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Koraja - The Capital Dome

While Apeface was busy with his chosen targets, Snapdragon was gleefully remodeling Skyhammer's facial features with his fists. That wasn't to say that Skyhammer lacked fighting prowess, but Snapdragon had managed to pin him into a position where there was little the Autobot commander could do. Being pinned into the ground by bigger, stronger opponent and having just one arm free to protect himself from Snapdragon's blows was seriously taking its toll on Skyhammer's sturdy body. And given the blows that kept connecting, Skyhammer had no idea how the other Autobots were faring on the scene. The only thing he was certain of was that Scorponok was merely observing the action, not taking part in it.

That assessment had been right. Scorponok was merely observing how his Horrorcons were faring against the four Autobots. He felt no need assist two of his most powerful soldiers in dealing with Autobots he could crush at whim. Instead he was closely monitoring his extremely advanced sensor arrays. This whole interception of the Autobot communication attempt with the Nebulans had been meant to serve more than just a mere shock purpose. It was a trap to remove the cloaked Autobot ship on the orbit from the picture and thus stop their enemy from using orbital bounces. And the Autobots had taken the bait.

>>"Cyclonus, Reflector, I am registering ion buildup from orbital bounces in several locations within a range of 250 miles. Trace the Autobot bounce beams to the orbital mirror point and destroy their ship. Also survey the area they bounced into and send in troopers to eliminate the Autobots."<<

With the command sent to his fleet on the orbit, Scorponok finally addressed the Nebulans. "Your time gap for surrender has almost closed. You have witnessed our power first hand. It is still not too late to surrender."

Nebulos Orbit – Main Armory of the Semper Tyrannis

>>"Understood, Commander Cyclonus. We will be on planet shortly."<<

Snaptrap responded over his comm line before bringing his attention back to focus on his team. "Hurry up and get into formation now!" The Seacon leader shouted as his five subordinates finished arming themselves and then fell into a single line, standing side by side. Snaptrap stood before the group and gave them the once over with his expressionless optics. They all appeared to be ready for what was coming. It was nothing they hadn't all experienced a million times before and this would certainly not be their hardest mission, not by a long shot.

"Everyone, listen up! In a few kliks, we will depart for the surface of Nebulos where we will receive further orders. These flesh creatures are normally peaceful, but do not let your guard down. There is an Autobot presence on this world which we will surely encounter. Be alert." As Snaptrap finished speaking, he noticed a foul odor hovering in the air. "What the frag is that smell?!"

"Sorry, boss," Skalor spoke up, raising his hand. "It's just me."

"I should have known," Snaptrap grumbled, shaking his head in disgust. There were many Decepticons that had a problem with basic hygiene, but none were as bad as Skalor. The amphibious assault specialist gave new meaning to the phrase 'mechanoid body odor', as internal lubricants and chemicals slowly seeped out from between his joints and welds. Skalor could fix this problem if he wanted to, but he simply didn't care about how much he stank and commonly used it against his enemies. At least Skalor was good at his job, which was the main reason why Snaptrap tolerated his gut-churning stench.

"All right, Seacons, let's move out!" Snaptrap ordered as he led his team down to the orbital bounce chamber. Once they were there, the Seacon leader manned the controls and locked on to Cyclonus' signal. The Aerospace Commander was not yet on planet, but the computer was able to extrapolate his exact destination with ease. Once the coordinates were set, Snaptrap joined his team on the bounce pad and they were transported down to the surface.

Koraja - A Short Distance from the Capital Dome

The Seacons materialized in the middle of a street as dozens of green-skinned onlookers gasped in horror and began fleeing from the mechanical invaders. Snaptrap ignored the fleshlings for the time being and looked skyward where he could see a purple spacecraft streaking down through the clouds towards their position. The Seacon leader then looked down the roadway and noticed a gaping hole in the side of the Capital Dome. It appeared to be large enough for a mech the size of Scorponok to pass through.

Snaptrap focused his scanners on the dome and detected several Cybertronian signatures inside. >>"Commander Cyclonus, my team and I have arrived. It also seems that our High Commander is already on planet, as well. He is within the Capital Dome along with the Horrorcons and three Autobots. I am moving my team to reinforce the outer perimeter."<<

Snaptrap then turned to address his unit. "Seacons, move to the Capital Dome and surround it! Let nothing escape!" Once his orders were given, the Seacon Commander took the lead and headed for the partially destroyed dome located at the end of the street.

Nebulos--Skies

As Cyclonus soared through the bluish-green atmosphere, his mind could only begin to imagine all of the resources that invariably lay within a world that had gone unspoiled from outside influences for so long.

>>"Cyclonus, Reflector, I am registering ion buildup from orbital bounces in several locations within a range of 250 miles. Trace the Autobot bounce beams to the orbital mirror point and destroy their ship. Also survey the area they bounced into and send in troopers to eliminate the Autobots."<<

So...the Autobots on the world had coordinated an effort slightly more organized than Cyclonus had originally been prepared to give them credit for. Impressive. It would not be impressive enough, however, to counteract the forces that High Commander Scorponok had at his disposal.

>>"Commander Cyclonus, my team and I have arrived. It also seems that our High Commander is already on planet, as well. He is within the Capital Dome along with the Horrorcons and three Autobots. I am moving my team to reinforce the outer perimeter."<<

Snaptrap and his men were clearly as efficient as they had ever been. Definitely solid selections to serve aboard the Tyrannis' crew. When Cyclonus responded, it was to both Scorponok and Snaptrap, as the response would keep them in the loop with what he had planned, in accordance to Scorponok's orders.

>>"Acknowledged. I've not yet landed. I will deal with this hidden vessel before I do,"<< Cyclonus responded dutifully to his commanding officer before opening another channel as he began to angle his flight path upwards once more, steadily picking up speed. >>"Reflector, transmit the mirror point directly to me...as well as to Scourge."<<

If the High Commander wanted Autobot holdouts to be tracked, there would be no one better aboard the crew to accomplish that particular task.
___

Orbit - Bridge of the Semper Tyrannis

>>"Understood, High Commander. Establishing isolation scan now,"<< Reflector said, each of his three composite units bringing up different technologies within the Semper Tyrannis' vast sensor array capabilities and waited patiently for the Autobots to make use of their bounce technology once more so that an accurate location could be isolated.

>>"When they use it next, I'll send you the coordinates immediately, Aerospace Commander,"<< Reflector said.

Scorponok had accurately identified one of the downsides to using instantaneous transport technology. The Decepticons were aware of it as well. It was simply that, in this instance, they had no fear of anyone discovering the whereabouts of the Semper Tyrannis, so they were free to use the technology as they will. The Autobots could as well, Reflector supposed, but they would pay a higher price for doing so than would the Decepticons.

Koraja--Capital Dome

As Apeface was preparing to slam another fist down in to Rad’s head, the formidable Decepticon found himself momentarily distracted as a large chunk of debris slammed itself against the Horrorcon’s back and upper torso, staggering him slightly. It also pulled his attention away from the smaller Autobot, which Rad couldn’t be more thankful for at that moment. Someone more powerful might have used the distraction as an opportunity to lay in to the Decepticon with an attack of their own. For Rad, though, that just didn’t make the slightest glitch of sense. Instead, he used the opportunity to worm his way out of the Decepticon primate’s other hand and push himself even further away as the Horrorcon turned his attention fully on the Autobot that had thrown the debris in the first place.

“Alright, guess it’s your turn,” Apeface snarled as he stalked off in Highbrow’s direction.

Lionizer pulled himself out of his own pile of stony debris and made it to Rad’s position in little more than a leap and a few steps.

“What’ve I told you about biting animals bigger than you are, hm? Hm? ‘No’,” Rad said, mock-scolding his companion as he grunted in pain and got to his feet. Everything still seemed to be functioning within acceptable energy percentages. If he stayed around and mixed it up with Scorponok and a couple Horrorcons, though, the odds of him staying that way weren’t looking good.

"Being ignored is less painful," Rad said, having overheard Highbrow's comment in the midst of almost getting his own face pounded.

Koraja--Capital Dome

"No Primate, the turn is yours." Highbrow knew he had to out pace his foe in order to maintain his advantage. Apeface was strong and fast in spite of his bulk. "Though I doubt someone as repugnant as yourself gives care to common courtesy." He then decides the best way to do that is to make the odds more even. "Come and get me if you dare Beast, that is unless you're afraid of fighting one such as I." His only chance was to get outside and take thee fight to the air. It would be a risk, especially if Snapdragon were to follow but it was one he had to take for the Nebulans sake. He turns and runs as fast as he could to where the Decepticons entered and transforms, taking to the skies.

Koraja--Capital Dome

"Your time gap for surrender has almost closed. You have witnessed our power first hand. It is still not too late to surrender," the huge one, Scorponok, spoke, addressing Galen and the other Peers.

Though the head of the World Watchers had been tasked with protecting Nebulos and had taken part in many preparedness exercises to that end, nothing had been able to suitably prepare him for the carnage he was now witnessing. In what seemed like no time at all, they had gone from simple negotiation to destruction. Several of his fellow Peers had already become casualties to the massive metal creatures, and it had been largely a byproduct of the manner of their entry. These things simply left death and destruction in their wake.

This could not be the future for Nebulos.

"Then hear our answer, large one! Surrender is not an option!" Galen cried out, even as other members of the World Watchers came to him, reaching out to grab him.

"We must go! Now!"

"Come, Galen!"

Galen shook them off for a second but realized that to stay was to invite death. They had to regroup and establish contact with the ones who were fighting the others. Behind he and the others, an angular door slid out of the way, allowing Galen to be almost forcibly removed from the Peers' chamber so that they could accomplish exactly that.
___

A line of terrestrial vehicles awaited Soriza and the other peers who had chosen to come with her. Security quickly ushered the Nebulan political operatives in to the sleek, hybrid vehicles before being whisked away.

"Look! There are more of them!" one of her aides pointed through the silvery window.

"We're less of a target on the ground than in the air," Soriza said, even as throngs of her fellow Nebulans had crowded the streets, attempting to flee from the incoming metal men and--in the process--entrapping themselves.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

The Seacons moved into position around the Capital Dome, effectively surrounding the partially destroyed structure. Some of the green-skinned Nebulans had already managed to flee the building as the battle within grew more intense, including several peers who were attempting to escape in terrestrial vehicles. Overbite and Tentakil fired on the high-ranking politicians, hoping to hit one or more of the hybrid vehicles before they could get too far away.

Meanwhile, Snaptrap had positioned himself in front of the main entrance of the dome and watched as dozens of Nebulans scattered in all directions attempting to avoid him. He kicked some with his foot while using his incendiary sword to force others back towards the dome. It was difficult for Snaptrap, but he managed to use non-lethal means as there was no use in killing off perfectly good slaves, which was surely what Scorponok had planned for these ugly flesh creatures.

The Seacon Commander then received Cyclonus' transmission. It was a simple one that was clearly meant to keep Snaptrap in the loop. He considered giving no reply as the communique didn't really require one, but he decided to respond anyway as to show no disrespect towards his superior. >>"Acknowledged, Aerospace Commander."<<

Snaptrap's attention was then quickly drawn to the gaping hole in the Capital Dome as Highbrow emerged from the building and rocketed high into the sky. Instinctively, the Seacon leader raised his Atom Smasher Cannon into the air and fired several shots directly at the flying Autobot, hoping to strike his target and bring him down to ground level. Then the "Butcher of the Bogs" could get up close and personal with his prey and have some real fun.

Autobot Command Bunker - The Folassian Forest

Vulcan was reaching forward to activate the bounce beams when a red light lit up on the control board. He paused, hand held above the controls and looked back at Spartan.

“They’re scanning our bounce beams, trying to get a lock on the ship in orbit.”

“Counter-measures,” Spartan replied, seeming for all the world as if he’d expected this tactic.

“Yeah,” Vulcan sighed. “I can bounce the signal through the Nebulan orbital network. It will buy us a few untraceable bounces, at least until they take out all the Nebulan satellites. We’ll have to come up with something else after that.”

“Indeed. That orbital vessel is too valuable a resource to lose at this stage. What about ingress and egress points?”

“Ingress is no problem. They’d have to be scanning this spot specifically at the exact moment we bounce to get a lock on us here. Egress is a bit more difficult. The best I can do is blanket the area in ionic radiation, just like the bounce beams leave. It will just make the actual exit point harder to pinpoint. Probably buy us a 20 mile radius.”

Spartan paused almost imperceptibly for thought then said “Do it.”

“You got it boss,” Vulcan replied, and matched deed to word. His fingers flew across the command console, and in mere moments the bounce beams engaged.

Artemis, Athena, and Roadbuster would be in for a bumpy ride, and a much longer one than they’d expected. Vulcan’s program sent the bounce beam careening seemingly at random through various Nebulan communications satellites, effectively masking the location of the orbital vessel, before depositing the three Autobots in their respective locations. Roadbuster appeared only a few blocks away from the action at the capital. Athena appeared in the sky several miles from Koraja. And, Artemis’ beam deposited him in a wooded thicket just over 200 miles from the battle site.

**

As the silvery glow faded, Athena wasted no time transforming to jet form. She had little time to waste since she was miles above the ground and in free fall. She ignited her engines, and with a thump of unleashed power, surged forward. The banshee howl of her jets accelerated her quickly to a speed several times that of sound, and in mere moments she was racing over the capital.

High above Koraja

The Decepticon presence was easily discernable, and though she itched to engage, her orders were clear. Paint the targets for Artemis and haul chassis. She was good, she knew she was very good, but the last thing she needed was to get in a dogfight with a numerically superior Decepticon force with no hope of back-up. Using her SALH system, Athena marked the targets for Artemis and sped off. The extreme height of her fly-by coupled with the speed of her pass should give her time to be well clear before the ‘cons could engage. She hoped so anyway.

200 miles southeast of Koraja

As soon as his feet hit dirt, Artemis transformed to his tank mode and trained his missile rack on the approximate area of the capital. All he was waiting for was telemetry from Athena, and he didn’t have to wait long. His teammate provided targets and he let fly, launching a full salvo of missiles at the capital. As soon as the missiles were clear, he retreated back into the trees found good cover, and powered down. Should the cons backtrack the missiles, he intended to be almost impossible to spot from the air. They’d have to come down to the ground and look for him.

Koraja

A full dozen missiles streaked from the sky and down around the capital dome. The Seacons were all targeted, as were several of the Decepticon fliers in the area, each with a missile headed straight for them, but two of the heavy warheads were aimed, not at Scorponok himself, but at the buildings around capital square. Athena had correctly surmised that the massive Decepticon’s armor would likely survive even the devastating firepower that Artemis could bring to bear, but hundreds of metric tons of steel and concrete falling on Scorponok would bring the giant down. It was unlikely he’d be hurt, but he’d probably be buried long enough for Highbrow and Rad to free Skyhammer and get the hell out of dodge.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

Highbrow did not expect to see the Seacons out the base. The cannon fire from Snaptrap barely tipped him off. The helicopter veered to the right and avoided most of the fire, however a blast struck his left propeller, destroying the blades.

"This is not my day." He said as he did his best to control his fall, getting close enough to the ground to transform into robot mode. He landed so that he would roll with the impact, however he hit hard at first, by the time he stopped rolling he laid there in a daze for a few seconds. "It appears...I need to devote...more of my personal scheduling...to allow myself to....better anticipate such landings." He says as he rights himself, bearing witness to Artemis's barrage. "It seems we have allowed ourselves time for assistance." He remarked as he went to go look for Skyhammer and Rad. They needed to regroup and fast before the Decepticons got back up. He felt pain as he walked, the place where his propeller was was all but destroyed and the landing had torn off some of the panels on his left leg.

Koraja--The Capital Dome

"Heh heh. 'Regroup'. That's funny, Autoscraplet. Your last functioning cycle will be here," Apeface growled as he lunged at Highbrow after the mech had transformed from his aerial mode.

Apeface had one of those, too, so he didn't really mind where the battle took place. But he had to admit that he enjoyed pounding a Cybertronian's chest cavity in by hand when he had the chance.

Before he could capitalize, however, Apeface's attention was caught by something else. Something...incoming. He turned to see an assortment of warheads that were currently headed in their direction. More Autobots. This would be too enjoyable.

"All who challenge the Decepticons will...!"

As the first of smaller missiles began making contact, Apeface himself was caught by one of them. Whether it had been directly targeted in his direction or not, contact was made, and the burly Horrorcon fell to the ground, a burst of flames and plumes of smoke rising from the impact site on his right arm. Painful. Inconvenient. And something that stoked the Horrorcon's rage even further as he pushed himself back to his feet.


___

Nebulos--Atmosphere

Cyclonus' sleek, purple jet form arced across another expanse of Nebulan space. From the various pieces of equipment that had been deposited up here, the culture here had at least managed some sustaintable level of technological advancement. They had so far yet to go, however. He would pity the fact that they would not have that opportunity. If Cyclonus was a mech that was given to pity, at least.

His patience wearing thin, he opened a link with the bridge of the Tyrannis once more.

>>"Progress, Reflector? Do tell me that you've managed something."<<

When Reflector's curious, three-part, harmonic voice came through on the other end, Cyclonus could not exactly be sure, but he thought he detected just a hint of trepidation.

>>"...the Autobots have made use of the orbital translocation technology; however, I am...as yet...unable to specifically lock down the mirror point. There are...several."<<

Cyclonus released an unintelligible curse that came through as a sigh of extreme exasperation.

>>"Deploy Scourge. He should prove more capable. In the interim, you will continue scanning. Destroy all Nebulan technology that comes within sensor range. My time is wasted here and your failure has been noted, Reflector. Let's see that it doesn't become a habit."<<

Cyclonus abruptly ended the transmission and began to arc downwards, flames licking his outer armor as he breached the lower layers of the atmosphere and headed directly for the capital city once more.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

"So be it. Code of honor has been satisfied. You were given a chance to surrender and you rejected my offer. Your world, will be taken by force." Scorponok gave his response to Galen's defiance. He decided to let this insolent flesh creature live a bit longer just to see if the Nebulans had any fight in them. Killing Galen here and now would have been too easy. And besides, letting him go allowed the facsimiles Black Shadow had planted to World Watchers to give the Decepticons knowledge upon whatever the Nebulan resistance would try, which would be incredibly useful if they were to collaborate with the Autobots at any point. "Run meatbags. It changes nothing."

Then something unexpected happened. No, it was not the appearance of more Autobots but the way they had decided to help their envoy. Their actions did not only endanger the Autobots they were trying to save but lives of dozens if not hundreds of Nebulans. For the High Commander of the second expansion fleet - collateral damage from the attack would have been an acceptable sacrifice. However, this was not something he could have anticipated the likes of Optimus Prime, Fortress Maximus or Star Saber from doing. He recognized the pattern though. The Autobots behind this attack was Spartan and his merry little group of wannabe commandoes. However, Scorponok had not known that Spartan was this cold. Nevertheless, their attempt was futile.

"Well, well. Looks like the Autobot honor and vows of protecting all life are more flexible than Prime teaches." Scorponok smirked as his proximity sensors caught Artemis' missile attack being launched almost instantly after the fly-by by Athena. "They'd kill you all just to slow me down! Such are your saviors!"

"Shrapnel if you would?" The massive Decepticon said as he turned towards the direction of the incoming missile attack and moved to a more open spot where he could see where the missiles were headed, his shoulder mounted twin photon blasters taking an aim towards the sky.

What followed his plea must have appeared as a quite a spectacle to the Nebulans still present as like out of nowhere another robot appeared, shifting shape and growing from something they could not see into a robot somewhat shorter than Rad. All this accompanied by crackling energy and radiation from mass shifting. "Of course master, master."

Electricity began crackling between the Insecticon's antennae as he prepared to unleash his powers onto the incoming attack. And only seconds later he channeled a storm of electricity into the skies, adding his destructive powers to the massive photon barrage of the High Commander Scorponok - causing the first missiles headed for the buildings around the capital dome detonating while still in flight. Which in turn led to a chain reaction that detonated the later missiles. The forces from the blasts were still powerful enough to shatter windows and facades of the buildings around them, causing enough debris to fall to kill dozens of Nebulans.

>>"Cyclonus! Snaptrap! Intercept the attackers! Venom! Bring the Pestilence to sub-orbit and prepare to unleash the Swarm! I have had enough of these Autobots!"<<

Koraja--The Capital Dome

"No...Scorponok is on the move and we...what were you thinking Artemis?" Highbrow's face didn't hide his revulsion at what had happened. "These innocents...they have done nothing and we've...we...AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Highbrow yelled out in frustration. His promise was now broken and now they were no better than the Decepticons. But before he could get to lost in his thoughts he noticed Apeface getting up. looking at him filled his spark with anger and soon something in Highbrow snapped. "DAMN THIS WAR TO THE PIT!!!" He began firing shot after shot at the Decepticon brute. "IF YOU MONSTERS NEVER CAME THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS TO THEM!!!" His grief and rage were now fully turned onto his foe.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

Snaptrap was pleased that one of his shots had struck Highbrow, destroying one of his rotors. He stared emotionlessly as the flying Autobot plunged to the ground only able to avoid a direct crash by transforming to robot mode at the last astrosecond. The Seacon Commander prepared to intercept the fallen mech but was cut short as a barrage of incoming missiles streaked towards his position. >>"Seacons! Take cover! Incoming rockets headed our way!"<<

Snaptrap then transformed into his shell-armored beast mode and awaited the strikes. A few missiles hit near him, causing huge explosions and throwing debris through the air. Snaptrap's tough outer hide absorbed the impacts with ease. Then a series of powerful lightning bolts combined with Scorponok's photon attack took out the rest of the missiles in a brilliant display of light and sound. This was immediately followed by the pitiful cries of dozens of Nebulans who suffered and died as more debris rained down onto their frail fleshy bodies. Their screams and the sudden silence that followed was like music to the Seacon leader's audio receptors.

Once the dust had settled, Snaptrap returned to robot mode no worse for wear. The rest of the Seacons had survived the missile barrage, as well, reporting their current status to their commander. Then Snaptrap received Scorponok's transmission.

>>"Acknowledged, High Commander. I will crush any and all Autobots that I encounter. The rest of my team will be at your disposal."<<

Snaptrap then turned his comm line over to his unit's frequency: >>"Seacons, remain here at the Capital Dome while I help to deal with the attackers. Assist our High Commander with anything that he requires."<<

Snaptrap then turned away from the Capital Dome and trudged off in the direction where the missiles had originated. The Seacon leader had made it only a few blocks when he caught sight of a large orange and green mech standing in his way. Excellent! A real challenge! Snaptrap thought as he calmly readied his atom smasher cannon. Taking careful aim, he fired several blasts directly at Roadbuster, hoping to soften up the Ground Assault Commander, but knowing that this battle would not be won so easily or quickly.

Koraja--Capital Dome

"IF YOU MONSTERS NEVER CAME THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS TO THEM!!!" Highbrow had shouted at the Horrorcon.

Apeface took no small amount of satisfaction in what the Autobot had said.

"Yeah, right...just remember, 'we' did it," Apeface shot back, and there could be no doubt that he was referring to both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Not that he really cared either way. It was just entertaining to see those that claimed to have some moral fiber fall short of it.

Highbrow was clearly incensed, and quickly began attacking. Some of his shots went wild, but some of them connected, too. The Horrorcon was momentarily staggered, allowing the pain to fuel his attack even more. This was what Apeface had been waiting for. He produced his own weapon, a powerful, semi-automatic sonic rifle and let loose with his own assault.
___

Rad felt disgusted. Hel felt disgusted because he felt...grateful. Grateful that others were making some sort of attempt to rescue them. And he felt guilt. Guilt for having broken longstanding protocols and having come here in the first place. Their intention had been to help the Nebulans with this crisis--and that was already what it was--before the damage incurred by the planet became irreparable.

Had they just as quickly passed that point, too? In what seemed like no time at all, peaceful discussion had turned in to open warfare, just like it had on any number of other worlds. Disgust. Gratitude. Remorse. They all vied for the largest piece of Rad's focus.

But he couldn't give that to any of those things right now. He'd been given his opportunity, however unfortunate the circumstances. It would be a grave disrespect to those natives who had been lost already and the Autobots who were sacrificing themselves to make it happen if he did not take it.

"Back to sigma point, Lio," Rad said, not wanting to lead the Decepticons anywhere significant even if they somehow survived this. "Go!"

Lionizer appeared to hesitate for a moment but then took off through one of the cracked and crumbling passageways leading in to the Peers' chamber. Rad then transformed as well, firing off some fairly well-aimed shots at both Apeface and Snapdragon before speeding off as well, likely in to the awaiting blaster fire of even more Decepticons.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

This was it. His final hour. Truth to be told, it wasn't the way Skyhammer had thought he'd face his end but fate had a funny way in interfering one's wishes. Snapdragon, what did he know of this Decepticon? Together with his partner in crime Apeface, these two monsters were known as Horrorcons. And for a good reason. Triplechangers, enhanced versions from Shockwave's original test subjects. All the benefits, none of the weaknesses the earlier models suffered from. Fast, powerful, vicious and thoroughly nasty and far more intelligent their behavior lead to believe - responsible for enough atrocities to earn their reputation. And now he was about to become their latest victim. As he lied there, pinned against the ground, Skyhammer could hear an unmistakable battle cry of Shrapnel, sounds of explosions and Scorponok bellowing somekind of insult towards the Autobots that his ringing audio receptors couldn't quite receive properly. That was, until he found an opening.

A blast from retreating Rad hit Snapdragon square into chest as the large Decepticon had pulled back to deliver a blow that would very likely have knocked Skyhammer senseless. It did not drop the Horrorcon or even deliver enough damage to do more than enrage Snapdragon but it had given Skyhammer the first opening he had had in their rather one-sided encounter. Having managed to free his left leg, Skyhammer kicked Snapdragon with all of his remaining might, sending the Horrorcon flying off him. And thus, allowing Skyhammer to struggle back to his feet. Unfortunately as he did so, he was struck so hard that it sent him flying into the council pavillions. He could only hope that he did not land on any of the Nebulans. As his already blurry and distorted vision finally allowed him too see what had happened, it was already too late. Skyhammer could feel Snapdragon sinking his teeth into his mid section, throwing him into air and giving him another sample of how devastating a swing of his tail was.

"I thought you were made of sterner stuff." The beast taunted, pinning Skyhammer to the ground with his clawed foot, letting its claws to sink into Skyhammer's armor plating. So did I... Skyhammer thought. He had heard of the Horrorcons before but this was the first time he witnessed them in action. Snapdragon's power and speed was overwhelming, he could only hope the others were faring better against Apeface, or better yet - that they were safe already. Suddenly he could feel lubricant dripping on his face, the beast had brought his jaws only inches away from Skyhammer's face. Skyhammer braced for whatever was to come - it did not save him from the intense pain that followed though as in one swift move Snapdragon's lower jaw tore his face plating away, exposing the machinery under it.

As he regained his senses, Skyhammer could feel himself being hoisted from the ground. Snapdragon had transformed back into robot form and his clawed fingers were painfully tearing into Skyhammer's neck as his whole weight was hanging from his neck joints. Before he could fight back, he was slammed against a wall, followed by sharp, intense pain again. Snapdragon had impaled him with a steel beam, leaving his banged up form hanging from it several meters in the air. Skyhammer had still fight left in his spirit but his body was not reacting to the commands his mainframe kept sending. It was obvious now that the Decepticons were not going to kill him but right now, he wished they would.

The orbit - Bridge of the Pestilence

Venom's gaze moved from Barrage and Ransack to Chop Shop back to the two other. While he did not consider these three as large threat to himself as he considered Bombshell, Kickback or Shrapnel - he still didn't trust them. They all wanted to overthrow him as the Insecticon leader, that he was certain off. Even these three despite they seemingly lacked ambition.

>>"Cyclonus! Snaptrap! Intercept the attackers! Venom! Bring the Pestilence to sub-orbit and prepare to unleash the Swarm! I have had enough of these Autobots!"<<

Focus of Venom's attention shifted to the message by Scorponok but it never left the other Insecticons completely.

>>"Acknowledged High Commander."<<

"Chop Shop bring the ship to sub-orbit above Koraja. Barrage, Ransack... prepare the Swarm pods." He commanded, bringing up a display showing the current state of the million strong Insecticon clone horde being grown within the belly of the destroyer. The Pestilence was not an ordinary Decepticon destroyer of Revenant-class. It was a specifically modified hive ship. Used to both grow and deploy swarms of mindless and transformation lacking Insecticon drones - and more dangerous but far less numerous clones of the sentient Insecticons. While the drone swarms were not all that efficient against the Autobots who had learned to fight against them - they were extremely efficient against biological lifeforms. And Nebulos... was full of them.

Koraja--Skies

Cyclonus had returned to the vicinity of the Nebulan capital in short order. He was in the process of deciding his next move when High Commander Scorponok's orders came through on his internal receivers.

>>"Cyclonus! Snaptrap! Intercept the attackers! Venom! Bring the Pestilence to sub-orbit and prepare to unleash the Swarm! I have had enough of these Autobots!"<<

>>"It will be done, Commander,"<< Cyclonus transmitted back, promptly.

Ahead of him, he could already see plumes of smoke rising from what must be the Nebulan capital structure. The Seacons were already in the midst of engaging the natives and....the Autobots. Cyclonus would have grinned if he had been in his other mode--the Nebulans must not have given Scorponok an answer that the large Decepticon found to his liking. They would pay for their insolence now. As would the Autobots.

One visibly well-armed Autobot in particular caught Cyclonus' attention, Roadbuster if memory served. His presence here would be one more complication that needed to be removed so that they could continue on with the Decepticons' original intentions for the planet. Lining up his opening salvo, Cyclonus fired.
___

Orbit - Bridge of the Pestilence

Bombshell watched as Venom dutifully responded to Scorponok's commands, rubbing his own metallic hands against each other slowly. Venom had not, as yet, done anything other than what Scorponok had commanded.

Bombshell, therefore, said nothing.

But he watched silently. He knew that it would only be a matter of time before Venom's paranoia caused him to misstep. And he would be ready to respond accordingly when he did. Even so, he wanted to know what their own next move would be.

"Are we to remain aboard the Pestilence, Venom? Surely our High Commander's orders can not merely be trusted to the likes of, eh, them," Bombshell asked, offering a sideways indication of the Insecticons whom Venom had assigned to prepare the Swarm.

Koraja - near the capital dome

Roadbuster materialized on a side street not far from the capital dome, he could already hear the sounds of the fighting from where he was. Acting quickly he transformed into his alternate mode and sped out onto the streets. Panicked civilians were fleeing from the site of the disturbance, fortunately they were still in control of enough of their wits to avoid the large, four wheel combat vehicle roaring through the streets. When the dome finally came into view he saw it was already surrounded by Decepticons, part of its exterior already smashed aside, and there was fighting going on inside.

He transformed again and dodged out of sight, just as he heard Athena roar by over head. He wasn't sure what the other two were planning, and he wished he had more time before this whole mess to get to know the team better, that way he would understand their tactical doctrine as a unit better. Well there was no time like the present.

He quickly readied his personal arsenal, and dropped into a firing position with his rifle, cannon, and various launchers all trained in the direction of the 'Con perimeter. He kept still, waiting for whatever the other two 'Bots with him were going to do, he didn't have to wait long before Artemis' missiles came raining in. The fact that it was a populated area wasn't lost on the assault commander, and it took an incredible amount of will power to not begin cursing the negligence that Spartan's team was currently displaying. The missiles were already inbound, nothing he could do to stop what was going to happen.

However, Roadbuster was shocked to see what happened next with Scorponok taking them out. The result was more or less the same for the civilians in the area unfortunately. There was no more time to waste. He lined up his rifle and shoulder mounted rocket launcher, taking careful aim at the 'Con lines to avoid further civilian casualties. Shortly after the missiles were destroyed he launched all of his smoke canisters towards the capital dome.

The canisters burst just above the heads of the cons, blanketing the area in thick smoke cloud, although not as effective as anything Smokescreen could lay down, it could provide enough of a distraction for Roadbuster to launch his own attack. Not long after his smoke canisters burst that Roadbuster opened fire. His rifle began to chatter loudly as he hammered out a withering stream of armour piercing rounds, rockets lept from his launcher, cork-screwing through the air to detonate somewhere inside the smoke cloud. His launchers fired again, this time containing high explosive canisters, not dissimilar to mortars, that followed a carefully laid trajectory he hoped would land where 'Cons were standing.

>>"Skyhammer, Highbrow, Rad! This is Roadbuster! Spartan sent some of his toy soldiers with me to drag your afts out of this disaster."<< He paused long enough to eject the magazine he just exhausted and load a new one into his rifle and began to fire again. >>"Not sure how long I can keep this up, pretty sure the 'Cons will have me made in a nano, so get moving! We need to get the frag out of here before we all end up putting ourselves back together in the Pit!"<<

It didn't seem to take long after he sent of his message to the trapped 'Bots in the Capital Dome when Roadbuster saw Snaptrap loom out of the smoke screen he had laid down and open fire. The assault commander managed to pull himself behind enough cover to get away with minor armour burns. He looked up and squeezed off a burst from his rifle in the general direction of the Seacon commander. However, not long after that then a second round of explosions rocked the large 'Bot and engines screamed by over head. He looked up long enough to see the silhouette of Cyclonus roar past.

"Heh, haven't even been in the fight for a cycle and already I have two of the baddest 'Cons on this rock on me. Looks like this is going to be a good day."

Launching himself out of cover Roadbuster sprinted into the street, laying down another full barrage from his rifle, and launchers, sending a storm of armour piercing rounds and explosives towards the 'Con position just before ducking behind some as of yet not destroyed buildings.

>>"Alright 'Bots, I've been made. I got Snaptrap and Cyclonus already on me, and I can bet you guys that it won't stay that easy for long. So get a move on so we can bug the frag out of this energon stand!"<<

After sending off that message he popped around the corner and fired another burst from his rifle, hoping to Primus he was doing enough to get his 'Bots out of there. If not he wasn't sure what he was going to do as his smoke screen was already starting to lift.

Koraja - The Capital Dome

The shots stuck Highbrow, knocking him back. His chestplate now had several gaping wounds but the pain snapped him out of his rage filled dementia in time to catch Roadbuster's communication. "Negative...there are...still people here in the line of fire. I can't fly and...Skyhammer in danger. We can't...we can't leave it like this." Highbrow rises, feeling a pain in his chest as he rises. "But...I cannot win against such odds." Highbrow readied his guns and began firing again as he began his retreat. "SKYHAMMER!!! BE STRONG!!! I WON'T REST UNTIL WE SAVE YOU!!" He yells as he heads for the source of Roadbuster's signal. "Forgive me..." Highbrow says not only to him but to the Nebulans as he runs off to regroup with the others, damning himself all the way.

Koraja

Rad had chosen an alt mode while performing his duties on this planet that allowed him to blend in fairly well. Sleek, somewhat sporty, but ultimately nothing too conspicuous. He had managed to slip in with the throngs of Nebulans who were attempting to get away from the capital city altogether after the Decepticon assault. Only it wasn't relief that washed over him. The further away he got, the more his guilt weighed on him. Tactically, what Skyhammer and the others had been attempting to do was noble: sacrifice oneself in a distraction so that others can escape. It was the ideal that was ingrained in the minds of many an Autobot. They had found themselves in an impossible scenario, at least for the time being. Their options were either retreat...or destruction.

Even so, Rad would have felt better if he had made the sacrificial distraction.

What's done was done, though. He couldn't allow himself to dwell on it. Roadbuster's transmission quickly brought his mind back in to the here and now.

>>"Spartan's efforts are appreciated, no doubt. I'm in the process of getting clear of the capital. No one's seemed to notice me. But I'm not exactly one of the heavy guns like you, RB. I hope the others aren't far behind."<<

Skyhammer, despite his brash talk sometimes, would uphold the Autobot ideal no matter what when it came right down to it. And what's what worried Rad.

Autobot Command Bunker - The Folassian Forest

“Let them know we can bounce them as soon as they’re clear,” Spartan instructed Vulcan, picking up a tactical HUD and slipping it over one optic. The device which appeared to be a nothing more than a small bluish lens was worn over one eye and would allow Spartan to monitor incoming data without being chained to the monitor screens. “Keep Artemis in place until everyone else is clear, and…” he paused to consider the display in front of him. “…since Cyclonus is the only flier they have in the air at the moment, have Athena circle back around and provide air cover for the retreat. I’ll be monitoring the situation and will issue further orders as necessary. Until then Aphros and I will continue to load the trucks.”

Aphros sighed as Spartan gestured for her to follow. Loading the “trucks” seemed almost as much fun as going out and getting shot at – which is to say not very. She wasn’t built for manual labor, and she intended to let Spartan know. She had opened her mouth to speak – when Spartan froze her with an icy glare. “If they don’t track the bounce beams back here when we pull out the rescue mission, then they’ll torture this location out of Skyhammer. We were leaving before – after revealing ourselves it’s doubly necessary.”

Aphros closed her mouth with a snap and fell in behind Spartan. They traveled down a long hallway and out into an enormous automated bay filled with robotic trucks. These vehicles were designed to mimic Nebulan cargo haulers, and would not be out of place on any roadway on the planet. Most of the loading had been done already by the base’s drones, but some of the more delicate equipment had been left for sentient hands.

“I’ll handle the computer equipment,” she announced. Spartan hardly grunted in response, and busied himself with checking off ammunition crates, all the while keeping a close watch on the unfolding drama of the battlefield through his HUD.

***

As Spartan and Aphros left the control room, Vulcan began relaying his commander’s orders. First, two quick coded transmissions to Athena and Artemis, telling them to reengage and sit tight respectively, and then a more general transmission to the other Autobots in the field.

>>We still have open and secure bounce corridors. As soon as you’ve reached the minimum safe distance, activate your transponder and you’ll be bounced back to base automatically.<<

With the message sent, Vulcan turned his attention to making his promise a reality. The Decepticons were already moving to take out the Nebulan satellites, but it would be the work of hours, if not days - certainly not minutes. They still had plenty of time where his masking trick would allow them to bounce without giving away the position of their orbital platform, so all he had to do was tie the radio transponder into the bounce system, and set it to automatically engage the randomization program as soon as a signal was received. Easy.

**

When she was sure she wasn’t being pursued, Athena had slowed her headlong flight and simply cruised in a large circle at the limits of her scanning range. She hadn’t quite talked herself into going back in for another pass on her own initiative, when she received Vulcan’s transmission giving her the okay. It seemed that at the moment, Cyclonus was the only “fast mover” Decepticon in the air, and even though she didn’t relish the thought of going toe to toe with a consummate professional like Cyclonus, she didn’t fear it either. All she had to do was provide air cover, and basically a distraction. She was capable of much more.

Athena engaged her afterburners once more, and streaked towards the Koraja from on high. At the limits of her range, she caught sight of Cyclonus making a strafing run on Roadbuster, and lined herself up for a shot. Missile lock on an unsuspecting opponent from above and behind was almost unsporting, even if that opponent was Cyclonus, but unsporting or not, she wasn’t about to waste her advantage. She lined up the shot and let fly one of her radar guided AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

That should give Cyclonus something to think about besides shooting up ‘bots on the ground, she thought as she bled speed to match her target. She wasn’t going to give up her edge if she could help it. Right now she was well above Cyclonus and behind him, and she intended to stay there. Even if he managed to avoid her missile, he’d still have to fight for altitude to be able to engage on an even level, and she’d make him pay for every inch.

Orbit--Bridge of the Semper Tyrannis

Brilliant flames danced in each of the Reflector units optics as the first openly-discovered piece of Nebulan hardware came in to the weapons range of the Tyrannis extensive armaments system.

"Satellite destroyed," Reflector stated, though there were no superior officers on the bridge that needed to hear it. "Maintain minimal engine speeds. We must find the next one."

The Nebulans were a surprisingly advanced species. Certianly moreso than Reflector would have originally suspected. They appeared to have a capable space program. Unfortunately, like most specied that had only in their recent histories advanced to this level in their societies--they were also poorly defended, if at all.

“ANOMALOUS OBJECT DETECTED,” the ship’s bridge computer reported.

“Firing,” Reflector said, before Viewfinder launched the next volley from the ship’s forward batteries.
___

Koraja--Skies

Cyclonus sliced through the warm, Korajan air with all the smoothness and efficiency that he was designed for. The attack on Roadbuster had proceeded as he expected. The well-armed Autobot had quickly returned fire. A trained warrior, through and through. That would certainly keep things interesting. Cyclonus felt the sting of the barrage of return fire here and there on his body even as his systems roared across the skyscape of the Nebulan capital.

One of his internal sensors picked up a new Cybertronian that was sharing his airspace. The location of the fighter put him at a positional disadvantage, but that was hardly the first time that Cyclonus had ever been in one. He was pleased to see that these Autobots were not simply abandoning the situation at the first sign of an overwhelming attack bridage. Of course, the overwhelming factor had not truly come in to play just yet, but Cyclonus would be remiss in his duty if he delayed activating Scorponok's orders any further than necessary. He sent a commcommand to the Seeker and Sweep air forces that were still stationed aboard the Tyrannis as well as the other Decepticon vessels in orbit.

>>"Deploy immediately. Lock on to my location. Eliminate anything that it is not clearly recognized as a Decepticon that happens to fall in your path."<<

It wasn't long before Cyclonus' systems detected an incoming air ballistic. The purple jet pushed his systems a notch faster, still having no need to perform anywhere near his limits. The missile closed in as Cyclonus banked for a series of Korajan buildings as the missile chased him. He flew under a walkway that connected a series of tall buildings, low enough so that the weapon would keep on his trail and not slam in to the shocked Nebulans who looked down and pointed. That would have been too easy.

Banking right, he pulled hard enough that even he wasn't able to fully avoid clipping the outside edge of some Nebulan architecture. The ballistic, however, was hardly as finely tuned as Cyclonus' own flight skills. It slammed in to the stony spire, its flames licking Cyclonus' afterburners even as he sped off. The rush of battle. There was nothing in this universe quite like it. The Autobot had kept pace with him, though. A very able flier, clearly. So much the better.

"Let us both play that game, shall we?" Cyclonus said quietly, reactivating his own targeting system, before a pair of black missiles shot from the underbelly of Cyclonus' vehicle mode, their purple contrails lancing out in opposite directions before heading for the Autobot's signature.

Near the Koraja Dome

Higbrow's pace quickened as he made the gap between himself and the dome wider and wider. "Rad, have you and Lionizer..." He pauses, feeling a surge of pain in his chest. It took a moment to pass before he resumed his comm transmission. "...have you made your escape from those two ruffians yet?" He was concerned. He was already blaming himself already. He didn't want to abandon Rad like he did the others.

He stops, hearing someone cry out. He looks down to see a woman trying to free herself from some rubble, her legs pinned down by it.

He had to run. The Decepticons were after him and if he died here then he couldn't help Skyhammer any. "Miss, try not to move." He takes it slow, using his fingertips to gently push the rubble off and free her, his fear overridden by both guilt and duty to these people.

The woman instantly crawls to her feet and runs away, afraid of Highbrow.

"I earned that." He says somberly as he resumes his escape. He was getting close to the evac point, so he readied his rifles as well as the pain would let him just in case he needed them.

Koraja – Near the Capital Dome

Snaptrap didn’t even bother trying to avoid Roadbuster’s initial return fire as the Seacon Commander’s armor was thick enough to easily absorb the burst from the large mech’s rifle. Snaptrap shot back but missed his target as the ground assault specialist ducked back behind cover. It was no matter. Cyclonus provided air support as the Aerospace Commander initiated his own attack on the Autobot from above. Roadbuster would have to eventually expose himself in order to seek better cover, and when he finally did, the amphibious Decepticon would be there waiting to strike.

Snaptrap didn’t have to wait long as Roadbuster leapt out from behind his cover and launched a massive barrage of firepower in the Seacon leader’s direction. Hundreds of armor-piercing projectiles and explosives rained down onto and around Snaptrap, forcing him to finally seek cover for himself behind an adjacent building just across from where the Autobot was heading. The Seacon’s tough outer covering was riddled with blast marks and tiny dents from the many rounds that had struck him. While Roadbuster’s armor-piercing ammo would have passed cleanly through the armor of most Decepticons, Snaptrap’s stood up to the attack, suffering only a minor amount of damage just on the surface. It was nothing that his internal repair systems couldn’t handle.

Now this is more like it, Snaptrap thought to himself as the attack subsided once Roadbuster sought cover across the street that separated them. Between the two titans were dozens of Nebulan citizens running for their lives. None of the green-skinned fleshlings were of any concern to the Seacon Commander, as he only cared about his Autobot target at that very moment. He had already inadvertently stepped on a few of the meatbags, not knowing whether or not they had died as a result. It was of little consequence as there were still plenty more to become slaves for Scorponok’s work camps.

Finally, Snaptrap emerged from behind his cover and focused his attention on the building across the way that Roadbuster was hiding behind. The ground assault commander managed to fire off another rifle shot as the Seacon leader transformed into his shell-armored beast mode. The four-legged creature quickly took aim at the base of the structure with his twin rapid-fire sonic shell cannons as well as with his atom smasher cannon. Snaptrap then unleashed an intense barrage of his own firepower, pummeling the building’s foundation with enough explosives to cause it to crumble. Soon the large domicile began to collapse, and the Seacon Commander hoped that Roadbuster would either be forced to expose himself again or be buried alive underneath the ensuing rubble.

Orbit - Bridge of the Pestilence

"Oh no Bombshell. You are going planetside." Venom replied to Bombshell's query. While Shrapnel was the Insecticon Venom feared the most, Bombshell was the one he trusted the least. In Kickback's case it was all too clear to Venom if not to the other Insecticons. Kickback just couldn't be trusted. Bombshell's true intentions however was far more difficult to read and that made him extremely dangerous.

Keep your friends close but enemies closer was the old saying, however Venom rather deployed his enemies as far away from himself as he could. Equipped with a substantial amount of spying devices of course.

"Commander Scorponok requested your presence in Koraja. No doubt to extract information from Skyhammer with your cerebro shells. You shouldn't keep him waiting."