CHAPTER SIX
Out of all of those on the High Council, Ratbat held control over one of the must vulnerable guilds; the Communication Grid. The slightest security breach in the grid and everything could fall apart. Luckily, Ratbat was in touch with someone who had keen observation skills and could detest any such malicious attempts to hack into the grid within a spark-pulse.
Such a person was ideal for what a person like Ratbat had in mind for the future. With the aid of his servant, Ratbat could monitor most, if not all, of his fellow councilors' activities. One slight misstep from one of them and he could use it to further his goals.
As he read over one of several reports from his spy, a chime at his office's door broke him away from his musings. Checking his security camera, he saw that his visitor was short, stout mech in the green and purple color scheme of a Constructicon.
"Who is it?" Rabat asked via an intercom.
"Dirt Boss, Constructicon foreman," the visitor replied. "I wish to speak with you, councilor."
Ratbat scoffed. "And what makes you think I'll just let you in."
"I was sent here by Councilor Drivetrain."
"And just what do you have to say to me that could not be communicated via Drivetrain?"
"I have confidential information that may interest you."
Ratbat tapped his chin, intrigued. Turning to his servant and spy, who hid in the shadows, he said, "What do you think, Soundwave?"
"I detect no ill intent," the tall blue 'bot responded in his typical monotone. "He may be allowed to enter."
Pressing a panel under his desk, Ratbat opened the door and allowed Dirt Boss to walk in, closing it behind him. Pressing his fingertips together, the councilor eyed the Constructicon carefully.
"Speak," he said.
Dirt Boss opened his mouth, but no words came out. Instead, a minuscule object launched from his forehead and lodged itself into Ratbat's. The councilor's optics went blank and his mouth became slack.
Crossing his arms, Dirt Boss turned to Soundwave and said, "Well, I've done my part. Now what?"
"You are to access the entire Communication Grid via Ratbat," Soundwave replied. "I am unable to since I lack the power he has."
"And what do I do once I'm in the grid?"
"Sentinel Prime is planning a speech at the end of this deca-cycle. You are to find out the Elite Guard's exact security measures so we can exploit them."
"Got it. You know, you're pretty lucky to be in a position such as this."
"Trust me," Soundwave said quietly. "There are those higher up in the chain of command than even I am."
* * *
Due to the Armored Convoy's lack of windows, Orion Pax did not notice the transition from the golden city of Iacon to the gloomy region of Kaon until he and the others had reached their destination.
"You would think that the home of the Engineering Guild would look a little less... broken," Roller commented as he and the team observed the scene of ruin and abandonment that stood before them.
"Kaon is left this way as a bitter reminder to the Decepticons," Optronix said. "A reminder of them getting their tails kicked at the end of the war."
"Couldn't they just make a sculpture of their leader's head on a stick and put it in the center?" Arcee asked. "Might be a bit more subtle."
"Subtlety is not part of the Autobot way," Optronix said sardonically. "And trust me, it would provoke a lot more nastier reactions."
"So, where do we start?" Orion asked. "We're gonna look pretty strange if we start asking every other 'bot about Momus' murder."
"Don't worry, we'll be keeping a low profile," his brother said. "Checkpoint gave me a list of 'bots that may know something. We'll split up to keep a low profile. Orion, Elita, you're with me. Arcee, with Ratchet. Roller, with Bumblebee."
"Great," Roller muttered. "I'm stuck with Motormouth."
"Bumblebee," the yellow Autobot snapped. "Motormouth's another guy."
Optronix sighed. "Right. The contacts I've assigned you have been transferred to your CPUs. Good luck, everyone."
"Ah, ah, ah." Bumblebee wagged his finger. "You haven't said the magic words."
Optronix stared at him. "Please."
"You can't be a commander unless you say it."
The Elite Guardsman groaned. "Not every commander-"
"Ultra Magnus says it. Thunderclash says it. Heck, even Grimlock-"
"Okay!" Optronix snapped. "Transform and roll out!"
Bumblebee grinned as he converted into his courier form. "Thank you."
Roller glared at him and then Optronix. "Thanks a lot," he muttered to the latter.
Once Roller, Bumblebee, Ratchet, and Arcee had taken off, Orion couldn't help but smile. "Still getting the hang of leadership, eh?" he remarked to his brother.
Optronix huffed as he morphed into his truck mode. "Don't get me started."
* * *
"All right, I'm in," Dirt Boss said, controlling Ratbat like a marionette with his mind to access the Communication Grid. "Take a look for yer 'self, 'cause I sure as heck can't concentrate enough to search through it."
Soundwave walked up to the computer Dirt Boss had hacked into and analyzed the info it stored. The most prominent piece among it was a conversation between Ultra Magnus and Security Director Red Alert, recorded by cameras less than a week ago.
"Excellent work," he said to the Constructicon. "This data shall prove substantial.'
Dirt Boss grunted. "Glad to hear it." He held out a hand. "My payment?"
The spy dropped fifty pieces of Shanix into the Constructicon's palm. Satisfied with it, Dirt Boss then began to remove the cerebro-shell from Ratbat's forehead.
"I take it that you'll cover up this whole incident if he remembers any of it?" he said to Soundwave.
"Affirmative. You may return to Kaon."
With the shell removed, Dirt Boss gave him a mock salute and left the office. Left alone with the unconscious councilor, Soundwave took the opportunity to make an important call.
"The data has been retrieved, Mastermind. Transferring now."
"Excellent work, Soundwave. You have been a vital asset to the plan."
"I function only for the Decepticon cause."
A mirthless chuckle at the other end. "Someday, we may have to test that theory...."
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