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Depot J-117

Aftershock thought things over carefully. He was still suspicious, but he liked the idea of being a legend. He felt his abilities as a sniper made him more notable than he was being given credit for, and he was growing increasingly impatient for the recognition he thought was rightfully his.

He knew this would be a dangerous move, however. He had, after all, almost gotten killed in the canyons. On the other hand, his weapons had either run out of ammo or been destroyed before the Insecticons attacked, so it hadn't been a fair fight. If he'd had his weapons, he'd have been unstoppable. At least, he thought he'd be.

"I'm in. If you say this little venture will make us legends then I'd be foolish to say no. I will find the others as soon as I can. Do you want me to fill them in or would you prefer I bring them here so you can explain things yourself?"

OOC: NPCing Soundwave for a bit to keep things moving. Also, Jaam, Venom never would have had the authority to order all of that equipment moved to set up his own base outside of the fortress like that.

Kolkular Corridors

The monotone voice of Soundwave quickly replied in Scourge’s receivers. >>”Request for audience: granted. Lord Megatron awaits.”<<

His voice was then heard in Banzai-tron’s receiver. >>”Warrior Banzai-tron, state reason for requesting an audience.”<<

Scorponok's lab

Scorponok looked down at Bomb-burst. “If important Decepticons start to go missing because of you things will get much more difficult for you.” The general turned back to his console and began bringing up roster assignments. It would be best to put the Decepticon somewhere where he could put his new abilities to use and avoid the temptation of feeding on his fellow Decepticons. At the moment there was only one location that seemed likely for immediate combat.

He looked back at him. “Report to Thunderwing in the Tagan Heights. You should be able to find some Autobots in the area who you can use your new abilities on. Make sure to inform Thunderwing of your problem and report to him and me any difficulties you have with your shell.”

Kolkular - Corridors

Scourge perked up at the approval of his request, and motioned to his Sweeps to follow him, as he walked into the Command Centre.

Banzai-Tron was left adjusting his radio to respond to Soundwave. "Well, I wasn't really looking for an audience as such, Commander Soundwave, but more looking for an assignment. I am still attached to Intelligence, unless I've been fired since I got injured, and you're still our Head of Intelligence or the nearest thing, unless you've gotten fired since I've been injured, which I doubt. So you seemed to be the mech to ask. If you'd rather I bother someone else, I'll understand."

Command Centre

Scourge entered the Command Centre and kneeled before Megatron, trying not to look too hard at the Insecticons as they passed at the door. He knew it was no secret how they'd crossed him, but to make it obvious how he felt about it seemed improper in front of Megatron. After all, Megatron's most trusted lieutenant was the emotionless Soundwave, and the short-fused Starscream had fallen from grace. The precedent was obvious.
Scourge bowed his head, hoping to Primus the 2 femmes were doing the same as he'd ordered. "Lord Megatron, I wish to report that the Sweeps of the Hunt have recovered fully from the...events of the Sonic Canyon. Their performance in training and in the surprise conflict was exemplary. Your Hunt is now poised to enact your will, anywhere in your Empire. We await your slightest whim."
Scourge paused to let the Emperor of Destruction speak. He was ready for any response he could imagine; He had all the combat data from the Sonic Canyons, he knew what he wanted to say about the Insecticons, he had a half-dozen possible missions the Sweeps could perform, here or elsewhere, and the Sweeps were in a perfect position to act, as far as he could see: 3 points, a triangle stretching across a hemisphere that could trap any target within it. But Megatron was known to throwing both enemies and allies into unusual circumstances.

Kolkular - The Med Bay

Swiftscreech's body lay dormant in the CR Chamber. His optics slowly lit up a bright red. He looked at his surroundings. He opened the chamber and got out, feeling a little heavy. Medical drones were moving about.

He saw his cannon arm which he remembered Rancid removed. His audio sensors were a little fuzzy but at least he could hear now.

"Attach my arm back on" Swiftscreech ordered a drone. The drone began repairing him and he sat there thinking about the battle is the Sonic Canyons.

(OOC: That's OK, Venom would say that his authority was revoked either way. He's paranioid enough.)

Depot J-117

"I would recomend filling them in. Given who I'm up against, repeating myself would be fairly ironic." Venom's reply was swift and to the point. He had no time to waste on other matters. "I'll have to get a few belongings, and then we'll be ready to plan out first move." He turned and transformed. He resumed conversation with Aftershock via Comlink. <<Try not to draw too much attention to yourself. If anyone asks, just say it's a matter of Imperial security.>> He had grown accustomed to that phrase, since he used it to hide his more private actions. He had to retrive his lost axe, and find a way to move his equipment, and that meant he had to go to the forge.

Depot J-117

Aftershock saluted Venom as the insect left. He was finally starting to trust Venom. The call to glory was too rarely given, and he felt honored to have revieved it.

But first he would have to find his comrades from the canyons. This might prove difficult. Swiftscreech, if he had been taken to cr at all, would probably still be there. But if he had finished repairs and left, then finding him would be very hard indeed. Rancid had left the impression on Aftershock that he was rather impatient and unlikely to be in any location for very long.

The easier one to find would definitely be Swiftscreech.

Aftershock transformed and returned to the Med Bay. He was starting to get familiar with the route to the Med Bay, something he found rather unnerving.

Madical Bay

Aftershock took one look around the bay and found the bot he was looking for, apparently in deep thought. He approached Swiftscreech calmly so as not to startle him.

"Hello Swiftscreech. Remember me?"

"Yes I do remember you ...a bit." Swiftscreech replied, trying hard to look into his damaged memory.

He remembered Aftershock by his large body compared to Rancid's small body. He felt a little tingling as the medical drone was finishing the repairs to his arm.

"What happened? All I remember is that the Insecticons attacked us. My memory is faint after that."

Medical Bay

"The Insecticons have rebelled against their leader and attacked us without orders. They ganged up on the Sweeps and overwelmed them. We tried to help but we too were soon overwelmed. I vaguely remember you fighting two of them at once. You didn't last long, but your courage was admirable, making you worthy of recognition. That is why you've been selected for a very important assignment. It's a matter of Imperial security, and only the best are being asked."

Aftershock glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was nearby.

"Interested?"

"If there is something I would've wanted revenge for then I will do this"

He faintly remembered one of the Insecticons floating over his head and laughing. He reached up and felt his face, which was scarred badly.

"Where is Rancid, is he on this assignment too?"

Medical Bay

"Yes, Rancid is also being given this assignment. I do not know where he is at the moment but I'm sure I'll find him. When I do, I will ask him to join us. He did exceptionally well in both the training exercise and the battle with the Insecticons. He'll be most helpful to us.
"But what about you, do you accept this assignment?"

"I guess so, I want revenge on whoever did this to me"

Swiftscreech tried to think where Rancid might be.

"Maybe Rancid is still in stasis?"

Scorponok's Lab

"So the unimportant ones are fine then?" said Bomb-burst playfully.

He lifted himself up and saluted to Scorponok.

"As you command, I will send a wave-length transmission to Thunderwing before I depart."

Bomb-burst's new body seemed perfect for him, it even could fly just as well as his old one. He flew to the dock and sent a transmission ahead of him.

This was the time to test his new abilities.

((OOC: Bomb-burst will be in Tagan Heights in my next post.))

Medical Bay

"I wish I was in stasis, then I wouldn't have to subject myself to your incidental rabble." said Rancid as he emerged from the CR chamber,"I always seem to stay in there too long..."

He walked up to the larger bots and lifted an optical brow line at them. He was not in a good mood, but then again he never was.

"So what's this assignment anyways? 'Cause I'm not in the mood for another suicide mission like the last one. Got it?!"

Medical Bay

"How convenient. I thought I'd have far greater difficulty finding you, Rancid. But now that you're here, let me explain."

"It's an issue of imperial security. The Insecticons have overthrown their leader and are now acting under the command of Shrapnel. Venom, their deposed leader, has asked me to help him regain command and he has asked me to recruit the others who were attacked in the canyons. That means you two. Not only do you both have a bone to pick with the new Insecticon regime, but you both have the distinction of surviving a full-scale Insecticon attack despite being tired from fighting elite Sweeps in close combat. You are just the kind of soldiers Venom needs. This is not a suicide mission. Venom has a base and resorces. And mind you, he has promised handsome rewards for our services."

Aftershock was nervous. He didn't know if Rancid or Swiftscreech would buy into this. They might even consider him a traitor. But he was prepared for whatever they might say or do next.

Medical Bay

If Venom regains power of the Insecticons he can stop their nonsense...

"I'll accept" Swiftscreech said.

He thought about what kind of tasks would be asked of them for this, hopefully nothing too dangerous. He would have to trust Aftershock on this.

Medical Bay

Rancid looked at the two bots in front of him. Neither one he respected a great deal, nor was he fond of their proposal. He had never liked the Insecticons, they seemed to simple for his taste. Venom was someone he had never enjoyed the company of either, hearing of incidents where the Insecticon leader's paranoia bested him.

But maybe this was a blessing in disguise? Maybe he could serve the Empire best from under Venom's regime, sending information to higher superiors, even Scorponok, to monitor his actions.

"All right, I'll do it. But don't act like I'm all gung-ho about working with you two."

He now had a stragety. The only ting to do know was to execute it.

OOC: Since it seems most of the Insecticon players seem to have disappeared I’m going to NPC them here. NPCing Soundwave a little too.

Kolkular - Command Center

Megatron glared down at Scourge. He had granted him this personal audience assuming he had something significant to say or report. He was a fairly high ranking Decepticon and he commanded a new and relatively elite unit among the ranks. Megatron did value the input of his subordinates, to an extent. If he had just come in here to report that his team was fully recovered from the incident with the Insecticons, then he was going to be rather annoyed.

“I am aware of your current status and the incident in the canyons. I do hope you came here with something more in mind than reporting your current status?”

As Megatron addressed the sweep Soundwave dealt with his own request. >>”Banzai-tron primary function: Warrior. Skills at intelligence operations: negligible. Report to Thunderwing in the Tagan Heights as a warrior under his command.”<<

*

Kolkular – Main Hangar bay

The Insecticons, fully energized and armed, boarded the shuttle prepped for them. It was a small scout ship, fast, maneuverable, with considerable scanners and sensors, but lightly armed and armored. It would suffice for the mission the Insecticons were given. Shrapnel took his seat in the captain’s chair as the others took up their respective positions. A spark of electricity leapt between his antennae. They had a new, vibrant world to conquer, and they were leaving Venom behind on the dying husk that was Cybertron. The Insecticons were well on their way to be the dominant force in the Decepticon Empire.

At Shrapnel’s command the vessel lifted off the ground and darted out of the hangar bay. Soon it would be in space and Cybertron would be nothing more than a rapidly shrinking dot behind them.

Medical Bay

"Excellent. I'll inform Venom immediately. As for you two, I want the both of you to go to the Storage Depot J-117 and wait for Venom's arrival. We'll be making our base there and Venom will want to get started as soon as he arrives. Understood?"

Outward Bound from Kaon

"Well, looks like we got what we wanted," Ransack nodded as he settled into one of the bridge chairs on board the Decepticon scout ship. "Sort of. I figured we'd get sent on a mission into Autobot territory. A suicide mission, probably, since we've probably pissed off quite a few mechs...but I didn't think we'd get sent off Cybertron."

So, is this exile? He looked down at a console, hitting a few buttons to bring up the information on the planet to which they were now headed. BW778. Primitive, carbon-based. Probably...booooooring. He had to admit that he had enjoyed dealing with the carbon-based lifeforms on AC488, though they had expired rather too easily for his liking. But an entire planet without sentients? What's the fun in blowing something away if it's not even smart enough to know you're wasting its sorry aft?

"I guess there's a lot to be said for not being supervised. That's one plus."

He leaned back in his chair, sighing slightly, though it came out more like a sinister buzz than a sigh.

Kolkular - Corridors

Just a warrior, huh!
"Orders recieved, commander Soundwave. I'll send you a postcard from Tagan."
Banzai-Tron turned off his radio and walked back down the corridor, a smirk on his face.
Neglible skills, huh? All the assassinations and secret deals forgotten, my work with Doubledealer, it's all in the past? Fine Soundwave, you keep reading my tech-specs off my official file. I'll just get to work on my real portfolio.
He headed off towards the hangar bays, then stopped, considering. Then he headed down, towards the supply port on the shores of the Rust Sea.
Everyone else will be flying in to Tagan. I think I'll try something different.

Command Centre

"Of course I'm not hear to waste your time, Lord Megatron. I merely follow military courtesy. I come to you with a few humble requests." Scourge raised his face up to look at his commander.
"Now that the Sweeps have completed training, and bloodied themselves in battle on the moon and in the Sonic Canyons, it's time for their true deployment. The Sweeps are currently being deployed in order to act as a rapid response unit, able to triangulate from multiple locations on any combat incident or reported Autobot incursion in the planet in breems. With their unmatched speed and transorbital flight capability, they alone can achieve their intended purpose, a wolfpack capable of finding, intercepting and destroying any Autobot group not in deep fortification or a military convoy.
"But for such a unit to function to its fullest potential,
it would need more resources. Base commanders would need direct lines to the commanding Sweeps to call them in at a moments notice. Intelligence and forward spotter units would need to begin filtering information to us to hieghten our response times. And of course, the Sweeps would priority to fuel supplies in order to maintain patrols. If this were done Lord Megatron, my Sweeps, your Wolfpack, would 'sweep' any exposed Autobot units aside, essentially denying them Cybertron itself, and leaving all but the coup de grace to be done. We could cripple them!"

Scourge immediately regretted that last outburst, he did not want to appear needy or desperate here. But I've spoken no words that are untrue. The Autobots have nothing, nothing that can prevent the Sweeps from going where they please, and picking them off as soon as they poke their twisted little heads up. Not even their 'heroic' Aerialbots.

"I ask only...that my troops be allowed to achieve their true function, that of the great weapon to finish this war."

Yes, make us your personal sword, the spearhead of the Decepticon assault. Then none will be able to doubt the glory of the Sweeps.

Outward Bound from Kaon

As Chop Shop watched Cybertron slowly shrink he could not help but giggle menacingly.

"Looks like our little game in the canyons payed off! We finally got an assignment again, and an important one at that."

He snickers.

"And this time there'll be no one to stop us."

Chop Shop almost snickered again as he thought of all the "souveniers" he'd be bringing back.

Kolkular, corridors

Venom darted through the fortress' corridors with ease. In fact, he got so careless about where he was going, he ran right into a worker, walking from the hangar. He transformed and looked at the mech he hit. The worker coweerd in fright. "Please, Venom, I'm sorry you missed your shuttle, please don't kill me!"

"What shuttle?" Venom asked the worker.

"Your unit came by the hanger and took a shuttle for transport. they're leaving now. Please, I'm sorry! I didn't know you weren't with them!"

Interesting...

"I'll let it slide, for now." With that, he transsformed and made a 180 degree turn, back to depot J-117. His plans needed... adjustment.

Kolkular - Command Center

Megatron considered the words of the Sweep commander. It was, perhaps, a waste of the abilities of the Sweeps to keep them in Kaon. Their skills could be of more use closer to the front. Moving them to the front would hamper their mobility though. From Kaon they could be deployed out to any trouble spots in the empire. Of course, there was one spot in the Empire now that was always bound to see trouble on way or the other. The Autobots would eventually attack it and it would likely be on the path the Decepticons would take to Iacon.

“Very well Scourge, you make take the rest of the sentient Sweeps to the Tagan Heights. The Heights will be at the point of any Autobot attack on us and will likely be the tip of the spear of our own assault on the Autobots. You will find the battle you crave there, whether it comes to you or you are helping to lead it.”

*

Outward Bound from Kaon

Shrapnel didn’t like the negative attitude Ransack was displaying. “Yes, we are leaving Cybertron, -tron, but there was nothing of value left there, there. Now we are leading a mission to a new world, world, a world that will be ripe in resources and energy, energy. There will be no one to order us around or to oppose us, us. When and if other Decepticons arrive on the planet, planet, they will be landing on an Insecticon world, world!” The Insecticon leader cackled as the ship left Cybertron behind

OOC: Insecticons on the ship move to Milky Way

Kolkular - Command Centre

Scourge smiled and bowed deeper to Megatron. "I will not fail you, Lord Megatron. I promise you, no Autobot will come with 50 megamiles of Tagan while I still function." With this Scourge stood up, bowed lightly once more, and strode briskly out the door. He expected Rage and Carnage were doing the same.
As soon as he was out the door, Scourge began sending radio messages to the other Sweeps already in the field. Megatron did not mention my request for resources. It must be a sign he expects me to work better with the resources already afforded me. I can do little else I suppose. I shall have to built this response network myself, and I had better make sure it works as I advertised. Megatron has little patience for more Starscreams.
The Sweep leader continued towards the hangar, barely aware of his subordinates behind him. His mind was ablaze with plans and worries. The Sweeps performance in Tagan would likely make or break their place in the Decepticon heirarchy. He had to take every step carefully to achieve his goals.

Kolkular, en route to hangar

Carnage stayed behind Scourge, moving as quickly as possible. Her mind, too, was moving as fast as possible, but on different matters. If there were to bea n autobot assult, there would be plenty for her to kill. If the were to attack, all the better.

Depot J-117

Venom Arrived and transformed. He looked around. Where the slag are the others? They better not have abandoned me. He knew what had to happen now, and the thought of it had him shaking where he stood. If he were to bring order to the empire, then he would have to chase Shrapnel to wher ever the pit the ran off to. It also worked out a lot better for him, too. If he had them isolated, he could eliminate them without any interference or red tape. Things are looking up...

Kolkular – Heading for the Hangar bay

Rage follows quietly, keeping her mind almost as quiet. Looks like I get to see sister Discord again. is one of the few passing thoughts as her mind registers that they are going to Tagan.
By no means is Rage stupid. It's the simple matter that if she starts thinking odds are it will lead to something making her very angry. Once that happens, all hopes for civility are gone.
That's all well and fine around everyone else but not around Scourge. At least as long as

Her eyes seem to see only a small world with Scourge and herself in it as they walk.
Despite this she is keenly aware of everything around her due to her sensors.

Her stride is a confident one, and her placement is one of servitude, but protection though Scourge doesn't need such a thing. At least she'd never say this.
Still, loyalty demands that she be shot before Scourge.