Spotlight: Tarantulas

[Verno]

10...

Light are green across the board. Cells are holding steady...

9...

The scope is clear of enemy targets. The sky is ours...

8...

Showing small power fluctuations but they're within expected perametres...

7...

Final checklist complete. Lights are still green - We're ready to go...

6...

Sequences locked in. TransWarp Test-Flight of the Thunderbird is underway...

5...

Captain. Sensors are detecting an anomoly off the starboard bow...
Type?...
Unkown...
Is it us?...
I don't know, Sir...

4...

Registering a massive explosing eminating from the anomoly...
Power levels in the cells are becoming erratic. Surges are hitting our major systems...

3...

Sensors detect a mass of debris and an energy wave of unknown signature...
TransWarp Drive is still drawing power but registering offline...
Abort, Captain? Captain?!...

2...

By Primus...

1...

My Darling...

Boom

[Verno]

The doors of Csirac's chamber open. 4 'bots enter; one in the lead, 2 at the back supporting another.

Taranachus: I'm sure you recognise your compatriot. No? Well allow me to introduce Command Silverbolt. He's volunteered to assist us with a few enquiries.

Silverbolt's body is thrown to the floor of the chamber.

Taranachus: Fix him up.

-------------

Silverbolt: Who are you?

Csirac: I am Csirac.

Silverbolt: If you are, then you're dead, and this really isn't what I expected of the AllSpark.

Csirac: What do you remember?

Silverbolt: Preds. A few ex 'cons thrown in there. Tactical nightmare. What is this place?

Csirac: Predacon Bunker. Some distance underground.

Silverbolt: Working for the Preds now, huh?

Csirac: Not by choice.

Silverbolt: Choice? If the choice is between doing the enemies work for them or death, then find me something sharp and open my chestplate. There's always a choice.

Csirac: There's more to it.

Silverbolt: I'd want to hope so, for your sake. So what inroads have you made? Tactical info, strength of numbers?

Csirac: I've made some new discoveries in my research?

Silverbolt: Your research?! When people mentioned your name I always pictured Perceptor. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Csirac: Because I'm not holding a blaster?

Silverbolt: Because you're not willing to pick one up.

The doors open.

Taranachus: Ahhh, excellent, our guest is awake.

Silverbolt: Finally, some company I know how to hate.

Taranachus: Oh yes, you'll be getting very used to my company, tehehehehe...