The Energon Pub

Garrus 9 - Corridors

>>"That would entirely depend on who your target is. If your target is of no consequence to me, then I would give you every means possible to terminate it. If your target is someone under my charge, I would kill you before you could draw your weapon. If it is Bludgeon, his crew, or Nightbird... well, that is just insane. No one would be that stupid to actually send an assassin after one of them. But none the less, I would kill you before you could even completely process the insanity of it."<<

Phobos looked down and then back up at Bomb Burst and then to Nightbird. Phobos' head was still hurting, his memory banks must've finally restored from the crash. He turned around so his back was facing Bomb Burst and lightly massaged his forehead, it didn't do anything but it felt like it helped.

This can't be possible, my target...who would do this? Who would set me up like this? There's a lot of people who hate me...but who would hate me that badly? Thermius...the only remaining member of the Hot Heads, the group that killed Deimos. He wants to kill me by sending me to kill someone who would easily defeat me...

Phobos turned to Bomb Burst.

>>What would you do if I told you that I just remembered who my target was?<<

Med Bay

>>"Again.. it depends. "<< Bomb Burst'so reply was a bit growly as he began to get suspicious of Phobos.

Garrus 9 - Corridors

Phobos stared at Bomb Burst and then glanced at Nightbird.

I don't want to kill Nightbird, and most likely I cannot...

>>"Again.. it depends. "<< Bomb Bursts reply was different, it was more agitated. Phobos thought he was starting to get suspicious.

>>And on that note, I'm just gonna take a look around Garrus-9.<<

Phobos turned around and walked off, glancing back a few times.

Garrus-9 Central--Med Bay

"Surely it would better to let him live with the thought he'd failed rather than showing his failure. showing his failure might create an flame of determination that might never be extinguished," Bludgeon opined, offering a rare insight into how he thought things should proceed as opposed to simply, though ruthlessly, carrying out the orders given to him without question or hesitation. Cyclonus mulled it over in silence for a moment, even though the decision was ultimately not his to make. Regardless, Bludgeon's dutiful efforts as a fellow warrior had earned him the right to receive thought-out responses from the lithe warrior rather than silent dismissal.

"In this instance I would agree. Once he's seen what we've done to the Technobots, and the fate that awaits numerous others, that spark of vengeance will be unquenchable so long as he remains alive," Cyclonus said, looking up at the form of the incapacitated Autobot looming over him. "But that last little factor can not be overstated. I have no doubts that our High Commander has every confidence that he will be able to extinguish Maximus' spark at any moment of his choosing."

Cyclonus stepped back.

"In that scenario, what is to be lost by putting Maximus' failure on full display?"

Medical Bay

Bomb Burst looked over at Phobos as he said he was about to leave. He didn't find the request itself that odd.. odd was an assassin standing around in the open dping nothimg in his opinion. Despite costantly having to do it himself, it felt unnatural to him still.

However the suddenness put the Vampire's suspicion on alert. He simply nodded, though, making sure Phobos was in the assasin's team comm channel so he could make sure the newcomer could be reached at all times. And then sent someone to tail Phobos.

Amphitheater

>>”See that you will. And who is your fumbling assistant? His security clearance code is outdated. I did not authorize his presence here. He is an unacceptable security risk. After you are done with using him here I want his mind wiped of every byte of information he has had an access regarding the combiner process.”<< Scorponok spoke to Firewire through the comm-link. There was little room for error, so much depended on them keeping the control of the combiners. Perhaps Monstructor was an anomaly but that was hardly a conclusion he could draw at this point. He had to play safe. An uncontrollable monster that wanted nothing more than extinguish their sparks was an option only a madman would pursue. And whatever Scorponok had become through the endless vorns he had waged war – he hadn't descended that deep into madness.

“I thank you, my lord. On behalf of the Monstructor Six, I thank you. Words cannot express my gratitude.”

"Yes...m-my thanks. Of course you have them," Icepick said, looking around, not wanting to meet Scorponok's gaze directly, or anyone's really right now.

”You may be too quick to thank me.” Scorponok spoke out in response to Slog and Icepick. ”For I will need to use him. Perhaps sooner than I would like to. This blasted war has to be brought to an end before we are no more. Take solace in the fact that you can no longer be lost in him, nor are you confined within the walls of Garrus-9. You have been reunited with your Decepticon brothers. I promise you - Monstructor does not define you. He does not control you. He will be a tool to be used to bring Megatron's dream to fruition. Our dream.”

A not too common, friendly smile appeared on Scorponok's hard visage as he spoke to the Monstercons, ”You may not realize it due to the unfortunate circumstances that led to you being lost to us but you are icons to many Decepticons. You both have given our cause much during its early days before your imprisonment. Without your efforts our rebellion against the Functionalist and the corrupt Senate might never have gained the support it did.”

”Your zeal for our noble cause inspired thousands Icepick.” Scorponok stated out proudly, his gaze falling towards Icepick who seemed unwilling to face it – before turning to address Slog again, ”And you Slog, your art inspired many more.”

”Be proud. Be strong.” He added, turning away from the Monstercons, letting Firewire and Gadget focus on them, his optics focusing on the Technobots and Jhiaxus instead Scorponok addressed the two Monstercons once more. ”Take back what was taken from you. And live again.”



As quick as Blot had moved to shield Hun-Gurrr with his own body in case Monstructor would have attacked, the Terrorcon leader had brushed his loyal minion out of his way. He was the Terrorcon. He feared no monster, nor death. He needed not to be coddled or protected by anyone.

”The glory is mine Blot,” he had growled while taking another set of steps towards the monster in his psychotic greed over its power. ”Let death claim me if it can.”

But the attack never came. Scorponok had brought the beast down with a single command. It wasn't even surprising. He had seen the Decepticon leader and his assistants tinker with the Monstercons before they had united into Monstructor. It made all the sense but something in Hun-Grrr still hoped he would have gotten the chance to test himself against the combiner.

Somewhat disappointed over Scorponok breaking Monstructor back to its component parts so soon, Hun-Gar moved over to Snaptrap once Scorponok began talking with the Monstercons but not before giving Blot a reassuring pat on shoulder, indicating he was not angry with his selfless attempt of trying to shield him.

”Heh, what made you decide to leave the mines Snaptrap? Got bored?” He asked, grinning wickedly and not really expecting an answer from the surly Seacon commander. Turning his gaze back towards Monstercons from the infamous butcher of bogs, the large Terrorcon spoke again, ”How do you figure those wimps turned into something that impressive? Imagine my Terrorcons or your Seacons combining, that thing couldn't possibly be anywhere as powerful than our ultimate forms.”



Demolishor had not moved away from Jhiaxus' side not once after being commanded to watch over the ancient scientist. Not even when Monstructor had appeared. Mostly out of duty but increasingly because he had began to enjoy how much his shadowing seemed to annoy the supremacist relic. It was oddly satisfying. Monstructor though, even Demolishor had to admit that a being in the presence of something so utterly foreign made even a seasoned veteran like him uneasy.

He couldn't even fathom how it was possibly that Monstructor's presence felt so draining and why Jhiaxus seemed to feel so giddy about it despite it had to affect him as well. At least High Commander Scorponok had had everything in control. And now, after clearly having tried to prepare the Monstercons for what was to come, Scorponok was again discussing something overly technical with Jhiaxus.

”How have you worked around being limited to five component members instead of six?” Had been pretty much all that talk that had made sense to Demolishor. And truth to be told, Demolishor was rather curious about that too despite not understand the technobabble between the two scientists. Oh well, at least he didn't have to stand Deadlock's company anymore.

Garrus 9 - Corridors / Mines

Phobos climbed onto the ceiling and crawled his way to the mines on it. When he reached the mines, he leapt back down onto the ground and looked around.

>>I know you're there.<< he texted to the assassin. >>My optics work.<<

Mines

[BW] Rainmaker wrote:>>I know you're there.<< he texted to the assassin. >>My optics work.<<

The assassin took a unconscious, force of habit, step backwards when Phoboss spoke to him. "Well, you didn't think the Parasite would let you wander around alone, did you?" He asked, referring to Bomb Burst by his much hated (by him) nickname."I have no idea what the two of you were chatting about, but he was irked. But... pretend I'm not here, because I'm not disobeying orders whether you know I'm here or not."

Garrus 9 - Mines

Phobos stared at the assassin, mostly examining him.

"Well, you didn't think the Parasite would let you wander around alone, did you? I have no idea what the two of you were chatting about, but he was irked. But... pretend I'm not here, because I'm not disobeying orders whether you know I'm here or not."

Phobos crunched his fists and closed his optics.

>>I'd rather walk alone.<<

Phobos opened his eyes and attempted to stab the assassin with his daggers.

Mines

>>"Let Phobos go..."<< Bomb Burst's voice came over the comms, letting them know (though the assassin had already assumed) he was listening in.

The assassin artfully dodged the attempt to stab him, jumping backwards into the shadows. He retreated further to where Phobos could not see him.

>>"I'll just send Nightbird to kill him later."<< he continued. >>"If he doesn't return to me, that is. I'll be waiting."<<

Garrus 9 - Mines

Phobos connected his daggers together again to make his blade and walked off, he crawled into the ventilation shafts. Phobos looked around to make sure he still wasn't being watched and then started crawling around looking for the area he came from, he then sent a transmission to Bomb Burst.

>>Did you seriously send one of your assassins to spy on me? You possibly can't even trust them to give out true information.<<

[quote="[BW] Rainmaker"

>>Did you seriously send one of your assassins to spy on me? You possibly can't even trust them to give out true information.<<[/quote]

>>"I did seriously send one to follow you."<< Bomb Burst replied to Phobos flatly. >>"Of course they will give me accurate information, they fear me and well, they are spies and assassins, it'seems their jobs. I also listen in. They know I do. They've seen what happens to those that don't do as ordered. There is no need for trust as the consequences for lying and false information.... very high."<<

ctrlFrequency wrote:>>"I did seriously send one to follow you."<< Bomb Burst replied to Phobos flatly. >>"Of course they will give me accurate information, they fear me and well, they are spies and assassins, it'seems their jobs. I also listen in. They know I do. They've seen what happens to those that don't do as ordered. There is no need for trust as the consequences for lying and false information.... very high."<<

Garrus 9 - Mine Ventilation Shafts

Phobos turned off his comlink, turned his cloak on and started crawling as fast as he could. He had to get away from Bomb Burst and the others as fast as he could or he could face certain death. Phobos cut a hole in the ventilation shaft and climbed through it, he was outside Garrus-9 were he saw a crashed shuttle.

Pity, so that's how I got here.

Bomb Burst sighed. >>"Bring Phobos to me if he doesn't return in an hour.<< He said over the team comm.

Garrus 9 - Outside

Phobos turned his com back on.

That should've distracted him for a while

Phobos ran to the shuttle and checked it out.

Ugh, the thing's a wreck, the engines are cracked, the gas is leaking...

Phobos went inside and looked around.

There's gotta be something I can salvage...

>>"Bring Phobos to me if he doesn't return in an hour.<<

Oh great, should I return?

Garrus-9 – Amphitheatre

Blot looked to Hun-Grr as the Terrorcon Commander brushed him aside. He lowered his head as his master spoke, ashamed to have perhaps offended him in any way. Hun-Grrr meant more to Blot than himself, than his own life. There was nothing Blot treasured so much as the original Terrorcon himself. Even so, his loyalty showed no limits. He obeyed. That was the sole tenant that he followed.

Fortunately, Scorponok saw fit to do something to Monstructor. Blot didn’t know what, and he didn’t really care. The master was injured, and Blot had followed orders. Still, part of Blot wished that the giant had tried something. Tried to fight the master. The giant would have lost. Put it in its place.

The filth-stricken Terrorcon perked up as he felt a pat on his shoulder. His optics widened a little at the rare showing of the master’s regard. He bowed his head again as Hun-Grr passed, this time with the greatest respect. He would treasure this moment for as long as he lived. Blot had several other similar brief moments. The odd compliment. This one would be added to that collection.

As the master moved over to the Seacon Commander, Blot stayed near, but not near enough so as to offend the master with his scent. Whenever he had further orders for him, Blot would spring into action. But, for now, he plopped down and picked at his teeth idly. It was the least he could do to clean himself. It wasn’t much. But. It was something, right?


”Heh, what made you decide to leave the mines Snaptrap? Got bored?”

Yellow optics flicked toward the source of a familiar voice. “Hun-Grr,” the Seacon Commander stated simply. He did not bother to respond to the Terrorcon Commander’s goading. That was not why the razorbeast had decided to speak with him, so he would wait until the Terrorcon got to the point. Snaptrap imagined it would have something to do with the monstrous gestalt. He was not disappointed.

”How do you figure those wimps turned into something that impressive? Imagine my Terrorcons or your Seacons combining, that thing couldn't possibly be anywhere as powerful as our ultimate forms.”

Snaptrap’s amber optic flicked away from the Terrorcon Commander to the Monstercons. “Perhaps there is more to them than meets the eye,” he replied after a moment’s consideration. Ultimate forms, eh? An uncontrollable amalgamation that rendered its components reeling after separation seemed far from ultimate to the Seacon Commander. There were clearly still things to work out in the process. Snaptrap would have more control. But, in all likelihood, that sort of power appealed to Hun-Grr.

The baleful gaze of the Butcher returned to Jhiaxus with narrowed optics. And yet this ancient scientist seemed to have some degree of control over Monstructor without the need of the safety measures Scorponok had installed. Jhiaxus had been the one to calm Monstructor. To make him accept his place under Scorponok. Or so it had seemed at least. It filled Snaptrap with a mild sense of unease.

Glancing up to the fleet commander, Snaptrap withheld his opinion for now. Lord Scorponok and the scientist were discussing the project again. There would be time later to report his analysis. “Though you are likely correct. Our combined forms will be powers to behold when the time comes. For now, I am curious to see what sort of being the Technobots form.”

Garrus-9: The Mines

Pyro simply nodded as Umbra disappeared up into the environmental conduit that led to the surface. His optics narrowed briefly as the final glimpse of the scout vanished entirely from view and the last light thuds of her movements faded into distance. Quietly, at least to himself, he bade her luck with her newest quest.

After a few seconds passed, the ranger turned to face the other gathered Autobots. He watched briefly as Whirl claimed the jury rigged communicator from Pointblank... a maneuver Pyro would not argue. If events were to remain equal, Whirl was supposed to be locked away in that make shift cell where the two unconscious seekers now resided. "Alright Whirl," the Ranger began before glancing over to Roadbuster. "It would seem that you have found a task in which you are most uniquely qualified."

Beneath his mouth guard, Pyro could not help but smile at the irony. "We have one operation in motion, but in order to prevent the draw of suspicion from our Decepticon captors, it is time we make a visual appearance. Whirl, given your previous circumstances, you should remain here or at least hidden and in constant communication with our Scout friend. Amaranth will remain here to keep you company. Pointblank, Roadbuster and I will return to the main gallery in order to draw attention away from what we have begun." He waited for the others to object, but a stern look from the massive Autobot only served to silence the diminutive medic, who was about to protest being paired with the loose cannon.

"Whirl, guide Umbra as best you can... and do not draw attention to yourself or reveal that you have been relatively liberated." He straightened his posture as he addressed Pointblank and Roadbuster. "As for the rest of us, we will begin maneuvering all of the Autobot prisoners in the depths. Begin formulating potential withdrawal routes and choke points should hostilities begin. Should opportunities arise, locate a defensible position that is off the relative path. Remember these are still confined locations, use that as a factor in determining those courses and potential check points. Any further questions? If not, lets get back before our absence is noticed."

Medical Bay

"In that scenario, what is to be lost by putting Maximus's failure on full display?"

Bludgeon looked at the might abused and maligned frame of Maximus as he heard Cyclonus's reply. He turned slightly looking at the crowd of Decepticons that where milling around a flash of a grin crossed his face before vanishing into his normal stoic look.

The Technobots had been experimented upon by presumably the recently found Jhiaxus or even lord Scorponok himself. What had they become? another monster like Monstructor this could end in disaster. His musings prompted him to again voice his opinion as a naysayer.

"Presumably your going to present this withered form before the thing the technobots have become, what about the fire it would bring to them?"

Garrus-9 Central--Med Bay

The Seekers in the room began the process of preparing the oversized Autobot's medical slab for transport. Having now turned horizontal, the device relied upon its anti-grav to hover a meter or so above the surface of the floor where it would be guided to its new destination--the amphitheater. Cyclonus motioned for the Seekers to exit with their new charge. Lord Scorponok would not want to be kept waiting unnecessarily.

"Presumably your going to present this withered form before the thing the Technobots have become, what about the fire it would bring to them?"

Cyclonus grinned, slightly but noticeably.

"One as unquenchable as the fire that will be ignited in their commander, I have little doubt. Though if they are as individually incapacitated as Jhiaxus' Monstructor Six, there will be little they can do about it," Cyclonus answered. "Ultimately, it is High Commander Scorponok's will of how things should proceed. We either trust his judgement....or we do not. I see no reason why he would not listen to your concerns, if properly voiced."

Cyclonus turned to exit the med bay.

"Come."

Garrus 9 - Outside

Phobos paced around the shuttle, thinking what could be wrong with the shuttle. He sat down at the control panel and pressed a few buttons. The shuttle's thrusters turned on and then spat out smoke, they didn't work. Phobos banged his fists on the control panel. Phobos didn't have a choice, he had to return to Bomb Burst. Phobos took off his comlink and crushed it in his hand. He then attempted to transform, he hadn't done it in a long time, it hurt but he managed to transform. He flew away from the shuttle and then launched missiles at it, blowing it up. He flew back inside Garrus-9, transformed and returned to Bomb Burst. He drew his blade and armed his rifle.

What do you want, Bomb Burst?

Amphitheater

“Perhaps there is more to them than meets the eye,”

”I will believe it when I see it,” Hun-Gurrr snarled in response to the surly Seacon commander, spitting a glob of cutting lubricant to the floor and glancing at the Monstercons with disdain visible on his face. ”They look too twitchy and brooding to be real warriors. All this power at their disposal and they don't embrace it? They accept weakness. It sickens me.”

“Though you are likely correct. Our combined forms will be powers to behold when the time comes. For now, I am curious to see what sort of being the Technobots form.”

”Something pathetic I am sure. We should put the Technobots down immediately after the experiment if it is successful. Let them live and before you know it they pull off one of the damn tricks they are well known for.” Hun-Grr replied back, with clear sign of hatred in his tone.

Snaptrap's optics returning from Monstercons to Jhiaxus did not go unnoticed by the hulking Terrorcon. It was clear that the ancient scientist troubled the Seacon in a way or another. Perhaps he didn't trust him. Jhiaxus had certainly been unafraid of Monstructor despite having shown uneasiness towards Hun-Grrr himself earlier. Whatever power Jhiaxus held upon Monstructor, he clearly was not sharing everything he knew about the monster with Scorponok.

”I see what you are looking at,” Hun-Gar growled quietly, ”The old brainiac. He is holding back. Scheming something. I want to slash his armor open and see if he will be as smug when I rip out of his spark casing.”

Garrus 9 Central - Med Bay

"...I trust this will be sufficient sufficient?"

Flatline lifted his energon-covered digits from Soul Siren's chassis to examine the pieces the insecticon-loader lifters were carting in while Sharpnel oversaw the process.

"This is be more than enough." The medic flatly claimed without diverting his attention from the materials. The sound of the door opening once again is what took his attention away from the insecticons and their trove of spare parts.

"Yes, yes the warden is ready to become mobile." Flatline finally replied to the lithe purple lieutenant's inquiries, "I will just have to take my work on the mov- FLAK! Get over here and get Soul Siren prepped to move out! Gonna have to preform on the go while Scorponok has me oversee that his trophy does not keel-over."

With Cyclonus leading the way out, the black and white medic jogged up ahead to stand beside Fortress Maximus' mobile medical slab to evaluate his charts while the Vehicon assistant known as Flak followed close behind.

"We should be seeing primary cognitive functions in a bit, once the Stasis lock begins to wears off. Optics still offlined... For now..."



"My, he's got pieces that could perhaps buy me a second home somewhere nice..." Octopunch commented lowly to himself as he watched the warden get carried out, admiring the marvelous tech adorning his armor that had still managed to survive after his encounter with Scorponok. His audio receptors perked at the sound of Stanglehold questioning the current condition of the Technobots. Aside from their part in being the ones who helped throw him into accursed jail, the Autobot team was also well known for being well stocked with advanced gear and high-grade tech. Such fine salvage could be made if something were to happen to the team...

"Yes, yes... Have we turned the tables on our old adversaries or has someone else just wasted all the potential in making them squirm? Heheh."

Mines

Whirl. Man. Pointblank was amazed with every breem that passed that the cycloptic mech hadn't gotten them all fragged yet. He was starting to count them. Surely their luck couldn't hold out forever. Umbra was waiting on the other end, but he would have to be her guide now. Pyro clearly had other plans for Pointblank.

"We have one operation in motion, but in order to prevent the draw of suspicion from our Decepticon captors, it is time we make a visual appearance. Whirl, given your previous circumstances, you should remain here or at least hidden and in constant communication with our Scout friend. Amaranth will remain here to keep you company. Pointblank, Roadbuster and I will return to the main gallery in order to draw attention away from what we have begun."

Pointblank nodded silently and followed the other Autobot's lead. Given what all Umbra had told him of her past, he wasn't sure what to make of her. But if she pulled this off, whatever this gambit ultimately proved to be, it would be a stunt worthy of a Wrecker.

Maybe having Whirl around to guide her wouldn't be such an offbeat move after all.
___

Amphitheater

Icepick nodded as pleasantly as he could manage under the circumstances when Firewire informed him that her work with him was finished. But it was not long before the looming shadow of their new commander was looming over all of them.

”You may be too quick to thank me. For I will need to use him. Perhaps sooner than I would like to. This blasted war has to be brought to an end before we are no more. Take solace in the fact that you can no longer be lost in him, nor are you confined within the walls of Garrus-9. You have been reunited with your Decepticon brothers. I promise you - Monstructor does not define you. He does not control you. He will be a tool to be used to bring Megatron's dream to fruition. Our dream.”

Icepick's spark sank at Scorponok's mention of needing to use the unholy titan again, likely sooner over later. He did his level best to conjure up a smile in response to Scorponok's affirmations. Over the vorns, Icepick had been known to be one of the more genial of their faction. It would do him no good to falter in that regard now.

”Your zeal for our noble cause inspired thousands Icepick. And you Slog, your art inspired many more. Be proud. Be strong. Take back what was taken from you. And live again.”

Icepick couldn't really explain it, but Scorponok's words did have something of a bolstering effect. Right place, right time, he supposed.

"He's right, of course," Icepick said, somewhat resignedly as he looked over at his Unit Commander. "Monstructor. Whatever they turn out to be..."

He pointed idly at the imprisoned Technobots.

"Becoming more than what we are. It's what we've always done. Maybe this is the last step. Maybe this is where the war finally ends."

Garrus-9 Central--Amphitheater

Jhiaxus could hardly tolerate the sight of Monstructor having been forced to appear subservient to the gladiator chaff. Soon, so soonly enough, it would be the other way around. He had to content himself with that reality, otherwise there would be no tolerating these deplorable surroundings.

”How have you worked around being limited to five component members instead of six?” a question was asked by a voice that Jhiaxus did not immediately recognize. He looked down from his elevated throne to identify the source, only to see it as one of Scorponok's lesser gladiators. One of those who had been assigned to assure the praetor's ongoing physical security. In that, at least, he had found some minor purpose, for Jhiaxus had not been accosted once since his return to the functional. But to bother him with a question such as this, when he could not possibly comprehend the complexity of the answer? How had Cybertron first sparked life? How did the inner triune sustain itself? He may as well have asked those or any other such questions for all the good the knowledge would do him.

The question itself, however, had not been without merit even though the praetor had no desire to explain the specifics to one such as him. The enigma of combination was a still unreliable process at this point. Though he had succeeded with the Monstructor Six and there were numerous others within this facility that displayed similar potential, there was no guarantee that the process would ultimately work. Another piece might need to be added in order to stabilize the transformation. One might need removed. Any time the natural transformation processes were tampered with, the end result was likely madness. Only a skilled hand, his guiding hand, could prevent it.

"Content yourself with the reality that your function will soon be obsolete, young gladiator. Your interminable war will, at long last, meet its end. Perhaps, when you are faced with that reality, your existence will find a greater purpose?" Jhiaxus said, grinning derisively as he finished his thought. Oh yes, he would indeed find that his life, just as the lives of the other chaff, would find a much greater purpose. When all were one.

Step by step, they marched closer to their destiny.

Garrus-9 Central--Approaching Amphitheater

The corridors of the prison were largely quiet. The majority of Decepticons currently stationed within the prison were quietly maintaining their posts or they were in the areas that required cleanup from the massive battle that had taken place to claim it.

Approaching the amphitheater where Jhiaxus, Scorponok and their subordinates were currently undertaking their labors, all was indeed quiet. But behind the oversized entry doors, there were clearly muffled sounds of activity. Seeker sentries stood on either side of the doors but made no move to inhibit the progress of Cyclonus or his current coterie.

"Make sure his sensory technology is functioning, Flatline," Cyclonus said as the doors slid open. "Our Lord Commander will want the warden to behold the nightmare waiting for him in its fullest; hear it, see it, smell it, feel it.....perhaps even taste it."

At the edge of the entrance, he briefly caught Scorponok's gaze and then stood to one side, motioning for Flatline and the others to enter with their Autobot prize. He had no doubts that Scorponok already knew what he intended to do with Fortress Maximus and would make those intentions known as soon as he saw him.