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OOC: NPCing Scrapper

Kolkular – The Forge

Scrapper was pleased over the apparent success of the three prototype Decepticons he and his team had only recently completed. It hadn’t been easy to create three such powerful new warriors with the limited resources the Decepticons now possessed. The bodies of Cyclonus and Sixshot had required some exotic materials and the meticulous wiping and recycling of formerly deactivated sparks had taken a considerable amount of energon. In the end though, he and his team had succeeded, just as he knew they would.

Now the Constructicons were busy working on their next project. This one built on the experience they had in creating the three prototypes, but took it to a much bigger scale. This time they were creating an army. The Scourge body type had proven versatile and simple enough to construct that they could mass produce it, much like they did with the seekers in the past. They had even found some short cuts to the spark refurbishing process, although it was generating some peculiar powers in some of the new soldiers.

The Constructicon leader didn’t have time to worry about these slight imperfections. Word had reached him about the massive battle occurring in Polyhex. He knew they couldn’t afford to lose the city-state. The blow to morale and loss of resources would simply be unacceptable. So he drove his own men and whatever other engineers and builders he could find as hard as he could to get this army completed. He knew the army would be completed soon and that it would be magnificent, but would it be completed in time? Scrapper shook his head and went back to work, programming commands into one of the automated factories producing the weapon systems for these soldiers. Better to just keep busy than even contemplate failure.

Kolkular - The Forge

Ever since coming back to the forge after the successful start up of the three new warriors, Long Haul was hauling materials from the supply room to the designated areas where the computerized robotic arms were constructing the new warrior drones, which were based on the Scourage design.

"I know Scrapper means well for me to do this, but this job can easily be filled by worker drones. I should be out there with those new warriors and fighting, not supplying these robots with materials," grumbled Long Haul, while finishing dropping a load of metal before heading back to the supplies.

The Forge

Sitting idly in a chair, swiveling in whatever direction his mind felt like, Tire twirled a small ring on one of his fingers. He heard the Constructicons return from the Pit. The software was fully installed and had run some diagnostics on every inch of the three prototypes. He was quite impressed with the results. The red zones, showing the most stress, were of course in the expected areas: the transformations joints and ligaments. He had also found a scuff area where the wings would fold back. If it was a big deal the Constructicons would hear about it so he let it slide. In the mean time he was just going to show the other mini-spy the detail and see what he thought.
Speaking of Unicron, as the phrase goes, said mini-spy drove up and transformed. "Those prototypes are a beautiful sight, my friend," Fender spoke up with laughter. "The flew right in and just started blowing stuff up. It was beautiful. Some black Autobot got obliterated on their first strafe run. If they find anything left in the clean up I'll surprised," climbed up the ladder into the computer booth and slapped Tire on the shoulder.
"Good," the blue con replied and turned his chair to face the monitor. "Take a look at this," and he brought up the problem.
Fender examined the stress test and nodded. "They're making clones even as we speak. We could suggest adding a small amount to the depth of the wing and avoid that chafing- it would be the easiest solution." Then he took over the computer and tapped into the Forge's main computer banks. Making the adjustment he set it into motion. "That will solve the problem for any parts made from here out. The first who-knows-how-many will still have that problem but it won't be big deal if they are the first ones into battle."
The two sat there for a time and just mused over what they had just accomplished, in the end deciding not to say anything to the Constructicons.


No sigs in RPG forums please -Devastron

The Forge

Soundwave had left his post in the Cradle to a subordinate Decepticon, but only after he had made arrangements for the automated monitoring systems to transmit regular updates to him on .5 breem pulses on a secure frequency. He reasoned that he did not have to be personally present to supervise the oversight of the administrative duties which had been left in his care in Megatron's absence, not with his prodigious remote communications abilities. Besides, he did not intend to be away for very long.

In truth, it probably would have been more straightforward simply to make use of the usual channels to request an update from Scrapper on the status of the Constructicons' latest project rather than seeing to it personally. However, an unfamiliar restlessness had come over Soundwave as he had observed the continuing battle for Polyhex. It had not in any way been an obvious breach of his usual, aloof composure, visible only perhaps in the intensity with which he took in the relevant data from the frontline. Much as he might disguise it beneath his professional veneer, Soundwave was as concerned with the course of current events as any Decepticon with a full grasp of their present circumstances.

And he had been left behind. That thought continued to rankle his otherwise unflappable calm. Especially with potential traitors like Starscream on the scene.

But there was nothing to be done for it. His orders had come from Megatron, and his duty was to obey, regardless of how he might regard the substance of those orders personally. Setting these troubling thoughts aside, the broad blue communications officer strode into the Forge, optics immediately seeking out the leader of the Constructicons.

"Progress report: required," he began straightforwardly in his monotone but strangely mellifluous voice. "Situation: urgent. Megatron requires reinforcements."

The Forge

Scrapper looked up from his control panel as Soundwave addressed him. He knew that speaking to the communications officer carried the same importance as talking to Megatron, maybe even more so since he had some telepathic abilities. Whatever he said and potentially whatever he thought could get reported back to the Decepticon Supreme Commander. Most Decepticons were nervous when talking to Soundwave for these reasons, but Scrapper wasn’t one of those Decepticons. He felt, or at least hoped, that Megatron respected his honesty and loyalty.

“The process is going as fast as we dare push it Soundwave. If we push it any further we risk wrecking the construction facility, or worse, losing all of these sparks we have salvaged. Even with the speed we are going we are starting to pick up some irregularities in some of the sparks, some signs of odd powers. If we push it much harder, who knows what dangerous mutations we might end up with? Believe me, I know the situation out there, I just saw a report on it, but there are physical limits to how fast this can go.”

The Forge

Soundwave spared the Constructicon leader a long, measuring glance as the engineering maestro delineated his own situation. There was no reason for him to doubt Scrapper's assessment, or to disregard his concerns. The other Decepticon had never shown himself to be anything other than reliable and loyal to the cause.

Which did not make his report any less troubling to Soundwave. All it meant was that he could take the smaller mech's words at face value without having to plumb for hidden meanings or secret agendas.

At length, the communications officer nodded shortly. "Evaluation: accepted. Is additional technical assistance needed?"

The Forge

Scrapper nodded at Soundwave. “If you are offering then we can certainly use your expertise. If you can oversee the installation of the cerebral circuitry, that would be of immense help. I need to monitor the spark scrubbing process.” He gestured Soundwave to a console before he turned his attention to his other workers.

“Long Haul, put some more of those premade circuit boards and servos onto the parts assembly line. We are getting close to running out of limbs for the army we are constructing here.”

“You two,” he pointed at Tire and Fender, “can make yourselves useful in overseeing the actual construction of the limbs. See what you can do to speed it up a bit without a drop in production quality.”

With those tasks given out, Scrapper settled down once more to the delicate task of wiping the sparks clean for placement into the newly constructed bodies. It was the most important and difficult task in this construction process. While doing it in batches of sparks instead of one at a time like they had done with the prototypes had sped things up, it was a much more delicate process now. Once slight mistake meant they would lose multiple sparks instead of just one. He was going to let anyone but himself oversee this part of the process.

The Forge

"Arghh, On my way Scrapper," replied Long Haul dumping the last of his load of sheet metal before heading off to begin his new task; transporting circut boards and servos.

'There's not really much difference between this task and the one before; the one difference is that I have to be cautious in not damaging the circuit boards. I hate transporting those things,' thought Long Haul as he entered the designated room that held the delicate materials like ciruit boards and etc.

The Forge

"Instructions: understood," Soundwave replied immediately. Following Scrapper's directions, the bulky communications placed himself in front of one of the many consoles through which the Constructicons' assembly line was coordinated. The communications officer turned all his considerable skill to the task at hand; installing cerebro-circuitry may not have been quite so delicate a task as spark reclamation, but there was very little room for error, either. Fortunately, Soundwave was very well-acquainted with such complex technologies, and enjoyed a far more profound insight into their functioning than most Transformers could claim.

Data readouts and recent command inputs reflected eerily upon the surface of his ruby-colored visor as he worked. Soundwave's primary focus was on expediency, but he would not allow that concern to completely overrule his mandate to ensure that Megatron's new warriors were also of exceptional quality. His sense of duty to the Decepticon cause would permit nothing less.

The Forge

As the two mini-spies goggled over the monitor they were drawn up short as the Constructicon addressed them. Turning to the larger 'con they both saluted and made it double time over to the assembly line where they could take personal interest in the construction. Where Fender headed for the actual parts to be constructed, Tire headed for the assembly line computers to configure some numbers at various stations

The Forge

Scrapper and the other Decepticons had been working on the new army for quite some time. Scrapper himself had overseen the wiping of the last sparks and their insertion into the lifeless bodies of this new generation of Decepticon. The last of the sparks had been placed into the spark chambers of each soldier and the bodies were sealed shut. All of them were assembled, awaiting only the infusion of energon that would bring them to life.

The Constructicon commander wasn’t quite ready to push that button. He wanted to be absolutely sure it would work. Too much was riding on this army for him to rush to activate them, no matter how badly things were going in Polyhex. He wanted one last check before throwing the situation.

He stood up from his console and looked at the other Decepticons in the Forge who had been working with him. “Alright everyone, I want a final check from everyone before we bring this army to life. Give me an affirmative or negative to throw the situation and bring these new troops to life.”

The Forge

"Not much from my end, Scrapper. Other then; eh you know, what we call it..uh transporting," sarcasticly replied Long Haul in robot form, with a hand to his head while waving to the circuit boards trying to emphisize his reply over his comm-link.

The Forge

From their respective positions both mini-spies checked the configurations, examined the assembly robots, then turned to the Constructicons with thumbs up. Both chimed in at the same time, "Infusion is a go."

The Forge

The work on Megatron's new army had proceeded with all the efficiency and professionalism that Soundwave had come to expect of the Constructicons. There was no time wasted on trivia, but no corners were cut, either. The Decepticons' task was completed with admirable speed, though the feat was perhaps not so remarkable given the extreme pressures they under which they were working.

When Scrapper made his request for a pre-activation confirmation of readiness, Soundwave's response was precise and to the point. "Affirmative," he said simply, giving the technical readouts and other data a final, close examination before offering his report. "Cerebral circuitry installed and ready for initialization."

The Forge

Scrapper nodded as all of the acknowledgements came in. It looked like everything was ready to go. After one final check of his own console, he started the series of commands that would infuse the newly minted army of Decepticons with energon and thereby bringing them all to life.

The various bits of machinery in the Forge went quiet and the lights dimmed as power was shifted over to the energon infusion systems. Scrapper knew this would happen, as this whole process would be a strain on the fortresses power core, but they needed these reinforcements as soon as possible, if the battle was going as badly as the latest reports painted it.

The only sound in the forge was the buzzing of circuits activating as energy flowed into them. If Transformers could breathe, this would be the point where Scrapper would be holding his breath. If even one of these Decepticons failed, it likely meant there was a defect in all of them. Either they would all come online or they would all have to go back for a full overhaul.

The lights came back to full brightness and the various background machinery ground back to life. The Constructicon leader glanced down at his console and then back up at the completed Decepticons. Then it happened, almost all at once their eyes flashed to life. The army was alive and functioning normally. Scrapper let out a quiet sigh before sending out an encrypted signal to Megatron informing him of the new troops’ readiness. Undoubtedly Soundwave was doing the same.

Kolkular - The Cradle

Defeat. Loss. Gettin' your tailplate stomped. Course, what else's gonna be the outcome when you have Starscream, a bunch of has-beens who think they're an elite unit, and the rest of the usual scum on your front line?

Such negativity and nastiness were precisely the stuff of Roadblock's thoughts as he examined the communications chatter and battle ROMs already feeding back to the Cradle as the struggle at Polyhex drew to a close. The imposing charcoal-and-brass Decepticon, with his spiked shoulders and permanent snarling scowl, looked like a vision out of some frightening bit of Unicronian religious art as he paced the command center. Roadblock was far, far from being a Unicronian - his loyalty to the Cause was simply too great for him to get swept up in some hokey doomsday cult - but he would have fit in. Destruction of the world. Everyone dies. That kind of good stuff.

Every time I look around seems like these Autobots are gettin' better and us 'Cons are gettin' slower. Maybe it's just there's more of 'em now, and less of us. Roadblock could remember a time when the Decepticons had the numerical advantage in almost every engagement between the two factions. Whether it was more grunts, more elites, or just more Seeker Drones, the Decepticons had the edge in numbers. These cycles, it was frequently the opposite.

Perhaps the Autobots were getting better at war. They certainly weren't the weakling bunch of former slaves and menial technicians they used to be, that was for sure. But could it have been the Decepticons were backsliding? Falling behind the curve, not keeping up with the new innovations? Roadblock sure as Pit wasn't going to fall behind, and he sure as Pit hadn't lost a step. Can't speak for the rest, though...

He watched the monitors as the Decepticons withdrew from Polyhex and the Autobots appeared to be pulling back their wounded and securing a defensive perimeter. Well, the truth will out. Either we get better, or we die.

Roadblock had no intention of seeing the latter come to pass, even if he had to crack a few Decepticon heads in the process.

Incoming Signals from Megatron

>>”Roadblock, have our repair facilities prepped to take in wounded. I will require some minor repairs but Shockwave will be arriving soon and will require massive repairs. Our new troops will also be returning with some injuries as well I expect. I will also want to hear your opinion on the Polyhex battle. You will join me in a briefing concerning it.”>"Soundwave, signal our troops in the Tagan Heights. Order them to withdraw back to Kaon immediately. They are now needed for a more important mission.”<<

The Forge

The awakening of Megatron's new army was heralded in the glow of brightening optics, a light that was reflected in the flash of Soundwave's own visor. Scrapper and his Constructicons had done well. Of all their contributions to the Decepticon Cause, this would surely be one long-remembered and lauded in the vorns of renewal and conquest which were now virtually assured. There was no higher praise in the mind of the Communications Officer than that a mechanoid exceed expectations in fulfilling their assigned duties, and that was precisely what had been accomplished here today.

Of course, that praise all went unspoken. Soundwave restricted his reaction to a short nod of satisfaction. His fellow Decepticons should be perfectly aware of the great scope of their achievement without his needing to vocalize that fact. Moreover, it was not his place to dole out such accolades. And there were other matters to which he needed to attend.

Soundwave had no sooner apprised Megatron of the activation of his new army than he received a transmission containing new instructions from the leader to whom he had pledged his allegiance. His response was one of instantaneous compliance, as was no doubt expected of the most brisk and businesslike of the Decepticons.

>>As you command, Megatron.<<

Kolkular - The Cradle

>>"On it, Lord Megatron," Roadblock acknowledged his leader's command. "I'll have the Constructicons lend a hand actuator."<< The imposing ground forces commander spun on the nearest subordinate toiling away in the Cradle.

"Get the automated repair facilities up and runnin', double-quick. And get me Scrapper on the horn," he said, setting the underling to his task. The frightened Decepticon minion gestured that he had made the comm connection to the Forge, and Roadblock made a hasty request. That done, he proceeded to Kolkular's Docking Spire to meet Megatron and the returning Decepticons.

The Forge

A message from the Cradle reached Scrapper's comm unit, marked with Roadblock's personal authorization code.

Roadblock wrote:Megatron is headin' in with casualties from the Polyhex dust-up. Says Shockwave needs massive repairs. If you can devote yourself or Hook to puttin' him back together, I'm sure ol' one-optic would be grateful. Automated med can likely handle the rest of 'em. Roadblock out.

Approaching Kolkular

Megatron chose not too comment on Starscream’s ramblings for now. He expected the accusations and whining, and likely soon, the begging and the pleading, to come from the seeker. He would be dealt with soon enough, but right now there were bigger issues to deal with, like the immediate strategic situation in Polyhex and across the planet.

Polyhex was heavily damaged and its defenses along the border closest to Nova Cronum were wrecked. On top of that a super-Autobot was standing watch in the biggest gap in the city’s defenses. On top of all of that, the city-state’s commander was in stasis lock and in need of immediate and massive repairs. Polyhex was going to be a difficult situation to reconcile, even with his new army.

Perhaps then he should use his new army to strike somewhere else? The three prototypes would be returning from their assault on the Tagan Heights shortly. They might have softened up the city-state for a follow up blow. With the Decepticons feigning a cease-fire and maybe a potential end to the war, the Autobots might relax their guard a bit; work more on repairing the damage done to the Heights than tightening security. The energon rich city-state would make a perfect target for conquering, especially with the energon needs of so many new Decepticons.

Megatron landed at the main entrance of Kolkular, the massive doors sliding open as they detected the approach of the fortress’s master. He walked briskly through the halls of the Decepticon base, ignoring the various salutes and comments from other Decepticons. He had too much on his mind to waste on such trivial acknowledgements.

Kolkular – The Cradle

Megatron entered the throne room and control center of his fortress. He took his seat as soon as Roadblock vacated it with a salute. Megatron tapped a few commands into the throne, activating some nearby repair drones that quickly moved towards him. One of the drones detached his fusion cannon, taking it aside for more intensive repairs. The rest quickly went to work on repairing the damage to his armor, sealing holes and tears and repairing dents.

“Roadblock, status report.”

The Forge

Scrapper acknowledged the signal from Roadblock and turned to the others. “Megatron is on his way back with wounded. I assume you will be heading to meet him Soundwave. The rest of you can head to the medbays and get the stasis chambers and repair systems online to handle the casualties. Shockwave is going to need some major repairs so I am going to repair the main surgical medbay.” With the orders given Scrapper walked off to begin the preparations to work on the Decepticon second in command.

Kolkular - The Cradle

After saluting and standing to return the throne of Kolkular to its usual occupant, Roadblock strode over to the main monitor controls and punched a few buttons. Vid-feeds of the Forge's various production facilities began running on the main screen, showing the 'new army' as its soldiers came online, energon filling their primary pumps and conduits.

"The Constructicons have come through again," the ground forces commander began. "That is, if these ugly sons-of-kremzeek can hold their own in a scrap. I ain't got too many doubts with Scrapper and the rest of 'em on the project, though. No doubt Scrapper will fill ya in on the details, Lord Megatron." And then, maybe I'll get to take a few dozen of these new killers out for a test-raid...

The charcoal-and-brass Decepticon punched a few more buttons and the main monitor changed to a wire-frame map of Polyhex, with certain areas illuminated to show damage from the battle or areas in which significant struggle had occurred between the Decepticons and Autobots.

"I already reviewed the battle ROMs that've come in," he continued, a hard grimace coming over his already-hard visage. "Long and short of it is, far as I can tell, we couldn't pulled that one out with every ground-pounder in the Empire on the scene."

Odd as it was for the ground forces commander to be admitting it, might on the ground alone had not been enough to carry the cycle. Devoted as he was to the art of crushing one's foe under one's treads and tires, Roadblock knew that an army was only as good as its air superiority.

"The snag in Polyhex was the Autobots got air superiority from the start and nothin' was done about it," he stated. It was clear that he was referring to a specific Decepticon.

"Your air support took a walk, Megatron. And its boss, too."

Kolkular - The Forge

"Affirmative," Soundwave said in response to Scrapper's speculation. If Megatron had returned to the last wholly-secure bastion of Decepticon power on Cybertron, then it stood to reason that the communications officer's place was at his side. He did, however, linger for a handful of moments more, checking the readings being fed into his console one last time and ensuring that there were no defects in the cerebro-circuitry of the recently-activated soldiers. Satisfied that his work had been executed to an acceptable standard, the bulky blue mechanoid turned and excused himself in silence as the Constructicons made ready to receive the casualties of the battle for Polyhex.

The Cradle

Arriving in Kolkular's control center just in time to catch the conclusion of Roadblock's assessment of the Seekers' latest failure to substantiate their notorious bravado with concrete results, Soundwave assumed his customary station near the foot of Megatron's throne. Even as his prodigious processing capacity began the laborious task of monitoring and prioritizing the substantial communications chatter in and around the seat of Decepticon authority, he kept an audio module attuned to all that went on around him. Were his services--or his input--required, then there was little doubt that he would be informed of that fact. Until then, he would attend to his regular duties.

Beyond his placid facade, however, Soundwave shared the Ground Forces Commander's frustration with the aftermath of the confrontation with the Autobots in Polyhex. And he was keenly interested in hearing Starscream's explanation for this latest fiasco. More importantly, he would be watchful for any opportunity to turn the Seeker Leader's disgrace to his own advantage.

Kolkular – The Cradle

Megatron noted Soundwave’s silent arrival. The communications officer would be useful here, both in recording the conversations and possibly reading the thoughts of the other commanders, although Megatron could already guess at what they were thinking.

“I concur with most of Roadblock’s assessment.” The sound of heavy impacts echoed throughout the chamber as the other of the Decepticon High Commanders, the massive Scorponok, entered the Cradle. “The complete lack of cohesion and leadership among our air forces forced the individual troopers to make their own tactical decisions. This did not prove effective as several attempted to assault the Maximus line instead of dealing with the attacking forces.” He glared down at Starscream, his displeasure with the seeker evident.

He looked up at Megatron. “The arrival of the reactivated Guardian shifted the battle permanently in the Autobot’s favor. If our air forces had done more damage to the Autobot ground forces, the Polyhex defenders might have been able to hold out against it until I could arrive with reinforcements, namely, the new army. As it stood, reinforcements couldn’t have arrived before the Autobots eliminated most of the remaining defenders and defenses and began to take position in Polyhex itself.”

Megatron nodded as he listened to the reports from Roadblock and Scorponok Both of the Decepticon commanders had strong points, but both also likely had axes to grind against Starscream. Of course, he had seen the seeker commander fleeing from battle himself and had to give out orders to him personally. He had already been considering replacing the power hungry little seeker and his failure this day might just give him the opportunity to do so. “So Starscream, do you have anything to add to this analysis? Or, for that matter, does anyone else?”

Kolkular - Medical shuttle

*transmission*
>>"Lord Megatron, this is Shockwave transmitting from the Medical Transport Agony on approach vector 754/025 in Kaon airspace."

"I have been reactivated at 76.86% capacity by my assistant. This will be sufficient for me to be able to deliver my debreif, if that is your command."

Shockwave looked at a viewscreen in front of him. He was always happier when he could see numbers.

"At this reduced capacity I am still computing the exact losses from the battle, but I calculate that without our required aerial support we suffered approximately 36.02% losses, 14.87% higher than hypothesised, although our total energon expenditure is evaluated at 18.43%, lower than that of the Autobots. Exact figures will be available by debrief."

Expect my arrival in 2.563 Breems. Shockwave Out.<<