It was coming after him. It had violently destroyed his probe, and now Scorponok detected the creature heading toward him at a frightening pace. Acting on instinct alone, the Predacon turned from his position and began to make a hasty retreat. As he did so, however, his logic circuits began to dominate.
"Wait a minute, the creature can't possibly make it past the closed structure. The cyberbee barely made it through. Besides, if I go back empty handed, Megatron will be greatly disappointed." Scorponok turned around and began the short journey to the blocked tunnel. The energon surrounding him seemed somehow less brilliant, as if something was draining their very essence. As he returned to the closure, Scorponok transformed and produced the scanning instrument he had used earlier.
"Computer, scan for alien life-form."
"Acknolwedged," replied the computer. Scorponok moved close enough to the closure so that he could wave the scanning instrument through the opening.
"Scan complete. No signs of alien life-form. Only energon signatures detected." As the computer finished it's report, another surge of energon racked his body.
"Blasted energon," grunted Scorponok. "For mega cycles, you can find only enough to keep the bare vitals going, and then, wham, so much of the stuff that you have to put a skin on your back." As he placed the scanning instrument back within his right claw, Scorponok shuddered as an absurd thought crossed his mind.
"I suppose it could have been worse, the planet could have only contained vegetation." Another shudder ensued as he briefly envisioned himself as an absurdly large beet.
"Right," Scorponok said to himself, drawing out the last four consonants. "Beast .." Something caught the Predacons attention. A noise coming from the other side of the closure. A quick gesture found the scanning instrument on the outside of his claw again.
"Computer, resume scan for alien life-form."
"Acknowledged." Scorponok hesitantly passed the scanner half-way through the closure. Several green dots on the bottom of the scanner's display stayed solidly in their place. "Scan complete. No alien life-form detected. Only reading energon signatures." The next instant found a low, growl- like noise making a complete liar out of the scanner.
"Computer," whispered Scorponok, "adjust readings to account for life-forms containing energon.
"Acknowledged. Scan complete. One alien life-form detected. Distance ..." Scorponok dropped the scanner. As the instrument rattled on the floor, the Predacon inched close enough to the opening in the rock, eye sensors on full. Another low growl.
"Where is it?" In reply to the question, a pair of ice-blue eyes appeared in the dark directly behind the closure. The eyes burned with a hatred that Scorponok had never before witnessed in all of his creation.
"What, what are you?" Scorponoked asked as he cocked his head to the left. In response, the alien eyes were replaced with what could only be described as claws. In an instant, Scorponok found half of his left face plate falling to the ground.