re_alignment_logs | The Worst Field Trip of All Time

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The Worst Field Trip of All Time

WHO: Megatronus & the Badlands volunteers
WHERE: At the edge of Haven, then onwards to the center of the Badlands offshoot.
WHEN: Sunday/Monday
WHAT: Now that they have their assault team, it's time to put an end to the recent influx of monsters.
WARNINGS: Violence against robotic centipedes.

Whether they hear it from Megatronus himself or through one of his Acolytes, all of the volunteer fighters are offered the same information: a time, a place, and instructions on what to expect from the Badlands. More of the monsters, surely, and the Call of the darkness is an ever-present threat. Stay within sight of the group at all times or risk being lost forever.

The only thing left to do now is make it to the rendez-vous point.

[[OOC note: tag in under the two sub-threads already provided: a more relaxed one for pre-fight chatter, and the actual fight thread. You can participate in both, or just do one and handwave your character's involvement in the other.]]

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Megatronus waits at the edge of the Haven for a time. Once his group of volunteers has assembled he gives the signal, transforming and heading away from the relative safety of the Firstforged's domain and towards the unknown terrain of the Badlands.

Compared to the random attacks in the Haven, the beginning of the trek is eerily quiet. The horizon darkens when they enter the Badlands and sensors begin to send back false readings – but so far, nothing has moved against them.

It'll be a long, tense voyage.

With any hope, the accompanying organics and any smaller mechanoids lacking vehicle modes are prepared to walk a great deal today, or have friends with passenger compartments. Megatronus himself is proceeding along in his tank form and probably won't object to smaller members of his team hitching a ride on his back.

Just remember to ask first, or he might swing that sizable turret of his around for a disciplinary smack.

[[OOC note: feel free to use this section for general CR-building purposes – go ahead and put “open” in your subject line to let people know your character's available to chat, and remember to tag around, too! Otherwise, you can skip along to the Battle thread below.]]

The darkness grows heavier as they approach the center of the Badlands, becoming an almost physical weight on their shoulders. Then, very suddenly, the shadows clear: they've arrived.

Before them is a creature that can't properly be described as anything but a monster. An upscaled version of the creatures that invaded the Haven, its armor is even thicker, and its jaws could effortlessly cleave a truck in half. It rises a good 90 feet above the ground - and that's just the part that can be seen. Some of the demon remains safely tucked away in its underground burrow.

It roars, and the ground around it seems to shiver. Soon it's clear that the ground isn't ground at all: it's more of the creatures. They've gathered around their master, a living carpet of teeth and sharpened limbs ready to tear apart anything that dares approach. Obviously, their arrival was anticipated.

There's certainly no shortage of targets in the area. Take your pick, heroes.

[[OOC note: characters are free to engage either the minions or their leader, but don't expect to land the killing blow on the latter – weakening it, however, is certainly on the menu! Smaller monsters are free for the slaughter.]]

Saber waits. Megatronus is in her sights, but she is not particularly close to him. As a previous king, Saber is used to having a front view of the battlefield and she naturally gravitated towards the front of the crowd - even if towards one side of it.

The knight is composed, as usual, and has not even taken out anything that resembles a weapon. She has experience with these creatures, and feels that with these numbers.. Saber is fairly confident that they will be victorious; even if something unexpected should happen.

Her gaze remains towards the Badlands. She has not ventured out there before, and is not entirely sure what to expect.

((Although Saber looks somewhat.. unapproachable, she definitely isn't. Feel free to chat her up a bit. She also does have a ride already (Wing), so any offers of that are unneeded and will be turned down. ))

He didn't have much to say on the way out here. Then again, he's never been chatty before battle, so he'd spent as much of the journey out on the outskirts of the group, gathering in that quiet, tense concentration he always felt before battle.

It's like a spring, uncoiling, the way he leaps over the final rise, drawing both of his short blades as he launches himself at the lead monster's head. If nothing else, he can take the worst of it himself. He's done the math, in his head, over and over again, and out of everyone here, no one has survived more battles than he has. That has to give him some advantage.

((ooc: feel free to tag in to coordinate with head attacks or attack the body or whatever!))

She didn't say much; she never had. But she'd watched the network enough to know that they were making a move to attack these things. And while Hinata was shy, she wasn't one to ever turn away from a battle, especially if that battle was to protect others.

So she's floating around the edges of the group, trying to be as small and inconspicuous as possible. But she's here, because she couldn't follow her nindo any other way.

((ooc: feel free to approach! she doesn't have a ride but she can always do that ninja animu runny thing so no worries))

Melan has been... curious. A lot of different persons had assembled at Megatronus' call, and most of them were unknown to im: there were plenty of giant mechas, and a few organics, some humans, some definitly not.
But the girl had immediatly caught his eye. She was older than Marin, but not by much, and seeing someone so young and frail in an expedition to somewhere dangerous was... unsettling for him.

Megatronus had told him to protect the more fragile ones, right?

Unfortunately, Melan was not really... talkative. Nope. So he just landed a few feet behind her, arms pointed to the ground to not frighten her, and... stared. Damn, how do you do social? Discussion? Introduction? When taken out of his "duty", Melan was always lost.

So he just stared with his red eyes and waited for her to begin the "conversation". Whatever that was.

She couldn't ignore the presence behind her. It was a little unnerving: she was all too aware of that one weakness in her Byakugan, directly behind her heart. And that the newcomer was staring...right at it, it seemed.

But she couldn't feel any desire to attack from him, no matter how hard she tried. She finally turned, offering a shy smile. "H-hello? Are you new here too?"

Her eyes were white. White. Melan had never seen any human with such an eye color. But the lack of pupil worried him: Marin had lost her pupil and her sight at the same time. Was that strange human blind too?

"Yes, I am." The Knight tilted his head on the side and slowly floated closer. "My name is Melan Blue. Are you here to fight?"

That worried him even more. Se was so young! And she looked a little like Moe, who was really fragile. She didn't really intend to come with them... Right?

Saber charges into battle on her own, but she also is plenty aware of what's going on around her. If someone is fighting near her, she will synchronize attacks with them for optimal efficiency in taking down whatever they are working on.

Her blade is encased in its shield of wind, but the moving energy can be easily seen.

The knight is attempting to help with taking down the largest one; she waits for an opening and then attempts to strike at the same weak points its smaller versions have. This means the tender underside of the neck when exposed, so sometimes the knight can be seen running up the creature and slicing before dropping back down to the ground. If a smaller one gets in Saber's way, she then focuses on that instead.

There's no reason in worrying about her being stepped on or squished, even in the commotion, as she's very agile and is able to dart away in a second's notice if needed. Her Instinct is definitely paying off here.

(( Collaborate attacks with her on the biggie or smaller ones? Sounds good to me! Open to anything, really. ))

Wing moves, restless, around the group, leaving an encouraging word or a soft touch with individuals here and there. Morale building, the knight thinks, though in truth it's also a way to keep busy, to not think about what's to come.

Eventually he comes to rest slightly apart from the crowd, to try and achieve some stillness, some control. He wishes he could meditate, though this is not the time nor the place. Instead he perches, leaned back against a rock outcropping to still his rustling wings. His face, drawn in an expression of contemplation, pinches from time to time as his pinions twitch with agitation.

It betrays his nerves to the keen observer. This was the first pitched battle since defending Crystal City, and he doesn't want to draw parallels. Their force was sizable, though by all accounts the enemy's numbers are far, far greater. The first invasion of sharkticons had been different: sudden and frantic and in a way exciting. He never had time to consider failure. He shouldn't allow himself to now, though it lurks at the edges of his thoughts regardless. It occurs to him, now, that he has so more to lose than he did when first arriving. And as before, in Crystal City, all that he's wanted and not been able to do.

It doesn't change his mind though, Wing is set on this course with a steadfast determination. Perhaps it's not the same as going into battle with all his brethren Knights, but there are plenty of worthy people here and Haven, Cybertron, needed them all. He'd do his best and no less.

((Feel free to approach him or be someone he approaches.))

"Hinata." She hesitates. Times like this, she really missed the rest of her team: Kiba, Shino, both of them were better at people than she was.

She nods. "Yes. I'm here to fight. Or at least protect others."

"And you?"

Drift knows Wing well enough to notice the restlessness. And he can't help but compare the moment to the battle outside Crystal City also, but he's contrasting how calm Wing had been then, serene and settled, with this.

His brow furrows under his helm, he crosses over to the jet, giving what he hopes is a sort of comforting touch on the seated jet's knee.

"Ready?" It's a deeper question than that, but he doesn't want to force things. He's done too much of that already.

"Nice to meet you, Hinata."

That was the standard answer to presentation, right?

"I... am here to protect, too. It's the only thing I know. Are you sure you want to come? It is dangerous in the Badlands."

He was going to stick to her like glue. Yep, Hinata, you just got your first Monomakia Bodyguard!

Edited 2013-02-11 20:25 (UTC)

Having taken a look at the... ah, situation, Jetfire had taken to the air for a better overview, and while the big creature obviously needed to be taken down, they'd never get anywhere with that unless the smaller ones weren't taken care of in some fashion.

Which meant that Jetfire, when he wasn't using his double-barreled rifle to shear through the smaller ones from the air could be found literally diving down, grabbing a critter, flying up and then descending and not stopping when the ground came up, smashing the mechanoid centipede he'd grabbed into any of the ones still on the ground.

The touch is comforting, welcome in ways he can't express though it's likely apparent in his field. His face smooths as he looks up, some of the tautness in his limbs leaving as he stands.

Wing opens his mouth to answer only to catch the half truth, realizing it for what it is: much the same positive words he'd been handing out earlier. He gives a breathy laugh instead and a small shake of his helm. Of anyone, Drift will know better, and if there's anyone he can speak the truth to, it's also his lover and fellow swordmech.

"I should be." It's poised on the edge of knowledge that he expects better of himself, tempered by the pending realization that there's part of this that he simply cannot prepare for.

"Doesn't matter what you 'should' be, Wing." He lets his hand hover over Wing as the jet moves, to rest what he hopes is a comforting weight on a shoulder nacelle. "Whatever you are is more than good enough."

More than that: Whatever Wing is is perfect.

She gives a nervous little bow of acknowledgement, a tiny glimmer of a smile crossing her face.

"I-it doesn't matter what I want: this place needs to be protected." Therefore, her duty was clear.

But she can't hide her curiosity. "What kinds of dangers? Have you been there before?"

She's the picture of stoic calm, waiting solemnly for the journey--prelude to battle-to begin. He marvels a moment, that one so much smaller and less protected could be so resolute in the face of great danger.

Wing knows better than to assume that has any reflection on her capabilities though. Even if he hadn't seen her in combat before, the air she puts off now would make it obvious.

Wing approaches, one hand settling the Great Sword more firmly on his back before he greets her.

"Saber. You seem well prepared."

"Ah, Wing."

The knight turns to face the Cybertronian and nods politely.

"I am so grateful for your offer. I hate to be a bother."

Saber hates asking for favors; if she had to, she'd ultimately run into the Badlands on foot before she asked around for a ride. Fortunately, Wing offered, and Saber quite likes him. They haven't spoken much, as duty calls first, so the knight in blue is glad they are able to speak briefly before the battle.

A warm look as his hand settles over Drift's, grateful for the support. "Thank you." No repeats allowed. It goes unspoken but they both know it.

Wing's optics cast about the varied crowd of mostly strangers. An impressive force, but only unified under the banner of necessity.

"It's new, for me. This," he gestures to the gathering combatants, "I'm used to fighting in a close knit, structured group." It's different, when you know every mech with you has your back. When you've strategized together and executed successful missions. The Knights of the Circle made that easy, trust and faith coming readily regardless of how well--or how little---they knew each other. But it'd been a long time since their rescue and recovery forays on Cybertron, fending off battlefield scavengers or deadly airborne games of cat-and-mouse.

Wing knows has to adapt. And here, in this, it's likely adapt or die.

A companionable smile. "I often feel the same way. But in truth, if no one needed assistance, then what would ones like us do, who wish to be helpful?" It's symbiosis in a way. Wing is certain Saber will return the favor in some way in the future. "Rest assured that you are no bother, I'm just happy to be of assistance. For a long time I was unable to take passengers."

He actually does seem quite gratified to be able to offer such a boon, something that is perhaps a bit rare for his kind. Many find it beneath them to serve as what humans might see as beast of burden, when to Wing it is simply a resource worth offering to aid another. And, in more frivolous times, a joy worth sharing.

Drift slowly pulls his hand away, though it's the last thing he wants to do. He wants to pull Wing into an embrace, bury himself in the velvety EM field, consoling them both. But that's for later, he told himself. That's what you'll earn after this.

"Never discount the power of the desire to survive," Drift said. He remembered leading Decepticons, ruled by fear and aggression and they had done great things. "We'll win because we have right on our side."

Rex keeps up with the convoy as it moves using his builds, favoring his hover cycle for the journey as it's a steady, easy to control method of transport that allows him to remain seated. He's got his goggles down, occasionally switching off between settings to try and examine their surroundings the best he can using other means than just what human sight allows. What he gets back is odd and inconsistent, though, and eventually he settles for the idea of just following along and hoping his trust is well placed in Megatronus Prime for now.

Unfortunately, there's more to think about regarding this trip than he originally thought. Fighting by itself is easy enough for Rex. In his world, it was a daily activity and a part of his job. Sometimes the "cure" or "contain" parts of protocol didn't manage to apply and the "kill" aspect became necessary. But with other EVOs, there was never the option for him to exert any control over them with his nanites, to make them behave a certain way. It wasn't something he ever really bothered to think much about. Then along came new Providence with their "stabilizer rings", aka the control collars, and the entire situation changed.

To defeat and even destroy something else through combat is one thing... There is some degree of honor involved, there. But to take over the mind of something else, even if it's not a complex mind, and tell it what to do? How to act? Even to alter its total method of thinking? When is an extreme like that acceptable? Is it ever acceptable? ...and is Rex going to end up forced to do it before too much longer just to ensure the safety of his fellow refugees?

He sighs, sitting back on the seat of the Ride, one hand on the controls. Six isn't along with him on this one, but he wishes his partner had decided to join the effort. This is one of those times the kid wouldn't mind trying to strike up something resembling a real conversation with his partner, even if doing so sometimes isn't easy, Six not being much of a talker...

"I see," Saber nodded. She could relate; after all, she felt lost without anything to offer others. Was that not what determined one's worth?

Turning back towards the direction of the Badlands, she gestures towards it in an arching motion.

"What do you feel about the upcoming battle, Wing?"

Saber .. knew her battles. She was beyond experienced. Not only would she receive other insight on the situation, but also be able to get a better idea of what kind of person Wing was. The knight could usually tell that from how they felt about an upcoming battle.

This is the first time Rose has been to the edge of Haven. She calmly looks over the landscape towards the Badlands, and is reminded of the Death Frontier back in her home world. It certainly gives the same feel, even though she is sure that it is far more hazardous than that desert.

She takes it easy before they move out, wanting to reserve her strength. Considering the distance they were bound to travel, she has no doubt that will be using her Dragoon Armor in order to keep up with larger mechs. It would be tiring, but the promise of an upcoming battle should help quite a bit in that area.

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The Worst Field Trip of All Time

[The Journey]

[The Battle]

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[The Battle]

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lmk if this is not okay

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It's good! :D

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that's right, they saved vandal together. :3 forgot wing would know saber is capable.

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Yes! They've done this before. Just, nowhere near this scale. o_o;

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