Spacebridge Chamber

A circular metal tube projects out of the roof into the spacebridge tower, a glowing control panel beside the smooth metal doors controlling access. This massive terminus is the central focus of the Decepticon spacebridge network, and the only bridge which can send to more than one destination. Look at the 'controls' to gain information on utilizing the spacebridge... although doing so without authorization invites Galvatron's wrath.

Contents:

Main Spacebridge Terminus <IHQ>

Obvious exits:

Northeast <NE> leads to IHQ Command Center.

Chimera emerges from the spacebridge terminus.

Chimera has arrived.

Chimera had to head back to Cybertron for some more of that paperwork. The stuff that needed vocal authorization on it. HAH. Now she can finish it. At last the mountain of paperwork has been conquored.. .it has been subdued... it has been... uh.. no one ever told her it would keep growing, did they?

Fleet, for his part, has been assigned his next several watches back here. Granted, they're not for a few hours yet, but he figured he might as well hitch a ride with Chimera. He walks alongside the olive green seeker lookin' gal, intent on... dunno. Maybe a session in the training room? (Although, given that his alt is there, he'll never make it...)

IHQ Command Center

This massive chamber lies at the core of the upper level, its ceiling high enough for even a gestalt. The walls are covered in monitors and consoles from floor to ceiling, while narrow catwalks rise from the floor to the upper areas where additional terminals and consoles are housed. At the center of the chamber is the column containing the turbolift, while on five of the walls are large double doors, four opening into the various divisional wings. Between the MSE and DCI wing entrances is a smaller sets of doors leading to the War Room. Two huge main screens dominate two of the eight walls, displaying information and images sent by the main computer. Atop the column is the communications room, accessible by the catwalks on either side of the column.

Contents:

Scourge

Decepticon Object <DO>

IHQ Base Computer

Obvious exits:

Up <U> leads to IHQ Comm Center.

Aerospace Wing <N> MSE Wing <S> War Room <SE> Spacebridge <SW> DCI Wing <E> Mil Ops Wing <W> Elevator Doors <ED>

Chimera arrives from the Spacebridge Chamber to the southwest.

Chimera has arrived.

The past several cycles have been frantic activity. Most of it because of the DIS Annihilator's launch, but some of it from other matters; for example, the destruction of the two shuttles being built as support vessels for the DIS Annihilator. Said destruction courtesy of the Autobots, led by Rodimus and Superion.

Which brings us to the figure watching quietly from his raised vantage point. Scourge is standing on the left of Galvatron's command 'throne'. Galvatron sits in it, Cyclonus sits in it... Scourge rarely does, and even more rarely of late. Probably the repairs following the rather sound thrashing he took by the Autobots at the shipyard attack serve as a good reason why.

If nothing, however, Scourge is a driven individual. He has gone on minimal recharges (to keep Arachnae off his back), but otherwise refused to stand down from his duties and responsibilities to the Empire. He wants to be ready for the plunder of Earth, the eradication of humanity, and the removal of one of the few Autobot strongholds left. And so he stands, hands clasped behind his back, watching the viewscreens as they continually relay the ETA of the DIS Annihilator to Earth and the projections of the battle that will ensue.

Chimera walks with Fleet, intent on getting from one place to another. She's the secretary. She'll be the one heading towards the Mil-Ops wing to gather the materials she needs, and finish things-- eventually, of course, she'll see if Fleet wants to go help her take out a training drone or two, but for now... work. She's... skirting the room, and somewhat instinctively trying not to call a lot of attention to herself. Especially given the occupant.

And what has little Seeker Fleet, not to be confused with the War Fleet, been doing all this time? Well, mostly a lot of patrols and watches on Earth. In fact, some days ago he even got his aft handed to him there by an Aerialbot, but now he's recovered. His assignments for the next time period have him back on his home planet, as he seems to get shuffled back and forth between the two from time to time... it's almost as if the entire Mil-Ops department were reduced to himself, two other Seekers, one Stunticon and Hun-Grrr himself! He's still got a bit of time before his next patrol, but he decided to return now, since Chimera was using the space bridge anyway. He pauses, optics wide, when he spots who is in the room and, like Chimera, begins skirting. Oh dear...

Scourge's optics remain focused on the viewscreen, but it's not too difficult to hear the footsteps of those who, for some strange reason, would wish to avoid the attention of the Sweep commander. You'd think perhaps they had done something wrong. He lets them continue on, waiting until they think they're in the clear. "Freeze," he rasps, his head finally turning and zeroing in on the two Seekers. "I trust neither of you are shirking your duties to the Empire. And I'm quite certain you aren't trying--badly, I might add--to avoid me for some unfathomable reason." His optics seem to focus on Chimera for that last comment. "Approach. Now."

Chimera is usually better at sneaking around than that, honestly. She was mostly trying to be non-obvious. Of course this isn't one of the Sweeps. They'd have gotten her attention in an entirely different way. So the green female seeker is shrugging, and handing off a datapad to Fleet. "If you could, put this on my desk." she asks him in the slightly whispery tones. Then she approaches the throne with an emotionless visage. "Yes?"

Fleet freezes when Scourge tells him to, snapping immediately to attention, but when Chimera hands off the datapad he accepts it, looking at it uncertainly. Unfortunately he, also, had been ordered to freeze by the Sweep commander, and thus he's not able to really comply with her request at the moment... last time he check, Scourge trumped the secretary card. So instead he stands at attention, datapad in his left hand, and waits to be given permission to not-freeze.

Scourge's optic ridge quirks slightly as Chimera approaches, then glances at Fleet. "You too, little Seeker. Approach." His gaze shifts back to regard the pair. "You will tell me of your current assignments, and why it is you attempted to evade my notice. And do not try lying to me... you will not like the results."

Chimera gives Scourge an impassive gaze, "My duty," she says quietly, "Is to finish the paperwork involved in requisitioning supplies for Military ops, as well as passing along the permissions to continue with projects..." She tilts her head up, slightly, "As well as being considered light duty." And of course there is always the reason for avoiding Scourge. "And I did not wish to disturb you with my presence."

Fleet takes several steps forward to stand alongside Chimera, inwardly cringing. These are... probably the two people in the Empire he /least/ wanted to fess up to, right here in the same room. Fleet keeps his head turns directly forward, but there's something about the way he's standing that says his optics are not focused on anything in particular... doing the good little military staring-off-into-nothing-while-standing-at-attention thing. Chimera gave a good answer, but that isn't the real reason why the pastel seeker was avoiding Scourge, and after a threat like that... no, Fleet won't lie. He takes a moment to consider how to phrase what he wants to say... "I've been reassigned to patrols here, but my next shift doesn't start for a few hours. As to why I've been avoiding you, I was concerned over your reaction to my training program, sir." Strange response. It's said as though Fleet is certain Scourge already knows about it.

Scourge actually sits down now, tucking in his wings slightly as the chair swivels about to face both Seekers. Reclining into the throne, he regards the pair, his elbows on the armrests as he steeples his claw-tips together. "Indeed..." He glances at Chimera. "You did not wish to disturb my presence... likely because if your recent incident with Geist in the medbay, no doubt. Don't even try to deny it."

His optics shift over to Fleet, and his optic ridges turn up slightly again. A questioning look. Either Scourge doesn't know yet, or he just /really/ likes to make others squirm. "Your... training program? Oh, do enlighten me."

Chimera's neutral expression turns into a slight sneer. "If you wish to think that, Commander." she answers softly, "And if you are through, may I return to requisitions?" She doesn't care about Fleet's training program... really. Even if she does give him a quick glance.

How's Chimera supposed to return to her requisitions? Fleet's got all her paperwork! The yellow seeker looks genuinely confused at Scourge's question. He expected that all the Sweeps would pretty much keep Scourge up to date on /everything/. "Erm... Geist, sir. He's been... mentoring me, when he's been around. He has a series of his old training programs set up for me when he's not."

Scourge's optics narrow at Chimera. "Perhaps you'd prefer to be locked in a room with Geist to vent your frustrations... or maybe you think I won't shoot that sneer right off your slagging faceplate." He considers for a moment, then shakes his head. "No... I think I'll just rip your faceplate off with my bare hands. That sounds far more appealing right now." He leans forwards, optics suddenly blazing. "And then I'll nail your worthless Seeker frame to the wall like I've done to far too many others who thought insubordination was the right choice to make when it concerns me!" And let's face it, folks... it's been far too long since Scourge has crucified anyone. "And there will be no one to save you from your fate, Chimera; not even Arachnae herself will lift a finger to stop me. You'll pray to Unicron's Head itself, hoping the Chaos-Bringer himself will hear your pathetic, sniveling pleas, for a quick and relatively merciful death, compared to what I'll make a point of doing to you!"

Can we tell that Chimera pressed the /wrong/ button with Scourge yet? I thought so.

His gaze snaps back to Fleet, optics still burning. "Is he now?" he asks, almost hissing the words as he speaks them. "Take care, lest he lead you down the same path as Arachnae... though it took Dredclaw and Bloodwulf together to convince me to allow her in." He leans back slightly, though he still looks ready to pounce either of the Seekers at the slightest provocation. "Although... you've demonstrated at least some courage in your honesty."

He regards the pair carefully, and then an evil leer appears on his face. "Oh, I think I know /exactly/ what I'll do with the both of you..."

Of COURSE Chimera pushed the wrong button with Scourge. Did she expect to choose the right answer? No. Did she expect that Arachnae would be taking her part in the whole affair? Honestly...

No.

Chimera keeps her chin up, letting the expression run back to neutral. Quick death. Merciful death. Does it really matter? She's afraid, yes, however... It's almost as though she's been expecting punishment.

Ironically, it wasn't courage but cowardice that prompted Fleet's honesty, but the yellow seeker has a rather curious, thoughtful kind of cowardice that leads him to occasionally do things that others see as brave. It's this thoughtful cowardice that actually prevents him from cringing, as he can tell that Scourge is, indeed, ready to pounce, and Fleet is not willing to provide an excuse. Meanwhile, he puzzles over the Sweep commander's words.. in? Into wha? Oh, nonono! Fleet's a seeker! He has no intention of doing /that/! He gives no outward reaction, however, and instead stands still, waiting to hear what it is Scourge intends to do with him...

For a moment, silence reigns... until Scourge lets out a soft chuckle. One of those EBIL chuckles. "You will continue with your training under Geist, Fleet," he announces to the pastel Seeker. Then his optics flicker over towards Chimera. "And /you/ will join him. You will both do as Geist instructs you, and you will not question his instructions. The alternative is to deal with me, and I'm quite certain neither of you relish that particular prospect." Of course, he's going to make certain Geist isn't tempted to stray over the line in his 'command' over the pair of Seekers, make no mistake. But the chance to see if either of them squirm, or even fidget slightly in discomfort, is more than enough incentive to make his point clear.

Soundwave has arrived.

And yes, that was a flicker in the icy blue optics of a certain seeker. Squirm? No. Figit? No. Squelch the urge to say something about Geist? OH YEAH. This is just making her frickin' day. She was a secretary. Now she's a trainee. React? Uh. Riiight.

If Fleet displays anything at all, it's probably relief. After all, Scourge's orders pretty much just formalize the relationship he already had with Geist anyway, so he got off fairly easy. Besides, unlike Chimera, the pastel seeker actually gets along... well, about as decently as you could expect a Sweep and a Seeker to get along. No, scratch that, he gets along better with him than you'd generally expect. So if there's any squirming to be done, it's more because Scourge is staring at him. Still, acknowledgments are good, and so Fleet responds, "Yes, sir!"

Scourge leans back further into the chair. "Now... I will inform Geist of this new arrangement, and he will be on his best behavior, because otherwise, he'll answer to me as well, and I know he doesn't want to arouse my ire.... Brigand does that enough for the entire pack as it is." His optics focus intently on Fleet and Chimera both. "These training sessions will occur when you are not otherwise occupied with orders from your immediate superior, Lord Galvatron, Cyclonus or myself. I will conduct sessions of my own on occasion, to see how well you have learned your lessons from Geist, or from the training programs themselves. I will also examine records of each and every training session to chart your progress." He smirks slightly. "Since Geist wants to teach so badly, I'll let him." He gazes at each Seeker for a moment, then the chair swivels back around to face the viewscreen and its' continual updates on the DIS Annihilator. "Dismissed."

Chimera nods, does whatever kind of salute she needs to... and snags the datapad as she passes Fleet.

A flash bursts forth from the Spacebridge wing, indicating the arrival on Cybertron of her latest passenger. It only takes a few moments before that passenger is identified as none other than the Tape Lord himself; Soundwave. DCI's head honcho wordlessly enters the main command centre. Hmm, Scourge is here. He continues to say nothing, but turns his optic band towards Papa Sweep. Sounders is still peeved at Scourge for disposing of the Autobot bodies so thoughtlessly, though as always, his emotions are so damn difficult to determine as he gives nothing away except for the slightest of body language.

Fleet certainly doesn't resist as Chimera reclaims her datapad of requisitions forms. It's not like he'd know what to do with them! He, also, gives Scourge a proper Decepticon salute, before scurrying off. He notes Soundwave's arrival, but unless the other has something to say to him, it's obvious that his intent is to head off towards the lift.

Chimera moves west to the IHQ Military Ops Wing.

Chimera has left.

Scourge remains seated for the time being, although a report scrolls across one of the screens. Another new arrival via the spacebridge. The throne swivels around to face the spacebridge wing, where his optics come to rest on the new arrival. "Ahh... why am I not surprised?"

Soundwave is telepathic, not psychic. He has no idea why Scourge is surprised. "Your lack of surprise is difficult to establish." He drones, very matter-of-factly. "Perhaps senses have been dulled. Possibly through tainted energon."

Woo-hoo! No one says anything to stop the yellow one from leaving, so he's able to get away. And the worse thing to have happened? Scourge has ordered him to do what he's been doing anyway! Hurrah! Fleet flees into the relative safety of the lift, moving out of sight of the scary High Command types.

You enter the Elevator.