Awesome, nice job.

 

Episode 15: Shock and Awe


It was an impressive sight, the entire roster of the Decepticon forces on Earth spread out before their new Commander, Starscream. The entire roster, save for Soundwave, Laserbeak, Mixmaster and Hook, all of who had been absent without leave for several days now. But Starscream had given up waiting for them, and had decided that it was time to exact vengeance from the humans who had had the audacity to slay his predecessor, Megatron. He would deal with finding and punishing the missing Decepticons once this attack, one that would certainly go a long way in winning over the fuel-pumps and minds of the mourning Decepticons, was completed.

Starscream looked over his army, and addressed them. “My fellow Decepticons, it is time to make the vermin that ambushed our great leader pay for their impudence! Today we will begin our extermination of this wretched species, starting with the faction that has continually opposed us, and who recently murdered Megatron in a cowardly attack; the Americans!”

The other Decepticons grumbled. What was once mild annoyance for these humans had instantly changed to utter hatred. Insignificant rodents who weren’t fit to tread the same plain of existence as the Decepticons, dared to oppose them, and through some unimaginable stroke of luck had managed to catch the greatest of Decepticons off-guard and incinerate him. All that was ever found of Megatron were three fingers and a few shards of metal that had once been part of his legs. These hairless apes would pay dearly for this outrage. Starting with those who dwelled in the American capital, Washington D.C.

Assembled in a small field in Silver Spring, Maryland, just a few short miles from their target, Starscream was concluding his short speech. “Today we obliterate the leadership of this pathetic planet’s most powerful force, and Primus have mercy on any Autobot that dares intervene!” Starscream slowly lifted off the ground. “DECEPTICONS, TODAY WE CREATE CARNAGE THE LIKES OF WHICH EVEN UNICRON HIMSELF CAN NOT IMAGINE! DECEPTICONS, ATTACK!!!”

The cheering Decepticons started to take to the air, but before they could get underway a loud, emotionless voice stopped their progress. “HALT!”

The Decepticons settled back to the ground and stared at their returning Communications Commander. Starscream returned to Earth as well, and addressed his wayward soldier. “Where in the inferno have you been for the past few days!?!”

“It is not relevant that you know.” The cool, mechanical voice replied.

“I AM YOUR COMMANDER! You will inform me of your whereabouts, and the whereabouts of Hook, Mixmaster and your pet bird!”

At that moment Laserbeak swooped over the heads of the Decepticon forces and landed on Soundwave’s shoulder. Soundwave and Laserbeak exchanged a quick glance before Soundwave returned his attention to Starscream. “Laserbeak has just returned from Langley, Virginia.”

Starscream’s fury seemed to lighten ever so slightly, and a hint of anxiety could be detected in his voice. “What was he doing there?”

“Information acquisition.”

Starscream gritted his metal teeth. “We will complete this discussion in private.”

“Negative.” Soundwave turned his head to Laserbeak and nodded.

Still on Soundwave’s shoulder, Laserbeak transformed into a camcorder, but refrained from decreasing his size. He began playing back an audio recording. A slight bump could be heard as a telephone was lifted from its base, followed immediately by a human voice. “General Mayweather speaking.”

The voice that responded was gravelly, and all-too-familiar to the Decepticons present. “Yes, hello. Is this the Joint Chiefs of Staff?” Starscream started to protest, but was immediately tackled and gagged by Frenzy and Rumble, while Ravage stood over his head, growling.

“Who is this!?!” The human voice was alarmed.

“Exactly which joint are you the chief of?”

“How did you get this number!?!” The anger grew in the human’s voice.

“Oh, that’s not important. What is important is what I have some information that you may find useful.”

“IDENTIFY YOURSELF, NOW!”

“There is a dried riverbed about sixty-seven miles to the northwest of Tucson that currently has what is referred to as a ‘space bridge’. This ‘space bridge’ is what the Decepticons use to travel back and forth between Earth and Cybertron.” There was no response from the suddenly interested human. “I thought that that would get your attention. Now, don’t go dismantling it right away, because in roughly four hours the Decepticon leader will be using it to return from Cybertron. If you play your cards right, you can kill two birds with one stone.”

The confused human finally replied. “I must insist that you identify yourself.”

“I’m just a concerned citizen doing my patriotic duty. Goodbye Chief.” There was a click as the connection was severed.

The human’s voice could still be heard. “Grace, get me General Peterson on the phone!” The recording ended.

Starscream threw Frenzy and Rumble off of him, and backhanded Ravage as the mechanical feline leapt at him. Finally getting to his feet, the nervous air-warrior addressed the other Decepticons. “This is obviously a forgery! You all know that Soundwave and his pets are fully capable of perpetrating this!”

Soundwave’s monotone voice broke Starscream’s tirade. “I have no motive to fabricate that conversation.”

“Yes, you do! With me out of the way, you would be the highest-ranking Decepticon on Earth! You want to take my place as leader of the Decepticons!” The panicked Starscream screamed at the large, blue Decepticon.

From the far end of the clearing, another voice entered the discussion. “But Starscream, you are not leader of the Decepticons.”

Starscream whirled around and faced the speaker that he knew could not possibly be there. “No.” There he stood, gleaming, majestic, the embodiment of power; Megatron, rebuilt and fully recovered. “Megatron…I, uh…” Starscream suddenly snapped out of his panic-induced stupor. “Lord Megatron, how glorious it is to see you fully functional again! We had believed you to be killed, and were just on our way to avenging your death. But thank Primus, you have been brought back to us!” The sinister gleam in Megatron’s red optics let Starscream know that his charm would not be enough to get him out of this situation. He turned and pointed at Soundwave. “You can’t possibly be buying into this false story of his! He’s been jealous of my authority for eons, this is obviously a set up!” Megatron started walking toward Starscream, a menacing, ominous gait that chilled Starscream’s oil. “I may nip at your heels periodically, but I would never perpetrate such a treasonous act! And I certainly wouldn’t ally myself with the feeble flesh-bags!”

Megatron continued his march toward his would-be usurper. “Next time, Starscream, make sure the allies you choose have the internal fortitude to split the atom. Anything less will just leave me irritated.” Megatron stopped. “Actually, forget that advice, there will never be a next time.” A bolt of energy shot from the mouth of Megatron’s fusion cannon, blasting Starscream’s left wing into shards.

Starscream cried out in pain, but managed to turn and leap off of the ground. He engaged his foot thrusters; his jet mode may not be usable without a wing, but he could still escape in robot mode. Unfortunately for the Air Commander, Megatron had leapt into the air behind him and came down on him, sending Starscream crashing to the ground and skipping across the clearing with a powerful hammer-strike to his back. Starscream attempted to push his way back to his feet, but a great deal of circuitry in his back had been destroyed, making it difficult to feel, much less use his legs. In a prostrate position, Starscream turned toward the advancing Megatron and raised his left hand up in a plea for mercy. His entire left arm exploded, sending blue and gray shrapnel all over the grass.

“I have tolerated you for far too long, Starscream. My tolerance exists no more!” A third shot from Megatron’s fusion cannon tore into Starscream’s waist, severing his left leg and leaving the right one hanging on by wires and a few shredded strips of metal. Starscream cried out loudly. Before the cry was finished, a powerful kick from Megatron’s right leg sent what was left of Starscream’s body soaring into the nearby forest and into a large tree, snapping the tree in two.

Starscream rolled onto his back, and raised his right arm to fire on his soon-to-be killer. Null rays darted out and impacted against Megatron’s new armor, only slightly slowing his deadly progress. Megatron lifted his left foot over Starscream and slammed it down, pinning Starscream’s right wrist beneath it. Standing over his betrayer, Megatron shot forth another fusion bolt, this one tearing into Starscream’s shoulder. The explosion sent Starscream’s body and flailing right leg spinning deeper into the forest. Megatron looked down and smiled at the smoldering arm still beneath his left foot.

Now completely helpless, Starscream rolled over and once again tried to talk his way out of his impending doom. “MEGATRON, PLEASE! I am your most valued advisor! You need me now more than ever! I beg you; I will do whatever you ask of me! Just please spare me!”

Sick of hearing the devious voice, Megatron delivered another kick, this time tearing Starscream’s jaw, and most of his left shoulder crest off of what remained of his body. It would take Starscream a few moments to re-route his vocalizations, a few moments that the Air Commander did not have. Megatron peered down at his lieutenant, and addressed him one final time. “Goodbye, Starscream.” One last fusion bolt lit up the darkened forest; the resulting explosion lit it up even more. When the smoke cleared, Starscream’s torso was in two. His head and shoulders laid fifteen feet to Megatron’s left; his abdomen and what was left of his right leg laid ten feet to Megatron’s right. Megatron stared into Starscream’s optics, and watched them fade to black.

Megatron walked out from the trees, intently watched by all of his Decepticons, including Hook and Mixmaster who had just arrived from the makeshift lab that they had used to repair Megatron. Megaton looked over his awe-struck troops and smiled. “I will not waste your time with a eulogy for Starscream. The only good thing I can say about him was that his most recent plan to attack Washington D.C. was a pretty good one. Decepticons, attack!”


***


Grimlock watched the gray rocket streak into the sky and disappear into the clouds. The Dinobot Commander turned to Blaster and voiced his question. “You sure we not need to send soldiers with Guardian robot? He sure to face many Decepticons.”

Blaster smiled. “Ultra Magnus said he had it taken care of. All he needed was Omega Supreme and he’d be able to get the job done.” Jazz sped down the mountain towards the two Commanders. Blaster watched the Porsche approach, but finished his sentence to Grimlock. “Besides, with the big guy gone we’ll need all the Autobots we can spare in case the Decepticons start some trouble.”

Jazz transformed next to Blaster. “Funny that you should mention that.” Blaster and Grimlock exchanged a quick glance before sprinting behind Jazz back into the Ark and into the command room.


***


The District of Columbia had been reinforced with anti-aircraft weapons and other armaments after the attacks on it in 2001. It had been further reinforced more recently in response to the threat posed by the alien robots that had surfaced a few months ago. Even with all the reinforcement, the city didn’t stand a chance.

Five colorful Seekers streaked through the sky, lasers and missiles blazing forth from their wings and sending the most advanced American military hardware and their valiant pilots crashing to their destruction. Another jet, a purple Mig, zipped over Washington at a lower altitude, and started careening downward toward a tank battalion. A moment before impact the jet transformed into a tank, and the light tan projectile obliterated two of the tanks and scattered the others. A dozen blocks away, another battalion of tanks and four accompanying platoons of soldiers were being annihilated by a lion, a panther, a rhino, a bull and a giant falcon.

The bulk of human resistance was stationed outside the White House. High altitude bombers were dropping enormous amounts of ordinance several blocks away from the White House, right on top of the majority of the Decepticon forces. The magnitude of the blasts was enough to scatter most of the Decepticons, but the progress of Megatron, in tank form, and Devastator wasn’t slowed in the least. They had decided to give the humans a fighting chance by landing in the outskirts of the city and slowly make their way in. But the resistance had been so pathetic, their progress had been so quick, that the level of fun that Megatron had hoped to have in this battle was much greater than what it was turning out to actually be. And this was the capital of the planets most formidable military force. It would only get less challenging from here.

Suddenly, two missiles impacted the back of Devastator’s head and exploded. The green and purple behemoth stumbled and fell forward to his knees, more surprised than hurt. Jetfire darted overhead, releasing a large gray robot as it did so. Grimlock fell to the ground and landed on his feet two hundred yards in front of Megatron. The Dinobot Commander whipped around and faced the advancing chrome tank, pulling out his dual barreled rifle and his plasma sword. Megatron rolled to within one hundred feet before transforming. He smiled at the powerful Autobot. “How nice to see you again, Pit Lord.”

Grimlock nodded. “Let’s do this.”



*


Swoop was having difficulty keeping up with Blades, but they both finally entered Washington air space and darted after the Decepticons who were already engaged with Jetfire and Powerglide. Blades noted the absence of Starscream, but in his stead were the Triple-changers, all in their various aerial forms to assist the Seekers. Swoop armed his blasters and prepared to enter the dogfight, but a pair of talons cutting into his back, just below his neck, turned his attention away from the other aircraft.

A beak slipped next to the side of Swoops head, and as the talons gripped even tighter, quietly whispered into his ear. “Time to die Pit Lord.” The two biomechanical fliers plummeted to Earth. Blades started after them to help, but Ramjet bearing down on him forced him to deal with his own safety.


*


Blaster, in radio mode, rode in Prowl’s passenger seat. Though not in robot mode, he was still able to take in the details of the incredible onslaught that lay before he and the other ground-bound Autobots. The utter devastation befalling the human city sent his inner workings into a twist. He opened his radio frequency and sent out a message to an old colleague from many of his operations on Cybertron. “Hot Spot, come in.”

“Yeah Blaster, what is it?”

“I need you, Streetwise, First Aid, Groove and Blades to put the band back together. Primary function; protect the humans.”

Hot Spot immediately responded. “You got it! But Blades may be having too much fun slugging it out.”

Blaster noted the flier’s aggressive nature, as well as the Decepticon aerial superiority, but the humans needed to be protected and a flier would be essential in doing that. “Blades drop what you’re doing and report to Hot Spot.”

Grimlock’s strained voice came through. “No, me Grimlock refuse. Forget humans, they irrelevant. Besides, ughhhnnn…” Grimlock’s input was interrupted by another lock-up with Megatron. Grimlock quickly pushed him away and put enough distance between he and the Decepticon leader to finish his statement. “Besides, we need them in fight. Hot Spot strong and durable, Streetwise quick and good shot, and Blades very good fighter, for non-Pit Lord.” Another grunt indicated that Grimlock’s brawl with Megatron had re-commenced.

Prowl’s voice joined in. “Sorry Grimlock, you’re overruled. Any objections Jetfire?”

“We really can’t afford to lose any of our fliers, but protecting the innocents must be the priority. I agree. Blades report to Hot Spot.”

The last words to be heard through the frequency were Cybertronian expletives from both Grimlock and Blades.


***


Cloud Puncher stared out over the barren landscape before him. In order to better protect Vector Sigma, all structures were torn down to eliminate cover for any would-be invaders. Though bored of the featureless view, the dark gray Seeker had to admit that this, and all other aspects of Shockwave’s planetary birth control, was effective. Vector Sigma had not been accessed by anyone other than the highest-ranking Decepticon officers in tens of thousands of vorns.

Cloud Puncher looked over to the other Seekers stuck with sentry duty, Hair Splitter and Ozone. They were just as bored as he was, but like him, they took their task very seriously. In another hour and a half they would be off duty, and another three of the twenty-four Seekers stationed there would take their place. There were also two-dozen ground support troops stationed at Vector Sigma as well, but Shockwave felt that the sky-faring life of Seekers made the fliers more attentive to small details, and therefore better sentries.

Something suddenly caught Cloud Puncher’s attention, something high in the dark sky, a bright light streaking into Cybertron’s atmosphere. “Hey guys, a shooting star.” The three sentries looked over their right shoulders toward the heavens, and failed to notice a streak of light blue zip past them from the left. Oddly, the shooting star seemed to slow down, and then change direction toward them. “Ozone, get up there and check it out.”

All three sentries were thrown to the ground, the blast from behind them catching them completely off guard. Hair Splitter turned and saw that the one of the three barracks, the one that housed his Seeker brethren, had been blown up from the inside, which seemed impossible as the reinforced door was virtually impenetrable without the entrance code. Several damaged Seekers were making their way out of the burning wreck that had been their home, but for how many that had been in there, it seemed preciously few. The two other barracks had not yet been attacked, and the robots with tank, mobile artillery, and high-speed ground assault alternate modes came running out.

“Sayhellotomylittlefriend.” The exiting ground troops turned behind them to the source of the jumble of words and saw Blurr holding an assault rifle that was half his size. Energized metal sprayed forth, tearing into the surprised Decepticons. Cloud Puncher started to aim his shoulder rifles at the blue Autobot, but it seemed to disappear and reappear several yards away from where it just was. While the gray Seeker wondered if this Autobot had a teleportation technology similar to Skywarp’s, his life came to an abrupt and fiery end.

Hair Splitter stared at the molten debris that had only a moment ago been Cloud Puncher. Looking up to see where the kill-shot had originated from, he saw that what they had thought to be a shooting star was actually a gray rocket, and it was streaking straight toward their position. A wave of dislocated matter washed over the area a hundred yards in front of him, and tracks and a docking tower appeared from out of thin air. Then, from around the other side of the docking tower an enormous tank rolled along the tracks toward he and Ozone. A shell shot forth from the tank’s turret, and while Hair Splitter was quick enough to dive away, Ozone was caught in the blast and had his leg torn off. “Arrggghhh.”

Hair Splitter ignored his comrade’s painful cries and aimed his rifles at the tank, but was stunned as the tank changed directions, hopped off of the track and drove toward the docking tower. A few seconds later, Hair Splitter was envying those Seekers that had been killed by the barrack bomb. The mythical beast, that recent rumors claimed was working for the Autobots, was standing before him. Hair Splitter took to the air in an attempt to put some distance between he and the Guardian robot, only to be shot out of the sky by a convoy of advancing Autobots. Hair Splitter rolled over and looked to the formerly barren landscape, and saw the Autobot resistance leader Ultra Magnus and two dozen other Autobots speeding toward his position. What Hair Splitter didn’t see was the giant gray foot crashing down on him from behind.

Omega Supreme pulled his foot off of the flattened head and torso of the brown Seeker and turned toward the other Decepticons guarding the entrance to Vector Sigma. The ancient Guardian destroyed three burned Seekers and a half dozen ground troops with his cannon before going after them with his claw, all the while ignoring the mildly annoying weapons fire the terrified Decepticons sent his way.

By the time Ultra Magnus arrived Blurr and Omega Supreme had routed the Decepticons, and all the other Autobots needed to do was a little mopping up. Within a few minutes all of the Decepticons were either dead or detained. Magnus walked up to Omega Supreme. “I have the combination to open the chamber, but I also know that you have enough strength to destroy the door. As Shockwave is sure to change the locks anyway, let’s make him have to rebuild the whole slaggin’ thing.”

The giant robot nodded. “Assessment; correct. Destruction; commencing.” Omega Supreme marched toward the reinforced door, raised his enormous clawed arm, and began destroying it.


***


Jetfire was tired of these odds. He and Powerglide were facing the five Seekers, three Triple-changers, and two mechanical vultures. The five-on-one odds were taking their toll, and while Jetfire could stay aloft against these overwhelming numbers, Powerglide apparently could not. Jetfire watched as the smoking, red plane careened toward the ground, alive, but out of the dogfight. The Minibot had managed to take Laserbeak with him, but that still left nine Decepticon fliers against Jetfire. The Autobot super-jet streaked into the higher altitude to spread out the Decepticons. He would take them all on as best he could, but he certainly had his work cut out for him.

Slag, Sludge and Snarl were doing their best to overpower Devastator, but as formidable as they were, they were fairly outmatched in the raw power department. Devastator kicked at the Brontosaurus, who was as large as he was, but not nearly as powerful. The sauropod caught the kick in its side, and was sent flying back several hundred yards and crashing to the ground. Sludge transformed, shrinking to his regular size and clutching his damaged side.

Slag and Snarl leapt to either side of the Decepticon giant, and started slashing at his arms and torso with their swords. Devastator swiped at both of them, but they were quick enough to avoid his strikes. Sludge watched his comrades’ struggle against the eighty-foot titan, and despite his injuries, climbed to his feet and charged back into battle.

Several blocks away Prowl led several of the Autobot cars through the streets of Washington, finally arriving at a decimated tank battalion and confronting the four ground-based Predacons. Razorclaw pulled the head off of a solder with his monstrous, and blood-soaked jaws. He looked over to the now-transforming Autobots and spit the head out of his mouth. He and his three teammates transformed as well, and started toward Prowl and the twelve other Autobots with him, Mirage, Bluestreak, Hoist, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Smokescreen, Tracks, Grapple, Inferno, Wheeljack, Hound and Brawn.

Rampage used his long strides to carry himself to the top of the burnt shell of a tank, and pointed to Tracks. “Hey, you got your optic fixed. I had so much fun tearing out before that I’m extremely happy to be given a chance to do it again.”

Tracks, the only one to have ever faced the Predacons previously, barked out to his teammates. “Use your blasters to keep as much space between them and us.” The Autobots let loose a barrage of laser fire, sending the four Predacons diving for cover.

Another six blocks away Blaster, Jazz, Sideswipe, Trailbreaker, Ironhide, Warpath, Sunstreaker, Huffer, Skids and Gears were exchanging fire with Reflector, Soundwave, Ravage, Rumble and Frenzy. The Autobots had the Decepticons pinned inside an evacuated office building, and were really applying pressure. Out of the corner of his optic, Jazz noted some approaching civilian vehicles. “What in the inferno are they doing?”

Blaster turned to look at the semi truck and the four sports cars. "Trailbreaker, Sideswipe and Huffer, get out there and send those crazy fleshlings away from the city!” The three Autobots nodded, transformed and sped off to intercept the advancing vehicles.

Sideswipe sped out in front, heading straight for the black tractor-trailer that was leading the group of unknown vehicles. Sideswipe transformed and held his hand up to stop the vehicles, but was forced to dive out of the way as the truck barreled at him. Trailbreaker and Huffer weren’t able to avoid the collision, and their initial thoughts regarding the driver’s safety were quickly changed to concerns over their own condition as the black truck slammed them hard enough to send them off the street and into the buildings on either side of it.

Sideswipe barely caught a glimpse of the Deceptibrand on the side of the gray trailer before being lifted off the ground by a maroon Porsche slamming into his mid-section. The red Autobot hit the ground hard and skidded across the pavement several feet before swatting the car away. His attempt to get back to his feet were interrupted as a gray Ferrari leapt into the air and smashed into his face, knocking him unconscious.

Sunstreaker had turned his head around a moment before and had watched these events unfold. Infuriated at the strike on his brother, Sunstreaker transformed and sped to Sideswipe’s aid. The just transformed Stunticons Wildride and Dead End watched the yellow Lamborghini speed toward them, and prepared to handle the oncoming threat. Sunstreaker leapt into the air, transformed, and sent a left thrust-kick into Wildride’s chest, while at the same time parrying a punch from Dead End and responding with a right upper cut of his own.

“Nice moves, pretty boy.” Sunstreaker turned toward the voice, and the wedged front of an Indy racecar caught him just under his chin.

The yellow Autobot scrambled to get back to his feet, backhanding his brother across the face in an attempt to wake him up as he did so. Sideswipe stirred. “Get your ugly carcass on line now! We’ve got a brawl to win.”

Sideswipe’s blue optics glowed bright as he forced himself back into consciousness. A second later both siblings were on their feet and back to back, squaring off against their three assailants.

The tractor-trailer had transformed into a thirty-one foot tall powerhouse that was currently bot-handling Huffer. Trailbreaker finally dug his way out of the building that the semi-truck had sent him into, and started toward the large Decepticon to help his friend. The Decepticon, Motormaster, saw the black Autobot charging him, and using Huffer as a club, sent Trailbreaker head-first back into the heavily damaged building that he had just exited.

Motormaster turned toward the firefight ahead of him and noticed a white Porsche bearing down on him. He laughed at what he considered the insignificant threat that this Autobot posed; especially now that Breakdown zipped around him and took on an intercept course with it. The white Porsche screeched to a halt, it’s former momentum sending a small object careening toward Motormaster, and transformed into Jazz. Motormaster strained his optics to identify the tiny orange, yellow and gray box-like structure coming at him through the air. He was completely unprepared for it’s incredible size increase and transformation, and in the blip of an optic he was flat on his back with an imposing Autobot standing on his chest.

Blaster leapt off of the Decepticon, flipping in the air and landing on his feet as he did so. Motormaster quickly rolled over to his front and began pushing himself off of the ground. Still facing away from Motormaster’s now prostrate form, Blaster turned his head to the right to view Motormaster over his shoulder, and shot out a right, rear-thrust kick that slammed into Motormaster’s forehead.

The large Stunticon jerked back from the impact and was once again on his back. The appointed leader of the Stunticons looked over to the scrap going on across the street to his right, and noted that, while outnumbering the two Autobots, Drag Strip, Dead End and Wildrider were not doing very well. Motormaster then leaned his head back to look at the fight going on behind him, and saw that while he was holding his own, Breakdown was not really making any significant progress against the Autobot known as Jazz. And while Motormaster was sure that he could get the better of this Autobot that his data tracks was identifying as Blaster, he felt that for the overall good of his team and of the Decepticons as a whole, it was time to shake things up a bit. “Stunticons, unite!”

Motormaster scrambled to his feet as his team turned away from their respective foes and ran to him. He, Drag Strip and Dead End leapt into the air, while Breakdown and Wildrider stopped next to each other and contorted their bodies. Breakdown and Wildrider each lifted off of the ground a couple of feet as purple constructs folded out from underneath them, forming what appeared to be feet.

Motormaster’s feet flipped around to the back of him, and his legs perched upon Breakdown and Wildrider. His head sunk back into the cavity that it had rested in, a new, larger face replacing it, and black constructs emerged from his waist and chest. Drag Strip and Dead End, both in car mode, latched onto Motormaster’s broadened shoulders, and studded, purple fists flipped out from their rear bumpers.

Sunstreaker shook his head. “Not again.” Standing before the Autobots was a new eighty-foot monstrosity, not quite as broad as Devastator, but just as intimidating.

And unlike Devastator, this robot carried a twenty-foot sword. The new giant looked over the Autobots, but suddenly a confused look came over it. It shook its head in an attempt to clarify things for itself, but it was still wracked with confusion. Finally the confusion seemed to subside, as a course of action became clear to the monster. “Menasor destroy!” In a wide arc, Menasor swung his mammoth sword, missing the Autobots but smashing the bottom three floors of the apartment building that was unfortunate enough to have been behind the evasive Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.

The Autobots fired on Menasor, even those that had remained behind to continue firing on Reflector, Soundwave and his spies turned and shot at the new gestalt. But like Devastator, Menasor seemed impervious to their weapons.


***


“Well, that figures. You didn’t think the Decepticons would have modified their combiner technology just to give themselves something to do on a rainy day, did you?” Ratchet truly felt for his comrades, and Blaster’s news of a new gestalt did worry him significantly. But Ratchet still had a lot of work ahead of him with Prime, and he really didn’t like being taken away from that work.

As Ratchet was speaking into the communications array in the infirmary, a slight finger movement occurred, one that went unseen by Ratchet. The blue finger wiggled again, but ceased movement after the second wiggle. Ratchet was intently listening to Blaster’s response. “Look, I’m not saying I’m surprised, I’m just saying that we’re going to be in some trouble if Omega Supreme doesn’t show up soon!”

“I’m sending a message to him now to head directly to your location as soon as he possibly can. Now, as there’s nothing else that I can do, please excuse me as I get back to my patient. Ratchet out.”


***


The odd conglomeration of flesh and metal tore through the wall and landed onto the floor of the Oval Office, it’s massive bulk taking up most of the space in the room. Despite the President having been long-since evacuated from the building, Secret Service agents still ran through the hall to the doorway and opened fire on the imposing gray and yellow robot. Grimlock pulled his sore frame off of the ground and leapt back outside onto the White House lawn to continue his battle with the Decepticon leader. Megatron stood on the bright green grass waiting for him with a smile.

Grimlock dove at the chrome powerhouse, and the two massive robots grappled savagely with one another. For the first time in his long life Grimlock was being beaten. He was facing an opponent that seemed to be just as fast, just as skilled, just as durable, but was the slightest bit stronger. As impossible as it seemed, it appeared that Grimlock wasn’t the mightiest warrior in existence after all.

Already gripping Grimlock by the throat with his left hand, Megatron reached down and grasped Grimlock’s upper thigh, hoisting the Dinobot Commander into the air and once again hurtled him at the domicile of the planet’s most powerful man. Grimlock again tore through the white outer walls of the structure, and once more struggled to get back to his feet to face Megatron. Grimlock was losing, but he hadn’t lost. Not yet.


*


Jetfire had managed to down Dirge, Thundercracker and Buzzsaw, but in the process had taken a fair amount of damage. He was no longer capable of performing many of his more elaborate maneuvers, leaving him with just his speed and his dwindling supply of ordinance. He would continue fighting until he could no longer stay aloft. Jefire only hoped that he didn’t reach that point anytime soon.

Below him, a few blocks from Grimlock and Megatron’s battle on the White House lawn, the weary Slag, Sludge and Snarl continued to hammer away at the seemingly invincible Devastator. Devastator continued after them, his ponderous blows missing by a much smaller margin with each new swing. The exhausted Dinobots could only continue to fall back and attempt to exploit each new opening. But they had yet to cause any significant damage to the Constructicon combiner.

A few miles away, on the campus of the prestigious Georgetown University, two winged warriors slashed away at each other with swords. The gray and red Swoop leaned back to avoid the golden blade that whizzed just a few inches in front of his face, and then jerked forward in an attempt to thrust his plasma-blade into Divebomb’s feather-covered hide. The Predacon ducked to the side and slashed upward toward Swoop, who evaded this attack by leaping out of the way.

Divebomb leapt after him, taunting the Dinobot. “It will truly be an honor to kill a Pit Lord. We Predacons used to study your legends, and looked to you as early pioneers of the combat arts. And though archaic, out of touch and dated, defeating you will be something that I will look back on with a great deal of pride in the vorns to come.”

The sleek Dinobot met Divebomb’s attack, and once again the two soldiers were hacking away at each other. “A true warrior never assumes victory until his enemy is laying dead at his feet. So shut up and die!”

Then, from above, a light streaked across the sky toward the battle-ravaged city. Startled, Divebomb leapt away from his opponent and looked up at the object. “What in Unicron’s maw is that?”

Swoop smiled. “Reinforcements.” The slashing of the swords recommenced.


*


Jetfire was low on fuel, injured, exhausted and nearly out of missiles, so to say he was relieved to see the familiar gray rocket speeding toward him would be a major understatement. From out of an opening panel on the side of the rocket, five robots leapt out of the rocket, transformed to various different Earth jets, and darted to Jetfire’s aid. In an instant, the dogfight’s formerly six on one odds were numerically evened, and the battle over Washington D.C. raged on more furiously than ever.

Omega Supreme determined that he would be of more use on the ground, and headed toward the green titan that had just sent Slag crashing through a building. The green lawn of the White House suddenly had a track, tank and landing platform stationed on it, and a second later these components had reconfigured themselves and connected with the lowering rocket to form the mighty Omega Supreme.

Devastator heard the pounding footsteps, and turned away from the haggard Snarl and Sludge. The green and purple giant charged at the Guardian robot, but was quickly swatted away. Instead of advancing on the fallen Devastator, Omega Supreme remained on the large stretch of lawn, not wanting his battle with Devastator to carry into the more condensed sections of the city.

A massive explosion just below the back of Omega Supreme’s neck nearly knocked him to the ground. Turning, he saw the smoking cannon barrel of a battered Megatron, who was dragging an unconscious Grimlock by the leg. Omega Supreme quickly turned and aimed his cannon at Megatron, but the Decepticon leader lifted the inert Dinobot in front of him, using Grimlock as a shield.

Omega Supreme held his fire, unsure of how to proceed. While mulling over this turn of events, Omega Supreme was tackled by the charging Devastator. Before he could turn and deal with the combiner, Omega Supreme’s facial armor was fractured by another blast from Megatron’s fusion cannon. The Decepticon leader started laughing, and began peppering the exposed portions of the Guardian’s frame, being careful not to hit Devastator.

But Megatron’s barrage was interrupted as Snarl and Sludge charged around the White House. Snarl speared the Decepticon Commander, sending them both to the ground, but Megatron quickly grabbed the Dinobot and tossed him aside. Unfortunately for him, Sludge was just a step behind his comrade, and largest of the Dinobots kicked Megatron hard across the jaw. As the weary Megatron struggled against the two Dinobots, their leader began stirring. “Uhhhnnn.” Grimlock’s optic slowly glowed to life, and upon seeing his warriors battling Megatron he sprang back to his feet.

With Megatron currently overwhelmed by the three Dinobots, Omega Supreme was free to concentrate on Devastator. Easily tossing the green gestalt off of him, Omega Supreme rolled over and climbed to his feet. Devastator also got to a standing position, but immediately found his head gripped in the Guardian’s claw. Not the most elaborate combatant, Omega Supreme simply threw Devastator to the ground. But he did recognize and exploit the opportunity to land a kick to the combiner’s mid-section. Devastator lifted into the air, and came crashing back down, half on the lawn and half on Pennsylvania Avenue. Omega Supreme stood over him, and proceeded to launch a series of punches into Devastator.


*


The black F-15 Eagle darted between the two flaming Decepticons as they plummeted to Earth. He and Skydive had mopped the clouds with Octane and Thrust, and there was no way that the Decepticons weren’t going to hear some crowing. “How’s that taste, huh you used oil filters?”

“Air Raid, are your nuts?” Skydive, an F-16 Falcon, followed after his comrade, but steered clear of the falling Decepticons. “Your hot-dogging could have gotten you damaged.”

“Aw, you sound like a human mother.” Air Raid turned and started to head back into the dogfight, but Jetfire was putting the finishing touches on Skywarp and Ramjet, the Concord that was Silverbolt had just strafed the gray and purple space shuttle that was Astrotrain, and the Harrier that was Slingshot and the Phantom F-4 that was Fireflight were blasting away at the purple Mig that was Blitzwing. The aerial battle was effectively over. Air Raid voiced his disappointment. “Crud. What do we do now?”

Skydive soared next to him. “Look down, near that tall pillar.” Near the Washington Monument’s reflecting pool were several Autobots being stalked by an enormous, sword-wielding, multi-colored menace.

Jetfire’s voice came through all of their radios. “I believe that you five can handle that situation down there. I’m going to see if I can assist the other Autobots.”

Silverbolt darted down toward the giant, followed closely by the four other newcomers. “You got it Jetfire.” The flight toward the Decepticon gestalt presented no danger, and as such Silverbolt now could dwell on his flying; the speed, altitude, and other dangers that it presented. The Concorde shook as it overcompensated for a small air pocket that it flew through.

Slingshot inquired as to his teammate’s condition in a not altogether caring manner. “What the slag is wrong with you?”

Skydive flew next to Silverbolt. “Just ignore Slingshot. I’ve known him for only a few minutes and I can already tell he’s an exhaust port. Just concentrate on the task at hand. I would suggest a mid-air reconfiguration, but that will require the utmost in concentration. What do you think?”

Silverbolt thought about it and agreed. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

Skydive slowly backed away. “Well, it’s you that we have to work around, so lead the way.”

His full concentration was now required for the intricate series of movements that was at hand, so Silverbolt could no longer dwell on his fear. He played a pivotal role in what was to happen, and if he was even the slightest bit off, the consequences could be disastrous. Putting all fear behind him, Silverbolt set the process in motion. “Skydive, Air Raid, dart out ahead and commence reconfiguration!”

The two fighter jets shot toward the Decepticon giant, and while still several hundred feet above the ground, slowed and changed shape. They both flipped and faced the opposite direction, their wings slung back, the front and aft sections of the plane repositioned themselves over the dorsal sections, and white, foot-like structures emerged from where the aft sections had just been.

Silverbolt bore down upon them, and like them also slowed and flipped direction, parts of his undercarriage flipping out to form two metal columns, the wings hinged back, other parts of the undercarriage shifted position and the nose and aft sections of the plane flipped to run along the dorsal section. The columns linked to the tops of Air Raid and Skydive.

Fireflight and Slingshot flew to either side of what was only a moment ago Silverbolt, and like their teammates, flipped back their wings and had their front and aft sections dislodge and reposition themselves along the dorsal sections of the planes. But these two also elongated their forms, and from out of what had just been their aft sections emerged white fists. As they linked to Silverbolt, a black head flipped out from where the nose of the Concorde had originally been. The spark energy and thought processes of the five new Autobots traveled through the newly created robot, and united; Superion was born.

Blaster, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Jazz and Brawn had watched the entire scene unfold, and could only stare in wonder as the jets formed an enormous, primarily white robot. Wondering what his prey was gawking at, Menasor turned and looked up. Just in time to watch the bottoms of the two feet slam with horrendous force into his chest.

The Stunticon giant was thrown powerfully through the air, his sword knocked from his grasp, and landed heavily into the reflecting pool at the base of the Monument. Tons of water sprayed into the air as the combiner struggled to figure out what had just happened. Menasor slowly struggled to get back to his feet, and exact his revenge on whatever it had been that had struck him.

Not being very graceful, Superion had also been knocked to the ground. But he was completely undamaged, and quickly sprang back to his feet. Superion watched as the dark Decepticon charged at him, and threw a right cross to Menasor’s head. The Decepticon took the punch, but his charge continued none-the-less. Menasor tackled Superion, and lifting himself to his knees, proceeded to throw punches at the Autobot giant.

Superion twisted, and threw Menasor off of him. Both robots got to their feet and started throwing slow, ponderous punches at each other. The observing Autobots noted that while Menasor appeared to be slightly stronger, the unknown Autobot gestalt seemed to be somewhat quicker.

Menasor grabbed Superion and threw him to the ground several dozen feet away. Superion landed hard, but got to his feet and steadied himself before Menasor could press his advantage. Superion threw a slow but powerful kick into Menasor’s torso, sending the Decepticon giant stumbling back. Menasor roared in fury, and started to charge his new enemy. His charge was immediately halted.

Orange pinchers clamped down on the narrowed section of Menasor’s back, lifted the Decepticon off the ground, lowered it, and then hurtled it into the air. Menasor soared several hundred feet straight off the ground, and almost instinctively, the thrusters on Superions four limbs burst to life, sending the Autobot combiner after him.

As Menasor started his descent, he looked down to see a balled, white fist speeding at his face. Menasor’s head jerked back into its protective gray housing from the impact of the punch, and a few seconds later he was slamming hard into the ground. Menasor gingerly climbed to his hands and knees, only to be slammed back to the ground as Superion landed forcefully on his back.

Menasor twisted violently, knocking Superion off of him and forcing him stumbling away. Menasor then renewed his attempt to lift himself up, but froze in terror as his optics caught sight of a giant, gray foot speeding toward his head.

Omega Supreme looked down at the five unconscious Decepticons at his feet. A blur of motion caught Omega Supreme’s attention, as the three Insecticons, Razorclaw and Rampage, all in animal mode, sprang to the scene and scooped up the unconscious Decepticons. In a flash, they were gone. Omega Supreme looked up to see the retreating Decepticons take to the air, their progress significantly hindered by the many wounded that they were forced to carry.

It was over, the city had been ravaged, there had no doubt been a great many human casualties, and it would be quite some time before all of the Autobots were in fully functional condition, but the Decepticons had been defeated. All in all, the day had been a success.


***


Lieutenant Ambrose caught sight of General Peterson as he strode through the metal hallway of the secret, underground military testing facility sixty miles outside the nation’s capital and ran to catch up with him. “General Peterson, sir, are you sure that this course of action is wise?” The Lieutenant didn’t wish to upset the General, especially in light of the ravaging of Washington D.C. the previous day.

The General, maintaining his pace and keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead, replied. “Lieutenant, haven’t you been reading any of the information provided to us by Witwicky?”

“Sir, yes I have, but he himself is quick to say that there are a great many details that he is unaware of, and therefore, that we are unaware of.” The nervous Lieutenant slowed down with the General as they approached a large metal door being guarded by two tall, muscular soldiers.

The soldiers saluted and opened the door for the two officers. General Peterson instinctively returned the salute and responded to Ambrose as they entered the enormous complex behind the door. “Look, these are just machines, each equipped with a physically tangible life-force called a spark. Without a properly working host machine, the spark dies and dissipates. Without a living spark the machine is just that, a lifeless machine.”

The two officers walked to the center of the spacious metal room, and looked up at what had been delivered there just a few hours after yesterday’s Decepticon retreat. “Look Ambrose, after the pounding we took in Washington yesterday you can’t tell me that going through with this isn’t absolutely necessary.”

Ambrose shook his head as he stared at the dismembered metal corpse hoisted on the wall; the various pieces arranged where they logically seemed to go. A puzzle consisting of metal and wire, and Ambrose was extremely concerned what would happen once all the pieces were put into place.

Peterson noted the worry in his Lieutenant. He reached for a metal vile and lifted it off the table, looking at the glowing liquid within it. “Look Lieutenant, never mind the level of destruction that’s occurred to the frame.” Peterson handed the vile to Ambrose. “Just keep in mind that according to Witwicky, these things can’t even achieve their hibernation state, stasis-lock I think he called it, without at least a tiny bit of this energon stuff. Now realize that this thing has been completely drained of energon, and has been bone-dry for nearly an entire day.” Peterson smiled at his younger officer. “This thing is dead…DEAD. He’s not coming back, no matter what we do with his corpse.”

A portly, middle-aged man in a white lab coat approached the two officers. “General, please, may I have a word with you?”

“Of course Doctor.”

“Well sir, my staff and I are extremely excited to be working on this, uhm, project. But we’ve been going at it straight for nearly twenty hours. Is there any way…”

General Peterson raised his hand to stop the scientist and interrupted. “Of course Doctor. You and your staff can have the next twelve hours off. Rest up and get back here fully refreshed.”

A wide smile came over the weary scientist’s face. “Thank you General.”

Peterson nodded as the scientist scampered away to dismiss his staff. “I think I’m going to call it a night too. Care to join me at the Officer’s Club for a few drinks Lieutenant?”

Ambrose gave one last glance to the charred gray, blue and red metal frame strung out on the wall. “Yes sir.”

Ten minutes passed before the last person left the large chamber. With the lights turned off, very little could be seen, and nothing could be heard. Then a weak glow could barely be seen emanating from within the shattered shell on the wall, and so faint that it could only barely be heard, gravelly laughter came forth as well. “Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.”

 

More, I want more!!!

(When you get to it of course   )

 

Awesome stuff as usual, keep it up!

 

dude you are talented. this is seriously the way it should be

 

I swear, I feel like I need to go on a crusade to get more people to read this thing. It's that good. It should be REQUIRED reading for any trans-fan.


*shouts* READ THIS STORY!!!!

 

Episode 16: The Once and Future Prime


“If I have any failing, it’s that I sometimes let my anger dictate what my actions will be.” Megatron walked briskly through the dimly lit hallway leading to the command center of the Nemesis, accompanied by his most trusted advisor, Soundwave. “Last week’s battle at Washington was a case of this failing rearing it’s ugly head. I initiated an attack based solely on my thirst for revenge, without any true plan as to defeating the Autobots or maintaining any long-term occupation of Washington.” Megatron, who had been looking straight ahead of him turned his head to Soundwave and smiled. “Though, to be fair, I really had no desire to occupy the city. It really would have served no purpose to me. All I really wanted was to lash out against the humans, so I guess in that regard, the battle was a success.”

Soundwave’s mechanical voice echoed lightly through the hallway. “The reports are saying that over sixty-eight civilians, and one hundred thirty military personnel were killed in the battle. Over one quarter of the city is in ruins, and it will be months before they can even begin rebuilding.”

Megatron returned his gaze to the hallway ahead and broadened his smile. Soundwave always made him feel better. “Yes, a success indeed. But from now on I need to initiate battles with more than just bloodlust in mind. That is why I have chosen our next target. Easily defensible once taken, minimal distance from the Nemesis, and possessing what will finally ensure our victory over the Autobots.”

Soundwave nodded. “Where are we going to be attacking?” Soundwave already knew, but if there was one thing that could cause Megatron to physically attack him, it was if the Decepticon leader knew that his mind had been read.

“You’ll know when I address the other Decepticons in just a few minutes.” Megatron lost his smile. “By the way, have you determined how the Autobots acquired our combination technology?”

“Video surveillance of the Constructicon’s lab showed Starscream entering and downloading something off of the computer where the specifications were being stored.” As always, Soundwave’s voice displayed no hint of emotion.

“When was this?”

“Just before you left for Cybertron to give life to the Stunticons.”

A perplexed look came over Megatron. “I understand him making a copy of the technology for his own purposes, but why would he allow the Autobots access to it?”

Both Megatron and Soundwave entered the command center where the assembled Decepticon Earth forces were waiting for them. Soundwave responded before taking his place with the rest of the Decepticons. “Unknown.”


***


The best and brightest go into the private sector. At least that’s what Dr. Joseph Graham had always heard growing up. And all the evidence seemed to support the old saying. After all, from an incentive standpoint the public sector didn’t have a prayer of being able to match what a private company would be able to offer someone of Dr. Graham’s considerable abilities.

That was until shortly after receiving his third PHD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, when two gentlemen representing the National Security Agency approached him. They didn’t offer to make him a millionaire by his thirtieth birthday, they didn’t offer him use of a private plane for personal trips; they didn’t offer him anything comparative to what several of the private companies that were courting Graham were offering, with one exception. If he accepted the position that they were offering him, Joe Graham would have access to everything that the government claimed didn’t exist.

His curiosity being stronger than his need for vast material possessions, Joe readily accepted. He spent the next eight years at what is known to the public as Area Fifty-one, designing the most incredible aircraft the world had not-yet-seen. Then two months ago he was brought before a General Peterson, and instructed to begin analyzing anything that could be analyzed regarding two warring factions of giant, alien robots with the ability to transform into vehicles, animals and various other objects. These creatures had already demonstrated that they could overwhelm American military forces with relative ease, and it was the job of Dr. Graham and several of his colleagues to find a way to change that.

Unfortunately they had been working with precious little. Video of the robots in action, a few shards of metal, and some very general information from the human appointed to be fuel usage overseer. Not nearly enough to glean more than the most basic information about these creatures. That was until a few days ago when he and his team had been rushed to a smoldering Washington D.C. and brought before a destroyed, yet nearly complete Decepticon corpse.

Within the first few hours the team of scientists were seeing things that blew their work at Area Fifty-one away. The body was laid out much like a human’s, a pliable epidermis, a nervous system, a type of skeletal system; it had an equivalent for every system that a human body would have, and quite a few functional systems that the human body lacked.

His team had been examining the corpse of what General Peterson identified as Decepticon Air Commander Starscream non-stop for a week, and had only just begun to uncover some of it’s secrets. The frame was nearly patched together, and the wiring seemed to be where it was supposed to go, but there were still a great many facets of this creature’s anatomy that remained a complete mystery. Perhaps once the pieces were back in place they would be able to glean much more information from the late Mr. Starscream.

The head of the project, Dr. Daniel Green, walked over and addressed his younger colleague. “Hey Joe, what’s your status with the self-repair system?”

Graham looked up from the computer screen that he had been staring at for the last two hours. “I think we’re ready to go. If this is correct, we should be able to externally stimulate certain segments of the creature’s brain, thereby ‘tricking’ the auto-repair system into thinking the creature is still alive. The electrodes are in place, and pretty much all other preparations have been completed. All that needs to be done to start the process is to infuse an adequate amount of this ‘energon’ material into the frame.”

Dr. Green nodded, and noted the worried look on Dr. Graham’s face. The portly scientist smiled. “Relax Joe, General Peterson has assured us that this Decepticon is dead, with absolutely no chance of reawakening. We’re simply plugging a new machine into the wall socket, nothing more.”

The worried subordinate remained tense, but nodded. “Alright then, let’s fill it up.”

Dr. Green smiled, turned, looked to a female associate standing next to the left leg of the inert robot, and nodded. She nodded in return and instructed a forklift operator to deliver a pallet with four metal drums to her. The drums were placed next to her, and she proceeded to attach one of four clear tubes to an opening in each of the lids.

Once all of the tubes were attached she turned a switch, and liquid energon began being pumped into four different points in the large robot’s frame. Joe Graham couldn’t shake the feeling of dread as he watched the life-giving material flow into the twenty-eight foot killing machine. He turned away and began looking over the notes that he had been taking on this project. He already knew every detail of the notes by heart, but he needed something to distract himself from the feelings of terror that were welling up within him. He looked over several diagrams that he had drawn, smiling inwardly at his lack of artistic ability. He looked over the many notes regarding the incredible contrast of exceptional durability and light weight of the metal that made this robot up. He looked over everything he had written in an attempt to calm his nerves. It seemed to be working as he noted his heart rate slowing.

“Excellent! It’s working!” Dr. Greens excited cries immediately pulled Joe Graham away from his notebook. “The cameras we installed within the robot are showing every detail of the repair work. It’s amazing!” Dr. Green waved the confused Dr. Graham over to a monitor that was on the other side of the long table he was at. “Get over here Joe, you’ve got to see this! Though you really should have waited until we had finished administering the energon before activating the brain stimulators.” Joe remained seated, staring blankly at Dr. Green. A perplexed look came over Dr. Green’s face. “Are you alright, Joe?”

Joe Graham, looking extremely confused, only shook his head. “What are you talking about? I haven’t activated anything yet.” From across the room, many feet above the confused Doctors, pliable metallic skin contorted into a crooked grin.



***


Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant had fallen almost immediately. Granted, there was virtually no military presence, and even if there had been it would have been human military and therefore inconsequential. No, thought Megatron, taking the plant wasn’t where the difficulty would lie; it would be defending it from the Autobots who would certainly be charging to the rescue as soon as they caught wind of this aggression. But with the natural layout of the location, mountains to one side and the ocean to the other, and the cannons and other weaponry brought from the Nemesis, the Decepticon should have the facility secured shortly.

Megatron noted Thundercracker flying toward him and acknowledged the blue flier as he landed. “What do you have to report, Thundercracker?”

The Seeker nodded. “Mighty Megatron, all cannons are in place and all Decepticons are in position.”

The Decepticon Commander nodded. “Excellent.”

“Megatron.”

Megatron turned to his Communications Officer. “What is it Soundwave?”

“Laserbeak and Buzzsaw report that Autobots are en-route. Seven jets and Omega Supreme flying along the coastline, and the rest are coming over the land. Estimated time of arrival for the fliers is three minutes, the others will be here in seven.”

Megatron smiled and nodded. “Excellent.”


***


“Well, I guess this means that I’m dead.”

The statement, which was more asked than stated, was met by a friendly smile. “What means that you’re dead?” The silver face, which was covered by a yellow/orange helmet, kept the smile as it replied.

“Well, for starters, my last memory is that of a searing bolt of energy slamming into my head. And now I’m having a conversation with someone I know to have died. I’d say that the evidence is pointing toward my having met my demise.”

The still-smiling robot nodded his head and turned his predominantly yellow and orange frame to his left and began walking slowly; beckoning his companion to walk beside him across the barren, metal landscape that they currently found themselves on. “Trust me Prime, you’ll recover from being much deader than this someday.”

Optimus Prime walked alongside the robot, visibly startled by the comment. “It’s strange to hear you call me that.”

The other robot laughed. “You are the Matrix-bearer, and the leader of the Autobots, are you not?”

Optimus Prime shook his head. “To tell you the truth, I really can’t be sure of that. For all I know, Megatron could have the Matrix hanging on the wall of his throne room next to my fried head. I’m fairly out of touch with the land of the living.”

The other robot nodded. “Yes, quite a bit has gone on since you’ve been off-line.”

Optimus nodded. “I’m sure that Magnus can handle whatever comes up.”

The yellow robot stopped walking and turned toward Optimus Prime. “I know Ultra Magnus, I trained Ultra Magnus. He is an excellent soldier, a good leader, and a true friend. But he’s not you. He never will be.” The robot turned back to his left and resumed his walking, with Optimus remaining at his side. “Nor is the newcomer Jetfire capable of replacing you, though your instincts regarding his potential are by no means unfounded. But while others will play their important parts, only you are able to fulfill the role destined for you.”

Optimus huffed. “Destiny. I was never a big believer in the concept. Primus’s greatest gift to us was the granting of free will. Destiny, fate, pre-determination, it all seems to run counter to that gift.”

The other robot nodded. “Perhaps, or perhaps destiny and free will can coexist. Perhaps Primus created existence as a type of journey, with landmarks in various points along the way. How we reach these landmarks, or whether or not we reach them at all, is dependant upon us and the choices we make.” The robot looked at Optimus. “But know that, like with most journeys, the completion of this journey is contingent upon us reaching certain key points along the way.”

Prime shook his head again. “Maybe, but if I still play a critical role in this journey, why do I appear to have been killed?”

“You weren’t killed, but you came pretty darn close. You have been in a catatonic state for almost four Earth weeks, but it seems that Ratchet has finally gotten you all patched together again. I just wanted to have a face-to-face before you returned to ‘the land of the living’. We never did get a chance to speak while I was alive, and this opportunity was simply too tempting for me to pass up.”

“How much time do we have?”

“Not much longer. Your internal repair systems are already back on line and making up for lost time.”

Optimus shook his head and looked down. “I have so much to ask you.” He raised his head up and looked intently upon the face of his companion. “For one thing, what did you mean when you said that I would recover from being much deader than this?”

The robot chuckled. “I suppose that I could tell you, but like with the rest of this conversation, you won’t remember it once you come back on-line.”

Optimus looked up into the other robot’s optics. “None of this?”

The other robot turned his smiling face toward Optimus Prime. “Not consciously anyway.”

Optimus’s optics narrowed. “Well then, tell me if I should be doing anything differently, so that I might sub-consciously be aware of it.”

The orange and yellow robot stopped walking and put his hand on Optimus Prime’s shoulder. “Don’t do anything differently. Never doubt your instincts. You were chosen for a reason. That is all that you need to know from me.” The robot removed his hand from Optimus. “Farewell Optimus Prime, until all are one.”

The yellow and orange robot started to fade away. Optimus reached out in futile attempt to grab the vanishing robot. “No! Sentinel Prime, no! Not yet! There is more that I must know!” But despite his pleas, Optimus Prime’s predecessor was gone, as was the bright metallic plain that they had been standing on, and any recollection of their time together was vanishing from Optimus’s memory just as quickly. The images faded to black, and then slowly, a different, more intrusive brightness overwhelmed his optics. The light blue optics quickly acclimated themselves to the high level of illumination, and eventually made out a form standing above. After a moment, Prime was finally able to recognize the form above him as his old friend and physician. “Ratchet…where am I?”

The old medic stared down at him, his optics wide with amazement. “You really were with the Matrix.”

Prime had no idea of what he was talking about.


***


Jetfire noted that the Decepticons seemed to be vastly more prepared for this confrontation than they had been for previous skirmishes. The wall of ordinance that had met them as they had cruised over the southern California coastline had successfully knocked out Slingshot and Powerglide, and had amazingly caused some significant damage to Omega Supreme. The Guardian robot had stayed aloft, and continued through the anti-aircraft barrage to assist the Autobots on the ground, who according to Ironhide were taking as much fire as their airborne counterparts.

Another wave of high-powered weapons fire scorched the salty air, and one of the shots managed to incinerate the left wing of Fireflight. Jetfire watched as the red fighter careened downward and crashed heavily into the Pacific Ocean. Jetfire weaved expertly through the deadly lasers and missiles littering the air toward their point of origin.

Suddenly, the onslaught came to a halt. An eerie calm came over the air surrounding the Autobot jets. Jetfire knew what this meant, and prepared for what was about to come. “Silverbolt, Air Raid, Skydive! Get ready ‘cause here they come!” From all directions, Decepticon jets, birds and a space shuttle swooped in and began attacking. The four flying Autobots took evasive actions against their numerically superior enemies.


*


It had fallen upon Swoop and Blades to provide some degree of air support to the grounded Autobot forces. This was much easier said than done as the fire that they were drawing forced them to zip behind the mountains to avoid the massive amount of Decepticon fire, of which, most was directed at them. The non-flying Autobots had long since transformed to robot mode and taken cover, returning fire as best they could, but not making any real progress against the heavily armed Decepticons. Even Grimlock was keeping out of sight as much as possible.

Prowl watched as a laser seared through the flesh and metal of Swoop’s wing, forcing him to the ground and transform. Blades, was landing as well, though not yet having sustained fire. Bluestreak, who was to Prowl’s right, fired a few rounds before ducking for cover and turning to Prowl. “They’re too well dug in!”

Prowl nodded as he attempted to survey the layout of the Decepticon forces ahead of him. Bluestreak was right. This wasn’t just another Decepticon ‘hit and run’ raid, they were here for the duration. It even appeared that they had brought some of the cannons from their ship to reinforce their position; cannons that were built to obliterate battalions, fortresses, even cities. Cannons that were much more powerful than anything that any of the Autobots were packing.

And the layout of the physical surroundings made it extremely difficult for an Autobot advance as well. The facility was tucked behind several mountains and against the coast, a layout that made it easily defensible for the Decepticons occupying it. The Decepticons had positioned their heavy guns along the mountainsides, giving them a clear shot at anything trying to advance on them. Megatron had done it right this time.

Prowl raised his communicator to his mouth. “Jetfire, what’s your situation?”

A few seconds passed before Jetfire’s response came through. “Not good. Just trying to stay aloft at this point. But Omega Supreme should be heading your way, though he’s not as impervious to these cannons as he is to most else the Decepticons throw at him.”

“Understood. Prowl out.” Prowl looked up, and sure enough saw the familiar gray rocket speeding toward his position. Ideally, the Guardian would have landed in the heart of the Decepticon position, but he was taking so much damage that he needed a safe place to land and transform. The rocket streaked over the Autobot positions and landed behind a mountain a half-mile away. Prowl lifted his communicator once again. “Omega Supreme, transform but hold your position for now.”

Grimlock, who was several yards away looking for an opening to shoot at one of the cannons, jerked his head around at hearing Prowl’s words and snarled at the strategist. “What Prowl talking about!?! We need Omega Supreme now!”

Prowl looked at the Dinobot. “Look Grimlock, these cannons were designed to destroy entire city-states from orbit! Even Omega Supreme can’t stand up to them for very long, and if he comes here there will be no way for him to avoid them. So I think we should keep him out of their sights until we can figure out a way to best utilize him.”

Grimlock stared at the white and black Autobot, but quickly nodded his agreement. “Prowl right. But let’s figure out way to utilize Guardian soon.”

Prowl nodded.


***


The slender ship settled back into place. It had been a long, exhausting trip, but Alpha Trion had finally done what needed to be done. He looked down at the portable spark containment unit, one of two that he had designed and built eons ago to safely house a spark outside of Vector Sigma or a frame. Only now it was empty, and Alpha Trion placed it into a chest next to another one, which too was empty.

Alpha Trion sat down, dwelling on what he had done. Tens of thousands of vorns ago he had stood before Vector Sigma, the only Cybertronian with the ability to fully interact with the life-giving computer. One of the factions on Cybertron had recently become extremely aggressive, and was displaying the ambition and ability to enslave not only the planet, but a more galactic populace eventually. Alpha Trion needed to make sure that they would be stopped, but to do so he had a request to make of Vector Sigma. A spark, a hero’s spark, a spark that he knew to be within the walls of the super computer. He was a little surprised when Vector Sigma gifted him with two very powerful sparks. As luck, or perhaps destiny, would have it, Alpha Trion had made a second containment unit, and gratefully accepted both.

One spark seemed to be slightly stronger than the other, and was chosen at that point to be the hero that Alpha Trion felt that Cybertron, and the universe, would need. The other spark remained in its containment unit, up until an hour ago. It was within a frame, one with exceptional potential, but it was alone, and vulnerable. It’s robotic mind given only the most basic of programming, making it more reliant upon learning new things, which will be a detriment in the short term, but a major advantage to the way that it would think in the long term.

Alpha Trion mentally convinced himself that abandoning the newborn would make it stronger and more self-reliant; after all, it had worked exceptionally well the first time. But he couldn’t shake the feelings of guilt, sorrow and worry. He stood up and walked over to his listening post. It was all out of his hands now.


***


It was becoming a rout. The Insecticons and Predacons had managed to sneak up upon the Autobot positions and roust them out of hiding. Already softened by the cannon-fire, the Autobots were not able to stand up to the overwhelming onslaught of the Insecticons and Predacons from the rear and every other non-flying Decepticon from the front.

Omega Supreme started toward the fray as the heavy cannon fire seemed to subside and the close-range fighting began. But Rumble and Frenzy, who were still manning two of the cannons, had no problem targeting him without endangering the Decepticons who had charged on the Autobot positions.

In moments the Guardian’s thick armor was pocked by several dents and punctures. He still marched into battle, but was in a visibly weakened state by the fire he was taking; a weakened state that the recently combined Devastator and Menasor had every intention of taking advantage of. The two gestalts charged the Guardian, knocking him to the ground. They both got to either side of him and shot punches and kicks on the laid-out giant, laughing as they did so.

The laughter immediately halted as Omega Supreme quickly sat up and swung his ponderous arms outwards towards his assailants. The blows were definitely not the most powerful strikes the Guardian had ever delivered, but the power that his arms generated was enough to send the two Decepticon giants stumbling away in either direction. Unfortunately, that left Omega Supreme open once again to shots from Rumble and Frenzy, and armor from his left shoulder and the top of his head was blasted away.


*


Jetfire banked left and let loose with a volley of laser fire that sent Dirge plummeting to the water; one more down, just four to go. Jetfire quickly found Silverbolt and Skydive tangling with Skywarp, Blitzwing, Ramjet and Thrust. He was amazed at how well these Aerialbots, as the other Autobots called them, were able to fight. Once the initial barrage of cannon fire had subsided, only Air Raid had been shot down, and that was due to his own recklessness.

Jetfire winced as he realized that he had created that thought too soon. Silverbolt was strafed by Skywarp and was now heading down. Despite the loss of the largest Aerialbot, Jetfire was confident that he and Skydive could finish off the Decepticon jets. After all, there were only four of them.


*


Menasor flew through the air and landed heavily against the side of the mountain, creating a minor avalanche as his large frame rolled down. Omega Supreme was still facing the Stunticon combiner as Devastator charged him from the opposite side. Though not quick by any means, the Guardian was able to swing his massive clawed arm around in time to connect with the advancing Constructicon, sending Devastator crashing into the side of another mountain.

But like before, Omega Supreme paid a terrible price for dispatching the gestalts. Heavy cannon fire rained down upon him from above as Rumble and Frenzy laughingly continued their assault on the Autobot powerhouse. Chunks of armor were blasted from his torso; exposed circuitry was being obliterated, and soon, emergency stasis was shutting his systems down. The giant collapsed, just a few shots away from death.

The diminutive Frenzy and Rumble cheered as Omega Supreme landed on his face with a ground-shaking thud. Frenzy looked over to his comrade. “I bet it’ll be my shot that kills him.”

Rumble’s smile twisted malevolently. “Guess again!” Both Decepticons turned back toward the inert Guardian and prepared to deliver the killing shot. The shot never came as, in unison, their cannons were blasted from their mountain perch.

Jetfire and Skydive zipped by overhead as the Decepticons and their charred and mangled cannons tumbled down the mountainsides. “Skydive, do what you can to keep Menasor busy. I’m going after Devastator.” The two jets, which had been flying side by side, split and headed guns blazing toward their targeted combiner.

Prowl looked up and saw the jets join the battle. Finally, some good news, he thought as he watched Snarl exchange sword blows with Headstrong. The two hulking warriors locked up close, and then pushed back against each other, each sending the other stumbling back. Just as Snarl got his footing to charge on Headstrong again, Megatron leapt up upon a boulder just off to the Dinobot’s left. A powerful charge from the Decepticon Commander’s fusion cannon sent Snarl to the ground, his chest armor seared and smoking.

“FINISH THEM!” Megatron’s command carried over the sounds of battle, and given the momentum of the fighting, it was an order that his Decepticons would be carrying out soon. The Autobot ground forces were surrounded, and getting pounded by Decepticon fire from every direction. Grimlock, Prowl and Blaster valiantly tried to rally their forces, but the tightening noose that the Decepticons were forming around them quickly overwhelmed them.

Grimlock looked to Prowl. “Hey Strategist! You come up with strategy to get us out of here yet?”

Prowl was too busy staying alive to respond, but even if he could, the answer wouldn’t be the one that Grimlock was looking for. They were trapped, outgunned, and unless something happened fast, doomed.

Then, tearing around the side of the mountain northeast of the battle, a red and gray blur sped toward their location. Megatron, who was facing the oncoming object, starred at it in horror. “No, it can not be.”

As the object, a familiar red semi hauling a gray trailer, approached the battle, the cab separated from the trailer and took to the air, shifting it's shape as it did so. The trailer was carried by its substantial momentum and slammed into the backs of Shrapnel and Tantrum. After flattening the two Decepticons the trailer stopped, rotated and transformed into Prime’s battle platform. The cannon wasted no time in targeting and firing upon the other Decepticons that had flanked the Autobots.

As this was happening Prime’s leap was carrying him into the heart of the battle, and he was blasting away at the Decepticon forces as he soared through the air. Soundwave, Reflector and Kickback were all unfortunate enough to be the recipients of Prime’s mid-air assault.

Prime hit the ground, rolled and sprung to his feet fifty feet in front of Megatron. He unloaded a half dozen rounds into his opposite number’s chest, knocking the Decepticon Commander from his rocky perch. “Autobots round up the injured and initiate a retreat!”

The stunned Autobots could only stare at their revived leader for a moment before finally springing into action. They began dragging the many injured Autobots to the battle platform, which transformed back into a trailer to store them. Prime, Grimlock, Blaster and several other healthy Autobots maintained their fire upon the Decepticons, keeping the focus on them and not on the withdrawing Autobots. Prime looked over to the Dinobot Commander. “Grimlock, you, Sludge and Slag are to round up Omega Supreme and carry him to safety.”

Grimlock barked back at Prime. “Me Grimlock think Ratchet not fix Prime’s logic circuitry!”

“I know he’s big, but Ratchet informed me that you and your team are strong. Please let me know if that is an erroneous account.” Though barely having met the Pit Lord prior to his coma, Prime knew exactly what buttons to push on him.

Grimlock snarled, but took the bait. He quickly turned and barked out to two of his teammates. “Slag, Sludge; with me!” He and the other Dinobots sprinted toward the fallen Guardian.

Black smoke rising from his shredded chest armor, Megatron rose from behind the rock that he had fallen behind. He had had these Autobots all but exterminated, and he wasn’t about to let them escape from his grasp now. “Devastator, Menasor, keep them from escaping!”

Each of the giants ceased swatting at the Autobot jet that was giving them trouble and proceeded to march on the Autobot ground forces. The jets followed them, doing whatever they could to distract the Decepticon gestalts, but the attacks that they had used to annoy the giants earlier were being completely ignored now. Then, for seemingly no reason, Skydive broke away and headed over the power plant and straight for the coast.

“Skydive, where are you going?” Jetfire didn’t understand what the gray and black jet was doing.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back…well, sort of.” The F-16 dropped down on the other side of a mountain and disappeared from sight. Jetfire maintained his fire on the two lumbering giants, darting from Devastator who was heading toward Omega Supreme and the Dinobots, and Menasor who was headed toward Prime’s trailer which was being loaded with injured Autobots.

Prime twisted his neck and looked to his trailer, which had just been loaded to capacity. He noted that a giant, which could only be the gestalt Menasor that Ratchet had quickly informed him about, was advancing on it and would be there in seconds. “Huffer, latch yourself to that trailer and get it out of here fast!” Prime watched the other Autobots making their respective retreats, and then looked to Omega Supreme. Devastator was already upon him, but all five Dinobots, including the heavily wounded Snarl, were fiercely defending the Guardian.

Something seemed to block out the sun for a moment, and as Prime looked up he saw a giant white robot coming down on their position. Superion landed heavily, with Powerglide leaping off of his shoulder and landing on the top of Prime’s trailer. Superion charged Menasor, tackling the Stunticon just a moment before he could get his hands on the Autobot-filled trailer. The two giants grappled on the ground as Huffer pulled Prime’s trailer away.

A fusion bolt from Megatron’s cannon hit Prime’s upper right chest hard, tearing the armor slightly but not causing damage to the circuitry underneath. “You will not escape me this time Prime!”

The suddenly enraged Prime lunged at Megatron, gripping both of his wrists, knocking him to the ground and landing on top of the Decepticon Commander. Prime’s right hand released Megatron’s wrist and gripped his throat. The furious Autobot leaned in close to Megatron and hissed through his faceplate. “You’d better thank Primus that I’ve got troops to look after, Megatron. Because if I didn’t, you and I would see this through to the end.” Prime released with both hands, balled them into fists, and landed a flurry of punches to Megatron’s head. “Until next time, Megatron.” With that Prime ceased his assault and leapt off of his dazed rival to oversee the withdrawal of his soldiers.

Superion and Menasor had managed to get back to their feet and were slugging it out. Prime marched through the Decepticon fire, raised his rifle to target Menasor, and shot an exploding, armor piercing round that impacted the Stunticon right between the optics. Menasor was stunned, and stumbled back a step. Superion took advantage of the situation and proceeded to land several thunderous blows to his enemy’s head. Menasor fell, and after another dozen of Superion’s punches lost cohesion and separated into the five separate Stunticons.

During this, Prime had continued his cover fire for his almost completely retreated forces. He just had a few more to get to safety. He turned to the giant white robot that was hovering over five heavily damaged Decepticons. “Superion, grab Omega Supreme and get him out of here while the Dinobots are keeping Devastator busy!” The Aerialbot giant nodded and hurried to the inert giant.

A moment later Superion was lifting the significantly larger Omega Supreme, and the two giant forms took to the air as the thrusters on Superion’s legs burst to life. That now left Prime, the Dinobots and Jetfire. “Grimlock, Jetfire, we’re out of here!” Prime sprayed a dozen more rounds into the Decepticons before turning, transforming and speeding away. Sludge and Snarl jumped on top of the red truck clumsily, but managed to hang on. Jetfire dropped down to let Slag grab hold of him, and Swoop lowered and clasped Grimlock’s shoulders in his talons, flapping his injured wing frantically to get aloft.

Megatron climbed back to his feet just in time to see the last of the Autobots evacuated the scene. Infuriated, Megatron smashed down on a boulder in front of him, turning it to pebbles and sand. Slowly regaining his composure, he looked over his forces. Though they did not destroy the Autobots, they did successfully defend their newly acquired nuclear power plant. The energon required to revive his entire army would begin to be produced shortly, and would begin to be shipped to Cybertron in the matter of a day or two. Despite the return of Optimus Prime and the continued existence of the Autobots on Earth, the day had been a success. But there was still a great deal of work to do. He looked over to the battered Stunticons, who were dusting themselves off and taking stock of their own physical conditions. “Motormaster, retrieve the new space bridge and bring it to this location!”

Just as Motormaster was about to complain, he saw the look in Megatron’s optics and decided against it. “Sure thing. On our way now.” Despite the moaning and groaning of the other Stunticons, they all followed their leader, transformed, and headed eastward.


***


The gray F-22 Raptor wobbled through the clouds as it flew towards the American southwest. The humans had done an adequate job of piecing Starscream back together, but there was still massive amounts of damage, and it would take Starscream’s internal repair systems a great deal of time to get him back to fully functional status.

But he was alive! Prior to the war he had not only been Cybertron’s greatest air warrior, but one of its most skilled scientists. Knowing his ambition would make him a great many enemies, Starscream devoted his time to making himself assassination-proof. His enemies would be expecting strong armor, or deadly weapons, so Starscream concentrated on an area that they wouldn’t be expecting, a defensive measure that all previous scientific theories considered impossible and all religious dogma deemed unholy.

But Starscream considered other scientists to be pathetically myopic and religious philosophies to be utterly irrelevant. The combination of Starscream’s arrogance, intelligence and persistence ensured that he would not be deterred from completing his task. It took thirteen vorns to complete the experimentation, the last two of which he could only use himself as a test subject; after all, why would he endow on a guinea pig the most precious gift in the universe, while at the same time making that same guinea pig impossible to permanently dispose of. No, Starscream would be the only beneficiary of this technological marvel. Once his theories were hammered out to the point that Starscream knew them to be accurate, he implemented the horrendously painful alterations to his own spark.

Though he was nearly certain that his procedure was successful, the only true way to test it’s success would be suicide, and Starscream was daring, not stupid. A small giggle escaped the gray jet as Starscream considered thanking Megatron for finally proving the ancient procedure to be a success. Starscream’s body had been completely destroyed, yet he lived. He had finally attained immortality, TRUE immortality. An army of Megatron’s wouldn’t be able to kill him.

The Seeker swooped to the ground, painfully transformed and stood before the space bridge. It’s rebuilding had been his first order during his short reign as Decepticon Commander, and he was pleased to see that Megatron had made sure that it had been completed. Starscream reached forward toward the control panel, noting the red blood covering much of his blue hands. He started laughing as the blood reminded him of the shocked and horror-filled looks of the human scientists that had so considerately patched him back together. Through the laughter he activated the space bridge, and proceeded through to Cybertron, laughing the entire time.

 

Nice! SS is back! Very well done.

 

I'm enjoying this one too.
It's one of those stories you just can't stop reading.  

 

Tech Specs - Version 2.0
Autobots

This is something that I'll be adding to periodically.


Optimus Prime
Function: Autobot Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Freightliner Argosy
Motto: Freedom is the right of all sentient beings

Bio: Little is known of the Autobot that would become Optimus Prime. Once bestowed with the wisdom and power of the Matrix of Leadership, his already formidable physical size and power increased significantly, an occurrence never before seen. Optimus Prime has proven to be the most powerful, insightful and wise of all Primes to date, and is widely regarded as the greatest leader that the Autobots have ever had. His incredible intelligence and battlefield skills allowed him to bring an Autobot army from the brink of extinction to the point of having a nearly equal standing to that of the Decepticon army. But during his dormancy on Earth, the Decepticons regained their dominance of Cybertron, and now Optimus Prime must face odds that are even more overwhelming than those of when he first inherited the mantle of leadership.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 10 Endurance: 10 Rank: 10 Courage: 10 Firepower: 10 Combat Skill: 10 Function Skill: 10

Height: 30’
Weight: 30,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Strength unrivaled by any Autobot until the recruitment of Omega Supreme, reflexes that are only surpassed by Blurr (though there is speculation that Jetfire’s reflexes are at least the equal of Prime’s), and exceptional durability combined with his unparalleled mental prowess make Optimus Prime the ultimate warrior, leader and hero. Armed with a rifle and connected missile launchers that are created from the rear portion of his sleeper section in vehicle mode, and a battle platform created from his trailer.

Weaknesses: His compassion and code of honor can be used against Optimus Prime.


Ultra Magnus
Function: Autobot Sub-Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Freight Transport (currently)
Motto: Consistency is victory

Bio: A formidable warrior, Ultra Magnus was brought under the tutelage of Sentinel Prime and groomed to be a great leader. Though considered by all at the time of Sentinel Prime's death to be his rightful successor, Ultra Magnus was relieved that the Matrix of Leadership chose another to take Sentinel Prime’s place. Ultra Magnus has proven to be the most ardent supporter and loyal friend of that chosen leader, Optimus Prime, and proudly served under him without question. That was until the day Optimus Prime vanished, and the role of Autobot leader was finally thrust upon Magnus’s broad shoulders. Despite the overwhelming superiority of the Decepticon forces, as well as a famine that tormented the entire planet, Ultra Magnus successfully kept his army alive. With the return of Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus has happily resumed his role as second in command.

Strength: 9 Intelligence: 9 Speed: 6 Reflexes: 7 Endurance: 9 Rank: 9 Courage: 10 Firepower: 8 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 8

Height: 33’
Weight: 30,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Strong, durable and smart, Ultra Magnus is a pillar of Autobot power and honor. Ultra Magnus is a skilled warrior, tactician and administrator, who garners the respect of all that serve him. He is armed with a rifle and shoulder mounted rockets.

Weaknesses: Brief moments of self-doubt sometimes cause Ultra Magnus to feel overwhelmed.




Grimlock
Function: Dinobot Commander
Sub-Group: Dinobots
Alternate Mode: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Motto: Among the winners, there is no room for the weak

Bio: In an age long past, on a Cybertron ruled by a cruel species that claimed to be the creators of all Transformers, there emerged a group of Autobot heroes. Created to rule the gladiatorial Battle Pits and entertain the enslaved masses, these heroes came to be known as the Pit Lords. The leader of the Pit Lords was Grimlock, the most powerful warrior ever to enter the Pits. The once eloquent speaker used his voice against the cruel overlords of Cybertron once too often, and wound up having his vocal processors modified by the overlords so that his words came out in the manner of a simpleton. But he and his team continued to fight on in the Pits, and continued to win, and continued to show defiance through their victories. The sway of the Pit Lords over the slaves that viewed and worshipped them became so great that the overlords saw them as a threat to their dominion of the planet, and thus had to be eliminated. Their execution would undoubtedly cause a revolt, so the Pit Lords were placed in stasis and locked away beneath the Great Battle Pit of Tarn. Once in stasis, the overlords sabotaged their energon intake systems so that if they were ever to reawaken, they would soon starve to death, a death that would not be seen as an execution by the overlords.

Grimlock, and the other Pit Lords were reactivated ten million years later, and adapted to utilize a technology that had been developed by the Decepticons and acquired by the Autobots that would allow for organic material to be converted to energon, thereby bypassing the sabotaged energon intake systems. The process required the Pit Lords to take on organic alternate modes, and Grimlock chose that of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Seeing himself as the rightful ruler of the Autobots, Grimlock has difficulty accepting anyone’s authority other than his own. He is impatient, intolerant, frequently belligerent, and sees no use for the weak; of whom he regards many of the Autobots and those that the Autobots have sworn to protect. But despite his flaws, he is an extremely valuable warrior and respected leader.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 4 Reflexes: 9 Endurance: 10 Rank: 9 Courage: 10 Firepower: 8 Combat Skill: 10 Function Skill: 8

Height: 32’
Weight: 35,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Grimlock is frighteningly strong, some say even stronger than Optimus Prime. And his reflexes are amazingly fast, especially for one carrying so much bulk. In dinosaur mode he can achieve running speeds of ninety miles per hour, and his jaws can snap most transformers in two. Having spent the vast majority of his life in the Battle Pits has honed Grimlock’s fighting skills to the point that he can be considered one of the most effective armed or unarmed combatants ever seen on Cybertron. These skills, combined with his awesome physical abilities make him one of the deadliest warriors in existence. He is armed with a plasma sword, dual-barreled rifle and rocket launcher. In dinosaur mode he can emit a deadly stream of fire from his mouth, capable of melting all but the most resistant of armor.

Weaknesses: Grimlock’s arrogance and often-disagreeable nature makes him difficult to work with.


Jetfire
Function: Autobot Air Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Super-Jet
Motto: Among the mysteries of science lies the key to victory

Bio: The first Autobot to be ‘born’ on Earth, Jetfire’s design has made him the most formidable warrior in the sky. His other physical and mental attributes allow him to be one of the most capable warriors on the ground as well. Extremely intelligent, he is a natural leader, and despite his extreme youth and inexperience, many Autobots already see him as Prime’s obvious successor. Devoted to scientific advancement, Jetfire sees it as the way to final victory over the Decepticons.

Strength: 8.5 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 10 Reflexes: 10 Endurance: 8 Rank: 8 Courage: 10 Firepower: 7 Combat Skill: 9 Function Skill: 8

Height: 35’
Weight: 28,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: The fastest and most skilled aerial combatant yet built, Jetfire rules the skies. His speed carries over into robot mode, with only Blurr, and maybe Prime, his equal in terms of reflexes. He is one of the most intelligent Autobots, and has an effortless charisma that makes him a natural leader. Jetfire is armed with a rifle and missiles that can be launched from jet mode.

Weaknesses: Jetfire has no known weaknesses


Prowl
Function: Military Strategist
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Police Car
Motto: Logic is the ultimate weapon

Bio: Optimus Prime’s chief advisor, and perhaps most valuable officer, Prowl can always be counted on to provide a concise assessment of any situation, as well as determining the best possible course of action. No detail escapes his notice, and no potential scenario goes unconsidered. His razor-sharp mind is able to formulate battle strategies almost instantaneously. Is frequently called “Tom Hagen” by the human child Spike Witwicky. Though fully aware of the origin of the reference, Prowl has no intention of encouraging the child’s silliness, or of his viewing of movies Prowl finds to be unsuitable for someone so young.

Strength: 6 Intelligence: 9 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 8 Endurance: 6 Rank: 8 Courage: 9 Firepower: 5 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 10

Height: 23’
Weight: 16,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: With a logic center rivaling that of Shockwave’s, Prowl is an invaluable asset in the planning and implementation of any combat situation. He is armed with a rifle and a pair of shoulder-mounted rockets.

Weaknesses: Prowl has no known weaknesses



Jazz
Function: Special Operations Agent
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Porsche 911 Targa
Motto: "Do it with style or don't bother doing it."

Bio: One of the most outgoing and energetic personalities in the Autobot army, Jazz is always the life of the party. Some might think that his easy-going, friendly, live-and-let-live attitude would get in the way of Jazz being an effective warrior, but in actuality he is an extremely valuable soldier who throws everything he has into combating the Decepticons. His intelligence and skill allows him to fit in with the officers, and his warm personality endears him to the rest of the Autobots. He is fascinated with art and music of other cultures, and considers Earth to be a veritable goldmine in these areas.

Strength: 5.2 Intelligence: 7.5 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 8.7 Endurance: 6.5 Rank: 7 Courage: 9 Firepower: 5 Combat Skill: 7 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 23'
Weight: 16,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Jazz's expertise with nearly all of the many cultures of Earth makes him indispensible in the areas of diplomacy, intelligence and espionage, and enables him to see details and opportunities that other Transformers are oblivious to. Very clever and quick on his feet, his adaptability has served the Autobots on countless occasions.

Weaknesses: Jazz is easily distracted.



Omega Supreme
Function: Guardian/Transport
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Defense base and rocket ship
Motto: "Unyielding resolve has no conqueror."

Bio: Built as a guardian to a species of slave masters, Omega Supreme overpowered his programming through sheer force of will and aided the Cybertronians in their war for freedom. In forced stasis lock for eight million years, Omega Supreme was revived to assist the Autobots in their quest to stop the power-hungry Decepticons from achieving galactic domination. Omega Supreme is powerful beyond measure, with bravery to match. His strength and durability are O/S, or off the scale. Knows the horror the Decepticons would inflict upon the universe if they succeed in their war, and is utterly determined not to let that happen. Unwaveringly stands against tyrrany, and will fight till death to ensure the safety and freedom of others. While other Autobots share these ideals, this is nearly all that occupies Omega Supreme's thoughts. His devotion is unequalled. It is his reason for existing, and he will not fail in his task.

Strength: O/S Intelligence: 5 Speed: 8 Reflexes: 1.5 Endurance: O/S Rank: 5 Courage: 10 Firepower: 10 Combat Skill: 6 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 120'
Weight: 200,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Omega Supreme is stronger than can be accurately measured. The best guess of both Ratchet and Wheeljack is that he can press roughly 8,000 tons. He is also impervious to virtually all firepower; even Megatron's fusion cannon has difficulty doing more than just scratching Omega Supreme's armor. His left arm consists of a cannon that is nearly the equal of Megatron's fusion cannon in destructive capability, and can obliterate an Earth city block with one shot. In rocket mode he can transport up to twelve mid to large sized Transformers, as well as carry his base in a sub-space pocket. His rocket was recently equipped with a worm-hole generator, which allows him to traverse incomprehensibly large distances in a moments time. The turret of his tank, which is also his head, is armed with a cannon, which can be used in either mode.

Weaknesses: Omega Supreme have very slow reflexes, and is not a very creative thinker.



Sideswipe
Function: Warrior
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Lamborghini Countach
Motto: I don’t break the rules; I bend them…a lot.

Bio: Not only a rarity in being a recipient of half of a split spark, Sideswipe's is also one of the only cases where both resultant sparks developed fully to become extremely healthy. Because of this, Sideswipe considers his life, and the life of his twin Sunstreaker, to almost be charmed. This belief adds to his already reckless disposition and allows him to take chances that others would consider insane. But despite his recklessness and savageness in battle, Sideswipe is actually quite good-natured and is very popular among his colleagues, except in the not altogether infrequent cases where his loyalty to, and defense of, Sunstreaker puts him at odds with many of them.

Prime has considered Sideswipe for promotions in the past due to his courage, resourcefulness and skills, but reconsidered due to the warrior’s recklessness. This reckless behavior lands Sideswipe in Ratchet’s repair bay more than any other Autobot, a fact that Sideswipe is actually quite proud of.

Strength: 7.2 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 9.7 Endurance: 7 Rank: 5 Courage: 10 Firepower: 3 Combat Skill: 9.3 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 23’
Weight: 16,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Being one of the best natural athletes on Cybertron, who constantly improves upon his already formidable repertoire of combat skills, and who possesses the intelligence and leadership ability of an officer, makes Sideswipe one of the most valuable warriors that the Autobots have in their ranks. His complete lack of fear adds to his value in the vast majority of situations. Sideswipe is armed with a rifle and shoulder mounted rocket launcher.

Weaknesses: Sideswipe’s recklessness frequently leads to injury.


Sunstreaker
Function: Warrior
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Modified Lamborghini Murcielago
Motto: You can’t beat the best.

Bio: Arrogance, impatience, sadism and what some would call the behavior of a sociopath make Sunstreaker intolerable to be around; that is, until it’s time to go into battle. Then every Autobot is more than happy to have Sunstreaker by their side. A belligerent brawler who excels in the combat arts, Sunstreaker considers himself to be perfection incarnate. Believes that he is vastly more aesthetically pleasing than any other creature in existence, Sunstreaker feels contempt for other Autobots that bear sleek, sporty frames. Especially his brother, Sideswipe, for whom his disdain is especially great. But while at some levels he is disgusted by his twin, Sunstreaker also feels immeasurable degrees of loyalty and love for Sideswipe, ready to maim or kill anyone who so much as looks at Sideswipe wrong.

Strength: 6.3 Intelligence: 6 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 9.3 Endurance: 8 Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 5 Combat Skill: 9.7 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 23’
Weight: 16,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: A cold, merciless warrior, Sunstreaker is one of the few Autobots that the Decepticons genuinely fear. Possesses combat skills beyond any Autobot other than Optimus Prime and the Dinobots, excellent reflexes, and armor that is as thick and durable as would allow for his sleek frame. Sunstreaker is armed with dual shoulder cannons and wrist-launched missiles.

Weaknesses: Sunstreaker has no known weaknesses

 

Tech Specs - Version 2.0
Decepticons


I will be adding to this periodically


Megatron
Function: Decepticon Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: M1 Abrams Tank
Motto: Everything is Fodder

Bio: Legend has it that a recently built Megatron initiated his rise to power by traveling to each Decepticon city-state and offering its respective ruler a choice between serving him or death. Most either ignored or tried to destroy the brazen youth. None of those Decepticons function today. Soon, all Decepticons fell under Megatron’s unified army, and soon were waging war on the rest of Cybertron. Megatron’s raw physical power was rivaled by his keen military mind and the devastating fury of his fusion cannon. The Decepticons quickly wiped away all of the other Cybertronian factions, with the exception of the Autobots, who opposed them under the leadership of Sentinel Prime.

Megatron eventually met Sentinel Prime in battle, and brutally killed the Autobot leader. With victory virtually assured, the Decepticons marched on Iacon. But Sentinel Prime’s successor, Optimus Prime, proved to be much more formidable than his predecessor, and Megatron was now facing an opponent that was his equal, both mentally and physically. But Megatron’s cunning, power and savagery have managed to keep him on the offensive throughout the war.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 9.3 Speed: 4 Reflexes: 9 Endurance: 10 Rank: 10 Courage: 10 Firepower: 10 Combat Skill: 10 Function Skill: 10

Height: 30’
Weight: 32,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: One of the finest physical specimens Cybertronian science has ever produced, Megatron is considered by many to be the most powerful Transformer ever created. His strength, quickness, skill and nearly impenetrable armor make him a warrior almost without peer. He is armed with a fusion cannon, which is capable of incinerating an entire Earth city block with one shot.

Weaknesses: Megatron has no known weaknesses



Shockwave
Function: Sub-Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Cybertronian Cannon
Motto: Clarity of thought before rashness of action

Bio: Shockwave was the ruler of the Decepticon city-state of Vos before agreeing to fight under powerful warlord Megatron, who had successfully united the various Decepticon states under one banner. Shockwave’s intention, both then and now, was to fully evaluate Megatron’s strengths and weaknesses so that he could overthrow him and take control of the Decepticons for himself. This plotting is not born out of feelings of ambition or power-lust as with most Decepticon usurpers, but out of a genuine belief that the Decepticon cause would be better served with Shockwave at the helm.

He is a cool, plotting, analytical machine that is completely devoid of any emotion other than sadism and anger. He is so coldly dependant upon logical reasoning that many Transformers have expressed the belief that he is functioning without a spark.

Strength: 9.6 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 5 Reflexes: 6 Endurance: 9 Rank: 9 Courage: 9 Firepower: 10 Combat Skill: 9 Function Skill: 10

Height: 30’
Weight: 30,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: A complete war machine, Shockwave has proven to be Megatron’s most valuable officer. His tactical skills are perhaps the best on Cybertron, which combined with his complete lack of compassion allows him to formulate extremely destructive and effective battle strategies. In both modes he can fire a laser that utilizes energy from anywhere on the electromagnetic spectrum, though the destructive force is considerably greater if fired from cannon mode.

Weaknesses: Shockwave has no known weaknesses



Starscream
Function: Air Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: F-22 Raptor
Motto: Conquest is made of the ashes of one’s enemies

Bio: Starscream was the greatest air warrior on Cybertron, and eventually rose to become ruler of the Decepticon city-state of Tarn. He took the opportunity to join Megatron’s unified army, scheming to one day to replace Megatron as leader of this astounding force. He is conceited and boastful, finding himself to be the most distinguished and gifted of all Decepticons. Considers Megatron and his methods to be simple, archaic and blunt. Believes that deception, espionage and speed should be the primary weapons used to defeat the Autobots.

Strength: 7 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 10 Reflexes: 9.5 Endurance: 7 Rank: 8 Courage: 9 Firepower: 7 Combat Skill: 9.6 Function Skill: 8.5

Height: 28’
Weight: 20,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Prior to the creation of Jetfire, Starscream was the most dominant warrior in the sky. Extremely fast and maneuverable in jet mode, and an efficient killer in robot mode. Starscream utilizes null rays in both modes, and cluster bombs in jet mode. Starscream has also performed a procedure upon his spark, which in theory should make it indestructible.

Weaknesses: Starscream’s ambition and arrogance can lead him into undertaking larger challenges than he is capable of handling



Soundwave
Function: Communications Commander
Sub-Group: N/A
Alternate Mode: Bose Wave Radio
Motto: Cries and screams are music to my ears

Bio: A devious opportunist, Soundwave frequently uses his abilities to obtain information that he can use against other Decepticons. As despised as this makes him, his position as Megatron’s most trusted officer keeps him from being retaliated against. Though ambitious, has no desire to replace Megatron, feeling that his own persuasive abilities allow him to manipulate Megatron for his own ends.

Strength: 8.5 Intelligence: 8 Speed: 2 Reflexes: 4.5 Endurance: 8 Rank: 8 Courage: 7 Firepower: 6 Combat Skill: 6 Function Skill: 8.4

Height: 30’
Weight: 25,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Soundwave is able to detect the faintest of sounds from distances of up to two miles away. He also has limited telepathic ability, being able to decipher many of the impulses that are transmitted through mechanical and organic brains. Can emit intense sonic waves in either mode that can obliterate an eight-inch cement wall. Is armed with a concussion blaster.

Weaknesses: Soundwave’s poor standing with the other Decepticons can lead to him not receiving needed assistance in battle.



Scrapper
Function: Demolitions
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Pay Loader
Motto: "My work is a monument to...and of...my enemies."

Bio: A modest genius, Scrapper is responsible for designing and building most of the Decepticons most powerful fortresses. Quickly dismisses praise of his accomplishments, but does accept compliments regarding his use of Autobot prisoners, living and dead, in the foundations of these constructs. Unlike most Constructicons, Scrapper is well regarded by the vast majority of the Decepticon army. Despite his seemingly good nature, Scrapper is consumed with a sadistic need to utilize the frames of helpless non-Decepticons in building his wondrous works.

Strength: 8.2 Intelligence: 8.6 Speed: 3.5 Reflexes: 7 Endurance: 7.8 Rank: 6 Courage: 8 Firepower: 3 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 28'
Weight: 23,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Scrapper is a brilliant designer, responsible for most of the Decepticons most deadly battle stations and fortresses. Can create an effective bunker in minutes using battlefield scraps. Is physically powerful and a very good combatant. Is armed with a laser pistol and combines with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Scrapper is fairly slow in vehicle mode



Hook
Function: Surgical Engineer
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Construction Crane
Motto: "Strive for perfection, even if others must suffer."

Bio: Being not only one of the most skilled physicians on Cybertron, but also one of the planet's most prominent architects, Hook is considered to be exceptionally gifted. No one feels this way more so than Hook himself. A conceited snob, Hook offends nearly everyone with his arrogance. He is also quite sadistic, taking pleasure in the agony of his patients as he performs the most invasive procedures on them. He is hated by most Decepticons, but none can deny the value he is to the cause.

Strength: 8.6 Intelligence: 8.6 Speed: 4 Reflexes: 4 Endurance: 8 Rank: 5 Courage: 6 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 6 Function Skill: 9.5

Height: 29'
Weight: 25,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Hook is very strong and extremely intelligent. Though completely lacking of any sort of bedside manner, Hook is a very efficient battlefield medic. He is also quite durable, and isn't bad in a fight. Is armed with a laser pistol and combines with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Hook is slow in either mode.



Scavenger
Function: Mining and Salvage
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Back Hoe
Motto: "Everything is worth something; even me."

Bio: Scavenger is hindered by a low self-esteem, though he isn't the only one to hold him in low esteem. Other Decepticons consider him to be annoying, and ultimately useless. He constantly scampers around, performing menial tasks and presenting worthless gifts to make others think more highly of him, but far more often than not it has the reverse effect. His only redeeming feature, according to most Decepticons, is his ability to use his shovel's sensors to detect vital minerals and chemicals.

Strength: 7.7 Intelligence: 4.7 Speed: 3 Reflexes: 7.5 Endurance: 7.4 Rank: 5 Courage: 5 Firepower: 3 Combat Skill: 7 Function Skill: 5

Height: 28'
Weight: 23,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Scavenger is actually an effective fighter, and is strong and durable enough to be an asset on the battlefield. Can locate valuable materials with the sensors on his shovel. Is armed with a laser pistol and can combine with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Scavenger's utter lack of self confidence prevents him from living up to what little potential he has. Is slow in vehicular mode.



Bonecrusher
Function: Demolitions
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Bulldozer
Motto: "Hit it till it stands no taller than dust."

Bio: A brutal thug who uses his enormous strength to bully others around. Feels that might makes right, and therefore he must be right all the time. Loves to see a beautiful and ornate landscape or city in front of him, knowing that it will shortly be leveled to the ground by either his shovel or his fists.

Strength: 9 Intelligence: 4 Speed: 3 Reflexes: 6 Endurance: 9 Rank: 5 Courage: 8 Firepower: 3 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 5

Height: 28.5'
Weight: 28,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: The most powerful of the Constructicons, Bonecrusher is a physical juggernaut. He is resistant to most portable munitions, and can press roughly 405 tons. He is armed with a laser pistol, and combines with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Not very bright, and is slow in vehicle mode.



Long Haul
Function: Transport
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Dump Truck
Motto: "A battle front is only as good as it's supply line."

Bio: A brawler at heart, Long Haul is frustrated at his role in the war. While he acknowledges the importance of keeping the front lines well equipped, he longs to be there pounding away on the Autobot positions. Is thankful to have been on the attack craft that was marooned on Earth, as Megatron was forced to utilize Long Haul in a combat role. Megatron has actually been fairly impressed by Long Haul's performance on the battlefield; the Constructicon's hot temper and physical power make him a force to be reckoned with.

Strength: 8.8 Intelligence: 5 Speed: 5 Reflexes: 5 Endurance: 8.5 Rank: 5 Courage: 7 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 7 Function Skill: 6

Height: 28'
Weight: 27,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Subject is very strong and durable. Bonecrusher is the only Constructicon that exceeds him in these traits. Long Haul can press nearly 388 tons in robot mode, and can haul at least that in vehicular mode. He is armed with a laser pistol and combines with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Long Haul has difficulty controlling his temper, and opponents can easily use it against him.



Mixmaster
Function: Materials Fabrication
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: Cement Mixer
Motto: "How strong the steel, how quick the conquest."

Bio: One of Cybertron's greatest chemists, Mixmaster can create virtually any chemical or alloy with nearly any materials at hand. His drum, in both robot and vehicle mode, can be used to mix even the most corrosive or volatile substances. Revels in 'weaponizing' previously harmless materials and using them on Autobots or humans.

Strength: 7.5 Intelligence: 7.7 Speed: 4 Reflexes: 4.5 Endurance: 7 Rank: 5 Courage: 4.5 Firepower: 5 Combat Skill: 5 Function Skill: 8

Height: 27'
Weight: 24,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Mixmaster is invaluable as a producer of metals, chemicals and other materials. Can create castic substances to use against his enemies from almost any material. Is armed with a laser pistol and a head-mounted missile launcher. Combines with the other Constructicons to form Devastator.

Weaknesses: Subject is slow and not especially brave.



Devastator
Function: Super Warrior
Sub-Group: Constructicon
Alternate Mode: N/A
Motto: "Thinking and winning do not mix."

Bio: Slow, dumb and awkward, Devastator is only capable of serving one function; Destroy everything in his path. Fortunately for his comrades, he's good at his job. The prototype combiner, the 'multi-spark' created from the combination of the six individual Constructicon sparks gives off vast energy that endows Devastator with levels of strength and durability that are O/S, or off the scale. His mind, like his body, is a confused conglomeration of the competing Constructicons. About all that they can agree on is destroying the Autobots, and that is really the only thing that Devastator can be trusted to do on his own.

Strength: O/S Intelligence: 1.5 Speed: 1.5 Reflexes: 1.5 Endurance: O/S Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 7 Combat Skill: 1.5 Function Skill: 4.8

Height: 80'
Weight: 150,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Estimates are that Devastator is capable of pressing roughly 4,120 tons, and is resistant to all but the most powerful and persistent of artillery. His limited intelligence often doesn't allow him to realize the danger in a situation, making him nearly fearless. Despite the relative simplicity of his design, his additional component and the superior average strength of the Constructicons over most combiner teams make Devastator stronger than some of the more advanced gestalts. Devastator is armed with a solar energy rifle that can generate blasts up to 10,000 degrees Celsius.

Weaknesses: Devastator's combination technology utilizes external components that are not actual body parts of the Constructicons, and therefore cannot channel spark energy efficiently. This makes Devastator even slower mentally and physically than most other combiners, and limits the strength and durability enhancement that the multi-spark can provide. He is clumsy and awkward, and can be easily evaded by most Transformers.



Motormaster
Function: Stunticon Commander
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: Tractor Trailer
Motto: "These wheels are made for crushing!"

Bio: Arrogant, malevolent and cruel, the hatred Motormaster inspires in the Autobots is perhaps exceeded only by the hatred he inspires in his own comrades, especially so with the other Stunticons. Though not especially bright, Motormaster considers nearly everyone else to be an idiot put into existence for no other purpose than to annoy him. He is nearly impossible to be around, but his value in battle, both as himself and as a component to Menasor, forces the other Decepticons to accept him.

Strength: 9.5 Intelligence: 5 Speed: 5.5 Reflexes: 5 Endurance: 9 Rank: 6 Courage: 8 Firepower: 7 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 4

Height: 31.5'
Weight: 34,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Motormaster is extremely strong and durable. In vehicle mode he can bowl over or obliterate all but the most powerful of Transformers. He is armed with a cyclone rifle. He forms the torso and head of Menasor.

Weaknesses: Motormaster's arrogance often leads him to taking on challenges that he not capable of handling, and his abhorrent personality makes the prospect of helping him unappealing to other Decepticons when he gets into trouble.



Drag Strip
Function: Warrior
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: Formula One Race Car
Motto: "The first one to cross the finish line...LIVES!"

Bio: A treacherous scoundrel, who is a poor loser and an even worse winner. Relishes the misfortune of others, and eagerly rubs their faces in it just before killing them. Will resort to any measure to ensure victory, the more underhanded the tactics, the more he cherishes the win. While respected by the other Decepticons, he is not well liked.

Strength: 5 Intelligence: 6.8 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 9 Endurance: 5 Rank: 5 Courage: 9 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 8.3

Height: 23'
Weight: 16,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Drag Strip is creative, which combined with his underhandedness allows him to achieve victory in most situations. He is a good hand-to-hand combatant, and his quick reflexes enhance his effectiveness. Is armed with a gravito-gun. Combines with the other Stunticons to form Menasor.

Weaknesses: Drag Strip has no known physical weaknesses.



Dead End
Function: Warrior
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: Porsche Boxster
Motto: "We are all just food for rust."

Bio: Would be considered suicidal by most other Decepticons if not for the pleasure he gets from admiring himself; not that any of his comrades would care if he really were suicidal. In a nearly constant state of depression, Dead End endlessly mumbles about the pointlessness of it all. The war, conquest of the universe, Decepticon superiority, existence; all of it seems just a meaningless waste of time. Death is the only constant in the universe, a philosophy that occupies Dead End's every waking thought.

Strength: 6.2 Intelligence: 4.5 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 8 Endurance: 6.5 Rank: 5 Courage: 7 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 7 Function Skill: 6

Height: 23'
Weight: 16,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Dead End is an above average combatant, whose poor outlook on existence allows him to charge into dangerous situations with little or no fear. Is armed with a compressor gun. Combines with the other Stunticons to form Menasor.

Weaknesses: Dead End just can't get motivated to care about anything, and as such cannot be looked to for innovative thinking or actions on the battlefield.



Breakdown
Function: Scout
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: Lamborghini Diablo
Motto: "Keep your optical sensors to yourself"

Bio: Paranoid is an understatement in describing the way that Breakdown acts. Feels that he is under constant scrutiny, even when alone. Would like nothing more than to exist unnoticed. Has managed to find a way to keep his fears and frustrations pent up until an opportunity to unleash them on the Autobots presents itself.

Strength: 6 Intelligence: 6 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 7.5 Endurance: 7 Rank: 5 Courage: 7 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 6 Function Skill: 7

Height: 23'
Weight: 16,500 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: When Breakdown 'cuts loose', he is a frightening, but unstable warrior. Vibrations that emanate from his vehicular mode can cause mechanical problems in other machines within a few feet of him. Is armed with a concussion rifle. Combines with the other Stunticons to form Menasor.

Weaknesses: Breakdown's paranoia puts him at odds with other Decepticons, and the vibrations that are given off in vehicle mode sometimes interfere with his success as a scout.



Wildrider
Function: Terrorist
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: Ferrari Enzo
Motto: "Either you're out of my way or you're out of luck."

Bio: In a team of unstable personalities, Wildrider is regarded as the crazy one. Psychotic, Sociopathic, name the disorder, he not only has it, but revels in each of his conditions. Enjoys killing all manner of creatures, the only thing sparing other Decepticons from his maniacal attacks is the abundance of other targets. This evil fiend barrels headlong into battle, or a crowd of humans, with such savage delight that even his teammates are unnerved. But they value his savagery for both its effectiveness and for its entertainment value.

Strength: 6.7 Intelligence: 5 Speed: 7 Reflexes: 8.6 Endurance: 6.5 Rank: 5 Courage: 9.7 Firepower: 2 Combat Skill: 8 Function Skill: 9

Height: 23'
Weight: 16,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Wildrider is a very good athlete and a deadly warrior. His total disregard for everything instills fear in his enemies and often wins the psychological battle before the physical one even begins. Has more control and agility in vehicle mode than most transformers, and can wield his car form like a weapon. He is nearly fearless, and being a sociopath eliminates any restraint. Is armed with a scattershot gun. Combines with the other Stunticons to form Menasor.

Weaknesses: Wildrider puts off many of his comrades with his mental instability. Were it not for his value in the war, he would certainly be deemed too dangerous and executed.



Menasor
Function: Super Warrior
Sub-Group: Stunticon
Alternate Mode: N/A
Motto: "Leave no Autobot uncrushed!"

Bio: The result of the first revision to the combination technology, Menasor is the first gestalt to benefit from the undiluted power of a multi-spark. He is a savage, brutal monster that enjoys nothing more than inflicting destruction on Autobots, humans and anything else that crosses his path. In fact, this is about the only thing that he can enjoy, or even competently do, as destruction is perhaps the only thing that the five individual Stunticons can agree upon. The fours smaller Stunticons utterly detest Motormaster, and Motormaster feels the exact same way about them. This leads to some disastrous mental breakdowns for Menasor. But when he can stay together, he is one of the most potent weapons in the Decepticon arsenal.

Strength: O/S Intelligence: 2.5 Speed: 2 Reflexes: 2.5 Endurance: O/S Rank: 5 Courage: 10 Firepower: 7 Combat Skill: 3.5 Function Skill: 4.9

Height: 80'
Weight: 99,000 lbs

Weapons and Abilities: Projections are that Menasor can press roughly 3,600 tons. While not as physically strong as Devastator, he is more valuable on the battlefield. He is a step up in terms of intelligence and reflexes, which while still very slow by normal Transformer standards, is devastatingly effective when combined with his awesome strength and invulnerability. Only the most powerful of ordinance can harm him. Menasor is armed with Motormaster's cyclone rifle and a broad sword.

Weaknesses: The incompatibility of the Stunticon minds makes Menasor virtually useless in anything other than brutal destruction. Any increase in intelligence offered by the upgrade over Devastator's combination process is negated by the conflict between his component psyches. These mental difficulties sometimes lead to forced separation. Menasor is also quite slow compared to most non-combiner Transformers.

 

Nice job there!

 

Episode 17: New Acquisitions


“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” Both the voice, and the dozens of projectile weapons pointed at the new arrival, made it clear that the Decepticon barking the order was deadly serious.

Starscream, however, was not about to be cowed down by some authority-drunk minor officer. “LOWER YOUR WEAPONS AND DON’T EVER TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME AGAIN!” Starscream leveled a glare over the forty-plus Decepticons guarding the Cybertronian space bridge, causing most to look away, intimidated. “Where do you get the audacity to address the Decepticon Air Commander in such a way!?!”

The apparent leader of the group, the one that had barked the initial order at Starscream, smiled and stepped forward. “This is the way that we address a traitor and a fiend. We are well aware of your attempt on Lord Megatron’s life.”

Starscream met the Decepticon’s devious grin with one of his own. “What is your name, Decepticon?”

“I am Platoon Commander Rough Shod.”

Starscream broadened his crooked smile and took a step toward the Platoon Commander. “Well, Rough Shod, I am a little surprised that a Decepticon Platoon Commander would be simple enough to fall for the Autobot’s pathetic attempt at spreading misinformation.” Starscream turned his head and looked over the other troops present.

Rough Shod’s confidence waned for a moment, but he quickly reassured himself that he was correct in his initial assessment of Starscream. “Nice try Starscream, but I’m not falling for your lies.”

Starscream’s head snapped back and his optics were once again fixed upon Rough Shod. “Well then, if what I say is a lie, then please inform me of the truth.” Starscream’s smile faded as the words came out of his mouth.

Rough Shod’s optics narrowed, and his face took a more stern expression before he replied to Starscream’s request. “The truth is that you allied yourself with the humans, used them to try and kill off Megatron, and then assumed his position as Decepticon Commander.”

Starscream’s smile returned to his face, and he raised his right hand to stop Rough Shod from continuing. “I think I’ve heard this one. It’s one of the Autobot’s more clever stories. Please let us all know what happened next.”

A worried look came over Rough Shod, and he hesitated before finishing what he had been told of the events on Earth. “Uh, well, Megatron survived, and, uh…”

“And what!?!”

Rough Shod looked around at the other troops, all of whom were just as confused as he was. “Well, uhm, he destroyed you.”

Starscream displayed a mock startled expression, and proceeded to look himself over, seemingly surprised to find himself in one piece. “He destroyed me!?! I have to tell you, I’ve seem Megatron destroy many other Transformers in my time, and I really don’t look anything like those unfortunate souls.” Starscream looked up into the face of Rough Shod, still maintaining the mock surprise. “But you’re absolutely certain that what you’ve been told has to be true, that there’s no way for it to be Autobot propaganda. So what am I doing here, apparently alive?” The sarcastic surprise dissolved away from Starscream’s face as his stare into Rough Shod’s optics intensified.

A slender Decepticon that had been standing behind Rough Shod stepped up to the Platoon Commander and addressed him. “Sir, reports have placed the Autobot Blaster on Earth. He has been known to use Decepticon frequencies and impersonate Decepticon officers to spread misinformation.” His voice lowered. “It might be possible that Starscream is telling the truth.”

It was clear from the defeated look on Rough Shod’s face that he no longer had the conviction that was in abundance only moments prior. His optics darted around indiscriminately as he attempted to determine what should be done. “Shockwave must be notified. He will know what to make of this.”

Starscream snickered. “Yes. In fact, I’ll discuss the matter with Shockwave personally. Please inform him that I will be arriving at Darkmount in a few hours, once I’ve had a chance to take care of a few personal matters.” The arrogant Seeker started walking through the confused troops, all of who stepped out of his way as he approached them.

Rough Shod, however, was not as compliant as his subordinates. He raised his rifle and pointed it at Starscream’s back. “You will stay where you are until I contact Shockwave!”

Starscream responded without stopping or turning back. “I have stood around and indulged you long enough, Rough Shod. Discharge that weapon if you feel that you must, but know that if I don’t kill you for it, Shockwave, or Megatron himself will.” Starscream walked confidently through the last of the Decepticon platoon, and once clear of the soldiers, transformed and took to the dark, Cybertronian sky. Rough Shod could only impotently watch as the gray Earth jet darted out of sight.


***


“To date, two hundred four people have died from the Decepticon attack on Washington D.C., of which seventy one were civilians.” Prime paused from reading and looked over to Hot Spot, Blades, Groove, Streetwise and First Aid. The Autobot Commander then turned back to the screen displaying the magnified newspaper article and continued reading. “All but a handful of the casualties were caused prior to the arrival of the Autobots, who not only were dedicated to combating the Decepticons, but also in protecting the humans present. Most notable of these Autobot protectors were five robots that transformed into a fire engine, a police car, an ambulance, a motorcycle and a helicopter. Initial estimates indicate that these five Autobots were personally responsible for saving over ninety four lives.” Optimus Prime stopped reading and looked once again to the five Autobots that had been described in the article. “It continues on with a description of the damage caused by the battle, but I just wanted to read that part of the article to you to illustrate a point.”

Groove, who had already started to fidget, stopped moving long enough to ask a question. “What point is that, Prime?”

“A point that you are all fully aware of already. That the five of you make a remarkable team.” Prime walked over to them and stood just a few feet in front of them. “In fact, I would like for you to resume your role as our premier search and rescue team, but I would like you to direct your efforts primarily toward the protection of human lives and property.” Prime held his hand up to stop Blade’s imminent protest. “You will still be needed for combat roles, but in populated areas I will need for your primary concern to be the ensuring of public safety.”

Though uneasy, Blades seemed to be accepting of Prime’s proposal. The other four Autobots were nothing short of eager. Hot Spot stepped forward and grasped Prime’s right hand with his own, shaking it in the same fashion as the humans. “We whole-heartedly accept your proposal of forming a unit of protection. We won’t let you down Prime!”

Prime nodded at the excited Autobot. “That’s great, Hot Spot. I would like you to lead the team, which for convenience sake I’ve dubbed the Protectobots.”

Blades chimed in. “That’s got to be the lamest…” He was silenced by a glare from Streetwise. “…Fine, Protectobots it is.”

The six Autobots stopped their discussion as Lt. Ambrose strolled into the Command Center. “Hello Optimus Prime, I hope that I’m not interrupting anything.”

Prime released Hot Spot’s hand and turned toward the human. “Of course not Lieutenant. I assume that you are here to discuss the situation at Diablo Canyon.”

“Yes.”

Prime cocked his head to the side. “I was expecting General Peterson to be here as well.”

Lt. Ambrose nodded. “Unfortunately, the General has other business to attend too.”


*


The seven acres of clearing to the north of Mount St. Hillary had been fenced in and was currently being utilized as a hunting pasture for the Dinobots. Having agreed not to raid any more ranches, the five biomechanical Autobots still insisted upon live prey. The truck backing up to the fence gate was the first of four trucks that delivered livestock to the pen each day. The driver, who had exited the cab and was opening the gate, was still was terrified of this place, even though he had been making these deliveries for over a week. His companion for the trip, however, was the very definition of calm.

General Allen Peterson watched as the driver herded sixteen head of cattle into the enclosure and shut the gate behind them. The cows started fleeing as loud, Earth shuddering footsteps and deep, guttural growling could be heard. The nervous driver looked to Peterson, hoping that the General had changed his mind and would be willing to leave. Peterson sternly nodded to the driver. “Wait in the cab. I’ll only be a few minutes.” The driver sprinted into the truck and locked his door.

Peterson walked over to the gate, opened it, entered the pen and shut the gate behind him, just as four dinosaurs came walking into view. A Pterodactyl swooped overhead and snatched a bull in its talons, the doomed mammal crying out in pain and fear. The other four pre-historic beasts started toward their prey, but the most fearsome, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, turned toward the human and stopped. “Prime must not be as soft as me, Grimlock thought, if he let us hunt human.” The bipedal dinosaur ominously stepped toward the General.

“Optimus Prime is not aware that I am here.” Peterson continued to casually approach the leader of the Dinobots. “I was hoping to speak with you.”

The T-Rex lowered its head so that it’s deadly jaws were only a couple of feet in front of the human, forcing General Peterson to stop walking. “Me, Grimlock have no interest in speaking with pathetic human.” For added emphasis, Grimlock exhaled sharply, his breath rustling Peterson’s hair and uniform and knocking him back a step.

General Peterson composed himself, straightening his hair and uniform. “Believe it or not, I think that you will be very interested in what I have to say.” Deep laughter emanated from behind the now exposed, six-inch teeth that were directly in front of the General. Peterson continued, despite the blatant disdain that was being shown to him. “I like, and respect Optimus Prime. I really do.” Grimlock’s laughter turned into a low growl. “But despite this, I’ve become convinced that perhaps Prime isn’t the best man…er…robot to beat the Decepticons.” The growling stopped.

Grimlock decided to humor the tiny creature. “Why puny fleshling think Prime not beat Decepticons?”

Peterson nodded at the huge head before him. “Though he has the tools, brains, charisma, courage, and the devotion of his troops to win, he’s essentially an idealist. And idealists can’t make the really tough, gut-wrenching decisions.” The General smiled at the enormous predator. “Now, from what I’ve seen of you, you’re most definitely not an idealist. And I have little doubt that you would have no difficulty making some pretty tough decisions.”

The dinosaur’s body jerked in several different directions, and a couple of seconds later a giant robot was standing where the dinosaur had just been. “What human have in mind?”


***


“Hey Megatron, Soundwave’s receiving a message from Shockwave. The purple guy wants to have a word with you.”

While Megatron normally insisted, upon pain of extermination, that he be addressed most respectfully, he sometimes enjoyed Rumble’s informal tone. He looked over the latest pallet of energon being withdrawn from the power plant, and watched as Bonecrusher hauled to over to the two dozen other pallets that were sitting in front of the newly delivered space bridge. The Decepticon leader smiled at the growing mountain of energon, energon which had only been created in the last few hours, and that would soon be bringing life back to his dormant legions of troops. With that pleasant thought in mind he turned away from his energon supply and headed back into the facility to see what his Sub-Commander wanted of him.

Megatron marched into the facility that had yielded so much energy in such a short time. Commandeering it had been perhaps his best move since reawakening on this planet. Victory was within his grasp, all he had to do was to make sure that Shockwave would be ready to deliver the much needed energon to ‘The Cooler’, the facility which housed hundreds of thousands of Decepticons put into stasis lock to alleviate the effects of the famine.

In less than a minute, Megatron was standing before a gigantic blue sound system. “Open the frequency to Shockwave.”

Soundwave’s monotone voice replied. “It is done.”

Shockwave’s voice came through. “Lord Megatron, are you there?”

“Yes, what is it Shockwave?”

“I thought that Starscream had been slain.” Shockwave calmly stated as he held the severed head of Rough Shod in his hand.

The statement shocked and irritated Megatron. “He has been slain! I obliterated him myself.”

There was a long pause before Shockwave replied. “Something is not logical in this scenario. Starscream, or an exceptional facsimile, arrived on Cybertron through the space bridge a couple of hours ago.”

“IT WAS NOT STARSCREAM!!! I blasted him to pieces! I stood over his mangled components! I watched the life fade from his optics! STARSCREAM IS DEAD!!!”


***


The grounds of the Decepticon Air Academy were run-down and deserted. Starscream was enraged that Shockwave would let the pinnacle of Decepticon military training fall into such a state of disrepair. He understood that the very purpose of the Academy ran contrary to the policy of downsizing that the famine had necessitated, but a facility of such nobility and Decepticon pride deserved some maintaining.

It was here at the Academy that Starscream had first made a name for himself. The greatest aerial combatant that the school, or the planet had ever seen, Starscream had received the wisdom and training to match his physical gifts, making him a legend within his first vorn of life. He had been offered the position of Commandant upon his graduation, but his aspirations were that of even more powerful positions. He was determined to return to his city-state of Tarn and rule, which he did until being coerced into Megatron’s unified Decepticon army. Not that Starscream had anything against the unification of the Decepticons, as long as he was at its head.

The F-22 descended and transformed in front of the College of Sciences, and Starscream entered the building where he had spent countless hours as a young Decepticon. Countless hours that had led to the immortality that had only recently been confirmed for him. The Air Commander marched down the hallway, hearing voices up ahead in one of the labs. Starscream strained his audio receivers to pick up on the conversation.

“So it’s decided. We are going to dump these things into the smelting pool to the south of Deviplex.”

“I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

“Quit your whining already! The Commander took on more than he could handle. He just got what he was asking for.”

Starscream reached the open doorway and looked into the laboratory. The participants of the conversation, three Seekers that he knew that he could trust, stood in the center of the room over five inert vehicles based on human military design. “The humans have an expression about speaking of the Devil.” Starscream entered the lab and was met by the awestruck stares of the other Seekers. “Something about him appearing when you do so.” Starscream looked over the vehicles. “I assume that these were made exactly to my specifications?”

The Seeker that had lamented the perceived loss of Starscream snapped to attention. He was a teal colored Seeker with a somewhat high-pitched voice. “Yeh…yehhh…Yes sir. Exactly as your designs specified, including the lack of a memory database in the cranium.”

Starscream smiled at the nervous Decepticon. “Well done Descent.” Starscream looked to the other two. “Well done all of you.”

The most assertive of the group, a yellow/brown flyer stepped forward and took a close look at the Decepticon renegade. “Can it really be?”

“Trust me Fogbank, it’s really me.”

The third Seeker, a black and silver one, stepped next to Fogbank and examined Starscream as well. “How? We’d heard that you’d been blasted to pieces.”

Starscream stepped away from the two Seekers, regaining some personal space. “It takes much more…” Starscream chuckled. “Much, much more than that to finish me off, Silverline.”

Silverline couldn’t just set aside his curiosity, though. “But how? How did you survive?”

As much as Starscream enjoyed being the center of attention, he had grown annoyed by the inquisitiveness of his lackeys. “We’ll discuss that later. Right now we need to breath some life into these magnificent frames.”

Fogbank shook his head. “Impossible sir. Ever since the Autobot attack on Vector Sigma, Shockwave has kept an entire brigade of troops there to guard it. There’s no way for us to gain entrance.”

Starscream shot an annoyed look at Fogbank. “If I had wanted any exhaust out of you, I would have squeezed your cranial shell. Now shut up and listen to your superior.” Fogbank glared back at Starscream, but eventually turned away and let Starscream continue. “I have no intention of going to Vector Sigma so that that blasted computer can just put some random sparks into these frames. I already have the sparks, and the memory databases that are to go into these frames, in mind.”

The three Seekers looked confusedly at one another. Descent asked the question that they were all pondering. “Where are you going to get these sparks and memories?”

Starscream smiled. “The Brig.”


*


By nature, Decepticons were aggressive, ambitious and brutal. But sometimes certain Decepticons became too ambitious, or brutal, or displayed other traits that made them no longer welcome by other Decepticons. Typically, these Decepticons were simply destroyed. But periodically a dangerous Decepticon possessed skills, abilities or other traits that were considered to be advantageous to the Decepticon cause, and these Decepticons were deemed too valuable to be brought permanently off-line. In these rare cases, the sparks and memory databases were removed from the frames and sent to the Brig.

The Brig was a prison of sorts, where the sparks of Decepticon criminals were kept in stasis fields and their memory databases were kept in a vault collecting dust. And like with the Air Academy, the Brig had not been looked after for tens of thousands of vorns. Starscream and his colleagues encountered no resistance as they, and two of the non-living frames landed. The Seekers transformed to robot mode, while the two flying frames remained in vehicle mode.

Several minutes later, the other three lifeless, and ground-bound frames arrived. Starscream looked to Silverline. “Your remote control devices worked quite well.”

Silverline bowed. “I’m glad that they served you well, Commander.”

Starscream looked at the other two Seekers, each on either side of Silverline and both looking nervously at the Brig. Starscream had decided that they had served their purpose. Descent was too mentally weak to serve any long-term good, Fogbank would probably turn on Starscream at some point, and Silverline, well even Starscream wouldn’t be able to handle Silverline’s bumper polishing for very long. The Air Commander raised his shoulder rifles up to either side of the still bowed Silverline and fired a null ray into the optic of each of the Seekers behind him. Silverline jerked his head up, and saw both of Starscream’s rifles narrow so that they both pointed at his face.

Starscream sent Silverline’s cranial circuitry spraying out the back of his head. He then stepped over to Fogbank and Descent and made sure that they were polished off. Once his loyal helpers were dispatched, Starscream made his way into the Decepticon prison, followed by five vehicles rolling on the ground behind him.


***


“HOLD THE LINE!” Kup knew that the battle was getting hopeless, but if the Decepticons made it through, the Autobot cause would quickly become much more hopeless than it was currently. “We can’t let those ‘Cons get that energon to the Cooler!”

The route from Polyhex to the Cooler was heavily guarded by the Decepticons, especially on either side of the Koltic Bridge, which stretched over a branch of the Ocelek Chasm and joined the roads from Polyhex and Tarn, where the Cooler was located. But knowing that with a nuclear power plant under Decepticon control on Earth, a Decepticon mass-awakening was in the works, Kup had led a savage strike to cut the route from the space bridge to the bridge that led to the dormant Decepticons. The savagery of the Autobots had paid off, as they now had a four-mile portion of the road to the bridge under Autobot control. But it was looking like they wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer. As long as they could hold for another few minutes, long enough to plant enough explosives to destroy the bridge, then their mission would be a success. And the repairs to the bridge would take almost a week, buying the Autobots precious time.

But the Decepticons had begun their bombing runs of the Autobot positions, wrecking a great deal of havoc and causing a high number of casualties. Kup needed to evacuate his troops now, but Camshaft had reported that it would be at least another seven minutes before the explosives would be in place. Kup and his troops would be lucky to last two.

Kup leapt for cover as another torrent of bombs rocked his position. When he lifted his head he noticed the large cannons that the Autobots had positioned there had been destroyed in the latest bombing run. “Aw, inferno!” Kup spat into his communicator. “Better hurry up Camshaft, Decepticons are going to be on our tails shortly!”

Kup looked up over the barricade that he had made from dead Decepticons and saw dozens of heavy tanks rolling his way. Then he saw a vehicle that didn’t quite fit with the advancing battalion. A sleek, red ground cruiser weaving in and out of the tanks. Suddenly, the treads of one of the rear tanks burst violently apart. Then the same thing happened to the treads of the tank next to it. Then it happened to two other tanks simultaneously.

Kup tried to make out what was going on, but the distance was too great for him to clearly see what was unfolding. Springer ran up to Kup’s side and peered in the same direction as the ancient Autobot. “What’s going on, old timer?”

“Not sure, punk, not sure.” Several of the tanks transformed, as did the red racer. The large, lumbering Decepticons started firing at the smaller red robot, who seemed fast enough to dodge most of the shots and return fire of his own. In an instant Kup was over the barricade and charging at the Decepticons. “HE’S ONE OF OURS!!!” A second later Springer and a dozen other Autobots were charging into battle behind Kup.

The Autobots watched as the red newcomer quickly made his way through the bulky Decepticons, landing multiple shots on each of them while narrowly avoiding all of theirs. He then leapt onto the shoulders of one of the Decepticons, pointed his pistol straight down at its head, and fired point-blank through its helmet and into its cranium. The Decepticon dropped to his knees, but before leaping away, the sleek red and yellow-adorned Autobot pointed his pistol toward the sky and successfully shot down a Decepticon bomber.

The Autobots finally reached the fracas, and tore into the damaged and frustrated Decepticons. Decepticon reinforcements were on their way, and once they arrived the Autobots would be hopelessly outnumbered, but until then, they would be taking the fight to the Decepticons.

Kup charged into the chaotic group of metal bodies, blasting away on any Decepticon that he could get a shot at. “So, what’s your name hot rod?”

The blatantly youthful robot fired at a Seeker zipping by overhead, clipping it on the wing, and smiling broadly at Kup, expecting the old soldier to be impressed by the shot. “Don’t have one.” The red robot was a little perturbed that the blue Autobot had his attention set elsewhere.

“What?” Kup turned away from the battle for just a moment to give the unknown robot a bewildered look. He quickly turned back to the fighting. “How can you not have a name?”

“Not sure, but I don’t have one. I just woke up a few miles from here. Saw some Decepticons brutally destroy some homeless neutrals, and decided then and there that I was meant to kick their exhaust ports. There’s the story of my life.” The red Transformer blasted a charging Decepticon right between the optics, stopping him in his tracks. He smiled at Kup once again; certain that this shot would have to gain the old timer’s admiration.

The elderly Autobot just shook his head in annoyance by the youngster’s cavalier attitude. “Fine, I guess Hot Rod will serve for now. It seems to fit anyway.” Kup ducked as a shot whizzed by his auditory receiver. “So, how’d you get the tank treads to explode?”

Hot Rod leapt and delivered a snap kick to the head of another Decepticon. “Liked that, did you? Shot down a bomber a few miles back and pulled some ordinance he was carrying. Tossed a couple in front of these big, dumb goons and laughed as the fireworks went off.” The energetic robot rolled to one side and popped up shooting. His optics grew large as he saw dozens of Decepticon ground troops advancing in the distance. “Uh, we may be in trouble.”

Kup turned and saw the reinforcements as well. He grimaced and lifted his communicator to his mouth. “Camshaft, we’re out of time. Get it in gear!”

A few tense seconds passed before a response came through. “Done! Let’s get outta here!”

Kup called out to his troops. “AUTOBOTS, WE’RE GONE!” With that he and the other Autobots, including Hot Rod, transformed and sped away.

After driving for several miles they finally stopped at a breach in the ground. A green and yellow ground racer transformed into Springer and pointed at the red and yellow racer. “What do we do with this guy?”

Hot Rod and Kup transformed. Kup looked at Hot Rod and then at Springer. “I’ll probably regret this, but I think that he should come with us.”

Springer was visibly upset with Kup’s reply. “What!?! We don’t know anything about this guy. For all we know he could be a ‘Con spy.”

Hot Rod clenched his fists and started toward Springer. “I ain’t no ‘Con!”

Kup stepped between the two. “Alright, that’s enough.” Kup looked at Hot Rod. “Look, we would feel better if we had some idea of who you were and where you came from.”

Hot Rod held up his hands and started backing away. “Fine, I never asked to go with you guys. Good luck trying to win the war without me.” Hot Rod turned and started walking away. Kup trotted over to him and grabbed him by the arm. “Get off of me you old tin can!” Hot Rod jerked his arm away.

“Hold up, kid. We’re not your enemy.” Kup looked deeply into Hot Rod’s optics, searching for any sign of duplicity. Still looking at Hot Rod, Kup called out to the other Autobots. “He’s coming with us. There will be no more discussion about it.” He looked away from Hot Rod and at Springer. “Is that understood?”

Springer just shook his head and crawled into the ground.


***


The battle at the Koltic Bridge had required that roughly half of the Decepticons guarding the space bridge be called away to join other Decepticon reinforcements to assist their embattled comrades. This left only about two-dozen Decepticons guarding the entrance to Earth. Two simultaneous explosions knocked that number down to eighteen. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a gray jet shot overhead and strafed the Decepticon position, killing another three.

The panicked Decepticons started scattering in every direction. Hex-Nut, the appointed leader upon the death of Rough Shod, tried to calm his troops, but had his torso perforated by shots from a human helicopter.

The troops fleeing to the west of the space bridge were met by a speeding tan military jeep, one with heavy guns mounted on it. The guns proceeded to decimate the terrified Deceptcions.

Those Decepticons fleeing to the east of the space bridge were met by a large, green M1 tank, which blasted several of them into scrap. Those that were only injured by the ordinance were crushed beneath its treads.

Starscream flew over the abandoned space bridge, transformed and landed in front of it. A space shuttle followed him down, transformed into a robot and landed next to him. The jeep and tank rolled up next to them and transformed as well, and the helicopter, which switched to robot mode before landing, joined them all.

A flatbed truck with dual cannons on the bed rolled up to them a moment later, and transformed into a tall, powerful robot. “I still don’t trust you Starscream, yours was one of the voices used to convict my team and I of the spurious charges that were brought forth against us. But if this is my opportunity to get back at Megatron, then lead the way.”

“Of course, Onslaught, of course. Right this way.” Roughly a dozen vorns before the Nemesis followed the Ark to Earth, several mutiny charges were brought against Onslaught and his team. False charges and planted evidence provided by a Decepticon who remained anonymous, one who feared that Onslaught would one day take his place as one of Megatron’s most trusted Lieutenants, one renowned for his scheming ways. Starscream laughed inwardly at what he had perpetrated eons ago, and led the five Decepticons that he had orchestrated the conviction of through the space bridge.

A moment later they were standing before heaping piles of energon cubes lying out in the bright sun, with the sound of the wave’s crashing intermixed with the arguing of the Stunticons. Starscream looked back at his companions. “Welcome to Earth.”

In the distance, Motormaster shoved Wildrider aside and started marching back toward the power plant, just barely noticing the newcomers standing before the space bridge, and then doing a double-take and calling out toward the facility. “Holy slag, ol’ one-optic was right!” Motormaster called out to the power plant. “MEGATRON, GET OUT HERE. STARSCREAM REALLY IS BACK!”

Onslaught walked forward and stood next to Starscream. “So much for slipping onto the planet undetected.”

Starscream shrugged. “This isn’t where I left the space bridge. No matter, they’d have found out about us soon enough anyway.”

Out of the power plant walked Megatron, with Soundwave at his side. Megatron stopped and shook his head, more annoyed than shocked. “It can’t be. This must be some sort of trick.”

Starscream stepped toward Megatron and Soundwave, still several hundred yards separating them. “No trick Megatron. You can knock me down, but you’ll never be able to take me out for good.”

Megatron smirked. “I’ll have a lot of fun testing that theory.” Megatron walked toward Starscream as well. “So, who are your friends?”

Onslaught walked forward, passing Starscream. “What’s the matter Megatron, don’t you recognize us?”

Megatron stopped, a confused expression coming over his face. “I know your voice.”

“Yes, you do. It’s a voice that you unjustly silenced for over fifty thousand vorns.”

Frenzy walked out from the other side of one of the energon piles. “Quit yer belly achin’. We’ve all been off line for fifty thousand vorns.”

Onslaught ignored the diminutive Decepticon. “We were loyal to you, perhaps your best warriors, and you repaid us with a court martial and prison.” Onslaught stopped walking. “We were no threat to you then, but we most definitely are now!” Onslaught bent forward, leveling the dual cannons mounted on his back at Megatron, and fired them. The blast caught Megatron in the chest, sending him flying back, his armor severely battered. “Combaticons, attack!” Onslaught turned to a bulky purple, brown and black Decepticon behind him. “Blast Off, run interference so that Soundwave can’t get any messages out to off-site Decepticons!” He turned to Starscream and the other three members of his team as Blast Off transformed into a brown space shuttle and took to the sky. “The rest of you know what to do!”

Starscream snarled as he leapt into the air and transformed. “Hey, I’m calling the shots here!” But despite his protest he obediently darted out and engaged the advancing Octane and Thrust.

A hulking olive green colored teammate charged toward the Stunticons, with a smaller, but still fairly bulky purple and tan robot following closely behind him. The smaller robot transformed into a jeep and sped around his larger comrade, heading straight toward the advancing Dead End, Wildrider and Drag Strip. The guns on the jeep sprayed a deadly barrage at the three Stunticons, sending them darting into separate directions.

The large green Decepticon running behind the jeep finally transformed into tank mode, and began blasting away at the Stunticons as well. Motormaster and Breakdown saw their teammates under fire, transformed, and sped to their aid. Motormaster bore down on the tank, speeding on a collision course. The tank noticed the advancing semi truck, but instead of firing on the truck, the tank turned toward it and advanced at maximum speed.

The collision was horrendous, knocking the other Stunticons and the jeep over with the aftershock. When the dust cleared the tank was inverted and several yards back, resting on it’s turret. It quickly transformed, as did Motormaster, who was still a few feet taller than the newcomer. The two robots circled each other, ready to slug it out.

But before they could lock up, Motormaster was blasted away by shots originating from behind the green robot. The robot turned, to see Onslaught in truck mode with smoke curling out from his dual cannons. Onslaught transformed and barked at his bulky underling. “Strategy, Brawl, Strategy! We’re too outnumbered for this one-on-one slag! Now do what you’ve been trained to do!” With that Brawl saluted and fired some shots at the other Stunticons as they transformed into robot mode and stood up.

Megatron lifted to his left shoulder and looked up to his Communications Commander. “Soundwave, have the others return.”

Soundwave shook his head. “Negative. Unable to contact the other Decepticons.” The Predacons and Insecticons were off hunting, and Thundercracker, Dirge, Skywarp, Ramjet, Astrotrain and Blitzwing were out assessing the mounting human military presence around the area, as well as checking for Autobot encroachment. That left the Stunticons, Rumble, Frenzy, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Ravage, Reflector, Thrust, Octane, the Constructicons, Soundwave and Megatron to deal with Starscream and his comrades. Soundwave recognized the voice of the tall warrior to be that of Decepticon criminal Onslaught. The other four were undoubtedly Brawl, Vortex, Swindle and Blast Off. Soundwave suddenly realized that it must be Blast Off that was jamming his signal to the other Decepticons. He looked skyward, only to see two bright flashes coming down at him.

Onslaught watched as Soundwave was sent flying, his armor scorched and shredded by Blast Off’s high altitude attack. Blast Off’s voice came through Onslaught’s wrist communicator. “You won’t have to worry about ol’ Soundwave sending out any calls for help.”

“Maintain your interference until his pets are dispensed with!” Onslaught watched as the Constructicons came rolling around the side of the power plant to see what was happening.

“Who are you calling a pet!?!” Rumble jumped in front of Onslaught and peppered his chest with laser fire. Onslaught’s armor and additional chest shield kept him from receiving any significant damage. He looked down at the suddenly frightened Rumble and sent a powerful kick hard into the small Decepticon’s chest, sending him flying.

“Hey, you can’t do that to my buddy, you exhaust pipe!” Frenzy leapt at Onslaught from behind and kicked him in the head. Onslaught turned to deal with this nuisance, but both robots were suddenly thrown to the ground as Starscream darted just a few feet above their heads. Onslaught quickly looked up to see Starscream flying away with Thrust and Octane in hot pursuit. Suddenly, from behind a pile of energon cubes, a gray helicopter rose into the air and blasted away on the pursuing aircraft. Both Octane and Thrust were hit, and were soon careening into the ocean.

Laserbeak and Buzzsaw sped toward the helicopter, but a circling back Starscream intercepted them and easily shot them out of the sky. Onslaught watched the metal birds plummet to the ground, stood up, aimed his rifle at the still-prostrate Frenzy and blasted a hole into his lower back, a non-lethal shot, but one that would certainly take the fight out of him. Onslaught looked around. “Now where’s the kitty?”

On cue, Ravage leapt from behind a boulder toward the head of the tall soldier. A split second later, Ravage’s front paws were covered in a glue-like substance and stuck to each other. No longer able to control his momentum, Ravage hit Onslaught’s chest with an uncontrolled thud and bounced to the ground. Onslaught looked down on the mechanical feline. “Well done Vortex.” Onslaught reached down, grabbed Ravage by the neck, and hurtled him toward the coast and into the Pacific.

Megatron was on his feet and charging the unsuspecting Onslaught, with Reflector close behind him. A gray F-22 zipped overhead, dropping a pair of bombs that landed right at Megatron’s feet. The chrome Decepticon was sent flying back, and hitting the rocky ground thirty yards behind Reflector, who had stopped and watched the entire event befall his leader. When he did turn back ahead, there was Onslaught, his rifle leveled directly at Reflector’s chest. A moment later Reflector was lying next to Megatron, dark smoke curling out of his chest.

But Megatron was quickly back on his feet and resuming his charge on Onslaught. “I will kill you traitor!” But this charge was also stopped by an attack from above, as Blast Off was quickly descending and laying waste to Megatron and anything around him.

Onslaught walked toward the smoldering Megatron. “No Megatron, it is you that is the betrayer. Now you will pay the price for that betrayal.”

Megatron looked up from his prostrate position and smiled at Onslaught. “We’ll see about that.” The injured leader then craned his neck around and called out to six Decepticons behind him. “Constructicons, form Devastator!”

With that, the six construction vehicles that were still driving toward the battle stopped and began shifting shape. A moment later Devastator was standing before the combatants, ready to bust some metal heads. “Devastator ready to crush!”

Starscream transformed and landed on top of one of the energon piles. “Onslaught, why don’t you show Megatron the trick up your sleeve?”

Onslaught took a few steps away from Megatron and called out to his team. “Combaticons, unite to form Bruticus!” Onslaught leapt into the air, his thighs splitting outward and his knees bending inward. His fists and wrists retracted into his arm and his arms rotated so that they were facing behind him. From the tops of his shoulders, which were now facing forward, came pieces of gray metal, which expanded and spread out over the front of his body, connecting at the middle and forming a crest that went down past his waist.

Swindle, the jeep, sped toward him and followed Onslaught into the air. The rear of the jeep rotated completely, and the front section of the vehicle flipped back. From what now constituted the rear of the vehicle, a metal slat arose, expanding to form a foot. The top of the modified jeep finally latched onto the bottom of Onslaught’s right leg, the purple underside facing forward.

Brawl transformed into tank mode and rolled toward Onslaught as well, leaping into the air to join as Swindle had done. The front half of the tank bent forward, and from the rear a metal slat grew out to form another foot. Brawl connected to Onslaught’s left foot, the top of his turret facing forward.

Blast Off and Vortex sped toward either side of Onslaught’s arms, each remaining in vehicle mode, but extending/flipping their robotic legs. Then each robot spread their lower legs, and from in between their large calves flipped out gray fists, which were locked into place as the lower legs reconnected. Then the dorsal section of Blast Off’s shuttle gave rise to a connection port, which linked to Onslaught’s right shoulder. The connection port for Vortex came from the helicopter’s ventral side, and linked to Onslaught’s left shoulder. Then, from around Onslaught’s head and neck, pieces of gray metal extended upward and connected around his head, forming a new, larger head. Bruticus was born.

The newly created giant stood a foot and a half taller than Devastator, which was a difficult difference to notice given their awesome statures. The two combiners stared each other down, not sure what to make of the other, and started circling, ready to grapple. Devastator charged first, tackling Bruticus to the ground. The green monstrosity lifted to his knees and prepared to rain punches down on his new enemy.

Bruticus literally beat Devastator to the punch, landing a left and then a right cross, which sent the Constructicon gestalt sprawling on it’s back. Both giants quickly scrambled back to their feet, and this time it was Bruticus that attacked first. Charging the green and purple Devastator, Bruticus planted his right shoulder into the Constructicon’s chest and sent him stumbling backward toward the coast.

Devastator finally righted himself before being rammed again by the new combiner. This time Devastator was sent sailing into the surf, the blow powerful enough to propel him far enough so that the salty water came up to his knees when he finally righted himself.

Megatron watched this unfold, but his attention was brutally torn away for a moment by laser fire peppering his back. He looked up at the cackling Starscream flying overhead in robot mode. “Looks like your boy’s in trouble, Meggy. Maybe it’s time for you to submit and step aside gracefully?”

Megatron snarled at the traitorous Seeker, but his mouth slowly contorted into a smile. “Maybe not.” Megatron turned toward Motormaster, who was tending to his smoldering chest. “Motormaster, I want Menasor in there now!”

“NO!” Suddenly panicked, Starscream shot toward the Stunticons, but a few fusion bolts shot into the path he would take to get to them warded off his assault.

“Alright you fembots, you heard the boss! MERGE!” The four other Stunticons grumbled about Motormaster for a second before leaping toward him to form the limbs of Menasor, and a few seconds later the Stunticon super warrior was formed.

Megatron pointed to the brawl occurring in the ocean. “Menasor, help Devastator destroy that thing!”

Menasor smiled and lumbered his way down toward the water. Bruticus was pounding on Devastator, who had been forced to his knees and was covering his head, when Menasor finally arrived to help. Coming up behind the Combaticon giant, Menasor swung heavily with his sword, catching Bruticus in the back and sending him splashing heavily into the water several dozen feet to the left. Menasor looked down at Devastator arrogantly, and gave the Constructicon a condescending grin as he removed his arms from over his head.

Bruticus burst forth from the water, and waded toward the robot that had attacked him from behind. The two started trading blows, and while Menasor seemed to be able to land his punches more quickly, Bruticus’s appeared to carry more power. A right roundhouse from Bruticus sent Menasor falling backward into the water, but the slugfest had given Devastator more than enough time to regain his bearings, and moments after knocking Menasor down, Bruticus was on the receiving end of several powerful purple fists which sent him crashing to the wavy water as well.

Devastator kept the pressure up, and though Bruticus was slowly getting back to his feet, it wasn’t fast enough to avoid the double team from the recovered Menasor. The two Decepticons loyal to Megatron pounded away on the prostrate Bruticus. The Combaticon giant was eventually able to scoot forward toward the beach, and temporarily away from his assailants. Wading through the water, Devastator and Menasor close behind him, Bruticus eventually made it to land and turned on his attackers, seemingly ready to continue the fight.

“Bruticus, disengage and prepared for retreat!” Starscream landed next to the giant, who looked down at the Seeker, hesitated at first, but eventually complied. The five Combaticons were soon standing next to Starscream, and Blast Off, Starscream and Vortex transformed to vehicle modes and each allowed Onslaught, Swindle and Brawl to grab hold of their undersides and hitch a ride as they flew off up the coast. “Good bye, Megatron. Next time we fight on my terms!” Starscream’s laughter trailed off as the images of he and the Combaticons vanished from Megatron’s sight.

Megatron grumbled as he turned back to his injured troops and began assessing the damage that had been caused by his former Lieutenant and his new brigade.


***


If not for the brightly shining moon, nothing would have been visible. General Peterson had been waiting in the covered flatbed truck for twelve minutes, but the party that he was waiting for had finally arrived. The dark shape of the tyrant lizard king made it’s way across the clearing toward the truck. Peterson opened the door and stepped out of the cab. “Good, you’re in beast mode. They shouldn’t be able to track you.”

“Me Grimlock have no interest in conversing with human. Just get package.”

The General nodded. “It’s in the back of the truck.”

Grimlock walked around to the back of the truck and peered in. “It small. Human sure it capable of what human claimed it would be capable of earlier?”

Peterson smiled. “It’ll do its job. Just make sure you do yours. My colleagues and I aren’t too thrilled about just handing one of these things over to anyone.”

“Me Grimlock always get job done! Me Grimlock have strength Prime lacks!”

Peterson nodded and pulled a disc from his pocket and held it up. “Alright then. This data disc will explain how to operate this thing. Make sure that your operative is fully brought up to speed on the details.”

The dinosaur was visibly annoyed. “Me Grimlock know what to do!” The relatively tiny T-Rex arm snatched the disc from the General’s hand.

“Alright. Then take the package and we’ll be on our way.”

The mouth of the T-Rex gently lowered into the rear of the truck to retrieve its contents.

 

Beautiful !! I love the way you merged the cartoon origin of the combaticons with your own. Very well done.

 

Nice! Excellent portrayal of SS and Onslaught.

 

Episode 18: Machinations in Motion


Laserbeak’s message had been cryptic, but given that there were possibly other listeners, his vagueness was most likely for the best. Soundwave flew out to the mountainous coordinates that his winged subordinate had given him, expecting to be filled in on some juicy details regarding dubious behavior of other Decepticons, details that Soundwave would certainly use against that Decepticon. Between Ravage, Buzzsaw and Laserbeak, Soundwave was frequently being fed prime blackmail material.

Soundwave set down on the grassy ground that Laserbeak had selected as a meeting place. The Communications Commander wondered silently why his interrogator has chosen this location, but didn’t pay it any serious thought. Soundwave waited, slightly annoyed that Laserbeak was not already there, but rustling from some trees ahead of him let him know that he was no longer alone.

But the sounds weren’t right. There were footsteps, fairly large ones at that. Soundwave pointed his shoulder-mounted cannon in the direction of the noise, but was immediately thrown to the ground by a blast that impacted directly behind him. Soundwave shook his head to clear out the cobwebs and looked up, seeing Vortex emerge from the trees. In the Combaticon’s hands was Laserbeak, desperately struggling against one hand wrapped around his long neck and another hand gripping his right wing. Soundwave cursed himself for falling into the trap.

From behind Vortex came Onslaught and Swindle, both of whom walked to either side of Soundwave. Blast Off, who Soundwave could only assume was the one who had fired the shot that had knocked him to the ground, descended and transformed to robot mode before landing on the ground behind him. Onslaught crossed his arms as he stood over the Decepticon Communications Commander. “Easy or hard Soundwave?”

Soundwave looked up to Onslaught and tried to read his mind. The mind reading really only worked on the unsuspecting or mentally weak, so Soundwave really wasn’t surprised when his efforts came up fruitless. Soundwave looked to the others to glean any information out of them, but the other three Combaticons were adequately intelligent to put up an effective mental block. The prostrate blue Decepticon understood why Onslaught had neglected to bring that idiot Brawl. Of course, though Brawl’s mind would be easily accessible, it would probably yield precious little, but Onslaught wasn’t known for taking unnecessary chances.

Giving up on the psychic interrogations, Soundwave looked up to Onslaught and responded. “Release Laserbeak and I will comply.”

Onslaught looked to Vortex and nodded. Vortex nodded back and released the metal bird, who swooped over Soundwave and perched on an outcropping of rock high above, not sure of how to proceed. Onslaught looked down at Soundwave. “Tell your bird to go home. If you cooperate we probably won’t kill you.”

Soundwave looked to Laserbeak and sent a silent command to return to Megatron. Laserbeak nodded and took to the air. Onslaught turned to Blast Off. “See that he goes back to the power plant and does not follow us.” Blast Off saluted, leapt to the air, transformed, and darted skyward. Onslaught then nodded to Swindle, who saluted and transformed to jeep mode. “Alright Soundwave, transform, shrink up, and take a seat in Swindle. I don’t think I need to tell you that any funny business of any kind will result in a long, painful death.”

Soundwave nodded his understanding and leapt toward the tan jeep, transforming and shrinking as he did so, and landing in the passenger seat. Onslaught took a step forward and transformed. “Alright Combaticons, back to the rendezvous point.” Swindle led with Onslaught close behind him and the recently transformed Vortex flying above.


***


“Incredible.” Shockwave examined the schematics displayed on the large view screen in the Darkmount Command Center. Though still far from completion, the designs he was studying showed astounding promise and exceptional detail. Too much detail for others, even those with high levels of intelligence, to comprehend, so Shockwave was summarizing the potential ramifications of this new, stolen technology.

Shockwave removed his left, cannon arm from the input jack of the computer terminal. Being more than just a weapon, his wrist cannon could also act as an energy siphon, a device capable of detecting virtually any type of energy or radiation, or a transmitter of electronic data, a function that Shockwave had just finished using it for. The disc that contained the summarized information that Shockwave had just transferred ejected from the terminal and was snatched up by Shockwave’s right, and only, hand. “Ratbat, come here.”

The small communications officer swooped over from the far side of the room. Ratbat’s design was a slightly altered derivative of Laserbeak’s and Buzzsaw’s pre-Earth forms. The winged Decepticon landed on the terminal next to Shockwave. “Yes sir.”

Shockwave handed the disc to Ratbat, who gripped it in his mouth. “Transmit this information to Megatron immediately.” Ratbat nodded and swooped out of the room. Shockwave watched the small, dark Decepticon leave, and then started marching out of the room as well.

He headed through the halls toward one of his many interrogation chambers to ‘interview’ the architect of the technology that he had spent that last several hours going over. Up ahead he saw the Decepticon who had captured the scientist and his notes, Archforce, approaching. Archforce and several of his troops had been scouring many of the subterranean catacombs beneath Cybertron’s surface since shortly after the emergence of the Pit Lords, or Dinobots as they seemed to be called now. At best, Shockwave had expected Archforce’s team to discover an abandoned Autobot base, which they did. But to Shockwave’s surprise they had also found a laboratory a couple of weeks later, one that wasn’t abandoned. In it was a lone Transformer, one whose identity, and scientific ability, was well known to Shockwave.

“Don’t worry sir, he’s a little roughed up, but we really didn’t put too much of a hurting on him.” Archforce smiled as he approached Shockwave.

“No more discomfort is to befall him. Though our prisoner, this Autobot is to be treated with respect and dignity from this point forward. The only one to lay a hand on him from now on is to be me, is that understood?”

Archforce nodded. “Sure thing boss.”

Shockwave walked past the purple Decepticon and into the interrogation room that was housing the prisoner in question. “I hope that your trip here wasn’t too unpleasant.” The robot, which was shackled to the wall, remained silent. Shockwave walked over to him and peered closely at the battered left optic, evidence of the rough treatment he had received at the hands of Archforce and his underlings. Shockwave wasn’t angered at Archforce though, the fact that this robot was still functioning and in one piece was a testament to the self-control of the Decepticons that had captured him. “I apologize for any mistreatment that you may have sustained. Some of my soldiers can be overzealous at times.”

The prisoner remained silent, but twisted his head away from Shockwave. Shockwave stepped away and turned toward the other end of the room, but continued his conversation despite his guest’s reticence. “I assure you, you will not be treated inappropriately anymore. In fact, if you cooperate I will see to it that you are given the respect normally reserved for a Decepticon warlord. You see, though you and I have found ourselves on different ends of the ideology spectrum, we are still very much alike. We are the intelligentsias, the mental elite. We are better than other life forms. There is a great deal that we can learn from one another, and together, there is nothing that we can not accomplish.” Shockwave turned to see his prisoner completely unmoved by his words. The Decepticon Sub-Commander walked back toward the chained Autobot and leaned in close to him. “You will talk to me, and divulge every piece of information that I seek. I just hope that things do not need to become unpleasant for that to happen.”

The predominantly red Autobot looked up at Shockwave and spat his response. “You’ll get nothing out of me, Decepticon!”

“Ah, Perceptor, I truly did not want it to come to this.” Shockwave raised his now-glowing cannon arm. “I am not going to ask you to betray your comrades, not yet anyway.” Shockwave brought the glowing tube near the Autobot scientist’s damaged optic. “I just want you to bring me up to speed on everything regarding this ‘Transwarp’ technology that you have been working on.”


***


“It really is amazing Prime…” First Aid sealed the access panel on the top of Superion’s head. “All five consciousnesses converge to create a new, wholly independent mind. And while there’s definitely room for improvement in regard to mental faculties and synaptic response times, it’s still an unbelievable technological feat.”

Optimus Prime nodded. “And the enhanced strength, size and durability?”

Wheeljack walked around the shoulders of the laid out Superion toward Prime. “It’s an odd combination of the physical strengths of the individual components significantly augmented by vast energy created by the combination of their respective sparks. It’s really the energy given off by the new ‘multi-spark’ that gifts the created ‘gestalt’ with such power and durability.”

Prime rubbed the bottom of his faceplate as he took in the information. “Given that this technology seems somewhat different from what the Constructicons are using, is it still possible to retro-fit it onto existing Transformer frames?”

First Aid looked to Wheeljack before answering Prime’s question. “Well, yes. But the procedure would be extremely invasive for those that it would be performed on, and the best results would be achieved if the patients were conscious during it.”

Prime looked down. “I don’t think I could ask anyone to undergo such a painful operation.” Prime looked over the two scientists. “Scrap any plans to replicate this procedure for the time being. I will not resort to torturing my own troops to achieve a battlefield advantage over Megatron.”

First Aid nodded and tapped Superion on the right shoulder. “Thank you Superion, that will be all.”

“Though…” Prime voiced his afterthought as Superion rose to his feet. “Perhaps you should continue your theories on how to improve the brain activity of the gestalt, First Aid. Perhaps we may get another shot at accessing Vector Sigma, and therefore the ability to utilize this combiner technology once again.”

First Aid nodded, but was interrupted as Tracks sprinted into the cargo bay that they were in. “I’M SORRY, IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN!”

Barreling through the entrance right behind him was an enraged Sunstreaker. “YOU’RE SLAGGIN’ RIGHT IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN! NOT AFTER I TEAR YOUR OPTICS OUT!” Tracks ran around Superion, doing everything he could to keep the giant robot between he and Sunstreaker.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?!” Prime’s voice boomed against the walls of the large room.

Both Tracks and Sunstreaker looked to Prime, fear and rage in their respective optics. Tracks broke the silence. “Nothing sir, just a little misunderstanding.”

Prime looked to Sunstreaker. Sunstreaker chasing down and assaulting another Autobot was by no means a unique occurrence, but to have his victim not wish for Prime to step in was. “What’s going on here, Sunstreaker?”

Still irate, Sunstreaker answered the question as best he could. “Prime, there’s something seriously wrong with this guy! Ever since he first came to Earth I’ve found him doing nothing but stare at me. At first I figured it was only natural, heck, look at me.” Sunstreaker waved his hands over his frame. Prime, Wheeljack and First Aid all groaned in annoyance in unison. “But he keeps staring.”

Wheeljack interrupted. “I thought you liked to be admired, Sunstreaker.”

Sunstreaker looked to Wheeljack. “Admired, yes. But this guy is non-stop, and he’s just creepy about it. And if he’s not burning a hole in my frame with his optics, he’s checking out my brother in the same creepy way. He’s been doing it for weeks! I’ve told him to back off a few times, but he just keeps on staring! Then, in the middle of an oil bath I look up to see this grinning idiot fixating on me again!” Sunstreaker shook his head and shrugged. “I just snapped. Sorry Prime, but I reached my limit.”

Prime shook his head, and looked to Wheeljack, who despite having limited facial features, appeared to be smirking. Prime turned to First Aid as well, who also seemed to be doing what he could to hold back laughter. Prime turned to Tracks and Sunstreaker. “I’ll deal with the two of you shortly. For the time being, you are both to go directly to your quarters and there is to be no further incident. Is that understood?” Tracks quickly nodded, and Sunstreaker eventually grunted his acceptance of the terms as well. “Good. Now get out of here.”

The two Autobots left the cargo bay. Superion looked down to Prime, who addressed the patiently waiting giant. “Yes Superion, you’re dismissed also, and thanks for your help earlier.” Superion nodded and walked out as well, having to lower his head to get through the doorway. Prime then turned to Wheeljack and First Aid. “What was that all about?”

The two Autobots could no longer contain themselves, and busted out laughing. Wheeljack managed to get some words out through the guffaws. “Well, Prime, we all think that Tracks is wired just a little differently than the rest of us.”

Prime nodded his understanding. “I see.”

First Aid chimed in. “Yeah, I think he was less affected by the extinction of the Femmes than the rest of us, if you know what I'm saying.” First Aid realized the can of worms that he had opened just as the last word of his sentence came out of his mouth. The laughter immediately ceased, and both First Aid and Wheeljack looked to Prime, whose optics dimmed and looked down. “I’m sorry Prime, I forgot.”

“It’s alright First Aid. You meant no harm by that statement.” Prime was unable to hide the sorrow in his voice.

Wheeljack tried to cheer up his leader. “Hey Prime, we don’t know if First Aid is right about that anyway. She could still be out there, fighting the good fight.”

Prime shook his head. “No, she’s gone. Neither she, nor any of her soldiers have been seen in fifty thousand, one hundred twelve vorns. It was the first thing I asked Magnus when we established radio contact many weeks ago.”

First Aid looked down and shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry Prime.”


***


As best as Soundwave could figure, they were somewhere in northern California. Snuggled between two mountains, Soundwave got less a feeling of a base of operations and more a feeling of a scaled up human campsite. They were surrounded by trees, and aside from he and the other Decepticons present, there didn’t seem to be any electronics of any kind. Sound wave looked over his five captors and asked a question. “Where is Starscream?”

“We ditched him.” Brawl’s stupidity and belligerence were clearly displayed in his loud, grating voice.

Onslaught stepped toward the seated Communications Commander. “Temporarily. We will reconnect with Starscream once our business with you is completed.”

“What business is that?” Soundwave then looked to Brawl, who had been absent during their previous encounter.

“While I’m certain that you can read Brawl’s mind, you will unfortunately find nothing relating to why you are here. I have yet to inform him of why we acquired you.” Onslaught leaned back and crossed his arms.

Brawl suddenly got incensed. “He can’t read my mind! I’m just as good at putting up a metal block as you guys.”

Vortex spat forth. “That’s mental block, not metal block you idiot!”

Brawl took a step toward his bladed teammate. “Come here you oil-patch!”

“That’s enough! Vortex, don’t insult Brawl. Brawl, please go to our lookout point and stand watch.” His team immediately respected Onslaught’s authority-filled voice, and Brawl marched off to obey his command. Onslaught turned back to Soundwave. “Now, our reason for bringing you here need not be a secret. I just have a few questions for you.”

Soundwave grew slightly more nervous. “What questions?”

“Well, for starters, who set us up all those vorns ago, what was their reason, and why did you lie at our court martial?”

Soundwave shifted on the wet ground that he was sitting on. “I am unaware of what you are referring to.”

Onslaught nodded. “Alright, we can certainly play that way. Vortex?” With that the lavender and gray Combaticon stepped toward Soundwave and ominously began spinning the rotor blade under his right forearm.

Soundwave held up his hand to stop the interrogator from doing his sadistic work. “Stop. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.”

Onslaught held his hand out to stop Vortex, who halted in his tracks and stopped his speeding blade. “O.K., who set us up?”

“I do not know, but I have a guess.”

Onslaught nodded. For some reason he actually believed that Soundwave was unaware of who orchestrated the conspiracy to imprison his team. “Then I suppose you’re unaware of what their motives would be, huh?”

Soundwave nodded. “Correct.”

“Well then, how about the one question that I know you can answer? Why did you lie at our court martial? I was ordered by Megatron to allow you to probe my mind to get to the truth. I happily complied, yet you claimed that I was still blocking you out. What was your purpose in doing this?”

Soundwave looked down and nodded. “You and your team were rising quickly through the ranks. I was already out ranked by Shockwave and Starscream, and I really had no desire to have you step between Megatron and myself as well.”

Onslaught nodded. “So, you were afraid of being replaced.”

Soundwave continued. “Ravage, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw were effective spies, but the high-altitude reconnaissance of Blast Off, and the underworld connections of Swindle could yield information regarding the Autobots that could be as valuable as what my spies provide. Laserbeak is an effective interrogator, but Vortex is considered to be just as good, and a more effective warrior. Rumble and Frenzy are acceptable fighters, but both of them combined are not nearly as effective as Brawl. All that I, and my underlings, have over you and your team is our communications skills, and with Blast Off in orbit your ability to relay messages and information is more than acceptable. And then there’s your military expertise. Megatron would surely rather have you in his inner circle.”

“I see.” Onslaught uncrossed his arms and walked away. Then, suddenly, he started laughing. “Soundwave you fool, Megatron would never have gotten rid of you.” He turned back to the startled blue Decepticon. “You’re a fender polishing mind-reader. He’ll always want you at his side.”

Soundwave tried to ignore the insult-laden observation. “Will you destroy me now?” Soundwave’s nervousness was surprisingly subsiding, almost as if he were willing to accept his fate, whatever that may be.

Onslaught was silent for several moments before finally answering the seated Decepticon. “No. No I won’t. But I will require a task of you.”


***


“Enter.”

“Prime…” Grimlock poked his head into Prime’s quarters. “Can me Grimlock sit in on conversation with operative?”

Prime considered Grimlock’s request for a moment before acquiescing to it. “Yes Grimlock, you may enter.” Grimlock was already fully aware of the operative’s identity, and of what Prime would ask of him. The attack on the Koltic Bridge, and the subsequent bombing of a portion of it, had kept the Decepticons from delivering large quantities of energon to the Cooler for several days. But the repairs were almost finished, and soon large convoys of energon would be on their way. The energon that the Decepticons had flown to the Cooler had given Shockwave more than enough troops to keep the Autobots away from the bridge in the future.

What Prime would need from Punch was a detailed description and layout of the Decepticon forces at the bridge. Perhaps with that, a sudden assault by the almost fully repaired Omega Supreme and Superion might allow for more damage to befall the bridge connecting Polyhex and the Cooler. Prime held the data disc that contained these instructions. To help keep Counter-Punch’s cover, all transmissions were to be kept as short as possible, so instructions were transmitted and read by the recipient later.

Grimlock sat next to Prime in front of a communications array with a view screen. “When Punch to call?”

“Any moment now.” Prime relaxed in his chair, but noticed that Grimlock seemed a little nervous. “Is there something wrong Grimlock?”

Grimlock looked at Prime. “Huh, no. Me Grimlock fine.” There was a knock at Primes door, a sound that was extremely welcome to Grimlock’s audio receptors.

“Enter.”

The door slid open, and Ironhide entered with General Peterson following behind him. “Prahme, sorry to bother you, but there’s a situation brewin’ with the humans.”

Prime looked down at the General. “What is it General Peterson?”

The human walked in, gave Grimlock a quick look, and addressed the Autobot Commander. “Prime, we may have a very big problem. My superiors have decided to initiate a missile strike against the Decepticon-occupied Diablo Canyon power plant.”

Shocked, Prime stood straight up. “Are they insane!?! They’re willing to risk any number of catastrophic possibilities?”

The General shook his head. “Yes, I know. I’ve made very little progress with the decision makers myself, but perhaps with your support we may be able to at least get them to delay the launch.”

“When are they planning on launching?” Grimlock asked, his tone sounding almost too serious.

The General just shook his head. “Within the hour. Prime, we’ve got to contact them immediately.”

Prime stood and thought about how to proceed. He handed the data disc that contained Punch’s instructions to the Dinobot Commander. “Grimlock, I’ve got to go. Please remain here and see that this information is sent to the proper party.”

Grimlock gently accepted the disc. “Of course, Prime. Me Grimlock not let you down.” With that, Prime nodded and followed Peterson and Ironhide out of his quarters.

Just as the door slid shut there was some static and Jazz’s voice coming through the communicator. “Prime, transmission from Cybertron for you.”

Without responding verbally, Grimlock flipped a switch to accept the transmission, while at the same time crushing the disc that Prime had given him. The screen on the desk popped to life, and staring back at Grimlock was a yellow Autobot. “Who are you?”

Grimlock nodded at the Autobot. “Me Grimlock. Prime not able to make it. Me sending his instructions to you now.” From a compartment in his wrist, Grimlock pulled another disc out, one identical to Prime’s. He inserted it into the communications consul and transmitted it to Punch.

“Receiving now. Transmission over.” But as Punch was about to sever communications he scanned his instructions. “Hold it! Is this for real?”

Grimlock nodded. “Time for pulling punches over. Autobots need to hit with everything Autobots have.”

The yellow Autobot seemed hesitant, but given the preparations that he had seen and conversations that he had heard in and around Darkmount, he was unable to disagree. “Alright, I’ll do it. Transmission over.” With that the image disappeared.


***


“So, you’re the crazy kid who wants to join the cause.” Ultra Magnus smiled down at the brash newcomer.

The young robot smirked. “From the looks of things, I’d say that the cause needs me to join.” The cocky smirk quickly broadened into a jovial smile. Hot Rod playfully slapped Ultra Magnus on the shoulder. “Just kidding big guy.”

The no-nonsense Autobot Sub-Commander looked from his shoulder to the red Autobot. “Well then Hot Rod, Springer over there will show you around the facility and set you up with some quarters.”

Hot Rod gave a sloppy salute. “Thanks Chief.” The newcomer then trotted over to Springer, whom despite their initial friction, he had become fast friends with.

Ultra Magnus stepped next to Kup as they both watched Hot Rod scamper away. “What do you make of him?”

Without taking his optics off of the red Autobot, Kup responded. “He’s bright, he’s fast, he’s strong, and he’s got a lot of guts. But he’s also rash, careless, cocky, immature, goofy, annoying and he looks funny.”

Magnus smiled. “Do you trust him?”

Kup furrowed his metallic brow. “Yeah, not sure why, but I do.”

“Good. I want you to personally take him under your wing and teach him everything you know.”

The previously calm Kup was instantly agitated. “WHAT!?! No way Magnus! You have no idea of what a pain in the bumper that kid is! You’re not sticking him with me!”

Magnus shrugged, trying not to smile. “What, from your description he didn’t sound that bad. Heck, I kind of remember you describing Sideswipe in much the same way, and we could certainly use more like him.”

“No Magnus, you can’t do this to me.”

Magnus’s smile came through despite his best efforts. “Sorry pal, but it’s done.”

Kup shook his head, his annoyance nearly palpable. “I’ll never forgive you for this.”


***


“This is Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. And if you are hearing this, it means I failed…this time.” Megatron’s sinister laugh cut through the salty air. “But I know that Transwarp technology is being developed. And so I leave this message to any Decepticon descendants that may find it; change the history that has robbed us of our rightful place, right the destiny that was so clearly wrong this time, and ensure that the glorious Decepticon empire rules in perpetuity. I know not your situation, so I can not give you specific instructions or encouragement, but if even the slightest amount of noble Decepticon programming runs through your circuitry, then you have the ability and strength to find a way! Decepticons forever!” Megatron nodded to Buzzsaw, who ceased recording, transformed to bird mode, flew over to Megatron and landed on his shoulder. In the distance, Ravage watched, but paid only the slightest degree of attention. “Astrotrain, front and center!”

The large, powerful triple-changer ran from the pallet that he was loading with energon cubes and stopped before Megatron. “Yes, Lord Megatron.”

“I want you fully fueled and in orbit with Buzzsaw within ten minutes. He will instruct you as to the rough coordinates that you are to travel to. It will take some time for you to find the construct that I need you to find, but I’m confident that you’ll reach it eventually. When the construct is found, Buzzsaw will need to make some modifications to an object on board. Once this is completed, you are to return home.” Megatron reached out and gently, but authoritatively, squeezed the shoulder of Astrotrain. “This mission is either completely unnecessary, or of the most extreme importance. Only time will tell. But you are to treat is as if it's the most important undertaking of you life, is that clear?”

Astrotrain nodded. “Yes Lord Megatron. I see that it's done and done right.” With that he turned and jogged over to the nearest pile of energon.

Megatron smiled and cooed to himself. “Yessssss.”

Rumble called out from behind Megatron. “Hey Megatron, it looks like ol’ Onslaught is coming back for more.”

Megatron looked out into the distance, and sure enough saw a lone flatbed truck smashing through the American military blockades and heading toward the power plant. Megatron turned to Buzzsaw. “Go on with your mission. I will see that Soundwave is returned.”

Buzzsaw nodded and swooped over to Astrotrain, who was gorging himself on energon. Megatron was joined by Ravage, who looked up at him from knee-height. Megatron addressed the feline-shaped Decepticon. “See that he is alone.” With that the black, mechanical jaguar leapt toward the road that Onslaught would soon be approaching from.

The truck then stopped, and a small object shot out from the passenger seat. The object ascended into the air about twenty feet before increasing in size and transforming into Soundwave. Onslaught transformed as well, and the two robots were standing next to each other, facing the advancing Decepticons.

“Soundwave, come here!” Megatron wanted his most trusted advisor out of the way so that he could incinerate Onslaught where he stood.

“Yes Megatron, but please refrain from attacking Onslaught.” Soundwave walked toward his Commander, and was soon surrounded by Laserbeak, Frenzy and Rumble, all of whom were ready to drag Soundwave to cover should Onslaught or any of his commandoes try anything.

Megatron continued to slowly walk toward the new arrivals, and eventually got to Soundwave. “What did they do to you?”

“They asked questions, and we clarified a misconception.” The electronic voice replied.

A confused look came over Megatron’s face. “Clarified a misconception?”

Onslaught stepped forward. “Yes Megatron, we clarified a misconception, the misconception that my team and I betrayed you. The charges brought against us in the plot to kill you were false, as was the physical evidence. And Soundwave’s inability to read my mind was not due to my unwillingness, but from what I can only assume to be some sort of outside interference.” Onslaught’s arrangement with Soundwave required him not to reveal the Communication Commander’s duplicity at the court martial.

Megatron looked at Soundwave, who silently nodded. “Read his mind now, and tell me whether he is a traitor or not!”

Soundwave looked to Onslaught. “Onslaught possesses misguided anger and frustration toward you stemming from his undeserved dishonor and incarceration. Beyond that he is completely loyal to you and the Decepticon cause.”

Megatron was stunned. “You mean to tell me that I put one of my most successful officers on trial and kept him in the Brig for over fifty thousand vorns!?!”

Onslaught stepped forward. “Yes Megatron, it appears that way. But now that I know that you were unaware of my innocence, and that Soundwave was not behind my betrayal either, that leaves only one other that stood before the court and bore false witness.”

Megatron snarled. “Starscream! Yet another reason for me to kill him!”

“Yes, Starscream. I hope that the last thought that runs through his head is one of regret for bringing my team and I back to life.”

Megatron looked earnestly at Onslaught. The Decepticon leader had never apologized, and most likely never would. He felt no compassion for others, not even those he considered friends. But he did see the asset that Onslaught and his team represented, and it enraged him that such an asset was kept from him for so long. “I promise to make Starscream pay dearly for your incarceration, Onslaught.”

Onslaught nodded, misinterpreting Megatron’s statement as one of genuine affection and remorse for what had befallen he and his comrades. “I appreciate that Megatron. Now, let’s put this ugly matter behind us. After all, you can’t change the past.”

Megatron smiled at the Combaticon Commander and then turned and watched the recently launched Astrotrain shoot into the clouds. “Perhaps not.”


***


Punch had grown accustomed to clandestine meetings in remote areas. But for this meeting he had to find an area that was especially out of the way. It had seemed that Shockwave had lost interest in the archeological treasures beneath the Medriac sector and had pulled any and all Decepticons from the region. So, in light of the Decepticon withdrawal, this seemed to be the most ideal place for the double-spy to meet with a one hundred twenty foot tall Guardian robot.

Punch heard a noise high above, and watched as the gray rocket lowered to the freshly appearing landing platform, track and tank. Once firmly on the metallic ground, the different structures shifted shape and connected, creating the most awesome sight that Punch had ever beheld. “Uhh, hi.”

The enormous Omega Supreme looked down on the Autobot below, who was less than one-fifth his height. “Are you the courier designated Punch?”

Punch laughed inwardly at the title courier, but was pleased to hear it. Punch had been slightly afraid that Prime would underestimate the seriousness of his position, and make his function and alter ego known to all of the Autobot rank and file. It was good to know that Prime seemed to be as discreet as Ultra Magnus. “Yes, I’m Punch.” Punch looked to a six-foot long cylindrical metal object in the Guardian’s claw. “Is that the package Prime instructed you to deliver to me?”

“Negative. My orders originated not from Optimus Prime, but from Grimlock.”

Punch was a little put back by the giant’s fact-of-the-matter delivery, but he knew that Grimlock had spoken for Prime in their earlier conversation, so it really didn’t seem that unusual for Grimlock to have been the one to issue Omega Supreme’s orders. “But that’s the package, right?”

“Affirmative.”

Punch nodded. This was taking a lot longer than he had wanted it to. “Alright then, let’s make the exchange and be on our respective ways.” With that Omega Supreme lowered his clawed arm and released the device into Punch’s outstretched arms. “Thank you.” Punch quickly looked the device over and then back at the giant robot. “Well, you have a safe trip home.” With that Punch tossed the device into the air, transformed into a blue car, positioned his open passenger door under the descending device, and let it land inside. The blue car sped off, leaving a slightly confused Omega Supreme alone to transform and make his trip back to Earth.

 

Well written as usual, however the bit with Megs recording the message... I dunno, seems out of character? Why would he be doing such a thing when the circumstances don't seem that grave? Hmm.

The bit with Soundwave confessing was nice, btw.

 

very awesome! this just keeps getting better

 

Yeah, I thought about that too after writing it. It would have been much more appropriate once the momentum swung back towards the Autobot's favor, or at least for a time when the Decepticons weren't on such a roll. Hell, the scene would have been ideal about two or three episodes done the line.

Part of the reason that I included it is that, overall, the episode is kind of thin. I was trying to throw a lot in to make up for the lack of action, and I hoped that a gratuitous BW reference would help.

But, patience has never been a strong suit of mine.

 

Episode 19: Fallout



“Where in the inferno have you been!?!”

The flatbed rolled into the abandoned manufacturing plant, transformed into Onslaught, and without looking at the former Decepticon Air Commander, responded. “Reconnaissance.” Onslaught fixed his gaze on Brawl, who was standing behind Starscream, and nodded.

“You’re a big, slow truck. Blast Off, Vortex or myself are far more suited for re…” Starscream’s statement was interrupted as Brawl stepped forward and wrapped his massive arms around the gray Seeker, pinning Starscream's arms to his sides. “WHAT? RELEASE ME NOW, YOU LUMMOX!” Starscream struggled against the iron grip, but quickly realized that Brawl was just too strong. Starscream glared at Onslaught, who was calmly standing in front of him. “ONSLAUGHT, EXPLAIN THIS BETRAYAL!”

The other three Combaticons gathered behind Onslaught. Onslaught laughed gently as he replied to his prisoner. “Betrayal, Starscream? Hearing you, of all Decepticons, cry betrayal would be most amusing were I not feeling so vindictive toward you right now.”

Starscream attempted one more futile struggle against Brawl’s grasp. “What are you talking about you fool? I was the one that revived you. I was the one that upgraded your team to be an even more effective fighting force. I was the one that offered you your opportunity to strike back at Megatron. And you dare to feel vindictiveness toward, and have this mindless thug assault, me!?! HAVE YOU FRIED YOUR NEURAL NET!?!”

From outside, large footsteps could be heard. Three seconds later Megatron’s large, majestic frame entered the enormous, empty plant. “Let’s just say that Onslaught and I have put our past behind us, compared a few notes, and realized that we have something in common when it comes to you.” The imprisoned Starscream snarled at his former Commander, but was struck by a rare bout of speechlessness. Megatron smiled. “What’s the matter Starscream, no joy in seeing a long-lost friend?”

Onslaught looked to Megatron. “As agreed, you will be the one to kill him…” The Combaticon leader turned back toward Starscream and started toward him. “But I feel that I must do this first.” A thunderous right cross flew out and smashed against Starscream’s left cheek, snapping his head back. Onslaught turned around once again and nodded at Megatron. “I hope that you don’t mind.”

Megatron lightly chuckled. “Not in the least.” With that Megatron also started approaching Starscream and Brawl. “Any last words, my loyal Air Commander?”

Starscream’s head slowly rolled forward again, and ominously lifted to view the advancing Megatron. Mech fluid and liquid energon oozing out of his mouth, Starscream replied. “Megatron, you should stick to goals that are attainable.” Suddenly, brightly colored null-rays burst out from Starscream’s arm rifles and into Brawl’s shins. The green Combaticon groaned in pain and released his grip on the Seeker. Now free, Starscream maintained his fire and raised his arms toward the surprised Megatron, pelting his torso with a dozen shots. The gray warrior engaged his foot thrusters and rose to the air, directing his fire toward the other four Combaticons. “Killing me is way outside your reach!”

“Take him out!” Onslaught’s command barely preceded the return fire from his soldiers, all of which narrowly missed knocking Starscream out of the air. Even Onslaught was unable to get a bead on the quickly moving Seeker.

“I will finish you pathetic fools some other time.” Starscream darted toward the large entranceway that Onslaught and Megatron had used and swooped outside. Once free of the confines of the factory, Starscream transformed and took toward the clouds over the city of Vancouver. A moment later he realized that he was not alone.

Five multi-colored jets shot down from above to engage the renegade Decepticon. “Hey traitor, miss us?” Skywarp unloaded a barrage of lasers and missiles to go with his words.

Starscream laughed as he easily evaded the attack. “You fools really have no idea of how out-matched you are, do you?” Skywarp’s errant ordinance exploded against several oceanfront buildings. The other Seekers fired upon Starscream as well, who darted away from his former subordinates to keep from being blown out of the sky, but cut back to reengage them. “I am Starscream, Cybertron’s greatest air warrior, and the master of each and every one of you! None of you are fit to challenge me!" A light giggle escaped from Starscream's audio processors. "But what the heck, I feel like slumming.” Starscream let loose a volley of laser fire that tore through Ramjet’s left wing and sent him spiraling downward. The other Seekers frantically adjusted their flight paths to effectively counter Starscream’s attack pattern.

The battle was soon taking place over the heart of Vancouver, and wayward lasers and missiles were wrecking havoc upon the human city. Metal, wood and masonry were raining down from impacted buildings, fires were breaking out everywhere, and water and gas lines were being ruptured on numerous blocks. All of which was in addition to the explosions directly caused by Decepticon weaponry. The city was quickly falling into chaos.

Despite his arrogance and early momentum, Starscream was quickly realizing that the odds against him in this dogfight were perhaps too great. Even shots from Megatron and the other non-flying Decepticons were getting too close. Seeing Blast Off, Vortex, Blitzwing and Octane enter the fray was the last straw. “Until next time, boys!” The fastest Decepticon jet shot through the clouds and disappeared from sight.


***


“They need our help! Autobots, let’s roll…” Prime suddenly froze as another thought entered his head. He turned back toward Jazz. “Which Decepticons were confirmed sighted in Vancouver?”

Jazz was a little taken aback by Prime’s sudden shift in direction, but answered his question nonetheless. “Uhh, Starscream, Thundercracker, well, all the Seekers that we know to be on Earth. The TV showed Megatron sending a few shots skyward, Blitzwing, Octane, a space shuttle that didn’t look like Astrotrain, an unknown helicopter, and a couple other unknown robots. That appeared to be it, though it looks like the skirmish is breaking up.”

Prime’s optics lit brightly. “So Megatron, and most of his air warriors, are away from the power plant?”

Jazz nodded, realizing what Prime was getting at. “It appears that way, boss.”

Prime excitedly called out his revised orders. “Jetfire, lead the Aerialbots and Powerglide to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant now! Make the most of the head start you have over Megatron.” Jetfire saluted and took to the sky, followed by the other Autobot jets. “Grimlock, you and the other Dinobots are to board Omega Supreme now. Omega Supreme, follow Jetfire and get to the plant as soon as you possibly can!”

Prime watched as the five gray warriors entered the large rocket. “Hot Spot, you and the Protectobots are to head directly to Vancouver and do whatever you can to aid the humans!” Hot Spot saluted and he and his team headed out away from Mt. Saint Hilary as Omega Supreme’s rocket section took to the sky. “Prowl, you, Inferno, Sideswipe, Brawn, Tracks, Huffer, Ratchet and Gears are to remain behind in case Megatron takes a few pot shot’s at the Ark on his way back home, or to offer reinforcements to Vancouver or Diablo Canyon should they be required. Is that understood?”

“Yes sir, Prime.” Prowl nodded to his Commander and friend.

Prime looked to the other Autobots. “The rest of you, come with me. We’ve got a power source to take away from Megatron!” Prime, and the Autobots to accompany him, transformed and sped away from the mountain.


***


“Identification code and requisition authorization?”

The blue Decepticon stepped up to the menacing guard, one of eight standing by the outermost checkpoint to the Cooler. These were simply the vanguard to a vastly larger security force inside. The guard raised a hand-held scanner that was larger than the approaching Decepticon’s chest. The Decepticon stopped and spoke into the scanner. “Designation Counter-Punch, identity code 08CP4087. Entrance is sought pertaining to requisition authorization codes SW-18842387-revival, SW-1842388-revival and SW-1842389-revival.” Counter-Punch stepped back from the guard and patiently waited for the device to verify his identity and assignment, thereby granting him access.

As the device analyzed the codes, the guard holding it casually inquired about Counter-Punch’s business. “So who are you here to wake up?”

Counter-Punch smiled proudly at the powerfully built guard. “I found an opening to some catacombs beneath Iacon that I’m sure lead to an Autobot facility. I went to Shockwave and requisitioned a tracker, an interrogator and a data collector to help me root out these Autobots. They go by the names Carnivac, Beastbox and Crankcase.”

No longer interested, the guard responded curtly. “Don’t know ‘em.” The hand-held device beeped its approval. “Alright, you’re clear. Just don’t screw around in there, even with the Koltic Bridge on the fritz, this is one busy place.”

Counter-Punch looked around and witnessed all of the activity. Even with the limited amount of energon that they had managed to airfreight to the Cooler, they had already managed to revive several thousand Decepticon troops. Hundreds were leaving the facility as Counter-Punch made his way in.

An hour later Counter-Punch had finally gotten past the last of the checkpoints and was fully within the Cooler. It was an enormous structure, easily covering two hundred forty acres and stretching over fifteen hundred feet into the air. The acquisitions that Counter-Punch was there for officially were all a dozen levels up, but he made his first stop on level five. He was by no means a scientist, but he figured that this would be a fairly good altitude to conduct the business that had really brought him there.

Walking down the corridor, he made his way to a series of emptied vaults. The readings of one of them showed that the occupant had been revived several days before, and a quick check of the possession drawer showed that he had not left anything behind. Counter-Punch figured that there should be no reason that anyone would be opening this vault in the foreseeable future.

Carefully making sure that nobody was watching, Counter-Punch reached into a compartment in his yellow back and withdrew the canister that Omega Supreme had given him a few days before. He quickly activated it, set the timer for eight hours, placed it in the vault, and slid the vault shut. Once convinced that he had not been watched, Counter-Punch set out to conduct his official Decepticon business.


***


The blue fire engine transformed to a thirty-foot robot and raised his right arm. “Blades, I need a lift!” Several seconds later a red and white Huey flew to a hovering position above and lowered a line to the awaiting Hot Spot. Hot Spot gripped the line, was lifted off the ground, and ascended along side a flame-ridden high-rise apartment building. Out of the window of an apartment on the forty-first floor, two children reached out and screamed with terror, as flames from below periodically whipped up at them.

As Hot Spot approached them, he brought his left hand to a hose running along the side of his body. The hose shot out white foam that would keep the temperature of his metal hand and arm at or below seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Once the foam was applied, Hot Spot reached out for the frightened children, who hesitantly climbed into his hand and clung to his wrist. “Bring us down, Blades.” Hot Spot’s gentle, yet authoritative voice could be heard over the sounds of rotor blades. A few moments later the children were safely on the ground and being attended to by paramedics.

“Nice job, eh.” The police officer looked up at the massive, blue Autobot. “But I got word that we could use your help four blocks east of here. The hospital took a hit and they’re worried that part of it may collapse.”

Hot Spot transformed. “On my way sir.” A second later the blue fire engine was speeding away.


***


While not necessarily expecting trouble, the Decepticons were definitely not caught off guard. But despite their readiness for battle, the air superiority of the Autobots was quickly becoming too much for them. Most of the cannons brought from the Nemesis were damaged beyond use or had been outright destroyed, and the Autobot attack runs were forcing the Decepticons to take cover. The only exceptions were Devastator and Menasor, who simply stood, took the Autobot ordinance and did their best to return fire against the quickly moving fliers.

Megatron had planned on a quick, clean execution of Starscream. Ideally the Autobots would never have known that he and most of his forces were absent from the power plant. And even if the Autobots should find out, Megatron had been almost certain that Prime would bring his forces to Vancouver to protect the humans. Soundwave sent out the priority message letting Megatron know that he had been wrong.

Then, in the distance, Soundwave saw a familiar conical shape and realized that this bad situation was about to get much worse. But despite his previous mistaken assumptions, Megatron had planned for Omega Supreme’s return. Since the Nemesis cannons had been so effective against him before, Megatron had hidden two more just in case the Guardian returned. Soundwave had ordered Frenzy and Rumble to man them at the first signs of an Autobot attack, and they were more than ready to unleash on either the Guardian, or the Autobot gestalt should it make an appearance.

As the rocket made it’s way toward the battle, five forms could be seen jumping from it and plummeting to the ground. Despite the long drop, none of the robots seemed to be in any way injured by the fall and instantly began sprinting into battle. Soundwave looked over to Reflector, who confirmed what Soundwave had already guessed. “Dinobots.”

The rocket landed behind a mountain, and twenty seconds later loud footsteps heralded the arrival of Omega Supreme. His awesome form emerged from behind the mountain, and was soon bearing down on the Decepticon positions.

Shots lanced forth from hidden trenches dug into the ground, which impacted heavily upon the Guardian’s chest. Omega Supreme stumbled back, but regained his composure and fired back at the positions that he believed had fired upon him. His shots were close, but missed the mark, and for his failure to hit he was rewarded with another pair of high-energy bursts, which knocked him to the ground.

Jetfire swooped down out of the sky toward where the blasts from one of the cannons seemed to be originating. As he dropped his altitude to under eight hundred feet, a black form darted from a cliff that he sped by. The form whisked by him, and a moment later Jetfire was aware that the tip of his left wing had been severed. Jetfire did his best to control his descent, but wound up over-shooting his intended target and crashing into the ocean. Rampage used his sword to give the crashing Autobot a mock salute and charged back into the battle laughing.

“Jetfire’s down!” Air Raid pulled away from strafing the Insecticons and set out to help the Autobot Air Commander.

Skydive’s voice cut through the radios. “Aerialbots, follow Air Raid out toward Jetfire. Once we reach the water’s edge, cut back and merge. The shots that are knocking Omega Supreme for a loop are originating from bunkers not far from the beach, and they are dug to be facing the mountains, not the ocean. As Superion, we’ll come up behind these positions and annihilate them.”

Silverbolt responded as he shot out toward the water. “Sounds good. Let’s do this!” The five jets shot out over the water, careened back to the land, slowed and formed the giant Superion as they lowered to the ground.

Rumble patiently waited for Omega Supreme to get back to his feet, but his plans to pick off the giant were interrupted as a huge, white fist crashed into the bunker that had until now offered him protection and cover. The five thick fingers rooted around in the cavern until they finally felt the cannon, and proceeded to mangle it. Rumble barely jumped off of it before it was yanked through the hole in the ceiling. Rumble peered through the hole to see that Frenzy had not been as quick, and was still seated in his wrecked cannon.

Having dispatched the snipers, Superion set out to aid his fellow Autobot giant against the two gestalts that were assaulting him. The cannons had softened up Omega Supreme to the point that he was unable to fight off the combined effort of Devastator and Menasor, but Superion was quickly coming to the Guardian’s aid. Four Seekers, returning from their attempted ambush of their former commanding officer, interrupted his progress. Superion swatted at the colorful Decepticon planes, but they were too fast for him to hit.

A helicopter, a space shuttle and four robots landed on the top of the mountain behind Omega Supreme and looked down as Menasor and Devastator traded punches with the weakened Autobot giant. Vortex and Blast Off transformed to robot mode and walked next to Megatron, Onslaught, Brawl and Swindle. Megatron looked over at Onslaught and smiled. “Not that they need it, but why don’t you give Menasor and Devastator a hand?”

Onslaught nodded, and several seconds later an eighty-one and a half foot robot had replaced the five Combaticons next to Megatron. Megatron smiled up at Bruticus. “Go ahead, dive right in.” Bruticus nodded and leapt feet first off the ledge that he was standing on.

Omega Supreme had managed to get back to his feet and thrown Devastator to the ground, and was now hammering away on Menasor. Seemingly having gotten his second wind, Omega Supreme was slowly regaining the offensive. But the enormous metal monster slamming into his shoulders and back halted any forward progress that he was about to make. The impact echoed for miles, and sent Menasor falling back.

Superion looked over to see what had caused the horrendous noise, and saw his heavily damaged comrade laid out across the base of the mountain, and a new, unknown giant lifting himself off the ground above the Guardian. The new gestalt was clearly shaken by the impact, but he was at least conscious and standing. Omega Supreme looked to be out cold, if not dead.


***


“What are you doing back so soon?”

The blue fire engine transformed once it had made it’s way up the Ark’s entrance ramp. “The humans claimed to have it under control. I think that they were a little uneasy having us there, given that Cybertronians had been the ones to cause all that damage in the first place.”

Prowl nodded as several other Autobots sped past the two of them out of the Ark. “Well, we’ll gain their trust some day. But I guess it’s good that you’re back, as most of us here are headed to California to back up Prime. We’ll need you to guard the Ark with Ratchet.”

Streetwise transformed to robot mode and stood next to Hot Spot. “The battle at the plant isn’t going well?”

Prowl shook his head. “No. The Decepticons have a new gestalt, and Omega Supreme has been taken out. The battle is most definitely not going well.” Prowl watched as the last of the Autobot reinforcements sped down the entrance ramp. “Hot Spot, you’re in charge.” Prowl transformed and sped out after the other Autobots.

Blades walked up to Hot Spot. “They’re going to need all the help they can get.”

Hot Spot shook his head. “You’re staying put. If these reinforcements should fall, we’re all that will be left to defend the Ark.”

Streetwise shook his head. “If they should fall, we won’t stand a chance.”

An ambulance, which had pulled up beside Streetwise a few moments before, transformed into First Aid and hesitantly addressed the other Protectobots. “There may be something that we could do. It might not be enough, but it should at least give us a fighting chance should the Decepticons attack.”


***


Prime finally arrived to the nuclear power plant, and watched in horror as Devastator, Menasor and an unknown giant were advancing on Superion, while Omega Supreme lay unconscious several dozen yards away. Superion took to the air to avoid the overwhelming onslaught, but he would probably not be able to remain airborne for long as Megatron was taking shots at his thrusters.

Prime sped off the road, transformed, took aim, and fired on Megatron. The Decepticon Commander turned and smiled at his opposite number. “Welcome to the party, Prime. So glad you could join us.” He then sent several shots at his ancient enemy.

In moments the entire area was swarmed with combatants. Due to the way the battle had originated, there were no longer any set positions. Close quarters combatants brawled each other with projectile, melee or no weapons. Even the Powerglide and the Decepticon fliers transformed and took to fighting in robot mode as the distance between comrade and enemy became too insignificant for aerial strikes.

Mowing through Soundwave and Reflector, Grimlock was making his way toward Megatron. He had lost their first uninterrupted encounter, but was sure that he would come out on top in the rematch. Up ahead he saw the Decepticon Commander delivering a savage beating to a desperately struggling Blaster. In the weeks since their dual, Grimlock had actually grown to respect the Autobot Communications Officer, and hurried to save him from the painful death that Megatron would soon be delivering him. Unfortunately, a powerfully built Decepticon with a lion’s head and mane adorning his chest blocked Grimlock’s path toward Megatron.

Razorclaw casually snap-kicked Ironhide away and sliced Trailbreaker’s lower left arm off with his sword, all the while staring down the Dinobot Commander. “Even when I knew it to be well outside the realm of possibility, I prayed for an opportunity like this. The great Grimlock, unbeatable leader of the Pit Lords.” Still keeping his gaze fixed on Grimlock, Razorclaw delivered a crescent kick to the wounded Trailbreaker that knocked him to the ground. “Finally, a chance to test myself against a worthy opponent.” The Predacon Commander lifted his sword and beckoned Grimlock to fight. Grimlock pulled out his plasma blade and ignited it. He may not be Megatron, but Grimlock knew a formidable warrior when he saw one.

Superion returned to the ground to prevent the Decepticon giants from wiping out his smaller comrades. No sooner were his feet touching the ground than Devastator, Menasor and Bruticus were swarming him. Having the best reflexes of the giants enabled him to get off some quick punches and avoid a few strikes, dancing around the smaller combatants and the natural terrain more effectively than the three Decepticons. But it would be only a matter of minutes, if not seconds, before he would be caught and completely overwhelmed.


***


“Ratchet, could you give me a hand with something?”

Startled, Ratchet spun around in the chair that he had been sitting in for hours as he monitored the progress of his comrades. “First Aid, I didn’t know you guys were back.”

“Yeah, we’ve been back for some time now. Anyway, can you spare a few minutes?” The worry in First Aid’s face was evident.

“Sure thing, pal. What do you need?” Ratchet got up and walked toward his fellow physician.

First Aid turned and led him down the hallway toward the Infirmary. “I need you to perform a procedure on me.”

As they got to the infirmary Ratchet noticed that the soundproofing systems were engaged. “Why do you have the room soundproofed?”

The nervous Protectobot hesitantly responded. “Well, we didn’t want to disturb you.”

Ratchet’s question escaped his metal lips as First Aid reached to open the door. “Disturb me with what?”

“The screaming.” The door slid open to reveal four moaning Protectobots each recovering on different slabs.

Ratchet looked at them in horror. “What have you done to them?” His voice was little more than a whisper.

“What I’m about to ask you to do to me.”


***


“Now Autobot, it’s time to end this.” Megatron raised his right fist for the killing blow. Blaster could only look up with his weary optics and witness the final strike. But dark blue fingers wrapped around Megatron’s gray wrist, halting the blow. The enraged Decepticon released Blaster with his left hand, allowing the Autobot to fall to the ground, and whirled around to face the fool that would inherit his fate.

Familiar blue optics greeted him as he turned, and before Megatron could react a right snap kick had impacted hard against his abdomen. Prime’s lower right leg snapped back into place, but he shifted his body ninety degrees, pulled his still-raised right thigh across his waist, and sent a powerful right thrust kick into Megatron’s jaw. The chrome Decepticon hit the ground heavily, and looked up at his assailant. “Why couldn’t you stay dead!?!”

Prime allowed his still outstretched right leg to lower to the ground in front of him and positioned himself in a southpaw-boxing stance. “You give yourself far too much credit, Megatron. It would take a lot more than a sucker-shot to kill me.”

Megatron leapt to his feet and charged the Autobot Commander, but the amazingly quick Autobot used the Decepticon’s momentum to execute a hip-toss, and once again Megatron was on the ground. Infuriated, Megatron again leapt to his feet and charged Prime, and this time managed to tackle him to the ground. “This time I’ll hit you with more than just a ‘sucker-shot’! This time I’ll grind your frame to filings!” Megatron rained punches down on his enemy, several of which landed. But Prime rolled Megatron off of him and both combatants were back on their feet, circling each other.

The soaked Jetfire’s right cross connected squarely on Ramjet’s chin, and then he thrust his right elbow back toward Thundercracker behind him, which hit him in the chest. But Jetfire was unable to keep Dirge from tackling him, and soon the two robots were hitting the ground. Jetfire twisted to face his attacker, and as he turned he saw that Superion was in much the same position.

Superion struggled against Devastator’s grip, which was keeping him pinned to the ground, as Menasor and the new gestalt maneuvered themselves on either side of the green giant to better strike at the Autobot. The new giant, which some of the smaller Decepticons had called Bruticus, stepped back and pulled out his rifle. As he walked around the left side of Devastator, Menasor, who was on Devastator’s right, noticed something from behind Bruticus. As Bruticus positioned the tip of his rifle to Superion’s forehead, Menasor pointed and attempted to verbalize something.

But before any words of warning could come out, a giant gray and orange claw came crashing down on Bruticus’ head and shoulders. Menasor started forward to aid his comrade, but was sent flying back by a blow from Omega Supreme’s rocket arm. Devastator shifted to look up at what was happening to his left, a movement that Superion took advantage of and used to roll Devastator off of him.

Superion looked up at his reawakened friend, who despite being on his feet, looked terrible. Omega Supreme’s armor was dented, punctured, and even shredded in some places. But despite his weariness and injuries, the ancient Guardian displayed no hesitation in attacking the Decepticons. Planting his right foot into the back of Bruticus, Omega Supreme reached forward with his claw and gripped the head of Devastator, who was struggling to get to his feet. In a frighteningly savage burst of motion, the giant Autobot jerked his right shoulder and upper torso back, hurtling the Constructicon giant far behind him and into the base of a mountain.

Realizing that he would be of more use as a fighter than a spectator, Superion leapt to his feet and set out to challenge the recovering Menasor. The Stunticon gestalt had just gotten to his feet as Superion reached him, and lunged at the approaching Aerialbot. Superion sent a jab to intercept the lunge, but it glanced off of Menasor’s shoulder. Unable to avoid the onslaught, Superion was tackled to the ground and started grappling with the Decepticon. The two struggled on the ground, and to the anger of any Decepticons watching, rolled into, and destroyed, the space bridge.

The two struggled, but Superion used an arm bar to force Menasor off of him. Both gestalts climbed back to their feet, but the quicker Superion lunged at Menasor and planted his right shoulder into the chest of the Decepticon, sending him back to the ground. Menasor’s efforts to regain his standing position were interrupted by numerous kicks sent to his body. But despite Superion’s attempts to beat him into submission, Menasor did manage to get back to his feet and attack once again. But two jabs and an uppercut later, the Stunticon was back on his posterior.

Menasor glared up at the tall Autobot with rage, but he quickly grew a little confused as he noticed Superion looking over him and taking a few steps back. Menasor leaned back and craned his neck to see what the Autobot was looking at, and saw the immense Omega Supreme hovering over him. The sight of a giant claw bearing down on him was the only thing to precede unconsciousness.

The two Autobot giants looked out over the battlefield. Neither side seemed to have any distinct advantage at that point, but the two colossal warriors smiled at each other knowing that that would soon change. Omega Supreme started toward Megatron, who was currently battling Optimus Prime, while Superion set out to aid the Dinobots, who were having it out with the Predacons and Insecticons.

Megatron squeezed Prime’s forearm hard as he spun his body around and hurled his hated foe into a rock wall. Prime's back hit hard, but he recovered quickly enough get low, shoot forward and spear the charging Megatron. The two leaders traded a few more blows on the ground before orange pinchers locked onto Megatron’s right leg and pulled him into the air.

Megatron twisted vigorously to free himself from the grasp of the Guardian, but the grip was too strong. He looked up into the face of his captor, and saw a conviction in the optics of Omega Supreme that made him aware that he would have to escape quickly, or die. Four quick, but powerful bursts erupted from the mouth of his fusion cannon and struck various points on Omega Supreme’s upper chest, one of which was already ruptured from a previous blast.

The Guardian released Megatron and staggered back, but regained his composure a moment later. Megatron looked over the field of battle, and noted that his gestalts had been defeated and his other troops were now slowly being put on the defensive. The Decepticon leader cursed as he engaged his foot thrusters and took to the air. “Decepticons, retreat!”

From all over the area, Decepticons removed themselves from the battles that they had been engaged in and fell back, grabbing any nearby injured as they did so. Less than a minute later, only Autobots were standing around the newly liberated Diablo Canyon Nuclear Facility. Optimus Prime looked up at the wounded, yet extremely resilient powerhouse standing over him. “Well done my friend.”

Onslaught haggardly flew to Megatron’s side as they made their way over the Pacific Ocean toward the Nemesis. “Megatron, I’ll start working a plan to retake the power plant as soon as we make it back to the ship.”

Megatron turned his head, and to the surprise of all the Decepticons, smiled. “Do not bother, Onslaught. We have already supplied Shockwave with enough energon to revive over two-thirds of my dormant army. By the time we’ve rebuilt the space bridge, he’ll have a few hundred thousand Decepticons waiting to swarm onto Earth.” Megatron, and soon the other Decepticons, began laughing heartily as they made their way home.


***


The device must have been simple and archaic. Infinitely inferior to what Shockwave could have produced with the same material. But as the Decepticon Sub-Commander looked over the devastation, he had to admit that whatever it was, it had been effective. Shockwave analyzed the radiation levels with his wrist cannon as he walked through the incinerated remains of the facility that had been housing the vast majority of Megatron’s forces. Preliminary estimates put the death toll at just over one million Decepticons. This one strike had put the Autobots on nearly equal footing numerically.

“Lord Shockwave?”

Shockwave continued to look over the charred landscape. “What is it Ratbat?”

“Sir, should I alert Megatron to this situation?”

The question seemed absurd to Shockwave. Of course Megatron should be alerted to this. But despite the seeming stupidity of the question, Shockwave answered civilly. “Yes. Return to Darkmount and make him aware of what has happened. Inform him that I will provide more details as I uncover them.” The winged Decepticon nodded and took off for Darkmount. Just as he was airborne, Shockwave called him back. “Ratbat! I have another task for you. Have all wayward Decepticon warlords that I dispatched during Megatron’s absence return to Cybertron.”

The small Decepticon nervously shrugged his wings. “But sir, how am I to know the location of these warlords?”

Shockwave responded calmly, yet somehow managed to display his annoyance. “Since before I was created we have been sending out long range probes throughout the galaxy. Use those to relay the message as far and wide as you can.”

Ratbat nodded and once again set out for Darkmount.


***


Near the center of our galaxy lies a cluster of planetoids, somehow all linked together to form a web-like conglomeration. Deep within the centermost, and largest, of these celestial bodies lies an immense compound, and within this compound there are many chambers, but one is significantly larger than the rest. From the hallway leading to this chamber footsteps could be heard; large, controlled, purposeful footsteps, making their way to the chamber. The footsteps belong to a ponderously large, predominantly white and gold colored robot with green wings jutting out of it’s back, which finally enters the large, dark chamber. He stops as a rustling caused by a vastly larger object hidden in the shadows is heard. The concealed figure seemed to be gazing out a large window, into the black void of space. “So, my Liege Centuro has come to pay me a visit. No doubt concerning a certain summons from the home world.”

The powerful robot was startled, but only for a moment. “So you are aware of the message from Darkmount. Perhaps this is the opportunity to incorporate them into the empire that bears their name, to make them aware of how far-reaching their influence truly is, and of what a small role in the empire they really play.”

A low, sinister chuckle could be heard emanating from the enormous, unseen form. “The role of the home world in the empire is about to be changed from small to none.”

Once again a confused look came over the hulking robot’s face. “What do you mean by that?”

The ominous chuckling continued. “We were not the only ones to receive Darkmount’s call for the return of all off-world warriors. There are many others who now know of Darkmount’s request…and Cybertron’s location. In most cases the proliferation of this knowledge is harmless, but there is one entity that has sought this knowledge for countless eons, and now due to Darkmount’s myopia, finally has it in it’s possession.”

The robot’s green optics flared at hearing this. “Perhaps a message of warning so that Shockwave might better prepare for whatever seeks the home world?”

The laugh returned, only louder. “There is no preparation for what is to befall Cybertron. But if you wish to send a message, then by all means do so. Just make sure to let Shockwave know that Chaos is coming.”

The robot bowed as he took his leave. “Yes, my Liege.”



End Season One