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Bridge

Onslaught drummed the edges of one actuator against the armrest of his chair as he considered the implications of Swindle's report. It was far from ideal. Of the two unit commanders stationed on this planet, Scrapper was actually the one he wanted to engage with first. The engineer's insight would be highly valuable going forward, regardless of which approach they ultimately took.

Motormaster and the Stunticons' value lay in a largely different arena. Securing their support would mostly be a matter of showing them why uniting with the other specialty commanders would give them the power and entertainment they craved on a level considerably beyond the one they now enjoyed--one that had surely been carefully kept in check by Megatron. Once that was accomplished, that group of misfits would then become useful cannon fodder to be sacrificed, if need be, well before the fires of war touched him or his men.

"Motormaster it is, then," Onslaught said to himself, almost reluctantly as he returned his attention to the consoles in front of him, examining data about the area in which the Stunticons were currently operating. "There appears to be a significant military installation in one of the adjoining human cities where the Stunticons now are. In fact, there are many peppered throughout this entire region of the planet. My guess is the natives are more than accustomed to seeing military traffic on their streets and in their skies, which will suit us perfectly."

Tapping another command console, Onslaught brought up Razorclaw's comm signal.

>>"We've isolated the energy signature of Motormaster and his team. No such luck with Scrapper or his unit. Unless the Thanatos can find them, I'd suggest we at least make contact with Motormaster ASAP. He's the more unpredictable of the two anyway. If we can shore up his support for our vision, I believe Scrapper will be more than willing to see the potential."<<

Bridge

Vortex crossed his arms and huffed silently. His fingers thrumped against his shoulder plates as he flexed his bicep servoes as his audio receptors absorbed all that was being discussed.

"Alright, I am convinced Onslaught. This was worthy of interruption." He finally admitted before pushing himself up to his feet and allowed his arms to drop to his sides.

"Of course with the Stunticons roaming loose on the planet surface, one would expect the Autobots to be loafing around at least in some capacity." The interrogation officer stepped over to a terminal next to Onslaught. He tapped in a few commands to bring the ship sensors to focus on the human weapon manifests of the base that had been indicated in the earlier reports.

With the deft accuracy and careful plotting of a surgeon, Vortex seperated the designated vehicles and narrowed down the list to the more common variants of Tanks, Missile Artillery, Ground Transport, Air Superiority Aircraft and Air to Ground Rotor Support vehicles. "If we are going to deliver a personal invitation to those psycopaths, I recommend we dress for the occassion. And should we discover a few Autobot signatures, perhaps we can add to the entertainment billet."

He spread the list to the terminals of the other Combaticons. "Of course if you want, we can intrude upon their mayhem with simple holodrones, but the tactile feel of them between the rotorblades. Just not the same thing."

Bridge

With Swindle’s assistance, Blast-Off’s scans had successfully encircled the backwater mudball where everything had changed so drastically for both sides of the war. The munitions expert seemed proud of himself, touting that it was just some skill he had picked up. That was fine with the space warrior just as long as those skills continued to serve the Combaticons and not simply switch to the highest bidder. Of course, even Swindle’s talents could not locate the Constructicons, who seemed to not want to be found. Onslaught appeared to be okay with the idea of dealing with Motormaster first. After all, Scrapper could always be brought into the fold at a later date.

“Yes, it appears that the Constructicons are well hidden down on the planet, and I do suspect that they are there and not elsewhere. Since the original Earth base was destroyed, it would make sense that they would be needed to build another one and would also need to remain well concealed from the Autobots in order to do so,” Blast-Off pointed out as he continued to manipulate the scans on his own console. “As for the Seekers in the middle eastern region of the planet, I’m detecting Starscream’s signature amongst them. Seems he’s abandoned the Ultrax in favor of some action. It wouldn’t surprise me if Shockwave took advantage of his absence, Commander Onslaught.”

It was then that Vortex spoke up, apparently happy with the worthwhile nature of the interruption he had to previously endure. My spark bleeds, Blast-Off thought as the interrogator accessed a terminal near Onslaught and then sent out a list of potential military vehicular alt modes he had quickly compiled to the other consoles on the bridge. The space warrior glanced over the list and found its contents to be well suited for each of their needs. It even included the Boeing X-37B space plane that Blast-Off had discovered while previously browsing the ship’s database for an Earthen alternate form. The top secret, unmanned spacecraft suited him well and was really the only military air vehicle that was capable of reaching orbit. All others were simple jets or bomber planes, none of which had anything to do with space flight.

“Thanks for the list, Vortex,” Blast-Off reluctantly acknowledged the interrogator, giving him a nod before turning his attention back towards Onslaught. “Well, I’ve already chosen my new alt mode, sir. With your permission, I’ll head on down to a CR chamber and initiate the change.”

Bridge

"So we're going down to that mud ball to ask Motormaster if he'd fancy joining us?!" Brawl boomed as he walked up to the bridge, clanking and otherwise generating enough noise for everyone to spare him at least a passing glare.

"Call me tungstenhead but convincing the most vile bot this side of the galaxy ain't sounding that simple!" The heavily built Combaticon added as he made his way to a terminal where the various military vehicles were being displayed. His optics quickly caught the most interesting form on the screen - a US main battle tank M1A2SEP Abrams. Of course, several modifications were in order for Brawl to add all the weapons he carried to the form but the base was promising.

"That looks just like my kind of form!" The loud Decepticon added, downloading the schematics of the vehicle. "There better be Autobots wherever we're going!"

Turning away from the terminal Brawl began making his way out of the bridge for form reformat in a CR chamber, not even slightly concerned of not asking permission for such. "I've got some payback in mind after what they did to Megatron!"

Bridge

Swindle suppressed a sigh when Onslaught resolved to go to the Stunticons. I appreciate you need intel, boss, but those louts are as likely to stove our cranial units in as talk to us. I wouldn't rate it as a constructive move....Then again, I'm hardly going to say that to your face, high-strung as you are.

Swindle turned back to his console as Vortex chimed in. "Thats all very nice, Vortex, but I've already got an alt mode for this mudball. I was assigned here before the mission to Cybertron, and my disguise was working quite well. I'll just watch the ship while you guys reformat."

The munitions specialist then resumes investigating the various signals of those Decepticon groups he could see. "Even with all the issues, I can try getting us some intel. We don't want to go in blind." Its debatable whether I want to go in at all...Then again, nothing ventured nothing gained. We do have to come out on top of all this. Still, Stunticons....bleh.

Bridge

Brawl, unsurprisingly, made his presence and subsequent absence known before Onslaught could effectively respond to his question. The Combaticon Commander suspected it wasn't so much an actual question anyhow, but rather more of the same virulent stream-of-consciousness that had been affecting the Combaticon brawler ever since news of Megatron's fall had reached them. Onslaught had allowed him some time and leeway in terms of venting that anger, but it would continue only so long as it didn't endanger their mission. If that started to happen, Onslaught would shorten his leash real quick.

"Normally I would agree with discretion being the better part of valor, Swindle. Unfortunately, the real intelligence I need isn't going to come through on one of these instruments," Onslaught said, tapping his console lightly.

"We reformat, juice up and bounce to these coordinates," Onslaught said, forwarding to data that had been received about the Stunticons' location to each of the other Combaticons' personal systems. "Blast-Off, you stay with the ship for now. Engage standard cloaking procedures. I may call on you as well, depending on how this first encounter goes, so you're on permanent stand-by until informed by me and me only. There's a lot of work I want done before we find ourselves having to question Starscream's leadership, or any of the other would-be rulers. Move out."

Saying nothing more for the time being, Onslaught got up from his chair and headed off to the CR chamber as well. After a short trip, he and the others would be on the surface.

Bridge

Blast-Off let slip a faint sigh as Onslaught ordered him to remain on board the Obliteration for the time being while the other Combaticons went down to the surface. It was the usual drill for the well-seasoned space warrior as his job was often to rain down terror from high above the battlefield where there was nothing else but the stars to keep him company. It was a lonely existence to be sure, but it was a feeling that Blast-Off kept hidden from his comrades as he didn’t want to appear weak or overemotional. Neither trait would serve him well amongst the ranks of the Decepticons. Therefore, he quickly put his feelings in check before turning to address his superior officer.

“No problem, Commander Onslaught,” Blast-Off responded in a cheerful and respectful tone, attempting to show a sense of satisfaction with his remaining behind. “I’ll be here ready and waiting for your signal if you need me.” The space warrior then watched as his Combaticon brethren exited the bridge one by one, leaving him the only mech left in the room. As the quiet began to surround him, Blast-Off turned back around in his chair and interfaced with his terminal, bringing the stealth systems online as his leader had ordered. Now, all he had to do was wait and hope that boredom didn’t eventually short circuit his processor.

Encrypted written communique from Razorclaw to Onslaught:

>>Unable to speak freely at this time, Commander Onslaught. Initiating contact with Motormaster is acceptable while I attempt to find a way to locate Scrapper and his men. I will communicate with you when it is safe to do so.<<

Corridors

Razorclaw's transmission was a curious one, but Onslaught opted not to look in to the situation any further. With both Shockwave and Thunderwing aboard that vessel it was only natural that the Predacon Commander would have to tread carefully. Onslaught would certainly not do anything to increase that risk. He would have to remain content in the knowledge that Razorclaw and his unit rarely ever missed their intended quarry. In this respect, the Constructicons would be no different. They had several specialties, but subterfuge was not one of them.

Stepping in to the CR chamber, Onslaught had already found a suitable mode for reformatting in the form of one of the natives' M142 HIMARS vehicles and had programmed the schematics in to the ship's systems in short order. A few moments later, the process began. Onslaught turned off the power to his optic visor and relaxed.

It would surely be the last time for a long time that he would be able to do so.

Bridge

Vortex was the last of the away team to depart. Having already managed to review the vast selection of forms this paltry planet had to offer, he had deemed it necessary to fulfill further functions before finalizing his own selection. A simple combat Black Hawk helicopter, a staple in the US Military, with a few modifications for concealed weapon systems and electronic warfare and counter electronic warfare modules. Plugging in a few commands to the security system, primarily setting codes for immediate extraction of tagged targets such as prisoners, discarded Autobot heads or other potential sources of intelligence, the interrogator finally finished his mundane task.

Infirmary

Vortex stepped into a vacant pod and allowed the door to silently his behind him as he settled into the harness. Entering the final command codes to the reconstruction interface, Vortex allowed himself to fall into a restless slumber as energon was pumped into his system and chunks of armor paneling were torn away.

Bounce Chamber

Onslaught couldn't exactly say that he felt all that different. His energon levels had been topped off--which felt good--and some of his gears and plating seemed to be shifted in to slightly different locations than they had been previously but, all in all, it felt like his new alternate mode wasn't going to give him any grief in the performance department.

Having left the medical bay with Brawl in tow and heading immediately for the bounce chamber, the one thing that the Combaticon Commander knew for certain was that he wanted to get planetside as soon as possible.

Plugging the coordinates that Swindle and Blast-Off had managed to retrieve earlier via the Obliteration's scanning systems, Onslaught stepped in to the chamber and, in the next instant, was gone.

Bridge

As the others finished their reformats, Swindle finished the last sensor sweeps, and downloaded the data to a pad for later reference. It seemed the Stunticons were in quite a pitched battle, which wasn't a surprise, but it meant he'd have to be ready for trouble.

"Ok, handing operations over to your console, Blast-Off. Keep the place tidy while we're out."

Bounce Chamber

Swindle arrived in the chamber on Onslaughts heels, checking his weapons as he went. Scatter Blaster fully loaded, Gyro Gun fully desynchronised, a few knives and grenades in his storage. Probably as good as he could get, given the circumstances. Still, with a unit like the Combaticons backing him up, he had little to fear. The Combaticons were professional soldiers, and the perfect team. They'd be able to handle any Autobot threat.

Handling the Stunticon threat, though....

Swindle stored the thought in the back of his cogitator, and activated the Bounce.

Infirmary

Vortex emerged from the reconfiguration and reformat module of the CR Chamber. He offered a mock stretch before rubbing his newly blocked shoulders. He slowly made his way to the polished surface of a life monitor console. "I can honestly say I am overly fond of the blocked angles and collapsed rotor blades look a bit tacky." He grabbed a synthetic fiber rag from one of the bins of clean supplies and removed minor scorch marks off of his new cockpit windows protruding from his chest.

"And to think, organics require these blasted things in order to control their vehicles. I have to admit, its pretty pathetic. Still as long as its functional, then I'll endure this moderate experience."

Bounce Chamber

Vortex walked through the chamber doors with his weapons slung across magnetic strips located along his back. His weapons had been modified to best fit the look of his alternative form, though he didn't exactly see the purpose behind it. Over all he was more interested in the transporter tag system he grabbed before his transformation, becoming apart of his forward weapons array.

"Lets get this over with. Being in such a primitive form chafes."

Bridge

Blast-Off was lonely and bored as he waited endlessly for any word from his fellow Combaticons somewhere down on the surface of the mudball beneath him. He was used to being alone, of course, but not bored. His usual perch was flying high above his teammates, raining down death and destruction on the Autobot forces far below. This often left the space warrior feeling isolated but with plenty of targets to fire upon in order to keep his appetite for carnage satisfied.

However, here he was now sitting cooped up inside the Obliteration with nothing to shoot at and nothing else to do in general. For a short time, Blast-Off had left the bridge, keeping his comm channel open just in case Onslaught were to finally call on him. That message never came as the lone Combaticon made his way down to the repair bay for a quick cycle in a CR chamber to reformat his alt mode into a Boeing X-37B spaceplane, which was the closest thing these flesh creatures had to a military space vehicle. Granted it was probably unnecessary as even when Blast-Off was finally commanded into action he would likely be positioned in a low orbit and not often seen by the human eye. Still, one never knew for sure and he also didn’t want to be the only member of his unit without an indigenous alternate mode. Not to mention it helped pass the time, as well.

Once his reconfiguration was completed successfully, the space warrior immediately returned to the bridge and settled back into the pilot’s chair once more. The primary view screen in front of him had not changed, still showing the dark side of the moon with the Thanatos off to one side. No one had yet contacted him, likely because he was not needed or perhaps he had been forgotten about. Either way, the loneliness and boredom was still ever present, making the time he had spent on board the Combaticon vessel seem a lot longer than it actually had been.

Finally tired of waiting, Blast-Off opened an encrypted comm line to Onslaught, hoping that his commander was not still in the middle of a battle and could provide him with an update of what was currently going on.

>>”Commander Onslaught, this is Blast-Off. The status here aboard the Obliteration is the same as when you and the others departed, sir. Everything is in order. I did take the opportunity to reformat my alt mode into something native to this planet just in case it would be needed. Please advise as to what my next course of action is, if any.”<<

Transmission from Onslaught to Blast-Off

>>"I read you. Situation update is as follows: contact with Constructicons made. Scrapper seems agreeable to working with us. We'll be assisting with the development of a base of operations in this region. That will occupy the bulk of our efforts for the time being. Your presence up there with the Obliteration is the security we need until we have defenses fully set up down here. I can't risk you doing anything that will draw Shockwave's attention. Not with the Thanatos under his command. I feel better with you up there. The others will as well, whether they realize it or not. What's going on with the orbital side of things? Is your position secure?"<<

Bridge

Blast-Off didn’t have to wait too long for a response from Onslaught. The update provided by his commander was a positive one as the Constructicons appeared to be onboard with joining the Combaticons and probably the other specialty units, as well. Further details were not given and were not really necessary, either, considering the space warrior’s current assignment, which apparently would not be changing any time soon.

As expected, Blast-Off was to remain in orbit with the Obliteration as a measure of security until the defenses of the new Decepticon Earth base was completed. He understood the rationale and even agreed with it. He just wished it was someone else to handle things while he got out and stretched his wings. Of course, any comings and goings would likely tip off the Thanatos as to the Combaticons’ location and that could not be allowed to happen.

>>”Understood, Commander Onslaught. I will remain stationed here in orbit until instructed otherwise. I must inform you that a short time ago I detected a transwarp signature materialize near the Ultrax. Moments later, the Stunticon frigate disappeared into the rift and vanished from all outward sensors. There’s no sign of it, and I have not made further attempts to locate it for fear of drawing Shockwave’s attention. Otherwise, everything is secure here, sir. I can see the Thanatos on the main view screen. It has not changed positions since you departed. Interestingly enough, no one from there has attempted to contact me as yet and there has been no outward aggression towards our vessel. If I do receive a message from Shockwave, what should my response be?<<

Transmission from Onslaught to Blast-Off

>>"If it's any sort of reasonable command, do what he says. Just having you and the ship up there and being compliant will probably offer him all the security he needs. Shockwave's not likely to think anything is amiss unless we give him reason to. I'll get you down here as soon as I can. Onslaught out."<<

Bridge

Blast-Off had been relatively alone now for countless cycles. It had been so many, in fact, that he stopped keeping track a while ago. Instead, the space warrior occupied his time with a multitude of simple tasks. He did anything from running diagnostics on the frigate’s various computer systems to indulging in some faux battles in the training facility to helping some of the vehicons with routine maintenance work around the Combaticon vessel. He even engaged in some pointless conversation with one of the vehicons, finding the lack of intelligent responses to be just as boring as not talking to anyone at all.

Why couldn’t one of them have been left to oversee things up here? Blast-Off thought to himself, already knowing the answer to his own question. While the vehicons were good as cannon fodder on the battlefield or as worker bots keeping things nice and shiny, they were not very bright and thus could not be trusted to watch over an entire frigate belonging to an elite unit such as the Combaticons. Onslaught had made the right decision when leaving the space warrior on the Obliteration, even if this had proven to be one of the longest periods of loneliness Blast-Off had ever experienced. Of course, everyone assumed he enjoyed being isolated from the rest of the squad considering that was how he had always portrayed things to them. Unfortunately, it was just an act that served only to hide his true feelings. His role was something he had come to accept long ago about his position within the ranks and therefore he never complained. He had a job to do, after all.

Sitting at the communications station, Blast-Off found himself once again staring blankly at the screen, awaiting any word from his Combaticon brethren down on the planet's surface. It had been a very long time since the space warrior had heard from Onslaught and he had been considering contacting the Combaticon Commander, himself, when something unusual happened. A small light began flashing on the communications console in front of him, indicating that something had been detected outside of the ship. “What the frag...” Blast-Off muttered as he leaned forward to see that the port-side sensor array had picked up some kind of signal. “Computer, give me a visual.” The lonely mech’s words brought up the image of the Thanatos on the primary view screen. At first, he saw nothing out of the ordinary, but then it happened. An intense beam of light appeared, coming from the starboard side of the Predacon warship. It was aimed directly at the Combaticon frigate and flashed a series of long and short bursts that repeated over and over.

“Well, I’ll be slagged,” Blast-Off quipped with a smiled forming underneath his faceshield. “Computer, record that.” The space warrior knew what he was looking at, an old battlefield method of communication that he hadn’t seen used in vorns. Someone over on the Thanatos was trying to send him a message. Of course, he could only surmise as to who it was, but whoever the sender might be they were clearly going old school, likely to avoid detection from Soundwave. “Very clever, my unknown friend,” Blast-Off spoke aloud as the computer finished recording one of the beacon’s cycles. “Computer, translate the signal for me.”

The communique was short and to the point. Thus, it didn’t take the frigate’s computer very long to convert the series of coded flashes into an actual message. Blast-Off stared at the information that was now before his optics which confirmed his prior suspicions as to who was behind the beacon. “Interesting! Very very interesting! I have to get this down to Onslaught immediately.”

Wasting no time, the space warrior opened an encrypted channel to the Combaticon Commander:

>>”Commander Onslaught, this is Blast-Off reporting. I have received a message from Razorclaw who is currently aboard the Thanatos. The message was sent via a light beacon directed at our sensor array. Rather low tech but still very effective. Seems that big things are about to go down over on the Predacon vessel. I’m relaying to you the translated communique now. I await your response.”

{Razorclaw to Onslaught. Need immediate assistance on Thanatos. Battle against Shockwave to begin soon in hangar. Powered up on ultra energon. Use caution. Out.}<<

Bridge

An alert began blinking on a console indicating an escape pod had been launched. A second later the main viewscreen activated and the smiling visage of a recorded Swindle appeared.

“Hello there,” there was a brief pause as the program connected to the recording checked to see who was on board the ship. “Blast Off. I’m sure you’ve just noticed the launching of an escape pod. No need to worry as it wasn’t an accident or malfunction. I have that escape pod rigged up as sort of a ‘life raft’ or ‘care package.’ Its loaded with all sorts of nice toys and gadgets I can use to sell to get fuel or use in more straight forward fashion to get fuel or whatever else we need. The pod will be guided down to me, full stealth protocols so no one will see it so you can feel free to keep this quiet.” Swindle offered a thumbs up through the viewscreen.

“Of course if I’m calling for it, it probably means I or all of us are in deep slag. If that’s the case I’ve set up a little contingency plan. There is a hidden panel in the back of the command chair, just feel around for it. Inside is a higher power radio transmitter and receiver. A matching one is on board the escape pod. These two devices are synced together on randomly changing frequencies and encryptions, making it nearly impossible to spy on. I’ll probably be in touch soon once I’ve received mine on the escape pod. Until then….” Swindle offered a half hearted salute and the image disappeared.

Bridge

No sooner had Blast-Off sent his communique to Onslaught and another alert began blinking on the console in front of him. Leaning in to see what it was this time, the space warrior quickly ascertained that an escape pod had been launched. But how? That question lingered in his processor for only a moment before the smug visage of Swindle appeared on his view screen. The arms dealer quickly explained the situation and how dire it may have become down on the surface before revealing that there was a high powered radio transmitter and receiver hidden in the back of the command chair should Blast-Off need to contact Swindle for any reason. That revelation gave him little to no comfort considering what was about to happen over on the Thanatos. Apparently, word had not yet filtered through Onslaught to the rest of the team, but that would likely change quickly. Thus, the space warrior saw no need to return Swindle’s message with one of his own.

Blast-Off then stood up from his seat and made his way to the command chair where he easily located the radio transmitter. Even if he didn’t need to use it right away, it wouldn’t hurt to have it handy for the coming coup against Shockwave’s forces. Onslaught’s subsequent acknowledgment of the space warrior’s status update indicated that things would be moving along quickly now. Although, Blast-Off saw no need to coordinate with Swindle unless it was absolutely necessary. Besides, what was there to coordinate until he was given more details of their next step? The arms dealer said that he would be in touch once he retrieved his own transmitter and therefore the space warrior would simply wait to be contacted again.

After a non-verbal acknowledgement was relayed to Onslaught, Blast-Off played the waiting game once more, this time pacing back and forth across the empty bridge of the Combaticon frigate. He had loitered about the ship for so many cycles thus far, what was a few more? Still, his circuits began to fire at the anticipation of what was to come - a battle with Shockwave’s forces on one of the greatest warships in the Decepticon fleet. Everything was at stake here. The future of the Empire rested on whether or not Razorclaw could pry the full mantle of leadership out of the singular hand of the Military Operations Commander. It would be no easy feat, which was something the Predacon lord understood. Otherwise, he would not have called for additional back-up from the Combaticons in such a low tech and covert manner.

Finally, Onslaught’s last transmission came across his comm line. Blast-Off smiled underneath his face shield as he moved to the main terminal and set the Obliteration on auto-pilot. The remaining vehicons could keep watch over the ship while he was off fighting against his own kind. It seemed like a waste of energon battling those who were not the Autobots, but there seemed to be no other choice now. Unfortunately, with the loss of Lord Megatron, things had become very fragmented within the Decepticon ranks here in the Sol System. The Empire desperately needed to be reunited, and hopefully Razorclaw was the mech that could accomplish that task.

Without further delay, Blast-Off checked his ionic blaster and energon levels. Everything was at full capacity and ready for the confrontation that lay ahead. A few astroseconds passed before the space warrior took a deep intake and activated his personal link to the Predacon warship’s bounce chamber. A flash of light later and he was gone from sight, leaving a fully automated bridge in his wake.

Bounce Chamber

On the other side of the bounce, the blinding white faded to reveal Onslaught, Brawl and even Swindle moving away from the bounce pad.

"Home sweet home," Blast-off said, looking around the familiar environs of the Obliteration as he and Vortex stepped off the bounce pad and into the more utilitarian atmosphere of their personal warship.

"Yeah. Feels good, eh? So what's the op, chief? What's the big M want us for? We get to frag Autobots?"

Bounce Chamber/Bridge

After the initial flash had faded and Onslaught had finished materializing back aboard their ship, Vortex and Blast-Off appeared falling close behind the rest of the Combaticon force.

”Yeah. Feels good, eh? So what's the op, chief? What's the big M want us for? We get to frag Autobots?"

“If we’re lucky, Vortex, we just might.” Onslaught began as he started to walk and talk his way through the familiar corridors once more, “Megatron’s return was a surprise for sure, but a welcome one none the less. Shockwave and the others are still looking into the why and the how. However, Starscream’s absence from Megatron’s return really seemed to grind his gears, so we’re going to rescue the Seeker commander and his hodgepodge of deserters from a supposed Autobot encampment there.”

After a short stroll to the bridge, the main doors slid open and the Combaticon Commander bee-lined for his command chair. Setting himself into position, Onslaught reactivated several systems aboard their vessel while Swindle strolled in shortly behind.

“So it’s just a tag-and-bag op then?” The munitions supplier inquired as he took his seat at the navigation terminal.

“For the most part, though I myself am itching to slag any sort of Autobot we see on this red rock of theirs. Wouldn’t even be too upset if any of Starscream’s fellow deserters got picked up in the crossfire, but Megatron needs them alive. Most likely to help make an example of Incase any more try to run from his command.”

Onslaught eased a bit into his chair as his processor played out the possible outcomes of this endeavor, a smile crept onto his face hidden behind his protective mouthplate.

“Brawl, I want you on weapons systems. Keep the cannons warm and ready for any surprises. Vortex, Blast-Off, coordinate on the helm.”

Bounce Chamber/Bridge

“If we’re lucky, Vortex, we just might.” Onslaught began as he started to walk and talk his way through the familiar corridors once more, “Megatron’s return was a surprise for sure, but a welcome one none the less. Shockwave and the others are still looking into the why and the how. However, Starscream’s absence from Megatron’s return really seemed to grind his gears, so we’re going to rescue the Seeker commander and his hodgepodge of deserters from a supposed Autobot encampment there.”

Brawl’s excitement over Megatron’s return died a little when Onslaught announced their new mission. They were going to rescue Starscream from his self-appointed exile.

“So it’s just a tag-and-bag op then?” The munitions supplier inquired as he took his seat at the navigation terminal.

“For the most part, though I myself am itching to slag any sort of Autobot we see on this red rock of theirs. Wouldn’t even be too upset if any of Starscream’s fellow deserters got picked up in the crossfire, but Megatron needs them alive. Most likely to help make an example of Incase any more try to run from his command.”

”Aww, man. Do we have to get him?” Brawl groaned, palming his face somewhat melodramatically. Well, as melodramatically as a walking weapons arsenal that always sounded angry could.

”I can’t stand that pompous self-centered flyboy.” Brawl stated, continuing with a question, ”Can’t we set that example with a starblitz torpedo instead?”

Onslaught didn’t seem to be up for arguing though. Instead, he began issuing orders. Not that Brawl had expected anything else. Megatron had given the order. Onslaught was not one to rebel against the Slagmaker.

“Brawl, I want you on weapons systems. Keep the cannons warm and ready for any surprises. Vortex, Blast-Off, coordinate on the helm.”

”Aye, aye boss!”

At least that part suited Brawl just fine. Though even he had suspicions that Onslaught was just trying to keep him happy. It would have made far more sense to assign the best shot of the team – Blast-Off to man the cannons. Nevertheless, Brawl was not going to look the gift horse in the mouth. The bigger the gun the bigger the boom and there was nothing that made Brawl happier than getting a chance to fire the big ones at Autobots.

Bridge

“If we’re lucky, Vortex, we just might. Megatron’s return was a surprise for sure, but a welcome one none the less. Shockwave and the others are still looking into the why and the how. However, Starscream’s absence from Megatron’s return really seemed to grind his gears, so we’re going to rescue the Seeker commander and his hodgepodge of deserters from a supposed Autobot encampment there.”

Vortex's audios perked up. It had been a shot in the dark. They'd just come from a little skirmish with the 'Bots. He hadn't figured they'd be so lucky as to get another run-and-gun mission at them, even if the end goal was to free Starscream. "Autobot encampment" had been all Vortex needed to hear.

“Brawl, I want you on weapons systems. Keep the cannons warm and ready for any surprises. Vortex, Blast-Off, coordinate on the helm.”

"Aye, commander," Vortex said as he strolled over to one of the helm positions. "Setting coordinates for Sol-4. Starting off with impulse speeds."

”Aww, man. Do we have to get him? I can’t stand that pompous self-centered flyboy. Can’t we set that example with a starblitz torpedo instead?” Brawl complained.

"He might not wanna come back. Then we can torpedo the whole lot of 'em, right?"

Bridge

"He might not wanna come back. Then we can torpedo the whole lot of 'em, right?" Vortex had asked.

Swindle smirked.

"I don't think Megatron would have us torch our assets so easily, compadre. How long has Megatron kept Screamer around now? Eons right? So he wants him back for a reason. And 'Screamer, he might not wanna come back....but I've never met someone more attuned to the rituals of negotiation than him. There's a deal in this somewhere where we all come out ahead. I guarantee it."

Bridge

"I don't think Megatron would have us torch our assets so easily, compadre. How long has Megatron kept Screamer around now? Eons right? So he wants him back for a reason. And 'Screamer, he might not wanna come back....but I've never met someone more attuned to the rituals of negotiation than him. There's a deal in this somewhere where we all come out ahead. I guarantee it."

Onslaught mused over Swindle’s thoughts on this mission. The munitions expert had a knack for these “negotiations” he mentioned, most of them usually to get himself a couple extra shanxix in his wallet and willing to sell out each member of the Combaticons in order to get them, but his skills none the less would be most valuable for trying for to appeal to Starscream’s often naive fantasies and delusions of grandeur.

“Whatever cog Starscream represents in Megatron’s war machine, we may never know. But regardless, it’s not a machine I’d want to throw any further wrenches into.” The Combaticon Commander pondered how Razorclaw was handling the change of command. Part of him wondered if he felt relieved that it was Megatron who came back to claim the throw over someone like Shockwave. Perhaps he was feeling a bit sour... hopefully not sour enough to usurp the slagmaker...

“Of course, should Starscream or any his lackeys refuse to return to Megatron’s command, we can always bring back his corpse-for-a-chassis back to him.”