by Smokescreen85 » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:48 am
- Motto: ""A look can be deceiving; a touch can be lethal.""
- Weapon: Twin Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers
The Tower – Nerve Center
As the Decepticons in the room relaxed their weapons and took in the news of Megatron’s possible demise, Razorclaw remained fixated on Shockwave’s reaction to his words. It was not surprising that the cycloptic mech required no apology as his logic driven core had overridden any sense of emotion long ago. As a result, the Military Operations Commander seemed to not take things personally as far as the attempted insurrection. Of course, that didn’t mean he would forget what had occurred, he just didn’t let it bother him the way it would normally affect most mechs.
Once Shockwave accepted the datapad from the Predacon Commander, he instructed him to submit all of the intel gathered in Iacon to Soundwave after they arrived on Earth. Razorclaw was slightly taken aback by this order as he was sure the purple ‘Con would not want such information to be readily known by anyone amongst the Sol system’s infiltration team, especially not a higher ranking mech. However, it then dawned on Razorclaw that it was Soundwave who had sent the Priority 1 communication, and it was likely that the communications expert had suggested that Shockwave should return and take control even though Starscream had already done so. It made perfect sense and eluded to the strong likelihood that ol’ one eye already had Soundwave’s support. If that was the case, then it would be irrelevant if the monotone mech received the intel or not as he was liable to not share it with anyone.
Razorclaw’s expression remained stoic as to not show what he was thinking. “It will be done, my lord,” the Predacon Commander responded to Shockwave before turning towards his unit. “Predacons, your heard Lord Shockwave. Let’s get back to the Thanatos and power her up. Divebomb, you’re with me.” Razorclaw then bowed, albeit reluctantly, to the cycloptic mech and then to Thunderwing before leaving the Nerve Center with his aerial subordinate by his side.
******
When Onslaught finally lowered his weapon, Blast-Off did the same with his ionic blaster. The situation had calmed and there would be no violence between comrades today. However, with Megatron out of the picture, it was almost a certainty that conflict would eventually erupt amongst the higher ranking officials within the Decepticon Empire, regardless of what Shockwave thought he could accomplish. Most commanders across the galaxy might not yet know of the news, but they would sooner or later as information such as this never remained secret for long. Once that happened, Shockwave’s leadership claim would be challenged by any who felt they were capable in leading the Decepticons.
Blast-Off’s train of thought was interrupted by Onslaught's orders and then the mental breakdown of none other than Brawl, who had fallen to his knees in complete shock at the news of Megatron’s death. Of all the mechs the space warrior had thought would react in such a way, Brawl was the last one he would have suspected to lose control. The tank-former was hardly known for becoming emotional, except for his uncontrollable anger and rage. The rough and tough side is what most mechs saw with no indication that there was anything further beneath the surface of his thick exterior.
“Come on, Brawl, it’s not that bad,” Blast-Off said as he picked up the tank-former’s fallen gun and handed it back to him. “Megatron is presumed dead. That doesn’t mean he is dead. There’s a distinct difference. Now, get up. We’ve got a ship to prep.”
And stop acting like a fraggin’ femme! The space warrior thought as he walked out of the Nerve Center. He didn’t dare say that aloud for fear of incurring Brawl’s emotional wrath and ending up as scrap metal.
Corridor
Once they were a good distance down the hallway, Razorclaw ushered Divebomb to join him inside a turbo lift and then quickly pressed the button, causing the doors to close before anyone else had a chance to enter. As the lift descended through the tower, the Predacon Commander addressed his subordinate. “Divebomb, you still have the audio recorder, correct?”
“Yes, Commander,” Divebomb replied, holding the device up in his hand. “I removed it from the table when Lord Shockwave first arrived back in the Nerve Center.”
“Excellent. We will deliver the recordings to Soundwave, as ordered. However, I want you to secretly make a back-up copy for me. I want it encrypted so that no one can listen to it without my authorization. Is that understood?”
“Of course, Commander,” Divebomb responded with a nod, lowering the recorder back down to his side. “Sir, if I may ask, do you feel that Soundwave is not to be trusted with the intel?”
Razorclaw looked over to the aerial Predacon. He didn’t normally indulge his subordinates with explanations for his orders. They did what they were told with no questions asked or they suffered the consequences. Divebomb, however, was not like the others, showing a bit more intelligence and thus was more curious about certain things.
“No, I do not trust him,” Razorclaw decided to answer. “He may alter the recordings or simply not divulge them to anyone. Either way, we need to ensure that we have the ability to let whomever we want hear the truth, which is why I need a back up. Now, no more questions. Just do as you’re told.”
“Yes, sir,” Divebomb said as the turbo lift arrived at the designated level. After the door slid open, the two Predacons stepped out and headed for the launching silo where the Thanatos would be waiting.