Alright everyone, we're here. Main reason I have a new chapter so fast is because I was infected with Omnicron (The one transformer I DIDN'T want.) But on the bright side, it gave me time to crank this puppy out. Without further ado, let's catch up with the Decepticons. I'll admit this one reads like a novelization of the Transformers Prime episode Thirst, but it seemed like the easiest way to move things along. Note: edited 3/15/22

'Sometimes,' Starscream thought to himself. 'Life really sucked.'

After his success in retrieving the Predacon fossil with Terrorsaur, he'd been given the detestable job of trying to bring the original Predacon to heel. During the initial attempt (augmented by the Apex Armor) the beast had thrown him across the top of the ship, and right into the communications array.

Megatron had been furious. He'd found out about the incident after Starscream tried to reboot the array after trying to repair it himself, shorting out over half the system. He'd been about to give final arrival details for the Constructicons before they entered the solar system only for the screens to go to static.

After Soundwave repaired the array properly, Megatron assigned the other 2.0 Predacons to help him tame the original.

This ultimately, proved to be a mistake. Infernus attempted to intimidate the Predacon into submission. "Now see here you draconian oaf, as subjects of our queen we are obligated to give our strength, valor, and blind loyalty to." A solid tail swipe to send him flying over the side of the ship before he could finish his tirade. A quick switch to ant mode in midair enabled him to cling to the ships' hull long enough for Waspinator to retrieve him.

Terrorsaur attempted to reason with it in his beast mode, hoping that some similarity might sway it. This was shot down when, barely two words in, the Predacon wrapped its maw around Terrorsaur and shook him like a rag doll, throwing him into Starscream. Waspinator simply shook his head and stayed back. "Wazzzpinator not want to end up azzz dragonbotzzzz', chew toy."

Any further attempts were delayed when storm clouds began to form around the Nemesis. As no one wished to become a living lightning rod, training was put off until the weather was clearer. This ultimately led to Starscream seeking the company of one of the few bots he could tolerate.

"Oh, will my torment never end?" Starscream moaned as he began pacing Knockouts' lab. "First I had to vie for Megatrons' attention against that treacherous harpy Airachnid. Now I need to contend with Shockwave and his incorrigible beast."

Knockout turned to face him. "Look on the bright side Starscream, at least one of them is currently on ice, locked up in the vault of our warship."

Starscream sighed. "And I would love to shove Shockwave and his abomination into a stasis pod right beside her. The only reason "Project Predacon 2.0" is even viable is because of our backbreaking efforts, to say nothing of your research with the fleshlings."

Knockout grimaced. "Don't remind me." He muttered, rubbing his legs. He could still feel the phantom ache of where that damned femmes' dagger exploded on him. It took hours to fix all the damage. And don't get him started on the damage to his finish.

They were cut off by moans of pain from a nearby slab. "Can't you keep your lab rat quiet while I'm airing my grievances?" He scowled.

From where he was bolted to the table, Cylas struggled against his bonds. "Starscream, help, me." He begged.

Starscream only chuckled. "My my my, whatever have you been inflicting on poor Cylas?"

"Oh, anything that merits the need of a living petri dish." He replied. Taking a vial of green liquid, he walked over to the table and injected it directly into Cylas' arm, causing his optics to widen and turned green.

"Despite your justifiable lack of regards for his human side." Starscream began. "Doesn't it trouble you to watch what remains of your former Conjunx be subjected to your scientific endeavors?"

"Not really." Knockout shrugs. "I look at him as only a cadaver now, besides Silas here once had poor Breakdown bolted to his lab table. I think he'd be pleased to play a part." The moment the words left his mouth, Cylas shut down.

Starscream quirked a brow. "What just happened?"

"Remember that 'Synthetic Energon' formula that I recovered from the Autobots?" Knockout asked. "Well, I've been reproducing the formula, to test its viability as an alternative energy source. However, the compound remains erratic, and it has some side effects." He explained.

"Such as?" Starscream asked. Genuinely curious.

Cylas chose that moment to reactivate and give a great bellow of rage. "Starscream, I hope you've replaced your T-cog because I'm going to rip it out of you all over again and feed it to Knockout!" He screamed at the aerospace commander in pure rage.

"The sheer, unbridled, aggression." Knockout explained, used to his subjects' outbursts.

"Such power and fury." Starscream stated with glee. "Megatron has longed for a beast machine super soldier." He turned to Knockout. "Now we have the means to give him one. I'll be right back."

Starscream headed for the Nemesis' bridge, this plan could put him back on top with Megatron. Entering the bridge, he heard his commanders' voice. "Very well Scrapper, Shockwave says the site is prepped. He just needs the lab built to his specifications. I don't see any issue with you and your team stopping here to refuel before starting work."

"Master, if I do say so myself, I have made the most intriguing discovery." Starscream began. It appears that-"

"Not now." Megatron cut him off. "Please continue." He turned to face Starscream. "Oh, no one important." He answered, causing Starscream to huff and exit the bridge.

On his way back to the med bay Starscream thought that perhaps he should have waited for Megatron to finish his communication, but the comment about being 'no one important' really got to him. No matter, with this new possibility he'd show both Megatron and Shockwave their folly.

Entering the lab Knockout stood up. "Did you talk to our liege? Did he approve our little enterprise?" He asked eagerly.

Starscream gave a sigh. "He was, otherwise engaged."

A roar from the corner where Cylas was caught both their attention. "I am going to make you suffer in ways you will never believe!" He screamed, trying to break free of his restraints.

Starscream looked incredulously at Knockout. "Just how much of this 'SyntN' have you given him?"

Knockout waved a hand. "Two additional doses, maybe three. However, Cylas' aggressiveness isn't the only wrinkle I've uncovered." He injected a fresh dose int Cylas. "It seems the more of the compound I administer, the faster the subject depletes their natural energon supply."

Throwing his hands up Starscream growled. "This'll never do, Megatron already has one unruly beast in the Predacon. What good is another uncontrollable freak of nature?" Stopping dead in his tracks, an idea occurred to Starscream. "Wait, I'm a fool." Starscream said, going over to one of the labs' storage containers.

Knockout smirked. "That goes without saying." He muttered. His look changed from amusement to incredulity upon seeing the crate Starscream set down on the table. "Dark energon? Starscream you are more than a fool; I think your neural cluster has blown a massive fuse."

"On the contrary, dear doctor." Starscream began. "Adding dark energon to the formula should give lord Megatron full control over his new super soldier."

"Okay." Knockout cut him off. "It's true that lord Megatron seems to have a symbiotic link with anyone, or anything infused with the dark matter, giving him absolute control over them like puppets, but need I remind you what the supposed 'blood of Unicron' did to our warship." He finished refering to when the Nemesis' original mind, Trypticon had been reactivated via dark energon.

"That" Starscream countered. "Was the result of a massive infusion. I am suggesting only a drop or two. Just enough to give Megatron control over his new warrior."

"Be that as it may, this is too big a risk to attempt without consulting Shockwave." Knockout argued. "You do remember that I report to him."

Starscream sneered in Knockouts' face. "Not for this project you don't. Need I remind you that super soldiers are a military matter and as such, dear doctor, you, report to me. Is that clear?" He asked, holding his null ray close to Knockouts' chest, inciting a nod. An ominous roll of thunder was heard thorough the base.

Moments later, a purple vial containing the 'DarkSynth' as Starscream was now calling it was injected into Cylas. Once the infusion was complete Cylas spasmed on the table and was still.

"Humans." Starscream groused. "You can't rely on them in any form."

Knockout shook his finger at Starscream. "Wait for it." He said teasingly. Moments later Cylas gave a murderous scream, his optics going from green to purple. "It's alive!" Knockout yelled with glee.

This joy was short lived however, not a second later the shackles holding down Cylas' arms shattered, allowing him to knock both bots away. Breaking the shackle on his legs he stepped down from the table and made his way to the door. He took two steps, murder in his heart before he collapsed to his knees.

Starscreams' optics widened. "Oh, for the love of. Now what?" He exclaimed.

"I tried to explain before." Knockout replied. "A side effect of the SynthN is that he's burned through his reserves."

"Then perhaps we should hold off on further doses for a while." Starscream said, slightly panicked. "Might calm Cylas down a bit. Make him more manageable."

Further chatter was rendered moot when Cylas gave a raspy. "Need, energon." Looking down they saw his jaw split in half with a shriek. In his mouth were two fangs and a long tongue that had what looked like a claw on the end of it.

Giving a hiss he stood up, advancing on Starscream with the intent to feed he picked him up. Only to receive a massive shock in the back from an electric prod in Knockouts' hands.

Giving Cylas a kick to the chest to free himself, Starscream stared wide opticed. "Do you really think he was trying to?"

"Suck out our energon with that thing?" Cylas gave another hiss as Knockout brandished the prod. Wrenching the weapon from the medics' hand and snaping it in half he gulped. "Looks like it." Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, the two mechs ran like pit.

"See if you can hold him off." Starscream called, transforming into jet mode.

"What?" Knockout screamed as Starscream transformed. "Wait for me." Jumping onto Starscreams wing they rocketed down the corridor away from Cylas. Giving a hiss and growl Cylas turned and walked in the other direction. "Need, energon."

Thirty seconds later starscream changed back into bot form, sending Knockout sprawling. "We, we have to sound the alarm." Knockout exclaimed in a panicked voice.

"Out of the question, lord Megatron will undoubtedly hold us responsible." Starscream replied.

"But we are!" Knockout said.

"Well, you are, mostly." Starscream said. "Anyway, his lordship doesn't need to know that. Not if we handle it the right way."

"Meaning?"

"Use your head Knockout." Starscream sneered, indicating that they should start walking. "This ship is full of highly trained Vehicon troopers armed for combat. The moment Cylas attempts to feed, they will neutralize him for us. Problem solved."

A few corridors into the ship Starscream started up the conversation again. "Once Cylas' body has been recovered, we need to dispose of it as quickly and efficiently as possible. No trace of it can ever be discovered."

Knockout gave a shudder. "His, infected body."

Turning the corner, they found a group of Vehicon soldiers. "You there, have you seen any unusual activity?" Starscream stopped short when, as one, the Vehicons turned toward him, jaws splitting open to reveal fangs and tongues. "In this sector?" He finished with a squeak.

Giving a hiss the ambled towards the two mechs who started to run. "Tell me something Starscream, when you said 'problem solved', was this remotely correct?"

"Excuse me Knockout." Starscream replied. "This unfolding catastrophe is hardly my fault."

"Well, it certainly isn't mine."

"You're the one who wanted to experiment with synthetic energon."

"Well, you're the monkey-wrench who wanted to dabble in Voodoo."

During their argument Starscream saw a secure communications station. "Quick in here." He called as he pushed the close button. Knockout barely made it inside before it sealed. Listening carefully, he heard the infected horde pass by their hiding spot. Giving a sigh, Knockout looked at Starscream. "If the mutation can be spread from a single bite, then the entire crew could be at risk."

Starscream whimpered. "You mean Cylas could beget more Terrorcons?" The thought made a cold shiver run through his spark.

"And the ensuing feeding frenzy would turn this warship into a scrapheap. NOW can we sound the alarm?"

Starscream nodded. "This situation is more dire than either of us could have predicted. The moment we exit, raise the alarm, put all levels on high alert."

Nodding, Knockout put a hand on the door control. "One, two, three." With that they opened the door and were confronted with something just as bad as the Terrorcons.

"Would either one of you like to tell me EXACTLY what's going on?" Megatron growled at his two officers. "Because the dark energon in my spark has been pulsing."

"Allow me to explain." Starscream started. "It's all Knockouts' fault!" He exclaimed, pointing at the medic.

"Yes, I -WHAT!" Knockouts' optics widened at the implication.

"He infused Cylas with a cocktail of both dark and synthetic energon, creating a monstrous mutation that is now on the verge of turning the entire crew into mindless energon sucking Terrorcons." Starscream explained rapidly.

Megatron scowled. "I don't know from what madness this excuse springs Starscream, but if I find you've been dabbling with my dark energon stores again, trying to infuse yourself with its' power."

Starscream looked past his commander at an approaching Terrorcon. Jaw split and tongue extended it advanced slowly and quietly enough that Megatron couldn't hear it over his own words. "Uh, my liege?"

"Let's just say that you've been awarded more second chances than anyone in Decepticon history."

He was cut off by a cry from the Terrorcon. Turning around he saw that their story, was no fiction. "You there, stop." Megatron yelled at the advancing Terrorcon. "I order you to stand down."

The Terrorcon lunged at Megatron. Thinking quickly, he raised his fusion cannon and vaporized the mutations' head. Turning back to question his officers he heard another cry from the Terrorcon. Looking back, he saw that the tongue was still sticking out of the severed neck, driving it forward.

Before he could raise his cannon again, the Terrorcon was hit by a trifecta of laser blasts to the spark chamber. This apparently was enough to stop it. Looking over to where the shots came from, he saw another Vehicon coming at them. "Sorry for the close call my liege, but I just dealt with two of these things down the last corridor." He said in a deep voice.

"Thank you, eh?" Megatron started. He really never bothered to get to know the names of all his Vehicons. They went through so many.

"Punch, sir. Would you like me to raise the alarm?" Punch quired.

Megatron nodded. "While you do that." He turned to Starscream and Knockout as punch went to the communications station to hail Soundwave. "Would you care to explain why I can't control those monsters to follow my bidding?" He asked, refering to both Cylas and the Terrorcon.

Knockout intervened. "While your link to the dark energon should be enough to control these, ghouls. I believe the synthetic component may be corrupting your link to them."

Megatron walked over to the comm station, pushing Punch out of the way. "Soundwave, go to high alert. Instruct all troops to keep their distance from the mutations, and terminate on sight." He took a breath. "Then patch me through to Shockwave, he may have an idea of how to contain the situation." Nodding, Soundwave cut the link to perform his tasks.

Shockwave reported in seconds later. "Lord Megatron, if I may be forward, it would be logical to assume that your call is directly linked to the current high alert. As well as the Terrorcon reports I've been getting the last few minutes?"

"Yes Shockwave." Megatron began. "I was wondering if you had any ideas into how to contain the outbreak?"

Shockwave nodded. "I am initializing lockdown of the sector all the reports are coming from. The blocks are preprogramed to let you through, troops and Insecticons are now in position to start purging the mutations."

There was a beep on Shockwaves' end. "We seem to have another problem. The Terrorcon that was once Breakdown has moved into the main vault."

Megatrons' optics widened. "Cylas, he must be after Airachnid, she's the only potential thing to feed on down there." This was bad. If she was freed, or worse yet infected, she could override his control over the Insecticons. That would cause a massive three-sided battle that would be utter chaos.

"Do not worry, lord Megatron, I shall send my newest 2.0 Predacon to intercept him. There is a roughly 50/50 chance he will face either one of them. However, Rampage is certainly capable of handling both of them, and if infected, I have a kill switch ready for him." With that the screen went dark.

Moments later, down in the vault, Airachnid had just killed Cylas. She was about to raise the Insecticons on the Nemesis when she heard a low clapping. "Nicely done ma'am, nicely done. However, your overall killing technique could use some refinements."

"And you are?" Airachnid growled, looking over at the source of the voice. Stepping out of the shadows she saw a bot only slightly smaller than Breakdown. Purple, white and red, the mech had Mandibles for a mouth and what looked like crab limbs hanging off his back he stepped into the light. "Ramage!?" She exclaimed quietly at the notorious serial killer.

"Oh, I have a fan." The ripper of Rivets Field chuckled. "As much as I want to stay and sign autographs, if I want to keep myself in one piece, I'm supposed to kill anyone that tries to exit this vault. I'm going out on a limb here to guess that ain't me he meant." He commented, putting himself between her and the door.

Running at him Airachnid made to leap over him and towards the exit. He reached up and grabbed her leg in a pincer-like grip. Spinning her around, he flung her into the wall. "You know, you remind me of the last psychologist they sent to try and 'help' me." When she looked defiantly up at him, he continued. "I spewed a sob story to get close to her then ate her T-cog while she was alive to feel it." He finished, smacking his lips.

Firing webbing at him she dodged right, leaping over Cylas' corpse. Switching to her spider form she climbed onto the ceiling. "Let's see you get me here." She called as he ripped the webs off his face.

Rampage laughed. "Like shooting protoforms in a stasis pod." Falling forward, he collapsed into a mode similar to a king crab. Next, his legs repositioned, feeding tread around the assembly as a triple barrel cannon emerged under his head, giving him a tank mode. "And I've done that plenty of times."

Switching to a medium power blast he started firing at the ceiling, causing her to move rapidly across it to dodge the shots. "Come on Spidey dancer, dance!" He cackled. After several shots he had her where he wanted her, he fired one last shot causing the ceiling to fall on top of her.

Reverting to crab mode, he went over to the rubble and dragged her out, he took Airachnids' neck in his right pincer. "Any last words, morsel?" He smacked his lips again, eager for his first victim in millions of years.

"Yes actually, Insecticons, your queen has returned, heed me!" She replied to his confusion. His curiosity was sated a moment later as an Insecticon in beetle mode rammed into him at full speed.

Transforming into bot-form and righting himself, he drew his missile launcher, switching it to the highest caliber. He took aim at the Insecticon. "Time to die, fly." Rampage growled as he fired. Both Airachnid and the Insecticon dodged his shot as it blew a hole in the side of both the vault, and the Nemesis. "Slag it." Rampage growled.

"Insecticons, retreat." Airachnid called. As much as she would've liked to terminate Rampage and take over the ship, she was still weak from her incarceration in the stasis pod, not to mention the subsequent battles with the zombie and serial killer.

With the first Insecticon right behind her she leapt through the hole in the side of the ship, switching to her helicopter mode she took off into the stormy night sky. Once she'd had time to rest and plan, she would get her vengeance on the Autobots, Decepticons, and little Jack Darby too.

Across the Nemesis the other Insecticons were switching to their beetle modes and flying out of every exit they could find until the seventy or so that had been, were gone. Looking out the hole at the retreating horde, Rampage sighed. "Well, that could've gone better."

After all the mutant Terrorcons had been exterminated, Megatron ordered all officers and the 2.0 Predacons to assemble on the bridge. "Shockwaves' containment protocol has been completed."

He turned to the bot in question. "Considering we just lost more than half our current military might, I cannot stress enough, the importance of Project Predacon 2.0. While I am reasonably happy with the newest addition." He said nodding to Rampage, who the other three were keeping a fair distance from. "See if there is a way to speed things up a little. We will still be vulnerable until our reinforcements arrive."

Shockwave nodded. "If there is a way, I shall find it lord Megatron." He was already considering continuing with his original plan to clone additional true Predacons anyway. Albeit a smaller number of them.

"Well, as fun as it's been." Rampage said as he made his way to the door. "I got places to go, bots to eat."

"I think not Rampage." Shockwave said holding up a cube containing a piece of spark. Within the cube were several spikes of raw energon precariously close to it. Giving the cube a squeeze Rampage seized up in agony, screaming bloody murder.

"You see." Shockwave began. "Your continued survival is now directly linked to your servitude. Serve loyally, and you shall have your pick of murder victims amongst the Autobots." He released the cube so Rampage could hear him. "Refuse or attack any of us, and well." Shockwave squeezed the cube again, generating a fresh scream from Rampage.

Shockwave gave the cube to Megatron, who smiled at literally holding someone's life in his servo. "You needn't worry too deeply Rampage. After all, besides the Autobots, there are the Techno Organic hybrids. They are a new species, one of which you may be the first to kill one."

Taking ragged breaths, Rampage staggered to his feet. "Y'know." He said walking back to his spot. "Had you opened with that, we could've skipped the foreplay." He finished standing up straight.

"But where's the fun in that?" Megatron asked as he turned to a disturbed Knockout. "Knockout, need I remind you that as ships' medic you report directly to Shockwave, NOT Starscream. And just to be sure, you will hand over all your projects to him immediately. Including the synthetic energon."

"Of course, lord Megatron." Knockout replied. He was thankful a reprimand was all he was getting. "I'll send them at once." He turned and left, Shockwave and the Predacons following him.

Megatron now turned to Starscream. "My liege, if you would just, please allow me to explain things." Starscream stuttered.

Megatron cut him off. "No, allow ME to explain things. In a matter I KNOW you understand." He growled advancing on his aerospace commander, cracking his knuckles.

Starscream gave a whimper. Sometimes life really sucked.

Meanwhile, on a ship hidden within our solar systems' asteroid belt, a tall purple Cybertronian emerged from deep meditation. He finally felt the life signal that was the subject of his quest for vengeance. Placing his katana in its' sheath on his back he turned to face a holo-statue of a small blue and white Cybertronian.

Kneeling down he spoke. "Rest well my love. Where Arcee failed, I shall succeed. The monster that took you from us, shall meet her end at my hand. And wherever your spark is now Tailgate I hope that one day, once this is over, my spark shall join yours."

With that, Cyclonus stood and put in the coordinates for Earth. First, he'd track down Arcee for answers, and then, the hunt would be on.

A/N-Okay, now that was a ride. Three new characters introduced, even if one was brief. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Next time, we go back to the Maximals and Autobots for some fun and fights in the sun. Until then, please, fav and review.

One more thing. If anyone reading this plays Transformers Earth Wars. My alliance, the Spedabots is looking for new members. The only requirements are 1000 medals, a minimum Level 6 HQ, and active participation in all alliance events. Hope to see you on the battlefield. Bye.