by Smokescreen85 » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:32 am
- Motto: ""A look can be deceiving; a touch can be lethal.""
- Weapon: Twin Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers
The Obliteration – Bridge
Blast-Off remained focused on the task at hand as he overheard Vortex’s query regarding their length of stay on Cybertron. The space warrior knew that his comrade was simply attempting to pass the time with idle chatter and he had no problem with accommodating the interrogator. “Well, that all depends, Vortex. From what I’ve heard the whole reason for us all being here was to restore Cybertron to its former glory. Obviously, we’re still a long way from that happening. However, if whatever Shockwave’s been working on is a success, then we might end up staying here for the long term. If it doesn’t work, well, then you can kiss this crusty planet goodbye sooner rather than later.”
Blast-Off then checked the weapons systems, bringing the warship’s guns online as Vortex simultaneously activated the primary engines. As the space warrior had thought, the power levels would only allow for a minimal bombardment at best, at least until they recharged the fuel cells. Hopefully, they would not encounter any kind of aggressors, Autobot or otherwise, during their initial trip out. He wasn’t worried about getting back to Polyhex, as they would most likely have plenty of energon at that time.
Blast-Off then opened a comm line to Onslaught: >>”Commander, Vortex and I have brought all of the primary systems and engines online. Everything is functioning at optimal, if not fuel starved levels. We're ready to depart whenever you are, sir.”<<
The Tower – Nerve Center
Having given Onslaught the information he had been looking for, Razorclaw closed his comm line and simply sat back, monitoring the various display screens around the nerve center. For a mech with only one optic, Shockwave certainly adorned his tower with more than enough cameras to keep watch on everything that was going on inside and out. Nothing escaped his sight, apparently, and that fact was now weighing heavily on the Predacon Commander’s processor.
It was quite possible that the purple mech had already considered the probability of opposition within the Decepticon ranks to whatever he was doing over in Iacon. If that was the case, then there was also reason to believe that Shockwave had determined the proper course of action to take in the event of a rebellion against his authority. Therefore, it was becoming clear to Razorclaw that he would have to be extra careful with how he handled the situation if Divebomb returned with less than desired news. Knowing Shockwave and his overly logical mindset, he would be ready for any adverse reaction to his activities regarding the Autobots, especially if it’s revealed that he was working with them or sharing delicate information in any way.
Razorclaw tapped his clawed fingers on the console in front of him, appearing calm and collected as his optics flashed from one screen to another. Internally, however, his cerebral cortex was afire with all of the options he had before him. None of them would be easy unless, of course, Shockwave’s actions were harmless and in keeping with Megatron’s goals here. But, somehow he knew that would not be the case and he would be faced with making a very difficult decision.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the first tough choice Razorclaw’s had to make. As commander of the Predacons, he’s made countless assessments that were hard and brought with them a certain level of uncertainty. That was the nature of war and being in charge of an elite squad in the Decepticon Empire. He didn’t get to where he was today by doing things the easy way, after all. However, this situation was a bit different as the decision Razorclaw was faced with now had nothing to do with battlefield tactics. It was more political in nature, which was a threshold that the Predacon Commander had never crossed before.
Razorclaw leaned forward and brought up an image of the Thanatos on the display screen in front of him. There truly were cameras everywhere, even in the launching silos. He saw little activity outside of the ship, and therefore assumed that his Predacons were making the necessary preparations within the vessel, itself.
Razorclaw then opened a comm line to his unit: >>”Predacons, this is your commander. I want an immediate status update regarding the condition of the Thanatos. Headstrong, is the weapons array online yet? Tantrum, what is the current level of the fuel cells? Rampage, have you run a systems-wide diagnostic yet or are you watching those old gladiatorial holovids you carry around with you instead of working? I hope for your sake it’s not the latter.”<<
Thanatos - Engineering
Tantrum was stirred from his rest mode at the sound of Razorclaw’s communication. He quickly sat upright and adjusted the controls on the console in front of him, bringing up a display of the ship’s fuel cells. He then cleared his throat and opened his comm line:
>>”Ahhh, fuel cells are at 50 percent, sir. I had to add some spare energon we brought with us from storage. We should have enough to return to Earth or the nearest outpost.”<<
Tantrum then fell back in his chair, barely able to keep his anger at being awakened at bay. Hopefully, his answer would be enough to satisfy his commander’s question, allowing the fueler to then re-enter rest mode.
Thanatos - Armory
Headstrong received Razorclaw’s message as he finished cleaning a plasma rifle before replacing it onto the shelf where he had originally found it. Letting out an obnoxious snort, he opened his comm line to respond:
>>”Yeah, boss, ship’s weapons systems are online and working. No problems. Down in the armory now dusting off some rifles and such.”<<
Headstrong then reached for another laser gun on a nearby rack and began cleaning the barrel out with an energy rod.