The interior of the cave softly illuminated the glistening body of Scorponok. Faint traces of energon acting as a beacon to a grand prize led the arachnid forward at an even, yet anxious pace.
"Megatron will be pleased greatly if I find the energon deposit."
He had already been searching for the precious resource for nearly a cycle. Fortunately for the nervous Predacon, the walls of the cave were providing an added measure of insulation for his robotic components.
"The energon protrusions are becoming larger. The deposit must be close."
Claws snapping together in anticipation, Scorponok transformed.
"Warning, energon build-up," the computer voice chimed mechanically. "Stasis lock in 0.5 cycles." As if to illustrate the computer's point, a surge of energon crackled across his torso. Ignoring the searing pain, the Predacon produced an analyzing instrument from his right claw.
"More than enough time to secure the energon for Megatron," thought Scorponok as he studied the readings on the instrument's panel. "Computer indicates the main energon deposit is about 0.25 cycles away. Better revert back to ...
"Beast mode," whispered Scorponok, unwilling to aggrevate the always tempermental energon with a customary shout of his activation code. Besides, he thought, who was here for him to impress with the ritualistic display?
As he advanced through the narrow tunnel, Scorponok took notice of how beautiful the ever larger displays of energon became. For most of his existence, the Predacon had seen energon only in it's processed, cube-form. But here, on this strange and often dangerous planet, the life-blood of the Transformers took on myriad exotic forms. Scorponok wondered, however briefly, if his surroundings looked anything like the Matrix.
Lost in thought, Scorponok scuttled head-on into the first obstacle he had encountered since first entering the cave. Directly in front of his position he noticed how the top and bottom of the cave had apparently fused together over a great period of time. Only a small opening offered any chance of further exploration.
"Blast!," mentally screamed Scorponok. "Scorponok, terrorize ..." As soon as he had completed the transformation, a powerful surge of energon seized his now exposed body.
"Warning, energon at dangerous levels," the computer voiced coldly." Stasis lock imminent. Revert to beast mode."
"No kidding," said Scorponok angrily while simultaneously tapping the area where his computer warning system was located.
"The only way to find out which action to take now is through a probe." And with a click of his left claw, Scorponok did just that.
"Cyberbee ... launch." The small probe sprang from Scorponok's claw, unfolding thin, yet powerful wings. As the creature quickly passed through the opening, the Predacon activated the cybernetic link that connected both of their minds.