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Rainforest of Patalappu

((OOC-Actions of a questionable nature already discussed with player beforehand.))

Apeface's position soon found itself engulfed--and he, too--in a flurry of energetic destruction. The Tesla-wielding glitch had already staggered the powerful Horrorcon when blasts from another direction entirely peppered against the Decepticon's powerful chassis. He didn't let it distract him though. The Horrorcon knew which one he wanted.

Stalking forward through the river, Apeface got his crushing hands around Scrape before he could charge up and let off another one of those Tesla blasts.

"That's the best you got, eh?" Apeface snarled through the surges of pain that registered as he lifted Scrape over his head and then slammed him down in to shallow waters near the river's edge. He then slammed both of his fists down in to Scrape's chest, grunting in satisfaction as he felt metal give and sparks fly.

"I got better."
___

Melanossus--Cormano Village

Rad watched as the small band of Insecticons landed on and around the satellite energy station that had clearly been corrupted for Decepticon use. He wasn't the type to go around blowing good cover when he had, but the small cadre of Autobots behind him had certainly made it even more worthwhile to not do so. No need to endanger more of their comrades, even if Rad didn't exactly know who these Autobots were yet. They hadn't exactly had occasion to trade war stories. Instead they watched silently as the little cluster of Insecticons went about their business.

"Alright guys, let's take 'em out," one of the voices behind him whispered.

"Whoa, wait, just like tha...?" Rad attempted to whispered back, but the small Autobot unit was already rushing past him, charging quietly up the slope.

"...alright," Rad said, checking his weapon and doing the same.

Melanossus

Pyro rolled down the frozen night shrouded mountain road, ice crunching into slush underneath his alternative form's specialized tires. He pulled to the side of the road more than once as smaller vehicles trudged up and down the same pass desperately spraying some chemical mixture onto the asphalt designed to melt the ice that was covering the black surfaces. Not really knowing what the long term effects were being exposed to the chemical, Pyro stretched out one of his portable sensor packages into one of the snow banks that had been pushed to the side of the highway. After collecting a few samples, his internal computers registered the primary component of the mixture as salt. It would explain the lack of vegetation along the pass.

The plows disappeared around the bend again and he resumed his slow trek to the valley below. As he approached the outskirts of the city, his sensors immediately alerted him of non biological energon signatures off his path. A quick analysis of the situation, terrain and of course the fact he was almost completely surrounded behind enemy lines, Pyro reasoned that it was some sort of Decepticon patrol designed to keep the locals subjugated.

The Autobot Ranger pulled into a local refueling station that had been powered down for the night. His sensors played around with the region, plugging the patrol into context of the region. They were on the outskirts, far from population centers. So logic would dictate that his initial reasoning was flawed. Perhaps they were not a subjugation squad but instead a patrol that was looking for something. If it had been the first option he would have avoided them. But given they were relatively stationary, if they were searching for something important then an altercation was unavoidable. Whatever the cons wanted, it was Pyro's intention to deny them their quest.

Reactivating his engine and switching over to stealth mode, Pyro rolled out of the fueling station and drove onto a side street. His headlamps were doused as he approached the collection of Cybertronian signals. Topography readings gave him the advantage as he drove up onto one of the higher elevation paths towards a collection of rocks.

Transforming to robot form, his chemical weapon drawn and pulled to his chest, Pyro pressed his body against a large boulder opposite the collection of signals. Again he offered his sensors one last sweep of the area to ensure that no organics had entered the potential battle zone. Satisfied, Pyro spun out of his position and leveled his weapon at the collection of...

"Autobots!" He allowed his optical scanners to adjust to the dim light of the planetary satellite that orbited over head, reflecting light from the day side of this world. Stepping down from his elevated position, his optics darted to the mechanism that had immediately called him by name. His weapon remained drawn and leveled off at the survivors before their forms finally resolved in his night vision display. "Rocktread. You survived."

He finally lowered his weapon and allowed it to snap to the magnetic strip along his right hip. "You and your team are definitely sights for sore optics." He came to a stop and allowed the other Autobots to gather. "It is good to see others were as fortunate as I."

Turning to register Pointblank he gave a brief nod. "Sir, Autobot Ranger, Pyro at your service." He did not bother to salute. Training had taught him that regardless of position, behind enemy lines saluting an officer usually spelled death for the officer. Snipers were a possibility around every corner, tree or stone all just looking for a chance to take out a head of a combat unit.

"I am glad to see that there are still survivors of the original investigation team still operational. The Decepticon armada over head did not exactly fill me with much hope in that regard."

Koraja

There were very few Nebulans remaining within the incorporated boundaries of the Nebulan capital. Having been given the order to evacuate, and order which had apparently come from these Decepticons directly, before being administered by the Council of Peers, Koraja was more or less a ghost of a city now--at least in terms of any organic life occupying it.

Arcana and his team were some of the last to leave. As they exited the remnants of the capital dome, they could see the imposing form of the one mechanical being that had been strung up and left hanging in the city square. Skyhammer, if Arcana remembered the discussions correctly. A warning to the others of their kind maybe? A warning to the populace at large? More likely.

As the head Nebulan scientist and his team climbed in to the large transport vehicle, they all spared a passing glance at the seemingly deceased mechanoid. Was it really dead? What constituted life to these creatures anyway? Arcana was not sure. What he did know was that they were going to have to interfere with it in some fashion if they ever hoped to regain the tranquility that they had once enjoyed. He was committed to that above all else now.

The vehicle sped off, leaving the darkened, increasingly-metallic city behind them.
___

Splendora

No sooner had Galen disembarked from the flight craft that had carried him and a number of other Peers who had elected to go to the popular resort city of Splendora, than Llyra had run to meet him, practically jumping in to his arms. Whatever these mechanical monstrosities were, their influence was not to be found here. The shimmering, crystal blue waters lined the far western edge of the city and then stretched on far beyond what the eye could see in to the ocean beyond. Many Nebulans came here to have the time of their lives. Galen, for his part, hoped that they could accomplish something more.

"I thought you'd never get here! I thought business might ensnare you again. Look....it looks just like it always has. Isn't it amazing?" Llyra said.

"Business? Our world has been taken over, Llyra. How could I not give it my utmost attention? It's just that I think Splendora might be a wonderful place to accomplish some of that business."

"Yes I know. The world's different. But father has not given up hope. I've spoken with him. He's frustrating. He does not see this as a crisis. He sees the opportunity. I don't know, perhaps there is a seed of truth in his views?"

"That seed is well-hidden if it is there, my love. These things will not simply hand our way of life back to us. And yet, I am not sure how to reclaim it."

"I believe in you. Nebulos will be ours again," Llyra said. "But come! Let's walk the silky beaches, before this invasion corrupts you as it has them."

Galen smiled as Llyra indicated those around him, all stone-faced with the seriousness of the situation that faced them. And rightfully so. The world was different now, yes. But Galen would take it back for all of them, even if it was to be his dying act. That he was certain of.

Command Center – Arvassian Range Facility

The grip that Black Shadow had on the arms of his chair increased to a near crushing hold. Speaking with the Vice Commander was never an enjoyable endeavor for the Infiltration Commander. Ever since the arrival of Turmoil, Black Shadow had the overwhelming urge to destroy anything in his path, but he fought to tame his needs; perhaps not to others around him. Now he sat stuck within a fortress in-charge of what? A few hundred miserable organics? I didn’t sign up for this. This was my planet. It was mine to conquer in the name of the Empire.

The answer that the Vice Commander gave only fueled Black Shadow’s hatred for him even more. The line was cut immediately after Turmoil gave his blessing to hunt down and capturing Spartan and his team.

Optics ablaze Black Shadow stood quickly and ripped the command chair from the floor and with feral scream, threw it across the room. The collided with a series of consoles which proceeded to spark and arc electricity from the damage. Teeth bared and internal fans whirring to cool his overheated internals, Black Shadow looked to Blue Bacchus, who had remained calm and composed.

“Will you be going out to hunt for Spartan and his team personally, or shall put together a team?”

The look of absolute rancor on Black Shadow’s face simply melted away as Blue inquired about their next move. Leave it to good ‘ol Blue to keep things on track. Black Shadow straightened up, placed both arms behind his back and cast his gaze away from Blue to the bank of windows looking out over the landscape.

“Oh come now, Blue. You know me better than that.”

“Of course I do.”

Blue signed off from his terminal and stood form his chair.

“When do we leave?”

It was then that Black Shadow finally looked to his long-time friend with a predatory grin.

“Now.”

(OOC: I’ll be NPCing Grotusque for a little bit.)

Mount Melanos – Workshop

Grotusque had already spent way too much time in the armory, but he just couldn’t help himself. There were so many interesting and, oh so dangerous weapons stored here. It was almost too hard to pick and choose what he wanted…almost.

With his final decision made the Monsterbot hoisted the small arsenal in his arms and quickly headed back to the workshop where he knew Doublecross and Repugnus would still be waiting.

Less than a breem and he was back with the others.

“Sorry I took so long fellas. Heh, there were just so many boom sticks to choose from. I nearly had a cranial shutdown from the excitement.”

With a wide grin spread across his face he looked from Doublecross and then to Repugnus.

“So, when do we get movin’ boss?”

Equatorial Desert – Underground Lava Chamber

Being equipped with the latest and state of the art weapons and sensors meant that nothing went unnoticed by Lockdown. A low hiss escaped his vocalizer as he realized that the rest of the Technobots now knew of his arrival. Lockdown began to pull his hook closer until the tip began to dig slightly into the gunner’s throat at the same time he leaned over again to whisper in Strafe’s audio.

“You’re gonna regret that.”

Lockdown began to tug away in an attempt to teat Strafe’s head form his shoulders but he stopped when the sound of an explosion overhead drew his attention. Not wanting to be impaled by any debris, Lockdown moved his hook down and around the Technotbot’s waist and pulled his prisoner back toward the wall.

“You’re friends aren’t very hospitable to visitors. I suppose I can’t blame them, but they’ll still need to be taught a lesson. Unfortunately, that’s where you come in.”

The sound of another explosion caught the bounty hunter’s attention once more. This one, however, came from below. With a quick scan Lockdown noted that one of the explosives that had been set on a wall with a live magma vein behind it had been detonated. Slowly the liquid rock began to flow into the chamber. It would only be a matter of time before the room was filled along with the adjoining tunnels.

“Heh. I don’t know what cutting off your only escape route will accomplish except less work for me, but I don’t think we’re gonna stick around to find out. Come on.”

With Strafe still hooked, so to speak, Lockdown began to guide his prisoner out of the underground tunnel system the way he had come in.

The Perdition - Bridge

Turmoil listened to Reflector's explanations, his anger still barely contained. He knew all too well that all Decepticon fleets were suffering from material and energy shortages. Even mighty battlecruisers like the Perdition were forced to operate far below their maximum capacity. Support frigates and destroyers where in even worse shape of disrepair. Had not the invasion of Nebulos been even this successful, a ship like the Rancor would have faced cannibalization to keep other ships of its class in working condition rather than being scheluded for repairs and refitting. For someone who had used for the Decepticon empire working like a well oiled machine - the empire's current shape was fuel pump aching.

"Next enemy vessel arriving into the system that does not immediately surrender is to be destroyed without second thought. We have the energon now to afford using the full power of this battlecruiser and its support fleet. It is now far too obvious that our forces are not properly conditioned or maintained to perform a simple task of disabling and boarding an enemy frigate." The massive Decepticon warlord instructed Reflector, his tone harsh and unforgiving.

"The solar flare and interference from the warpcore explosion aside - I want know whether or not possible system failures in our ships had anything to do with this travesty. Full instrument reports from all ships of the fleet are to be forwarded to me within the next breem." Turmoil continued while staring at view opening in front of him through the windows of the bridge. Wherever he turned his gaze he could see barely identifiable remains of the Farstar floating aimlessly in the space.

"If the High Commander has not replied back it can only mean he is engaged in an operation too sensitive to give his location away." He finally addressed Reflector's concern regarding not hearing anything from Scorponok. The option of Scorponok having perished was as unthinkable to Turmoil as if Reflector had claimed Megatron's spark being extinguished. The possibility was ridiculous and nearly impossible for him to even consider as an option.

"Have the prisoners revived for interrogation."



Rainforest of Patalappu

Snapdragon had just finished locking River's arms behind her back with energycuffs when his highly tuned sensor grind spotted movement towards an edge of a sheer cliff that over looked the pool of water under the rumbling waterfall. Had he been on an even level with the approaching signature, he would have spotted them earlier. Now they had almost taken him by surprise. Acting like he had not noticed anything, Snapdragon fired an almost invisible direct communications laser at both Deadlock and Apeface, informing the two Decepticons of approaching unidentified Cybertronian energy signatures.

>>"Two unidentified energy signatures on the cliff edge in southwest."<<

Tossing seemingly unconcious River on the River bank, Snapdragon turned to look directly at the direction where he had sensed Vestra and Trybium crawling towards the cliff edge. At this point there was little doubt of their hostile intension. And now the duo had to know he had spotted them as well. The moment he registered a flash a rangefinder laser, Snapdragon initiated transformation in to his interceptor mode and blasted into the skies with speed that would have made most seekers envious. Pulling off a high yo-yo maneuver, Snapdragon was now on a path to make an attack run at both Autobots on the cliff edge. Mere astroseconds later the two survivors from the Farstar were under a barrage of laser cannon and gyro blaster fire - an attack that ended almost as quick as it had began.

Melanossus

Pointblank just shook his head, his mood still somewhat sullen as Pyro addressed him as "sir".

"No need for that, Pointblank said, waving him off. "The command structure here since the Decepticons came is a joke. They wiped us out! Skyhammer's strung up in Koraja, which is slagging 'Con central right now. Those Spartanbots are AWOL. I haven't heard from Roadbuster, so his efforts to keep things together fell apart like a wave hitting a sand castle. No one's in charge. We're surviving now. That's it. That's as good as we can hope for, 'til somebody lets Optimus know we're stuck out here and that the Decepticons are plundering the planet blind."

Pointblank sighed and leaned against the nearby outcropping of rock again. As he let the quiet wash over his auditory sensors again, he picked up on something.

"Wait...is that energy fire?"
___

The Plains of Thok

>>"It should only be a matter of breems... what's your location, Cyclonus? I will return and allow the Sweeps to conclude the task,"<< Scourge had transmitted.

Cyclonus silently transmitted his exact position even as he closed the distance between himself and another of the Autobot refugees. Several Sweeps arced downwards like birds of prey, transforming and attaching themselves to the nearest autobot with almost precise, controlled ferocity. Truly they were huntsmen.

>>"Spare those Autobots who have managed to come out of this initial strike alive and have your men bring them to Tenebrous. Turmoil desires some functioning captives, though I know not why. I'm sure his reasoning will be clear soon enough."<<

An errant blast skimmed the edges of Cyclonus' angular face, garnering the warrior's direct attention. In one series of swift movements, Cyclonus was upon the shooter, disarming him and then tearing through several critical motor cords, incapaciting the smaller, weaker Autonot nigh-instantly.

"Your kind will never win!" the Autobot spattered, black, viscous fluid dribbling from his vocalizer. Cyclonus' optics met the Autobot's momentarily.

"That you do not recognize the inevitability of your defeat is one of the great tragedies of our time."

Cyclonus then summarily dropped the now crippled Autobot to the ground.

Equatorial Desert – Underground Lava Chamber

Skullgrin did not flinch as the expected barrage of counterfire began, peppering his surroundings with energy beams. It was part of the game. Each side tried to suppress the other, so that they could advance while their enemy cowered. That was why Skullgrin was so good at his job. Not just because his weapons worked for suppression, but because he would never let himself be suppressed.

[[Burn them to ashesss!!]]

In a moment, a moment...There!! Scattershot, I beleive he's called!

Skullgrin shifts forward, the acid rounds from the Technobot leader bursting around him, and sizzling at his outer armor. Annoying, and sure to cause a malfunction or two once it soaked in, but Skullgrins outer armor was resistant enough to withstand it for now. He warmed up his Slagmaker lasers as explosions began to ring, and snapped off a shot as Scattershot broke position.

Wait, somethings wrong, those charges weren't at the entrance, why set them off...

This question is answered as lava begins to splash around the chamber, and pools around Skullgrins track and underarmor. The temperature quickly becomes intolerable, as heat begins to seep through the weakened armor, into his systems.

No!! My tracks will get gummed, my components will shut down! I'll be trapped!

[[Don't you dare show fear!! You're the greatest of the Decepticons, you won't be defeated by these fools]]

I have to move, clear my tracks...I have to retreat, and find another angle to assault...ah the pain!

[[No Retreat!!]]

But its the only logical course!!

[[THEN TO THE PIT WITH LOGIC! THOSE WHO STAND AGAINST ME SHALL SOON FALL BEFORE ME!!]]

The Tank summons up some reserve of desperate power and plows through the lava flow, glowing red from the heat but still somehow moving. It charges on, and transforms to the tall form of Skullgrin, who leaps over the cover.

"GRRAAAAAAGNNNNGGGHHH!!!" A scream of unthinking rage and desperate frustration rings through the chamber as the Decepticon spots a target, Lightspeed, and rushes as him with his vibrosword.

Equatorial Desert - Underground Lava Chamber

Strafe’s entire body tensed up as the bounty hunter’s hook began to dig into his throat. Lockdown’s whispered threat didn’t help to ease the Technobot’s anxiety any and when the Decepticon attempted to rip his head from his body, the aerial gunner managed to bring both hands up and grab a hold of Lockdown’s hooked arm. Strafe knew that he didn’t have the strength the stop the bounty hunter, but at least fighting back was better than simply giving in to his untimely fate. Strafe may be high-strung, but he was as courageous as they come.

Thankfully, an explosion overhead stopped the forthcoming decapitation as Lockdown then moved his hook down around Strafe’s waistline before pulling him back against the rock wall. “I never regret helping my friends,” the aerial gunner was finally able to reply as he rubbed his sore throat with his right hand. A small amount of energon seeped out of a minor gash, but it was nothing too serious. The bounty hunter continued to utter his ignorant remarks just as Strafe relaxed a bit, but not too much. He wanted his captor to feel more at ease while at the same time staying alert and for any opportunity to escape.

Another explosion then shook the chamber, this time allowing molten rock to pour into the room. Lockdown did not seem to understand why the Technobots had rigged the chamber to fill with magma, and he had no intention of sticking around to find out. Pulling his prisoner along, Lockdown began to guide Strafe back out of the tunnel system in the direction where the bounty hunter had somehow gained entry. The anxious mech had few options as he was defenseless and clearly overpowered by his larger adversary. Regardless, the aerial gunner struggled a bit against his captor’s hooked grip, but it was useless and only served to waste precious energy. Hopefully, the other Technobots would be able to recuse him before it was too late.

“So....where are you taking me, Lockdown?” Strafe asked as the green and black ‘Con dragged him further away from the underground lava chamber. At this point he figured it was a safe question to ask, but not necessarily one he really wanted answered as parts of him would likely end up in the bounty hunter’s trophy case when all was said and done. Still, the Technobot was curious to know his fate as not knowing was far worse for a nervous mech such as himself. “You might as well kill me now because I’m not going to tell you anything. I’ll never betray my friends no matter what.”

Equatorial Desert - Underground Lava Chamber

Alright...so...blasting the explosives that started to release some of this volcanic pressure that surrounded them? Lightspeed thought it would be a pretty decent idea. It might have saved their hides and got the Decepticons to go fleeing in the opposite direction, allowing their group time to dig deeper and regroup. If it had been another batch of Decepticons, it might have panned out that way? Seeing Skullgrin charge through the magma flow, though, was about as close to the opposite effect as Lightspeed could have hoped for.

His optics widening, the Technobot data processor barely had time to get his weapon up to let off a stray and random shot before the Decepticon's vibro-blade impacted with his chest.

Lightspeed's optic sensors flashed a hundred different colors and twice as many conflicting signals as the blade did its damage, not only cutting through some key outer layers of his chassis but also slamming him against the bedrock of the volcano behind him.

No, this type of combat--in this setting--had been the exact opposite of what he had prepared for. Blast it.
___

The Perdition--Bridge

Reflector took Turmoil's adminishments as effectively as any Decepticon could have hoped to do. At least the larger Decepticon hadn't decided that he could accomplish his work just as effectively with two components.

"The Perdition's full capabilities will be utilized, Vice Commander," Reflector said dutifully to Turmoil's first set of orders. He then began using the Perdition's superior command access to begin obtaining the required diagnostic data from the other Decepticon vessels in the area.

The Spectro component stepped away from his console as Turmoil's last order came through.

"They will be revived," he said, while the other two components maintained their focus on their current tasks.

Underground Magma Chamber

If Nosecone could ever be surprised anymore, he would have just then when Skullgrin seemed to charge through the slow-moving molten rock. He sighed and aimed his X-Ray Pistol at Skullgrin's back just as Skullgrin slashed at his comrade, he fired a volley of X-Rays shortly thereafter.

He then noticed that Lockdown making off with Strafe by carrying him out of the chamber by the neck. It was odd, he didn't notice that exit... Either way, his comrade was in danger of being captured and he couldn't let his friend go through that.

He sneaked away from the battle in the Magma Chamber and followed Lockdown through the tube. He looked at the ceiling above Lockdown, it wasn't as structurally sound as the rest of everything. He noticed that if he fired a missile ahead of him, the ceiling would collapse in front of the Decepticon Bounty Hunter and block his path. He would have to see just how fast Lockdown could go through falling rock...

He fired one of his videocomm tracking Missiles and his HUD showed what it saw. He turned it to where it whizzed by Lockdown and spun up to the ceiling in front of him. The Ceiling collapsed and blocked off the exit within seconds. The dust covered whether or not it worked, but it will reveal itself in a few seconds...

*****

City of Koraja

Nightbeat was careful not to transform or do any damage to the Insecticon Swarm, as they would know if one of their own was attacked. He sidestepped into and alley to dodge a Bombshellclone coming down the same road he was, munching on a piece of metal.

He jogged down the alley to another street when he heard a ship fly over. It didn't look like a Transformer he knew... Natives maybe? He looked for anything that might solidify his suspicions on the ship being a Native ship. He saw some small text on the side, he looked closer to reveal the same text on the sign he saw on the way into the city.

They were definitely natives.

He heard rustling behind him, he quickly turned and drew his weapon to find that a Diaclone was eating a building blindly, as it didn't notice him.

He stepped backward until he saw that he was clear of the side of the building, he sidestepped away as silent as a breath of air. He turned away from the alley to find a horrid sight: Skyhammer.

He jogged up to the form of Skyhammer, destroyed and strung up for all to see. He had to do something. He untied Skyhammer's limbs and he lifted the mech over his shoulder and he looked over to where the trees picked up, and where safety lies, and began to make his way there, but still sticking to the shadows.

City of Koraja - Ruins of the Capital Dome

There was luck and then there was fool's luck. For Nightbeat, it was undboutly the latter. The former capital city of Nebulos was swarming with Decepticons tasked with tearing down everything that had been left standing to be recycled and used for their own purposes. The fact that he had managed avoid being noticed so far couldn't be classified as anything else. However, one's luck could go on only for so long. This was Koraja, the seat of power for the Decepticon Empire on this world - and Nightbeat was there alone, so very alone. And so very visible.

Dozens of pairs of optics were following Nightbeat's movements. Silent and unseen, filled with hatred and lust for the energon flowing within the detective's body. They had spotted the lone Autobot over half an hour ago but had decided to observe instead of attacking their prey. Who was this Autobot foolish enough to wander alone into the stage where High Commander Scorponok had decided this world's fate? The very same stage where Skyhammer had plead for the Council of Peers to listen to him and fight the Decepticons only to be reduced into a living monument of the power of the Decepticon Empire by the Horrocon Snapdragon. No member of Skyhammer's own team could have been so daring. Or foolish. The only possible answer was that this particular Autobot did not know what had taken place in here. And that had been enough to for Barrage to stay his trigger finger and follow the Autobot in his miniature insect mode along with a group of his diaclones.

>>"Bombshell. Barrage. We have an Autobot intruder. Identification: Nightbeat. Likely a survivor from the Farstar. He has 'freed' Skyhammer. Is your cerebro unit inside him still functional?"<<

Koraja

Bombshell had felt a stirring inside his core that told him something was amiss. At present, there were only two operational cerebro shells functioning externally. One was safely embedded in the mind of a Nebulan that was just now arriving in Splendora. The other had been inactive for so long that Bombshell's processors had classified it dormant and devoted minimal processing power to tracking its activities. It had been the cerebro-shell that had been placed in to the brave and noble Autobot Skyhammer. He had been strung up in front of their conquest of Koraja for so long that Bombshell had practically forgotten him altogether.

That was until about a half-breem ago.

Bombshell dropped to the ground and focused as he began receiving new signals. He could see....he could see the lakes near the Capital Dome. Sweeps. Seekers. Diaclones. Descent. Then movement. Skyhammer. But he wasn't moving by himself. Some mech was carrying him.

"What is it? Is it?" Shrapnel hissed in Bombshell's direction.

>>"Bombshell. Barrage. We have an Autobot intruder. Identification: Nightbeat. Likely a survivor from the Farstar. He has 'freed' Skyhammer. Is your cerebro unit inside him still functional?"<<

Bombshell continued to "watch" through the eyes of his Autobot captive as they moved towards some of the forest areas in the vicinity of the capital. Such a brave Autobot it would take to attempt something so brazen. So brave, and yet so foolish.

>>"Oh yes,"<< Bombshell transmitted audibly, so both Barrage and Shrapnel would understand. >>"I see everything."<<

"What do you mean you 'see everything'?" Kickback said.

"The intruder," Bombshell began, barely paying attention to his Insecticon comrades as he focused on what the cerebro-shell was transmitting. "It's Nightbeat. He's 'rescued' Skyhammer. How delicious."

"Then we finish him now now!"

"No!" Bombshell barked, holding up one hand. Normally he would not think to be that aggressive in his response to Shrapnel, but the current circumstances demanded it. The potential was too rich. "If you were an Autobot and had just rescued one of your beloved brothers-in-arms who was so near death, what would you do?"

The other two Insecticons took a moment to consider Bombshell's words before they started to chitter and chuckle softly.

"We must simply see if our Autobot hero is as compassionate as he is brave."

Melanossus

Pyro absorbed the information with keen interest. He knew that the group that had been deployed to this sector of space had been more scientifically inclined rather than counter infiltration or combat specialists. And judging by the fact that the cons were swarming this planet practically uncontested, he had guessed that the Autobot contingent had been whittled down to practically useless numbers. But he was not prepared for the actual status.

"No leadership structure. I doubt Optimus would be able to help solve those deficiencies." He rubbed at his chin almost absently, a habit he had picked up on Gravilon VII while under the direct command of the Prime, albeit temporarily. The facts that stared him in the face plate were almost insurmountable. Cons overwhelmed the planet. The defenders had no sense of structure.

"Even if the Technobots were with us, I doubt we would be able to make a viable resistance force or even contribution to the liberation of this planet." He allowed his arms to drop to his sides before he allowed his sensors to once again sweep across the valley. "And without any sort of cohesive command structure, any real attempts to throw these cons out of the proverbial office would be tantamount to suicide."

A grin formed behind his face plate as his sensors pegged two sources of energy signatures. The first set was in the direction from which he had come. Probably a patrol finally investigating the power outage he had caused only hours before. The second was much closer, in the heart of the city. "Figures they would put it in a populated location," he whispered to himself.

"Pointblank. I may have an idea to help our situation." He held up his palm and allowed a dim green frame work to consolidate around the central cone of light. A few minor buildings emerged in detail before the image narrowed down to a small warehouse near a commercial district.

"My sensors have picked up a brief registry of energon within this structure. It would also align with the siphon I discovered in the village power relay station. If those power signals are focusing at that energon signature, then we may have found ourselves a place to refuel and strike at the con garrison in this district, all in one blow."

Equatorial Desert - Ancient Lava Tunnels

Frag it to the Pit! Afterburner’s shot missed badly and struck what was probably the lone stable piece of rock in this tomb. At least the others weren’t as inept as he’d believed moments earlier. The quiet they’d found themselves in for days was gone, replaced with the sounds of the battle now in full motion. From off to his side her heard the screaming roar of another Con but it meant little to him. Scattershot and the others could handle that mess. He had to help Strafe, if he hadn’t missed of been such a bad shot… He shook his head, his decision made,

As soon as Strafe and the Con disappeared he rose from his position and ran towards them only to be cut off by Nosecone. He didn’t ever expect that to happen. When this was over he’d have to run a diagnostic to check his systems. If he was that slow he wouldn’t last long. An explosion in the corridor the other disappeared through broke him from his thoughts. There was no way he was going to let Nosecone take his glory. “Watch the store, boss.” He doubted Scattershot heard him and in reality he didn’t care. Strafe was his priority. In two strides he was inside the small corridor Strafe was taken down. Time for the fun to begin.

The Plains of Thok

Scourge heard the laser shot ring out, his sensors immediately triangulating the location of the shooter based on terrain scans and echo patterns. The shooter was near Cyclonus, if not the Decepticon himself, which caused the sweep leader to increase his speed to arrive at his destination.

"...not recognize the inevitability of your defeat is one of the great tragedies of our time."

Upon bursting into the clearing, Scourge noticed several Autobot captives and one that had been maimed, a weapon near his discarded body. The Decepticon transformed into his robot form, the sound of whirring gears filling the area, before Scourge stepped forward and looked down at the Autobot.

"Perhaps there are some soldiers among them," Scourge said, his voice low, like metal grinding on metal. "Their information could assist in immediate Decepticon plans..."

Glancing over his shoulder, Scourge noted the arrival of his sweeps, the identical bots appearing with their captives in tow. It seemed that half a dozen had been collected, before being gathered at Cyclonus' position.

"But, that being said," Scourge turned to his fellow Decepticon, smirking wryly. "How do we plan to move them all for the interrogation team?"

Scourge didn't fancy being forced to play guard bot for a small Autobot escape force; in fact, it was part of the reason he enjoyed killing his targets... he didn't usually have to worry about transportation of the victim.

Melanossus--Cormano Village

Rad had let loose his attack with all the gusto of a trained Autobot soldier. Gone were the restraints that he carefully kept in place when he found himself in a laboratory setting. Though he didn't smash everything in sight with reckless abandon, his typical constraints were an afterthought at best.

The Insecticlones--whatever they were--had found themselves on the receiving end of a small but significant flurry of arms fire not only from Rad, but the small group of Autobot refugees that he had encountered. Primus was he glad to have run in to them. "The more the merrier" and all that. It was a sentiment that Rad identified with anyway, even if he had just picked up up from reading some stray Autobot mission briefing from their time in the Sol system.

Firing, Rad smashed the butt of his rifle in to the clenching jaws of the first diaclone that got within arm's reach.
___

The Plains of Thok

"I suppose they will. I know not why Turmoil would have any other use for them," Cyclonus said quietly, an obvious expression of disdain on his face as he stared down at the incapacitated Autobot at his feet. The others had been placed in to similar conditions by Scourge and his Huntsmen.

Considering Scourge's question for a brief moment, Cyclonus reached down and grabbed the barely struggling Autobot, lifting him up to optic-level once again.

"The old-fashioned way would appear to be our only alternative. Execute the remainder," Cyclonus said, before lifting off in to the air with his 'prize', as it were. Scourge and his Sweeps would each have to carry one as well. Unless one of them was feeling especially and wanted to attempt to carry two, that would mean leaving a few stragglers behind. Cyclonus was intent on ensuring that they would not be a thorn in the Decepticon empire's side again. "We return to Tenebrous."

Rainforest of Patalappu

River's optics slowly flickered to life as her internal systems finally rerouted around the damage caused by Snapdragon's weapon. Her gyro stabilizers were still inactive and her legs wobbled as she fell down to her knees. She attempted to catch herself before she landed but found her arms bound behind her damaged wings. She cursed as she pulled at her bonds.

She pulled again and again, eventually pulling herself up to the her knee allowing the water of the river to cascade over her natural humanoid shaped curves. She turned her head to side to side in order to assess her situation, and it was grave. Snapdragon had already moved to flight, leaving her alone but still practically incapacitated. It did not help that a third mechanism had slowly advanced down the rapids and now held his weapon straight at her breast plate, daring her to move even further.

River spat in anger as she again struggled at her restraints... until her optics watched her protector go down. Scrape fired another powerful burst of electricity at nearly point blank range straight into Apeface. But River could tell it was an all or nothing maneuver. She screamed, begged fate to have her friend retreat from this battle. Get word to her beloved for her salvation. Anything to prevent what was about to happen.

Two massive fists fell upon the engineer as if they had been dropped from a mass driver from orbit. The force of impact caused Scrape's body to concave in a shower of sparks. Fuel spurted up to coat the attacking fingers before the broken struts absorbed the discharging energies. The fuel ignited and Scrape was no more.

River wept openly as she turned her face away from the fatal blow that had been dealt to her friend and commander. Chunks of metal and internal components showered down through the fountain of flames. Weapon devices and powerful generators, damaged or intact arched out of the canyon and disappeared into the thick canopy of the forest.

"Now that is a lovely way to end a desperate situation." The figure poked her chest with his rifle. "Don't you agree, Autobot?"

River's optics were full of rage as she glowered up towards her current warden. "DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU AND YOUR KIND!"

Her anger only caused the soldier to chuckle before he returned his attention to the battle being waged upon the canyon top. She turned her own gaze to follow Snapdragon as he barreled down upon her would be rescuers. "Vestra, Trybium... No!"

Trybium darted from cover, narrowly avoiding being showered by a field of explosive shells that peppered his former location. He rolled over one knee and snapped off two bursts of neutron bullets from his assault rifle. He then entered into a mad dash towards his sister who had stopped firing her weapon.

River immediately recognized the same actions as her friend grabbed her head. Vestra was on one knee as Trybium reached her. He placed his arms on her shoulder and shook her briskly to snap her out of her current status. River watched as Vestra looked up into her brother's optics. The smile that crawled across her twin's face.

The screams of horror soon echoed through the forest floor as Trybium's head was penetrated by a single slug. It caused his meta processor to impale the side of a tree and his body to convulse before slumping in his sister's arms. Oil and lubricants dripped from the gory wound, coating her own breast plates in a slick stinking memory.

River looked up to see her warden and the barrel of his secondary gun smoking.

"To answer your question Apeface, I came to see you two do a little dance. Rather sad it had to end this way. Though I am sure Turmoil will be pleased with your combined efforts." Deadlock smirked. "I really don't like it when you play with your food. Takes too much effort away from winning this thing outright."

Equatorial Desert – Underground Lava Chamber

Intelligence and information flooded Scattershot's processors from the link he had shared with his teammates. Damage done, changes in tactics, adjustments of priorities. All of them were sorted swiftly and filed away for micro analysis. To his right Strafe was being taken up a shaft that was narrow, dark and easily disorienting. To his left, Skull Grin had charged and dealt a swift blow to his second in command.

He offered a passing glance towards the back end of Nosecone's drill as he disappeared along a siding. Well that automatically forced his hand. Scattershot forced his optics to lock with Afterburner and gave a quick jerk of his head ordering the gunner to give their partners a hand. While he did not relish the idea of leaving it in the hands of the egotistical and easily irritating cycleformer, Scattershot knew that Afterburner had the skills necessary to get the job done. Hell they all did. If they didn't, Scattershot would have never selected them for his operational squadron.

As the cycle disappeared up the tunnel, the Technobot Commander turned his attention to the siege warrior. Dagger still buried in Lightspeed's armor, Scattershot knew he had to act quickly. He immediately jumped over the flowing mass of magma and switched the acid pellet rifle from his right hand to his left.

With his freed right hand, his fingers balled into a fist and he brought it forward down towards the attacking Decepticon soldier's head. He pumped a large amount of energy into reinforcing his structural integrity and insured that should the blow hit, it would be strong enough to drive the mech back and away from the damaged Data Collector.

Once clear, Scattershot would swing around and fire several bursts of acid pellets in order to pin Skull Grin down so Lightspeed could get out of the fight and assess damages.

Rainforest of Patalappu

As Vestra watched in horror as her brother fell onto her arms, she wasted whatever precious time she had had to avoid becoming a target herself. For the towering form of Snapdragon in his robot form was now looming over the lone femme and her fallen brother. In one swift move, Trybium's corpse was lifted off the ground and with it Vestra - who was still desperately trying to cling into it. Cocking his head to the side he had a better view at Vestra, Snapdragon reached for the femme with his free hand and tore her violently away from her broken brother.

"It is over." The Horrorcon simply stated, his covered face betraying no emotions. Hurling Trybium's lifeless form over the cliff and into the pool below, Snapdragon followed this action by throwing Vestra into the ground face first. Before the Autobot had a chance to attempt getting up, Snapdragon brought his knee on her behind and tied her wrists behind her back with energon cuffs like he had done with River earlier. Having incapacitated his target, Snapdragon lifted her effortlessly from the ground and jumped off the cliff edge himself to rejoin Apeface and Deadlock down at the base of the waterfall.

"Smug scraplet." Snapdragon snarled at Deadlock as he landed before the Decepticon and his Autobot prisoner River with Vestra secured tightly between the Horrorcon's massive left arm and torso.

"One would think that someone got it right at least once in a millenia." He added, his tone still clearly annoyed. Turning to look at Apeface, Snapdragon continued, "We take Skullcruncher with us on that one mission on Sar'daroa-5 and ever since we have been accused of eating our victims."

The Perdition - Brig

"Chance. Also known as Jackpot, Roulette and by plethora of other aliases. You have been found guilty of multiple violations of the Tyrest Accord, treason against the Decepticon military, intelligence brokering and murder of your former commanding officer. As a duly-appointed reprentative of Decepticon High Justice my verdict is clear."

Turmoil's haunting words were followed by a sound caused by the barrel of his main weapon folding on its place and replacing his right hand. A light blue flash from a particle beam cannon later - Chance, an ex-Decepticon turned Autobot fell to the floor of his cell with a hole almost as wide as his waist burned through his chest where his spark chamber had once rested.

"Death."

Turning towards Spectro, Turmoil addressed the member of the Reflector trio that had made his way into the brig with him. "Have his remains shipped to the recycling. Even a trash like him can serve the Empire in a way or another."

"As for the rest. They will be shipped to Styx as prisoners of war when the situation allows it. The information they held was useless. I do hope our planetside forces have finally caught an officer of some rank." The acting commander of Decepticon forces on Nebulos added and turned to return to the bridge.

Rainforest of Patalappu

"Ain't much to do besides play with them," Apeface grunted, looking around at the various Autobots that had only managed to elude being beaten down for a short time before their collective brutality caught up with them. "Not like they fight back."

Transforming back in to his robot mode, Apeface was sneering at the little Autobots behind his faceplate. He opened up a commlink with the Perdition, wherever it and the little runty camera were now--watching over their actions.

>>"Got some more Autobot prisoners. 'Fraid one of 'em didn't quite make it though, heh heh. We ain't wasting time bringing 'em back ourselves. Get a cleanup squad or something out here. What's next?"<<

That little battle had only satisfied the tip of Apeface's typical fuel lust. If he was going to drag himself out of a nice oil pit, he was slaggin' certain that he was going to get some satisfaction out of it.
___

The Perdition--Brig

The Reflector unit, Spectro, took in everything that had occurred between Turmoil and the Autobot captives, recording it for posterity. After Turmoil had provided specific orders regarding what was to be done with the now dysfunctional Autobot, Spectro provided the superior officer with a slight bow of obedience before walking over to one of the ship's access ports and patching himself into system.
___

The Perdition--Bridge

The two remaining Reflector units used the ship's extensive monitoring systems to keep a watchful optic on the various actions that were being taken by the Decepticon ground forces to cull or capture the Autobot refugees that had escaped the destroyed vessel.

When a new transmission was received from the surface, Spyglass acknowledged it via his station.

The query from the Horrorcon was to be expected. Any resistance that was to have been offered from what was likely to have been just another Autobot science vessel would be minimal at best. The 2nd fleet wasn't fighting to maintain their control of this planet. They were simply working to keep interruptions to a minimum, the same as they had already been prepared for with the native population.

>>"Registering atypical, subterranean volcanic activity within the region of the planet's equatorial desert. Skullgrin and Lockdown registered signals from that area before going dark. Forwarding coordinates now."<<

While Spyglass responded to Apeface's query, Viewfinder was in the process of making contact with a low-ranked Seeker squad to provide the retrieval that the Horrorcon had requested.

Equatorial Desert

The expanse of the desert began to shrink with every step Brainstorm took. It was logical, but even he began to question such things and wondered if a mech with his intelligence could succumb to mirages. Until the bump in the desert grew larger he was willing to concede he may have been mistaken. Without his rocket sled he’d been forced to endure the dust and small debris getting into his joints and servos. Not the best of conditions for one to be lost in.

His relief at reaching the bump, which was in reality a small mound, was in the stratosphere. Unsure of which direction to go he decided on the forest not more than a couple of hours ahead of him. Dropping the handful of weapons and other odds and ends he managed to scavenge from the life pod from his shoulder struts, he leaned back against the mound to think.

The addition of his weight broke through a thin layer in the side of the mound and before Brainstorm could try to prevent it, he tumbled backwards through the opening and into a dark tunnel. The impact on the floor of the tunnel sent a shockwave through his frame but it was no worse than anything he’d experienced to that point. With a disgusted shake of his head Brainstorm sat up and pushed the weapons off of him.

Overall, he wasn’t pleased with his progress in his current endeavor. This newest setback was one he hadn’t thought possible, meaning the probability was low. Grumbling to himself about giving up his spacious laboratory for this assignment, he pushed himself to his feet and gathered the weapons and leftover energon packet. His sensors stretched out to try to get his bearings. The positive of him being underground was it’d limit the Decepticon’s ability to find him. He didn’t doubt their sensors could penetrate the rock but why would they?

After a moment’s hesitation he hefted the weapons and took a handful of steps when his audio sensors were rocked by an explosion. The origin of the blast was impossible for him to discern but he could tell which direction it came from. His potential sanctuary from discovery was in danger from an apparent battle or mining operation. After hesitating he turned towards the source of the blast and hurried as fast as he could. He had to know if he was in danger of being discovered or if there were any Autobots that needed his help.

Melanossus

Pointblank examined the conic structure that Pyro had brought up. As he did, the other Autobots nearby were on the move.

"You're probably right. And any advantage we can get right now is one we should take," Pointblank said, checking his weapon. The others were already on the move, and Pointblank could hear the sounds of blaster fire intensifying.

"We'll sort out what we can really do with this station after we take it from those purple-sigiled slags."

Taking out Decepticons was really all that mattered to Pointblank now. One less Decepticon functioning would be one less Decepticon inflicting their misery on what had previously been a perfectly peaceful planet.

Catching up with the others, Pointblank let loose with energy fire of his own. His first shots slammed, satisfyingly, right in to the face of one of the onlooking Insecticlones. Good riddance.

Koraja

“Bravery and compassion are common Autobot failings,” Kickback observed with an amused titter. “It doesn’t seem like much of a gamble, Bombshell.”

Of course, the other Insecticon’s gambit would require that they show restraint until the cerebro shell-infected mole was in position to do the greatest possible damage to whatever pitiful resistance remained on Nebulos. These were both qualities that Kickback was capable of exhibiting in abundance—under ideal circumstances. But the fact was that he preferred a far more hands-on approach than either of his hive-mates. Shrapnel controlled their enemies’ electrical systems, Bombshell their minds.

And Kickback commanded their hearts. It was a far more subtle and insidious form of subversion, and infinitely more difficult to escape. At least when practiced by a maestro of psychological manipulation like himself.

But there was no obvious target for his scheming at the present, and Bombshell’s methods would have the Autobots well in hand soon enough. It would have been the height of foolishness to put a relatively risk-free strategy in jeopardy simply because he was feeling … listless.

Transforming into locust mode, Kickback crawled over the rubble of Koraja in an erratic searching pattern, occasionally taking experimental bites of interesting-looking native alloys.

“Mm … a little heavy on the selenides …”

The Perdition--Brig

Soul Siren walked behind Turmoil as she finished writing down her own personal notes on her datapad. The session had not been particularly fruitful but one never knew when useless information would suddenly become important when put into the context of something else.

"Perhaps the uselessness of the information in of itself can be useful to us Commander Turmoil." She said as she finished her note taking and nodded to the Reflector trio as they left. "It suggests a lacking of cohesion within Autobot command here if none of our captives could speak anything of strategic value. Or it could just be that our forces are due for training on just what targets are valuable for capture."

As she finished talking she noticed the stain marks she had on her arms and then noted that she was covered with them. She sighed.

"The oil of traitors always seem to be the one that stains the most. I shall need a rather long bath to rid myself of this filth."