They were as one. What the probe saw and experienced, Scorponok saw and experienced as well. As the cyber-bee continued further down the straight path, Scorponok noticed that the energon protrusions were becoming increasingly larger.
"Larger, and more dangerous," thought Scorponok. Readings indicate the core deposit is less than ..." The Predacon's train of thought was shattered by another energon surge. But this time, it was his almost completely robotic counterpart that suffered the dangerous overload. Scorponok's internal computer faithfully warned him of the obvious.
"Warning, cyber-bee tolerance to energon build-up limited to sixty nano-clicks. Recommend probe return to this unit's sheltered body."
"Not just yet," Scorponok returned angrily at the unseen voice. Then, quietly to himself, "The probe almost has an exact lock on the energon deposit. Just a few more nano-clicks."
The cyber-bee sped up it's forward journey. Although not truly sentient, it was imbued with a sophisticated artificial intelligence program that also contained a self-preservation subroutine. The two combined made for a very nervous probe. As it passed another large energon protrusion, it's sensors picked up a faint energy signature. The probe's brain began to discern the second signature, noting that it closely resembled that of energon, but also contained distinct signs of ...
"Biological life," thought Scorponok apprehensively. "Great, just great." The scorpion's head twitched, sending an order for the probe to divert all available power to discern what the biological entity was, and more importantly, where it was located.
"Warning, thirty nano-clicks until probe stasis-lock," blurted the computer urgently. "Probe must return immediately or it will be lost." Scorponok silently fumed and deactivated his warning system. Diverting all of his and the cyber-bee's energy toward the detection of the new life-form, Scorponok tensed as he noted that the creature, whatever it was, was now heading toward his probe.
"Impossible. That thing is moving as fast as the Maximal cat." Somewhere deep within Scorponok's mind, he heard the cyber-bee gloomily correct him. "Faster." The wings of the cyber-bee began to flutter at an ever increasing rate as the creature came nearer and nearer to it's position. Defying it's programing, the probe turned and began to return to it's master.
"Stay!," Scorponok yelled mentally. Reluctantly, the cyber-bee halted it's progress. Scorponok noted that the energy signature of the creature had dissappeared from his probe's sensors. The cyber-bee had stopped it's earnest return flight to safety in one of the few energon scarce parts of the tunnels. The area was almost completely dark where the probe hovered. The only sounds being the frantic beating of it's wings and the faint hum of raw energon. And then, as the mechanical bee noticed beads of lubricant pouring from it's head, there came a third sound. The sound of a low, anxious pant coming from above. Scorponok commanded the probe to turn around. It turned, and as it did so, Scorponok saw the briefest flash of a creature so alien that he instantly knew he would never see anything more alien again in his life. The next instant found the Predacon screaming in shock and agony as the cyber-bee was obscenly ripped to shreds.
Instinctively, Scorponok backed up to the wall to his left. His sharp claws were snapping together frantically. And for good reason, for he somehow knew, even with the cyber-bee destroyed, that the creature was now heading his way.