He'd never let Dr. Light catch him saying it but Guts Man didn't mind the new power plant being destroyed in the recent battle between Decepticons and Autobots in their city. He loved building things. Even if those alien robots decided to destroy it a hundred more times, he'd be out here each time gleefully putting the pieces back together. It was his primary function, after all.
That was something that robots had over humans, he nodded. Robots always knew what they were meant to do. He felt a little bit of pity for humans as he walked around his site. There were millions of humans every day that went about their lives doing something they hated, some humans even ended up terminating their function cycles because they never found what they were designed for. The concept confused Guts Man and he didn't like to think about it for long.
Luckily, he didn't have to. He had work to do, which was always his favorite distraction from anything that might bother him.
The destruction had done quite a number on the plant, but it couldn't really be called a tragedy. He'd actually expected something to happen when they began to build it. Until recently, all of Light City's power came from out of town. Imported from plants in other cities across the state, even up into Oregon. That had been why many of Wily's plans for conquest started quite a distance away. Guts Man figured, it had also been part of the reason why the Decepticons and Autobots had never paid much attention to the town. He'd been betting that as soon as they got the plant up and running there'd be some commotion involving it, and he'd been right. Of course, he hadn't expected to have to rebuild the entire thing. That was just icing.
None of the other reploids working on the site were as advanced as him, but they were programmed well enough to take orders. It meant he didn't have to hear any complaints about labor or time, but sometimes he wished he had another robot or even a human to talk to. At least he had his rounds to keep him busy as he made his way around the site and inventoried his supplies and equipment.
He'd been trying to figure out where this construction equipment had come from. It wasn't on the list, but he couldn't figure out where or why a company would deliver six perfectly good construction vehicles. He'd gone over the list several times and couldn't find out where the problem was. He brought his massive hydraulic arm up to the back of his head and began to scratch at the base of his cranial chamber, gritting his teeth a little. Finally he just shook his head and let out a whistle to six of his reploid crew, waving them over with his other enormous arm, "You guys get to work with these things, alright! Better 'n' letting 'em sit around collecting rust, right?" His attitude was pleasant and jovial but authoritative and strong.
It's good, he thought, to do the things you love…
--
The sorrows of pleasing your employer. The burdens of doing a good job. Rumble found himself almost wishing they hadn't found that stupid equipment now. Megatron had ordered them to go with Ravage to find anything else related to the computer and robot they'd found in the underground area of Light City. So far Ravage had led them down six more tunnels, each with one or two salvageable components but not as big a haul as they'd gotten from the previous one. Whoever this was that they were stealing from, seemed to love having a lot of places to hide around the city. According to Megatron's scans, there were probably at least two dozen more such bases of operation around the globe.
This one looked a little more promising. The walls were still clean and in tact if a little rundown and derelict. None of the damage was near the level that it had been on some of the others, and instead of being under a destroyed property, the building above it was still standing tall. There were even a few lights still flickering on and off, as they drained whatever was left of the internal generators for precious energy.
By now Rumble was starting to get a feel for when they were about to reach the primary chamber. All of the labs they'd been through had been subtly different, but there were certain consistencies. So he wasn't surprised when the next door slid open and there was another primary chamber. This one more in tact and sustained than any of the previous ones.
"Jack pot!" Frenzy whistled as the found the treasure trove of computers and pods and technology.
"Let's get to work." Rumble grinned as they walked in, "Ravage, you play lookout!"
Rumble and Frenzy went about trying to dislodge any equipment that wasn't sealed to the walls or floor. The soft florescent light flickering painfully and bothering Frenzy's optics as they began to make a pile in the center of the room. There were egg-shell shaped chairs, most of them broken, that began to serve as a marker for the piles. Computer components were piled near the north chair, robotics parts were piled near the broken east chair, and miscellaneous items that Shockwave could identify or make use of later were piled on top of another chair. They'd been at it enough now to know what they could use and what they couldn't, so the miscellaneous pile was shrinking with each successful raid. Astrotrain had gotten quicker and quicker each time about meeting them at a clear spot and taking the components back to the undersea base, while Blitzwing zipped them about back and forth between drop zones and played lookout above ground. Blitzwing was good at taking orders, and he was good at blowing things up… two qualities that put him at the top of the list when Megatron was selecting the party for this particular task.
Ravage paced back and forth and finally lay down in front of the door, letting it's jaws open and stretch into a feline's yawn. Frenzy smirked and yawned as well, "Man, feels like we've been at this for days…" he held his hand over his optic as he moved back to the wall.
"Just one day, Frenzy. And I'd say save your whining for when we're done. The big boss ain't gonna wanna hear it anymore than I am." Rumble was examining some wall panels and a sealed door, wondering what was behind it and making it a point to blast his way through after they'd finished up in this room.
"Feh, whatever." Frenzy looked up at the light and grumbled as he began to examine the functionality of another computer, "Can we at least do something about that light for Primus' sake? It's killing my optics!"
It hadn't really dawned on Rumble until then that the lights had been off and the generators powered down at every other location they'd been at. In fact, this was eerily like a lived in home they were invading. The concept in itself didn't necessarily bother Rumble, it wasn't like he was above breaking and entering or anything. But it did bring up the question of who they might be intruding on…
The question was answered quickly as the door Rumble had been looking at earlier suddenly slid upward and a form covered in a long tattered brown cape that covered him almost like a poncho. From the division at the side of the poncho, the figure's left arm stuck out and ended in a devastating looking arm cannon. From the black helmet on his head, two gold and black fins spanned out in either direction like the ears of a mechanical bat. There was another form behind him but it was hidden in the shadows and Rumble couldn't quite make it out. His expression as his optics scanned over the room in front of him was a clear and readable annoyance, and Rumble could already hear the quiet hum from the arm cannon drawing in power.
"Who in the inferno are you?" Frenzy scoffed a little.
"Why are you in my home?" the figure stood calm and still, but there was an intensity in his optics that suggested he was forcing himself not to let loose on them.
Rumble could read the look well, Rumble recognized the look he saw in at least a dozen other Decepticons every time he mouthed off to them. Usually his connection to Soundwave was protection enough from any potential threats within his own ranks… he doubted trying to explain the importance of working for Soundwave would work with this one. He set the object he was carrying down gently, "I think my friend asked you first." Ravage had already started getting up and took a predatory position. Rumble could tell the robotic cat was already sizing up the newcomer as his prey.
Bass turned his optics to regard Frenzy without actually turning any portion of his body or facing him. His expression didn't change, "You come into my home. You tear things from my walls." he moved his expression back to Rumble, "And you don't even have the decency to answer my query." he seemed to sigh the words out, "You'd better be entertaining as hell."
With that he raised his left arm and without even looking discharged a bolt of plasma at Frenzy that slammed into his shoulder joint. Ravage was on him in an astrosecond, or at least he would have been if an enormous robotic wolf with at least four cubic feet in mass on Ravage hadn't jumped out from behind Bass and thrown the feline Cassetticon to the ground with it's massive claws. Ravage acknowledged the cheap shot and gave an approving nod toward Treble as if he was impressed by the stealthy attack. The two began circling one another like two animals both trying to decide which was the predator.
Rumble watched the whole scene transpire in a matter of seconds and a quick wash of confusion came over him. He'd expected that the shot he'd seen hit Frenzy would have been followed up with another shot aimed at him, but instead Bass had just stood there looking at him. Even going so far as to allow Frenzy time to recuperate and get his balance back after being almost thrown into the wall by the power of the blast. Frenzy recovered and slammed his right fist into his open left palm, growling a little about a cheap shot and daring the black and gold robot to do it again. All his remarks were met with little more than a quaint laughter from Bass. Bass smiled a little at Rumble and an unfelt wind seemed to tug at his cape as he spoke a single syllable challenge to both of them. A shrug of his shoulders, "Well…?"
--
Megatron eagerly stepped off the Space Bridge and marched regally toward the remnants of his Cybertron palace in the city of Iacon. Someday, he thought, he would make this world worthy of his glory. Until then he had more important matters to worry about than appearances. Particularly with the Autobots standing in the way of his attempts to gather sufficient energon to power his dying home world.
With any luck, Shockwave would have some news for him that would solve some aspect of that problem. He was pleased with what he knew so far of the machines that Rumble and Frenzy had presented him. Very pleased in deed. According to Shockwave there were plans in there for a system that could copy a robot's neural pathways for reconstruction. Shockwave had already come up with plans to use it with Megatron's existing robot cloning technology. If what Shockwave intended to do worked, it would mean that no Decepticon would ever need fear defeat in battle again. They would simply be reconstructed as an exact copy. Instantly. Perfectly.
But there was something else promising that Shockwave had discovered while working his way through the hundreds of terabytes of information on the hard drives he'd been given. There was a possibility that he might be able to add over fifty new soldiers to his army. He shuttered a little to think of adding Earth robots to the ranks of Decepticons, but any advantage was welcome no matter where it may have originated. He couldn't afford to be xenophobic or technocentric as he'd like to be, when he was this deep into the war.
With Soundwave at his side, he entered Shockwave's laboratory with his head held high and a gleeful smirk formed on his lip components. He signaled to Shockwave to begin with his report. A small part of him was always irked by the fact that nothing he seemed to do could intimidate the cold logical Decepticon scientist.
Shockwave's single optic focused on Megatron as he stood and backed away from the workstation he'd been at. His emotions - if there were any - were completely impossible to read. There was, however, a certain excitement in his tone when he spoke about his working on any particular project, "Fascinating finds, Lord Megatron." he began, "I've learned that all of the mechanoids stored in the files here are all improved versions. I'm currently running an algorithm to test compatibility for further enhancement with Cybertronian technologies. Those who prove compatible can be fitted with Transforming capability, though some seem to have components that are too sensitive to make those enhancements practical, Lord Megatron."
"The gift of transformation should not simply be bestowed upon any mechanoid that is capable of it," Megatron reasoned, "Have you been able to access their programming to ensure they become proper Decepticons?"
Shockwave turned. If Megatron didn't know any better, he might have assumed a hint of bashfulness in Shockwave's manner. Shockwave paused, "I was able to view their programming, Lord Megatron…" he began, "But there are manners of codes and locks in place that protect them from any tampering. Most likely the one who developed them originally believed he had many enemies."
Megatron was livid, his optics burning as he turned back toward Shockwave, "Are you telling me that we will be unable to make use of them as Decepticons?"
"Not… exactly, Lord Megatron." Shockwave's conceited tone returned, "They all share two qualities which should prove notable. A strong passion for destructive behavior, and obedience bordering on blind loyalty in some cases. You can see for yourself, I've taken the liberty of activating a number of them."
The gunmetal gray Decepticon sneered at Shockwave, "I am in a gracious mood, Shockwave, so I will overlook those liberties taken. Are the other systems also already operating?"
Soundwave and he followed their compatriot into a wider area of his testing grounds. This area more like a warehouse than the smaller computer room they had just left. An intricate system of computers and chambers lined the walls, with three pods empty and one apparently processing something. Already standing in the room, trying to make sense of their new surroundings were a few of the human sized robots whose schematics had been on the computers Shockwave had been working on. Apparently the so-called enhanced versions of robots that had been destroyed previously. Megatron was finding himself curious about the history of these little robots. He could see the alterations that marked the work of Shockwave clearly on them. One of them was joyously transforming between a bulky armored robot and a miniature tank. Another green robot seemed to be curious about his new form as a helicopter. One that was apparently one with components that prevented him from being able to transform was just sitting calmly in a corner, the smirk on his face reminded Megatron of Starscream's plotting. He'd keep his eye on that one. There was one that seemed a lot like a human soldier, gripping his head and trying to figure something out. He was talking to himself when he noted Megatron and saluted him. One that looked even more like a ninja than Nightbird had, one that looked like Shockwave had given it the ability to transform into a submarine, one resembled a nightmarish clown, and one had several saw blades all over it's body. Each of them had the Decepticon insignia on their heads, branding them as part of Megatron's army. As a robot that appeared to be wearing a metallic snake stepped out of the chamber, Shockwave gestured toward them and answered Megatron's question, "The system is functioning. Though I've not yet tested it for the potential of immortality suggested in the…"
Shockwave was interrupted by the sound of Megatron's fusion cannon taking aim and letting loose a blast that tore the soldier apart down to his molecular structure. Almost immediately the first chamber began to pulse and glow. The device Megatron had designed to clone Optimus Prime being put to good use by copying existing schematics for a robot and assembling it with even more efficiency than it had when it was used for cloning based on holographic data. After a few moments, the robot stepped out and nervously regarded Megatron. Once again, he raised his hand to salute and with a slight gasp and look of awe the rest all followed suit. Megatron smiled and folded his arms over his central chamber and looked over the small robots. He was resisting the urge to call them his Minicons for now, but he had a feeling they would be welcome additions to his ranks, "Now you know my power…" he began. Schemes were already forming inside his processor.
--
Rumble took a shot again in the stomach area that sent him flying back, it hadn't been the first time and it was becoming clear to him that it probably wouldn't be the last. As Frenzy tried to take advantage of the opening, Bass's metal leg came up in an arch slamming into his cranial chamber and making him stumble. Bass stepped in and brought the opposing leg up and forward pushing Frenzy back and into Rumble just as Rumble was trying to stand back up.
It was really beginning to piss Rumble off, so he could only imagine how fuming Frenzy must have been. Bass only used his feet when he got up close, like he didn't want to move his cape to let the right hand out, or maybe he didn't have a right hand Rumble thought for a second. He wouldn't use his left arm, either, until he'd charged a shot up. The two Decepticons could hear the low hum of the arm cannon charging up, and they could faintly see the purple and pink glow coming from the barrel. He never aimed for any prime targets on them, either. He was toying with them, enjoying the fight like a human might enjoy an afternoon jog.
Meanwhile, near the entrance to cavern, Ravage seemed to be having some problems of his own with Treble. The lupine mechanoid taking an attack position, with the tail curled up over it's back pointed at Ravage. Occasionally a pulse of energy or a stream of fire would burst forth from the tip, leaving Ravage only enough time or room to dodge. Ravage was quicker but had far less armaments on him. The Decepticon stalker didn't like being put on a defensive any more than Rumble and Frenzy did.
"You know what!" Frenzy would have been steaming if there had been any water inside him, "Slag this! Let's just bring the whole thing down on top of him!"
Normally, Rumble might have tried to be the voice of reason in this situation. He loved smashing things and bringing structures down, but he also hated disappointing Megatron. Right now, that thought wasn't coming through in his processors. Instead, he just got to his feet and altered his arms just like Frenzy was currently doing. The two of them yelling joyously as the two pile-drivers on each of them began slamming into the ground.
Bass had been raising his cannon to fire at them when the ground began to quake and pulse under his feet. The sudden impact knocking him back a little and sending the shot skyward and into the ceiling, bringing a few large chunks down from it. A few of the pieces falling on top of or in front of the two Cassetticons, but not seeming to bother them in the least. Bass turned to see Treble having as much difficulty as he was standing, his four legs sliding outward and under himself as he tumbled to the ground. Bass tried to get his bearings and stand up despite the vibrations, but wasn't able to. It was frustrating… almost as much as their idiotic laughter.
After a few moments of the quaking when there were audible cracks from the foundation as well as the ceiling, the two grinned at each other and turned their arms back to normal. Frenzy reached up to his shoulders and pulled the blaster that he had attached to his back, pointing it and firing six times at the downed enemy. Relishing the sight of sparks flying from the joints of Bass's knees, then firing a few times at his lupine companion to keep him down while he and Rumble dashed out back into the tunnel.
Bass gritted his teeth and looked out toward Treble, "Come on, Treble!" he called to him, the dog struggling to do so, but managing to alter it's form into that of a jet. The ceiling was coming down and a huge rock came down on the pile of computer parts that the two thugs had set against one of the walls. It was quickly followed by several more falling throughout the room. It took a moment for the thrusters to fire but when they did Treble shot out and curved around the room. Another smaller piece fell down and slammed into Bass's foot, crushing a portion of his body, "Come on, Treble!" he called louder.
--
Ratchet followed Prowl closely as they made their way through the city. Prowl was adamant that they make a certain number of rounds before they even considered stopping to interact with any of the local robots. Prowl liked to have a good idea of all the things he could expect before he settled on any course of action. It was becoming a little obvious to Ratchet why many of the other Autobots didn't like to work with Prowl. He was meticulous to a fault. Obsessively methodical.
Quickly Prowl pulled into a mall parking lot. The hours were long over by now, and even the employee cars were gone. It seemed like an odd choice to Ratchet, but he was certain Prowl knew what he was doing. Each of them pulled into a parking space across from the other and transformed into robot mode. Immediately, Prowl made a face like his olfactory sensors were detecting such a foul smell that he could taste it. His shoulders rolling back and his head shaking from side to side briefly. He turned and scanned over the city once more, making a full circle before turning back to Ratchet, "There are at least three Decepticons in town. Probably more."
Ratchet smirked a little, "That's good. How do you figure?"
"I don't figure." His shields came down over his optics, effectively blinding him as he leaned and began his circle again, "I know. The demolitions site on Benson Road. Downed fighter jet, looked like it was trying to hide and I saw Rumble and Frenzy making a pretty frantic dash for it. I'm guessing it was Blitzwing. Those are the three I'm certain of. Energon residue left at the train station outside town. No evidence he was still there, but Astrotrain makes sense. If he was there, he's probably coming back. If there's an Energon supply here in town and we haven't found out about it, there's no reason to believe that the Decepticons won't milk it until we do. Finally, I saw one of the seekers hiding out in a garage on the corner of Sakamura and Fifth. Fairly dead center in town, but pretty close to that power station that we intercepted them trying to leech from yesterday. Well, what's left of it. Good tactical position if you were trying to keep tabs on operatives while preparing something for that power station. Has to be Starscream." Prowl said the whole thing in a manner that almost suggested it should have been obvious to anybody paying any attention, a slight hint of excitement hanging on his smile when he said Starscream's name.
"Why?" Ratchet asked, still a little behind. He'd been paying more attention to keeping up with Prowl and following his movements than he had been of observing the city.
"Because it's where I'd put myself." There wasn't much evidence to conclude that the opposite was true, but Starscream was one of Prowl's favorite adversaries. The Decepticon air commander and he were both bots of thought more than action. Shockwave was as smart or smarter than the both of them, but he was so cool, rational and predictable. It was Starscream's ability to improvise and skill in shock tactics were what made confrontations with him interesting.
Ratchet looked a little apprehensive, he hadn't come here to get sucked into a major battle. He knew Prowl wouldn't waste resources if there wasn't any logical reason to engage the Decepticon forces, but sometimes it was hard for any normal bot to tell exactly what Prowl believed was logical or rational. Where Ratchet might say they weren't being attacked, it might be best to leave the situation be for now. Prowl might say that they were at war, that the ultimate goal was the defeat of the enemy, and logically any advantage the enemy gained now was one they'd have to overcome later. Internally Ratchet frowned, maybe he was starting to understand Prowl better than he thought. Still there was something that was tugging at his components, "So… why did we stop? Isn't standard op when you encounter the enemy to call back to the Ark for orders from Prime? Or…" he gestured to the mall behind them, "Are we here to see if those new cardigan pullovers from Old Navy come in extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra-extra large?"
"What?" Prowl turned back at Ratchet with an almost painful expression on his face, like something was ripping out some of his bolts, "The mall's not even open." He paused as if trying to figure it out, "I stopped because I'm almost certain we were being followed, and I'm hoping that our tail will come out when they see us in robot form." He turned to the dark expanse on the street beyond the parking lot, patiently waiting for something to show up in the shadows that blanketed the streets, "I seriously doubt that they make sweaters sized for Autobots."
It was hard for Ratchet to remember that sarcasm didn't always register as it was intended with Prowl, "We should get one for Optimus. Can we come back tomorrow?" which meant that he was always forgetting how much fun it was to push him. He grinned a little as he looked out at the darkness with Prowl. Whatever Prowl saw there, he wasn't seeing it, and he was wondering how long they'd sit here waiting.
Then Ratchet heard it. A low hum of something hovering above the ground, and then he saw the dim lights of something coming at them fast but having jumped forward as if it jetted out from a dead stop. It was on them faster than Ratchet had ever believed an Earth vehicle would move. It was a nice design, a lot like a Kawasaki motorcycle but without any wheels on it at all. Sitting on top of it was a young man in red that was strikingly like the little blue robot they'd seen on the playback. On his shoulder was a light blue helmet that looked vaguely like a bird.
Blues folded his arms as he stepped down from his hover bike, the shield on his back making his shadow seem far more imposing than it had to be. Beat tweeted a couple times and flapped around him to perch on his shield. He figured the Transformers were used to a certain amount of reverence and awe when somebody saw them for the first time. He kept his face composed so as not to give it to them, though he had to admit, he was impressed. They were large, they were heavily armored, they were strong. He looked from the two of them and smirked a little as if he was completely in control of the situation, "Alright, I'll take the bait." He didn't want to engage in battle, but sometimes you had to appear to be the tough guy. He raised his left arm and pointed his Proto Buster at the two of them as he paused to punctuate his point, "Why are you in Light City?"