Due to the presence of Airachnid, the sharp confrontation Skygnaw expected between the old guard and the new reinforcements never materialized.
The fourteen newly arrived Decepticons were surprisingly well-behaved, displaying a level of discipline that almost made Skygnaw feel like he was in an Autobot camp. Among the three squads, Onslaught and his Combaticons were Megatron's most loyal hounds; the Constructicons were under Shockwave's purview; and only the five Seekers led by Skywarp were Starscream's direct subordinates.
Decepticon hierarchy is usually simple—might makes right—but there are exceptions. When two warriors of similar rank meet, authority is dictated by their specific roles. For example, Starscream's status as Air Commander meant even a powerhouse like Shockwave couldn't easily commandeer the Seekers without Megatron's word.
After finalizing the base transfer to Barricade, Skygnaw prepared to leave, but was intercepted by Scalpel and Airachnid.
"Skygnaw. Airachnid and I are leaving this planet for a cycle. We came to bid you farewell." Scalpel's voice buzzed with an unusual tone of finality.
Leaving? Skygnaw was surprised, glancing at the cold, aloof Commander-Class female. "Safe travels, Lord Scalpel."
He didn't pry. He had seen them repairing the V-shaped scout ship earlier and figured they had business elsewhere. As long as it didn't involve him, he kept his sensors to himself. One red, one black, Skygnaw mused, it's no wonder she and Starscream don't get along. They're a visual contradiction.
The reddish-bronze ship emblazoned with the violet spider sigil lifted silently into the atmosphere, accompanied briefly by a silver Foxhound Interceptor.
With the arrival of fourteen high-tier Decepticons, Skygnaw no longer wanted to stay at the Konnas Canyon base. It was too crowded and far too likely to attract unwanted attention. Fortunately, he had contingency plans.
He had previously sent Brawl and T-19 to establish secondary sites. Brawl had recently pinged him with the completion of two hidden outposts. Skygnaw didn't care much for the fate of the other Decepticons, but he refused to be dragged down by their lack of subtlety.
If that massive transport ship wasn't spotted by the humans or the Autobots upon landing, Skygnaw thought, then NEST is more incompetent than I realized.
NEST Headquarters. Diego Garcia.
Skygnaw's intuition was correct. NEST had been monitoring the Konnas Canyon sector for weeks.
While Optimus Prime refused to hand over Cybertronian weaponry, he had allowed Ironhide to assist NEST technicians in modifying long-range electromagnetic sensors. They had pinpointed the canyon as a Decepticon hub days ago.
However, a tactical rift had formed within the command center, exacerbated by the newly appointed Director Lawrence.
"The terrain is a wasteland," Colonel Lennox argued, pointing to the silver-tinted map of Nevada. "We can authorize a saturation strike with long-range cruise missiles and heavy bombers. We level the canyon, then NEST moves in to mop up the survivors."
"No, Lennox," Lawrence interrupted, his voice oily and overbearing. "I don't approve."
Despite Lennox being the field commander, Lawrence's political backing allowed him to interfere in active theater operations.
"We should let the Autobots take the vanguard," Lawrence continued, tapping the table. "They are the ones the Decepticons want. If we agitate these monsters ourselves, they might retaliate against our cities. Let the aliens bleed each other. We keep the 'peace' by staying back."
It was a classic "sit and watch the tigers fight" strategy. Lawrence had successfully swayed the military's top brass with fears of urban retaliation. Lennox, outnumbered by the bureaucrats, was forced to accept the compromised plan.
In the hangar, the Autobot strike team was already prepping. Bumblebee had returned from his duty with Sam, eager for a fight.
"When do we roll, Will?" the scout chirped.
Lennox suppressed his frustration. "Immediately. But the plan has changed. You guys are the tip of the spear. We'll be provide support from the rear."
"Fine by us!" the Twins (Skids and Mudflap) shouted, already transformed into their combined ice-cream truck mode, spinning donuts on the tarmac. "Time to show those 'cons what real warriors look like!"
As the massive C-17 Globemasters began their ascent toward Nevada, a high-altitude surveillance drone was already circling Konnas Canyon.
The Northern Reaches (Alaska).
Skygnaw reached the "Edge State" in under an hour. Alaska was the perfect hideout—isolated, sparsely populated, and geologically distinct.
He descended toward a frozen tundra where Brawl stood waiting with a small group of grunts.
"Skygnaw. Onslaught has contacted me. The Combaticons are assembling. I have to return to the main force," Brawl stated bluntly.
As a member of the Combaticons, Brawl was essential for the formation of Bruticus. Soundwave had realized that against Optimus Prime, standard foot soldiers were just fodder; he needed the raw power of a Gestalt.
"Understood," Skygnaw nodded. Brawl wasn't his subordinate, and having him leave meant one less "witness" to Skygnaw's private dealings.
He watched the modified Abrams tank roar away before turning to T-19. "Show me the base."
T-19 and the low-tier drones had done the heavy lifting. The two outposts—one in the tundra and one beneath a remote abandoned village—were functional but primitive.
Compared to the high-tech corridors of Starscream's base, this place was a series of reinforced burrows. Many tunnels were just carved permafrost and dirt, lacking even basic concrete lining.
"It's rough," Skygnaw observed, his optics scanning the dark, cold tunnels. "But it's silent. And right now, silence is the only thing that will keep us alive."
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