Grimlock didn't look up as the other Dinobots and Wreckers walked into the common room, standing around the table he had both servos on. "Is everyone here?"
"John's getting some of the other Autotroopers." Rose responded, arms folded over her chassis.
"Fine." The giant mech didn't move his helm or remove his servos from the table as he spoke. "Lightning, I need you to do something."
"Yes?"
"Shockwave used some sort of sonic attack that rendered us incapable of moving. I need you to find out what."
"Got it."
Grimlock nodded his helm to Swoop, "Take a scan of Swoop. He's the one with the least augmentation."
Lightning was silent as he scanned Swoop with a medical device. "I'll run over it after the plans are set in motion."
"Good."
They had waited a few more minutes before a few Autotroopers walked in.
"This is everybody I could get." John stated, battleguard and visor still in place.
Grimlock glanced up - John, Mark, Steve, Robert, an Aerialtrooper named Flynn, and a truck named Kyle.
"Then we're ready to start." Grimlock pressed a button on the table, bringing up a hologram of a series of towers. "This is the location of Shockwave's laboratory. The entrance is heavily guarded by six dozen Vehicons that patrol the outpost towers in front of the central spires." Red dots popped up on the map to show their general locations. "There's six locks we would need to disarm in order to open the entrance to the spires. There's two courses of action. One: Attack the Vehicons head-on and destroy the locks with EMP charges-"
"Let's do it!" Ember shouted, itching for a fight.
"- But then Shockwave would be alerted to our presence and send reinforcements to us, including a group of Leapers, a dozen dropships, and a horde of aerial Insecticons."
"... Oh."
"Our second course of action: Take one of the hidden entrances at the base of the tower." He flicked his wrist upwards, sending the map scrolling down to the base of the tower. "The waste from Energon manufacturing jams long range communications, so the guards up top will be completely unaware of our entrance."
"But this is the naturally harder path," Blacklight interjected, analyzing the map before looking to the Dinobot leader, "isn't it?"
"Precisely. There are five Guardians posted at the entrance along with a Leaper and two Titan-Class Vehicons." A dot popped up for each Decepticon mentioned. "However, there are numerous sniping positions - here, here, here, and here." A green dot appeared in each location he tapped. "I know Sonic Boom and Arcee are equipped with sniper rifles. Is anyone else?"
"I am." Mark stated.
Flynn raised a servo, "Me too."
"Good. Once you take out the Guardians, the rest of us will drop in to deal with the Leaper and remaining Vehicons." He pressed his digits to the entrance, then spread them apart to zoom in. "We'll then use one of the Vehicons' heads to unlock the optic scanner on the door. Once inside, we follow the tunnels straight to the Insecticon hives." He flicked his wrist to move the map again.
"Woah woah woah." Bulkhead interjected, holding up his hands, "You mean to tell me that we're going into an Insecticon hive?"
"That doesn't seem too bright, Grim." Luna frowned, tapping her chin. "Not everybody here can handle that many Insecticons."
"That's why we're not entering the hive. Once inside, we'll need to ascend further up to reach Shockwave's lab." Another flick of the wrist to move it upwards. "Once inside, we'll fan out to search for Jade."
"Divide and conquer." Springer muttered before grinning, "Sounds like a plan."
"When in the tower, our communicators will be jammed - So Sonic, I have an important task for you: stay in the dropship and wait outside, out of view, and keep our comm channels online without Shockwave figuring us out."
Sonic gave him a thumbs up.
"Good." He turned to the others, "When someone finds Jade, contact the others before heading for the main entrance with guns blazing."
"Now we're talking!" Ember grinned like a crazed maniac.
The Dinobot leader shut off the map. "Be ready to leave any solar cycle now - we don't strike until Lightning Strike disarms Shockwave's device that renders us incapable of movement."
"Why?" Steve raised an optic ridge behind his visor. "Not like we're gonna fight him."
"Because, bolts for processor, Shockwave could take them down the moment he finds out they're invading without even taking a step!" John scolded him.
At the sight of Grimlock's nod, Steve's shoulders slumped. "Oh. Right. That, uh... Makes sense."
"Precisely." Grimlock turned so his back was to them, servos folded behind his back. "You're all free to go."
They all filed out one at a time until it was just Grimlock, alone with his thoughts and a wall before his optics.
Shockwave's Lab
The Decepticon scientist was analyzing a datapad when the door opened to reveal Megatron. The warlord approached, hands folded behind his back and optics sparing Ark a glance. "Why did you summon me here, Shockwave?"
"Lord Megatron," The purple mech turned his optic to him, "the other Predacons are ready to be awakened. I just need your word to make it so."
A malicious grin crossed the Decepticon leader's faceplates. "Excellent! Proceed with the awakening, Shockwave."
"As you command, my liege." Shockwave then turned to the cryo pods, and pressed a button on his datapad.
Ark watched as the yellow liquid drained out of the pods, leaving the other Predacons curled up on the bottom. The doors slid open - and soon enough, so too did the optics of the Predacons. They uncurled themselves, walking out and shaking off the droplets still on their armor.
Ark raised his audio receptors and got to his feet, approaching his newly-awakened brethren.
Another dragon got in his path. They were large and imposing, with a wide and barreling chest, thick forelegs, considerably smaller hind legs, a broad tail that ended in a spiked mace, and a set of ram-like horns atop their head. The dragon spread their wings, hissing at the smaller Predacon as their chest lit up with magma.
Ark merely growled, bio lights turning an electric blue as his chest lit up with plasma.
"Shockwave, what is happening?"
"It seems the Predacon is challenging A-091's position as alpha." The cycloptic mech turned to Megatron. "This could prove beneficial to us."
"How?"
"If A-091 loses, the new alpha's programming will make them fully subservient to you."
"..." A wide grin showed itself on Megatron's faceplates. "Excellent."
The other Predacons circled themselves around Ark and the challenger, watching closely for a victor.
The larger of the two reared itself onto their hind legs, roaring before firing a blast of magma at Ark. The black Predacon darted to the side, releasing three quick blasts of plasma into the open maw of the other dragon.
They started to cough smoke but continued with their attack regardless, bringing their legs down onto their combatant.
Ark twisted himself to avoid the claws before digging his own into one of their legs and biting into it.
The larger dragon screeched, preparing another magma blast.
Having expected this, the smaller Predacon fired a large plasma blast straight in their opponent's face.
The force of the blast knocked them off their feet. They tried to get back up, only for Ark to press a claw against their neck. He growled, chest lighting up.
Then, one by one, the Predacons bowed their heads, and Ark's opponent closed their optics as a sign of resignation. Satisfied, the alpha released his foe and walked away, bio lights returning to their normal coloration.
"A shame, truly. Seems we'll still have to manipulate the alpha through alternative means, dear doctor."
"Yes, Lord Megatron. Shall I open a bridge back to your throneroom, my liege?"
"No." The warlord folded his hand behind his back. "Take us to the landing pad - the army must meet our newest Autobot hunters, after all."
"Of course, Lord Megatron." Shockwave turned to the console, typing in a series of coordinates.
Megatron turned to the Predacons as the portal opened behind him, raising his voice so all may hear him, "Follow us through the portal, my beasts! We have much to do." And with that, the warlord walked through with the scientist on his heel.
The Predacons looked amongst themselves before turning to Ark for their true commands. The alpha nodded to the portal, urging them through.
So, one by one, the giant beasts walked through the portal until the lab was empty.
Hello again everyone! Sorry for the wait, but here's more development on the story!
Next chapter - we watch Grimlock's plan unfold as they try to infiltrate Shockwave's lab, so be sure to tune in when it's out!
Til All Are One,
- Alpha