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Hangar

Baneblade was turning to answer the questions posed by Astrotrain when the smaller Scrapper cut in front of him, and comically started waving his finger in front of the much larger Decepticons face. If the current situation wasn't so time sensitive Baneblade would have found it amusing, but since he had little time to carry out the first stages of his operation he find it annoying. He let labourer rant and rave, most of his words going ignored by Baneblade who was merely waiting for the Constructicon leader to finish his infantile tirade, a clear example of him trying to pander to some sort of inferiority complex he had. To occupy his mind while the insect whined Baneblade contemplated the various means by which he could end the Constructicons life before his team could react. He had concluded the three best ways were to simply rip open his chest cavity and pull his spark out and crush it, tear the upraised arm off and then use it to impail him, or to simply reach out and crush Scrapper's head with one of his massive gauntlets. He had concluded he prefer the head crushing action the most and as entertaining as it would be to do it he figured the short supply of personnel demanded he not carry through with the action.

One the rant was over Baneblade was about to step around Scapper and carry on when Hook spoke up. The large Decepticon cast his gaze towards the Constructicon.

"An opinion born of ignorance. I have been responsible for planning and advising Decepticon operations since before the war left Cybertron. I have been required to study and educate myself on a facet of many subject that have been mission critical for me to fulfill my funcition within the Decepticon ranks. I understand logistics just as well as I understand the importance of proper strategic planning and tactical preparations, unlike you I am not required to debase myself. I was called in by Lord Megatron himself for this specific operation, and Starscream is going forward with my original operational outline. This mission is of utmost importance and extremely time sensitive. You propose to dither on the ocean floor to seek out resources and to establish a substantial mining operation to extract them. Such an undertaking is ill advised and unwise, it will only delay our time table further and heighten our chances of discovery. Your narrow view of the wider war effort is only underlined here, and now I fully understand the general opinion of your team, you plan and tinker as if we do not have a war to win. I suggest you over come your tunnel vision and expand your understanding of how to function properly within the Decepticon war machine." He cast his gaze back to Scrapper. "Unless you actually have something important to expunge from your vocal processor I have a mission to complete. I have no time to coddle your wounded pride."

Baneblade stepped around Scrapper and gestured to his team to follow him.

"We mobilize immediately. Astrotrain, transform and prepare for transport, we have already been delayed long enough."

*

Bridge

Starscream accepted the datapad and studied him.

"Hmm interesting. Were you perhaps a student of Baneblade's before the war? This is very similar to much of his own reports that I have been reading. Already we are following a plan he laid out for Megatron. Once he has completed his current mission I would think it might be best if you communicated with him about such matters, he is constantly keeping up to date with the various cultures and governments of this world to better further our own agenda." Starscream said, somewhat disapointed in what Krunix had to say given that he had already heard much of it before. However a new idea crossed his mind. "Actually Krunix, I have another task I would like you to fulfill. It is difficult for me to move amongst the others without raising suspicion, few of them trust me and given my position with in the hierarchy the other will likely restrain what they have to say. I'd like you to keep an audio receptor tuned into the opinions of the other Decepticons and in form me of what they think of my decisions. I am trying to prevent chaos to reign in the wake of Megatron's disappearance and if the others beleive I am leading them down the wrong path I would like to know it. Do you think you can undertake this task?"

Bridge

Krunix shook his head the mention of Baneblade , and kept silent until Starscream had finished his request. After a moment of organizing his words, which is more consideration than he would use for anyone but his commander, Krunix spoke,

"With all due respect, Commander, their concerns are not unfounded. While you are an impeccable combatant and a very adept tactician, your desire for your current position is known even by the Autobots. Any backlash, and I imagine there will be some, has little to do with you as an individual, Commander. Megatron is the lightning rod and rallying cry for any and all who wear badge of Decepticon. His loss is going to influence ANY plans we have. That you have raised valid concerns about his leadership in the past will only feed the problem; even the perception of treachery against Megatron brings with it concerns over competency, strategy...sanity." Krunix paused the display on his datapad, halfway through a small plan to imitate warring Terran factions' ordinance to futher Infiltration goals, "I will perform any task assigned to me to the best of my abilities, but I am of little authority and standing within the ranks, sir."

Krunix spared a look towards Soundwave, one that was more apologetic than paranoid, "However, I believe there are a few...measures that can be taken by you as a Commander to solidify Decepticon morale, if you would like to discuss them privately..."

Hangar

Firebrand uncrossed his arms and revealed a burnished grin, admiring Baneblade's mettle and fervor. The silver warrior was now doubly excited as it seemed his fellow Decepticons were deploying for action.
Firebrand strode across the hangar at a quick pace to approach Baneblade, he stood at attention before the hulking Decepticon, saluting and giving a curt yet still somehow graceful bow, "Decepticon Firebrand, reporting. If it so pleases you, sir, I wish to volunteer for your mission."

The sterling gladiator stood resolute and confident, though ready to accept rejection from acting on such short notice. "Though I understand how carefully you must have planned this," Firebrand says in a deep, oily voice while hefting his large firearm over his shoulder, "surely you can use another fighter. Can never have too much muscle, I think."

Hanger

Coming to the aid of their commander, Scavenger and Hook attempted to stand their ground and throw their weight around even though the hulking mass that was Baneblade could easily pummel them with one hand. Darkride chuckled lowly as he very intently watched the exchanges. The interrogator had just gotten comfortable when he heard his name being called by a voice he had not heard in quite some time.

Darkride raised his head to peer over the gathered mechs and noticed the tall, slender form of Oil Slick making his way to his location. Darkride’s deep crimson optics brightened and a broad eager smile formed on his face.

“Ah, Oil Slick. So good to see you again.”

As the chemist held out the vial Darkride took hold of it in his own clawed hands. The interrogator held it up and swirled it slightly before he lowered it and smiled up at his friend.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to employ its effects now that I have no guests.”

Darkride clenched his teeth in anger before he relaxed and composed himself.

“However, it will come in handy ONCE WE ACTUALLY GET OUR BASE BUILT!”

With his final words he also looked over his shoulder at the gathered Constructicons and Baneblade. He looked back at his friend and nodded at his query.

“A mission, yes. However, none of these cretins have gotten of their afts to even begin. I only hope the Seeker knows what he’s doing.”

Darkride placed the vial in a storage compartment before he shook his head in disgust.

Hangar

The brewing up conflict between Scrapper and Baneblade had quickly grabbed Bonecrusher's attention. However he was still carrying Baneblade's weight's worth of equipment for Mixmaster. While the demolitions expert was fairly indifferent towards the whole debate going on, the chance to show his immense strength against an opponent physically larger than himself was extremely intriguing. Knowing that if he just dropped everything he was carrying, he would be verbally berated by Hook for the foreseeable future, yet to unload the equipment he carried without breaking anything would require help from one of his teammates. And thus Bonecrusher began to become even a bit desperate as his processors tried to come up with a solution to his dilemma. The urge to pick a fight while being unable to do so soon take a form of a frustrated roar.

"Mixmaster!"

While Bonecrusher was battling with his own problems, Astrotrain calmly followed the exchange of insults between Baneblade and Scrapper. Normally he wouldn't have minded to even fuel the fire to get to see some infighting but the triplechanger was also intelligent enough to know when fighting was counterproductive. As Baneblade gave his command, Astrotrain made a gesture for everyone to move out of his way for their own safety - for transforming into his enlarged spaceship mode demanded most of the room available in the hangar.

A moment later Astrotrain had increased considerably in size to fill most of the hangar in his spaceship mode. Opening his hatches to allow other Decepticons to board him, Astrotrain sent a message to Soundwave. >>"Astrotrain to Soundwave. Requesting a tactical blind spot for flight from Ultrax to Magnitogorsk and renewed sensor deflecting coating from Oil Slick."<<

Hangar

With his Constructicons around him, Scrapper felt almost elated to be browbeating such a huge warrior...but Baneblade simply ignored him, talking down to Hook and then heading off on his pointless mission. To say it was infuriating was....an understatement.

Its exactly the same....the same muscle-headed pride that thinks destruction is everything the Empire needs, that bases build themselves, that guns and starships will work forever. We don't even exist to people like Baneblade. We're not even real to him...

Had Scrapper been holding anything he would have crushed it in rage. As it was, he was in severe danger of popping his joints from the tension. At this very moment, if he could have pulled this starcruiser apart and turned it into a cannon, and shot Starscream, Motormaster, Baneblade and half the remaining Decepticons into the sun, he would have.

But the moment passed. Scrapper's discipline, the same discipline that had seen Megatron put him in charge of the dysfunctional team, and forged them into the primary engineering corps of the Decepticon forces, held. But still, Scrapper knew he wouldn't forget this. This was far from over.

"...Constructicons. Darkride. Lets go. We, unlike some here, have an actual mission to perform. I suggest we leave that other team to whatever mayhem they wish, and get some work done."

He begins to stomp towards one of the ships backup bounce chambers. "Hook, if you've chosen our target coordinates, contact Soundwave and Thundercracker and have us get down there. I can't stand another astrosecond on this junkpile."

Hangar

Scavenger waited anxously for Baneblade to make a move against Scrapper- even more confident in taking down the large mech now that some of the other Constructicons had gathered around.
Then Darkride yelled something about getting the new base built, and Scavenger started to feel some doubts about what he was doing. Scavenger's self-esteem then plummeted when Baneblade didn't try to attack Scrapper at all, simply talking down to the Constructicon commander and walking like nothing had happened.
It was a hard blow for Scavenger to see any mech disrespect Scrapper. The mining and salvage specialist respected his team's leader more than any other Decepticon, with the possible exception of the late Megatron.
Of course, it was because of that respect he had for Scrapper that prevented him from attacking Baneblade, instead focussing back to the task at hand and following his orders.

He may be big, but we'll show him once we become Devastator. He won't talk like that to Scrapper or any of us after that..... We'll show him....

The excavator moved quickly out of the way as Astrotrain transformed and grew into his shuttle mode, following Scrapper to the bounce chamber.

Hangar

Long Haul stood quietly and watched the increasingly tense exchange between Scrapper and Baneblade unfold. The larger mech clearly did not understand his place in the overall command hierarchy. He thought that his immense size and strength gave him some sort of permission to disrespect a superior officer the way he had just done. Even when the Constructicon Commander stepped in front of Baneblade and put him in his proper place, the huge 'Con merely scoffed at Scrapper and moved around him to continue on with his foolish plan to acquire materials that were not a priority. Even Hook was not spared some harsh criticism from the strategic advisor.

Long Haul remained by Scrapper's side while Baneblade moved away towards Astrotrain, who then transformed into shuttle mode and was now taking up considerably more space in the hangar. Following his commander towards the bounce chamber, Long Haul couldn't help but wonder which team he should go with. Scrapper had initially ordered him to go with Baneblade, but that was before the recent confrontation that revealed the larger mech's inability to understand what was a priority and what wasn't. That mission was now very different than what Scrapper had originally intended it to be. Thus the green transport wasn't sure if he should still waste his time going to Magnitogorsk, especially since Astrotrain had more than enough room to carry whatever materials they're able to find.

As a result, Long Haul approached Scrapper in order to clarify what he should do. "Hey, boss. You still want me going with Baneblade's team, or should I just stick with you now? They've got Astrotrain to carry their stuff around. My skills would probably be better suited helping you out at the base site, dontcha think?"

Hangar

Mixmaster had taken in the entire confrontation with a small smile etched deviously on his metallic face. Baneblade was supposedly a strategist. Surely a strategist recognized the number of inherent flaws in getting involved in a physical brawl right now. Even Mixmaster recognized it, and no one had ever accused him of being the sanest Decepticon in the bunch.

Cooler servos, much to Mixmaster's surprise, actually prevailed. All that was left now was for them to get back down to this interesting little carbon-based planet and get to work.

Mixmaster looked over at Bonecrusher, who appeared to be releasing some of his pent up and building frustrations.

"What?"

He then looked at the load that Bonecrusher was carrying/ He reached over and took a small torch case and pulled it off the pile and carried it with his left actuator.

"There. Better?"

Though oblivious to the insignificance of the "aid" he had just rendered, there was no ill or devious intent on the Constructicon Chemical Engineeer's expression. As Scrapper beckoned them forward, Mixmaster headed over to his unit Commander, ready to get on with the business of building the next phase of Decepticon conquest. And, eventually, their own.

Message sent to Oil Slick's private frequency:

>>”Oil Slick. This is Tracer. I know it’s been a long time, but I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience. It’s getting harder and harder, and I know you can help me. Please, when you receive this message contact me. You can reach me at our old frequency.”<<

Hangar

Hook was not normally one to act violently but the overgrown bureaucrat that was Baneblade sorely tempted him. While he doubted that he could take the short-sighted and arrogant waste of metal and electronics in a fist fight he knew that one carefully placed shot from his gun would even things out quite quickly. The advantage of being a surgical engineer of such skill as he was knowing just were to shoot someone to do maximum damage.

The Constructicon kept his weapon stowed away for now though. He knew that in the future, once Devastator was online, nuisances like Baneblade would be listening to his orders with rapt attention. That is assume they weren’t being scraped off of Devastator’s foot.

Hook nodded at Scrapper as they moved to the bounce chamber. “Of course Scrapper.” He signaled Soundwave informing him of their destination. The other Decepticon confirmed and loaded the data into the bounce chamber computer. He then contacted the seeker. >>”Thundercracker, an appropriate location for base construction has been located. We will be bouncing down there momentarily.”<<

*

Soundwave’s reply came back to Astrotrain fairly quickly. >>”Blindspot will be created. Reapplication of deflective coating should have been done well in advance of mission and not immediately prior to it. A CR chamber or work in the repair bay would have been preferable. Oil Slick does not carry the required chemicals on him. A repair drone is being dispatched to apply the coating to you. Any delay in mission launching will be noted in your file.”<<

*

Oil Slick observed Darkride’s outburst and the subsequent arguing between Baneblade and the Constructicons with detached interest. The news that Darkride would be unable to test the compound anytime soon was disappointing but unsurprising. He knew that eventually the other Decepticon would have an appropriate test subject. He was willing to wait until then to get the information he wanted.

He looked back down at Darkride as the confrontation seemingly came to a peaceful end. “What is the nature of this mission you are going on? It seems to have roused the passions of more then a few other Decepticons. Something of some considerable importance I take it?” He was somewhat curious as to how the faction was holding up without Megatron. He had no desire for a power struggle to disrupt his work.

The chemist tilted his head slightly as he received a signal from the planet below on an old frequency he had used when he was more active commercially with his chemicals. It was an unexpected message but one that had the potential for considerable benefits. Unfortunately now was not the time to reply to it, not with Soundwave monitoring so closely. He would need his specialized equipment to do so, and simply leaving the hangar so abruptly would arouse suspicion. Of course if he could be assigned to one of the teams heading down to the planet there would be ample opportunity to signal her back.

Oil Slick spoke to Darkride again. “Your team seems more science oriented in nature. Perhaps I could be of some assistance. I would assume there would also be the potential to add new knowledge and possibly new compounds to my arsenal as well.” He looked over at Scrapper as he made to leave the hangar. “I offer you my services as a chemist on your mission. I have already adopted an alternate mode native to the planet below. I need only gather some tools from my lab before joining you.”

Hangar

Mixmaster might not have meant to insult Bonecrusher but what he ended up doing was hardly alleviating from the demolitions expert's point of view. Had his arms been free, Mixmaster would probably have faced his wrath. Same could be said about Baneblade or anyone else who managed to anger the brutish Constructicon. Now, all he could do was to walk towards Mixmaster's voice with his massive load of equipment and hope that he'd run the chemical engineer over by 'accident'.
_____________________________________

>>"Acknowledged Soundwave. My team is ready."<< Thundercracker replied back to the communications officers while shepherding the Cyberjets into the bounce chamber with Snowcap. While Thundercracker was not all that familiar with Snowcap, he was still relieved that there was at least another seeker assigned to this team.
_____________________________________

>>"How about you remind yourself that chemical coatings and size shifting of the scale I am required to go through here do not mix?"<< Astrotrain replied back to Soundwave in rather annoyed tone. It was not necessarily wise from him but if there was something that got under Astrotrain's armor plating - it was questioning his professionalism.

As the repair drone arrived and began to apply the chemical coating on him, Astrotrain tried to catch the attention of the other members of his team. >>"What the slag you are waiting for? Second coming of Prima Nova?"

Hanger

Darkride had taken it upon himself to gesture for the chemist to follow along as he began to follow behind the Constructicons toward the bounce chamber. It seemed only natural that Oil Slick simply accompany him as they both discussed the recent events.

“My mission would be to try and refrain from killing any one of these brutes, but I digress. They are going to be building a new base.”

Darkride let out an annoyed snort before he looked up at his much taller comrade.

“Passions. Of course. The ‘passions’ are apparently the result of Megatron’s untimely demise. Our pseudo Commander has a way of driving a wedge between everyone.”

The entire group finally had gathered and prepared to head to the bounce chamber.

“If you wish to designate them as being science orientated, then by all means.”

Darkride let out a low chuckle and watched as Oil Slick addressed Scrapper.

Leaving Hangar, Approaching Bounce Chamber

"Yes, Long Haul, you're coming with us. I'm sure they'll be able to carry plenty with their big strong frames." Scrapper resists the tempation to spit grease, now that he has a faceplate again.

Then Oil Slick spoke up, giving the engineer pause. He wasn't really in the mood to entertain more outsider, but this was another scientist, not a warrior.....

"If you want to come, you may. But you'll report to Mixmaster throughout, and aid him. Grab your equipment and join in within 5 breems. Long Haul can aid you if you require it....Best not to bother Bonecrusher."

With this, Scrapper leads the others towards the bounce chamber. Maybe once we're out of this flying Pit things can start going our way.

Leaving Hangar / Approaching Bounce Chamber

Long Haul nodded when Scrapper gave him the okay to join them. It was a bit of a relief that he would not be going with the disrespectful and somewhat intimidating Baneblade, who seemed to think that he was more knowledgeable than the actual builders who would be designing and constructing the new base. The big mech's tone would eventually change once Devastator became a hulking reality. Then Baneblade, and other 'Cons like him, would be the ones intimidated by Long Haul and his combined team. Respect would become a word used often by all those in the gestalt's massive presence. That day couldn't come soon enough as far as the green transport was concerned.

"You got it, boss. I'm at your disposal," Long Haul replied to Scrapper before he walked over and gathered up some of the equipment. He then transformed into his Earthen alt mode, allowing the gear to carefully slide into his truck bed. Afterwards, he addressed the members of his team that included not only the Constructions but other assorted mechs, as well. "If anyone has anything they need me to carry, just throw it in my back area. Transporting stuff is what I do, after all." Long Haul made sure not to bother Bonecrusher, at least not directly. Scrapper had said it was best not to annoy him right now, but at the same time he didn't want to further anger his aggressive teammate by completely ignoring him.

The green dump truck then rolled out of the hangar bay and made his way down to the bounce chamber, following along with the rest of his Constructicon cohorts and other assigned members of the overall group.

Leaving Hanger / Approaching Bounce Chamber

Much to Darkride’s surprise, and satisfaction, Scrapper had quickly acknowledged Oil Slick’s proposal to join the group. Although the chemist would be under the not so watchful optic of Mixmaster, the opportunity to work together would still prove to be entertaining none the less. Darkride’s lip components curled into a cruel smirk as his gaze settled on Mixmaster.

Not wanting to waste too much time standing by, the interrogator nudged Oil Slick and motioned for the chemist to follow him back out into the corridor.

“Let’s retrieve your wares. I don’t want to miss out on an iota of all the fun we’ll have when we get back planet side.”

Darkride rubbed his clawed hands together and let out a demented cackle while exiting the bounce chamber.

“Come, Oil Slick!”

The call came from beyond the dark opened doorway followed by another disembodied laugh.

Leaving the Hangar

Oil Slick nodded at Scrapper. “Darkride should prove to be sufficient assistance for gathering my equipment.” Working under Mixmaster was not an ideal arrangement, particularly when he was more interested in his own pursuits then those of the mission. Still, he did respect that particular Constructicon as his chemical knowledge and expertise were among the few that could challenge his. With long strides the Decepticon crossed the hangar bay and followed the eager Darkride back to his lab.

Laboratory

The chemical warfare specialist keyed in his command code to unlock his personal lab. He pointed out a few items for Darkride to grab. He knew the other Decepticon would respect his equipment as he had benefited from it on more then one occasion. With the other Decepticon busy he gathered a few specific items of his own. Into his personal tool kit went a specialized communicator that he had used in the past to set up various deals with his shady clientele. He also added several sealed vials of ‘recreational’ chemicals that he kept on hand.

He wasn’t certain if he would be able to arrange some sort of meeting with Tracer, or where it would be. He did know it would be easier to arrange on the planet’s surface then on board the ship. There was also the possibility that it could be a trap, lure him out in the open and taken him prisoner. This would mean that the Autobot would have to disclose her past history with him, and from what he knew about her he doubted she would want that as public knowledge. Oil Slick was willing to gamble that she wouldn’t lead him into a trap and that if she was he was capable of escaping. The benefits of the meeting simply outweighed the risks by far.

With his tools gathered he nodded to Dark Ride and made his way to the bounce chamber.

*

Soundwave’s reply to Astrotrain was curt. >>”CR chamber could have been modified to account for this. Application should have been done prior to mission launch regardless. Due to your concern over the application and possible loss of it, it is recommended that you do not transform until mission is complete”<<

*

Bounce Chamber

Hook stepped into the room and took a look at the controls. He rarely trusted any other Decepticon when it came to technical manners. With as often as he felt the need to correct others he found it was always wise to double check other’s work. Satisfied with the results he looked up at Scrapper. “We are ready to go once the others get here.”

As if on cue Oil Slick and Darkride entered the room. They quickly took up positions on the pad. Once everyone was in place the chamber activated and sent them down to the planet below.

OOC: This group can move to the thread Sea of Change

Hangar

Baneblade was about to board the waiting Astrotrain when he heard the question posed by Firebrand. His emotionless visor studied the new arrival as he silently conteplated the question.

"Firebrand; warrior, previous occupation gladiator prior to out break of war on Cybertron. Level of expendability; moderate. You could provide potential extra fire power and overall combat stength to our team. Yes, you may accompany us."

He abruptly turned to board Astrotain.

Hangar

Ramplate looked at the newcomer with a grunt as Baneblade waltzed past him into Astrotrain's compartment. "Welcome to the new fight, eh?" he said to Firebrand before starting to board himself. Oh true, he knew he himself wasn't as gifted as the higher ups were, and if he needed to die to further the cause, that's what he'd agreed to when he signed up. But Ramplate disliked Baneblade's unspoken certainty that they would never rise to the point of becoming powerful enough to last...

Hangar

Firebrand hid his metallic grin as his armet-like faceplate surrounded it, excited to finally get back into the fray. "Thank you, sir," he responds to Baneblade, muffled by his faceplate. His machine-gun folded neatly under his right arm as he stepped aboard Astrotrain.
The argent Decepticon acknowledges Ramplate with a curt nod and replies, "there's always another fight. Its high time I tasted real combat again." He cracks his neck and knuckles loudly, "Its high time we made the Autobots pay."

OOC: Decepticon material acquisition unit (Baneblade, Astrotrain and friends) can continue their adventures here.

OOC: Time to play catch-up...if i can

Hangar

The throng of Decepticons in the hangar left barely enough room to fold his arms over his broad chest-plate. Contemptor stood in a more shadowed area of the Hangar as the announcement washed over all of the assembled con's. It was tough feeling an unexpected bounce from the miserable mud-ball beneath the ramshackle cruiser, but it was a completely different story when the supposed demise of Megatron. It wasn't a case of being able to accept it, it was the case that the mightiest of all Decepticons fell so easily.

This was where Contemptor's fury started to burn and smoulder. It was more evident behind his purple optics as they started to glow in the dim light of where he stood.

He clenched his fists tight. So tight in fact, that any 'con nearby would hear the slight straining sound of his servos being over wound. Contemptor was over-wound as it already was. He would rather be smashing down Autobots, and taking trophies than listening to a speech from, as every 'con knew, an over ambitious - and over vocal seeker who's thirst for power and leadership was larger than his own over-inflated brain-casing. Contemptor - letting his temper subside - lifted up the Decepticon badge that hung on the large chain around his neck. It was evidence of the greatest empire in the galaxy.

The Decepticon emblem was also the symbol that signified the rise of their mightiest leader.

Contemptor looked up from the emblem at the now disbanding throng of 'Cons. Each going his or her separate ways. Some bunched into teams for administered missions. Others carrying out the already predetermined plans laid out by Megatron before the unfortunate recent events.

Contemptor stood up fully and stretched his stiff limbs - his rotators making a well oiled buzz as he began to make his way to the Hangar doors. As he did, Contemptor passed the small yet brief argument between Baneblade - a mech of near equal stature to Contemptor - and a few of the Constructicons. He paused to watch the small drama turn over. And turn it did. The drama didn't last long - and a good thing too, for drama was not what any-con needed.

They needed to fight. They needed to resume operations. They needed to take the action back to the Autobrats.

Contemptor folded his arms again over his chest and laughed - that cold and merciless laugh that even chilled some Decepticons. It was a brief, yet humorous distraction from the turmoil at hand. His laughter subsided however when his mood switched back to his more darker demeanour. He observed Baneblade as he made his way to board Astrotrain, and watched as another mech approached the big con.

Contemptor's databanks immediately called up Firebrand and listened to the eager 'con as he addressed Baneblade, again Contemptor let a smile play across his faceplate listening to Baneblade's assessment of Firebrand. He thought about interjecting, but decided against it.

Contemptor made his way to the hangar exit and immediately sent a communication to the Bridge

++Contemptor to Starscream...I await orders for assignment...++

He entered the hallway, the lengthy Chain Lash bouncing off his thigh, clanking with each step.

Ultrax - Bridge

Starscream looked at Krunix after he made his request and he stood up and gestured for the other Decepticon to follow him. The Commander made his way off the brudge and found Contemptor, an unusual name to say the least. He guided the two Decepticons away from the bridge and to a more secluded area of the ship.

"I'm going to be blunt with the two of you. I'm aware that I'm not well liked amongst the others, the don't trust my judgement, they believe I am more a sniveling coward then a proper Decepticon officer. I intend to prove them wrong. However, what I also need is information on what is being said. Anything will do, an overheard conversation, a disgruntled out burst anything that can help me understand what the others think of what I am doing. But I also need you both to remain quiet about this task, whisper that I have asked this of you to anyone and I will find out. And you will not like what I will do in response. Understood?"

Starscream poulled himself up to his full height to watch the other two.

"Now, as for other duties. Krunix I will need you to remain on board the Ultrax and help coordinate with the other teams. We have a lot of DEcepticons going into the field carrying out a large number of missions. I will need you to recieve status updates on their missions and to pass that data along to me. Conetemptor, unfortunatly I do not have an assignment for you right away, though I think you will do best on Baneblade's team. However, they are already deployed and in no position to accept a late addition to their team. So for the moment I will move you into reserve, if any of the other teams request additional ground support I will have you boucned to their location as reinforcement. However, once I recieve confirmation that Baneblade has complete his current mission I will have you bounced to his location so you can join his team for their next mission."

Contemptor was making his way around the corridors of the battered ship, lost in his thoughts of destruction of Autobots and glory for the Decepticon empire. It irked him that there was no reply from the Bridge of the Ultrax, and his wire-trigger temper burst. He had to take it out on something.

Not the Ultrax...it was beat up and battered already.

One of the many service bots was unlucky enough to skitter in front of Contemptor. He snarled and brought his foot down hard on the hapless mechanoid and ground his heel against the flooring. The metal screeching and scratching as the small maintenance robot met its end, small sparks flying as the unit was left as scrap. It gave Contemptor some small satisfaction, yet his thirst to take trophies in the name of the Decepticon Empire was still burning inside his spark-core, and the ruined maintenance unit was definitely not worth taking as a trophy.

Contemptor scowled and stomped around the corridor. It almost took him by surprise as he almost stepped into Starscream.

The Decepticon Seeker Commander was leaving the bridge with another mechanoid. Contemptor was hunched over and observed the two with an almost calculating optic. He noticed that Starscream looked at him with some bewilderment. It was one that he had seen before from other 'Cons. A look that scoffed at his designation, and Contemptor saw it in Starscream's optics. His own optics narrowed as he watched the Seeker Commander indicating for them to follow him to a more secluded portion of the Ultrax - away from prying optics and audio receptors.

"I'm going to be blunt with the two of you. I'm aware that I'm not well liked amongst the others, they don't trust my judgement! They believe I am more a sniveling coward than a proper Decepticon officer. I intend to prove them wrong."

Contemptor leaned back and rested against a bulkhead as he listened to Starscream's half rant, half mission statement.

"However, what I also need is information on what is being said. Anything will do, an overheard conversation, a disgruntled out burst... anything that can help me understand what the others think of what I am doing. But I also need you both to remain quiet about this task, whisper that I have asked this of you to anyone and I will find out. And you will not like what I will do in response. Understood?"

Contemptor looked from Starscream to Krunix, then back to the Seeker Commander before standing to his full height and folding his arms over his chest, he looked down at Starscream, his purple optics narrowed, glowing brighter at the thought of espionage.

"Starscream..." Contemptor began "...I serve the Decepticon Empire to the most brutal of my abilities..." He looked directly into the Seeker Commander's red optics "...and that means that I serve the Leader of the Empire. Before, it was Megatron, but now it falls to you to lead...Call me mercenary for my view Seeker, but I live to collect the trophies of the dead..."

Contemptor accented his last words by smiling a wicked, merciless smile as he watched Starscream stand up to his full height - still just shy of Contemptor's chin.

Contemptor looked at the smaller Krunix as the Seeker Commander finished his statement.

"Now, as for other duties... Krunix I will need you to remain on board the Ultrax and help coordinate with the other teams. We have a lot of Decepticons going into the field carrying out a large number of missions and I will need you to receive status updates on their missions and to pass that data along to me.

Contemptor, unfortunatly I do not have an assignment for you right away, though I think you will do best on Baneblade's team. However, they are already deployed and in no position to accept a late addition to their team. So for the moment I will move you into reserve, if any of the other teams request additional ground support I will have you boucned to their location as reinforcement. However, once I receive confirmation that Baneblade has complete his current mission I will have you bounced to his location so you can join his team for their next mission."

Contemptor could have spit nails at the last statement. Placed in reserve...gah so demeaning for him and his ire raised in his throat. There was nothing more that he could do until he was ready to be deployed onto the field. Inside however, Contemptor remembered Baneblade and he grinned - the thought of bashing heads with the highbrow Decepticon made his Spark jump with glee.

"Subterfuge and vox-cording are not in my specialities, and neither is being placed in reserve. Being a spy is not my idea of regaining glory Starscream - but those are your orders and will carry them out...if this rusting Hulk of a warship has a training room, then I shall be keeping my skills razor sharp..." Contemptor accented his point by unsheathing his Energon Battle Axe and tossing it in the air before catching it. He threw the axe, terminating another unfortunate maintenance unit. "...Hunting trophies requires good reflexes and discipline. Getting sloppy makes all the Decepticons look like the interior of this ship..."

Contemptor went and retrieved his axe from the sparking form of the small maintenance unit before kicking its shattered hull down the corridor as he hefted his axe over his shoulder - a swagger in his step as he made his way down and away from the Seeker Commander and the smaller Krunix.

He couldn't wait to make trophies out of more Autobots and their allies. Especially the one that got away....

Ultrax

Starscream watched Contemptor walk off after he had spoken to the other Decepticon, causing the Commander to pause and think for a moment. He pondered how best to go about truly getting the information he wanted, relying on others was risky at best, and he somewhat regretted talking to Contemptor, he was an unknown factor, a risk, and one he likely could not trust. No, relying on such informants was not the way to go, he need raw, unfiltered data, that he could work with that no one else knew about.

A plan began to form in his mind, and a slight grin spread across his face. He began to pick his way through the derelict corridors of the Ultrax, searching for the ships computer lab. Every Decepticon ships, regardless of its function, had at least one for data processing and related duties. It took two or three breems for him to find it, and Starscream had actually passed the door once before he found it. Unsurprisingly the Stunticons seemed to have made little use of this room, considering Starscream had to push a large piece of scrapped ship armour out of the way to get through the door. Once inside the lights flicked on and the low hum of large, powerful computers at work registered in his audio processors.

He made his way over to one of the workstations and brought it on line, and thankfully it was actually in fairly decent working order. He worked quickly, setting up a series of firewalls around this specific station and taking careful steps to ensure that it was isolated from the rest of the network to ensure that no one who might be watching could see what he was doing. Starscream was also careful to cover his tracks to ensure that his activities would not be noticed for the time he was to work here. Once his computer was secured he set to work on writing a series of spy programs, taking careful steps to make them as subtle and silent as he could. His intention was to upload these programs to the various personal databases of the various Decepticons currenbtly serving under his command. Each of the programs would disguise itself as simple background data that existed on any computer system and would remain idol until after a new entry was made by any DEcepticon under his command. The purpose of these programs was simple: to keep Starscream informed of any personal journal entries or proivate communications that went on amongst the other Decepticons to see what they had to say about him. Each program would upload itself as part of the next software update that were automatically uploaded and installed to the various databases in the computer network used by all the Decepticons on Earth. Once a new journal entry or communication was made and logged the spy programs would activate and upload a copy to a seceret database that Starscream operated, and was only accessible to himself.

It took him several breems to write all the programs he would need. He had to becareful, any sloppy work would be detected, he needed to make sure his work was tight and methodical so his programs would go unoticed in the network. He also decided to not bother with trying to upload these programs to Soundwave's personal database as he knew that eventually, no matter how careful he was, the spy master would find them and likely trace the origin of the program back to Starscream. It was unfortunate that he had to leave Soundwave out, but he really had no other option.

Once the programs were written and he was ready to upload them Starscream paused. Although they were enough to keep him up to date on the few Decepticons that actually made personal entries in their databases, it would not be enough to keep track of the other the Decepticons he knew were already against him. He was aware that Scrapper was not beholden to him, and as soon as the Constructicon leader found allies, or came up with a plan of his own he would move against the Commander. Starscream frowned. He needed to do something to find anything he could use against Scrapper. He knew that he could not get a spy amongst the closed ranks of the Constructicons, and they were to busy with their current assignment to try and isolate one of them and wear him down to giving up any secrets they may have. No, he needed something else.

Then it dawned on him. The Constructicons operated an exclusive database for their various projects and ideas, it was where they stored the blueprints for virtually every base, foritfication, weapons emplacement, space station, facility and any other project whether it be a prototype or some future project they had going on the back burner. It was heavilly encrypted and only accessible by a Constructicon, but it was not inpenetrable. However, basic spy programs would not be enough to get in, Starscream would have to create something speical. Before the war and in its early days Starscream had used to design special data mining worms that he had used to essnetially borrow into other computer networks and databases that had a rudamentary AI programing. These worms were meant to be slow, methodical, and very effcient as they tested the firewalls and encryptions of the targeted systems for the inevitable weakness or backdoor that it could exploit. Once it found that opening it carefully wormed its way into the system and began to collect all the data stored in side, makeing regular copies of itself. These copies would remain dormant and hidden within the system, and each one would have the msot recently obtained data from the system it had infiltrated. The purpose of these copies was to ensure that even if the active worm was found and deleted, one of the copies would activate and carry on. Since these copies were dormant they were always very difficult to detect, even by a skilled technician, and usually a system would not be fully rid of them without being completely destroyed and rebooted. Also when it came to the data upload the worm would copy itself right before an upload and delete itself to ensure that the data upload would not be detected, and if it was detected the source would not be found, with the new copy activating a short time later to carry on before the next upload.

It was a time consuming and complex thing to create, and again Starscream had to be very careful when creating it to ensure that he had the best worm he could possibly make. Once he was finished fashioning his software spy he grinned. He prepared all of the spy programs and the worm for upload as soon as he reconnected to the net work. They would be shunted into the que for the next software update, which he knew was to occur within the next day, this way he could avoid the problem of them being discovered and being traced back to this station via a direct upload. Once ready he reconnected the work station to the network and had all of his programs intergrated into the software update. He then cleared the stations memory and rebooted it to cover his tracks.

Once his work was finished he quietly left the room and made his way back to the bridge, once there he opened his com line to his various teams on Earth.

>>Starscream to all teams. Check in with a status report on your current assignments.<<