The Energon Pub

Kolkular – The Cradle

Starscream was surprised how the time seemed to pass by quickly on the trip back to Kolkular, it was probably because he knew that he was in for quite a talking to and he needed time to consider his arguments, and as expected, he didn't have enough time to do so. Still as he stood there, he couldn't help but to get annoyed by Roadblock's 'assessment' and Scorponok's words as well. At least Megatron hadn't joined in with them quite yet, even though he knew that would be coming sooner or later "They're only seeking to cover thier own hides by placing every bit of blaim on me! They weren't there, so they have no idea what happened, and they fail to take into account every factor in the battle feild. They just take it out on me because I made it out in one peice!" He was only talking to Megatron at the moment, but it was clear he wanted everyone to hear.

"Shockwave was our only power-house ground support at the time and he failed to lead his troops and take out the anti air forces on the ground. As the attacking air unit I tried to keep our air forces in the battle as long as I could but with Shockwave's attention on a solitary Autobot he did not make sure the Autobots ground missile launchers and anti-air guns were down! I had to get out of there!" This was turning into one big speech for Starscream, but he was on a roll, so he had to continue.

"As soon as I heard you arrived Megatron, I knew there was a chance you would be able to take care of those defences so I hurried back... at least to make sure you were properly protected, but by then it was already too late." he then dramatically pionted to Scorponok and Roadbloack, "Had either one of them followed your supreme example and joined into battle without a second thought, they might have been able to give Shockwave the extra ground support he and I needed." He folded his arms, now done with blaming those two, "Who knows, if Shockwave stayed active for longer, or just simply avoided that fight with Fortress Maximus he might have been able to pull one of his amazing plans out of his head..."

He didn't want to blame a fallen Decepticon, Shockwave, personally right now, since it would probably be taken the wrong way, but he did leave it open for Megatron to continue on that statement himself. Maybe all the arguements he gave would help pull him out of the fire. If not, there was always begging...

Kolkular – The Cradle

Megatron received Shockwave’s signal without any verbal comment. Apparently his second hadn’t been quite as badly damaged as he first feared. That was fortunate, as he was going to need his counsel soon to develop a new strategy and a way to counteract the Autobot’s newest weapon.

>>”Report to the medbay for repairs first Shockwave. Scrapper should be waiting for you there. I will need you at full power for what lies ahead of us.”<<

Scorponok gave a cold stare to Starscream as he spoke. His first instinct was to remove the seeker’s cranial unit from his body for daring to suggest cowardice on his part. Only the presence of Megatron kept him in check He still might find some use with the weakling seeker, or he may simply terminate him himself. Either way, it would be his decision.

The Decepticon supreme commander listened to Starscream’s ranting in silence. It was pretty much what he had expected from the Seeker. He did his best to bolster his own standing and to shift blame for failure on to others. It might almost be a convincing argument had Megatron not observed some of Starscream’s actions in the battle himself. He had, naturally, left out the key details that damned his own actions.

“Where, Starscream, were the majority of these anti-air defenses you speak of? Were they not a part of the Maximus line and the defenses of Nova Cronum? Perhaps you would like to explain why you took my soldiers into an assault on the strongest Autobot defenses on the planet, ignoring the troops that were moving out to attack your home base?” Megatron’s voice had a slight edge of menace in it. He wasn’t in the mood to play games with Starscream.

---------------------

Kolkular – Main Hangar

Cyclonus flew into the Decepticon fortress, transforming and landing on his feet. He was followed by both Scourge and Sixshot. The aerial warrior immediately sent a signal to Megatron, informing him of their arrival and a brief description of their mission results. He received a brief reply and turned to his comrades. “We are to receive full repairs and be ready for immediate launch for another mission.”

Scourge smirked at the thought of another hunt and Sixshot merely nodded. He longed for combat, but he wasn’t as emotional as the Sweep was in showing it. Cyclonus walked off, leading them to the repair bay.

Kolkular – The Cradle

Oh boy... Starscream thought has he heard the tone in which Megatron responded with. He still had one advantage over Scorponok, Roadbloak, and even Megatron, and that he was actually there for the entire battle. "All right Megatron... I'll admit that perhaps I was not in the best location to serve our purposes, but I received no clear orders, so my first impulse was to try and support Shockwave... then it was to try and support you... of someone had just simply told me what was going on, it would have saved us all a lot of trouble."

Starscream's tone was more conversational at this point, attempting to sound as if he has no worry behind his statements. "We both know however that the battle was not over at the point in which we lost Shockwave. We surely would have won eventually had it not been for Optimus Prime and his rocket station... whatever it was. The Autobots just had too many large guns... had we brought the Contructicons well... who can say what would have happened." Starscream hoped that would do it, he knew that continuing this argument was too much of a risk right now.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Though he had noted and archived Shockwave's communique to Megatron, Soundwave did not allow that minor distraction--or the distraction of the rest of the comm traffic flow into and out of Kaon--to fully divert his attention from the discussion among some of the highest-ranking Decepticons on the planet. They were all potential benefactors, each in his own way, for the communications officer--and also possible obstacles to his personal advancement. Although usually circumspect in his dealings, particularly when it came to such sensitive matters as the one presently facing Megatron, Soundwave also recognized that bold action could lead to far more profitable and immediate gains, despite the increased risk.

The weight of popular opinion was clearly against Starscream. Scorponok and Roadbuster were always mindful of any opportunity to increase their own respective power bases and the resources at their disposal. This would be especially true now, with the damage to Polyhex ensuring such resources would be in increasingly short supply. The time had come to act.

Turning from the console at which he had been working, Soundwave cast his visored gaze upward at Megatron. "Analysis: flawed," he began in his oddly harmonic monotone, clearly in reference to Starscream's attempts to diffuse the ire being levelled in his direction. "Further commitment of forces to Polyhex: unnecessary. The defenses should have held."

On that point, at least, Soundwave was certain. The garrison and automated weapons systems of Polyhex ought to have been sufficient to hold back the Autobots, regardless of the presence of Prime's new weapon. Particularly once Megatron himself had arrived on the scene.

"Aerospace squadrons' performance: inadequate. Leadership: negligent to non-existent. Recommendation: dissolve aerospace forces as separate entity and assign individual squadrons to ground divisions as support elements."

Given the Decepticons' history of heavy reliance upon air power, it was a risky suggestion. Megatron was far more likely to simply assign a new commander to his air force than restructure the entire army. But, on the off-chance the the Supreme Commander did see some merit in it, then Soundwave would have quite handily eliminated a rival in Starscream--or his successor. And, whatever was decided, his show of support may have helped to curry a little favor with Scorponok and Roadblock, at the very least.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Starscream lost it as one other Decepticon, Soundwave joined in on this circle of complaints against him. He shot a glaze over to Soundwave, "You might want to reconsider you're 'analysis.' You say the Leadership was flawed, but are you forgetting that I was not in overall command!? If you were monitoring communications you would know that I received very few orders, in a battle situation where ground forces need air support, it is up the ground forces or home base to direct the air forces where to strike. Perhaps, if you were doing your job correctly and issuing out instructions to my air forces I would have know where we were needed most!"

He then looked back at Megatron, "Fine! Maybe I didn't use this my squads as effectively as I could have, but it was also due to their collective incompetence! I will not take this fall alone! Don't forget you called a cease fire for no other reason then that you walked right into an Autobot trap which no one anticipated. Had that not happened the battle would have been ours... If there's any blame here it should be given to Optimus Prime!"

While Starscream spoke his mind cycled though all the possible things he could do next to try and regain face with the supreme commander, and what he decided on was completely surprising. He knelt down in front of Megatron. "For the honor of the Decepticons, I will kill Optimus Prime for snatching this victory from us. While your other generals are content to turn against a fellow Decepticon, I have not forgotten who out true enemy is. Allow me to continue to serve you as Air Commander and I swear I will have Optimus Prime pay!"

Kolkular

Shockwave accepted Megatrons order without question, there was clearly no immediate need for his presence within the cradle and to return him to optimum level was the priority.

Psychout executed the landing procedure and powered down the shuttles engines. He took a second to pause and collect his thoughts, he knew Kaon well from his past assignments under Soundwave and had every intention of avoiding his former boss if possible, but he knew that their paths would eventually meet and that Soudwave was not the forgiving type so it woud not be pleasant.
He elected to remain at the shuttle to try and track some old friends down instead, he knew there had to be some left, and the longer he remained out of sight the better.

Shockwave, escorted by Mal Practice, made his way to report to Scrapper and to complete his repairs.

Walking in silence the Decepticons Military Commander reapeatedly analysed and re-analysed the data from the Polyhex conflict. His actions had been flawless from a milataristic point of view, and even with their aerial forces in order, it was their information network that had let them down; he had been uninformed of the possible threat of the reactivation of the Guardian robots nor had been recieved any intelligence to say the Autobots were attempting such a task.
It had now become his priority to ensure that such a deception could never be used against his forces again.

Upon arrival at Medbay, Shockwave motioned for Mal Practice to inform the constructicon leader of the existing repairs competed and Mal handed over a data cube with the full details of the repairs undergone so far. Mal knew the job he had done was sound - in Polyhex his technical expertise was second only to Shockwaves, but here he was up against a totally new class of expert and was eager to learn more.

Shockwave then addressed Scrapper
"Scrapper, you will complete the repairs and return me to full capacity.
"I will then be expecting a full report on the status of the replacement units bound for Polyhex to be issued to Mal Practice, who will work under you for the duration of our time in Kaon. See that his technical knowledge is brought up to date and that he is furnished with the facilites and suplies he requires whilst we are here.
"You will now proceed."

Kolkular – The Cradle

Megatron considered Soundwave’s comments. The communications officer was likely speaking out of his own interests as well of those of the Decepticons. Starscream and his seekers didn’t really trust him, few in the ranks really did. Lowering the standing of Starscream and the seekers would place him in a better position, but suggesting it could also put him squarely in Starscream’s sights. If Megatron did not go along with his suggestion, Starscream would likely forget about it in lieu of what other ruling Megatron might make.

That wasn’t to say that Soundwave’s suggestion was just done for his own benefit. Ideally, tight coordination between air units and ground units in combat would prove to be a highly effective fighting force. The problem was that it would hamper any massive aerial assaults, something that the Decepticons, with their emphasis on flying, often conducted. It also had the potential to damage morale. He doubted that the seekers would be very happy being put under the command of ground troops, and while he knew they would obey his commands or suffer the consequences, he could see a drop in their effectiveness if it were done. Still, the idea had some merit, particularly with his new army of aerial warriors.

Megatron looked on in disgust as Starscream was essentially reduced to kneeling and begging for mercy. It was this utter lack of pride and courage that so often made him loathe the seeker commander. He could be a skilled warrior, but his cowardice and conniving often hampered that. Perhaps he could deal with that problem and the problems of air force leadership at the same time.

His repairs completed, the Decepticon supreme commander stood up and kicked the kneeling form of Starscream. It was hard enough to knock him over, but not much more than that. “Don’t offer my false promises Starscream. You couldn’t terminate prime with the help of a whole squadron of seekers.” Megatron sat back down in his throne. “You will remain as Seeker commander, Starscream, because there are no better candidates among them. You will report to a new Air Commander of my choosing.”

---------------------

Kolkular – Primary medbay

The medbay was fully activated and ready by the time Cyclonus, Scourge and Sixshot walked in. After a cursory examination of the three prototypes, Scrapper programmed a series of repair drones to get to work on repairing them. None of them had any serious injuries, mostly they were energon depleted. The drones could handle that. He was saving himself for the more important patient, and shortly Shockwave arrived.

He took the data from Malpractice and brought it up on one of the display consoles. “I don’t believe Lord Megatron has decided on what units to send out to Polyhex yet Commander Shockwave. I do know that the new army is complete, activated and ready for deployment. Now if you will take a spot on the repair table sir we will get to work.”

Kolkular – Primary medbay

Shockwave nodded a command to Mal Practice who stepped back and out of the way, then he took his position on the repair table and powered down allowing scrapper access to the remaining damaged circuitry. Then, focusing his single optic on Scrapper, he silently awaited the Constructicon to begin his work.

OOC: No sigs in RPG forums please - Devastron

Kolkular - The Cradle

Soundwave watched, unmoved, as Megatron rose from his throne and delivered a swift kick to the kneeling Seeker Commander. Such physical rebukes were often the most expedient means of cutting through the conceited flyer's all-too-frequent displays of misplaced magniloquence. Even so, despite the damage it might have done to Starscream's pride to hear it, Soundwave took no real pleasure in the other mech's public chastisement. Nor was there anything personal in his earlier suggestion to dissolve the aerial forces as an independent branch of the Decepticon army.

Even now, Soundwave felt nothing in particular toward the Seeker, despite his irrational diatribe against him a moment ago. Such allegations as Starscream had levelled were too patently absurd to be genuinely damaging. In remaining behind at Kolkular, the communications officer had been fulfilling his orders, nothing more and nothing less. To claim that negligence or incompetence on his part had contributed to the debacle at Polyhex was an act of simple desperation and resentment.

Foolish though he may have been, Starscream was not without his uses. Megatron recognized that fact, and used him as he might use any other tool to achieve his objectives. Soundwave, for his part, would do the same, for so long as it was expedient. But if the Seeker became more an impediment than a resource, then he would be neutralized, one way or another. There was no vendetta. There was only Soundwave's ironclad determination to secure his own future.

With Starscream's fate apparently decided, it was time to move on to other matters. Selecting a successor for the position of air forces commander was obviously a priority, especially now that the new army was functional and awaiting deployment. Without requiring any order to do so, Soundwave began calling up the service records and performance reviews of the Decepticons' most senior flyers for Megatron's perusal, should he so desire.

Kolkular - The Cradle

The matter with Starscream settled at the moment, Megatron turned his attention to other matters. He stabbed a control on his throne, activated the Fortress’s internal speakers.

>>”Shockwave, Cyclonus, report to the cradle immediately on completion of your repairs.”<<

He turned his attention back to Soundwave and Scorponok. “I am to meet with Prime in a short time to negotiate a peace,” he spat out the last words with disgust. “I have no intention of ending this war on his terms. Soundwave and I will go to the meeting unarmed, but I plan to have a few of our newest soldiers waiting just outside of sensor range. When I give you the signal Soundwave, contact them so they may begin their assault on Prime. We will decapitate the Autobot leadership while at the same time our new army strikes their bases.”

“Scorponok, you will take a portion of our new soldiers and assault the Tagan Heights. Cyclonus and his group should have already softened it up a bit for your assault. Move fast and strike hard so we can fully take advantage of the confusion.”

“Yes Lord Megatron,” Scorponok replied. He didn’t need to be told how to attack. All of his assaults were swift and brutal. This one would be no exception. He would relish the opportunity to finally attack the Autobots instead of simply defending against them.

-----------------

Kolkular – Primary medbay

Scrapper quickly went to work on Shockwave. It was easy work to remove the outer layer of the commander’s chest armor. He had already fashioned a new chest plate for him, so the old one was quickly thrown into the scrap metal bin for recycling. He then went to work on the really difficult part, repairing the internal mechanisms and circuitry. He could tell that some repairs had been done to him, but they weren’t ideal, but enough to get him up and active. He carefully began removing damaged circuits and wires and replacing them with new ones, all the while pointing out what he was doing to Malpractice, as he had been instructed to by Shockwave.

From what he could see, Shockwave had nearly taken a fatal shot. Among the various other injuries was a massive blast that went clean through him and even left some scorch marks on his spark chamber. If the shot had been just a bit more to the side then he would be dumping his whole body into the scrap metal bin. He was just completing the repairs as the call from Megatron echoed throughout the fortress.

“Alright Shockwave, just let me get your chest armor back on and you should be in optimal condition again.”

-------------------

Cyclonus stood impatiently as the medical drones continued their repair work on him. He did not like leaving Megatron waiting. As soon as all but the cosmetic repairs were complete he got up and left the medbay. He did not need to look perfect to address his leader. As a fellow warrior he knew Megatron would understand his not quite perfect appearance.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Not even bothering to suppress his chuckle as Megatron kicked over Starscream, the ground forces commander spat a streak of rancid transmission fluid in the Seeker's general direction. Wiping his mouth with his forearm, Roadblock didn't really care if the foul-smelling juice hit Starscream or not. If it did, bonus punishment for the newly-demoted Decepticon. If it didn't, so the Pit what.

Ya know, ol' Screamy would actually be dangerous if he could git a coupla halfway decent 'Cons to side with him, Roadblock considered as he observed Starscream's unfortunate behavior and its consequences. Too bad he only attracts the scraplets an' scrubs. As Megatron outlined his plans to the other ranking Decepticons, Roadblock already knew where he wanted to be.

"Requestin' permission to accompany Warlord Scorponok, Lord Megatron," he said in his customary ragged, nasty drawl. He had been left in Kaon to mind the fort during the last major battle - important duty, but not his first choice of assignments by the longest of shots.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Soundwave's ruby-colored visor flashed in an uncharacteristic display of disdain as Megatron revealed his imminent meeting with Prime. Peace with the Autobots was as unthinkable to him as it would have been to any true Decepticon; he could accept a temporary lull in hostilities as both sides repaired and re-armed, but a lasting peace was simply impossible. There was too much at stake. Too much had already been sacrificed. Victory was the only option.

Moreover, there were far more opportunities in war for a mech of his abilities than he could ever hope for in peace. Soundwave knew this from experience.

Thus, as soon as Megatron had dealt with Roadblock's request to join in the assault on the Tagan Heights, the communications officer turned from his compilation of qualified candidates for the vacant position of Aerospace Commander. The bulky blue mechanoid rose to his feet, a tacit indication of his readiness to leave the moment it suited the Decepticon leader. "As you command, Megatron," he intoned dutifully, his vast intellect already devising a secure means of signalling the ambush right under Prime's very olfactory sensors.

Perhaps Optimus Prime would have a few moments to reflect upon the foolishness of his actions before the new troops reduced him to scrap.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Soundwave detected an incoming data packet from Polyhex, addressed directly to him. He identified the sender as Rapture, one of his loyal creations. The packet was headed by a text message.

Soundwave, attached is a series of six holoimages I captured at the breach in the Polyhex lines, shortly after the ceasefire was ordered. I hope it can aid you in dealing with what I am sure is a serious morale issue currently. -Rapture.

The images were obviously of no strategic value. They showed no enemy movements or other intel. What they did show was a Polyhex plaza in a civilian district. The street was littered wreckage and still-burning Decepticon corpses. The first two images were wide shots of the plaza. A third focused on a burning holotheater. the others were close-ups of the bodies. The use of lighting and the chosen angle showed talent. The images clearly captured the looks of terror on the corpse's faces. They had been arranged in a portfolio style, as if they were meant for a newsfeed or poster. A caption at the bottom clearly read

The Polyhex Entertainment Plaza, after a visit from some "Peace-loving Autobots"

Kolkular - The Cradle

Soundwave paused, the slightest stiffening of his heavy frame the only visible indication of his momentary distraction. He reviewed the data packet transmitted to him by the Seeker, Rapture, and responded quickly with a brief acknowledgement. Though he gave no sign of it, the communications officer was pleased as he input the inflammatory images, along with the femme's unedited captions, into Kolkular's main data repository. A few more keystrokes, and the city-state's public communications grid had been been programmed to cycle through the grisly pictures on five-breem pulses. It would be a veritable propaganda coup, once the frozen death-masks of those Decepticon casualties were on display on Kaon's hundreds of massive info-screens.

They would serve Megatron as well in termination as they had functioning. Perhaps even better.

The question remained, however, of just what to do about the Seeker who had served the cause so well. Initiative was a valuable thing in a Decepticon soldier, but it could also be dangerous. A threat to the security of Soundwave's own position in the hierarchy. Yet she had shown respect for his position in transmitting the data to him, personally. He would have to keep an optic on Rapture. Perhaps even provide her with a test to evaluate her abilities and, more importantly, her ambitions.

Even as he returned to his previous duties, a subdued glow emanated from Soundwave's visor as the germ of an idea began to develop. Yes. He would broach the matter to Megatron en route to their meeting with Prime. It was a golden opportunity to increase his own prestige at virtually no risk. How could he afford not to seize it?

Telegraph Tower

The elitist Telegraph, in his gleaming pearl white and copper embossed form, looked down upon the stretch of Kaon beneath his equally magnificent vantage point at the apex of his ivory tower. Many of the grand buildings beneath him were in ruin, poster children of the Decepticon motto. He chuckled to himself when he realized that the Decepticon Military College was one such building. "Is it worthwhile to fight a war in which you won’t be around to enjoy the spoils?" mused the apathetic Cybertronian. "I need a challenge to lift my spirits," he instantly decided, raising his face to reflect the clouds. "A civilization shouldn't win based on just military prowess, but cultural superiority! How can the Decepticons claim victory if everything left in our wake is turned to ash?" He tapped his temple and spoke, "Telegraph to Kolkular command center. I request an audience with Lord Megatron, if he should find me worthy."

Kolkular - The Cradle

The amount of communications traffic in Kaon appeared to be steadily on the rise, and especially transmissions into the Cradle itself. Of course, given that the High Command was presently grappling with one of the greatest military setbacks to be faced by the Decepticons in a millennium, that was no particular surprise. Nor was it beyond Soundwave's ability to cope with the deluge.

As a result, his response to Telegraph's unctuous communique was untainted by emotion. It was, as ever, brisk, professional, and completely devoid of anything even remotely like personal feeling.

>>This is the Cradle. Status of request: pending. For what purpose do you seek audience with Megatron?<<

Telegraph Tower

Telegraph received Soundwave's prompt response with his familiar exuberance, "Ah, Commander Soundwave! I wish to speak with Lord Megatron on the subject of deep cover investigations. I, of course, would also welcome your input during the meeting, should Lord Megatron deem it appropriate."

Kolkular - The Cradle

>>Standby,<< transmitted Soundwave succinctly. If he were at all moved by Telegraph's enthusiasm, then he gave precious little indication of it. Under other circumstances, he would have dismissed the aristocratic Decepticon's request out of hand; there was usually no need for Megatron to involve himself personally in such matters. However, the disaster at Polyhex had altered their priorities.

Their intelligence network had failed to alert them to the imminence of the Autobot attack, or the reactivation of the Guardian. Clearly, this was a deficiency that needed to be addressed, and promptly. And while Telegraph may not have been the most accomplished covert operative ever to roll off the assembly line, he was certainly competent. Moreover, his connections among the Decepticon elite made him difficult to ignore.

His entreaty would go through. After that, it was out of Soundwave's hands.

"Attention: Megatron," he reported. "Telegraph desires an audience. Subject: status of covert operations."

Acknowledging Scrapper for a job well done, Shockwave made his way to the cradle, leaving Mal Practice to coontinue working with the contructicon leader. His huge logic centres were distracted by the fallout of Polyhex, still trying to establidsh where the cruscial erros lay, the city all but lost and he needed to calculate why.
He breifly checked his inernal dignostics, which read as 100% capacity and he initiated a transmission to his leader.

>>>Shockwave to Megatron, I am fully funtional and I am making my way to the cradle as ordered. Expect me in 0.532 breems.<<<

Kolkular - The Cradle

Megatron nodded at the ground forces commander. With him backing up Scorponok he had little doubt that the Heights would fall to the Decepticons. “Permission granted Roadblock. I trust you to give our new army a rigorous first test on the battlefield.” The Decepticon Supreme commander smiled. He knew how Roadblock led his troops, and that he would push them to the absolute limit. He would be a perfect candidate to fine out what these new soldiers were fully capable of. “You both may begin preparations for the attack.”

He nodded at Soundwave’s prompt response to his orders. The communications officer was always efficient and loyal, but only to Megatron. He knew that other Decepticons loathed him, which only made him more loyal to Megatron, if not just for protection. That aside, Soundwave was one of his best soldiers and he would not dispose of him due to some petty complainants from among the ranks. It was good to keep everyone on their toes anyway.

Megatron was content to wait for Shockwave and Cyclonus to report to him when Soundwave reported a request from Telegraph. The pompous aristocrat tended to annoy him, but he had his uses. “Instruct him to report to the Cradle as soon as possible. I have a mission for him that should assist in our plans for the Tagan Heights.” He received the signal from Shockwave and acknowledged it. Soon it would be time to meet Prime for ‘negotiations’ which were going to go decidedly against the Autobot commander.

Kolkular - The Cradle

"As you command, Megatron," Soundwave replied, almost automatically. Knowing the the Supreme Commander would soon need to begin undertaking his own preparations for the "negotiation" with Prime, it seemed prudent to encourage a little expeditiousness on the part of their upper-class operative. And it would be useful to remind Telegraph that he served at the High Command's convenience, not at his own pleasure--a fact that the self-indulgent mechanoid tended to neglect far too often for Soundwave's liking.

>>Attention: Telegraph,>Petition for audience: approved. Report to the Cradle immediately. Megatron commands. Purpose: mission briefing.<<

Telegraph Tower

"As Lord Megatron Commands, Telegraph out." The shining Decepticon took a moment to soak up the all too convenient reply. Usually his entreaties would languish by the wayside and his fruitful ideas were usually abducted by one of the higher ranking Decepticons, beyond his pride he did not care much for it though, it kept him useful in the eyes of those who did not appreciate his talents. Suddenly Telegraph lost his nostalgia for the Decepticon cause. Megatron was known to make things very uncomfortable, sometimes to the point of death, for those not in his officer's circle and the sworn master of the universe was not very fond of Telegraph's foppish and subtle ways. However, Telegraph steadied his mind and in a moment of utter ego strode through the open window's frame and dove into the air outside like a great bird of prey. Then a burst of gold exploded from the falling bot, a canvas of amber stretched out and caught the wind. Telegraph floated magnificently toward Kolkular and Megatron.

Refinery

Slamming a fist against the wall of a supply room, Long Haul was angered that he has kept doing supply runs for the machinery.

"I could be out there slagging some autoscum; but nooo, I have to be here to do these 'supply runs'. Why couldn't we just reprogram some drones to do this," grumbled Long Haul as he opened a link to Scrapper and began to talk calmly,

Scrapper, I have a suggestion. Why couldn't we just reprogram some of these worker drones to take over my position in this 'assembly' line. Now that our main project is over and this line is spitting out new combat drones, I feel that I should put my skills towards something more.....'challenging.'

While sending the message towards the Constructicon leader, Long Haul made sure not to get too out of line. He knows that even if he is a brother towards the other constructicons; he can still be punished for insubornination.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Starscream kept quiet after he found himself knocked over by Megatron. He knew something like that would happen, in fact he was counting on it. Being kicked over and spit on wasn't something he enjoyed, but it was much better then being blasted apart. In a split moment he thought that by putting himself in a position to be kicked or otherwise physically assaulted by the supreme commander it would end the worsening situation, that may have just in fact ended with Megatron hitting him with his fusion cannon instead of with his foot.

He did find himself demoted however, and it did anger Starscream a little. He was still commander of the Seekers though, and that all he ever really was. Air commander was just a title, it was something that he did care about, but it wasn't the title he wanted most off all. The important thing is that he was still here in this room, able to observe what was going on. He heard something about that meeting between Prime and Megatron and details on how Megatron planned on betraying Prime. It was something he was becoming more and more interested in.

Koklular - The Cradle

"'Til all are one," Roadblock saluted Megatron, pleased that his request had been granted. Turning to Scorponok, he spoke a little more quietly to the immediate commander of the mission to the Tagan Heights.

"I'll go git three squadrons of our new soldiers assembled an' ready to roll," he told the behemoth Decepticon warlord. Saluting again, he turned on his heel and strode out of the Cradle. Transforming into half-track tank mode, he made a bee-line for the Forge. I'll personally inspect these new boys an' make sure they're up to snuff. If they're half what they're supposed to be, Tagan'll be in flames by cycle after next.

The thought appealed very, very much to the ground forces commander.