Primitive beast, it did not understand what it was about to face. No doubt the beast was not put off by the smell of the Terrorcons. It had met Wheelie before and dominated the small Cybertronian. Well, if the chaosteros wanted a fight, Hun-Grrr was glad to oblige. He answered the chaosteros' challenge with a roar of his own. And this show of defiance was all that the chaosteros needed to provoke itself into action.

The massive beast rushed towards Hun-Grrr, its jaw open and ready to strike. Although its 'rush' was could hardly be called such. It simply was too massive to be able to run and it had enough distance to cover to allow Hun-Grrr easily to avoid its charge if the Terrorcon were to choose so. He didn't. He waited. He waited until only few seconds separated him from being smashed into by the chaosteros. Before the enormous beast could reach him though, Hun-Grrr aimed one of his heads at the beast's snout and spat out the rock with enough force to shatter a building. The rock projectile hit the chaosteros directly between its nostrils and stopped the beast's charge. Letting out a howl of pain, the chaosteros turned on its heels and headed back towards the forest - hurt but alive.

Hun-Grrr wasted no more time. He had established his dominance. If he and the chaosteros were going to ever cross their paths again, the beast would remember him. In this instance, knowledge of his superiority over the beast was far more satisfying than merely tearing it to shreds. Moment later Hun-Grrr, now in his robot mode and sporting a wicked grin - entered the dropship and closed the hatch behind him.

"Rippersnapper, take us back to the Tyrannis."

Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Rippersnapper gave his Commanding Officer a curt nod just before heading inside the ship to check on the internal structure. Thankfully the vessel was not too massive making ensuring that his task would not require too much of his time.

As quickly, and as carefully as he could, Rippersnapper moved about scanning several areas and finding that none of the results showed anything out of the ordinary. Good. We’ll be able to leave just as soon as Sinnertwin brings back Cutthroat.

As if on cue in walked Sinnertwin who just so happened to be dragging an unconscious Cutthroat. The other Terrorcon then dumped off his burden and walked away. Not too unusual to see. Cutthroat was known to wander off leaving it up to the rest of the team to find and drag him back. This wasn't the first time and it certainly would not be the last.

Rippersnapper turned his attention back to the access ramp waiting for the last two members of the team to board so that they could be off. But when Hun-Grrr and Blot failed to trudge in the terrorist’s curiosity got the better of him. He stalked quickly to the ramp and prepared to descend when he suddenly stopped…halted by nothing more than Hun-Grrr’s bellowing order.

Not one to disobey a direct order, the white and blue Decepticon turned tail and took up his position at the flight controls. Hands running over the switches and keys, Rippersnapper prepared the dropship for take-off.

The sound of metal on metal caught Rippersnapper’s attention and he looked over his shoulder to see Blot climbing on board which only left Hun-Grrr. His head whipped back around to look out of the translucent window when his audios picked up the roar of a chaosteros. Rippersnapper watched with suppressed glee as Hun-Grrr faced off with the creature. The terrorist waited with bated breath for his commander to tear into the monster but when it never came Rippersnapper let out a frustrated grunt.

He was unwilling to watch the defeated chaosteros scurry away in defeat instead he powered up the main screen…the left and right sides of the large translucent window took on an opaque sheen with read outs occupying each segment. The sound of the door sealing and with Hun-Grrr’s direct order, Rippersnapper ignited the engines and carefully guided the ship out of the valley. Now clear of the dense vegetation and with their course set Rippersnapper ignited the thrusters sending the team back toward the Semper Tyrannis