The Energon Pub

Heading for repairs

Blitzwing nodded and saluted then turned away. He knew Rampage and Ruination would have already sought the benefit of rest and recharge. He did not seek them out, instead he headed for the repair bay. As he approached the door he open a private link to the femme called Sramble, he had already made the mistake of displaying his dysfunction in front of the commander he did not need to broadcast his problems any further.

>

Dizziness washed over him as he steadied himself on a gurney. He had gotten stuck in mid-transformation a few times before but never had he felt like this. It was so bad it almost appeared to affect his personality. He had not felt this way before the mission, come to think of it he only felt this way after he touched that scavenger.

Shockwave's Tower

As her commander moved on to more urgent concerns, Rapture allowed her thoughts to turn inwards. The inevitable confrontation with the Giant Guardian weighed on her mind, as did the state of the city around her. But two matters occupied her more than any others. The first, the debacle at the Maximus Line and what it meant for the Seekers. The second, Gallows' killer.

The former would have to wait until she could speak with Starscream. But there was one Decepticon in the tower that might be able to help her identify the former. She set out to find Bludgeon.

Finding the Swordmaster in one of the tower's briefing rooms, she approached him cautiously, keeping her distance. He had a violent reputation, and one well earned. She spoke with respect and a cool professionalism.

"Master Bludgeon. I have a question for you. I seek an Autobot who wields a sword, wields it as a master."

Her face became harder, her voice cold and venomous.

"I intend revenge."

Shockwave's Tower

As Rapture entered, Nightraid turned his head noticing her.
The red and black Seeker saluted as he turned to her.
His lower face hidden by a faceplate. He than took back a step allowing her to pass easily.

Bludgeon didn't immediately reply. It was as if he was asleep, still in a kind of meditative stance but after she spoke his vizorlike eyes glowed to life seemingly.
Slowly his face turned to Rapture and he spoke with his low voice "Tell me about this Autobot... and this desire for revenge" he said, strangily interested.

Shockwave's Tower

Rapture forced herself to call up those last, painful moments with her lover. It was almost unbearable, but she understood that if she wanted her vengeance, she would need every ounce of data she could remember. She considered omitting certain facts- her relationship with Gallows was not common knowledge. But in the end she decided that Bludgeon was more likely to help if she answered him honestly. When she finally replied her voice was quiet and laced with hatred.

"This Autobot slew my lover, Gallows. We had been ambushed, our losses were heavy. Gallows ordered me to take the survivors to the rally point. As much as I wanted to stay, I knew my duty." Her optics became hollow and distant as she described the sight of her beloved's body.

"By the time I returned, the killer was gone. The broken shells of his soldiers surrounded my consort's ruined form. None but their leader had escaped." Pride in Gallow's heroism curled her mouth into a momentary smile.

"As for the Autobot himself, I never got a clear look at him. I can tell you he was taller than his troops, and broad shouldered. He had a central crest upon his head. His blade was about two thirds his height, straight and double-edged." As she finished her description, her optics met the Metallikato Master's.

"You asked about my desire for revenge. That is a simple question. I will repay him in kind." Her voice became stronger, more sinister. "He shall pay for his cowardly ambush tenfold! I will destroy that which he treasures most, and then he shall die by my hand!" She clenched her fist, as if in demonstration.

"So, Master Bludgeon. Can you tell me anything of my quarry?"

Shockwave's Tower

Bludgeon listened in complete silence as Rapute spoke. Unmoving and seemingly uncaring.
"Vengeance and a desire to utterly destroy your foes?" he said.
"Most commendable... apparently my old pupil had some good taste after all" he said to Rapture with his grim voice.
"There are several Autobots that are deadly with the sword. Grimlock for instance but the crestcomment makes me suspect it was the Autobot known as Springer" he said. "Lacking in the brutality so common in the Dinobotcommander." he said.
"Tell me... you would recognize him yes?" he added.
He stepped forward.
Nightraid watched the two as Bludgeon walked to a comp and pushed some buttons... an image of Springer popped up.
"Is this the one?" the old swordmaster said devoid of any emotion.

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

A lone midnight blue and black seeker with orange wings stood motionless in the far back of the command center - observing as various Decepticons made their way in and out of the command center by Onslaught's orders. Radiating a hostile, ill-humored aura - Dirge and his morose, stoic presence was noticed by all and aside few of the bravest ones most of his fellow Decepticons tried to act like he didn't even exist. A mechanism of self-defence against the shivering feeling of fear Dirge radiated around himself. Fear, that Dirge was familiar with all too well.

He was well aware Onslaught kept him in the command center by nominal excuse of a bodyguard against possible hostility towards the Combaticon. Yet the true reason behind his guard duty was more likely the fact that his presence made other Decepticons uneasy and downright uncomfortable, making them act faster with reporting and accepting orders. Dirge didn't really care, he was rather on this faux guard duty than on the field too close to the migthy Autobot guardian. Omega Supreme truely rattled his composure.

For all it was worth, his skills and weapons were more or less ineffective against the enormous sentinel. Indeed, it was way out of his league. At least here he knew given the chance of first strike he could take out any of these 'cons from afar if problems arose. For that he had enough firepower and skill as a sharpshooter, melee combat was another thing and something he didn't prefer anyhow. Regardless, everything seemed to be working just fine for Onslaught so observing was more than enough for now.

Shockwave's Tower

Rapture's optics narrowed as she gazed at the image.

"Yes. That is him. Springer, you say?" The midnight Seeker moved closer, examining the face of her enemy. Burning it into her memory. She would devour every scrap of data she could find on this Autobot. But for now, she needed to recharge and focus on other matters. Her revenge would require greater patience and emotional control than she could muster currently; at least when it came to Gallows. She turned to face the other Decepticons present.

"Master Bludgeon, thank you for your aid. I must now recharge and return to duty. I shall search the databases for mention of this Springer and contemplate what must be done. I require time to grieve, so that I may plan my enemy's downfall with a mind unclouded by loss." Her tone returned to that of a cold, professional commander.

"There is a great deal of restructuring necessary to consolidate our remaining forces. I am currently looking for trustworthy warriors to for a new Squadron. I intend it to be a mixed Aerial and Ground unit, designed for special operations. If you are interested, speak with me again once I have submitted my plan to my superiors. I would be honored to have you." She nodded to Nightraid.

"You as well, Nightraid. Though if you prefer it, I would be willing to submit a recommendation for you for any squadron you wish. Quantum is here as well, and there is no finer Squadron Leader amongst the Seekers."

That said, with a nod towards each warrior, the femme left for her quarters.

Shockwave's Tower

"If it gets me involved in battle... fine by me" the Master of Metalikato said with his gravelike voice.
Nightraid saluted but Bludgeon had simply returned to his contemplation... or was it a meditation?

Nightraid frowned if that was possible, the Seeker Tactician wasn't sure wether it was good news or not. Transfer meant he'd nço longer lead any Seekers on the other hand he'd be part of a more Elite unit. The tactician finally shrugged lightly he'd have to wait and see.
"When are we going to get any orders?" he said softly. He was sure plenty of Decepticons were out there doing their duties as they sat here doing nothing.

En Route to Shockwave's Tower

Engines roaring, Dunehopper swooped down to rooftop-level as he broke formation to have a better look at Polyhex. Much of the city lay in ruins, but it remained an impressive example of a Transformer city, sprawling yet largely efficient due to the millennia-long reign of Shockwave. Still, Dunehopper's grasp of history was not very good. Slaggin' dump. At least there might be Empties to shoot at if we don't have 'Bots to kill all the time. He dearly hoped for the latter, but would settle for the former. Everyone screamed just the same when Dunehopper dropped a firestorm bomb on the neighborhood, whether he wore an Autobot sigil or not.

Pulling back up to match altitude with the others, Dunehopper wondered what Polyhex would have in store for them.

"Man, I hope we get to attack the 'Bots in Nova Cronum. Please, please, please let us attack the 'Bots!"

Dunehopper was not a difficult mechanoid to please.

Shockwave's Tower - Underground Terminal

Pulling into the Tower's connection to the rest of Polyhex's mag-lev rail system, Astrotrain waited to let his passengers - Thundercracker, Skywarp, and Warthog - disembark before he transformed into robot mode.

"End of the line. Looks like we made it."

He opened a commlink to Onslaught.

>>"Team One back. No casualties to report, mission successful."<<

With that, Astrotrain left the Terminal to refuel and repair.

(OOC - If/when the other Team One players get back to posting, they can start here.)

En Route to Shockwave's Tower

Ghost was pleased that Starscream had no objections, he had also noticed the unease in which the commander had answered him but that was to be expected and so it was not held against the other seeker, as it was such a common reaction. He held his position taking note of the three femcons and the two other male seekers in formation behind him. When they landed Ghost would make his presence known to them For now his mind wandered listening to the whispers of dead decepticons ands tortured victims of various battles and failed experiments preformed by Megatrons lackeys. But the strongest voices of the dead were the seekers hissing in and out of his sensors foreboding warnings concerning these new flying emissaries of Megatron. One voice intrigued Ghost as it whispered a tactical Phrase. ~ “””Find their Weakness.”””~

Perhaps later he would share this with their leader for it was something Ghost himself could do. To spy out the weakness of the sweeps would be a pivotal step in the endurance of the seekers. He watched as Dunehopper broke and regrouped.

“Anxious aren’t you gold plated one?”

OOC- Thanks for being patient with us J Writer!

Shockwave's Tower

Skywarp hopped out of Astrotrain's cargo and immediately took a hugh sigh. "I guess there's no place like home, especially after a mission..."

He walked to the medical bay and quickly repaired. After that, he walked to his quarters. His decided to take advantage of the rest before receiving another assignment. Yet, as much as he tried to ignore it, Rapture had chosen Warthog to be leader in spite of him. He knew that he must prove himself to her and the rest of the Decepticons in order to be taken seriously. As he opened the door to his room, he muttered under his breath:

"It's time to show 'em what I'm made of..."

Nearing Shockwave's Tower

Man, this guy gives me the creeps! Dunehopper thought and nearly shuddered as Ghost flew up next to him. He's like...made of glass or something, and talks to himself all the time. Weirdo. Freak.

"Uh, yeah. I'm always ready to slag someone!" he answered with enthusiasm. "I just hope I get some good squadron-mates once Starscream organizes us again."

Dunehopper assumed that once they arrived in Polyhex, their brilliant leader Starscream would form the unit into the three-Seeker squadrons in which they almost always operated. He didn't really care who he flew with, so long as they could pull their weight in a fight. That was why he had loved being an Intruder. Everyone in those squadrons could fight! 'Course, everyone having a multi-missile launcher sure helped...

"So, uh, Ghost...you got any squadron mates in mind? I mean, other than your imaginary ones?"

He chuckled at his own joke, like any good idiot does.

Approaching Shockwave's Tower

Largely indifferent to Dunehopper's critique of the state of Polyhex--or the in-flight antics of any of the other Decepticons trailing along in his wake like Hydrian dartfish--Starscream concerned himself primarily with his plans to rally the Seekers he had left behind when he'd followed Megatron to Kaon to work damage control. Most had little reason to love him personally, but even the dullest among them had to acknowledge his tenacity in the face of ill-fortune. And once he was done spinning his take on the imminence of the Sweep menace for their benefit, there was little doubt in his mind that his hold over the Seekers would be more secure than ever.

Much as it might have galled him, he would require all their myriad talents and self-centered desire to achieve if he were going to assume his rightful place in the Decepticon hierarchy.

>>Attention, Tower Control,>This is Seeker Commander Starscream inbound with escort. Prepare the main hangar bay to receive us.<<

Shockwave's Tower - Barracks

Having secured a quiet, isolated corner for himself in the largely-deserted troop quarters of the Tower, Dead End had settled down with a clean scrap of fabric and a powerful cleansing solution. There were few things that could lift the despairing Stunticon from his militantly gloomy state of mind, but his rigorous cleaning regimen certainly came close. His optics fairly sparkled beneath his visor as he scrubbed away at the grit and grime tarnishing his exterior plating with a zeal not normally seen in Dead End outside of close combat.

It was nice to be able to concentrate on restoring his finish to its usual pristine perfection without his oafish teammates around to tease him about it. Honestly. They acted as though proper grooming were something to be ashamed of, the hooligans. He was well rid of them all. Dead End only hoped they had the basic decency to stay wherever it was they presently were--and remain far, far away from him.

His existence might not be significantly improved by their absence, but it surely was no more the worse for it, either.

Approaching Shockwave's Tower

Dragonfly listened silently as Dunehopper replied to Ghost’s remark. Where had he come from??? The name Ghost seemed to be appropriate for their latest arrival. Dragonfly hated the thought of someone other than himself being able to come and go as he pleased. Such abilities could cause trouble for the ex-Intruder leader sometime down the road if he ever found himself facing Ghost, which could very well be a possibility in the future at some point, as Dragonfly had an uncanny knack for alienating his own allies with his insatiable greed.

“What I wouldn’t give to be blasting holes through those Sweeps right now. I’d really love to see them melted down for scrap,” Dragonfly chuckled, inviting himself into Dunehopper and Ghost’s conversation, even though it didn’t even involve the subject of the Sweeps.

Dragonfly never believed for an astrosecond that those scrubs could be an effective match for the Seekers. Even now, as the Seekers situation worsened day by day, he still didn’t believe it; he was just waiting for the chance to prove his hypothesis to Megatron and make him see the error of his ways. Of course, no one, even Dragonfly was bold enough to verbally state that Megatron was faulty in any way, if there ever were such an individual he would surely be vaporized instantly.

Dragonfly let out a sigh, as he wondered what was in store for him and the other Seekers in this latest mission. He was sure that all would be revealed once they landed in Polyhex, but even so, the former Intruder was beginning to get a little impatient. Let’s get on with it! I’ve got mechanisms that need killing!

Approaching Shockwave's Tower


Dunehopper’s snide remark did not bother Ghost in the least, he had heard such many times before. And still those who made these remarks could not hold a candle to his skills nor his almost perfect predictions. The transparent seeker considered the question for a moment his rank was higher due to his responsibilities of working alone but here he was not sure of how things would iron out.
>

Ghost’s body fluctuated and for a fleeting moment he appeared whole and solid only to return to his matter deprived state. His optics flashed as he controlled the unwelcome feeling that accompanied the flux.

>

With the flux in his physical state the femmes and Dragonfly were sure to know of his presence. Their approach to such a death-saturated area had overwhelmed him with the cries of the dead. And he had lost his concentration. He did not worry over this for this is what he was and he accepted it as such.

Suddenly Dragonfly’s voice became part of their interaction. Ghost eyed him briefly, the rash Intruder was not intimidating to the unworldly seeker. Dragonfly was simply another live spark to be handled like the others.
His voice carried hauntingly to the brazen seeker.

>

Ghost could hear the voices whispering urgent demanding and powerful. They wanted to attack the living sparks of Starscream’s escort, but could not materialize to do so. Many were very angry with the seeker commander, but Ghost ignored their biased hate. He did however pay dear attention to the commanders speaking to him. For they were about to enter another war from within.

Approaching Shockwave's Tower

"Waaaah!" Jadewind yelled with surprise and fright mixed as the transparent, fading form that was the Seeker named Ghost appeared in front of her in the formation. Or maybe he had already been there, and she just failed to notice. What was certain, that it was so sudden that Jadewind was scared enough to forget to maintain thruster output for a micron, throwing her a few meters off course.

"Whazza matter, Jade? Scared of ghosts, eh?" Hellion chuckled in tease at her squadron leader as she made a slight tilt to avoid collision with the disoriented green-grey tetrajet.

"Cut the slag, glitch! That slaggin' air creep is the only one who could beat those junkhead Sweeps in slaggin' freakingness!" Jadewind spat towards the stealth flier in her high-pitched voice that tore and creaked into audio receptors, then slowly moved back into formation.

Nightraven glided across the airspace of Polyhex below the others, preferring to maintain position of relative solitude. Being a stealth recon craft herself, she rather admired the abilities of his Seeker mate Ghost. Though while the strong point of the nearly invisible Seeker was the ability to proceed unnoticed visually, Nightraven's field was silence. Silence was a friend, an ally. And a very good one at that.

As fast as they were in the skies, the Seekers approached the massive tower in the center of what was still standing of Polyhex, and awaited landing clearance.

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

"You honor me" Quantum respectfully nodded as the femme seeker left them. His attention turned back at the aggressive-passive conversation between the Combaticon and the Corrupticon.

"Something like that" Bane replied, making sure that Onslaught understood that the answer was given and no more questions on that regard was adviseable.
At the same time, Thrall and Havok entered the Command Center and instinctly walked firmly towards their fellow Corrupticon, their menacing stature making most of the other mechs nearby uneasy. There was a good reason why the Corrupticons had taken these forms. To be effective shocktroopers and moralebreakers, they had to install fear into their opponents.
"So wats the fuzz, boss?" Thrall asked with his familiar rumbling voice that buzzed once in a while due to the damage he had taken earlier against Juggernaut. He looked at Bane and Onslaught to get some answers.

OOC- this scene was created as a collaboration of Tas and I...its part of our sub-story.

Shockwave’s Tower- Personnel Quarters

Skywarp had made up his mind. His words echoed in his head persistently. It's time to show 'em what I'm made of... They seemed to hypnotize him, making him more determined to be a better warrior, a better leader. He looked around his room hoping to find a clue as to where to start.

His eyes eventually fell upon an old box in his storage closet. A circuit closed in his head, and he grabbed the box. He pulled out an old, dusty 2-D photograph. It had been taken in his academy days. In the picture, he stood side by side with his two best friends: Thundercracker and Rapture. This is a sign. To be respected, I have to give respect to those who have earned it. I have lost a good friend over jealousy and stubbornness. They were always with me before, and if I want to be better, I will need them with me again. With the guidance of his old photograph, he got in his feet. Leaving his room with his head hanging, he walked towards Rapture's quarters.

Rapture was contemplating the image of Springer that Bludgeon had provided when she heard the knock. The femme raised her head, shutting the holoimager off. "Enter.”

A part of Skywarp wanted to pull him back, to keep hating his old friend. Yet, another part was suddenly filled with nervousness and embarrassment. He hesitated for what seemed like 10 mega-cycles, and then slowly he pushed the door open into Rapture's quarters. “We need to talk..."

The femme nodded slowly. "Yes. We do." Thundy told him, she thought.

He kept his head slightly lowered and avoided looking into Rapture's eyes. Then he spoke slowly, his words hesitating to show his great discomfort with what he was about to say. Yet, he tried to sound with his normal tone to hide his feelings, but it didn't work well.
“Well...uh...we, I mean I...haven't really been, uh..." Then, he let go and forgot his feelings of inadequacy for a short moment. "...I'm sorry..." Immediately his embarrassment returned, making lower his gaze to the ground almost involuntarily.

Rapture was surprised, to say the least. She had thought he meant about Gallows. "Oh. I see." The femme shook her thoughts away, focusing on the former friend before her. "Sorry? For what?"

He was struck dumb. He didn't know what to say. He glanced at her light red optics for a split second before returning his gaze to the floor. "I was...a real big, you know...pain in the gears...And..." His level of discomfort rose rapidly.

Rapture looked directly at Warp. "Yeah. I guess you have at that. But I never understood why. We used to be friends. What happened?"

Skywarp kept his optics to the floor. "I was...jealous...stubborn...You had everything...Skill. Speed. Smarts. Respect. Love. And...Commander Gallows...He always gave you his attention!" Anger could be noted in his voice. It seemed to dominate his embarrassment. He finally was able to look at her eyes. "He always thought you were the best! He always complimented you, talked to you, always made you the model of a perfect soldier of our squadron! You had his approval. I was never a good enough soldier, even though you and I were the best. But he always liked you more...I was jealous, because I wanted to be in the spotlight..."

The blue femme absorbed Warp's speech. It made sense. She prided herself on her powers of observation; but the reason she had lost her friend had escaped her notice for all these vorns. Until now. She shook her head. "You have always been a good soldier, Warp! It wasn't until you started acting out that you ran into trouble."

"Well, trouble at least put me in the spotlight. Everyone would laugh and joke with me. I was accepted. But... nobody respected me..."

"Respect has to be earned," she replied. Then it hit her. He hasn’t heard. He doesn’t know. She closed her optic shutters for a moment, steadying herself. "And as for Gallows..." her voice almost broke. “Warp...He's dead."

The news hit him as if Megatron himself had shot him in the chest. "Wha--...dead? But how?!"

"It was the leader of those Autobots that hit us. Gallows killed them all...except him," The blue femme explained.

"Who was that? The one with the sword?"

"Yes. By the time I went back, Gallows was dead." It was easier than the first few tellings. Time had turned her pain to anger. "I found out his name today. Springer." The word was a curse as it came from her lips.

Skywarp didn't know what to think. He had eventually grown to hate Gallows, and Rapture as well. He tried to remember ‘Choker’ in the most positive way he could. But all that came to his mind was the constant disapproval he felt. A sudden feeling of jealousy came to him when he looked at Rapture, but he suppressed it, glaring at the floor. Even though he used to idolize his late commander, thinking about memories of him made him full of resentment. The black Seeker absorbed the Autobot’s name. Springer.

He knew that this must be terrible for Rapture. He looked at her face, studied her expression. It was a mixture of grief, sadness, and anger. A rush of affection came through him. The kind you only felt when you saw one of your own in pain. Almost automatically, he walked up to her. Hesitatingly, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Rapture was not used to such displays. However, for some reason she didn't pull away.

Discomfort and embarrassment came back to Skywarp. He removed his hand from her shoulder and took a step backwards. "Umm...well...I just wanted to say that I'm sorry...I'll leave you alone now." He turned and walked towards the door.

"Wait!" Rapture called.

Skywarp halted and turned his head. "Yes?"
"I'm glad you came, Warp. We need to put all that behind us. Start fresh. Things are bad, Warp. I've seen the data. The casualty reports. We can't afford to keep each other at arm's length anymore."

Skaywarp shrugged. "Yeah well...I wanted to tell you something else. Besides, you know...that I was sorry..."

Rapture tilted her head to the side. "I'm listening."

"I...I..." His optics focused on the ground again. The words barely came out. "I want...to be better. I want...respect..."

The femme was a bit surprised. This would work out better than she hoped. "Good. Because I'm putting the squadron back together. And you're going to be my XO."

He was taken by surprise. "What?"

"You heard me. I'm giving you command of the second wing. You've earned it, and it's time the others saw what you're really capable of."

"But...I've never really been leader of anything. You were. I only have ideas of how to lead, not any experience."

"Well then now's the time to start gaining it."

"You can do the job. I wouldn't offer it if I thought otherwise."

"Thanks!" He was filled with great joy. Usually, he would do something stupid to show it, but he was trying to be a new person, a soldier. Immediately, he stopped. Yet, he still could not hide his arrogance, but it was not the same arrogance everyone was used to. It was the kind he carried in his academy days. The days when he and Rapture were recognized as the best. "Of course I can do it! I don't know why anyone would think otherwise!"

Rapture smiled. It was good to the Warp again as he once was- a hotshot headed for the top. "Then let's show them. I need to speak with Starscream. Once that's done, we'll talk roster. Most of the old gang is spread pretty thin, but we'll get Thundy for sure."

"Good. We'll get the trio back together..."

This widened her smile. "I assume you'll take him for your wingman? I'm thinking I want scramble for mine. I'm planning a new kind of air/ground unit. I think it will help strengthen our ties with the ground-pounders. We'll talk about it "more once I've had it approved."

Skywarp smiled as he saluted her and turned his back to her as he opened the door to the hallway. He stopped, looking back at her as he said, "I will do my best..."

When he arrived at his quarters, he took the picture of him and his friends, cleaned it, and placed it on his wall. He looked at his once more before plugging himself into the computer to study the strategies used by both sides in previous battles.

Inside his head echoed the words: It's time to show 'em what I'm made of...

Approaching Shockwave's Tower

"HahahahaHAHAHA!" came a peal of wild laughter from Dunehopper as Jadewind freaked out at Ghost's appearance. "Oh my Primus, you should've seen yourself, Jadewind...that was slaggin' hilarious!"

As the Seekers circled above Shockwave's Tower, awaiting landing clearance, the ex-Intruder wondered what was in store for them once they landed.

"I heard the Autobots have their pet Omega Sentinel roaming around the border," he said to no one in particular. "Think maybe we'll get a crack at him?"

Now that's a fight I wouldn't wanna miss!

After receiving Starscream's request, the automated defense systems of the Tower verified his Decepticon sigil code as well as the codes of the other Seekers and then transmitted a response.

>>"Seeker Commander Starscream, you are cleared for landing in the main Hangar Bay. Welcome to Polyhex."<<

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

"Something like that," Onslaught echoed Bane's words thoughtfully. He had not missed the implied threat in the other Decepticon's evasive response, but he kept both his understanding and his mounting irritation tightly under control. The last thing that he was interested in at the moment was a battle of wills with an unruly functionary. But even so, he could hardly afford to allow such a blatant flouting of his authority to go unanswered. It was a simple matter of military discipline.

He was distracted for a moment by an automated alert from Tower Control announcing the arrival of Starscream and a few other flyers. Had he been a mech of less restraint, Onslaught might have pressed his palms to the side of his head in frustration--and to prevent his cranial unit from flying apart. That pompous, preening Seeker was absolutely the last Decepticon on the planet that he wanted to deal with at the moment.

Well. One crisis at a time. That was the only way to ensure things continued to function in an acceptably efficient manner.

The Combaticon's optics turned the Thrall and Havok. The larger of the two appeared to be in need of repairs, and both could probably do with refueling before they could be expected to participate in combat operations at maximum effectiveness, but Onslaught wasn't prepared to dismiss them quite yet. "Bane and I were just discussing your failure to return to base or communicate your status to headquarters when ordered," he said evenly. "Perhaps one of you would care to share your insights into the situation? It could hardly fail to be more illuminating than Bane's report thus far."

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar Bay

"That's enough fun and games," Starscream admonished Dunehopper, Jadewind, and Ghost lightly. Keeping up morale was one thing, but the boisterous antagonism that usually existed between any two Seekers could erupt into a genuine altercation at any time, and that was more than he cared to bother with at the moment. "Now it's time to take stock of our situation. Alert the others to the threat we're facing. And, of course, plan how we can best go about evicting that lumpen Autobot slagheap from Decepticon territory."

That last should please them. Like him, they were eager for a victory, to erase the stain that their puported failure at the battle for Polyhex had left upon their reputation. And, more importantly, his reputation.

>>Attention, all Seekers within the Tower,>This is Starscream. I want all of you in the main hangar for a head count and a special announcement. Don't dawdle!<<

Polyhex- Personnel Quarters

Artistic endeavors always helped Rapture order her thoughts. She had been working on this diorama, depicting a scene from the ancient Kaon Sagas, for some time now.
Currently, she was sculpting a miniature of an early Decepticon gladiator. The piece depicted his legendary victory over his bitter rival. She shaped the memory metals and crystalline constructs with nanomachines delivered by a magnetic stylus. Delicate controls on the stylus manipulated the magnetic fields with surgical grace. She had just decided to alter the figure's jawline when the transmission came in from Starscream.

Without a word, Rapture obeyed the Seeker Commander's call. Putting her sculpture aside once more, she made her way through the halls at a brisk pace. As she walked, her mind recalled her first meeting with the infamous Seeker Commander.

It had been in the early days of the war, when the hope of a swift victory still seemed close. He had come to address the graduating class from the academy. After the ceremony, he had sought out the top graduates. In those days, he liked to personally assess the best the academy had to offer. The group of Seekers called the Trio by their peers had graduated at the top of the class. Rapture was first in their class, followed closely by Skywarp. Thundercracker was third, though many said he owed such position to his more successful friends. Whatever the true case was, these three were a force to be reckoned with.

Rapture remembered being entranced by the Charismatic Air Commander. He was, to all appearances a very different mech than her Creator had spoken of. He seemed to the young femme to be the Decepticon ideal personified. Swift, deadly, and cunning. In those early days, she had idolized Starscream.

War has a way of revealing idols for the mere mechs they are. In time, Rapture grew to resent the manner in which The Air Commander had fallen in love with power. It had changed him from the bold young leader she met long ago; into the treacherous, scheming creature that all Decepticons now knew well. From time to time the warrior of old, the gladiator that had slain Kraxis of Tarn, would emerge again. It seemed to the midnight blue Seeker that this was one of those times.

And it is upon me to ensure that it remains so, she mused.

The femme's arrival at the hangar brought an end to her reverie. She was early, one of the first to join the contingent that had accompanied Starscream from Kaon. Rapture presented herself before the commander, saluting crisply. "Sir," she began in a her usual cool professionalism. "Rapture reporting as ordered." Over an encrypted private channel, she continued.

The bait set, she stood at ease; calmly awaiting her superior's response.

Shockwave's Tower- Personnel Quarters

Skywarp stopped what he was doing. The transmission from the Seeker Commander had barely ended when he was already out the door, heading towards the hangar that the meeting was to take place.

A good soldier is always prompt to respond to orders, he thought as the doors slid open to the entrance of the hangar.

He could see Starscream and Rapture. Skywarp Saluted both of his commanders, "Skywarp reporting."

Then he gave a crack of a smile to Rapture and quickly withdrew it as he looked to Starscream.

Shockwave's Tower

Ghost landed quietly behind Starscream, his optics resting on the figure of Nightraven. She was a fellow stealth con, he nodded once to her in greeting. For she had been the only one civil enough not to partake in his harassment. His attentions turned to Rapture as she approached, her midnight form coming to stop before the Seeker Commander. He watched her with mild interest and then another seeker appeared, the one known as Skywarp, Ghost knew of him and his snappy comments. His visuals scanned beyond the black and purple male seeker watching the tower with calm intrigue. He doubted the two newcomers were even aware of his presence, but that really did not matter, as long as they allied themselves with the squadron all was well. He nodded as a voice whispered to him, and he answered back. His vocals a mere whisper.

“….yes her name is Rapture.”


He held his position not wanting to move too close to the others, their energies bothered him at times. And now was one of those times.

Shockwave's Tower

"Hmmm 'he' is back" Nightraid said glancing up. He'd probably redistribute the Seekers he had brought back, messing up the balance or worse. Well an officer had to do his duty so he would obey as ever.
The black and red Seeker nodded at Bludgeon.
"It seems i must leave. Until next time Master Bludgeon" he than turned and left.
Bludgeon looked up from his meditation a single moment but spoke not, he would wait for Onslaught or another officer to give him orders as he waited in this briefingroom.

Entering the hangarbay, the Seeker tactician with a faceplate covering his lower face looked around. His eyes flared lightly and he took in the welcome view of so many fellow Seekers.
Including the talented Raptured and the might Skywarp. Nightraid advanced, glanced furtively at Rapture and Skywarp giving a light respectful nod and took on a military pose. Saluting, he spoke with his distinctly masculine and dark yet eloquent and balanced voice "Nightraid reporting for duty" he said. The Brittish edge in his speech apparent. After saluting he took on his usual regal military pose remaining unmoving, facing Starscream.

Tertiary Security Office Annex

Heap looked over the myriad monitors and status screens charting the lifeblood of the remains of Polyhex's security grid. A lot of work to do, and hopefully Onslaught would figure it out better than he did. He was a soldier, and Security Upgrades and other important things were left to leaders.

Soldier. the word bounced around in Heap's head like the crackling echo of an old bolt-action laser cartridge rifle. This office, if it could be called that, was very much a reflection of Heap: old, dilapidated, but still serving a purpose. No one ever bothered him in this office; he wondered if anyone but him knew about it. However the solitude did give him certain freedoms he enjoyed from time to time, though he tried his best not to indulge; he needed to be as sharp as he could be, if he was even going to attempt to keep up with the frontlines these days.

Rubbing his wrist, which in his vehicle mode occupied the space near his decrepit treads, Heap decided to excercise of those freedoms. Reaching in a bottom drawer, he pulls out an old datapad, bulky and generations removed from the sleek, modern ones. It would had been obsolete, had he not used it solely to store and view images.

With a small smile, Heap cycles through friends and comrades long gone, and others he fought against these days. Kup, Ironhide, Impactor, Guzzle...the list of friends he shot at was too long for comfort. Then again, it's nothing compared to killing one or two of them.

Which Heap had done.

Losing himself in the old files, he came across a picture he'd successfully forgotten about long ago. The smile on his face died gruesomely as his optics took in the sight of a smiling gray and beige, bulky Transformer, laughing next to a grinning, tan femme. Heap turned off the DataPad and threw it into the small cabinet, shutting and locking it in one fluid motion.

Sighing, he turned his comm to personal communications only and leaned back in his chair, switching off his optics. He was productive for long enough; he felt he deserved a short rest.