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Bridge

The brown and purple space warrior tried to keep his focus on navigation and flying back to the Thanatos' orbit around Sol-3 rather than the ridiculous happenings behind him. However, with someone as loud as Starscream going off with his delusional screeching at their leader, he couldn't help himself but listen. 'Oh boy, it looks like some mechs just never learn. Well, Onslaught'll fix that, and by fix...I mean break him. Literally.', he thought. Everyone on this ship was thinking the same thing. However, Swindle did have a point. There was no use in messing up the bridge. They needed everything up here fully operational. They couldn't afford to get stranded like how the Seekers had.

So, Blast Off added his two cents about the squabble going on, saying, "Yah. I agree with Swindle on this. Teach him his lesson in the brig, Boss.", and with that, he went back to monitoring the screen. He was making sure that the Autobot Battleship didn't catch up with them. Not seeing anything threatening on the radar, it was all clear for now. They were making good speed as well, and soon they would be back to the point in which they had set out on this little mission.

[Corridors en route to Bridge]

Viper had somehow been rudely awoken by the ship being in motion, and he was determined to find out who did it and why they did it. Holding his gun in hand and pacing down the corridor, he made his way to the bridge. Through his black visor, he found himself looking at a rather strange spectacle. The first mech in his sights was the formidable Combaticon commander, Onslaught. He lowered his gun and gave him a quick salute, out of pure respect for the mech’s powerful capabilities.

On the other hand, there was the Decepticon Air Commander, Starscream. He pretended to not notice him. Hadn’t exactly heard the best things from him anyway. The remainder of the Combaticons were scattered around their various stations on the bridge, with some other mechs he was unfamiliar with on the side. He had only one thing to say.

“Can I ask about what’s going on?”

Bridge

The ship continued a steady course from Sol-4 en-route to Sol-3's orbit. Blast Off monitored the radar and the various meters and gauges every now and then, making sure the ship sailed smoothly, as a pilot should do. He was paying little mind to the fruitless grumbling of the Air Commander in the powerful presence of Onslaught, though his head turned now and then to keep check on the on-goings, if it escalated somehow and he was needed to step in. It was unlikely though.

Just then, a door opened with a whoosh sound and in came the mostly blue jet-former known as Viper. He was a somewhat new recruit whom he guessed aspired to join their team, as far as Blast Off could remember. Conveniently, he had been stashed away sleeping in a CR pod up until now. He could only guess it was Starscream's horrid shrieking that had awoken him. Nothing to be concerned about in their vicinity in space, Blast Off said to Viper in response to his question,

"Oh, you know....our Air Commander committing mutiny. Nothing new, really. So, nothing to worry about."

Bridge

Blast Off wrote:"Yah. I agree with Swindle on this. Teach him his lesson in the brig, Boss."

What? Someone’s agreeing with me on this ship? Swindle’s head swiveled to glance at Blast Off for an astrosecond before turning back to Onslaught. “Not that teaching him a lesson in front of everyone here wouldn’t be good to keep others in line, but we’re already with you on this. Besides, wouldn’t it be more fun to have him in an enclosed space? Seekers hate that, don’t they, guys?” He held his hands out to his side as he looked back and forth, searching for others to back him in this. His usual confident smile was plastered on his faceplate.

I may get Starscream out of this yet and he’ll owe me. Oh, he’ll owe me big time.

He turned as soon as the bridge doors slid open and Viper entered with his gun at the ready.

Does anyone not carry a weapon constantly on this tub? Someone needs to discuss the dangers of accidental discharge.

Viper wrote:“Can I ask about what’s going on?”

Swindle was about to respond when Blast Off beat him to it. Surprised and insulted that one of the Combaticons was faster on the verbal draw than he was, he could only stand frozen in place.

Blast Off wrote:"Oh, you know....our Air Commander committing mutiny. Nothing new, really. So, nothing to worry about."

“Yeah,” Swindle offered as his surprise wore off, “Our rescuee overstayed his welcome already. Nothing too unexpected expect he’s still in one piece.”

Bridge

“Yeah. Our rescuee overstayed his welcome already. Nothing too unexpected expect he’s still in one piece.”

"A fraggin' miracle, considering the mouth and ego involved. He and his lackeys almost all got smashed into plane paste," Vortex chuckled. "They weren't aware that a lot's changed since they've been gone. They're learnin', heh."

Bridge

Onslaught relished seeing Starscream squirm in his grasp. Were it not for Megatron’s strict orders, he wouldn’t have thought twice about adding a few new ventilation ports in the seeker’s chassis. The suggestions of his peers about taking him to the brig fell on deaf audio receptors as he wanted to hear how ‘Screamer squealed in his grasp. He was going to learn his place aboard this ship right here, right now.

“Good, so we have an understanding then.” Onslaught bellowed, his grip tightening slightly once more as a “gentle” reminder to the Seeker Commander before he released his hold on Starscream’s neck, letting him drop to the floor.

With Starscream handled and his seeker’s not wanting to challenge his Combaticons, Onslaught approached his command chair and took his place in his seat. Tapping a few commands into the consoles fixated at his arm-rests, the blue and green Decepticon returned to the operation at hand.

“Blast-Off, switch us to full impulse drive. Vortex, send word to the Thanatos. Tell Megatron we have his cargo secured.” He commanded wasting no time. Onslaught turned his gaze towards the newest face that entered the bridge, puzzled by how he managed to stay hidden all this time during their mission. “Welcome to the tail end of the rescue mission, Viper.”

Brawl didn’t like the way Lock On responded to him a one bit. He had sought to intimidate Starscream’s runt squad, not to be cast off casually. He had expected a different tone, not this. It was too casual, as if he was not a threat to them. It infuriated him. In more than one way, those words had been fighting words. But not here. Not now. He had that much respect for Onslaught.

”I will hold you to that promise runt!” Brawl bellowed, his visor blazing fiercely as he banged his right fist against the open palm of his left hand few times.

”Slaggin’ seekers.” He rumbled as he stood there staring them down. ”Always think you are better than the rest of us. Lightweight flyboys. You better not try anything funny. I am watching you.”

Bridge

Just as Lock On was about to respond to Brawl's warning, Vertigo hauled off and punched him square in the face plate, distracting his fellow Seeker, only distracting as Vertigo just couldn't hit hard. "Just shut up, Lock." Vertigo warned.

--

Lock On would have to admit that was a boldly confrontational move on his normally physically non-confrontational friend's part. It also had the desired effect as Lock On turn his attention to Vertigo instead. "You fragging-"

---

He didn't get to finish as Vertigo had moved his attention to Brawl. "He didn't mean it." He grumbled on behalf of Lock On.

Brawl just stared back at the group of bickering flyers before shaking his head finding himself fed up by their actions.

”Good story runt. That’s not what I heard,” the burly Combaticon bruiser rumbled, scowling under his faceplate. Somehow he managed to restrain himself though and sat down on a seat facing the seekers.

”Whatever,” he grunted and began double checking his electron gun again, trying to keep his anger in check by focusing his attention on weapon maintenance. A trick taught to him by Onslaught.

”One wrong move boys. One wrong move.” He muttered, glaring at Vertigo for a moment before putting his focus back to his gun.

Bridge

Vortex chuckled at Brawl's threat of "one wrong move". Yup. That's all it would take. Then they'd be begging for the brig so that the beating would stop.

“Blast-Off, switch us to full impulse drive. Vortex, send word to the Thanatos. Tell Megatron we have his cargo secured. Welcome to the tail end of the rescue mission, Viper.”

"Aye, commander," Vortex said, accessing the comms with the Thanatos before checking the registry and discovering that a number of Decepticons had departed for Earth, Megatron amongst them. He debated for a moment regarding what to do before noticing that Soundwave was still aboard.

Decepticon politics for beginners: respect the chain of command. Ignore it at your peril: he'd notify Soundwave. Soundwave could then notify Megatron.

>>"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."<<

Bridge

Vortex wrote:"A fraggin' miracle, considering the mouth and ego involved. He and his lackeys almost all got smashed into plane paste," Vortex chuckled. "They weren't aware that a lot's changed since they've been gone. They're learnin', heh”

One could say the same about me. Swindle thought but didn’t say. Instead, he chuckled along with his comrade. “It’s an effective learning technique, that’s for sure. Wonder if they’ll have any questions when Megatron gets hold of old Starscream.”

Okay, I may have to rethink that idea about Starscream owing me. He may not function long enough to pay me. Still, he is like a cosmicroach.

As he worked over any possible angles that would present themselves through this angle, he was pleased to see things had started to settled down now that Onlsaught had refrained from turning Starscream into recyclable waste. Of course, Lock On and Vertigo chose that moment to start bickering.

Swindle tried to be good and remain passive, but their antics caused him to facepalm himself. Why is everyone so intent on fighting on the bridge? They have the logic of a meteor shower.

He glanced at the viewscreen and found himself wishing to be near or on Earth again. It was as backwater as it got, but the possibilities of expanding his dealing repertoire was irresistible.

Maybe I can trade a couple of these flyers if they’re deactivated? The thought was enticing, and he doubted Onslaught or the other Combaticons would care, but it wasn’t enticing enough to warrant facing Magatron’s wrath for handing over Decepticon technology. However, if they were their alt modes…

Deciding that thought could wait, he turned his attention to preventing their ship from becoming a gladiatorial ring. Again. I really need some hazard compensation for this job. How many mechs’ sparks are in danger when not fighting the Autobots?

Swindle shook his head at bickering Seekers, then chuckled at Brawl’s warning. Though limited, the mech definitely had his uses. “Better leave it be, boys; He means it. I wouldn’t want to be the mech that tests his limited patience or you’ll end up like your illustrious commander.” As if to emphasize his point, Swindle rubbed his own neck. “It’s not a pleasant feeling, let me tell you.”

Bridge

"Leaving it be is exactly what I am trying to accomplish." Vertigo muttered wearily. Being the level headed mech of the bunch was starting to wear him out.

---

Feedback, while all this was happening... Had temporarily offlined himself. Unable to handle all the stress, especially the stress of being in the teeny tiny little itty bitty (in his perspective) ship, admidst mech's that would like to probably smash him.

--
Lock On just glared at Vertigo. But at least he wasn't being a cocky glitch.

[Bridge]

Blast Off wrote:"Oh, you know....our Air Commander committing mutiny. Nothing new, really. So, nothing to worry about."

Viper made a sound that was halfway between a grunt and a chuckle at Blast Off’s comment. Swindle and Vortex both followed up with their own comments. “Tch. Seems he’s got a bit of a rep for things like that.” He turned his gaze to the air commander. Although he was his superior, in both rank and ability, Viper was feeling the urge to sink a few bullets into something. Still, he had to hold back the urges. Not the best time to start anything.

Onslaught wrote:“Welcome to the tail end of the rescue mission, Viper.”

The blue bomber gave a quick nod to the Combaticon Commander. “Hmpf, looks like I missed out on the fun.” But it turns out that the fun was only just beginning. Brawl and some other mechs that Viper didn’t recognise were already heading head-first into an argument. He gripped his gun again. “Pfft, spraying bullets here ain’t gonna be solving any problems.”

He turned back to Onslaught. “Anything I can do for you, commander?”

Obliteration- Bridge

“Blast-Off, switch us to full impulse drive. Vortex, send word to the Thanatos. Tell Megatron we have his cargo secured.”

Blast-Off nodded, responding with, "Yessir, right away.", and with that he pressed a button and pushed a lever forward and the frigate responded by moving faster. 'The sooner we get back, the better. I can't stand these Seekers. I'm all in favor of a new actual combat mission. We are Combaticons after all.', Blast-Off thought to himself with a deep sigh. He was trying hard not to pay attention to the drama. If Starscream and them were offlined for a bit, at least then things would get quieter.

'Me and my big mouth.', Starscream thought painfully to himself as his neck was wrenched tighter. Good thing he didn't rely on any air, but the tightness of Onslaught's grip was making him rather lightheaded, as the flow of energon to his brain module was cut off.

“Good, so we have an understanding then.”

, came the words of the Combaticon leader. It was more like a threat, and Starscream knew that. He had been effectively "put into his place". Scratching feebly at Onslaught's fist to let his neck go as the grip tightened further and the Seeker Commander couldn't stand it any more, he soon found the grip released entirely and his chassis clattered on the floor. Starscream massaged his neck and grumbled, muttering something foul under his breath, though it was incomprehensible to anyone. His optics surveyed the room as he turned his head, looking towards his Seekers who were also being bullied by the Combaticons. Grimacing, he got himself up from the floor and walked towards them, head glancing back at Onslaught for a second, glaring with hate before turning back to his subordinates.

"Come on you lot, get it together. We're not going to be turned to scrap here. Let's get off the bridge.", Starscream said to Lock-On, Feedback, and Vertigo. All of them had seen better days. If Starscream played his cards well enough, he could avoid them being scrapped on the Thanatos as well, but someone....yes....someone might have to be blamed for his actions, and it sure wasn't going to be Starscream himself. Well, if it came to that, it would come, but right now, he had to look after himself and his fellow fliers.

Before leaving the bridge though, he said to Onslaught, "I'm taking my Seekers and myself away from the bridge to a quieter room. It's much too hostile here. You have my word that we won't cause you any more trouble. We just want to make it back in one piece."

The Obliteration--Bridge

After watching Onslaught manhandle Starscream and Brawl bully his little flying pets into submission before they could even make a move, Vortex was feeling pretty good about his team. The Combaticons had definitely staked out their own place in the new pecking order.

He couldn't help but chuckle as Starscream mentioned going to another part of the ship and "remaining in one piece". Getting as far away from Onslaught as he could was pretty much the only way that was going to happen after his little outburst.

"Best decision he's made all orn," Vortex chuckled as he spun back around to monitor the comms and await a return message from Soundwave aboard the Thanatos.

The Obliteration Bridge

Swindle stood off to the side, attempting to stay out of any conversation that would require his attention as he ran through a series of potential ideas.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have faith in his teammates, he just knew where their strengths lay, and thinking, wheeling, and dealing weren’t it. Nothing involving a higher thought process that doesn’t include pushing a big red button.

He nearly chuckled at the thought, but caught himself in time. As much as he appreciated his fellow Combaticons ability to rush into battle without a second thought, he didn’t appreciate Onslaught’s ability to inflict pain on those that crossed him.

And given he’d let Starscream off with little more than a bruised ego meant he was still looking for someone to take out his frustrations on. And Swindle was just the easy target.

Still, there was always a bright side to things. In this situation, that meant things were slowly returning to a normal state on the bridge, not that anything involving the Combaticons could be considered normal in most circles

It marked the perfect time for Swindle to take his leave before Onslaught found something for him to do.

In a show of confidence, Swindle slapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Well, now that things are under control, I’ll make a final check on our guests to make sure they find their way to the proper compartments.” Turning toward the door, he said over his shoulder, “Let me know if you mechs need anything. Just remember the gratuity.”

Bridge

Lock on and Vertigo stopped glaring at each other, but neither said a word to each other. Though Lock On looked ready to spit energon with all his anger. Instead he just picked up Feedback's foot and unceremoniously dragged him along behind.

Vertigo let out a sigh of relief and followed Starscream. "Commander..." He said to Starscream. "I suggest we find a med bay. I had to patch Lock On's fuel lines with one of my drone's fuel lines, I can't be sure how long it will last... Considering the conditions it was done under."

Corridors to Medbay

Starscream looked agitated, being furious as well as scared and depressed. He ground his teeth in his metallic skull as their party left the bridge and entered the halls. He remembered this ship. He knew most of the ships in the first fleet of the Empire quite well, even better than most did in some cases (when you’re in trouble it paid to know all the ins and outs of a vessel). His infernal blazes of eyes looked towards his men as Vertigo expressed his concerns about Lock On.

“I am well aware. We’re headed for the Medibay now. You could all use....some repairs.”, he said with an edge. They all looked horrible. He was quite fortunate himself to be the least injured, though he was also suffering from damage to his systems in which he hadn’t shared with anyone else. That was his personal business. ’You lot should be grateful I don’t dump you out into space like garbage.’, he thought to himself, sighing with discontent. “At least we aren’t prisoners on an Autobot ship.”, he said, glaring at his underlings who had sent out the S.O.S. “I’m sure you would all be scrapped if the enemy had been to Sol 4 before our ’friends’ the Combaticons. Luckily, I appreciate your skills. You are very useful to me. I’m sure you will continue to be so. Even more so when you are repaired properly.”, said the Air Commander in a cold undertone, though it wasn’t completely devoid of compassion. ’Compassion.’, that thought made him smirk.

Huffing, Starscream turned another corner, and the Medibay came into sight. He looked behind himself however, and noticed Swindle was stalking along. He narrowed his optics at the Combaticon aptly named Swindle, and asked him, “What do you want Swindle? You always want something, and right now, there’s nothing I can offer.” Starscream trusted no one, especially the likes of Swindle. However, depending on what the Yellow and purple mech had to offer, a deal could be made. Swindle and Starscream had at least one thing in common, and that was that they were no good dirty scoundrels.

“Hurry out with it Swindle, I have to see to my Unit’s repairs.”, he hissed, and waited, while comming Vertigo and the others, >>’Help each other into the CR Chambers. I will be along shortly. Comm me if help is needed.’<<

Corridors

As Starscream rounded the corner, and Lock On was out of the Commander's line of sight, he made a rude gesture, which got him a swift jab in the canopy from Vertigo, accompanied by a 'behave yourself' look .

But it was Starscream's remark about the distress signal that got a puzzled look from both the conscious Seekers as they rounded the corner as well, and Feedback's head unceremoniously got smacked into the bulkhead.

"Commander, are you okay? Are you having processor issues after Onslaught abused you?" Vertigo asked actually honestly concerned. "It was your idea to send the distress signal, part of the deal was to send the distress signal out to the Autobots as well as the 'Con frequencies."

--

When Starscream stopped to address Swindle, Lock On turned to face the Combaticon and glared. He had just found his breaking point with all of this, Swindle was the last mech he wanted to see.

Corridors to Medbay

Well, things could have gone better. Swindle thought as he made his way along the corridors. There were times he wondered how Starscream remained functional. Sure, he ran into the occasional problem with Onslaught or some other high ranking office, but he’d always been able to talk his way out of it. Well, usually.

But not Starscream. Nope, that mech had his head so far up his aft, he invited—

Starscream wrote:“What do you want Swindle? You always want something, and right now, there’s nothing I can offer.”

—trouble.

Swindle recognized the look on Starscream’s faceplate. The narrowed optics promised dismemberment and other wonders if he didn’t come up with a good answer. [b]Lock On[/i]’s wasn’t any better, but considering their struggling functional ability, Swindle didn’t view them as great a threat as he probably should.

Why do they always look at me like that?

Starscream wrote: “Hurry out with it Swindle, I have to see to my Unit’s repairs.”,

Sighing, he kept his facial expression as innocent looking as possible and held his hands out to his sides in a placating gesture. “I think that went well, don’t you think?”

His normal crooked smile quickly appeared. “No need to thank me for helping to get you off easy, Starscream. I look at it as… a favor, of sorts.”

Sensing the growing agitation, and knowing he had their full attention, he quickly shifted gears. Wheeling and dealing was like fishing. One just needed the right bait to draw them in.

“Now, far be it from me to interfere in Seeker politics, or whatever you have going on here, but I never fail to notice an opportunity when it presents itself. And you are an opportunity, my friend.” As he talked, he crossed his arms and leaned against the bulkhead.

“Have you ever heard of the human term, caveat emptor?”

Bridge

Onslaught still sat in his chair with his Energon boiling still. His actuators tapped rhythmically against the arm of his console while they awaited from a response from the Thanatos.

He offered no response to Starscream’s parting words. “Too hostile” he says, having just gotten his aft saved from an active warzone on the backwater world he got himself stranded upon. Then he prances onboard and thinks he can take the Combaticons ship from him? It was taking every spare servo he had to not take Brawl back there and tear off their wings like the delicate butterflies they are.

”Anything I can do for you, commander?”

Onslaught did not shift his gaze from the forward view screen as the blue bomber inquired what he could do now. After seeing Swindle had gotten up and left, most likely to try and pawn something off on those with the bruised egos, he vaguely pointed towards Swindle’s station trying to hold back his growing frustration.

“Just... Settle in there. Watch the scanners.” He said practically groaning. Then the comm line rang back;

>>”Understood. Forwarding information to Lord Megatron. Proceed with normal docking procedures upon approach.”<< Soundwave commed back.

“Forwarding?” Onslaught inquired puzzled towards his crew as if he was hoping they had the answer. He had assumed Megatron had taken command of the ship after their departure. Maybe he’s still under Shockwave’s preverbal knife...

[Bridge]

Onslaught wrote:“Just... Settle in there. Watch the scanners.”

“Gotcha, chief.” Viper simply nodded curtly and took his spot on the bridge, where Swindle once was. He smirked slightly underneath his faceplate, being impressed by the rather “energetic” and violent scene that the Combaticons had put up in order to silence Starscream and his cronies. It was a vulgar display of power, sure, but that’s how he liked it. He’d prefer a good beatdown any day over manners and respect.

He slung his gun over his shoulder and locked it onto his back, sitting down at the scanner station. His black visor hid his optics rather well, and it reflected the screens rather brightly. Although there was nothing of interest on these screens, he kicked back and relaxed a little in his seat, wondering when he’d get to join the Combaticons in mowing down the meek seekers with some bullets. He could almost feel it in his face - the adrenaline, the blood energon rush and the way his circuits got fired up when he was inflicting violence and mayhem.

He turned his head to Brawl, Blast Off and Vortex, the other Combaticons on the bridge. “Hah, those slaggas are probably leaking themselves right now. Nice show back there.”

Brawl turned to look at Viper, putting his gun maintenance aside at least for a moment.

”Too bad none of them wanted to brawl with ol’ Brawl. I could have used a good wrangling after the Sol-4 disappointment.” Brawl rumbled, his eagerness for battle as evident in his voice and demeanor as ever. ”I don’t think I even scored a single fragging kill!”

”Starscream and his slaggin’ flyboys,” he cursed, ”This just shows they are all the same removed from their precious skies. Cowards and backstabbers the whole lot.”

”Couldn’t even get off the stupid red rock without us.” He added, trying to direct his failing focus back to his guns.

Corridors

ctrlFrequency wrote:"Commander, are you okay? Are you having processor issues after Onslaught abused you?" Vertigo asked actually honestly concerned. "It was your idea to send the distress signal, part of the deal was to send the distress signal out to the Autobots as well as the 'Con frequencies."

Starscream grew more furious each passing astro-second. He had commanded his men to go and get into the CR pods, and they were still bumbling around! However, he had to admit, their loyalty to him was admirable. His men seemed to care about him when no one else did, and so, they were precious. More precious than he was thinking about them just a moment ago. Thus, the Air Commander turned away from Swindle briefly and addressed Vertigo,

“Oh, I absolutely AM having processor issues right now! Vertigo, Lock-On, forget about distress signal. Get Feedback into a CR pod and then both of you get in one too. You lot look like something the Omega Sentinel dragged in.”, he commanded. He wanted his men to do as he said and start their own repair processes. He didn't know how long it would take now for them to get to the Thanatos, but it shouldn't be a long trip. He then added, “Turn the efficiency up to high setting. It won't be long before we return….” he gulped, “to the Command post.” Then, the grey, red, and blue Seeker turned back to his shorter mustard and eggplant colored friend.

“I think that went well, don’t you think?”

Starscream clearly looked disgruntled at the Combaticon. However, in his processor, Starscream knew Swindle was right. He got off the hook pretty easily. On the Mars surface, he and his compatriots could have been easily slagged, and on board the Obliteration, Onslaught could have done a lot more damage to him had he wished. Swindle's slippery words worked within his own domain, whereas Starscream's did not. The little swindler had the wounded flier’s complete attention. He did however, want Swindle to hurry up. He too needed to be repaired, albeit minimally compared to the others.

“No need to thank me for helping to get you off easy, Starscream. I look at it as… a favor, of sorts.”

“Heh.”, Starscream huffed, crossing his arms. “Everyone knows your favors aren't free, Swindle. In that regard, we are very much alike. I don't just give away things for free either. Your cunning may fool some, you see, but it doesn't fool me. Still, being honest, you did indeed help me a great deal. I suppose it's only fair to repay you?”, he said that with a threatening undertone. A devilish smirk played across his lips. The game was beginning.

“Now, far be it from me to interfere in Seeker politics, or whatever you have going on here, but I never fail to notice an opportunity when it presents itself. And you are an opportunity, my friend.” As he talked, he crossed his arms and leaned against the bulkhead.

“Have you ever heard of the human term, caveat emptor?”

The former Senator of Vos’ optics seemed to flare up more ominously. He understood opportunity, oh yes. Whenever an opportunity arose for himself to garner some form of power, he took it. Right now, Starscream knew he was near the bottom of the food chain of Decepticon politics, but he always had an ace up his sleeve and a back door if it backfired, well...most of the time. He stroked his chin briefly and began pacing back and forth, considering his current abysmal disposition and ways Swindle could help him. Of course, he wouldn't allow Swindle to doublecross him. Oh no, he'd make sure to counter that with his own backstabbery. However, mutual agreement and a fine array of favors and offerings could be made, which could lead to some success.

Starscream paused his musings right in front of Swindle, looking down at him as a King would to his best knight, and he responded, “Oh, my dear Swindle. You are gold to me, you know that don't you? I accept your service. Now, don't let me down now. I'll know if you do. That being said, I am absolutely sure we can help each other. You help me, and I help you. An opportunity is likely to present itself soon, and when it does, you will be repaid for this instance. Just be a good little warrior, and make sure to help me, your Lord, when I need it. Agreed?” He took one digit and placed it under Swindle's chin, raising it ever so slightly so that their optics met each other.

Med Bay

Vertigo sighed at Starscream's words. An order was an order, though, and they had defied the Air Commander enough for one day. He muttered "yes sir" and motioned Lock On to let go of Feedback.

After Lock On roughly dropped Feedback, Vertigo disengaged his drone, Reaper, from Feedback's hardport under his wing. He sighed. The cr chamber wouldn't help the drone's cracked camera and missing fuel line, so he set Reaper on a med berth so he could repair the drone later. He pulled open a cr chamber aND motioned to Lock On to help him get Feedback in.

Once they had wrestled the unconscious Seeker in, Vertigo set the controls as Starscream instructed and locked the poor claustrophobic EW specialist in.

Lock On got himself into a CR chamber and Vertigo followed suit.