Autobot Outpost Omega One – Main Hub

"Rafael, we require a ground-bridge."

"Coming up Ratchet," Raf replied as he activated the controls. A moment later the whole of Team Prime was through the ground-bridge, along with Agent Fowler.

"So I take it the new guy wasn't friendly," Jack stated, noticing that they lacked the hoped-for new recruit. "What went wrong?"

Ratchet scowled as he stomped over to his console to begin a search for the Decepticon's energy signature. "Humph! What didn't go wrong? We just woke up a Decepticon who is equipped with a working PCD, and not only allowed him to escape, but let him acquire a vehicle mode!"

"Whoa, back up. What's a 'PCD?'" Miko asked.

"A Personal Cloaking Device," the medic replied, for once annoyed at something other then the girl's questions. "They hide their users from detection, although they have limits. The one Warhawk used made him completely invisible, which means it is a very advanced version."

"Which means now we have to watch our backs even more then usual," Bulkhead complained.

"An invisible Con, now that is cool! To bad we didn't get him on our side, right Bulk?" Miko commented to her guardian. "Did you see what kind of plane he turns into?"

"Only got a glimpse, the guy took off so fast."

Fowler sat down at one of the humans sized computers. "I can help with that. The building that the Con busted out of was the experimental hanger. We use it to maintain and prepare any aircraft that are undergoing testing, so they are kept away from the regular stuff. Not to mention that anything in there is normally top secret, so I don't want any of you to mention this to anybody." He finished with a pointed look at a certain Japanese punk.

"It's not like I'm not already keeping a big secret! Giant alien robots, remember?" Miko protested loudly.

"Weren't you the one who wanted Bulkhead to do his guard duty at your house in robot mode?" Jack asked, clearly amused.

While Miko sulked, Fowler brought up the files he had been looking for on the main screen. "Anyway, this means that there was only one plane in that hanger at the time for the guy to scan. Unfortunately, it was also the most advanced stealth fighter the US has ever designed."

A picture appeared of the jet in question, which was shaped like a bladed spear head. Unlike traditional jets, the main wings were located at the rear and were swept forward. "The Talon Mk. II, armed with twin autocannons, and an internal rotary missile rack. It also features a moving wing system, allowing it to optimize it's wingspan for either speeds in excess of Mach 6 or extreme manoeuvrability at any altitude, with stealth capability at all times. It was designed as a successor to the first Talon planes, implementing the newer electrostatic wing technology, which don't require moving parts to use the flaps."

"If these planes are so advanced, why are they not in use?" Ratchet asked, disbelieving as always in human technology.

"Mostly because they are so darn expensive to make. But it's also because only the best pilots are qualified to fly them. There were only three Mk. I Talons ever made, and they were all destroyed in some top-secret fiasco that went down a couple of years ago. The project ended up being shut down. The Mk. II that Con scanned is a prototype that R&D was modifying to try and prove the design was still worth the cost."

Fowler gave another glare to the image on the screen, as if it were the source of all his troubles. "Not to mention that's only with human tech providing the speed and firepower. Imagine what kind of damage this Warhawk fellow is going to be capable of."


Decepticon Warship Nemesis

"It's certainly fortunate for our cause you were able to escape the Autobots and join us," Starscream remarked as he gave Warhawk a tour of the Nemesis. "While our troopers do let us outnumber them by hundreds of soldiers, they are no substitute for true warriors."

They stopped in front of a large door, which was guarded by two Eradicon troopers. "This is our weapon storage bay. Should you ever need to re-arm yourself, this is where you can find what you need," Starscream said, leading the way into the room. Then he scowled. "Regrettably, many of the weapons used by both sides during the War for Cybertron are no longer of use. Without the factories and resources that used to drive the war effort, it is impossible to create replacement parts or new ammunition. Now we simply rely on Energon-fueled weapons."

Warhawk raised a brow. "I certainly hope that we have a supply of missiles. Our air forces will not be very effective without heavy firepower."

"Yes, of course. We can manufacture those at least."

"Good," Warhawk replied as he made his way around the room, examining the weapon on the racks. "My new alt-mode was not armed when I scanned it, so I need to resupply." He searched for a moment to find the missile supply, and began to look through the different types. "Let's see, air-to-air, air-to-ground, dumb fire bombs..."

Starscream watched as the stealth operative sorted through the selection, picking ten warheads of various types and fitting four in each arm's internal storage. "Do you really need so many?" the Commander asked, feeling slightly underpowered in comparison, with only one missile on each of his own arms."

"Affirmative. I prefer not to have to return to base and re-arm in the middle of a battle, and it helps me be prepared for different situations. I require two more to be fully loaded, but I'd prefer to get something different. Like this one, I don't think I've ever seen this before," he said as he held up a new type of missile.

The glyphs on the side...this is human writing, this "English" that we are speaking now. This is a human weapon." Warhawk looked to the silver seeker curiously.

"That is a Truncheon Implosion bomb," Starscream explained. "The humans designed them to cause structures to collapse in towards the warhead. After witnessing it's effect's on the Nemesis and one of our Energon mines, I had some obtained from the humans in order to design our own version. Unfortunately, it's casing and the lack of anything recognizable after detonation have prevented analysis. We only have a small supply, so use them sparingly if you don't want to go steal more from the humans."

Warhawk nodded as he fit two of the bombs to his racks, then gave the hidden rotary launcher an experimental spin. "Zero balance issues, full rotation, excellent. Ready for deployment Commander Starscream."

"I will alert you when I have need of your talents. Meanwhile, I want you to familiarize yourself with this planet, and how we've adapted to it. Soundwave can provide you with the necessary files." Starscream started to walk away when Warhawk's next words stopped him short.

"Sir, you haven't mentioned Lord Megatron at all since I arrived. Where is he?"

"Not long ago, the Autobots managed to destroy our orbital Space-Bridge. Lord Megatron was at ground zero when it detonated."

So the Prime was telling the truth after all. Warhawk thought. "That is a terrible loss for all Decepticons," he said aloud.

Still with his back turned to the other seeker, Starscream scowled. He would much rather keep Warhawk in the dark and ensure the assassin's loyalty to Starscream alone. But he also knew the stealth specialist was far to smart to keep most of the truth from him. He forced his face back into a neutral expression before turning around. "Actually, by some miracle Megatron survived. He is currently in a coma in the medical bay, attached to life support. But there is no indication as to how long it may take for him to recover, or even if he ever will."

Warhawk nodded, clearly understanding the Commander's unspoken wishes on the matter. It was no secret how much Starscream desired to be in control of the Decepticons, with the seeker often claiming leadership if Megatron ever went missing during a battle. Starscream had never actually tried to take the title of Lord by force however...

With nothing more to say on the matter, Warhawk made his way to the exit, planning to set up his new quarters. But as he passed by the larger seeker, Starscream stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Until the day Megatron awakens, if ever arrives, I rule the Decepticons. As such, I expect to be addressed as Lord Starscream."

Warhawk carefully removed the razor clawed, long fingered hands from his armour as he met Starscream's optics with a glare. His eyes blazed from his helm's shadow in challenge. "Negative, Commander. Not until the moment Lord Megatron becomes one with the Allspark and can never command us again."