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// 4: Scientific Expedition 
// Story: My Little Shockwave: Friendship is Logical 
// by Stalin with Da Spoon 
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How was this dark science even possible? No, scratch that, why was it possible? It was highly illogical.

Shockwave was currently stood before his scanning matrix, as the wooden piece of scorched bark was currently inside the small glass scanning chamber, slowly rotating as a purple light scanned it, displaying it's readings on the screen.

Scans of the wooden bark collected from the scorched remnants of the now designated 'Timberwolf' indicated almost no potential methods of locomotion or intelligence. The only slight clue were traces of an unknown type of energy, although it was practically impossible to discern it's power or source. What was stranger, is that it seemed to be reacting to the other samples of wood he had recovered, almost as if they were attracted. 

It became clear to Shockwave that in order to learn the secrets of the Timberwolf, he would need to do two things.

One, acquire more samples from deceased Timberwolves for analysis and study. And two, capture a live specimen for direct examination.

The first goal would be easy to accomplish, seeing as he could simply hunt down and destroy more wolves to gather those samples, though he would need to find a way to ensure the samples were undamaged by his cannon. Developing a viable method of capturing the beasts however would be more difficult. Though gathering samples would take a higher priority, as it would also allow him to further explore and map out the forest, potentially discovering other scientific anomalies to research. 

With his agenda for today decided, he quickly turned turned to another terminal to view a camera that was set up at the cave entrance to see that the sun was still climbing into the sky, so it would be most optimal to leave now. Making his way over to the door, he slowly opened it to reveal the dark and damp cavern outside, stepping out as the door closed behind him and he walked through the caves.

Thanks to activating the base's main power, a series of light fixtures along the walls of the cave were now functional, allowing to better see and navigate as he made his way to the exit, and leaving the cave to see the sun was about halfway across the sky, approximately early-evening. Noting that down to allow him to pinpoint this planet's time scale, he then looked down, and realized his problem. How was he going to get back down? Not only that, but getting back up would be a pain in the aft.

However, Shockwave remembered something, as he made his way back inside the cave, descending back into the depths of the mountain. As he arrived back at the door to his lab, he then turned to the right, to see a long brightly lit tunnel. Transforming into his vehicle form, he sped through the tunnel rapidly, approaching the end as suddenly it opened up to reveal the forest, as Shockwave flew out of the tunnel and emerged from a hidden hatch. Transforming back, he could see the hatch now closing, however from what he could see it was sensor activated, so upon his return it would open for him.

Now feeling slightly better knowing he wouldn't have to deal with the climbing, he turned around and set off through the forest. As he walked along the path, he soon saw something... Those equines from last night were back along the trail, and it seemed they were attempting to fix their cart.

'You cannot blame them for trying to retrieve it, it is likely useful for their labor.'

'Even if your emotion clouds your judgement, you are logical. That cart likely assists in the moving of cargo and goods seeing as they lack sufficient physical strength to carry it themselves.'

'Right, but it is best we go around, so as to limit our exposure and ensure our work is uninterrupted by potential interlopers.'

'That would be logical... If not for the fact that the young one has noticed us.'

Shockwave looked to see that the young 'Applejack' was waving at him while attempting to alert her parents. Taking his chance, Shockwave quickly ducked into the tree line, brushing aside a tree as he vanished within the thick shrubbery. He then used his antenna to overhear their conversation.

"But that Shockwave feller was just there!"

"Applejack, it is probably best that we do not bother mister Shockwave. After all, if he is still out here, maybe he just wants some peace and quiet or some alone time. Considering how big he is, it isn't as dangerous for him as it is for us. But tell you what, we'll leave him a gift basket as thanks."

"Alrighty! It's the least we could do seeing as he saved our lives!"

'My deduction was correct. Kindness has been repaid.'

'Even if this 'gift basket' likely serves us no effective utility, it might contain potential samples for my research, so I will accept it.'

'I understand that you are the more logical one, but does everything you do have to involve science?'

'Logically, we were the Chief Scientist of the Decepticons, and one of Cybertron's greatest scientific minds. Focusing on anything else seems counter-productive.'

'May I remind you that the Decepticons no longer exist. The symbol you bear is for a dead cause, fighting for it is illogical especially after it's own leader abandoned the cause.'

'Your point is logical, but I will bear it all the same, because it is in my opinion, a far more suitable symbol than that of the Autobots.'

'Very well, but attempting to force our point of perspective and ideology is highly illogical, as these primitives could likely not comprehend it.'

'I have far more vital tasks to tend to then explaining myself to an equine.'

'A logical point.' 

Finishing his internal conversation, he listened to the ponies trotting away, tugging their newly repaired cart with them. After waiting a few minutes to allow their sound to dissipate, Shockwave emerged from the tree line and turned both directions and saw the equines were gone, before continuing on his path. Shockwave looked down to see the distinct hoof prints of the three equines lead along the trail before eventually he hit a crossroads. Seeing the hooves go down the right path, he went down the left, deeper into the forest. 

'I am surprised you did not attempt a form of covert observation.'

'The daily lives of the local primitive fauna is of no importance to my goals, and as such would be an illogical waste of time to observe. Or at least, as of currently. Perhaps when we have a more open time table, we can set up proper methods of observation.'

Shockwave turned to his left and right, scanning the tree line for any potential movement. Shockwave sensors were currently on high alert, his antenna constantly flicking to listen to any source of sound. The lack of any kind of movement was putting him on edge, feeling as though he was being stalked. Honestly, these fears were born solely out of paranoia of the autobots somehow tracking him to this world, for they were the only ones that could pose a truly serious threat to him. But regardless, he made sure to banish those fears and continue along his path.

Now was not the time for paranoia, but instead, the time for discovery.