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Australia - Astrotrain’s Entrance Ramp

Razorclaw took note of Onslaught’s presence within Astrotrain, the Combaticon Commander having gathered the majority of his unit inside the confines of the triplechanger. The Predacon lord gave his long-time ally an approving nod just as Soundwave’s response came in over his comm line. The explanation for the communication specialist’s prior demeanor was plausible but the lion-former suspected there was something more. Sure, being inside the mind of a demigod could be jarring, but there seemed to be something else affecting Soundwave. Razorclaw couldn’t prove it, however. It was simply an instinctive gut feeling. He would have to monitor the monotone mech for the foreseeable future to ensure where his loyalties truly lay.

The confirmation that Ultra Magnus was telling the truth was a welcome one. Now, they could depart without worry of being attacked by the Autobots. That and the ultimate destruction of the Fallen’s spark meant a certain level of victory for the Decepticons even though their mortal enemies would also walk away to fight another day. The war would continue for however long it took to ensure victory for the Empire. Even without Megatron’s presence, the Decepticons would reign supreme one day. The Predacon lord would make sure of it.

>>”Excellent, Soundwave. You have done well. Make sure to see to your restoration ASAP. You are too valuable an asset to have out of commission for long.”<<

Razorclaw’s words were not meant to show compassion, and certainly not weakness, but to acknowledge the communications specialist as a capable officer and warrior within the Empire, one that he hoped to have on his side. Indeed, Soundwave had seemed to accept the new Predacon regime for now, but perhaps he was simply keeping a close optic on things to make sure Megatron’s ideals were ultimately upheld. That was fine with Razorclaw as he intended to do just that.

The Predacon lord’s attention was then drawn to Motormaster as the massive brute landed a few yards away before backing towards the hatchway of Astrotrain. An unconscious Prowl was still within his powerful grasp. “I see you still have your toy,” Razorclaw commented to Motormaster with a slight chuckle. Ah, what he wouldn’t give to see the Stunticon Commander rip the military strategist to shreds. However, that would not happen at this juncture. Perhaps another time on another battlefield.

The Constructicons then dragged one another into Astrotrain’s cargo hold. Like Motormaster, Razorclaw had found Devastator to be rather impressive even if the behemoth had not had the desired effect on the Fallen. Still, a gestalt was a powerful weapon against an enemy that had none. However, it would also a danger to Razorclaw’s hold on the throne as Scrapper and his merry band likely thought they could rule the Empire with the power they now held. Too bad it was a power that they only yielded while combined and with enough space to do so. Separately, they were still the same Constructicons as before. Motormaster’s private comm indicated that he, too, was concerned with their new found ability.

Before responding, Razorclaw opened their private comm link a little wider in order to add Onslaught to their conversation:

>>”A wedge is exactly what I had in mind, Motormaster. My friends, all we need is to keep one Constructicon in stasis and separate from the others until Scrapper and I have had a long discussion about Devastator and where his loyalties lie. Perhaps some measure of control can be installed within the gestalt, a fail safe like in Sixshot, to ensure he does not turn on us. Plus, once we learn the process they used to successfully combine themselves, we can then apply that process to our own specialty teams. Of course, our respective units don’t have six members each like the Constructicons and therefore the process will need to be refined. Regardless, it is a goal we should ultimately strive for to not only give us an advantage against the Autobots but against adversaries within our own ranks, as well.”<<

Razorclaw looked from Motormaster to Onslaught and then back again as a sly grin formed underneath his faceshield. Monstructor had been a horrible failure in the distant past, but somehow the Constructicons had perfected the process. The Predacon lord and his allies needed to know how if they were to remain in control. Getting Scrapper on their side would help things along greatly, but who knew just how open the Constructicon Commander would be in backing the Predacon regime. Of course, Razorclaw wasn’t planning on giving him much of an option. If Scrapper ever wanted his team to be whole again, he would comply or suffer the consequences.

The rest of the rank and file continued to pile into an overstuffed Astrotrain. Fine time for there to be a problem with the bounce systems on board the Thanatos. Hopefully, the repair crews and technicians were already busy fixing the issue. If not, Razorclaw would have to make sure they got to work before seeking repairs to his own body. Brawl the arrived, dragging Swindle behind him. The sight made Motormaster snicker, but only drew a face-palm from Razorclaw. They were followed by Weirdwolf with a dead vehicon in his jaws as Skullcruncher in his cybergator mode chased him.

“If Skullcruncher eats anyone, I’m holding you personally responsible, Weirdwolf! Do I make myself clear?” Razorclaw had no time for fancy tricks. A hungry cybergator in the midst of a shuttle packed with live bait was a bad idea no matter how one looked at it. The lion-former glanced back at Motormaster and shook his cranium as more ‘cons and clean-up drones piled into Astrotrain. “We seem to have almost everyone on board. Just some stragglers left.” Razorclaw then noticed Octane actually providing more fuel to the triplechanger. “Now, there’s a sight you don’t see everyday. heh.”

Opening a channel to the triplechanger, Razorclaw was determined to leave within a half-breem or less.

>>”Astrotrain, once you are fully refueled you are to take off immediately. It’s time to leave this slag-hole. Any stragglers left behind will have to find their own way back to the Thanatos. Am I clear?”<<

Ascending to the top of the ramp, Razorclaw paused just inside the shuttle to look back down at the pathetic, limp form of Prowl. “Don’t forget to jettison your toy once we are in the air, Motormaster. We have more than enough weight on board as it is. The height at which you do so is entirely up to you.”

Australia--Astrotrain

Inside the shuttle, Mixmaster was still surging. They whole world--the whole universe--was theirs to command. Soon. Soon soon soon.

“Hrn…urk…C’mon, Long Haul…we gotta catch up to the boss! Ya couldn’t help a bit with Haul?"

"Hu-wha?" Mixmaster stuttered, looking up at the voice that said his name. But before he could even say anything, Scavenger was off talking to Scrapper, the same excitement in his vocalizers as was running through Mixmaster's mind.

Yep. They did it!

Hehehe.
___

Onslaught's concerns about the Constructicons seemed to be rippling their way through the entire Decepticon command structure. That much was evident when Razorclaw had included him on a communique between himself and Motormaster. As specialty unit commanders, they had held powerful sway and it would be near impossible for anyone to topple Razorclaw from his new throne so long as they remained united. Even the treacherous Seeker Leader would have his hands full trying to unseat the Predacon. And there was no doubt that he would likely be the biggest internal threat to any of their efforts to stabilize a new command structure. But Scrapper could certainly not be discounted now either.

Onslaught had always known Scrapper to be a skilled but strangely humble mechanoid. At least when compared to many of his peers. But with control of that behemoth effectively his now, there was no telling what degree of power he might think he now possessed. That needed to be kept in check immediately. Razorclaw's initial statement made it clear that he shared the same assessment.

The Combaticon Commander's crimson optics shifted from Razorclaw to the boarding Stunticon Commander and finally to the Constructicons. Out of the lot of them, there was one in particular who would be most likely to poison Scrapper's potentially noble intentions in having created the monster and turn it to more selfish desires. If they just needed to isolate one of them, Onslaught knew which one.

"Brawl, Vortex-take Hook into protective custody immediately."
___

With his fuel levels topped off and Octane and the other nearby stragglers finishing their boarding processes, the triple-changer finished his final launch preparations. Right on time, too.

>>"Astrotrain, once you are fully refueled you are to take off immediately. It’s time to leave this slag-hole. Any stragglers left behind will have to find their own way back to the Thanatos. Am I clear?"<<

>>"Crystal clear, Lord Razorclaw,"<< Astrotrain transmitted back. That was good enough for him.

"Hold on to something," Astrotrain's metallic voice echoed through the cargo bay. "If I can't make escape velocity, some of you have got to go."

With that said, Astrotrain's primary thrusters kicked into gear and the shuttle began to lurch forward. Slowly--much more slowly than normal--but steadily picking up some degree of acceptable momentum. Gears whined. Steel groaned.

Primus on a gearstick... the triple-changer groaned internally as he tried to create lift.

Slowly--and barely--the shuttle had created enough forward momentum and lift to be able to get off the ground. Staying off the ground would be another miracle in itself.

Shuttle Longevity – Combat Care Unit

“I got it! A bat!” Blindside visibly flinched when Howlstrike uttered those words despite his best efforts not to. ”From what I understand Terran bats use radar to see in the dark just like you. A bat form of some kind would be perfect I think, and it can fly so you wouldn’t lose that ability."

“…Yeah. Maybe so. I’ll think about it,” Blindside replied stiffly. With Howlstrike’s final approval of their little prank, Blindside leaned lightly against the CR chamber, his injuries giving him quite a bit of grief for his early awakening from his repair cycle. He ‘looked’ around the hold without turning his head. The extra effort to exert even that much energy not appealing to the blind tactician. What he saw made him want to purge his fuel tanks. Veneer convulsing on the operating table with Axle and First Aid hovering over him.

The bad thing about his kind of vision was that he couldn’t exactly avert his gaze. He could try to ignore it. Push it to the peripheral. But it would still be there. Blindside had been distracted from it thanks to Howl, but now that he had a moment to rest…

“You should probably grab one of those CR units before they’re all taken up, Blindy," Howlstrike suggested, looking back at his aerial friend. “I’ll be fine out here. I want to wait until chatterbot here wakes up and see's his new look. It shouldn't be too much longer. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about his reaction later. Hahah."

“That sounds like a good idea,” Blindside muttered before giving Howlstrike a half-hearted thumbs up. “Be sure to note all the details. I’ll…I’ll go now.” Blindside said before turning and hurrying off to a CR chamber. From within, he wouldn’t be able to see the outside. And that was all he really wanted right now. Reaching an empty chamber, Blindside collapsed against the metallic slab inside and issued a sigh, looking over to Howlstrike.

“Mind starting it up for me, Howl?”

Top of Ayer's Rock

Hot Spot didn't like the idea of Prowl being used as a hostage until the Cons got away but it was Ultra Magnus' call. His main concern now was the injured and getting back to the Guardian. He had to trust Magnus that he knew what he was up to and Prowl would get back to the Ark. This whole mess smelled very rotten to him and will take a very thorough investigation. Such things weren't usually Hot Spot's business but often times left to Streetwise. He then open up a channel to his team and for the time being not caring who overheard.

>>Blades, Streetwise, Groove, and First Aid, it is time we head home to the Guardian. Aid, let me know if you are in the middle of something so I know to expect you later. Everybody else grab any of the injured who are near you and get bouncing. We are done with this mess of a battle. Time to recoup and figure out what the slag all happen here. Ignore the escaping Cons per Ultra Magnus orders especially with all we got to clean up.<<

Near Shuttle Longivity

Streetwise and Groove were already gathering up the wounded by slowly piling them not too far from the Shuttle Longivity.

>>Groove and I already have gathered a good number of the injured here close to the Longivity. We did what we could for the minor injuries. I'm not sure what First Aid is up to since we've yet to see him once the battle started. Blades is probably up flying around and hopefully not engaged in some silly fight with a Con. With all of the wind and fire gone now, it became much easier to find our injured allies and repair them.<<

Top of Ayer's Rock

>>Good, start bouncing them out and get the med drones to cart them to wherever they need to be. I expect the CR Chambers to be in full use for the next orn if not longer. It probably be wise for them all to get a check up once everyone is back to full function. I'll get Iron Fist on the scheduling once I am up there.<<

Hot Spot closed his channel to his team and opened up another one to the Guardian making it a bit more secure.

>>Guardian, this is Hot Spot. My team and I are returning with most of the injured. I expect First Aid and Ratchet to be taking care of the most severe at this time and be joining us shortly. Please get the medical bays, med drones, and CR Chambers ready.<<


Mid atmosphere

Jetfire was so lost on what to do with what was going on on Ayer's Rock he didn't do much. Once things were done, he was uneasy with Motormaster having Prowl at his grasp and wanted to take out the bully. It bothered him even more when he noticed the Cons escaping with their prisoner.

>>Ultra Magnus, do you want me to get Prowl away from the thick plated bully Motormaster? It is evident the cease fire is off. I can also eliminate Astrotrain and help finish the problem of the Cons.<<

Australia – Astrotrain

“Know I what I do,"

“Suit yourself.” Motormaster grunted in response to Weirdwolf passing by. The tracker was a capable warrior. In all likelyhood insane but that made him no less efficient. Motormaster has no reason to question that. Now, how Weirdwolf was going to deal with crazed Skullcruncher in enclosed area full of potential prey was another issue altogether. Skullcruncher was massively powerful, even stronger than Motormaster himself, something which he'd never admit in loud. If the tracker's plan backfired they'd all have a major problem in their hands.

“If Skullcruncher eats anyone, I’m holding you personally responsible, Weirdwolf! Do I make myself clear?"

Didn't seem like Razorclaw was any less concerned about the cybergator. The Predacon leader wasn't exactly known for idle threats. Gah. If he just stopped repeating am I clear after every command he'd sound so much more convincing. The phrase just made Razorclaw sound bit too uncertain. A chip in his armor. Well, at least in the Stunticon commander's head anyway.

>>”A wedge is exactly what I had in mind, Motormaster. My friends, all we need is to keep one Constructicon in stasis and separate from the others until Scrapper and I have had a long discussion about Devastator and where his loyalties lie. Perhaps some measure of control can be installed within the gestalt, a fail safe like in Sixshot, to ensure he does not turn on us. Plus, once we learn the process they used to successfully combine themselves, we can then apply that process to our own specialty teams. Of course, our respective units don’t have six members each like the Constructicons and therefore the process will need to be refined. Regardless, it is a goal we should ultimately strive for to not only give us an advantage against the Autobots but against adversaries within our own ranks, as well."<<

>>”Sure, we can keep them separated but who the slag is going to do that job for us? I mean, you are not going to get the Constructicons build that fraggin' fail safe. And would you trust Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream or Thunderwing to make it either? Let alone letting either of them to tamper with us? If something, we're going to end up with mindcontrol chips being planted in our heads because of what we did.”<< Motormaster voiced his concern in return to Razorclaw's transmission. He wasn't afraid of the technology itself. Slag, it was practically a promise to get hold of far more power than he had access to now. And that alone made it worth of taking risks. The problem was that he could not think of anyone who'd agree to create more Devastators. Not with as shake power balance as the Decepticons currently had. The Predacons lacked a brilliant enough mind to do so. His Stunticons even more so. The Combaticons? Well, most of them were really smart, he had to give them that. But as far as Motormaster knew, none of them were exactly specialized in engineering.

“Don’t forget to jettison your toy once we are in the air, Motormaster. We have more than enough weight on board as it is. The height at which you do so is entirely up to you."

Before Razorclaw replied to Motormaster's response to his earlier transmission, he saw fit to mention the one and only Autobot military strategist the Stunticon brute had taken as a hostage.

“Oh, I know,” Motormaster chuckled and flashed a devious grin while pulling himself into Astrotrain whom had already began to move. The Autobots had to have a massive temptation to shoot down Astrotrain boarded up with so many Decepticons. He knew he'd have. But the Autobots wouldn't do it. The threat of Thanatos striking from the orbit in retaliation took care of that.

"Brawl, Vortex-take Hook into protective custody immediately."

Brawl had barely had enough time to put still uncharacteristically silent Swindle down when he found Onslaught barking yet another order at him. Well, Vortex too but it wasn't like that counted in Brawl's mind. Was he ever going to get a fragging break?

No matter. An order was an order and Brawl would deliver even if he didn't understand why Onslaught had given such command. Giving Vortex a brief nod, Brawl charged at unassuming Long Haul – shoulder tackling into the largest of the Constructicons in order to blow a path for Vortex to Hook's position just as Motormaster entered Astrotrain with Prowl in his grasp.

“Assist the Combaticons you idiots!” Brawl heard the Stunticon leader roaring at his troops. At least he'd have some help. Even if was from the Stunticons. One could never expect too much out of Motormaster's cronies. They were that crazy after all.

“Go go go! I'll hold them off!” Brawl barked at Vortex as he floored Long Haul and prepared himself for the all too likely counterattack from one of the other greenies still standing.


Skullcruncher on the other hand had no idea of what was happening around him as he chomped down on the lifeless Vehicon that Weirdwolf had left into the back of Astrotrain's cargo bay as a bait. Other Decepticons were giving the cybergator a wide berth. It was unlikely that anyone wanted to risk losing a limb to a known cybervore whose cerebral functions had been overtaken by the primal need to feed to replenish himself after being badly damaged by the Fallen.

“And someone take precautions in case that Vehicon isn't enough for him!” Motormaster barked at the other Decepticons present from the hatch. Skullcruncher didn't register it. His mind was far too gone still.

"Hold on to something," Astrotrain's metallic voice echoed through the cargo bay. "If I can't make escape velocity, some of you have got to go."

“Shut up and fly! If you can't take off while being juiced on ultra energon I swear I'll take you down with me!” Motormaster found himself shouting at Astrotrain with no good reason really. He was agitated. Whole battle had been a disaster and the position of the three special unit commanders at the helm of the Decepticon cause was as shaky as ever. And here they were, on the run from. Fighting each other again and fending off a hungry monster that was supposed to be one of them.
“Just perfect.”

“At least you won't be around to enjoy the sight much longer,” Motormaster smirked at Prowl, taking hold of the Autobot's throat with one hand and lifting him high off the floor and through the still open cargo hatch of Astrotrain's.

“Too bad I just know you will survive the fall somehow,” The large Stunticon chuckled as he held the barely conscious Autobot strategist under the storm of ever growing winds that beat down on them as Astrotrain's speed kept increasing.

He'd have gladly savored the situation longer but the hatch had to be closed if Astrotrain was to reach the escape velocity.

“Goodbye Prowl.”

And with that Motormaster released his grasp on Prowl's throat and stood there for a moment - watching as the Autobot pummeled down towards this death unless the other Autobots made a move to save him. Which he knew they would do. It was inevitable.

Pulling the hatch shut, Motormaster ensured the integrity of Astrotrain's aerodynamics. It was now up to the triplechanger to hold his end of the ordeal.

Australia - Inside Astrotrain

Standing in the main hold amongst all his Decepticons, Razorclaw listened to Motormaster’s worries over their private comm line. They were all viable concerns that needed to be overcome in some fashion. The Predacon lord had a basic idea on how to achieve his goals, but who knew what the future would ultimately bring. There were a lot of variables to consider and even more pieces that had to fall into place before the combiner technology could be expanded to other specialty units. However, with some hard work and even more political wrangling, it could be achieved. At the very least, the lion-former needed Devastator under his control. If that could be accomplished then the rush to make other gestalts could be slowed. Of course, that was a big “if”.

>>”Ah, Motormaster, your concerns are warranted, and I share them, as well. Separating one of the Constructicons is only the first step in a very long process that will be none too easy to achieve. Of course, Scrapper and his team won’t be willing to install any kind of fail safe in themselves, nor would I trust them to do so. But, remember my friend, we are not the only ones who will want Devastator under control. Like Sixshot, he is a power that needs a leash. When I speak with Scrapper, if he is unwilling to side with us and support my Predacon regime then I will have a conversation with Shockwave. Even with our past differences I’m sure his logic will concur that a kill switch must be installed to ensure that Devastator does not get out of hand. As for our teams becoming combiners, well, there are ways to ensure that we are not tampered with. We won’t all be under the laser scalpel at the same time, you know. However, first we must find out how the Constructicons succeeded when so many others have failed. Then we will worry about how to implement the process to ourselves. One step at a time.”<<

Razorclaw had no sooner ended his response to the Stunticon Commander when a fight quickly broke out. Brawl had tackled Long Haul to the ground in order to make room for Vortex to grab Hook. Motormaster then ordered his unit to assist and just that quickly more infighting had erupted. This was no good. They had just ended a massive engagement with a demigod and now there was more fighting amongst themselves. It was simply too much. This is not what the lion-former wanted. The Decepticons could not possibly win a war like this. Not to mention, attacking the Constructicons risked making them permanent enemies of the new Predacon regime. Plus, Astrotrain was already overloaded. A battle now threatened all their sparks. No, this needed to stop, and it needed to stop now.

“ENOUGH!!!” Razorclaw bellowed as loud as he could muster in his current damaged condition. His voice echoed throughout Astrotrain’s cargo hold, surrounding the Decepticons in a deafening roar. “Commander Onslaught ordered Hook to be taken into protective custody, NOT to outright attack either him or the other Constructicons! They are our friends, NOT our enemies. Besides, like many of us, they’ve already been severely damaged in the battle with the Fallen. They pose no real threat to anyone at this time.”

The Predacon lord looked over at the Combaticon interrogator who was about to make a move towards the surgical engineer. “Vortex, you will follow your commander’s orders and separate Hook from the others. He is in ‘protective’ custody. Thus, he is still your comrade. Treat him as such." Razorclaw then looked back at the other Decepticons. "The rest of you, STAND DOWN! There will be no more infighting. Not now, not ever!”

Once his orders had been given, Razorclaw quickly made his way over to the Constructicon Commander’s side and knelt down. “My apologies, Scrapper. Many of us are still on edge and unsure what to make of Devastator. He was a surprise on the battlefield to be sure, but still a welcome one even if he didn’t have the desired effect on the Fallen that we would’ve liked.” The Predacon lord then placed a reassuring hand on Scrapper’s shoulder. “Your man will not be harmed, none of them will. I promise. We are simply taking necessary precautions. That’s all. I hope you can understand that. However, once we are back on board the Thanatos and our wounds repaired, you and I must have a conversation about your success with the gestalt technology and what the future will hold for Devastator within the Decepticon Empire.”

Australia - Astrotrain's Hatchway

Prowl was mostly unaware of what was going on around him. Consciousness was coming and going as his cranium still throbbed from when Motormaster previously struck him. He was helpless in the clutches of a mad mech. Of course, this hadn’t been the first time he’d been taken prisoner by Motormaster. The last time ended with an entire city being destroyed thanks in no small part to Bluestreak not being able to keep his mouth shut. The chatterbot thought he was saving Prowl’s life, but in reality he was destroying countless others. Then again, Blue was never the kind of bot who was strong enough to make the tough decisions. As always, it was up to the military strategist to fill that role within the Autobot ranks.

At least in this situation, the only mech that would ultimately suffer was Prowl, himself. The others would be spared and the war would rage on. But first the black and white would go for a little ride. He could feel Motormaster’s grip shifting as the behemoth’s hand slipped around his neck. Prowl was then dangled precariously out of Astrotrain’s open hatchway. Wait, how did I get here? the prick-bot thought, his vision slowly returning as blurry images that had no real beginnings or ends. There was one thing, though - Motormaster’s breath. It stunk worse then a dead and rotting cyber-rat. The black and white knew that stench all too well. Even the high winds could not mask it.

The Stunticon Commander uttered some crude comments, but it was nothing Prowl could ascertain properly. His audios were still ringing. Not to mention the air that was rushing past him outside the open doorway was almost deafening, making it impossible for him to hear anything Motormaster was saying. Not that he cared one bit. The military strategist only wanted to be free from the Decepticon brute. His wish was quickly granted as Motormaster finally let go of his throat. Gravity then took over and Prowl plummeted towards the ground at increasing speed. His vision was still blurred, but he knew what was coming. As the desert terrain quickly approached, consciousness left the military strategist again and blackness consumed him. Prowl would either awake next in an Autobot med bay....

....or in the Afterspark.

Mid atmosphere

Jetfire kept his optics on Astrotrain as he waited to hear back from Ultra Magnus. He then saw Prowl dangling out the door with the brute Motormaster letting go to allow Prowl to plummet. It looks like his choice was made for him. He probably could still get a shot off on Astrotrain but at the rate Prowl was dropping it would be a lucky shot if it hit. As much as he hated to, he blasted down toward Prowl instead of wiping out a good portion of the Decepticon army and leadership.

"Prowl, you are going to owe me a huge favor saving your aft plate. You are way too valuable to Ultra Magnus to simply let you bounce once or twice on this mud ball if you bounce at all."

Jetfire didn't know if Prowl could hear him through all of this wind or what shape he was in but he knew he had to be rescued. Jetfire took an almost parallel course with the falling Autobot strategist until they were only a thousand feet from the ground. It was here where Jetfire got below Prowl and transformed into his robot mode. He transformed and caught the unconscious mech in his arms. Then Jetfire quickly wrapped his arms around Prowl and turned around to have his legs beneath him in order to ignite his jet pack. The thrust was enough to slow his drop enough to land on top of Ayer's Rock.

Top of Ayer's Rock

"Well Ultra Magnus, looks like my inquiry was answered for me. Here is Prowl who is barely functioning and probably could use a very long sleep in the CR Chamber. I didn't think we wanted Prowl guts all over this area let alone the crater he would have left. Thing of it is, I doubt his would have been distinguished from the giant foot prints of the combiner Devestator or the other messes we've got here. The Autobots will have a lot to discuss when we get back to the Ark-22 specifically how to handle the threat of a new gestalt. The other thing is what we are going to do with the dark spark. I'm not sure if I like the new Con boss and sort of surprised Razorclaw went for it since he has his own pack to deal with on a consistent basis."

Several meters away, Hot Spot saw Jetfire land with the prone form of Prowl. He walked over to Jetfire and looked at Prowl. The damage was severe and he could see the brute Motormaster did a number on the back of his cranium. The other damages were probably result of the fight with the Fallen.

"I agree with Jetfire. It is uncertain how busy First Aid and Ratchet will be for the next orn or two with all of the injuries. The CR Chambers are also going to be rather full to where those with minor injuries might be best to relax and let our internal systems repair what they can before we take our turn in them. With your permission, Ultra Magnus, I will take Prowl with me back to the Guardian for repairs."

At that moment, Hot Spot got a message from Streetwise and Groove about bouncing up the Guardian with the injured and the need of Hot Spot to return immediately. He motions over to Jetfire to hand over Prowl and Jetfire puts the unconscious mech into his arms.

"It seems I need up there now, sir so I'll take Prowl and give you an update on everything once I know what is going on."

Hot Spot is engulfed in a beam of light with Prowl in arms.




Skydive awoke with most of his systems either offline or in the red. One of the few that were still intact was his message retrieval and noticed the Aerialbots were needed back up on the Ark. He couldn't tell who was all in the general area. All he knew is he needed to be back up to the Ark and a long stay in a CR Chamber.

Summit of Ayers Rock

Ultra Magnus watched as the flash of a close proximity bounce column consumed Hot Spot almost instantly faded as rapidly as it had emerged from the ether. He had registered most of what the Protectobot Commander had said. It was a logical assessment, they had all been through the proverbial ringer and had suffered grave injuries... particularly those who had been enslaved by the demented machinations of a fallen Prime. It had been a tough battle over all, and only a handful had remained in three quarters capability... fewer still were even marginally above that mark.

Magnus took a few paces forward, as if he had been oblivious to the renewed presence of Jetfire... although he was keenly aware of the massive scientist's arrival. He knelt down and placed his left hand around the small capsule that slowly sparked a black arch of energy across its surface before its energies were contained once again. Carefully he closed his digits around the cylinder and pulled it to optic level. "Jetfire, this one corrupted spark was capable of inflicting damage and chaos almost unimaginable. He was brought low by an a twist of arcane technology." He opened his hand once more and allowed the capsule to rest on his open palm. "And that creature was able to deal it a crippling blow without effort."

Slowly he turned to face the scientist as a roar of engines began to come in from the distance. "We have more to discuss than you can possibly imagine Jetfire." The roar of powerful engines echoed over the summit before instantly dying on the wind. The sounds of changing metal and moving gears soon replaced the audio display of power and thrust. As the dust settled the relatively unscathed Aerialbot Ground Support and Sharpshooting specialist, Slingshot had taken up position behind Jetfire and the slowly approaching Scoop.

"Well that was a blast, you see those seven flaming entities of doom I scrapped?" Slingshot boast immediately caused Magnus's optics to narrow and his brow furrow. At seeing this the sharpshooter's shoulders went from a proud posture to something of a defeated slump. "Umm, what'd I miss?"

"Nothing Slingshot. I had thought I ordered the Aerialbots to report to the Ark for repairs and rearming." Magnus's voice was methodical but hinted at the irritation that was building.

"Yeah, bout that. Those four weaklings were beat up because they aren't even close to being on my level." Slingshot returned to an upright posture and flexed his arms. "As you can see, not a scratch. That Fallen moron couldn't even lay a proverbial finger on me."

"And what about the large pair of burn marks on your wings, eh Slingshot?" The voice came with a reassuring hand on the flier's right shoulder. "Seemed to me that you gave better than you got though." Scoop said with a smile before the Aerialbot could protest.

"Nevermind," Magnus shook his head as rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Slingshot, given that you decided to linger behind I want you to pilot the Serenity back to the Ark. Make sure all wounded are taken to the ship's infirmary as well... Oh, and the Aerialbot Hanger you established is to be temporarily re-purposed as a triage station until we are all back to relative capacity."

"What?!" Slingshot immediately began to protest but a subtle squeeze on the shoulder promptly silenced the argumentative pilot. "Fine. But once this is over I hope we can get a cleaning drone assigned to get the skid marks off the floor." He leaped into the air and transformed, shooting off towards the shuttles.

"Thank you Scoop."

The infantryman nodded. "I offered no services commander. I simply offered a present reminder of the stresses of higher positions, in a subtle way."

"So holding onto his shoulder joint directly applying pressure is your definition of subtle?"

Scoop could not help but shrug as he stepped into the line of sight of Jetfire. "It is said that Primus works in mysterious ways."

At that Magnus could not help but release a brief chuckle at that. "Given all that has happened, I suppose that is one way to look at it." He turned his attention back to towering giant before him. "Let us return to the Longevity. Blaster had an urgent matter to discuss, and given our current lack of available units... Your presence may be required Jetfire."

His vision turned slightly to the gathering survivors that remained on the mountain. Those on the summit had suffered damage but it had been to, well to be frank, a lesser extent than those on the desert floor. It meant the likes of Scoop, Jazz and Jetfire were among the few that ranked at operational condition. There were likely a handful of others who had not been involved in the battle that could be deployed should the a crisis arise during their regrouping phase.

"Jazz, why don't you join us as well." Magnus closed his hand around the capsule and stored it into a segregated compartment within his damaged armor. As the bent plate closed to seal the capsule away he opened a wide range channel to the Autobots in the region. "Ultra Magnus to all Autobots that remain in the engagement zone... If you have not returned to the Ark 22 or the Guardian, report to the two shuttles. We dust off in Twenty Earth minutes. Gather all materials as well, reconstruction drones will be on site, and they aren't very particular about what they re-purpose in restoring a landscape. That is all." He deactivated the link and began walking towards edge of the mountain face.

His foot rested perilously at the cliff's edge as his optics took in the vast desolation of the Australian outback. Silently he marveled at the landscape and the human settlements beyond. They would never know how close their world had come to oblivion, on more than one occasion. If Magnus had his way they would never find out and they would be free of Cybertronian influence once and for all. But eventually... eventually they would find out, on every world the inhabitants found out. Such discoveries were always too late, either the devastation had been total by themselves that the Decepticons would waltz in and sweep aside what little resistance remain or the world itself would be embroiled in an all out battle that left it a burnt husk orbiting its home star.

Magnus knew the treaties limited contact with less advanced races, something the Autobots had attempted to adhere to as if it were gospel. But infiltration protocols of the Decepticons, their very existence were designed to subvert those originally agreed to texts. The addition of Devastator, the confirmed presence of Sixshot and the eventual relaunching of infiltration protocols... it was enough to bring a cloud of dread over any potential celebration. The Autobots needed a game changer, not just militarily but beyond. "Jazz, when the opportunity arises, I want you to begin reviewing all treaties regarding First Contact." He looked back over his shoulder at the infamous warrior and hero of Cybertron. "Its time we begin finding something we can use to our advantage, something that can actively thwart the eventual facimiles and replicas that are bound to begin taking hold."

Magnus stepped off the cliff and allowed the powerful jump thrusters in his legs push him towards the shuttles at a shallow and gently declining angle. He touched down at the base of the rock formation in the nearside of the combat trench. There was a storm brewing in Ultra Magnus's processors, and all of the possibilities that swirled around translated to one of two options... and none of them were traditional.

Aboard Astrotrain

Nobody replied to Thrust.

"They must be too tired from the battle with the Fallen, weaklings." Thrust grinned.

Thrust raised his hand onto his broken wing.

"But on second thought...he was pretty tough."

Thrust sat down and skimmed the crowd of 'cons looking for Mal. Thrust spotted the doc behind a crowd of 'cons and got up.

"Hey, doc. Think you can fix this?" He pointed to his battered wing.

Outside the Longevity

When the others had been getting their all clear signals and were steadily bouncing up to the orbital resources the Autobots possessed, Kup remained behind, steadily keeping an eye out to make sure the Decepticons did not pull any last astrosecond tricks. They had already gone too far with their Prowl stunt, in his view. That alone would have been enough for Kup to justify tossing an incendiary grenade into the back of Astrotrain as he was taking off, but he could see the position that Ultra Magnus had already been put in and he was going to do his part to keep the peace--to whatever degree it actually existed--and not do anything to upset the balance.

His faith that some aspects of the situation would resolve itself was rewarded when Jetfire had prevented Prowl from sustaining further injury after the Decepticons had actually kept their word and released him. Not without theatrics of course, but at least they would not have to engage in a rescue mission of one of their chief strategists so soon after managing to survive this extinction event.

Pulling out a fresh cygar, he hit the ignition switch and popped it in his mouth as he turned and boarded the shuttle, all too ready to follow Magnus' commands and figure out what the next step was in preventing the Decepticons from taking over this latest world they had found.
___

Astrotrain

Breakdown figured they'd finally get to settle into a semi-pleasant ride aboard one of the 'Con triple changers, get a nice top off of his ultra energon stock once they all got back to the Thanatos and then soak up some quality time in the nearest CR chamber.

Of course Primus wasn't gonna make it that easy for him.

“Assist the Combaticons you idiots!" Motormaster had bellowed.

"Assist 'em with wha-? Oh."

He quickly saw that the Combaticons actually did need some assistance. They were-what?-they looked like they were arresting Hook. Oh well. He wasn't here to question anything the boss said or did, nor the other teams' bosses either. They were sort of the head honchos now. He just crossed the shuttle bay in a few short steps, weaving his way through the mass of Decepticons that had crammed themselves aboard and pointed his weapon at Mixmaster as he was starting to get to his feet.

"Not so fast, crazywheels. Don't do anything estupido. Capische?"

This planet sure did have a lot of fun words.

Uluru

Blades banked sharply, chucking as the force of his turn swung the unconscious Sideswipe, tethered to him with his trusty grappling cable, in a wide arc missing the front of the shuttle by millimetres as his 'patient' soared by like a theme park attraction.

He watched as the 'cons crammed themselves inside Astrotrain like a circus act and mocked the purple shuttle as it struggled to pull up and leave the Earth. He idly wondered what conversations would be going on in there; would they be discussing the battle? Tending to their injured? Or just arguing amongst themselves like idiots. He supposed he'd never find out, but for the briefest of moments, he almost felt like he belonged on there with them... Streetwise and Groove had their little 'detective' niche, and First Aid knew his job when his crippling anxiety didn't get the better of him, but Blades was a fighter and had somehow spent more of the battle aiding those crazy Decepticon medics than anything else.
The troubling thing was, he'd actually enjoyed it.

As he banked again Sideswipes's momentum pulled him back into the moment. Why was this moron still attached to him? Blades swooped down, measuring his descent so Sideswipe grounded with nothing more than a few scrapes and a theatrical cloud of dust and sand, transformed into his robot mode and landed in a triumphant pose, one foot on the chest of the red soldier, and activated the bounce beacon to take them both back to the Guardian.

He took a last look at the Autobots scurrying around the shuttle and making their own way off the planet.

"Loosers" he muttered.

*bamf*

On board Astrotrain.

Thrust wrote:"Hey, doc. Think you can fix this?"

"Oh, for the PITS SAKE! Can't any of you incompetent Seekers actually STAY IN THE SLAGGING AIR??!"

Mal Practice looked sternly at the Conehead. His temper was well enough known amongst his own team, but his recent notoriety had attracted the attention of those who weren't quite so used to his caustic attitude. He could hardly be blamed though, this was the fourth Seeker-class mech brought to him in the space of less than 40 hours for a repair of some description, and had they not been crammed in like monkeys at a cheap zoo he'd have requested Crueljaw to tear the idiots face off so he could graft to Feedback, teaching multiple satisfying lessons at once.

Instead though, he closed his optics and pinched the bridge of his nose to stop the headache that was coming on. He fell silent for a few seconds as he visibly fought to keep his temper in check.

He glanced over at Landgrab. Shockwave was reclining peacefully upon one of his repair bays, a space shared with the half-concious Darkfire, and then towards the other now-vacant bay that had previously contained Starscream. Feedback required extensive work, but had had more than enough time to sort Darkfire out and so a simple wing fix would take a medic of his skill mere seconds to perform - especially in light of the near miracle he had just performed for Starscream - but he had left the Autobots millennia ago and altruism had never been his style, even back then.

"Of course I can fix it, you bell-topped simpleton, I'm a genius! The question is; what makes you think you are worth my time?"

Australia – Shuttle Longevity – Combat Casualty Care Unit

It never failed. Ask any doctor or medic and they’d tell you the same thing every time, the world always melts away when you’re trying to save a life. It was the same in this moment. Veneer was on a slab and in need of his and Axle’s undivided attention.

He slapped a clamp in Axle’s hands as the former surgeon motioned for the tool. Aid watched intently as another frayed lead was sealed off. Thank Primus.

Vee actually stopped convulsing once Axle had gotten to his locomotive actuators stopping any all potentially harmful movements. Again, thank Primus.

>>Blades, Streetwise, Groove, and First Aid, it is time we head home to the Guardian. Aid, let me know if you are in the middle of something so I know to expect you later. Everybody else grab any of the injured who are near you and get bouncing. We are done with this mess of a battle. Time to recoup and figure out what the slag all happen here. Ignore the escaping Cons per Ultra Magnus orders especially with all we got to clean up.<<

The communique didn’t distract him enough to stop his work, but it was still surprising. First Aid paused briefly in order to change his position and to think of how he would respond to Hot Spot.

>>”I’m sorry, Hot Spot. I should have contacted you earlier, but things just recently got a bit crazy. We have one critical patient. Axle and I are in the middle of performing his surgery. So, well, if we could get to the [i]Guardian sooner rather than later, it would be much appreciated.[/i]”<<

The Protectobot closed the line and slapped another clamp into Axle’s outstretched hand.

------------------

While First Aid finished up his work Tracer had slipped off and out of the way. She pressed her back as far as she could into the wall behind her and wrapped her hand around her relaxed opposite arm.

She watched closely as Smokescreen was tended to. First Aid was a good friend and a very good doctor. She knew the former rallybot was in good hands.

When the klaxons sounded Tracer quickly pushed off the wall and made her way toward the larger portion of the medical bay where the majority of activity was taking place. When she saw First Aid heading her way the scout quickly jumped out of his way. Her optics followed his form and came to rest on the body that was convulsing on the medical slab. She recognized him.

“What’s going on? What’s happening?"

“Veneer. Primus, it’s Vee.” Tracer looked over her shoulder towards Smokescreen. “He’s one of the nurses. When I was first assigned to the Guardian he and Aid helped me settle in. Whenever I had the time I’d go to the med bay to spend time with them.”

Her optics lowered toward the floor before she stepped back to Smokescreen’s side. “I didn’t know he was out in the field. I figured Blindside would want him to stay where it was safe.” She wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head.

Shuttle Longevity – Bridge

Hands on his hips, his weight on one leg the imposing gaze of The Hatchet focused solely on the Autobot’s communication’s expert.

“I-It’s…"

Poor mech, he’s a wreck. Ratchet lowered his hands and relaxed his threatening posture. This wasn’t normal. Blaster at a loss for words? Not at all like The Voice. Something was up.

“Blaster? What is it?” Ratchet said concerned.

“It’s Optimus, Ratchet.” Blaster glanced back to the console where its readout still clearly showed the Prime’s faint signal. “I-I found him. He’s alive."

The CMO’s optics widened and his body slackened as he processed what he’d just been informed. Optimus. His old friend, lost to them recently, was alive.

“He’s alive."

Ratchet straightened and looked back up at the red and yellow ‘Bot in front of him. His optics met Blaster’s before he narrowed them and slowly stalked forward. Once close enough he gripped the communications’ expert’s upper arms and squeezed tightly.

“Where?” he growled out.

Australia - Autobot Shuttle Longevity - Combat Care Unit

“Well, don’t think about it for too long, Blindy,” Howlstrike replied to his friend. “If you want a change in alt mode, a CR chamber can do that for you.” The former Predacon then paused for a moment as he rubbed his chin guard in thought. “Although, you’ll have to program it since, well, I’m not very good at that sort of thing, you know. heh.” With the klaxons going off overhead, Howl also took notice of Veneer convulsing a short distance away while the medics rushed to save his life. The hunter shook his cranium and glanced back over at Blindside. “We should be thankful we’re not in that bad a shape. Poor slagger. I'm sure he'll be fine, though. Try not to worry.”

Blindside then finally took Howlstrike’s advice and moved over to an empty CR chamber, telling him to note all of the details when Bluestreak discovers his new look. “Oh, don’t worry, Blindy, I won’t forget anything. Heh. Too bad Rewind isn’t around. He could record Blue’s reaction for posterity.” Howl let out a low chuckle as the disabled mech asked for him to start up the repair cycle. The former Predacon approached the controls and studied them for a brief moment. “You want to be pink now, right?” The tracker glanced over at Blindside with a playful smirk on his faceplate. “Ha! Just kidding, buddy!” There was another laugh followed by a single word, “Maybe.”

Howlstrike then pushed the start button and the CR chamber’s door quickly slid shut before Blindside could react. Howl then moved over and stared through the small window on the front of the unit, grinning widely at the tactician inside. The hunter gave his friend a whimsical wave just as the chamber began to fill up with nanite-rich fluid. “I love picking on him. So much fun,” Howl muttered to himself as he backed away from Blindside’s unit and returned to Bluestreak’s chamber, taking a seat just across from it. “Now to wait for you to wake up, chatterbot. Heh.”

Moments later, a sonic boom struck the Longevity, shaking the shuttle violently and causing Howlstrike to tumble out of his seat. “What the frag!?!?!” The former Predacon shouted as his aft section hit the floor. He quickly picked himself up and rushed out of the combat care facility and down the exit ramp to the desert outside. Howl pulled out his gun, anticipating a full scale Decepticon attack, but instead he only saw a retreating Thundercracker soaring away overhead. “Stupid idiot seeker!!! Aaarrrgghhhh!!!”

With his roar of frustration unleashed, Howlstrike placed his weapon away and returned to the medical unit within the Autobot vessel. “No one panic! It was only that slaggin’ seeker, Thunder-aft, flying too low! Thinks he's funny. Someone should shoot him down for that!” The former Predacon announced to everyone within audio range of his raised and aggravated vocals. He then took a seat back across from Bluestreak’s CR pod and patiently waited for the chatterbot to emerge.
____________

The warning klaxons were going off all around him, filling his audio receptors with intense noise, but the pain killers coursing through Smokescreen’s various systems made them easier to endure. His grogginess was increasing by the astrosecond and thus the sound of the alarms began to grow more and more distant to him. Tracer’s voice, however, came through all the sirens, explaining to him that the nurse, Veneer, was in dire trouble. Apparently, Veneer had been in the field during the battle with the Fallen and was gravely injured as a result. That was the cause of the klaxons going off. Veneer had taken a turn for the worse.

“I’m sure First Aid and *cough* the others can save him,” the rallybot reassured the troubled femme as she recounted how both Aid and Veneer had helped her settle in back on the Guardian. They had befriended her when she needed it, and because of that fact alone, Smokey was grateful to them, praying to Primus that the nurse-bot would pull through. While the diversionary tactician knew the Protectobot medic very well, he was mostly unfamiliar with Veneer. He had heard of the nurse during the course of the war, and maybe he had even said hello to him in passing once or twice. However, Smokescreen had never really gotten to know Veneer all that well.

“Tracer,” the red and blue mech said as he reached out to her with his left hand. “Tell me about him. Veneer, I mean. *cough cough* What’s he like?” Smokescreen wanted to keep the troubled femme talking and her mind on something more positive and off of the dire situation her nurse friend was now in. Unfortunately, before she could respond, the sonic boom hit the shuttle, causing everything to shake violently. The rallybot’s IV stand on his right side tumbled over onto his chest, but thankfully did not break open. Using his left arm, Smokey carefully lifted the metal apparatus off of himself, but he did not have the strength to push it all the way back up to a standing position. “Trace *cough* I need you,” Smokescreen pleaded, trying to hold the IV above his chest plate a little longer.

Aboard Astrotrain

"Oh, for the PITS SAKE! Can't any of you incompetent Seekers actually STAY IN THE SLAGGING AIR??!"

"Hey! I bet if you were fighting the fallen you wouldn't last even for a nanokilk!" Thrust roared at Mal, pushing him. Thrust then tried to calm down, he looked around making sure none of his comrades saw. He didn't want to turn them against him, he didn't want to damage the doc either. Not now anyways.

"Well, of course you wouldn't last. You're not a fighter." He then let Mal continue talking.

"Of course I can fix it, you bell-topped simpleton, I'm a genius! The question is; what makes you think you are worth my time?"

"Well, you and the other 'cons surely want Astrotrain to stay safe...am I not right? You wouldn't want to go down from some 'bots just because you didn't fix Thrust here's wing." He pointed to his broken wing. "I need to go out with Starscream and escort Astrotrain back. Starscream can't do it on his own, not without his seeker buddies." A smile emerged on his faceplate.

Shuttle Longevity

Bumblebee, responding to the klaxons, was about to enter the shuttle to see how he could help with the problem. But before he did, he was knocked onto his side by some mysterious force. Bumblebee was thrown onto the cold, metal plating of the shuttle. Everything was shaking, violently.

"Was it some sort of earthquake?" He questioned himself.

He made an attempt to stand up but he fell back down, the crash must of broke his leg somehow. He had to crawl the rest of the way, it was tough but he made it. He then sat up inside the shuttle and stretched his leg out. He couldn't see any major injuries but he knew he couldn't walk. His com unit then turned on, it was Howlstrike.

“No one panic! It was only that slaggin’ seeker, Thunder-aft, flying too low! Thinks he's funny. Someone should shoot him down for that!"

"Arrggh..." Bumblebee moaned. "Howlstrike is right, someone should really slag that 'con."

He then looked around for any Autobots near.

Shuttle Longevity

“No one panic! It was only that slaggin’ seeker, Thunder-aft, flying too low! Thinks he's funny. Someone should shoot him down for that!"

Kup hadn't been surprised that there'd be a 'Con or two that wanted to show off, even as they were leaving. Howlstrike's comm had brought a smirk to the old-timer's face as he took another drag off his cygar and let the chemicals and expertly-crafted electrical surges filter through his system. It ain't the Allspark, but it was good enough. The former Predacon surely wasn't taking too kindly to any of his old teammates trying to rub the proverbial dirt in their face. Not like they hadn't just saved their species from extinction or anything. Ingrates.

"Arrggh...Howlstrike is right, someone should really slag that 'con," Bumblebee added, likely echoing a lot of the others' thoughts.

"There'd probably be a line, kid," Kup said as he found himself an inconspicuous seat along the side of the shuttle and leaned back. "They're gonna go back and lick their wounds just like we are. We'll get to take it to 'em again soon enough."
___

Astrotrain

With Astrotrain's bay doors closed, a small fraction of their excess cargo dumped, the shuttle was now steadily gaining the momentum he needed in order to get back to the Thanatos.

Inside the shuttle, sitting motionless on his repair bay, Shockwave's singular optic flickered into full luminescence once again. His systems online, he began running his standard set of internal diagnostics, processing everything that had occurred as of his last moment of consciousness and the inferences that could be made due to his current location and functional status.

All the while, he observed the goings-on inside the shuttle itself.

Aboard Astrotrain

The horde of decepticons that where running around yammering their mouths off and jumping on Constructicons. Thrust appeared approaching Mal Practice, Crueljaw noted that the seeker was damaged and after some medical attention from the surly medic. A chuckle emanated from his vocal processors as the bodyguard heard Mal's venom laced retort to the Dunderhead.

Thou the chuckling soon stopped as he saw Thrust push mal "Oh you've got to be slagging me!" growled Crueljaw as he transformed releasing Psychout into the air where he'd land Crueljaw didn't know and at this point didn't care. He barged forward smaller Vehicons bounced off of his reinforced frame as he made his way toward Mal practice and Thrust.

Well, you and the other 'cons surely want Astrotrain to stay safe...am I not right? You wouldn't want to go down from some 'bots just because you didn't fix Thrust here's wing." He pointed to his broken wing. "I need to go out with Starscream and escort Astrotrain back. Starscream can't do it on his own, not without his seeker buddies." A smile emerged on his faceplate.

Crueljaw's optics narrowed as he moved on Thrust interjecting himself between the medic and Thrust with a shove.

"I think you have more immediate concerns than getting fixed at this point in time Conedome"

Rage seethed through Crueljaw's frame as he looked directly into the optics of the slightly taller Thrust. Clenching his knuckles they all cracked and crackled as he energised the plating over his knuckles. A rumbling growl emanated from his faceplate as he spoke

"Like actually staying in one piece"

Aboard Astrotrain

>>"Soundwave, this is Flamewar, I need an update on the progress of the battle."<<

The femme's communication came in a quite an awkward time for the Decepticon Communications officer. Had she been more patient, she would have her answer once she saw Astrotrain landing in the Thanatos' hangar bay.

>>"Situation: Resolved. All are aboard Astrotrain and returning to the ship now."<< He replied through the private comm in his usual monotone before pausing and opening his own inquiry into the conversation >>"What is the status of our... 'Enforcement'?"<<

"Mmm heh hmmmm..." Buzzsaw chirped in delite underneath one of the seats as he picked away at the loose wiring still connected with Bitstream's severed head. "A shame you weren't an Autobot," the avian cassette whispered, his beak filled with splayed and disconnected wiring, "I probably wouldn't feel all to guilty for putting you... Let's just say out of your misery. Heh." The thought lingered in the air as the yellow and black condor's talons gripped at the side of the helmet and his beak pulled in the opposite direction, forcefully removing a ruptured fuel line leading to the brain module. "Oh who am I kidding, I don't feel guilty about this at all!"

-

Scrapper's head rested against the edge of one of Astrotrain's internal seats. The fight with the Fallen and the conjoined efforts of their gestalt project were beginning to show the Constructicon leader who much of an after effect their latest project was taking a toll. The shovel-loader mech stared blankly at his nonfunctioning legs and tried everything he could just to get some sort of movement out of them. A wiggle or a twist, anything just a sign that this was just temporary.

"Hu-Hook..." Scrapper muttered, "Make a note... Need to fix after effec-" the Construction's thought was cut off as he pivoted his head to find Breakdown taking aim towards Mixmaster, threatening to shoot if he didn't get Hook into his custody. "Hey!" Scrapper tried to call out, "What the hell do you think... Do you think you're doing Breakdown?"

The next few minutes were an eruption of chaos. Brawl rushed out and tackled Long Haul, the Constructicon transporter once again meeting faceplates with the floor. Vortex quickly picked up on Brawl's brief signal and bolted his way up through the gap his fellow Combaticon graciously provided. Finally, something thrilling again! The grip around the Combaticon interrogator's adhesion gun tighten as the heli-former darted through the crowd of Decepticons and over towards Hook's prone form.

"My sincerest gratitude, Brawl ol buddy!" Vortex thanked the loud-mouthed warrior as he dove right by him, patting his fellow Combaticon on the back as his dexterity allowed him to slip on through the chaos. Long Haul, having just reawakened from his resulting combination effects soon let out a pained groan as met with the floor once more.

"What in the Allspark..." Scrapper sputtered out as he struggled to reach his own sidearm. A bolt of glue soon splattered against his palm, cementing his hand to the floor of Astrotrain. Scrapper looked up to find Breakdown still holding his weapon to mixmaster and Vortex's weapon smoking as he stood over Hook's unconscious chassis. The interrogator placed his index actuator up against his faceplate as he locked optics with Scrapper, insinuating he could only be making a "hush" tone underneath that mouthguard. So this is the way his fellow Decepticons wanted to play...

"ENOUGH!!!" called the Predacon Commander, his voice killing off and silencing out the erupting chaos. The newly appointed Supreme commander then began to defuse the situation by clearing the tension filled air. Scrapper remained worrisome underneath the veil that Razorclaw was placing over he and his own team. Even if the Stunticons and the Combaticons were excessively known for their violent behaviors, how strange it seemed that both teams were quick and effective at trying to isolate wounded Constructicons even after the combined form of Devastator took most of the Fallen's blows to ensure the rest of the Decepticons could survive.

"My apologies, Scrapper. Many of us are still on edge and unsure what to make of Devastator. He was a surprise on the battlefield to be sure, but still a welcome one even if he didn’t have the desired effect on the Fallen that we would’ve liked."

"Your thanks..." Scrapper muttered to the Predacon Lord, "...is appreciated, though unnecessary... There is no need to thank us, we were *cough* only serving the in-insignia..."

"Your man will not be harmed, none of them will. I promise. We are simply taking necessary precautions. That’s all. I hope you can understand that. However, once we are back on board the Thanatos and our wounds repaired, you and I must have a conversation about your success with the gestalt technology and what the future will hold for Devastator within the Decepticon Empire."

This explanation was soon followed with a hand being placed against Scrapper's shoulder. Normally it was a welcome gesture on anyone's behalf, though Scrapper still hid behind his humbleness and remained weary of Razorclaw's true intent. Even with his suspicions towards the Predacon, there was still a looming thought that wouldn't escape the back of his processor. A flash of shared remembrance... One of several collective thoughts that echoed the combination process the Constructicons endured... Before the battle, Scrapper was aware his men were hiding away the fact they couldn't stand to follow Razorclaw following the clash for the throne, that Devastator could be their ace in the hole to ensure that they would be the ones to take over leadership. Yet, the memory haunted him now. He could see through Devastator's optics, hear the Supreme Commander issuing orders and Devastator following said orders. If Scrapper's theory on a shared consciousness were true, then his team wouldn't have agreed to listen, they would have continued on without paying the lion-former and heed... And yet they did... Scrapper gazed out across the mass of Decepticons to notice Vortex was hoisting Hook up before he slung the engineer across his shoulders, no doubt following Razorclaw's new orders. It could only mean one thing;

There was a kink in their chain.

"Not a scratch more..." Scrapper demanded in a hushed tone, his crimson visor turning to meet Razorclaw's. "Otherwise, it'll be a brief chat..."

-

Situation developing... Updating records... Soundwave internalized as he sat back from afar in his easy to hide alternate mode. More grease for the fires to come...

Australia - Uluru

Waspinator stared blankly at Nova Strike as he explained his peculiar response as to lending a helping hand. Waspinator was taught that the red insignia was the enemy, responsible for essentially starting this war with their governing rules and caste system. Yet, this was only of the only times the two factions were placed side-by-side to face a common foe.

"Wazzzpinator listen to blue bot, but Wazzzpinator zzztill doezzzn't understand why blue bot try to help..."

The startling boom of what sounded like Thundercracker's signature ability caused the rejected Insecticon to leap a solid meter or so into the air by surprise. He pivoted his head only to find the bay doors of the troop transport beginning to close. Worse, they were closing and Waspinator was still outside.

"AHH! Wazzzpinator can't mizzzzz shuttle back! Wazzzpinator cannot traverzzze zzzpace!!" The green and yellow Decepticon informed before leaping into the air and shifting to his wasp-mode. "Wazzzpinator thankzzz blue bot for his help in bringing Wazzzpinator back online, but Wazzzpinator really must go now!!" Buzzing off towards Astrotrain, Waspinator found himself racing against the take off of the now airborne triplechanger.

"Wait wait for Wazzzpinator!" The insect cried as he wings beated rapidly, "Zzzpacebus would not leave Wazzzpinator in vapor trail would he?"

Astrotrain

Scrapper questioning Breakdown had made the Stunticon hesitate, but he maintained the position of his weapon. It's not like they could combine and become that thing in here, could they? Nahhhh.

Surely not...

But where Scrapper's questions had given him pause, Razorclaw's bellowed orders stopped him in his tracks altogether as if they'd come out of the vocalizer of the boss himself. He turned and listened and his weapon gradually lowered as the Predacon Commander, the new Decepticon boss and the one that even Motormaster himself was taking orders from, laid out what exactly they were doing and what protective custody meant. Breakdown reintegrated his weapon into his bot mode and looked back at Mixmaster who was grinning at him like a glitch.

"Yeah. Y-You go back over t-t-there, hehehehehe!" the Constructicon Chemical Engineer giggled. Breakdown's optics just narrowed threateningly but he did nothing.

"Sure, greeny. Yeah. Just know you're a lucky mech. Lucky," Breakdown sighed as he stepped away from making any more threatening gestures to the Constructicons and awaited whatever fresh hell Motormaster would have in store for them.

Aboard Astrotrain

Scavenger wasn’t sure what was happening, though that was never too surprising. But what was happening now surely classified in the top ten most confusing things that have ever happened to him. Maybe. Where in the top ten? What were the others? Scavenger was making his brain hurt by thinking about it too hard. But look! Combaticons and Stunticons were ganging up on Hook! Scavenger looked at them appalled. He hastily looked over to Scrapper for some kinda guidance.

Wildrider, in the meantime, was all too happy to whip out his weapon and point it at the first Constructicon he saw. Namely, Scavenger. The puppycon noticed the swift movement and turned to look only to be greeted by a devilishly grinning Wildrider with the sparkle of homicide in his optic. Scavenger’s optics went as wide as discs. Why? Why! Had he done something wrong?!

A short way from the chaos, Weirdwolf looked on with mild disinterest. “On the eve of our victory, still fight among ourselves we do…” He muttered somewhat bitterly, the thrill of victory soured a bit by the petty squabbling. His ears perked as Razorclaw bellowed out the command to cease. Weirdwolf glanced over to the King of Beasts before watching his subjects begin to obey his orders. Very nice. Weirdwolf continued to approve.

The tracker glanced back to his snacking friend, Skullcruncher, seeing that the Vehicon was almost entirely consumed. Perhaps by this point some semblance of his mind had returned. “Cruncher of Skulls? Has sense yet returned to you?” Weirdwolf reached out with a paw and bonked his reptilian friend in the head with all the swiftness of a snake striking. “Hm?”

At Razorclaw’s order, Wildrider sighed loudly and put away his gun, pouting and glaring at Scavenger as if it was his fault that Wildrider had been deprived of his fun. Scavenger saw the Stunticon’s disappointed look and instantly panicked. What had he done now!? Well, he was glad that a gun wasn’t being pointed at him now and everything and now the boss and the bigger boss Razorclaw were talking and…and…Scavenger glanced over to Scrapper, his hands knit together uncertainly.

Wildrider walked over to Breakdown and slung his arm around his fellow Stunticon’s shoulder. He let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m sooooo boooooooooooored!” He craned his head around to look at Breakdown with an equally exaggerated bored expression. He looked at Breakdown as if he expected his fellow Stunticon to do something to entertain him.

Australia – Uluru

Well, the crisis had been averted and all seemed well. Prowl was safe and the Bots were packing it in. “Phew,” Skids sighed. As things wrapped up, he moved toward Ultra Magnus and Jazz as they began to head back to the shuttles. The theoretician looked over to Jazz with thoughtfully. “We made it out of that mess. I wasn’t sure we would…”

Australia – Autobot Shuttle Longevity – Combat Care Unit

“You want to be pink now, right?" The tracker glanced over at Blindside with a playful smirk on his faceplate. “Ha! Just kidding, buddy!" There was another laugh followed by a single word, “Maybe."

Blindside’s optical sockets narrowed suspiciously at Howlstrike, uncertain if he really wanted the tracker to set him up on his cycle anymore. Before he could really react, however, Howlstrike shut the CR chamber door on him, causing Blindside to scowl out at the surely smirking Howlstrike. He sighed and relaxed letting the nanite-rich fluids flow over him and begin healing his aching chassis.

His thoughts couldn’t help but flow to Veneer as he teetered on the edge of unconsciousness. Convulsing. On that table. The initial sight of him. He’d thought….He had though that Veneer was dead. And that, though difficult to take, would be more bearable than what Blindside had ‘seen’ out there. Veneer convulsing on the edge of life and death. It was unbearable. Perhaps when he awoke…Vee would be better again. Yes…

A sudden BOOM made the tactician spasm and cry out in pain. His ‘sight’ went insane as pain wracked his head. Almost as soon as the boom ended, Blindside had passed out from the pain. Entering a dark world once more…