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Storage Cave

He had left some breems before and yet he failed to make contact. The chemist, although dependable to the cause, was certainly not worth his word. At that thought Darkride let out a quiet snort. Since Oil Slick’s departure for parts unknown Darkride had taken refuge within the storage cave. The interrogator stuck to the shadows of the rear of the cave easily blending in without much effort.

The Decepticon had taken up a position so as not to draw any unwanted attention, especially since he was shirking his duties. Leaning against the rocky wall with one ankle crossed over the other and his arms loosely displayed in front of his chest, He listened to the emptiness that filled the make shift storage area.

Darkride had just gotten comfortable when the sound of two of the six Constructicons entering the cave drew his attention. Pushing off the back wall slowly Darkride crept silently to a new locale in order to get a better vantage point. Both mechs, Bonecrusher and Long Haul he thought they were, seemed to be drawing out additional supplies. But their work was not what concerned him it was the conversation that caught the interrogator’s undivided attention.

It never failed to amaze him that he seemed to be in the right place at the right times during these encounters. The amount of intel he had gathered over the vorns would have choked a titanium moosebot to death. A smile grew on his face as he watched and listened with bated breath for something, anything that he could file away.

Several breems passed before he finally heard a name that was unfamiliar to him. Darkride cocked his head slightly as he took in the remainder of their conversation. But nothing was more intriguing than the hushed name.

Darkride stepped back against the wall when Long Haul and his brutish compatriot made to leave the cave to head back into the murky depths of the water. Taking careful measures to not draw attention to himself, the dark violet mech made his way out of the cavern and cast his gaze on the retreating ‘Cons. Another smiled pulled at the corner of his lip curling it to reveal a set of two sharpened canines.

The interrogator traveled with great care to make it back to his previous work space and took up his assignment once again. At the same time he opened up a heavily encrypted channel with the Constructicon transport.

>>”Felicitations, my underappreciated compatriot. There is a matter of great concern with which I urgently require to converse. there is someone on his way. I believe you know him? He has not yet announced his intentions and not many know of him, but I discern that Devastator will be well on his way in the coming future.”<<

The line went quite for a moment before Darkride spoke up once more.

>>”I suggest you and I meet, above water, to confer on this most…delicate matter. Oh, and Long Haul, you do realize that if you mention any of this to your brethren you will be marked as a traitor and shunned. You may even be thrown to me for good measure. That said I propose you complete your current assignment, conveniently excuse yourself and join me here on shore. Savvy?”<<

Korean Shoreline

Bonecrusher began to trudge along the mud and gunk along the shoreline. It was uncomfortable for sure; his joints already had sand being packed into them. Bonecrusher grumbled as he began to wade his way into the water until he was chest-deep.

"Heck of a place for a base. Space'd be better in my opinion. Nothing out there to get in yer-" Bonecrusher readjusted his shoulder, causing sand to crack and fall out, "-Joints."

Bonecrusher felt the water crash above his head as he trudged his way back into the seaweed infested water.

"Not sure if Shockwave 'r Razorclaw'll want to recruit us first. Here's a bet for ya, an Energon Cube says Razorclaw'll send a guy over here to recruit us first!" Bonecrusher stuck out his hand to Long Haul.

He retracted it and placed it behind his head making it look as if he was scratching the back of his head when he remembered that Long Haul was in vehicle form.

Korean Shoreline

Thanks to the salt water that was slowly corroding his servos, Scavenger finally caught up with Bonecrusher and Long Haul just as they were heading back into the water.

"Aw, please tell me that's everything we need.", the excavator whined, "It'll take me a vorn to make it to the storage cave."

Scavenger continued to walk further onto shore toward the transport and the demolitionist, each step stiff and requiring extra effort.

"I guess you were right, Bonecrusher. Transforming down there wasn't a good idea."

Entering the Yellow Sea

Being that he was in dump truck mode, Long Haul became completely submerged underwater while Bonecrusher was still only waste deep in robot form. Still, he heard his brutish companion’s wager and decided to accept. “I’ll take that bet, ‘Crusher! Razorclaw’s gonna want to get the specialty teams on his side so I’m sure we’re already on his radar. What role we’ll play under his regime is uncertain. Although, I’m sure we’ll likely still be playing the role of builders just like before. Unless, of course, you know what gets done first! Heh!”

It was then that Scavenger finally caught up to them, hoping that all of the equipment was secured within Long Haul’s truck bed. The green transport chuckled before responding. “Yeah, this is all of it, Scavers. No need to go back to the cave. It’s empty now anyway.”

Long Haul’s conversation with his teammates was quickly cut short when he received a communication from Darkride. A shiver went through the green dump truck’s frame at the sound of the interrogator’s voice. The heavy loader had always done his best to remain as far away from Darkride as he could. The torturer gave him the creeps, plain and simple, and he really wanted nothing to do with him.

Unfortunately, it would be near impossible to avoid contact now as Darkride made mention of Devastator in his transmission. How the slag does he know about the gestalt?! I never said anything to him! Wait...he must have overheard me back up on the beach talking to Bonecrusher. Fraggit! That cretan must have audio receptors like a cyber-hawk. I’m going to have to do damage control here if we are going to keep Devastator a secret.

Long Haul sent a non-verbal acknowledgement back to Darkride, indicating that he would meet with the interrogator once his current task was done. In the meantime, the green transport had to deliver the rest of the materials down to the seabed and then casually excuse himself. It would be a delicate matter, but it was something he had to take care of before things got too far out of control.

Base Site - Bottom of the Yellow Sea

It took a while but Long Haul finally made it back to the construction site where he stopped near the erected dome. He carefully raised his truck bed up and let the equipment slide out and onto the sea floor. The surrounding water allowed for a more gentle evacuation of his cargo then if the transport had just dumped the stuff out on dry ground. He then returned to robot mode and began sifting through the supplies, pretending like he was looking for something specific.

“Ah, scrap!” Long Haul exclaimed. His reaction was disingenuous, of course, but that was the point. He needed a reason to immediately return to the beach. Thankfully, he had already come up with one. “Sorry, guys, you’ll have to finish up here while I head back up to the surface,” the transporter said to Bonecrusher and Scavenger. “I’m an idiot and apparently dropped one of the tools back up on the beach. I thought I heard something fall, but didn’t think anything of it until now. Don’t worry, though, I’ll go get it. I think I know right where it landed. You guys can just start organizing the rest of this stuff, and I’ll be back shortly.”

Without waiting for a response from his teammates, Long Haul turned around and trudged back through the murky depths of the Yellow Sea on another return trip to the Korean Peninsula.

Korean Shoreline

It had been roughly two breems or more since Darkride’s communique with Long Haul. The Constructicon heavy lifter was more than a bit nervous meeting with such a violent and sadistic mech. The interrogator wasn’t stupid and wouldn’t fall for the normal excuses that another ‘Con would. Therefore, while Long Haul knew that he couldn’t reveal the truth about Devastator, he also couldn’t just feed Darkride a bunch of bullslag. The cycle-former’s message seemed to indicate that he thought Devastator was a separate mech who was currently on his way. That was definitely something Long Haul could use to steer the interrogator away from the actuality of the situation. However, he would also have to be very careful here to both ensure the integrity of the gestalt project and to ensure his continued functioning under his own power.

Emerging from the water, Long Haul caught sight of Darkride waiting for him on a remote part of the beach. The transporter slowly made his way towards the despised torturer, a blank expression etched on his faceplate. Once he was about five feet from the interrogator, Long Haul stopped and took a deep breath. “Hello, Darkride. So, you want to talk with me about Devastator, huh? Well, here I am. Let’s talk.”

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Onslaught nodded at Thunderwing's assessment of the progress that the Constructicons had made. It was impressive indeed. Even so, they would likely need to pick up the pace even more. These were demanding times, and much would be demanded of them all. This base was coming along, but it would hardly survive any kind of focused attack in its present state.

"Agreed. I think we could begin occupying and fortifying the central dome soon, but--like you--I'm relying much on Scrapper's direction in that regard."

Thunderwing did not allow the topic to remain on construction for long. Quickly, and expectedly, the subject turned to activities here on this planet. In some respects, Onslaught himself was still catching up with everything that was occurring on this world, but he suspected he knew enough to satisfy the warlord's initial curiosity.

"I am told that Starscream's initial focus in the aftermath were energy raids. My team and I assisted in the late stages of one that was taking place in the central region of North America. I believe the other was successful as well, though I've not heard any specifics.

"As for Starscream himself, I cannot say, but I find it unlikely that Razorclaw would waste a resource like him unless he was given no other choice. No further orders have come yet, though he does wish to address you directly."

Onslaught paused. Thunderwing had done some prying, as was his wont as a command figure. Now it was time for Onslaught to do some of his own, and see if his candidness would be rewarded.

"And what of you?" Onslaught began. "When last we parted, you prevented Razorclaw and I from taking Shockwave in to custody. The leadership issue of our faction is one that has obviously not yet been resolved fully. We both realize that, I'm sure. Do you come here on his behalf?"

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Ramjet tried to take out Starscream?

“You've got to be slagging me.”

Ramjet actually tried to take out Starscream?

Silence followed Blitzwing's remark, save for the ponderous rumbling of his footfalls striking the Yellow Sea's floor. Then he burst out laughing. And good.

“What a fraggin' idiot!” He's strong and tough, I'll give him that, but Screamer's too smart to be beaten by someone like him.” Blitzwing chuckled to himself. “Maybe the next time Ramjet needs repairs, someone'll give him a working processor because his is clearly fragged up.”

Blitzwing didn't hate the mech or harbour any real dislike towards him, as much as it appeared. Indeed the two Decepticons got along rather well, often trading old war stories when not bound to duty, but Ramjet had brought this one on himself. The moment he caught up with the Conehead again, Blitzwing would give him much grief for his act of stupidity.

When one sifted through his offensive conduct for long enough, it was found that that was his way of being chummy with those he considered to be his friends. Or so he assured them after the insult by adding a grating cackle and a rough slap on the back.

“Yeah, Megatron sure was an obstacle for Screamer,” he said to Astrotrain.

Not including another equally competent barrier that had also blocked the Seeker's path to leadership many times over. One that possibly rivalled Megatron himself: his very own fusion cannon. But Blitzwing supposed they were one and the same, really.

“Strange as it sounds, I wouldn't be surprised if Screamer was the leader now. But I don't know if I'd follow him... I don't wanna miss out on any action—no, no, no.” He turned to face Astrotrain. “Would you be happy if he led us?”

Korean Shoreline

Hearing his name gave the interrogator cause to turn around, slowly, to face his visitor. Darkride spotted Long Haul, who appeared to be uncomfortable just by his presence. Exactly the way it should be. Darkride’s optics; they were so deep, so deep in fact that they seemed to lack their normal illumination. The interrogator’s dead eyes, met the visor of the Constructicon, and at the very same time he smiled. Even that gesture hid a certain amount of malice.

Darkride knew, just by closely watching the transport that he wanted nothing to do with him. This brought about that oh so familiar need that the purple ‘Con missed so very much. The same kind of need that crept over him every time he decided to take things into his own hands. Unfortunately he was unable to take Long Haul to his chamber and work with him on one of his notorious sessions. Pity.

Taking the initiative, the purple mech made his way to stand directly in front of the Constructicon. With another toothy grin Darkride stepped right into the personal space that the green mech was occupying.

“So glad you were able to join me, Long Haul. And yes, I would greatly appreciate a discussion concerning that matter.”

Darkride stayed his position, nearly chestplate to chestplate, but that disturbing smile melted into something much more frightening. And those dead eyes absorbed everything in the immediate area, Long Haul included.

“Devastator. I think it would be in your best interest if you provided me with as much information on this matter. I can already see just how disagreeable you find me, and if I am able to discern this just by observation alone then you must realize that I can, and will, determine whether you are feeding me half-truths.”

Darkride let that statement hang in the air for almost half a breem and yet he still did not move away.

“Mind your deceitful tactics. I do not wish to tear you apart, truly I do not.”

The last line spoken brought a return of that all too familiar deranged toothy grin.

“Okey dokey then. Now, begin. Oh, and hand gestures would be most helpful.”

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

"I'm sure it was rich. I would've loved to've seen it," Astrotrain chuckled in regards to Ramjet's supposed assault on Starscream. The coneheaded Seeker might have been known for his stubbornness but even Astrotrain was surprised to hear that he had attempted a stunt like that. Starscream usually did a pretty good job about keeping his boys in line so that he could focus on bigger fish.

"I've seen you hang out with him before. I want the whole story next time you guys are swapping memory tracks, heh," Astrotrain added before nodding in agreement at Blitzwing's next comment. Megatron was an obstacle like no other. That's why it was best not to even see him as one. For Starscream, he was an obstacle. For a mech like Astrotrain, Megatron was a battering ram--plowing through the obstacles that the universe had put in the triple-changer's path to gaining more power and influence. Not enough to run things. Just enough to be comfortable and not have to go groveling around Octane for barely even a quarter-fuel up. It was embarrassing. And he would get there, even if the current circumstances made it a little harder to see how.

"I wouldn't be surprised either. I'm sure we'll know for sure when he is, there's bound to be some kind of coronation," Astrotrain said, smirking. "Happy? With Starscream? I guess so. I don't know how much better or worse he is than any of the others in Megatron's little circle. They all have their issues. I mean look at--"

Astrotrain stopped in his tracks. Ahead he could see what appeared to be a little conclave of some kind. Warlord Thunderwing of Valckasta. Onslaught. And not far from them, Scrapper.

"--whoa. Don't need to get mixed up in that. Let's head for the dome and see if there's anywhere to kick back for a breem or two."

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Brawl was not happy to see Thunderwing. The long lost warlord was the sole reason Razorclaw and Onslaught had not already deposed Shockwave from the power. It had also cost them the control of one of the most powerful warships any Decepticon could hope to have an access to. And now it had apparently compromised the location of this new base Constructicons were building. Though Brawl had to admit he wasn't too sure of that. Had Shockwave already known of this location? Brawl did not know. He left thinking to others, he was the blunt instrument used to remove obstacles in the way of the Combaticons. He had no interest in becoming more involved in tactics beyond the level of Onslaught giving him orders to carry out - the more gruesome fashion, the better.

In the wake of the excessive amount of pent up anger and frustration, it was not too surprising that Brawl contacted Onslaught through short range private com-link. >>"Boss! Thunderwing's a lackey of Shockwave's! He cost us the Thanatos! Let me put that ornamental pretty mech hide of his in a test! Namely... I want to blow a fraggin' big hole straight through him!"<<

Korean Shoreline

Long Haul maintained his stance as the insufferable Darkride stepped into his personal space and remained there in an intimidating fashion. Oh, how the green transport wished that Devastator was already a reality. The intrusive interrogator would be literally squashed underneath the gestalt’s massive foot. As it were, that was not yet possible, but soon it would be and everyone within the Empire would then know the true face of raw power.

Listening the what Darkride had to say, including his malevolent threats, made Long Haul consider his response carefully. He did not need to be torn apart as it would put a serious kink in the gestalt design to lose one member of the unit. This was not to mention that the heavy lifter would also lose his own spark, which was not a fun prospect at all. Yes, Long Haul was bigger and stronger, but he was not smarter or more agile than the interrogator. Size and strength could only get one so far as intelligence, dexterity and melee skills had the potential to overcome such obstacles.

Still, Long Haul knew that half-truths were all that he could give. As far as Darkride knew, Devastator was a separate being and the transporter would try and capitalize on that as best he could. “Tearing me apart would not be in your best interests, Darkride,” Long Haul began, trying to keep a confident demeanor as he spoke. “My teammates would not take kindly to losing me nor would Devastator. I may be, as you said, under appreciated, but that does not mean my loss would not be avenged. Of course, you don’t want that no more than I want to be ripped to pieces by your torture devices, so I will be as forthcoming as I can be.”

Long Haul paused for a moment to let what he had just said sink in. Most did not know that the heavy loader was actually quite courageous even though his menial job as a simple transporter would seem to suggest the opposite. Naturally, the gestalt project had given him somewhat of a boost to his courage, even while standing in front of the vile interrogator, who seemed afraid of no one. Still, the combiner tech had not yet been applied to any of the Constructicons. And even if it had, Long Haul was alone without the rest of his comrades and therefore it would do him no good without the other components. However, the transport was hoping that the mere threat of Devastator’s coming would ward off any attack on him by the Decepticon torturer.

“As for what I know about Devastator, I can’t say it’s very much, I’m afraid. I’m a mere laborer and not privy to all of the details. I just do as I'm told. Now, I’ve never met the mech, myself, but I do know that he is very powerful and will be arriving here in the near future. How and when that will happen I do not know exactly. What I do know is that when Devastator does make his presence known, all will tremble before him...” Long Haul leaned slightly towards Darkride with a glint in his optics before adding, “Even you.”