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Deck 9-–Corridors

Various blasts of energon pelted Megatron's chassis, staggering his gait or pulling his focus away from his primary opponent as char marks were left as the only indicators on the Slagmaker's hyper-reinforced armature.

Sixshot landed another heavy blow, knocking the silver gladiator back against a corridor wall and buckling it like thin aluminum when he did. But the move had also put enough space between the two warriors for Megatron to get off another critical shot from his fusion cannon.

Raising the weapon as he had in countless battles before, he aimed and-

-nothing.

No massive plume of destructive energy erupted from the sleek, obsidian-colored weapon. As he looked down, his energo-mace had dissipated as well.

What treachery...?

"No matter! I've killed countless Autobots with my bare hands! I will gladly add more to that list before this day is out!" Megatron howled in rage as he lunged forward.

As he did, a crippling strike landed against his lower right leg just as the warrior he was fighting had transformed into some kind of bestial alt-mode that Megatron did not recognize. The loss of momentum was too much to overcome at that instant and the gladiator slammed back into the ground.
___

His earlier charge had been rebuffed by a blast out of nowhere that had staggered the Predacon fueler.

But seeing Sixshot and Razorclaw get even a moment's edge against Megatron, Tantrum charged further into the melee, diving for the leg that Razorclaw had slammed his sword into and holding onto it even as the group of fighters fell back in a heap.

Bounce Chamber

“Y-You mean it? Oh, good! Yeah…good.”

Scrapper just smirked underneath his faceplate. Of course he meant it. Scavenger knew that after this long.

All of the Constructicons in the bounce chamber, which was actually just half of them, watched Thunderwing and Flamewar curiously before they ultimately left the room.

“Go? Boss, what’s he mean?”

Scrapper shrugged. The same screen that had captured Thunderwing and Flamewar's attention now held that of Skullcruncher and Weirdwolf. On it? Pure madness. Megatron violently attacking other Decepticons.

"I think he means we 'go' there," Scrapper said, pointing listlessly at the screen. "And I'm not inclined to disagree. Let's go."

"Right, right, right, chief," Mixmaster said, much more subdued than his normal level of enthusiasm.
___

Deck 9-–Corridors

The melee between Megatron and Sixshot had devolved into the chaotic brawl that Shockwave had expected, but it had also drawn Megatron's attention away from the vital areas of the ship. Their collective destruction would be delayed, at least.

When Flamewar made her presence known, Shockwave watched her actions closely and listened to her words carefully. Exactly what technology did she possess that allowed her to incapacitate Megatron in any capacity, much less for two breems? That would require further interrogation.

Provided they survived.

Shockwave's singular optic returned to the battle, one that was raging more fiercely by the second as the two gladiators fought for any possible edge over the other.

Now would be the perfect time....

....the perfect time to deliver critical, ending blows to all of them. Rebuild the Decepticon empire's command structure from almost scratch. Certainly within this sector, and then within all sectors as deemed necessary. Shockwave's calculations went into overdrive, but no convincingly satisfying probabilities were coming back.

Unfortunate.

And so the cycloptic mech stood, waiting to see if Razorclaw and his allies would be able to capitalize on Flamewar's little intervention.

Deck 9 – Corridors

As Sixshot leapt through the air directly at Megatron, Razorclaw had decided to step in and strike with his sword at the slagmaker’s right leg, causing the Decepticon leader to fall to the ground. Consequently, the STAG passed by over Megatron and landed behind the powerful gladiator. The sixchanger remained in his wolf creature alt mode as he turned around to witness Tantrum charge in and grab a hold of the same leg the Predacon Commander had just successfully attacked.

Sixshot turned towards Flamewar with an inquisitive look on his wolf’s visage. Having seen Megatron moments before lose power to both his fusion cannon and his energo-mace, the phase sixer couldn’t help but wonder what kind of trickery had caused that. >>”What did you do to him, my dear? Some kind of killswitch, like what I have perhaps?”<< The STAG commed privately to Flamewar before returning his attention to the slagmaker. A part of him was happy to receive some assistance, not just from Flamewar but from the others, as well.

Of course, there was another part of him that wished he had taken on Megatron alone with no help at all. One powerful warrior against an equally powerful warrior. The sixchanger faced so few mechs with the strength to stand against him that it was a breath of fresh air to finally be in a fight with a warrior worthy of his time. Still, this was not a moment where Sixshot’s abilities needed to be tested. The slagmaker needed to be stopped before he did any more damage to either the ship or to the crew within. That was more important than the phase sixer’s pride.

Taking advantage of the fallen Decepticon leader, Sixshot quickly leapt onto the crazed Megatron’s back and immediately bit down into the right shoulder joint. The wolf creature growled as he attempted to rip the slagmaker’s right arm straight out of its socket.
_____________

Razorclaw took a step back once his sword had struck Megatron’s right leg, causing the slagmaker to collapse to the ground. Whatever Flamewar had done to incapacitate the Decepticon leader had helped, as well. The lion-former would need to have a talk with her in regards to this power she possessed. Not to mention why someone such as herself would hold the ability to “declaw” the Supreme Leader of the Decepticons.

The Predacon Commander then watched as Tantrum rushed in and grabbed onto Megatron’s wounded right leg while Sixshot followed suit by biting into the slagmaker’s right shoulder. They seemed to be trying to tear Megatron limb from limb. It was not a bad idea as even the slagmaker could not fight back if he did not have the arms or legs to fight with.

Transforming into his lion form, Razorclaw charged in, as well, sinking his serrated teeth into Megatron’s left elbow joint with the same intent as the other beast-formers to dismember their insane leader.

Outer Hull

Sitting alone on the outer hull of the Decepticon warship Thanatos, Aegis found some peace and quiet for a bit of contemplation. He faced outward, away from the blue planet that they orbited and toward the stars. One among them was their home. Their Cybertron. How he longed to return to it one day.

Letting out a sigh that did not travel into the vacuum surrounding him, Aegis offlined his optics. Ordinarily, he came here to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy goings on of the ship. More recently, it had been because the ship and his spark felt emptier without Lord Megatron’s presence to spur them on.

Earlier, something a little odd had occurred. An unusual vibration in the ship. Aegis had thought to investigate it, but eventually dismissed the matter entirely. If they had been under attack, the Autobots would have struck with force, and he saw no battle cruisers surrounding them. That was enough to reassure him.

His blue optics flicked back online after a long while. No. It was not enough to reassure him. Even with lord and master gone…surely, this ship was still worth protecting. His cause. He would go to investigate. Rising up, Aegis made his way back toward the hatch that would lead into the ship.


Bounce Chamber

”If by that you mean losing our new base and not even finishing off a single Autobot, then yeah. Sure.” Skullcruncher scoffed at Weirdwolf’s comment while wondering what was Flamewar’s rush to Thunderwing’s side about. The holoscreen was just too obscured with those two standing before it, ”What the slag is going on?”

“Harrumph. If you at it like that you must…” Weirdwolf muttered dismissively, watching with some curiosity as something lit a fire beneath the heels of their supposed commanders. A touch curious himself, Weirdwolf had a wander over to the console and a look see. “Oh my.” Well, that certainly would explain it.

Glancing around for Skullcruncher, he spotted him marching out after Thunderwing. Weirdwolf trotted over to match pace with his longtime friend. “Well…appears it does that Megatron has returned. Swarmed he is by Decepticons. The king of beasts. Sixshot. Believe Soundwave I saw as well.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Puzzling it was that the other Decepticons would attack Megatron unless something wrong with him was.

“Something wrong with Megatron is if even that is truly Megatron,” Weirdwolf thought aloud in a low mutter, “Still, surrounded by many he is so we need not worry too greatly. More worried am I about others that may wish harm to Megatron or other leadership in this time of confusion. Quite opportune. See I can those like Starscream who would backstab the king of beasts or Megatron or Sixshot or Soundwave or…”

Weirdwolf realized that he was sort of rambling and so cleared his vocals. “Suggest I do that wise it might be to watch the watchers. Wings of Thunder in particular.”


When Scavenger looked at the monitor, he was confused. Not a particularly new experience for him. He looked at Scrapper who seemed put out and Mixmaster who was almost equally so. But…wasn’t this good? Following Scrapper out of the room, he tapped his leader lightly on the arm, a puzzled frown on his faceplate.

“Boss? What’s wrong? Megatron’s back! That’s great! Isn’t it? We gotta go help him, right?”


Deck 9 – Corridors

Ravage stood on the sidelines of the brawl, having retreated back to Soundwave’s side. There was no talking sense into Megatron. Not like this. And he certainly wasn’t equipped to help subdue their beloved leader. So he settled on watching. It was difficult, but Ravage couldn’t simply look away. Not when a stray fusion cannon blast could end him.

Still, he bristled when Flamewar appeared suddenly claiming to have this…ability to weaken Megatron? He could only watch with equal parts indignation and curiosity as Megatron…did appear to lose the ability to use his fusion cannon. What was this?! Why did Flamewar have it? Treachery? No, Megatron was virtually tamper proof. It shouldn’t be possible.

Ravage looked to the femme whose optics were locked onto the combat unfolding.

Flamewar watched solemnly as Megatron’s power was cut and the following look on his face. It had to be done. And curious optics fell on her from all over. But, fortunately, most moved away from her for the moment. She knew that she would have explanations demanded from her from all of them. Flamewar wasn’t sure which she dreaded most. Probably Razorclaw. With the ‘my dears’ and such. Potentially Soundwave. It was a comm from Sixshot that broke that particular line of thought.

>>”What did you do to him, my dear? Some kind of killswitch, like what I have perhaps?”<<

Ah, yes. Even Sixshot used my dear. It really took the meaning away from the words. She was not actually dear to either. Well, with Sixshot, at least, she was attempting to accomplish that to some degree. Regardless, Flamewar tucked the device away and readied her fusion crossbow with a sedative bolt. A contingency in case Sixshot and the others failed to incapacitate Megatron within two breems.

>>”Something like that,”<< she commed back to Sixshot more than a little subdued, stopping herself before she asked him not to harm Megatron too badly. No, they needed to do whatever it took to incapacitate him. It appeared that they were going for dismemberment. Effective. If inelegant. >>”What I did won’t last long. If you can’t dismember him entirely, at least get his cannon arm. Oh, and do be careful. It is still Megatron. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”<<

Corridors:

The sound of gunfire and ghastly screams pierced the environment in the Thanatos. Doomshot sat quietly in his personal quarters of the ship listening intently. It wasn’t too rare for a fight to break out within a Decepticon ship. However, this one sounded more intense and severe than regular.

Doomshot stood up from his seat where he was treating his weapons, left his room, and stepped into the corridor. Still listening as he did so.

Clearly, this fight wasn’t something of normal Decepticon bar brawling. For it was coming from above, and not from the lounge below. Doomshot treaded these halls with heavy yet precise footsteps, and with the never fading green glow in his optics piercing the dim lighting he strode through.

Oddly enough, Doomshot felt a slight dread in his spark for the upcoming encounter. He didn’t know why, especially since he normally strove for the opportunity to show his abilities in a fight. But he knew something dark was in the air. Darker than the light in the corridors he walked.

Deck 9 - Corridors

Headstrong noted that his gunfire had little effect on Megatron. However, he saw that several other 'Cons -Sixshot, Razorclaw, and Tantrum- had an alternative plan: Tearing Megatron limb from limb.

Well, if they thought it was a good idea, then it must be. Headstrong concluded. With a growl, he shifted into rhino mode, lowered his head and charged right at his former leader's chest. He had to make things easier for his allies.

Slipstream watched the proceedings with detached interest. She honestly didn't care who lived and who died. Just as long as she wasn't involved in any way.

What did interest her was this Flamewar's...ability to shut down the Slagmaker's fusion cannon. Slipstream made a mental note to ask the femme about that. It could prove useful.

How barbaric. They were going to test Megatron to pieces?

Yeah. Good luck with that.

Bored, Slipstream made her leave of the area. Best not to be around when the dust settled. Nonchalantly, she walked aimlessly through the ship.

Her attention was caught when she heard a hatch open. Her first thought was of an Autobot attack. But that wouldn't have been possible, unless they had a cloaked army/fleet the Decepticon army didn't know about. Doubtful.

She cautiously investigated the source to see a very knightly looking 'Con step through the hatch. She smiled and walked up to him.

"Odd time to catch some rays."

Deck 9 – Corridors

Aegis had not expected to be greeted when he stepped back into the ship proper. Often, his retreats to the outer hull were solitary, and few ever ventured to his area of the ship unless they were assigned to maintenance. The seeker that greeted him did not appear to be an engineer. No, seekers tended to be warriors in some form or another.

"Odd time to catch some rays."

“I find it useful for clearing one’s head,” he replied, the warmth in his voice attempting to return the warmth of her smile. “But what about the time is odd? Ah, pardon me. I’ve neglected to introduce myself. I don’t believe we’ve formally met. You are…Slipstream, yes?” He offered her a polite bow. “I am Aegis. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

His optics narrowed as he…heard something akin to the sounds of combat from within the ship. What was that about? Had things degraded so much in his brief retreat that they had again begun to fight amongst themselves? For better or worse, Razorclaw had won the throne. It distracted and worried him, but he managed to turn his attention back to the femme with whom he was speaking. It wouldn’t do to be discourteous.

Deck 9 - Outer Corridors

Slipstream gave the 'Con that had stepped from the outside with curiosity. He seemed...almost civilized. A fine specimen. Especially for this army.

Aegis wrote:“I am Aegis. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

"Aegis"? The name reminded the femme of a shield. He probably was a chivalric of some kind.

Slipstream gave the knight a nod, adopting a similar noble look. "The pleasure is mine."

He was distracted. The battle was still raging in th background, but its sounds were still filtering clearly to their position.

When he turned back, Slipstream gestured toward the direction of the fighting. Striving to have a neutral tone, she said, "Megatron has returned. He's currently fighting Razorclaw and Sixshot as we speak."

She didn't go further in detail. Slipstream wanted to gauge his reaction to the news before explaining more.

Deck 9 - Outer Corridors:

The sounds of battle became ever closer as Doomshot ascended up the ship. He was on the same deck as the battle it seemed, considering where the noise was coming from. Doomshot walked calmly but swiftly before coming across two others who seemed to be conversing about the happenings.

"Megatron...currently fighting Razorclaw and Sixshot as we speak."

Hm. Who? Doomshot approached closer. He couldn't fully hear the beginning of what she said, but he at least knew who was battling the opposer. He thought he might've heard the name "Megatron", but that was impossible. No, he needed to know for sure.

The military strategist stopped beside the two with a permanent glare in his optics. A slight questioning look on his visage. Doomshot then spoke in a booming, but calm and monotone voice.

"Who?"

Deck 9 – Outer Corridors

"Megatron has returned. He's currently fighting Razorclaw and Sixshot as we speak."

Aegis’s optics went wide that that. Shocked, clearly, but his expression as also as if a grievous wound had been reopened. His first impulse was to rush to the scene and defend his lord and master, but…he couldn’t be so hasty. After a moment of consideration, it didn’t make any sense. Megatron was the one that possessed the shut-down codes for Sixshot unless Razorclaw had somehow misappropriated them. And from what he knew of Razorclaw, he wouldn’t fight Megatron without cause.

Gently but intently gripping Slipstream by the shoulders, Aegis lowered his optics to hers. “Please, explain. Why has this happened? Were Razorclaw and Sixshot behaving strangely?” His scanned her frame quickly, “You don’t appear injured…that’s good. Did you manage to slip away before the fighting erupted in earnest?”

When heavy footfalls approached from the darkness of the corridors, Aegis’s head snapped up. He immediately placed himself between the newcomer and Slipstream, drawing out his blade and readying his shield, the Deceptibrand emblazoned across its face.

"Who?"

It did not take Aegis long to recognize who it was that approached them. Still, he did not lower his guard. Not yet when matters were still so uncertain.

“I am Aegis,” he replied calmly. “And you are…Doomshot, correct? It is rude to eavesdrop. Regardless…Slipstream, explain to both of us.” Looking back at her and giving the femme a reassuring nod, Aegis kept his optics trained on Doomshot.

“Go ahead. I’ll protect you should he react poorly,” Aegis muttered under his breath to her.

Deck 9 - Corridors:

Total disrespect. Razorclaw and Sixshot trying to tear their master limb from limb, and Sixshot even seemed to enjoy it. It was sort of beautiful to Divebomb. Tempting it was to join in on the fun. However, he wasn't exactly in tune with the idea of killing their leader out of the love for battle, and winding up in the brig. Let the higher-ups deal with their crazed leader, and not do what he wanted to do. Sounded like the more rational option.

At that, Divebomb simply stepped back from the action, and watched from afar, propped against the wall with his arms crossed. He noticed Slipstream making her exit, and took note in case he wished to do the same. He kept his weapon drawn in case he needed to take action as well if the others failed to complete the job successfully.

"Pathetic this faction has become," the Predacon muttered under his breath, sniggering as he watched.

Deck 9-–Corridors

Whatever Flamewar's secret technology ultimately accomplished, it had at least removed Megatron's fusion cannon from the calculations for an indeterminate amount of time. That would be a satisfactory advantage which needed to be capitalized upon.

Shockwave's arm cannon began to charge up and he approached the assemblage of clashing Decepticons.
___

In the throes of the melee, Megatron could feel the Autobots gaining the upper hand. There were too many of them and he had put himself in a less-than-ideal position from which to destroy them. He would-

Sixshot.

Razorclaw and his Predacons.

Flamewar.

Beyond them, Shockwave, Soundwave, numerous others.

Megatron's optics flickered between the soulless black they had been and his customary, fiery crimson.

Technobots. Prowl. Predacons. Shockwave. Flamewar. Optimus Prime.

"Grahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Megatron roared in rage, not from the pain of the collective attacks against him but from the sea of chaos that clashed violently in his mind.

"Decepticons! Away!" the silver gladiator barked. He couldn't know who he was truly dealing with: Optimus Prime's Autobots or his own loyal Decepticons. If they were Autobots, they would not heed his words. This battle would be finished, at least for the time being. Optimus would have to kill him if he hoped it to be truly finished. If somehow they were Decepticons, then they were assisting with containing his actions as best they could. The blackness loomed, but for the moment he could see.
___

"Decepticons! Away!"

Nothing about this situation felt right. But those two words had been the first out of Megatron's mouth that sounded exactly like the leader that Tantrum had been trained, even conditioned, to obey for countless vorns.

He released his grip instinctively and rolled away so that he could get to a suitable crouch and see just what this meant.

Deck 9 – Corridors

Flamewar wrote:>>”Something like that. What I did won’t last long. If you can’t dismember him entirely, at least get his cannon arm. Oh, and do be careful. It is still Megatron. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”<<

Sixshot had to admit he was impressed by this femme. Somehow Flamewar had a way to de-power Lord Megatron, the slagmaker of Tarn. How did she come to possess such an ability and did Megatron, himself, know about it? It would be rather curious either way. If the Decepticon leader did know, why would he allow any mech to have such power over him? If the slagmaker didn’t know, well, the cyber-cat was out of the bag now and Megatron’s reaction to this discovery would be most interesting indeed.

>>”I’m already biting his cannon arm at the shoulder joint, my dear. I should have it dismembered momentarily.”<<

Megatron wrote:"Decepticons! Away!"

The sudden roar from Megatron surprised the phase sixer a bit, not because of fear but because the slagmaker sounded like his old self again. Megatron even called them all Decepticons which seemed to indicate that he finally recognized them. Had their true leader finally come to his senses or was this some kind of elaborate trick to get them to back off?

It was hard to tell, but Sixshot was taking no chances as he sunk his fangs deeper into Megatron’s shoulder plate, a growl emanating from his vocals. If the slagmaker truly was back, he would hopefully understand the sixchanger’s apprehension. If it was just a trick then the STAG would not be put off guard.
_______________

Megatron wrote:"Decepticons! Away!"

Razorclaw stopped at the sound of Megatron giving them all an order to back away. The slagmaker sounded like himself again and not some crazed lunatic. Tantrum had already obeyed, but the others had not yet responded. Sixshot seemed to be biting deeper into Megatron’s cannon arm with no signs of letting up.

“Headstrong, Sixshot, back off! Now!” Razorclaw bellowed as the lion-former, himself, released his grip on the slagmaker’s left arm and slowly backed way, returning to his robot mode in the process. “Sixshot, you heard Megatron. BACK OFF!!”

“And what if it’s a trick?!” The phase sixer roared back at the Predacon Commander, letting go of Megatron’s cannon arm. “Or what if he regresses back to insanity? Then what? We have our chance to subdue him now. Why take the risk?”

Sixshot had a point, but at the same time, would a crazed mech have the mental wherewithal to try and trick his attackers? If Megatron truly still thought the Autobots were attacking him, why call them Decepticons? What would that achieve in his warped mind? It didn’t make sense.

“It’s Lord Megatron. I can tell. Now, back off, Sixshot!” Razorclaw yelled, pulling out his sword. The sixchanger snarled at the Predacon Commander before the wolf creature reluctantly jumped off the slagmaker and transformed back into his robot mode. Sixshot stared down at the lion-former for several astroseconds with anger in his optics.

“You’re putting everyone at risk, Razorclaw. A real leader wouldn’t do that,” Sixshot said plainly before retrieving his hypersonic concussion blasters from the floor. The STAG then looked back at Megatron to see what the slagmaker would do next. The phase sixer was prepared for any eventuality, keeping a firm grip on his weapons.

The words Sixshot had just said to him reverberated through Razorclaw’s processor. It stung hard as yet another Decepticon questioned his ability to lead the empire. Not that it really mattered anymore with Megatron back or almost back at any rate. Perhaps the lion-former was putting everyone at risk, but it was a risk he was willing to take. He knew the slagmaker’s true voice when he heard it, and this was Megatron without a doubt.

“Lord Megatron,” Razorclaw stated as he took one cautious step towards the Decepticon leader. “It’s us, your loyal Decepticons. We’re not Autobots. Please, let us help you, my lord.” The Predacon Commander kept a tight hold on his sword just in case. Razorclaw then opened a secured comm line to all of the Decepticons present, with the exception of Megatron:

>>”Decepticons, if Megatron regresses again, open fire on him immediately. Do what you must to subdue him. Soundwave, keep trying to get through to him. Help Megatron maintain control if you can.”<<

Deck 9-–Corridors

Through the haze of battle, and the flicker of a thousand worlds that Megatron had set foot on over the vorns, Megatron's Decepticons remained in focus.

He looked around, surveying his surroundings and those who surrounded him--all around were the telltale characteristics of a direct assault by the Slagmaker of Tarn. But why? And buried in the void of unanswered questions--rage. Rage that would not be satisfied until he had those answers.

With the attack paused long enough for Megatron to get his bearings, he knew that he would need to begin addressing this madness tactically. Decimate it like any other foe, whether that threat came from the outside...

...or within.

"You did well to intervene, my Decepticons," Megatron said as he slowly pushed himself up to a crouching position and then to his feet. He looked at the damage he had sustained. It was severe, but he had weathered worse. His legendary clashes with Primes old and new were testament to that. He looked to the fusion cannon on his arm and began to detach it. He let it drop to the ground with a heavy thud.

He didn't recognize his immediate surroundings, but that was a minor concern. Much larger problems needed to be dealt with.

"I want answers to this. To the laboratory. Now."

Bounce Chamber

“Boss? What’s wrong? Megatron’s back! That’s great! Isn’t it? We gotta go help him, right?”

Scrapper nodded as he continued down the corridors, two of his Constructicons keeping pace with him as they hurried to the area of the ship that had been indicated on the viewscreen.

"Yeah, Scavenger. It's a significant relief. But....I can't make any sense of what I was seeing. Hopefully we'll get some answers when we get there."

Fortunately "there" was not all that far away now. And whatever battle had been raging there seemed to have died off, at least if his auditory sensors were any indication.

Curious...
___

Med Bay

Once the other trio of Constructicons arrived within the medical bay, Hook quickly disembarked from the back of Long Haul's bucket.

"Can you make it to the berth over there?" the Surgical Engineer asked Bonecrusher.

Bounce Chamber

Once Onslaught had given the confirmation to bounce, Ratbat was the first to appear.

And no sooner did the familiar environs of the Thanatos materialize than a wave of nausea washed over him. Normally, he was resting inside the semi-comfortable confines of Soundwave's chest cavity when bounces took place, so he didn't really notice them. This time?

"Blech....I think I'm going to be sick," the former senator muttered as he scrambled off the pad before larger mechs started arriving.

Deck 9 - Corridors

Razorclaw wrote:“Headstrong, Sixshot, back off! Now!”

But...but we're they sure that Megatron wasn't a threat? Headstrong hesitated, if only for a moment. Of course Razorclaw was sure. He wouldn't have said anything otherwise.

"Yes sir, Commander Razorclaw."

The rhino slowly backed off from his leader. He reverted to robot mode, dread starting to boil within him. Respectfully, Headstrong bowed before his true master.

"I'm sorry, Lord Megatron."

Deck 9 - Outer Corridors

Slipstream was not surprised at the reaction of the knight Decepticon. Grabbing her and all.but demanding to know about his one true lord and master. Great, a Megatron fanboy.

Not that Slipstream hated Megatron in any way. She respected him a lot. She just didn't feel the need to pledge her undying devotion to any bot but herself. It was ridiculous.

However, before she could respond to Aegis, the voice of another suddenly got her attention. It was all Slipstream could do to not appear to be startled to have gotten the drop on, a feat she was unsuccessful at.

Doomshot wrote:"Who?"

Aegis seemed to know this bot, at least by name. Doomshot. She looked at the large Decepticon before her. He seemed harmless enough. The spy decided to wait before making any other judgements about him.

Aegis wrote:“Go ahead. I’ll protect you should he react poorly."

Slipstream couldn't help but smiling. Perhaps she misjudged him. Aegis may be of use after all...

Finally addressing their concerns she eyed both of them. "Our leader has snapped. Whatever happened to him, he's not well and has been assaulting his own soldiers. Sixshot and Razorclaw, I presume, will sort this whole matter out when Megatron returns to normal."

She tuned her audio receptors back toward the direction of the battle. "It sounds as if the fighting has stopped."

Bounce Chamber

Offroad was the next to appear in a flash of white light. The extreme-conditions warrior was pretty used to the bounces (and much worse), so he just shrugged off the initial dizziness. He watched closely as the others bounced in.

"Home sweet home, gentlemechs." He smirked.


A room, somewhere on the ship

He could feel it in his systems. His circuits could feel it. His processors could feel it. His red optics saw nothing but pitch blackness, and his audio receptors heard not even a single vibration. But he felt it.

The monstrous mech took a step out of the room. THUD. Another step. THUD. His footsteps heavy, he walked onward down the corridors.

Deck 9-–Corridors

Thunderwing's optics had taken in the melee playing out before him with keen interest. In truth, Thunderwing had never seen a vision quite like this one: Megatron brawling with his own lieutenants and warriors. Seeing it on the display had been surreal enough. To see it in front of his very optics? Doubly so.

But Megatron's voice, his true voice, soon cut through the violence like cold steel. Even Thunderwing was given pause, and he was not even passively involved.

One by one, the various warriors ceased their attacks. Sixshot, clearly the most persistent, also relented at Razorclaw's command, albeit reluctantly. Thunderwing shared his reluctance. What was to stop Megatron from simply resuming where he had left off? Best to press an advantage while they had it.

"You did well to intervene, my Decepticons," Megatron began, before systematically detaching his vaunted fusion cannon and allowing it to drop to the ground. "I want answers to this. To the laboratory. Now."

And with that, the Slagmaker of Tarn stalked off. Thunderwing approached Shockwave--both fellow scientist and former rival for command, a mech who moments before looked as if he himself was about to physically intervene in the confrontation. Their previous struggle for leadership was well and truly finished now. Unless whatever was afflicting Megatron consumed him entirely.

"What madness is this Shockwave?" Thunderwing asked. The purple mech lowered his arm cannon.

"Declarative: I am uncertain, but it is critical we find out," Shockwave said, before following after Megatron. Thunderwing cast a fleeting gaze around the deck at the damage the ship had sustained before falling in step behind Shockwave.

Deck 9 - Corridors

“Something wrong with Megatron is if even that is truly Megatron,” Weirdwolf thought aloud in a low mutter, “Still, surrounded by many he is so we need not worry too greatly. More worried am I about others that may wish harm to Megatron or other leadership in this time of confusion. Quite opportune. See I can those like Starscream who would backstab the king of beasts or Megatron or Sixshot or Soundwave or…”

”Right.” Skullcruncher grunted in response to far more talkative Weirdwolf. He had no idea what was going on. Other than the fact that he had seen Decepticons fighting Megatron via the videofeed with his own optics.

Suddenly amongst the sounds of the battle carrying over through the corridors Skullcruncher could hear a roar of rage from no other than Megatron himself – followed by a command that left little to misinterpret.

"Decepticons! Away!"

It was Megatron alright. Skullcruncher quickened his pace to reach the position where the sounds very coming from. More shouting. Razorclaw, Sixshot arguing. He had to see what was happening with his own optics.

>>”Decepticons, if Megatron regresses again, open fire on him immediately. Do what you must to subdue him. Soundwave, keep trying to get through to him. Help Megatron maintain control if you can.”<<

The message transmitted by Razorclaw enlightened the situation to Skullcruncher in some degree. The fight had stopped for now and for some reason – it appeared that Megatron had attacked them. Not the other way around.

As Skullcruncher finally arrived to where all the ruckus had been coming from he could see the silvery gladiator pushing himself slowly up to a crouching position and then to his feet. As Megatron proceeded to inspect the damage he had suffered Skullcruncher could only stare at his leader in disbelief. It really was Megatron as far as one could tell by looking at him. He had survived the volcano against all odds. And he had made his return.

"I want answers to this. To the laboratory. Now."

Skullcruncher could only turn to look at Weirdwolf, his face presenting the only real question to be asked in their position. What the hell was happening?

Deck-9 – Corridors

“You did well to intervene, my Decepticons. I want answers to this. To the laboratory. Now.” And with those words spoken, Megatron stalked off down the corridor, leading the way to one of the labs.

Razorclaw obediently stepped aside to allow the slagmaker enough room to move past him. The Deception Supreme Commander seemed to be back to normal, but for how long was anyone’s guess. As Megatron had said, they needed answers to this if for no other reason but to prevent it from happening again. The lion-former motioned towards Sixshot to follow as Razorclaw, himself, did the same, falling in behind the slagmaker. The STAG gave no outward reaction. He knew what to do, and he knew to keep a close optic on Megatron for any signs, big or small, that the slagmaker was about to go on another rampage.

“Lord Megatron, it is good to have you back,” the Predacon Commander began as he kept pace with the one true leader of the Decepticons. “If I may suggest, my lord, perhaps we should use Shockwave’s laboratory to investigate this further. I’m sure the Military Operations Commander can determine what happened to you.”

“Yes, yes, Shockwave can do that. He can do anything,” Sixshot interjected as he took up a position just to the left and rear of Megatron, easily keeping stride with the returned Decepticon leader. “Like changing my shutdown code so that Lord Razorclaw here can keep me under control. Oh, was I not supposed to mention that?” The sixchanger smirked as he cast a steady glance over at the lion-former. “And I guess I can’t call you ‘Lord’ Razorclaw anymore, can I, since our real leader is now back? Or do you also plan on challenging Megatron for the throne the way you did with Shockwave and Thunderwing? Hmmmm?”

“I plan no such challenge,” Razorclaw growled as he returned Sixshot’s gaze with an intense glare of his own. “I did what I had to in order to protect the Empire in Megatron’s absence. But now is not the time for all this. We need to figure out what happened.”

"Did what was best for you and your Predacons, you mean," Sixshot added.

Ignoring the phase sixer, the Predacon Commander turned his attention back to the slagmaker. “My apologies, Lord Megatron. I’m afraid much has happened while you were away. I will, of course, fill you in on everything when the time is right.”

“I’m sure you will,” Sixshot interjected once more with a hint of sarcasm in his vocals as he kept his weapons ready for Megatron to potentially lose control again.

Bounce Chamber

Skywarp appeared on the bounce pad in a brilliant flash of light. He staggered slightly before regaining his footing. The feelings wore off quickly for him, perhaps more so than most other mechs. Bouncing wasn’t too dissimilar from teleporting and thus the resident prankster was able to adjust to the after effects without a problem. Stepping down off the pad, ‘Warp glanced around at the other seekers and Combaticons that had appeared alongside him. His aerial brethren were the only ones he cared to see at the present time.

“Well, I think I’ll head down to the med bay and get this wing looked at,” Skywarp said to both Thundercracker and Nightraven. His left wing had been damaged by that Autobot sniper down in Oahu. It ached a bit, but otherwise it didn’t bother the teleporter too much. Still, if he wanted to ever fly normal again, it needed to be fixed. “I guess I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

With that said, Skywarp exited the chamber and headed for the med bay. He hoped that at least Nightraven would join him, but the prankster left that decision entirely up to the seeker femme.

Deck 9 - Outer Corridors:

“Go ahead. I’ll protect you should he react poorly."

Doomshot simply turned his optics toward Aegis, and glared slightly. Without moving his head, he turned his optics back to Slipstream.

"Our leader has snapped. Whatever happened to him, he's not well and has been assaulting his own soldiers. Sixshot and Razorclaw, I presume, will sort this whole matter out when Megatron returns to normal."

The imposing form of Doomshot didn't move one bit as he listened. Why would he react badly? If it was true, something needed to be done to successfully bring their leader back. Not turning on eachother. And if it wasn't, then there was no reward in the destruction of a seeker anyway. At that, Doomshot simply gave a nod, and pulled his weapon out to reload.

"It sounds as if the fighting has stopped."

Doomshot glanced up to the corridors beyond. He needed to know the truth. At that, he transformed, and blew in between Aegis and Slipstream, towards the direction of the situation in question.

"Well? Are you not interested as well?" Doomshot asked as he drove away from the area.

Deck 9--Outer Corridors

Nacelle wandered through the outer corridors absent-mindedly and thought about other modifications he could design. As he went around a turn, he somewhat heard the conservation between Slipstream, Doomshot, and Ageis. While they talked amongst each other, he remained quiet and somewhat hidden. He could not help it but saw the smile planted on Slipstream's faceplates, which caused him to shake his head. After a bit, he spoke,

"You would never change, would you...Slipstream?"

He then revealed himself to the group after Doomshot drove away. "I am somewhat curious to know why our leader is not well and snapped at his soldiers. Doesn't he have a history of snapping at his soldiers when we fail him?"

Corridors

“My apologies, Lord Megatron. I’m afraid much has happened while you were away. I will, of course, fill you in on everything when the time is right.”

Megatron's optics flickered as he walked. His surroundings shifted. He strode forward along the main thoroughfare of Iacon, before slowing his gait. His fists clenched. The rage.

The ship returned. The sounds of the vessel. The Predacons' vessel, the Thanatos. He knew where he was and where he was going. His pace picked up again.

As he walked, he took in the back-and-forth between Razorclaw and Sixshot. Yes....yes, he had missed much, but that little verbal sparring session gave him some worthwhile information. There had been a power struggle in his absence as leader. Of course there had been, he had never expected otherwise if the time came that he could no longer fulfill his function. And so it did, at least temporarily. What surprised Megatron, however, was who had come out on top of the scramble for power: Razorclaw? Impressive. The Predacon Commander and his fellow warlords held a place of esteem within the Decepticon ranks for good reason. But he had not expected him to overcome the likes of Shockwave, Scorponok or the ever-conniving Starscream. In truth, it was his optics he had expected to see when he first was able to recognize friend from foe once more.

This was a preferable reality.

There were other banterings, such as manipulations involving Sixshot's shutdown code. It was a situation to be addressed, but not now. There were larger matters by far.

As he approached the doors where he knew the laboratory to be, he strode through them, heading directly for one of the berths.

"That you will, Razorclaw. It pleases me that my empire has not collapsed into civil war in my absence--a reality I was very much expecting if my leadership were removed. You are to be commended," Megatron said, situating himself on the upright berth, his optics surveying the other mechanoids who were following after them. "However, that right time you spoke of is right now. Soundwave. To my side."

He then looked to Shockwave.

"Secure me."

Deck-9-–Corridors

Tantrum's battle rage was cooling. Slowly. As he watched the interaction between their imperial leader and their commander, the Fueler knew that he was watching dynamics shift right then and there. How could they not? This was not just some powerful general or elite warrior....this was Megatron. The situation dictated that Tantrum not respond with his usual, rage-filled bluster.

On the one hand, Megatron was clearly a threat. On the other, he was being followed by several of the most powerful and smarty-mechs in the empire. If they couldn't fix this situation, who could?

"Brargh," Tantrum huffed as he rose to his feet, looking to the other Predacons for their reaction to what they were all witnessing. "Not what I wanted to deal with today."
___

Landgrab had responded to the emergency mobilization orders, but as he had closed in on the ninth deck of the ship and heard sounds of abject destruction, he had stopped in his tracks. What in the Primal inferno was going on over there?

But not long after he had arrived, the sounds of weapons fire stopped, soon replaced by voices he couldn't quite make out. So he nudged himself closer to the edge of the corridor and peeked around. Decepticons. Powerful Decepticons. A bunch of them. But many of them were leaving in the other direction.

And was that a flash of silver he had seen?

Megatron?

Couldn't be.
___

Bounce Chamber

Once Vortex materialized, he quickly stepped off the bounce pad to make room for the others who were still incoming.

"Home sweet home, gentlemechs," Offroad said.

"Yeh. Ain't the Oblit, but it'll do," Vortex nodded, referring to the Combaticons personal battle frigate, the Obliteration. It was then that he noticed emergency klaxons were blaring throughout the ship. "What the frag?"