Transformers: Dawn of a New Age

[ValkyriePrimal]

@Chromeharpoon

“Nothing too embarrassing, I hope,” Gyro comments.

“Admittedly she hasn’t told me a lot of details. But she’s been more than excited to see you guys, so I’ve assumed only good things.”
Maximus said cheerfully.
“It’s nice to meet you all.”

@Chromeharpoon

“ Thank you, ” Leslie says to Oreo and Niko. “I, for one, am not ready to just lie down and let the quintessons turn me into protein sludge. Let’s at least try to put up a fight first.”

@MakutaOisli

“It’s dead. Whatever little bit of juice was left within, gabriel used to give that message. The others too, most likely.” Kitai said to Razor.

@DuneToa

“Drat,” Razor said in a flat voice. “I had hoped–“
She paused, suddenly thinking.
“Would it be possible to extract DNA from the cilia remains?”

@BlackBeltGamer98

“If it doesn’t degrade, maybe.” Firestorm says as Seraphicon makes his way to the cargo hold.

“My dad always said that doing something is always better than not doing something.”
Niko replied to Leslie.
“There’s no point in rolling over and waiting for the galaxy to go up in flames.”

@Chromeharpoon

With all our heroes aboard, Excalibur II accelerates away from Cybertron. Her inertial dampeners immediately compensate; the crew barely feel a thing. Her transwarp drive engages, and space unravels around the ship. Excalibur II darts through this opening and into the churning rainbow-hued expanse beyond, and the portal knits itself shut behind her. Flying along at top speed, the journey to Astrum should be a short one.

With everyone else talking among themselves, Nova took the opportunity to slip away from the group. She made her way to the cargo hold and opened the door, only to find that the ship was in another ship. It was a little confusing at first, but after a moment she figured it must be the Excalibur ship that was talked about before.

Gungunir moved through the hanger, making its way to the large doors at the end.
Alright. Just open up and get out. Nothing you haven’t done before.
Nova thought to herself. Though before she tried to work out the hangar door’s controlls, she noticed something out of her machine’s peripheral vision. Catching a glimpse of the blinding multicolored expanse, signature of a transwarp tunnel.

No. No, no no no! You’ve gotta be kidding me!
Nova moved closer to the window, infuriated that she had missed her opportunity to bail on this insane mission.
Relax, it’s fine. I haven’t missed the boat or anything. I’ll just wait until we get back to real-space, and I’ll take my leave then.

In the meantime she chose to look around the new hangar. Taking note of the features and mechanisms of the place, as well as any other personnel who might be stationed here.

@Chromeharpoon

The ship’s corridors also have a similar construction to those of the old Excalibur , sporting angled walls and narrow lightbars built into the floor and ceiling.

Axis smiled at the familiar sights around her. Said familiarity brought her comfort. She even laughed as an old memory crossed her mind.
“You know, I’m reminded of a time back on our old mission aboard the original Excalibur. See, I wanted to get back at another bot who had upset me. Shadow of Sol was name. The plan was simple. Knock him out, drag the body into the medical bay, and transfer his spark into a petro-rabbit carcass I had on hand. It all went off without a hitch, and before I knew it my uneaten leftovers were up walking and talking. But the thing is I had hit the wrong bot. Instead of knocking out Sol, I had hit Liege Maximo instead! Mother of Primus, I was so terrified. I picked him up and ran all over the ship trying not to be seen. I was sure I would have been executed for doing something so unspeakable to a Prime. Then Maximus caught his scent and tracked us down, and I had to convince him not to eat Liege. Oh, and the best part? That’s how Liege and I met!”
Axis told her story with a bright and cheerful tone. Reminiscing on such memories brought quite a lot of joy to her spark.

[Chromeharpoon]

@BlackBeltGamer98

“Well, here’s hoping Liege knows we are coming.” Seraphicon says.

“Did anybody give him a call?” Salvage wonders. “Think he’ll be okay with us dropping a warship on him?”

Leslie leaves the Pack Mule and steps into the hangar outside. She sweeps her gaze across the cavernous space, her camera recording once again. Surely, her viewers back in Sol would appreciate a look inside this famous ship- more than they would appreciate Gabriel’s ominous threat earlier, that’s for sure.

@ValkyriePrimal

_Relax, it’s fine. I haven’t missed the boat or anything. I’ll just wait until we get back to real-space, and I’ll take my leave then.

In the meantime she chose to look around the new hangar. Taking note of the features and mechanisms of the place, as well as any other personnel who might be stationed here.

Opposite the ground bridge gate, soldiers check their weapons in the armory. After he’d been told to expect combat with quintessons, Trenchfoot had seen fit to ensure that his troops and their gear were all in top shape. Most of the equipment here is standard fare for marine detachments abord cybertronian battleships, but given Excalibur II’s special status, a few more exotic items can be found as well.

Two insecticons perform calibrations on the ground bridge gate. The ring is smaller and more industrial-looking than the space bridge portals around Iacon: heavy cables sprout from panels of dark grey metal and plug into an alcove around the gate.

@ValkyriePrimal

Oh, and the best part? That’s how Liege and I met!”
Axis told her story with a bright and cheerful tone. Reminiscing on such memories brought quite a lot of joy to her spark.

Trenchfoot laughs- a quiet, high-pitched sound somewhere between a coughing fit and a wheeze. It’s not particularly pleasant to listen to.

“I’m trying to imagine Liege Maximo with big ears and little tail,” he chuckles. “I’d pay good money to see that. I’m sure he doesn’t look back on that quite so fondly though!”

The marine laughs again, shaking his head as he continues to lead Axis to the bridge. The layout of Excalibur II is actually very similar to that of her predecessor: Axis, Firestorm, and Seraphicon could probably find their way around the ship without much help.

---

@ValkyriePrimal

“Admittedly she hasn’t told me a lot of details. But she’s been more than excited to see you guys, so I’ve assumed only good things.”
Maximus said cheerfully.
“It’s nice to meet you all.”

“Likewise,” Lunawing replies.

“Is that all that brings you back?” Talon asks, raising a metal eyebrow. “A busy man like you takes a day out of his schedule to check out a new friend’s place?”

“Don’t be rude,” Gyro chides the predacon.

“I’m not accusing him of anything!” Talon says. “I’m just curious is all.”

[ValkyriePrimal]

@Chromeharpoon

“I’m not accusing him of anything!” Talon says. “I’m just curious is all.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not wrong.”
Maximus casually replied.
“I came here for the kid’s sake, but I am here for official ambassador reasons. Once we’re done visiting I’ll be headed to see Queen Pterygota, and after that I’ll be going to the Shard mountains to catch up with Carrion.”

“And then we’ll be heading out to get back to our epic adventure to save the universe.”
Honeycomb eagerly added.

“Aw man, come on kid. Axis wants to keep the whole universal peril thing under wraps. We don’t wanna go around blabbing it out to everyone.”

“Oh, sorry. I gues I didn’t think about that…”
Honeycomb said, a little embarrassed about such an obvious slip up.

@Chromeharpoon

Axis, Firestorm, and Seraphicon could probably find their way around the ship without much help.

Axis proceeded to make her way to the bridge, intent on meeting the captain and the rest of the bridge crew.

@Chromeharpoon

Two insecticons perform calibrations on the ground bridge gate. The ring is smaller and more industrial-looking than the space bridge portals around Iacon: heavy cables sprout from panels of dark grey metal and plug into an alcove around the gate.

Okay, so there’s more than a few other people around. But it’s no big deal! My mech technically counts as a ship, right? So theoretically no one should have any problem with me opening the doors and stepping out. And even if they did, why should I care? It’s not like I’m going to see any of them ever again. This’ll be easy. Just like every other time.
Nova thought to herself. She leaned Gungnir against the hangar doors in a casual posture, and waited for the ship to exit transwarp space.

Though she silently eyes Leslie as she steps out of the Pack Mule. Still rather weary of her.

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“If he still has the old scramble set, I should be able to contact him on a secure line.” Firestorm offers, trying just that.

“Well, I should probably keep an eye on our journalist friend, this place can be a maze if you don’t have a map or aren’t careful.” Seraphicon says, transforming and heading off to catch up with Leslie.

[DuneToa]

Oreo walks to the airlock, unaware of the ship having landed in the Excalibur.
“Hey! Why are we parked in a warship?! Seraphicon, I thought you said we were taking the Pack Mule!”

@BlackBeltGamer98

Razor places the skull and other parts in subspace, hearing Oreo’s shout.
“Oh no…”
Even as she spoke, the sound of an engine revving echoed from outside, followed by a loud thud as Oreo raced out of the cargo bay and into the hangar.

Ow… that was a terrible idea. Oreo stood up, his bumper straightening with a metallic clank. He could see various members of the crew around the hangar, but what immediately caught his eye was a large, smoothly-curved starfighter parked beside the Pack Mule.
That must be the Prime’s ship, he thought. Maybe I should tell the others. No, Seraphicon will probably tell them.
He rubbed his head, feeling a slight dizziness. Maybe someone can direct me to a medical bay…

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“Axis Prime felt it was necessary and it would grant us many helpful resources.” Seraphicon says, “plus you get to voyage on a famous ship.”

“You doing okay?” He asks Oreo, pulling up to him.

[Chromeharpoon]

@ValkyriePrimal

“And then we’ll be heading out to get back to our epic adventure to save the universe.”
Honeycomb eagerly added.

“Aw man, come on kid. Axis wants to keep the whole universal peril thing under wraps. We don’t wanna go around blabbing it out to everyone.”

“Oh, sorry. I gues I didn’t think about that…”
Honeycomb said, a little embarrassed about such an obvious slip up.

Gyro’s expression shifts into one of alarm. “The universe is in peril?” he says.

“Again?” remarks Talon.

“You’re going on an adventure to save the universe?!” Lunawing says fretfully to Honeycomb.

---

@ValkyriePrimal

Axis proceeded to make her way to the bridge, intent on meeting the captain and the rest of the bridge crew.

The bridge of Excalibur II is a rectangular-shaped space in which Captain Gravastar- a tall woman with angular black armor- overlooks her subordinates from the back of the room. At the very front, the pilot- a red-armored Velocitronian named Redshift- flies the ship through transwarp via a ring-shaped apparatus connecting her body to the vessel. Between Gravastar and Redshift, three similar-looking men with white and gold armor man weapons and sensor controls.

Trenchfoot leads Axis in through the door. “The Prime is on the bridge,” he announces. The crew do not leave their stations, per transwarp travel protocol, though one of the white-and gold men does spare a brief glance up from his console.

“Welcome aboard, ma’am,” Gravastar greets the Prime, offering a handshake. “Excalibur II is ready for whatever comes our way.”

---

@ValkyriePrimal

She leaned Gungnir against the hangar doors in a casual posture, and waited for the ship to exit transwarp space.

Though she silently eyes Leslie as she steps out of the Pack Mule . Still rather weary of her.

Leslie feels the mech’s eyes on her as she steps away from the Pack Mule. She briefly returns a curious glance toward the machine, wondering just what the pilot’s deal was with her.

@BlackBeltGamer98

“Well, I should probably keep an eye on our journalist friend, this place can be a maze if you don’t have a map or aren’t careful.” Seraphicon says, transforming and heading off to catch up with Leslie.

“You could fit the entire House of Representatives back on Earth in here,” Leslie says, marveling at the size of the hangar. “Hard to believe this is one of your species’ smaller battleships.”

[ValkyriePrimal]

@Chromeharpoon

“You’re going on an adventure to save the universe?!” Lunawing says fretfully to Honeycomb.

“Yeah! I joined the team when we met in the Tomb of the Primes and talked to a bunch of ghosts. It was pretty cool.”
Honeycomb eagerly replied.

“Its… a long story.”
Maximus followed up.
“If your worried about Honeycomb’s safety, I can promise you she’s in good company. Not only am I part of this mission, but Axis Prime is with us as well. Not to mention all the other bots we have on board. She’ll be well protected.”

“And I’m also perfectly capable of protecting myself.”
Honeycomb said to Maximus with a bit of a huff.

“I’m sure you are! I never said you weren’t. I just wanted make it clear you’d be in good company. That’s all.”
Maximus hastily replied.

@Chromeharpoon

“Welcome aboard, ma’am,” Gravastar greets the Prime, offering a handshake. “ Excalibur II is ready for whatever comes our way.”

Axis smiled and accepted the handshake.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure you’re aware just how much this ship has to live up to. But I’m confident you, your crew and this vessel are capable of living up to those expectations.”

@Chromeharpoon

Leslie feels the mech’s eyes on her as she steps away from the Pack Mule . She briefly returns a curious glance toward the machine, wondering just what the pilot’s deal was with her.

The machine’s head turns away, though after a moment the pilot does speak.
“What are you even doing here? You’re no soldier. What good do you honestly think you’ll bring to these people?”

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“Well, we are a larger species than humans,” Seraphicon says, “plus, we tend to have need for space to accommodate how we may prefer to get around between flight or walking or driving.”

[Chromeharpoon]

@ValkyriePrimal

“And I’m also perfectly capable of protecting myself.”
Honeycomb said to Maximus with a bit of a huff.

“I’m sure you are! I never said you weren’t. I just wanted make it clear you’d be in good company. That’s all.”
Maximus hastily replied.

Maximus’s words seem to do little to soothe Lunawing’s obvious fears for Honeycomb’s safety. “She’s not some swashbuckling adventurer!” she protests. “Honeycomb, you’re not-… it’s sweet that you want to help with whatever is going on, but shouldn’t we leave this to people who… well…”

“People who know what they’re doing?” Gyro says, finishing the sentence. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Honeycomb, but none of us have much in the way of experience with this sort of thing.”

Talon, for his part, seems to be disappointed that he wasn’t the one roped into the latest apocalyptic jaunt around the galaxy. “I could come along,” he suggests entirely altruistically. “Y’know, keep her safe, lend an extra blaster arm, that sort of thing…”

---

@ValkyriePrimal

Axis smiled and accepted the handshake.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sure you’re aware just how much this ship has to live up to. But I’m confident you, your crew and this vessel are capable of living up to those expectations.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Gravastar says. She gives Axis a faint, appreciative smile, but only for a moment. She breaks away and settles back into her seat overlooking the bridge, staring out into transwarp.

“So, what’s on Astrum?” she asks. “Is that the quintessons’ first target? Is that where this artifact of Sentinel Prime’s is hidden?”

@BlackBeltGamer98

“Well, we are a larger species than humans,” Seraphicon says, “plus, we tend to have need for space to accommodate how we may prefer to get around between flight or walking or driving.”

@ValkyriePrimal

“ What are you even doing here? You’re no soldier. What good do you honestly think you’ll bring to these people ?”

“Hells if I know,” Leslie scoffs to Nova. “I accepted Seraphicon’s invitation back when I thought we were just racing some pirates for an old relic. I thought I’d get some good shots of cybertronians kicking tailpipe, because people back in Sol love that, and then I’d go back to Earth and get paid. I only just found out that I was volunteering to be on the front lines of the Fifth Quintesson War.”

[ValkyriePrimal]

@Chromeharpoon

“So, what’s on Astrum?” she asks. “Is that the quintessons’ first target? Is that where this artifact of Sentinel Prime’s is hidden?”

“No, our work on Astrum is simple. Our mission is to recruit Liege Maximo, and stock up on whatever equipment and supplies we may need for the trials ahead,” Axis replied.

@Chromeharpoon

I only just found out that I was volunteering to be on the front lines of the Fifth Quintesson War.”

Nova was quiet for a moment.
“Guess we’re in the same boat then…”
She was silent again for a brief length of time. She took her time to choose her words and decide what she wanted to say. She turned Gungnir’s head to look back at her.
“So, what are you planning to do then? Stick around with this crazy suicide mission? Or cut your losses and take the first ship home?”

@Chromeharpoon

Talon, for his part, seems to be disappointed that he wasn’t the one roped into the latest apocalyptic jaunt around the galaxy. “I could come along,” he suggests entirely altruistically. “Y’know, keep her safe, lend an extra blaster arm, that sort of thing…”

Honeycomb was visibly let down by her friends discouragement. She wasn’t hurt necessarily. She understood where they were coming from. But at the same time it isn’t what she wanted to hear. So much so that even Talon’s offer to join the team didn’t cheer her up as it would have otherwise.

Maximus on the other hand gave an enthusiastic smile.
“I think that’s a great idea! No such thing as too many hands in the fight against the darkness.”
He then changed to a gentler, more thoughtful expression. He put a hand on Honeycomb’s shoulder. The young insecticon curiously looked up at Maximus.

“And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t count her out so soon. You think I was grade A hero material back when I first joined the relic hunters? Back then I was just a runt everyone else looked down on. I was reckless, impulsive, and I definitely wouldn’t say I knew what I was doing. And just look where I am now!” He said proudly.

“The way I see it, a hero can come from anywhere. Sure she isn’t as big or strong as I am, but she’s got talent. If she wants to do what she can to help, I don’t see any reason to stop her.”

Honeycomb smiled, filled with a new warm sense of confidence.

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“Real and literal frontline journalism.” Seraphicon says, “but you’d get to document some pretty crazy shenanigans.”

Firestorm keeps trying to contact Liege Maximo on a secure channel.

[Chromeharpoon]

@ValkyriePrimal

“No, our work on Astrum is simple. Our mission is to recruit Liege Maximo, and stock up on whatever equipment and supplies we may need for the trials ahead,” Axis replied.

At the mention of Liege Maximo’s name, Redshift turns her head away from the window. “Hey,” she says, “is Liege… y’know… seeing anybody?”

“Fly the ship, pilot,” Gravastar sighs. “You can buy him a drink after we’ve beaten the quintessons.”

“Aye-aye, Captain,” Redshift drones, facing forward once again.

" ‘Fly the ship, pilot’ ", she mutters. “Primus, I was just asking a question.”

@ValkyriePrimal

“ So, what are you planning to do then? Stick around with this crazy suicide mission? Or cut your losses and take the first ship home? ”

@BlackBeltGamer98

“Real and literal frontline journalism.” Seraphicon says, “but you’d get to document some pretty crazy shenanigans.”

Firestorm keeps trying to contact Liege Maximo on a secure channel.

“Yeah, I think I’ll stick around,” Leslie says. “Though I think I’ll be taking up your offer of getting some actual battle armor after all.”

Meanwhile, Firestorm is unable to raise Liege Maximo on the commlink. His signal is unable to establish a connection with the Prime of Lies’ own communicator.

---

@ValkyriePrimal

“The way I see it, a hero can come from anywhere. Sure she isn’t as big or strong as I am, but she’s got talent. If she wants to do what she can to help, I don’t see any reason to stop her.”

Honeycomb smiled, filled with a new warm sense of confidence.

Lunawing sighs. “Well… I can’t stop you from going, if this really is what you want,” she concedes. “Just please promise you’ll be safe.”

“Safe as you can be, at any rate,” Gyro adds.

“Relax, guys, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Talon boasts. Gyro shakes his head and puts a hand on the predacon’s shoulder.

“You’re not going,” Gyro says.

“What?” Talon whines. “How come she gets to ‘follow her dreams’ or whatever, but I can’t?”

“She doesn’t owe a sizable debt to the Predaking,” Gyro reminds him. “You do, and I’m not gonna be the one to tell him that you ran off to fight monsters instead of paying it.”

[BlackBeltGamer98]

Firestorm tries to troubleshoot his communicator to see if there was an issue on his end.

“We can get you to the armory after we drop Oreo at the sickbay; I guess this is your semi-official tour of the ship.” Seraphicon chuckles as he opens his trailer for Oreo to hop into so they could get a ride to the sickbay.

[DuneToa]

@BlackBeltGamer98

We can get you to the armory after we drop Oreo at the sickbay; I guess this is your semi-official tour of the ship.” Seraphicon chuckles as he opens his trailer for Oreo to hop into so they could get a ride to the sickbay.

“Gracias,” Oreo says as he rolls in, his suspension creaking slightly. “I should know better than to drive off thirty-foot drops…”

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“Yeah, landings like those can really ring your bell, so to speak.” Seraphicon says.

[Chromeharpoon]

@BlackBeltGamer98

Firestorm tries to troubleshoot his communicator to see if there was an issue on his end.

Firestorm’s communicator is working perfectly; it’s Liege Maximo’s that is failing to receive the transmission, for whatever reason.

@BlackBeltGamer98

“We can get you to the armory after we drop Oreo at the sickbay; I guess this is your semi-official tour of the ship.” Seraphicon chuckles as he opens his trailer for Oreo to hop into so they could get a ride to the sickbay.

@DuneToa

“ Gracias ,” Oreo says as he rolls in, his suspension creaking slightly. “I should know better than to drive off thirty-foot drops…”

Leslie tags along and accompanies Oreo and Seraphicon to Excalibur II’s medical bay. The room is crowded with medical equipment and recharging slabs for patients, a situation not at all helped by its already moderate size. Among the equipment are a pair of critical repair chambers and a cortical psychic patch engine. Hovering drones float about the space, and the Chief Medical Officer, a Eukarian man named Moreyn, can be found examining a nervous patient. A cable attached to the side of the slender doctor’s avian head connects to a sensor that he’s holding over the patient’s chest.

“Hm. These harmonics are atypical, yes, but they are nothing over which to be concerned,” Moreyn tells the other man, pulling the sensor away. “You will live for now.”

“For now?” the patient repeats. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, all life must die eventually, you know,” Moreyn elaborates. “You are no exception to the rule.”

“Yeah, but you said I’ll live for now, like I’m-…am I dying sooner or later?” the patient says.

“Later, I suspect,” Moreyn clarifies. “You are in perfect health. Your spark simply runs at an unusual frequency compared to most.”

The patient groans and puts a hand over his face “Oh, for Primus’s-… just say that next time, will you, doctor?”

[ValkyriePrimal]

@Chromeharpoon

“ ‘Fly the ship, pilot’ ”, she mutters. “ Primus, I was just asking a question. ”

“Er, I believe Liege has stayed entirely solitary in the last five thousand years. The only people he’s seen in that time wold be Maximus and myself on our occasional visits,” Axis replied, feeling a little awkward about the question.

“Though now that I think about it, bringing so many people to his island all at once, it might be overwhelming for him…”

@Chromeharpoon

“ She doesn’t owe a sizable debt to the Predaking,” Gyro reminds him. “You do, and I’m not gonna be the one to tell him that you ran off to fight monsters instead of paying it.”

“I’d offer to put a word in for you, since this is official prime business and all. But I also know how these things go. Eukarian ambassador or not, I’m not gonna throw myself into this,” Maximus said with a bit of a laugh.

Honeycomb gave Lunawing a reassuring hug.
“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll be as safe as I can!”

@Chromeharpoon

“Yeah, I think I’ll stick around,” Leslie says. “Though I think I’ll be taking up your offer of getting some actual battle armor after all.”

Nova said nothing, instead turning her head back to focus on the window.

All she wanted to do was get out. Just open the door and escape all this insanity. It wasn’t different than any other time. Get out before I get hurt… Get out before I get too close…

It was simple. As soon as they got out of tranwarp space, just open the door and leave this all behind.

But if this was just the same as every other time, why did she feel so nervous about it? If she didn’t care what anyone else thought, why did she feel a sense of anxiety building up in her chest…

[BlackBeltGamer98]

“Okay, that’s worrying.” Firestorm mutters as he goes to find Axis.

——————

“Still scaring your patients, Moreyn?” Seraphicon asks as he lets Oreo out.

[DuneToa]

@BlackBeltGamer98

“Still scaring your patients, Moreyn?” Seraphicon asks as he lets Oreo out.

“Huh? Whaaaaa….??”
Oreo gapes crazily at the sight of Moreyn’s face, the avian shape reminding him sickeningly of the predatory birds on some planets.