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(OOC: Everyone in Thunderwing's group can move to the 'Into the Abyss' thread.)

Shockwave's Tower

Onslaught had chosen to ascend the remainder of Shockwave’s tower manually. The anterior stairwells were only likely to have been used by Shockwave’s service drones when they were used at all, but they offered a more reliable path through the tower than anything mechanized might have done. For all of Shockwave’s foresight and preparation, there was little he could do to prepare himself or his base of operations for the state that Cybertron had endured for so many millennia now. Glitches were bound to occur.

Any mechanoids or other native creatures who might have scanned around trying to find storehouses of abandoned energon and weapons likely found themselves to be quickly disappointed by the pristine—and empty—interior. So much the better for Onslaught and his group, however, as they would not have to fend off droves of empties, fiercely guarding whatever they had scavenged. Moreover, Thunderwing and his associates had surely been here long enough that they would have seen to dispensing with any undesirables they might have found on the premises. The Lord of Valckasta was not known for his tolerance of such things. Nor was Shockwave.

Stepping out in to the main corridor leading to the nerve center, Onslaught suspected that even during the height of Cybertron’s supposed golden age, this area was likely not any more bustling with activity than it was now. The cycloptic, purple Decepticon was hardly known to be one of the great hosts of their number. Neither high-ranking officers nor common grunts had leave to simply loiter within the halls of the tower like one could do at one of the great gladiator combats of old, and their subsequent victory celebrations. The center of power to Shockwave’s personal niche within the Decepticon empire was nearly as lifeless as the planet that surrounded it.

It did have energy coursing through its systems, at least. That would be one less obstacle that Onslaught and his team had to deal with, though they could not afford to take any energon stores they currently possessed for granted, either. They wouldn’t last. Onslaught, however, was determined to accomplish the mission laid out before he and his team for as long as they possibly could. Ideally, Shockwave and Thunderwing would manage to return in time to reinforce the Combaticon’s efforts.

Sitting in Shockwave’s command throne, however, struck the Combaticon commander as a little off-putting. Even if it may have made sense to do so, he didn’t presume himself to be worthy. It was likely that its owner didn’t either, and may have installed certain safeguards within the device itself that were unique to its functioning. Onslaught would just have to see whether or not he could get all the information he required from the substations before subjecting himself to any particular malfunction from that chair. To that end, Onslaught took a seat at one of the command consoles and began the access process.

Come on…

The Hexagon: Starship launching silo B-1

After saluting Onslaught as he left after giving out orders to his Combaticons, Brawl grudgingly followed Swindle out to whatever deposit the swindler had gone for. Of all the Combaticons, he was the one who needed instructions the most for duties like these. He just did not have the attention span or brains for creative use of junk to create defenses. More than often he was the one hauling all the materials for the rest of the team or lifting up stuff the others couldn't. Occasionally he even got to pile up fortifications on his own.

"So?! What you need me to to do?!" He addressed Swindle in his usual and very loud manner.

The Hexagon: Supply Depot B-37

Swindle reluctantly leads Brawl and Vortex to the nearest supply depot, looking for the parts he needs. Most of the Autocannon were working fine, but several had deteriorated too much to be fixed simply. They'd need expert attention, not the kind these two could give.

"Right, it'd be a waste of our time to build new guns from scratch, too much work for only three of us, so I'll just have to renovate the remaining guns. While I do that, theres an easy way for you guys to up the defenses and maximise the usefulness of the best guns."

He turns to a large container and yanks it open, revealing dozens of dull grey devices, utterly non-descript, but instantly recognisable to the veteran Decepticons.

"Anti-mech mines, rated for autodeployment against ground and hovering targets. Not the most effective weapon to destroy an attacking force, but sure to cause them problems. Course, they're only good if you make the enemy trip them. Thats were you come in, Brawl."

Walking behind the crate, he spots what he's looking for, a massive plough attachment, too unwieldy for most Cybertronians. "Not an easy tool to use, but I think you have the frame for it, pal. With this, you'll be able to rearrange Old Polyhex like a protoforms building toy."

"It's simple really. Brawl starts remodelling the surrounding terrain to make trenches and barricades, that will funnel any ground assault towards the main defenses, and Vortex lays mines in the other paths, so any fliers or sneaky types trying to avoid the guns gets a special surprise." He hands the interrogator a datapad. "This should tell you how to link the sensor network with the mines, so they won't be set off by friendlies."

Swindle smirks to himself. The big warriors might get all the fame and glory, but in moments like this, he loves being the main cog in the Decepticon military machine.

The Hexagon: Supply Depot B-37

"Ploughing?! Come on!" Brawl wailed, slamming his palm against his forehead - his posture becoming clearly unenthusiastic and disappointed.

This, however was for a show. Brawl actually found ploughing relaxing. In a way he was devastating the landscape by ploughing deep fissures into it. While certainly not as satisfying as using explosives or heavy weapons in general, he didn't mind doing it. Still, he had a reputation to keep and no way the other Combaticons were allowed to know his little secret.

"Fine! But I'll remember this Swindle! You'll get what you deserve! Just you wait!" Brawl bellowed and headed out to do what was expected of him.

Shockwave's Tower

The internal operating systems of Shockwave’s tower was every bit as complicated as Onslaught would have expected of the Decepticons’ Military Operations Commander. Though he had been given the necessary access codes to perform the assignment that he was given by Thunderwing, it was still a cumbersome and laborious process. Onslaught sat at his console, his chin resting on one hand as his actuator digits drummed listlessly on one side of the console while the latest access code was verified.

////GRANTED//// came the written command response, at long last.

“Thank you,” Onslaught mumbled as a series of smaller holoscreens began to open up in front of him, providing him with rudimentary layouts of the tower, the Hexagon and the other auxiliary areas of Polyhex that Shockwave had clearly kept under surveillance at one point or another during the mech’s long history with the city-state. There were several systems which were currently offline and not providing any sort of real-time feedback but, as Swindle had indicated, many of the defense systems were online and functioning at their expected performance levels.

The sparse information that was coming in truly painted a desolate picture. No wonder both sides had banned their forces from coming here for so long. To do otherwise would have essentially been a death sentence for those involved.

He just hoped that the more scientifically minded amongst the Cybertronian ranks, be they Decepticon or not, were able to do something productive with this husk of a world soon.

The Hexagon: Supply Depot B-37

Swindle smirked at Brawls overreaction to his assigned task. How typical of the brash warrior, he loved making a scene. In all likelyhood, he probably didn't even dislike the task, more that he needed to cause a commotion after so long behaving on the ship with the others. Very well, let him overact. So long as he's taking his frustrations out on the firmament of Polyhex rather than Swindle.

The Munitions Specialist continued to pick through the various supply crates, loading up a hovercart with anything useful for weapons maintenance while he waited for Vortex to finish gathering the mines. Yes, it was nice to be back in the team, in some ways. At least with them, you knew who you had to watch your back for.

The Hexagon: Supply Depot B-37

Vortex was not a fan of allowing Swindle, of all 'Cons, to lead him around and tell him what to do. However, the interrogator remained silent and just let him talk. His plans made sense and as Brawl raged, though Vortex could tell it was just an act, the flier walked over and began to gather up the mines.

"Well I suppose this all makes sense Swindle. Rather surprising for a logistics officer to come up with something resembling a sensible defensive plan."

Vortex crossed the room after he collected the mines.

"Lets go Brawl and get this over with."

Shockwave’s Tower—Nerve Center

As Onslaught methodically worked his way through the various operating systems of Shockwave’s tower that were made available to him, he also kept a close optic on the members of his unit as they tended to their given assignments. Granted, he really only had access to their signal beacon via the short-range sensors at this point, but it was better than nothing. He would’ve preferred one of Soundwave’s units or Reflector providing real-time streaming sound and imagery, but he had to make due with what he had access to.

For every tedious security protocol that Onslaught bypassed, another three seemed to replace it, as if the system itself was verifying exactly who he identified himself to be and then challenging the proof. It took time, but Onslaught eventually got through to the first of key operations that he had originally wanted access to—the long-range sensors. As he expected, they were in almost complete disarray, transmitting back very little qualitative data.

This would indeed be a painstaking process.

He brought up the communications system and opened up a crude channel between himself and the other Combaticons. It was hardly the refined gridwork that one could expect of a true communications specialist, but it would suffice.

>>I’m not seeing auto-cannons at 100% gentlemen. Let’s get a move on. What else are you seeing out there? I’m getting very little, but there’s at least a dozen obvious reasons why, so I’m going to need your optics.”<<

He wanted to leave them exposed to the ravages of Cybertron's instability only as much as was necessary until they all got a better sense of what was really going on here and were able to strategize accordingly.

The Skies above Polyhex

Blast-Off circled the immediate sectors surrounding the Hexagon. Shockwave's immense tower served as the only lighted beacon in an otherwise desolate wasteland of a city-state. It would take much more work to make Polyhex fully functional again. The space warrior wondered if it would even be possible, especially with the Autobots on planet as well. They would surely try to stop the 'cons from regaining any kind of permanent foothold on Cybertron again. There had already been multiple incursions into Polyhex, according to Swindle's earlier briefing, so it seemed the 'bots were already up to something, but what exactly was still a mystery.

Of course, we're sitting duckbots if the auto-cannons aren't fully operational, Blast-Off thought as he came around for another pass on the tower. Where the slag is Swindle and the others? They should've grabbed what they needed and been outside several breems ago. Just as the assault shuttle pondered the whereabouts of his teammates, he received a communique from Onslaught. Blast-Off immediately opened a comm line back to his commanding officer:

>>"Commander Onslaught, this is Blast-Off. I'm currently flying overhead awaiting Swindle and the others to commence the remaining auto-cannon repairs. In the meantime, I've kept a close optic on the surrounding sectors to ensure that no further enemy intrusions go unnoticed. With the exception of a few cyber-rats lurking about in the shadows, everything is clear. I will continue to survey the area from the skies for as long as you need me to, sir."<<

Blast-Off then closed his comm link and adjusted his scanners to sweep a wider range of the surrounding sectors. The space warrior wanted to be fully prepared to cover the other Combaticons during their efforts to bring the remaining auto-cannons back online.

Leaving the Hexagon

>>No need to worry, Commander.<< Swindles out-of-place earth vehicle mode drives out of the Tower to the Defense Grid, pulling a sizable cartload of parts behind it. >>We were brainstorming how to extend the defense network and maximise what resources we had while the repairs went underway. Keep in touch with Brawl and Vortex, they'll be making new defense corridors that will funnel enemy attacks into the main functioning defense. And if you'd like to double-check where I've sent them, that would be most welcome, sir.

The Munitions Specialist heads for one of the defunct Autocannons, one of the Anti-Air models, and gets to work. Air defense was one area the trenches and mines wouldn't help, even if we did have Blast-Off and his X-ray Laser covering them. Besides, after the previous incident, if that Aerialbot showed up again, Swindle wanted to be sure that he suffered three times the terror that Swindle had.

>>"Commander Onslaught, this is Blast-Off. I'm currently flying overhead awaiting Swindle and the others to commence the remaining auto-cannon repairs. In the meantime, I've kept a close optic on the surrounding sectors to ensure that no further enemy intrusions go unnoticed. With the exception of a few cyber-rats lurking about in the shadows, everything is clear. I will continue to survey the area from the skies for as long as you need me to, sir,"<< came Blast-Off's dutiful response clearly through the tower's communications relay. That seemed to be funcitoning normally, at least.

Cyber-rats. Onslaught sighed. If that was the extent of the challenge that they were to overcome while doing their duty here on Cybertron, it would be all too easy. Even so, war-tested mechs like he and his men would also quickly become bored and unsatisfied. He knew better though. In addition to whatever Autobot garrison the Prime had felt necessary to dispatch to Cybertron, they would also have to contend with native life on Cybertron that would be substantially more imposing and difficult to deal with than a grouping of small rodent pests.

>>”Copy that, Blast-Off. Maintain aerial reconnaissance until short and long-range sensors are up and running. If your energy levels fall below 40%, I need you to land immediately and continue operations from the ground until such time as new deposits of energon are acquired. I’ll be joining you in the field myself shortly.”<<

They had a mission to achieve, but Onslaught was determined to achieve it in the most fuel-efficient manner possible. What good were a team of soldiers if they had no fuel to continue the fight? They had faced such times before. And though the odds were likely that they would face them again during their time on Cybertron, Onslaught meant to delay that period for as long as possible.

>>No need to worry, Commander. We were brainstorming how to extend the defense network and maximize what resources we had while the repairs went underway. Keep in touch with Brawl and Vortex, they'll be making new defense corridors that will funnel enemy attacks into the main functioning defense. And if you'd like to double-check where I've sent them, that would be most welcome, sir,”<< Swindle followed up, shortly after Blast-Off's own transmission.

>>”Just keep me apprised of your progress, Swindle,”<< intentionally allowing a small degree of annoyance to resonate in his tone. In most cases, that would be sufficient. He had no need for subordinates advising him on how to do his job, however indirect.

Onslaught then efficiently began the process of setting up a remote host connection that would allow him to enter the field while also allowing him the ability to see that the tower’s operating systems were receiving the information that they needed and that the defenses were all satisfactorily brought online.

Outskirts of the Base

Swindle wipes the condensation off his browplate as he activates yet another of the refurbished guns. This wasn't the toughest job in the universe, by any means, but he had been at it a while at this stage, and it was getting monotonous. With another half-dozen autocannons online, most of the weaknesses of the defense network had been fixed, and with everything tied into the new sensor grid, Swindle was feeling a lot safer. But man, he could do with a change of pace.

Looking around, he scans for his fellow Combaticon. >>Vortex, have you laid all those mines yet? Brawl, what about the trenches? I've replaced half the autocannons already, don't tell me I've suddenly become the most productive member of the team?<<

Shockwave’s Tower

Having established the remote connection, Onslaught got up from Shockwave’s command chair within the nerve center of the cycloptic Decepticon’s tower. He had not experienced the misfortune of triggering any number of its probable security traps, but that was likely due to luck as much as any skill on his part.

As he left the nerve center, he noticed an old cylinder that had been seemingly cast to the side resting against the wall of one of the anterior corridors. The only thing that had made it conspicuous was the very fact that it was out of place in the otherwise completely sterile and orderly environment that Shockwave’s tower exuded, even though it had not been used to its full capacity in ages. Examining it more closely, it appeared to be a small steel drum bearing the old Maccadam’s logo—unopened, no less. By Primus, how long had it been since Onslaught had seen one of those? If it contained what he suspected it contained, he would notify the other Combaticons so that they could also share in this small indulgence. It would likely be one of very few they would receive while doing their duty here, so long as Cybertron remained in its current state. It would be nice to receive a status update from the higher ranks that were out in the field, but Onslaught knew only too well that it would be ridiculous to expect senior officers to waste any time keeping their subordinates apprised of their progress.

If it were, in fact, old oil from Maccadam’s, the contents of a single drum of this size wouldn’t be enough to even give one of them a full recharge. But it would taste good—a small reprieve from the oppressive desolation that surrounded them. The more pertinent question was…how did it get here? The Combaticon Commander hardly expected Shockwave to be the type to have ever been casually sitting around, ingesting such things. The answer to that question, as with most other answers Onslaught wanted, would have to wait. Onslaught gathered up the drum and hoisted it under one arm as he continued out of the nerve center in order to rejoin his teammates in the field. He opened up a quick link to the other Combaticons.

>>”Once your tasks are complete, Combaticons, rendezvous at my position. I’ll be in the field shortly.<<

Outskirts of the Base

"I am right here!" Brawl bellowed from couple hundred feet behind Swindle. "I was almost done before your slagging plough broke up!"

"Its frame couldn't handle my might!" He added boastfully, making his way up to the munitions expert. "I am sure Vortex is done too!" Brawl added, unable to stop his shouting. "He's prolly returned to Onslaught already!"

Outskirts of the Base

Swindle looks up at Brawl, managing to suppress his smirk. Heh, so typical. Probably drove the thing right into the armor belt of the base in his haste. Well, inspecting the trenches dug so far would be a nice change of pace before I finish the rest of the guns.

"Well, if Onslaught lets you two away with that, fair eno-" Swindle is cut off by a transmission from the man in question. >>Er, roger that, Commander, we'll be done momentarily.<<

Frowning, Swindle points Brawl towards the last bank of guns. "You heard him, we can finish here in a few breems if we take some shortcuts. Help me lift some of the armor plating around those guns, and I'll reroute some of the Towers' auxiliary power to bypass their busted grid." It wasn't the most efficient or safe of moves, and the differing power couplings might make those guns overheat if fired for too long, but to get the job done now, and have guns that would fire right away, it was the simplest solution.

Tower Outskirts

When Onslaught arrived, he sat down the drum that he had been carrying with him. The Combaticons were taking a little longer to accomplish their tasks than he would like. They were going to have to run drills later to make up for it. They weren't slacking, in Onslaught's estimation, but they did need some fine tuning. He would likely join them, as he was not blameless either. They were a combat unit, yes, but Onslaught demanded efficiency and excellence in non-combat oriented tasks as well. Keeping the Combaticons on the cutting edge of carrying out any task that the high commanders might have devised for them had always been one of Onslaught's primary responsibilities. It was one that he had taken to with considerable zeal.

If Swindle and the others had not managed to get the defenses up the levels that Onslaught had ordered, it would ultimately be they themselves that paid the price. There was no one else around to suffer if the Dinobots eventually decided to make another run at Shockwave's tower. Even then, it was not a matter of "if". It was a matter of "when". Onslaught had studied Grimlock's previous tactics enough to know that neither he nor his brutish subordinates gave up on something unless their more rational superiors reined them in. And even then...

>>"I'm on the field now,"<< Onslaught transmitted to the others, as he produced a sensor rod and proceeded to stake it in to the ground. The act activated a minor transformation sequence that rooted the device in place and began to coordinate the signals that the others had already established in the area with the ones that Shockwave had obviously built long ago. If Shockwave had made it to Kolkular by now, he should be able to receive this signal, allowing Kaon and Polyhex to be at least somewhat reconnected again. He would know whether or not their efforts were successful very soon, as he fully expected Shockwave would be in touch if they were.

Skies Above Polyhex

As Onslaught had ordered, Blast-Off continued to fly overhead, keeping a close optic on his teammates below as they finished up the autocannon and sensor repairs. Their was nothing else in sight for miles in every direction. Only the occasional cyber-rat made an appearance once in a while, but not anywhere near the other Combaticons. Being that the threat level from these creatures were minimal at best, the space warrior re-framed from using his x-ray laser even though he felt bored with nothing of importance to shoot at. It was better to conserve power as energon was currently in short supply.

Blast-Off then received two more communiques from Onslaught. He was in the field awaiting the Combaticons to complete their tasks. >>"Roger that, Commander. From my vantage point, the rest of the Combaticons are almost finished with their work and there are no signs of enemy threats in the surrounding sectors. On top of that, my fuel cells are currently below 45%, so I must land soon. I will rendezvous at your position shortly."<<

Blast-Off then closed out his comm line and banked to the right, heading back towards the tower.

Tower Outskirts

The assault shuttle flew in low, approaching the outer edge of Shockwave's Tower. Blast-Off could see Onslaught below, patiently waiting for him and the others to arrive. On one side of the Combaticon Commander was a sensor rod that was already staked into the ground, while on the other was a metallic container of some kind, but Blast-Off couldn't quite make it out. I hope it's energon. I could really use a recharge.

Adjusting his course slightly, Blast-Off came in for a landing and quickly transformed to robot mode just before touching the ground beneath him. With both feet now firmly planted back on Cybertron's surface, the space warrior walked up to Onslaught and stood at attention. "Blast-Off reporting, commander," he said with a salute, his optics then wandering down to the metal drum on the ground. Blast-Off quickly noticed a very familiar logo printed on the side. "Sir, is that what I think it is?"

Tower Outskirts

Well, thats done. Hope the mines and new fortifications mean that we won't have to overtax those guns. Swindle appears around a corner, him and Brawl having finished their work. The Munitions Specialist salutes the commander crisply. "Sir! The Defense Grid is at maximal operating status. We now have the best defensive position on this planet." Which wasn't techically a lie. It was likely to be better than anything the Autobots came up with, it just wasn't going to hold off an entire legion. Luckily, it should be enough to deter the Dinobots, which was the worst they had to worry about with Prime off-world.

Swindle notices that Onslaught seems to have brought a little something with him.... "Sir, that payload looks almost like recreational material. I wasn't expecting anything of this sort, do you really think we deserve something like that?" Not that Swindle wouldn't mind a little R&R, but seriously, didn't Onslaught know how much that stuff would go for on the black market? You could get ten times its weight in pure energon if you took it offworld and sold it on one of the fleets.

Tower--Outskirts

As he had fully expected, the drum that he had procured from Shockwave's tower had drawn almost as much attention from his subordinates as his own arrival. Given their collective state on this planet, the Combaticon Commander could not really be surprised. They had been subsisting on energon rations for much of the duration of their mission, just as they had been conditioned to do. But that did not mean that an indulgence, every so often, was unwarranted.

"It is, Blast-Off," Onslaught said resting one hand on the drum as he sat down on a pile of metallic debris. "And we do deserve this. Cybertron is in an abysmal state of cataclysm that it may never recover from. But if it does, it will be just as much because of frontline soldiers such as ourselves maintaining the security as it is the great scientific minds doing the research. There is no doubt in my mind that if either Shockwave or Thunderwing find some fantastic new source of energy or process to start revitalizing our homeworld, they will be the first to taste its rewards. So here, now, is our opportunity to indulge a little and drink up."

Onslaught grapped a piece of scrap steel off the ground and bent it in to the shape of a small cylinder. He then poured some of the contents of the drum in to the cylinder until the top brimmed with the gleaming, black fluid. By Primus, how long had it been since he had tasted anything from Maccadam's? As his mouthplate slid away and he ingested the first few ounces of the fluid, he let out a contented sigh.

"To progress, however incremental it may be," he said, holding up his cylinder before taking another drink.

Tower - Outskirts

Blast-Off began to salivate underneath his face shield when Onslaught confirmed that the barrel did indeed contain what the space warrior had surmised. Maccadam's was a delicious delight that had not been tasted by any mech, either Decepticon nor Autobot, in countless vorns. It was amazing that no one else amongst Shockwave's team had discovered the drum first. It must have been well hidden or perhaps the cycloptic mech was keeping it all for himself. Either way, the contents now belonged to the Combaticons and, as their commander had already stated, they all deserved to taste its rewards regardless of what Swindle thought.

Once Onslaught had fashioned a small metal cup to hold his share of the black fluid, Blast-Off followed suit and quickly found his own piece of scrap metal that had been laying on the ground. After twisting it into a round container, the space warrior then filled it to the rim with Maccadam's special blend of oil and raised the cup into the air to meet Onslaught's toast to their continued progress and success. "To progress!" Blast-Off responded before lowering his face shield and gulping down the dark liquid, allowing only a small amount to trickle from the edges of his mouth.

"Mmmm, delicious! Just how I remember it!" Blast-Off said as he wiped the away the excess. The space warrior then turned his attention to the Munitions Expert who had suggested that they didn't deserve a little indulgence like Maccadam's. "You know, Swindle, if you don't want a taste, I'll be happy to drink your share." Blast-Off grinned at his arms dealing comrade before going for a refill.

Tower - Outskirts

"Slag you, Blast-off. If the commander says we deserve a treat, then I ain't gonna say no. After busting my aft to get all the guns and sensors working, you can't say I haven't earned it."

Swindle pulls out an emergency energon ration bottle, empty, and with the least false smuggling space of his various containers, and pours himself a measure of the stuff. He sips it, each gulp tasting exactly like the month of profits it probably was. Man, this is a bittersweet taste. It feels like such a waste, to just drink the stuff, but it is good. Dang, its even making me nostalgic....I hope all this Cybertron air ain't making me soft.

"...Never was the kind to drink the cycle away at Maccadams, but they knew how to brew the good stuff. Heh..." He swirls the last dregs in the bottle. "If you had the spare change, you could analyse this stuff, get the recipe, and open a chain of New Maccadams across the galaxy. Call them nuetral ground and get 'Bots and 'Cons coming in for a taste of home."

Then he drains the rest of the bottle. "Eh. Too much like honest work."

On Approach to Shockwave’s Tower

Razorclaw guided the transport shuttle across the border of Polyhex, its course set for Shockwave’s Tower that stood as the sole lighted structure in the center of the city-state. The Predacon Commander made sure to activate the shuttle’s beacon so that the automated defenses and sensors would recognize them as Decepticons and not as Autobots. It would be a shame to go to all the trouble of retrieving the cyberforming device from Kolkular only to be shot down by their own weapons.

That’s assuming the Combaticons had finished fixing the sensor network while we were away, Razorclaw thought to himself as his hands glided across the control board in front of him. He understood the necessity of bringing in another combat unit to watch over the tower while everyone else was away, but that didn’t mean Razorclaw liked it. It wasn’t that he had a problem or grudge against Onslaught or his team. They were all fine soldiers and would be an asset to have when fighting the Autobots. It was more the fact that there were already too many commanders present on Cybertron as it were. Besides the Predacon Commander, himself, there was Shockwave and Thunderwing overseeing things and now Onslaught was added to the mix. It was in Razorclaw’s own experience that when you grouped together that many commanders in one place, conflicts would eventually arise as each unit leader had their own tactics and ways of doing things. Not to mention that it was always hard to relinquish control to another, regardless of the rank involved.

Beyond all of those concerns, Razorclaw had more pressing matters on his mind. Ever since their arrival on Cybertron, he couldn’t help but wonder why Megatron would place Shockwave in command of the forces here. The cycloptic mech wasn’t exactly one to be trusted, especially considering the fact that he had simply disappeared so long ago and wasn’t found until the Decepticons raided the Area 51 installation back on Earth. Shockwave clearly had his own personal agenda that did not include Megatron. Yet, the Military Operations Commander was in charge here instead of someone more reliable and trustworthy such as Razorclaw. The Predacon leader knew that Shockwave technically outranked him, but that mattered little when the ranking officer in question had a history of doing what was better for himself than for the Decepticon Empire as a whole or its leadership.

Of course, Blackwind had been sent along to keep a close optic on Shockwave, but where was she now? Megatron’s little babysitter was deep within the bowls of Cybertron with Thunderwing, another mech with his own secretive plans, having also suddenly reappeared after so long an absence. Surely, Megatron had suspicions of his motives, as well. However, Blackwind had apparently taken a liking to the Decepticon scientist and would probably not report any wrongdoing by him whether she merely suspected it or outright saw it for herself.

No, it would be up to Razorclaw to ultimately keep an optic on things to make sure Megatron’s wishes were carried out properly. Perhaps it would even be necessary for the Predacon Commander to contact Megatron directly if he witnessed any conduct that was not in the best interests of the empire. For now, though, Razorclaw was in charge in Polyhex until either Thunderwing or Shockwave returned from their travels, and he intended to keep the tower protected from any potential Autobot incursions.

As the shuttle drew closer to the tower, Razorclaw opened a comm line to Onslaught and the rest of the Combaticons:

>>”Commander Onslaught, this is Razorclaw. The Predacons and I are returning from our mission to Kaon. I have been left in charge until either Thunderwing or Shockwave return. I would like you and your men to meet us in the Hexagon’s launching silo designated A-2 for a full status update and debriefing on your team’s activities since we departed.”<<

Razorclaw then cut his comm line and adjusted the shuttle’s heading as it descended towards the launching silo.

Starship Launching Silo A-2 – Decepticon Battlecruiser Thanatos

The transport shuttle entered the silo and slowly approached the docked Thanatos. Razorclaw transmitted the appropriate access codes and the warship’s bay doors slid open, allowing the small craft to then enter and touchdown inside with ease. Once the bay doors were closed again, the Predacon Commander stood up from his seat and turned to look at Rampage, Headstrong, Divebomb and Tantrum. “I want you all to disembark the Thanatos and meet the Combaticons out in the main silo. I will take the cyberforming interface down to the cargo hold and then rendezvous with you all shortly. Dismissed.”

Razorclaw punched a button on the control panel that opened the shuttle’s door and extended the ramp down to the bay floor. The Predacon Commander then made his way to the back of the craft where he activated the three drones, which immediately came alive and unhooked the cyberforming device. The mindless automations then lifted it off the floor and carried it down the ramp. Razorclaw followed and descended the ramp before walking past the drones and leading them out of the shuttle bay. Their destination was the warship’s cargo hold where the cyberforming interface would be secured as instructed by Shockwave.

The Tower--Outskirts

Onslaught regarded Swindle for a moment. The self-serving hustler actually had an idea that could benefit the group as a whole every so often. Onslaughts sights were set on grander goals than simple profit, but that did not mean that Swindle's suggestion was without merit. The Combaticon trader seemed to dismiss his own idea out of hand, but Onslaught was not as willing to do so.

"Take whatever remains, after your teammates have each had a share in the small spoils of this ongoing war. We are, after all, working towards the achievement of Megatron's vision across the galaxy--peace through tyranny. When that day of peace comes, our compatriots and subordinates will need an enjoyable place to charge up."

Onslaught finished the remaining contents of his makeshift cylinder and tossed it to one side, his mouthplate once again covering his face. Not long after, a welcome transmission came from the Predacon Commander, Razorclaw. Mostly welcome, at least. Onslaught was not thrilled with the prospect of Shockwave having put Razorclaw in command over him, but he would tolerate it. At least their return was another sign that the higher-ups were making their own progress.

>>"Understood, Razorclaw. We're on our way,"<< Onslaught dutifully transmitted in response before addressing his unit once more. "New orders--we return to the Tower premises, silo A-2 specifically. We'll rendezvous with the Predacons and proceed accordingly from there. Move out."
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Starship Launching Silo A-2

Rampage's thoughts were still on the encounter he'd had with the stray cannibalizer he'd met within the otherwise empty halls of Kolkular. It had satiated just a touch of his sparklust but, more importantly, it had made him wonder just what else was lurking in the darkened underbelly of Cybertron, since the planet had been all but dead for so long now. What sorts of life had figured out a way to survive, even in such an energy deprived state? All Rampage knew was that if that life tired to make a meal out of him, it'd be their last mistake.

A muffled growl of acknowledgement had been Rampage's response before he took off to the area containing the vessel where they would meet up with the Combaticons. If things kept going the way they were, maybe they'd be able to have gladiator combats again, sooner rather than later. Maybe.

A Predacon could hope.

The Tower--Outskirts

Swindle was a little surprised when Onslaught makes something of the munitions specialists idle musing. Why, Onslaught, I'd almost think you're trying to make an honest soldier out of me. Can't you have mercy on a simple huxter?

"Of course sir. Can't have the old place just fade away." Swindle takes out two sample bottles and fills them with the remainder of the drum, just to make doubly certain. As he does so, he muses on what just happened. Its annoying to have to make these kinds of promises, but its still worth it. Even with Brawls bluster, Blastoffs arrogance and Vortex being generally creepy, the Combaticons are the team for me. I'd never last in one of those psychotic outfits like the Predacons, and well, being an Autobot or Neutral was never really an option, was it?

Precious cargo stowed away, Swindle salutes and follows Onslaught towards the hangar. If any of the others wanted to take the remains of the drum, that was their problem. Heck, if they resealed it right, it might make good bait for a trap.