The Energon Pub

Garrus 9: Mines

Small granules of dirt and silicates collapsed under the slight pressure exuded by the extended right hand of Pyro, pressing deeper into the roughly cut passage. Silently he winced as the ends of his actuators cut shallow troughs into the interstellar sediment, careful not to dislodge a large enough fragment to alert those in the gallery of the quintet's presence. Slowly he raised his freed left index finger to the front of his mouth guard and tapped, making no sound but ensuring that the others would hold their positions behind him and remain silent.

Pyro lowered himself to his left knee as he covertly leaned forward to appraise the large cacophony that reverberated through the tunnels. Optics narrowed and zoomed in through the gloom of dust and barely powered illumination strips that flickered along the furthest wall of the narrow gallery. He tapped a pair of times against the wall, sending only the slightest hint of reverberation through the rock veins... enough to dissipate after only a few meters and not be heard unless direct contact with the ore vein itself had been established. But it was enough to cause the intended target, Roadbuster to slowly approach Pyro's position and kneel down behind him.

The two soldiers exchanged glances. Unspoken words were exchanged as they accessed the situation. From their vantage point they could see the glint of the singular optic behind the barred door of the makeshift cell door, but more importantly they took note of the two Seeker Guards that had been posted there... both in a heated argument with the infuriating Autobot warrior, Whirl. Roadbuster argued that they double back and avoid the trio at all costs. While the words were lacking, Pyro understood the reasons immediately. They were unarmed, and woefully under powered to tangle with the aftermath of dispatching the two guards. Sure they were weak framed coneheads with the central processing capabilities that were comparible to a Nebulon waste extractor truck... but.

Pyro simply nodded and pulled himself up to full height and away from the passage wall. He stepped backwards, and stopped cold in his retreating motion. "What did you say?" He asked Umbra low and nearly unheard over the ranting and raving of the two seeker guards.

Immediately the wrecker stepped forward again and looked around the bend again. He followed the projected optical angle of the scout's field of vision and scowled. Just beyond the barely restrained Decepticon Guards, was a large exposed vent casing, its panels rusted through and barely held up by degraded bolts.

Roadbuster stole a glimpse as well... and disappeared behind Pyro and Pointblank. The former Wrecker gave a single nod of acknowledgement. Whatever options they had initially had, were no longer viable. Their target was within the confines of the gallery, and they had to reach it in order to move on. Pyro returned the gesture and placed a reassuring hand onto the smaller shoulder of Umbra, a silent order for the scout to remain at station keeping until he returned.

The larger Autobot ranger stepped to the point of the column and knelt down. He turned his focus on Whirl and the two guards. With considerable stealth, he picked up a small pebble and rested it on top of his thumb. As the two seekers escalated their argument with Whirl, Pyro flicked the pebble in a narrow arch behind the two seekers yet in the visual frame of Whirl. The pebble bounced twice on the far side of the chamber, briefly distracting one of the guards.

As Whirl intensified his impersonations of Optimus Prime, the green and puce conehead closest to the passage scowled and demanding retribution to silence the annoyance. The Brown and Copper seeker stayed his partners hand long enough to activate his communications link and request instructions from a coordinator on the main level. Pyro's audio receptors caught only bits and pieces of the coordinator's response amidst the laughter. The fragments, keep the channel clear, you're checked in for some number of mega cycles... other responses were lost in the static and gritting mouth modulators from the puce and green seeker.

Whirl upped his impersonations tenor and volume as he continued to mock the two guards and drive them to homicide of their prisoner. The commotion created an incredible din that drowned out the initial launch of a foot from the far corridor.

Pyro was upon the two seeker guards before they even knew he existed. Quietly and unseen he approached the two guards. Making sure he stayed in the shadows that appeared by cracks in the illumination strips. Swiftly he approached until his reflection could be seen in the brilliant red optic of the daredevil Wrecker. Now within arms reach and before the two seekers realized their assignments were at an end, Pyro grabbed both of their cranial units and immediately slammed them together with as much force as he could muster.

Mines

There was shouting again as Whirl's impressions of the grand Autobot Commander didn't seem to waiver him any sort of strong feedback on his performance. He wiggled himself back into a more comfortable position before trying to peer out through the small slits carved out of the locker door.

"So what'd you two think? Am I good, or am I really good at this?" The mech with one optic inquired as his words were drowned out in the seekers' own commotion. It appeared one heard something and what'd to check in while the other was keen on giving Whirl the fight he was craving. The more battle-hungry of the two turned and made his way towards the locker, the ex-wrecker lowly chuckling with glee as his foe approached the door.

"Yes! YES! Bring it on Megatron!" the helicopter-former cheered excitedly, once again taking on the impression of Optimus Prime as the seeker gripped the lock. But before the lock could be opened, the sound of metal crunching ceased the bickering between the two seekers. "What gives?! Oh, don't you tell me you dipped out now!!" Whirl's voice died down a little as he tried to view out the small holes once again, only to see the two seekers now mangled together at the faceplate and an all too familiar visage standing just behind the mess.

"Oh you've got to be kidding. Of all the mechs to come to my rescue and its Opti- wait... Prime doesn't wear yellow..." If the ex-wrecker had actual visual sensors, he would be squinting through what little of a viewport he had to try and identify the mech in question.

"Holy hell, I managed to summon Pyro..." Whirl began to rock the locker he was restrained in to draw in the ranger's attention. "Pyro! Hey! In here you Opti-wannabe!"

Bomb Burst and Nightbird raced down the corridors, The Vampire specifically trying to keep a slower pace for Nightbird.

He was downloading maps of the area as he hadn't bothered with anything but the areas he had been ordered to be in when the attack began.

Setting a waypoint on his map to where the array was outside of the building they were in, he found the most logical route, that would allow them to enter the array from service tunnels, keeping them hidden in the dark, shadows, unlikely to be noticed by any Autobot who may remain up there. First he pulled up the map and waypoint on his HUD, then he sent them to Nightbird's HUD.

Meanwhile, Nightbird was pulling up situation reports on the area. Power sporadic, auxiliary emergency power was all that was powering the array. A quick report was prepared to be sent to the Vampire, stating the power situation as well as schematics for the array letting them know where the security cameras, alarms, and locks were. As the Vampire was sending his information to her, she sent hers to him. All done without orders... communication... nothing. The two had worked together so long they knew exactly what to do, and what the other would do.


They switched to robot mode before they entered the tunnels. No engines, no noise to warn anyone of their approach ahead of time. There was plenty of cover from shadows. It was a short distance to the tunnels that lead up to the array, through the access tunnels.

Nightbird cut the lines to the alarm system. Pretty sure it was already disabled, they weren't taking a chance. The Vampire accessed the central computer to see if any alarms were going off.

Nothing.

He nodded and pried open a grate that was over the access tunnel, he hopped into the tunnel first, then hoisted in Nightbird.

He lead, his vision allowed him to see well in the darkness, sending a video feed of what he was seeing real time to Nightbird. Her proximity sensors helped her stay right behind the Vampire. Just before reaching the first security camera, the Vampire cut the power line to it.

From there it was up. No more cameras in the way, Nightbird switched on a low light and they climbed up.

There was a hatch at the top of the ladder, locked, of course. Nightbird sent the lock's codes she obtained from Garrus' computer to the Vampire, he disabled the lock and slowly opened the hatch.

They had no idea how many Autobots may be in the room, if any at all. Proximity radar on, Bomb Burst detected no one right by him and he carefully pushed open the hatch further to exit.

As he exited, a shot whizzed by his head. Nightbird getting notice of it, the two quickly leapt out of the tunnel into the control room of the array, weapons drawn and pointed in the direction of the fired shot.

One lone Autobot was there, armed and a good shot, he was obviously sent to guard the array if not the mech who caused the communications black out. Nightbird's swords were out, and the Vampire had his arm mounted laser pointed to the Autobot.

The Autobot was not about to go down without a fight, he stated firing on the Vampire, hoping to at least eliminate one Decepticon. But Nightbird used his focus on the Vampire, to charge at him. He switched his firing to the ninja, allowing the Vampire to move around and grab him, throwing the Autobot to the floor. Before the Autobot could react the Vampire had his favorite stiletto dagger to his neck, threatening to penetrate his fuel line. "We're looking for jamming equipment..." He said in a growl to the Autobot. "And the mech who may have used it to take out our communications."

"We don't have any jamming equipment."

"Please, don't insult our intelligence." He said. "I know you have some hidden here somewhere. Behind a panel requiring security codes. Show... me..."

"Never..." The Autobot eeked out.

"Bludgeon?" The Vampire asked out loud. Since his comms were open, Bludgeon was already listening.

**

Bludgeon had been listening to the near silent movements of his assassin and spy, the silent updates, and the eventual discovery of a target.

The Vampire didn't actually need to ask a question, simply saying the electric warrior's name was enough. >>"Whatever methods you need."<< Bludgeon said, never one to inhibit Bomb Burst's creativity when it came to getting what he wanted the Vampire to get. >>"Absolutely no screaming this time."<<

Bludgeon and the rest of the team started moving towards the array. Instead of taking the tunnels, they would move in the corridors for as long as they could before taking it outside to reach the array, which was located on high ground, just above the prison complex. If Bomb Burst got the information they needed before they got there, fantastic, if not, then they would resort to smashing everything.

(Skullgrin being moved with Bludgeon by permission of Roddy)

Garrus-9 -- Amphitheater

Leaping through the air, the shark monster came down upon Cutthroat, who attempted to roll out of the way. For the most part the vulture-former succeeded, but not entirely as Rippersnapper’s serrated claws easily tore through his disobedient comrade’s shoulder plating. The following scream of pain filled the former actor’s audio receptors with joy. The terrorist landed and immediately did a forward roll to lessen the impact or maybe it was to show off just a little bit. Either way the shark beast was back on his feet in an astrosecond and glaring at Cutthroat as energon bled from the winged Terrorcon's wounded shoulder.

“You’ll have to be faster than that to survive me!” Rippersnapper taunted Cutthroat as the terrorist walked forward slowly, preparing for his brethren’s response. He didn’t have to wait long as the vulture-former rose to his feet, legs trembling under him. With his razor-like talons spread wide, Cutthroat lunged at the land shark and swung his arm wildly, shouting at him in the process.

Rippersnapper was not a quick mech while in shark mode, especially when on land, but Cutthroat wasn’t exactly the epitome of speed right now either thanks in part to the relaxants coursing through his systems. The former actor took advantage of that fact and managed to stop and take a small jump back just in time to avoid a deep gash from the vulture-former’s claws. Instead, the amphibious Terrorcon only received a slight scratch across his large nose.

“Take what? An itch?” Rippersnapper retorted as he let a brief chuckle escape his vocalizer while reaching up to feel the minor damage done. It was nothing to write home about, but the Decepticons surrounding the pair were still cheering and hollering just as loudly as before, drowning out Jhiaxus' protests. The numerous seekers, sweeps and other Terrorcons were enjoying every moment of the fight and so was the terrorist, himself. “Hmmm... let’s really give them something to yell about shall we, little birdy?” The shark creature then opened his monstrous jaws wide and unleashed a torrent of fire from the flamethrower embedded within, aimed directly at Cutthroat. “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the prison! Hahahahahah!!!”

Garrus-9 Central – Amphitheatre

“Go, go, go! Get him! Get him! Tear him a new one!”

Cutthroat and Rippersnapper were duking it out, clobbering each other for reasons only a Terrorcon could understand. Speaking in a fierce whisper, Wildfly lent his support to whoever bit, punched, slashed, kicked, elbowed, and scratched more than the other mech did. Though his position only permitted him a view of the circle surrounding the two Terrorcons, Wildfly knew Cutthroat and Rippersnapper were at its centre, putting on a great show he dearly wished he had a front-row seat to.

Tonight's treat: two Terrorcons, trumpeting their terrible talents to the thrilled throng, to tumultuously tussle! Grab your tickets now, folks! Prepare to witness the battle of the millennia!

Subtlety was a quality that Hun-Grrr lacked. Wildfly had watched as the Terrorcon leader threw Cutthroat to the ground and ordered Rippersnapper to fight the debilitated brute. Then the circle had formed around them. After that, the entertainment began.

Too bad the circle—linked together by the presence of the Sweeps and Seekers milling about on this side of the amphitheatre—blocked his view of the fight. Would've been awesome to see. Bang, crash, smash.

Not that Wildfly's pitiful spot from his medical slab denied him from enjoying himself. Considering he had an operation to look forward to, which delighted him so much he hoped it could be performed twice just for the Pit of it, the Terrorcon brawl gently hauled his thoughts away from the distressing reality of his situation.

“Who's gonna win, Slog? The ugly one or the crazy one?” Wildfly grinned. “It's okay—I know what you're thinking and I have the answer.” His grin intensified. “It's—”

Wildfly paused. He changed the grin he wore for a frown. His punchline was awful, like Shockwave's-sense-of-humour-awful.

“Um... Forget that.”

Slog probably wasn't in a chatty mood, anyway.

And perhaps neither would Wildfly once Firewire paid him a visit.

>>"Whatever methods you need."<< Bludgeon said, never one to inhibit Bomb Burst's creativity when it came to getting what he wanted the Vampire to get. >>"Absolutely no screaming this time."<<

Bomb Burst smiled slightly. He held his hand out to Nightbird, who deposited a pair of handcuffs into his outstretched hand. Securing the cuffs around a computer rack that was bolted to the floor, he cuffed the Autobot.

Nightbird used a pair of shackles, also securing the Autobot to a computer rack, tightening them to keep him from moving at all before attaching them to his ankle struts.

"Now..." The Vampire said lowly. "We have two ways to do this, of course, you talk... or I torture."

"I'll die before giving you any information." The Autobot spat out.

"We're going to be here a long time, then as I'm not going to let you die before I have my information." The Vampire said.

>>"A little quicker."<< Bludgeon's voice said over the comm. >>"We need to get this wrapped up."<<

Okay, quicker, he'd still manage that and have some fun. It just meant skipping the tedious parts and going straight for the damage.

His favorite dagger was still out, the sharp stiletto which he thrust it into the neck of his victim. With all his expert precision, it missed all the major fuel lines as well as the vocal emitters as it went clean through the Autobot's neck. "Now, I know Cybertronian anatomy pretty well... at least as far as fuel lines are concerned." He said moving over so he was face to face with his hapless victim. "The next razor sharp tips that go into you will not purposefully miss your fuel lines, unless you want to tell me where the jamming equipment is."

"I'm not tell you anything." The Autobot said in a stained tone.

"I'm afraid you are..." Bomb Burst said in something that might remind someone of a purr. Another dagger made it's presence known, this one had deep serrations in it's blade near the hilt, like claws, as it's blade curved up, it sported more traditional blade serrations that aided it in cutting through thick armor.

The Vampire ran the blade, starting at the Autobot's lips, lightly dragging it down his chin, throat, chest, stopping where the fuel pump inhabited the Autobot. As the blade descended down the Autobot, the Vampire pressed hard into the armor, slowly cutting a line deeper and deeper, the larger serrations ripping through violently, until it broke through all the layers as he stopped at the fuel pump.

"Do you want to see it?" The Vampire asked softly. "Do you want to see possibly the most important organ in your body? The one that delivers the precious fuel to where it's needed. Without it you can't survive. Would you like me to show it to you? Still pumping.. still keeping you alive?"

"No." The Autobot said, still not screaming but the strain was increasing in his voice.

"Then tell me where the jamming equipment is."

"I have nothing to say to you." The Autobot responded.

Mines

Seawing continued to be lost which aggravated him. He couldn't find the Autobots he was looking for which would make Snaptrap unhappy. It wasn't too long for his commander to contact him. The message wasn't to check up on Seawing but to actually give him command of the mines to his surprise.

>>Understood, Butcher, I'll make sure the mines stay in our control instead of the disgusting bugs. I still think the best usage of the Insecticons is to make sure the Terrorcons don't eat the rest of us by feeding the Insecticons to them.<<

It takes Seawing several cycles to get back to the main part of the mines. He was hoping he would catch the Autobots on the way back but all he saw was more bugs.

Bomb Burst's clawed actuators dug into the wound he had created. Pulling and tugging, every sharp pain of armor and dermal layer metal being forcibly moved in a way it was never meant to, shooting excruciating waves of pain through the Autobot. Slowly the Vampire moved his hand, twisting and pushing, every second ticked past like an eternity as pain shivered through the Autobot.

He tugged out the Autobot's fuel pump, watching the pain etched on his victim's faceplate... as the chest wound expanded once more as the large object was pulled out of a small slit.

He held up the fuel pump in front of the Autobot. "It... looks delicious..." He said with a disturbing, but small, smile that exposed his fangs. He paused there a moment, looking at it with visceral longing.

The fuel pump's 'beat' increased as the Autobot's fear and pain increased. This made the Vampire even more pleased, watching the Autobot's 'heart' beat faster in front of his victim's own optics. He never returned the fuel pump though, simply held it there as he watched the Autobot's face.

He handed Nightbird his dagger as he refused to set that one on the floor, it was far too special to him. He only trusted his second in command with it.

The clawed actuators, now covered in leaked energon from small nicks that he had caused to the fuel lines in the Autobot, danced down the cheek of the Autobot, down his neck, right along the main fuel line that ran down from a Cybertronian's fuel pump to his head. He could feel the increased intensity of the pumps. Carefully he punched a claw tip into the Autobot's neck, nicking the fuel line, watching the Autobot's face wash in a wave of pain. Pulling back his actuator, it was now dripping with energon, though the fuel line was in no danger of leaking massively.

"Have you had enough?" The Vampire asked in his soft purr.

The Autobot had long since realized he was dealing with the legendary vampire. He had an inkling of it before, but the fangs had confirmed it. "I won't talk..." He said his voice sounding rhaspy.

"No?" The Vampire asked. "I see... I will help you with that. I only need you to point anyway."

He leaned his head down, sliding out his fangs a little bit, he bit into the Autobot's neck, ripping out his vocal emitters with his fangs while his claws moved quickly to the optics, shattering the lenses over the optics, he dug in pulling out an optic.

A shutter of intense pain went down the Autobot and he opened his mouth to let out his silent scream. The sound of breaking wires seemed deafening in the quiet room as the vocals were violently removed from their resting place.

The Vampire watched as the fuel pump in his other hand increased pulse, hitting harder and harder it's notes as desperation and pain was welling into a violent maelstrom in the Autobot's spark.

"I don't intend to let you die yet." He said. "And I can keep this up forever." He smiled wistfully, which looked a lot evil coming from him.

He gently tugged the optic free as he spit out the vocal emitter, he bit into the optic. The crunch of an optic between his fangs... been a long time since he'd bit into one. He'd forgotten how satisfying, how delightfully horrific it could be. The optics, so sacred, so delicious. Sparking and crackling, still functioning, but only delivering flashes of images... ghostly images, and waves of pain.

The horror of watching his own optic be bit into made the Autobot shudder and strain. Then snap! The optic cable broke free as the fangs closed down even harder on the optic and it's cable.

The Vampire set the fuel pump on it's owner's chest, sliding partially into the cavity. He moved with serpentine like grace slowly towards the other optic, as he spit the sparking, broken one out.

Claws carefully hovered over the remaining optic, as tempting as it was, he decided to let this one remain intact so the Autobot could see.

Always careful, he made sure never to disturb a main fuel line that could cause his prey to quickly die.

He sat up, situating himself so he wasn't leaning over the Autobot, but still in what was left of his vision, and picked up the removed vocal emitter. Carefully the voice box slid between his fangs again, this time only to be chewed on... so that the Autobot could watch him chew on the emitter he had just removed from him.

"All you have to do is point to where the jamming equipment is located. Then I will end your misery. You can do your little 'one with all spark' silliness you Cybertronians insist on believing in." He laughed as he pulled out the emitter. "It doesn't exist, you know, I've watched many a Cybertronian die, their sparks... they did not drift peacefully off to the 'Allspark', they disappeared into the darkness of Death's own embodiment... the dark, tormenting depths..."

***

Bludgeon sighed as the Vampire went back to his Death Personified nonsense. Drawback to always be listening in to his assassin.

They had been moving along quickly, no resistance in their path. >>"Bomb Burst, we are almost there."<< He let the Vampire know. >>"If the Autobot does not give you the information, kill him once we arrive. We will find the equipment in more destructive means." <<

Considering the Vampire had not even gotten 'warmed up' as far as interrogation was concerned, Bludgeon still felt there was a possibility of the Autobot telling what he knew. However, he had a sneaking suspicion that he was on a wild turbofox chase... that this was leading to nowhere and but fast.

However, he had no indication from any of the Decepticon leaders to abandon this fool's errand.

Skullgrin was moving along silently, weapons ready and all senses on alert. There was a lot of noise in this complex, and most of it creaking and groaning from the pounding the buildings had taken, which, for the hunter, was not a good thing, it meant the sound of the enemy was easily covered by the sounds of battered building.

Skullgrin used by permission from from Sir Rodimus the Prime

Amphitheater

"Speak for your limited knowledge there Pinchy. Least we don't go cattle-cron toeing to some ego driven scraplet headed tin plated buckethead."

”As defiant as always. It does not matter. You will find you are not as strong as you have led your companions to believe Scattershot,” Scorponok stated back at the boisterous Autobot coldly. Jhiaxus' sadistic side insisting to keep the Technobots conscious thorough the procedure was pure insanity. Knowing Scattershot, the Technobot squad commander was most definitely trying his best to record everything under his power for future exploitation.

”Firewire. Keep monitoring the Technobots for spyware or communications attempts. For us to not have found whatever their currently wield only make me want to strip and recycle their equipment for my own use more,” the enormous warlord instructed his assistant, seemingly allowing the Technobots a moment of triumph by letting them assume he was irrational enough to not have been monitoring them cautiously from the very beginning of their imprisonment. The simultaneous message Scorponok sent to Firewire was certainly far more insidious.

>>”Let them believe they are getting something out of this and continue installing the neural inhibitors and combination scramblers as planned. I found an irregularity in their sub-bus matrix. Fasttrack is using a nanocon invasion to scramble their hardware with a low yield EMP attacks while Sparkstalker is attempting to single out and hack the spyware. The EMP attack should corrupt majority of the data they are attempting to record without endangering Jhiaxus' modifications. In any case, we will evaluate the effect and both the hardware and software they are currently carrying once we strip them down for their examination after the first test run. Whatever they are utilizing is sophisticated beyond our current intel on Autobot Research and Development. And that may even provide to be far more valuable than anything else the Technobots have offered us so far if we are able to track down the software and crack it.”<<

>>"Lord Scorponok... Forgive my intrusion, this is Flatline at the central medical bay... I have one of your crew members, a femme by the name of Soul Siren... My lord, I've done the best I can to revitalize her but she's in need of something more along the lines of a complete chassis restoration. She's stabilized, but the scraps we've been able to gather aren't enough to warrant such a process..."<<

Scorponok had barely ended his own transmission to Firewire when an incoming message caught his attention. It appeared as if Soul Siren's situation had improved less than he would have liked through Firewire's intervention. Something had to be done quickly to avoid her situation deteriorating further and yet, he could not leave now. He couldn't trust Jhiaxus enough to leave him to his own devices with the Monstructor Six and the Technobots.

>>”Keep her stabilized. Reflector will contact you shortly.”<< Scorponok transmitted back to Flatline opening another comm-channel to Reflector. >>”Reflector, I need you to find a way to provide Flatline in the Garrus-9 medical ward all the assistance he requires in constructing Soul Siren a new body. This is not a matter of aesthetics but her continued survival. Get Spinister, get Lobe, get whoever you need. If nothing more suitable can be found I don't care if you have to utilize Sweep chassis-es from the cloning vaults of the Doctrine of Fear or dozen of Insecticon diaclones from the Pestilence. But you will find a way.”<<

That should do it. He had specialists whom could salvage the situation. High Commandeer of the Decepticons or not, Scorponok just couldn't oversee everything personally. He had to trust those under his command to do what was expected of them while he did what he had to find the way to win this damned war. Wasn't that all that mattered in the end? He certainly hoped so. He still had Jhiaxus and the combiner project to deal with after all. And it was around this point of time when Jhiaxus finally found a moment to answer Scorponok's earlier query.

>>"Exceedingly more smoothly than the Monstructor Six. It was as if Primus himself prepared these mechanoids to undergo such a process. All it needed was my guiding hand to finish that work."<<

Indeed? It was curious that under all that self-absorbed hyperbole Jhiaxus raved about lied an occasionally apparent sign of beliefs in the ancient Cybertronian legends. Primus. Perhaps even the Guiding Hand hidden under the context of Jhiaxus' chosen words. Or not, perhaps he was reading too far into Jhiaxus' motives through assumptions and that was line of thinking he could not wade into.

>>"In Monstructor, I created a being of perfect coalescence, a new being but ultimately a weapon capable of an entirely new array of offense. These Technobots will serve a similar purpose, but in them, we will have the means to assault the technological underpinnings of every foe we encounter. Disable them from the inside out. Logicor and Monstructor together and then..."<<

Logicor? What in the Pit was Jhiaxus after with this? And...

>>"Madness! What abject insanity compels you to bring your petty trifles to this monument of the next stage of our evolution?!? Horror of horrors!"<<

An amused grin grew across Scorponok's face. So Hun-Gurrr's little improvised combat spectacle had finally drawn out Jhiaxus' attention.

”Would you perhaps like to educate Hun-Gurrr on his methods of controlling his men?” The enormous Decepticon chuckled, attracting Hun-Grrr's attention as well for one of the heads of the two-headed razorbeast turned to glare Jhiaxus murderously. ”This is their way. Their battle won't compromise your work.”

”Besides,” Scorponok's tone turned more serious, ”I heard you worked rather closely with someone whose methods did not differ much from my lieutenant's. The legends do not tell tales about a warrior philosopher called Galvatron. They speak of Galvatron the Conqueror.”

Garrus-9 – Amphitheatre

Missed. Cutthroat had missed. The swing, while massive, went predictably askew – its course faltering, its accuracy dubious. The minuscule scratch Rippersnapper received made its mark on his olfactory sensor. Cutthroat's intention had been to end the fight with a single devastating blow, tearing Rippersnapper's facial plate up so badly, he'd have no choice but to forfeit their savage match.

Growling, Cutthroat's narrowed gaze did not relinquish its hold on the amphibious Terrorcon as he jumped back to elude the unruly strike. Missed. That tiny scratch displayed sufficient proof of that. That tiny scratch demonstrated how affected Cutthroat was from the relaxants.

“Take what? An itch?”

Here came the insults. The verbal jabs that knocked the avian monster off balance so Rippersnapper could sink his claws and teeth into him without having to endure a coordinated and physical response to reach Cutthroat.

He would not be baited. He would not fall prey to such trivial words. His attacks would be assisted by precision and his own supply of rage, not by the Urge, however tempted he was to admit its frenetic influence to claim dominance over him.

Bad enough it had been that the Urge had repressed his being and ran amok earlier, almost resulting in the loss of Umbra and Icepick. Icepick: an essential objective Scorponok needed functioning. Cutthroat could not allow the Urge to win and dictate how he fought. It was a weakness that could potentially have the Terrorcon executed.

Rippersnapper's mouth opened. That black hole, ringed by an impressive collection of razor-sharp teeth, began to glow – illuminating his teeth and making them waver as though they were an array of mirages. An instant later, a fat stream of fire erupted from his bestial comrade's mouth.

Cutthroat had to dodge or risk getting roasted by Rippersnapper's flamethrower. Ducking as fast as he could, the avian monster still suffered burns as he dropped to the ground, his facial plate scorched and smoking from the blast of fire. Still too slow.

In a crouched position, Cutthroat raked Rippersnapper's legs with his talons, hoping he would cause damage. There was no guarantee of this because of his sluggish reflexes, but he'd try all the same.

Communications Array

>>"Bomb Burst, we are almost there."<< He let the Vampire know. >>"If the Autobot does not give you the information, kill him once we arrive. We will find the equipment in more destructive means." <<

Bomb Burst smiled slightly. "Yes Master." He said softly for Bludgeon as his optics drifted around the room, Nightbird was watching their victim to see if he made any indication that Bomb Burst was looking at the panel they wanted.

No such luck. The Autobot was not paying attention to where the Vampire was looking.

The Vampire frowned a bit before readjusting his position, moving towards one of his captive's wrists. He removed the cuff, releasing the Autobot's hand. If the Autobot tried to move, that movement would rip apart his fuel pump. He carefully picked up the Autobot's wrist.

He took the dagger back from Nightbird, pressing it into the wrist, violently ripping downward, and yet, he missed every fuel line, intentionally. He ripped the dagger down the length of the Autobot's arm. The silent screams of pain once again commenced as the dermal layers opened, convulsive torment wracking the Autobot.

The Vampire ran his actuators up the Autobot's arms, collecting up any fluids leaking out. He placed an actuator in his mouth after he had, 'tasting' the Bot's fluids. His optics flickered in satisfaction as he watched the confusion and fear on the Autobot's face.

He removed the stiletto from the Autobot's neck and shoved it through his arm, pinning him, somewhat, to the floor. Another shudder of pain went through the Autobot and the Vampire picked back up the fuel pump which was carelessly slipping off of the Autobot.

He turned the pump around in his hands, in view of the Autobot, scratching, digging, and carefully puncturing it in non lethal, yet horrible ways. He watched the squirms from the pain, from the sharp sensations as the Vampire carefully pierced his 'heart', watched the increase and decrease of the pump's 'beating'. It was like a very macabre symphony, pain and fear, horror... nothing was quite as disturbing as watching your own fuel pump beat in fear as it was held by your tormentor in front of you.

"I can still put this back... and in time, you will recover. Maybe even get a voice back." He said suddenly, breaking the torturous silence. "Just tell me what I want to know..."

The Autobot's cranial unit shook violently as a 'no'. The Vampire frowned. "I can also make you my toy... Birdie, do you think we can it put back together enough to get it to the ship? I need something to get me through the long journey... since I can't devour Decepticons..."

Nightbird was silent for a moment. "We can probably stick it back together enough." She answered almost... upbeat... well, for Nightbird, she certainly wasn't a bubbly personality.

***

Outside

Bludgeon and his crew finally reached the outside. Transforming to vehicle mode, as even though his tank mode was slow, it was still faster than walking. They took off across the dusty moon towards the array. "Keep your sensors sharp." Bludgeon warned.

Here they were vulnerable, far more vulnerable, because of line of sight... they could be seen from almost anywhere. At least the corridors had provided good cover.

**

"I think we'll keep it. " Bomb Burst said. "I know Bludgeon said to kill it if it didn't give up information, but I can make the case to allow it to live for feeding purposes."

He was considering it. Very much, however, there was a possibility that it would not be practical. None of the damage done yet was life threatening, it was just keeping the thing alive and hidden until leaving this stupid moon. He may not have time or ability to go back after his toy. But the Autobot didn’t need to know that.

He was still turning over the Autobot's fuel pump as he spoke. "If you tell me now, I will let you go." He said. "This is your last chance... torture until your spark can no longer bear it, or being allowed to live. Your choice."

The Autobot still shook his head.

The Vampire looked... happy… to hear that response. He carefully cupped his other hand around the fuel pump and lifted it to his mouth. "Thank you..." He said as he slid out his fangs again and sunk them into the fuel pump' outgoing line.

Nightbird was moving around to hold the Autobot's head in place. Carefully, and gently held between her hands, she made sure that the Autobot watched the Vampire feed on the energon pumping through the outgoing line of the Autobot's own fuel pump.

Bomb Burst's optics were locked onto the Autobot with sadistic joy. He still wasn't going to kill the Autobot yet, but he was enjoying the terror he was witnessing.

Mountain Caverns

Vroom drove carefully while still on the outside but eventually he entered a cavern and, once he did, he started to pick up speed. His turns seemed a bit precarious with all he was carrying but they were, in reality, carefully calculated. Not that he would ever tell anyone that.

"Here we are, home for now. You see Wheelie, there are two tricks to surviving out here. One is find a place deep enough underground that all the heavy rock will interfere with energy detection from outside."

The Communications Array

Ripping.

Tearing through the soft material of something like a fuel line was a wonderful sensation. The tiny hooks on the back of Bomb Burst's fangs, there to hold him in a victim and cause said victim intense pain if it tried to move. It was painful for the Vampire too, in metal, but not so much for him in soft material. Different story for the Autobot, though, the ripping of the fuel line, shredded by sharp, sliver like stays, intensely digging in and pulling.

Ripping...

Ripping...

The Vampire slowly pulled the fuel line from his fangs. Like tiny daggers the hooks tore until the fuel line was free.

He placed his hand over the tears he had made in the Autobot's fuel line to keep the precious fuel from leaking, optics locked on the one remaining optic of his victim.

The Predator let a few moments hang in the air. The whir of near silent machines in the room around them bore down oppressively in what seemed the loudest and longest span of time.

Time... ticked... slowly. Painfully slowly.

"Tell..."

"Me."

Came the Vampire’s hoarse whisper, ringing loudly, disturbing the long, slow, silence.

Another excruciating pause.

"Tell." He said, the dagger now moved, poised above the spark chamber of his victim.

Nightbird's attention went towards the door. She heard movement.

Still watching his victim, the Vampire noticed Nightbird’s questioning look. "It's Bludgeon." He whispered. "I'd know the sound of my master's engine above all."

The spy relaxed.

The Vampire pushed a little harder on the dagger. "Tell." He repeated softly.

Time dragged by another moment.

"TELL!"

The shout produced the desired result after the unnerving silence . It made the Autobot tense and push up into the point of the dagger, breaking through a little more, a sharp bite of pain surging through him as the energon welled a bit from the puncture.

The low laugh that filled the room was followed by further pressure on the dagger... until... the Autobot's arm shot out, hand wildly and desperately waving towards a shadowed recess.

Nightbird got up and moved her way back to the area. Here her training as a spy paid itself off. Carefully she moved along the wall, palms pressed against the panels lightly until she detected a slight breeze... and felt a panel depress more than the others. She nodded towards the Vampire.

He smiled, just slightly, and then pushed the dagger deep into the Autobot’s chest, torrents of pain hitting his victim. He pushed, twisted, dragged the blade through the dermal layers of the victim, wrenching the most beautiful pain from his victim, in a violent surge.

When the dagger was in as far as it could go, the Vampire lunged forward, the razor sharp fangs baring down towards his victim with lightning speed... but to the Autobot... it seemed like slow motion, silently screaming, horrific slow motion, as those fangs got closer and closer and snapped down on his other optic.

The Autobot's last images were as the door swung open revealing an imposing figure, an ancient sword in hand, ready to strike.

**

Bludgeon let his sword down as he took in what he saw. The Vampire ripping apart his victim and Nightbird stepped out of the shadows and motioned behind her, indicating the Autobot had given in.

**

The Vampire ripped the fuel pump of his victim out, the lines snapping in in a sickening pop. His head violently jerked to the side, ripping the optic from it's cable, sparking like the other. The Autobot's convulsing slowly died as his functions terminated... the Vampire sat up slowly... optic still between his fangs, he looked to Bludgeon.

A moment passed.

Despite the savagery, there was no wild look in the Vampire’s optics. No feral growls, no loss of control. The Vampire simply slid the ripped out fuel pump towards his master, having to lean in a bit to get it to him.

Bludgeon stared at the offering of leaking, battered entrails. "You disgust me." He muttered.

The Vampire sat himself up, the Autobot's optic still crushed between his fangs. He laughed. "Good." He said softly.

"Not good." Bludgeon muttered as he entered further into the room, stepping over the Vampire and his victim. He headed back for Nightbird. "Skullgrin... let's open this place up, with whatever force you need."

Garrus-9 – Mines

"Yeah yeah yeah, what he sai- wait... What in the hell?!" The interceptor began before sputtering into absolute astonishment, only beginning to realize what the violet and purple simian-of-a-mech just uttered. If Snapdragon had been sipping on energon, then Apeface's little comment on their presence would have made the thuggish interceptor spit up anything he had sitting in his mouth. "Apeface, shut the hell up!! Not cool!!" The black and white Decepticon stuttered to defend himself. "Don't listen to 'im, that's not why we're here!!"

Apeface gave his friend a seemingly understanding look before shaking his head, ”Poor Snapdragon, you know denial doesn't help you any. You've gotta grasp for the chance when you're given it! Claw and crawl for your prize, to claim your reward!” Apeface added dramatically, patting Snapdragon's back, ”Because you sir are no quitter! You deserve this!”

Snaptrap transmitted the coordinates. >>”Refrain from maiming or killing prisoners for sport while you are down here,”<< the Seacon Commander uploaded another few sets of coordinates to the link. >>”These areas also near the deepest point.”<<

>>”Ah, most excellent Snaptrap. This information comes handy. And don't you worry about the poor inmates. They are in no more danger from me than they are from your Seacons. Can't vouch for Snapdragon though, as you well know. He is who he is. You know. The agenda is to keep them alive. Until bossbot says otherwise. Then its go time. Heh.”<< The Horrorcon saboteur transmitted to the leader of the Seacons before going forth with his show.

“Take Tentakil if you require him,” Snaptrap said dismissively, walking away from the pair of simian and reptilian Horrorcons. Skalor stared after him with a quizzical expression. He glanced over to Apeface and Snapdragon.

”Lo and behold! The fate is favorable to you this fine day!” Apeface announced in reply to Snaptrap's words, nudging Snapdragon's side with his elbom before leaping away from the interceptor and next to Skalor just in case he would have to do some evasive maneuvers due to triggering Snapdragon's temper, ”The mighty butcher of bogs has given his consent on your request! Go get her before your soon to become bride will have a scare and run for it! I mean, I love you like a brother,” Apeface added with wicked grin, ”but we both know you aren't much of a looker.”

“Did he just…was he joking just now? Was that a joke?” Skalor asked Apeface in a hushed whisper.

”A joke Skalor? No my smelly friend. He is the Butcher. Have you ever heard him joke around?” The simian Horrorcon told Skalor in response to his question, fighting hard to keep his face from showing his amusement. ”I am afraid he is being extremely serious.”

Garrus-9 -- Amphitheater

The hellfire poured from Rippersnapper’s open jaws in a continuous stream, the flames licking Cutthroat’s chassis as the avian Terrorcon ducked down to avoid a direct hit. His faceplate had been scorched, though, so at least that was something. The shark creature took a single step forward and began to tilt his head down in order to finish the job when he felt his insubordinate comrade’s taloned claws rake across his lower left leg. The former actor howled in pain as he threw his monstrous head back, allowing the fire to burst forth into the air above a few astroseconds longer before stopping the inferno all together.

“You little piece of slag!” Rippersnapper roared at Cutthroat as he stumbled back while his HUD informed him of the damage done. The terrorist’s left shin guard had suffered deep wounds, but his knee joint was still intact and able to support the amphibious Terrorcon’s weight. Energon leaked from the gashes, but it wasn’t too bad. Ripper still had plenty of power left in his cells, not to mention he had sustained much worse throughout the war and still managed to fight on. Now would be no different.

“When I chewed on your leg before it was only just a pre-meal appetizer,” Rippersnapper growled as he charged forward, ignoring the pain in his left shin plate. There was a slight limp, but the former actor didn’t let it show or slow him down. “Now it’s time for the main course! I will eat your very spark right out of your chest cavity, and I will savior every last moment of it!!” As the ferocious land shark drew closer and was almost on top of the crouching vulture-former, he opened his powerful jaws as wide as he could, his serrated teeth ready to bite down into Cutthroat’s neck and upper chest plating. The terrorist could almost taste that delicious spark.

Garrus-9--Mines

“He’s…He is? That kinda sounds like someone we should maybe avoid. I mean at least until we have something going for us…”

At that, Pointblank couldn't help but offer a half-hearted but still well-intended chuckle. There wasn't a lot that made him laugh any more.

"You'll have no arguments from me," Pointblank said with a wry grin.

It wasn't like he disliked Whirl. Anyone who wore the Autobot badge and stood against Megatron's megalomania was good in his book. But in situations like this it was the Whirls and Roadbusters of the world that could get them into just as much trouble as any Decepticon. He hated being so powerless. Never again. After this? Never, ever again.

“He has claws. Why does he have claws? Pincher. Thingies,” she asked as they followed further.

"Hm? Oh. Those. Those are old. From the old days. It was called...um...emratio? Imperio-no. Um. Empurata. That was it. You had to really piss someone off for that to happen to you. And knowing Whirl? I bet there was a line."

He then watched as, between Whirl and Pyro, the stage was now set for their immediate execution.

"See? And now we have Pyromus Prime."
___

One of the miners was quietly digging away in his corner of the rock face when he felt a strange...something. When he turned he found one of them weird, fishy Decepticons looking at him, smiling.

"Hi," the Decepticon said pleasantly, waving.

"Uh, hi. You, uh, you my guard or somethin'?"

Tentakil thought about the question for a moment before nodding pleasantly.

"Sure! That's what I am. Just gets so lonely down here, you know? So dry. I don't know what to do with myself sometimes heheh."

"Heheh, yeah. Well, you could always help me dig out this beryllium vein."

"....sure. Sure! I could do that..."

Mines

Umbra wasn’t quite sure what to make of the reassuring pat on her shoulder from Pyro. It stirred up some emotions in her and made her feel weird. She wasn’t a fan. As Pyro moved off to take care of the guards, Umbra settled in beside Pointblank, hoping the weird feelings would go away. She knew what they were and precisely how to define them, but to do that would mean to confront them. Umbra wasn’t feeling up to that. Survive.

A ruckus from around the corner let her know all was going well with Pyro and that Whirl guy. And by well, they were probably doomed. The femme looked over to Pointblank as he chuckled at her remark.

“I was being serious…” she mumbled.

"Hm? Oh. Those. Those are old. From the old days. It was called...um...emratio? Imperio-no. Um. Empurata. That was it. You had to really piss someone off for that to happen to you. And knowing Whirl? I bet there was a line."

“Ah…yeah. I remember that. Vaguely. I used to be a…what was the title…an ancient cryptologist? I was kind of a shut in. I studied the primal vernacular among other ancient languages. Trying to piece together our history,” Umbra explained, “I guess…I still am. Being in stasis for a couple million years tends to get you behind on the times.”

Umbra watched as Pyro set the stage for their extinction. She wondered if it was too late to wander off to some other portion of the mine.

"See? And now we have Pyromus Prime."

“What? He’s a Prime?” Umbra looked toward Pyro with wide optics. “You’re a Prime?”

Garrus Mines

Particles of metallic debris and flakes of black plastics slowly cascaded from between the compressed finger tips as the ten massive digits continued to exude tremendous pressure upon the two cranial units of the Seeker Guards. Pieces of warping casings molded to the onyx colored actuators, bending and breaking... buckling like plastic explosive clay. Four optics became two as the pair were condensed in frightful fashion sending red glass and sensitive electronics exploding through the sockets.

Through the half blurred reflections of the rust speckled locker door, Pyro could witness the carnage that he had inflicted in a moment's act. The two remaining optics flickered red for only a brief instant before they faded into stasis and the mercy of unconsciousness. A moment later the ranger released his grip on the two heads merged to one and grimaced behind his mouth guard as he could literally feel the warped and broken fragments of their bodies pull from his fingers as gravity assert its domain upon the unconscious ruin.

Their impact on the ground was muted and lessened as Pyro had managed to maneuver himself to allow his body to act as a sort of slide to aid in lowering them to the dirt floor of the small cavern. As he set the two seekers down he motioned over to Amaranth from her position behind the tunnel wall near Pointblank and Umbra.

The medic scampered over the dusty tunnel path, stumbling briefly as she made the turn into the chamber. After a brief second to regain her barrings she made her way over to the two unconscious Seekers and began a cursory examination.

"Will they live?" Pyro asked as he knelt down next to the medic as she opened the first guard's spark plate.

"Not for the lack of effort there." Amaranth placed her hand on the protective casing that housed the spark. A warm soft glow began to radiate through the small breach in the guard's armor as the medic began her initial triage. "No damage done to the sparks, their built in surge protection circuits managed to take the brunt of the trauma of having their heads fused together."

The ranger simply nodded. "Could not be helped. Had they remained active, they would have stood in the way of the conduit access point. And had I killed them, well I have no doubt that Scorponok has many of his cannon fodder troopers equipped with biological trips."

Amaranth pulled her hand from the spark case and pushed the armor plate cover closed again. "Makes sense. It is not unheard of."

As Amaranth began poking and prodding various other elements of the damage guards, Pyro turned his attention towards the arms of the two fliers. Carefully he reached over and deactivated the pair of magnetic locks that held two standard issue laser rifles from the first guard on the right. He pulled them closer and examined their charges before setting them to the side. He repeated the process for the second. He then pried back the shoulder armory panels of the two seekers and scowled. The armories that were typically equipped with various launchers, cluster bombs or micro rocket pods, were empty. While this was not unexpected it still was a disappointment.

Amaranth for her effort, managed to locate the slightly higher ranking duty officer's chest compartment. A few tugs and probes from her surgically practiced fingers caused the reinforced transparent steel canopy to release and retract into its torso. "What have we got here?" She muttered only loud enough to garner the attention of Pyro. "Look at this chief."

The firefighter got up from his position and crossed the unconscious guard till he stood over the medic and her plundered victim. "Pointblank, Roadbuster... We're clear." He did not look over his shoulder as he watched the nimble fingers of the medic do their work.

Carefully and deftly she managed to untangle a weave of wires that were connected to a secondary energon reserve that was filled to the brim. As the medic dislodged it from the guard, it sloshed in its container and lapped against the sealed rim. "Gotta love the greed of your every day standard issue Decepticon." Amaranth smirked as she set the container of energon next to the weapons stash. Pyro simply nodded, casting a long shadow over the medic as she worked in the dim light provided by the illumination strips.

A few moments passed and Amaranth pulled out a pair of energon rations from each of the guards as well as several other components that were considered 'universally redundant.' She also managed to retrieve a small plasma ignition source, possibly for recreational activities, or at least she surmised as she added it to the pile. In the end, she had managed to pull a few universal chips and gears that could be used to better repair the other members of the team, four energon rations, the one secondary energon tank, the four rifles and two more comm units that were pulled at the last... and one stun baton and a set of stasis claws.

Pyro spared only another glance at the locker and the crimson optic that hovered in the void of darkness, pleading for release. He pivoted on his heel and made his way over to where Pointblank, Umbra and Roadbuster had remained covered. He arrived just in time to hear a question indirectly asked. Without hesitation he looked down at the smaller scout and offered a friendly smile, albeit hidden behind his mouth guard. "Unfortunately, no. I have not proven my worth to raise to the same stature of one such as Optimus Prime. Though if the fates allow, maybe one day I will be afforded that opportunity to serve with him. That is, of course if we are able to aid our comrades in these trying times." He offered a reassuring nod to Umbra before he turned his attention towards Pointblank and Roadbuster.

He motioned for the trio to follow him back into the chamber. This time he stopped short of the guards and altered his course. "Whirl..." He spoke low and with a strict and over powering authority. "You want out of your little prison? Then you will fall under our initiative. If we are to survive and take back this base then we must not allow our predilections to control us."

The ranger placed his hand on the edge of the locker and tilted it backwards ever so slightly to send the message to the Wrecker flier. "If you agree to my terms, then I will release you from that cozy slice of the pit."

Amaranth stood up in the background with her head shaking ever so slightly as she approached Umbra. "Hope you know what you're doing there chief. Its not like that guy there is known for being a... team player."

"Whirl will restrain his primal fury," it was not an observation but a statement of fact that came from behind the others as Roadbuster finally made his way in to the chamber. He stepped around Pointblank and leaned back against the far wall just underneath the environmental vent. "He is a Wrecker first and foremost, whether we are together or not. We know the stakes regardless of the situation and act accordingly."

Pyro nodded, though not truly convinced. Still there were precious little in the way of options available to him or to any of them for that matter. But it was something Optimus had once told him... well not him specifically but to the defense sector he was addressing during one of the transmitted 'State of Iacon' speeches eons ago, An officer reads the tactical situation and adjusts to changing dynamics, but a true leader listens to every avenue before making those adjustments. "Alright, Roadbuster, I'll take your word on this..."

The lock gave way to Pyro's gentle manipulations and it fell into the palm of his hand. He held the door closed with intense pressure to ensure Whirl did not try to burst out and reap revenge on his previous jailers and risk all of their sparks in the process. "Listen to me carefully then Whirl. We are not in any position to engage in open combat. In fact, we are bent on avoiding conflict as much as possible. With Fortress Maximus currently inactive, and Scattershot and his band of Technobots currently under observation by Scorponok, starting trouble is highly inadvisable. Once you acknowledge that battle is not even in our top ten best options right now, the better our transition to that stage will be." Stepping back he pulled the door open to reveal the formerly locked away Wrecker.

As the Aerial daredevil emerged from his long locker incarceration, Pyro retrieved the four rifles and leaned them up against the wall so they were hidden in the shadows cast by the locker itself thus unseen by any in the tunnel passages as they walked passed. "Now that you've gotten the fluids to your extremities, why don't you show those two guards to their new habitation unit... And don't kill them. If they die, we're screwed before we even begin."

"You sure about this Big Guy?" Amaranth looked over at Roadbuster who simply nodded sagely. "I've heard stories bout this guy, and man they don't even do the reality justice."

"No, they do not. But the same can be said of a great many who have faced demons and won." Roadbuster turned his optical visor towards Pyro. "We have secured our first chamber. But that security may be fleeting if we do not harness the advantage."

"Agreed," Pyro nodded only once before he walked passed Whirl and the two unconscious guards. He looked up at the vent, if one could call the rusted slats of metal barely covering the access point of the ancient environmental controls conduit, a vent. The ranger then looked back towards the scout Umbra. "This will be a dangerous trial for you Umbra. Even with the Decepticon Friendly Transponder, you will have to be on a constant vigil... You do not have to do this if you do not feel as though you are capable."

Semper Tyrannis--Bridge

Reflector had followed Scorponok's orders to keep Overlord stable and, thus far, it was proving to be a doable task. Given the Phase Sixer's condition when he had been brought aboard, the surveillance specialist had harbored some serious doubts in that regard. Nonetheless, stable he remained. However, it was not long after before new orders came through. Orders of a more straightforward nature.

>>”Reflector, I need you to find a way to provide Flatline in the Garrus-9 medical ward all the assistance he requires in constructing Soul Siren a new body. This is not a matter of aesthetics but her continued survival. Get Spinister, get Lobe, get whoever you need. If nothing more suitable can be found I don't care if you have to utilize Sweep chassis-es from the cloning vaults of the Doctrine of Fear or dozen of Insecticon diaclones from the Pestilence. But you will find a way.”<<

Hmm. Soul Siren. She would be an unfortunate loss to the cause if she were to succumb to the injuries that he had sustained at the hands of Fortress Maximus.

>>"It will be done,"<< Reflector transmitted back dutifully. Sweeps were notoriously protective of their fallen, at least if they had gone down in battle. Scavenging from their ranks would be more difficult than that of the Insecticons. The latter were all too willing to cannibalize their own. Reflector was certain that he could obtain the necessary parts with little trouble. He opened a new channel with the surface.

>>"Venom, Bombshell, I have orders from Lord Scorponok..."<<

He then opened another, this time to Flatline.

>>"Lord Scorponok has bid me to make contact. I will have supplementary resources directed to your position soon. Do you have other needs?"<<
___

Garrus-9--Corridors

Scorponok's orders still rang clearly in Cyclonus' mind. He wanted the cause of the communications disturbance rooted out as much as any other Decepticon. Accomplishing the task, however, was an exercise that lead him to new path each time he felt he was coming close to a conclusion. It was becoming undeniably evident that the disturbance had not been a natural occurrence. But whether the origins came from the mighty Omega Supreme himself or some other source, Cyclonus still could not say.

Even so, he had soldiered on with Scorponok's other commands, directing nonessential troops back to the ships as ordered. From the commanders words, it seemed like they had at least accomplished their primary reasons for coming here. Cyclonus was sure that Nova Prime's favored scientist was indulging his every whim in regards to the gestalt process. The super warriors could then be unleashed and perhaps, just maybe, this protracted war could come to its deserved end and the new order could begin.

Cyclonus could hope, at least.

Garrus-9 Central--Amphitheater

Jhiaxus could hardly believe what he was witnessing: carnal, devolved brutality so close to his sanctum of progress. The Technobots and their commanders attempts to frustrate him were nothing compared to this debauched display.

”Would you perhaps like to educate Hun-Gurrr on his methods of controlling his men? This is their way. Their battle won't compromise your work.”

Jhiaxus' mouth opened slightly as if to speak but said nothing. His optics briefly flicked in the direction of the fearsome Terrorcon commander. Their way? The way of Onyx Prime and his savages. If only Nova had destroyed all such beings when he had the chance.

”Besides, I heard you worked rather closely with someone whose methods did not differ much from my lieutenant's. The legends do not tell tales about a warrior philosopher called Galvatron. They speak of Galvatron the Conqueror.”

Jhiaxus' head tilted slightly in curiosity at the gladiator's reference. Curious that he would be so well-versed in such legends. The praetor's stance relaxed slightly, slowly and gingerly settling himself back into the comforts of his chair.

"You heard correctly, gladiator. I see Galvatron's hand of brutality in...that," Jhiaxus said, lifting a hand to indicate the battles taking place not far from his work. "It served its purpose, but the Prime kept Galvatron's more vicious urges on a tight leash."

Jhiaxus' aged face twisted into a sneer of satisfaction.

"We...we certainly had no need to fear for our safety when in Galvatron's presence. His thirst for battle was matched by no one in our time. Many suspected that the launching of the Ark would be a prime target for sabotage. I knew better. If there had been any delays, Nova would have let Galvatron do as he chose to anyone even suspected of being involved. The consequences would have been most unfortunate indeed. Most unfortunate. He was all the security we ever needed, though Scourge and his dogs served their purpose also."

It seemed for a few moments that Jhiaxus might be gone. His expression was largely blank as he stared off into...nothing at all. But all too quickly, his optics returned their focus to the myriad of screens and holoscreens.

"Our subjects, hmmm. Our subjects will soon be ready for their preliminary combination."

Semper Tyrannis – Lobe’s Lab

“Do you really require living subjects?” Synapse asked, “I know that progress cannot be made without some degree of sacrifice, but the number of Cybertronians left seems to dwindle every passing vorn. If you have the option in any case.”

Lobe thought for a moment. Was a live specimen absolutely necessary? Perhaps in any other case where one was retrieving data that was not current, but live data, that was what he required and the only way he would get it was with a living subject.

The doctor shook his heads in the negative. “I’m sorry my friend, but it’s just not possible to get what I need with a dead subject.”

He moved to a cabinet and began gathering a few essentials.

“I am, in fact,” Synapse said with a smile, “I have a patient waiting for me. We can go get him, retrieve your subjects, then return. Although…if we were to do that, hm…Well. I suppose we’ll see.”

The robot standing before the cabinet turned on his heel while the other standing beside Synapse clapped his hands together. “Splendid!” He patted the cybernetic owl on his should while he finished gathering his wares. “A patient, hmm.” Curiosity piqued Lobe stared at his comrade. “Anyone I know?”

He smiled after a tense moment and walked over to stand on the other side of Synapse. “Heh. I know, I know. Doctor patient confidentiality. A shame really.” His smile grew just a smidge wider as a thought crossed his mind. “You know, if your patient becomes…difficult…I could always lend a hand.” To emphasize his point he extended the needles in his fingertips.

“Now, what say we get a move on. I’m excited to meet my new specimens…” Lobe gave the other mech’s shoulder a squeeze, “and your patient.” He then started for

Mines - Miner's Respite

"Brainstorm, I have ascertained the location of the entrance... Quite humble, isn't it?"

Brainstorm rounded the corner of the building to find his compatriot stepping in through the doorway he managed to find. Following the heli-former in, the two scientists were met with the remnants of a former staging area the miners had used prior to Scorponok's invasion. A stalagmite had pierced its way through the roof above, managing to spear through two floors of the respite before halting partially through the main floor.

"You'd think they would have built around that from happening." Brainstorm commented aloud towards the fallen chunk of rock protruding halfway through the floor, gazing up the hole it left behind. He paused for a moment before looking back towards Highbrow. "Still...more intact than one would expect."

The teal and white Autobot then Wales towards the back of the main room and begin to sift through the debris that was strung about, pulling away loosened girders and sheets of metal that came down with the rock. After a moment of digging through rubble, Brainstorm soon saw the edge of a workbench slightly sticking out from beneath a sheet of scrap metal. Tossing the scrap aside, he stared at his discovery with wide optics and a hearty smile plastered beneath his bronze mouthplate.

"Well, Institute be damned..." He murmured in awe as he kicked more rubble away from his feet so he could better stand before the miners' former work area. He pulled open some of the drawers to find simple tools used to modify and refine equipment the miners used before the Decepticons came and took them prisoner. "Like being back on Nebulos. Ya know, if Nebulos had thrown a Dinobot-sized party. You find anything good yet?"



"Whirl..." Came Pyro's voice in a low tone from the other side of the locker, "You want out of your little prison? Then you will fall under our initiative. If we are to survive and take back this base then we must not allow our predilections to control us."

Psssh, That's just fancy-talk for "control your anger".

"If you agree to my terms, then I will release you from that cozy slice of the pit."

"For Primus' sake, Fiiiine!" Whirl groaned from within his imprisoned hold. "Just open this damn thing already!" Then door then slowly creaked open after Pyro continued to ramble on about their current situation. The former wrecker nearly leapt from the locker with excitement after the ranger pulled back the door. Both of his clawed hands reached high into the air above him as he stretched out his servos.

"I wasn't constructed yesterday big guy." Whirl sneered despite not being able to physically represent it, "I'm more than aware of the scrap pile we're stuck in right now. Hell, I helped fight the initial waves! But where were you all? Right, right, in Decepticon hands!" The cobalt Autobot sighed as he rubbed his forearms, basking in the freedom each limb had once more since being in stasis cuffs then pressed within a locker. "Specifics don't matter now, not much has changed for either of us. Good to see you again there, Roadbuster."

Sparks arcing from the conjoined-cranial units of Whirl's former guards then drew his attention away from the gathered Autobots. He took two big steps over towards the Decepticons and stared down at the monstrous new unit in the Decepticon armada, giggling a little under his breath as he knelt down beside them.

"Daaaamn... Pyro's quite the cosmetologist ain't he?" He questioned aloud as he admired and poked at one of the offlined optical sensors with his claw, "He managed to make you less ugly than before! Damn, Pyro! You're a miracle worker!"

Whirl then reach behind the two seekers and hoisted the duo Hoover his shoulder before pivoting on the heel of his ski-like boot and tossing the Decepticons into his former holding cell. Whirl then "dusted" off his clawed-actuators and turned to face the Prime-fanatic.

"So, where to first, Pyromus Prime?"

Garrus-9 – Amphitheater

"You heard correctly, gladiator. I see Galvatron's hand of brutality in...that," Jhiaxus said, lifting a hand to indicate the battles taking place not far from his work. "It served its purpose, but the Prime kept Galvatron's more vicious urges on a tight leash."

”As do I.” Scorponok intercepted Jhiaxus' musings. ”The wrath of the Terrorcons has served me well and continue to do so in the future. Even more so if your initial scanning prove out to be correct and they are compatible for the process.”

Indeed, the sheer power of a Terrorcon combiner would have to be beyond approach by any possible combination they had found so far. The Monstercons, while fearsome on their own ways were still pale imitations of the Terrorcons when it came their individual power levels. Yet, Monstructor had proved to be far more than the sum of its parts. By the same logic, a Terrorcon super soldier would turn out to be the most physically powerful combiner of them all. This did not make Scorponok blind of its possible problems however. Would their combination be a mindless savage, controlled by instincts? Or would Hun-Gurrr's hold on his minions suppress them even in a combined form, creating a monster that would act completely as an extension of the will of Scorponok's most fearsome lieutenant?

And if it were to be so, what would stop Hun-Grrr from following his own creed, the survival of the fittest. If so, the Terrorcon would immediately contest Scorponok's leadership for to Hun-Gar there was no other way. The mightiest would rule. And were it to be so, Scorponok would have to prove that he was still the mightiest of warriors within his own army. A challenge he welcomed. And perhaps, this new being would be something else like Monstructor. Something completely unexpected and potentially even more dangerous than the other options. Time would tell. He just had to plan accordingly to minimize the potential threats.

"We...we certainly had no need to fear for our safety when in Galvatron's presence. His thirst for battle was matched by no one in our time. Many suspected that the launching of the Ark would be a prime target for sabotage. I knew better. If there had been any delays, Nova would have let Galvatron do as he chose to anyone even suspected of being involved. The consequences would have been most unfortunate indeed. Most unfortunate. He was all the security we ever needed, though Scourge and his dogs served their purpose also."

”It sounds like the world Nova ruled over was not tested in battle the way my generation has been. No warrior is feared to a point where his mere existence would render the enemy toothless. There is always someone. A determined fool unable to see the scope of repercussion for his actions, who would gladly test his resolve against even the mightiest of us. Even Galvatron, were he still among us.” Scorponok spoke up, his attention briefly on the battle between Cutthroat and Rippersnapper more than Jhiaxus' blank stare into nothingness.

"Our subjects, hmmm. Our subjects will soon be ready for their preliminary combination."

Scorponok's focus turned away from the battle between the two Terrorcons back to the ancient scientist and even more so, the multitude of data available of the screen before him. His own data analysis confirmed Jhiaxus' statement. They were nearly there. Pushing his own impatience back became an issue of its own but it had to be done.
”We will proceed with Logicor after Monstructor is ready and completely under MY control. I will not have another combiner run rampart over my forces this cycle. The damage Monstructor caused with the addition of the surprise element of Omega Supreme's awakening - caused more casualties than I was expecting at this stage of the operation.”

”We will take every safety precaution necessary with the Technobots,” the mighty warlord added, turning his gaze over to Firewire. ”Have you finished installing the equipment I requested?”

Mines

"Unfortunately, no. I have not proven my worth to raise to the same stature of one such as Optimus Prime. Though if the fates allow, maybe one day I will be afforded that opportunity to serve with him. That is, of course if we are able to aid our comrades in these trying times."

“Hm,” Umbra rubbed her chin thoughtfully at Pyro’s reply. Optimus Prime was still around. Good to know, good to know. She followed Pyro over to where the fallen guards were, glancing down at the unlucky pair. As Pyro began to barter with this Whirl character, Umbra wondered not for the first time about her standing. She glanced over to Amaranth as the femme approached.

Pyro eventually let the clawed one out of his little cage then moved over to look at the vent Umbra had spotted earlier. Yup. That was a vent.

"This will be a dangerous trial for you Umbra. Even with the Decepticon Friendly Transponder, you will have to be on a constant vigil... You do not have to do this if you do not feel as though you are capable."

“What.”

Whirl, for his part, threw the Decepticons into the locker that had kept him prisoner. Which was distracting for a moment until she looked back to Pyro. “Me? In there?” Umbra pointed to the vent. “Me? I-“ Umbra glanced around uncertainly. “Uh…I…You sure? About this? Wait, wait. And do what?! Look around?!”

Umbra frowned. They did not want her up there! They just didn’t know it. Right. She was a bot killer. Pointblank and Roadbuster knew. She didn’t…deserve any trust, right? The scout knit her fingers together.

Garrus-9 -- Amphitheatre

A hit. Cutthroat had scored a hit. A fusion of a sneer and a smile moulded his thin lips into something repulsive but clear: a killer's satisfaction with the inflicted wounds. Though insignificant -- by Cutthroat's unmerciful standards -- the gashes running diagonally across Rippersnapper's left shin guard were deep. Energon dribbled from the gashes, a constant trickle that eventually reached the ground.

Cutthroat wanted to lick that energon. He wanted to taste victory prior to achieving it. He contented himself with the howl of pain Rippersnapper emitted, his audio receptors greedily pulling in the succulent sound in to feast on. Raw and seasoned with agony, he happily accepted it.

“Stupid Ripper... snapper...” The words came out slow and thick -- like Rippersnapper's energon did, seeping from his wounds. “Stupid Ripper... Thinks he can beat me...” Cutthroat turned his cranial unit to the side and spat lubricant, which struck a Sweep's foot. “No one can beat me... I will tear off your armour plating... and keep tearing you apart until... nothing is left...”

Talking at the same moment his monstrous comrade had been, Cutthroat suspected that Rippersnapper had not heard him. Taking into account that the relaxants had blunted the shock trooper's sharp senses, it was to be expected that Cutthroat's responses were belated, be they physical or verbal. He wondered what the spectators saw. Two babbling Terrorcons, snarling at one another and promising an assortment of atrocities to be enacted on the other or--

Cutthroat screamed. Rippersnapper had smashed into him and sunk his teeth into the avian monster's neck and shoulder. Fraggin' relaxants! They would be the death of him.

He flailed about in an attempt to dislodge Rippersnapper's jaws, shouting and cursing as he did so. Acknowledging the futility of his strategy, he changed tactics. Compacting his taloned actuators into fists, Cutthroat aimed them at Rippersnapper's cranial unit with the intention of pulverising it to gain freedom from the serrated hold he had on Cutthroat.

He brought his fists up and started to swing.