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Bridge

Soundwave sent a simple acknowledgement back to Shockwave before turning his attention to his orders. It took only a few seconds to activate a unit of Vehicons. He dispatched four of the drones to the bounce chamber while another four were directed to join him on the bridge. They would assist with ship functions and security. It was standard procedure with the tightening of security on the vessel. At the same time he made sure all sensitive areas were locked down with command codes and updating those codes to make sure Starscream wouldn’t have any sort of access.

The Decepticon turned to face Darkwing and Dreadwind manning positions on the bridge. “Orders from Shockwave. You are to report to bounce chamber and assist in transfer of prisoner Starscream from the surface. Vehicon escorts have already been deployed and Shockwave will join you in short order.”

The two fliers were startled, first from Soundwave actually addressing them and then over what he had to say. Sure, neither of them really thought Starscream was going to come out on top of this power struggle, but they figured his fall would be a bit more dramatic. Being brought before Shockwave in chains was startling and maybe a bit disappointing.

Darkwing was the one to reply to Soundwave. “Sure, we’ll just meet him there. Come on Dreadwind.” The two Decepticons left their posts and filed off of the bridge.

Soundwave turned back to his console and moved to the next part of his orders.

>>”Message received Razorclaw. Permission to board the Thanatos granted. A security detail will meet you in the bounce chamber upon your arrival.”<<

>>”Thunderwing, Commander Shockwave requests a progress report on status of Earthbound Decepticon activities.”<<

With those duties completed he began studying the ship roster for suitable candidates to send down to the Ultrax. Most of the Decepticons on board were busy with other assignments now, several assisting Shockwave in his experiments in the lab. For now he simply compiled a list of Decepticons with the technical aptitude to assist with repairs. Once the current situation with Starscream’s arrival was resolved then these Decepticons could be dispatched to the surface.

It was a pity he could not be present himself to see the seeker chained and defeated. It was surely a sight he would relish and make sure would be permanently recorded to enjoy in the future. He was sure he would eventually see the seeker. His telepathic abilities would make him far too valuable in an interrogation not to. Still, he would like to enjoy the first moments in person. He would have to settle for the next best thing.

“Laserbeak: Eject. Operation: Observation.”

The cassette shot out of Soundwave’s chest and transformed. He hadn’t been back long, his mission observing some of the various Decepticons having ended with their being dispatched to various locations. He wasn’t particularly excited about going off to watch more Decepticons, but it wasn’t the worst assignment he had gotten. Besides, even he would be amused to see Starscream humbled. With a lone squawk the bird flew off of the bridge.

*

Corridors

Darkwing and Dreadwind were quiet for a bit as they started their journey to the bounce chamber. Of course it was Darkwing who finally spoke up. “You know, I can’t believe they got Starscream. You figure with someone like him he could manage to weasel his way out of any situation. At the very least I figure he had to go down kicking and screaming.”

Dreadwind looked back at him. “You assume that that’s what really happened? Isn’t it obvious what really took place?” Darkwing shrugged his shoulders and Dreadwind sighed before continuing. “It’s a trap or trick of some sort, even Shockwave thinks it is. Why else send us in first? Starscream is going to bounce up her and open fire on the first Decepticons he sees, namely us. Its all part of his plan to take over.”

Darkwing rubbed his chin. “I don’t know, that sounds awfully elaborate, even for Screamer. I mean he’s got the guts and the sneakiness to try it sure, but could he actually pull it off?

“You said yourself that he always seems to weasel his way out of everything.”

Darkwing nodded. “Yeah, true, true.” He produced one of his rifles and looked it over. “Well I’m glad I’m fully locked and loaded then. I hope when I go down I can at least put a laser between Screamer’s optics.”

Dreadwind just shook his head as the two of them entered the bounce chamber, Laserbeak flying in just behind them,

*

Laboratory

Clutch frowned down at Knockout. It seemed the other Con was taking Shockwave’s comments in stride. Clutch simply wasn’t built that way, he took everything from command pretty seriously, especially from someone like Shockwave. He also had his doubts about how much he could learn from a little shaved off chunk of that special armor, but he’d just have to trust Knockout on that one. Doing that had mostly worked out ok for him in the past, mostly.

His attention snapped back into focus on Shockwave as the Decepticon gestured to him with his cannon arm. It was a bit unnerving to have the weapon so casually leveled at him, but he stood his ground. The orders surprised him a bit as he had been assisting Knockout. Of course that didn’t really involve much on his part and he wasn’t about to argue the point with him. "Yes sir!" he replied, saluting the commander as he left the room.

As he waited for Deathstinger to ingest the new fuel he looked down at Mal Practice. He hadn’t paid much attention to the Decetpicon as he was just another tech-head, and an annoying one at that. He already had to deal with one of those on a regular basis, he didn’t have any interest in adding another.

“We got assigned to the same mission a long time ago. We worked well together, lots of success and profit for the both of us so we stuck together.”

Bounce Chamber

The bounce beam quickly reached its target destination and deposited Razorclaw and his team on board the Thanatos where they were greeted by Dreadwind and Darkwing along with Soundwave’s diminutive minion, Laserbeak. Also present were four Vehicons, the security detail previously mentioned by the communications expert. This was a troubling turn of events, but not an insurmountable one by any means. Clearly, Shockwave had decided to use some of the Vehicons to supplement his own forces just as the lion-former had thought to do so with his own squad. Thankfully, there were still plenty more Vehicons left in stasis that were ripe for awakening and reprogramming.

Once the effects of the bounce had worn off, Razorclaw wasted no more time, taking Starscream by the left arm and guiding the “captured” Seeker Commander off of the bounce pad and towards the welcoming party that greeted them. “I see that Lord Shockwave is taking every precaution when dealing with our prisoner here. That's a very wise decision as he put up one hell of a fight down there before we were able to subdue him,” the Predacon Commander commented as he pushed Starscream over to the four Vehicon escorts. “Watch him carefully. Starscream may be in stasis cuffs, but he is still a viable threat if left unchecked. Now, Dreadwind and Darkwing, take me to Shockwave so that I may brief him on the ultimate success of our mission.”

Skywarp watched from the bounce platform as the Air Commander was lead to the waiting Vehicon security force. The teleporter wasn't the smartest mech around but he could instantly tell that this was already not looking too good for Starscream or the rest of them for that matter. Wasn’t it Razorclaw’s plan to awaken the Vehicons in order to help them fight Shockwave? Apparently, the Military Operations Commander had beaten the idiot Predacon "lord" to the punch. Regardless, the prankster and Nightraven still had their orders from Starscream and those were the only ones that truly mattered.

“Nighty....I mean Nightraven and I are coming, too,” Skywarp interjected, raising his voice slightly in order to be heard. Motioning for Nightraven to join him, the teleporter walked over to where Razorclaw was standing with Darkwing and Dreadwind, stumbling a bit from the bounce effects before regaining his composure. He briefly glanced at the Seeker Commander before returning his attention to the pair of fliers. “We also would like to speak with Shockwave directly in regards to Starscream’s fate. With the Preds around, I’m sure he won’t be threatened by our presence at all.”

Bounce Chamber

Rampage quickly got over the circuit-tingling sensation of undergoing an orbital bounce. He actually kinda liked the feeling, but he didn't linger on it for long. Instead, his optics immediately looked around, as if to see that the ship, their ship, was still in order the way they had left it. It looked that way. He figured it probably was. It just felt different. Colder somehow. But that was probably due to the fact that had the feel of Shockwave and Soundwave's emotionless vibe all over it. It would be good when they were back at the helm and could suitable predify it again.

Rampage looked over at the other Predacons briefly before fixing his gaze on the ones waiting to greet them. He almost instinctively drew his sword and prepared to cut them down, but he knew that wasn't the plan so he avoided the act. Loyal Predacons returning from their mission. Nothing more complicated than that.

Yet, anyway.
___

Dead End tensed as soon as he arrived on board the Thanatos. It was certainly cleaner than the Ultrax. He wasn't all that big on cleanliness though. He couldn't help but think he was far less likely to get a nasty case of rust rash on this ship as opposed to the Stunticons' one.

The welcoming party didn't exactly look all that welcoming.

"We're so dead...," the Stunticon pessimist mumbled.

Bounce Chamber

So this was the welcoming committee? Darkwing and Dreadwind? It felt plenty lacking if Shockwave was expecting trouble. Motormaster had difficulties to even cook up a scenario in his mind where the two miserable glitches could stop even one Predacon, let alone the whole team of Decepticons Razorclaw had led into the Thanatos. They really had no hope even with those Vehicons present. Then again, it wasn't like Razorclaw was going to give the command the large Stunticon was waiting for anytime soon.

Now, while Motormaster saw their welcoming committee as nothing more than inconvenience - there was someone else who was starting already to tick him off. That someone being Dead End, one of his own men.

"Quit your whimpering Dead End." Motormaster grunted, slapping the back of the sullen warrior's head to draw his attention away from thoughts of his possible demise. With some damage caused on Dead End's paintwork, the Stunticon leader figured the morose mech's vanity would take over the feeling of dread he seemed to be struggling against. They certainly didn't need Dead End endangering the whole slagging plan through his whining.

"You're making me look bad." Was added as a low growl to emphasis his earlier command. After all, the Stunticons needed to remember that the worst thing for them to do was to piss off their own immediate superior.

Bounce Chamber

Materializing was the easy part it was the dizziness and what was to follow that would turn out to be the most difficult part of this mission.

With his head still held high and his demeanor ever confident Starscream took a quick glance in Razorclaw’s direction before he slowly turned his gaze to the door. Shockwave. If only the mech had remained on the MIA list. Life would have been so much easier.

The Seeker Commander took a look around noting the four Vehicons and Darkwing, Dreadwind and Laserbeak. He kept his mouth shut as he turned his head and made optic contact with both of his Seekers. The time to advocate on their Commander’s behalf was approaching.

They had their orders and he had no doubt that at the very least Nightraven would be capable of articulating what was necessary...this made the femme only slightly more useful. Skywarp…well, the idiot was of better use as the brawn. If anything were to transpire that would threaten his own life then Starscream was sure he could count on his wing mate to handle things. Being able to teleport wasn’t such a bad thing either.

As the four Vehicons stepped up Starscream puffed out his chest, raised his chin and stepped down off of the platform after he was so rudely shoved forward by the Predacon Commander. As the two forward drones stepped up each moved to grip the Seeker Commander’s upper arms. Unwilling to be dragged around Starscream jerked away from their grasp and sent an angry growl in both their directions.

“Hands off cretins! I am perfectly capable of walking these halls on my own power.”

The two drones in front of the Seeker took quick glances at one another before looking back to the Air Commander who now wore a haughty smirk. It was the force of another rough shove that forced Starscream to finally move toward the door and on to his final destination.

“Mark my words Predacon! This is not over! Not while my spark still pulses!”

A few more shoves and the Seeker was pressed into the corridor surrounded closely by his four unwanted escorts.
____

Nightraven had caught the quick intense glance meant for her and Skywarp and acknowledged it with a slight nod of understanding. She then watched as the four Vehicons surrounded Starscream and very abruptly and rudely escorted him toward the door.

The femme inhaled deeply when the door finally closed on the backs of all five mechs. This was where she and Skywarp’s work would begin it also happened to be where her doubts began to surface. What if Shockwave refused their pleas? Could they even trust Razorclaw to stick to his plan? Those and other questions seemed swirl through her processor while the Predacon Commander addressed Darkwing and Dreadwind.

It was the sound of her name coming from Skywarp that had jostled her from her reverie. She was a bit surprised that the teleporter had spoken first taking the initiative on Starscream’s behalf. Nightraven took a quick glance at Skywarp and gave him a nod. She followed after him as he stepped over to stand with the two fliers and Razorclaw. She noticed his unsteady stagger but forced herself to keep her distance as rushing to his side would only draw unwanted attention to them both. Nightraven stopped just to Skywarp’s right and nodded in agreement with the black and purple Seeker’s demands.

“With our Commander incarcerated and unable to defend himself Skywarp and I wish to advocate on his behalf.”

Nightraven glared at Razorclaw with a fair amount of malice.

“Keeping a close eye on Razorclaw and his band of thugs is also a top priority.”
____

It was a gift that Breakdown could actually appear with his own team and not be seen…not unless he wanted to. But in this particular situation he felt it necessary to blend into the background. The scout had quickly stepped as close to his brother as possible taking extra care to keep Dead End in the foreground. If anything was to occur he wanted to morose mech to take the brunt of it.

“Tell me about it. I bet…I bet instead of Screamer…that we’re the ones ‘ol one eye decides to offline.”

The movement made by Motormaster had Breakdown quickly slap his hand over his mouth and take a few steps away from Dead End as he seemed to be the object of his Commander’s ire. He could only hope that the deranged semi hadn’t heard his own griping.

Oh please don’t let him have heard me.

With any luck he’d make it out of this with his head and spark intact.

Bounce Chamber

Darkwing and Dreadwind were surprised to see the sheer number of Decepticons who materialized in the room from the planet surface. While they had been expecting Razorclaw, Starscream and a couple of others what they got felt like an invasion party. Every single Predacon, a few Stunticons, Starscream and some bonus seekers and, oh yes, Thunderwing. Darkwing tightened his grip on his rifles, although they were still lowered, ready to open fire once the inevitable battle began. Dreadwind merely shook his head in dismay as he waited to be struck down by a barrage of fire.

Both of the fliers were surprised when the barrage of fire did not rain down on them. Instead Razorclaw presented the captive Starscream just like he said he would. Darkwing visibly relaxed, willing to go along with this good luck as long as it lasted. Dreadwind however, ever a pessimist, remained tense and suspicious. He had learned a long time ago that if things were going too well then someone was going to end up dead shortly.

As usual Darkwing was the one to speak up. “We were just ordered to greet you guys here and escort the prisoner to the brig. I believe Shockwave will meet us in the brig or on the way to the brig. Guess he wants to chat with Starscream as soon as possible.” He glanced over at the two other seekers and shrugged his shoulders at them. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Lets just get going then.”

*

Thunderwing staggered for a bit as the disorienting effect of using the orbital bounce washed over him. He quickly recovered though and took in his surroundings. He was mildly surprised that Shockwave himself was not there to greet them. The commander was likely busy completing some sort of test or calculation. Formalities like greeting them upon their return were not an efficient or logical use of his time and energy. It was a pity as there would have been a chance to put a quick end to it all here and now by simply launching an all out attack on him. Certainly they would have numbers and power on their side. It appeared that they would have to be patient and wait for the appropriate moment to strike.

Unfortunately patience was not something he possessed and abundance of at the moment. Blackwind was still out of contact and likely out of commission somewhere on the ship, assuming she was still functioning. She was too important to leave lying deactivated or experimented upon. She possessed the raw power, intelligence and cunning he would need assisting him if he was to take command of the Decepticons. The seeker would be his right hand, commanding her aerial brethren once Starscream was disposed of. Losing here was not something he wanted to contemplate, but he couldn’t risk blowing the mission by running off after her, so he waited.

The Decepticon had received the signal from Soundwave shortly before bouncing up to the Thanatos. Now that he was on board he felt it time to reply, especially since he wouldn’t be ordered to stay on the surface after having already bounced up.

>>”I made contact with multiple groups of Decepticons on the surface, including Razorclaw’s group. After assessing the situation I agreed to join him in returning to the Thanatos with his prisoner. Now that I am on board I can give Shockwave a full report at his earliest convenience.”<<

*

Bridge

Soundwave did enjoy seeing the cuffed form of Starscream as he was pushed across the room. Laserbeak was more then capable of recording the scene and relaying it back to him. It was something the Decepticon would treasure.

The moment was a bit spoiled by all of the other Decepticons present. Razorclaw had seen fit to drag a small army of Decepticons back to the Thanatos with him. It seemed like a gross waste of time and energy. The seeker did not require such a large number of Decepticons to guard over him. Apparently the Predacon leader didn’t feel safe without his team surrounding him. Motormaster had likely accompanied them to laugh at the seeker’s plight now, although why he would bring two of his hated troops with him was a myster. The fact that Thunderwing was with them was also a surprise, and Soundwave did not like surprises.

He received the reply from Thunderwing, the message more of an afterthought now. Still he dutifully relayed the contents to Shockwave.

>>”Shockwave, Thunderwing has returned to Thanatos along with Razorclaw’s group. He is ready to make a report to you at earliest convenience.”<<

(ooc: sorry its not much, but i'm winging this one as its hard to play catchup)

Thanatos - Lab

Contemptor, interested - and impressed - at the show infront of him, particularily at the subjugation of Blackwind, returned his shotguns to their holding points before turning to Shockwave. He looked at Deathstinger and smiled lightly before turning to Mal Practice and nooded at the smaller con subtly.

'Too damned bad I didn't get to test these babies out...It would have been fun to blast a few of these idiots...well except for her...'

"Lord Shockwave, if I may..." The truckformer began "...I would very much insist that I partake of Ore-13 testing."

The large truckformer looked directly at Shockwave's optic waiting for the response from their leader, for he would be the next of the decepticons to take part in the revolutionary new technology that would lead them to victory.

Thanatos--Corridors

Shockwave had sent a simple, non-verbal acknowledgement to Contemptor. In time, he wanted to see how all of the Decepticons--or the vast majority, at least--functioned with the infusion of the ultra-energon derivative. The initial results had been promising, but only until it had been tested inside a wide variety of systems could its real strengths and flaws be fully determined. It was much the same way the advantages and the disadvantages of the triple-changing process had been discovered. The limitations and problems inherent with that process were one of the primary reasons why so few were suitable candidates to withstand the changes.

Shockwave was exceedingly curious to discover which Decepticon would be the first to suffer a full-meltdown, or any other significant aftereffects, from integrating the new form of energon in to their systems.

Continuing forward, Soundwave's transmission was satisfactory on the outside, but reality was that Thunderwing's return only complicated matters, particularly as Shockwave had left him in charge of Earth's operations precisely to keep him away from the laboratory and Blackwind's prone position, at least until such time as the cycloptic scientist had gathered a sufficient amount of data regarding the new shell technology the Warlord was employing.

>>"Satisfactory. Imperative: direct him to the bridge. I will meet with him when my discussions with Starscream are complete."<<

It was not ideal, but it was a satisfactory alternative. Perhaps he would be able to reason with the Warlord on a logical and scientific level regarding the actions he had taken with Blackwind. If not, it would be a useful opportunity for Shockwave to test the efficacy of the ultra-energon firsthand.

Shockwave continued forward a few steps before pausing once more.

>>"Secondary imperative: you are to lock down the laboratory if any mechanoid other than myself appears to break from the assemblage and head in its direction. I will not have Starscream or one of his errant Seekers attempt any form of insubordination while so much critical work is underway."<<

Bounce Chamber

As Starscream was taken out of the room by the four Vehicons, Razorclaw couldn’t help but smirk underneath his faceshield. The Seeker Commander was playing his part all too well, or perhaps he meant every word that he said. It didn’t matter at this point. The Predacon Commander was in a much better position than the former interim leader of the Decepticons currently was. If Razorclaw played his cards perfectly and waited for just the right moment to strike, Shockwave would end up in the same brig directly beside Starscream. Oh, what a sight that would surely be!

When Skywarp and Nightraven abruptly stepped forward to plead on behalf of Starscream, Razorclaw glared at both of them with an intense fire in his optics. This was not a part of the plan, at least it was not the Predacon lord’s idea. It was likely something Starscream had thought of at the last moment to help ensure his safety. Regardless, once again it did not matter. If anything, it gave a viable reason for the presence of the two Seekers, but if they did anything to jeopardize the ultimate goal of this mission then they would be swiftly taken out of the equation just as Shockwave would soon be.

Razorclaw then turned his attention back to Darkwing and Dreadwind. The two fliers were typical Decepticon thugs that simply did what they were told and had no greater ambitions. They were annoying to the Predacon Commander to say the very least, but they too served a purpose in the grand scheme of things and therefore they would continue to function, unless of course they got in the way. “Very well. We will follow you to the brig where I will speak briefly with Shockwave before he begins his interrogation of the prisoner. Lead on.”

And with that, Razorclaw led his troop out of the bounce chamber, accompanying Darkwing and Dreadwind as they headed down to the brig. Skywarp followed behind them with Nightraven at his side. He spared another worried glance in the seeker femme’s direction as his right hand brushed gently by her own. He was careful to not grasp her hand, however, as to not convey their close relationship to those around them. Things were already complicated enough as it were. They didn’t need feelings getting in the way of the overall objective here, which was to make sure that Starscream made it out of this alive and once again found himself in command of all Decepticons.

“You know, Nighty, you are a way better speaker than I am,” Skywarp pointed out as they walked behind the others. Her words to the two fliers moments ago were much more articulated than his own, and he recognized that fact the moment she had activated her vocalizer. It didn’t really bother the teleporter as he was well aware of his true role within the Empire, one of a loyal air warrior that would follow Starscream to the Pit if necessary. “Maybe you should do most of the talking once we see Shockwave. I don’t want to mess things up by saying something idiotic or stupid.”

Bounce Chamber

"Won't happen again," Dead End said as he rubbed the back of his cranial unit gingerly. He had hoped his brief moment of consternation might have gone overlooked by their brutish thug of a commander but...come on now, did anything ever work out in his favor? 'Course not.

Breakdown pretty much echoed exactly what was running through his own processors at that moment. He didn't dare say anything out loud to agree with his fellow Stunticon though. An empathetic nod of agreement was the best that Dead End could muster, lest he once again become a target for Motormaster's continually pent up aggressions.

So...they were headed to the brig, were they? Lovely. Dead End officially began counting down the astroseconds until they found themselves locked up there. If they were lucky.

Who was he kidding? Luck was about as accessible as Maccadam's old oil these days.
___

When Razorclaw began to lead the group out of the bounce chamber, Rampage was right behind him, eager to get out of Laserbeak's field of vision, even if it wouldn't last for long. When Tantrum stepped out, he took up an auxiliary position at the rear on the other side of the door and waited for everyone else to exit the room. The unit began to gradually achieve optimum positioning all the while making it a point to follow through on their standard operating procedures.

Truth be told, Rampage was impressed that one of the Stunticons hadn't already glitched up their little operation.

So far, so good.