Jack would have growled, but that felt too much like some kind of dog. He glanced down at his wolf form, and it made him question just what kind of Predacon his body was turned into. Well, a wolf, obviously, he thought sardonically. He reviewed what a wolf could do, but so far he was on the mark. Teeth, claws, tail...howl?
Jack narrowed his optics, and glanced at Ratchet, who was still working at the console. Seriously, what was he doing? He sighed, but knew that if he tried a howl it could get him a 'knock off that noise'. He snickered at the thought, especially since he wasn't sure if his foggy memories were correct about Ratchet telling Miko to turn off her music.
Would have been funny though.
Awkwardly shrugging in his wolf form, Jack inhaled deeply, and drew from his memories of the howls he'd heard out from the desert. "AAAAHHHH!" Jack immediately cringed. That was not a howl-it sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
"Jack!" Ratchet admonished, but jerked back when the lights went out, and a heavy crash followed.
Optics widening, Jack transformed and blinked as he found his sight turned to night vision-huh, well that was useful. He noticed Ratchet lying on his back, and rushed over to his side. "Ratch, are you okay?"
It looked difficult to do, but Ratchet scowled up at him. "I am lying on the floor, something apparently caused by your screeching-so no, I am not fine."
"Ouch, that hurts." Jack tried to joke, but Ratchet glared at him. The Predacon vented. "Okay, kinda stupid when I think about it, but hey, I can take out tech!"
"Lying. On the floor. Help me up." Ratchet grounded out.
"Right, right." Jack muttered, and as he lifted the medic up under his arms, footsteps raced into the room and a flashlight shined on him, letting him see his mother and Fowler had both run in. "Uh, hey?"
"Jack, are you alright? What was that sound?!" June breathed out, her voice heavy and panicked.
Jack felt his helm fins twitch in shame. "That...that was me." he muttered, and steadied Ratchet on his pedes but didn't let go of him. "I-er, tried to find out what I could do, and I guess my howl can shut down tech." he smiled sheepishly. "Oops."
Fowler let out a groan. "Well thanks to your little EMP blast it's gonna take at least a few hours before the power comes back on." he threw his hands up in the air. "Who knows if that's even a rough guess, given your new state!"
Jack's fins flicked, wincing. "I'm sorry, okay?! I just didn't want to keep feeling useless just stuck in here." his voice died down, and he frowned at the ground. "I didn't know this is what would happen."
"Though it does bring up interesting observations." Ratchet said. "Given your predatory form, having some kind of offensive attack to subdue...prey," he grimaced at the word in disgust, "would have ensured your survival."
"Yeah, this doesn't make me feel better." Jack said flatly. "This is just the universe laughing at me again; hey, turns out I can do something cool-too bad I use it and take everyone near me down in an instant." he grumbled.
"It could provide an escape." June said.
Jack sighed. "Only if it's a bunch of enemies."
"Perhaps it could be more centered into a head-on attack." Ratchet said. "Preferably not in here, where very sensitive equipment could be damaged. Cybertron might be restored, but I am uncertain it would have spontaneously sprouted new innovations."
"So I'm still stuck," Jack rolled his optics, "kind of figured that." he looked down at his mother and Fowler, shrinking in on himself. "Again, I'm really sorry about this. I thought at most I'd just knock down the wall."
"Wish that's what would have happened too." Fowler grumbled. "Less of a headache for everyone." he shook his head, and headed for the door. "Don't," he paused awkwardly, "go anywhere," he continued dryly. "I gotta let the higher ups know we're not under attack."
Jack vented heavily once more. "I can already imagine the dirty looks I'll be sent." he shook his head, and caught his mother crossing her arms. "Something the matter?"
"I know this isn't the time, but I'm happy to see you're...livier would be the right word, I suppose." June said, smiling tentatively.
Jack's spark constricted. It never escaped his attention that he'd been gone for what felt like years, and he smiled shakily back at his mother. "I kinda got bad news too; our house is still on the Nemesis-Knock Out used it as a dollhouse for me."
June's smile froze. "Well...it's just a house. It can be replaced." she walked forward and patted Jack's leg. "I'll see you later, honey."
"Yeah, see ya." Jack called back, and once more the room was dark. Though that did not mean he couldn't feel the weight still in his arms. "So, Ratch, where do you wanna sit until the EMP fades? The wall's actually kind of nice once you get used to it."
He didn't know how to describe Ripclaw's scent; it was a immensely pleasant aroma, one which made him fly just a bit quicker as he thought of his ultimate objective with the true Predacon. When the scent grew stronger the more into the ruined city, it made his energon run wild. Was Ripclaw still on planet? It was highly unlikely, but he didn't discount the idea-it would certainly be easier if he were.
That still left him with how to get the Autobots out of the way. A distraction would be optimal, divert their attention to another part of the ship while he snuck aboard in the chaos to find Ripclaw's location.
His optics glanced up, finding the Nemesis from Shockwave's files; it was situated over a decrepit building, and the scent from Ripclaw wafted more strongly from it. If he was not on the ship, he'd been on it for a while.
His wing twitched, and he picked up the grumbling beneath him, a ruckus of sounds and escalating bickering. He silently swooped down, his optics narrowing as he found those two, the rushed jobs. Skystalker neared the ground behind them, and as he touched down, he transformed into root mode-a bit of a foregone conclusion Shockwave set within them, now that he knew it was possible.
Both of his...brethren whirled around, but while Skylynx just stared at him, Darksteel grinned. "Hey, you're finally done cooking!"
"Incubating." Skystalker paused, taking a moment to savor the sound of his own voice. It was deep, cool, and even-it reminded him of Shockwave's voice. He wondered if Ripclaw would enjoy it as well.
"Did they send you out to gather up rusted useless things too?" Skylynx asked drolly.
No, what a waste of my time that would be, it was at the tip of his glossa, a surely appropriate answer to such a stupid question. He reined it back though, because cause and effect dictated if he insulted them they wouldn't follow his orders as readily. "No, my mission is to retrieve Ripclaw. I followed his scent here and believe he is on the Autobot occupied ship...the one floating above us." he added, his patience wearing thin when he noted the lack of recognition on their faces. Rush job indeed.
"Sucks to be you then." Darksteel retorted, but Skylynx narrowed his optics.
"Why are you telling us? Why are you talking to us?" he asked morosely. "Shouldn't you be doing your job too?"
Perhaps this one isn't as stupid, Skystalker thought, but the lack of realization on their part made him embarassed all the same. "I will do...everything," he kept back the delighted shudder for when he found Ripclaw and accomplished his task, "in my ability to get Ripclaw, but I need some assistance."
"Really? What kind?" Darksteel asked.
"It's an important part-I need you both to lure out the Autobots and keep them occupied for as long as possible."
Instead of agreeing immediately, or even appearing to think it over-both Skylynx and Darksteel began to walk away from him.
"Where are you two going?" Skystalker demanded.
Darksteel snorted. "I'm up for a fight, but ol' Screechy told us to stay hidden. Don't feel like getting hit with a pipe again."
Skystalker stared at them, optics growing wide. They narrowed a moment later, fists clenching. "Surely you both realize how vital my mission is to Shockwave, do you not?"
"Yes, still don't care-it's your mission." Skylynx snapped back. "Ours is to gather beams and bones; you're on your own."
I must-not-lose-my-temper-ahh-"Ahhh!" Skystalker screeched, lunging forward and in one fluid motion he was back in beast mode. He barrelled into Skylynx, front claws digging into the other as he pressed him into the ground. Submit, submit, submit, he chanted as he felt the smaller Predacon trying to claw his way from him.
A snap to the side made his head whip around, optics narrowed when he saw the front of Darksteel's beast mode flare, the orange veins growing brighter as a spark began to ignite at the back of his throat. Skystalker reared back his own head, and the rush of cold burst forth from his mouth in a blaze of frost to meet the flame Darksteel spewed at him.
Both blasts were at even standing for a moment, but Skystalker growled when he noticed the fire overpowering his ice. He narrowed his optics further, plans racing through his processor before he gripped Skylynx tightly with one claw, the other planted firmly on the ground.
Skystalker sprung, leaping to the side as his ice dissipated and the flame narrowly missed him. The heat reverberated on his plating, but he focused on the weight in his claws and hurled Skylynx at Darksteel, catching the latter offguard and careening them both onto the ground.
Without wasting a second, Skystalker pounced on both, gripping both by the back of their helms and smashing them together. The force made Skylynx dazed, but had the intended reaction of forcing Darksteel back to root mode.
Skystalker snarled at them, and a rush of pleasure followed at their terrified expressions. He transformed back into root mode as well, and loomed over them. "I don't believe I made myself clear," he said with an even tone, belying the anger seeping into how he grabbed the two Predacons by their necks, claws wrapped tight, "you two will help me. As your superior, as your alpha, do I make myself clear?"
Darksteel nodded rapidly, optics squeezed shut while Skylynx croaked out a ragged "Yes." Both vented deeply in relief when Skystalker finally released them, standing up straight with a slight smirk on his face.
"Excellent, I knew you would see it my way. Now, here's what I want you to do..."