With Karl's vast network and a liberal application of "capital," every item on Skygnaw's list was procured with clinical efficiency. As a rising tech mogul, Karl had the ears of the powerful; moving mountains of rare isotopes and controlled alloys was difficult, but not impossible for a man with a nine-figure bank account.
The materials were staged in a remote warehouse far from the Miami skyline. Karl wasn't foolish enough to store contraband in his corporate headquarters. Alice oversaw the logistics personally, ensuring the weights and purity levels were exact.
Unaware workers loaded the heavy crates onto armored trucks, which then embarked on a pre-cleared route across the Canadian border.
Inside the warehouse, as the final truck pulled away, Black Panther materialized from the shadows beside Alice.
"Alice," the drone rumbled, "why does the Master bother with a human? Why not just take what we need?"
Alice glanced at the panther, her human skin smooth but her eyes containing a flicker of ancient data. "The Master's designs are beyond your processing power. Do not presume to calculate his intent."
"I'm just wary," Black Panther bared a row of serrated alloy teeth. "Humans change their faces faster than we shift gears. I fear this Karl will compromise the schedule."
"He won't," Alice replied. Months of living as a human had allowed her to master the art of biological observation. "You think the Master sent us here just to protect his company? If Karl wavers... well, you know what happens."
Black Panther nodded. He understood the leverage.
"Return to his side," Alice commanded. "Continue the shadow-watch. I must inform the Master that the final shipment is en route."
The convoy successfully reached the "Edge State" (Alaska), delivering the cargo to the hidden village above Base Two. From there, the materials were funneled through the subterranean tunnels to the laboratory of Base One.
Skygnaw stood before a mountain of processed ores and refined Cybertronian-grade alloys. "Perfect. This will suffice."
The efficiency of human industry had saved him months of manual mining. While Karl spent his nights in a haze of luxury and excess, Skygnaw didn't care. As long as the "horse" kept running, he would keep providing the "hay."
He prepared his tools. He had considered scavenging the remains of the Decepticons fallen at Konnas Canyon, but the US military had already whisked those bodies away to secret research facilities. With the Autobots lurking, a recovery mission was too risky. He would build his own.
Two Weeks Later. Base One Laboratory.
"Finally... it's done."
Skygnaw looked upon four distinct, high-tier chassis. They stood nearly seven meters tall, their armor plating unpainted and raw, awaiting the spark of life. He pulled the AllSpark Fragment from his chest, his optics glowing with anticipation.
He paused.
After a moment of thought, he put the fragment away and signaled E-13 and his original trio of drones.
The four Mid-Class Decepticons soon appeared in the lab, their internal servos clicking with nervous energy. They had been loyal from the start, even if they lacked the raw power of the vanguard units.
"Master Skygnaw," E-13 buzzed.
"I am offering you a choice," Skygnaw said, his voice echoing in the cold chamber. "A chance to ascend. To become High-Class Warriors."
The drones froze. Their optics widened, streams of disbelief cycling through their processors. To a Mid-Class grunt, a High-Class upgrade was a fairy tale.
"Follow me."
Skygnaw led them to the four silent titans. "These are your new bodies. I will transplant your memory crystals into these modules. You will wake up as the elite of this faction."
They didn't hesitate. "We are ready, Master!"
The procedure was delicate. While Skygnaw wasn't Scalpel, he had mastered the theory of crystal migration. He placed the drones into stasis and began the delicate work of moving their "selves"—their memories and unique personalities—into the new frames.
He didn't just move the crystals, though. He kept the new Information Chips he had programmed with Scalpel's logic. The drones would keep their memories, but their core sub-routines would now be hardcoded with absolute, unyielding loyalty to Skygnaw.
Once the crystals were seated, he brought out the AllSpark Fragment.
VROOOOM—
A pulse of bronze-blue energy rippled through the first chassis.
Ch-chak!
The optics of the giant flared a brilliant, predatory red. One by one, Skygnaw ignited the sparks of all four. The new warriors stood, their frames towering over their old husks. They looked down at their powerful hands, then at Skygnaw.
In unison, they knelt, their heavy metal knees cracking the laboratory floor.
"Eternal loyalty to Lord Skygnaw!"
Skygnaw smiled, stowing the fragment. He had his squad. He had his "Four Horsemen."
"You are no longer mere designations," Skygnaw declared. "Name yourselves."
The four looked at each other, their new processors churning.
"I am Carnage" the first said.
"I am Famine" the second added.
"I am Pestilence" said the third.
"I am Catastrophe" finished the fourth.
Skygnaw looked at his new lieutenants. The names were grim, apocalyptic, and perfectly suited for the storm he intended to unleash.
Carnage, Famine, Pestilence, and Catastrophe, Skygnaw mused. Perhaps I should rename myself Judgement to complete the set?
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