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Shockwave's Tower - Hangar Control Room

As soon as the doors had sealed closed behind him, Starscream's seemingly ever-present smirk evaporated. It was replaced with an expression that was a great deal more thoughtful--possibly even pensive, though their were few Transformers that would believe he were capable of such a state. And none at all that had ever seen it firsthand.

Settling at one of the monitoring stations, the Seeker Commander cupped his chin in his hand and stared into the flashing displays. Surveillance was an everyday fact of life in Polyhex; the cyclops kept them all under very close scrutiny every nano-klik of the orn. One learned to function despite the lack of privacy, or one went into voluntary stasis lock. Wasn't such a difficult choice.

Though he had a total picture of what was transpiring in the hangar in his absence, Starscream wasn't actually paying his own troops, their rivals, or any of the other miscellaneous mechanoids that had gathered there very much attention. He required time to think, to assess his situation. For that, he desired quiet--although he was no more or less alone in that moment than he was at any other time.

Repair Bay

A technical drone had just removed Onslaught's arm and was in the process of fabricating a new one when he received Shockwave's transmission. To say that his curiosity was piqued would have been a profound understatement; Shockwave was a notoriously self-sufficient Decepticon, one that generally preferred to limit his interactions with others to the dispensing of orders. Why should he want to see Onslaught personally?

Whatever the answer to that question might be, the Combaticon was certain it would prove most interesting.

>>Understood, Shockwave,<< he returned. >>I shall make my way to the command center shortly.<<

Barracks

Dead End only glanced up from his intensive cleaning regimen as Blitzwing made his swaggering entrance and boasted of the victory over the Guardian. "Congratulations," he replied dryly. "But I don't think I actually 'missed' anything. I'm quite happy to stay right where I am and work the dings out from our last great military disaster. Tell me, is any part of Polyhex still standing?"

The sullen Stunticon went back to dolefully polishing his armor back to its usual, mirrorlike finish, only half-listening as Blitzwing went on. He'd been perfectly content to remain on his own, apparently forgotten by the powers that be in favor mechs with greater firepower and less common sense. Seemed like a basically agreeable way to wait out this farce of a war to him.

"And Starscream's always making a speech out of something," he added. "It's when he gets quiet that I start to worry. At least when he's being oratorical he's easy to keep track of--and avoid."

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

Swindle, seeing Heap was being unresponsive, switched his attention to the newcomer. "And Warthog, good day to you too sir. I beleive I saw you covering us during the attack, flying low to keep out of sight while the Seekers decided to risk their afts out in the open. That's some smart flying, I gotta say. I was glad to have a flier with some intelligence and experience in the skies."
As he talked, Swindle racked his memory banks for what he knew of the mech: He prided himself on never forgetting a name or a face, but he wasn't perfect. I recall he's an old coot, hates the Seekers mostly because they're new, would probably think the same of the Sweeps. Could be cagy, probably shouldn't go for the sale straight away. Swindles face betrayed none of this internal computing, or course: the highly malleable and expressive face mounting could have been carved from duracite for all it showed of the true Swindle.

Hangar

Warthog looked at Swindle, his tusked face impossible to read. "We all have our strengths; mine is self-reliance." He paused to let the young mech catch the not-so-subtle message. "Some of us are not so lucky."

"Heap, when ya think we'll get our tails back out there? We need to bleed some of this tension between the kids, and blowing some slag up might do it."

Hangar

Heap, having taken Onslaught's advice to heart, began working on the read-outs from the battle and reviewing the battle data he'd personally collected. He hadn't even noticed Swindle and Warthog until he'd been addressed by the flyer, "Hopefully we won't _need_ to go back out there for a while. We sent the Autobots' secret weapon packing, but in all honesty, we got pretty lucky. I'm hoping they hold off for a while..."

Shockwave's Tower--Hangar

Warthog sighed. "I guess you're right." Turning to Swindle, the large flyer runs through a mental inventory of previous purchases from the wily Decepticon. There's got to be something worth repeating....

He pinged his sensors, scanning for anything anyone else might be carrying that's worth seeing if Swindle could acquire. Warthog knew playing with this kid was like playing with a snake, but he was sure it was nothing he couldnt handle.

"Hey Swindle, got any cluster bombs?"

Hangar

Yeah, we're all self-reliant, till it comes to refueling and getting our guns. That was why being a munitions handler never left Swindle without something to do: Everyone needs to reload sometime.

"My Friend, for you, I can acquire many things. A set of cluster bombs will be only too simple to find. If you wish I can have a half-dozen back here for a negotiation in 5 breems.
"As for a way to clear the tension in the air, I'm afraid one can't purchase that with Energon. Your idea of a spot of combat isn't too bad though, although Heap is right, getting the 'Bots involved isn't the most desirable of things. How about...while I'm getting the product, you two have a chat with Bludgeon, and I'll see if I can't rustle up my old friend Brawl. A little contest might be jsut what we need."

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

Dirge had not intention to follow Ramjet and Dunehopper to guzzle energon like a dimwitted buffoon. He merely gave the two much telling glare that should have sent chills going through their neurosystems.

He didn't usually have anything against others spending their time however they preferred. But during these days of energy depletation he didn't make any effort to keep his loathing towards any kind of unnecessary consumption a secret.

"If you feel like using our depleting energy resources to get an energon overdose. Do not let me stand on your way." He said venomously and headed out of the hangar to get himself a recharge and replenish his ammunation storage. No one could blame Dirge from not being ready would a call for combat announced.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

Placing himself next to his wingman, Nightraid, Quantum had witnessed the after-effect of Starscream's speak. The black and white seeker-officer was ofcourse not affected in anyway by the seeker commanders rhetoric since he had heard it a thousand times before, probably the same with the longtime veteran Nightraid. But the younger seekers might find strenght in Starscream's words, which was all that mattered in the end.

"He still got the touch" Quantum muttering to his companion, standing with his arms crossed, emitting an aura of authority around his person. He wondered how Turburlence had it. The young wingman had been shaken, but it was nothing a couple of breems of restitution could fix.

Out of the corner, the seeker noticed a dark silhuette disappearing before he could identify it.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

Nightraid shifted. Starscream's words sounded hollow and exagerated as ever. Though his credit was partially due, the sincerity was questionable. The sophisticated Seeker had to admit though, Starscream was a skilful demagogue.
Glancing at Quantum and Turbulence in turn he nodded lightly. "Well... that's that" he said as if wanting to 'round up' and finalize the staged moment.
"I think i'll go see if i can reload, recharge and then hit the trainingsimulator or spar with Bludgeon or someone else" the officer said. "If any of you are up to it feel free to meet me at the trainingroom" he said "It's been far too long i wielded my saber" the faceplated Decepticon said with his elitary accent.

The Dojo

Bludgeon stood in the center of the room. Amazing what a quick dip in the CR-Tank did. Off course he had barely had damage and some dents and scraps were quickly mended.
He smiled and drew his blade. Taking on an offensive stance, he performed a kata, checking the performance of his body and his combat subroutines.

Shockwave's Hangar

Warthog snorted at Swindle. "I'll hunt Bludgeon down, but I want my bombs by the time I get back. A little target practice could be in order."
Arrogant little slag Warthog thought. I hope Brawl steps on his head for annoying him. He paused to think for a moment. After I get my bombs

"Heap, you coming to find Bludgeon? Big oaf might need some convincin'."

Shockwave's Tower - Medlab 4

Boasting segmented flooring, low luminescent lighting, along with sterilized alloys and the faint sent of sodering, the Medical facilities seemed as lifeless as they do on any other planet. Even an Empire of warriors finds there repair chambers rarely vacant. This was a small price for those loyal to Megatron to pay.

Upon arriving in Medlab 4, Reforge diligently surveyed and annotated the performance specs of the drone sweeps. Moving from one mech to the next he concluded with favorable results.

"Not bad, 3 with moderate damage, 2 critical but stable, and 1 causality; exceptionable losses for a drone fleet really." the sweep summarized as he finalized the form regarding the deactivated drone.

Looking back and forth among the damaged trio, the con cormech grimiest, "Now I have to undo my field patch jobs and give your frames the show room treatment; tedious work, but perhaps Cyclonus will appreciate my efforts."

While true Reforge was the only sentient sweep in the room, there were fellow spark holding Decepticons present; namely Onslaught and Turbulence within the adjacent rooms.

The lone medic wondered if his 'quality of life' would improve should he transfer from observing Cyclonus' non responsive seeker replacements to working along side the spark filled sweep pack of Scourge.
<hr>
Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

"Ah, Skyshroud is it! Well after flying around with my noisy wing mates for a vorn, and you'ld think everyones name was sound based too." pausing as Dirge gave off a glare that was far louder than any resounding No he's given to his squad members. "Guess I've formed a habit."

"It slaggin took a good Deca-cycle to stop calling him tunehummer!" he said pointing back toward Dunehopper as he lead the way. "But, share a drink with a seeker and they'll remember your name for life"

Ramjet swaggered as he made his way into the commissary. With rank and file seating along with ration supplemented energon, it was a far cry from the conehead's favored bar scene. 'Probably flattened to the ground by now anyway.' Still with two capable seekers at his wing, he stroad in like a squadron leader would, but was particularly willing to share the spotlight.

Looking across the tables full of ground pounders and the like, the red winged warrior settled along a row of seets against a counter by the fuel dispensers. With five credits in hand he slammed them on the counter and gestured to his companions. "So what will the new stealthseeker be having?"

While overcharging rarely showed negative effects on Ramjet, he's noticed over the vorns of war he still could feel the high octaned buzz. So long as there were no Sweeps about to spoil his mood he'ld probably be willing to talk about anything.

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Cyclonus' cautionary words were well-meditated, Shockwave admitted, but unnecessary. He knew quite well from his experience with Sixshot, limited though it was due to the recent construction of the Sixchanger, that the Solo Transformer Assault Group had a battle lust few living Decepticons could match. He could count the names on a hand actuator, if he so chose to devote that minute fraction of a fraction of his computing power: Clench, Roadblock, Devastator, and so on. The list was short, but highly illustrious.

"That is my intended result," he told the Air Commandant. "If Sixshot finds suitable targets of opportunity, which I have no doubt he will, his destructive capacity will provide the illusion that not one but many Decepticons are attacking the Autobots. As the diversionary attack from Tyrest did, a sortie by Sixshot will convince the Autobots that we are in a stronger position than, arguably, we are."

Fact: the Tagan Heights are now under our control. Analysis: a concentrated effort by the Autobots would force us back out as quickly as we came. Chance of success for an Autobot assault originating in Iacon: 71.8774%. The numbers tilted even more favorably toward the Autobot faction if variables such as a strike from a second front or full-blown siege tactics were entered into the equation. If the Decepticons were to hold the Tagan Heights, they needed to move quickly not only to fortify their new city-state, but to keep tight hold of the momentum they had developed.

He awaited the arrival of Onslaught. Perhaps, with the help of the capable Combaticon and his team, the momentum might be held a bit longer.

Shockwave's Tower

Ramjet asked what Skyshroud wanted to drink he looked quickly to Dunehopper and then back to the bar keeper, "Whats the house special?" he asked as he sat down next to his fellow fliers.

He wasn't listening and didn't really care what the special was, whatever it was thats what he ordered.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

"I'll be back before Bludgeon has finished his first little speech about the power of Metallidogo." Maybe he'll prick a hole in your head to let the ego out.
With a final smile at Heap, Swindle transformed and drove out of the Hangar. He didn't have far to go, however. Just outside the Hangar and round a corner, in the very shadow of the tower, lay an external hangar. A squadron of seekers had been the last occupants, taking off just before the place had been hit by bombard shells during the Siege. During the preperation for the attack on Omega Supreme, Swindle had done a thorough inventory report on what remained there. The inventory had been thorough; the report, not so much.
The cluster bombs were bulky to Swindle's small frame, but he could just about handle them. If I want to warm that hard-head up from his icemech routine, I'll need to seriously undercharge for these. But hey, it's 100% profit, so who am I to complain?. Replacing the sheet metal hiding the "destroyed" supplies, Swindle turned on his radio. Now to find old Silence-Smasher. Hope he's only tremendously furious this cycle.

Shockwave's Tower - Main Hangar

Rampage was bored; there were no two ways about it now that the combat was over and everyone was just chatting (something he abhored) there really wasn't anything he could do. So he just mulled about hoping either a fight would break out or he would probably just wander off somewhere and have a nose about. Well something to do was better than all this boredom. Idly watching his fellow predacons for the moment Rampage didn't seem all that concerned; even though in his mind he was imagining the most painful and fun way to tear whatever poor soul became his prey.

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Cyclonus nodded at Shockwave, a slight smile on his face. “A well conceived plan commander. I will make the preparations and issue the orders immediately.” The air commdant saluted sharply and spun on his heel, quickly make his way out of the command center. As he left he started issuing the orders.

>>”Starscream, meet me in the hangar bay. Shockwave wishes to begin regular patrols of the area with squadrons of seekers. Your input could prove of value.”<<

He was interested to see what the seeker commander would have to say. He needed to learn more about him and his brethren if he was to be of full use as air commandant. They needed to be able to work together in some capacity, assuming Starscream could get over the fact that Cyclonus had replaced him in the hierarchy. If he couldn’t work with him, then it was best to find out now than in a more important situation.

<hr>
Shockwave’s Tower – Hangar Bay

Sixshot had been quietly leaning against one of the walls, his arms folded over his chest, watching the various seekers and sweeps chatter with each other. Unsurprisingly they all tended to steer well away from him. Sixshot was a predator, a hunter, more so than even the sweeps. All of those weaker than him could be seen as prey for him. That fact tended to put most others in a state of unease.

If they knew Sixshot’s thoughts they would only find themselves more at unease. The sixchanger had been contemplating various combat scenarios, including fighting against his fellow Decepticons. He did not expect that to happen, but it was something to do to try and stave off the boredom. He was finding out that quite possibly he one true weakness was an extended amount of down time.

The sixchanger stood up straight as he received the orders from Cyclonus. They weren’t ideal, but the potential for battle was much greater that standing around was. He made his way to the hangar door and transformed to his starfighter mode. With a roar of his engines he was off to the Polyhex border.

Shockwave's Tower - Hangar Control

The unwelcome voice of Cyclonus shook Starscream from his private reverie. What did that waste of spare parts want now? It was just typical. Fresh off the assembly line, with a grand total of two battles on his record, it was only natural he'd start throwing his weight around. The mechs with the most to prove were always the loudest. And the most annoying.

>>Starscream here, Commandant,<< he responded, his tone perhaps just a little too saccharine to be genuine. >>As it happens, I've already discussed the need for aerial patrols with my second-in-command, a marvel of aerodynamic engineering named Rapture. Of course, her promotion is only provisional, pending your approval. Why don't you take out two Aerialbots with one plasma round and hammer that and this patrol business out between yourselves? I'm otherwise engaged.<<

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Though still bearing signs of his previous brush with several tons of falling rubble--the most obvious of which being his arm, which was so fresh from the fabrication process it had not even been painted yet to match his overall color scheme--Onslaught was not going to permit anything so ephemeral as aesthetics allow him to keep Shockwave waiting. Besides, he could admit to himself that he was eager to get back to work. Idleness was foreign to the Combaticon Commander's programming. Too much leisure would dull his edge--and convalescence was far too much like leisure for his liking.

As the doors closed behind him, he offered the Military Operations Commander a crisp salute. "Onslaught reporting as directed, Shockwave. What are your orders?"

Shockwave's Tower--Hangar

Walking up to Bludgeon from the front, knowing better than to surprise the martial artist, Warthog wondered if any of the changes in the Decepticons were going to stay permanently. I doubt it he thought to himself Starscream's smarter than he looks, though that aint saying much...the Seekers will outlast these new bucket heads

Stopping about ten feet from Bludgeon, Warthog shrugged off his worries. [i]No since getting fired up about it...All hail Megatron![/i}

Grunting and roughly saluting, Warthog yelled out over the hangar noise "Bludgeon, me and Swindle have a plan to alleviate some of the tension in the air...up for a friendly joust?"

Shockwave's Tower - Command Center

Onslaught's arrival was timely as always, and as the doors whooshed closed behind the departing Cyclonus, Shockwave looked up from the datafeeds he had been studying.

"No orders," he told Onslaught. "For the astrosecond. I require your analysis and opinion of your Combaticons. Combat efficiency, collaboration, obedience...all aspects."

There was no question that the military coordinator was putting Onslaught on the spot somewhat with his inquiry. But, if any Decepticon was capable of dealing with those sorts of questions about his troops, it was the meticulously well-prepared Onslaught. Shockwave's single optic glowed slightly.

"Begin."

Shockwave's Tower - Corridors

Oblivious to the transmissions exchanged by her superiors, Rapture followed Cyclonus as he strode out of the command center.

"Excuse me, Air Commandant," the midnight femme interjected, saluting. "My name is Rapture, sir. Acting XO for the Seekers," the prototype added in a perfunctory manner. She cut straight to the point.

"I have here a few Seeker division procedural forms that require your authorization." She offered the datapad to her superior. "Post-siege consolidation and restructuring of the squadrons, field reports, and a request for the ratification of my battlefield promotion." This last item was spoken in the same cool, indifferent tone as the rest. The canny femme had little use for self-aggrandizement, and did not indulge in it herself. It was her belief that one's performance should speak for itself. "I'm confident you will find them all in proper order."

"Additionally, there is a proposal for an air strike on the Tygus Span. It is my belief that such an action would seriously impede the Autobot counteroffensive. I have compiled all the most recent Intel on the Span, as well as my proposed tactical solution. I leave the matter to your discretion, Sir."

Shockwave's Tower - Corridors

Heap had no interest in joining the others fight with little to no reason other than pleasure. Heap, unlike the younger models around him, had fought in some of the Gladiator Pits in the earlier days of Cybertron, and that had more than sated his lust for pointless combat amongst peers. He turned and made his way down the corridors, checking some of the older activation panels for some of the IFF sensors tied into the security mainframe. As he passes Cyclonus and Rapture while working, he stops and gives them a quick salute before continuing on past them to the task at hand. While he always felt that the majority of the Air Forces were preening self-important psychopaths, he was not one to disrespect the chain of command.

Just outside Shockwaves Tower

...Hmmm, no response from Brawl. The big bot's probably over-energised out of boredom and konked out in a corner. Or else he's listening to that Sonic Canyon music again and can't hear the radio. If I'm going to get ahold of him, I'm going to have to find him myself...and hope he's not in too foul a mood.
But first, I have a delivery to make.

Swindle, having packed away all of Warthog's items, trundled back toward the main hangar. However, as he turned the corner, the blurred form of Sixshot blasted overhead, and the shockwave from the interstellar fighter engines knocked the munitions expert on his side.

By Primus, I'm starting to think anything with wings in this slagging army is out to get me.

OOC - Sorry about the slow response, Darkjet...missed your post before. IC -

Shockwave's Tower - Commissary

A server drone sat another energon ale in front of Skyshroud and then busied itself elsewhere. Apparently the special was the same ale that the drone seemed to be serving to everyone else. That, or there was only one kind of energon ale available in embattled Polyhex at the moment. Dunehopper drained his and took another from the passing drone's tray as he looked around the mostly empty Commissary.

"I know we beat the Omega Sentinel and sent his overgrown Autobot aft packin' back to Nova Cronum," Dunehopper said, "but this doesn't feel like much of a victory. I mean, look at this place...lousy victory party."

He rubbed his cranial unit and took a long swig of his second ale. "Starscream says he's gonna lead us Seekers back to glory. I sure hope he's right..."

Shockwave's Tower/Energon Bar

As Skyshroud Started on his second Ale he looked back towards Dunehopper "Hey don't worry about it. I was a little neves myself untill today. Even if that Gaurdian got away he was runing from us not those useless sweep drones."

Then he looked back at Ramjet "Besides Starscream would rather die than losse his position of power. He will lead us back to glory I am sure of it. Don't you agree Ramjet?"

Then he went back to his ale.

Shockwave's Tower--Hangar

Slowly the purple and green colored Bludgeon looked up at Warthog. "Spars should not be 'friendly'. They should be educative" he stated dryly.
"What kind of... spar did you have in mind?" he noted grimly.
Behind them the door opened and the tactician Nightraid entered. The black and red seeker nodded "Master Bludgeon, Warthog" he said.