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Motormaster’s Office – Bridge

This had to be a conspiracy. Why wouldn’t it be? They wanted to use him as bait for that one-eyed freak. Starscream flashed a disapproving scowl at both Razorclaw and Thunderwing…and of course his anger wouldn’t be complete without including the silent Stunticon Commander off in the corner.

“Of course you understand. Why wouldn’t you? You’re not the one being served up to Shockwave on a silver platter.”

Starscream crossed him arms over his chest and let out a deep growl.

“I think not, Predacon. Your advantage in such close quarters aided you in your victory. With the proper room to maneuver it would be you becoming one with the Pit.”

The Seeker Commander lowered his arms and waved all three mechs off with a wave of his hand. With the same movement the red and silver winged mech slipped past Thunderwing and Razorclaw to stand at the bank of windows behind the desk. Starscream grew silent for a moment placing his left elbow in the palm of his right servo. The corner of his mouth scooped upward as he gently rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“The plan is sound, however, there is one contingency.”

The Seeker watched a small fish swim past the window quickly…turning this way and that, but it’s erratic patterns were cut short when a much larger fish swooped in a devoured the creature whole. Such perfect irony. With a snort Starscream looked over his shoulder and narrowed his optics.

“How do you know I will not be blasted to oblivion on sight? Shockwave knows what kind of threat I pose…what’s to stop him from eliminating his, as he knows it, one and only opposition?”

Starscream turned fully to face all three mechs.

“I’m willing to include my Seekers in this plan as I know they will be needed in the future…but if my life becomes endangered I will not hesitate to take my fliers with me…”

The Seeker stepped slowly to stand in front of the Predacon and Warlord before he completed his statement.

“…even to the Pit.”

Starscream flashed both mechs a dark sinister smile. He was willing to destroy his own in order to assure that he would survive this plan...and to be included indefinitely in the future.

Crew Quarters - Hellion and Nightraven

Before the door slid closed behind her Nightraven had looked over her shoulder at Skywarp and gave him a small smile. It wasn’t his fault, it was her. She watched for a moment as the door closed. The femme let out a heavy sigh before turning her attention ahead of her and gradually making her way to the room she and her sister were currently sharing.

Her travels took her past a few storage lockers and what passed for the medical bay before she came to a stop at the door to her quarters. Without looking Nightraven input the security code she and Hellion had agreed upon and entered.

The black and purple Seeker spotted her sister seated right where she left her.
Nightraven sighed as she traversed the length of the room and flopped down in the chair facing Hellion. She caught the optics of the orange femme and gently shook her head.

“Thundercraker came back. Skywarp called him and asked him to join us in the Mess Hall.”

Nightraven stared directly into her berserker sister’s optics and sighed. She knew Hellion wouldn’t be sympathetic, then again she wasn’t looking for sympathy, she was more interested in venting and her sister was the only one she felt comfortable with to do it.

“I couldn’t stay there. But I don’t think it was because of Thundercraker.”

She lowered her gaze to her hands which she was now fidgeting with. Her actuators twirled around one another while she restlessly shifted in her chair.

“I think it has something to do with keeping my distance from him and getting closer to Skywarp.”

Nightraven shrugged slightly as she looked up at her sister.

“I know Thundercracker has no interest…but keeping my distance and working to get closer to Skywarp is just so hard when they’re such good friends. Helly, what do you think I should do?”

Captain's cabin

Motormaster had been listening to the three other Decepticons present in his makeshift office silently for a while now. He didn't care about politics or seeking for a higher ranking position. Cracking open Thunderwing's carapace to see how the scientist writhed in pain was far more enticing thought than discussing about loyalties. Particularly between high ranking members of a faction where positions in high command where earned through one's ability to seize the moment. Thus, Motormaster was happy to let the others iron the details. However after the promising but eventually disappointing alteration between Thunderwing and Starscream, the situation was growing more an more likely to actually prevent him doing what he wanted to do. And that certainly was something that wouldn't do. Not at all.

"And which part of this grand plan of yours provides me and my boys an opportunity to wrangle?" The large Decepticon boomed with look of utter contempt visible on his face.

Perhaps leaving the Stunticons to guard and repair the Ultrax was a tactically sound decision. The black and grey Stunticon leader however cared little for such. Motormaster hated inactivity. His sadistic impulses were hardly soothed through maintenance work which was all too apparent if one bothered to take even a short look at the Stunticon frigate. Motormaster wanted to get his hands dirty. He wanted to smash his fists against smooth steel skin and feel it buckle and tear under his onslaught. No. He didn't just want it. He needed it. Inflicting pain and suffering on others both directed and fed the all consuming anger burning down his spark.

And quite frankly, Motormaster didn't care whether his targets were Autobots or his fellow Decepticons.

"If there's an assault to be done. I want in."

Motormaster’s Office – Bridge

Thunderwing watched with hidden amusement as Starscream pointed out the faults he had in the plan. He wasn’t surprised at the Seeker’s reaction; his penchant for self preservation was near legendary. His point was a reasonable one, even if his tone and manner of expressing it belied a bit of cowardice on his part. His threat to bring down the rest of the seekers with him was disappointing however. It was a stark remind of what Starscream really was, a power hungry coward, willing to use his team’s lives as a bargaining tool. The Seeker commander would have to be watched carefully.

“I believe your life will be spared by Shockwave, at least for awhile. His primary concern is and always will be information. Terminating you on sight might give him some personal satisfaction, but as we all know he has always claimed to be driven by pure logic. I imagine that would dictate that he ring all of the usefulness he can out of you before disposing of you. That means some sort of interrogation to learn what plans you had set in motion on this planet.”

He gave Starscream a disgusted look. “While I am sure your troops appreciate your willingness to take them to the pit with you I believe we can do something else to help assure your safety. I believe it would be fair for you to pick whatever two seekers accompany us up to the Thanatos. That way you can bring your two most loyal troops, or most powerful or, if you prefer, two most expendable. I believe the choice should be yours.”

The Decepticon looked aver at Motormaster in annoyance. He had hoped the overgrown goon would just keep his mouth shut and do as he was told. They didn’t need him, let alone his team of lunatics, messing up this delicate mission. “Who do you propose to watch over your vessel then Motormaster? Should we pull the Combaticons here and leave the base under construction virtually unguarded? Would you feel comfortable with Seekers watching over it? We are already gambling that Shockwave won’t be too suspicious of us. If we go up there with the Predacons, myself, a couple of seekers and you and your entire team Shockwave would have to be a fool not to be suspicious, and he is far from a fool.”

*

Crew Quarters - Hellion and Nightraven

Hellion nearly rolled her optics as Nightraven started in with her ‘boy problems.’ Her sister likely had no one else to turn to if she was coming to her with this nonsense. Still, she did her best to behave, listening to at least bits of what she was saying. Something about Thundercracker and Skywarp, that was all she really needed to here. Nighty was caught between them or something and didn’t know what to do. This stuff wasn’t her specialty by any means, and really there was only one solution that came to mind.

The berserker leaned back in her chair, tilting it back until it rested against the wall at an angle. She grabbed a bit of scrap off of the table and began tossing it up and down. She’d been sitting still for way too long. What the femme really needed was a good fight, but any sort of activity would be good now. The throwing at least kept her a bit calm and allowed her to think a little. Her thoughts weren’t exactly deep or profound, but this was as good as it got for her.

“The way I see it is you need to figure out which one of them you like the least. Once you’ve got that figured you out then you shoot that one in the head and dispose of the body. Then you don’t have to choose anymore and you don’t have to worry about their friendship getting in the way. Heck, if you want I’ll do it for ya, I’m bored as slag in here anyway.”

Captain's cabin

Thunderwing certainly had nerve for a slagger who'd been hiding on a dead world for the last few hundred vorns. At least if the way he chose to address Motormaster was to be taken as evidence. Not too many Decepticons had the guts to speak to the volatile leader of the Stunticons in a manner that questioned his intelligence. Not that it wasn't justified action, Motormaster himself just liked to think he was smarter than he really was.

"It is all a slagging gamble! That's what it is!" Motormaster growled, rising to his full height. "Ultrax is a wreck and my team is not gonna make it fly again! As far as I am concerned it can rot here until the Constructicons can do something about it! Frag! It is not like its current position is known to Shockwave anyhow while the site of the new base is obviously compromised given both you and the Combaticons have already found it!"

The scowl on Motormaster's face deepened as he leaned in towards Thunderwing. "I ain't Shockwave but how the slag would the Stunticons returning with victorious Predacons to join the one-eyed freak's forces seem illogical?! That's baseline Decepticon behavior! Follow the strongest!"

OOC: Heh, felt like doing another MM post before Razorclaw or Starscream butts in.

Motormaster’s Office - Bridge

Razorclaw was suddenly reminded as to why he hated politics. The bickering, the complaining, everyone looking out for themselves and not the whole of the Empire. It was something Megatron had fought against when he rose up against the corrupt Cybertronian government of so long ago. The Decepticons were never about politics really. They were run by one mech and one mech alone - Megatron. Unfortunately, the slagmaker was no longer with them, whether dead, alive or somewhere in between. As a result, the Decepticons here in the Sol System were scrambling for power and on the brink of an all out civil war if things weren’t settled quickly. Of course, it was very hard to settle anything when one side couldn’t even agree on a plan to subjugate the opposition.

“All right, ENOUGH!!” Razorclaw bellowed as he slammed his clawed fist down on Motormaster’s desk, tired of the arguing that was going on around him. “This is not a committee where everyone gets to lead! Last time I checked I was in charge down here and therefore I will make the final decision on who goes and who stays. Is that clearly understood?!” The Predacon lord was through getting everyone’s opinion. If someone wanted to challenge him for control, then so be it. Starscream was not a concern as he was still not at a hundred percent. Motormaster, on the other hand, would prove a worthy foe, but he had already deferred leadership to the strongest mech, showing no desire to lead, himself. Thunderwing, however, was another story. The Warlord was fully capable of dethroning Razorclaw if he chose to. A fight with him would likely prove deadly even for the powerful lion-former. Hopefully, the carapace-laced mech would see that it was better to follow the Predacon Commander than to oppose him, at least until Shockwave had been dealt with.

“Starscream,” Razorclaw continued, turning his attention to the Seeker Commander. “The plan is decided and you are the bait. Accept it. Thunderwing is correct in that Shockwave will not destroy you outright. Interrogation will be his first priority. Our attack will commence before anything happens to you and the Thanatos will once again be under our control. As for your seekers, bring any two or three that you like if it makes you feel better. I don’t care which ones.”

The Predacon lord then turned his attention to the Stunticon Commander. “Motormaster, I appreciate your desire for battle and energon-shed. If you are willing to abandon the Ultrax then so be it. Your point that this is all a gamble is well taken and your reasoning for the Stunticons returning with us is also sound. However, I still wish to leave a skeleton crew behind just in case things go wrong up on the Thanatos and we need to return here or any reason. Therefore, chose two of your team to join us. The rest will stay behind with the remaining seekers and crew until they are called upon.”

Razorclaw then regarded everyone in the room with a stern glare spread across his visage. “As for the Combaticons, I will contact Onslaught shortly and inform him of our plan. His team will remain at the Yellow Sea construction site in order to protect it. If need be, they will also serve as back-up for our forces. Their vessel, the Obliteration, is still in orbit and could prove useful depending on how the situation up there plays out. Between myself and my Predacons, Motormaster and two of his squad along with Starscream, three of his Seekers and Thunderwing, will be have thirteen initial members of our strike force. Once we are back on board the Thanatos we will determine how many supporters Shockwave has and decide whether to call upon the rest of the seekers and Stunticons for aid.”

The lion-former then cast his gaze directly at the carapace-laced Warlord. “Thunderwing, the last time I checked the logs of the Thanatos, the stasis chamber also contained a vast number of Vehicons who are simple-minded and easily programmed to be loyal only to us. Is that still the case? If so, we can raid the chamber and awaken as many as we will need. If not, we will have to rely on those left behind down here to serve as reinforcements. Either way, once all is ready, we will make our move and retake the warship from Shockwave and his supporters before they even realize what has happened.”

Finally, the Predacon lord fell silent and glanced around the room again, allowing his words to sink in to everyone present. “That is the plan we will go with. If any of you have any objections or feel that you are better suited to lead than I am, step forward now so that we may waste even more time fighting while Shockwave continues to solidify his own plans against us.”

Motormaster’s Office – Bridge

The Seeker Commander had prepared himself to speak once more before Thunderwing even had the opportunity to respond, however, the Warlord had beaten him to the punch. Starscream snapped his mouth shut quickly and cast a deep scowl in the carapace encased mech’s direction. Of course he would have all the answers. After all he’s obviously still sided with that walking freak show. And I know why.

From his position Stascream watched each member occupying the room and crossed his arms over his chest once more. It appeared that every concern that he could bring to the foreground was quickly countered with what the others believed to be a very worthy counter. For them perhaps.

The silver and red Seeker quickly whipped his head around and glared at the Stunticon Commander. The nerve of that poor excuse for a Decepticon. With a smug smirk affixed to his chiseled visage Starscream opened his mouth and, once more was prepared to speak when he was cut off by the bellow of an irate Predacon.

It didn’t surprise him really. The impromptu Decepticon lord was patient during the hunt but when it came down to it Razorclaw was not capable of handling the world of Decepticon politics. It will be his downfall…along with a crushed spark.

“I suppose I have no other choice but to go along with whatever you wish. Of course we could have saved all of the trouble from the start with one bellowing command, but who am I to say. After all you’re the one in charge.”

Starscream cast Razorclaw a passing glance before turning his attention to the other two mechs in the room.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, oh glorious leader, but I’m assuming that I’ll be the one keeping our one opticed friend busy while you and…”

The Seeker gestured toward Thunderwing with a sneer before returning his gaze on Razorclaw.

“…locate the pods the vehicons are in, activate their programing protocols, release them, and hope to Primus they follow your orders since they were…oh, let’s say, pre-programmed to take orders from the commanding officer present…and the last time I checked they were never told you took command from…who was it…oh yes…our good friend, the giant flying space gun!”

The Seeker Commander quickly waved both Razorclaw and Thunderwing off before they could even throw one degrading remark in his direction.

“But let’s not haggle over these minor tribulations. After all I’m sure you’ve already thought of them.”

With his most devastatingly smug smirks plastered on his face, Starscream brought his hands together in a loud clap and made his way over to Razorclaw. The Seeker placed a heavy hand on the Predacon’s shoulder.

“Now, what say we get this show on the road. I’m anxious to see how well this plan comes together.”

The same time he was playing up to his new Commander Stascream was also sending a comm. to the two Seekers he wished to accompany him. Skywarp…my staunch warrior and follower and Nightraven, who I can simply use as cannon fodder. If anything goes to the Pit she’ll make the perfect sacrifice to get me out of there in one piece.

Crew Quarters – Hellion and Nightraven

Just as Hellion paid little to no attention to what Nightraven was even talking about, Nightraven was paying no mind to the advice her berserker sister was providing her. After all it most likely consisted of shooting, beating up or just eviscerating something or someone. Never the less, Nightraven felt it necessary to include her sister in anything that was on her mind.

“No thanks, Helly. I’d rather keep both of them functional. Besides if you made one of them disappear you’d wind up in the brig…or they’d haul you off to Styx.”

Nightraven slumped further into her chair and let out a heavy worried sigh. She really needed to take care of this if she was to be able to work with either mech on an everyday basis. Her optics turned back down to her actuators that were now folded and laying in her lap while she thought through the options she had available.

“If I even try to talk to Thundercracker he’d ignore me…especially since what I want to talk to him about has got nothing to do with the war or Decepticon superiority.”

The black and purple Seeker placed her right hand on the right armrest while she placed her left hand on the opposite armrest.

“Talking to Skywarp is really easy. He listens and is genially interested in…well everything. But will he be willing to discuss something pertaining to his best friend and me.”

After a long pause Nightraven lifted her back off the chair, her optics bright as she came to an epiphany on the subject. A delighted smile spread over her delicate visage.

“I know what I’m gonna do, Helly! I have to get to the mess hall. I need to talk to…”

>>”Nightraven, this is Air Commander, Starscream. I require your presence in the bounce chamber. You will be briefed once I arrive.”<<

The femme Seeker froze as she received Starscream’s communique. It was certinaly unexpected since she was merely a scout and would do no good on any kind of mission requiring warriors. But he was the Seeker Commander for a reason.

Not wanting to keep the silver and red mech waiting Nightraven bounced out of her chair…sent Starscream a nonverbal acknowledgment, and jogged to the door. She spared her sister a quick glance and let Hellion know where she was headed.

“I have to go, Helly. I just got ordered to the bounce chamber by Stascream. I’ll see you later…I hope.”

She didn’t give her sibling a chance to ask any questions or offer up a snide remark before she was out the door and on her way.

Mess Hall

>>”Skywarp! I want you to meet me in the bounce chamber! I will brief you on the whys and wherefores as soon as you arrive. Now move!”<<

Motormaster’s Office – Bridge

Starscream had no care to remain in Razorclaw’s immediate strike range which meant he needed to remove his hand from the beast’s shoulder and make his way toward the door. After all he had his two Seekers already on their way to the chamber. Besides, the sooner they all set this Primus forsaken slagged up plan in motion the sooner he could return as the new and rightful Decepticon Lord.

“I have both of my Seekers headed to the bounce chamber as we speak. I suggest we not keep them waiting.”

With a sweeping motion of his hands Starscream gestured to the door he was not standing in front of.

“Shall we?”

Motormaster’s Office - Bridge

While Razorclaw awaited a response regarding the vehicons from Thunderwing, Starscream decided to interject his own two energon chips once more. The Air Commander took a carefully veiled pot shot at the Predacon lord while at the same time questioning his idea to awaken said vehicons from their pods and hope that they would obey him and not automatically be loyal to Shockwave. Razorclaw let out a low chuckle before responding to the Seeker Commander’s unfounded concerns.

“You forget, Starscream, that I was the commander of the Thanatos before our cycloptic nemesis took control. If the vehicons follow anyone’s orders, it will be mine,” the lion-former replied with a glare directed right at the red and white seeker. “And, yes, if will be your job to keep Shockwave occupied while Thunderwing and I go to awaken our army. I’m sure you can handle that.”

Once Starscream was done with his minor taunts that served only to show how obnoxious he really was, the Seeker Commander was eager to get things under way. Razorclaw couldn’t help but to agree. “Very well. Let’s get going. We’ve wasted enough time talking. Thunderwing, you can fill me in on the viability of the vehicons as we make our way to the bounce chamber. ”

Razorclaw then took the lead and exited the captain’s office, re-entering the bridge proper. He gazed around at his animalistic unit, a smile growing larger underneath his face shield. “Predacons, arm up and head for the bounce chamber immediately. We are heading back up to the Thanatos to retake what is rightfully ours! An alliance has been struck with Starscream and Thunderwing. Along with Motormaster, two of his men and three seekers, we will return to Shockwave with a prisoner - the Seeker Commander, himself! However, it is only a rouse in order to get us back on board and thus position ourselves for the right moment to strike at Shockwave and his supporters from within. Now, move out!”

With his orders given, Razorclaw opened a private encrypted comm link to the Combaticon Commander to inform him of the plan that was now set in motion:

>>”Commander Onslaught, this is Razorclaw. I am contacting you with an important update on the current situation. We are making our move against Shockwave with the help of both Starscream and Thunderwing. Together, we have formed an alliance and have devised a plan to return to the Thanatos with Starscream as our faux prisoner. Shockwave still thinks I am loyal to him and that will be his downfall. Once on board, we hope to awaken a squad of vehicons to aid us in our assault. As for you and your team, I'm afraid I will need you to remain at the construction site as a security measure. You may be called upon to serve as reinforcements if needed. Otherwise, you are to remain on standby. If all goes according to plan, the next time we speak, Shockwave will be in our custody and the Thanatos will be under our control once again! Razorclaw out.”<<

Cutting his comm line, Razorclaw glanced back to see if Thunderwing, Starscream and Motormaster had yet joined him. “I will contact Soundwave once we are all down in the bounce chamber and request permission to board the Thanatos. Hopefully, once he knows that we have Starscream as a prisoner, we won't have any problems getting the necessary clearance.” The lion-former then pulled out a pair of stasis cuffs and tossed them over to the Warlord. “Thunderwing, if you would do the honors of shackling our prisoner.” Razorclaw cast an amused look over at Starscream, all the while trying to contain a hint of laughter.

Mess Hall

As Skywarp continued to sip the sludge that passed for energon on board the Stunticon frigate, he received a communication from Starscream, ordering him to get his aft down to the bounce chamber immediately. The teleporter had barely been able to catch up with Thundercracker and now he was being called off on another mission. At least ‘Warp wouldn’t be the one in charge of this excursion like the last time. Leave the thinking to the higher ups and let the prankster do what he always did best - fight.

“Well, ‘Cracker, it looks like our little get together has been cut short,” Skywarp said in a disappointed tone. “Screamer’s called me to the bounce chamber. I’ll be briefed when I get there. Can’t imagine what’s going on, but at least I don’t have to drink any more of this slop that makes energon derivative taste like high grade.” Tossing his half-full glass across the room, ‘Warp got to his feet and cast a smile down to the blue seeker. “Sorry, buddy. I guess we’ll catch up another time? See ya around!”

With a pat on his friend's shoulder plate, Skywarp took his leave of the mess hall, trudging through all of the junk that littered the floor as he went. He wasn’t sure what to expect once he got down to the bounce chamber, but something told him Razorclaw and the Predacons would be there, as well. Had Starscream made a deal with them? The answer was almost obvious, even to the teleporter. Still, the Seeker Commander always had an ulterior motive and this time would likely be no different.

Bridge

"Hot slag!" Rampage said, unable to contain his excitement at the prospect of battle and looking over at the other Predacons in the room just to confirm that they had heard the same words come out of Razorclaw's vocalizer that he had. Headstrong was already out the door.

Guess so!

So this was it. They were going to get their ship back and Razorclaw would solidify himself as leader of the Decepticons. It had slaggin' well taken long enough. Decepticon politics. Bleh. He was glad Razorclaw dealt with that crap.

"Man, it's gonna feel good to be off this rustbucket and back on the Thanatos again," Rampage said, following after Tantrum, whose weapons were already emerging from his shoulder ports.

"Gonna feel good to smash the first little whiney glitch that gets in my way...and not have to file an incident report on the database," Tantrum added, stalking forward at full speed, not even stopping to acknowledge anything Rampage had said. Divebomb would likely not be far behind. When a hunt was called, they were all ready for it.

Motormaster’s Office - Bridge

So not only he'd have to listen to Starscream's whining for who knows how long but now he had to leave a skeleton crew behind as well? That really left no options. Wildrider had got his aft kicked by Thunderwing which meant that the terrorist was scheduled for repairs. Then there was the fact of Dead End being the sole Stunticon Motormaster could actually trust enough to leave him behind alone. But this was not about leaving Dead End behind alone. It was about leaving someone behind to keep wounded Wildrider in check. And Drag Strip was the only one qualified for that job as long as Wildrider wouldn't manage to convince the racer to take on one of his idiotic challenges. That left team of Breakdown and Dead End as the only real option to be taken with him to Thanatos. Oh well, one had to do with what one got.

"Sure. I'll have two of my boys with me whenever you are ready." Motormaster replied back to Razorclaw and opened comm-link to Breakdown and Dead End. >>"Report to the bounce chamber this instant. We are going to do some sightseeing."<<

Hah. At least Razorclaw had finally acted like a real leader by bellowing at his squabbling lieutenants and giving some emphasis on it by slamming his fist against the desk before him. Although in Motormaster's opinion Razorclaw could have do it with fewer words. Then again, it sort of bugged him too that the powerful Predacon was content to trust so much on Thunderwing so quickly. The scientist had after all been away for almost as long as Shockwave and was acting like he had never been away. Not that Motormaster allowed himself to be overly troubled by this as long as Thunderwing would not rise to replace Razorclaw. The former aristocrat simply was too different from him. The Stunticon doubted if Thunderwing saw him as nothing but a thug to be used out of necessity, only to be disposed of later. Let him try, Motormaster would welcome the challenge.

Motormaster’s Office – Bridge

As if on cue Motormaster responded like a provoked animal to his comments. He truly only understood things like an animal wood, everything was a food chain to him. The biggest and the strongest ruled because they were the biggest and the strongest. Intellect, cunning, those things were alien to the Stunticon leader. That is why he needed someone to control him, to hold his leash until it was time to release him into battle. So far it seemed Razorclaw was barely capable of doing that. All the more reason why he was the only one truly suited for command now.

Thunderwing smiled back at Motormaster’s outburst, displaying a row of needle sharp fanged teeth. “Yes Motormaster, and you certainly are the basest of all Decepticons aren’t you?”

Whatever reply the Stunticon had for that comment was cut off by Razorclaw’s outburst. The Predacon leader was very fortunate that his plans aligned so closely with his own. He did not appreciate being treated like some misbehaving underling. He was going to have to be harshly brought to heel once Shockwave was overthrown, likely followed shortly thereafter by Motormaster. As much as in fighting was a waste of resources if taking down a few meant the obedience of many then it was worth it. The fact that he would take great satisfaction at the same time was merely a side benefit.

He listened patiently as Razorclaw laid things out to them. It was all that he had already agreed with so he made no comments on it, although he still though the inclusion of any Stunticons was more risk then it was worth. Before he could reply to his question about vehicons Starscream interjected with more complaints. How did anyone follow such a whining coward as this? Perhaps that is why his reign has been so short lived. Thunderwing considered gagging him somehow as he would be playing a prisoner, but that was liable to arise more suspicion then was necessary. Unfortunately they would have to rely on him to control his vocalizer during this mission.

Thunderwing followed the rest of them out of the room, finally given a chance to answer Razorclaw’s question. “I was not aware of the activation of any Vehicons or other drones during my time on the Thanatos. My time on board was brief however and anything is possible since my departure. I have little knowledge of what is going on onboard the vessel now. Having them on our side would be ideal and worth investigating but it certainly isn’t a guarantee.”

The Decepticon caught the cuffs in midair, barely containing a smile of his own. He looked down at Starscream. “If you would be so kind as to play your hand behind your back so you can be cuffed. It will definitely assure Shockwave of your captive state.”

*

Crew Quarters – Hellion and Nightraven

Hellion continued throwing the little piece of debris. “Nah, I wouldn’t get caught. You just have to get rid of the body really well. Maybe chop it up into pieces and scatter it around outside. They’d probably never find it all and they wouldn’t know who to blame. It’s not like they can lock us all up.”

As Nightraven continued to talk Hellion began aiming her guns at the piece of debris in mid air. If she had to listen to Nightraven’s problems at least she could find some way to amuse herself at the same time. She threw it up again and took a shot at it. She missed and the ricochet shot bounced into the floor. The seeker frowned before taking another carefully aimed shot. She wasn’t exactly none for accuracy, but there wasn’t much else she could do right now to satisfy her appetite for destruction.

She looked over at her sister when she said she had it all figure out. The warrior frowned when she stopped abruptly, obviously receiving a signal from some one. She sat up in her chair as Nightraven dashed out of the room. “How come I never get any slagging missions? Is boring in here!” she yelled after her sister.