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Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Cipher felt a shiver run through his entire frame at the thought of one, or all of the Terrorcons turning on them once they finally arrived at their destination. The scientist’s attention was broken from his thoughts of dismemberment by Terrorcon when Mindwipe answered his query concerning Rippersnapper in particular.

Cipher nodded slowly at the hypnotist’s assessment. If need be he would most assuredly run for his life. At the sight of Hun-Grrr Cipher moved to the side along with Mindwipe, grabbed the rest of the supplies and equipment and finally made his way out of the dropship. The synthetic covering seemed to be working the way it should- his sensors indicated a considerable decrease in the radiation absorbed by his own body. A small, awkward smile crossed his visage.

With the considerable radiation that was present on this planet would hinder the entire team’s movement if they decided to fly to their destination. The small smile that had formed on Cipher’s face faded into a deep frown as he took in the scenery before him. Unusual plants filled his view, overhead the strange winged creatures circled; thankfully Cutthroat saw fit to take them out.

“This is going to be a long trek. I had hoped that we would be able to fly to our end point,” he mumbled.

His attention moved from Cutthroat to that of the western perimeter where Sinnertwin who not far from the landing sight. Cipher took in a deep intake and prepared to turn to find Mindwpie when his sensors indicated the presence of another cybertronian in the vicinity. The scientist nearly dropped his burden. Who else could be on this planet? No one told us that there were other sentient life forms here?

After a moment of fear and then quiet contemplation a realization occurred to him. This being, who could be an abandoned Autobot, could be their team’s best chance at finding what they were looking for. Quickly Cipher looked to Hun-Grrr who had just ordered his team to enter the CR chamber in order to have them encase themselves in their own synthetic skins. Cipher trotted back up the ramp to stand in front of the Terrorcon Commander.

“Hun-Grrr! There’s a perimeter breach at Sinnertwin’s location! You need to order your subordinate to stand down! Whoever or whatever he’s come across could benefit our endeavor.”

He paused a moment before he calmed himself and continued to explain his reasoning.

“The radiation surrounding this planet is causing havoc with our compass data. Navigating blindly, or even using the stars, would be impossible. From our location they are not even visible. Not to mention the ion storms and the clouds that are holding the ion charges, and flying will be neigh impossible.”

Cipher brought his right hand to his head rubbing gently and using his left hand to emphasize his explanation, he continued to speak to the Terrorcon.

“This person, at least I’m guessing it’s a person, has obviously been here for some time. If we could convince him to guide us to our destination our travel time could be cut significantly. Besides, we know where we need to go, but we have no clue as to what lies between here and our intended destination.”

A wide smile crossed his lips as he thought of one other aspect the Commander would enjoy hearing.

“And once we’re done with him you can utilize his energon for your own purposes and then feed him to the rest of your team.”

Skies to the South

The call came to Cutthroat from Hun-Grr but it was not answered. The murderous Decepticon's mind was fully focused on slaughter. The birds before him lost any significance beyond they insulting him by still being alive. The powerful winds of the planet quickly carried both the birds and their tormentor further away from the drop ship.

Decepticon Dropship ST-4

Encased in energon radiation resistant synthetic flesh, Hun-Grrr stepped out of the dropship while Blot lumbered his way into the CR chamber. While the Terrorcon commander didn't really care whether his men took the protective casing for themselves or not, it was better to take the precaution when it came to his most loyal subordinate. Quite frankly, the thought of Blot becoming even duller was simply unacceptable.

"I took Rippernapper's olfactory sensors offline." Hun-Grrr smirked at Mindwipe, "In theory. You should be safe."

Having addressed the concerns of the two scientists, Hun-Grrr began gauging the radiation levels he was subjected to. He was satisfied enough with the protection the synthetic flesh offered him. However, the coating had been modeled for his creature mode and thus there were gaps in its protection in his robot form. A quick transformation into his alternate mode proved his initial assumption true. In his creature mode of an Algean two-headed razor beast - the synthetic flesh covered his massive form completely, leaving no gaps, nor allowing any radiation to affect him. And even Hun-Grrr had to admit that the process had left his monstrous creature mode even more imposing than it had been previously.

While Hun-Grrr was still admiring his new fearsome outlook, one of the more science oriented Decepticons they had been sent to protect interrupted him. And the way he was interrupted was brought forth as more of an order than a request. It was a mistake Cipher would not repeat. Both of Hun-Grrr's dragonic heads, each almost size of the smaller Decepticon - lowered themselves to face Cipher optic to optic, their maws dropping synthesized drool. If the scientist wanted to speak to him, he would have to address Hun-Grrr as his superior. The promise of letting him to devour Sinnertwin's found later did not help Cipher's position at all.

"Neverrr again scrrribe." One of Hun-Grrr's heads snarled while the other made a threatening snap of its jaws just inches from Cipher's face. "Neverrr trrry to orrrderrr Hun-Grrr again."

Threatening Cipher in such way didn't really have anything to do with what the scientist had said. The original Terrorcon just enjoyed terrorizing others. Particularly those who were so weak willed that they could be intimidated through such minor provocations. That aside, the scientist had been right. The atmosphere was charged with ions. It was only matter of astroseconds before Cutthroat would learn it the hard way and suffer a system blackout that was going to drop him from the skies. The Semper Tyrannis was also unable to provide them gps data due to the very same reason they could not use stars for navigation. Even Cipher's claim about compass data was something Hun-Grrr was able to verify himself. If Sinnertwin had encountered a sentient lifeform - they were going to exploit it. Anyone who had lived here for a longer period of time had to know how to navigate this area - the very survival of such being depended on that.

>>"Sinnerrrtwin! Brrring the thing to base camp! Alive!" <<

Decepticon Dropship ST–4

"In theory" they should be safe. In theory were the words that Hungrr had chosen. Those words had caused the Decepticon hypnotist to cringe just a little more, internally, as he walked over to the chamber that the large Terrorcon had exited and proceeded to upload the data on the form that he had chosen. There were some impressive chiropterans inhabiting this world. It had made for a fairly easy decision. Even his alt-mode was roughly based on such creatures. He had been inspired by their design ever since he had seen images of them.

"Join you soon," Mindwipe said as he brought his optics offline and the chamber doors closed around him.
___

Western Perimeter

"What is a Decepticon? Wheelie also doesn't want to be fed upon!" the creature had spoken.

"It speaks in riddles and in rhyme, little knowing it has no time," Sinnertwin chided, much as he had with Mindwipe earlier, mimicking his prey's vocal style and relishing the scent of fresh metallic compounds. How sweet they would taste. How easily this one would come apart.

"We are Decepticons. You are not. That is all that..."

One of Sinnertwin's heads lifted in to the air again, sniffing, as a communique from their leader came in. This time it was to him directly. To disobey such a direct command would be to invite oblivion.

Just as quickly as Sinnertwin had pounced on top of the smaller mech, he transformed back in to his bot mode and hauled the little proto to his feet.

"It will come with me," Sinnertwin said, pushing Wheelie forward. "Run...and I make no promises that it will see the hungry one in one piece."

Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

Cipher physically relaxed at the mention of Rippersnapper’s olfactory sensors being taken off line. It was a relief to know that not only he, but Mindwipe, would be spared the terrorist’s unyielding ire for organic scents. A forced smile grew on the scientist’s face as he hoisted the container holding some of his equipment and made to advance forward when was suddenly stopped. Hun-Grrr lowered both of his alt mode’s heads only coming optic to optic with Cipher. Promptly the smaller Decepticon dropped the container and backed off several steps for fear of being devoured by the Terrorcon Commander.

His body began to shake almost uncontrollably as both heads spoke in unison. Cipher’s optics grew wide with dread at the sound coming from both mouths – which were lined with razor sharp teeth and dripping with a synthesized droool. The shiver that ran down Cipher’s spinal structure caused him to only respond with a high pitched squeak followed by a vigorous nod.

After his command, Hun-Grrr emphasized his words with a hideous snap of his jaws directly in the scientist’s face. The action had Cipher hurriedly jump back; losing his balance he fell backwards landing on his back, prostrate nearly underneath the lumbering giant. As quickly as could he scrambled to back to his feet and swiftly moved even further away from the menacing beast.

As if on cue Rippersnapper came out of the tree lined perimeter rubbing firmly at the back of his head. The pain from Hun-Grrr’s blow was still causing a slight ringing in his audial receptors. He cast his commander a heated glare before he even realized that he was covered in a disgusting organic shell. A sneer grew on the terrorist’s face as he raised his nose into the air and took a deep sniff. Nothing.

Rippersnapper let out a defeated sigh as he looked from the Terrorcon Commander to Cipher, who was cowering behind the hypnotist. He approached both Decepticons with purpose until he was directly in front of Mindwipe. The white and blue ‘Con then lowered his head down toward Mindwipe’s shoulder and took in a sniff at Cipher. Nothing, still. How degrading. Hun-Grrr had taken his olfactory sensors offline…again.

The ‘Con let out a dejected sigh as he made his way back to his commander.

“I suppose I’ll have to encase myself in that…that…vile coat. Humph. I was never even going to get a say, was I.”

It wasn’t a question, just a sad attempt at making him feel better. Turning on his heel, Rippersnapper made his way to the computer terminal in order to choose the shroud he would be covering his pristine Cybertronian body in. How humiliating.

Western Perimeter

Wheelie's mind spun, what in the name of Primus was a "Decepticon"? Why was this mech so blasted mean? Wheelie figured it was some sort of thing to say to reference an older Transformer, which Wheelie was not. Wheelie was suddenly pulled to his feet and pushed along like a prisoner in a story he read in one of the Holo Books.

"Wheelie understands fully," Wheelie said with a stark frown after stumbling a bit to regain his balance, "But Wheelie doesn't like this bully!"

He walked forward, taking the occasional look back at Sinnertwin to see if the two headed Transformer was still drooling and dreaming about something grizzly. Wheelie kept his slingshot hidden, Fire Stone still inside if he was threatened further.

"Wheelie doesn't want to be a feeder, Wheelie ask to take him to your leader!" Wheelie said as he walked at a steady pace.

Western Perimeter--Approaching Dropship

This one would be turn asunder so easily. If they were allowed to do it, so much the better. But Sinnertwin would also be content to watch Hungrr do the same thing.

"That...is precisely where it is going," Sinnertwin said, prodding the younger Cybertronian along further.

Through bramble and brush, the Terrorcon and his captive eventually made it through to the clearing where the ship had been landed.

"It should make its peace with Primus. It will meet him soon. So soon."
___

Decepticon Dropship ST–4

As the chamber opened and Mindwipe's core systems and optics came back online, he couldn't help but feel different. Revoltingly so.

Climbing out of the chamber, everything even felt different. There was a small, soft, fleshy barrier between the purity of his sensors and everything else. He looked at Cipher as he once again gathered the equipment that the other mech had asked for help carrying earlier and walked toward the shuttle's bay doors.

"Ugh....I just want to peel this stuff off and risk the radiation poisoning," he moaned, looking out in to the surrounding wilderness. As he did, he could clearly hear a rustling in the nearby brush. The cause of the disturbance soon revealed itself. It was Sinnertwin. Sinnertwin and....?

"What in Cybertron?" Mindwipe said, his optics zooming in further before looking back at Cipher and Hungrr. "We found a native? A refugee?"

How long had he been reformatting in that chamber?

Decepticon Dropship ST – 4

His optics remained focused solely on the Terrorcon Commander, but when Rippersnapper finally emerged from the tree lined perimeter, Cipher physically stiffened. What if Hun-Grrr hadn’t shut off the terrorist’s olfactory receptors completely? What then? His intakes hitched when he noticed Rippersnapper slowly making his way over. The white and blue ‘Con lowered his head until he was staring optic to optic with the smaller mech. Cipher turned away from the Terrorcon’s face, offlined his optics, and waited for the inevitable.

He was surprised; however, when all Rippersnapper did was take in a sniff. At the sound of his sigh, Cipher cautiously onlined his optics and turned his head to see the ‘Con had retreated to one of the computer terminals in order to find a proper coating.

His entire frame was a quivering mess as he carefully back stepped toward the CR chamber. It was then that Mindwipe finally emerged. Cipher quickly made his way to stand behind the larger mech, his head close to the hypnotist’s shoulder where he whispered into his audio receptor.

“They’re going to eat me once this mission is over, I just know it. But before that happens, kill me. I don’t think I could take it if I had to feel myself sliding down their throats.”

Rippersnapper let loose an audible grunt once he had found an almost acceptable covering. He moved toward the CR chamber and programmed it to format the synthetic coating, and stepped inside.

Cipher relaxed, but only slightly. As the newly synthetic lined Mindwipe picked up the equipment and made his way out of the ship the scientist followed. He watched as the skin covered shrike bat took in his new outer layer. Cipher had to admit, the whole ordeal was devastatingly humiliating.

Cipher’s attention was caught when he heard the confused vocals of his fellow comrade. Sinnertwin had arrived with the mysterious Cybertronian in tow. But it was a small one. Nothing more than a protoform…not even a youngling.

“Refugee, maybe, but definitely no native. It looks as though he’s been here for quite some time.”

The scientist tentatively approached Hun-Grrr.

“Commander, permission to speak with the...the captive?”

Skies to the South

There was not time for Cutthroat to even register what was happening before his body was showered with Ions. His screech of pain was purely instinctual as he lost his hold on the current that carried him and plummeted to the earth. He struck the ground hard and was still. Most Transformers would figure to have become deactivated by the combination of the charge and the fall however Cutthroat possessed great endurance and his systems refused to fully shut down.

After a moment Cutthroat struggled to his feet and shook his head. He stumbled deeper into the rocky wilderness in a daze. There was no conscious reason for this just an instinctual determination to not stay down.

Decepticon Dropship ST-4

Despite the short lived fun Hun-Grrr had had by scaring the lubricant out of Cipher, he was starting to get annoyed with the constant griping by both the scientist and particularly Mindwipe. While the two scientists weren't exactly directing their chatter for the large Terrorcon to hear, his sensitive audio receptors kept him updated on their latest concerns nevertheless. Their only redemption in Hun-Grrr's eyes was the genuine fear both Decepticons felt in the presence of the Terrorcons. The deep satisfaction from their fear did their part in the feeble attempt of filling the endless void that was the primal hunger for power and dominance in Hun-Grrr's spark.

"And you call yourrrself a Decepticon warrrrrriorrr Mindwipe?" Hun-Grrr finally voiced his dissatisfaction in a form of an angry growl. A civilian forced to pick a side in a war like Cipher - he could understand falling for this kind of behavior. But Mindwipe was a seasoned veteran. His odd affection on all kinds of pseudo-mythical nonsense did not remove the fact that Mindwipe had taken part of more battles than he cared to count for. "Stop whining like a scrrraplet infected prrrotoforrrm and live up to yourrr rrreputation."

His attention shifted from Cipher and Mindwipe to approaching Sinnertwin as his proximity sensors alert him of the sentry's return long before a visual contact could be made. To be able to catch the first glimpse of Sinnertwin's price, the massive beast rose to stand on its hind legs - reaching both of its heads high into air. And thus, Hun-Grrr was the first of the Decepticons gathered near the dropship to see what exactly Sinnertwin was about to introduce to them.

It was no native. A Cybertronian - not a slighest doubt about it. But how long it had been here? A lost refugee? A relic from time before the Great War? Or perhaps someone with a connection to whoever had built the facility they were searching for. It appeared Hun-Grrr had not been alone with these thoughts as Cipher decided to share his thoughts with the rest of them. At least this time, the scribe actually respected rank and asked for Hun-Grrr's permission.

"Speak if you must Scrrribe." Hun-Grrr growled, one of his heads turning to look at Mindwipe. "And you. You prrreparrre to make some use of yourrr hypnotism as the Scrrribe will no doubt fail his attempt of questioning ourrr guest."