Welcome aboard the Sea Slag

I be the dread pirate Cannonball, scourge'a the universe! {Independent RP Blog for a Transformers: Cybertron Cannonball} {Tracks: #piratemedic}

[hustlerose]

me listening to modern pop music: arrr……. no good….

me listening to 1700s sea shanties: 

shiver me timbres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[piratemedic]

[RP] Talking With the Universe

[piratemedic]

galacticmaestro:

[🎻] :||: While one had not been offered, the Cybertronian rather boldly invited himself to sit across from her. Galactian felt herself tense, although an attempt was made to mask her suspicion and unease by means of a curious tilt of the helm. Perhaps, if she played her cards right, she could remove herself from this situation without him ever recalling that he had been in her presence.

     Unlikely, but there was at least a slim chance.

     “Luna,” she said simply, slowly extending her own servo to give the other a firm shake. A number of jewels were inlaid at the base of his digits, mimicking the look of jewelry and other refined decorations. Clearly, he thought highly of himself. Once the gesture was through, however, she carefully tucked the wrapped device in a pocket on her cloak. Better safe than sorry.

     “I do appreciate the advice. After all I went through to retrieve this, I would like for it to stay in my possession.” And if all went well, it would remain there permanently. But nothing ever went well for this particular Galactian; that was just the way things worked.

     Settling back a bit in her seat, she contemplated his question perhaps a bit too deeply. There was no need to be open with the mech, but when she was still in the mortal plane of existence, things could get risky; perhaps, she thought, at least acquainting herself with someone so forward would be helpful for a time. Weaving a quick little tale, Luna said, “I’ve been traveling around for quite some time, actually. I never truly had what one would call a rightful home, so I tend to drift back and forth, learning and exploring. Hmm, I suppose you could call me a researcher of sorts; I like to figure out how things work, and then make sure they stay as they are.”

“What a fine name that be Luna. May yer welcome here never wear out. It’s nice ta talk to someone who isn’t a local thug.” Or at least seemed like they weren’t a thug. Cannonball had met his share of dishonest, honest people. Great actors. 

However he had a feeling that this particular being wasn’t a member of the local criminal crowd. Still he was skeptical of her, but he knew better than to push too far. He was only here for a chat, not to stir up too much trouble. 

“I know better than ta ask what it be in a rather crowded place like this, but it seems rather important to ya.” Cannonball stated once again taking his high grade in his hand and downing a large gulp. 

“And a traveler with no home eh? I can relate to that quite a bit. Although I call the stars and the endlessness of space my home.” he let out a small content sigh thinking about his beloved space. The silence, the feeling of weightlessness, the freedom...it all brought a comfort to him to even think about it.

 It was only when he glanced back up at the other he realized he had gotten lost in his thoughts. How rude of him.

“Ah, beggin’ yer pardon. I get a little side tracked when I think about me travels. Heh heh. So what type of things do ya like ta fix? Any specialties?”

[voptothetop-deactivated20190312]

[RP] Make him a Member of the Sea Slag Crew

[piratemedic]

voptothetop:

💫 :||: As soon as the shorter mech was plucked from his frame, Skywarp wheezed and attempted to scramble onto his front. He glanced at the heaving, shuddering frame, finally taking in some of the extra kibble that adorned it; if he didn’t know any better, he would have thought that the mech had an aquatic alt mode of some sort.

     How incredibly useless.

     By the time he had gotten back to his pedes, and made sure that his dorsal wings were still intact, Cannonball had released the odd little medic and given him an ultimatum. Slipcrest vented heavily, shaking his helm as he likely fought to regain his composure; not an easy task when he had just nearly fainted in front of a couple of pirates. “I’m… I should…” His vocals trailed off, and a static-laced cough jolted from his vocoder.

     It was as good a sign as any, the Seeker thought. He would take it.

     “Okay then, you’re going. Sounds like a plan to me. You get a move-on, and we’ll blow the rig.” It took little effort to steer the mech out the door, but getting him to move without tripping over his own pedes was a far more difficult task than it should have been. The supposed-boat stumbled slightly, and as they finally left the room and began going down the hall, he seemed to tense up again; not good.

     “A-are you sure they’re all gone? That… that I can really leave?” he asked. “W-where am I going to go?”

     “First off, yes, they’re very much gone. Well, from the land of the living, that is,” Skywarp corrected, casting a wary glance back at the Captain. He didn’t quite have an answer for that second part. “Hmm, well… we could always drop you off at some spaceport so you can get back to Cybertron or something.”

     That seemed to catch him off-guard. “Cybertron? But… but the war?”

     “Like I said before, that’s done and gone. …I did say that, right?” He couldn’t remember. Not important, though. “And judging by that old brand on your shoulder there, I think you’ll be just fine anyway. The Autobots are a bunch of slaggers, but they like their own. Usually.”

     Slipcrest was stumbling still, but he had at least gotten into a decent pattern for moving–the servo on his back probably helped. “But… but won’t they think I defected? I don’t even know how long I’ve been here, t-trying to explain that I was taken like that… would anyone believe me?”

“I’m sure they’d believe you but if it makes you feel better I have Autobot contacts that can help you out.” Cannonball stated following the pair down the hall and to the ship. “As Skywarp said, they do care for their own.”

He doubted anything he said would make the small bot feel better but as long as he was moving forward he was satisfied. However his inner medic was something he could never fully be rid of, and he was highly concerned about the small bot.

He didn’t do it often but perhaps he would give this one a medical check up, and make a special request to Red Alert. He was so far removed from all of the war and such he doubted even going back to Cybertron would be easy for him.

Cannonball watched as Skywarp led the stumbling mech down the hall, finally coming into view of the exit of the facility. Just beyond it was the Sea Slag. The best ship anyone could dream of having. As they approached the exit Cannonball began to worry again about Slipcrest. 

He didn’t know the war ended, so who knows the last time the little mech had been outside. To make matters worse if he had such a hard time leaving the medical bay of a place he was imprisoned, how would he react to stepping outside altogether. 

“Will you be able to walk outside to my ship?” he finally asked. 

[voptothetop-deactivated20190312]

[RP] Make him a Member of the Sea Slag Crew

[piratemedic]

voptothetop:

💫 :||: Skywarp leaned idly against the doorframe, watching the little medic’s reactions carefully. It almost seemed as though he hadn’t even seen another Cybertronian since he had been pulled from the war, other than the custy old rustbucket they had escorted out previously. Then again, this contact here was with a group of pirates coated in the blood of his organic captors, so perhaps that was a tad bit overwhelming.

   “I… I… I haven’t… I haven’t left this room for… I don’t know how long,” the mech stammered, then taking a healthy step back from Cannonball’s imposing form. “I don’t know what’s… what’s even out there.”

   That was when the Seeker chimed in: “Well, it sure as slag isn’t a medbay that hasn’t been updated since the Captain was built. You’re a prisoner, amigo–this is us saying you’re free to get the frag out of here, or stick around for when we rig this place to blow up.”

   Well, that definitely got the mech’s attention. Slipcrest’s optics widened in horror, and he glanced between the pirates as though he expected the answer to change. “You’re… you aren’t serious, are you? You’re going to bl-blow it all up? But aren’t… aren’t there others around–”

   “Got ‘em out already,” Skywarp assured, waving a servo. “There was just two guys bein’ held down in a couple of little boxes. Looked like they hadn’t been in there long, but they’re bondmates or somethin’, so they were eager to get out and go home.”

   As he finished his observation, multiple things happened at once. The medic registered his words, and his knee actuators immediately buckled. Jolting forward, Skywarp caught the mech before he could hit the floor, and ended up slipping on a bit of organic material still stuck to his pede. Both Cybertronians fell to the ground at once, pulling a groan from the now-pinned Seeker. “Ugh… buddy… that’s good news… not faint-worthy. Get off before you give me a wing cramp!”

    Slipcrest’s frame seemed heavier than before, almost as though he had no power left in him. “They… they were going to bring more here… they were… Primus…” From beneath the smaller mech, Skywarp could hear the telltale sound of churning fuel; this guy was about to purge. Not good.

   “ACK. CAPTAIN. HELP.”

Well. This is unexpected.

Clearly this guy is as far from pirate or slaver material in the entire complex, including the other prisoners held here. Almost fainting at the mere thought of...liberation? Or was it the thought of what he was potentially about to be put through?

Soon after the little medic fell he heard a very distinct sound. One he always dreaded. Seemed Skywarp recognized it as well.

“Ah, c’mon now mech,” he growled as he grabbed the small mech by the armor plating near the back of his neck. Swiftly he pulled him off of Skywarp and held him over a disposal bin. He didn’t like invading his personal space but this was a little out of his control.

He held the small mech’s fame there until he finished purging his tanks. Deep down he felt a little sorry for the mech. Clearly he wasn’t here of his own will. At the same time, he also knew they had to get him out of this place, which proved to be more difficult than he previously imagined.

“Listen mech,” he said before releasing the small mech “I don’t have time to convince you that we’re not going to hurt you, but I am telling you we will get you off of this rock safely. Now Are you going to walk out of this medical bay, or do I have to carry you?”

For all of their sakes he hoped he was walking out.

[piratemedic]

[RP] Talking With the Universe

[piratemedic]

@galacticmaestro

[🎻] :||: Finally, it was in her possession once more. It was a delicate piece of equipment, one that she had scorned herself for misplacing countless times over. It was not like her to dive into her Realm so plainly, and yet, she had–and in an instant, one of her most valuable timekeeping treasures had been lost to the cosmos. It had been her own fault, of course, although her Keeper had insisted it would be fine. All things turned up eventually.

    But for it to appear in a seedy bazaar in a sector of herself that she had never once probed? It was peculiar, but somehow brought a bit of relief: things still functioned without her interference. That fear could now be abolished.

    The “merchant” had wrapped it in a heavy piece of antistatic mesh, believing it to be part of an ancient warship’s navigation systems. Cute. Yet as per her own rules, and those of Those Beyond, Galactian had to retrieve it the so-called “old fashioned way”: obtaining the world’s accepted currency in a universally-consistent way, and then exchanging it for the device. Vector had always been better at these sorts of things, mingling and talking to people. She, herself, was awkward and untrained, even after speaking with some of the more renowned Denizens, as well as her alternates. Perhaps she just wasn’t meant for that sort of work.

    Sitting alone in the cramped tavern, she brushed a heavy silver servo across the covering. It was almost too good to be true. Yet before she could unwrap it, a figure brushed past her cloak. Galactian froze, and her gaze flicked upward to face her denizen. They were average-sized for a Cybertronian, though their paint job was rather gaudy by comparison–although the top spot for that color war still remained in the corner of the mech that had nearly destroyed her. “Ah…ahoy?”

    She ran through her mental list of dialogues, frantically searching for something she could say in response that didn’t sound too out-of-place. At least he spoke standard NeoCybex; that was easy enough to use. “No,” she finally continued, “I’m not lost. I’ve just never ventured over here until now, that’s all. Sometimes one just wishes for a change of scenery, you know? …But I’m not intruding, am I?”

“Not lost ye say? Well if this be where ya want fer new scenery I wouldn’t have come searching for this place” Cannonball stated taking a seat across from the newcomer. 

“A lot of bein’s like new faces. Not for conversation. If I were you I’d cover up that pretty package b’fore someone get’s sticky hands” he said as he took another large swallow of his high grade.

He himself had no plans to snatch it, but it was true that if anything; even the wrapping was shiny, it was bound to go missing if you didn’t watch it closely.

Or unless you were Cannonball.

Cannonball rested his elbow on the table in front of him and set his chin in his hand “So tell me...if you’re not from around here, where ya be fro-” he started before cutting himself short “Oh! Where me manners be?” 

He extended his good hand in greeting “M’name’s Cannonball. Pleasure ta meet ye. What be yer name?”

[piratemedic]

[RP] Talking With the Universe

@galacticmaestro

Cannonball loved space, it was quiet, it was endless, and the only place Cannonball could call home at this point. In a life of piracy it was hard to find a place of tranquility without looking over his shoulder, but Cannonball had found his. His place as among the stars and all of their beauty. He’d never say it aloud but travelling the stars was  worth more than the treasure they sought.

Unfortunately for him, he was almost the only one aboard the Sea Slag who thought that. Without a heist planned the crew tended to get a bit restless. Even the ship itself needed some rest, and he couldn’t deny his ship and crew of their needs and some of their wants.

At least they were in a place they wouldn’t stand out too much. As any smart pirate knew, there’s always a flipside to the nice colonies. Where there were honest folk making their money, there was bound to be a black market where the energon was high grade and the market people sold illegal items at a steal of a price. 

Cannonball had walked through the market place straight to an Oil house. One good thing about being on the ground, was an almost limitless supply of high grade, which he planned to make a dent in before they took off again. 

Partway through his first cube however he noticed a very well dressed bot in a corner table by themselves. He didn’t recognize them but he knew that most bots didn’t like to use organic covers -himself excluded- and if they did, they wouldn’t dress well in a place like this. 

Unless they were lost. 

Smiling to himself, he got up from his seat and made his way over to this strange bot. He would be rude not to at least try to point them in the right direction if they were lost.

“Ahoy there. Fergive me, but I can’t say I recognize ye from around this side o’ town. Yer not lost are ye?” He asked before taking another sip of his high grade.

[voptothetop-deactivated20190312]

[RP] Make him a Member of the Sea Slag Crew

+ @piratemedic​ | CAPTAIN ON DECK!

💫 :||: The stench of alien blood hung heavily in the air of the now-vacant space station, its cruel inhabitants either slayed or captured themselves. Slavers–the one group of beings that the dread pirate Cannonball despised more than any other. His crew seemed to share the same sentiments, tearing apart the outpost that had dealt specifically with the trade of their people: Cybertronians. The commander of the station had met his end with as little dignity as possible, his techno-organic frame left crushed beneath the door of a holding cell. In all, the extermination had only taken about ten breems. A new record, the captain had commented.

     Pirates darted to and fro inside the cramped space, pulling weapons and artifacts to either be squirreled away or traded for information. Data was immediately siphoned out by the Sea Slag’s AI, Harddrive, who parsed it faster than most could even think. Yet within all the bustle were two survivors, both Cybertronian in origin, and medics by trade. One was clearly aged, grunting and complaining as he was led aboard the ship, down to one of the nicer holding cells; he would not be staying long, the crew hoped. But the other was… different. While still older than some, he was small and uncertain, and unusually hesitant to leave the place.

     “I… I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t leave here…” he said, rooted in place just at the threshold of the medbay–if it could even be called that, “I don’t… I don’t… I don’t know what’s out there.”

     Before him, listening curiously, stood a Seeker only just a few feet taller than himself. Skywarp’s deep purple hues were stained with the organic blood of those he had slain just moments before, though the usual combat intensity that filled his amber optics had dimmed some since then. “Hey, buddy… believe me, this ain’t a place you wanna stay–those guys are gonna come lookin’ into this when their buddies don’t call in. And I ain’t gonna let you stay here, either. We may be pirates, but we’re not total jerks. Just… well. Mostly.”

     The other seemed to gulp, not a single word escaping his vocoder. He was nervous. Too nervous.

     “What was your name again?” Skywarp asked.

     “Slip… Slipcrest. It’s… I don’t even know how long I’ve been here. Is… is the war really over?”

     Oh boy, the Seeker thought. This… was going to be interesting. “Again, yeah, it is. Has been for a hot minute. But really, we’ve gotta hit the ol’ stardust-covered skies. Like, now.”

     Still, the mech stood firmly in place. How was he supposed to solve this? Venting a sigh, Skywarp turned to shout over his shoulder, just down the hall: “CAPTAIN! Hey, last bit of cargo that needs boarding over here! Think you can help give this guy the “inspiration” he needs to get goin’?”

[piratemedic]

With most of the outpost entirely cleaned out of any living creatures, save a few prisoners, Cannonball watched as his crew picked it clean of any valuables or anything that looked irregular. He himself had pocketed a few new knives and a considerable amount of treasure.

Though all of it, including his coat, would have to be thoroughly cleaned off after that battle.

All that was to be done now was to set off. Soon Harddrive would have every bit of info they will probably need and there was no real reason to have any ‘chats’ with these prisoners. Not to mention he wasn’t much for torture.

As he was walking a final round through the outpost, he heard his name called. Turning towards the source of the sound down one of the corridors. Uhg. Looks like he’s going to have to crack another helm. 

“I’m comin’ Skywarp” he called back with a slight sigh, and began down the corridor. 

Once entering he peered down at his SIC and then at the apparent cargo. He was....small...and shaking? Carefully examining the bot and his state, the pirate could easily tell this wasn’t something violence would be able to help him with.

Well it would, but he’d prefer not to deviate down that road. 

“Alright then. What be the problem? Too scared ta come with us?” he asked taking a step forward, then starting to walk to the side of the small mech. He wanted to not invade his space too much.

“Well I don’t blame ye, but here be thing. If I leave ye here, ya will die. Ya come with us, ya live. And I be not so cruel as to leave ye here. So either ye make the choice to come with us yerself, or I make that choice for you.” he finished as he stopped just a few feet away from this mech.

[piratemedic]

@littleblueseeker

Answers came from Cannonball in the form of beloved memories, spoken as though they were precious objects that required tender, gentle care. Surely, Thundercracker could relate; a servo rose from the berth to settle upon his chassis as he listened, rubbing just above his spark chamber. The pirate’s age showed through his tales, as did the love he held for the one that had been tied to him in such an intricate and personal way. In some respects, it made knowing that Skywarp was under his protection just a bit easier to take.

“Me an’ Warp were split durin’ the war too; our cousin wasn’t too happy with how Warpy was actin’, so he decided to fix the problem in his own way. Ah’m… it still hurts. Just thinkin’ that we was once so close that we could always be together, an’ now we can’t, an’ it’s… it’s a hurt Ah don’t wish on nobody.”

Except, of course, Starscream. This Seeker was not so forgiving as to let the one that made him suffer feel the same, when countless others had been impacted by the foul mech’s misdeeds as well. It was not just a personal vendetta: this was about everyone and everything that mattered.

It took a decent amount of effort, but Thundercracker finally shifted himself enough to lie comfortably, but still maintain optic contact with the other. From this change, he could finally see the details of the war-weary mech’s plating: it was heavily scarred and outdated, but with its glistening gold paint, it still exuded a great deal of power. There was age to his weary stance as well, only exacerbated by his particular field of work and the odd tattered jacket that hung loosely from his shoulder joints. What sort of tales could this mech tell him, he wondered. Likely far too many for an entire lifetime.

One thing they could both agree upon, at least, was his brother. “Warp never admits a weakness. At least, not openly. He’s one’a the most determined an’ hard-helmed mechs Ah’ve ever known, an’ nothin’ gets in the way’a him gettin’ a job done. Ah’ve always admired that about him. Sometimes, though, Ah just wish he would be a bit more willin’ ta share; not that Ah know what he’s like nowadays. The only things Ah’ve got ta go off are memories. …What was he like when you found him, or now? Just… Pits. Sorry ta pry like this. Ah just don’t know what he’d be willin’ ta tell me anymore.”

Cannonball listened as Thundercracker spoke, and observed all his gestures. From the look in his optics to the hand rubbing over his spark. The seeker didn’t have to tell Cannonball that he hurt. He could see it in front of him.

 He had heard Skywarp tell of when they were split, but only who and where it had happened. It shouldn’t have happened. His and Red Alert’s bond was split by an accident and seemingly by chance. Hardly an explanation for it really. 

Skywarp, and Thundercracker however...their bond being torn apart was not by some random chance. It was intentional. The only thing unintentional about it was Skywarp’s survival. Knowing such a tale had always made the pirate captain furious. It shouldn’t have happened. And yet, had it not happened, he never would have met the seeker at all. And who knows what else would be different. 

“I don’t mind yer curiosity Thundercracker. I’d be askin’ the same things if I were ye.” Cannonball stated finally taking a seat next to the medical berth.

“When I found him he didn’t seem very...well. Let’s put it like that. It seemed to take all his will to keep his gun from draggin’ on the ground. He looked starved for energon, and recharge didn’t seem like a thing he preferred to do either.” It had always disturbed him to think of his second in command in that condition.

“He looked lost, and nearly broken, yet he trudged on. Goin’ who knows where. He hadn’t seen me approach, yet when we engaged in battle, he knew everything that was going on around him.” he paused for a chuckle “He was the first mech in several hundred vorn to be able to get behind me for a strike. That was when I knew he would fit right in on the crew. He was worn out so it wasn’t hard to put him in a position where I could get through to talk to him.”

Cannonball knew that had Skywarp been at full power, he would have been in for a much harder challenge. Much. Harder.

Looking at the blue seeker again, he smiled. “Skywarp even at his lowest has always been a fighter. As long as I’ve known him.”

[piratemedic]

@littleblueseeker

While he didn’t know the longer version of the pirate’s life with Sideways, he had a few guesses. After all, the Herald had practically torn Decepticon command apart from the inside, and because of him, Megatron and Starscream had been twisted into the terrifying mecha they were that day.

Whatever he had done to the crew of the Sea Slag was likely just as despicable.

However, the more he listened to Cannonball, the more that little details were beginning to piece themselves together. A former teacher now leading stray Cybertronians through space, giving aid to only those he felt deserved it. It also explained a few of Red Alert’s more sadistic tendencies, but Thundercracker wasn’t about to mention that.

Though one bit of information caught his attention more than any other: he knew the pain of a broken bond. Or, at least, claimed to. The Seeker shifted on the mediberth, just enough to get a better look at the pirate, and giving him a rather puzzled expression in response. “What kind’a bond did you have? You make it sound like you had a siblin’ bond, or somethin’ similar to it. Didn’t realize there were many others that could survive a split.”

Not that he and Skywarp had come out of it very well. His own spark was scarred and weakened, making it twice as difficult for him to complete tasks that had once been simple and mindless. He didn’t even want to consider how it had impacted his twin.

“Why’d you take Skywarp in, anyway?”

Though he was shocked at first by Thundercracker’s question, he eventually concluded that there shouldn’t really be a reason that Thundercracker knew. After all, Red Alert didn’t really offer the information that he was related to the pirate.

“I did have a sibling bond. I treasured it since the day I found him wandering the streets of Cybertron.” he paused for a moment lost in the memory of finding his dear little brother. Though it was long in the past he would never forget it, and it was still clear in his mind, as though it had just happened. 

Coming back to the present he continued.

“During a battle our sibling bond was severed. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I believed him offline for many years...and for that...I left the war. Ended up as a pirate, and discovered my brother alive many centuries later.” at the end he chuckled. The reunion he and Red shared would also never be a memory he forgot. Even if his dear brother hated that day.

He refused to allow himself to get lost in thought again though, he had another question to answer.

“Though I never will regret it, I often wonder why I recruited him as well. I didn’t know much about him at all. Perhaps it was how determined he was...or how he could warp. And maybe even that he reminded me of myself right after I lost my brother.” 

He paused for a moment as he recalled the fierce look in Skywarps optics the day they had met. Fierce in the forefront but Cannonball had seen that there was more underneath that he refused to show.

“I remember thinking that he was like me. Lost, confused, and wandering without purpose. Whether that’s true or not, he’s never told me. But I offered him a place on my ship. By far one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my entire pirate career.”

[mastermegatron]

Hardly perturbed, Megatron crossed his arms across his chest, narrowing his teal gaze at the pirate. His gaze shifted as Scattorshot spoke, and he refrained from rolling his optics at the injured mech. “Oh really?” he voiced in response to the felled technician, “My, I wonder what ever made you guess something is wrong. No matter. The nature of our dear guest’s injuries will depend on how merciful I am feeling–”

The remainder of his words became lost, falling from his vocoder as a surprised grunt as Scattorshot suddenly collided against him. The smaller mech was hardly enough force to knock him from his pedes, but enough to send him stumbling back. With no time to recover, Megatron looked up only to see the hook striking down upon him. He watched as it crashed against his armor, leaving merely a scratch.

Looking up into the pirate’s optics, he grinned. “So much for mercy,” he vented, seizing the enraged mech by the throat and delivering a powerful energy burst.

[piratemedic]

Though his distraction worked, it seemed that this mech had an advantage. Cannonball shrieked in both surprise and pain as the other blasted some sort of energy through his neck cabling. Once he came out of his stunned state, he attempted to pry the hand from his neck before suffering the same type of attack again. Feeling slightly desperate, he drove the point of his hook into the other’s hand finally freeing himself from the vice like grip.

This one was strong. Certainly no easy fight like the others had been. This one would need to be dealt with swiftly, and carefully. He just had to think about it a little longer. He was certain that energy burst wasn’t the last trick this mech had. 

“The only mercy that is needed...is you needing it from me”  he growled as he got into a better fighting stance. He would win this.

Once more he shot forward, and once in range he delivered a hard punch the the other’s helm, before reeling back and attempting another attack with his hook. 

“You will be the one begging for mercy!”

[windnreign]

Thundercracker instinctively flinched back at the sudden show of affection. Few were ever given permission to touch him, and while medics typically did so for the best, that didn’t exactly make him feel more comfortable with it. Still, this was the mech that took in Skywarp and helped him find purpose–a pat on the shoulder from him wasn’t a sign of hostility, at least. That meant something, right?

“Didn’t realize he had a job before he weaseled his way inta the Decepticons,” he grumbled. “Just figured he spawned from Unicron an’ then sorta showed up ta act like he owned the place. Ah can see why you’d wanna end the slagger as much as Megatron does.”

The “spawned from Unicron” bit wasn’t a joke, either.

Finally, the Seeker pushed a heavy ex-vent through his systems before staring up at the ceiling, his expression rather plain. Even with Cannonball’s admission, things didn’t quite add up. Perhaps exhaustion was just finally catching up with him.

“Why would you worry about someone like me? Ah ain’t exactly pirate material, an’ Warp’s too angry at me ta really make it seem like he wanted me back aroun’. Red’s the doc, so it sorta makes sense fer him ta be concerned, but you? Ah don’t get it. Seems a bit weird fer a pirate, in my opinion.”

[piratemedic]

Gently releasing the seekers shoulder strut he walked back over to his desk and tidied it a bit more, listening to every word the seeker spoke. Carefully putting medicine bottles and datapads in order.

Even though he knew that the conversation would always ivolve talking about Sideways, he still hated hearing that traitor’s name. He had always known him by another name. And after many years, when he finally trusted him, he turned on them and nearly got them all killed. Cannonball was mad at both Sideways for his acts...and deep down, himself for not knowing.

“Wanting to end him is the shortened version. Don’t worry, I won’t give you the longer version.” he stated turning back to Thundercracker.

Hearing the little flier go on, Cannonball quickly became confused. He figured the little seeker knew that he had been a medic of great achievement once, and had even been Red Alert’s coach and teacher. Not to mention this was Skywarp’s brother. His best friend’s brother. he stopped fiddling with the objects on the desk and turned to the little blue mech.

“I care for many reasons. For one, I was a medic when I was younger. Taught Red Alert all he knows. Next is the important bit...you’re my best friend’s brother. Whether he admits it or not...he loves you. And...I know what it’s like to lose a brother. I know spit sparks are different and more painful...but I remember my pain...and if Skywarp went through it worse, then I was not about to let you or him go through it again.” 

[windnreign]

While he had expected a bit of questioning about what had happened, he hadn’t expected it to come from Cannonball. For a moment Thundercracker’s expression wavered, but quickly returned to the dazed look that had been held for most of the evening. Though he wanted for nothing more than to forget it had ever happened, it was probably best to tell at least someone. 

But why Cannonball?

“Well… Ah thought it was just gonna be an easy trip, y’know? Ah’ve done it before… just goin’ up ta Cybertron, seein’ a couple’a friends, then cuttin’ across town ta go to Central Command. But fer some reason, Ah decided ta take a shortcut. Dunno what compelled me ta do it… though, thinkin’ back, it was probably just part’a their illusion… but Ah cut down an ol’ alley, an’ next thing Ah know, Ah’m just…”

Before he could fight back, he had been dragged into the shadows of the Heralds’ little realm, helpless to escape. For a plot so extravagant, it was likely they had been planning it for some time. It still didn’t make sense, though: out of all mecha, why had they taken him?

Shifting slightly to better see the pirate, Thundercracker vented a sigh before saying, “Their names’re Sideways an’ Soundwave–couple’a mechs from a displaced world called Planet X that tricked Megatron inta helpin’ them with their plots ta bring their world back with Unicron’s power. Boss is pretty sure they can be considered the big creep’s heralds, considerin’ what they’re able ta do. Soundwave does this, like… temporal an’ spacial distortion stuff–makes you see an’ hear things that ain’t real. Sideways, though… he’s just the manipulator.”

The mech had nearly torn the Decepticons apart on two separate occasions, and he still couldn’t quite figure out how the mech managed to return. Likely Unicron shenanigans, of course, but he didn’t want to consider that.

“They wanted to know where Megatron was. He’s got Unicron’s armor an’ powers, an’ they wanted that back to restore him, Ah guess. But Ah wouldn’t tell ‘em–he’s my pal, after all. Ah care about him a lot, especially when he’s tryin’ ta change fer the better. So, after awhile… they just kinda. Let me go. Next thing Ah know Ah’m wakin’ up in the Elite Guard holdin’ cells, disoriented an’ not allowed ta leave. That’s pretty much it.”

[piratemedic]

Clearly the little mech had been through a lot, and to hear it condensed down into that short story hardly seemed fathomable. And yet he was sure that the little seeker only left out only a little bit of information. Like what they had done to him. He could get to that later if the mech would allow.

“I see....Sideways....I know him. He be my second before Skywarp. He betrayed me and almost killed all o’ us. I’m...not surprised he was involved.” he paused for a moment to observe the seeker more. He looked so dazed and confused. He felt a twinge in his spark. Not just of pity for Thundercracker’s situation, but also the rage against his former SIC. 

“You know....I chose ta take a look at ye for a couple o’ reasons. One was because yer Skywarp’s brother, and another be because I trusted no one else but Red Alert and meself to repair ye correctly...but the biggest reason I insisted on trying ta help ye was simply because I was worried about ya.” he stood from his seat and walked over to the other and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“No one be deservin’ of what happened to ya except those who put the harm upon you.” he finished.

[mastermegatron]

How ironic it was for an Autobot who had once screamed his name in fear and loathing to now scream for his help, to be saved by his hand without fretting destruction. Megatron wasn’t sure if it pleased him or annoyed him, but nevertheless, circumstances had drastically changed and undoubtedly for the better.

Though he renounced continued warfare and instead agreed to maintain an era of peace, violence itself would never end. It was what lured him here: the sounds of a brawl lacking the grace of a well-thought out and methodically planned battle in a normally quiet and serene room in a normally amicable base. Chaos, it seemed, still tempted him. 

Cautiously, Megatron observed the damage–Red Alert was injured and unconscious, Scattorshot on the precipice of joining the state the medic was in. Their attacker was a beacon of broiling anger, frothing with fury and seemingly strengthened by it. Whatever was happening, it seemed no one had anticipated, though the assailant wounded with an intention to kill. Certainly this was no ordinary brawl. 

“What is going on here?” he demanded over the chaos, releasing an energy burst on the malefactor if only to distract him from injuring Scattorshot further.

Oh, he’d always loathe how the technician had managed to worm his way into his spark.

“Cannonball, is it?” he attempted to steal the saboteur’s attention, “I may not be one for manners, but you and I are both guests here. Pummeling our hosts into oblivion certainly is no way to behave now, is it? Besides, if you want a fight, there’s no reason why you should deny yourself a worthy opponent. So go on, turn around and face me.”

[piratemedic]

Upon hearing the bellowing voice, Cannonball turned to his attention to the newest member of their growing party. He was bigger than the other two, and was bound to be tougher However in his current state of mind he felt invincible, and his newest target would fall just like the other two. Easy.

“Uhg...Megatron..! Cannon ain’t...ain’t himself...I think something’s...wrong! Don’t...don’t hurt him...too badly!” he heard the blue Autobot shout as he squirmed in his grip. Clearly this one was done putting up a fight. Time to put him to better use. 

Planting one foot firmly in the ground, he hoisted the barely conscious Autobot by the helm, before reeling back and throwing him as hard as he could into the other new mech. That would be a good distraction.

Quickly he launched forward to land a strike on the Decepticon, but as he swung his hook down, he had only managed to put a scratch on the other’s armor. He had  thicker plating than he originally thought. Maybe this was going to be a challenge. 

[piratemedic]

“T’was a good night tonight. Spent the peaceful night spending a bit of coin at the casino and getting a nice view of the underworld. Ahhhhh What a day.”

[piratemedic]

angelaprime:

“Hmm. I’ve never heard of you before. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” She smiled.

Never heard of him? Slightly disappointing but no matter. He had his charm all the way to ten and was always out to meet more allies and potential targets for plundering. But that’s not on his mind today. Or rather, right now.  “Indeed. I be not from these stars. So I’m not surprised that ye haven’t heard of me. I myself have never heard of you, miss Prime”

[angelaprime]

???? He knows you've never even spoken to him before but why not?

“Who are you, stranger?”

[piratemedic]

He tips his hat in greeting. 

“I be Captain Cannonball. Captain of the Sea Slag and her crew of explorers. Please ta be meetin’ ya miss,” he said with a slight bow.

[piratemedic]

Transformers Prime already had a design for Cannonball, but it was Ratchet’s design and I felt like he deserved his own design. So here he is! I think I like it a lot!