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Korean Peninsula

No one followed him. In a way that was almost as disconcerting as the ideas flowing through his processor. Sitting atop a small mountain range somewhere in Korea and hidden by the lush canopy overhead, Thundercracker concentrated on the current state of the Decepticon Empire.

He remembered being approached by Megatron to join his cause to free them from Autobot rule and bring equality between the Cybertronians. It was something he believed in then as much as he did to the current astrosecond. The question was, did he think any of the current “leaders” have the same belief?

Megatron fought for a cause, not for personal glory, at least as far as Thudnercracker saw. He knew Starscream longer than he did Megatron, making it safe to say the Seeker Commander could be blinded by his own ambition an glory too easily and Shockwave… he knew nothing about the powerful strategist aside from his logical pursuits. He never performed an action without examining everything first. That meant he saw a strategic advantage over Starscream and any that stood with him, but how could one so cold understand the sparks of those unlike him?

Megatron held the Decepticons together through the force of his will and brute strength. None dared to oppose him openly and those doing so behind closed doors often cost them their spark. Without him they were little more than a motley group of mechs fighting for their own status. Perhaps there was another way? One that would lead the Decepticons into a new age of unity and victory.

Thundercracker’s red optics flared at reaching his decision. At best he risked being exiled from the Empire, at worst it’d cost him his spark. Either way it was something he needed to attempt. Searching through his databanks, he instructed his communication algorithms to develop a new signal, one that could only be traced by one Cybertronian. Communications not being one of his strengths, it took his systems a pair of breems to develop the proper code. With a final sigh he took the proverbial plunge and opened a channel.

>>Thundercracker to Soundwave. Come in Soundwave.<<

If this didn’t work he’d be on the run from both factions. Not something any mech would look forward to.

Message from Soundwave to Thundercracker

>>"Signal: Received. Proceed with message."<<

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

Oil Slick offered only a brief nod of thanks to Darkride. It was not in his nature to display much more then that and he knew it was all the interrogator would expect. It wasn’t as if he was doing him a great favor as the other Decepticon stood to benefit greatly from these machinations as well.

The chemist turned and began to jog away from Darkride, building speed as he transformed into his motorcycle mode. He quickly moved to one of the primitive roadways and sped off. As he drove he considered a map of the Earth he had downloaded prior to leaving the Ultrax. Calculating the time he had left until his rendezvous, the speed at which he could travel and population densities he located a meeting spot an adequate distance away from their base on the peninsula.

Oil Slick pulled off of the road and drove a short distance off of it. As fast as he was in his vehicle mode he would need flight speed to reach his target destination. He would have to fly low to avoid detection and maneuver around pockets of population, but at the very least he would be near his desire location before he had to signal Tracer. Transforming, the Decepticon leapt into the air and took flight in his robot mode.

Off the western shore of the Korean Peninsula

Okay, now what? Thundercracker took less than an astrosecond to begin. Doubt crept into him the moment he heard Soundwave’s voice respond but he went too far to turn back now.

>> I wish to see Shockwave about a way to end this… civil war. Before we hand a victory over to the Autobots.<< Thundercracker didn’t add the part, that he started, knowing it wouldn’t get him anywhere.

Bottom of the Sea of Japan

Onslaught had seen fit to continue assisting with the trenchwork that was being established around the dome structure that would surely serve as the core of their latest base of operations.

Part of him, from a strategic sense, was tempted to try and find a way to get the Obliteration down here, so that it too could be integrated--perhaps entirely--with the base that was being constructed here. But he was not feeling that generous. Having the Obliteration in orbit over this terrestrial mudheap was far too valuable an advantage to give up idly.

He hadn't dug a trench himself by hand--so to speak--since the very earliest cycles of the war. It felt good to be getting back to some of his roots as a soldier, even if the stakes were higher now than they had been at any point in recent memory.

Approaching Mongolia

Oil Slick continued his flight silently. Internally he was calculating his speed and distance to his destination while watching his chronometer. He had agreed to send the rendezvous coordinates at a specified time. He had to make sure he would arrive their before that time was reached. While he didn’t expect that Tracer would lay some sort of trap for him he still wasn’t going to take that risk; being careless in a deal like this would likely get him killed.

Satisfied that he would reach the rendezvous well ahead of the appointed time he finally sent a signal to Tracer with the coordinates of the meeting location, a location he was nearly on top of now.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Uh oh.... Maybe Bonecrusher was right, maybe I shouldn't have transformed so much down here.

Scavenger was doing his best to keep track of any problems with the dome, scanning it with his shovel, but he was having some trouble. He was getting mixed readings that kept changing, making it hard for him to determine whether there really were any cracks. On top of that moving was becoming more difficult as he felt stiffer, needing more effort to move around, even in his excavator mode.

Ah no, no, I can't mess this up! Slaggit, Scrapper's not gonna be happy.

"Uh, boss?", Scavenger meakly said to Scrapper, "I'm uh, having some problems with my sensors. I, uh, may have taken in some salt water when a transformed...... a few times."

Message to Thundercracker from Soundwave

>>"Shockwave status: currently occupied. Pertinent information can be sent to me and passed along to Shockwave. Additional information will also help to determine if face to face meeting is necessary."<<

Heavily Encrypted Message from Razorclaw:

>>”Attention all Decepticons, this is Lord Razorclaw on board the Ultrax. I have beaten Air Commander Starscream in melee combat and thus assumed the role of supreme leader. Regardless of Shockwave’s recent message to all of you, he is not worthy of the throne left behind by Lord Megatron. Only a seasoned, capable warrior and former gladiator such as myself can successfully lead the Empire to ultimate victory over the Autobot suppressors. However, we are being hindered by a rift within the ranks created by the Military Operations Commander. I will need all of your support in order to quash his little rebellion and thus make our forces whole once more. Only then can we hope to eliminate the Autobot threat once and for all. If anyone sees fit to oppose me, you will face a similar fate that has befallen Starscream. Like Megatron before me, I will not tolerate weakness or betrayal. Both will be dealt with swiftly and harshly as I see fit. Consider all that I have said and accept the new Predacon regime and you will be rewarded in the cycles to come.”<<


Encrypted Private Message from Razorclaw to Onslaught:

>>”Commander Onslaught, this is Lord Razorclaw. I know my recent message to the masses might have come as a bit of a shock. It was an unexpected but necessary step in order to accomplish what needs to be done for the betterment of the Empire. I hope that I continue to have your support in this endeavor as it will be crucial for us to reunite the Decepticons if we are to be successful in defeating our true enemies, the Autobots. I am placing you in charge of the Yellow Sea base site. Ascertain and provide me with the current status of the structure. How long will it take before the base is operational enough to be occupied and adequately defended from any possible attacks? I await your response.”<<

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Bonecrusher looked over to Scrapper when he said for him and Long Haul to go and pick up supplies. He looked over at the heavy loader and he knew that he wasn't going to be happy about that. This brought a grin under his Faceplate.

"Sure, Scrapper," Bonecrusher said to Scrapper before looking back to Long Haul, "C'mon, 'Haul, faster we do it, the faster we get it done!"

He began to swim off in the direction of where they last left their equipment, leaping off ledges when he was swimming too close to them and bounding off the ground when he began to sink. He smashed through stone that dared rear it's ugly face in front of him, a cloud of dust and sand emitted from where the stone once was whenever he struck into them.

He didn't like the sand. It was rough, irritating and it got everywhere. But not like the steel he used to work with. That was smooth, enjoyable and easier to work with.

>>Ugh. It'll take a week just to get the sand out of my joints.<< Bonecrusher said to his comrade, whom he guessed was trailing behind him.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Long Haul turned towards Scrapper when the Constructicon Commander gave the okay to go and retrieve the rest of the supplies that were safely concealed back in the makeshift bunker not far from the beach. “You got it, boss,” the heavy loader replied with a nod before joining Bonecrusher as they headed back towards land.

“The remaining equipment is in that cave, ‘Crusher,” the green transport replied to his teammate’s insistence that they get moving towards their destination sooner rather than later so the job could get done faster. “It shouldn’t take us too long to get topside. Once we’re there, I’ll transform while you load the stuff into my truck bed. I should have plenty of room to carry all of it back down here.”

Long Haul had little time to remark about the multitude of sand particles that both he and his comrade had stuck up inside their servos when the encrypted message from “Lord” Razorclaw came across their comm lines. The heavy loader was stunned that Starscream had lost to the Predacon Commander, who then wasted no time in laying down the law under his new regime.

“What the slag, ‘Crusher? Razorclaw’s our leader now? How in the pit did that happen all of the sudden?” Long Haul vented as he trudged through a thicket of seaweed alongside Bonecrusher. “I don’t know what exactly this means for us now. I suppose it could be a good thing since ‘Claw is, or was, a unit commander and might give other teams like ours special treatment. Although, we’re not exactly a battle-hardened group like his own so ‘Claw may not view us in the same light. I don’t know. I just hope the Devastator project isn’t affected too much by this latest regime change. That would not be good at all if it were.”

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Scrapper found himself inundated with minutae as the dome was emptied of water and the semblance of a true operations site began to emerge. Even so, he kept working as he talked. First, he addressed Hook. "Don't worry, Hook, we'll be keeping as a few people in the actual dome as we can. We're the Constructicons, we don't need assistance, so the foot troops can stay outside on defense.

Adjusting the last of the support brackets, Scrapper was about to begin organising the initial base framework to begin construction, when another issue came up. "Scavenger...I understand you've been working in a tough environment, this salt-water isnt doing any of us favors. But surely you have enough mobility to retrieve our equipment? Once we get the dome fully equipped and sealed, we'll have more time for things like maintenances. In fact, setting up a CR chamber should be a priori...."

Scrapper trailed off as a new message came in from Razorclaw. It seemed the burgeoning civil war had taken another odd turn. As he tried to process this new information, the Constructicon Leader looked out of the Dome towards Onslaught, to try to guage the Combaticons reaction.

Rebuilding Megatrons Empire is like trying to build a skyscraper on the back of a Beryllium Pachytron, it just won't stay still...


Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

Swindle let himself relax a fraction as he watched Oil Slick and Darkride leave, but not too much. The experience had taught him that, even with all the tensions over Megatrons death and the differing factions, Decepticons were still Decepticons and the possibility of having to fight each other didn't phase nearly as many mechs as it probably should.

Well, if those two want to try going it alone, thats their business. The only thing I have to do is keep my aft intact, and maybe try to make some profit off the whole deal. The Munitions Specialist transformed and headed in the direction of Onslaughts signal.

<<Boss, I'm sorry for the delay, I was just looking for the Constructicons and the mechs around here were like scraplets, getting in my grille. I don't think these guys are going to be much help, they're too ornery. In fact, I see some of the Triplechangers talking with Vortex, and they ain't looking cooperative at all.>>

As Swindle waited for clarfication on whether to bother helping Vortex (No need to steal the guys thunder, and the encounter with Darkride hadn't disposed him to helping interrogators), a new message came in from the ships. It seemed things were progressing, and it looked like things were proceeding well for their group. But does Shockwave have anything up his actuator housing? I'll call it being cautiously optimistic, and rewrite my sales pitch to suit.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Hook didn’t feel terribly reassured by Scrapper’s response, but he returned to his work. He would just have to redouble his efforts to make sure that the likes of Brawl or some other clumsy idiot wouldn’t ruin it all. He would just have to trust Scrapper on the political side of things. The engineer never had a knack for politics. It was probably why he tolerated Scrapper leading the team over him, even if he was the better engineer.

The Constructicon was busy measuring out the spots for the framework when the message from Razorclaw came in. A deep frown formed over his face as he turned to Scrapper. “I don’t believe serving under Lord Razorclaw was part of this deal Scrapper. Are we just going to be lackeys to a brute once again?”

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

As Onslaught worked, a series of transmissions he had been waiting for began to filter through. He had trusted that Razorclaw would make progress on his end, just as Onslaught had. His current strategic operations had hinged a great deal on that reality. Would he and his unit survived and prospered even if it had been Starscream on the other end of that comm-line? There was no doubt, in Onslaught's view. All the same, he was exceedingly relieved to hear that the Predacon commander had taken the next, and arguably the most important, step.

Transforming, Onslaught's optics immediately sought out Scrapper. This would be a strong step forward for all of the special teams. If they wanted to carve their own vision of the Decepticon empire and not find themselves under the bootheel of one vying tyrant or another, this would be their golden opportunity. Onslaught was a little leery about anything other than face-to-face communications, given both Shockwave, and certainly Soundwave's, technical proficiency in such areas, but it was a risk that had to be taken. They couldn't remain in the dark, strategically, regarding the progress that the other was making.

>>It is good to hear from you under such circumstances, Razorclaw. With this success, our strategy is emboldened further. Scrapper is open to what we discussed. Starscream was a major obstacle. Shockwave is obviously another. And there may yet be others who think they are best fit to carry Megatron's burden. You will have to be on guard, now moreso than ever. You still have my support. It was not given idly.<<

>>"As to the base itself, it holds much potential, but it is still in its formative stages. It is highly vulnerable. My unit and the Constructicons are the only dependable Decepticons present right now. I have no confidence in the loyalties of the others until they make it clear. I will keep you apprised."<<

Climbing out of the trench, Onslaught approached Scrapper once again. He had been content to continue developing this base of operations. But the political ramifications of their situation were developing as well, and they would be fools to ignore them.

"The winds of change shift again. This time, in our favor. Scrapper...now it's time to go all in. Razorclaw understands the unique burden that you and I do as unit leaders. Motormaster will follow the strongest, and since that was Razorclaw sending that transmission and not Starscream, I suspect his allegiance has been secured. Megatron respected our talents, undoubtedly. Amongst the Decepticon ranks, there were few he favored more...but they did exist. At the end of the day, we were still carrying out the orders of others. Now....now we will execute plans that we have developed ourselves. We will be the high command of the Decepticons. Any spoil of war to come from our inevitable victories will be ours to claim first."

Onslaught paused, taking a moment to consider his next words. They would almost certainly sound like a threat, but he would do his best to minimize that effect.

"But you must commit--fully. If you stand on the sidelines, the talents of your unit will be co-opted by some other would-be tyrant-king with the power to force you to bend to their will. You are too valuable to be allowed to operate independently. Everyone knows this. And I can guarantee that you and your men will not hold the same degree of esteem under the command of Shockwave, Starscream or anyone else that you would in the alliance we can forge with Razorclaw."

And that was that. Onslaught could not make the case for what he and Razorclaw had been building since their time on Cybertron any better than he had right there. Scrapper would see the wisdom in that path or continue to try and find a better option. In Onslaught's view, there was no such thing. For the specialty units, they would have no better opportunity than the one that now lay before them. Would Scrapper see the landscape similarly? That was the million-chit question right now.

Internally, he acknowledged Swindle's update.

>>"Understood. Savages, most of them. When the time comes, their loyalty will be determined by power. And we are in the final stages of securing as much as we will ever need."<<

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

“Some interrogator he is,” Blitzwing muttered, clearly disapproving of his commentary and of his presence in general.

Not that he knew Vortex all that well, but “useless” came to mind when he reflected on the Combaticon. Although it was the first word to jump into his narrow streaming of thoughts, it was accurate. In his opinion—but that was the only one that really mattered. And probably Astrotrain's, too, along with a smattering of others.

“The Combaticons may be our kinda guys but I don't know. They think too much.” Blitzwing aimed his thumb at Vortex. “Especially him.”

Becoming increasingly weary of acting as an out of place statue, he resorted to bullying tactics. Why not? The wonderful thing about them was that the physicality could be left out, called upon at a time when it was necessary. And while it wasn't a usual technique of his, discarding the violence in favour of insults, he didn't feel the need to flatten Vortex. Not yet, anyway.

But he did have a way with words that made Blitzwing want to punch him square in the face.

“Where's Octane?” Facial features curled into a scowl, Blitzwing turned to regard Astrotrain. “I'll tell ya where he is... Sharing the spoils with himself, himself—and, oh, wouldn't you know it?—himself!” He swore. Then he swore again, a more vulgar curse coming out. “He better have something for us, 'Train, or I might just kill him for being that greedy spawn of a glitch we all hate.”

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Mixmaster had finally made his way back over to Scrapper.

"Drainage in progress, Scrapper. Should be done in oh, uh, a few breems. 5.7 if you want an exact estimate. The equipment we brought with us should save us quite a bit of time, heheh."

He looked around for a moment, considering what to do next.

"The salinity levels on this planet are ridiculous. Jeez. Oh well, I can help Scavenger retrieve stuff, unless you have something else you need me to do, chief."
___

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

"Eh, he's good. He's just not in his element right now," Astrotrain said, waving off Blitzwing's dismissal of Vortex. He chuckled when Blitzwing remarked that the Combaticon Interrogator probably "thought too much".

"Eh, maybe. But that's why they're useful. Not a band of nutjobs like the Stunticons. Those boys--you just point them in the right direction and let 'em go. No strategy. Just insanity.

"Octane? Eh, he's with the Stunticons. Though you're right. We both know he took first dibs from that energy haul. He's sitting full and refreshed right now. My tank's running on 45%. Ridiculous."

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

"O-okay, Scrapper", Scavenger obediently replied, "I'll get some equipment."

As uncomfortable and possibly damaging to his inner workings as this was getting, Scavenger didn't want to disappoint his boss. All it would take was one excuse to throw him off the team, and he couldn't afford that. Despite so many delays and setbacks, the excavator knew he and the others would be right on top of the empire once they had completed Devastator. Then no one would look down on him.

Crossing his transistors that it wouldn't get any worse for him, Scavenger transformed to his robot mode again. Once again came the icky feeling of salt water leaking through his shifting parts and into his servos. His joints were feeling more stiff, making it a little more difficult to move. Lagging behind Bonecrusher and Long Haul, Scavenger did his best when he got the same message from their new commander.

"Razorclaw? I thought it was Starscream! Just who are we supposed to follow, anyway?", the excavator said with frustration, "Aw, this was so much easier to follow when we had Megatron!"

Encrypted Priorty-1 Transmission from Razorclaw:

>>”Commander Onslaught, it is good to hear that things are progressing well at the base site. We have indeed achieved a great victory here, but as you indicated there is still much to be done. We must all be carefully now, yourself included. I am sure you will do your best to sway those hold outs that our way is better than the ‘illogical’ alternative of Shockwave’s rule. Here, the uncertainty lies with the seekers and their fallen commander. It is my intention to bring Starscream and his brood into the fold. It may be a contentious and dangerous partnership, but it is one that is necessary in order to achieve our goals. On another note, what is the status of the Obliteration? Is it still in orbit under Combaticon control? We may need it in the coming orns if we are to eventually retake the Thanatos and reunite all Decepticons under one banner.”<<

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

"You would be surprised what one can learn just by listening." Vortex spat as he broke his silence. A smirk was hidden under his mouth guard as his optics narrowed on the triple changers. "Of course not all information can be gathered by talking or interrogating subjects Blitzwing. It takes subtlety that I am afraid may elude your more direct sensibilities."

The Combaticon shrugged his shoulders before he looked back at Astrotrain. "As far as why we are here, it is quite simple. We are here to assess the situation on this rock." He drew a small sensor sphere and pressed a single flashing orange octagon located at its apex. He allowed the device to patch into the local communication networks and began to map the region from human movements and local traffic.

"Still it has been a rather enlightening visit. Though I am sure Onslaught could bring you more up to speed than I can. Sufficed to say, I am not here at the behest of Master Toaster. At least not as far as I am aware of." He glanced back over to the small thin strip of sand that lead towards the lapping waves upon the shore. "If you want more detail, then you may as well follow me. Unless you want to get shot up by a few of those who defy Megatron's legacy."

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

A pillar of light struck the ground, slowly withdrawing back into the sky to reveal the form of Thunderwing. The Decepticon found himself slight disoriented by the process, which was unsurprising. Being shifted from such radically different locations was bound to play havoc with sensory equipment and perception. Once he had regained his bearing he took the time to look around.

A slight smile crossed his face. The scientist in him couldn’t help but feel a bit of elation at being on an alien world. For so long he had known only his personal base underground on Cybertron. At times he wondered if he would ever be able to venture far from it. Now he stood on an alien world, ripe for the taking. It was an exhilarating feeling, and one most Decepticons likely took for granted at this point. He would have to be careful not to get too infatuated with that feeling.

Thunderwing took a brief look around him. This particular area of Earth was not terribly scenic, confirming what his research had said. There were a few Decepticons milling about, but he noticed that none of the officers appeared to be around, or any of the Constructicons for that matter. The base was likely actually being constructed elsewhere. Various tire tracks and footprints led into the nearby sea. An underwater base? It would prove easily hidden, although difficult to manufacture. It was the type of challenge that only the legendary Constructicons would attempt.

The Decepticon made his way towards the water’s edge. He wasn’t particularly eager to submerge himself in it. His research had shown the high pollution levels in this body of water, but he had little choice. The carapace would provide more then enough additional protection from whatever harmful effects it would have. As he waded into the sea, slowly sinking down, he opened a frequency.

>>”Onslaught, Scrapper, this is Commander Thunderwing. I require an immediate update on your status and position. What is the progress on the base here? I also require any information you have on the status of Razorclaw and the Ultrax. Have you been in contact with them?”<<

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

“Just like the rest of us.” Blitzwing looked around, took in the scenery for a moment. None of them were in their preferred element. “At least we won't be standing here forever.”

Quashing his irritation as best he could, he joined Astrotrain and sat down near him, grumbling a few indistinct curses while doing so. As he occupied a grassy outcropping Vortex flung a response at him for his earlier comment. He listened to it in its entirety, but chose to say nothing in return.

In point of fact, he let Vortex drone on. Fancy words began to parade amongst his sentences, and Blitzwing could not be bothered to spend the energy forming a response. Besides, a reply might have led to mind games where the Combaticon had proven over and over again that he was the undisputed champion of them, a position he easily grasped and was likely to rule for quite some time yet.

“Forty-five percent? Frag.” Blitzwing's optics dimmed slightly as he issued a mental command to gain access to his vital support systems. “Well, I'll be the son of Optimus Prime.” He logged out, blood-red rushing to brighten his visual sensors again. “I ain't much better, 'Train. I'm sitting on half.”

One one hand, at least he wasn't doing anything strenuous to tax his energon levels. But on the other, boredom was making its move and successfully closing in on Blitzwing...

OoC: Scavenger's reaction to Razorclaw being leader.

Bottom of the Yellow Sea

Bonecrusher bounded again off the sandy bottom, clouds of dust erupting from the point of impact. He looked forward to see the cave Long-Haul spoke about. Hurtling into a dusty and grainy halt was not easy, his legs were nearly buried beneath the sand when he came to a complete halt.

He then heard Long-Haul's guess on Razorclaw. Bonecrusher growled and looked back to the transport.

"We agreed that this would be our own show, not some other guy!" Bonecrusher said as he moved toward the cave and began to look through the supplies.

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

Astrotrain nodded a little. He and Blitzwing--slag, even Octane most of the time--were generally in agreement about things. Though they had very different personalities, the fact that they had all been physically manipulated by Shockwave in order to receive their present-day, triple-changer status had bonded them over the vorns even if it was mostly unspoken.

He listened as the Combaticon interrogator rambled on a while longer. Assessments. Bureaucracy. That definitely sounded like Shockwave. The Combaticons had probably just bounced down from a meeting with him.

"Yeah, yeah...just lead the way," Astrotrain said, getting to his feet again before looking over at Blitzwing and shrugging. "Onslaught might have a clue. If he doesn't know more about what's going on than his little foot soldier here, I say we meet back up with Octane. We'll figure something out."

The recent transmissions had been weighing on the triple-changer's mind. He owed a certain degree of loyalty to the cyclops for giving him his current mode. But if Razorclaw was in the mix now, then that presented a whole different alternative from Starscream. Those guys who used to run around in the gladiator pits tended to think a lot of themselves. On the other hand, Megatron had been once such mech, and he had brought them this far. There were definitely decisions to be made. It was all very, very interesting.

Western Shore of the Korean Peninsula

With an exasperated groan, Blitzwing pushed himself upright and began following Astrotrain. “I just sat down, too.”

Vortex couldn't have been more right when he remarked how much one could learn from listening. Blitzwing did catch his first comment targeted solely at him, but failed to recognise that the rest of what he had to say was of relevance to their current situation. But it wasn't his fault. If they had never idly sat around in the first place, Blitzwing would have absorbed Vortex's words without any difficulty at all.

Well, maybe. The Combaticon did talk an awful lot, and it was possible that he would have tuned out at some stage during his rambling.

Blitzwing, depositing minimal effort into his stride, trailed behind Vortex and Astrotrain as the Combaticon led him to wherever Onslaught happened to be. And if he didn't have any answers to soothe his inflamed curiosity, at least Astrotrain had a little something for them to fall back on.

“Works for me,” he said in response to his fellow Triple Changer's recommendation. “It's not like there's anything else to do, anyway.”

Message from Blackwind to Commander Thunderwing

>>”Commander Thunderwing. I have assessed the current crew of the battle ship and I have come to the conclusion that they have been or are currently being swayed to favor our Military Operations Commander. This is a tragic turn of events. I suggest our attempts be stayed until such a time when we both can address the masses.”

“In accordance to Shockwave’s orders I have assembled a team and we await your orders to join you. I am looking forward to being in your presence once more, Commander.”<<