A small group of Decepticons were sitting in a closed off room in silence; they were all trying to keep their distance from each other so the nervous glances cast at the others were often ignored. However one of them was seemingly so silent that she didn't even seem to care. The strange femme wasn't exactly attractive or special; well that was if you didn't count the fact that her alt-mode was animal based rather than vehicle based like most 'ordinary' cybertronains. Still she emitted an aura of emotional detachment and professionalism that was baffling; that and the fact that she wore no sigils made the others try to keep their distance from her. The others; a tank by the name of Dark, a small light scout vehicle by the name of Saber, a speedy medical vehicle by the name of Whisper, a drilling like vehicle by the name of Drill and a seeker by the name of Skyfighter. They all regarded the strange femme with a sense of betterment and scorn not realising that their fate will soon be irreversibly entwined with hers.

They weren't left waiting too long; after a few minutes a scientist comes to the door. As he opens it, the femme looks up the distinct lack of emotion on her face is chilling. Nevertheless no one sees it as she blends perfectly into the dark.

"Could you follow me please" the scientist seems polite enough as he asks them, which usually means the mech in question has no authority, however; the authority with which he asks is very real. That they already know since it was Shockwave himself who had asked them to come here; they were Stance's volunteers. With some sense of trepidation they follow carefully glancing around and at each other; they don't know who they are standing with and who they are following or why.

Eventually they reach a large complex; thousands of machines are giving out data and all the light temporarily blinds those that enter. After a quick re-boot of their optics they look around in awe.

"Wait here please" the scientist tells them as he walks off. The group nervously shuffles or glances about as they wait the strange femme stands slightly off to the side. She does not shuffle or move about in a nervous manner; instead she just stands there her gaze fixated on what goes on around and in front of her. She is deadly calculating and shows all the qualities of one who has been out in space, alone; for way to long.

After a few minutes a tall scientist walks up to them; he radiates self confidence and the way he looks at each of them is as if he is evaluating them.

"They'll do nicely" he mutters. Before addressing them "Greetings. My name is Stance and you, have all been selected for the Pathfinder project" there was a slight emphasis on 'you' making it seem like a great honour had been bestowed upon them; something that they didn't deserve. "The Pathfinder project is a geasult project" he explains "and you are to be the components" this little bit of potentially earth shattering information seems to be taken quite well by the aforementioned future components. A few blinks and stares are all that meets Stance as he glances at each of them in turn; judging their reactions. Thankfully none of them had tried something stupid; yes they were perfect for this project...though they would need to be modified first. Ah then he'd be curious about their reactions; yes it would be interesting indeed.

"Of course you shall all have to be upgraded first" he stated simply as a few other scientists started to walk up and start to try to guide the various transformers off in different directions. The strange femme followed her guide silently; her long elegant red-on-black tail gave a slight swish as she walked off. Skyfighter gave an almost sheepish grin as he was lead off; Saber didn't bother doing anything she hadn't a clue what geasult technology was but figured she'd be finding out soon enough. Whisper followed quietly; the young medic was curious about what was going to be done to him...maybe he could ask for schematics later. Drill followed her guide with out complaint wondering what each of her new team-mates was like...and if that strange femme was going to be one of them. Dark was the last to leave he mentally steeled himself for what was going to happen hoping it would all work out in the end.

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Dark's chapter:

The tank former followed he wasn't quite sure what to think as he walked down the corridor...sure he'd always been hoping for advancement. Who in their right mind wouldn't, but he wasn't sure if he was quite ready to open up his mind; no his very soul to a group of people who would shortly become closer than family to him. He wasn't too sure how it would all turn out. He wasn't even sure what that dragoness was doing here since the majority of them had vehicle alt-modes. Suddenly a thought hit him; the dragoness looked almost new; even if the way she walked and held herself seemed to suggest she was older. So why would she be modified it was more likely that...no it couldn't be. The reason they had a dragon as their sixth most likely meant that shortly they would also have; different altmodes. Dark's optics narrowed at the back of the head of the scientist who was currently leading him.

Soon enough they turned into a small room; a large flat table was in the centre, various pieces of mechanical equipment was dotted around the room in a nice orderly fashion. Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'.

"Could you please get on" the scientist indicated. Dark complied without question...well he'd find out soon enough what was to become of him. His optics powered down as he slipped into the blackness of stasis. Immediately the scientist got to work re-making the body into a more suitable shape for the pathfinder project adding the geasult tech as he went along. So that eventually he ended up with a blue griffon the tail had been the trickiest part; but they had managed it.

They next opened up his CPU and taking the programming Stance had given him, he inserted the code into the primary cortex allowing it to assimilate the programming already there adding avian and feline attributes to the newly made griffon-former. They also made sure that it would be the griffon that would lead by making him slightly more aggressive than the others.

When he was finished he called to his assistant and together they put the newly re-made Decepticon onto a stretcher and carried him to a long yet thin room and placed him near the end leaving plenty of space so that the rest of the team could be placed in the same room. So that when he awoke the first thing he would see would be his new team-mates. He would have to learn their strengths and weaknesses and how best to use them to reach their objectives.

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Saber's chapter:

Saber followed the scientist down the hallway wondering what the hell was going to happen; she wasn't all that familiar with the meaning of geasult technology so she really didn't know what to expect. As she followed the scientist she idly wondered just what was going to happen after all she'd be transferred before. It didn't usually entail all this upgrading. Confused the scout simply did as she was told.

Shortly they turned into a small room; it was almost identical to the chamber Dark was currently in as it had a large (and in Saber's opinion rather dull) flat table was in the centre, various pieces of mechanical equipment was dotted around the room in an irritatingly orderly fashion. Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'. They looked a little to sharp for Saber's liking; mind you she knew she was being modified so they were probably meant to be sharp.

"Get on the table" the scientist indicated. Saber complied seeming a little skittish...she didn't like this whole thing; nevertheless she obeyed. Her optics powered down as she slipped into the blackness of stasis. Immediately the scientist got to work re-making the body into a lighter, suitable shape for the pathfinder project adding the geasult tech as he went along; eventually he ended up with a sleeping white tigress.

Carefully the scientist opened up the tiger to get to her CPU and added the new programming he'd been given by Stance. The feline grace and stealth would aid this scout in her missions and keep her alive. The tigress was made a little more independent that the others; nevertheless she would need to continue to serve with her team or suffer from withdrawal.

When he was finished he called to his assistant and together they put the newly re-made Decepticon onto a stretcher and carried her to the same place as the others. So that when she awoke the first thing she would see would be her new team-mates. They would get used to the scout and not fear her abilities and she would learn that she needn’t hide things from them.

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Whisper's chapter:

The medic followed the scientist idly wondering if he'd be able to get hold of the blue prints for the geasult tech; since he was about to become the team's medic. If what he was told when he was transferred was anything to go by. So it stood to reason that he'd need to know how it worked; if he was to fix it. Whisper wasn't having some of the doubts some of the others were in fact he was almost eager; he'd been alone for so long he felt that he needed to have someone or as things seemed to be turning out, a whole bunch of people, he could turn to. They would eventually become his family not merely his team-mates; the bond of a geasult could not be broken so they would be together for life. Besides it would be nice to not be alone anymore.

Whisper's train of thought was cut off as they turned into a small room; it was almost identical to the chamber Dark and Saber were currently in as it had a large seemingly flat; though looking at it carefully he decided it was more rough that it first appeared, table in the centre, various pieces of mechanical equipment was dotted around the room in a nice orderly fashion that Whisper could appreciate. Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'.

"Could you get on the table" the scientist indicated. Whisper complied seeming almost excited at the prospect of what was going to happen. His optics powered down as he slipped into the blackness of stasis. Immediately the scientist got to work re-making the body into a heavier; combat savvy and above all suitable shape for the pathfinder project adding the geasult tech as he went along.

Soon enough a wolf was in place of the mech who'd been there before, of course he'd still have his robot form, but this animal alt-mode was what the scientist was told to do; so it was what he had done. Carefully the scientist opened up a port to the wolf's CPU; adding the programming that the big boss man had ordered he add. The wolf programming would make him more protective of his pack and the tracking abilities would help keep them together.

When he was finished he called to his assistant and together they put the newly re-made Decepticon onto a stretcher and carried him to the same place as the others. So that when he awoke the first thing he would see would be his new team-mates. It would be their medic who first checked them over so that they could become protective and trusting of each other as was needed to keep the bond stable.

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Skyfighter's chapter:

Skyfighter knew what he was about to go through would be different to the others; he as he was now, would soon cease to exist. Unlike the others he was an experiment; he was young now, but when he came back online he'd have gained all the experience of a battle hardened veteran. Skyfighter had already been briefed on what was going to happen to him and he had whole sparkedly agreed to it. After all the only other option was permanent deactivation; so becoming someone else was a small sacrifice for his life. He just hoped the geasult bond would keep him stable and keep that part of him that would always be Skyfighter, no matter what happened; alive.

Skyfighter halted all thoughts as they turned into a room, it was almost was larger to the others and had extra equipment; but like the others as it also had a large flat table that was in the centre, however this one had restraints built into it; various pieces of mechanical equipment were dotted around the room. Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'. A dark dull lasercore lay inside a glass like cylinder on the tray.

"Are you ready?" the scientist asked him.

"I am" was the reply

"Could you please get on the table then" the scientist indicated. Skyfighter complied preparing himself for what was going to happen and saying goodbye to his life. His optics powered down as he slipped into the blackness of stasis. Immediately the scientist got to work re-making the body into a more lighter; manuverable and above all suitable shape for the pathfinder project adding the geasult tech as he went along.

It took a while but soon enough the seeker was a seeker no longer instead it was a pheonix; a bird of fire. With a sigh of trepidation the scientist opened the birds chest plate; taking a moment to observe the young spark pulsing strongly. Sending a quick prayer to primus, the scientist got to work on merging the dead lasercore with the living one of the young; but reckless bird currently spread eagled on the table. When he was sure the lasercore had been assimilated successfully he added the avian programming to his CPU.

When he was finished he called to his assistant and together they put the newly re-made and effectively re-programmed Decepticon onto a stretcher and carried him to the same place as the others. So that when he awoke the first thing he would see would be his new team-mates. They would make sure that the newly re-made Decepticon was stable and probably help him along with all the new memories and feelings he would have.

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Drill's chapter:

Drill followed quietly. She knew what a geasult was; she just wasn't sure about what the implications on her mentality might be. Nevertheless she took it all quite well, the young interrogator was curious as to how her talents would be used. Still her thoughts kept shifting to that strange red on black femme; who was she? Was she going to be their sixth? Drill was eagerly awaiting the chance to get inside her mind; ah the stuff that she could find out. With a small smile on her face she walked into the room where she would be modified like her fellows. Yes she could wait; after all the prize was well worth waiting for.

The room was small; in fact it was almost identical to the chamber Dark, Windwhisper and Saber were currently in as it had a large flat table was in the centre, various pieces of mechanical equipment was dotted around the room in a nice orderly fashion. It kinda reminded Drill of a torture/interrogation room; she began to grin at that thought. No place like home right? Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'. She stopped to marvel at them thinking about what other uses she could get out of them.

"Could you get on" the scientist indicated to the table. Drill complied seeming almost excited at the prospect of what was going to happen; wondering if she could borrow some of the tools later. Her optics powered down as she slipped into the blackness of stasis.

Immediately the scientist got to work re-making the body into a slightly more heavier; combat savvy and above all suitable shape for the pathfinder project adding the geasult tech as he went along.

It took a while, but an insecticon; complete to the specifications gleamed from insecticon clones that had been salvaged from the battlefield, was soon lying on the table. It apparently had been quite difficult for Stance to get these specs; but he had eventually managed to get them. The insecticon bee was a little bulky but it would get the job done sufficiently. Now opening the bug's CPU he carefully downloaded the relevant programming that the insecticons had reluctantly parted with hoping that they hadn't tampered with it. Still the bee programming would naturally make her defer to her leader (the queen of the hive) even if the whole concept seemed a little stupid to this scientist he still had to obey.

He called to his assistant once the process was complete and together they put the newly re-made Decepticon onto a stretcher and carried her to the same place as the others. So that when she awoke the first thing she would see would be her new team-mates. The would get used to her quirky tendencies and come to appreciate how interrogation could assist them in completing objectives.

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Shadow's chapter:

The strange femme's name was Shadow; she was the last survivor of outpost delta. As she followed Shadow didn't feel anything, she'd long lost the ability to feel those kind of emotions. Seeing your friends and family killed tended to do that to people and Shadow was no exception. She knew what she was doing, but she no longer cared; Shockwave had said that she was the logical choice so she had agreed to it. Right now she merely walked her cold gaze making some of the scientists shrink away from her in fear. Yes they feared her; why was it that she didn't want that? Brushing the thought off Shadow just carried on walking...why should she care?

She was taken to a small chamber where in her body would be added to in order to allow her to become part of Pathfinder; to share her innermost secrets and feelings with these mechs and femmes that she'd never met before or even knew of. So what if she was betraying her Autobot heritage; look where it had gotten her so far? Only death and destruction and weakness. Well, Shadow would not be weak anymore. Now she was going to shred what was left of that pain and become someone else...someone new.

She turned into a small room like the others a large flat table was in the centre, various pieces of mechanical equipment was dotted around the room in a nice orderly fashion. Various tools we neatly arranged on a small flat tray that stood on a stand next to the 'operating table'. Shadow couldn't care less she levelled a stone cold look at the scientist an was gratified to seem him take a step back in fear.

"Could you please get on" the scientist indicated at the table. Shadow climbed, on her tail hanging off the edge; her wings folded tight against her back she stayed awake for a while but soon finding out that she probably didn't want to be awake for this she slipped peacefully into stasis. As soon as this occurred the scientist got to work; modifying the dragoness' body adding the geasult parts, thankful that his job was the easiest. Eventually he was finished and he left to go see if any of his team-mates needed assistance.

Later on, Stance walked in to check on her. With a smirk he spoke, even though he knew she couldn't hear him.

"It seems Shockwave doesn't quite trust you. Not that I blame him mind you...therefore I'm to add this little failsafe into you; heh don't worry you won't feel a thing" as he spoke he began to work adding a rather complicated programming sequence into her CPU linking it directly to the geasult tech; so one couldn't be removed without the other and if this little piece of programming was removed, then so would her basic personality be removed.

"There you go lass; you're one of us now" he spoke a slightly evil smirk graced his features as he left. Allowing one of the assistants to take her to where the rest of the team had been placed. Soon they would awaken and the programming that had been newly installed would take effect; then it was only a matter of time before Pathfinder would awaken.