The Energon Pub

Repair bay


Deciding to take a chance Torment spoke to Scourge in a hushed tone.

“With your permission sir, I would request an assignment to allow me to hunt the autobot twins.”

He paused he was not a talkative mech and his intentions dripped with revenge.

“You trained me yourself and requested my programming. Allow me to hunt them and take them down like the pathetic wastes of titanium they are.”

The Orange and charcoal Sweep stood erect once again ready to follow the lead sweep out of the repair bay. He looked once over at Discord, unsure of what she was about to do. The other Decepticons did not concern him they had their own orders that did not involve the sweeps. The drones would carry out what ever flight requirements the higher ranking cons would request. Other than Scourge himself, there was rarely a call for the talents of Discord and himself. Which freed the Halloween Sweep to do as he pleased.

Kolkular – the medical bay.

She looks at brother Torment silently as he asks for a mission of revenge, walking behind Scourge and to the other side of Torment.

Discord didn't quite feel the need to hunt the twins down as she predicts it to be tactically unsound for a variety of reasons, and possibly a waste of resources. She's sure Scourge knows this.
One of those potentially wasted resources is herself. She pulls multiple duties among the Sweeps, and enjoys every last one of them.

In other words, she's not likely to volunteer to go with Torment rather she'll bide her time for revenge on the twins as it's almost certain she'll see them again and have the opportunity to take her revenge.

Discord speaks to Commander Scourge as he begins leave without issuing orders.
"I am at your service, Commander Scourge. Anything I might do for you?" She asks in a respectful tone.
It does cross her mind that by asking for something to do she pretty much did volunteer for Torment's mission of revenge but there's always the chance she'd be sent elsewhere.

If need be she'll simply hang around Scourge making him look more important while guarding him, or hit the dining area to enjoy a chalice of oil.

Kolkular - Repair Bay

The Sweep commander listened to his subordinates, looking each over in turn. As much as the misanthropic hunter disliked the tedium that came with leadership, he understood the need to maintain discipline. Particularly during downtime between deployments. After all, the chaos hound would sooner carve out his own spark chamber with a spanner than allow his mighty Sweeps to become a listless, backbiting rabble like the Seekers.

Torment's words interested him. It was true that among the self-aware Sweeps, the garishly painted tracker was the closest to his own programming. And he was not opposed to having aid to defeat the twins. He began to form a plan.

"Very well, Torment. You may join me in the hunt. Serve me well, and the red Autobot shall be yours to kill. But the golden one is mine alone." A cold fire burned in his crimson optics. One that spoke of stern and vicious deeds to come.

"For now, go to the archives, and bring me all of the records of Sunstreaker's battles in the old arena, as well as any other data we can find on him. Always study your prey, my hound."

Discord was another matter. It was clear she wanted no part in the hunt. The hunter was not surprised. While she was a fierce combatant, she seemed to have an almost...Seeker-like love of comfort and prestige. True, such things went part and parcel with her role. But socialization in general irked Scourge. Still, he supposed it was better she deal with such matters than he. He was likely to gut someone for speaking out of turn if forced into some social activity.

However, just as he was about to dismiss her, the Sweep Leader had a better idea. "You will employ your charms in seeing that Torment gets everything he needs from those overgrown datapads in the archives. I trust you can convince those fools to be helpful."

"When this task is complete, you are free to go about your primary activity schedule. But keep an optic open, and inform me immediately if you observe anything out of the ordinary."

Scourge dismissed his underlings with a wave of his new hand, leaving for the proving grounds. He intended to test the repair drones' work himself.

Kolkular – the medical bay.

"Yes, Commander Scourge." She bows lightly, but respectfully. "The data will be compiled. All who stand in the way will soon see the error of their ways, one way or the other." She spoke confidently with a small smile on her lips.

She should have counted on Scourge going on the hunt Torment requested. Torment and Scourge are alike in many ways, and if one wanted revenge bad enough to hunt their prey down simply because they can, then so would the other.

While her role would have her seek pleasures alien to the Sweeps, Discord's role as a diplomat comes with the desire to see the Sweeps prosper and stay out of the scrap yard. Especially the commander.
But there's more than one way to protect the Sweeps than accompany them at all times, and Scourge placed her in a good position for it.
Vigilance must be maintained and after Scourge and Torment leave for the hunt she'll pretty much be the only non-drone Sweep left putting her in a prime position to bear the brunt of any ill will against the Sweeps.

She'll also be keeping her eye out for anything else unusual.

Luckily the comparison between her and a Seeker was kept to a thought. Only a few people could get away with it, Scourge one of them, and the rest would find themselves choking on their own ripped out gearboxes.

Even with a dedicated leader most of these Decepticons, including the Seekers, are back-stabbing plotters who'd sell out their comrades, and their leader in an astro-second. And they'd likely do worse towards anyone outside of their group.
Discord feels she's above the back-stabbers who are incapable of true loyalty.

She turns to Torment. "Shall we go to the archives now, Brother Torment?" Her voice is rather cheerful.

Kolkular - Archives

It was hard to distinguish Torment’s expression behind his faceplate. Noting that his face itself was one of the creepiest of all Decepticon faces. He looked so much like a scarecrow possessed by the devil himself. Burning red coals for optics narrowed as he saluted his superior. Scourge was right as he would always be. The Halloween hued sweep turned to look at Discord as he addressed him. He was well aware of her talents, she was very good at getting what she wanted. Her assistance would be ….. appreciated.

Torment strode out of the doorway and down the hall not waiting for Discord nor replying. He knew she would keep up, she was also quite fast. Perhaps not as fast as he but a respectable mover. The larger sweep stopped at the elevator shaft. Pressing the button he waited for the doors to open. After a moment the wall parted to reveal a small room of transport. He stepped inside, giving Discord a chance to catch up. Then the doors slammed shut and the elevator began its decent into the heart of the base. The doors opened again, the result was to be gentile … disappointing. Drab walls of sheet like metal and rusted bars lined the hall. The ringing clang of his footsteps echoed as he walked down the corridor.

The frightening mech came to a halt before the archive door. Popping back the top of his left index finger he produced a connection cable, which he hooked into the door’s security. A disembodied voice spoke.

>> Torment. Decepticon sweep. Number 333 model line 2. Access Granted.<<

Grunting with disgust at being recognized by a number he stepped inside leaving Discord enough room to follow. Inside were various strange computers, and 5 odd looking mechs, of older design. One looked up with an irritated expression. He held a memory pad in his hands.

“Well what do you two want? We’re extremely busy and don’t have time for your games.”

The elderly bot thought they were a new form of seeker and had been the butt of many seeker pranks in the past. His tone and words caused Torment to ball his fists. Ready to knock the crotchety old coot out. Torment spoke with great effort keeping his voice level.

“We’re here for data on an Autobot. Including his Arena records. He is called Sunstreaker. Also I would like information on his twin. Sideswipe.”

The Archive con sneered.

“And on whose orders do you receive permission to look such data up?”

Torment looked at Discord, his expression said it all. ~ Either you do something now or I WILL KILL HIM.~
This was her specialty, getting what she wanted from other mechs. She was designed for diplomacy. He on the other hand was meant to administer slow painful deaths …. hence the name Torment.

Kolkular - Medical Bay

"Will do" Said Hook, replying to Scrapper and heading over to Blastwave "So, what exactly needs doing to his combat processor? Just so that I don't need to look myself and can save us all a bit of time."


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

Kolkular - Aerodrome

"Heh yeah." Said Triggerhappy. "I remember the time they forgot to turn those things off... Not pleasant."

Triggerhappy and Astrotrain both entered the Medical Bay. Triggerhappy looked around, looking for one or all of the Constructicons. Almost immediately, he spotted Hook with Scrapper near to another Decepticon.

"There they are Astrotrain" Triggerhappy said, pointing to the two Constructicons. "Well there's Hook and Scrapper anyways."

Kolkular - Medical Bay

"What I don't get mentioned? Slaggin great..." mumbled Long Haul from beside Astrotrain with medical supplies in his arms. Walking over to Scrapper, Long Haul then dropped the supplies onto a table near the constructicon.

"I got you more supplies incase it is needed", spoke Long Haul, finally realising he just done a transport job he wasn't ordered to do.

"Slag," mumbled Long Haul as he went back to the medical cabinet.

Kolkular – The Archives.

She kept up well enough to Torment. She knew her way around Kolkular as well as anyone.

Like that's such a bad thing. She thought to herself from Torment's look. As she said, if she did not get what she want those in her way would see the error of their ways. Roughing up some mechs was always an option, though it tended to be close to the last.

She clears her throat, or some equivalent to break the tension between Torment and the Archivists. "Now, now, no need for rudeness. After all, it is we who come to your unparalleled intellects on the behalf of Scourge, and to further the Decepticon cause with your power. We assure you this is no game." She speaks to the elder mechs.

The old mechs looked skeptical at the pair of Sweeps. They address her after a moment. "Power? What would a young drone like you know of power?"

She held herself in surprising calm at being called a drone. She must have an on/off switch for her anger. She simply smiles warmly at him. "Surely it's well known that knowledge is power? In that regard how many can boast to be your match?" She knew it all too well, and spent her time gathering all the information she can.

Her reply gets a round of chuckles from the older mechs, and one replies. "You are a shameless flatterer it seems, and I bet you do well in your diplomatic role against other dimwitted bots, but I think we're a bit too old for that sort of ego stroking." There is a brief pause. "Though it's all true." He added causing the elder mechs to laugh lightly. "Still, we hadn't had a good chuckle in some time. Most coming our way are the victim of pranks from bored Decepticons bothering us for the most trivial of things, and are far less amusing in asking."
They begin pulling up the data files on the twins with some spring in their step. "I suppose your method was amusing enough to gain you a victory here. I'm sure this data will more than suffice in giving you 'power' over those Autobots."

Frag, they are insulting. I suppose I'd be insulting, too, if I lived like they do. She used that to give a genuine chuckle to join their laughter.
She smiles at Torment to gauge his reaction, as hard as it is with his mask.

Kolkular--The Cradle

In short order, Soundwave had arrived within one of the most private locations in the Decepticon fortress. Being no stranger to this area, his gait did not slow as he entered. Megatron would trust him to return to the duties that had engaged him prior to encounter on the moon. Until that changed, Soundwave had no intention of acting otherwise. Besides, he had been egarly anticipating a return to said projects. With time, he expected them to bear notable results.

Sitting down at his personal workstation, Soundwave calls up severel holoscreens. In short order, he also establishes a communications link with Reflector, who had been operating out of Polyhex under the command of Shockwave as of late.

"Project 1011-Delta. Progress report ordered," Soundwave says, as the image of Viewfinder's face appears on the screen.

>>"Images circulating as commanded. Few field operatives making more widespread dispersal a challenge. Qualitive data is difficult to obtain,"<< Reflector responds, his other components obviously feeding him statistics on the progress that had been made thus far.

Soundwave was not entirely pleased with those results. The propaganda images that had been provided to him were exceedingly valuable. He would hardly allow something such as a lack of mechpower to hinder his progress. The report would serve to initiate adjustments to his plan. In that regard alone, it was satisfactory.

"Proceed as commanded. Subsequent orders forthcoming."

Soundwave deactivates the link. If nothing else, he would use his own personal field agents to accelerate the propaganda expansion. But he would not do so at the cost of the Decepticons' military front, which was currently been engaged in multiple locales.

Kolkular - Medical Bay

"Don't worry, Long Haul...you get to come to the Tagon Heights, too," Astrotrain told his fellow materials transport specialist.

He considered himself far more useful in that role than the Constructicon, as well as a much deadlier warrior, but Astrotrain could somewhat understand the truck-'Con's frustration. Transport was neither a glamorous nor a frequently exciting function, but it was necessary. And if the enemy showed up and tried to keep you from doing your job...all the better. It was something to interrupt the monotony.

As Hook approached with typical arrogance and impatient, Scrapper merely smiled behind his faceplate. Ahhh, the curse of genius! It is a difficult burden to bear, isn't it, old friend? One can hardly fault you for being a mite testy now and then, eh?

"Our young friend Blastwave seems to have a faulty sigil-recognition subroutine," he told Hook. "It's making him see Autobots where there simply aren't any."

Kolkular - Medical Bay

"Heh. Oops. Didn't see you there Long Haul" said Triggerhappy awkwardly, scratching the top of his head.
Triggerhappy turned to face Astrotrain. "So, when do we leave?" He asked.

"Ha! First time for everything then I suppose" Said Hook, replying to Scrapper's description of Blastwave's affliction. "Make sure you stay still Blastwave, you don't need this being any more painful then its gonna be by moving and having me sever some connection to your logic circuits." Hook said, rather unsympathetically. 'Not that it seems you have any at the moment anyway' He thought as he started work on Blastwave's sigil-recognition subroutine.

Kolkular – The Archives

Totment raised an eyebrow to Discord’s tactical schmoozing. He had never actually been in the room while she worked. He found her ploy interesting, very different from the usual Decepticon way of performing. She had with held her anger where Torment clearly would have acted openly. He only held back because he had given her the stage and did not want to interfere with her magic.

The old mechs prompted the systems and files as old as they were. One by one they pulled the information forward. Each file contained detailed secrets about each autobot. Torment held out a hand moving his fingers in an impatient gesture signaling the arcane Decepticons to relinquish the files to him, just as the elder closest to Discord had been in motion to place the file in her hand. It was not that Torment did not want Discord to have the file it was only that he was impatient to open them himself. Moodily he snatched Sunstreaker’s file from the decrepit file keeper. And flung open the cover. Inside was an old looking data pad. Again Torment flipped back the tip of his finger and connected the cable to the file. He downloaded the files entire content in mere astro seconds, flinging the file sleeve and data pad back at the elder mech. The old con cast Discord a pained look. She had been much more pleasing than her, Halloween painted brother. He handed the file to his fellow trading it for Sideswipe’s info. Skillfully the graying robot flipped the file at Torment who caught it with an impressive flip of his wrist. The sweep proceeded to download the file and returned it with much less hostility. The elder mech nodded. Then looked at Discord.

“Any time you need a file do not hesitate to visit us.”

The old mech was earnest with her as he turned away to join his fellows. Torment grunted.

“Nice job. I was impressed. Lets get out of this pit hole.”

The larger sweep turned to lead the femme back into the corridor, now to find Scourge.

>>Scourge sir, were on our way up. I have what we need.<<

Kolkular – The Archives.

She bows to the elder mechs showing them some respect. It might help keep relations good. "I do appreciate your lending of power."
Discord made note that she should be the one to deal with them in the future. Especially since they took somewhat of a shine to her. Makes things oh so much easier. Angering them will just anger the next sweeps that come, and that'll anger them, and it won't be pretty soon.
She takes the pads incase Scourge wants the information directly. She'll probably take in the data, too. "I'll be back to return these." She smiles at the elder mechs.

Then she looks at the impatient Torment somewhat amused by this facet of his personality.
"Yes, lets not keep Commander Scourge waiting." Judging by Torment's actions Scourge REALLY hated waiting.

She lets him lead on.

"I'd like to offer some words of wisdom as well, as I do care for yours, and Scourge's safety." She looks at Torment with some caring in her optics.

"It probably goes without saying that the Twins are highly unlikely to be alone. Other Autobots will likely enter the fight if they can even if their help isn't needed. It's best to stalk them until they're alone, and -always- watch your backs for other Autobots."

She looks ahead. "It's not always their fighting prowess that keeps them a thorn in our sides, but it's that camaraderie they all adore. They're so quick to help each other, and that often gives them the numbers advantage." Her tone is methodical a moment before she chuckles to lighten the mood, then continues. "I'm certain you'll come out victorious. When you are, maybe you two will be kind enough to bring me visuals of their deaths? I'll be here doing the boring socializing and surveillance over those who'd seek to harm our group and I'd adore the sight of their demise as a present." She looks at him with a large smile.

She didn't speak like she hated being stuck doing the boring work. It's as important as the hunt, but it's not nearly as exciting. She knows that. They know that.
It's so wonderful to be purpose built sometimes.

Kokular - Medical Bay

Blastwave repeated his diagosis to Hook.

"My combat processor isn't recognizing the difference between Autobot and Decepticon sigils. Earlier, My processor tipped me off that a Autobot, or, according to it, something that belonged tot he autobots, was hiding in one of the rooms downstairs. I guess that was a mistake. And i embarrased myself in front of supreior decepticons."

Blastwave remained still and quiet, and let Hook fix his processor.

Kokular - Medical Bay

"Uh huh." said Hook in reply to what Blastwave had said.

A few moments later, Hook was done.

"There. Good as new. Better even I'd say. Shouldn't give you any more grief. If it does though, come and find me and I'll try and fix it again. Understand?" Hook said to Blastwave, but before giving him a chance to answer, Hook whirled around to look at Scrapper. "So, what needs doing now?" He asked.

Kolkular - Medical Facilities

"It appears we've done our good deeds for the orn," Scrapper told Hook and Long Haul. "And with the wounded from the moon sortie taken care of, we can now get moving."

The engineer looked to Astrotrain and Triggerhappy. "Whenever you're ready, gentlemechs."

Astrotrain nodded, and exited the Medical Facilities, heading back toward the Aerodrome. Scrapper followed, along with Scavenger, Bonecrusher, and Mixmaster.

"Let's get the Pit out of here," the Triplechanger said. "The sooner we get back to the front, the better...am I right, Long Haul?" He gave the other materials transport mech a comradely swat on the shoulder.

Kolkular - Proving Grounds

Scourge the tracker flew over the enormous stretch of land that served as the Decepticon capital's proving grounds. He had come here to test his newly refurbished limbs. And the meticulous and obsessive Sweep Leader was not merely content with the repair drones' diagnostics. Nor even a normal test flight. No, he had decided the only true assessment of the repairs was a full stress and performance evaluation.

Thus for the past several breems he had run through every combat technique and aerial maneuver in his memory banks. It was a rather impressive list. But he had prey to hunt, and he would settle for nothing less than perfection from every one of his systems. Finally satisfied, the hunter returned to the massive fortress of Kolkular itself.

As he arrived at in the landing bay, he received a transmission from Torment. The Sweep had found the data he required. Excellent. Perhaps he would be giving the Golden Autobot's twin to his hound after all. Opening a secure channel, he replied laconically to his subordinate.

<Bring it to me.>

In his own twisted mind, Scourge was already hunting.

Kokular - Medical Bay

Blastwave got up and followed Scrapper and the other decepticons out of the medical bay.

He addressed all of the decepticons, "Excuse me, what will I do now?"

Kolkular - Medical Facilities

Looking up towards Astrotrain, Long Haul made no move, on removing the hand. "You bet your trailpipe", replied Long Haul smiling a little.

Kolkular - Hanger bay

Torment replied.

>>Yes Sir.<<

He glanced back at Discord and slowed his pace to a respectable walk. He needn’t draw attention to them as they moved through the facility. He approached the landing bay and his optics caught the form of his commander just inside.

He nodded to Discord and then entered stopping in front of Scourge and giving him a salute.

“I have downloaded the data into my systems, Discord has the records if you would like to receive them. Or I can holoproject them for study if you wish.”

Kokular - en route to Aerodome

Aftershock, sensing a chance to finally see some action again, followed his fellow Decepticons on their way to the Aerodome. He approached them as Blastwave finished his question.

"Yes... what might we do? Are you by any chance on your way to a battle?"

Aftershock was shaking with anticipation. He had just spent what seemed like an eternity doing pointless jobs for his superiors, and a battle meant a chance to finally do something important.

"Might a sniper be of some use to you?"

Kolkular – Hangar Bay

She kept up, and kept a similar pace to Torment.

She bows before Scourge awaiting his wants, offering the data pads to Scourge should he decide on the data pad option.

Kokular Med Bay0

Rancid's face was left blank. It seemed that Aftershock had just immediately forgot what was going on and left him.

What in the Pit just happened?! he thought to himself.

Quickly gaining back his composure he had noticed that everyone had left to go on a wild Autobot chase. He had no interest in such trivial things and returned to wandering off into the hallways...

Kolkular - Hangar Bay

Scourge envisioned his final victory over Sunstreaker as he awaited his hounds. It would be glorious. First, the hunter would remove the wretched Autobot's limbs one by one. Then he would tear open Sunstreaker's primary neural plexus. The Sweep Commander would scratch at the delicate wiring of the prey's pain receptor relays with his claws, severing them one filament at a time.

The prey would be held in his grasp, forced to watch as Torment duplicated the act upon its twin, Sideswipe. The red Autobot would be allowed to expire first, so that the prey would have to witness every agonizing twitch as the smoke escaped from its sibling's ruptured optics.

Lastly, just before he carved out the prey's spark core and ate it, Scourge the tracker would scar the vain Autobot's face as he himself had been scarred. Then, the golden one's spark would be his, propelling him ever closer to Primus.

So enthralled by this dream was Scourge that he did not notice his minions' approach until they were a mere four hundred meters away. Silently chastising himself for his indulgent inattention, Scourge acknowledged his subordinates.

He took the datapad from Discord, scanning the contents briefly. "You have done well," he informed the pair. "Discord. You may do as you please until further notice," he ordered the femme. "But remember my other command. Watch. Listen. Report. You are dismissed."

"Come, Torment. We shall retire to my quarters to study the data. We have a hunt to plan, my hound."

And prey to devour.

Kolkular – The Landing Bay

She puts on a smile "By your command." She bows gracefully to Scourge.

She held some envy for her commander, and brother. The glory of the hunt, and seeing her hated enemy ripped apart?
The thought of dissecting the twins, and taking them apart while they lived and then melting their gearboxes and manifolds down into paperweights made her mouth water.

But she is capable of doing what few Sweeps can. She can put aside her desire to hunt, and a glory seeking ways for the good of others. And she must do this again. She does so without complaint showing some considerable inner strength to fight against the nature of the Sweeps.

She turns to leave, and walks away from the pair eager to dig up some interesting tidbits of information.
She decide that while she may not be able to hunt down the twins, she can still hunt those who would seek to harm the Sweeps.
Any odd happening would not escape her attentions either.

She looked forward to following the order.