Ch. 207

Megatron's faceplates were lacking the sadistic and crazed grin his troops had been getting used to over the past couple weeks. His unusually quiet demeanor was a break from the norm and not something to be overlooked, but it was a natural expression of his 'feelings'. At least in Shockwave's optic. As his leader had expressed earlier, this was to become an end to their greatest concern, a death to the lingering pests that could spoil all of the warlord's plans. So his silence was a sign that he was deeply rooted in his own thoughts and devising a way to come out of this situation wholly victorious. This was the day they closed the chapter on the Autobots once and for all.

Shockwave adjusted the settings and calibration on his gun mount as he observed his leader from across the lower lift deck. As far as their reports could tell, the Autobots had been mishandling the Harbinger's equipment and would be unlikely to see them properly on the monitors, but to be safe they were moving in a ground team first. Once the targets were confirmed, the Nemesis would move in and deliver the final strike. This was the plan but considering the way Megatron had been recently, Shockwave calculated a high probability that the warlord would engage in close combat long enough to kill an Autotbot and satisfy some of his more violent tendencies...

Megatron growled darkly as his optics scanned around the room. He had ordered C.Y.L.A.S. to stay aboard the ship with the Insecticons unless he was called in to battle, so the only logical accompaniment to his mission was the science officer across the way and three very stealthy Vehicons he had recruited from among the drones. A five mech team was all he needed. Megatron was no fool. As much as he wanted to see the Autobot scum for himself, he knew his size prevented a more thorough examination for his own optics. The Vehicons were only being brought along to confirm what he was already sure of without being detected... and to act as cannon fodder.

When Shockwave had finished tending to his weapon, Megatron called to his team, "Decepticons, I will only detail this mission once. Misstep and I will have no qualms about ending your life alongside the Autobots'..."

Shockwave knew he was not exempt from this threat; he was certain of this now more than ever after the earlier incident...

"Drones W-445 and E-011 will keep within a safe distance of R-761," the warlord's optics settled on R-761, "and you will confirm that the Autobots are using this location as their base by any means necessary."

R-761 stood rigidly as he spoke, "I will notify yourself and the Nemesis as soon as I find them, my lord. First contact with the ship will be to scout and then ensure they do not leave so that they are destroyed."

Megatron didn't need to hear more, "The rest of you, remember this: time is of the essence. The faster they are scrubbed from this world, the faster the next phase of my plan can be put into action. The Nemesis will move in for the initial attack but we must remain on the ground until the Insecticons can cover any missed exits. This cannot go wrong. This ends, now..."

And that was that. The team of five entered the ship's lower lift and began their descent a few clicks down from the downed Harbinger's location. As the Decepticon's peds settled into the soft dirt with each step, Shockwave could feel percolations developing at the back of his helm. Little thoughts were drifting in and beginning to seed uncomfortably, ideas taking root and spreading the closer they drew to the ship.

'This did not seem entirely illogical, but it was painfully too easy,' the purple mech thought, his optic brightening and dimming as his concerns began to bloom.

The Autobots using Decepticon tech with success was low on its own, the two factions having used different algorithms, even separate languages, to differentiate and prevent the enemy from easily replicating their tech and steal files... but this team of Autobots now had three ex-Decepticons. And not only for a few hours or days, but months now. How feasible was it that Ratchet of all mechs along with the Bots two of the three human companions had transmitted their location, visuals and all, accidentally? The more he was thinking, the more Shockwave was sure that they were being tricked.

"Lord Megatron," he rumbled slowly as they neared the end of the canyon, "we may be rushing into this too quickly. The Autobots have had time to learn from our former Decepticon brethren, how likely is it that they would accidentally transmit-"

Megatron's large servo grabbed around Shockwave's helm, not tightly but enough to silence him, "You had the opportunity to destroy not one, but two of them, did you not?"

The purple mech nodded, deciding that his voice was not needed to answer the question.

"And after you failed," the warlord hissed, "we heard nothing else from them until now. No hints of their location. Do you suggest we abandon this lead and wait for them to storm our ship? Give them more time to devise a way to steal my dear Starscream from me?"

Shockwave shook his helm. He wasn't going to be listened to. Megatron let him go roughly.

"Then do not dare to speak of this again," he sneered, "They made a mistake today that has cost them their lives. To allow them to linger any longer is simply an insult to us all..."

The larger mech followed after the Vehicon drones a short distance behind but it took Shockwave a few moments more before pressing on. Even if his lord was not seeing all too clearly, he needed to keep a firm stand beside him. After the Autobots were gone and they had more time to study Starscream's abilities, the purple mech was sure that his master would calm. The thought of losing the seeker distressed him far too much...

A glint of metal just around the end of a sharp bend made the team halt. R-761 waited before crouching low and moving forward, a quick wave of his servo signaling that they were now upon the downed Harbinger's location... and the site of the brief Autobot transmission.

Megatron nodded and took a look himself, noting some large boulders just beyond their position and still far enough away from an entrance into the enemy's base. He directed the drones to move forward and begin investigating. After they set off and passed the boulders, Megatron gestured for Shockwave to follow him to the small amount of cover they would have to use until the Vehicons returned.

"Hey, they just moved in..." Arcee smirked from the opposite side of the canyon, her servo on her COMM as she rested comfortably on her side, "and it looks like Megatron came down here himself to see what all the fuss is about."

"By Primus, he didn't..." Ratchet responded, "but he's not going inside?"

The femme sighed and rolled onto her back as she crossed her legs and tapped a ped into the air, "No. And no sign of the Nemesis. At least, not yet."

"That is good enough for now," Optimus's voice came up, "Let us know when they move in closer or the situation changes."

Arcee nodded to herself, "Can do... You know," she added, Optimus and Ratchet staying close to their monitors as she spoke, "I don't mind being out here to watch this all go down... but I really wish I was there to see what's going to happen when you finally give the go ahead, Optimus."

The Prime smiled gently, "I understand, Arcee. But do not dwell upon this. I can safely say that there will be more tension than elation when we begin the launch."