by Smokescreen85 » Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:59 pm
- Motto: ""A look can be deceiving; a touch can be lethal.""
- Weapon: Twin Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers
Bridge
Razorclaw took a step back as the main lights finally kicked on. Apparently, someone on board had the wits about them to restore power without being ordered to. It was likely one of the Stunticons as they knew their own vessel better than anyone, but that was just a guess on the Predacon Commander’s part. It didn’t matter as now they could all move onward with more important things. Motormaster, of course, wasted no time in wanting to hear what both Razorclaw and Starscream had to say to him, demanding that they start talking immediately.
However, before Razorclaw could utter a word, Starscream had spoken up and said his peace. The Seeker Commander was clearly trying to take the lead here and that was to be expected. However, while Razorclaw agreed with much of Starscream’s assessment of what needed to be done, the Predacon leader had hoped to speak with Motormaster alone as his long term plans did not align with that of the seeker, but with the specialty units. However, it was unwise to request a private meeting with the Stunticon Commander as it would raise a considerable amount of suspicion with Screamer. Regardless, a private communique with Motormaster was still possible if handled discreetly once responding to the head Seeker’s suggestions was out of the way.
“You are right, Starscream,” Razorclaw began to say as he motioned for his Predacons to back off and give the trio of commanders room. “We must remain unified if we are to deal with Shockwave and those that have backed him. I can tell you that many of those who are currently on the Thanatos are likely his supporters, including Soundwave and his miniature minions. However, there are others such as Blackwind and Thunderwing who are not necessarily on his side. I know for a fact that Blackwind has no love for the cycloptic scientist and her close relationship with Thunderwing seems to suggest that he will not support Shockwave in the end, either. Of course, there’s also the real possibility that Thunderwing, himself, may seek leadership with the femme’s backing, but they have little other support on their side at this time.”
The Predacon Commander stroked his chin before continuing. “As for sheer numbers, I believe we have the advantage. Between my Predacons, the Stunticons, the Combaticons, the Constructicons and the Seekers, we hold the edge against Shockwave and those few who would support him. What he does have is the Thanatos and thus he has raw power at his disposal that he will surely use against us if we are eventually detected. However, the amount of water that currently resides above us should provide a decent amount of protection from any normal scans he may try to conduct from orbit. We simply must be careful with our transmissions and make sure they are encrypted at the highest level. Otherwise, we risk exposure.”
“I also strongly agree that we need to secure the Ultrax as much as possible. As that is being done, we can do what Starscream says and contact the other teams at the construction site for the new base. Perhaps some of us can even rendezvous with them in person. Either way, we need to know what progress has been made there and if we can utilize whatever structures may have already been built. As for any attack against Shockwave, it must be well thought out and not rushed or it will surely fail and give him the control he so desires.”
Razorclaw then peered over at Thrust, having overheard the crimson conehead’s suggestion regarding the human satellites. “Even if one of the primitive satellites had the ability to hack into the mainframe of the Thanatos, we would likely gain nothing regarding who has sided with Shockwave as I doubt ol’ one-eyed, himself, even knows who is on his side at this point. Not everyone has made a decision as to whom to align with yet.”
Razorclaw finally finished speaking, allowing his optics to switch back to Starscream and then over to Motormaster once more. It was now that he chose to open a private, internal comm line to the Stunticon Commander so that no one else in the room would be privy to the words that were about to be transmitted between the unit leaders.
>>”Commander Motormaster, I was hoping to speak with you privately, but with Starscream here that didn’t seem to be a doable option without raising suspicion. Therefore, I am forced to convey my true intensions to you in this fashion. Ever since the news of Megatron’s demise, Onslaught and myself have considered long and hard about the future of the Decepticon Empire and who should ultimately lead it. We both agreed that neither Shockwave nor Starscream are viable options in the long term. The consensus he and I have come to is that the future of the empire lies with our specialty units along with yours and Scrapper’s. Our four teams have long been utilized as expendable assets in this neverending war to be yielded much like a laser gun or sword. We have been taken for granted with the assumption that we would always do as we were told. But, that has all changed. Now, it is our time to tell others what to do.
“Right now, Onslaught is down on the surface having a similar discussion with Scrapper. If we joined together, our four teams would hold the power to not only shape the future of the empire, but to also choose the leader that we want to rule, one that will abide by our wishes and give us the respect that we more than deserve after all that we have done for the Decepticon cause. It is time for the specialty teams to take center stage and do what is necessary to ensure the continuation of the empire and the eventual destruction of our enemies. We have waited in the wings long enough, Motormaster. It is time for us to act!”<<
Engineering Deck
Drag Strip frowned as he received Motormaster’s response back. Of course, his belligerent leader decided to berate him for taking too long, not realizing that it only took the former racer the time that it did because of the obstacles that were in his path. Those obstructions were overcome as quickly as possible and power was ultimately restored, but that mattered little to the Stunticon Commander. He cared more about tearing into his own subordinates than giving them the credit that they deserved when a job was well done. Still, there seemed to be a hint of approval in Motormaster’s voice, but it was nothing Drag would point out for fear of being scrapped permanently.
After sending a quiet acknowledgment of his new orders to the Stunticon Commander, Drag Strip opened a comm line to Breakdown, Dead End and Wildrider: >>”Guys, we have new orders. Once you are all fixed up, we need to head down to the hangar and retrieve the new load of energon cubes that Octane brought back with him from the refinery. Some need to be fed into the ship’s power grid while the rest is to be secured in the cargo hold. I’ll join you all once I get patched up, myself.”<<
Once his message was sent, the yellow mech headed up the nearest jefferies tube and made his way towards the repair bay.
Repair Bay
Drag Strip entered the room and found both Breakdown and Dead End mulling about, the latter of which was gathering up tools in order to help repair himself. At least someone else besides myself is taking the initiative to get fixed up, unlike a certain paranoid mech that I could mention, Drag thought, wondering if he’d have to secure the energon all by himself or if he’d actually get some help from his Stunticon brethren.
Ignoring his teammates for the moment and instead focusing on his own needed repairs, the former racer found his way over to a medical berth that appeared to still be functioning. He quickly programmed it for a basic repair cycle and then laid face down on the table as the appendages quickly went to work fixing the damage he had sustained on his back. It wouldn’t take too long for the process to finish and then he’d be able to get to work on the tasks Motormaster had outlined for he and his brothers to complete.
“You guys better hurry up with your repairs,” Drag Strip called out to both Breakdown and Dead End. “The boss will have all our hides if the energon isn’t secured soon and the ship re-energized. I sure ain’t taken the fall because the rest of you can’t get your afts in gear!”
Corridor outside Bounce Chamber
Skywarp nodded when Nightraven mentioned that she would like to check up on Hellion. “Of course I don’t mind,” he said, letting go of her hand. He considered going with her, but decided against it. If the berserker femme wasn’t awake already she soon would be and ‘Warp wanted to be anywhere but near her. It sometimes amazed him that Nighty and Helly were sisters as they didn’t seem to be much alike other than being seekers. Nightraven was rather quiet and meager while Hellion was loud and violent. They were polar opposites and yet still related.
Once the main power was restored, the corridor became awash in a sudden illumination that took them both a bit by surprise. Skywarp then chuckled slightly when Nightraven tapped his head-mounted light and suggested that he could turn it off now. “Yeah, I guess I don’t need it anymore,” the prankster replied as he reached up and quickly deactivated the light with a mere touch of his index finger.
“I suppose I’ll head up to the bridge now,” he continued. “Starscream may still want to debrief me if he has the time. If not, I’ll find something constructive to do I’m sure.” The teleporter then reached out and patted Nightraven on the shoulder. “Regardless of my past issues with your sister, I do hope she is okay.” Skywarp flashed her one last smile before turning and walking away down the now well lit corridor. What he hoped to find on the bridge was some answers as to what the slag had happened or at least receive new orders on what to do next.