[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Allocation (Closed)

[Deleted]

The other Decepticons made their cases one by one once Vega had moved back into line. Cases of unyeilding fealty, pensions for violence, desire to see all the last prime had made razed to the ground. Coldwind's thirst for death and destruction was...interesting, to put it delicately.

The other femme clearly took great pleasure from leaving a massacre in her wake, judging by the length at which she spoke of it. It was barbaric in a way, but Vega had to admit there was a certain satisfaction to be had in victory. Though she doubted her and Coldwind had the same definition of the word. The other flier stepped back in line and the next stepped up.

A familiar face was next to speak, Flamesnort firmly setting himself as a long set facet in the Decepticon ranks. His plead was short and very up front. Satisfied he let the next speak their piece. Downfall was another unfamiliar much like Coldwind. Vega found it hard to truly read the heavily armored flight frame. Again, short and sweet was his speech, punctuated by his sworn loyalty to Megatron.

The warlord said nothing of their pleas - yet - but seemed generally pleased by the lot. He spoke again, commending them on their committed natures collectively. He paused then continued again. Asking this time where they would like to be placed outside of Starscream's currently regime.

Again Sparkplug went again affirming she was exactly where she needed to be. Her skills were best at use in SparkLabs and she and the large flier worked well together. Her only fuss was the lack of materials but also knew well it was a base wide problem. When it came to Vega it was much the same.

"I believe my partner has said it best my liege. I do not feel I would be any better use in any other position. My navigational skills are not applicable, but with the truce broken the need for weapons - and repairs to those weapons - are in high demand."

The flier couldn't imagine anywhere besides Sparkplug's side she'd rather be, but that was left unsaid.

[Coldwind]

Coldwind was far too self-absorbed and stubborn to study the other Decepticons. She didn't care for Vega, nor Sparkplug, and most definitely not Downfall. Flamesnort only earned a momentary and dismissive glance in large part due to his amusingly tone-deaf response to Megatron. But even a maniac like Coldwind couldn't ignore one simple fact. Megatron had called for six Decepticons and—bar himself and Soundwave—there were only five of them. Somebody was slacking. It was such a shame Coldwind couldn't give that thought much focus when the warlord approached them with another question.

Were I to grant you any position within the Decepticon ranks, where would you ask to be placed?

A dangerous inquiry to answer. Sparkplug and Vega seemed content enough with their lot in life and thus had no quarrel with tackling it head-on. Coldwind was less fortunate in that respect. She wasn't satisfied with running errands for Starscream, she wasn't happy, and she wasn't content. She wanted more—and she wanted to take it. Take, take, take, and take until there was nothing left to take. The others had something she did not, and so she hated them for it and sought to fill the holes with slaughter and subjugation.

Now, it was her time to speak.

"At the helm of your armies."

That's where Coldwind wanted to be—who she wanted to be. A general leading Megatron's mighty armada from world to world, war to war, and battle to battle, scourging the Autobots and hunting them throughout the cosmos. She could not deny it, not to him nor anybody else. What she wanted was well outside the realm of possibilities, but Coldwind would do anything to see that dream realized. There was no point in lying.

"I won't lace my words with platitudes and humility. I style myself a hunter and I do so with good reason. I savor suffering—turning cities into graveyards. When I watch a spark go out—at that moment—I want for nothing."

Coldwind refused to believe Vega and Sparkplug had been honest in their claims. How could they possibly be happy? How could anybody be happy? They were forced underground like rats, made to hide in grotesque costumes. The Decepticons held but a fraction of their former might. Coldwind directly linked her quality of life to the ability to cause chaos—and did not understand how the other two femmes could think any different.

"And to that end..."

The Seeker raised her head high above her shoulders.

"...I desire power."

She couldn't be more honest with Megatron. Three simple words that spoke volumes of who she was, more so than anything said up until that point. Coldwind wasn't interested in being a leader or earning prestige—not like Starscream in any case. So long as she was in a position to hold power and to quantify it into cruelty and mass death, she was content. Megatron had the means, the might to set such carnage into motion, and Coldwind wanted to be there to see it first-hand.

This raw passion could be used to Megatron's advantage. After all, many Decepticons overcame their hubris and honed their ambition and potential into a well-crafted weapon for the warlord to use as he saw fit. On the other hand, a good few had paid the ultimate price for just such a way of thinking and were cast aside; forgotten in the most obscure annals of history.

[Deleted]

Flamesnort was too self concerned trying his damnedest to read everyone else expressions regarding his pledge of the old ways, the pure and original ways, to pay Downfall all the attention the mech truly deserved. What he caught was simply that the mech was effectively a highly loyal soldier.

Lord Meagtron’s next question to his ranks caught Flamesnort a little off guard and had him quickly reeling for a suitable answer. He intended to simply follow in the pattern led by the previous trio but none spoke in a way he would emulate. Both Sparkplug and Vega spoke of a definite and clear position in weapons development and repair while Coldwing again spoke further of her simply barbaric lust for violence. While he did take some joy in a good hunt, he killed Autobots with little satisfaction other than the sheer necessity of his just devotion. Ultimately he chose to keep his own response simple because his tongue would likely trip himself up otherwise.

“I am an exterminator, a hunter, a soldier. My form provides versatility but my skills are those of a simple soldier in the field and there I would remain, until the Autobots surrender or are finally vanquished.” He bowed his head a small way, apologetic for not providing a more indepth answer as his comrades had.

[Deleted]

Downfall remained quiet during their speech, settling into a state of pure observation again to store the information presented by the others away for later use. A few subtle shifts were made during their introduction and explanations, shifting his weight from one side to the other in a casual way. While perhaps some of the present Decepticons were nervous, eager or even uncomfortable during this whole meeting, Downfall could not actually judge their true emotions yet. He was still far too unfamiliar with many of them, all of them even perhaps. A state he hopefully would get to change in the near future.

Though, it wasn't something he would focus on too much as his attention was locked onto Megatron for now.

However, once everyone had stated their wishes and believes, he then again straightened up to once again address their master. This time however, he did not bow nor kneeled down. It was an action that had been already executed twice and would have hopefully pleased their lord enough to show that he was a submissive mech; loyal and obedient.

“My current place, my job and assistance had been used to rebuild and upgrade our current stronghold, Blackridge Hold, my Lord. I was assigned to offer my strength and durability to those in need, mainly our Vehicon troopers to relieve them of heavy duty labor work.”

A small pause was added, thinking on where best to continue.

“However, with your return I am yours to command. My place will be wherever you see fit, lord Megatron.”

[Deleted]

He had remained silent as each spoke. Again, revealing nothing by facial expression, only those crimson optics pinning each Decepticon as they spoke, as they talked of their desires and wishes to either remain where they were, or to climb.

It revealed a lot to the warlord, how each answered. It was the Decepticon way, after all, to strive to overcome all others, to wrest power and glory, to make a name for oneself.

At the same time, such striving created chaos, and no machine of war could run smoothly if there was chaos.

Sparkplug and Vega seemed content enough working, with the exception of needing raw materials. The warlord wasn’t yet sure what to make of the smaller femme. Spirited, yes, but perhaps a bit too cheerful for his own liking. And yet, if she started repairing weapons and perhaps making some new ones, what matter her personality besides to those who had to work with her? As for Vega, she seemed content enough to work at any task given her.

There was, however, a sense of possible relationship about the two that Megatron would have to watch for. He wasn’t the slightest bit concerned about who was in a relationship with who under his command – such things were trivial....until they became an issue. One given orders to work somewhere distant, and the other becomes despondent? Or one is given an order, and refuses because it may endanger the other? Yes, such things had to be watched.

Coldwind was a good example of Decepticon lust for power and control. Such mecha usually followed commands easily enough, if allowed to satisfy their more...savage...nature. However, savagery and insanity could walk hand in hand. Still...she would be useful, if she didn’t grow too big for her own peds and try to replace one of the more...senior staff...

Flamesnort seemed easily pliable enough. Give him simple work, and leave him to it, and he would most likely be content and yet work hard to the best of his ability. Such soldiers were always useful.

Downfall had the size, and the passion to serve that he required within his ranks. Only time would tell if he had the willingness to be cruel as well.

“Mmm, yes. Very well.

For now, remain in the duties Starscream has given you. I will contact you if I have any additional tasks set for you.

It is apparent by now, that the Truce has ended.”

Megatron raised his massive arms again, crossing them over his chest, looking down at those assembled before him.

“We return to war. We started this to claim what was rightfully ours, taken from us by the Council, treated as garbage to be walked upon. Our lives were worthless to them.

Do not forget that. Do not forget what has become of our home. And who is responsible for our position now.

If you meet an Autobot, I expect you will meet them as the enemy, and behave as such. Any interaction you may have had with them during the Truce is gone.

Remember, I will not tolerate insubordination.”

There was a pause as he looked each of them over again before speaking.

“You are all dismissed. Know that I have marked each of you, and your abilities. I will be watching your progress within my army. If your special skills are required in the neat future, I will contact you. Be ready for combat, my Decepticons. We will soon tear the Autobots from this dirt ball of a planet and destroy them.”

As abruptly as he had called them all there, so abruptly did he dismiss them, although he had by no means overlooked any of them.

Megatron turned, looking towards Soundwave, ensuring that the other had indeed made notes of everything that had been said and done. His attention elsewhere at the moment, he allowed the others gathered to leave and return to their own duties if they wished, or perhaps to gather outside the Warlord’s quarters to speak amongst themselves.

[Sparkplug]

Sparkplug stood with her arms crossed behind her back, optics flicking from mecha to mecha as the roster ran through their personal answers to Megatron's unexpected personality test. Vega's answer was pretty much as she'd expected; let us keep working together, ideally without any mecha bothering us too much, and you'll get results. They both wanted that. Downfall was as subservient as he was impossible to read, and Flamesnort, the quadruped, was perfectly happy in the ranks - about what you might expect of an old, honourable soldier who hadn't quite woken up to the trail of intergalactic slaughter the Decepticons left in their wake.

But Coldwind was something different.

Sparkplug's default position was to consider all Decepticons friendly allies, to be chatted to and helped out whenever possible, and it usually took something fairly significant to change her mind. The fanatical flier's frothingly insane little rant, however, qualified. Maybe the Warlord would find a use for an atrocity engine on a thin leash - in fact, of course he would, what was she even thinking - but as far as Sparkplug went, she wasn't minded to indulge Coldwind's psychotic murder fetish for a single nanoklik if she didn't have to.

And then, all of them had spoken, leaving the floor to Megatron once again; she straightened her back as he spoke, in that characteristic rock-crusher-with-a-bad-attitude growl. No changes to the duties she'd been given - a relief, considering any change would have probably made things worse. Acknowledgement that the treaty was well and truly dead, much like Haven. And then... something of an inspirational speech.

Inspirational to some of them, at least.

The Council? Come on, now, they're so long dead. No one cares why this started anymore.

Who was responsible for what had become of Cybertron, who was responsible for their current position?

Well, that'd be you and Him. He killed the All-Spark, you killed the planet. Good job.

At least she believed, absolutely, that he wasn't willing to tolerate any mecha talking back to him. She quelled the rebellious little voice within her processor; if there was a time to be unconvinced by the posturing of a planetary-grade mincing machine, it wasn't while standing in front of it. With a quick straightening to formal attention, she excused herself.

"By your leave, Lord Megatron."

She turned and retreated, with a certain degree of thankfulness, and as she caught sight of Vega emerging after her, she pinged to her partner on a private frequency:

::Let's get out of here::

[Deleted]

Again each in turn spoke, making their stances on any potential shifts in their tasks. Flamesnort made his point of versatility to the behest of Lord Megatron, Downfall equally non-fussed about whatever shift the warlord may do but making a quick note on his current assignment. Coldwind...was very concise in her desires for a change to her position into the spearhead of his armies, extenuating her thirst for death alongside. It was bold....hopefully not too bold. Any mecha knew the lack of patience their liege had for just about anything that displeased him.

If he was unimpressed with her display he would not show it here, for once the present were done speaking he took the floor. Vega stood still at attention as their liege spoke, arms folded at her back and optics focused to him. For the time being they would remain in the positions given to them by the now former Lord Starscream and would be notified if something were to change. Then came the address of the broken truce and their return to war. The mention of the Council felt...outdated. Vega silently wondered what percentage of their ranks had no memory of that being the cause of this.

Megatron's speech was short yet poignant - to an extent - as he attempted to truly drive home what he expected of his underlings. Treating any Autobot as the enemy regardless of whatever exchanges they may have had in the truce's short stint. And all punctuated by his firm stance against insubordination. With that, they were excused. As quickly as they were called they left, very true to Megatron's lack of patience for just about everything.

"By your leave my lord." Vega dipped her head to the warlord, then again to Soundwave before turning to follow her partner out the door.

::Let's get out of here::

The private ping came from the smaller, and with no hesitant Vega replied: ::Right behind you::

[Coldwind]

Coldwind listened patiently, betraying no emotion at Megatron's collective response to them all or his attempts to fan the flames of resentment. She had plenty of hatred to spare for the Autobots without needing the cause as an excuse to unleash it. Still, she understood the demand for just such a speech. There were mecha among them that did not take kindly to wanton marauding.

Flamesnort for one.

Out of all of them, he probably needed the "encouragement" the most—at least from what Coldwind knew of him. Unlike the lizard, Vega and Sparkplug at least seemed to have their thoughts in order. But he was unnervingly old-fashioned and all too conflicted for his own good.

After all that, she simply nodded, followed by a prompt: "Yes, master," and then she was gone; leaving the room with heavy footfalls and a dignified, strict, and rightfully imperial stride. Indeed, she would make a fine Decepticon, had she only the willpower to temper her brutality correctly.

Under Megatron's command, she could be quite useful. Under Starscream's, well, just one of the many bots to look out for. The Air Commander had few allies, but those that he had were capricious at the best of times—downright unpredictable at their worst.

She was no different.

[Deleted]

Flamesnort didnt care what the others in the grand room heard or thought they heard; he only knew that Megatron’s words seemed to speak directly to him. Mention of how the old council had treated them affirmed his own feelings for freedom from oppression. He even felt affirmed in his honorable dealing with the vehicons, for they too had been oppressed; made as they were to be barely sentient slaves.

Flamesnort’s self assurance that his old way was the correct one grew stronger. The others had let their sparks be tainted by the war, and where possible he would try to guide them back if Megatron’s words had not done so. He would absolutely fight any enemy who did not pay due respect, because civilized creatures gave respect. They did not seek wanton carnage out of lust.

He watched as Sparkplug and Vega made their leave first. He too picked up their friendship, but unlike others he thoroughly approved. Close bonds were to be cherished, and he knew that some fought much harder because of them. He knew that he would still clash with Coldwind, even more so now in all likelihood, but they both would fight for Decepticon victory and that singular shared goal would allow him to survive her existence.

He made his leave after her. Flamesnort dropped down back to all four with a purposeful thump. He bowed once more to Megatron. “My leader” he respectfully intoned before making his own exit.

[Deleted]

((OOC: Skip - Please assume that Downfall left the meeting after the others- and no, he still hasn't closed the door... xD))

[Soundwave]

One by one they had entered, one by one they all preached their skills and tried to show their worth, and one by one they expressed their motivations and where they wished to be assigned. From honorable to savage, each varied and painted a good picture of who they were and what use they could have to the Decepticon army. Soundwave already knew most of this, having gathered their data beforehand, interacted with some personally, and observed the rest through the security feed that webbed through the outpost like veins. Despite this, it was interesting to see how they opted to show off their skills, some more forthright and eager compared to others.

Soundwave's helm rose ever so slightly as Sparkplug excitedly showed off her particle lance, not certain why she believed a show-and-tell would be appropriate on this level in front of everyone. Was it a boast for power? A subtle flex to threaten others and challenge their talents? Whatever it was she seemed thrilled to do so, and in turn then preached her want to spit upon Optimus Prime's corpse. She had no desire to be within another point of the base, which was to be expected. Her role was rather cut and dry and she always appeared to be happy with such tasks.

Vega was more direct with her declaration of worth. Precise, stating her current role, her past role, and why she desired to remain in these ranks with no real preamble or frivolous detail. The announcement of devotion was to be expected, something Soundwave often questioned. Would it be simply a means to garner more favor in the moment? Or a true desire from deep in their sparks? She too was content in her position, however Megatron may see better use down the way for a Navigations expert. The War could always twist and spin in new ways... and should Optimus deem this planet under too much threat, somehow organizing an evacuation would change tactics entirely.

The rabid beast was next, Coldwind's reputation not even slightly subdued in the way she stepped forth with an abundance of confidence and ferocity. She did not hide her sadism; she did not hide her lack of regard and the higher goals of their War. She appeared to have no dedication to the cause or Megatron's ideals, caring only enough to get the bloodshed her claws hungered for. She was a valuable weapon, but in a way that was all she was. Something to kindle a battle into madness and lead with savagery. A beast to cut loose. She hungered for power, but likely only enough to be able to set up assaults to bathe in the Line-Energon from a foe.

Unseen eyes flicked down then to Flamesnort, the oddity in the room, something Soundwave felt even had to catch Megatron off guard in at least the most subtle of ways. Beasts were uncommon, especially those with sentience on this level. This individual preached with pride and a sense of honor. Such things have long since been strangled and killed in many aspects of their faction... Alas, he would find out in due time, announcing his worth as a simple soldier. His unique frame would likely set him to task in a specific goal, however that was yet to be determined at this precise moment.

Downfall spoke of his positions, skills and devotion. A rather typical thing they all did with their own flavor. However, he seemed to neglect to mention his own personal motivation, filling the gap with a sense of dedication under the blanket term of 'Master'. Whatever the case, it was a bit of waste for him to be set to brute force tasks alone, such mundane things for one of his skill level, yet Blackridge needed all hands on deck. His role, like others, may shift in the coming days.

It was interesting to see how each and every one of them presented themselves, and as always Soundwave did not seem to react or move in any way other than subtly following each speaker with his gaze while keeping all within range of the recording.

Just in case someone reacted poorly to another's words.

Just as soon as the meeting had started, it seemed to conclude. Each individual addressed, each set back to their individual goals that had been set forth by Starscream. From an outsider's perspective it may have looked like this was simply a formality, trying to just 'introduce' them and make certain they knew their Lord was now watching. No real change in plans beside that ominous threat that hung overhead that their true leader was now present. However, as hollow as the meeting may have appeared on surface levels, there was so much more to it that simmered deep below the surface.

It was only when everyone exited that the navy mech moved.

A subtle lean back before forward... Soundwave eased into a gradual walk towards the open door. Should it have been anyone else who left the threshold ajar upon their retreat, there may have been some mild ire at the almost disrespectful exit to Megatron's quarters. Something to judge poorly by, something to hold against them in the most subtle of ways... yet it was Downfall. The mech may not have even been aware there WAS a door to begin with given his alternative means of navigation in this world. There was a good chance Megatron was aware of this fact despite not being told directly given his astute observational skills.

It wasn't as if an opaque metal visor and 'X' just over where optics should be were particularly difficult to translate.

Shutting the door in the other's wake, Soundwave would turn about face, taking a few paces back towards Megatron before settling down to see what was of most interest to be addressed first.

[Deleted]

Megatron stood silent, a massive statue painted in dark silvers and greys, arms seemingly dangled loosely at his sides. He was back on to Soundwave, seemingly lost in thought.

Soundwave knew better.

Everything that had just been said, everything that was observed was catalogued and placed into certain slot in the Warlord’s mind. Ideas, hints of plans, possible routes or turns in the case of eventualities.

After a moment, he turned, regarding Soundwave over a shoulder.

“Now, Soundwave. I have heard from them. Now tell me what you know of them. We have plans to make.”

Megatron would step aside, waiting for his trusted officer to fill him in on the newest recruits to the cause.

Finally, things were in motion, and everyone would have to be ready when the time came for war.




~fin~