The Energon Pub

Bridge

Ratbat had listened intently, since Soundwave had allowed them to do so on this occasion, to the interactions between their communications superior, Onslaught and the Decepticon Supreme Leader, Razorclaw. It was quite the interesting predicament that Onslaught, or rather his subordinates, had got them in to: the entirety of the infiltration protocols might well be for nothing if this mistake was allowed to spin out of their control.

"Assist Onslaught in whatever measure he needs," Soundwave had ordered, after summarily ejecting the chiropteran Casseticon out of his chest cavity. Ratbat transformed in mid-air and took a slow circle around the bridge as he watched the Combaticon Commander make his exit. Adjusting his flight pattern slightly, Ratbat arced out of the bridge and into the corridor, quickly closing on Onslaught's position.

"Shockwave has already integrated several facsimiles into Terran militaries. He has chosen to keep Soundwave in the loop as to their activities. They might be useful in retrieving your mishandled ordinance, commander."

Near Shockwave's Lab

"Interrogative: do you require assistance, Starscream? You appear lost."

The transmission took Starscream by surprise, even though he shouldn't have been. For a moment he froze, not knowing what to do. Then it came to him.

"Shockwave." he said into his comm-link. "I came to collect someone you have in a CR chamber."

He stepped up to the door, hoping that Lock On was covering him, even with Shockwave knowing he was there.

"I'm right outside. I need Feedback to assist me in my next assignment. Let me in."

Just as a precaution, Starscream activated his entire arsenal of cluster bombs.

Firing Range

"Hey thanks, dude!"

Misfire's arm was getting tired, so he placed the gun down. Turning to his new-found friend, he asked, "So, being part of a combiner, what's that like? Is it confusing, or do you and your teammates manage to think on cohesion?"

Shockwave's Laboratory

"Shockwave. I came to collect someone you have in a CR chamber. I'm right outside. I need Feedback to assist me in my next assignment. Let me in."

Starscream's request was logical. With a tap of a simple command, the locks disengaged, though somewhat flimsily. It was clear that even his laboratory, an offshoot of the primary one aboard this vessel, had also sustained some damage in their competitive melee for the throne. For now it was a secondary matter at best.

Shockwave's gaze followed Starscream's approach briefly before turning to the requested cryonic regeneration chamber and activating its resuscitation protocols.

"Declarative: I was aware of your position. Interrogative: do you think me incapable of tracking every movement aboard a ship that I designed?"

Shockwave paused.

"Immaterial. Query withdrawn. No relevance," the strategist stated flatly as he returned to his work on the mechaforming technology. As he did, a new query entered his vast, calculating mind.

"Interrogative: what project has our new leader assigned to you?"

Firing Range:

"So, being part of a combiner, what's that like? Is it confusing, or do you and your teammates manage to think on cohesion?"

Bonecrusher responded to Misfire with a slight frown, "I think if it were up to Hook, he'd control Devastator all by himself, because since this in a new technology, it's not quite been figured out how to make all of our minds merge successfully. So as a result, Devastator is a 'monstrosity of chaos' as Hook likes to put it."

Bonecrusher sat down next to Misfire on one of the benches to the side of the room for Cons to sit on while cleaning and fixing their weapons, "Maybe soon Hook and the others working on this technology will figure out a way to make our mind successfully merge into a cohesive computer with as much intelligence as all of our minds together, but operate as one mind, though that sort of thing is very hard to comprehend."

Bonecrusher glanced down at Misfire's gun and said, "I must say that your aim is surely getting better, maybe we can hang out here more often!" Bonecrusher grinned slightly at Misfire.

Bonecrusher then looked down with a pondering type of facial expression, "It's, um, kinda hard to describe the feeling of being in combined form. I would say it's kinda like the part of your brain that makes you feel like your are, well, YOU, kinda shuts off, and all that's left is the part that kinda wants to argue with your other 'yous', yet you feel like a cohesive gestalt. You feel like you are Devastator, and no-one else is, but I found that I was constantly fighting with five other separate minds that wanted to do different things, even though I felt like Devastator was my own body. I have heard of humans who have two heads and one body, who have two different minds, so they are two different beings, but they share the same body and feel like they are in control even though the other is in control too. I guess that's kinda like how it feels to be Devastator, except there are six individual minds rather than just two."

Bonecrusher turned to Misfire, "ehh hehehe, sorry for going into so much detail, I just had a Hook moment haha. Ya know, all chatter about deep things and no stopping.

"Anyhow Misfire, how does it feel to be finally, after so many vorns, to be practicing your aim and getting better?"

Firing Range

"It's...different," Misfire said, smiling. "Like I may actually be able to be if some use. Finally be able to serve for the glory of the Decepticon Empire."

Firing Range:

"Agreed hehe," said Bonecrusher, "I still need to work on my anger management problems, but recently I've been not as bad."

Bridge – Briefing Room

Razorclaw grinned underneath his faceshield as Scrapper told the Predacon lord that he could count on his support. Excellent. The circle of specialty team commanders was now complete. They would no longer be mere tools for others to yield. Instead, they would yield themselves and rule the empire as Megatron once did. The Constructicon leader then offered to begin screening candidates to undergo the combiner process before politely asking for Hook to be allowed to rejoin the rest of his team. A promise was made that Devastator would not form while on board the Thanatos, at least not without prior authorization.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Razorclaw responded as he approached Scrapper and placed a single hand of friendship on his shoulder plate. “And Hook will be free to move about the ship as he wishes. There is no longer any need for a proto-sitter. Besides, the Combaticons have a new mission they must attend to shortly. So, it all works out for the best.”

Removing his hand from Scrapper’s shoulder, Razorclaw took a single step back and opened a comm line to the Combaticon leader:

>>”Commander Onslaught, my discussion with Scrapper has gone well. You may relieve your men from guarding Hook. He is now free to rejoin his teammates. Razorclaw out.”<<

“And it is done,” the Predacon lord said as he cut his comm line and refocused on Scrapper. “As for the screening process, yes that would be most appropriate to begin soon. However, before you undertake that endeavor, I need to know the current status of our underwater base at the bottom of the Yellow Sea. I assume that a team of your best construction drones were left behind to continue working on our new Terran headquarters while the Fallen business occupied our time. Correct?" Razorclaw paused for a moment before continuing.

"Now, I'm sure it's not near completion yet, but I would like to begin moving some of our forces down to the finished portions of the base as soon as possible. I just require a time frame for when the transfers planet side can begin. If you need to send a member of your team to the underwater site in order to ascertain what has been completed in your absence then do so. Or, if you wish, you can go yourself. However you choose to handle it is fine by me. Just inform me once you have the status. Then, depending on how much more work needs to be done, perhaps Hook can begin the gestalt screening process while construction on the base continues. Agreed?"

Bridge--Briefing Room

Scrapper was relieved to hear that Razorclaw trusted his judgement regarding Devastator and, ultimately, Hook's need to be guarded in order to prvent the gestalt from running wild. Fortunately, there were more reliable safeguards in place to keep that from happening. Though...at what cost? Like Razorclaw had noticed, Devastator was a powerful entity, but Scrapper had been certain that combining the unique traits of the six Constructicons would also result in a combiner that was considerably more intelligent. That had decidedly not happened. And while the process was not a loss, it was something that would have to be refined out of the process as they went. If not for themselves, then hopefully at least for the ones who would follow in their footsteps.

Before tending to the next stages of the gestalt creation process, Razorclaw wished to know of specifics regarding the completion of their undersea base. Scrapper, too, was curious, as that matter had been pulled outside of his sphere of attention for a little longer than was to his liking. He would rectify that forthwith.

"Agreed. Of course. I'll see to it at once and have the specifics to you within an orn," Scrapper said, offering another slight bow before taking his leave of the briefing room and quickly the bridge altogether. There was work to be done. And that was when Scrapper and his men were at their best.
___

Lounge

Vortex's optics rolled a little in response to Brawl's bellowed answer but he also chuckled. He'd known his fellow Combaticon long enough to not expect less than an obvious answer to an obvious question.

"My mistake," Vortex said, holding up his hands in mock-surrender as his optics drifted towards the goings-on between the Stunticons and--from the looks of it--a seriously peeved Skullcruncher.

"We taking bets on which one gets sent back to the infirmary?"

Shockwave’s Laboratory

Having swiftly departed after her dismissal by Razorclaw, the black operative had strode toward the purple scientist’s lab with a quiet step. Imagine her surprise to see Starscream skulking nearby. Likely up to no good yet again. As it was, she did not mind hanging back until he’d approached the door. Shockwave addressed Starscream’s behavior directly, which served to amuse the black operative. She’d always been fond of Shockwave’s somewhat comically dry demeanor. It was refreshing.

As Starscream was admitted to the lab, indicated by the doors hissing open. Striding forward with an ease of grace, she made her entry into the laboratory, reclining lightly against the wall next to the door. She crossed her arms and glanced at Starscream with a hint of amusement. She wondered not for the first time why Megatron had kept the treacherous seeker around for so long. He evidently had some sort of use.

Her crimson optics flicked over to Shockwave impassively, trailing down to the mechanism that was the center of his focus at the moment. She ought to make an inquiry about that at some point…but perhaps that was best left for when Razorclaw arrived. No need to make Shockwave explain it twice. If he even deigned to explain it.

With an incline of her head, Flamewar’s attention shifted back to Starscream with a restless anticipation.

“I must admit to some curiosity as well, Starscream. Do tell.”

Shockwave's Lab

The comment Shockwave made to Starscream sounded almost like sarcasm from the old one eye. It might have even caught Screamer by surprise. Before Octane could really reflect on it, the laboratory got crowded and quick. They had Screamer and his goons and Flamewar snuck in as well which surprised Octane. With the squad of Seekers and considering Flamewar's frame, it shouldn't have surprised Octane but the reason is a curious one.

"Knowing our luck, old Screamer is up to his usual tricks. He does seem to care for fellow Seekers even if they are just tools to him. If we are lucky, maybe our Lord Razorclaw is sending them on a boring recon mission or better yet a suicide mission against a giant Autobot who showed up like Devestator did for us. With us fighting against a so called lost Prime, anything is possible this orn."

Octane's sarcasm was so thick he would have made a huge puddle on the floor. Octane didn't care if Screamer got mad at the Triple changer's attitude. The cone head and his squad only served Megatron as the air superiority which was easily done considering the Autobots had only ten aerial units to their name.

Lounge

Blast-Off couldn’t be happier to extricate himself from Brawl’s iron death grip. He glanced at the huge brawler, then to Swindle. Brawl seemed to think something was wrong with him. Blast-Off couldn’t care. This was already way too much socializing for his taste. He simply waved to Vortex as the interrogator approach, passing by to get to the bar itself. His optics flitted over to Skullcruncher as the incredibly irate Decepticon got up to deal with the Stunticons. Well, their funeral.

While fetching the drinks – he got his first, of course – Blast-Off watched the growing tension over at the Stunticon table. He wondered what they would do to get out of this one. Looked like a pretty one sided beating from this angle. Oh well. They were idiots anyway. They were getting what was coming to them. Having overheard Brawl wanted Brawler’s Brew from across the room because that anger addled glitch always spoke at top volume, Blast-Off also put in an order for that. It wasn’t long in coming.

Blast-Off shifted back over to Vortex and Brawl, handing the latter his drink.

"We taking bets on which one gets sent back to the infirmary?"

“I would rather place bets on how long Brawl can manage to stay out of it. I’ll give it a breem. That assumes the fight lasts that long though…” Blast-Off murmured to Vortex. It struck him that it might be a bad idea to talk about bets around Swindle. He tended to take such things a little too far.


”Which one of you racer rejects just ordered a ticket to a scrapyard? Or is it all three at the price of one?”

Wildrider was grinning. He couldn’t help himself. He could feel it. The thrill. The rush. Bubbling up inside of him. His circuits racing.

"Wait-wha? No....he...uhhh-I didn't...I-I-I.....y'know..."

“Breakdown! Don’t be ashamed of your work!” Wildrider exclaimed flamboyantly, reaching to pinch his comrade’s cheek, “You really outdid yourself. I’m so proud. That was hilarious.” Wildrider jumped up from his seat, staring Skullcruncher boldly in the optic with a manic twinkle I n his optic. “Now, you! I can’t just let you beat poor Breakdown senseless! We Stunticons have to stick together or some such. You got a problem with one of us, you got a problem with all of us.”

Wildrider grinned fiendishly, his whole body tensed and ready to spring. He could feel the laughter bubbling up within him boil up to just beneath the surface. He wouldn’t be able to contain it much longer.

Weirdwolf looked on from the bar, having turned around in his seat with drink in one hand. He sipped from it delicately, looking on with an impassive stare. “Want my assistance do you?” he called from the bar to Skullcruncher. His friend didn’t need it for these three, but the thespian thought he ought to offer it. “Or reserve for yourself will you the pleasure?”

Lounge:

Laserbeak had removed himself from Soundwave's chest cavity; who was at the Bridge; to see what in the universe the Combaticons were doing.

Laserbeak landed on the table next to where the Combaticons were.

"What are you rust-buckets up to eh? May I be of assistance?" asked Laserbeak.

The Lounge

"My mistake," Vortex said, holding up his hands in mock-surrender as his optics drifted towards the goings-on between the Stunticons and--from the looks of it--a seriously peeved Skullcruncher, "We taking bets on which one gets sent back to the infirmary?"

”Hah! That's way obvious!” Brawl boomed, rubbing his fist against the palm of his other hand in anticipation of what was to happen next. ”Just look at them! How can you not tell?!”

Brawl himself had brawled with the smaller Stunticons before. And despite not being the brightest 'con around, he had pretty good idea of their abilities. Abilities which had been solely lacking against his strength and armor in a brawl - especially in a closed environment like the Lounge. Stunticons just simply weren't big and tough enough to maintain such brutality despite of their tenacity. Well, all but one. The big guy, their boss – Motormaster. Those couple of times Brawl had managed to get into a fist fight with with the Stunticon big shot had not gone that well for the Combaticon bruiser. That mech was something else, worth of Brawl's respect. Not that he didn't have an ounce of respect for the little crazies, they certainly made things more lively.

But here today? They were facing a true heavyweight. Skullcruncher carried even more armor than Brawl and his strength level was ridiculous. And this was coming from a bot who was pretty damn strong himself. Heck, Brawl had almost lost his arm once trying to arm wrestle the big crocodilian after being goaded to do so by bunch of other 'cons... probably through Swindle's manipulations. The self-satisfied stupid grin on the swindler's mug Brawl could swear he had seen, before heading out to get his elbow joint repair in the infirmary – certainly had indicated the situation being some kind of a win for certain someone.

So, yeah. All thanks to Wildrider for making things more interesting but Brawl would be betting against the Stunticons emerging victorious today.

“I would rather place bets on how long Brawl can manage to stay out of it. I’ll give it a breem. That assumes the fight lasts that long though…” Blast-Off murmured to Vortex.

”You would, wouldn't you?!” Brawl rumbled while grabbing his drink from Blast-Off, slid his faceplate out of the way poured the drink down into his throat.

"Wait-wha? No....he...uhhh-I didn't...I-I-I.....y'know…"

Skullcruncher just stared at the paranoid Stunticon with a scowl of anger plastered on his face. He didn't particularly care at this point who he was going to hit as long as he got to hit someone. Though admittedly his brain unit was working well enough to remain pretty unconvinced over Breakdown's guilt over the matter.

"I take it it's too late for me to move anywhere away from this table then?"

Dead End's morose query didn't change Skullcruncher's expression. He still wanted to give them all a beating out of principle. While all five Stunticons were troublemakers more or less, neither Breakdown or Dead End were the ones logic dictated being the culprit. It was Wildrider. Slag, it was pretty much always Wildrider. Even if Drag Strip had been around it would have still been Wildrider. The crazy glitch couldn't control himself without Motormaster being present.

“Breakdown! Don’t be ashamed of your work!” Wildrider exclaimed flamboyantly, reaching to pinch his comrade’s cheek, “You really outdid yourself. I’m so proud. That was hilarious.” Wildrider jumped up from his seat, staring Skullcruncher boldly in the optic with a manic twinkle I n his optic. “Now, you! I can’t just let you beat poor Breakdown senseless! We Stunticons have to stick together or some such. You got a problem with one of us, you got a problem with all of us.”

So transparent. Who the frag Wildrider thought he was conning? Bonecrusher? Brawl? Skullcruncher's thought processes tended to be on the slow side when it came to making decisions or pondering out things but he was still smarter than the mischevous trio put together. And damned he was angry. He could hear Weirdwolf's query but his friend would know the answer without being replied to.

”You know what Wildrider?” Skullcruncher sneered, ”That's just fine with me.”

And with that, Skullcruncher grabbed hold of the edge of the bar table the Stunticons had gather at and flipped the table over and at them.

Shockwave's Lab

“I must admit to some curiosity as well, Starscream. Do tell.”

Starscream slightly turned his head and gave a half smirk towards Flamewar.

"As if you get to question me." he said sarcastically. "Just step back and let the adults talk."

Then he turned back to Shockwave.

"I simply stopped in to ask what you know of Razorclaw's immediate plans." he said to Shockwave. "Seeing as how we just got our skidplates bashed in by not only The Fallen but by the Autobots as well, I can imagine the embarrassment he is experiencing. As he should. Shockwave, I still don't understand how that...that animal ever got to be our so-called leader. In Megatron's absence, it should be me! But if that can't happen, not yet anyway, then it should be you. Why isn't it?"

As he awaited the answer, Starscream glanced around the lab, trying to lock in on everyone's position. Just in case. He saw a few familiar faces, few he could tolerate, none he liked. He then threw Flamewar another look and a smirk.

Corridor Leading to the Bridge

"Shockwave has already integrated several facsimiles into Terran militaries. He has chosen to keep Soundwave in the loop as to their activities. They might be useful in retrieving your mishandled ordinance, commander."

"Duly noted." Onslaught replied to the bat-like cassette that had followed his trail out from the bridge, "This sort of data will no doubt give us more of a strategic advantage down on the planet. Can you access their data files without the need for your superior?"

"What's the hurry, eh?” Came a voice from further down the corridor which cut off the small chat the Combaticon commander was sharing with Ratbat. From the shadows of the dimly-lit corridor emerged the third member of the triumvirate that helped get Razorclaw positioned as the new Supreme Commander.

"Motormaster, didn't see you there." Onslaught replied to the thuggish King of the Roads. The Combaticon commander's optical visor shifted to the magenta-colored sheen that was splattered about on Motormaster's frame. Must have off dealing with some insubordination or his own motley crew. Or both, given their track record...

”How about a sit-rep Onslaught? I recall you being quite good with those and I on the other hand, Seem to have fallen bit behind on what the slag is happening around here.”

"Where to begin..." Onslaught let out a small huff of air as he let his servos relax for a moment, having tensed up far too much after hearing the blunder of one of subordinates. "Looks like Vortex dropped a missile or something back on Earth, which got picked up by the fleshy lifeforms who inhabit this rock. So Razorclaw is sending me and my team down to retrieve it before it falls further into their grasp." He paused a moment to let the thought sink into his comrade's processor while his own was already beginning to plot out various plans as how to go about retrieve the stolen technology. "If you're looking to talk with the boss though, I'd give it a few clicks. There's a bit of a line to see our new Supreme Commander. Last I checked he was in with having words with Scrapper. No doubt he's trying to get this 'gestalt weapon' they've managed to craft."

The Combaticon commander was cut off once again as his communicator lit up with a call from none other than the Supreme Commander himself trying to get ahold of him. "Speaking of the Slagmaker." He commented on the coincidence while opening his comm-line.

>>"Commander Onslaught, my discussion with Scrapper has gone well. You may relieve your men from guarding Hook. He is now free to rejoin his teammates. Razorclaw out.”<<

Well that was handled rather quickly.

>>"Understood, boss."<< The colbalt and olive strategist quickly responded to the lion-former on the other end of the line, >>"I'll inform my men. Onslaught, over and out."<<

The comm-line with the Predacon Commander closed with a click and the optical visor of amber shifted back towards the thuggish Motormaster.

"Well it looks as though he just got out with Scrapper, so he's open for appointments again." The Combaticon commander informed the King of the Roads with his best attempt at humor, which clearly wasn't a strong suit for him aside from his usual stern, order-giving and plan-constructing demeanor. "Probably best I get moving along now." The military strategist spoke up after he let his joke sit idly in the air before turning on his heel back towards the direction he was originally heading. "See ya around, Motormaster."

Lounge

Ow... What hit me that hard? Ugh... Feel like a share-holder just swept the rug from under my boot and took my stash.

The violet optics of the downed Combaticon shot back to full-functionality as his upper body followed suit in a similar fashion. The greed-ridden member of Onslaught's enclave patted himself down, feeling himself for any lost or stolen goods that may have been apprehended from his unconscious chassis.

All still there... *phew!*

"Uggh..." Swindle groaned out as he tried to rise back up to his full height, utilizing the chair and table he'd been knocked from as leverage. Pink energon dripped from his faceplating and onto the floor below. The munitions expert reached up towards his nasal sensors and felt the warm fluid slowly leaking from beneath the ridge of his nose. The tan Decepticon then let out a small sigh before he began to chuckle under his breath. "Primus, anyone get the license of whoever hit me? I think I'd like to file charges, heheh."

"We taking bets on which one gets sent back to the infirmary?"

"I would rather place bets on how long Brawl can manage to stay out of it..."

A proverbial light bulb immediately illuminated over Swindle's head as he was drawn back into his own vice upon hearing the word "bet" being uttered betwixt his Combati-comrades. The gears in his processor began to churn rapidly as he looked over towards the angered Skullcruncer and the Stunticons he was looking to get some answer's from.

"Get ready to pay up." The silver-tongued merchant of the team lowly claimed to Blast-Off and Vortex. Swindle then walked up beside Brawl and gave the bruiser a simple pat on the back before lowering his vocalizer to a level where only he and the tank-former could hear.

"Listen big guy, don't listen to them. As much as they tease, I'm sure they only mean well for ya." He paused in his discussion before adjusting his gaze back towards the Stunticon's table. "But uh, I'm not sure they were thinking in a similar fashion. Yeah, you should have heard them before you and Blasty got here. Oh man, they were just running their vocalizer on how we weren't contributing that much back in that Australia place down on- eh... Yearth or whatever. See the dark one there is already has a fix in for the local croc of the rock, but shifty-eyes Blue and the mellow-fellow in the red, BOY did they say such mean things about our little group." Swindle paused yet again to let his information sink in with Brawl, knowing full well that he could only absorb a small amount of information at a time. "Now normally I wouldn't let such petty words bother me, but when they said the most insulting thing I could have heard in a megacycle..." Swindle then leaned in close to Brawl's audio receptor to deliver the closing statement.

"They said Breakdown of all mechs could single handedly throw you across the bar."

-

The table flipped over after Skullcruncher had grown tired of Wildrider's mouth running ahead of himself, sending Dead-End tumbling backwards in his own seat as his chassis flopped backwards onto the floor. He let out a disdained grown as he stumbled to sit upright, the sight of his fancy curved glass spilling his energon across the lounge floor saddening his already dower demeanor.

"I knew I should have set somewhere else..."

-

Blitzwing rose from his seat rather quickly after the crocodilian Decepticon had turned the Stunticon's table back over towards them, his hand still fixated closely to his scimitar's handle. He had no real concern with Skullcruncher himself, but he knew full well this issue might not end there, both the Croc's and Stunticon's reputation showed that, but if things escalated someone had to help dissipate it before it turned into another all-out confrontation like the one to claim the throne.

That's what Blitzwing wanted to think. However he could feel his own energon beginning to reboil after his stunt against the Fallen and his elemental scrapmakers had left him itching for something more. Something a little less fiery and something more... physical. All he needed was a twitch, the moment any of them drew a weapon or something, then he could jump in to help "settle" this mess. His optical visor scanned the room and found he wasn't alone with this same level of thinking. It seems others were willing to risk it to stop this confrontation as well. But the question was, who was siding with who?

Bridge – Briefing Room

Razorclaw nodded with approval as Scrapper agreed to have the specifics regarding the Undersea Base to him within an orn. “I look forward to your report, Commander,” a pleased lion-former replied as the Constructicon leader offered a slight bow before taking his leave of the briefing room. Once the door was closed again, the Predacon lord turned his attention to a nearby computer terminal and began accessing the relevant logs pertaining to the status of the vehicon forces or what was left of them after the Fallen had decimated a good portion of their ranks. There were still a good number of vehicons left but not nearly as many as before the battle. That needed to be rectified as quickly as possible.

According to the files, the repairing and in most cases rebuilding of the damaged vehicons had already begun down in the automated factory located deep within the bowels of the Thanatos. The remains of those lost on the Earth’s surface had been recovered along with whatever spark fragments that had still been salvageable and could then be reused again. Still, energon appeared to be in short supply for the vehicons, much was which had been used up during the encounter with the Fallen. Razorclaw would need to speak with Shockwave about possibly using more Ultra Energon to help power the vehicons. That would certainly help give them an edge against their Autobot foes.

Something then occurred to the Predacon lord as he remembered that there was still a cache of normal energon stored down in the remnants of the crashed Stunticon frigate Ultrax, located at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. That energon could surely be utilized for not only the vehicons but for the regular Decepticon ranks, as well. After all, why let such a stockpile go to waste at the bottom of an Earthen sea? Not to mention the Ultrax, itself, needed to be restored to flight-worthy status as soon as possible. The Autobots now had three vessels in system, while the Decepticons only had two working ships. And even though the Thanatos was a formidable force to be reckoned with, the recent arrival of the Trion had changed the dynamic of both sides’ naval presence around Sol-3 and made it all the more important to get every ‘Con ship in tip top shape.

Razorclaw would need to speak with Motormaster about the status of the Ultrax, but the Predacon lord also needed to talk with Shockwave in regards to Sixshot’s shutdown code. With any luck, Flamewar was already down in the cycloptic mech's lab, facilitating a conversation with him, but time was wasting and the STAG needed to be freed from Starscream’s control sooner rather than later. Checking the warship’s internal sensors, Razorclaw found that Motormaster was in the hallway just down from the bridge. Perfect. The lion-former would speak with him in the corridor first and then make his way to Shockwave’s lab.

Having gotten what information he needed from the warship’s database, Razorclaw closed down the terminal and made his way out of the briefing room and onto the bridge proper. “Divebomb, you have the bridge. I have business to attend to down in Shockwave’s lab. Alert me if there are any problems.” The aerial Predacon turned in his chair and gave his commander a nod of understanding. Then just as quickly as Razorclaw had re-emerged from his meetings, the Predacon lord exited the bridge and entered the corridor beyond.

Corridor leading to the Bridge

“Motormaster,” Razorclaw stated plainly as he approached the Stunticon Commander while noticing Onslaught disappear further down the corridor. “Just the mech I wanted to see. I take it your subordinate, Drag Strip, has been dealt with sufficiently? No further signs of the Fallen’s influence I hope?” Not waiting for an immediate response, the lion-former moved on to other pertinent matters.

“You’ll be happy to hear that my meeting with Scrapper went very well. He is now part of our inner circle and will soon be providing us with a status of our underseas base on Sol-3 as well as conducting the necessary screenings to determine if any other Decepticon groups are compatible for the gestalt process. The way we fight this war will soon change dramatically and our specialty teams will be at the forefront. Imagine an army of combiners leading the charge against the Autobots. My Predacons, the Combaticons and even your Stunticons might all have the ability to merge together and wield the same kind of power that Devastator possesses. It's a very exciting prospect wouldn't you agree?"

Corridor leading to the Bridge

Motormaster listened to Onslaught talk. And talk he did. Like without a pause. As if he was both slagging nervous and in a hurry. Yeah sure, Vortex had apparently lost a missile – a perfectionist like Onslaught took crap like that hard. Probably blamed himself for the oversight and practically wanted to run off to take care of business. Who the slag he was trying to impress? Weren't they in charge in the first place? Still, it was probably better to deal with the situation covertly, Motormaster had to admit that much.

Razorclaw pampering over Scrapper made sense too. It had been their intention of getting his support for their rebellion in the first place but had been unable to do so before it had been time to act. Their coup being successful had left the Constructicons in a sort of a limbo but Devastator had changed everything. Making a deal with them had become a priority. Whether such deal would make them share their gestalt technology was another matter altogether.
”Fine. Run along then Onslaught,” Motormaster smirked in response to the Combaticon commander who had apparently just received multiple comm-link transmissions for he had fallen silent and rather absent like for a time being before his rather questionable attempt at humor.

The big Stunticon had barely taken more than few steps towards the bridge when he saw Razorclaw march into his view. What the slag was this about? Him running to both Onslaught and Razorclaw on this damned corridor? And odd coincidence indeed, unless of course – the Predacon was looking for him. Which came apparent the moment Razorclaw opened his vocalizer.

”Sounds tad too good to be true really,” Motormaster grunted in response to Razorclaw's proclamation, ”If they were ambitious enough to create Devastator in the first place – which they were, they will want to keep their newfound edge as long as they can. I may not be a fraggin' scientist but I know greed.”

The thuggish Stunticon found himself crossing his arms defiantly, ”What makes either of you think any of our teams are compatible for their process? Isn't that overreaching a bit? There's six Constructicons that make up their giant in the first place and just five of us per team. I am pretty suspicious about even the greenies knowing what turned their genius creation into something as smart as bucket full of rocks. I don't believe for a nanosecond that Hook or Scrapper wanted their precious Devastator having the reasoning capacity of Bonecrusher's.”

”As for Drag Strip,” Motormaster added, flashing a devilish grin and wiping some of his minion's energon from his hand across his own chest, ”He seems to be back to his old self. Something he won't be forgetting in a while. You should ask Orbitoclast for the real details though. Figuring out which part of his psyche is part of him and which is part of some ridiculously powerful demigod from the forgotten times isn't exactly my specialty, heh.”

The Lounge

So Swindle was finally stirring because Brawl could swear he was hearing his irritating voice chanting let's deal in his head again. Or maybe it was something completely different. Most of Swindle's talk was blah blah blah to the Combaticon brute. He understood neither the technical details or the business part so he just kinda – didn't listen to Swindle much at all most of times.

”Fix in?” Brawl found himself asking out aloud but found Swindle continuing his long-winded explanation regardless. Explanation that suddenly began to make sense. The Stunticons had been mocking them?! Even worse, Breakdown had apparently boasted he could single-handedly throw HIM across the bar.

”They said what?!” Brawl rumbled, throwing a murderously glare at the direction of Breakdown and Dead End. ”I am gonna teach to little twerps how a Combaticon fights!” Brawl howled, smashing his fist against the open palm of his other hand and cracking his neck from side to side before heading off towards the Stunticon table with the determination of a raging bull.

”Breakdown! Throw me across the fraggin' bar with one hand eh?! I am going to smash you so bad you're never gonna forget to keep you trap shut about me and my buddies!”

Corridor leading to the Bridge

Razorclaw listened as the Stunticon Commander laid out his concerns regarding Scrapper’s ulterior motives for creating Devastator in secret along with the potential compatibility that the other teams may or may not have with the gestalt process. They were all excellent points to be made, but they were also ones that the Predacon lord had already considered and would keep in the back of his processor as they all moved forward. Finally, Motormaster informed him that Drag Strip seemed to be back to normal, or as normal as any Stunticon could be. That was good news. Hopefully, both the yellow racer and Darkride would remain that way and once again become productive members of the Decepticon war machine.

“Heh, I’m sure you won’t let Drag Strip forget, not ever,” Razorclaw replied with a slight chuckle. “But, it is still good that your team is whole again. When I have an opportunity I will talk with Orbitoclast more about it. Until then I have other matters to address.” The Predacon lord paused for a brief astrosecond before returning to the matter of Scrapper’s loyalty and the gestalt project.

“Believe me, Motormaster, I am also well aware of greed. I have no doubt that Scrapper’s initial intension was to use Devastator as a means to grab the throne for himself and his team. However, as you have pointed out, the combiner is not very bright. He is powerful but his intelligence is more akin to Bonecrusher than to either Hook or Scrapper, himself. That and the fact that Devastator would not be able to combine while in closed quarters, such as on this ship, limits when he can be utilized. Most of the time they would be separated and unable to harness that power. After all, it only takes removing one of them from the equation and then there is no gestalt.”

Letting out an intake of air, Razorclaw moved over to a nearby wall of the corridor where he leaned his back up against it and crossed his arms over his chestplate. His optics remained fixated on the Stunticon brute as the lion-former continued speaking. “Be as it may, Scrapper has become well aware that I have the support of both you and Onslaught. The specialty teams are united and Scrapper knows this. He’s not an idiot and realizes that it would be foolish to go against our combined forces. From what he told me he simply wanted to be a part of our inner circle with the rest of us which was always my intention to grant him from the beginning. He seemed very pleased with my response and it was even his suggestion to begin screening others for the gestalt process. Regardless, I will be keeping a close optic on him and his team to make sure they don’t try anything foolish.

“And I also fully understand that there are no guarantees that any of our squads are compatible with the gestalt process, but it is worth looking into nevertheless. I may be overreaching, but it would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t at least try. Yes, our three teams lack a sixth member, but perhaps mass shifting can be applied. I will have to confer with Shockwave on that matter and the intelligence issue, as well. It was his research that the Constructicons used and I’m sure he could make the necessary modifications. I have a meeting with Shockwave shortly. I can always bring it up once we’re finished discussing a certain Phase Sixer.”

The Predacon lord then pushed off from the wall and stood directly in front of Motormaster again. “All that aside, I have a new assignment for you and your men. It involves the Ultrax. I think it’s time we got her off the bottom of the ocean and back into space, wouldn’t you agree?”

Shockwave's Laboratory

Shockwave watched as the cryonic regeneration chamber finished its reactivation protocols, allowing Starscream's requested operative to return to full consciousness and mobility.

"I simply stopped in to ask what you know of Razorclaw's immediate plans. Seeing as how we just got our skidplates bashed in by not only The Fallen but by the Autobots as well, I can imagine the embarrassment he is experiencing. As he should. Shockwave, I still don't understand how that...that animal ever got to be our so-called leader. In Megatron's absence, it should be me! But if that can't happen, not yet anyway, then it should be you. Why isn't it?" Starscream said.

"Analysis: a coordinated gambit allowed Razorclaw to utilize the traditional rites of Decepticon combat and steer them in his favor. The gambit was successful primarily because of the allies he had in place prior to making his move. In the absence of Megatron, I do not see how any individual will fill the void. But a collective may. Razorclaw has put in place just such a collective, with himself as its head."

Shockwave's optic flickered.

"Declarative: I am not the supreme commander because I miscalculated. The same goes for you. It would be illogical for either of us to challenge the status quo, so long as things remain as they are."

Granted, logic had never been Starscream's strong point. Perhaps he would do the exact opposite: take Razorclaw and his alliance head on. In that case, Shockwave reasonably calculated that the Seeker Leader would find himself once more in the brig.

Or worse.

So be it. The Seeker ranks had long needed a more stable Air Commander.

Shockwave returned his attention to his console.

"Your subordinate is ready."

Lounge

”You know what Wildrider?” Skullcruncher sneered, ”That's just fine with me.”

Wildrider grinned. He grinned where any other mech would have shriveled away in fear. Leaping to the side as the table came flying at them, he skidded to a stop, glancing hastily to the side as Brawl began yelling about something and looking generally violent in their direction. His grin nearly cut his faceplate in half. Snatching up one of the not bolted stools around a nearby table, Wildrider chucked it at Skullcruncher with a grunt.

“Heh,” Wildrider backed away, trying to keep some distance between himself and Skullcruncher. “Heheh.” As Brawl began charging at the other two Stunticons, Wildrider made sure to keep himself out that particular line of fire. If either of those two got a good blow on any of them, it would be lights out. Still, something about it. “Heheheh.” This was so…so…thrilling. Exactly what had been missing.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!”


"Get ready to pay up."

Blast-Off immediately scowled. He just knew the talk of bets would revive Swindle from whatever stupor he had been in. He rolled his optics and took another sip of his drink. He idly wondered if he should remove himself from the situation. Mmm. Well, that wasn’t necessary yet. He could always use Swindle or Vortex as a shield if objects began to fly in their general direction.

After Swindle set Brawl loose on Breakdown and Dead End – poor bastards – Blast-Off regarded Swindle with an air of dismissal. “If you think I’m going to pay anything for you siccing Brawl on the Stunticons, you’re sorely mistaken, Swindle. Don’t you agree, Vortex?” the Combaticon asked as he took yet another swig from his glass. “No, we’ll have to settle on something else for a bet now.”


Weirdwolf settled back into his seat, finishing off his mood whiplash. He set the empty glass on the bar, and observed the ensuing chaos of his friend’s rage. It was good that he wasn’t moping around anymore. The tracker did worry a bit when his reptilian friend got that way. Seemed like Brawl was going to join in. That made things a touch sketchy for Skullcrunhcer, but he seemed to be going after Stunticons. Not an issue then. His optics darted in Blitzwing’s direction hastily as the triple changer rose from his seat in haste.

Weirdwolf see the tension radiating outward from Blitzwing. Rising from his seat slowly, he extended a hand out in the triple changer’s direction as if to bar the way forward. “Get involved I would not,” Weirdwolf stated calmly. Despite his outward ease, there was a slight undertone of menace in his words.

Behind the counter, Windsweeper had moved to clean the broken glass with fire in his optics, seeming to be as liable to clean the glass as set it on fire. Only, Needlenose’s outstretched arm stopped him. The aerial defense specialist shot his friend a dirty look. “What are you-“ Crashing sounds drew Windsweeper’s optics over to the flying table and chairs in the Stunticons’ vicinity. Windsweeper let out a meek whimper. “They’re making such a mess…”

The sight of it disgusted him. Angered him. Clenching his fists, he turned away from Needlenose, storming to the bar’s exit with obvious hostile intent. “I’ll teach those fraggers,” Windsweeper muttered intensely, “Make a mess in my bar?! I don’t think so!”


Med Bay

"Let's buy something that won't freeze my fuel pump this time!"

“Whoo! Yeah!” Scavenger cheered with his hands in the air. “So, uh. Where can we do that? The mess hall? I don’t really remember how to get there from here. Or at all. Heh.” Scavenger grinned widely at his teammates, knowing full well that they would help him out. He was so proud to be part of the team. His detective skills, though quite keen, were not yet that renowned. Only his teammates really appreciated what he could bring to the table.

Shockwave’s Laboratory

"As if you get to question me." he said sarcastically. "Just step back and let the adults talk."

Well, well. Wasn’t someone full of himself today? Or maybe that was just all the time. Fortunately for Flamewar, she did not often have the opportunity to associate with Starscream, so she could not attest as to whether this behavior was exceedingly out of the ordinary or not. She would hazard a guess not though. The black operative let an amused smile play out on her faceplate, mirroring her inner emotions in a rare moment.

"I simply stopped in to ask what you know of Razorclaw's immediate plans. Seeing as how we just got our skidplates bashed in by not only The Fallen but by the Autobots as well, I can imagine the embarrassment he is experiencing. As he should. Shockwave, I still don't understand how that...that animal ever got to be our so-called leader. In Megatron's absence, it should be me! But if that can't happen, not yet anyway, then it should be you. Why isn't it?”

Ah, there it was. Stirring up dissention and trouble. Flamewar wondered idly what his goal could possibly be. Perhaps to weaken the current leadership by sending Shockwave upon them as an enemy – as if the purple scientist could be so easily manipulated. Maybe it was just a diversion. Starscream had avoided Shockwave’s earlier query. Though, she supposed he had partly answered it as well. Starscream had been assigned no project. He was effectively out of the loop. How frantic that must be for him. Usurping worked best from within an established command group.

Shockwave soon pitched in with his logical analysis of the matter. Well thought out and thorough. Expected of the purple scientist really. Flamewar’s optics wandered over to Starscream, curious to see how the erratic Air Commander would respond. It appeared he had come here for a subordinate. Which…reminded her. She had not checked in on her own in quite some time. Placing two digits to her audio receiver, Flamewar opened a comm link to her former pupil.

>>”Warwolf? What’s your status?”<< Flamewar paused for a moment before correcting herself, >>”I mean. How are you doing?”<<

Shockwave's Lab

"Declarative: I am not the supreme commander because I miscalculated. The same goes for you. It would be illogical for either of us to challenge the status quo, so long as things remain as they are."

Starscream pondered Shockwave's comments for a brief moment. There was 1 of 2 ways to handle this. Starscream decided.

"No, either of us could not go against Razorclaw and his collaborators." he said with a smirk. "Though I have no doubts I could take him in a fight 1 on 1. But nonetheless, what you said begs the question: how about together? I know you have enough Decepticons loyal to you to go up against his faction. I'm surprised you have taken his leadership for this long. Surely, you..." Starscream paused, as a possibility dawned on him. "Or you do have something planned! And you have yet to tip your...hand." he said. "Well played, Shockwave, well played."

Starscream gave Shockwave no opportunity to reply to this latest accusation, as he walked over to the now open CR chamber where Feedback was, all the while keeping an optic on Flamewar.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Corridors

"Duly noted. This sort of data will no doubt give us more of a strategic advantage down on the planet. Can you access their data files without the need for your superior?"

Ratbat was momentarily paused by the Combaticon Commander's question, even as he flapped lightly just overhead. He hadn't had any need to access the facsimiles since their deployment, but it only made sense that if Shockwave was going to share the datafeeds of the units with Soundwave, that Soundwave would only naturally share it with his subordinates...loathe though Ratbat was to ever use that term. It was his lot in life for the time being. A quick skim of the files regarding the facsimile infiltration confirmed his suspicions.

"Indeed yes, commander. I can't alter their actions or mission prerogatives in any way, but I can see what they're logging into the Decepticon intelligence network."
___

"Let's buy something that won't freeze my fuel pump this time!"

“Whoo! Yeah! So, uh. Where can we do that? The mess hall? I don’t really remember how to get there from here. Or at all. Heh,” the other Constructicons said. Mixmaster just grinned and motioned for them to follow.

"This this this way, heheheh!"

Mixmaster was honestly still riding the high of having been...well, not himself. Devastator was really something!

"Can you guys still believe it?! Hehe. I mean, seriously. We could rule this place now. I mean, uh, it doesn't look like Scrapper is gonna make a play for command, but we so could've!"

Ahead, there seemed to be quite a bit of noise coming from the other side of the lounge doors.

"Sounds like the guys got right to the heavy heavy heavy stuff!"