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Aww slag. Brawl never knew how to handle that guy. He really shouldn’t have let Swindle bounce. Onslaught wasn’t going to like it. Then again he didn’t have the orders of stopping anyone going down either so… the heat was on Swindle if he made a mess of Onslaught’s timetable.

”Urgh. I need some Engex.” Brawl stated to Viper with some level of defeat in his voice and began walking sluggishly towards the bridge.

[The Obliteration - Bounce Chamber]

For one reason or another, Swindle somehow just bounced himself off. Viper mentally shrugged. It wasn't much of his business what happened either here or there, and he couldn't really care too much. Brawl seemed to have some mild frustration building up though.

Brawl wrote:”Urgh. I need some Engex.”

"Aye, let's get go some," he cackled low and softly. He could feel his reserves wanting some more fuel in them anyway. He gave Brawl a light pat on the back and walked alongside him, a bit of swagger in his walk. "Sure been a long cycle for ya, ain't it?"

{Outskirts of Allepo – Opposite from Decepticon Hanger

The Obliteration’s bounce chamber disappeared and was replaced with a rundown, bombed out section of Earth that had Swindle immediately second guessinghis decision. The fact he was next to an upside down, burned out jeep similar to his chosen alt form didn’t help settle his nerves.

Okay. Not what I expected, but—

Gunfire erupted near enough for him to turn his attention toward it.

Maybe I’d better find another spot. There has to be intelligent life somewhere… his thoughts trailed off as he slid into first gear and inched forward. He didn’t realize he forgot to activate his avatar until a handful of men ran up to him.

“Here! Get in; we need to get out of here!”

What? But my… Oh, scrap

Three men covered in dirt, grease, and blood climbed in. The one that sat in the driver’s seat grabbed his steering wheel and slammed his foot on Swindle’s accelerator, but nothing happened.

“What’s wrong? Go, go go!” the second one sitting behind the driver’s seat shouted as he fired at approaching soldiers.

“I’m trying! It doesn’t work!”

“But it was just moving!”

Oh boy, this isn’t what I had in mind, Swindle thought as he waited for his unwanted passengers to get off of him. He could try other means, but that would probably work againt Megatron’s plans, and if he wasn’t in trouble yet, that would do it.

Still, he couldn’t think of another way to get out of this, so…

“It stopped! Why’d it stop?”

The three men stared at each other in confusion before they jumped out of Swindle and continued running. Seconds later, a group of humans in uniforms raced past him in another vehicle.

He remained silent and scanned the immediate area. He didn’t detect any other humans or vehicles approaching. Apparently, I’m not important enough to concern them. He tried not to sound indignant at the implication, but he couldn’t help it.

He’d come here to scout around and look for ideas on possible trades or upgrades, and these filthy fleshbags tried to steal him!

There has to be a easier way to make a deal than this, he thought, turning and driving after the small group that had driven past, making sure to activate his avatar and take an angled approach to keep from being seen. All the while, he continued scanning for other humans.

There seemed to be plenty around, but they were mostly within the buildings he drove by, and their technology was… primitive, to put it nicely.

So, is this why Megatron is here? I can’t see him trying to make an arms deal, not with that blasted accord in place. Though I doubt he’d care. Swindle scoffed at the idea of Ultra Magnus or some other official coming to arrest the slagmaker. But I infringe on it a tiny bit, and every officer available comes running. I should be flattered.

He continued on, studying the area as he went. Abysmal. How can anything living like this understand basic tools? He would’ve shaken his head had he been in his robot form. Instead, he continued driving when his scanner lit up with an incoming object.

What the? he thought as he realized it was a rocket of some sort. He swerved, trying to avoid it as it struck the ground where he’d been a couple of astroseconds before. While it wasn’t a direct hit, it sent shrapnel and rocks into his left front tire and side, shredding his wheel as metal and rocks tore into his skin and buried into his side and undercarriage.

Fraggin’ little… Ow, that hurts! He resisted the urge to transform and swiveled his mounted weapon and fired a couple of shots of his scatter blaster. He didn’t wait around to find out if he hit anything, flooring his accelerator and grimacing as pain shot through him as his ruined wheel dug into the gravel as he turned into an allet behind a two-story building that looked more like a domicle without windows and a eight-foot wall behind it that separated it from a river.

Not sure how he missed the attacker, he scanned the area again to make sure there wasn’t anyone around, then transformed, grimacing and hissing at the fragments imbedded in his left arm. As much as it hurt, he didn’t want to imagine what would’ve happened had he been hit head on with the IED. Sure, the humans standard weapons couldn’t hurt most Cybertronians, but their exlosives? He now had a reason to request an added layer of armor. The damage may be minor, but it hurt like the blazes.

He then leaped over the wall and fell into the river. Thankfully, the water was deep enough he could sink below its surface and wait while he opened a channel to the Obliteration while he rerouted his internal repair systems to close any leaks that may pop up. Looks like the CR chamber for me.

>>Hey, Brawl or Blast Off, old buddies. Would one of you mind activating the bounce unit and bringing me back up there. There was a… um… complication in things.<<

He winced at imagining what Onslaught would do to him if he found out about this. If, being the operative word. If Starscream hadn’t been such a screeching glitch, I’d get off with a slight drubbing. Now… He shivered involuntarily at the proposition.

Onslaught’ll want to know if this was worth it. Okay, was it? He didn’t like the answer, and switched to another line of thought. [/i]Did I learn what I needed to, would be better.[/i] And that, he was sure was a yes. But was it something Onslaught would approve of?

I’m so fragged.

Brawl shook his head at Viper’s comment and slammed his right fist into the open palm of his left hand, clearly getting agitated again. Then again, that was hardly unsurprising for someone with hair-trigger temper.

”We keep getting called into missions with no slagging pay-off!” The belligerent Decepticon fumed, practically shaking as his anger intensified ”I can’t even remember when I have got my hands dirty fighting the Autobots the last time!”

Brawl turned to stare Viper with slit optics, ”There’s a war zone down there and Megatron doesn’t want us there?! US?! We are made for that kind of action! That’s whats wrong with this!”

>>Hey, Brawl or Blast Off, old buddies. Would one of you mind activating the bounce unit and bringing me back up there. There was a… um… complication in things.<<

Brawl’s raging was interrupted by Swindle’s transmission. A transmission that came much sooner than he could have ever imagined. In fact, Brawl could feel himself growing increasingly eager to what kind of complications Swindle had ran into.

>>”I’ve gotta hear this! Bounce unit activated!”<<

Downtown Aleppo- Syrian Government Bunker

>>He does at that. Few things in the universe come close to Megatron’s charisma. It’s only surpassed by his prowess in battle.<<

Redwing nodded in agreement. No one came close in power and might than the raw and unsurpassed strength of Lord Megatron. Even when Redwing had doubts about the Decepticon Cause, Megatron put him back in place. The mere thought of doing something against his will was terrifying. He'd seen what had happened to Commander Starscream when he opposed him on a few occasions. Redwing knew if that were him, he'd just be slag for the scrap pile.

>>Stay alert, you two. We may be safe in these forms, but that doesn’t mean we can look sloppy. I know you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t capable.<<

Amethyst looked towards Thundercracker from her place standing near Redwing, and she nodded, repkying via commlink,

>>'Aye, aye, Sir!’<< Sure, Thundercracker was no Officer, but he was higher ranking than she was and he deserved respect.

The holomatter avatar of the purple Seeker, a young woman dressed in a black leather flight suit with combat boots, surveyed the area, a flamethrower rifle slug across her back on a tether. She smoked a cigarette she'd taken out of her chest pocket” lighting it seemingly with a match. She noted the “real” fleshies talking with Megatron and his entourage. A deal was being made. She hadn't seen a deal like this before. Sure...she was sure he'd made plenty of these deals, but the Seeker grunt had never been around to see it herself. Neither had Redwing.

Then came the hotshot with his shades, looking all cool. It was none other than Thrust of course. He came walking up to Amethyst and Redwing and stood with them, before addressing Amethyst,

“Ah, warrior,”

The purple seeker turned his way and waited for him to speak more, as was expected.

“You performed well at our first encounter. Most wait to see where to go and what to do, but you didn’t hesitate. That speaks very highly of you.”

Amethyst smiled, and said, flicking her holo-avatar's hair and putting her hands on her hips, “Thank you, Thrust. I'm only doing what comes naturally. I miss a good fire fight. It was fun watching the fleshling and his dwelling burn.”

Thrust would then turn his attention to Redwing and speak to him more critically,

“Careful where you step, warrior. One miscalculation and your partner will surpass you.”

The red head nodded to Thrust. He knew the conehead meant well. It was true. Amethyst had performed brilliantly while Redwing was just blundering about. He had to switch modes fast.

“You're right. I gotta step up my game.”, he said. He then gave a wink towards Amethyst. The purple seeker giggled. She knew Redwing could do better. He just had to focus on the mission first and foremost. That's what they all had to do, afterall.

“Our time to bring glory to the Decepticon Empire is upon us, warriors. Make me proud.”

“Aye!”, said Amethyst.

“Aye!”, said Redwing.

They looked about their immediate vicinity and watched as Megatron continued with the proceedings. Amethyst had her earth weapon ready if any unwanted actual fleshies showed up. Redwing did the same. Both of them yearned for battle. It was only a matter of time. Why else would they be here?

---------------

Ravage, having regrouped with the rest of the Decepticons at the Syrian Government Bunker, sat there as a cat does, staring at the others present and listening to Flamewar and the fleshies speak. The talk of “further purchases” amused him and he smiled inwardly, while giving his lips a lick as he looked at the humans, intentionally trying to unnerve them. He then proceeded to groom his paws as he awaited further instructions and listened to the proceedings.


Outskirts of Aleppo- Abandoned Warehouse

"Starscream...if even a tenth of this idiocy you speak is true, it has cemented for all time why you will never have the judgment necessary to lead this empire. You will learn nothing of the role you are to play in facing execution. Hopefully this abject failure will be a better teacher. Remove yourself. Return to the Thanatos once again with the knowledge that it is only by my generosity that you continue to exist. See to your repairs and be ready for deployment at my call. Go."

The panicked but weakened Starscream remained kneeling uncomfortably before his Master as he listened to him. The criticism sank into his very being. Oh yes, he knew his farce was a lie. Megatron didn't know how big of a lie it was though. The seeker just needed Megatron to believe at least some of it for credibility sake (more like to save his aft from an early demise). Also, the Decepticon Emperor was being indeed generous! Starscream was immensely relieved that he'd be able to leave the area without further damage. He was already critical enough as it was.

“Yes….My Lord. Thank...you.”, the injured jetformer spoke, coughing up inner energon. He'd get up and start hobbling over to the bounce pad within the makeshift base, taking note of the mechs here (most of his own mechs were here that'd normally be under his command) as he went and the other curious device, a holomatter formatting chamber. He found that very interesting. Use the Autobots’ technology for a more sinister purpose. Yes, the operations of dominance were proceeding nicely, without his help…

He grimaced, and stumbled, nearly falling before righting himself. That's when he noticed Astrotrain and Octane laughing in low tones while looking at him. He growled under his breath and shot them a murderous look. He couldn't deal with them now for his health's condition, but if they knew any better they'd shut up right now.

His lackeys that'd gone with him to Mars were squabbling amongst themselves. One cried out ”No, wait, that's not what happened!”, before he was stopped by the others. Starscream turned his head and looked at the scene unfolding behind him, his optics flaring ominously in the dim light. He said nothing, but watched and listened, as they only mildly recounted the fiasco differently. That wouldn't further harm their Commander's reputation. He turned back around, hobbling into the bounce chamber that'd take him up to the Thanatos.

'Good boys. Your loyalty…is duly noted.’, Starscream thought to himself, and he tapped a few keys on the control panel to initiate the bounce sequence, and soon he was gone, leaving behind only a pool of blood.

Outskirts of Allepo – Obliteration

The river flowed by him as Swindle waited for his message to be answered, his diagnostic system returned an analysis of his damages and something he didn’t expect.

What’s in this liquid? The brief overview said it was water, but is was full of dirt and other debris and… things he didn’t know how to categorize them. One thing he was grateful for was the bit that managed to get into his systems through his injuries weren’t a threat to his functionality. The damage itself was more cosmetic than not, aside from having to replace his wheel, which didn’t sit too well with him.

This is what I get for not thinking if through better. If there was one thing he’d become good at over the millenia, it was figuring out how to correct a mistake he’d made. Especially when it meant his own function was at stake.

Brawl wrote: >>”I’ve gotta hear this! Bounce unit activated!”<<

Swindle sighed. Of course, you do. This is fragging—

The bounce chamber materialized around him as Swindle finished his thought, —perfect

Now that he was out of the river, his scent receptors picked up the odor clinging to him and he grimaced. Ugh! What do they put in their rivers? Waste? He slowly pushed himself into a sitting positon, and then to his feet.

“Thank you, Brawl,” he said, wincing as he gently touched his left shoulder where the remnants of his tire and mangeld wheel remained. “Humans are too grabby in this area. I now see why Lord Megatron wants to run an operation here, but it’s no place for a civilized mech.”

He stopped speaking and thought over his chosen words. Had Megatron or his more loyal officers been present, he’d have to switch gears and try to dig himself out of the refuse pile he put himself in. As luck had it, he douted either Brawl or Viper would. Still, some damage control was probably needed.

“You know, those of us adverse to getting blasted.” Swindle paused, motioning to Brawl, “But you, my friend, would love it. Wall to wall carnage to strol through and destroy things.”

Realizing his time waslimited, he straigtened and turned his attention to getting himself repaired before Onslaught returned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need some touchup repairs. If you don’t mind, this may be better left between us. Onslaught hates paperwork, and filling out reports would only cause him to take it out on all of us. Am I right?”

Shut up and go, Swindle. You’re digging yourself in deeper.

Warehouse Base of Operations

Feedback shifted his weight as Megatron chuckled at his "explanation" of the events. He sighed softly but made sure to covey respect... He certainly was not wanting to disrespect their leader at all.

Insidious wrote:"You will learn, if you haven't already, that Starscream's accounts are colored by many things--not least of which being his rampant narcissism. See to your injuries."

"Yeah... I know exactly what you mean..." He muttered in agreement. Then said louder: "Thank you, Lord Megatron... Especially for retrieving us from that awful planet."

He motioned to the other two and they disappeared into the warehouse in search of parts for the drone.

The Obliteration--Bridge

Swindle had taken his leave, a move which had prompted nothing more than a slight wave of the hand as Blast-Off's optics remained focused on the various monitors in front of him--one of which was a historical documentary of something called World War I. He found it comforting, on some level, that these humans seemed to enjoy slaughtering themselves on a grand scale just like the Cybertronians did.

In what seemed like very short order, however, a return bounce had been initiated and Swindle was once again aboard the ship.

Strange.

He opened a comm directly with the source.

>>"Your parlay into humanville not proving to be as successful as you'd hoped?"<<

Downtown Aleppo- Syrian Government Bunker

Amethyst wrote: >>'Aye, aye, Sir!’<<

Had they been anywhere else, Thundercracker would’ve shaken his head as he took his position inside the bunker. Me being called sir. Am I really getting that old? He resisted the urge to chuckle and decided it’d be best to mention it to Skywarp later when they were out of hearing of the humans.

Until then, they had a job to do. He just hoped none of his fellow Seekers had a sudden bout of claustrophobia if they thought too hard on how their actual forms would fit in this building.

Glancing around, he thought, I have the feeling I’m the only one that’s thinking along those lines.



Thrust smiled, displaying his avatar’s large white teeth at Amethyst and Redwing so eagerly following his direction. Respect like this had been too long in coming, and he intended to enjoy it while cultivating it to further his own ego. Not that he needed them to do it. He knew there were plenty of young Seekers glitching to find a mentor like him.

Why, I’ll have my pick of the molding class after these two. Let Starscream plot all he wants to, I’ll be a legend when he’s nothing but a stain.

The thought brought a chuckle from Thrust as he thought about what punishment awaited his so-called commander when he returned from wherever he was. There was little doubt, at least in Thrust’s processor, that such a position would soon be his if he wished it. But no, he’d respectfully decline Megatron’s offer when Starscream’s usefulness ended. Why soil his reputation by leading troops into battle when he could command from a safe distance if needed, as a true commander should?



Obliteration - Bounce Chamber/Corridors

Swindle had finally listened to his own advice and headed for the bounce chamber’s door when Blast Off’s comm came through.

Blast Off wrote: >>"Your parlay into humanville not proving to be as successful as you'd hoped?"<<

What’s going on today? Is everyone a comedian? he wondered, then replied, >>On the contrary, Blast Off, it was more successful than I expected. I now know where better locations to investigate are.<<

Swindle’s pride was a complicated thing. Unlike the others, he didn’t care about combat or proving one’s mettle and so on. Oh no, for him, the real challenge was finding, negotiating, and finally executing a deal worthy of his talents.

In light of his recent endeavors, he had to admit that his initial contact with the humans was limited, but he did learn a thing or two about their weapons (The hard way, of course, he thought, groaning to himself.) and he felt there was something more there for the taking. While effective, their weopons were crude. Now, if he could find a way to improve them without violating the Tyrest Accord…

He smiled as he pulled a piece of metal from his left arm. The CR chamber was just ahead and he had plenty of time to complete his repairs before Onslaught returned.

He came to an abrupt stop. What if it’s not weapons all humans need, but medical scanners as well? Oh, the possibilities… His thoughts continued on as he entered the CR chamber. As he worked the controls, he thought it ironic that none of his fellow duplicitous mechs had ever thought of this. It was only a matter of time, after all, and he liked being the first in line. Especially when it came to potentially burning bridges at both ends while selling them the accelerant.

Such things only a connoisseur like him could truly appreciate.

Brawl turned his gaze from Swindle to Viper, giving the smaller con a friendly shove with one arm while they walked with Swindle back towards the bridge.

”See! That’s what I am talking about!” He rumbled, Swindle’s words having invigorated his displeasure with the current circumstances he had to deal with, ”I should be down there with Megatron! Blasting things apart!”

”Primus I am bored!”

Bridge

>>On the contrary, Blast Off, it was more successful than I expected. I now know where better locations to investigate are,<< came Swindle's reply transmission. It was difficult to tell where Swindle's bluster ended and legitimate truth began, but that had always been one of his strengths. Or weaknesses, depending on whom you asked. Nonetheless, it had kept him functional. Odds are, he probably had stumbled upon something that would benefit them--or at least him--in the future.

>>"Good to know. Seeing as we may be stationed in this offbeat sector of the galaxy for a while."<<

Blast-Off then opened another comm with their commander.

>>"Everything going okay with our 'delivery', sir? I'm sure Brawl would love to assist if he's giving you any trouble."<<

Med Bay – CR Chamber

Swindle finished programming the CR chamber for what were minor repairs to most, but embarrassing and bothersome to him. He’d never been of the sturdy variety. It was why his processor functioned at such a higher level than those of his compatriots.

Not that he minded the occasional combat, mind you. Oh no, he enjoyed seeing the varius weapons and armor at work when he wasn’t trying to stay functional.

Still, the fact the humans and their weaponry had done this to him was an embarrassment he knew he’d never live down.Never thought a blown tire would sting this bad, he thought, lowering himself in the repair unit and readying his systems to go into standy-by.

Blast Off wrote:>>"Good to know. Seeing as we may be stationed in this offbeat sector of the galaxy for a while."<<

Despite his aches, Swindle smiled at that. His introduction to the humans may not have been what he’d imagined, there was something positive to take from this. He just had to figure it out, and he had some time before Onslaught returned and they had to report to Shockwave. He just had to find an angle, and then the real fun would begin.

Chuckling, he tried to hide his mirth at remaining there for the immediate future as he replied, >>Glad to be of service. This planet is full of possibilities.<<

Oh yes, he thought, plenty of possibilities.

He rested his head back and let his optics go offline as he initiated a counter for when his repairs would be completed. He didn’t want to be in the chamber longer than he had to. Even he didn’t like to press his luck too far.

[Downtown Aleppo - Syrian Government Bunker]

Sometimes it was difficult to tell what the future held for the one’s fate. Destiny. Destiny was a powerful word, not to be taken lightly. Was this… was this what we were programmed to do? Maim, kill and conquer? Yet another passing thought. Who would’ve known? Was there any answer to be found at all? Dreadnaut wondered. He wasn’t religious to Primus, but he wasn’t a non-believer either. Somewhere in the middle. He had his doubts, but perhaps those doubts would only be cleared when he goes offline.

Brakeneck wrote:“Bah, you hardly speak. Didn’chya learn how to put words together for a sentence?”

Dreadnaut didn’t say anything. He turned his head slightly to look at Brakeneck’s facsimile, but didn’t move his lips. Perhaps it was best not to, what with Megatron and his troupe around. Instead, he communicated with his usual method, comms.

>>”My preferences lay not with words, but with actions.”<<

[The Obliteration]

Brawl wrote:”I should be down there with Megatron! Blasting things apart! Primus I am bored!”

“I getcha too, Brawl, but looks like we’re stuck ‘n here.” Viper shrugged his shoulders, causing the jet wings on his shoulder blades to perk up. Had there been any rocks around, he would’ve kicked one just for the heck of it, but there was nothing to be found here and he was bored. He slouched his shoulders a little. “Eh, at least I ain’t stuck with goin’ for whatever y’all are goin’ to. Ssstill, I want in on the action, ssslaggit,” he hissed.

Priority-One Transmission from Soundwave to Megatron

>>"Megatron--my systems indicate a large coalition of international aircraft being launched from multiple nearby aircraft carriers. Their destination appears to be Syrian airspace."<<
___

Syrian Government Bunker

The sudden transmission from Soundwave aboard the Thanatos left Megatron at a momentary loss. Were the major players on this planet so attuned to conflict in this region that their brief skirmish stood out as abnormal? Had someone slipped up?

His avatar's fists tightened.

>>"Monitor the comm chatter, Soundwave. I want to know why,"<< Megatron transmitted back before shifting his attention to the representatives of the Syrian government.

"Secure those materials! Go!" Megatron barked at their impromptu "trading partners", no differently than if he had been in the midst of a battle back on Cybertron. He then looked to the avatars of Sixshot and Flamewar. "We have impending company."

Syrian Government Bunker

The expression on Megatron's avatar had darkened suddenly. Then he spoke and gave cause.

"We have impending company," was all he said at first, after having ordered the human germs into haste.

Flamewar's first thoughts were of Autobots.

"Is it them?" she said, maintaining the infiltration protocols while also leaving no doubt as to whom she was referring. Megatron was already in motion. She followed suit.

"No. Natives," Megatron practically spat as he walked toward the small cadre of humvees. "Prepare for departure."

>>"Brace for an airstrike,"<< Flamewar transmitted on the secure Decepticon wavelength.

Syrian Government Bunker



When Flamewar's warning came across the channel, Feint, BlackOut, and Reaver were still at their Hummvee. Blackout busily monitoring local civilian radio frequencies from inside the Hummvee; Reaver outside, leaning back against the vehicle, one foot resting against the side, looking bored; and the ever vigilant Feint laying on the roof of the Hummvee looking through his scope for snipers. All three snapped out of their respective silent activities.

"Scrap..." Feint muttered and slid off the roof of the Hummer.

---

"Should have stayed in the vehicle." Blackout softly chided the other two as they hopped in.

>>"I am sitting on the tarmac in my alt mode if you require recon or interception. Should you feel it wise."<< He offered to the commanders over the comms. >>"My avatar hasn't been seen by any humans."<<

Blackout's avatar's eyes looked sidelong at Reaver and Feint who had been seen at least by the Syrian guards.

--

"I'm just going to shoot him." Feint muttered as he glared at Blackout.

Downtown Aleppo - Syrian Government Bunker

Flamewar wrote: >>"Brace for an airstrike."<<

Autobots? Thundercracker cursed to himself at his initial reaction. It cama little too easily, even when there was no way they’d know about Megatron’s current deception. That meant humans, and humans weren’t a threat. Readying his weapon, he nodded at Skywarp. “Looks like the fun’s about to start.”

With any concern about the safety factor of their holomater forms put to rest in their previous combat, he felt a strange surge of excitement. It’d been so long since his circuits had tingled with the sensation, it took him a few astroseconds to process what it was.

It’s been too long, he thought, smiling at the thought of not having to concern himself with safety — his own or that of his comrades.

He forced himself to relax, then headed for the bunker’s exit. It was only a matter of time before the humans attacked. He only wished he could meet them in his F-22 Raptor mode. It’d be… fun to meet them on relatively even terms. But when facing a Decepticon, was anything truly what it seemed?



Thrust’s growing confidence in his ascendency faltered at Flamewar’s comm message. His processor raced as he tried to workout the best way to combat what was coming in his current form.

This is intolerable being stuck in this… this… ARGH! His processor grew hot as he fought against the urge to vocalize his frustration. He didn’t have a problem pretending to be a fleshling, but when it came to actual combat, he’d had enough of it during their last altercation. What was a Seeker without wings, anyway?

Opening a channel, he asked what he felt was an important question. >>My lord, Megatron. Shall we meet them in our true forms, yes?<<

Syrian Government Bunker

As Megatron's avatar climbed into the humvee that had originally carried him and his lieutenants here, he opened another channel with Soundwave.

>>"Anything?"<< Megatron barked. His patience levels were clearly diminishing.

>>"I am sitting on the tarmac in my alt mode if you require recon or interception. Should you feel it wise. My avatar hasn't been seen by any humans,"<< came a separate transmission from Blackout. And he just so happened to be in Prime positioning.

>>"Recon,"<< Megatron transmitted back. >>"I want live visuals, but don't engage directly."<<

>>My lord, Megatron. Shall we meet them in our true forms, yes?<< came another transmission, this time from Thrust.

>>"Only as a last resort, Thrust. Once I know what the fleshbags know, I will adjust our strategy. For now, we simply need to ensure the Syrian government successfully holds on to its newfound nuclear capabilities."<<

Battletrap heard the message about incoming air strike. He knew the avatar versions would be safe but wondered about their bodies and the new base. It was slim chance they would take major damage if the air strike hit their new base directly but the base itself may be compromised.

>>Flamewar, where air strike going? Is new base in danger? Bodies would be fine but base may not.<<

Syrian Government Bunker

>>"Stay behind and ensure our delivery remains secured,"<< Megatron's steely voice registered in Flamewar's comm as the convoy started to roll.

>>"Of course, my lord,"<< she dutifully commed back.

"*You need to move!*" Flamewar's avatar shouted in Arabic, prompting looks of both surprise and understanding from the Syrian government officials and their military cohort as they loaded the fissile materials into their own vehicles.

>>Flamewar, where air strike going? Is new base in danger? Bodies would be fine but base may not.<<

>>"Undetermined at this point, Battletrap. For the time being, we assume everything is in danger."<<

Hummvees outside the bunker

Insidious wrote:
>>"Recon,"<< Megatron transmitted back. >>"I want live visuals, but don't engage directly."<<

>>"As you command, Lord Megatron."<< Blackout replied just a moment before his holomatter avatar blinked out of existence.

--

Feint raised an eyebrow as Blackout disappeared. "I suppose here in alt mode is better than sitting back at the base." He said. "In the least I can be useful in the moment, since I can't keep up with everyone else when they're in alt mode."

--

Reaver just sort of looked slyly at Feint, resisting jokes about Feint's lack of mobility.

It was the sobriety of the situation that kept him quiet. Like the others, he felt fairly useless. Unable to take flight, he had no way to fight back against an air attack.

--

"Don't look at me like that." Feint mumbled. "I'm not being mopey."


Decepticon Base

Blackout brought his attentions back to his real self on the tarmac. He powered up his engines and radar, quickly and as quietly as he could, lifting off.

He didn't use any running lights so not to give away his position visually to whomever it was flying in. It may be dangerous, in theory, to do so, but Blackout had an advantage over the humans. Far more advanced technology.

[Syrian Government Bunker]

Flamewar wrote:>>"Brace for an airstrike,"<<

Dreadnaut’s holomatter fell into line with the rest. Another day, another task. Again. It felt like routine by this point. He silently obeyed. Obedience got one into higher places. Rebellions work best when you are in a prime position, unless you are Starscream, in which case they never work. But Dreadnaut had no plans of rebellion or mutiny right now. He simply wanted to get this over with. Not because of his “Decepticon bravado” that some may describe him with, nor because of his bloodlust. Because it brought him one step closer to the end. He was waiting for the end to come.

Elsewhere, in the abandoned hangar that had been converted into a temporary base of operations, some heavy artillery was activating. Dreadnaut would not respond to the line-wide comm message. Words are for those who either have something important to say. Dreadnaut was not one of those people. Nothing he could say would have any profound impact on anything, aside from perhaps informing Flamewar and lord Megatron that he was prepared for whatever this assault was.

He just loaded up all his missile launchers with active thermal tracers and waited.

“I getcha too, Brawl, but looks like we’re stuck ‘n here.” Viper shrugged his shoulders, causing the jet wings on his shoulder blades to perk up. Had there been any rocks around, he would’ve kicked one just for the heck of it, but there was nothing to be found here and he was bored. He slouched his shoulders a little. “Eh, at least I ain’t stuck with goin’ for whatever y’all are goin’ to. Ssstill, I want in on the action, ssslaggit,” he hissed.

Brawl stopped on his tracks, giving Viper a venomous look. At first the smaller Decepticon had been most agreeable with him. But then… But then Viper had reminded the destructive berserker about the little fact that unlike the Combaticons, Viper wasn’t bound by Megatron’s orders.

”What the slag are you whining?!” Brawl bellowed, not even realizing how he was getting angry at the other ’con for no good reason. ”You can go out there and join Megatron’s ground team!”

Brawl followed his outburst by thrusting his index digit hard enough against Viper’s chest armor to make the lighter ’con stagger backwards. ”While I am forced to sit it out here and volunteer for whatever slag Shockwave has planned for us?!”

Decepticon Comms

>>"I have accessed the humans' intercraft communications,"<< Soundwave transmitted to the various groundside Decepticons.

>>"...detected the heightened radiation levels in this area. There's a government structure where the readings went dead."<<

>>"Copy that. Let the Secretary-General know. We still need authorization to strike."<<

>>"Gotta love U.N. bureaucracy."<<

>>"Copy that."<<