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Semper Tyrannis- Hangar

If it wasn't one thing,it was another, or so the saying went. That was no different here in outer-space with a bunch of giant transforming mechanoids. Our tiny friend Wheelie and his towering jet-former friend Skyfall were now dealing with the strange inquisition of Ion Storm, a blue Seeker aboard this dreadful Decepticon battle cruiser. Luckily, Skyfall had told Wheelie to be good and not make any bad decisions. The young mini-bot agreed with his new friend. All of the Autobots were in a bad predicament, and starting anything, even if they had technically started it first, wouldn't be good for them. The entire situation was dire as it was, after all.

Standing very near to his tall friend, Wheelie's optics caught the movement of another dreadful Decepticon approaching them like a stalking hungry beast. This one was green and yellow with dinosaur-like avian features much like a pterodactyl or something. He didn't seem to be in his right processor. Maybe they was busted....because this guy was reaching for Wheelie like he was a tasty plate of little energon cubes.

"Wheelie's not in the mood to be your food, dino dude!", exclaimed Wheelie as he ran behind Skyfall and began to climb up his back. Wheelie was an expert climber, having spent a long time in rough and unsavory places with all kinds of terrain, on the horrible planet LV-117. Climbing up a fellow Autobot was a piece of cake. He easily found his footing and climbed up until he came to stand upon Skyfall's right shoulder.

The small bot then pointed at the Terrorcon and said mockingly, "Ha!! Stinky lizard bat, how about that?! Still think I'm a mouse to your cat?!" Wheelie doubted the Terrorcon would pursue him further. However, just in case, he drew his slingshot and loaded some of the sharp shrapnel pieces he'd picked up in the corridor after his instance with Apeface.

"I'm sorry I'm fighting, but I'm not gonna let him start biting.", Wheelie said in a hushed tone into Skyfall's audio receiver. The sooner they could get away from these goons the better. Heck....the sooner they could get off this ship (somehow).....would be better than all of this ridiculous folly.

Semper Tyrannis – Hanger

Wildfly wrote: "I want to just..." Wildfly paused. He chuckled, but it wasn't a happy chuckle, more of a grim one. "I want to just stop for a moment."

Slog paused in his vocal ruminations when he heard his aerial assault specialist and nodded, more to himself than not before muttering, “I think we could all use a moment.”

As he turned his thoughts to how best to deal with their ordeal as Monstructor, as he would no doubt be expected to help any of his team along should they need it, he almost missed the destruction of the penitentiary.

He looked up in time for his optics to focus on the detonation and the subsequent collapse, then explosion of the moon. In its final destruction, it lacked the death throes he had come so accustomed to in his numerous battles, but more than that, it was missing something.

While the end of his and his team’s home for so long was a beautiful sight, it lacked a personal touch. Perhaps, had his spark the room for vengeance like so many of his comrades…

He pushed the thought aside and took in the exuberance of his team, his Monstercons. Each had suffered in one way or another, but they had each other. Even Umbra. For all intents and purposes, she had become an honorary member of their group, and he saw no reason to dampen any of their moods with his own somberness.

Icepick and Scowl’s brief conversation hadn’t escaped his notice, either.

Jhiaxus?

That name carried a far different connotation for Slog than previously, and he relished the work of art he would make from the mech’s broken structure.

That day would make all of his and his fellow Monstercons’ suffering worth it.

We shall teach him to beware the power of what he creates.

Hesitating long enough for his team to reclaim some sense of dignity in their celebration, he motioned to the line where their fellow prisoners were being processed and in as commanding a tone as he could manage, said, “Monstercons, take your places. I’m certain we shall have our orders once we’re repaired and fully charged.”

It felt different, focusing on a single point like that, but it was needed. Now, if he could only make himself believe he was what he projected…

Semper Tyrannis – Bridge

>>”So to my understanding…”<< Bludgeon began as they arrived at a lift to go to the bridge to those assembled in the comms, mainly Cyclonus and Scorponok . He continued as the doors slid closed. >>”We can't penetrate visuals/radar to the surface through the electrical storms? And pardon my lack of knowledge, but since I was in prison I wasn't privy to the earlier operation on the planet, but we do have geo-coordinates of the building? I will need any intell we have on the surface sent to me, it may not be necessary, but all possibilities will need to be at the ready just in case.”<<

>>”Correct. No visual or radar data outside of an occasional moment of a developing and quickly dying overcast. It is in Jhiaxus’ interest to ”<< Scorponok replied to Bludgeon’s question via the shared comm-link session. As for Bludgeon’s follow-up question and request of surface intel, Scorponok did not bother to address. They had the coordinates as was evident from the data package Banzai-Tron had delivered to each member of the war council, including Bludgeon.

As the electric warrior entered the bridge with Bomb-Burst, Scorponok’s command throne swung to face the bridge entrance. While his assault on Garrus-9 had suffered some setbacks, it had still been a major success on many fronts. Not only he had struck a massive blow against the Autobots by defeating Fortress Maximus, incapacitating the Steelhaven and destroying the penitentiary itself, he had liberated dozens of imprisoned Decepticons - all indebted to join his command. Bludgeon being among the most notorious of them but not the only high profile catch. The sparks stored within the Rig in particular had still much to offer.

”You may speak freely.” Scorponok addressed Bludgeon while activating a holo-projection of the DSS data package regarding LV-117 before the new arrivals. ”Observe.”

>>“I suggest my team attempt to breach the base via the underground lake we discovered on our last excursion. I would also like to request command of all aquatically capable forces,”<< Snaptrap replied to Scorponok and the rest of command.

>>”You may create an aquatic task force in preparation for the assault Snaptrap. However, whether Jhiaxus’ old base will be our target remains to be seen.”<< Scorponok replied back to the Seacon commander. If Jhiaxus had chosen to return to his old base, the underground lake would open another way in. Even still Jhiaxus was not be underestimated. It was unlikely the madmech was unaware of the lake. But Scorponok was not relying on Jhiaxus' lack of awareness. His lack of sanity would more than suffice.



Semper Tyrannis – CR chamber rows

“Once Jhiaxus meets his end, perhaps it would be beneficial to have a training session between our teams,” he mentioned. Turning, he headed off toward a CR chamber, punching in the commands for an organic shell and stepping inside.

”This is not coming from you. You know how unhinged mine are. You want to teach your boys a lesson. Seawing. Yes. You want to put him in his place by using his own halfwitted idea.” Hun-Gurrr smirked an insightful response to Snaptrap as the Seacon headed for a CR chamber and began punching in commands. ”Perhaps butcher. Were I you though, I’d consider the conditions of any exercise with mine carefully.”

“Master! You need anything? I am here to obey!”

Blot. So fiercely loyal. So eager to please and yet so irritatingly daft at times. If something, Hun-Grrr hated repeating himself but taking his own irritation on Blot would get him nowhere. ”Get your coating. Charge and stock up.”

”Like I already told you.” The larger Terrorcon growled, his optics flashing ominously as he stepped into a CR chamber himself in order to get coated with the filthy organic matter once again while listening to the High Commander and the others speak. Let them plan. It was clear enough that nothing had changed from their last incursion into Jhiaxus’ old stomping grounds. And unlike Banzai-Tron – Hun-Garr had personal experience regarding the environment of LV-117 that the DSS officer was currently trying to digest through the Terrorcons’ and Mindwipe’s reports.

The only variable that mattered was Jhiaxus. The rest? They did not compare to the savagery of the Terrorcons.

Semper Tyrannus Bridge

Bludgeon nodded slightly as an acknowledgement of Scorponok giving him permission to speak as the Warlord spun around, he took a few steps further onto the bridge.

He said nothing as the holo-projection sprung to life between them. Both he and Bomb Burst studied the information.


---

"How far away will we be dropped?" Bomb Burst suddenly asked in a somewhat soft voice... Caught up in studying the information. He dimmed his optics and looked to Scorponok through the hologram. "Master Bludgeon and Nightbird are a bit noisy in alt mode."

---

"Your humor isn't amusing, Bomb Burst." Bludgeon muttered.

---

"Not humor, Master Bludgeon." Bomb Burst said. "Simply truth. Any time in alt mode is noisy for you."

--

Bludgeon didn't respond, the Vampire was correct. "I am assuming you want a stealth entry, at least until SnapTrap and Hungrr make their presence known." He finally asked. "To not to tip off Jhiaxus too soon. I will take Bomb Burst and Nightbird, but are there any others aboard that would be ideal in this mission?"

He looked to Bomb Burst. "Your stealth team made it aboard yes?" He said more than asked. "Would any of them do?"

-
Bomb Burst shook his head. "None that I would feel able to handle the task."

Training Room

Seawing received the transmission from the Butcher. It seemed the training session had to end before it really began. By the sounds of it the next mission was almost here and prep time with the horrible organic goop was on the agenda. To his displeasure, Seawing swam over to the controls and discontinued the simulation. Once the simulation was gone, the room returned to normal and the drones went back into their holding cells.

"Sounds like our little hunting game will have to wait another time my fellow Seacons. Maybe we will get the Terrorcons in on it but now we got to get the organic goop on us for this second round on LV-117. If we know the Butcher, he will have tried to get us in an aquatic environment so our talents will be utilized to their fullest extent. We need to get to the CR chambers and not keep Snaptrap waiting. He isn't as bad as Hungrr is with the Terrorcons but we still need to watch it."

A disgruntle Seawing walked out the training room and down to the CR chambers. He punched in his code and waited for the goop to cover him. It is one thing to resemble a organic creature it is another to have organic compounds over his chassis.

Semper Tyrannus: Weapons Magazine

Nightbird found the Magazine easy enough. She slipped in without notice and took stock of the stock.

She quickly and quietly slid by the shelves stacked with 'toys', listening to the info Bomb Burst was relaying to her. As she listened, she was looking around to see if some 'fun' stuff was hidden like treasure amongst the more mundane ordinance.

Scooping up plenty of 30mm bullets for Snarler; as well as some shells that could be modified for the pig's use; she climbed up to stand on a shelf to get a look at a shelf beyond her vision.

Shrapnel shells... Fun... Skullgrin may need those. She grabbed those as well, tucking them away in a sachel. Was that some acid tipped bullets over there?

A smile, hidden by her mask crept across her face plate as she swiped the bullets. There was a little someone who would appreciate those next time she saw him.

She was always a thief deep down.

What would be fun... EMP grenades. From her higher vantage point standing up on the shelf, she looked around before quickly hopping up to the top shelf with typical ninja grace and ease. Grenades of any kind made down time, fun time. Never seen a group of mechs scatter faster than when a live grenade lands next to them.

>>"Vampire..."<< She sent a silent comm to her boss. >>"All this talk of organic coverings..."<< She shivered at the thought. >>"Are we to get those awful things?"<<

--

>>"I assume not.We are to be inside Jhiaxus' lab"<<< came Bomb Burst's answer.

--

>>"Confirm it, you glitch."<< She grumbled.

Semper Tyrannus: Corridors

"All right, Nova." Acid Storm finally said said to Nova Storm, ready for.a more definite answer. "Let's see if we can't find a refueling place... A bar, whatever."

Hangar

“Monstercons, take your places. I’m certain we shall have our orders once we’re repaired and fully charged,” Slog ordered. The command brought Icepick out of his moment of revelry, though it was always intended to be temporary. Icepick was savvy enough to know that such moments were fleeting.

"Of course, sir," Icepick said with a nod as he moved to join the others in the line was they were formally processed into Scorponok's ranks.
___

Training Room

"Sounds like our little hunting game will have to wait another time my fellow Seacons. Maybe we will get the Terrorcons in on it but now we got to get the organic goop on us for this second round on LV-117. If we know the Butcher, he will have tried to get us in an aquatic environment so our talents will be utilized to their fullest extent. We need to get to the CR chambers and not keep Snaptrap waiting. He isn't as bad as Hungrr is with the Terrorcons but we still need to watch it."

Well, that was a relief. Skalor had been none too eager of the idea of "sparring" with Terrorcons. Would he have? Probably. Just the same, he would rather put his talents to use against Autobots, or even this crazy scientist. None of them had the reputation that the Terrorcons had. With that in mind, he followed the others and mentally prepared himself for the true battle to come.
___

Med Bay

“Banzai-Tron! Sir! Wait up! How are you doing? Are you okay? Where are you headed?” Firewire exclaimed as she left the med bay.

"Oh, don't mind me. I'll just stay here and keep everything running smoothly," Reflector muttered to himself, only half-serious. Odds were, he would be wherever she ended up anyway. As he looked around the room, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of immense relief now that Overlord had returned to his more confined repair space. Now Scorponok could get what he wanted, as would Overlord and Reflector had been the one to make it happen. Surely there would be some recognition for that. He couldn't have hoped for a better result from such volatile Decepticons if he'd tried.

“What…should I do?” Spinister, the unlikely medic, said as he caught Reflector's optic.

"There's a command meeting taking place as we speak. They're divvying up resources and preparing to attack Jhiaxus' base of operations on LV-117. I suspect you'll be getting a call soon."

ctrlFrequency wrote:Semper Tyrannus: Corridors

"All right, Nova." Acid Storm finally said to Nova Storm, ready for.a more definite answer. "Let's see if we can't find a refueling place... A bar, whatever."

Semper Tyrannus: Corridors

Nova Storm finally heard the response from Acid Storm that would get them away from the crowded hanger. "Really, Green bean...that was not so hard...was it?" He walked through the corridors in the hope they are able to find the refueling place or bar.

Semper Tyrannis – Hangar Bay

“Monsterscons, take your places. I’m certain we shall have our orders once we’re repaired and fully recharged.”

As if Icepick’s answer had prompted Slog to manoeuvre the Monstercons’ course forward (Scowl supposed it was time to keep going; the penitentiary’s termination had been savoured for long enough), the saboteur, with a nod to Slog, joined the line of prisoners being processed into the ranks. He’d calmed down quickly since his idiotic antics, and the seriousness of their circumstances – their meeting with Scorponok – was returning to him like a dream being remembered after waking.

“To the future, eh, buddy?” Scowl said to Icepick, although the enthusiasm coating his tone was fragile and susceptible to breaking at any moment.

Semper Tyrannis – Hanger

Wheelie wrote: "Wheelie's not in the mood to be your food, dino dude!", exclaimed Wheelie as he ran behind Skyfall and began to climb up his back.

Wheelie’s nimbleness caught Cutthroat by surprise, but it was of little consequence. When he set his sights to devouring his prey, few things could stand in his way.

Able to now look his orange prey in the optic, and not giving the mech Wheelie had climbed a second thought, the Terrorcon smiled as he transformed and opened his mouth wide as he pulled back slightly, spreading his his wings wide, displaying his full design, scars and all.

“No, little bite. Your mood is not important. Only your crunchy servos and sweet energon matter.”

The small bot then pointed at the Terrorcon and said mockingly, "Ha!! Stinky lizard bat, how about that?! Still think I'm a mouse to your cat?!" Wheelie doubted the Terrorcon would pursue him further. However, just in case, he drew his slingshot and loaded some of the sharp shrapnel pieces he'd picked up in the corridor after his instance with Apeface.

“Fight or flee, little bite, none shall save you this night.” A hissing laugh escaped Cutthroat at his own mocking joke as he once again reached out to grab his prey in his powerful beak structure.

Semper Tyrannis – Bridge

”To keep the element of surprise and mask your entrance to the surface of the planet, you will step through a space bridge portal into the thick rain forest flanking the proximity of Jhiaxus’ base from southeast to southwest,” Scorponok responded to Bomb-Burst’s question, the hologram between them highlighting the jungle area flanking the base. ”While the forest will protect you against the ion radiation and spying eyes to a degree, I would advice against endangering your higher brain functions by refusing to utilize the synthetic flesh covering.”

Suddenly, as if from the thin air, a large Decepticon appeared next to Scorponok’s command throne. His appearance only foretold by the sudden energy release due to mass shifting taking place before their optics. Hardshell – Scorponok’s personal Insecticon assassin. And following his transformation, three other Insecticons: Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel - appeared next to him in the same way.

”I and my Insecticon kin will accompany you.” Hardshell hissed, staring coldly at Bludgeon and his group. ”I am eager to see if you can live up to your reputation after all this time locked away by the Autobots.”

”This is no competition.” Scorponok stated with mild annoyance in his voice. The gargantuan warlord had remained unfazed by the sudden appearance of the four Insecticons. While they had alerted him about their presences earlier, their arrival had not gone undetected by his advanced sensory suite. In fact he had been tracking their current whereabouts for some time now. ”Even with the addition of the Insecticons, there is no promise you will go undetected. He has had time to prepare and we do not know the scope of the sensor web he has spread over the planet’s surface thorough his stay on the planet.”

”Worse yet, there is even no guarantee that the arrival of the fleet will go unnoticed despite the use of ghost shields – technology that did not exist in its current form during Jhiaxus’ day with Cybertronian society,” Scorponok added, ”There are many variables left uncertain that we just have to accept.”

Semper Tyrannus: Bridge

Cryhavok wrote:Semper Tyrannis – Bridge

”To keep the element of surprise and mask your entrance to the surface of the planet, you will step through a space bridge portal into the thick rain forest flanking the proximity of Jhiaxus’ base from southeast to southwest,” Scorponok responded to Bomb-Burst’s question, the hologram between them highlighting the jungle area flanking the base. ”While the forest will protect you against the ion radiation and spying eyes to a degree, I would advice against endangering your higher brain functions by refusing to utilize the synthetic flesh covering.”

Bomb Burst gave Scorponok a slight nod as he acknowledged the information given. He pulled out a data pad and started making notes on his map of the planet.

>>"Good news Birdie, no fleshy bits"<< he sent off to Nightbird.

A sigh of relief came over the comms from the Ninja.

---

Cryhavok wrote:Suddenly, as if from the thin air, a large Decepticon appeared next to Scorponok’s command throne. His appearance only foretold by the sudden energy release due to mass shifting taking place before their optics. Hardshell – Scorponok’s personal Insecticon assassin. And following his transformation, three other Insecticons: Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel - appeared next to him in the same way.

Bludgeon made no reaction to Hardshell's sudden appearance. Nothing phased the Warrior, nothing. But he did note a very slight movement from Bomb Burst as Hardshell appeared. Bludgeon's own assasin got a bit jumpy when out in the open. Obligated to protect the Electric Warrior... at all costs, Bomb Burst always anticipated attacks when something appeared from the shadows.

Though Bludgeon had no fear the situation would go beyond the almost imperceptible twitch, the Vampire was too well trained to react with violence here on the bridge, elsewhere, outside of any Decepticon command center, would have been a different story.

Cryhavok wrote:"I and my Insecticon kin will accompany you.” Hardshell hissed, staring coldly at Bludgeon and his group. ”I am eager to see if you can live up to your reputation after all this time locked away by the Autobots.”

How very brazen of Hardshell. "I'm sure you won't be disappointed." Bludgeon's simply said to the Insecticon as Scorponok warned to keep quiet on the matter.

>>"Get me intell on Hardshell."<< A silent communique went from Bludgeon to Bomb Burst. He felt he was familiar enough with Bombshell, Shrapnel, and Kickback, but he wanted to know if Hardshell had a particular competive side, or any peculiarity, to be a liability.

---

Bomb Burst turned off the screen on his data pad and slipped it away, dimming his optics even further in thought, he scanned through his memory banks to see if he had tucked away a file on the Insecticon assassin. He was sure he must have. Assassins know of other assassins. It's a must.

He started to lower his head as he scanned his files, multitasking the search and listening to Scorponok's briefing on the planet's suspected sensors and security.

Even if they currently had a mech capable of hacking security, he doubted there was anyone of the level to be able to bring down Jhiaxus' systems.

At least he could trust the Insecticons not to be noisy. There were very few other mechs besides them that he was comfortable with being with on a mission that required stealth.

"We will have to move with care to attempt not attract any motion sensor arrays." Bomb Burst said softly, now formulating entry plans on top of all the tasks he was processing. "Hopefully that will delay our detection. I will operate under the assumption we will be detected but take steps to avoid that detection for as long as possible."

--

Bludgeon nodded in agreement. Plan for the worst case scenario. He preferred this method.

"You and Cyclonus have chosen the right team..." he began but stopped for the briefest pause to look towards the Insecticons and corrected himself. "-teams for the job, Lord Scorponok. We will finish the objective... The only other option is death."

Semper Tyrannis – Hanger

Seeing his team fall into line without a complaint filled Slog with a sense of pride he hadn’t given much thought to previously. It also gave him a new focus for his questions and self-doubts.

What have I done to deserve so much of their respect?

It was a question he continuously asked himself and he had yet to come up with an answer he felt comfortable accepting. He’d always tried to be fair with them, to treat them with a dignity not often seen in the ravages of war. It was how he’d wished to be treated when he first joined the Cause, but more than that, he saw what was beneath the surface structures of his comrades.

Perhaps it was the artist in him that pulled the hidden truth from those he made into everlasting art. Maybe it was even his rational mind trying to find a reasonable stance to take with the carnage that surrounded them on a day-to-day basis. Whatever it was, he wanted his fellow Monstercons to be treated as they should.

It was something others didn’t do very often, and had he been able to look at it through a detached optic he may have understood that was probably part of the reason for their loyalty to him. By the Allspark, he would’ve used that argument had one of his comrades been in his position, questioning their status among mechs.

That thought created a spark in his processor, and caused him to look down at the femme he’d come to think of as one of their own. If anyone could understand the complexities and anxieties he and the Monstercons felt, Umbra could. He was sure of it.

Leaning towards her to ensure she heard him while trying not to intrude in her and Icepick’s previous conversation, he said, “My orders include you, Umbra. You may not officially be one of us, but we all need somewhere to belong, do we not? I can think of no better group for you to begin your association with.”

Not as eloquent as others may have put it, but he felt confident his words would get his point across.

Perhaps, not all art is created, but found?

The philosophical question surprised him, but he accepted it as it gave him something more to ponder, and judging by the length of time it was taking to complete the processing, he was certain he’d need it.

Hangar

“Monsterscons, take your places. I’m certain we shall have our orders once we’re repaired and fully recharged.”

At Slog’s command, all of the Monstercons fell in line, leaving Umbra standing out, awkward and alone. She hesitated for a moment. She’d suggested the same thing earlier, but…maybe she would go elsewhere. She wasn’t a Monstercon after all. She didn’t belong anywhere. Rubbing her arm, Umbra looked to Icepick.

“My orders include you, Umbra. You may not officially be one of us, but we all need somewhere to belong, do we not? I can think of no better group for you to begin your association with.”

Umbra jumped a little as Slog appeared in her peripheral vision, but she relaxed and smiled a bit hopefully at his words. She nodded a little. “Y-Yessir!” She said, hopping into line beside Icepick, glancing over to Slog and sending him another relieved smile. Somewhere to belong. He wasn’t wrong. She hadn’t had anything like that since…even before the war began.

Still. Umbra cast a sidelong glance to the Autobots still in the hangar. What was she going to do about them? It would be easiest…to just not think about them. Forget them. But…she doubted that she would be allowed to. Flicking the comm off for now, Umbra stowed it away subtly. She’d…figure it out later. For now, she had to worry about herself and her Monstercon friends.

Keeping her voice low, she asked the Monstercons. “What do you suppose they have mind for us…? They won’t…deploy you so soon, right?”

Semper Tyrannis – CR Chamber Rows

”This is not coming from you. You know how unhinged mine are. You want to teach your boys a lesson. Seawing. Yes. You want to put him in his place by using his own halfwitted idea.” Hun-Gurrr smirked an insightful response to Snaptrap as the Seacon headed for a CR chamber and began punching in commands. ”Perhaps butcher. Were I you though, I’d consider the conditions of any exercise with mine carefully.”

Snaptrap cast a glance back at Hun-Grr and merely nodded once to confirm what he had already surmised. The Terrorcons were more than volatile. They were liable to slaughter his men. To prevent that, the Terrorcons needed to be handicapped. As an organized force, the Terrocons were nigh unstoppable. Take away their commander and they became less effective. Of course, Snaptrap was curious to see just how well his team would fare without him. With these thoughts, he stepped into the CR chamber and offlined his optics.

>>”You may create an aquatic task force in preparation for the assault Snaptrap. However, whether Jhiaxus’ old base will be our target remains to be seen.”<<

Scorponok had granted his request. A few mechanoids sprang to mind. Former Seacons. Those recently acquired. He opened a comm to his selected few. >>”Submarauder, Octopunch, Squeezeplay. Lord Scorponok has authorized me to assemble an aquatic force. Report to the medical bay for your organic coating and prepare for deployment.”<<

A thought occurred to him that made Snaptrap grimace. Still, he supposed he would offer. He opened up another private comm to an old former Seacon. >>”Finback. An aquatic task force is being assembled. Will you be monitoring the situation or entering the fray?”<<


“Yes, master!” Blot replied faithfully, standing at attention as Hun-Grr stalked past to his own CR chamber. Glancing around for a free chamber, Blot went up to one and glared at the controls. He could do this. This time for sure. He lifted his hand up to the console.

…

“RAAAAGH!!” Blot roared.

After spending about a breem just trying to get the door to the CR chamber open, Blot was done with this stupid machine. Wrapping his massive arms around the thing, he started wrenching at it, trying to tear it off the wall. Smash it. He grappled with it. It was really stuck on the wall. “WHY WON’T YOU OPEN?!”

The Semper Tyrannis--Hangar

“To the future, eh, buddy?” Scowl said as he and the others made their way to the processing line. Icepick grinned and nodded.

"To the future. I'm actually a little optimistic, truth be told. Am I afraid of what lurks in the darker recesses of our minds? Of course. But I believe that if anyone can reign him in, it will be the Decepticons. All hail Megatron."

As the Decepticons were slowly being scanned and briefly interrogated, one of the Seekers walking past stopped near where Icepick was standing.

"Hey. New orders coming through. These boys get priority processing. Command wants them processed and ready. To the front of the line!" the Seeker said, motioning for Slog and the other Monstercons to bypass the mechs in front of them."
___

Goldrush sighed as some Seeker suddenly called for mechs standing several positions behind him to suddenly move forward in the line. The abysmally slow line.

The mech then saw which mechs the Seeker had been referring to. The ones that had been the subject of so much gossip back on Garrus-9.

Well....he supposed that made some sense.
___

Bridge

"You and Cyclonus have chosen the right team...teams for the job, Lord Scorponok. We will finish the objective... The only other option is death," Bludgeon said. Cyclonus nodded.

"I'm confidant all of that is true. Now begin your final preparations," the Vice Commander said, looking from Bludgeon to Hardshell. "Dismissed."

While readying their various battalions for the incursion to come, Cyclonus continued to monitor the communications frequencies, looking for anything from Scourge and his detachment. Nothing so far. No matter.

"Preparing the fleet to come out of transwarp," Cyclonus reported stoically as he monitored the ever-decreasing distance between the moon of Elba and LV-117.

[Semper Tyrannis - Hangar]

Skyfall stood there for a second, taking in everything that was going on. First, a seeker that had decided to approach him and Wheelie. And now there was some weird yellow and green bird mech who was trying... wait hold on. EAT Wheelie? The smaller orange bot climbed up Skyfall, who had to shift himself to adjust his weight. Oh Primus, why now?

He whispered to Wheelie, "Shh! I told you, don't do anything stupid. Ugh, hold on..."

He turned to the bird dude and the generic seeker. He half-heartedly muttered out "Uh, yeah, if you guys could just, you know, leave us be, we'll just be going to the brig anyway..." He didn't sound confident. Come on, this is your moment to shine! The bird dude didn't look particularly smart, but he was no doubt strong. As for the seeker, well, he'd dealt with a few before. They were all sort of the same, generic cannon fodder type. If he could make a distraction, that would be good enough.

He looked around to see if anything or anyone was there that could help him be a distraction. He caught the eye of some random dancing yellow Decepticon in the back. "Hey! Who's that there? Why is he dancing?"

Hoping that it would have been enough to divert their attention, Skyfall shuffled further down the line so hopefully they would not know.

Semper Tyrannis - Hangar


Ion Storm was only keeping his optics on Wheelie and Skyfall but failed to notice Cutthroat wanting to eat Wheelie. He could not believe that he did not notice the weird green and yellow bird. Right now, he was so disgusted with himself. He looked over at Cutthroat and spoke to him, "You are an absolutely disgusting weird bird. I would hate to imagine the acid ingestion of trying to eat that annoying rhyming Autobot." He then saw that Skyfall was trying to make a diversion. "Oh really, Skyfall...how I am going to believe that both of you are going to take yourself to the brig? As for the dancing Decepticon that you are referring to, I do not know and I do not care."

Semper Tyrannis – Hanger
Slog’s philosophical ruminations continued as he tried not to count the time increments he and his fellow Monstercons stood in line. Hmm, yes, but what kind of art is found? Surely, the pieces I’ve erected from various remains hadn’t existed previously, at least not in the same fashion. No, it wouldn’t be tangible artwork. That must mean…

As the Decepticons were slowly being scanned and briefly interrogated, one of the Seekers walking past stopped near where Icepick was standing.

"Hey. New orders coming through. These boys get priority processing. Command wants them processed and ready. To the front of the line!" the Seeker said, motioning for Slog and the other Monstercons to bypass the mechs in front of them."

The news caught Slog by surprise, and for he could only stare at the Seeker for a couple of nanokliks. Seeing the Seeker appeared serious and not some confused mech that thought they were others, he nodded his gratitude while noting that he hadn’t received a communication of the change in orders. So, I am not viewed as the leader of our group by others. Perhaps, there is a reason for it. To the Seeker, he said, “Very well, thank you.”

He stepped out of line, turning so he stood slightly in front of the Seeker, he locked his optics on those of each member of his team: Bristleback, Birdbrain, Wildfly, Icepick, and Scowl. “Monstercons, we have our orders.” So to speak “Let us proceed as instructed and learn where the fates will take us.”

He glanced at Umbra, his processor working on how she fit into their instructions. Turning to the Seeker, he said, “I request the femme accompanies us. She is… new to our team.” He knew the chances of her being allowed to join them was slim, but if they were expected to go into combat or after Jhiaxus and were forced to combine into Monstructor, they’d need her again. Besides, he had said she’s part of the team.

Semper Tyrannis – Hanger

Cutthroat’s hissing laugh faded as he eyed Wheelie. He could already taste the orange Autobot’s oil and energon flowing down his gullet and poised to strike out and grab him before he could fire his crude weapon. Not that it’d do him any good, Cutthroat had faced worse taking an energon bath.

Skyfall wrote: "Uh, yeah, if you guys could just, you know, leave us be, we'll just be going to the brig anyway..."

Cutthroat turned his attention to the owner of the voice, puzzled for a nanoklik. He hadn’t noticed the Autobot before, in truth, he hadn’t cared. Now that he had attempted to interfere in his feeding…

Ion Storm wrote: "You are an absolutely disgusting weird bird. I would hate to imagine the acid ingestion of trying to eat that annoying rhyming Autobot."

Cutthroat looked at the blue Seeker and narrowed his optics. “That is exactly what makes him delicious. Stand aside or take his place!”

Turning back, oil dripped from his beak at the sight of the little bite and feast (Skyfall). “Tasty treats abound.”

Skyfall wrote: "Hey! Who's that there? Why is he dancing?"

Cutthroat paused. Does he think I’m stupid? The only interest to me is… His thoughts trailed off as he remembered Hun-Grr’s orders. I haven’t wasted much time. He wouldn’t be…

Thinking better of taking a chance at another gang attack, Cutthroat spun around, swinging his wings close to the prisoners.

His optics scanned the room, but none of the Terrorcons were present. So what did my feast mean…

Turning back, he flapped his wings, cutting close or into any that were close enough, as he saw the red Bot and his snack trying to disappear into the mass of other prisoners. “Where are you going, little bite? There is no where to go!” he called after them, laughing as he took a step, then stopped as his words bored through his programmed instinct to devour them.

Somewhere, a small spark or recognition at the concern he’d felt at thinking Hun-Grrr and the others had come back for him gnawed at his resolve. Growling and gnashing his beak, he transformed back into his robot mode and glared at the pair. Slowly, he raised a hand and pointed at them. “Live and marinate in your energon while you can.”

He turned abruptly, knocking over another Autobot that had somehow drew too close. Cutthroat stepped on the mech (ignoring its cries of pain) as he headed for the doorway. Once he was repaired and refueled, he would return. Hunting for sport was better than doing so for food.

Semper Tyrannis- Hangar Bay

A lot was happening in a short amount of time and little Wheelie was doing his best to do what he was best at- surviving. He had made it this far, he wasn't going to give up now or ever. "Well I guess it's now or never...", the small orange minibot thought to himself, releasing a small bit of pointy shrapnel from his slingshot. He aimed for the ugly bird-con's right optic. However, he missed as Skyfall moved, adjusting his weight. It was probably for the better he had missed his mark anyway.

Wheelie ducked when the persistent Cutthroat lunged forth to snap at him again. He clung tightly to Skyfall so as to not fall off of his larger friend as the two Autobots continued to be bullied by their captors and when the turbulence calmed, he tucked his slingshot and "ammo" back into their pocket compartments.

Now, Skyfall whispered to Wheelie, "Shh! I told you, don't do anything stupid. Ugh, hold on..." After this, he spoke to the Decepticons, trying to reason with them, "Uh, yeah, if you guys could just, you know, leave us be, we'll just be going to the brig anyway..." And then Skyfall turned around, looking for a distraction. Wheelie, from his high up vantage point also saw the yellow dancing Decepticon, and giggled as Skyfall said, pointing, "Hey! Who's that there? Why is he dancing?" Then, they began to sneak past the Seeker and the Terrorcon back to the line of Autobot prisoners.

“Good one Skyfall. That should do it. And if it doesn't….”, Wheelie started off with a happy rhyme which ended on a note not so sublime, “we just blew it!”

Neither of the Decepticons had taken the bait. The blue Seeker got in their way and started going off on the bird-con about why he shouldn't eat Wheelie, and then he questioned Skyfall’s intentions of rejoining the line and stated he didn't care about any dancing yellow guy. The bird also wasn't leaving, and argued with the Seeker briefly before drooling oil from it's beak, looking at Skyfall and Wheelie and referring to them as tasty treats.

When the bird whirled around with his sharp wings outspread, Wheelie was almost cut severely along his upper body, but thanks to the gust of wind that came with the bird-con’s maneuver, he was blown away and only took a light cut as opposed to a deep gash.

“Gehhh!!”, Wheelie winced in pain. The cut stung, spanning from his left upper arm and across his chest to his right shoulder. A little higher and it would have been his tiny neck. However, despite the pain, he didn't allow himself to fall completely. He grabbed onto a part of Skyfall’s back and began to climb again, biting back the pain. He came once more up to Skyfall’s shoulder, letting out a huff. He glared at the Decepticon bird angrilly, and also gave his glare to the Seeker, and demanded, “Let us go back to the line, you swine!”, he said primarily to the Seeker before adding, “And if you ever think you’ll dine on these servos, then your processor is as dense as your Momma’s curvos!”, he insulted the bird-con’s maker….whoever they were, not that it mattered.

Thank Primus the bird-con was leaving. Wheelie stuck his tongue out at the ugly mech as he left and made a noise of disgust. Now there was just this big blue Seeker bully left to deal with.

“Then escort us back to the line if you don't believe us, you beavus.”, Wheelie snapped boldly at the blue Seeker, while holding onto Skyfall’s nearest pylon as he remained standing on his shoulder.

Semper Tyrannus: near the bar

As he and Nova Storm neared the bar, Acid Storm noted they encountered less and less mechs And upon entering the bar they found it very quiet.

He didn't figure that would last long, but at least the two would be able to find a comfortable spot. He walked to the bar to order some energon.

"Maybe we should call up Stormy to help liven this place up a bit." He said to Nova with a soft chuckle.

Semper Tyrannus: outside the bridge

At Cyclonus’ dismissal, Bludgeon nodded curtly and turned to exit the bridge, Bomb Burst right behind him.

Bomb Burst sent a quick communique to Nightbird to start digging for information on Hardshell. He then turned his attention to Bludgeon.

“Master Bludgeon, the report on Hardshell.” Bomb Burst said softly after they cleared the bridge.

--

“Proceed.” Bludgeon replied.

---

“Nightbird is seeking more information, however….” Bomb Burst began, though paused briefly to bring up his report on his data pad. “Pretty straightforward. Arrogant, boastful, determined, focused. I don't see it being a problem, though.”

---

Bludgeon nodded. Could be a liability, the arrogance… but not one likely to come into play. His only concern the apparent competitiveness.

“Give me your data pad.” He ordered and Bomb Burst obliged without hesitation.

He pulled up the information and the notes Bomb Burst had been making during their briefing with Scorponok and Cyclonus… going over the plans the Vampire had been working on.

Nothing had changed with the assassin. For this he was glad. Bomb Burst was probably the best strategist of the lot… besides himself. But it was the attention to detail that made him particularly useful in planning, something that came naturally to those who attack from the shadows. For one wrong move could extinguish their spark.

--

“I think, given the fact the Insecticons will be joining us we shouldn't worry as much about the noise and bring Skullgrin.” Bomb Burst volunteered. “The Insecticons would likely be more quiet than Skullgrin, but I think we can trust him to not be excessively noisy, like Snarler would.”

--

Bludgeon nodded. Bomb Burst knew what he was doing. And had a valid point. Having Skullgrin as a just in case might be good. “Bring him along.” He finally said as he headed them for the bounce chamber where the space bridge was, handing back the data pad to Bomb Burst.

---

Bomb Burst didn't bother responding, just took his data pad. >>'Skullgrin, Nightbird, meet us at the space bridge’<<

Semper Tyrannus: Ammunition Magazine

Nightbird frowned once receiving Bomb Burst’s message. The scavenger hunt through the ammunition was at an end… and no good toys to be had. >>’On my way.’<< she responded to her boss. >>'Skullgrin, I have some ammo for you.’<<

She leapt from the shelf she was on, barely making a sound as she got the floor, and headed to Snarler's location to drop off the ammo for him.

Hangar

“Monstercons, we have our orders. Let us proceed as instructed and learn where the fates will take us.”

Icepick nodded, but not without a little bit of trepidation. This..."onboarding".....process that Scorponok had put into place could well put an end to whatever grander plans he might have shared with Umbra for her future in the Decepticon empire. Slog, to his credit, appeared to have similar musings.

“I request the femme accompanies us. She is… new to our team.”

The two Seekers looked at each other.

"Monstructor...Seven?"

"I guess so. This Slog guy is supposed to coordinate with Hungrr and Snaptrap. And I'm not messin' with either of those two."

"Same."

"Alright, go. Just go. Next!"