The Energon Pub

Mount Melanos

"Wow...pretty gutsy move," Rad said as Highbrow gave him the rundown on where Roadbuster supposedly was. He felt a mixture of both concern and regret. Obviously he didn't want another Autobot putting themselves in jeopardy like that. They'd already lost Skyhammer for his ridiculous levels of bravery. If they lost Roadbuster too, they were really going to be hurting the next time the 'Cons came knocking. Still, he regretted that he hadn't thought of doing the same thing. It might've made him feel at least a little better for leaving Skyhammer the way he had, orders or not.

He then headed over to one of the workstations and sits down, bringing up the basic operating systems of the base. Obviously it hadn't been used excessively, but the place had been used. Recently, even, so the equipment wasn't as archaic as some of the research outposts that he'd been stuck on before coming to this one.

>>"'Buster, this is Rad, if you're receiving this comm, respond. We need to know you're all right out there. What's your status?"<<
___

Outside Koraja

"I will," Soriza said simply as she nodded and allowed Kreb to go off and do what he did best without any further distraction from her.

Deep within, she was already wishing that there was a better way to deal with these 'Decepticons'. If there was, she could not see it. But that did not mean that she would stop looking.

For now, however, she would simply have to wait and see how exactly this 'camp' that the insect creature spoke of took shape.

Arvassian Range

Over the tall full foliage of the forest a squadron of Decepticons, led by Black Shadow, rocketed toward the infiltration base that the Con was in charge of. Within the confines of the base he and his team landed. One of the guards made his way to Black Shadow and began ushering the captured Nebulans off of the Decepticon. Once he was relieved of his burden Black Shadow transformed, a broad smile on his faceplate. It was then Blue Bacchus entered the hanger.

“Ah, Commander, very nice haul.”

Blue Bacchus smirked as he watched the green flesh creatures file out and into the corrals. Once the other members of the team had unloaded their captured Nebulans, they each transformed and exited the hanger so that they could resume their previous assignments. Black Shadow looked over at his partner in crime and let out hearty laugh.

“All in a day’s work, my dear Blue! Now, how goes the work on the facilities? Have they been completed?”

Blue Bacchus took out a datapad and began running through the information contained therein. As the two Decepticons made their way out of the hanger Blue filled in the Commander on all the activity that had recently taken place.

Command Center

They entered the command center of the base and Black Shadow took a seat.

“Excellent job, Blue. I should leave you in charge more often.”

“You usually do, Black. You know, when you go off on some cockamamie ‘task’?”

Black Shadow waved his hand and turned away from his friend.

“Pft! It was one time. Now, what of…”

The Commander let out a low sigh as he received a message from Turmoil.

>>"Black Shadow, how long until you are able to send out the first Nebulan work units to assist our own construction units?"<<

Black Shadow looked over his shoulder at his partner. He was looking for an absolute answer to Turmoil’s query and he got it in the form of a nod. Satisfied, Black Shadow opened a comm link with Scorponok’s second.

>>”Ah, Turmoil, so good to hear from you, sir. The first units have already been outfitted with their new neckwear and are awaiting deployment. Another unit has just been acquired and will be ready within the next cycle.”<<

Outskirts of Koraja - Decepticon Headquarters

>>"About time. Just make sure you do not send office rats to do construction workers' job. Free labor they may be but I have no desire to waste time and resources on incompetence. In fact, I am rather curious on how you managed to miss the fact that there is an Autobot commando unit deployed on this planet in your initial report?"<< Turmoil replied back to Black Shadow while opening a simultaneous link to the bridge of the Perdition. >>"Reflector report on your progress on the orbit."<<

Orbit of Nebulos—Bridge of the Perdition

////TARGET: DESTROYED\\\\

The message flashed on the screen once again, indicating that the Perditions weapons systems had once again performed their duty. Reflector sat quietly on the bridge, each of the three units staring silently at various readouts that were being displayed on the bridge’s consoles as well as holodisplays in their general vicinity.

////SCANNING\\\\

////PRIMARY TARGETS: DESTROYED\\\\

////SECONDARY TARGET: UNDETECTED\\\\

The Autobots had been craftily employing the Nebulans' own satellite technology to enable their orbital jumps and bounces to remain untraceable. It was a clever move, but one that would only delay the Decepticons in hunting them down. Whatever ship remained in orbit, however, had thus far managed to avoid detection. That would no longer be the case when they eventually caved in to their more fearful natures and attempted to run again by employing the same means. Reflector would have the coordinates he wanted, and the mighty fist of Decepticon orbital resources would rain down a swift and bitter end for those who tried to hide up here. The same fate would befall those on the surface shortly thereafter. If the Great War had taught them anything, it was that the Autobots could be a continuous nuisance. It was a reality that Reflector was being reminded of firsthand.

>>"Reflector report on your progress on the orbit."<<

How conveniently timed, Reflector thought, before opening a response channel with the other thuggish Decepticon commander that had been assigned to this region.

>>“We have eliminated all Nebulan orbital resources of significance. The next time the Autobots attempt to use their bounce technology, we’ll have them and their ship. Whatever hope they had of remaining hidden is gone. We also…”<<

Reflector paused, as a new flag appeared on one of the planetary monitoring screens that was displayed in front of the Spyglass unit. The screen was flashing red. Reflector enlarged the screen and transferred it to the primary bridge viewscreen.

>>“…the Perdition’s systems are registering a significant meteorological event developing in the area of the Arvassian Mountain Range. It appears to be multi-elemental. The eye of the atmospheric storm appears to be over the center of the original impact point of High Commander Scorponok’s initial orbital bombardment. It is spreading.”<<

Command Center

>>"About time. Just make sure you do not send office rats to do construction workers' job. Free labor they may be but I have no desire to waste time and resources on incompetence. In fact, I am rather curious on how you managed to miss the fact that there is an Autobot commando unit deployed on this planet in your initial report?"<<

A hateful scowl formed on the Unit Commander’s face as listened to Turmoil. By the time Scorponok’s second inquired about the Autobot commando unit, Black Shadow’s jaw was clenched tight as he fought back the urge to berate his superior. Fortunately, he was able to calm himself before he offered a response. He adjusted his position in the chair at the same time he cleared his vocalizer and cracked a confident smile even though Turmoil could not see him.

>>”Commander, I can assure you that it was neither me nor my team was sanctioned to sniff out any Autobot activity. That task fell upon Banzai-tron and his intelligence team. According to my duty logs the Infiltration Unit was to observe the natives, and gather information, and that a team of intelligence officers would take care of scouring the planet to locate any Autobot units. So, I believe the fault lies with Banzai-tron and his incapable team.”<<

Black Shadow leaned back in his chair, a smug smirk etched on his face as he waited for Turmoil’s response to the information that was fed to him.

The Folassian Forest - Autobot Command Bunker

Horri-Bull had finished his sweep of the exterior and let out an annoyed snort. >>"Ain't squat here on the exterior and the place looks as dead as the last guy who made fun of Scourge's beard Snappy. So do we head in and wast Roadbuster and anyone else in there or we playing the ever so fun waiting game...cuz that's not a good idea with me. I tend to leave black oozing puddles if I stand in one spot for too long."<< He radioed to his comrade, hoping for good news.

Koraja Outskirts - Fortress Tenebrous

It was no secret that Turmoil despised the Banzai-Tron's Intelligence Service. While he lacked the proof to condemn them for their numerous breaches of the Tyrest Accord, it was only because of them being too good in covering their tracks. He would catch them eventually, he was certain of this. Sharing Cybertronian technology with other species just wasn't acceptable.

>>"Curious. It is not a standard protocol to utilize Banzai-Tron's Intelligence Service for work that falls under jurisdiction of an Infiltration cell. Are your subordinates so incompetent that you were forced seek assistance from Banzai-Tron's kin? I require a full report of your dealings with them sent to me within 5 breems."<<

With a reply sent to Black Shadow, Turmoil directed to his attention elsewhere. While a reason for this particular information blackout was obviously an issue that had to be dealt with, it was hardly a matter of priority right now. What Reflector had reported was far more pressing and would affect all life on the surface, biological or cybernetic by nature.

>>"Excellent Reflector. I believe it is time to issue our offer to the Nebulans again. Keep monitoring the situation."<< Turmoil replied to Reflector before turning his gaze over to Sonicstorm, the comm-officer assigned to him. "Keep monitoring the situation and send a message to all Decepticons in the system regarding the situation."

The smaller Decepticon nodded as an acknowledgement and prepared a system wide message to all Decepticons. >>"This is Communications Officer Sonicstorm of the Second Expansion Fleet. By Vice-Commander Turmoil's orders, all Decepticons on the surface are required begin screening their immediate vicinity for excessive ash and dust concentrations that the winds are bringing over Koraja sector from the impact point of Arvassian Mountain range. Once the safety limit is exceeded, all personnel are required to seek shelter to avoid unnecessary damage to servos and bearings."<<

Outside Koraja

More of the insectoid creatures had come, though they were not at all like the one whom Soriza had spoken with before. These were silent, almost as if they were carrying out simple pre-programmed orders of someone above them. Drones. The doctor's residence--even in this short span of time--had quickly lost its traditional Nebulan style and was quickly becoming unrecognizeable.

The word among some of the others was that more of the Decepticons would be coming here...ones more similar to the "Kickback" that she had spoken with previously. How they had obtained that information, Soriza did not know. She only hoped that it would benefit all of them who had embarked upon this course of action in the long run.
___

Korajan Underground--The Vault

The implications of Muzzle's words were dire. If these...things...had managed to infiltrate their society, at even the most basic levels, the repercussions would be severe.

That was why Galen had not hesitated. Motioning Muzzle and several others in the vicinity to join him, he quickly went to the area where Duran was being debriefed. When Galen and the others entered, Duran was sitting quietly on a single chair at the other side of the empty, white room.

Galen paused, looking over at Muzzle. By all accounts, this was simply another one of their World Watcher comrades. If this individual was not who he said he was...how were they to know any different?

"Peer Galen--greetings. Am I free to resume my duties?" Duran asked simply. Galen looked back at Duran.

"Um...not quite."

The Folassian Forest - Autobot Command Bunker

Skullgrin nods to Snaptrap and leads Horri-Bull on to check the sites of interest. Thankfully, the Autobots were being as foolish as ever, and despite having multiple perfectly good sites to make hidden escape hatches, most of the sights were untouched clay and rock. It was only on the fourth suspect site that he finally found an airvent. Not even a proper escape route, just a part of the cooling system that a smaller autobot could use. Still, had to be dealt with.

Skullgrin looks around at Horribull returning from his own round. "Its unfortunate that we don't have proper equipment with us, Horri-Bull. The ideal solution with a tunnel like this one would be to boobytrap this tunnel with explosives, and let the fleeing Autobots be the ones that cause their own destuction." [Like turbo-lemmings, falling to their own doom. Gyahahahahah!!] "As it is..." Skullgrin sticks a Slagmaker rifle into the tunnel and fires, melting the metal supports and collapsing the vent. "We can but keep them in, and trust in the Air Commander to prevail."

[It should be I in there!! They'd die screaming in their holes!!]

We both know thats retarded. Let Big Hero Cyclonus be the one to trip the Autobot trap. Glorys only useful if you're alive to bask in it.

The Folassian Forest - Autobot Command Bunker

"I dunno Skully, there's something to be said for holding the power core of your dead foe that's so satisfying. Plus the last time I thought I killed someone this way...well let's just say Hardhead made a beeline for me. The one time I regretted smelling so potent." Before Horri-Bull could continue his rant he heard Sonicstorm's transmission. "Slag it...is everyone goin' to ruin my day out? Now what?"

Korajan Underground - The Vault

Muzzle gave Galen a quick glance as the leader of the World Watcher seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then again, why wouldn't he? They had no evidence of any kind aside the curious fact that the mechanical monster had avoided delivering a killing blow against Duran twice. Was Duran one of the aliens? Or perhaps a carrier of their spying equipment without knowing. Whatever it was, they had to investigate into this matter.

"Sir? We need several blood samples and have Arcana to scan him." Muzzle addressed Galen. "I don't like this either but the if it is as we feared, the consequences could be severe."

The Folassian Forest--Autobot Command Bunker

"Geez, you 'Cons only come in two varieties don't ya?" Roadbuster retorted as he slammed a fresh magazine into his rifle. "You're either cock and nuts, or calm and arrogant? I gotta say, both varieties really grind my gears."

The large Autobot once more emerged from his cover as he found Cyclonus out in the open and squeezed off a burst of fire from his rifle before he dove in the opposite direction. He peaked around the corner again and fired a second burst, this one not so much aimed as just a spray of bullets. As much as he could love to stay and take care of Cyclonus in a permanent fashion he knew he didn't have the time as reinforcements were likely already on site or on the way. Checking to see if the coast was clear he dashed for the bases central computer and set the auto destruct, giving himself enough time to engage Cyclonus for a limited time before he needed to escape. Once the destruct code was entered he made sure it could only be overridden with his personal voice code, and then with a large fist he smashed the control panel to make sure that no one could get in to hack the system if they had the time.

Know he had a few breems to fight it out Roadbuster turned his attention back to Cyclonus. He rasied his weapon and unloaded the rest of it down the corridor where his opponent was located, followed by two smoke canisters being launched and bursting and began to flood the room with a smoke screen. Carefully moving away from the smashed console Roadbuster once more reloaded his rifle as he took careful steps, trying to minimize the noise he was making so to make it harder for him to be located.

"Alright, looks like we are playing tag. First one to die loses."

The Folassian Forest--Autobot Command Bunker

The transmission from Sonicstorm had not fallen on inactive auditory receptors, but the environmental conditions above ground were of minimal concern to Cyclonus at the present time.

The Air Commander could not help but grin slightly at Roadbuster's assessment of the Decepticon ranks. In some respects, he was not that far off. Cyclonus himself had a similar view of many of the rank-and-file soldiers who had allied themselves under Megatron's banner. Fortunately arrogance did not equal incompetence. Cyclonus would proudly serve under a leader that was confident in their skills, even overly so, over one that refused to take all necessary steps to ensure their continuation of their species. Now, however, was not the time to engage in a philosophical debate. There were lives at stake here. Namely, their own.

Before Cyclonus could get out any sort of verbal response, his upper torso was tagged with at least two more random shells that had been fired down the corridor where he was located, staggering the sleek Decepticon. He fell back against a retaining wall before quickly moving in to cover again, even as the corridors began to fill with smoke. It was clear that this Autobot had no interest in the close quarters combat that Cyclonus would have found to be so satisfying right now.

"Such brave talk from an Autobot who seems so content to fight from the shadows. Rarely have I seen such a perfect example of your Prime's hypocrisy. Pitiable. I had expected more."

Cyclonus' audio receptors had detected something else amidst the chaos and confusion. Roadbuster had destroyed something within the bunker. Whatever he had been doing, Cyclonus did not know, but it was clear now that Roadbuster was alone, distracting them from wherever the others had escaped to. Moreover, Turmoil's suggestion that the Wrecker playbook of scorching the terrain in their wake was all the more likely now. Cyclonus had no intention of risking the other Decepticons he had called along on this operation simply to scour the planet of one meager Autobot.

"So be it, then," Cyclonus said, more to himself than anything, as he ejected an incendiary missile from his internal armament load. Scanning for the small opening that had allowed him in to the bunker to begin with, Cyclonus turned and launched the missile down the corridor where Roadbuster had last been. "Play with that, Autobot."

Turning, Cyclonus took to the air and launched himself towards the aperture and out of the bunker altogether.
___

Nebulos Orbit--Bridge of the Perdition

"It will be as you command, Turmoil," Reflector said, obediently, satisfied that his communication with the brutish Decepticon had been suitably brief. Now he could turn his attention back to the more pressing matters of tracking down this errant, Autobot vessel.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Reflector said, the optics on each of the composite units flickering dangerously as they returned their attention to the Perdition's various scanning and weapons systems.

(OOC: Okay, time to move on.)

Koraja: Capital Dome

With no response from Kickback, Bombshell slowly began to lose his patience. He could not expect Repugnus to go down with just himself, and Shrapnel. This was not like Kickback at all, especially when there was opportunity for them. Still, Bombshell was simply going to ahve to address kickback in person. Luckily, being a fellow Insecticon, Bombshell could track him down with no problem.

He just needed Shrapnel and Chopshop to follow him as he turned his attention to the two Insecticons.

"Come! We'll meet with Kickback, then deal with the issues at hand. Perhaps we can work out some fortuitous agreement that could better benefit our position." he told them.

Bombshell walked over to Skyhammer and hoisted the Autobot over his shoulder. While remaining in robot mode, he took off into the air, still carrying the captive Autobot. He flew in Kickback's direction expecting Shrapnel and Chopshop to follow.

Mount Melanos

"No response. Either he is too engaged to reply or worse yet a prisoner...or a corpse." Highbrow readied his weapons. "It behooves me to be a man of my word and go back for him. Do not try to impede me, I would rather perish then fail another comrade, nor do I ask any to follow on what may be my final act." He then begins to leave the cave to go after Roadbuster.

Mount Melanos

Rad's circuits were buzzing even harder now. If Roadbuster wasn't answering his comm, it couldn't be for any good reason. Not now that the Decepticons were on the planet. In Skyhammer's absence, Roadbuster had started to become something of their de facto leader. Now what? It seems like everyone that had been stationed on this planet had been out of action for so long that as soon as a threat emerged, they were all vying to be "the Last Autobot", standing proud agianst the Decepticons when everything else had fallen to the wayside. Rad could understand the sentiment, as he was having to resist the very same notion.

"It 'behooves'? Who? You? Are you glitched?!" Rad called out, even though Highbrow was already on his way out. "That place will be crawling with 'Cons...!"

But Highbrow was out of Rad's field of vision before he could even get out everything he wanted to say.

"...by now," Rad mumbled, mostly to himself at this point. Now Rad was faced with the exact same dilemma. Stay here, where it made sense and start regrouping? Or follow Highbrow anyway in to whatever Pit Roadbuster had currently found himself in?

"Slag...slag...slag....," Rad grumbled, slamming his fist against the wall. He was not a commander for a variety of reasons. Situations like this were one of the biggest.
___

Koraja--Capital Dome

Shrapnel chittered quietly at Bombshell's quiet display of authority. He could only imagine what Venom must be thinking of everything that was transpiring down here. The upcoming orns would be very entertaining indeed.

When Bombshell took to the air, victim in tow, Shrapnel and Chop Shop followed suit, just as they were expected. Shrapnel figured Bombshell wanted Ransack and Barrage to remain in Koraja for one reason or another. Unlucky them. After Sonicstorm's transmission and the way the skies were darkening unnaturally in the area, Shrapnel was not at all averse to putting some distance between himself and whatever that was. Perhaps there were other opportunities to be had on this planet. Opportunities that those in command might not be so keen to share with the likes of them.

"So typical of Kickback to not keep us actively apprised of what he's up to up to. We will find out for ourselves ourselves."
___

Korajan Underground--The Vault

"Scans? Blood work? Exuse me, sir, but what exactly do you think happened to me up there?" Duran asked, looking from Galen to Dor Muzzle. "Were we exposed to something?"

Galen continued to watch Duran, examining every word he said. Every facial tic. He could not say that he had ever been good friends with the man, but they were solid acquaintances. If what Dor Muzzle was suggesting was even remotely true, he would hope that he could see it.

"All of you on the extraction team were subjected to direct contact with a hostile non-native. These are precautionary measures, for all of us," Galen said. He motioned for Muzzle to leave the room with him. Once they were outside of the debriefing room, he motioned for the other scientists in the area to come closer.

"Do what needs doing, Muzzle. But...if he is what you suggest he might be, we will need a stronger containment unit. If he is not, then I suggest our friend Duran is long overdue for that promotion he has been angling to obtain."

Korajan Underground--The Vault

Galen had left before Gort could get in a word edgewise. He started to go after them in the hopes of finding out what that exchange was all about when one of the security team blocked him. "Sir, you need to get get tested as Peer Galen requested."

"No, he said your extraction team. I'm a civilian who came upon them and decided to render aide. I'm no World Watcher." Gort says. "Besides I..."

"Sir, please, don't make me use force." The guard says.

"Better men than you have tried and not been able to walk off. HOWEVER...if i do this will you go let me speak to Galen?" Gort says, not really wanting to punch out one of his own.

"I'll let him know you want to talk but...it's...it's up to him." The guard says, intimidated by Gort.

"Good, let get this nonsense done then. Where do I go?" Gort asks.

"Follow those men over there." The guard points.

Korajan Underground—The Vault

Arcana and a number of other Nebulan scientists had entered the new examination room where Duran had been transferred so that the necessary tests could be completed. From a cordoned off area, Galen watched via one-way glass as the various biological samples were collected. If Duran had somehow been co-opted as an offworld spy, he certainly seemed to be an agreeable one. Galen was not yet sure of whether or not that was a good sign.

“Peer Galen,” another Peer councilor greeted the head of the World Watchers.

“Peer Sorgen,” Galen said, clasping his hands together in acknowledgement of the other Peer. “I thought you might have taken leave with Soriza and others.”

“The temptation was there, I assure you. In light of these world-shaking events, however, I can find no clearly preferable alternative to remaining here. Thus…,” Sorgen smiled, spreading his hands open to either side of him, indicating their present surroundings. Galen grinned and nodded.

“Better alternatives are indeed few and far between,” Galen said, returning his attention to the medical screening process that Duran was currently undergoing. “What talk is there from the other regions?”

“As you might suspect, it is as unclear and divided as the Council’s own. Some clamor for us to take more decisive action. Others are more than prepared to acquiesce to these physically superior beings. Others are willing to go further still.”

“They are the ones that worry me, Sorgen. How much further will these metal men have to push before even those who have real hope that we can return to the lives we once lead will lose it?”

“A question that I can not answer, my Peer. We must do what we can to provide it, regardless,” Sorgen said, before noticing that another World Watcher was closing in on Galen’s position. He stepped aside quietly.

“Peer Galen, examinee Gort has requested a word with you once the examinations have been completed,” the younger World Watcher reported. Galen nodded.

“I suspect each of them will want more than a few ‘words’. I will speak with all of them, together, when this process is complete. They may have more answers for me than I do for them.”

“Yes, my Peer.”

Koraja—Outskirts

When Soriza stepped out of the surgeon’s residence, she was greeted by an image that was much different than when she had first arrived here. Crude metallic structures and enclosures had been erected throughout the entirety of the surgeon’s vast acreage. Metal creatures similar in design to the ‘Kickback’ that she had spoken with previously were busy erecting more and expanding upon what they had already built. In addition to their obvious physical superiority, they were obviously a very industrious species, to have constructed so much in such a short span of time. What was abundantly clear now was the reality that Soriza would not be leaving this encampment any time soon.

The first of the transports bearing additional Nebulan refugees arrived only a short time before. There was a steady line of them now, carrying numerous Nebulans fleeing not from carnage, but even the very idea that the destruction Scorponok had visited upon the Arvassian mountain range might be visited upon them at some point. She did not blame them. That same fear was what had prompted her to send out the very transmission that had motivated so many of them to come here seeking refuge in the first place.

“Look, Soriza,” peer Morticai said, pointing to the sky. “More of the foul things come. The sky darkens with them.”

Soriza looked up. Morticai was correct. Other creaturish Decepticons were closing in on the area. The sky’s unnatural tint could not be a simple coincidence. She had never seen the Nebulan sky take such a rust-colored shade. Surely it could not be a coincidence. What had the Decepticons done to their world?

She looked on as the journalist’s crew began setting up their equipment to shoot all of this for the world to see.

Capture it. Capture it all, Soriza thought.

Korajan Underground - The Vault

A lone Nebulan rushed into the cordoned off area where Galen was watching the test being performed on Duran and others. "Master Galen! Please listen to me! Your guards wouldn't let me explain! This is important!"

Two guards that had been following the intruder finally reached him and tackled the him on the floor. The other picking something from the index finger of the intruder before turning his gaze to meet Galen. "Our apologies peer Galen. This man managed to use a stun ring to get past of the guards. We will take him to custody."

"No! Please listen to me master Galen!" The man screamed, "The aliens! They may have doomed Nebulos! The weapon they used to destroy the Arvassian Mountain range... it was at least equivalent of an impact event from an asteroid body with diameter of several hundred meters! Our monitoring equipment indicates that the impact lifted enough chemicals and dust into the atmosphere to block significant amount of sunlight within southern hemisphere! In just few days that will mean dramatic drop of temperature! If the aliens use this weapon again, they could begin possibly a decade long planet wide winter will be the end for photosynthesizing and thus trigger a global extinction event!"

Korajan Underground--The Vault

Galen had not yet become so paranoid that the sudden outburst arrival of a fellow Nebulan had warranted anything other than a turn of the head. His facial features became only slightly more stoic and non-expressive than they already had been. He would have had the man sedated and carried away for his own battery of tests, were it not for the words that he had chosen.

Galen had heard some preliminary information about fallout from Decepticon Scorponok's devastating assault on the Arvassian mountain range but, in the grander scheme of things, it had seemed like information that could be put aside while they dealt with larger matters. That was quickly proving not to be the case.

Galen motioned for the guards to step away from the individual and allow him his space as Galen himself took a step closer, resting his right hand on the top of the man's head for a second.

"You do credit to bring this information to us. My thanks," Galen said.

"If we are to retaliate for what these men of metal have done to us, I would take this as no clearer sign that the time has come upon us," Sorgen added. Galen's brow furrowed, but not in frustration. He too, had been considering that very same idea.
___

The Folassian Forest--Autobot Command Bunker

After Cyclonus had burst through the opening that he and Scourge had tore through the uppermost levels of the bunker earlier, he touched down and addressed the other Decepticons that were in his immediate vicinity.

"There is but one lone Autobot within this structure. The others have abandoned it for safer havens. Our commander believes a Wreckerish strategy of scorched metal may be at play. I'm now inclined to agree. Clear the area and prepare for orbital bombardment procedures. We'll comb through the smoldering refuse to see if anything of value remains. The Autobot's continued functioning is irrelevant to me."

Wasting no more time, Cyclonus took to the air again, expecting the others who were in the area to follow suit.

>>"Cyclonus to Reflector--prepare for orbital bombardment on my command."<<
___

((OOC-Nudging this lad along until LS can return to resume doing so.))

Outside Koraja--Cicadus Compound

Kickback had transformed into his alternate mode in the hopes that this form would be able to assist putting the green-skinned natives more at ease. Thus far, it seemed to be an effective strategy. The green fleshies were far more open to discussion and even revealing some of the innermost worries and concerns, even as the world around them literally transformed right in front of their succulent little eyeballs.

The surroundings that had greeted Kickback when he first arrived at this Nebulan domicile were only vaguely familiar now. Core structures remained in place, but they had been expanded, terrain had been shredded and converted in to other raw materials for the drones to employ in their construction. Eventually, it would make a suitable nest, but for the time being, they would make it as reasonably comfortable for the natives as they could manage.

When the Nebulans' attention had been drawn to the approaching forms of more of their kind, Kickback simply smiled and waited. He had been expecting both of them, and he fully expected any number of diaclones to follow them before long.

"Bombshell...Shrapnel...welcome. I'm so pleased that I did not have to be pulled away from my efforts here. What exactly is so pressing on your end?"

Path between Autobot Bunker and Follassian Forest


Highbrow was doubled over in pain, clutching his chest. He still was having bouts of pain but he couldn't let it stop him. One wounded mech alone against the Decepticons, he had managed to hear Rad as he went off. Was Rad right in saying he mad for doing this?

He slowly rose. It was obvious he was alone in this. Spartan likely wrote him off, some too scared, some willing to write Roadbuster off. But then...what would that make of Skyhammer?

Highbrow's optics flare as he rises. "Insane or not, I know what I must do."

Above Koraja - The Pestilence

It had been clear for sometime now that if there were any Nebulans left in the city of Koraja that the Swarm had not injected with paralyzing agent - they were either hiding underground or fled. Searching the underground tunnels and facilities were better suited for more capable Insecticons. Thus, Venom had recalled the Swarm back into the Pestilence for recharge and maintenance. Not to mention the fact that he needed some time recalibrate his neural circuits from the strain of being in contact with over million tiny drones.

He hated the fact that he had had to stop monitoring the activities of his fellow Insecticons through the Swarm but it did not remove some of his other ways of keeping his watchful optics on his underlings. Unfortunately, given Turmoil's new orders, following those other signals would become far more difficult very soon. Because of approaching cloud of dust and and various chemicals from the destruction of Arvassian Mountain Range, Venom had been ordered to move the Pestilence back to the orbit.

The acting leader of the Insecticons couldn't really argue against the decision of his superior. While a Decepticon starship was hardly in danger of falling out of the skies because of this, prolonged stay within such of a concentration of dust and possible acid rain as well would force time and resource consuming maintenance work that was easily avoidable.

With the Swarm returned and ship systems readied, a transwarp portal was opened before the massive destroyer and within a span of 30 seconds, the massive ship was gone and the portal soon followed.

Nebulos Orbit--Bridge of the Perdition

>>"Understood, Commandant,"<< Reflector responded, the Spectro unit reactivating the ship's long-range weapons systems. He had already moved the ship in to position, just as he had been instructed and prepared for the possibility of this course of action earlier.

>>"The Perdition's weapon systems are ready,"<< Reflector added, once everything was brought online.
___

Koraja--Capital Dome

Apeface had been perfectly prepared to ignore Sonicstorm's transmission and continue enjoying the leisurely chaos that the Nebulan capital offered. There was always a good chance that a stray Autobot might wander back here and try to reclaim their comrade. When they did, he'd smash them too.

With the skies above darkening as unnaturally as they were, Apeface thought better of it. He might be brutishly strong, but he was also no idiot. If Turmoil and his other grunts had managed to set up a workable base of operations by now, Apeface figured now was as good a time as any to go there.

"I'm headin' for Turmoil's coordinates," Apeface grunted, now transforming back in to his ape mode. "Do what you want, Snaps."

The Folassian Forest - Autobot Command Bunker

Snaptrap had received Sonicstorm's warning regarding the potential for high concentration of ash and dust coming from the direction of the Arvassian Mountain range. So far, the levels were low, nothing for a mech like the Seacon leader to worry about anyway. His armor was capable of deflecting most enemy attacks, it could surely hold up for a good amount of time against mere dust in the air.

The Butcher of the Bogs listened as Horri-Bull reported his findings, which was nothing according to the smelly beast. "We wait as Cyclonus ordered. He will return shortly."

As if on cue, the Air Commandant burst forth from the hole in the ground and swiftly landed nearby. Turning to the gathered Decepticons, Cyclonus briefed them on the situation within the Autobot bunker and informed them of the intent to bombard the entire area from orbit. With the command to clear the area given, the purple mech took to the skies.

Snaptrap turned to Horri-Bull and Skullgrin. "You heard him. Let's go. Follow me." The Seacon leader ordered before he headed back down the same path he had previously made through the woods in order to reach the Autobot bunker.

The Folassian Forest - Autobot Command Bunker

Skullgrin ignored Horribulls nattering (Hardheads not dead, for a start...) as he listened to the incoming transmission. "Hmm...Typical of an organic planet's ecosystem to react so violently to a standard orbital bombardment." Cybertron had survived far worse for millions of cycles before it had become dangerous to live on, but this mudball was protesting already.

[FILTH!! Doesn't this mildew know that Skullgrin must kill, not hide from simple weather?!]

If Skullgrin planned to respond to his own whining, the reappearance of Cyclonus stopped him. He saluted and transformed to follow Snaptrap as they backed off. A good decision, Air Commander. Otherwise we'd be wasting time in the dust storm trying to smoke that Autobot out. Other, dumber Decepticons would call it cowardly, but really, its just being efficient.