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The Skies of Polyhex ~ Near the Tagan Heights Border

Thundercracker was caught off guard by the question from Turbulence. It brought up memories from long ago when he had first joined the Decepticon cause. These memories were vague, although the feelings associated with them were still strong. It reminded Thundercracker just how old he was. He chuckled at the thought of how these memories had deteriorated over millions of vorns.

"Yeah. I was there. Me an' Warp had just joined the Decepticons. I don't remember much about the actual fight though. But, Megatron saved me from permanent stasis lock. Then he took out Sentinel Prime. How he did it, I'll never know."

A bitter feeling then swept over Thundercracker, taking him out of his usual easy going manner.

"I lost alot of friends to the Autobots that day."

There was more to the statement than even Thundercracker realised. He mostly remembered the friends that were destroyed in the fight. The millions of vorns that had past made him forget that many close friends had joined the Autobot cause during that particular conflict. As time passed, he forgot these friendships as former comrades became mortal enemies. Luckily his best friend Skywarp had stuck with him. The thought brought him out of his dour mood.

Should check in with Warp. See if he's having a better time than me.

<<Skywarp, you need me to come save you yet or what? heh heh.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

As he heard Rapture's orders over the main PA system, Dunehopper very nearly spat up his transformation cog. His optics seemed to bulge behind his visor as he spat out an incoherent stream of curses and verbiage.

"What the...*@*&! Slaggit!" More gnashing. "#^#%! @*&# on a stinkin' @&^#er's *&#$ aft-mounted #$*& cannon!"

To say he was displeased would have been historic understatement. However, as the unwritable foulness spouting from his vocalizer subsided, Dunehopper gathered himself somewhat. Briefing usually means a mission...and a mission usually means I get to drop bombs on something...so, maybe...not so bad. I guess. Slag.

"You got off easy, punks!" Dunehopper wagged his finger at Blackguard. "You got real lucky, drone. Command saved your aft."

He looked at Battletrap. "Hey two-piece limited-edition gift set, kick that Sweep's tailplate for me."

Turning to go to the Briefing Room, Dunehopper pondered what sort of mission Rapture had in store for the two squadrons she had summoned.

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Blackguard simply waited as Dunehopper recieved his orders and flew off. As eager as he was for the fight, the true work of the Decepticon Army took true priority. Dunehopper lost no face in the Sweeps eyes for leaving.
Still, he seems to have been truly eager to fight me for some reason. Perhaps another time, with just the 2 of us: It wouldn't do to leave a warrior unfulfilled.

That business done, Blackguard returned to his count, mildly surprised no-one had pre-empted it: It had been rare in the olden days for the count to get past without the melee starting. "4...3..."

Swindle watched as one of the main competitors flew out the door, finally showing this fight for the wash it had become. At this point he'd given up, and decided to make of it what he could: There wasn't anyone left in the hangar area to try dealing with anyway. Looking at Blitzwing and Razorclaw, Swindle pulled a glowing stick of energon from his sleeve compartment. "I'm putting 10 Chips on Bludgeon, what say you gentlemechs?"

Shockwave's Tower - Briefing Room

Dirge wasn't all too pleased about being called for action. Not that he was hardly ever pleased anyhow. Still, the morose seeker never wasted time obeying orders and thus had once again been among the first ones in the briefing room. No matter his annoyance, he would listen what Rapture had to say, it wasn't like he had much choice in the matter. At least he would take some satisfaction out of freaking out few of the more weaker minded seekers with his dread presence. These days hardly anything else made him even moderately happy. In war death was always present. All around them. And as much he hated to admit it, Dirge feared death.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

When Rapture called on the seekers, Ramjet was tempted to make a fuss. Fortunately Dunehopper vocally protested enough for the both of them.

heh, limited-edition gift set...

Still he had a few words to share with the Swindle to send the message home. The redwinged warrior then remembered he wanted to be on his best behavior for the new seeker sub-commander.

It wont do me any good degrading that slackguard of a skimmer drone or the marble armored medic.

Instead he walked backwards and stared the two sweeps down, only turning after he mockingly whispered "Seeker strike", and then casually smirked as he past Cyclonus on his way to the briefing room. Righting himself, Ramjet was a mere few paces behind the marginally self contained Dunehopper. After getting a safe distance from the new Aerospace commandant the conehead commented.

"Don't let that skimmer drone oxidize your aft board Dune. Our chance to settle things will come soon enough."
__________

As the two seekers departed Reforge relaxed his weapons recognition protocols. He then returned his focus to the remaining combatants. The sweep surgeon began to let his medical mind wonder...

I've never worked on a duocon before, as few as there are, but I wonder if there is a hardware link with the metalikato master and his... art.

As the fight commenced he let his scanners focus on Blugeon's performance. The coremech trusted his fellow sweep could handle most of what the tank alt warrior could dish out and hoped to see a few of the fabled fist strikes.

Shockwave's Tower ~ Arena

"I'll have 20 on Bane.." A voice said from behind Swindle, Blitzwing and Razorclaw, a pair of deep purple optics shining through the darkness, indicating the owner of the cold voice's presence in the arena.

Havok had been out of commision since the battle against Omega Supreme. The Corrupticon had been caught by one of the Autobot Guardian's more wayward shots quite early in the fight, and had not been able to prevent his systems from going into enforced stasis lock. Having been recovered by a salvage team, Havok had been patched up in Polyhex's medical facilities, and only came back online a few breems ago.

As if drawn by the atmosphere of an arena battle, Havok had soon found himself in the arena, just before the festivities began, and it didn't surprise him much to see his fellow Corrupticon in the middle of it all. Upon hearing Swindle try and drum up some friendly betting, Havok couldn't pass up an opportunity to bet on Bane "..Anyone else got the bolts to lay some credits down?"

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Bane had noticed Havok's and Thrall's entrance long before the others. After over thousands of battles together they had developed a sixth sense when it came to their amazing awareness of eachother's presence.

"Coming to see me rip their breastplates up and carve out their sparks?" Bane asked Havok. It was not really a question, but more a way of making the others a little more uneasy and insecure. It may not work on a veteran like Bludgeon, but it probably had an effect on the others assembled. Surely most of them had heard of the Corrupticons destructive abilities. If not they would after this arena battle was over.

"Show'em wat we Corrupticons do wit rustbags, Bane" Thrall appeared right behind Havok, holding his mighty axe in a relaxed position on his shoulder.

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Rampage might not be one of the most sanest people around; but he didn't exactly have any credits on him; it seemed he wasn't usually trusted with them. Still it didn't bother him in the least; he just quite simply ignored Swindle keeping his attention on each of the combatants. After all he was here for was the fighting and perhaps if he was lucky a bit of energon would be spilled.

Still he did turn to see who the new arrivals were; curious as to whom would bet on Bane...not that he considered it a stupid choice mind you. Looking to each of the corrupticons Rampage soon lost interest, he wasn't exactly known for having a long attention span anyhow; well, unless he was hunting then it was whole different story.

Rampage was somewhat interested in Bane's talk to his comrades; his primal mind wishing that he would get to see such a thing. Even though the more rational part of him told him it wasn't likely and not to get his hopes up. Still the psycopath knew of the Corrupticons and their destrutive capabilities and was feeling almost honoured to get to watch this battle.

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Swindle was no casseticon, not even short for a warrior, but somehow Havok wore the extra foot and a half of hieght like he was twice as tall as everyone in the room. Swindle was used to 'Cons like this though, so he tried not to let it get to him. He still appeared intimdated by the Corrupticon though, that was par for the course.
Taking that bet however...Swindle, from what he knew of the combatants in front of him, could only think of Bludgeon and Bane as being worth any money. The choice between them, however, Swindle couldn't judge from what little he knew of their fighting skill. He'd chosen Bludgeon because he'd just returned from a mission where he'd seen the warrior act calmly and professionally in a situation, but in his mind he couldn't call the match between him and the gladiator of old. and Swindle hated 50/50 odds, when he couldn't affect them at least.
Still, if he did lose a few chips to the big warrior, he would hardly be made bankrupt, but he might earn a bit of sympathy or respect from the big man, and that was hard to buy at even the best prices.

"I'll take that bet" he said, materialising another 10 chips from subspace.

"...2..."
Blackguards combat processor worked in overclock judging the vectors of the fight. There were now 4 combatants, which gave a tendency for the fight to become 2 duels.
"...1..."
Thus to increase his chances of winning, he needed to manipulate these duels for him to defeat his first foe, while the remaining opponents weakened each other for him.
"GO!!!"
Blackguard swung around and jumped, with a slight burst of his jets to the far side of the arena, to put Battletrap between him and the more fearsome Bludgeon and Bane. His prey thus selected and shielding him, Blackguard advanced, spiked shield first, towards the Duocon.

(OOC: I don’t believe Shockwave’s tower has an arena. You can create some sort of improvised area for a fight but there is no official ‘arena room’ in the Tower.)

Shockwave’s Tower – Secondary Hangar

Megatron brought his shuttle around to the less popular secondary hangar. He did not want to waste time with other Decepticons in the main hangar. This mission needed to be off as soon as possible. If the Autobots were to get there first it would make the mission that more difficult. Infiltration would be difficult if the Autobots located them when they arrived. They would need to move quickly and carefully.

The Decepticon commander stood up and began making his way out of the shuttle. “Motormaster, gather the last member of your team. According to the last roster update Dead End should be posted in Polyhex. Once you have him report to the tower command center and you will briefed on your mission.”

With those orders given he stepped out of the shuttle and began to make his way to the Command Center. A brief signal along the way would make sure the required information would be there upon his arrival.

Tower--Command Center

The arrival of Megatron's shuttle had not gone unnoticed by the three-in-one Decepticon, Reflector. All three units watched the arrival from different angles on their respectiove screens.

"What brings our leader here?" Reflector says, each of the components speaking in quiet unison. Shortly thereafter, a transmission is received from Kolkular that quickly puts the pieces together.

>>"Reflector: transmission incoming. Confirm success."<<

The Viewfinder unit's optics watch as the file is uploaded in to the tower's central computing system. When the transfer of file designate AC488 is complete, Viewfinder sends a quick confirmation signal back to the Communications Officer. There could be no doubt as to what Megatron had come here to receive if Soundwave had put such considerable effort in to locking the file. Regardless, it would be ready when the Decepticon leader arrived.

Shockwave's Tower - "Arena"

Through pure instinct Bane reacted almost instantly to Blackguard's sudden more or less unexpected move, transforming to his two-headed feral mode and jumped over the head of the Duocon and landed behind him, transforming back to his more skeletal appearence.
"Have fun" Bane's words were targeted at Bludgeon. The Sweep had tried to take advantage of the situation so he would face the weaker Battletrap, instead of Bane or Bludgeon. Bane had no intention to let a rookie manipulate him in his very own element. Besides, Bane still had some sort of flair for the theatrical from the old times in the arena pits and it would just be more entertaining slowly dismantling this mech before moving to what he considered a more worthy and challenging foe.

"I wonder how a Sweep looks like on the inside" the gladiator's hollow 'laugh' echo'd from behind the vizir as he took a greater look at the warrior in front of him, while standing otherwise emotionless, waiting for his opponent to attack.


"Oi Blitzy" Thrall placed himself between Blitzwing and Havok "how come your sorry chasis ain't in dis?"

(OOC: It is technically just a training room with sufficient marks on the ground to divide audience from fighters. But we've been calling it an arena for a while now, so I guess the name will do for now.)

Shockwave's Tower - 'Arena'

Blackguard was taken aback by Bane's move: He'd been sure the large warrior would have gone for either the strong foe Bludgeon or the weak Battletrap. But he'd been wrong, and now he'd have to face this master Pitfighter.
Blackguard turned on his jets once more and leapt at and over Bane, his sword slicing to cut at the Corrupticon's eyes: Not the most likely result, but if it succeeded some of the pressure might be releived. Still, this fight was not of to the best of starts. The fact that he would likely land between Bane and Bludgeon, the one place he didn't want to be, made it worse. Then again, that assumed he would land as intended...

Shockwave's Tower - Briefing Room Three

Striding into the Briefing Room, Dunehopper gave Rapture a dutiful if uninspired salute and then took a seat near the end of the large table. Sure hope this is worth missing that fight, he grumbled silently. If it ain't...maybe me and the up-and-comer need to have a little post-mission chat, with my fists and rocket launchers doing the talking. Wonder why Starscream isn't leading this one? It's his job, after all. Maybe Rapture's gunning for his job. She has it written all over her.

He speared Rapture with a nasty glare, slightly mitigated by his visor, and waited to hear what this briefing was all about.



Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

With lesser matters concluded for the time being, Shockwave could at last move on to the next pressing item on his extraordinarily long and complex personal agenda. The towering purple mechanoid looked back to Onslaught as Rapture departed the Command Center, and began to speak in his customary monotone.

"Fact: the Autobot and Decepticon factions each possess a single gestalt warrior - Defensor and Devastator, respectively," he stated. "Fact: the current balance of power effectively comprises a situation of mutually assured destruction should gestalt warriors be called into battle. In essence, a stalemate before the battle has even been joined. Situation:" his voice hardened ever so slightly, "unacceptable."

He continued, passing a datapad to Onslaught. "Within are personality analyses prepared by you, amended by myself. Thorough review and breakdown of previous combat and non-combat performance has yielded favorable results. The Combaticons are viable candidates for conversion into gestalt components."

Shockwave paused for a moment. In his logic processor, the unsatisfactory balance of power and suitability of the Combaticons for upgrade to gestalt status were justification enough for them to be so upgraded, but he knew that most Transformers, even ones as coolly strategic and analytical as Onslaught, had certain needs regarding pride and validation. Shockwave would spare a few kliks to these needs. A few; no more than that.

"As well, your combat performance and the performance of your unit has been exemplary, and your work as a strategist and acting city-state commander have likewise warranted some reward. Consider this your reward."

Shockwave moved to a data terminal and pressed a few buttons. A holoprojector in the center of the vast chamber flickered to life and projected an image of a huge, menacing Transformer, militaristic in styling. Clearly this was the intended gestalt form of the Combaticons.

"Designation: Bruticus. The most efficient melding of Vortex, Swindle, Brawl, Blast-Off, and you. Bruticus will alter the balance of power on Cybertron dramatically in favor of the Decepticon Empire. Your unit will have a hand in bringing about the final mega-cycles of the Autobot Republic."

Before he could continue, Shockwave noticed, as Reflector had, the arrival of a shuttle in one of the Tower's secondary hangar bays. It was not just any shuttle, either. High-level command codes identified precisely who was on board that shuttle. Though not exactly caught by surprise - Shockwave could count on one hand the number of times in his lengthy existences that he had been truly surprised - the military coordinator was slightly displeased by this turn of events.

"Project: suspended for the time being," he informed Onslaught. "Stand by for continuance. You are dismissed."

The holoprojector cut off as Shockwave sent a mechanomental command to the Center's computer network, and, as if on cue, the cyclopean mechanoid turned toward the main entrance of the Command Center. The doors slid open, and silhouetted in the frame was the Emperor of Destruction himself. Shockwave's hand moved slowly to his chestplate, halting here with a dull thud of metal on metal.

"'Til all are one. Greetings, Megatron. Welcome once again to Polyhex."

The military coordinator stood still as a statue, awaiting Megatron's words.

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Havok's uneasy half smile was the only answer he offered to Bane's question, all the Orns that had passed hadn't dulled the Black Death's knack for mind games, many was the time he had beaten his opponent before the fight had even begun. Though that was unlikely to be the case here, it never hurt to try it.

As Swindle called him on his wager, Havok just nodded as he too showed his chips, before looking back to the action which was well underway. As Bane and Blackguard battled for position in the pit, each trying to outdo the other and think ahead, Havok smiled once more as he spotted another chance to have a little wager with Swindle "Another 10 says Blackguard is the first one down and out" The Corrupticon said, looking at Swindle out of the corner of his optic.

Havok didn't particularly care if the apparent intimidation shown by Swindle was genuine or an act, he was far more interested in watching a bloody good fight, and maybe making some chips out of it. Unlike Bane, who revelled in the feeling of striking fear into those around him, whoever they may be, the only time Havok cared about intimidating others was on the field of battle, if he intimidated any of his fellow Decepticons, then they weren't worth the time to concern himself with.

Shockwave’s Tower – Secondary Hangar

The shuttle ride to Polyhex had been a quiet one. In Megatron's presence even the Stunticons acted like model soldiers or at least did their best appearing a such. Wildrider was still out although it would be only matter of time before he'd regain consciousness. Meanwhile Breakdown and Drag Strip sat silently if shifty, facing Motormaster who in turn would have played the role of a grim army sergeant feared by his men perfectly during the trip.

As Megatron rose from his resting place, so did Motormaster and the other Stunticons, even Wildrider seemed to be stirring up.

"It won't take long mighty Megatron." Motormaster finally replied as Megatron finished with his instructions and walked off the shuttle.

Not wanting to make Megatron wait again, Motormaster opened the comm-link channel used by his unit. >>"Dead End! Drag your sorry carcass to the tower command center entrance within 4 kliks! You do not want to make me to search for you."<<

Finishing the tranmission, Motormaster turned towards rest of the Stunticons and started bellowing, "And you three! What you are waiting for?! Start moving!"

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Onslaught's optics glittered appreciatively at the sight of the marvel of military engineering that was Bruticus, the Combaticons' proposed gestalt form. As commendations for excellence went, it certainly exceeded even his lofty expectations. With such power at their disposal, he and his troops would rule any battlefield to which they might be assigned. He took a moment to acquaint himself with the specifications of the new combiner, the better to pose more pertinent inquiries with Shockwave. It would hardly do to start wasting the Military Operations Commander's time simply because he had allowed his faculties to become overwhelmed with enthusiasm for this new project.

His processors, however, were positively aflame with the possibilities this new development represented.

However, before he could offer up any input at all on the proposition that had been laid out before him, he was abruptly dismissed. Onslaught stiffened slightly--quite a feat, given his normally rigid posture--but saluted dutifully in acknowledgement of his latest order. "By your command, Shockwave."

As he exited the Command Center, the Combaticon Commander's considered the repercussions of the cyclops' proposal. The thought of spearheading the charge to deliver the final deathblow against Prime and his rag-tag militia was a pleasing one. Suddenly, Onslaught felt it very important to check up on his subordinates. He could hardly have them embarrassing him at this critical juncture and jeopardizing the bright future Shockwave had promised.

>>Swindle, present status and location?<< he transmitted curtly. Of all the Combaticons, he was most likely to be up to his optics in the sort of trouble Onslaught would prefer to avoid. All Vortex, Blast-Off, or particularly Brawl were likely to do was start a few fights, perhaps break something. Where Swindle was concerned, however, the potential for unexpected complications was greater by several orders of magnitude.

Shockwave's Tower - Arena

Only passingly interested in the spectacle going on before him, Dead End stiffened noticeably when Motormaster's orders came across the communications channels. This was an unexpected development. To say nothing of unwelcome. The maroon Stunticon had rather gotten used to the relative level of freedom he enjoyed here in Polyhex, far from the petty torments and endless, half-articulate bellowing of his commander.

He supposed he should have known it was too good to last.

It was clear the oaf had learned very little of temperance since the last time Dead End had endured the distinct misfortune of laying optics upon him. A shame, really. He had sort of hoped that someone would have dropped a Guardian or a building or maybe one of Cybertron's moons on Motormaster by now. It wasn't as though he made for a difficult target.

>>Whatever you say,<< Dead End replied unenthusiastically. >>I'm not far from the entrance to the command center. I'll be there in two, unless I take a wrong turn into the armory and end up blowing myself and half of Polyhex sky-high.<<

As he transformed and sped off down the halls of the tower, he couldn't help think that vaporization was actually looking like the more attractive option just now.

Shockwave's Tower - 'Arena'

Swindle looked at Havok, then back at the fight. It didn't look good for the Sweep, at best he looked like he was being chased by Bane around the battlefield. Swindle wasn't in th ehabit of throwing away his energon. He was about to refuse the Corrupticon when a call came in from Onslaught.

>>Hey Boss, good to hear you're up and about again! I'm just down in the Training Room next to the main Hangar, a few of the 'Cons are having a spar. I'm just watching, don't worry. Do we have orders or something?<<

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Megatron nodded silently at Shockwave and entered the room. He walked to the main computer console and typed in a few commands, sealing the room and unlocking the encryption on the datastream sent by Soundwave. A hologram of AC488 appeared in the center of the room. “AC488. You’ll remember this is the world that we sent a team to all of those vorns ago. What you might not know is that our wayward team has returned, along with Grimlock and his crew. We now have up to date information on this world, but so do the Autobots.”

He tapped the controls again and an overlay appeared on the planet, showing it in its current state with the various signs of civilization on it. “A primitive society has arisen on the planet. They appear to be mostly dependent on fossil fuels and some fission reactors. While primitive, both could be turned to our use and converted into energon. The planet is also ripe with other various resources we can make use of. All of the data has been uploaded on to your main computer.”

The Decepticon commander looked Shockwave right in his singular optic. This is where things could get interesting. “I am assigning you to lead an infiltration mission to this planet. The Autobots likely have all the information we have, if not more. They also know that we have information on this planet and are likely preparing their own mission to this world. You know as well as anyone that Cybertron is running out of energon again. I will not have my armies frozen again by another Great Shutdown, nor will I allow the Autobots to exploit another energon resource off planet.” His eyes flashed red with this last statement. The stalemate they were almost always seemingly in on Cybertron was now swinging slightly in favor of the Decepticons, but if the Autobots were able to get energon from off world it would upset the balance dramatically.

“We do not have the energon or resources to outright subjugate this planet without destroying its value. The inhabitants, while primitive, number in the billions and their weaponry could prove a threat to us. Follow the infiltration protocols, gather energon in secret and attempt to destabilize the planet in secret. The Autobots will likely avoid direct confrontation but if it happens, you know what to do. I have already selected the Stunticons to join you. They are a violent and crude group, but their ground based alternate modes will better blend in with the vehicles used by the majority of the populace. Starscream will serve as your second. His aerial abilities should prove useful and despite his arrogance he can be an effective leader. You know how to deal with him. You can select the rest of your team yourself. Questions or comments?”

Shockwave's Tower - Outside Command Center

It didn't take long for Motormaster and his crew to reach the Command Center. Sure, Megatron had gotten a headstart when they had needed to take some time waking Wildrider up but certainly they were not going be so late that it would spark Megatron's ire this time.

Noticing rapidly approaching identification signature tagged Dead End on his sensor web, Motormaster felt there was no need to keep Megatron and likely Shockwave too, waiting for longer.

Moving over to stand in front of the Command Center entrance, the large Decepticon gave the Tower's security systems a chance to identify him and notify the High Command that the Stunticons were ready to be called in any given moment.

Shockwave's Tower - 'Arena'

Bludgeon didn't change his expression but he liked Bane's thinking. His action was unexpected which pleased him. Some through tactical insight though probably more instinct than intellect. But natural instinct for battle was important too. While the Gladiator faced Blackguard, Bludgeon's vizor remained fixed on Battletrap. Not the fiercest of foes, but he would not underestimate him. Suddenly in a dash of unexpected speed the swordmaster moved forth. He had taken in the armor structure and physical design of Battletrap. He knew where to strike... . He unleashed a flurry of stabs and slashes. Not killing blows but enough to keep Battletrap guessing and to weaken him... or at least to gain further insight in his technique and style.

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Shockwave had expected Megatron's unannounced visit to be somewhat unpleasant. The Emperor of Destruction, for all his vast power and prowess, was an inherently illogical being at times, too prone to leading with his spark rather than his cranial module. Still, nothing - no precalculated notions or analyses of possible reasons for Megatron's visit - could have prepared even the ever-ready Shockwave for what his audio sensors were now detecting and processing.

A lesser Transformer, a less perfectly logical one, might have experienced what Shockwave was now feeling as outrage, anger, and hate. But Shockwave did not experience such things. Though if he did...they would indeed be terrible to behold.

His single optic glinted ever so slightly in the dimness of the Command Center. For the briefest of moments, his tactical computers came online and analyzed Megatron's anatomical format and material composition, preparing to send to Shockwave's left hand the most suitable energy composition specifications for firing upon Megatron. Shockwave canceled the internal functions before they finished, however, his composure returning as quickly as it had departed him.

Analysis: Megatron seeks to rid himself of my presence in order to better maintain his position as leader of the Decepticon faction. Shockwave did not have to be a walking supercomputer - though he was - to see that. Megatron's assignment of Starscream to the mission confirmed that, as well, and while he respected Motormaster's efficacy as a large, blunt object to be unleashed upon Autobot lines, his Stunticons were little more than a band of criminals. AC488 was to be the dumping ground for those Decepticons Megatron would rather not have interfering in his own agenda on Cybertron.

Shockwave had to admit that the plan did have some merits. It was not his style, though. If in Megatron's position, he would simply deactivate those Decepticons who created problems within the faction. Of course, even Megatron would be hard-pressed to deactivate Shockwave.

As well, Megatron was not incorrect about Cybertron's energon crises. Shockwave's own calculations indicated that within the vorn, the War would begin to be dramatically impacted by planet-wide energon shortages. He had said so before, but such warnings had fallen upon malfunctioning audio sensors. Ironically, Shockwave was now the Decepticon being sent to remedy the shortage. He spoke now, the entire course of thinking having passed within his processors in mere fractions of a fraction of an astrosecond.

"No," he answered Megatron. "I will gather my unit and depart forthwith."

The matter concluded, Shockwave hoped Megatron would make himself scarce as quickly as he had come. There was work to be done, an Empire to be saved...

And an Emperor of Destruction to depose. Not in this moment, but when logic dictated that it was the time to strike. Megatron's illogical behavior had at last become too great to tolerate. He was a threat to the entire Decepticon faction. Shockwave would eliminate this threat in due time.

It was, after all, only logical.

Shockwave's Tower - 'Arena'

Blackguard's cut sliced Bane's vizir around the whole where the optics was placed. It was a reason why he had his face protected by this vizir and there was a reason why he had Blackguard let him hit him. The Sweep had no idea how Bane was build and how strong his armor was. This information was only known by the Black Death itself. The damage on his vizir was mediocre at best and had no affect on his vision at all. Bane wished to give Blackguard the expression that his armor was almost impregnable, mostly to make his foe unsecure on his own chances of success.

"Is that all you got?" the Corrupticon turned around in an almost cocky, but intimidating way. He was grinning inside, though the Sweep or anyone else couldn't see it.

"C'mon Bane. Quit dat and end the fight already" Thrall was a bit irritated, though not suprised that his old partner was playing with his opponent. Bane loved the suffering of others and arena fights always gave him enough opportunities to enjoy it to the fullest.

Shockwave's Tower - 'Arena'

Blackguard landed in a crouch, his blade and shield guarded against what he thought was an inevitable counterstroke from Bane. Instead he saw the gladiator stand there, little more than scratched. Perhaps if he had been an Autobot, the Sweeps specially tuned blade might have burned through his armor or sent feedback to his optics, but this Decepticon was no more affected than by a poke to the chestplate.

Somewhere in his spark, Blackguard felt a tinge of fear, but far greater than that, he felt a great admiration for Bane. Here was a warrior constucted much like Blackguard, not merely physically but mentally, a warrior who understood that Fear and Cruelty were weapons far more potent than any blade or bomb. But these similarities only went to show even more starkly Blackguards disadvantages in this fight.

The Sweeps were hunters, masters of the sky and the broken battlefield. Bane was a gladiator, master of the closed circle, nothing between opponents but thier own desires to win above all else. Even if they were of the exact same specifications, this difference of mentality and experience swung the favor of the fight to Bane. Blackguard had to figure a way to overcome this imbalance, and quickly.

To intimidate Bane was next to impossible; Blackguard had to be physically cruel to him. Thus his next attack was a hard thrust at the gladiators left hand, to damage the fingers and perhaps deprive him of a weapon. Not an easy strike in any battle situation, unless the big warrior wasn't paying attention. Call it a test

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Megatron saw it in his optic, a brief flash or glint. Shockwave had apparently taken some offense to his reassignment. What he was seeing was as close as the other Decepticon seemed to be capable of getting angry. He had to contain his pleasure at the sight. Feeling slighted, Shockwave would either work hard to win his way back into Megatron’s good graces or work hard to overthrow him. Either way Megatron would ultimately benefit. If Shockwave did turn against him, he would be discarded like any other tool that had outlived its usefulness, but he would still reap the benefit of his work.

It would be a pity to lose Shockwave. His intelligence and raw power had done much for the Empire, but everyone save himself was ultimately expendable. Only he had the vision and the power to push the Transformer race to where it belonged, as rulers of the galaxy. It had been that way at the start of the Great War, it would be that way at the end of the Great War when he crushed Prime’s spark chamber in his bear hands.

“Very well. You will take the Thanatos. Contact me when you are ready to depart.” Megatron turned and walked out of the command center, sparing a brief nod at Motormaster and his men as he walked past them.