Targetmasters Mark 3.0

[Foley]

[glow=red,2,300]Autobot City, Earth[/glow]

Kup was about to have Ratchet check his audio recepters for a major malfunction, he simply was not sure he had heard what he thought he had just heard. "The humans want to do what!?"

Autobot Ambassador Crosscut sighed and wondered for the thousandth time why Kup still gets cleared for active duty. He supsected high-grade energon bribary. "Earth Defense Command wants to replicate the Binary Bonding process that Brainstorm and Hi-Q prefected for the Nebulans and led to the creation of the Targetmasters." He said hoping his calm manner did not come across as forced.

"I heard you the first time," Kup snapped then spread his arms out wide as they walked through Autobot City's Science Section, "I just can't believe it. And Prime is going along with this craziness?"

Definently time to launch a subtle investigation into the bribary belief. "Yes. Optimus Prime supports the EDC's drive to protect themselves against these latest Decepticon assualts. With their army appearently split into two large factions and both factions makeing widespread attacks throughout the cosmos, we Autobots are being spread way to thin to effectively render aid to the Earth's colonies."

"Why not just recruit more Cybertronians into the Autobot ranks?" asked Recoil, Kup's own Targetmaster partner, "We have been finding the planets that had been populated with other bots that the Quints built back when Cybertron was under their control."

Crosscut regarded the human-sized being for a moment then replied, "We are."

"I sense a but coming," interrupted Kup.

"But," The Ambassador continued, "These recruits need to be trained, which takes time. Add to this fact that the Decepticons are also getting these mechs to join their banner as well and you begin to see why we are still unable to keep the 'Cons at bay. In the meantime providing the humans with several Autobots to which their opertives could be bonded with not only allows them to defend themselves and strive to be less dependent on us to combat the threat but also boosts our forces with upgraded mechs as well as strengthens the union between our races that Prime and myself have worked so hard to forge."

Kup just folded his arms and snorted.

"Can the humans even go through the bonding process?" asked Recoil, appearently interested in the project. At least more so then his partner.

"Humans and Nebulans are not that much biologically dissimilar," Crosscut answered as the trio entered the huge lab area set aside for the project,"Preceptor and Hi-Q believe that it shouldn't be that difficult to adapt the process for human use."

With that Crosscut sepreated himself from the two warrior bots and made his way to where Hi-Q was speaking to a group made up of five Autobots and five humans, each of whom was wearing armor made up of similar componets that made up Recoil's.

[Foley]

At Crosscut's approach, the scientist Hi-Q halted his discussion with Arcana and a woman whom Crosscut had to assume was the human that the EDC assigned to be their representitive in this project. She was tall (for a human, she dwarfed both of the Nebulons) and her blond hair framed a somewhat determined looking face.

"Ah," Hi-Q said almost hugging his clipboard, "right on time, Crosscut. We were just about to call you and inform you that the first five recruits for the human/Targetmaster project were ready for review."

"Excellen!"

"First, allow me to introduced Dr Leah Sanders of Earth Defense Command," Hi-Q said motioning to the woman, "Dr Sanders has proven to be an incredible assist because she came up with a few innovations to the process that Arcanna and I never even considered."

"Just chalked it up to good ol' human ingenuiaty," she replied sounding quite pleased with herself.

"Yes," replied Crosscut.

[Foley]

Suddenly a lean silver and blue mech stepped forward with an excited smile dominating his youngish face. "I'm totally stoked, man, that I was picked for this upgrade, totally stoked!!" he was saying as he eagerly shaking Crosscut's hand

Crosscut for his part managed to overcome his surprise with dignity, "And you are...?"

"They call me Cardshark," came the reply.

Kup walked up smiling,"Looks like you made a new friend, Crosscut," he said before looking at the younger 'bot, "He IS going to want that back, lad."

Cardshark looked suitably embarassed and let go of Crosscuts hand and took his place with the other four Autobots. Hi-Q led Kup, Crosscut and Recoil and continued introductions. "This is Lowjack and and Greenback," he said indicating two more youngish mechs. The one named Lowjack was short and seemed to be uncomfortable in the company of such highranking members of the Autobots cause he kept twitching ever so slightly. Greenback was, on the otherhand, a green mass of at ease robot. He was so relaxed that when Crosscut shook his hand, Greenback belched a informal hello that reeked of high-grade energon which managed to embrass the Ambassador and earn a stern disapproving expression from Kup and Recoil.

They came next to a brown and grey mech that Kup could of swore made Bumblebee look like a giant amoung robots. "And just who are you?" Kup asked bending down so he towered over him, even Recoil seemed to tower of this one.

"G-g-g-greasestain, sir."

"Greasestain, eh" Kup straightened up and frowned, "And just what is your function?"

"S-s-s-sharpshooter and underground warfare, sir," the mousy bot replied looking the old soldier directly in the optical senser.

Kup did not bother to hide his surprise, "You're a sharpshooter?! Primus, Hi-Q, where you digging up these guys?"

"Leave Greasestain alone," growled a black and brown mech stepping inbetween them, "I've seen him shot and his as good as Sureshot or Pointblank."

"And who you, his guard bot?" Kup snapped now sizing up this final neo Targetmaster. He was tall and well built, and by the looks of him could tear through a manifold in seconds and brake struts in two easy. There was something else about this one that intrigued Kup. He did not just look or act tough, he gave off an aura that screamed tough. Definately no stranger to fighting, Kup also figured of the five recruits this one not only may have seen actual battle but was likely from Cybertron itself while the others were most likely from one of the other Cybertronian worlds.

"Name's Rightback," he growled his answer to Kup.

Now Crosscut was moved to address Rightback, "The Rightback, of the mechasoccer fame?" Rightback just nodded once and held his ground in front of Greasestain.

"You know this poozer?" asked Kup.

Crosscut nodded, "Rightback was one of the top players in the game ever. Played on the same team as the now-Decepticon Krok. Aggressive and tough, no one made it past Rightback on the field."

Rightback nodded again and inched closer to Kup so that there were nose to nose, "And I'm not a damned 'poozer'"

Kup smirked, he could tell he was going to like this one after all. "You," he said turning away from the challanger bot, "and the rest of this sorry mess of bolts that calls itself a 'squad' are whatever I say you are until you are, by my defination, properly trained."

[roadblaster]

Dr Sanders left Kup and the othr mechs to their business and crossed the cavernous chamber and entered the small anteroom that the autobots had quickly erected for her to use as a base of operations whilst she was in Autobot City.

'Anything to report?' she asked the young analyst at the console.

'Just the usual, Doctor. Twice in the last hour. Shall I disable his warnings?'

'I think that would be for the best, Roberts. I want no distractions today. There is too much riding on this.'

There was an awful lot riding on this. A lot riding on it for the Autobots and the EDC, but most of all a lot riding on it for her. It was a matter of personal pride that this endeavour would be a succes, and 'Subject5- Codenamed Volt' would not be spoiling it for her.

A degree of anti-transformner sentiment with the upper eschelons of the EDC had meant that the Autobots would not be involved in the next progression of the project, and neither would she. Her research would be, but Dr Sanders herself was not required. The EDC had secretly begun construction of their own transforming mechanised robots, and it was planned that these would be piloted by 'Headmaster' partners selected by the EDC's anti-terrorism wing, the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand.

Sanders was doubly put out by the slight. She had found the Autobots, and even Nebulans, more than capable and trustworthy and had a good working relationship with all those involved in the project. What really hurt her was the way that she had been passed over for the next phase of the project. No one was as good as her when it came to Biomechanics and Cybernetics, and she would prove it by making the Human/targetmaster interface project as resounding success.

She knew everything she could about the 5 men laying on the Medslabs before her, but still found herself asking Roberts for their information. Surely there was no such thing as being too careful.

'Subject 1, Codename Chainshot' began Roberts. He had the information memorised and knew that the good doctor did too. 'Cybernetic upgrade- charged ball and chain gun, fires two photon charged projectiles linked by a stream of plasma. Ex sportsman, retired through injury. Psych evaluation shows that he is using the upgrade and impending military action as a way of reclaiming the glory he felt performing in front of large crowds screaming his name. Process has negated his injuries and subject appears to have taken on his new biomechanical form with no ill effects.'

He looked up for confirmation. 'Continue' said Sanders, scanning her eyes over the wall of monitors that monitored her charges.

'Subject 2, Codename Nightscope. Cybernetic upgrade- compressed air hunting rifle. fitted with noise suppressors and armour piercing rounds. Rounds contain the latest agressive nanites created by the EDC munitioners. effective against biological and mechanised targets. Ex military, served in the US infantry division. Went 'off grid' in the 90s following the first Gulf War, but information suggests he was merely living as a down and out in New York rather than doing anything more sinister that would constitute a reason to expel him from the project. Subject maintains his combat training and shows no adverse react to the biomechanical upgrade.'

Roberts knew how stubborn the Doctor was and was resigned to reel off the information he has told her many times already. He continued-

'Subject 3- Codename Spearhead. Cybernetic upgrade- Harpoon gun with energon syphoning/storage applications. Tests show that his projectiles can breach 12 inches of steel. Subject is another ex-serviceman. A US Navy diver, lost both legs in an accident caused by the Decepticon's Seacon unit. Bionic limbs made him a natural guinea pig for the project and he shows no adverse signs physically. Pysch evaluation shows that he is motivated by revenge but his military professionalism should ensure that this is not an issue.'

'Subject 4- Codemane Stiletto. Cybernetic upgrade- Flachette cannon, capable of firing 5 armour-piercing spikes a second. Fitted with a thermal bayonet on subject's own request. History unknown, although the way that our requests for further information have been overridden from above suggests possible 'Black Ops' training, as does the subjects combat training. Psych evaluations are contradictary, suggesting that subject has had anti-interrogation training and is telling his evaluators what they want to hear. Nothing to report physically.'

'And finally.....'

As if on demand, the console in front of lit up, and Sanders looked at him for conformation.

'Increased cardiac activity. In keeping with subject's anxiety attacks.'

'Very well', replied Sanders. 'I'll monitor the readings while you go through his file'.

Subject 5- Codename Volt. Cybernetic upgrade- Chain lightning gun. Tesla based-multiple target weapon that can override target's electrical systems. The youngest of the subjects, placed into a military school following a spate of fireraising before he reached the age of twelve. Went from one institution to another until he found his way into the Pshychiatric hospital that transferred him to us. We suspect they did so on the orders of The EDC as a way of testing any adverse psychological effects of the biomecanisation process. Subject has adapted better than expected, and shows no physical ill effects. He does however panic whenever he realises that he is inside a new mechanised body and suffers claustrophobic attacks. Subject reacts to these attacks in either of two ways, either becoming sullen and remorseful, denying his situation within the project, or entering a state of manic euphoria that makes it hard to control the subject.'

'Roberts', began Dr Sanders, 'I think it for the best that we do not mentioned the subject's issues unless directly asked to divulge them, Do you understand?'

'Yes Doctor' said the young analyst. He had seen Hi Q and Recoil walking towards the door and signalled this to his superior.

'Ah, gentlemen. Are the Autobot subject ready to meet their human couterparts? Shall we begin the introductions?'

[Foley]

Hi-Q nodded, "I believe so. All that remains is to decided which Autobot gets which Targetmaster."

Recoil shifted, "Gotta say, it was a lot easier when the first round of us Targetmasters were created. We didn't make up completely new weapons so we got paired up with whoever's weapon we had been grafted too."

Saunders nodded, "The records that we had been given access to said pretty much the same thing about the second wave that had been created. There each Autobot's weapon was divided into two seperate weapons which were then fashioned into each Targetmaster. By creating a whole new weapon from scratch, not only do we wish to expand Autobot weapons tech but also give the partners what we hope will be a cleaner, much more smoother bond."

[Foley]

No one noticed one of the minor scientists slip out of the room as the project heads discussed the matter of which Autobot would be paired with which Targetmaster. No one noticed because this particular scientist acted so bland and unassuming that it was quite easy to overlook him.

Once out of the Science Building, he made his way to the outer limits of Autobot City's main sector. Crouched down along the inside of the outer most city wall, the scientist pulled out a small communicator. Making sure the signal was properly masked as not to be detected by Blaster or any of the other Autobots currently on moniter duty, he flicked on the unit and began whispering into it, "Bolt calling Zarak. Bolt to Zarak, do you read me, Lord Zarakk...?"


[glow=red,2,300]Io, moon of Jupiter[/glow]

"...Lord Zarak, please respond!"

The Headmaster Decepticon leader Scorponok sat a few minutes listening to his agent urgently try and get his attention. After a few more minutes making sure that none of the Autobot or EDC patrols where anywhere close enough to pick the energy trace should he activate his long range comm equiptment once he did decide to answer, he allowed his head to detach and transform into his Nebulan half, the infamous Lord Zarak.

"Zarak here, Bolt. Report." he said opening his end of the comm signal.

"The Autobots have reached the final stage of the Targetmaster Mark Three process, my lord." was the immediate response.

"They are ready to bond the new Targermasters?" Zarak could not believe his ears. He had known that this Saunders woman was creating rapid results and the timetable was much more acculerated then he was used to, certainly faster then anything he and his team were able to come up with to create the Decpticon Targetmasters and that was including the fact that he operatives stole much of the original ideas from the Autobots.

"Yes, my Lord. They are in the process of choose the pairs even as we speak." Bolt's voice carried a sense of urgancy that Zarak also felt.

"Do you have the final specs for their process and innovations?"

"Yes, Lord Zarak."

Zarak put a data recording disk into the ajoining computer, "Send your data then remove yourself from Autobot city. I will send the coordinates as to where Astrotrain will extract you once you signal that you are in the clear."

"As you command, my Lord." came the reply, then the taletell lights of incoming data blinked for a few minutes. "Data sent. Bolt out." With that the signal abruptly cut out, leaving the Decepticon leader to ponder his next move.

Transforming and reattaching to the rest of the Scorponok body, he then proceeded to leave his private chambers of the massive Decepticon warship heading to the science labs down in the depths. As he passed the long string of viewing ports along the neck of the ship, he could see the strangely beautiful Io as it proceeded on it's lazy orbit around the largest planet of the Sol system. The ship hung in the sensor shadow that existed between the moon and Jupiter, granting it an effective blind from enemy eyes.

Along the way he was joined by one of the Destron recruits that he had collected by the name of Razor. "Bolt sent his final report from the Autobot research," the Decepticon leader said without premble or greetings. He held up the data disk, "How close are we to being ready to impliment these last modifications?"

"I was just on my way to give you just that report, my master." Razor replied, "Mindwipe reports that all we need is Bolt's last report and we will also have our own Mark Three Targetmasters."

Scorponok stopped dead and grinned, "Excellent!" He then handed the data disk to Razor, "Take this to Mindwipe and have him begin prepping for the last proceedures."

Razor nodded, "As you command," Razor took the disk and then snapped off a salute before going ahead of his leader to the labs.

Scorponok returned to the bank of viewports and once again admired the haunting beauty of the stark, frozen moon and the large gasous planet that was her master. He and his Zarak aspect had gone back and forth, ironing out various possible battle plans that took advantage of the newest step up in the great arms race that was created all that time ago on Zarak's homeworld. Now both aspects of his unified personalty were pleased with where they were now able to go and the fact that once again they have stolen this marvelous technology from their enemy. Scorponok allowed himself a slight wicked smile. If things continued to go his way he would be able to lead his forces in doing what his rival Megatron was never able to do; the absolute rule of Earth. And then from there create a glorious Decepticon Empire, controling Cybertron, Nebulos, and the other planets seeded with Cybertron lifeforms.

Yes, Scorponok reflected, it was certainly the beginning of a bright future for his faction of Decepticons and soon he will stand on the scarped bodies of his rival Megatron and his enemy Optimus Prime.

[roadblaster]

Having fulfilled his orders, Razor slipped silently through the bulkhead and into the chamber. It was second nature for him to move effectively and silently......vorns of military training and serving in the Destron special forces had seen to that. He hoped that these new mechs would be as good at soldiering as he was.

It would appear not. They were just lounging around the cavernous room like 'civillians'. Did they not know that the Decepticon's supreme commander could be here at any moment? When you serve on a flagship there is no such thing as 'at ease'. He suspected he was here to act as a drill sergeant.

He had come back to their quarters to inform them of the latest developement, but what he saw there changed his mind. Still un-noticed, he scanned the hall and judged his new team mates from afar. Like him, they had recently been reformatted into Earthern forms. Razor appreciated this. Experience had taught him that it was a lot easier to subdue a population if they didn't know you were there. He had heard tales of Cybertronians on Earth that had stayed in their true forms and to him this made no sense.

He had not known these mechs back on Destron. It was a large planet and its rigid heirarchy had meant that those mechs from one citistate would rarely interact with those from another. All that had changed with arrival of General Scorponok. He had united and mobilised the entire planet and had rolled out technological upgrades to a select group of volunteers. Razor had been assigned to the 'Targetmaster' unit. Elsewhere aboard the hulking warship were 'Headmaster' and 'Horrorcon' units. They too had undergone reformatting and each and everyone of them was awaiting the arrival of a Nebulan partner. The ship carrying these organic volunteers had been delayed and General Scorponok was not happy.

In the far corner of the room Lurking in the shadows in the far corner of the room was an angular black mech in the process of cleaning and reassembling what looked like a highly customised Decepticon issue sniper rifle. 'That would be Bullseye' thought Razor. He had heard of Bullseye and had a good feeling about his presence here. 'At least one of them has had proper military training.'

Three mechs were grouped together leaning up against a large cargo crate. A black and blue meck with curvy armor was regaling his audience with tales of heroism and daredevil antics. He was obviously trying to impress the white armored fembot, but Razor could tell immediately that she wasn't interested. He spent as little time as possible aboard ship with this braggart. He didn't trust this Turbocharger. All mouth and no bearings.

The fembot, Switchback, had clearly had enough and cut Turbocharger off before engaging her fellow audience member in a conversation. He was a powerfully built dark green mech by the name of Top Gear and was clearly very strong. Hopefully he would have skills to match his strength. Razor could sense, even from afar, that Switchback was far more interested in this mech than that overactive mouthplate Turbocharger.

In the centre of the room, where he was lit from all sides, was a mech exercising. He had clearly just polished his bright red armor and had placed himself there so everyone else could see him. He was surrounded by marks on the floor. Clearly unimpressed with the lack of attention he was getting, Horsepower had, at one point, transformed into his new 'car' mode and had done something or other to garner more attention. Whether or not he was successful or not Razor didn't know. What Razor did know though, was that mechs like Horsepower were better to have around than mechs like Turbocharger. Horsepower was always trying to be better than he could be, and would try to spur on others to do the same. Turbocharger just talked about it.

The remaining two mechs had pulled up a sensor slab and were playing cards for energon chips. Razor had no time for games and did not know the rules of the game they were playing, but it seemed that the white and blue mech, Wheelspin, was winning. His grin was all you needed to see to work this out. His adversary was scanning his cards intently while his right arm slowly reached down towards his blaster. Would the yellow mech really shoot his team mate over energon chips? This Nitro was clearly a mech that Razor would have to keep an eye on.

Razor sensed the presence of his commanding officer enter the corridor behind him.

'Attention!' he shouted. His cry echoed around the room and had only just disapated when the huge Scorponok ducked through the bulkhead and entered the room. Razor noticed that as his team matesforgot what they were doing and snapped to attention that Wheelspin had somehow mananged to palm all the energon chips into a compartment on his wrist.

'Decepticons' began the general, 'Vorath has recieved information that The Pillager, and its Nebulan cargo has entered the System. All my troops are to report to the boarding deck. I want the transferral to be a quick as possible.....'

The targetmasters-to-be nodded and began to file out of the room. Scorponok turned to Razor as he followed his team mates out of the room.

'We have a planet to conquer.'

[roadblaster]

Mantillar scanned the console in front of him. Everything was going to plan. He entered the co-ordinates of the system's fifth planet into the nav-processor and adjusted the output of the radiation shroud. You didn't get to be a reknowned space-pirate and smuggler without having a ship that could hide you from the authorities. He had spent years making this ship as dangerous as possible, tweaking its engines, adding to its arsenal of cannon, installing the latest alien technology. Its holds could carry whatever he wanted to steal, but right now he was carrying a different kind of cargo.

Next to him in the gunnery chair sat Shellshock, a Nebulan general. A stern and taciturn Nebulan, Mantillar had assumed that the two of them would take an insist dislike to each other. One of them represented authority, whilst the other was dead against anything that came close to it. Mantillar was right. The two had barely spoken since their introduction.

'We'll arrive in just under four clicks.'

'Very well,' replied the general, before activating the comms system. 'All Nebulans report to bridge.'

Shellshock nodded towards the pilot before rising from his chair and approaching a console in the centre of the room.

One by one his fellow metal-clad Nebulans entered the room and formed rank. He had insisted they do this when ever in his presence. If they were to become part of a military unit, the least they could do was act like one. He activated his cooms panel and patched the bridge through to Mindwipe and Vorath aboard the Decepticon warship.

'Dremm?'

'Present' replied the slender Nebulan is a somewhat unmotivated tone of voice.

'Pre-enlistment role on Nebulos?' continued Shellshock.

'Archivist'.

'Dumdum?'

'Present'. Said in a voice full of hate that Shellshock had encountered before, 'Prisoner'. Shellshock knew that this despicable creature had commited an unknown number of murders and was here, like most of those before him, against his wishes.

'Frag?'

'Present' replied the rotund and imposing nebulan calmly. 'Entrepreneur.' Shellshock understood that crime bosses very rarely called themselves crime bosses.

'Gallog?'

'Present!' screeched a tall, lanky nebulan from the front row. 'musician.'

'Gern?'

'Affirmative.' snapped a slate grey armoured Nebulan stanging bolt upright in the front row. 'Fighter pilot.' Shellshock had encountered Gern before, and the pilot was highly respected among his peers as one of the best the planet had.

'Grannik?'

'Present, military strategist.' Shellshock knew Grannik. The two had served together back on Nebulos and respected each other.

'Hargorr?'

'Present, I was a meteorologist'. 'Stuffy looking', thought Shellshock, 'what on Nebulos is he doing here?'

'Kallus?'

'Present'. 'banker'. Shellshock suspected that this Kallus was only here so that Mantillar could somehow extract funds from him.

'Kivok?'

'Present' replied the nebulan, 'lawyer'.

'Lench?' asked the commander.

'Present, bodyguard'. Shellshock knew his sort, a thug who would sell his muscle for currency and disappear at the first sign of trouble.

'Miasma?'

'Present' replied one of the three females in the line-up. 'Circus acrobat.' Shellshock had mixed feelings about females serving in the military. What use was an acrobat going to be?

'Mujo?'

'Present, construction worker'. Said in the accent of one of the planets lower class districts, Shellshock noted. 'Nothing wrong with that, will fight hard not to go back there.'

'Murtok?'

'Aye, sailor'. Interesting that this one used a naval term. he was a crew member aboard the Pillager, one of Mantillar's men. He was the last of the group to join and Shellshock suspected his motives. He would have to watch this one.

'Skope?'

'Present, gunsmith.' Shellshock had not encountered Skope before, but was aware of his work. He had furnished his own unit with weapons from the arms dealer back on Nebulos.

'Sprax?'

'Present.' said a large barrel chested man at the back. 'Big game hunter'.

'Strobe?

'Present.' replied the youngest of the group. 'Student.' The way he had said 'student' didn't sound right. Everyone there knew that he gang member, possibly there under the orders of Frag.

'Uppercut?'

'Present, prizefighter.' Uppercut hadn't fought for 'prizes' in along time. Nowadays he took on all comers in illegal streetfights. 'Hard to give that a title, though.' thought Shellshock.

'Varella?'

'Present' replied a female nebulan, her sculptured armour accenting the curves of her body, 'Assassin.'

'Vorbo?'

'Present, Commander', began the shifty looking nebulan at the back. Even through his newly grafted visor his eyes looked completely untrustworthy. 'Facilitator.' Shellshock wasn't too sure about this either. 'More likely to be a conman' he thought.

'Yageni?'

'Present' replied another female, 'pathological chemist.' Shellshock had high hopes for this one. Surely her knowledge of poisons could be of some benefit to the Decepticons?

'Yargich?'

'Prezend, tribel leeder.' Said a mech towards the back in a thick accent that suggested he was from the mountains in the north. His faceplate had been modelled with a thick moustache on his insistance. It supposedly represented his rank.

'And Zeratt?'

'Present, Government Agent'. Lord Zarak had drafted this one personally and had told Shellshock that he was unmatched as a spy and had been operating as a sleeper agent in the Nebulan resistance. This Zeratt was responsible for requiring some of the information needed to begin the Decepticon's Headmaster process.

Shellshock looked up at his charges and spoke into the comms panel on his wrist.

'One other Nebulan present, name unknown. Transmitting details now. transmission over.'

'Dismissed.'

The Nebulans filed out from the bridge and naturally split into two parties as they headed back towards their quarters. Those who would form 'heads' headed towards the rear hold whilst those who would form weapons assembled on the cargo lift ready to go down to the lower deck. Shellshock would join them later. First he had to monitor what Mantillar was doing.

[Foley]

Autobot City, 72 hours later

The sound of weapons fire failed to drown out Kup's shouting and dressing down of the newest Targetmasters as their were running through the training drills he designed to help aid the bonding process.

"Come on, you sorry, tin-plated, strutless excuses for Autobots, why don't you surprise me and actually show me you know how to shoot!!"

Rightguard growled and resisted the urge to fire Chainshot's energon ball-and-chains at the elder Autobot. When the light over his target flashed red, indicating for him to stop and allow the computer to total his latest score, he looked over at the rest of his teammates.

Greasestain was surprisingly skilled not only with an ordinary blaster but the armor piercing shells that his partner Nightscope produced. Rightguard made a mental note to compare his scores to the small mousy bot, he was sure that they would tie his if not surpass them. Lowjack and Volt's preform ace was almost as erratic as they were, Volt's chain lightning blasts riddling the target with scorch marks although the darkest marks were located in a tight circle around the bullseye. Rightguard figured if the two odd mechs focused more they might be a deadly pair. Cardshark and Greenback were at the end of the shooting line, making bets with each other and loudly bragging about their skills. Smirking to himself, Rightguard figured that Spearhead's energon harpoons and Stileto's spikes were winning or losing Cardshark and Greenback's bets and not their partners ability to aim them with any great skill.

"Hey!" Kup's hard bellow cut into Rightguard's thoughts, "You gonna shot, Doggiebot, or you just gonna stand there gawking?"

Once again Rightguard reduced the urge to shoot Kup in aft waste manifold.

[Foley]

Ultra Magnus entered the target range on the catwalk that Kup was using to beret his trainees. As soon as the old bot saw the city commander, he nodded and turned back to watching his troops, whom he would never tell them he was impressed wtih. "What's on yer mind, Magnus?' he simply asked.

"Trouble," came the reply, "A squad of Decepticons was reported ransacking the EDC outpost at the edge of the solar system two cycles ago. Left nothing in their wake but scrap."

"Let me guess," Kup said turning to his commanding officer, "The EDC wants our mutual project to investigate and possibly stop this squad, right?"

Magnus nodded, "They ready for the field?"

Kup's expression grew a bit dark, "Were any of us ready for the field when we first went to war?"

"Not really,"

Kup looked back at his troops, "They'll adapt. Hell, they might even make it home."