The Energon Pub

Kolkular - The Cradle

A brief transmission from Polyhex reached the main communications unit of Megatron's fortress. On the main screen, the cyclopean visage of Shockwave appeared and spoke.

Shockwave wrote:The Omega Sentinel has retreated from the border to Nova Cronum proper. Our losses were insignificant. The line holds.

The transmission ended there.

Kolkular - Medical Bay

"So" Triggerhappy said to Hook.

Triggerhappy shifted awkwardly and gazed down at the floor.

"So?" Hook replied. "So what?"

Triggerhappy looked up off of the floor and looked at Hook.

"Our agreement, the others have left, so can you help me?" Triggerhappy asked, the excitement clear.

"Maybe. But not now." Hook replied.

"What!" Triggerhappy cried, livid as he launched himself at Hook, pinning the Constructicon against a wall. "You promised you would help me! You owe me!" Triggerhappy cried, as he pulled his weapon and put it against the side of Hook's head.

"Ghk! Let us not be silly." Said Hook calmly in an attempt to calm Triggerhappy down. "What I need to do will take a lot of time, time that we don't have right now, so why don't you put the gun down and put me down and we can go catch up with the others before they think something is going on."

Triggerhappy lowered his weapon.

"Fine." He said to Hook, downhearted at this turn of events."But..." Triggerhappy said, rapidly raising his gun back. "You operate as soon as you've finished your job at the Tagan Heights, understood?"

"Of course." Hook said as Triggerhappy lowered him back to the ground. "Like you said, I owe you."

And with that, the two mechs hurried towards where Astrotrain and his entourage had left.

Kolkular--The Cradle

Soundwave had been curious as to how the battle in Polyhex had been proceeding. Taking out something as formidable as an Omega Sentinel would be no small feat. Fortunately, Soundwave's curiosity was soon satisfied as a transmission from Shockwave came in to the primary communications receiver of the cradle. When it had come, Soundwave had quickly adjusted the feed so that Megatron could take in the report visually as well as auditorally.

>>"Transmission received and acknowledged,"<< Soundwave responds after the transmission from the Military Operations Commander had ended.

Soundwave turns back in his chair, looking to Megatron. The Decepticon Leader's attention may have caught Shockwave's transmission the first time. Or he may have been distracted with other matters.

"Play back?" Soundwave asks, simply checking to make sure that Megatron had heard and was satisfied with the report or whether he wished to hear it again to confirm the apparent progress that had been made.

Kolkular - En route to Aerodrome

"I bet the brass'll find something for you soon," Astrotrain reassured Aftershock. "Just look at Long Haul here. One orn he's sittin' on his can, now he's headed for the front."

He paused, then spoke in a lower tone to the sniper. "I even heard on the comm chatter that they're gonna do some more live-fire testing with the new Sweeps. Might be something you'll get volunteered for, if you don't mind being a moving target."

With a harsh chuckle, the Triplechanger entered the Aerodrome and transformed into cargo shuttle mode. "All aboard, Constructicons. Next stop, the Heights."

Scrapper stepped aboard, followed by Scavenger, Bonecrusher, and Mixmaster. Already the minds of the four Constructicons were ablaze with ideas for the vast project that the Tagon Heights would no doubt be. Once the others were aboard and his escort Triggerhappy ready to go, Astrotrain would take off.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Megatron shook his head at Soundwave’s question. “Unnecessary.” The Decepticon commander had become a bit lost in his own thoughts. Shockwave’s reply had been positive, but curt. The operations commander might be becoming a bit too full of himself, especially after escaping the defeat of Polyhex relatively unscathed politically and now retaking it on his own now. He might need a bit of humbling to be put back in his place a bit. He valued his capabilities and intelligence, but he knew that with such great abilities there must also be some ambition, even if he did hide it behind calculations and logic.

The removal of the Autobots from Polyhex was still good news. With the addition of the Tagan Heights, Polyhex was no longer surrounded. They now had a powerful foothold into the northern hemisphere of Cybertron. It was an unstable foothold though, especially with the likely condition both city states were in. Defenses had to be reconstructed and factories needed to be brought back online. He didn’t like stopping the momentum that they had gained in conquering the Heights, they did need to pause and consolidate their new territory.

There was also the return of the Dinobots to consider. While they were one of the most powerful groups of Autobots around, he was more concerned about what information they may have brought back with them. The Insecticons had scattered as soon as they had escaped the crashed shuttle, so he was denied whatever information they might possess. He didn’t like the Autobots having any advantage. A new team would be needed to investigate that planet and evaluate its usefulness to the Empire. Another source of energon and raw materials off of Cybertron could prove useful, particularly if this latest round of fighting did more permanent damage to the planet itself.

“Soundwave, gather all information we have on the planet Bombshell and Shrapnel’s crew was sent to. I also want a shuttle prepared for departure. I want to see the condition of Polyhex and the Heights in person.”

Kolkular - En route to Aerodrome

Long Haul wasn't thinking of building or constructing buildings and such. He was thinking of finally able to slag some autobot scum. 'Heheh, they finally realized I can be a top line warrior', thought Long Haul, slamming a fist into an open hand as he boarded Astrotrain.

"No matter what anyone says, it feels a little awkward getting inside another transformer," mumbled Long Haul.

Aftershock too cringed at the idea of boarding another Transformer.

It's times like this I'm glad I'm a jet he thought as he transformed into jet mode and prepared to take off.

And now I can finally do something useful. Even if it means being target-practice for sweeps, at least it's something useful

If there was anything the other Decepticons had to give Aftershock, it would be his willingness to do anything as long as it's important. He never cared just what he was being asked to do or how menial or degrading it was as long as it was useful to the war effort.

Kolkular – The Hallways

She sets about her orders of rooting out interesting bits of information. Though really the only places she knows where people would be the medical bay and the command center.
Discord takes to the hallways for a bit looking to overhear what she can, and takes a look out the windows.
She keeps her comm. system open and her sensors operating trying to monitor as much as she can.

It would thoroughly be a shame if she found nothing to report, but not every hunt is a success.

Kolkular - Personnel Quarters.

Scourge poured over the data his hounds had collected. He committed every date, every bout in Sunstreaker's illustrious career to memory. He viewed every fight record over and over, often pausing or replaying the feed to analyze the Autobot's moves.

Scourge considered possible scenarios. A thought occurred to the malicious hunter. Perhaps the Sonic Canyons would be a fitting venue for the Golden Autobot's final match? His wicked mind began to weave a design for his coming triumph.

"You have done well," the Sweep Commander informed Torment. The orange and black Sweep had indeed earned the honor of hunting at the side of Scourge the tracker. But he decided a further test was required, both of his chosen terrain for the battle, and the capabilities of his hounds.

"Go to the Hangar Bay. I will meet you there. I have a mission for you and Discord."

Scourge left his quarters without another word. He journeyed to the proving grounds, procuring the equipment he would need for his test. He would require prey as well for this, he decided. Live prey, not mere drones. When he reentered the imposing bastion that was Kolkular, he accessed the central computer, searching for the Lesser Decepticons that would serve as foils for his mighty hounds. It did not take long to make his choices. Opening a channel as he entered the Hangar, he contacted the players for his game.

<Discord, Aftershock, Rancid, and Blastwave. This is Scourge. Report to the Hangar Bay. Now.>

The transmission ended there.

Kolkular – The Hangar Bay

She paused her quest for juicy information.
<<Yes, Commander Scourge. I am on my way.>> She replies calmly turning on booted heel and she heads back into the Hangar Bay. She hadn't gotten too far. The trip there would be short.
Mmm, another mission maybe? I wonder what it could be? She thought to herself like it was a perfectly wrapped gift full of mystery. As far as she knew other Sweeps were just called to fight.
She, on the other hand could be called for many more reasons. Diplomacy, getting close to someone, maybe assassination? It's not a far cry from what her program holds. Diplomacy to get close, Sweep hunter mentality to finish the rest.
She walks into the hangar bay rubbing her finely sharpened, maybe even manicured talons together as she looked thoughtful with a hand on her chin, waiting for the reason she is here.

Maybe they want me to hunt the twins with them after all? A bit over kill unless we get into a bigger battle, but still, seeing their sparks destroyed would be delectable. Her mind raced with curiosity over the sudden call for her services.
Hm, but the three others. I wonder why he called them? Back up, perhaps? She mused to herself.
With a passing second thought she chuckles to herself lightly.
She quickly took the smile off her lips, and speaks to Scourge. "Discord, reporting as ordered." She took up a serious mood.

Kokular Corridor

Rancid recieved the transmission from Scourge and sighed. He had really no interest in whatever the over zealous hunter had planned for him. But, in true Decepticon fashion, he followed orders to save his own plating and hurried to the Hangar Bay in vehicle mode. He arrived and saw that Scourge had been in a terrifyingly good mood and transformed back into robot form.

"Alright, what's going on?" he proclaimed as he walked up to Scourge.

Kolkular--The Cradle

"Acknowledged," Soundwave responds in his dutiful monotone. He then turns back to the console that previously held his attention. Reaching up and moving the Polyhex grid away from the forefront of his view with one hand, the Communications Specialist reaches over and pulls up a secondary screen.

Bombshell's mission had been another that had intrigued Soundwave. There was always the potential for great gains to be made when and if a civilized world could be found and exploited. He would not presume his curiosity to match that of Megatron's, but it was definitely up there.

As he begins retrieving what data was available and preparing for direct communications as needed, he also readies two of his personal lieutenants for the work of prepping the shuttle. Bringing up a direct link screen, Frenzy and Rumble look up from what otherwise appeared to be a fierce match of joint wrestling.

"Begin shuttle prepations."

"Uh...sure, boss," Frenzy says as Rumble slams his arm to the surface. "Hey! Cheater!"

"You couldn't even..."

Soundwave disconnects the link. The two did not have the most ideal reputations within the Decepticon empire, but they could carry out assigned tasks as needed. Otherwise they would find themselves relegated further down the chain of his creations than they already were.

Satisfied, he returns his attention to the tracking down of the Insecticons. Once their role as primary information sources had been exhausted, Soundwave would turn his efforts to other methods of data collection. Establishing a link with the last known frequency that Bombshell and his associates had been using.

>>"Bombshell--mission debriefing requested. Respond immediately upon receipt."<<

Upon recieving orders, Aftershock immediately turned around and headed toward the hangar bay.

It sounds like they might actually have an important job for me this time!

It took Aftershock what seemed like mere seconds to him to reach the hanger bay. Upon his arrival he found Scourge waiting. As was his custom, he greeted his superior by kneeling on one knee and lowering his head.

"Aftershock, reporting for duty. What is your command?"

Kolkular - Aerodrome

Closing his doors, Astrotrain lifted off slowly, rising vertically toward the domed roof of the immense hangar. A small section of the roof slid open to allow the transport to exit. Once outside, Astrotrain ignited his main engines and set course for the Tagan Heights.

>>"Get the lead out, Triggerhappy. If we run into Autobot fliers, you're all that stands between my tailplate and a long, slow drop to the surface."<<

The thought of the gunner being his sole escort was not a particularly comforting one to Astrotrain.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Megatron sat in his command chair, allowing time for his shuttle to be prepared and time for him to plan his, and the Decepticons, next move. The Autobots were unlikely to sit back and allow them to reap the benefits of controlling the Heights uncontested. They were going to have to hit them back somewhere to try and shift momentum and to raise morale. With Grimlock back it was likely that he was pushing for an aggressive attack. The question was where and how soon? It was something he would have to bring up with his high commanders.

The Decepticon Supreme commander stood up. “Soundwave, I leave Kaon under your command. Use my secure channel if you need to contact me. I don’t want the Autobots to send assassins after me. I don’t want to waste time fighting them off.” With that said, Megatron left the cradle.

Kolkular – Hangar Bay

Megatron walked into the hangar bay, making his way to the shuttle that Rumble and Frenzy had prepared. He paid little mind to the two small minions as he boarded the shuttle. He quickly powered up the vessel and did a brief systems check. Satisfied, he activated the engines and the shuttle darted out of the hangar, bound for his first destination, Tyrest.

(OOC - I was told to put Swiftscreech in Kaon and have him report to Scourge by The J Writer. PS: This is my first RPG post so sorry if I get something wrong)

Kolkular - ???
Swiftscreech walked around, looking for Scourge.
Where is he? thought Swiftscreech.

Kolkular - Aerodrome

"Will do." Said Triggerhappy to Astrotrain as he flew past him.

'Phew, seems like Astrotrain hasn't noticed me and Hook turning up late' Triggerhappy thought to himself.

Kolkular-Hangar bay.

Aftershock rose to two feet and looked Scourge over carefully. He had never seen or met Scourge before, but had heard much about him and the Sweeps. It was almost an honor for Aftershock to be in his presence.

"Is there anything I might do?"

Anything important I mean.

Aftershock crossed his fingers and hoped for a good assignment. He was tired of fetching things, fixing things, scrubbing Autobots off of walls, and he was really sick of his big assignments being to go somewhere and await further instruction. Further instruction usually meant going somewhere else for further instruction.

Kolkular - Main Hangar

Scourge had grown tired of waiting for Blastwave. Therefore, he had selected Swiftscreech to fill out the ranks of the prey. Blastwave's insubordination would be punished later.

The Master of the Hounds reasoned that simulating a two against two scenario with a greater ratio of enemies would aid in debugging his scheme. And besides, with these odds, the prey might actually give his hounds some sport.

The Sweep Commander looked over the Decepticons he had selected to contend with his hounds. They seemed able enough, despite their ill fortune in not being constructed as Sweeps. Still, if every Decepticon were a Sweep, his hounds would not be the chosen, would they?

Acknowledging each mech and femme in turn, the sociopathic tracker activated a holodisplay of the Sonic Canyons. "Here is your mission. I wished to evaluate a particular search-and-destroy scenario. This area..." He indicated the highlighted region on the map. "...Is the target zone. It is a narrow box canyon. At one end, the only ground exit. At the other, the mouth of a closed cave system."

"The mission parameters are as follows. I have sent drones to set up a sensor grid at that location, so I shall be monitoring the scenario. The drones have also set up simulated proximity charges at the top of the canyon."

"For the purposes of this engagement, Aftershock, Rancid, and Swiftscreech will play the role of Autobots in this simulation. Your goal is to escape the canyon. The 'charges' are keyed to your IFF signatures, and will detonate if you try to flee vertically. Additionally, we will assume (correctly) that you cannot outrun your opponents on open ground, should you manage to get past them. So in order to escape, you will need to defeat your opponents, Torment and Discord."

"Torment, Discord," Scourge said, turning to his hounds. "Your parameters are simple. 'Destroy' the 'Autobots.'" A group of maintenance drones approached the two groups, interfacing with their systems. "Your weapons are being set to low-yield, so as to prevent accidental termination. However, the sensor grid will register each hit as if it was full power, and feed you data accordingly." The menacing Sweep stroked his sculpted beard.

"Any questions?"

Swiftscreech thought about the mission he was assigned while his plasma cannon was being set to low-yield. He turned to Aftershock and Rancid "I wonder what Scourge wants us to simulate this battle for?" he said.

Swiftscreech shot a quick glance at Discord and Torment and was happy that they wouldn't be able to hurt him badly. He thought that they were intimidating.

Swiftscreech didn't care how bad his part in the mission sounded. After all, atleast he had something to do.

Kolkular – The Hangar Bay

Hearing that small bot, Rancid, address her commander that way was enough to get her a tad angry. She felt it disrespectful. But her gaze goes to Scourge rather than taking action. It wasn't her place to fight his battles, and impose his will as if she were a command unit. If he feels the need to take it out on the impudent bot then he will.

The fact BlastWave wasn't here in time meant that there's going to be some more pain inflicted more likely than not.

Discord smiles and bows lightly to Scourge "A wonderful exercise." Though she hoped her commander would join them. Then again they'd be hard pressed to withstand his might. Speaking of joining, she doesn't see Torment but that's not a concern at the moment. He'll be filled in, and informed. Though he might be here somewhere.

"No questions. I'll try not to be too rough with them." Discord replies to Scourge, then she chuckles as she eyes her prey over, sizing them up with a smile on her lips and the look of a hunter in her eyes. A look that gives the impression that the only reason they'll live after she's done with them is the fact this is a training exercise.
If it weren't a training exercise they might not be spared even though they wear the Decepticon badge.

This excursion would certainly help her get over the fact that she isn't hunting the Autobot twins later on.
After all, her weapons might not be at full power, but that doesn't mean she can't get in her pain infliction quota for the Mega-Cycle (aka 93 hours).

Kolkular- The Hangar Bay.

"I have a question!" Aftershock piped in suddenly. He looked at Scourge and couldn't help but grin.

"How soon can I start shooting and how many times can I hit them before I assume they're defeated?"

Aftershock could barely contain his joy. He hadn't seen a battle simulation since his days at the academy. And he had quite convinced himself that his training as a sniper and his top-of-the-line sniper rifle guaranteed that he would defeat his opponents before they even saw him

Kolkular- The Hangar Bay

Torment gave a sidelong glance at his “sister” He had been standing beyond her visual range as he listened Scourge explained their objectives. His face plate hiding all emotion from the other cons, which was made worse by the fact he was a Mech of few words. The orange and charcoal hound narrowed his optics as he turned back to Aftershock, Rancid, and Swiftscreech. This opportunity not only allowed scourge to assess their programming but it also would start a thread of fear among the ranks of the Decepticons. For the fraction's newest creations, their own secret weapons were indeed capable of hunting down their own soldiers. This would ensure the value of their worth to Megatron. For the sweeps would be able to hunt an kill traitors and spies among their ranks. Yes the sweep drones were creepy, but the sentient sweeps were “The Angels of Death.”

Torment's optics flashed with a glint from one side to the other, like the blade of a sword. He was dangerous and even if this was just a drill he was designed to kill not to play.

Swiftscreech shot another glance at the two sweeps. He looked at Discord "No questions. I'll try not to be too rough with them." she said. Swiftscreech felt scared even thinking about what she could do to him even without weapons. The smile she gave him and the other prey told him exactly what it was ment to.

Swiftscreech watched Aftershock as he asked his question. Aftershock looked happy?! He thought this was going to be fun?!
He must have some circuits loose! Swiftscreech thought.

Leaving Kaon

Scrapper watched out the rear viewport of Astrotrain as the fortress of Kolkular shrank from view. He knew the fortress well, could count each part he and his Constructicons had repaired or renovated, but ultimately it was the sum work of the entire Decepticon movement. This move to Tagan was simply the natural growth of the Decepticon will to conquer, the next girder in the framework of a massive Empire spanning Cybertron and beyond. Scrapper hoped he'd be able to leave his mark in that process.

With even the vast Decepticon HQ dissappearing behind the horizon, Scrapper turned to contemplate his surroundings, and despite his blank faceplate, the disapproval of what he could see of Astrotrain was obvious, particularly to his teammates. After a klik, he turned to Hook.

"Once we get to Tagan, I'll go to Scorponok and find out exactly what he wants done with the place. I want you to perform a survey of your own, to find out what needs repairs and where the best sites for defenses are. I'd also like Long Haul and Scavenger to do an inventory on what resources are close at hand and easiest to access. I want the place secure as soon as possible, so we can begin work on more...interesting projects."