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Garrus-9 – The Rig

An overly curious spherical looking drone buzzed into Hun-Gurrr's lair, stopping before the mammoth draconian beast like it had stopped before many other Decepticons earlier to scan them. A scanning beam began running across the two-headed monster's body – provoking the interest of the beast. One of its head locked its optics into the drone. Curiously cockling its head slightly the beast began assessing the situation and without a warning, lunged at the drone – clamping its jaws shut over the drone, cocking its snout towards the roof. And thus making the last thing recorded by the drone's cameras the sight of whirling grinders closing in on their target.

“Master Hungrr?" Blot called, “I'm back with seconds."

Blot was back. And he had brought more to be feast upon. Excellent. Even still, Hun-Grrr couldn't be bothered with getting up from his comfortable nest of broken enemies and equipment. Sure, his latest Autobot victim was still alone, whimpering in the far ened of the chamber where he had thrown the bot into. But that hardly he couldn't keep him from eating more. The only reason his last victim was alive was the fact that the monstrous Terrorcon was amused by the whining of the beaten and partially eaten Autobot.

Letting out a bestial roar, Hun-Gar called Blot in to bring him his latest meal.

Garrus 9: Aequitas Chamber


Another newcomer, this time Banzai-tron. Bomb Burst briefly looked him over, somewhat familiar with his reputation. Though sometimes a challenging obstacle, preferring to maintain a solitary existence made him only familiar with only those he deemed at least worth his notice, at least in Banzai-tron's case, he was slightly worth noticing.

"Not as infallible as I have been led to believe thou we already knew that after our last fight" Bludgeon's comments were directed at the DSS head

The Hunter's optics drifted away from the newcomer in an unconcerned manner as Bludgeon spoke, and back to his long time commander. 'Feathers' not seemingly ruffled; and complete confidence in Bludgeon; he kept up his indifferent aire. It was the facade he prefered to be exposed and was most often known for by any who had the displeasure of knowing him. Save a few he allowed to take a different perspective of himself; which was only marginally different; though one might suspect that they never really saw the true self of the Predator, unless they were his victims. Quiet, mysterious, somewhat self centered, and uncaring was exactly what he wanted to be... exactly what he achieved... and it accomplished exactly what he wanted as it did not win him any friends.

“Enough Bludgeon!" Scorponok boomed, not being interested in the slightest over political games right now.

The Hunter stiffened just a little bit as the enraged Scorponok's warning was directed to Bludgeon. He resisted the urge to quickly equip his weapons, keeping his restraint intact would be crucial at the moment. Least he be permanently offlined by their formidable leader for the grave indiscretion of threatening him.

"As for you." Scorponok added, lying his shadow over Bludgeon, the red visor over his optics glowing ominously, “Your honor is tarnished. You lost the Emperion. You led dozens of Decepticos serving under your command to their deaths or to be captured. By doing so you failed Megatron. You failed the cause. What do you have to say in your defense?"

Now the threat was escalating from the giant Decepticon leader. The Hunter's true nature tempted to reveal itself as he prepared to defend his master's honor and life at expense of his own; for reasons not explainable, at least on the surface. The mention of the Emperion's loss struck a sore spot with him. He should have been aboard the ship when it was attacked but had been given leave to work out his particular 'tastes' before he would have to answer as for why some of the crew had gone missing.

Bludgeon's response to Scorponok's question did nothing to suppress his anxiety of the life and death situation, he prepared to release his weapons from where he stowed them. Was he foolish enough to make a threatening move first? No. But to the observant eye, he was ready to defend Bludgeon at the expense of his own life.

Garrus-9 – Aequitas Chamber

"My honour is indeed tarnished Lord Scorponok, but we fought with courage and honour. The loss of the Empirion was lamentable but unavoidable you know of my history as a Titan Hunter. The Empirion was lost while carrying out a specific mission for one we'd just destroyed a Nibarian outpost in the hunt for a titan which gave us a lead a planetoid nearby.

The ship arrived at the Urtuskain's planetoid hence Snarler's current appearance he was sent to find the titan we believed was beneath their main settlement. The short of it was we found said titan attempted to infiltrate it. But where interrupted by the wreckers or a version of them makes you wonder where they find that many idiots.

But I digress the combat awakened the Titan, it alone was too much for us add in the wreckers and the overkill was comical. The Empirion was crippled by the titan as it left orbit, the rest of us were in no condition to fight and where captured. That is my tale to tell if I can redeem my honour via pledging allegiance then it is yours unquestionably, My liege"

Fearless, yet respectful - despite of the danger to his continued existence. Scorponok could respect such courage. It separated a mech like Bludgeon from the bluster of fools who had convinced themselves that a defiant show of disrespectful courage made an impression.

“Your story matches the salvaged records found from the wreckage.” Scorponok spoke up, “I will accept your declaration of allegiance. Serve me well and your efforts will be rewarded. “

“Break your oath and you will cease to exist.” The titanic Decepticon added with a sudden snap of his claw for the chilling effect. There was no Transformer in the chamber Scorponok couldn't tear apart or crush to death with an ease. His strength was unparalleled, a legend of its own. A trail of bodies he had left behind as Megatron's second in command was all the proof anyone needed.

“I will let you to get reacquainted with your former brothers in arms. Report to Cyclonus once you are ready.” The gargantuan warlord continued before turning around and heading towards the direction of the amphitheater.

“I have a meeting to make that has been postponed for too long.”

Garrus-9 – Mines

”What? What 'what'?” Pointblank asked as Highbrow found himself in the process of extracting himself from Scattershot's most unwelcome hand on his shoulder.

“Never you mind, Pointblank. You would not comprehend, and, regrettably, it isn't feasible at the moment,” Highbrow muttered as he turned about in time to catch Brainstorm's inelegant landing. “Oh bother!” He exclaimed as he hurried over to Lightspeed and Brainstorm to assist the fallen scientist. However, as Lightspeed had that handled, Highbrow merely peered with some level of genuine concern at his fellow scientists. Lightspeed had noted Afterburner's exit on their arrival.

“Indubitably, Lightspeed. I fear it was indeed Afterburner, the poor rapscallion. These fascinating silver spherical analytic apparatuses entered the mines and began scanning and selecting certain individuals. Those that were chose, whether Autobot or Decepticon, are taken away by those ruffian Sweeps.”

"That appears be the scuttlebutt regarding what's going on, Nosecone," Lightspeed said softly, nodding. ”And the word is that once he's done with them, he's going to create more like him. More like that....thing...we saw in the penitentiary. It's a frightening thought, honestly. From what i heard, though, they're keeping the Monstercons separated again, just like the staff in this prison figured out to do a long time ago."

“Not so...!” Highbrow whispered, aghast, “More like...that abomination...” Highbrow was temporarily at a loss for words. But he soon found them again as a connection flickered in the scientist's mind. “You don't suppose that...Those scanners were searching for suitable test subjects for Jhiaxus? Oh dear...our fellow Afterburner could be in grave danger.”


Umbra had been distracted by the spectacle that Snaptrap had orchestrated out of Goldrush. She winced when the Decepticon impaled someone – an Autobot – she inferred he knew with the Seacon Commander's blade. The agent wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed, trying to shake off the unpleasant memories that brought surging back to the surface. She glanced over to Roadbuster when she heard some strange groaning and squealing. The Wrecker was stretching out his restraints. How strong did you have to be to do that?!

A sudden, crashing sound brought her attention back to the mine entrance where Brainstorm and Lightspeed had made their glorious return. They had returned indeed. But not fully intact. Their legs had been replaced by little more than a thin, awkward frame. This cruel treatment of prisoners made her fuel pump twist into knots. She looked back at Roadbuster only to find that he was again glaring at Goldrush. She bit her lip. It looked like Roadbuster was set to rip the Con apart. Umbra briefly wondered if Icepick knew how far the Decepticons had fallen since his time with them...

The agent scuttled closer, tryin to listen in on the conservation to get back up to speed. Seemed like the lack of intelligence was the biggest issue. With them stuck in this mine, she didn't know exactly how to resolve that. She couldn't think of anything to contribute on the spot. Instead, Umbra lightly tapped Roadbuster on the arm.

“Did you know him?” she asked, jerking her thumb in Goldrush's direction.

Garrus -9 Mines

Roadbuster was still fuming internally his vents where removing as much heat as possible as the hulking ex wrecker's anger raged within. The sight of a fellow autobot being executed like that was not new to Roadbuster he'd seen it many times before in his time with the wreckers. They'd destroyed camps where the inmates had been finished off work camps where the workers where shot as an example of failure to deliver.

It was then that he felt tap on his arm his head snapped around his optics boring a hole into the mech that had snapped him from his musing. The mech in question he didn't know she had no emblem that he could see whatever was there had been removed. She was alot smaller than Roadbuster and seemed to be in deliberation as to what to do. Roadbuster started to relax slightly but his head was soon turning back to Goldrush and Snaptrap as he spoke softly

"Goldrush was the barkeep to the local recreation establishment. The mech that was just run through was one of his staff a bartender, I believe. Whatever Snaptrap said to Goldrush turned his head enough to kill one of his loyal staff and they are loyal to Goldrush despite being autobots. What they think now is anyone's guess. But what I want to know is who you are and what faction your allegiance's lie are you an autobot, Decepticon or fence sitter?"

At the last part he brought himself optic to optic with Umbra his optics once again drilling holes into her frame. The answer had better be good

"I mean you have no allegiance symbol, you could be anything!"

MEDBAY


Solarstrike woke up with a start. How long had he been out? "Primus, do I feel better, though." he said to himself. He opened his eyes--Only to find that they weren't online at the moment. "Great, not only have I lost track of time, I'm blind." he thought. Then he realized the lights were off. "The d-dark? Great, because th-thats JUST what I fra-aging needed." he grumbled. He slid off of what he assumed was the medbay table and walked around a bit in the dark until the door slid open in front of him. "Well, I have a LOT to catch up on...Heh."

GARRUS-9 -- MINES


An Autobot soldier was getting ready to start his drill when a hand covered his mouth and dragged him away. Solarstrike quickly incapacitated the soldier before taking him to a small, inconspicuous cave. There, he set the 'Bot down and cuffed him.

"We're going to have some FUN, Autobot. Or at least, I am!" Solarstrike chuckled before pulling out a small device with two cables attached. He placed one cable on the Autobot's head, and one on his own. He pressed a button on the device, and the cortical patch initiated.

Suddenly, throughout the mines, the sound of an unfortunate 'Bot's screaming penetrated the walls.

Garrus-9 – Mines

Umbra nearly shrunk away when Roadbuster snapped his head around and drilled his intense, furious optics into her own. Nearly. Her time amongst the Decepticons, though short, had most assuredly taught her never to openly show weakness. As the wrecker relaxed slightly, Umbra did too. At least he wasn't going to rip her head off just this moment.

"Goldrush was the barkeep to the local recreation establishment. The mech that was just run through was one of his staff a bartender, I believe. Whatever Snaptrap said to Goldrush turned his head enough to kill one of his loyal staff and they are loyal to Goldrush despite being autobots. What they think now is anyone's guess. But what I want to know is who you are and what faction your allegiance's lie are you an autobot, Decepticon or fence sitter?"

“Uh...I'm Umbra and...” The agent glanced down to look at where her emblem used to be only to see that it was gone. The memory of tearing it off came back. And why. And who. And...Nope. No. Not the time. Now was the time to not get slagged by the Wrecker. She looked back up into Roadbuster's face to see that he was once again bearing down on her.

"I mean you have no allegiance symbol, you could be anything!"

“Uh...Oh!” Umbra perked up, suddenly remembering what she had held tightly in the palm of her hand since she left her cell. She lifted her cuffed arms up and opened her left actuator to reveal her old Autobot badge. It was crumpled from being torn off, but there it was. Umbra smiled up at Roadbuster. “It got torn off when I got into a scrap, but I managed to find it again,” she said before her optics trailed down to the little red piece of metal in her hands.

The agent thought of her time as an Autobot. Sure, she had been a bit of a recluse back in those days, but that didn't mean she hadn't enjoyed being one of them, did it? She didn't know. She had enjoyed her time although brief with Icepick. Umbra really couldn't recall any Autobots that she was close to. She was barely noticed amid this group of comrades. Well, that was to be expected she guessed. She'd been out of the war since before...before Cybertron died. Nobody knew her and she didn't know anyone. Only...Icepick would mourn her now. A Decepticon. Ha.

She didn't belong anywhere, did she?

Garrus-9 mines

A snort emanated from Roadbuster as the small femme named Umbra fumbled about and produced an autobrand. The imposing autobot looked at the badge then back at the Agent his optics narrowing he still wasn't convinced by her. A badge could be found anywhere especially in this massive charnel house the larger autobot wasn't impressed by it he wanted to know more.

"Tell me your story how did you end up here! How did you get caught?"

The Ex Wrecker turned back to his rock face as he lifted the axe and embedded it within the rock face splintering rock. He started to pick up speed his pick axe rising and falling like a metronome rock shattered before Roadbuster's blows. He wished he was free of his bonds he'd be leading from the front using his skills to help his fellow prisoners escape the mines maybe even escape the planet. But that was a long way from happening at the moment all he heard was talk and in places like this talk was cheap. As he thumped his axe into the rock face he awaited a good explanation from Umbra.

Garrus-9 Central – Amphitheatre

The Seacon, in all his non-existent wisdom, thought he could talk to Wildfly. Just have a lovely chat with him. Just shoot the breeze with the Monstercon, as if they could bond over their coinciding predicament of being Jhiaxus's test subjects in his loopy experiment.

The Seacon was joking. He had to be. Wildfly had personally savoured a massive eight astroseconds of freedom before his inhibitor claw had been removed and Monstructor had entered itself into the equation.

The Monstercons minus their inhibitor claws plus Monstructor plus the rampage he went on times the forces determined to put him down minus his eventual defeat equalled an unfavourable answer.

Furthermore, the Monstercons divided by the Seacons equalled an even worse answer: a surprise trip to the amphitheatre with an even bigger surprise in the form of a visit from Daddy Jhiaxus. They had some catching up to do. Been a long, long time since their paths had last crossed.

So the Seacon was to blame for this, of that there was no doubt. Wildfly had not forgotten the unmistakable voice the Seacon owned—a commanding voice brimming with power and certainty, with vitality and intelligence. But compared to his actual appearance and blundering tendencies (the idiot was so uncoordinated, he had dropped Wildfly before he could place him on the medical slab once they had arrived here), the voice did not suit him. Not by a long shot.

Anyway, Wildfly had recognised him because of his tone. And he'd slay the spawn of a glitch as soon as he got free. Count on it.

The Seacon had fallen silent ever since Wildfly had told him he was, for now, a living corpse that would be turned into a proper corpse. This pleased the Monstercon. He didn't want to listen to a single word from that piece of second-hand scrap. The moron done enough damage as it was, save for what Jhiaxus had planned for him and his team-mates.

“This was always going to happen to us, Wildfly. They didn't attack this prison for just any reason.”

Slog? Yes, Slog. Somewhere on the other side of the room. Hard to tell in the darkness, but it was him.

“Don't blame...ah...What is your name?”

Was Slog kidding around like the Seacon had been earlier, thinking Wildfly would talk to him? Not sure if serious.

“Wildfly,” he said, betraying his irritation. “It's Wildfly. How come nobody can remember that?”

He'd accomplished a lot during his sentence at Garrus-9, had good old Wildfly. He'd started fights with guards and inmates, made the recreational cycle into his own version of happy hour—thus ruining everyone else's enjoyment—been the instigator of a riot or two, and had earned Maximus's ire more than once. And that was to mention only a few of the feats he had achieved in prison, so people must have known his name. Must have.

But Jhiaxus did, and suddenly Wildfly wasn't thrilled somebody remembered. Because the attention he would give to Wildfly wouldn't be a slap on the back for beating the slag out of that afthole Pounder and getting away with it, or laughing at one of his jokes. No, nothing so innocent. Nothing like that at all.

Garrus 9 - Mines

Bombshell's fist retracted from the crater he implanted in the rock wall as his fellow insecticons trickled in from their previous vantage point overseeing the main chamber within the mines.

"Brothers of the hive," Bombshell hissed with a click of his mandibles as he examined the dust on his actuators before turning to face the three other Decepticon insectoids, "the hive is housing some rather unwelcomed guests... We need to clear out the newfound infestation, and before their fishy smell begins to linger... We're all capable of regaining what we have rightfully claimed to be our mine. So...

How should we scale the fishes?"


((OOC: more to come))

Bomb Burst looked relieved as the room began to clear of the Decepticon command's upper echelon. He was very thankful that Bludgeon had an almost uncanny knack for pulling himself out of the stickiest of situations.

The Hunter didn't handle being in situations with other Decepticons very well. He was a loner by nature and having to work with other put quite a strain on his patience, particularly if the loner had to deal with those in command. He may respect them, but that didn't mean he had to like being around him. So Scorponok making for an exit was a huge relief to him.

Though Scorponok mentioning them taking a moment to get reacquainted reminded him that Skullgrin and Iguanus had also made their way to Garrus 9 with the 'liberating' force as well. He opened a private comm to Iguanus. "Iggy... you may want to find your to the Aequitas Chamber. Bludgeon's been freed."

His uninterested gaze drifted down to Snarler. Despite being such a loner, he'd be remiss if he didn’t confess that there were a few mechs in this wide universe that he could stand to be around for a brief time. One of those was the stinking, dirty pig-former. Why? He couldn't be sure him self, but at least it could be said that Snarler had at least a tolerable personality.

"Snarla..." He growled softly at the pig. For most growling wasn’t exactly friendly, but for The Hunter, especially when dealing with the Pig, it was quite the friendly greeting.

Garrus-9--Mines

As Snaptrap had firmly retaken possession of his blade, Goldrush looked down at the remnants of what he had done before looking around somewhat nervously. The occasional glare he received was almost enough to snuff his spark. Almost. But you know what was enough? Snaptrap's blade. Or Scorponok's claw. or any number of other overpowering Decepticons who now had full run of this prison. He had been presented with a choice and he made one, for the good of his longevity.

“Should you ever find yourself questioning your loyalties, remember this day," Snaptrap rumbled. Goldrush's optics widened slightly at the implied threat. It hadn't been necessary honestly. He had made his choice. But these were Decepticons, after all. Sometimes the point was not made until it was hammered in.

"My lord," Goldrush said by way of acknowledging his understanding. And after addressing his troops, it was clear he was not quite finished with the golden mech.

“I will be your direct superior while we are tasked with overseeing the prisoners in the mines. You will not take orders from the Insecticons. Do you understand?"

Goldrush looked around. The crawly beasts were everywhere. He hadn't really entertained the idea of taking orders from them...but...he probably would have if he had found himself surrounded by the things. Snaptrap's clarification was...useful.

"No my lord. No orders but yours," the mech said, offering another slight bow.

Still alive. Simple enough.
___

"Brothers of the hive. The hive is housing some rather unwelcomed guests... We need to clear out the newfound infestation, and before their fishy smell begins to linger... We're all capable of regaining what we have rightfully claimed to be our mine. So...how should we scale the fishes?"

Kickback's mandibles also clicked. He was none too thrilled with the idea of the Seacons or any other Decepticons making their presence known down here. These were their mines. So long as they kept Scorponok apprised of their work and suitably pacified, he would be content to focus on his larger projects and leave them to theirs. The Butcher and his fish, however, could upset things far more if they took too direct of a hand. Still...

"We would lose in a direct confrontation," Kickback whispered. "Even with our vast and growing numbers, any conflict would be quickly suppressed by an onslaught of Sweeps."

For the moment, Kickback had nothing more insightful to say, though he was considering his options. As he did, he looked to Shrapnel and the other present Insecticons.

Garrus-9 Mines

"Brothers of the hive. The hive is housing some rather unwelcomed guests... We need to clear out the newfound infestation, and before their fishy smell begins to linger... We're all capable of regaining what we have rightfully claimed to be our mine. So...how should we scale the fishes?"

Shrapnel looked at Bombshell from his position on the ceiling he twitched his antenna's as he pondered the question. Something from one of his diaclones was catching his attention "Snaptrap has a new pet, pet. Might be a potential advantage for us, us" Shrapnel muttered as he looked down at his colleagues hopefully this might give them some idea's for crushing Snaptrap.

"The only other way would be to separate them and take them one at a time, time"

That was the only insight that Shrapnel could provide to his fellow insecticons hopefully it had given some ideas

Garrus 9 - Mines

With Highbrow's assistance, Brainstorm was able to stammer up back to his full height following in the wake of his grand entrance into the work place of the mines. The Biomechanical engineer patted away the excess dust and fragments of rubble that had accumulated on his chassis during his little tumble moments ago. He was greeted by Roadbuster's quips about believing he was over-energized, only to be followed up by Highbrow and Pointblank's query of what had happened to the missing Technobot.

"Pfft, great. Not even 5 cycles upright again and I'm tripping over myself." Brainstorm muttered as his fellow Autobots continued to partake in smaller side conversations. His audio receptors tuned in to several different conversations as each continued onward, not paying that much attention into any one conversation in general. Just had to find something that peeked his interests, that was until Lightspeed questioned the events that had unfolded during the duo's absence from the mines that fueled his curiosity.

"You don't suppose that... Those scanners were searching for suitable test subjects for Jhiaxus? Oh dear... Our fellow Afterburner could be in grave danger."

"Test subjects? What use would any of us hold to him?" Brainstorm chimed in responding to Highbrow's worry, "I figured he was going to fix up his big bad project, but what good would any of us do? I mean, we know he's got Afterbrner, but who else got pulled out?" Brainstorm then shifted his gaze upon Scattershot, the Technobot commander he was stationed under back aboard his ship prior to their stop on Nebulos. His memory recalling Scattershot mentioning something of about a Subspace link the team was outfitted with.

"Could you check in with Afterburner? See if he can tell who all was taken for this experiment?" The scientist's optics shifted down to the ground floor as he rested he folded one arm over his chest and rested his mouthplate against the index actuator joint on his free hand. "We need to find a pattern..."

-

"The only reason we followed you was because of your rank. But you didn't care because we were all expendable."

Whirl's sole optic remain fixated on the back of Lowball's processor as the security guard tried to explain to the ex-wrecker how he was to blame for the deaths of several of his fellow officers. The vice-like grip he held on him tightened slightly as he felt Lowball squirm beneath him as he tried to break free from the helicopter-former's seize.

"You're more 'Con than Megatron himself."

Whirl's optic flickered at the mere mentioning how he was comparable to the Tyrannical Decepticon Leader. Instantly his processor began to fill with memories of how he and Megatron himself had quite the run in during Cybertron's golden age, back when Whirl was appointed on the Rodion Police force.

"What did you just say?" Whirl snarled as his grip grew tighter around Lowball's neck once more. "No, really, c'mon and say it. I dare Ya to."

The nudge of a seeker's gun against the plating on the back of Whirl's head cut the two Autobot's little banter off a little prematurely.

"What seems to be the problem officer?" Whirl finally replied to the brash diaclone of Starscream's visage. "I'm just helping my friend back up after he tripped." The claw that had Lowball pinned down rose into the air, though its grip on the security officer's neck servos remained. Whirl then used his infamous wrecker's strength and tossed Lowball forward. The seeker standing behind Whirl reached out and wrapped his arms behind Whirl's shoulder joints, placing the former wrecker in what could best be described as a sleeper hold.

"They made their choice!" Whirl screamed over towards Lowball, "Rank means nothing compared to experience!"

Garrus 9 - Southern Wing - Steelhaven Wreckage

"Want to place bets on who took down this ship here? Megatron, Scorponok, or Deathsaurus? My credits are oooooon...hrrrm....Megatron."

"Megatron, eh?" Octopunch mused as he magnetized his makeshift harpoon upon his back and began to construct another as he lumbered through the repaints of the former Autobot vessel. "Well last I heard Megsy was on the other side of the Galaxy. And even if he traveled this far to spring us all out, we'd have heard from the likes of Soundwave or something." The salvager leapt down from a small ledge formed from the Steelhaven's debris and continued to press on through its wreckage. "Heh, or even worse, Starscream."

Approaching the wall in front of him, Octopunch placed the side of his helm against the metal hull. His time spent as a salvager where coming back to haunt him, being out of his element for so long left Octopunch with a sense of uneasiness. He began to fear of he was losing his touch, his imprisonment having hindered his skills. The multicolored squid-former gave the metal a few taps with his fist and listened in as the hull echoed to his rhythm.

"A do believe we've reached the outermost hull." Octopunch pondered as he listened to the repeating echo of his knocking. He took one of his makeshift spears and began tapping it at various areas running alongside the metal wall, his audio receptors still tuned in to listening for any sort of weakness he can exploit. "Ah ha! There!" He cheered as he bolted from being directly against the wall to further down along the metallic hull.

"This is where the armor's thinnest. We bust through here and we're back in the main facilities." Octopunch explained to his the orange enforcer as he magnetized his second harpoon on his back and approached the spot he had proclaimed to be of weaker stature. "Yes yes, right here is where she's softest." Octopunch chirped with excitement as he sunk his actuators into the alloy. The salvager's immense strength had little to no trouble in boring himself an exit from the carcass of a once airborne vessel. Emerging from the freshly made hole in the Steelhaven's armor, Octopunch breathed in the various scents of smoke and chaos as he awaited for Stranglehold to pop on through the exit they made.

"Prisoner lockers should be just up the corridor if my memory serves right. Oh and judging by the amount of turmoil were about to wad our way through, I've got 20 shanix that says Deathsaurus is responsible."

Garrus-9 - Aequetis Chamber

It came to pass that after Bludgeon had told his story to the formidable 2nd fleet commander that his life was spared. Thou the snap of his mighty claw showed how finite his life could be if Scorponok wished it to be. Bludgeon watched impassively as the hulking decepticon strode away mentioning something about a meeting that had been put off for too long.

Scorponok had put Cyclonus as his superior the martial arts master's optic swung around and latched onto the purple war machine. A superlative warrior of amazing quality he would be honoured to serve under such a warrior who could match him for fighting ability.

"Cyclonus I am at your disposal what is it you require of me and my associates here"

Bludgeon motioned to Snarler and Bomb burst as he heard the pair prepare to start bickering

"Bomb burst do not start anything in here not now" Bludgeon's tone was one of don't argue just do it, all that remained was for Cyclonus to give the electric warrior orders he turned slightly to speak again to his comrades. "Bomb burst you're bound to want to have a morsel too keep your hunger at bay find a functioning or semi functioning autobot guard. But keep it discrete get back here as soon as your done. Snarler keep close as soon as Cyclonus gives us the order we are moving out I suspect your talents will be needed"

Bludgeon looked from Bomb burst to Snarler the pair couldn't be more different the lithe loner with the taste for fresh energon. Then there was the brutish form of Snarler as subtle as a punch from Omega Supreme and as durable as a titan's armour plating. He was happy to see the pair it had been a while since he'd spoken to anyone from his former ship maybe more where roaming free around the prision.

Aequitas Chamber

"Bomb burst do not start anything in here not now" Bludgeon's warning came causing Bomb Burst to internally frown but he kept the emotion off his face.

His optics flicked down to Snarler and immediately back up ahead of him. >> "I wasn't, sir."<< He sent to Bludgeon privately as he didn't want to correct Bludgeon in front of Cyclonus as it would be poor form. >> "You've forgotten I actually tolerate Snarler."<< He paused a moment before remembering he was supposed to be using manners, something he tended to forget... a lot... he had his own idea of manners and they differed greatly from everyone else's. >>"My apologies, sir."<< He tacked on, there was bound to be something in what he said, his wording most likely, and the fact that Bludgeon took his hello to the pig the wrong way, that should certainly require an apology. Even if he wasn't certain what it might be, he knew something was there.

Outwardly, he did acknowledge the warning with a brief bow of his head.

"Bomb burst you're bound to want to have a morsel too keep your hunger at bay find a functioning or semi functioning autobot guard. But keep it discrete get back here as soon as your done.

These words of Bludgeon's did illicit an outward reaction; something that sounded like a sigh, from The Predator. "Why is everyone always telling me to be discrete?" He muttered softly. He didn't move right away though. A short look at Cyclonus then back to Bludgeon. Command structure bored him, however, when one operates with in a society; as the Decepticons were a society; one had to play by their rules. But he had now entered muddied waters, so to speak.

"Bludgeon, sir." He said loud enough for Cyclonus to hear as well. "If we want to be terribly technical about this, I'm still under Scorponok and Cyclonus' command." He looked back over to Cyclonus. "Iguanus and Skullgrin are also here, I've sent a communique to Iguanus, but they also fall under direct command of Skorponok and Cyclonus as well. We all came over from Nebulous as part of the invading force. Though Skoroponok's words did seem to hint I was free to take under your command, I can't presume to be released from service yet." He gaze again went back to Bludgeon. "No matter how much I would love to obey your order of catching a morsel."

Aequitas Chamber.

The Warg, Snarler, stood proud. The order to stay by the chief meant that he was the important one. He knew his place, and that was with Bludgeon. Bludgeon was the strongest. Bludgeon commanded the most respect. Bludgeon is the leader. Bludgeon is the Chief. Snarler was the one of the tribe, his only home since the wastelands all those millennia ago, and he knew and liked his place.

The Biter, however, didn't appear to think the same.

"... I'm still under Scorponok and Cyclonus' command ... I can't presume to be released from service yet ..."

Confusion rained down upon the slow creature, gradually turning into to disbelief, and he rounded on Bomb-Burst for even having the nerve to speak to Bludgeon like that.

He snapped his bestial head towards Bomb-Burst, razor sharp tusks glistening with the entrails of his last victim millimetres from Bomb-Bursts legs, and snarled aggressively up at the vampire. The salivating from his mouth and the gore on his snout made for a fearful sight, as he glared up at the night creature. He formed his words carefully as he hated speaking in this form, aware of the impediment his faceshape carried, and so his tone was slow, guttural and aggressive.

"You think you equal to da Chief now, Biter?" he demanded. "You think dose that command him, also command you?" He paused, allowing his message to sink in. "Da Chief commands you now. You persume what he tells you to persume. Now GET!!"

That single last word was delivered with such distaste that oil was spat on the floor at Bomb-Burst's feet, and Snarler fought back the urge to activate his tusks dampening ability and shut him down. The Chief had already made it clear this was not place, and unlike Biter he could follow his orders. He locked eyes with the smaller hunter and waited for him to follow his.

Garrus 9--Mines


Solarstrike stepped out from his cave, with an essentially brain-dead Autobot behind him.

"Riiight. Now that I've had my fun, I should probably check in with Cyclonus."


The Seeker first fled the scene, however. Once he found a suitable spot, he landed. He took a moment to figure out where EXACTLY he was before opening up communications.

"Solarstrike to Cyclonus. I've finally come back online, but I'm guessing I've missed a bit. What do you need me to do right now?"

Secretly, Solarstrike hoped that it would be something regarding all of these pitiful Autobot prisoners, but he knew it wasn't likely. He was familiar with Snaptrap's attitude when people messed with his prisoners. That and, the Seeker knew, he didn't always get what he asked for.

"But hey. Maybe I'll get lucky...Heh."

Aequitus Chamber

Not much scared Bomb Burst, well nothing really did, but the site of Snarler getting aggressive made him mentally step back. He knew the pig's capabilities all too well, and knew that he, himself, was at a combative disadvantage at the moment. He knew exactly what those tusks were capable of and was not willing to test the resolve of Snarler to use them on him for what the warrior felt was a slight against Bludgeon's authority. He took a few careful steps to the left to put space between the two.

He also bristled a bit, never one to really take well to being ordered (tolerated it only on a good day) but Snarler's orders didn't sit well with him. However, he calmed himself.

"Snarla..." He said softly, accenting the warg's name the way Snarler himself did, the way he preferred to when the two were being (what could be considered) friendly. "I'm not disobeying the Chief, I promise you. I don't want him to get in trouble with the upper command because of me. I have a whole unit of assassins that I am in charge of out there. As tempting as it is, I can't just wander off and leave them without the proper.." He stopped himself, not sure if the enraged Snarler would truly understand. "I have duties to clear up first, Snarla. That's what I'm trying to do so I can be with the Chief and the tribe."

The Hunter opened a comm link to his assassin team. "Everyone rendezvous back at the Southern wing of the prison, I want reports immediately how many straggler Autobots have been located and disposed of." He said firmly, then looked at Bludgeon. "My apologies, sir, for ruffling feathers. You know there is no place I'd rather be than at your side." He looked at Snarler out of the corner of his optics. Then he looked over to Cyclonus. "My apologies to you as well, sir." The Predator paused for a brief moment to listen to the comm link. "It seems that the majority of the Autobots that are not dead are prisoners. The assassins found and disposed of any stragglers they came across, though it was not a thorough sweep, obviously. They didn't get deeply into the mines. I'm not certain that the Insecticons would leave any stragglers alive down there, and I'm not sure sending a group of jumpy assassins into the middle of the hive is a good idea either." He did something terribly uncharacteristic, he quirked a smile. "I'm not sure the Insecticons are terribly happy with me either, I may have picked off a few.. err.. well more than a few.. of their diaclones. Horrible tasting little vermin." He let just a moment of silence hang in the air, feeling he was over his limit for words today, talking much more than he preferred, and much more diplomatically than he normally would.

He continued his address to Cyclonus. "I'm sure you know that my status within the Decepticon army has always been somewhat of a... mercenary status." He said. "I would like to request to be relieved of my team and duties and be placed back under the command of Bludgeon. I feel that I could serve the Decepticon cause much better in his command rather than commanding the assassins. I'm not much of a leader... though this opportunity has been greatly appreciated, it's just not something I wish to do permanently."

'Besides, they're all in danger of becoming dinner.' He added silently. That many assassins in one place was... well... dangerous to them from him.

He opened a private communication to Skullgrin. >>" Skully... you'll never guess who's popped up. Bludgeon."<< He sent off to the siege tank.

Garrus-9--The Aequitas Chamber

Cyclonus' thoughts were on the orders he had been given by Lord Scorponok: he was to uncover the mystery regarding the communication disruption that had occurred during their engagement with the mighty Omega Guardian. He was, admittedly, somewhat out of his element in that regard. He was a warrior first. A commander when necessary. He was an investigator...a scientist...or any other role well after his primary function. His skills and experience allowed him to fill many roles within the Decepticon army, but he returned to his primary as soon as circumstances allowed. He would most certainly not be at his best here; but he would make do as he always had.

"Cyclonus I am at your disposal what is it you require of me and my associates here?"

Even as he had proceeded to leave the chamber, Scorponok had apparently seen fit to assign secondaries to aid his work. His choices, however, left something to be desired. Were he to be sent into battle, there were few whom Cyclonus would rather have at his side than a warrior like Bludgeon. His natural proclivity for that arena could be questioned by none. But this? He seemed as ill a fit as Cyclonus himself.

Nevertheless, he would make do.

"I am tasked with uncovering the means by which the communications between our surface and aerial forces were jammed. As, it would seem, are you. You will come with me until Lord Scorponok dictates otherwise."

Cyclonus turned to depart, but others still had queries for him. And apologies.. And other irrelevancies that he scarcely had any desire to pay attention to in light of his present objective. The incoming transmission form the Seeker in the mines was simple enough. He was already in the location that Cyclonus would have sent him to in the first place. Snaptrap would find some fitting use for another Seeker and, if not, would dispatch him accordingly.

>>"Present yourself to Snaptrap, Solarstrike,"<< Cyclonus quickly commed back. >>"You and the other Seekers will have a role to play in ensuring the other occupants of the mines do not get out of hand. Cyclonus out."<<

The purple warrior cut the link before the Seeker could offer any protest and then turned his attention to Bludgeon's associates.

"Iguanus and Skullgrin are also here, I've sent a communique to Iguanus, but they also fall under direct command of Skorponok and Cyclonus as well. We all came over from Nebulous as part of the invading force. Though Skoroponok's words did seem to hint I was free to take under your command, I can't presume to be released from service yet."

Interpoliticking nonsense. Cyclonus was wholly uninterested in all of it. Who commands whom. Who reports to whom. For Cyclonus, the Decepticon chain-of-command was perfectly straightforward. Bombburst's words preceded some further back and forth between he and Snarler before the parasitic Decepticon returned his attention to him.

"I'm sure you know that my status within the Decepticon army has always been somewhat of a... mercenary status. I would like to request to be relieved of my team and duties and be placed back under the command of Bludgeon. I feel that I could serve the Decepticon cause much better in his command rather than commanding the assassins. I'm not much of a leader... though this opportunity has been greatly appreciated, it's just not something I wish to do permanently."

"Your request has been noted and will be evaluated further. For the time being, you will continue the oversight of your team as well as execute Bludgeon's orders. I see no need to override his most recent command to you, so proceed. There is abundant sustenance for...your kind."

He had wasted enough time now dealing with the bureaucracy of command. There was work to be done. With a passing glance to Bludgeon, an acknowledgement that the Commander of the Empirion could do with his secondaries what he wished for the time being, Cyclonus turned and continued his walk towards the command center--or what was left of it--and hopefully the answers that would be contained therein.

Garrus-9 – Mines

"Tell me your story how did you end up here! How did you get caught?"

“Ah! Huh? Oh,” Umbra yipped softly as she jumped, Roadbuster barked new demands at her and yanked her from her thoughts. She hurried to collect her thoughts as the Wrecker turned back into his work, reminding Umbra to do the same. She lifted her axe and set into the rhythm of work. How did she end up here...hm...not a good idea to assume he meant Garrus. She would go with the mines. Far less incriminating. But then...how she got caught...hrm...

“Well, I was in the cell blocks when all Pit broke loose. Escaped Cons and Bots alike running amuck, automated defense systems up and firing...” Umbra started, trying to be vague and specific at the same time, “Some Con prisoners caught me and brought me in to the main force. I guess as some...I dunno...Offering of worth? And that's how I ended up with you guys...”

Umbra hoped that would be enough to satisfy the exWrecker. The third degree was making her nervous. She couldn't let them know that she'd been...been a prisoner. They would never trust her if they found out what she'd done. She could hardly forgive herself for it.

G-9 -- Mines

Solarstrike sighed. Snaptrap, huh? Great. Still, as long as he didn't notice the missing prisoners...

"Oh, well. I COULD have been stuck with those Insecticons."

Ugh, bad idea. Those things seriously scared Solarstrike, enough that the thought of them made him nigh-instantly nauseous. Taking a moment to calm down, he transformed again and shot up onto the surface, trying to get a better signal for a commlink. He landed upon a small hill. Opening comms, he tried to connect to Snaptrap. Finally finding an available signal, he spoke.

"Solarstrike to Snaptrap. Repeat, Solarstrike to Snaptrap. I was told to report to you for work of some sort...So, with that in mind, what do I need to do?"

Now, to wait for the Seacon to respond...

Garrus-9: Aequitas Chamber / Elevator Shaft

Rippersnapper nodded at his duel-headed comrade’s words. “Yes, in Hun-grrr our bellies trust. heh,” the terrorist stated as a small piece of a Legislator still hung from the corner of his jaws. The shark beast quickly took notice and picked the bit of metal from his maw, throwing it deep into the bowels of his gullet and swallowing it whole. A low belch followed as Ripper returned his attention to Sinnertwin. “Agreed, too much to take it all. But,” the former actor turned to his right and reached down to grab a hold of a dead Legislator by the arm. “We can’t go back to our master empty handed. He may not appreciate that. It may not be as much as Blot, but at least it’s something.”

With things quieting down in the chamber, Rippersnapper follow off behind Sinnertwin, dragging the deactivated Legislator behind him. The terrorist traversed through the corridors of the penitentiary, heading back to the elevator shaft that would lead him down into the Last Resort and ultimately the Rig where the Terrorcon Commander would surely be waiting. Undoubtedly, Blot would already be there ahead of them with his immense pile of golden food for their leader that he had managed to gather on a make-shift sled. Ripper was still not sure how his dimwitted teammate had thought to do that. Perhaps he wasn’t as dumb as he looked.

Regardless, Blot was a suck-up, Hun-grrr’s little obedient pet that did everything the Terrorcon Commander told him to do. Of course, they all did as instructed or risked the wrath of the two-head razorbeast. But Blot was different. He was loyal to an absolute fault that made every other Terrorcon look bad. The pile of Legislator food he now had for their master was just another shining example of that brown nosing obedience. Well, the shark might not have as much food for Hun-grrr, but he did have an update on what had gone down in the Aequitas Chamber and the former actor would be damned if that idiot Blot told their leader about it first. That’s what comm lines were for, after all.

>>”Commander Hun-grrr, this is Rippersnapper. I have an update for you. Omega Supreme has escaped from Garrus-9 with two other Autobots and gone to transwarp. The few remaining functioning Legislators have departed the prison, as well. Lord Scorponok has returned and is less than pleased with this turn of events. He has ordered Scourge and his sweeps to track down the Omega Sentinel and Cyclonus is tasked with finding out the culprit of a communications disruption. Said culprit may even be fed to us once found. heh. Sinnertwin and I are heading back down to your location now, master. I have some more food for you. Although, I’m afraid it’s not as much as what Blot has likely delivered to you already. Regardless, we will be there soon.”<<

Cutting his comm line, Rippersnapper continued to trek through the prison corridors until he reached the entrance of the elevator shaft. Once there, he cast a brief smirk over at Sinnertwin before throwing his one dead Legislator down the deep hole. “Well, see you at the bottom, Sinner!” With that said, the terrorist returned to his robot mode and leapt into the elevator shaft, activating his foot thrusters to control his descent into darkness.

Garrus – 9 – Aequitas Chamber

Cipher’s head remained bowed trying desperately not to make optic contact with the still irate Scorponok. The High Commander had it out for his direct underlings so doing as told, even if he did screwed up, was a sure fire way he’d remain functioning.

"Cipher I would consider your options before suggesting you go and hunt the Guardian given your failure with this Autobot Rung was it. I'm assuming it was you who allowed him access to the Aequitas control panel in a vain attempt to access the machine?"

Bludgeon.

A low growl escaped the Cryptologist’s vocalizer as he raised his head to look at the warrior. He prepared to open his mouth in an attempt to respond but was quickly cut off by the booming voice of their Commander.

Cipher quickly lowered his gaze back to the floor, a small satisfied smile ever so lightly curling his lips.

It did not last, however….

“This is what you will do Cipher.”

The smirk melted away as Cipher raised his head to look up at the massive mech….a very frightening endeavor indeed.

“You will hand over the homing device to Scourge and pray he will fix at least some of the damage your bumbling caused. Then you will run after Cyclonus and make your supposed expertise useful to him in solving whatever scrambled our communications."

He bowed and simultaneously spoke…. “As you command, my Lord.”

Wasting no time Cipher rose to his full height and made his way over to Scourge. The scientist locked optics with the Tracker and dropped the tracking device into the Sweep Commander’s clawed hand. He then turned on his heal and made his way toward Cyclonus, who was already trying to make his way out of the chamber….followed by a seemingly endless horde of hangers-on.

Cipher harumphed lowly as he sidled up behind and just to the right of Cyclonus; making sure the commander could see him.

This whole thing had spiraled, very quickly, into a nightmare. How he wished he could see just as well into the future as he could the past.

All that knowledge….Cipher bit his lip as he ran the entire scenario over and over in his head.

He glanced quickly in the direction of the Vice Commander. Perhaps he’d be able to expedite their search by simply employing his other “ability”. A smile tugged at his lips….yes that would be most helpful.

The Aequitas Chamber

Insidious wrote:"Your request has been noted and will be evaluated further. For the time being, you will continue the oversight of your team as well as execute Bludgeon's orders.

Bomb Bust kept all emotion off his faceplate. As much as he'd like to not be saddled with the responsibility of having the unit under his command, at least they demanded little of him. He nodded acknowledgement to Cyclonus and left it at that.

Insidious wrote:I see no need to override his most recent command to you, so proceed. There is abundant sustenance for...your kind."

On the plus side, Cyclonus didn't want to deal with micro management, leaving him free to follow Bludgeon, as well as the permission to be allowed to carry out what was necessary for his survival. Though those the last two words that Cyclonus said did get stuck in his rotor-fans. The Predator was not unfamiliar with being spat out like a dirty word, his name or his... 'kind'. Respect did not come at all in the Decepticon army, nor did he care if he received any. But it didn't help him with his contempt for the Cybertronian race as a whole.

He looked down at Snarler, all full of himself Snarler. Not unexpected of the Warg, he was like that, proximity to Bludgeon meant status to the pig-former. The Predator rarely even bothered to care how the pecking order went. He obeyed one master at a time unless instructed otherwise.
He rarely considered even exerting any dominance over the pig as Snarler's need for importance he took as part and parcel of the Tracker's personality. It was of no concern to him, just a personality quirk that rarely bothered him. He looked up at his commander.

"Master Bludgeon..." He said softly the Warrior. "My apologies for the trouble, and of course I am at your command. I will take the short leave you offered me and return as soon as possible." He looked back down at Snarler.

>>"Only one Cybertronian commands me, little pig."<< He softly growled on a private channel to Snarler. >>"And that is Bludgeon. You have my respect as a crew mate and a tracker, but you are not the one who gives me orders."<<

With those words, and before the pig could react if Snarler even was bothered by the comment, he may not be; The Predator launched himself slightly off the ground and transformed into his hover jet alt mode, out of tusk reach of Snarler. And with a quick tilt of his fans, he silently and quickly exited the Chamber.

Once outside he switched back to his robot mode. The first wall he found, if it could, would have wished to not have been there. The Vampire's fist plowed into it with unbridled aggression. "Sustenance for your kind!" He hissed at the wall before hitting it again leaving a second deep hole next to the first. He rarely showed his strength, which was almost as considerable as his litheness. But sometimes he had to drop his cool facade. "If I absolutely didn't have to, I'd have nothing to do with Cybertronians besides eat them!" This time he shouted in rage. With anger he glared at the wall. "Eeeerrrroooowww!" He let out a primal, bestial scream as his arm pulled back and threw forward, his fist landing once again in the wall.

"Pig ordering me around, team buzzing in my audios for orders, having to be diplomatic!" He growled. "Being polite!!!" His fist connected with the wall again.

He stopped and looked at the holes for a moment. "That's that, then." He said to them. "I feel considerably better now." He opened his assassin team's comm. >>>"I want you all to figure out how to do some proper recon and do it."<<< He growled out the order.>>> "I am to be accompanying Bludgeon for the foreseeable future and will have to split my attention between you and him. Patrol. Make sure everything is secure. Do what you were trained to do... which by our very nature means to do so fairly self sufficiently. Just don't kill anyone with a Decepticon badge... and get caught." <<< He paused, done with his orders, listening to the chatter acknowledge his commands but something caused him to turn it off so he could listen.

"What... is that...?" He said softly as he listened. Whatever it was, it was from below, deeper into Garrus. A menacing half smile crossed his features and he was quickly airborne again.