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Shockwave’s Laboratory

Shockwave's work was both meticulous and diligent, as it always was, as he operated on the complex systems of one of Megatron's Warriors Elite and ensured that the next phase of their operations on in this region of the universe went according to plan. He had not ignored the fact that Soundwave had remained present. Razorclaw's insisting that he remain behind did not alter the Military Strategist's actions in the slightest--primarily because he was on the inside of the stratagem that had been deployed to ensure a workable balance of power.

With the final encoding complete, Flamewar's device integrated and all vestiges of Starscream's influence erased, a half-dozen wires snaked their way back into Shockwave's cannon arm and he proceeded to close up the Phase Sixer's broad chest cavity.

"Satisfactory," Shockwave said simply, before turning his singular gaze to Soundwave. "Imperative: inform our Supreme Commander that the process is complete."

Shockwave's Lab

>>"Soundwave, I take it you were listening."<<

>>"Among other things."<< the communications officer monotonously replied.

>>"Power has warped Razorclaw. He's unfit to rule. As much as I do not trust Shockwave or Flamewar, we may be better off with them then a fool like the Preda-King."

Ravage's words rang true to a degree. While Soundwave was with him and Flamewar believing the Predacon was unfit to rule, Razorclaw did beat himself in the fight for the throne. Like Megatron himself, he fought his way to secure his command. However, unlike Megatron, Razorclaw has little influence over the entire regime. Save for Starscream, few dared to try and take command from him, let alone think of ever trying to. Now the Predacon had a separate party against him. The few he claims are devoted to him? Onslaught, Motormaster, Scrapper, and subsequently those under their wing of command? He's a fool to be this sure so early in his reign.

>>"Or Scorponok. It may be wise to inform his forces of Megatron's fate."<<

Soundwave paused for a moment once those words reached his audio receptor. The suggestion of hailing Scorponok isn't what drove him to halt, in fact his friend might have made a reasonable suggestion. There would be no debate that Scorponok could wipe away Razorclaw and his posse single-handedly with ease. Megatron's fate... It still didn't feel right. It was hard to accept he was truly gone.

>>"A notable contingency. We shall see how our current endeavor plays out before falling back-"<<

Another pause, only this one was a rarity in Soundwave's case; a shiver crawled down the back of his spinal strut. The blue and white Decepticon's audio receptors rung with an eery yet all too familiar howl. Was it a memory sneaking up on him? His processor trying to hold on to a familiar sound?Megatron... It couldn't be real, his mind was tricking him... It sounded distant, yet it echoed so close...

"Satisfactory, Imperative: inform our Supreme Commander that the process is complete."

The communications officer simply nodded towards the cycloptic military commander as his means of snapping back to reality. Soundwave opened up a comm line to the Predacon Commander.

>>"Lord Razorclaw, Shockwave reports that his modifications to Sixshot are complete."<<

Bridge

For a little guy like Ravage, he sure had some bite to him. Though, the cassetticon's words didn't seem to bother the boss' mind at all. Hell, Razorclaw nearly laughed in his face for it.

"I wouldn't worry about him 'Claw." The tiger-former chimed in as he returned his optics to the Terran broadcasting, immediately getting pulled back into the show, "You said it yourself, you're the boss now. 'Cross you, pay dearly' yadda yadda."

Corridors

Soundwave’s response over the comm line was swift and set Ravage somewhat at ease. Both his superior and friend, Soundwave’s words did much to reassure him. Admittedly, Ravage was on edge. How could he not be? He had been ever since Megatron’s supposed demise. With the future of the Decepticons in the hands of Razorclaw, how was he supposed to react?

>>"A notable contingency. We shall see how our current endeavor plays out before falling back-"<<

>>”Soundwave? What is it?”<<

That pause had been somewhat unnatural. Most likely, something had momentarily distracted him, but Ravage was curious. He wondered at what he ought to do now. With no orders likely forthcoming from Soundwave, it might be a good use of time to prowl the corridors of the ship. As Ravage had warned, others had a tendency to be up to no good.

Ah, but where would he be most effective? Soundwave surveyed the ship constantly, so perhaps the bounce chamber or the hangar where mechs could come and go. Yes…That might be a worthy use of his time. Take some of the pressure off of Soundwave as well while he was undoubtedly dealing with Razorclaw.

Bridge:

The words that the kitty spoke to the larger kitty Razorclaw came with more than concern. They were obviously mixed with a condescending tone that such a small rat should never show to a superiority such as their new liege.

Divebomb spun around in his seat towards Razorclaw after the black jaguar left the room.

“Sir,” he started, “I trust you sense a similar thing as I. I smell a lesser willing acquaintance between the minion and you.”

Divebomb then sat back in his seat, “Of course, treachery is not something I predict. No, Soundwave is not an idiot, and neither is his cat. I only predict possibly a… touch or more of doubt for your guiding hand in the tabby's mind. And, as we know, his minions’ opinions reflect that of their master’s.”

The bird-former then spun back around to look at the screens and change the topic.

“Anyhow sir, I have been trying to observe the doings of both sides of the battle at the Yellow Sea. I must admit that I fail to see the strategy that Flamewar is bringing forth so far. Then again, if I had more information, I am sure I would. Currently, she seems to possibly be on a console, and taking longer than I first anticipated she would. Though, the camera feed in relatively far away, and sort of... jumpy. Possibly weapons interfering with the signal."

He then switched cameras.

"Oh my, our green behemoth seems to be having a bit of trouble with the Dinobrutes. Take a look, lord Razorclaw."

Divebomb made the primary viewing camera feed for Devastator the primary focus by enlarging the viewing window for their liege.

Bridge

Tantrum had paid little to no attention to the back and forth between Razorclaw and Soundwave's little pet. Divebomb's bringing up the Yellow Sea battle had, however, caught his attention. He got up from his console and walked over to get a better look for himself.

"Oh my, our green behemoth seems to be having a bit of trouble with the Dinobrutes. Take a look, lord Razorclaw," Divebomb reported.

"What the frag is goin' on down there?" Tantrum growled. "How the frag are they losin' to Grimlock and his buncha throwbacks? I thought that green monster was supposed t'be unbeatable."

Bridge

“I wouldn't worry about him ‘Claw. You said it yourself, you're the boss now. 'Cross you, pay dearly' yadda yadda.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about him, Rampage,” Razorclaw responded as his optics shifted momentarily to the tiger-former before returning to the forward viewscreen. “I have greater concerns than a feline cassetticon trying to tell me what to worry about.”

“Sir, I trust you sense a similar thing as I. I smell a lesser willing acquaintance between the minion and you. Of course, treachery is not something I predict. No, Soundwave is not an idiot, and neither is his cat. I only predict possibly a… touch or more of doubt for your guiding hand in the tabby's mind. And, as we know, his minions’ opinions reflect that of their master’s.”

Divebomb’s words drew the Predacon lord’s attention to his arial subordinate. “A lesser willing acquaintance? Heh, indeed. But do not assume too much, Divebomb. Just because Ravage may seem a bit perturbed by me doesn’t necessarily mean that Soundwave shares that exact sentiment. Still, anything is possible depending upon the circumstances. Soundwave is an important ally to have and he must remain as such.”

“Anyhow sir, I have been trying to observe the doings of both sides of the battle at the Yellow Sea. I must admit that I fail to see the strategy that Flamewar is bringing forth so far. Then again, if I had more information, I am sure I would. Currently, she seems to possibly be on a console, and taking longer than I first anticipated she would. Though, the camera feed in relatively far away, and sort of... jumpy. Possibly weapons interfering with the signal.”

“Flamewar is doing as I instructed her to do,” Razorclaw informed Divebomb. “Do not worry yourself about such things. I….”

”Oh my, our green behemoth seems to be having a bit of trouble with the Dinobrutes. Take a look, lord Razorclaw.”

"What the frag is goin' on down there? How the frag are they losin' to Grimlock and his buncha throwbacks? I thought that green monster was supposed t'be unbeatable.”

Both Divebomb’s continued observations and Tantrum’s subsequent response interrupted the Predacon lord’s words. He did not have time to be angry with them as the video of Devastator struggling against the Dinobots, primarily Grimlock and Swoop, warranted his more immediate attention. Leaning forward in the command chair, Razorclaw watched as several well placed blasts from Grimlock’s rifle forced the green gestalt to break apart and collapse into the separate Constructicons.

“Apparently, Devastator isn’t so unbeatable after all,” a clearly agitated Razorclaw growled before opening a secured comm line down to the undersea base:

>>”Flamewar, this is Lord Razorclaw. Devastator has just fallen to the Dinobots. What is your status? Report at once.”<<

Razorclaw left his comm line to Flamewar open as he rose from the command chair and approached the primary viewscreen to get a closer look at what was about to come next.

>>”Lord Razorclaw, Shockwave reports that his modifications to Sixshot are complete.”<<

Another interruption, this time Soundwave’s communique regarding the status of Sixshot. “Perfect timing,” Razorclaw muttered to himself as he opened yet another comm line:

>>”Excellent, Soundwave. I will be there shortly.”<<

“Rampage, you have the bridge,” the Predacon lord stated before turning towards the exit. “Keep me apprised of the situation down at the undersea base. I will be in Shockwave’s lab in the meantime. I shouldn’t be long.”

Razorclaw then quickly left the bridge, taking a turbo lift down to the science level of the ship.

Bridge:

Ahh this made Divebomb wish he were down there. Look at them. The Dinobots working as such a team against their precious gestalt. It was so sickingly beautiful. Divebomb only wished he could fight the Dinobot bird Swoop himself. And the Dinobots had such coordination. It was almost pretty. Yet, Divebomb knew their experiment was pretty much a failure. It was only a matter of time before...

Oh, look at that, they are down.

>>Lord Razorclaw, the Constructicons are split. I repeat, the Constructicons are split. Some seem to be having more trouble than others, and Scrapper is lying on the sea floor right now. I see what seems to be, erm, I believe that is Bonecrusher taking on what looks to be the Dinobot leader. The Tyrannosaurus. Grim- lock? Yeah, that's him. Most of our forces seem to be in process of retreat however.<<

Priority Transmission from Flamewar to Razorclaw

>>”I read you, my lord. The extraction of sensitive data has been completed, and most of our resources have been moved from the base. The base is set to a delayed remote detonation as well. As for Devastator, I intend to recall forces deployed to attack the Autobots within the base and redeploy them to collect the Constructicons, then order a retreat to lure the Dinobots into our trap.”<<

>>”Unfortunately, we lack some of the manpower to deal with the Dinobots and their reinforcements. Is there anyone you can spare, my lord?”<<

Bridge

The lighting in the room flashed yellow, as did the main and auxiliary monitoring screens.

......INCOMING PROJECTILE..... flashed across the screens as the internal targeting computer provided a visual on the projectile. It appeared to be little more than a ball of blue-white plasma fire, but there could be no mistake that it was on a collision course with the Decepticon vessel.

Med Bay
There was a series of small clicks followed by a soft hiss as the storage chamber opened, a small bit of steam billowing from the chamber as it slowly opened. Within, it's occupant was slowly coming from her long stasis, giving her digits a single flex each before slowly curling them into fits, testing their mobility. She soon followed this by onlining her golden optics from behind a red tinted visor, allowing her systems to fully come online one by one until she felt ready to move.

She didn't know how long she had been in cryo stasis, but Silentsky figured it had been sometime. She couldn't recall much before she was put into stasis, only that she had voluntarily done so when the time came she was needed. And a quick glance towards the chamber made her wonder if it was that time, or if there had been a set number of months or even years before she was to be let out. Regardless of the reason, the femme Seeker was no longer in that set stasis, giving her six wings a small flick for the first time in what was probably months. Maybe years. She wasn't entirely sure on the time frame, but it had been quite some time no less.

Shifting her gave from the chamber in which she had emerged, Silentsky began to take in her surroundings recognizing it as a medical bay. The only real activity she could find seemed to be medical drones. It did bring the thought of getting a proper check-up that her systems were fully functioning and that she was truly ready at a moments notice, but it was something quickly dismissed. She hadn't been damaged previously, and a self-diagnostic didn't bring up anything worth showing concern over. So, she decided to forego the medical check and get onto figuring where she was exactly. Was she on some planet? Or a Decepticon vessel? With being in such a chamber she could likely have been shipped almost anywhere by now.

'Nothing a little exploration won't clear up.' Silentsky thought, reaching behind her back to draw her shortened spear-staff, obviously to accommodate the enclosed space she had been put in. With a small press of its lowest button it extended fully to its proper state, finding some satisfaction in having it in hand once more. Was it wise to have her weapon out like this? Perhaps not. But, when it came to a Decepticon one could never be too certain what problems could arise exactly. Caution seemed the wisest action at the moment in her opinion.

Giving the spear-staff a few twists in hand, Silentsky nodded to herself before making her way from the med bay, activating her Long-Range Scanners in order to try and get some grasp of the numbers she was dealing with.

Corridors
Immediately, a small handful of signals popped up onto her HUD in her visor, causing her to pause and tilt her helm. They were all Decepticon in origin, no Autobot or other strange signal in sight. That was some comfort, but it did not entirely alleviate her concerns of what exactly was going on. There was one or two in close proximity to her, a possible lead to figuring the situation out.

"Hm." With considering her options a few moments more, Silentsky just shrugged her shoulders and decided it couldn't hurt. She kept the scanners on and made her way towards the prowling Ravage, her thruster heels clicking softly on the corridor floors as she stepped as silently as her pedes would allow, spear-staff held aloft but ready.

Bridge

With frightening speed, the alerts on the bridge had gone from yellow to red. A new message scrolled across the various screens.

//IMPACT IMMINENT//
___

Hangar

A plasmatic fireball tore through one of the main exterior doors that would normally regulate access to and from the Thanatos. The fireball crashed to the floor, sending several Decepticons and Vehicons scrambling in different directions as it came to a rest, searing and melting the metals around it. The breach quickly sealed itself off due to technological advancements designed to keep the ship in tact in the event of such an attack, but on this occasion it did not matter; there would only be one projectile quite like this one.

With emergency klaxons blaring, a transport 'Con approached the flaming mass of metal apprehensively as others were quick to retrieve and load their weapons.

"Careful! It's gotta be some kind of bomb!" one of the Seekers on an upper deck called out.

"No, it's some sort of-"

But a black hand with a silver arm shot out of the dying flames and latched themselves around the mech's throat. The mass of burning metal then rose to its full height and stalked forward, still holding the mech by his throat. The transporter struggled in vain, but as he looked closer, his optics widened.

"M....M-Megatron?"

The mech's emotionless, black optics turned to look directly at the Decepticon caught in his grasp. He then began to squeeze, crushing the servos until the mech's neck structure collapsed entirely.

"Payscale!" a mech from above called out.

Megatron dropped the mech to the ground, raised his fusion cannon and fired.

Corridors near the Hangar

Prowling somewhat aimlessly, Ravage rather enjoyed the peace and solitude that these walks through the dimly light corridors of a Decepticon warship offered. It served as a nice way to cool off after having gotten a bit heated after his conversation with their new lord and master. Feh. Ravage would never accept him. No, the only mechanoid that he could ever accept was lost to them. A bitter sip of energon to ingest, indeed.

Abruptly, Ravage’s ears flicked back. He was being followed. Well, maybe not followed but someone coming up behind him. Slinking to one side of the corridor, he stopped and sat to watch their approach. He was surprised to see a seeker. One that, yes, seemed to note him despite his attention deflectors. His red optics narrowed, and he shifted into a more combative position, noting that this one had its weapon out.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked forcefully.

One could never drop their guard with seekers. They were of Starscream’s brood, and while Starscream had conveniently decided to fly off, his treachery could never be underestimated. It was in the next moment, however, when there was a horrific boom and tremor from nearby. Ravage jumped, twisting around in shock. That had come from the hangar!

“Are we under attack?!” he hissed as he rapidly forgot about the seeker. Whirling around on his back feet, Ravage bolted toward the hangar.

Hangar

There was a sound. It was an all too familiar sound. It only quickened Ravage’s pace as he skidded to a stop in front of the open doors to the hangar. His optics went round. Complete and utter confusion struck him stupid at the scene before him. It…made no sense.

“M-M…Megatron…?” Ravage uttered softly.

There stood the Slagmaker. Not triumphant in his return, but like some twisted, hellish figure from the bowels of Unicron, he tore apart those who had pledged themselves to him. Those who loved and adored him. It defied all logic!

“Megatron, stop!” Ravage roared from where he stood, bristling.

This place was so...quiet, eerily so when it came to Decepticons. Any she had ever come across were loud, rowdy, and always starting something, least in her past experiences they were like that. There were some that could be considered the exception, but they were few and far between.

That is why when Silentsky awoke from stasis the last thing she expected was silence. That soon began to change however, with one of those signals she detected coming closer and closer, drawing her curiosity to find out who it belonged to. She lengthened her stride to try and catch up but kept her steps as light and quiet as possible, although it was difficult when her thruster heels still gave low clicks on the metal floors, and some had particularly sharp hearing.

Sure enough, as she was trying to follow that signal someone made no attempt to keep themselves hidden for long. But the last Decepticon she expected to cross was Ravage, one of Soundwave's cassetticons. Her optics though shifted towards her spear staff when he questioned the meaning of it, possibly mistaking her for trying to attack him. A mistake not often taken lightly in this faction. "You misunderstand." Silentsky began before the explosion interrupted her, the tremors causing her to lose her balance for a moment, reaching out to press her hand against the wall for support.

Ravage's question was probably reflecting everyone else's right about now. Something like that didn't just happen at random or without purpose. Pushing off the wall, Silentsky hurried after the robotic feline, keeping her weapon in hand.

Hanger
Arriving to the open doors a little behind Ravage, Silentsky was met with a scene of chaos and confusion. Her own optics wide at watching Megatron squeeze the life out of an unfortunate Decepticon, wings at attention when he fired the infamous fusion cannon towards someone else.

"Our commander does not seem himself." Silentsky spoke up towards Ravage, tone mostly lacking emotion and in a slight whisper but there was no mistaking the hint of fear and shock.

Bridge

The display screen that sat before Rampage quickly shifted from his Terran broadcast to a wide-spread alert. The dim-lighting on the bridge turned red and practically painted the room in a crimson hue. The feline Predacon shot back out of his seat as he tried to make sense of the alert.

"What does it mean 'collision imminent'?! Are the Autobots attacking?" Rampage inquired as he shifted to his tiger mode, his servos kicking into high gear as he bolted towards the Hangar where the computer system was reported impact was made. "Cmon boys! It's a boarding party!"

Shockwave's Lab

Soundwave's highly tuned audio receptors flared as the ship cried out with alarms and alerts. From the Hangar, several Decepticons were crying both in pain and disbelief. Soundwave himself was having a hard time understanding what he was hearing too, he heard not one, but several mechs including Ravage having called out the same name. His name...

Megatron.

Then came the all too familiar sound of his fusion cannon roaring. Soundwave cozily recognize that sound anywhere, there was no way this was a trick, this was real.

>>"Ravage, report!"<< Soundwave called opening his comm line with his feline cassette. Looking over to Shockwave, the blue and white Decepticon began to address the military strategist.

"There is an incident in the Hangar." He reported to the cycloptic mech, beginning to turn on his heel and rush his way towards the door. The door hissed open and Soundwave bolted out in a rarely seen speed as he bee-lined toward the Hangar bay.

Hangar

Stepping through the threshold into the main hangar area, Soundwave's Crimson visor scanned the nearby area. He noticed Ravage and Silentsky both standing nearby, both safe for the time being. Then through the smoke he saw him... His Lord, his mentor, the slagmaker himself.

"Megatron..." The communications officer uttered, his monotonous voice nearly breaking and hinting at sounds of both shock and confusion. Soundwave's chest cavity popped open and ejected the cassette-duo of red and blue. Frenzy and Rumble emerged from their alternate mode and landed in their robot modes, their Crimson visors staring in disbelief.

"I don't believe it..." Rumble added, "Megatron! Whattaya doin'?!"

Corridors

>>”I read you, my lord. The extraction of sensitive data has been completed, and most of our resources have been moved from the base. The base is set to a delayed remote detonation as well. As for Devastator, I intend to recall forces deployed to attack the Autobots within the base and redeploy them to collect the Constructicons, then order a retreat to lure the Dinobots into our trap.”<<

>>”Unfortunately, we lack some of the manpower to deal with the Dinobots and their reinforcements. Is there anyone you can spare, my lord?”<<

Razorclaw had just exited the turbo lift when he received Flamewar’s response along with a communique from Divebomb. The Predacon lord was about to open a return channel to the black operative just as emergency klaxons began blaring through the corridors ship wide. “What the frag is going on?!” The lion-former growled to himself as he paused briefly, opening a channel to the bridge:

>>”Rampage, report! Why are the alarms sounding? Are we under attack?”<<

There was no immediate response which forced Razorclaw to punch his fist into a nearby wall before he quickened his pace towards Shockwave’s lab once more. As he rounded a corner, Razorclaw spotted Soundwave exiting the cycloptic mech’s laboratory in a rush and head in the opposite direction towards the hangar bay area. “Soundwave! Where are you going?! What’s happening?!” Razorclaw shouted, but the communications expert gave no response and continued on towards his destination. If it had been Megatron who demanded answers, he would not have been so blatantly ignored. It just went to further show that very few mechs outside his staunch supporters actually respected the Predacon Commander.

Hellbent on finding out what was happening to his ship, Razorclaw bypassed Shockwave’s lab and instead followed after Soundwave. Sixshot could wait until whatever this new crisis was had been taken care of.

Hangar

Shortly after Soundwave had entered the hangar bay, Razorclaw followed suit. The Predacon leader stopped in his tracks directly next to the monotone mech. The sight his optics beheld was almost unbelievable. There was the slagmaker, himself, standing ominously in the middle of the room having just crushed the throat of a transporter 'Con before opening fire on another with his fusion cannon. Megatron was not only very much alive but back where he belonged. Razorclaw felt both a sense relief and fear. Relief in that the mantle of leadership, which had weighed so heavily in recent cycles on the lion-former, would soon return to its proper place. Fear in that it seemed Megatron was not himself, his blackened optics devoid of any sense of the Supreme Commander he once was.

And he was on fire. Never a good thing.

“Megatron,” Razorclaw stated in a respectful tone, taking one tenuous step forward. “My lord, you’re alive! What happened to you? Why are you attacking us?”

Shockwave’s Lab

The STAG’s red optics flickered to life as the procedure to change his shutdown code had been completed. Sixshot let out a slight groan before looking over at Shockwave. “So, I take it everything went well?" The one-eyed scientist did not have a chance to respond before the sound of alarms and klaxons went off throughout the ship, echoing in the sixchanger’s audio receptors.

“Well, that’s one way to wake me up. Unnecessary, but effective,” Sixshot commented dryly as he sat up and swung his legs around to hang off the edge of the medical berth. “Is something going on that I should know about?”

“There is an incident in the Hangar,” Soundwave responded before quickly leaving the purple Decepticon’s lab. The response wasn’t really directed at anyone in particular, but it mattered little. There was some kind of emergency down in the hangar bay, one that maybe the STAG could help remedy.

“Shockwave,” Sixshot began as he stood up to his full height and turned to face the cycloptic ‘Con. “Should I go down to see what’s happening? My ‘talents’ may be needed.” Normally, the phase sixer would not ask a mech like Shockwave for permission to do anything. However, considering the scientist now possessed his new shutdown code, it was better to err on the side of caution.

Corridors somewhat near the lounge area

Feint's attention had been firmly set on sorting some of his bullets, something he tended to do while bored (as well as a way to ignore Reaver's looming presence behind him) when the entire ship went on alert.

He looked up as Decepticons went rushing past.

He slipped his bullets away and looked back to Reaver out if the corner of his optic.

"Well..." He said softly and Reaver nodded.

Shockwave’s Laboratory

As soon as the emergency klaxons began blaring, Shockwave's attention was pulled away from the occupants of the room and towards his laboratory control panel. With it, he quickly accessed the emergency network and isolated the trigger area for the emergency system going into affect. Soundwave was equally efficient.

"There is an incident in the Hangar," the Intelligence chief said before turning and leaving the confines of the laboratory. Shockwave, for his part, said nothing to the departing Decepticon and instead accessed the remote video feeds via the surveillance technology he had ensured would be installed throughout the ship when it was first constructed.

When live images of what was transpiring in the hangar appeared on the monitor, Shockwave would not deny that he was taken aback--even if nothing would give any outward indication of him being such. By all visual indications, the Decepticon Emperor of Destruction--Megatron--had not only returned, but was in the process of destroying their vessel and its occupants. There were so many improbabilities wrapped up in that observation that it threatened to freeze Shockwave's laser core.

"Declarative: this is improbable...." Shockwave stated, not expecting a response from the Warrior Elite sitting on a berth only a meter or so away.

>>"Shockwave to Soundwave--interrogative--can you provide confirmation of the visual feed? Is that mechanoid actually Megatron?"<<

Whether it was, or some elaborate facsimile, an emergency response clearly needed to be marshaled. With the klaxons blaring, the rank-and-file would know what to do. They had been trained ad infinitum for such contingencies. Nevertheless, not one of them--including Shockwave--had prepared for the possibility of Megatron suddenly going rogue in such a manner. There was something deeper at play here, and Shockwave needed to find out what.

“Shockwave should I go down to see what’s happening? My ‘talents’ may be needed.”

"Declarative: We should," Shockwave replied, intentionally altering the response he gave to Sixshot's more specific question. "But do not engage directly until we have a more fundamental understanding of what is occurring here.

Saying nothing more, the bulky purple mech rose from his seat and proceeded to exit the laboratory with some noticeable haste.

Shockwave’s Lab

“Declarative: We should, but do not engage directly until we have a more fundamental understanding of what is occurring here.”<<

Shockwave’s response was one that the STAG had hoped to hear. Sixshot had remained stagnant ever since the Fallen. He needed some sort of action to keep himself from going completely bored out of his processor. Whatever was happening down in the hangar had to be more exciting than simply loitering around the Thanatos as Razorclaw struggled to keep what little control he had of the Decepticon forces here.

“Understood,” the sixchanger replied to Shockwave as the purple mech rose from his chair and quickly exited the lab. Before Sixshot followed, he took a quick glance over at the video feeds that continued to come in from the hangar bay. “Oh, my,” the phase sixer commented aloud to an empty room as he approached the monitor for a closer look. His crimson optics widened at the sight of what he was seeing. “Megatron. How very interesting.”

A wry smile formed underneath his faceshield as Sixshot took leave of the cycloptic mech’s laboratory and headed directly for the hangar.

Hangar

The battle was raging again. Autobots were closing in on at least two fronts. Megatron surveyed the battle positions, making a last-klik adjustment to the rear guard's advancing position. Shockwave looked over in his direction.

"Declarative--that adjustment will leave the vanguard exposed to attack from the east," Shockwave said. Megatron simply smirked.

"Only if I do not join the battle myself, Shockwave. Which is precisely what I intend to do. Monitor our progress from here. Alert me of any changes in Prime's tactics," Megatron said, tapping a control panel switch. Above them, a domed roof opened and the Slagmaker launched himself out of the rolling tank that was serving as their mobile command center during this particular battle.

Once in the skies, Megatron immediately recognized the surroundings as that of Polyhex, with Shockwave's tower looming ominously over the centermost part of the city. Launching himself forward, his optics scanned for the first group of Autobots he could find, launching himself into the middle of them, his fusion cannon blazing.

“M-M…Megatron…? Megatron, stop!” an Autobot cried out, clearly in fear for its life.

"Tell Optimus Prime to surrender, and I may yet spare your life, Autobot!" Megatron growled as another of Prime's loyalists closed the distance and attempted to engage him in close quarters combat. It would be his final mistake.

"I don't believe it...Megatron! Whattaya doin'?!" another Autobot cried out.

"Teaching you not to come this far into Decepticon-held territory. Prime will pay dearly for sending you here!" the gunmetal gray mech howled as he slammed a fist down hard on the mech he was fighting before unleashing another torrent from his cannon.

“Megatron, My lord, you’re alive! What happened to you? Why are you attacking us?”

Megatron turned to look at the mech who had just addressed him as 'lord'. Hot Spot? That made no sense. His black fists clenched in anger. Was this yet another hallucination? How could it be? Everything--his entire sensory suite--legitimized what he was experiencing. He had to destroy them and secure the Decepticons' secondary base of operations.

"Priiiime!" Megatron roared, before launching himself into the air and crashing through the ceiling and into one of the upper decks of the Thanatos before firing his cannon again, the massive burst of energy searing walls and sending Decepticons running in terror.

Hangar

Springing into action as another torrent was loosed from Megatron’s fusion cannon, Ravage darted to the side, circling around as Razorclaw addressed him. With Megatron distracted, he saw his time to strike. Hardly noticeable amid the flames and chaos, Ravage ran toward his lord, latching onto his leg just as he launched himself into the upper level.

The foot wasn’t the best place to try to talk some sense into Megatron. He was clearly not in his right mind, going on about Autobots and Prime. What did he think was happening? Releasing Megatron, Ravage bounded away only to pounce again, this time biting down on the cannon itself. He’d try to throw off his aim while avoiding getting blown apart himself.

“Lord Megatron, please! There are no Autobots here! It is us! Your loyal servants! It’s Ravage!”

Hangar

>>"Shockwave to Soundwave--interrogative--can you provide confirmation of the visual feed? Is that mechanoid actually Megatron?"<<

Soundwave was having a hard time believing what his optics were telling him, himself. He stood in a moment of shock as his scanners tried to ensure it. His voice, the sound of his own fusion cannon, even without digging into his mind he could feel the resonance of his familiar thought patterns. There was no mistaking it; that was Megatron.

>>"Confirmed. Megatron has returned to the Thanatos..."<<

Both Razorclaw and Ravage shared their concerns, both mechanoids questioning the silver-cladded slagmaker about what was going on. His return, why he was shooting his way back through the ship. So many questions... and yet-

Megatron then leapt up to the ceiling of the hangar and started boring his way through through the ship, the all-too familiar "choom" of his fusion cannon echoing through the ship. Soundwave started to run through the ship's camera feeds as the warlord tore his way across the corridors above.

"Alert; Megatron's current path leads directly towards Engineering. At the current rate he's tearing through our troops, I can only assume the worst..."

Corridors

The sound of weapons fire--particularly the telltale *choom* of Megatron's fusion cannon--was unmistakable as Shockwave drew nearer to the hangar.

>>"Confirmed. Megatron has returned to the Thanatos..."<< came Soundwave's transmissions, thereby setting off a chain of calculations and queries that Shockwave had not been prepared to deal with. He most certainly would after this incident.

Arriving within the hangar as efficiently as time would allow, Shockwave quickly surveyed the scene: charred and broken mechs were already lying in various positions. His optic then surveyed the hole that Megatron had torn through the ceiling of the hangar, allowing him access to the upper decks and--as Soundwave's alert had indicated--eventually, the central engineering core of the ship.

Shockwave approached the chief intelligence officer. Though there was no panic or any other emotion in his tone, it was clear enough that the strategist had been unsettled by what was occurring.

"Interrogative: why is Megatron doing this?" Shockwave said as he approached the blackened mini-crater where Megatron had first made impact after crashing into the ship. His internal sensor suite was scanning everything that could even remotely be relevant.

"Imperative: order the response teams to do whatever is necessary to slow his progress. If destruction is his intent, he cannot be allowed to reach the engine core."

Corridors

"There he is!"

"Frag on a-!" the two Decepticon grunts blurted out as they rounded a corner and found the Emperor of Destruction doing exactly what his title indicated--destroying.

Megatron had paid no attention to the significantly smaller mech that had latched onto his leg, continuing to stalk his way forward regardless of the slight impediment. It then bounded away before leaping back, this time seizing upon his fusion cannon before he could fire at the approaching Decepticons.

“Lord Megatron, please! There are no Autobots here! It is us! Your loyal servants! It’s Ravage!”

Megatron said nothing, but instead seized the Casseticon with his other hand and flung him down the length of the hallway before raising his weapon at the other mechs. Their weapons drawn, they looked at each other before reluctantly starting to fire. Black burn marks seared themselves against his otherwise pristine, gunmetal gray exterior. His soulless black optics did not give any flicker of response before he, too, fired his weapon.

The massive eruption of energy tore down the corridor, searing the edges of the corridor walls. One of the mechs was able to dodge most of the blast, with only torching his upper back as rocketed past. The other was not so fortunate. The energy tore through his entire upper torso, initiating a chain-reactive explosion that left only a smoking, charred pair of legs on the corridor floor.

Unflinching, Megatron pressed deeper into the ship.

Hangar Bay

“Priiiime!”

Razorclaw stared at the slagmaker in utter shock as he shouted the name of Prime at the lion-former. Was he crazy? Hallucinating? What was wrong with the true leader of the Decepticons? Before the Predacon Commander could say anything further, Megatron had launched himself into the air and smashed through the ceiling above, causing debris to rain down around Razorclaw and the other ‘Cons that still functioned in the hangar. The sound of a fusion cannon then rang out as Megatron made his way through the upper decks and whatever Decepticons got in his way.

“Alert; Megatron's current path leads directly towards Engineering. At the current rate he's tearing through our troops, I can only assume the worst…”

The Predacon Commander snapped his head around to look directly at the communications expert. “Understood, Soundwave. My Predacons and I will try and head him off. Do what you can to get through to his mind.”

Wasting no further time, Razorclaw activated his foot thrusters and shot up through the hole in the ceiling just as Shockwave had entered the hangar.

Corridors

Arriving a few decks up where Megatron had stopped his ascent, Razorclaw landed in a darkened corridor that had clearly been on the receiving end of the slagmaker’s fusion cannon. Before proceeding further, the Predacon leader opened a comm line to his team:

>>“Predacons, this is Razorclaw. There is no time to explain but somehow Lord Megatron has returned! However, he is not himself and is hellbent on destroying this ship and anyone that gets in his way. The slagmaker is currently heading towards Engineering on Deck 9. Lock onto my signal and rendezvous with me ASAP! We must do what we can to stop Megatron before he destroys us all!”<<

Cutting his comm line, Razorclaw transformed into his lion mode and bound through the corridors of the Thanatos, following the sounds of fusion canon fire and the screams of its victims. Rounding once final corner, the slagmaker came into view. Rushing by a pair of charred legs that were still smoldering on the floor, the lion-former ran past Megatron before spinning around in his tracks and returning to his robot mode.

“Megatron, my lord!” Razorclaw shouted as he cautiously raised both of his hands in front of him while powering up his shoulder-mounted concussion cannons. The slagmaker was only about ten feet away and getting closer by the astrosecond. “Please stop! We are not your enemy! I’m Razorclaw, the Predacon Commander! You are on board the Thanatos! Optimus Prime is not here. There are no Autobots here. Only your fellow Decepticons are on board! Please stop trying to destroy us!”

Hangar Bay

Sixshot followed behind Shockwave and entered the hangar just in time to see Razorclaw chase after Megatron through a massive hole in the ceiling. “Damn, just missed the slagmaker. Well, I guess I’ll get another chance soon enough,” the STAG commented as he crossed his arms over his chest plate. The phase sixer watched as the purple scientist approached Soundwave and question why Megatron was doing this.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sixshot responded first, approaching the two mechs. “Megs has clearly lost his marbles. I mean, look at this mess.” The sixchanger motioned towards the Decepticons that had fallen prey to the slagmaker’s fusion cannon as well as the upside down crater in the ceiling. “I hope you guys have insurance. Heh.”

“Imperative: order the response teams to do whatever is necessary to slow his progress. If destruction is his intent, he cannot be allowed to reach the engine core.”

Sixshot looked back at the cycloptic Decepticon. “You don’t need response teams. You’ve got me. Just give me the word, Shockwave, and I’ll stop Megatron dead in his tracks.”