1
[From TransWarp: Ravage]

“The Decepticons are no more”, said Magnus, studying the two figures before him in the chamber, “but this war is far from over. The Predacons have thrown the rulebook out the window, so we’ve had to do the same.”

Rodimus spoke up. “As you’re both aware, some of your buddies are stupid enough to want to keep fighting and are now flying the Predacon banner. But when the Autobots win, and trust me, we will, ‘Cons will still have to answer for everything they’ve done during the course of the War - ‘bots like Megatron and Soundwave have got the easy way out.”

The comment stirred the Sparks of the two Decepticons.

“I don’t like the idea of cutting deals with the enemy, but it’s come to our attention that Megatron had you both running sight-seeing trips behind Pred lines before the Hub assault”, continued Magnus. "If word of that reached Razorclaw, he’d be quite interested in finding both of you - so here’s the deal: You keep making those trips, but you’ll be reporting back to us instead. And when it’s all over, your assistance in ending the War will be shown on your records, might even get you off some of the heavier charges."

Magnus let the proposal get worked through by their processors.

"This is your chance to make amends”, said Magnus.

“And get some payback”, added Rodimus. “What do you say?”

The two Decepticons looked at each other, then nodded to their new Autobot allies.

----------

2
[From TransWarp: Ravage]

The shadowy command room is alive with talk between large figures.

"How long until our stores of Energon are depleted, Lash?" asked a raspy voice in the gloom.

"With no new sources found and expenditure remaining constant... Three months", Lash replied.

"And with an increase in activity?" asked a figure to the left of the raspy-voiced form.

"With the increases you've outlined, General Rampant: a week, perhaps two", was Lash's reply.

"The end draws near, whether we are ready or not", Razorclaw sighed in the darkness. "Seethe, give me some better news."

"Our supply of Protoforms has reached its lowest ebb. We have ceased the transference of Sparks until a new resource can be located”, said General Seethe. This was hardly good news.

"The likelihood of which?" asked Razorclaw, but already had an inclination of the answer.

"All Maximal off-world operations have seemingly been shut down", said Seethe. "Production of the Protomatter is now exclusively on Cybertron."

"No doubt a response to the events on Earth", came a croaky voice.

"You believe that to have been a mistake, Cinder?" asked Razorclaw of his General.

"Only Time will be the true judge of that", replied Cinder.

"No location of any such stores has been discovered, but our vigilance in scouring their communications may possibly have yielded another target", said Seethe, getting the conversation back to a civil tone. "We've deduced the location of what we believe to be a Maximal research facility - their TransWarp laboratory."

"What evidence do you have to support this hypothesis?" asked Lash.

"Just a name", Seethe replied. "Csirac."

"Suggested course of action?" asked Rampant.

"A raid", replied Seethe simply.

"A hit-and-run, based solely on a name?" questioned Lash.

"He is the head of their study into the technology", said Cinder.

"His capture would instantly catapult our research forward", Seethe continued.

"Why are you afraid of 'Time', Seethe?" asked Razorclaw. "What horrors in your past are so terrifying that you feel the godlike impetus to control it?"

"The unknown future is the greater fear, my Lord", said Seethe.

"Rest assured, when we crush the Autobots, we will take their research as our own", said Razorclaw.

"With all respect, my Lord, you used the same reasoning in regard to our research into Protomatter", pressed Seethe.

"If the time and energy wasted tinkering with toys had been channelled into the effort on the front, the Decepticons would have won this war an age ago", replied Razorclaw, now becoming angered.

Seethe pressed on. "But my Lord-", only to be cut off.

"I've heard enough", growled Razorclaw. "The raid will not proceed. Our efforts are better spent elsewhere." Seethe sat back in his chair. "Is that everything?" asked Razorclaw, but didn't wait for an answer. "Good. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a meeting with some old friends."