The Energon Pub

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

Flytop continued to move around the corridors enjoying an energon snack from partial full fuel cells of fallen Autobots.

"No since in wasting perfectly good energon. I always forget how draining digging can be within the Hive. Stupid diaclones always in the way initially or get in the way. Now I know why I do my own diggings without help."

As Flytop flies around trying to follow all the noise she notices two mechs she partially recognize and one of them she preferred not to be around. For being a Con, Bludgeon is remarkably honorable. It would be a trait most assume an Autobot to have instead of a Decepticon. The other is the only other female Insecticon, Airachnid, was walking close to him. Flytop had to admit her and Airachnid shared similar hobbies when the spider was free but still didn't trust her. The third mech Flytop didn't recognize but coloration would almost dictate Autobot.

"I'm a little confused here, Airachnid, do you and Bludgeon have a prisoner with no manacles? I would have expected you to pop the head off by now but by the looks of it, you still have your claw on your back. I would say it is a nice fit considering how many times you like putting your own claw in the back of whoever suits you."

Garrus 9 - Last Resort

"You'd better fill me in on the rest of this"

"All in due time." Banzai-tron retorted to his fellow DSS agent without even looking back at him, instead maintaining his focus on the interaction between the gargantuan Decepticon warlord and the scientist. He pondered on what Scorponok could possibly want with an ancient mech like Jhiaxus. A scientist under Scorponok's influence is always a good thing, especially someone with Jhiaxus' qualifications and credibility, but he still couldn't think of any reason as to why Scorponok had a strange interest in the mech.

"You took quite the hit from Fortress Maximus," Banzai-tron began as he turned to face his subordinate, examining the scorched hole in his chassis where the warden's weapon struck him, "I'd recommend visiting a medic, I care to not lose ANOTHER agent today." He said with a sharp angered tone as his amber optics locked on Gutcruncher's lifeless chassis.

Garrus 9 - Central - Med Bay

"Look, if you all want this one to live you are going to need to identify her. I managed to stabilize her spark but I am afraid this is only temporary. This one needs a spark transfer to live."

Flatline looked up from his work on Cutthroat's chassis and gazed over at Jumpstart's medical work. He managed to stabilize the femme's spark, but he was right, a transfer is needed if he has any hope of saving her life.

Flatline quickly dropped his tools and wiped his greasy actuators on his work rag beside him as he pulled out his medical-data pad. He opened the personnel files compiled by the DSS and cross referenced all femmes brought over on Scorponok's ship.

"Not her...Not her..." He muttered as he scanned over Firewire and Flytop's names on the list. "Here, this one seems to match up with the description provided close enough. Soul Siren." Flatline stated as he handed the data pad over to the medic, locking the device so that it would only read her file and prevent him from getting nosy with the Decepticon files.

Garrus 9 southern wing

Umbra had moved off ahead heading for the sounds of battle further down the prison. The electric warrior followed after spying Arachnid following his newly appointed pupil. He arrived in time to see arachnid slash at the inhibitor claw on her back allowing the ruined claw to fall. It never hit the floor as in the time it took for Arachnid to refresh her optics the flat of his sword had sprung out to smack her actuators aside then launch the ruined claw into the air. Away from Umbra before it exploded near to where an newcomer had made themselves known.

The icy visage of Bludgeon regarded Arachnid with contempt surely Arachnid knew better than anyone that messing with inhibitor claws made for a violent and explosive ending. Despite the draining effect of being in close proximity to the massive engine of destruction that was Monstructor Bludgeon rounded on Arachnid.

“Either you are profoundly stupid or you don’t remember the measures that we place within our inhibitor claws. The autobots are more lenient about it with charges that leave them in stasis lock we don’t leave enough of the prisoner to rebuild”

Bludgeon glared up at the insecticon that had appeared and added its own opinion as if it mattered to him, if this one was anything like the other it was going to get violent very quickly.

He turned his attention back to Arachnid

“Try asking the Seacon’s demolition’s expert they might be able to remove it without it exploding like the last one”

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

Cyclonus had tensed slightly at Overlord's arrival, but only momentarily. Ultimately he was pleased that the Phase Six Decepticon had decided to respond to Cyclonus' earlier transmission as efficiently as he had. They had only barely begun to engage the monstrosity before Overlord had arrived. He would be useful, undoubtedly.

“I believe I will take command of this battle. Seeing as how your commander is apparently otherwise occupied some where far away and much safer I believe it is only appropriate. This battle will require my ‘special’ knowledge and tactics, let alone my personal prowess."

Cyclonus stiffened even more, but his professionalism kept him silent. Though Overlord's words were a fine display of the end result of unchecked ego, infighting at this juncture would be of no benefit to any of them. As Overlord issued his orders, Cyclonus continued moving. Moreover, as he had no inherent objections to the orders being given, he would do what he could to assist the powerful Decepticon. The threat needed to be brought to heel. How that was accomplished was irrelevant, so long as the gestalt was preserved.

As Overlord fired, and other Decepticons fired, Cyclonus added the fire of his own oxidating laser to the cacophony of attacks that were sent in Monstructor's direction.

Monstructor roared in abject rage as he was assaulted not only by the collective of Decepticons but now Overlord himself, slamming his fist into another mid-level floor and causing parts of it to come crashing down where Cyclonus had been about to take cover. The lithe purple warrior came to a smooth halt, turned, and fired at the monster again.
___

Garrus-9--Aequitas Chamber

"Oh bravo Bats. You did find your humor processing circuit after all."

Mindwipe's optics looked casually from one direction to the other.

Suuure. Humor. That's what we'll call it.

"It hides in the most unlikely of places sometimes, Apeface," he said, grinning.

Mindwipe offered the Horrorcon a slight bow. No need to go insulting a Horrorcon too conspicuously, especially when there was another one so close by. If he wanted to assume that was Mindwipe's attempt at a joke, the Decepticon hypnotist was certainly inclined to allow that notion to pass by unchallenged.

Apeface quickly turned his attention to Rung and Mindwipe was glad of it. Watching Cipher at work was always enjoyable, certainly moreso than matching wits with a Horrorcon. Cipher, thankfully, seemed to be getting somewhere at last with the obstinate Autobot psychiatrist. He watched with barely-contained glee as Rung finally set about activating the massive judgement machine.

As his hands went to work, Mindwipe noticed that the gargantuan room they were in seemed to be slowly but steadily coming to life. Miniscule tremors began to reverberate steadily throughout the floors and walls as a dim hum could soon be detected on his audio receptors. Then the room began to undergo small-scale transformation sequences, just as the facility itself had when the warden had engaged the automated defenses. Walls began to slam in and out of place. Shifting. Floors rearranged. And from the dimness of the room, only shadowy, metallic figures could be seen.

Mindwipe took a couple of cautious, measured steps away from the Aequitas machine and the Autobot currently at its helm. His optics narrowed.

"What did you do?"

The answer to his question did not come from Rung, but rather the room itself. Simultaneously, a multitude of optical units blazed to life across the vast expanse of the chamber and the distinctive sound of metal ligaments marching across the floor in tandem could be heard as the shadowy figures marched forward.

"Legislators!" Mindwipe gasped.

Garrus-9--The Aequitas Chamber

"It hides in the most unlikely of places sometimes, Apeface," he said, grinning.

Mindwipe's response and the slight bow offered made Apeface eye the hypnotist suspiciously. He was overcoming his fear of the Horrorcons bit too fluently. Something was off with his behavior. Had he read Mindwipe's words the wrong way? Oh how rad. Mindwipe actually had been annoyed adequately enough to grow some backbone through sheer irritation if nothing else. Seemed to come and go that. Apeface had known the other con on acquaintance level long enough to witness the fluctuation of Mindwipe's courage from the level of soiling himself through a mere sight of a Terrorcon to actually standing up to himself when it mattered.

Perhaps it was time for a friendly reminder. Just to keep him honest. That's all, yeah.

"Most appreciated good sir. May I advice a corrective course in thy attitude? Yours truly may have been known to pummel other good gentlemechs such as thee to leaky pulps for less." Apeface replied back to Mindwipe himself, offering an exaggerating courteous bow of his own. Never letting the timber of his voice to turn aggressive or threatening. Rather, keeping a jovial tone.

That had been all. Right now the exchange of words between Cipher and Rung was far more interesting. Friends? Dreams? Backhand slaps and tumbling psychiatrists? Oh this was getting to be such a good show. He just had to learn more, they couldn't just leave it hanging like this. Though apparently Rung had made to decision to put an end to the spectacle prematurely. A security layer. The only question was why the Autobots had not activated it before.

"You just had to do it pencil neck..." Apeface snarled in reaction to the sudden changes of the room and the appearance of the Legislators. A quick bounce towards the psychiatrist was followed by a back flip which resulted in the bulky Decepticon landing on the console before Rung. Before the much smaller bot could even properly react, he had been hoisted off the floor by the simian horror whom had grabbed hold of Rung by both of his arms.

"How about you call off your security before I pull you in two, eh?"

Unknown to the Decepticons, something else was stirring as well. Something far more dreadful than a bunch of automated drones such as the Legislators...

Garrus 9 – The Rig

Who knew the little pygmy could move so fast. And while pushing a loaded hover sled no doubt. Impressive. Sort of. Kronus shrugged slightly as he and Firewire made their way to the gargantuan scorpion Cybertronian.

And just like that, there he was. Just as huge as he had heard. Kronus’ jaw dropped slightly as he slid his optics up Scorponok’s form. I do not want to be on his nemesis list.

The thief then slowly slipped off the sled and eased his way around it. But before he could make too far he was met by one of Hun Grrr’s heads. The abruptness of the Terrorcon’s appearance caused Kronus to rear back and away.

Oh slag! Oh slag! Oh slag! I finally get out of that hole and that face mask only to meet up with a Terrorcon who’s hell-bent on eating me! I’d prefer I be the one to eat one part or all of me, but how do I let him know that?! Scenarios ran rampant through the malefactor’s mind as he waited to be devoured then and there.

But only a moment later Kronus quickly shut his mouth, reined in his anxiety and put on an air of calm. He physically relaxed, outwardly at least, and faced the ravenous Terrorcon’s head. “My apologies to you Commander Hun Grrr. I have been imprisoned within this…this Gehenna for what seems to be an eternity and coming across one of my own, well, it’s a bit overwhelming.” The smaller mech rolled his shoulders back and flashed the imposing dragon a smile.

“To you I offer my skills and services.” The charismatic ‘Con concluded with a slight bow at the waist. I hope to Primus I don’t get my head bitten off.

Garrus-9--Mines

"Flytop decided that his services would be best deployed elsewhere," Kickback said idly, several diaclones skittering past him as he stood in robot mode only a few meters away from Bombshell, who had carved out an observational position atop a large outcropping of moon rock that had been dug around. The diaclone Swarm were doing considerably more digging around the position now. With each breem that passed, the mine was slowly transforming, just as its denizens could--transforming into a perfect subterranean hive whereby their numbers could swell exponentially with enough time and attention.

Of course, the natural resources of the mines would be plundered as well, but most of those would be funneled up to the Decepticons in charge of this operation. Ever would they need to present themselves as little more than loyal servitor drones. The truth was far different. And that truth they would have to keep to themselves for the time being. Bombshell had tread on thinning ice with that femme witch. He would have to be more careful in the future and not allow ego to supercede his designs.

"Perhaps they will be, heh. The more of us we can spare to leave wandering the prison, the more it will appear that we are not subverting the controls of our, ehh, 'masters', heh heh heh."

"The Autobots are resisting still, though the battle has turned in our favor, there is other chaos up there now."

"Yesss. I can feel it too," Bombshell said, though more accurately he could feel the mass sensation of panic and terror flowing through the diaclones that were still aboveground. "They trod over one threat only to activate another. And they think themselves the inheritors of Megatron's peace."

"Will any of us inherit that dream?" Kickback asked, more rhetorically than anything. Bombshell answered the question regardless.

"Ehh, more likely us than them. The Swarm will multiply itself with each successive generation. From here we can eventually overrun this moon. And then this solar system. One day, yes, one day the universe will tremble at our approach."

"You have more gumption than Venom, Bombshell. I will allow you that much," Kickback said, smirking.

"Yesssss. Yes. He too will see what folly it has been for him to remove himself from our affairs. Idle hands can never lead us."

"You mean to lead us then?" Kickback asked, probing. Bombshell, however, was no stranger to Kickback's games. He played them also, in his own way.

"Leadership is a secondary matter for us right now. Only expansion matters. When our masses can overcome any Autobot or Decepticon battalion, the Insecticons will assume their rightful place in the universe. If I bring us to that point, I will worry about claiming what is mine then, and only then."

"Wisely spoken, if not somewhat dubious."

"I have my moments."

Garrus 9 - Central - Med Bay

"Soul Siren?" Can't say I have heard the name before." Replied the Autobot doctor. "Well at least we got some data to start with." He finished what he was doing and turned back to Flatline.

"To save this one we will need to cross reference records and find likely candidates for a transfusion. We need to be as sure as we can about this. I don't think her spark can handle a rejection protocol."

He shrugged.

"I assume you all will not let me look at your files so I guess that's up to you. If she has a sibling it would be ideal."

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

"If you think I am just gonna let you kill this heavy rust bucket after I have been carrying him all this time you are crazy. I'll leave him someplace where he has a shot at life so that way my back servos feel like they achieved something." Vroom replied. He knew that a speech about the importance of life would likely only result in rolled optics so he went for a more pragmatic explanation.

At that moment the entire area shook. He could see debris falling all around him as the walls were tested by the power being unleashed nearby.

"Looks like whatever is up there the Decepticons decided to hit it. No way the guards here have that level of firepower still available."

He thought about things for a moment. Instead of fear, he could feel opportunity in the air.

"Alright, 'Wrecker, get moving. Every optic in the area has to be looking at that direction. We just got given an opportunity to sneak out. I'll leave this guy at the exit." He started to move much quicker. The attacks were bound to make already existing breaches bigger.

Garrus-9--The Last Resort

One of Sinnertwin's oil-stained heads reared up from the Autobot chest cavity. It had been almost fully buried within the structure only moments before, sharpened teeth grinding away at the delicious, fuel-saturated inner metals of his current victim. It was a horrible sight, but Sinnertwin relished every moment of it. This was just one of the reasons why their unit had earned their specific name--earned over vorns of practice and steady reminders given with each new battle they were dropped into.

Through the distant hallway leading into a deeper recess of the prison, Sinnertwin could note the distinct presence of glowing orbs in a darkened room. Not just orbs. Sparks. Mmm.

"Feast on those. Never hunger again."

Garrus-9 -- The Last Resort

The Autobot guards had been a delicious treat, but Rippersnapper wanted more, much more! His appetite was insatiable even for a Terrorcon. Lifting his shark head up, another mech’s severed cranium could be seen just beyond the monster’s razor-sharp teeth. The look upon the dead bot’s faceplate was one of horror and pain, frozen in time the moment the cranial unit had been ripped from it’s perch atop the guard’s neck. The former actor’s jaws closed around the head, crushing it within his maw as energon and oil spilt out from between his teeth, running down his front in tiny, purple streams.

“More! I must have more!” Rippersnapper bellowed as he managed to swallow the chewed-up cranium in one gulp. The terrorist looked around and found that the rest of the guards were already dead, many partially or mostly eaten by his own brethren. The shark monster then turned to look over at Sinnertwin as his comrade’s words reached his audio receptors. “Feast on what? You see something good?” The former actor questioned as he moved over next to the two-headed hellhound. Rippersnapper followed the yellow Terrorcon’s gaze down the long corridor towards the Rig where those glowing orbs illuminated a dark chamber. “Are those....sparks?!”

The terrorist’s words barely escaped his vocalizer before Rippersnapper began to move down the hallway towards a new feast of unimaginable taste that would surely bring some amount of fullness to his seemingly bottomless stomach. He hadn’t gotten very far when the former actor noticed the presence of Lord Scorponok. When had he arrived? Ripper chuckled to himself that he had missed the gargantuan Decepticon Commander walking by him as the shark monster had been so engrossed with eating his victims. Not even the heavy footfalls and shaking floor plates had stirred him from his meal.

It was hard to see past Scorponok so it was difficult to ascertain whom exactly he was speaking to from the land shark’s current angle and distance. However, Rippersnapper could clearly see his own unit leader situated nearby, sniffing another new arrival with one of his monstrous heads. The terrorist wondered if anyone would care if he and Sinnertwin began devouring the sparks within the Rig. Most of them likely belonged to Decepticons, but perhaps there were one or two, maybe even more, that belonged to Autobots who had done something bad enough to warrant such a punishment.

Stopping half way down the corridor, Rippersnapper turned and glanced back at Sinnertwin. “Hun-grr is down there with Lord Scorponok. You think they’d mind if we found a couple of Auto-slag sparks to eat for dessert?” The shark beast growled to his teammate. “Heh. They are very tempting, aren’t they, Sinner?”

Garrus-9 -- The Last Resort

Snapdragon gazed at the still struggling autobot in his grasp as rung moved around to the controls of the huge judgement machine. He cared very little for the barbs that where shared between Rung and Cipher when something occurred something Hinkey as what appeared to be silo’s opened and a lot of optics blazed to life.

The newcomers where definitely noticed by Apeface who had a theory on who had caused the appearance of this unwelcome turn of events. A graceful back flip and the simian mech snatched up Rung holding him in a crucifix form ready to tear the small mech in two. In response Snapdragon increased the strength with which he was holding Streamlight’s leg and crushed the delicate servo’s and hydraulics as well as the outer armour before dropping him to the floor.

Something to direct his rage at had appeared and snapdragon was more than ready to unleash it on this new threat. The Horrorcon interceptor transformed into his dragon mode its yellow optics blazed as snapdragon gave a derogatory kick to the downed autobot as he moved forward.


Garrus-9--Corridors

Roadbuster had been moved into the main throng of the autobot prisoners and the conversations where beginning.

"And maybe it'll take more than a few of them with it."

Roadbuster chuckled as he replied to Pointblank

“We can only wish for such luck”

Before he could respond any further he felt a nudge turning he found the bio mechanic and weapons creator Brainstorm peering up at him.

He had been told Roadbuster was a gun nut it was true to a certain extent he had turned himself into a walking armoury and anything that could help him hurt decepticons more couldn’t be bad.

“We get out of this I’ll take a peek at your boom sticks as for me being quite well let’s say I prefer an audience to inspire”

A prod to the ribs by a seeker rifle was curtailed but a mule kick

“sorry was stretching my leg”

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

Tentakill looked up from his current position of keeping Nautilator pinned to the ground in time to see the conglomeration of parts that was Monstructor snatch up an unfortunate decepticon and crush it like a starship caught in a black hole. The demolitions expert pushed himself off of Nautilator and drew his rifle as something a lot more powerful appeared on the scene Overlord.

“I said a bigger stick not bring the entire tree sheesh”

Tentakill opened fire on Monstructor adding to the torrent of fire that was being aimed at the joints of the huge creature.

“You want something to fight Nautilator? Well shoot that big slaggin thing”

Garrus 9: Corridors

Panicked yells and the muted tell of weapons fire reverberated through the corridor. They played like a predictable symphony that had happened so many times before… or at least so far as Scattershot was concerned. It had been his experience that even in the light of victory, an overwhelming and absolutely dishonest victory, the Decepticons would not stop until they did something to themselves that nullified their advantage. As loath as he was to admit it, there were times that those predictable forces of the unchecked nature of most Decepticons had played to his survival… on those rare occasions.

The ominous roar from down the hall towards the southern wing immediately snapped Scattershot out of his act. He stopped instantaneously, causing the seeker guard to stumble and fall to his left hand side in surprise. The right seeker guard drilled the butt of his rifle into Scattershot’s side but with no effect. The Technobot Commander became as frozen as stone, his act of defiance put on hold. Slowly his optics dimmed as he allowed his senses to float beyond his corporeal body and into the depths of the ether. Another pain filled roar, drenched with malice and death, wafted through the vents and filter systems.

It was Nightbeat’s reaction that drove home the final piece to the puzzle that was vexing him. “That’s who that idiot is after?” Scattershot’s voice was loud enough to be heard by those around him though it was not necessarily a yell. His optical visor flared blue as he turned to the nearest Decepticon Officer present. “You idiots allowed those six to get back together!”

Despite the attempt to restrain him, Scattershot was in the face of the officer in only a pair of strides. His face contorted in ire. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? There was a scrapping reason we kept them isolated.” Three guards were pulled from the line to restrain the Technobot leader. Nosecone tripped behind them unnoticed.

Scattershot was immediately pulled from the squadron leader, probably a low ranking seeker who drew the short end of the waste extraction stick. Two of the restraining seekers pulled back his arms behind his back as the third drove a fist straight into his well armored gut. It did little to quell Scattershot. He pulled himself up again, this defiance was no act. That monstrosity was no longer contained. “Listen to me Decepticon. You want to survive this, act of monumental stupidity; you will release me and my men. Or you’ll find yourself on the short end of a Monstructor’s Kiss.”

As his face remained in a barely contained rage, Scattershot knew full well that his demand would fall on deaf audio receptors. Seekers weren’t known for their tactical brilliance or their back struts. The facts were as clear as day to him, regardless of the situation… The Autobots were outnumbered and out gunned. Even if they were released and rearmed, it would be temporary and only in order to stop the angel of death that they had unleashed. He also knew that this was not about either party. Monstructor was an uncontrollable menace bent on destruction regardless of what original personalities demanded. “You really want to be responsible for the death of your entire silly little band of morons and then have to report directly to Megatron as to why he has to find a replacement for bug breath?”

Garrus 9- The Last Resort


"You took quite the hit from Fortress Maximus. I'd recommend visiting a medic, I care to not lose ANOTHER agent today."

Treadshot sneered at the suggestion, though after taking the time to look at the big hole in his torso, he saw some wisdom in his commander's suggestion. Once Scorponok was done pontificating Treadshot would avail himself of a medic; the last thing he wanted to show the boss was weakness. The second last was a lack of military discipline, and he was already on thin ice there.

He continued his quiet conversation with Banzai-Tron, keeping to a private audio channel used by the DSS. "What did that scrap-eater Gutcruncher do?"

-

Garrus 9- Corridors

The battle was nearly over. The Autobots were in retreat. Fortress Maximus had been bested by Scorponok, and only a few isolated pockets of resistance remained.

Catgut knew Treadshot would contact him. So the smaller beastformer had taken to hiding in the shadows, waiting for exfiltration. His partner would contact him when the time came. Catgut wasn't exactly Ravage, but he was small and lithe and there were ample holes in the walls for him to hide within. Without Treadshot's firepower to aid his melee, Catgut was avoiding battle.

Once the last pockets of resistance were gone, however, he'd need to hear something from Treadshot and avoid being left behind...

Last Resort

"What did that scrap-eater Gutcruncher do?"

"He stepped out of line," The crystalocution expert replied to his injured subordinate as he casted his gaze back over to the fallen agent, "He disobeyed orders and sought to gain a higher footing in the ranks by trying to take out one of the Terrorcons. Their leader wasn't too thrilled about it."

"Come, the Med Bay is back up in the main part of the prison." Banzai-tron stated as he walked back over towards Gutcruncher's broken chassis. He squatted next to his fallen agent and attempted to lift him over his shoulder plating.

"Ugh...I don't even know why I'm doing this..." he murmured aloud to himself but loud enough that Gutcruncher could possibly hear it if he were still functional. "I should leave you, toss you back to Hungrrrr to finish what he started. You made a fool of me and the DSS in following."

Banzai-tron limped his subordinate to the elevator shaft with Treadshot hopefully following close behind. He glanced up the shaft before realizing he'd have to carry Gutcruncher's practically-dead weight all the way back up. He let out a short gruff of frustration before turning and opening his internal comm unit.

>>"Flatline, gather whatever medics you can and bring me two grav-stretchers. Beaming my coordinates now."<<

((OOC: More to come later))

Last Resort

"What did you bring with you rrrunt? It is not one of ourrrs. Can it be trusted? Devourrr it I should..."

Primus help her. It was all Firewire could do not to jump out of her armor plating when Hun-Grr firmly planted himself between Kronus and Scorponok. Because of both surprise and the fact that Hun-Grr was about the single most terrifying Decepticon - no strike that - single most terrifying mech that she had ever met. The guy ate people for Pit's sake! Sometimes for no reason too. Or so she'd heard. There were lots of rumors.

Slowly recovering from her surprise, Firewire tried to compose herself enough to speak to Hun-Grr without flinching. If she had a bravado dial, she would turn it up to maximum strength. Still probably would have issues. "He's a prisoner. Or used to be. Decepticon. We freed him so that makes him one of ours," Firewire said as calmly as she could. It ended up sounding like a Shockwave impression, her voice flat and monotone. Suppose that was better than stuttering like an idiot. Showing weakness like that in front of Scorpy? She'd rather gouge her own optics out.

Kronus also managed to compose himself after the initial shock of having one of Hun-Grr's heads shoved into his face. Would not want to be him right now. He even managed to flash the Terrorcon commander a smile. She couldn't guess if Hun-Grr would be impressed or annoyed. She did know which one was better for Kronus. She decided to help him out.

"See? One of ours now," Firewire said gesturing with both arms toward the much bigger snack. "Of course, if you're still not sure about him Commander Hun-Grr, feel free to eat him at your discretion," Firewire said, again unintentionally dead in her tone. The sound of her own name made the analyst whirl about to look straight up to see Scorponok's red optics looking down at her.

"Firewire. Make your scanning suite useful and see that Jhiaxus' body is properly integrating with his spark. We wouldn't want any complications, now would we?"

"Certainly not, my lord," Firewire replied with a little more energy, smiling up at the incredibly larger mech. Now having her own task to do and the reassurance that she was still indeed useful enough not to be eaten, Firewire picked off a couple of scanner drones from the mobile laboratory. She wanted to be thorough and to do that the use of these would be most helpful.

Moving back to Scorponok's side, she activated the drones and synced them to her internal systems, sending them hovering lazily to Jhiaxus. They began their scans, swirling about Jhiaxus and sending data directly back to Firewire. She looked down at the results on her data pad and examined them critically, all traces of her usual whimsy gone. The readings looked promising. The spark was reintegrating into its original body without much trouble and would reach nominal energy levels soon.

Good, good. Fortunately, her little side hobby had made her well acquainted with sparks and their functions. Jhiaxus's was healthy especially for how old he had to be. Primus, he was around in the Golden Age. Long time ago that was. Before her time at least. Firewire glanced up to Scorponok. Not wishing to disrupt his conversation with their very important guest who had just agreed to help them, Firewire sent him a nonverbal communication instead.

>>"Jhiaxus's spark is integrating with his body nicely, my lord. There are no visible complications. He should be back to nominal efficiency in less than a breem. I would recommend that he be kept from straining his body however. Also perhaps keeping a scanner drone on him in case any complications spring up later. Reintegrating a spark can be tricky,"<< Firewire reported dutifully and respectfully, adding in her recommendations. Scorponok might dismiss them as was his right to, but they were voiced at the very least.

Garrus-9--Corridors

Casual chatter. Decepticon threats. Forward momentum. They were heading deeper and deeper into the prison. Lightspeed supposed that he would take progress in whatever form it came in. Though the progress they were now making appeared to be in the direction of the Monstructor Six and the combined form from which their namesake was drawn.

“We get out of this I’ll take a peek at your boom sticks as for me being quiet well let’s say I prefer an audience to inspire.”

Just ignore the Seeker please. Just ignore the Seeker please. Just-

*cLaNg*

The sound of one metal limb striking another.

“Sorry was stretching my leg.”

Ohhh, dammitall, Lightspeed huffed internally. They weren't even going to make it to wherever it was they were going. The sounds in the distance told a none too welcoming story anyway.

But before the Seekers could really respond to the situation in kind, Scattershot put the spotlight back on him. Lightspeed let out a small sigh of relief. He was always good for that, to be sure.

"Please don't get yourself separated from us, Roady. We're going to need you," Lightspeed said in hushed tones, doing his dead level best to allow the Decepticons' focus to remain on their unit leader whilst he berated all Decepticons within earshot regarding their wisdom, or decided lack thereof, in regards to awakening a monster that had not been seen in eons.

"We would be more advantageous to your cause and our collective survival if we were not so ensnared," Lightspeed said, attempting to offer a calmer voice of reason while supporting Scattershot's premise.

"If we do not survive, I promise that you will not," a new voice said.

From the shadows of an anterior corridor, a winged figure took form. The pale blue Tracker emerged and intercepted the group even as they drew ever closer to the southern wing penitentiary where Monstructor could clearly be heard causing his chaos.

"Your restraints remain," Scourge said, quickly putting an end to any debate over the pros and cons of releasing the Autobot subspecialty unit and their compatriots. "You will aid is in taming this monster, or you will be made an offering to appease it."

Scourge's fiery crimson optics flashed as he locked his gaze with one of the other Seekers and motioned them towards the penitentiary proper.
___

Pointblank had only smirked at Roadbuster's attempts to goad their jailers. If anyone among them would be prone to such actions, it would be him. Or that Technobot Commander. Both of them definitely seemed to be living up to their reputations.

Before things could get any more out of hand, another Sweep arrived on the scene. No, not just any Sweep. The Sweep. Scourge. Where had he been hiding since Nebulos? Pointblank supposed it didn't really matter so long as the notoriously remorseless Decepticon was not around them. Well, until now.

He put a quick end to any discussion of freeing them and moved them forward again. Pointblank figured that had been a long shot anyway. And on they moved. Closer and closer, until the sounds of blaster fire and crashing debris was starting to overload his receptors.

As they came in closer to the penitentiary, Seawing caught wind of their arrival and rushed from the steel pillar he had been blasting behind and pointed accusingly at the Autobots.

"You! You all imprisoned this thing before! How?!?"

A broken body went flying past him and crashed into a wall, sending the Seacon skittering away for cover again.
___

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

"Oh alright. Bah," Stormwrecker huffed, drawing back his weapon and scanning the surrounding area, still thinking he had the better solution and the one that the mech in question would have actually preferred if he knew what he was gonna wake up to.

"Alright, 'Wrecker, get moving. Every optic in the area has to be looking at that direction. We just got given an opportunity to sneak out. I'll leave this guy at the exit."

"Yeh yeh. Movin'. Got it," Stormwrecker said, doing what he was told, or asked, or whatever, to do. It made enough sense to keep him from arguing. As the debris continued to crash, the sounds of something immense slamming the surrounding walls were unmistakable.

"I just wonder if-"

But before he could even finish his thought, another slam shook the foundations of everything around them. Not just shook the. Collapsed them, after the battering they had already taken in the brutal firefight for control of the prison facility. Charred metal came crashing down from every conceivable direction where Stormwrecker stood, some of it even falling directly on top of him, sending him grinding into the floor as sharpened edges punctured more than one area of his thickened armor.

He brought his optics up and attempted to look around or shift some of the debris off of him. He was greeted with darkness, solitude and only a now-dim roar of the chaos that had been overwhelming only microseconds before.

"Gah. My luck."

Garrus-9--The Rig

"I would be a fool to refuse such magnanimity," Jhiaxus said, offering the larger mech a slight bow of appreciation for his newfound state of being. "I have been called many things in my time. Never that."

"Then stand up Jhiaxus of Tesarus Minor." Scorponok spoke up, his smile growing even wider if it was even possible. "Waging war is natural to our species. We are forged and hardened through conflict. We are the eternal vanguard against chaos and corruption. Only some forgot what it means to be a true Cybertronian after the heroes of the Unification War disappeared along with the first Ark. Your successors brought Cybertron to ruins. We stagnated. We forgot our heritage."

"It took a miner from Tarn to ask the questions. To tear down the senate and a lineage of false Primes," the titanic warlord summarized the ideology behind the Decepticon cause to the ancient scientist. "The cost of it to the rest of the universe is irrelevant."

Putting emphasis to his statement, Scorponok closed his claw with a violent snap, "We will bring peace to the universe. Peace through tyranny. Pax Cybertronia."

“My apologies to you Commander Hun Grrr. I have been imprisoned within this…this Gehenna for what seems to be an eternity and coming across one of my own, well, it’s a bit overwhelming." The smaller mech rolled his shoulders back and flashed the imposing dragon a smile.“To you I offer my skills and services."

Hun-Gurrr could taste the fear emanating from the lithe Cybertronian before him. It was the only proper reaction upon witnessing the terrifying form of the one true Terrorcon in person. Like a true Decepticon, the smaller mechanoid was able to come to his senses and put his fear aside for long enough to address Hun-Grrr - at least it seemed as so by outward appearances. The dual-headed dragon however, could still sense the stench of dread in the air. It pleased him. It nourished him.

"He's a prisoner. Or used to be. Decepticon. We freed him so that makes him one of ours,"

Another voice. So full of oh so delicious fear but masked for sake of appearances. This voice was familiar. It belonged to Firewire, one of Scorponok techies. A pathetic weakling in body but a higher being in terms of the mind. Strength was not confined in one's sheer physical power, the Terrorcon leader was able to recognize this. There was a place for both the likes of Blot and Firewire.

"See? One of ours now," Firewire said gesturing with both arms toward the much bigger snack. "Of course, if you're still not sure about him Commander Hun-Grr, feel free to eat him at your discretion,"

Amusing but pointless. "Rrrun along Firewire... commanderrr has use of you," one of Hun-Gar's heads spoke while the other moved even closer to Kronus. "It still has no name. I can smell stench of shed enerrrgon on it."

A cruel smile crept of Hun-Grrr's dragonic features. "It has killed."

[quote]>>"Jhiaxus's spark is integrating with his body nicely, my lord. There are no visible complications. He should be back to nominal efficiency in less than a breem. I would recommend that he be kept from straining his body however. Also perhaps keeping a scanner drone on him in case any complications spring up later. Reintegrating a spark can be tricky,">"Your recommendation is a sound one. Keep monitoring his vitals."<< The mostly black and gold colored Decepticon leader responded to Firewire through comm-link and turned his attention to Skullgrin who was staying out of the way to his best ability. "Skullgrin. See that all the extracted sparks here are cataloged and checked for possible later use."

Scorponok's gaze shifted towards the duo of Terrorcons peeking into the Rig from the open doorway - his audio receptors having intercepted their exchange of words. If his stare alone was not enough to scare Sinnertwin and Rippersnapper away, the statement that followed did. "Hun-Gurrr. Do what you wish the Autobots left here but the sparks are out of the menu."

"As you wish commanderrr." One of Hun-Gar's heads growled in response, its vigilant gaze shifting towards his own minions while the other kept waiting for Kronus' to gather his wits to respond his earlier question.

"Excellent." Scorponok stated with hint of satisfaction in his voice and turned his attention back towards Jhiaxus. "Neither defeating Fortress Maximus or the potential of finding you here were the primary reasons I gathered my forces to assault this facility with such a high risk. I came for your creation. Six Cybertronians united into one enormously powerful being."

The gargantuan Decepticon's optics flashed eerily just prior he continued, "I want an army of Monstructors."

Garrus 9 - Central - Med Bay

"I assume you all will not let me look at your files so I guess that's up to you. If she has a sibling it would be ideal."

"Well even if wanted to find out if she has a sibling or not," Flatline replied as he swiped the datapad away from the doctor to reexamine the file on the display once more. "A lot of her info here is under black labels, locked away by a security code. I wasn't given any codes to open these parts of the file up. We'd need someone who's job it is to keep the files in check, someone who is capable of opening the files to make any edits needed to them..."

>>"Flatline, gather whatever medics you can and bring me two grav-stretchers. Beaming my coordinates now."<<

That was perfect timing.

"Found our guy."

The Decepticon doctor looked up from his work towards 2 guards standing around a series of unused grav-stretchers who were hanging out in the Med Bay.

"You two!" the medic barked as he raised a index digit towards them, "Take those Grav-stretchers to the west wing and meet up with Banzai-tron! Bring him and whatever wounded he's got back here on the double! We're losing valuable cycles!"



Garrus 9 - Corridors

A lot had happened in this latest run in with the Decepticons while the Autobots carried on in their shackled trail. Roadbuster was busing "stretching his leg" into one of the seekers on guard duty, Scattershot went on about how badly of a mistake the Decepticons had just made, and all Brainstorm could do was sit there and glance about the corridors and take in any if not all information he could on their current situation.

Seeker Rifles - Due for an upgrade if you ask me... Broken shackles, destroyed inhibitor claws - Those could be useful... Wonder what Lightspeed managed to swipe from the Con's back there... Might have to ask him when we aren't so preoccupied...

Soon Scourge emerged like the winged phantom he was from the shadows and demanded the Technobot's cooperation in handling the not quiet so little problem they were facing with Monstructor.

"M-Monstructor?? They let them get c-close to one another??" Strafe jumped in when his commander began insulting the Decepticon's stupidty, aside from the usual remakes he's known fro making. The Technobot gunner jumped in on his commander's rant as his vocalizer rose in volume towards the Decepticons. "W-we kept them apart! We d-didn't let them near one a-another! How could you l-let them c-combine?!"

Brainstorm nearly leaped as the Technobot spazzed about in his shackles, unsure of how to approach the situation. Sure he was a genius. Self-appointed, but still a genius in the regard, but Brainstorm had no prior knowledge of dealing with these Monstructor Six or their monsterous combined form. He couldn't develop any ideas visualize any sort of strategy unless he could see the beast in person, or at least read up more about it from history logs.

"Hey Nightbeat... What do you know about this Monstructor-thing?"



Nautilator's processor ached as it came back to a more functional state-of-mind since Snaptrap slammed him against the wall. His vision was foggy and his audio sensors had not fully come back online to normal status as the corridor erupted into gunfire around him. He could barely hear Tentakill yelling something at him, but he couldn't make out anything besides a muffled murmur.

“I said a bigger stick not bring the entire tree sheesh”

"What...What happened?" The excavtor muttered aloud as he began to come back to his normal senses.

“You want something to fight Nautilator? Well shoot that big slaggin thing”

Nautilator's optics widened in shock as the sight of Monstructor caused his memory circuits to fire back into functioning order and he was brought back to his normal self. In a panic he scrambled to pick up his crusher cannon from the floor and began open firing on the combined form of the Monstructor Six. In his flurry of action, he had not even taken notice of Overlord squaring off with the beast.

"Wait is that... No it can't be..."

Garrus-9--The Last Resort

A steady drip of fluids, both from Sinnertwin as well as his latest victim, dripped intermittently from the two heads whose sole focus was on the darkened hallways and the glowing orbs beyond.

“Hun-grr is down there with Lord Scorponok. You think they’d mind if we found a couple of Auto-slag sparks to eat for dessert?" The shark beast growled to his teammate. “Heh. They are very tempting, aren’t they, Sinner?"

"So tempting. So so tempting. It hurts. I hunger. I want them so bad," Sinnertwin rumbled, taking a cautious but eager step away from his mauled, Autobot victim.

Sinnertwin was not able to stare long before Scorponok's attention turned from the current object of his focus, his optics locking directly with Sinnertwin's and Rippersnapper's. Scorponok obviously knew what they wanted. And it would be denied them. Rage.

And then Hungrr. if Scorponok's glare had not been enough, their commander's sealed it. A low growl rumbled through Sinnertwin's chest cavity as he turned and padded quietly back to his victim and returning to his Cybertronian cannibalism.

Garrus-9 -- The Last Resort

Rippersnapper salivated at the thought of eating even one of those sparks held within the Rig. It would be a delightful, not to mention fulfilling treat. Of course, it would probably not be allowed as there was no shortage of Autobot guards that still roamed the prison and hid like cowards in whatever dark corners they could find. Still it didn’t hurt to dream.

“Yes, my stomach pains for those sparks, too,” the shark monster growled in response to Sinnertwin’s comment. Rippersnapper then turned his hungry gaze back towards the chamber filled with those delicious-looking orbs of life. Unfortunately for both himself and his dual-headed comrade, the stern glares of both Scorponok and Hun-grrr greeted them. Apparently, the duo’s little conversation had been overheard as the gargantuan warlord made it clear to the Terrorcon Commander that the sparks in the Rig were off limits to his unit.

The former actor cringed and backed away from the chamber, bowing his shark head in compliance. Rippersnapper did not want to draw the ire of either Scorponok or Hun-grrr and thus he simply moved back towards Sinnertwin, letting out a disappointed sigh in the process. “Seems our gourmet meal has been denied, Sinner,” the shark beast said as his attention was then drawn to a moaning Autobot guard that lay partially eaten nearby. “Hmm, it appears this one still lives. Not for long!”

With a fury unlike most others, Rippersnapper leapt upon the barely functioning guard and quickly tore open his chest plate. The terrorist then buried his shark snout deep into the chest cavity until he found the spark chamber. Wrapping his razor-sharp teeth around the metal casing, Ripper crushed it like a tin can until the spark within was exposed to the outside elements. Since I can’t have any of the ones in the Rig, I’ll just take this one, instead! The shark monster mused as he then devoured the glowing orb while the guard’s optics finally went dark forever.

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

The incoming inhibitor claw caught Flytop by surprise as it exploded in front of her. The explosion knocked her backa few feet and into the wall and then fell on the floor. She looked at herself and noticed scratched paint but no real major damage. One thing it did do was clean her from the dust of the tunnels. She then got back up and hovered towards Bludgeon and the she spider.

"Hey, I'm not the threat here. I've got no soft spot for the she spider. In fact, I am not sure if Bombshell and Kickback even consider her apart of the Hive. All I am is curious as to what is going on up here. I got tired of all the digging the Hive been doing in the old mines. Most of they find is some minerals and dirt with the occasional buried chassis from a collapse. I'm hoping to find a bit more interesting items up here to claim after things are well settled."

She started to feel the energy drain on her systems but barely.

"So how come I feel so weird now? Did the Autobots unleash some sort of energy draining device down the corridor? How come I'm hearing weapons fire down there as well? Are we trying to take out the machine?"

Garrus-9 - Southern Wing

The explosion which shook the area had been sudden and powerful, causing debris to come from almost every angle behind him. The sheer force threw him forward and into the ground.

"The slag was that?" He said as she shook his head. Vroom wearily got back to his feet after the nearby explosion. His inner frame was reinforced to deal with blasts and his angular armor was designed to lessen the damage done by shrapnel so he was largely fine but as his senses returned to full efficiency, Vroom became aware that was not the case for the others. The Autobot guard he had been carrying was thrown forward when he feel so he probably was alright. However...

"'Wrecker!" Vroom exclaimed as he turned around and saw the large pile of debris where the Decepticon had once stood. Vroom got closer, careful to not touch it until he had the opportunity to test the stability of the area.

"Can you hear me?" He said. "What is your status?"

Garrus 9 - Central - Med Bay

The Autobot medic shook his head as he listened to Flatline. "Why would something like that possible be considered something to keep secret?"" He asked now with some curiosity. It seemed like a strange sort of information to keep secret.

He sighed as he continued to listen.

"More work incoming eh? Well I can't do much more with this one until you get this information so i suppose I can move on. Not sure where we are going to get much more space."

Garrus-9--The Rig

Skullgrin had stood silently, his warrior's fury temporarily quelled and quieted by the almost mystical sight that currently surrounded him. Contained here were Cybertronians that were sentenced to the harshest punishment that the Autobots decided they could be comfortable carrying out. It was still a far cry from what went on in the darkest bowels of Styx, but it was still a formidable form of imprisonment. After all, how long had they contained the mind and menace of the mechanoid whom they had only just now liberated? How many others would remain in this purgatory until Scorponok deemed otherwise? It was effective, in its own way, even if Skullgrin preferred the harsher methods.

"As you command it, Lord Scorponok," Skullgrin said dutifully, his mind cursing as he did so. Cataloging. Pfah. Perhaps that last assignment on this plane of reality that he would wish to carry out. But the order had been given by a Decepticon whom Skullgrin would never question outright. So what else was there, then? Only obedience.

Producing and detaching a datapad, Skullgrin set himself to his task.
___

Garrus-9--The Last Resort

“Yes, my stomach pains for those sparks, too," Rippersnapper had said. Of all the Terrorcons, Rippersnapper understood Sinnertwin's ravenous hunger the best. Or perhaps it was the other way around. Or perhaps only Hungrr knew best of all, true to his name. All of no matter. Only hunger. To satiate one craving was only to prime the next.

“Seems our gourmet meal has been denied, Sinner. Hmm, it appears this one still lives. Not for long!"

Rippersnapper had obviously resigned himself to the reality that the sumptuous meal in the Rig would be denied them. Sinnertwin knew that he must as well, and as the shark beast tore into a victim who had somehow managed to come out of this melee alive, Sinnertwin returned to his own victim. He had torn through all of the vital wiring and connectors. But he had not tasted the spark. He had not lapped up the trace amounts of innermost energon.

He must have it.

Front paws, both heads and every sharpened edge available at the ready, Sinnertwin tore back into the lifeless Autobot. Would there even be a spark to consume? He would find out.
___

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

"'Wrecker! Can you hear me? What is your status?"

Darkness. Darkness and pressure. Stormwrecker could hear nothing. Nothing but the distant sound of explosions. Explosions and crashing debris. Probably audio-shattering sounds, now muffled to the point of being barely as noticeable as a whispered word. It was all irrelevant. He couldn't move. He couldn't hear. He couldn't see.

The pressure at least seemed to come to a slow, grinding halt. It didn't stop, but it equalized. It wasn't getting worse. He would not die in a trash compactor. That was something.

Then another tremor. And another. Violent crashing. And shifting. Moving the weight on top of him and beside him.

"AH! Ahhhh...ahh...that hurt," Stormwrecker grumbled.

Well this was it. He would be found here and left to his fates. Or never found and left to wither and fade into stasis lock. He could only hope that the Autobot had the good sense to make good his escape, if he had even survived the collapse...

Garrus-9 Central--Med-Bay

3.4958472372959563%

Everything was dark and barely functional. Faint data blipped occasionally across Fortress Maximus' optical field. All pain sensors were maxed out. All other sensory calibrators were completely trashed. Nothing was accurate. Nothing made sense.

"Pruh..." Maximus sputtered, barely capable of even forming the word that came to mind. "Prime..."

Beneath his restraints, the digits of one actuator flexed and released slightly, and even that small gesture incited more pain reactions than it was worth.

'Til all are one...
___

Garrus-9--Southern Wing

After a certain point, the group of Autobots were no longer being escorted into the Southern Wing. They were being herded inside like livestock. Lightspeed tried his best to not make himself a target for any additional prodding. He was perhaps just as curious as any of them to see what the Decepticons had done to themselves more up close and personally.

The random Seacon's question had been an interesting one. Whatever information they may or may not have had, Lightspeed was not overly keen to share it with their captors. They made this mess. They could clean it up or die trying. Either way suited him. Callous as it sounded even in his own mind, they brought it on themselves after all. He was not about to expend too much sympathy on Megatron or any of his legion of lunatics.

"W-we kept them apart! We d-didn't let them near one a-another! How could you l-let them c-combine?!" Strafe had said.

"I'd buy some hepta-filtered engex for whoever had a good answer to that question," Lightspeed said quietly.

One of the more imposing Decepticons in the area had taken note of their group's arrival. They were just as familiar with him as they were Scourge. Cyclonus. They had dealt with both of them more than they had cared to back on Nebulos. The purple Decepticon with the pronounced head ridges quickly ducked away from his position of cover and closed in on their position. Lightspeed noticed that he locked optics briefly with Scourge but said nothing. Then his attention was squarely on them, even as chaos rained down around them.

"Tell me what you know of your division tactics for incapacitating this creature. Tell me now, and I might be persuaded to make your captivity more comfortable."

"If you live," Lightspeed blurted out, his own optics suddenly widening in horror at what he had just said. Cyclonus gaze immediately found him and soon stalked his way through the other Autobots directly to him. One hand cinched itself around Lightspeed's neck and he could instantly feel the Decepticon's grip tightening.

"If I what?"

Garrus-9--The Rig

Jhiaxus knew that Scorponok's words were more true than the gladiator could ever realize. War had been the defining aspect of their species since the beginning. If the stories of their ultimate origin were to be believed, they were a race truly born from war. The question then, would be to discover whether or not they could evolve beyond it.

It was no surprise to Jhiaxus that those who were to succeed Nova Prime after his expansionary expedition into the cosmos would ultimately only hasten its collapse. Jhiaxus long thought many of them to be fools and upstarts, unprepared for the challenges of governance that would await them in the vacuum of Nova's departure. From the sounds of it, they had filled that vacuum most inadequately.

"It took a miner from Tarn to ask the questions. To tear down the senate and a lineage of false Primes. The cost of it to the rest of the universe is irrelevant. We will bring peace to the universe. Peace through tyranny. Pax Cybertronia."

Jhiaxus stood silently, listening, taking in the massive gladiator's words even as his mind continued to piece together long atrophied links. It certainly sounded as though this miner from Tarn had built up quite a reputation for himself. He could only wonder if the reality was half so convincing as the legend. Fortunately, this Scorponok seemed to understand only too well that the peace he sought....this Pax Cybertronia...would only be achieved at great cost. A cost they all would share.

"That we will," Jhiaxus said, a slight grin now toying at the edge of his features while Scorponok's underling went about the process of scanning his vital functions. He had no doubt that the body he currently inhabited had long outlived any practical use in combat, but he had never been designed for combat in the first place. His ultimate weapon was still fully intact--his mind. Even if it too had accumulated some metaphorical rust with disuse, it would be cleared away soon enough. He could feel it: long dormant cortical synapses firing anew. Physical upgrades would cure his other maladies in due course.

As Scorponok addressed his other lackeys, Jhiaxus' mind wandered. He spoke of this miner with great reverence. And yet nothing had been mentioned of the Ark and its maiden voyage. It was clear from his description of the state of affairs on Cybertron that Nova Prime's grand vision had not come to pass during the time Jhiaxus had been in captivity. So....?

"Neither defeating Fortress Maximus or the potential of finding you here were the primary reasons I gathered my forces to assault this facility with such a high risk. I came for your creation. Six Cybertronians united into one enormously powerful being. I want an army of Monstructors."

Jhiaxus' optics flickered and he pulled himself slightly away from his thoughts, listening again to the gladiator's words.

"You are wise to see their value," Jhiaxus said, walking softly past Scorponok and approaching one of the walls of glowing orbs, limping slightly as he did so. "The Prime did. He wanted what you want. Few....so precious few can handle the modifications. To transform not once but twice or three times or more. To have many become one. The end result is often madness and death."

Jhiaxus reached up, one decrepit hand tracing the outermost edge of one of the spark cells. A cell just like the one he had been contained within for so very long.

"I trust you have a population in mind. We may have to cull through many before we find those that are adaptive to the process," Jhiaxus said, the faint glow of the sparks casting ghastly shadows on his aged, metallic features. He turned slowly and faced Scorponok again. "A question, though, if you would indulge me: what is known of the Ark and its status? What is known of the Prime and his crew?"