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Tenebrous- Command Center

Though he gave no indication, Sparkstalker was relieved when Turmoil instructed him to enter the portal into the Semper Tyrannis. Either the large black mech was unaware of the Intelligence Division's illegal activities on Nebulos, or he was too busy to care. Either way suited the cryptologist.

Sparkstalker didn't bother to reply as Turmoil's attention was easily diverted to Cyclonus, Snaptrap, and other larger, higher ranking warrior types. That also suited the firecon just fine. Though it could be frustrating to be ignored and unappreciated because of his small stature and lack of combat skills, Sparkstalker appreciated all the opportunities that opened up because of it. And after spending the past few vorns at the research center, surrounded by like-minded programmers, surveillance experts and spies, it was going to be nice being around those who looked down and underestimated his abilities.

Let the warriors have their battles and bloodshed., he smirked to himself as he walked to the portal unnoticed, I'll be enjoying my own spoils of war, gathering whatever classified information I can under their olfactory sensors. Just as soon as I find out what Scorponok needs me for, exactly.

After patiently waiting for a number of vehicons and other mechs walk through the portal, the cryptologist took a quick step in once he had some space.

Tenebrous – Interrogation Chamber, Autobot Prisoner Cell Block

If there was one thing that Cipher had learned in his long existence when it came to remaining in the good graces of ones superiors it was to keep your distance. It also worked in keeping one alive. So while Scorponok and the other officers watched and discussed what was to be done with the Autobot prisoners, Cipher kept out of the way. Present but not seen.

His interest was piqued, however, when the Warlord requested the presence of two of the faction’s top hackers. What an interesting turn of events. And when Scorponok turned and took his leave Cipher was not far behind.
____

*Humph* “Well, I suppose that’s that.” Blue Bacchus watched while Scorponok and most of the assemblage file out of the chamber. Once the towering Warlord was out of sight Blue turned his attention back on his comrade standing directly beside him. To his surprise Black Shadow already had his own optics burning into the other mech’s frame. Blue flinched slightly but quickly recovered. “What?”

Without a word Black Shadow offlined his optics and shook his head. “This planet’s ours, Blue. Now all that’s left to do is sterilize it.” He onlined his optics and in one quick movement threw his arm around Blue Bacchus’ shoulder drawing his associate against his side. A Wide almost feral grin grew on his face. “This, my friend, is a red letter day! What say we head over to watch as the Autobots are paraded out of their cells. I’ll even let you throw the first insult!” Who could argue with that? With a small nod Blue Bacchus was led from the interrogation chamber and on to the prisoner cell block the Autbots were being held in.
____

The barrel that had detonated seemed to be Apeface’s version of a dirty bomb. Brainstorm had been spared the full brunt of the festering goo’s spread by taking refuge behind the closest mech in his path. And it seemed hiding behind Pointblank paid off well…for Brainstorm, that is.

The engineer cast his gaze in Rad’s direction as the red mech lashed out quite loudly. “'Good little prisoners.'" He repeated. "Sure, if that’s what they want.” Brainstorm shook his head and limped slightly toward the back of the cell where he could ease himself down to the floor with the help of the wall. “I can be a ‘yes man’ just so long as I’m kept in one piece.”

The blue ‘Bot let out a low grunt as his aft hit the floor with a small thud. “Why did I even sign up for this assignment.” The question was rhetorical. His head shot up when he heard the two Seekers. They were soon followed by more Seekers and a multitude of Vehicons. Brainstorm cast a worried gaze in his cell mates’ directions and then turned back to the gathered Decepticons. Another grunt escaped his masked mouth as he carefully shimmied up the wall.

Along with the other Autobots Brainstorm was escorted out of his cell and lead through the corridors passing several imposing Decepticon officers. For a moment he was sure the lot of them would be shot by Scourge just for Rad’s little comment. To his relief the Sweep Commander let it slip.

As the parade passed by Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus took up places where each could catch exceptional glimpses of the Autobots’ morose expressions. The sight brought out a hearty chuckle from the black and crimson mech while Blue simply took pleasure in knowing that he’d never have to see this lot again…alive.

((OOC: I’ll be NPCing Wingspan for a wee bit.))

Tenebrous – Command Center

So close. He was so close to getting what he was after. And then this. Wingspan had stopped what he was doing as he was ordered through the communique from Black Shadow, but not before he nearly put his fist through the console’s keyboard. The aerial clone stood from his chair…teeth grit tight and body stiff with anger.

Wingspan raised his head slightly and shut down his optics. After a few silent motionless moments he was calm enough to leave his station. But thought of not getting all of that still locked away information was still eating at the back of his processor. This had better be worth it.

It took slightly longer than he had anticipated, but Wingspan had finally made it to the fortress’ Command Center where he spotted the acting Commander, Turmoil.

“Wingspan reporting, as ordered, Commander."

Tenebrous - Holding Cell 1

Scattershot's optics dimmed as he allowed his comforting hand to rest against the shoulder of the data collector. He turned his head towards Afterburner, Nosecone and Strafe with silent commands to help their injured brother back to the slab. He had endured much, far too much in what was supposed to be a simple mail run.

Finally as his team stood up to follow the silent instructions, Scattershot raised a defiant stare at the interrogator. His optics narrowed with a smoldering anger, the likes that made a handful of the seeker escorts flinch. He dug his fingers into the plate metal of the ground before he pushed himself up to his imposing height. His mind was racing with the posibilities or at least the potential reasons for Decepticon interest in an Autobot prison planet. There was nothing of any consequence there, no strategic resources. It wasn't on any major shipping routes, so why would they have interest in such a rock?

A seeker finally gathered enough nerve to attempt to grab Scattershot by his arm. Instinctively the Technobot Commander grabbed the wrist and twisted hard with a satisfying snap of metal and wire. "I wouldn't continue with that maneuver if I were you Autobot." Scattershot paused as the rest of the seekers were now charging their weapons and pointing it at his head module. However none of them had been the source of the command. Instead an angular armored soldier with weapons brimming across his back though none were drawn.

Two vehicons were, however, armed and leveling their guns on the rest of the Technobots. "I recommend you follow this female's command. Before I follow through with what the others don't have the energon pumps for." Deadlock's optics were cold and full of resentment for the Autobots held within the cell. Their very existance reminding him of the days he crawled through the gutters while they lived high on the energon resevour.

Scattershot gave a final squeeze on the broken wrist of the seeker, giving it another yelp of pain, before he released it with defiance. He stepped forward, "alright. I suppose I am ready Decepticon." His optics locked briefly with those of Deadlock and his escorts.

As Scattershot emerged from the cell, Deadlock drove a fist straight into the gut of the Technobot commander. The force was enough to cause the larger mech to double over, albeit briefly, but it sent a message to the others. He would not tolerate defiance or resistance. The vehicons quickly surrounded Scattershot as the seekers moved to scoop him up from the ground. "I'm sure you are ready. Guess I'll have to make you unready before our little adventure. I am sure the lovely interrogator here would perfer to have an easy date this evening."

Splendora

"Do you suppose that they are leaving, my Peer?" one of the attendants remarked as he and a number of others stood around a large, ovoid screen watching a grainy transmission that was being captured from somewhere just outside the restricted zone that their capital of Koraja had become since the mechanics had taken over the planet.

On the screen, several of the robotic creatures had taken to the air, transformed and then seemed to practically disappear into the farthest reaches of the atmosphere where other ships that carried even more of these beings surely awaited their arrival. Galen did not know what exactly that meant in terms of these creatures or their strategy, but he had seen nothing to convince him that these massive conquerors were suddenly going to depart peacefully.

"No. We are not so fortunate as that," Galen said. He looked over and saw that Zarak was still in the midst of what appeared to be a heated conversation with his daughter Llyra. Though he could not hear the words being spoken on the other side of the glass wall, their facial expressions left little to the imagination.

"What then?" another Peer interjected, hardly as timidly as the attendant that had spoken before. Even so, it barely elicited a raised eyebrow from the head of the World Watchers.

"'What'?" Galen scoffed. "As if there was something to do. This is our lot now. We encourage the people to accept it as best they can for the time being. Otherwise we lead them to slaughter."

Galen knew that was not entirely true, as he had been working with some of their top scientific minds to develop some means of counteracting these extraterrestrial invaders. None of them had produced anything of substantive value yet, but some of the initial results looked promising. Galen kept them close to his person, as it would not be wise to allow such information to leak. Their chances of success were slim enough.

"...I grow weary of this!!!!!" Zarak bellowed, storming out of the enclosed room his daughter at his heels. "They come now!"

"No father!" Llyra screamed, tugging at her father's cuffs, only for him to wrench himself out of her grasp and produce a small communications orb.

"Now!" is the only word he shouted in to the orb. Every eye in the room was focused on him. Within only a matter of a few seconds, armored employees of Mo Zarak's consortium along with freelance mercenaries from the World Watchers stormed in to the upper reaches of the massive Splendora residential tower, their weapons drawn.

"What is this, Zarak?!" Galen yelled, pushing himself through several of freelance soldiers before ultimately being stopped roughly a meter or so away from the robed magnate.

"This is the day that I have been preparing for Galen. The day when you would fail to live up to your responsibilities. Just as the Council has."

Zarak smiled, his guards seizing and preventing Llyra from running to Galen's side.

"This is the day that I become ruler of Nebulos."

Tenebrous--Exterior

"Venom watches while we work," Kickback hissed.

He stood with Shrapnel, Bombshell, Ransack, Barrage and Chop Shop outside the metal steps leading up in to the fortress itself. Around them, the skies were heavily gray and overcast. Even in the middle of the day, the sun had no chance of breaking through. Around them, the Nebulans former capital city looked like nothing of what it had when they had first arrived on this planet. It was a city that would have done Megatron's war machine proud. The city was peaceful. Operating under the peaceful shroud of tyranny.

"Shrapnel could fix that. As could we all, I think," Bombshell said. Venom's lack of direct participation in the proceedings on this planet had not gone unnoticed by any of them. Whether it was time to do something about that, Bombshell did not yet know. "What of the prisoner transfers?"

"Scourge's men took them. Together with the others, I would think. Feisty," Chop Shop said, referring to the skirmish that he served as a prelude to their capture.

"Yes. Nightbeat proved more dogged than I would have originally thought. And Skyhammer? Poor Skyhammer."

Bombshell and the others chuckled collectively at the nightmarish hell that they had put that particular Autobot through since their arrival here. And now that he was their prisoner once again, his torture had only just begin. The trick now would be keeping him alive to experience every last astrosecond of it.

"Ehhh, all is in order, then," Bombshell said, rubbing his hands together. "Send a message to the Pestilence, Ransack. It's time to come home. Scorponok has ordered a meeting, and I would hate for us to be overly late."

Tenebrous - Holding Cell 2, Autobot Prisoner Cell Block

Apeface took his time enjoying the spectacle before him and quite frankly laughing his aft off over the misfortune of his victims. Too bad his prank didn't provide to be quite as satisfying as he had hoped for though. Pyro and Pointblank in particular were seemingly unfazed.

"Intimidated? Gah, you noble goody-two-shoes want to make me puke! Did you two go under behavior training by that stick in the aft Ultra Magnus or something?" Apeface spat at Pyro, annoyed over the lack of reaction he had been hoping for from the Prime wannabe. At least Rad and Brainstorm did offer some comic relief in their reaction to the Horrorcon's prank. "Autobot, if I wanted to intimidate you I'd have to hurt you. And we can't have that, now can we?"

Too bad that was all the time he could spare for the Autobots until further date. One reason obviously enough was the fact that someone had arranged the prisoners being transported elsewhere. The another was new set of direct orders he received over the comm.

"Hmm, looks like our times up for now. We'll have to schedule another appointment for later." Apeface chuckled as the seekers and their Vehicon supports chained and dragged the not all that cooperative Autobots out of the cell.

"But first - "

Giving no other warning, Apeface shoved a Vehicon out of his way and unloaded a massive backhand at Pointblank, sending the smaller Autobot flying across the hallway before slamming down against a wall with a loud thud. Before the Autobot was able to recover from the Horrorcon's sudden attack, the black, white and purple Decepticon had already lifted the Autobot from the floor with one hand and thrown him back to the hands of the Vehicons.

"Something to remember me by, heh." And with that, the Horrorcon transformed into his primate form and bounced off to take part of whatever meeting he had been summoned for.

((Joint post between Cryhavok and Insidious))

Koraja--Skies

The ovoid aircraft that sliced its way through the gray and dismal skies that surrounded Koraja looking nothing like the refined, Cybertronian forms that peppered the skyscape. It was an advanced craft, given the limitations of its homeworld. And under normal circumstances it would have been shot down long before it had entered in to the Korajan airspace that the Decepticons had deemed off limits for the larger populace of Nebulos. But as with many things that had faced the planet of Nebulos as of late, these were far from normal circumstances.

As the craft landed, it was greeted by a pair of Seeker warriors that had been amongst those designated to remain behind and populate the garrison and shipyards that this planet would eventually consist of. Once its engines finally quieted, a lone figure emerged from the vehicle. Clad in black and purple, the Nebulan stalked his way defiantly past the Cybertronians that had been assigned to "welcome" him. He was Zarak, the new ruler of Nebulos, under the auspices of their new Decepticon overlords. And Zarak would speak only with the one that had declared himself the leader of their metallic kind when they first arrived here--Scorponok.

Scorponok, however, had others matters to attend to, or so Zarak had been told. Their conversation via transmission orb had been brief but productive, and Zarak would now deign to continue to his dealings with Scorponok's appointed overseer of this world, the one named Turmoil.

The large mech stood just outside the entrance to the massive fortress that the Decepticons had apparently constructed within their capital. Though he appeared to engaged in other dealings, Zarak felt no need to wait.

"The Council of Peers has been effectively dissolved. The populace may protest, but I am confidant that our cooperation will yield the necessary fruits. I.....trust that the arrangement made between Lord Scorponok and myself will still remain in place under your governance?"

"Of course esteemed first councillor. You will be the Overseer of your kind, the sovereign vessel the Empire addresses your people through." The giant spoke, looking down at the man standing before its feet. "We will lend you our might. Enforce your vision of the province of Nebulos."

An eerie silence fell around the two for a moment, until the giant continued - its eyes burning with an ominous glow. Glow that made Zarak lose his control, like becoming a puppet controlled by the puppetmaster.

"In exchange - you will do as we say."

Zarak nodded at the titan's words. The title "First Councilor" had a certain ring to it, even if the Council of Peers had been effectively dissolved. Perhaps he would install another of his own choosing to oversee the minutiae of governing while he oversaw the larger work involved. And, also, to execute whatever wishes this Turmoil and his metallic allies had in mind.

"A generous offering," Zarak said, offering the metallic god a respectful bow, something Zarak had never done to another living being. He did not know if even these creatures fit any rational definition of "alive" but what did matter was that they had the power now. And through them, so would he.

Zarak signaled for the first of the transport ships to begin landing with its cargo: the World Warriors and the other Peers whom he had taken in to captivity back on Splendora. They would make a fine offering, and serve as a symbol to the populace at large that resistance was not only intolerable, but it was also guaranteed to end in failure.

The deep gray clouds overhead extended as far as the eye could see, offering little clue that somewhere there was a sun shining above. Metal creatures crisscrossed the skies as new structures were erected to continue replacing the outdated architecture of Koraja. Zarak had known all along that technology would govern this planet. What he had not known, at the time, was just how plainly that thought would manifest itself. Truly this was a new age. The age he had been waiting for.

And woe betide any who would see it undone.