Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Biometrics Laboratory

“I am pleased you have so eloquently cited your concerns, Thunderwing. It is a pleasant experience to speak with one that understands our… creative process so well. I do not wish to experiment on our fellow Decepticons. Not at first. I would prefer Autobots as they’re the closest to our own designs and residences and we would not miss them. But acquiring any of them are problematic at best, so, I offer another solution:"

Thunderwing listened, his curiosity at seeing just how this fellow scientist's mind worked overriding any need to speak for the time being.

“I recommend trying to learn how our beloved leader and the others were controlled by the Fallen and find a way to replicate it. In doing so, I would be better able to determine a defense against it. If successful, bringing the Autobots to heel will be far easier than previous attempts and we can — how should I say this? — have our pick of test subjects? Keeping in mind, of course, there would be other mechs we would have to deal with that may break away from said control.

“Until then, I’m afraid I may have to resort to indulging my testing on our comrades that have fallen out of favor until we acquire Autobot prisoners. You did mention augmenting our strengths being favored, and what could possibly be more powerful than developing a resistance to Cosmic Rust in all its forms?”

Thunderwing rubbed his chin structure thoughtfully. This Oil Slick had proposed alternatives to experimenting on their own kind--seemingly to address Thunderwing's own concerns--only to circle back to that very problem. The Valckastan Warlord supposed he would leave it to him to figure out exactly how he was going to do that and not incur Megatron's wrath. A mechanoid perceived to be "out of favor" one orn could be Air Commander the next.

"In regards to your initial question, I've seen no evidence to suggest Megatron was under the influence of the Fallen. The others? Quite clearly. As to how that occurred...well...if you get to the root of that, you'll have produced some valuable research indeed. As it relates to your other proposal, Autobot captives would be ideal. Treading into the other territories you mentioned...well...finding a defense against Cosmic Rust will mean subjecting our comrades to that very condition. I see no way in which that will gain any official authorization. That said....sometimes progress takes place in the shadows. I bid you well in your endeavors, Oil Slick. It's clear that you have some intriguing problems to solve."

During his response, it became clear that Oil Slick was in communication with another. It mattered not at this point. Thunderwing had given this developing scientist the most effective advice he could offer without lending any direct support or authorization. Given the potential ramifications, it simply wasn't doable.

“My apologies, Lord Thunderwing. As I’m sure you are aware, a communication from Razorclaw per my request we are currently discussing came through.”

"None necessary. Perhaps he will be able to be more helpful than I have been. He and his team were given stewardship of this vessel, after all."

"Oooh! Shiny, shiny, shiny, heheheh. I love it," the Chemical Engineer said, turning the shiny, red gem over and over within the digits of his left actuator for a few moments before stashing the curious object away for the time being. "Replacing paneling. Making the ship look new. Don't want our leader thinking about what happened here. Hafta erase it. Take some. We'll get it done twice as fast. Maybe three or four times if Long Haul or Bonecrusher show up. Would be nice. Not getting my hopes up."

Scavenger was glad his cooky chemical loving brother liked the gift. After having been told what Mixmaster was doing, Scavenger happily went over to grab up some panels too, and replied, “Yah! If Lord Megatron saw this mess he'd get angry! We better fix it up good n’ fast.” However, Scavenger tripped and fell over a raised part of the floor panelling and clattered loudly as his body crashed into it. “Owww...sorry.”, the excavation specialist said as he began to get himself back up and collect the repair materials.

“You may wanna fix that floor panel first, you big oaf!”, came another familiar voice. Bonecrusher, demolition extraordinaire had exited the lift and come walking towards his two comrades. “I followed both of your transponders. Hook and the rest are still busy elsewhere. I had nothing to do!”, he chuckled. Honestly, he’d rather be tearing up stuff than repairing it, but heck, he was also handy at fixing things just as long as his desire to destroy didn't get the better of him.

“Uh, yah Boner. I’ll do that first then.”, said Scavs, examining the floor panel.

“Don't worry about it. Just go help Mixmaster. I’ll do the floor!”, Bonecrusher said, and he transformed into his bulldozer mode and drove over the paneling with his shovel lowered. The old panel came up easily. He continued this on other panels that were equally damaged. “Hahaha!!”, he laughed as he worked. Sometimes, destruction was a part of construction. Once this was done, he transformed back into robot mode and went to pile the old panels neatly in one spot. Then he grabbed some new ones under arm and took them to the bald spots with a torch and bolts and began welding the new ones in place.

Scavenger helped Mixmaster with the wall paneling, making sure to cover areas farther away from where the other was working, to cover more of the damage. He worked with less finesse than the artisan, but his work was good nonetheless. He also began examining the ceiling, and he realized he could help a great deal there, due to the fact his crane could reach high. So, after finishing the wall panels, he too transformed and began investigating the ceiling. With his shovel though, all he could do was rake off the old panels much like Bonecrusher had done with the floor. He needed a new plan.

“Hey Mixmaster, you wanna hop in my shovel so I can lift you to the ceiling?”, he asked. Gaps in the ceiling weren't good. Mechs in the next level up could fall through to their level.

Upper Corridors

With Bonecrusher having shown up, Mixmaster was clapping like an excited cyberfox--in his mind. They'd get this work done in no time, now.

“Hey Mixmaster, you wanna hop in my shovel so I can lift you to the ceiling?” Scavenger offered.

"Yes, yes, yes! Solid idea," Mixmaster said, grabbing the next armful of panels and climbing inside the bucket. "We'll be done soon, la la la."
___

Shockwave's Laboratory

Shockwave ignored the interteam agitation between the Stunticons. Such unnecessary expenditures of thought and effort were in their nature. His focus remained solely on the connections that he and the Constructicons were surgically forging.

It had been an extensive effort, without question; however, with the aid of Shockwave's extensive research and the Constructicons' firsthand success--something Shockwave would never have allowed to be done upon himself--they were able to proceed that much more efficiently. From Devastator's rather modest beginnings would come the possibility of creating an entire army of such super-warriors and an end to this resource-draining war that now threatened the possibility of their extinction.

As Shockwave looked up from his series of holoscreens, he noticed that both Scrapper and Hook were looking in his direction. They had come to the same conclusion as he, but were wisely awaiting his confirmation.

"Declarative: the procedure is complete."

Not too surprisingly, it was Motormaster who was the first Stunticon to sit up after Shockwave and the Constructicon engineer duo had finished working on them.

”That’s all?” The grey and black brute questioned those who had operated on him just a moment ago while staring intently at his own actuators while slowly opening and closing his hands. ”Doesn’t really feel any different.”

”So we can combine now?” He continued, shifting his gaze towards Hook and Scrapper rather than Shockwave whom he didn't really expect giving any answers. ”We gonna go for a test drive?”

Breakdown leaped from his berth as his ties were loosened. He rubbed his arms where they had been restrained, and let out a huff of relief.

"Scrap, that was way way less scary than I thought it would be! Unless.. there is more to do? Please please tell me that was it.."

Breakdown stood up and stretched, though only slightly as he felt everyone was watching him. He wanted to transform and go for a drive, but he needed to know what he and his team were currently capable of first.

[Primary Hangar - Shuttle]

Razorclaw wrote:“Let the vehicons handle the grunt work. All of you get on board. Divebomb, the pilot’s chair is yours as usual. Get the shuttle warmed up and ready to depart in two breems.”

“Pfeh, okay.” Rampage begrudgingly dragged his feet onto the shuttle. One of the vehicons brushed past him on the way down, carrying some supplies in hand. The slight bump was enough to push the tiger over the edge.

“Grr, where the slag do you think you’re going? Are your optics malfunctioning?” He roared, almost literally.
“Uh, sorry, what si-” The vehicon was broken off by a Predacon with seething rage.
“Where’re you from?!”
“...What?”
“What ain’t no polity I’ve ever heard of. Do they speak Cybex in What?”
“What?”
“CYBEX SLAGLICKER, DO YOU SPEAK IT?!”

The vehicon was visibly scared at this point. He stumbled on his words and another “What?” escape his vocaliser.

Rampage held up his sword to the vehicon’s face. “Say ‘What’ again. I dare you, I double dare you, you slaglicker.”
“Okay, okay, I’m really sorry sir! I promise that won’t happen again.” The vehicon shuffled off as quickly as he could.
“Yeah, you better make sure that doesn’t happen again, or else!” He barked back. Not caring about the scene he’d just conjured up, he went into the shuttle and took his place in the cabin. “Pfeh.”

Alpha Hangar--Shuttle

Once all the Predacons were accounted for, Divebomb transmitted the customary clearance and departure signals that were required of all such transports and engaged the last of the takeoff procedures. A few short moments later, the shuttle was lifting off and proceeding through the hangar bay doors and energy field.

>>"We are now Earthbound, fellow Predacons. Lord Razorclaw, to which section of this liquid covered mass of organic putridity are we headed to first?"<<
___

Shockwave's Laboratory

”That’s all? Doesn’t really feel any different.” Motormaster said.

"That's productive. I did not notice any particularly noteworthy changes either," Hook said.

"Not until we combined," Scrapper added.

"Well yes. Of course, then," Hook agreed.

”So we can combine now? We gonna go for a test drive?” Motormaster continued.

"That you can," Scrapper and Hook said simultaneously, before exchanging bemused glances.

"As for a test drive?" Scrapper continued.

"Declarative: that will be decided by Megatron," Shockwave interjected. "I will update him of this success and await his new orders accordingly."
___

Dead End looked from one end of the room to the other, before stretching out his arms in front of him. Nothing felt like it was going to suddenly fall out of socket. Nothing felt like it was going to explode.

He felt.....normal?

He supposed normal was tolerable. At this moment, he somewhat shared Breakdown's concerns. It almost felt too smooth to be finished. But the Constructicons had affirmed that it was. So. Yippee? Something like that. Positive words didn't cross his mind often.

"A giant Stunticon. That will surely stay under the humans' radar," Dead End scoffed. "We could just transmit a broadcast saying 'YOU ARE BEING INVADED'. I'm sure that would be just as subtle."

Bio-Metrics Laboratory

Thunderwing wrote:"In regards to your initial question, I've seen no evidence to suggest Megatron was under the influence of the Fallen. The others? Quite clearly. As to how that occurred...well...if you get to the root of that, you'll have produced some valuable research indeed.”

Interesting. Was I misinformed as to Lord Megatron’s affliction? There was little doubt that was possible, since most of his information came from listening in to various communications many didn’t see the need to keep private. To their detriment, I’m sure, he thought, an interesting idea coming to him.

He was about to respond when Thunderwing continued.

Thunderwing wrote:”As it relates to your other proposal, Autobot captives would be ideal. Treading into the other territories you mentioned...well...finding a defense against Cosmic Rust will mean subjecting our comrades to that very condition. I see no way in which that will gain any official authorization. That said....sometimes progress takes place in the shadows. I bid you well in your endeavors, Oil Slick. It's clear that you have some intriguing problems to solve.

"None necessary. Perhaps he will be able to be more helpful than I have been. He and his team were given stewardship of this vessel, after all."

Oil Slick was grateful for Thunderwing’s understanding overall, though he couldn’t help but look on this in the similar view as seeing countless experiments fizzle and fail. Only in this case, it wasn’t a true failure as it seemed Thunderwing had given his permission, albeit subtly.

It was to be expected, he supposed, given how Thunderwing was a ranking scientist and was expected to follow the proper procedure. As much as he desired to, if the rumors were true. Still, Oil Slick couldn’t help but think of them as similar sparks seeking answers to a greater question.

Playing on a fellow scientist’s curiosity does have its merits.

Nodding, he said, “I stand corrected on Lord Megatron’s status. I fear my isolation may have led me to be swayed by the occasional miscommunication. I shall, however, endeavor to investigate how such a thing had befallen our soldiers.”

He had to stop himself from saying anything more. His request to work on the red dust was squashed — theoretically — and he saw no reason continuing along that line of thought. Besides, he was accustomed to working in the shadows.

“Yes, I’m sure Razorclaw will be able to help more once he returns. He is currently embarking on a mission, as I understand it.” Oil Slick bowed his head as was a customary show of respect. It was better not to allow his disappointment to show. “Thank you for your insights into this matter, Lord Thunderwing. If you have any further advice or thoughts, I would appreciate hearing from you.”

Decided by Megatron? But of course Shockwave was going to go by the book once again. Motormaster certainly did not want to wait any longer. If their combined form had any kinks to work out, should they not be found out and dealt with in controlled situation before they actually went through with presenting the results to Megatron as a finished product?

Ignoring Dead End’s and Breakdown’s musings, the Stunticon leader fixed his baleful gaze upon Shockwave.

”So you are just fine with presenting Megatron an untested weapon that might blow up on his face?” Motormaster contested Shockwave’s declaration. ”You don’t even know if we can really combine, do you?”

Earthbound Shuttle

Oil Slick wrote:>>Thank you for your time and assistance, Razorclaw. Yes, I am aware that whatever Lord Megatron needs is vastly more important than my request. That is more than acceptable. I believe I have found one that can aid me in my request, but I shall be sure to notify Shockwave of any further needs. Oil Slick out.<<

Razorclaw remained silent as he listened to Oil Slick’s response over his private comm line. Truth be told, the Predacon Commander found the Chemical Expert to be rather disgusting in his pursuit of the perfect weaponized chemical compound. He had his uses, of course. Otherwise, Megatron would not keep him around. There was just something about Oil Slick that made Razorclaw’s circuits misfire. Perhaps it was the thought of one of the chemist’s special cocktails getting on the lion-former and eating him alive. Very little scared Razorclaw, but being melted into a pool of liquid metal certainly gave him pause. He sent a non-verbal acknowledgment to Oil Slick before returning his attention to the task at hand.

Divebomb wrote:>>"We are now Earthbound, fellow Predacons. Lord Razorclaw, to which section of this liquid covered mass of organic putridity are we headed to first?”<<

Razorclaw entered the pilot’s cabin just as he received word from Divebomb. The shuttle had left the confines of the Thanatos and was currently heading down to the mudball below. Of course, his aerial subordinate had managed to already forget the location of the mission which had been detailed during their briefing in the Cartography Room. The Predacon leader rubbed his temples before answering.

“How soon you forget, Divebomb,” Razorclaw replied as he took a seat next to the aerial warrior. “We are heading to the nation-state called the Congo which is located in the center of the African continent. We will set down near Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano in the middle of a heavily forested region. The ore-13 is located deep beneath the surface, but with our vehicon miners on board we should have no trouble extracting the raw energon crystals and transporting them back to the Thanatos for processing.”

Razorclaw then entered the exact coordinates into the navigational computer. Once that was done, the shuttle descended into the Earth’s atmosphere towards their destination.


((OOC: Predacon players can now move their posting to the Congo thread, which I will open shortly.))

Biometrics Laboratory

“Yes, I’m sure Razorclaw will be able to help more once he returns. He is currently embarking on a mission, as I understand it. Thank you for your insights into this matter, Lord Thunderwing. If you have any further advice or thoughts, I would appreciate hearing from you.”

"Of course. The beast and his cadre have their uses. Scientific? Unlikely. But in terms of acquisition, they are outmatched by few. As I said, the shadows will be your ally in this work, and only useful results ever need see the light of day. tread carefully," Thunderwing said, allowing Oil Slick to take his leave without any further discussion.

he would have to keep an optic on this one, at least peripherally. The problem of Cosmic Rust could be left to the applied scientists, but that which had caused the disruption of their mighty leader? That certainly bore further inquiry.
___

Shockwave's Laboratory

”So you are just fine with presenting Megatron an untested weapon that might blow up on his face? You don’t even know if we can really combine, do you?” Motormaster groaned. Shockwave's optic flickered as he calculated an appropriate response.

"Negative: I expect your combined form will perform similarly to the battle data that has been acquired from Devastator from its deployments in Uluru and at the former undersea base. However....it would be beneficial to know beforehand if the cerebral stabilization techniques were successful. Beyond that, I possess every confidence that you and your team can form a successful gestalt. But you could be correct. Megatron may desire a more thorough analysis. The query then becomes.....where...to deploy you?"

Bridge

With Megatron back everything felt... Back in order, in a way. The Decepticon war-machine was back in motion with several missions all ongoing and Megatron himself overseeing one personally. As requested, Soundwave sent the order for several vehicon drones and heavy units to assist him in Syria, to which Megatron had thanked him for personally. A flash at the terminal drew the communication officer’s attention.

>>"Obliteration to the Thanatos. This is Vortex. We have recovered the primary mission target and are returning to Thanatos airspace. Requesting that Megatron be notified and awaiting further orders."<<

Ah, the Combaticons, already successful from their venture to Sol-4 to acquire Starscream and those that fled Razorclaw when he was still in command. Megatron’s return already reaping the progress for the Decepticon movement.

>>”Understood. Forwarding information to Lord Megatron. Proceed with normal docking procedures upon approach.”<< Soundwave commed back. He immediately switched back to his secure comm line with Megatron.

>>”Lord Megatron, the Combaticons have apprehended Starscream and are approaching the Thanatos now. There are inquiries for what you wish done with the Seeker Commander.”<<

Biometrics Laboratory

Thunderwing wrote:"Of course. The beast and his cadre have their uses. Scientific? Unlikely. But in terms of acquisition, they are outmatched by few. As I said, the shadows will be your ally in this work, and only useful results ever need see the light of day. tread carefully."

Oil Slick bowed his head in respect once more, then turned to leave. Thunderwing had made some valuable points, the most poignant being the final one. With Razorclaw and his fellow Predacons unable to aid him for the time being left him with his usual resources.

This is what I get for relying on others. I am my own best option.

As the door slid closed behind him, Oil Slick’s processor ran through various procedures and their potential consequences and rewards.

He couldn’t help but eye a mech that passed him in the corridor. It didn’t matter that the vehicon hugged the opposite wall, or that it nearly tripped over its own feet in avoiding him. What mattered was the information it would most likely pass onto those it came into contact with about Oil Slick being in that area of the ship.

Would they be smart enough to deduce that he had visited Thunderwing? He doubted it, but one thing he learned never to underestimate was how even the dumbest of species could find that moment of genius.

The question was, would such information help or hinder him? He wanted to believe the former, as Thunderwing’s reputation paralleled his own in the optics of many.

If the comparison was drawn, it would spread gossip and fear through the ranks, especially the lower level ones known more for ingesting resources than being one. And fear often led to opportunities such as those he sought.

For the first time since this endeavor crossed his processor, Oil Slick smiled under his yellow face shield.

Priority-1 transmission from Megatron to Soundwave

>>"Ahhhh, very good Soundwave. Inform the Combaticons of my satisfaction with a job well done. Have them drop off the erstwhile Air Commander at the warehouse complex outside Aleppo and instruct him to join us. I would have words with the Seeker. Then have them report to Shockwave. Megatron out."<<

Finally Shockwave gave him something. Not much but something to break the idle boredom of waiting for a word from Megatron. The only question in Motormaster’s mind was the following: Why hadn’t Shockwave suggested a remote location like the Sol-3’s moon where he could have easily monitored the combining process without fear of Autobot or human interference or his own project becaming hostile and attacking other Decepticons.

”Eh? Why are you asking?” The Stunticon leader questioned Shockwave. ”Aren’t you supposed to be logical one? I don’t slagging know – that barren rock orbiting the fleshbags’ mudball maybe?”

It wasn’t terribly exciting idea but better than twiddling his thumbs while waiting to hear from Megatron. And well, even Motormaster understood the risks of taking untested weapons to combat. Several had blown on his face during the eons long war after all.

The Bridge

Inside Soundwave's chest, err tape deck, one microcassette became restless and tired of being in his alt mode. He released himself from his confines, springing out of Soundwave and transforning into his small robot form. He knew his boss was busy. He was always busy. Soundwave never stopped listening to everything going on, or aiding Megatron. That being said, Frenzy remembered the last time he had seen Megatron, he looked crazy. Crazy like...him when he wanted to kill and destroy things.

"Soundwave...", Rumble started, going up to a chair and jumping up in it. Sitting comfortably, he continued, "so what's goin' on? I ain't been deployed in forever. Is Megatron alright? Where is he anyway? I was rechargin'."

Bridge

>>"Ahhhh, very good Soundwave. Inform the Combaticons of my satisfaction with a job well done. Have them drop off the erstwhile Air Commander at the warehouse complex outside Aleppo and instruct him to join us. I would have words with the Seeker. Then have them report to Shockwave. Megatron out."<<

Soundwave sent back a nonverbal acknowledgment to the emperor of destruction as he typed in a few keys to forward his message back to the Obliteration.

>>”Megatron is most pleased with your work on Sol-4. Starscream is to be dropped off at these coordinates, redirect current course. Report to Shockwave once you have done so. Soundwave out.”<<

Closing his comm with the Combaticon vessel, the Decepticon communications officer tapped at the console and transmitted Megatron’s desired location for their valuable cargo. Frenzy then leaped our from Soundwave’s chest compartment with Rumble following shortly after.

”Soundwave...so what's goin' on? I ain't been deployed in forever. Is Megatron alright? Where is he anyway? I was rechargin'."

“Lord Megatron is alright. His condition was overseen and approved by Shockwave and as such, has returned to his rightful place in command.” The blue and white Decepticon stated without looking up from his screen. “He is currently overseeing his own operation down on Earth. Syria, to be precise.”

“Yeah but like, how alright IS alright?” Rumble chimed in, his actuator digging at a crevice in the side of helm to remove a sizable build up of gunk that had accumulated there before flicking it away carelessly. “I mean, sure he shoots people sometimes, buts he’s never ripped his way through the ship before. Well, not our ship that is, heheheh.”

“You saw how he tore through those bulkheads,” Buzzsaw squawked perching himself up on the top of one the many empty chairs near Frenzy, “Our ship or not, that was some classic Megatron carnage! No one else could match his ferocity like that! If only Starscream were here when it happened, I’d have love to push him in the warpath myself, heheh.”

Corridors

The confrontation between Fangry and Technikiller seemed to be over, the prior of whom hopefully skulked away to find himself a Cr Chamber to recuperate himself.

“Done well the job I say is. Forget he won’t this shameful cycle to which challenged he was.” The tracker stated putting his datapad away and dusting off his actuators. “What say you, Cruncher of Skulls? Which next to venture ought our destination be?”

Bridge

The red and black Casseticon looked up at his friend and mentor/boss as he spoke. By what the boss said, it seemed Lord Megatron was going to be alright. If Shockwave said Megatron was fine, then that meant it. Shockwave never made irrational decisions after all. Frenzy just felt a little upset that he wasn't invited on the mission. Then again, the higher ups always called upon Frenzy's skills when he was needed, so maybe it was only a matter of time.

Rumble had his doubts. Yah, it just didn't seem right, even if Shockwave said he was okay. Megatron was usually more controlled than that. Why would he try to destroy the ship? Buzzsaw also chimed in, and mentioned it'd have been great if Starscream had been there to get in the way. Frenzy busted out laughing at that. He couldn't help it.

"Yah! That flyin' chicken wouldn't know what to do! There'd be pieces of his chassis all over the place!", Frenzy laughed.

The red minicon would then address his superior officer, asking him, "Hey Soundwave. You mind if I hit the bar? I could use a little energon. Wanna go, Rumble, Buzzsaw?", he asked his cassette "siblings". His fuel pump gurgled inside his torso. The sooner he could get some engex or something, the better.

Upper Corridors

Scavenger lifted Mixmaster to the ceiling as he hopped in. He felt really smart and useful for once ( not that he wasn't useful). Mixmaster's singing was nice too. He was happy when his brothers were happy.

"Mixmaster, you're great at sealing holes and stuff.", Scavenger said, trying to keep his crane and shovel steady. Mixmaster was heavy and Scavenger felt like he could topple forward, but he pressed his treads to the floor. He just told himself that he was a big strong constructicon.

Meanwhile, Bonecrusher was taking care of the flooring. He was placing the new panels where the old ones had been and was drilling them in.

"YEEEHAWW!", Bonecrusher said excitedly and loudly. The loudness spooked Scavenger though, and he toppled forward while yelling, "Aghhh!!", and he reverted back to his robot form and tried to stop Mixmaster from crashing into the floor. Instead if he fell, he'd fall on top of Scavenger. Bonecrusher had then stopped drilling to look back at his teammates, saying, "Ummm...ya'll alright?"

Refueling Bar

Subjugator was sitting alone his chair leaning back slightly as he swirled his glass, he had been quite bored recently as being stuck on-board a ship gave him little opportunity to pursue his favourite pastimes. He leaned forward placing his chair back flat on the ground and proceeded to open a small folding screen he ran his fingers over the touch interface and scrolled his collection of human horror movies he had acquired. Subjugator greatly enjoyed these films as they gave him a glimpse into the dark primal fears of the small flesh creatures, so many wonderful sounds and ideas for how to make them tremble all neatly packaged for his enjoyment.

A smirk crossed his lips as pressed play on one the films he had not yet seen, he turned up the volume and once again leaned back against the wall with his drink in hand.

Upper Corridors

"Mixmaster, you're great at sealing holes and stuff," Scavenger said, prompting Mixmaster to chuckle.

"Well, you're not too too too shabby yourself hahah. Bestest assistant I could ask for. I'll hafta return the favor sometime. Place is looking brand new already."

"YEEEHAWW!" Bonecrusher bellowed, giving the Chemical Munitions Expert such a startle that he almost dropped his torch. He caught it before it hit Scavenger's shovel drum, but it also apparently startled Scavenger so much that he lost his footing, sending both of the Constructicons toppling forward in a green and purple heap.

"Ummm...ya'll alright?" Bonecrusher asked, looking at the fallen pair of them. If it were Hook, this would be about the time that a stream of belligerence would come spewing out of his vocalizers. Mixmaster just chuckled.

"Eh, heheh, I've been worse," he said as he carefully maneuvered around Scavenger and got back to his feet.
___

Shockwave's Laboratory

”Eh? Why are you asking? Aren’t you supposed to be logical one? I don’t slagging know – that barren rock orbiting the fleshbags’ mudball maybe?” Motormaster chided. Shockwave simply regarded him for a moment with his singular optic before returning his attention to the screens in front of him.

"Indeed. But my logic does not always coincide with that of Megatron. His will must be given priority factoring now. That being the case...I calculate he would have no preference for an isolated laboratory test, which is what Sol-3's moon represents. A sterile environment. He prefers to see results in the battlefield. The point will be moot soon enough. As soon as he responds..."

Waiting for Megatron to respond to his direct query, the link suddenly disconnected.

"Declarative: curious...."

"Indeed. But my logic does not always coincide with that of Megatron. His will must be given priority factoring now. That being the case...I calculate he would have no preference for an isolated laboratory test, which is what Sol-3's moon represents. A sterile environment. He prefers to see results in the battlefield. The point will be moot soon enough. As soon as he responds..."

Motormaster groaned. This was going nowhere. He couldn’t stomach sitting here waiting for much longer after hours and hours of surgery and if he felt like that – Wildrider was feeling it tenfold worse.

”If it is battle demonstration Megatron wants send us off to Syria where he went and let us give one to him!” Motormaster bellowed, attempting to break the stalemate with Shockwave.

"Declarative: curious...."

”Curious?” The Stunticon leader questioned in response to Shockwave’s statement, ”What happened?”

“Done well the job I say is. Forget he won’t this shameful cycle to which challenged he was.” The tracker stated putting his datapad away and dusting off his actuators. “What say you, Cruncher of Skulls? Which next to venture ought our destination be?”

Skullcruncher merely shrugged his shoulders as a response to Weirdwolf. It felt like the Decepticon army was sometimes full of malcontents that had no other purpose in their life than to cause trouble. As far as he was concerned they should have just beaten both of Fangry and the fembot whose name escaped him into stasis lock instead of letting them go. But it really wasn’t his call to make without consequences even in the case of serious bad energon like Fangry.

”Don’t know.” He grumbled. ”Everyone else basically got deployed.”

Skullcruncher began to rub his chin thoughtfully. ”Then again we weren’t asked to watch for the ship either. And quite frankly I don’t feel like sitting in the lounge or fighting holograms.” He pondered aloud, continuing, ”You tell me.”

Shockwave's Laboratory

”If it is battle demonstration Megatron wants send us off to Syria where he went and let us give one to him!”

Shockwave paused for a few moments, processing alternatives before addressing Motormaster's suggestion.

"Declarative: I believe that to be the most logical course of action. Imperative: release the surgical clamps," he ordered, regarding the Constructicons who were present.

Scrapper and Hook nodded before releasing the security clamps that held the Stunticons in place so that they did not, intentionally or unintentionally, cause further damage to themselves during the delicate procedures that were involved in preparing a body to undergo the gestalt process.

”Curious? What happened?”

"I am directly monitoring Megatron's incursion. He has decided to utilize holomatter avatars. He is in no danger....however, his convoy into the human city of Aleppo has come under attack."

Hah! Seriously? Shockwave was letting them straight back to action and into a war zone where Megatron was having an infiltration operation. Untested and all. Not that Motormaster really cared. If the combiner didn’t work as Megatron expected it was Shockwave that was going to get the blame, not him.

”Yeah? You don’t want us to break his cover though. An infiltration mission right?” Motormaster questioned Shockwave while the Constructicons removed the surgical clamps of the other Stunticons.

”So no bouncing. We need a shuttle to enter without Autobots spotting and alternative modes that fit the mission.” The leader of the Stunticons pondered aloud. ”I haven’t really looked into fleshling war zones but my boys are going to stick out from surroundings like klaxons with their flashy sports car modes.”