by Smokescreen85 » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:49 am
- Motto: ""A look can be deceiving; a touch can be lethal.""
- Weapon: Twin Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers
Bridge
Razorclaw simply nodded as Motormaster informed him not to expect miracles from his team. In all honesty, it was that very reason the Predacon had given the Stunticons a task as simple as placing sensors around the perimeter of the ship as well as on the ocean's surface. If need be, Razorclaw’s own Predacons could make the eventual link up once all systems were restored to full operating status. As for getting the seekers’ assistance, that may be easier said than done until ‘Claw had a chance to speak with Starscream once the Air Commander had emerged from his repair cycle.
Once Motormaster had exited the bridge, Razorclaw received the return transmission from Onslaught, apprising him of the situation at the base site. It was as expected. The structure was not completed enough to make it their base of operations yet. Therefore, the Ultrax would have to suffice for the time being. As for the loyalties of those at and around the site, Razorclaw had the support of the Combaticons and Constructicons for sure, but the others were still a question mark. It was quite possible ‘Claw would lose some to Shockwave in the wake of yet another change in leadership. It was regrettable and only served to reinforce the importance of maintaining good relations with the seekers on board the Ultrax.
Razorclaw then opened a highly-encrypted comm line back to the Combaticon Commander:
>>”Commander Onslaught, it is good to hear that things are progressing well at the base site. We have indeed achieved a great victory here, but as you indicated there is still much to be done. We must all be carefully now, yourself included. I am sure you will do your best to sway those hold outs that our way is better than the ‘illogical’ alternative of Shockwave’s rule. Here, the uncertainty lies with the seekers and their fallen commander. It is my intention to bring Starscream and his brood into the fold. It may be a contentious and dangerous partnership, but it is one that is necessary in order to achieve our goals. On another note, what is the status of the Obliteration? Is it still in orbit under Combaticon control? We may need it in the coming orns if we are to eventually retake the Thanatos and reunite all Decepticons under one banner.”<<
Once his message was sent, Razorclaw turned his attention to more pressing matters. “Divebomb, a word,” he said, ushering the Predacon flier to approach him. “Go down to the repair bay. When Starscream emerges from his CR chamber, bring him to me. Avoid a confrontation with any seekers that you encounter. If Screamer is less than willing to accompany you back here, then let me know immediately. Is that understood?”
“Clearly, Lord Razorclaw,” Divebomb responded with a respectful salute.
“Then go,” Razorclaw said stoically before watching his aerial subordinate leave the bridge. He had picked Divebomb for this task for a specific reason. He was a flier and had a better chance at relating to the seekers on at least that level, even if his alt mode was one of an Earth creature instead of a jet. This was not to mention that Divebomb operated best when he was away from the other Predacons.
With that out of the way, Razorclaw turned his attention to the rest of his team, who were talking amongst themselves about storming the Thanatos and retaking their ship from the walking calculator that was currently in control of it. The predatory Decepticon leader smirked under his faceplate before addressing his Predacons. “The ship will be ours again, my friends. It may take some time, however. We have much to accomplish here first. Shockwave has the advantage of being in control of the most powerful warship in the Sol System. Attacking him directly is not going to work, not without a more powerful ship at our disposal.
“As for bouncing onto the Thanatos, that may work, but we would need someone on the inside to help us maintain an element of surprise. Not to mention that there are untold number of cryogenically frozen ‘Cons on board. It is quite likely that some of them have already been thawed out, which means Shockwave’s supporters may have grown considerably since we left. It would be unwise to attack them, even from within, without knowing who we are up against. We just have to be patient. As was the case when I took the leadership from Starscream, we just have to wait for the right moment to strike.”
Engineering Deck - Generator Room
Drag Strip walked into the generator room once again with four energon cubes clutched in his arms. It felt like he had just been down here not that long ago, restoring power to the ship when no one else had thought to do so. Of course, that simply showed that he was the best on board with the greatest knowledge of what needed to get done and when. No one else would ever give him his due credit, but at least he, himself, understood his overall worth.
Placing the cubes down on the floor in front of the generator, the former racer took one and connected it to the main energon coupling, siphoning the sweet purple fluid directly into the ship’s power core. He then repeated the process three more times until all of the cubes were dry and the core was re-energized to the maximum levels allowed. Now, maybe we can get some actual repairs done on this rust bucket of a ship, Drag Strip thought as he discarded the empty cubes and left the room, heading back to the upper decks.
Hangar Bay
Less than a breem later, Drag Strip emerged from a jeffries tube near the hangar and immediately made his way there to continue transporting the remaining energon cubes down to storage. Entering the room, the yellow mech noticed Wildrider lurking nearby, but decided to ignore him and focus on finally finishing the task at hand. Knowing that the terrorist would be of little to no help, Drag opted to grab two hover carts and began filling them with energon cubes. He worked quickly, not wanted to risk incurring the wrath of Motormaster who would surely be down eventually to gauge their progress.
I don’t care if the others slack off, just as long as I do above and beyond my fair share, Drag Strip thought as he finished filling the pair of carts in front of him. They were as packed as he could get them without the risk of spilling them all over the floor. The former racer then began pushing one hover cart with his right arm as he pulled the other behind him with his left.
Corridor outside Storage Room
Exiting the hangar, Drag Strip made his way down the corridor towards the storage room, where he immediately caught sight of the very familiar and intimidating form of Motormaster standing in the doorway. Oh, slag, the former champion thought to himself as a feeling of absolute dread suddenly washed over him. Even from the back Drag could tell that the Stunticon Commander was less than pleased with what energon they had been able to secure thus far. The yellow mech knew this was going to happen, but no one chose to listen. Thanks mainly to Wildrider’s antics, they were now all in trouble for the apparent laziness on their parts.
“Commander Motormaster,” Drag Strip said with a gulp as he came to a stop just outside the doorway with his two hover carts full of energon cubes in tow. “I’ve just returned from feeding additional energon into the main power core. The ship is now operating at optimal levels. As for the rest of the cubes, I’m sorry there isn’t more down here. I’m trying to expedite the process as much as possible. If it weren’t for a certain terrorist causing problems we would’ve been done by now, sir.”
Repair Bay
Divebomb walked into the repair facility, such is it was on the Stunticon vessel, and immediately noticed the presence of both Skywarp and Thrust near one of the CR chambers. Ignoring the pair of seekers, the Predacon flier approached the chamber in question and checked the readings on the unit’s control console. As expected, Starscream was the one inside with his repair cycle proceeding accordingly.
“Hey! What the slag do you think you’re doing?!” Skywarp suddenly shouted as he quickly approached Divebomb and shoved him away from the CR chamber’s control panel. “You come to finish the job, huh? Haven’t you Predacons done enough damage?” The teleporter then took a step back and raised his arm-mounted weapons at the eagle-former in a defensive stance.
Divebomb remained calm and simply placed both hands into the air. “Relax, Skywarp. I’m not here to harm your commander. I’m under strict orders to remain here and wait for Starscream’s cycle to complete. Then I’m instructed to bring him back up to the bridge to see Lord Razorclaw. That’s all.”
“Really, is that so?” Skywarp responded as he cautiously lowered his weapons down. Hearing the word “Lord” in front of Razorclaw’s name made the prankster want to gag on his own energon. “Well, if you don’t mind I think I’ll wait here with you.” The teleporter stood his ground against the Predacon flier, not backing away from where he stood.
“Suit yourself,” Divebomb responded with a shrug as he then lowered his own arms down. “Just know that you are are not invited to join Starscream when he goes to see Lord Razorclaw.”
Skywarp did not respond and simply crossed his arms over his chest’s cockpit with an angry scowl plastered on his faceplate. We’ll see about that.