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Corridors - Somewhere

Ever since he had heard the... The song earlier, Wheelie had been trying to track it's source. He knew that song. He had heard it when he was even younger than he was; when he was on a freight ship. Cleff, his adopted mother figure, had always sung to him when he was younger. It was how he learned to rhyme.

Naturally, he wanted to find this source. The orange protoform completely ignored his parched Energon reserves and pressed through the corridor, completely ignorant of where he might end up.

As he moved through the winding corridors, Wheelie wandered about, trying to find where that sound was. It had dissipated earlier, but he had remembered where it came from and he was heading in that direction. Suddenly, he heard it again, yet more intense. Yet, it wasn't a song at all, but the tune, ah, the tune! Wheelie felt it in his chest, reverberating across his shoulders and down to his toes, which tapped happily across the floor.

He turned the corner and stopped at a doorway. It was the Engine Room. Giant masses of steel hung over him with crackling Energon coursing through the veins of the engines. This was the source of the tune he had heard. It was as if it were calling him.

"Calling..." Wheelie muttered, when suddenly, his optics dilated and he suddenly felt uncharacteristically weak.

He felt a pang throughout his mind. Images and jumbled sounds coursed through his mind like a gunshot. Pressing his hands to his head and letting out a shrill cry, Wheelie fell to his knees, then to his side, mind overloaded and unconscious.

Bridge

The walk from the hangar to the bridge was uneventful as usual for the small, hardly noticable firecon. Keeping to himself, not drawing attention from the various vehicons and warrior mechs that march throughout the hallways of Scorponok's flagship was fairly easy for the experienced criminal, and it was one of the few times he would be alone to collect his thoughts. Given all the information he had easy access to back at the Research Center, he was just as informed as any commanding officer stationed in the star system. The only thing he didn't know was Scorponok's exact plan.

Stepping onto the bridge, he did his best not to be intimidated by the numerous towering mechs. Given all those assembled, it was easy to assume that he was one of the later arrivals, so he did his best to look unassuming and hope no one would notice. And even if he was noticed, he had a number of good alibis to assure those who would be suspicious.

I'm not with Intelligence now., he thought to himself as his optics scanned around, My importance isn't as obvious to most of those here. To many I'm just a smart mech who can't fight worth slag.

There were two mechs- well, technically four- that he knew he had to keep especially careful of. First of course was Scorponok, the massive Warlord who may not have been a hacker or programmer by any stretch, but was one of the few mechs in the system whose intelligence was greater than Sparkstalker. Then there was Reflector, the trio which Sparkstalker was well aware of. The cryptologist saw the three mechs as his greatest obstacle should he need to access anything classified. It would be a challenge keeping out of their sights.

Keeping quiet and to himself, Sparkstalker waited in anticipation for the Warlord to speak, while his processors continued to work calculating what challenges would lie ahead.

Bridge

Snaptrap arrived at the bridge just behind the small firecon. The Seacon Commander did not pay the diminutive Decepticon any mind, however. He continued into the bridge and paid the proper respects to his commanding officer, Scorponok. "Reporting as requested," Snaptrap uttered simply and took a place to wait for Scorponok to begin briefing them.

The seacon commander gazed about the bridge as he waited, noting that he was likely one of the later arrivals. He would offer no excuse. It would be a waste of time and energy when there were other, more important matters to attend to. Letting his hand rest easily on the hilt of his sword, Snaptrap waited patiently for Scorponok to begin to speak.

Bridge

Through the portal and back onto the Semper Tyrannis was where the High Commander and his horde had vanished to. Among them Cipher, who took up a position as near to Scorponok as possible without impinging on the larger mech’s personal space.

The assemblage was quite impressive. Cyclonus…Scorponok’s Aerospace Commander, Hun-Grrr…the Commander of the Terrorcon’s, Hardshell…one of the Insecticon horde. Each one present and awaiting the brief that was soon to come. Cipher’s attention quickly turned from those already present to the portal that was still open. From the swirling mass came a figure. Slightly taller than the scientist himself, but still imposing.

Wingspan had left the Command Center of Tenebrous after receiving a nod and very brief acknowledgment from Turmoil. He and Sparkstalker were wanted…immediately…on the Flagship of the Second Expansion Fleet by Lord Scorponok.

Once he was on the bridge Wingspan sought out the Commander. He approached the black and gold mech and offered him a slight bow before speaking. “Lord Scorponok. I must apologize for my delay.” Wingspan lifted his head and set his optics on those of the High Commander. “What is it you require, my Lord?”

((OOC-Joint post between Cryhavok and Insidious))

Bridge

After having arrived on the bridge of formidable flagship of the 2nd Fleet, Cyclonus had watched and waited patiently as other figures summoned by the Decepticon High Commander responded and made their presence known, the latest being the diminutive Insecticon....Bombshell? Why had Venom not transmitted his presence? Cyclonus' curiosity had faded as quickly as it had arisen, and he turned his attention to more important matters. Any potential internal strife between the bugs could be resolved at a later time. Regardless, Cyclonus' wait had not been an idle one. Together with High Commander Scorponok, the air warrior had been efficiently gathering all known information regarding the Garrus-9 penitentiary and cross-referencing it against intelligence that they had gathered only within the last few cycles. It was not a process that would be completed so quickly, but it could certainly commence in earnest.

"The Garrus-9 penitentiary is a multi-faceted facility that the Autobots have expanded upon considerably in the vorns since its original construction," Cyclonus began, activating holographic visuals that would complement his words. "Originally designed to simply house Decepticon prisoners of war, its security status was upgraded considerably after the discovery of rich energon and mineral deposits. Though the energon deposits are believed to have been largely depleted, the moon continues to feed the facility a variety of valuable ores that, in turn, have made the prison largely self-sustaining, requiring little depletion of the Autobots other resources in the field."

The holographs zoomed in further, providing visual layouts of both then penitentiary and its surrounding structures.

"The duty roster within the penitentiary is believed to be considerable. There is both a large military and civilian workforce, though there is no real fleet presence to speak of. One formidable vessel is regularly stationed on or around the Elba moon as the warden is also the commanding officer of the Steelhaven. The ship and its crew also maintain a strong presence within the facility when it is not being deployed on the battlefield. Current intelligence suggests that Fortress Maximus is currently completing a lengthy work detail on Garrus itself, which means the Steelhaven would be there also. Powerful...but isolated from any nearby reinforcements. The element of surprise and the intelligence gathered from our interrogations will be our strongest weapons in the battle to come."

Cyclonus then brought up a screen containing technical specifications regarding each of the six Monstercons.

"This is our prize. These mechanoids hold the keys to a weapon which has not been seen since the Golden Age and has been long forgotten. We will free our long-imprisoned Decepticon brothers and unleash a terror upon our enemies the likes of which few of them have ever seen. To that end, I have formulated an initial battle strategy for our Commander's consideration."

The holographs then switched again to images of the current Decepticon warships in their sector.

"With the Rancor having sustained heavy damage and requiring significant repairs, it will remain behind as the first vessel to receive the services of the soon-to-be-constructed Nebulan shipyards. The Perdition and its support vessels such as the Severance will remain behind as well to maintain the security of our latest planetary acquisition. That leaves our flagship...and the Pestilence. These will rendezvous with support destroyers requisitioned from other areas of the 2nd Fleet's sovereignty."

Cyclonus' paused his briefing at this point, allowing his master to address his lieutenants himself. Scorponok wasted no time doing so while using Cyclonus' holographic image of their warships to present a visual representation of their tactical fleet movement data.

"Stealth is our key to victory. The Autobot transport ship procured by Hardshell will allow us to open a transwarp rift into the Elba star system and slip our warships through the same gateway our decoy utilizes under a ghost shield activated prior entering transwarp. While the Autobots' system surveillance focuses on the unscheduled arrival of one of their transports, our attack fleet will approach Garrus-9 undetected."

Scorponok's burning red optics focused on projection of the Steelhaven as he continued laying out his strategy.

"This deception will allow us to launch a surprise attack against the Steelhaven, allowing us to disable the greatest threat the Autobots have to offer against us and lay seige on the moon where our real targets reside; however, assaulting the Steelhaven is just one part of our multi-faceted strategy."

The hologram shifted to include a series of superstring transmissions being beamed from the Semper Tyrannis towards Elba and its moons.

"When the command is given to attack the Steelhaven, Sparkstalker and Wingspan will simultaneously hack into the Autobot command network with the help of the command codes we have acquired. They will proceed to release a powerful cyber warfare solution that disables Garrus-9's defenses and communications relays - throwing the Autobots into chaos and enabling our next step - our greatest advantage over the enemy."

The fleet data disappeared from the presentation, being replaced by a view of the space bridge located within Semper Tyrannis' hangar.

"A transpatial portal from the Semper Tyrannis' hangar into the very heart of Garrus-9 whereby we will take the enemy completely by surprise. The Autobots will expect us to invade conventionally, not by flooding their precious facility with our warriors from inside out."

Before Scorponok continued, a large, detailed holographic layout of Garrus-9 was brought up before the Decepticons gathered around the holographic projector.

"You are my chosen warriors to lead our invasion of Garrus-9. The fiercest and the most accomplished warriors of the 2nd Fleet. Study the facility. Memorize its layout. Identify its key features: the weak spots, the choke points, the positions where the enemy will dig in their defenses or revert to using explosives to stop our advance. Do not mistake this for being the protoform's play like the invasion of Nebulos, a planet that has not tasted war in many generations--for the enemy will fight to keep this facility from falling to our control and their numbers are considerable and capable even under the disadvantage we put them to."

At this point Scorponok's focus shifted from the holographic presentation towards his men.

"But never forget. We are the dominators. We are the destroyers. We are the Decepticons! The victory will be ours!"

Scorponok paused to allow the emphasis of his words to settle on the minds of those assembled and charge their sparks and minds for the battle to come.

"There is one issue that has to be settled before we begin. Cyclonus if you will?"

Cyclonus' smirked and offered a nod to his commanding officer before his gaze then shifted slightly toward the holographic projection of Bombshell that stood along with the other Decepticon group leaders and other warriors of note within the 2nd Fleet. The images above showed another looping holographic visual of the Pestilence emerging from the portal and deploying its forces within the penitentiary, followed quickly by the Semper Tyrannis.

"Indeed. Though the advantage is ours, I will leave little to chance. I am unconvinced of the current strategic stability of the command structure aboard the Pestilence. Therefore, I will offer command of that ship to the first Decepticon in this room to step forward and claim it. You will be the tip of the blade. The first to feel Autobot vitals in your hands. Who will claim this honor as their own?"

Cyclonus was curious to test the mettle of those gathered. But as always, he had a contingency in mind. If none amongst them assumed the role he would do it himself.

Bridge

The briefing soon began much to Snaptrap's satisfaction when the last of the arrivals streamed into the Bridge. He kept his optics on both the holographic visuals and Cyclonus when he began to speak. Whether or not the duty roster was considerable mattered not. The Autobots would fall. This would be a true battle and not a mockery of war as it had been on Nebulos. At the mention of Fortress Maximus, the Seacon commander shifted his grip on the hilt of his blade. He would like nothing more than to pit his skill as a warrior against Fortress Maximus. Perhaps he would get the chance during the invasion, but if not, there were plentiful Autobot guards.

Snaptrap studied the technical specifications of each of the six Monstercons. Curious. These mechanoids held the keys to a long forgotten weapon? However, that small spark of curiosity was extinguished as Cyclonus moved on to discuss strategy, describing which ships would partake of the invasion. Cyclonus fell silent as Scorponok began his part of the briefing.

It was a sound strategy, utilizing surprise and deception as per the Decepticon norm. With the Steelhaven out of the way, the siege could begin in earnest. But as Scorponok was soon to reveal, this was not the only strategy that utilized these powerful tools. An invasion from the inside out would likely prove a devastating tactic. However, surprise only lasted so long. Soon, the Autobots would begin to rally. As Scorponok addressed Snaptrap and the other warriors assembled in the bridge, he laboriously studied the layout of Garrus-9, the concepts of battle strategies and points of interest already forming in his processor.

Their commander warned them that this was not going to be as easy or as simple as the conquest of Nebulos had been. Snaptrap was acutely aware of this. While some might be content to prey on the weak, the Seacon commander hungered for more. Now, he might finally have the opportunity to quench his thirst for dominion and destruction. Scorponok's words only charged his spark further and solidified his resolve.

It seemed as if the Decepticons were all ready to deploy for Garrus-9 when Scorponok spoke of one last issue to be dealt with. Snaptrap's optics shifted to Cyclonus and the holographic projection of the Pestilence. Command of the Pestilence? To someone other than an insecticon? There would be...complications. But the initial strike must be a devastating blow, despite whatever infighting the insecticons may face. Infighting would not be tolerated. Not now.

Snaptrap stepped forward from the position that he had taken up, casting a sidelong glance at Bombshell before returning his gaze to Cyclonus.

"I would claim this honor to strike the first blow in the name of the Decepticons."

Corridors

Iguanus had been delighted to leave behind the monotony of Nebulos and step on board the formidable flagship, the Semper Tyrannis. Although his presence was not required during the briefing currently being held on the Tyrannis's bridge, Iguanus spent no time dwelling on that thought. That he was here now, wandering through the entanglement of the ship's corridors, proved to be a sufficient distraction, snaring his attention more thoroughly than he would have liked to admit.

Not quite the activity he had hoped for since setting foot here, but it was still preferable to milling about in Tenebrous, where the most productive thing he could do was rust away.

The Decepticons had secured Nebulos within their grasp. They had searched the planet with exemplary efficiency and weeded out the remaining pockets of resistance. What Autobots hadn't been eliminated were taken back to Tenebrous, where their new purpose as prisoners served only the schemes the Decepticons still had to set in motion. In short, Nebulos belonged to his faction.

As for the Nebulans? Iguanus neither knew nor cared. They were pathetically weak creatures, hardly commanding any more notice than the common cyber-gnat.

Iguanus continued to traverse corridor after corridor. He made a few lefts here, hooked many rights there. As a first-time guest on board this ship, he had no idea where he was going, only that he'd end up somewhere eventually.

Somewhere. Not a particularly recognisable destination. Or a useful one.

The lumen strips embedded into the ceiling soaked each passageway with their sterile white brightness, rendering it impossible for shadows to take up residence in any of them. So far in his journey, this light had acted as his constant companion, as though it were performing a duty to him. But as he strutted though another corridor, Iguanus noted a growing dimness the further he went.

He lifted his optics to see the lumen strips above extinguished, the rectangular devices veined with fissures and splattered in places with a dark, viscous fluid. After a moment, Iguanus detached his gaze from the lumen strips. It was then he also noted the same dark, viscous fluid—and some other unidentifiable matter—clinging to the walls either side of him, globs of it arranged in grotesque patterns stretching along their lengths.

Despite the appalling conditions he'd found himself in, Iguanus smirked. He suddenly realised which Decepticons called this ship home, and was certain he had intruded upon the sanctuary of one of these...mechanoids.

Smirk still intact, Iguanus began slowly walking again. Not because he was exercising caution, but because he wanted to savour this moment, however insignificant it might be. The Terrorcons were such temperamental things, barely in possession of even a shred of rationality, that Iguanus would have to tread carefully should he lure one into conversation.

And that was something to be proud of. If you were successful and walked away still in one piece.

“I know one of you creatures are down here in your little hidey-holes, so why don't you come out and say hello? You don't want to be rude to your guest now, do you?”

Bridge

Bombshell's holograph fizzled and crackled, looking as if it might fade entirely for a moment.

"I protest this action! We have not--"

The cold, heartless stare he subsequently received from Cyclonus was enough to keep him from adding any further words to his protestations. He allowed it to linger for a moment longer to let the underlying threat sink in just a little further before turning his attention toward Snaptrap and nodding his approval.

"Take your team. Assume command of the bridge. Apprise me of when the Pestilence is in full readiness."

Casting a brief glance down at the console in front of him, Cyclonus tapped a simple command and Bombshell's holograph vanished from view entirely. The Butcher of the Bogs would prove to be an exceedingly more capable spearhead than Venom or any of his subordinates. Cyclonus looked to the others assembled on the bridge.

"Questions?"
___

Corridors

"'Rude to your guest'. 'Rude to your guest'. You tread deep, guest. Nnnnnnot welcome here," a voice grumbled, followed by a low rumbling growl that was soon followed by another, echoing in unison and serving as a warning to whatever Decepticon had strayed too far from its usual peers.

In a darkened corner, a pair of glowing, red optics watched the new figure as it approached. A second pair seemed to lift itself up until it had become level with the others--the growls continuing to reverberate threateningly throughout the dark and enclosed space that most of the Terrorcons had cordoned off specifically for the own use after vorns of service under Scorponok.

"Rudeness is all you will find here. Rudeness and death."
___

The protoformic Cybertronian's energy signature had lead to the engine room. If Mindwipe hadn't already been on edge, that fact would have easily pushed him there. That area of the ship was off limits to many Decepticons, to say nothing of some young recruit that they had encountered on some stray planet. Mindwipe had no idea what sort of business this Wheelie thought he might have there, but Mindwipe was determined to put a swift end to his curiosity. If worse came to worse, and this was all some pitifully ill-advised attempt at sabotage, he would likely have to put an end to the young Cybertronian's life himself. That would be a pity. He had seen more potential in the recruit than that. Or at least he thought he had.

Picking up his pace, Mindwipe could have swore he heard some kind of cry from the adjoining corridor that lead to the engine room itself. It took him a few moments to find exactly what he was looking for, given the considerable size of the room in question, but find it he did--or him, rather. Sprawled unconscious on the floor was the prone form of Wheelie.

Odd....

Mindwipe's optics shifted from one area of the room to another, his eons of Decepticon training preparing him to encounter some kind of trap. But as he came closer he was greeted by....nothing at all. The Decepticon hypnotist activated an internal communique.

>>"Assistance to the engine room."<<

Engine Room

There he lay, unmoving, but very much alive. His face was frozen in a look of horror and pain, but no physical pain was endured. He was in a ghostly memory, trapped in his own mind like a prison.

Memories

Wheelie was where he wanted to be, sitting on his bed in Cleff's arms, being rocked back and forth to a delightful tune sung by the very skilled Cleff. She was much taller than him, but that was normal because Cleff was nearly triple his age. Her pink and sky-blue colors were bright, vibrant and somewhat distracting, but Wheelie couldn't help but to feel completely relaxed in her arms.

"We'll run, run, run about and see what we can see.
We'll do whatever we can do, happy as can be..." Cleff sang softly, rocking him in her arms.

"Cleff?" Wheelie asked, hating himself for interrupting her.

"Yes, Wheelie?" she replied with a gentle smile.

"Why do some of those words sound the same?" he asked.

"What, my rhyming?" Cleff said with a giggle.

Not understanding whatsoever, Wheelie's head tilted to the left.

"Here, I'll teach you..." with that, Cleff and Wheelie faded away, leaving a second Wheelie in blackness.

He had forgotten. This was when Wheelie had learned how to rhyme. Wheelie had always taken his rhyming ability for granted, how he had read all of his datapads and understood what they meant... But this was something... Else, for a lack of a better word. But something else was bothering the young protoform; why was he shown this? Was there some hidden meaning to all of this?

Suddenly, he was tossed about again, and this time, he found himself in the streets of Cybertron.

*****

Holding Cell X34

A sharp pain awoke the unconscious detective. Nightbeat cried out and looked to the left to find the source of his discomfort. The source of the pain revealed itself; a chuckling Vehicon had just kicked him in his side.

"Rise and shine, Autobot." the Vehicon spat as he walked away, snarling.

"Ehh, go and scrap yourself." Nightbeat grumbled back at him.

Rubbing his head, Nightbeat sat up from his awkward lying position, slid weakly to the wall and leaned upon it, resting his servos. Hearing a familiar hum beneath him, Nighbeat immediately deduced that he was on a starship. Sniffing the air, Nightbeat then deduced that the ship he was on was not an Insecticon starship, which was, in Nightbeat's opinon, a good thing considering the probable bitter relations with them.

Hopefully.

Corridors

It didn't take long to acquire a response from the darkness, which came as no surprise considering just who was skulking around in the unilluminated corridors. And such a swift reply confirmed the presence of only one possible Terrorcon that Iguanus had in mind.

Sinnertwin.

Although two pairs of blood red optics examined him from the seclusion of the impenetrable shadows, an animalistic ferocity and relentlessness enclosed within their gazes, Iguanus hinted no indication whatsoever that he was afraid. Indeed, that smirk had yet to leave his face-plate, and he took a few steps towards Sinnertwin, all in an effort to provoke a reaction out of the Terrorcon. After all, Iguanus's cruel nature wasn't merely limited to the Autobots.

Not by a long shot. His fellow Decepticons, the dear little souls that they were, also happened to supply an abundance of entertainment that Iguanus couldn't help but stir when the mood struck him. For his so-called comrades, it never ceased to amaze him just how savage some of them became after he had mocked and goaded them.

Of course, that was the objective: to summon anger and violence so Iguanus's sadistic urges could be indulged in one way or another. And truth be told, he relished every astrosecond of it.

“Rudeness and death, you say? I think it is you who is being rude and so should be put to death for it.” Iguanus chuckled. “Well, Terrorcon? What do you make of that?”

Bridge

A moment passed as Wingspan waited for a response from the massive clawed mech, but when none came the data processor simply straightened to his full height and stepped back. There was no reason reassert his query, in time he would get his answer.
And that answer did come in the form of a briefing of the groups’ up and coming raid on the Autobots’ penal colony; Garrus 9.

Both Scorponok and Cyclonus laid out the entire process. With the use of a holographic projector all gathered were able to see just where and what they were intended to be and do. Wingspan instantly perked up when he and Sparkstalker were specifically named and given their own orders.

Simple enough…wait for the attack on the Steelhaven commences and hack into the Autobots’ command network. Their ultimate goal; render the Autobots trapped in the penitentiary helpless. No communications with either the outside world or within the prison itself. Disable the defenses…utterly helpless. Wingspan smiled.

The briefing continued with other key points offered and discussed. The clone studied the holograms carefully committing every detail to his memory. There would be no room for errors, and he would see to it that his part was performed flawlessly.
____

From his position Cipher had an unobstructed view of the detailed holographic images that both Scorponok and Cyclonus had brought up. The scientist was more than willing to commit everything to memory…especially every feature of the prison’s layout.

With his optics glued to the image the scientist removed a data slate from storage and linked the device to the holographic imager. The diagram of the facility that was projected was instantly copied and downloaded to the device’s drive. Cipher then removed its uplink and brought up the image on the screen.

While is optics were glued to the hand held tablet Cipher’s audios were in tune to everything Scorponok and Cyclonus had to say. Most of the infiltration would involve the warriors and soldiers; with that there was really nothing he could offer. Although he more than capable of holding his own in battle, Cipher was a scientist and therefore he would contribute to this campaign in a manner befitting his function…unless instructed otherwise.

“Now, where are you?” Cipher spoke softly while he scanned over the data on the screen. It had to be there, but it wasn’t on the map. Cipher tilted his head slightly as he tapped his chin lightly. “Hiding it won’t help either. Must be…” The scientist thought for a moment as he scanned over every minute detail.

Cipher scrutinized one particular area for more time than any other. It was a fairly large area that, honestly, had no use. His optics brightened with the possibility and he tapped the location lightly with a digit. “Could this be where they’ve hidden you? I suppose we’ll have to see, now, won’t we?” The data and the records on Aequitas should prove to be the perfect tool to take down the Autobots. If only I knew for sure where it was located…

Brig

When the doors to the brig opened once more, it was a steady stream of Sweeps that entered the room, roughly a dozen, followed at last by Scourge himself. His callous optics scanned the assorted cells for a few moments before finally settling on the one whom he had been sent here to rip apart, in a psychological sense at least.

Scourge was not an interrogator. He would leave such work to the likes of Soul Siren and others within the intelligence corps. But apart from being the foremost tracker in the empire, Scourge was an executioner par excellence. In every imaginable usage of the term. Oh, he had executed any number of Autobots and other sentient lifeforms in his stories life, but in the most practical sense of the word, when it came time to execute an order, Scourge was usually able to do so with few peers.

In this case, the application of the cerebro-cortical patch to pry whatever remaining intelligence High Commander Scorponok needed from the Technobot Commander would be done swiftly and with no delay. It was apparently assumed that the traditional means of intelligence-gathering would meet with an unsatisfactory level of resistance from the defiant Technobot. That meant using harsher technology--as the patch could leave significant collateral damage to the psyche of the one subjected to it. So he had heard, anyway.

"That one," Scourge said, indicating Scattershot as the Tracker and his entourage approached the cell's exterior. Without hesitation, weapons were drawn and leveled at each of the Technobots. More than one of them looked to be in no condition to offer much in the way of resistance as it was. Scattershot, as expected, began offering verbal protestations, and perhaps even the beginnings of a physical one, before he was overwhelmed by simple numbers.

"What the slag do you glitchmunchers want now?! Let him go!!" Rad called out from his own cell. "Haven't you got everything?!"

For a few moments, Scourge did not acknowledge the Autobot's outburst. He waited until Scattershot had been moved--very unwillingly--to another part of the brig where two other Sweeps stood with the cortical-psychic patch technology ready to be installed on their next victim. Only when Scattershot was forcibly restrained against the steel slab did Scourge turn his attention to Rad. His optics narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Nothing was spoken that required a verbal response on his part. He simply turned and approached his Huntsmen and the overly defiant Technobot.

"Engage the patch as soon as it's online."

Bridge

Instability of the command structure aboard the Pestilence? The large Insecticon agent of Scorponok's was taken aback by Cyclonus' words. So Bombshell had made his move. Or Kickback. Shrapnel was of course another option but he'd be no more than a puppet of the two more intelligent brethen of his. This wouldn't do - not now. Venom was the only one that could properly coordinate the swarm with such a short notice. And thus, a strategy began to develop within Hardshell's brain module. However, before he could make his move, the notorious butcher in command of the Seacons stepped up to pledge his claim to command the Pestilence. Forcing Hardshell to step up as well.

"With due all respect to Snaptrap Commander Cyclonus", Hardshell began, giving Snaptrap a short bow our of respect, "but this is an internal Insecticon issue. The honor to put my kin in line should be mine. I am certain the Seacons' formidable power would be better used through spearheading our assault into the heart of the Autobot prison through the portal generator. Despite of his shortcomings, Venom's ability to control the Swarm is second to none."

The Insecticon brute raised his right arm to level with his chest and clenched his clawed hand into a fist to give emphasis to his words, "And I have a way to make my lesser kin to obey him through this ordeal."

"The bug speaks sense." Apeface grunted, flexing his neck joints from side to side. "Posting Snaptrap and his men aboard the Pestilence is waste of firepower and skill. According to your strategy, the bugs' and their destroyer's main purpose is drawing the attention of the Autobot defenses before we cripple them from inside. The butcher of bogs belongs to the front line with us. Even the bugs themselves are talented enough to do what is required from them."

"Or what says Hun-Grrr?" Apeface added, turning his gaze towards the infamous leader of the Terrorcons.

"Your suggestion is tactically sound. Snaptrap can hold his own in battle better than the most." Hun-Grrr replied, showing no sign of his usual bestial behavior. While often seen as nothing more than a savage beast with boundless appetite, the hulking Terrorcon was far more intelligent he was usually given credit for. And when the situation demanded it, Hun-Grrr was able to act professionally.

Hardshell couldn't have been more satisfied. While Apeface's words reeked of spite towards the Insecticons, Hardshell had to admit the Horrorcon was right. Not that he was going to tell the primate that. No Decepticon took insults well and Hardshell was no exception. But he wasn't foolish enough to throw his life forfeit through making a move against Apeface either. The Horrorcons deserved their reputation. Truth to be told, they were likely far more worse than the stories gave them credit. After all, most of their victims didn't live to tell the tale. Nonetheless, Hardshell was not going to look gift horse in the mouth. With Apeface and even Hun-Grrr seconding his sentiment, his chances to be selected over Snaptrap were now much higher than before. Still, there was no telling what Cyclonus or Scorponok would decide...

Bridge

Cyclonus listened quietly as Hardshell attempted to make his point. Others, for better or worse, decided to add their unsolicited opinions as well. As far as the vice commander was concerned, the matter was closed and he had no interest in engaging in a debate.

"No, insect. Once Garrus-9 is under our heel, then your problems will be an internal matter. Until that time, your sect's instability will not be allowed to jeopardize our plan of attack. The Seacons will ensure the stability of the Pestilence and, when the time comes, spearhead an assault on the exterior of the complex itself via transport pods thereby allowing our primary attack group to decimate the Autobots from within, via the portal technology available on the Tyrannis."

He sent a quick glance of confirmation that his orders were still in effect and that Snaptrap should delay no further. All Decepticon aerial resources were vital and Cyclonus was not going to allow even one ship to descend in to chaos prior to their strike. Moreover, he was not going to send another Insecticon to resolve what was already appearing to be an Insecticon-created problem.

"Apes and I lead the big charge, right?" Snapdragon asked, barely disguising the fact that it was not really a question at all, but more a demand.

"The unique skillset of the Horrorcons will not be wasted, I assure you both," Cyclonus replied calmly. Snapdragon looked as if he were about to fire off a retort to that as well, before apparently deciding not to.

"If there are no further questions, I move that we prepare the fleet to depart."
___

Engine Room

It did not take long before Mindwipe was greeted by the familiar footfalls of Vehicon drones. Kneeling next to Wheelie, he had attempted some basic methods of restoring consciousness. Tapping him on the cranial unit had not seemed to work. Nor had sticking a digit down the opening of his agape mouth aperture. Now he was going to have to try more drastic measures.

"Take him to the repair bay," Mindwipe said, rising to his feet as the Vehicons easily lifted Wheelie up and began to trek off toward their commanded destination. "So very strange."

Mindwipe spared a curious glance back at the engine room, poking his head through the door and looking around. Only the hum of energy greeted him.

"Boogah booga!" Mindwipe chortled, shaking his digits in front of him in mock-fright for even allowing himself to feel a twinge of nervousness for standing in the vast room by himself, lest whatever happened to Wheelie happen to him as well. Mindwipe sighed and chuckled again before sealing the large room off completely and following after the Vehicons.

Bridge

Sparkstalker smiled as the operation was laid out, if only because his part of it was appropriate for his skills. Far too often he had been put out on the front lines by some idiot who saw his scary-looking alternate mode first without bothering to check just how much more useful he would be behind the lines at a computer console or communications terminal. Of course he wouldn't be working alone, Wingspan was assigned to this task as well, but the cryptologist didn't see the data processor as a potential burden or liability. He looked over to the Decepticon clone and gave a nod.

The firecon scanned over every micrometer of data that was displayed before him, though given his assignment it was likely he would have further access to that information when needed. He had to admit that it was a brilliant plan, one that he begrudgingly had to admit he couldn't improve upon himself. Of course, he should have already expected that coming from a military genius like Scorponok. Still, there were a number of questions that formed in the criminal's main processors over the reason for the operation.

Out of hundreds of Decepticons incarcerated at Garrus-9, including some of the Decepticon's greatest killers, why these six? Nothing about any of them seems particularly special, yet Scorponok is going to great lengths to retreive them. What hidden weapon from the golden age could they possibly have access to?

The cryptologist then watched with some amusement as the issue of commanding the Pestilence was brought up. Of course Cyclonus wanted a mechanoid he could trust at the helm, and of course the Insecticons would insist on one of their own in charge, but even with the support of some of the other warriors the cryptologist saw little chance of any bug being placed in charge of their ship.

Foolish Insecticons,, he thought as he shook his head smirking, Some of you may be quite brilliant and cunning, but you just don't know when to turn it off. No one will trust any of you with anything, you're just as bad as Starscream.

Once that issue had been addressed, Cyclonus seemed ready to move on with the operation. However, there was one factor in the whole operation that had not yet been addressed which Sparkstalker wished to bring up.

"Lord Scorponok,", Sparkstalker took a step forward and made a respectful bow to the massive warlord, then turned and gave a respectful nod to Cyclonus, hoping that both would actually notice him, "Sir, what of the other inmates within the penitentiary? When we hack into their security systems we could release them to create further chaos for the Autobots. Or we could also keep those specific security systems online to prevent any unexpected surprises. Which would you have us do?"

Brig

"They don't even know that they're already scrap," Pointblank said quietly, his optics shifting smoothly from the antagonistic Vehicon to Nightbeat. Those things were supposedly believed to have some infinitesimal degree of sentience but Pointblank didn't believe it. Even drones could be programmed to act with a modicum of independence, and these Vehicons were proof of that. But they were still just unthinking machines to him. No more worthy of consideration than an automated scrap-compactor.

"I remember seeing your name on the roster on Nebulos....but...we hadn't seen or heard from you in so long, I think a lot of us feared the worst. I was one of them, sad to say. Glad you proved us wrong."

Pointblank leaned against the back of his cell.

"How'd you stay alive?"

Pointblank knew that he and every other Autobot had an interesting tale about how exactly they wound up here, imprisoned by Decepticons instead of fragged somewhere on the surface. He was curious to hear another if Nightbeat was up for the telling.
___

Corridors

In the disquieting darkness of the Terrorcon corridor leading to their proper den aboard the Semper Tyrannis, Sinnertwin's optics flashed violently red at Iguanus' words.

"Kill us then, if you can, for only one will now leave this hall alive!" the Terrorcon howled, before lunging into the air and preparing to land full-on and begin shredding his newfound quarry.

Brig: Infirmary - Laboratory

Scattershot drove the heel of his foot assembly straight into the throat of one of the vehicons attempting to restrain him to the examination table. His faceplate contorted in satisfaction as even with his under energized condition that the fools would send some vehicon with below average armor or strength to try and subdue him. The sickening crack of armor plate echoed above his own struggles as two more jumped onto his free leg and forced with all their might the restraint down upon his lower leg joint.

The damaged vehicon fell down across the monitoring alcove before being trampled by another set fighting Scattershot as the Technobot commander used his determination and reserved strength to pull his arm free. More than once he used his power to throw off his captors, sending them into a pile and more than once they swarmed again to restrain him.

It was not until the mindless sweeps stomped into the chambers and used their vastly improved stature and strengths, at least when compared to the vehicon canon fodder, to force his arms back into their restraints.

Even when the restraints were secured Scattershot still pulled at them with a fanatical furver. His audio receptors barely heard Scourge as he addressed the present Rad, and his own Technobot party. He was to furious with the situation he was currently in to even care as to what was being exchanged. It wasn't as though he expected the Decepticons to honor agreed to treaties with regards to the treatment of prisoners, but at least give him a fair fight before they began their barbaric whatever it was they were planning...

... and that was when he heard the conversation switch to the cortical patch. "Oh goody," he spat back to the Decepticon tracker with defiance. "Guess not only do I get to smash that silly looking metal thing off your face in real time, I get to bring you to tears in the mental world too." He temporarily stopped his struggles. Scattershot was well aware of the rumored effects of this forbidden technology.

"Remember ole Spurge, damage goes both ways... regardless of what you've heard. If I end up droolin', I'll ensure you end up worse." And that he swore would be no idle threat.

Bridge

Having left the Pestilence issue for Cyclonus to deal with, Scorponok let his most loyal lieutenant to do as he saw fit. Snaptrap and his Seacons would be valuable asset no matter where they were deployed. And for appearances sake, it made sense to give the Autobots the idea of the Decepticons going for full frontal assault through deploying an elite squad like the Seacons amongst the Insecticons and the Vehicons.

It was the question presented by Sparkstalker that caught the High Commander's attention. He had not ignored this detail. Witholding certain details during the initial briefing, gave Scorponok a tool to evaluate his own men. The fact that Sparkstalker had not ignored this particular detail reinforced the warlord's opinion on the cryptologist's usefulness. While many Decepticons would rather just charge into the fray and leave details to others, Scorponok realized their value. Careful planning won battles - and Scorponok intended to win this war.

"Your priority objective is to release all the prisoners you can Sparkstalker."

"Your secondary objective is to keep the control of their security systems or disable them completely. This is something we cannot count for. The enemy simply cannot be underestimated." Scorponok replied to Sparkstalker's query. Clearly, the most dangerous prisoners couldn't be freed by just opening the doors - the ones having their sparks extracted. And not even the Autobots would be foolish enough to leave their prisoners armed and fully energized. What mattered were the numbers. Even if the released prisoners weren't fully powered, they'd outnumbered their captors and were likely to riot if given a chance.

"While the Autobots likely have some of their own locked away within Garrus-9, the majority of the prisoners are captured Decepticons. Thus, releasing the prisoners will create another battle front for the Autobots having to spread their forces to - weakening their defenses considerably. And once we make contact with our own, they will either submit to my command or invoke my wrath upon them."

"Is this all? If there's no more questions, you are dismissed." Scorponok spoke out and turned his attention towards Cyclonus. "Have the remaining preparations done and provide Finback the fleet rendezvous coordinates. We will move out as soon as the Pestilence is ready and the Semper Tyrannis has finished being stocked with troops and supplies."

Bridge

Snaptrap was not surprised that the insecticons insisted on settling their internal affairs on their own. He had expected some form of protest or another from them. The Seacon commander was mildly surprised at the other warriors' interjections in support. Nevertheless, Cyclonus rejected these objections. The orders were upheld. As Cyclonus sent him a curt nod to confirm this, Snaptrap nodded in acknowledgement and turned on his heel headed for the Pestilence. He needed to establish stability as soon as possible.

Snaptrap listened to the questions that soon followed that order of business, but they pertained to the internal assault, so the Seacon commander did not delay and exited the Bridge as Scorponok dismissed them all, heading to the bounce chamber to jump over to the other ship. He opened up a communique with the rest of his team.

>>"Seacons, report to Semper Tyrannis's bounce chamber immediately. You will be briefed on our assignment when you arrive."<<

Snaptrap continued through the long dark corridors, planning and preparing to take both the Pestilence and Garrus-9 with the same cold efficiency that he ran all of his operations with.

-----

Corridors

"What do you think the big meeting is about?" Nautilator asked tentatively, looking around at the rest of the Seacons as he treated the rust that had started to form on him during their most recent expedition into the water.

"Shut your trap, Nautilator. For the umpteenth time, I don't know," replied Seawing irately.

"We will know when Snaptrap lets us know, Nautilator," Tentakil added diplomatically.

"But-"

Nautilator stopped speaking when Snaptrap's transmission reached the assembled Seacons. Tentakil gestured with a slight flourish in the general direction of the bounce chamber.

"Let us depart."

---------

Bounce Chamber

Snaptrap arrived at the bounce chamber in short order and moved over to the control panel to set coordinates for the Pestilence. It wasn't long before he heard his team approaching. He glanced up as all five of them filed into the bounce chamber before looking back down to finish setting the coordinates.

"We will be spearheading the assault on Garrus-9 Penitentiary. We take command of the Pestilence, seizing the bridge first. Then, we will search the ship and locate Venom as well as the other sentient insecticons of standing, namely, Kickback, Shrapnel, and Bombshell.”

“It is likely that we will be met with sort form of resistance. Be wary of Bombshell and his cerebro-shells. Liabilities will not be tolerated,” Snaptrap let the full implications of that statement settle in for a moment, directing a baleful gaze at his troops before continuing, “After subjugating those three and Venom, the stability of the Pestilence should be ensured, and we may finally depart Nebulos.”

“This will be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Nothing can impede the assault on Garrus-9.”

Snaptrap activated the console for the jump. The bright beam of light filled the chamber and consumed the party of Seacons, fading slowly leaving nothing behind but the empty bounce chamber.

(OOC: All Seacons will be moved to the Pestilence.)

Corridors

This was the reaction Iguanus had been chasing. And true to form, Sinnertwin gave it to him with barely a hint of resistance. A typically feral response from a typically feral Decepticon. He smiled.

And continued to smile even when Sinnertwin's sickle-sharp claws whipped out, embedding themselves into Iguanus's left shoulder, creating multiple gashes in his armour-plating. Vital fluids slithered from his wounds and travelled down his arm before falling from the tips of his digits in erratic fashion. The fluids gathered before his pedes, forming a small pool.

For a Terrorcon, Sinnertwin moved well. Who knew brutes could stir with that much agility? Iguanus certainly did not expect that. Surprise, surprise.

“Not too shabby, Terrorcon.” Iguanus touched his wounds, probed their depths. “That was a decent strike. Your speed deserves to be commended.”

Sinnertwin scored a hit, Iguanus had to grant him that one. Though, to be fair, laxity played a critical role in his movement—or rather lack of. Iguanus, however, realised his mistake of underestimating the Terrorcon. He would not make it again.

“One shot.” Iguanus looked up and stared at his opponent. “That's all you get, so I hope you enjoyed your freebie.”

He stepped forward, withdrawing his blade from a sub-space compartment. Smirking, he beckoned Sinnertwin to come at him.

Corridors

"Primus! Why the frag do you..." Overbite began, obviously repulsed by this... Thing that had decided to pester him.

"Stink? I thought that was you." Skalor lied, then leaned forward to let his smell get stronger.

It was then when Snaptrap's communique came through the intercomm. Furrowing his brow, Overbite charged ahead, doing his best to stay out of the reach of Skalor. If he was going to smell it, at least he was going to get a less brutal blow to his limbic system.

Bounce Chamber

Arriving in the Bounce Chamber was no easy feat with one's optics constantly stinging out of the stench. Overbite was absolutely certain that the paint was peeling from where Skalor was following him.

Stepping unto the Bounce Pad along with his Seacon brothers, Overbite suddenly had two fingers thrust into his face by Skalor.

"BY PRIMUS!" was the last thing that left Overbite's voice transmitter before he vanished in a flash of light.

Brig: Infirmary - Laboratory

Soul Siren calmly entered the Brig gracefully although, obviously, still needing a long bath. She was tired but knew better than to allow that to show for even a moment. She saluted Scourge and walked towards where Scattershot was sitting. She ignored the subject and wasted no words greeting the leader of the Sweeps as she could imagine the only words he wanted to hear from her mouth. She noticed the patch had been installed and gave it a quick study. Satisfied that all was in order, she walked to the main station of the room and began to input commands.

"Cortical-psychic patch properly installed. Activation... now."

As she finished speaking she activated the devise. She looked towards the Technobot commander, curious as to what the devise would do.

Brig

Scourge had moved himself in to place, Vehicons taking care of the basic installment procedures of the device that had been established by Shockwave and Decepticon Intelligence. After Soul Siren had arrived and ensured that the device was connected to both Scourge and his target properly, the Tracker steeled himself for what was to come.

For Scourge, this was a new kind of hunt. One that would not require any significant expenditure of energy. Rather this hunt would utilize Scourge's psychological skills. And though the Tracker spoke little, and with even less emotion, he possessed plenty. Enough to get any job done, no matter how unorthodox. Even this.

As Soul Siren indicated full activation, Scourge's optics dimmed. And with that, he began a full, psychic invasion of Scattershot's mind. He would not leave until he had ripped the command codes out of the Technobot Commander's processors, along with anything else of even conceivable value to the Decepticon cause.
___

Corridors

"Enjoyed it," Sinnertwin growled, one head belching smoke from its nostrils as flames boiled up from the other.

"Will enjoy doing it again," the Terrorcon added, thinking nothing of Iguanus' challenge. This time instead of leaping, he dashed straight on at the Decepticon. He would get him on the ground and then he would feast. Whatever remained of his internal mechanisms would decorate the walls of their den.
___

Bridge

"As you command it," Cyclonus said, immediately accessing the command comm of the Tyrannis and preparing the encrypted transmission that would be sent to Finback as well as the other weapons and systems checks that were routinely run prior to any battle, but especially on a vessel with the capabilities of the Semper Tyrannis. As the flagship of the Second Expansion Fleet, it had to be a symbol of tyranny and dominance, just as any flagship had to be. Malfunctions were simply unacceptable.

"One such as Snaptrap will have little trouble with the Insecticon worms. The Pestilence will be as ready as the rest of our ships in short order."

Scattershot's Brain

The sudden surge of energy began to fade as the invisable hand of the patch wrapped its tendrals around Scattershot's subconcious and began dragging him deeper into the recesses of his mind. Scattershot did not struggle, he knew from reports before there would be no point. This Decepticon technology was fragile at best, and chatastrophic at worst. And he had little patience for ending up a drooling service droid... after all that would leave Lightspeed alone and at the mercy of Afterburner and the others.

Slowly the descent ebbed and he found himself, or at least a mental reconstruction of himself, standing in a vast almost unending void. Once the technocratic hand of god released its grip on his subconcious finally returned to solidity. Immediately Scattershot stretched his body, fully rearmed and fully powered, after all it was a representation of his self perspective.

The Technobot Commander's optics narrowed as a shadowy figure began to resolve in the darkened mysts of his mindscape. "I don't suppose putting a few acid shells into your cerebral processor will have a lick of good." He raised his mentally generated weapon and squeezed off a series of shots towards the mental intruder, knowing full well they would pass harmlessly through the construct. Still it made him feel better.

Immediately the region around them began to waiver and ripple. An effect of the probe process as it began the painful process of dredging up memories Scattershot had long ago triple encrypted and filed so far down that not even the strongest interrogator could possibly reach. As the first vestages of a cliff face, red as rusted and unrefined iron, litered with blackened carbon splotches and dotted with twisted metal remains of large Ion Artillary Guns... Scattershot stepped back in disbelief.

"What... The battle of Iradel Prime." An image of Fortress Maximus and his army laid siege to the last Decepticon fortress on the planet. It was well known knowledge that Maximus and his forces had routed the Decepticons and had taken the fortress after a planetary cycle of shelling. But what wasn't known, what Scattershot had never really wanted to admit to was how the Technobots had begun their formation... there on that battlefield.

The mental reconstruction of himself raced up the battle ruined flank of the mountain pass, with Lightspeed and a blue ranger behind him covering the flanks. A pair of Decepticon warriors arose from one of the damaged breaches in the wall only to meet the flaring barrels of a super powered shoulder cannon of the blue Autobot, and a series of bursts from Lightspeed's primary weapon.

"The final assault on Chaosus. Ah I remember it well. Course its not like I recall the vivid details. But I do remember that Scorponok wasn't exactly to pleased with his base commander's performance."

Scattershot, the real Scattershot, looked over at the representation of Scourge. "You do remember what happened?" He began leading the decepticon towards the battlefield where the blast lines were the thickest. Hopefully a shell from the outside would be enough, just enough to send this invasion into his memory back into his favor.

Corridors

What a brute, indeed. What a simple-minded beast, Sinnertwin was. Clearly he did not share the same views on battle as Iguanus did. A pity—though Iguanus cared very little for the Terrorcon's beliefs and values, if at all.

Battle, as was its right, should always be savoured and appreciated. To be flooded with that thrill of anticipation moments before the encounter; to feel alive during the bout, aware of the possibility that it could be your last; to flaunt your skill and imprint superiority all over your opponent; to wear him down and coerce errors from him; to humiliate him for his sloppiness; to destroy that opponent in combat; oh!

It was in these instances where Iguanus's premature visualisation of the unfolding encounter proved so powerful that he sometimes thought the fight already concluded and he the victor. Reality, however, separated fact from fiction. The brute was charging at him with great speed, and if Iguanus wanted to survive to see another solar cycle now would be an excellent time to avoid being crushed.

Shedding his dream-like state in favour of a smirk and mocking expression, Iguanus leapt out of Sinnertwin's path. With finesse and elegance, he landed where he considered a safe distance would be from the Terrorcon. Not that there were any safe distances situated within these narrow corridors to accommodate those who suddenly decided to engage in a ferocious struggle.

But the Semper Tyrannis was far from an ordinary flagship, as were its residents.

As though supporting this claim, Iguanus kicked a severed arm out of his way, spatters of vital fluids accompanying it during its brief flight. So a fresh kill. Iguanus wondered who the poor fool was before he met his end.

He gestured towards the limb with his blade. “You've been busy guarding your filthy lair, I see. But we are not here to discuss your hobbies, are we?” A smirk found itself on Iguanus's face-plate. “Shall we continue?”

He couldn't help it. Provoking a Terrorcon was too easy, almost as easy as taking oxygen into his ventilation systems, but he just couldn't help it. To test himself against Sinnertwin: it was an opportunity Iguanus could ill afford to decline.

Particularly when neither Hun-Grrr nor any of the other Terrorcons nor any other Decepticons were around to interfere and spoil the fun.

Besides, it wasn't like their encounter was being fought to the death. Then again, with this brute having a tantrum because somebody had to invade their “den”, their hilarious excuse for quarters, who knew?