re_alignment | [Video] - outer edge of Solus Prime's territory

[There's still smoke rising from not just the rocket launcher that can be seen at the edge of the screen where Elita's holding it, but also from something behind her. And besides her deep frown, the rest of her is looking somewhat... beaten up. The feed's also tilted somewhat oddly.]

We have a problem, unless this is a singular attack. [The view pans from Elita to... a critter. There's no other way to describe the partly-curled up and decidedly huge creature with way too many legs, one or two closer to the front ripped off or strangely twisted. It also has some larger, multiple segmented limbs that would probably be more maneuverable than comfortable around what would probably have been its head if it wasn't entirely blown away, smoke curling in the heat from a nearby open fissure.]

It's unglyphed, and unless someone can say they've seen anything like this out in the wilderness or near the Badlands, I'd hazard a guess that we might have something like when the Lambda spewed unglyphed monsters down on us early on... [The view goes back to Elita, who now has her other arm resting over her chestplates, revealing several deep scratches scattered over her arms and probably more out of view, the antennae on her right arm bent at a drastic angle and one back-mounted panel hanging decidedly and uncomfortably askew.]

If someone has more information, either in regards to that [And, unthinkingly, she lifts the arm she'd been covering her chestplate with to point at the monster, revealing that the left half of it has been mangled by row upon exact row of something pointed and sharp. It's left that half of her chestplate with circular punctures mostly revealing nothing but gouged metal, but in some places there's the obvious silver flash of a cable or sparks from torn circuitry. There's a rev from her engine and her hand falls back into place.] or something that could be similar to the... calling, or whatever we should call it that happened a while ago, then now might be the time to start to collect it all together. Especially as I'm inside Solus Prime's quadrant, even if it's somewhat close to the outer edge.

[She pauses, then, and despite the situation, briefly a sharp, amused smile slides over her faceplates.]

Shaoshao? I'd give you an extra pointer, but hopefully that was obvious enough as to what you'd want to attack.

[Then Elita casts a frown at the be-headed creature right as the feed cuts. At least it didn't get to tear up enough to bare her spark chamber.]

((ooc: Aka; Elita gets to be the first victim, though at least she wasn't the one to lose her head!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh Ambulon, shh. It's... well, kind of okay? She's not leaking vitally anywhere! ... She can't transform, though.]

No fatal injuries or protoform-deep lacerations, but I can't transform. [She also got a flash of embarrassment, since the chestplate injury is close to the spark chamber] I'll start walking.

[She grimaces as she casts a look at the critter as she passes it.]

I got distracted.

[Said with deep disgust. She shouldn't get distracted enough to get so severely surprised by an ambush, even if it literally popped out of the ground behind her.]

[fretfret] Can you call anyone for back-up? If you can't, I will. I'd offer to come get you, but I'm afraid we're sort of in the same boat now. [HAHAHA BOAT YOU GET IT] Just apply pressure to any of the lacerations if they should start bleeding.

I should have at least one who I could call and would be big enough to carry me to make this go faster, yes. [She grimaces a bit; walking really isn't what she wanted to do, but well. At least she can walk, unlike when she got caught in the bomb blast back when everything was... odd.]

I know. Thanks. [The smile is slightly wan, but certainly there and sincere. Then she shakes her helm and briefly lifts her hand away from her mauled chestplates to poke at a deep scratch in her thigh.]

Looks like none of them got any vital fuel lines, thankfully. I've at the most spilled a few drops of energon. [And back goes the hand over her chestplates. So, okay, it doesn't actually reveal much of anything, but she's got quite a bit of redundant circuitry there and things, and it feels strange to have that unadvertently on display.]

Right. Did you get a hold of them? [He kind of ducks aside for a moment] I'm readying my tools in case you swing by the clinic. [There's a couple, so you know, your choice.] Is there any sign of more of those bugs?

Luckily, yes. He'll have a much easier time than a few others to get me to you. [If Optimus hadn't been available, she'd have taken the next best thing, but a bit of dignity is rather nice.]

And yes, I'm coming by. Rather go with people I know than not. [And she likes you, Ambulon, besides being comfortable with either you or Ratchet doing the work.]

Not yet. Given how these things usually go, however, I'd guess it's not going to stay that way, but this one seems to have been alone.

[She turns enough to cast a frown behind her at the critter.]

The next one won't surprise me, and I do have my missile launcher as well.

I just hope the example you made of the monster keeps any others at bay. [To be honest, he has no doubt in you. He believes you're strong. He takes another moment to collect more instruments.] There. Everything should be ready when you get here.

To be honest, I do as well. [With a huff, she shrugs, and then winces minutely.] I would still be able to take out one or two more if they weren't too big and I had some distance, since I have my missile launcher as well...

[Her optics narrow a shade.]

But it surprised me, and I stayed too close for too long.

[The current injuries wouldn't be slowing her down yet, she can feel a deep slash in her hip that might be leading to a faint limp soon but yet wasn't "not at all", and there was no one present here that would drive her to be reckless in proving her competence.]

Thank you. Optimus should be here soon, so I would estimate within the next few breems?

[He covers his grimace when she winces. Careful, now!] Can you sit down, maybe? Find somewhere nearby, somewhere that's safe, and just... sit? Until help arrives?

I know I should, yes. I haven't seen any suggestions that there were any other of that bug close, but just sitting down and waiting... [She gestures with her free hand, optics darkening a little.

She might not be prone to avoiding repairs or medics when she needs to, but simply sitting down when she still can move..?]

If I'm walking, at least it cuts down on the travel time after Optimus picks me up.

[Just sitting around doing nothing when she can do something, especially as she's used to going into situations (if "just" to scout them out) first doesn't sit well with her.]

I understand. I just... Again, don't over-exert yourself. Be careful. [WORRY FRET WORRY] But I'll stay on the line with you until he arrives. He's not far off, is he?

I promise, if I was more injured, I'd have stayed put as long as it was safe to do so. [The smile is, while for reassurance, sincerely meant.] I think my sense of decency is more injured than I am. [The smile deepens into a grin as her optics briefly glow a bit brighter. It really isn't, but a bit of levity ought to help.]

And he shouldn't be. He might not be a racer of any sort, but he ought to be capable of some serious speed.

[smirks] I don't know. The number you did on that monster was pretty damn impressive. Just ignore the entire decency thing and focus on that.

[She laughs, giving Ambulon an angled little grin.]

Oh, I am. And if I needed to drop it because another one popped up right now, I certainly would. I'm frankly more relieved it just got the edge instead of the front, considering where my spark chamber is, even if none of the tears are deep enough to have reached it.

[But better none even close than relatively close.]

[smirk; man, you always bring out the uguu in Ambulon] You're going to be just fine, I think.

[What can she say, it's a skill she has!]

If nothing else, I certainly will be after some repairs. [Have a tilt of her helm and what's definitely something of a wink.]

Optimus should be here soon, and while he's no racer, it shouldn't take too long.

[Video] - outer edge of Solus Prime's territory

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]