The Energon Pub

Sonic Canyons ~ The Battlefield

Macabre's advanced sensor system was giving off enough alarms that it distracted him from being aware of a very large presence. The attacks from Venom, Ransack, and Chop Shop had all his attention devoted to combat. His arrogance had gotten him into this situation. Truly, he had no idea that he had become such a target. His combat prowess was certainly nothing to speak of, especially in comparison to more heavily armed Sweeps like Torment.

To evade the oncoming attacks, Macabre lept into the air with an assist from his flying ability hoping that Ransack's volley would strike Venom rapidly approaching from behind. He would have to worry about Chop Shop after the fact. Macabre's desperate evasive maneouver came an astro-second too late. As he rose into the air he hurled a bolt of electricity at Ransack, a move of desperation, and took the brunt of the Insecticon assault to his lower section. His armour plating disintigrated and Macabre took heavy damage to his legs, rendering the right leg inoperable and leaving the left at half strength. Once again enveloped in the ecstacy of feeling such pain, he fell from the sky landing in a heap as Scorponok made his presence known.

It took a moment for Macabre to regain consciousness. As he focused on Scorponok he heard the voice of Discord reporting what had befallen the Sweeps at the hands of the Insecticons.

She oversteps her authority. Lucky for me in this case. I will have to keep her close.

Attempting to stand to his full height his knee joint buckled forcing him to lurch forward falling prostrate before Scorponok. Rising to one knee as best he could, he saluted the Commander with one fist to his chest and spoke with his usual measured tone.

"Glory to God-Emperor Megatron! Mighty Scorponok, Discord speaks the truth. I had returned from an... errand for my master and sought the... location of the Hunt. While en route from Kolkular... I recieved orders from Scourge to... aid my brethren. The... malevolent intentioned Insecticons seem to have... misunderstood the nature of the Hunt's exercise. Without any clear reason they... ambushed the Hunt. Their actions here are... counter-productive to the Decepticon cause. Their actions are... inexcusable."

Macabre had never felt so contrite. The significance of Scorponok's presence in this situation was not lost on him. There would be consequences to all their actions at the Sonic Canyons. He was certain that these consequences would be severe for the Insecticons. Unprovoked in-fighting was inexcusable in a well run war machine like the Decepticon faction, of this he was certain.

What deeply troubled Macabre was the significant aptitude the Insecticons had exhibited for combat. He was proud of how the Sweeps fought against greater numbers, but his shortcomings as a warrior had gotten his armour and his legs destroyed. At this thought, Macabre looked to Ransack. The glare he gave him could have shot lasers.

Don't think this is over. Savage!

Sonic Canyons- The Battlefield

Scorponok's arrival signalled the end of the fighting. A monumental form like Scorponok's was the last thing Rancid expected to have recieved his transmission.

"Finally, someone with a working intelligence circuit!" Rancid jumped out from his cover and stood in front of the massive Decepticon commander,"I hate to say it, but I'm pretty glad someone like you came!"

He had never met Scorponok, but he had heard about him and had learned of his endeavors while going through the archival databases. He respected Scorponok, considering how many people he actually respected, this was an honor.

"These slagging bugs came and decided to turn us into scrap during a training excersize. A very uncomfortable excersize too! So if you want to squash these insects, I'd be honored to aid you."

Sonic Canyons



Torment dodged the fire coming at him. Macabre had joined them taking on the insecticons that he and Discord were unable to hit or had missed. He watched as Rage slammed into the ground, and shook his head. Their original training partners were in bad shape the situation was not going well and to make matters worse a familiar sound filled the canon announcing the arrival of Scorponok. The orange hunter paused in his combat as the large Decepticon’s voice filled the training area.
Shrapnel was the first to approach the hulking lord, and his words caused Torment to snarl. Instinctively raising his canon to aim at the lead insecticon’s back. Then he returned it to rest as he realized what a mistake the gesture would appear to be, he was disgusted as the insects kneeled before Scorpanock. The hunter remained quiet. Discord and Macabre were made for politics not he. Torment would let the other two speak of what had happened.
Silently the lone hunter pondered if Lord Scorpanok would accept the lies he was being given by the insecticons. If Torment could guess the high ranking con more than likely saw through them. The Halloween painted sweep bided his time eyeing Rancid as he did and waited for Scourge to contact him.

(OOC. Devastron, if there's no news ticker, then Turmoil can't know about the battle and can't be coming. Should I send him anyway? Whether I do or not I'll create a continuity hiccup, so I really need a mod's advice on this one. IC)

Sonic Canyons - The Battlefield

Aftershock was tired, broken, and beaten, but he was still alive. He limped towards Scorponok and dropped on one knee. He fell harder than he planned, due to his lack of strength.

"Please, with all due respect, can we worry about explanations later? We all need CR, quickly. One of us, (he motioned to Swiftscreech) needs it immediately."


Chop Shop winced when Aftershock motioned to Swiftcreech. He knew he messed up badly by actually defeating a fellow con. And it wasn't one of the sweeps, so Shrapnel's alibi wouldn't help him a bit.

Kolkular – The Cantina.

"I think he came from that way when we ran into each other. He's probably among all the other tacticians and officers, and stuff."
The marine stands, and follows Banzai-Tron.
"Well, hopefully we can learn something."

Kolkular – Bugly's office

He'd swear his audio sensors were burning. Must be his imagination.
But he ignored that odd sensation seeing Scorponok arrive. Quite a command shuffle. What would he be doing here? Keeping Megatron's seat warm? Maybe Soundwave wasn't trusted to run Kolkular on his own? He chuckles at the notion.

The star ship sized Scorponok had finished the fight, but his presence and his anger towards the combating groups, and the fact he's here would likely be something worth keeping track of.
He leans in watching the goings on, plotting, planning, seeking to find a way to control as much as he could, and as many as he could.
And naturally he is recording this. This data would be useful in his strategies.

Sonic Canyons - The Battlefield

As Scorponok arrived and made his twenty-meter-tall presence known, Ransack ceased his assault and flew back to land near his fellow Insecticons. Noticing Macabre glaring at him, he stared right back and let a tiny current of electricity dance between his antennae. Hehehe...I can't wait to get another crack at these Sweeps. I haven't had this much fun since we last fought with the Dynobots! He neglected to add 'even though we lost,' but battling the Dynobots had been a crackling good time of a scrap, nonetheless. He listened as Shrapnel and Venom made their somewhat contradictory statements to the Tyrian warlord.

"That's right!" Ransack nodded vigorously as he attempted to conflate what Shrapnel and Venom had said. "Venom told us to lay low, but when we saw some of our fellow Decepticons being slaughtered by these new guys, we just had to disobey orders to go help them! It was the right thing to do!"

While a gift for oratory was not normally counted as part of Ransack's large arsenal, he hoped somehow the Insecticons could salvage their status in the faction. It wasn't fun being on the run all the time, and the work was steadier when you could communicate with the high-ups without having to worry too much about being tossed into a smelting pool or blown to scrap.

SonicCanyons- Former Battlefield

Venom knew what to do, with all these stories flying about. He turned to Scorponok and said, "regardless, of what my men have said, they have still violated my orders. Fortunately, I have a procedure for such an incident." Venom had been fooling around with his idea for a while now, and he was more than happy to have a chance to implement it. returning to the the decepticon leader, he continued, "I request the authority to punish the Insecticon agressors, by way of de-reconstruction." This was an obscure, but horrible form of punishment. It involved taking the convict apart and putting him back together, with him feeling everything. Rumor has it that it was a fairly common form of punishmint at the forge. Who knows, Venom thought, maybe the parts could be used for my benifit. Great, now I sound like Chop Shop.

(OOC: Chaos Bringer, your character can come if you want but the fight is over now.)

Sonic Canyons - The Battlefield

Scorponok silently listened as the Insecticons and Sweeps pleaded their cases. He grimaced as both Shrapnel and Venom came up with different explanations for their actions. Whether either of them was true would only be known for sure by the Insecticons themselves. In the end it didn’t really matter why they attacked. It was unacceptable and the blame and punishment would have to be dealt out. He scowled down at Venom as he spoke of punishment.

The Decepticon general swung one of his giant claws at Venom, striking him and sending him hurtling through the air before crashing back to the ground. He had been careful enough to not hit him hard enough to crush him, but he did swing hard enough to cause pain. “If anyone should de-reconstructed it should be you! If you claim to be the leader of the Insecticons then you should have prevented this from happening! Should this happen again you will be deconstructed, permanently. Punish your men as you see fit, I want no more part of you.”

He turned to face the other Decepticons and addressed Macabre in particular. “I am not pleased with your part in this either. You and your kind are in favor in the Empire now Macabre, but know that you and your ilk are continually coming out of a factory. You and these others may have abilities beyond your brethren, but, like everyone save Lord Megatron, you are not irreplaceable.”

Scorponok now addressed all of the Decepticons present. “Go and seek repairs. Further incidents of this nature will be punished by immediate termination.”

With the orders given the giant Decepticon floated back up into the air and flew towards the mighty fortress of Kolkular. As he approached he contacted the fortress’s main computer to look for the individuals he required. Bugly was sitting in his office and Octopunch was just leaving the cantina. Scorponok frowned in annoyance and sent the codes that would close down the drinking establishment. They didn’t have the energon to waste on such frivolous activities.

As he walked into the fortress and to his lab, Scorponok contacted the two Decepticons he required. >>”Bugly, Octopunch, report to my lab immediately.”<<

Sonic Canyons, the former battlefield

Venom picked himself up. Shrapnel set me up for this, He thought. He was incredibly furious. He was publicly humiliated by Scorponok, and that meant all the insecticons will suffer. He turned around and adressed his unit. "Alright you miserable bugs, You heard the General, I have authority over you! First, I want you all to report to the Forge, where I'll take precautions to ensure this doesn't happen again! Next, Shrapnel, Since you led this led this assault, consider yourself out of work." To emphasise this point, he loaded his gun with a harmless, but incredibly painful toxin, and shot it at Shrapnel. "This means I need a new sub-commander. If I were you fools, and thank Primus I'm not, I would attempt to get yourselves back in my good graces! Now all of you to the forge, double time! GO!"

Sonic Canyons - the former battlefield

Chop Shop transformed to insect mode and prepared to fly off with his comrades.

"And what exactly do you plan to do once we're in the forge, Venom?"

Chop Shop would follow orders, but only as long as they were in his best interests. He absolutely would not subject himself to punishment willingly and knowingly.


Aftershock quietly collected his ammo-less shotgun, his broken off wing, and the broken pieces of his sniper rifle. He stood completely still staring at the broken rifle pieces he held in his hands. He knew someone was bound to notice and think him odd but he didn't care. He could stare at his broken rifle all day.

Sonic Canyons - The Battlefield

Shrapnel glared at Venom. The other Insecticon had done everything but offer up his own team for execution. He’d never had much respect for their so-called leader in the past, but now he had just shown his utter distain and cowardice in front of all of them. He was done listening to him or following his orders.

The Insecticon easily dodged the shot from Venom. Apparently he thought Shrapnel would just stand there and take it, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. “No Venom, Venom, I think it is you who is off the team, team. Do you think we will stand by why you torture us and make us into your little puppets, puppets? I don’t think so, so. You are done being the leader, leader. I am taking over the Inseticons, Insecticons, unless you think you can stop me Venom, Venom.” Electricity crackled from between his antennae and he calmly drew his grenade launcher and aimed it at Venom.

“And I doubt anyone will come to your aid, aid. Isn't that right, right?” He glanced over at his fellow Insecticons. After what Venom had said he had little doubt that any of them would be willing to follow him off to their punishment and brainwashing. The Insecticon smirked. He had just led the attack on the Sweeps for fun, and to knock them down a peg. He had no idea Venom would be stupid enough to likely turn his entire team against him.

Sonic Canyons- former Battlefield

The Insecticons were the perfect example of what the Decepticon army didn't need. Even in the prescence of Scorponok they insisted on battling each other for supremacy. Rancid could not understand how they were so stupid.

"Hey, uh... could you guys just wait until I leave before you kill each other? That'd be great. I'd really appreciate that." and with that Rancid flew off as fast as his damaged form could go.

Sonic Canyons ~ The Battlefield

Scorponok's words stung Macabre worse than the paralytic Venom had used on him. He had never felt so betrayed as long as he had functioned. The Sweeps had fought valiantly against the Insecticons, and he lost esteem in Scorponoks optics.

Scorponok's size must make him dim-witted. He lacks Megatron's foresight, and thus underestimates the Sweeps importance in destroying the Autobots forever. The time will come when he, along with the other antiquated Decepticons, will quiver in fear at the might of us,Megatron's holy army.

"Mighty Scorponok...thank you for your wisdom. I will see that the Sweeps understand the... magnitude of your... graciousness. We shall endeavor to bring glory to... all Decpticons."

Doing his best to raise himself to a standing position, he turned to the Sweeps to take in the damage. Rage in stasis lock. Discord heavily damaged. It seemed that Torment was the only Sweep to escape with mild to moderate damage. The only question now was how to get them all to the CR chambers.

"Torment. You will see that our sister Rage makes it to the CR chambers. Discord. Are you able to fly? If so, make your way back. I will find my own way back. I have things to... consider."

Looking about him, Macabre found a piece os scrap metal that would serve as a crutch for him. He set off limping along deep in thought.

The fault lies with the Insecticons. We must teach them to fear us. And I have a score to settle with Ransack. He will understand better than anyone how I got my name.

Sonic Canyons - The former battlefield

Aftershock snapped out of his daze, realizing that everyone was leaving. He stashed his weapons away and prepared to leave, but realized that no one was helping Swiftscreech. He approached his fallen comrade but could do little as he did not have the strength to lift him. He analyzed the situation. Rancid had already left. The Insecticons were already fighting again. The Sweeps were an unlikely choice, as their loyalty was to themselves and they were quite damaged themselves.

As much as Aftershock hated to do it, he left Swiftscreech behind. He flew off towards Kolkular as fast as he could, hoping his fuel would last.

I'll come back for him. As soon as I'm fixed myself, I'll come back for him.


Chop Shop approached and stood by the side of Shrapnel.

"I will support our new leader. He's already done more for us than you ever did, Venom. You think he's weakened our standing in the Decepticon ranks? No, he's only made it stronger. We proved our worth by besting what was once considered superior in our commanders' eyes. He's also helped us by weakening the standing of the warriors that would soon have replaced us. And you would have him de-reconstructed. No, we shall have you de-reconstructed.

Sonic Canyons – Battlefield

Bombshell rose from his bended knee and made his way to the side of Shrapnel. The Insecticon and he had worked together on many occasions, and to tell the truth, Bombshell wouldn’t accept any other leader of the group he was in. Shrapnel had always been one of the more powerful Insecticons he’d had ever worked with, Venom had always come across as a weakling, in both strength and mind.

“I chose to stand by the Insecticon who will bring change in a functional way, not one who chooses to brainwash his team in order to bring cohesion.”

Sonic Canyons: the Battlefield

Th sudden uprising shocked Venom. All of his worst fears, coming true at last. Ok, stay calm, and do as you had planned. In all of venom's years spent tinkering with poison, it was inevitable for a explosive chemichal reaction to occur. In this case, he found that by mixing 2 realativly obscure poisons, he could create a blinding flash. Just perfect if you're pinnned down and need to retreat fast. But the grenade that contained the explosion had a 3 second fuse. He reached for his back and switched the grenade on.

3 seconds... He turned and adressed Bombshell. "I find it interesting that you don't want a leader who obtains control through brainwashing, but you don't seem to show any regrets over using cerebro-shells, hypocrite."

2 seconds...

He turned to Chop Shop. "I've covered up for your kleptomania for decasolar-cycles, ingrate. Do you really think Shrapnel will be as merciful?"

1 second. He pulled out the grenade. "It's been nice leading you fools, but my work here is done." He threw the grenade to the ground. There was a blinding flash, and then Venom was gone.

Sonic Canyons – The Battlefield

Discord hears her orders from Macabre, and lets Torment carry Rage hoping he'll enter Rage's good graces a bit for the effort. He's stronger than she is anyhow.
She sends a radio signal to [b]Macabre, >>I am capable of flight, and aiding with the extraction of friendly units. With your permission, I'd like to carry Swiftscreech to the CR chambers. He is not one of us, but I'm certain I would gain his favor in looking after him.<<

Discord saw the Insecticons having a falling out, and she stays out of this matter. Their infighting is no concern of hers short of who wins in the end, but odds are when Scorponok finds out about the little rebellion he won't be pleased. But what will he do?

Discord hated the idea of Shrapnel leading though. He's clearly irrational having assaulted the training exercise, and there was no telling if he would make another assault. The thought of Shrapnel taking pot shots at the Sweeps again was enough to get her oil boiling, but she may be able to work her magic later to prevent such an event. She would need to see who the new leader is, however, before she makes her move. Hopefully the winner of the Insecticon In-civil-con war will be reasonable.

Sonic canyons

To say that Torment was put off by the proceedings was an understatement. But as usual he had no say in the situaton. He had watched Rancid fly off with out so much as a look back. Which suited the uncharismatic Sweep just fine. His visuals moved over to Swiftscreetch and Aftershock, one was likely out cold the other took his orders and returned to base.

The Halloween painted sweep grunted in distaste as Macabre ordered him to carry Rage. It wasn't that carrying her was a problem, the problem was if she woke up. He would have an arm full of red angry femme to deal with. As he bent down to retrieve her his optics closed in on the Insecticons. They had made an enemy this day and Torment filed their identifications away in his hunting archives. There was always friendly fire in a battle of course. And the lone hunter was feeling very “Friendly”. Not a one of them deserved the effort of wasted time on their excuses.

Rage lay across his arms like a bride on her wedding night as he stood up, thankfully her optics remained dark. He closed the gap between him and the other two sweeps in a few large strides. He was close enough to hear Discord's words. Indeed someone would need to carry their fellow con back for repairs. Torment hesitated a moment to see what Macabre would decide. With a cynical thought Torment sneered. His XO would probably wonder WWMD and if that was the case things didn't look so good for Swiftscreetch. But then again one never knew with Macabre.

Kolkular - Corridors

Out of the Cantina, and confident in the ability of Octopunch and Skyjack to keep pace, Banzai-Tron began to saunter, then jog in the direction of J-Block, where the rank 7 officers spent much of their time. Quickly, and without even realising it, he sped up, until in less than a klik, he was sprinting down the corridors and up the stairs of Kolkular at full tilt, pushing his Action Master legs to their fullest. It was, quite simply, a rush. He jumped over other decepticons and cartwheeled over cargo drones like it took no effort at all, which was fairly close to the truth. The busy decepticons HQ became an obstacle course, one that Banzai-Tron was clearing in record time. Skyjack and his odd memories, Octopunch and his incoming message, the Cantina and the Security Drones already swooping down on it, all where so far from the jovial martial artists mind as to be insignificant dots...

Kolkular - Main Hangar

...Much like Banzai-trons exercise had brought him so far from his original destination as to be on another map entirely.
Huh. Guess I don't know my own speed. Oh well, I expect I'll catch up with them some other time.
Banzai-tron walked out into the spacious and surprisingly empty hangar bay. With most of the air forces at the front, it seemed few were even using this central hub of decepticon activity. Banzai-Tron eyed the Sonic Canyons in the distance, and inspired, grabbed a pair of visinoculars from a nearby table. In conjunction with his own highly tuned vision, the instruments cut across the megamiles like a knife, and Banzai-Tron could easily see Turmoil as he blasted out to the rumored battle site. Maybe I will get to see something interesting, after all.

Sonic Canyons ~ The Battlefield

With the recent events unfolding in Macabre's mind, he was most displeased to be interrupted by Discord. Uncharacteristically, he turned an angry optic to the femme-bot and pointed at the unconscious Swiftscreech.

"That pathetic assembly of defective parts is no concern of ours!!!! You have your orders, now carry them out!!!!"

Macabre turned his back on the Sweeps and continued sulking his way back to Kolkular. A pang of guilt struck him as he thought of his reaction to a simple request. He had not become second in command of the Sweeps by acting so irrationally. Surely, Discord would understand that his anger was not truly directed at the Hunt but at his own feelings of failure. Such subtlties would likely be lost on Torment. Later, Macabre would have to address this issue.

Reporting the events to Scourge was foremost on Macabre's mind. The physical act of punishment did not worry him, he rather enjoyed that part, but the thought of failing his master was one of the few things he truly feared. Staying in Scourge's good graces was challenging to say the least. The most difficult part was continually proving his value as a second in command. Typically Macabre achieved this by being more calculating and rational in his actions. Where Scourge was a maelstrom of destruction, Macabre was there riding the eye of the storm. Not a place too many Decepticons could stand to be.

As Macabre walked on in solitude he began to realize that without his flight ability he would have to climb his way out of the Sonic Canyons, not an easy task. Scanning ahead he found the lowest canyon wall in range and headed for it. Soon, standing at the base of the wall he looked up at the task ahead. He was not gifted with the most strength or endurance of all the Sweeps. However, he was blessed with a bounty of determination. With a scowl at the face of the wall he discarded his makeshift crutch and began to climb. As he climbed, his thoughts drifted. Images of the Sweeps standing over the rusted chassis of destroyed Autobots made him smile. And above them all stood Megatron in all his glory bearing the standard of the Decepticons. All these thoughts made his monumental task seem easy.

Low-Cybertron Orbit

Scourge had had quite enough of this farce. While his hounds were fighting well, the melee was far from decisive. Surely the Sweeps were far superior to an antiquated band of diminutive assassins?

Not enough, apparently.

Just as he decided to bring an end to the festivities, his potent sensors detected the massive form of Scorponok far below, and closing fast. Although the chances of his detection were minimal at this altitude, and the consequences of such detection negligible, Scourge chose to use this opportunity to evaluate his stealth skills.

Shutting down his thrusters, the Sweep Commander let himself be carried along by inertia as he monitored the situation on the ground. The massive warlord quickly put an end to the brawl, making Scourge's personal involvement unnecessary. Good, he thought with something similar to amusement.

Satisfied that the matter was well in hand, the hunter continued with his self-imposed exercise in evasion. Firing his thrusters, he cause his orbit to decay rapidly, letting himself fall through the upper atmosphere like so much debris. He waited until the saw through his ruse before activating his main engines, leveling off, and setting his heading for Kolkular.

Next time, perhaps I shall wait until I am below radar before firing my engines, he thought. I wonder if I will be able to reduce my speed in time? The thought contained no worry or fear. He was simply curious as to how far he could push himself.

Kolkular

Scourge transformed as he pulled into the massive hangar of Kolkular. Making his way towards his ready room, he noticed that the fortress' computers registered the presence of his subordinates. Good. He had much to talk to them about. And a great deal more to say that words alone would not convey. Reaching the briefing chamber, the master of the hounds took a seat. He opened a channel to the sentient Sweeps here in Kaon.

>>"Sweeps. To me."<<

Sonic Canyons – The Battlefield

Discord frowns a bit at Macabre's outburst. Understandably he's angry, but her plans to make nice with non sweep units go up in smoke due to that. With no retraction of orders, she heads for Kolkular for repairs though she does not agree with them.

Her battered flight module activates and carries her off the field.

Receiving the word from Scourge she flies as fast as she can but carefully with her flight systems on their last legs. >>Your wish is my command, Commander Scourge.<<
Well at least she can get further damage out of the way then get repaired. She has a bad feeling about this meeting, but pain would now be anything new this cycle.

Rage, if she were conscious would be very very very mad at going to Scourge without an Insecticon head, or two in hand. Her travel plans were dictated by Torment.

Kolkular – Briefing Chamber

Discord arrives promptly, and bows before Scourge. "I have arrived by your command." She spoke calmly while waiting for the likely sound thrashing since despite having done her share in combat, she could have certainly done more, even with her lack of weaponry, and combat talent.
Discord could have looked a lot better in meeting her commander, too. She hated appearing before him in such poor condition as appearances are many things in this empire, but it could not be helped.

In the back of her mind she could only wonder what Scourge had on his mind, and if the pride of the Sweeps remained intact.

Soon enough, she'll find out.

Sonic Canyons ~ Canyon Wall

With only one partially operational leg, the climb was torturously slow going. Then, Macabre received Scourge's transmission.

"Slag."

Macabre had figured he'd have more time to get himself back to headquarters. Now, he had to make the choice. Save what little bit of his dignity he had left and struggle his way back to base. Or, sacrifice his feeling of self-worth and call for help. Either way, Scourge was likely to be upset with him. Master does not suffer fools lightly. With a resigned sigh Macabre made up his mind. He knew he really only had one choice. Minimize master's anger and take the brunt of punishment for the good of the Hunt.

<<Master Scourge, this is Macabre. I have suffered heavy damage at the hands of the Insecticons. Please send a retrieval team. Transmitting my current location...>>

Macabre transmitted the coordinates and activated a distress beacon, then continued climbing. He didn't want anyone to say he didn't at least try to get home.

How will I make the Insecticons pay for this? Especially Ransack. They must feel the humiliation that I have. I will make them weep. Weep, as they know how they have failed Megatron's Holy Empire.

Just outside Kolkular

Aftershock was relieved that he was now close to Kolkular. His fuel would last him yet. He plotted the quickest route from the hangar to the medical bay and turned towards the hangar.

As he turned and faced the hangar he noticed a sweep heading straight towards him at high speed. Moments from impact and before Aftershock could take evasive action, the sweep veered away and headed back where he came from.

That was... odd...

Aftershock recuperated and landed in the hangar without further incident. Checking the route he planned out, he headed for the medical bay.

***********

Turmoil had barely left the hangar before he recieved a transmission from Scourge. Before he could respond, he noticed a flying scrap pile heading towards him. He quickly veered away and headed back into Kolkular.

That was too close.

When he had safely landed he was able to respomnd to Scourge.

>>I will be there in moments master.<<

He made good on his promise. He quickly made his way to the Briefing chamber. To say he was shocked by Discord's appearance would be an understatement. He bowed before his master slowly and cautiously.

Yikes! Either Discord was in that fight or Scourge is exceptionally grumpy today. I'd better be careful what I say. just in case it's the latter.

Sonic Canyons- Canyon Wall Crevice

Venom watched from his hiding spot with a sense of satisfaction as Macabre struggled up the wall. Since the explosion, he had transformed, and moved to a small crevice in the Canyon wall, secretly thanking whoever invented size-changing. He could tell by the darts that he was responsible for Macabre's difficulty climbing, but he knew that Macabre hated the insecticons as much as he now did. That made him an ally. An untrustworthy, but still crucial ally. Activating his comlink, and taking precautions to disguise his voice, he opened up communications with Macabre. <<I can fix your leg. Just hold still. Also, I can give you the destruction of your enemies. Just let me fix your leg.>>

Kolkular, balcony

Skyjack had steeped out from the cantina to one of the balconies overlooking the rest of the city. Guess the fight is over,He thought while transforming, But it doesn't mean I can't see the results for myself! Skyjack flew off, hoping to see the results of the Insecticon/sweep melee.

Sonic canyons, the battlefield
Skyjack arrived to find several things. First there were some confused insecticons. Also, there was that sweep from before trying to climb a wall. Lastly, he noticed the un-conscious body of Swiftscreech. He walk up to the wrecked body. This guy could use a CR chamber, he thought. He transformed, dropped out both his arms, grabbed Swiftscreech, and flew back to Kolkular.