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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.”<<

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?<<

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.”

Bridge

“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. 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.”

"Heh. Nice. Consider me 'all in' for that duty, sir," Vortex said as the Obliteration cruised along towards its intended destination. He gave the ship a little more speed. She could handle it.

"Does make ya wonder why 'Screamer came all the way out here to the middle of nowhere, y'know?" Swindle said, spinning around to face the others from his position on the bridge. "I mean, alright, he had a good thing goin' on Earth and then Shockwave and Razorclaw and Thunderwing all came back and that got turned on its head, but the Starscream I know coulda matched wits with those guys, got himself in a prime position for when Megatron returned--which anyone coulda called. I got guys who bet against that happening that are gonna owe me shanix until peacetime heheh. But I mean Sol-4? It's red dirt. I don't get it."

((OOC: Nudging Blast-Off along for Foximus))

Bridge

With the coordinates punched in, Blast-Off paid little mind to what the others were discussing. Tuning them out almost became second nature for Blast-Off, helped him get into the mindset of the isolation he constantly craved. However, being in the same room as Brawl would make this matter a little more difficult. If his booming voice wasn’t enough to throw him out of his quiet mindset, his brutish attitude would literally do the job is he never got a response. And Onslaught wasn’t one who liked to be ignored either.

“Didn’t their transmission mention a crash landing or something?” The shuttleformer inquired dropping himself into the conversation shortly after Swindle wondered why Sol-4 of all places. “Perhaps in his ‘grand scheme’ they were aiming for somewhere else?”

“Possibly.” Onslaught pondered thinking on both suggestions from his fellow Combaticons. “Though there’s a certain level of irony if Sol-4 was his intended target. The idea that the only way Starscream could claim leadership would be to rule over a lifeless rock. Heh.”

”He is stupid!” Brawl announced his opinion on Starscream in his usual booming manner before actually bothering to explain his stance over the matter to some degree. ”Anyone who crash lands a stolen shuttle into the second nearest planet from the escape point is a slagging moron!”

That was all Brawl was gonna say about that though. He lacked the insight into Starscream’s action in the past, nor he would even understand all the elaborate scheming and backstabbing the Air Commander had taken part in. All he knew he had never liked Starscream. Since the first time he had met the seeker, Brawl had wanted to bash Starscream’s head in.

”All guns are ready to roar in anger boss! Missile racks and torpedo tubes are primed for action!” Brawl stated with pride in his bellowing. ”Even checked the electronic countermeasures, chaffs and ghost shields. Frag, even tractor beams are operational although I don’t think we are gonna board anything right?”

Bridge

“Didn’t their transmission mention a crash landing or something? Perhaps in his ‘grand scheme’ they were aiming for somewhere else?”

Swindle nodded his head a little up and down.

"Hmm. Mebbe mebbe. Guess the only way we'll know for sure will be to ask him directly. 'Course, Screamer's about as likely to give a straightforward answer as I am, heh."

"We'll find out soon," Vortex added. "Closing in on Sol-4's orbit now."

To be continued in the Mars thread...

Adventures of Combaticons continue from Mars...



Deactivating the magnetic locks that kept him locked in position at the gunnery station even if they lost their artificial gravity, Brawl kicked his chair around and jumped to his feet as Decepticons began entering the ship. It wasn’t as if the Autobots were going to be able to anything to their ship from the outside anyway. But Starscream was here now as were his flunkies and Brawl trusted neither. And were they going to try anything, they would find out they were not going to out shoot a Combaticon.

"And that, my friends, is what I'd call another successful Combaticon op," he said, before looking at Brawl specifically. "Nice shootin', by the way."

Brawl found himself grinning behind his mask. ”You know it Vortex!”

"Welcome back, Combaticons. Everyone take your positions. We're now leaving."

>>"Large Autobot ship detected and it's about to land. We must go now if we are to return to Lord Megatron intact. Engaging transwarp drive. Engaging in combat with the enemy ship would be certain destruction."<<

Aww, slag. That blowed. Brawl was all for fighting Autobots and running from them was complete and utter petrorabbit droppings. But as dense as he was, Brawl knew very well there was no challenging a battleship with just one frigate. That was to invite certain death. And for all of his bluster, Brawl liked to live. Nor was he interested in ending up in an Autobot cell. He had spent enough time behind the bars thorough his life.

”So what now boss?” Brawl asked from Onslaught, waving his gun at Starscream, ”Do we really need him conscious?”

The Obliteration- Bridge

Upon entering the ship, ahead of his three Seekers, Starscream privately commed his men, a plan brewing in his fiendish processor, >>"Lock On, Vertigo, Feedback...though we have been "rescued", doesn't mean things bode well for us, as you surely know. Have your weapons charged and ready to fire on Onslaught and Brawl especially, if they try to do anything to us, and protect me at all costs or I'll have your chassis' crushed the very first chance I get!! Do I make myself clear?!! We will show the Combaticons just who is really in charge here."<<

Message relayed, and his countenance looking rather disheveled, considering their recent foray of a folly, the Air Commander strode into the bridge along with the Combaticons, moving ahead of his three men, and looking back at them, smirking from the corner of his mouth, a mischievous flash in his crimson eyes. He had to play his cards to the best of his ability if he was going to pull this off. So, he had all his aces up his sleeve (at least he thought so), and prepared for the next phase in his roller coaster of a personal benefit campaign.

'It's one thing to have my plans completely ruined by some idiot backwater Autobot and his stupid little followers. It's another thing to have my own men be imbecilic enough to crash our shuttle into an uninhabited planet with no resources and get stuck with them! It hasn't been the nicest of picnics, trying to reason and get sense through to a slag headed old koot who hates you based simply on our past deeds and the color of your badge! Doesn't he see I too hate Megatron!! Well...let Ironhide rot away into more rust for that planet's surface. Good riddance.', Starscream thought to himself, getting lost in irritation for a few seconds, until his face came into too close for comfort proximity to the barrel of Brawl's blaster.

"Get that thing out of my face, you dolt!", Starscream screeched at Brawl and shoved the blaster away from him. The primarily light grey and red Seeker marched with purpose in his stride up to Onslaught and said in a commanding tone, "Onslaught, keep your dog in check! Now, as Second In Command of the Decepticon Empire, I am taking over this ship. You will all do as I say!", he said, staring into Onslaught's optics with fierce and cold determination.

Bridge

Swindle brushed some of the debris and dust off his shoulders and chest once the ramp closed.

Things could have gone a lot smoother. Why even send me into a situation like that if you’re gonna start shooting? He knew better than to asy something like that around his teammates, especially Brawl, who just happened to be there to greet them when they reached the bridge.

Vortex wrote:"And that, my friends, is what I'd call another successful Combaticon op," he said, before looking at Brawl specifically. "Nice shootin', by the way."

“Yeah, nice ‘shootin’’ if you’re trying to get me killed,” he mumbled as he turned toward his station. Not that he didn’t think they weren’t. It was hard being the one Combaticon that wasn’t… well, combative. But he had his ways of handling things. They hadn’t complained when he’d gotten them extra energon or new weapons.

Blast Off wrote:>>"Large Autobot ship detected and it's about to land. We must go now if we are to return to Lord Megatron intact. Engaging transwarp drive. Engaging in combat with the enemy ship would be certain destruction."<<

Swindle looked up at the ceiling of the bridge and held his hands out to his sides, thinking, Seriously? Can’t an honest mech get a minute to not have a laser bolt coming my way?

Brawl wrote:”So what now boss?” Brawl asked from Onslaught, waving his gun at Starscream, ”Do we really need him conscious?”

At that Swindle hurried over to stand between the mechs, but not really between them. He didn’t want to get shot, after all. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Brawl. I’m sure Starscream will behave himself. He wanted to come, otherwise he never would’ve sent the signal, right?” he asked, nodding toward Starscream.

“Besides,” he continued, turning to Onslaught, “think of the bonus we’ll get if we bring him in without a scratch. Well, another scratch?”

He kept his transistors crossed that this would work. This had been a day of deals gone bad, and he didn’t like his odds if laser fire crisscrossed the bridge. Come’n, guys, think this through.

Bridge

>>"Large Autobot ship detected and it's about to land. We must go now if we are to return to Lord Megatron intact. Engaging transwarp drive. Engaging in combat with the enemy ship would be certain destruction."<<

>>”Everyone’s onboard, Hit it!”<< Onslaught commed back as he had fell back into the Obliteration. He could feel the ship firing its engines in full as he followed Vortex’s bee-line to the bridge.

“Yes, excellent work on the gun, Brawl.” The Combaticon Commander stayed as he joined the others in commending their artillery. “I’m sorry there wasn’t more for you to shoot.”

”So what now boss? Do we really need him conscious?”

Oh right, what they came all this way here for. Part of Onslaught had expected Starscream and his band of seekers to go hide off somewhere within the ship having to quell their egos after needing rescue from their own departure. Unfortunately, the Commander of said Seekers was close behind and already stirring the pot.

”Onslaught, keep your dog in check! Now, as Second In Command of the Decepticon Empire, I am taking over this ship. You will all do as I say!”

With a rarely shown speed, Onslaught’s massive fist bolted from his side and gripped at Starscream’s throat. His actuators dug into the wires and fuel lines around his neck, but he held back his urge to tear that boxed-head of his off his shoulder plating. Swindle’s words at attempt at democracy between both parties had faded out in Onslaught’s rage.

“Do as you say?! You abandoned your place amongst the ranks of the Decepticons to flee to this godforsaken rock. Then you call upon our help and think you can just waltz your way back aboard and pick up where you left off?” His grip on Starscream’s neck tightened. He knew choking him out would have no physical effect on Starscream’s functionality since they didn’t rely on air, but it helped drive his point across.

“Were it not for Megatron’s specific instructions, I would tear out your spark myself for your treachery. Megatron wants you alive, but he didn’t say anything about bringing you back in one piece.” Onslaught paused to let his words sink in a little. “So give me a reason to, because I’m itching to tear off your wings and drag you through the engines’ fire all the way back to Megatron.”

Bridge

Feedback slid down to the floor as the Obliteration fired her engines. Softly banging his head against the hull as the others started for the bridge, Lock On ended up dragging him like a ragdoll behind him, trying to keep up and ignoring the pain.

---

>>"Begging your pardon, Sky Commander..."<< A very weary sounding Vertigo replied on the private comms. >>" Lock On and I are injured and Feedback seems a little... Crippled with fear, I think we should just play it cool until Lock On and I are operating at a better capacity and Feedback is less ..."<<

He didn't get the chance to finish as Starscream started barking orders and aquired Onslaught's wrath.

"Oh slag." He moaned.

Had not Onslaught taken control of the situation there would not have been any guarantee on Starscream surviving Brawl’s unhinged wrath in one piece. Then again, there was no guarantee on Starscream surviving the Combaticon commander’s rage either. Which was just fine with Brawl who moved his considerable bulk between Onslaught and Starscream’s rather shaken cronies.

”You tell him boss!”

Putting his blastert away, cocking his head from side to side and cracking his knuckle servos Brawl let his usually pretty intimidating presence sink into Vertigo, Lock On and Feedback as he approached them.

”Wanna go glitches?! I am ready to rumble!”